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Wei Wuxian moved back into his home town in the middle of August. On the hottest day of the year, he carried up boxes to the sixth floor of the Mo appartment complex. The building didn't have an elevator but the rent was cheap as Mo Xuanyu, the landlord, remembered Wei Wuxian from when he'd been a big shot in archery.
“I'm so glad, you'll be teaching archery here” Mo Xuanyu chittered happily. “It's about time we took back our rightful place from those Jin bastards.”
“I'll certainly do my best.” Wei Wuxian joked.
Mo Xuanyu clapped him on the back. “With you around. There's no doubt about it.”
Wei Wuxian didn't know how to respond to that, so he laughed. Mo Xuanyu's bright, cheery attitude was too much for Wei Wuxian's melancholy mood. He extracted himself from the conversation by mentioning that he still had a lot to unpack. He even got that all done.
Resting on his couch, he gazed out of the window, recognizing some buildings from when he lived here last.
Getting reacquainted with this place was an experience. Wei Wuxian was staring at a house that used to house a bakery where as teens he and Jiang Cheng had once taken shelter after getting caught in a sudden down pour. They had poured all their pocket change together to buy and share a hot chocolate. Wei Wuxian remembered that they both fought for who could warm their hands on the warm cup and in the end both held onto the cup as much as each other's hands. Wei Wuxian turned away from the house. Would there ever come a moment when he was not haunted by memories?
A few days later, an enthusiastic Mo Xuanyu handed Wei Wuxian a flyer for the local Pride event. Wei Wuxian studied the flyer and chose not to think about his landlord knowing his sexuality.
Now, that's a Jiang Cheng-free space for sure, he thought to himself. Wei Wuxian decided to go. He hadn't really been into relationships or hooking up after his last (and first real) break up. But who knew, maybe he would see someone he liked. There were eight billion people in the world. Who said he couldn't find a new love.
Wei Wuxian stood on the side of the parade. He thought hard about the last time, he'd taken a sip from his water bottle or if he might have inhaled some hallucinogenic substance.
Up on the demon themed float stood Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian quickly jumped behind some bushes, thre crowd was large but he didn't want to risk it. Some sweet-faced marketing intern must have used their best puppy-eyes on Jiang Cheng to get him to go up there. Inclusion and diversity were trending nowadays. Wei Wuxian remembered what a determined workaholic Jiang Cheng was – he used to be allergic to freetime.
The float moved slowly. Wei Wuxian easily kept pace. He wanted to see when someone would manage to break Jiang Cheng's composure. Maybe he hadn't noticed the lesbian couple grinding below him. It was every straight man's dream, yet Jiang Cheng seemed completely unaware. He was truly missing out, those ladies where both gorgeous. One in a silky, sheer veil of crimson and red while her partner was dressed in lilac colours, much less revealing but the woman carried a sense of athleticism that drew the eye and her face was so stunning it could very well cause accidents. Seriously, how could Jiang Cheng miss this?
Wei Wuxian looked up at Jiang Cheng and nearly tripped in stupor.
There was a guy next to Jiang Cheng, taller than him, shirtless, well-built, rogueishly handsome. His hand was on Jiang Cheng's waist. For some reason, Jiang Cheng wasn't killing this guy, Jiang Cheng's head was angled upwards. Even from afar Wei Wuxian could recognize that he was grinning.
Maybe they are really good friends? We used to stand that clo---!!!!
Jiang Cheng reached up, and pulled the man down into a kiss.
Wei Wuxian yelped loudly. The noise of the crowd buried his exclamation. Still anxiety shot through Wei Wuxian like lightning. What if Jiang Cheng saw him? He quickly moved further to the side, pulled out his phone and texted some people.
“I've just seen Jiang Cheng make out with a guy!!!”
He glanced down at his phone. The message was received. Wei Wuxian didn't want to stay anymore, with his luck, he'd truly run into Jiang Cheng. And what then? What would he say? Wei Wuxian went home, checking his phone every few minutes for any reaction.
But no one seemed to care for the exceptional news. This left Wei Wuxian on his own to go down a wormhole of figuring out when Jiang Cheng had been bent. He fell asleep at some point and woke up bleary-eyed and dead-tired in the morning of the first day of his new job. Wen Qing had replied to him, some time in the night. 'Duh,' her message read and WWX could just imagine her unimpressed face. 'You knew?' He shot back. Wei Wuxian had just pulled on his trousers when his phone lit up again. 'Kind of hard to miss. How did you not know?'
So Jiang Cheng was gay? Wei Wuxian stood in front of his water cooker. The water came to a boil. I mean, who would have thought? He poured the coffee into a cup. The liquid was thicker than usual, consistency almost like a smoothie or slushy. Wei Wuxian took a large sip. Indeed, who would have thought?
And yet the issue hardly mattered at all. He'd never run into Jiang Cheng. He was a simple archery instructor and Jiang Cheng a successful business man, their paths would never intersect. Wei Wuxian drained his cup and went to work.
-
Jiang Cheng looked at him with derision hanging from the corner of his mouth. Didn't recognize him, did you? His cold eyes seemed to say.
Wei Wuxian had nothing to defend himself with. Standing next to each other, the relations were clear as day. Jin Ling could be no one but Jiang Cheng's nephew unless Jiang Cheng had had a son of his own.
But all Wei Wuxian had seen was the family name and the fancy clothes and the arrogant attitude. Wei Wuxian had never been able to resist knocking a rich bastard down a peg or two. Even if they were only teenaged brats, maybe especially then. The kid, Jin Ling, had been rude, a bit of a smartass too. But he hadn't done anything for Wei Wuxian to make him clean up the hall on his own while making some snide comments about no one coming to pick him up.
Wei Wuxian should have learnt to keep his petty temper in check, he should have learnt to curb his urges. Those always got him into hot water. First with Madam Yu, then Jiang Cheng and eventually everyone else who came after.
Now, he was standing in front of Jiang Cheng squirming like a worm on a hook. Jiang Cheng looked away from him, schooled his features into something more humane.
“Let's go.”
Jin Ling remained where he was. Jiang Yanli's child and Wei Wuxian had just ensured he would hate him forever. “I gotta get my stuff.”
