Wei Ying sniffed the air appreciatively, enjoying the faint fragrance of tobacco from someone smoking, passing by a while ago, mingling with that strange autumnal scent of crispy mornings on the cusp of fall, just before the leaves turned golden and bronze and decorated the streets, and of course, the perfume from the flowers on display.

There was an optimistic joy to be had on mornings like this, an unexpected morning for him because he, as a rule, tried not to get up before midday. But today, Jiang Cheng had called him with an emergency. He didn't bother messaging, probably because he knew Wei Ying stayed away from his evil contraption before a solid cup of black coffee or two, otherwise it spelled disaster in all the ways disaster could be spelled...

Either side of that miracle, at precisely eleven o'clock, Wei Ying was showered (gasp!), breakfasted (GASP!), and on his way to open their tattoo parlour nestled in between several flower shops in New York City's famous Flower District.

But he has to stop.

He had been minding his business as you do, taking care not to step on any cracks in the pavement because he loved that game as a kid and never grew out of it, plus it was fun, and Wei Ying never missed an opportunity for it; hence the reason for his whiplash.

His first glance inside the shop has him do a double take, and then he's stopped because the sight of a grown man wearing pale blue bunny slippers and smiling at his plants is way too cute to miss, even if said man is so beautiful, he makes something stutter and come alive in Wei Ying's chest.

For a full thirty seconds, Wei Ying forgets to breathe, blink or move.

From the other side of this glass, the stunning man has captured his attention like no other, and Wei Ying is rooted to the spot, simply drinking him in.

He is dressed casually on this somewhat cool day, wearing loose pale grey sweatpants and a cream hoodie with tiny cute paws on the ends of the strings. When he turns around so his back is facing Wei Ying, he sees there are two cute ears hanging off the hood part, and a fluffy tail peeking out from where the fabric has turned over, making the whole ensemble even more adorable.

And this tall guy, because he is somehow at least a couple of inches taller than Wei Ying, broad shouldered in a way that makes him shiver and something dangerous in his belly flip (several times), easily could have been a model, based on just his looks.

His hair, thick and long, is braided loosely and secured with a bunny clip, worn so it casually falls over his left shoulder. His long elegant fingers, pale against the contrasting red watering can he is holding, looks just as beautiful as his face. His sharp cheekbones give way to rounder cheeks, and Wei Ying is overcome with the strangest desire to squish them, just to see if they are as soft as they look.

But his lips...oh! They are gorgeous. A delightful pink colour, and with just enough fullness to taste, moving ever so slightly that makes Wei Ying gasp for real.

Is he actually talking to his plants?

No way!

Wei Ying has to close his eyes for a minute, just to suppress his squeal! When he opens them again, to make sure the incredibly hot guy isn't wearing earbuds, the sound that comes out of his mouth is like a dying animal.

It makes the Incredibly Hot Guy (™) look up, his golden eyes suddenly sharp and glaring, annoyed at whatever has disturbed his peaceful tranquillity, fixing Wei Ying with the most intense expression.

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

When Lan XiChen asked Lan Zhan what he was going to call his flower shop, Lan Zhan hadn't even paused to think about it.

"WangJi."

"Ah..." XiChen was surprised, but he smiled in that calm, indulgent way of his, hiding it under the guise of taking a sip from his newest blend of tea. "Are you sure?"

Lan Zhan glared at his own cup, not wishing to grace that stupid question with an answer it didn't deserve.

Of course he was sure, the snarky voice in his head replied, otherwise he wouldn't have said it.

Would he?

"WangJi's Flowers," he amended, sullenly.

"I saw a hairdresser's shop called 'Curl Up And Dye' once," XiChen says, rather unhelpfully. "You could call it something clever if you wanted to."

Lan Zhan hoped his silence was enough, that it could kill this conversation down to the root so he could pretend it never existed.

But today, XiChen was feeling particularly loquacious, unfortunately.

"What about 'Plants Are My Soil-Mates'? Or, 'Be-Leaf in Yourself'?" XiChen snickers when Lan Zhan scowls in his direction. "Oh, I've got one better! 'Stayin' Alive'?"

"Ge." Lan Zhan stops him before he goes on.

XiChen looks terribly disappointed. "WangJi's Flowers?"

"WangJi's Plants And Flowers."

That had been a year ago.

Lan Zhan wasn't sure why he picked this place, this location, either, right in the middle of a street, no...a whole block of flower and plant shops, except that it felt right.

There was a candle and knick-knack shop on his right and a tattoo shop on his left, and his own property in the middle, nestled comfortably in between. His shop looked just right, aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching because it was so vibrant and colourful with the seasonal blooms and sheer greenness of it, compared to the pale, 'safe' beige-and-cream feel good waxy trinket shop, and the black with purple-and-red highlights one on the other side, easily standing out to call customers in.

But today, something is different.

Lan Zhan feels it crackling in the air, even before he goes downstairs into his shop.

Firstly, he's late.

That never happens, has not happened in the three hundred and sixty-six days since he opened its doors.

Choosing to live upstairs from his place of business was an easy decision; the plants were close by. Commuting in New York City was a no-no unless one loved being suffocated by carbon monoxide and diesel particles, accosted and jostled like a ball on a pinball machine, and abused in all his senses, taste included because it cried at being left out.

Deliveries were usually between six and nine, and it's a quarter past six that Lan Zhan hurries down to open up. Grumpy drivers aren't his problem, but he feels sorry for depriving his plants of their audible stimulation, so instead of Vivaldi's Four seasons, he treats them to some soft jazz music, apologising profusely in a manner which he hopes can convey his sincere regret.

He feels so bad about his own tardiness that come eleven o'clock, he's still reassuring them that he loves them as much as before, and the extra drop of plant food is his way of proving it.

He's so involved in this task, that he only becomes aware that someone is gawking at him through the window after the fact.

From the corner of his eye, he can see a black hoodie and black flared trousers tied around a narrow waist, casually with red strings hanging out on both, but he doesn't dare to look past the colours, hoping that the person will move along quickly.

Usually, his customers don't stop and stare at the window; it's a simple thing to decide if they want to buy or not, even if what they actually want might be and mostly is a bit more complicated.

Lan Zhan can help with the latter part, effortlessly matching plant to person with the ease of experience, and taking care to say goodbye to each one of his babies properly.

So what if he has to go and hold Cinnabun for a bit afterwards, just to feel better about parting from a member of his family? That's his business, quite literally. Cinnabun doesn't mind and shares copious amounts of comfort with him.

So when the enigmatic shadow remains at the periphery of his vision, Lan Zhan feels a budding annoyance that he's being observed. He doesn't like attention, preferring his customers to look at the flowers instead, but there were always a few people a day who seemed to forget what they wanted to say upon entering his establishment.

Minutes pass by, and Lan Zhan is losing precious time but his feet seem incapable of moving by themselves, not while he's being watched like this. His annoyance grows and grows, like riotous dandelions blasting full of life through the concrete pavements, a secret delight of his.

Lan Zhan would never admit it, but he loves those flowers simply because of their stubborn persistence at success, and they never fail to bring a smile to his lips. Vibrant, kind of spiky but in a delicate sort of way, and simply beautiful, their yellow golden petals make him happy.

So when he lifts his eyes to check if the person is STILL there, he momentarily forgets how annoyed he is at being stared at, because the guy in question is too beautiful for any words.

Lan Zhan was correct in his assumption about the stranger; his clothes, they are mostly black with red accents, but the dramatic effect is nullified by the startling brightness of his gorgeous silver eyes, looking straight into his soul.

He can't move, caught in their dangerous attention.

Electricity, a current in the air makes goosebumps jump into life along his arms, his sleeves pulled up to stop them getting wet, and Lan Zhan shivers...because how could he not?

Nothing looks like it has changed, and yet, everything has, in that split second when their eyes meet.

And then the moment is shattered because the man smiles.

It's wide, it's bright and so, so alive, and Lan Zhan has never seen a smile like it before. It steals his breath and hammers at his heart, so all he can hear is the roaring sound of blood pounding in his ears.

He's so beautiful.

Lan Zhan thinks it is an apparition, that if he blinks, the gorgeous stranger will disappear, and that makes something hurt in his chest. Blinking is overrated anyway, and those microseconds will be a waste if the action interrupts this magnificent view. He watches as the beautiful man waves in enthusiastic delight, perhaps because he's been trying to catch Lan Zhan's attention? And now he's finally got it?

Lan Zhan doesn't know.

He can't stop to think about it, because the man is coming into his shop right now.

There's no time to prepare: he's here, and standing in front of Lan Zhan.

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

Not a single thought remains in Wei Ying's head when he gets inside the shop.

He's so happy to be here!

