#lan shoulder pads.... fuck yeah

[treemaidengeek]

Fuck today in particular. Here's a fun Guardian/Untamed crack crossover drabble that I've been sitting on.

.....................................................................

Da Qing woke up from his nap in the middle of an unusually high amount of chaos.

The lab’s door was cracked. He could hear Lin Jing and Zhao Yunlan talking excitedly. There was a third unfamiliar voice, too, that sounded way too caffeinated. The place smelled like two different kinds of burning metal and something almost-like-dixing-dark-energy-but-worse. What the fuck?--

He leapt silently from his perch (not that those idiots could’ve heard him over the racket they were making if he’d started caterwauling) and padded over to peer around the door. The smells made him dizzy.

Ooookay, nobody was fighting or bleeding. The stranger was shorter than the others, long black hair pulled into a messy ponytail with a red ribbon, and wearing--uh. The kind of robes he hadn’t seen in centuries. Didn’t look like a costume either. That shit had been thoroughly lived in.

Time to go find some grown-ups to check on the situation.

Shen Wei, Xiao Guo, and Zhu Hong were at the big table in the common area, along with three other strangers in ancient robes. Did someone schedule a Special Investigations time travel party and fucking forget to tell him? He sniffed. The things he put up with.

The guy sitting next to Shen Wei was dressed in white, and exuded an ungodly level of serenity. Probably about the most self-contained human he’d ever met. He also sort of drew himself away from the other people in the room--not literally, he was sitting like a steady pillar of moonlight, but somehow his energy did not invite interaction.

Oh yeah. That was his lap.

The man tensed when Da Qing leapt up and draped himself across his knees. Awww, he was cute. Da Qing rolled a little to show belly fur, mewed, and purred. C’mon, I’m too adorable to resist. Sure enough, a hesitant hand began to rub behind his ears.

Shen Wei frowned. “Da Qing, don’t be rude.”

“Rude,” he said primly, “is inviting a bunch of people over without telling me. What the fuck is going on?”

His chosen furniture tensed again, and gave Shen Wei a wide-eyed lost look that reminded Da Qing hilariously of Xiao Guo. The man’s lips parted wordlessly.

Shen Wei sighed. “Mr. Lan, please forgive our poor hospitality. This is Da Qing, a cat yashou. A shapeshifter,” he clarified at the other’s continued confusion. To Da Qing he added, “There was… an incident. Yunlan and Lin Jing were attempting to get some readings on the Hallows and their connection to Dixing, and apparently Wei Wuxian--the one in there with them--was doing some experiments with his own dark energy containment tools in their world, and…” He spread his hands.

“Uh-huh.” Da Qing butted his head against Mr. Lan’s hand. Mr. Lan apparently knew something about something, because he started petting him again like it was a reflex. Good human. “And now we are?”

“Now we are having tea while the scientists work.” Shen Wei made an admirable attempt to sound calm. Someone who knew him less well would’ve totally been fooled.

“You’re having tea,” Zhu Hong corrected from the other end of the table. “We’re having very fine wine and commiserating about the folly of men.” She tipped her glass to a woman with impossibly deep eyes and crimson robes.

“Is that a good idea?” Da Qing stretched and was gratified when Mr. Lan’s hand moved to his belly. “Because I’m pretty sure something’s on fire in there.”

Shen Wei and the lady in red started a little from their chairs, similar tight-lipped long-suffering expressions flitting across their faces.

“Wei-gongzi knows what he’s doing.” Da Qing craned around to look at the new speaker: a man in black robes who was probably tall when his shoulders weren’t hunched. Black veins traced his neck. Huh. “I mean. He’s g-good at this. And they asked us to give them space to work.”

“I’m sure they’ll figure it out.” Xiao Guo nodded and smiled at Mr. Black Veins. Did the little guy just gravitate toward goths? Speaking of--

“Where’s Lao Chu? Since he’s not tearing up the floor pacing, I assume he's either sulking somewhere or looking for something to fight.”

“Oh, he found something,” said the woman in red tartly. “They’re keeping each other out of everyone else’s hair, thank the gods.”

Uh. "What does that mean?"

BAM!

The walls shuddered. Da Qing clambered over onto his feet, deploying claws to prevent himself from sliding on Mr. Lan's silk robes. He glared at Shen Wei. "What was that?"

"That was, presumably, Lao Chu." Shen Wei took a sip of his tea.

CRACK!

The lights flickered.

Zhu Hong rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She looked toward the interrogation room and called, "Mind the electricity, boys, or I'll send you outside to play!" She returned her attention to the lady in red. "Does that whip thing ever run out of charge?"

"No such luck, I'm afraid," she replied. “And he has a bit of trouble with the ‘friendly’ part of the concept of ‘friendly competition.’”

Zhu Hong lifted her eyes heavenward and her glass in a toast. “Men,” she sighed and stood. “Excuse me a moment, won’t you? Lao Chu has the same trouble, and I don’t want to deal with the paperwork if they wreck the place.”

Her companion’s smile was lovely and terrifying. She manifested three old-fashioned acupuncture needles from gods-knew-where. “I’ll help.”

#the untamed #guardian #the untamed crack #guardian crack #fic #my stuff #humor #everything is awful. have something nice

[drwcn]

discordance!verse part 7: an interesting morning in jingshi, Lan Wangji is shameless, much to the shock of Wei Wuxian. rated M??T??

in which wwx is lxc’s husband through political alliance, and there is an affair. 

[8] | [7] | [6] | [5] | [4] | [3] | [2] | [1] [synopsis] OR

see [discau tag] or [discordance navigation page] for all installments  

(~10 days before part 5/6)

Wei Wuxian wakes up slowly, warm and comfortable. The first thing he sees is the green bamboo shoots past the white tulle curtains, just outside the window, and the droplet of dew glistening under the morning sun. It had rained some time during the early hours; he recalls drifting to sleep listening to the muffled pitter-patter against Jingshi's roof, Lan Zhan curled at his side…

Lan Zhan is still there, fast asleep, as though he hasn't moved an inch all night. He is pressed against Wei Wuxian's shoulder, one arm thrown across his chest, every even breath a gentle breeze across his neck.

Even in sleep, Lan Zhan is a vision. That peerless face which others find cold and intimidating, is relaxed and open. Thick lashes kiss pink flushed cheeks. Soft full lips part minutely, still a bit swollen. Long silk hair runs like ink between Wei Wuxian's fingers.

He releases a soft affectionate huff, pulling the covers more securely around them both. Wei Wuxian closes his eyes, ready to indulge in sleep for another couple more hours. He doesn't know why they don't do this more often, it's so nice…

Wait!

His eyes snap open, all thoughts of sleep vanishing instantly.

Fuck! We slept in!

There's a very good reason why he and Lan Zhan never wake up warm, coddled together in a patch of morning sun like two aristocratic cats: it's because Cloud Recesses' rules are fucking nightmares - and also because he and Lan Zhan are technically, technically in an illicit affair - but mostly because of Cloud Recesses’ rules. Lan Zhan always has to get up at a quarter before mao-shi to sneak back to hanshi so he could continue the charade of having woken up in the bed he definitely didn't sleep in.

Judging by the angle of sunlight spilling into the room, it must be at least si-shi by now, a whole two shichen later than when Lan Zhan is usually up and about…

Oh ffffffuuuck -

Dap, dap, dap!

There are three polite knocks at the door. A disciple's hesitant voice echoes from the other side.

"W-Wei-jun? Are you in there?"

He can hear the anxiety clearly in their tone. Because of course they must be frantic! Lan Zhan's secretarial disciple would've gone in to bring him his breakfast, like he does every morning, and discovered Hanguang-jun's bed and sheets as cold as ice and Lan Wangji himself nowhere to be found.

It's been at least four hours, Cloud Recesses must be having a full blown panic attack by now!!

Wei Wuxian jolts up from bed and is torn between feeling sorry and amazed when that exaggerated movement only manages to elicit an incoherent grumble from Lan Zhan.

Oblivious to Wei Wuxian's impending meltdown, Lan Wangji curls a little deeper into the covers, but does not wake up. 

No time to worry about that, Wei Wuxian yanks the covers over Lan Wangji's head to cover him and pads across the matted floor to the clothing rack. He can't answer the door even if he wants to; he's completely fucking naked.

Wei Wuxian is just about finished with the ties of his second layer of robes when the disciple speaks again,  

"Wei-jun?! Are you in there?! Many apologies for disturbing you…but - but it's urgent! Please, could you open the door?"

For the first time since the death of his husband, Wei Wuxian is glad for his widower status. As the previous Sect Master's yishu 遗属, it would be bad etiquette for lower disciples to barge into his private residence without invite. Not that any of them would be capable: the seal Wei Wuxian placed on the inside of the door last night is an invention of his own. He's confident that no more than a dozen cultivators of their time can break it without expending serious spiritual energy.

Thank goodness last-night-me had the foresight to do that…

Though, he does wonder why it's a bunch of disciples and not someone like Lan Qiren knocking on his door. His nerves calm by half a fraction. If they're coming to me, perhaps they haven't directed this particular issue to higher authorities. Probably doesn't want to give the grandpas an impromptu stroke by declaring Lan Zhan missing…

Wei Wuxian shrugs on his outer layer, and in the calmest, most put-upon voice he can manage, he answers, "What is it? I am feeling poorly this morning."

"Begging your pardon, Wei-jun, it's just…Hanguang-jun, uhm, we can't find Hanguang-jun."

Glancing behind his shoulder, Wei Wuxian winces as he sees Lan Wangji stirring, turning onto his back and shoving the covers out of the way.

"Ah, yes, Hanguang-jun," replies Wei Wuxian, channeling his inner Lan Qiren and attempting his most authoritative tone of voice. "Sect Master has informed me that he’s gone on a…a meditative trek. It's been some time since he's been able to cultivate in peace. He will be returning shortly. No need…no need to worry the Elders."

