Wild Creatures

Chapter 115

"Don't leave me?" He whispers it back, too tired to open his eyes when it comes out like a question.

"Never," Lan Zhan promises him, his big palm pressing up tightly on Wei Ying's back, rubbing up and down in a soothing circular motion. "Wei Ying is safe." His deep voice continues to reassure Wei Ying, a low murmur that only settles when he can smell Wei Ying's blood smelling like normal, seconds before he falls asleep once again.

Perhaps it is to be expected, Lan Zhan thinks to himself. They had just endured a terrifying battle with beings that could only be described as monsters, creatures of the night, their humanity slipping away from them until they were simply animalistic. The trauma of being in such an extraordinary situation, fraught with danger not only for Wei Ying, but those people that he cared about, so no wonder his fears manifested into dreams.

These past few days, Wei Ying had sunk into a dreamless sleep out of his exhaustion, and miraculously saved himself from the backlash of his subconscious mind. But now that his body thought it was recovered sufficiently, his sleeping mind wanted to revisit everything he had gone through, when Wei Ying wasn't awake to be able to tell the difference.

Maybe if Lan Zhan played soothing music for him, just before Wei Ying went to sleep? It might help, and Lan Zhan made a mental note to mention it later.

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Wei Ying is vaguely aware of being lifted up, and he whines at leaving the warmth of their bed. He nuzzles against a cool chest, and belatedly realises that there's no t-shirt dividing the smooth skin from his cheek. He hears a huff of amusement and he smiles, but it's just before he's suddenly sitting in hot water.

His eyes don't want to open though, and it feels so nice that Wei Ying falls asleep again.

Lan Zhan can't believe this! He doesn't know anyone who can sleep whilst taking a bath, and he hopes Wei Ying won't mind it too much. He wouldn't have disturbed Wei Ying at all but it was getting close to the time they would have to leave home to take the children to school.

After the drama of last night, Lan Zhan was even glad that Wei Ying could rest, because Wei Ying was the kind of person who needed his full eight hours of sleep, and it had been interrupted so terribly.

He squeezes his body wash onto a soft cloth and washes away the sweat of last night from Wei Ying's body, and his own too, letting the hot water ease Wei Ying's tense muscles. Hair is washed and dried once they exit the bathroom, and Lan Zhan has to laugh, because Wei Ying has somehow managed to stay asleep.

It's the smell of strong, sweet coffee which does the trick, and the aroma of fresh pancakes placed in front of him, that Wei Ying is roused from his slumber.

Uncle Qiren and the children have already eaten; they're in the library, reading, and waiting for their parents.

"How did I get here?" Wei Ying asks, looking around in a daze.

His tummy answers before Lan Zhan can, and he thinks that's a better response instead.

Ten minutes later, they're on their way to school in Lan Zhan's white Sports car, and Wei Ying is finally awake.

On the school playground, Wei Ying takes special care to kiss the boys three times each, once on both cheeks and then their foreheads.

For once, JingYi lets him, and A-Yuan stays still as usual. Too soon, they're waving goodbyes and then Lan Zhan and Wei Ying are walking back to the car.

They drive back to the manor and Wei Ying is surprised when Lan Zhan leads him back to their bedroom.

These past few days have passed in a haze of blissful normalness.