Work Text:
Jiang Cheng is relaxing at home on a Friday night. Sure he could be out with his friends but why would he wanna do that when the fridge is fully stocked and the house is all to himself. His older sister was away at college and his idiot brother was at his even more idiotic boyfriends house. Just thinking about them made Jiang Cheng wanna hurl. It's not that he wasn’t happy for his brother. He just wished his brother and his boyfriend weren’t so nauseatingly in love. He had thought that once they started dating both of them would stop being annoying but it got worse. He still gags whenever anyone brings up the stunt those two pulled for Valentines day the year before. Gross.
Why couldn’t they just be normal?
Jiang Cheng doesn't get it.
He is brought out of his thoughts violently when he feels a massive weight fall on top of him. He groans in pain and tries to make sense of the weight on top of him but instantly recognizes who it is when they laugh.
“What you daydreaming about A-Cheng” Wei Wuxian asks
“Get the fuck off me” Jiang Cheng groans pushing a laughing Wei Wuxian.
“Awww but I just wanna be close to you” Wei Wuxian says, making himself heavier as Jiang Cheng struggles to push him off.
“Gross!” Jiang Cheng says putting all his strength in pushing his brother off. Wei Wuxian lets out a groan when he falls to the ground. Jiang Cheng immediately sits up ready to fight off his brother if he tries to throw himself on him again.
“Jeez A-Cheng you don't have to be so rough with me” Wei Wuxian says, rubbing his back as he slowly gets back up.
“I wouldn’t have to be if you weren’t so annoying,” Jiang Cheng replied glaring at his brother. “What are you even doing here anyway?”
“I live here?” Wei Wuxian replies looking confused and even maybe a little offended.
Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes at him “Not what I meant dumbass”
Wei Wuxian frowns at the insult but takes a seat on the couch anyway “So what did you mean?”
Jiang Cheng sighs as he let's his brother get comfortable. “I meant it's Friday night and your home at “ Jiang Cheng pauses to see the time “8:00. You’re usually calling me at midnight to help you sneak in”
“So you do see my calls!!!” Wei Wuxian yells out indignantly
“How could I not when you’re so persistent” Jiang Cheng grumbles
“I wouldn't have to be persistent if you just answered the phone,” Wei Wuxian replies, glaring at him.
“No. If you just stopped sucking face with your dead fish of a boyfriend before curfew you wouldn’t have to be so persistent” Jiang supplies and immediately has to hold back his laughter at the face Wei Wuxian is making. When will his brother get that not everyone is obsessed with Lan Wangji like he is?
Wei Wuxian let's out a wail of indignation “He is NOT a dead fish. My Lan Zhan is the most-”
“Save it. I don't wanna hear about your undying love for your dumb boyfriend”
“Hmmph…you're just jealous” Wei Wuxian replies sticking his tongue out at Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng can't help rolling his eyes and flipping him off.
Of course that leads them to wrestle on the couch. There are elbows and knees in places they definitely should not be. It takes them about ten minutes to settle down and catch their breaths.
“I hate you” Jiang Cheng says
“I love you too little brother” Wei Wuxian replies instantly and Jiang would rather eat his left foot than ever admitting how much he does love his brother in return. He's just not good at that kind of stuff. Saying “I love you” just didn't come easy to him like it did his brother and his sister. He doesn’t know why. He’d worry about it more but he knows that the people that matter to him most know he does love them.
Wei Wuxian was the first to get up off the ground. Jiang Cheng looked up at him and easily took the others’ offered hand to help get him up.
“You hungry?” Wei Wuxian asks as he makes his way to the kitchen.
Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow mildly surprised his brother hasn't had dinner yet, as he follows after his brother. “A bit.”
“Good because I’m starving” Wei Wuxian replies as he starts rifling through the refrigerator.
“What didn't your boyfriend feed you tonight?”
Wei Wuxian looks over at him with an arm full of stuff to make a sandwich “Nah we only hung out for a bit because Xichen-ge is back for break and they were gonna have a family dinner.”
The information is said so casually and yet Jiang Cheng feels his whole world stop. His brother is too focused on preparing himself a monstrous sandwich to notice the way Jiang Cheng has stilled. A fact Jiang Cheng is only too grateful for.
