fennu | prompts / continuations.

[ Jiang Cheng cannot blame Lan Xichen for the position that he is in - while their interactions with Jin Guangyao were different, they had both been betrayed. He wouldn't dare suggest it was on the same level, that what his fellow father to a-Ling had done to him could dare equal what he had done to his fellow Sect Leader, but he can at least empathise.

It is strange, to see Xichen in such sad, melancholy colours, the kind that suit his brother better. It doesn't make him feel particularly comfortable, but it's not his place to make any kind of suggestion on fashion. ]

That sounds like a better use of time, if you ask me. [ He almost rolls his eyes. Almost.

Jiang Cheng's jaw, however, tightens at the mention of Lan Wangji. ] Yes. I've heard they have been travelling as well.

[ The soft indent of his smile follows a demure blink at their drinks, thanking the junior who arrives with their food (a few meat dishes have been prepared for Jiang Cheng, the rest is vegetarian). Xichen did imagine he would be fielding the topic of Wangji and his own new brother-in-law, prepared to approach it as tactfully as possible. ]

Spending four months sequestered in Gusu for the honeymoon was not to Wei Wuxian's liking. [ To put it mildly, tradition went out the window: loud complaints were made ('I'm not a wife so it doesn't apply!'), Wangji would only indulge his husband, and Xichen enjoyed hearing about all the places Wei Wuxian wanted to explore. ] They have been spending their time travelling without being assigned any missions to do with cultivation in the surrounding districts.

[ They have been roaming around having fun, in short. Wangji needed it after sixteen years of pining.

Xichen sips his tea, patiently watching Jiang Cheng's reaction. There is no way, truly, to avoid the fact of the union existing less than a mile up the mountain, so it may as well be addressed first. ]

[ Jiang Cheng is quiet as they're brought food, offering a quiet thanks, appreciative of the fact that they've gone out of their way to provide him with something he's more accustomed to. He would have been fine eating anything from Gusu Lan, but he appreciates the gesture all the same. He doesn't smile, but he is soft in voice if nothing else. ]

No. I don't imagine he enjoyed it at all. [ His voice is a little more sour now. He doesn't particularly want to hear about his brother's nuptials, doesn't want to hear anything about what Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji have been getting up to. It isn't because he cares about them choosing to marry one another - he'd had to get over that quickly enough - but because he will never, in this lifetime or another, become friendly with Lan Wangji.

His siblings have a tradition of marrying the men that irritate him the most.

Shaking his head, he leans forward to take a drink of his tea. ]

Travel suits him.

They arrived back two days ago. We won't see them for a while unless news travels, [ it is sweet, he has to admit, how besotted they both are, ] but it shouldn't.

[ As much as he indulges Sizhui it is wildly obvious who the boy's best friends are, tightly-knit in their group, and he was careful when selecting which would be on guard-duty tonight. Jingyi is at the cold ponds too, so Xichen hazards a safe guess that Jiang Cheng's visit is not widely known. Yet. As much as he has been in seclusion, Xichen cannot escape being the Sect Leader of dozens of high-spirited teenagers and he knows them all well. ]

Travel suits you, too; Jiang-zongzhu looks very well. Will you stay for a day or two before moving on?

Good.

[ Does he mean good for them, or good that they're travelling, or that he won't see them? He isn't sure yet, he can barely tell what he means himself, uncertain and irritated by things he can't control. Jiang Cheng can't say he's happy as he is, but a part of him is happy to know Wei Wuxian has finally found a place of happiness.

Even if the price had been steep, in the end. ]

I would gladly take advantage of your kindness, if you would allow it, Lan-zongzhu. It has been too long since I saw the beauty of Cloud Recesses.

[ His expression lifts, brightening to hear Wanyin will be staying (and his love for the beauty of Xichen's home). ]

You must go and do as you wish while with us, now with the freedom of not being a student beholden to upkeeping our rules.

[ His eyes twinkle with a hint of a tease, remembering well the days when Wangji's peers were students. ]

To be honest, Lan-zongzhu, I only mostly listened to the rules as a student.

[ He did spend a lot of time with his brother, trying not to cause problems and still breaking a handful of rules at the same time. His smile, this time, is a little fond. ]

I think I would rather spend my time reading, the same as you.

I remember.

[ It's said lightly, lashes lowered. His smile remains as he eats, pleased to have an excuse to be around the other man following this evening. ]

What do you like to read?

I'd hoped the reports hadn't made it to you.

