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It's a miracle Jiang Cheng is here, given that he has a fledgling sect to take care of, a child to raise, a veritable mountain of traumas to sift through. It would have been understandable if he'd refused the invitation, and that's why it makes Lan Xichen so happy to see him trudging up the last leg of the mountain path, purple robes flapping behind him as he squints through the sun. Wanting to give his fellow sect leader a break from some stress and a useful outlet for his anger, he's asked him on a night hunt in a mountain range between Gusu and Yunmeng. The letter he'd sent hadn't been assertive by any means, but it had maybe been a little pressing, a plea for Jiang Cheng to give himself some space from everything to decompress. For a moment, satisfaction washes over Lan Xichen, but he pushes it aside because he's not supposed to revel in those things too much, and he goes to meet his friend with a polite salute.
"It's good to see you - I was worried you wouldn't be able to make it."
"It took a little bit of adjusting to get away, but I haven't been on a hunt in a while."
A year and a half, Lan Xichen thinks, if what he's heard is true. For someone like Jiang Cheng, who takes so much pride in his abilities, that must be difficult. All the more reason to be glad he's here.
Beckoning, Lan Xichen starts off towards the small camp they've set up as Jiang Cheng moves to walk at his side. The Jiang sect members that had come along trail behind, far enough that the two are essentially alone. It's been a while since it's been just the two of them, and it brings Lan Xichen back to their younger years, when things were, at least sometimes, less complicated. He glances to Jiang Cheng and feels warm with those memories, even though there's an edge in the other man's voice as he speaks.
"I'm surprised you didn't bring Nie Mingjue or Jin Guangyao."
"I didn't think you'd want such a large party."
Jiang Cheng's eyebrow raises slightly, and it's maybe only in this moment that he's beginning to realize that a large part of this is simply for his benefit, even if Lan Xichen thought he'd been clear enough in his letter. Maybe obliviousness runs in the family; though this is obviously different, Wei Wuxian had been painfully unaware of things Lan Wangji had done for him. Thinking of the Yiling Patriarch causes a deep pang of regret in Lan Xichen that makes his smile falter. Jiang Cheng's confusion shifts to concern, but Lan Xichen lifts a hand to wave it off as they come to a stop in front of a tent.
"This area has been set up for you, so you can take some time to get settled and rest up before we head out. We'll have an early dinner before we leave."
Lan Xichen's even tone and renewed smile don't seem to completely convince Jiang Cheng that everything is fine, unfortunately. The other sect leader shifts on his feet, looking as though he's going to say something else, but he ends up simply shaking his head, thanking Lan Xichen, and retreating inside his tent.
Before the sun begins to set they have a light dinner as planned, during which Jiang Cheng seats himself next to Lan Xichen by the fire. There's an uncoiling taking place the longer he's here - slowly his shoulders are easing down, his jaw is loosening, and his fists are unclenching. Lan Xichen thinks he manages an impassive expression as he notes these changes, but sometimes he can't stop the small smiles that almost creep into corners of his mouth. Jiang Cheng is either unaware of it this time or is being polite and remaining silent on the matter. In fact, neither one of them says anything, simply sitting next to one another as they eat. It's comfortable; they've somehow managed to cultivate this silent rapport over the years, over the small, private interactions scattered throughout their acquaintance. Thinking of that brings enough of a true smile to Lan Xichen's lips that Jiang Cheng glances at him before rolling his eyes and shaking his head a little. A faint smile is settled on his lips as well, though.
When night falls, the hunt begins. Lan Xichen shares the information he was given by villagers at the base of the mountain - strange, rust red vines have been sneaking down at night and retracting in the day, the ground and livestock and even one unfortunate villager bled dry of moisture. The sects split into mixed groups of three to four and start up the mountain. It's nearly a two hour hike up through rugged but not horribly uninviting terrain until the landscape begins to change. Large boulders and cliff faces rise up around them, and the ground is covered in the pockmarks of dried out springs. Some dessicated vines lie scattered about, an indication that they're likely nearing their goal.
