Tuesday 23 days for the Full Moon Festival.

Lan Zhan felt butterfly kisses all over his face and it was quite pleasant trying to predict where Wei Ying’s lips would land. He tried not to move any facial muscles because that would let Wei Ying know that he was awake...but when Wei Ying giggled and still continued his worship of Lan Zhan’s face, that's when Lan Zhan knew the game was up.

And so he grabbed him and pinned him down.

"Good morning." The bright silver-eyed fox was mischievously letting his hands rove over soft mounds and Lan Zhan helplessly squirmed against him.

But...manners...

"Good morning, Wei Ying." He said in that deep voice of his, the one that never, ever failed to make Wei Ying shiver.

And then he pounced.

His hot mouth attacked the soft skin just under Wei Ying’s jaw, making him moan wantonly, his hands falling uselessly to his sides. But Lan Zhan wasn't done yet, not by any means.

That beautiful, delicious scent of lotus flowers and now mixed with sandalwood because Wei Ying insisted on using his products, were making Lan Zhan want Wei Ying with a blind thirst. His hands efficiently and effectively undoing Wei Ying’s pyjama top, and then like an unwrapped present...Lan Zhan let his lips explore all that soft skin.

He was in heaven.

There was no taste like this in the world, nothing else that made his mouth water as much as Wei Ying did. His large hands had found Wei Ying’s hips and were holding him down, but Wei Ying was wearing too many clothes and evidently, he was thinking the same thing about Lan Zhan, because his nimble fingers were tugging at his clothes.

Their lips crashed together again and again, neither satisfied with their current state. Rapid bursts of fiery pleasure shot through his blood, making him ache with need.

Soon it became too much, this kind of teasing and then Lan Zhan took them to new heights of pleasure.

Afterwards, as Wei Ying flopped into his embrace, he smiled against a bare chest.

"I had plans before you decided to seduce me." He complained, grinning.

"Mn?" Lan Zhan was still floating in the aftermath of bliss, only partially there.

"Come on...we haven't got time to laze around today...remember? I said we were going to visit Uncle Four's friends. They open really early...ungodly hours..." Wei Ying shuddered and rose with a little difficulty.

His legs were like jelly and sleeping some more would have been just the ticket.

Lan Zhan forced himself up and they both went to shower.

Breakfast was a fast affair.

Wei Ying ate quickly and made lists while Uncle Qiren looked on, disapproval deep within his brown eyes, but he never spoke a word against Wei Ying’s actions.

When the meal was over, they all met in the foyer where Uncle Qiren was leading the children into the library and Wei Ying and Lan Zhan were going to leave.

"Can I come with you?" Mo XuanYu blurted out suddenly.

"Where?" Wei Ying asked him.

A-Yuan shuffled closer and held his hand; Mo XuanYu grinned down at him, and suddenly just like that, Wei Ying was made aware of another alliance.

Uh oh...this had to be nipped in the bud.

"To the house. We want to help." Mo XuanYu clarified.

A-Yuan was bobbing his head in agreement.

"We're not going there...today." Wei Ying replied..."sorry, boys."

They really weren't, but it still made him feel sorry for them, when they so dearly wanted to come with them.

"Okay how about this?" He quickly thought on his feet. "Uncle...you haven't seen Lan Zhan’s home either, right? How about all three of you come and visit tomorrow? Once your morning lesson is over?"

Both children cheered, while Uncle Qiren nodded, stroking his whiskers.

Mr. Marshmallow meowed loudly.

Wei Ying crouched down to pet him.

"Have you been missing me as well, my darling boy?" He crooned as Lan Zhan delicately stepped behind him.

Mr. Marshmallow was having a full-on conversation with a rarely serious Wei Ying, who was humming and awwing to him, as if they really understood each other.

And then, an utterly unbelievable thing happened.

Mr. Marshmallow kissed Wei Ying’s nose making him giggle fondly. He hugged Mr. Marshmallow who actually allowed it to happen.

