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Shen Wei was bound to a pillar in the Dixing Palace throne room, dark bindings slowly crushing the air from his lungs while keeping him where Ye Zun wanted him. The dark energy channeled into the Regent’s whip bit deeper with each lash. A grotesque reflection of Ye Zun’s rage and instability. Shen Wei saw the Regent flinch in the corner of his eye.
Defiantly Shen Wei lifted his head with some effort, but with no less fire in his eyes to meet his didi’s unhinged smile.
“I will not punish you for the moment,” Ye Zun said magnanimously as if bestowing a gift unto Shen Wei, “but I want to tell you something.” The smile that followed set Shen Wei’s nerves on edge. “That Master of the Guardians seems to be on his way here.”
An unholy fervor erupted out of Shen Wei in the form of a scream. The Regent stumbled away and Ye Zun, despite his smugness, was taken aback by his outburst.
“I won’t allow you to touch him,” he said fiercely. “You’re not allowed to touch him!”
==
Waking up wasn’t smooth or graceful, the blood pooling in Shen Wei’s throat threatened to suffocate him as he struggled to take a breath. It was only after a few constrained gasps that Shen Wei realized there was no blood. Only a lingering memory.
He took a few more rattling breaths, willing his heart to calm down. Shen Wei was safe. Zhao Yunlan was safe. Everyone was safe.
That thought sat oddly and incongruously with the thoughts that had been plaguing his sleep. The world seemed safe enough; safe enough at least that no one was banging on their door asking them to handle the next step in Ye Zun’s plan.
Ye Zun .
It wasn’t the first time he had thought about his lost brother, but each time was fleeting. Unable to truly yet face the accusations and wrongs they both believed Shen Wei had committed against Ye Zun and Dixing. Hot guilt flooded his chest. No wonder he despised you . There was much about Ye Zun that Shen Wei regretted.
He could still vividly recall the sick pleasure on Ye Zun’s face as he drove the icicle through Shen Wei’s heart. The howls of despair coming from Zhao Yunlan, begging Ye Zun to kill him as well.
Shen Wei frowned up at the ceiling, unconsciously bringing one of his hands up to rub over his heart. Delicately, he sidestepped all the bloody, heart-rending memories, and tried to focus on the after .
He remembered saying goodbye to Zhao Yunlan, some incandescent place between the planes of existence, teary but somehow at peace with it. Their promise still bittersweet on his lips.
And then there was weightlessness. An endless and ephemeral sea of life energies coalescing and breaking apart constantly. His own essence pulled and teased, unspooling to wait for a new cycle to begin.
==
Unfathomable one minute, slammed into existence the next.
Shen Wei jolted awake desperately gasping as if he'd forgotten how to breathe. Eyes equally taking a disinterest in cooperating, Shen Wei flinched at the harsh glare of the light. After a few blinks he managed to keep them open, vision only slightly blurry.
Through half-shut eyes, Shen Wei caught sight of the SID team. Each of their faces told a different story. Pain. Fear. Sadness. Loss. What caught his attention in particular was the utter disbelief as they stared at him. Shen Wei could relate.
“What the fuck,” he heard someone whisper, doubtlessly Lin Jing.
“Wh-,” Shen Wei’s voice cut off into a choked cough. He tried to swallow but his throat was too dry, any words he could have managed scraping against it. Shen Wei wanted to ask if any of them knew what was going on. His thoughts were swirling violently, unable to grasp a foothold in the tumultuous maelstrom, coherent thoughts just out of reach. A gasp escaped Shen Wei as he pressed a hand to his temple in a vain attempt to ground his mind.
Yet among the cacophony one crystal clear thought snapped into existence.
Zhao Yunlan.
Frantically looking around told Shen Wei he was in Lin Jing’s lab. His eyes tracked from one end of the room to the other, skipping over the frozen SID team, before his eyes slid down to land on the examination table.
His breath hitched as his mind registered the familiar body lying there. Shen Wei stumbled to his feet, graceless and unsure like he hadn’t been in millennia, and immediately went to Zhao Yunlan.
Shen Wei’s heart twisted to see him so frail and small. When Zhao Yunlan entered a room, all the attention gravitated towards him. His confidence unignorable and intoxicating. Very few people could escape his orbit once Zhao Yunlan had set his sights on them. Shen Wei was remarkably familiar with that acute regard. Its absence served only as a hollow reminder.
