Thursday 21 days until the Full Moon Festival

Bright and early, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan got to the house straight after breakfast. They greeted Dan and went inside after a quick report on the security around the place, and as nothing out of the ordinary had happened, the report was brief.

Today they had to get both the bathrooms and the toilet downstairs ready for the guys to start work tomorrow and the kitchen still had to be cleared. Wei Ying had decided they should definitely work in separate places because Lan Zhan looked too hot not to kiss, and who knew that once they started, neither could stop?

They were getting used to not being able to breathe too, and that was bordering on a miracle.

Lan Zhan was also learning about Wei Ying, the little quirks that made up the man. For example, he had discovered that telling Wei Ying to do something didn't work.

For multiple reasons.

Wei Ying was good in that he listened to whatever Lan Zhan suggested, and then if he didn't like it, he would first try to rebuff via a really well thought out spontaneous counter argument which often left Lan Zhan speechless at his ingenuity. Or, he would initiate kissing...and that was self-explanatory on why nothing else happened.

And, Wei Ying had a secret power, a weapon which totally dissolved Lan Zhan’s resolve and had him switching teams faster than a sub.

Wei Ying’s pout.

It was lethal.

So, when Lan Zhan had suggested Wei Ying sit down at ten o'clock to eat healthy snacks, such as fruit and carrot sticks...he was met with opposition.

First there was the whining...and while it was adorable, Lan Zhan was determined to do this.

"What will I get for eating this?" Wei Ying eyed the apple as if he was being asked to eat a spider.

"What does Wei Ying want in return for eating that?" Lan Zhan had asked, flustered because he had not been expecting it to turn into this...and he had been caught off guard.

Plus why did he have to pay, when it was all for Wei Ying’s good?

"What if I eat one too?" Lan Zhan had offered, warily.

Wei Ying had shaken his head and climbed into his lap, demanding kisses and how could Lan Zhan say no?

The next time he suggested it, raisins and berries, Wei Ying made an excuse and left, and Lan Zhan had waited like a fool for him to return, which was really a waste of time.

And then, Lan Zhan had a thunderbolt of an idea.

He had to go with a sneak attack, because that was the only way it would work, if Wei Ying was not prepared to go against him.

So the next time he decided it was time for snacks, Lan Zhan sidled up to Wei Ying’s ladder with a bag of peanuts, and began eating them himself, making noises as if he was really enjoying himself and more importantly, not offering them to Wei Ying.

This of course, piqued his interest, and Wei Ying found himself reaching inside the packet to share, without being prompted at all.

If Lan Zhan went away to do a victory dance all by himself in the privacy of the toilet later, that was his business.

He also left packets of vegetable crisps in packaging that looked like potato chips, strewn about the rooms where Wei Ying was going to be working, and he did not say a word. Then, he was rewarded with empty packets which he dutifully picked up with diligence, thinking about the next ploy.

Wei Ying was somebody who thought best while chewing, or having something in his mouth, and he didn't particularly care what it was. And while Lan Zhan could think of other things that would fit beautifully between those gorgeous lips, this was not the time. They had a deadline to complete which involved other people and Wei Ying cared about things like that.

Energy bars was something he had to really think about, because Wei Ying had an abundance, enough energy for the both of them...maybe protein bars were better. Those, if they weren't covered in chocolate, were fantastic for hiding in deep pockets of their new overalls.

The overalls were such a success that Lan Zhan had to order another set for the adults. When the children had worn theirs, they had looked so cute, Uncle Qiren had insisted on taking pictures.

That picture was another one that Lan Zhan wanted to frame, and he was already thinking about where he wanted to hang it.

Today was Fleetwood Mac day on the radio.

Lan Zhan luckily had remembered his earplugs today after buying them in bulk because, he had to face it, with JingYi and Wei Ying loving their own vocal skills, he was going to need a steady supply. Plus point was that he even got a discount. So he slipped them into every jacket and trouser pocket he could, extra in the overalls.

They worked hard all morning.

Lan Zhan had heard snatches of songs, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, Everywhere...and Wei Ying seemed to know each one.

But when it was time for lunch and he pulled out his earplugs, there was a soulful song playing with the haunting voice of Stevie Nicks.

Every night that goes between
I feel a little less
As you slowly go away from me
This is only another test

Every night you do not come
Your softness fades away
Did I ever really care that much
Is there anything left to say?

