Wei Ying felt comfortable. Maybe too comfortable? Surrounded by welcome warmth and a familiar sandalwood scent, he didn't want to question it. He blinked, trying to get his eyes to stay open but losing.

"Wei Ying?"

The wonderfully deep baritone of the man he loved brought a smile to his face.

"I love you, Lan Zhan."

"Mn. I love Wei Ying."

"Just give me a moment. My insides feel like liquid and my eyes won't stay open..." He felt warm lips kiss his eyelids.

He heard the door open and close.

"Uncle and Brother left."

"I'd so do you right now," he replied, grinning cheekily. "If I could move."

"Behave. How are you feeling otherwise?"

"Really tired, like bone deep. Do you mind if we stay like this for a while?"

"It is fine."

"Thank you."

A while later, Lan Zhan shook him awake gently.

"You might want to see this." He pulled him up to sit in his lap, back resting against a broad strong chest for support. Wei Ying was elated when he opened his eyes and they stayed that way.

The mirror was shining again, and then suddenly, many silver butterflies flew out, whirling around the room. One in particular came towards Wei Ying and landed on his nose. Wei Ying tried to stay as still as possible but he was not a fan of things flying around his face.

The doors to the Mingshi opened and SiZhui entered, gasping when he saw the beautiful sight. At the gust of wind caused by the open door, the silver cloud of  butterflies flew outside.

Wei Ying tried to stand up. Lan Zhan held him up and he secured the Yangsui first.

"I guess it worked," he told Lan Zhan, who bent down and wordlessly picked him up.

Wei Ying was too tired to argue. He fell asleep again on the way to the Jingshi, safe in his husband's arms.

*****

Wei Ying slept for three days without waking up again. Lan Zhan kept an eye on his pulse. The healer had already checked him out and the prognosis was just exhaustion.

On the fourth morning, Lan Zhan woke to his husband's softly smiling face, watching him sleep.

They kissed in greeting.

"I missed you."

"I missed you more!" Wei Ying bent and kissed him again. Those golden eyes were intensely staring back, concerned.

"How do you feel today?"

"Oh, much better!" And proceeded to show him.

*****

Later, when they visited the bunnies, Wei Ying saw their other guests.

"I thought I dreamed them," he breathed out, watching the butterflies weave in and out of the magnolia tree, fluttering among the white fluffy bunnies.

"They have been here since that day."

It was too cold to stay for long. On their way back, they met XiChen and he invited them to his room for tea.

"I hope you're feeling up to telling us more about your mission." He said with a wink.

"Gladly."

The afternoon was spent just relaxing and chatting, but Wei Ying found himself yawning, a few hours in. An adamant Lan Zhan picked him up to leave.

"I'm proud of you, Brother Wei." XiChen said, following them to the door.

Wei Ying blushed. When they got outside, he said, "you know, you're just using how I feel to pick me up whenever you want."

Lan Zhan didn't bother denying it.

*****

They were sitting at their table in the Jingshi, drinking tea as normal, when Wei Ying pulled out a wrapped package from his sleeve.

"Happy birthday."

Lan Zhan's ears showed how he was feeling, so Wei Ying decided to ditch propriety and sat himself down in his lap. "Go on, open it."

Lan Zhan kissed him instead. "Wei Ying is the best present."

His long slender fingers opened the package carefully, and Wei Ying wondered if it was normal to be turned on by such a simple act. He made himself concentrate on his husband's reaction to the gift instead.

There were two identical rings inside, one with a blue gem stone, the other with a ruby.

"These are special rings," he offered, taking the blue one and placing it on his husband's finger. "I have placed a charm on both, which will allow you to always find me and vice versa. Also, it will tell you if something's wrong with either of us."

Lan Zhan looked at him with awe, making him blush.

"You know, because I always wind up making you worry, and...I didn't know what else to get you-"

Lan Zhan kissed him again. "I love the gift. I love Wei Ying."

Well, that was a success, then.