The evidence of their battle with Ye Zun marred Zhao Yunlan’s handsome features. His hair was mussed and sticky with blood. There were scrapes across his cheeks and forehead. Blood stained his clothes, an observation that prompted Shen Wei to glance down at his own to see he wasn’t much better off.
Shen Wei’s chest tightened by degrees as he brushed back a wayward bang and took in Zhao Yunlan’s eerie stillness. It was as if Zhao Yunlan was suspended in time, a beautiful portrait to be admired. Perhaps even under some unknown Dixingren power.
Maybe, he could—
Not even the great Hei Pao Shi could bring someone back from the dead, his mind traitorously supplied.
A wash of anger and disappointment rushed through Shen Wei. After everything he'd gone through—everything they'd gone through, and still the universe did not deem him worthy to share in its splendors with the man he had devoted himself to for over ten thousand years. Going so far as to torture him with a life without his beloved once more.
“Zhao Yunlan.”
Droplets suddenly fell onto Zhao Yunlan’s cheek, trailing through a smear of blood and turning pink. Realizing they were his own tears Shen Wei choked on a breath as he gingerly cupped Zhao Yunlan’s face and wiped them away softly.
Of their own accord, Shen Wei’s hands slid down to Zhao Yunlan’s neck, thumbs gently grazing stubble. Zhao Yunlan may have presented an unkempt appearance, but in that singular regard he was fastidious, always shaving before heading into headquarters. Shen Wei’s smile was watery, thoughts catching on rose tinted mornings under covers with rasping kisses pressed to his neck. Zhao Yunlan liked to tease Shen Wei with them, claiming that those stings were a gift for Shen Wei before he had to leave and be Chief Zhao, serious and respected leader of the SID. Shen Wei couldn’t help but laugh boldly at such an assertion, receiving more bites and kisses for his “insolence”. Despite the mild discomfort and the need for an ascot, Shen Wei always cherished the laughter and bouts of tickling these moments brought on.
There hadn’t been much time for such reprieves between Zhao Yunlan rescuing Shen Wei from the Heavenly Pillar and him being thrust into the past where Shen Wei would meet him for the first time. Of course, by then they had decided on their course of action. Even though they hadn’t discussed it, the way Zhao Yunlan had watched Shen Wei as if hoping to sear him into the memory of his soul, the way they had desperately clung to each other, wringing out every possible pleasure that night before they set out to Dixing had said enough.
They’d known in their hearts there was no other way for it to end.
It was then that Shen Wei noticed his hands were trembling. He had never struggled to contain his emotions as much as he did when it came to Zhao Yunlan. As Hei Pao Shi, he was implacable; a steely exterior required to deal with criminals and his own doubts. Having lost Kunlun and Ye Zun had broken something inside him. Shen Wei had vowed to seal away any feeling so that he could continue his duty to Haixing and Dixing without losing himself to contrition. For what was the loss of his closest people but a failing on his part?
Ye Zun wanted nothing to do with him upon rising from his Hallow induced stasis. Shen Wei had fought and bled for the small hope of seeing Kunlun again. But there was only pain and loss. Perhaps, that was just his fate.
Here in the SID lab, surrounded by people that without reservation would and had risked their lives for him, Shen Wei could finally admit he was tired. Unable to fight against his despair any longer, Shen Wei pressed his face into Zhao Yunlan’s neck, a sob tearing its way out of him.
There was a hushed rustle of clothes. The team had undoubtedly all shared a similar moment when they had brought their chief back from Dixing. It was an impossible thought to grasp. The brilliant, blazing star of Zhao Yunlan extinguished.
Shen Wei’s breaths shook out of him, his already weary eyes complaining of their strain. A gasp startled Shen Wei into lifting his head. His heart came to an abrupt halt at the most dazzling sight.
Zhao Yunlan was looking at Shen Wei, a deep weariness set into the lines of his body, as if his edges were blurring (or maybe that was the tears), but those beautiful eyes were open and glimmering with their own unshed tears. His mouth quirked up into that confident grin that could get Zhao Yunlan whatever he wanted.
“Don’t cry, baobei.” Zhao Yunlan croaked out, so casually as if he had simply been taking a nap.
A startled laugh burbled out of Shen Wei which brought out a brighter smile on Zhao Yunlan. Zhao Yunlan could be reckless, selfless, absolutely infuriating with the way he went off and got himself into danger constantly. Yet all that could be forgiven as long as he kept looking at Shen Wei the way he was now. Face open and love on full display.
