Halloween Birthday

Chapter 1

Tomorrow is Wei Ying's birthday.

Lan Zhan has already planned a whole week in the Lake District. He knows his beloved has been longing to be surrounded by water, as he was in his younger days. But he knows it would not be a pleasant visit there. Jiang Cheng and himself still do not get along, and he doesn't want Wei Ying to be a referee between them.

He has found a small, secluded clan willing to provide a lakefront home for the great Hanguang-Jun for as long as he wishes to stay. There, he will provide his husband with spicy foods, Emperor Smile wine, and, of course, plenty of alone time. He didn't dare tell Wei Ying because he would hound him until they left.

"Lan Zhan, my love," says Wei Ying slowly while showing him his most brilliant smile.

"Mn," hums Lan Zhan while looking up from his writing.

"You know tomorrow is my birthday, and I know you probably already have something planned, but I also have something I would like to do on my birthday. Will you grant my wish?" says Wei Ying quickly before he loses his nerve.

Now Wei Ying has his full attention. Lan Zhan stands quickly to face his husband.

"I want to go on a night hunt, just you and me, no one else. I want to go to the Burial Mounds." he quickly grabs Lan Zhan's hands and bats his long lashes. He is certainly not playing fair.

"Please, Lan Zhan, I need a challenge; I am getting soft here. The ghosts and ghouls there are particularly nasty there. Please give me this, I beg you." whines Wei Ying.

Lan Zhan stopped breathing; he was stunned hearing this request. He thinks the "Burial Mounds?" That place held harrowing memories for him. It was where he lost Wei Ying, not once but twice. The final time, his heart was shattered, and he became a shadow simply existing. The only good thing that came from that place was their son.

Without realizing it, all his pain from that place reflected in those amber eyes, shining with unshed tears. Before he could hide his pain, Wei Ying saw it. It was fleeting, but still, he caught it. He thinks, "I promise you, husband, after the night hunt, I will make it up to you. I will replace those bad memories with good memories, I swear."

Before he knew it, Wei Ying was wrapped in a bone-crushing embrace. Lan Zhan was unaware he had been caught; he didn't want Wei Ying to see his pain, so he thought if his beloved couldn't see his face, he was safe.

Wei Ying, understanding his husband, embraces Lan Zhan tightly. Once Lan Zhan had become calmer, he said with a heavy sigh. "Alright, Wei Ying, I will grant your wish. You know I can never deny you anything."

After a long and lingering kiss, Wei Ying whispers in Lan Zhan's ear, "And that, my dear heart, makes you the best husband in the whole wide world."

With one final kiss, Lan Zhan leaves to teach his many classes with the junior Lans, and Wei Ying settles himself at their table and begins working on the many talismans they will need. His brain is working overtime to cover any situation. Once those are done, he works on the last and most crucial talisman. The one that will keep his beloved safe.

After a long day, Lan Zhan returns home to find Wei Ying asleep at the table. He is covered in paper and ink. Lan Zhan looks towards their bed. It is in the same condition as when he left this morning. He's also more than sure Wei Ying has forgotten to eat as well. Finally, he looks down and sees the talisman Wei Ying was last working on. It was called Oblivion; it was unfinished.

Lan Zhan studied it for a few moments; then he completed it. Studying under his beloved, he was more than capable of achieving it. But Lan Zhan has made it darker and more devastating.

Whoever or whatever this talisman touched would be indeed No More. There will be no escape to another universe, plane, or dimension. It will be as if it had never existed.

Deep in his heart, he knew Wei Ying would never do such a thing. Only he and their son knew the kind and gentle heart he had. But where his husband and son were concerned, he had no such heart. The darkness that lives in Lan Zhan's heart is satisfied. Wei Ying's darkness has accepted Lan Zhan, and it speaks to him occasionally. Lan Zhan has entirely accepted it as part of his Wei Ying.

Slowly, Lan Zhan turns around and straightens the bed. He turns back to his messy husband and lifts him to carry him to bed. After gently washing him up and putting his sleepwear on, he prepares himself for bed. He shakes his head and thinks that every day means every day is certainly not going to happen tonight. He wants his beloved well-rested for tomorrow, but after the night hunt, he will show no mercy.

"Sleep well; you will need all your energy later. I guarantee I will be more challenging than your ghosts and ghouls." He sleeps with a smile on his face. All is well in the world for now.