His senses are primed and on full alert, and that's why he registers the musical notes of the bamboo wind chime above the door when he enters, and the subtle fragrance of green things, a healthy, earthy scent that weaves in between the perfume of the lilacs, and the late blooming peonies who nod their bulbous pink heads at him as if to welcome him inside.

All of that is nothing compared to the tantalising scent of incense, most notably of sandalwood, that permeates the air between them.

Now that he's here, Wei Ying has no idea what to do.

His usual charm and wit, the charisma he delights in inflicting upon the unsuspecting victim, deserts him, and he's left floundering in a sea of liquid gold, their curiosity eating him up alive.

If Wei Ying thought this gorgeous man was beautiful, behind the pane of glass that turned out to be a necessary shield against his divinity, it is nothing compared to actually basking in his presence. He feels like a sunflower helplessly turning his face towards the sun, a natural inclination that he cannot resist, in any lifetime.

"I need a plant!" The words tumble from his lips, instinct for self-preservation guiding his mouth as Wei Ying realises that he's been staring at the Incredible Hot Guy (™) for the past ten minutes.

He wants to slap himself.

What on earth is wrong with him?

Why can't he string two sentences along like any sane person, suddenly?

The gorgeous man puts the red watering can down among the fragrant mint and basil plants, doing it with an effortless elegance that defies gravity.

Wei Ying is captivated by that action, and how this man silently moves down the aisles with a timely grace, flowing seamlessly with the objects surrounding him. The beautiful man pauses with his back turned, and his face turns to the side as if silently expecting him to follow.

So Wei Ying does, but in comparison to the way the Hot Guy moves, he himself feels like a bull in a china shop, knocking down plants like an archer at a competition. Luckily, Wei Ying manages to save them all, but he's sweating profusely by the time they pass by two long rows of carefully categorised plants and foliage.

"Sorry, sorry! I feel like the clumsiest clown of all time!" Words vomit from his mouth with how uncomfortable and awkward Wei Ying feels, but they're silenced with a single look bathing him in a golden light.

"No need."

His voice!

It's so deep and melodious, and Wei Ying feels blessed to hear it, like the internal caverns of the things he calls ears are graced to hear such beauty, such depth!

He has to clear his throat a couple of times to mask his nervousness, hoping he can say something intelligent, and nothing that resembles a wild animal belonging in a faraway lost jungle.

But he must say something soon, because the most handsome man in the universe is staring at him expectantly, and Wei Ying has never backed down from a challenge before, so he's not going down without a try.

And worst of all, he suspects that he's been asked a question, but he was so lost within his internal ramblings that he has no idea what it was!

"Huh?"

Oh, well done, Wei Ying, he thinks bitterly to himself. That was your one chance to impress this beautiful God among humans, and you just had to royally fuck it up!

But all is not lost...

Wei Ying cheers internally when those lovely pink lips push up in what could be identified as a smile, if he were to exaggerate.

"Flowers are a preference? Or not? That was my question." The gorgeous man repeats himself, and gestures first to one side where ferns and spider plants are thriving, and then to the other where baskets of pansies, geraniums and marigolds are flourishing.

Oh.

The long and short answer is that Wei Ying doesn't know.

Not a single clue.

There are crickets dueting in a karaoke contest in between his brain cells which are begging for caffeine, and Wei Ying hasn't gotten to that part of his day yet.

His curious eyes dart from one side to the other, taking in the greenery on one side and the explosion of colours on the other.

When he had chosen to walk inside this place, his primary objective had been to get closer to the beautiful man; now, having achieved his goal, Wei Ying is completely out of his depth. All he knows is that he wants the lovely person standing in front of him to continue speaking to him. Failing that, surely it won't be seen as creepy if he wants to just sit and stare at him, all day?

"Why don't you choose one for me, Gege?" Ha! Wei Ying wants to cheer and thank whatever in his head thought up that brilliant answer! "I don't know anything about green stuff," he admits, focusing on the gradual reddening of Incredible Hot Guy's ears that are looking like tomatoes right now.

Red, sun-kissed and ripe tomatoes that might burst into a rich flavour upon his clever tongue.

Even Wei Ying isn't sure what his brain is thinking about ...

"Shameless," Incredible Hot Guy murmurs, and then his eyes widen at the slip.

He turns his full focus on Wei Ying now, and it's like being trapped in a white room with twelve suns at their most powerful intensity shining down on him. He feels bare, as though those wonderful golden eyes can see right through skin and bones down to his soul, and it isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Mostly because Incredible Hot Guy isn't being judgy about it. He's sort of scanning Wei Ying like a computer would, trying to match a plant to him. If he has an opinion about Wei Ying, he's being careful not to indulge in sharing it, and to someone who has regularly been told that he's 'too much' and to 'tone it down', that is a priceless gift.

Incredible Hot Guy walks past Wei Ying, and as his clothes brush against him, Wei Ying decides to be as shameless as he has been accused of being, by taking a huge sniff of whatever that guy's wearing.

It's kind of sweet but spicy, deeply intense and fills Wei Ying's mind with all kinds of desires, something he's utterly and woefully underprepared for. His nose leads him to follow Incredible Hot Guy until he stops, somewhere in the middle of the aisle.

"Perhaps this?" Incredible Hot Guy uses his big hand to gesture at a spider lily plant.

"Oh my God, that's beautiful," Wei Ying says breathlessly, meaning both of what he's seeing.

The vibrant scarlet flowers contrast nicely with their green stalks, their elegant petals curving up to look like hands. Or barer lotus flowers.

The man pointing at it is just as lovely.

Whatever, Wei Ying thinks, nodding quickly. "I'll take it, please!"

He's so excited!

His first ever plant! He's going to take such good care of it! It's going to be his baby, and he's going to love it so well! In fact, he's already in love with it so much!

His eyes shine with what he's feeling, the honour of being trusted to look after another living thing, and his eagerness to make sure it survives under his care.

He watches as the Incredible Hot Guy nods to himself, carefully picking up the pot it's currently living in, and a leaflet with a detailed printout of care instructions. Just in case Wei Ying is illiterate, Incredible Hot Guy decides to talk him through it, just in case.

At the end, after he's explained in a way that leaves Wei Ying with no doubts that he must make sure to water it every day with the correct amount of liquid and plant food, he smiles a sad smile at the plant and gently pats a leaf.

"Be good. Grow well," he tells it, before turning his heart-rate-accelerating stare back onto Wei Ying. "Talking to your plants helps them grow and maintain good health. The plants that live here respond better to light jazz," and he mentions a particular frequency, "but any classical music will do. It is the sound waves," he clarifies.

Wei Ying promises to faithfully look after the plant diligently. He's being sincere about it too, and that's lucky for him, because Incredible Hot Guy is making sure of it, that Wei Ying means what he's promising.

Wei Ying lifts up three fingers to the side of his temple to make a vow, to show this caring man how serious he is about the spider lily's care.

More customers walk in and the opportunity to talk some more is gone, even when Wei Ying hangs around to see if he can flirt-, no, chat! So he leaves in a bittersweet mood, happy because WangJi's Plants And Flowers is doing well, however it is that same point which makes it difficult to spend time with the Incredible Hot Guy.

Wei Ying opens the tattoo shop and a walk-in, spontaneous customer follows him in.

There isn't much time after that to think about anything else until there's a lull in between appointments. Wei Ying sits down on the wheelie chair at the main welcoming desk where contracts and waivers are kept, alongside an up to date, state-of-the-art graphics tablet and computer are kept, to turn thoughts and ideas into real images.

He looks around with satisfaction at this space they've created together, he and Jiang Cheng.

When they first bought this place, Jiang Cheng had insisted on decorating the walls with examples of their artwork to showcase what they could offer their clients. Wei Ying said they could hand their customers files of their work, letting the people really think about what they wanted permanently marking their skin. Photography was not allowed except for when the person had a finished design inked upon them, fully paid for in advance, and while it wasn't possible to copyright images fully, at least this way they would get paid something.

They had a studio on the top floor with excellent lighting that helped in that department.

At first, Jiang Cheng was not sure Wei Ying's idea would work; all the places they had seen and trained in were always covered in colourful images, ranging from the standard heart and cursive writing, animals from cute to realistic and then the harder, unconventional designs that were infinitely requiring of their skills.

Some tattoos took twenty minutes, a couple of hours or even a full day, and their prices covered any extra time they had to spend perfecting their work.

If a client hadn't looked after the area where the tattoo would be worked on properly, by moisturising their skin for at least a week prior to coming in, then the chances that it would hurt more was possible, but then everyone's threshold of pain was different.

Right now, Wei Ying was resting his chin on his crossed arms that were leaning on the desk, staring at his baby.

