Winter Solstice Gift for apprenticedmagician
This story was written for @apprenticedmagician, who was my giftee for the 2020 Wangxian Winter Solstice Gift Exchange. Thank you for letting me write for you, and I really hope that you enjoy this ♥ You're right after all, Wei Wuxian deserves to feel less scared around good puppers.
Happy winter solstice, everyone! ♥
Read on AO3
*****
A Brothers' Love
It begins when Jiang Cheng shares that he’s thinking of getting a dog.
“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian whines, looking to where his brother sits by the pier next to him. He pouts at him. “Why would you want a dog? Wouldn’t a kitten be nicer? Cuter?”
“What do you care what type of animal I’m thinking of getting for a pet? You don’t spend enough time here for it to be of any real nuisance to you,” Jiang Cheng says, crossing his arms as he frowns.
And well, yes. He is speaking the truth. Although Wei Wuxian is welcome to come and go as he pleases, Lotus Pier no longer remains his home anymore. It will forever be his childhood home, and remain the place which holds so many treasured memories spent with his siblings. But home for Wei Wuxian nowadays is wherever Lan Wangji is. A fact which Jiang Cheng knows well.
It still doesn’t mean that Wei Wuxian is all that fond of the idea of a dog running around the place when he does take the time to visit though.
“Anyway,” Jiang Cheng continues. “I’d make sure it never got in your way whenever you’re around. It’s not as if I’d just leave it alone with you, especially not when you’re training the disciples.”
Wei Wuxian hums a response, eyes facing down as he watches his feet dangle gently in the water. He lets his thoughts wander.
The thing is, Wei Wuxian knows just how much his brother loves dogs. If it weren’t for him, Jiang Cheng wouldn’t have had to give up the three he’d had as a child. He knew his brother absolutely adored them, and even thinking back Wei Wuxian still manages to feel a little guilty that it had been him and his phobia that had caused so much upset and disruption at the time.
Now that Wei Wuxian is no longer living at Lotus Pier however, he thinks Jiang Cheng should get a pet. It might even do him some good, seeing as how his brother seems to repel any companionship that could be found in the form of a partner or a friend.
Yet Wei Wuxian can’t help how an uncomfortable knot of fear has decided to bundle itself tightly in the pit of his stomach when hearing Jiang Cheng’s words.
He doesn’t want to lose his brother again.
They had finally reached a point where their relationship didn’t feel like they were avoiding the shattered pieces of glass upon the ground whenever they spoke. It will never be what they had once shared before - there’s simply too much history of hurt and misunderstandings to ever seal the cracks completely - but they at least now felt comfortable in one another’s presence. Wei Wuxian considers that having his wedding to Lan Wangji held at Lotus Pier helped to start building fresh foundations between him and his brother, as things have only gotten easier between the two of them since.
But Wei Wuxian worries that if Jiang Cheng does get himself a dog, it’ll only cause the rift that had once been between them to suddenly push them apart again. His phobia hasn’t lessened in any way over the years, and already he hates how it manages to cut short the time he sometimes spends with Jin Ling whenever he catches sight of Fairy by his side.
He doesn’t dare share such concerns with Jiang Cheng though. He doesn’t know how he’ll react if he does, and he definitely doesn’t want to make him angry.
“Wei Wuxian. Are you even listening to me?”
Jiang Cheng’s words pierce through his thoughts, pulling him out of them to where he sits at the edge pier. He leans back, resting against his forearms as he looks out at the view before him.
“You were telling me how useful having a dog could be,” Wei Wuxian says, hesitating for a brief moment before deciding to turn his head towards his brother. He watches as Jiang Cheng’s furrowed brow relaxes slightly, before he’s turning away from Wei Wuxian with a huff as he stares up at the clear sky above them.
“I know very little about dogs,” Apart from that they’re nasty and vicious, Wei Wuxian thinks. “If you wanted to know anything about rabbits though, I could help you.”
