Lan Zhan never thought of himself as a bully, but Wei Ying was not listening, and nothing worked, except kissing him senseless.

That part only served to stop him from saying silly things, such as suggesting they not share the one and only bed, even though Lan Zhan promised he could wait the week it would take getting things organised for their actual wedding.

They were back in the Jingshi now, and Lan Zhan hadn't been paying any particular attention to what Wei Ying was saying either, too mesmerised by the shapes his lips were making as he spoke. They really were very beautiful.

Maybe Wei Ying was joking…

"I am not!" He huffed in the most adorable way, and once again, Lan Zhan was lost.

Whenever Wei Ying was in the room, his eyes were drawn to the only thing worth looking at, the one person he was born to love.

"My love, you're not paying attention." Wei Ying came and held both of his hands.

"It is Wei Ying’s fault." Lan Zhan admitted, a shy smile playing on his lips. "I cannot concentrate when you are near me."

"But then, what about when we go to meet your Uncle and your brother? They already think I'm the evil incarnate, stealing their blood to have my wicked way with you!" Wei Ying pouted.

That was it!

Lan Zhan pushed him up against the wall and began kissing him in earnest, unable to resist his beautiful mouth, especially when those pink plump lips puckered in a sulk. Pretty soon, Wei Ying was moaning into his mouth, arms around his neck and melting up against him, and Lan Zhan lost all reason, even when the knock sounded, far too close to them.

It was Wei Ying who pulled away first, panting with kiss-bitten lips.

"My love…"

Lan Zhan had to take a moment to calm himself before opening the door to a disciple.

"Zewu-Jun has finished his meeting and called Senior Lan Qiren to the Hanshi. They are ready for you now." The poor boy looked pale and scandalised.

"Um…we may have been too loud?" Wei Ying looked at the retreating back of a person willing to take punishment in exchange for never ever undertaking this duty again.

"I do not care. Besides, it was Wei Ying’s idea to have the wedding here." Lan Zhan reminded him.

"I thought they would have been too excited to wait, you know, to welcome back their son, so to speak." Wei Ying sounded wistful.

"Things are done differently here. The Lan Clan prides itself on not having outward displays of emotions. Even the pride part, but lesser of two evils."

"That makes me evil number three," Wei Ying joked, and then regretted it by the look in Lan Zhan’s eyes.

Lan Zhan took his hands and brought one to his lips.

"Won't you tell me what my brother said to you that day? I feel as if it was something important, and I do not wish Wei Ying to take his words to heart." Lan Zhan puts that hand down and kisses the other one, loving the way Wei Ying softened at the small gesture.

He was learning all the ways that made Wei Ying melt, all the things he liked and thought were romantic. Lan Zhan wanted to spoil him, wanted him to get past the horrible trauma his past had become.

It wasn't just that part, being exposed to someone who had mistaken whatever they felt for love, and then trying to force it on Wei Ying, but Lan Zhan was pretty sure XiChen might have said something to Wei Ying that time when he'd been forced to leave them both alone together.

They had talked, he and Wei Ying, of when Wei Ying had told him about his Master's curse and how it had occurred, and since there was no manservant or master in the first place, Lan Zhan knew Wei Ying had been talking about himself.

The effects of that experience wasn't something which could be brushed away just like that. Wei Ying needed to be shown that he was lovable, and capable of loving someone back.

Wei Ying wasn't above romantic gestures himself, and he leaned up to place a warm kiss on Lan Zhan’s cheek in return. He knew what Lan Zhan was doing, and this was his way of letting him know it was appreciated.

Together, they held hands and walked from the Jingshi to the Hanshi.

Wei Ying chatted about everything he saw, and Lan Zhan concentrated on the sound of his voice, feeling quietly giddy.

He was going to marry Wei Ying.

And he was going to make some changes, not all of them known to Wei Ying yet…

"Am I allowed to tell them who you are?" Lan Zhan asked him, when there was a gap in their conversation.

Wei Ying rubbed his nose, most adorably. There were times when he looked like a bunny, and Lan Zhan had to stop from kissing him quite openly right now.

"Um…I don't know. I suppose it might be okay because they're family, but it's not something we talk about openly, so to speak." He shrugged.

"So we can play it by ear. Only divulge if it needs to come out." Lan Zhan conceded.

