Letting go of self-restraint 2 - All that is missing is a little one

Chapter 45

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji spent the rest of the day sleeping, the older boy seemed to be refusing to let go of his soulmate, and Jiang Cheng could understand why. After all that his idiotic brother put the older boy through, the Yunmeng Jiang sect leader would also keep him close would he be in the Second Jade's shoes. Wen Ning was checking on both of them regularly and there seemed to be nothing wrong, they were just exhausted and needed to catch on their sleep.

In the evening, Jiang Cheng and his husband tasked themselves with waking the Yunmeng Jiang head disciple up to have him eat a light dinner. The Dafan Wen doctor insisted that Wei Wuxian needed food more than sleep, in opposition to his sleep deprived soulmate. They have fetched the meal in the inn downstairs and quietly entered the room with the resting couple who did not so much as stir in their slumber, evidently content with still hugging each other.

Jiang Cheng was holding the food while Wen Ning touched Wei Wuxian's shoulder lightly, and then shook it when there was no reaction. The Yunmeng Jiang sect leader smirked, he knew just how hard it was to wake his brother when he was in deep sleep. He was glad that his sibling relaxed enough to not startle up awake in fear when they entered the room, he observed the couple with fond expression in his eyes. It seemed Wei Wuxian was already doing much better, mentally-wise at least, the proximity of his husband surely playing a big role in that.

His brother's eyes finally drew open and he yawned, looking confused as to why his sleep was suddenly interrupted. When he saw Jiang Cheng with the meal, he started getting up eagerly; apparently hungry. As soon as he moved, Lan Wangji's eyes shot open as well and he immediately tightened the hold on his soulmate, alarmed.

Wei Wuxian turned around to quickly reassure him: "Lan Zhan, it is alright, I am not going anywhere. I will never leave you again, I promise; I love you too much to cause you to go through such pain ever again... I am just quite hungry at the moment and Jiang Cheng here is holding something that smells awesome. I want to have some and for that, I have to sit up." He was now caressing Lan Wangji's arm soothingly.

It was almost too much for Jiang Cheng to bear, but he stopped himself from scolding his brother. After what happened, he guessed they needed to reassure each other; he could actually understand that as well. Be it him and Wen Ning, he would probably do the same; just maybe not so publically.

The Second Jade hummed in agreement and sat up, his mind finally coming out of the slumber and starting to function normally, he pulled his soulmate into his lap. Wei Wuxian laughed happily and kissed him. Then he reached out to Jiang Cheng, asking for his dinner which his brother swiftly handed to him. The Yunmeng Jiang sect leader was only glad that he got two portions when he saw his sibling feeding both himself and Lan Wangji from the same bowl before asking for the second one.

After their meal, both disciples seemed tired and with a short apology laid down again, Wei Wuxian snuggling into Lan Wangji's chest. Jiang Cheng and Wen Ning left them to rest peacefully and retreated to their own room for the night.

***

Lan Wangji woke up to the sound of opening door, he looked up quickly to see who was coming, he did not want to be surprised the same way he had been last time. He was apparently too exhausted in the evening and he did not even know that Jiang Cheng and Wen Ning brought dinner for him and Wei Ying. He startled awake when his soulmate moved in his arms, fearing that he was going to disappear once more. He overreacted then and he did not want repeat the experience. Of course he could still feel Wei Ying in his arms and it reassured him greatly.

The opening door revealed Wen Ning coming inside with two bowls, just like before, only now he was not accompanied by the Yunmeng Jiang sect leader. The Second Jade did not know how long he slept, judging by the sun coming in through the window, it was probably morning but he could not be sure. He did not move nor made any sound, he did not want to wake Wei Ying up.

When the Dafan Wen disciple saw that his eyes were open, he smiled at him warmly and set the food on the table. He then came to the bed and bowed slightly, his voice low when he spoke: "Young Master Lan, it is good to see you are awake. How are you feeling?"

Lan Wangji only nodded and then looked meaningfully at his soulmate. Wen Ning seemed to have understood as he gently touched Wei Ying's wrist to check his condition. Relief brightened his face and he informed the Second Jade, his voice now a little louder and more cheerful: "It seems Young Master Wei's condition have improved greatly. He is still quite weak but he will be alright with a few more days of rest and a nutritious diet. The baby is also fine, do not worry."

Another nod from Lan Wangji, this time to show his gratitude. The Dafan Wen disciple looked fondly at his sleeping patient and then addressed the Second Jade again: "Could you please wake Young Master Wei up? He needs to eat regularly. I have brought breakfast for the both of you."

The Gusu Lan sect disciple started humming into Wei Ying's ear and caressing and kissing him gently to pull him out of his slumber while Wen Ning turned away to fetch the food. The Yunmeng Jiang sect disciple opened his eyes after a while, still sleepy, he perked up when he focused on his husband. He immediately snuggled even closer and buried his nose in the older boy's chest, apparently seeking to be closer to the calming pheromones his soulmate was still releasing.

They ate the same way as the day before – has it really been a whole day? Lan Wangji felt like he had his beloved back mere seconds – Wei Ying fed him from his bowl while also taking bites in between. The Second Jade was slightly concerned by the small quantity his husband managed to eat. He felt guilty, like he had taken the food from him, but then he remembered the time Wei Ying was recovering from starvation under his supervision and he understood that it would be probably very similar this time around. His heart was aching for the younger boy and he wondered for the millionth time what could have pushed him to run away and suffer so much again.

He decided not to stress the issue and inquire, just being happy his husband was back, but he could not help himself but worry. The Yunmeng Jiang disciple could feel his unrest now that the mental bond they shared was once again open both ways. He stopped eating and shuddered. He was silent for so long that Lan Wangji was afraid he was remembering his painful past, on his own again.

"Wei Ying?" he asked, unsure if the younger boy would actually hear him or if he had already closed himself off.

The Yunmeng Jiang head disciple turned in the older boy's lap and kissed him: "I am here, Lan Zhan, and I will not go away again. I promise to tell you... just not now. I need to prepare myself for that."

The Second Jade nodded, he would wait for Wei Ying to be ready for as long as it took.