Xichen. Lan Xichen is Lan Wangjis older brother. He was two years older than all of them and had gone to study abroad for college. Jiang Cheng had first met him when his older sister brought him over to the house to work on a school project together. Jiang Cheng had only been thirteen at the time but seeing Lan Xichen smile at him so warmly had stirred something in him he had been too young to understand. He didn't realize what it was until the summer he was sixteen and he happened to be alone with Xichen and they talked. They’d talk tons of times before but this time was different.
It was one of the few times Xichen let his guard down so completely and was just himself. Not the smooth talking calm older brother of Lan Wangji. Not the perfect class president. Not the poster child for perfect behavior. Just Xichen who had flaws and insecurities like everybody else.
“Thats whats so special about you Jiang Cheng, you don't care what anybody thinks about you.” Xichen had said after Jiang Cheng had been forced to leave a house party after fighting Wen Chao for insulting Wei Wuxian behind his back. Jiang Cheng had been taken aback. He had always thought Xichen was immune to the thoughts of everybody else. With that easy going smile and his peacemaking abilities Jiang Cheng always thought he could care less what people thought of him.
Jiang Cheng had been so shocked he had dumbly asked the other what he meant. Xichen had chuckled and said Jiang Cheng carried himself so freely. He envied that.
“But you’re….like the model student and perfect in everything”
“Not everything”
Jiang Cheng had stayed quiet for a while before saying “But you could be. With time. You could be perfect at everything”
Xichen had laughed so heartily that Jiang Cheng couldn't help but join him. After catching their breaths Xichen had offered to walk Jiang Cheng home. Jiang Cheng had never realized how easy it was to be around the other. How nice it felt.
Jiang Cheng had always admired the older boy. Which wasn’t saying much because he was no different from the rest of his classmates. But seeing a more human side of Xichen changed something for him.
After that night they had become actual friends. It wasn’t just them interacting because of their siblings. They hung out. They saw movies together, recommended books to each other, and ate lunch together at school. It was great. Except of course for the fact Jiang Cheng realized he was developing the biggest crush on Xichen.
How could he not? The whole school had a crush on Xichen. People from schools across town had crushes on Xichen. He was just so nice and handsome. And because they were friends Jiang Cheng also knew how much of a dork Xichen actually was. The guy loved puns and dad jokes, couldn’t even boil water to save his life, collected rocks, and was absolutely terrified of bugs. Not that these things made Xichen any less desirable. Of course it only made Xichen more endearing. Jiang Cheng never stood a chance.
But all too soon their time together was coming to an end. Lan Xichen would be graduating and heading abroad for college. Jiang Cheng lived for days debating if he should tell Lan Xichen his feelings. He wondered if it would really be worth potentially losing Xichens friendship. Though he didn't think Xichen would be heartless if he did reject him. Knowing Xichen he’d genuinely apologize for not returning his feelings. He’d probably even try to keep things as normal as possible.
Knowing Xichen the way he did Jiang Cheng decided he was going to tell Xichen how he felt. The worst thing that could happen was they remained friends. Xichen was going to study abroad anyway. He could do this. He was certain of it.
He had it all planned out. He was going to confess after their weekly study group. He would wait to do it on their walk home. He was gonna be calm and cool about it. He could tell Xichen anything.
Of course in his head he could do it. In actuality he was so nervous he could barely focus on any of his school work during their studygroup. To make matters worse Xichen kept asking him if he was okay. The guy was just too observant sometimes.
When the moment finally came for Jiang Cheng to confess he couldn’t do it. Not when Xichen kept saying how grateful he was to have a friend like him. Not when Xichen told him his friendship meant a lot to him and that he would miss him dearly. In that moment Jiang Cheng knew their friendship was way more important to him than getting these feelings off his chest.
That night they said goodbye to each other like they normally did. Xichen left him with another book he thought Jiang Cheng would like, Jiang Cheng left with a new book to read and a heavy heart. They spent as much time as they could together and then Xichen was gone.
They kept in touch as much as they could in the beginning but as the semesters went on the busier they got. Jiang Cheng was in his third year of high school and Xichen was a freshman in college, their lack of communication was bound to happen. And Jiang Cheng allowed it. Wanting to give his heart a break.
