Work Text:
Lan Xichen is gone when he wakes, but he rolls over nonetheless to his side of the bed, feeling it already cold, a sign that Lan Xichen had been gone for hours. He sits up, yawns and slowly gets out of bed and eyes the cloudy weather outside with a grimace.
He winces when his bare feet touches the cold floor and quickly slips into the blue slippers at the side of the bed.
When he walks into the kitchen, he sees a note and a purple thermos sitting on the kitchen counter. He smiles at the familiar thermos. The purple thermos was a joke gift from Jiang Yanli when he had entered the academy along with Wei Wuxian. He remembered how they were teased for it, saying it was girly and why would there be a lotus engraved on it of all things? They didn't care. He and Wei Wuxian had made their fair share of enemies and rivals at the academy. He takes a sip from the thermos and picks up the note.
It’s from Lan Xichen saying he’s gone into the office early to prepare for a case but will be back to make dinner and reminds him to eat something. Jiang Cheng silently sends a prayer to the gods above that he will be one home early tonight as the idea of Lan Xichen trying to cook dinner is a terrifyingly thought almost as that idiot Wei Wuxian cooking his infamous spicy noodles. He can still hear Wei Wuxian’s laugher about the time he learnt Lan Xichen had destroyed most of their clothes when doing laundry. He’s learnt not to have Lan Xichen or Lan Wangji touch alcohol. Ever. The last time it happened, he realised most of the food in the pantry was gone and somehow appeared in Weixian’s house.
Jiang Cheng glances at the clock while he’s drinking coffee and curses. Granted he’s not late but it seems he wouldn’t be eating breakfast at home if he wants to make it to work on time.
“Jiang Cheng!!” He hears a familiar voice call his name and he internally groans. He doesn’t know what he’s done to deserve this. As if growing up together and attending the same schools and universities throughout his life wasn’t enough. To think they would be assigned to the same station after graduating must be fate laughing at him. He must have done something bad in his past life to warrant this.
He ignores him and walks over to his desk, placing his bag on the table and notices the heavy manila folder file on the right side of his desk.
“New file?” Wei Wuxian slides up next to him and peers over his shoulder with a frown. “Maybe, do you think it will be an exciting one?”
Jiang Cheng snorts as he opens the file and flicks through the papers.
“I think the last shift together was enough.”
Wei Wuxian frowns before he suddenly grins. “Hey, are you blaming me? All I said to the driver was blow harder! It’s not my fault they couldn’t do it and it took three tries.”
“And you made him hold up the line, I had to direct the cars to the other lane.” Jiang Cheng scoffs. “How hard could it be? Just a deep breath, blow and wait for the machine to beep.” He skims over the charge sheet and raises his eyebrows at the charges listed. “It’s the domestic brawl we went to awhile back. Seems a case of assault and possible illegal fireman possession. Should be an easy one.”
He hears Wei Wuxian suddenly snort and he turns around with an irritated, “What?”
“Did you see who their lawyer was? They’re requesting for a copy of the full brief.” Wei Wuxian sounded very amused as he walked back to his desk. “Funny how you didn’t see it.”
“No. Why should that b-“ Jiāng Cheng stops speaking when he sees the name in the file.
Lan Xichen. Principal Solicitor at Gusu Lan Legal: Barristers and Solicitors.
“What the fuck?”
Wei Wuxian bursts out laughing and Jiang Cheng dimly sees their other colleagues sticking their heads out of their cubicles to see what the commotion is. He also sees them shake their heads and go back to whatever they were doing. One merely steps back into the break room with coffee in hand.
“Stop laughing,” Jiang Cheng says tersely and closes the file. “Did you want it?”
“Wouldn’t it be the same for me?” Wei Wuxian leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. “I mean it’s not like Lan Zhan doesn’t work there too. So I can’t do it. It’s a conflict of interest.”
“He doesn’t practice in that area.”
“But to go against my A-Zhan? How could you?” Wei Wuxian makes an expression of fake anguish. “Why would you ruin my marriage like that?”
“The man has been with you for god knows how long, I’m sure it won’t ruin your marriage.” Jiang Cheng scoffs, switching on his computer and waits impatiently for the screen to load. “A person needs to have endless patience to deal with your bullshit.”
“True,” A knowing smile crosses Wei Wuxian’s face which makes Jiang Cheng want to throw up. “He’s very persistent.”
