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

[161.] The long winding road home.

They set off the same day; Jiang Cheng clenched his teeth and said that he insisted that they travel through the night too, because "Zewu-Jun I want my bed... our amazing bed, my love..."

Lan Xichen hesitated, but then he saw how stir-crazy Wei Wuxian was too – he had never been apart from Lan Wangji for as long as in the last two months; he was absolutely certain that they both missed each other horribly.

***

So, sitting in the carriage at dusk, Wei Wuxian was grinning – he had something of a reversed déjà vu.  Not 3 days ago, they had been sitting in the same space, the same people, but now things were just the opposite. Jiang Cheng and Lan Huan could not look away from each other, clinging to each other all the time.

At first, Lan Xichen had frowned at the pleas of his husband to stay in with him, hold him, pet him. His brain was always on the watch-out when it came to politics, and he knew that if any further assassination attempt was made on the brand new Yumeng Jiang Clan Leader  –  it would be within the borders of the Yumeng County. Things would be different once they crossed into Gusu. So, he knew he would be feeling better if he was riding outside, keeping watch.

Finally, they agreed to take turns, shifts of sorts, but right now it was raining heavily and all three were travelling inside, leaving just the servants and soldiers outside. Jiang Cheng was dozing off happily after having convinced his husband to stay in in this awful weather, his head resting in Lan Huan's lap, and his hands pressing his husband's hands neatly to his belly   –   the baby was kicking again, and most of the afternoon had been spent in both of them cooing and whispering love words to the ever-growing baby bump to Wei Ying's huge amusement.

He was biting his lip; he knew that his brother would never let him touch him like that, but he was happy for them. He realized that it really must have been a true love they shared; the problem they had had a couple of days ago seemed too serious, but they had managed to overcome it, together. He remembered all the moans and screams that shook the inn two nights ago that had made him miss his Hanguang-Jun even more bitterly.

- What was it all about, Zewu-Jun? Two days ago?  –  he asked, bored, now staring out of the window.

Lan Xichen was smiling down at his sleeping husband, enjoying the strong, vicious kicks on his palms, amazed how Jiang Cheng could sleep at all with such tumult happening inside him. Sandu Shengshou had finally settled, and this warmed his heart. He couldn't wait to bring him back home, to their home, to the now improved safety of the Cloud Recesses.

- Master Wei... It is really personal.  –  he murmured shyly.

- Aha. I see. So, sex.   –   Wei Ying smirked.

Zewu-Jun laughed a little, but looked up at him with curiosity.

He was still to this day trying to decipher what about this charming rascal fascinated his younger brother so strongly. He liked his brother-in-law; he was honest and never hid his feelings, at least not with strangers. He wasn't so sure about his marriage.

- Do you really think that all we share is just sex, me and Wanyin?   –  he tilted his head to the side.

- No.  –  Wei Wuxian said confidently.  –  I know my brother well. He wouldn't have stayed for so long if it was just that. He had never been interested in the physical aspects of a marriage, I think this is the reason why he stayed unmarried for so long.   –   he hummed.  -  This is why I am so bloody amazed at how close you two are. Physically.   -   he grinned.

- I see.

- I have wondered about this, you know. It was... almost as if all his sexual tension was focused in just his one month of indisposition. For the rest of the time he was absolutely focused on tasks, on training, or studies. And then all would repeat. He is very different from me in this way...  –  he was remembering, serious, brooding.

- Well, I can assure you, things are different now.  –  Zewu-Jun blushed deeply, seeing the approving nod from his brother-in-law. Yes, he had definitely heard them the other night.  –   I think A-Cheng had been... waiting. In a way. Waiting for someone to help him open up. To the world, and to himself...

- I agree. He had built too many, and too high walls all around him. His body, his heart, his soul. He is always on the defense, hiding in his rage... but he can be extremely loyal, and he is extremely hard-working. You fascinate him, Zewu-Jun, and I am glad. I think that this marriage is going to make him a better Clan Leader.  –  Wei Wuxian bowed his head a little, and received a glad bow in return too.  –  And a better father too, Zewu-Jun. I am not blind.  –  he added, smiling.

Tears came up in Lan Huan's eyes, and his hand moved to caress his loved one's hair and face   –   he couldn't help himself. 

Jiang Wanyin stirred a little in the furs he was wrapped up in, and mumbled:

- Are we home yet, Huan?

- Not yet. Sleep, my little one... I am here.  –  he murmured, brushing tears away.

Sandu Shengshou opened his eyes more, and frowned seeing the tears.

- What did you do now?!?   –   he turned to Wei Ying glaring menacingly.

- Huh. You must have been dreaming, A-Cheng. No one will hurt your precious Zewu-Jun while I'm here.  –   he sniggered: his brother looked ridiculous  –   sleepy, hair messy, eyes puffy, and angry at the same time.

- I will hold you to your word on that! And if anything happens to him  –  anything!  –   I will skin you alive, Wei Wuxian!!!   –  he growled.

Wei Ying rolled his eyes and looked away, because they started kissing so gently that the moment seemed extremely intimate, more than usual.

Lan Xichen thought that he understood the relationship between the two brothers a little better now.