A-Yuan falls asleep in Lan Zhan’s arms.

It is both humbling and an honour to be able to lift him up and take him to his still dark room. Lan Zhan puts him into his bed and tucks him in. And then, because he cannot just walk away, he leans forward and presses his lips on A-Yuan's forehead. The child settles better then and a ghost of a smile rests upon his cherubic face.

He's so cute it should be a crime.

Lan Zhan knows this is going to be just a nap in the afternoon and so, he has a little bit of time to do something very important.

It feels like he's doing something wrong but, it is necessary and he must do it, so Lan Zhan goes back into Wei Ying's bedroom and finds his phone. He leaves the room because he doesn't want Wei Ying to hear him. And he doesn't want to disturb Wei Ying’s rest either.

He scrolls through the contacts until he finds the familiar one.

Then he types out a message which he hopes will not start a panic and hopes for the best. He receives a reply almost immediately and waits impatiently for the phone call.

Five minutes later, it rings.

Lan Zhan picks it up straight away.

"What is it and why do you have his phone?" She snaps, right off the bat. It's Wen Qing.

Lan Zhan keeps calm and answers her as best as he can.

"I think there's something wrong with Wei Ying. He was feeling dizzy a couple of days ago and today he said it was the sun, but he passed out this afternoon."

It feels more serious now that he's said it out loud.

She fired off several questions after that, which Lan Zhan tried to answer as best as he could, but his observations were only from a three day period.

"Alright, we'll know more after a blood test." She says briskly. "I'll be there tonight."

The phone cuts off and Lan Zhan slowly ends the call. Then he remembers the painkillers he wanted just in case. Maybe he can go and buy them tonight when Wen Qing arrives and it'll be dark then.

It will be okay for him to go out.

He hopes.

Lan Zhan goes and returns the phone to its owner.

Wei Ying wakes just as Lan Zhan puts it back on his bedside cabinet. He sits down next to Wei Ying.

"How do you feel?" He asks. He is ready for all of Wei Ying's deflections and vows to himself to talk about this properly to him.

"I'm okay, Lan Zhan. Honestly, I think it was the sun...too hot today. I'll be fine after I hydrate." Wei Ying notices the water in the glass and chugs it down.

"What if it's not?" Lan Zhan says carefully. He doesn't want to spook Wei Ying, but already he knows this conversation is like walking barefoot through a minefield.

"Huh?" Wei Ying is clearly not expecting Lan Zhan to push him on this.

Lan Zhan uses his close proximity to check whether or not Wei Ying has a temperature.

"I said, what if it isn't the sun? Getting dizzy, falling down...all of that isn't normal." Lan Zhan enunciates because he wants to make it clear to Wei Ying that he has to do something about this. He cannot keep brushing it under a carpet and hoping it'll go away.

"Aiya...Lan Zhan..." He tutted. "You're worrying about nothing."

Lan Zhan fixes him with a stern look. He will not look away.

Not when this is so important.

"If it's nothing, then Wei Ying won't mind running a few tests, for my peace of mind." Lan Zhan knows he's won when he gets a sigh in return.

Wei Ying reaches forward and tangles their fingers together.

"I'm actually feeling much better now." He says, too brightly.

"That's great. Wen Qing is still coming tonight to collect your samples and give you a check up." Lan Zhan says, his fingers becoming tighter when Wei Ying would have pulled away.

Wei Ying groans dramatically. "I can't believe you told A-Qing! Have you seen the size of her needles? I swear she's a horse doctor!" He grumbles.

Lan Zhan leans closer, his lips hovering above Wei Ying’s lips.

"Please. For me." And then he adds a pout.

Wei Ying slaps a hand on his own eyes and wails.

"Lan Zhaaan! I already agreed! You cannot give me that face!"

Lan Zhan does not know how to resist him, he's just as cute if not more adorable than A-Yuan. So he brings their lips together and boy, is Wei Ying eager to kiss him back.

