Sunday 11 days to the Full Moon Festival

The sharp shrill ringing of Wei Ying's phone broke the peace of the morning and Wei Ying reached out blindly to pick it up and switch it off. He groaned and felt around for that warm body which should be right next to him...but wasn't??

He opened his eyes to confirm it and yes! Lan Zhan was nowhere to be seen.

It really was too early in the morning...wasn't it?

Wei Ying reached for his phone again just to squint at it, trying to see the time.

Midday?

Midday? MIDDAY??

Where had the morning gone?

Had he really slept it away?

He looked up at the sound of the door opening and his jaw dropped.

Lan Zhan....

Lan Zhan with just a towel wrapped around his waist, droplets of water still making their way down his flawless ivory skin...

Wei Ying slapped himself, in two minds because did he really want to wake up if this was a dream?

Lan Zhan was looking around for something and Wei Ying's eyes followed him like a kitten watching a red light. When Lan Zhan darted back into the bathroom, this time with clothes, Wei Ying jumped out of bed, feet tangled in the bed sheets and crashed to the floor.

Seconds later, he felt himself being lifted up and was placed on warm thighs as he blinked fast, trying not to feel dizzy.

"Is Wei Ying alright?" Lan Zhan was holding his face, golden eyes worried and alarmed.

"No...I'm a hot mess because my boyfriend decided to parade his wares..." Wei Ying rubbed his temple where the bedside cabinet had caught him.

He could see Lan Zhan’s ears heralding embarrassment and Wei Ying looked down into golden eyes, brimming with regret.

Distraction was the best method for getting rid of useless guilt, and Wei Ying wielded it like a skilled swordsman handling his weapon perfectly.

His fingers danced down chiselled abs and he watched as Lan Zhan sucked in a deep  breath, and those delicious muscles clenched.

In an uncharacteristic move, Wei Ying pushed him down and replaced his fingers with his mouth.

Neither of them cared about the time after that.

**********

Lan Zhan was drying his hair the next time Wei Ying's phone rang.

Lan Zhan cut the power; he was mostly done anyway but he liked to prolong drying it because he simply loved running his hands through those gorgeous locks.

Wei Ying used to use a mix of conditioner and shampoo, wash and go he had confided in Lan Zhan, missing the look of horror that had crossed his face at that piece of news.

Lan Zhan looked after his hair.

He had a routine because one did not simply have ravishing hair, just like that. He resisted the primal urge to flick his hair back like a model.

Lan Zhan had a moisturising shampoo, three different conditioners for different seasons (winter was just as harsh on the hair as summer in terms of drying it out) and, he had a ten step weekly routine which he practiced diligently.

Wei Ying’s hair was the best, and given that Wei Ying didn’t care about it, at all, Lan Zhan was adamant that he was going to care for it and make it even better. And since Lan Zhan loved doing it so much, Wei Ying gave him carte blanche.

Lan Zhan handed Wei Ying his phone and thought about which style he was going to try out today. His fingers combed through those heavy, silky locks as his eyes drifted towards Wei Ying’s red ribbon.

"It's Shijie." Wei Ying said, covering up the speaker with his hand. "She's asking if she can bring Jin Ling around to meet us...me...because he goes to school during the week. We haven't got any plans, right?"

"Tell her yes. She can." Lan Zhan looked at the fear and happiness in Wei Ying's face as he conveyed the message and he and his sister chatted for a little while before Wei Ying ended the call.

Lan Zhan had finished and was quite pleased with his design too.

He had braided Wei Ying’s hair into two plaits close to his scalp, weaving the ribbon with the hair and then plaiting it so it curled around his head. And he was looking forward to untying it this evening because he was sure Wei Ying would look ravishing with curly hair.

Lan Zhan pushed a mirror into Wei Ying's hands and showed him the intricate design at the base of his skull.

Wei Ying gasped and then eyes shining brightly, he grabbed Lan Zhan’s hands and began kissing his palms, insistent on showing his thanks like this, that "such talent should be worshipped" and making Lan Zhan feel hot all over.

