Chapter Text
It was hard to tell if it was the sun or the sharp press of Wei Ying’s elbow into his ribs that woke him. A glance at the clock letting him know it was already nearing lunch. One hand comes up as Lan Wangji yawns, running through his own hair before he looks down at Wei Ying.
The boy was squirmy but still asleep. Touching his forehead it is still too warm, a light sheen of sweat across it. Lan Wangji ran his fingers through Wei Ying’s now dry hair, smiling just a little as it bounces up around his face. It fit him, far better than the tangled mess it had been.
Picking up his phone, there are a few emails from teams asking questions. He has time until Wei Ying wakes so he answers, keeping himself busy until Wei Ying rolls over again. He looked down at the moving child and watched those silver eyes pry open, looking around slowly.
“Living room,” Lan Wangji answers for him, phone set aside as he strokes the boy’s head and listens to Wei Ying yawn, a sniffle following soon after. “Did you sleep okay?” He asks, Wei Ying now looking up at him, slowly blinking as wakefulness comes to him.
A series of quick blinks later, Wei Ying nods once. He rolls again and snuggles into Lan Wangji’s chest, tugging the blankets up. Lan Wangji helps, covering Wei Ying better. “Still cold?” He asks, hoping the delivery from Lan Qiren would be arriving soon.
Wei Ying gives a small shrug as he settles back in. Lan Wangji’s body is ready to get up, stuck laying in the same position for so long making him stiff. “Does your throat still hurt?” He asks, shifting a little himself and settling his weight on his other hip.
There is a moment of consideration before Wei Ying holds up his hand, indicating a little bit. It makes Lan Wangji smile, Wei Ying was well enough to communicate, even if not with his voice. “Do you want more tea? Or just water?”
Wei Ying pouted a little as he thought about his answer, head heavy on Lan Wangji’s chest. “Water,” Wei Ying answers in a whisper, unwilling to strain his throat anymore than he already had.
“Mind if we get up then? I’ll carry you,” Lan Wangji offers, not certain if Wei Ying is still as desperate to hold on as the night before but not willing to test it either. Wei Ying gives another little nod in response. As Lan Wangji starts to get up he feels Wei Ying’s hands latch on with a bit more force. Seems neither of them were quite ready to separate yet.
Carefully carrying Wei Ying wrapped in a blanket, Lan Wangji walks to the kitchen, getting them both glasses of water before leaning on the counter. Little Apple was squished between them, Wei Ying using both hands to support the cup. “Slow,” Lan Wangji tells him softly, “Too fast could upset your stomach again.”
Wei Ying blinks down at the water, but takes slow sips of it. Lan Wangji drinks slowly as well, looking at the bit of mess he had made of the kitchen the night before. When Wei Ying was ready to be put down he could clean up.
The boy was also looking around the kitchen, he admitted to Lan Qiren that he didn’t remember much of the bath and he had been quite exhausted after everything. Lan Wangji tilts his head as Wei Ying points at the bath, “Yes?” He asks, trying to decipher the motions.
“New,” Wei Ying breathes out, voice a little stronger but still raspy. Lan Wangji nodded slowly, he’d have to get better at little signals, Wei Ying wasn’t up for much talking. “It is,” he answers, “I got it for you so you could have baths where you feel safe. I got some fun soaps and bath toys too, but we were too busy last night for them.”
Wei Ying takes another long drink of his water before nodding his head. Lan Wangji set his empty cup aside and moved with Wei Ying, kneeling by the bath and things. “I got bubble bath as well,” he comments as he picks up a rubber duck with rabbit ears, squeaking it lightly.
Lan Wangji watches as Wei Ying stares at it, balancing his cup in one hand to reach out and squeak it himself. There is a sniffle, Wei Ying going to hug his cup of water as he leaned more into Lan Wangji. “I think next time we can play with the bubbles,” Lan Wangji continued softly.
The small nod of agreement helps Lan Wangji take a deep breath, standing with Wei Ying again. They are quiet as they drink water, Lan Wangji giving Wei Ying time. He had hoped to see a hint of Wei Ying’s warm smile, but there was nothing.
Lan Wangji sets Wei Ying’s empty glass down as the boy coughs, one hand clutching at Lan Wangji while the other covers his mouth, eyes squeezed shut. Lan Wangji rubs his back through the little fit, carrying them back to the couch.
Wei Ying was weak, even in the way he held on Lan Wangji could tell he didn’t have much strength to spare. His forehead was still dotted with sweat, his face flushed and blotchy, his features somewhat sunken from dehydration, he needed rest. For how strong Wei Ying was to survive alone, seeing him like this was a reminder to Lan Wangji that he really was just a child.
Taking a seat again Lan Wangji rests himself back a little, keeping Wei Ying facing him in his lap. He wasn’t clutching to Lan Wangji anymore, content enough just being close. When there was a small sway of Wei Ying toward Lan Wangji he steadied the boy, a hand resting on his forehead a moment.
“Wei Ying,” he calls softly, moving his hand from the hot skin. Wei Ying blinks slowly, focusing on Lan Wangji. “Mn,” Wei Ying murmurs to answer, his arms pulling Little Apple to himself.
“You know you can tell me anything, right?” Lan Wangji asks gently and waits for an answer. Wei Ying stares for a long moment before slowly nodding. “You were feeling bad all day yesterday, weren’t you?” He asks, well aware of the answer. Wei Ying on the other hand looks down a little, shrugging his shoulders.