“You’re disgusting. And stop thinking whatever you’re thinking of. We’re at work.”
It’s raining when he leaves for work and he scowls at the dark sky. As if sensing his anger, he hears the roar of thunder and sees a brief flash of lighting. He tucks his hands in the pockets of his coat as he walks quickly to the car, cursing when it begins to rain harder and wishes he could have stolen Wei Wuxian’s umbrella but decided not to, not when he saw that said umbrella was covered with pictures of bunnies. What kind of man had an umbrella with bunnies? And to think Wei Wuxian mocked him for his own umbrella. Nothing was wrong with having a dog on an umbrella. Who wouldn’t be happy with a dog, whenever you opened up the umbrella? Fuck Wei Wuxian. Wait. That was Lan Wangji’s job.
“I’m home,” Jiang Cheng unlocks the door and steps inside, closing the door behind him. His hair is dripping, he shivers at the feel of droplets sliding down the side of his neck and he unpeels his jacket slowly, wincing at the feel of damp feet and wet socks. He needs a shower.
He hears Lan Xichen before he sees him, a soft step and then the feel of a fluffy towel wraps covers his hair, slender fingers sliding through wet strands. He closes his eyes and almost wants to curl into Lan Xichen’s warmth. For a moment, he basks in the moment and Lan Xichen’s familiar scent, the scent of sandalwood and jasmine.
“Welcome home, A-Cheng.” Lan Xichen murmurs. “Did you forget the umbrella, I left at the door for you?”
Jiang Cheng makes a sound and doesn’t need to open his eyes to see that Lan Xichen is staring at him with a fond expression. He turns his face away, feeling his cheeks heat up with embarrassment and takes a step back. “Thanks,” He says hoping his face isn’t red and he coughs. “I’m going to take a bath. Have you had dinner?”
“I’ve bought takeout for us.”
“Takeout?” Jiang Cheng pauses in the middle of walking to the bathroom and turns around. “You got takeout?” He can’t help but sound skeptical.
If Lan Xichen was a lesser man, he would have rolled his eyes but he cocks his head to a side and looks confused although there’s a faint smile lingering at the corner of his lips. “I thought you didn’t want me to cook dinner.”
“I didn’t think you heard that,’ Jiang Cheng mutters and decides to take a quick shower.
Once he’s done towelling drying his hair, he steps out of the bathroom and notices Lan Xichen has set the table and laid the food out complete with utensils. He’s even brewed some tea while waiting for him. Lan Xichen looks up when he enters the room, a smile on his face. An intimate smile, he knows he only shows to him alone.
He feels something almost akin to happiness or even fondness flood his heart and fills his entire being with warmth. Jiang Cheng coughs trying to mask his embarrassment. Maybe he should see a doctor, this cough is getting worrisome. He doesn’t know what’s wrong with him to be feeling like this.
“You set up dinner, you didn’t have to.” He says feeling apologetic. “I could have done it after I was done.”
“I got home early,” Lan Xichen takes the seat opposite him and passes him a bowl of rice. “It’s the least I could do. You came home late.”
“You left earlier than me.” Jiang Cheng points out as he picks up his chopsticks. “I at least slept in, you didn’t.”
Lan Xichen hums a reply that sounds suspiciously like I didn’t leave that early. They eat quietly and Jiang Cheng is thankful that they don’t discuss work at home. He rather not mix his personal life with his professional life. Jiang Cheng finishes quickly and stands up to clean up.
“No, sit down.” He scowls when Lan Xichen makes a move to also stand. “Drink your tea, I will wash up.”
“So, did you like your lunch?” Jiang Cheng frowns as he begins to stack the plates and dishes into the dishwasher. “Was it too spicy for you?”
“Hmm,” He doesn’t notice Xichen has also followed him to the kitchen and is standing near the counter, watching him rearrange the dishes in the dishwasher. “It was good, thank you.”
“Good as shit or are you being polite?” Jiang Cheng looks up with an eyebrow raised. “You Lans don’t have much tastebuds.”
“It was good.” Lan Xichen sips his tea and places it on the counter. “I will eat anything you make, Jiang Cheng.” He leans against the counter and crosses his arms.
