#ah yes professor shen we all know him

[waitineedaname]

something that will never fail to be amusing to me is when an mdzs college au needs the name of a professor, and then suddenly shen qingqiu is there

[mejomonster]

Shen wei would kill to have Luo wenzhous set up (take me with a grain of salt though cause I've only got Drama Shen Wei to compare and the knowledge he's a bit Extra possessive in the novel)

Shen wei: he texts you where he goes, how long, and when he'll return?

Luo wenzhou nodding: of course

Shen wei: Zhao yunlan only answers when I call, but he is a bit messy on organizing, and I'd prefer to just not have him go into danger in the first place

Luo wenzhou: fei du stays home if I tell him to

Shen wei: !!!! How did you manage that?!

Luo wenzhou: ...not entirely sure. Actually I. I think maybe fei du just doesn't want to break my heart when he can tell I want him badly to be safe, maybe?

Shen wei: but he's less mature than you, presumably more selfish, and he still...?

Luo wenzhou: well does your lover not?

Shen wei: -.- he doesn't like directions. Very mouthy

Luo Wenzhou: haha I've been there. We love to argue ToT

Shen Wei: so anyway, I don't think we quite mean the same thing... I mean... my lover is a brat in bed

Luo wenzhou: oh, fei du is too. But he's good for me uvu or else he doesn't get any

Shen wei: ...so. how do you get him tied up? How do you prevent him from getting scared off?

Luo wenzhou, smiling and about to blather away happily then blinking: um. You're a...professor right? Or a... a member of the Special Investigation Division right?

Shen wei: I assist them, yes.

Luo wenzhou: then you should know better than most, it's not a good idea to forcefully restrain someone against their will... You're lover is... the Chief right?

Shen wei, nodding primly: that is correct

Luo wenzhou: right... so he probably would look the other way if you broke the law a little... (shen wei coughs) my point is though, you really shouldn't be tying Anyone up in a way that might "scare them off." Like... an illegal way

Shen wei, trying not to twitch about being a "monster" and how that might Scare people off anyway but it's not worth the argument of comparing himself to this human: I'm not... I... you tie your lover up though. How is that different?

Luo wenzhou: ...

Fei Du, coming in from the bedroom where he'd been eavesdropping (cause Luo wenzhou probably thought the conversation was too "inappropriate for fei du." Luo wenzhou blushing in shame when he notices fei du heard him bragging and being a Bit of a Prick when he really means it in a loving way or at least... he was being a dick acting all proud of how possessive he is ToT): Yes, shixiong, how IS what you do different?

Luo Wenzhou, fighting desperately to restrain the urge to snap "if it wasn't different you would've taken me to court already brat" but also knowing the way he just put it with shen wei he does come off as a bit of a hypocrite. It's different cause fei du is HIS person, and his responsibility to take care of and protect and Fei Du is okay with it or Luo Wenzhou really would notice fei du emotionally hurt and back the fuck off. But that's all not easily explained to an Intense Acquaintance with weird energy lol.

Fei Du, crooning in mischief when Luo Wenzhou fails to respond: oh, shen wei, I'll tell you how it's different. When he does it he's teaching me a lesson, just daddy scolding me

Luo wenzhou: *chokes* stands up and knocks a tea off the table on accident trying to figure out what the fuck to say to fix this or distract, ends up shouting "motherfucker! Oh, excuse me" when he sees the broken glass and starts Agressively Cleaning it up

Fei Du, absolutely giddy, smiling at the edges of his eyes: unless of course you're punishing Your lover, and he's into that. Then I'm sure you can also play daddy~

Luo Wenzhou, turning red, starting to say "Fei Du!"

Shen wei, also turning red: I ah... don't think my lover is as okay with being punished in... the same way...

Fei Du: I see uvu (Luo wenzhou physically trying to drag him out of the room now) so he prefers punishment during sex right? I wish shixiong would try that with me instead~

Luo Wenzhou: I think you should rinse the vegetables for prepping for dinner! While I clean up the glass! Now!!! (Shoving full body his scrawny ass lover fei du through the kitchen doorway and out of line of sight with shen wei who's turned full on tomato colored now)

[maxmagi]

A List of My OTPs

because it's 11 and I can't sleep.

Enjolras x Grantaire a.k.a. Enjoltaire a.k.a. ExR- Les Mis

How I fell into this I don't remember now. I vaguely remember reading a crackfic of this and then everything just went sideways.

This was also the fandom that helped me realize that I wasn't exactly straight and that it's okay to not be loud about my sexuality, that I can just be.

I think that explains my attachment to this ship, not to mention just the movie's Grantaire (played by George Blagden) also shipped the characters and played his character like how he thought it should be, Grantaire loving and pining after Enjolras without the revolutionary knowing it.

Except in the fan fics, Enjolras returns his feelings and they work it out, even though it's not easy because they're both stubborn as mules. Ah, ultimate fantasy I guess. And the number of great fics here, *whistle*

Also, the Les Amis? Is amazing? Especially in the modern AUs? Like they're great friends? I love this fandom so much! Permets-tu!

Shen Wei x Zhao Yunlan - Guardian / Zhen Hun

C'mon, Zhu Yilong & Bai Yu's performance and emotions? Plus just the fact the fanfic writers of this ship are absolutely amazing? Please, escape from this pairing is impossible!

Best opposites attract trope for me. An academic by day, superhero by night in love with a roguish police chief who has no powers but whose charisma, wit, and heart can get him to toe to toe with the legends.

Also, Professor Shen Wei constantly acting like an innocent civilian and lying badly? Gold!

Loki x Tony Stark a.k.a. FrostIron - Avengers

How did I honestly get to this ship? I really can't remember what started it all. I think it must have been a Loki redemption fic where Tony Stark and Pepper broke up and something something happened. Let me tell you, the writers of this ship have written sagas and ballads of epic and sometimes confusing proportions, and that is why I fell deeper into the pit. I mean, they gotta give justice to two brilliant but chaotic characters, right? Angst. This ship has sooooooooo much angst.

Eiji x Ash - Banana Fish

My god, if you want to keep your heart intact and not be reminded of all that's ugly in the world, DON'T WATCH OR READ BANANA FISH. YOUR HEART WILL NEVER HEAL!

If you're gonna watch/read it anyway, make sure to watch something fluffy and sweet after. There's a reason that people from this fandom go, "If you've seen Banana Fish's ending, then you can handle whatever angsty show you're watching now." ~ or something to that effect. Another thing we like to say in this fandom is, "Other fandoms: Let's write a Mafia AU! Banana Fish fandom: We are the Mafia AU." Yes, all of us in this fandom is dramatic af.

Yuuri x Viktor - Yuuri!!! on Ice

Uh, does this really need an explanation? Aside from the fact that you will surprisingly find a lot of Mafia AUs here because we all know that hiding behind that beautiful face of Viktor Nikiforov is a devil capable of... tearing down your self-confidence, like WTF Viktor, don't make Yuuri cry! Also, their dance together at the end, such beautiful love.

Magnus Bane x Alec Lightwood aka Malec - Shadowhunters

I never read the books and have no plans to in the near future. I just saw a video on Youtube about why Malec is life and now here I am, still reading some Malec fics from time to time.

Some stuff on the show were WTF but overall they were a really good couple who supported each other. Plus, they're a Power Couple.

Erwin x Levi aka Eruri - Attack on Titan / Shingeki no Kyojin

Not to be confused with Ereri, which is Eren x Levi, which I don't generally ship except for that one time when a writer wrote an epic fanfic series with Eren in his mid 20s and Levi in his late 20s/early 30s, reincarnation AU. Boy was that one a surprise. I did not expect that.

Anyway, I'm an Eruri fan through and through. Especially with that promise that Levi made to Erwin. And the reason he gave the serum to Armin. HE DIDN'T DO IT FOR THE KIDS YKNOW. HE DID IT FOR ERWIN. Plus, Levi, Erwin, and Hange are my special trio. Erwin's batch was really amazing.

Also, I really like the fact that the shorter and slighter person is the more badass fighter while the taller, bigger one is the more calculating and strategic one. Rocks the boat of stereotypes and all that. Bonus: how these two met. My god, what a meet-cute! 😂

Dani x Jamie aka The Au Pair and the Gardener - The Haunting of Bly Manor

It really is more of a love story than a ghost story. I dunno how to feel about this. I loved these two characters so much and I wished they had a better ending but I wasn't SO surprised because it was a horror series (Like, I was still hoping at the end that they'd be together forever but yknow...). In any case, Jamie was just awesome. And her nickname for Dani? Poppins?! God, what a lover and fighter. She was not afraid to cock a gun in a ghost's face.

... and now for my flexible BROTPs

Merlin x Arthur aka Merthur - BBC Merlin

Yeah, my brain is so chaotic multiple OTPs and BROTPs of the same pairing exist at the same time without clashing with one another or having major identity crises.

I actually really like BROTP Merlin and Arthur and also like reading OTP Merthur.

And when Merlin is paired with Morgana or Freya or sometimes even Gwaine, that's fine with me too. As long as his bromance with Arthur stays intact, because that's what drew me to the show in the first place. Personal preference. I see them as platonic soulmates.

*Shout-out to the Merthur writers though, you kept me sane during my "Post-Merlin Depression," which is actually a term thrown around in the fandom because of that horrid final season (not saying it's a good term but it's what it was called). A lot of amazing fics here, too, both Magic Reveal and Modern AU ones. Full of action and adventure too! I mean, there are boy-band-looking Knights and magic-wielding badasses!

Tim Drake x Conner Kent/Kon-El aka Red Robin x Super Boy - DC Comics

More like flexible otp. I dig Stephanie Brown and Tim Drake BUT I really really also dig Tim Drake and Conner Kent. When they're TimKon, it's like an entirely different entity from TimSteph. Ugh, hard to explain.

I mean, Kon telling Tim, "You'll always be my Robin" and Tim telling Kon, "And you'll always be my clone boy" is the shit. Also when Kon could pick out/recognize Tim's heartbeat. And when Tim nearly went mad scientist trying to bring his bestie back. Like, dudes, wtf. And at the same time, hell yeah.

Liu Kang x Kung Lao aka LiuLao - Mortal Kombat

- I see these two as more like ride or die best friends connected by fate/platonic soulmates. But also like their dynamic is so awesome, cute, sweet, badass, can't-live-without-you vibes.

