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After a long day of meeting with several new sect leaders, Zewu-jun finally returned to his quarters. As he entered the pavilion, he slipped off his shoes and placed them in a cubby by the door. On another shelf, he instantly recognized his spouse's daintier shoes. So this is where he'd wandered off to in the middle of the meeting. Surely he thought Meng Yao would have been in the library, but it made better sense why he was cooped up here instead.
Preparing himself, Lan Xichen drew in a breath before making his way toward their bedroom. That particular section had been draped off, not a very good sign at all. As he pulled back the curtains, he spotted his darling A-Yao curled up on the bed. The man purposely gave his back to the draped makeshift wall so Zewu-jun would think he'd fallen asleep. But both of them knew that wasn't the case. Meng Yao was, in fact, awake and brooding.
It hurt Lan Xichen to see his beloved husband in such turmoil. He just wanted to hold him, hug him, reassure him that everything was fine. But would Meng Yao even allow it? He would understand if the young man suddenly pushed him away or yelled at him. Still, he just couldn't bring himself to stay distant and so, unsure of what else to do, Zewu-jun just went for it. He lied down behind his precious A-Yao, gently wrapping his arms around the delicate waist. "I know you're upset with me," he acknowledged, fully validating his beloved's feelings. "You have every right to be. And for that I am truly sorry."
Meng Yao closed his eyes at the soothing tone of his husband's voice. Lan Huan made it so easy, far too easy for him to want to forgive him. He believed every word, knew very well that his A-Huan wouldn't lie to him, would never cheat on him. But that didn't stop him from being upset, angry, jealous toward that woman who thought she could just waltz into Cloud Recesses to try and charm his Zewu-jun. He could forgive his husband, would forgive him, but he didn't want that woman associating with him anymore.
"I don't like her," Meng Yao bluntly stated. "She's shameless, no matter how subtle she tried to be."
Lan Xichen took his time to process those words, and in turn formulated a proper response. "It's okay for you not to like her, love. Even I find it difficult sometimes, dealing with sect leaders I don't always see eye-to-eye with. As for Sect Leader Guo, she was only recently appointed leader of her sect. So this is an entirely new experience for her. She has much to learn and has a lot of responsibilities she needs to undertake," he tried reasoning, hoping to make A-Yao understand. "I'm sure she was just trying to be friendly."
Meng Yao's eyes widened in shock. "You call that 'friendly'?" He fired back as he turned his head in Lan Xichen's direction, offended by the remark. "She was practically flirting with you!"
At that, Zewu-jun snuggled closer, gently stroking his thumb on the fabric of Meng Yao's nightgown as he pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Even if she was, you know I only have eyes for you, baby."
As much as Meng Yao wanted to stay mad, he just couldn't bring himself to. Not with the way Zewu-jun calmed him down with tender ministrations and loving words. His husband's peaceful nature was really radiating onto him. "I know," he ultimately sighed in defeat. "But I don't want you dealing with her anymore. I want her sent away as early as tomorrow."
This time, Lan Xichen planted a kiss to his husband's braided hair. And even though he couldn't see it, he knew his darling A-Yao was pouting cutely. A small smile formed on his lips as the image played out in his head. "I know, baby, I know. She'll be gone in the morning."
"Good. I don't want her to ever come back."
It would be difficult to agree to that, but for now Zewu-jun didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to get into an argument and make his husband even more mad. Instead he wanted to cuddle with his beloved A-Yao until sleep claimed them both. Kissing the raven locks once again, he conceded. "Alright baby, alright."
"You promise?"
There was that pout again; he could sense it. He truly was weak for his adorable A-Yao's pouting, unable to help the smile gracing his face anew. "I promise."
Suddenly, Meng Yao shifted position so he could face his A-Huan. He snuggled in close before he sweetly but passionately claimed his husband's lips. After pulling back, he rested his head on Zewu-jun's chest and nuzzled his dainty little cheek against the turqouise robes. Meng Yao then made himself comfortable, possessively draping an arm around his husband's waist as he closed his eyes. He smiled softly as he felt strong arms wrap tightly around him as well. "Don't ever let me go, okay? And I won't ever let you go either."
"Never," Lan Xichen replied resolutely, running a soothing hand up and down the length of his A-Yao's back. "You'll always stay by my side, and I will always stay by yours."