Lan WangJi had never been to a bar or a club before.

Whenever there was office related out of hours social climbing to be done, his brother, Lan XiChen often went to represent the Lan family, and therefore he never needed to go in the past.

Right now, two pairs of eyes were watching him in trepidation, because he had just told them that he had never had alcohol before.

The Demon Doctor, a name very fitting Lan WangJi thought, after meeting her, wore her disbelief openly.

Wei WuXian was considering getting him something else.

"A-Qing...if he's never drunk anything before, how about we try beer? That's like, the least strongest one...ease him into it, you know?"

"Go big or go home, that's the kind of gal I am..." She replied, giving him a hard look.

"Yeah, you drink like a horse, but we're talking about him," Wei WuXian jerked a thumb in Lan WangJi's direction.

"How is this done?" Lan WangJi stared at the harmless looking little glasses filled with liquid that looked suspiciously like water.

"Lan Zhan...are you sure?" Wei WuXian asked him, doubtfully.

"Is Wei Ying going to drink this?" Lan WangJi asked him back.

"Well, yeah, A-Qing and I come here regularly to drown our sorrows...but this...if it's your first time..."

"Show me what to do." Lan WangJi had thought back to that afternoon when he had cried.

That was his sorrow, and Wei Ying just said he could drown it.

Lan WangJi was up for that.

"Hell yeah!" A-Qing cried with excitement. "Attaboy!" She leaned forward. "Normal shots are exactly that, you just tip your head back and swallow...these however, are Tequila shots. There are rules." Her big brown eyes gleamed.

"Rules? I like rules." Lan WangJi decided. Besides, how hard could it be?

"They're quite simple." Wen Qing spread a line of salt on the back of her hand after licking it. "Lick, shoot, suck. Those are the rules...okay?"

Lan WangJi nodded, watching Wei WuXian intensely.

Wei WuXian felt like a deer trapped in headlights, but at the same time, he was enjoying the attention. He too licked the back of his hand and poured out a line of salt.

Wen Qing licked the salt off her hand, picked up the little shot glass and downed it, tipping back her head, and then she sucked on a lemon slice.

"Got it." Lan WangJi grabbed Wei WuXian’s hand, licked the salt off and copied everything Wen Qing had done.

The other two were too shocked to do anything about it.

From the moment Lan WangJi's hot tongue touched his skin, Wei WuXian was feeling all kinds of electrical jolts travelling from that point of contact straight to his heart. And all the while, that poor organ was doing its best to survive by pumping as fast as it could and it was all Wei WuXian could do to remain seated when inside he was just a puddle.

He grabbed a shot and downed it without the ceremony of salt and lemon, and Lan WangJi was staring at him in awe.

"Wei Y-ying...did it...w-wong..." He stuttered. And then he passed out.

Wei WuXian squeaked.

Wen Qing grabbed another glass and tossed it back, making all sorts of teeth clenching noises.

"Oh my GOD! Is he alright? Wen Qing, do something! You're the doctor!" Wei WuXian was frantically patting Lan WangJi's cheeks trying to rouse him.

And then, he heard the worst possible voice ever.

"Wei WuXian! Fancy seeing you here!" Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and scowled at him.

"Oh come on, leave us alone." Wei WuXian said, trying to ignore him and hoping he would go away by himself.

But this was Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng was always spoiling for a fight.

And it looked like he had already been here for longer, since he was swaying on his feet.

"I could say the s-same...the s-same to you, upstart!" He roared. "My family...m-my family...they took you in...and how...how did you repay them?!"

"Not this again, Jiang Cheng...why don't you go somewhere else, huh?" Wei WuXian saw a couple of the security guys making their way towards them. "We're just minding our own business, having a few drinks..."

"B-but...that's...that's the p-problem...isn't it? You m-make it sound s-sound soooo innocent...but we both know...that's the last...l-last thing you are!" Jiang Cheng poked Wei WuXian's chest with his finger.

Wei WuXian batted his hand away, standing up.

"Look, just go away! You're not welcome over here."

"Not welcome? NOT WELCOME?" Jiang Cheng jabbed Wei WuXian in his chest harder, making him wince.

Suddenly, Jiang Cheng cried out in pain, because Lan WangJi had stood up and  grabbed his offending finger and bent it back, enough to break it.

