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Jiang Cheng and Xichen have been together for a while now but because of their duties as sect leaders, they aren't always able to meet each other. Rather, instead of normal dates what they would do is to take turns flying to each other's sect once a month and stay there for a week at a time. However, after 2 years of being together, they were tired of this arrangement.
Being apart for such a long time and seeing each other for only a week every month was hard on both of them as they both craved each other's presence (both physically and emotionally so very much). Which was why they came to an agreement. Instead of staying for only a week, this time they would take turns to stay a month at each other's sect and this would happen every alternate month. While this meant that they had to spend a slightly longer time apart, it also meant they had more time together. With both their sects being relatively stabilized as it is and the political climate being calm at the moment, this arrangement worked for both of them and they could still do their duties as sect leader and reply to missives and letters even while they were away from their sects.
The first time they tried this new arrangement, Xichen flew from Gusu to stay at Lotus Pier. The month he spent there was splendid, to say the least. Waking up every morning to his Wanyin and falling asleep to his heart's beautiful face. Getting to watch his Wanyin in action, teaching and guiding his disciples. That look of concentration on his heart's face coupled with the thin sheen of sweat that glistened on his skin. This new arrangement seemed like the second-best decision he ever made (the first was dating his Wanyin of course).
Instead of the short week, they had together, now he had an entire month to enjoy and to really revel in these little intricacies and details, the little (adorable) habits that his Wanyin had, being able to wake up with his arms wrapped about his heart's tiny tiny waist... He was happy, to say the least. Running Gusu from afar had come with ease as well, with his Shufu and Wangji aiding him and taking on his responsibilities while he was enjoying his time in Lotus Pier. Both having been surprisingly receptive and supportive of his request to prolong his stays at Lotus Pier.
He had thought that his Shufu would have been more angry and disappointed at the negligence of his sect leader duties. But at his proposition, Lan Qiren seemed almost...happy? If Xichen didn't know any better, he would've thought that his Shufu was pleased that he would have more time with his Wanyin. The thought of his Shufu being happy at his month-long stay at Lotus Pier further solidified when Xichen was about to leave for his Wanyin's home.When instead of his sword, his Shufu asked him to travel by boat instead. And on said boats, he saw copious amounts of gifts and food meant for his Wanyin.
"These gifts are mean for Sect Leader Jiang. Treat him well and take care of him Xichen. Jiang Wanyin is a great partner and sect leader. He deserves only the best and you should treat him as such", his Shufu told him before he left on the boats to Lotus Pier.
"Send him my regards Xichen, and tell Jiang Wan Yin to visit the Cloud Recesses soon. I have stored his favorite haw candies and lotus bean cakes." At his Shufu's request, Xichen could only nod dumbly, shocked at the blatant favoritism his Shufu was showing towards his lover. Because of the rules, he and Wangji were never allowed to snack much less have any sweet treats while growing up, "Rule number 1777: Do not snack in between meals" and "Rule number 2013: Do not indulge in excess" and yet here his uncle was blatantly disregarding the rules for his heart. In spite of it, Xichen could not find it in himself to be angry or jealous. Instead, he was happy that his heart was so loved and accepted by his uncle (as he should be by everyone around him). And if he was slightly smug that his lover was the favored in-law (take that Wei Wuxian!) no one needed to know.
The first time Jiang Cheng went for his month-long stay at the Cloud Recesses, Jin Ling had caught wind of it and forcefully tagged along with his uncle.
"Don't you have a sect to run you brat?" Jiang Cheng questioned.
"Can't I come spend time with you JiuJiu? Don't you want me around anymore?" Jin Ling pouted in response
"Don't use me as your reason to escape from your duties. I know you're only coming with me to spend time with those Lan Sect Brats and that boy from the Ouyang sect." Jiang Cheng retorted.
At his response, Jin Ling simply stuck his tongue out at his uncle but continued clinging on to him anyway.
