Lan Zhan was busy counting the number of lashes on Wei Ying's left eye as he slept, when he heard giggling from outside the door. It was faint and only possible because of his super sensitive hearing...

Eager to stop the children from spoiling the surprise in their excitement, and to stop them from waking Wei Ying, when the man needed his rest, Lan Zhan eased himself out of bed. He replaced himself with a pillow first, and made sure the sheet was tucked securely around Wei Ying, and then he stepped outside of their room.

Indeed, both A-Yuan and JingYi were standing and whispering to each other, both wearing baby blue onesies with white bunny ears and bunny slippers.

Lan Zhan had to smile at them. They were so cute!

"Baba is still sleeping, and it's early even for you," he said kindly, crouching down to their level.

"But Zhan-Gege, we're too excited to sleep!" JingYi said quickly, and A-Yuan clutched his hand, nodding over-enthusiastically.

"I see," he holds out his arms to hug both of them. "Are you hungry? Have you brushed your teeth?"

"We can wait for breakfast, but we need help to shower," A-Yuan says, kissing his cheek.

"Mn. Then shall we let Baba sleep for a little while longer, and we can be a team? If you teach me what to do, I can help you," he offers.

How bad can it be, helping kids to get ready for the day?

They cheer quietly and pull him towards their room, where they have an adjacent bathroom.

"What about a bath instead?" Lan Zhan asks them, hunting in the cabinet under the sink for something he has a feeling they will enjoy more than simply showering.

"A bath?" JingYi looks uncertain about it.

"I will if you will," A-Yuan tells him, holding his hand.

"It's fun," Lan Zhan says, smiling at their innocent faces. "Like hugging. When Baba said hugs were good, did you believe him?"

A-Yuan nods.

"Well, a bath is the same thing. You can play in the water and by the time you finish playing, you're clean. It's like magic."

That was the right thing to say, because they immediately start brushing their teeth while Lan Zhan prepares their bath, making sure to add extra bubble formula so they can make shapes. His own favourite was making bunnies with XiChen... a memory that resurfaces when he had forgotten all about it.

They used to have toys, he remembers, and he makes a note to buy some for this next generation of children who might enjoy them.

Lan Zhan helps them into the bath and the kids are delighted! He sits on the floor next to them just to make sure they're safe, and they begin to play cautiously at first, but then JingYi accidentally splashes him, and for a second, everyone freezes.

But then, Lan Zhan splashes them back and then it's all out war! Every man for himself, and the boys give as good as they get. Pretty soon, the bathroom is wetter than the bath, and the children are helplessly giggling and laughing. Even Lan Zhan has rolled his sleeves up and the smile hasn't left his face yet.

"Breakfast first, then costumes?" Lan Zhan tells them when they're dry and about to get dressed.

JingYi wants to protest with all the enthusiasm of a kid who thinks waiting is like dying, but to Lan Zhan's surprise, it's A-Yuan who calms him down.

"Zhan-Gege told me before, if we eat and get our clothes dirty, it won't be good. Let's have breakfast first, and we can eat fast. Then we can surprise Baba!"

This time, it's Lan Zhan who hugs them both first.

They're so innocent and full of love, and he remembers what it's like to be this age, when everything is a new discovery, and the world is full of good things. He wants to protect them as much as possible from the reality that it isn't always so.

"What do you say to bunny pancakes?" He offers, ignoring the sting in his eyes, willing the pressure to go away.

"Can we help?" They chorus, and when he nods, they each take his hands and they go down together.

Making this breakfast reminds Lan Zhan of living in Wei Ying's apartment, of his first attempts to look after A-Yuan and learning that he could. Wei Ying made being a great parent look so easy, and Lan Zhan was only now learning how much one questioned themselves in the process.

Wei Ying had done it alone for three years. He might have had some help via babysitting from the Wens, but where were they during the nights? When A-Yuan might have woken from a bad dream? When he was sick?

And on top of all that, Wei Ying was working two jobs.

While he adds chocolate chips to the pancakes, and chops up bananas to add the healthy element on the side, Lan Zhan decides to make extra for the birthday boy as well.

Uncle Qiren shuffles into the kitchen soon afterwards, and Lan Zhan treats him to this unconventional breakfast too, choosing not to comment on the fleeting smile he sees in return.