He is not sure where that dizziness had come from but now he feels as if he's floating far away on some cloud of bliss. Lan Zhan can kiss so well, drugging kisses that are hotter than lava and Wei Ying cannot resist any longer. He gives in to this heavenly feeling, and it goes hand in hand with feelings of safety and comfort.

Lan Zhan has become his home and Wei Ying needs him.

But it is his stomach which interrupts them, grumbling loudly.

Lan Zhan immediately breaks away, his concern a real thing that comes between them. Wei Ying whines unhappily as the pleasure fest comes to an end and he is left bereft.

"A-Yuan is taking a nap. I am going to make your lunch." He says with a smile, because Wei Ying looks too cute to say no to. "And then, I have something I wish to show you...but I need your approval."

Lan Zhan backs away.

"Lan Zhan! You can't leave me hanging!" He wails pitifully.

"Then, freshen up and join me." Lan Zhan says, turning around and leaving to go into the kitchen.

He has piqued Wei Ying’s curiosity enough so that the sound of Wei Ying's feet on the  rug as he walks over to the bathroom comes to him. Out of politeness, Lan Zhan tries to make enough noise in the kitchen to drown out any other sounds.

And it is the delicious scent of vegetable pancakes that bring Wei Ying into the kitchen at last. He showered too, and his beautiful hair is still damp as he sits down at the table.

The pancakes are ready.

Lan Zhan makes one perfectly round to prove that he can, and a better than before rabbit, complete with long upright ears.

Wei Ying’s crowing of surprised delight makes Lan Zhan wish he hadn’t stuck with the first round one. Watching Wei Ying eat is like a television show. He eats with his whole body as his hands flutter over the food and then his reaction from the first bite is so good, Lan Zhan has to sit on his hands to prevent himself from just grabbing him.

But he tells himself that he must let Wei Ying eat first.

Wei Ying has closed his eyes and for the first time in his life (probably) is chewing slowly, relishing each bite. Lan Zhan feels full and content just watching him.

When he finishes eating, Lan Zhan takes his plate and washes it for him while Wei Ying grabs a drink from the fridge.

"Now can you show me what it was?" He asks Lan Zhan hopefully.

"Mn. May I please have your phone?" Lan Zhan holds his hand out.

Wei Ying does exactly that, and tosses his head back to take a long swallow from his bottle.

For a few seconds, Lan Zhan just watches enthralled.

The curve of his neck is so tempting that his whole body shakes at the rampant desire that flares suddenly in his belly. Wei Ying is so beautiful...almost ethereal in his appearance, and yet this single action is so tempting that Lan Zhan wants to bite him.

He's so startled by this, it throws all other thoughts out of his head.

He wants to bite Wei Ying...but it has absolutely nothing to do with feeding or trying to survive.

It is...enlightening.

That Lan Zhan can actually differentiate between the two...it makes him feel so much better. He's prepared to feel hungry, and there's another problem that is lingering on the horizon: what is he going to do when the hunger hits once again?

He's going to be alright until tomorrow morning because judging from the effect on his body after drinking one drop of Wei Ying's blood that last time, it had lasted him a whole twenty four hour period.

This morning when Wei Ying had accidentally cut himself, that had been at least four or five drops. So did one drop equate to twenty four hours? With that reasoning he should be able to conclude that his next hungriness would happen five days from now.

Maybe he just had to wait and see.

Wei Ying is still looking at him expectantly.

Lan Zhan turns to the phone idle in his hands. He scrolls to a shop he found what he hopes is the right thing, and is about to give the phone back to Wei Ying, when Wei Ying solves that problem by himself because he climbs into Lan Zhan’s lap.

Of course, that's much better.

His warmth is something Lan Zhan will never get used to, and while it's simultaneously a good and bad thing, Lan Zhan appreciates this gesture. His one arm  rests around Wei Ying’s body, his own skin singing at this pleasant tingling which has burst into life suddenly.

