[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[83.] My son, my daughter.

A whole week passed before Lan Xichen paid attention to the letter that had arrived for him. 

Jiang Cheng couldn't remember a time in his life when he had been happier. Time was stuck in tar, and the days were endless, and the nights were aeons, and they could not imagine not being together, sharing their warmth and their happiness. The sky was spinning, and the world was him,  everything about him  –  Zewu-Jun's hands, eyes, lips, his smile and his caresses.

- Are you happy, Wanyin?

- My heart is so full, Lan Huan... I cannot describe it to you.  –  he smiled.

- Do you need something? Anything?

- Just you, my love. Nothing else matters.

- Oh, kitten... I wish I could give you the world...

- You are giving me yourself, my darling... You have given me a love to carry, deep and safe within... Huan... What could possibly compare?

Lan Xichen sighed happily and rested his palm on his husband's belly for the millionth time probably.

- I can't wait for you to grow bigger and prettier, and for our son to start kicking. –  he smiled, contented.

- Zewu-Jun!  -  Jiang Cheng blushed. –  I won't be prettier for sure...  -  he mumbled unhappily.

- Mmmmm.

- And how do you know it's a boy? Hmm? It could easily be a girl!  –  he snarled, annoyed by the reminder that he'd be "fat"  soon.

- Oh, I am pretty certain. This one is a fighter. Do you want to bet?  –  Lan Huan grinned and propped himself in bed to be able to look at his husband better.

- Huh. - Jiang Wanyin pushed him away and turned his head to the side, pouting.

- I see you are mad, Wanyin, but I didn't expect you to be a coward.  –  Lan Xichen teased, leaning in to peek at the blushing face.

- A coward?  -  Sandu Shengshou growled. –  Ha!  State your stakes! I am pretty sure it will be a girl!  –  he pushed Lan Huan's hand away  –  he was trying to caress his face.

- Hmmmm.  –  Zewu- Jun fell back on the bed, smiling.  –  If you win I promise to give you a thousand kisses. But if you lose... I promise you I will do to you unspeakable things in bed  once the baby has been born.

Jiang Wanyin blushed deeply; the stakes were to his advantage in both cases. His imagination ran wild and he shuddered, still not looking at his husband's face, trying to be mad.

- Do you agree, A-Cheng?  –  Lan Xichen looked at his delicate body, fully aware what was hiding underneath the clothes, biting his lip.

- Hmmmm.  -  Jiang Cheng huffed.

- Do you...  -  Zewu-Jun turned him to lie on his back and got on top of him, leaning in, dangerously near.  –  Do you, A-Cheng? Do you, husband? Do you, my love... My love...

Jiang Cheng looked up  –  Lan Huan's eyes were full of tenderness, his lips were parted and his face was burning. He was getting lost again  –  his lover was so beautiful, it was almost unbearable to watch.

- Tell me, kitten... Are you mine? Say the words, Wanyin...  -  he was whispering hoarsely; it was a conversation they had every day, assuring each other of their feelings, their yearning.

Jiang Cheng pulled him down, grabbing his robe forcefully, and murmuring in his lips:

- There has never been anyone else... There will never be anyone else... I am yours, all yours, Zewu-Jun. Always, forever. My love, forever...

- My lovely... My pet... The sweetest one...  -  Lan Xichen was getting lost, totally forgetting the bet, the fight, staring into the bright almond eyes, staring at the parted lips, the panting mouth.


***


The day was lost in kissing and petting, and as the winter days were short, soon it was time for dinner. The Main Hall was warm enough and they had dinner there  –  now all the servants knew that the Masters were expecting a child in early summer, and everyone was trying to make sure they were comfortable.

Jiang Cheng was sitting in Zewu-Jun's lap despite the fact that in this way they both were sweating as the Hall was too warm  –  they wouldn't be separated, and were almost constantly hugging, ignoring absolutely everything else. Sandu Shengshou was letting his husband feed him bits and pieces of food, to their mutual delight. His sickness was getting weaker and rarer, and now that he had peace and certainty, and was happy  –  his sleep got better too.

- Masters, any other orders? –  the housekeeper bowed.

- No.  –  Zewu-Jun looked questioningly towards his husband, but Jiang Cheng just shook his head.

She hesitated before leaving and this caught his eye.

- Is there anything else?  –  he turned to her, frowning. 

Jiang Cheng didn't quite like the way this woman was taking certain liberties, but he didn't want to interfere with Zewu-Jun's decisions how to run the household.

- Well, Sandu Shengshou...  -  she cleared her throat.  –  I was wondering about Hanguang-Jun's letter... Master Lan's birthday is approaching... And then New Year's, hmmm...  I was wondering about the Masters' plans. –  she bowed low, flushed.