Wei Ying had a good start to his day today, for a most welcome change.

Though it was at the cost of a good night's sleep, he didn't mind that part too much because he managed to get A-Yuan to school bright and early. JingYi and another teacher had been there, assuring him it was okay for him to leave his child.

Wei Ying was pleasantly surprised because now he had a bit more time before his shift started at the Coffee Carousel.

He wasn't surprised at his restless night, though.

The card in his pocket was a burning a hole in his head and he was beating himself up with the guilt of not saying anything to the brother, Lan XiChen about Lan WangJi being safe and in his home.

He had hoped to be able to talk to Lan WangJi about it when he came home last night/early this morning, but his guest was fast asleep. Wei Ying had taken his temperature once more and was relieved to find it had dropped to thirty five degrees centigrade, which was so close to normal that he never gave it a second thought, being shattered from his nightshift.

Su She was being a royal pain up his backside by arguing with the cleaner of the bar and firing him on the spot, then announcing that someone would have to sweep and mop the floors before going home. When Wei Ying finished that, he was informed that the cleaner had yet to do the toilets too, so it made Wei Ying so much later to come back home.

PoPo was asleep with A-Yuan in his bedroom and when Wei Ying went into the kitchen, he found a note telling him his dinner was in the refrigerator and all he had to do was heat it up.

While he ate, his thoughts drifted to Lan XiChen and after that, Wei Ying couldn’t get him out of his head. He tossed and turned for hours before deciding to shower early. He even managed to go grocery shopping and make breakfast for PoPo too before she left to go back home.

Hence the early start to his day.

A-Yuan had hugged him and kissed his cheek; it still felt warm in his heart from that affection as Wei Ying came home. He tossed his keys into the bowl by the door and quickly did some maths.

If he found Lan Zhan just after midnight before last, and it was coming up to nine in the morning, that meant it had been thirty three hours since he'd found the beautiful man unconscious in the alley.

Fevers usually lasted twenty four hours so if his guest wasn't awake now, Wei Ying was going to call 911.

Wei Ying removed his shoes and marched towards his bedroom door.

Lan WangJi was still lying there, on his bed.

There was a pleasant aroma in the air too…reminding Wei Ying of temples and meditation….incense…sandalwood! He sniffed it again, taking greedy nosefuls and filling up his lungs.

Was the man still asleep?

Wei Ying looked at his watch.

He still had half an hour before he had to leave.

Right next to Lan WangJi, Wei Ying put two fingers under his nose to check for breathing.

Two things happened immediately.

Those beautiful golden eyes shot open.

And his wrist was grabbed.

Firmly.

Wei Ying was so startled, he stumbled back.

Lan WangJi followed, effortlessly graceful in a single fluid motion, towering over him.

**********

Lan Zhan felt the change instantly.

He woke up and stretched, feeling…invincible.

His strength was back in full force. He could open his eyes and nothing hurt anymore. In fact…apart from the hunger of yesterday which was back in full force, he had never felt better.

His sharper senses told him someone was climbing up the stairs to the apartment and he was able to smell that fabulous man even before he entered his home. Lan Zhan heard him take off his shoes, the clatter of metal as he tossed his keys into the ceramic bowl…and all the while, his scent grew stronger and stronger.

Immediately, Lan Zhan bit his own lip and licked away the fresh blood, long past any residual disgust he may have felt at that ages ago…before.

Before he was attacked.

And then this happened to him.

This change.

The stranger walked into the bedroom and Lan Zhan forced himself to stay lying down, to not move at all…but it was so hard! His scent was the strongest now, vanilla and lotus flower…and it was fast becoming his most favourite smell.

And then…the unthinkable happened.

Lan Zhan was half hoping that if he remained still, the stranger would go away and Lan Zhan could find a way to control his raging desire to possess, to bite, to lick, to…taste.

It was an insatiable want, as if this one desire would satisfy his every need. This tantalising taste was everything Lan Zhan wanted and it was right here!

