They climbed on top of Suanni, those that didn't want to fly.

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan were ready to go, one already having mounted Bichen, and carrying Li XiWang this time, while Rumi held on tightly to his other father.

Zhitiao and JingYi were going to ride on the dragon babies, something that JingYi was trembling with, he liked to think excitement, but Zhitiao knew better and had kissed him for his bravery.

Oge and Klem were ready to leave with Hui Gai at any time.

Hongse and her sisters decided to teleport to Gusu, and Jin Ling and SiZhui were left, so they decided to travel back to Cloud Recesses with everyone else.

XiChen and Jiang Cheng were flying solo with Li Li too.

Suanni took off with a mighty roar, and Wei Ying soared into the sky with him, Lan Zhan following close by.

Wei Ying was still worried about Rumi; the boy was holding on to him with a death grip, and not looking anywhere else except at him. Residual fear still lurked in the back of his amber eyes.

Wei Ying still felt bad about that and like any parent, was wondering if it was still such a great idea to have brought him here, by the ocean where he was so rightly scared.

He used his mental connection with Lan Zhan to speak now.

My love, do you think we should try Empathy with Rumi? Maybe we can find out why or how his condition happened? Do you think it's possible to try and diminish the impact?

Mn. We can try. If it does not cause more harm than good. Also, what do you think of the Jins? I do not like their insistence.

Agreed. But maybe we should find out what they want first? We could ask XiChen-Ge... because this looks like a political problem to me.

Personal.

Personal? How so?

They didn't go through the correct channels of contacting the Sect leader. Wei Ying is part of the Lan Sect now.

The facts, so cleanly put, made Wei Ying feel all sorts of warm inside. It was one thing to be told he was part of his family, and something else entirely to feel it on the inside.

You know that headband they gave me?

Mn?

I've just thought of another use for it...

Wei Ying chuckled and soared off, still giggling at the look on Lan Zhan's face.

********

They reached home in record time, flying directly into Cloud Recesses. Suanni found a clearing in the forest and dropped off his passengers.

"Fathers, please may we take the babies to see the bunnies?" Li XiWang asked, hope shining in her eyes.

How could they say no to that beautiful face, still round with a hint of baby fat?

SiZhui brightened at that suggestion, and took Jin Ling by the hand.

"I miss the rabbits too." He said, eagerly.

Li XiWang took little Li Li and held Rumi's hand, telling him calmly where they were going to go, when Hui Gai, Oge and Klem turned up.

Hui Gai opted to stay with his friend, while Klem wanted to follow the other children, so they all left.

"It is time for me to leave as well, Young Master." Suanni bowed. "But, I sense trouble on the horizon for you and yours. It would be wise to exercise caution." He advised in deep voice.

All present bowed to him, and then of course, he had to lick them goodbye.

This time, Lan Zhan was prepared and whipped out a pristine white towel to wipe Wei Ying off before cleaning himself up.

"And you're not going to think anything of his warning?" Jiang Cheng asked incredulously, watching an animated Wei Ying take Lan Zhan's arm and walk nonchalantly by.

"Well, the thing is, we seem to attract trouble, it's no longer a stranger "on the horizon" as Suanni put it." Wei Ying laughed, using his fingers for the extra speech marks. "More like a travelling buddy who you have to tolerate, because you know him so well."

"Mn." Lan Zhan smiled down at him, liking his outlook.

"Perhaps we should meet with Uncle and let him know everything that happened? I'm sure he missed us." XiChen said.

"Sure. Let's go see uncle first." Wei Ying replied good naturedly.

They passed by the Moon tree, it's fragrance uplifting and welcome.

"I didn't know how much I missed you." Wei Ying touched the bark, slightly rough against his fingers.

The tree shivered gently and her white flowers drifted down to form a garland that settled on his hair.

Lan Zhan touched the petals and brought him closer into an embrace.

"Wei Ying is beautiful." He said softly.

XiChen walked past them with Jiang Cheng who rolled his eyes, and stood next to his husband while they knocked.

Uncle Qiren was surprised to see them, but definitely happier. His eyes settled on Wei Ying, noting his hair accessory, and he smiled.

"I don't believe I have thanked you for your gift. The Moon tree provides solace in times of need. It is...comforting." he added.

Wei Ying blushed, leaning into Lan Zhan's side.

"New tea, try it." Uncle told him.