The buoyant moment passed as swiftly as it came, as a spike of fear pierced Shen Wei’s heart when Zhao Yunlan closed his eyes.
“Yunlan,” Shen Wei called desperately. His hands clenching into the front of Zhao Yunlan’s coat of their own volition, ready to shake him at a moment’s notice. Shen Wei heard someone take a step forward.
Zhao Yunlan hummed softly in reply. “I’m tired, Xiao Wei.”
Of course. Of course, he was tired. Shen Wei was tired too. Death was exhausting. He could feel an almost imperceptible ringing in his bones, an ever-present beat that Shen Wei was just now registering, reminding him that something was wrong about this moment. His skin was too tight, his body ill-fitted to the world around it. He was meant to be dead. Shen Wei distinctly recalled the final blow.
Undoubtedly, whatever else Zhao Yunlan had done—because Shen Wei knew this miracle had to be Zhao Yunlan’s doing—had left him spent.
Shen Wei simply nodded regardless if Zhao Yunlan could see, shoulders falling slowly by degrees as his body relaxed from the brief surge of panic, his breath little more than a shuddered exhalation. The adrenaline of waking up, being alive, seeing Zhao Yunlan, all of it drained fast, his exhaustion compounding tenfold.
He would take them home . They could rest and recuperate. The world could wait.
“Yes,” he finally replied, hands already reaching to help Zhao Yunlan to sit up. “Yes. Let's get you home.”
Zhao Yunlan smiled at that as he leaned into Shen Wei’s help to sit up. Once standing, an awareness tickled at the back of Shen Wei’s neck, and only just remembering, he turned to look at the stunned SID team.
If they weren’t in disbelief before, they were now as they watched their leader stand up and lean into Shen Wei’s side on wobbly legs. Xiao Guo’s body twitched as if even through his utter shock his mind couldn’t resist trying to help someone in need. Shen Wei felt thankful for this team and their care of Zhao Yunlan.
He gave a moment’s thought to address them but, in the end, settled on Da Qing, whose eyes were wet and shining. Broken, but hopeful. Shen Wei smiled at him in reassurance.
“We'll be back.”
Then without another word, he adjusted Zhao Yunlan to comfortably lean against him, opened a portal and walked them through.
Shen Wei barely managed to get their shoes off before they both collapsed into the bed. Heedless of wounds and the grime sticking to them.
==
That had been days ago now. The sun having turned a few times already by Shen Wei’s vague recollection.
It was surreal to be lying awake in his apartment with Zhao Yunlan. Turning his head, Shen Wei couldn’t contain the unspeakable relief and incandescent joy that spread through him as he took in Zhao Yunlan.
Zhao Yunlan who was currently face down on the mattress. A tangle of limbs, tousled hair, and endearingly, drool. All the worry lines that Shen Wei lovingly traced while awake smoothed out in the sweet release of consciousnesses.
Shen Wei smiled as Zhao Yunlan sniffed briefly, rubbing his face against the sheet absentmindedly before settling once more. His eyes roved over what parts of Zhao Yunlan weren’t hidden by the sheets, incapable of looking away for too long in case he suddenly disappeared again.
Among all that exquisite skin were the bandages Shen Wei had hastily applied. He would have healed them both except his powers felt shaky, as if newly acquired, unknown and unstable. The portal to the apartment had been tricky enough. Unwilling to put either of them at further risk or straining his already tapped energy he had settled for the human way. They were, Shen Wei thought, the least fatal injuries they had sustained.
Shen Wei was thankful too that he had managed to get them out of bed after their first sleep and into the shower. Taking the time to ensure Zhao Yunlan wouldn't drown in the time it took Shen Wei to strip and change the bed before joining Zhao Yunlan to help him finish and wash his own body. They'd slept wrapped tightly around each other on and off since then. Simply relishing in the closeness. Shen Wei treasured the sleepy kisses from Zhao Yunlan in the brief moments they were awake together.
The warmth in his smile became muted, frozen at a slant that was closer to a frown. Shen Wei still wasn’t convinced this was real. Perhaps it was a dream. Or a hope. That Shen Wei was still formless and simply wishing he was back with Zhao Yunlan.
