Chapter Text
Wen Ning opened his eyes as the first sound of the alarm went off. Sighing, he sat up and stretched. He really wanted to stay in bed and sleep, as he had been up most of the night studying for his exams, but he couldn’t miss his classes, either. He silenced his alarm and headed to his bathroom to begin getting ready for the day.
After about an half hour, Wen Ning was dressed in a dark red hoodie, black jeans, and his favorite dark red beanie. He stuffed his books in his bag and grabbed his keys and wallet. Last, he grabbed his phone, then did a check over to make sure that he had everything. Once he was sure he did, he headed out of his one-bedroom apartment and walked to the elevator. He was a bit early, so he decided to stop and visit the coffee shop right next to campus.
As he walked to the campus that was only about ten minutes away, he let his mind drift. He had moved here just a few months ago, having to switch schools halfway through. Things had been hard for him back in his hometown, so his sister had sent him to live here and eventually begin college. His sister was friends with one of the professors here, so he managed to get a recommendation, and his sister was paying for everything so he had to be sure not to mess up. Life here in Caiyi wasn’t bad, and Gusu College was a very good school— one of the best. Wen Ning opened the door to the small cafe, Cloud Cafe, and was greeted by a familiar face.
“A-Ning!” Wen Ning smiled at his friend, Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian had been one of his first friends here at Gusu. He had bumped into the other one day, and when Wei Wuxian had asked if he was new, the other had nodded. Wei Wuxian then took it upon himself to be his personal guide. He had shown Wen Ning everything and just about introduced him to everyone, including everyone in their small group.
Wen Ning noticed that Wei Wuxian was sitting alone at this moment, which was definitely strange. Wen Ning walked over, taking a seat across from his friend.
“Where is everyone?” He sat his bag down as Wei Wuxian sipped his drink.
“Ah, Lan Zhan had to talk with his brother about something and A-Sang is turning in his art project. As for A-Cheng…” Wei Wuxian trailed off as Wen Ning’s cheeks flushed a bit as there was suddenly another presence near them. Wen Ning looked up to see Jiang Cheng was glaring down at his adopted brother.
“Wei Wuxian, shut your mouth,” Wei Wuxian laughed and then winked at Wen Ning.
“Chill out A-Cheng. It is just Wen Ning.” Wen Ning turned his gaze away, not noticing Jiang Cheng’s own lightly pink cheeks.
“I said shut up.” There was something sitting in front of him, and he looked down at it.
“Medium mocha with no whip cream,” Jiang Cheng said. Wen Ning looked up to see that Jiang Cheng had headed off back to the counter.
“He has your order memorized! That is cute,” Wen Ning wasn’t sure what Wei Wuxian met by that. There was no way Jiang Cheng would even look at him in such a manner. Wen Ning still picked up the drink and sipped it, feeling his insides warm both from his unsaid feelings and the heat of the drink.
The bell rang, signaling another had entered.
“A-Cheng~, please can I get my regular? It is so cold outside, I am freezing.” Wen Ning smiled at his other friend’s voice. There was a huff from the counter.
“Sit down and I will bring it.” There was such a soft tone to the other, a voice Wen Ning only really heard when Jiang Cheng talked to Nie Huaisang.
“Thank you, A-Cheng!” Nie Huaisang appeared at their table and grinned at them.
“A-Ning you are here too!” Wen Ning nodded as Nie Huaisang sat next to him, removing their scarf.
“Brr, it is cold out there. A-Ning, share your warmth please.” Nie Huaisang laid their head on Wen Ning’s shoulder.
“Eh?” Wen Ning glanced around searching for assistance but Wei Wuxian was too busy looking at his phone, probably waiting for a text from Lan Wangji. Wen Ning decided he could let Nie Huaisang lay there. It would be fine, right?
“A-Sang, don’t smother him.” Right. Jiang Cheng probably wouldn’t want his partner to cuddle with another. Nie Huaisang seemed to realize this and moved his head away from Wen Ning’s shoulder. Wen Ning did not mind, but that was okay. He understood. He sipped his mocha as Jiang Cheng sat Nie Huaisang’s latte down for him before going back to the counter. Wen Ning turned his head towards his window, mind drifting again.
He thought about when Wei Wuxian had introduced him to Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang. Wen Ning had been entranced by both of them, for different reasons. Jiang Cheng had a charm to him, one that made you think that he hated your guts, but once you got to know him, you could tell he wore his heart on his sleeve. His eyes always betrayed him. When he saw Wei Wuxian, there was a slightly annoyed but adored look at his adopted brother. When he saw his brother’s boyfriend his gaze grew darker as he didn’t like Lan Wangji but he would deal with it for his brother’s sake. When Jiang Cheng looked at Nie Huaisang, there was another level of softness in his grey eyes. It was a look of adoration and love. It wasn’t hard to see that Jiang Cheng was hopelessly in love with Nie Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang was pretty easy to read, as well. Nie Huaisang was more open with his feelings, so it was easier. Nie Huaisang was also helplessly in love with Jiang Cheng, and not long after Wen Ning had been dragged into their group he learned that they were a couple who was just smitten with each other.
Wen Ning had been happy to hear that, as he thought they both complemented each other really well. But it didn’t make the hurt any easier. Wen Ning was weak to love, and that was partly what made him have to move. He let himself get hurt so bad, his sister was forced to make him leave. And here he was, falling for not one but two people. Nie Huaisang had a certain charm too, just a charm to just make you feel good. No matter what your mood was, they could make it better. If you were down and feeling depressed, Nie Huaisang would be there with some ice cream and tissues, ready to listen to whatever it is. If you were happy, they would show up and then smile at you and you would feel even happier. That was just how they were.
And Wen Ning had fallen in love with both of them. But of course, his luck had been bad for them both to be in a relationship with each other. If his sister knew, Wen Ning was afraid she would make him move again, but he wouldn’t want that. Despite having to protect his fragile heart, being here, he had the best friends he could ever have. And that was something he never had back home. So leaving here was not an option, he just had to push his feelings aside, and keep his friends close as he could.
He could do that, right?
“Lan Zhan!” Wen Ning’s thoughts are interrupted by Wei Wuxian’s voice. Wen Ning looked away from the window to see that Lan Wangji had in fact just walked through the door. He watched Jiang Cheng’s gaze go stormy, but he said a welcome anyway. Lan Wangji nodded his head in the direction of Jiang Cheng before going straight to Wei Wuxian’s side.
“Wei Ying, you have class,’ Wei Wuxian nodded, reaching for his bag.
“Hm! I was just waiting for you.” Lan Wangji nodded, wrapping his arm around his boyfriend’s waist after he stood up. Wei Wuxian waved towards Wen Ning and Nie Huaisang.
“See you guys later,” He then glanced at Jiang Cheng. “You too, A-Cheng.”
Jiang Cheng just nodded as he wiped down the counter. Wen Ning looked at his phone to see his own class was going to start soon. He stood up, grabbing his bag.
“I should head to my class as well,” Nie Huaisang jumped up.
“I will go with you, A-Ning,” Wen Ning glanced at Jiang Cheng who was checking the pastries, but was probably listening.
“Ah, no, it is okay. You just got here. You can wait for Jiang Cheng to finish his shift. Thank you for the coffee,” He left some money on the table and left the cafe, leaving his two friends in the shop alone. He missed the disappointed looks the two shared.