He picked up a sharpie and wrote in an elaborate swirl, "Suibian".

"You better listen to what your Plant-Papa told you," he says to it, and he swears that the leaves move. (That totally could've been his own breath, but Wei Ying isn't picky). "He said you have to be good and grow well. Do you think he's going to check up on us?" Wei Ying pats the head of one of the flowers cautiously. "He totally is, isn't he?" He wails, burying his face in his arms. "You have to live! It's the only way, Suibian!"

There's a ball of black wool next to his crochet hook, and the stress of thinking what might happen to him if Suibian doesn't make it, has Wei Ying reaching for it in a heartbeat. His fingers know what they're doing even if he doesn't, and by the time Jiang Cheng arrives with a swollen face from his root canal, Wei Ying has made a jumper for Suibian's pot, insulating just the body from the coming colder season, and still leaving the base free to absorb water from the bottom plate.

"Whafs sthat?" Jiang Cheng winces, his speech impediment less worrying than the pain that shoots through his face.

"Not what!" Wei Ying pulls Suibian closer, protectively covering her pot with his arms. At least he's calmer from the repetitive soothing motions of moving his hands to weave something useful from his fidgeting. "It's a 'she'. Lily. And her name is Suibian."

Jiang Cheng smacks the back of his head as he goes past Wei Ying to sit on the other wheelie stool.

"Ith my five o'cwock here yeth? Any word?" He begins to brew coffee out of habit, and then remembers that unless he slurps the boiling hot black liquid through their paper straws really fast, that coffee is not going to be drunk today. His lips still won't shut properly and he's hoping that his client won't notice.

Or say anything.

"They're just around the corner," Wei Ying informs him, and they end up chatting about the customers who called or visited that morning.

"Ow much wath it?" Jiang Cheng nods towards Suibian.

Oh...oh no!

"Fuck! I totally forgot to pay him!" Wei Ying scrambles out of their shop like a mad man, stumbling across the pavement to burst into WangJi's Plants And Flowers shop, out of breath and wild-eyed with worry.

And then he thinks he must have knocked his head accidentally, because he's definitely seeing two twin Incredibly Hot Guys standing in front of him, identical except for one of them actually smiling at him.

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

Lan Zhan had forgotten about XiChen coming over to collect him; they were going out for dinner later and sometimes, his brother liked coming a little earlier, just to potter around the shop.

If Lan Zhan is honest with himself, and he really tries to be (usually!), he would admit he is distracted enough not to notice his brother's arrival.

The watering can goes flying out of his hands and drenched his favourite hoodie when an unprepared-for hand lands on his shoulder, scaring the wits out of him.

"Didi! I'm so sorry! I thought you heard me when I called out!" XiChen says, grabbing a few paper towels to mop up the mess.

Before Lan Zhan can respond, the bamboo chimes alert them to another presence; a young man dressed all in black and possibly in the wrong shop is staring at them with no small amount of confusion.

Lan Zhan is at first delighted that the source of his distraction has manifested once again on his property, but then he glances at his brother, only to find him staring back at him with a knowing smile.

Lan Zhan wants to push him back outside just for that.

But it gets even worse, because XiChen steps forward with a hand outstretched to his customer and begins chatting to him!

This is wrong on every single level Lan Zhan can think of.

It's not fair that XiChen can talk to anyone, at any time, whenever he wants to, and Lan Zhan is the total opposite of him, choosing silence over speaking, gestures for sure rather than opening his mouth. XiChen already has his own friends, and from the way they've started laughing easily together, just like that, they manage to make Lan Zhan feel out of place and pushed out of their little circle.

And now they're both looking at him as if they expect him to have listened to anything they might have been talking about, but how is that even vaguely possible when Lan Zhan is facing the beautiful man and his eyes are drinking him in, wanting to remember every single detail about his face?

From his bright shining eyes, silver like a stream hit with the midday sun, sparkling and full of life, glittering with tinier specks of mercury, the young man has the prettiest laugh, one to rival a songbird. His lovely eyes become crescent-shaped in his amusement and his even lovelier red lips turn up, revealing a beauty spot under his bottom lip.

His cute button nose scrunches up like Cinnabun is prone to do now and then, and Lan Zhan wants to go and boop it.

To cover his awkwardness at everything that just happened in the space of thirty seconds, Lan Zhan gestures at himself.

"I'm going to change." He escapes and goes upstairs, listening to the other two resume their chatting again, and his heart cracks a little more.

He closes his bedroom door quietly behind himself and sinks down on the floor, trying to calm down. He's not sure why his heart is beating faster than usual or why his temperature is suddenly hotter than normal; but here, in the privacy of his bedroom, he can admit it: he likes the beautiful man.

Lan Zhan knows he's gay.

That part of himself has never been a problem for him, when he knew it for sure, and when he came out to his family, there had been nothing but acceptance on every side.

XiChen encouraged him to date, even suggesting dating apps, but Lan Zhan wasn't comfortable meeting random people or messaging them and having to go through torturous small talk, when the thought of it alone made images of someone pulling out his nails appear in his head.

He eventually thought that perhaps he wasn't romantically inclined at all, and it didn't really bother him too much...until today when it became blaringly obvious that it wasn't true.

Lan Zhan is absolutely able to have romantic feelings for one singular person dressed all in black, with fascinating black fingernails, and that person alone. Which is why it hurts more than it should, that the one person Lan Zhan was interested in, is currently hitting it off with his brother downstairs.

The only thing that calmed him was the fact that XiChen was engaged to Nie MingJue, so in love they were, that he found a shared exasperation with their uncle whenever they ate all together. That part was a surprise, because Lan Zhan was happy for his brother, proud even, that he was in a good and healthy relationship, except...did they really have to keep touching each other? All the time??

From his uncle's constant sighing, it was clear that he felt the same way, thus making Lan Zhan feel part of the strangest kinship with him.

Now, Lan Zhan hurries to change his clothes.

He's not sure where this odd jealousy has come from, but he wants to get XiChen away from the object of his desire as soon as possible, and he can't do it from up here.

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

"I'm just next door," Wei Ying is telling the older brother. "My brother and I run a tattoo shop."

"Ah, that's amazing," XiChen replies. "And did you want to buy a plant for aesthetics?"

A subtle way of asking why he's here, and it's not lost on Wei Ying, who blushes deeply.

"Actually, I was given a plant earlier by your brother...only, I forgot to pay for it! Your brother was so cute when he was saying goodbye to her, that I completely forgot myself and then he got busy with actual customers, so I left." Wei Ying explains bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck with embarrassment.

"Yes, WangJi can't help himself sometimes. He thinks of all these plants like they're part of his family," XiChen says proudly.

"So I was right! He's the WangJi from the name of the shop!" Wei Ying exclaims loudly. "I wanted to ask him his name since we're neighbours, but I guess I forgot about that as well!" His blush deepens.

"Lan Zhan." Lan Zhan says, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, making Wei Ying squeak in his surprise. Lan Zhan even holds his hand out towards the now flustered neighbour.

He's pointedly ignoring XiChen and his knowing smile, even angling his body so he can't see his brother's smug expression.

Wei Ying slips his hand into Lan Zhan's, feeling sharp tingles travel all the way up his arm, and neither of them notice XiChen leaving them alone.

"I'm Wei Ying," he says shyly. "And I forgot to pay you, this morning...when you gave me Suibian. That's her name. The spider lily."

It's not necessary for Wei Ying to tell him that part. Lan Zhan knows where every single one of his babies find their homes, but what IS surprising to him is the fact that Wei Ying actually named it. Her.

It isn't that Lan Zhan doubted whether or not Wei Ying meant any of his promises from the morning, more that it cements his belief that Wei Ying is a good person, someone who might not have understood how intelligent plants are before, but now that he has one to call his own, he's already changing for the better.

It's nice to see.

"No payment necessary," Lan Zhan tells him quietly, absorbing and memorising the way his warm hand feels in his, how it's slightly smaller than Lan Zhan's hand and therefore, their palms fit together wonderfully. He can't tell who is trembling, though.

Maybe they both are.

"But Lan Zhan! I can't take it for free!" Wei Ying steps forward, distressed. "It's your business!"

"Mn. It's not free." Suddenly, another price comes to his mind, but Lan Zhan is not bold enough to say it out loud, so he changes it at the last minute. "Wei Ying must promise to care for Suibian properly. That is payment enough."

His beautiful golden eyes are so intense, Wei Ying feels like he's being hypnotised into agreeing with him, already nodding.

"Then I'll find another way to say thank you!"

They jump apart at the sound of the bamboo wind chime.

