Lonely and Together - JC x WN fanfic

Acceptance

(A/N: I didn't expect this'd be more than three chaps QAQ anyway, I'm ending it here.)

Jiang Cheng stared at Wen Ning for a long time while Wen Ning stared back before he withdrew his gaze and lowered his head, like he used to. "Sect leader Jiang." Wen Ning called.

"En." Jiang Cheng muttered before he finally retracted his gaze. "Let's talk inside." He told him.

"Huh?" Wen Ning raised his head. Seeing Jiang Cheng's clothes, he nodded. "Yes." He answered. The night wind is cold, and even though he wouldn't be affected by the cold, but he's a corpse while Jiang Cheng isn't.

The two of them walked back.

"Sect leader Jiang!" a few people greeted as they also went home.

Jiang Cheng nodded at them. "En. Be careful. And good night." He told them. When they arrived, he spoke. "Undress." He told Wen Ning.

"H-huh?!" Wen Ning's eyes widened in shock as he took a step away from Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng's eyes narrowed before his brows raised. "Your clothes were torn in the back. Change." He told him as he took out some clothes.

"... oh." Wen Ning felt ashamed as he received the new clothes.

Jiang Cheng didn't dally inside the room, either. He isn't interested with a corpse. "How is your stay here in Lotus Pier?" he asked while Wen Ning changed his clothes inside.

"E-eh? Ah..." Wen Ning muttered. He felt flustered. He isn't sure what to answer to Jiang Cheng's question. He finished changing his clothes and walked out. He saw Jiang Cheng standing upright, his gaze on the lotus flowers floating on the cold water of the lake.

Should he answer, "yes. I feel good staying here."? Won't that make him look like he felt eager to stay? However, if he'd answer, "no. I don't like it here.", it would definitely offend Jiang Cheng since it sounds like he is dissatisfied with the Lotus Pier, which is obviously an insult – a slap on Jiang Cheng's face!

Jiang Cheng turned when he heard footsteps behind him. Seeing Wen Ning's hesitation, he spoke. "Answer honestly." He told him.

"I like it here!" Wen Ning immediately answered. He saw Jiang Cheng's expression remained indifferent, so he gathered up his courage. "I like the Lotus Pier. The people are very friendly, and it is lively, but also tranquil here." He explained.

Jiang Cheng stared at Wen Ning for a long time, not speaking, Wen Ning thought Jiang Cheng wouldn't speak.

"I understand." Jiang Cheng said and nodded at him before he turned and walked away.

Wen Ning. "?" what did Jiang Cheng understand? Can he share it with him? However, looking at Jiang Cheng's expression, he didn't have the guts to ask him. "Sect leader Jiang..." he could only call.

Jiang Cheng stopped before he slowly turned to Wen Ning who anxiously stood not far from him. "You can continue to stay here." He told him, and then left.

It took a long time before Wen Ning understood Jiang Cheng's meaning. "Sect leader Jiang – " he called, but Jiang Cheng has long since already left.

Wen Ning didn't notice, the corner of his lips curled up to an imperceptible smile. He quietly walked back to his room and closed the doors, but his heart already opened for the people.

Jiang Cheng didn't immediately go back to his room to sleep and walked around the Lotus Pier instead. As he stared at the bright and round moon reflected on the water, he pondered. He didn't know when, but things started to change. Everything changed, though slowly but surely.

The people became more open-minded towards cut-sleeves. Hatred and vengeance were buried. However, amidst them all, their place didn't change. It stayed the same, reminding everyone that no matter how they change, their home will remain waiting for them to go back to take a rest. There is one thing in common among these: acceptance. Without it, no one will reach a consensus and change. Without change, everything will become stagnant. Thus, change is needed for life to move on. And acceptance is needed to change.

Jiang Cheng opened his hand and tried to reach for the moon. Whether the moon in the sky, or the one reflected in the water, it wasn't known. He only knew, he changed. As for when did it start, he can't remember anymore. But, there is an irrefutable fact.

He had accepted Wen Ning's existence, finally letting him in to his life, as well as Jin Ling's. As to what happens afterwards, it is yet to be known. What they only know, right now, is that it is lonely to be alone, so they all decided to be together. 

(A/N: and this wraps this up, folks! Hunger climbed up to my brain, so it crashed. XDDD anyway, I'm glad I finally finished this. And I hope you enjoyed this! ^_^)