Lan Zhan wrapped those same arms around Wei Ying’s body, because he knew how his beloved was feeling. It didn’t matter that Wei Ying probably wouldn't acknowledge what was going through his mind at the thought of finally being able to meet his nephew, but if Wei Ying needed a hug, then Lan Zhan was going to give it to him.

"Jin Ling?" Lan Zhan asked him.

"Ahuh...I'm a bit scared. I know he's only three...just a bit younger than A-Yuan...but I want...I want him to like me." Wei Ying admitted.

"No question about it." Lan Zhan promised, kissing his beautiful hair.

Wei Ying looked and smelled amazing, and Lan Zhan wanted to support him fully. That he was able to made a special warmth bloom in his chest and Lan Zhan kissed him again, just because he could.

"But Lan Zhan...what if he asks me where I was all this time?" That's what was worrying Wei Ying the most.

"You can tell him about A-Yuan. Children don't remember much and the issue will be forgotten." Lan Zhan reassured him.

Wei Ying’s stomach rumbled like thunder, and Lan Zhan stood up, still holding him.

"Um...you can put me down now, my love!" Wei Ying said, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

Lan Zhan merely tightened his hold, and to Wei Ying’s utter embarrassment, he carried him all the way to the dining room.

He stopped whining and complaining as soon as the doors opened but they both received disapproving looks from Uncle Qiren. Mo XuanYu gave Lan Zhan two finger pistols and beamed while A-Yuan chortled to see his parents.

XiChen smiled indulgently at both of them, and then lunch was served.

Lan Zhan deposited Wei Ying down gently on his chair, smiling at his red face. For himself, Lan Zhan wasn't embarrassed at all; he did not care who saw how much he loved Wei Ying and to what extent.

In the past, when he had been put into any situation where there was too much public displays of affection, he had glared at the parties involved. Now however, he was ready and prepared to become a hypocrite.

Wei Ying was totally worth it.

Wei Ying had never thought that far ahead, the possibility of a boyfriend being so far into the distant future so as to be invisible, so this kind of attention was completely new for him.

He remained on his best behaviour throughout the remainder of the meal though, just in case.

His fears were justified when Uncle Qiren paused and gazed at him quite seriously, as they left the dining room.

Lan Zhan had the same idea as Wei Ying, that they were both going to be told off for that little stunt, so he stood slightly in front of Wei Ying in a protective stance.

Uncle Qiren was just seconds away from rolling his eyes.

"Xiao XingChen would like to meet you." He said to Wei Ying, surprising both of them.

"Why?" Wei Ying blurted out without thinking.

"That is his business. When are you free?" Uncle Qiren asked, picking up A-Yuan from the hug being administered to his thigh.

"Er...maybe not tomorrow. Too much going on." Wei Ying thought quickly. "A-Yu's first day at school." He explained to questioning golden eyes. And he had to go and collect the ring. That was something else.

And before he could do that, he had to talk to Lan Zhan.

Wei Ying knew he was procrastinating and he really shouldn't be, but he really wanted to be the one to buy the rings. And surprise Lan Zhan.

To prove he was just as committed to their relationship as Lan Zhan was.

Uncle Qiren cleared his throat, noisily.

"Um...so Tuesday or Wednesday. Thank you!" Wei Ying turned on the radiance of his smile, aware that Uncle Qiren was helping him out and that he had gotten lost in his worries again.

Really, it was so tiresome not having money when he needed it.

Uncle Qiren visibly softened.

"I shall inform him for Wednesday, then." He turned around to go inside the library.

The doorbell rang and it was Shijie. She had brought along Jin Ling and Jin ZiXuan too.

Jin Rulan had her eyes.

That's the first thing Wei Ying noticed about him. He didn't seem frightened of strangers either, just watched them carefully, silently, his big purple eyes huge in his round face, taking everything in. Little curls of soft baby hair framed his expression and Wei Ying fell in love with him.

For those first few seconds, Wei Ying clutched Lan Zhan’s hand, not even daring to breathe.