Basically the same way I feel about Merthur. I like reading both romantic and platonic relationships between these two characters. Like, the LiuLao fan creators peeling off the layers of this relationship and exposing every raw nerve is beautiful.

They love diving into the characters' psyche, emotions, motivations, fears, and doubts and you get really amazed because... Aren't they just characters from a video game, you ask? Well yeah, but MK video game has several interesting storylines and the Mortal Kombat 2021 movie was just the perfect jumpstarter to this beautiful blaze.

I mean, "We swore that if we were to die, it would be together"? Hell no, you're not dropping that on us and not expecting us to create our very own spin-offs and 12-page essays on that shit. That's what we fans do, baby. And also, really, we need a shaolin monks/white lotus spin-off/prequel. We're starving here.

As this ship is the newest one on my list, it's the one I'm looking forward to the most. Not enough fan content, I tell you. Not enough. One of these days, I just might add my own.

But right now, it's past 1 and so I shall attempt to sleep.

***No images for TimKon and LiuLao coz apparently I've gone past my 10-images allowance 😤

[randomtwinkinthetomb]

Nicknames my roommate and I called character in tomb of the sea the first time we watched it. (this was our first lost tomb show and I recently finished rewatching it after finishing all the main story line. We have not finished sound of providence) There will be spoilers

Li Cu: protag and later idiot.

Calling him protag is self explanatory, but we idiot was after he exploded the c4 in the tunnel in gutongjing.

Su Wan: oh no he’s hot.

Ok this is more of a general nickname for any character this actor plays. We started watch tomb of the sea for him.

Yang Hao: oh no he’s hots friend.

I know so creative

Su Wan+Yang Hao:

idiot squad or team idiot. This also later on includes Li Cu, but in the beginning when they are looking for Li Cu my roommate and I would go like "oh it's time to check up on team idiot and their shenanigans.

Wu Xie: no fun nickname for Wu Xie sorry. His name was the easiest to catch the fist time they said it. Later after Li Cu leaves the desert we jokingly called him Li Cu's dad or the dad that actually cares.

Pangzi: idiot squads dad.

Ok I feel a little bad for this one but he has such dad energy in this one or cool uncle.

Zhang Qiling: the quiet one/ mysterious one/who the f*ck is this.

With out the context of the rest of the series he is just this highly skilled fighter that's important to Wu Xie and is gone for some reason. I was like 90% sure with the way he was talked about he was dead. He isn't and I know that now.

Su Nan: big lesbian energy woman/ the woman in the red jacket.

Kind self explanatory. I thought she had big lesbian energy at the beginning. I keep trying to find shades of that in Ah Ning because they are similar character's (for a reason) but i just couldn't see it.     

Liang Wan: doctor lady.

Sorry most of these are self explanatory.

Zhang Rishan: Professor Shen/ director dude.

Ok so we just finished watching Guardian when we started watching tomb of the sea. When we fist saw Zhang Rishan in the glasses my roommate jokingly said "Professor Shen" and it kinda stuck for awhile.

Wang Ming: hot guy.

I didn't find him hot but Liang Wan did and Wu Xie was definitely using her attraction to him as a way to manipulate her.

Kan Jian: vest guy.

I know he gets rid of the vest early on in the show and wears a suit jacket and a hoodie like 85% of the show but it stuck.

Luo Que: cup guy

His fist introduction was fantastic and made us laugh. I absolutely love this character and wish he was in it more.

Hei Yanjing: black lord.

Ok this is kinda cheating because the version we were watching translated Hei ye as black lord.

Xie Yuchen: umbrella guy.

Ok so in most of the scenes he was in I was so confused it took me awhile to connect this character and Xie Yuchen from the other series. I guess that's what we get for watching tomb of the sea completely out of context.

[missfangirll]

To be loved

Fandom: Guardian Rating: General Relationship: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan, Da Qing/Ye Zun Tags: fluff, found family, food as a love language Words: 970 Summary: Food is a love language and Shen Wei needs more appreciation.

Read on AO3

For @tehfanglyfish, inspired by Regular Meals. I wanted to make sure your week starts with something nice, but I seem to have poor timing 😅 Anyway, here be fluff! 🥰

- - - - -

“Und doch, welch Glück, geliebt zu werden, Und lieben, Götter, welch ein Glück.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Willkommen und Abschied

It had been the bottle of soy sauce that had led to Zhao Yunlan’s revelation.

Not quite awake and his eyes still half closed, he had blindly reached for it and dumped some over his congee, when he suddenly startled. Frozen, opened bottle in hand, eyes wide, he looked around the breakfast table, taking in the sight as if for the first time. Opposite him, a bowl of steaming congee, topped with tuna bites, behind it a sleepy Da Qing who absent-mindedly stirred in his coffee pot with a chopstick. Next to the drowsy cat, Ye Zun’s seat with his brother-in-law’s newest weird obsession: a vegetable smoothie of sorts, a questionable bright green concoction in a tall glass. His own congee in his favourite red bowl, with chopped scallions and the soy sauce within easy reach.

Zhao Yunlan looked at the man next to him in wonder, blinking slowly. Shen Wei, perceptive as ever – and significantly more awake than the rest of them – noticed his pause and glanced back at him with a slight raise of one eyebrow. “What is it?”

Zhao Yunlan shook his head, not quite sure how to put his thoughts into words. 

Since they all had moved into the new house together, Shen Wei had taken command of everything regarding food - which wasn’t really surprising, given what had happened to the apartment’s kitchen and the following very thorough lecture on things that absolutely could not go into a microwave. Thus he had taken over everything from buying food to preparing it, making sure they all ate regular and healthy meals.

Being his usual attentive and considerate self, he somehow had also quietly managed, between being Hei Pao Shi and Professor Shen and SID Consultant, to make sure they ate their meals together, to cook their favourite foods - and to always place the soy sauce next to Zhao Yunlan’s bowl because he knew he would want it. Zhao Yunlan knew that he also bought all their vegetables from the small stall with the overly friendly owner, because Ye Zun had mentioned he especially liked their fresh scallions. Da Qing would bug him for dried fish snacks every time he went out, and even though he always scolded the cat, sure enough there would be fish snacks the next day. Zhao Yunlan never ran out of lollipops these days, no matter how many he lost in coats and between sofa cushions.

Shen Wei didn’t just cook for them - he cared for them, and the enormity of it all, the magnitude of this love made Zhao Yunlan’s breath catch.

Slightly alarmed, Shen Wei turned fully in his chair to face him, placing a warm hand on Zhao Yunlan’s. “Ah-Lan, what is it?”

Still feeling a bit overwhelmed by his revelation, Zhao Yunlan just blinked at him, then inhaled deeply. “It's just,” he began, then cleared his dry throat, failing to translate his feelings into words. “I just realised I never sat with someone at a breakfast table,” he said instead. “Like a family, I mean.” Shen Wei looked even more concerned, glancing at Da Qing. “But, Zhao Xinci--,” he began, but Zhao Yunlan cut him off with a snort. “My dad stopped being part of the family even before my mum died,” he shrugged. “It was just Fat Cat and me,” he winked at Da Qing, “but we never really… Anyway!” Inhaling deeply, trying to hide how emotional he felt, he gave Shen Wei a wobbly smile. Before the other could respond to that, Ye Zun said quietly, “He’s right.” When all of them turned towards him, he looked up, shrugging slightly. “We never had that either, gege. I can’t even remember if we ever ate at a table before… Well. Before.” He gestured vaguely. Da Qing subtly put his hand on Ye Zun’s thigh under the table, then leaned his head on his shoulder, purring softly. The other smiled and pressed a kiss to his temple.

Shen Wei tightened his grip on Zhao Yunlan’s hand. “I see,” he said, still sounding concerned. The other intertwined their fingers, giving him a gentle look. “I just never thought I’d have that, you know?” He gestured with his free hand. “Someone to care for me. To care for us. I just realised how much you do for us, how much you love us. All of us.” He winked slyly at Ye Zun, who scoffed in reply but couldn’t quite hide the fond smile as he regarded his brother. “He’s right,” he agreed. “You made us a family, gege.” The tips of Shen Wei’s ears had turned red and he lowered his gaze, smiling softly. Shaking his head, he tried to refute the praise, when Da Qing added, “It’s what you do, what you always have done.” At the other’s questioning gaze, he chuckled. “Don’t you remember when…,” Zhao Yunlan noticed the slight hitch in his breathing before he continued, “Kunlun was gone, and it was just the two of us… You would cook for me and we’d eat together.” He smiled. “Every time, you declared I was too scrawny and you had to make sure I’d eat enough. You always gave me the best pieces. Don’t you remember?” 

“I remember,” Shen Wei replied quietly, eyes still lowered, but now with the hint of a smile on his lips. Zhao Yunlan reached for him, wrapping his arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Kissing the other’s cheek, he whispered, “Thank you. For everything.” Looking up at the other two, he grinned and added, “We love you too, you know.” Shen Wei buried his face in Zhao Yunlan’s neck and nodded, letting himself be held.

[out-of-context-charlie]

(this is the first fic i have ever published so like it is totally self-indulgent and probably garbage but whatever here we are)

It was a rainy day in Dragon City. 

On the darkened sidewalk, a pair of expensive shoes walked with purpose under a dark blue umbrella. Anybody else stupid enough to be out in the downpour steered clear of the man wearing them, hiding within their overcoats and hats to avoid his piercing glare. Eventually he stopped at a clunky brownstone at the edge of town. He looked up at it and then back down at the scrawl on the piece of paper in his hand to make sure he had the right place.

Zhao Yunlan wished he had not given up smoking. There was a certain beauty to watching smoke rise and curl in the dark gray light that a storm cast into his office. The sucker did not offer the same satisfaction and only added to his boredom. 

He looked absently at his scuffed shoes propped up on the desk, streaking mud over the various “important” documents he was supposed to be going over. Under his heel was yet another letter from his father cursing him out for getting fired from the DCPD, or rather quitting in an extravagant fashion. He caused quite the scandal, the only son of Police Commissioner Zhao blowing the whistle on a cover-up involving a dirty cop.