Lan Zhan just stared.

Who was this cat?

"Lan Zhan...give me your hand." Wei Ying said, making Lan Zhan freak out.

"No." There should be no doubt about his answer and he went with a definite negative instead of a misinterpretable 'mn'.

He even stepped back.

Wei Ying looked up at him from his lower position.

"Honestly, there's nothing to worry about. I guarantee, Mr. Marshmallow just promised me he wasn't going to hurt you. That's what we were talking about."

And before Lan Zhan even registered what he was talking about, Wei Ying grabbed his hand and plunged it into the thick soft fur, so luxurious and fine.

Lan Zhan had fleetingly given up hope of getting it back...it was just a hand and he did have two...but those yellow eyes stared back at him with acceptance.

"Go on...you can stroke him." Wei Ying encouraged, adding his hand to cover Lan Zhan’s, and guiding it over his warm body.

Mr. Marshmallow not only allowed it, but he began purring and growling in a very tame way.

Lan Zhan was in awe.

He remembered bringing Mr. Marshmallow back when both of them were younger...and a dormant affection was slowly uncovered, replacing the constant fear.

Uncle Qiren smiled at them and took the children away into the library.

Mr. Marshmallow took that as a cue to follow the children.

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying watched as he reached the door and turned to give them one last meow before disappearing inside.

"You know...I really think he looks like-" Wei Ying started to say, but XiChen interrupted him.

"You know you guys are early today...do you mind giving me a lift to downtown, if it's on your way?"

"Sure thing, XiChen-Ge!" Wei Ying replied quite happily.

But Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes at him.

"If Xiongzhang does not take his car...how is he getting back home?"

"Public transport..." XiChen blurted out, averting his eyes quickly.

"Really?" Lan Zhan could smell a fib a mile away. "Rush hour...in the train??"

"I'll sort something out, don't worry. Now, are we going to stand here all day and chat or are we actually going to go?" He huffed and walked outside.

JingYi was back and beaming at them when they came outside.

"Did you have a nice break?" Wei Ying asked him, while Lan Zhan fastened their seat belts.

"Actually, I went out with friends. And we're going out on Friday night too, Karaoke. You should come." He enthused...until he caught Lan Zhan's eyes in the rear view mirror. He gulped.

"I really can't say what's going to happen on Friday, what with the house and everything, but we'll see. Do we have to tell you in advance or anything like that?" Wei Ying completely missed the glaring thing happening between them because he'd just dropped his pen and was trying to reach for it.

"No...er...it's a group thing...just have to turn up." JingYi mumbled now because the glaring had turned up several notches into a death stare.

"Oh...then can we get back to you?" Wei Ying beamed at him. "Everything is up in the air right now."

"Sure, sure..." JingYi decided to turn the radio on and find a song.

It was a cover of an old Beatles song.

A classic.

Lan Zhan had never heard it sung quite that way before.

He couldn’t even put his earplugs in because Wei Ying kept asking for his opinion on colours and then, XiChen joined in with the singing.

Great...

It turned out that Uncle Four's supplier was just around the corner from the Lan building so it was convenient for everyone. XiChen gave them a broad smile as he left, not even rising to the bait of Lan Zhan’s insistence that he call them if he did need that lift.

JingYi had to circle around to find parking because spaces were non-existent and Wei Ying remembered that he had to ask Lan Zhan something.

"Can I ask you a question, my love?" His hand ventured to cover Lan Zhan’s knee.

Lan Zhan heard the uncertainty in his voice and turned his hand over, intertwining their fingers.

"Anything."

"I don't want to get into details though...so...can it be yes and no answers only?"

Lan Zhan was puzzled by this but he agreed. Anything meant anything in his book.

Wei Ying grabbed the bottle of water JingYi kept for him in easy reach and drank heartily. Then his hand returned to holding Lan Zhan’s.

"So...is Jiang Cheng gonna get bail?"

