Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

Come Back To Gusu With Me Part 27

His shoulder is being gently shaken, the wonderfully comforting scent of sandalwood drifting over him. Wei Ying feels well rested and happy, and the best thing? All of his aches and pains have vanished. He feels rejuvenated and exhilarated for the start of a new day. Whether it is a new day or not, it doesn't actually matter; this is the same feeling he used to have as a kid. Waking up and being excited to learn something new, and then fling himself into the nearest lake afterwards and while away the hours baking under a hot sun. Slices of cooling sweet watermelon during the day and then in the evening, his sister's delicious lotus root and pork rib soup to end a perfect set of waking hours.

“Wei Ying.”

Ah, that beloved deep voice. So gentle with him, and Wei Ying is reminded again of not knowing that this, the way Lan Zhan says his name, is full of unconditional love. How had he not noticed it before? Lan Zhan never says anything else like that, in the same loving tone. Not even his brother's name. Wei Ying’s name is said with the utmost care and love and respect. As if it is something precious to be cherished.

“Lan Zhan. Come here,” Wei Ying says, reaching out with eyes tightly shut, knowing that Lan Zhan will do it.

“Mn. I am here.”

Actually, Wei Ying revises this in his head. It's not just his name that Lan Zhan says in that way. It's everything. All the words he gives to Wei Ying are like little treasures, gifts of his affection. It makes Wei Ying feel special, and he understands that it's the same for himself. Lan Zhan is the only person in the world who captures his attention and his fascination, the outer petals of the flower called love. Care makes up the stem, and his heart, their two hearts, are nestled among the nectar of pollen in the centre, a secret just for them.

Warm hands cradle his face, and Wei Ying is overcome with emotion.

“I love you. Lan Zhan, so much!”

“Mn. As I love you. Wei Ying.”

“I can feel it when you say my name–”

“Okay, we get it. Could you please, for the love of God, open your eyes so I can get this checkup over with?”

Wen Qing's forthright interruption has Wei Ying squawking into an upright position.

“Fucking hell! Someone could've said we weren't alone!” Wei Ying blushes furiously at the many, many faces surrounding them, all of them with a mix of curiosity and secondhand embarrassment, not least Uncle Qiren and XiChen-Ge.

Wen Qing grabs his wrist during his little meltdown, examining his spiritual pathways and meridians while Wei Ying covers his face and looks at Lan Zhan from between his fingers.

“How do you feel?” She asks him, after a few moments, dropping his arm.

“Never better. Why?” Then he remembers why he's in the infirmary in the first place and he could kick himself. Just as fast, his fingers tug on the drawstring around his waist and he loosens it slightly so he can check his scar…but there's nothing there. “Is this a dream?” He asks Lan Zhan, because out of everyone here, he's the one Wei Ying trusts the most.

“No.”

“I can smack you to prove it.” Wen Qing jumps in without being asked, crossing her misleadingly weak-looking arms over her chest.

“Haha, no, thanks,” Wei Ying scoots towards Lan Zhan, just in case. “Why haven't I got any evidence, then? Shouldn't there be–where the fuck has my old scar gone, then??”

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan takes both of his hands in his. “Something unique and extraordinary happened while Wen Daifu was performing the operation on you. Are you ready to hear about it?”