If it was, he hoped he never had to wake to anything else. Shen Wei reached forward and slid his hand through the tangled mess of Zhao Yunlan’s hair, his hand going further to rub down the planes of Zhao Yunlan’s back, earning him an involuntary and pleased noise. A pair of tired, well-loved eyes opened to look at him. Zhao Yunlan’s mouth curled sleepily, the edges of his usually sharp grin softened. Shen Wei felt his heart flutter, the miasma of his doubts pushed back as he returned the smile in kind.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Zhao Yunlan said, his voice sleep-rough but carrying none of the raw edge it held days ago. A slow smile rose on his lips that hooked into Shen Wei’s chest and pulled at him. He wondered briefly if he would ever become accustomed to Zhao Yunlan’s compliments. He hoped not. He wanted to savor all the sensations a life with Zhao Yunlan could offer eternally.
“Morning,” Shen Wei’s reply was low in deference to the tenuous thoughts of the morning.
Zhao Yunlan’s eyes tracked across Shen Wei’s face. What he was looking for Shen Wei wasn’t sure. Whatever it was he seemed content with what he saw, immediately reaching for Shen Wei, turning over and dragging him closer with put upon effort.
“Come here, I can’t stand you being so far away,” Zhao Yunlan whined piteously over the barely hands width of space between them. Once Shen Wei was within the circle of his arms, Zhao Yunlan nuzzled his cheek against Shen Wei’s own.
It was hard to contain the chuckle that bubbled out of Shen Wei then. Such a cat . Da Qing would be proud that he had finally taught his master something.
“Aiyo, what’s so funny?” Zhao Yunlan said with mock indignation while pressing a barely there kiss on Shen Wei’s chin.
Shen Wei smiled and shook his head. “How do you feel?”
“Like I could sleep another week and still feel like crap.” Zhao Yunlan’s smile was tired and just on the right side of wry. He shifted minutely, readjusting to be pressed as close as possible to Shen Wei but not so close so he couldn’t see his face. Shen Wei knew from experience that this was where Zhao Yunlan was his most honest. Stripped bare in a small bubble of their own making. His body saying more than his words were willing to convey, a reassuring and solid brand against Shen Wei’s front.
With a quiet sound of distress, Shen Wei made his own cursory check of Zhao Yunlan. There were bags under his eyes and a muzzy aura surrounding him, but it was a far cry from where he was on that lab table or even in the Dixing palace. Sleep would remove most of what Shen Wei could see, except that hollow abyss in the back of Zhao Yunlan’s eyes. Shen Wei imagined his own holding the counterpoint to that chasm. One that would be impossible to truly cross, but in this at least they were together.
The stray curls on Zhao Yunlan’s forehead called to Shen Wei’s fingers, and he was helpless to resist, so he smoothed them back. Shen Wei smiled gently, feeling his heart swell as Zhao Yunlan leaned into the contact. A subtle check with his powers turned up little internally. Shen Wei praised every deity that the dark energy corruption hadn’t been brought back. Zhao Yunlan hummed with a knowing smile and Shen Wei couldn’t help placing a lingering kiss on his forehead.
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m great even. Never been better. In fact, I’ll be even better in a second.” Zhao Yunlan’s smile took on a mischievous curl before he reeled Shen Wei closer to press their lips together.
“Zhao Yunlan, my breath is horrible.” Shen Wei said with mild exasperation as he turned his face left and right in an admittedly weak attempt to avoid those persistent lips. Soft swirls of sensation spiraled across his skin at every brush of Zhao Yunlan’s lips making it increasingly difficult to refuse him.
“Baby,” Zhao Yunlan pulled back to look at Shen Wei directly, eyebrows raised in bemusement, “I intend to kiss you every morning for the rest of our very long lives.”
It’s a simple enough statement, delivered by an entirely serious Zhao Yunlan— while naked in their bed, his skin backlit with an ethereal glow from the early morning light—as if nothing else could convince him to change his mind, but it left Shen Wei paralyzed by the warm and complicated tangle of emotions that took up residence in his chest. Even if Shen Wei couldn’t see the hot flush spread across his cheeks, the triumphant leer that Zhao Yunlan shot him assured him of it. It’s hard to resist the urge to look away.
“Oh.” He managed meekly and had to swallow, the click of his throat harsh in the silence of the room. “You make a compelling argument. How can I deny you?”
“You can’t! So come here.” Overly pleased with himself and knowing exactly what he’s done to Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan hummed happily as his lips finally met Shen Wei’s own.
The kiss was slow and sweet. Not a question but a statement. Confident in its welcome and acceptance. The sweetness lit Shen Wei up, his nerves prickling with awareness.