“Please, look at me,” Lan Wangji tells him, even as he feels Wei Ying tense a little, doing as asked. “You know I’m not angry with you for being sick?” He asks, a hand slowly rubbing Wei Ying’s arm. Wei Ying nods more quickly to the question.
“Then why are you trying to hide it?” Lan Wangji asks, frowning softly. Wei Ying squirms a little under the pressure of the question and Lan Wangji’s gaze. The boy’s eyes falling again and holding Little Apple tighter.
“Lan Zhan…sad,” Wei Ying whispered, his fingers playing with the ribbon around Little Apple’s neck. “N-No make Lan Zhan sad.” Lan Wangji’s fingers paused for a moment, then continued. He hadn’t accounted for just how much of an influence he had over Wei Ying.
“I may feel a little sad because you are sick,” Lan Wangji agreed, watching Wei Ying frown more, “But,” he continues, the boy looking up a little bit, “I am more sad when I can’t help. If you keep it a secret then it gets worse.”
The child seems to think about that, slowly nodding his head. It had indeed gotten worse last night. “I'd rather be a little bit sad but trying to help, than watching and not knowing if something is wrong. Do you understand?” Lan Wangji asks him. Wei Ying was very smart, he caught onto things quickly, but sometimes Lan Wangji worried about him. It felt like Wei Ying was taught otherwise when it came to caring about himself.
It takes a little bit for Wei Ying to answer, the boy weighing the options, but slowly there was a nod of his head. “Will you tell me the truth then?” Lan Wangji asks, touching Wei Ying’s warm cheek. “Yesterday was hard, I won’t ask. I am not upset. I understand there are things you may not be able to say. But little things, how you feel, will you try with that?”
The mention of the night before had Wei Ying hugging Little Apple tighter, glancing toward Lan Wangji to make sure he meant the words he was saying. “Mn,” Wei Ying answered quietly before another small, “No mad?”
“Never,” Lan Wangji tells him, giving a small smile to try and help. “I’m never going to be mad at you for being scared. I,” Lan Wangji pauses a moment, considering before continuing, “I understand something very very bad happened a long time ago.” Wei Ying’s body started to tighten up, his head nodding in small quick motions.
“I understand that is why you are alone. And that it hurt you very badly too,” There is a sniffle as Wei Ying nods quickly again, his eyes starting to get a little hazy with tears. “I don’t mean to remind you of it. I know nothing I can do will make it better-”
“Stay,” Wei Ying’s voice wobbles and he reaches for Lan Wangji who doesn’t hold him back, letting the boy fall against him and clutch at him. “L-Lan Zhan stay. Make better,” Wei Ying whispered out, sniffling. Lan Wangji wraps his arms around the boy, “I’m right here,” he promised, “I’ll always stay right here.”
Wei Ying’s little fright calmed easily, more of an over-tired and overwhelmed reaction than anything serious. Still, Lan Wangji lets the topic settle, Wei Ying in no place for it. When the boy is breathing more steadily he sits him up a little again, looking into those hazy silver eyes.
“Will you answer my questions?” LanWangji asks, waiting for the nod before continuing. “Are you cold?” Wei Ying very slowly nodded his head in answer. “Thank you,” Lan Wangji told him as he pulled more of the blankets up, wrapping them over Wei Ying’s shoulders. The boy struggled to get warm when he was healthy, it was going to be harder like this.
“Does your throat still hurt?” At this Wei Ying’s lips parted before his brows furrowed and he shrugged. “Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji says gently, knowing there was more of an answer. Wei Ying pouted a little but licked his lips, “H-hurt to talk loud. But okay,” it comes in a whisper and Lan Wangji listens intently.
“When the medicine comes I can give you something to help with that,” he tells the boy who blinks then nods. “Will you tell me about your tummy? Does it feel upset? Are you hungry?” They both look down at Wei Ying’s stomach, Lan Wangji just following Wei Ying’s eyes. “No hungry,” Wei Ying answers quietly, “Feel…” The boy trails off, frowning as he tries to find the correct words. “Bleh,” he finally says, sticking his tongue out.
Lan Wangji smiles just a little at the description, a hand moving and gently patting his tummy. “Do you think you’re going to be sick again? I’ll get you a container to keep with you, so you don’t have to…” Lan Wangji trails, not wanting to say it and remind him of the bathroom again.
Wei Ying rests a hand on his own stomach and thinks for a while, poking at his thin form once. “Not sick. Just…yucky.” Lan Wangji nods, “I’m sorry you feel yucky. Hopefully the medicine will come soon so you can feel a little better.”
The boy nods, looking at Lan Wangji again, “All done?” He asks quietly and Lan Wangji nods back to him. “No more questions right now.” With that answer Wei Ying sighs, falling forward against Lan Wangji’s chest again and coughing, curling up against him.
Catching Wei Ying was second nature at this point, Lan Wangji pulling the blankets to follow the child and shifting up a little to make it more comfortable for himself. “You can rest if you are tired,” he tells the boy who answers with another sniffle.
It is quiet after that, Lan Wangji trying to give Wei Ying time to rest and Wei Ying tucked up in Lan Wangji and a stack of blankets as big as him. It takes a moment for Lan Wangji to notice the little hand poking out of the blankets, pointing at the coffee table.
Following the finger he sees the stack of new books and colouring supplies. Smiling just a little, Lan Wangji reached out, grasping the edge of the coffee table and pulling it close enough to reach. “They are new,” he explains to Wei Ying, watching the arm retreat.