Through the thin walls, he hears a collective sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness. Forgive us for disturbing you, Wei-jun. If you're feeling unwell, should a healer be sent for -"

"No! No, that's quite alright. I'll be fine. Return to your studies. Do not dally." Wei Wuxian quickly dismisses the disciples. 

Ear pressed against the door, he listens to their footsteps walking away until he can't hear anything but the sparrows chirping in the woods. Letting out the breath he’s been holding anxiously in his chest, Wei Wuxian pads himself in relief.

Crisis averted.

When he turns around, Lan Wangji is sitting up in bed, staring dazedly at him.

"I slept in. It's very late, isn't it?"

The sight of him like that, blankets gathered at the waist, pale chest bared and hair unbound, immediately steals from Wei Wuxian the breath he’d only just been able to catch.

Hanguang-jun is truly the Light Bearer, he laments, mindless of the smile that overtakes him. Even the sun seems to be drawn to the good Lan Zhan. Streaming onto the bed from the window behind, morning sunlight enshrouds his entire being and condenses into a soft halo around him, as if to remind the world that this man is blessed by the gods.

Yet this god-chosen man, destined for immortality, has given himself over to Wei Wuxian last night, delivered into his hands, with pure trust and a small smile in the dark.

Wei Wuxian feels the back of his neck heat up from the memory. Get yourself together, Wei Wuxian, you flagrant degenerate, it’s practically midday. 

"Wei Ying, I…" Lan Wangji averts his eyes as Wei Wuxian takes a seat beside him, holding his clothes ready for him.

"Ah, Lan Zhan, don't be embarrassed." Wei Wuxian chuckles, reaching out to twirl a strand of Lan Wangji's hair around his finger teasingly. "So you slept in, happens to the best of us." 

Leaning forward and pecking a chaste kiss to his forehead, Wei Wuxian hands him his robes and says, "Alright, come on, let's get up. You have to work, and I have to assist my venerated Hanguang-jun. A bath and some breakfast - I told the disciples I'm not feeling my best, they'll probably send whatever I ask for. Nobody ever has to know our Sect Master was sleeping the morning away."

The tip of Lan Wangji's ears turns pink, but instead of accepting the garbs the other man holds out to him, he shifts closer and winds his arms around Wei Wuxian shamelessly. "Yes perhaps, but I am not entirely to blame."

This time, Wei Wuxian does blush. He draws his head back, aghast. "L-Lan Zhan! H-how could you say such a thing in broad daylight!

"Is it not so?" Lan Wangji rests his chin against his lover's shoulder and pivots his head almost accusingly.

Wei Wuxian sputters. Why you shameless little - you - I -

Memories from the night before come rushing back: Lan Zhan's earnest open face when he asked Wei Wuxian to indulge him, climbing onto his lap and whispering into his ear exactly what he wanted. Wei Wuxian is used to Lan Zhan taking charge. It’s been that way since the two of them became intimate. He’s thrilled, more than thrilled, to share those stolen moments with Lan Zhan. In fact, it always does funny wonderful things to him to see the disciplined Hanguang-jun let loose the way he does when they’re together.

But to have his Lan Zhan laying under him, arching and trembling and falling apart for him, his name uttered by those heavenly lips like an answer, a spell, a prayer…How does any reasonable man come back from that?

Oh my god…I - I deflowered the Second Jade of Gusu… Wei Wuxian realizes with a jolt, suddenly hot under the collar. It's not that the implication didn't occur to him yesterday, but the weight of his actions had not fully sunk in until now. It's probably not a coincidence that Lan Wangji, who has never overslept a day in his life, fails to keep to his rigid internal clock after Wei Wuxian spent most of the night having his ways with him.

When did they even go to actual sleep? It couldn't have been any time before midnight. Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian, you fool, you absolute idiot, how could you have done this?! You should've been more careful!!

…Lan Zhan had been so careful with me…

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji calls his name, arms still locked around him. "You told them I'd be gone for a while yet, yes?"

Wei Wuxian frowns, not sure where he's headed. "Yeah?"

Lan Wangji shuffles closer, one of his hands travelling across the front of Wei Wuxian's robes until he finds the knotted sash. Blinking innocently, he says without a shred of pretense, "I do not doubt your skills, but my memories of last night are a little vague. Perhaps you ought to demonstrate for me again, as a reminder?"

For a long, long moment, neither of them move, Lan Wangji's request apparently having shocked Wei Wuxian into petrified silence. He does nothing but stare back at him, so much so Lan Wangji begins to wonder if he went a little too far with the teasing. But then Wei Wuxian's expression shifts, something raw and hungry flashing across his face. The next moment, Lan Wangji is flipped over onto his front, the covers yanked off exposing his pale bare form, every inch a perfection. 

Lan Wangji shivers, more reactionary than actually cold. He can feel Wei Ying's gaze on him, heated and appreciative, and as much as he doesn't want to give him the satisfaction, he squirms under the scrutiny.

"Wei Y-"

But the weight of Wei Ying's body is suddenly flush against his back, and Lan Wangji notices with a start that while he is thoroughly bare, Wei Ying is mostly dressed and does not appear to be in any hurry to change that.

Does Wei Ying really intend to take him while fully clothed?! Somehow the thought doesn't bother him, not in the least. Rather, it spurs him on, sparking the desire that simmers just beneath his skin. 

His hair is swept to side; Lan Wangji groans as a pair of lips press a hot, open mouthed kiss against his neck behind one redden ear.

"One would think, Hanguang-jun, that requesting physical intimacy in the middle of the day counts for misbehaviour."

The needy kiss transforms into a sharp bite.

Lan Wangji suffocates a groan, shuddering as the kiss trails between his shoulder blades and lower. For a few minutes, all he can focus on is the touch of hands and lips and tongue mapping out the planes of his body and wringing from him wonderful pleasures that he would not otherwise so easily relinquish.

"As the once disciplinary officer of Cloud Recesses," continues Wei Ying, lifting Lan Zhan by the hips and pushing him onto his knees. "Please enlighten us the appropriate consequences."

Wei Ying sounds very much like a cat savouring its play time with its poor prey before devouring it alive. Although Lan Wangji would never admit it out loud even under duress, he can confess to himself in the safety of his mind that this fate is exactly what he wants.

The Wei Ying of last night was careful, gentle, and steadfast despite being nervous.That Wei Ying had held his hands, lacing their fingers together, and whispered sweet lovely things as he brought them to their heights and back. Lan Wangji wasn't lying when he said his memories were a bit fuzzy; the entire experience had been…a lot.

However, Wei Ying in the morning is a whole different beast, and Lan Zhan aches just imagining what waits ahead. He wants him, by god, he wants him.

"One would think, Wei-jun," Lan Wangji manages to grit out, "that as someone who holds the highest running record of punishments received during his guest disciple days, you would be more than acquainted with Cloud Recesses' method of discipl - ah!"

The cry is ripped from his throat before he could help it. Panting, Lan Wangji writhes against the sheets and marvels a little at just how readily he receives what Wei Ying gives him.

But Wei Ying's tone loses its playfulness right away. "Lan Zhan -" The hand that threads through his hair is light and the following kiss on his left shoulder is tender. "- are you - are you hurt? Was I -"

Perhaps that cry sounded more distressed than he actually was. Lan Wangji turns his head to meet Wei Ying's worried gaze and melts a little. Blood is roaring in his ears and he is hot all over, but the warm cocoon that envelops his heart has nothing to do with lust.

Wei Ying presses another soft, comforting kiss against the shell of his ear and then another against his temple. "Say something, should I stop?"

Stop?! If this endearing idiot even thinks about stopping now Lan Wangji will absolutely smack him out of pure frustration.  

Catching his breath, he pushes back against Wei Wuxian and is immensely satisfied when the other man shudders in response. Reveling in the knowledge that he is the only one to ever see Wei Ying this way, he does it again. This time, the hands gripping his deviant hips are no longer gentle.

"Are you going to make good on my punishments," challenges Lan Wangji, batting his lashes, infinitesimally coy. "Or were those merely empty threats?"

The speed at which Wei Ying's eyes darken with desire almost makes Lan Wangji regret his impertinence. But then he is being thrust forward without warning, the unexpected motion hitting that spot inside him that makes his toes curl and his vision go white, and he instantly regrets nothing.

"W-Wei Ying…"

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he is aware that he is being objectively loud, but it really isn't his fault. Who in their right mind would expect him to be silent when he is being railed into the bed like both their immortalities depended on it. He just hopes Wei Ying has the good sense to cast a silencing talisman (lucky for them, he did).

Lan Zhan moans into the sheets, his eyes rolling back. How on earth is he so wrecked so quickly?! What is Wei Ying doing to him? In this position, he is completely at his lover's mercy, but he doesn't want to fight it, not at all. Clutching the wooden headboard, Lan Wangji surrenders the last bit of his self-control and submerges under the waves of sensations and sounds and bliss.  

~

Lan Zhan is quiet afterwards, soaking in the bath Wei Wuxian prepared for him. Wei Wuxian wipes himself down perfunctorily, changes into fresh robes and then proceeds to meticulously tidy the bed. The sheets are…probably not salvageable. He'll have to burn them or bury them, because there's no way he can hand them over to the disciples on laundry duty in the state that they're in. Even he can't talk his way out of that one.

When he's sure there is no more incriminating evidence of their activities, Wei Wuxian rounds behind the screen to find Lan Zhan exactly where he'd left him.

Eyes closed, he looks so young. It's not fair how everything must fall to him now. Lan Zhan never complains, but he must be exhausted after all that's happened since the end of last year.

His heart squeezing tightly, Wei Wuxian picks up a wash cloth and sits down by the tub. Lovely eyes flutter open just as he runs the warm towel over the round of Lan Zhan's shoulder.

"Are you alright?" He asks softly, wiping a bit of dried spent from Lan Zhan's chin. "Was I too rough?"

The tip of Lan Zhan's ears turns pink again. He shakes his head, taking Wei Wuxian's hand and caresses his knuckles. "No, you were perfect."  

Still, something nags Wei Wuxian in the mind of his mind. Their hands still clasped together, he shifts closer and searches Lan Zhan's face. 

