#nie disciples

He awakens to a weight against his legs, something curled tightly around his wrist, and the smell of lamb and pork belly stew.

He sighs.

It must have been serious this time, for Huaisang to have resorted to stress-cooking something they otherwise only eat for the big festivals.

His qi crackles through his meridians like old, over-dried leather as he tries to sit up and finds that both the weight and the grip are the brother in question, nestled against his side in sleep. The source of the smell is the large and gently steaming bowl that sits on the bedside table at his other, along with a teapot, a plate of wotou and another of dumplings.

All untouched, from what he can tell.

"If only you were this devoted in your training," he mutters in fond exasperation as he sweeps his free hand over Huaisang's hair.

As if knowing he's being scolded, again, Huaisang mumbles something incoherent that sounds like an attempt at placation, then snuggles even closer.

He can't help a small smile at that.

The door opens as he's reaching for one of the wotou and one of the assistants from the healers' ward pokes her head in. "Oh, good, you're up!" she whispers, clearly relieved.

"How long as it been?" he asks, also keeping his voice down.

"Just a little under three days," she says, then nods to his sleeping brother. "We finally had to kick him out this morning to keep him from suffering burnout, and then he came right back as soon as he was finished in the kitchens, the brat."

He bites back a snort of amusement, then holds out his wrist when prompted.

She wrinkles her nose after running the circulation check, which is about the reaction he expected. "Well, it's good he decided to go with such heavy food. You'll need the extra nourishment for when we have to clear out these snarls."

"How long of a recovery are we looking at?"

"Mmh. It's not as bad as it looked when you collapsed, but... Still will probably take at least a week."

His feelings about being restricted from work for that long must show in his expression, because she tuts and wags a finger at him like one of the kitchen aunties. "Don't give me that look, Zongzhu, you don't scare me at all. I'll tell the head healer to deputize Nie-gongzi if I have to."

He involuntarily winces at the threat, knowing very, very well how menacing his little brother can actually be whenever the healers decide to pull the 'your idiot older brother is neglecting his health again' card. "I will heed whatever recommendations the head healer offers."

"That's the spirit! I'll give you until shen shi to finish your meal, then we'll start treatment."

"If you don't mind, would you tell the kitchens to send something for Huaisang? I know he's not going to touch any of this."

"Will do. Rest up, Zongzhu," she says cheerily before letting herself out.