Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

Just Three Words

A prompt request by @theredcuyo

Wei Ying is much more careful these days, but still, him getting injured or hurt is unavoidable sometimes. He is more considerate of Lan Zhan’s feelings in this matter, and because he doesn't want Lan Zhan to worry (beforehand) or suffer (afterwards), he looks after himself better.

Once, Lan Zhan was cooking in their little kitchen, an addition he had built after they were married, and Wei Ying wanted to help. He is absolutely not allowed to season anything. However, his pouting made Lan Zhan agree to let him chop up the vegetables that would end up in the stir fry. Lan Zhan should have known better.

Wei Ying’s attention span is like a butterfly, landing on the most appealing looking flower and staying for only a short time before another catches his interest. In this, he is most brilliant. But in a task where focus is key, Wei Ying is a danger unto himself if he lets his mind wander. And wander, it does, because the task is mundane and boring, and Wei Ying’s mind is a busy bee. So when he says “ow!” Lan Zhan spins around immediately and is by his side in an instant.

“Show me.”

Wei Ying holds out his hand straight away. That small action deeply rooted in trust makes Lan Zhan feel warm all over, and his fingers are gentle when he examines the small cut on Wei Ying’s thumb. It's bleeding profusely, so he leads Wei Ying to the pitcher full of cooking water and proceeds to wash the cut and apply a healing salve before bandaging it up in muslin. The cut will be better by the time they finish eating, but Lan Zhan notes how, if anyone else were here, Wei Ying might not even have let on that he was hurt. Again, his chest tingles with good feelings about this. Wei Ying is learning too, that it's okay to say when he needs help, even if he can cope with the injury. They are both learning what it means to be married, that they can rely on each other without any barriers - no preconceived notions sit between them, no one has to look good. Here, inside their home, they are simply Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. If either of them need anything at all, the other is there to provide it. Although this part Lan Zhan suspects only applies to him in the satisfaction he feels, being able to care for Wei Ying like this. He also suspects that his husband knows how good Lan Zhan feels about looking after him, and that's why he lets him.

If the evening continues with a pampered Wei Ying made to keep his hand dry so he must watch his extremely capable husband roll up his sleeves to expose  extremely delectable (lickable) forearms, then that's just between themselves. (The evening ends with them sharing chopsticks and Lan Zhan feeding Wei Ying on his lap because Wei Ying’s injury means he's not allowed to use that hand. Protests along the lines of “it's only a finger/small cut/doesn't even hurt any more will not be tolerated *radiating smug satisfaction.)

The next time Wei Ying is hurt, it's an accidental injury caused by an over enthusiastic little Lan disciple newly acquiring his sword. Wei Ying jumps out of the way, but the blade catches his arm and slices through his sleeve. The ensuing blood dripping from the wound and the screaming/crying kid is enough to draw Lan Zhan’s attention from the other side of the training grounds, and within seconds, they are walking towards each other. (The kid is being consoled by the others and is alright now, though still feeling guilty for hurting his Wei-Qianbei).

Wei Ying even lets Lan Zhan carry him to the infirmary, only wailing about his hurt long after they can't be overheard by anyone, and that's how Lan Zhan knows it isn't serious. Also, he's appreciative of Wei Ying letting him carry him like this, princess style, so he can look at his lovely face while they walk.

“I am here,” Lan Zhan says.

That's all Wei Ying needs to hear, apparently, because he immediately quietens down and snuggles closer, watching him back, his bright silver eyes full of mischief and humour. (Lan Zhan loves him so much.)