[ Jiang Cheng would much rather that Lan Xichen have a better impression of him than that, and he shakes his head, as if that'll get rid of the silly memories.

He wants to be seen as someone good, and strong, and worthy of respect. ]

Most things. I've taken an interest in history, since I needed to rebuild Yunmeng.

They were of their time.

[ Of a teenager, which he himself was only lately not one back in those days. He shakes his head to reassure him the reports were never anything with gravitas (frankly, the sheer magnitude of Wei Wuxian's outshone anyone else's reports for a good few years). ]

We should have something in the archives on Yunmeng in general, at the very least, architecture and history are two of our main sections. We can visit in the morning, at whichever hour you arise.

[ Lan Clan hours are 5am, after all. Some things never change but Jiang Cheng's need to wake at the crack of dawn has, with his status, done just that. It's nice to offer him the indulgence of Cloud Recesses as a getaway. ]

I would appreciate that. I've tried to rebuild as much as possible from memories, but more knowledge would be nothing but a boon.

[ He doesn't intend to be awake as early as the Lan are, but he wakes up early enough. There are never enough hours in the day to do all the work that he needs to do, even if he tries to delegate Sometimes.

Rarely. ]

I won't wake up as late as a troublesome student, I promise you.

I would not mind if you did. That you are visiting at all is ...

[ The fond look he wears deepens, warming him as effectively as his refilled tea as he considers Jiang Cheng before him with a thoughtful gaze. ]

It is refreshing.

I would have come sooner, if I had thought you wanted my company.

[ Because, really. Jiang Cheng doesn't expect anyone to want to spend more time with him than they need to these days. Maybe his temper has calmed a little, but he still wouldn't be described as pleasant. The matchmaker had proven that. ]

Hopefully you will continue to find the company good.

Your company could not be anything but. I hope mine is sufficient.

[ He will make sure every need and whim of Jiang Cheng's is met but he is not (on a daily basis) as upbeat anymore. It feels like he had a lung carved out somewhere along the way and lost his thrill of being social for too long before becoming breathless with a need for solitude.

Xichen really should be more of an active member in their world. It's tiring to think of how much effort that would require, paranoia eats at him at night, yet he feels none of that apprehension around Jiang Cheng who is (sometimes roaringly) honest. He doesn't care if that temper goes against decorum, as long as it is rooted in genuine emotions.

Quieter, he adds, ] Thank you for coming.

I believe this is the kind of company that I need more, these days.

[ Quiet, rational, kind. Jiang Cheng has spent too many years around manipulation, danger, trouble, frustration - all things that have robbed him of joy and calm that might have made him a different man. This soft comfort is exactly what he needs now, growing older and settling into his place as leader.

Xichen taking to seclusion doesn't surprise Jiang Cheng, nor does it offend him. He can't be blamed, given all that happened, and he shakes his head, scoffing a little. ]

I should be thanking you. You've been incredibly kind.

I have? [ It's not fishing for compliments, he looks genuinely surprised while topping up Jiang Cheng's tea. ] If anything I am being selfish and fully intend to covet your attention while you are here.

[ Such a terrible person. ]

I cannot see a reason why that would be a problem.

[ He waves a hand - as if it is selfish, given the fact... ]

Few others here would want the company.

Why do you say that? You are well-respected.

[ Having a temper is no reason for anyone to shy away from Jiang Cheng, who is like a bear to Wei Wuxian's fox. Louder and scarier, perhaps, but still very brave and kind at heart from what Xichen has experienced. ]

Respect and fondness are very different things.

[ Xichen sees a much kinder side of him, Jiang Cheng can admit that, and it's rare that he has occasion to be soft outside of Yunmeng. ]

[ His eyes crinkle with a gentle tease. ]

Do I seem very fond of you?

I wouldn't dare to say, Lan-zongzhu.

[ It feels a little embarrassing to even consider it, truthfully. ]

[ He lets his gaze rest on Jiang Cheng a moment too long, his smile quirking at last. ]

I am fond of Jiang-zongzhu for his own merits, yes. Not entirely out of respect for his position.

[ He feels a touch embarrassed by the notion that he might be flushed, and he shakes his head, taking another drink to calm himself. ]

I'm glad to hear it, Lan-zongzhu. It means a great deal, from someone like you.

[ All that tea is going to make Jiang Cheng healthier than an immortal by the time he leaves, making Xichen chuckle at the compliment. ]

Now you are being kind to me.

[ It's better than giving away his own nervous embarrassment, and he shakes his head. ]

The Jiang do not flatter, nor be overly kind.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject