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Lan Wangji raises a fist and Lan Xichen holds his breath. The band and the cheering from the Gusu section stops.
Silence.
A pindrop could be heard in the gym.
Lan Wangji takes one, two, three steps, tosses the high ball up, jumps and hits a spike serve over the net BAM!
It’s powerful, well aimed to a corner of the court, Lan Xichen would say, but Qinghe’s libero Jin Guangyao is just as good, coming in fast with a sidestep and a full body bounce to absorb the impact.
The ball is launched smoothly to Wen Ning, Qinghe’s setter, and it’s straight to Nie Mingjue.
They’re one point away from half time, not doing so hot by the score of 23 – 24.
Lan Xichen gets ready to receive the spike – it's surely about to come to his left side since Nie Mingjue, the top high school volleyball player, is known for being lefthanded. Maybe they’re lucky that the rotation places Lan Xichen in the left corner of their court.
Lan Xichen just hopes he receives it properly this time.
The ball comes spinning, his vision narrows, moves into position, leaning to the left, and he braces – SMACK!
The ball ricochets off his forearms and spins, out of bounds.
Fuck.
Tweet!
The whistle is blown for halftime and his team all trudge back to the benches.
Qinghe cheers, players thumping each other on the back in good spirits as they walk back, their section of the audience rowdy with calls and smacking of cheer-sticks.
The Gusu’s section sound is smaller, calling an organized cheer of “don’t mind!” and “you’ll get it next time!”
Lan Xichen gulps from a water bottle gratefully, standing because he doesn’t trust his legs won’t turn to jelly if he doesn’t stop standing. He can hear the whispers of their audience.
“Gusu is the one in blue and black right?”
“Yes, the green and white team is Qinghe. They’re the strongest around here – they’ve got that Southpaw Nie Mingjue after all.”
“What does that mean again?”
Left-handed players were rare, which makes them hard to deal with since most practice consisted of playing against right-handed players’ serves and spikes.
Going against muscle memory and switching immediately during the game? Extremely hard, if not impossible. But Nie Mingjue’s left-handed-ness wasn’t the only problem – his spiking power was just that.
Absolute power.
Even if you managed to angle right into the ball’s way, getting it back up was only for seasoned players, never mind getting it in a good direction. More often, the ball will spin off out of bounds, like this time, or – well, let’s just say a lot of nosebleeds have occurred this way too.
Lan Xichen wishes there was some sort of brochure that explained all of the players’ hardships to the audience.
Nie Mingjue can be called a beast.
He hears another group, this time from the ‘neutral’ section. The Qinghe vs Gusu game is the last one of the day, and while some spectators have left, a lot have stayed to watch the north and south powerhouses of the prefecture duke it out.
Only one of them will go to the Spring Tournament.
“Gusu has those two brothers, don’t they? The one that can set and spike together?”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s those two over there. Lan Xichen, Number 1, and Lan Wangji, Number 7. Or as fans like to call them, Lan Yichen and Lan Wangqi, the Jade Brothers. They’re not twins, only a year apart but they look very similar!”
“Aw, it’s a shame I came late and didn’t see them do their combo.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll see it in the next half. It’s too good of a move to not use it, if they can get the ball up after a spike, that is.”
Lan Xichen sighs to himself, replaying Wangji and his last play. He had hoped to catch the last ball, which would allow them one more rotation and at least place him on the front lines. It will be easier for Wangji to set to him like that, or to confuse the other players and put them on the edge at least.
Though, the last twin-combo-play wasn’t quite satisfactory.
Wangji had set to him, a difficult set from the back corner of the court, but Lan Xichen’s spike hadn’t been powerful enough to get through Jin Guangyao.
Lan Xichen sighs. He hasn’t been playing as well today – it must be because his lucky charm is missing.
Lan Xichen scans the audience again, trying to spot a pair of familiar grey eyes and adorable scowl. The whole team trickled in at odd times today, though Xichen and his brother came since the morning to watch the other teams’ games. But others like Wen Chao or Xue Yang had come much later, barely making it for the warmups before their game.
