Wei Ying tugged on Lan Zhan's sleeve.

"Mn?"

"Her eyes have gone funny again, and you might want to be more specific," he said, wrapping his arms around Lan Zhan's waist. "Start talking could mean anything, I mean, she might start reciting Shakespeare." He let out a giggle.

Lan Zhan thought about it.

"Mn. Wei Ying is correct." Lan Zhan took one look at Mrs Lan's cloudy eyes, and uncompelled her.

"So we were worried about you. Where were you yesterday?" Wei Ying asked her gently.

"I was looking for my husband. Unfortunately, I lost his trail early yesterday morning. And then I was hungry -"

"Tell me you didn't attack an innocent civilian!" Lan Zhan demanded, leaning forward.

Her eyes glazed over again and she was about to answer when Lan Zhan once again freed her from the Compelling.

"If you could stop doing that..." Mrs Lan clutched her head.

"As one novice to another, please accept my apologies." Lan Zhan said, feeling frustrated because he wanted to demand answers, but he still wanted her to retain her freedom.

"Why don't you let me ask the questions, my love?" Wei Ying offered, biting his lip to keep from laughing out loud.

His boyfriend was simply too cute when being impatient.

"Mn. Wei Ying should go ahead." Lan Zhan says.

While Mrs Lan is in the apartment, he doesn't want to run the risk of taking his eyes off her for even a second. And now that she's mentioned being hungry, he's even less inclined.

Plus the thought of Mrs Lan doing something like what had happened to himself, attacking another human being, sparked a violent rage in Lan Zhan. This new situation, the change that had been foisted upon him, and he wouldn't wish it upon anyone else.

"So you were saying, you were hungry?" Wei Ying prompted her.

"Yes. I found a dumpster with blood bags. Some were fresh," she shrugged, as though it didn't matter.

Wei Ying tried not to make a face, but it sounded disgusting.

Lan Zhan recalled how he had sustained himself in his early days through the transition. Maybe Mrs Lan hadn't tried to use the blood from her own body. And if Lan Zhan concentrated, he could smell that underlying rotten smell emanating from her body, just as she had described.

It was very faint, but there nonetheless, and he didn't understand why it was happening to her and not himself. Was it really as simple as the strength of their individual sires?

"Where?" Lan Zhan made sure not to make it sound like a command.

"Mostly I was checking the hospital dumpsters and for the first few nights, it was great. But then they upped their security, and placed guards around the place where these dumpsters were kept. And then I found another place, but it's more secure. They only take their bins out when they're going to be emptied, and I just happened to be there yesterday. In fact, I wanted to ask you," she fished around in her bag. "Can I keep this in your refrigerator?"

"Hell no!" Wei Ying looked at the bag of blood and was thoroughly disgusted.

Lan Zhan tried not to change his features, but even he was put off.

Mrs Lan's face looked incredibly disappointed, but she tried to hide it.

"It's just, well, I have nowhere else to put it. But that's okay." She hardens her resolve and forces a smile onto her face. "It's alright -"

"Wait." Lan Zhan suddenly says. He half turns his face towards Wei Ying. "What if we hide the bag on the top shelf behind some packets of salad, so the children cannot see it?"

"As long as I don't have to see it, either." Wei Ying replies, but he's suspicious about Lan Zhan's sudden agreement.

Just a second ago, Wei Ying was sure Lan Zhan was just as disgusted by the idea of storing someone else's blood in their fridge, a place where they kept their food. But since he said it would be put where the children wouldn't see it, he supposed it was okay. But then another thought rose in his head: was it for Lan Zhan? Was he hungry too, and unable to tell Wei Ying because of a misguided sense of loyalty?

Maybe he could ask Lan Zhan later.

Lan Zhan takes the blood bag from Mrs Lan and goes to put it away in the kitchen.

There's a tense silence as the remaining adults wait for his return.

"Thank you for letting me stay." Mrs Lan says, suddenly. "I know you don't trust me, but I want you to know that I won't hurt my son, or yours for that matter. And all of you." Her voice trembled with the force of her emotions. "As long as I can take care of my needs, I do not feel the urge to do...anything else."

"But Mrs Lan, I wonder if this is good for JingYi. You left him for so long, and now you're back, but for how long? The instability isn't good for him, and if you factor in your husband's treatment of him..." Wei Ying lets his words hang in the air.

"Another danger is if someone sees you." Lan Zhan says, upon his return. "Coming back here is even more dangerous. And why hasn't the police said anything about your body missing from the morgue?"

"Oh my God, you're right, Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying shakes his head in wonder. "I didn't even think about that."

"I know why you're saying that. And I agree...I shouldn't come back. But my little boy..." Her voice is much thicker now, and it seems harder for her to swallow.

They wait for her to compose herself.

"I'm not saying you're not welcome." Wei Ying added, quickly.

"When I died, do you know what my last thought was?" She asks them, bitterness dripping from her every word.

Wei Ying shakes his head.

That's an impossible question.

