[A/N: Mature content. Readers discretion is advised.]

Ok, so I lied, sue me. But I will have you know that you won't get a penny, for I am broke. Now you are wondering (or not) what it is that I lied about, right?

Well, I had told you that I was done with giving life lessons and this chapter will be free of any type of lesson, but as I sat pondering and becoming emotional about how to start the last chapter of this crack fiction, it hit me that there is more that I had to get off my chest. And since this whole book reads like one huge author's note, I might as well stick with that format.

Yes, I am aware that I am rambling. And I am super grateful that you read it (or maybe you didn't, as long as I don't know about it, I should be fine).
In all relationships, what's most important is trust. As long as we trust the other to love us, keep their words and promises, care about us and be faithful to us, we are all set.

Everything else will fall into place once there is trust. Trust and belief are two sides of the same coin. If I believe, I trust and vice versa.
Thus, broken trust is a testament to a broken relationship.

Thankfully, Yibo's trust in his Zhan ge is unwavering. He believes that they can make their relationship work. Zhan, however, is not so sure. I don't blame him; he has his reasons. Moreover, Zhan is more experienced (in life, people). We are not talking about 'that' kind of experience, which I am sure, he has more of that than Yibo.

Moving on.

The men, following Xia Jiejie's instructions, try out different looks and styles. More often than not, sharing the changing room. After all, they were both men who were not at the height of their careers, and the production team was poor as heck as well. So naturally, there was only one changing room.

If this were a romantic hetro story, by now, our OTP would have gotten it on. But since that's not the case, we will just have to make do with sharing the single changing room instead of sharing 'the only' bed available in 'the only' room available on a rainy night in the middle of nowhere.

Sometimes the unfairness of the mainland shows just infuriates me.

Zhan, like a good gege and a true professional, helps Bo di with his costumes. He did not need anyone to know how furious he was with his didi. It was their business, and Zhan was sure it would be resolved behind closed doors of their shared dorm,  that was sooner rather than later, going to see a lot of action. *cough*

After deciding on the final costumes, Yibo can't help but sulk. For, Zhan was being extra professional and not speaking a word that was not costume-related, making the younger man apprehensive. He avoids leaving the studio with Zhan, hanging behind on the pretext of discussing minor details with the producer lady.

"Lover's quarrel?" The young woman asks, throwing a mischievous smirk at Yibo.

"Mn?" The racer quirks his brow.

"I meant, did you two have an argument."

"Ah." Yibo nods distractedly before shaking his head, "No such thing. I think he is just worried how my injury will affect the schedule."

The young producer lady shrugs. If shoulders could talk, hers would scream, 'Could you guys be more obvious 😏.' However, Yibo doesn't catch the drift. He is so far away from 'the drift' that it is a dot to him (high five to those who got this Friends reference).

"Does laoshi have something to tell me?" She demands when Yibo continues to throw his weight from foot to foot like a nervous child who knows punishment is waiting for him when he gets home.

"Yibo laoshi?" Xia Jiejie calls again, waving her hand in front of the lost cause's face (by lost cause, I mean Yibo). That brings him back to planet earth (what do you mean I am trying to promote my wangxian inspired Science fiction book, Destinies!?) 😅

The man gets startled and stumbles back a few steps but maintains his balance, thanks to his cat-like reflexes and well-toned thigh muscles.
👇

"I am fine." Yibo immediately holds up his hand, making the advancing woman stop, then bowing to her, he leaves.

Sooner than he would have liked, he is back in the dorm. However, Zhan is nowhere to be seen. Not even in the restroom.

He sits with his head in his arms, "I shouldn't have...I should have told Zhan ge that I was feeling better now." He mumbles. He picks up the script, "Where did you go, Zhan ge?" He whispers in the empty room. Luckily, before he can sulk some more, Zhan enters the room.

"Where did you go, Zhan ge?" Yibo is by his side in an instant. The latter holds out a sheet of paper, "I went to Weiwen gege. This is our schedule for this week."

