Endless stone steps

Lai Yiteng was annoyed and he did not know why, his mind still groggy from sleep. He looked at all the people bustling about outside of the carriage. Some guards slept while standing, leaned against a tree. But although Lai Yiteng was somewhat alarmed by the shift in surroundings, he caught the scent of jasmine that lingered on Xian Wu and felt at ease.

His eyelids were still heavy.

Xian Wu had told him to 'Get up'? Fuck that. He buried his head back into the soft fabric of Xian Wu's lap and uttered, "Ugh, my back itches."

Xian Wu was silent a moment. He had expected Lai Yiteng to jump up and look around warily, instead he had acted...like this. 'Back itches'???

...oh, from the scales.

Still, Xian Wu was curious. Had he unlocked a new level of intimacy? Was Lai Yiteng…a-asking for him to scratch his back?