The beautiful stranger was right next to him and Lan Zhan could hear every single beat of his heart…not his own though.

And in his confusion, that's when the stranger decided to get too close.

Lan Zhan was up and ready and in his face in a split second.

Staring into wondrous silver eyes that reminded him of diamond lit midnight skies, gorgeous and bright, taking away his ability to think.

Fear.

That's what stopped him.

He could smell fear in the other's blood, a chemical reaction to his own aggressive move, and Lan Zhan was disgusted at himself. He leapt back and suddenly, he was on the other side of the bed, separating himself from the stranger.

Wei Ying had backed away from the stunning man, until he realised he had nowhere to go. The window was behind him and Lan WangJi stood between him and the door.

Only his bed separated them.

The silence grew heavy, thick with tension.

Wei Ying was scared.

The predatory look he had seen in the other's eyes was real and for the first time in his life he was worried about getting hurt.

Or worse.

This was practically a stranger.

In his home.

And he, Wei Ying, was alone.

If things took a turn down misfortune alley, Wei Ying had no one to blame but himself. After all, he had helped this guy into his life.

What about A-Yuan?

Wei Ying shivered at the ice cold fear in the pit of his stomach now.

If something happened to him…then A-Yuan would have no one…at least he was safely in school at the moment.

All these thoughts ran through his mind and he almost missed what the stranger said.

"Stop that." It was a command.

"Huh?" Wei Ying stared back, a deer in headlights, unable to move.

"You are scared. It smells bad." Lan WangJi wrinkled his nose in distaste.

Wei Ying discreetly sniffed his armpits. He hadn’t forgotten to shower…right?

"Your blood." Lan WangJi said, not even blinking. "I can smell your fear."

That sounded worse, and Lan Zhan cringed internally, wishing that his inability to articulate his thoughts had been cured too…but judging from the reaction on the beautiful man's face…he was making a mess of things.

Lan Zhan stepped back.

"I do not wish to harm you." He said clearly. "I can promise you that." He added, feeling that it was necessary to place weight upon his words.

And he was shocked to find it to be true.

In fact, as a direct reaction to the stranger's fear of him, something protective had reared its head in Lan Zhan’s mind, and he found he was willing to do anything to shield him from danger.

Even if that danger was himself.

Lan Zhan was trying to breathe through his mouth, hoping that if the tantalising, deliciousness of the man's scent was blocked from his olfactory senses, he would become less tempting…but it was worse.

Lan Zhan could taste the vanilla and sweetness of a Lotus flower upon his tongue…and he was overcome by a ravenous desire to taste…him.

He closed his eyes, remembering how he had overcome this intense hunger before. He bit his lip and licked away the blood as before, the action coming more naturally to him than it should have.

Only when he thought it was in part controllable did he risk opening his eyes.

He could smell curiosity now and more than a little interest in him now, though the fear was more of a background scent.

No matter, it was inconsequential now.

"What just happened? What did you do?" The beautiful man asked.

He stepped forward.

"I do not know. Whenever I feel hungry…it has made me feel better." Lan Zhan explained, seeing no need to hide anything.

He was glad that his need for honesty still remained intact.

"Since when…like…did you always do that?"

Rather than being disgusted, Lan Zhan found he was relieved that the man seemed even more curious.

Wei Ying did not know what to make of this guy.

To say that he was handsome, beautiful even was a grave understatement to the truth. He was devastatingly gorgeous and Wei Ying didn’t want to admit it, not even to himself that his fear was rooted in a deep attraction to him.

He couldn’t understand it himself either.

By rights, he was terrified.

But at the same time, when Lan WangJi told him to stop being afraid, Wei Ying believed him. And to further cement that, he even promised not to harm him.

But what about his poor heart?

Wei Ying could feel it battering against the confines of his ribs, as if once it got out, it would soar to the high heavens.

"Calm down." Lan WangJi said.

"I'm trying. It's not that easy, you know…" Wei Ying placed his hand over his own heart, because obviously it had not gotten the memo yet. He couldn't help scowling, either.