XiChen begins to bring in the plants that Lan Zhan puts outside in the mornings when he opens, the ones that don't need too much warmth. He has a big smile on his face, having been watching them secretly through the window from outside.

"Oh! I can help you!" Wei Ying exclaims, upon seeing what he's doing, and before either of the brothers can protest, he begins hauling in the heaviest of the pots, the little clementine trees that have just begun to blossom.

There's nothing for it except for all three to get to work, and the shopfront is devoid of plants in no time.

"Thanks so much for giving us a hand," XiChen tells Wei Ying. "WangJi normally has to do it all by himself, and as you can see, that's where these muscles come from. Isn't that right, Didi?" XiChen squeezes Lan Zhan's left bicep for added effect, beaming at the obvious discomfort on his baby brother's face.

Mission accomplished: Wei Ying is giving him starry-eyed devotion.

Lan Zhan, cringing internally, steps out of his grasp and doesn't bother dignifying his question with a response. If his brother has decided to be insufferable tonight, then Lan Zhan isn't going to play along with it, however well intended.

"Why don't you join us for dinner, Wei Ying?" XiChen continues, obnoxiously.

At least, he doesn't mean to be that way, but Lan Zhan can see it as nothing but interference.

Wei Ying isn't sure what to make of the glaring; but it's not as if he could go with them, either.

"Ah, sorry, but I'm still working," he jerks a thumb towards the tattoo shop.

XiChen glances at his watch. "It's almost six...how long are you open for?" He enquires, raising a brow.

"Oh, just until midnight. The shop officially closes at eleven, but twelve in case we're already with a client," Wei Ying replies easily, stating a fact.

Both the brothers are staring at him in open shock.

"Er, that's because we're the busiest after seven. People are usually working during the day, so they can only spare a couple of uninterrupted hours in the evening. The day, well, the afternoon is for walk-in customers, the ones that decide to spontaneously get a tattoo." He grins back at them confidently.

It's a hot look for him, Lan Zhan decides, but then he's horrified at his brother's next question.

"Do you have any tattoos?"

"Absolutely!" Wei Ying rocks back and forth on his heels.

They've made their way outside now, watching as Lan Zhan turns the key in the electronic shutters.

"Oh?" XiChen is quite excited to know.

The shutter stalls and then resumes its descent.

XiChen smirks, but keeps his eyes on Wei Ying.

Wei Ying pulls up his sleeve so his forearm is clearly visible under the street light.

"That's beautiful!" XiChen exclaims, bringing Lan Zhan closer.

There's a twelve petaled, intricately detailed lotus flower inked onto his inner arm, black with red accents, and a shading effect that turns the stalk into purple.

"All three of us have this, but my brother's and sister's lotuses are just purple, light to dark."

"And your brother did yours?" XiChen continues to probe further, to Lan Zhan's annoyed perplexion.

"Fuck, no! I trust him with my life, but not with my skin!" Wei Ying cackles out loud, throwing back his head to do it.

Lan Zhan is mesmerised by the curve of his neck, the way his Adam's apple bobs as he swallows down his laughter. This is one amazing specimen of a human being. His own throat is drier than a desert, but his mouth is watering at the thought of biting Wei Ying, just where his neck meets his shoulder.

Lan Zhan is willing to bet a lot of money that it would taste good.

"You mean....are you saying you did that yourself? To yourself?" XiChen asks him, shocked and amazed. "Didn't it hurt?"

"Nah, it was manageable," Wei Ying waves a hand casually. "Anyway, I better go. Have a nice night, enjoy your dinner!" And with a calculating, enigmatic smile, he disappears into the dark shop next to them.

They must have a bell hanging in their doorway, because the echoing musical notes are muffled as they drift towards them.

"Have you been inside there?" XiChen asks Lan Zhan, drawing him out of his thoughts.

Lan Zhan shakes his head, privately bemoaning the fact in his head.

"Ah, well, I'm sure someone as busy as Wei Ying will need help looking after his plant, the one he got from you this morning," XiChen beams as Lan Zhan glares at his feet. "Anyway, let's go eat. I'm famished, and there's lots to talk about!" He says that while throwing an arm around Lan Zhan's shoulders.

Lan Zhan wonders how much it would hurt if he were to push his brother into the oncoming traffic...

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

The next morning, at precisely five minutes to eleven, Lan Zhan's calm golden hour is shattered with an unexpected noise.

"Lan Zhan! Where are you?" A frantic Wei Ying rushes inside the shop, and stops when he sees Lan Zhan perfectly quiet, sitting and petting Cinnabun in his lap. "Oh my fucking god!" Wei Ying hisses out, managing to cram his whole fist into his mouth, silver eyes filling with wonder. "You have a bunny? Could you possibly get any cuter?" He whisper-shouts, edging ever closer.

Cinnabun nuzzles closer into Lan Zhan's chest, her ears neatly plastered to her sides. She doesn't like noise.

Today, Lan Zhan is wearing what he affectionately calls his kangaroo hoodie. It is pale blue with white edgings and strings, but more importantly, it has a pouch big enough to hold Cinnabun while they go and talk to the plants. It's especially nice to wear when they both need to comfort each other.

It was an indulgence that Lan Zhan sorely needed after last night's excruciatingly painful dinner with his brother, who found it impossible to stop talking about this man in particular, the gorgeous silver-eyed beauty standing right in front of Lan Zhan now.

Lan Zhan pats the red stool next to him, motioning for Wei Ying to sit beside him.

Wei Ying is dressed in a soft red fleece, and today, he's paired it with skinny jeans that hide nothing. And there's something different about him...Lan Zhan only figures it out when the overhead light catches upon the tiny skull twinkling on the side of his nose.

His nose is pierced...? How come Lan Zhan never noticed it yesterday?

It's doing things to his insides, filling his mind with images of what else he would like to do to Wei Ying, along with all the other things he imagined yesterday, that now include biting...

Sometimes, like right now, he's ever so glad that he doesn't have to talk, because he never ever would have survived saying those words out loud, and gesturing is ever so much more practical, when the fear that he was going to swallow his tongue in the process is a real possibility.

Wei Ying pulls the stool even closer and gently lowers himself to rest next to Lan Zhan. Their thighs are touching, and Lan Zhan can feel the heat from his body through their clothes. Wei Ying feels soft and warm... and kind.

It's nice.

"Can I touch them?" Wei Ying asks, bringing his beautiful face even closer.

"She. Her. One must ask permission," Lan Zhan tells him.

"How? Like this?" Wei Ying holds out his hand.

"Mn." Under the pretext of guiding him, Lan Zhan takes his hand and holds it close to Cinnabun's already twitching nose, praying she doesn't feel like biting today. His hand is also warm; good, because Cinnabun hates cold fingers = nipped flesh for sure.

A few seconds later, he's relieved to see her give Wei Ying a little lick, and he coos in the most adorable way.

Lan Zhan is happy about that.

Cinnabun's approval is really important. She's a great judge of character, and if she likes Wei Ying even a small amount, then all is good. Then, Lan Zhan lets Wei Ying's fingers sink into her thick fur, and he gasps, not prepared at all for how soft it is. Cinnabun closes her eyes, a sure sign that she is happy and content.

"What's her name?" Wei Ying whispers.

"Cinnabun. She does not like sudden movements or loud noises." Lan Zhan hopes Wei Ying understands from that not to do anything to upset his bunny.

Meanwhile, Wei Ying is having an out-of-body experience. He clamps his free hand over his mouth, stifling the whimper that would have otherwise escaped upon hearing that cute name!

"You two are going to kill me with your cuteness!" He whispers urgently, once he has regained the ability to use his mouth and tongue in tandem.

"There shall be no killing here." Lan Zhan says that sternly, frowning in his direction.

"Does Cinnabun get lonely? Or do you have another bunny hidden in your pocket?" Wei Ying asks innocently, skipping over Lan Zhan's comment.

He's pressed up so close to Lan Zhan, smooshing their shoulders together, and Lan Zhan can smell a wonderful floral fragrance that tickles his nose every time Wei Ying shifts or moves closer.

Lotus flowers?

They're seasonal, and during the summer months, Lan Zhan occasionally orders them for his customers upon request, and this is a nice reminder of warmer days and ice cream eaten out of doors with XiChen. He wonders if Wei Ying likes ice cream, and if so, what is his favourite flavour?

"Laaaan Zhaaaan....."

Wei Ying's musical voice brings him out of his thoughts, and Lan Zhan's ears become hot. He covers it up gesturing behind them, where Pudding is watching them with judgy eyes, nibbling on hay.

Wei Ying is shaking, trembling with excitement, and when he lifts his beautiful silver eyes up to Lan Zhan's golden ones, they're brimming with hope.

"May I?" He asks with trepidation, fingers already vibrating.

