Lan Zhan knew the exact moment Wei Ying activated Chenqing and used the HeartStone. Mid-fight, arms up and defending himself from the onslaught of determined, savage creatures, they stopped at the same time that he found he couldn't do anything.

Baoshan Sanren had called it, leading him aside when the opportunity presented itself as Wei Ying drifted over to say something to his uncle, a while back.

"Listen." Her sharp tone alerted Lan Zhan that this wasn't going to be an ordinary conversation. "When the time comes, we are going to protect him." She glances over to where Wei Ying has thrown back his head and laughed out loud.

The action of it, his mirth, flows through his body with rippling waves of pleasure.

"His enemies must know something of his skill, given their deployment of earplugs. In that scenario, I am going to make sure he survives, first and foremost." Her tone is determined, and unapologetic.

Lan Zhan hadn't even thought that far ahead. And he appreciated her forethought. She knew that if Wei Ying found out about this, he would have protested, hence her sneaky conversation.

And just before the battle started, all her prime fighters had already arranged themselves like a circular shield around Wei Ying and himself.

And now?

Frozen in time, he could only watch as the music intensified and the shrill notes rang out into the air all around him, echoing off the walls and striking fear into the opposing army.

Wei Ying...

His beautiful beloved had found a way.

His playing seems to control the space in between them, and time stands still. He watches how the confusion builds in the enemy, and quickly turns into fear, already paralysed beings made to commit a most gruesome crime. Their own swords are lifted by their hands and bidden to sever their own necks.

He feels cocooned somehow and he knows without a doubt that the HeartStone has agreed to Wei Ying's mastery of it, and together, today, they will beat the Wens.

When he is freed from what he could only describe as a bubble of protection, he goes to stand as close to Wei Ying as possible, without disturbing him.

Wei Ying looks amazing as always, but right now? In this moment, wisps of his silky hair float around his face, his eyes closed in a serene concentration. His cream silk shirt clings to his heavenly body, a second skin, above wine coloured trousers. Lan Zhan can feel a little smug about that; he had bought the outfit on the premise that it was going to look great on his boyfriend, and he was so right!

He couldn't wait to go home and show his appreciation for this magnificent sight.

Wei Ying looked supremely confident, in control and powerful, radiant with it.

His gaze flickers first to Wen Zhong, and then Baoshan Sanren. But he has to force himself to keep looking at the former, through all the changes in his expression, from his arrogant belief that he could still survive this, to the sudden fear as he sees what Wei Ying is wearing around his neck. The black whispering tendrils of Resentment energy have completely covered him now, and death is waiting by his side.

Baoshan Sanren lifts up her swords and finishes him.

Lan Zhan is surprised at himself.

He feels nothing.

Not relief, not the dissipation of his anger, nor happiness that the monster is finally dead.

This is the person who spared no second thought before ruthlessly attacking him, changing his life forever. He thought he had made his peace with it, when Wen Chao died, and in many ways, perhaps he had.

But now there is only a void inside him, a hardened, hollow sphere of nothingness deeply buried. Lan Zhan isn't going to go anywhere near it just yet.

He watches as Wei Ying looks as if he's chatting to someone...or something, although there is only an empty spacein front of him. And then he nods as if he's saying goodbye, and Lan Zhan can see Chenqing vibrate. Wei Ying releases the only surviving members of Baoshan Sanren's team, and cheers break out because they saw what happened to Wen Zhong and his followers.

They are quietly respectful towards Wei Ying now, and perhaps even a little afraid, of this man who fearlessly wielded such a powerful tool and brought them back from the brink of certain defeat.

This victory is only possible because of Wei Ying's dedication to his grandfather, and his family.

Lan Zhan is watching Wei Ying closely, and he sees when Wei Ying sways because of fatigue. As he finally lowers his flute, he staggers back, his body drained of all energy.

Lan Zhan is there, ready to catch him. This time when Wei Ying closes his beautiful eyes, it's because all of this, losing Lan Zhan and the stress of coming here, plus the enormous amount of pressure he must have put on himself and the consequent fight where he was forced to take centre stage, all of it has taken a toll on him.

He's been awake for more than thirty six hours and he needs to rest now.

Lan Zhan picks him up, hoisting him into his arms.

"Thanksss...love," he slurs with a tired smile, not even enough energy left to open his eyes now.

"Sleep, Wei Ying."

His deep voice relaxes Wei Ying so that all tension leaves his body and he slumps against Lan Zhan, completely gone.

"You can take him back to my place," Baoshan Sanren tells him. "We can stay here and help Wen Qing deal with everything."

At the mention of the Doctor's name, Lan Zhan looks up to see that Wen Qing has climbed her way up to where Wen Ning is, and guides him down. He looks perfectly fine, if a little dazed. Since the person who compelled him is dead, it seems the compulsion has vanished by itself and Wen Ning is okay, back to his usual self.

He waits until she's closer, before choosing his words carefully.

