A/N: Originally done as a request, this story is a series of short moments that, together, show the transformation of Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei's relationship from friendship to romance. The emphasis in this story's creation was on imagery and emotion, which is why the plot remained extremely simple throughout. In either case—my first time experimenting with this pairing, and though I don't foresee writing about them again in the near future, I suppose it's not impossible.

Pairing: Zhao Yun x Jiang Wei

Warnings: None.

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Falling Flowers

First Rain

It was the season for storms, after all. Zhao Yun stood in the doorway of the mess tent, staring out across the sweeping plains and the hills in the far distance, each of them rising softly as though it were afraid to touch the overcast sky.

Today, the Little Dragon could hardly fault them – the sky barely looked at a sky at all, resembling instead the surface of a restless ocean viewed from underneath, every foggy shade blending into the next like infinite breaking waves. The thunder had stopped now, but the rain continued, muddying the ground ahead of him and whispering damp secrets across his ears.

Zhao Yun sighed and drew a sopping breath to hold inside his chest, feeling the rain slide down his throat as strongly as if he'd truly been sipping the gale. Soft footsteps on the packed earth behind him opened the Dragon Warrior's eyes, and he let his breath escape again, now little more than a puff of steam.

"Boyue?"

The footsteps halted behind him, and Zhao Yun felt himself smiling into the rain-washed silence. Shu's newest warrior and strategist had only been with them a week, but already Zhao Yun was learning the feel of the other's movements – coming to memorize the sounds that he made as he moved around camp, and to recognize their approach.

Perhaps it was because Jiang Wei's steps reminded him of falling flowers; every footfall was like a full blossom hitting the ground, so soft and so sure it was hard to be certain you'd actually heard it.

"Zilong… am I bothering you?"

Zhao Yun chuckled a little, turning away from the rain at last to meet the anxious eyes of the friend he was slowly making. Jiang Wei shifted in his stance, but his hands relaxed as the older warrior shook his head, moving to one side so his companion could join him in the doorway.

"Not at all." Zhao Yun studied the smooth contours of the young strategist's face, his smile gentle as the curve of the horizon outside. "I couldn't have asked for better company."

That brought a smile to Jiang Wei's face as well, and he turned to face the rain with upturned lips, his long ponytail ghosting over his shoulders in the faint breeze. Zhao Yun's eyes stayed right where they were, tracing every line of the other warrior's features with a detail only his fingers might have matched.

It had been a matter of days since Jiang Wei's arrival. Seven days – no more. And yet the Little Dragon could not stop the odd feeling inside of him that accompanied Boyue's presence… a feeling like grass stalks brushing each other in the wind, delicate and warm and just a little sharp. He enjoyed the time he spent with Jiang Wei. He was coming to enjoy it more than the time he spent with almost any other. There was something special about Zhuge Liang's protégé, though the Dragon Warrior could not have guessed at what.

"Zilong?"

Jiang Wei's voice startled Zhao Yun from his thoughts, and he shook his head to clear it, refocusing on the deep eyes that were scanning his face. The young strategist scuffed one boot against the ground, his gaze darting back to the pouring rain for an instant before he met Zhao Yun's eyes.

"I… I have a… concern."

The Little Dragon felt his forehead furrowing, his expression changing to match his companion's almost without conscious thought. "If there's anything I can do…" His offer needed no conclusion, and it trailed away under the heavy air as Jiang Wei smiled, his countenance more complicated than it had been moments before.

"Yes, I… I hope there is. During training, I've been feeling a little… honestly, I simply can't keep up with the other generals here. My skills are not on par with those of my instructor, and I worry that Guan Yu will become impatient with me."

Zhao Yun laughed a little, the sound cutting its way through the tendrils of the storm like music from a faraway pavilion. One warm hand came up to light on Jiang Wei's shoulder, as steady as the rhythm of the rain around them.

"Boyue… if you were as good as your instructor, what point would there be in a lesson?"

Jiang Wei's face seemed to redden a little at the question, and Zhao Yun found that his smile was growing deeper, encouraged by the grasses brushing one another somewhere inside his heart.

"I have seen you practicing, Boyue. And in my opinion, you are a fine warrior."

Jiang Wei bowed a little, but his eyes remained troubled, dark with more than the thick clouds above them. Zhao Yun shook his head and raised his other hand to find his companion's open shoulder, drawing the young strategist's eyes up to his own once again.

"But if you're truly that worried, I can assist you in one way. Would you be willing to take me as your instructor instead?"

Jiang Wei's eyes widened at the offer, and the Little Dragon found himself staring long into their depths, captivated by the reflection of the falling rain mirrored within them. Boyue's nodding disrupted the image, a motion that grew softer as his expression gradually became hesitant once again.

"Yes, Zilong… I'd be honored. But you… you wouldn't be ashamed to have such an unworthy pupil?"

Zhao Yun shook his head, his hands tightening on his companion's shoulders as though trying to send a little confidence into the other man. "No, Boyue. Whatever class a warrior you are now, I will help you rise to heights you've only dreamed about – if you'll let me."

Jiang Wei's smile was no longer stiff, and his eyes closed in gratitude as all nervousness vanished from his posture, chased away by the Little Dragon's soothing voice and the steady beat of the rain above his head. Zhao Yun watched him in silence, and caught himself wondering if he had agreed to tutor Jiang Wei out of kindness or out of deference to the strange preoccupation curling up between his ribs.

"I'd like that."

Zhao Yun nodded, his thoughts chasing unanswered questions as Jiang Wei's voice dissipated into the ceaseless storm.

"As would I, Boyue. As would I."