Chapter Text
Dear -------,
I have been trying to confess my feelings for you for the past week and I couldn't muster the courage to do so in front of you. I am a coward in that regard and I’m afraid that you are going to reject me by the time you're reading this but I need to confess regardless of what the outcome is.
I admire the way you hold yourself, the way you try to hide your anxiety and worries but you confess to me how you’re feeling. The way you are incredibly intelligent despite others comparing you to your brother and how hard you work to prove others wrong. I don’t believe in the rumors others say about you and your nature because the person I have gotten to know is the opposite of them all.
The more time we spend together although with others in presence, I keep trying to get glances of you while you are not looking. I keep track of the small things you do, how you dislike eating extremely spicy food, the way you banter, and the smile on your face when we see each other.
So if you are reading this now, regardless of how you feel about me, I would like to hear it from you in person if possible. I understand our friendship is important and I know I’m risking everything if you reject me but I felt the need to confess to you. I hope I hear from you soon, even if it’s to reject me, as much I would hope you won’t, but I would completely understand so please take your time.
From,
Lan Xichen
Jiang Cheng feels his face heating up, his hand having an even tighter grip on the paper. His heart beating faster at the thought that the man he has had a crush on for months confessed to him out of the blue. That Jiang Cheng’s feelings were reciprocated, a dream he had for a while but always felt that it would never come true. Lan Xichen was everything that Jiang Cheng wasn’t and Jiang Cheng was everything that he was so sure Lan Xichen wouldn’t find attractive. His way with words, the bickering with Wei Wuxian, the small rumors floating around about him and his family. But by the letter, Lan Xichen didn’t believe in the rumors and rather has been admiring him for a while too.
His face lets out a soft smile, the same smile that Lan Xichen has been noticing, and feels like he finally has found some form of happiness that is too good to be true but it is true. Lan Xichen confessed and feels the same way is a dream come true and Jiang Cheng can’t help but let out a few tears from the overwhelming happiness he feels.
It was all surreal to him, that someone he likes took notice of him and picked him.
Picked Jiang Cheng despite the flaws, bitterness and personality.
Lan Xichen liked him back and saw Jiang Cheng in a way that Jiang Cheng couldn’t bring himself to see.
All the yearning for months seems to have come to fruition, he didn’t have to yearn because the man he likes wants to be with him.
Jiang Cheng can’t imagine Lan Xichen waiting for him for days just to hear back from him, so he decides that he should see Lan Xichen right away. School just ended and Jiang Cheng knew he had a few minutes before Lan Xichen joined his brother and headed home. And it would be a couple of days before they saw each other again in school, they finally got a break and Jiang Cheng doesn’t think he can have Lan Xichen waiting that long.
So Jiang Cheng doesn’t waste any time, quickly running to Lan Xichen locker that is on the third floor, hoping he gets to see the man before Lan Wangji arrives. And by his luck, Lan Xichen is all alone, gathering his stuff but Jiang Cheng can tell the man looks tense, as if something is weighing him.
Good thing I’m coming by to talk to him now and not later.
With all the courage he has, Jiang Cheng fixes his school uniform a little, and clears his throat to attract Lan Xichen’s attention. The man turns around and gives him a smile, his tense posture now gone and replaced by one that is composed and relaxed although Jiang Cheng can still see how the man is fidgeting a little. The letter still in his hand, Jiang Cheng approaches Lan Xichen with a smile of his own, trying hard to ignore how rapidly his heart is beating again.
“Lan Xichen, I… I wanted to tell you that I too feel the same way. I was wondering if perhaps we can exchange phone numbers and go from there,” Jiang Cheng finally admits, trying not to stutter from the sheer nervousness he is feeling. “Maybe we can see each other during this break if you would like.”
Lan Xichen looks at him in shock and eyes the letter that he has, but nods in agreement. “I thought you would reject me Jiang Cheng, I was really worried.” He offers the man a sincere smile, the most sincere he can muster while he tries to hide how he truly feels. Jiang Cheng must not have noticed how he feels with the way he beams up and comes closer to him.
“How could I when I feel the same way as you do?”
They both quickly exchange numbers, Lan Wangji finally arriving and Jiang Cheng can tell by the constant vibration of his phone that Wei Wuxian has been texting him, wondering where he is.
Jiang Cheng shortly leaves the school with his brother in tow, excited for the first text that he will send Lan Xichen. He knows he was a little too hopeful for them to meet but by the way Lan Xichen reacted to his confession, perhaps a date isn’t so far off.
However, what he didn’t know was that Lan Xichen shock wasn’t the joy of his feelings being reciprocated.
It was because the letter was never meant for Jiang Cheng.
It was for Jin Guangyao