Thread by @Jessxiehua

#Xicheng Who knew proposing would be so hard?

A little late but Happy Qixi!

LXC knows in the deepest part of his heart that JC is the love of his love. His fated one. +

They have spent enough time together for LXC to know that he hates greeting the morning without seeing Wanyin’s face and he hates going to sleep without kissing Wanyin good night. JC is his moon, his muse, his confidant, his better half. +

LXC had already decided weeks ago that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Jiang Wanyin. But first, he had to propose. +

1. LXC’s plan is to propose on a boat trip through the beautiful lakes of Yunmeng. They had taken many of these trips before and it always held happy memories for them both. It was on a previous boat ride that they had confessed to each other after all. +

They set off on a beautiful day, the sun high in the sky and the waters bright and clear. They are sitting across from each other on opposite ends of the boat. It allows LXC’s sight to only be taken up by Wanyin. +

Wanyin is being his usual beautiful self, frowning in concentration as he masterfully weaves the boat between all the lotuses. LXC is a little nervous at first, but being with Wanyin relaxes him. He finds himself laughing and teasing Wanyin as he usually does. +

Wanyin is in the middle of laughing when LXC takes a moment to really look at him. He watches the laugh lines deepen on Wanyin’s face as his whole body shakes with mirth. LXC feels the familiar fondness well up inside him. “I love you.” LXC says. +

JC stops laughing in his surprise, but his face quickly melts into that small smile that is reserved just for LXC.

“Thank you for inviting me out here, Xichen-ge.”

LXC’s heart starts pounding. This is it. This is his moment. +

‘I want to invite you on these boat rides for the rest of my life.’ That’s all he has to say. But seeing JC’s smile makes his mind go blank. Before he knows it’s he’s leaning in. JC’s eyes become hooded as he leans in too. +

It only takes a second. Next thing he knows, LXC’s mouth is full of water and he is spluttering. The upturned boat is still rocking next to him. +

He wipes the water from his eyes and turns incredulous eyes to Wanyin, who starts laughing at him so hard that no sound comes out. LXC pouts. “Sorry, I’m sorry.” JC wipes the tears from his eyes. He takes one look at LXC pouting, and doubles over in laughter again. +

LXC can’t even be mad. This is the most beautiful sight in the world after all. But the moment is over. LXC will have to try again. +

2. LXC is having a meal with JC one day when JC makes a remark about missing his sister’s cooking. It sparks LXC’s next proposal idea. He discreetly goes to the Yunmeng kitchens and asks the cooks how to make JC’s favorite dishes. +

They tease him, but eventually teach him how to make three of his favorite dishes. Lotus rib soup is, of course, one of the dishes. LXC is glad that he is proficient in the kitchen, or else this plan would take a lot longer. +

He spends his entire stay at Yunmeng perfecting the three recipes. Finally, on the last day of his stay, he prepares all of JC’s favorite foods. All that’s left is the chili sauce. LXC frowns. How much is he supposed to add again? +

He thinks back to meals with WWX and LWJ. WWX had slathered his food in chili sauce. JC probably likes it the same way. He pours extra generous servings into everything before putting it all on a tray and bringing it to their favorite pavilion. +

JC’s eyes light up when LXC arrives. LXC feels his insides melt from how soft JC’s face looks. He places everything on the table.

“Why did you bring the food today?” JC asks. LXC looks away, a little embarrassed.

“You made this?” JC looks surprised. LXC nods shyly. +

JC smiles.

“We mustn’t waste good food then! Let’s eat.” He picks up some rice and shoves it into his mouth. Only to spit it right out. LXC is alarmed.

“Are you okay?” JC is turning red.

‘Water’ he mimes. LXC pours some and JC practically inhales it. +

But it doesn’t help much. LXC just keeps pouring water, hoping he is not about to become a widower before he is even married. +

Later, JC asks LXC what happened. LXC shamefully admits that his inexperience with how much chili sauce to add had caused this.

“Why did you add so much?” JC wonders.

“...I assumed you would like as much chili in your food as WWX does” LXC shamefully admits.

“That idiot! Don’t ever use him as a measure for anything, Huan-ge. His taste buds have been completely seared off from all the spice he’s inhaled” JC chastises him. +

LXC can only nod miserably. He failed and almost killed the love of his life. JC pats his head consolingly. LXC would have to do better the next time. +

3. Since his proposals failed in Yunmeng, LXC decides to move to Gusu. He plans to propose on a scenic walk along the mountain paths of Gusu. JC did mention once that he liked the peace from such tranquil surroundings. +

He said that it reminded him of LXC. LXC had not stopped blushing that day. LXC invites JC on the walk. It’s a nice walk from the Cloud Recesses and leads down to a point near Caiyi Town. LXC thinks he can propose on the way. They can even go to the town after to celebrate! +

They set off. All seemed to be going well. Except for those storm clouds that suddenly appeared in the sky. It starts pouring.

“Run!” JC yells. They head down and make it to an inn in Caiyi Town, but not before getting completely soaking wet. +

They hurriedly ask the innkeeper for a room and a hot bath. The innkeeper prepares everything right away. When they go up to their room, JC is in a bad mood. He takes off his clothes quickly, then surprises LXC by pulling his clothes off too. +

Before LXC can even comprehend the situation, JC is kissing him, hands roaming to all the parts of LXC’s body that make him moan. JC leads him to the bathtub.