Now here Zhao Yunlan sat in a converted shoe factory, the chief of his own dysfunctional precinct. Alongside him was a ratty bunch of investigators: one convict, a runaway, a crackpot scientist, and a street urchin who believed he could talk to cats. His secretaries couldn’t even read for shit. Some days he thought the only one qualified to be in this line of work was Old Li, the janitor. Not to mention taking cases for whatever street scum needed a favor that day.

There had been a whole host of characters who’d crawled through his door and if they could pay, he would shine their shoes. Like yesterday, he had finished up a case involving a prize fighter wanting to expose a murderous boss. Then he also had the better clients, like the businessman whose daughter and her fiance went missing. He paid well, even if the culprit mysteriously disappeared.

“Old Zhao!” Da Qing crashed through the door, looking as clueless and alarmed as usual. 

Zhao Yunlan pulled the sucker out of his mouth with a smack and waved it at him. “Speak.”

Da Qing stood up straighter and attempted to smooth down his shirt but only succeeded in getting more dirt on it. He cleared his throat. “Ah, there’s someone here. A very well-dressed someone who says he needs urgent help.” And to add to Zhao Yulan’s headache, he winked.

Zhao Yunlan rolled his eyes. A few years ago, Da Qing began talking in code to make the clients feel more at ease, or to make the department itself look more interesting and mysterious. The only one in said department who humored him was Old Li, but that was just because the old man felt parental toward him. “So somebody very rich is very desperate, got it. Just send him in.”

With a pout, Da Qing retreated through the door and Zhao Yunlan slid his feet off the desk and half-heartedly put the cluttered papers into a stack. Normally he would just leave it since seeing the disorganization put people at ease. But if the client was higher class then it was actually the complete opposite. The more it looked organized and official, the more they felt they were not stooping down to another level. Then again, it was also very fun to watch a man in a suit squirm. 

The door opened again and a man walked through it. This time, Zhao Yunlan was the one squirming. 

Instead of some fat, sweaty businessman, the client standing before him was incredibly handsome. A professionally tailed blue pinstripe clung to a tall frame, accenting the rigid muscles beneath. He wore a matching fedora low on his head and round glasses that glinted in the low light. 

The client moved respectfully to the side, clasping his hands in front of him as Da Qing stumbled in. “Old Zhao, this is Professor Shen Wei. Professor, Detective -- ah, ex-detective -- I, mean.” He paused and collected his bearings. He started again, calmly. “Professor, Zhao Yunlan. He is the leader around here.” 

A professor? That was a new one. Zhao Yunlan popped the sucker back in his mouth and looked at Da Qing. “You can leave now, Fatty. Also, tell Zhu Hong that if I don’t have the files on the Crow murders by two today, I'll break her legs.” Da Qing nodded and backed out quickly. When the door closed, Zhao Yunlan gestured to the seat in front of him. “Professor Shen, please sit down.”

Shen Wei cleared his throat and sat down neatly, placing his hat on the table in front of him. “Is it really appropriate to call your subordinate ‘Fatty?” He asked in a smooth, deep voice that made Zhao Yunlan momentarily forget he was supposed to be a professional PI.

“If you saw how much it costs to feed him, you’d know that ‘Fatty’ is being extremely generous. But we are not here to talk about him..” Said Zhao Yunlan quickly, leaning back in his chair. He schooled his face into the usual business casual (slightly annoyed yet still charismatic) and waved a finger at him. “You have a problem, Professor Shen. Tell me.”

Shen Wei’s lips tightened into what may have been considered an attempt to smile and he folded his hands neatly in his lap. “I heard that you are who to call when you need somebody found.”

Zhao Yunlan grinned. “I have been known to catch a stray or two, yes.”

“Do you know of a girl by the name of Li Qian?”

“Mm. Nineteen year old female found dead at the docks two nights ago.”

“She was one of my brightest students.” The professor's jaw clenched and a shadow passed over his eyes. “She took care of her grandmother, the owner of a store known for priceless antiques. One of which Li Qian wore around her neck everywhere she went. There-”

Zhao Yunlan interrupted him with a large sigh and put his hands behind his head. “Professor Shen, as much as I love listening to you speak, you really came down here to talk to me about a suicide? Or you did. In that case, I’ve solved it!” He suddenly leaned forward and threw his arms out. “Li Qian was the killer.”

The shadow flickered again and Shen Wei looked like he was biting his tongue. “Please do not joke about her death, Detective.” Even though his face remained passive, there was a large amount of venom in his words.

“Ex-detective, actually.” Zhao Yunlan corrected him. “But like I said, those at the scene ruled it a suicide. She drowned.”

“I know that.” Professor Shen pushed up his glasses and shifted slightly. “I talked to the police myself and asked about the circumstances. Those circumstances make me believe they made the wrong call.”

“You think she was murdered?”

Although he had not been at the scene, Zhao Yunlan still had friends in the department who would occasionally let him peek at cases. The girl was found in the harbor with sea water in her lungs. Not a scrap of evidence suggesting otherwise. As far as he could tell, the poor kid flung herself off one of the bridges and ended up there for the fisherman to find. 

“Why?” Zhao Yunlan asked, cocking his head.

Shen Wei pushed up his glasses again. “Her necklace was missing. Zhao Yunlan, this is not an arbitrary fact. Her grandmother is extremely ill and does not have access to proper care, so she does not have much time left. Not once did I see my student without that necklace around her neck. She clung to it like it was a piece of her soul and I’m fairly certain if she did plan on killing herself, she would have had it with her. Also being such a valuable piece, I’m sure if a criminal saw a vulnerable young woman walking down the street in the dead of night, they would also see an opportunity.”

His words made Zhao Yunlan pause. When he still worked at the DCPD, he did plenty of interrogations. Most criminals were so nervous they were practically wetting their pants, but others were as calm as Shen Wei in front of him. He was not accusing the professor of anything yet. However, the darkness hiding behind the man’s dark brown eyes suggested he knew more than he was letting on to. In any case, his detective senses were alive and alert.

“So you are asking me to find the necklace and bring in the people you believe murdered her?” 

Shen Wei shook his head. “I am asking you to assist me in my own investigation.”

Zhao Yunlan sucked in a breath. “Ah, with all due respect, professor. I do not assist. I catch criminals with the assistance of others. Plus, this is really not a job for academics such as yourself. 

The professor eyed him and reached into his suit. Zhao Yunlan’s eyes bugged when a large stack of cash made an appearance. He hastily began counting the bills all while Shen Wei watched him intently. “Is this enough?”

Humming, Zhao Yunlan moved his head from side-to-side. “I might need something else.”

“Name your price.”

Zhao Yunlan grinned. “Smile for me?”

To his pleasure, Shen Wei’s face became a deep shade of red. Zhao Yunlan laughed and waved his hand dismissively. “Ah, I’m kidding! I’ll make you smile on my own eventually.”

Shen Wei’s lips tightened again and he dropped his head. “We shall see.”

Zhao Yunlan’s heart fluttered. “Challenge accepted, my dear professor Shen.” He grabbed his pistol from underneath his desk. He set it on the table next to the cash and smiled widely up at Shen Wei.

“Now, let’s go find that girl’s necklace.”

[sarah-yyy]

for the au headcanon, weilan lawyer au because i remember you saying back in your yoi days that you will take any chance to write a lawyer au for every fandom you're in? :P

It turns out it’s harder to write a lawyer au now that I am actually doing the lawyering thing, BUT I’LL TRY.

Zhao Yunlan smiles slightly at Shen Wei when he comes in. “I thought you would let me wait outside for at least an hour, Professor Shen,” he says lightly, settling into the seat before Shen Wei’s desk. “It’s very hard to get a meeting with you, Xiao Wei.”

Shen Wei’s cheeks colour, and he resolutely doesn’t think about the days back in law school where he hung onto every word Yunlan said, where he would shift his schedule around just to accommodate Yunlan. 

Those days are behind him now.

“What can I do for you, Zhao Yunlan?” Shen Wei asks. 

“Ah, straight to business?” Yunlan asks. A rueful look graces his face. “You won’t even ask me how I’ve been all these years?” 

Yunlan is probably teasing him, but in truth, Shen Wei doesn’t need to ask; he knows Yunlan has been well, has followed Yunlan’s career throughout the years, has read about as much of Yunlan’s progression through the ranks of the Public Defence Services as he is able to. 

“Not even going to offer me something to drink?” Yunlan asks, definitely teasing this time.

Shen Wei stands. “I’ll steep some tea,” he says. 

He’ll take any excuse to not have to look at Yunlan right now. He can’t shake the feeling that in front of Yunlan, he can hide none of his feelings. It’s the same way he used to feel back in law school, except. 

Except now he knows better than to think that Yunlan would return his feelings.

Yunlan reaches out, closes his fingers over Shen Wei’s wrist. “I was joking about the drink,” he murmurs, brushing his thumb gently over Shen Wei’s pulse point. 

Shen Wei is not proud of the way his fingers tremble when he jerks his hand out of Yunlan’s grips. Yunlan has always been observant, and he has always been good at making accurate deductions from the simplest of observations. 

No doubt he’s already come to some not entirely inaccurate conclusions about how Shen Wei feels about him.

Shen Wei swallows. “What do you want from me, Zhao Yunlan?”

Yunlan stills at the words, and Shen Wei shouldn’t really feel victorious at getting an adverse reaction out of Yunlan, but he does anyway, because this at least means that Yunlan remembers, that the moment was at least important enough to leave an impression on Yunlan. 

Yunlan shifts in his seat. “I’d like you to consider joining the PDS,” he says. 

It’s the last thing Shen Wei expects Yunlan to say, but Yunlan has always been full of surprises. Shen Wei used to really like that about him. 

“Don’t turn it down just yet,” Yunlan says, just as Shen Wei is planning to do. “I know you probably don’t really have plans on leaving the academia side of the law, and I’m not asking you to. Not yet.” He leans forward in his seat. “We used to talk about helping people, of making real change. The PDS is where I feel I’m actually doing that, and… And I’d like you to be a part of that, with me.” 

For a long moment, Shen Wei just looks at Yunlan. It’s a fact that Yunlan knows Shen Wei probably better than anyone else, but Shen Wei prides himself on being able to read Yunlan pretty well as well. 

He huffs out a short laugh. “It’s about the Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi case,” Shen Wei concludes. “You need my help on it.”

“Yes,” Yunlan admits matter-of-factly. “That too. But I meant everything else as well.”

“Primarily because of the Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi case, though,” Shen Wei says.

