Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng did not know many things. But he knew one thing with absolute certainty. The moment he met Lan Xichen in high school at the age of 16, he knew he would become someone important in his life. What he didn’t know was just how important he would be. He had befriended Lan Xichen easily simply because Lan Xichen was a kind soul and he did not make it hard to befriend him.
It did not take long before Nie Huaisang, his best friend, started to notice the longing looks between them. It did not take long before his own brother started to notice as well. And while they teased Jiang Cheng often, they also knew he would never confess to Lan Xichen.
After all, Jiang Cheng was seventeen years old then. Lan Xichen was eighteen and finishing high school in a couple of days which only meant that he would move to the other side of the country to go to college within the next following week. And once Jiang Cheng graduated high school, he would move to a completely different country in order to learn computer science so that he could take over the Jiang Corporation, specializing in anything within the IT world.
To say that Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue were losing their minds because of the constant pining coming from Lan Xichen would be an understatement of the year.
“I swear to all that is holy, if you do not confess to him within this week, I will go and confess for you.” Meng Yao snapped from his place on the couch. Nie Mingjue snorted and Lan Xichen closed his eyes.
“I want to. I really really want to tell him.” Lan Xichen admitted and Nie Mingjue looked up from his phone.
“Then go and tell him instead of making my ears bleed every time we meet up.” He snapped and Meng Yao clapped his hands.
“Thank you! Remind me why you haven’t told him anything yet?” Meng Yao asked and Lan Xichen looked at him like a kicked puppy.
“I’m scared to ruin our friendship, A’Yao. What if he doesn’t like me back?”
“He does. But even if he doesn’t, you’ll live. You’re only eighteen so go and fucking tell him already!” Meng Yao snapped and Lan Xichen sighed as he stood up and took his jacket from the couch.
“I’m going to look for him.” He said and left the room, followed by the exasperated cheers coming from his friends.
In the meantime, Jiang Cheng sat in the classroom and looked at the sky outside. The windows were open and the sounds of kids outside and birds singing carried into the classroom.
He felt like the end of something was near.
Final year of high school.
Everyone felt something changing in the air even if no one ever said it.
Wei Wuxian, his adoptive brother was leaning back in his chair, balancing it on two legs with reckless confidence.
“You’re all gonna miss me when I’m famous,” he announced. Jiang Cheng snorted as he turned to look at his brother.
“You’re already unbearable.” He said, watching as Nie Huisang chuckled and looked up from where he was painting his fan.
“Fame will make it worse.” He said with a sigh and continued to paint his fan. Lan Xichen could be heard laughing across the classroom. His laugh was like a soft caress, never loud or obnoxious.
Jiang Cheng noticed the gentle look in his eyes like he always did. He gulped and clenched his jaw, knowing to keep his little crush to himself. It made no sense confessing now and starting something only to end it in a couple of days when Lan Xichen graduates and moves away.
“Lan Xichen,” Wei Wuxian called out, “when you become some big-shot CEO, remember us little people, will you?” Lan Wangji, who was sitting next to his brother, looked at Wei Wuxian for a second before he scowled and looked away.
“I don’t think I could forget.” Lan Xichen speaks softly as he watches Jiang Cheng with a small smile on his face a second too long.
“That’s what they all say.” Wei Wuxian shot back, making Jiang Cheng close his notebook with a quiet snap.
“He won’t forget.” Jiang Cheng said. The entire classroom stilled- just slightly. Lan Xichen#s gaze shifted to him, soft like always. He took a deep breath and nodded his head.
“No, I won’t.” He agreed, his eyes not leaving Jiang Cheng who gulped and looked away. Nie Huaisang looked on the verge of squealing, while he hit Wei Wuxian with a fan on his shoulder.
Later that day, as the last bell of the day rang, Jiang Cheng packed his things up and very slowly left the school grounds only to be startled by Lan Xichen who was leaning on the wall of the building.
“You scared me.” Jiang Cheng admitted.
“You’re late.” Lan Xichen replied back and Jiang Cheng gulped as he shrugged his shoulders.
“Got stuck in my head so it took me a while. Sorry. I wasn’t aware you were waiting for me.” Jiang Cheng admitted and Lan Xichen smiled softly.
“I always wait for you.” He admitted and Jiang Cheng nodded his head, noticing he was right. He was definitely going to miss walking back home with Lan Xichen after school.
“What is it?” Jiang Cheng asked when he noticed Lan Xichen watching him, as if he was searching his face for something.
“I’m leaving soon.” He said and Jiang Cheng nodded his head.
“I know.”
“And you are too.”
“In a year, but yes. Soon I will be gone too.” Jiang Cheng confirmed and Lan Xichen gulped.
“I don’t think I want to leave things like this.” Lan Xichen admitted while Jiang Cheng frowned slightly, tilting his head to the side.
“Like what?”
“I do not want to leave with things unsaid between us. I like you. I have for a year now.” Lan Xichen admitted and Jiang Cheng’s breath hitched, as he realized that they were now completely alone in front of their school.
“I know.” He finally answered. Lan Xichen blinked once.
“You know?”
“You’re not very subtle when you like someone.” Jiang Cheng admitted with a faint smile. It was barely there and gone quicker than it came but Lan Xichen noticed it, like he noticed everything about Jiang Cheng.
“I like you too, very much but you shouldn’t have said it now.” Jiang Cheng admitted and Lan Xichen’s expression shifted.
“Why?” He asked and Jiang Cheng looked away this time, towards the street, remembering everything that was about to pull them apart soon.
“Because you are leaving and I am too.” he said and paused for a moment.
“You’ll move to the other side of the country. I’ll move to a different country to study.” Jiang Cheng spoke softly, in a tone of voice he reserved only for Lan Xichen.
“That doesn’t mean-”
“It does.” Jiang Cheng cut in. Not harsh. Just certain of their futures in the following couple of years.
“I am seventeen, Lan Xichen. You are eighteen. We’re young. We don’t know anything yet.” Jiang Cheng spoke and Lan Xichen remained silent, but he did not step back.
“Then what?” He asked quietly and Jiang Cheng turned back to him, meeting his gaze fully again.
“How about this?” He started and gulped again.
“If we’re meant to be, we’ll meet again- life will bring us back together.” Lan Xichen stilled once he said this. Jiang Cheng’s voice was steady and firm but not dismissive. He was just rational to the bone.
Lan Xichen searched his face for any doubt and found none.
“Alright.” Lan Xichen said and Jiang Cheng nodded once, feeling his breath hitch as Lan Xichen leaned forward and kissed his temple just once. And just like that- they let it go for now.
Not because it didn’t matter but because it mattered too much to do it wrong.