“I got us things so we can draw. I need to work on my drawing of bunnies, my little note isn’t very good,” Lan Wangji continued, glancing down as Wei Ying shifted. It was only a small moment, but there was the barest hint of a smile on his face, so Lan Wangji continued.
“I also found lots of books for us. Little Apple was helping me pick them out,” this gets Wei Ying to look up, lips parting in surprise. Lan Wangji smiles a little and spreads them out with one hand. “They have more pictures, I’m sure you’ll be able to read them alone soon enough.”
“Bunny,” Wei Ying whispered out, making a grabbing motion toward one of the books. Lan Wangji picks it up. He mostly purchased children's educational books.
He had a few with stories, but when looking at the books often they ended up being about little animals getting lost from home, going on an adventure to come back to their parents, or fighting big bad monsters, all of which felt a little too close to home for reading with Wei Ying. So he stuck with safe things.
Lan Wangji flipped the book open, the pages had bunnies all over them, earning a small gasp from the boy in his arms. “Read?” Wei Ying asks quietly, looking up at Lan Wangji. “Of course,” Lan Wangji answers, positioning them a bit better.
He held the book closer, knowing Wei Ying liked the pictures. Starting at the beginning he read, speaking slow and steady, pausing between the little paragraphs. Wei Ying’s free hand came up, lightly running over the pictures of the bunnies and the grass they ran on. There is a sniffle, Wei Ying’s hand falling as he yawns.
“Lan Zhan…take care of bunnies,” Wei Ying whispered, sounding half asleep. Lan Wangji pauses his reading, one hand stroking through Wei Ying’s soft hair. “I will make sure they are happy and healthy until Wei Ying is ready to care for them again.”
There is a small hum in response but little else. Lan Wangji continues reading, but after a few pages it is clear Wei Ying fell asleep. So he falls quiet, marking the page to close the book.
“LnZhn,” it is all sort of mashed into one word, but Lan Wangji responds by gently tapping his head, “Mn?” He asks quietly, smiling a little at the sleepy mumbling of the boy. “R..read,” Wei Ying mumbles back out, making Lan Wangji huff a little laugh.
But he opens the book, continuing on. This goes for a while, evidently Wei Ying was refusing to sleep until he heard all the bunny facts there were to offer. Lan Wangji doubted he was awake enough to remember any of them, but continued until the book was through anyway.
---
It is right before Lan Wangji finishes the book that there is a knock at the front door. He looks up before a breath is forced out of him by Wei Ying jolting upright. “Hey, it’s okay,” Lan Wangji tried to speak to him.
Wei Ying was breathing hard, looking around them quickly. His hands having found Lan Wangji’s shirt and clinging, “Run,” Wei Ying says, fear and urgency wrapped together as he tugs at Lan Wangji. “Run,” He repeats again, this time flinching as there was one more knock.
Lan Wangji pulls Wei Ying close, sitting up more to wrap around him better, listening to the panicked breathing. “We don’t need to run,” he tells him gently, “It is just the medicine, they are already leaving.”
There is a whimper from the boy, face hiding in Lan Wangji’s shoulder. “Not safe. Run. Please,” Wei Ying begs him, the desperation clear in his voice. Lan Wangji takes a deep breath, he gathers Wei Ying up and stands, taking as many blankets with the boy as he can. He then walks through the kitchen and out into the yard.
He wanted to talk it through, Wei Ying would need to learn eventually not to fear something like a knock at the door. But with everything else, with the long night and the sickness, he wasn’t going to fight it. Wei Ying was in a fragile state both physically and emotionally, he saw the world as a threat and Lan Wangji had to remember that.
Wei Ying needed fresh air, perhaps they both needed the small break. The outside was where the boy truly felt safest. Lan Wangji walks in a slow circle around the yard, rubbing Wei Ying’s back and murmuring that they were okay. Wei Ying isn’t crying, he is tight, braced for something that was not coming.
It was cold out, the wind biting through Lan Wangji’s shirt. He pulled the blankets closer around Wei Ying, not wanting him to get any worse. “A-all gone?” Wei Ying asked in a shaking voice as some of the tension finally started to leave him. Lan Wangji stopped his pacing, looking down at the buried face of Wei Ying. The child looked about ready to start crying, shivering slightly from the chill of the wind.
“All gone,” he agreed softly, pulling the blankets to try and cover more of Wei Ying’s face. “We are safe,” he tells him as Wei Ying hides again. The slow confidence he had seen building in Wei Ying since those early days had been crushed so easily by one bad night. It was hard watching the progress drain away.
“May we go back inside?” Lan Wangji asks softly, leaving it up to Wei Ying. He knew if the boy was in good health he would have been over the fence and long gone by now. Was it wrong to be thankful Wei Ying didn’t have the energy to run?
Wei Ying fights through a violent shiver, followed by a hacking cough, shaking a little more in Lan Wangji’s arms. “P-promise safe,” Wei Ying looks up, that small face so worn down yet still so trusting. Even as scared as Lan Wangji could see him, Wei Ying was willing to trust Lan Wangji’s judgement.
“I promise,” Lan Wangji tells him, pressing a kiss to his hot forehead. “Can I take you to the front door to get the medicine?” He asks, already moving toward the kitchen, needing to get out of the cold as he suppressed a shiver.
“No let go,” Wei Ying murmured, tucking himself impossibly closer to Lan Wangji. “I won’t,” he assures the child as he moves through the home, letting Wei Ying hide his flushed face against his neck as he walks to the front.
