"OUCH!"

"Wake UP!"

"What?"

"You didn't realise you fell asleep did you?"

"I- no I didn't."

"Of course you didn't."

"I meant I didn't fall asleep."

"Oh please, you were going zzzzzzzzz- Ow!"

"Yiyi, for God's sake stop being a baby, smacking heads."

"Excuse me? You smacked me too just now!"

"Good for you. You smacked me first, so she smacked you on behalf of me. Thank you, sister."

"Tsk, idiots," Jin Xiyi pinched her forehead. "I didn't smack anyone FOR anyone."

"Yeah, she's just having another rusty mood swing."

Jin Xiyi tut-tutted and rose from her seat. Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling both stood up and took one arm each, helping her lie down on the bed. She fell asleep the instant her head touched the pillow.

"What's that about 'good for you'?"

"Well, I wasn't lying-" SMACK! "Ouch!"

"See? It hurts!"

"You hit me twice now!" Jin Ling reached around Jingyi's head and whacked hard.

"THE HECK?"

Fists flinging at each other, the two began to roll around the bedroom floor, until a pillow came flying in out of nowhere and smacked them both in the head.

"Xiyi?"

"Either you two stop it or GET OUT!"

"S...sorry..." Jin Ling gulped and sat down at the table. Jingyi placed the pillow back on the bed and returned to the table.

"Now then, where were we? Sizhui. Since Sizhui's going to be forced to stay in Cloud Recesses for a week until it's made certain that no news of his fire skills gets out, are you going to stay here too?"

"I'd love to. But then... I can't stay here with no valid reason," Jin Ling sighed and propped his head upon his hands.

"Hm... we'll make up a valid reason!"

"No, Sizhui himself will make me go. And as Nie Shushu said, I need to get back soon. Nie Shushu said our Terrific Ten will meet up at my Fragrant Palace. Least elders."

"Least elders, true, so why not Yunmeng?"

"Thought we'll give Jiujiu and them a break because... they've been through a lot. So we're having it at Lanling."

"Okay... so right. You have to go... when are you going?"

"Jingyi, first tell me why you called me here and why you're asking all this?"

"It isn't like you are busy studying at the library or something!"

"No, I was feeding Rouruan with Daddy and Father."

"Well sorry to disrupt your peace but we need to fix this problem."

"What problem?"

"You two! Hm... at least before the meeting-up of all ten of us, how about you two spend some time together?"

"What on earth made you think that right now?"

"Because even if when Sizhui woke up yesterday you did make up to each other... or should I say make OUT?"

"OI!"

"Haha! So although you've reconciled... Sizhui still seems... far away..."

Jin Ling frowned seeing the wrinkled forehead across the table. "You went for a conference with him and the Lan Elders on the battle didn't you? Did something happen?"

"After he returned from death yesterday, this morning was his first time stepping out into the open. But the three oldest Elders and even Auntie Qiang made it clear that Sizhui will have to stay within the borders of Cloud Recesses."

"Wait — not even the rest of Gusu?"

"Nope. Cloud Recesses."

"But why so strict?"

"He's in danger. Sure our Terrific Ten knows about his origins, but that's it. If the clans find out Sizhui is a Wen..."

"But," Jin Ling shook his head. "It doesn't matter what he WAS. What matters is that he now IS the current sect leader of the GusuLan sect-"

"But a Lan with Wen fire skills? I doubt the clans will acquiesce to keep shut about that. True, all this time even if they'd known all along, they would have remained silent because who'd dare to talk against Lan Wangji's and Wei Wuxian's son? But if Sizhui's actually capable of using Wen's terrifying fire skills, the clans would find it disturbing. The damage Wen fire has done on our people's lives... is too much to ignore."

"..." Jin Ling knew the clans too well to disagree. He badly wanted to retaliate with a 'Our people harmed innocent Wens too' but knew this wasn't the time for a debate. "But then... Everyone from the Chief Cultivator right down to the newly risen Ouyang sect's Leader is all part of Sizhui's friend circle. Won't the influence be enough to shut them up?"

"Not until we can ensure either nobody gets to know or reassure them Sizhui will never use his skills-"

"WHAT?" Jin Ling shrieked.

"Shush!"

"Sorry. But what? It's his power, he can use theit if he likes!"

Lan Jingyi sighed. "Jin Ling... you're a werewolf. It's your power. Can you use it however you like?"

"..."

"Answer me."

"No."

"Exactly."

"But..."

"Society won't easily accept you being a werewolf with welcoming arms. The same goes for any Wen. Sizhui will have to continue as he did so far, letting out the fire skills every now and then to stabilise his qi energy. The Elders told all that to him. And he'll stay in here for his safety for now." Jingyi handed a teacup. "You should have been there this morning, Jin Ling."

"Why?"

"Father and Daddy were there as well. The instant the Elders said Sizhui was to stay within the border, Daddy lost his wits and spoke so harshly..."

