The night fell early now, and it was already dark when he got out of class and headed towards the indicated location. Despite that, the path was very clear. After opening the gate to what must’ve been the garden– really it was more of a park–Jiang Cheng followed the paved stones marking the way.
The entire time he was walking, Jiang Cheng’s heart was threatening to overflow with feelings, resting heavily in his chest. It was beating so loudly he was sure anyone passing by could hear it. He almost turned back a few times, but the tiny paper tucked away in his pocket kept him going.
The mansion was entirely in stone, the high walls dragging on into the night sky. Jiang Cheng could see light emanating from the numerous windows. He felt very small before the imposing wooden door, engraved with the Lan family’s symbol. Even the doorbell was decorated with elegant silver flower motifs.
He pushed the button, fully expecting some kind of butler.
The wait was nerve-wracking. Just as he thought he would burst with nervousness, the door opened and Jiang Cheng almost walked into Xichen. His eyes widened “Wanyin wh-”
Before he could even think, Jiang Cheng slid his hand against the back of Xichen’s neck, and kissed him, his lips easily finding their place against Xichen’s.
He felt Xichen relax ever so slightly, melting into it and Jiang Cheng ached with how much he wanted this, how much he didn’t want to stop– he jolted back to reality.
Want just pooled in Jiang Cheng’s stomach.
He let out a shaky breath “Shit I’m sorry I…”
They were both standing in the entrance, Xichen with a confused look on his face, cheeks tinted red by the cold, lips flushed, and Jiang Cheng couldn’t find the words anymore.
Instead, he dropped his head on Xichen’s shoulder, burying his face in the crook of his neck. Xichen smelled like spring and clean and fresh soap and god how Jiang Cheng had missed him.
Xichen rested one arm on Jiang Cheng’s back, surprise still clear in his voice “What’s wrong? We can talk insid-”
“I actuallyliedtoyouonce.” Jiang Cheng blurted out. “When I told you to go I… I didn’t mean it.” Now that he had started, the words just came tumbling out.
“I was so scared I’d drive you away too. Everyone always leaves me. But you’re just … There and…” His voice cracked. Damnit “I don’t know what to do now you aren’t anymore. And I think I actually love you so fucking much I would bring you croissants every morning if you wanted them”
Xichen let out a small laugh, but Jiang Cheng could hear the choked tears in his voice.
“The elders already took their dispositions.” Xichen said without much conviction.
Jiang Cheng felt his voice vibrate right next to where his face was pressed into Xichen.
“I don’t care. They can’t force you into something that doesn’t make you happy. Study music.” Come back. “Come back.”
His words rang with certainty in the night, and Jiang Cheng watched the rise and fall of Xichen’s chest for a few more moments before he forced his head up.
He had to go. Now. He would never let go of Xichen again otherwise.
He pushed himself away, holding Xichen by the shoulders so he could look at him directly in the eyes.
“I better see your stupid face around school again. If not, I’ll come back and drag your sorry ass out of this mansion”
He took a step back. “I’ll get going now”
He took a few more steps and turned on his heels as Xichen called out to him. He didn’t so much run as stride away in long steps but the sentiment behind it was the same.
Jiang Cheng slumped down on a bench to calm his racing heart, and waited for his legs to stop wobbling long enough for him to walk home.
If before he’d had memories and daydreams plaguing him, now he could feel the very real phantom of Xichen’s lips chasing him, ghosting over his. At times it was all he could think about.
Every day, Jiang Cheng checked if he saw Xichen’s face in the dining hall.
He didn’t.
He opened the door to his room one evening and blinked. “What even- What are you doing.”
Xichen was perched on top of a small ladder trying to reach the top of their curtain. He smiled down on Jiang Cheng. “Decorating” he gestured towards a box on the table “can you give me the–no not that,–left,–yes that please ?” Jiang Cheng automatically reached for the object, a decorative light string, and handed him.
“It’s almost Christmas so I figured we needed these” Xichen said, facing the curtain.
“You know that’s not what I meant. What are you doing here” Jiang Cheng didn’t couldn’t allow the hope that was blossoming, warm and treacherous in his chest, to wash over him just yet.
“Well…after your… impromptu visit, I did a lot of thinking. And when it came down to talking to the elders I tried to imagine what you would say.”
Xichen lowered his voice and put on a stern face that looked very Jiang Cheng “Who the hell do they think they are. If they don’t agree with your choices they can fuck off.” He smiled fondly at Jiang Cheng. “So I essentially told them all that. With less swearing”.
Jiang Cheng snorted “Not bad, not bad.” His smile faltered “what about ?” He gestured towards the room. “This isn’t your room anymore.”
“Oh you know… Your roommate was quite happy to change rooms. Another spot opened so I simply suggested this arrangement.”
He fidgeted “unless you don’t want me to? Maybe you’d prefer it if we didn’t see each other so often or–”
Jiang Cheng grabbed his arms and forced him down from the ladder so that they were eye to eye level.
“Or…or maybe –”
“Shut up.”
And Jiang Cheng kissed him.
“Just… don’t leave again.” He breathed against his lips.
Xichen thought about the elders. About his duties as the family’s eldest. He wouldn’t ever be completely free of them, he knew that. But none of these mattered as much as Jiang Cheng against him, warm and hopeful and Jiang Cheng. And with him by his side, he wasn’t scared anymore.
“I won’t.”
___
The end!!! There is an extra chapter with some 🔞 stuff 😳 dunno if I'll post it hah
YOU ARE READING
Early Mornings and Late Nights
Romance"If you breathe a word of this to anybody I will fucking murder you" Jiang Cheng mumbled as he turned to face the other side of the room. "It was hard to sound convincing when his eyes were falling shut and his sentence was punctuated with a yawn."...