It's nice to do something for the family.

Uncle Qiren convinces the kids to stay with him for breakfast, because otherwise he would be lonely, and Lan Zhan uses the opportunity to take a tray of steaming coffee and bunny pancakes with the same chocolate chips and banana slices up to his beloved.

Wei Ying is still sleeping when Lan Zhan enters the room.

He puts the tray down on the side cabinet, and slides into bed, tossing the pillow that's taken his place.

The smile on Wei Ying's face gives him away.

Lan Zhan hovers over him, taking in the pool of ebony hair, a silky halo around his beautiful face. His cheeks are still flushed with sleep, and he's just so soft, so lovely to look at.

Wei Ying pouts, a small whine leaving his plump lips.

"Lan Er-Gege...you can't be this close and not kiss me!" He complains.

"Mn," Lan Zhan agrees, and swoops in, capturing his beautiful lips.

There is so much pleasure in this, a simple act filled with all the love he is capable of giving. It's so easy to get caught up in him, to slide their lips together in mutual appreciation. Wei Ying wraps his arms around Lan Zhan's neck, pressing himself up against his chest, and deepens the kiss naturally.

But it's the fragrant aromatic coffee that drags Wei Ying's attention away from their passionate embrace, and his stomach voices its complaint by gurgling loudly.

"At this point, I'm thinking it's a separate entity," Wei Ying giggles, as both he and Lan Zhan look at his belly.

"Wei Ying should eat," Lan Zhan helps him to sit up.

But when he sees the bunny pancakes, his eyes fill with tears.

"Wei Ying!?" Lan Zhan wipes them away with his thumbs, alarmed.

"It's just...they remind me of home. When it was just the three of us." Wei Ying explains, smiling. "Happy tears," he adds.

So much has changed in their lives since those rushed mornings of racing to school with A-Yuan, and how much Lan Zhan contributed to their morning routine by cooking for them regularly.

Wei Ying eats quickly despite Lan Zhan encouraging him to chew, and once he's finished, Lan Zhan picks up the tray to take it away.

"Wei Ying needs to shower fast, the children want to show us something." Lan Zhan tells him, and that's all he needs to get moving.

*********

He's just getting out of the bathroom after hurriedly throwing on the clothes that Lan Zhan put out for him, when the boys rush into the room.

They're in costume, and Wei Ying remembers that today is Halloween!

They have bunny onesies complete with long ears and fluffy tails, but they're both clearly different rabbits. JingYi is Bugs Bunny, and he even has a carrot in his hand as he throws his chubby arms around Wei Ying's neck, and they're all laughing.

A-Yuan is Peter Rabbit with his blue jacket, and he's also holding a carrot, but the only difference is, his carrot is half eaten already.

But when Lan Zhan walks in wearing bunny ears, that's when Wei Ying loses it.

"They insisted," Lan Zhan tries to explain, but Wei Ying is too far gone, with tears streaming down his face, clutching his sides and bent over. He can't even catch his breath!

Lan Zhan thinks he should get an award just for dealing with him.

***********

Even in the car, there are helpless titters every time Wei Ying looks his way.

When they get to school, Lan Zhan takes the ears off before they escort the children to the playground. They're informed that the children will only be in school until after lunchtime, and parents were welcome to join the kids for trick or treating, with the only requirement being costumes.

They say bye to the children, and Wei Ying is thoughtfully quiet on the way home.

"Have you ever been trick or treating, Sweetheart?" He asks, when Lan Zhan reaches over to squeeze his knee. His hand covers Lan Zhan's, threading their fingers together in a tight clasp.

"No. Has Wei Ying?" He looks over when they pause at a red light.

"Yeah, Jiang Cheng, ShiJie and I used to go all the time. It was fun." If he misses anything, it's the easy camaraderie that he used to share with his siblings.

"Do you miss them?" Lan Zhan asks him, pulling forward once the light turns green.

"Yeah," Wei Ying says wistfully. "Madam Yu banned me from contacting them...after I adopted A-Yuan. And I think she stopped them from getting in touch with me. But as long as they're happy, healthy and all that, that's all that matters, right?"

"Mn."