Lan Xichen adjusts the collar of his robe, feeling uncomfortably warm, when he realizes that moisture-hungry vines might not be the only problem this mountain is facing. Strangely, even though the temperature has slowly been dropping as they've climbed, it hasn't been dropping nearly much as Lan Xichen would have expected. The local complaints didn't cover disruptions in weather, but it's possible that whatever has made its nest up here is altering weather patterns as well. The temperature at their camp had been suspiciously pleasant. Regardless, right now the biggest problem is the vines, but it's good to know there could be more to deal with after. He files this away in his mind once he realizes Jiang Cheng isn't near enough for him to tell him. In fact, where had he gone…?
The night is becoming darker, the nearly full moon affording quite a bit of light, though it's often obstructed by the increasingly craggy landscape. They move through winding but wide, sky-open passages in the rocks, slowly losing sight of other groups as the walls between them grow higher and higher. That's why he'd lost sight of Jiang Cheng.
The mountain has been rather silent their entire ascent until, suddenly, it's not. Sound explodes throughout the passageways, but it comes as an eerie echo, one heard as it bounces off the rock walls and is pushed skyward, its only path of escape. Lan Xichen, in the company of a Lan sect member and a Jiang sect member, searches the surrounding rocks with his companions for some sign of danger, but sees nothing. Swords out, they've all stopped advancing, their backs to each other so they can better scan the dark walls all around them. There's movement to Lan Xichen's left and his head jerks to the side, just as he feels something at his ankle and suddenly he's pulled to the ground, hard. Though he manages to stab Shuoyue into the earth to stop himself from being dragged initially, it's only for a moment. The force of whatever is around his ankle is too much, and he's torn away from his companions, pulled up and into a cave tucked in the face of the cliffside. It's disorienting - pitch black, a little narrow, with a smell of too-damp leaves and rot. Luckily, his hands are free, so one fumbles to grab a fire talisman that flares up, lighting the space for long enough that he can swing his sword down on the vine that he can now see coiled tightly around him. It takes two hacks of Shuoyue, one blind as the talisman blinks out as he drops it, but he manages to free himself. For a moment there's silence again as he stands at the ready, facing the darkness, but nothing else comes. Panting, Lan Xichen relaxes enough that he starts to search for something dry to light on fire, coming up empty. All the sticks scattered throughout the cave are soaked through. Despite feeling a bit rattled, Lan Xichen isn't one to let that stop him, and with a torn-off piece of his robes and a large stick partially dried by a fire talisman he fashions a torch that will do for the moment. He can finally get a look at the place he was dragged to.
It's definitely a cave, covered in dead vines that look like they've dried out like the ones outside, though these have since been drenched in moisture. Small bones of animals litter the ground, crunching under his feet as he moves forward. He could head back the way he'd come, but this could very well be the source of the vines, and they need to be dealt with. Even if he's alone. Even if he's feeling a little worn. It seems as though the vine had pulled some of his spiritual energy from him, but not enough to be too detrimental.
The vine he'd cut to free himself has left a thick, rusty mucous trail as it dragged itself back to wherever its origin is, so it's not hard to track. Lan Xichen moves slowly, wary of any sound he hears, especially because the tunnel he's passing through is not wide enough to truly facilitate using his sword. It's not exactly claustrophobic, but the longer he's confined the more the walls seem to constrict. Lan Xichen is in luck, though, because before long the tunnel opens up into a cavernous room with no roof to it, lit well by the moon above. In the center, a gnarl of vines, coiled and slithering like a ball of snakes, shrinks from the torchlight. Hopefully fire is all he'll need, because otherwise he's not confident he can take this down on his own. Only action will tell him. Lan Xichen advances one step, and then another, watching as the squirming mass tightens into itself. Suddenly there's movement behind him, and he jumps, just in time to avoid being grabbed by another vine. But, with his attention drawn to his feet, another vine has the time to lash out at his hand and knock the torch from it. It clatters to the ground, extinguished by a puddle. Vines surge towards him as he lands, and he lifts his sword and swings.
More vines than he expects tumble in pieces to the ground, and that's because at his side, suddenly, is Jiang Cheng, a long scrape along his cheek and mud smeared all along one of his sides. Zidian crackles to life, a little weaker than usual but still formidable, and Lan Xichen exhales in relief. He's certain they can manage this together.
