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Jiang Cheng and Wen Ning had been roommates for about 6 months now. And in those 6 months, Jiang Cheng would not admit to anyone nor himself about how he was crushing on his adorable roommate. He loved everything about Wen Ning, from his sweet shy smiles and soft glances that he gave while they would go about their days.
He had met Wen Ning, through his brother who was apparently Wen Ning’s best friend. One day, while Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying were having their weekly dinner nights, did Wei Ying bring Wen Ning. At first, Jiang Cheng was put off by the new person but after talking with the other person, he found that Wen Ning definitely was too sweet and soft to be friends with Wei Ying.
The next time Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng met for their next dinner, Jiang Cheng asked where Wen Ning was. Wei Ying sighed and had told him that Wen Ning was job hunting again because he had lost his previous job, and with his sister out of the country studying abroad, Wen Ning was on his own. Wei Yi ng had told Jiang Cheng that he would have Wen Ning stay with him and his boyfriend, but Wen Ning had refused, not wanting to intrude on the couple. So, on a crazy whim did Jiang Cheng offer up the extra bedroom in his apartment. Wei Ying had immediately texted Wen Ning to tell him the good news.
Within just a week, Wen Ning was moved into his apartment and started his new job at the cafe down the street.
It was now 6 months later, and Jiang Cheng had only gotten to know Wen Ning more. He learned that Wen Ning preferred coffee to tea, and only liked it with sweet creamer. Wen Ning’s favorite fruit was strawberries and his favorite food was chicken dumplings. He also loved reading in his free time and wore these adorable glasses when he did so. It was then on the first day of the dreaded monsoon season when Jiang Cheng learned something else about Wen Ning. And he learned it when he came home from work.
Upon coming home, soaked to the bone as his umbrella was more or less useless to the pounding rain and strong winds he noticed something off. It was darker than usual. Normally when Jiang Cheng came home, Wen Ning would either be curled up in the armchair with a book while wearing those adorable round glasses or he would be in the kitchen making dinner. But this time, when Jiang Cheng came home, Wen Ning was neither in the armchair nor in the kitchen. There was no light on nor any food cooking. Jiang Cheng removed his shoes.
“Wen Ning?” When there was no reply, Jiang Cheng figured maybe the other wasn’t at home. Maybe visiting, Wei Ying or Nie Huaisang. But then Jiang Cheng noticed that Wen Ning’s shoes were in their normal spot which meant that he was home. He stepped farther inside and set down his wet bag.
“Wen Ning? Are you home?” He hung up his jacket and then headed down the hall, to see if maybe Wen Ning was in his room. At first glance, Jiang Cheng thought that Wen Ning’s room was empty for a second until there was a flash of lightning followed by a clash of thunder. Then Jiang Cheng heard it, a mixture of a gasp and a whimper.
“Wen Ning?” He said softly. When there was no sound reply but still Jiang Cheng stepped into the room, and peeked around the other side of the bed to see a hump of some sort, shaking. Jiang Cheng understood and squatted in front of the other. He pushed back the blanket slowly, Jiang Cheng met Wen Ning’s gaze, which was full of fear.
“I had no idea you were afraid of storms.” Wen Ning opened his mouth but there was another clash of thunder causing the boy to squeak and cover his face with his blanket again. Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but think it was cute and smiled softly.
“Sitting in the dark like this isn’t going to help. Come on.” Jiang Cheng stood up and pulled Wen Ning up with him. He took Wen Ning’s hand in his own and took him back into the living room. Jiang Cheng guided the shivering boy to the couch and then turned on the main light, causing Wen Ning to squint. Then Jiang Cheng turned on the tv, something random to try and drown out the sounds of the storm outside. With the light on and the noise covering the storm, Wen Ning poked his head out of his blanket cocoon. Jiang Cheng glanced at him, but he could still see that Wen Ning was glancing at the window, on edge. Jiang Cheng then closed the curtains. Jiang Cheng walked back over to Wen Ning and rubbed at his arms for a second.
“You are safe here, A-Ning, alright?” Wen Ning nodded slowly as Jiang Cheng then headed to the kitchen where he started the coffee pot, to brew Wen Ning’s favorite coffee. He also gathered all the candles that they had, in case the power went out. Once the coffee was ready, Jiang Cheng glanced through their fridge. Thankfully they had leftovers from last night, so he quickly heated up the food and took it to Wen Ning.
“You are wet.” Jiang Cheng was startled for a second at Wen Ning’s voice.
“Ah, yeah. The rain came down pretty heavily and my umbrella wasn’t enough for the onslaught.” Wen Ning looked over from over the side of his cup at Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng could not help but think how small Wen Ning looked at this moment.
“You should get out of the wet clothes, you could get sick.. I am okay right now.” Jiang Cheng wanted to say no but he did feel a bit of a chill so he nodded. He headed towards his room and peeled off his wet clothes. Once he was dressed in dry clothes, he came back out to see that Wen Ning was watching whatever it was that was on the tv, he was now eating his leftovers. When Jiang Cheng returned, Wen Ning smiled at him.
“Thank you by the way.” Jiang Cheng sat on the couch. He glanced at Wen Ning.
“For what?”
“For helping me during the storm. I probably should have said something…” Jiang Cheng shrugged.
“Don’t worry about it. We all have a fear of some sort, at least you did go running and screaming like Wei Wuxian does when he sees a dog.” Wen Ning nodded and then went silent. Jiang Cheng let him be for now while he finished his noodles. Not long after Wen Ning sat his bowl down there was a big flash of lightning causing Wen Ning to yelp, covering himself with his blanket. There was a whimper once the thunder rolled after it. Jiang Cheng, mostly on impulse, hurried to Wen Ning’s side.
“Hey, hey A-Ning, it is okay. I am right here.” He began to hear heavy breathing and Jiang Cheng immediately understood. He moved the blanket away from the other, tilting the other’s face to meet his gaze.
“A-Ning, you have to breathe, okay? There is nothing out there that can get you. Breathe for me okay? 1...2...3...good.”
Once Wen Ning was breathing again, Jiang Cheng realized now that he was actually holding Wen Ning in his arms. The other was shivering but seemed to be okay other than that. Jiang Cheng wanted to be embarrassed that he was holding his crush like this but he knew that Wen Ning’s fear right now was more important than his silly schoolgirl crush. When he then was sure that Wen Ning was okay, did Jiang Cheng prepare to move. But when Wen Ning, whimpered again and wrapped his arms around Jiang Cheng’s waist.
“Please, A-Cheng. Don’t leave…” Jiang Cheng felt his heart drop. Wen Ning sounded so sad and scared. He nodded, pressing a light kiss to Wen Ning’s forehead.
“Alright, I won’t go anywhere. But let’s move to the couch, there is more space.” Wen Ning nodded then let himself be taken to the couch. Jiang Cheng sat down first and led Wen Ning to follow after him, letting the other curl up next to him. Jiang Cheng made sure the other was covered up well before wrapping an arm around Wen Ning’s shoulders. The other nuzzled as close as he could, and Jiang Cheng kissed the top of his head again. Jiang Cheng would deal with his feelings tomorrow, for now, he had to focus on Wen Ning.