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He didn't lie to you, Pete, Jia Hao told him, calm and pained at the same time. He lied to us.
After knowing the truth that he hasn't been lied to; that Niran ought to save Ploy and the other people whose life spirits were stolen even if it meant that the Qi Rong would be freed once more to the world, Pete was relieved and just as devastated at the same time.
If only Niran had told him about his plan, maybe he would not have to be angered; maybe he would not have screamed at him. Be that as it may, Niran has always had his own ways… his own morals that he upholds.
Maybe Niran couldn't tell him anything because Niran wasn't exactly sure whether the ritual would proceed successfully or not.
The thing is, Niran had nowhere else to place himself in the situation because he would ultimately end up lying to somebody by whichever plan he would pursue. Though what he was certain about was that he wouldn't risk Pete getting hurt or the only family he's got, which is Ploy, his sister.
The society could curse him for it… for releasing the damned thing back to the world, but Niran wouldn't hesitate to commit arson just to keep Pete warm.
That should do it—that should be Pete's assurance that Niran would do anything to keep him safe. But no one has the right to berate him from being upset about having to believe that his own sister would end up dying. He was angry, rightfully so.
And now that that is said and done, Pete simply had the urge to find Niran… to finally fix the bridge that weathered a misunderstanding.
For normal people, that would seem difficult. It wasn't always easy to find someone who was trying to go far away from you. But Niran and Pete were far from being normal. Their souls have been bound, and not most people would experience such a thing through their lifetime. And when your soul is bound to someone else's, finding the other wouldn't even cause you a sweat.
All I did was think of you, that was what he told Niran in order to find him within the thick fog of manipulation. Of course, that was what he did, too, now that he needed to find Niran once again.
Truly, that was effective, because in no time, he found Niran walking by the bridge in the heart of their town. As soon as he saw Niran, his chest threatened to shrink. Niran was walking like he didn't know where he was going; like the life in him was slowly draining out of his body.
Pete would have never expected to see Niran in such a state, where he looked painfully lost, energy almost emptied in his system… as if he hasn't seen a good day in his life, because he was convinced that Niran takes good care of himself despite everything; that he wouldn't let his negative thoughts have power over him.
But then again, as someone who is able to borrow strength from the heavens as Wu, surely there would be consequences too. Niran is also human, capable of many things and susceptible to exhaustion.
The golden thread of fate around their wrists suddenly appeared, showing its beauty the moment Pete had found Niran.
For some reason, Niran couldn't believe what was happening. He didn't even think that Pete would still want to talk to him after what happened. But here they are, apart just a little distance away.
Despite the exhaustion and fear of losing Pete, Niran still felt his heart beating louder against his chest… as if he just breathed back to life, tears simply brimmed his eyes.
"Niran," Pete softly called, almost out of breath but the delight in his voice was just as audible. "I found you."
Under the scrutiny of the sunlight, the glow from their threads was almost blinding. However, nothing could ever compare to the brilliance of Pete's smile in Niran's opinion.
Pete took a deep breath, taking in some courage with him, before launching himself to Niran for a hug. He's been dying to do that since the night of the ritual… since Niran had walked his way out after smashing the sealed pot.
Losing Niran from his sight that night after screaming his guts out at him felt like he had to force shards of glass down his throat as he swallowed.
"Niran," Pete softly called once more, now gathering Niran inside his embrace. "I know the truth now. I'm so sorry for lashing out on you… and thank you. Thank you for saving my sister. I owe it all to you…"
Pete breathed for a moment because if he didn't, he might end up weeping and vomiting his words out into pure nonsense. He held onto Niran tighter, a little closer, afraid that he might lose sight of Niran once again if he ever detached his hold on him.
"I will do anything for you in return," he professed. "Even if it means I have to die, I will do it. You can trust me on that, Niran."
It all made Niran speechless. For someone who had messed up so badly, he couldn't believe Pete was still gracing him mercy today… that Pete was even embracing him like he didn't want him to leave.
"Pete," he finally found the courage to say, weak and fragile. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry that I made you feel like I lied to you. I'm—"
"Niran," Pete gently cut Niran's words. "I understand now. I know I was devastated because I thought I'd lose my sister…"
"You were rightfully devastated, Pete."
"Yes," Pete breathed again, thinking he wasn't supposed to cry now. "Yes, that is true. But it is also true that you have decisions to make that could affect a larger population. You are always placed right in the middle of options that would challenge your morals. I'm sorry, Niran."
Niran's heart trembled, enough to echo deep in his ears. He recently realized that he despised hearing apologies from Pete when he hadn't even done wrong to him, because in reality, he was the one who slipped; the one who went in the frontlines only to later betray his own people by letting the Qi Rong escape after everything they have been through.
This time, though, despite the heaviness in his limbs, Niran powered through to lift an arm to finally hold Pete back.
And, god, feeling Niran's arm rest against the expanse of his back made Pete lose all his inhibitions. The tears brimming his eyes now easily escaped, warmly streaming on his cheeks… because finally Niran was holding him back, so close to his chest.
That was what played in his mind the entire time he hadn't seen Niran. All he ever wanted to feel was Niran's warmth as he held him so close, as if he was his dearest.
And now that Niran was holding him, Pete felt as if everything was alright again.
"Don't you ever apologize for something you didn't do, Pete," Niran weakly said, but already so relieved to have Pete this close to his chest. "Especially not when it comes to caring for your sister."
Pete sobbed, causing Niran to hold him tighter. "Don't you ever… don't you ever walk away from me like that again, Niran."
"I'm so sorry for scaring you like that."
Pete had shed more tears and Niran let him—he held him close to his chest until Pete was feeling much better once again.
Eventually, Pete was the first one to gingerly pull away from the embrace. He wiped the tears clean on his face, looked at Niran and said, "Let's go home?"
Niran couldn't help but caress Pete's cheek, smiling weakly at him. "Okay… let's go home."
Home, Niran whispered to himself. Where there is you and I.