OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER (A WANGXIAN STORY)
Chapter 25
Lan Wangji was exhausted. For the past few weeks, he seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulder. When the incense burner lead him to Wei Ying, he assumed it would serve as a means of communication but sadly it was never fruitful again. He'd be stuck in the dream world alone, searching and calling for the other in black but there was no sign of him.
His burden would be less after his brother's wedding was over and he could concentrate properly on reaching Wei Ying. If it were up to him, he'd sabotage the ceremony but his brother still wanted to go through with it.
(At Xichen's Quarters.)
Lan Wangji could tell right away Xichen was angry when he returned. That was rare. "Oh Wangji, I didn't see you come in.", Xichen adjusted himself and put up a fake smile.
Wangji, "Brother seems upset." He took a seat and put down Bichen. The elder sighed, feeling defeated. He could not hold up the smile any longer and confided in his brother. They've always told each other everything since childhood. Wangji brooded for a while before saying something unusual. "Brother, would you like to have a drink with me?", Xichen was amazed by his brother's request. Even though they've both tasted liquor before, they'd never thought of doing it together.
"Lan Zhan, we cant do it here.", Xichen said. Rules were rules.
Wangji, "Then lets go outside..."
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Jingyi refused to come out of his room and didn't mind getting in trouble for it. He was still a bit shaken up by what his best friend did some days ago. "They've all gone mad... What makes them think I swing that way?", he kept tugging at his hair. Jingyi never expected the dignified Lan Sizhui would act so shamelessly with him. The worst part was that the kiss jolted his memory to something else. He clearly recalled what happened between he and Jin Rulan at Jinlintai and it made him feel agitated and confused.
Now he could not look at all his friends the same way and became paranoid when the other disciples had any form of skin contact with him. Jingyi avoided Sizhui the most while trying not to act awkward around him. Although Sizhui apologized for going too far and he genuinely forgave him, the thought of how Jingyi got caught up in such situations with he and Jin Rulan was enough to keep everyone at bay.
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Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji booked a room in the nearby town just so they could stay put after having a drink. They both knew the effects taking alcohol had on them and wanted to take precautions. They sat down after ordering some food to go with the drinks. Meanwhile Wangji told his brother how he failed to get to Wei Ying again and they both drew the conclusion that the burner may have run out of spiritual juice.
When the food came, Wangji glanced over at his brother's plate, "Brother, isn't that too spicy?". "I know...", Xichen replied. As they ate Wangji studied how his brother's face changed colour anytime he took a bite. He knew staring was rude but his brother's determination to eat the food marvelled him. After having their fill, they turned their attention to the two jars of emperor smile on the table.
Xichen, "Well then, should we really do it?"
Wangji, "Mn..."
Xichen, "How many cups?"
Wangji, "I've always gone for just one, but I think we could handle two each."
Xichen nodded, "Okay, Wanyin said I always pass out after five seconds."
Wangji, "Me too...Let's take them within 2 seconds."
Xichen, "Ok."
Wangji fixed two cups and set one in front of his elder brother. With their gaze on each other, they picked the small ceramic cups and gulped down the drink. Xichen took the jar and poured them another just in time. The first burn soon welcomed the second and Xichen hit his chest to ease the sensation.
3-2-1....Both heads went down. Wangji was the first to wake in his drunken state and he poked his brother with a finger. Lan Xichen sat up after a few more pokes and starred at his younger brother with a goofy smile.
"Wangji, are you drunk?"
"No, are you?"
Xichen shook his head, "Hey L-a-n Wangji, why are you smiling?". " I'm thinking of Wei Ying.", Wangji said. The reply made Xichen pout. "I feel sorry for you Wangji...You two seem to get pulled apart a lot."
" Ge, you have it worse...I get to be with my Wei Ying when he returns but you...", Wangji leaned in, "You're spending your forever with someone you don't love...". "Don't get smart with me Wangji, remember I'm the elder.", Xichen straightened his back, very much bothered about the truth. But he crouched again and said with a sad tone, "I miss my Wanyin..."
"Brother, there's still time to make it right...I wont come after you if you decide not to show up for your wedding."
"No, there's no need for that. On the contrary, make sure I don't leave the Cloud Recesses."
"That's impossible, we wont remember any of this."
"Then I'll write it down... Lets go look for ink.", Xichen pulled his brother up and they headed for the door. 'bump', both men missed the door and met the hard wall. "It's not opening, brother.", Wangji turned to the other corners of the room to look for the entrance. "I think this is it, but it looks a little small.", Xichen stuck his head out the window and Wangji joined him. "You go first and then I'll join you..."
Wangji woke up in Jingshi the next day with a slight headache. The last thing he remembered was having a drink with Xichen at the in but how did they get back? It was already morning, so he proceeded to prepare his bath. Lan Wangji was internally bemused when he saw his reflection in the water. Not only had his brother written a message on his face but also left his initials to confirm it was truly his doing.
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Jiang Cheng P.O.V
I hate myself right now... I know it's the right thing to do but I feel like a scumbag for doing that to him. It's been three days since Xichen left and I've not been able to focus. All I can think of is that disheartened look in his eyes... But what right does he have to say that I don't really love him? Fuck!! I've never been gentle with any other person but him.