Zhao Yunlan pulled away just slightly to rub their noses together.
“Love you,” Zhao Yunlan breathed, his eyes closed. The surety of that declaration sunk into Shen Wei’s bones. It felt as if Zhao Yunlan’s every breath were confirming it. Every beat of his heart. But more than that it felt like a promise . Breath stuttering in his chest, Shen Wei couldn’t help being stunned by the depth of Zhao Yunlan’s love for him.
He shouldn’t be, but oh, how sweet the reward.
Shen Wei pressed back into Zhao Yunlan’s orbit forcefully with a broken sound. Zhao Yunlan met the kiss with equal fervor and heat, Shen Wei slid his tongue across the seam of those irresistible lips hoping to catch a taste of that love Zhao Yunlan offered so easily, swallowing the sounds that earned him.
Zhao Yunlan groaned as he frantically shoved the sheets aside before pressing the length of his body against Shen Wei. A shiver ran through Shen Wei as Zhao Yunlan’s half hard cock slid against his thigh.
“You said you were tired,” Shen Wei said, already breathless. One of Shen Wei's hands moved on its own to grip Zhao Yunlan's narrow waist tightly.
“Not that tired,” Zhao Yunlan panted out. His movements were fraught with restless energy, his hands fluttering between Shen Wei's shoulders down to his thighs. Zhao Yunlan tossed his right leg over Shen Wei’s hip and used the leverage to grind against Shen Wei’s stomach.
Shen Wei gasped, his eyes falling closed as pleasure coursed through his veins, a feeling so achingly familiar but entirely new to this body.
“ Xiao Wei, ” Zhao Yunlan practically whined as he pulled Shen Wei over him.
There was really nothing he could deny Zhao Yunlan in this life or the last.
==
They lay warm and drowsy, striped by the sun sneaking through the blinds. Shen Wei with his head resting against Zhao Yunlan’s chest, the fingers of one hand slotted firmly against the grooves of his ribs while Zhao Yunlan’s thumb traced absent patterns against Shen Wei’s hip. Delicate touches that fed a low simmer of heat in Shen Wei that he was content to ignore for the time being.
In the deepest, darkest part of Shen Wei’s heart, he wished they could stay like this forever. Just him and Zhao Yunlan. Safe. Together.
It wasn’t practical, he sighed internally. They had responsibilities that Shen Wei could already feel pressing into their fragile bubble. Frankly, he was impressed Da Qing hadn’t so much as made an appearance since they had left the SID headquarters.
They needed this though. Needed to simply exist in each moment, this blessing, but there was a niggling in his mind that threatened to disrupt their respite. He’s reluctant to upset the morning peace, but it’s not something so easily swept aside. They probably wouldn’t get a better time to discuss it.
“Zhao Yunlan.”
“Hmm?”
“What did you do?”
Shen Wei knew the question required no further clarification. All around them the world seemed to pause, equally curious to hear the answer. The question hung heavy in the air between them.
As the silence stretched, Shen Wei sensed a shift in the atmosphere. A pressure that often preceded a heavy thunderstorm.
When Zhao Yunlan’s eyes finally opened, Shen Wei resisted the instinctive flinch at the fathomless void present in eyes that usually held a spark of mischief. The intensity spoke of something ancient and powerful.
“What I had to,” Zhao Yunlan said with a touch of steel in his voice and a coldness in his eyes.
His hand came up to brush back the stray hair on Shen Wei’s forehead, the tips of his fingers lingering there. A mirror to Shen Wei’s caress from earlier. The disparity of the delicate action with the timbre of his voice was stark, but the motion soothed Shen Wei’s rattled nerves. This was still his Zhao Yunlan.
Just like that, the dark look passed as quick as a breeze and Zhao Yunlan threw his arms back and stretched like Da Qing, cocky and proud. The muscles of his chest rippled with the motion and on shameless display. “Besides, what's the point of being the savior of two worlds if I can’t get away with a little selfishness?”
Shen Wei huffed in annoyance, the earlier tension melting away easily in the face of this ridiculous man, as he reluctantly pulled away. “You can't simply do as you please. There is a balance to the world that we must maintain. Light and dark. Good and evil,” he paused. Shen Wei stroked his hand across Zhao Yunlan’s chest to feel where his heart was beating. “Life and death,” he murmured quietly.
