Lan Zhan smiled down at the sleeping man in his arms, as he walked to their car. It had been a long day for Wei Ying, plus the building stress of tomorrow's meeting with the other vampires, and pretending everything was okay with Wen Qing was giving his fiancé added tension that neither of them needed.

Wei Ying should rest when he can.

Lan Zhan had plans for tonight, but it was nothing that couldn't wait.

The drive to the five star Hotel was short, and luckily, Wei Ying woke up just as Lan Zhan parked the car.

"Where are we?" He yawned loudly, stretching and looking around inquisitively.

"A hotel," Lan Zhan tells him, smiling at the tears that leak out of the corners of his eyes because he yawned too strongly. "Wei Ying should sleep some more."

His eyes widened.

"Oh my God, Lan Zhan! I totally spoiled your date! I fell asleep!"

Lan Zhan leans forward and presses a kiss upon his forehead. "Our date. And Wei Ying was tired. It is fine."

"Well, this lump is absolutely awake now!" He insists, folding his arms across his chest in defiance. "And I'm gonna stay awake for whatever comes next, since it's clear that we're not going home just yet." He yawns again despite his words and Lan Zhan just laughs.

Checking into the hotel goes smoothly. Lan Zhan had already packed them an overnight bag (when??) and had taken it out of the trunk, after helping Wei Ying out of his car. The cool breeze helped Wei Ying wake up properly, and he took Lan Zhan's arm on the way up to their room.

They're on the top floor of the swankiest Hotel in Denver.

There's top notch security everywhere, from the bellboy taking their bag up, to the security guard on the other end of the elevator ride, who escorts them to their suite.

Wei Ying is a little bit shocked at this, because he wasn't expecting such a posh place, and Lan Zhan looks smug about it. He discreetly tips everyone they come in contact with, and then suddenly, they're alone.

Once the door closes, Wei Ying fully thought Lan Zhan was going to pounce on him...but no?

Lan Zhan shrugs his jacket off and pours out a glass of water for Wei Ying. While he's drinking it, Lan Zhan's finger traces the collar on his leather jacket.

"I like this colour on you," he says, making Wei Ying shiver.

But when he tries to take it off Wei Ying, the latter quickly pushes himself out of Lan Zhan's range. One hand clutches the lapels of his jacket in a tight fist, as though Lan Zhan was going to rip it from his body, and the other hand is up, palm out in a halting sign against him.

"Wait! Lan Zhan! I have a surprise for you!" Wei Ying starts looking around.

For a few seconds, Lan Zhan is flummoxed. What on earth is he looking for?

"Mirror!" Wei Ying says, as if he's read his mind, and then he grabs Lan Zhan's hand, and ignoring the beautiful room with its many lovely pieces of antique furniture, wall size television screen, bar on one side and golden staircase on the left, Wei Ying opens the side door which turns out to be a correct guess.

It's their bedroom for tonight.

And there is the full length mirror Wei Ying is looking for.

He stands in front of it, chest heaving as he takes in their joint reflection upon its surface.

Wei Ying is looking at Lan Zhan, and he wants to laugh at himself, because when has he ever wanted to look away? Not when he can see Lan Zhan's heavenly face in the mirror, even now not looking at their reflection but staring at him, the real Wei Ying.

His electric gaze is a slow burning fire that Wei Ying can feel the heat of, his beautiful golden eyes unblinking and wholly focused on Wei Ying's face. They're still holding hands, and it's this picture that imprints on Wei Ying's mind, another flashbulb moment.

They're both dressed so well for each other, and they know they look good.

There's no hesitation on either of their faces, no doubts to mar this moment.

Wei Ying takes in the proud straight nose, those high cheekbones any model would kill for, his open forehead with his hair arching in curves over it, soft waves in direct contrast to his don't-touch-me vibes, and then those lovely soft lips, a little parted as if he too, cannot believe this is real.

He's always loved the shape of Lan Zhan's lips.

The way they're so expressive, sometimes a flat line of disapproval, sometimes pursed, the rare times that he's amused, they turn up at the corners, and his bottom lip is just that much plumper than the top...Wei Ying wants to bite it.

He shivers and that seems to break the spell cast over them, because Wei Ying turns to Lan Zhan.

"I wore this shirt for you. I wanna see your face when you take off my jacket."

Lan Zhan stares back at him, just a tilt of his head to say yes, that he wants to do whatever Wei Ying needs. The faint blush, a rosy colour that had bloomed across Wei Ying's face, becomes a little darker now. His silver eyes are so dark, they could be black.

Lan Zhan's hand comes up to hold Wei Ying's face, his thumb gently caressing the curve of his cheek, smiling when again, Wei Ying leans into his touch. He's so beautiful, and humble because he's not aware of it, or how much Lan Zhan wants him.