"Your brother is probably going to ask if the Kitsune is okay about you marrying not him, but his servant." Wei Ying giggled uncontrollably. "You have to admit, that was a genius idea."

"Mn. That's because my Wei Ying is the best." Lan Zhan couldn't resist and placed a loving kiss at his temple, making Wei Ying blush because Lan XiChen had chosen exactly that moment to open the door.

His eyes nearly popped out when he saw that they were holding hands, too.

"Didi!" He did come forward and embrace Lan Zhan though, so maybe he was going to be alright about it?

Inside the Hanshi, Uncle Qiren is pouring fresh tea into four cups.

"Sit." He still looks stern.

Wei Ying sits down next to Lan Zhan, feeling completely out of his depth. He's so nervous that the tea cup spills a little in his shaky hand, and he drinks too quickly, scalding his mouth.

It's only the feeling of a warm palm on his knee that gives him a calmness.

"It's so good to see you, Didi. I wonder though, since the disciples said this meeting was going to be about your marriage." XiChen looks pointedly at their joined hands.

"Mn, Xiongzhang is correct." Lan Zhan smiled, feeling his heart warming.

Maybe Wei Ying was right to want to have the wedding here, with his family.

"It was Wei Ying’s suggestion," he adds, smiling even more when Wei Ying buries his face in Lan Zhan’s shoulder, with a small whine of embarrassment.

XiChen looked a little pained; Lan Zhan had never been obtuse before, so why wasn't he getting it? Maybe XiChen would have to be a bit clearer?

"I just thought, with family, you know?" Wei Ying mumbles, his face redder than a ripe strawberry.

Lan Zhan kisses the top of his head, and these physical displays of affection are making XiChen feel sick.

"But what about the Kitsune?" He prods, wanting Lan Zhan to remember himself, remember the promise he made to marry the Great Deity…not his manservant!

"He's fine with it." Wei Ying hurries to interject.

"What?"

"Mn. Wei Ying is correct." Lan Zhan pours more tea for everyone.

There's a little extra in Wei Ying's cup, too. They all notice, but no one is saying anything. Not even Uncle Qiren, who continues stroking his whiskers like a cat.

XiChen is rather frustrated.

"But, well, has he given you his name? You said that only one who has gained his favour would earn the right to know him by name." XiChen cannot help but sound indignant. His brother is about to throw away the grace of Divinity.

And he must know that, right??

"Yes, I know his name." Lan Zhan throws another dreamy look towards Wei Ying.

"You do?" XiChen faltered, and then he turned his attention to the wily Manservant.

XiChen wasn't sure how, or why, but he was a hundred percent sure that Wei WuXian had something to do with swaying Lan Zhan off the correct path of morality, of keeping one's word, and the value of sacred promises.

Wei WuXian was staring at him owlishly, as if he knew exactly what was going on in his head.

"And do YOU know about this?" XiChen blurted out. Surely the Manservant wouldn't be that shameless to admit it, and to admit openly that he was being the third wheel? Right?

"Of course, I know about it." Wei WuXian threw back his head and laughed.

And then XiChen had the strangest thought: was there going to be THREE people in this marriage? Did that even count if one of them was a fox?

He wasn't sure what his face was doing. But he was determined to push through with a valiant effort.

"So…you're telling me," he took a deep breath, "You're going to marry the Kitsune?"

"Mn."

"AND Wei WuXian?" XiChen clarified.

"Mn."

"Both of them?" XiChen was feeling quite faint, as he tried to picture them together, and failed.

"You could say that." Lan Zhan smiled wider than XiChen had ever seen him.

"Okay." XiChen's voice came out higher than he expected.

Who knew his baby brother had a kinky side?

XiChen was NOT going to think about that…

The rest of the meeting passed by in a blur, though the rest of the questions were answered in the vaguest way, giving XiChen a tension headache.

"How many people should we expect?

There were shrugs from both of them.

Okay, fine, he could just plan on keeping the cooks on standby, right?

"Morning wedding sounds alright?" XiChen fully expected his Didi to agree, but wait,  was that a frown on his face? XiChen looked between the two of them, but nothing explained the solid, frosty glare aimed his way, while Wei WuXian was staring up at his betrothed with heart eyes and adoration, melting into his side, and why did Lan Zhan then abandon propriety to wrap an arm around Wei WuXian's waist?

