Thread by @GuardianofJupi1

#XiCheng

"Just because I can't play any of musical instruments, it doesn't mean anything with regard to my cultivation!" Jiang Wanyin retorts as he paces in Hanshi. "And how shameless was he to tell me that I'm musically blind when he is blind in everything!"

https://twitter.com/yuzhouu/status/1326304276843524097

Lan Xichen looks up at Jiang Wanyin from where he is sitting, his mouth stretches into a fond smile. "Let me guess, Sect Leader Yao?"

"Who else has mouth as careless as him?" Jiang Wanyin explodes. "And he dares laugh as he is any better me?!"

"What did he say, Wanyin?"

Jiang Wanyin huffs as he throws himself on the ground, sitting beside Lan Xichen. Wordlessly, Lan Xichen pushes a calming cup of tea to his lover. He knows that while Jiang Wanyin is quick to anger, with carefully placed words, the anger is also quick to appease.

"Sect Leader Yao saw Wei Wuxian today with the Chief Cultivator. I don't why he was surprised at all, Wei Wuxian is practically glued to Hanguang-Jun's hips all the time." Then, his voice turns nasal to mimic Sect Leader Yao that causes Lan Xichen to laugh.

"Ah, I've forgotten that Yunmeng Jiang is famous for their plays of dizi and konghou. Wei-xiansheng plays beautifully. I wonder why Sect Leader Jiang has never graced us with his own skill."

Jiang Wanyin sneers. "Pah! He knew I can't play any muscial instrument. It doesn't make-

-me any less capable as a sect leader! As if he is any more musical capable than me. And if he wanted to hear Yunmeng Jiang dizi or konghou, he can damn well go and pay for himself!"

Lan Xichen is still smiling at Jiang Wanyin's expressive face. "This really bothers you. Why?"

Jiang Wanyin purses his lips as he rolls his eyes. He looks away from Lan Xichen as he answers. "Well, it's stupid and you're going to think me as petty."

Lan Xichen chuckles as he reaches out to coax the smaller man to look back to him. His heart melts when he sees the pout.

From ferocious man to pouty manchild in 3 seconds. Lan Xichen can never have enough of Jiang Wanyin in this lifetime and perhaps even in the next one.

"I've been with you for years, Wanyin. Even if I ever think you as petty, there's nothing that can make me love you any less."

Jiang Wanyin snorts but he tells Lan Xichen anyway. "A-niang hated it when Wei Wuxian beat me in anything - archery, swordplay, academic, you name it. But at least, I had always come second. And when it came to music and art, I am a total idiot and Wei Wuxian is unparalleled."

Jiang Wanyin is oblivious to the way Lan Xichen's face has darkened. The smile vanishes and there is a serious frown between the gentle brows.

"Can you imagine how *livid* she was? No matter how much I tried, the notes just flew by me." Jiang Wanyin says self-deprecatingly.

Lan Xichen can't sit there and listen to Jiang Wanyin's dive into unpleasant past, so, he slowly stands up. He holds out his hand towards Jiang Wanyin and the said man looks up to Lan Xichen, confuse.

"What?" Jiang Wanyin asks.

"I want to prove to you that you're not musically-

-blind, you're just haven't met the right teacher."

Jiang Wanyin is mystified but he still takes Lan Xichen's hand and feels the taller man haul him onto his feet. Lan Xichen leads them out of the Hanshi, into the cold night air of Gusu mountains. Then, he stops under the-

cherry blossom tree - late in the season, where the gentle wind blow the dried leaves.

"What are we doing?"

"Mm..." Lan Xichen simply hums as he wraps one of his arms around Jiang Wanyin's waist and pulls his lover close to him. He puts his other hand behind Jiang Wanyin's head

pressing it closer to the curve of his own shoulder. Their slight height difference makes Jiang Wanyin fits so perfectly into the contour of his body - just like he always does during all those years they were together.

"Xichen...?" Jiang Wanyin whispers. "I don't understand."

"Wanyin," Lan Xichen speaks up. "I want you to remember the song that I wrote you."

"The one that you gifted to me on our first year of marriage?"

"Yes. Close you eyes, my heart, and let the melody plays in your mind." Lan Xichen closes his eyes as well and let their body-

-sway very, very slowly first. "Can you hear it? The dum- dum- dum-" he hums the song under his breath.

Jiang Wanyin remembers the song with such clarity. That night, all those years ago, flushed from the wine he had indulged from their private celebration. Lan Xichen took-

-out his guqin and motioned Jiang Wanyin to sit beside him. He was light-headed, giddy and happy that he had leaned into Lan Xichen's arms and Lan Xichen had to play the guqin with Jiang Wanyin's head in the curve of his neck and his arms wrapped over his tipsy husband to play.

"Our song, Wanyin," Lan Xichen had murmured that night. "To immortalise the way I've felt for you and how you have made me feel so complete."

Lost in the memory, Jiang Wanyin tightens his grips on Lan Xichen's robe and he begins matching Lan Xichen's gentle sway. He allows the-

-deep, smooth tenor of Lan Xichen's humming guides his rhythms and he allows Lan Xichen to sweep him off his feet.

Lan Xichen's heart burst with untold affection for this man. He was prickly, with a temper of rushing river but within Lan Xichen's arms, where he feels safe the-

-most, Jiang Wanyin is the most affectionate man. His trust in Lan Xichen lowers his defensive wall and Lan Xichen is given the privilege to see Jiang Wanyin in love.

And he looks so exquisite.

"See, darling..." Lan Xichen says softly, breaking the intimate cocoon around him.

"I know that you know rhythms and tempo and melody. See how beautiful is our dance. Sect Leader Yao is an idiot."

Jiang Wanyin presses himself closer. "It's you, Xichen-ge..." he shyly says. "You make me see the music. You make me want to dance with you for the rest of my life."

Lan Xichen stumbles on his feet at the sweetness of his husband. Unable to hold back, Lan Xichen cradles the sharp curve of Jiang Wanyin's jaw, tilting it upwards and lowers his own lips to kiss him.

Jiang Wanyin lets him. Whatever Lan Xichen want, he will always give it to him.