"Lan Zhan, what brought this on? Last night and this morning. You know I don't mind being the …uhm…" Blushing, he clears his throat, suddenly thin-skinned. Damn it, Wei Wuxian, get it together. "You know I don’t mind being the way we were before. Love it in fact, can't get enough of it even. I don't want you to think I expect you to - uhm - return the favour... as it were."

Lan Zhan's eyes are serious but also bright and earnest with understanding and intent. He thumbs the blush on Wei Wuxian's cheek, curling his fingers around his nape. 

"I'm yours now, Wei Ying." He says, voice hushed but resolve firm. "Do you understand? No more nonsense about finding me a proper husband, or a wife to bear me heirs, or any talk of that kind. Even if the Elders bar me from marrying you on the account of you being my brother's widower, I'm yours, and you're not allowed to abandon me. I won't have it."

"Lan Zhan..." The back of his throat grows unbearably tight. Wei Wuxian feels as though he could cry. He remembers their conversation back in Qishan when he saw Lan Zhan with little Wen Yuan and the ensuing row they had afterwards. It was perhaps the first and only time Lan Zhan lost his temper with him. He'd been so angry, so hurt, that Wei Ying would even suggest he should marry another.

Wei Wuxian, if you truly want me to be with someone else, then what, tell me, are we doing now?!

Wei Wuxian squeezes his hand, pressing a heartbroken kiss to his palm, then another, then another. He feels horrible with himself. How could he not realize earlier? Is this why Lan Zhan had been so insistent?

"Lan Zhan, my good Lan Zhan, you didn't have to - I won't leave you, Lan Zhan, I promised you, I won't. You have me, you'll always have me, you didn't have to -"

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji interrupts him, seeing his self-deprecating tendencies are once again leading him down the wrong line of thought. "I want you, want to be with you. Last night was not solely to drive home a point. Even if I did want to make a point, it would only be part of the reason, minimal at best, and certainly would not account for this morning.” 

Wei Wuxian blinks, swallowing thickly. "And the real reason?"

"Well, surely it's very telling." Lan Wangji inches closer. The angle of the round tub makes it awkward but he doesn't care. A smile playing at his lips, he whispers into the other man's ear and delights at the way Wei Ying pulls back with a scandalized cry.

"Lan Zhan!"

Wei Wuxian is sure that his entire face is on fire. Who would've thought the esteemed Hanguang-jun could be such a lethal combination of imaginative mind and dirty mouth?!

But Lan Wangji only chuckles, nuzzling his neck. "Thank you for being so obliging, Wei Ying. I hope I was not too much of a burden."

I’m going to cry, thinks Wei Wuxian, I’m actually going to cry. Inside his chest, his heart has swelled so incredibly that he feels it will burst any second. "Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, my good Lan-er-gege," he chants, over and over, peppering the lightest and sweetest of kisses along Lan Wangji's face. "You can't say things like that without warning! My heart can't take it!"

"Mn,” Lan Wangji purrs.“You'll live."

"Lan Zhan, ah Lan Zhan, what am I going to do with you?" Wei Wuxian sighs,  holding the other man by the curve of his jaw and smiles that sunshine smile.

"Stuck with me, I'm afraid. Hasn't anyone told you?" Lan Zhan peers at him through hooded eyes. "Us Gusu Lans, we're rooks."

"Rooks?"

"Rooks mate for life."

At that, Wei Wuxian pulls Lan Wangji impossibly close and silences him with a deep, long kiss.

-

[part 8]

yishu 遗属 - family that is left behind through death. 

#discau #discordance #wangxian #cql #the untamed #wei wuxian #lan wangji #*covers my face and runs* #corie fics #to quote #b99 #he's just a thirsty ass bitch desperate for attention #i just wanted some Soft(TM) and Steamy(TM) for our boys before shit inevitably goes to hell #as y'all clearly knows #in 10 days #it's gonna be angst again #LOL #i'm not sorry #but also i hope it's not ooc? #anyways this is as smutty as my writing gets #i hope it's not too cringe

[trilliastra]

[College roommates WangXian. Wei Wuxian is a dumb dumb.]

-

“What if I just – move out?” Wei Wuxian asks, throwing himself on Jin Zixuan's bed because he knows Jiang Cheng would throw a fit if he laid on his bed. Nowadays, the most Jin Zixuan does is glare at him, he loves Wei Wuxian's sister too much to yell at him. Wei Wuxian smirks when the other man huffs. “Jiang Cheng, wouldn't it be nice to share a room again?”

“No.” His brother answers, not even looking up from his book.

Wei Wuxian turns to Jin Zixuan, expectantly.

“No.”

“But –”

“No.” He slams his hands on the table. “I have a report to write, just go tell Lan Wangji you're in love with him and leave me alone!”

Taken back by his sudden outburst, Wei Wuxian falls off the bed with a shout. He gets up quickly, feeling his entire face going red. “I am not –” he splutters, “he has ten thousand rules and glares at me when I make noise after nine and –”

“You watch him sleep.” Jiang Cheng says, book forgotten. “And you bring him tea every afternoon. And you say, 'thank you, sweets' when he makes your favorite food.”

“As a joke.”

“On purpose.” Jin Zixuan corrects, and why are they suddenly ganging up on him? The two don't even like each other! “Because you're an old married couple sans the physical affection.”

“I've seen them holding hands while watching TV.” Jiang Cheng adds.

“It was a scary movie!” Wei Wuxian yells, feeling wronged.

Lan Zhan is a great roommate, perfect actually. He's sweet and he listens to what Wei Wuxian says, talking back when he thinks Wei Wuxian is wrong or nodding when he's right. He's considerate and kind, feeds him soup when Wei Wuxian is sick or plays his guqin when Wei Wuxian can't sleep or just woke up from a nightmare.

But Wei Wuxian has needs, like every twenty year old guy, and Lan Zhan is just – always there. He tried locking the door but Lan Zhan called a locksmith and they both caught Wei Wuxian, quite literally, with his pants down. He tried leaving a sock on the door – the universal sign for 'I'm getting laid, please don't interrupt' – but Lan Zhan walked in anyway, and even gave him a lecture about leaving his clothes everywhere.

It's like he's doing it on purpose.

“Of course he's doing it on purpose.” Jin Zixuan says when Wei Wuxian voices his complaints while Jiang Cheng merely groans and starts hitting him with a pillow. “He's jealous.”

Wei Wuxian blinks once, twice, shakes his head. “No.”

“Yes.” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. “Or do you think he's dumb?”

No, of course Lan Zhan isn't dumb. His grades are incredible and he loves reading. Whenever he isn't in class, he can be found in the library with a book in hand, taking notes or just enjoying his free time. He looks really adorable when he likes a book, his eyes shine almost imperceptibly, and he smiles, tucked against his pillows, making Wei Wuxian want to – kiss his soft cheeks.

“Gah!” Wei Wuxian shrieks, taking the pillow from Jiang Cheng's hands and promptly burying his face in it. He is in love with Lan Zhan, his annoyingly cute roommate, his polar opposite, the guy who wakes up at five in the morning humming a song under his breath and looking like a movie star even when he's sleepy, hair askew and eyes half closed, as he pads into the bathroom. “Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian sits up, alarmed, as he realizes he really needs to change rooms. He can't wake up every morning to Lan Zhan's adorable face trying to figure out how to use the coffee machine Wei Wuxian bought. He doesn't even drink coffee, but he makes it for Wei Wuxian anyway.

Lan Zhan is the cutest, Wei Wuxian loves him.

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian repeats. “I'm in love with Lan Zhan!”

“We know.” Jiang Cheng groans.

“I can't go back to my room!” Wei Wuxian stresses because they are not understanding! This is a disaster, he's practically homeless now, he can't go back to Lan Zhan, he will just have to stay with his brother until they graduate! “Jiang Cheng, what am I gonna do?”

“Oh, my God.” Jin Zixuan throws his hands up, stalks towards Wei Wuxian and pulls him up. “Lan Wangji is in love with you too,” he shakes Wei Wuxian angrily, “you idiot.”

Wei Wuxian's first reaction is to laugh, but Jin Zixuan shakes him again, so he closes his mouth and glares at the other man. “He's not –”

“He asked Yanli how to make your favorite soup. Interrupting our date. ” Jin Zixuan recites as Jiang Cheng nods, rolling his eyes. “He glares at Jiang Cheng when you two fight, and he's still your roommate after two years.” Jin Zixuan says, practically dragging him towards the door. “If you don't believe me, go talk to him yourself. If he likes you back, good for you. If he doesn't, at least you will know.” He pushes him out and grabs the door handle angrily. “Don't come back unless you have your answer. Fuck off!” He spits out, slamming the door closed.

Wei Wuxian blinks, staring at the door as if waiting for it to tell him what to do. Because Lan Zhan is in love with him. Lan Zhan is in love with him, Wei Wuxian, gay disaster, messy roommate, all around annoying person.

What.

–

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian shouts, running into the music room. Lan Zhan practices his guqin every Thursday afternoon, occasionally Wei Wuxian tags along and they've worked on duets more than once. Like two dudes who absolutely have no feelings for each other. Yeah, right. “Lan Zhan!” He shouts again, reaches out to take Lan Zhan's hands. “I'm in love with you!”

Lan Zhan's expression barely changes as he stares at Wei Wuxian, but his eyes shine, hopeful, when Wei Wuxian squeezes his hand and smiles. He can't believe he's never noticed it before. “And you're in love with me too, right? Jin Zixuan said so!”

“Yes.” Lan Zhan whispers softly, letting go of Wei Wuxian's hands and instead reaches out to touch his face. “I am in love with Wei Ying.” He smiles, that tiny, beautiful smile, Wei Wuxian has learned to treasure, and it's so obvious now that he knows what to look for. Lan Zhan rarely smiles, but his eyes are always shining when Wei Wuxian cracks a stupid joke or when they are discussing a particular subject Lan Zhan likes.