Moreover, why wasn't Shifu saying anything about that?

XiChen felt terribly out of his depth.

"Afternoon wedding." Lan Zhan states firmly, brooking no argument.

"Lan Zhaaaan! I promise I'll wake up on time!"

XiChen watches as Wei WuXian shamelessly puts three of his fingers to the side of his head in a promise to show his sincerity.

"I would want Wei Ying to be fully rested for that day, especially." Lan Zhan says, with raised brows.

How come Lan Zhan knows of Wei WuXian's sleeping habits?

Why? XiChen is just wondering this, when Wei WuXian's face blooms into the reddest shade possible, as his understanding dawns.

"There will be no sleeping that night." Lan Zhan explains, to all present.

Uncle Qiren stands up, clearly flustered.

"XiChen, I trust you to conclude matters here." And that's all he says, leaving XiChen to deal with a situation that he never, ever, not even in his wildest dreams, thought he'd have to.

Lan Zhan looks incredibly smug, while Wei Ying’s face is hidden behind his fingers.

"Ah, I trust that is all?" XiChen believes that to be the best course of action, he can deal with anything, as long as he doesn't have to think about his baby brother and his wedding night…

"No. There is a condition." Lan Zhan says, completely serious.

Now both Wei Ying and XiChen are looking at him. He's going to power through.

"What condition?" XiChen asks politely.

There isn't much he wouldn't do for his Didi, but today, he wishes and prays the next words to come out of his mouth have nothing to do with implied physical activities that should only occur behind closed doors.

"There are approximately fifty young children of varying ages and their guardians, a brother and sister, who need to be accepted into our clan. Immediately. I believe their additions will be most beneficial to all concerned. I am sure that Xiongzhang will agree. Otherwise, Wei Ying and I can get married elsewhere." Lan Zhan picks up his teacup and drinks it in one go, all without breaking eye contact.

It's quite intimidating, XiChen can't lie.

"Alright." XiChen agrees without missing a beat, while internalising his panic.

"Great, see you later. Wei Ying has been missing the children, and we need to tell them. Thank you, Xiongzhang." Lan Zhan stands up with Wei Ying.

They bow and then his baby brother grabs Wei Ying’s wrist and a portal opens up, right there, which they walk through like that's normal.

Wei Ying even gives him a small wave, while Lan Zhan smiles indulgently.

And just as suddenly, the Hanshi is back to being the quiet place it has always been.

XiChen looks around quietly.

He could do with a nap.

There's a knock on the door.

"Sect Leader Yao is requesting a meeting, Zewu-Jun." The messenger tells him.

Yep, definitely time for a nap, then.

***************

Wei Ying hugs him for a good ten minutes when they walk out into the alley in Yiling.

"Thank you, my love." Happy tears are falling from his beautiful eyes.

Lan Zhan wonders if it's possible to love him even more.

The answer is a resounding yes.

"I would do anything for Wei Ying, without obligation." Lan Zhan tells him, hugging him back.

"How did you find the answer to the Queen Mother's question? Though it sounds like a riddle now that I'm thinking about it." Wei Ying snuggles further into his embrace.

"I think it was only something which had to be experienced, to understand. Not possible to know from the outside." Lan Zhan tells him, feeling happier than he's ever felt. "There is no need for thanks, not when our goals are connected. Or the same."

"I guess so." Wei Ying concedes.

They begin to walk along the path that will inevitably lead them to where the children are, a few of those kidnapping them in the process.

This time when their meal is shared, Wei Ying announces their good news to all of them, this found family of love.

Wen Qing cries and Wen Ning assures them she's happy, and somehow it turns into a party.

All the children crowd around Lan Zhan and ask him questions about Cloud Recesses, and what it's like, what their lives will be like when they start living there.

Wei Ying stands back and lets him have the spotlight, seeing how it nourishes Lan Zhan’s confidence, the obvious love he feels for his home and how much he wants to share it with these new seedlings.

One of the children is brave enough to want to climb into his lap, and rather than dismissing her efforts, Wei Ying watches him pick her little body up and sit her on his lap, and continue speaking to eager little faces.