His arrows were still sticking out of the target. Wei Wuxian had forbidden him from collecting them before he'd finished sorting the practice arrows. Another kid, one Ouyang Zhizhen, had offered to do it for him but Wei Wuxian had insisted that each archer was responsible for their stuff. Jiang Cheng jerked his head and Jin Ling shot off to collect his gear.
That left Wei Wuxian alone with Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian eyed Jiang Cheng. He stood there, his gaze on Jin Ling, fully intent on ignoring Wei Wuxian's existence. This wasn't a new experience. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had run into each other before but back then things had been different. Wei Wuxian had known exactly why Jiang Cheng had been glaring at him at parties, exhibition openings and concert halls. Or at least, he believed, he did.
“I thought you were homophobic.” escaped Wei Wuxian.
Among the worst ways to start a conversation, this must have ranked among the Top Ten, easily. First, Jin Ling and now Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian complimented himself for always being an overachiever.
“Excuse me?” Yet, the crude words did the job that all of Wei Wuxian's most polite airs had failed to do, a crack in Jiang Cheng's armour of righteous fury.
“You were always sneering at me. It was only logical.”
“Right, being a bigot could be the only explanation for me glaring at you..” Jiang Cheng turned his eyes back to Jin Ling.
“Yeah, well. I guess, I was wrong or you were just figuring things out.” Wei Wuxian still couldn't believe Jiang Cheng had kissed some guy in public, with tongue. “When did you realize anyway?” Wei Wuxian muttered.
Next to him, Jiang Cheng snorted. “Wei Wuxian, between the two of us, isn't it you who took forever to figure yourself out? What did you say back then? Don't be disgusting?”
Wei Wuxian remembered, back then Jiang Cheng had been so weird about him making new friends.
“Why are you spending so much time with these people? I could need a hand.” Jiang Cheng had said.
“Come on, a smart, mean girl and she's hot too. How could I not flirt just a little?” Wei Wuxian had nudged Jiang Cheng with his elbow. But Jiang Cheng had pulled back. “And Lan Wangji, you're hanging all over him.”
Wei Wuxian's stomach had dropped. “Jiang Cheng, don't even joke about that. Guys are gross. No matter how pretty.”
Without taking his eyes off Jin Ling, Jiang Cheng spoke. “Unless you were lying because you were already planning to run off with him and didn't want to admit it.”
I could have ruined your future was on the tip of Wei Wuxian's tongue. But he bit back the words. He wasn't so petty, Jiang Cheng was just saying the first thing that came to his mind to hurt him, reacting would only make him bite down harder. Deep down, Jiang Cheng knew exactly that Wei Wuxian had done the right thing by ending their accidental marriage. Jiang Cheng huffed and something in Wei Wuxian burst.
“I wasn't happy to end it like that.” hissed out of him, steam whistling forth from a valve.
Jiang Cheng was silent for a moment.
“So, you say.”
Jin Ling had collected all his arrows and came back. Jiang Cheng nagged that he should have worked faster, Jin Ling quipped back and nephew and uncle left with only a curt nod for Wei Wuxian to spare.
-
Jiang Cheng took Jin Ling to his tournaments. Jiang Cheng stayed to watch the tournament. He stood on the sidelines. When Wei Wuxian spared him a glance, he'd see his mouth move. Wei Wuxian grinned, Jiang Cheng was looking like a lunatic. But even with a thousand critical hits to land, he kept his voice unheard, lest he disrupt Jin Ling's focus. But neither his forbidding aura nor his smart suit could hide his genuine joy when Jin Ling hit a target on point which the boy did often. Wei Wuxian's initial slight hadn't stopped Jin Ling from using everything Wei Wuxian's coaching had to offer. He was a smart kid just like his mother.
The tournament ended and Wei Wuxian gave his students some last motivational poster lines for the ride home. Then he returned them to the care of their parents or guardians. It was his turn to pack up and go home. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jin Ling walk up to Jiang Cheng. Jin Ling was trying to act cool but Wei Wuxian could see he was nervous about Jiang Cheng's feedback.
And with good reason! Jiang Cheng's expression, his mannerism that was the second coming of Madam Yu at her worst. Wei Wuxian had half a mind to go over to draw the fire, when Jiang Cheng ruffled Jin Ling's hair, hidden from his nephew, his expression went softer, true pride shining from his face.
Wei Wuxian stumbled. His eyes darted to his chest. No blood even though his chest hurt so much it should be gushing red. He looked up and found Jiang Cheng's cool gaze on him, not even a memory of softness remained. Wei Wuxian patted himself down, where had he put his car keys? Jiang Cheng might have some sweetness to spare for his nephew, for his sister. But he'd never look at Wei Wuxian with that expression again. Wei Wuxian muttered about his car keys and walked off, pretending to look for them.
He truly couldn't find his keys. Wei Wuxian had looked everywhere. He'd unpacked his stuff twice, wildly and calmly. Still, his car keys remained undiscovered. He patted himself down with an increased sense of urgency and humiliation.
“What are you doing?” came from behind him.
“Ah, well, …. you see,” Wei Wuxian laughed. Jin Ling scowled at him utterly unimpressed.
In the end, Jin Ling found the keys. Inside of Wei Wuxian's car.
Wei Wuxian stood next to the boy whom he could have called nephew and felt like a fool. Jin Ling would never think he was cool and worse next to Jin Ling stood Jiang Cheng who probably never forgot his car keys inside a damn car.
This meant that Jiang Cheng also witnessed Wei Wuxian's idiocy. He was standing a little farther away, silent and yet, Wei Wuxian felt his presence like a hot iron nail in his back.
“Hahaha, how silly of me!” Wei Wuxian chuckled. “But remember at times like these one must keep calm and quickly resolve the problem. I'll just ask the gymnasium to keep our stuff and go and get my spare keys.” He could play this cool.
Jin Ling gave him a pitying look. “The gymnasium's already closed.” As he said this thunder rumbled above them. Dark clouds loomed above them as if the heavens themselves had come out to shout, fuck Wei Wuxian in particular!
“Well, I guess I'll splurge on an uber.”