Even during the Sunshot Campaign, Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng didn't have many opportunities to fight together. Lan Xichen feels like he understands the other young man, though, and he hopes that will be enough. It seems to be - they move almost seamlessly around each other, only occasionally giving verbal directions. They slash, parry, throw fire talismans, stop vines from surprising each other. Later, Lan Xichen will think about this with a little bit of pleased awe. In the moment, it is simply natural.
The battle is neither short nor easy. Any time a vine comes in contact with them some of their spiritual energy is drained, leaving them a little more tired and a little less effective. They're strong, though, and stubborn in their own ways. And they work together well. Finally they cut the vines down to their core, a throbbing, woody mass that glows a sickly yellow, and Jiang Cheng pierces it through. The vines stop moving and fall limply to the ground before quickly starting to shrivel into nothingness. At the middle of all this, under the now dead core of the vine beast, is a small, strange creature, still alive. Its too many eyes are a sharp blue, and though it's about the size of a house cat, it looks to be some strange mix of goat, dragon, and bird. It has dozens of legs. Dozens of horns. It looks at Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen, shakes itself out, and goes to trot away, leaving icy hoofprints in its wake, unconcerned with the men. There's suddenly a small hint of frost in the air as Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng look to each other.
"Well, a relatively successful hunt, don't you think?" Lan Xichen says through a half laugh, tired but happy.
Jiang Cheng is wiping at his cheek with the back of his sleeve, grimacing a little.
"I think it was."
They find their way back out to their disciples, collect the wounded, and stop at a small spring, bubbling anew with water, to clean themselves off. Then they begin the long trek back to their camp. The sky is starting to get a faint glow to it when they return, and after a few quiet farewells everyone crawls into their tents and sleeps for at least the first part of the morning. Lan Xichen finds it difficult to sleep outside of his normal hours generally, but his drained spiritual energy helps keep him in bed until late afternoon. When he steps outside and pulls in a deep breath he can tell that the air is starting to feel colder. Whatever creature they'd rescued from the vines is surely responsible, but thankfully it seems like the natural order of things. Though still a little tired, Lan Xichen feels in good spirits and sets out to find his fellow sect leader.
Without much trouble, he finds Jiang Cheng handing off a few letters to a courier. He looks surprisingly well-rested and even a little invigorated. The cut on his cheek has a faint sheen to it, meaning he'd at least put something medicinal on it. Good. Even if it's small, there's no reason to not take care of it. Lan Xichen smiles when he turns towards him.
"I'm impressed at your resolve to keep working. I haven't even thought about what I need to get done when I get back to Cloud Recesses, much less done any work."
Jiang Cheng shrugs off the praise as he momentarily averts his eyes.
"It's been a while since I've left Lotus Pier, so I just want to make sure everything is taken care of there even though I'm not gone for long."
"I understand. Will you be staying the night with us?" Lan Xichen hopes so, though he could understand if Jiang Cheng just wants to get back home. He resists the temptation to urge him to stay, but apparently he doesn't need to - Jiang Cheng nods, and Lan Xichen can feel his smile spread.
"We'll leave in the morning - I think everyone could use a bit more time to relax."
"I couldn't agree more." Lan Xichen pauses, an idea striking him. "Would you help me make dinner tonight? I'm only passable at cooking and I heard someone say you have a little bit of experience with it."
Unsurprisingly, Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes, but even so he agrees. He and Lan Xichen head into town to collect ingredients, and take the time to confirm with the townspeople that the threat seems to have been taken care of. They have a difficult time getting out of the village without a bag of sweets as thanks.
The walk they take back is not rushed, mostly because Lan Xichen likes the space to just be alone with Jiang Cheng. It helps him gauge how he's actually feeling, even if he can only read him so well. For the moment, it seems like he's handling his duties just fine. As much as the slightly older sect leader would like to step in constantly to assist, he knows that would only undermine Jiang Cheng's credibility.