Opening the door Lan Wangji was a bit surprised, it was more than expected. Then again, Lan Qiren was one to cover every possibility. He leaned down, one arm supporting Wei Ying while the other grabbed as many bags as he could in one go. He kicks the last one inside, closing the door and walking the bags to the kitchen.
Once everything is on the table he goes about unpacking and sorting. There was quite the pile of different medications, then a pile for first aid and other medical supplies, as well as simple foods and some fuzzy socks.
Lan Wangji put the food away before coming back, reading each medication in turn. He wasn’t quite sure what to give and didn’t want to risk mixing anything that wasn’t safe. While he was reading Wei Ying dared to poke his head out, looking at the collection.
“Lots,” Wei Ying whispered, getting a hum of agreement from Lan Wangji. “Shufu was very kind, he wants to help us be healthy,” he explains, shifting Wei Ying on his hip to rub a little along his back. “He got us new soft socks too. I think we should try them and send a picture.”
“Mn,” Wei Ying answered quietly, snuggling into his blankets and Lan Wangji, watching him wearily. Lan Wangji put down the current bottle of cough syrup, picking up and opening the thermometer. “Open up,” he directed Wei Ying.
The boy complies easily, letting Lan Wangji position the thermometer in his mouth and closing as directed. They wait together, Lan Wangji watching the number tick upwards slowly. He knew the blankets weren’t exactly helping, but Wei Ying’s body couldn’t keep up with a fever without the extra bulk.
Eventually the thermometer beeps, making Wei Ying jump a little before Lan Wangji takes it. He looks at the number as the beeping quiets, it is high but not enough to be an emergency. “Sick?” Wei Ying whispers, head resting heavily against Lan Wangji, eyes falling closed.
“Mn,” Lan Wangji tells him, continuing his investigation of their options. “Xiao Mainbao is sick. But we will make it better.” The use of the nickname gets a small huff of air from the sick boy but there is little else in response.
Lan Wangji sets aside what he needs to give Wei Ying now and later, focusing on getting his temperature down and helping his cough first. He gets a glass of water and then measures out little cups of the liquid medication for Wei Ying.
There is a temptation to give Wei Ying a nighttime medication, wanting to get the anxious child some chance at rest. But those medications could cause vivid dreams and he knew the nightmares Wei Ying had were already vivid enough. He’d just have to hope that after his fever started to fall he’d let himself sleep.
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji called gently, feeling the heavy head of the boy lift a little. “I have your medicine ready. It probably won’t taste very good but it will make you feel better,” he explains, letting Wei Ying look down at the little cups. One was grape, the other orange.
The boy reaches out slowly, Lan Wangji giving him one first, watching Wei Ying drink it slowly and make an unhappy face before making a grabby hand for the other. He passes it over as well then replaces it with the water which Wei Ying drinks more readily. “Ew,” Wei Ying mumbled, letting Lan Wangji take the water and wrapping his arms around the man.
“You did very well,” Lan Wangji tells him, rinsing out the little measuring cups and placing them back on the table. He carried Wei Ying to the living room and paused, trying to decide if he should try and get him to sleep in the bed or not.
The decision is made as he walks to the couch. He would have to clean the kitchen and make some food if Wei Ying would release him, it was best to stay close enough Wei Ying could wake and be able to see him.
There is no request to read this time, just the two of them laying on the couch. Lan Wangji hummed softly, gently petting Wei Ying’s head. The boy snuggled himself between the back of the couch and Lan Wangji, holding onto Little Apple with one hand still grasping Lan Wangji’s shirt.
It takes time, Wei Ying was fighting sleep today. But when the medicine started to kick in it was clear, his body relaxing, the hand clutching Lan Wangji falling. Lan Wangji continued the soft song for a little longer, making sure Wei Ying was sleeping well, tucking his blankets up around him carefully.
---
Once Wei Ying was asleep Lan Wangji slipped from the couch. He paused a few times to make sure Wei Ying wasn’t waking. He didn’t want to scare him by being gone, but he needed to do things Wei Ying couldn’t.
That started with cleaning the bathroom. Bringing the left behind water glass out to the kitchen and taking cleaning supplies back with him. It wasn’t much, but it would have been easier to clean last night.
It isn’t enjoyable, but he cleans quickly. This was the one place Wei Ying wouldn’t be able to find him if he woke up, the one place he never wanted to force Wei Ying back into until he was ready. Once it was clean he washed his hands and carried everything back out to the kitchen.
Lan Wangji was working as quietly as he could, his head turning to check on the sleeping boy every few minutes. He couldn’t help it. Last night was hard on both of them, he needed the reassurance that Wei Ying was here and alright just as much as Wei Ying needed to know Lan Wangji was there for him.
Laundry is started, the bath moved to the side and everything is properly cleaned. His own stomach was growling having missed breakfast and lunch, so he started dinner. A few other dishes get started as well, he rather be able to heat things up than have to try and cook with a sick child on his side.
Tonight the goal was soup, something light, a broth with little else in it. Wei Ying’s stomach was sensitive and he wanted to be on the cautious side. But he also started a pot of chicken congee, it would be more filling for himself and was a good start when Wei Ying was ready for more solid foods again.
A small sound comes from the couch and Lan Wangji looks over. Wei Ying rolls over, curling back up. Taking a moment from his cooking Lan Wangji comes out, checking on the boy and finding him still asleep, but sweaty. He presses a soft kiss to Wei Ying’s head, waiting until he relaxes to stand.