“Oh, Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian laughs, eyes filled with tears. His heart has never felt so full. “I'm sorry I didn't notice before.”

“It doesn't matter.” Lan Zhan wipes a tears off his face, kisses his forehead. “Wei Ying loves me.”

“I do!” Wei Wuxian declares, loudly. He wants everyone to know because Lan Zhan deserves to be loved, treasured. “I do, I do, I do!” He keeps repeating, throwing his arms around his roommate's shoulders, breathing in Lan Zhan's comforting smell. “I do.”

–

Nothing changes, really, Wei Wuxian is still annoying and Lan Zhan still glares at him when he stays up past nine, but now Wei Wuxian kisses his frown away as Lan Zhan melts into the touch, sighing happily, and so Wei Wuxian knows he's forgiven.

#wangxian #wei wuxian x lan wangji #the untamed #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #my fic #idk why but i really didnt like how this turned out #i am my worst critic so #anyways have at it

[papayaanaya]

Lan Zhan leaned over Wen Ning’s shoulder, his hand on the man's back as he studied the paper before him. "Try and simplify your message. Your reader doesn't need fancy words, just clear instructions, take out this sentence here.” He glanced at Wen Ning’s face in time to see him turn red. 

Wei Ying held out his paper, grinning. "Me next, teacher."

Lan Zhan glanced at his paper and then stared at Wei Ying blankly. "Ridiculous. You have not even tried. You are disturbing Wen Ning’s studying. He is trying his best and you are playing." 

Wei Ying pouted, his bottom lip jutting out as he leaned back on the couch, long since having removed himself from beside Wen Ning at the table. "Wen Ning is great at English. You're making him nervous leaning over his shoulder like that."

Lan Zhan slipped his hand under the curtain of Wen Ning’s hair and onto the back of his neck, a question in his touch and in his eyes. 

 

Wen Ning avoided meeting his gaze, the tiniest nod gracing his neck. Lan Zhan conceded defeat, taking a seat beside Wei Ying to let Wen Ning work a bit on his own. Wei Ying cuddled up to him immediately, a naughty grin on his lips. "Lan-er-gege. Do you have anything to teach me?"

Lan Zhan pushed the hair from Wei Ying’s eyes. "You claim to know everything already, don't you?"

"I do. Maybe I should teach you a few things." He put a hand on Lan Zhan’s thigh only to have it moved away. "Hey! Lan Zhan don’t be so mean. Wen Ning will think you are cold."

"Wen Ning is a good boy." Wen Ning looked up from his work, pink all over. ‘Good boy’ was all it took to make him flustered these days. Wen Ning glanced around their secluded section of the library, the area was restricted, but if Lan Zhan had brought them in then someone else with a pass could also gain entry pretty easily. 

Still, when Lan Zhan beckoned to him with a hand, Wei Ying at his shoulder, half in his lap, Wen Ning couldn’t deny him. "Come here." Wen Ning turned redder still, the flush reaching his shirt collar. He stood up slowly and Wei Ying burst into laughter.

"Shh!" Wen Ning scolded, though there was no anger behind it, just embarrassment. He scrunched his shirt in his hands, too scared to come forward and have Wei Ying continue teasing him.

"Wen Ning. I won't call you again. Come here." Lan Zhan patted his thigh once, emphatically, his eyes dark, voice an octave lower than normal. Wen Ning felt his cock jump in his pants.

"Lan Zhan, you've already got him hard, you're really going to play with him in the library? How dirty." Wei Ying was overjoyed, pressing himself against Lan Zhan’s side to murmur something into his ear, low enough that Wen Ning couldn’t hear.

Wen Ning offered himself to Lan Zhan, standing before him with his arms at his side, uncrossed, open. Lan Zhan pulled Wen Ning into his lap, Wen Ning’s back against his chest, pressing his nose into Wen Ning’s neck and making him shudder. "Wen Ning has been very good. So he gets a reward. Hmm?”

Wen Ning nodded excitedly. “Yes. Yes, please”

Wei Ying slid one of his hands into Wen Ning’s shirt, fingers pressing into the three hearts freshly inked into Wen Ning’s hip. He kissed Wen Ning’s jawline,  "Can I play too?" 

 Lan Zhan found Wei Ying’s lips and Wen Ning felt a shiver down his spine as they kissed beside his ear. Lan Zhan bit Wei Ying on the lip before replying. "Mn. You will do the playing."

Wen Ning gasped as Lan Zhan slid a hand into his pants, his hands like ice around Wen Ning’s hardness. "You've done very well, so Wei Ying is going to give you a treat."

Wen Ning shuddered, arching against Lan Zhan's growing erection.

"Y-yes. I've been good." 

Wen Ning whined as Lan Zhan pulled him harder against him, bucking up into his ass. Wei Ying grinned, reaching for his pants, undoing his belt and ripping the zipper down. "Fuck that’s hot. Lan Zhan can you make him cry again? It's so sexy when you hold him down."

Wen Ning had enough mind to glare at Wei Ying and Wei Ying kissed him teasingly. "You know you love it."

"Whether I love it or not isn't the, ah! Isn't the problem." Wen Ning never could sit still when Lan Zhan played with him, fingers rough on his nipples. He thrust his hips up and received a bite from Lan Zhan for it. "Behave." Good boys let themselves be played with and didn’t squirm. Good boys came when told and not before.

Wen Ning went still in his grip as Lan Zhan pulled his erection out, stroking him harder than need be. "Wei Ying."

"Oh? Does a bad boy like me get to join?" He teased, already sliding down on his knees to take Wen Ning into his mouth. Wen Ning jerked again, taken down to the root in an instant, the wet heat of Wei Ying’s mouth making his head spin, his breath coming in pants. 

Wei Ying huffed a laugh as he made Wen Ning squirm again by brushing his teeth on Wne Ning’s cock.

"Be good." Lan Zhan reminded him, a hand on Wen Ning's thigh to keep him still - the one order Wen Ning was never able to obey. It seemed Lan Zhan was simply on a mission to punish someone today. 

"Yeah," Wei Ying grinned, diping his tongue into Wen Ning’s slit and making him go rigid. "Keep still A-Ning." He loved to see Wen Ning struggle, to make him misbehave. Anything to get Wen Ning red faced and teary-eyed, the horny devil.

Wen Ning could not keep still, squirming and bucking and whining as Wei Ying went to work on him. Lan Zhan was silent as he watched then, the gold of his eyes gone dark and brooding. 

“Are you going to cum? Without asking me?”

“N-no,” Wen Ning moaned, he cried out again as Wei Ying released him to lick at his balls, sucking them hard enough to make Wen Ning  his head. “Okay, I-I am please, please Lan Zhan can I- Can I-” He shuddered hard as Wei Ying, out of nowhere, slipped a spit-slicked finger into him, pressing right against his prostate.

Lan Zhan considered him, and the wicked look on Wei Ying’s face. “Go ahead.”

 It didn’t take long for Wen Ning to cum then, it never did when he was between the two of them, Lan Zhan in his ear and Wei Ying between his legs, naughty as ever. The orgasm was so hard his vision blurred, writhing on Lan Zhan’s lap as Wei Ying kept at him, grinning enough that Wen Ning could feel it.

“Oh no.” Wei Ying said with fake pity. “Poor A-Ning couldn’t keep still. Lan Zhan, that's two naughty boys on your hands now. What’ll you do?”

Wen Ning sucked in a breath of air as Lan Zhan pulled on his nipple. “I-I’m not bad. I’m not. Lan Zhan?” He whined, frowning. Wen Ning hated being bad.

“Wen Ning is good.” Lan Zhan bit down gently on the soft flesh of his neck. “He’s still being taught, have patience. We will try again.”

“Again?” Wen Ning asked blankly. He’d only just managed not to cry, just to spite Wei Ying.

“Again.” Lan Zhan confirmed. Wen Ning did not miss the way Wei Ying’s eyes gleamed.

Thus Wei Ying began to suck him off once more, pulling Wen Ning’s pants off fully. To teach Wen Ning a valuable lesson; Lan Zhan was tutoring them after all. Wen Ning’s legs were slack over Lan Zhan’s this time, all the strain gone out of him, his arms gripping the back of Lan Zhan’s shirt to keep himself from being naughty and touching Wei Ying's head.

He hadn't asked to touch Wei Ying’s head. Lan Zhan wouldn't want him to do anything without asking. 

Wei Ying took him down deep again, into the tightness of his throat and swallowing around him in that way that drove Wen Ning crazy, his toes curling as he pressed his chest up into Lan Zhan's fingers. He pressed against Wen Ning’s prostate incessantly, stroking it with the pad of one finger in circular motions. Wen Ning couldn’t take it, sensitive as he was.

"I'm- I'm gonna cum, please can I cum?"

 

Wei Ying hummed approvingly, yanking Wen Ning’s leg between his own and pressing down against it, humping his leg slow and hard – the feeling was almost painfully good.  Wei Ying was red faced and aching, his eyes fixed on Wen Ning’s face, willing tears to fall.

Wen Ning grit his teeth, the muscles in his legs jumping as he forced himself to remain motionless, Lan Zhan’s fingers pinching and pulling his nipples now, as he bit into Wen Ning's shoulder again.

Lan Zhan exchanged a look with Wei Ying. "Not yet." He told Wen Ning. He pinched his nipples harder, and then dipped his head under Wen Ning’s arm to lick the bruises he'd just made.

Wen Ning was in the mix of heaven and hell, his body sandwiched between Lan Zhan and Wei Ying as he tried to stay still, tried to be good for Lan Zhan and not cum until he was allowed.

"Lan Zhan." He sobbed it out, unable to help being a little loud, as Lan Zhan bit down on him, pulling with his teeth. He was crying now, hot tears streaming down his face as the orgasm hit him hard. 

Wei Ying took one look at the mess of him, shirt pulled up to expose both new and old love bites, long hair a mess of tangles and knots, and the tears, the tears of ecstasy that Wei Ying loved to see. He came against Wen Ning’s leg trembling and cursing in his head as he felt the flood of cum enter his mouth again.

