The sight that met Wei Ying’s silver eyes, bright with anticipation was a matching eagerness alighting those beautiful golden eyes, watching him back with a territorial gaze.

Lan Zhan’s teeth were very sharp, surprising for a vegetarian, having been on the receiving end of their bite for a few years now...however the difference between carnivorous and herbivorous mammals was not of the slightest interest to him right now.

With those same white teeth, glistening in the light of the candle by their side, Lan Zhan pulled on the ties that held his husband's robes together.

When Wei Ying would have extinguished the flickering flame, Lan Zhan spoke one word.

"Don't."

Wei Ying wasn't sure what had come over his husband suddenly, but he felt quite anxious...in the best of ways.

He raised a brow, not sure if talking was allowed.

"I want to see you." Lan Zhan told him, his big warm hands at Wei Ying’s hips, the heat of which spread through that point of contact, setting his skin on fire.

And he was still fully clothed, Wei Ying lamented.

May I speak?

Wei Ying used their mental connection, delighting in the way he could empower his husband by simply doing whatever he requested. But the strangest thing was, by seemingly giving him something as precious as that...Wei Ying felt as if he was the powerful one out of the two of them.

Such was the magnitude and the depth of their love, that by relying on each other, they only became stronger.

Is it necessary?

Lan Zhan’s reply had him seriously questioning that.

He shook his head, aware that Lan Zhan had stopped doing whatever it was he had started, only to gaze down at him.

There were so many emotions in complete harmony, swirling within the depths of those cherished golden eyes. If Wei Ying had to decipher them all, he would start by saying that love was dominant force, making him glow from an inner light. Each one of those brilliant golden facets reflected back another emotion; there was a fondness, an adoration, there was jubilation and there was joy. Together with a curiosity...and lastly, a small fear.

"Why are you scared, my love?" Wei Ying picked it out first, choosing to deal with negative ones before the others.

His beloved had suffered too much...and Wei Ying wanted to ease his worries away.

"I will forever be afraid of parting from you."

Lan Zhan’s deep voice sent shivers across his warm skin, cooler now.

Wei Ying sat up, cradling his beautiful face.

"My love....my heart....I am and always will be with you. I think the Universe finally gave in and let us be together...this was our final gift. We are both immortal...but we're so much stronger than that now. You don't have to worry...ever again." And then he giggled. "Cannot get rid of me even if you tried!" But his voice was wet with emotion.

Lan Zhan covered his naughty lips with his own, sealing that promise with a reverence, a kiss to remove all doubts. His Wei Ying’s lips were so soft, and yet simply intoxicating. Lan Zhan felt drugged and he was fully willing to carry on tasting the delight which was his husband...but he had plans...and so with a teasing bite to the bottom of Wei Ying's lip, he soothed away the sting with his hot tongue.

Wei Ying was in heaven...

If he had found out earlier what a joy it was to be finally kissing the one...he would have kissed Lan Zhan much faster...maybe even during his punishment of writing out the rules all those years ago.

"I was not ready then..." Lan Zhan said, resting his forehead against Wei Ying’s.

Wei Ying realised that he had let Lan Zhan hear his last thoughts.

"What do you think you would have done to me then?" Wei Ying whispered, revelling in the quiet magic of this moment.

"Probably more punishment...maybe for the both of us..." He admitted, and there was a trace of regret in his face.

"I must say, I don't mind any punishment as long as you are the one administrating it." Wei Ying kissed him again, impossibly turned on at the thought of having those hands on his body. "But I cannot stand the thought of anyone hurting you, my love."

His eyes flashed red, just enough that Lan Zhan caught a glimpse of his power and felt a bolt of pure electricity fire through his body.

"Would Wei Ying defend my honour?" Lan Zhan asked him, a teasing glint reflecting back.

Wei Ying hugged him tightly as if to protect him from an imaginary threat. His tongue came out to play, licking into the shell of his hot ears, always and forevermore a delight and irresistible treat for him to savour.

"You better believe it." His hot breath ghosted into the receptacle.

Lan Zhan felt in awe of him, flooded by simple love.

No one has ever stood up for me.

The thought had come from nowhere.

But it was true.

Wei Ying gasped with pain upon hearing that thought in his head.

Only XiChen had stood with his brother on occasion...but even he could not prevent the terrible wrath of the Lan Elders.

"Maybe that's why I'm here, my love." He promised.

I will take down any that threaten you, bodily or otherwise. I will never let anything come between us now, not ever.

I know. And I believe you...it is the same for me. Let anyone try and harm a hair from your head.

The veiled threat shone out.

Wei Ying pushed him down, claiming his lips with ardent urgency. He felt as if he would die if he didn't kiss Lan Zhan now.

Lan Zhan let himself be taken, this new strength of his husband both a relief and an aphrodisiac. He wrapped his arms tighter around his slim waist, molding his body to the one above him, enthusiastically exploring his mouth with careful attention.

Wei Ying’s hot little tongue came out to play, teasing Lan Zhan into a sparring match, and Lan Zhan let him have his way...for a few seconds only.

Then he flipped them back, swallowing Wei Ying’s yelp of surprise.

They both panted, trying to get their breath back.

"I may need to improve on my talisman...the one for chapped lips..." Wei Ying panted out, unable to stop smiling.

"Mn." Lan Zhan looked down on him, feeling a reverent gratefulness that he was here.

"Do you think..." Wei Ying was saying. "You were so strong before...the whole immortal thing...and do you think it only added to your already strong muscles?" His finger traced Lan Zhan’s biceps.

But as his robes had fallen loose because they were no longer confined by his robes, Lan Zhan was understandably distracted. His hungry eyes were almost feral.

Wei Ying swallowed hard.

"What did you have in mind?" He whispered.

Lan Zhan looked like he wanted to devour him...

Those golden eyes flickered up to meet his silver ones.

Wei Ying shivered.

"I am going to learn." Lan Zhan said, in a low voice.

"Learn?" A nervous giggle burst out from his mouth. Wei Ying could not resist teasing him. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

"Mn. And I will gag you if Wei Ying does not let me concentrate."

Giddy with excitement, Wei Ying could only nod.

In a flash, Lan Zhan whisked off his forehead ribbon and wrapped it around Wei Ying’s wrists. His robes had fallen all the way off with that action, and now, bare chested, he was tied up to the bed frame.

Need and desire fought for dominance on his face as he gasped at Lan Zhan’s speed.

Mine.

Yours.

"My forehead ribbon...it has always been yours. It belongs only to Wei Ying. As I do." Lan Zhan bent down and kissed the place above his heart.

As I am only yours.

Lan Zhan raised himself up, his fingers hovering at the ties of Wei Ying's trousers now.

"Mine." He promised.

And then he pounced.

**********

A/N

Dear Fabulous readers,

I hope this makes up for the hasty chapter last night.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Writing WangXian fluff is the best part of my day. I'm so lucky to be able to do that, and I'm so lucky to be able to share with you all.

Thank you so much for sticking with me.

Charlie.