Chapter Text
It was a deadly winter, and the snow in cloud recesses piled up to more than just a generous amount. Lan Wangji would come back home in the evening by six and as if Wei Wuxian had that engraved in his heart, the latter would be seen rushing back to the Jingshi at the same hour. This was an everyday routine for them, and one would feel concerned if they didn’t see each other at the Jingshi at approximately the same time.
This was one of those days for Lan Wangji. As he made his way to the spacious courtyard that was now seen with cold, dried petals; white filled the scene. His stance was perfect with one of his hands resting on his back and the other with two jars of Emperor’s smile. It wasn’t every day he bought liquor for Wei Wuxian, simply because he was worried about the latter’s intake. If nobody stopped him, he could keep drinking till he was truly knocked out and Lan Wangji knew, just how out of control Wei Wuxian was once he was truly a drunk. So, he would purposely not bring Emperor’s smile on some days.
He released the hand that was resting on his back to help open the door, making his way inside. He waited for the familiar voice to call for him with glee as they rushed to kiss him but, he was met with cold silence. Putting down the jars of wine on the table, he looked around for a sign of someone who could compare to a wild bunny, but he was only met with an absence of their presence. He waited for a while with fixed patience... until he couldn't. That's when the worry began. He was going to have to look for Wei Wuxian, again.
As he was ready to put Bichen onto his waist to head out, he heard shuffling sounds from the window. The person making their way through was letting out tired huffs and puffs as if they did rush their way here. With relief washing over Lan Wangji’s jade features, he fixed Bichen back to its place as he paced towards the hunched figure, who was seen sweating profusely.
Lan Wangji’s brows furrowed, How could he sweat in such cold weather? Only when he bought his palms to Wei Wuxian’s forehead did he realize how much he was burning up.
“Wei Ying..! You are hot,” Lan Wangji said, worry etching his fair face. Wei Wuxian panted heavily as he slumped onto Lan Wangji’s shoulders, his warm breath fanning over closely, indicating just how serious the fever could be. Lan Wangji carefully placed his hands on Wei Wuxian’s back and balanced him before laying him down on their bed, Wei Wuxian’s bangs falling upwards and revealing how red his face turned out to be. Lan Wangji immediately adjusted Wei Wuxian’s laying position and put a few more pillows for his comfort before sitting himself next to his husband, circulating spiritual energy through their palms.
By this time, Wei Wuxian’s lashes lifted upwards and his eyes squinted from the harsh light that illuminated his face. He stared at Lan Wangji for quite some time, while trying to even out his breaths.
“Lan er-gege, welcome back... though I couldn’t make it home first,” His voice was rasping, clear signs of cold making its way sooner or later. Lan Wangji only patted Wei Wuxian’s head with care before shaking his head, continuously passing on energy.
“Welcome back, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji spoke affectionately as he took Wei Wuxian’s hand and held onto it. “Where have you gone to night hunt this time?” Lan Wangji asked after a while, getting up from his position to place a few chunks of ice into a wooden bowl. As he set out a towel, he heard a response.
“To the forest, with the juniors…, of course. Wen Ning came along this time. …it got… colder,” His voice kept getting quieter after every other word til the last few were barely loud enough to decipher but, Lan Wangji focused on every syllable and hurriedly made his way to the bedside once the towel was damped and squeezed off the cold water. He carefully pressed the cloth over Wei Wuxian’s forehead.
Wei Wuxian flinched from the cold before calming his nerves again. His teeth kept clinking together; fingertips ruddy from the cold.
“It is not safe to play in the forest in this weather, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji’s tone was light but Wei Wuxian was aware he was being scolded and he weakly smiled at that. Lan Wangji started readying some firewood to keep the room warm and he got back to Wei Wuxian once he heard the latter whining, quickly starting the fire.
“Too bad, Lan Zhan. If I had known I would come down with a fever, I wouldn't have gone,” Wei Wuxian chuckled before continuing, “Now we can't do it, either. I was looking forward to it today,” Lan Wangji pressed his hand to the damp towel before pulling it back to the bowl, wetting it again. He paused his actions as he heard Wei Wuxian and looked at him warmly, the fire naturally enhancing his handsome features even further.
“You need to rest. I will heat warm tea for you,” His voice came out as affectionate as he placed the towel back on Wei Wuxian’s forehead. The latter whined and tugged at Lan Wangji’s sleeve.
“Don’t go. I don’t want tea. Stay..,” The voice was quiet but pleading, their hot hand grabbing onto Lan Wangji’s as tight as they could with a fever.
“Wei Ying talks the same amount,” Lan Wangji sighed, wondering how and where the latter got the energy to speak so much even with a high temperature. Then, he realized himself to be the one who was passing down that energy and quietly smiled before sitting back down.
“You are talking more than usual as well,” Wei Wuxian started, a cough forcing its way afterwards. “Why? Is it because you're worried?” He only said it to tease Lan Wangji. He knew his husband would show his care through actions rather than mere words, anyway.
“Mn. Don't go outside too much this winter,” Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji with surprise before it quickly turned to a full-blown smile. He giggled before grabbing Lan Wangji’s face and placing a small peck on his cheek. “...If you are bored, come with me to my meetings instead,” Lan Wangji tried continuing with a casual tone after the sudden kiss. He suddenly wanted a couple hundred more.
Wei Wuxian, “No, no. I can't, ever. They’re so, so boring! And your uncle wouldn't be too keen on the idea, would he?”
Lan Wangji, “We are past that problem. Uncle cannot do anything,” His palm stroked Wei Wuxian’s cheek gently, admiring how soft and warm it felt. “Besides, We are married. That means you have full privilege,” He let out a subtle smile which Wei Wuxian would've missed if he didn't fully focus on his husband’s face.
“…Do I have to be sick every time to see this side of you?” Wei Wuxian suddenly teased which made Lan Wangji retreat his hand. However, just immediately, Wei Wuxian’s weak hand grabbed onto his fingers and placed them back on his cheek, giggling softly.
Wei Wuxian, “Okay, okay, I’ll stop. You are right, though. A few days ago, your uncle opened up to me about my mother,”
Lan Wangji’s ears perked up, “...Really?”
Wei Wuxian, “Mhmm. It took me more than fifteen tries, though. I think it’s because he grew tired of me begging constantly. Hahaha,”
Lan Wangi, “That is great,” he tucked Wei Wuxian’s locks in the back of their ear.
Wei Wuxian, “Ahh, why don’t you ask me about what he said??” he pouted, white clouds leaving his mouth from both the hot and the cold.
Lan Wangji, “I wanted to. What did he say about your mother, Wei Ying?”
Wei Wuxian smiled, “She was fierce, that I already know of but,… he said she saw no one other than my father. Isn’t that lovely? It’s as if she gave up her promising path to go spend her life with him,”
Lan Wangji, “Mn,”
Wei Wuxian, “Your uncle and brother keep saying I remind them of her but truly, isn’t it you? You’re just like her,”
Lan Wangji, “?”
Wei Wuxian, “You gave up almost everything to be with me. It took me so long to realize that. Thank goodness you did not lose everything that you vowed to lose for me, though,”
Lan Wangji, “…You are still sick. Let us rest,” In the corner of Wei Wuxian’s eyes, he could see a faint blush on the latter’s ears. He didn’t feel like teasing him for that because he genuinely meant his words. He wanted those words to linger in Lan Wangji’s heart for a lot longer.