All I want is what's best for the both of us. Lan Xichen will learn with time that I made the right decision. I saved us from a scandal... We both have to live normal lives as best as we can. It's our duty as sect leaders. It's his duty as 'son'... Does he even know how hard it is to be in my shoes, I can barely sleep or eat because he's not here; trying to feed me his concoctions, smiling even when I clearly bully him...It hurts to know he'd be waking up next to another person everyday. Of course I want to be the last person he sees before he falls asleep and the first when he wakes up but it's not meant to be.
Li Qiang keeps nagging about how glum I've become. What does he know about pain? Since I couldn't keep my head straight, I went to the place where Lan Huan's smell now lingered most. I thought that might help but it only made it worse. "Pull yourself together Jiang Cheng, grown men don't cry like this", I told myself every night, trying to stop the tears. *Chuckles* And I dare call it 'mere feelings', what a bad joke.
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Xichen P.O.V
Seven days...I now have only seven days of freedom left. Some nights ago my brother told me I made him promise to stop me if I ever tried to leave before the wedding. We were drunk so I don't remember that but I know he wont lie about it...
Six days, I now have six days left... Uncle does not want me to lift a finger and tells me I need to be well rested in my quarters. Some guests from far away have started coming in and the air is filled with wedding fever but I feel lost. Even though its broken, I still could not take my heart away from my Wanyin. I miss him. I want to see him. Perhaps, it may be wishful thinking but I wonder if he's thinking of me... Or will he gladly grace the occasion with his presence like it was all a mirage...
Five days more... I cant take it anymore. I have to seem him, maybe he'll change his mind if he sees me this time around. He has to, everything lacks colour without him... I quickly left my room, ready to fly all the way to Yunmeng but as soon as I reached the gate I had to dodge the blue waves from Wangji's zither. "Brother, go back to your room.", his stoic face greeted me. Unknown to me, my brother had set an alarm to know if I tried to leave and I had just been caught.
"Wangji, I just need a day...Please do your brother a favour.", I pleaded but he would not listen to me and kept blocking my path. "Forget what I wrote on your face, I have to go!", I grew a little impatient. "A promise is a promise." was my brother's reply.
So I fought with him. It was brief and I was schooled by my kid brother for letting my anger affect me. I took my flute but Wangji's sword was already pointed at my neck. I had lost. What was I thinking, Wangji does not break his promises easily.
But he surprised me again..."Brother...that day, when I woke up I found another set of words written in my palm...It had my initials at the end, so I know I wrote it.", I did not understand him until he lowered his sword and said, " 'I wont go after brother if he decides not to show up for his wedding.' ".
Apparently I wasn't the only one he made a promise to. I watched him walk pass me, like I was not even there. "Thank you brother...", I said to him before getting back on my sword and flew with all the strength I had to get to my Wanyin without looking back.
I finally got to the Lotus Pier in the evening. I did not take a single break even when dark clouds gathered and it began to drizzle. I was let in but another disciple told me Wanyin was not at the pier. For a moment I was scared, what if he was also on his way to Gusu? A glint of hope was sparked but I convinced myself my Wanyin was too proud to do that. So I went to the only place I could think of.
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Jiang Wanyin was heartsick. He stayed in bed all day and only came out briefly to stare at the lake. "That idiot liked this view too much. Yet I've seen better at the Cloud Recesses.", A'Cheng forced a smile. He went back inside when dark clouds began to form in the sky and refused to touch his food again. The rain seemed to stop at some point but it picked up again in the night. The candle lights and lamps constantly kept blinking as strong winds rushed though every opening, slamming windows and dishevelling the curtains. Jiang Cheng tossed and turned in bed like he'd been doing since Xichen left. On such a cold night Xichen would have turned him into a living pillow. The thought made him shrivel in the cold.
*Whoosh...Bang*, Jiang Cheng got out of bed when he heard the noise from his outer chamber... "Xichen...", he was shell-shocked when he immediately recognized the silhouette. Lan Xichen was half soaked by the rain even though he picked up an umbrella at the pier. There they were again, staring at each other like they'd been apart for a hundred years. They didn't need words to show how they felt.
It was pure joy when Wanyin was the first to rush to him. Xichen initiated the kiss and Jiang Cheng let it blossom. The former withdrew when he realized it was getting out of hand but Wanyin roped him in again, not holding back and took his breath away.
"Wanyin..."
"Lan Huan...Please take me...I want to go all the way.", Wanyin confessed.
"Are you sure?", Xichen was dumbstruck. the shorter man nodded with a smile and stretched his neck to meet his lips again.
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Thanks for reading...Sorry for any grammatical error and the length. Ladies and gents, XiCheng is finally going to get their first love making scene *Stunned*. I am lost for words. Should I really do this to Cheng? Please give me strength to write it :'D... Don't forget to comment and vote :) Do you want me to update soon or you want me to slow down from here? I know you miss Wei Ying, you'll hear from him soon : )
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