Moving back to the kitchen, he lightly wets a hand towel and comes back, laying the cool rag over Wei Ying’s hot head. The child whimpers a little then calms, hugging his stuffed animal tight. Lan Wangji kneels there for a moment more, watching Wei Ying.
How often did he get sick all these years? Fighting off something like this curled up in some tree or bush, unable to get warm, unable to eat or defend himself. Lan Wangji leaned down, kissing Wei Ying’s head once more, “Thank you,” he whispered before he walked back to the stove.
With things a bit calmer he took out his phone, calling his uncle. He owed some explanation and a thank you. The quick answer wasn’t much of a surprise, but it still made Lan Wangji feel a bit better knowing his uncle was there. “Everything is alright,” he starts, wanting to calm things first.
“How are you? How is he?” Lan Qiren asks, having been worried himself since the calls the night before. It had looked and sounded quite bad. “I am a little frayed. Neither of us have much energy to pretend to be completely okay. But I am managing, trying to get some food going. He is asleep, finally. His temperature is high, he has a bad cough, his stomach is fighting him.”
“Did he sleep last night?” Lan Qiren continued, Wei Ying had looked exhausted when he saw him. “Yes, but he has been fighting it today. He’s weak. He can’t do much on his own right now, I’m just glad he is resting.”
Lan Wangji stirs the congee, taking a deep breath, “Thank you. For the supplies and last night. I…it was overwhelming.” Lan Qiren hums softly, agreeing. “I am more than willing to help Wangji. What happened?”
There is a small pause, Lan Wangji looking out toward Wei Ying to make sure the boy was still asleep. “Can we add Xiongzhang to the call? I’d rather not have to explain more than once.”
“Give me a moment, I told him Wei Ying was ill and had to stop him from getting a flight,” Lan Qiren murmurs as he looks at his phone, “I would have joined him of course,” he continues, as if it were perfectly normal for ones family to fly out at the slightest event. Still, it made Lan Wangji smile just a little, listening as his uncle struggled to start a group call.
“Wei Ying would have never gotten to sleep with the two of you here fretting over him,” he tells his uncle as he watches the pot of rice boil. “I am aware, but it is hard-”
“How is my nephew?” Lan Xichen interrupts immediately upon entering the call. Lan Wangji huffs out a small laugh, eyes closing for a moment. “He is not your nephew,” he tells his brother and looks out at Wei Ying. “He’s sleeping, feeling very yucky and quite scared.”
“No arguing, you’re his guardian making him my nephew. Don’t take this from me didi.” Lan Wangji sighs, he can almost hear the pout in his brother’s voice. “Fine. But don’t say it in front of him. He will choose what he wants us to be to him.”
“He calls me Shufu,” Lan Qiren pipes in, causing a huff from Lan Xichen at the smug sound of their uncle’s voice. “Are you two done?” Lan Wangji asks, unable to keep his amusement completely out of his tone.
“Sorry Wangji,” Lan Xichen apologises and goes on, “How are you? Shufu said it wasn’t good.” Lan Wangji turned down the heat and covered the pot, leaning back on the counter and watching Wei Ying.
“Tired mostly. He’s jumpier than he’s been in a long time, it’s been quite the effort just to get him to rest,” he explains, letting his shoulders fall slightly. “He had a small panic attack when the delivery man knocked. He kept begging me to run.”
“He made no effort to himself?” Lan Qiren asked, well aware of Wei Ying’s talent in disappearing. “Not truly. He’s too weak. The fever alone is taking everything out of him. He couldn’t even crawl last night.”
“That’s a little concerning,” Lan Xichen murmurs, “I know you can’t really take him anywhere but…” The man trails off and Lan Wangji sighs a little. “I am aware. He’s not getting worse. If it comes down to it, I’ll call you.”
“We will be here,” Lan Qiren soothes and takes a deep breath, “What happened. You’ve said he’s still afraid.”
Lan Wangji takes a moment, checking the dishes on the stove and trying to piece things together for his family. “He was trying to hide that he was unwell. He worries it makes me sad, I think he will do better with that now. But last night he forced dinner down. I tried to say something but I forget how food insecure he is sometimes.”
“You said he’s been staying inside lately,” Lan Xichen starts to ask and Lan Wangji answers with a soft “Mn. I would say he is comfortable for the most part. I don’t think he helps himself to snacks, even though I offer. He did run off for a few days, it’s what started all of this.”
He paused, staring at Wei Ying again. “He’s been struggling with something ever since he saw the bathroom. I didn’t,” a sigh, Lan Wangji rubbing his face. “I didn’t put it together until it was too late. I just thought he may have been overwhelmed with everything. I was foolish.”
“You can’t be expected to know everything Wangji,” Lan Qiren interrupts, “Whatever happened was not your fault. Wei Ying views the world with fear, you can’t always know what may scare him.”
“I should have known Shufu,” Lan Wangji breathes, holding the phone a little tighter. “You didn’t see him.”
“Wangji,” Lan Xichen speaks up, voice gentle, “I’m missing a few steps here.”
“Sorry,” he takes another slow breath. “He threw up. I wasn’t thinking clearly, I didn’t know what to do so I sent him to the bathroom. When I got there…ge, he was trying to claw his way out. His arms were giving out under him and he just looked at me and begged for help.”
The other lines are quiet, letting Lan Wangji explain. He tells them how Wei Ying held onto him and screamed, how he was clinging so tightly that Lan Wangji had bruises. He tells them about Wei Ying’s begging, about how he finally put together that the bathroom was where Wei Ying had been held, where he had been tortured.