An irritated sigh cut through Wei Wuxian's affected cheer. Jiang Cheng marched off.
“Jiujiu?” Jin Ling called. “Wait!” He ran after his uncle.
So much for that. Alone at last, Wei Wuxian found new spirit. He looked around for a good place to hide the equipment from the rain. It would probably take a while until he found a driver who would take all his stuff.
Wei Wuxian bent down to grab a bag, when a car's rumble got closer. Wei Wuxian stood up, turned and met Jiang Cheng's malcontent gaze.
“Put it in the trunk and get in. Jin Ling help him.”
Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to say that he was fine but Jiang Cheng's face got even grimmer. Jin Ling shot out of the car and grabbed Wei Wuxian's stuff and stuffed it in the trunk. In less than five minutes, Wei Wuxian was sitting in the backseat of Jiang Cheng's car.
The car rumbled onwards and none of the people inside said anything. Wei Wuxian wondered if Jin Ling had put in a good word for him. But Jin Ling was staring at the dashboard like it held the secrets to the universe.
Jiang Cheng drove to his own place first and told Jin Ling to go. Then it was only him and Wei Wuxian in the car.
“What's your address?”
“It's fine if you just take me to the school.”
“Really? You want to get home from there and get your car afterwards?” Jiang Cheng met his eyes in the rearview mirror, the furrow of his brows seemed to say, are you stupid.
“I don't want to give you any more trouble.”
“Who are you? This doesn't even count as a minor nuisance when it comes to you.” Despite Jiang Cheng's harsh words, his driving remained impeccable. He took Wei Wuxian to his apartment. Wei Wuxian attempted to carry up the bags by himself which caused another problem.
“Do you not want me to see the pig sty, you call a home?” Jiang Cheng groused. “We lived together. What need is there to pretend now?”
“Maybe, my lover is upstairs, what will he think of me when I come home with some strange man?”
Jiang Cheng's face turned to disgust. “Haven't you had enough of insecure and jealous as--men?”
Wei Wuxian opened his mouth but Jiang Cheng had him there.
“Suit yourself.”
Jiang Cheng took two bags in each hand and marched off. Wei Wuxian could only stare after him in frustrated confusion.
Despite his callous words, once he was inside the flat, Jiang Cheng's curiosity seemed to get the better of him and he was looking around the flat, turning his head left and right. When he noticed Wei Wuxian's pointed stare, he shrugged.
“It's cleaner than I thought it would be.”
“I learned a thing or two over the years.” Wei Wuxian hadn't only had bad times away from home. He'd grown as a person, gained a life skill here and there. Jiang Cheng eyed him. Wei Wuxian braced himself. Jiang Cheng put the bags on the ground and said,
“Get your keys, I want to be home before midnight.”
“Huh?”
“The spare keys for your car. Get them before, I think better of it, and let you pay for an Uber all the way out there.”
If this were Lan Zhan or Wen Ning, Wei Wuxian would have objected. Just to make sure that the others truly weren't burdened. And yet, he couldn't make himself do the same song and dance in front of Jiang Cheng. The offer was too strange, too out of character, if Wei Wuxian asked twice, Jiang Cheng would rescind. And well, Wei Wuxian didn't really want to get an Uber.
-
Wei Wuxian had discovered the letter between an flyer for a new boba place and his electricity bill. The bespoke paper had spooked him like the scent of nitroglycerine a sniffer dog. He'd put the letter to the side and gone through his entire mail before daring to look at it again.
Wei Wuxian reached for the letter. He didn't need to turn the envelope to know its sender. He remembered this elegant script far too well.
Jiang Yanli.
Wei Wuxian picked the letter up and checked the mark on the stamp. Maybe, it had been lost in the mail. But the date was a few days ago. Wei Wuxian snuggled deeper into his couch and peeled open the envelope. He unfolded the paper. It was an invitation.
An invitation to a party. Jiang Yanli's birthday party.
Wei Wuxian swallowed thickly. His heart sat in his chest like a stone.
He'd sent her exactly one letter.
One shitty letter. A measly excuse, a pathetic explanation.
'I'm sorry, I didn't know you had written to me.'
Wei Wuxian went up to the restaurant. With every step his heart pumped faster, his breath stuttered, and the hair on his neck stood up, all of his feelings a large, ferocious club-wielding giant looming over him. He could have made a thousand excuses not to show up but Jiang Yanli hadn't left her number and he couldn't ask Jin Ling to be his messenger. So, he had to come or his waking and sleeping hours would have been haunted by thinking of Jiang Yanli waiting for him to show up while everyone around her threw pitying glances at her and cursed his name.
Thus, Wei Wuxian pushed open the doors to a fancy restaurant. Wei Wuxian took a look around. The interior had a subtle unique style. Some designer must have made a fortune hitting the mark between fashionably stylish but not following any trends. The teal and soft green colours mimicked a tranquil bamboo forest. Wei Wuxian felt soothed by the calm atmosphere the place invoked.
The maitre found Wei Wuxian, seconds after he'd entered. Wei Wuxian held out the invitation before the man could open his mouth. If he was surprised that Wei Wuxian actually had an invitation, it didn't show on his face. The restaurant rose in Wei Wuxian's estimate. Too many places had personnel too easily scandalized. To be fair, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had somewhat delighted in scandalizing people. Maybe a bit too much. Wei Wuxian had been banned from half the restaurants in Gusu after the relationship ended. Wei Wuxian was thinking how hypocritical it was that Lan Wangji hadn't received the same treatment when he saw her and his feet glued themselves to the floor.
Before he could collect himself, she had seen him. Jiang Yanli's entire face lit up. She stopped whatever conversation, she was having and rushed over to him.
“A-xian, you made it.”
“Shijie, I.....” Wei Wuxian thought to say that he'd never miss her invitation but that was no longer true. “I'm glad to be here. Thanks for having me.”
Then Wei Wuxian greeted Jin Zixuan. And both their smiles were as forced as if guns were held to their heads. But it made Jiang Yanli happy and Wei Wuxian wanted her to be nothing but happy. Grudgingly, he could admit that Jin Zixuan probably shared this wish. He would be nice to this fucking asshole all the while praying that he would embarrass himself. There was one more familiar face and also a few unfamiliar ones.