"No." Lan Zhan wanted to say more, tell him everything about the case, but Wei Ying wanted to do it this way, so he had to agree.

The relief on his face was obvious.

"Was it...was it the story that Huaisang was going to run?"

"Mn."

"Okay." Wei Ying seemed satisfied with that and didn't ask anything else, but now Lan Zhan wanted to add to it.

"The newspapers are at home. Delivered yesterday and this morning."

"I'm okay...I don’t need to see anything more." Wei Ying squeezed their hands. "Oh, look! We're here." He scrambled out of the car hastily.

Lan Zhan followed him out, concerned.

But Wei Ying did not want to talk further about the Jiangs and Lan Zhan did not want to bulldoze over his request, so he too, did not say anything more.

Besides, his eyes were glued to the guy Wei Ying was...hugging?

Who was that?

"Lan Zhan! Come and say hello!" Wei Ying called him eagerly.

When he got within range, Wei Ying made him shake hands.

"This is Uncle Three's son, and look over there! That's such and such."

Lan Zhan wasn't even listening properly any more because he was thinking up ways to show everyone that Wei Ying was taken.

Uncle Three's son was Granite Guy, and the other one was bathroom guy as far as Lan Zhan was concerned.

"So...shall we do kitchen first or bathroom?" Wei Ying was asking him.

"Bathroom."

Lan Zhan actually didn't care which, but he wanted to get them away from Granite Guy.

Wei Ying had pulled out his notebook and was scribbling things down and making notes and calculations, as they followed the man.

Lan Zhan had told Wei Ying before that he wanted to spare no expenses when it came to the essentials. They had to fit out two bathrooms and three toilets and Lan Zhan was very specific in his tastes.

He listened when Wei Ying guided his choices towards particular items and he knew it would be because of something like longer lasting than colour etc. And he was happy to comply.

All three of the toilets were going to be white, as was the bathtub, which was the biggest one they had. Plus, it had the works and Lan Zhan was most happy.

"Now the kitchen." Bathroom guy knocked on a door and Granite Guy let them in.

He showed them black with orange highlights granite, black with shiny blue bits, and an assortment of wooden counter tops.

Lan Zhan wasn't happy with any of them.

And then he saw what he wanted.

Granite Guy was already shaking his head at them.

"That's been discontinued...it's too expensive for our normal clients."

"I like it." Lan Zhan replied, holding onto the sample with both hands.

"Um...Lan Zhan...he said-" Wei Ying tried speaking, but Lan Zhan interrupted him.

"I want this one." He was not going to budge.

Wei Ying looked at the white marble with golden streaks running through it.

"So...granite is stronger, my love..."

"This one." Lan Zhan clutched it to his chest.

Wei Ying grinned apologetically to Granite man, and pulled Lan Zhan aside.

"Why do you only want this one, my love?" He whispered. "It'll get dirty."

"Exactly." Lan Zhan replied. And then his lips ghosted closer to Wei Ying’s ear. "And I intend to take Wei Ying on every surface where this exists. If you say no, I'm going to show Granite Guy exactly how. "

Wei Ying stared back for a second, uncomprehending for a few seconds.

"I mean it." Lan Zhan added.

Wei Ying snapped out of it faster than a clap of thunder, impossibly turned on.

"That's why you want this one?" He asked in disbelief, his mind conjuring all sorts of scenarios where Lan Zhan would make that happen.

It was really hot.

"It is one of many reasons. Now, make it happen." Lan Zhan ordered.

"Yes, Sir!" Wei Ying had totally forgotten what those two words did to Lan Zhan, and he was already feeling as if kissing Lan Zhan was the only thing that was going to assuage this need.

He turned to Granite Guy.

"My client insists..." He shrugged apologetically again. "As it's the only one he likes...couldn't you please check at your warehouse? These are the measurements of what we require..." Wei Ying was pretty sure that white and gold marble was going to haunt his dreams...

He stepped as far away as he could from Lan Zhan just in case he followed through on his threat.

