It was later that night and everyone was or should be asleep. Wangji, for once, was awake past his normal sleep schedule. He was up just staring at the ring in his hand. He had Hua Ying's ashes, his life, in his hand. Wangji felt grateful but scared at the same time to hold such a responsibility. He has disappointed Hua Ying a couple times now and with this ring, he could make up for it but he didn't want to basically dangle that in Hua Ying's face. That wasn't Wangji. Since Hua Ying's parents entrusted him with Hua Ying's ashes, he knew he cannot mess up this time. He was nervous about that though. Having such a thing in his possession meant that he could put Hua Ying in danger if he was not careful.

"Where did you get that?" Hua Ying asked in a whisper.

Wangji nearly jumped out of his skin at the appearance of Hua Ying so suddenly, "why are you here, it's late?"

"I live here and I don't sleep much anymore," Hua Ying answered as he approached Wangji, "now answer my question, how did you get possession of my ashes?"

"Your...parents thought it would be best if I had it," Wangji answered with slight hesitation.

Hua Ying looked at the ring and then at Wangji, "okay," Hua Ying said as he plopped onto the bed beside him, "let me chill here by you tonight, okay."

"Ugh, okay," Wangji replied and laid down beside him.

Hua Ying turned to face Wangji, "I will keep you safe at night. I promise," Hua Ying said quietly as he took the ring in Wangji's hand and placed it on his left middle finger, "when the time is right, this ring will move from your middle finger to your ring finger."

Wangji looked at the ring that was now on his finger before looking back at Hua Ying, "are you willing to give me a chance?"

"Lan Zhan, I am still hurt by your words," Hua Ying said, "but I do still love you. I spent five years in that kiln just hoping that maybe I'd die there instead because I didn't want to live a day where you didn't want me. I have been working hard to push you away this time because I just do not want to get hurt again and be disappointed. I've had enough rejection from people who I wanted to at least be friends with."

Wangji saw tears falling from Hua Ying's eyes. It may be the middle of the night, but the moon was high in the sky and lit the room with hues of blue. It was enough light to see the pain in Hua Ying's eyes, "I am really sorry that I hurt you, Hua Ying. If you do not trust me, then it is on me to work harder to gain it. As trust is earned not given freely. That being said, my heart will always belong to you, Hua Ying, and I promise I will protect this ring with my life as it is your life that is now in my hands."

"Lan Zhan?" Hua Ying whispered.

Lan Wangji didn't have to say anything else. He wrapped his arms around Hua Ying and held him close. Despite feeling the new chilling aura that radiates off Hua Ying, Wangji still felt the warmth he held. Hua Ying wrapped his arms around Wangji and rested his head on Wangji's chest, "you should get some sleep. I will be here when you wake up," Hua Ying said.

"Mnn, good night, Hua Ying," Wangji said as he placed a kiss on the top of his head.

"Good night Lan Zhan," Hua Ying said.

Lan Wangji slept peacefully that night. It was a long time since he had such a good nights rest. Waking up, his arms were still wrapped firmly around Hua Ying. Wangji felt relieved as Hua Ying had given him a chance. This time, he will always be on Hua Ying's side. He will learn to communicate better with him. It was what should have been like in the first place.

Wangji was just so lost in his sect's rules and so-called righteous way, that he didn't want to see that his actions had consequences. He almost lost Hua Ying twice now, and both times were because he wasn't there for him. He was kept away from him the first time around by his uncle and brother, and he knew they if he really loved Hua Ying, he should have fought harder for him. The second time was out of a misunderstanding and miscommunication.

As Wangji laid there for a bit that morning and thought about some things, his mind was suddenly cut blank when he felt a pair of lips pressing against his jaw. It took Wangji a moment to register what he was feeling before looking down at Hua Ying, who was still laying comfortably in his arms. Hua Ying was, or course, awake and aware that Wangji had woken up. He gave the young cultivator a bit of space for a moment after waking to give him time to remember the conversation from last night.

Hua Ying's lips moved from Wangji's jaw to his chin. Wangji's mouth began to water as he was now desperately wanting to taste Hua Ying's lips again. It's been so long since he had Hua Ying's lips at his mercy. Hua Ying's lips brushed against the younger's cheek, and pressed firmly to leave a kiss behind, (If you have forgotten, Hua Ying is 200 years old; now 205, so he is considered way older than Wangji).

"Hua Ying?" Wangji whispers.

"Hmm?" Hua Ying responds.

"Can I kiss you?" Wangji asked, "I want to feel your lips in mine again. It's been so long."

"Kiss me, Hanguang Jun," Hua Ying whispered as he inches his lips very close to Wangji's.

Lan Wangji placed his hand on the back of Hua Ying's head and pulled the man in to a close, having their lips finally meeting each other again after five long years. Lan Wangji could still taste the sweetness that lingered on Hua Ying's lips. It was like he was tasting something sugary sweet. Hua Ying's lips were still as soft as Wangji remembered them being.

Taking a small bite on Hua Ying's bottom lip, caused Hua Ying to gasp and his lips parted slightly. Wangji took the opportunity to slip his tongue past those sweet, soft lips and explore the beautiful moist cavern of Hua Ying's mouth. Tongues clashed and fell, tangled and twisted. Wangji missed this so much, and he wanted to make sure he was to never lose this person in his arms again.