He explains that Wei Ying refused to be let go, that he had to crawl into the bath with the boy just so he wouldn’t scream. Lan Wangji’s voice may waver as he explains the marks on Wei Ying’s body to his family, that he didn’t know if they still hurt him. And since then Wei Ying has been quiet, he hasn’t managed to get a smile. He can’t tell if it is just the fever or if there is more weighing the child down.
“Do you need us?” Lan Qiren asks as Lan Wangji finishes. It was a lot, a difficult time for both Wei Ying and Lan Wangji. Proof that the child has been harmed, all of the strain of it piled atop him.
“I don’t think it will help. He isn’t necessarily frightened of the two of you but I don’t think more bodies will make him comfortable. Especially when he is too weak to run,” Lan Wangji answers, getting a few hums of acceptance in response.
“Keep him hydrated, stay on top of the medicine,” Lan Qiren directs. Lan Wangji listens as he dishes out the finished meals and starts to put things away. “Is there anything I can do?” Lan Xichen asks, not having much advice to give. He felt horrible about what happened to Wei Ying and he saw just how important that boy was to his brother.
“I am not sur-” Lan Wangji’s answer was cut off. Through the phone the other men could only make out some of it but it sounded like a frightened call of Lan Zhan’s name.
“I’m here,” Lan Wangji speaks gently, the phone still tucked on his shoulder as he kneels down by the couch. Wei Ying sniffles, grabbing at him. “No alone,” Wei Ying tells him, voice wobbling. There is some shuffling as the child is picked up, Lan Wangji letting the warm boy rest against his chest. “I was in the kitchen, Wei Ying isn’t alone.”
“Wangji,” Lan Qiren calls, reminding him of the phone call. “We can let you go if you need to tend to him.”
“Shufu,” he answers, “Apologies, I can send-”
“Shufu,” Wei Ying murmurs tiredly, Lan Wangji looking down at him. “He is on the phone,” he tells the boy, “Lan Xichen is too.”
“Th-thank Shufu,” Wei Ying sniffles. Lan Wangji smiles just a little, sitting on the couch and moving the phone from his shoulder, putting it on speaker. “We do need to thank Shufu, he got us new socks.”
“Mn,” Wei Ying answers quietly, leaning heavily on Lan Wangji.
“Do you like them?” Lan Qiren asks, even with the warning there is a small jolt from Wei Ying at the sudden voice. His head picks up, looking at the phone. “We haven’t tried them on yet, but they look very soft,” Lan Wangji answers for him.
“Thank you Shufu,” Wei Ying’s nasally voice rings out, all stuffed up from his sickness. “You’re welcome Wei Ying,” Lan Qiren responds, “I hope you feel better soon.”
“Make Wangji let you watch movies,” Lan Xichen pipes in, causing a blink of surprise from Wei Ying. The boy is silent, looking up at Lan Wangji as if unsure what to do.
“Ge, he needs rest not excitement,” Lan Wangji admonishes, giving Wei Ying a gentle smile to try and put him at ease.
“Watch movie,” Wei Ying murmured, looking at the phone. There is a soft laugh from Lan Xichen, “One wouldn’t hurt Wangji.” Lan Wangji sighs, they outnumber him at this point and if Wei Ying really wants it he wouldn’t be able to say no. “We can try.”
There is a small tug on his shirt, getting his attention as he looks back down at the tired boy. Wei Ying points to the phone, “Where?” He asks quietly. “Where what?” Lan Wangji prompts, bringing the phone closer in case Wei Ying wanted to look.
The child frowns a little, poking the screen. “Shufu. Where?” He asks again, the empty call screen coming up as he pokes at it. “I am still here,” Lan Qiren answers, but Wei Ying frowns deeper. Lan Wangji watches Wei Ying for a minute, before he tilts his own head.
“Are you wondering why we can’t see their faces?” He asks Wei Ying. So far he’d only had Wei Ying see video calls and he had been a bit confused by that as well. The question earns a nod and a sniffle, Wei Ying staring up at him and waiting on his answer.
“This is just a normal phone call, no video. So they can’t see us either,” Lan Wangji explains, not expecting the frown on Wei Ying to stay. After a moment of silence from all sides he asks, “Do you want to see them?”
“Mn,” Wei Ying answers, nodding and poking the phone screen again. Lan Wangji holds back his sigh, looking at the phone. “Would you two be okay with that? If you are busy-”
“A wonderful idea. Why don’t you call from your computer to make it easier?” Lan Xichen interrupts, “I’ll be waiting didi,” he warns before hanging up. “I’ll also wait,” Lan Qiren adds and he too hangs up the call. Lan Wangji this time doesn’t hold back, sighing softly.
“They seem excited,” he says, looking down at Wei Ying. The boy bites lightly at his own lip, smiling just barely. Lan Wangji relaxes a little, a hand touching Wei Ying’s forehead. The medicine was helping, Wei Ying wasn’t terribly hot anymore and clearly was feeling a little better even if he was still anxious.
“Are you excited too?” He asks, standing with Wei Ying in his arms and moving across the room to pull his computer out from its resting spot on a side table. “Mn,” Wei Ying answers softly as they sit back down, this time in front of the coffee table where Lan Wangji sets up.
Wei Ying crawls into his lap, pulling his blankets around them and hugging Little Apple as he watches Lan Wangji use the computer. Lan Wangji opens the contacts and scrolls down to his uncle, pressing a few buttons before a call starts for the three of them.