"Would you like me to leave?"

"NO!"

The question caught him off guard and Wei Ying hadn't meant to shout…but there it was.

No matter how dangerous this was…because Wei Ying was a realist, and completely understood the riskiness of this situation, he was going to see it through.

"Then?" Lan Zhan didn't know how to make this better. But he wanted to know.

"Okay…let me think." Wei Ying ran a hand through his hair, messing it up unintentionally.

Lan Zhan was itching to fix it…but he forced himself to stay motionless.

"Do you promise not to … bite me?" He said, finally.

Lan Zhan was flooded with desire…to do more than that. He bit his lip again and waited until the feelings lessened.

Then he nodded.

Wei Ying was going to trust him.

He knew it could turn into the worst, and last, most colossal mistake of his life…but he was prepared to risk it.

He jumped over the bed until he was standing right in front of Lan WangJi. He held his hand out, feeling suddenly terribly shy.

"My name is Wei WuXian…but you can call me Wei Ying."

Lan Zhan sniffed, sweetness flooding his mouth.

His new senses were extraordinary.

And this was so…pleasant.

"My name is Lan WangJi. I would prefer it if you called me Lan Zhan." He took that smooth, soft hand in his, and frowned at the rough texture on his fingertips.

This was a hard working man.

His protectiveness flared up again, and Lan Zhan pulled him into his arms without thinking about it. He loved this new strength…especially if it resulted in a flooding of warmth, the likeness of which he had never felt before, not even as a human.

Since he was no longer one.

He knew this.

How…he could not answer, but he was sure, as sure as water is wet.

Wei Ying was completely unprepared to be hugged so carefully.

As if he was the most precious thing in the world to this man.

Lan Zhan sighed.

If he could have this…this wonderful feeling of completeness…he felt like he could pay any price to keep it.

"You must be hungry…I can cook you something…" Wei Ying offered, the spicy fragrance of sandalwood enveloping him in a second hug.

"Steak. Rare…" This…this he was disgusted at. "I am a vegetarian." He added.

"Okay…so no judging here, you should eat whatever you want to…" Wei Ying was in two minds though, because he very much liked this…Lan Zhan was making him feel so safe…but he had seen his teeth…sharp canines that did not belong in a human mouth.

And…not to ruin the party, he had a job to get to.

"You are anxious? Why?" Lan Zhan asked him, but he didn't let go of him either.

"I have to get to work." Wei Ying explained. "And there's something I need to tell you." He did step back now.

Lan Zhan could smell his uncertainty too. He wrinkled his nose again, and he knew he didn't have to say anything; Wei Ying understood.

"Um…so, by any chance, were you coming to meet your brother at the bar? Love Bites?" Wei Ying pulled out Lan XiChen's card and handed it to him. "He came by last night…and he looked really upset."

Lan Zhan took it.

His pale finger traced the name on the card.

For a few minutes, no one spoke.

"Are you going to speak to him?" Wei Ying ventured. He had a crazy idea…but even worse than that, he hated the confused look on Lan Zhan’s face. But he decided to be brave. "For what it's worth, I think you should tell him that you're…safe. Just so he doesn't worry about you." At the look on Lan Zhan’s face, Wei Ying stepped forward with a hand on his arm, only thinking about making him feel better. "I'm not kicking you out…I just…I mean, you can stay here until you figure things out…that's all."

"Wei Ying thinks I should tell Xiongzhang…what?" Lan Zhan faltered.

"I don't know what exactly…I'm just …I guess if I was looking for my baby brother, I would want to know that he was alright and not dead in a ditch somewhere…that's all I got." Wei Ying also made himself shut up because, judging from the look on Lan Zhan’s face, he wasn't impressed with that explanation.

"But…Xiongzhang will ask questions. I do not have any answers."

He looked so lost, Wei Ying went willingly into his arms, hugging him.

"We can figure it out." He encouraged. "You're not alone, you know."

Lan Zhan carefully hugged him back.

