Wei Ying twisted and turned on his bed at Qinghe-Nie sect. He couldn't sleep since he returned from the cursed place; the burial mounds. His mind was constantly wrecking him with images of his failure and constant screams and shouts from people he didn't know.

The young demonic cultivator whimpered as he saw a rather unpleasant image of a Wen soldier repeatedly splitting Madam Yu open with a dagger, her body jerking with each deep thrust of the knife. Wei Ying flinched and stood, leaning back against the headboard, groaning.

Wei Ying couldn't cry. He just didn't have it in him to cry. He desired to go to the courtyard and scream. He desired to tell everyone what happened, at least the ones closer to him, but unfortunately all his life he had hidden things from everyone, hence speaking about his problems was never welcomed in his own mind.

So, he stood up, staggering a little before walking outside with Chenqing securely tucked into his belt.

He walked about half a li when he spotted a mass of white at the end of the courtyard staring at the sky above. Wei Ying wasn't sure what he was looking at since it was almost past midnight and the sky was black with little stars shining. It looked like Cheng'er was reluctant to show herself.

He was shocked even more because Lan Zhan was breaking one of his own rules. He was quite surprised and keen to know who or what changed the beloved twin jade's adherence to the rules.

Wei Ying bit back the blossoming smile on his lips, moving stealthily towards the man with a forehead ribbon and the grace of an expensive jade.

"Wei Ying." The man said without turning to look who it was. Wei Ying gasped but eventually walked ahead of Lan Zhan and stood facing him; a smile lighting up on his worn-out features.

Lan Zhan stared at the boy, looking different from how he knew him to be three months ago. He has changed, and it was obvious even to the ones who knew next to nothing about the Jiang head disciple.

Hesitating yet desiring a little of the boy practicing unorthodox cultivation, he reached out his hand that had touched no one but him; Wei Ying. His. All of him.

Lan Zhan cupped the boy's cheek gently with his palm, breathing deeply as his heart calmed at the warm and familiar touch. Wei Ying keened into the touch, a solitary pear of a tear falling down until Lan Zhan's palm safely caught it.

Wei Ying observed how Lan Zhan's demeanor changed the moment the tear fell into his palm. Wei Ying was certain he saw grief and agony live within the amber well in his eyes.

He couldn't hold back any longer, and he didn't want to. He fell gracefully into Lan Zhan's cocoon of safety and protection.

Wei Ying sank his nose into the curve of his neck, inhaling the much-missed scent of sandalwood, his fears dispelled. Lan Zhan wrapped his arms around the frail boy and pressed him against his body, leaving no room even for the air to move in between.

He hid the boy within his flowy sleeves, shuddering as Wei Ying sniffed at his neck with his angular nose.

Lan Zhan rubbed a large palm along the boy's skeletal back, severely untensing him, who appeared to be shaky most of the time after his return.

Lan Zhan could feel something was wrong in his bones, and the boy sniffling in his arms only confirmed his suspicions.

"Wei Ying?" the delicate lilt of his voice trembled Wei Ying's body as his arms that lay at his sides wrapped around the taller man's neck.

He burrowed deeper and deeper into his silky white robes in the hopes of finding his way home, and he did.

He found a place to live.

Lan Zhan was his home.

It might have taken him a long time for him to understand, but now he knew how much he missed these arms, these white funeral robes, the forehead ribbon and the man that moved so elegantly.

"Lan Zhan, will you let me stay here?" Wangji frowned at his question. He wasn't sure what it implied so he pulled back a little to tap his index finger underneath his chin to coax the younger to look at him.

"Wei Ying?" he was concerned of what he was asked.

He wanted the best for this boy whom he fell in love with at first sight when he had stoically prevented them to walk in due to the absence of a certain invitation.

Wei Ying gazed at his eyes for moments before his lips broke into the warmest smile Lan Zhan had witnessed in his life time.

"Lan Zhan, will you let me stay here with you? Forever?" the boy was unsure because, after all, he was a coreless man with an ugly body and a horde of ghosts behind his back. It took aback Lan Zhan when he heard the question.