And now a whole year later he felt as if his heart had come alive with just the mention of Lan Xichen being back in town.
“Jiang Cheng?” He hears Wei Wuxian say and he looks over at his brother who's offering him half of his Frankenstein sandwich.
“No thanks I’ll make my own” Jiang Cheng replies ready to distract himself from all things revolving around Lan Xichen.
Wei Wuxian shrugs and takes a big bite of his sandwich. When Jiang Cheng turns his back to him, Wei Wuxian gazes at his brother in concern. He chooses to say nothing. Pushing Jiang Cheng into sharing has never worked.
They eat their sandwiches throwing random insults at each other and joking around. It's a peaceful Friday night for the brothers. Jiang Cheng is tempted to ask about Lan Xichen. Wonders how long Xichens break is. Curious about what plans the other may have during his break. All the questions burn on his tongue, but he doesn’t ask. He may call his brother an idiot but he knows Wei Wuxian is far from it. Wei Wuxian is dangerously observant and Jiang Cheng cannot afford having Wei Wuxian know something so personal. Something he’s kept secret for so long now.
“I’m surprised you didn’t know Xichen-ge was back.:” Wei Wuxian says casually as he pours himself some juice.
Jiang Cheng freezes for a second before quickly answering “What do you mean?”
“Well… I just thought you would know”, Wei Wuxian says with a shrug. Like it's no big deal. And it isn't. “Thought you guys were close” Wei Wuxian adds before taking a sip of his juice.
Jiang Cheng tries to show no emotion. He knows what Wei Wuxian is doing. He will not give in to his brothers analyzing.
“We’re friends” he replies
Wei Wuxian nods in understanding before taking another sip of his drink. “ You want to see a movie?”
Jiang Cheng gratuitously takes the change in conversation. They end up watching a stupid action movie and Jiang Cheng doesn't absolutely hate it because Wei Wuxians commentary always makes him laugh.
Once he’s alone in his room Jiang Cheng has no other distractions from all his thoughts about Lan Xichen. Should he reach out to him? Will he even want to meet? Does he still consider him a friend? Are they still friends?
He let's out a frustrated groan at the last question burning his mind. He doesn't want to think anymore so he grabs his headphones and blasts music until he falls asleep.
He’s getting ready for his day when his phone vibrates. He doesn’t think much of it until he picks up his phone and see’s who just texted him. His heart nearly stops when he sees Lan Xichen's name flash on the screen. He's so surprised he almost doesn’t open the message but the functional part of his brain finally kicks in and he takes a deep breath before unlocking his phone and reading the text.
Jiang Cheng! I'm back in town and was hoping we could catch up! Let me know when you’re free 🙂
Jiang Cheng reads the words over and over again. Hoping that this isn't all a dream. Hoping he didn't actually fall in the shower he took earlier and this text is only a product of a severe concussion.
After reading the text for the tenth time he is finally convinced this is real. Lan Xichen had texted him. He had reached out to him first. He wants to see him. Lan Xichen, who he hasn’t spoken to in months wants to see him. There is as much relief in him as there is anxiety. Relief because he didn't have to be the one to reach out first. Also because at least now he knows that for the most part Xichen still considers him a friend. All of this is great. Really it's better than all the awful scenarios in his head. And yet…he can never be too sure.
Will he be able to be around Xichen and not want to confess? Has Xichen changed? Has he himself changed? And the worst question of all that he must consider…has Xichen found someone special while he's been away?
He sighs to himself before responding to the text. There really is no other way around it. He will meet with Xichen and be the best supportive friend. After all that is all they are. Friends.
They plan to meet at a park by Xichens house after Jiang Cheng get off from school. Xichen had offered to pick him up but Jiang Cheng definitely didn't want to cause any commotion at the school. Xichen being back in town was already the hot gossip across social media; he couldn't imagine the things people would say if Xichen actually showed up to school. His fangirls and boys would lose their shit. It was just better to avoid mass hysteria. Plus Jiang Cheng could use the walk to calm his nerves.
He knows it's silly. To be this nervous over meeting his friend. Yes he may have feelings for his friend but really it's not that big of a deal. They’ll catch up and promise to stay in touch and then go back to the lives they have. Xichen is only here until next week and he probably won’t be able to spend much time with him anyway. He's sure the older boy has more people he needs to catch up with. Jiang Cheng has school and swim practice anyway. It's fine. Everything is fine.