Jiang Cheng’s been caught dealing with new uniform designs and trailing after Lan Qiren, Lan Xichen’s uncle and the team’s head coach, to secure last-minute practice matches after the qualifiers.
Xichen knows it was for the team’s greater good but he can’t help missing his childhood best friend.
Jiang Cheng has always been with Xichen, ever since the younger was born into the Jiang household. The two Lan brothers moved to live with their uncle since young, making them neighbors with the Jiangs. It was an easy friendship, Lan Qiren already friends with Jiang Cheng’s parents since college years.
Due to Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli being the same age, the two families often got together for playdates and trips. After the younger brothers were born (Wei Wuxian not yet adopted by the Jiangs), the two elder siblings were quickly enamored by them
Jiang Yanli loved – loves - to dote on both Wangji and Jiang Cheng, quietly settling into her role as a loving elder sister. Lan Xichen loves his brother of course, and he first treated Jiang Cheng in the same way, but nowadays, he can’t exactly say he thinks of Jiang Cheng as a little brother anymore.
They’ve always been close, closer after Wei Wuxian arrived in the scene and quickly gained the other family members’ affections and Wangji’s attention. Jiang Cheng loves to roughhouse with his brother, and of course, he loves his sister and is still good friends with Wangji, but, Xichen is quietly pleased, the younger still comes to him when he has troubles. Personal troubles. School troubles.
Any sort of trouble or discomfort had Jiang Cheng letting himself into the Lans’ house and knocking quietly on Xichen’s door.
They’ve grown even closer in their high school years as they worked together as captain and manager for the volleyball team.
Jiang Cheng was devastated when the knee injury made him unable to play soccer in high school, at least not so soon after event. Lan Xichen, unable to stand seeing the younger mope around and go home alone, convinced Jiang Cheng to sign up as a manager for their team.
At least then, he’d have something to do. And the team needed a manager soon since their previous one was graduating as well.
Between working with the team and coaches, going on trips together, lingering glances and touches as they spend so much time together, Lan Xichen realized his concerns and care for Jiang Cheng aren’t simply out of familial love, but… something more.
He certainly didn’t feel this way for Wangji, nor for Wei Wuxian, who he’d grown up with all the same.
(That one wet dream about Jiang Cheng in his jersey was also the catalyst to recognizing his feelings and wants.)
The assistant coach’s voice brings Lan Xichen back to the game.
“You all better get the receives, or you’ll be running suicides and diving drills for the next month. I didn’t train you to be losing like this. Get it up however you can and make way for Lan Xichen or Lan Wangji. I want you two to be on full offense.” Wen Ruohan points at the two brothers. He claps his hands loudly.
“Next! Formations. We’re going to keep the starting formation with Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji in the front, but I’m switching Wen Xu with Luo Bingsan for full offense. Wen Xu, Wen Chao and Zhao Zhuliu will hold the back line, when we’re attacking. Get those receives up, I’m not joking,” he swings his cold gaze to the three mentioned. “Lan Wangji, I want you to set offensive plays when you can see any opportunity and Xue Yang - ”
Wen Ruohan whipped around to look for the smaller boy. He spots him at the edge of the group, inching away to rummage through the snacks bags.
“Xue Yang! Listen to me when I talk,” the coach snaps. “Don’t forget that liberos can set too. If Lan Wangji gets the first touch, you better slide in there, even if your knees get skinned off. Otherwise, I’ll sub you out with Chang Ping.”
“Yes, sir, coach.” Xue Yang raises his hands to show he hasn’t taken any snacks.
Coach Wen talks a bit more about rotations and pinch servers before he lets them go to get ready.
They only have about five minutes before they’re due back on court. Lan Xichen is disappointed he still hasn’t seen Jiang Cheng all day. It makes him feel antsy, a foreboding feeling trying to settle in his stomach.
Logically, he knows he’ll see him again on the walk back to their hotel (it’s cooldown, Coach Wen says, it’s torture, the team says).
Wangji comes to stand beside him, his own eyes on the team entrance door. “Don’t forget our promise, Ge.”
