There was a lull in the afternoon, and Wei Ying found himself thinking of the super handsome Lan Zhan, who would be waiting to go home together with him, when five o'clock came around.

It was both frightening and thrilling in a good way, the kind that set off butterflies in his stomach. He thought back to his utter surprise that Lan Zhan had turned up at his doorstep, so to speak, ready to buy flowers for his secretary. To be honest, when he had heard that, Wei Ying had felt a tear in his chest, especially that Lan Zhan had come in person to do so. You only did that for people you cared about, right?

Apparently not, not if it was Lan Zhan. Wei Ying stifled a giggle, keeping an eye on Jiang Cheng and his customer.

Lan Zhan didn't even know her name....

He kind of felt sorry for the dashing young man. He had almost passed out in their shop, and Wei Ying had never heard of someone having such a response to nasal stimulation, but remembering how Lan Zhan had looked, he knew he wasn't lying when he said it was to do with the different scents all at once. Perhaps it was to do with everything, all at once an assault upon his senses that was overwhelming.

He was glad he had plucked up the courage to text him too, and thank goodness he had then, because it looked like Lan Zhan was panicking already about not knowing her name. Either he was an aloof boss, or he genuinely did not care about his secretary. But Wei Ying thought it was the former rather than the latter. It was endearing.

Wei Ying couldn’t wait to find out more about the Jade, calling him that because his flawless skin reminded him of the precious mineral.

Jiang Cheng threw a errant stalk in his direction, jogging him out of his thoughts.

"Stop daydreaming! You've got to fix the window display yet."

"That's what I was thinking about." Wei Ying lied, effortlessly, grinning cheekily.

"Really?" Jiang Cheng was not fooled for a second. "And not the guy you landed on this morning? The one that just happened to come in before?"

Wei Ying smiled noncommittally.

"That reminds me, can you make yourself scarce later tonight? Lan Zhan is going to wait for me so we can go home together."

"I can't believe you're ditching me for some hot piece of-"

Wei Ying threw a ribbon roll at his face, his own one redder than the rose in his hair.

"Why don't you use it as an opportunity to get to know his brother? He was totally making eyes at you, all throughout that train ride. So hot!" Wei Ying mock shivered.

"Because I'm not like some people. Family comes first."

"It does for me too!" Wei Ying gave him a wounded look. "Would you rather I don't go with him tonight? Why?"

"Well...it's just that we only met them this morning. It seems like you're rushing into something too fast...that's all."

Wei Ying jumped onto his back, amid him shouting at him to get off. He kissed Jiang Cheng’s cheek, resulting in him flinging off the monkey.

"Awww...ChengCheng is worried about me!" He teased.

Jiang Cheng furiously showed him his middle finger.

"Instead of thinking I'm ditching you, why don't you take this as a chance to find out more about the brothers? Since you're so worried?"

"I might just do that. Since you lost your last good brain cell, wrapping it up with those peach blooms..." Jiang Cheng grumbled.

Wen Ning popped in and out several times during the tediously long afternoon leading up to five. If Wei Ying was suddenly ever so punctual about closing on time, Jiang Cheng did not mention it again.

He waved goodbye to his friend and brother, and bounced towards a waiting Lan Zhan, who smiled at him when he got closer.

Wei Ying missed a step, almost crashing into the Jade.

Lan Zhan steadied him, relishing the contact, before reluctantly letting him go. He noted that Wei Ying was still wearing the flower he had given him that morning, and his smile grew bigger.

"Would Wei Ying like to go on a walk before we go home?" Lan Zhan asked, hopefully.

Wei Ying looked into those lovely golden eyes and wondered if he could ever say no to him.

He nodded shyly. Their hands touched accidentally and Wei Ying blushed, wanting to hold his hand but too shy to reach out and actually do it. A nervous thrumming energy was filling his veins and he didn't know what to do with it.

Hyde Park was just around the corner and they entered the huge green gates to walk upon the wide gravel path. It was a warm day and many people were out and about, some laying on the grasses underneath the shade off willow trees, others wandering around, walking their pets. There were even dogs around, but they were far away, and enough so that Wei Ying could hide his paralysing fear for a little while.

They passed a small body of water which seemed to attract quite a few bodies, and then all of a sudden, Wei Ying was reminded of why he usually avoided parks.

*********

Lan Zhan managed to complete all his tasks and even organise his secretary's desk in record time, all before five. XiChen came to collect him right on time.

"Didi? Is...everything alright?" He asked, a note of worry in his voice.

Lan Zhan paused in the act of collecting his briefcase, and looked up.

"Mn. Why?"

"It's just..." XiChen came closer and rested the back of his hand against Lan Zhan's temple, checking his temperature. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Mn."

