XiChen made his way through the crowd to a fumbling Wei Ying, not at all prepared to take on the weight of the Lan currently leaning on him.

"You didn't let him drink, did you?" XiChen asked him, frantically.

"What? No, not exactly...only a sip! Maybe two...I don't know! Why?" Wei Ying grabbed Lan Zhan's waist in an awkward attempt to hold him upright.

"My brother has a low tolerance for alcohol, he is deeply affected by it. He never drinks!" XiChen gave him an accusatory look.

"I swear, I did not know!" Wei Ying declared, wondering why he was just standing there and not helping.

"But you and he have been spending so much time together...I just thought you would have talked about such things." XiChen looked a little bit worried now.

"Well, of course we talk about everything, but it's the most random stuff. He never said a word, I promise you. And what do I do now?" Wei Ying was starting to flip out internally. On the one hand, he hadn't actually lied to XiChen-ge, but the time he and Lan Zhan spent actually talking was kind of equal to the time they spent kissing, and making out, because once they had discovered how mutually pleasurable it was, it became difficult to keep their hands off each other.

Plus, that was not the kind of thing one confided in the brother of the one you were kissing...it was a thing, and Wei Ying knew at least that much.

"I cannot leave the party, because Uncle will know something is up if we are both not here. Can you please take him back upstairs?" XiChen handed him the special key card, a replica of the one Lan Zhan actually used before. "I'll make his excuses, and make sure Uncle does not suspect anything."

Wei Ying felt terrible now, as he took the keycard and made for the elevators. Had he gotten Lan Zhan into worse trouble? It would be a shame if he had, because he was honestly trying to help. Their Uncle was already upset with Lan Zhan for being late, and if he ever found out why Lan Zhan had ditched the event, then lectures might not be all in the way of punishment.

Just navigating out of the massive ballroom was a job in itself, and Wei Ying had to fight his way through. A terribly fat man stood in his way by the double doors.

"I'm Yao...what's wrong with him?" He sneered, staring at Lan Zhan.

Wei Ying was filled with a protective instinct, and he muttered something incoherently before 'accidentally' stepping on his foot hard, while walking away.

Lan Zhan was lighter on his feet, the further they went from the source of his discomfort. By the time they reached the elevators, he was standing on his own, something Wei Ying was happy about, given that there were cameras installed.

"Lan Zhan? Are you okay? How are you feeling?" Wei Ying reached for his hand.

With his free hand, he placed his cool fingers against the other's temple, just checking his temperature, but everything seemed normal. This lift was not the gentlest in moving upwards, and after Wei Ying had gotten it to move, he was flung into Lan Zhan's protective arms as it jerked into life.

Lan Zhan held him tighter, genuinely smiling for the first time that evening. He took Wei Ying’s breath away...

Lan Zhan was trying (and failing) to count how many lashes Wei Ying had, on his beautiful face, framing those beguiling silver eyes. So much love shone back at him, that Lan Zhan felt overwhelmed...

This feeling continued as they entered the apartment and just before Wei Ying could lead him to his bedroom, Lan Zhan took control and forced him towards the kitchen.

Sure enough, Wu and Ji had just broken out again, and Lan Zhan chased after the naughty black bunny, while Wei Ying scooped up the white fluff ball. The rabbits were so cute, and so unexpectedly like Lan Zhan, that Wei Ying had a wave of love towards his boyfriend. He was such a caring soul, yet even for him, there were challenges he was forced to suffer through, like this stupid party. Wei Ying felt angry on his behalf, but before he could move, the bunny was taken out of his hands and placed behind the barricade, and Lan Zhan came to stand in front of him again.

With his thumb, he gently placed it on the space between Wei Ying’s brows, rubbing at the two tiny creases. When that did not work, he leaned in and kissed the spot.

Wei Ying was too surprised not to smile, and he closed his eyes.

"Wei Ying...tired." With a speed that belied his condition, Lan Zhan grabbed his hand and took him into his bedroom,  closing the door behind them. Then he sat on the bed and waited patiently.

Wei Ying had already removed their shoes upon entering the apartment, not wishing to dirty the clean place, but now he was nonplussed about exactly what Lan Zhan wanted him to do.

