Chapter Text
Taking over as sect leader full time after his long absence from Yunmeng is not an easy task. The paperwork, that requires his personal attention has been piling up for the past few weaks and so he spends most of his time indoors. He would very much like to be outside, training the young disciples, but he has to answer those missives. Most of them are not as important as the senders believe they are and Jiang Cheng groans. His job isn't to solve petty squabbles between simple families, but at least half of the letters ask for his judgement. It is annoying to write out written responses to that, but he does it anyway. These families sometimes take his silence personal and right now he doesn't want to loose their loyalty. Writing letters till his hand cramps is a small price to pay in the end. He really tries this thing called diplomacy, even if his first emotional response is more often than not resentment or anger.
Lan Xichen's presence is a balm to his soul. The man still spends most of his time indoors too, but since he found some friends, he's leaving the main house more often. Jiang Cheng realizes this and smiles, even if he is a bit sad he's losing the constant companionship. Xichen integrated himself perfectly into Jiang Cheng's schedule, fitting their meals and conversations in between the long hours spent in the office.
Still, in the evening, they sit together, drinking some tea. No one is allowed to disturb them. This time is theirs. Also, it helps Jiang Cheng to relax, without the constant drum in his head that forced him to be available for everything. In the beginning, he picked up the habit mainly because Lan Xichen insisted on tea being better than alcoholic beverages in the evening and consequently inviting the Jiang sect leader over. Xichen still won't touch wine, but having heard the stories of drunk Wangji, Jiang Cheng concedes. It is probably for the best. He doesn't want to hurt his new friend or betray his trust. They talk about everything and nothing, depending on the day. It is often Jiang Cheng who lets out his frustration about the paperwork and the meetings with stupid or ignorant people. It is surprisingly therapeutic for him to have someone listen to this. Sometimes, Lan Xichen even makes valuable suggestions on how to handle certain things and Jiang Cheng is then reminded that the other cultivator used to lead a sect too.
One evening, Jiang Cheng asks if the other is bored. Not leaving the premises or going to fight against the monsters must have an effect on Xichen. Jiang Cheng still takes some small hunts onto himself, just to stay in training.
The answer given by Lan Xichen is a simple negation, followed by a longer explanation. “It is relaxing, not to be responsible for a sect. The hunts I don't miss terribly, I haven't been on a night hunt in over a few years. And I find my current living situation rather freeing, because here I am not bound to the four-thousand rules and very few expectations lie on my shoulders.”
Jiang Cheng nods and secretly wishes the other would never leave. He thinks he might now be a little bit dependant on Lan Xichen, for emotional stability and advice, and he is totally okay with that. They balance each other.
Not every day is sunshine. Sometimes the darkness creeps back in. On these days, Lan Xichen is unable to leave the bed and once Jiang Cheng realizes it, he cancels most of his meetings and stays with the man. He won't leave Xichen with his demons for longer periods of time, if he can avoid it. These relapses get fewer over time and remain short, which is relieving. It symbolizes the progression of the healing. But they both remain cautious with their expectations for the future.
“I fear they will never leave me”, Lan Xichen says after two nights, when he is just recovering from such an episode.
Jiang Cheng thinks for a while on how to answer such a statement. He already had the same thoughts and speaking otherwise would be to lie.
“As long as they are not getting worse, we can handle it”, promises Jiang Cheng.
The hope- and thankful smile the other cultivator shows him is blinding.
- - -
Being a guest in Yunmeng is an experience for Lan Xichen. He likes the city and the scenery. Sometimes the nights are still hard on him. There are people outside at any given time and they are loud, disturbing his sleep.
When he awakes though, there is Jiang Cheng next to him. The man's face is beautiful and peaceful in sleep. Sometimes Xichen falls asleep again, staring into the face of the other cultivator whilst their breath is mingling.
After a while he gets used to the noise and doesn't wake up in the midst of the night any longer.
By daylight, he spends a lot of time in Jiang Cheng's office. Lan Xichen isn't getting any mail from his own sect since he practically retired from his position. Still, he likes to watch the Jiang sect leader work. He even likes to pretend that he's a little help to the man in formulating responses. Being the head of a sect is not easy.
After a few weeks, Lan Xichen makes the conscious decision to not wear the Gusu Lan robes any longer. The two outfits he's brought with him need washing anyway. The weather in Yunmeng is also remarkably warmer than the air on the mountain is, so wearing the warm layers is uncomfortable.