Wei Wuxian pauses briefly, his eyes growing wide. “Jiang Cheng! Wouldn’t you like a rabbit instead? Lan Zhan and I had one that just gave birth a little while ago, I’m sure you could adopt one of her bunnies. We have so many now, and -”
“I don’t want one of your rabbits,” Jiang Cheng interrupts, pulling another disappointed pout out of Wei Wuxian.
“It was worth asking.”
“No. It wasn’t,” Jiang Cheng says with a shake of his head, sighing. “Before you overthink this too much, I haven’t said that I’m actually getting a dog yet. I’m only considering it. So stop sulking.”
It isn’t until much later, once Wei Wuxian has returned to Cloud Recesses, that the idea comes to him.
He’s been complaining to Lan Wangji whilst helping his husband grade papers, asking him just how his brother could want a dog, of all the animals there are in the world.
“He’s had over sixteen years to get a pet, and he chooses now to think about a dog?” Wei Wuxian lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head sadly. “Lan Zhan, do you think he’s doing it on purpose? Maybe he’s just fed up, and he doesn’t really want me visiting Lotus Pier.”
“Ridiculous,” Lan Wangji answers, not looking up from the paper he’s currently grading. “If Jiang Wanyin did not want Wei Ying around, he would just say.”
“Hmmmm. You’d think he would,” Wei Wuxian agrees. “It never stopped him before. But then, we haven’t been as close as we are now for some time. Maybe he’s scared.”
“Unlikely. Jiang Wangyin would speak his mind when you were teenagers also.” Lan Wangji pauses for a moment, and Wei Wuxian supposes it’s because he’s reading over one of the disciples’ words. “If Jiang Wangyin did not want Wei Ying to visit Lotus Pier anymore, why would he have been so adamant for us to marry there?”
Wei Wuxian has no counter argument for that.
“Lan Zhaaaaan,” he whines, stretching his arms out over his side of the table, leaning on it. “What should I do? Obviously I want my brother to get a dog if it makes him happy, but I don’t want to be on edge whenever I’m there. Dogs are scary!”
“Hm,” Lan Wangji hums, looking at Wei Wuxian out of the corner of his eye. His hand comes to rest upon his head, lightly stroking Wei Wuxian’s hair in a soothing gesture while he turns back to his work. “You are alright when your nephew brings Fairy with him on his visits. He is careful with your fear of her, and keeps her at a distance so as not to distress you. I suspect Jiang Wangyin would be the same.”
Wei Wuxian opens his mouth to respond, but then stops as a sudden idea comes to mind.
“... Jin Ling’s due to visit next week.”
Wei Wuxian sits up. Lan Wangji’s hand falls from his hair, the movement and Wei Wuxian’s tone prompting Lan Wangji’s full attention to pull and focus on him. He tilts his head to one side curiously.
“Wei Ying?” He asks.
“I could ask him if he’d help me get used to being around Fairy,” Wei Wuxian says, a grin slowly inching its way across his lips. “I’d get to spend more time with him while he's here, and I’d be working on beating my fear enough so that if Jiang Cheng does decide to get a dog, it won’t be so much of a problem!”
“How are you planning to get used to being around Fairy?” Lan Wangji asks, concern leaking into his words. Wei Wuxian gives a one shouldered shrug.
“I guess just by having her nearby. The more she’s there, the better it is to get used to her, right?”
The idea is perfect! Or at least, Wei Wuxian thinks it is.
When he turns to Lan Wangji however, he finds he's met with a frown.
“Wei Ying -” Lan Wangji begins, thinking over his words carefully. “- that does not seem to be the best thing to do. You are already frightened of her when she’s too close.”
“Which is why I should work on getting better on not being frightened.”
“Not by putting yourself in the most extreme situation to begin with,” Lan Wangi says, shaking his head. “Why not start smaller? Be inside a building while knowing she is outside. Watch her and your nephew from a distance whilst night hunting. Something that does not immediately expose you to her in such close proximity.”
