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“It’s time for the gift exchange!” Nie Huaisang tipsily sing-songed as he got up from the couch. He’d been happily cozied up to Mo Xanyu for most of the night, happily drinking all the punch. Jiang Cheng was sure that his best friend had spiked with his special baijiu to get Lan Wangji to at least try a sip.
“Oh yes! Let’s.” Wei Wuxian got up with an even cheekier grin to go over to the beautifully decorated tree that the air bnb had provided them. He winked at Jiang Cheng and a pit of anxiety began to form in his gut. Last year gremlin got his name for the secret santa and that’s how he ended up with a collection of fruit made of multi-pack of flavored condoms. He’d told them it was meant to be a gag gift but Jiang Cheng knew he was poking at him because he’d stupidly confessed to Wei Wuxian that he had a crush on Lan Wangji.
It’d be his downfall for sure this weekend; that mixed with how handsome Lan Wangji looked tonight with his new icy locks that were tied up in a high ponytail. Gone was the insanely soft cable sweater he’d been wearing leaving him in a light gray v neck and black jeans that fit him like a glove. Another hit was that left Lan Wangji’s tattoos on display from his throat, arm sleeves, and some on his chest if he leaned forward a bit.. Especially the flying crane that stretched from collarbone to collar bone. That he was absolutely not staring at right now.
Jiang Cheng felt the heat rising on his cheeks as he looked away from him to check his wine glass. “I am going to get a refill.” Jiang Cheng stated as he got up from where he’d been relaxing in the bean bag chair to get himself another glass of wine. If was going to open another gift from Wei Wuxian in front of Lan Wangji he needed it. He licked his lips as he stopped at the island in the kitchen where most of the drinks were spread out.
“Really?” He wrinkled his nose seeing that all the red was gone and headed over with the bottle opener in hand to their stash above the built in wine cooler on the bottom. He looked over their selection and had just picked a bottle when he felt the sudden warmth of someone standing behind him as he stood up straight.
“Hey wait a second you damned grem-” Jiang Cheng started but stopped when he saw it was Lan Wangji
“Excuse me.” Lan Wangji smirked as he reached over Jiang Cheng to grab a wine glass off the shelf above where Jiang Cheng was at.
“Uh… yeah.” Jiang Cheng stayed still as he let Lan Wangji do as he pleased. Standing this close he could smell his cologne and that made his heart skip a bit.
“Do you need help?” Lan Wangji asked, stirring him from his lingering. His golden eyes shifted towards the bottle waiting to be opened in Jiang Cheng’s hands.
“N-n..yes.” Jiang Cheng stuttered, handing the man the bottle and corkscrew when Lan Wangji sat his glass.
“How have you been? You’ve gotten new ink..” Lan Wangji commented as he accepted the bottle.
“Good. Researching for my next book and yes, I did.” Jiang Cheng resisted the urge to hide his hand.He wasn’t ashamed of his tattoos. He’d had another band added to his middle finger on the same hand while getting a steampunk phalange tattoo across his ring finger and pinky. He felt silly having tried to hide it when he’d not given a second thought about it all night. Why did Lan Wangji have to make him feel this way?
“Pity.” Lan Wangji responded while opening the bottle with ease.
“Pity? What’s pitiful about it?” Jiang Cheng blinked as he lifted his hand to properly look at it. He loved this design.
“That I didn’t get my hands on you first.” Lan Wangji smoothly confessed and Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but be flustered, flailing for a second as he yanked his hand down to his chest. The man’s chuckle only made Jiang Cheng’s heart feel like it was going to jump out of his chest.
“I-” He licked his lips, daring to meet Lan Wangji’s gaze. That’s when he
“They did great work but Wei Wuxian said he’d get you to come to me when you wanted more done.” Lan Wangji filled the glass with the wine that he’d picked out for himself then offered it to Jiang Cheng. “Just disappointed.”
“There will always be more.” Jiang Cheng offered before thinking. Not that it was a lie but that how in the world was he supposed to keep his composure if Lan Wangji was the one doing it?
“You’re right and I’ll hold you to it. A-Sang is waiting on us...” Lan Wangji smiled before heading back towards the living room where Jiang Cheng didn’t miss that man had taken his discarded glass for himself.
Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and finally joined the group all the while sipping his wine. He’d chosen the floor so he wouldn’t have to get up and topple over. His heart and mind were in a dance as he couldn’t help himself from glancing over at Lan Wangji who’d set beside him.
“This is yours.” Wei Wuxian blocked his line of vision with a black paper wrapped box and a deep violet sheer ribbon. This wasn’t from Wei Wuxian. The paper felt lux not like the thin holographic kind his best friend used. He would almost peg Nei Huaisang but then he caught the silver dragon paper that Nei Huaisang custom orders on the package being handed to Mo Xanyu across from him. So that left…he didn’t want to think about it being from Lan Wangji or he’d never open it.
He carefully undid the bow and opened the box. His breath caught at the site. It was a snow globe with a mechanical heart in the middle and burgundy glitter inside. There was an inscription on the base that read with metallic burgundy engraving, “If I had a heart I could love you forever, but alas I am a machine. I can only stay.”
Those were the words from his last novel. It’d been hard and he turned his pain into art. One that was clearly appreciated. He looked up to find Lan Wangji looking at him intensely to see how he was processing the gift. Like always the butterflies in his gut swirled while his heart began to race. Lan Wangji had a hold on his heart that Jiang Cheng was sure that Wei Wuxian couldn’t even quite understand. His mind replaying what happened in the kitchen and this gift. He didn’t need the rest to open their gift. He knew who had gotten him this time around and this gift meant so much to him. It made him feel bold enough to want to kiss the man. If he was reading this wrong he’d blame the wine and Wei Wuxian for good measure.
“ChengCheng what did you ge-” Wei Wuxian started to ask but the rest was lost to Jiang Cheng as he carefully sat the globe down then moved to his knees so he could properly reach Lan Wangji. He grasped the soft v-neck and tugged Lan Wangji forward, kissing him softly. There were some whistles and coos that reminded him they weren’t alone.
“Thank you.” Jiang Cheng breathed out before sitting back, feeling the heat rise on his cheeks.
“You’re welcome.” Lan Wangji gave back before happily moving beside Jiang Cheng. They were going to talk about this and hopefully, blissfully make out. He could wait a bit longer and was never happier when Wei Wuxian had suggested swapping names.