Their conversation on the way up the mountain is light, and Jiang Cheng catches him up on how Jin Ling is doing, and Lan Xichen catches him up on, honestly, very little. He can't talk about his family right now. He does at least share goings-on with the sect, and invites Jiang Cheng to bring Jin Ling to Cloud Recesses.
There's almost a look of consternation on Jiang Cheng's face as he slowly responds. "Maybe. I want to make sure things are really being handled alright at home while I'm gone."
It's not a straight rejection, so Lan Xichen will take it.
The sunlight has burned away quickly, leaving them in sinking light as they return. The temperature really has dropped now, and a few clouds are moving in, blocking out some of the warmth from the retreating sun.
"We have extra cloaks, if anyone gets too cold," Lan Xichen informs everyone as they arrive, mostly concerned about the Jiang sect members, but for the moment they all wave off the offer. He's certain some of them will cave soon.
The fire does help, though, and Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen build it up higher and stronger as they begin to cook. It's not an opulent meal, but it's definitely more hearty than what one normally has on a night hunt, much deserved for a job well done. It doesn't take long for everyone to settle into friendly conversation as they eat, and Lan Xichen watches with contentment. He's had three bowls of food by the time Jiang Cheng pulls himself away from his sect members to come sit by his side.
"You still eat so much."
"Maybe I'm still growing."
Jiang Cheng gently nudges him with his elbow, and Lan Xichen realizes that he's had a little to drink. Not a lot; just enough to make him a little more playful, but not enough to slur his words. He likes it when Jiang Cheng is like this, though he'd never admit it. It's nice to see his companion able to relax.
"You just like to eat. And that's fine. In Yunmeng you can eat as much as you want, so you should come visit again." Jiang Cheng is almost flippant about this invitation, but Lan Xichen can see that his back tenses up a little as he seems to realize how dangerously open-ended it is.
"Maybe I'll ask to visit sometime, when things are calm. I don't want to intrude, even for the chance to eat as much as I want."
This seems to be acceptable, since Jiang Cheng relaxes again after he nods. They finish eating, and Lan Xichen gets up to take both his and Jiang Cheng's bowls to put with the washing. He starts water for tea as well and, seeing a few snowflakes beginning to form, goes to fetch his large cloak in his tent. When he returns with it around his shoulders, Jiang Cheng is scowling the smallest amount as though jealous. Lan Xichen, for lack of a better word, beams.
"I know, I know, you're less prepared for cold weather."
"If I freeze out here tonight, it's your fault for asking us to stay."
"In my defense, I didn't ask you to stay, I just asked if you were going to stay."
Jiang Cheng is silenced by this, and Lan Xichen lets out a puff of air, something like a laugh, that shows up in the chill air. He sits down next to the other sect leader, unties the knot at his neck, and throws the whole cloak around the both of them. It's easily roomy enough for them, even if they're not sitting close, but they both naturally shift in towards one another.
"Sect Leader Jiang, when have I ever let you be cold on my watch? I assume this is much better?"
"It is, except you hit my cut when you threw this around me."
Lan Xichen can feel his smile fall the smallest amount and, somewhat thoughtlessly, he reaches to take a hold of Jiang Cheng's chin so he can turn his face to look at his wound. He knows it was small, but it could still hurt. Jiang Cheng, with a snort, twists his face away.
"I was kidding, and it's just a scratch anyway."
"Of course." Lan Xichen is a little embarrassed for being so quick to worry, but he smooths over the feeling with his usual smile, like he always does. This time, at least, it's not just habit. He's quite content, and he sits in silence with this feeling as he and Jiang Cheng watch the fire together. A Lan disciple is kind enough to bring them both tea once the water is ready. They converse a little bit more through the night, but only when they have something to say. Nothing is forced. Jiang Cheng leaves for a few minutes to have a drink with some of his sect members, but quickly returns to the comfortable warmth of Lan Xichen's cloak, this time sitting directly next to him so that their thighs lightly touch.
Slowly, the night creeps up on them; Lan Xichen can feel his body willing him to prepare for sleep as his bedtime approaches. All his limbs feel loose, his cheeks feel warm, and everything has begun to take on a soft glow. A true snow begins to fall, no longer just flurries, causing Jiang Cheng to wrinkle his nose.
