Welcome back readers!  Glad you could make it!  I'm still new to this whole thing so please bear with me and my mistakes.  I had only planned on releasing this chapter a few days from now but I just couldn't keep my thoughts in my head.  Our boys would wake me up at 4am demanding that their story be told.  NOW!!!  Who am I to deny the Hanguang-jun and Yiling Patriarch??  

This chapter is still dealing with our two characters getting to know each other again.  Can you blame them?  They've been apart for years!  So keep reading and let me know your thoughts in the comments section.  Please vote for each chapter you like as well.  Also, my best friend (who is an amazing author;) always had song lists of music that inspired her writing.  So, if she doesn't mind me stealing her idea, I'll list a few songs at the beginning of every chapter that I listened to while writing my story.  Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to share this with everyone!  

Dancing With Your Ghost by Sasha Sloan

Both by Ingrid Andress

 Tear Myself Apart by Tate McRae

The above image is not mine so thanks to the artist because I can't draw anything! Just ask my kids! LOL

On their way back to Cloud Recesses, the two men passed by what looked to be a tiny house sitting a few feet back from the path. It appeared to be well constructed and even had a window and front porch.  All around and inside the house were rabbits of all shapes, sizes, and colors who, upon seeing Lan Zhan approach, started hopping towards them. The first one to greet them was a darker colored one with a red ribbon tied around it's neck which Lan Zhan gently scooped into his arms as he sat in the grass. He gave the animal a loving pat on its head before holding it up and rubbing noses with it. 

Wei Ying looked at him with childlike wonder.  Never before had he seen Lan Zhan do something like this!  He watched in amazement as Lan Zhan pet each rabbit before pulling a few carrots out of his sleeve to feed them.  Wei Ying couldn't control the smile crawling across his face and the warmth that started spreading through his insides.  

Before he could stop it, a humorous thought skipped across his mind.  Not only had Lan Zhan cared for the rabbits, but he had taken such good care that now there were so many more than before. Being who he was, Wei Ying couldn't help but picture "father" Lan raising these little fuzz balls and, before he could stop himself, laughter exploded from him until he collapsed onto the ground, holding his stomach as if it would burst.

"Lan Zhan! You...you even built them a house?"  He was laughing to hard he could hardly breathe.

"Mn." Lan Zhan answered plainly.  He looked at Wei Ying rolling on the ground beside him and simply gave him a stern look and a sigh before turning back to the little rabbit, now sleeping in his arms.

As Wei Ying regained his senses, the smile on his beautiful face faded from his lips.

"Lan Zhan," he said, looking into Lan Zhan's light colored eyes. "Does your uncle know about them?"

Lan Zhan lowered his head. His uncle, Lan Quiren, would never understand why he kept the rabbits so Lan Zhan had never told him. His brother, Lan Xichen, was the only other person who knew and he had kept the secret out of love for his baby brother.

Wei Ying touched his finger to his nose a few times thinking about this.  He knew it bothered Lan Zhan that he couldn't be honest with his uncle, the one who had raised him from a young child.  Hiding things like this went against everything Lan Wangji was taught.  Wei Ying stared at Lan Zhan's concerned face and and frowned.  

"It's ok, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying said in a cheerful voice.  "Someday he'll understand. He loves you."

Lan Zhan raised his head and looked hopefully at Wei Ying.  

"Well," Wei Ying said teasingly. "Now we have enough to spare!" he said looking around them.    He got on his hands and knees and crawled over to Lan Zhan. "Why don't you let me cook you up a wonderful spicy meal tonight?" he asked with a devilish grin.

Lan Zhan's head shot up and his eyes showed both fear and anger at Wei Ying's idea. He squeezed the small rabbit he was holding even closer to his chest while looking at the ones around him as if trying to figure out how to stop them from becoming Wei Ying's dinner.

Wei Ying smiled and kindly picked up one of the fluffy creatures, stroking its soft fur. "Hanguang-jun," he said quietly. "I would never do that to your rabbits."  He paused, his eyes downcast.   "I've hurt you too many times already.  I never want to hurt you again." His expression became brokenhearted and he looked lovingly at Lan Zhan. "I've caused you enough pain and suffering in my two lifetimes that I can't be responsible for any more.  It would kill me if I hurt you again."