"I thought...because Wei Ying says we will not have time before Thursday..." it sounds rather lame even to him.

"You're right." Wei Ying nods.

Out of his pocket, he withdraws the pocket watch and lays it on the table.

"So...shall we buy it?" Lan Zhan asks him.

Wei Ying buries his face in Lan Zhan’s neck, nodding.

Lan Zhan deals with it and then puts the phone down on the table. His other arm comes around to hold Wei Ying more securely closer to him.

Again as with A-Yuan before, this comfortable weight in Lan Zhan’s arms makes him feel more grounded.

And warm.

It's the best feeling.

"You know...I forgot last year and then A-Yuan had to go with a foil hat and an old plastic E.T. to school. I think he still hasn't forgiven me."

"It is alright. Wei Ying is creative...I would never have thought of that." Lan Zhan admits.

"I know it's easier to buy a ready made costume....but it feels like cheating." Wei Ying says.

Lan Zhan is rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"We've always made our costumes...or done something together."

"Next year...we can do something together." Lan Zhan says.

But the future seems too far away to think about right now.

They sit like that for a while longer until A-Yuan comes into the kitchen, yawning. He smiles as he sits down beside them in the chair that Wei Ying vacated, and lays his head down on the table, closing his eyes.

"Baobei...want some warm milk? It'll help you sleep." Wei Ying says, standing up when he nods.

Wei Ying bends and kisses his flushed forehead before pouring out some milk and microwaving it. He pulls out a packet of cookies that Lan Zhan had brought on a whim and he and A-Yuan eat them straight from the packet.

Lan Zhan forces himself not to get them plates, but it goes against everything his uncle drummed into him as a child.

Thinking about his family is inevitably saddening because Lan Zhan does not know when he will be able to do that.

So for now, he shoves those thoughts away and focuses on these people, who in three short days, he has come to see as his family.

A-Yuan is still sleepy after his cookies and milk are finished so Wei Ying goes to lift him up but Lan Zhan cuts in.

"May I?" He offers, consciously not wanting to step on any toes.

Wei Ying nods smiling, and follows them into A-Yuan's bedroom.

"Zhan Gege...please can you sing to me...like before?" A-Yuan is mostly asleep when he says this.

Lan Zhan can feel Wei Ying staring at him and is incredibly embarrassed. One notable difference is that his ears can no longer give him away; and Lan Zhan feels sad about that.

It is one of many changes and he knows he will miss each one.

Plus, it's fine to sing with only a child as his witness, but a whole bucket load of embarrassment when it's the guy he has the hots for. Still, Lan Zhan thinks about A-Yuan and how lovely he looks, and this is one tiny wish well within his power to grant.

So he closes his eyes and begins to sing.

Wei Ying just cannot believe it!

Lan Zhan...gorgeous hunk Lan Zhan, vampire Lan Zhan...has the best voice evah!

His Lan Zhan...is singing right now, to his child.

It's so surreal, Wei Ying has a hard time believing it. And...A-Yuan said...like before. That means Lan Zhan already sang to him once...

Wei Ying pouts at having missed what surely must have been a wonderful moment.

The lullaby sounds lovely.

He closes his eyes and it sounds even better.

It is both happy and sad as lullabies often are. There is a melancholy, an underlying melody of feelings hidden woven into the innocent words. Wei Ying lets them wash over him, thinking that it perfectly fits Lan Zhan as if it was created especially for him.

Only when Wei Ying feels soft lips upon his own forehead does he realise the melody has ended and the lullaby is over.

He bends and kisses A-Yuan's cheek, smiling as the boy snuggles against his pillow as if reassured against anything which might disturb him.

Then Wei Ying takes Lan Zhan by the hand and they return to the living room.

Before they've even sat down, there is the sound of a key turning in the lock and a tired-looking Wen Qing appears, still in her pale blue scrubs.

"A-Yuan?" She says in a quiet voice.

