#but like i also understand the frustration of being an alumni and you're not even allowed to use the wifi let alone look at books | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

antiquecompass · 4 years

Note

If you're feeling up to it, I'd love to request some lahl xicheng featuring a lan academy school event of some kind, an oblivious jiang cheng and a xichen who is on all counts Extremely Exasperated haha

Not quite sure if this is what you wanted anon, but here we go:

It wasn’t Jiang Cheng’s fault that Xichen wanted to take his phone and punt it off into the farthest corner of the mountains. Work emergencies happened when running a global billion-dollar company and Xichen understood that Jiang Cheng only took the phone call because he absolutely had to take it. It also wasn’t Jiang Cheng’s fault that he was attracting so much attention as he did his normal pacing and spoke in his commanding voice all while wearing his well cut suit. Those were all things Jiang Cheng did naturally while he was at work and he normally didn’t have an entire room full of Lan Academy alumni, board members, and parents watching him. It wasn’t Jiang Cheng’s fault that he was both so utterly distracted and devastatingly attractive. So, no, Xichen couldn’t blame Jiang Cheng for a thing, but it didn’t make him any less frustrated as wave after wave of current and past board members kept engaging Xichen in conversation while also openly speaking of and admiring his boyfriend beyond the point of appreciation and straight into objectification.

“Here,” Mingjue said, cutting off the next wave of people by physically dragging Xichen away and shoving a cup into his hand. “Drink this. You need it.”

One day Lan Xichen would learn to never accept a cup of anything from Nie Mingjue.

“What in the fuck?” he asked.

Mingjue frowned. “Such language, Headmaster Lan,” he said. “I think that boyfriend of yours is a horrible influence.”

“He’s not the one who just handed me an entire cup full of vodka,” Xichen said.

“Vodka?” Mingjue asked. “It was supposed to be tequila.”

“Mingjue, I am at work,” Xichen said.

“Yes, you are,” Mingjue agreed. “And you were also about five seconds from snapping off part of that table behind you. I heard the wood creak. Try explaining that one to the budgetary committee. ‘In an unfortunate accident caused by my boyfriend being too hot because I have an authority kink and I don’t like other people seeing it or seeing him like that, I broke a table with my bare hands.’”

“I’m not that bad,” Xichen said even as he felt his eyes narrow at one of the parents going over and touching Jiang Cheng to try and get his attention.

“And there goes the cup and the vodka,” Mingjue said, grabbing the paper cup before it was completely crumpled in Xichen’s hand. Mingjue gave him a shove. “Go over there before you break something irreplaceable or Jiang Cheng makes someone cry.”

Xichen didn’t argue this time.

The thing about Jiang Cheng was that he knew people were attracted to him because of his name and his socioeconomic status, but he often failed to realize how many people were attracted to him just because he was him. He had an air about him that crackled with his emotions--anger, joy, frustration, mischief. It was hard to turn away from him, but it was something he never realized. Forever the little boy who thought of himself as second best when he could bring the world to its knees with one soft smile. And those smiles were precious, rarely shown around people he didn’t consider family. And so Xichen knew that Jiang Cheng assumed everyone approaching him right now was doing it for business reasons and there was some truth to that, of course. But more of it was just because he was just Jiang Cheng--one devastatingly attractive man, his hair down and loose tonight, in a charcoal waistcoat on top of a lavender shirt, commanding his little corner like it was his boardroom.

As an entire group started gathering around, eyes firmly glued to Jiang Cheng’s ass as he moved, Lan Xichen found his patience had finally worn out.

“Excuse me,” he said, pushing through the crowd.

Jiang Cheng gave him a tired smile as their eyes met and suddenly Xichen’s exasperation and indignation disappeared, replaced by the concern that always came when he knew Jiang Cheng had been working himself too hard. He didn’t understand the current problem--German was not a language Xichen knew but was the one Jiang Cheng was currently conversing in. He seemed to be wrapping it up though, a series of farewells before he finally ended the call, tossing his phone on the same table that held his suit jacket. He wrapped his arms around Xichen and immediately rested his head on his shoulder.