He was unsure of his own strength and Wei Ying was a fragile human…this, he knew without a doubt.

"Alright, let's make phone calls first." Wei Ying took his hand and led him out of his bedroom, to the couch in the living room. He made Lan Zhan sit down. "Your brother has your phone…so here, use mine. Think about what you want to tell him first, then call him. I'm in the kitchen." He smiled kindly at Lan Zhan, handing him his phone.

Then he went into his little kitchen, and raided the fridge. He didn't have any steak, just child-friendly food. A-Yuan loved pizza rolls and fish fingers…there was no steak to be found in Wei Ying's home…maybe they could visit a restaurant?

By now, Wei Ying was getting late…and at the same time, he didn't want to leave Lan Zhan. Part of him was scared that Lan Zhan would be convinced to go home by his brother and that would be the end of his involvement in this matter.

A sharp pain ripped through his body at that, and he had no explanation for it.

Why should it matter to him if a virtual stranger went back to his life?

He heard a low voice coming from the living room and he knew Lan Zhan was speaking to his brother.

Well…one way or another…something was going to change.

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

"Xiongzhang…"

"WangJi! Where are you? What happened?!!"

Lan Zhan could hear the shock and worry in his brother's tone and he was grateful to Wei Ying for making him call his brother. But he still had no idea how to explain what was going on with himself.

"I was …" should he tell him the truth? Lan Zhan really wasn't sure. Wouldn't that make him worry more? "Xiongzhang…do you trust me?" He asked, finally.

"What kind of question is that?" XiChen sounded impatient. "Listen, I have your phone, and the tow company got in touch about your car. Do you need me to pick you up from somewhere?"

"Xiongzhang…I'm not coming home. Not yet." He added, quickly.

There was silence from the other end.

Lan Zhan could hear him breathing in and out, anxious little breaths that somehow translated into numbers in his head, and he could tell that XiChen's blood pressure was increasing.

"I have to figure some things out…first." It sounded lame to even him. But until he knew for sure what was going on with his body…with him…he refused to step outside of this apartment.

Wei Ying had meant it when he'd offered Lan Zhan a place to stay…his sincerity was clear as daylight.

"Are you…having some kind of midlife crisis right now?" XiChen was exasperated.

"Yes." Lan Zhan had no problem lying about that. And technically, he was having a crisis right now, just not the kind his brother thought.

The silence was dragging on.

"So…how long do you want to stay away?" XiChen sighed heavily into the speaker. "I mean…you've always talked to me. I had no idea you were going through … something." He admitted. "I feel like I've been a shitty brother."

Now it was Lan Zhan who felt bad.

"No. No…Xiongzhang…it's not you. I just need some time…that's all." He quickly reassured his brother. "I am lucky to have you…" but he wondered for how long?

"Do you have money?" XiChen asked him then.

Lan Zhan stood up and felt in his back pocket; his wallet was right there.

"Mn. I have cash and cards."

"Alright." Another pause. "Can I call you? On this number? Whose phone is this?" There was a sharpness suddenly in his voice.

"It is better for you not to know." Lan Zhan told him the truth.

"WangJi…?"

"Mn?"

"I'm…sorry. If it was anything I did. If it was Uncle….then I'm still sorry. You know what he's like…but he cares about us…in his own way."

Each word spoken was like acid on his heart…it hurt so much…and Lan Zhan could not say anything in return.

"Xiongzhang…it is better if you do not call me on this number. I will call you." He amended.

"When? WangJi…why does this feel like you're saying goodbye?" There was a sob on the other end.

Lan Zhan felt like the worst piece of trash.

"I thought…you would want to know that I am…safe." He didn't mean to sound bitter…but his brother was pushing him for answers he didn't have. Lan Zhan hated feeling cornered.

"I do! I am glad you're okay…" he sighed again. "If you really are okay…then…take as much time as you need."

"Thank you…Xiongzhang." Lan Zhan felt relieved for the first time since this excruciating conversation started.

"You don't have to say that, Didi."