“No.” Yunlan catches his gaze, doesn’t let him look away. “Primarily because I’ve missed you, Xiao Wei.”

[isa-iadel]

The Break In (Guardian OneShot)

A short story about that time Zhao Yunlan broke into Shen Wei’s apartment.

Inspired by this giftset by @fuck-yeah-weilan : 

https://ascended-fanboy-yuuri.tumblr.com/post/180928118908/what-we-find-in-a-soulmate-is-not-something

And the comment by @sarah-yyy at the bottom.

atm, I don’t plan to write anymore of this.  I like the ending as it is :)

Shen Wei hesitated, the key mere inches from the lock.  The knowledge that there were strangers in his apartment made him both wary and angry.  He was upset at the intrusion and alarmed by the knowledge that someone might have made a connection between Shen Wei and the Envoy.  What other possible reason could there be for someone to break into the apartment of a simple Professor?

Stepping into the apartment, Shen Wei put down his briefcase and reached out with his senses.  He was ready to summon his weapon at a moment’s notice.  But he stopped suddenly and ducked his head, smiling a little.  There was no threat from the ones who had broken into his house.  And the audaciousness amused him.

It was Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing and they were hiding from him on the balcony.  

Shen Wei stood in the center of his apartment for a long moment, simply gazing in the direction of his balcony.  He almost wanted to laugh.  Instead he walked towards the bathroom, footsteps a little heavier than usual, opened the door and closed it.  It took only a few moments for Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing to come out from the balcony, footsteps quiet as they tried to sneak across the apartment and out the front door without being noticed.  

They both frozen when they saw Shen Wei.  Zhao Yunlan immediately took a step forward, partially shielding Da Qing with his body.

“Ah, Professor Shen.  There’s a very good explanation for this.”

Though he would have loved to hear Zhao Yunlan try to talk his way out of being caught breaking into his apartment, Shen Wei suddenly had no patience to continue the charade.  

“Da Qing,” Shen Wei said, looking around Zhao Yunlan.  “You’re very tired, after such a long day.  Go home and go to bed.  Sleep well until morning and have good dreams.”

“What-” Zhao Yunlan began.

Da Qing yawned widely, smiling sheepishly.  “I guess I’m more tired than I thought.  Good night, boss.”

“Da Qing, what,” Zhao Yunlan began, but Da Qing ignored him and moved forward.

Zhao Yunlan stepped forward to go after him, but Shen Wei stepped in this path and stayed there until he heard the click of the door behind Da Qing as he left the apartment.

“So,” Zhao Yunlan said after a moment, “You aren’t going to hide anymore.”

“I don’t enjoy keeping the truth from you, Zhao Yunlan,” Shen Wei admitted.  “And I don’t enjoy being under suspicion by a person I trust and respect.”

“And if I wanted to leave?” Zhao Yunlan challenged.

Shen Wei stepped to the side, giving him a clear path to the door, “I won’t force you to remain.  However,” he continued when Zhao Yunlan didn’t immediately bolt in the direction of the door, “For the sake of our friendship, I hope you’ll allow me to explain myself.”

“Tell me then,” Zhao Yunlan invited.  “All I’ve ever wanted from you is the truth.  I’m not going to run away.”

“If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll make some tea.”

Zhao Yunlan hesitated, patience likely warring with politeness, but after a moment he nodded and moved in the direction of the couch.  Shen Wei went to the kitchen to make the tea.  It was a special blend, one he rarely drank himself.  Making it now with the intention of serving it to Zhao Yunlan gave him goosebumps.  Zhao Yunlan smiled in thanks when Shen Wei offered him the tea, taking the time to smell it before taking a small sip.  Pure pleasure spread across his face at the first sip and Shen Wei smiled a little at the sight.

“It’s good.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Shen Wei replied.  The blend was one he had designed himself, long ago, to suit the tastebuds of his lover.  To serve it again to him was a pleasure Shen Wei would treasure forever.  

“I have a question.”

“I think I’ve already clearly answered your question of how I know so much about Dixing,” Shen Wei said.

Zhao Yunlan nodded, “How have you avoided the attention of the Black Cloaked Envoy for so long?  You never seen to be around when he comes.  Is it just luck?  Or…”

“What else do you suppose it might be?”

“It might be that your powers allow you to sense when he’s coming and make yourself scarce.  Or…”

“Or?” Shen Wei prodded.

“Or maybe you’re the Envoy,” Zhao Yunlan said, his expression tightening.

“But that last theory displeases you,” Shen Wei observed, setting down his tea.  “Why?”

“I don’t want things to change between us,” he admitted, his voice soft.

“And if I was the Envoy, it would change things?”

Zhao Yunlan sighed slowly, “Yes.  You don’t think so?”

“No, I agree,” Shen Wei said, averting his gaze, “If you knew I was the Envoy, things would be different.  I would have to hide less.  I could be more open with you.  It might bridge some of the space between us.”

“Shen Wei,” Zhao Yunlan said, his voice so soft and full of gentleness that Shen Wei couldn’t help but look back to him, “Is that something you want?  Less space between us?”

Shen Wei nodded.

“Then let’s not beat around the bush,” Zhao Yunlan said.  “Shen Wei, are you the Black Cloaked Envoy?”

“Yes.”

Shen Wei couldn’t quite work out Zhao Yunlan’s feelings about the revelation.  The knowledge seemed to hang between them, neither of them speaking or reacting.  Finally, Zhao Yunlan reached out to take another sip of his tea.  It was something Kunlun had also done, when he needed a moment to gather his thoughts or wasn’t prepared to speak.  Shen Wei was briefly distracted by the same question he’d been wondering about since the first time he saw Zhao Yunlan.

Was Zhao Yunlan the reincarnation of Kunlun or was he Kunlun himself?

“There’s something else I want to know.”

“What is it?” Shen Wei asked.

“When did we first meet?” Zhao Yunlan asked, his gaze sharp and focused.

“That’s a question I’ve also been wondering about,” Shen Wei admitted.  “And I don’t know.  I’m not sure.”

For a moment it seemed like Zhao Yunlan was going to argue with him, but instead he took another sip of his tea.  Shen Wei knew that his answer wasn’t satisfactory.  And despite how much he disliked concealing the truth the Zhao Yunlan, he genuinely wasn’t sure what to say.

How do you tell another man that he’s either the reincarnation of your husband or that he’s going to travel back in time and marry you?

Somehow, in the ten thousands years he spent waiting and desperately yearning for Kunlun, this exact scenario never occurred to him.  And in the time since he met Zhao Yunlan, he hadn’t really thought of an adequate way to address the uncertainty with him.  The chance that the entire thing would freak Zhao Yunlan out enough to make him just avoid Shen Wei was surely too high to risk.

“I often look at you and think I wish I knew what he was thinking,” Zhao Yunlan admitted, his attention still on his tea.  “You say you want to explain yourself.  You want less space between us, you don’t want to have to hide.  If you really don’t enjoy keeping the truth from me, then tell it now.  Tell me all of it.”

“It’s not so easy as that.”

“Why not?” Zhao Yunlan pressed.

Shen Wei hesitated for a long moment, pouring more tea and taking the time to smell it before taking a sip.  Zhao Yunlan was also briefly distracted by the tea, a small smile spreading across his features at the flavor.

“Certain truths can be painful or unwelcome,” Shen Wei said.  “And I value your company too much to so easily risk alienation.”

“Shen Wei,” Zhao Yunlan said, “Do you think I care for you so little that the simplest thing will sending me running?”

“It isn’t a simple thing, Zhao Yunlan,” Shen Wei admitted.  

Zhao Yunlan sighed, taking another sip of his tea, “This tea really is wonderful.  I like it a lot.”

“I knew how much you liked it before I made it for you,” Shen Wei admitted.

“What?” Zhao Yunlan asked, surprised, “But I’ve never had this before.”

“I met a man a long time ago.”

Zhao Yunlan leaned forward a little when Shen Wei trailed off, “And he had a supernatural ability to know what type of tea your future friend would like?”

Shen Wei couldn’t stop himself from smiling at comment.  And seeing him amused pleased Zhao Yunlan and he relaxed a little, leaning back in his chair.

“This man I met a long time ago,” Shen Wei continued.  “He was… He was either you as you are now who traveled back in time and or he was you in a past life.”

Zhao Yunlan’s eyes widened.

“I just haven’t been able to figure out which,” he admitted quietly.

“But he was important to you, this man?” Zhao Yunlan prodded.

Shen Wei nodded.

“How important?”

“Very.”

“Shen Wei,” Zhao Yunlan said shifting forward so their knees were touching.  Reaching out, he took Shen Wei’s hands in his and squeezed gently, “How important?”

“Important enough that I spent ten thousand years waiting for him to come back,” Shen Wei admitted, meeting Zhao Yunlan’s gaze, “And I would do it again, if I had to.  It was agony,” he admitted softly, “But it was well worth seeing you again.”

“I don’t deserve that.”

“That’s your opinion.  But I don’t regret it.  The only thing I would regret is if telling the truth were to drive you away from me.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Zhao Yunlan admitted, “But I’m not angry with you.”

Shen Wei managed a small smile.

“So we were very close, back then?”

Shen Wei nodded.

“But how close?  You still haven’t said.  Close friends?  Close as brothers?  Close in a different way?”

“It’s not relevant to our current relationship,” Shen Wei said after a moment.  “We don’t have to follow that same path.”

“So we were lovers.”

“I never said that,” Shen Wei exclaimed.  

“You can learn a lot from what people don’t say,” Zhao Yunlan informed him.  “We were lovers and you’re afraid of pressuring me.”

Shen Wei looked at him in surprise.

“I’ve always been at a disadvantage with you because I was never a stranger to you.  You always knew me.  But I didn’t know you.  At first.  But see,” Zhao Yunlan said, smiling a little and wiggling his finger in Shen Wei’s direction, “I’ve been paying close attention since we met.  Maybe I don’t know you as you know me, but we’re not strangers anymore.”

Shen Wei exhaled slowly.

“You don’t want me to want you because I once wanted you.  It’s not authentic, right?  It wouldn’t feel real in the moment.  You want me to look at you, as the man I am in the this moment, and want the man that you are in this moment.  Am I right?”

“You don’t owe me anything,” Shen Wei said, because Zhao Yunlan was entirely right and he didn’t want to admit it.  