"Mn. First, introduce yourself. Pudding likes biting, too."

Wei Ying thinks he might have died and gone into heaven.

How have they been neighbours for a year and never known of each other? Never met?

Oh yeah...because Wei Ying is most certainly not a morning person.

Had Jiang Cheng not had an oral emergency, they might have continued to exist in their separate bubbles forever.

The thought is so terrible, Wei Ying banishes it from his mind; but he wants to say thank you to his brother...and what better way is there, than giving him a gift?

And that reminds him of the one he's brought for Lan Zhan.

Wei Ying gives one last stroke of love to Pudding's luxurious black fur, and reaches for the bag on the floor next to his feet.

"Um... so I was wondering what I could do, to you know, thank you for Suibian, and then I thought, Wei WuXian! You are an artist! Pick your poison and your art! And I drew these for you! I didn't know you had an actual bunny but if I did, I would totes be drawing this scene right here!" He gestures wildly at Lan Zhan and Cinnabun, who just refrains from rolling her eyes as if to say, 'we are always this cute' and 'what do you mean?'.

Lan Zhan just blinks at him slowly.

He has no idea what Wei Ying is talking about, and the sudden resuming of conversation has lulled him out of the pleasant serotonin fugue state he was floating in, of petting his bunnies with who has now become his favourite person.

Wei Ying pushes a bunch of papers into his hand, and Lan Zhan is instantly alert and amazed.

Wei Ying is truly an artist!

He's done lots of sketches, ones of Lan Zhan in different poses, standing, sitting, adding unusual details in each one. From flowers in his loose braid to wearing a single peony behind his ear, with his watering can, and then the third piece. This one is in watercolours, the gentle shades depicting Lan Zhan in a field of white bunnies.

Lan Zhan thinks that one is his favourite.

He looks up to a red-faced Wei Ying trying to cool his cheeks down and gazing at him with heart eyes.

"And um...now that I'm here, can I buy a present?"

That's how Wei Ying ends up hauling an orange tree into the tattoo parlour, opening the door with his back and grunting with exertion.

"What the fuck is that?" Jiang Cheng demands, standing up so fast, his wheelie stool bangs into the opposite side.

Wei Ying places it carefully in the corner, admiring his work and of course, the beautiful tree with tiny buds and greenness. He bounces over to his brother and squishes his reluctant cheeks, twisting out of the overly friendly gesture like a spitting cat.

"I asked you a question." He says that full of ire because his brother is a chaotic mess, and Jiang Cheng is a war victim. He still has flashback moments of the time Wei Ying decided to TP* Wen Chao's house, a few Halloweens ago. *(toilet papering trees and fences - any surface willing to take it).

Even if it was worth the resulting punishment of being made to go and apologise to Wen Chao's mother, completely devoid of sincerity, it was still coming up to that time of year again, and Jiang Cheng wasn't sure how many more grey hairs on his head Wei Ying would be responsible for, this time around.

"I'm saying thank you."

"For what?"

Wei Ying decides not to tell him.

As well as having the side benefit of winding Jiang Cheng up by him stewing with uncertainty as to why, he doesn't want to admit that it was a good thing Jiang Cheng made him open up the shop early yesterday. Otherwise, he might never have met Lan Zhan...

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

It's during his grocery run at the seven eleven that Wei Ying sees the stickers on a display case next to the cashier, and before he can stop himself, he's buying six sheets of all the bunny ones.

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

While scrolling through his phone, he sees bunny mugs, and ends up purchasing a red one with a black bunny and a white one, because it immediately reminds Wei Ying of Lan Zhan's red accessories. Why does he have a red watering can? And red stools to sit on?

The next morning, when Wei Ying goes to visit Lan Zhan, he asks this very question.

Ever since they met three weeks ago, every morning is the same and they've fallen into a lovely routine. It began on Wei Ying's second visit, the next day. He had gone to deliver the bunny stickers, and then he couldn't come up with an excuse as to why he had come at all, let alone why a grown man was going around buying sheets of bunny stickers for his extremely hot neighbour, just because they reminded him of him???

So not going to happen!!!

Wei Ying had blurted out the first thing that came to his quick mind, and that was a status report on Suibian and how she was thriving next door. Lan Zhan listened intently, and then followed him back to check, hiding the fact that he was dying to see where this exuberant man spent most of his time during the day, where he came up with his superb creativity.

He had not been disappointed.

Lan Zhan had assumed it was going to be a riot of colour, a bombardment of images and disturbing chaos, reflecting Wei Ying's personality... and yet, he was filled with peace when he actually saw it for the first time. Wei Ying's brother wasn't there then, and Lan Zhan didn't care; he was there only for Wei Ying.

Their tattoo parlour exuded calm and peace, and when Wei Ying showed Lan Zhan their files of artwork, he was blown away by the beautifully detailed designs. He realised that it actually worked better this way, that any potential clients would find it easier to decide, to concentrate on what was just in front of them, rather than what surrounded them, had the artwork been displayed otherwise, and he told Wei Ying of his thoughts, only to reduce Wei Ying into a stammering, blushing mess.

After that, Wei Ying began bringing him a cup of green tea infused with different flavours each day, making the excuse that he had to buy himself a coffee anyway, and he might as well pick up something for Lan Zhan too, while he was there. Then, he started bringing lovely little treats they could share with their beverages, pretty pastries that tasted divine.

Or, maybe it was the company...

Originally, Wei Ying had brought bunny mochi but one look at Lan Zhan's face, and he realised his mistake: Lan Zhan would never, ever be able to eat anything in the shape of a bunny.

And that was okay. Wei Ying was adaptable. He stayed away from anything that would upset Lan Zhan from then on.

Lan Zhan picks up the square croissant and bites into it delicately, deciding on his answer for Wei Ying's question. He opted for the truth, even if it was embarrassing to him.

"Red because other colours get lost in the green."

Wei Ying takes one look at his face and then he starts giggling.

Lan Zhan might have been upset at being laughed at, but he knows Wei Ying by now and he knows that Wei Ying isn't mean, he really is amused by the fact that Lan Zhan has truly lost several watering cans in the foliage of his shop, shrouded by bushy green leaves and plants that have become sentient due to listening to Mozart and becoming even more alive...

Plus, the sound of Wei Ying's musical laughter has become his favourite sound.

In fact, Lan Zhan tries to make him laugh as much as possible, delighting (internally) in Wei Ying's bright silver eyes and laughing mouth. He imagines kissing that beautiful mouth, those enticing lips and has an invisible meltdown instead.

When Wei Ying began bringing him gifts, he tried to tell him it wasn't necessary; Lan Zhan only wanted his company. But Wei Ying had looked crestfallen at that, and Lan Zhan didn't want to make that expression happen on his face ever again, so he accepted every one of Wei Ying's gifts from then on.

So far, Wei Ying has given him the bunny stickers, the beautiful red bunny mug, bunny socks, bunny themed gardening tools, a bunny apron that Lan Zhan wears diligently because Wei Ying gave him a sad face at the thought of his hoodie getting wet even by accident, a bunny watch, bunny pens and a bunny notebook.

They're all lovely and slowly but surely, Wei Ying's sweet gestures have overtaken his shop. Lan Zhan finds himself smiling and thinking of his hot neighbour quite regularly, as a result.

But one thing he finds he cannot get over is the need to reciprocate.

Whenever he tries to give something to Wei Ying, the man gets too embarrassed and flustered and leaves, far too early for Lan Zhan's liking, and he's so puzzled by this behaviour, that it accidentally slips out of his mouth, when his brother is visiting for their weekly dinner. It was his remark that there were a lot of little changes around Lan Zhan's shop that were all new, and once Lan Zhan replies that they're all presents, the words tumble out before he can stop himself.

XiChen smiles that smile, the one that suggests he knows something that Lan Zhan does not, and is waiting for Lan Zhan to catch up.

Lan Zhan hates feeling stupid, although XiChen has never done that to him. It's the feeling of being able to recognise or work out something that is blatantly obvious to his brother.

"Do you think Wei Ying might like you? As in, more than in a friend sort of way? Romantically?" XiChen asks him.

"I don't know." Lan Zhan finds his own answer far more distressing.

Was it even possible?

Vibrant, impossibly beautiful, vivacious and bright, how could Wei Ying, a shooting star in comparison to a dead planet if Lan Zhan was to compare them to things in outer space, how could someone like that, like him? Lan Zhan, in his own mind, and when he looks it up, although initially it amuses him, the fact that Uranus is the coldest planet in their solar system is kind of ironic.

"Why don't you ask him to help you?" XiChen had said.

"Mn?"