Lan Zhan smoothed a hand over both of their heads. “So two naughty boys it is then, cumming without asking. I’ll have to punish you when we get home.”

Wei Ying kept his face buried in Wen Ning’s crotch, savoring the sweet way Wen Ning smelled, and grinned to himself. Just what he needed to end the night. A good punishing. 

#wnxsmut #wnx #wen ning gets railed agenda #wangningxian

[pumpkinpaix]

Sending all the good vibes your way!! ✨✨ Wangxian + laundromat prompt, but only if you’re feeling it!

happy birthday sarah~~ (*´▽`*)

(crossposted to ao3)

—

Someone has taken Lan Wangji’s laundry out of the dryer and dumped it all on the counter in a haphazard heap, even though he started heading down as soon as he received the notification on his phone. He frowns. The clothes are still warm, and the room is empty but for the steady whirs and thumps of the machines. And—it’s fine, it’s just that he always comes promptly when his clothes are done to avoid this exact situation. He likes being the only one to touch his clothes, to know where they’ve been and how they’ve been handled. It hasn’t even been two minutes.

As it is, they’re now on the counter beside another heap of clothes, these ones cold, wrinkly, and probably still a bit damp. He suspects the owner overloaded the dryer, actually. Lan Wangji sighs, lifting his clothes into his basket just as he hears the door bang open and raucous footsteps running down.

“Oh, Lan Zhan, it’s you!” Wei Wuxian says cheerfully, bounding his way over to the counter.

Lan Wangji takes a moment to control his traitorous racing heart, like he always does, before turning to face him. “Mn.”

“Did your laundry just finish?” he asks, grabbing the pile of wrinkly clothes in both arms like a gremlin, instead of loading them into a basket like a human being.

“You’ve dropped a sock,” Lan Wangji points out. “Two so—three socks,” he corrects as more fall to the floor.

“Ahahah, Er-gege, won’t you pick them up for me?” Wei Wuxian asks, probably pouting if his tone of voice is to be trusted. Lan Wangji can’t actually see his face around the mountain of clothing in his arms. “I can’t reach.”

Lan Wangji acquiesces because he’s weak. “Next time, bring a basket,” he suggests.

“Jiang Cheng’s hamper was full,” Wei Wuxian says, shrugging dangerously. Another sock falls to the floor. Lan Wangji picks it up and puts it back on top of the pile.

“Next time,” Lan Wangji repeats.

“Yes, yes, next time!” Wei Wuxian says. “Thanks, Lan Zhan! See you around!” And then he’s gone in a teetering whirlwind.

Lan Wangji takes another breath to steady himself and picks up his basket.

–

It takes a few moments for Lan Wangji to realize something is wrong. He pours the fresh laundry onto his bed to fold it and grabs a shirt, then another, and then catches a glimpse of unexpected color in the pile.

He blinks and sets down the shirt to reach for the corner of red sticking out amidst all the white.

He finds himself holding a pair of bright red briefs that definitely do not belong to him.

Were they in the dryer before he loaded in his clothes earlier? He thought he had checked, but perhaps not thoroughly enough. He sets them aside to bring back down to the laundry room later, and continues folding.

He finds another pair of briefs, these ones patterned in… lily pads? He puts them on top of the red ones.

It’s when he finds the third pair (a deep violet) that he finally stops folding and starts digging through the pile, discovering, to his increasing horrified bewilderment, that no fewer than twenty-three pairs of briefs and one pair of boxers have made their way into his clothing.

He also appears to be missing all of his underwear.

This doesn’t make any sense. This doesn’t make any sense! He stares at the pile of offending underwear with a sinking heart. He knows exactly who they belong to—it’s obvious enough from the aesthetics on display, and when he gingerly picks one of them up, he discovers “wwx” written in fat black marker on the inside of the waistband.

Wei Wuxian writes his initials on his underwear?? Why??

Lan Wangji stands helplessly amidst his unfolded laundry, Wei Wuxian’s underwear, and his own messy feelings.

–

Lan Wangji knocks sharply on the door to the suite that Wei Wuxian shares with Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang, stack of neatly folded underwear in one hand, ears hot and embarrassed. The hallway is blessedly empty, but he still feels ready to crawl out of his skin.

There’s the sound of what sounds like a rapid argument and brief scuffle before the door is wrenched open.

“Oh, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian says, hair mussed and clothes askew.

“Did you… just have a fight over who would open the door?” Lan Wangji asks in lieu of a greeting, definitely not looking at Wei Wuxian’s exposed collarbone.

“Yeah, and he lost,” Jiang Cheng calls out from inside the room.

“You and Huaisang ganged up on me!” Wei Wuxian protests. “But since I’m honorable, I opened the door anyways.”

“Aren’t you glad? Turns out it was for you in the first place,” Huaisang says with a sly bent that Lan Wangji doesn’t appreciate.

“How do you know that?” Wei Wuxian demands. “Maybe he’s here for you guys!”

There’s a disbelieving, ringing silence that follows.

Lan Wangji clears his throat. “I came to return these to you,” he says, trying very hard to meet Wei Wuxian’s eyes as he offers the pile of underwear.

“Return—wait, what?” Wei Wuxian stares at the tidy stack. “What the fuck? Is that—is that my underwear? Is that all of my underw—hold on—wait—”

“It was mixed into my laundry,” Lan Wangji explains. “I came to see if you had mine.”

“Uhh—” Wei Wuxian glances over his shoulder, and Lan Wangji can see that he’s thrown his laundry in a pile on his unmade bed without touching it. “Y-yours? Why would I have—are you missing yours?”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji says, offering the underwear again because he really, really does not want to be holding it any longer.

Wei Wuxian unfortunately doesn’t take them, instead dashing back inside to start digging through his pile of clothing.

“You don’t have to do it now,” Lan Wangji says, starting to panic a little because frankly, he’d prefer not to be present for this. “I can come back later if you find—”

“What the fuck?” Wei Wuxian demands, pulling out a pair of white boxer briefs, and Lan Wangji sort of wants to die, actually, thanks. “Wait, are there more?”

“Really, you don’t have to right now,” Lan Wangji says, a little desperately, though he’s hoping it doesn’t show in his voice.

“Wow, Wei Wuxian, did you steal all of Hanguang-jun’s underwear?” Jiang Cheng remarks snidely. “You know that’s not what people mean when they talk about trying to get into someone’s pants—”

 “Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian snaps, sounding genuinely angry which… well, it hurts. A little. Lan Wangji isn’t going to dwell on it.

“What?” Jiang Cheng retorts unrepentantly.

“You can’t—apologize to Lan Zhan!”

“For what?” Jiang Cheng demands. “It’s not like I was saying anything about his honor.”

“For fuck’s sake—I’m going to—Lan Zhan, let’s talk outside,” Wei Wuxian says, coming back out and slamming the door behind him, muffling Nie Huaisang’s cackling.

The hallway is silent.

Lan Wangji offers him the stack of underwear for the third time.

Wei Wuxian takes it, looking a little dejected.

“Sorry,” he says.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Lan Wangji replies automatically.

“You can’t listen to anything Jiang Cheng says, okay? He just likes to rile people up.”

“He likes to rile you up,” Lan Wangji corrects.

Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes, a small smile sneaking its way back onto his face. “Yeah, you’re right. Everyone else is just collateral damage. Still. Sorry.”

“It’s all right,” Lan Wangji says. “I’ll come back later to get my clothes.”

“How did you know they were mine?” Wei Wuxian asks.

Lan Wangji resolutely does not say, I know what you like to wear. “Your initials are on all the waistbands.”

“Oh, right!” Wei Wuxian says laughing.

“Why?” Lan Wangji asks before he can stop himself.

“Jiang Cheng got mad that I kept borrowing his and marked them all saying I wouldn’t have any excuses in the future.” Wei Wuxian brightens. “Joke’s on him though! He forgot this one was originally his.” He points at the one patterned with cute cartoon lotus root slices.

Lan Wangji isn’t sure he wanted to know that, but they are very cute and he’s trying very, very hard not to think about Wei Wuxian wearing them. It’s a losing battle.

“Anyways, thanks,” Wei Wuxian says. “I’ll come by your room with your clothes in a few minutes. There’s no need for you to come back up here.” He reaches behind himself for the door handle.

It’s locked.

Wei Wuxian rattles it incredulously.

It really is locked.

“What the fuck!” he shouts. “Jiang Cheng! Huaisang!!”

“You aren’t allowed back in,” Nie Huaisang informs him with irritating cheer. “Not until you take care of this situation.”

“I need to come in to get Lan Zhan’s clothes! How the fuck am I supposed to resolve this situation from out here?”

“We’re taking drastic measures,” Jiang Cheng cuts in. “Obviously.”

“Wait, are you the one who switched our—Jiang Cheng! Let me in! I’m going to strangle you!”

“You’re not allowed back in until you get a goddamn date with Lan Wangji,” Jiang Cheng says imperiously.

There’s a full five seconds of absolute silence. Lan Wangji thinks his heart has leapt up into his throat.

“Excuse me?!” Wei Wuxian demands, voice at least two octaves higher than usual, tinged with an uncharacteristic alarm.

“You heard the man,” Nie Huaisang says with the enthusiastic energy of a sports coach. “Get a date, and you can come back in.”

“You can’t be serious,” Wei Wuxian says. He rattles the door handle harder, as if this will change anything.

“If,” Lan Wangji hears himself say. His throat is dry. “If that’s all it takes, that’s fine. I’ll do it.”

“What? Do what—a date? No, don’t let them bully you, it’s fine, I’ll just break in through the window,” Wei Wuxian says waving his hands. “The latches are broken.”

Lan Wangji pauses. “We’re on the third floor.”

“Yeah, that’s fine, I’ve climbed higher.” He perks up. “Wanna watch?”

Lan Wangji can think of almost nothing he’d like less than watching Wei Wuxian literally risk his life to avoid going on a date with him.

“No, thank you,” he says politely to cover for his wounded pride.

