Smile - LXC x JC fanfic

Strangers

(A/N: fine. I think the angst is finally here XD)

Jiang Cheng’s face is serious, his heart beating fast as he approached the man clad in snow white robe. He’s standing on the bridge, gazing at the tranquil mountains that is hugged by the clouds.

The man heard his footsteps and slowly turned to him. He smiled, his usual gentle smile.

“Sect Leader Jiang.” Lan Xichen said.

But, this smile that always saved him in the past just brings pain in his heart now.

“… Sect Leader Lan.” He quietly said as he looked at the bright face of the man before him.
Why…? He thought, remembered what happened last week.

“To Jin Guangyao’s grave?” Jiang Cheng said, surprised, after he heard what Wei Wuxian said.

Nobody knew where the sect leader of the GusuLan went for the whole week, not even when he finally came back. The GusuLan Sect completely shut up, never said a word of explanation to the other sects.

The disciples frowned upon hearing Wei Wuxian’s news. Why the hell didn’t the GusuLan Sect say even just a word? They thought. We could’ve made the sect leader happier. They thought, tears forming in the corner of their eyes and so they quietly left, feeling bitter.

“Yes.” Wei Wuxian nodded.

Jiang Cheng paused and turned to Wei Wuxian. He knew Wei Wuxian must’ve heard this information from Lan Wangji.

“If he’s just going to Jin Guangyao’s grave, then why shouldn’t he just inform his sect?” he asked. “And not even telling this to the other sects…” he added.

To his surprise, Wei Wuxian’s face went serious. “It’s because it isn’t just ‘just’.” he told him.

Jiang Cheng’s forehead knotted. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“ZeWu-Jun was sworn brothers with Jin Guangyao.” Wei Wuxian answered and paused. He’s hesitating.

Jiang Cheng’s brows raised. “I know that they’re sworn brothers.” He said. “I’m just wondering why would he – “

Before he could continue, Wei Wuxian looked around cautiously. Jiang Cheng’s brows raised a millimeter high.

“Their brotherhood isn’t simple.” Wei Wuxian finally said and sat on the chair. He poured himself a cup of Emperor’s Smile he brought earlier.

“What do you mean?” Jiang Cheng asked and sat across him.

Wei Wuxian drank before he answered. “Have you heard?” he asked. “ZeWu-Jun and Jin Guangyao met before they could become sworn brothers… before Jin Guangyao could make his name in the cultivation world.” He told him and explained how the two met.

Jiang Cheng’s eyes went wide, shocked, as he listened to Wei Wuxian. But, as he heard more, the more his heart going cold.

Why? He thought, puzzled of what he felt. Was it because… Lan Xichen was once like him, and so when he saw him going through the same ordeal as him… he helped him?

In short, when Lan Xichen saw him, he was looking at his past self. With this thought, an inexplicable pain pricked his heart.

He forced himself not to show it and patiently waited for Wei Wuxian to finish speaking.

“Sect Leader Jiang.” Lan Xichen’s voice woke him up. “Why are you here?” he asked.

Jiang Cheng blinked, then calmly looked at Lan Xichen. “Nothing.” He muttered. “I’m just here to see if Sect Leader Lan is truly fine.” He answered and bowed.

Lan Xichen smiled. “I am.” He answered.

A deafening silence fell upon them. One is in the middle of the bridge (LXC), while the other one is on the other end, silently looking at the one who’s clad in white.

“Lan Xichen.” Jiang Cheng silently called. “Let’s forget the past.” He told him.

Lan Xichen turned to him. Before he could ask what, Jiang Cheng continued.

“Let’s be strangers.” He told him.

He didn’t wait for the other to speak and immediately ran away. Only did he finally realize what he really felt when he felt his cheeks became wet.

He fell in love with him.

(A/N: oh sht… no… noooooo!!! And I’m seriously writing this while listening to No Envies of the SING – ending song of MDZS donghua. Nooooooo!!!!! T.T)