Lan Xichen is handsome. That is a fact. He does not have to be everyone's cup of tea but even then people would agree that he is handsome. Anyone that says the contrary is jealous and a terrible liar.
Jiang Cheng has been around Lan Xichen in his less than graceful moments so he believes himself to be a little immune to Lan Xichens good looks. He absolutely doesn’t believe in those romance movie moments where one character will nearly fall over themselves when they see someone attractive. And yet that nearly happens when he sees Xichen just standing in the park looking at some kids playing in the playground.
Xichen has a small smile on his lips and looks completely relaxed but also like a runway model. It is so fucking unfair. The man is wearing simple light denim jeans and a plain white t-shirt for crying out loud. Jiang Cheng can’t help but notice the way the shirt clings extra snug to his biceps. Did Xichen start working out more?
As he comes closer Jiang Cheng feels like maybe he should have dressed up for the occasion. His hair had gotten longer and he’d gotten used to just throwing it into a messy bun.He had swim practice earlier in the morning so he didn't think to pack nicer clothes. He’s wearing his regular faded joggers and a black t-shirt. He feels like he looks like a drowned rat the closer he gets to Lan Xichen. The walk was definitely no help to his nerves.
And then Lan Xichen spots him. Their eyes meet and Jiang Cheng feels like the air has been punched out of him. Xichens smiles warmly at him as he starts to walk over to him. Jiang Cheng can feel his hands get clammy. God why does he have to be so embarrassing. This is his friend!!! He shouldn't be so nervous.
“Long time no see Jiang Cheng” Xichen says still smiling warmly at him causing butterflies to flutter wildly in JiIang Cheng's stomach.
“Hi Xichen” Jiang Cheng greets so casually he wishes he could kick himself. He has to look up a little at Xichen and can’t help but wail internally DID HE GET TALLER?!?!
It's not as awkward as Jiang Cheng had imagined. It doesn’t feel like much time has passed since they’ve last spoken to each other. Xichen is his dorky self around him and Jiang Cheng is so so grateful. They find a park bench nearby and they just talk.
They ask each other about school. Xichen tells him all about his class schedule, the clubs he’s a part of, the new friends he has made, and the freedom he now has away from his strict uncle.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my uncle but the freedom is nice. I can breathe a little better” Xichen shares so sincerely that Jiang Cheng can’t help but feel happy for the other.
Jiang Cheng catches Xichen up on all the less than exciting things that have been going on in their town and at school. Xichen laughs whenever Jiang Cheng brings up how annoying Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian have become and even accuses Xichen of abandoning him with the love sick losers.
It's nice. Catching up is nice and it's as easy as breathing. Jiang Cheng wants the moment to last longer but it's starting to get dark out.
“It was really nice catching up with you Jiang Cheng.” Xichen says and Jiang Cheng is quick to agree with the other.
“I missed you” Xichen says then and Jiang Cheng's heart nearly stops. He stares at Xichens stupid perfect face, shocked and unable to form sentences. He wants to tell him he missed him too. Terribly. But the words are stuck in his throat.
Xichen isn’t really looking at him and continues “I actually wanted to apologize for not keeping in touch more. I… was actually a little afraid you’d be mad at me” he confesses and Jiang Cheng's heart aches at how vulnerable the other sounds.
He’s finally able to find his voice to reassure Xichen “It happens…You were just busy”
Xichen gives him a weak smile “Would you like me to walk you home. I’m sure your family as well as mine are getting ready for dinner.”
“I…are you sure?” Jiang Cheng asks because of course he would love nothing more than to have a few more moments with Xichen but he also can’t help feeling like maybe Xichens just offering to be nice? He knows Xichen is a perfect gentleman. He’d hate to take advantage of that.
Xichen looks away for a second as if embarrassed “I don't mind”
“Okay” Jiang Cheng replies and wonders what that reaction could be about.
They start walking towards Jiang Cheng house in relative silence. It's comforting. That they can both just walk alongside each other without having to fill in the silence.