"Your uncle gets weirder and weirder every single time." Jiang Cheng whispered to XiChen, who smiled politely.

Wei Ying stuck his tongue out at his brother when he thought no one was looking.

"Uncle, the Jin Sect is holding an archery competition on Phoenix Mountain. I believe Jin Ling said it's next week." XiChen informed him.

Uncle Qiren stroked his beard.

"However, they are insisting on Brother Wei's attendance." He added.

"Insisting?" Uncle Qiren was  about to take a sip of tea, but he put his cup down abruptly.

"Mn." Lan Zhan said, looking very serious.

"Why did they not ask the Sect Leader? Their wording does not sit well with me." He turned to Wei Ying. "Do you know why? What could be the reason for this insult?"

"Insult?" Wei Ying asked, reminded of why he had been slightly terrified of Uncle Qiren as a teenager.

"Of course, it is an insult. If they want you to attend, they should be begging you for it, not demanding. And you are free to choose, let there be no mistake in your mind. If you choose not to attend, we are standing by your decision." Uncle Qiren patted his knee.

Jiang Cheng's eyes widened at this show of affection.

"Indeed, Brother Wei. This is your family first, and Sect second. We all stand with you." XiChen agreed.

Wei Ying was looking down at his blurry teacup now, having no words to say at that.

Lan Zhan pulled him closer proudly and kissed his temple, not really caring that there were others present.

"How do you feel about going?" Jiang Cheng asked, with feeling.

If there was anyone who knew how apprehensive Wei Ying was about Koi Tower, the many bad memories he associated with that place, it was himself.

"I'm not gonna lie, I hate going there." Wei Ying said, straight away. "I kind of thought I might be forced to go, you know, just to keep relations good between the clans."

"Things are very different now, than before." XiChen told him. "A lot has to do with how you looked after certain people at a time of uncertainty. Many have not forgotten that. I would want you to know, you do not have to do anything you are not comfortable with. That's a promise."

"Thank you." Jiang Cheng said, before Wei Ying could. "You know my brother too well, he's the sort who would hurt himself first if it meant saving someone else."

"Mn." Lan Zhan added with a sour look at the man trying to hide in his white robes.

"So what answer shall I give them?" XiChen asked.

"I really don't know. I mean, I don't want to go...but at the same time, I'm curious. Why do they want me there so badly? And as Lan Zhan pointed out, why go through Jin Ling? Why not ask you directly?" Wei Ying tapped his nose, thinking.

"It's a puzzle indeed. One I think, we cannot answer by ourselves." XiChen smiled.

"Do not tell them anything, for now." Uncle Qiren advised. "Let them wait. If they send more messages, give them vague answers, that way, Wei WuXian can decide by himself. No rush." He added meaningfully.

*******

Later, Lan Zhan, was pouring out tea for the both of them, and watching Wei Ying, who was deep in thought.

"Wei Ying."

"Wei Ying."

The second time, Wei Ying looked up into golden eyes filled with concern. Lan Zhan opened his arms as soon as he had the other's attention.

Wei Ying stood up and went to join him.

"This is nice." He said, being held close.

"Mn." Lan Zhan agreed. "Missed Wei Ying."

"You missed me?" Wei Ying asked him in surprise, leaning back to see his face.

"Mn."

"But Lan Zhan, I have not been apart from you. Like at all."

Lan Zhan wouldn't look at him. He pouted.

"I cannot resist you when you do that!" Wei Ying managed to say before he was kissing pliant lips, ready and waiting for more.

"But I need to know." Wei Ying said, finally against his soft lips.

He raised Lan Zhan's face with a finger.

"Why do you think I wasn't with you?"

"Wei Ying is in high demand. That's why." Lan Zhan admitted.

Wei Ying threw his arms around Lan Zhan's neck enthusiastically.

"Alright, I guess people were a little high in taking my attention. How about I make it up to you?" He beamed, those silver eyes sparkling with something.

"Mn?" Lan Zhan looked terribly excited.

Wei Ying traced the bare skin on Lan Zhan's neck up to the crease where the fabric stopped his progress. Then he leaned down and kissed the spot, as golden eyes darkened. His fingertips traced the bare skin on his own neck, slowly revealing an inch at a time. And then, before he went further, he withdrew his own headband from his sleeve, shimmied out of his pants and tied it around his thigh.

Lan Zhan could not be blamed for what happened next.