“You didn’t owe me anything either,” Zhao Yunlan said, “But here you are ten thousand years later tripping over yourself to make sure that I’m okay, that I’m not uncomfortable, that I don’t feel pressured.”

“I owe you everything,” Shen Wei objected.  “And beyond that, I made certain promises to you.  And I’ll never break those.”

“Promises,” Zhao Yunlan inquired, “Or vows?”

Shen Wei closed his eyes for a moment, “Both.”  

[asflowersfade]

Ficlet: Dragonslayer

A Guardian ficlet set in my The Cop and His Professor AU where there’s nothing supernatural going on and Zhao Yun Lan & Shen Wei are married.

They met before. Shen Wei just never told him...

“And how’s… he?” Old Zhao asks.

Zhao Yun Lan looks at his father, his paper-strewn desk sitting between them, and narrows his eyes. “He is my husband. And he also has a name - Shen Wei!” he snaps, irritated.

Because it’s always been so, with his dad. For some reason that Zhao can’t fathom, the old man’s always had it in for Shen Wei. And yet, Shen Wei’s never had a bad word to say about Zhao’s father, he’s always treated him with respect and never seemed to care that it wasn’t reciprocated.

Old Zhao shakes his head, his disappointment very evident. “That’s so you, Yun Lan. Always so irritable, so… impulsive.”

Zhao takes a deep breath and leans against his desk, pressing his fists hard into its scratched surface. He’s not going to explode. He’s not going to give his father the satisfaction of being right about his… excitable nature.

But his father’s obviously not finished. “You married a man you barely knew, a man who keeps secrets from you, even now--”

Enough.

“--things that you should know about but you get angry with me - with me! - when I remind you of it instead of taking responsibility for--”

“Father.”

“He’s lying to you, Yun Lan!” Old Zhao snaps. “About many things. About his family, about--”

“Father!”

“--the time you first met!” Old Zhao finishes with triumph. “Did you know that? That the time you keep telling everyone about, how you two first met during that murder investigation at the university, that it’s nothing but one big lie?”

Zhao slams his fists hard against his desk. The resulting bang is so loud that his team, gathered in the main squadroom, snaps their heads around, towards them, staring. Zhao doesn’t care. All he cares about is that his father finally shut up.

“Even if you’re right,” Zhao says very quietly, leaning across his desk, “I still don’t want to hear it from you. Don’t push me, father, not on this. And don’t think, not even for a minute, that I would ever take your side against Shen Wei.”

Old Zhao stares at him a moment longer, then, with a huff, he turns away and stalks out of the office, out of the squadroom, out of the building without giving anyone a second look. It’s good that they dealt with the official part of his visit first, as if they knew that their meeting would end this way. Maybe they finally learned from experience.

He finds Shen Wei in his office at the university, digging through a filing cabinet, bent at the waist and presenting his very nice bottom to the open door. What a sight, Zhao sighs happily.

“Seducing the faculty, are we, professor?” Zhao asks cheekily, leaning against the doorway and sucking on his lollipop with a big smile on his face.

Shen Wei whips around so fast that he slams the cabinet drawer shut with a loud bang. When he realizes who said this outrageous thing, his face softens for a moment, the way it always does when he looks at Zhao. But then he gives his husband a stone look.

“That’s not funny, Yun Lan,” he states primly, pushing his glasses up his nose.

Ah yes, pushing Shen Wei’s buttons, one of the many pleasures in Zhao’s life ever since he married this amazing man... Which brings him back to the reason of his visit.

Slowly, Zhao steps into the office and turns around to close the door. He stands there for a moment, forehead pressed against the hardwood, eyes shut tight. He doesn’t like it, questioning his husband, but he needs to know. If he doesn’t ask, it’s going to eat him alive from the inside.

“Yun Lan?” Shen Wei asks quietly, a little puzzled.

Alright, then.

Zhao takes a deep breath and pushes away from the door, turning to face the other man. “My father visited me at the station today,” he says, walking leisurely across the office towards Shen Wei’s desk.

“Oh,” Shen Wei replies, still standing in one place. “Did you two have a fight?” Fortunately, he doesn’t add “again.”

Zhao nods. “That too,” he admits, then he leans against the desk, legs spread apart lightly, and drops his lollipop into the waste bin; suddenly, it lost its taste. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

Shen Wei frowns a little and takes a couple of steps closer. “Then what--”

“My father told me the most peculiar thing, you see,” Zhao cuts him off, looking straight at his husband. “He told me that we met before, you and I. Before the murder that I was sent here to investigate. Before our… ‘first meeting.’” 

Shen Wei freezes and drops his eyes - and Zhao’s heart sinks. Dammit. Damn his father!

“Shen Wei,” Zhao says imploringly. “Tell me it’s not true and I will believe you. Tell me it didn’t happen and--”

“It’s true,” Shen Wei interrupts him quietly, hands clenched into fists so tightly that his knuckles turn white. “It happened.”

Zhao takes a very deep, very slow breath, making the conscious decision not to jump to conclusions, not to make hasty judgments. He knows Shen Wei. He knows him and he knows that Shen Wei’s past is a minefield, unexplored, dangerous, full of holes. Zhao knew that before he asked Shen Wei to marry him. And he would still do it again, marry the man. Today, tomorrow…

“Alright,” Zhao replies. “Go on.”

Still looking down, with his hands still clenched tight, Shen Wei continues, “It was sixteen years ago, shortly after your mother died. You were so angry with your father back then, determined to cause him as much grief as possible. You fought at school a lot and one time, one time it ended with you in the hospital.”

Zhao frowns a little. Yes, that’s all true, but how--

Shen Wei glances up. “And that’s where we met, at the hospital.”

Silently, Zhao stares at his husband. He’s starting to have a very bad feeling he knows where this is headed. Sixteen years ago. Yes, back then, he was brought to the hospital once - both his principal and his father were furious - and there, in the hospital, there was a boy there, his age. But it couldn’t have been Shen Wei. Not… not that boy.

Taking another step closer, Shen Wei says, “You sneaked away while your father was dealing with the paperwork. And you hid from him. In my room.”

It was Shen Wei. That boy. Zhao’s heart clenches. “I remember…” he whispers. “I never realized it was you.”

Shen Wei gives him a little smile, it’s wan and full of pain. “Yeah, well. I looked… different back then.” He looks down at his hands.

Zhao looks, too. And he remembers. He remembers the boy in the hospital bed. Black and blue and broken, so broken, with thick white bandages and not an inch of skin that wasn’t cut or scraped. Zhao was still a child back then, with nowhere near as much experience as he has now, but one look at that boy and he just knew that someone did that to him, that someone wanted him dead.

“You were kind to me that day,” Shen Wei says in a voice that’s a little hoarse. “You were the first person in a very long time who was kind to me. Just because. You sat with me and you held my hand... and you gave me a lollipop - you said it was your favorite flavor, that you liked how it stained your tongue red.” It makes Shen Wei smile.

Something clicks for Zhao. He drops his eyes to Shen Wei’s chest, to where his pristine white shirt hides his pendant, one of a matching set. Both of their amber drops have a pocket inside them, a cavity meant for little mementos. Zhao hasn’t decided yet what of Shen Wei’s he wants to keep in there since everything about his husband is precious to him, but Shen Wei… He knows that Shen Wei keeps a lollipop wrapper inside. Zhao thought it a joke before but now…

“The wrapper inside your pendant,” Zhao whispers.

Shen Wei smiles and nods, touching the pendant through his shirt. “I kept it. All the years, I kept it. When things got… bad, it helped. It reminded me of you and that helped.”

When his father finally found him, Zhao didn’t want to go. In the end, he was dragged away anyway, but he at least promised himself to return the next day and visit the boy. “I came back,” Zhao says, reaching out for his husband who steps closer, between his spread legs. Zhao looks up at him. “I came back the next day but you were gone and they refused to tell me anything. They didn’t even give me your name.” 

For a long time, Zhao was so angry with himself for not asking the boy himself but the kid was watching Zhao with such big, anxious eyes, barely talking, that Zhao was afraid of asking him anything at all.

Shen Wei cards his fingers through Zhao’s hair, smoothing it down. “Yes, they moved me to another wing. For my own protection, they said.”

Zhao hooks his fingers into the belt loops of his husband’s pants. “Why didn’t you tell me about this when we met?” he asks. Not offended, angry or irritated but genuinely curious.

Shen Wei says, “When we met, I recognized you. Immediately. I didn’t even realize I was waiting to meet you again. But when you didn’t remember me I... “ He pauses, resting his hands lightly on Zhao’s shoulders. “It was a very bad time for me all those years back. You were the only good thing about it. If I mentioned our first meeting, I would’ve had to explain the rest, everything.”

And that’s something Shen Wei simply doesn’t do, the one thing he never does: talk about his past. Zhao’s starting to realize why.

“And the longer I kept quiet--” Shen Wei shakes his head.

Zhao gets it. He wishes Shen Wei had told him the truth, but he understand why he didn’t. The bruises on that boy’s skin are just as vivid in Zhao’s memory today as they had been sixteen years ago. They hurt - and he was only a bystander.

Sighing, he pulls Shen Wei closer and wraps his arms around his waist. He stares up at Shen Wei who seems paler than usual. It bothers Zhao. “Did you know that I became a cop because of you?” he asks.

Shen Wei blinks down at him in surprise and shake his head a little again.

Zhao nods. “Yeah. It wasn’t because of my father and his endless lecturing about duty and whatnot. It was because of you. The boy in that bed. I wanted to be there and stop something like that from happening to someone else. And I wanted to find the people who did it to you and bring them to justice.”

Shen Wei smiles at him and runs his fingers through Zhao’s hair again. He doesn’t say anything but Zhao can almost hear him thinking that it’s sweet, Zhao’s words.

He doesn’t know how to ask the next thing. And so he tiptoes around the subject. “Did… did the people who hurt you ever get what they deserved?”

For a fraction of a second, Shen Wei stiffens. But then he relaxes again, pulling Zhao’s head to his chest and kissing his hair with a smile. “Don’t worry, Yun Lan. The man who did it died a long time ago. He can’t hurt anyone anymore, I promise.”

Zhao nods, burying his face in his husband’s chest, breathing in his scent and listening to his heartbeat. He wants to know more, the hows and whys, all of it. And he wants to kill everyone who’s ever hurt Shen Wei. 