Lan Zhan swallowed past the uncomfortable, huge lump in his throat. His brother hadn't called him that in so long…years.

"I guess…this is goodbye…then?" XiChen sounded resigned. And heartbroken.

"For now." Lan Zhan said softly, his finger hovering over the red telephone sign.

The dull tone on the other end rang continuously until Lan Zhan was forced to swipe across.

He wasn't sure how much time passed by, but he felt the warmth of Wei Ying's body as he sat down next to him.

Lan Zhan gave him the phone back.

Wei Ying quickly scrolled through favourites and grimaced, before speed-dialing the number.

"MianMian! How's my favourite boss?" He sounded too cheerful, listening to her reply. "Ahuh…ahuh…I see…I know I'm extremely late…no, this isn't me saying I'm going to be there…listen, something came up…"

There was a screech from the other side.

"IT'S NOT A-YUAN, RIGHT? IS HE OKAY?"

Wei Ying held the phone back from his ear, winking at Lan Zhan, who was leaning away from that offensively loud voice.

"No…he's at school. But I'm pulling a sickie." He coughed for good measure.

Lan Zhan frowned at the blatant lie.

And then he felt terribly ashamed…because hadn't he just done that? To his brother, no less?

So he refrained from saying anything.

Wei Ying tossed the phone onto the furthest seat away from him, the gesture careless as if he had no concern where it landed.

"So…" Wei Ying was looking at him expectantly.

"Mn?"

"You have the most gorgeous voice." Wei Ying slapped both his hands over his mouth, utterly appalled that that's what came out.

Lan Zhan could feel the tips of his ears becoming hot…and somehow he knew that he should cherish that feeling…because it wasn't going to last.

"So does Wei Ying. And his scent…"

Wei Ying watched the hunger grow…but this time, he wasn't as scared. Lan Zhan had promised him that he wasn't going to bite…that had to count for something…right?

"Okay…so we're both weird…." He said, the blush fading from his face. "And now that we've got that out of the way…I have some disappointing news for you."

Lan Zhan simply stared.

"I don't have any steak. So…either we can order in…or we have to go to a restaurant. You pick."

"Order in." Lan Zhan said immediately.

"Alright." Wei Ying grabbed his phone again, hoping his card would not embarrass him.

"Here. Use this." Lan Zhan handed him his card before Wei Ying could take out his one.

"You're my guest…" he protested.

"I insist. You are already helping me through…this." Lan Zhan gestured towards himself. "And I have already slept in your bed." He enjoyed the immediate flush on the other's face. He liked that about Wei Ying. That he was easily flustered.

"Fine." Wei Ying felt relieved at that, and then he was embarrassed because Lan Zhan could probably smell what he was feeling. And what was up with that, anyway? "After I order, we're gonna talk." He added, turning away so he could talk to the person on the other end.

Lan Zhan braced himself.

Wei Ying finished up his phone call and put the phone away.

"So…."

He gestured at Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan merely quirked a brow. He wasn't sure what Wei Ying was getting at.

"Okay…are we gonna do this the hard way?" Wei Ying went on, leaning forward.

"Do what?" Lan Zhan asked him, genuinely confused.

"I guess we are. Alright, I'm going to say everything I know about …" he waved a hand up and down Lan Zhan’s body. "And then it's your turn. Okay?"

Lan Zhan nodded.

"So…I found you in the alley a few blocks away from the bar where I work. It was just past midnight…an hour or so. When I brought you home, Wen Qing was here and she said you should rest…but when she examined you…you had two puncture marks on your neck." He reached forward and placed his fingers on Lan Zhan’s neck.

And then he came right into Lan Zhan’s space, looking shocked.

"They were right here!" He exclaimed in disbelief. "What happened to them? They're gone!"

Lan Zhan batted his hands away and felt with his own fingers.

His skin felt normal…smooth and nothing out of the ordinary.

Wei Ying raced into his room and came back with a hand held mirror.

"Look!"

But Lan Zhan saw nothing in the reflection.

Not even his face.