Chapter Text
The slam of the wine jar against the table permeated the silence of the room. Jiang Cheng downed another glass and sighed in exasperation. He could still hear Sect Leader Yao's not-so-subtle jabs at his ability to lead Yunmeng Jiang. The worst part was having to sit through it without being able to sic Zidian right across his back. That would show that old geezer who's capable of what.
The buzz of alcohol barely distracted him from the spiral of self-doubt he was spiraling into. He could already see his father looking at him with shame, head bowed in surrender. His mother is right beside him, eyes fiery with anger.
"Goddamn it, A-Die, you can't even love me when you're dead. And A-niang? Don't you ever tire of yelling at me?' Jiang Cheng yelled into the empty room. He threw an empty wine jar at the image of his parents his mind had conjured. Of course, it sailed right through and shattered against the door.
Suddenly he heard a knock on the door. It was quiet, yet forceful at the same time. "Sect Leader Jiang? This is Lan Xichen, may I come in? I have a few questions about today's meeting," a serene voice called out from behind the door.
Jiang Cheng bit back a snarky retort and took a deep breath, trying to purge some of the alcohol out of his system with his golden core. As much as he just wanted to drink his self-hatred into oblivion, he could not afford to turn away the esteemed Zewu-jun. The man had been incredibly supportive as Jiang Cheng adjusted to being a Sect Leader. Jiang Cheng greatly admired Lan Xichen. He was everything his parents desired him to be: Strong, calm, composed, a leader, respected. "beautiful" his devious mind added.
"Yes, Zewu-jun, you may enter," Jiang Cheng replied in as composed of a voice he could manage. He paled slightly as he heard the screeching of the sliding door against the shards of the jar he had thrown a few minutes ago. An angel as always, Lan Xichen did not inquire about it.
"Sect Leader Jiang, thank you for hosting the Sect Leader conference in Lotus Pier," Lan Xichen greeted placidly. Jiang Cheng immediately rose to bow, but the rush of standing up too quickly made him trip slightly. Lan Xichen caught him in his arms and helped him up. Jiang Cheng's face became quite red and he looked away from the Lan's concerned burnt-gold eyes. He muttered a gruff thank you and the two men sat down together. Jiang Cheng called a servant from outside to fetch a kettle of tea. When the piping hot beverage arrived, Lan Xichen took a small sip from his cup and smiled.
"I am incredibly impressed with how you took charge at the meeting today. You have really flourished in your role, Sect Leader Jiang," Lan Xichen started cordially. Jiang Cheng shifted in his seat slightly, he wasn't used to such spontaneous praise.
"Um, Zewu-jun, you need not call me by Sect Leader Jiang. I am not really worthy of your recognition," Jiang Cheng replied sheepishly, fidgeting again. As both his elder and one of the most powerful cultivators of the time, he had every right to call him "Jiang Cheng", just like Wei Wuxian used to. However, the ever-polite Lan Xichen would not stand for it, and for that Jiang Cheng was just the slightest bit thankful.
"After we have known each other for so long, I would prefer you called me Xichen. May I then call you Wanyin?" Lan Xichen requested, with a playfully pleading look in his eyes.
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and snarkily shot back, "You've already fucked me to heaven, hell, and back, you can call me whatever the heck you want." He immediately winced as the memory of their Sunshot campaign affair crossed both their minds.
"I'm sorry, that was vulgar and uncalled for," Jiang Cheng wrenched an apology from his prideful lips. He always knew that had been a mistake. Swept up in the grief of losing his family and fighting a war, it was easy to rest in Lan Xichen's strong Lan arms, against his beautiful jade chest. Of course, now, he was sure Lan Xichen realized it was a mistake and the romance stopped as soon as Jin Guangyao came back.
Breaking his hateful thoughts, Lan Xichen responded, "Actually, that was what I wanted to talk about." Although he seemed totally composed, Jiang Cheng could tell he was quite embarrassed by the reddening of his ears.
Jiang choked on his tea, eyes bulging slightly,"WHAT?" he coughed out. Lan Xichen rushed over and patted his back, rubbing soothing circles over the younger man's back.
"I mean, surely you cannot disagree that it was exactly what we needed?" Lan Xichen explained," You needed someone to tell you what to do. I needed someone who would listen to me. But what we both needed was someone we could trust. And I do trust you."
Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to retort and then clamped it shut. He wasn't wrong at all. With all the pressure of being a new Sect Leader, Jiang Cheng really needed someone to ground him. To tell him how to get things right. How to be a good Sect Leader, a good son, a good man.
"Good boy, A-cheng," A stray memory clouded his eyes for a bit.
"If you liked it so much, why did you leave me that day? To go play with Jin Guangyao?" Jiang Cheng shot back with venom. An unspoken "I missed you" never escaped his lips. He crossed his arms and looked away from the man in front.