“Oh, okay.” Wei Wuxian actually seems to deflate very slightly, which is—huh. “That’s fine. But—oh, but here, you’ll have to take these back.” Wei Wuxian holds out the stack of underwear, not quite looking at Lan Wangji directly. “I can’t climb while holding them. Just uh, take them back to your room? And I’ll break in and bring you your clothes in a few minutes and we’ll swap.”

“It’s dangerous,” Lan Wangji says.

“If you try to break in, I will push you off the building and break both your legs,” Jiang Cheng threatens helpfully.

Lan Wangji opens his mouth, but Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes. “Ignore him, he wouldn’t dare. Here.” He all but shoves the underwear back into Lan Wangji’s hands. “I’ll be quick.”

Lan Wangji catches him by the elbow before he can take two steps. “Wei Ying,” he says, because—because.

Wei Wuxian flinches, but doesn’t yank himself away. “Lan Zhan,” he says nervously.

“I would rather go on a date with you than have you risk your life over some underwear,” Lan Wangji says, which—well, it’s not exactly what he meant to say, but it is true.

Wei Wuxian looks away, but Lan Wangji catches the flashbulb flicker of disappointment on his features, and wait, wait—

There’s a scream of frustrated rage from behind the door.

“LAN WANGJI, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE JUST ASK HIM.”

“Don’t bully Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian says automatically.

“IT’S NOT BULLYING IF IT’S FOR HIS OWN GOOD!”

And Lan Wangji might be bad at using his words, and he might be bad at confronting his own feelings, and he might be really, genuinely terrible at reading social cues, but at this point—maybe—

“Wei Ying,” he says, fingers tightening around the crook of his elbow. “Please go on a date with me.”

“Lan Zhan, really, you don’t have to listen to them—”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji repeats, forcing the words out past the terrifying anxiety. “I want to.”

Wei Wuxian finally looks at him, really looks. “You want to?” he echoes.

Lan Wangji nods because he doesn’t think he’s physically capable of saying it again.

“Oh.”

“So?” Lan Wangji prompts after a moment, because he’s not sure he can continue to take this.

Wei Wuxian blinks, and then suddenly looks very, very intense. “Okay, hear me out,” he says, which usually doesn’t bode well. “What if you go back to your room, I break in anyways, and then I come down with your clothes, and we make out in your bed for an hour?”

Lan Wangji feels like he’s had all the breath punched out of him.

There’s a disgusted, wheezing gurgle from behind the door. It opens just wide enough for a toothbrush to be flung violently outside before slamming shut again and locking with a resounding click.

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian protests, but he’s grinning now, so wide his eyes are crinkled into little crescent moons. “You said I could come back in if I got a date!”

“I fucking hate you! Don’t bother coming back tonight! Fuck this! The things I do for you! Fuck!” There’s the sound of another door slamming.

“Congratulations,” Nie Huaisang says drily. The door opens again, and a box of condoms comes bouncing out. Slam. Lock. “Don’t forget to use protection.”

Lan Wangji’s face is burning, but Wei Wuxian laughs as he bends down to pick them up without a hint of shame, and Wei Wuxian smiles at him like that when he links their pinkies together, and well. Lan Wangji could be convinced to forgive them.

—

* jiang cheng and nie huaisang have been FULLY planning this for like, two months, including but not limited to: stalking lwj’s laundry schedule, timing how long it takes for him to get from his room to the laundry room, pestering wwx to do laundry on the exact day that they know lwj is going to be washing his clothes, hiding in the laundry room to leap out and perform the swap in an absolute mad frenzy so they could escape before lwj saw them at the scene of the crime—

* there’s a lot of chaotic dumbass energy in this scenario ok

(prompt list || other ficlets || ko-fi)

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #the untamed #wangxian #mdzs fic #wei wuxian #lan wangji #jiang cheng #nie huaisang #I HOPE YOU LIKE CHAOS SARAH #BECAUSE THIS IS FULLY JUST DISASTER CHAOS ENERGY #sarah-yyy #asks and replies #sarahyyy #this has taken me like at least 45 minutes just to format for posting tumblr WHY #mine #myfic #myficlet #cyan writes

[bettydice]

I didn’t expect you to be lonely (too)

Xicheng, Modern AU, JC&WWX reconciliation, E-Rated 

[Read on AO3]

Chapter 2

Friday

Jiang Cheng leaves the subway station, only to find out that it’s raining. Of course he didn’t bring an umbrella, so he pulls up his hood and runs all the way to Lan Xichen’s apartment. He manages to stay mostly dry, so he won’t be dripping all over Lan Xichen’s hardwood floors. Which would’ve been awkward and awkward is what he’s trying to avoid. No awkwardness will happen because Jiang Cheng is a mess of a person. No awkwardness will happen because Lan Xichen is gorgeous and sweet and amazing and… it will not factor into his behaviour today. He is determined to forget he ever-

“Jiang Wanyin, hello!” Lan Xichen opens the door, smiling, his short hair slightly tousled. He’s still very tall and handsome.

Fuck. He’s doomed.

After Jiang Cheng has taken off his wet sneakers and jacket, Lan Xichen leads him into the ‘therapy room’, towards a massage table covered with a large white towel. He explains that his treatment today will include some sort of ‘hot clay’ to loosen his muscles. After, Lan Xichen will give him a massage, but only a very gentle one for his neck - shoulders - jaw. Jiang Cheng once again smiles and nods, follows Lan Xichen’s instructions without questions.

He waits while Lan Xichen gets the hot clay (which is supposedly not gonna stick to his skin), takes off his shirt and lies down on the brown clay pad once Lan Xichen returns.

“Comfortable?” Lan Xichen smiles down at him. Jiang Cheng really needs him to stop smiling.

“Mhm.” It feels weird, but not uncomfortable. Any discomfort he feels stems from Jiang Cheng’s own issues, nothing to do with the treatment.

Lan Xichen wraps the towel around Jiang Cheng, tucks the ends in under him. He feels like a mummy. Lan Xichen fetches a smaller towel from a shelf and wraps it around Jiang Cheng’s feet.

“So they don’t get cold.”

Jiang Cheng half expects Lan Xichen to kiss his forehead and wish him a good night. Which is exactly the kind of thought he wasn’t going to think today.

Lan Xichen stands next to his head and, of course, smiles down at him. “Would you like some calming music? I also have generic nature sounds available. Or quiet, of course, if you prefer.”

“Music would be nice. Thank you.”

“Alright! I’ll come back in about twenty minutes. Yell if you need anything. And if you feel like you’re falling asleep - don’t fight it.”

Lan Xichen gives him one last look over, tucks the towel in a bit more, goes to the shelf to turn on the music, then leaves the room quietly.

For the first few minutes, all of this is just weird. His back is warm, is hot, and sweaty. And he can’t move. Being wrapped up like this… It’s like being hugged. One of those tight octopus hugs Wei Wuxian used to give him when he was drunk. One of those tight hugs Wei Wuxian allowed Jiang Cheng to give him whenever he thought he’d fall apart otherwise.

Another thing he wasn’t going to think of today. Or ever.

He tries to focus on the astonishingly generic music, on what he can see of the room (various exercise equipment, way less plants than in the living room, but still more than he’d expected to see in this type of setting, the white ceiling). By now, it feels as though the heat has seeped into his muscles, into his bones and his entire body just feels… warm. Maybe he’d go even so far as to use the word ‘cozy’.

Jiang Cheng, who never relaxes, feels like napping after… well, he’s not sure. He doesn’t know what time it is, he doesn’t have to move. All he needs to do right now is lie here and feel warm and wrapped up and listen to zither sounds and… Maybe he’ll just close his eyes for a second.

A hand touches his shoulder and he rapidly opens his eyes. Lan Xichen is standing next to him again - he must have fallen asleep. Jiang Cheng tries to sit up, only to remember that he’s currently wrapped up like a spring roll.

“Good morning,” Lan Xichen laughs lightly. He somehow has this ability to express amusement about something Jiang Cheng does without him feeling mocked.

“Ah, I guess I nodded off a little…” Jiang Cheng hopes any redness in his face can be explained away by the hot clay.

“Wonderful! Let’s unwrap you then, so I can stretch and massage your neck, shoulders and jaw. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

Lan Xichen opens his blanket wrap, guides him to sit upright so he can remove the mud pad, then has him lie back down on the towel.

"You can close your eyes, if you want. I'll start light, then slowly increase pressure." Lan Xichen stands behind him, so Jiang Cheng can’t see him anymore. Probably better that way.

Jiang Cheng closes his eyes and tries to hold on to the relaxed feel of being in the hot wrap. At the first touch of Lan Xichen's fingers, he almost twitches, but manages to hold back.

Lan Xichen starts the massage where his shoulders meet his neck and fuck, it's amazing. As though Lan Xichen can see exactly where Jiang Cheng's tension lies.

Lan Xichen works his way slowly up Jiang Cheng's neck, fingers magically finding the worst spots. Not cruelly digging into them like Jiang Cheng expected, but gently pressing, almost soothing, in circles.

It feels… it had already felt so good when he'd only touched him briefly. This feels intimate to Jiang Cheng in a way that's probably very inappropriate and maybe even pathetic. Nobody touches him like this, right where he’s hurt the most. There's no one who handles him so gently, so carefully.

It's the gentleness that's his undoing, he thinks. He would be able to deal better with it if it was painful.

And… He can't think about the time someone last touched him like this, because he can't actually remember. Because no one wants to touch him like this. Jiang Cheng is so prickly, he stings everyone that gets close to him. That tries to love him.

So they stop trying.

Jiang Cheng does not think that anyone has ever loved him for him. Has ever loved him as a choice. Yanli and Wei Wuxian love him, because he’s their brother, because they’re used to him, because they have big hearts that can even find space for someone like Jiang Cheng.

His mother loved him, he thinks. But it was not a gentle love and there are even days where Jiang Cheng doesn’t miss that love at all. He’s not sure whether those are good or bad days.

