Wei Ying was skim-reading the previous articles on his phone, while Lan Zhan’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, waiting for him to respond.

"I'm trying to get a feel for the writer." He explained. "Some of this seems to be correct, but they are tossing in unbelievable things…and my gut is telling me those parts are on purpose."

"Mn. That's what I thought. And that's why I think we can ask them a question and they are going to be honest about it. We can try, right?" Lan Zhan says, and an unintentional smile lifts his lips.

Wei Ying notices.

"What?" He asks, self-consciously.

"Nothing…I am simply admiring my boyfriend." Lan Zhan turns back to the screen, as if he doesn't know what he's doing.

"Terrorist…that's what you are!" Wei Ying mumbles to himself, red-faced but smiling.

Lan Zhan slips an arm around his waist, pulling him closer.

There's not long to go before Wei Ying has to leave for his first shift at the Coffee Carousel, and Lan Zhan is all too aware of the passing seconds. But since he has asked Wei Ying to think about leaving his job already, he can't say anything more, just yet.

But he still feels impatient about it.

And then he has the brightest idea.

While Wei Ying is still reading, he pops into the kitchen and quickly prepares snacks for later when they'll return with the children after school. Then it's just a few extra minutes getting the prep done for the evening meal. Tonight, he thinks they might enjoy spaghetti. It might be messy with six year olds…but isn't that part of the fun?

He remembers eating with his uncle and older brother; his chopsticks had a bunny topper, so he could learn how to use them properly. He thought back to how he pretended not to have mastered this skill, just so he could keep using the bunny addition.

To this day, he thinks both uncle and Xiongzhang were onto him, but they never said anything.

It is moments like this he wishes for his new family.

When Wei Ying said he had been alone up until now, it had caused Lan Zhan a physical pain. His heart organ might not be functioning, but how it was connected to his feelings was as right as rain, and it was hard not to be affected by the hardships suffered by his mate.

The truth was, Lan Zhan wanted to take over Wei Ying’s life, to protect him from the things that might cause him pain. He wanted to provide for Wei Ying, A-Yuan and JingYi, the latter now under the umbrella named 'His People' with the others.

But Wei Ying was a sensitive person, and the last thing Lan Zhan wanted was for him to feel obligated in any way. He was going to have to ease Wei Ying into a lighter way of life, even better if Wei Ying made better decisions to help himself.

Lan Zhan was convinced that all Wei Ying needed was the sunshine of love, and the fertiliser of self confidence, and he would flourish, growing towards the sun all by himself. And that being the case, Lan Zhan was going to be there for him.

All the way.

He goes back into the living room, feeling energised and ready to tackle whatever comes at them.

"Ready?" Wei Ying turns to him, the brightest smile on his face.

Lan Zhan cannot resist.

He sits down with practised, effortless elegance, and takes that beautiful face in his hands. His lips hover, watching the delightful way Wei Ying’s eyes flutter closed, the cutest pout on his pink lips and Lan Zhan swoops in.

Kissing this beautiful man seems like a life mission, one that Lan Zhan doesn't mind pursuing. His whole body feels lighter, tingles of euphoria tickling his belly. It's like travelling in a too-fast elevator, the way his stomach flips with anticipation. It's the best feeling.

Lan Zhan is completely gone for him.

The kiss deepens unintentionally, and naturally, as if they are powerless to fight against these feelings, sucked into the vortex of their love. It only seems to be getting stronger, and as the soft fragrance of vanilla and lotus flowers surrounds them, Lan Zhan pauses, something stuttering to a stop in his chest.

Wei Ying chooses that moment to open his stunning eyes, the silver of his gaze piercing through the thoughts in his head.

His hand is a warmth on Lan Zhan’s cheek.

"What happened, my love?" Wei Ying asks him, tenderly.

"Love Wei Ying." Lan Zhan wraps his arms around him, hiding his face in Wei Ying's embrace.

These emotions are overwhelming, like a powerful waterfall pounding into his body and obliterating anything that might stand in its way.

