Meng's Revenge: Vol.4 of Life Among Clouds WangXian Series

Autumn Greeting

Sound asleep, Wei Ying snuggled closer to Lan Zhan. There was a crispness to the air that made the smaller man seek out the warmth of Lan Zhan's arms as he gladly wrapped them tighter around Wei, tucking covers closely around him. He smiled as his partner burrowed his head deeper into his chest. Nothing pressing, and the sun not even beginning to rise, he could afford the extra time to rest happily next to his beloved for an hour or two more this morning.  The only thing showing was Wei Ying's adorable nose and Lan Zhan bent down to kiss its irresistible tip. It did its little bunny crinkle. It disappeared immediately into the warm cocoon.

"Are you pretending to be asleep?"

"No." Came a throaty whisper followed by a soft snore. " It is too cold to be awake. Maybe I could be awake if the stove was stoked high enough."

Lan Zhan gave a little snort of mirth. " Is that what the Juniors are calling it these days?"

"And you call ME shameless, Lan Zhan!"

"Alright. Wei Ying wins again, Brat!" He jumped from bed and managed to jerk the covers from his "sleeping" spouse at the same time. Wei Ying squealed as the chilly air hit him and he reached down for one of the blankets and threw it around his shoulders, hair a mass of wild tangles and one black eye peeping out, like a cute dogbear cub, glaring at his partner.

"Lan Zhan. you...!"

They heard Madame Lan's voice emerge from Xiao Mian's room.

"Quiet Spell, NOW, please!"

Lan Zhan flicked his hand immediately and then shut the front of the stove which was now starting to give out some heat. He leaped into bed, knees touching Wei's, and looked into the one black eye. He raked his elegant fingers through the tangled thicket and found the other one. This was not what he wanted. He bent forward and licked the sulky mouth until it weakened, soft and plaint, in answer to his entreaty. The lips parted, allowing him access, Wei's own tongue entwining and sharing the honeyed nectar being offered.  They broke apart and Lan Zhan saw what he craved; the eyes looking at him had gone bright silver with passion and that grin showed a perfect white in the Autumn moonlight. 

"Impossible." He followed by licking the hollow above Wei's clavicle, nipping then immediately using his tongue to ease the tiny pain. Wei moaned.

"Impudent." Moved to a rosy nipple. Lick, nip, soothe. Gasp.

"Irresistible" Moved to the other. Lick, nip, soothe. Groan.

"Insatiable." And at that moment Lan Zhan slid down before Wei could comprehend what was happening and engulfed his husband with those full lips, down to the root. 

Wei screamed, full-throated and uncontrollably. Over and over again until he erupted, arching upward until he exhausted himself and fell limply, sprawled on his back. He looked up dazed and watched Lan Zhan sit up and carefully run his finger along the bottom of his lower lip, golden eyes glowing and narrowed; satiated,  lazy,  like a magnificent tiger finishing a bowl of cream. And just as self-satisfied.

"Inseparable." 

                                                              *****************

At 7:00 they emerged. Breakfast was waiting and Mian Mian just shook her head as she watched them wolf it down. She was fully aware of their "Every day means every day" policy. She just was amazed at their stamina. Even she and her late husband took a break occasionally. She sat across from them with a cup of tea and spoke.

"The seamstresses and Anshi will be here soon. Several winter outfits still to be finished. It got colder last night. We could see winter in a month or tomorrow at this rate. I have ordered a six-month supply of all staples and 10 cords of wood will also arrive within 3 days."

"Yenay has already requisitioned and stocked all winter supplies for the troops and a warehouse of winter clothes and blankets have been put away. Their wood supply has already been stacked and covered," stated Lan Zhan.

"Qing has all her winter supplies and medicines filled and heard from Lan Xi Chen that The Manor and Cloud Recesses are equally prepared as well," said Wei Ying.

"The enemy has started the same. I doubt either side will try much offensively during cold season," said Lan Zhan. "But spring will become intense. Wei Ying and Wen Ning's curse with the incense burner bought us time."

Wei glowed with pride. There was a familiar knock at the door, and they all yelled, "Enter Anshi."

The young Singer came through the door, smiling at the group within. He was dressed in his more traditional robes. The heavy felted wool was embroidered with life-like renditions of a wolf-pack pursuing a stag in saturated earth-toned threads. He wore a cap from the same fabric, trimmed in wolf's fur. He looked exotic and polished. He still wore the disciple uniform of Cloud Recesses underneath since he was studying hard under Yenay and Lan Zhan while in Yunmeng. 

He could read simpler books now and was doing intermediate mathematics, too. He was catching on at an amazing rate at this point. He was gaining mass to fill out his tall frame and his confidence was growing as well.  Yenay reported he was a natural at swordsmanship and martial arts and would soon take his first guided flight under Sizhui's supervision. Anshi was driven to bring honor to his adoptive Sect. With his startling green eyes, gentle smile and innocent aura, he was turning every female head in Yunmeng and was blissfully unaware of the impact he was having over the ladies, and some men, in town.

And finally, Xiao Mian entered, dressed in her best tunic, hair pulled back in a glossy braid by a rust-colored bow. She walked over to her mother, pausing to bow demurely at Anshi, eyes cast down like a proper lady.

"Humph," snorted Wei under his breath, watching her blush when her bow was returned by Anshi. "What's wrong with us, I'd like to know?"

"Mn...I can't answer for myself, but you are something of an old codger, my dear Wei, " quipped Lan Zhan, earning a sharp kick under the table. 

 Another knock announced the seamstresses and soon the great room was awash with fabric, trims, and the sharp clicking of scissors clipping the pieces of the first outfit. It quickly became a madhouse so Wei motioned to the door with his head and the two snuck out, heading for the relative peace of the Training Grounds.

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