Stepping Back (ADOPTED - ShonuaSDK)

Family

Hi guys, I'm back! Also brought a new chapter for you guys! Enjoy!

Lan Zhan sedately walked down the path to the back mountain where they used to have their rabbits. He walked slower but louder than he would have liked, giving his husband time. They still didn't have rabbits yet but it'll have to be remedied. However, when he arrived at the clearing Lan Zhan gasped not expecting to see his husband sleeping on the grass surrounded by so many rabbits. In the previous timeline Wei Ying hadn't even given them to him still and yet, his husband had gathered them for him. He shook his head, a small smile on his lips, remembering Wei Ying sneaking out of the Jingshi daily for a few hours during the past week. Of course, Wei Ying had gone to bring them back. He must have been waiting to surprise him.

He laid down beside his husband and turned his head at him. Wei Ying was sweet when he sleeps. They laid like that for about an hour until Wei Ying started to wake up. He opened his eyes, blearily and took in his surroundings.

"L-Lan Zhan?" He yawned and Lan Zhan stifled a laugh. He was so cute.

"Wei Ying." He suddenly sat up looking guilty. Lan Zhan sat up as well.

"Wei Ying?"

"I... I'm sorry. I left you with them alone." Lan Zhan's lips quirked and he shook his head, taking his husband's hands. These hands were still elegant and expressive. Fingers straight, yet to heal crookedly because of Wen Chao. Lan Zhan caressed them lovingly, placing soft little kisses now and then. Wei Ying giggled delightedly.

"Ayya Lan Zhan! This moment would have been unthinkable the last time we were sixteen."

"Mn."

"You were just too dense and I was still under the impression you hated me."

"...Mn." Just because it was true doesn't mean Lan Zhan likes it. Wei Ying laughed and he realized he had a tint of red in his eyes.

"Wei Ying, you were.. crying." Lan Zhan said cupping his hand around his beloved's cheeks, feeling the still slightly damp skin even though there were no visible tear tracks. Wei Ying's smile reduced by a degree but didn't fall.

"I..... remembered Nightless City.... and Shi-Jie." His voice was quiet and his husband pulled him into his arms.

"It won't happen again. We're fixing it." Wei Ying sniffled. They stayed a few hours cuddling and talking and finally it was time for dinner. They went to the Yashi where Lan Qiren had informed them earlier that they were eating. When they arrived all the representatives of the five main clans were still present. Wei Ying took his place next to Lan Zhan causing many eyebrows to rise.

"What are you doing, sitting there?" Jiang Cheng shot and Wei Ying suppressed a wince. He made no movement but Lan Zhan caught his hand again.

"We're married." He said possessively and Jiang Cheng looked furious.

"Not now. Whatever you did in the future, it doesn't apply now." Now it was Lan Zhan's time to be furious.

Watching the two of them glower at each other Wei Ying despaired. He had hoped that his brother and husband would get along well at least in this timeline but they aren't. Wei Ying thanked heaven that he hadn't yet made that impossible promise about being his subordinate forever. If he had, Wei Ying knew they would be fighting and not just glowering. But it still hurt. Wei Ying never had a proper marriage. Never knew what it felt like to bow to their families during the marriage. Jiang Cheng had hated him and the Lans vehemently opposed their marriage.

Everyone felt the tension thicken like frozen butter and the mood darkening.

"Wei Wuxian! Sit here now!" Jiang Cheng snapped and this time Wei Ying had enough.