They're quiet on the rest of the drive, but it's only when Lan Zhan pulls into an unfamiliar car park that Wei Ying looks around with interest.

"Um...this isn't home?" Wei Ying points out the obvious.

"Mn. I am aware." Lan Zhan smiles and takes his hand. "In case Wei Ying has forgotten, today is Thursday. Date night, but daytime." He brings Wei Ying's hand to his lips, smiling to himself.

Wei Ying's face was priceless.

When Lan Zhan had said "today", his beautiful silver starlight eyes had shimmered with expectations, perhaps thinking that Lan Zhan was going to say something about it being his birthday, and the disappointment that flashed in their depths was fleeting but nonetheless there.

It's so hard to keep this a secret, that Lan Zhan knows what day it is, and not being able to say anything.

But it will be worth it, later.

"Okay, my love." Wei Ying was secretly swooning.

Lan Zhan had brought him somewhere, specifically for a date. A surprise date at that, and he was allowed to be excited about that! It was so romantic, not only that Lan Zhan had made an effort to do something special, but also he had been serious about keeping Thursdays for a date, just for them.

So he resolved to be happy about whatever it was Lan Zhan had planned for them.

Lan Zhan helps him out of the car and then to Wei Ying's surprise, he wraps him up in a padded jacket and a scarf and gloves, doing the same for himself, just to fit in. He didn't feel cold at all, though he was sure that had more to do with him being a vampire now.

It's an ice rink.

Lan Zhan is staring at his face when Wei Ying realises where they have come.

"I haven't been ice skating in ages," Wei Ying admits with a beaming smile, already excited.

"So Wei Ying can skate?" Lan Zhan asks him, kneeling on the ground to tie Wei Ying's skates on. They're seated on the outskirts of the largest rink in Denver.

"Yep. Can you?" Wei Ying is startled enough to ask. "It's okay if you can't, I'll teach you!"

Lan Zhan finishes his job and cradles Wei Ying's face with his gloved hands.

"No need," he smiles, leaning in to kiss Wei Ying's nose. It scrunched up like a bunny. "I can skate."

"Oh, swell!! We'll have so much fun!" Wei Ying enthuses, standing up and holding on. "Although we should really be thinking about our costumes, if we want to go trick or treating with A-Yuan and A-Yi."

"It is sorted, Wei Ying doesn't need to worry," he replies.

"Oh, really??" Wei Ying fishes for more information, but Lan Zhan refuses to tell him anything else.

Lan Zhan finishes putting his own skates on, and then he yanks Wei Ying closer. This time, his kiss is even more thorough.

It warms them up from the inside, and Wei Ying looks even better with reddened lips, when Lan Zhan finally releases his mouth. It is a date, after all.

There aren't many people on the rink as it's still early in the day.

They race, they fall, they enjoy a really good time having fun on the ice, and they snack on finger foods in between having a few breaks.

When it's time to leave, Wei Ying feels sad.

"We can come here with the children," Lan Zhan promises him, taking off both of their skates.

Wei Ying's face lights up with the possibility.

He's back to his cheerful self on the way home, chatting about how good it felt, skating again.

"Next date day, I'm going to plan it," Wei Ying insists. "So far, you've been the one doing things for both of us, so it's time I did my share!"

"It's not necessary, but if it makes you feel better."

They pull up at the Manor, and Lan Zhan maintains eye contact when he kisses the back of Wei Ying's hand.

"I look forward to it," he vows.

Wei Ying shivers just from the heat in his molten eyes, already so dark with anticipation.

He better make sure to blow Lan Zhan's socks off, next Thursday! He was sure Lan Zhan would appreciate just the first part, too.

They enter the Manor hand in hand, and Lan Zhan takes them straight up to their room.

There, on the bed, are their costumes.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying clutches his arm, his voice coming out at a higher pitch. "Did you really get us all matching bunny costumes?" He kisses Lan Zhan's cheek and runs to the bed exuberantly, picking up the Thumper costume. "This one's for me?"

Lan Zhan nods. It's impossible not to smile at his childlike enthusiasm.

"And you're Rabbit from Pooh Bear? That's so fitting!" He giggles, ripping off the plastic packaging.