His friends were always Wei Wuxian’s friends first. When he told Wei Wuxian to get out of his life, and Wei Wuxian, who has never listened to anything Jiang Cheng told him to do, actually followed… he took his friends with him.

Maybe leaving Jiang Cheng was easy. Maybe he’s glad he doesn’t have to put up with him anymore. It’s not like he can’t understand. Jiang Cheng is not an easy person to love, maybe it’s even impossible. So why would Wei Wuxian, who can love anyone and who can be loved by everyone, want to live with him? If Jiang Cheng had the choice, he wouldn’t live with himself either.

Lan Xichen's thumb digs into a spot behind his jaw and the slight pain drags him back into reality. Right. The fuck is he doing, lying here, thinking depressing thoughts? Why is he feeling sad about something he himself is responsible for?

Why is he… fuck, is that a tear running down the side of his face, towards his ear?

He’s fucking crying.

But it’s just one tear, right? That can be explained away. It was… the light. Or allergies. Or...

He's really so pathetic, lying here, crying because he's sad and lonely and nobody loves him and his schoolboy crush is his massage therapist and this touch is the most intimate touch he's had in what feels like years and Wei Wuxian has a boyfriend he didn't know about, a boyfriend who's meeting his sister and whose brother is meeting his sister, and everyone is happy without him, aren't they? And Jiang Cheng will probably die alone and miserable, because it’s what he deserves.

Lan Xichen's fingers are so gentle, he can't stand it.

Now he's crying for real.

He can't help it. This is why Jiang Cheng never allows himself to cry. Because he doesn't know how to stop.

Lan Xichen stills his hands. There's no way he hasn't noticed, not when Jiang Cheng is drawing in a shuddering breath, when he’s outright sobbing.

Jiang Cheng thinks about apologising, but what can he even say? There's no way to explain this. If he tried to talk right now, it would probably be even more embarrassing than this whole thing already is. So he just keeps his eyes shut and tries to quell the sobs trying to escape from his throat and tries to stop the tears from dripping down his face. But he can’t!

He just. Can't. Stop. Fucking. Crying.

Lan Xichen lifts his hands, probably to flee the room, but then one settles on top of Jiang Cheng’s forehead and the other supports his neck, simply holding his head. At first, Jiang Cheng is mortified. Lan Xichen should just leave and spare them both the embarrassment.

But he can’t help but feel reassured by the steady pressure of Lan Xichen’s hands. He experiences a weird dichotomy of it making him feel less alone while at the same time emphasizing how very lonely he actually is.

So he tries not to think about anything anymore, only focuses on the warmth of Lan Xichen's hands, the uneventful music still playing in the background and waits for his tears to stop flowing.

They do, eventually.

For a minute or so Jiang Cheng lies motionless, not daring to open his eyes and face the undoubtedly horrified and/or pitying look on Lan Xichen's face.

Before he can decide on the least pathetic way to handle all this, Lan Xichen takes away his hands, gets up and says: "I'll be in the living room. Take your time."

Then he leaves the room and closes the door behind him.

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck.

What is fucking wrong with him???

Who has a nervous breakdown on a massage table???

Jiang Cheng sits up and buries his face in the towel, vaguely hoping this is all just a bad dream. It would be on brand for his dreams: start with a relaxing massage from a handsome man, only to leave him crying and feeling pathetic and useless. The only thing missing is his mother telling him he'll never achieve anything and if he insists on following Wei Wuxian’s lead like this, the least he could do is be at least half as intelligent, did he really think she wouldn't hear about the fact he only got a C+ on his last math test?

He'll have to leave this room eventually and face Lan Xichen and apologise for this and if there's one way to guarantee that this will never be nothing more than a one sided crush, this should be it. Probably better that way.

Jiang Cheng lowers the towel, puts on his t-shirt and pullover and dares to look in the mirror. Shit. He looks like shit. Oh well, the upside to this is that his looks don't matter at all anymore, nothing could make this worse or salvage it in any way.

He takes a deep breath and opens the door. Across from him, a door is open that wasn't open before. It seems to be the door to the bathroom. Lan Xichen probably left it open on purpose, because he's fucking considerate like that. Jiang Cheng decides to honour this consideration and enters the large, bright, wonderful, fancy bathroom. There are plants here, too. A large bathtub and a walk-in shower. It should be so fancy that it's annoying, but instead it just… makes him want to take a fucking bath. It really is impossible to dislike anything about Lan Xichen.

He washes his face with cold water, then doesn't know what to dry his face with. Since he doesn't want to take a fresh towel out of the cupboard, he uses his t-shirt. The mirror tells him that he looks slightly less as though he just had a mental breakdown. Well, that's something.

He could just leave… But Lan Xichen deserves better than that.

When he enters the living room, Lan Xichen is busy misting a large plant next to the couch with a golden spray bottle.

A teapot and two mugs are on the low table and next to one mug sits a large glass of water.

Jiang Cheng awkwardly clears his throat. Lan Xichen turns around and smiles again when he sees him, as though everything is completely normal.

"Sit down, I made us some tea. I also poured you some water."

Lan Xichen sits down on the couch and Jiang Cheng sits in the comfortable chair again, immediately reaching for the glass of water. That Lan Xichen poured for him because Jiang Cheng just sobbed all over his massage table, his fingers too, and Lan Xichen probably is concerned there's no water in his body left.

Then he notices he's gulped down the entire glass, because he can't ever do anything normally or in moderation, can he. He puts the glass back, and steels himself for talking.

"Lan-laoshi… I'm…"

"No need to explain." Lan Xichen smiles at him, full of… Not pity. Understanding. Fuck, he’s probably used to having weird clients. "Everyone needs a good cry sometimes."

"Still… I shouldn't just throw my emotional meltdown at you, when… I'm really sorry, I don't even know why…The heat pack and the massage both felt really good… "

Lan Xichen pours him some tea, then himself too and looks at Jiang Cheng, considering. "Sometimes, things that feel good can be harder to bear. An unexpected kindness, someone being sincere… It can be almost painful, when we have hardship in our lives. And maybe we don't fully realise how bad things have been, how unkind, until we're confronted with something truly nice. So there's no need to feel ashamed. Catharsis is a good thing."

Jiang Cheng's first instinct is to ask who's ever dared to be unkind to Lan Xichen so he can go beat them up. There's a tinge of sadness to Lan Xichen's smile that shouldn't be there. Is that why he… Jiang Cheng would’ve preferred to be pitied then, if it meant Lan Xichen couldn’t relate to such a situation. His second instinct is to cry again, because fuck!

Jiang Cheng ignores both of those instincts, tries for sort-of-humour instead. "I don't know about this catharsis… I can't say I feel great now."

"No?" Lan Xichen laughs gently. "Maybe it takes a while to arrive."

Jiang Cheng is sceptical but he tries to smile, too, and takes a sip from the tea.

"Do you like bunnies?" Lan Xichen asks out of the blue.

"Uhm, yeah, sure?" What… what?

"Excellent. Wait here."

Jiang Cheng waits for… for what? What is going on?

Lan Xichen returns after a minute… With a bunny.

"Are you a fu-... A magician? Where did you-" The fuck?

"The balcony."

Right. A pet. Not a magician. Though Lan Xichen does look pretty magical as he approaches him with the fluffy bunny. All white except for grey paws. Adorable.

Then Lan Xichen actually hands him the bunny.

"Are you sure?" Jiang Cheng is already holding out his hands, because he does really like bunnies, likes all animals, really.

"Of course. Jade is very nice, you'll definitely feel better if you hold her."

Well… Jiang Cheng is not going to look a surprise gift bunny in the mouth. He carefully accepts Jade, positions her on his arm and smiles down at her, stroking her soft fur.

"Hello, Jade. You're very cute, aren't you?"

"She's exceptionally cute." Lan Xichen crouches down next to them and smiles at the bunny. He is… exceptionally pretty. "I'm very lucky. The bunnies belong to my brother, but he couldn't take them with him when he moved out, so they're in my care now."

"Bunnies plural?"

"Oh yes, there's also Cloud! She's in a bad mood today though, only turned her back on me when I approached. There's a picture of her with Wangji!"

Lan Zichen points at one of several picture frames on a shelf. Jiang Cheng had avoided looking at anything in this flat too closely so far, because he didn't want to invade Lan Xichen’s privacy more than necessary. So Lan Xichen's brother (and Wei Wuxian’s boyfriend) is Lan Wangji. They do look related, even though Lan Wangji looks as though he's never smiled in his life. Maybe that's why Lan Xichen smiles so often - balance.

He does not look like the kind of person who would want to keep up with Wei Wuxian, but then again, everyone ends up loving Wei Wuxian.

Well, most people.

"Cloud also looks very cute. Your brother looks…"

"Ah, Wangji hates smiling for cameras. And he's very good at not doing things he hates - an enviable character trait." Lan Xichen says this very casually, maybe didn't mean anything by it, but Jiang Cheng is still taken aback a little.

There's… Lan Xichen’s face is like looking into a pond that appears perfectly serene and pleasant and it's easy to miss the less pleasant things hidden in the murky waters if you're not looking closely.

Lan Xichen notices him staring, laughs a little embarrassed, then starts petting Jade, too. It effectively distracts Jiang Cheng, because now he's trying to stroke Jades fur without making their hands touch, while at the same time wishing they would.

"Do you feel better now?" Lan Xichen asks after one or two minutes.

"I do, thank you."

"I'm glad. Are you here with the subway or by bus?"

"Subway, why? Is it raining again?" Jiang Cheng looks out the window, but while it's cloudy, it doesn't seem to rain. He really needs to start getting into the habit of bringing an umbrella everywhere.

"I could drive you home if you want. You've had… an exhausting afternoon. And I've found that public transportation can increase sadness… But maybe that's just me."

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I've already inconvenienced you enough today.” By sobbing through his massage. Fuck. He should just focus on the bunny. And maybe leave the flat as soon as possible?

"It would be no trouble." Lan Xichen, still crouching down, still petting Jade, smiles up at him.

"Uhm…" Confronted with this view, Jiang Cheng forgets why he wanted to say no. "Thank you?"