Thus, he was stunned into an alarming silence.

Never in a million years did he expect Wei Ying to be so forthcoming in his desires and he certainly didn't think it possible for it to be addressed so easily, without hesitation.

Nonetheless, what mattered was that this boy wanted to stay with him forever, so he hugged him again, tucking his face into Wei Ying's neck, smiling at the heady scent of flowers that emanated from his body.

"Always." He whispered in the boy's ear, earning light chuckle and a tightening of his arms around his neck.

"What is Wei Ying doing awake?" He abruptly stepped back, wondering why Wei Ying wasn't sleeping, as he had appeared tired earlier in the day.

Wei Ying remained silent.

He pursed his lips stubbornly, turned away, and gazed into the darkness of the nearby forest. Lan Zhan stifled a snort when he noticed Wei Ying's obstinate demeanor, which made him appear to look like a young boy denied of his playtime.

"Wei Ying..." he breathed nuzzling his nose into the younger's cheek leaving a slight touch of lips on the center of his cheek. Wei Ying shivered at the closeness.

He liked it- no he loved it very much.

He wanted more so he nuzzled back pouting at Lan Zhan. "I cannot sleep. I tried to but nothing helped." Wei Ying went back to hiding in Lan Zhan's wide shoulders, pressing a kiss onto the collarbone and light nip that shot right to his abdomen although his robes covered them.

"Does Wei Ying require anything?" Lan Zhan threaded his hands in the silky black locks with a terrible number of knots.

Wei Ying hissed when Lan Zhan unknotted a rather difficult one. He quickly ran his fingers along the hair and massaged the bit of scalp that was tugged earlier. Wei Ying hummed, closing his dilated eyes in relief and warmth.

"Comb my hair?" Wei Ying's voice sounded so small and soft. Lan Zhan probably wouldn't have heard if not for his Lan clan hearing. Lan Zhan nodded a little too quickly and wound his arm around Wei Ying's waist and guided him towards their rooms.

When they were close Lan Zhan contemplated which chamber they should go to when Wei Ying mumbled something incoherently.

"Hmm? Lan Zhan cajoled him to speak louder, rubbing his hips gently.

"Yours, please." he said louder this time, and quickly hid his face in Lan Zhan's robes, shaking.

"Mn. Mine." he said as he lifted Wei Ying into his arms, one arm around his neck and the other under his knees, and glided to his room- no from now everything would be theirs.

With his strength, he slid the door open and gently laid Wei Ying on the bed, his back to Lan Zhan, so he could comb his hair.

He took out a jade comb, both a rare and an old one that had hardly been used. It belonged to his mother. When he first picked up the comb, he did not know what he would do with it, but now he did.

He removed Wei Ying's ribbon and black leather headpiece with renewed vigor and ran the comb teeth through his messy hair. He smoothed it out with the comb.

He combed it until it was straight as his back and no longer wavy. He combed it until it glistened in the moonlight streaming through the window.

He kissed the crown of Wei Ying's head, then the two sides of his head until his lips slid to his temple. He pressed another warm kiss there. Lan Zhan tucked his hair into a ponytail and rested his hands on Wei Ying's clothed shoulders.

"Feels so good Lan Zhan," slurred Wei Ying, his body relaxed after such a tender combing session. Lan Zhan slid his hand down Wei Ying's sides, still on his feet, as Wei Ying leaned against his thighs.

Lan Zhan took off the belt that dug into his waist and placed it on the table before stroking his tiny waist, which alarmed Lan Zhan, but that was for another time, so he kept quiet.

Wei Ying turned his head and nosed Lan Zhan's thigh, his head drooping from exhaustion from the day and, most likely, months away from civilization.

Lan Zhan smiled as he lifted Wei Ying and removed the black outer robes, leaving only the blood red inner robes.

Lan Zhan turned to face Wei Ying, whose lids were droopy from sleep. He kissed his brow and flicked his nose, smiling at the twitch, and placed him on the bed.

Lan Zhan watched the boy melt into the warmth, but frowned when Wei Ying didn't settle as he expected.