This was his little baby nephew and Wei Ying had already pulled out his heart and given it to him. He smiled broadly at the toddler, who gazed back in wonder and reservation.

"A-Ling...this is your Uncle Xian." Shijie said, in her soft voice.

"Wunckle Xian?" He tested out the name.

Even his voice was adorable.

"Yes, baby. Uncle Xian. Do you want to go to him? To say hello?" She carried on, soothing and exuding calmness.

Wei Ying stepped forward, not letting go of Lan Zhan’s hand just yet.

It was a tense moment before Jin Ling nodded, having deemed Wei Ying a safe person to go to.

Together they all entered the library, Wei Ying carrying that precious child like he carried A-Yuan all the time.

When both toddlers saw each other, they quietly stared at one another before Wei Ying introduced them to each other and to Mo XuanYu and Uncle Qiren.

The three previous occupants of the room were sitting on the floor playing Ludo before the guests came in; Wei Ying had sat down in between the kids and grabbed a loose counter. He began twisting it to spin independently. Both toddlers watched in rapt fascination, tense and excited as each spin finished.

"More, more!" They cried out full of glee, and Wei Ying obliged.

And just like that, Jin Ling became his friend.

Wei Ying caught Lan Zhan’s eyes in the middle of all that, and he smiled broadly, relieved that the baby was okay with him.

Lan Zhan already thought that Wei Ying had won the best uncle award, because look at the competition, he thought snarkily...but then, Wei Ying was the best in any capacity. If Lan Zhan was a little bit smug about that...well, so what of it? It was only the truth.

A few hours later as A-Yuan began showing his new friend all of his toys and playing together, Shijie whispered something to the Peacock, who had been chatting in quiet tones to Mo XuanYu. They had been discussing math formulas and both of them were invested, when she asked her husband to go and fetch something from their car.

XiChen joined them then and he had baked chocolate cookies. He brought in a huge tray with hot chocolate for the adults and chocolate milkshake for the children.

Wei Ying had warily shaken his head when XiChen offered him one of his truth-drug laced cookies, opting for just the hot chocolate. XiChen had sprinkled marshmallows on them too and he made a mean cup.

The Peacock brought in a huge box of chocolate brownies and now Shijie was staring at XiChen like it was a Mexican stand off.

Far too politely and at the same time, they both held aloft plates towards each other, offering their competition a taste of each other's goods.

Wei Ying had linked arms with Lan Zhan and sitting back, they both watched the show.

XiChen took a brownie and delicately took a bite. His eyes widened and decorum was thrown out of the window as he stuffed the whole piece inside his mouth, simultaneously reaching for another one.

Shijie laughed softly and bit into a cookie.

"These are very nice." She admitted.

XiChen was on his third piece by now and Uncle Qiren looked a little disappointed in him.

"I'm in a relationship." XiChen suddenly said, though no one had asked him anything.

"Oh?" Shijie said, more out of politeness than any curiosity.

But both Lan Zhan and Uncle Qiren leaned forward to hear better. Mr. Marshmallow came and jumped into Wei Ying's lap and had his ears scratched fondly while Wei Ying listened to XiChen spilling his guts.

"Actually...it's Nie MingJue. One night, it got very late. We ordered pizza and there was wine...I did not drink, but I may as well have. That man's a beast in bed." XiChen whispered shrieked at everything coming out of his mouth.

He stared at the brownies and then at Jiang YanLi.

"What exactly did you put in there?"

Wei Ying smothered a laugh and thought how lovely it was when someone got a taste of their own medicine...

*********

Lan Zhan was returning from the kitchen later, bringing up warm milk for himself and Wei Ying when he heard a beautiful voice singing. His ears recognised it as the same person singing and he wondered at that, because this song sounded lovely.