“... Huh.” Wei Wuxian answers thoughtfully.
He taps a finger against his chin, thinking over Lan Wangji’s suggestions. It makes sense, and if he’s being honest with himself, Wei Wuxian believes he’d feel a lot better with facing his phobia one step at a time.
“Those are good ideas, Lan Zhan!”
“Hm,” Lan Wangji replies. He lifts the brush he’s holding once more, dipping it gently back into the ink kept on the desk. “I will look in the library tomorrow for you. See if there are any compositions I can learn.”
“Compositions?” asks Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji continues grading.
“They helped to manage your resentful energy before,” Lan Wangji explains. “Perhaps there is something which can help manage your fear and anxieties also.”
“I hadn’t even thought of that!”
Wei Wuxian scoots himself closer to Lan Wangji’s side, just enough that he can lean over and press a firm kiss against his cheek. Beneath his lips, he can feel how Lan Wangji twitches as an ever so small, curved smile lights up his face.
“Lan Zhan! That’s such a good idea! And you wouldn’t mind?”
Lan Wangji turns to him with an expression so soft and loving, Wei Wuxian feels his heart soar within his chest.
“For Wei Ying? Never.”
They decide that for the first attempt of tackling his phobia, the best place to do so would be alongside Lan Wangji’s rabbits.
It’s quiet and peaceful, an area which is kept well away from some of the busier places within Cloud Recesses. Wei Wuxian has always loved how it feels like a piece of the world that is carved out just for the two of them to retreat to whenever they wanted. With the rabbits so close by there is also something for Wei Wuxian to focus his attention on should he suddenly feel overwhelmed, although with Lan Wangji sat playing the guqin beside him, the hope is that his nerves won’t have much of a chance to get the better of him.
Lan Wangji had managed to find a few pieces of music during his searching in the end, some designed specifically for keeping calm in the face of stressful situations, while others focus more on relaxing the body enough to aid in the effectiveness in using mindfulness techniques. He had returned to the Jingshi with a selection for both him and Wei Wuxian to look through, and aside from one or two of his own choosing, Wei Wuxian had picked out the ones which he felt could be most useful to him.
Despite his surprise at hearing his uncle's request, Jin Ling hadn’t minded lending his help when Wei Wuxian spoke to him of his idea either. Neither had Sizhui, who quickly asked if there was any way he could help once he learnt about what it was they were planning to do.
“Wei Ying.”
At the sound of his name, Wei Wuxian looks to where his husband sits beside him, answering with a questioning hum. Lan Wangji’s attention is towards where Wei Wuxian’s hands are sitting within his lap, and Wei Wuxian quickly realises that it’s because he’s been fidgeting with them.
“Ah - ha…” Wei Wuxian tries to settle them, giving Lan Wangji what he hopes is a convincing enough grin. He knows well enough it doesn’t work at hiding his anxiety.
“You are nervous,” Lan Wangji says, more statement than question. “If you would rather not do this -”
“No, no,” interrupts Wei Wuxian, shaking his head. “I’ll be fine. They’re only going to be walking her nearby, after all. I can at least handle that much.”
He’s not really sure who he’s trying to convince more: his husband or himself. Instead Wei Wuxian bows his head, his hair falling like a curtain over his face. Even without looking he can feel Lan Wangji watching him with concern.
“Alright,” Lan Wangji eventually replies, likely realising just how determined Wei Wuxian is to see this through. “You must tell me if you feel overwhelmed at any point, however.”
“I will, I will,” Wei Wuxian assures, waving a hand in the air quickly before shoving it back into his lap. He doesn’t look up, instead taking in a long, deep breath.
He can do this.
He can.
He will.
“Would you like me to play you something while we wait?” Lan Wangji asks. Wei Wuxian pulls his head up at the question, turning to Lan Wangji with a nervous smile on his face.
“Please,” he says.