"Let's go. I'm tired," Jiang Cheng says, looking a little disgruntled.
They stand in unison, and Lan Xichen hums as they make their way towards Jiang Cheng's tent slowly, close under the cloak.
"You really dislike the snow that much?"
"No." He doesn't even argue or give an excuse. He just looks annoyed.
For some reason, Jiang Cheng's sour mood makes Lan Xichen feel playful. He grabs the edges of his cloak and pulls it up over their heads with a small laugh.
"There, now you're safe."
"I'm not a child," Jiang Cheng argues, but he doesn't try to pull the cloak down despite this.
They slow to a stop, no longer able to see where they're going. Lan Xichen looks at the other sect leader, and feels his smile fade, not from discontentment but from distraction. Huddled underneath the large cloak, the dull glow of the firelight through the fabric makes everything feel softer and unreal. All of the things they've been through feel very far away, not quite imaginary but maybe like they happened long ago instead of in the past five years. Or like maybe this is all just a dream, where they're all happy and unburdened. Where the largest wound Jiang Cheng has ever had is the scratch on his cheek, and Lan Wangji is safe at home, curled around Wei Wuxian. Where they're simply out on a friendly night hunt to pass the time.
"Do you remember how I used to bring you an extra outer robe when we'd sit on the roof, so you wouldn't get cold?" Lan Xichen asks, voice low, not wanting to disrupt the atmosphere.
"Of course I do. You even gave me that quilt, like I really was a child."
Lan Xichen laughs softly, "No, no, everyone needs quilts. I wanted you to be warm - just like now, right? It's all the same."
Jiang Cheng lets out a short sigh, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and leaves it at that.
They stand in silence in this small, isolated piece of the universe. Lan Xichen is becoming more convinced that this is actually a dream, because after a few minutes Jiang Cheng is leaning in, so gradual that it feels as if time has slowed. Their lips press together as Lan Xichen tilts his chin up to meet him. The kiss is chaste. It's something gentle passing between friends, Lan Xichen tells himself, because what else could it be? Why would it be any more than that? Even in a dream, it can't be more than that. He can't tell if he wants them to kiss again, but it doesn't matter. They part as Jiang Cheng leans back, and they watch each other in the weak light for a moment before the younger sect leader slowly pulls the cloak down from their heads, exposing them to the chill night air. They are no longer on some ethereal plane. Reality comes rushing back. It feels like it's been hours, but it's only been a few minutes.
"Thank you for sharing your cloak, and for inviting me out on this hunt." There is no indication in Jiang Cheng's voice that anything had just happened between them, except for maybe the slightly distant quality it has. But perhaps that's just Lan Xichen's imagination.
"Of course."
Silence hangs around them, heavy and loud unlike before. Jiang Cheng extracts himself from the cloak entirely, careful to make sure that it doesn't fall from around Lan Xichen's shoulders.
"I'll say goodbye before we leave tomorrow."
"Please do. Rest well, Sect Leader Jiang."
"You too, Zewu-Jun."
Jiang Cheng disappears into his tent nearby, and Lan Xichen walks back to his own after tying his cloak properly around his neck. While getting ready for bed, his thoughts continually drift to Jiang Cheng. He's glad they've been able to become closer, to the point where he's comfortable calling them friends. Being able to support the young sect leader is important to him, especially given all the hardships he's been through; Lan Xichen has seen the gradual hardening of Jiang Cheng over the years, and it makes something in his chest ache. It has for a while, and now it seems like Jiang Cheng is starting to understand the support he's willing to lend and will take even his too small offerings. And often the only things he can give him definitely feel too small - a kind word, someone to listen, a warm cloak around his shoulders. He knows how powerful all of these small things can be, but they still never feel like enough. A thought occurs to him as he slips into bed - was Jiang Cheng asking him for more, just now? No. Lan Xichen reminds himself that there's no way it could be more, especially not with the way the other man had said nothing. That kiss was something to be left in the liminal space beneath his cloak, platonic and soft and almost not real. Jiang Cheng probably needs things more like that in his life. Lan Xichen is glad that he can ask for them from him.