"I don't know..." XiChen had looked around and then targeted his window. "Ah, I know! Halloween is coming up, so why don't you ask Wei Ying to help you decorate it? I bet he will have some great ideas!"

And that's how they find themselves putting pumpkins in the window.

Wei Ying is excellent at carving funny faces on the thick fruit, and some of his recreated expressions bring a small smile to his face whenever he sees them.

They put more of Suibian's relations in the window, along with ghost plants, corpse flowers and chrysanthemums, poetically synonymous with backsides in classic poetry, another amusing comparison, Lan Zhan thinks. Especially when he's standing just behind Wei Ying, and he accidentally drops something. The moment Wei Ying bends down to retrieve it, Lan Zhan is done for.

His ears are well past the burning stage into supernova territory by this point.

He had caught a sly smile directed his way when Wei Ying glanced back at him, after arranging the last of the display, and he wondered for the millionth time if Wei Ying ever thought about them as a couple.

But some answers would only ever get a clear answer if Lan Zhan actually asked the question.

Lan XiChen's idea was great, in that Lan Zhan got to spend more time with Wei Ying, but it did nothing to clear up the building tension between them, nor did it clarify Wei Ying's feelings about Lan Zhan, whether or not he saw the potential of them as being more than friends.

Wei Ying was a kind person, and Lan Zhan knew he would jump at the chance to help him, so in the end, Lan Zhan was no closer to knowing whether his feelings were reciprocated or not.

On the day before Halloween, Wei Ying looks like he wants to say something. He keeps opening his beautiful mouth and then saying something else instead, and Lan Zhan is at a loss to explain it. It happens so many times during their breakfast, that he's tempted to ask Wei Ying outright what is bothering him, but just as they're putting away their leftovers and rinsing out their matching mugs (Lan Zhan had bought a black mug with a black bunny and a white bunny for Wei Ying, one that he did not allow anyone else to use, interfering brothers be damned), when his least favourite customer walked in.

Wei Ying immediately realises something is wrong.

Lan Zhan's whole body language changes from being relaxed, calm and happy, to tense and on edge, straight away. He's facing the customer walking towards him, no, marching towards him with intent, and Lan Zhan already looks highly uncomfortable.

Wei Ying moves without thinking about it, standing in front of Lan Zhan and then blushing because of how it looks, and then deciding that he doesn't care: no one gets to make Lan Zhan look like that.

A warm, familiar hand on his shoulder tells Wei Ying that it's not necessary, that Lan Zhan doesn't need his protection, and the extra squeeze is a thanks for it. Nevertheless, Wei Ying does not move away, and the angry man continues walking towards them.

"Lan WangJi!" He shouts, making the few other customers in the shop turn around and stare at them.

"Su She." Lan Zhan replies coldly.

Wei Ying thinks that if he were to release a breath now, it would steam in the air as if he was on the North Pole, that's how much the temperature has dropped, by the arrival of this guy. Tension crackles between them in this new frigid atmosphere.

Lan Zhan doesn't like him, and by default, so neither will Wei Ying, but he's all about giving people a chance, so he keeps his mouth shut and his wits about him, just in case.

Su She thrusts a poorly looking grey potted plant at them.

"Your plants are substandard! I demand a replacement!"

Wei Ying feels the shudder that goes through Lan Zhan because they're still connected through his hand on Wei Ying's shoulder. He turns his face and when he sees Lan Zhan's expression, his heart goes out to him.

He has never seen Lan Zhan grieve, and now he wishes he hadn't, because it makes tears come unbidden to his own eyes. Lan Zhan looks heartbroken, staring at the sad little plant that, no doubt, had not been sold in that condition.

Therefore, Wei Ying is absolutely certain that this man is responsible for its present state.

"No more." Lan Zhan says it quietly at first, but as his eyes shift to the offender, plant killer extraordinaire, his golden eyes begin to burn with rage.

"What?" Su She stares at him with a strange sort of glee. "What are you saying?"

"Get out." Lan Zhan tells him firmly, standing straighter, and that somehow makes him appear taller.

And formidable looking.

Wei Ying is caught up in how hot he looks, as well as outrage on his behalf that this horrible person has the gall to come here and insult Lan Zhan like this, a repeat offender by the looks of it, and as such, he is not qualified to speak to Lan Zhan at all.

"Not until I get my replacement!" Su She stands in a defensive pose, arms crossed over his chest. "I paid good money for this and it didn't last a week!"

"Out! OUT!" Lan Zhan doesn't shout, but his voice is raised as much as he will allow.

Lan Zhan never loses control over himself, that much Wei Ying knows for sure. He's prepared to push this Su She out of Lan Zhan's shop if it comes to it, so he readies himself.

"You owe me a plant!" Su She does shout.

"You are no longer welcome here." Lan Zhan tells him.

"You can't make me leave!" Su She sneers. "Customer satisfaction!"

"Wanna bet, Pal?" Wei Ying holds his phone to his ear. "Hello? Yeah, this is an emergency. I need the cops."

Su She visibly pales.

"Yeah, the person you can hear? That's him. Goes by the name of Su She, and he's verbally attacking the owner of WangJi's Plants And Flowers." Wei Ying shoots off the address.

"This isn't over, Lan WangJi!" Su She scowls, jeering at him. "I'm making a formal complaint to Trading Standards, and they're gonna investigate this place after I'm done!" He's by the door now, and other customers are filming what's going on.

"Su She? Remember one thing." Lan Zhan calls out, feeling petty about this whole incident. He's furious enough to say one last thing.

"What?" Su She snaps, scared and out of patience.

"You can't be ugly AND unlucky." Lan Zhan turns his back on him, as a few chuckles begin to break out, and Wei Ying starts giggling again, as soon as his shock wears off.

More people start laughing.

Su She is so incensed at that, that he comes back, raging and spewing expletives, and just as Lan Zhan turns around, Su She throws a punch.

But Wei Ying is no stranger to street fights, and he pulls Lan Zhan out of the way to take Su She's momentum and turn it back on himself. Then, he punches him, square in the centre of his face.

"That's assault!" Su She cries, cupping his bloody nose.

"No, Pal. That's called self defence. You threw the first punch," Wei Ying informs him, shaking out his own fingers.

Sirens are loud and blaring, come to a stop outside, and make Su She scramble to leave but the cops are faster.

In no time at all, he incriminates himself and burns brighter with jealousy and rage, when the police ask Lan Zhan if he wants to press charges.

Before Lan Zhan can give his answer, voices start popping up all around them.

"My daughter hasn't stopped crying since that awful man came in!"

"I'm traumatised! Scarred for life!"

"My dog threw up because of him!"

And Lan Zhan realises that his customers are really the best, standing up for him against a bully.

Notifications start making his phone blow up, and he sees that in the last five minutes, he's received five-star reviews and glowing praises, and he knows that some of the people here are directly responsible for those. Another man comes along and while giving both him and Wei Ying space, holds out his phone so Lan Zhan can see the screen.

"I put it all up on TikTok. Look! Already a thousand views, and they're gonna make it go viral," he says proudly.

Wei Ying is smiling up at him, and with a start, after Lan Zhan awkwardly thanks the other man, he remembers that Wei Ying might have hurt his hand.

Once the cops leave, the customers begin to disappear as well, and soon, it's just Wei Ying and Lan Zhan standing in his shop. Lan Zhan makes Wei Ying sit down and he brings him ice wrapped in a towel from his apartment upstairs. Ignoring Wei Ying's protests, he holds Wei Ying's hand and presses the cold pack on his knuckles.

"You shouldn't have hit him, Wei Ying. Now you are hurt." Lan Zhan regrets everything that happened earlier, only because this is the consequence of the ugly situation.

Wei Ying hasn't been able to look away from him yet. He waits until Lan Zhan lifts golden eyes filled with regret to his face.

"It doesn't matter. As long as you are safe," he insists, a dark glint of anger shining like granite in those diamond eyes. "But I have the best way for you to make it up to me," he adds, his smile returning to the usual mega wattage.

"Anything." Lan Zhan says, straight away and meaning it.

He's still a little starstruck by Wei Ying, awed by his quick thinking and turned on by that punch. But it's still regrettable that Wei Ying is hurt, and Lan Zhan means what he says; anything to make Wei Ying feel better.

"We're hosting a bir- I mean, Halloween party next door, tomorrow night. You don't have to dress up, or come in costume or anything... but I would really love it if you came." Wei Ying looks ever so hopefully up at him. "Please. For me?"

"Mn. I will come for Wei Ying." Lan Zhan promises.

It's only later, after a red-faced and terribly shy Wei Ying leaves in a hurry, that Lan Zhan realises his answer had a double meaning...

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

Halloween, And Wei Ying's Birthday

Wei Ying avoids going next door to visit Lan Zhan today.