He asks the old lady who is responsible for the clothing for something purple. She looks him into the eyes and nods. She gives him a set of robes as guest disciples wear them.
In the end, Lan Xichen combines them with his pristine white belt with the embroidery of the symbol of Gusu Lan, as sign of his heritage. He also keeps his forehead ribbon.
- - -
Then there is the day, Jiang Cheng finally catches up with his paperwork. As soon as the last letter is stamped with a lotus seal, he throws away the quill and leaves his office. His second in command he tells not to bother him, except if an emergency arises. Then he nearly runs towards Lan Xichen's rooms. Even if they spent most nights curled up next to each other for comfort they still keep separate rooms.
When he finds the other cultivator, he drags him outside, towards the lake.
“I wanted to show you my favourite place here”, Jiang Cheng explains, whilst he is already stripping off his robes. “When I was young, Wei Wuxian and I tended to take baths here.”
Lan Xichen watches him thoughtfully for a while and then jumps into the water too. Jiang Cheng is pretty sure that the sound the former sect leader Lan makes when he resurfaces is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses.
It is the anniversary of Jiang Yanli's marriage. The whole Jiang sect is holding a small ceremony in her and her husband's memory.
“I couldn't bear to do this on the anniversary on her death, but I want to keep her memory alive”, explains Jiang Cheng to Lan Xichen. “And even if I wasn't a fan of the peacock, he made her happy, even if it wasn't meant to be forever.”
The Jin sect leader comes to the ceremony every year. Jiang Cheng started this tradition not only for himself, but also for his nephew and he is glad the boy still takes part. He's their son, spoiled, yes, but Jiang Cheng loves him.
Even Lan Xichen takes an active role in the proceedings, acting as part of the Lan sect, offering his condolences. He even wears his pristine white robes for once, which he usually now keeps away, wearing purple robes with only the belt of the Gusu Lan clan and his forehead ribbon as signs of his heritage. When he had started wearing them in this way, Jiang Cheng had been surprised, but he did not comment on it.
In the evening, when everything is over, he meets Xichen again, needing an embrace. The day had been an emotional overload for the head of Yunmeng Jiang. He sags into the arms of the other man, seeking the comfort he secretly craves. They remain sitting like this for a while. When Jiang Cheng tries to pull away, Lan Xichen keeps him there and this is the moment they share their first kiss. Neither wants to pull away first.
They have to face the world eventually, even if they kept their new relationship secret for a while. They go public after intense discussion, when they both feel secure enough in their love for it to withstand most trials. They argued weeks beforehand for each one of them is a sect leader with still many responsibilities.
Jiang Cheng lets Lan Xichen dictate their pace. He is still fiercely protective of his lover and doesn't want to push him into exhausting situations.
“I am going to resign”, Lan Xichen tells him one evening, after they put out the last light in the room. “I have faith in the young ones at Gusu to take over my position. If the sect has not fallen without me, it won't do so in the future. And I am a selfish man for once. I want to stay.”
Lan Qiren sends them a not really friendly letter, but Jiang Cheng just laughs. “As if any other reaction would have been expected from the old man. He'll deal.”
Still, this response sends Lan Xichen for a spiral again and Jiang Cheng is furious. They never expected to be accepted by everyone, but the Lan family clan (except Wangji and some of the juniors) being conservative assholes again is hurting.
The mild reaction from Yunmang's populace is balm on their minds. “They grew up with attempt the impossible as motto instead of overly restrictive rules. I hoped they would be okay with our relationship and I am glad - I haven't taught them to be idiots.” At the break of the next morning, Lan Xichen braids his forehead ribbon into Jiang Cheng's hair.
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian just stand in their living room one day later, with congratulations on their tongues and hope in their hearts.
The way Jiang Cheng keeps his hair is statement enough.
“When will be the wedding?”, asks Wei Wuxian.
Jin Ling takes the announcement of their relationship surprisingly well. His letter reads: “You never were popular with the ladies anyway, uncle. Your decision on your partner is certainly one of your better ones.” Jiang Cheng just shakes his head at these bratty words. But it is a blessing from his only living blood relative and it means so much.
- - -
Lan Xichen is happy. He received the blessing from Wangji, which is the only one that matters, for he is the closest family he has. Wangji is one of the leaders of Gusu Lan for now and the sect will follow his decision. Lan Xichen will stay in Yunmeng, where he found his peace and love. He left the Lan sect and belongs now officially to the Jiang clan. To Gusu, he will only go on visits. He sometimes misses his brother, but they both found their own way in life. They both found love.