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[reachforblueskies]

The Jingshi was warm, talismans pinned to the inside of the doors and windows doing their job, the air sweetened with smoke from incense. Lan Xichen is seated near the doorway, his nephew settled comfortably in his lap where he can watch the snow fall. It is too early in the season for it to stick for long, but it is beautiful while it lasts.

"The largest one was called the king of the chickens, because, of all the hundreds in the flock, he was the strongest. And for this reason he was the leader of them all. He led the flock to new places for food. He could crow the loudest, and as he was the strongest, none dared oppose him in any way.

One day he said to the flock, "Let us go to the other side of the mountain near the wilderness to-day, and hunt rice, wheat, corn, and wild silkworms. There is not enough food here."

But the other chickens said, "We are afraid to go so far. There are foxes and eagles in the wilderness, and they will catch us.""

Lan Xichen's voice is calm and steady as he tells fables to his new nephew. He is entirely sure his uncle would prefer that he hand all child care duties to a subordinate. The argument about that had been sharp, and short, and here he was, waiting for his younger brother to awaken for a visit from his son.

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[reachforblueskies]

A-Yuan twists to cling to his father's side, knowing that soon he'll be taken away again. It's a heartbreaking sight, and Lan Xichen hates himself a little for his part in it - but he knows sitting silent watch over an insentient healing man is no place for a small boy who has only just recovered from his own severe illness. He will be happy enough, once Lan Xichen gets him settled again amongst his own little friends.

Besides, it is not for forever, or so Lan Xichen is determined to ensure. Some day he will leave on his own, to give father and son time to themselves.

"Let me help you back, Wangji." He offers, as he settles his teacup back in its place.

[thesecondjade]

"I can walk," Lan Zhan says as he proves it to be true. He can manage ten feet to his bed, where he can sit and still be upright.

There, he smoothes hand over A-Yuan's hair, down to his cheek, and gives him one of the rare smiles that he seems to save up for just the boy. There's a bank of happy memories, building one by one, that he can draw upon to make sure he always has one for the boy -- even when the pain might otherwise render it a grimace.

"Now, go be good for your bóbo. No fussing. I will see you again soon," he reassures A-Yuan.

[reachforblueskies]

A-Yuan gives Lan Wangji a fierce little hug, before skittering back into Lan Xichen's waiting lap to settle an wait. A-Yuan has been through this enough to know this routine well - they will wait until his father is asleep, and leave the Jingshi for a few more days.

"Do you remember where we were?" Lan Xichen asks, waiting for a-Yuan's nod before continuing on with the fable the proud chicken. "The king of the chickens said, 'It is better that all the old hens and cowards stay at home.'"

"That was not nice." A-Yuan interrupts, frowning. "Baba said that you should be kind."

Lan Xichen nods, solemnly.

"It was not nice, he is not being a very good leader, is he?" He waits for a-Yuan's answering nod, and continues on with the story.

"The king's secretary said, 'I do not know fear. I will go with you.' Then they started away together. When they had gone a little distance, the secretary found a beetle, and just as he was going to swallow it, the king flew at him in great anger, saying, 'Beetles are for kings, not for common chickens. Why did you not give it to me?' So they fought together, and while they were fighting, the beetle ran away and hid under the grass where he could not be found.

And the secretary said, 'I will not fight for you, neither will I go to the wilderness with you.' And he went home again."

[thesecondjade]

Lan Zhan lays there, still stuck with laying on his belly to keep his wounds from being reopened. But this is a good story, he thinks -- he can remember learning it, when he was small.

He drifts, eyes closing long before the story reaches his conclusion, and sinks into blessed, healing rest. The tea helps his body, but knowing A-Yuan is safe and happy is a balm for the soul.