In a not very Lan-appropriate manner, Lan Xichen shot up to his feet and slammed his hands on the table. "I left because I needed to make sure we weren't just together because of all the excitement in Sunshot! I was starting to fall--I mean care for you too much. I needed to make sure to that I loved you. I didn't mean to hurt you, I was just trying to protect you from myself!" he yelled.
Jiang Cheng was stunned by the eruption. The esteemed Zewu-jun? Yelling at him? He would sooner believe that Lan Qiren dressed in drag at night.
In a decidedly calmer tone, Lan Xichen continued,"I want to try it out with you again. I have dwelled upon my feelings for long enough and I believe they are true. I only wait for your answer, Jiang Wanyin."
Jiang Cheng almost melted when Lan Xichen enunciated his name like that, voice dripping with adoration and lust. In all honesty, Jiang Cheng had been thinking about it quite often as well. Lan Xichen fit practically all of his requirements for a spouse and he couldn't deny remembering their escapades on lonely nights.
"Okay, Xichen, we can try." Jiang Cheng agreed, turning stiff with anxiety. Noticing his partner's nervousness, Lan Xichen kissed him chastely on the lips. Suddenly, Jiang Cheng embraced him and kissed back intensely. Lan Xichen slammed him against the wall and practically fucked the younger man's mouth with his tongue. Jiang Cheng moaned as Lan Xichen bit his lip.
As they broke apart for breath, Jiang Cheng looked down, his hands still awkwardly pinned above his head. The elder man tilted his chin up with his free hand. "Look at me, my lotus," he instructed in a calm, yet firm manner. Jiang Cheng hesitantly looked up, his grey eyes hazy with arousal.
"Do you remember your safeword?" he asked encouragingly. Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and took a little breath.
"My safeword is loquat," Jiang Cheng stuttered slightly as he said this, "S-sir." Lan Xichen smiled and cupped Jiang Cheng's cheek.
"Good boy, A-cheng, you're so good for me." Lan Xichen cooed softly, "Now will you kneel for me?"
Jiang Cheng steeled himself and replied,"Yes, sir." He slid down to his knees, facing Lan Xichen's crotch. Lan Xichen undid his robes, and his dick sprung to attention. Jiang Cheng drooled slightly. It was just as big as he remembered. Right as he leaned in to take it into his mouth, Lan Xichen gripped his hair and pulled him back, forcing him to look up at him. Jiang Cheng moaned at the pain-pleasure emanating from his scalp.
"Someone's a little too eager, aren't you forgetting something?" Lan Xichen teased in a devilish voice. Jiang Cheng gasped in a flash of realization.
"May I please suck your cock, Sir?" the younger man asked in a small voice. Lan Xichen gave him a dazzling smile and replied,"Of course you may, my heart. You can have whatever you want as long as you ask." With permission given, Jiang Cheng wrapped his kiss-swollen lips around the head and began to ease the shaft into his mouth. Lan Xichen groaned at the sinful combination of tight suction and the warm playful tongue swirling around. As the head hit the hot flesh of his throat, Jiang Cheng let out a satisfied hum and started to bob up and down the length. Lan Xichen kept his hand in the younger man's hair, directing him gently.
"You look so beautiful, A-cheng, on your knees, sucking cock so prettily. Such a good, eager boy." Lan Xichen growled. Jiang Cheng's painful aroused cock twitched from the saccharine praise. Jiang Cheng relished the feeling of freedom coursing through him in the moment. He didn't have to worry about running a sect or fending off greedy minor sect leaders. All he had to do was listen to Lan Xichen. Be a good boy. He could do that, right?
Lan Xichen started to thrust powerfully into his mouth, Jiang Cheng matching his every move. His grip on Jiang Cheng's hair tightened like a vice and the kneeling man let out a debauched cry of pleasure.
"I'm going to cum in your mouth," Lan Xichen breathed, "Clench your left fist if it's okay." Jiang Cheng whimpered needily and clenched his fist.
"You're such a good boy, A-cheng. My perfect little darling," Xichen growled as he shot his release into Jiang Cheng's mouth. He felt the warm thick liquid coat the inside of his mouth, the salty-bitter taste tickling his tongue. A mixture of semen and saliva trickled out of his mouth and his face was flushed pink.
"I think you deserve a reward. You did so well just now," Lan Xichen declared to the man he was now carrying in his arms. Jiang Cheng was barely able to reply as he was tossed onto the bed. Lan Xichen undid his forehead ribbon and tied Jiang Cheng's wrists above his head. His legs spread unconsciously towards Xichen who knelt at the side of the bed. He took Jiang Cheng's pitifully leaking cock into his mouth and sucked.
"Ah, S-sir, you don't have to, just fuck me, I don't deserve--," Jiang Cheng babbled, the pleasure overtaking all coherency. Lan Xichen furrowed his brows and took his mouth off the dick. Jiang Cheng whined at the loss of warmth.
