this phantom pain might not be so farfetched {JC x LXC} {Xicheng}

chapter 1

Jiang Cheng is nine when he first feels the twinge.

It happens right after his taekwondo practice, beads of sweat clinging to the cowlick strays near his temple as he bends down to grab his water bottle from his duffle bag. It's right at that very moment that feels it, a painful throb in his chest accompanied by an involuntary hiss between his teeth at the sharp pull. The youngster snatches his water bottle and stands up right, bringing the nozzle to his mouth, frowning as he drinks steadily while rubbing a hand on his sternum. The counter measure makes the residual pain subside until it's gone. Weird.

H e doesn't ponder on it long when his good friend Song Lan bumps his arm in jest. "Next practice I'll beat you by two rounds." Xiao Xingchen smiles from beside the other boy, not a hair out of place unlike Jiang Cheng's disheveled appearance. The younger boy is attached to Song Lan at the hip, and where one goes the other will surely follow.

Jiang Cheng smirks. "I'll win by three." And his minor pain is long forgotten.

His father picks him up from practices and drives home, inquiring how school was, listening attentively to his youngest as he prattles on about mundane things that kids find noteworthy, accompanied by hums and 'aahs' at all the right parts.

When they arrive at the grand mansion, they are greeted by the delicious aroma of his older sister's cooking and the barking of three dogs, that come racing into the foyer. Jiang Cheng drops his bags and bends down to hug them, laughing aloud as they lick and try to jump all over him while his father watches on amused. Jasmine, Princess, and Love were presents for Christmas last year after Jiang Cheng had begged for a puppy during the summer prior.

His mother must hear their entrance and exits her office, beautiful in her elegant stature and dressed immaculately. She chides at her youngest's appearance without any true harshness, gesturing him to hurry and shower before dinner is ready. Not wanting to disappoint A-niang, he books it to his room,, the pups scrambling on the marble floor after him. A quick scrub under a nice hot shower later, Jiang Cheng dresses and combs through his long hair, wincing at the knots the brush gets caught on. Huffing in exasperation, he gives up when he's at least somewhat presentable and races back downstairs to eat.

A-Li serves their parents then him, making sure he gets a large portion of pork in his bowl; she always saves the best piece for him and it makes him feel special. His mother inquires about his day and gives a pride-filled nod when he says he did well on his history test. His father comments that he was impressed with Jiang Cheng in his last few minutes of practice he was able to catch, and A-Li promises to cheer loudly for his upcoming match. All the attention makes him beam, bowing his head to hide his blush. Family dinners always leave his stomach and heart full.

At night, after his parents have tucked him in and wished him goodnight, Jasmine jumps onto the bed and buries her head in his shirt, setting off a slew of giggles from him. She sniffs at his chest with determined fever as if there was buried treasure in there. Beaming, he pretends there's hidden gems stuck between his ribs, diamonds just waiting to be discovered. Love and Princess soon jump onto the bed, joining in the hunt that has him howling with laughter, he's lucky his parents bedroom is downstairs so he won't get in trouble for the noise.

It takes a few minutes to calm them down, and by then Jiang Cheng is slumped back into his pillow, exhausted and cheeks aching. He rubs their heads while they paw at the bed until they each find a spot around his small form and snuggle close.

Letting himself drift off to sleep, Jiang Cheng doesn't even realize he forgot to mention the pain he felt earlier.

⚘ 

It seems to keep happening.

The new throb rarely occurs and when it does, it's brief enough Jiang Cheng doesn't really worry. At night his beloved animals sniff and rub there heads against his chest, but can't seem to reach what they're looking for. He considers mentioning it to his parents or even A-Li, but in the end he loses his chance. Because a few weeks later, the warm atmosphere of the traditional family dinners is shattered when his father brings home a boy.