Every hour of fear I spend
My body tries to cry
Living through each empty night
A deadly call inside

I haven't felt this way I feel
Since many a years ago
But in those years and the lifetimes past
I did not deal with the road

And I did not deal with you, I know
Though the love has always been
So I search to find an answer there
So I can truly win

Every hour of fear I spend
My body tries to cry
Living through each empty night
A deadly call inside

So I try to say goodbye, my friend
I'd like to leave you with something warm
But never have I been a blue calm sea
I have always been a storm

Always been a storm
Ooh, always been a storm
I have always been a storm

We were frail
She said, "Every night he will break your heart" (storm)
I should have known from the first
I'd be the broken hearted (storm)
I loved you from the start (storm)
Save us
And not all the prayers in the world (storm)
Could save us
(Storm)

Lan Zhan walked upstairs, letting the soft melody float around him, feeling the singer's pain.

For once, Wei Ying wasn't singing along and Lan Zhan supposed he was just pottering around or maybe not interested in singing along to this one, so sad it was.

And so, he was unprepared for what he saw.

Wei Ying was standing in the middle of the room, eyes closed and gently swaying to the music. But the expression on his face was heartbreaking. Silvery tears fell one by one, dripping onto the dusty floor.

Lan Zhan didn't even have to think about it.

He walked up to Wei Ying and gathered him into his arms, holding him close.

There was no need to speak, not when it felt like they were both drowning in these emotions. It was a beautiful song and so heartfelt that even Lan Zhan felt misty-eyed listening to it.

They swayed together, Lan Zhan letting Wei Ying lean on his strength, letting the gentle guitar melody wash over them.

Each note spoke of wanting to heal, missing someone so close, so dear to them and Lan Zhan understood that this was a very personal song for Wei Ying, especially because of his reaction to it.

When it finished, loud advertisements broke the peacefulness of these moments and Wei Ying jolted in his arms. He stepped away to shut the radio, furiously wiping his eyes.

Lan Zhan missed him immediately, jarred by the sudden intrusion and consequent separation from the warmth of him.

Wei Ying sniffed, still feeling everything that song brought out from his memory. He laughed self-consciously but it was a sad sound.

For a second, neither knew what to do, but then Lan Zhan walked to him. He took Wei Ying’s hand and tugged him to the clean space beside the wall and made him sit down, and he sat too, right next to him.

He did not have to say anything, and he knew that Wei Ying would share when he felt ready to.

"That song...it belongs to Uncle Four. Whenever it comes on, I can't help thinking about him every time I hear it." Wei Ying said, after a while. "I'd only known him for a few months at the time. We listened to the radio a lot, mostly because Uncle Four said it was motivational and before he employed me, he used to work alone, so the background noise helped to make him feel less lonely."

Lan Zhan still had Wei Ying’s hand in his, and now he squeezed it gently, covering it with his other hand.

"The first time I heard it...Uncle Four switched it off. And shut me down when I made the mistake of asking him about it. He had stormed off...hehe..." At Lan Zhan’s puzzled look, Wei Ying smiled. "Unintentional pun. The song is called Storms. Anyway, he walked out on me. I was really scared because we did not know each other that well at that point, and I thought, that's it, I'm gone. I'm going to be fired when he comes back."

"What happened?" Lan Zhan asked, worried.

"He came back completely plastered." Wei Ying smiled properly since they'd sat down. "It means drunk. He was totally wasted." He smiled more, remembering that day. "So we had a day off. I put him to bed and then I found the song by myself, and after listening to it...I kind of guessed it was about his wife. He never spoke about her. In fact, we never listened to that song together, ever. But every time it comes on, all I can remember is his kindness towards me." Wei Ying wiped away the tears that suddenly appeared.

Lan Zhan put a white handkerchief in his lap, and he smiled gratefully and used it.

"He was the one who saved me, Lan Zhan. Otherwise I doubt I would be here today...in any capacity. Once you're homeless...Living on the streets...it's a hard hole to climb out of."

"Then I am thankful to Uncle Four as well." Lan Zhan said softly, kissing his forehead warmly.

"Thank you for listening to me." Wei Ying gave him another watery smile.

"No need for thanks...I will always listen to Wei Ying." He sounded so sure, that Wei Ying had to smile again.

Lan Zhan stood up and pulled Wei Ying up too.