"A-cheng," Lan Xichen started, "What did you just say? Speak clearly." There was an incensed look in his eyes and his lips were in a tight frown. Jiang Cheng paled at the sight, realized what he had done.
"Um, I don't deserve a reward?" Jiang Cheng hesitantly replied, unable to look the man in his eyes. "I'm sorry I've disappointed you," he apologized ruefully.
Lan Xichen's eyes widened and he immediately climbed onto the bed to embrace the trembling man. "Of course you haven't disappointed me! I just want you to remember that you DO deserve to be rewarded, to be cherished, to be loved."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at the overly sweet words, but a genuine smile crossed his lips. He hadn't done that in quite a while, genuinely smiled.
Lan Xichen kissed him sensually on the lips and then sat up, devilishly smirking.
"However, you do deserve a little punishment. If you take your punishment like a good boy, I'll give you anything you ask. Is that alright, A-cheng?" Lan Xichen asked in a gentle, coaxing voice. Jiang Cheng nodded in assent, and seeing the state of the younger man's leaking, desperate cock, Lan Xichen decided not to push for a verbal response.
He flipped Jiang Cheng over onto his hands and knees, ass sticking up in the air. "Make sure to count, A-cheng. I'll do five today since you've been such a good boy." As Jiang Cheng felt the sting of a hand on his ass he yelped, "One, sir!". Two, Three, Four all went similarly, his ass getting warmer with tingling feeling peppering his skin. With the last resounding spank, Jiang Cheng moaned out the number, and tears of pleasure made his vision go blurry.
Lan Xichen squeezed his cheeks, rubbing them affectionately. "You were just perfect, my heart," he cooed, "Now what do you want for your reward?"
"Just fuck me" he murmured into the mattress. Lan Xichen laughed musically and teased his hole with his rock hard dick. Jiang Cheng started to desperately grind against him, precum staining the sheets below.
"What was that? Ask clearly please," Lan Xichen teased. Jiang Cheng let out a petulant whine and turned his face away from the mattress.
"Would you please be so kind to fuck me in the ass, Sir," Jiang Cheng said in an undoubtedly sarcastic voice. Lan Xichen threw him a look and he quickly amended his statement. "Please, Sir," he begged much more earnestly," I need you inside me."
Lan Xichen complied, coating himself with some lube and slowly entering Jiang Cheng's hole. He purred in contentment as the huge cock filled him to the brim, stretching his rim so perfectly. As he thrust in and out Jiang Cheng screamed with pleasure. Lan Xichen tightly grasped his hair, angling himself to ram into the younger man's prostate non-stop. Jiang Cheng's cock was twitching and wantonly leaking pre-cum. As Lan Xichen got closer to climax, he sped up his thrusts and Jiang Cheng's eyes rolled back in ecstasy.
"Please, sir, can I cum," he begged deliriously, "I've been a good boy. Haven't I pleased you?" Beaming at his lover's newfound self-confidence, Lan Xichen whispered in assent and the two climaxed in unison.
"Huan-ge!" Jiang Cheng cried out hoarsely. Lan Xichen's eyes widened in surprise and Jiang Cheng immediately opened his mouth to apologize for the informality. Lan Xichen playfully silenced him with a kiss.
"Of course you can call me that," Lan Xichen answered, sensing Jiang Cheng's uncertainty, "I rather like it." He skillfully untied his lover's wrists and gently wiped away the sticky fluids with a warm washcloth. After he delicately placed Jiang Cheng under the blankets, he rose to return to his quarters. Jiang Cheng caught his wrist and pulled the man towards him.
"I'd like for you to stay, if that's okay with you, Huan-ge," he said as calmly as he could, though his silver eyes seemed to shine with unshed tears.
"I will always stay with you," replied Lan Xichen, "That will always remain true." He joined his lover under the covers and embraced him tightly against his chest.
Jiang Cheng muttered something about Lan Xichen being the cheesiest idiot he knew. Lan Xichen chuckled, kissing Jiang Cheng's forehead in return, and the two men fell into a peaceful, happy sleep.
In the middle of the night, Jiang Cheng suddenly awoke to the incoherent sleep talk of the man lying beside him.
"You're so beautiful. You're amazing. I love you so much," the sleeping figure mumbled. Jiang Cheng silently sniggered at the irony of the great Zewu-jun being a sleep-talker.
"I love you, A-Yao."
Jiang Cheng froze and turned away from the unaware Lan Xichen. Tears flowed endlessly and Jiang Cheng choked back sobs. He trembled in shock and betrayal, as the hatred suffocated his very soul. He stealthily pried himself off the bed and stormed out, seeking to drown his sorrow with the wine in the kitchens.
Jiang Cheng came in second place again. How goddamn typical.