Lan Wangji gives a simple nod, saying nothing more. Instead, his hands go to rest upon the guqin, and it isn’t long before Wei Wuxian is hearing the delicate sound of the first few chords he begins to play.
It’s a soft tune, one which is tasked with the aim of relaxing him. Wei Wuxian’s eyes fall closed to the sound of it, letting in another deep, calming breath. He feels the soft fur of a rabbit as it hops its way into his lap, his hand automatically going to stroke it.
In the distance he can hear the sound of two very familiar voices speaking to one another. As they move closer to where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are sitting Wei Wuxian hears the light jangle of the bells Fairy wears upon her collar. His free hand tightens slightly, and Wei Wuxian tries to focus his attention on the tune of his husband's music floating gently around them.
“... still can’t get over how I’m allowed to bring Fairy into the grounds of Cloud Recesses,” Jin Ling asks.
“HanGuang-Jun received special permissions from Zewu-Jun,” Sizhui replies. “Once he learnt what Wei-Qianbei wanted to do, he agreed that keeping to a familiar space would be best.”
“I get that. It’s just that you Lans have so many rules. I can’t help it if I’m a little surprised.”
“I don’t think it was that difficult a decision for him. Even Zewu-Jun is fond of Fairy,” Sizhui pauses, and for a moment all Wei Wuxian can hear is the sound of crunching leaves as the two boys walk mixed with the jangling of bells. “I would have been more surprised if Zewu-Jun hadn’t agreed, really.”
“I bet Lan Qiren wasn’t happy though when he- Fairy, no! Come here!”
Wei Wuxian’s eyes fly open, his gaze instantly snapping in the direction of where his nephew’s shout had come from. He startles, eyes widening at how Fairy has suddenly moved so close to him. His body tenses, watching the dog stare back at him as she settles to sit upon the grass.
“Stay calm, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji says beside him, still strumming his soothing melody. Although his heart beats faster in his chest at the dog's close presence, Wei Wuxian expects that the reason he’s currently not running away or pulling on his husband's sleeve is because of the music Lan Wangji has been playing for him.
Cautiously he watches Jin Ling and Sizhui rush over. Jin Ling quickly kneels beside Fairy, his hand settling just below where her collar sits. Fairy blinks, turning her head towards her master.
“What did I say to you earlier?” Jin Ling asks. He shakes his head, affectionately stroking her fur. “I know you want to say hello, but you can’t just run to dà jiù like that. You know it scares him.”
Jin Ling looks to his uncle, and Wei Wuxian notes the concern which lingers behind his gaze.
“Sorry. I didn’t think she’d be so excitable.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Wei Wuxian assures, waving his hand dismissively. He tries to smile, the corners of his lips twitching upwards in a way he hopes is convincing. There’s still a fair distance apart between Fairy and himself, enough that Wei Wuxian thinks he can handle it.
He reaches into his lap to pick up the rabbit that still sits there, its legs kicking out in irritation at Wei Wuxian’s awkward hold.
“She probably saw all these cute ones hopping about and couldn’t resist investigating.”
“Maybe,” Jin Ling glances back towards Fairy briefly, as if looking to her for an explanation. Seeming almost amused, Sizhui moves to settle beside him.
“Is it okay if she sits here?” Jin Ling asks. “She’s not too close?”
Wei Wuxian nods, pulling the rabbit close to his chest as he continues to stroke it.
“She’s far enough away. I won’t lie and say I’m not uncomfortable, but I do feel a lot better than I usually do around her.” He pauses, tilting his head towards Lan Wangji as his smile grows wide. “Lan Zhan! Maybe that piece you’re playing really is working!”
“Hm,” Lan Wangji hums in agreement, bowing his head modestly. “There are others we should try also. See which of them is more effective.”
“HanGuang-Jun …” Sizhui starts. “I would like to help. Could you teach me some of them? You never know when they could come in useful.”
