Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“He’s my mentor, I’m here to learn from him,” Jiang Cheng stressed as he unpacked his robes and hung them behind the screen next to Lan Xichen’s.

Wei Ying sat cross legged on the floor swaying from side to side. “Just your mentor?” he asked with a lift of an eyebrow. 

Jiang Cheng sighed. “I’m not you, I’m not looking to marry into the Lan family. We don’t think of each other in...that way. We are both clan leaders under a lot of pressure. It is perfectly reasonable for me to take a leave of absence to come here and learn from my senior.” 

“There are guest rooms near Lan Zhan and I...why do you not take one of them? Why are you staying with Lan Xichen in his private quarters?” Wei Ying stressed. 

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “You seem determined to make this something it is not. Lan Xichen was worried I would wake late, though I assured him I am not like you in my sleeping habits, he thought it prudent to have me nearby so he can make sure I rise at the appropriate hour and not waste a second of my time here.” 

“There are other ways to assure you wake at an appropriate hour,” Wei Ying mumbled. 

Jiang Cheng laughed and shook his head. “You do not understand, this is all normal conduct.” 

“Brother, I think it is you who does not understand,” Wei Ying said with amusement sparkling in his eyes. 

**********

Training Log - Day 5

Lan Xichen is an excellent teacher. Patient and kind and very skilled...although I seem to be the better fighter! Everytime we spar he always ends up flat on his back underneath me. It’s almost comical how easily I can take him down. He takes defeat very well...he always looks up at me with this soft, pleased smile. He must be satisfied that his teachings are improving my abilities. 

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“A-Cheng are you sure there’s nothing more to your relationship with Lan Xichen?” 

Jiang Cheng sighed. “Wei Ying, I have told you repeatedly, this is an opportunity to learn from my elder, nothing more.” 

Wei Ying looked around Lan Xichen’s room. “There is only one bed,” he observed. 

Jiang Cheng nodded. “And?” 

“And...where do you sleep?” 

“In Lan Xichen’s bed.” 

Wei Ying’s eyes widened. “What?” 

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “Stop jumping to conclusions. We discussed separate beds but I felt it was an unnecessary use of resources. I used to share a bed with you when we were younger, this is no different.” 

Wei Ying cocked his head to the side. “You know...if there was something between you and Lan Xichen...I wouldn’t mind at all…” 

Jiang Cheng blushed furiously. “Go away. I have to finish this report before Lan Huan...Lan Xichen returns. If he isn’t happy with my work, he said there would be consequences.” 

Wei Ying jumped to his feet and grabbed the end of Jiang Cheng’s brush, forcing his brother to make a mess of the parchment he was writing on. 

“What are you doing?” Jiang Cheng cried. 

Wei Ying laughed as he dodged Jiang Cheng’s attack and ran out of the door. “Enjoy your consequences!” he sang happily as he disappeared from sight. 

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Training Log - Day 6

When I next see Wei Ying I will strangle him! He has ruined my work and I have no time to fix this! Lan Huan will be so angry...perhaps he will make me leave…this is all Wei Ying’s fault! I chased him as far as I could but unfortunately we ran into Lan Wangji, and like the annoying little spider monkey that he is, Wei Ying threw himself into his husband’s arms and called for sanctuary. I was left with no choice but to leave or lose a limb...or lose something worse...like my dignity… Now I am waiting for Lan Huan to return to decide my fate…

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The following day, there was a sheepish knock at the door. 

“Come in,” Jiang Cheng boomed, knowing exactly who was on the other side. 

Wei Ying popped his head into the room. “Can I buy a truce with some of my ultra special reserves of JieJie’s soup?” 

Jiang Cheng scowled then relented. “It is the very least you can do.” 

Wei Ying smiled and bounded into the room placing a small container of soup down onto the desk Jiang Cheng was working at. “Soooo….” he said as he deposited himself down onto the floor in front of the desk. 

“So what?” Jiang Cheng asked dismissively. 

“So what happened? Did you get punished?” Wei Ying whispered. 

Jiang Cheng nodded. 

“And?” Wei Ying asked. 

His brother coloured somewhat and chewed his lip. “How does...how does Lan Wangji punish you?” 

Wei Ying smiled wickedly. “It is usually a very...physical experience…” 

Jiang Cheng frowned. “He hits you?” 

Wei Ying shook his head. “Not in the traditional sense...it is a measured attack, one meant to provoke pain and pleasure in equal amounts.” 

Jiang Cheng shuddered. “Okay, that’s enough. I don’t need to hear anymore.” 

“What did Lan Xichen do to you?” Wei Ying asked. “He didn’t hit you did he? If he did, I don’t care if he is my brother in law. I'll find him right now and lay a curse on his soul!” 

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “I expected to be punished in the traditional sense...perhaps to have to endure some form of physical trial…”

“But that’s not what happened?” 