Lan Zhan seemed to understand his confusion and held up his arms. Wei Ying went closer and Lan Zhan wrapped those strong arms around his waist, bringing him so much closer. He sighed when he could rest his cheek against Wei Ying’s stomach.

Wei Ying’s arms came around his shoulders, and he kissed the top of Lan Zhan's head.

"You should drink some water, Lan Zhan." He said softly, seeing the jug of water and a glass upturned next to it.

But Lan Zhan didn't want to let him go. His arms tightened and he made a whining nose when Wei Ying tried to move.

"Lan Zhan...Lan Zhan...my love...won't you let me go?" Wei Ying tried to coax him, but this Lan Zhan wasn't going to listen.

He turned his face up and closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to answer.

"Please, Lan Zhan? Let's drink some water, okay? Then we can lie down." Wei Ying persisted, keeping his voice soft and encouraging.

Lan Zhan seemed to like that idea and smiled, a lopsided grin.

Wei Ying couldn’t help himself; he leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth, but Lan Zhan wanted more...

Wei Ying smiled against his soft lips and had the best idea.

"What if I give you a kiss for everything you do for me?" He suggested, using this chance to pour a glass of water.

Normal people who drank too much were in danger of becoming dehydrated, and Wei Ying was worried about it happening to him; plus he was a little bit thirsty himself.

"Mn." Lan Zhan liked that idea.

He opened his mouth, watching how Wei Ying was concentrating on what he was doing, holding the glass ever so carefully against his lips so Lan Zhan could drink it without spilling any on his clothes.

Wei Ying was so involved in his task, he hadn't noticed that his tongue was peeking out from the side of his mouth.

Lan Zhan smiled at that.

But his long fingers took the glass from Wei Ying and held it against his lips, not wishing to drink any more himself.

Wei Ying gladly emptied the glass and put it back.

"Now, come on..." he was saying, trying to pull Lan Zhan up.

But Lan Zhan was looking at him with a wounded expression, incredibly hurt. When Wei Ying noticed that, he stopped immediately.

"Lan Zhan...what is it?" He whispered, wondering how on earth he could have hurt him.

"Wei Ying promised." Lan Zhan tapped his own mouth with his elegant finger.

Wei Ying blushed, and came closer towards him.

"Lan Zhan, my love...you're so cute when you're drunk. I love you very much." He held his face as if it was made from the most precious porcelain and leaned down, touching his lips to those plump pink ones, sighing softly as Lan Zhan kissed him back.

Golden eyes shone back at him with unconditional love, when they finished.

"Now come on, we have to get you changed." Wei Ying told him. "Where are your pyjamas?"

Lan Zhan looked towards the double doors where his walk in closet was.

Wei Ying opened the doors and entered, wondering where Lan Zhan would keep his night clothes. A quick glance on the rails showed him those were just for formal wear. In all their time together, Wei Ying had only ever seen Lan Zhan wearing suits, all mostly plain, mostly light colours. All his shirts were arranged in a colour code, from white to silver to pale blue. He opened a set of drawers to find more colour coded ties and matching pocket squares, plus another held all his jewellery and cufflinks.

He wondered if Lan Zhan owned a pair of jeans or casual trousers, even a pair of joggers. This saddened him out of the blue, because it meant that Lan Zhan didn't allow himself to relax.

Comfortable clothes allowed for relaxation, and everyone needed to wind down at some point. Again, anger flared at Lan Zhan's Uncle, whom Wei Ying couldn’t help but blame.

In his efforts to bring up his nephews, turning them into efficient business men, their Uncle had forsaken the need to teach them how to look after themselves, teaching them that they need not be standing to attention all the time.

But Lan Zhan was waiting and Wei Ying hit the jackpot upon opening the bottom drawer of a built-in cupboard. Yanking out a pair of pale blue silk pyjamas, Wei Ying was surprised when a book fell out. Worse, its contents spilled onto the ground, and their combined perfume wafted into his nostrils, and Wei Ying fell onto the floor.

His mind could not make sense of what he was seeing.

Every single flower he had ever given to Lan Zhan, was perfectly preserved, laminated so that their colours would forever remain pure. And Lan Zhan had carefully stored each one in this plain book, guarding its precious contents.