“This is Wei Wuxian, he's the other little brother, I told you about” Wei Wuxian waved, fighting back tears. He hoped no one would see.
“The chili enthusiast.” Two strangers at the table introduced themselves. They were friends from Jiang Yanli's cooking class. Other than that there was Mian Mian.
Jiang Yanli seated Wei Wuxian next to her.
That left only one chair unoccupied. It was obvious who it belonged to. It was only surprising that he hadn't arrived yet. Wei Wuxian had just ordered a soda for himself, when Jiang Cheng walked into the room.
Jiang Cheng stopped when he saw Wei Wuxian, then moved on and sat down while greeting everyone.
“A-Cheng, this must be the first time, you're the last to arrive.” Jiang Yanli teased.
“Traffic was rough.” Jiang Cheng muttered. “But I should have left earlier.”
“You were still on time tough.” Wei Wuxian pointed out.
Jiang Cheng looked at him for the first time. “I'm more surprised that you were.”
“Well, there are some things that I can be punctual for.” Wei Wuxian asserted. No one needed to know he had gotten up at 4am. Too chittery with nerves about missing the train, afraid he'd wake up and find that he slept through his alarm. So what if he'd chugged an espresso and an energy drink for breakfast. He'd made it and he even had –!
Wei Wuxian patted his bag. Then he carefully slid his hand inside. He reached around, found his wallet, his phone, his keys, everything except for
Shijie's present!!!!
Wei Wuxian's ribcage became an iron maiden, shooting spikes into his heart and lungs. His fingers were damp. Over Jiang Yanli's head, Jin Zixuan shot him a suspicious look. That fucker, Wei Wuxian could almost hear his snide remarks. Worse he could already see Jiang Yanli's understanding expression.
Wei Wuxian wanted to cry. He wouldn't even be able to retaliate. Why did he always fuck up. He'd even wrapped the present. He'd watched YouTube videos on how to wrap a present properly. But not matter how hard he tried when it came to the Jiangs, he'd never be anything but a thorn in their side.
Jiang Cheng put his hand on his thigh. Wei Wuxian nearly broke his neck with the speed, he turned his head. Jiang Cheng glared at him. It was a look Wei Wuxian could understand in utter darkness, so familiar was it to him. It was the same glare, Jiang Cheng had shot him when Wei Wuxian's skittishness was about to ruin whatever shenanigans they'd gotten up to. Wei Wuxian wisely shut up. Jiang Cheng's frown eased off his face and he turned to his food. Then something was put in Wei Wuxian's lap.
Wei Wuxian grabbed the object and felt paper. A present. Was Jiang Cheng giving him his present? But no, this was the same shape and size as his present. But how.
Wei Wuxian glanced at Jiang Cheng again. Oh. His ears were red. Wei Wuxian understood that Jiang Cheng must have wanted to make sure he would show up. So he had gone to Wei Wuxian's house but Wei Wuxian hadn't been there to answer the door. (Jiang Cheng had thought, he wouldn't come. Jiang Cheng had broken into hist flat.) Jiang Cheng had brought his present.
Wei Wuxian put his hand on Jiang Cheng's thigh. “Thank you.”
“What have you got to thank me for?” Jiang Cheng grumbled. Wei Wuxian withdrew his hand. Of course, Jiang Cheng was mad, he forgot the present.
The evening continued and Wei Wuxian found the experience mostly fine. As fine as it could be. He was clearly tolerated for Jiang Yanli's sake. Her two new friends didn't ask any uncomfortable questions and politely refrained from any snide remarks but they were rather obvious about doing so. Mianmian engaged him in a conversation about fencing techniques. Even Jin Zixuan made a valiant effort of making nice when he asked about Jin Ling's archery. Jiang Yanli was amazing and kind and better than anyone else in the room but that was a given. She even cried when Wei Wuxian gave her the gift. Wei Wuxian tried to ignore the stab in his heart when surprise lit up her face. She hadn't expected to get a gift from him. Wei Wuxian couldn't blame her though. He had never reached out.
“There's a free practice on Sundays, if you want to watch Jin Ling and the others. He's a good sport, might make captain in a few years.” Wei Wuxian offered. Jiang Yanli immediately checked her calendar and they settled on a date. Wei Wuxian might not be able to change the past but the future was his canvas.
Jiang Cheng was weirdly silent.
Wei Wuxian kept shooting him looks but Jiang Cheng's face got darker each time he caught Wei Wuxian doing it, so Wei Wuxian forced himself to look anywhere else. Which is how he ended up speaking to even Jin Zixuan.
It was in the middle of a description of some archery beginner's class mishap that Wei Wuxian realized he'd spoken more to Jin Zixuan than he'd spoken to Jiang Cheng all evening. This struck him as profoundly tragic. Jiang Cheng had been his person, his second half, his brother from another mother, the Bud Spencer to his Terrence Hill, the Goofy to his Micky. And now Jiang Cheng didn't even want to make small talk with him! Wei Wuxian put on a brave face until the end of the party.
“How are you getting home?” asked Jiang Cheng.
Wei Wuxian turned around, a big smile pasted on his face. This felt like a ridiculously long time to be mad about the forgotten present. Then again, Jiang Cheng kept grudges like other people kept rare orchids.
“To the train station.” Wei Wuxian said, hoping it would appease Jiang Cheng. But no such luck, Jiang Cheng glared at him. Looking like that he bore striking resemblance to his beautiful, unforgiving mother.
“...., get in the car.”
Oh, Jiang Cheng was offering him a ride.
“I wouldn't want to trouble you.”
Jiang Cheng's eyes spat lightning. “We literally live in the same city!” He clearly had more to say and Wei Wuxian braced himself, when suddenly all the anger dispersed and Jiang Cheng breathed out long and hard and his shoulders sagged. Wei Wuxian barely kept himself from running over to check on him.
“Look, I'm sorry.”
Oh my god, he's having a seizure, shot through Wei Wuxian's head. Then he realized what Jiang Cheng was talking about.
“I shouldn't have doubted you. I should definitely not have....it was a violation of your privacy.”
