Work Text:
Jiang Cheng had eyes on both his timer and his wall clock. 2 minutes 30 secs to steep the tea, which means his water should be at the right temperature in a minute, and he’d have enough time to walk to the knock that he hears on his door.
“Oh… you’re here,” he says as if he hadn’t been counting down seconds to this knock, holding the door open as nonchalantly as he can for Lan XIchen who has his usual smile in place, a paper bag in one hand and a tiny briefcase that hold his papers in the other.
“As always” Lan Xichen responds, walking in and toeing off his shoes and slipping on the house slippers that have now become ‘his’ house slippers in Jiang Cheng’s home.
Jiang Cheng walks into the kitchen to the stove, knowing Xichen will follow him and help himself to the tea.
He does not want his ears to go red again from the grateful smile Xichen will have on, as soon as he sees the steaming pot.
“Thank You A-Cheng” Lan Xichen says, his voice full of gratitude and Jiang Cheng cannot help a small smile as hears him pour two cups.
“Would you join me? or shall I bring your cup over” Xichen asks placing both cups against each other. His coat was now draped over the vacant chair beside him and bags were neatly arranged on the table.
“Just a minute” Jiang Cheng calls, shutting the lid to the pot, leaving his soup on to simmer.
His kitchen is warm with smells of herbs and the welcome aroma of home.
He breathes before turning around and walking to his chair across from Xichen, their eyes meet briefly and Xichen does not react, face glued to his phone, brows furrowed. Limb fingers skimming his keypad.
Jiang Cheng can’t help the irritation he feels and clears his throat.
Lan Xichen immediately looks up, like a deer caught in headlights.
“I apologize, Wanyin, I did not mean to be so rude,” he says so sincerely, Jiang Cheng flushes with embarrassment at his petty behavior.
“It’s fine..” he urges, opposite to what he was feeling moments ago.
“I understand..go ahead” he adds picking up his cup of tea.
“No. I’m done” Xichen says with finality and switches off his phone to demonstrate his seriousness.
“It’s okay…” Jiang Cheng tries again, guilt climbing up his throat.
“I agree, it is okay” XIchen responds instead “The world wouldn’t crash should I spend uninterrupted time with you Wanyin”
All his guilt bursts into butterflies and Jiang Cheng takes another too-hot sip of tea to hide his smile.
Lan Xichen will be the death of him.
What had begun as a courtesy had formed into a habit. Lan Xichen had willingly decided to evade his shared apartment with his little brother in favor of his rambunctious partner’s visit every week.
He loved Wangji and every week he was more than happy to let him and Wei Wuxian use the space as comfortably as they pleased. It gave him immense joy to know that Lan Wangji was happy. But Wei Wuxian being Wei Wuxian had to do something in return.
Which had led to him blackmailing his own little brother Jiang Cheng into opening his home, one that was so much closer to the airport so Lan XIchen wouldn’t have to spend the night in a hotel that was considerably farther away from the airport for trips he took outside the country, every week.
Not that he ever minded it, but he couldn’t refuse the act of kindness Wei Wuxian and by association, his brother was trying to do for him.
When he first met Jiang Cheng he’d been taken aback. Jiang Cheng was somber, but unlike the somber, he was used to, from Lan Wangji.
Lan Xichen could sense a thrum of wildness beneath the somber indifference Jiang Cheng took so much effort to put up.
Until meeting Jiang Cheng, and having dinner with him every Thursday evening became the highlight of his week.
An anchor that he edged closer to, while so many things he put up a front for, escalated by the day.
He never complained, he was brought up to deal with things, efficiently and silently, With all the dignity of a swan, he did it, every day. Except for Thursdays, when he met Jiang Cheng.
Thursdays, when Jiang Cheng, cooked for him, food that was exceptionally mild, tea that was steeped to perfection, and a home that felt like a home what with the lack of the edgy modernity of his own.
He could, in the smaller space lean back. He needn’t be straight-backed and upright and he could never thank Jiang Cheng enough for every bit of warmth he so easily showed Lan Xichen.
