Thread by @Firebrd86

#kaeys5k

Ship: Xicheng
Prompt: There was only one bed

JC: Your brother is behind this, I bet you!

LXC: Hm, we won't know until we find them

JC: We'd better find them soon, or I'm going to tear apart the Jianghu looking for them!

LXC: Calm yourself, we'll find them

JC: That's easy for YOU to say! YOUR sect hasn't been put to sleep by a Lan array that has been tinkered with using demonic cultivation!

LXC: This is true, but you must have patience and confidence that we will find them

JC isn't so sure, but he huffs and keeps walking

They search everywhere. The bunny meadow. The Jingshi. The Hanshi (LXC needs to stop looking at the bed wistfully). The Cold Pond. Everywhere in Cloud Recesses

Wangxian are nowhere to be found, and JC gets even more frustrated

LXC suggests they search Caiyi

With a growl, JC jumps onto his sword and zooms down to Caiyi Town

He confronts merchants, demanding to know if they've seen Wangxian. He shakes down ruffians in alleyways. He even storms into a teahouse before being chased out by the owner with a broom

LXC pats JC consolingly on the shoulder as he sulks in front of the teahouse. He tries not to stroke lovingly, giving his feelings away

JC: I just want to find them

He sounds so put out and pouty

LXC wants to give him a hug

LXC: It is almost nightfall. We won't find them now

Is that... is that JC's bottom lip poking out? It is! Awww, LXC wants to MELT

LXC: Why don't we have some dinner and stay the night before picking up the search tomorrow morning? Your sect isn't going anywhere

JC makes 🥺 eyes at him

Then he huffs (a signature SL Jiang huff) and nods

LXC tries not to wiggle in happiness. He must remain cool, calm and collected

They find an inn and pay for a room. But when they enter the spacious room, JC gapes

JC: There's only one bed...

LXC determinedly hides his blush

JC, swinging around to LXC: There's only one bed!

He goes to shout for the inn owner, but is stayed by LXC's hand on his arm

LXC: There is a wedding this week, and the inns are all booked out. We won't find another room. We can make do

The pout makes a return

But JC nods. What else can he do?

LXC contains his joy, trying to be calm as they ready for bed. This is a momentous occasion... he must afford it the proper respect

Their first night together! Ah, he feels giddy!

JC flops down on the bed and crosses his arms

LXC climbs in a little more gracefully and lies down, inches away from his beloved. He feels tingly. This is the greatest moment of his life

In the darkness, they breathe together. It seems so easy for their breaths to sync up so quickly

Does JC notice that?

JC, in the darkness: Thank you

LXC: For what?

JC: For helping me

His tone sounds begrudging, but LXC knows it's because thank yous are hard for his beloved. JC has always been made to feel like he has to be grateful for everything, even if it's a simple kindness

LXC plans to change that

LXC: Thanks are not necessary. You are important enough to me that I would help you, no matter what

JC:

LXC, being brave: And not just because you are SL Jiang

JC:

LXC: Because... I love you

JC:

LXC: I do. I love you

JC:

LXC tries not to run for the door, afraid of rejection. He stays still. He needs to let JC open up in his own time

Thankfully, he doesn't need to wait long

JC: You...?

LXC: Of course. It is simple. And easy. And so integral a part of me that I will never leave you

JC doesn't answer... not verbally, at least. Instead, he rolls over on top of LXC and their lips crash together in the dark. It's awkward, it's happy, and it's WONDERFUL

JC: Yes. Yes. Love you

Those words give LXC's heart life and happiness and hope

The following morning, as they walk out of the inn holding hands, a voice from the wedding palanquin draws their attention

WWX: YOU'D BETTER NOT MISS MY WEDDING, JIANG CHENG! I WORKED HARD TO GET YOU HERE!

JC: WHAT THE FUCK WEI WUXIAN!?

Someone hurries up to JC and bows

JC: What the fuck?!

Jiang disciple: Sect Leader, we have prepared your robes and will have your place ready by the time you are dressed

JC: WHY AREN'T YOU SLEEPING BACK AT LOTUS PIER?!

LXC, clearing his throat: I, uh, can answer that

JC: 🤨

LXC: Wei Wuxian wanted you at his wedding. Your 2IC suggested this ruse, and I assisted them in... ah... keeping you here... the wedding is set to commence soon

JC: You mean my whole sect and Wei Wuxian AND my own husband-to-be conspired to get me here?!

LXC: Mn. Yes

JC: BAH! I'll yell at you all later! But I need to get ready for a wedding that I should have been informed of DAYS ago! I should have been part of the planning of this wedding! That is MY shixiong your brother is marrying! He'd better have planned the best wedding!

And thus, JC stood proudly at WWX and LWJ's wedding, ensuring that all went smoothly. He also found himself dreaming of his own wedding soon with LXC, but that was for another time

For now, he's going to send his shixiong off to a lifetime of happiness

Thank you for the cute prompt, @notverysuccinct! I don't write Xicheng very often, but this was too good to pass up! 🥰