“Please tell me we can go home soon,” Jiang Cheng mumbled. He tilted his head up and pressed a series of tiny kisses next to Xichen’s ear. “Please,” he said. “I need an actual meal, and a long bath, and you with me for all of that.”

“I think we’ve stayed long enough,” Xichen agreed. He kissed Jiang Cheng’s temple and ran a soothing hand through his hair. “Lan Academy isn’t even the official host tonight, it’s an alumni event. We’ve made our appearance. We can leave.”

“Thank fuck,” Jiang Cheng muttered. “I don’t know what’s in the drinks tonight, but everyone kept staring at me.”

“I know,” Xichen said as he reached for Jiang Cheng’s jacket and phone. “It’s hard to turn your eyes away from such beauty.”

Jiang Cheng scoffed. “Ah, yes. The beauty of Angry CEO Yells in German Over Machinery Manufacturing. That’s everyone’s fantasy.”

#Anonymous #anon replies #xicheng #fandom: the untamed #verse: lahl #my ridic writing #replies

37 notes · View notes

halcyonnhood · 4 years

Text

Alumni Band (Michael Clifford)

Summary: Nellie and Michael were best friends in high school and in marching band. They reunite through alumni band. Platonic love.

Word Count: 2.1k

Rating: literally PG.

Warnings: me being a soft bitch

Authors Note: I'm back from the dead for .02 seconds. I wrote this while manic and haven't bothered editing it. Incase people aren't aware of what Alumni band is: it's basically just graduates of marching band getting back together and performing (usually.) I'm going off my experience, I literally just did alumni band in October (I was the second youngest.) and we always go to practices and then perform together with the high school band for homecoming games. Tons of fun. I'm also scared people won't like this as much because it isn't romantic and doesn't include smut. Fun. Enjoy!

I will probably make a second part in the future which might be romantic, but I'll probably stick with some platonic!Mikey. Double bonus, Nellie is a plus size character. I didn't feel the need to explicitly say that in this part. We'll explore that in the second.

The band room still smells musty and sweaty, a smell that somehow comforts Nellie Reed. It's been years since she had last stepped into her second home, but everything still looks the same. Chairs were still set in messy rows, music stands placed out of the way in the corner, and there are crumbs everywhere (despite the ‘no eating’ policy). There's a couple of new photos placed randomly along the walls, a disney world trip from 2018, the new drum major beaming proudly with majorettes. It brings back memories of her own high school years and how much she genuinely misses marching band. Of course she does, she wouldn't cancel plans for nothing. She only does it for homecoming week anyhow.

The rest of the alumni band seems to be taking their sweet ole’ time. To be fair, some of them are very old. Nellie has already paced laps around the room multiple times. Looked at photos. Peeked into the uniform closet, viewed the same old uniforms, and quickly shut the door before the odor could become too pungent. After all, the poor cotton uniforms only get dry cleaned twice a year and sadly they still smell like sweaty teens. She pulls out a music stand and takes out her piccolo to get some practice in. Well, that was the plan before a few frames beside the director's podium catches her attention. Upon closer inspection the first frame holds a picture of her, Kellen Loxley, and Michael Clifford at their final senior football game. It had been rainy and cold, both her and Kellen falling multiple times in the mud, yet the three of them were laughing in the picture. Her heart swells at the sight, she had never been so happy and content until that night. The second frame showed Hadden Beaupre's smiling face, she knew why the picture had remained there years after their graduation. He had died a couple nights before graduation after getting in a car wreck with Nellie and Michael. And the picture captures exactly how she remembers him, red curly hair spilling onto his forehead, freckles speckled across his dimpled cheeks, and green eyes shining brightly. God, she missed him. She missed them all.

Her introspective thinking is abruptly interrupted, “Staring at his dopey smile was probably your biggest downfall, ya know?”

She immediately recognizes the voice. She honestly believes that she could identify him anywhere.