Jiang Cheng shook his head again. “He...he brushed my hair.” 

“What?” Wei Ying cried. 

Jiang Cheng’s expression turned soft. “All he did was brush my hair for an hour. He said it would..give me time to reflect on my actions.”  

Wei Ying suddenly burst out laughing and fell backwards onto the floor. “Oh my goodness...I...he…” his words collapsed once more into a fit of giggles. 

“It is not funny!” Jiang Cheng hissed with embarrassment. “It was a violation!” 

Wei Ying sat up and looked sceptical. “Did you feel violated?” 

Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to respond and then closed it again. “No,” he admitted eventually. “It felt...nice.” 

Wei Ying smiled at him. “I think perhaps Lan Xichen likes you, but in the typical Lan fashion...he is unable to voice his feelings out loud and instead is using ridiculous excuses to keep you close.” 

Jiang Cheng blushed and let his words escape freely. “Do you really think so?” 

Wei Ying nodded. “You should talk to him, although between the two of you he is usually the better communicator...but as he seems to have lapsed into his little brother's bad habits...i presume the talking will be left up to you. In short, it would appear the two of you are doomed.” 

Jiang Cheng threw a paper weight at his brother’s stupid head but unfortunately missed as he rolled out of the way still laughing. 

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Training Log -Day 7

Could Wei Ying be right? Does Lan Xichen have feelings for me? If it is true...I should talk to him...I should certainly stop sharing a bed with him that will send the wrong message...but I have bad circulation and never sleep well due to my sensitivity to the cold, and Lan Xichen is so warm. I have rested so well by his side, it would be difficult to part from him...but then I will eventually have to return to my clan and then we will be parted indefinitely… this is...not a welcome thought… 

Oh hell… 

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“This is all your fault!” Jiang Cheng shouted as he stomped into the lodgings that Wei Ying shared with his husband. 

“What did I do?” Wei Ying shrieked, holding the brush he had been using to draw a talisman out in front of himself defensively. 

Jiang Cheng paced back and forward. “You had to come and put ideas into my head! And now everything is...strange and I don’t know what to say!” 

“I put ideas in your head?” Wei Ying parroted. 

“Yes!” 

“Are you sure I didn’t just point out what was already there?” Wei Ying suggested. 

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes. “I’m going to kill you.” 

Wei Ying rolled his eyes. You’ve been saying that since we were kids and yet I’m still able to draw breath into my lungs!” 

“Don’t tempt me,” Jiang Cheng growled. 

“Look, come sit down, we just need to talk this through,” Wei Ying patted his desk and smiled expectantly, Jiang Cheng glared back at him but dutifully dragged himself over and heavily threw himself down in front of Wei Ying. Wei Ying steepled his fingers. “Now then… let’s look at what we know. Lan Xichen likes having you around...and you like being around Lan Xichen…so we can conclude that you both like each other…” 

Jiang Cheng played with his belt and refused to look up. 

Wei Ying sighed. “But you both have deep rooted communication issues...however the two of you know someone who cares about you both and has no problem blurting out his own and other people’s feelings…”

Jiang Cheng looked up with a panicked expression. “You wouldn’t…” 

“Watch me,” Wei Ying said with a sparkle in his eyes as he ran out of the room. 

“Wei Ying!” Jiang Cheng bellowed as he took up pursuit but it was already too late, Wei Ying was scrambling towards Lan Xichen waving his hands in the air and grinning like a drunken fool and Jiang Cheng felt the air leave his lungs as he squeaked in useless protest… 

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Training Log - Day 8

I’m going to be extending my...training here...after which Lan Huan plans to come to Lotus Pier with me for an indefinite amount of time…as we do not wish to be parted from one another. 

I’m...I feel…happy. For the first time I believe I am content….and it’s all because of Wei Ying. But I can not  tell him that. I’ll take it to my grave before I admit that Wei Ying had anything to do with my current state of happiness! 

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Dearest Wei Ying, 

You became my sweet brother in law and now the creator of my very happiness. How can I ever repay you for the joy you have brought my brother and I? All I can do is endeavour to care for you as if you were my blood relation, which is an easy task to accomplish. 

Your brother, 

Lan Huan 

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Dearest Lan Huan,

No thanks are necessary, you are the source of my brother's happiness, this is gift enough for me. Please make sure you torture him as much as possible. This will be of great comfort to me. At least try to tease him once a day as I know you do not have a cruel bone in your entire body. Enjoy Lotus Pier! Come back soon! Please bring soup! 

Love always,

Wei Ying

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Chapter Text

Just wanted to add this wonderful artwork I have had commissioned for this fic by @lijau_art

This is Jiang Cheng winning a sparring match with Lan Huan completely on his own skill of course, had nothing to do with Lan Huan letting him win....

Look at how pretty my boys are!