That one child's bravery opens the door for all of them and suddenly, Lan Zhan is flat on his back with little kiddies climbing all over him.

He even looks as if he's enjoying himself.

Too soon, it's time to go, and Wei Ying waves at the barn that has been a home to so many souls.

He takes Lan Zhan’s hand and opens the doorway to another world, just waiting for them.

They all walk through the shimmering portal just before curfew.

It is the beginning of a new life for everyone.

******************

They have split the time between teaching the children how to integrate themselves within the Sect and conform to all the rules, while Lan Zhan steadfastly assures Wei Ying that they cannot apply to him, and he even manages to not-harrass his brother about his wedding.

Lan Zhan had never thought he would be a Groom-Zilla, but he was.

He wanted this wedding to be perfect.

His Xiongzhang had even hired a young man to come and help them with all the little details that needed to be completed before the big day, a certain Meng Yao. He was much shorter than the Jades, with two perfect dimples he had no qualms about showing off frequently to XiChen.

"I'm something of a wedding planner," he had confided in a stressed out Sect Leader, and XiChen had agreed far too quickly.

"Well, then…" Lan Zhan said, quietly transferring all of his energy from his brother, to this new vessel, "Let me show you my vision."

And they walked towards the Great Hall, their heads together in a deep discussion about the merits of scarlet over crimson.

XiChen wondered yet again, why it was that alcohol was forbidden…

**************

Today, it is the day of the wedding.

XiChen has made sure WangJi is ready in the Jingshi, and after helping him to the Great Hall, he's going back to the Hanshi to make sure Wei WuXian is ready. They are still waiting for the Kitsune to arrive, and XiChen isn't quite sure what to expect,,or what is expected from himself regarding the third Groom.

Maybe Wei WuXian will be able to shed some light in this direction, because this is the first time XiChen feels woefully inadequate but he hopes he can get through today well.

Though he won't blame the Kitsune's manservant if he doesn't want to help XiChen out today.

Looking back, he cringes, ashamed of what he had said to Wei WuXian, a few weeks ago.

Meng Yao is just leaving and XiChen knows he is going to wait in the Great Hall for them to arrive together. It will give him a chance to say what has been on his mind all these days.

Wei WuXian is a handsome man, a picture to look at, really.

"I can see why my brother fell in love with you," he says, closing the door behind himself. "You look very beautiful."

Wary silver eyes look back at him in the reflection on the mirror.

XiChen bows immediately, not liking the way he's feeling bad about how he treated this young man before.

Wei WuXian gasps, and turns around, quickly coming to him.

"I need to apologise, Wei WuXian. I am sorry for my poorly timed outburst when we had spoken the time before last." He was referring to Lan Zhan’s last day in Cloud Recesses, before he went to live with the Kitsune.

"That's okay, Zewu-Jun. I know it was a difficult time. For everyone." Wei WuXian says, making him stand up properly. "Let's put it behind us. Is Lan Zhan ready?" The brightest smile takes root on his young face until he's radiant with joy at the mention of his beloved.

"He is." XiChen confirms. "But are you sure, about us? My words were harsh by any standards."

"I am sure. Lan Zhan is helping me overcome any doubts I may have, and it's working, I'm pleased to say." Wei WuXian assures him.

"Then please, call me XiChen-Ge. I would like the honour of being an older brother to you as well as WangJi." XiChen is still looking at him hopefully.

Wei Ying had truthfully put the incident behind him, and he hugged XiChen warmly.

"You can call me A-Xian."

They smile at one another, and it is one fragranced with a truce.

Together, they come out of the Hanshi where an entourage of servants await, all dressed in green and gold, carrying a red decorated umbrella over Wei Ying’s head. He already suspects who could have sent them, but he's overjoyed when he sees his parents waiting outside the Great Hall, with his grandmother, Baoshan Sanren.

Theirs is a joyous reunion, filled with happy tears and hugs and laughter.

It is his grandmother who offers to walk beside him, on the last bit of his journey to Lan Zhan.

This is good, because Wei Ying can sense XiChen getting more and more agitated, because the Kitsune hasn't appeared yet, and he knows there's been a misunderstanding of sorts but there really hasn't been any way for him to explain or clear it up, that Wei WuXian IS the Kitsune.