"Mn." Lan Zhan thinks about the indignity of dressing up like this, because he's never, ever worn a costume, and especially one sanctioned by a couple of six year olds.

"Yes, they're silly, my love, but that's the whole point," Wei Ying says, returning to him.

Unconsciously, he's tapped into how Lan Zhan feels about dressing up.

"But I'm afraid it will look silly. That I will look foolish," he admits, wrapping his arms around Wei Ying and pulling him close.

"Well, if it helps, I'm all in with you, about looking foolish. Did the boys pick the costumes?" He asks, correctly guessing the truth.

"Mn."

"Well, then since it's the only requirement, we have to do it. On the plus side, at least the other parents will look just as ridiculous as us, and if we can't do something so insignificant for our children, then what does that say about us?" Wei Ying hugs him tighter.

When he says that, Lan Zhan lets out a sigh of reluctant agreement.

He can do this.

He must.

"What if I make this better?" Wei Ying leans back with a twinkle in his eyes.

"How?" Lan Zhan is immediately interested.

"I promise, if you put that costume on, I'll do whatever you want me to, tonight. Or rather, I'll let you do anything you want to me," he was going to laugh, but the look in those suddenly blazing golden eyes made his mouth go completely dry.

"Mark your words."

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

Rabbit's costume isn't so bad. And in this weather with the stiff cold wind making Wei Ying shiver, Lan Zhan was glad he could pull him closer and provide some measure of warmth.

Wei Ying was right; because the other parents were dressed in just as ridiculous costumes as the children, he didn't feel so out of place.

When the children came out, there was some confusion at first, because they weren't expecting their parents to be so fully on board with the holiday, and then it was swiftly followed by lots of laughter as dishes found spoons, batteries matched up with torches, and ketchup met a bag of chips.

Everyone 'oohed' and 'aahed' at their family members, with other parents making them pose for pictures, a family of four bunnies. Lan Zhan noted with no small degree of satisfaction that they were far and away the best dressed Halloween ready family out of everyone there.

A-Yuan and JingYi were thrilled to bits just walking in between them as they went from house to house, trick or treating.

Despite being a poor neighbourhood, the residents had done a stellar job of decorating their gardens and front porches, with carved pumpkins, creepy lanterns and even a dozing skeleton, which their boys gave a wide berth to.

There were fake spiders perched on fake cobwebs, some were real, Wei Ying thought, but he wasn't about to go test them. The time flew by, and by the end of two hours, the children had buckets full of candy and chocolate.

Wei Ying was a responsible parent and only allowed them two pieces each, internally marvelling at how well behaved and obedient their kids were, in comparison to other parents, whose children either didn't listen, or weren't told anything to begin with.

In the car on the way back, Wei Ying is far too busy chatting with the children, his body already twisted in his seat as he looks at them proudly. They're talking about what the children learned that day, and whether or not they had a good time that afternoon, and so again, Wei Ying doesn't notice where they have parked.

So he looks around at the gated community parking in confusion.

"Isn't this your apartment?" He says, as Lan Zhan leans over to kiss his forehead.

"Today, Wei Ying gets the award for pointing out the obvious," he says, a peculiar glint in his eyes. "And it is OUR apartment."

Wei Ying playfully smacks his arm.

"Rude!" But he's smiling. "And okay, our apartment, but why are we here?"

"I need to fetch something from upstairs." Lan Zhan says.

It's not technically a lie...

"Can we see the bunnies? Please, Zhan-Gege?" JingYi says, and that's the beginning of sweet pleas from A-Yuan as well, both of them begging to go and see Tofu and Noodles.

It's Wei Ying who turns around with the biggest smile.

"Okay, since both of you have been excellent in your behaviour, and you're asking so nicely, let's go up."

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

The concierge is his bright and bubbly self, happily beaming at the young family, while Wei Ying glared daggers at the insolent man who clearly can't tell when someone is taken.

And then, Wei Ying has a brilliant idea.

He lifts up Lan Zhan's hand and blatantly kisses his ring, the one that Wei Ying himself had put on that finger, just to dispel any remaining doubts.

The cheek of some people!

Maybe Wei Ying should bring an optician's visiting card next time, just to ensure the young man kept an eye on his optic health, if he was unable to see what was right in front of him. Then he snickered at his own pun.