"Lucky for you, I love you, too."

Wei Ying tries to make light of this, but Lan Zhan hears the crack in his voice. They both need a few minutes.

To distract himself, Wei Ying runs his hands through Lan Zhan’s hair.

"Does this mean you won't be able to grow your hair?" He asks randomly. "I mean, I love the length it's at right now, just wondering, that's all." He tugs at the ends experimentally.

Lan Zhan makes a noise and Wei Ying looks into his eyes. Previously all gold with shining flecks of amber, but now they're almost completely black with desire.

"I'll save that for tonight…shall I?" Wei Ying laughs nervously.

What they want to do and what they have time for, are two very different things.

He pointedly lets go of Lan Zhan and pulls the laptop closer to him.

It takes Lan Zhan a few moments to return to normal.

This hunger for Wei Ying, to consume him, ravage him, take him over…it was so strong. Lan Zhan has never felt like that before. It was almost animalistic, a baser need that didn't require thinking at all, just a need to conquer and devour.

They haven't got time to think about this now and Lan Zhan is too shaken to bring it up now…and he doesn't want to scare Wei Ying, not when the strength of those thoughts were frightening to him already.

"So…shall I ask them how vampirism began? Like…who started it?" Wei Ying asks.

"Mn." Lan Zhan has never been so grateful to himself before, that his usual one word answers are so normal, his reticence to speak isn't questioned.

He watches Wei Ying’s fingers fly over the keyboard and has to look away; how can one small ever-so-efficient action be so hot?

"Oh look, they're online." Wei Ying says, excitedly. He leans forward in eager anticipation.

Three dots appear and vanish in quick succession, implying that the recipient is typing something.

"I'm glad all of this is encrypted. Good foresight on their behalf." Wei Ying comments.

"Mn. But…everything is born out of necessity. The encryption must be there because whoever digs deep enough must be putting themselves in danger." Lan Zhan says, shocked by the thought.

Wei Ying clutches at his knee.

"Oh, my God, you're right!" He taps his nose. "It explains the glyph, and keeping things quiet on their end. Let's test this person."

"Mn?"

Curiosity overrides everything else now.

"Look."

On the screen, words appear.

DEPENDS ON YOU. DO YOU WANT THE TRUTH? OR A NOVELLA?

Truth.

Wei Ying types it out faster than Lan Zhan can think.

The three pulsing dots reappear, this time for a much longer time.

Wei Ying presses closer to Lan Zhan, their thighs touching, and then he reaches across to clasp their hands together. It's the sweetest sensation of being warmed on one side for Lan Zhan.

Luckily, he has gotten himself under control once more, and he can enjoy the innocence of their positions.

IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, CAME ABOUT BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE WAS LOOKING FOR A WAY TO PROLONG THEIR LIFE.

What kind of accident?

THE DANGEROUS KIND. MAYBE IT'S BETTER TO CALL IT AN EXPERIMENT GONE WRONG.

Are they still alive?

DEPENDS ON YOUR DEFINITION OF THAT WORD…BUT, NO. I DON'T THINK SO.

What happened to them?

POLITICS. EVERYONE WANTS TO BE THE TOP GUY.

Wei Ying snickers.

"Mn?" Lan Zhan is at a loss to what this lovely man is finding funny.

"Well, before your arrival and my introduction to Papapa, my mind was definitely pure as the driven snow. Now? It resides in the gutter…" Wei Ying giggles now, probably because he has thought of something highly inappropriate.

Lan Zhan is still in the dark.

"It's just that my response to that," he points to the last line F4keSt0ries typed out, "is, not everyone. I'm perfectly happy being a bottom." He laughs outright at Lan Zhan now.

Lan Zhan pulls the laptop towards himself in lieu of Wei Ying's teenage brain taking over.

What's the name of their leader?

He types out his question and waits anxiously.

The discovery of this person might actually lead to solid information. Lan Zhan actually feels giddy at the thought.