Sometimes, Lan Zhan is scared of it himself, how much this need is always bubbling just under the surface of himself, ready to explode into action like unstable dynamite.

"Before we do anything, I have something for Wei Ying," he says, instead of "I want to ravish you, and I want you to do the same to me".

It feels right to do this now.

"What?" His shimmering silver eyes are like waves upon a mysterious lake at midnight, lit up by the moonlight. Curious, always curious.

Perhaps, it is this quality that Lan Zhan loves the most about him, but then it's hard to say, when there are so many wonderful traits about Wei Ying. It's so difficult to choose his favourite. And then, there are the new discoveries, things that Lan Zhan had never thought of before, but when they come to his attention, he can easily swap out the number one contender with the newest thing to love about him.

Lan Zhan tries to hold onto this feeling as nerves attack him. He's fighting a losing battle against himself, wondering if he should ask now, or maybe they should take things slower, maybe it's NOT the right time.

Maybe they should wait?

Fear pools in a trickle of sudden sweat as it trickles down his spine, ready to drown him in self-doubt.

What if they're not ready? What if this is a colossal mistake? He doesn't want to ruin anything by doing this now, and yet-

Soothing, clean energy swims around his uncertainty, taming the jagged rocks of despair in his mind. Wei Ying is touching him, holding his face and smiling so sweetly at him, that Lan Zhan wants to sink to his knees in grateful relief. Happy vibes swarm his thoughts, chasing away the horrible darkness that had threatened his peace of mind.

His own hands come up to hold Wei Ying's hands, keeping them on his face.

"Where did you go, my love?" Wei Ying whispers, worrying about him.

"It doesn't matter, I am here with Wei Ying, now." Lan Zhan smiles tentatively, killing off the last of his doubts.

This is Wei Ying, his Wei Ying. They belong to each other, and nothing is going to change that.

"I love you," he says, his voice coming out thicker with emotion.

Wei Ying nods, his beautiful silver eyes wet like melted mercury. "Me, too."

"You love you?" Lan Zhan couldn't resist, and it's silly, but it makes Wei Ying laugh softly so it's worth it.

The lump in his throat prevents Wei Ying from talking, and he swallows with difficulty because he's just realised what Lan Zhan intends to do, and he's so nervous.

In the past, especially when Lan Zhan did it the first time, Wei Ying had been so shocked, he had deflected, because that was his hidden super power. Any uncomfortable or uncertain situation, and he was deflecting the shit out of it like a grand slam tennis champion.

Everything is happening in slow motion in front of him, as Lan Zhan puts his hand into his pocket and pulls out a scarlet velvet box. Wei Ying can't even blink, as Lan Zhan goes down on one knee.

"Wei Ying, Wei WuXian, please...Will you marry me?"

Wei Ying's feet take the decision away from his lips as he flings himself into Lan Zhan's arms, tumbling them onto the floor as he begins kissing Lan Zhan all over his face, laughing and crying as his tears fall like summer raindrops. They're both laughing and hugging each other, relieved even if there had been no reason for their fears, and yet it was all about acceptance.

When they finally stop, it's with Lan Zhan's arms protectively draped around Wei Ying, who has finally managed to settle himself on Lan Zhan's lap.

He giggles when he sees the red velvet box still unopened in the centre of Lan Zhan's palm.

"Mn."

Lan Zhan's lips are there, right next to his ear and his deep voice again, produces a helpless shiver.

Wei Ying knows what he means, knows that Lan Zhan wants him to open the box, and his sun-kissed fingers are trembling as he lifts up the lid of this tiny object that holds so much meaning to both of them.

And when the lid flips up, Wei Ying stares at the three rings, a smile as big as the sun lighting up his whole face.

Lan Zhan has made a ring, a custom made replica of the ring he first proposed to Wei Ying with, a chewy candy ring now made with coloured glass and a real diamond in the centre, and it's so tacky, and so good, and so much them!

There are two platinum bands next to it, but Wei Ying knows that once he puts this ring on, it's never coming off again.

"I love it!" Wei Ying tells him, in a voice full of pure love. He holds out his hand so that Lan Zhan can put that ostentatious, gaudy gem on the third finger of his left hand and wear it with pride.

It's so original, so true to form that Wei Ying has no words left. No one is going to understand why he loves this ring so much, and he does not care, either. Lan Zhan knows, and that is enough.

He watches Lan Zhan take the brightly coloured garish ring out of it's confinement with a tremor in his fingers, and take Wei Ying's hand with his other. The cool glass flashes brilliantly as he slips it on and then his head bows to kiss it there.