Yibo wants to ask why he went there, but fearing that it might look and sound intrusive, after what he had pulled, he just accepts the sheet muttering a "Thanks."

Zhan closes the door before sitting on his bed. "Aren't you going to ask me why I went to get it?"

"I wanted to, but-"

"Trust," Zhan says, smiling fondly. "Bo di, in this competitive world, we are rivals. Both of us are looking to get a foothold. There is a ninety percent chance that our show might get laughed at. There is a ninety-nine percent chance that it might not even see the light of the day." As the older says these words, his eyes fall on the script on his side table. "Weiwen gege, Xia Jiejie, and everyone in our team know we are not shooting a bromance. This is romance." He picks up the script, "Every exchange between our characters screams, love and devotion."

"Zhan ge..." Yibo closes the distance between them, "What are you trying to say?"

"Bo di, though these people have written the show, will they accept us if we were in a relationship for real?"
Yibo stays silent. For the first time, the younger thinks about what it would mean for Zhan and him to get together.

"Even without my condition, us being together wasn't going to be a cakewalk. Think about it. Every move we make outside these four walls will be witnessed by others. If we take the plunge, will you be able to look at me as a friend when we are off-camera, surrounded by our friends and team?" He leaves a heavy sigh, "I have thought about it, Bo di. And the answer is that I can't." He glances up at the latter, "I can barely keep my eyes off of you now when we are not even together. How will I be able to hide my heart when you are right there when I know you are mine? I don't know if the way I feel for you is love. All I know is that I want to say close to you, laugh and cry with you, and share your pains and joys." He holds Yibo closer,  "But now is not the time. It's too early...it's too soon."

"Zhan ge," Yibo whispers, trying to catch the tears rolling down Zhan's cheeks with the back of his sleeve. "Zhan ge, I don't want to be the cause of your tears." He wraps his arms around him, "Just tell me what you need me to do. I will do it." He says, making the words sound like a promise.

Zhan doesn't doubt them either. He returns the embrace, "Thank you, Bo di. I knew I could trust you to take care of my feelings." He adds, nuzzling into the latter's neck.
The intimate contact makes Yibo's breath hitch. It confuses the heck out of him when Zhan's cold nose is replaced with soft lips. "Zhan ge, what...Ah!" He winces as lips give way to teeth. Alarm bell ring loud in his head. It's so loud that he reckons that he is going to have a brain aneurism. 'It's not Zhan ge!' He realizes a moment later, and before JZhan (yes, Yibo was sure that the one nipping at his neck was JZhan) can inflict more damage, he struggles out of his grip. Throwing his arm out,  just like he had done with Xia Jiejie, he warns, "Stay away, Zhan ge. You don't want this. I mean...you want this, but also, you don't."

Continuing to step back as Zhan advances on him, Yibo adds, "I know I am sound crazy right now, but you need to believe me. You are not Zhan ge." He shakes his head, feeling frustrated,  "I mean, you are Zhan ge, but this is not what you want."

"But I want it." Zhan closes the distance with two long strides and pulls Yibo in his embrace, careful not to put pressure on the younger's shoulder. "Look at how beautifully we fit, Bo di." He whispers seductively, nipping the shell of Yibo's ear.

Yibo can't take it anymore. He pushes at Zhan's chest, "Fine. Then I don't want it. Are you going to force me, hum?" He challenges.

Yibo expects Zhan to throw a fit; instead, he smirks. He crosses his arms over his chest and laughs.
Yibo blinks. "Do you think I am joking?" He demands in a cold voice.

"Bo di, I think I like this look on you."

"Mn?"

"Bo di, I think, just like Wei Ying, I love it most when you are angry." Zhan looks at Yibo with a big bright smile lighting his face. He steps closer, making the latter flinch. Ignoring the reaction, Zhan ruffles the younger's hair. "Yes, I love it most when you are angry."