Lan Wangji nods. Wei Wuxian knows he would have never said no to him, especially not when it comes to Sizhui’s eagerness to both help and learn something new in the process. Not to mention that their son has a point: such techniques are always useful to have on hand, just in case a need for them should arise.
“You’re doing better than I thought you would for a first attempt,” Jin Ling says, settling his chin against his hand as he watches Wei Wuxian. “It’s good.”
Wei Wuxian’s smile grows soft, hearing the unspoken truth behind Jin Ling’s words. His gaze lingers on watching his nephew for a moment, before he’s looking between both Sizhui and Lan Wangji too.
Despite the small bud of anxiety that still remains nestled inside him at Fairy’s presence, his heart manages to feel full with affection. For he is surrounded by his small little family, and they are all proud of his stepping stone of achievement.
It takes time.
With how busy Jin Ling is nowadays, Wei Wuxian tries not to bother him too much or interfere with his affairs. The matter of becoming a sect leader Wei Wuxian leaves in Jiang Cheng’s hands instead, understanding all too well that his brother can guide Jin Ling far better than Wei Wuxian ever could. After all, the both of them share in the experience of being thrown into such a position at far too young an age.
On the occasions Wei Wuxian does spend time with his nephew, he begins to find that being around Fairy slowly becomes easier. Enough at least that when Jin Ling begins to bring her on night hunts with him, Wei Wuxian doesn’t mind. In some cases she can be rather useful, given her aid as a spiritual dog. She’s managed to help on more than one occasion, even aiding in warning Wei Wuxian in time before he could land himself in a number of troubling situations.
While Wei Wuxian finds having Fairy nearby doesn’t frighten him anymore, he also discovers that his new found comfort doesn’t work for all dogs.
--- --- ❁ --- ---
“Are you feeling better?”
Wei Wuxian hums, nodding as he buries his head closer against Lan Wangji’s chest. The tight grasp he has on his husband's robes loosens, the tension which had stretched tightly across his body having faded slightly. Lan Wangji’s hands have helped to soothe Wei Wuxian’s panic; the slow, calm strokes against his back relaxing him as if he were a child just woken from a nightmare. The silent yet reassuring presence of his husband as he holds him tightly in his arms helps. It reminds Wei Wuxian that he isn’t alone anymore. That he’s safe.
They had been walking through the streets of Caiyi town when it happened. Wei Wuxian had been engrossed in telling a story, his hands sweeping grandly in the air the more excited he became. Lan Wangji kept beside him, listening to every word with the smallest of smiles curling the edges of his lips.
Neither of them had seen the dog lying next to one of the market stalls they were passing by. Not until it had let out a deep sounding bark which startled Wei Wuxian enough to make him jump. Lan Wangji had moved fast, gently reaching for his husband's shaking form and guiding him away from the stall.
Wei Wuxian doesn’t think much about his experiences with dogs in the past most days, yet his eyes had glazed over as his panic only managed to grow. For a brief moment he wasn’t standing alongside his husband. Instead he had been a dirt covered child running down the streets, hands shakily holding onto whatever food he still carried as a vicious dog chased after him. When he blinked he was suddenly Wei Wuxian during the Wen Indoctrination, all prior confidence diminished as Wen Chao locked him in a room alone with a dog twice the size of Wei Wuxian, a certainty growing within that told him he wouldn’t live to see the next day.
So lost in the rush of memories hitting him, Wei Wuxian didn’t pick up on how Lan Wangji had walked him to one of the nearby inns. There was a weight upon his shoulder, Lan Wangji’s hand pressed there as a reminder that he was alright. That he was there beside him.
It hadn’t been until they’d made it to their room and Lan Wangji had guided them both to the bed for the evening, wrapping his arms around Wei Wuxian and patiently holding him that Wei Wuxian finally began to calm.
“I thought I was getting a better hold on this,” Wei Wuxian says, finally pulling his face away from Lan Wangji’s chest with a disappointed pout.
