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Magnolia petals drifted through the cool spring breeze, dancing in circles across the wooden porch outside the Jingshi. Wei Wuxian sat overlooking the garden pathway, swinging slightly in a sturdy hanging bench.
His husband had built it for him when a senior disciple mentioned that when she was pregnant, she had enjoyed being able to sit in the cool outside air without leaving the comfort of her home. She said outside exposure without exertion was good for the baby, so of course Hanguang-jun had immediately got to work. He carved it with lotuses and clouds, swirling and intertwining across the backs and legs, and wove the ropes it hung from with red ribbon.
Wei Wuxian looked out over the garden in front of their little home, midday sun streaming down through the trees and across the newly established lotus pond. His husband had only coaxed him out of bed and through breakfast a little more than a shi ago, but already he could see a figure coming down the path with a covered tray in their arms.
"Ah, my little radish has finally come to visit his senior!" Wei Wuxian cried out once Lan Sizhui reached the porch steps. "And he brought me food. What a filial child I have!"
"Good afternoon, Xian-gege," Lan Sizhui said with a smile. "Come take lunch inside. You might catch a cold out here."
"Aiya, it isn't even that cold out." Wei Wuxian groaned as he stood up and followed Lan Sizhui back into the Jingshi. He got settled at the table while Lan Sizhui milled about, setting up the sandalwood incense and small fire at the brazier for warmth.
He rounded the side of the table, extra cushions in hand. Normally they sat at kneeling cushions on the floor to eat, but since his pregnancy Lan Wangji had set up a plush chair for Wei Wuxian to sit on, for him to lean on and support his back. Lan Sizhui tucked more pillows behind his back.
"Ah, Sizhui, Sizhui, you don't have to do all this," Wei Wuxian protested as he preened under the attention.
Lan Sizhui smiled softly. "I know, Xian-gege. I wanted to."
Wei Wuxian couldn't help but pinch and pull on his cheeks in response.
Lan Sizhui finally sat down and began to eat his own meal, sitting quiet and polite like a good little Lan while Wei Wuxian chattered on between bites of his mildly spiced rice. He wasn't even aware of what he was saying, just letting loose every single one of his thoughts onto his child until something he said made Lan Sizhui freeze.
He waited to swallow and wipe his mouth before he spoke up. "Xian-gege, you can't go on a night-hunt in your state."
His expression was soft yet serious, and Wei Wuxian had the distinct impression that if he even tried to attempt to leave the Cloud Recesses he'd have a not unfamiliar entourage of Lans dragging him back. But he had to complain anyways.
"But I haven't been out in so long!" He whined to his junior disciple. "It's not like I'm about to pop any time soon. And besides, you're the only one that comes and visits me here. I need to "coincidentally" run into a certain sect leader on my travels if I ever want to see him!"
Lan Sizhui smiled mysteriously. "Don't worry, Xian-gege. You can leave that to me."
🌷 🌷 🌷
The next day was warmer and Wei Wuxian found himself lounging for many hours in the rabbit meadow, lazing away in the afternoon sun while his husband was out teaching classes. Lan Sizhui was with him, making an outline of lettuce around Wei Wuxian's figure to attract the bunnies to him.
The nuzzling of soft, warm noses and paws was lulling him into a deep relaxation when he heard the patter of footsteps from the woods. He lifted his head to see to see who was approaching.
Little Apple immediately began braying at the newcomers. It had been very good before, grazing silently beside him instead of chasing and trying to bite him like it normally would. Ever since this new radish had taken root in him, Little Apple had been much kinder and gentler with him. Wei Wuxian whined it was because it could sense there was a Lan in him, and that he still had no care for his owner, to which Little Apple did nothing but huff, like it was imitating one of Lan Zhan's mns. Unfilial brat!
"Shut up, you damn ass!" Jin Ling yelled. "Can't you see you're disturbing a pregnant man?!"
Little Apple shut up immediately, while Wei Wuxian's head fell back into the grass in a laugh.
"How are you doing, Wei-Qianbei?" Lan Jingyi asked as he and the other two boys he escorted sat next to him in the meadow. The bunnies scattered at their initial approach, but wouldn't be cowed away from their food for too long.
"I'm amazing!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed. "I've got my children here, bunnies all over me, a warm ray of sun to lay in..."
"We brought some berries for the bunnies," Ouyang Zizhen said.
He reached into the basket Lan Jingyi was carrying to pull out a handful of plump, juicy red berries. The bunnies immediately took notice, turning their attention toward the boys. But before he could set them down in the grass, Lan Sizhui held out a hand to stop him.
"Ah, Hanguang-jun says we can't give the rabbits too much fruit," he said sheepishly. "It has too much sugar and may make them sick."
Ouyang Zizhen gasped. "Oh no, then what should we do with all these berries?"
"Well, it's forbidden to waste food in the Cloud Recesses," Lan Jingyi said.
"Just say you brought these fruits for us to eat!" Jin Ling snapped. "No need to make such contrived excuses."
Lan Sizhui laughed lightly at the response. "Xian-gege, would you like some?"
Wei Wuxian hummed in response, a smile playing on his lips at the boys' antics. "You can feed me a few like your bunnies."
He didn't want the kids to give him too much of their secret snacks, but one after another they kept sneaking berries into his mouth and he couldn't bring himself to stop them. What could he say, Lana love rabbit food, and he had a very hungry one to feed!
He talked to the boys about their most recent nighthunts and all the troubles Jin Ling had gotten into as the new clan leader, but soon he found his focus slipping in and out of the conversation. The soft chatter with the warmth of the sun, the plush softness of the bunnies and the sweet refreshment of the berries slowly pulled him into a deep sleep.
🌷 🌷 🌷
When he blinked open his eyes, he was being lowered into a mass of soft blankets, the sandalwood scent enveloping him as he was gently laid down in his bed.
"Mhm, husband," he muttered sleepily. "Where are my children?"
He could barely make out the smile on Lan Zhan's face, but it shone through clearly in his voice. "They sent for me when the sun began to set, and I carried you home. Jin-zongzhu and Ouyang-gongzi have been set up in guest quarters."
He nodded and patted his husband's cheek in approval. "We visit them tomorrow."
"Mn."
"They take such good care of me, Lan Zhan," he humbled as he curled into his chest. He didn't know when Lan Zhan had joined him on the bed, but he wasted no time shoving his nose into the crook of his neck.
"Mn," Lan Zhan hummed, stroking Wei Wuxian's hair. "As they should. Sleep now, Wei Ying."
He felt a pair of lips press into his head, before he was drifting back to his dream world of lotus lakes and all his favorite people picking flowers and playing with him. Now it wasn't that different from his real life.