[MDZS] The Dragon and the Fox

Headache

Wei Ying awakened to the smell of something delicious. His stomach growled incessantly. His eyes refused to open even though his nose twitched eagerly from the scent, and his mouth watered to the point he was drooling. He followed the scent, with his eyes still shut tight, to the dining area and sat down merely from memory of where the table was.

Lan Zhan watched the entire scene as it played out before him. "Wei Ying..." The other's eyes were forced open, but they snapped shut just as quickly.

Wei Ying: "Lan Zhan...*inhale*...I have a headache..." He laid his head on the table. Lan Zhan knew why. He just didn't say anything. "Is it alright if I go lay down again...?" Lan Zhan hummed softly. The sound resonated in the fox boy's ears as being loud and harsh. Wei Ying covered his ears, trying to keep them from ringing. "Lan Zhan...everything's too loud..." His face contorted and twisted from pain.

Lan Zhan was very concerned. Wei Ying passed out. Lan Zhan carried him to the bed once more and called for a servant to fetch one of the healers right away. When the healer arrived, Lan Zhan tried his best to explain everything which had transpired. The healer understood and at once fetched a medicine for Wei Ying.

The medicine didn't seem to be helping at first, but it eventually healed the pain Wei Ying was in. Wei Ying awakened not too long after his headache went away. He slowly opened his eyes. "Lan Zhan..."

Lan Zhan was sitting on the side of the bed, caressing the younger's hair. "Wei Ying...how does Wei Ying feel?" He was careful about how loud he was speaking, because the other's ears could still be ringing. Wei Ying let out a soft groan, staring at nothing.

The fox reached out a hand to find where Lan Zhan was, his eyes being clouded over from a fever. Lan Zhan held the small hand against his face. "Like I hit a tree really hard...My entire body feels heavy..."

Lan Zhan: "Wei Ying is sick, but it's temporary. Sleep more. Wei Ying will be better soon." Wei Ying only obliged and closed his eyes, falling into a deep slumber about five minutes later. He slept all day and night and most of the next day.

Xichen knocked softly on the door. When there was no answer, he wondered what was wrong, so he tried opening the door only to find it had been locked. The door opened at that very moment. "Oh, good! Wangji, I-" He was cut off by Lan Zhan's glare. Lan Zhan motioned for his brother to be quiet. Xichen at once understood. The two jades stood outside with the door closed. "Wangji," Xichen spoke a bit softer, "I was wondering how Wei Gongzi faired with the healer."

Lan Zhan: "Brother. The shadowed man is trying to control Wei Ying."

Xichen was surprised to hear that. "Do we know why?" Lan Zhan shook his head. "This is most unusual. Bring him to me. I will do what it is I was going to do before. Maybe this can all be prevented from happening further." Lan Zhan nodded. Xichen left.

Lan Zhan went back to the sleeping Wei Ying, who was curled into a tight ball, his tails laying beside him peacefully. The young fox boy's fever had broken not long ago. The fox slept in a deep, dreamless slumber. Lan Zhan hesitated slightly, allowing the image before him to bore itself into his mind before he decided to awaken the sleeping fox.

Lan Zhan still hesitated. The image was too beautiful. However, before he could do anything, Wei Ying stretched out fully, and moved into a more awkward position. Lan Zhan felt his breathing hitch for just a second before he gained control over his emotions again. He reached out to gently touch the other's face.

Lan Zhan: "Wei Ying..." he spoke softly, rubbing his thumb over the fox boy's cheek. "Time to wake up..."

Wei Ying groaned slightly in his sleep, clearly irritated at having his rest disturbed. He made a face in his sleep as if he were pouting. Lan Zhan found it insanely adorable. "Wei Ying," he tried again, only a bit firmer. Wei Ying wouldn't have it. He wanted to sleep, so he would. He was very stubborn. Lan Zhan sighed. He drew a warm bath for the fox and bathed him while the boy slept longer.

He dressed him and sat him at the table where a score of food was still steaming hot. Wei Ying smelled the food. His nose twitched in excitement from the smell of the food. His eyes opened slowly. When he saw the score of food covering the table, his eyes went wide, and he immediately began to devour it all.

Lan Zhan: "Wei Ying. Slow down."

Wei Ying glared at the dragon, but obliged, slowing his chewing down a little. "Lan Zhan! Did you cook all this?"

Lan Zhan glanced at him. "No talking while eating."

Wei Ying: "But I have a mouth! I have to use it!"

Lan Zhan: "Then use it for eating in silence."

That was that!

Wei Ying shoved the food into his mouth without saying a word but chewed rather loudly. He watched for any reaction from the dragon and huffed when he received none. Lan Zhan continued reading his book. Wei Ying noticed it was the same old one from before.

He swallowed, setting his chopsticks down to declare he was finished eating, and inquired, "Why do you insist on reading that old thing? You have the rules memorized by now. Why don't you read something different?"

Lan Zhan closed the book, setting it aside. "What does Wei Ying recommend?"

Wei Ying: "Haven't you ever read an adventure story, or even romance?" Lan Zhan looked away quickly when the fox mentioned romance. He hummed in response after a moment of silence. Wei Ying was taken aback for a moment. His mind blanked completely. "Really? Do you have any? Could I read some?" he asked excitedly, eyes wide and eager as a child's.

Lan Zhan looked at him. "Wei Ying can read any of the books whenever Wei Ying wants to."

Wei Ying was overjoyed! He hugged the dragon, squeezing him slightly. Lan Zhan didn't mind. He was glad his beloved ward was happy. His ears turned a deep red.

After dinner, Lan Zhan pulled a book from one of the shelves and offered it to Wei Ying. Wei Ying tried reading the title, but there were characters he was unfamiliar with. Lan Zhan read to him the title, pointing to each character as he spoke. Wei Ying copied him, sounding out each word.

The next few hours were spent reading with the young fox. Wei Ying pouted when curfew hit. Lan Zhan placed a bookmark where they ended, saying they would continue tomorrow. Wei Ying was happy and excited. He had trouble sleeping. Lan Zhan hummed to him, caressing the fox's hair. Wei Ying somehow managed to relax enough to sleep deeply.