Lan Zhan stared at him, losing himself in Wei Ying's grey eyes. His gaze softened and he took a deep breath to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. He put the rabbit down and moved until he sat next to Wei Ying, lightly touching his shoulder and knee with his. The sadness and regret in Wei Ying's eyes were becoming unbearable for him to look at. Everything this kind man had been through and still he didn't want to hurt anyone, especially his Lan Zhan. Wei Ying's  soul was so pure that Lan Zhan's only desire at that moment was to protect Wei Ying's heart from ever being shattered again.

"Come." he said as he stood, reaching for Wei Wuxian's hand, and together they continued walking through the trees towards home.

After returning to the Lan Clan, the two were inseparable just as before. Over the next year, they practiced their fighting skills to hone their abilities until they once again moved as one body. Following their sparring the two would often go to Cold Pond for meditation and for Wei Ying to heal his aching muscles. Because Mo Xuanyu's core was still weaker than Wei Ying's had been, he always tired more quickly than Lan Zhan and he also felt the effects from their workouts longer.  

Every day Wei Ying practiced commanding the demonic arts, attempting to gain more control over them. Lan Zhan was always by his side for these exercises to calm his soul with his guqin in case Wei Ying lost himself in the resentment.  Lan Zhan took no chances on losing his friend again.

Some days Wei Wuxian would climb the magnolia tree outside the Library Pavilion to tease Lan Zhan just like he did when they were young.  He tried to get him to play instead of study by walking his fingers across the desk and flirting with him.  To be honest, he really wanted to see if Lan Zhan would kiss him again.   He just couldn't get that memory out of his mind.  Wei Ying didn't know why exactly but he ached to feel Lan Zhan's lips on his.  He wanted to feel Lan Zhan's tongue invading his mouth, the possessiveness and strength that he felt from being held in his arms.  But, it never worked and Wei Ying was left staring at Lan Zhan's handsome face wondering if he had the same feelings that he did.  

Six days a week, they helped the newest junior class learn their lessons. Except Wei Ying usually taught them all the naughty tricks he used to pull when he was a student. That is until Lan Zhan would catch him and give him a death stare.  But Wei Ying always saw the tiny smile touch Lan Zhan's lips before he turned his head away in feigned innocence.

They ate every meal together, sometimes talking (well, Wei Ying did most of the talking) but often they just sat in silence, enjoying the each other's companionship. Just knowing that the other was close made them both happy and content with their life.

One night, after they were done eating, Lan Zhan was feeling particularly talkative and asked quietly, "Where did you go? What did you do?"

"Huh?"

"After we parted."

"Aahhh." Wei Wuxian seemed puzzled. "Why do you want to know?"

Lan Zhan thought about this. Why DID he want to know? Did it really matter now that his Wei Ying was here with him? Did he want to know even if it was something bad? Yes. Yes he did. He wanted to know everything about this amazing man that he was sharing his life with because he....he....

"Lan Zhaaaan. Lan Wangji?"  No response. "Hanguang-jun!"  Nothing.  "Lan Er-gege!" Wei Ying said loudly.

Lan Zhan woke up from his thoughts and answered, "It is important to me. You...are...important to me."

Wei Ying blushed slightly and shook his head.  What was he going to tell Lan Zhan?  The truth?  Of course.  But how much of the truth did he dare tell?  Things were going so well now that he didn't want to say anything that might ruin their relationship.  Whatever kind of relationship it may be.  He couldn't lose Lan Zhan again.  He wouldn't be that stupid again.

Wei Ying looked up and gave Lan Zhan a big smile, his eyes lighting up like stars. "Did I tell you that Lil' Apple found a girlfriend?" he said giggling. "I left him in this beautiful little village at the foot of a splendid mountain where they had a girl donkey.  She was so pretty!  He wouldn't leave her side for one minute! Not even for a whole basket of apples! How funny is that?"

Lan Zhan smiled.  Not because the story was funny, but because he understood exactly how Lil' Apple felt.  He would never leave Wei Ying's side.  Not for anyone or anything.  It happened once before  and his best friend died, not returning for 16 years.  Never again.  Lan Zhan would protect Wei YIng until his last breath.  

He knew Wei Ying was avoiding the questions that he had asked for some reason but was determined to get the truth out of him. And, he knew just how to do it. He walked over to the foot of his bed, slid the hidden floor board to the side, and pulled out 2 jars of Emperor's Smile, placing them on the table in front of Wei Ying's widening eyes.  

This story won't leave me alone so even though I say give me a few days to write the next chapter, I'm sure it will be published sooner rather than later.  Thanks again for reading and I hope to see you in the next chapter!  Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome.