Growing Pains from Growing Family (Xicheng)

Chapter 8: Removal of Robes

Each time he leaned forward Jiang Wanyin responded by leaning backwards, becoming more and more horizontal as time passed. Despite this Jiang Wanyin had yet to fight back or complain, meaning he didn't mind him approaching. It even looked like Jiang Cheng's eyes were beckoning him to come closer, or was that just wishful thinking on Lan Huan's part? Either way they were soon well within each other's personal space and Lan Xichen could feel Jiang Wanyin's soft and warm breath against his skin.

"Lan Zhan, mmhhm" Hearing his brother's given name repeatedly escaping sect leader Jiang's lips was the only thing that kept him from doing something stupid. It reminded him that this intimacy was only granted to him because of the act they were putting on, because there were people on the other side of the door whom they didn't want entering the room. But if they did, wouldn't it be strange for them both to be fully clothed? Jiang Wanyin's sweet siren calls would imply at least a few layers of fabric should be shed.

Letting his eyes fall from the Jiang's eyes down to the belt at his hips Lan Huan waited for a moment to make sure the Jiang caught the message. Looking back up Jiang Wanyin nodded as he averted his eyes, too embarrassed to keep eye contact as he gave out permission to disrobe him. With steady hands and an unsteady heart, he began to open up the Jiang's outer robes but still letting his arms remain covered. That way the Jiang could swiftly cover himself if needed.

The final layer of fabric covering Jiang Wanyin's chest from view was thin yet surprisingly opaque. Weren't most inner robes slightly translucent? But as a sect leader his clothes were custom made and not like that of the rest, perhaps they were made of a special material meant to keep the Jiang warm. As someone who had grown up in Yunmeng the cool winds of Gusu must be rather annoying to deal with. Good thing they weren't outside, Lan Huan thought as he moved to undo the Jiang's inner robes as well.

But before he could begin a firm hand was placed atop his own. Sect leader Jiang shook his head, Lan Huan was allowed to go no further. Perhaps there really was something to those stupid rumors the officials had been spreading about sect leader Jiang. For the past decade and a half, the Jiang had completely stopped going to hot springs with the rest of them, claiming he had work to do. A statement which was certainly not false, but the consistency with which sect leader Jiang failed to attend had drawn more and more attention as time passed.

Some had even started mocking him, claiming that he might be a woman with how much he was hiding his body. Even in the blazing heat of Yunmeng summers he seemingly endured without removing his robes. Lan Xichen had thought it was all pointless gossip, and he still wanted to believe it was. Yet the way Jiang Wanyin had stopped him said otherwise. For whatever reason, the Jiang really was very protective of his chest.

Feeling a tug on his robes Lan Huan looked down to find his own robes becoming undone as well. The two flaps of fabrics falling down his sides, long enough for their ends to rest in small piles on the bed on either side of Jiang Wanyin, perfectly hiding the man inside the white robes. No one but Lan Xichen could see him now. Hands which had just undone his outer robes made their way to undo the inner ones as well. But similarly to sect leader Jiang, he too had to stop the other from undoing the second layer of fabric.

Having not joined the Lans' for baths in a long time there was no way for the Jiang to know of Lan Wangji's branded chest. After all, the one who was branded by the Wens all those years ago was Wei Wuxian not the Lan. Jiang Wanyin had no reason to believe Lan Wangji was currently the one to have the mark engraved in his chest. But it was for this reason that Lan Xichen couldn't show his chest without risking his identity be revealed to the juniors outside the door. Both the Lans would recognize him instantly.

Letting his hands fall the Jiang's hands lingered on his own robes almost as though he wanted to removed them but wasn't able to. Reaching out Lan Xichen held onto the Jiang's hands and placed them on his own chest instead. He didn't need to go further if he didn't want to, there was no need for him to push himself.

"Lan Zhan" Jiang Wanyin moaned. Sending a quick glance at the door before continuing. "Undress me" he said as he placed Lan Xichen's right hand on his belt, signaling that he was given permission, but that this was for his eyes only. That this was something the men in the hall were not allowed to see.

"Please..." he pleaded. "I can't do it on my own." Large brown eyes filled Lan Xichen's view. Lightly glistening as they stared up at the man who was towering above him, there was fear in them. Not a lot, but there were not many things which made sect leader Jiang scared and there were even fewer things which could push him to show said fear.

"Are you sure?" Lan Huan asked, needing to make sure. Lightly nodding his head Jiang Wanyin confirmed that he didn't do this out of necessity. He wanted Lan Xichen to do it.