So XiChen is still under the wrongish assumption that there will be three people getting married today, to each other.

The mischievous gremlin part of him wants to transform mid ceremony, but he knows how important today is for his husband-to-be, and Wei Ying wouldn't ruin it for anything.

"Do you really love him?" His grandmother whispers, just before they enter the Great Hall.

Oh yeah, he'd forgotten where he got his own naughty side from…

"Yes, Gramps, I really love him." Wei Ying pauses to look into her eyes, just so he can emphasise that and glare so she'll leave Lan Zhan alone. His grandmother is a terrifying prankster, due to their fox natures, and Wei Ying hopes she can reign it in today.

She giggles with delight and tucks his arm in hers.

Wei Ying makes the mistake of looking up and immediately, his eyes are drawn to golden magnets of intense love, staring straight back at him.

His feet are rooted to the ground and he cannot move.

Lan Zhan, so caring, saying more with all of his actions than with just words. Someone he can finally see sharing days together, wanting to be near him all the time. He's so warm and affectionate, so loving, that Wei Ying cannot imagine a life without him any more. Everyday, he feels more and more in love with him.

There is his Lan Zhan, the love of his life, waiting for him, and he's panicking suddenly.

Alarm flares in molten gold, and it's only because his grandmother pulls him along with her superhuman strength, that stays Lan Zhan in his place, otherwise this would have been a scandal that neither Lan Zhan nor anyone on his own side of the family would have cared about.

But Wei Ying is determined to make Lan Zhan proud.

Lan Zhan’s patience had already grown thin, waiting for Wei Ying to arrive.

He had met Wei Ying’s parents and his grandmother just outside, and he hoped they liked him, especially when he told them he was the one who was honoured to be chosen by Wei Ying, not the other way around.

He hoped they saw the truth shining in his eyes, as he bowed low to them.

There wasn't much time to get to know them because Meng Yao had arrived with the intention to push him inside the Great Hall, and Lan Zhan had never wanted to squish a bug so bad, but then his brother would have been upset with him, and there were far more productive ways to annoy him.

XiChen had kept skirting around the topic of his wedding, to be more accurate, the participants who were attending, and Lan Zhan felt a perverse pleasure in not telling him anything more and letting him stew.

It was rather entertaining, and frankly, none of his brother's business, what happened after his wedding.

Now, looking at his reason for living walking towards him, everyone else fades away.

At this moment, no one else exists except for Wei Ying and himself.

There's a steadily growing warmth in his centre, glowing around his golden core. It spreads with each step that Wei Ying walks to his destination, by Lan Zhan’s side.

If Lan Zhan had thought Wei Ying was beautiful before, it was because he hadn't ever seen him like this!

His silver eyes were calm now, like a moonlit sea, the waves kissing the shore with stars dancing above. His beautiful round cheeks are tinged with a delightful pink, and it's as if he too, cannot look away.

Wei Ying is his person, right here, and when their fingers meet, brushing against each other under the long, billowing silk of their red sleeves, Lan Zhan can see the tension melt away from his shoulders.

They both faced forward and bowed towards the Heavens first, and then to their parents.

Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren stand next to the tablets engraved with Lan Zhan’s parents' names, and Lan Zhan had insisted that Shifu and his Xiongzhang stand on the other side as well, because they were no less parental figures, either.

One last bow to each other, and they are married.

Now it is time for the tea ceremony.

A special blend of tea was used for this part of the ritual, with rare leaves that grew high up in the valleys of the mountains, and then dried with cinnamon and nutmeg, cardamom and dried ginger, sweetened with peach honey.

The fragrance wafts around them as Wei Ying pours tea for Lan Zhan’s parents and his uncle and elder brother, while Lan Zhan pours tea for Wei Ying’s parents and his mischievous grandmother, who had the audacity to wink at him.

That is one person to watch out for.

And for once, Lan Zhan is glad of his crimson robes which hide his ears that now match his clothes.

The sound of a celestial erhu rings out accompanied by soft percussion instruments and a hush descends as every guest looks around in awe. All around them, petals of every colour dance upon the air from the Heavens, and a golden carriage floats down.

When it finally lands, the attendants dressed in green and gold go to open the golden door, and out steps the Queen Mother of the West.

