Wei Ying groaned for the tenth time, slamming his face against the textbook in front of him. Seated in a class cramped with students, all concentrating on their science teacher at the front board, Wei Ying found himself zooming out every now and then, when thinking back to yesterday's event. It's been almost twenty-four hours, and Wei Ying felt like he needed more hours with Lan Zhan.

He didn't exactly remember what he said, but the confession bit pierced his brain like an arrow, unable to be removed. And the damn kiss never left his lips. Wei Ying needed more, craved more. It made him feel desperate. Now all he wanted was to feel Lan Zhan's touches. 

When he woke up this morning, Lan Zhan was nowhere in sight. He had thought, maybe Lan Zhan was just as embarrassed as him. So it was a surprise when minutes before he left for school, Lan Zhan texted him a message, saying they need to meet up after afternoon classes. Wei Ying figured it has to be something about that 'talk' Lan Zhan kept mentioning about yesterday.

Still, the fact that Lan Zhan didn't bother mentioning the kiss Wei Ying planted on him in his drunken state made Wei Ying blushed and cringed from uncertainty at the same time.

It took a flying chalkboard duster to slam into Wei Ying's head for him to snap out of his dream-like state and a loud, "This is a classroom, Mr. Wei, if you want to sleep, do so elsewhere," from his teacher, Mrs, Jin, for Wei Ying to clasp back to attention.

----------

During lunch break, like any other school days, the friends headed for the school's cafeteria. As Wei Ying followed behind a mumbling Jiang Cheng, who kept bragging to Huaisang about meeting a psychic reader, Wen Qing, he met yesterday after leaving the gym. 

Jiang Cheng had only ever seen Wen Qing on television a while back when Wei Ying was convinced Lan Zhan was a werewolf. Having seen her in person, it was love at first sight. He was sure of it. Well, that's what he kept telling Huaisang anyway. 

While Huaisang was in deep concentration on Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying chose to ignore his love-struck little brother's conversation, for he too had his own turmoil at hand. 

Head buried in his phone, Wei Ying typed text after text to Lan Zhan, only to delete them seconds later. When they passed by the school's track field, he could've sworn he smelt sandalwood. And when Wei Ying listened, he realized he could hear Lan Zhan's heartbeat not far away. He didn't know how he was able to distinguish it from others, but the sound was there, a rather harmonious, calming sound like water dripping after a harsh rainstorm.

When he trained his eyes to the outskirts of the field, that's when he saw Lan Zhan, standing just behind the fenced gates, watching him with such intensity, it made Wei Ying's limbs quivered.

Stopping in his tracks, Wei Ying figured something must be up, "Go ahead without me. I'll catch up with you guys," he said, 

Jiang Cheng tsked, "And where the hell do you think you're going?"

"I need to use the bathroom," Wei Ying lied with a toothy grin. 

When Jiang Cheng lifted an eyebrow, not buying into his facade, Wei Ying batted his eyelashes and said, "Unless you want to come along and help me powder my nose afterward."

Jiang Cheng, "You -"

Before Jiang Cheng could continue, Wei Ying laughed and ran away. He ran through the tracks and stumbled past the field until he reached the fence, stopping just in front of Lan Zhan. 

"Lan Zhan, what are you doing here," Wei Ying asked, bracing himself against the fence. "If anyone sees you, they'll think you're some looney kidnapper, and they'll call the cops on you."

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said, "About yesterday -"

"Ugh," Why did Lan Zhan come all the way here to bring up yesterday's performance? "Don't worry about it. You're forgiven."

Lan Zhan shook his head, "No, that's not what - wait a minute. How am I forgiven? It was you who kissed me."

"True," Wei Ying huffed out a laugh, "But it's not like you stopped me. If I remember correctly, you were into it. Besides, I was drunk."

"So you didn't like it?" Lan Zhan's face dropped.

Wei Ying, "What - No - No, wait - That's not what I meant. Ah, forget it. Why are you here? I can't talk long. Jiang cheng's waiting for me."

Lan Zhan sighed, decided to drop yesterday's topic, as he wasn't here for that anyway. "Didn't you get my message?"

Wei Ying, "I did, but you said after school, can't this wait? Lan Zhan, I'll get in trouble if someone sees, and I don't know if you know, but my track record hasn't been good lately."

Lan Zhan, "No, this is more important. Something happened."