"Whatever, come along if you must but if I catch you slacking off on Sect Leader duties while at Cloud Recesses, I will break your legs!" Jiang Cheng threatened while (unsurprisingly) allowing Jin Ling to have his way,
The month Jiang Cheng spent there was splendid, to say the least. He loved falling asleep to his XIchen's soft kisses and waking up in his lover's warm embrace. He thought he would spend the afternoons bored beyond his mind as Xichen went off to fulfill his teaching duties but was surprised when Lan Qiren invited him to have lunch and tea together at least twice a week.
Jiang Cheng was no stranger to negligent and abusive parents but the time he spent with Lan Qiren...it almost made him feel like he had a parental figure. Lan Qiren had spent their time together concerning himself with Jiang Cheng's life and fussing over him. Asking whether or not he was resting enough and eating well and whether or not Xichen was treating him well. Even going so far as to tell Jiang Cheng to call him Shufu instead of Lan Laoshi. If Lan Qiren had promised Jiang Cheng that "If Xichen hurts you, let me know and I will duly punish him." it would be a secret between the both of them.
He also surprisingly spent his time at Cloud Recesses around his brother-in-law. While he and Lan Wangji were not explicitly known to be close or even friends, when they were together they tended to enjoy each other's company. While they spent most of their time together in comfortable silences, there were occasions where they would engage in playful banters and quips with one another. If any Lan disciple happened to pass by were shocked to hear the esteemed HanGuang Jun engaging in playful banter and sarcasm, they kept it to themselves because they knew no one else would believe them.
And while Jiang Cheng would never admit it to anyone, he enjoyed being around his brother once again. Seeing his brother running around Cloud Recesses and roping him into stupid pranks just like the good old days, hearing the loud rambunctious laughter of Wei Wuxian....it had all seem so long ago. "Cheng Cheng! It's so nice to see you at Cloud Recesses!" Wei Wuxian greeted, and while Jiang Cheng scolded him for using the stupid nickname inside he felt a sense of reminiscing. It had been a long time since anyone had called him Cheng Cheng.
In the evenings, Jiang Cheng would have dinner with his family his husband, Lan Qiren, Wei Wu Xian, Lan Wangji, and the Junior Quartet. Between hearing Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling complaining about the bland food to Lan Qiren's scoldings of "No talking while eating", and the silent laughter of the other three juniors and Lan Xichen while Lan Wangji secretly tried to sneak some chillis into his husband's food, Jiang Cheng heart had felt warm. He may not have had a house in the Cloud Recesses but in that moment, the dining room had felt like home.
Jiang Cheng had thought that the disciples would be happy at his month-long absence. With no one to yell at them or put them through punishing training and drills, he thought they would be exciting that he was gone and lament his return. But when he finally went back to Lotus Pier, he was shocked, to say the least. His disciples all started running up to him, all complaining that he was gone for too long, asking if he had forgotten about them. Some even going as far as to say that they would build a permanent residence for Lan Xichen if it meant that their sect leader won't be gone for such a long period of time anymore.
What surprised him the most were the little children, the training disciples of Lotus Pier. They were no more than 7 years old and had come to the Lotus Pier just to train and gain the foundation of building their golden cores. He had always thought them to be terrified of the fearsome Sandu Shengshou but after his month-long absence, he was shocked when they all ran towards him and barrelled him to the ground. Climbing and clamoring on to him while crying. Asking "Sect Leader Jiang why were you gone for so long??? Don't you love us anymore?? Where did you go?"
Even when he managed to stop their tears, they refused to leave his side. Hugging onto his legs, sitting in his lap, with some even demanding to be carried. None of them wanted to leave their Sect Leaders side, only managing to be cajoled to their rooms when it was late into the night and time for bed. The next morning, Jiang Cheng left his room and was surprised to find the same gaggle of little children all waiting in front of him with flowers, gifts, and hand-written cards of "Sect Leader Jiang We Miss You" waiting for him.
Jiang Cheng might have lost his family once and have had a lifetime of hurt behind him but he has a new family now and a lifetime of love in stored for him. He might have been alone once but not again, never again.