Wen Zhuliu is sitting on the floor, looking shell-shocked and really out of it.

"When he's ready, could you please explain to him," Lan Zhan gestures towards him, "that Wen Zhong admitted to killing his whole family in order to get him on board with whatever he had planned. He wouldn't listen to me before."

"Of course." Wen Qing says agreeably. She glances at Wei Ying and brushes away the loose hair on his face, and she smiles faintly. "I'm so glad he found you. It's the best thing to happen to him."

"I think that applies more to me than him." Lan Zhan replies, quite certainly.

It is a belief that he will maintain for the rest of his life, no matter how long it will be.

"Whatever." Wen Qing rolls her eyes. "He just needs to rest and hydrate, and eat properly when he wakes up."

Lan Zhan nods, pleased that she is finally thawing out. Perhaps having the overhanging threat of the senior Wens and the possible harm they could and would inflict upon their hostage disappearing from her life has a lot to do with it.

At least it will make Wei Ying happier, to know that they're getting along much better now.

****************

It is only when Lan Zhan pulls up in the parking lot outside the National Park and Recs centre that he realises, all the people he knows here are over at the Wen Laboratories building.

He feels sad at that part, as he rises out of the driver's seat with a natural elegance, unfolding his long legs easily. He opens the back passenger door and effortlessly picks up a sleeping Wei Ying, carefully holding him close.

A movement spied from the corner of his eye almost has Lan Zhan's fangs coming out to play, but when he sees that it's just Da Tuzi, they quickly retreat.

The older dhamphir comes to him immediately, his dark eyes worried as they glance at his mate, before returning to stare at Lan Zhan again.

Lan Zhan has always thought Da Tuzi was far more perceptive than he let on, and then he supposed that it was a necessity given his profession. And his service to the the Lan family and that of his ancestors, made it a useful skill.

To know what was needed before it was asked for, was a worthy life skill, and spoke more about his efficiency in his job and his obvious care and regard for his employers than anything else.

"He is unharmed, just tired." Lan Zhan murmurs.

"Ah, I see. And the situation...is it contained?" Da Tuzi asks him.

Always with so much care.

"Mn."

"Then I will show you to your quarters here. Baoshan Sanren has prepared a suite for your stay." He turns around and makes his way to the elevator.

Lan Zhan follows, admitting to himself that he had not thought that far in advance; he had assumed that he and Wei Ying could crash on the sofa in Baoshan Sanren's office, though he couldn't deny that the idea of a bed sounded impossibly good right now.

Da Tuzi fills him in on what had happened at the Lan Manor overnight, and how efforts were being made in the clean up process.

Lan Zhan is shocked.

He hadn't expected Wen Zhong or Wen Ruohan to be so bold, to attack them so directly like that. And it had been a well-timed, well thought out plan, to hit them when they were most vulnerable, still reeling from Lan Zhan's kidnapping.

If they hadn't taken out the Wens tonight, then they would have had to spend the rest of their lives protecting their children from the promised threat of being hurt by them, or worse. The Wens would have stopped at nothing to get their vile hands on both of their children.

And then with a jolt, Lan Zhan realises that it has been far too long since he has spoken with anyone from home, and his children will be worried. Not only them, but Uncle and brother too, because his brother was there with Wei Ying when Lan Zhan had been taken.

No matter, his first priority would be to get Wei Ying settled and then he would talk to their family.

"What time is it, Da Tuzi?"

"Nearly seven in the evening, Sir. Still time to call the little ones, if you aren't too tired." Da Tuzi adds to his answer. "I was thinking of returning to your home, once we knew what was going on. Is there anything I should tell them?"

"Just that we are all safe, and that Wei Ying is asleep right now, but he will call them when he wakes up. I shall also inform them."

Da Tuzi nods, and then the doors open on a rather elegant, rich looking floor.

It was a suite, with a generous open lounge area, decorated in the Wei family colours. They favoured dark crimson and vivid scarlet, accentuated with dashes of black and highlights of gold.

This place was no different, and yet there was something satisfying and comforting about being surrounded by Wei Ying's favourite shades.

Da Tuzi opens a door on the side.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Sir?"

"No. And Da Tuzi?" Lan Zhan puts Wei Ying down on the bed so his hands are free.

Da Tuzi waits by the door, his hand still on the doorknob. "Yes, Sir?"

"Thank you. For everything you have done for us, and everything you still are doing for us. We might not be vocal about it, but you are important to all of us." With that, Lan Zhan wraps his arms around the man, surprising him with this rare show of emotion.

"It has been my pleasure," Da Tuzi tells him, full of sincerity.

And with that, he leaves, closing the door behind them.

Wei Ying is still sleeping when Lan Zhan turns around. It is a simple matter to change their clothes and finally, finally be able to lie down next to each other.

Lan Zhan will not sleep, because he does not need that. What he needs more than anything else is to hold Wei Ying in his arms and simply relish the fact.

Wei Ying is here.

Lan Zhan is here.

And they are both safe.