Jiang Cheng looked at his watch for the hundredth time and frowned. Nie Huaisang patted his arm reassuringly.

"He'll be here soon. You know him, Wei WuXian hardly ever gets anywhere on time."

Lan WangJi frowned at both of them.

He cleared his throat as impolitely as he could, the sound of which rose high above the general cacophony of the restaurant they were seated in.

"Chill out, my man. I wasn't criticising him in any way." Huaisang defended himself, smiling.

"It was not a compliment." Lan WangJi stated, daring him to argue.

It wasn’t his fault if he didn't like anyone badmouthing his roommate.

He and Wei WuXian had moved in together straight after graduation and since they both got jobs close by, it made the best sense. Besides, what did it matter that Lan WangJi was completely besotted by him? Wei Ying did not need to know that...not yet anyway.

Lan WangJi was just getting used to the idea himself.

He had never actually liked anyone before, so this sudden realisation was just as much a surprise to him as it was to everyone he had told, which was just his brother to date.

Lan WangJi wasn't shy about it...but the problem was, the right time never came along. He thought about telling Wei WuXian in the morning at breakfast time. But then Wei WuXian would suddenly smile and Lan WangJi would forget how to breathe. The whole day would pass by and then they would only meet maybe at lunchtime if he was super lucky, or at night for dinner.

And then, Wei Ying was just so busy all the time, that Lan Zhan wasn't sure when he should say something. Just gathering the courage to do that...he had to fight his rapidly beating heart to get the confidence to open his mouth...and plus, Wei WuXian was so beautiful, so gorgeous...why would he even consider going out with someone like Lan WangJi?

Wei WuXian was popular too. He had so many friends, a different friend circle for each activity he partook in. There was his work friends, high school friends, uni friends and football friends. In between that and the extra stuff he did for work, there was hardly any time left over for them.

Lan WangJi missed the nights when they had used to sit on the couch together. They would share a blanket and huddle, balancing a bowl of popcorn on their laps. Wei WuXian was a tactile person, and inevitably the evening would end with his head in Lan WangJi's lap and his own fingers running through Wei Wuxian’s hair.

Those were the best evenings.

He sighed to himself.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.

"Why don't you just tell him?" He snapped.

"Tell who what?"

Wei WuXian, the man in question, came to their table like a hurricane on fire.

He pulled off his coat and scarf, draping them on the back of his chair so that most of them were on the floor; Lan WangJi quickly picked them up and arranged them better before he could sit down, and then gazed in loving wonder at this beautiful man sitting right next to him.

His mouth was completely dry.

Wei WuXian was a work of art.

No question about it.

His long hair was tied up in a messy bun, the odd tendrils loose and framing his face. His wide, large silver eyes shone with a burning intensity that Lan WangJi felt he was drowning in. His beauty was incomparable.

He was wearing a scarlet t-shirt and black skinny jeans, both of which left nothing to his imagination, and then there was that soft intoxicating floral scent, which Lan WangJi imagined smelled like pink petalled lotus flowers.

How could Lan WangJi not feel out of his depth?

He watched Wei WuXian lean across the short distance to his brother and plant a slobbering wet kiss on his cheek, shamelessly chortling with uncontrolled laughter at the other's disgusted face, wiping his own cheek with his sleeve.

Oh, how Lan WangJi would have moved heaven and earth to swap places with him just then!

"So how's everyone doing? What's the latest news? And what were you guys talking about just now?" He turned his electric gaze on Lan WangJi, not waiting for answers. "Who do you have to talk to?"

Lan WangJi dropped the menu.

On the glass of water, spilling it everywhere.

Wei Ying shot up like an arrow and grabbed the paper napkins while Lan Zhan hastily gathered up everything that could be saved, his ears evidence of his embarrassment.

After the flurry of activity, Wei Ying turned back to him.

Lan WangJi was hoping the uncomfortable topic would be forgotten, but those steely silver eyes pinned him down and he could not look away.

"You were saying?"

How Lan WangJi loved his voice!

But not right now...not when he had to come up with a valid excuse to cover what the idiot brother had asked. Normally Lan WangJi could mildly tolerate Jiang Cheng but right now, he hated him.

His eyes flew to amethyst ones, smugly grinning at him over his menu. So Lan WangJi did the only thing he could.

He dropped him in it.

"Tell my brother that you like him?" He said smoothly, claws out.

As expected, Wei WuXian’s grew as big as saucers.