“Can’t ask him out immediately after the game if he’s not there, right?” Lan Xichen shrugs. “And we might not win the game.”
“Ge.” Wangji gives a big frown, small on the surface but Xichen can tell.
“Okay, no jinxing the team. But maybe the promise isn’t a good idea. You don’t have to do yours, if I don’t do mine?” Lan Xichen tries.
“Ge.”
“Okay, maybe I can do it after the clean-up instead? Or at the hotel?”
“…after clean up. Before hotel,” Wangji negotiates. “You’ll come up with more excuses on the walk.”
Lan Xichen winces, his brother hitting the nail on the head. He switches tracks. “Besides, what about you and Wei Wuxian?”
The tips of his brother’s ears turn red. “Wuxian and I…” he trails off.
Lan Xichen smiles knowingly. It’s not exactly a secret that his brother and Wei Wuxian has been doing things in dark places. It’s natural and healthy, he would say, though the severity of Wangji’s feelings only increased and that was unhealthy.
Both brothers had promised to come clean about their feelings the Jiang-Wei siblings, if they won the game against Qinghe. An appropriate happy ending after their biggest challenge – while Lan Xichen was sure both the Jiang-Wei brothers returned their feelings, Wei Wuxian especially so with Wangji, Jiang Cheng… well, there hasn’t been much physical change from childhood friends to something more like Wangji and Wei Wuxian, and that always gave him a niggling feeling of doubt.
“Well, we have to go. Let’s work hard together, okay?” Lan Xichen pats Wangji’s shoulder as he turns.
Before he can take another step though, he hears a loud “WaaaanngWaanng!” from upper tier.
Lan Xichen turns back and catches the tail end of Wei Wuxian doing a pose … bunny outfit? With bunny ears and is that stockings?.... he politely pretends he didn’t see that.
“Wuxian,” Wangji mutters from his spot, ears going red. Lan Xichen hopes his brother will use his horniness to win the game – testosterone is lovely for aggressive plays.
Wei Wuxian must have heard – or rather, read Wangji’s lips – because he adjusts the box he picked up with one hand and yells “Good luck!” before waving cheerfully and walking towards the Gusu cheering section to pass out cheer-sticks and other items as the vice-captain of the official cheer team.
Xichen bows his head to Lan Qiren as he strides in, the older willfully pretending he didn’t hear the bunny-outfit spectacle. Wangji walks back onto court determinedly.
Searching both floors, Xichen is disappointed to find, again, Jiang Cheng isn’t here yet. Hopefully Wangji’s energy will pull them through.
The whistle is blown for the teams to get on court. Lan Xichen dejectedly walks two steps this time, but startles when he hears a loud “Xichen-ge!”
He’s never moved so fast since the game started. “A-Cheng!” Lan Xichen waves cheerfully, smiling so wide his cheeks hurt.
Jiang Cheng walks quickly to the barrier, also holding a box similar to Wei Wuxian’s. He’s wearing… a schoolgirl uniform, Lan Xichen’s eyes widen, their school’s girl uniform with the dark pleated skirt, white shirt and pale blue sweater vest, complete with a blue and red bow under the collar. He’s even got his hair tied to the side with a sparkly scrunchie.
It’s cute. So cute. Lan Xichen wants to hide him away from everyone else.
“You look great!” he calls, though Coach Wen is glaring at him to get on court already.
The dusting of red on Jiang Cheng’s cheeks is the best part of the outfit, Xichen thinks, and he suddenly understands Wangji a little more.
“We lost a bet! Now get your – get your head in the game!” Jiang Cheng yells back, embarrassed.
Lan Xichen beams again, sending him an okay sign. He changes into a heart with a turn of his hand, bixin , and watches as Jiang Cheng sputters. There’s a chorus of kyaaa’s from the crowd.
Lan Xichen jogs to the court, taking his place and exhales deeply to concentrate. He’s got a game to win now.
**
Lan Xichen wipes the sweat off as they pack up. They won the game after going into a third set, tired and stumbling but coming out on the top with a 2-point lead finally.
