Chapter Text
He can't believe this. This year's mating run is annoying. Jiang Cheng feels like he wants to leave this shit but if he does he won't be left alone by Wei Wuxian nagging him to find a mate. That Alpha bastard Wei Wuxian, just because he got Lan Wangji's hand in his mating run doesn't mean he needs to nag him about it! Most of when he has to use Jin Ling! Sure that boy got Lan Shisui as his omega in his first mating run but why use their nephew!? Seriously, he would have strangled Wei Wuxian on the spot if it wasn't for Lan Wangji being there with them. But what annoyed him even more, is every fucking omega he catch was not the one his inner Alpha wanted. Each time he found an omega he would smell their scent then snarl in annoyance then walk away angrily. He has no idea what his inner instinct wants. It's preposterous! Now here he is, besides a small clear lake washing his face after two hours in this ridiculous competition.
Tired as hell. With a grunt, Jiang Chen gets on his feet and continues his search. Using his nose to breathe in any omega scent. Until he got one. This one smells so familiar. It even makes his inner alpha roar in excitement. The smell of sandalwood or maybe Jasmine? Doesn't matter, what he knows is his instinct tells him to follow it. But somehow, this scent is so familiar. As he think while following the familiar scent immediately he know who this scent belong to. It belong to the one he has a crush on, Lan Xichen! That's thought alone make Jiang Cheng run faster.
He keeps running and running until he smells four more scents. The smell of it that screams ENEMY ahead only makes him growl, it must be the other alpha who is after the first jade. No wonder. Everyone tries to catch the twin jades of Lan but never succeeds. Until Wei Wuxian caught one of them. And since the first jade joined this year's run everyone would surely try to catch him. The thought of others touching Lan Xichen only makes him angrier by the second.
The scene that welcomes him is something that fuels him with rage. Lan Xichen, corner and wounded. His back faces a tall cliff with four alphas surrounding him. The first jade is holding his left shoulder while he puts his weight on his right leg. Looks like he got quite some damage. Dislocated shoulder, sprayed ankle, bruised lips and ripped up robe. How disturbing. The scene only makes him growl in warning.
At the sound of his growl, the four alpha turn around to face him ready to fight until their eyes meet his. He can see how these four disgusting alphas tense up. With a snarl, Jiang Cheng growls low and dangerous "Get the fuck away from him or I break your leg. Or worse. your neck!" he threatens with another growl as he walks forward.
At his instant step toward Xichen, the four alpha immediately scramble around and run. Fearing the Sandu Shengshou threat to befall them. With a scowling face yet worried eyes he looks at Xichen "You alright Sect Leader Lan?" he asks voice harsh but there is worry in them. Lan Xichen smiles softly and nods "Thank You Sect Leader Jiang. If you didn't appear I would surely be more injured," said Lan Xichen with that soft kind smile of his. His tone of voice is always gentle and graceful. Always get Jiang Cheng enchanted by his beauty. Wanting but yet so far out of his reach.
With a nod and a grunt, Jiang Cheng takes Lan Xichen's right hand over his shoulder so he can help the omega to walk which earns the gasp of the omega "Lend on me. I take you to a lake nearby. You can clean and treat yourself once we arrive" says Jiang Cheng as he guides Lan Xichen to the lake he was in before. The first jade scent is making him excited yet he pushes his instinct down so he can focus on keeping Lan Xichen protected and safe. Even if it means going against his alpha instinct to mark that beautiful omega nape. Lan Xichen gives a soft hum as he lends against Jiang Cheng and follows without struggle "Thank you. For helping this old friend of yours Jiang Wanyin" says Lan Xichen with gratefulness and adoration.
Jiang Cheng didn't know, but the first jade very much wanted the alpha to be his. Yet, he was afraid he would get rejected. Plus, their age difference is far and both are sect leaders. So, he doesn't have confidence but can only hope. That's why he joins this year's Mating Run. To have Jiang Wanyin as his alpha. How happy was Lan Xichen to see the very own alpha he desired right in front of him, protecting him from the other alpha? It makes his inner omega scream in delight.
After some time they arrive at the lake and Jiang Cheng helps Lan Xichen to sit down. He takes a couple of steps back so that he won't be in the omega's personal space even tho his inner alpha screams at him to grab the omega closer. To ran his tongue and buried his nose against the omega scent gland. Yet he refused his instinct, fighting against that desire.
But as Xichen cleans himself Jiang Cheng realizes something. Both of them have nothing to treat the omega injuries. Which makes him groan in frustration for the lack of preparation he doesn't make. But when his eyes landed on Lan Xichen's forehead ribbon he got an idea. He reaches up to his hair and pulls his purple ribbon off. Which undone his bun but he ignores it "Give me your ankle" he says harshly and pulls on Xichen's right leg ignoring the omega yelp and starting to warp his ribbon to the spray ankle.
Lan Xichen can feel the heat on his face as his ear turns bright red. But smile softly at the gentleness the alpha makes at treating his injured ankle. After Jiang Cheng is done he pulls away and nods his head in satisfaction. Which makes Lan Xichen chuckle. At the omega chuckle, Jiang Cheng groans "What? What is so funny? Have a problem or something?" he says harshly although his face still blushes at the sound of Lan Xichen's chuckle.
Xichen shakes his head as he lends closer to the alpha "It's nothing. It's just, Sect Leader Jiang is a very caring alpha. The omega you chose will be so lucky to have you as their alpha" says Xichen with his calm voice and a small smile. But somehow, that smile is a little sad. Jiang Cheng scoffs as he looks away "Yeah right. Me? The most Fierce Alpha? The Sandu Shengshou? Hah! That's impossible Zewu-jun" he says voice harsh but doubtful. It pains Xichen to hear such a thing from Wanyin. With a hum, Xichen turns his eyes to the lake and speaks "To me. You are. That's why I joined this year's Mating Run" he says truthfully and embarrassed while avoiding Jiang Cheng's eyes completely.
Eyes widen in shock Jiang Cheng turns to look at Xichen looking intently to see if the male words are true. Seeing how red the first jade ear is he froze. Lan Xichen, The first jade of Lan, the Sect leader of a prestigious sect, the most beautiful omega and his long-time crush, joins this year's Mating Run just because of him. Him? The one who got banned from matchmaking. The one who everyone avoids because of his fierce personality. That was shocking. Yet, it brought him so much joy that he almost lost control over his alpha instinct.
Jiang Cheng clears his throat as he's eyes look away while he blushes "I never thought you would even be
... Interested in me" he said voice low. At Jiang Cheng's words, Lan Xichen's head turned so fast it would maybe be broken at how fast he turned his head. With his eyes wide "Who would not? You are always there for me after the... Incident. You always soothe my feelings and never stop encouraging me. How can I not be interested? How can I not... Fall for you" Xichen says the last sentence in a whisper. But because of their close proximity, Jiang Cheng can hear it. Which gave him more happiness than ever.
Lan Xichen didn't look at Jiang Cheng until the alpha immediately launched himself at Xichen making the omega fall flat on his back as the grass met his back. But what makes him smile more is how Jiang Cheng uses his hand to protect Xichen's head while also being careful with his left shoulder. Such an act makes Xichen more in love with the male. Jiang Cheng puts a little distance between them as he looks at Xichen right in the eye "Xichen. Would you let me-" but before Jiang Cheng can finish Xichen interrupts "Yes... Please, yes. Anything. I want to be yours. And... Call me Lan Huan" he says desperation and wants are clear in his voice as he looks into Jiang Cheng's blue eyes with adoration.
Losing patients immediately their lips meet with each other in a desperate kiss.
.....
To be continued