"Jiang Cheng!" He exclaimed loud enough that the nearby table's occupants were also interested. "I didn't know you liked XiChen-Ge!"

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes at Lan WangJi, blushing furiously while protesting vehemently and all the attention went on to him instead of Lan WangJi.

Mission accomplished.

Jiang Cheng was swearing in his mind, just see if he was going to let that wily, stone-faced man get away that! His eyes promised swift retribution, but Lan WangJi wasn't scared.

His face said, bring it.

They finally ordered and news went back and forth between all of them.

Huaisang had gotten a promotion after suspicious tweets had been leaked about his supervisor and of course, he was the natural best replacement. He, Jiang Cheng and Lan WangJi worked in the same building for different companies, sharing a communal dining hall.

Wei WuXian worked across from them for an aerodynamics company, but they still managed to catch each other now and again for lunch or drinks, or like now because Wei WuXian had invited everyone.

His reason was that he had news.

There was a lull in the conversation as Lan WangJi watched Wei WuXian empty almost a whole bottle of chilli oil onto his rice and slurp up the frightening coloured mixture with gusto.

That's when Jiang Cheng said, "what's your news then? You've finally got us all here, spit it out."

Lan WangJi tried not to look too interested.

But who was he kidding? Everything about Wei WuXian was riveting.

"Okay...I figured, every time any of us has free time, we're just hanging out together." Wei WuXian took a deep breath.

"So? Are you saying you don't want to do that? Any more?" Jiang Cheng had purple fire in his eyes.

"No, no...what I mean is...look, none of us is thinking about the future. I think...I think I want to settle down. I'd like to find someone. To date, I mean." He sipped from his beer. "So I joined a dating app. It's really easy, and I think you guys should do it too." He stood up then. "But my main point is, I don't want any interference from you guys. Bathroom." And just like that, after dropping the mother of all bombs, he left.

Lan WangJi watched his retreating back, heart smashing into smithereens on the cliffs of his wanting.

Wei WuXian was going to date someone.

Someone other than himself.

Someone else.

Lan WangJi could feel his eyes getting hot.

He couldn’t leave because as he didn't drink, he was always the designated driver.

But this was simply awful.

"We can't let him do that." Jiang Cheng was saying. "You both know what my brother is like...trouble on two legs...and I don't want anyone taking advantage of him."

Huaisang was nodding along sagely.

"I think we should keep an eye on him." Jiang Cheng carried on. "What do you guys say?"

"But he doesn't want us to interfere." Lan WangJi said, hating his tongue and lips for supporting anything Wei WuXian wanted.

"He says that...but did you see his hands shaking? He's scared." Jiang Cheng whispered.

"Of what? Dating?" Lan WangJi asked.

He would be Wei WuXian’s Knight in shining armour. In his head, he saw himself wearing a silver chain metal armour with a shield in one hand and a white sword in the other, ready to defend Wei WuXian’s honour.

He was liking this idea more and more.

They could, all three of them, protect that darling man from getting hurt.

"He said dating app. There are lots of weirdos on those things...we have to be vigilant." Jiang Cheng said, thinking hard.

"Pass me his phone." Huaisang told Lan WangJi.

Wei WuXian had left it next to him, and Lan WangJi felt like a criminal handing it over.

Jiang Cheng leaned over Huaisang's shoulder to see what he was doing.

"It's a tracking app. That idiot won't even know it's there, but this way, we can get to wherever he's going." Jiang Cheng explained what Huaisang was installing.

"Lan WangJi?"

Lan WangJi was jolted out of his thoughts.

He looked up to to find two fists joined in front of him and the other two looking at him expectantly.

So, in two minds, Lan WangJi added his in a joint fist bump.

"He's coming! Here, put it back!" Huaisang handed the phone back and Lan WangJi managed to put it back just in time.

"We're just concerned about your safety." Jiang Cheng began to say.

"No way! The two of you are worse than gossiping old bags sitting on a bench." Wei WuXian grabbed Lan WangJi's arm and looked up at him adoringly. "Only my Lan Zhan cares about me."

Yes, I DO! Lan WangJi wanted to shout. But his tongue felt heavier than lead in his mouth, it just wouldn't say what he wanted it to.

"Lan Zhan, let's order chocolate cake! Will you share it with me?" Wei WuXian was saying.

Lan WangJi could feel his head nodding.

He would agree to anything Wei WuXian wanted.