Lan Zhan was getting whiplash with the way Wei Ying's blood kept changing, smell-wise. Now that he was somewhat familiar with his feelings, he sensed joy at coming inside the building that Lan Zhan had said was their apartment, followed by sourness, definitely someone was drinking vinegar, and then it was swiftly followed by humour.

He could tell the jealousy was transitory and mostly gone by the time they reached the private elevator.

The children happily greeted their favourite bellboy, thrilled on his behalf at the coolness of his daily job of going up and down on the elevator.

In no time at all, they were standing outside the middle door of the only three on this exclusive floor.

But today, once Lan Zhan entered his security number, and the door opened, they were greeted by total darkness.

"That's funny, isn't the light normally already on?" Wei Ying says, taking off his shoes and helping the children put theirs away as well.

It was unnerving to not be hit by the usual brightness of the foyer.

Lan Zhan waited until Wei Ying was facing the second door that led to the lounge, and then his fingers tripped the light switch.

"SURPRISE!!"

Wei Ying nearly stumbles back, startled by the sudden noise, the bright light, and the twenty people staring back at him, cheering and letting flower cannons loose, showering him in pretty petals and glittering confetti.

His expression is absolutely priceless!

He looks around at all the familiar faces, too many in this congested place that he can't see who all of them are,so he picks up A-Yuan to hide behind him as people come up to congratulate him on his twenty-seventh birthday.

They've sort of lined up, and he first greets Uncle Qiren who takes both A-Yuan and JingYi to stand on one side, leaving Wei Ying totally exposed.

They stand next to him, cheering and high-fiving each other.

It's only because Lan Zhan is standing at his back that Wei Ying stays where he is.

It's a solid support from one who knows how he's feeling, ready to bolt to a quiet corner and in spite of being a social butterfly, Wei Ying has never liked being in the spotlight, at the centre of everyone's attention.

He's overwhelmed by the party itself, that it was such a surprise, and how he had never imagined Lan Zhan would have planned anything like this!

XiChen and MingJue are next with Nie Huaisang just behind them, and they put their gifts on the table with the gentian flowers in a vase on it. It starts a trend and suddenly, all the guests are adding to the pile.

Baoshan Sanren follows them, coming to bring Wei Ying into a warm hug.

"You were in on it, too?" He asks her in disbelief, laughing and ducking out of her way when she tries to smack the back of his head.

"All of us were in on it," she snickers. "You should have seen your face when you were worried about A-Zhan being late, yesterday! We should definitely do this again, sometime." She throws back her head and cackles. "Happy birthday, Haizi."

Wei Ying is pulled into the lounge and sees all the hard work that everyone has put into this surprise party.

There's a dry ice machine spreading a low fog along the ground, Jack o' lanterns carved with gruesome smiles and creepy eyes, jagged teeth and flickering fake candles inside them. Plastic skeletons lounge on Lan Zhan's sofa, formally white but now draped in black crushed velvet. Luminous trolls in vivid fluorescent green and orange, and every available flat surface is covered in Halloween themed finger foods.

There are bloody finger/sausage rolls, red fruit punch with eyeballs floating around in the bowl, doughnuts glazed with black icing, chocolate twinkles with a weird green filling, jaffa cakes with a gooey orange centre, swamp pie/chocolate cake in chocolate sauce, little appetiser toothpicks holding cheese and cracker combinations that resemble teeth dripping in slime.

Even the macaroons are white with a red filling, and it's when Wei Ying sees this, that he begins to look around frantically.

"S-Shijie?"

She's right there, looking scared of approaching him, in her arms, there's a small child who might be around one and a half years old, sucking his thumb and looking around owlishly. And next to her stands Jiang Cheng, looking uncomfortable but determined.

Wei Ying throws himself at them, and suddenly they're all hugging and crying.

"A-Xian! A-Xian, are you okay? How have you been? We were so worried, and then we couldn't find you. Mother...mother wouldn't let us contact you!" ShiJie is crying, and now her baby is getting distressed.

But Wei Ying makes grabby hands at him and the baby is too surprised to continue crying, and suddenly he's being swung high up into the air and chortling loudly.

Introductions are made and Wei Ying learns that his name is Jin RuLan, or Jin Ling.