Suddenly, everyone is kneeling, showing their love and respect for her. She walks forward slowly, towards the newlyweds, under a crystal canopy that shines and twinkles like the night sky.

A green silk hanfu adorns her graceful body, whispers of green and gold organza with golden thread embroidery, depicting a glorious peach tree and its blossoms floating around it, and two branches spreading across her arms. In her arms, she carries the golden Wand of Wisdom. Emeralds and diamonds shine around her throat and on her wrists.

With the Wand, as the ornaments in her hair tinkle and swing, she touches the tip of her spiritual weapon to the top of their heads, all the while humming a special tune.

"I have come to grant you Wedding gifts." Her clear voice rings out like a singing brook bubbling over boulders and crevices, merry and lighthearted. "Amongst other things." Her bright green eyes sparkle with intelligence.

"Queen Mother, welcome! But how can any gift compare to your heavenly presence here? We are beyond honoured that your feet have graced the mountains of Gusu!" Wei Ying tells her with a dramatic flair.

"Mn." Lan Zhan agrees, overwhelmed by this latest surprise.

"Ah, such a charmer!" She grabs Wei Ying’s cheek and pinches it, none too gently either, and yet his smile never dims. "How could I miss the wedding of our Xiao Huli? Lan WangJi, let me tell you, I know some of his pranks that would make your hair stand on end!" She laughed delicately, looking around the room and tilting her head towards Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren, and Baoshan Sanren. "Out of all the Celestials, he remains the one most pure of heart. In fact, to ensure his work continues, I have come to bless this union, and give a gift to the Lan Clan of Gusu."

A gasp rings out among the guests as they visibly crane their necks to see and hear her better.

"My first gift is to the happy couple." She smiles down at them, full of motherly love.

Wei Ying looks at Lan Zhan, his smile so big that it lights up his face. Lan Zhan is still in awe that he can have this, that he can look at that face every day from today. His heart feels too full and he's trying not to cry.

Wei Ying squeezes their hands, still secretly joined together.

"Xiao Huli, you already own the gift of Immortality, but sadly, you do not." She's looking at Lan Zhan now. "And while Cultivation will increase your chances, perhaps we can speed up this process? All you have to do is pick your spirit animal. Do not worry about size." She winks at him.

Lan Zhan thinks she already knows what he's going to pick.

"Bunny," he says, without any doubts.

"Granted!" She touches the top of his bowed head, and leans forward to whisper close to his ear, "you should show your husband first."

Lan Zhan nods, too excited about her gift. He can't wait to show Wei Ying!

"In the meantime, let all of you know this truth:" she calls out much louder, "Xiao Tuzi will be known for his love of children, to bestow the gift of wisdom and benevolent love towards others. He will be the God of Lovers everywhere. People will speak of his bravery in courting the Celestial Huli child, and winning his favour. Both of you shall be examples of how love conquers all, if it is sincere."

"Thank you, Queen Mother," they tell her, bowing once more.

The Queen Mother turns to XiChen.

"Come here, Sect Leader." She waits for Zewu-Jun to kneel in front of her, with his head bowed. "As for your willingness to help these two with their good work regarding orphan children, I bless your coffers and vaults with this Jade Pearl. As long as you keep it safe, your wealth will only continue to grow, and with it, may you continue to shine benevolent eyes towards the troubles of young people. As they have already learned," she glances at the couple in red, "love comes in many shapes and forms, and we are privileged to experience it."

XiChen accepts her gift, bowing again.

"Thank you Queen Mother, for your grace. I promise to do as you say."

"Oh, I have no doubts." She laughs and then says brightly, "Now, where can I get a drink?"

Wei Ying chuckles with amusement.

"Um…Waipo…they only have tea!"

"Then isn't it great that I brought my own?" The Queen Mother clapped her hands and different attendants brought over amphoras of peach wine.

Cups were filled for all the guests and the happy newlyweds.

"May your love last forever!" The Queen Mother made her toast and tossed down her drink, followed by every single person there.

And then, all hell broke loose.

**************

"Who knew there was a reason why the Lans don't drink?" Wei Ying grumbled as he walked through the shimmering portal carrying his super drunk husband, who was only now passed out, thankfully.