“I know that.” Zhao Yunlan replied just as softly, one of his hands snaking down to clasp Shen Wei’s hand against his chest. “But we both died. We both sacrificed ourselves for that balance to be restored. And now we're alive. Simple.” Zhao Yunlan pressed a swift kiss to his hand and gave a half shrug, his arms coming up to spread in front of him. “And if any problems arise, well, then we can handle them together Xiao Wei.”
Shen Wei closed his eyes, absorbing the information and the moment. Zhao Yunlan’s presence was a continual balm to his wearied soul. It was so difficult to really argue against it. It was also moot as Zhao Yunlan had already done it. No going back. No regrets. It would be ungrateful to forsake this gift he had so desperately wanted.
“Alright,” he breathed. Though he had yet to open his eyes he could feel the smugness radiating off Zhao Yunlan. Shen Wei let out a quiet puff of laughter before tucking himself under Zhao Yunlan’s chin.
He listened to the steady and reassuring beat of Zhao Yunlan’s heart and let the gentle passes of warm, caring hands lull him back into a doze.
==
When Shen Wei woke next, the morning light had departed to allow the sun to crest high into the sky, bringing the room into sharper relief. He breathed deeply the scent of the room. A combination of the sterile air of the flat mixed with his and Zhao Yunlan’s scents.
It would be remiss of Shen Wei to not take note of the warm body that currently served as his pillow. Basking in the quiet moment, he listened to the breaths whistle in and out of Zhao Yunlan’s chest. The beat of his heart, the creak of his bones. Every minute aspect of his body telling Shen Wei that he was alive. He wrapped his arm around Zhao Yunlan’s waist and nuzzled absentmindedly into the shelter of his throat. All the tensions and worries removed, leaving behind nothing but warmth and bliss. Shen Wei couldn’t help the happy sound that slipped out.
After such a long journey, they had reached an end. They were finally here . Together. The knowledge settled deeply into the marrow of his bones, eliciting a relief Shen Wei had rarely felt.
He knew Zhao Yunlan was awake when he felt his fingers trace languidly up and down the ridges of his spine. Shen Wei shivered lightly at the contact, as he leaned up onto his elbows to look down at Zhao Yunlan.
Zhao Yunlan grinned at him as he leaned up and pressed a light peck to his lips. Shen Wei smiled softly back. His heart ached a little at the yawning future before them.
“We should definitely take a vacation soon. I think we've earned it.” Zhao Yunlan said apropos of nothing.
“Isn't this a vacation?” Shen Wei raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
“What!? Baobei, no. This is a rest. After a year of fighting people trying to kill us, that succeeded to an extent, this is a ‘wow we just went through all that’ kind of rest. Vacations are planned for optimal relaxation. Not ‘we died and were so exhausted coming back to the land of the living that we slept it off all week’. Definitely doesn’t include a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach—,”
“That's called guilt, Zhao Yunlan.” Shen Wei offered dryly.
Zhao Yunlan tsked in exasperation and flapped his hand dismissively. Shen Wei had to smile. Zhao Yunlan was impossible.
“Well, I feel relaxed,” Shen Wei interjected with a light air. “I don’t think I have ever felt this relaxed.”
Zhao Yunlan grinned wide as he pulled Shen Wei back down to the bed and smothered his laughter in the curve of his neck. Pressing a soft kiss to Shen Wei’s pulse point that always unbalanced him a little.
“Ah, Xiao Wei, I love you.”
Happy beyond belief, Shen Wei pressed his smile into Zhao Yunlan’s temple. “I love you too, Ah-Lan.”
The quiet lasted too briefly as Zhao Yunlan took in a deep breath before releasing a decidedly resigned sigh.
“Not that I would ever complain about spending time with you, but it's probably about time we went in to check on the team. Fatty is probably worried out of his mind.” Zhao Yunlan seemed put out by the prospect of returning to society.
Shen Wei had to smile. It was as if Zhao Yunlan had heard his earlier musings. He wasn't ready to let Zhao Yunlan out of his sight, let alone grasp. But it would do well to reassure everyone they were fine.
“Perhaps you're right. We can't hide away forever. Loathe as I am to share you.”
“Aww babe.” Zhao Yunlan wore an annoyingly smug grin on his face, completely insufferable in the knowledge that Shen Wei was enamored with him. Shen Wei fully expected this to be a common occurrence going forward. But it was impossible to be truly upset about that. He did love everything about Zhao Yunlan, even his shamelessness. Ridiculous , Shen Wei thought fondly.