"Anyone would know better than to say something so severe to any of his children anyway," Jin Ling smirked. "Good for you guys for putting rules on my A-Yuan."

"Hmph," Jingyi rolled his eyes. "But that isn't the best part. Father. Father scolded the Elders."

"WHA-"

"You better shut up before your tea gets smashed with another pillow from my oh-so-sweet wife."

"Right," Jin Ling pursed his lips. "Tell me what happened."

"Nothing much. Just that Father made it clear to the Elders that no matter what limitations they'll put on his son, even if they remove his sect leader title and Shuijing-Jun label or whatever — Sizhui will remain HIS son. Hanguang-Jun's son."

"Daddy didn't shout at Father?" Jin Ling laughed.

"Hahaha! No, Daddy understood. Father was implying that no matter what anyone sees Sizhui as, he's still the greatest Lan's son. Rendering him more or less a Lan too. So nobody can dare call him a Wen."

"Mhm. I dare say, Jingyi... if I make Sizhui Jin too, would it help?"

"Cheeky brat," Jingyi grinned and smacked his brother's head. "He's not a girl to change sect into a husband's sect, you know? Matter of fact, even girls nowadays don't do that. Look at my wife! Xiyi's still Jin!"

"Don't you dare take her from my sect!"

"Oh please, keep her, no thanks."

"EXCUSE ME? I HEARD THAT!"

"Wha- I thought you were asleep!"

Jin Ling laughed and ducked in time when the pillow came crashing into Lan Jingyi's face. 

**********

"Lan Zhan..."

"Mn?"

".......Lan Zhaaaaaan..."

"Mn?"

"............................LAN ZHAN!"

"Mn?"

"..."

A page of the music manuscript book flipped around.

"...LAN ZHANNNN!"

"Mn?"

"Ugh!" Wei Wuxian crossed his arms, kicking his pile of notes-to-be-marked away. "Lan Zhan, why so cold?"

"Mn?" Lan Wangji looked up, eyebrows creeping up to his hair. Wasn't he always cold?

"Just once, can't you call me by my name?"

"I always call you A-Ying." Lan Wangji blinked. What new tantrum was this now?

"But, like, instead of that icy 'Mn'? It sends shivers down my spine, you know?"

Dramatic. On this fine summery day, the Yingxiong Laozu was in Dramatic Mode. Good, though, he's been worn out and serious for quite a long time. 

Lan Wangji blinked and stared at his husband with a befuddled look on his face. Wei Wuxian pouted and grabbed the next note, crossing his legs angrily and marking the answers. Mn sounds icy? But he lived with it for over ten years now... Ah... still tired from the ordeal, perhaps? Hm, then what should I do?

......What would he say?

"A-Ying?"

"Yes, love?" Wei Wuxian looked up, then remembered he was supposed to be angry, and quickly looked back down.

"..."

So... something like that? A bit... cringe... Lan Zhan sighed. Let's wait for him to call me again.

Time passed on with Wei Wuxian marking the answers of his batch of juniors on archery positions, and Lan Wangji reading through his own class's music manuscripts. Each kept sneaking glances at the other, one angry, the other anxious. Half an hour later, Wei Wuxian was done marking and he heaved a sigh. With a releived smile on his face, he reached out to the wine jar at his side — only to find it was empty. The shelf of jars was right behind Lan Zhan's table, well hidden from view by his towering frame.

Sighing, surrendering, Wei Wuxian frowned at his husband, calling out gruffly. "Lan Zhan."

Bang! At long last, the time has come! Lan Wangji almost jumped in his seat as he turned around to face the other. "You called, darling?"

"..."

Oh... why is he... silent...? Did I do it wrong? Maybe I should- "A... A-Ying? A-Ying!" 

Lan Zhan watched with doubling confusion as Wei Wuxian shot up onto his feet, and sprinted across the room. He ran to the bed, leapt onto the mattress, crashed into the sheets, stuffed his face deep into the pillow and screamed.

S...screamed?

"A-Ying...?"

"ARGH! Lan Zhan, where the HELL did that come from?"

First he whines at me being cold, then he whines at me being too sweet (or what?)... Why do I have such a perplexing husband?... Lan Zhan walked over and sat on the bed, placing a wine jar on the bedside table.

Wei Wuxian, peeking partly from behind the pillow, looked between the jar and his husband.

"That's what you called me for."

"You know me too well," Wei Wuxian chuckled. "But where did that 'darling' come from all of a sudden?"

Lan Wangji wiggled his shoulders, took Wei Wuxian's hand away from the pillow and placed it on his chest. "Here."

Wei Wuxian was now a scarlet mess.

Lan Zhan felt elated. I did it! Thank goodness. "Forgive me now, darling?"

"Stooooop!" Wei Wuxian smacked the pillow on Lan Zhan's back, thrashing him angrily, red face beaming. "I forgive you, I forgive you, but have mercy on me! I still need to check the notes Meilien sent on the talism- Oof! Lan. Wang. JI!"

