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

[106.] I found love.

Note:

Inspiration for the chapter's title:

Amber Run - "I found"

****

Zewu-Jun's housekeeper was so pleased to see them together and finally happy that she didn't even think to wonder at her Master's request to serve all food and tea directly in bed. What was a bed  - any bed  -  compared to her Masters' happiness?

This was Lan Xichen's logic too  –  nothing could compare to his husband's health and contentment. He enjoyed their contact with all his body  -  Jiang Wanyin was sitting in his embrace, snuggled into him, letting him feed him small bits of food. He never looked away, even for a moment  –  his eyes, his mind were focused only on his husband, everything about him  –  any movement, sigh, any smile, caress.

- It is so good to see you eating, my little one.  –  he smiled, content.

- It is so good to be in your arms again, Zewu-Jun.  -  Jiang Cheng purred.

- I... I think I must thank your brother, Wanyin...  -  Lan Huan said, blushing.

- Uh? No, no need!  –  he huffed.

- Darling, he has been nothing but supportive. He really cares about you.  –  Lan Xichen remarked.  –  I understand that... Wangji came to talk to you?  –  he bit his lip.

- Ah, yes. He came to blame me... for torturing you...  -  Jiang Cheng swallowed with difficulty.  –  Is he right, Huan? Am I torturing you...?

- Darling...

Lan Xichen put the chopsticks down on the tray and hugged him. Jiang Cheng leaned his head on his husband's chest, relaxed and quiet now, but also thinking that he never answered his question. 

He was wondering how Zewu-Jun was feeling, what he was thinking about... It seemed that their carefree days were gone now, and every day brought just problems for him to worry about. And now that he was with child  –  he was worrying about everything all alone, away from him, apart from him, not wanting to burden him with any stress, and he was missing him terribly.

- I love you, husband.

The words escaped his lips like a sigh, without intent or plan, they were just filling his whole being so much that he needed to constantly express them, set them free. He blushed and buried his face in Lan Huan's chest, ashamed.

- I promise you I will protect you. No matter the cost. No matter the consequences. And I will never regret it.  –  Lan Xichen growled, too lost in his own thoughts.

Sandu Shengshou felt as if they were taking slow steps towards each other, just like in the beginning. Only, back then, it was Lan Xichen who was eager to reach him; now the roles were reversed. And sooner or later they had to talk about it.


***


They spent the day together  –  both needed peace and rest, and no one disturbed them. 

Zewu-Jun was keeping his warm palm on his husband's belly, smiling, and Jiang Cheng would cuddle, but too careful to lie on his right side; even though his wounds were completely healed now, he knew it was something he was insecure and sensitive about. 

He bit his lips  –  he didn't care about it at all, but... the proud Zewu-Jun's ego had been bruised badly.