"How did you..." That's all he has to ask, for Jiang YanLi to gesture towards Lan Zhan, standing with JingYi at his hip and watching them from a distance.

Wei Ying blows him a kiss and waves at him, and Jiang Cheng scowls at him.

"Still as embarrassing," he grouses, playfully shoving Wei Ying.

Wei Ying hands his nephew back to YanLi and attacks him, giving him a noogie and bending to avoid being punched.

"It's so good to see you thriving," YanLi says, missing the surprise on his face.

She's distracted by Jin Ling fussing, and Wei Ying doesn't want to go into details about his life. He's gone through so many changes, both in the people he's suddenly met, and his financial situation, that it's easier to go along with whatever his siblings assume about him.

Another thing he's slowly realising is that however much time passes, their reunion is bittersweet. As much as Wei Ying would like to keep in contact with them, they are now three separate branches growing in three different directions, and no matter how much he would still want to be involved in their lives, it's never going to be like it was when they lived together.

Too many separate ways of dealing with their own lives has created cracks in their bond, and trying to keep this relationship alive will only cause more problems in the foreseeable future.

What happens when his siblings ask why Lan Zhan isn't getting older anymore? Or what about himself? What if the same is true for himself? He's not even going to touch upon his relationship with his grandmother because that would cross so many lines of keeping her life a secret.

Neither Jiang Cheng nor Jiang YanLi are stupid; they'll know something is up, and Wei Ying won't risk it. It's up to him to protect his family from his other family, and if that means he has to step away from the Jiangs, then he'll do his best to make sure it's as painless and obscure as possible.

Once this decision is made, Wei Ying throws himself into the party and enjoys himself as much as he can.

The problems of tomorrow are exactly that, so for tonight, he'll eat and drink and joke around because this is all he can ask for, and he's never been a selfish man.

It must be enough.

It has to be.

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

Roughly an hour after they began this celebration, Wen PoPo wheels in a table with a cake glowing luminous and white resting upon it, while XiChen taps a glass for silence. Mo XuanYu switches off the music so everybody can sing happy birthday for the birthday boy.

Twenty-seven candles would be a fire hazard, so whoever organised this has put two candles made from a two and a seven stuck in the centre of the cream frosting. They're lit and Wei Ying is cheered to make his wishes.

Slices are cut and Lan Zhan suddenly materialises to stuff his mouth full of chocolate cake. That gives everyone the idea to follow, but Wei Ying retaliates by doing it back to them.

He looks around the room at Song Lan and Xiao XingChen, his neighbours from his old apartment, Wen PoPo, Uncle Qiren, he sees Mo XuanYu and Baoshan Sanren pretending to waltz around the room, XiChen and MingJue feeding each other veggie balls, the Jiangs playing with his sons, introducing them to little Jin Ling who looks incredibly excited at the mini humans.

Wei Ying feels Lan Zhan coming up to stand behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist so Wei Ying can lean against his chest. Together they sway gently to the slower music playing, winding down the evening.

"Did you enjoy yourself, Wei Ying?" Lan Zhan's mouth is at his ear, and his breath makes Wei Ying shiver.

His hands are already clinging onto Lan Zhan's arms, and he nods, turning his face so they can share a kiss.

Everyone he loves is here, and for these short, few hours, he has been able to leave his troubles outside that door. He's been allowed to simply enjoy tonight and let it happen by itself. No more lighting a solitary candle on a cupcake and sharing it with A-Yuan.

Life has twisted and turned, taking Wei Ying along with it. It's been shocking, unpredictable and downright horrifying at times, but he knows it couldn't have been any other way.

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

Slowly people begin to leave.

First of all, it's Uncle Qiren and the boys, who come and give Wei Ying and Lan Zhan sleepy kisses.

"We'll be heading out," XiChen tells them, smiling at the sweet scene.

"You're leaving?" Wei Ying asks them, looking at Lan Zhan, who stares back unrepentant and terribly smug. "What about us?"

"You're staying here," XiChen says, patting his back warmly. "And don't worry about the cleaning, a company is coming around tomorrow morning to sort it out. You two just enjoy yourselves." His knowing smile makes Lan Zhan glare at his feet.

Wen PoPo shuffles out after them.