Neither the Queen Mother, nor his parents and grandmother were aware of what happened when ANY member of the Lan Clan drank alcohol. For once in his life, Wei Ying was prepared to agree with the 'no drinking in Cloud Recesses' rule, because it certainly wouldn't have meant just sleeping together on his wedding night, of all nights.

They found out the hard way why the Lan Clan had banned drinking, because simply put, it meant Chaos.

They all reacted differently, that was also astonishing.

Some of them decided to strip right there, and then they were looking for any body of water because in their drunken states, skinnydipping seemed like a really great idea to them, and Wei Ying’s father had to go and make sure nobody drowned.

If that wasn't bad enough, others began to climb trees, and swing from the trees like overgrown monkeys, and then someone started a food fight.

Meanwhile, Wei Ying had mistakenly thought his grandmother would have helped but she was too busy swigging peach wine with her Bestie, the Queen Mother, who also looked vastly entertained at what she had unknowingly instigated. They had their arms around each other's shoulders and were tossing back the wine like it was water, watching the show.

Thankfully, Wei Ying's mother had seen to it that no one accidentally killed themselves, or anyone else, and waved Wei Ying away, because Lan Zhan with his impossible arm strength was pulling him out of the Great Hall with a matching enthusiasm.

Wei Ying didn't know where they were going, and for a few seconds, it seemed that neither did Lan Zhan, because he was squinting around as if there was something in his eyes. But he brightened when he followed his arm to where it was joined to Wei Ying’s hand, and then his smile?

Wei Ying simply melted all over again.

His beautiful husband was just too handsome, and now Wei Ying could freely admit that he hadn't stood a chance against him.

That night, when Lan Zhan had mentioned him being lonely…it had pierced through the armour that Wei Ying used to protect himself, especially after the curse.

He hadn't wanted to get close to anyone because of the previous fiasco where being nice to somebody had created a jealous, out-of-control mad person, and resulted in getting cursed for his trouble.

Nothing was worth that.

But then he had seen Lan Zhan walking around the marketplace with his shoulders bowed in grief and Wei Ying had never been one to stand by and do nothing.

Little did he know that one small act of kindness would lead him to falling head over heels for the most caring, beautiful, kind man to walk on earth. It was like Lan Zhan had been created to be his exact opposite: where he was stoic, quiet, and righteous, Wei Ying was emotional, loud and not opposed to having a lot of fun.

And yet, they clicked together like two halves of the same heart.

Instead of grating against one another, they somehow managed to enhance each other's best qualities, restoring the balance between each other constantly to create something beautiful.

Although now, Wei Ying was wishing his beautiful husband wasn't quite so strong.

"Lan Zhaaaan….I'm tired!" He whined, hoping that Lan Zhan would relent and let them go back to the banquet. His stomach rumbled loudly, making Lan Zhan look at it.

Wei Ying was hungry, and even though the standard, boring Lan Clan food left a lot to be desired, he didn't care as long as some of it ended up in his stomach.

Lan Zhan stopped and began rummaging around in his sleeves for something, his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth with determined concentration. Wei Ying knew exactly when he found what he was looking for, too, because his face transformed into one of such delight, Wei Ying forgot why they were there.

He leaned forward and kissed Lan Zhan on his nose, giggling at his cuteness.

Lan Zhan smiled, stuck a carrot into Wei Ying's mouth and lifted him into his arms within three seconds.

And then he continued onwards to his destination.

The carrot was sweet, Wei Ying decided after vocally protesting against the indignity of being treated so abruptly, but he figured Lan Zhan was right because his current predicament sorted out both his tiredness and hunger.

Lan Zhan brought him to an open field.

There was a wide, flat boulder on the grass, and Lan Zhan sat down more gracefully than anyone else as inebriated.

Wei Ying had finished his carrot and was about to ask Lan Zhan why they were there, when his husband placed a finger over his lips and exaggeratedly hushed him.

"SHHH!"

Wei Ying scowled and only Lan Zhan leaning in to kiss his forehead placated his growing agitation. So he did what any fox would do and licked his finger.

Lan Zhan’s face was priceless! He looked scandalised!

He snatched his finger back and then stared at it as if it no longer belonged to him, and then he stuck it inside his own mouth.

Wei Ying had begun to laugh at him, and his reaction, but then something was pulling on his sleeves and when he looked down, there was a bunny!