Zoom, just one look and then my heart went boom
Suddenly and we were on the moon
Flyin' high in a neon sky, oh oh

Bang, just one touch and all the church bells rang
Heaven called and all the angels sang
Sunrise shine in the midnight sky, oh oh

Oh zoom, you chased the day away
High noon, the moon and stars came out to play
Then my whole wide world went zoom

(High as a rainbow as we went flyin' by)
Faster and faster we were higher than high
For once in my lifetime I was finally free
And you gave that to me

Zoom, you chased the day away
High noon, the moon and stars came out to play
Then my whole world went zoom

Moonbeams dancin' in the afternoon
Shadows blowin' as the roses bloom
Lookin' down on a wonderland

Smack just one kiss and I was outta whack
All at once there was no turnin' back
All so far above the brighter star, oh oh

Oh zoom, you chased the day away
High noon, the moon and stars came out to play
Then my whole wide world went zoom

(High as a rainbow as we went flyin' by)
Faster and faster we were higher than high
For once in my lifetime I was finally free
And you gave that to me

As the song finished, Lan Zhan gathered himself and entered their room.

Wei Ying was lying on their bed, eyes closed and he seemed to be sleeping.

But as soon as the bed dipped when Lan Zhan sat down, Wei Ying shot upright with a tight smile on his face.

Lan Zhan gave him his mug.

"Lan Zhan...we...I need to ask you something." Wei Ying said, sounding horribly uncertain.

"Mn. Drink this first." Lan Zhan encouraged.

Wei Ying downed the warm milk and gave the mug back, watching Lan Zhan like a stressed out bunny with a hunter, tensely waiting for him to finish. Lan Zhan drank at his normal pace, aware that Wei Ying was becoming more and more antsy.

Lan Zhan placed both their mugs on the tray and then turned to face Wei Ying.

Was he finally going to tell Lan Zhan what had been bothering him all week? Lan Zhan sincerely hoped so. Whatever it was, they would find a solution to it and Wei Ying could relax. That was all Lan Zhan wanted.

He reached across and entwined their fingers together.

"Mn?"

"I...I need an advance on...on the work I'm doing for the house." Wei Ying hated that he had to ask like this, and even more mortifying was that his voice kept cracking. He cleared it and began again, pushing away the pressure behind his eyes which would surely make him cry.

"How much?" Lan Zhan asked him.

There was no hesitation in him at all, and that alone made Wei Ying want to burst into tears.

No one was as good as Lan Zhan was.

Wei Ying told him the amount and Lan Zhan pulled out his phone, releasing the funds immediately. When he looked up, Wei Ying was biting his bottom lip, trying really hard to keep his composure.

Lan Zhan lifted him onto his lap, holding him close.

"I'm sorry...I didn’t want to ask you for the money." He whispered, trying to swallow past the lump in his throat.

"No need to feel sorry." Lan Zhan told him warmly.

His fingers began undoing Wei Ying’s braids, gently massaging his head at the same time. Wei Ying rested his wet cheek on Lan Zhan’s shoulder, closing his eyes.

"I'm going to pay you back." He promised, his voice slurring as Lan Zhan finger combed his hair.

It was soothing for both of them and soon, Lan Zhan was laying Wei Ying down and covering them both with the sheets.

Lan Zhan kissed his eyes, his cheeks and his forehead softly, smiling at the mirrored expression on Wei Ying’s lovely face as he fell deeper into sleep.

Wei Ying hadn’t told him anything really, aside from the fact that he needed money. But it didn't matter.

Loving someone meant trusting them too, and the only thing that upset Lan Zhan now was that Wei Ying hadn’t asked him earlier, instead suffering through almost a whole week with this stress.

He knew Wei Ying well now.

Wei Ying was the kind of person who always put others before himself. Lan Zhan had a feeling that's exactly what he was doing now...and even if it wasn't? Even then, Lan Zhan hoped he was doing something for himself at last.

With that as his final thought, Lan Zhan closed his eyes too, holding his heart and soul close.

********

A/N

Dear Lovely Readers,

Look at that! We're already at fifty chapters. You guys wanted 42 and this story is running away with us. I really don't have a plan but I can say this: I surely never expected this book to happen all because my Bestie didn't like yellow painted walls...

I hope you're all enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it.

Thank you so much. I can only wish lots of chocolate and happiness for all of you from here.

Charlie.