strangefen(ao3)
It was supposed to be the perfect so-sorry-I-got-sucked-into-time travel-without-you make up gift. Too bad he lost it.
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"I swear it was identical to yours," Zhao Yun Lan complained, "and then that bastard Youchu tripped me and it went right over the edge."
Shen's patient professor expression flipped to stern irritation and Zhao cringed a bit internally as he realized his mistake. It was never a good idea to remind his Shen Wei that Zhao had fought a battle after being called forth from the Guardian Lamp. After time travelling. After forgetting to summon Hei Pao to his side.
Zhao knew Shen Wei would forgive him anything, but it sometimes helped to speed the process along if he looked remorseful. Shen Wei had yet to return to fussing over the wounds – minor wounds! – that Zhao had returned to the Lamp with. So maybe the internal cringe then leaked a bit to the outside when the wide-eyed sorry to have worried you expression didn't seem to be helping.
"Killed him barehanded, I was so pissed," Zhao tossed out as a diversion, putting a bit more effort into looking contrite. Since Shen Wei was aware that Zhao was perfectly able to take care of himself - Shen Wei just really liked watching Zhao kick ass - he was transparently hoping that Shen thinking about him pounding on the poor Youchu would lead the envoy's memory safely towards times where he was an appreciative observer rather than focusing on the fact that Zhao had gotten into a fight without him. This tactic worked much less often than Zhao hoped it would.
It was not the thought of Zhao aesthetically fighting for justice, however, that had Shen Wei pausing in his dabbing of Zhao's injuries. They were sitting on the couch in Zhao Yun Lan's memory of his apartment, as Zhao Yun Lan preferred. The apartment was neat and orderly, as Shen Wei preferred. This was Zhao's favored place to "hang out" within the Guardian Lamp, though he did rotate through the SID office, that horrible noodle café, and (surprisingly) Shen Wei's university office, often enough.
Medicine, bandages, and a meal had become a habit when Zhao came home in less than perfect condition. Even though Zhao Yun Lan was quite capable of healing himself, he preferred to let Xiao Wei make a fuss over him. As Shen Wei rather enjoyed making a fuss over Yun Lan, he was happy to indulge his consort's desire. Though he would rather do it over less reckless behavior.
"I'm sorry I lost your gift." Zhao Yun Lan appeared adorably ashamed at having mislaid a treat for his partner.
And that was the thing that had caught Shen Wei's attention. He smiled fondly, setting aside the cloth and balm along with this annoyance, before conjuring the full extension of GongGong to his hand. He proffered it to Zhao.
Zhao glanced at him, a quick double check for permission, before taking the weapon. "Heyah," he exclaimed, bouncing up and stepping around Shen and into the clear space behind the couch to swing it experimentally.
Shen was satisfied to note that this distraction had caused Zhao to forget his injuries, and so they had disappeared. He rose to stand and watch as Zhao's motions went from tentative swings to what looked like an actual practice form. The expression on his beloved's face went from delight at getting to play with Shen's weapon to puzzlement.
"I would swear this is the same blade," Zhao whispered to himself, stopping his exercise and running his hands down the shaft. A finger caught on an almost imperceptible flaw in the transition from the pole to the bottom pike. His eyes widened as he looked to Shen Wei for an explanation.
Shen Wei nodded. "I know exactly where you lost it." He waved a hand, the gesture elegantly pulling the residual time energy from Zhao and directing it to the otherwise useless television across the room.
