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

[163.] Home.

He fell asleep at dawn, utterly exhausted, and it felt like just a single second of sleep had passed, when he heard a whining voice, and felt a pull at his shirt:

- Zewu-Jun... I am so hungry... I am so so hungry, Huan...

Lan Huan blinked tiredly and smiled  –  the pretty flushed face was very close to his, and a healthy appetite was always good news. All was fine... all was fine... He turned his head briefly and stared at the window  –  the sky was still overcast, but judging by the light outside  –  it was already late. The housekeeper had let them sleep.

- Did you manage to get some rest, little kitten?  –  he murmured, caressing his lover's face.

- Mmm. I think so? I am just hungry.  –  he rubbed his eyes, upset that now he had to wait for someone to help him get dressed. 

No more failed attempts to put on his pants or boots all by himself, it was not possible any more. Sometimes he would wonder, horrified, if this first pregnancy had been really with twins... two babies... kicking... and a bigger belly... Bigger. 

No.  

He shuddered.

- So breakfast first, and a bath next?  –  Lan Huan was trying to get out of bed, blinking to chase the sleepiness away.

- Mmmm.

Jiang Cheng rolled out of bed with difficulty  –  this bed was too soft and he was sinking in it, but managed to scramble out and get to Zewu-Jun and hug his back, purring, and preventing him from getting dressed too quickly. He smiled, the noise of Sandu Shengshou's small happy sounds was always making him inexplicably happy too.

Getting dressed took some time as they would stop to kiss, or to caress, or hug, or tickle, laughing and enjoying it, but once ready  -  Jiang Cheng felt energized enough to rush to the door of the Jìngshì  and kick at it noisily, yelling and grinning:

- Breakfast, moron!!!  Get out of there! Your precious  Hanguang-Jun is waiting for you!

A very disheveled Wei Wuxian appeared at breakfast, glaring murderously at his brother; Jiang Cheng was too content, grinning, cuddled warmly in his husband's arms.

- I will be departing soon, Zewu-Jun. I cannot wait any more. I have had no news from my family for too long. –  he said, sulking.

- I understand, Wei Qianbei. I will give you some soldiers to escort you. It would be prudent to have some more security at the Yùlán  too.  –  Lan Xichen was talking seriously.

Jiang Cheng shuddered and looked up at him worried, but said nothing. Obviously Zewu-Jun was expecting problems.

- Of course. I appreciate it, Brother-in-law.  –  Wei Ying bowed a little, sipping on his tea.

- Of course. The children. Please, tell Wangji to write to me whenever he has time. Spring will soon be arriving, and travels will be easier.  –  he nodded.

- Yes. Time flies.  –  Wei Wuxian sighed.  –  So. Have you thought of baby names? You should have at least two or three ready, you know.  –  he grinned now, seeing that his brother frowned. The argument about the baby's gender was still ongoing.

- Umm.  –   Zewu-Jun looked lost for a moment, hesitating whether to get his husband angry so early in the day.  –  We are still considering, Master Wei.  –  he smiled, but he leaned in to kiss Jiang Wanyin's hair lightly.

- Well, I can be of help, if you need me to!  –  Wei Ying's grin broadened.

- Huh. No, thank you. No.  -  Jiang Cheng huffed.

- Ha, Zewu-Jun, how do you put up with my grumpy brother?! I will never know!  –  he laughed, teasing. –  A-Cheng! You should write to Shìjiè  soon, you know! Now you have so much free time! As you are totally  useless!  –  he laughed harder and immediately ducked as an empty cup flew to his head and got smashed against the wall behind him.

- When will you be leaving, you were saying?!?   -  Jiang Cheng hissed through gritted teeth.

Zewu-Jun laughed heartily, holding his loved one tightly. The idea was not too bad; news from the Lanling Jin Clan was more than welcome, after all, it was one of the biggest and richest Clans.

***

They were watching Wei Wuxian disappear in the distance together with a load-full of presents for their nephews  –  Lan Xichen was nodding, pleased with his housekeeper's foresight. He had also asked Master Wei to give a letter to his brother, although he had no doubts that Wei Wuxian would give his husband full report with all the spicy details of the last week or so.

- Finally! Peace and quiet!  -  Sandu Shengshou sighed happily, leaning against his husband's shoulder, trying to hug his waist, and soon giving up, mumbling curses underneath his nose, but too soon feeling Lan Huan's warm hand slide around his waist, and smiling contently.

- Darling, you have not forgotten the Yumeng Jiang Clan, right?  –  Lan Xichen asked mildly.

- Ugh.

Sandu Shengshou had totally forgotten all about Lin Shou-Yi. He was going to arrive the next day, or the day after next at the latest. The young man had impressed him with quick wit and determination. The only foreseeable problem were the elderly officials who might decide to hinder his work. 

He huffed.

- So. Husband.  –  he snapped, looking up in his lover's face seriously.  –  This means we have one day to ourselves. Maybe two.

Zewu-Jun raised an eyebrow, wondering what that meant.

- Wanyin?

Before he could ask anything further, he was being dragged back to the  Hánshì   by a quite strong grip on his hand. Once again he was amazed at how strong his husband could be... and at how fully he was surrendering to him when they made love, making him constantly forget that fact, the fact that Sandu Shengshou was still one of the best cultivators in the realm.

He was the one to obey this time, smiling.