The White Phoenix

Chapter 22 - Playful Comfort

Wei Ying was sitting in his room in the Jingshi. He sat on his bed hugging his legs to his chest. Since the issue with the kid bullying him, Wei Ying has been a bit more reserved. Lan Wangji was sitting in the main room wondering why Wei Ying had not come out of his room. He has been there most of the day. He decided to go check on him. When he entered Wei Ying's room, he saw a vulnerable little boy. He, again, hated seeing his little A'Ying this way.

"A'Ying?" Wangji questioned as he sat beside him.

"A'Zhan," Wei Ying said. He had tears in his eyes. Lan Wangji pulled the young boy to his lap and sat more comfortably on the bed. Lan Wangji held him close, guiding Wei Ying's head to rest on his chest.

"A'Ying. It is okay to feel sad," Wangji told him, "but you do not have to feel that way alone. You will always have me to go to when you need someone. I'm here, and it will be alright. Grandmaster Lan has been dealt with by Xichen. I am to teach you from now on."

"Really?" Wei Ying asked, "you will teach me?"

"Mnn," Wangji nodded.

Wei Ying smiled as he sat up on his knees hand hugged Wangji. His face shoved into Wangji's neck, "A'Ying loves A'Zhan."

"A'Zhan also loves A'Ying."

Wei Ying then sat up, "what would you teach me?" He asked.

"Everything you were to learn in your lectures, and maybe a bit more," Wangji answered.

Wei Ying was happy that he was able to spend more time with Wangji but he still had thoughts hanging in the back of his mind, "why am I different?" Wei Ying asked, "why do I make fire and others can't? Why do others treat me differently? Am I a bad person?"

"No, you are not a bad person, A'Ying," Wangji told him, "you can make fire because you are special. You will one day grow into your full potential. You are a white phoenix, A'Ying. You can make fire because you are a precious being. Do not let others words get to you. Just remember what Xichen and I have told you. You belong here, and you are loved by us both. Especially me. I will love you forever, A'Ying. Never forget that."

"A'Zhan, you spoke a lot. Does your throat hurt?" Wei Ying teased.

Wangji scoffed out a chuckle, "and back to your playful self instantly," Wangji said and started to tickle Wei Ying, "my throat...is just fine..."

"A'Zhan! No!" Wei Ying laughed and wiggling around in Wangji's lap, trying to get out of Wangji's tickles.

"A'Ying needs tickles, he is being mischievous again," Wangji told him.

"I just.." Wei Ying tried to talk but laugh's interrupted him. He couldn't get out of Wangji's grasp. Though he didn't try all that hard. He loved being playful with Wangji and when he was, he feels more at home.

Even when he was a baby, he didn't really see Wangji as a parent but as a guardian. Now he sees Wangji as much more. He sees Wangji as family. He does not know his fate with Wangji as he was still young, but he never wanted to be away from Wangji. He felt happy and confident, comfortable and safe, but most of all, he felt loved when he was with Wangji. That was something Wei Ying never wanted to lose.

"A'Zhan!?" Wei Ying said louder.

Wangji finally stopped tickling him and held Wei Ying closer to his chest. Wangji hugged Wei Ying close, and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Wangji knew what was on the little boys mind this time. All that was there, was love. That was what Wangji wanted. That was what Wei Ying's parents wanted. Wei Ying's parents wanted him to be happy and carefree. Wangji was making that happen.

Lan Xichen had just returned from speaking with his uncle once more. He stood there watching the entire scene play out of Wangji comforting Wei Ying, playing with him, and talking with him about his problems. Lan Xichen was proud that his brother was growing to be a responsible man. Taking care of Wei Ying was definitely the best decision that was made.

"Look at you two being all cozy," Xichen said entering Wei Ying's room.

Wangji looked at his brother, "Wei Ying was feeling upset about what happened with the kid. I was just talking with him."

"I know, I saw some of it," Xichen said and looked at Wei Ying, "are you feeling better A'Ying?"

"I'm feeling much better Xichen-Ge," Wei Ying said happily, "A'Zhan spoke so much. His throat might be hurting."

"Really?" Xichen asked, playing along, "maybe I should making him some tea to soothe his throat."

Wangji growled quietly, making Wei Ying laugh, "A'Zhan growled," he giggled, "are you angry?"

"No," Wangji said, "but I will get you."

"No!" Wei Ying said getting off of Wangji and moved to hide behind Xichen, "save me Xichen-Ge."

Wangji gave his brother a glare. Xichen usually felt a bit uncomfortably when Wangji glared at him, "ugh, I can only protect you so much."

Wei Ying sighed and stepped out from behind him, "how are you afraid of your own brother?" Wei Ying asked, "even with the glare, A'Zhan is just a big teddy bear."

Lan Wangji glared at Wei Ying for basically calling him a softy. Wei Ying laughed as he went back over to Wangji and hugged his legs, "nice save, A'Ying," Wangji said.

"I love you," Wei Ying said. Wangji picking Wei Ying up and held him close, "am I heavy!"

"No, but just know I love you as well," Wangji told him.

Wei Ying giggled, "can we go eat? I am hungry."

"Of course," Wangji answered. So, the three of them went to go eat at the dining all.