With their spot secured in the Spring Tournament, the team is in high spirits, whooping and cheering with each other as they walk out the gym. The team will spend one last night here, just enough time to recuperate and allow the coaches to finalize practice match details with other schools before leaving by bus tomorrow. The bus for the cheer team will be leaving first tonight.
The team gathers at the front entrance, everyone carrying a bag or two. The hotel is thankfully a short walk, unlike that one 30-minute walk last year.
Lan Xichen notes his brother is nowhere to be seen.
“Your brother’s probably with Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng mutters from beside him, setting the cooler box and snacks bag down. He’s changed to his school pants, though he’s still wearing the sweater, ribbon-tie and the scrunchie in his hair. “Wen Qing gave him a ride here and she hasn’t left yet, so…”
Their brothers are probably making out in the dark somewhere. Wangji gets a little intense after games.
“Where’s Wang- never mind, Xichen you gave him the directions to the hotel?” Lan Qiren asks, frowning.
“It’s on our group chat, don’t worry,” Lan Xichen says, giving a thumbs up cheerfully.
Coach Wen rolls his eyes but everyone is used to the routine by now. Wangji has only missed the bus and got left behind once this year, which is pretty much a stellar record.
“Alright, we’ve got everyone then. Let’s go,” Coach Wen signals for the team to start walking.
Jiang Cheng moves to go as well, but Lan Xichen grabs his wrist quickly. Remembering the promise he made, he takes a deep breath.
“A-Cheng, stay behind a little? I have a something to say to you.”
Jiang Cheng looks confused, eyes flicking back and forth to the team that’s getting further away and Lan Xichen. “What do you – we’re losing the group, Xichen-ge.”
Lan Xichen smiles to hide his nerves. “It’s okay, we have the directions on the group chat.”
“I-“ Jiang Cheng looks torn, but relents, adjusting his bags on his shoulder. “Okay, what is it?”
“I- um, A-Cheng, go out with me,” Lan Xichen determinedly says. There it is. He’s said the words.
Jiang Cheng frowns.
Lan Xichen heart sinks.
Time for a rejection.
“Go out where? Xichen-ge, you know curfew is at 8, it’s already 6:30, and I don’t think you can walk far with the exhaustion. If you want to shop for food, you know you can always ask me or Uncle Qiren to get it,” Jiang Cheng folds his arms as he scolds Xichen.
So adorable, his A-Cheng.
And not a rejection.
Lan Xichen strengthens his resolve. “No A-Cheng, I meant, go out with me. As a date. Maybe not today, but sometime in the future.”
“Wh-what?” Jiang Cheng’s hand comes up to cover his mouth in shock as he flushes red. “What do you mean, Xichen-ge? Date? As – as b-b-boyfriends?”
“Yes,” Lan Xichen beams. “Boyfriends, partners, lovers – whatever you want to call it. As long as you’re with me, I’m invincible.”
Jiang Cheng covers his face for a long moment, then peeks out through his fingers. “But I thought – you and I – childhood friends?”
“Lovers can be childhood friends too.”
“Are you doing this because I dressed up as a girl?”
“A-Cheng,” Lan Xichen gently takes Jiang Cheng’s hands and lowers them down. “You and I – we both have been going towards this. All those times that we stayed together, worked together, supported each other. Correct me if I’m wrong, but all those hangouts and that one time when we – “
It was the beginning of this school year - Lan Xichen’s third year and Jiang Cheng’s second year. Xichen was appointed captain and Jiang Cheng just solidified his place as main manager.
They were staying up late to design recruitment posters and finalize the weekend practice schedule. Jiang Cheng stayed late at the Lan’s house, Wangji going over to the Jiangs since Wei Wuxian was banned from the Lan house that week, and Uncle was already asleep by 9 pm.
The late-night exhaustion got to them, and they drifted closer, conversation and planning growing sloppier and trailing off until… they were right next to each other, faces inches apart and Jiang Cheng’s lips were right there.
It was fleeting, light pressure and minute movement. They lingered then simply parted, time coming to a standstill for that one moment, brown on grey.
