Work Text:
The spring wind blew gently, scattering magnolia blossoms from the branches swaying above them.
Under the blooming tree's shadow, Lan Xichen quietly read the scrolls in front of him. Slight movement at his side diverted his attention.
On his shoulder rested a light weight. Dark hair softly fell across a smooth forehead that was normally lined with tension or irritation; the man's breathing was slow and steady as he slept.
It still awed Lan Xichen how much Jiang Cheng trusted him and so easily let his defenses down when they were together. This person who instinctively set up walls around a heart badly battered by time and fate, who was paradoxically so fierce yet so kind, who was reluctant to receive even the slightest hints of love but was so free in giving all of his own to those whom he treasured. This man allowed himself very few chances to relax, to breathe, even in private, much less around others, yet he was now sleeping so peacefully against Lan Xichen.
Only with you, Jiang Cheng had once admitted, his embarrassment not managing to disguise his sincerity.
A stray petal landed on his lover's face. Lifting it between his fingers, he tenderly pressed a soft kiss to it, then let it drift away in the breeze. He covered Jiang Cheng's hand with his, threading their fingers together.
How nice it would be to stay like this forever. As the thought came to him, words in the shape of a poem began to take form in his mind, love and affection his inspirations.
Although the present always faded into the past and the future took its place, he would ensure that this precious, tranquil moment that existed between just the two of them would be eternally captured in ink and in memory.