“Did--did you ever read the book I gave you before I left?” Xichen asks, breaking the silence. Jiang Cheng looks over at the other and can’t help but notice there is something off about Xichen. Like he’s nervous?
Jiang Cheng feels guilty about confessing that he didn't read the book. He meant to but everytime he tried he’d miss Xichen terribly and remember he was too much of a coward to confess so he just couldn't read the book.
He settles for saying “I meant to but I got distracted”
Xichen whips his head to look at Jiang Cheng, surprising him.
“So..you never read it?”
“Uhh..no…I ..no I didn't get a chance”
“Did…did you happen to open the book at all?”
“No? Sorry…I may have forgotten about it …but I’ll defi-” Jiang Cheng tries to explain himself because he’s realizing that the book may have been more important than he originally thought. He feels terribly guilty but then hes taken by surprise when Xichen cuts him off. Lans never do that.
Xichen let's out a huge breath before he’s chuckling “And here I thought…”
Jiang Cheng stares at him feeling incredibly confused. Was Xichen mad at him for not reading the book?
Jiang Cheng wants to ask what's going on but then Xichen has stopped walking and is looking at Jiang Cheng fondly.
“You never even opened the book?” Xichen asks
Jiang Cheng blinks, still worried he’s offended the older boy but shakes his head no. He can’t lie to Xichen. Especially when he’s already said several times that he has not read the book.
Xichen takes a deep breath and let's it out before smiling warmly at Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng's heart is helpless in that moment, beating rapidly in his chest. As much as Jiang Cheng wants to ask what the big deal is and thoroughly apologize for not reading the stupid book sooner he waits. Whatever Xichen is trying to tell him must be important.
“It was a book of poetry.” Xichen finally says and Jiang Cheng is unable to make the significance. He looks at Xichen with wide eyes letting him know to go on silently.
“It was my mothers favorite” Xichen continues and Jiang Cheng takes a sharp breath. He feels like an absolute fool for not reading the book when it had been given to him so carefully. He knows about the Lan brothers' mother. He knows how important she was to them and how absolutely devastated the boys were when she passed. Xichen may not know how much he means to Jiang Cheng but their friendship is something Jiang Cheng would never take for granted. How could he have been so thoughtless? No wonder Xichen had kept asking! He’d been given something so personal and he had been so careless.
If Xichen doesn’t want to be his friend anymore he’d totally understand.
“I…” Xichen starts pulling Jiang Cheng out of his miserable thoughts. He opens his mouth to apologize but is quickly shut up by Xichens finger.
“Jiang Cheng…I… before I left I thought endlessly of telling you something. I tried so many times but the moment never seemed right. So…I thought writing it down would be easier.”
Jiang Cheng feels his heart stop. What was Xichen saying? What had he wanted to say back then?
“In a way it was…but then it became a matter of telling you or not telling you. So I gave you the book with a letter. I now see a direct approach may have been the smarter thing to do but…I’m afraid I was a bit of a coward.” Xichen says sadly and it makes Jiang Cheng feel miserable. He never wants to hear Xichen sound this sad.
His mouth moves before his brain can catch up to him “What did the letter say?” he asks
Xichen bites his lip. Nervous. All of his body language is telling Jiang Cheng that he’s nervous.
Xichen takes one of Jiang Cheng's limp hands into his own. They’re so soft and warm. Jiang Cheng doesn’t know how to live knowing how nice it is to have his hand held so carefully in the other hand.
“I like you.” Xichen says and Jiang Cheng blinks at the other unsure he heard right. As if able to read his thoughts, Xichen smiles at him and repeats it. “I like you Jiang Cheng. A lot actually” he adds with a small chuckle.
And that's really all it takes for Jiang Cheng to throw his arms around Xichens neck and bring their lips together in a kiss that is a lot less romantic than Jiang Cheng had imagined. Xichen is stiff at first and it kind of hurts with them bumping their heads together but Xichen immediately puts pressure back onto Jiang Chengs lips letting the other know that he understood.
In this way Jiang Cheng lets him know he also likes him very very much. That he's been hoping that his feelings were returned. He licks Xichens lips tentatively and feels his lips curl into a smile when Xichen enthusiastically takes the initiative to kiss him deeper.
He will admit that they are a bit clumsy and maybe a little too eager. But it's perfect. It's perfect because it's them. Jiang Cheng would change nothing in this moment.