“Are you okay?” Xichen is asked, by Jiang Cheng and he smiles at him in response. However, unlike his usual cordial, reassuring smiles he knows this is sincere. This smile of his, directed at Wanyin, is effortless and he loves that he never has to remind his brain to keep it up.
“Yes, of course, Wanyin” he asserts, nodding his head, realizing he hadn't spoken for a while, sinking in thoughts of gratitude to his host
However, Jiang Cheng stares, he sees how the smile is a touch shy of sincere. He now knows what Lan Xichen in an absolute utter state of happiness looks like.
“You’re hungry?”
“For your food, always” Xichen answers easily like his words don’t mean anything. Like his words do nothing to Jiang Cheng who immediately has to turn away to hide how his face blushes helplessly.
He’s a grown man for chrissakes, how is he so helpless in front of this man?
“How was your day?” XIchen asks as they sit to eat together as usual.
He breaks his rule of a silent dinner with Jiang Cheng. With the man before him, he cannot help but engage.
“Wei Ying stopped by… said something about buying hamster wheels,” Jiang Cheng says, swallowing a spoonful of scalding hot soup. Xichen would gawk in horror but now he knows that Jiang Cheng is an all-or-nothing guy. Food either scalding hot or blithering cold.
Lan Xichen chuckles knowingly.
“You know what it's about, don't you?” Jiang Cheng exclaims, eyes wide. No matter how much he asked, Wei Ying gave him no discernible answer.
“I do,” Lan Xichen says, mischief evident in his tone.
“Well?” Jiang Cheng enquires, trying his best to keep impatience off his voice
“I’m not sure I should say”
“Oh come on!” Jiang Cheng whines, patience is barely a guest in his home.
“You have no reason for allegiance to that idiot”
Lan Xichen simply takes a sip of water, eyes still amused.
“Are you seriously not going to tell me?” Jiang Cheng intones, voice dripping with disbelief
“What would you do for the secret Wanyin?” Xichen asks, placing chopsticks down and leaning forward with arms over the table, and Jiang Cheng fumbles, at how the shirt stretches over Xichen's perfect fucking shoulders, lifting his bowl to hurriedly drink soup again.
Lan Xichen waits, patiently smiling as Jiang Cheng looks like a chipmunk, with cheeks full attempting to hide how the sultry voice affects him.
“You... I can’t believe you!” he finally says swallowing
“Wei Ying is rubbing off on you too!” Jiang Cheng complains
“Is he?” Xichen goes back to his bowl
“I believe it was you who taught me the art of bargain” Xichen responds, softly and smiles
“And you would use that against me? I thought you were an honorable man Lan Xichen” Jiang Cheng argues
“I am, yes, - unless I want something” Xichen responds enjoying the way Jiang Cheng sputters
“What could you possibly want?” Jiang Cheng scoffs, making no effort to hide his disbelief
“No less from me?” He adds, folding his arms defensively
“Wanyin…” Xichen says, his voice has lost the playfulness and Jiang Cheng feels cornered
“Only you can give me this,” he says, looking directly into Jiang Cheng’s eyes, with all the warmth, gratitude and intensity he feels for the man who’s made his life bearable and might he even say enjoyable, the past few months.
“Or rather, I want this, only from you”
They look at each other, neither backing down. Jiang Cheng’s nervous wreck of a body managing to hold on by its shreds, his throat now dry and bare.
He’s about to ask, to call Lan Xichen by name, one he rarely uses for fear of wanting more of it, for fear that it may escape the loving way it does in his head, where he calls Lan Huan in whispers, in a way that cannot be mistaken in any form but to feel like a lover’s touch.
But the stalemate they are at is interrupted with an ear-piercing ring.
Jiang Cheng startles and Lan Xichen’s expression melts to one of concern.
“I... I am sorry... I need to “
He picks up his briefcase, opening it to reveal the ringing alternate phone, one that he’d forgotten to turn off. Jiang Cheng nods and Xichen raises to leave to the comfort of the kitchen he loves.
