Fluffy WangXian Oneshots

Happiness is a Choice (Part 3 to the Pockets Series)

Wei Ying closes the gate behind them, after waving goodbye to the animals. He doubted any of them would miss either himself or Lan Zhan, except maybe Lil' Apple who stubbornly stared at the wall even when Wei Ying went to kiss his forehead. But that was just the donkey's way of showing affection, like rage + something was Jiang Cheng's way.

The scent of winding jasmine flowers lifts his spirits and he turns his face up to catch more of their fragrance. He and Lan Zhan made this gate themselves and it was Wei Ying’s idea to have the vine planted on either side of the supporting fence, because it would naturally find a way to climb up.

"Just in case we have stinky guests," he had laughed to his husband, and they'd smiled at each other with the thought.

He links arms with Lan Zhan, jumping up onto Bichen and then their flight begins.

They will be back, perhaps later tonight or tomorrow morning, and that is the important part.

Wei Ying leans back against his husband, fully confident that Lan Zhan will support him. Even up here with the chill air surrounding them, rushing past their ears making his nose cold, he feels the warmth radiating outwards from Lan Zhan like a soothing, comforting blanket wrapping around him, and Wei Ying squeezes the hands that are pressed tightly around his waist.

His core is still growing and while his progress has been steady, it cannot warm him up like before. Too used to not having one, it's a constant surprise for Wei Ying to feel its presence, humming in his dantien when he looks for it. His old core had been powerful enough to be a constant buzz, and a sharp contrast to the empty hole in its absence.

Now, he looks forward to the day when the small inconveniences in his life disappear, such as feeling too cold. Or travelling by sword, much preferable over walking when they are in a hurry.

However, his discomfort never lasts long; Lan Zhan is far too attentive for that.

Selflessly he wraps himself around Wei Ying whenever he sees a shiver or a tremble, and the man always carries around a blanket in his pouch, ready to whip it out and shelter him from the chill.

They are visiting Cloud Recesses today.

Their travels to the mountain home in Gusu might not be regular planned visits, but they try to go roughly once every fortnight. Ever since Lan Zhan shared his last birthday with his family, Uncle Qiren has been silently softening more and more towards them, and Wei Ying would venture to even calling him amicable when they have tea together in his quarters.

He wouldn't say the conversation flows exactly, but it is there which is a vast improvement.

Wards prevent them from flying up to the Ivory pillars of Cloud Recesses, and Wei Ying is conscious of Lan Zhan’s desire to fly as close as they can to them, so Wei Ying will not tire himself out on the hundreds of steps behind them.

Perhaps there will be a sense of foreboding always inside himself regarding this place, Wei Ying thinks, but he will do his utmost to prevent Lan Zhan from seeing his nerves. His husband is far too intuitive when it comes to himself, but Wei Ying hopes he's not obvious in how he feels about coming here.

Summertime in the mountains is the best time to visit, and autumn is still pleasant. Mountain weather is apt to change without warning and they are lucky to have the sun warming their skin today.

The trees flutter their welcome to this son of theirs, showering them with gold and red leaves as they ascend. Nature celebrates her seasons by the changing of her cloak from the vivid multicoloured flowers and green foliage to these richer, earthier colours surrounding them. Amber, ochre, and deep gold, a variety of bronze and those particularly beautiful leaves which were gold on one side and scarlet on the other.