It barely rings once before two faces appear on the screen looking at them. The suddenness of it makes Wei Ying flinch, his gaze flickering between the two faces with fear for a moment. But Lan Wangji rests a gentle hand on his head, letting him adjust as he speaks to his family.
“Can you see the both of us?” He asks. The others seem to have picked up on Wei Ying’s little fright. That or they were just looking at the fevered haze the boy had going on. “I can see both of you just fine,” Lan Xichen answers.
“Hello Wei Ying,” Lan Qiren greets, the boy taking a slow breath and then waving a little. “Hi Shufu,” the child answers quietly, glancing up at Lan Wangji after to make sure he was doing well.
“Do you want to thank him again?” Lan Wangji asks gently, playing with Wei Ying’s hair as the boy starts to relax again. “Mn,” Wei Ying nods a little, looking back at the screen. “Shufu,” he calls first, waiting for Lan Qiren to hum in response, “Thank you. Like warm things,” Wei Ying tells him, trying to smile but it falls and he just looks exhausted instead.
“You are welcome. I hope they help keep you warm,” Lan Qiren answers, starting to better understand the weight that Wangji had described.
“Hi Wei Ying, or do you still go by Xiao Mianbao?” Lan Xichen speaks up, watching the boy check with Lan Wanji.
The use of the name from someone else makes Wei Ying blink, but then his lips twitch upward just a little. It was the closest Lan Wangji has seen to a real smile all day. “Lan Zhan calls me that,” Wei Ying murmurs, looking down at Little Apple and playing with his floppy ear, “It’s silly.”
“I think it is rather cute,” Lan Xichen smiles gently, “Just like your little animal there. Does he have a good name?”
Wei Ying brightens up as his head lifts and he nods, “Little Apple,” Wei Ying announces as he holds up his prized possession. “Mama helped pick,” he explains, another brief smile on the boy's face as he hugs his donkey again.
“That is a very good name indeed,” Xichen answers, Lan Wangji rubs small circles on Wei Ying’s arm. It was good seeing Wei Ying start to come back to himself, he was just watching to make sure he didn’t crash.
“Do you remember my name?” Lan Xichen asks, the screen on his side moving slightly as Xichen takes a screenshot of his baby brother and new nephew together.
The boy sniffles again, nodding his head at the question. “Xichen-ge,” Wei Ying announces easily, snuggling back against Lan Wangji. There is silence for a moment, Lan Wangji watching his brother’s silent reaction to the declaration with some worry. “Ge?” He asks softly.
“I need a moment,” Lan Xichen’s voice wavers, causing some concern from everyone present. “Xichen?” Qiren asks. Wei Ying frowns slightly and looks up at Lan Wangji, “Xichen-ge sick?”
There is a sound from Lan Xichen’s side at the words, Lan Wangji frowning a little himself. “Xiongzhang. You are worrying him,” he tells his brother, not certain what is happening.
“He called me ge,” Lan Xichen says, wiping at what was apparently a tear in his eye. Wei Ying makes a small sound, Lan Wangji patting his arm gently, “Are you upset by that?” He asks his brother, knowing better but wanting Xichen to tell Wei Ying himself.
“No!” Lan Xichen hurries to clear up, sniffling a little, “No, I like it,” he smiles at them again, “Thank you Wei Ying.” The boy stares a little longer, as if deciding if Lan Xichen was telling the truth before he nods slowly.
Soft conversation continues, Lan Qiren asking about the rabbits and Lan Wangji answering. Wei Ying occasionally adds something but is still rather subdued. Lan Xichen holds small talk with Wei Ying, impressed with how far he has come from the silent and fearful child he saw in his brother’s yard. All of them relaxed as Wei Ying started to more freely give weak smiles.
In one of these little talks Lan Xichen is sharing embarrassing stories about Lan Wangji with Wei Ying staring with wide eyes to take it all in. His lips are parted and at one point the boy gasps softly. The sudden breath turns into a cough which soon starts a coughing fit.
Wei Ying’s face goes red, harsh coughs for his little body leaving him. Lan Wangji turns him so he can pat his back, holding him as one of Wei Ying’s hands grabs at his shirt as each cough makes him jerk. When it finishes Wei Ying is panting softly, looking so very tired, and the other two are quiet, watching the weak boy curl up against Lan Wangji’s chest.
“That may be enough excitement for today,” Lan Wangji says softly, stroking Wei Ying’s hair and taking a nearby tissue to clean the boy’s face. Wei Ying just makes a quiet sound, not agreeing or disagreeing.
“I can finish the story next time we call, okay Wei Ying?” Lan Xichen offers gently. There is a nod in answer from Wei Ying, a hand raising to give a tired wave as his head sinks into Lan Wangji’s chest. “Rest up, Wangji will take good care of you,” he tells the boy, smiling a little at the faster nod before giving goodbyes and hanging up.
“Give the medicine with food if you can, it may help his stomach,” Lan Qiren instructed Lan Wangji, both Wei Ying and Lan Wangji nodding along to the instructions even if Wei Ying’s eyes were closed.
“Wei Ying,” the child blinks his eyes open at the call of his name from Qiren. “Shufu,” he acknowledges softly. “Sleep is very important when you are sick, make sure you get lots of it. And tell Wangji if something is wrong, he wants to fix it.” Wei Ying nods a little as he is given his own instructions. “Try,” Wei Ying answers.
