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

[89.] I am my brother's keeper.

The day went on fast, mostly in hectic preparations for the rooms for Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian and their children. The letter was saying that they would be arriving in a week, but now that week was done, there was no time to be wasted. 

Jiang Cheng was very quiet and made it a point to spend the day with his husband, no matter where he went. He would go with him, stand next to him, or just hold his hand. For some unknown reason, a deep sadness was swallowing him whole.

Zewu-Jun always made time for him  –  making sure that he was warm, that he was fed, that he was rested. The disciples were cleaning up the thick snow that day, and the inner yard was ringing with laughter and jokes. Jiang Wanyin was biting his lips  –  he could not wait for the day when that same laughter would be coming from his own children. He yearned for the baby to start moving so that he could feel it; still, it was too early, he wasn't even showing yet.

The servants were too busy, fussing all over the place; the housekeeper was running errands, yelling at people and supervising all the cooking and all the cleaning. Sandu Shengshou was watching it all from the porch, smiling faintly  –  he kind of liked her, she was the only one who had the courage to talk back to him. Nevermind the fact that she didn't quite like  him.

***

Sure enough, his brother and brother-in-law arrived the next day, together with all the ruckus that ensued. Wei Wuxian was frowning, and Lan Wangji's face was as dark as a summer storm. The boys couldn't wait to get off the horses and start playing in the fresh snow  -  and they did, ignoring both their uncles and their dads completely. After the mild weather in Lotus Pier, snow was a celebration.

- Welcome home, Wangji.  –  Lan Xichen bowed to both, smiling.

- It's good to be finally home, Brother.  -  Hanguang-Jun bowed back. If he was shocked by the fact that Sandu Shengshou was still wearing the white Gusu robes  – he never showed it.

Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying were joining in the greetings, but it was very clear that they had no particular urging to speak at all; both were sulking for different reasons. Jiang Wanyin knew the situation was serious when the two let their sons play and run and scream, and just joined them in the Main Hall. The children were getting very strict education and disciplining under Lan Wangji's supervision, so, naturally, having the chance to do a forbidden thing today was a true holiday for them.

The servants were hurrying to serve breakfast in the Hall, and all four cultivators sat down, sipping on tea first. Zewu-Jun was very aware that his husband was in a strange mood, and was doing his best to give him space, despite the fact that he missed him. But it was Jiang Cheng who, throwing all etiquette to the wind, placed himself at his feet again, leaning his head in his lap. He didn't care what anyone might think, as long as his husband was comfortable and pleased.

- I daresay things are going well with you two, Zewu-Jun, A-Cheng?  –  Wei Wuxian grinned, watching them closely.

- They are, Master Wei. –  Lan Xichen was blushing with pleasure.  –  We are expecting our first son. Yes, we are happy!

Lan Wangji looked up sharply and hummed. Wei Wuxian was so excited that he jumped to his feet and ran across the hall to his brother.

- You are?! So all was well?  We were so worried at your birthday, Shīdì!  –  he exclaimed, kneeling next to a frowning Jiang Wanyin.

Hanguang-Jun only huffed, earning a disapproving look from his husband.

- Well, me and Shìjiè  were!!!  –  Wei Ying scoffed at him. – Why are you two fighting again? I didn't quite get it the first one hundred times around! Lan Zhan!

Jiang Cheng gave out a low growl, but said nothing; Zewu-Jun was impressed; this was better than a scandal and a fit of anger that would be the usual reaction on the part of Sandu Shengshou. 

He smiled and said:

- Wei Qianbei, I am the luckiest man alive. I am so loved! Both my brother and my husband are fighting,  trying to protect me... fiercely... but in their own different ways.

Jiang Cheng hid his face in his husband's clothes, blushing, and sighed deeply. 

Wei Ying blinked a couple of times, grinning, and went back to his husband to kiss his cheek. Hanguang-Jun grunted and pulled him in  –  and as soon as he did, Wei Wuxian cuddled into him with a content smile on his lips.