Jiang Cheng first cradled his fist to his chest, staring in outrage at Lan WangJi. But then he threw a punch, which Lan WangJi avoided, and punched him back, right in his eye and making him scream.

Before any more hits were exchanged, the bouncers were upon them, separating Jiang Cheng and taking him away to someplace else. More bouncers arrived along with an important looking man, all dressed in black.

"I'm afraid we have to ask you to leave the premises, please." Everything about his tone suggested he was not asking.

"Lan Zhan...are you alright?" Wei WuXian had grabbed his fist and made him open up his fingers. There was a small cut on his knuckle. Wei WuXian let out a small whine of distress.

One long pale finger reached under his chin, lifting his face up towards Lan WangJi.

"Is Wei Ying alright? Bad man hurt Wei Ying?" Lan WangJi asked him, his golden eyes slightly unfocused, but concerned nevertheless.

"No...no, he didn't hurt me...and I think you got him good." Wei WuXian looked around at all the bystanders suddenly filming everything that had happened.

"I think we should leave now." He said, hurriedly.

He quickly pulled out a few notes to cover their drinks and grabbed a very unsteady Lan WangJi around his waist, as A-Qing downed the remaining glasses of tequila quickly before they left.

They were escorted out, the bouncers making sure they didn't sneak back in.

JingYi pulled up in Lan WangJi's white sports car. He opened the passenger door for them, internally worrying because he had never seen Lan WangJi like this before. This evening was getting wilder by the minute.

"What's wrong with the Boss?" JingYi asked them, while Wen Qing tottered over to the passenger side next to the driver's seat and climbed in unceremoniously, barely avoiding hitting her head on the roof.

"He had one drink!" Wei WuXian defended them, as he pushed and manoeuvred Lan WangJi's body inside the car and got in beside him.

JingYi closed the door and got in behind the wheel.

"We better not take him back to his Uncle." JingYi stated, starting the car.

"Yeah...agreed!" Wei WuXian was trying to reach around Lan WangJi to fasten his seat belt.

Lan WangJi opened his eyes to see beautiful silver eyes, so close to him, it was making him smile.

"Pwetty..." He murmured, poking Wei WuXian in his cheeks.

Wei WuXian blushed, and tried to move back, but Lan WangJi wasn't having that. He draped his arms over Wei WuXian’s shoulders, holding him close. "Nice...Wei Gege..."

"There, there..." Wei WuXian didn't know quite what to do, so he patted Lan WangJi's back, trying to soothe him.

JingYi was doing his best to get them home in one piece and as fast as possible, not relishing the idea of having to explain to an older uncle and an elder brother why the baby of their family was drunk and shamelessly draped across a stranger. And if he didn't want to get into trouble, the only place which would afford him plausible deniability was the newest addition of property to the Lan Estate.

He pulled up outside the newly acquired house and went outside to open the door for Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi.

"You brought us back here?" Wei WuXian looked at the house dubiously.

"Well, since I can't take him home...I thought you guys could make up an excuse about why you're here...maybe you guys stayed up late discussing renovations...I dunno..." JingYi shrugged helplessly.

When Wei WuXian made no attempt to get out of the car, JingYi began tapping his foot on the ground, rather obnoxiously Wei WuXian thought, as he hefted the dead weight of a Lan outside the vehicle with a lot of difficulty.

"Are we gonna put him in there?" Wei WuXian asked, but JingYi was already back in the car and driving away.

Wen Qing stuck her arm out of her window and waved like royalty.

Wei Ying tried to feel around in Lan WangJi's pockets for the key to this house, but he was only one man, and in terms of weight, mass and gravity, all three were against him right now.

His own keys were far easier to reach and Lan WangJi perked up enough to climb the stairs of the mobile home.

He half carried and half dragged Lan WangJi to his bed and sat him down. Then he took off his shoes, flinging them somewhere behind him. Next, he eased off Lan WangJi's jacket and ignoring the way his fingers trembled, he undid every single pesky button on his dress shirt. Thankfully, Lan WangJi was a man who liked to dress properly, and he was wearing a vest under his shirt.

But Wei WuXian could feel each muscle from his six pack against his own shoulder when he had to assist him with taking off his trousers.

He quickly grabbed a pair of pyjamas and a t-shirt, slipping it over Lan WangJi's head. He just so happened to be standing in the 'V' of Lan WangJi's legs when those gorgeous golden eyes snapped open with startling clarity.