“No, no, no, it's fine. I fucked up with the present, you were right about me.”
“Wei Wuxian,” shot out of Jiang Cheng's mouth. “I fucked up. I can owe up to my own mistakes, don't you dare coddle me.”
“What's a little violation of privacy between us? It all turned out fine in the end.” Wei Wuxian said while he stomped on the part of him that dared to feel upset that Jiang Cheng had thought he'd bail on Jiang Yanli's birthday party.
“You're impossible. At least, say I owe you one. Or demand some recompensation.”
“Well, you're offering me a ride.” Wei Wuxian grinned winningly at Jiang Cheng. But Jiang Cheng didn't take him up on it, his expression dispersed, all his anger seeping out of him.
“Forget it then.”
Wei Wuxian stood still for a moment, what had he done wrong now? Had Jiang Cheng wanted him to make some outrageous demand? Wei Wuxian scoffed at himself, he wouldn't be so presumptuous.
Inside the car, Jiang Cheng waited silently until Wei Wuxian had put on his seat belt. Then he drove off, maintaining a focused sort of silence. His hands steady on the steering wheel. He didn't even turn on the radio. In short, it was pretty awkward.
Wei Wuxian couldn't stop thinking about the right words to say to get rid of whatever strange mood had gotten hold of Jiang Cheng. Never mind that he was no longer Jiang Cheng's keeper. And he couldn't think of anything to say anyway.
“Could you stop that?”
Wei Wuxian glanced at Jiang Cheng who still had his eyes on the road, whose hands were still steady on the wheel. Except for his lips where his teeth were digging in. Wei Wuxian had been moving, he'd been bopping his feet and drumming on the armrest.
“Oh, my bad, sorry.”
Silence reigned once more. Wei Wuxian's fingers and legs itched.
After three hours, what had to be one of Wei Wuxian's most awkward car rides came to an end. The silence was so oppressive that Wei Wuxian had to punch the 'byebye' out of his mouth. Jiang Cheng still hadn't taken his eyes off the road even though he'd parked the car. Wei Wuxian grabbed the door handle and pulled. The lock made that odd clicking noise indicating it was still locked. Wei Wuxian waited then pulled again. The same clicking noise.
“Uh,” Wei Wuxian turned to Jiang Cheng, racking over his brain how to politely inquire, what the actual fuck Jiang Cheng?Why are you locking me inside the car?
“You don't have to pretend everything is all fine. You're allowed to be mad, you know,” said Jiang Cheng. He finally turned to Wei Wuxian, his expression sombre.
The sight tasted sour in Wei Wuxian's mouth. It was the school councillor face when they asked about Wei Wuxian's feelings about staying with the Jiangs while his parents were working. Had it sucked then? Did it suck now? Sure did. Wei Wuxian's parents hadn't been to a single tournament, nor a single graduation but what was crying about it going to change? Nothing except that now Wei Wuxian would look like a loser who dragged down everyone's mood. It wasn't like his parents and Jiang Cheng didn't have their reasons, so....
“I'm not about the blame and punishment. It was all fine in the end.” Wei Wuxian's fingers tightened on the handle. If Jiang Cheng kept talking like this, he wouldn't be able to complain, if Wei Wuxian socked him in the face. It'd probably be safer than breaking the window. Easier too.
“Right, you prefer to bottle up all your negativity until it explodes.” Seemingly satisfied with his dig at Wei Wuxian's failed relationship, Jiang Cheng reached for the lock. Wei Wuxian lunged at him.
“Fuck you, Jiang Cheng. What do you want from me?” The force of his lunge had thrown Jiang Cheng back against the driver's door, leaving Wei Wuxian sprawled on top of him with his hands gripping onto his lapels.
“Stop lying to me.” Jiang Cheng said. His surprise faded and he looked like he didn't care at all that Wei Wuxian was on top of him. He probably didn't have to, Wei Wuxian could feel the sheer mass of him, muscles that spoke of a tough and regular workout routine.
“You want honesty? What can I be mad about? You thinking that I'd stand up Jiang Yanli? As if I haven't given you more than enough reasons to think so lowly of me.” Wei Wuxian hadn't ignored Jiang Yanli's letters to Gusu on purpose, he'd just never bothered to check the mail. “You'll never trust me again. I know it. So stop pretending, you want me around.”
Jiang Cheng bucked up, nearly unsettling Wei Wuxian but instead of throwing him off he just settled into a more comfortable position. Fucker, Jiang Cheng was just showing off, Wei Wuxian used to be stronger than him.
“Who's the one keen on avoiding me? You won't even let me give you a ride. You jumped behind some bushes to hide from me.”
Fuck that, Wei Wuxian wouldn't be the bad guy.
“You used to be nothing but mad at me. Why wouldn't I avoid you? What changed your mind now?” Wei Wuxian met Jiang Cheng's eyes. Jiang Cheng was still too calm and relaxed beneath him as though Wei Wuxian couldn't faze him.
“Jin Ling says, you're a good coach. You came to A-jie's party, you even wrapped the present.”
Oh. Wei Wuxian's hands on Jiang Cheng went slack. They stared at each other for a while. Until someone walked past the car with their dog barking suspiciously at it.
Wei Wuxian popped off a message to Jiang Cheng later that evening.
“Get me membership at your fancy gym.”
He promptly received a reply.
“Saturday 10am. Be awake.”
-
Jiang Cheng rang Wei Wuxian's doorbell at 10am sharp and Wei Wuxian barely managed to pull on his trousers, so he didn't brain himself on the way to open the door.
“Just rolled out of bed?” Jiang Cheng was leaning against the door, a smirk on his face that betrayed his trollish nature. But by god, his purple workout gear fit him like it was painted on. He could afford cocky smirks.
Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian felt like a middle-aged man whose wife had gifted him a gym membership for health reasons.
Jiang Cheng thrust a cup towards him. “Don't bother coming on an empty stomach.”
It was coffee. Something from one of those fancy indie places that were like Starbucks only cool and trendy.
“Uhh, thanks. You shouldn't have.”
“Yeah, and what would you have grabbed a redbull?”