Jiang Cheng flushes at the implied meaning even when Lan Xichen smiles innocently back at him. He looks down and finishes placing the dishes into the dishwasher before standing up and setting the timer. He feels Lan Xichen step closer and soon a pair of arms wrap around his waist. He shivers at the feel of soft lips brush against his ear.
“You should rest, Jiang Cheng.” Another kiss against his hair. “I will pack up the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.”
Jiang Cheng nods and swallows, hoping that Lan Xichen doesn’t realise his heart is beating faster. He turns around before Lan Xichen can react and pecks him on the corner of his mouth. “T-Thanks.” He flushes at Lan Xichen’s beaming smile.
He’s sitting in bed, reading a recent text message and he scrolls down the message to see a recent photo of Jin Ling. He smiles and quickly texts a reply to Jiang Yanli, exclaiming at how big A-Ling has grown and hopefully he won’t grow up looking like Jin Zixuan. It was bad enough, that he’s beginning to show similar personality traits like his peacock of a father. His phone chimes again, signifying a text from Jiang Yanli and he snorts at the reply.
'Be nice, A-Cheng. Also A-Xuan says hi too.'
He looks up when Lan Xichen walks into the room and he feels his heart skip a beat at Lan Xichen’s small smile. He swallows and hopes his face isn’t flushed as Lan Xichen slips into the bed and turns off the bedside lamp. Jiang Cheng moves closer, his cheeks still warm and he feels Lan Xichen wrap an arm around him pulling him even closer. It’s quiet, the soft sounds of their breathing, the feel of Lan Xichen’s fingers sliding through his hair and Jiang Cheng listens to the soothing sounds of Lan Xichen’s heart beating as if it was a lullaby to lure him to sleep.
When he’s sure Lan Xichen’s asleep, he slowly moves out of his hold and slightly sits up to touch Lan Xichen’s sleeping face. He’s beautiful. He thinks wistfully and before he can move his hand away, Lan Xichen opens his eyes and Jiang Cheng squawks in embarrassment.
“Y-You were awake?!” He suddenly feels like he wants to run away.
“I wasn’t asleep,” Lan Xichen blinks and slowly sits up, until he’s facing Jiang Cheng. “Jiang Cheng, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Jiang Cheng’s too embarrassed to admit it, that he just wanted to watch him sleep for awhile. Who knows when he would have another opportunity to do so before morning hits and once again they will be passing each other by until one of them returns at night?
“Are you sure?” Lan Xichen looks worried and is about to get out of bed when Jiang Cheng grabs him by the hand.
“I’m ok.”
“If you say so.” Lan Xichen sounds doubtful but he remains in bed and looks at him with a perplexed expression.
Jiang Cheng takes a deep breath and moves closer, feeling his cheeks heat up and brushes his lips against Lan Xichen’s. It’s a soft brush of lips but it makes his breath quicken and he needs to move away before he kisses him again. Before he can move away, Lan Xichen takes advantage of his distraction and kisses him back. Jiang Cheng swallows the groan and nips Lan Xichen’s bottom lip making the latter part their lips and he moves closer, a hand moves to his shoulder and he feels Lan Xichen’s hand thread through his hair, tightens as he sucks on Jiang Cheng’s tongue. They part for breath and Lan Xichen presses butterfly kisses under his jaw and moves down to his neck, teeth gently biting making Jiang Cheng shiver and he clutches at Lan Xichen almost desperately.
“A-A-Huan.” Jiang Cheng lets out a hiss when Lan Xichen nips at a particular sensitive spot on his neck. A smile against his skin, a slight brush of teeth against his shoulders and he shivers again before he decides he has enough and kisses Lan Xichen again.
It’s slower now, more gentle as if the heat has cooled down, merely simmering on the surface.
Jiang Cheng buries his face in Lan Xichen’s shoulder and tries to catch his breath. He’s panting slightly and he knows Lan Xichen isn’t faring any better if rapid beat of his heart is any indication. He sucks in a breath and exhales shakily.
“I missed you in the morning.” He finally admits.
The words linger in the air for a few minutes and he wants to take back the words the moment they’re spoken. They sound vulnerable and he swallows the urge to laugh the awkwardness away, his pride demands that he do something, do something that contradicts those words but he doesn’t. Lan Xichen’s arms tighten around him. Protective. Loving as if they could shield him against his insecurities.
“Sleep, A-Cheng.” A soft kiss against his hair. “I will be there in the morning.”