fennu | prompts / continuations.

wen qing
1) au where they get married and are happy.
2) he decides to help the wen clan!!
3) any angst / pain / suffering
4) she lives for golden core reveal
5) non-sexual intimacy

lan xichen
1) xichen finding out about the golden core properly (discussing it after temple)
2) non-sexual intimacy, touching, hand holding
3) nightmare h/c (either side)
4) proposals, cultivation partners
5) time gap, baby jin ling ft. lan xichen and overwhelmed jc

wei wuxian
1) post-canon reconciliations
2) wwx finding out about jc turning himself in
3) pre/post-wedding bro moment

lan wangji
1) fighting / tension bc wwx.
2) hatesex / fucking through pain to feel close to wwx
3) meeting after seclusion
4) lan "why are you fucking my brother" wangji ft. panicked jc
5) bro in laws trying to make amends

general wants / aus
1) soulmates
2) hanahaki disease

Edited 2020-09-21 21:41 (UTC)

Jiang Cheng had never imagined that one day he would be a father, no more than he had imagined that months beyond the beginning of that care he might be preparing for his own death.

Jin Ling is more his son than nephew, anyone at Lotus Pier could see that, and he keeps the boy closer than anyone would probably imagine from him. He is devoted to what remains of his sister, what remains of the fragile link between his joy and his heartbreak, and that means that his doting on the small child can sometimes get somewhat out of hand. No one comments on it, however - not when they are all too aware of how his own upbringing had been, how difficult a childhood he had lead with a father who loved him least and a mother he had never suited.

It's Jin Ling that's settled in his lap as he turns pages in the Lan Sect library, frowning as he stares down at the words in front of him. The little child is reaching to tug at loose hair and parts of the fabric of his robe, leaving Jiang Cheng able to do little more than lift his bells and shake them to entertain the baby, trying to ignore the knot in his throat and the way it makes him feel as though he's aching from the inside out. The fact that any of the Lan disciples might come here and interrupt the quiet is fearsome enough, but to have them see the great and fearsome Sandu Shengshou doting on a baby.

The only thing that makes the moment better is that another sits not too far from him, pouring over his own books. Zewu-Jun has been a constant companion as Jiang Cheng attempts to research his condition, and that has been both a boon and a punishment - especially since he recognises where some of his pain and suffering had come from.

Over the months since he had lost Wei Wuxian (and carried the burden of his murder, as if he had truly ended the life of his only brother) Zewu-Jun had been a kind companion to him, helping him to move forward. He had always been gentle, of course, and supported Jiang Cheng as he rose to accept his place as a Sect leader, but it has been different of late. It feels less like something compassionate and filled with pity and more like something kind, something tender, as if friendship is to develop between them - deeper and more real than anything he has had before.

Even the thought of it is enough to have Jiang Cheng trying to swallow back the petals that grow in his throat. He's seen the colour of them, whites and pale blues, looking too similar to lotus petals for him to ever feel comfortable staring for too long. Every time Zewu-Jun smiles at him he can feel the crush of it cutting off his breathing, making him feel as though he might lose his stomach if he is not careful. That is what he is researching now, some kind of cure for what had befallen him, something to make him well.

There's something sick and pained about the notion that he might die and leave Jin Ling alone, with no connection to Lotus Pier and his mother... That is something he cannot tolerate. He may still have Jin Guangyao as his other uncle, but...

Idle eyes turn to look at Zewu-Jun and he catches himself, lost at staring at the other man before he coughs, lifting a hand to cover his mouth as Jin Ling wiggles, trying to grab at his fingers.

"- Apologies."

( from here )

Hm. That doesn't seem right.

( from here )

Yes, yes, you're a hero. Hurry up.

( from here )

Not as lucky as me. Sap.

( from here )

Family is important. The most important, I think.

( from here )

Chopsticks are not as good as combs!

( from here )

The latter. It was only one floor.

( from here )

I'll visit you, dumbass! Or I'll send them away when you come.