Granite Guy made a few phone calls and came back with good news.

"We have some in stock and the fitters can come to your place on Friday. After that, it's definitely out of stock." He insisted.

"That's doable." Wei Ying nodder at him as he sauntered away to finalise the details.

"Indeed..." Lan Zhan said, right next to him, and when Wei Ying looked up, he knew Lan Zhan meant himself too.

His face went completely red.

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

Uncle Three's son made everything so much easier that they were finished by lunchtime.

Wei Ying assumed that they would go home to eat, but Lan Zhan stopped him from going to the car.

"Aren't we..." He looked from where JingYi was waving to Lan Zhan.

"Would Wei Ying do me the honour of going on a date with me?" Lan Zhan asked him instead.

"I thought you were gonna stop after the first four words...and the answer's yes, either way..." He sighed into a shy kiss.

Lan Zhan was trying to figure out what Wei Ying had insinuated, and his eyes widened with the realisation.

His ears were pink, adorably so.

"Just now...you wanted to bend me over countless samples of kitchen countertops...and suddenly now we've gone into chaste dating mode?" He could not help feeling a little disappointed as he teased Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan pulled him closer so only he could hear him.

"Who said anything about chaste?" His hot breath skated over Wei Ying’s sensitive ear and he trembled with need.

"Um...what do you have in mind?" He nearly shrieked, his voice definitely a higher pitch than normal.

"Let's eat first." Lan Zhan suggested, grabbing his hand.

There was a seafood restaurant right next to them.

The waiter gave them a booth which was quite an intimate setting.

Menus were handed to them and Lan Zhan reached across to hold Wei Ying’s hand.

"Does Wei Ying like oysters?" Lan Zhan asked, casually, looking at his own menu.

"I don't mind them...as long as they're spicy...why?" Wei Ying asked him, passing that page and looking at something else.

"No reason...but if Wei Ying likes them...he should go for it."

Wei Ying narrowed his eyes at him...something was definitely off with Lan Zhan...and normally, he let Wei Ying order whatever he wanted....

"Actually...oysters do sound good." Wei Ying decided to indulge him...and then he thought payback for leaving Wei Ying a hot mess earlier was warranted.

An idea formed in his head and he wanted to laugh out loud.

"May I order a drink for us, too?" Lan Zhan asked.

"Sure." Wei Ying was so busy planning what he was going to do that he missed the satisfied smile on Lan Zhan’s face.

When the waiter came by again, Lan Zhan gave him their order. He handed the menus back and grabbed a napkin to wipe the glasses before pouring out the water in case either of them needed it.

He too, had a plan.

"So...why dating now?" Wei Ying asked him nonchalantly.

Under the table, he slid his shoe off and tested the waters by letting his foot caress Lan Zhan’s calf.

He really enjoyed the hungry look in Lan Zhan’s eyes.

Lan Zhan chose not to comment on the ever rising foot, in fact he thought he should play along because he did not want Wei Ying to catch onto his plan.

But this was becoming difficult...

Lan Zhan let his knees open, relishing the open delight on Wei Ying’s face.

"I thought...of course Wei Ying won't want to marry me just like that...I should woo him..." He explained, jerking slightly because Wei Ying was sitting lower so he could reach the right spot.

"Woo me?" Wei Ying practically melted.

Here he was playing footsie with the man of his dreams, wanting nothing more than to jump him as soon as possible...when Lan Zhan was having the most wholesome thoughts about him instead...

Embarrassed, Wei Ying withdrew his foot from the warm place it had found and just in time too, because the waiter had returned with steaming plates.

"What's this?" Wei Ying took a sip of the mysterious drink.

He made a face but did not reject it outright.

"Red Ginseng tea. Very good..." the waiter said with a knowing smile, and he tapped his nose before leaving as though it was a well-known secret.

Lan Zhan had ordered a vegetarian pasta and he was just about to take his first mouthful, when Wei Ying tilted his beautiful neck back and swallowed the insides of a shell.