“You're just jealous I stared at him, Clifford.” Nellie chuckles. She turns around to be met with none other than her high school best friend. Except he wasn't a teenager anymore and he definitely filled out his once awkward, gangly body.

“Me? Jealous? I could never.” Michael chuckles.

“Whatever you say. I didn't even think you'd show up,” She comments, “Let alone with bubblegum pink hair,”

Michael let's out a laugh, “Can you blame me? I know Jennings hates it and it'll be a good laugh. He can't make me bleach my hair like the good old days,”

“You're the dumbass who would dye it weekly despite knowing the rules,” She rolls her eyes. “I'm surprised you aren't bald from all the chemicals,”

Michael was trying to come up with a witty comeback when the double doors swing open and their old band director peeks his head in, “The rest of the alumni are on the field, apparently they still can't follow directions,”

The practice isn't going as smoothly as it did in high school. Nellie's section is filled with ditzy, forgetful thirty and forty year old women who rely on her to teach them everything. They forgot the very basics, but she's kind and teaches them anyway. While she's helping a woman named Janice with arm swings, she makes eye contact with Michael who is giving her a “are you serious?” look. She just shrugs and gives him a frown, because honestly, this sucks. Michael just smiles from across the field and it sends her back to their freshman year. It had been hot, both of them exhausted and ready to go back home, but they still found enough energy to mouth words to each other and make silly expressions. He looks the same, with dyed hair and his neck strap hanging to display his silver saxophone. It HAD to be silver, his fourteen year old self had claimed. It's unique, unlike every other boring gold saxophone. Of course the boy wanted to stand out, even his hair shows that.

“Will I see you at the game?” Michael questions after practice.

“Do you really have to ask?” Nellie gives him her signature smile. The one reserved just for him.

He chuckles, “It's not polite to assume things,”

“Of course you'll see me there, Mikey.”

The week passes right before Nellie's eyes, it feels that way, but she knows she's just giddy to see Michael again. The duo hasn't been the same since graduation, while at one time they used to be inseparable, now she's lucky to get a text once a month. It was usually saying about the same thing each month, “Hey, I hope you're doing well Nel. Hopefully I'll be home soon. 🖤” Except he never really came home until this week. She wanted to be mad at him, she should be mad at him, but she's too understanding for that. They're both adults with adult lives and that's okay. His adult life is just a little more exciting than her own though, a famous band, cool ass friends, and screaming girls willing to fall at his feet.

Nellie had a pretty bland life in comparison. She stayed in the same small, dead end town working as the city schools music therapist and occasional music teacher. While he was out touring the world and being rich, she was earning two dollars above minimum wage and eating microwavable dinners in her one bedroom apartment. She just wishes she could have the comfort of having Michael closer. At one time it was a reasonable wish, now it seems like too much to ask.

Michael is going to arrive at the high school late. According to the text that he had sent her. It's half expected, he was never on time to begin with and some things never change, she knows that. It isn't a big deal, yet Nellie can't help but feel a little hurt. She just wants to talk to him while getting ready, but the man is nowhere to be found and she's surrounded by strangers again. Not how she wants her night to go and definitely not what she had pictured happening. She had pictured getting there early together and having half of the evening to fool around and act like teenagers again, he had other priorities in place though. And she is definitely not one of them.

Nellie glances down at her phone for what feels like the hundredth time tonight. He hadn't bothered texting her again and there's only twenty minutes until pregame. And while she loves her best friend, she can feel anger and disappointment stirring up deep in her chest. Michael had spent the past few days texting her consistently and talking about how excited he was to relive his old marching band days. How excited he was to spend the evening right along with her. The least he could do is actually fucking show up and she's not sure that he even would. So, she lines up for pregame with the flutes and tries to rid herself of the negative emotions. This is a night for fun and remembering why she was so passionate about music in the first place.