[while the message jiang cheng sends through enchanted butterfly doesn't say the words 'i am dying' directly, the panic in his husband's voice leaves dread spreading through lan xichen's system. the alpha in him, the creature the lan precepts make simple instinct and nature out to be, snarls.

something is wrong and the fact the other man doesn't clarify has lan xichen doing something he has not done since resuming his duties as sect leader, following his seclusion. his duties and meetings are handed off to his uncle, wangji can handle anything else that comes up in the mean time on his behalf.

both his brother and uncle nearly earn a snapping growl from lan xichen when they ask the reason behind it, but something has the alpha unwilling to share. his husband is in trouble, xichen cannot linger. husband -- he thinks, pushes down instinctual panic that his logical mind knows is unnecessary -- only because jiang cheng's beta biology will not let a mating bite take hold and the bite fades after each of xichen's ruts. in truth, xichen does not care but this is one of the last catch-ups of their marriage.

xichen doesn't think to pack clothes with him, driven by instinct to join jiang cheng in the inn in yunmeng that the other sect leader sent the message from.

when he arrives, he notices that jiang disciples stand guard at the entrance and when he is let inside the inn is emptied. the staff have been dismissed, the owner looks panicked as he greets him and tells lan xichen where to go. the fact no one will head to up to the third floor which make up the rooms given to the jiang sect is--- it's strange.

there's no reason for it, not that xichen can think of as he rushes up the stairs. when he reaches jiang cheng's rooms, two things have him stopping in his tracks. first, the door is warded meant to keep anyone from entering. second, despite the warding, xichen can smell his husband scent leaking out form under the door. it's sweet, a mix of lotus and something electric that xichen can never quite place but makes him feel at home as he presses his nose to the crook of jiang cheng's neck and tries to mix their scents together without overpowering the beta's altogether.

which is--- well, not supposed to be possible. just as they possess a weaker sense of smell, a beta's scent is never quite as powerful as an alpha's or omega's. it's not a strange thing, not when a majority of the population are betas but a rarity amongst the gentry.] Jiang Cheng? [he calls out, knocking on the door. it's gentle at first, then firmer knocking and a call with voice raised. something must be wrong.]

( from here )

[ Purple is a rare colour in Cloud Recesses.

Blues dominate, yellows spring up from the little gardens as rogue rock-flowers make use of the ponds and waterways, and the only true splash of vividness is a flash of red whenever Wangji's zhiyin careens through. It is not hard to keep the news of visiting Sect Leader lowkey but it does require that Xichen tactfully sends Sizhui and his friends up the mountain to enjoy a day off in the cold springs if they wish, needing to use some quieter, younger juniors whom he knows will not bring word of Jiang Cheng's arrival to the Jingshi up the hill. No doubt Wangji and his husband will come barrelling in at some point tomorrow when news eventually travels, but if Xichen cannot keep a secret for a single night he is not much of a leader at all.

That is how Jiang Cheng is greeted by two very respectful youths at the gates and led to the Hanshi where Xichen has been secluding himself (save for idle jaunts into the town where no one knows him beyond his title and a gulf of respect so wide it leaves him more alone in a crowd than not). With the knowledge of a visiting guest he actually wants to see lifting his depression somewhat, he has combed his hair and has tea waiting to be poured when Wanyin is escorted in.

His smile is genuine, dark eyes soft as they linger on Jiang Cheng above a bow. For as displaced as he feels most of the time, he anchors onto the other's presence and has a sense of his true self again. ]

Jiang-zongzhu, welcome. Please, sit with me after your journey. Tell me all about it.

[ It's been a while since Guanyin Temple, and he's not entirely sure how Jiang Cheng has been faring since. He's been traveling, roaming, drinking wine and keeping out of trouble. Maybe it's the wine itself that has him thinking of Jiang Cheng, as he lazes in his room in the inn he's picked for tonight.

Which means he sends off a message, to his fair brother, and isn't sure if he'll get one back. ]

tigers or toads, which do you prefer?

((post-canon? maybe?? idk the details yet because all ur prompts are good ~~lets do ALL~~))

Zewu-Jun requests an audience with Sect Leader Jiang upon his convenience. Non-urgent. Within Cloud Recesses.

[ Why he couldn't have simply said so himself, who knows. Oh well, Lan Wangji's fraternal duty has now be honoured—— ]

[ Jiang Cheng thinks he might be dying.

Last night he woke up in a flush of warmth that flooded him like being dunked in a warm bath, as if he had fallen into a hot springs or had been buried in a mound of blankets. Some kind of sweating sickness had overcome him and left him struggling to crawl out from his bed, tangled in sheets and robes, sticky with it, trying to force himself together so that he could deal with the Sect matters of the day.

Every day since his marriage had been an anxious one, struggling to prove himself, to show the world that despite the loss of his core he could still lead the Yunmeng Jiang Sect without any problems. He knows that if Wei Wuxian had not come back to be wedded to him then they never would've accepted him, but that's not the point; he can do this. He has to.