I DON'T HAVE MANY RULES, BUT NO NAMES IS ON TOP OF THE LIST. THIS IS TO PROTECT BOTH OF US, IN THE EVENT THAT EITHER OF US ARE COMPROMISED.

They both lean back in disappointment.

"I should have known better. It wouldn't be that easy." Wei Ying slumps against him.

"Mn, but we can ask other questions, just as important." Lan Zhan starts typing.

What do you know about glyphs? More specifically, Moon Glyphs?

QUITE A BIT, ACTUALLY. WHAT DID YOU SEE? CAN YOU DESCRIBE IT?

Lan Zhan is about to type his answer, when Wei Ying’s alarm goes off.

"I'm coming with you," he replies instead, to a question which didn't need to be asked.

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

The Coffee Carousel is quiet this morning.

That's why Wei Ying is able to pick up the call from Wen Qing. MianMian throws him a curious look when he says her name.

Lan Zhan is sitting close by, in the corner with his laptop open. He's been working solidly since they came in at around ten in the morning.

After their question about the Glyphs, since they had to halt Internet activity until they reached the coffee shop, nothing else popped up. Lan Zhan has kept the tab open and started working on architectural projects which should have been completed last week.

Fortunately, his name has become one of the most sought after in the industry, and clients are willing to wait for him instead of the other way around. He's been very productive today, which is great news for XiChen too.

It's unintentionally buttering him up, since they'll be going to get his car later on this evening. But Lan Zhan can't help overhearing the conversation between Wen Qing and Wei Ying, because he remembered that Wen Qing promised results from Wei Ying’s blood test.

Another question Lan Zhan has is why Wen Qing didn't say anything when she saw the colour of his blood? As a doctor, heck, anyone would question it…right?

But Lan Zhan didn't want to upset Wei Ying by mentioning it before…now though, it's at the forefront of his mind.

If she was not surprised, that meant she had come across something similar before…

WY: Hi, A-Qing! What's up?

WQ: How are you feeling?

WY: Absolutely peachy!

There's a pause, and Lan Zhan imagines her rolling her eyes.

WY: Was there a reason for calling? MianMian is making eyes at me. I bet she's jelly…

WQ: I'll call her after. This is important.

Something in her tone makes Wei Ying seek out Lan Zhan. Alarm is barely hidden in those mysteriously stormy eyes, as he makes his way over to where Lan Zhan is sitting.

Lan Zhan has been unable to look away since this conversation began. He doesn't care that Wei Ying knows he's been listening all this time.

WY: Alright, I'm sitting down. Hit me.

WQ: I wish I could.

Wei Ying splutters out a laugh.

At least it dispels the tension.

WQ: There's something you should see, and I'd prefer you come directly to the lab.

WY: Alright. But I can't tonight, or tomorrow. Sunday is the only time I…we can make it.

Wei Ying glances at Lan Zhan, smiling and squeezing their joined hands.

Lan Zhan is happier that Wei Ying seems to have accepted him fully in his life….because if he thought for one second, that Lan Zhan wasn't going to go with him…

WY: What's up though? Is it our test?

WQ: I can't talk about it now. Besides, it's better if you see for yourself. I gotta go.

The line dies and Wei Ying hangs up.

"I wonder what she's talking about." Wei Ying says.

But there's no time to discuss anything because a coach load of teenagers enter and Wei Ying has to go back to work.

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

"Today is the last day of school." Wei Ying tells Lan Zhan, because Lan Zhan is helping him bring home an armload of paintings and artwork projects which A-Yuan has done in the last six weeks of school. "One week of holiday to come."

"Mn." Lan Zhan is thinking about his brother and when he's coming to see them. "XiChen will join us for dinner, after we get my car."

"Really? It'll be nice to see him. A-Yuan likes his new uncles." Wei Ying beams back at him, nudging him with his elbow, lightly teasing him.

"I like A-Yuan." Lan Zhan says, feeling a little shy.

They get the children settled with snacks and doing their homework, giving them the incentive that they wouldn't have to think about it until next week.

And then, there was a knock on the door.