Disclaimer: 1/2 Prince belongs to Yu Wo.

A/N: I love Ling Bin, but I'm totally GuixLan all the way. Nonetheless, I believe Wicked deserves a happy ending. This is my attempt.

Definition of Phoenix: a mythical creature that, after-death, rises from its own ashes with renewed youth and vigor, ready to live again.

Prologue

"I…" Prince sighed. "No matter our situation, let Phoenix decide this herself. She's not an object. She should make her own decisions."

Those words continued to echo in the deep recesses of Ling Bin's mind long after all the celebrations regarding the Central Continent's now-unified status. He'd since logged out of Second Life and was laying flat on his back, staring upward at the ceiling of his unlit bedroom. One arm dangled off the side of his bed, hand still clutching his gaming helmet.

Xiao Lan.

He'd never treated her as an object. At least he hoped he never did. He loved her beyond all reason. She was his world. She was his reason for joining Second Life. He'd left The World to find her and find her he did. But when he did, she was not his Xiao Lan. She was someone else entirely. He ignored it and continued to cling to her. To Prince. He'd love Xiao Lan no matter what or who she became.

Many people clung to Prince, including that insufferable bard. Ling Bin's face darkened. He'd heard about the reason for the bard's initial attachment. He'd heard about how Xiao Lan had unconsciously drooled over him at first sight. Gui mentioned it smugly to him during one of their spats. He might have known Xiao Lan for eight years, but she'd yet to glance at him with such raw desire. Gui seemed to realize this as well. It was increasingly obvious that Prince did not hold any romantic feelings for Wicked. He treated him like a good companion. A brother even, but never anything above that. The love was completely one-sided.

Ling Bin told himself repeatedly that good things come to those who wait. He'd waited for eight years. Shouldn't that get him something spectacular? Shouldn't Xiao Lan have noticed him by now? He was no longer the lean and gawky elementary-school neighbor boy she'd initially befriended. He was a grown man, and he still naively held onto his only hope of obtaining the woman he loved—an unexpected question and a forgotten promise.

"Zhuo-gege, will you marry me when I grow up?"

"Yes, of course I will."

He heaved a sigh, rolling onto his stomach and burying his face into the depths of his pillow. He couldn't keep beating himself up over this. He needed an answer. He needed closure…or the opportunity for a brand new start, hopefully a happy start with Xiao Lan.

He forced his eyes closed again as he envisioned her smiling face.

She should make her own decisions.

Ling Bin believed that Xiao Lan had revealed a piece of herself in that statement. He'd always been waiting, patiently, for her to notice and choose him. He couldn't do it any longer.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Lan. I need an answer. Soon."

He fell into a restless sleep filled with troubled dreams that he wouldn't remember come morning. All that he recalled was a crying Xiao Lan, and despite his innate knowledge of her, for once he couldn't tell if she'd been crying tears of sorrow or tears of joy.

~0~o~0~

A/N: Don't you just hate it when you're trying to write another story and the plot bunnies keep bringing up something else instead? Yeah, me too. Especially after I said I was taking a break from 1/2 Prince. Expect sporadic updates. This story was originally inspired by pairings in the Stolen Kisses universe. Please review. You'll make Wicked happy in the end. :)