He even moaned in delight, licking his fingers clean one by one.

"Gosh, Lan Zhan, I should trust your choices more...these are soooo good!" He made obscene noises around his fingers, covertly checking out Lan Zhan’s reactions to his acting. "Feels so good sliding down my throat..." He couldn’t resist adding.

Though to be fair, he wasn't exaggerating that much...the food was really good.

Lan Zhan dropped his fork.

He couldn’t stop staring, with the way Wei Ying repeated the gesture again and again. His eyes were drawn to the soft skin stretched taut every time Wei Ying tipped his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed and Lan Zhan shivered thinking about something Wei Ying had done a few nights ago.

Lan Zhan grabbed his hot tea and downed the glass, ignoring the burning fire that travelled to his gut. There was more than one fire burning in his body now and he wanted to take Wei Ying home right now.

"What's for dessert?" Wei Ying was smiling at him, resting his beautiful face on the back of his hands and staring at him.

You...Lan Zhan wanted to say.

But he had a strange sort of visual epiphany then.

He saw them sitting at this very same restaurant, eating the same things, drinking the same things and looking at each other as if that was all there was in the world, just them...just this moment.

Wei Ying looked much the same, except for a few silver strands in his beautiful hair, a few more crow's feet crinkling at the corners of his eyes, and those laughter lines were more pronounced...but everything was exactly the same.

Everything about this felt real but he could feel that it was different somehow, like opening a window into times to come.

Maybe this would happen in the future...but Lan Zhan was definitely sure of one thing: he wanted it.

"Lan Zhan?"

Wei Ying was melodiously saying his name and waving a hand in front of his face.

"You haven't touched your food!" He accused. "Don't you like it? We can order something else, don't worry!" Now softer, as if it had just occurred to him.

Lan Zhan stopped him from flagging down the waiter.

"It is fine. You haven't drunk your tea." He noted, eating as fast as good manners allowed.

There was a growing itch...somewhere...and Lan Zhan could feel it getting stronger.

Wei Ying hummed and drank it all in full mouthfuls. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"So what do you want to get for dessert? I am going to let you pick because so far, your choices have been spot on." He made the sign for okay with his finger and thumb, smiling with approval.

Lan Zhan finished his meal and called the waiter. He showed him what they wanted.

"A fruit platter?" Wei Ying asked, trying to mask his disappointment when it came and was put in front of him.

He wanted something rich and creamy...like fresh chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream...

They had two plates and Lan Zhan kept putting his portions of pomegranate seeds and pineapple onto Wei Ying’s plate, taking away the apple and pear slices. He even found some pieces of melon.

Wei Ying obediently ate everything on his plate, not wishing to waste the food. The hard times in his life reflected his careful nature and he could see Lan Zhan doing the same.

"What were you like as a kid?" He wanted to know.

Lan Zhan thought about it as he paid for their meal and stood up.

"Quiet. I liked to learn."

That was all he said and Wei Ying got the feeling that he would learn more about Lan Zhan through his brother than himself.

"What about Wei Ying?" Lan Zhan asked him as they got into the car.

"I don't think I was ever quiet...I liked asking questions. I don't remember much though...maybe it's our way of coping...to forget." He sounded sad.

Lan Zhan didn't want him to be sad.

And this was supposed to be a date.

A date with a satisfactory ending...

He picked up Wei Ying’s hand and kissed the back of it, as those silver eyes watched him with an ever increasing fire burning.

The car stopped and Wei Ying was thrown back into awareness.

Lan Zhan was an intense man...but just now, Wei Ying had felt as if he was drowning in a golden sea of desire.

"Where are we?" He asked, confused.

"It's a surprise." Lan Zhan told him. To JingYi, he said, "come back tomorrow morning at seven."

JingYi didn't need to be told twice and the tyres screeched as he drove off like a bat out of hell.

Wei Ying’s eyes travelled up from the front of the building, all the way up around sixty floors.