A noise behind him had him gathering the flowers quickly and putting them back inside the pages of the notebook, stuffing it back into its place among the folded clothes. His eyes were wet with his emotions and he wiped them hastily, not wishing Lan Zhan to see him cry over such a sweet gesture.

Lan Zhan was so romantic...it made his heart ache in the best way.

Lan Zhan came towards him now, tired of waiting. His tie hung in a crooked fashion, as if he had tried and failed to take it off.

Wei Ying smiled softly at him, and undid the knot, sliding the tie off. The sound of silk upon silk echoed in his mind, as golden eyes watched his every move.

"You have to take your shirt off, Lan Zhan." He whispered.

His words sounded too loud in the quiet room where there was just the sound of his own heart beating out of his chest.

"Mn."

But Lan Zhan didn't do anything...just watched him through hooded eyes.

Wei Ying took his hands and placed his fingers on the first button, hoping he would take it from there...but it was not to be.

Lan Zhan dropped his hands, and stared, expectantly.

Wei Ying sighed, hoping he was brave enough to do this. His fingers came up to undo the first button, his mouth completely dry despite the water he had drunk just moments ago.

He was about to do something monumental, for both of them, and it was slightly unnerving. He had never seen a shirtless Lan Zhan before, and he discovered two things whilst deliberating his life choices right then.

One, he knew he couldn't possibly take advantage of drunk Lan Zhan because that was just wrong on so many levels, and two, he really wanted to see what there was under the shirt. And he knew without a doubt, in spite of his wanting to keep a pure mind, he would forever remember this night, and the way Lan Zhan was looking at him right now.

He gulped, noting the way those golden eyes followed the action. Wei Ying took a deep breath, feeling everything at once. The softest scent of sandalwood calmed his senses as he undid the first button, resting his smaller hands on that strong, warm chest. Wei Ying was feeling light-headed by the fourth button, as that soft, smooth skin was revealed, inch by tantalising inch.

Too soon, the shirt lay open, showing him a delectable six-pack, maybe even an eight pack, each muscle contracting as Lan Zhan breathed.

When the shirt fell off that hot body, Wei Ying shoved his pyjamas into Lan Zhan's hands and fled, unable to take more soul-searing torture.

He was pacing the length of the bedroom when Lan Zhan returned, with something in his hands, but before he could protest, Lan Zhan was pushing him into the bathroom after handing him a bundle of clothes.

Wei Ying examined them in the bathroom, realising it was a plain white t-shirt and a pair of white pyjamas.

"Lan Zhan, I'm not staying." He called out.

"Too late." His voice was right by the door.

Even in this state, the deep octaves made Wei Ying shiver, as though his body was already programmed to respond to his voice.

"What do you mean?" Wei Ying’s own voice came out hoarse.

"Time...no trains. Wei Ying...stay." There was a difficult pause before another word was spoken, softer this time. "Safe."

Wei Ying looked at his watch, and realised with a sinking feeling that Lan Zhan was correct, no trains ran this late a service.

Resigned, he changed his clothes, putting them back inside his original bag and came out, fully intending on sleeping on the couch.

But Lan Zhan had other plans.

He grabbed the unsuspecting man and took him to the bed, laid down and pulled the helpless younger one on top of him, drawing the sheet over both of them. Lan Zhan was holding him in a tight hug, reminding Wei Ying of when he was smaller, the way he used to hug his Teddy bear.

It was impossible to move...and suddenly all the weight of the day came crashing down upon him, as his limbs became heavy, soothed by the warmth Lan Zhan was offering with his body.

His eyes drifted shut and he rested, his even breathing matching that of the man underneath him.

*******

Morning came too soon, as Wei Ying blinked his eyes open.

Lan Zhan was lying on top of him now, eyes wide open, reflecting back joy, adoration, and surprise. He leaned in, kissing him as if to make sure he was really there.

Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan's neck, pulling him closer, but when he moaned, that's when Lan Zhan snapped to attention. He rolled off him so fast, Wei Ying thought he had imagined the whole thing.

"Wait...Lan Zhan...come back. Finish what you started, you fuddy duddy!" He mumbled, going back to sleep.

Lan Zhan decided to cook him breakfast, feeling the first thoughts of guilt.

Wei Ying had done nothing but look after him...and how had Lan Zhan repaid his kindness? By taking advantage of him.

Making him breakfast, was the least he could do.