Once they leave, suddenly everyone is taking part in an unconscious race to go, and Wei Ying is being hugged and congratulated once more.

He waves goodbye to Jiang Cheng and YanLi, and cute little Jin Ling who makes grabby hands at Wei Ying now, wanting to be thrown up in the air one last time.

They make promises to keep in touch, and though Wei Ying faithfully puts their numbers into his phone, and gives them his, he knows the truth. Still, he wears the brightest smile as he waves goodbye.

His old neighbours tell him how much they will miss seeing him and their little family on that floor, and express the usual fear of the new, unknown tenants who will be moving in soon. Wei Ying sees them off with kind words, knowing that they too, will join in the group of people he will probably never see again.

Lastly, it's the vampire contingent and Mo XuanYu to leave.

"I'm so glad that I got to spend this birthday with you, my dear," she says, hugging him one last time.

Then Song Lan, Xiao XingChen and Mo XuanYu follow her out with a wave.

Lan Zhan closes the door behind them, locking and bolting the door.

Wei Ying watches him going around the room, putting lids over the leftovers and switching off appliances, including the smoke machine and finally the lights. He can see just fine, and he leads Wei Ying towards his bedroom.

"Sweetheart, I completely forgot!" Wei Ying stops in the middle of the corridor separating Lan Zhan's bedroom from XiChen's room, panicking.

"Mn?" Lan Zhan is busy kissing an exposed neck, but he pauses to listen.

"Tofu and Noodles? Where are they?"

"Wei Ying should not worry. Xiongzhang put them in his room before the guests arrived, so they wouldn't get stressed."

"Can we say goodnight?"

"Wei Ying can do whatever he wants, until we cross that threshold," Lan Zhan tells him, pointing at his room.

"Okay, then I wanna kiss them goodnight," Wei Ying insists.

Lan Zhan is right, there's no need to worry about the bunnies. They're fast asleep on their little bunny beds, and Wei Ying blows them kisses instead. He's been feeling second hand impatience rolling off Lan Zhan, and Wei Ying half wants to waste more time out of needing to tease him some more, but one look at that pouting face and Wei Ying gives up.

"Thank you for making this birthday the most special one in my life," he says, pressing his body to Lan Zhan's.

Their lips meet in a lazy kiss, experimental with kitten licks, kisses at the corners of their mouths, testing the waters until Lan Zhan covers Wei Ying's eyes.

"Wait," he commands and then has to make sure he hasn't accidentally compelled Wei Ying into standing like a statue.

Wei Ying squeezes his arm without being asked to, and that's enough proof for now.

Keeping his palm over Wei Ying's eyes, Lan Zhan eases the door of their bedroom open and flicks on the light.

Then he lets Wei Ying see.

Brilliant red rose petals form a heart on the bed, and there are two glasses of champagne ready and waiting for them. And on the side cabinet, there's a red silk rope.

"Er..." Wei Ying is already feeling warm suddenly, the swoop of his belly reminding him of earlier today.

"Wei Ying was told to mark his words," Lan Zhan whispers, guiding him to the bed.

His wonderful golden eyes are burning with love and whatever he's going to do with Wei Ying tonight.

"Wei Ying made a promise," Lan Zhan continues, pushing him down onto lovely soft sheets.

"I did..." Wei Ying replies, mouth dry and breathlessly.

"I hope Wei Ying does not like these clothes too much," Lan Zhan says, holding his finger at Wei Ying's throat, poised to strike.

"Whatever you're going to do, just hurry up!" Wei Ying begs.

"Very well," Lan Zhan promises.

His talon comes out, and in a single swipe, he's ripped through all the layers of this Wei Ying present, unwrapping him like the gift he is. Wei Ying is writhing underneath him, desperate for his touch, and eyes half closed, watching him back.

Everything about Wei Ying screams at him to come and take his pleasure, but Lan Zhan holds himself back with great control.

Tonight is all about Wei Ying, and Lan Zhan is going to take his time.

This time when he pounces, it is measured, slow and precise.

"Happy birthday, my Wei Ying," Lan Zhan whispers in his ear, before he begins.

And all Wei Ying can think is that none of his birthdays have been like this one. It's going to stand out in his memory forever.