“Jiang Cheng, I'm not some billionaire, I would have taken a some store brand energy drink and mixed it with instant coffee.” Wei Wuxian replied, just to see Jiang Cheng's exasperated face. Wei Wuxian didn't know then but he'd just ensured that Jiang Cheng would bring him breakfast every weekend.
Jiang Cheng threw a bag into Wei Wuxian's lap. “Eat you'll need your energy.”
Wei Wuxian chuckled. “Uh oh, I'm in danger.” He didn't know how correct this statement was.
Back in his youth, Wei Wuxian had enjoyed Madam Yu's rigid martial arts regiment. Jiang Cheng, true to form surpassed his mother.
“Give me one more.” He demanded.
“Jiang Cheng, have mercy,” cried Wei Wuxian. He was lying on the bench press and his arms were limp, soggy noodles, so overcooked they were nearly dissolving.
“Mercy is for the weak. Wei Wuxian, you can do it. Give me one more.” Jiang Cheng stood above him, his face devoid of teasing, there was only absolute confidence in Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian's throat went dry. He performed another rep.
Jiang Cheng's lips twitched into a subtle smile. He took the weight from Wei Wuxian. “I to--”
“Gods, I've missed you.” slipped out of Wei Wuxian's mouth and the barbell from Jiang Cheng's grip. Wei Wuxian grunted under the unexpected weight. Jiang Cheng grabbed onto it again and set it back onto the handles.
“Don't....” He stepped away from Wei Wuxian, eyes darting across the gym to the door.
Wei Wuxian sat up. Maybe, it was the exhaustion, maybe it was the bravery of surviving nearly getting crushed beneath a weight. Maybe it was Jiang Cheng's ass in those gym shorts. Wei Wuxian spoke up,
“This. Us being like this. Not fighting, not being angry. Just the two of us, doing our thing without the rest of the world having an opinion.” Jiang Cheng didn't say anything but he didn't walk away either.
“They'll always talk. You wouldn't believe how many people messaged me about you moving back into town.”
“Yeah, but I know better now. And you're too big to give a damn.”
-
Alongside Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian became something of a weekend warrior. Until one Saturday morning, he woke up to a text.
“I can't come today. The car won't start.”
Wei Wuxian could picture Jiang Cheng seething as he typed the neutral message.
42 minutes later, Wei Wuxian roared to a stop in front of Jiang Cheng's drive way.
Inside the drive way, Jiang Cheng was bent over the hood of his car. He was already in his gym outfit. As he often did Wei Wuxian couldn't help but note that all that exercise really paid off. Jiang Cheng could have starred as the hot love interest in any movie. Wei Wuxian walked up to Jiang Cheng and handed him a thermos.
“What's that?” Jiang Cheng said, he barely managed to keep it from being a snap.
“Instant coffee and Monster.”
Jiang Cheng looked at the thermos, then he sighed, in a way that came out as a resigned little huff which was Jiang Cheng speak for 'fuck it'. Jiang Cheng took a swig and nearly choked. Wei Wuxian erupted into laughter.
“You fucker!!”
Wei Wuxian was bent over and couldn't stop laughing.
“Fuck you, I can't even be mad at you.” muttered Jiang Cheng
“You should have seen your face.” Wei Wuxian wiped tears from his eyes.
“How do you know my order?” Jiang Cheng asked before taking another sip. Wei Wuxian had decided to bring him his favourite coffee.
“I have my ways.” Wei Wuxian grinned. He wasn't sure Jiang Cheng would believe him, if he told him, he remembered from back in the day. Something in him shied away from bringing up the past.
“Grab yourself some breakfast, while I look at this beast.” Wei Wuxian said and tossed Jiang Cheng the keys to Little Apple 2. Wei Wuxian peered into the hood. Jiang Cheng had taken a step back when he stopped and said,
“Are you my Meghan Fox? My dashing heroine coming to save me the nerdy hero?”
Wei Wuxian arched his back. “Have I made that much progress?” He slapped a butt cheek. “Are all those squats finally paying off?”
“Don't ask me!” Jiang Cheng shot back. Wei Wuxian clenched his fist, he knew it was too far.
“You always look hot to me.”
Wei Wuxian froze. He glanced back with at slow movement. Jiang Cheng was focused on unlocking Little Apple. Wei Wuxian looked back at the motor, surely, he had misheard; a hallucination induced by wishful thinking. Jiang Cheng didn't see him that way and if he ever had, he never would again, Wei Wuxian had made sure of that.
-
Wei Wuxian could never quite decide on how it came to be that he found himself married to Jiang Cheng. It followed a night out, just the two of them, after their 21st birthdays. The Jiang parents had been fighting again. Wei Wuxian had won a big archery tournament and Uncle Jiang had been beside himself with praise, meanwhile Jiang Cheng who'd taken up the role of the club's manager had been ignored. Yu Ziyuan had called out Jiang Fengmian and then laid into Jiang Cheng for choosing to manage instead of participating. Both Jiang parents conveniently ignored that no one in the club had placed lower than 5th rank. Wei Wuxian had just wanted to take Jiang Cheng's mind off things.
And then he'd woken up to find himself married to Jiang Cheng. They had decided to keep it all secret and think of a solution. There had been a very easy solution and it had taken Wei Wuxian all of fifteen minutes of alone time to print out government forms. He had been about to tell Jiang Cheng, when he'd thought that it wasn't so terrible to be married to his best friend.
Only Wen Zhuliu who had ordained the wedding had emailed their parents the marriage contract and then all hell broke loose.
A contract that stated Wei Wuxian would get 50 per cent of what Jiang Cheng owned, if Jiang Cheng chose to divorce him for no reason. At 21 Jiang Cheng had already owned significant shares in his parents' company.
Uncle Jiang had been a staunch supporter of Wei Wuxian's innocence, while Yu Ziyuan had blamed Wei Wuxian for creating a situation.
Jiang Cheng himself had been surprisingly chill about the whole thing. Neither of his parents had taken that well. Yu Ziyuan had gotten angry over Jiang Cheng chaining himself or his inheritance to Wei Wuxian.
“You had to share your father and sister's affection with him, must you share everything else as well, is there anything you won't give up for that boy?” Had been her words.