"All I'm saying, because these guys are going to be practically strangers, right?" Jiang Cheng was serious now. "So just tell us their names and where you're going to meet. We won't be there, but what if we're close by? Then, if you need us, you can call and we'll be there."

"That's a good plan." Huaisang had folded his napkin into a fan and was fanning himself quickly. He winked at Lan WangJi when Wei WuXian's attention was on his brother.

"What if Wei Ying needs an exit call? It is a good idea." Lan WangJi added.

"Do you really think so, Lan Zhan?" Wei WuXian asked, his silver eyes so focused on his face that Lan WangJi thought he might pass out.

It would be entirely acceptable.

He nodded again. "Safe."

"Fine, fine..." Wei WuXian whined. "I'll do it on the group chat."

Jiang Cheng sat back, satisfied.

"So when's your first date then?" He asked.

"Tomorrow night. A guy called Wen Xu. He's a hunk." Wei WuXian sighed dramatically, gazing at the bowl of chocolate cake.

He handed Lan WangJi a spoon and watched him through hooded eyes.

Lan WangJi, who never indulged in sugary delights, was shovelling the cake into his mouth at an alarming rate.

It was stress eating and he was well aware of what he was doing, but Wei Ying’s first date was tomorrow night! And Wei WuXian had called him a hunk.

"Which dating app?" Huaisang asked. "I'm thinking of joining too."

Jiang Cheng stared hard at him.

Huaisang kicked him under the table and proceeded to have an in depth chat with Wei WuXian about how effective it was to navigate.

While they were talking, Lan WangJi got up and paid for their meal. Everyone's except Jiang Cheng.

Alright, it was petty.

And he did not care.

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

Lan WangJi slept badly.

Every time he closed his eyes, he kept hearing, "He's a hunk!" On repeat in his head, and it wasn't funny.

Friday morning, he woke up with a blistering headache and full of irritation. Not even the tea that Wei WuXian put in front of him was enough to calm him down.

"Headache?" Wei WuXian sympathised, standing up to come behind him and massage his tired shoulders.

Lan WangJi bit his lip to stop himself from moaning out loud. It was obscenely good and Wei Ying must have hands of magic to ease him so well. Part of him thought it would feel just as good to have Wei WuXian touching him anywhere at all...

That faint floral fragrance was playing havoc with his mind, and as Lan WangJi suddenly opened his eyes, he looked up into silver ones full of...what was that?

Wei WuXian laughed awkwardly and pulled away to finish his own breakfast. He was doing something on his phone simultaneously, swiping left and right quite quickly.

And then he stopped.

"Look, Lan Zhan! This is the guy I was telling you about. We've been messaging regularly all this week. He seems nice."

Wei WuXian shoved his phone in front of Lan WangJi's face as he tried to avert his eyes...but he knew he would have to look at some point, in order to recognise the bastard trying to take his Wei Ying away from him.

And he had to admit, the guy was really handsome. His black hair had highlights and he had a chiselled jaw, the kind all heroic fellows had. His eyes were a piercing dark brown and in this picture, he was standing on the beach in his swimming trunks, his eight-pack abs on full display.

Every single muscle was well defined and pumped to perfection.

"I bet someone like that has got a big-"

"Personality." Lan WangJi inserted and stood up, unable to take any more. "Are you ready to leave for work?" He didn't mean to sound curt, but his patience was wearing thin.

"Er...yeah, five minutes?" Wei WuXian grabbed their dirty dishes and loaded the dishwasher.

Lan WangJi retreated to his room and breathed deeply for four minutes, unplugged his phone from the charger and picked up his keys.

He was feeling more and more anxious as the minutes wore on.

Wei WuXian knocked on his door.

Lan WangJi turned around and his jaw dropped.

Wei WuXian was wearing a suit.

He was sure Wei WuXian was trying to murder him.

There could be no other reason why he was dressed to kill.

Black cashmere, soft and elegant, fitted to perfection.

Lan WangJi let his eyes drift from his perfectly styled ponytail with a red ribbon - Lan WangJi wanted to yank it hard - to his small waist. And tight trousers...all black except the blood red pocket square resting above his heart.

"Do I look okay?" Wei WuXian did a little twirl. "Do you think the black shirt is too much? I didn't want to wear white...Lan Zhan?"

Lan WangJi had no thoughts.

Blank.

His head space was an empty whiteboard.

"Should I change?" Wei WuXian asked anxiously.