"I want everyone to know that we're engaged," Wei Ying tells him, and suddenly they're kissing hard, no space between them as passion ignites, burning through them both.

Teeth nip and bite, fast, furious and delighting in this torturous meeting, neither willing to succumb to the other, tasting the hidden pleasures that lie in each other's arms. Hot tongues licking, fighting for dominance that quickly becomes a tease. Flirty and wild, Wei Ying's breath is stolen by Lan Zhan and they're on the floor, with Lan Zhan's elegant fingers digging into Wei Ying's hips in a hold that they both know will leave bruises.

Every time that Lan Zhan tastes his blood, it feels new, a super charge of lightning that erupts along all of his nerve endings. Wei Ying is so warm, such a welcome weight on top of his body that Lan Zhan thinks it's nothing short of a miracle. This kiss hoes on forever, a gasp, a twist and then Wei Ying grinds down, a whimper of need leaving his reluctant lips.

In a flash, not even half a second, and they're standing in front of the mirror again.

"What did Wei Ying want to show me?" Lan Zhan bites out, standing just behind Wei Ying with a golden fire scorching in his eyes.

They're both panting hard, and Wei Ying can feel him everywhere.

"Take off my jacket," Wei Ying orders him, keeping his eyes on Lan Zhan's face.

It feels monumental, doing this for them.

Lan Zhan wonders what it is that Wei Ying wants to show him, what could be so important under this marvellous scarlet leather. It has single-handedly become his favourite piece of clothing on Wei Ying's body, and he briefly entertains the idea of Wei Ying wearing only that, and nothing else...

A whine leaves Wei Ying's mouth, needy and urgent.

Lan Zhan takes the supple leather, pinching it on Wei Ying's shoulders with both hands and slides it off, casually tossing it onto a nearby chair back.

Then he allows himself to look.

Now he knows why Wei Ying wanted to see his face, and he wants so much!

Lan Zhan gives himself the time to appreciate this beautiful piece of art that is humbly being the back of Wei Ying's shirt. He knows he must have bought it for Wei Ying himself, and yet he had no recollection of it. Surely, such a masterpiece of clothing should be memorable?

Maybe not on screen, but this? Right now? Lan Zhan knows this image is going to be seared into his brain like a brand.

He lets his hands glide over the impossibly soft lace, his fingers tracing the delicate silk, a gossamer weaving of intricate flowers that sit upon golden skin just waiting to be kissed.

Wei Ying looks so hot, trembling under his hands and bracing himself against the mirror, his silver eyes fiery with need, lips parting as though he can't breathe at all, waiting, waiting...

Lan Zhan's mouth lands at the nape of Wei Ying's neck, his smooth lips licking away the goosebumps that have suddenly appeared. Wei Ying is his to taste, like a rare delicacy that Lan Zhan intends to savour. He forces himself to go slowly, though his instincts are fighting him to rip away the lace to unwrap his present.

He absorbs every tremble, every shiver, relishing each whimpering moan as Wei Ying watches him back in the mirror, eyes half lidded with lust.

Wei Ying is burning up, a fever dream of his wildest fantasies.

Who knew watching his lover worshipping his body could be such a turn on?

And how come Lan Zhan's tongue feels so hot against his cool skin?

He's a live wire ready to explode into a million different multicoloured pieces, primed to burst into flames. Lan Zhan's fingers are digging into his hips, his thumbs absently stroking his skin and everything feels too hot. His sharp teeth graze the smoothness of Wei Ying's soft skin, soaking up every sensitive moan.

Lan Zhan knows exactly what he's doing, his fingers teasing Wei Ying and driving him into a madness of need and desire as they sink past the waistband of his trousers.

Just as Wei Ying thinks his knees are going to give out, Lan Zhan captures him around his waist, a tight hold that ensures Wei Ying is unable to move. His teeth clamp down in a bite so intense, Wei Ying lets go of everything.

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

After they clean up, Wei Ying is treated to Lan Zhan humming softly, easing him towards sleep.

"Were you going to propose tonight?" Wei Ying asks him, eyes already closed, voice heavy with sleep.

Lan Zhan's arms tighten around him.

"No. The box has been burning a hole in my pocket ever since the ring arrived. I thought about the restaurant...but then, here...it felt right." Lan Zhan tells him, his deep voice soothing to thirsty ears.

"I'm glad you waited until today," Wei Ying murmurs as if each word is an effort. "I would marry you in a heartbeat, in every single lifetime."

He falls asleep with a smile on his beautiful face, and Lan Zhan smiles too, feeling like the luckiest man on the planet.

After tomorrow night, they will be free.

Then he's going to make a start on wedding planning...