Yibo blinks yet again.

'F&#€**£^#$(^$K!'

He thinks, 'Did Zhan ge just mess with me? Did he trick me?'
YiBo gets his answer a second later when Zhan catches his eyes and nod, "Bo di, we are even now, don't you think?"

Yibo can't help but feel proud. 'I chose the right man to fall in love with. In one move, he tested my feelings for him and checked if I would keep the promise I made to him.' Yibo nods, "I deserved it. And yes, we are even now."

The smile on Zhan's face dims, "Bo di, I did mean what I said before about me not being ready for 'us' right now."
Yibo takes Zhan's hand in his, "How about we be 'Them', Lan Zhan and Wei Ying, first and see how that goes. And later, who knows, we can be 'Us.'"

Zhan nods, "I would say that sounds about right. So, bromance it is, then."

Yibo sighs, "I am afraid so, Zhan ge..." he corrects himself, "Wei Ying," he calls and smirks, "the day you are not Wei Ying anymore, and I am not Lan Zhan, the moment the last of the lights that can expose us turn off, I will come looking to become 'Us.'"

"I will look forward to that day, Lan Zhan, till then, let's be the best 'Them' we can be."

That's it. The end. Bye.

Now I am wondering if the next time you spot me, will you guys kill me? If you thought that after teasing you all so many times, which is literally every chapter of this story, that I would leave you high and dry, you would be wrong. Lolz.

Over the next five months, Zhan and Yibo become closer. They form a friendship that they knew no one could touch. As days go by and Zhan becomes comfortable with his sexuality, JZhan, and FZhan disappear just as predicted by his doctor. Yibo, on the other hand, realizes that being impulsive and making rash decisions without thinking about the consequences may be the romantic thing to do, but it's not always the right thing to do. Both grow and learn together. The decision to not give in to their desires translates on screen like magic. The pain, the longing, the angst is all real as the two feel it every second of every day.

Finally, the day they have been waiting for arrives.

Fair warning, naked bodies mentioned ahead. [You have been warned]

When the last day of the shoot ends, the wrap bouquets and red envelopes are handed out, and the mandatory cast picture is taken, everyone returns to their homes. Well, everyone, except Yibo laoshi, who follows Zhan home and even before reaching the bed, discards Zhan's outer and inner layer; giving his clothes the same treatment, Yibo settles between Zhan's legs and captures his bow-shaped full lips.

The duo, just like in the dram they had finished filming (usually in constant pain because of the blue balls: a result of working closely with each other, without getting timely release), kept trying to one-up each other. Alas, both couldn't top at the same time. But it didn't matter, for both had been preparing themselves to surrender to the other. They were equals, after all, and trusted the other to take care of their body as well as heart.

When they have exhausted themselves kissing each other, Yibo,  with his head over the latter's chest, coos, "Zhan ge, you have lost so much weight since we started filming."

Zhan nods and kisses the top of his partner's head, "It's nothing compared to your fight sequences. How are your hips?" Zhan's fingers settle on the younger's waist for a moment before wandering elsewhere.

"Ah...Zhan ge!" Yibo moans. He pins Zhan under him. For, though a wee bit shorter than Zhan, Yibo's core strength was much greater. However he gasps and moans again when Zhan's fingers become more adventurous and active.

*Yes, it's (precisely) what you are thinking.*

Yibo's already flushed cheeks color brighter, and just like Lan Zhan, not only the tips but his entire ear turns scarlet. He pants, "Stop, or I won't last much longer."

Zhan stops his ministrations and looks deep into the younger man's eyes, "Good." He reverses their positions, and getting off the bed, he fishes out a bottle of lube that had been hiding in his drawer for over four months. "Up." He commands, making Yibo's brows rise in surprise, "You look pretty prepared to conquer my ass."

Zhan chuckles, "The only ass to be conquered tonight will me mine, Bo di."

"Mn?"