Wei WuXian could not tell if Lan WangJi was lucid or not.

"You're so beautiful..." Lan WangJi commented, his voice full of adoration as he stared into wonderful silver eyes.

Wei Ying held his face reverently.

"Thank you. And so are you." He leaned forward and kissed Lan WangJi's forehead softly.

But when he leaned back, Lan WangJi was pouting.

"What's wrong, Pwetty Gege?" He whispered.

"Wei Ying is the beautiful one. Beautiful-ler..."

Wei WuXian shook his head.

"It doesn't matter. Right now, we have to get ready for bed...alright?" Wei WuXian tutted at himself. "I almost forgot, you have to drink this, otherwise tomorrow morning is going to be painful." Wei WuXian reached into the cupboard above the bed, far out of reach from baby hands, and brought out a packet of paracetamol. He made Lan WangJi drink two tablets, before finishing the rest of the water.

"Here, lie down here. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?" Wei WuXian leaned down so he could see into those shifting sands of gold. "I'm just going to change into my night clothes..alright?" He pushed Lan WangJi down so that he was laying flat.

Then he arranged extra pillows and cushions between them as a divider and covered Lan WangJi with the comforter.

Lan WangJi looked...so good, lying in his bed. The black satin sheets contrasted nicely against his pale skin and he looked so peaceful like that, his gorgeous brilliant golden eyes closed right now.

For some strange reason, Wei WuXian really missed him, even though he was right there.

He turned around quickly, not wishing to dwell on the thoughts emerging in his tired brain. Everything except sleep could wait until tomorrow.

***********

41 days to go....

Lan WangJi opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.

There was a beautiful lotus flower, each petal black and outlined with red, and from the stalk, two magnificent wings emerged, each feather darker than charcoal with scarlet accents.

It was magnificent.

His eyes were roving over each exquisite detail, and he felt as if, were he to reach out and touch it, he would be able to feel the delicate softness of each pliant feather.

As his consciousness returned fully, he was aware of a nice warmth all along his right side, and he turned his head to see what it could be, his nose welcomed the delicious scent of Lotus flowers, sweet and floral, light and happy. A dark mop of silky hair was right next to his cheek and he could see a red ribbon on the periphery of his vision.

That was Wei WuXian...and why was he here? In this bed?

And since it was very clearly not Lan WangJi's bed...then the logical assumption would be that this was Wei Ying’s bed...

All sorts of wonderful things started happening in his body as this realisation came crashing down in his mind.

This was Wei Ying’s bed...

This was Wei Ying’s bed...

WEI YING’S BED!!!

Wei WuXian stirred, nuzzling closer.

Lan WangJi hardly dared to breathe, for fear of waking up this beautiful man...

And then, horror of horrors, he heard his brother’s voice outside the mobile home, knocking on Wei WuXian’s door.

"Mr Wei? Are you in there? Hello?" The knocking increased.

Lan WangJi had never scooted out of bed so fast, trying to ignore the whines of protests from the man still in bed.

He was obviously going to be no help at all, and Lan WangJi absolutely did not want his brother to see him coming out of this caravan wearing yesterday's clothes. He sniffed himself and wrinkled his nose.

Or smelling like this...

He found his phone and rang JingYi.

"Where are you?" He barked.

The beautiful body on the bed grabbed a pillow and held it over his head so no sound reached his ears.

"You brought my brother here!??"

"I know he wanted to take a look at the pictures..." Lan WangJi thought fast. "Tell him I'm in the back garden, and to meet me by the bridge. There's a bench...I'll be there in ten minutes."

Lan WangJi hung up, and went to the very end of the caravan and lifted a tiny corner of the curtain. He saw Lan JingYi go up to his brother who had wandered over to the front door of his house. And then he watched his brother thank his driver and make his way around to the back of the house.

This was his chance!

He had no idea why he was in here, with Wei WuXian, but this was so not the time to have a questions and answers round...that could wait.

He dressed fast, dumping his pyjamas and t-shirt in the laundry basket and did not stop to think a single thought about how his clothes had changed.

But as he walked towards the door to leave, his glance fell on the beautiful man still sleeping in that exciting looking bed, and felt his lips moving again.

If he had a choice, he would not be leaving...but he didn't have time to think about that, either.

Lan WangJi jumped down from the caravan and sprinted towards his house, fishing out the key.