"My pleasure!" Lan Xichen sounds as though he really means it. As if this whole afternoon hasn’t been a pathetic disaster.

"You're really good at your job." He just kind of blurts that out without really thinking about it.

Lan Xichen looks surprised, as if it’s the first time he’s hearing it, which cannot be true. He’s objectively very good at his job and at being a wonderful human being. "That's kind of you to say. Even though we haven't really started yet - I hope I will be able to keep this good impression up."

"I just meant… You make me… People… it's easy to relax here. And even after…" Jiang Cheng waves one hand towards the therapy room. "I don't feel horrible. Usually, I would be mortified and regretting my entire life and probably cancelling all further appointments by now.”

“Ah… I think Jade should get most of that credit.” Lan Xichen stands upright again and sits down opposite of him. “Though I am glad you don’t want to cancel your appointments. You’re very tense after all and half a session is really not enough to take care of that.”

Lan Xichen’s eyes sparkle with humour and Jiang Cheng gives a surprised laugh. For a second, they simply look at each other, smiling. Jiang Cheng can’t remember the last time he smiled this much. Maybe with A-Ling?

"Do you have food at home? For dinner?"

"Huh? Uhm…" Jiang Cheng thinks of his sad fridge. He's been meaning to go grocery shopping, but has been living off dry cereal and take-out the past few days. "Well, I'm sure I can manage to scrounge something together."

Lan Xichen frowns. "Is there a grocery store close by? We could stop there first. Or maybe you can pick something up from a restaurant. Is there something you particularly like?"

Jiang Cheng stares. "I'm not fussy." Lan Xichen seems to expect a more detailed response, so he tries. "My favourite food is my sister's lotus rib soup. It's comforting."

Lan Xichen's face lights up. "Oh, of course! I actually have some of that in my freezer! Your sister gave it to me when I was there for dinner, to eat on a rainy day. I'll heat it up."

"You have… You do?" Bunnies and his sister’s soup in one day? Maybe Lan Xichen actually can do magic.

"if you don't have other dinner plans. Sorry, I don't want to be overbearing or…"

"Are you sure it's not too much. You've already been too nice…" And he’s been this nice to Jiang Cheng. Who is a disaster and doesn’t deserve it.

"Ah, I don't think it's possible to be 'too nice'. And I enjoy your company.“

That last part can't be true.

Jiang Cheng is staring at Lan Xichen again, at a loss for words, until Jade gets annoyed she's not being petted and tries to escape from his lap.

"Maybe we'll better put her back in the enclosure."

Lan Xichen gets up and motions him to follow him on the balcony (gigantic, full of plants) and opens the flap to the bunny enclosure (also gigantic) so Jiang Cheng can deposit Jade. He can see Cloud in the bunny house but as soon as she sees them, she turns around.

"I think I have offended her somehow. I'll have to apologise later," Lan Xichen sighs, smiling ruefully at the bunny. "She's just as stubborn as Wangji, probably why he's her favourite."

Jiang Cheng waves to say goodbye to Jade, who ignores him to chew some hay.

"I'll go heat up the soup. Make yourself comfortable in the living room." Lan Xichen waves his hand towards the couch and leaves the room.

Jiang Cheng follows Lan Xichen into the kitchen, instead of sitting awkwardly in the living room by himself. As every other room, it's large and bright and cozy and full of plants.

Lan Xichen smiles over his shoulder when he sees that Jiang Cheng followed him and gestures towards the kitchen table. Jiang Cheng sits down.

"All your plants are very beautiful. I can't even keep a cactus alive."

"Oh, thank you. I have… Maybe too many. My brother frowns in a very specific way every time I buy a new one. But I like taking care of them and I like having all this nature around me." Lan Xichen looks a little embarrassed and Jiang Cheng doesn't know why.

"I think this is very impressive; you're able to keep all these plants alive. They probably all have different requirements, too." He looks at the plant next to him, which has long twines that are hanging down from where it's sitting on the kitchen shelf.

"Well, that one is very easy going actually. One of my first houseplants. I only had a handful at first and then it just kind of escalated." Lan Xichen has taken the tupperware out of the freezer and is heating it up in the microwave. He gets out two bowls and two spoons and hands them to Jiang Cheng, so he can set the table.

"I think I'd be too worried about doing something wrong or forgetting to water them and killing all the plants."

"I may research every plant I buy and keep the information in a binder. And maybe I also made a watering schedule." Lan Xichen clears his throat, but smiles. "Though there was the occasional plant I couldn't save, no matter what I tried."

"That must've been sad, after all the care."

"Ah, it was. Which is why my brother thinks I'm too attached.”

“Too attached?”

“He thinks I cried when it was clear my calathea couldn’t be saved.”

There’s a light flush on Lan Xichen’s cheeks. So likely his brother’s assumption was correct. But he really shouldn’t be embarrassed. There’s no need to be, when he’s just being sweet and caring and Jiang Cheng is the one who just had a meltdown for literally no reason.

“Last month, I cried when I broke a mug,” Jiang Cheng says without thinking about it. Then he cringes. Why would he say that and make himself out to be even more of a volatile mess than Lan Xichen probably already considers him to be?

Lan Xichen only looks relieved though. “Sometimes it’s the little things, isn’t it?”

“Clearly we need the catharsis.”

“Ah yes, I really should listen to my own advice sometimes, shouldn’t I?” The ding of the microwave interrupts them and Lan Xichen fills the soup into a pot, to finish reheating it on the stove. The familiar smell of Jiang Yanli’s soup reaches Jiang Cheng and for a second he believes everything will be alright.

“Your sister is really very lovely. Your brother was asking for the leftover soup but she insisted on giving it to me.”

Right. Wei Wuxian is dating Lan Xichen’s brother and they’re meeting with Jiang Yanli and having her perfect soup without him, because Jiang Cheng is a huge asshole and soup tastes better without him.

***

“A-jie, let me have the last spoon. Please? Xianxian has worked so hard today.” Wei Wuxian pouts and bats his eyelashes at their sister.

“Can you stop that disgusting baby talk? And you got up at 2 p.m. today, you haven’t done shit yet!”

“Hey! I did our laundry, didn’t ?”

“You just stuffed it in the washing machine and then forgot about it! I started it!”

“Whatever, you only pressed a button, I collected your gross dirty socks.”

“Jiejie, I should have the last spoon, because I managed to get Wei Wuxian here on time and we all know that’s nearly impossible.” Jiang Cheng lifts his bowl and smiles at his sister.

“Shut up!”

“Maybe I could have the last spoon of soup, because I have sat through dinner with your brothers and not complained once,” his brother-in-law has the audacity to say.

Jiang Yanli laughs, so very fond of them all, and splits the last bit of soup between all of them.

***

Warm steam caresses his face and Jiang Cheng blinks a few times and returns to the present. Lan Xichen is sitting across from him, both bowls filled with fragrant soup, and he’s looking at him with a question in his eyes. How long has Jiang Cheng zoned out?

“Sorry, I just...” Why does his voice sound so rough? He cannot, he cannot cry again. And how is he planning on finishing that sentence? He can’t think of anything, so he doesn’t, only awkwardly shrugs his shoulders, makes an apologetic face.

“Let’s enjoy this soup, shall we?” Lan Xichen, as always, somehow manages to make the situation less embarrassing than it should be.

They eat the soup in companionable silence. It’s weird though. It’s warm, it’s comforting, it’s his jiejie’s soup, which instantly makes him feel better. But he’s eating it without his family. At least he’s not eating it alone in his sad, too large apartment.

Lan Xichen keeps smiling at him in between spoonfuls of soup. It does complicated things to Jiang Cheng’s heart. He’s been so determined to ignore his resurfaced attraction to Lan Xichen but it’s becoming clear that it would be impossible. Nevermind the fact that Lan Xichen looks like … well, looks like that. He handed Jiang Cheng a bunny to cheer him up. He made him his sister’s soup. He’s just so fucking nice and considerate and gentle and fuck, it would be so nice to kiss him, wouldn’t it.

Fuck, why is he always doing this!? Getting ahead of himself. Attributing a lot of meaning to little things nobody else sees in the same light. Falling for people who know better than to do the same.

He’ll just eat his soup, let Lan Xichen drive him home and then continue with these sessions, hopefully without crying again. He’ll be a little in love with Lan Xichen the entire time but he’s very good at never acting on stuff like that, so it’ll be fine.

Maybe he’ll even be less tense at the end of all this.

After they finish eating the soup, Lan Xichen drives him home. Jiang Cheng tries to apologize again, but Lan Xichen just smiles and shakes his head. They agree to meet again tomorrow, which is way earlier than Jiang Cheng would like, but maybe it’s best if he can’t spend a week freaking out over what happened today.

He says goodbye to Lan Xichen. (“Oh, good luck with Cloud. I hope she won’t be mad much longer!” - “Thank you! I might have to bribe her with her favourite treats…”) He enters his empty apartment. He sits down on his couch. He stares at the door to Wei Wuxian’s room. He hasn’t entered the room in months, it must be quite dusty by now.

Jiang Cheng closes his eyes and lets himself fall sideways until his head hits the couch. He’s so fucking tired.

He wakes up when his phone vibrates.

Lan Xichen Just sending you confirmation that your next session will be tomorrow, 4:30 p.m. You don’t need to bring anything, but wear comfortable clothes. I recommend drinking something hot and going to bed early tonight! :) Also, Cloud forgave me. Here’s a picture, since you couldn’t see her today!

Cloud looks at the camera, somehow managing to look grumpy, but still very cute. Lan Xichen’s hand is in the frame, his elegant fingers resting on the carpet in front of the bunny. Jiang Cheng can’t help but smile.

He makes himself a hot tea, grabs his laptop, snuggles under his blankets and spends the evening looking at bunnies on the internet.

#xicheng #the untamed #cql #mdzs #jiang cheng #lan xichen #Jiang Cheng/Lan Xichen #background Wangxian #Modern AU #massage and crying #To Meet You verse #betty drabbles