Thread by @Jessxiehua

#Xicheng Love is worth waiting for

LXC not trusting in love anymore. When JC confesses to him, he rejects him. Even though LXC cares a lot about JC, he can’t believe in him because his first two loves betrayed and left him. +

He starts thinking that “a Lan only loves once” means that only one person will ever truly love him. Only one person in the world would give up everything for him, and he doesn’t think JC is it. +

JC agonizes. His eyes are downcast, not wanting to look at LXC as he admits that LXC is right. He can’t. He can’t give up his sect and everything he has worked so hard for.

Yet. +

“20 years.” He whispers. “Give me 20 years and then I will leave my sect.” LXC is shocked. His heart is moved by JC’s words. He cautiously hopes. +

JC becomes the most productive sect leader in history. Yunmeng Jiang grows and flourishes, JL becomes a powerful leader with the backing of JC. JC trains a steady and dependable disciple as his successor. +

For 20 years, LXC and JC remain friends, never touching or crossing the line that LXC has drawn. +

Year 1- LXC daydreams of the life they will have together. He imagines how they will spend their days and pass their nights. It’s a nice change from the nightmares that used to plague him. +

Year 3- LXC sees marriage proposals on JC’s desk. He gets angry. He is very passive aggressive for a week, until JC calls him out on it.

“I’m waiting for you.” He tells JC. He looks JC dead in the eye.

“I’m waiting for you so you have to wait for me too.” JC smiles. LXC sees all the rejected letters in a garbage pile the next time he visits.+

Year 5- This is the first year they visit the Qixi festival together. This is the year where LXC starts wanting. He’s imagined their life, but now he has a glimpse of what his life could be like every single day. He wants, he wants, he wants.
+

Year 8-LXC has a hard time on the anniversary of his mother’s death. This year, JC happens to be in Cloud Recesses at the same time.LXC makes the decision to let JC into his ancestral hall. When JC bows twice out of respect, LXC can’t help thinking that he wants JC to bow again.+

“Soon, mother. Soon this man will become mine. He promised me. Next time, I will bring him back here as my husband.” +

Year 10- This is the first year they have a big fight. LXC knows his feelings are irrational, but seeing that woman hanging from JC all the time makes him angry. JC asks why he is acting like this if he knows JC is already promised to him. +

LXC admits “I’m scared. I’m scared you’ll decide that I’m not worth it.” Even after all this time, he thinks he does not deserve JC’s love. He tells JC the full extent of his fears. How he thinks no one can love him. How he thinks it’s a Lan curse. +

Only Wangji seems to have broken it. But then again, Wangji does not act like much of a Lan these days, indulging in behavior forbidden by Lan rules. +

“What do you think all my hard work is for? This is all for you, Lan Xichen. I made you a promise and I do not intend to break it.”

LXC cries in JC’s arms. He begs JC to stay the night, to not leave him. It is the first time they sleep in the same bed. +

But there is a space between them. They have never been so close, but that space is like a deep chasm that separates them. LXC yearns to cross it.

He doesn’t. +

Year 13- LXC gets really antsy. He dreams about sleeping with JC. He has never even held his hand but he wants to do all sorts of filthy things with the other sect leader. +

This just happens to be the year LXC sees JC naked in the cold springs. JC has chosen to bravely reveal his scars to LXC. LXC reveals his scars in turn. It’s a tender moment, both of them revealing their insecurities and their vulnerabilities. LXC is proud of this privilege. +

But when LXC is alone in his bed at night, his mind can’t help but to wander. LXC tries resolutely to not think about JC naked, about his slim waist and muscled figure. It’s a losing battle. LXC, red-faced and stupidly aroused, takes himself in hand for the first time in years. +

Year 15-18- They grow impossible closer. All their free time is spent together. Rumors run abound that the two are involved. Neither pay any mind. What they have is no one's concern. +

Year 19- LXC can feel the anxiety and restlessness under his skin. 19 years. 19 years where JC has courted no one and spent his time either with LXC, JL, or getting his sect ready for a transfer of power. The longing in his chest threatens to burst. +

They know each other inside out at this point. They know each other’s favorite tea, quirks, strengths, and fears. He wants to shout from the top of the mountain that he loves this man so much. He wants to marry JC right away, 20 years be damned. +

But JC asked him to wait, so he shall wait. +

Year 20- JC gives up being a sect leader on the very day he asked LXC to wait 20 years. LXC wonders if he is finally allowed happiness after so long. He decides it doesn’t matter. JC has chosen to give him the gift of his love and LXC will receive it. +

In the 20th year, LXC asks JC if he still wants him; heart in his hands, ready to be broken. JC smiles at him, relieved that LXC held up his end of the bargain. LXC rushes to him, knocking him off balance and into the shallow pond behind them. +

JC is shocked, but he has no chance to react as he feels lips against his. When LXC stops kissing him, It’s to pull his ribbon off and offer it to JC. +

“Marry me.”

JC is shocked. But he supposes he shouldn’t be. Even though they have not even held hands, they have been courting for 20 years. He gently takes the ribbons and leans in for another kiss, gentle, and full of 20 years of love.

End