Xicheng Oneshots

(8) Wingman? More Like Weingman (3/3)

"Grateful enough for a kiss?" Lan Xichen asked with a playful tone and Jiang Wanyin winced at the mocking comment. As if his unrequited feelings weren't punishment enough. But before he could wallow in self-pity for the position that his brother had forced him into he felt a light touch underneath his chin which was gently guiding his face.

But unlike the hand, the lips which came crashing down on him as soon as his head was angled upward, was anything but gentle. Desperately sucking on his lower lip with the ferocity of a snake which had just sunk its teeth into its latest victim, Lan Xichen left him breathless. But Jiang Cheng wasn't prey, the great Sandu Shengshou was never not the one in control. So to establish his dominance the Jiang attempted to deepen the kiss.

Knowing his place, the Lan accepted the request without question or at least so Jiang Cheng had thought. But it was all a tactic to lure him into a false sense of security because the moment the Jiang entered their tongues clashed in battle. Exchanging blows as they swirled around each other in a competition where they were equally matched. Because unlike when they spared using Sandu and Shuoyue, this was a fighting style neither of the two sect leaders were familiar with but both very eager to learn.

"I won" Jiang Cheng breathlessly spoke as they eventually parted for air, an action which sect leader Lan had initiated. He had been the one to break contact. He was the one who had faltered. He was the one who had given up the fight. Which left Jiang Cheng as the victor, and he was very proud of it.

"Yeah. But just wait for the rematch, I'll have you then." Lan Xichen taunted, his tone was now nothing but happy and carefree as he leaned his back against a nearby tree as he caught his breath. He didn't sound anything like the person who had just taunted him for having an unrequited crush.

"Zewu-jun. You should be more careful with your actions. If I was a lesser man I'd go to Lan Qiren right now and demand for you to take responsibility." Jiang Cheng warned. Though part of him was still tempted to do just that. To take advantage of this one moment of mockery to make Lan Xichen his and only his.

"Haha, please do. I'd love to see uncle's reaction to finding out both his nephews will end up married with sons of the Jiang sect. Want to bet on whether his face will turn red or white first?" Lan Xichen laughed as he walked over and wrapped his arms around the Jiang's waist. How far was he going to go with mocking him and his feelings? This man was even worse than Wei Wuxian.

"I-I'm not kidding you know!!" Jiang Cheng snapped back, annoyed at the Lan for playing with him, a little was fine if it helped break whatever awkwardness would otherwise build up between them but this was too much. Did Zewu-jun not realize that these weren't just the empty threats he usually made? "I really do love you dammit, take my feelings seriously!!" Jiang Cheng shouted.

Words he never thought he'd ever speak, words he had just minutes ago failed to expel from his mouth, were now shouted at the top of his lungs for all to hear.

"Hey Wanyin, I'm sorry" Lan Xichen cooed at him. "I didn't mean to downplay asking Lan Qiren for permission. It's just that I've loved you for so long and hearing you say you like me back... I guess I got ahead of myself, can you please forgive me?" he asked before placing a soft peck on his forehead.

Jiang Cheng stood frozen in place for a little while, unsure if he had heard the man correctly "You love me too?" the question had left his mouth before he had even considered whether it was a question he should be asking in the first place.

Lan Xichen's eyes widened in shock, an expression which then turned into a confused frown "Of course I do. Do you think I'm the kind of person to make out with people I don't love?" he wondered.

The answer was of course no. Jiang Cheng didn't believe that at all, but a mix of disbelief and lack of oxygen had stopped him from finding the obvious answer.

"B-But you are the one and only Zewu-jun. You are kind, smart, graceful, fair, handsome, strong, elegant, and the sexier than any courtesan I have ever seen. It doesn't make sense for you to like me back, even my own nephew would describe me as nothing more than a grumpy old man." Jiang Cheng argued.

"Wanyin, you might come across as grumpy to some people. It's a natural result of you being strict and not giving people an easy out. And though some people might argue this is because you're a mean and grumpy person, I know that it's because of your big bleeding heart which can't help but care for others. Because you know that the world is unfair, and it will harshly punish those who are unprepared. So you make sure that they are prepared, even if it is tough and they get mad at you for pushing. You always make sure they are prepared. Is that not more than enough of a reason for me to love you?" Lan Xichen asked earnestly. Jiang Cheng felt the heat creep up his chest, traveling all the way up to his face as the Lan revealed what he had believed to be secret.

"I don't do that at all" Jiang Cheng denied on reflex. He had already been vulnerable enough this day to last him an entire year, he was allowed to deny any and all claims which didn't suit his image.

"Oh? Then do you want me to give you another reason? Because I happen to know some very interesting information that Lan Wangji told me about when he spent a decade looking for Wei Wuxian..." Lan Xichen smirked.

"N-No! One reason is more than enough. I-I believe you!" Jiang Cheng exclaimed, wanting no more of his secret soft spots revealed. Not that he had any hidden soft spots. There were none at all. He hadn't left those things out for Lan Wangji to find, he had just happened to need to throw out some his brother's things at the same time as the Lan was visiting Yunmeng. It was all just a big coincidence and nothing more.

Lan Xichen laughed angelically, before once more gaining a playful glint in his eyes "In that case... Have the undefeated master Jiang rested long enough for me to get my rematch?"

(Part 3/3)