But Shen Wei wouldn’t like that, he knows. Shen Wei’s never been anyone’s victim but a survivor. Shen Wei is the strongest person Zhao’s ever known.

Still, Zhao Yun Lan would slay dragons for him if Shen Wei only asked.

[yumichanhamano]

''you started a study group to try and get to know me but now it’s six months in, we’re all close friends and you still have no idea how to ask me out'' for Weilan maybe?

Thank you for sending one in

“Gege,” Ye Zun said as he eyed the man who was more invested at the text messages he was receiving, “You’re in love with an idiot.”

“I know,” Shen Wei whispered affectionately before he typed out another long winded response to the few words Zhao Yun Lan had sent. Ye Zun rolled his eyes and wondered if he should try to set them up again.

“You got to be kidding me,” Zhu Hong said in exasperation before downing her coffee. “Look, I got class in 10 minutes and I can’t deal with-” she motions to Zhao Yun Lan, “-this. Keep me updated in the chat.”

With the only other female gone, there sat three guys at the coffee bar: Zhao Yun Lan, Guo Chang Cheng, and Lin Jing. Sang Zan had left with Wang Zheng to work on a group project with 3 other people. Chu Shu Zhi apparently hated coffee or something and refused to come. Da Qing was still on the phone with his girlfriend.

Correction, he was on the phone with his girlfriend before they even got there.

“So you and Shen Wei…” Lin Jing said before he took a bite from his sandwich, “you two still aren’t dating?”

“I wish,” Zhao Yun Lan said as he threw his head back and let out a long sigh. “I was going to say something, but I swear his brother was glaring at me from the peephole of the door.”

Lin Jing hid his smile behind the sandwich he was holding while Guo Chang Cheng gave him a sympathetic look. Zhao Yun Lan waved them off.

“I just wish I can just tell him…” Zhao Yun Lan started waving his hand, “you know?”

“Okay, what’s the news?” Da Qing said as he snuggled himself in the seat next to Zhao Yun Lan. “What did I miss?”

“Our lead romantic here couldn’t confess last night,” Lin Jing said and shrugged when Zhao Yun Lan glared at him. But it was short-lived as his phone vibrated, redirecting his attention to his newly received text.

“From Shen Wei?” Guo Chang Cheng asked, the first thing he said since they arrived. While his question was never answered, the soften look on Zhao Yun Lan’s face said it all. Da Qing scooted a bit closer to Lin Jing when Zhao Yun Lan opened the long text message and started reading.

“I bet you 20 dollars that they’re going to get together by the end of the week,” Da Qing whispered.

“20 dollars and I say the end of the month,” Lin Jing responded.

The two looked at Guo Chang Cheng, but he furiously shook his head. The last time he was roped into a lottery, he ended up winning, but everyone gave him the cold shoulder.

“I’m going to head out, see you guys later,” Zhao Yun Lan suddenly said as he stood up.

“Are you going to see Shen Wei?” Da Qing asked but received no answer. He turned to Lin Jing and smirked, “I hope you have 20 dollars on you.”

“There’s no way they’re going to get together that fast!” Lin Jing retorted. But Da Qing knew Zhao Yun Lan much longer so there might be some truth to his words. But his pride wouldn’t let him admit that so he was going to stand strong until it actually happens.

“Shen Wei!!” Zhao Yun Lan called out as he ran to the other man. He was definitely not ogling at him before the other spotted him from the distance. “Did you wait long?”

“No, I just arrived too,” Shen Wei said. He would have arrived earlier if he wasn’t stopped in the hall by one of his professors asking if Shen Wei wanted to join his research team. Luckily he was stopped so they both arrived at their meeting spot at similar times. “Shall we go?”

“Sure!” Zhao Yun Lan grinned and followed Shen Wei’s lead.

“When is everyone else coming?” Shen Wei asked and Zhao Yun Lan scratched the back of his head.

“Soon, they’re all busy right now so they’ll join us later.”

That was a lie. He asked Shen Wei to meet him for another group study session, but in reality, he just wanted to have some alone time with the man. He was so close to confessing last night but he held back as he could feel Ye Zun glaring a hole through the door. He was no less surprised when Shen Wei opened the door and his twin brother was right there.

Da Qing nearly kicked him out of their shared room at the dormitory when he was trying to vent his woes to his best friend. And so, Zhao Yun Lan was determined to confess. Though he felt the need to tell all his friends about his failed attempt because Da Qing didn’t humour him the night before.

“Yun Lan.”

“Yes?” Zhao Yun Lan said as he turned to the beauty known as Shen Wei.

“You do realize I know you started a study group to try and get to know me but now it’s six months in, we’re all close friends and you still have no idea how to ask me out,” Shen Wei said and Zhao Yun Lan’s mind came to a halt.

“Huh?”

“You have no problems in class but yet you act like you need the extra help so you rope me into “study sessions” with your friends, but it’s pretty obvious that you were just flirting with me,” Shen Wei explained. They stopped outside the entrance of the library building. “I was waiting for you to say something, but don’t you think making me wait half a year is a little cruel?”

The smile on Zhao Yun Lan’s face grew as he threw an arm over Shen Wei’s shoulder.

“Shen Wei, ah, Shen Wei. You’re so smart, I love that about you, you know?”

[tanyavvvvvvf-blog]

Guardian Original Novel- Bonus Chapter Four - Finished on 2018/07/30 by Priest - P1

【Interpreter note: Token of Soul Suppression : Whoever have their names written on the token, will be a servant. They will have connection with the token, and have to follow commands from the master - Zhao Yunlan, God of Mountain KunLun.】

(I)

"... ... Here, click here, and then set up a pin number for payment." Zhao Yunlan handed a cell phone to Shen Wei, but not until Shen Wei took over, he changed his mind, set up a pin himself instead, "Never mind, I'll do it, you are too easy to guess."

Professor Shen is a very persistent person, all of his password were their door number, he has no awareness of security.

Shen Wei is a very detailed and decent man. After the battle, his focus was shifted from worrying about the Triple Realm to the arrangement of clothing, diet, housing, and traveling, these are so easy and effortless for him.

In the past, Shen Wei really didn't care to plan his life style. In troubled times, he would find a spot in the forest or mountain to hide. If the world was in the heyday of peace, he would look for an apartment and live a simple life. He wandered around the world for so long, honest and clear, has no deposit, not to mention of buying a property. So far, he has only a checking account for his salary, he is basically a normal middle-class man.

As for the famous mountains and rivers he inherited from KunLun, are in charged by the National Tourism Development Department, have nothing to do with him. He can't have the share of the fares or tickets.

"Look, I'll show you how to send out a Red-pocket here." Zhao Yunlan reached out and hooked over Shen Wei's shoulders, ruined his dignified sitting position. He took the chance of sharing personal experience, sent a red-pocket to himself, and he was quite satisfied with that. "Congratulations! The last old fogey of this century just stepped into Mobile Pay. ... .... What, again!"

Before he finished, his phone rang, Zhao Yunlan looked at the screen, didn't want to pick up, so he flipped the phone facing down. The phone rang for three times, but whoever was calling not going to stop, his office phone started to ring. Zhao Yunlan stretched his leg, poked Qing over the armchair, "Yo, fatty, pick it up."

Since Shen Wei was still sitting there, Qing held down his tamper. He jumped on the deck, treated the handset as Zhao Yunlan's face, slammed it off, "Hello, Special Inve.... Ah? HAHA, how are you Old Chief Zhao？Oh you're looking for the Chief Director? He just told me he's not here."

Zhao Yunlan:"... ..."

He looked at his phone, all three phone calls were not from the same person, the last two were from his father. He moved towards the phone unwillingly, "What's wrong with these monsters! Are they all right?! Going to my dad to pull a freaking string!"

Special Investigation Department, as is "Soul Suppression Unit", in the very beginning, it was like a "daycare", and a "Labor reformation + social working shelter".

In this department, except for Guo ChangCheng - a real human, and Wang Zheng- Sang Zan and other ghost-form officers that were taken in by Zhao Yunlan, the rest of the crew members could be divided into two types: Type one, for example Zhu Hong and Lin Jing, these were sent in here to accumulate experiences; Type two, Chu Shuzhi, a former prisoner. The Soul Suppression Unit was established to coordinate among the Triple Realms, and to guard the peace of the human world. Their daily life are to wipe behind those criminals who committed crimes, under the condition of complying with protocols, laws and regulations. This job alone was not a easy piece of cake, plus the director was a normal-looking young man, so there was never any talented person volunteered to join.

But the status quo was very different now. Ever since the barrier was devastated, the four Holy Items were re-arranged, the grand reincarnation was established, the Lord of Ghost ascended and became a celestial, and God KunLun returned to his rightful position, these facts might be secrets to mortal human, but not to the other forms of lives. After the battle night, the SID that no one cared, became the hottest issue. Everyone tried to step in to get some celestial blessing. It turned so annoying that Zhao Yunlan had to turn them down by telling them "There are not enough space for too many names on the Token of Soul Suppression (Note: A tree bark from the divine tree grown on top of Mountain KunLun)."

The token doesn't have enough space, but SID does. The SID is an administrative facility, founded by the government.

So, in order to get connection with SID, some smart pants started to lobby for reformation, and eventually they succeeded. SID was upgraded into "Special Investigation Administration Department - SIAD". Now there are agencies in different provinces, quite organized.

The "Section Chief Zhao" who was lying in the loft of 9th University Blvd all day long, thus inexplicably became "Chief Director Zhao".

This was the first year of opening for application after the reformation. Zhao Yunlan who was indulged in gardening and peaceful happy life, was directed by authorities to take over the recruitment. Sure won't have their names engraved on the token, but doesn't mean Zhao Yunlan wants some losers in his agencies, he had enough losers already. The whole department was shorthanded, so public recruiting was not a option. He sent out limited quantities of applications to different species, left the tough qualify selection to their leaders.

To get some extra applications, apparently some "talented people" had figured out shortcuts.

"Yes?" Zhao Yunlan picked up the phone and answered very sluggish, "What. You already retired, can't you just spend more time on dancing with those old ladies. Don't waste your time and energy on my career. Who called you anyway?! Errrrr... ... "

Qing lifted his ears, a rambling monologue boomed out from the other side of the line. At the beginning, Zhao Yunlan was trying to interrupt his father, "No, I did not. No, not at all", that didn't work out. Later, he decided to give up his resistance. He leaned to the desk, relaxed his leg, looked up the ceiling and then all the way down to Shen Wei's clean cuffs. He suddenly started to miss Med-Bowl, as least he never give so much lecture.