Lan Zhan, having successfully pinned him down to the bed and hurled the troublesome pillow away, smirked. "Work can wait."

"Lan Zhan! No! Mmmm!" Wei Wuxian thrashed his fists, chattering on despite the heat soaring through his blood in pace with Lan Zhan's bites down his neck. "That hurts, you know? OI! Lan Zhan! Lan Wangji! What a terrible teacher Lan Wangji is- Eyy wait a second. Wangji... Wangji... JIJI!" Wei Wuxian tossed his head back and laughed. "Jiji! Lan Zhan, you're a chicken! Jiji!" 

Lan Wangji looked up at his face roaring with laughter. Was he serious? This guy talked too much-

"It's a wonder gege never called you that! JIJI! Jij- NGH!" His firm back arched in ecstasy as Lan Zhan effectively shut his chatterbox up. 

**********

"So you accept the dare?"

"..."

"Do you? Oh, come on!" 

"..."

"Chicken. Coward. Scaredy-ca—"

"Fine fine! I accept."

"Hup we go!" Jin Chan and Jiang Liwei hopped away from the table and dashed out of the inn, pulling Jin Ling along.

Nie Xiyuan and Lan Hao looked at one another.

"So..." Xiyuan scratched his nape. "Think Jin Ling will do it?"

"Bet he will," Lan Hao grinned and downed his glass of Emperor's Smile. "He better. Jingyi will wring his neck if he won't do it."

"So it WAS Jingyi's idea. But why isn't he here? And where's Zizhen and Xiuying-meimei?"

"Ah, those mamas and dadas don't have time for drinks now," Lan Hao chuckled. "Senior Wei told Jingyi and Zizhen to stay with their wives for now, seeing as those two girls might go into labour any minute."

"Good good," Xiyuan nodded and poured out more wine. "...Erm....."

"Hm? Anything wrong?"

"No, just... Hey! Wanna go for a walk?"

Lan Hao blinked. "Er... such a request out of nowhere?"

"Just- nothing, really. Just a stroll through the night market. I just missed you."

"You......" Hao gulped. "Shhh, don't say that out here-"

"What do you mean? 'Friends' miss each other too, right?"

"Oh." Hao bobbed his head. "Night market it is, then. Ooh, ooh, there's a new sweet around. I'll show you."

Xiyuan beamed and placed two blocks of silver on the table before chasing after Lan Hao. "SLOW DOWN!"

"Over here!" Lan Hao waved from the Lans' favourite chocolates stall. "Auntie Xiao, could you get that new sweet? Oh, and this is Xiyuan."

Auntie Xiao, the stall-owner, smiled benevolently at both boys, before her eyes widened at the sabre behind Xiyuan's tall back. "You're the Nie Deputy General!"

Xiyuan blinked.

"Ey? He's that famous?" Lan Hao smiled.

"Why not! That sabre there is second in the whole world only to General Nie's. Everyone knows THAT!" A child standing beside the old lady piped up.

Nie Xiyuan smiled at the boy. "You know a lot about sabres."

"But I don't know the names," the child pouted.

"Youyue. General Nie's one is Zhipei and this one's Youyue."

The boy's eyes widened in horror. "Zhipei... deadly... Youyue... superior?"

Both men nodded.

"Yayyy!" The boy squealed and ran off to boast to his friends.

"Thank you for that, Deputy General Nie," Auntie Xiao smiled. "Here." She held up a bag. "No, Head Disciple Lan, no need of payment. Take it as a gift. There's two in there," she smiled.

Having come to the riverside, the city bustling behind them, nobody noticed a thing. Not even the way Xiyuan craftily slipped his hand into Lan Hao's.

Lan Hao jumped. "You!"

"What? Want mine?" Nie Xiyuan tightened his grip and swung his chocolate with the free hand.

Lan Hao glowered at him.

"Sorry, just missed holding you. Ey, Auntie Xiao really is amazing. Yours is sword-shaped but mine's a sabre! And damn. She's even done a few carvings, they're beautiful. And it's got some bitter cream... is that what you meant by new?" Xiyuan asked, casually swinging his legs in the water, watching the stars twinkle.

Lan Hao crimsoned. "Y- yes... mint cream."

Nie Xiyuan smiled. To think we were counting stars like this weeks ago... and to think I almost lost him that night...

Lan Hao carefully watched how Xiyuan stared into the blue fixedly, his face turning into a frown. Shaking his head, he gripped the hand tighter. "Xiyuan... it's alright. Never again."

Nie Xiyuan nodded, lightly kissing his forehead. "Never again." 

__________________________________________________________________

A/N: Hey, yo. Back after a long time hehe

So a little explanation in case anyone's wondering. The Jiji. 

Lan Wangji's "Ji" is 蓝忘机, where the Ji is 机. But there's also LWJ's favourite animal [after bunnies, ofc] the chicken. [Remember the chickens Drunk-ji loves gifting?] Chicken in Chinese is 鸡. The characters are different but the two "ji"s are homophonous, hence the connection Wei Wuxian made.