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

A Winter's Interlude

Wei and Lan Zhan were exhausted when they arrived at the Bungalow. It was nearing dusk as they entered into a deserted house, however, a dinner had been left and it was warm and snug due to a well-banked stove. A note was left on the kitchen table. 

'Dear Brothers, 

Received notice from Sect Master Lan that you would arrive tonight. Xiao Mian is staying at the Clinic with me for awhile. The medical studies are going well and I was lonely. So think about lending her to me for a few weeks. I understand that Anshi will spend the rest of the winter with Lan XiChen and Ming is flying there to help train him in order for him to be ready for the confrontation in spring. Sizhui is staying here as well, as part of our guardians.

In other words...

Enjoy some private time. That is a Doctor's order. I prepared plenty of medication and ointments, so keep dosing, Lan Zhan. The remission is going well. I am proud of you both!

Qing'

They looked at one another.

"Oh Lan Zhan! How long has it been since we have had alone time together? Without interruption? Without quiet spells and having everyone privy to our personal life?"

Lan Zhan smiled sadly. "It has been a while. Four years. Our Honeymoon." 

He turned and began to stoke the fire for a few minutes. Wei Ying mentally slapped himself. Of course, his husband would take him literally and straight to heart. When Lan Zhan stood up and turned back, Wei ran to him, burrowing into the strong chest.

"I am so sorry." He said, brokenly. "You know me. I always shove thoughts like that away. Hide them deeply. Then they just pop out without thinking."

"It is fine. I speak too bluntly at times."

"No, you always speak truthfully."

"Then truthfully. I wish that not one more minute is wasted on sadness. That is in the past. No more wasting winter in this way."

'Let's just change and relax. No stealing moments, we can take a few days and have a good time. It was a long ride but I much prefer it when I can leave Subian in his scabbard and have you fly me places. It is so exhausting."

Lan Zhan could see the dark circles under his husband's eyes and the smile seemed less brilliant. "You rest on the pillows here and I will make you some tea. Then we can have some dinner."

Wei looked at him gratefully. "I was hoping you would say something like that." He gave him a sweet kiss and then sank into the cushions.

Lan Zhan put the kettle on and began to warm some rice. By the time he had sweetened the hot beverage the way Wei liked it and returned to the great room, Wei Ying had fallen fast asleep in his cozy warren, nose crinkled and mouth in an adorable pout. Lan Zhan smiled and lay the cup aside then knelt next to the sleeping man, his crystal eyes gazing at his husband's beautiful features. Here was the center of the world. He loved others too, very deeply, but this, this glorious creature had no rivals. In fact, using the word love seemed so inadequate. So did the other usual ones. Adore. Cherish. Worship. All too over-used, to ordinary. There was not a word in the human language, anywhere, that adequately expressed how he felt for Wei Ying. He wished he could be as articulate as Wei. That there was some way to express himself.

He walked, lost in thought, to the window and looked into the garden. A gentle wind stirred spindrift from the surrounding mountains, and the blowing snow glistened as the moonbeams lit it up like tiny white diamonds tossed about by a careless god. And suddenly, he had his inspiration.

Wei stirred awake hours later as Lan Zhan quietly pulled blankets around them, joining his husband the warm nest of pillows piled on the floor. Wood had been added to the stove and he realized that Lan Zhan was ice cold.

"Lan Zhan, you are freezing! Did the fire go out?"

"No, my Wei Ying. Could not sleep. Took a walk."

"Are you insane? Look how cold you are. Snuggle inside here and warm up."

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

Wei Ying woke up at five.  That is what happens when even a slug-a-bed sleeps for 11 hours straight. Lan Zhan had risen just enough before him to begin a fresh pot of rice and Wei walked up and hugged him tightly from behind.

"May I lend a hand?"

"No. Just go relax. I will fix breakfast."

"Are you sure?"

"Mn."

He wandered, leafing through some books, rearranging the pillows, and folding blankets. Bored, he walked to the window and suddenly Lan Zhan heard his voice, quiet, and urgent. 

"Bring Bichen and Subian, Lan Zhan. There is someone standing in the garden!"

Lan Zhan did as he was told, grabbing their winter robes as he came. They quietly left the Bungalow and approached the figure from the back. They had nearly reached the unmoving person when Wei came to a stop.

"Lan Zhan. I don't think it's human!"

"Mn."

Intrigued, Wei came closer and stepped around it. And he froze, mouth opened in wonder.

 There was a snow sculpture, gleaming in the light of the setting moon. Life-sized; simple and elegant in its quiet grace. A tall man in robes that seemed to float in an unfelt breeze and enveloped in his arms, a smaller man, head cradled against his lover's chest.

Tears spilled from silver eyes and down Wei's face as he turned to the silent man who watched him a little anxiously.

"When...I can't believe it...How did you...?"

"If Wei could paint my picture in the Library, trying to show me that he loved me...I thought I could try... Is it, alright? I have never made a snowman before." His ears were bright red.

Wei nearly bowled him over as he threw himself in those strong arms, laughing and crying in sheer happiness.

"It is as perfect as you are. Come into the house before we freeze. Let me warm you up properly this time, my amazing man."