“You are,” Lan Wangji says, watching Wei Wuxian with worry. He reaches up, lightly wiping Wei Wuxian’s stray tears away with the delicate touch of his finger. “You did not expect the dog. That does not diminish any of the progress you’ve made in fighting your fear up until now, however. Sometimes our fears can get the better of us.”
Wei Wuxian frowns, his expression clearly showing that he doesn’t agree. He tries not to meet Lan Wangji’s gaze, but fails when his husband’s hand moves beneath his chin, gently tilting it up so that their eyes can meet.
“This time, the dog was not what you were used to. It was bigger. And unfamiliar to you. It also came as a surprise.”
“... It was a pretty big dog,” Wei Wuxian agrees, mumbling.
Lan Wangji hums his agreement, the corner of his mouth curling up into a soft smile.
“Wei Ying did very well, considering. I am proud of you.”
Finally, Wei Wuxian allows himself to smile properly.
“Ah, you always know just how to make me feel better. What would I do without you, my love?” he says, leaning forward and pressing his head against Lan Wangji’s chest once more. He lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m still a little frightened, though. Perhaps you should hold me tighter until I feel fully like myself again.”
His smile grows as he hears Lan Wangji let out a small breath of laughter. The arms around him squeeze just a bit tighter in return.
“Whatever Wei Ying wants.”
“Oh?” Wei Wuxian asks, snuggling deeper into the embrace. “And what if I need my wonderful husband to hold me all night? Keep me close so he can protect me from any nightmares involving the evil dog from today?”
“Then I will hold him close all night. Protect him.”
Wei Wuxian laughs, the lingering remnants of his fear disappearing altogether. He leans his head up towards him, meeting his lips for a kiss.
“How did I get so lucky to have you, Lan Zhan?” He asks after, beaming up at him.
“You’ve always had me,” Lan Wangji replies, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from Wei Wuxian’s face. “Always will have me, too.”
Eventually months pass, and Wei Wuxian soon realises that too much time has passed since he’s last seen his brother.
Hearing from Jin Ling that Jiang Cheng has returned to Lotus Pier to focus on matters within his own sect for the time being, Wei Wuxian decides he wants to surprise him with a visit. It’s of no surprise when his husband offers to come with him, and so together they take a boat ride over to Yunmeng.
Wei Wuxian often makes his visits to his childhood home unannounced. He never likes writing ahead if he can avoid it, preferring not to be met at the docks with people already waiting to welcome him upon his arrival. Despite all the years and history left in the past there still remain those within the sect who know he is, who remember who he once would have become had their lives not taken the diverging paths they had. Some of those people even still see him as more to the Yunmeng sect than he is, despite Wei Wuxian believing very differently himself. To him he had lost such connections during his past life.
He understands why people see him as such, though. Since returning Wei Wuxian has offered his help to his brother. At first it had been in an attempt to help try and build a new foundation between the two of them, a way of reaching out to let his younger brother know he is there for him once more, if he wanted him. As their relationship began to grow however Wei Wuxian quickly realised that he also helps because he likes to, even if it is only in small ways here and there. Jiang Cheng has since reinstated a place for him within the sect, has let him know time and time again that Wei Wuxian does indeed have a place, yet Wei Wuxian tries to keep himself out of the political side of the cultivation world for both their benefits.
He has had more than enough of cultivation politics to last him two lifetimes after all.
No, Wei Wuxian much prefers showing up when his brother least expects it. Prefers how he pretends to be irritated at first, yelling that Wei Wuxian should have given him notice, or that he had to suddenly arrive whilst he was in the middle of something highly important. He prefers seeing the cracks in Jiang Cheng’s anger, the small slithers which show the real joy he feels at seeing him again.
It’s a joy Wei Wuxian once believed he would never see aimed his way, one which speaks all too clearly of how Jiang Cheng really feels. It tells him that he’s happy, glad Wei Wuxian has clawed his way back into his life once more.