"NO!" Lan WangJi shouted, finally coming back to himself. "No." Thank goodness that one came out at an acceptable level. "Wei Ying looks good. May I ask why?" His hand gestured up and down Wei Ying’s delectable body.

The man was entirely too good looking for his own health.

"Oh...I have a board meeting, a presentation. All the heads are going to be there. Plus most of them already know about my date...and they're placing bets." He gave an agonised sigh.

What Wei WuXian did not say, was that this whole dating scheme was his good friend Mianmian's idea.

She usually sat across from his desk and knew everything about him, after finding him drooling over an old picture of Lan Zhan. When Wei WuXian had explained that Lan Zhan was just his roommate but he was wishing it was something more, she had come up with this genius plan to make him jealous and do something.

Only, it didn't seem to be working.

Wei WuXian could normally tell what Lan Zhan was thinking...but so far, he had hit a blank wall. Quite literally.

Lan Zhan, stoic as ever, was quiet as usual.

And Wei WuXian reasoned that this was because he wasn't interested. Mianmian disagreed, after seeing all the pictures in his gallery and remarking that they all contained images of his crush. She said Lan WangJi was looking at him differently but Wei WuXian said that was how Lan Zhan always looked at him and it didn't mean anything unusual.

Lan WangJi pushed past him and went to put his shoes on.

Wei WuXian followed along, a little glum. Lan Zhan...still hadn't said anything else, and he couldn’t tell if the quietness was due to anger...or something else?

Definitely something had flashed in his beautiful golden eyes...but then there was always an intensity around Lan Zhan and Wei WuXian did not want to assume anything.

Lan WangJi was finding it really hard not to throw Wei Ying onto his bed and show him what his morning attire was doing to him.

How could Wei Ying not know? Was he doing it on purpose? But that wasn't true, he had explained that he had to look nice for his boardroom address and then for his date, Lan WangJi thought sourly.

It wasn’t fair.

He hated that other people were going to be looking at Wei WuXian when he looked like that!

Lan WangJi hastened to his car and got in, quickly fastening his seat belt. His body was tense at the thought of being in this confined space with the temptation of Wei Ying. In a suit.

It was a deadly combination.

His hands were gripping the steering wheel at precisely the ten o'clock and two o'clock positions, maybe a little too hard, but he was trying to stop himself from lunging at the god who was climbing into the passenger seat right now.

There was a tense silence, and then Wei WuXian switched on the radio.

Lan WangJi preferred classical music, and Wei WuXian listened to rock.

Today, Lan WangJi found it soothing to go back to their usual routine. Slowly he could feel his tension slipping away as Wei WuXian sang along to Bad Medicine.

Today he could relate.

Wei WuXian had a lovely voice and Lan WangJi doubted if there was anything he couldn't do.

By the time he parked his car and Wei WuXian was waving goodbye, Lan WangJi was feeling sunny again.

He even almost smiled.

Until he saw Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng waiting impatiently for him by the elevators.

"We did stalked Wen Xu on Social media." Jiang Cheng said, as soon as they were alone. He closed the doors and let it go up without waiting for anyone.

"He checks out." Huaisang admitted. "All his pictures are up to date, and he seems to be alright."

Lan Zhan felt a little green.

He remembered the picture Wei Ying had shown him that morning.

"So what's the plan?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"What plan?" Lan WangJi asked, still feeling nauseous.

This whole horrible ordeal was actually going to happen.

Tonight....

The doors opened and both Huaisang and Jiang Cheng got out.

"You better come up with something. Let's meet for lunch!" Jiang Cheng shouted just before the doors closed.

Great, Lan WangJi thought bitterly.

They had to come up with a plan.

*********

The morning passed by swiftly with one thing after another and suddenly it was lunchtime.

Impatience had Lan WangJi jabbing at the button to go down in the elevator, wondering why he was stuck in this weird in-between place in his head.

On the one hand, he wanted to sabotage Wei WuXian’s date and run away with him, professing his deep and undying love, and on the other hand, he wanted to run away and never come back.

All of this was making him jittery.

Huaisang and Jiang Cheng were already sat down, so Lan WangJi quickly got his salad and green tea to join them.

"Did you get a chance to think about tonight?" Huaisang asked as soon as he sat down.

Lan WangJi shook his head.

"That's okay, let's talk it through." Jiang Cheng suggested.

"Mn."

"Do we know where he's going tonight?" Huaisang said, biting into his pizza slice.

Lan WangJi gave them the name of the restaurant.