And then he remembered that he did not have a change of clothes here.

In fact, he wasn't even sure if there would be hot water for a shower, either.

So much for his amazing plan...

But at least even if Lan XiChen saw him coming out of this building, it would save Wei WuXian any embarrassment and that was something. He didn't want any sort of negative vibes associated with Wei WuXian to happen, not only because he happened to like him...rather a lot, but it was more a desire to protect Wei WuXian.

So Lan WangJi hurried to the kitchen and washed his face, rinsed out his mouth, and raced out of the back door. If he was lucky, XiChen would get lost on his way to the bridge, and Lan WangJi could still get there before him.

No such luck...

XiChen wore a satisfied smile when he saw him.

"Xiongzhang..." Lan WangJi came and sat down next to him, on the bench warmed by the midday sun.

"What were you doing, Didi?" XiChen asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"Making lists." Lan WangJi blurted out.

So what if the lists were in still in his head...

"I see." XiChen didn't believe him.

Lan WangJi didn't care.

They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of this spot.

A butterfly floated by and landed on the armrest closest to XiChen. Lan WangJi watched him smile.

"You know, Didi...you work really hard. I'm only getting an idea now after all contracts you've prepared and the way the investors talk about you. They're so impressed." He reached over and patted Lan WangJi's knee. "I know Uncle has a hard time saying anything nice...but he's very proud of you. Only last night, he was telling me how much he's looking forward to playing with grandchildren..."

And they were back to this...

Lan WangJi frowned.

It had been going so well too...

"All I'm saying is...you deserve a break. Not just because this house has fallen into your lap, but I mean you should take time for yourself now and again. As we grow older our priorities change and there's nothing wrong with that." He watched the butterfly take to the air again, and he sighed, standing up. "I actually came to look at those pictures. And I brought my SUV...I can actually take them away now, if you like."

Lan WangJi was still trying to process everything his brother had told him.

He stood up anyway and they walked into the house from the back.

All of his life, their Uncle Qiren had stressed to them the importance of working hard and ensuring success...and perhaps Lan WangJi had taken that message a bit too close to his heart. He couldn’t ever remember taking a holiday before...not even when he had just graduated and already been working for their company during the summer months beforehand.

He suddenly felt tired.

Six years had passed in this rat wheel of life, where Lan WangJi had gone round and round and round, fully absorbing the business world and conquering it to suit his goals.

But was he happy?

What an odd question...

Lan XiChen made no further comments as they climbed the steps to the second floor and Lan WangJi led the way to the artist's studio. He tried not to remember his emotional state from yesterday, and forced his fingers not to tremble as he turned the door knob.

XiChen openly gasped at the artwork. He walked around the room silently, taking it all in.

Lan WangJi waited by the door.

This work, all of it was the culmination of someone's life. There was something bittersweet about it. But he didn't want to make himself sadder, so he stopped thinking about it.

When XiChen finished looking, he lifted up a roll of bubble wrap.

"Shall we get started, Didi?"

They spent an hour carefully packing each canvas. By the time they were done, they had more than fifty paintings ready to load into XiChen's car. They started transporting the pictures as soon as they were ready.

But as Lan WangJi walked by the closed door of the study, he remembered seeing some paintings hanging on the walls, and took a detour when XiChen went back for more.

He also braved the violently yellow sitting room and by the end of his sweep, he had collected a further eight pictures.

XiChen was standing in the study when Lan WangJi showed him the remaining artwork.

"What are you going to do about these books, Didi?" He asked.

"Has Xiongzhang got any suggestions?" Lan WangJi knew he sounded too hopeful right now, but he didn't care.

"You know MingJue's gallery is right next to the Civic centre. There's a huge library inside...I can ask them if they take donations, if you like."

"That's a good idea." Lan WangJi hummed his approval.

Just then, the front door banged open and Wei WuXian ran in, bare feet and scantily dressed, holding his phone out towards them.

His hair was all over the place and he kept pushing it away absent-mindedly, his face a mixture of fear and panic.

"Lan Zhan...you're all over social media. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram...all of it. You punched Jiang WanYin and it's gone viral!"

*********

A/N

Dear lovely readers,

Sigh...yes I know it's a cliffhanger...yes I know how much you love them...almost as much as me...hahaha...

It's really too hot to do anything...I wanna drown myself in ice cream right now...

But I didn't want to leave you without an update...

Charlie