When they are done washing up, JC’s anger seems to have mellowed somewhat. +

“I’m sorry” LXC whispers. JC just opens his arms for LXC. LXC wraps himself in JC’s arms. He feels himself relaxing in his lover’s embrace. It’s the safest place in the world. But LXC still feels dejected. Another failed attempt. There was always the Qixi festival at least. +

4. LXC is back at Yunmeng by the time the Qixi festival rolls around. JC, being the secret romantic that he is, quite enjoys the atmosphere in Yunmeng during this time. +

At night, young couples would walk and chatter together and enjoy the beautiful lights strewn up all along Lotus Pier. It was perfect. LXC and JC make plans to walk along the boards in the evening, shopping at the night stalls and watching the stars. +

LXC sets off early so that he can buy some items that WWX requested before he meets up with JC. He is walking by when a comb catches his eye. It’s not the most beautiful comb he’s ever seen, but the lotus design carved into the handle reminds him of Wanyin. +

LXC buys it immediately. (The shopkeeper just smirks at him.) After LXC makes his purchase, he goes to the designated meeting place and sees JC standing under a lantern. LXC watches the soft lantern light dance across JC’s face. +

JC was usually so rigid and stern when he was Sect Leader Jiang. Seeing him bathed in the warm colors of Yunmeng surrounded by the people of his sect; it was a breath-taking sight.

“I love you, Wanyin.” He can’t help but say as he approaches. JC laughs. +

“You have been saying that a lot recently, Huan-ge.”

“Because it’s true, my love.”

Wanyin’s smile doesn’t disappear as he leans in to wrap his arms around LXC. They fit perfectly together. LXC inhales the sweet scent of Wanyin as he presses closer into Wanyin’s embrace. +

LXC wants this man in his arms forever. He leans back to kiss Wanyin’s forehead.

“Wanyin, I..” Before he can finish, he hears a scream behind him. They turn around to find a woman happily jumping into her lover’s arms. +

As the people around send curious stares her way, she announces, “I’m getting married!” The crowd oohs and ahh’s as they clap for the young couple’s good fortune. LXC feels defeated. +

Of course he wouldn’t be the only one to think about proposing on this auspicious day. But proposing right after that display would seem cheap. The road to marriage was unexpectedly arduous. +

5. Months later, LXC is ready to try again. He still has the comb he bought from the Qixi festival. His favorite part of mornings with Wanyin is helping to comb his hair, running his fingers through those soft locks, +

before braiding the two sides and tying it all together with JC’s signature purple ribbon. His plan is to give the comb to JC and ask him if JC will let LXC comb his hair for the rest of their life. He can’t see how anything could possibly ruin this proposal. +

When he finally gets a moment alone with JC, it is in the afternoon when JC decides to take a break from sect leader work. As usual, LXC lights up when he sees JC. He stands up and goes to hug JC.

“You’re being clingy today, Huan-ge” JC laughs. +

They go to sit down. LXC pulls out his gift, determined to finally propose.

“Wanyin, I have a gift for you.” JC is confused.

“What is it?” LXC takes out a cloth-covered parcel. +

“Wanyin, I thought about you when I saw this months ago.” He unwraps the comb and holds it out to Wanyin.

“I wanted to wait until a special day to give it to you.” +

The words are on the tip of his tongue. ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you be my husband?’ But JC’s next words stop him cold.

“Thank you! How did you know it was my birthday?” JC looks delighted. He leans over the seat to hug LXC tight. +

LXC is stunned. He pastes a smile on his face when he leans back, but it turns genuine when he sees the small tears in JC’s eyes. He remembers all the times JC has brushed off questions about his birthday, +

stating it was unimportant and that he had never really celebrated it anyway. LXC leans in to press a chaste kiss to JC’s lips, unwilling to ruin Wanyin’s happiness. “Happy birthday, my love.” +

+1 The next time LXC sees JC is a month later in Gusu. LXC is determined this time. He will become Jiang Wanyin’s betrothed if it kills him. JC sets off from Yunmeng late and arrives so late at night that all he can do is pass out next to LXC as soon as he arrives. +

It’s not very proper, but LXC does not mind. The next morning, LXC wakes up next to JC. He takes a moment to stare into his beloved’s face. +

Five times he had failed to propose. But he can’t stop. He wants to wake up next to this face every day for the rest of his long long life. LXC smiles before getting up and starting his morning ritual. He is ending his morning meditation when JC wakes up, right on time. +

LXC watches as his lover groggily goes about his own morning routine before plopping down in front of LXC. LXC finds this so delightfully endearing. He’s about to reach for his own comb when JC stops him. +

“No. Use this one.” JC hands him the comb that LXC gifted him on his birthday. There’s a strange feeling tingling inside LXC. It feels like happiness.

He takes the comb and gets to work, but not before taking a moment to admire JC’s hair. +

JC’s usual hairstyle has created permanent waves in his hair. It’s so beautiful. LXC laments the fact that JC never leaves it down. But the jealous, possessive side of him is happy that Wanyin’s hair down is a sight only for him. +

He combs JC’s hair, taking extra care to braid it perfectly before tying it all up. When he’s finished, he presses a light kiss to the crown of JC’s forehead. JC turns around to press a quick kiss to LXC’s lips before standing and leaving for his morning meeting with LQR. +

The meeting ends up taking the whole morning. LXC waits for JC at the pavilion where they usually have tea together.

“All your disciples must be sick today.” JC says as a greeting as he walks into the pavilion, not even looking at LXC as he sits.

“They kept making weird faces whenever they saw me! Even those two little ones that always hang around Jin Ling. Your uncle seemed strangely happy though. Was there something on my face?” He turns to ask LXC. When he finally glances at LXC, his mouth drops in shock. +

“You…!” LXC chuckles. He must look rather strange to Wanyin right now. He reaches for the end of the white ribbon in JC’s hair and brings it up to his lips for a kiss. JC’s wide eyes don’t leave him at all.

“The white is so pretty in your hair. It suits you. Marry me?”

END