Bellboys stood to attention next to the two smiling doormen in matching navy blue and gold uniforms.

It was already too late to say anything because Lan Zhan had taken his hand and was gently tugging him up the wide and expansive stairs to the sets of double doors which were opened for them by friendly faces greeting them.

The inside of the hotel was even more ostentatious.

Maroon and gold fittings decorated a predominantly navy blue carpeted foyer. The walls were cream and gold and there was the hush of old money about the place.

Voices were quiet as people spoke and Wei Ying got the feeling that in this place, nobody ever shouted.

Lan Zhan strode past the magnificent staircase, wider than the width of his new house, straight to the counter where a navy blue and gold uniformed concierge arranged a room and keys for them.

Wei Ying was feeling more and more overwhelmed by what he was seeing, which was wealth happily spent because it was normal for those that came here to stay.

Everything screamed money at him...and it was disconcerting. Wei Ying didn’t even know what they were doing here, but Lan Zhan seemed to know and...Wei Ying trusted him, more than anything.

There was even another uniformed boy standing by the elevators waiting to press buttons for them. And, another guy inside waiting to take them up.

Lan Zhan held his hand throughout, as if he knew that Wei Ying was quietly panicking.

When they got however many floors up, another man waited to take them to another set of elevators. These had to be scanned with their key card, and Wei Ying got the feeling that everyone wasn't allowed here.

Even the navy carpet under his feet felt thick and heavy, while the spotless cream walls had vintage photos framed of this hotel, from its early days of construction to its opening day and having a celebrity cut the red ribbon in front of those beautiful stairs.

Wei Ying glanced at the photos as they followed the helpful man to their room. He smiled and opened the door for them, and Wei Ying walked in as Lan Zhan spoke to him, giving him a generous tip no doubt.

This room...it was more of a suite, was grander than anything Wei Ying had ever seen before.

They were in a lounge of sorts with a sunken seating place in front of a long fireplace crackling with sound effects and warmth, probably powered by gas, Wei Ying thought as he walked past the television screen which was just as wide and tall as the wall.

Everything, from the furniture to the decoration was done tastefully in bronzes, gold and rusts, giving it a warmth that came from earthy tones.

He walked straight to the huge windows and looked down.

Fall meant that the sun set earlier and already it was late afternoon. Golden sunlight flashed across the open sky, reflecting back against the many windows of the skyscrapers decorating the New York skyline. The Hudson River snaked its way to the sea, a silver slithering beast separating the buildings on either side.

Wei Ying pressed his warm palms against the cold glass, looking down at the toy cars moving down below; people were smaller than ants, little micro dots of movement.

They were so high up...

A warm chest was at his back, and strong arms came around him.

Wei Ying relaxed immediately, leaning back into his solid form.

He closed his eyes.

Lan Zhan let them sway slowly, to imaginary music playing softly in his head.

"How much did you pay for this room?" Wei Ying asked him.

Lan Zhan frowned.

"It is a date. All Wei Ying needs to know is that we can afford it." He kissed the side of Wei Ying's head. And then he had a thought. "Does it bother Wei Ying?"

"What?" Wei Ying felt extremely content.

His earlier unease had evaporated with this, the love that Lan Zhan surrounded him with.

"Money? Does it make you uncomfortable?" He asked curiously.

Wei Ying thought about it.

"I think so. I think I feel a little bit guilty."

"Why?" Lan Zhan inquired, genuinely wanting to know.

Wei Ying was an enigma that he wanted to unwrap, in more ways than one.

"You know...I'm not sure. It never bothered me...not having that much in the first place. But seeing how people are living ... like here, in this hotel..."

"I brought us here for a specific reason." Lan Zhan said, close to his ear.

Wei Ying shivered and it was absorbed by the strong arms keeping him safe. Wei Ying loved this feeling...it made him feel as if everything was going to be alright, he was no longer alone, he had someone he could rely on.

"Why?" He felt himself asking.