"Is he being picked up or meeting over there?" Jiang Cheng asked as Huaisang scrolled through his phone to search for the restaurant.

"Don't know." Lan WangJi answered truthfully. He hadn’t even considered any of this.

There was actually so much to think about.

"Would it be too suspicious to make reservations at the same place?" Huaisang asked them.

"Mn. We don't normally go for pasta. He'll know." Lan WangJi replied, feeling proud of Wei WuXian. His roommate was smart, and Lan WangJi was glad about it.

"What if we walked by or something?" Jiang Cheng wracked his brain, thinking hard.

"I have a solution." Huaisang said, pulling out a tiny little box. "This is the latest in spy technology. All you have to do, is plant this on him, somewhere inconspicuous. It's very powerful, so anywhere he won't notice." Huaisang opened the box to reveal four sticky tiny patches. "These are state of the art listening devices. As long as Wei-Xiong is wearing one, we will be able to hear the whole conversation."

Lan WangJi nodded solemnly.

Jiang Cheng high-fived him.

Huaisang handed one to Jiang Cheng and kept one for himself. Then he pushed the box with the two remaining ones towards Lan WangJi.

"You have to activate with your phone and then we can sync to this other group chat, minus Wei-Xiong." Huaisang added.

Lan WangJi had a new-found respect for this usually quiet man.

"Alright, so we have promised him we'll be close by...where do you think we should be?" He asked.

"There's a cafe about half a block away." Jiang Cheng tapped his phone.

"Sounds good." Huaisang stood up. "Message us when he's going to leave. And don't forget to plant that bug. Got it?" He pointed at Lan WangJi.

Lan WangJi was dazed with the onslaught of thoughts pertaining to his activities for the evening. When he checked his phone, sure enough he had been added to another new group chat called Lotus Stalks...

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

The afternoon whizzed by and then Lan WangJi was on his way home. He was filled with a nervous energy and excitement because for one thing, he had never done anything like this before. And there was a secret thrill to be able to listen in on Wei Ying's date because it would be giving him suggestions on what to do or not do, should he be in that same position.

Ever...

Sitting across from Wei Ying while he was dressed like that...Lan WangJi doubted they would have actually eaten anything anything there. He would have been too busy dragging Wei Ying away...

Black suit...

Lan WangJi slammed on the brakes and parked quickly, narrowly avoiding a collision.

He suddenly remembered something terribly important...something he should have remembered to tell Huaisang. He quickly fumbled for his phone.

I forgot! Wei Ying is going straight to the restaurant after work. I won't see him until he gets back! Sorry, I just remembered! He texted their group chat.

The phone rang, seconds later. It was Huaisang.

"Okay, not to worry." He said calmly.

Lan WangJi could hear Jiang Cheng shouting expletives in the background.

"Listen to me." Huaisang said. "You can stay there, that way he won't suspect anything. Jiang Cheng and I will keep walking past. And we found a place exactly opposite his restaurant. We have a good view from where we're seated. Keep an eye on your phone."

"Will do." Lan WangJi tried not to sound too breathless.

Was it better to stay home? He wasn't sure.

They hung up and Lan WangJi drove the rest of the way home.

He had just got in the door when his phone chimed.

When he looked at it, it said, "He's here. And so is Wen Xu."

***********

Wei WuXian was waiting for Wen Xu to turn up. Wen Xu was late and Wei WuXian was second guessing his decision in general to play Lan Zhan like this.

Would it really make a difference? And was it right to lead someone on when he didn't think he was going to pursue anyone else, other than Lan Zhan?

Now that he was actually here, and waiting for someone who wasn't Lan Zhan...Wei WuXian was feeling a little bit bad about the whole thing. He wondered what Lan Zhan was doing right now, whether he had reached home or not.

The minutes passed by and his date was late by a whopping forty-five minutes. Wei WuXian was just deciding whether he should go home or not, when his phone pinged and he looked up in time to see Wen Xu coming around the corner.

He smelled him first.

Wei WuXian wanted to gag.

Wen Xu came right up close and tried to hug him.

Then he wiped his face, which was streaming with sweat.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Had a flat tire, so I had to run the rest of the way." Wen Xu explained. "Shall we go in?"

Wei WuXian smiled politely and followed him in, glancing surreptitiously at his phone.

It was Jiang Cheng.

Are you alright? Has he turned up yet? I'm your exit call tonight. Do a missed call and I'll get you out of there.