"Ugh," Wei Ying stomped his feet on the ground and whined, "What now?"

Lan Zhan, "Xue Yang's in town -"

Wei Ying, "Wait. That guy who tried to kill brother Xichen?"

"Yes, and brother thinks, if he finds out about us being soulmates, he'll come after you. That's why I've been here all day, watching over you," Lan Zhan said proudly.

"What! Are you nuts? You'll definitely get in trouble. They have cameras, you know." When Lan Zhan pouted at Wei Ying's lack of interest, Wei Ying sighed. "Fine, whatever. I still think you're crazy. Besides, it's not like he'll find out. Now can we talk about this tonight? I can't be seen with an old man like you by the school gates."

"Wei Ying." Lan Zhan scrunched up his brows. Wei Ying definitely hit a nerve.

"I'm kidding - I'm kidding," Wei Ying laughed, "Just go away before I get into trouble." Wei Ying turned his attention back to the school compound, checking to see if anyone's spying on him. When he spotted a male teacher eyeing him suspiciously from a distance, "Shit," he mumbled. "You need to leave Lan Zhan, like right now."

Lan Zhan folded his arms and stood his ground, surrendering to his stubborn side. "Not until you agree to go out with me tonight."

Wei Ying, "Say what now?"

Lan Zhan, "You heard me."

When the male teacher began walking in Wei Ying's, and Lan Zhan's direction. "Shit," Wei Ying hurriedly said, "Fine, I'll go, could you please go away. We'll talk more about this tonight."

Lan Zhan, "And what about this kiss?"

"Tonight, best friend," Wei Ying shrieked and ran away, not giving Lan Zhan any more opportunity to continue.

----------

Before Wei Ying's fist made it to the front door of Lan Zhan's home, the door creaked open, and to his surprise and absolute shock, Lan Zhan stood, covered in white like snow. 

Lan Zhan wore a Hanfu attire, similar to the one Wei Ying first saw him in from through the attic window. But up close, Lan Zhan resembled an angel. The white fabric flowed down his body like an ever-flowing waterfall until it reached the ground. His long hair was held high by a silver crown of some sort that reached for the skies, seemingly for a king. Draped around his forehead and tied behind his hair, stood a silk blue forehead ribbon, embroidered with clouds. An angel indeed. 

When Lan Zhan's eyes twinkled purple upon seeing Wei Ying, Wei Ying couldn't help but blush and whispered, "You look beautiful," not ashamed for his sudden choice of words. Wei Ying figured, even if Lan Zhan were a stranger, he would compliment him, for the man looked ethereal, putting all the Gods to shame.

Lan Zhan cleared his throat and blushed. Wei Ying's words had an impact on him, turning his once porcelain face into a bright red tomato. Lan Zhan was pleased, but he didn't show much. Instead, he said in a monotone voice, "You're late," and opened the door wider for Wei Ying to come in.

Wei Ying chuckled and stepped foot inside. The house was empty, and when Wei Ying sniffed the air, he found no scent of Xichen or Mingjue. "Where is everyone?" he asked, turning his attention toward Lan Zhan. "I thought you said we were going out?"

"I ask brother to leave for the night," Lan Zhan smiled, a glimmer of mischief twinkled in his eyes as he walked past Wei Ying, heading for the stairs. "Follow me."

Wei Ying flushed at the thought of Lan Zhan asking his brother to leave. He didn't know what the older man had planned for tonight, but a part of him was eager to find out. "If we aren't staying in, where are we going? You said we have things to talk about," Wei Ying asked. "I want to talk about what happened between us, Lan Zhan."

Lan Zhan, "You'll see, it's a surprise. And don't worry about that, we'll talk when we get back."

Wei Ying, "Are you planning on wearing that to go out?"

Lan Zhan, "What, you don't like it?"

It's not that Wei Ying didn't like the Hanfu gown. In fact, he loved everything about it. But the thought that others would be oozing over Lan Zhan made Wei Ying's blood boil. "No, that's not what I meant. It's just you'll attract too much attention." 

"Jealous?" Lan Zhan teased.

"What? No, don't be silly," Wei Ying bit his lower lips, trying to contain his out of control heartbeats. 

When Lan Zhan opened the door to his bedroom and walked over to his bed, "I got you something," he said, picking up a similar outfit to the one he wore - black, with red linings instead. "Remember I told you I was into cosplay?" Wei Ying nodded, "Well, tonight there's a cosplay convention out of town, and we're going. Do you like it?" 