"I was glad JingYi wasn't there to see me die, to see what kind of a monster his father had become. He already hates his father, in spite of me trying to convince him otherwise. These few hours feel like a blessing for everything I've had to endure while I was alive. Whatever extra time I can have with my son. Surely you wouldn't begrudge me that?"

"When you put it like that, how can we say no?" Wei Ying says reluctantly. "But everything Lan Zhan said, is valid. The cops should be out looking for you, even if the morgue doesn't have it's own security cameras. What do you think is going to happen when someone discovers you?"

"I don't think I have long to go. Inside me, the decay has already begun, I can smell it," she replies, her voice becoming stronger with every word that left her lips.

"Mn. I can, too." Lan Zhan looked as of he wanted to say something more, but he changed his mind.

"Then, I don't know how you're gonna do it, but you have to make it okay with JingYi. Write him letters, record your messages, I dunno, but you can't just disappear on him again, even if it's inevitable. Do I make myself clear?" Wei Ying's tone had become much harder.

Lan Zhan was so proud of him.

When it came to looking after his kids, there was no one fiercer than his Wei Ying.

"Yes, I understand. I will do my best to leave good memories for him, and I love writing letters as a connection. May I give them to you for safekeeping when I'm done?" Determination shines in her brown eyes.

"Mn. That is acceptable. We will make sure JingYi receives them when he's old enough." Lan Zhan says, keeping his tone neutral.

But how heartbreaking was this for her? To know that she had to leave her little boy, not out of choice but because she was dying? Wei Ying was right, she couldn't just disappear; she had to prepare the kid. Maybe not out and out say she was going to die, but at least reassure him that he could stay here, that he was safe with Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, and at least he had A-Yuan.

Mrs Lan stood up.

"I need to go," she whispers, looking at the front door reluctantly.

"Where?" Wei Ying asked her.

"You know I've been searching for my husband? He is emitting a scent. I cannot place it, but I traced him to the second place where I found the dumpsters. There's a large building and a wall. I will wait for him there."

She leaves without wasting more time.

Lan Zhan is up immediately, locking the door and activating the security system. By the time he comes to sit down next to Wei Ying, the latter has prepared himself to ask a difficult question.

"Lan Zhan, why did you suddenly change your mind about her blood bag?" Even thinking about it being in his fridge, was making Wei Ying feel mildly sick.

Lan Zhan pulled out his phone and opens his camera app.

"Look," he says, expectantly.

He had taken a picture of the blood bag, and specifically one corner of it.

Wei Ying gasped.

"That's the Wen Logo! The one on top of their fancy labs!"

The emblem is two black dire owls back to back with a single wing unfurled on both sides. That logo was everywhere, when they had visited the Wen laboratories with Wen Qing. Not only on every door, but every piece of equipment from pens to test tubes.

"You know, I can't help thinking we've seen that before, before we went to their place." Wei Ying taps his nose thoughtfully. "I know they're connected somehow. If we can figure that part out."

"If it's on the blood bag, then it must have come from there."

"Yep. She said, big building with a wall. Of course they'd keep their dumpsters safe until the rubbish collection day. If she was super hungry, I bet her sense of smell is strong enough to lead her straight there. They deal in blood all the time. But Lan Zhan?"

"Mn?"

"That's the only reason you let her keep her bag here, right?"

"Mn? What does Wei Ying mean?" Lan Zhan turns to him fully now, confused about his question.

In response, Wei Ying climbs into his lap, looking down at him. His warm hands cup Lan Zhan's face, and Wei Ying's not even blinking because this is too important.

"You would tell me, right? If you were hungry, I mean?" The thought of Lan Zhan finding his nourishment elsewhere, is frankly, hurtful. Wei Ying hadn't realised until now what a turn on it is, whenever Lan Zhan bites him.

So far, they've stuck to safe places like his fingers. Wei Ying heals impossibly fast too, and that's something else they haven't discussed.

"Yes, I would tell you, if I was hungry." Lan Zhan picks up his hand and begins to kiss his fingers, one by one. The move is intimate and sweet, and such another turn on.

To have his skin worshipped, so close to each incisor, those teeth sharper than any razor. It makes Wei Ying shiver.

"But, is Wei Ying implying that I would give up his blood for a definitely inferior quality replacement?" Now Lan Zhan is frowning back at him. "It is like comparing solid gold to a pebble."

"Well, obviously, when you put it like that!" Wei Ying lets out an embarrassed laugh.

"The only answer is never. Why would I want anything other than Wei Ying's blood?" Lan Zhan asks him incredulously.

"I don't know, okay?" Wei Ying hides his flaming face in the crook of Lan Zhan's neck. "It was a silly thought. Ignore me."

"Never." Lan Zhan holds him closer, inhaling his fresh, unique scent.

"It's just, it made me sad. And...and I had another thought." Wei Ying mumbles this, not concerned because Lan Zhan can easily hear him.

Lan Zhan waits for him to continue, but he can smell Wei Ying's embarrassment and knows that he's going to have to pry it out of him.

