Jiang Cheng paced ferociously outside the library, scowling whenever his gaze landed on his brother.

"Your time is running out." Wei Ying told him, unhelpfully.

But he strode towards him and hugged him, even as Wei Ying was about to take a step back.

"Do you have any idea what went through my mind when I saw Lan Wangji carrying you?" He whispered forcefully. "I-I never want to see that again."

Wei Ying hugged him back. "I'm sorry."

"But!" Jiang Cheng pushed him away suddenly. "Dragons? Really?"

Wei Ying shrugged.

"Do you have any idea what you're getting into?"

"But Jiang Cheng! Shen Ling is my friend. I have to help him." Wei Ying exclaimed.

"And what's up with your arm?" Jiang Cheng pounced, grabbed his arm and lifted his sleeve.

Wei Ying's arm was particularly red, and a little black mark stood out.

"It's really itchy." Wei Ying complained.

Jiang Cheng accidentally touched it and Wei Ying gasped.

"It hurts?" Jiang Cheng asked, sharply.

Wei Ying nodded.

"What hurts?" Lan Zhan said, appearing out of nowhere.

Wei Ying hastily went to cover up his arm but Lan Zhan was too quick.

"When did this happen?"

"I noticed it in the morning." Wei Ying said in a little voice. "It's probably nothing."

Lan Zhan looked at him doubtfully.

Nie Huaisang also joined them. He took Wei Ying's other arm, oblivious to what they were discussing.

"Come, Brother Wei, let's go."

Wei Ying quickly took his chance and left.

*****

Shen Ling was curled around his babies, cramped in that small stall. The babies were fast asleep. An exhausted JingYi met them holding a broom. He pulled Wei Ying to the side.

"How long are they staying?" He whispered, worriedly.

"I don't know. And it's rude to ask." Wei Ying beamed at him. "But look on the bright side, how many other cultivators can say they helped to bring up dragon kiddies?"

"That is so not the point! Look at me!" JingYi pointed to his body. "I've never been this dirty, and I think those babies are teething."

"That's so cute!"

"No it's not, when the only thing they want to chew is a body part!" JingYi was whisper shouting.

A low growl erupted from the stall and the dragon opened one eye.

JingYi whisper shrieked.

"How are you feeling, Young Master?" Shen Ling voiced in his head.

"Much better. Do you want to come out so we can talk properly? And I have someone who wants to meet you."

Shen Ling carefully moved his body so the babies weren't disturbed, covering them in straw, and came outside.

Nie Huaisang had starry eyes.

"It's a dragon. It's a real life dragon." He kept muttering under his breath.

"You know he can hear you, right?" Wei Ying told him, mildly.

Huaisang squeaked, fanning himself.

Wei Ying went up to Shen Ling and hugged his huge head, a ripple of emotion going through him.

The dragon raised a taloned arm, gently holding Wei Ying close.

"What's the matter, Young Master?"

"I had no idea, no idea that's what they did to dragons. I'm so sorry." He choked back a sob.

"That's why dragons no longer come out into the open. It is too dangerous for us. Finding a mate is even more difficult. But it is not your fault."

"Did you know...did you know what would happen if I touched the knife? Is that why you tried to stop me?"

Shen Ling shook his head, letting him go so he could see his face. "I have only ever heard about that kind of weapon once before."

"Do you want to tell me?" Wei Ying asked. "It's okay if you don't, but it might help us."

"My mother was captured and killed by Dragon Hunters. My father took me high up into the remote mountains where no humans roamed. He went back once, just to see if he could find any trace of her, but he was attacked. When he described what they attacked him with, it sounded like the knife you found."

Huaisang came to stand next to them. "Brother Wei, can I...can I touch him?"

Shen Ling growled.

Nie Huaisang stopped talking and stepped back. Wei Ying wondered if the fanning would stop.

"My mate was captured once before, but she managed to escape. They are cruel people."

"I think you should stay here for now," Wei Ying told him, ignoring the whimper from JingYi hiding in the shadows behind them.

"Perhaps it is the safest. I have to protect my children." Shen Ling said, sadly.

"Don't worry, we will do our best to find Shen Qing. If she escaped once, who's to say that she can't do that again?" Wei Ying felt the hollowness of his words but soldiered on. "The best thing you can do right now, is be with your babies. That's what she would want too."

"Thank you, Young Master. But may I ask you something?"

"Of course!" Wei Ying spread out his arms.

"Are you sure there is nothing wrong with your health?"

Wei Ying froze. "W-What do you mean?"

Nie Huaisang looked interested, all of a sudden.

"I'm not sure." The dragon replied. "There is something... different about you."

"Let's not mention that to anyone." Wei Ying said, firmly. "I would like to tell my husband first, and I will. Soon." If he could find the right time, though the twinges had stopped for now. Maybe he was worrying about nothing...

Shouting reached his ears and then a familiar voice yelled, "there he is!"