When he steps into his old home with Lan Wangji this time however, Wei Wuxian quickly finds he’s not the only surprise to have arrived.
Wei Wuxian instinctively takes a small step closer to his husband's side as a small bundle of fur runs towards them both. His hand reaches for where Chenqing rests against his side, knuckles going white as he grips it tightly for support. He feels Lan Wangji hold his arm, his gaze almost piercing as he watches for his reaction, yet Wei Wuxian doesn’t turn to run away.
The bundle of fur stops at their feet, staring up at them.
Wei Wuxian realises that it is a husky. A small one - he reckons it’s about half the size of Fairy - with fur that’s slightly red in colour. His grip on Chenqing loosens, understanding all too well who the little dog must belong to.
“Huān! Come!”
The dog - or rather, Huān - turns its head back in the direction of the call but decides not to move. Wei Wuxian laughs, shaking his head at the dog's stubbornness before looking up, a bright smile stretching across his lips at the familiar sight of his brother making his way towards them.
“Jiang Cheng!” He calls, lifting his hand up in a wave.
“Wei Wuxian! How many times do I have to tell you - tell me when you’re coming! You’re always just … showing up whenever you feel like it!”
“I didn’t mention we were coming? I thought I did. Oh well,” Wei Wuxian says, waving off his brother’s words whilst Jiang Cheng splutters.
They both know he’s lying.
Jiang Cheng’s gaze levels with Lan Wangji’s, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“I would have at least thought you would have sent ahead to inform me of your arrival.”
“Wei Ying told me he already had. I felt it unnecessary to do so myself,” Lan Wangji answers. Beside him Wei Wuxian tries not to laugh, although he does meet his husband’s sideward glance. The edge of amusement he sees hidden in Lan Wangji’s expression only makes his struggle harder. He’s still not used to the moments when Lan Wangji bends and stretches at the rules he’s been brought up to obey.
“Whatever,” Jiang Cheng sighs, reaching up to press his hand against his forehead. Wei Wuxian takes pity on teasing him, instead moving to kneel dso he can take a closer look at the dog that remains by his brother's side.
“Whose this?” He asks, pointing a finger at the dog as he looks up to Jiang Cheng.
“Her name is Huān. She’s my dog.”
Wei Wuxian nods, turning his attention back to the small dog once more. He waits for a second, and then -
“Hold on. How come you’re not hiding behind that husband of yours like I’ve seen you do before? You hate dogs.”
“I don’t hate them,” Wei Wuxian replies, pushing himself up to stand. “They scare me. There’s a difference.”
“Alright, how come you’re not frightened of her then?” Jiang Cheng asks, nodding down to where Huān sits. “Because I thought the idea was that I was to keep her away from you whenever you visited. Granted that I knew beforehand that you would be visiting so I had enough time to do so.”
“Ah! No need, no need!” Wei Wuxian pauses, tilting his head to one side curiously. “Did our dear nephew not say anything to you?”
“Say anything about what?”
“Wei Ying has been working hard to overcome his fear of dogs,” Lan Wangji says, drawing Jiang Cheng’s narrowed gaze towards him.
“What? That's not funny. Don’t you dare joke with me.”
“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian scolds. “Lan Zhan wouldn't lie. You know that. For the past few months, I’ve been trying to grow more comfortable around dogs."
Lan Wangji nods.
"It has been working. To … varying degrees of success.” He pauses, looking to Wei Wuxian with the hint of a proud smile. "Wei Ying has been working very hard. And he has come far."
Wei Wuxian's expression softens. If it weren't for where they were - and more the fact that his brother already seemed to be on the cusp of a tension headache from his arrival - he would have been more than ready to pull Lan Wangji in for a deep kiss of appreciation for his encouraging words.