Lan Xichen’s words were ringing like a gong in Jiang Cheng’s ears. He wants? wants, what? And from him? Only from him, his mind corrects. Why’d he look so piercing? So serious, and intense… so fucking intense that Jiang Cheng feels scalding hot all over.
How was that even possible? Lan XIchen, a man, who comes feels like the picture of calm and serenity looked intense, and hot, his brain unhelpfully supplied. His eyes were piercing, Jiang Cheng shudders in thought.
Jiang Cheng felt his breath stutter in his lungs, his face was hot and his hands shook as he cleared their dishes away.
Thank the lords for that call, or Jiang Cheng very likely may have swooned, and from what?
The Wei Ying in his head sang in mockery you like him, you like him, you like him, sing-song and irritating, almost mocking “You'll never have the balls to tell him you loooove him!”
Like having received a command, Jiang Cheng heaves a breath and moves. It had been too long since Xichen had walked to his living room.
Jiang Cheng takes careful steps towards the living, room and stops as he hears Lan Xichen’s voice, low in volume, but also stripped of any joy or warmth whatsoever. He seems to be at the end of the conversation, making a very formal goodbye. He cuts the call and Jiang Cheng sees Lan Xichens arms raise to his temples, fingers pressing at a possible ache and sighing.
He further almost collapses onto Jiang Cheng’s armchair and unknowingly Jiang Cheng takes a few steps back. He wants to go and ask, but Lan XIchen is always so put together he did not want to cause him any embarrassment that comes from being caught out with raw emotion.
After what felt like an eternity, Jiang Cheng hears the rustling of Lan Xichen’s footsteps, and in a blind panic he turns around grabbing the spoon from his counter.
“Wanyin..I…”
“I was, cleaning!” he exclaims and Lan Xichen’s eyes widen before he lets out an amused smile.
“with your.. spoon?” he asks, the soft lilt back in his tone
“I.. “ and before Jiang Cheng can respond, Lan Xichen seats himself onto his dining chair, in a manner that was just as close to collapsing, giving up.
“Lan Huan” Jiang Cheng exclaims, rushing to Xichen’s side.
“I’m fine... “Lan Xichen croaks
“You’re not” Jiang Cheng responds, indignant
“Stop.. stop trying to appear like you are” he adds, standing beside the chair XIchen is seated on, face hung low
“Wanyin…I am not”
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Cheng cuts
Xichen holds his concerned gaze with a helpless one of his own
Jiang Cheng peers back, the always warm and always soft eyes of Lan Xichen look so tired, almost done and helpless. He never looks helpless
Taking resolve, he moves forward and spreads his arms against Xichen who needs no prodding, and pulls Jiang Cheng close, to bury his face into a solid warm stomach.
He sighs, and breathes, letting hands wrap around the small waist and clutches.
“A-Huan” Jiang Cheng whispers, his whole body dwindling between exhilaration and plain disbelief
“Mmn..” XIchen responds, an almost groan while turning his face sideways so he can breathe easier, but making no move to loosen their hug. If possible he clutches him closer, and Jiang Cheng gasps
“Wanyin…” Lan Xichen calls again softly, fingers at the small of his back stroking softly.
Jiang Cheng musters all his willpower not to moan
“Lan Huan” he manages, swallowing
“I... I have to leave” Xichen says, raising his chin and resting it on Jiang Cheng’s rib cage.
Jiang Cheng finally looks at the face he has been in love with, for a while now.
The soft warmth momentarily back, and he lifts his fingers to trace along cheekbones.
“Why..” he asks petulantly
“Leave. . why?” he asks, again, feeling ache, letting his fingers involuntarily dip into dark hair and skim through soft locks.
Xichen’s eyes flutter close at the motion and he groans “Wanyin please..”