"It is our first proper date and I wanted to make it memorable for Wei Ying. But...if he is not comfortable here...we can go somewhere else. I do not wish for it to be an issue." Lan Zhan kissed his cheek as Wei Ying's eyes snapped open. "I work hard for what I have...I know this is an extravagance...but I wish Wei Ying to be happy more than anything else."

Wei Ying turned around, throwing his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck and hugging him tightly.

"I am happy. I am." He repeated. "I'm a terrible person...here you are doing something lovely for us...and I'm making you feel bad...I didn’t mean to!" He kissed Lan Zhan’s cheek first. "I'm sorry. Yes, you're right, it's your money and how you choose to spend it is none of my business. I shouldn't have said anything."

"Wei Ying is incorrect." Lan Zhan told him.

But Wei Ying was stepping back with three fingers to his temple.

"I promise, I'll not think about anything anymore." He said, fervently, meaning every word.

"It is our money...and I will donate the same amount to any charity Wei Ying wants, and ... I shall be mindful from now on." Lan Zhan promised back.

Wei Ying stepped back from his predatory gaze, the yellow of his eyes resembling a lion just before pouncing.

One more step and he found that he could not go any further...he was pressed up against the wall of glass with a hungry looking Lan Zhan advancing slowly.

Wei Ying licked his lips, watching the way Lan Zhan’s eyes darkened to a molten honey at that smallest of actions.

This jittery anticipation was too much for him, and Wei Ying was rooted to the spot, unable to move away, or even blink.

His heart was pounding in his ears, blood roaring somewhere...and he felt dizzy with want.

How...how had it turned into this?

Lan Zhan stepped right up into his space, feeling satisfied at every short breath Wei Ying was gasping out, his own body on fire.

He wanted Wei Ying.

Unable to take the suspense any longer, Wei Ying launched himself at Lan Zhan, fusing their lips together as if he could die without this...this desire coursing through his body, a wildfire beyond any of their control.

He had no recollection of jumping up, but Lan Zhan was suddenly carrying him into another room.

Wei Ying was past caring at this point.

His senses had been kidnapped by Lan Zhan and his heart was beating to the rhythm of his name. Consumed by the scent of sandalwood, the fragrance of his mate, the love of his life.

Lan Zhan was so careful with him too, as he placed him onto a soft surface, undressing him slowly. His mouth followed everywhere his fingers went, his lips kissing promises into warm skin heated with passion.

Wei Ying felt cherished and adored, a cocoon of love where only the two of them existed.

Afterwards, they dozed in peaceful harmony.

Seconds ticked by in a blissful state...until Lan Zhan’s phone rang.

It was Uncle Qiren.

And it was a video call.

Lan Zhan quickly got up and flung a pyjama top at Wei Ying who grabbed the phone and opened the call while Lan Zhan did the same, keeping Uncle talking until Lan Zhan was decent.

Uncle Qiren cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"The children wish to say goodnight."

Wei Ying gasped at the time.

"I'm sure you both are...busy...shopping..." He continued, while Wei Ying had to leave the room because he couldn’t contain his giggling.

Only when he felt calm enough to return, he did to find Lan Zhan waving into the phone. Wei Ying went to join him and the children on the other side kissed the phone, so of course Wei Ying had to do the same on this side.

"We'll be home in the morning, okay?" He promised them, and they grinned back with a grumpy Uncle Qiren in the background being made to join in too.

Lan Zhan also said goodnight and ended the call.

Wei Ying was lying sprawled in a starfish next to him and mischief brewing in those beautiful silver eyes.

"So you know...I'm not tired at all..." He promised, waggling his eyebrows.

"Really?" Lan Zhan looked down on the delightful picture he made.

"Then...let me help you."

And he pounced.

***********

A/N

Dear beautiful readers,

Sorry for the delay...but I promise I was writing all throughout.

Happy Saturday and May you all find something beautiful today!

Thank you for being so patient too.

Charlie.