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Though the weather had been pleasant today, though the tea this morning had been especially aromatic, and though it was his most beloved brother's auspicious birthday, Lan Wangji could be seen absolutely seething from behind him within the Cloud Recesses' guest hall.
Sect Leader Jiang was standing before them, completely ignoring Lan Wangji, smiling pleasantly at his brother whilst gesturing towards a fine wooden box carved with lotus flowers carried by a Jiang disciple.
"...and this one carries a set of watercolours made from ingredients sourced in Yunmeng by our most talented artisans. I hope it is to Zewu-Jun's liking."
Lan Wangji's nostrils flared, though no one was paying any attention to him, least of all Jiang Cheng.
'I hope it is to Zewu-Jun's liking.' That insufferable man had never called Wangji by his title– or, at least, not in such an emollient manner. Jiang Cheng's 'Hanguang-Jun!' was one oft spoken full of malice, or traced around a wicked snarl; sharp, electrifying, absolutely indelible.
Lan Wangji bristled. How could that man stand here so shamelessly, in Wangji's own home, bearing the image of benevolence and shapeliness in his libertine Yunmeng robes– and blatantly flirt with his brother right in front of him?
"I am more than pleased, Sect Leader Jiang. I will treasure these thoughtful gifts and make careful use of them. Yunmeng's artisanal goods are some of the finest in the jianghu, and GusuLan is most fortunate to be amongst its many trade routes. It is not only Gusu that shares in fortune, however. I myself feel most fortunate to be in the company of such a kind and considerate friend."
The hand behind Wangji’s back clenched. He'd have to speak to his brother after this procession. How could a member of the Lan family call someone so utterly wretched a 'friend'? It was disgraceful, and his brother ought to rectify it immediately by never speaking to the dastardly Sect Leader Jiang again.
"Ah." The dastardly Sect Leader Jiang averted his eyes for a fraction of a moment – but Lan Wangji noticed.
"YunmengJiang is flattered by your generous words. Unfortunately, I must return to my sect duties now. My sect and I wish Zewu-Jun a joyous celebration."
The Sect Leader began to cup his hands, but Wangji's brother stopped him, fingers wrapped around the man's.
“Please," said Lan Xichen. "Though GusuLan does not hold feasts for birthdays, I hope Sect Leader Jiang would stay for some tea. Our cloud tea today is most redolent; it would be a shame not to share it with a treasured guest."
Jiang Cheng straightened, then lowered his hands, briefly averting his eyes again before replying: "Ah…a tempting offer, Zewu-Jun. Unfortunately my missives have stacked up and I–"
"It will only take a shichen, Jiang–"
"Xiongzhang."
All eyes turned to Wangji, whose face, he hoped, remained reticent and unreadable.
"I will...walk our guest to the gate. We may pass some tea leaves to his disciples to bring back to Yunmeng."
His brother paused for a moment, brows lifted, before switching to a pleasant smile.
"Ah...good on you, Wangji...."
⋆°•☁︎
The Yunmeng disciples were sent to the tea room to collect samples. Lan Wangji and Sect Leader Jiang reached the gate on their own despite deliberately walking at a leisurely pace. The walk had been taken in complete silence, which was somewhat refreshing, given how Sect Leader Jiang always seemed to have choice words for Lan Wangji, said in a choice manner with a choice expression and a choice vivacity to his face.
Standing at the entrance to the Cloud Recesses, Jiang Cheng shifted on his feet, brows knitted and eyes avoiding Lan Wangji.
"Thanks..." he said finally, crossing his arms, "for getting me out of there. Your brother is...very friendly."
"Mn," Lan Wangji replied. He stuck out his hand, palm slightly tilted towards the sect leader. He did not elaborate.
The sect leader raised a characteristic thin brow, a pretty snarl already growing on the corner of his lips. "Are you demanding a bribe for helping me escape your handsy brother? I could have gotten out of it myself you know, Hanguang-Jun!"
Lan Wangji shook his head.
"Tch! What then!" Jiang Cheng slapped Wangji's hand away, but Wangji stuck it out again.
"My birthday gift," he explained.
Jiang Cheng looked at him like he'd grown horns. "Isn't your birthday at the beginning of the year?"
Lan Wangji's brows furrowed. "So you know when it is. And did not visit. Or bring a gift."
The other man sputtered. "It's not like you visited me for my birthday or brought a gift either! Plus we're not friends. Nor are you a sect leader I have to keep good relations with."
Wangji stared at the man quizzically. Sect Leader Jiang was attempting to weasel his way out of a rightful gift. Typical behaviour of a villain. The 'not friends' excuse was ineffectual, however. "We speak all the time."