All white with big brown eyes, watching him back while it nibbled on his wedding robes, and Wei Ying thought it was soooo cute! When he turned to say something to Lan Zhan, he found that Lan Zhan had disappeared and all that was left of him was a floppy ear hanging outside of red robes, while the rest of his bunny form was fighting to get out of his clothes so he could roam freely with his bunny friends.

And suddenly, the whole field was full of little bunnies, hopping about and binkying, and when Wei Ying managed to extricate Lan Zhan from his robe-prison, the bunny licked him all over his face until Wei Ying was laughing way too much at his adorable bunny form.

Lan Zhan wriggled away out of his lap and after he greeted each of the many different rabbits, hopping around and having fun, he finally returned to Wei Ying, all worn out.

When Wei Ying lifted him up into his arms, Lan Zhan seemed to completely give up and passed out, and in that single second, he transformed back into his human self.

And that's how Wei Ying finds himself carrying his husband over the threshold of their log cabin home, muttering about how he had never imagined this was how he would be spending his wedding night.

With a drunk husband, fully unconscious and sleeping it off.

He carried Lan Zhan to their bedroom and changed first his wedding robes into sleeping clothes, and then himself.

Exhausted now, he climbed into their bed and promptly fell asleep.

***************

Soft kisses on his eyelids and then his cheeks are what wakes Wei Ying up, and he smiles as Lan Zhan continues to pepper his face with more.

"Wei Ying is awake…" Lan Zhan breathes out, happy to see those silver eyes staring back at him.

He had woken up a few minutes ago and tried to remember what had happened the day before. His last memories were confusing to say the least, but extraordinarily happy.

He remembered their wedding, and how beautiful Wei Ying looked in his stunning red robes, and then…nothing.

There were flashes of dandelions nestled among closeups of grass…and other bunnies, and while that made him happy beyond measure, it explained nothing.

But Wei Ying would know.

Lan Zhan drank some water from the covered cup next to their bed, noting that both he and Wei Ying had changed into white sleeping robes now.

His husband - just that word alone gave him the best kind of goosebumps - and he shivered with need. Wei Ying was right here, they belonged together, would always be together from now on.

And it was time to show Wei Ying how much he loved him.

They should have been doing this last night, and Lan Zhan didn't know if anything had happened between them, but he was sure he would have remembered if it had.

He would have preferred to remember every moment spent in Wei Ying's company.

He started off kissing his favourite part of Wei Ying's face: his beautiful, expressive eyes. And then, his soft cheeks round and flushed with sleep, and then his lovely forehead. And Wei Ying looking up at him, his love vibrant and real, reflecting back towards Lan Zhan in the most intense way.

Lan Zhan wanted them to wake up like this every morning.

"Good morning, Beautiful." Lan Zhan whispered, and then he was treated to the most engaging, wild and free smile yet to be seen on Wei Ying’s face.

"Good morning, my love. Husband." Wei Ying tells him.

That single word awakens a beast in Lan Zhan’s heart, one who is full of adoration and need. Wei Ying watches as his golden eyes become just a rim of amber around dark eyes full of desire.

Suddenly, they're kissing and this one is wild, full of unbridled passion. Wei Ying moans into his mouth, vaguely aware of Lan Zhan’s hands which are mapping out his body, and he shivers because he's not wearing anything, robes open and he's being worshipped by his eager husband.

Anticipation swoops in his belly and he's begging for more even as Lan Zhan gives it to him.

Afterwards, they're lying together, tired and happy, and completely relaxed.

"Wow…" Wei Ying doesn't have any more energy to speak, and Lan Zhan seems to feel the same way, because he only huffs out a laugh.

They fall asleep together, just like that.

Dreaming of a beautiful future, filled with love and laughter, and of always being together.

THE END (FOR REAL!!)

************

A/N

Dear Beautiful Readers,

As so many of you requested one more chapter, here you go. Happy reading!

It's my birthday weekend and I'm not sure if I'm going to update or not, but definitely on Monday, so please look forward to it!

In the meantime, I'm sending virtual chocolates 🍫 🍫🍫🍫🍧🍧🍧🍨🍨🍨🍰🍰🍰 and cakes out to everyone.

Charlie