"Asleep." Wei Ying presses closer to Lan Zhan as she takes out several tiny tubes ready to be filled with blood.

Wei Ying hates needles almost as much as he hates dogs.

Which is a lot.

His silver eyes are wide with panic and fear.

"Lan Zhan...you called her over here, you have to hold my hand!" He says desperately to him.

Lan Zhan slips an arm around him and with his free hand, and he takes hold of Wei Ying's hand, while his other arm is free. He squeezes his eyes tightly shut even as Wen Qing rolls up his sleeve. She mutters words like 'big baby' under her breath.

"Wen Qing will take mine too." Lan Zhan offers.

He doesn't know where that thought came from, but it's the right thing to say because Wei Ying has stars in his eyes for him.

"You'd do that for me?" Wei Ying breathes out.

Lan Zhan nods and Wei Ying stuffs his fist into his mouth, trying to stop any noise from coming out.

That's when he realises that Wen Qing has already finished.

"Are you sure?" She asks Lan Zhan sharply.

"Mn. I was bitten. We should check." He watches as the needle pierces his skin to the vein.

It feels like it's happening to someone else, but Lan Zhan thinks this is necessary. He's surprised when it comes out looking like regular blood. He knows it is not.

"Um...Wen Qing...I don't have money to pay for-"

She slaps his knee, offended already.

"Ow! What was that for?" Wei Ying moans dramatically, rubbing the spot.

Lan Zhan has already taken out his wallet.

"Put that away. Where do you think A-Ning work, idiot?" She carries on, efficiently putting away the now full containers in separate zip lock bags.

"But he still has to test it." Wei Ying says.

"And he'll do it in his break. Now, it's rapid fire question time." She says that last part in a singsong voice and the switch between her tones is frightening.

She asks him about his dizzy spells, when they started and what he thinks might be the cause. She takes his temperature and blood pressure too but everything else is normal.

Wei Ying is thoroughly exhausted by the time she stands up to leave. He hugs her by the door though and that's when she holds on for longer.

"What's going on between you two?" She says, whispering close to his ear.

"We...are dating...I suppose." Wei Ying is as red-faced as he can be. "Although we haven't gone on any dates yet. But we're taking it slow for now.

She nods at him.

"He seems like a good guy."

"He is." Wei Ying sighs with longing.

She makes a gagging noise as she leaves.

Lan Zhan has never been so grateful as he is now that his ears do not change colour like they used to, because he heard everything.

And Wei Ying was not opposed to going on a date...

He's yawning already as he comes back in the room. Lan Zhan thinks rest is the best for him now and stands up to go to him.

"I hope you don’t mind...A-Qing asked about you...and I told her we are dating."

"Mn. It is the truth." Lan Zhan says, his hand cupping Wei Ying’s face.

Wei Ying leans into his touch and it's the most adorable thing he's done yet.

Lan Zhan feels another wave of love towards him and their lips crash together in a bruising kiss. Lan Zhan is pushing him up against the wall and these kisses are molten lava, burning them from the inside out.

The tingles become lightening strikes of heat obliterating all thought as their lips consume each other, a fire of heated desire with only one thing in mind.

Somehow they are moving and it's only when they tumble onto something soft that Lan Zhan realises Wei Ying has been leading them back to his bedroom...their bedroom because Lan Zhan is also living here now.

The briefest pauses are intermingled with drugging kisses, hot and heavy as they undress each other.

All that bare skin and Lan Zhan knows he has to be the most careful he's ever been. Control is his forte after all and he is determined to protect Wei Ying.

Wei Ying, beautiful and bright, straddling him now and watching him through hooded eyes.

"Are you sure?" Lan Zhan says, one last time.

Wei Ying nods.

Like a flame to gasoline, need erupts like a wildfire consuming them both.

********

It is only afterwards, long afterwards when Wei Ying is sleeping in his arms, that Lan Zhan understands something.

His change is complete.

He is now a full vampire.