"Yeah, when we cross paths on night hunts and argue!"
There seemed to be a mismatch between their definitions of friendship. Wangji pursed his lips slightly, contemplated for a moment, then reached into his sleeve.
From it, he procured a sword charm he had carved himself last fall, whittling in a fugue state for hours until it was complete. He had not been able to put reason to his compulsion to make it, only felt that it would be important later. Now holding it in his palm, it made sense that the charm would be for Jiang Cheng. In fact, the frog on it directly matched the one of Sandu's hilt.
"Happy birthday," he said, then nothing else.
With a sceptical expression, Jiang Cheng took the charm from Lan Wangji's hand, then examined it, his brow rising higher and higher with every second.
"This is for me?"
"Mn."
"I get to keep it?"
"Mn."
"You're not gonna get mad if I take it home?"
"Mn." Then, to make sure Jiang Cheng knew just how lucky he was: "I carved it."
Another dubious look was thrown his way, but Lan Wangji thought little of it as Jiang Cheng removed the current tassel from his sword and replaced it with Wangji's charm.
"You're acting weird today, Hanguang-Jun."
Wangji held his palm out again. "My gift."
The sect leader's face softened slightly, melting into an awkward smile which lifted Wangji's spirits immediately. It was Jiang Cheng's first non-evil smile towards him. What a sucker. Sect Leader Jiang scratched the back of his neck, averting his eyes.
"I...don't have anything on me right now that could work as a gift. I can send one here after..."
The palm in front of him did not close.
"The robes off your back."
"What? No!"
"Your tassel."
"I can't gift you something that's already been used!"
"Sandu."
"Fuck off!"
"Shoes."
"I need them to walk home!"
"Comb."
"I don't carry one with me!"
"Handkerchief."
"I sneezed in it!"
It appeared the man was utterly hopeless in the realm of gift-giving. Wangji stared at him, eyes solemn. There was simply no other choice. He’d have to help him out. He stepped forward, grabbed the sect leader's stupid pretty face, and kissed him squarely on the lips.
"H-Hanguang-Jun!" The other man's face was so red it was nearly purple. "Hanguang-Jun..."
The first 'Hanguang-Jun' had been the typical kind. The one laced with three poisons. The second, however, was softer, smaller, and impossibly adorable. Something in Hanguang-Jun felt incredibly pleased with itself, as if butterflies were dancing triumphantly in his stomach.
"Mn. Your gift has been received and will be treasured. You must wish me a happy birthday now."
With a hand clasped over his lips, the usually arrogant and abrasive sect leader appeared speechless, eyes watery and brows drawn. In the tiny skirmish, his hair had managed to become mussled, and Wangji found himself endlessly pleased by this without any reason.
"H-happy birthday, Hanguang-Jun..."
The voices of the YunmengJiang disciples became audible from the distance. Sect Leader Jiang straightened, returning to his air of overconfidence, though Lan Wangji saw the difference in it easily.
"My next one is in four months."
When the sect leader lowered his hand, Wangji saw that his lips were pink and glossy wet. Jiang Cheng must have licked his lips, tasting the trace Lan Wangji left upon them.
"M-mine is in one...s-so you'd better watch out for it, Lan Wangji, or your lips are gonna be in big trouble!"
"I am shivering with anticipation."
Jiang Cheng pointed a shaking finger at Wangji's face, lips trembling around a forming sentence.
"I-I'll kiss you big time!"
"No less is expected."
The Jiang disciples reached them, apologising for their delay. Sect Leader Jiang barely waited for them to settle before stomping off through the gate, only turning his head back to yell:
"That sounded bad! I didn't mean it like that! I meant–"
But he had already passed the gate's barrier, and sound no longer travelled through.
Lan Wangji chuckled to himself, a sound known to no one but himself.
"Right in front of my birthday, Wangji."
Wangji nearly jumped, if not for the familiarity of the voice.
"Xiongzhang," he regarded calmly, though a smirk was clear as day on his lips.
"You move quickly," his brother commented. "I had a three year courting strategy mapped."
Stowing his hands in his sleeves, Wangji mused, "The early rabbit catches the...other rabbit."
Lan Xichen sighed melodically. "You have a month to prepare your next gift, Wangji. I've been planning mine for ten."
Lan Wangji considered this, watching the bamboo peeking from Cloud Recesses’ walls sway in the wind. The air was clear today. The sun was teetering above the horizon. Cloud tea was waiting for him back in the sitting room.
"It is on," decided Wangji. He already knew what his next gift for Jiang Cheng was going to be.