Not only are they fully booked with clients for the whole day, but he and Jiang Cheng have got to get the parlour ready for a shindig, later that evening, and there simply isn't enough time for ducking in next door to see Lan Zhan.

Wei Ying tries to focus but he's realised that all this time, he's been steadily falling in love with their hot neighbour since that first day, and if anything has changed, it's that his feelings are only becoming deeper and stronger.

He wants to see Lan Zhan every minute of every day, and the temptation of wanting to kiss those ruby lips is becoming so hard to resist. He was going to confess yesterday, just before the fiasco with Su She happened, and then it felt like the wrong time, and as though Wei Ying had used up all his courage in hitting that waste of space instead.

It's still kind of a shock to him.

He doesn't even know when exactly it happened, but he loves the warm feelings he gets whenever Lan Zhan so much as glances his way. It's so much better when Lan Zhan talks to him, because Wei Ying has gotten used to watching him back, and he knows that Lan Zhan is a quiet man, not one for lengthy conversations or even using more than one word when a gesture will do.

Lan Zhan actively makes time for him though, and makes an effort to talk, and it's not just about plants. He talks about Cinnabun and Pudding, and his face goes all soft, and Wei Ying wants to hug him every time that happens. He's so cute!

Maybe tonight, Wei Ying will get his chance to tell Lan Zhan how he feels, maybe even ask Lan Zhan out on a date? Just the thought of that makes goosebumps break out over his skin, and Wei Ying shivers with delight and fear, a spectacular combination for sure.

He hopes Lan Zhan likes him back, and that tonight, they become boyfriends.

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

Lan Zhan doesn't 'do' parties.

He's always felt awkward at them, and he hates standing around and looking as if he's part of a riveting conversation, when actually, he's bored to tears. The apprehension he feels is mirrored on his face, and that usually makes people give him a wide berth.

But tonight, Wei Ying has invited him over, and it's only next door. Wei Ying has told him to get there by six thirty, and Lan Zhan is always punctual. That's why he finds himself standing next to a werewolf and a vampire with his fist smartly rapping on the door.

An angry man opens it, turning his face to yell "I've got it, idiot!", before turning back to scowl at all of them.

"Welcome," he says.

Lan Zhan doesn't feel welcomed in the slightest, but he follows his far more friendly acquaintances in, uncomfortable with the way this stranger is pursing his lips at him.

Thankfully, a warm arm wraps around his waist, and the much needed, loved fragrance of lotus flowers fills his senses as Wei Ying suddenly appears by his side.

"Lan Zhan! You made it!"

Just like that, all Lan Zhan's fears are put to rest and he feels like someone has wrapped a warm blanket around him, sheltering him from the outside world, including the scowly man who gives Wei Ying a slight shove as he walks past.

The presence of Wei Ying makes Lan Zhan smile.

He missed this beautiful man in the morning when Lan Zhan had to have his second breakfast all alone; Wei Ying had texted him that he wouldn't be able to make it today, and although Lan Zhan was disappointed, he hung onto the thought of seeing him later, at the party that night.

Wei Ying gasps and then bites his bottom lip, a lovely pink tinge transforming his face into something even more beautiful.

"Wei-Xiong! No costume this time?" Nie Huaisang brushes past them with a knowing look and a wink towards Wei Ying, a lingering one aimed at Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan has met him before, as the younger brother of his own brother's husband, they've mingled in the same circles, but Lan Zhan has never felt the need to indulge in any kind of conversation, and Huaisang always manages to pull out his fan and hide behind it, much to Lan Zhan's grateful relief.

"No, not this time..." Wei Ying replies, looking at Lan Zhan's smart flared trousers, beige and particularly appealing in this ensemble, as Lan Zhan has paired them with a cream silk shirt and a knitted waistcoat.

Wei Ying hadn't wanted Lan Zhan to feel out of place, and he knew the handsome owner of the shop next door would have felt uncomfortable dressing up in a costume, so in a way, they matched because they were the only two not to be wearing monster or mythical legend outerwear.

"I've just got to do some last minute things," Wei Ying tells him, giving his waist one last squeeze before moving away.

Lan Zhan immediately feels bereft.

He wanders over to a chair and looks around, after making himself as comfortable as he can in such circumstances.

The scowly man, dressed as an angry pharaoh complete with thick black lined eyes, returns with a bowl of fruit punch and a ladle; Huaisang is following him with plastic cups and a plate of biscuits.

There must be around twenty people here already, and more enter the tattoo parlour as the minutes pass by, humming and awwwing at the decorations. Wei Ying and whoever helped him with the hanging LED lights have outdone themselves.

Ghostly paper chains hang from the ceiling in uneven loops, while eyeballs hang from the lights on invisible string, flower garlands in the shape of orange pumpkins cover every surface, and the brothers have managed to hang a disco ball in the centre of the room. The work desk has been pushed to the wall tonight, creating an empty space where people might like to dance later.

There are lots of spooky treats laden on the table, all of them unappetising to Lan Zhan, who goes to take a closer look only because there's a part deep inside him that is fascinated by disgusting things, and the mental list inside his head has been checked multiple times for gore, too red, and drastic.

Huaisang chucks bloody eyeballs into the orange liquid and they float to the top. Lan Zhan tries not to make a face. He watches him grab a frosted cookie with a gravestone and 'R.I.P.' written on it, stuffing it whole into his mouth and grinning sheepishly at Lan Zhan when he notices he's being observed.

About half an hour later, the party is in full swing with loud music playing from speakers on the side, half the crowd draped all over each other in pairs, making lame attempts to dance in the middle of the room, and the other half inebriated and making slurring conversations.

Throughout all of this, Lan Zhan has watched Wei Ying make several forays to where the drinks are arranged, and somehow, their eyes always seem to meet. Lan Zhan sees a different emotion swirling in those gorgeous eyes, usually silver but tonight, they're reflecting the reds, pinks and purples of the added disco lights.

Since Lan Zhan has only attended because Wei Ying had asked him to, he came but he feels as if he might have reached his tolerance; it's past nine thirty and he hasn't spent five minutes with Wei Ying tonight.

It makes him feel sad.

Lan Zhan much prefers their alone time in the mornings when he discreetly locks the front door of his shop so he and Wei Ying can have a quiet breakfast together, every day. Those times are extra special because he gets to look at him and talk to him, and it makes all his happy feelings rise to the surface. It's even better than meditation.

Wei Ying stirs something inside him, and Lan Zhan has known what it is since that very first time he came into his shop, and although it's a new feeling, Lan Zhan has embraced it with all of himself. Maybe tomorrow, he will confess to Wei Ying, tell him how much he looks forward to their mornings which have increased in hours.

How much Lan Zhan loves Wei Ying's laughter, the rosy blush which seems more and more common these days, and the way his beautiful silver eyes light up whenever Wei Ying learns something new.

Maybe Lan Zhan might even pluck up the courage to ask Wei Ying on a date?

He doesn't know that part yet, but he's sure it's not going to happen tonight.

So Lan Zhan stands up from the chair that he's borrowed for three hours, and hunts Wei Ying down to tell him goodnight, and a 'thank you for inviting me'.

Before he can go too far, a warm hand fits into his, and Wei Ying magically appears, looking apologetic.

"Come with me?" He mouths, and Lan Zhan can lip read if it's him, because he's spent enough time this past month staring at those pink plump lips, imagining to bite them on occasion.

Lan Zhan nods and lets Wei Ying lead them out of there, into the back rooms where he presumes the magic happens.

He's not wrong.

Suddenly, they're in a quiet room with a long black, flat and narrow, padded bed of sorts standing in the centre of the room. A matching black leather chair rests next to it, and seven tiny cups to hold ink are upside down upon a little desk next to that. Three tattooing pens, chunky and round at the beginning, square on the ends, are lined up and ready to be used. There's a speaker on the ceiling in the corner, and a desk with a couple of files on it.

Lan Zhan can see the colours faintly on the side, so they must contain more designs of possible artwork.

But Lan Zhan is more surprised by the pile of colourful presents on the side, and Suibian.

Wei Ying sees him looking, and he blushes even more.

"Suibian wouldn't have liked it up there, tonight," he murmurs, trying to hide the presents with his body.

"I would have brought something if I knew gifts were allowed," Lan Zhan says. How nice of Wei Ying to be so considerate of his plant, he thinks.

And then his eyes catch on a message written on one of them.

It says, "Happy birthday, Wei Ying!"

Wei Ying notices too late what Lan Zhan has seen, and goes to move it out of his sight, but quick as a flash, Lan Zhan is holding his wrist to stop him.

Both of them feel the current that jolts through their bodies at this contact.

But Lan Zhan doesn't let go of him.