"You don't have a fever...why are your eyes so bright? You seem excited." He decided.

"It is nothing, brother."

They walked to the elevator in silence with XiChen throwing him odd looks sporadically, while Lan Zhan wondered if he could ask a favour of his brother. He made up his mind, sixty floors later, and handed his briefcase over to a well-surprised XiChen.

"I will see you later, brother." Lan Zhan smiled, barely a slight upturning of his lips, before walking briskly to where he had arranged to meet Wei Ying, knowing that if he did not do so, his brother would start playing a modified version of twenty questions with a whole load more.

When Wei Ying hurried to meet him, he knew XiChen was smiling as he walked away, all curiosity quenched.

Perhaps it was the way the sunlight fell upon that beautiful face, how those silver eyes sparkled with delight, and that happy smile warmed all the cold places inside him, but Lan Zhan thought Wei Ying looked stunning, even after a whole day working. He did not look tired at all.

When their hands brushed against each other's, Lan Zhan wanted nothing more than to thread his fingers through Wei Ying’s hand, wanting to touch him somewhere at least. He had wanted to prolong their time together and somehow without either of their brothers interfering, and hit upon this idea of a walk in the park seconds before they met again.

His heart was racing when he had asked, terribly afraid that Wei Ying would say no, or perhaps something else along those lines, but he happily agreed, and they set off.

Everything was going smoothly until they passed by the mini lake on the east side.

A particularly frisky dog, Lan Zhan thought it was a husky, ran towards them, barking madly and before he knew it, Wei Ying had shimmied up the tree, climbing so high, Lan Zhan could only see his red ribbon dangling down.

The dog thought it was some kind of a game and ran around the tree trunk barking wildly, and Lan Zhan had thought Wei Ying was having fun playing with it, until he heard the whimper.

His blood ran cold.

"Wei Ying?" He called out, but now there was only laboured breathing and silence.

The dog owner came and collected his pet, apologising profusely, but Lan Zhan had only one concern right now. He climbed onto the first branch, hoping to get closer to the huddled form. He felt immense pity for this sparkling man, reduced to...to this...

"Wei Ying?" He had to climb up to another branch, before he was close enough to touch him.

Wei Ying whimpered, eyes closed and body shaking. He was holding onto the branch as if his life depended upon it, shaking like one of the leaves surrounding him.

Lan Zhan climbed yet another branch and managed to sit right next to him, wondering how on earth he managed to climb so high up, so fast.

"The dog has gone." He started to say.

But his words had no effect; Wei Ying was far too gone, hiding somewhere in his mind.

The branch was wide enough to enable Lan Zhan to sit astride it, leaving his hands free to pry white fisted knuckles from their grip and gather the still shaking man closer into his arms. He began to hum quietly, drawing circles on his back with a warm palm.

Gradually, he could feel Wei Ying relax against him, small puffs of warm air on his neck. The sun was beginning to set, casting orange rays around them and setting off the leaves in a fiery display. The late evening was a canvas for nature's spectacle, a homage to the day gone by sung from the heavens as larks and robins bid it goodbye.

Lan Zhan would have enjoyed it very much, if he hadn't been so worried about the young man in his arms, yet to say anything at all. He continued to hum, his deep voice calming and sure.

Wei Ying opened his eyes, feeling disorientated. He was feeling warm and safe, held against a strong chest, and Lan Zhan....Lan Zhan was humming their song, the ringtone they both shared.

It was at once soothing and comforting. He looked at the darkening sky and sat up, blushing after realising how he had been plastered against the other. But there was nothing except deep concern in Lan Zhan's face. He reached out and held his hand.

Wei Ying looked at their joined hands and smiled, not really understanding before now, how comforted he felt by that smallest of touches, one that promised him safety.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

Now that the crowds had gone, and the birds were asleep, his voice sounded louder than it was.

"No need." Lan Zhan told him fiercely. "Can I hug you?"

Wei Ying was surprised at that. His deep voice was filled with longing, a need to make him feel better.

He nodded shyly, tucking his too hot face against a cool neck, smiling when strong arms came around him to hold him safe.

"I was maybe five or six when I saw a dog for the first time. Jiang Cheng had three or four dogs by the time his family adopted me, and they were probably friendly enough in their own way, but me? I was terrified." His chocolate voice grew stronger as he went on. "Eventually it became a real fear, and I had to go through therapy to try and make it better."

"You are a brave man." Lan Zhan told him, warmly, wishing to make him feel better, and soon. "You were doing so well."

"Only until that last one. If you hadn't noticed, I was hiding behind you every time we heard one of them bark." He gave out a sad laugh tinged with bitterness.