"Mn?"

"Well, I was wondering if...if-you-want-to-try-biting-me-elsewhere-tonight?" The words come out in a steady stream, barely above a whisper.

"Where would Wei Ying like me to bite him?" Lan Zhan says, trying not to laugh.

That string of words made him hot and cold all over.

He wants this!

But he doesn't want to frighten Wei Ying away with how much he wants it. So laughing is the only option which won't end up with uncontrolled lust.

Wei Ying's face is flushed a bright red, but he makes the effort to lean back and grab Lan Zhan's hand, placing it on his neck.

Lan Zhan can feel his fluttering pulse just under his fingers. The only thing that separates them is the thinnest layer of warm skin.

Lan Zhan curls his hand around the back of Wei Ying's neck, pulling him closer towards him. Their lips meet in a frenzy, a clacking of hasty teeth as they realign their lips to hungrily kiss each other. A soft slide of eager mouths, a need to convey exactly how much the other means to them.

Wei Ying thinks he'll never get tired of kissing Lan Zhan. It's such a thrill, like a climbing roller coaster with an impossible drop, an adrenaline junkie's dream. Sharp tiny tingles erupt all over his body and he shudders as Lan Zhan grips his waist and carries him into their bedroom.

**********

When Wei Ying wakes up, the first thing he checks is the sensitive skin on his neck. There's no pain, nothing to suggest that Lan Zhan might have bitten him there. He's comfortably nestled close to Lan Zhan's side, and now two golden eyes are watching him.

"You didn't do it." Wei Ying sounds incredibly disappointed.

"No. I did not." Lan Zhan confirms.

"Why not?" He's not going to cry. He won't.

Lan Zhan knows him too well, and he rolls on top of Wei Ying so he can see into those beautiful silver starlight eyes.

"I am worried. Not about Wei Ying." He promises, quickly.

"Then?" It comes out like a whine.

Lan Zhan thinks he's way too adorable when he's being petulant. It should be illegal.

"I do not think I will be able to hold myself back, if Wei Ying allows me to feed from him. That is the direct source. I fear it may be more potent than anywhere else on his body." Lan Zhan explains. "I'm still new to all this...and above all, I do not wish to risk Wei Ying's life." His golden gaze is strong and steady, unblinking and super focused.

He doesn't want there to be any doubts in Wei Ying's mind.

"I am not opposed to it," he continues. "Perhaps when I have mastered my control."

Wei Ying throws his arms around him and hugs him tightly. "So that's not a 'no'..."

"Mn."

"And you know what they say, right? Practice makes perfect!" Wei Ying licks at his neck, mirroring on his body where he wants Lan Zhan to bite him next.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan pulls him away, his brow furrowed.

The naughty minx was far too tempting by himself.

Wei Ying beams up at him, completely and fully aware of what he just did.

"I was thinking. Before Wei Ying interrupted me." Lan Zhan scolds him half heartedly.

"About?" Wei Ying closes his eyes and snuggles closer.

"Wen Qing said my venom helped Wei Ying. By strengthening the white blood cells."

"Hmm. And?" Wei Ying opens one silver eye.

"What if it can do more than that?" Lan Zhan is getting excited just thinking about it.

"What do you mean?" Wei Ying is wide awake now.

Lan Zhan has never seen anyone more beautiful before. He's like a glowing star, luminous and light, so full of vitality and love.

"It's only a theory, but what if my venom can help your blood to fight off the cancer, if that's what is ailing you?"

Lan Zhan doesn't dare to breathe, waiting for Wei Ying's reaction.

"What if your venom turns me into a vampire?" He says, after considering Lan Zhan's words.

"I do not wish for that...but if it is the only alternative? Would it be so bad?" Lan Zhan is shocked at how much he wants to know the answer to this question.

"I don't know." Wei Ying replies in a small voice, after a long while. "I mean...if it's cancer. If they can't operate. If I end up dying. There are a lot of 'ifs'."

"I will do my best to make sure Wei Ying survives." Lan Zhan promises, undeterred.

"Do you really think it's cancer?" Wei Ying whispers.

He sounds so defeated.

Lan Zhan hugs him closer. "It might not be. But whatever happens, Wei Ying isn't alone. We are together, for always." It's another vow.

"I ... I want to do my best, no matter what," he says, wetly.

"Mn?"

"I want to make this the best time I can for both the kids. I want them to look back on this time and think happy thoughts. To know that I did my best."

Wei Ying is too emotional to speak.

But Lan Zhan still wants to know something.

"If Wei Ying could do anything at all, what would you like to do the most? Out of everything?"

"I wanna take them to the beach, while it's still warm enough. My earliest memory of my parents is when they took me to the seaside. They made me go on a donkey ride, and that beast stole my apple." Wei Ying sounds much happier now.

"Then, why don't we all go to the beach, on Sunday?" The more Lan Zhan thinks about it, the more he likes this idea.

"Sunday?" Wei Ying sits up, excited.

"Mn."

"Okay! Let's do it!"