Wei Ying can see lots of emotions cross over his face, but the lingering one is of betrayal.

"It's Wei Ying's birthday, today?" Lan Zhan doesn't mean to sound accusing.

But it's such an important day! And he feels like he's missed his chance. Also, he feels hurt that this many people knew it was Wei Ying's birthday today...and he did not.

That's the part that causes him the most pain and regret. Was it that Wei Ying didn't want anything from him? His mind goes back to every time he offered something to him, and Wei Ying would get flustered, finding any excuse to leave without taking what Lan Zhan was trying to give him.

Wei Ying's free hand comes up to rest on his shoulder, and suddenly, it feels too intimate, intense, as if they are the only two left in the world, existing in their own little bubble.

Lan Zhan watches Wei Ying gulp, trying to swallow and it's hard for him, too.

"Yep, this one has turned twenty-eight at last!" He laughs awkwardly but thankfully, he doesn't move. "Um...actually...there's been something on my mind. For quite a while now," he says, lifting his wonderful eyes up to Lan Zhan's face.

Already, Lan Zhan has stopped breathing.

He's fallen into a mercury sea of silver stars, shimmering diamonds that threaten to drown him in their sincerity. It feels like a sin to interrupt, but Lan Zhan makes himself speak, even though his mouth is drier than the Sahara.

"Mn?"

"Er...the thing is, I promised myself I was going to be brave...yesterday. But then that guy showed up and I ended up using whatever guts I had gathered and then, neither of us were in any kind of condition to bare our hearts, and I thought, tonight! Tonight for sure, I'm going to tell Lan Zhan the truth and it's okay, it will be fine..." he blinks away extra moisture that gathers in the corners of his eyes.

"Wei Ying is the bravest person I know," Lan Zhan encourages him. Part of him is scared of what Wei Ying wants to tell him, and whatever is left has him drowning in a sea of anticipation.

His thumb rises to wipe away the drop of water rolling down Wei Ying's cheek. He smiles when Wei Ying leans into his palm and Lan Zhan wonders if it's okay to leave it there. Wei Ying is so nice and warm, and right there.... So he does.

"Huaisang has been giving me bottles of liquid courage, and every time I was brave enough to approach you, someone got in my way."

"It doesn't matter. We are here, now." Lan Zhan wants to hug him close.

Not only does Wei Ying look like he could really do with one, but this is the most touching that they have done together, and for Lan Zhan, it's as exhilarating as riding the highest cresting waves in a choppy ocean on a surfboard. He can hear his own heart beating, louder and louder.

Whatever happens next is going to change their lives forever.

"I like you a lot, Lan Zhan. More than a lot." Wei Ying doesn't blink, but his tongue sneaks out to wet his lips that are suddenly dry.

Lan Zhan feels like a hawk watching his slightest movements eagerly. He waits for Wei Ying to continue.

Standing like this together, it feels as if the world outside has come to a complete standstill. Time itself has paused, waiting for them as the seconds stretch out.

"It's kind of a surprise to me as well...I've always appreciated beauty, and you're the most beautiful person in the world to me." Wei Ying lifts his hand up to cradle Lan Zhan's face.

"Wei Ying is beautifuller." Lan Zhan can't help pouting, too. How dare Wei Ying say anything different?

Wei Ying giggles at that, breaking apart the sudden tension. It's wired so tightly that Lan Zhan fears something will snap soon, if they do not address what this is. Like two lions stalking around a fresh kill, it's all about who makes the first move.

"That's not a word."

"I just said it. That makes it a word."

"It's not in the dictionary."

"Which one? I doubt Wei Ying is well read enough to know the contents of every single dictionary in the world." Lan Zhan raises a brow.

"Okay, okay, let's leave that alone. I have something else, more important, to ask you." Wei Ying stands that much straighter, all amusement fleeing from his face.

Neither moves away, terrified of breaking the spell cast over them. Tonight is a night filled with ancient magic, after all, and it crackles between them like the pause before a storm.

"Lan Zhan, you're really nice. I like you. I fancy you. I...I love you. I whatever you...Lan Zhan!" Tears are falling down his face and he's trying to hold onto his control. "It can't be anyone else but you," he finishes, looking so earnestly back at him that Lan Zhan cannot doubt what he is saying, nor the meaning behind his words. "I don't even know how it happened, but it has, and you don't have to do anything, if you don't feel the same as me! I can sweep it under a rug and never look at it ag-"

"Wei Ying! I like you!" The words are clawing through his throat, desperately making their way out. Lan Zhan feels raw with his feelings. Could it be this easy to say it? Wei Ying is already so much braver than himself, exposing the soft underbelly of his most private feelings like this. Lan Zhan tries again, but this time, he pulls Wei Ying into his arms, needing to feel the solid weight of him.

Both of their hearts are pounding in their chests, next to each other.

"Wei Ying, I fancy you."

"Yes!"

"I love you."

"Yes!"

"It cannot be anyone but you!"

"Yes!"

Wei Ying leans back in his arms and smashes their lips together, a kiss to seal the deal. It's not pretty but as they learn how to do it well, it still means the most to both of them. Their eagerness to show each other how they feel overrides any bumps, any clacking of teeth, and suddenly they are kissing for real.

It amplifies every touch, every feeling, and it's like flying through the air without a harness. Fiery need races through their veins trying to keep up with their desires.

But they have to breathe, and eventually, they lean back.

Lan Zhan wears a smug smile, because Wei Ying looks so good! His lips are red and swollen, a little kiss-bitten and he wants to dive in again, but Wei Ying's warm palm fits over his mouth, preventing the next kiss.

Lan Zhan whines.

He didn't mean to do it!

He's mortally embarrassed, but the way Wei Ying smiles at him is worth any price.

And thinking of prices....his eyes become shrewd.

"What?" Wei Ying narrows his eyes at him. "What are you thinking?"

"Your Suibian!"

"She's mine! You can't have her back." Wei Ying grins at him, mischievously.

"I don't want her back... but she comes with a price. I remember Wei Ying never paid anything."

"You scoundrel!" Wei Ying giggles helplessly. "You told me there was no need!"

"That was then. This is now. It is a man's prerogative to change his mind."

"But Laaan Zhaaaan! Today's my birthday! Surely you wouldn't be so mean as to demand payment today of all days?"

"Wei Ying never said it was his birthday, before. That's two strikes." Lan Zhan is enjoying himself now.

"So mean, Gege! Tell me, what's the price? Let's see if I can afford it!" Wei Ying sounds way too confident for this conversation.

"The plant comes with a boyfriend...however, the penalty for keeping secrets is that Wei Ying must move in with me. I miss Suibian too much for you to cruelly keep us apart, as you have been doing." Lan Zhan holds his breath for real now.

This is the most daring he's been in his life, ever. But he's as sure he wants this, as he is that the sun will rise in the East, come tomorrow morning.

"Lan Zhan...Sweetheart, are you sure?" His tears are falling with renewed frequency, and yet he sounds so hopeful.

"Mn. Yes. I want to live with Wei Ying. Forever. And Suibian."

The last part makes Wei Ying giggle.

"Okay but be warned, once I'm living with you, you'll never be able to get rid of me!"

"I will never want to get rid of Wei Ying. Rest assured."

Lan Zhan feels just as sincere and hopeful as Wei Ying looks.

Carefully, he brings Wei Ying closer again, just to be able to hug him properly.

Something shifts inside and it's with astonishment that Lan Zhan can identify this feeling.

He's happy!

Happier than when he first got Cinnabun and Pudding. Happier than when his first plant bloomed. And happier since his business began making a profit.

Wei Ying makes him happy.

Wei Ying feels it too, and his mouth is right there, next to Lan Zhan's earlobe. His naughty tongue comes out to take a lick, and Lan Zhan gasps, simultaneously tightening his hold on Wei Ying's body.

"Do you know what would make the best birthday present?" Wei Ying says, experimentally pressing his teeth down on the soft flesh.

He hears a moan from Lan Zhan's mouth, and it's more encouraging than any verbal agreement.

"Let's ditch this party! How about you show me my new home, and we break in your bed?"

"Mn."

Lan Zhan grabs Suibian and Wei Ying's hand and books it out of there.

This will be the start of their lives together.

He's looking forward to it.

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan...I'm rooting for us!" Wei Ying starts laughing to himself, even as they pass by the guests too tipsy to understand that the birthday boy is absconding from his own party. "I be-leaf in you!"

He carries on, because now he's started, they're coming out of his brain thick and fast.

"If you can't beet 'em, join 'em!"

"Long thyme no see!"

"Thistle be a night to remember!"

"Mn." Lan Zhan decides that the only way to shut him up is with his mouth.

THE END