[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[22.] Anger rising.

Note:

Inspiration for the chapter title:

Jerry Cantrell - "Anger Rising"

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Jiang Cheng closed his eyes and leaned in, parting his lips, waiting. He waited, and then he waited some more. Confused, he finally opened his eyes just to see Zewu-Jun laughing now.

- Oh, how thirsty you are, husband! Did you deserve a kiss?  Mmm? – he sniggered.

Jiang Wanyin pouted. Lan Xichen was obviously in a good mood today, but he didn't like games. At all.

- Zewu-Jun, I think I'll go now. – he mumbled, too flushed and ashamed to look him in the eyes.

He tried to escape from the arms that were holding him tight, but could not. Lan Huan laughed again.

- Let go, Lan Xichen. I am hungry. It's lunchtime. – he mumbled, discontent.

- No. – Zewu-Jun said gently, but his grip on his husband's body tightened.

Jiang Cheng was starting to get angry; he felt like his husband was mocking him. 

He looked at him, sulking, trying to push him away, and hissing in his face:

- Let go of me! I don't want to be here any more!

Lan Xichen was astonished how his tone suddenly changed. He had only seen Jiang Cheng as a shy and meek young man until now, but now he saw someone who could be formidable if angry enough.

He was observing him carefully – he was not interested in having a slave, an obedient wife who would only say "yes" to everything, no matter how stupid or unreasonable the request. He wanted a spouse who was his equal, a true partner.

- No. – he mocked. – I want you to be here. So you will stay here.

- Oh, really?  - Jiang Wanyin scoffed, fuming and gritting his teeth, truly angry now.

Lan Huan felt a burning pain in the chest – he had not realized that he was lying on his back a few meters away all of a sudden, as Sandu Shengshou had released Zǐdiàn  and was panting heavily, glaring at him with large burning eyes, and a low growl was coming from his throat, clearly audible for his amazed husband.

- Don't ever assume you can give me orders, Zewu-Jun. No one gives me orders! I am the future Leader of my Clan. You will not take me for granted!  –  he snapped at him, turning away to leave him.

- Wanyin!  Please...

Lan Xichen's voice was filled with so much tenderness that he bit his lips and turned around – his heart had skipped a beat despite his resolution to stay mad at him for insulting him.

Zewu-Jun approached him and took his right hand in his carefully; he then lifted it to his lips and kissed his ring, despite the sparks of magic, still lingering on it.

- You have never looked more beautiful, my love. I have never wanted you so much as I do right now.  –  he said quietly, smiling and staring in his eyes, blushing.

- What... What did you call me...?  -   Jiang Cheng asked breathlessly, feeling dizzy  –   this was not the kiss he had been asking for, but it swept him off his feet even more.

- I love you, Sandu Shengshou. And if you still love me, I promise I will  never  take you for granted as long as I breathe in this life. – he murmured gently, bringing his hand to his lips again, but this time placing a soft kiss on the palm that had held the whip just a minute ago.

- Husband... -  Jiang Cheng suddenly felt very weak, his knees gave way, and he staggered and almost fell.

- Wanyin!!!   -   Lan Xichen cried, worried, and caught him in his arms, as he turned very pale in front of his very eyes.

- Hold me...please...   -   he managed to whisper before the world tilted, and everything went black.