"Wei Ying?" He scraped his scalp with a hand on his head. Wei Ying opened his eyes and motioned for the older man to come closer.

Lan Wangji approached, and Wei Ying abruptly stood up and shrugged off Lan Zhan's outer robe, fingering at the cloud patterns on the seams before yanking it away and dropping it to the floor.

Lan Zhan sat perplexed, but allowed the younger man to maneuver him as he pleased. The belt on his waist and the tassel attached to it came next.

Later, the second inner garment was strewn across the floor before he was finally dressed only in black pants and a white shirt tied with a tie a little above the waist.

Wei Ying shrugged off the white shirt as well, expecting an argument but receiving none. When Wei Ying's cold fingers touched Lan Zhan's warm skin, he shivered.

Wei Ying slid his fingers along the planes of his stomach and it stroked his chest as the hand went higher to the column of his throat and his perfect jaw until it finally settled.

Wei Ying's fingers reached the forehead ribbon on Lan Zhan, which had settled so neatly that there was not a single hair out of place.

Lan Zhan noticed the obvious hesitancy, but when he kept the younger's fingers on his ribbon, the latter neatly yanked it off in one pull and kissed the cloud pattern.

Lan Zhan breathed, his grip on Wei Ying's wrist tightening. "Wei Ying?" His breath caught in his throat as Wei Ying placed another kiss on the clouds, then on his forehead, before placing it on the bedside table.

"Rule 678- Only family and spouses may touch the Lan headband. Only with their cherished and loved person can a Lan clan's child be untamed. Isn't that correct, Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying inquired wistfully, as if he had mentioned a stray opinion rather than dropping a boulder on top of Wangji's shoulders.

"Wei Ying does not have a bad memory," Lan Zhan said, staring at Wei Ying in disbelief. Wei Ying gave him a cheeky smile and kissed the tip of Lan Zhan's nose, admiring how beautifully his ears crimsoned.

"It's because I wouldn't be questioned if I didn't have a good memory. Lan Zhan, unless it's you, I don't like to answer questions." He said steadily. Lan Zhan brushed his thumb along the younger's hollow cheeks, nodding briefly.

When his mission was accomplished, he dragged the older man onto the bed and dropped himself on his body like dead weight.

Lan Zhan didn't flinch, but instead drew him closer, tightened his grip, and tucked a loose strand behind his ear.

"Wei Ying, too, can take off his robe and sleep in just his pants. It's more comfortable." Wei Ying ignored the question and Lan Zhan's concerned expression before falling peacefully and into a deep slumber.

Lan Zhan remained awake until he was certain Wei Ying had finally fallen asleep before flicking his hands to extinguish the candles and falling asleep himself.

Lan Zhan awoke first, as usual, and lovingly gazed at Wei Ying sleeping with his cheek squashed on his chest due to the hand beneath his cheek supporting him. Wei Ying's other hand was safe around his waist, fisted on his trouser like a lifeline.

Lan Zhan didn't realize how quickly time was passing, and when Wei Ying's eyelids fluttered open, it jolted him out of his morning trance. "Wei Ying?" Lan Zhan observed how the sunlight glinted off his face, illuminating every pore in its path. "Lan Zhan, I haven't slept so well in ages. Thank you very much."

Wei Ying was about to stand up when Lan Zhan took his pulse to see how badly he was injured, only to discover that his meridians were unresponsive or rather empty.

Wei Ying's eyes widened as he rushed out in a panic when Lan Zhan stood up and snatched Wei Ying into his lap and hugged him tightly. The blurred edges of what had happened suddenly focused and revealed themselves to Lan Zhan. Both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying shook in each other's embrace.

"It Wasn't Wen Zhulio, was it?" Lan Zhan inquired, tightening his grip on Wei Ying's waist, forcing him to straddle his hips.

Lan Wangji didn't mind; rather, he was relieved that Wei Ying was close by, within arm's reach. Wei Ying was adamantly opposed to answering the question, and Lan Zhan's heart chipped around the edges.

