Chapter Text
“I still don’t get why you don’t just go talk to him.”
Xichen didn’t look up from the novel he was reading. It was once again time for their twice study session together in the library, and Wangji had just headed off to get their drinks. “Talk to who?” he asked as if that very person had rarely left his mind for several weeks now.
Mingjue paused and Xichen could almost hear the gears in his brain turning as he tried to decide if it was worth pressing the issue. Relationships and emotions were hardly his forte. That fell more into his brother’s area of expertise. He sighed and shifted his attention back to the books in front of him. Xichen couldn’t help but feel relieved.
“Jiang Cheng. Your coffee shop crush.”
Now Xichen looked up, surprised not only by Mingjue choosing to keep on the topic but also that he knew Jiang Cheng’s name. He didn’t think he’d ever said it at any point. Mingjue, at the very least, looked extremely uncomfortable, unable to look at Xichen. “You should just go talk to him. That’s what people do, right?”
“I mean, yeah, but it’s not that simple.”
“I feel like you’re complicating it more than it needs to be.” Mingjue glanced up at him briefly before looking away again. “If you want to be closer to someone, you go and talk to them. So go talk to him and stop sighing and moping already.”
Xichen straightened in his seat. “I am not moping. And it’s already complicated.”
“Because you’re embarrassed about what? A failed attempt at giving him your number?”
Heat rushed to Xichen’s face. He wasn’t used to Mingjue bothering him about things like this, let alone being quite so accurate with it. But naturally, Mingjue held nothing back, driving straight at the center of the issue. “I’m not—It’s not that I’m embarrassed. It’s just—I don’t want to push pressure on him. I took a step forward, so I thought I would wait until he takes a step toward me.”
“Does he have any way of taking that step? Like have your number?” Mingjue didn’t have to include that, but he didn’t hesitate to add the extra sting. “Do you have a class together? Know each other in any way outside of the coffee shop?”
“I get your point.” Xichen sighed, putting his chin on his hand, looking out the window. He could just see the part of the building that held the coffeeshop. Jiang Cheng should be working today. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to go and have a little chat with him. It would be quiet around this time too…
“So go talk to him.” Mingjue rearranged the books and papers in front of him before digging into his next assignment to complete. His dismissal of Xichen and the topic was clear.
Xichen let out another sigh, glancing out the window again before he started gathering up his belongings and his courage.
Fucking Huaisang, calling in sick after the fucking shift starts on my fucking day off. No fucking warning or actual fucking asking.
Jiang Cheng kept up his inner monologue, stuffed with expletives and curses directed at his coworkers and anyone who dared get in his way. It wasn’t early and it wasn’t like he had been busy when he’d been called in, but he’d been looking forward to not doing anything that afternoon. Instead, he’s going to be stuck with Wuxian making googly eyes at Wangji for half an hour. He swore those visits were getting longer and longer every time.
As he crossed the courtyard on his way, a figure in light clothing caught his attention. Xichen was sitting beneath a tree, leaning against the trunk as he read in the dappled sunlight.
His heart stopped and so did his feet. He was never one to believe in angels, but there was something ethereal about the man before him.
It was only when Xichen put down his book to scribble a note on the notebook in his lap that Jiang Cheng realized he’d been staring at him while standing in the middle of the courtyard. He quickly glanced around to see if anyone had noticed before making his way towards the coffee shop.
He couldn’t help one last look back at Xichen as he reached the door. Their eyes met and Jiang Cheng felt his stomach drop to his feet.
Xichen looked up from his notes, head full of ideas for the upcoming paper that he definitely wasn’t using as a distraction from thinking about Jiang Cheng. He hadn’t expected to see that exact person looking back at him. Their gazes locked for a moment, and Xichen was ready to smile and wave when Jiang Cheng turned away abruptly and disappeared through the doors.
He tried not to feel disappointed at the reaction, but it settled into his stomach like a ball of lead, weighing him and his mood down. It shouldn’t be a surprise, really. What did he expect? Customers probably gave Jiang Cheng their number all the time, and probably did a lot smoother. Not to mention successfully. What was Xichen besides just another person in a long line of annoying customers Jiang Cheng would rather avoid?
Beyond that, Xichen probably didn’t even stand out, other than having completely failed at giving him his number. He didn’t even have the guts to go back now. He’d only made it halfway from the library when he’d chickened out and found this spot beneath the tree.
Feeling sick suddenly, Xichen started packing up his things. He wasn’t even sure why he was so upset. It wasn’t like he had any real expectations. It had been a long shot since the start, and he’d been prepared to be rejected.
“Uh, hey.”
Xichen almost jumped at the sudden voice. He looked up from where he’d just finished zipping up his bag to see Jiang Cheng standing in front of him. “Hi.”
Jiang Cheng seemed as flustered as he was as he stood there, face turning pink and a coffee cup in his hand. “Um, I saw you out here and thought you might like a drink?” He thrust the cup in his hand at Xichen. “It’s a special mix, so if you like it, you can come by when I’m working and I’ll make it for you. If you want. And if you like it.”
Standing, Xichen took the offered cup, their fingers brushing together as he did. He couldn’t help but smile at Jiang Cheng’s rambling. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. You really should start coming by again though. Wei Ying is starting to drive me crazy every time Wangji comes in, you know?” Jiang Cheng gave a nervous chuckle before smiling at him. The smile disappeared when he pulled his buzzing phone out of his pocket. ‘I have to go, but talk to you soon?”
“Yeah, sure, yes.” Xichen had to stop himself from listing every affirmation he knew. “Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Xichen watched Jiang Cheng walk back to the coffee shop, feeling as if he was in a dream. He took a sip of the drink Jiang Cheng had brought him. It tasted like a chai latte, the very drink that he’d been recommended, but with bursts of other flavors that were unexpected but delightful. Feeling better than he had in weeks, he started to stroll back towards the library.
As he settled into his usual seat, finding a lukewarm latte waiting for him delivered by Wangji, Mingjue looked up at him, squinting at the drink in his hand before looking down with a sigh. “Why is there a number on your cup again?”
“There isn’t—” Xichen turned the cup, finding a phone number written on the side that had been facing away from him. It was unfamiliar to him, but it took him less than a moment to realize who it belonged to.
The heat of the latte couldn’t compare to the warmth burning in his heart.