Naturally, Uncle Jiang had seen things differently. “Jiang Cheng, you cannot force friendship by placing shackles on someone.”
“What shackles? He gets a nice bonus, when he leaves. That's an incentive in my book.” Yu Ziyuan had muttered.
“Wei Wuxian wouldn't want to take something from A-Cheng, so what can he do but stay? But that limits his potential.”
That had put a stormy expression on Jiang Cheng's face and set off another argument between the Jiang parents. It was then that Wei Wuxian had sworn, he would fix this.
His plan had been as effective as it had been simple. If Jiang Cheng couldn't divorce him for no reason, Wei Wuxian would create a reason. To make sure that Jiang Cheng wouldn't wind up with a bad rep, they'd stick it out for a year.
“You don't think, we can do it?” had been Jiang Cheng's reply.
“Well, of course, we could!” Wei Wuxian had laughed. “But do we want to? Don't you wanna get married to a nice girl with big tits and a great ass who brings you breakfast to your bed in the mornings?”
In that light, Jiang Cheng had easily agreed to Wei Wuxian's plan.
In hindsight, Wei Wuxian had maybe taken things too far. Nepo-hiring poor, awkward, clumsy Wen Ning in a position of responsibility had been the straw that broke the camel's back. Wen Ning accidentally fucked up a huge deal with the Jin. After that Wei Wuxian had counted the days until Jiang Cheng served him the divorce papers. But Jiang Cheng had taken his sweet time. Until Wie Wuxian had lost his patience and served him with the forms, he'd printed a year prior. Jiang Cheng's expression had been odd when he looked at the date. But he'd signed. It had been the only reasonable action and to this day Wei Wuxian didn't quite understand why Jiang Cheng had hesitated. Wen Ning had been fired and Wei Wuxian had been placed on temporary leave.
Soon after, Wen Qing had approached him with her start up idea. Wei Wuxian, bored out of his mind, and feeling useless had decided to go for it. The startup had bombed terrifically. And then Wei Wuxian had fallen softly into the sturdy arms of Lan Wangji and had a sort of revelation about himself and a few happy years that had ended in something of a medium disaster. Keeping all their negative feelings to themselves while never discussing them hadn't been a great idea. Wei Wuxian couldn't feel too bad about it all coming to head at Lan Qiren's 60th birthday party. The old geezer had never liked him.
Wei Wuxian had drifted on his own for a while, rediscovered his love for archery and then ended up back in his home town as a coach.
-
Now, Wei Wuxian was puzzling over Jiang Cheng's engine while Jiang Cheng was maybe checking out his ass. It was a strange world indeed.
After a while Jiang Cheng came over. He stood close enough, Wei Wuxian could feel heat radiate from his body.
“I've got no idea,” he admitted. Wei Wuxian didn't want to fuck up Jiang Cheng's car. That would lose him all the goodwill, he'd earned. Jiang Cheng leaned closer to him, soft laughter.
“And it only took you getting motor grease all over you arms to admit it.”
Wei Wuxian tried to object that Jiang Cheng was no better off but the radiance of Jiang Cheng's teasing smile, his eyes filled with warmth as he looked at Wei Wuxian. “Thanks for the coffee and breakfast. Let's clean up, we can go to the gym in the afternoon.”
That was how Wei Wuxian got invited into Jiang Cheng's home for the first time in a decade.
Jiang Cheng's house was nice. It was tastefully decorated but had a lived in look that removed it from the pristine artificiality of interior design magazines. The walls were filled with pictures of family and friends. Jin Ling and his dog were featured a lot, Jiang Yanli too and the peacock. Wei Wuxian frowned at a picture of just Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan. What wicked sorcery had that guy used to get a picture of himself and Jiang Cheng hung up on the wall? There wasn't a single picture of Wei Wuxian, of course. But there was one of Jiang Yanli's friends. Wei Wuxian wanted to smash it with a hammer.
Jiang Cheng showed him to the bathroom. Wei Wuxian turned to him but anxiety sewed his mouth shut and the teasing invitation to share a shower, conserve water, and save the planet never made it out into the world.
“Surely, you remember how showers work?” Jiang Cheng teased.
“Enough with those mountain hermit jokes, I've lived in perfectly modern houses.” Wei Wuxian stomped into the bathroom.
“Whatever you say.” Jiang Cheng groused. Wei Wuxian shut the door in his face.
Jiang Cheng owned a number of normal stuff and then there was a shelf dedicated to Axe body wash and shampoo. Wei Wuxian grinned every teenage boy fell for those clever ads. He stepped into the shower and under the spray. The water pressure was amazing. His own shower was fine but this one. Wei Wuxian closed his eyes and let the water beat down on his back. His mind drifted. If he had stayed, if he had figured himself out with Jiang Cheng, he might not be standing alone under the spray, he might have been joined by another, a solid body, graceful and strong. Wei Wuxian's eyes snapped open, he wrenched the thermostat to freezing cold. The switch was immediate. Wei Wuxian yelped, jumped, slipped and barely caught himself, sending a rain of bottles onto the porcelain.
The door was ripped open. “Are you alr---” Jiang Cheng froze mid-sentence, eyes going wide in pure horror.
“What the fuck?”
Wei Wuxian fought the urge to cover himself. “Jiang Cheng, a little privacy, please. Maybe knock?”
“We've been taking showers at the gym for weeks, don't be a baby.” Jiang Cheng said, he wasn't even a little flustered, was Wei Wuxian so unattractive to him?
“What happened?”
“Nothing, I just slipped. Leave me alone.”
“Excuse me for making sure, you didn't brain yourself.” Jiang Cheng exited the room.
Wei Wuxian thanked all the gods that amidst the quarrelling and the cold water working its magic, Jiang Cheng hadn't noticed his chub. Wei Wuxian rarely was ashamed of his own actions but if he'd fucked up his reblossoming friendship with Jiang Cheng over some unwanted erection, he'd truly become a mountain hermit.
He finished washing himself and Jiang Cheng went into the bathroom.