"Well, you did say we will progress from Them to Us, so it's but natural to start where the show left off."

In true Lan Wangji style, concern for Zhan, who was his Wei Ying for over for months, clouds Yibo's face. He sits up on his elbows, "Aren't you scared that I will hurt you? Maybe I should..."

Zhan looks offended, "Nonsense!" He shakes his head, "Did I not tell you that I trust you? I did not mean that I trusted you with just my heart; I trust you with my everything, Bo di."

Instead of handing over the lube to Yibo, Zhan spreads generous amounts of it on Yibo's junior. Then pushing him into the sheets, he closes his eyes. His hand disappears behind his back, and a moment later, he bites his lips to stop himself from moaning.

"Zhan ge, what-"

"I prepared myself and used a buttplug to save time. Now shut up and let me concentrate." Zhan commands, and placing himself strategically on Yibo's erect junior, he lowers himself, taking the long shaft inside.

Unprepared by this turn of events and the overwhelming feeling of being engulfed in Zhan's tight heat makes him throw his head back. Unlike Lan Zhan, however, he doesn't control himself. His deep voice and Zhan's sharp ones mingle and revibrate off the walls of Zhan's bedroom. It's a good thing that his neighbors had gone to visit their daughter for the day, or things could get really awkward.

Yibo's hands land on Zhan's waist, guiding and supporting. His eyes take in the beautiful man, roaming reverently over the man's blemishless, radiant skin; he pulls himself up just as Zhan leans in, bringing their lips together in a kiss.

Soon, both find their release. Tired, Zhan slumps on Yibo's chest, closing his eyes.

"Did it hurt a lot?" Yibo asks, sounding so much like Lan Zhan that for a moment, Zhan thinks that Yibo was coming down with FTGA!

Keeping panic at bay, Zhan answers truthfully, "For a few moments. But the payout was well worth it."

"Why?" Yibo demands.

The question doesn't surprise the Zhan, "Because I trust you, and it felt right. Moreover, I believe in facing my fears head-on, and this was the best way to go about it."

"So, would you bottom again?" Yibo hesitates, biting his lips; Zhan laughs softly, "I will top, from bottom. How about that? And sometimes you can top from bottom...if you want." He wiggles his brows, looking like Wei Ying without even the Grand Master's signature high ponytail and gorgeous side bangs.

"Mn?"

"Aiyaaa. Looks like we are going to have to fuck Lan Zhan out of your system." Zhan pats Yibo's chest, "We will get to that as soon as my ass recovers, alright?"

Yibo nods, "Mn." He pulls Zhan close, throws a blanket around them and closes his eyes, "It's nine pm. Let's sleep,  shall we?"

"Bo di, let's visit my psychiatrist tomorrow." Zhan sighs, "I really think you might be coming down with FTGA." he teases and earns a pinch on his waist.

"Ouch!" Zhan yelps, "That's it.  Tomorrow I will not show your ass any mercy!"

YiBo laughs softly, "Bring it on,  Zhan ge. I am looking forward to it." He pats the older's tempting behind and whispers, "Till then, let me make it up to you." he winks and dissappears under their blanket.

Ahhhhhh. I wish I could get hold of someone who could put me to sleep at a decent time. Someone like Lan Zhan...but the sad truth is, I don't think Lan Zhan gets much 'sleep' now that he is married to Wei Ying.

After all, everyday means everyday and sometimes multiple times in a day.

Who's counting, anyway?

Not Us, and definitely,  not Them.

❤❤❤
Thank You for reading and supporting  Us and Them. It was a crazy ride, and I am glad you to stuck around till the end.

❤❤❤

[Note:- I can't believe that it's finally over.

I want to sincerely apologize and thank those who gave it a chance. This project took a hit everytime I stared a new project, and I almost gave up on it multiple times. I am glad that I was able to finish it.

Please Vote to show your support if you have enjoyed it.

Thank you for reading.
Have a nice day.}