Pregame is still hell. It's not particularly long or challenging, but it's still tiring in its own way. It's only when the band is marching off the field that Nellie spots soft pink hair through the mass of uniforms and alumni. The sight makes her heart race much faster than the marching and crowd could have. The fact that he actually showed up almost cancels all the frustration from before and all she can focus on is getting close to him as soon as possible.

“You showed up,” Nellie says once the duo is sat comfortably in the band stands.

“I told you that I would,” Michael raises an eyebrow at the girl.

“I was beginning to doubt that,”

“Nel, I have never lied to you” He tells her with a softer tone.

She just plays with the keys of her Piccolo, “Yeah, you do Mike. You usually do every time you claim you'll come home.”

“You know I can't help that. I always make plans and things always pop up. I'm here now, let me make it up to you,”

“I really don't wanna talk about this anymore. I'm going to get hot chocolate, want some?” She asks while handing him her beloved instrument.

“We need to talk, I don't want things to be bad between us.”

“I don't want to now, Michael.”

Nellie wants to stay and talk, it's what she's been craving for months on end. To just cuddle up next to him and talk about everything they've missed. She wants to know all about his famous life, tours, and new friends. She wants to tell him all about her students and how she's successful in her own way. But she doesn't, she turns and walks down the bleachers stairs. Away from Michael and any bad moods that began to cloud her mind. She's just going to get them some hot chocolate and let the cold breeze cool her off before she goes back to him. Their friendship is something they both value and she doesn't want to ruin that due to bitter moods and hurt feelings. They'd work it out, they always do.

As promised, Nellie returns with hot chocolate and the two sip it in silence during the game. He doesn't bother trying to say anything else to her, but doesn't pull away when she cuddles up to him for warmth. They stay like that until halftime when they follow the high school band to warm up. Then onto field. The show feels natural and familiar, the one thing that both Nellie and Michael missed. Throughout the show she can occasionally see his pink hair moving smoothly across the field or see glints of his silver instrument. It fills her heart with nostalgia, no different than the rest of this week.

“I'm sorry I never come home,” Michael tells Nellie after the game.

She turns to watch the boy, his hair sticking to his forehead and green eyes studying her carefully, “I'm sorry that I was being a dick earlier. I was just kinda hurt that you were late. We don't get much time together.”

“I know. I wish it was different but with to-”

“Yeah, tour.” She cuts him off. “I would know more about that if you talked to me.”

“I should've made more time for you. I know,”

“I just want my best friend, Mike.” Nellie says and looks away from him.

Without warning, Michael pulls the shorter girl into his chest and hugs her tightly. She melts into the warm embrace and squeezes him softly.

“I can't take anymore time off. But I was thinking, why don't you take a little vacation and come with us for a month. Or two. I'll show you LA, you can see new places.” Michael tells her suddenly with wide eyes as if it surprises him too.

“Mikey,” Nellie whispers softly. “I have work and bills. I can't just leave like you can,”

A cheeky smile pulls at his pink lips, “And? Work for us,”

“Yes, because you totally need a music therapist,” Nellie rolls her eyes.

“We need…” Michael trails off, “Music lessons? You have a degree in music education.”

“Oh, so now a band with number one songs needs a music educator,” Nellie laughs at the thought. “Especially with all your famous friends,”

“Luke and Ashton can't read sheet music,”

“Luke plays piano,” She deadpans.

“By ear” Michael grins down at her. “You know that isn't proper. C'mon, Nellie.”

“As fun as that so-”

This time Michael cuts her off, “We'll pay double whatever this district offers. They really don't offer much, I would know, we both went here,”

“Fine.” Nellie grins.

Michael wraps his arms around her tightly and spins her around with joy. Nellie starts in a fit of giggles and hugs him tighter than ever before. She finally gets to see her best friend every single day. No more late nights waiting for texts and feeling let down when plans change. Suddenly doing Alumni band is the best decision she's ever made.

“I can't wait for you to meet the boys, Nel” Michael rambles, “You'll love them and oh my god all of the food in LA? To die for. I have so much to show you."

“I can't wait, Mikey."

9 notes · View notes