“Why, though?” Jiang Cheng asks, pulling Wei Wuxian away from such thoughts. His confusion is clear in how his brow furrows as he continues, deep creases suddenly decorating his forehead. “Not that it’s not a good thing for you to do - but you never even thought to try before. What made you suddenly decide to work on this now?”
Wei Wuxian gives a slightly awkward, half hearted shrug.
“Well, I couldn’t very well go the rest of my life being scared of them now, could I? A grown man, scared of dogs? Ha! It sounds silly just saying it, doesn't it?”
“Wei Wuxian …” Jiang Cheng shakes his head, breathing out a heavy sigh. “Don't do that.”
The air surrounding them suddenly grows thick. Wei Wuxian's expression falls, the humour which had been present there before fading, instead making room for the seriousness Jiang Cheng asks for.
“... Alright.”
This was something they had both agreed upon. That they would try to be more honest with each other, no longer hiding the truths which either of them felt the other may not want or like to hear. It’s something Wei Wuxian has been finding difficult - being so openly truthful wasn't normal for him, but he wanted to learn to be better at it. For both Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji at least, the two people whom he felt deserved such from him the most after everything.
He supposes it makes sense he wouldn't find it easy. Not after having spent so many years hiding and holding so much within himself until the very moment he had been ready to break.
“Jin Ling has Fairy. And I knew … after you spoke about wanting one, you’d soon get yourself a dog too. I figured that, seeing as they were becoming such a fixture in my life now, I’d work on getting used to being around them. Ah -” Wei Wuxian pauses briefly, scratching at the back of his head awkwardly, unable to meet Jiang Cheng's gaze. “I didn’t want to make things overly difficult for either you or Jin Ling just because of my phobia. I know it's been that way before, but -”
“You idiot.”
Wei Wuxian blinks at the interruption.
He suddenly finds his arms full with his brother, whose arms wrap tightly around him. Wei Wuxian's eyes grow wide at the rare show of affection from him, but he slowly moves to return the hug. Over the corner of Jiang Cheng's shoulder he looks to Lan Wangji, his eyebrows rising with his confusion. Lan Wangji responds by giving him a small nod, taking a small step backwards to give the both of them the illusion of space.
“Making sure you feel comfortable even if Jin Ling and I have dogs as pets is not making things 'overly difficult',” Jiang Cheng eventually says, his voice muffled from where his face is pressed against pressed his face against Wei Wuxian's arms. He feels how Jiang Cheng sucks in a deep breath, before pulling away to instead look at him with a look of determination.
“How many times must Jin Ling and I tell you; you are welcome in our homes. You are our family after all. We’ve been through too much for you to feel as if your phobia is something we all have to put up with.”
Wei Wuxian doesn’t know how to respond. It’s not something he’d expected to hear, although looking back he supposes he should be used to the unexpected by now. Instead he says nothing, watching silently as Jiang Cheng shakes his head, a heavy sigh falling past his lips.
“I couldn’t be more proud that you’re facing your phobia, but Wei Wuxian. Do it for you. Because you want to. Not because you believe your fear is an inconvenience to the rest of us, or that it''s owed” he pauses, eyes briefly flickering between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji again. His expression softens, and for a brief second Wei Wuxian sees the pride hidden behind his sternness. It's gone in a blink however as Jiang Cheng straightens his posture.
“How have you been getting on with things so far?”
Wei Wuxian’s expression turns bright, thankful for the shift in subject. He as good as bounces to stand by his brother's side, draping an arm over his shoulders with practiced ease. He looks to Lan Wangji, tilting his head forward and silently asking him to follow. As soon as Lan Wangji does Wei Wuxian smiles, turning to face ahead once more as the three of them begin to make a slow walk inside.
“Lan Zhan and I will tell you everything! But first, a drink perhaps, yes? The boat ride over here was so long, and Lan Zhan and I are exhausted. We are your humble guests. Look after us well during our stay, my dearest little brother!”
"Will you shut up? Fine, we'll talk over a drink. And your rooms ready anyway. You should know by now only the two of you use it."