Especially after they pull apart and Xichens eyes are looking at him like he's the most precious thing in the world.
The world seems to stop for a moment. Both of them just taking the other in.
Xichen cups the side of Jiang Cheng's face sweetly and Jiang Cheng leans into the touch. He waits for Xichen to maybe say something.
Xichen opens his mouth to speak and Jiang Cheng's heart races with anticipation.
"FINALLY!!" an all too familiar voice calls out, completely ruining the moment. Well maybe not completely ruining it because Xichen chuckles and Jiang Cheng loves the sound of his happiness.
Wei Wuxian appears before them smirking not a moment later.
"I've been calling you for hours!" he whines at Jiang Cheng before turning on Xichen "I thought you were supposed to be the responsible one Xichen-ge" he teases and Jiang Cheng wishes nothing more but to strangle his beloved brother.
Xichen blushes. He actually blushes before sheepishly smiling at Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng's poor heart will never rest. Not with how adorable Xichen is.
"I guess I didn't realize the time. I am sorry for worrying you Wuxian"
Wei Wuxian waves him off "You're fine Xichen-ge I know my A-Cheng can be distracting"
"WEI WUXIAN" Jiang Cheng growls. The idea of murdering his brother becoming more and more appealing
"Wuxian ….would you mind letting me have a moment with Jiang Cheng? I know it is late and you both will need to be home soon. "
Wei Wuxians face goes from surprise to downright giddy and Jiang Cheng knows he'll never hear the end of it when the both of them are alone.
"OH…sure Xichen-ge. I trust you not to do anything scandalous with my baby brother" Wei Wuxian says and Jiang Cheng makes a move to tackle his brother but is stopped by one of Xichens strong arms.
Easily distracted by how close they are, Wei Wuxian gets away.
Jiang Cheng looks at Xichen and feels himself blush because he is now realizing he totally just kissed Xichen.
Feeling a bit embarrassed he looks away before asking "So…?"
Xichen pulls him close and laughs. "So?" he repeats flustering Jiang Cheng.
"Does…does this mean…we're boyfriends now?" Jiang Cheng asks because there's no way to ask without being direct and he'd hate to have any more miscommunication with Xichen. Also because he isn't too sure how long of a moment Wei Wuxian will give them before being his annoying obnoxious self.
"If that's what you want." Xichen replies casually. There’s mischief in his eyes but Jiang Cheng doesn’t see it.
"Is it not what you want?" Jiang Cheng asks, feeling his heart crack. Had he been too hopeful? Had he read the situation incorrectly?
Xichen’s eyes widened in horror before he's taking Jiang Cheng into his arms.
"Oh sorry…I meant to tease." Xichen quickly, easing the momentary panic Jiang Cheng had been feeling.
"Mean" Jiang Cheng grumbles as he feels Xichen rubbing his back soothingly. He melts in the others in embrace before separating just enough to look the older boy in the eyes.
"Jiang Cheng …there's nothing more in this world that I would want than to be your boyfriend" Xichen says so sincerely Jiang Cheng can't look at him. He feels his face burning before he can get his throat to start working.
"That was so embarrassing" he says and Xichen laughs so loud that he can't help but join.
"It is the truth." Xichen says when they're able to catch their breaths.
"Okay" Jiang Cheng says
"Okay" Xichen replies before leaning in and stealing a kiss.
This one is definitely sweeter than the first.
Parting from Xichen this time is harder. But the fact that they will see each other tomorrow and the next day and the next day makes it okay. He's happy in the knowledge that at least this time no one's heart was broken.
He knows there's things they both need to address. But they can wait. For now he will enjoy every moment of Xichens undivided attention.
"We should have a double date" Wei Wuxian says as they make their way home.
"Ew," Jiang Cheng replies, scrunching up his face in disgust.
"Hey!" Wei Wuxian whines "what's wrong with going on a double date?"
"The fact that you and Lan Wangji don't know how to keep your hands to yourselves"
Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes at the other "Right but at least we don't make out in very public parks"
"WEI WUXIAN " Jiang Cheng yells before he gives chase to his annoying brother. This time there's no Xichen to stop him from throttling Wei Wuxian.