There is another round of goodbyes before the call ends and silence falls back over their home. Lan Wangji rubs small circles on Wei Ying’s back as he crumples into him. “We have to take medicine,” he tells the child gently, “And I made us some soup if you think you can try it.”
“Soup,” Wei Ying murmurs, eyes closing again. “Can you wait on the couch while I get everything ready?” Lan Wangji asks, knowing Wei Ying hasn’t been up for separation yet. And the first response is Wei Ying’s hand tightening their hold, eyes opening again and a frown pulling at his lips.
Lan Wangji nods, giving his understanding that he would be carrying Wei Ying again until Wei Ying starts to slowly let go. The boy doesn’t try to go anywhere, “Okay?” Lan Wangji asks, a little worried.
“I stay,” Wei Ying murmurs, hugging Little Apple close to himself again. “Wait for Lan Zhan.” Lan Wangji moves a long strand of hair from Wei Ying’s face, “It won’t be long and you can see me the whole time. Are you sure?” He asks, wanting to make Wei Ying as comfortable as he could.
After a nod of affirmation Lan Wangji shifts, lifting Wei Ying back onto the couch and tucking his blankets up as the boy tugs at them. He waits a moment for Wei Ying to settle before moving into the kitchen.
There he puts away the dishes he finished earlier and pulls out the soup, preparing two bowls. One was a little less full for Wei Ying, hoping to keep him from pushing himself. He then measures out the next dose of medicine and water for the both of them before putting it all on a tray to carry.
Coming back he was well aware of Wei Ying’s eyes on him. He set the tray down and sat on the ground. “Do you,” Lan Wangji didn’t have to finish his question as Wei Ying slid himself off the couch and crawled back into his lap. He helped the child adjust and settle before starting with the medicine.
Wei Ying takes it without prompting, reaching for the water afterward to clear the taste from his mouth. Lan Wangji lets him drink for a little while before passing him his bowl of soup. “Careful,” he tells him gently, helping set it in Wei Ying’s lap. It would be best if neither of them were covered in soup tonight.
Lan Wangji waits a moment before starting his own meal, quite hungry himself. Wei Ying takes longer, but he doesn’t try to push. The boy stares at the bowl before taking a small sip. There is none of the happy humming, no smiles, just a tired child drinking the broth for warmth.
They eat quietly, Lan Wangji making sure Wei Ying wasn’t going too fast and watching for signs that he may not feel good. Once the bowls were empty they went back on the tray, Wei Ying slumping into Lan Wangji.
He already decided to take the next day off. It is only reaffirmed as he gets up with Wei Ying in his arms and balances the tray back into the kitchen. He puts a few things away and goes to lay down, it was only the early evening but Wei Ying looked ready to sleep.
Settled into the couch again, Lan Wangji piled up the blankets like Wei Ying enjoyed it, letting out a slow breath as he relaxed too.
“Lan Zhan?” It is small, but Lan Wangji opens his eyes and looks down at Wei Ying. The child’s voice was sounding better, no longer raspy but holding a tiredness he didn’t like seeing. “Wei Ying,” he answers softly, smiling as he sees Wei Ying’s own little flicker of amusement.
“Movie?” the boy asks, “Xichen-ge said…” he trails off slowly. Lan Wangji watches Wei Ying a moment, surprised that the boy appeared to want this. “You don’t have to watch one for Xichen,” he clarifies, “But if you’d like we can put something on.”
Wei Ying seemed to think for a little while before giving a nod. “Okay, do you…have ideas?” He asks the boy, a little unsure still himself but pulling the laptop across the coffee table to them. Wei Ying’s head shakes no, not much of a surprise.
Lan Wangji starts to scroll slowly, trying to think himself. It made sense that Wei Ying wasn’t used to phone calls, with no family and what seems to be few good friends he doubted Wei Ying’s parents were having their four year old on the phone. But children like television, surely Wei Ying had something he used to like watching.
Fingers move gently through Wei Ying’s hair. Would Wei Ying even remember what he used to like? He was so small. Even now there were moments where Wei Ying had to think to describe something about his parents. If he was starting to forget them he probably didn’t remember much else.
“Bunny,” Wei Ying’s voice shakes Lan Wangji from his thoughts, focusing back on the screen. Sure enough, it was a bunny. “It is a documentary,” Lan Wangji explains, it wasn’t going to have the bright colours and music for a children’s show or movie. “That means it is for learning, this one is about arctic hares. They live in very very cold places far away from here.”
As he explained he watched Wei Ying’s eyes widen, that familiar spark coming back to them. “Bunnies,” Wei Ying repeats, a hint of a smile pulling upward. Lan Wangji huffs a small laugh, “Okay, bunnies win,” he agrees as he selects the short documentary.
He turns down the sound a little and they lay together, watching the screen. His hand moves slowly over Wei Ying’s back, feeling the child’s steady breathing. Of course Wei Ying would pick this. Some of his favourites they had been reading were all educational texts. He was curious, wanting and ready to learn.
The narrator speaks and Lan Wangji finds himself more interested in watching Wei Ying than the movie. The boy was relaxed, watching the laptop and hugging his stuffed animal close. Occasionally his lips would part in awe, his eyes would light up just a little.
“Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying said quickly, pointing, “Look,” there was an excitement to his voice that Lan Wangji had missed today. He looked and there was a screen full of bunny kits hopping around. When he heard a quiet little giggle from Wei Ying at the sight he had to take a slow breath. It was okay. They were okay.