Speechless, Wei Ying nodded for a second time, taking hold of the garments from Lan Zhan's hand. "You bought this for me?"

"Yes. Now put it on. I'll be waiting for you outside," Lan Zhan paused for a moment, "Unless you want me to wait right here while you change." When Wei Ying's mouth fell agape, Lan Zhan could no longer keep the cold look upon his face, as he was seconds away from bursting into a fit of laughter. 

Bewildered, Wei Ying watched on as Lan Zhan tried to contain himself. Seeing Lan Zhan as shameless as his own self, was another side to Lan Zhan Wei Ying found himself enjoying. 

When Lan Zhan reached the door, with his back turned, he looked over his shoulder and said, "And Wei Ying, you're an amazing kisser."

"Shameless," Wei Ying muttered with a blush, turning his attention to the costume at hand.

It took Wei Ying nearly half an hour - and several curse words, to get the many layers of fabric on. When done, hair a complete mess, he looked in the mirror and smiled, satisfied with himself. "You can come in now, Lan Zhan," he called. It didn't take a second longer before the door was pushed open. 

Like if time suddenly stood still, Lan Zhan's mouth fell open. Watching Wei Ying standing alone, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind his ear, It's like he was falling in love all over again. Wei Ying looked breathtakingly beautiful.

When Lan Zhan finally managed to move his gaze away from Wei Ying, he drew a piece of red fabric he had made himself - a ribbon, from within his robes, and walked over to Wei Ying. "I have something else for you," Lan Zhan whispered, a little too close to Wei Ying's ear, making the hairs upon the younger man's back stand to attention. 

Unmoving, "What is it?" Wei Ying whispered back, unable to resist taking a sniff at Lan Zhan's closeness. Wei Ying wanted to turn - it wouldn't be difficult. Just turn and bury his nose in the crock of Lan Zhan's neck and inhale until he drowns in the scent of sandalwood.

"Here," Lan Zhan handed the red strip to Wei Ying. "Do you like it? I made it for you."

When Wei Ying looked up, his eyes were filled with gratefulness. "You made this?" Lan Zhan nodded. "Lan Zhan, thank you."

It took a minute of pure silence before Lan Zhan said, "Wei Ying," a little too soft, a little too sweet. "Could I -" Lan Zhan gulped. "Could I comb your hair?"

Wei Ying's eyes searched the ground. He doesn't understand what's happening. He knew he liked Lan Zhan, despite him trying to deny it for so long - he liked Lan Zhan. But now, it suddenly felt like love. 

For a minute, Wei Ying said nothing, and when Lan Zhan reached for the wooden comb that's been sitting on top of the bedside table and beckoned with his hand for Wei Ying to take a seat in front of a spherical mirror, Wei Ying complied without uttering a word.

The black robes that Lan Zhan gave him flowed like cascades down his lean body. Behind him stood Lan Zhan, the comb in one hand, while the other made its way into the strands of Wei Ying's long unruly hair. "Wei Ying, did you mean what you said about us being best friends?" Lan Zhan asked.

Wei Ying smiled and wondered, what's the point of denying anything anymore? "I did," he replied in all honesty.

Lan Zhan smiled. "Does this mean you're willing to be with me?"

Wei Ying, "It means I'm willing to give it a shot. I like you, Lan Zhan, and to be honest, these past few days without you were some of the worst days of my life. It's weird because we've only known each other for such a short while. Lan Zhan?

"Hmm," Lan Zhan hummed.

Wei Ying, "Soulmate and all, I think I'm in love with you."

Lan Zhan smiled, "I'm in love with you too."

They spoke of nothing more. In silence, Lan Zhan gently combed the younger man's hair, humming the song Wei Ying sang to him - the song he couldn't get enough of. When Wei Ying soon joined in, humming through Lan Zhan's mistakes. Lan Zhan's couldn't help but close his eyes as he worked his way through the many tangles. 

When done, he tied the red ribbon around Wei Ying's ponytail and stared at Wei Ying s reflection from the mirror, "Wei Ying, do you think that after we get back from the convention, you would want to kiss me again?" Lan Zhan asked. An innocent look of purity in his eyes.

Wei Ying, too, stared into the mirror. However, his eyes rested solely on Lan Zhan. Ignoring his own presence, "Yes. I think I would want that," he whispered. 

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