"Please, Wei Ying," he sobbed against Wei Ying's chest, pleading for an answer. Wei Ying quickly drew the older man's attention to himself. He should indulge Lan Zhan for both of their sakes because they were addicted to each other and couldn't stop.

"Jiang Cheng's core had been crushed, and I had no idea where to look for Baoshan Sanren. Wen Qing assisted in the transfer of the core to Jiang Cheng." Lan Zhan stared incredulously, his mouth wide open, at every word spoken.

Wei Ying gave up his core, his life for his brother? He's a mediocre now?

"Is that why you are a demonic cultivator?"

Wei Ying averted his eyes but nodded grimly. "I was thrown into the burial mounds. I died but the resentment kept me alive. They feed on my negative emotions."

Lan Zhan gripped Wei Ying's waist in an intense grip. He was on the verge of breaking and he had to control. Wei Ying let him.

"Lan Zhan, I understand if you don't want anything to do with me now. I'm a mediocre and I cannot cultivate immortality."

"It doesn't matter Wei Ying. It does not matter. I will live with you until you pass and follow you."

Wei Ying staggered.

"Are you insane Lan Zhan? Are you mad? There are people who love you; your brother and uncle. You will not follow me. You will live."

Lan Zhan abruptly let go of Wei Ying and stood on his feet glaring at Wei Ying. Lan Zhan's hands balled into fists. Wei Ying was afraid of the man who stood before him; angry and ready to pounce.

"After Wei Ying dies my soul dies Wei Ying. My body will only be an empty vessel. My brother nor uncle will want me to live like that. I'd rather die. I love Wei Ying. Where Wei Ying goes, I go; to live or to die."

His tone absolute, with no room for any arguments or protests. Wei Ying slumped down on bed and stared at the ceiling of the room, tears racing to make clear tracts on his now hollow cheeks.

Lan Zhan who had long since reduced the anger he felt saw Wei Ying crying and he crumbled a little. It was unfair how the world didn't have any mercy towards them.

They were meant to be together but they were so far apart. So close in body but so far in soul. Their duty and responsibility brought to the forefront harshly forgetting their hearts, their love and their desire to be like any other two people; to love and be loved.

There was a different path to walk but Lan Wangji believes Wei Ying would never agree after all Wei Ying is too selfless unlike Wangji who is too selfish.

Wei Ying would give away his life to the people who deserve it and forget his own self while Lan Zhan would forget everyone and everything if it is to love Wei Ying and keep him with him.

"Wei Ying, would you run away with me?" Lan Zhan took his chance; it was now or never.

Wei Ying suddenly rushed to Lan Zhan, with a hand on his nape he brought him down for a feverish kiss. Both trembling souls shedding tears as it merged as one where their lips connected. Finally, when they were breathless, they let go but the hand on Lan Zhan's nape and the hands at Wei Ying's hips never left.

Forehead to forehead they breathed in each other's scent, calming their raging heartbeats. Wei Ying in his crimson under robe and Lan Zhan in his black pants and white shirt. "After the war..."

Lan Zhan's hands tightened around Wei Ying pulling him flush against his chest. Lan Zhan awaited Wei Ying's next words, eager for some relief from the heart ache that he felt.

"We'll go far away from the cultivation world with Wen Qing's clan. Is that okay Lan Zhan?"

Wei Ying laid his ear above Lan Zhan's chest listening to the beat that stopped his storms. "Mn. Together."

"Your brother will hate me." Wei Ying fisted Lan Zhan's shirt fearing the man who is so calm but so ferocious regarding his brother.

"Never. Xiongzhang knows."

Wei Ying pulled away to gaze at the golden eyes filled with love and longing, respect and adoration. He smiled. "After the war Lan Zhan. After the war."

Lan Zhan lifted his pinky in front of Wei Ying's face and looked eagerly like a little child asking for a promise to be bought candy.

Wei Ying giggled.

Lan Zhan smiled, it couldn't be seen but his eyes grew tender and his lips quirked minutely.

Wei Ying raised his own pinky and wrapped it around Lan Zhan's own.

'After the war...'

THE END.