Thank heavens for cautious younger brothers...

They were led to a table with a waitress who was clearly struggling to breathe. She threw Wei WuXian a sympathetic look before retreating.

"I'll just go wash my face." The hunk said and disappeared quickly, without waiting for Wei WuXian to answer.

He used this chance to message Jiang Cheng that he was okay and was going to stay for now.

After all, the man had run for forty minutes just to get here...Wei WuXian had to give him a chance.

There were menus already on their table so Wei WuXian took his time perusing through and deciding what he wanted to eat. The good thing about this place was that most of their recipes were based on garlic and onion, so the whole place had a pungent scent thick with that smell, enough to mask Wen Xu's scent so that it was at least tolerable.

Wen Xu returned and sat across from him, smelling considerably less.

He held out his hand and Wei WuXian did a double take.

His hands were noticeably smaller, and feminine looking. And Wei WuXian wanted to cringe when they finally shook hands.

"Your hands are really soft." He blurted out.

Wen Xu beamed proudly back at him.

"Yeah, I'm glad you noticed. I have a routine before I go to bed. Three types of moisturisers, one for anti-wrinkling, one for deep cleansing and the third for moisturising. It really works." He began flicking through the menu.

With those hands...

Wei WuXian tried to imagine dating him for real.

Holding hands...

He shrank back from that mental image. Instead, he thought about Lan Zhan’s hands. They were paler, slender fingers, but definitely not feminine. There was nothing girly about Lan Zhan’s hands at all, and Wei WuXian had no trouble at all picturing his hand in those ones.

In fact, it made him shiver.

Wen Xu tugged on his collar, loosening his tie.

"It's rather hot in here, isn't it?"

Wei WuXian looked up to see rivulets of sweat reappear on his forehead...and the smell was back.

Ew....Dear Gods....

**********

Lan WangJi was agitated, worried and terrified in no particular order.

Wei Ying was on a date with someone who was so good looking, it was a miracle that the guy wasn't a runway model or a famous actor already...and Lan WangJi was here, stuck at home and wishing he could drink...or chew his nails...or smoke...anything to rid himself of these terrible nerves.

The door burst open and Lan WangJi checked the time...it was only eight o'clock...what had happened?

He grabbed the magazine from the coffee table, thinking.

Usually dates went on for longer, didn't they?

And yet a part of him was ecstatic at the return of his..... roommate.

Wei Ying came into their lounge and threw himself on the seat next to Lan WangJi.

Lan WangJi felt his heart rate spike.

Wei WuXian was smelling of strong flavours...and yet he could still identify that special lotus fragrance.

He reached over to turn around Lan WangJi's magazine...because it was upside down.

Lan WangJi glanced at him instead, putting it down altogether and hoping they would not talk about it.

"How was your date?" He asked, carefully.

"Not that great." Wei Ying replied, looking not too upset about it.

Lan Zhan wanted to whoop in delight!

But having never actually whooped for anything in his life before, he wasn't sure how to do it.

"The guy was late! Late! Can you imagine, Lan Zhan? I was waiting for nearly an hour...and when he turned up, finally..." Wei Ying proceeded to tell him all about it.

Lan Zhan listened carefully to everything...the seed of a hope growing cautiously deep within his heart.

And then, mother of God...Wei WuXian suddenly reached over and grabbed his hand.

Little fiery tingles erupted all over his body as Lan Zhan struggled to control his breathing.

Wei Ying’s hands were lovely. Just slightly smaller than his, they fit perfectly resting against his palm. Not too soft and definitely strong. Lan Zhan felt warm all over and terrifyingly alive. They were a shade darker than his, due to the amount of time Wei Ying spent outside. Through this connection and if he concentrated, he could feel a heart beating...

"It was his hands which were a no-no..." Wei Ying was saying. "Alright, he smelled bad too, but eventually...actually, who am I kidding?" He sighed wistfully. "There was no way I wanted to continue seeing him."

Lan WangJi brightened like the sun.

"Does this mean Wei Ying is giving up?" He asked hopefully, praying for a particular answer.

"Oh, Hell no!" Wei Ying stood up and stretched, but still beaming at him. "I'm just getting started."

And just like that, Lan WangJi's heart broke all over again.

***********

A/N

Woohoo!

Hello dear readers! So what do you think? I had a blast writing this...so much fun.

Lots of chocolate and ice cream today for everyone if it's nice and warm for all of you. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Charlie.