His dad, a retired Director, recently had been frequently visited, very angry after he found out why. Year of 2018 already, these people visited him just for a stupid job application form. What a stupid idea! That was why he called in to lecture Zhao Yunlan.

Zhao Yunlan answered very careless:"Yes, I know...... You're absolutely right...... No, I'm not a dictator... No, I didn't attempt to Rent-Seeking, I simply don't have enough employees for giving interviews. There are way too many applicants, I don't have enough people for a primary selection....... I am not corrupted. There's no acid rain in Dragon City lately...... No, I'm not playing with words. I certainly did not do that everyday. I do reflect on myself everyday. For real! As a precaution. Ask Shen Wei!"

Someone knocked on the door three times, Lin Jing craned his neck inside first. He bowed to Shen Wei first, "Thank you Prof Shen —— Chief, It's Dragon Boat Festival tomorrow, on behalf of the whole department, we would like know if we have any physical form of benefits or bonus for the holiday?"

Zhao Yunlan pointed to the door, "Post a notice of "Honest and self-disciplined", spend the holiday with your honesty not your benefits or bonus! Get out!"

So much for the representative Mr. Lin. He left the office with shame.

He just left, Zhu Hong knocked on the door, "Thank you Prof Shen! Hi Chief, I have a word from my Uncle Four, he wants to make an appointment with you for dinner. Some elder leaders from other monster-spirit spices want to meet you. But, I'm just a messenger. I don't like the idea at all. If you don't feel comfortable about it, just refuse. No need to worry about my stance."

Zhu Hong was definitely on his side, no need to doubt that. But the monster-spirit species is KunLun's direct line of disciple, he shouldn't avoid them. Zhao Yunlan was left with no choice, he waved his hand.

Zhu Hong turned away, almost bumped into Chu Shuzhi. He was in a big hurry, nodded to her, "You all right? ... Hey Chief, we have a situation. Some one used sorcery on the applications. "

Shen Wei looked up from the phone he was playing with, "What is it?"

Shen Wei doesn't interfere with the any business in general, unless someone ask his opinions. He started the topic this time, was because he personally impressed those "security seals" on the applications. The Soul Reapers was responsible for guarding the barrier, for 5,000 years he didn't waste his time. He watched all the spices rising and falling, he knew their skills. He is by meaning a living "lost sorcery library". But no one ever come to him to purchase any "patent", so "the library" is still living a mid-class life.

Chu Shuzhi:"Still have ten days before the deadline. But the applications we received have far over-numbered than what we sent out. Oh, by the way. Thank you, Prof Shen."

"Put them together. I want to see." Zhao Yunlan put down the handset, "And, what kind of cue is that? Why you all come in started with Thank You Prof Shen?"

Shen Wei:"Emmmm......."

Chu Shuzhi:"Prof Shen just sent us Red-Pockets. Must be the bonus for the holiday, right?"

Zhao Yunlan took over the phone from Shen Wei. Just a few minutes while he was on the phone, Shen Wei already mastered the skill of Mobile Pay, and he practiced. Using the "Contacts", he sent out red-pockets to all the crew members in the department.

Not one big red-pocket sent inside a chatting group, not the kind that if you're lucky you're get a good number of money, Zhao Yunlan hadn't teach him that. But individual red-pockets, were sent one by one through his contacts list. Already half way through, Shen Wei ran out of balance.

Money, to Prof Shen must be like online-video game tokens, those tokens you'll get a load once you log in, not those you need to pay.

Zhao Yunlan:"... ..."

Shen Wei:"?"

"A.....all right." Zhao Yunlan gave a twisted smile, "No balance in your account? No problem. I'll transfer some to you. Finish where you left. Don't leave anyone behind. Ah hahaha, You picked up so quick."

This Dragon Boat Festival, everyone received their bonus after all, funded by anonymous Mr. Zhao, really heart touching.

-----Continue W/ P2--------

Fan-art by -LLA- on Weibo.com, authorized for using. 

Go to my wattpad account to check the rest.  https://my.w.tt/mD5iXDc3pP

[salty-dracon]

TMX- Epilogue

Grey and his fallen cohorts wake up in a strange land, with their celestial powers fading. They are discovered by a young boy and his sister. 

He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t see. He fell. 

The loss of light was like his loss of air. 

He fell and fell. 

And fell. 

The light drew farther away. He held his hand out to reach it. The darkness bit his hand like frost. He hid it.

He hit the ground with a thud. 

Grey’s body shot upright and he opened his eyes. 

The first thing he felt was a dull pain in his back, and he collapsed back down. He observed his surroundings- he appeared to be lying in the center of a crater, feeling soil roll down onto his legs. The soil itself was black and granulated, almost like sand. The grass was a muted green. 

I’m not dead? 

Grey reached his hand out, attempting to stand up. His eyes widened as he realized that the color was fading from his hand. His skin was now a little bit duller. 

He attempted to use his healing power on himself, but it only manifested as sparks. 

He heard a woman’s groan. He recognized the voice. Typhon, of course. Wherever they had landed, she would most likely have survived. She did have the strongest constitution of them all. 

Suddenly, a head appeared above the lip of the crater. “Sis!” the boy cried. His hair was blonde and fluffy. He appeared to be white. “Sis, there’s a man here!”

“I’m coming!“ an adult voice shouted. 

Should I ask him for my help? Grey wondered. Let’s see. What do I want? Above all, I wish to return to Brooke. That will require returning to heaven. However, I do not know if these people will help me. It will be a risk, but assuming all seven of us have landed nearby, we can escape if things go wrong. 

“Help.“ Grey attempted to reach his hand out. “Please, help.“

Footsteps approached from the distance. On the lip of the crater, A long-haired Vietnamese woman appeared. She was dressed in black armor and carried a staff. Behind her, a black crow followed. 

“Venus, what is it?“ the woman asked. She glanced at the distance. “Venus, I told you to be careful! We can’t go touching strange objects, now!“

“Ky Lan, they’re fallen angels! They just fell! Look, there’s seven of them!“

“Well, you’re not wrong. Their powers are fading. We should harvest some of their hair while we’re here.“

They are evil, aren’t they? 

“Please... don’t hurt us anymore... “ Grey croaked.

“Relax.“ The woman, apparently Ky Lan, approached him. “We’re just going to take a little. For research purposes. We’ll help you afterward.“ She pulled a set of scissors from a sack she was carrying and snipped a few locks of Grey’s hair off into a small bottle. After capping it with a cork, she helped him stand up. 

“Where are we?“ Grey muttered. 

“Izudia!“ the boy exclaimed. 

“Calm down, Venus!“ Ky Lan laughed. “Well, angel, I guess you could say you’re someplace a long, long way from home. Are those your friends?“

Grey turned around. Not counting his own, there were six craters, each holding a member of his council. 

All of them are with me. This is good... however, passage back to heaven will be difficult if they are just as willing as I to return. Perhaps it takes quite a bit of energy to return to heaven, but-

“You don’t care about them, do you?“ 

Grey’s eyes widened. He glanced down to see a second young boy, who looked slightly older than the first. The boy’s skin was so white it seemed like he had no blood in his body.

“Ares, that’s not nice.” Ky Lan gave a small frown before smiling at Grey. “We’ll help them. Can you tell Father that we need a cart?“

Ares walked away and pressed his fingers together. The next moment, Grey was hit with a blast of energy that knocked him out. 

----------

A young Chinese woman gently washed the sweat from Grey’s face. His skin color was fading even more now, and his hair was beginning to lose its luster. He despised the feeling of the hand rubbing the cloth on his forehead. The only woman he would allow to touch him was Brooke. 

He watched as the woman dumped the wet cloth into a plastic box and walked away with it. 

“Oi, Shen!“ 

The woman turned around as the one named Ky Lan skipped past her. “Ky. How’s Father?”

“Busy. He’s trying to close off our section of the woods before the rest of the town gets wind of what’s going on. How are our angels?“

“Some better than others. A couple have fallen to the darkness rather quickly. But that one-“ Shen pointed to Grey- “has lasted quite a while.“

The others are dead? So the energy of this dimension really does kill the angels. Meaning I might be killed too soon. I can’t let that happen. 

“You aren’t mourning them?“

Grey heard the sound of the young boy, Ares. 

“They’re not dead. They’ve lost their powers. But you haven’t.”

“Ah,“ Grey muttered. 

Can this boy read my mind? 

“Don’t be scared of me.“

“Ares, you can’t just-“ Ky Lan skipped over to Grey and led the young boy away. “Come on!“

“Hao-shen, can you please explain to him?“ Ares asked.

“I’ll do my best.“ The young woman, Shen, sat down next to Grey as the other two walked away. 

“Where am I?“ Grey whispered. 

“You’re not in heaven. You’ve fallen.“ Shen closed her eyes. “There are many dimensions in the universe. You came from one- Heaven. Angels haven’t fallen from heaven in a few centuries. We don’t know why, but they slowed to a trickle. You and your friends are the first ones in about a hundred years.“

“Am I on Earth?“

“No. There exists a dimension above Earth, but below Heaven, which we call Laceron. That is where you are now.“

“Laceron... “ 

“It makes sense that you’ve never heard of it. Laceron is an anomaly of sorts. It’s a very small single plane. Its inhabitants are capable of traveling to both heaven and Earth.“

“You can go to heaven?“

“We haven’t been able to do so for a long time. We need the power of a pureblood to access it, and the last one died out a decade ago.“

“Pureblood?“

“Yes. A true fallen. My whole family- everyone in Laceron, really- are all Earthbloods. We were born on Earth, then brought here and corrupted by use of our parents’ magic, which is derived from the power of true fallens.“

“How do I get to heaven?”

“Well, you’re in luck.“ Shen smiled. “A pureblood is a true fallen- an angel who fell from heaven. The entire world is made of descendants of those that fell many years ago. The fact that you’re here means we can open the gate once more.“

“We can?“ Grey whispered. He thought of the others. “All of us?“

“I mean... yeah.“ Shen smiled awkwardly. “We’d rather not all of you leave- I mean, my father in particular would want one of you to marry into the family-“

“I can leave?“ Grey asked. 

