Li Wei came to them with news—he wanted to formally bond with his partner, a vampire named Chen Hao.
"We've been together for eight months," Li Wei said. "I love him. I want to make it permanent."
Adrian felt pride and protectiveness simultaneously. "Are you sure? Bonding is forever. Literally."
"I'm sure. Cain's memories show me what eternal love looks like. What you and Kieran have. I want that with Hao."
They helped Li Wei plan the ceremony—traditional vampire bonding, witnessed by friends and family. It was beautiful, intimate, a celebration of love transcending time.
When Li Wei and Hao completed their blood bond, exchanging vows and blood simultaneously, Adrian felt tears on his cheeks.
"Why are you crying?" Kieran asked gently.
"Because Li Wei was a scared teenager nine months ago. Now he's bonded, confident, building his own eternal love story. We helped give him that."
"You helped give him that. You found him, turned him, guided him."
"We did it together," Adrian corrected.
At the reception afterward, Li Wei pulled Adrian aside.
"Thank you," Li Wei said. "For everything. For finding me, for turning me, for teaching me what it means to be vampire. Without you, I'd still be a terrified kid with confusing memories."
"You did the work yourself. I just provided support."
"You provided family. That matters more."
Adrian hugged him tightly, feeling the weight of mentorship, of legacy, of the future they were building together.