“Hmm…” Jiang Cheng responds this time, softly tugging and Xichen gasps before letting his fingers dip into sharp hip bones making Jiang Cheng yelp, and push Xichen away
“You.. you don’t “ he threatens, flushing entirely, fingers pointing as he watches Lan Xichen raise to his full height
“Wanyin.. “ he prowls
“Are you ticklish?”
“No.. no no!!” Jiang Cheng mumbles, positioning himself around the counter
“You stay back, stay back Xichen!” he yells grabbing his ladle
Xichen, glides over to him easily, cornering Jiang Cheng against the counter
“I will hit” Jiang Cheng warns, holding the ladle tight, his knuckles white
Lan Xichen stands a breath's distance away, and takes Jiang Cheng’s hands, his touch soft enough for Jiang Cheng to relax, and loosen his grip.
“Wanyin..” he smiles again
“You’re something else”
“I... I am not?” Jiang Chen protests, his voice a mere mumble as Lan XIchen takes the moment to close the distance between their bodies and hug him, burying Jiang Cheng within himself and tightening his hold ever so slightly as Jiang Cheng lets the ladle fall, and puts his arms around Lan XIchen’s taller, sturdier and warmer frame. Breathing in his fill of the lingering sandalwood he’d always only had wafts of, Jiang Cheng feels heady and sighs, cuddling closer to Lan Xichen who presses into him closer if that was even possible. He feels so warm, he could fall asleep.
“You’re not okay” Jiang Cheng states again, remembering, his voice muffled from being pressed against Lan Xichen’s chest
“I have to go…” Xichen responds, yet again, voice firm, with a sad lilt this time
Jiang Cheng’s fingers clutch at Xichen’s waist involuntarily
“But.. I’d like to continue our conversation when I am back if Wanyin so wishes” he finishes, softly pulling away
Jiang Cheng looks up, and finds the kindest pair of eyes directed at him, with nothing but warmth, and manages to nod
“Yes.. “ he stutters
“Yes.. what?” XIchen urges
“Yes A-Huan” Jiang Cheng blushes
“Thank you Wanyin” Lan Xichen finally smiles, the smile that Jiang Cheng knows and loves the most. The brightest one he thinks of when he feels blue, the warmest one he may ever see in his entire existence and can do nothing but stare at, as Xichen slightly bends down to place soft lips against his cheek.
Before Jiang Cheng can capture the gravity of what was happening Xichen lifts his chin and places one more firm kiss on his forehead, his cheek, and finally, like an afterthought at the corner of his lips, Jiang Cheng feels his whole body flush.
“I promise to tell you about the hamsters when I’m back” Xichen teases before turning to fetch his coat
“I take it back, I hate you” Jiang Cheng scowls coming to his senses
“You hate me? “ Lan Xichen turns, eyes full of mirth, teasing, as he helps himself into his coat
Jiang Cheng openly groans, blushes more, if that was even possible. He wishes the floor could swallow him up
“No! Fuc...! Stop, stop hanging out with Wei Ying! I’m gonna kill Wei Ying!!” Jiang Cheng yells in embarassment
“You mustn't Wanyin” XIchen cajoles, smirk in place
“You never want to deal with a mopey Wangji”
Jiang Cheng huffs
“I shall see you soon A-Cheng,” he says, having reached the door
Jiang Cheng feels a pang now, it sinks in that he won’t be able to spend the night in Lan XIchen’s space.
He nods quietly and XIchen opens the door
“A-Huan”
“ Yes..mmph”
And Lan XIchen has an arm full of Jiang Cheng hugging on, for dear life
“Wanyin,” he whispers, holding him back
“I’m so sorry”
“No..no” Jiang Chen cuts him
“Just.. just be back soon”
“I promise Wanyin” he soothes, running his arms down Jiang Cheng’s back in a way that soothes him more than Lan Xichen will ever know
“Don’t forget the hamster cages...” Xichen teases, once again, he cannot leave Jiang Cheng saddened
“Go.. just go” Jiang Cheng pushes slightly, letting Xichen stumble back with a chuckle, knowing that even a moment more and his patience for the chat they are supposed to have once Xichen is back, will run out.