Wei Wuxian sat in the living room. Images of Jiang Cheng in the shower climbed into his thoughts. He tried to find something to distract himself, his eyes landed on the pictures which dragged his mood into strange depths. Finally, his eyes came to rest on the thermos. He should wash that in case he forgot when he got home and would find it moldy and stinking months later.
The kitchen was easily located. Wei Wuxian finished rinsing out his thermos, when he spotted the books. He placed his thermos next to the sink and walked over to the shelf. He peered at the titles. Jiang Yanli's works where all there and one of Luo Binghe's book. Wei Wuxian scoffed at the title “Cooking to win your love!”, how pretentious. Wei Wuxian pulled the book out. Without placing it on the counter he opened it, something slipped from the pages. Shit. But before Wei Wuxian could get whatever fell, he saw.
It felt a bit like getting punched in the face, shock before understanding. It wasn't a cookbook. The cook book cover was camouflage. On the pages were photos, printed out and glued on, old school-style. And it wasn't a family photo album, it was pictures of Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian gently put the book on the counter. He turned the page, another page filled with memories. Things he'd done with Jiang Cheng, their trip to the amusement park where they dared each other to so many rides that they both ended up puking. Wei Wuxian at the lake, posing with an extra large lotus seed pot, Wei Wuxian barely awake and grabbing onto his coffee cup like it was a lifeline. Jiang Cheng and him hugging, Wei Wuxian grinning at the camera with a smile so bright, it made him look like a different person. Jiang Cheng had kept all of these, printed them out and stored them, so they wouldn't get lost to memory card failure or digital innovation.
The bathroom door opened. Wei Wuxian froze. He shouldn't be looking at this. Jiang Cheng had invited him into his home and Wei Wuxian was snooping already. Quickly, he put the book back onto the shelf.
Shit. The thing that fell. Wei Wuxian crouched down, head turning left and right. There! He grabbed onto the paper, something was written on the back and heard steps coming his way. He needed to hide it. Wei Wuxian's mind translated the letters to meaning, 'Side by side, always'. His hand twitched, flipping over the picture. Another photo. Jiang Cheng and him, kissing, young, bright and happy. The day, they got married. Wei Wuxian had never seen this picture.
“What are you doing, now?” Jiang Cheng walked into the kitchen and froze. He stared at Wei Wuxian, his mouth opened and closed, his eyes went from the picture to Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian felt like he was standing on the shooting line about to release. It was now or never, any later and the shot would be off the mark.
“I wish, I could do it all over.” He got up on one knee. “I wish, I had another chance.”
“You,” Jiang Cheng stared at the picture. “This meant something to me.”
“I'm sorry.” Wei Wuxian said as if that could change the past. He deserved the glare Jiang Cheng sent in his direction.
“Would it have changed anything, if I had told you that I wanted it? Would you have stayed, if I tried to keep you?” It sounded like a question, he'd asked himself before. The truth was Wei Wuxian didn't know.
“It would matter now.” Wei Wuxian offered.
Jiang Cheng glanced at him. “Good enough.”
Wei Wuxian tried to fully get up but his legs must have fallen asleep, he stumbled. Jiang Cheng caught him and put him on both feet.
This way they were very close to each other. Once again, Wei Wuxian found that he couldn't move away nor did he want to. Jiang Cheng hadn't let go of him either. Caught by each other's eyes, they hung in this moment, neither able to move forward nor backward.
“For fuck's sake, kiss already or something.”
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng jumped about two feet in the air. Jiang Cheng's head whipped to the door. Jin Ling stood in the door, never before had a person in mustard-yellow, husky-patterned pyjamas managed to look so arrogant, he was truly his father's son.
Wei Wuxian's face reddened – an embarrassing feat for a man who prided himself on his shamelessness – Jin Ling was important to Jiang Cheng. If he was against this.
“Oh, you want to see a grown-up kiss?”
Wei Wuxian got a glimpse of Jin Ling's eyes going wide, before hands on the side of his head guidet him to turn back to Jiang Cheng and pulled him in. Jiang Cheng kissed him with his eyes open and Wei Wuxian didn't dare to close his either. He couldn't believe he wasn't dreaming. Jiang Cheng's tongue gently probed his lips. Wei Wuxian let him in immediately, couldn't have denied him if he'd wanted to. Jiang Cheng tasted mildly of toothpaste and he explored Wei Wuxian with the slow assuredness of a large predator on the prowl and he was studying Wei Wuxian's reaction with the same intensity he'd had on the shooting line. Wei Wuxian couldn't help but smile against his lips, such an overachiever, Jiang Cheng wanted to get good grades in everything. Time for the class clown to make a splash. Wei Wuxian sucked on Jiang Cheng's tongue and licked into Jiang Cheng's mouth. Somewhere in the periphery, Jin Ling had exited the room.
“I'm going to invite Zhizen to breakfast and you're paying!”
Jiang Cheng pulled back and Wei Wuxian nipped at his lip in reprimand. Jiang Cheng sent him a smouldering look.
“You know where the money is. Have fun. Call me if you need to be picked up.”
Jiang Cheng turned back to Wei Wuxian.
“What? Did you think, he would disapprove?” Jiang Cheng's phone pinged. He pulled it out and turned the screen to Wei Wuxian. “Look, he snapped a picture and posted it to the family group chat.”
“Another picture for your album.”
“Or my office. Or my living room wall. If you're cool with it.”
Wei Wuxian knew what he wanted. “Make it huge.”
Jiang Cheng hugged him close. “You never do anything half-way.”
“Only once. And I want to fix that.”
Wei Wuxian was already making plans. Maybe, he could get Jiang Cheng back into archery. Then could propose with a thumb ring.
Teeth dug into his earlobe.
“Wei Wuxian, where is your mind? The house is empty and neither of us has to work tomorrow.”
Wei Wuxian's entire face heated up. His mouth opened and closed.
Jiang Cheng smirked. “You could also get your workout at the gym.”
“No,no, take me to bed or the counter or wherever you want.”
Jiang Cheng took his hand. “Let's start in the bedroom. We can get adventurous when Jin Ling decides to sleep over at Ouyang's.”
Wei Wuxian allowed himself to be pulled along. Maybe, he would just do that, let Jiang Cheng do a bit of the planning too and doing it together had always been more fun.