“Yes.“

“Take me to heaven. Now.“

“Now? But you’re injured.“ 

“There is someone I must return to.“

“I mean, there’s really nothing stopping you, but-“

“Shen, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.“ Shen turned around. Ky Lan was standing behind her, holding a book. Her once playful and teasing expression was now gravely serious. “Remember that prophecy that Slypher the Valiant spoke of many times?“

“Of course.“ Shen closed her eyes and recited a few words. “Seven sinners from the sky shall tear the clouds asunder.“ She opened her eyes. “Wait, you don’t mean-“

“Just why did you fall?“ Ky Lan asked Grey. “Just why were you cast out? What was your sin?“

The curse of seven follows me, even as I am cast out from heaven. Just in case that strange boy is nearby, I think I should be honest.

“My sin was killing my Earth sister and causing her to enter heaven. There was a prophecy in heaven, as well. Seven humans, cursed by the ones who loved them most, shall change the face of heaven. I was one of those who cursed my soultwin. After a great battle against the humans, led by our soultwins, the seventh plane of heaven, Septima, collapsed, causing the seven of us to fall. We assumed we were heading straight for hell... but we landed here instead.“ 

“When did the seventh plane collapse?“ Ky Lan asked. 

Ky Lan must be a mystic of the multiverse. 

“Just a few hours ago.”

“Oh, how do I report this to my professor without telling him we have an angel here... “

“Why not ask her to look through the multiscope?“

“Good idea.”

Another person appeared through the door. It was a nearly naked woman with dragon wings. 

“Grey.“ She walked over to Grey, still frowning. “The others are fine. What are you doing here?“

“The curse of seven follows us,“ Grey said. “These girls said so themselves. One of them is a mystic of the multiverse.“

“Who, me?“ Shen asked. “No, no, no. I’m an engineer-in-training.“

“The other one.“

“Uh, I’m an alchemist,“ Ky Lan said. “I mean, I’m also studying numerology and divination... “

“Are you an adept student?“ Grey asked. “How do you foretell the future?“

“I cast dice.“ 

“What is our fate?“ Grey asked. “Could you tell us?“

“When all of your companions are gathered, I could.“

“Please.“

----------

The seven stood before Ky Lan, her sister, two brothers, and father. 

“They asked you to perform a ritual?“ the father asked. 

“I know I’m not a seer, father, but he still wanted me to do so.“

“Please allow us,“ Grey said, bowing his head slightly. “It is very important.“

“Ky Lan, will you read them honestly?“ her father asked. 

“Ares, do you want to help me?“ Ky Lan asked the older son.

“Yes!“ For the first time, Ares smiled. 

Ky handed Grey a pile of dice. “Cast them,” she urged. “But not too hard- we can’t receive the readings again if you fail.”

The dice were emanating a strange, twisted power. Another god of the multiverse, perhaps. Kneeling over the floor, he cast the dice. 

He could not read any of the symbols engraved, except for a few numbers. A 3, a 7, a 2, and one very large, nearly round die that read 37. 

Ky Lan knelt over them, her eyes traveling between the dice. “Ares?” she asked. 

Ares walked over and looked over them. They glanced at each other with frowns on their faces. 

“Well?“ Grey asked. 

“Ares?“ Ky Lan asked. 

“Ky doesn’t think we should let you go back to heaven. The dice say it would be dangerous,“ Ares said. 

“No?“ Livia asked. “Grey, they won’t-“

“Can you go into a little more detail?“

“Um, it’s a little-“

“The numeric dice?“ Grey asked. 

“Well, there’s a few different operations you can do with those. If you add them all up, you get 49, which is seven squared, and then the threes and sevens here... you know that seven and three are very unlucky numbers for angels, right?“

“Of course.“ The curse of seven. 

“Of course, the dice each have their own individual meanings... “ Lily pointed to the die that read 3. “This is the fate die. It indicates how many possible fates there are for you.“

“And there are 3?“

“Yup. The one that says 7 is the truth die. It’s a number of truth. It has some meaning to you, or will, in the future. And the one that says 2 is the past die. Here, it indicates a rather docile past broken into 2 stages.“

“The thirty-seven?“ Grey asked. 

“If you take the digital root, you get 1, which indicates chaos, and the three and seven themselves are very unlucky.“

“The coin?“ Grey motioned to a coin with a straight line on top. 

“It says that there is no escaping your fate.“

“That’s not fair.“ Thaumas looked over the dice. “The coin has a fifty-fifty chance of landing on either side!“

“No, that’s not true. It’s made with the bones of a dragon, and is therefore weighted on the top-“

“Thaumas. Not right now.“ Grey silenced him. “The ones with pictograms?“

“The zodiac die says Mars, indicating a war in your near future, and the runic die calls forth Ragnarok, the big wolf thing that will bring forth the end of the world. And this one-“ Ky Lan motioned to a die displaying a picture of a human heart- “says that the key to salvation lies in your heart.”

“I see.“ Grey closed his eyes. “In that case, we should not go.“

“But Grey!“ Amelia shouted. “Are we supposed to believe this little girl? She rolled a bunch of dice!“

“I didn’t simply roll a bunch of dice, miss, I infused them with my magic-“

“What is the source of your magic?“ Larkspur asked, kneeling down.

“Why, Drakon, the god of chaos. He sits on the same council as the Goddess of Heaven and Hell and the Twin Gods of the Earth. And I know I’m kind of a novice, but... “ Ky Lan paused and took a breath. “when I’ve infused this much magic into my dice, I’ve never been too far off the mark. This war you’re intent on waging... you will lose it.“

“Grey?” Livia asked. 

Grey closed his eyes. “I could feel the power emanating from the dice. I fully believe her.”

“So, you’d keep us trapped here because-“

“I never said that, Livia. Ky Lan spoke of the key to salvation. Should we find this key to salvation, will we be spared from this war?“

“Um.... “ Ky Lan began picking up some of the dice. After cupping them in her hand and rolling them again, they fell to new positions. “... Absolutely, yes.”

“That answers that.“ Grey opened them. “I wish to return to heaven. If I can reunite with Brooke without sparking a war, even if there is a slim chance, I will do so.“

“And the alternative?“ Larkspur asked. 

“The alternative is to stay here.“ He glanced at the family. “You will be revered as gods and live like kings, if Haoshen is to be believed.”

“I am to be believed,“ Shen said. “Really, I mean it. Purebloods went extinct so long ago, if one were to marry into the family, we would gain tremendous power.“

“Even if one were to not,“ the father said, “purebloods have the lay of the land. You shall be greater than the existing kings and nobles of this kingdom, without a doubt. Simply choose an heir from the seven billion denizens of Earth, and the people will flock to you.“

“Very well. You have your choices.“ Grey turned back to the other six. “My answer remains the same. Despite the risks laid out by Ky Lan, I will be returning to heaven.“

“I will follow him.“ Livia stepped up to Grey. “I could never live in such a place.“

“Heaven is more to my taste.“ Typhon followed. 

“I agree.“ So did Thaumas. 

“Ky Lan?“ Larkspur asked. “Should we leave, is there anything stopping us from returning to Laceron?“

“As it stands, no,” Ky Lan said. “You can come back here if you fall through Septima again.“

“Then I shall return.“

“As will I,“ Violet whispered, following Larkspur.

“That leaves you, Amelia.“ Grey said. “Do you wish to return to heaven? I assure you, we will not judge you if you decide to stay.“

Amelia paused for a few moments before speaking. “I have no reason to return. I’ve already disowned Julien, and this lovely family is willing to let me marry one of them. I have no reason to go.“

“So you choose to stay?“ Grey asked. 

“Yes.“

“Very well.“ Grey nodded. “As soon as Ky Lan can secure our return to heaven, we shall part ways.“

------------

“So, which one do I marry?“ Amelia asked, looking over the young family. Ky Lan was twirling a small trinket in her hands, Shen was holding a book, and the boys were playing with small wooden trains a ways away. Their father was standing behind them, holding a small metal knife. 

“In Izudia, the kingdom we reside in, it is quite acceptable for two men to marry, as well as two women. Should my daughters agree, you can have one of them-“

“Um, absolutely not.“ Ky Lan interrupted him. “I still need to finish my alchemy and divination studies!“

“And what am I going to say to my suitors, Father?“ Shen asked. 

“Hopefully little will change for you, Ky Lan. You shall continue your studies at the university. Haoshen, I am afraid you will have to turn them away as lovers, but I have no problem with you loving them as friends.“

Shen looked relieved, and Ky Lan shrugged. 

“And your sons?“ Amelia asked. 

“Ares is ten years old, training to be a warmage. He will not begin his formal training for two more years, but he shows potential already. Venus, on the other hand, is eight years old, still a young child, and so far I see no destiny for him.“

“I wish to marry Venus.“

“E-Excuse me?“ The father’s eyes widened. 

“Venus. The youngest.“

Shen and Ky Lan exchanged worried glances. 

“If you had allowed me to continue,“ the father said, “I would have mentioned that I am also a suitable match, much more suitable than the young boys. My late wife, also a warmage, passed away four years ago from disease. And according to my girls, I have not aged a day over thirty. I am still capable of producing children.“

“My answer remains the same.“ Amelia walked over to Venus. “I want to marry that one.“

“He’s eight years old, though!“ Ky Lan exclaimed. “I would prefer you marry me to him!“

Shen nodded in agreement.

“I remember when Julie was eight years old.“ Amelia leaned down in front of Venus and stroked his hair. “I disowned her, obviously, but she was still such a cutie pie. I’d love to have this one all to myself.“

“Madam, I doubt such a young boy could be, well- “ the father cleared his throat- “good in bed.“

“That’s not what I care about.“ Amelia played with Venus’s ears, listening to him laugh. “I want him all to myself. You have to manage a household and your family, your eldest is in training, the fox girl’s still studying, and this one will start his training in a few years. But Venus loves all the attention he gets now.“ Amelia leaned down to Venus. “Do you want to marry me?“ she asked. 

Venus glanced at his family. His father and Shen had blank expressions, Ky Lan looked like she was about to cry, and Ares had a weird look on his face. It was the face he always made when there was something he wanted to say, but that would make someone angry.

“No.“ Venus rolled on his back. “I like Tyra from school.“