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

[133.] Days of idyll.

What ensued were a couple of blissful weeks. 

The weather in this lake district was mild and so warm lately that even the first shy blades of fresh green grass were now trying to pierce through and reach out for the sun. It also meant that construction works went on quite quickly; yet, a lot remained to be done.

Jiang Cheng, finally truly calm, was perfectly, magically happy. He spent a lot of time outside, playing with his nephews, or helping them study, while Zewu-Jun was busy with plans and building works. He looked healthier, and was gaining weight nicely, his belly growing too, bit by bit, and now visible underneath the wide belt. 

He would wear loose robes more, and move more slowly, more heavily somehow, often panting and stopping to catch his breath. He had no explanation for it, but was grateful that his sleep was better now, and he very rarely suffered from the morning sickness any more; also, his appetite got more regulated and he ate like he'd normally do. Strange and sudden cravings were rare now, but still happened, striking suddenly, much to the amusement of his husband.

All of this brought great pleasure to Zewu-Jun; he would often stop whatever he was doing just to stand there and watch him, even from afar. Sandu Shengshou had the unmistakable happy glow pregnant women usually have; his cheeks were rosy and his lips  –  crimson and plump. He often craved for him so terribly that his mind wandered back to their bedroom, and he could not focus on any work; the soft warm skin, the sweet scent, the round forms, filling his palms up nicely now, the trailing lazy voice, so often purring in his ear  -  all of this was driving him crazy.

They still made love quite often, but Lan Xichen could see that his husband was getting more and more shy about it, insisting on doing it after dark, with no burning candles in the room, too self-conscious. He was trying to persuade him that he adored the way he looked, but it was very clear that the new weight made Jiang Wanyin very uncomfortable  –  he missed his old body. Zewu-Jun would caress and kiss him all over, murmuring how lovely he was, how much he adored his body as it was, but Sandu Shengshou would just bite his lips and gaze lovingly at his husband's fit and healthy body with envy and craving.

New Year's was drawing nearer and there were more frequent correspondences between Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun. It was decided that Lan Wangji would join them for the celebrations  –  it was rather easier than all of them returning to Gusu, where the snow was knee-deep at the time. 

Also, Hanguang-Jun desperately needed the break  –  he had been dealing with the Clans' post-war demands for an explanation as to the matter of the end of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, and also  –  the future of the Gusu Lan Clan. Last, but not least  –  Lan Zhan missed his husband and children too much.

Wei Wuxian would peek over Zewu-Jun's shoulder every time a letter arrived, excited and curious. Naturally, he knew his husband's terse and succinct style of speaking and writing, but every time he would exclaim, hopeful:

- Zewu-Jun! Does he say anything about me?!? Does he miss me? How is he? Is he bored?  Is he tired? Is he sleeping well? Does he forget to eat... I bet he does...

- Master Wei, I'm afraid none of these questions are answered in this letter. Maybe next time...  -  Lan Xichen would say mildly, smiling and pitying him, knowing that he missed his brother miserably, knowing the feeling too well.

Wei Wuxian would pout and swear revenge once they return to Gusu and he is finally all alone with Lan Wangji. Jiang Cheng would grin at all this, but then he would remember the noises that usually came from the  Jìngshì  at night, and blush deeply. He then would remember the noises that were too often coming from the Hánshì  at almost all times of both day and night   –  and blush even deeper.

- Are you alright, Wanyin?  -  Lan Huan would ask, worried.

- I... I am... I... -  he would stutter, flustered.  –  Please.... A kiss, please, Zewu-Jun... Please...   -  he would beg, and his husband would smile and oblige, always.