Then Jiang Cheng’s phone rang.
The younger hastily packed his things to leave. Lan Xichen wordlessly walked him back home across the street, watching as Auntie Yu opened the door to let Jiang Cheng in.
They never did talk about it afterwards, oh Lan Xichen wanted but Jiang Cheng never acknowledged anything, and then he was busy training the first years and Jiang Cheng with recruiting, and Jiang Cheng was still by his side like always so –
“We kissed, A-Cheng. And we never talked about it. But I think I’d like to now.”
Jiang Cheng makes a choked sound. Lan Xichen goes on.
“I’d like to do more of that. Go out with you, kiss you, take care of you. These past years, I – I love you. In every way one can love. So if you’ll accept me, I want to be yours,” Lan Xichen finishes, the words coming easier than he thought.
They’re different from what he practiced, but these words feel better, feels right and Jiang Cheng deserves to hear that he is loved.
The younger fiddles with the ribbon around his neck, tugging it like one would a tie. “But – Xichen-ge, we can’t. You have the Spring Tournament to focus on, and – “ he shakes his head. “We can’t afford to be distracted. I heard that the Bainiao Academy and Chengxi High School also got in, not to mention – “
“I’m not talking about volleyball. I’m talking about us,” Lan Xichen gently squeezes the hands he’s holding. “And I know , those are powerful teams, and we’ll need to focus on more, train harder than ever but –
After the Tournament will be graduation and I want us to start now. I want us to take the time to ease into this new dynamic, to take it slow and think about the future, to think about intertwining them to maybe make it our future. After the tournament, we’ll rush, we’ll make decisions as the deadlines come and then graduation and –“ Lan Xichen sighs. “I know it’s unfair to spring this suddenly on you and it’s late, I should have done this years ago, maybe when you joined the team as a manager – “
Jiang Cheng withdraws his hands.
“It’s not late, Xichen-ge. I – I’m also – “ Jiang Cheng pinks, but he doesn’t cover his face this time. “I also want that. To be with you. To map out a future together. And you didn’t spring this on me. I did – “ white teeth peek out to embed a shape onto pink lips.
“I knew,” he whispers. “I was always aware of… of this new thing. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t mess our relationship up – Xichen-ge, you’re important to me, okay? And I’m not –“
Jiang Cheng gestures to himself, frowning, but Lan Xichen cannot see what he is supposed to see. It’s just Jiang Cheng, in a mismatched school uniform and his hair still tied with that sparkly scrunchie. He’s still carrying the cooler box and the snack bag on his shoulders like they don’t weigh a thing – maybe they don’t since they’re almost empty.
Perfect.
Just perfect.
“I’m not what’s… expected. You should have someone like Luo Qingyang” - a common friend from the cheer team – “someone soft and gentle, someone who smells nice, and – “
“You smell nice,” Xichen blurts out indignantly.
Jiang Cheng gives him a look. “Xichen-ge, that’s not what I mean. I want to be an us, but I’m not… want is different from what you need.”
Lan Xichen shakes his head. He should have – he should have said this sooner. Should have said something that night. “Not for this. I know I want you. And I need you. I don’t care what other people say, A-Cheng, this is just you and me.”
Jiang Cheng presses his lips together, eyes shining suspiciously in the dim light.
Xichen takes his love’s hands back, traces patterns on smooth skin. Jiang Cheng’s hands are well-maintained with short nails, long fingers with a wide palm almost the size of his. In the summer, when the weather gets too hot, the heated skin will become uneven with prominent veins – definitely not a girl’s hands.
“Will you be mine, Jiang Cheng?”
Jiang Cheng sniffles, “Okay, Xichen-ge.”
Lan Xichen takes a step closer, cupping the younger’s face and trailing his gaze downwards, “Can I kiss you, A-Cheng?”
Jiang Cheng tilts his face up to press their mouths together, awkwardly and then he shifts angles and wow.
It feels soft, wet, tender; it feels like coming home, fitting back in so easily. The cooler box is digging uncomfortably into Lan Xichen’s sides but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
It feels like winning.