"I should apologise. I should not have suggested a walk in the park." Lan Zhan felt deep regret.

He tightened his arms, relishing the soft sigh, and the warm arms that came to hold his waist.

"It's okay Lan Zhan, you weren't to know. I try...I try not to tell people. I was...bullied in school because of it. The irony was, it was Jiang Cheng who not only had to get rid of his dogs, but defend me against those bullies."

"I am sorry. Wei Ying should never have to suffer like that. I will make sure of it."

He sounded so sure, that Wei Ying’s eyes filled with happy tears. He leaned up and kissed his cheek, smiling when Lan Zhan froze.

"I hope you don't mind that I did that. You're so sweet, taking care of me like this." He whispered.

Lan Zhan knew there was nothing sweet about what he wanted to do to Wei Ying...and given the circumstances, he wished it was in another situation, perhaps when they got to know each other better, but right now, all he wanted to do was kiss him.

So he stayed silent, not wishing to change anything about this moment. Here, he could enjoy the way it felt to hold his warm body, their hearts beating together and the scent of lotus flowers tickling his nose. Wei Ying smelled so good!

"Do you believe in soul mates, Lan Zhan?"

"Mn. Not before. Now." He clarified.

Wei Ying enjoyed listening to the sound of his deep voice rising up through his ribs and vibrating out. Lan Zhan was showing no signs of wanting to let him go, and Wei Ying was loving this too much to change it. He wouldn't go so far as wanting to thank that beast of Satan for letting them do this, but it was a close call.

"And reincarnation? Is it possible we could have known each other in our past lives? Maybe even fallen in love?"

"Mn." Lan Zhan could believe it.

That was why this sudden attraction to this man would have been scary, if not for the feeling that there was something very right about the whole thing.

"Happy." He whispered back.

Wei Ying shivered, the voice was spoken by lips so close to his ear, it was akin to a kiss.

"Happy?" He asked instead, wanting those arms to hold him tighter.

"Yes, happy. That maybe we knew each other in past lives. Maybe more."

Wei Ying could hear the smile in his voice. It was getting dark now, and Jiang Cheng would be worried if he took too long coming home. His Shijie would also worry, this being his first date ever.

"First date?" Lan Zhan asked, unable to stop being so happy about that.

Wei Ying blushed, nodding.

"You?"

He was delighted when Lan Zhan also nodded.

"We should probably get going though. It's late."

Neither wanted to let go...

With a super human effort, Wei Ying kissed his cheek once more before extricating himself from those delicious arms, readying himself to climb down.

But to his dismay, the ground was too far away.

"How did I get up this high?" He wondered, as another sort of fear clawed into his heart.

Lan Zhan had swung down already and was waiting for him, far below.

"Wei Ying?" He called up, a little worried when the younger one was not moving.

"Lan Zhan...I'm scared. I don't want to hurt myself." He called out.

"You won't. I am here."

Those last three words gave him a courage he didn't know he had. Tentatively, he reached down to one branch.

"That's it, you're doing great." Lan Zhan called out, until only one branch remained.

And then Wei Ying had an idea.

"If I jump, will you catch me?" He shouted, emboldened all of a sudden.

"Always." Lan Zhan promised.

Wei Ying wasn't aware he had been holding his breath, waiting for an answer that he wasn’t sure of, until that single word. It made him feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy inside.

He jumped, relishing in that split second giddy feeling of free falling, before strong arms caught him, holding him tight against a solid body.

Their faces were so close, Wei Ying noticed those golden flecks shimmering under the light of the nearby lamppost. Without realising what he was doing, he leaned forward, bracing his hands on those wide shoulders and captured those tantalising lips, feeling sparks of electricity light up his every nerve endings.

Joyous bubbles danced in his stomach and he was held closer, and kissed back with the same enthusiasm, a wish, a hope for something more, something deeper.

Lan Zhan could not believe that this amazing man had kissed him, was still kissing him so deeply. Too many emotions flooding through his system meant he could not concentrate on anything except for this beauty in his arms.

Wei Ying was the source of all his happy thoughts right now, an ecstacy previously never experienced. His heart was racing with a blissful feeling generated by this man. Slowly they separated, and Wei Ying whined as they broke apart. He was so embarrassed by that, he hid his face in the crook of Lan Zhan's neck again, sighing when he was held in place by one hand on his waist, and the second around the nape of his neck.

"Thank you." Lan Zhan said, surprising the other.

"For what?" Wei Ying mumbled, still embarrassed about everything.

"For an amazing first date."

Wei Ying smiled again, suddenly shy.

"Yes, it was."

They shared a moment before walking slowly back the way they had come.