"It is coming up to winter, we shall do something for homeless people in Uncle Four's name." He promised.

"Like what?"

"Blankets? Maybe we can hand out socks and gloves too. Let's talk about it over lunch." Lan Zhan had hoped this would make him feel better and when Wei Ying smiled brilliantly at him, he was pleased that his idea was right.

Wei Ying returned to his chattering bright self, and it warmed parts of Lan Zhan he hadn’t even been aware of.

Wei Ying’s voice alone, it was so pleasant to listen to, melodious all by itself, the cadences light and happy, it made Lan Zhan’s heart sing in response. Which was ironic because Wei Ying appeared to be tone deaf...and that was fine as long as Lan Zhan wasn't in the same room as him.

They ordered Chinese takeaway this time, because Dan specifically wanted it. He sometimes joined them for lunch, and it was nice getting to know him. He was happily married to a young lady, Steph with a little girl, Daphne. They lived close by too, so he didn't have far to travel.

He showed them pictures of his family and told them about his adventures with his brothers, he had three and he was the baby of his family.

Lan Zhan was marvelling at Wei Ying’s ability to make the young man talk about himself; curiously, Lan Zhan did not feel at all jealous about them talking. He put this down to knowing that at the end of the day, it was himself that got to sleep next to Wei Ying and Dan was most definitely not gay.

Plus now that he and Wei Ying had defined their relationship as boyfriends...Lan Zhan felt a lot more relaxed about socialising with others. And even better, Wei Ying did all the talking, so Lan Zhan didn't have to.

It was a win-win situation.

"I really like this job, Sir." Dan was saying, raising his can of Fanta up in a toast towards Lan Zhan. "Thank you."

"No need."

Wei Ying giggled at his red ears, linking their arms together.

He saw Dan looking at that and choosing not to comment. But he did smile at them in approval...so that was nice.

"Did you have to do other dangerous stuff? Before this job?" Wei Ying asked him, fascinated.

"Yeah...I've been assigned to protect state leaders and the like...but let me tell you, getting shot is not fun." Dan said, missing the way Wei Ying paled. "That's why the wife wanted something not so dangerous...because of our little one."

That was something Wei Ying truly understood.

His fear had been about A-Yuan first...and then Mo XuanYu.

Lan Zhan squeezed his forearm, bringing him back from those thoughts.

"We do not expect any more troubles like that here. It will be a safe place from now on." Lan Zhan vowed.

He did not know if that was more for Wei Ying or for himself, but he needed the words out there.

The afternoon was filled with more clearing out and they needed a new skip now. Wei Ying decided to heap all the rubbish outside in a pile next to the already full skip, to make it easier for them working inside the house.

By the evening, they were both tired from the manual work.

JingYi sensing their mood, put classical music on instead and Lan Zhan was extremely grateful for no words being sung; he did not think he had the energy to cope with the sound of fighting cats as well as the ache in his muscles.

Wei Ying slumped on him in the back of the car too, and Lan Zhan knew they were going to have an early night tonight.

The important thing was, the bathrooms and the toilet, and the kitchen was now prepped, waiting for the bathroom guy and Granite Guy to come tomorrow.

Family dinner was as usual quiet, and noticeably missing was Lan XiChen's presence again. Lan Zhan frowned once more but didn't want to think about it.

Time or XiChen himself would tell soon enough.

When they got ready for bed...which was a struggle anyway, there was a knock on the door, and two sleepy children came in, holding hands.

Wei Ying was already lying down and he opened his arms, eyes closed, welcoming them both inside the warm covers.

Lan Zhan turned around and smiled at his family, making a mental note to himself to call the bed people and change their order.

They were going to need a bigger bed.

Lan Zhan came closer and kissed three soft cheeks and lay down next to them. Under the covers, Wei Ying’s hand found his and he sighed, needing this contact.

Finally, they all fell asleep together.

**********

A/N

Dear beautiful readers,

I know it's short, but I promise, entirely necessary. Plus I was struggling for content today...but the next one is going to be a blast...it's Friday and JingYi's karaoke night...

So, let's look forward to that. And not that I'm counting, but at the start of this story, you guys were happy about 42 days = 42 chapters...and I can truthfully promise you that it's going to be more, for sure.

Happy Friday everyone and I hope you guys can still enjoy some ice cream...for those of you in colder climates, nothing beats hot chocolate!

Love you all,

Charlie.