Xue Yang blinked slowly as the light hit his eyes. He tried to move but was restricted by some ropes tied tightly flung his arms and legs.

A blurry face appeared in his eyesight.

"Oh!! You're awake!" they said.

Strong arms say him up.

As came more to focus, memories came flooding in.

What happened?

And why was his hair white?

Was he not supposed to be hanging out with his godly friends and-

He burst into tears.

What had he done?

So many people had died by his hands!

He was tainted!

"Oh my gods please don't cry I can't comfort people!" The person said panicked.

He felt hands gently wipe his tears.

The person came into focus and it Lan Wangji.

"I'm-" he tried to say.

"Shush" Wangji quietened him.

He turned his head slightly to see a young girl, who was clearly panicking.

"Sorry I can't comfort people!" She said, shrugging.

"By the way my name is Yingyue" she said.

"Time to be serious though, what do you remember?"

He gulped, " I remember being attacked by Wen Chao"

And I remember k-killing people," he choked.

"And did it feel like you were in control of yourself when you did that?" She questioned him.

"No! I felt like I just watching it happen with no control over it!" He cried in distress.

"Shush please calm down" Wangji said softly.

Xue Yang quickly tried to regulate his breathing.

"You had a nail of control in your head," Yingyue said calmly.

"Wen Chao could control you through that, and ever since he died, you have been half in control" she concluded.

"That still doesn't excuse what I've done!" He cried.

Yingyue then exchanged an eerie look with Lan Wangji.

"Sorry but you need to calm down" Yingyue grimaced.

"Wha-" he managed to get out, as a hand came down on a pressure point and knocked him out.

(Italics are flashbacks)

"A-niang!! A-die!!" A little boy ran towards his parents.

The memory and their faces were blurry.

"Pick me up! Pick me up!!" He repeated.

Happy, boisterous laughter was heard as the boy was scooped up and swung around.

That memory dissipated and another took its place.

"__ Yang! I hereby declare you the god of protection! Are you ready to take the responsibility of looking after mortals in danger?" A strong loud voice declared, as he kneeled.

"I will!! I ___ Yang, swear to take my responsibility seriously as a god!!" He swore.

"I will look after the mortals to the best of my ability!"

Another memory trickled in.

"Ahh __ Yang!! Come on! You don't have to help this mortal! He's already powerful! Stay with us and party a bit more!"

"No I must go it's my responsibility!" He declined.

He appeared to help the mortal but was promptly blindfolded.

His arms tied up with deity binding ropes.

"How dare you attack a god!" He cried.

"A god who is soon going to be under my control!" A voice laughed creepily.

"Do you remember what you've learnt A-Yang?" His a-niang asked.

"Yeah!! I learnt that if you fail your duty, which in my case is hurt a mortal, my hair will turn white as a sign of my wrongdoings!!" He said seriously.

"I know that will never happen to you darling," his mother replied reassuringly patting his head.

Xue Yang gasped as he woke up again.

"You calm now?"Yingyue remarked.

Xue Yang just glared at her.

"I remembered who I really am," he said amazed.

"Really?" Yingyue asked, as Wangji perked up in interest.

(Insert explanation. Sorry I'm lazy)

"Oh gods!" Yingyue said shocked.

"You were captured," Wangji said with wide eyes.

There was a moment of silence before he asked,

"Why are you here anyway?"

Yingyue patiently explained to him.

"I'll accompany you as repayment for bringing me back to my right mind!" He declared determinedly.

"Are you sure?" Wangji asked.

"Yes" he said resolutely.

"And there is one thing you should know as well" Wangji took a deep breath.

"I'm pregnant"

"....why am I not in the slightest surprised?" He laughed.

Seeing Wangji's confused look he continued, "your lover is a bit off the rails when drunk, and you were also quite drunk from a few sips!"

Yingyue burst out in laughter at Wangji's affronted look.

He joined in as Wangji looked at them annoyedly.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