Shen Wei huffed in exasperation, not one to let Zhao Yunlan win so easily, and turned to place a firm kiss to Zhao Yunlan’s lips before rolling off the bed and heading towards the shower.
==
They arrived at the SID office without fanfare. Zhao Yunlan had said he wanted to catch the team slacking off. Shen Wei couldn't imagine the team working after having their leader die before coming back to life in a short span of time. It was hopeful they'd even be at headquarters, though he assumed there was a comfort there between them that their own homes couldn't provide.
An undignified yowl greeted them as they walked through the doors. Da Qing launched with such velocity at Zhao Yunlan it was a wonder he didn’t break the sound barrier. Just as his small furry body hit Zhao Yunlan’s chest, he shifted into his human form clinging desperately to his master with all four limbs like an obstinate koala. Zhao Yunlan for his part staggered back a step before sliding his arms around Da Qing equally tight and reaffirming.
“Hey, Damn Cat, I missed you too,” he said with such deep affection, audible enough for only Da Qing and Shen Wei to hear. One of Zhao Yunlan’s hands slipped into Da Qing’s hair to give them both the fiercely missed contact. If he strained his hearing Shen Wei could almost hear Da Qing purring.
The stunned silence that greeted this display, quickly burst into a wave of exuberance, and it was a matter of seconds before the whole team descended on their chief. Xiao Guo’s infectious grin, Wang Zheng’s soft voice, Sang Zan’s delighted laughter, Zhu Hong’s pleased aura, Lin Jing’s quietly relieved happiness.
Even the ever-stoic Chu Shuzhi was moved to a wide grin, reminiscent of the one he had worn when Zhao Yunlan’s eyesight returned. Shen Wei could appreciate keeping his emotions close and yet the openness that Chu Shuzhi displayed was heartwarming. That Chu Shuzhi could let people into his heart again was more than Shen Wei could have asked for when he had saved him from the Regent’s callous hand.
While Shen Wei was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the SID team’s reunion. It was apparent that Da Qing did not approve. After much eyeing he slinked off Zhao Yunlan and stalked up to Shen Wei. Shen Wei smiled gently at Da Qing. The smile quickly morphed into surprise as he pulled Shen Wei into a firm hug.
Shen Wei had always liked the cat Yashou. Was even grateful to him for having cared for Zhao Yunlan in his absence. He tentatively hugged Da Qing back, catching Zhao Yunlan’s delighted look over Da Qing’s shoulder.
With that barrier broken the team shifted with a chorus of “Professor Shen!”. Wang Zhang happily hugged him around his neck. Xiao Guo patted him enthusiastically while stammering about what a relief it was to see him.
Zhu Hong stood a little way from him, a knowing looking passing between them.
Shen Wei wasn't sorry for her exactly, he'd never apologize for loving Zhao Yunlan, but it was a pity to know she was heartbroken. But Zhu Hong was strong and would persevere. After all, she was the leader of the Yashou now. He smiled at her, inclining his head and receiving a soft smile in return.
“Aiya, alright enough of all this sickening affection! Your chief demands that you get to work.” Zhao Yunlan grinned maniacally at the chorus of groans. “I'll order us some food and you can fill us in on what we’ve missed, huh?”
The team erupted in a cheer followed swiftly by Lin Jing calling out he would go grab some beers at the corner store.
Though the greatest dangers had passed, Shen Wei knew they would be kept busy with all the changes to Haixing and Dixing. The SID would be directly engaging in new efforts to help Dixigren, Haixingren, and the Yashou come to a new accord. Shen Wei would be their point of contact as he traveled back and forth to strengthen the bonds as well as help restructure the monarchy of Dixing. Yes, there was much they would need to do but he had the utmost faith they would endure.
A quiet ‘Xiao Wei’ brought his attention to Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei’s eyes going wide with surprise before quickly morphing into something warm and relaxed. Zhao Yunlan waved him over while he unceremoniously threw himself into the corner of the couch that was designated as his, melting back with one leg on the table for all the world the same Zhao Yunlan as only two weeks ago, as he rattled off an order into his phone. Da Qing made himself at home on Zhao Yunlan’s lap the minute he was settled.
Shen Wei smiled and slid into the space under Zhao Yunlan’s right arm happily tucked into his side with a kiss pressed to his temple, relishing and willing to accept the reality that they were together and moving forward at last.