[MDZS] The Dragon and the Fox

Learning to Read and Write

Wei Ying ate his meat buns, purring away at the wonderful taste. He ate all of them within thirty minutes. Lan Zhan read a book while the fox ate everything before him.

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan. A smile filled with mischief crept onto his face. He stuck a meat bun in his mouth about halfway. "Lan Zhan!" he called to the other, his words muffled by the food. Lan Zhan looked at him suspiciously. "Want some?" he inquired, pointing to the meat bun in his mouth.

Lan Zhan nodded, placing the book on the table. He scooted a bit closer to the fox. He looked seriously at the other before taking a timid bite of the food. "Good," he spoke after swallowing. Wei Ying didn't expect what happened next. Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying's face closer and took in the entirety of the other half of the meat bun into his mouth. The two's lips touched for a brief moment before Lan Zhan bit down and tore his half of it away.

Wei Ying was shocked by the action. He was only teasing, but Lan Zhan had actually done what he wasn't expecting! He was expecting Lan Zhan to openly refuse, but instead, they nearly kissed him. Or maybe that's what they were meaning to do? Wei Ying couldn't help the blush which crept onto his cheeks.

Lan Zhan smiled at his victory and continued to read. Wei Ying pouted. His cheeks puffed and he frowned. Lan Zhan thought it was super adorable! He bit his lip as he looked at the pouting fox.

Wei Ying: "You did it again! You kissed me and ran. Humph!"

Lan Zhan felt his ears grow hot. He wanted so badly to pounce on him. Instead, he leaned in again. Wei Ying felt his face heat up. "Wei Ying." The fox wondered why the dragon was so close when he didn't need to be. "Never tease like that unless ready for the consequences."

Wei Ying: "W-what consequences?"

Lan Zhan: "Like this."

Wei Ying was expecting something more after those words, but Lan Zhan backed off again, leaving the poor fox confused by the actions. His heart pounded from how close Lan Zhan was to him, along with the aura he exhumed, and the expression he had. Wei Ying sighed with relief it wasn't anything more.

Lan Zhan continued reading, while Wei Ying sat there trying to calm his racing heart. That was a bit frightening. I didn't know Lan Zhan could be so fierce!

Wei Ying watched Lan Zhan read his book. He read the title and wondered if it was a good read or not. Only, he didn't have the courage to ask if he could read it.

Lan Zhan caught Wei Ying staring at him. As soon as he glanced over at the other curiously, Wei Ying turned away, twiddling his thumbs. Lan Zhan smiled. He closed the book and offered it to Wei Ying. Wei Ying was a bit baffled. He wondered why Lan Zhan would allow him to read his book.

Lan Zhan: "Does Wei Ying wish to read it?"

Wei Ying didn't answer right away. He only stared at the book, glancing at the dragon every now and then. Wei Ying gingerly accepted it.

Wei Ying: "I can read this? Are you positive?" Lan Zhan nodded, affirming the answer.

Wei Ying looked at the book sadly. Lan Zhan was concerned. "Wei Ying? What's wrong?" he inquired gently.

Wei Ying: "Um...it's just that...what's the title of this book?"

Lan Zhan: "Wei Ying. The title is right here," he responded, pointing to the words on the cover.

Wei Ying: "I know that. What is the title?"

Lan Zhan, thinking Wei Ying was pulling another one of his jokes, was a bit irritated and spoke without thinking, "Wei Ying! Stop joking around!"

Wei Ying fumed. "I'm not joking! I want you to tell me what the title is!" Lan Zhan, seeing Wei Ying was serious, froze for a moment, completely dumbfounded. "Nevermind! Just keep your damned book!" He threw it at the dragon who caught it easily. Since he couldn't walk away, he turned away and pouted, crossing his arms.

After a moment of silence passed, realization dawned onto Lan Zhan. "Wei Ying?" he called cautiously. Wei Ying didn't respond. Lan Zhan sighed and tried again. "Wei Ying..." He noticed the slight shaking of the fox's shoulders. His concern deepened. Wei Ying...

Lan Zhan wanted to hug the fox boy and comfort him, but how could he do that without knowing what to comfort him for?

Lan Zhan? What's the title of this book?

I know that. I want you to tell me what the title is.

I'm not joking! I want you to tell me the title of this book!

Then it hit the dragon hard! He realized the mistake he'd made. He also realized one thing: Wei Ying was trying to tell Lan Zhan, he didn't know how to read! Lan Zhan felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He quickly and gently embraced the other in a hug, holding the book in front of their face.

Lan Zhan: "Rules of Conduct, Volume 1."

Wei Ying blinked. "Huh?"

Lan Zhan: "The title is 'Rules of Conduct, Volume 1'."

Wei Ying gazed at the dragon with adoration and curiosity. He stated, "Sounds like a boring read."

Lan Zhan laughed. "It can be. This one carries it as a reminder to always follow the rules."

Wei Ying made a face of disgust which made Lan Zhan laugh again. "Rules are meant to be broken!" he declared. He smiled cheekily, raising and lowering his eyebrows.

Lan Zhan sighed. "Wei Ying. Behave."

Wei Ying pouted again, only it was his usual pout. Lan Zhan wanted to tackle him badly, but he maintained his self-control.

Wei Ying: "Lan Zhan...will you...teach me to read?" he requested timidly. Lan Zhan hummed in response. Wei Ying was excited and wished he could jump around happily.

Lan Zhan pet his head between his ears, bringing out a very loud purr. Lan Zhan knew at once, Wei Ying was very happy. Lan Zhan chanced scooting closer. Wei Ying rubbed his head underneath Lan Zhan's chin like he did at Xichen's the one day. Lan Zhan's ears turned a deep red as Wei Ying kept rubbing on him.

Lan Zhan: "Wei Ying. Let us begin now." Wei Ying's purring stopped, but he sat back ready and eager as a young child receiving a special gift.

Lan Zhan opened the book to the first page. "This word is 'rule'." Wei Ying pronounced the word, though with some difficulty. "Good. Now, this one will show Wei Ying how to write it." He went to a cabinet at the far side of the room. He gathered some paper, ink and a brush, and set them in front of Wei Ying. He wrote the word at the top of the page. Next, he gently gripped the fox boy's hand in his. He froze for a moment and wondered at how small and soft the boy's hand really was.

Wei Ying looked at him curiously. "Lan Zhan? What's wrong?"

Lan Zhan snapped out of his thoughts. "Nothing. Let's proceed. Write the character like this." He held the fox boy's hand as he made the motions for writing the character. Wei Ying loved every moment of it. Lan Zhan repeated it a few more times before allowing Wei Ying to try it himself.

Wei Ying wrote the character, though it was sloppy. Sometimes he would forget, and Lan Zhan would help him. Soon, Wei Ying had used all the paper available, but he managed to successfully write the character without forgetting or needing help, though it was a bit sloppy.

Wei Ying wanted to do it over again. He thought it had to be perfect like Lan Zhan's. The dragon only pet between the boy's ears. He assured the other it didn't need to be perfect. Perfection would arise with time. Wei Ying felt better knowing that.

Soon it was time to sleep. Wei Ying pouted. He wanted to continue. Lan Zhan stated they would continue tomorrow. The two went to bed. Wei Ying couldn't wait! He had never been allowed to read and write before, because of Madam Yu forbidding it of the servants. He was so excited he couldn't sleep.

Lan Zhan: "Wei Ying. Sleep."

Wei Ying at once fell into darkness. Lan Zhan pulled him close, blew out the candle, and slept.