Overcome the impossible.

It's too hard to go further than his office, slumping in a chair and feeling weighed down, and all he can do is sip at his tea as he closes his eyes and tries to ignore the stuffy, achy feeling that's flooding him. When he hears an unmistakable voice coming towards his office, sing-song and happy, he shouts without thinking about it. ]

Go away! I don't want you around right now!

( against all odds, they survived, if only to sustain and rebuild their struggling communities. her regrets are many, but a small voice rises above her many thoughts and insists on attempting to live for now. it seems impossible, for wen qing, but the single reminder of a comb once left and once returned had led her to question her own stance.

her life has only ever been spent navigating sect politics, healing others, and, most importantly, protecting her family. there was never room for romance. he had always been there, standing on the other side of the many walls they had built around each other. perhaps the truth can help to set them free.

it is strange, to live honestly and openly.

she seems antsy on the day he is set to arrive, suddenly aware of how rough her hands have become, regardless of how much ointment she had used on them the night before. her clothes, her lack of finery - none of those matter to her, at least, and she suspects it won't matter to him either. still. she waits at the border of her small village, ready to greet him. )

[ The truth of the matter is that Jiang Cheng does not want to be here.

Visits to Gusu Lan and the Cloud Recesses are rarer these days, beyond delivering disciples for their education and ensuring his sect behaves themselves appropriately. He doesn't like returning to these hallowed places and being strictly reminded of his youth, of all the things that came before and have been robbed from him by time and despair both. He doesn't like the dour faces of the Lan disciples and their funeral attire, making him feel a twist of something in his stomach.

He comes all the same, for it is his duty as sect leader, to attend conferences when summoned and do the best for his people. It is what he has always done, and that is not something anyone in this world could deny. Jiang Cheng bleeds purple, lives and breathes for the people he had brought into his fold, for the Yunmeng he had helped rise from the ashes. Overcome the impossible, it was said, and he does all that he can to do that.

It is all the worse knowing who is waiting for him here, and it feels immediate, like a stinging barb; Lan Wangji, the idolised Jade of the place, who is there to welcome his congregation. Trying to steel his resolve (and his features), Jiang Cheng offers a proper, formal bow, as is Hanguang-jun's right. ]

Greetings, Hanguang-jun.

[ Jiang Cheng never once imagined that he would be a doting and tender husband.

When he had been younger, his mother had spoken to him of his role as a future sect leader, that he would have to find an appropriate wife and wed her for the future of their clan. She would have to be strong enough to give them a good heir, but decent (in all terms of the word) to be well accepted. The Jiang Sect, she had said, were welcoming, but distinguished, and as the fifth most eligible bachelor in the cultivation world he had to be prepared to be honourable and good to her.

He did not dwell overmuch on how she funnelled her frustrations with her father into the narration.

The loss of his golden core had changed it all. He was no longer the prized heir, no longer the bounty of a great gentry sect, but was instead a nothing; a cultivator with no cultivation, with burned ashes to offer in proposal. Desperation had him clinging to his sister upon their reunion, trying to adapt to their new normal, to find some plan for future, and there was only one open: she could not marry into the Jin family and have Yunmeng swallowed by their greed, so it was down to Jiang Cheng to make an advantageous marriage.

The truth is that he had been shocked when Lan Xichen had entertained the formal proposal, more so when the negotiations had led to a wedding. Even as they made their bows, he had thought that his betrothed might change his mind, realise what kind of creature he was binding himself to. There would be no hope of cultivating to immortality with Jiang Cheng as a husband, but... They would have many years together. The bows had been done, and the marriage night had been tense, but sweet enough, and now it is weeks later and Jiang Cheng is trying to find his place as the spouse of the leader of Gusu Lan.

Tonight, he returns to their rooms as silently as he can, sliding the door behind him. He has spent hours in the library, copying books so the students have more to use, and he is doing all that he can to be as out of the way as possible, to not disturb the work of the famed Zewu-jun. He has no desire for his barbed tongue to damage their tentative peace, and it means that as he slips through he does not notice the table, shifted so slightly, nor is he able to stop himself as he trips and collapses forward.

No hope for quiet, then. ]

Shit...

(frozen comment) prompts / desires / thoughts / etc

@lanhuan.

@flauted

@weifinder

@lanhuan

@levamen

@desultorily