#Ticklish!Lan Xichen

[kanene-yaaay]

Warm, Soft and all the other things that I can only be with you

Kanene's notes: Ok, I just had NO IDEA that I would come to like Jiang Cheng as much as I do when I first watched mdzs. Maybe I should've realized when his first apparition is LITERALLY coming right when Jin Ling is being defeated by Wei Wuxian and calls him saying that >:[[ his jiujiu will kill him and aaaaaa Wei Wuxian asks who his uncle is and then KJHGFDEFGH JIANG CHENG LITERALLY APPEARS FROM NOTHING SAYING "I'm his uncle. Any last words?" BRUHH. He just breaks me. aughhh ALL OF THEM MAKE ME GO INSANE!!!

Anyway this story isn't about any of this. It's about Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen being absurdly in love and playful and cute and silly <3 All the thanks and applause and hugs for @squeaky-n-blushy for spending literally HOURS screaming about mdzs+tickle scenarios with lil ol me because it helped me so much to brainstorm kjhgfdfghjk

Warnings: This is a bit of more intense story than the usual that I write, so be warned. There's angst and lots of fluff. Also a suggestive joke (LOOKING AT YOU WEI WUXIAN) and some making out in the fic but it's really not the main focus here and a quick thing. Lots of teases, tickles, kisses and more teases. Especially about losing control. Romantic setting. Around 13.000 words. Mainly Ler!Jiang Cheng and Lee!Lan Xichen.

[~*~]

Jiang Cheng was not jealous. 

He was fine. Great, even.

He was just... curious.

There were a plentiful of words that could be used to describe Wei Wuxian.

Insufferable. (Strong). Troublesome. (Joyful). Annoying. (Smart). Stupid. (Traitor). Stubborn. (Sacrificial). Careless. (Mischievous). Impulsive. (Brillant). (Genius). (Caring). (Important). (Family). (Stupid). (Stupid). (Stupid).

(Brother).

And, if needed, Jiang Cheng had all of those and much more that he used on a regular basis every time they got stuck in one of their usual bickering matches, both of them still learning how to tip toe the lines between hurt and healing, family and enemies. 

It was hard. Confusing. Good. Exhausting. Raw. They would fight and punch each other across the bonds during a heated match - that were actually growing less and less frequent, thankfully - or extend an olive branch in each other’s direction and not comment on how small it looked in the ocean between them. 

But both of them grew up in the Lotus Pier and no water body could ever scare them. Bandages and cuts decorating their hands as they kept building the bridges and boats to forgive and find each other someday. 

Day after day.

Jiang Cheng shook his head, dissipating those overly sensitive thoughts. All of that was irrelevant and not at all where he wanted to get. Unfortunately, by doing so there wasn’t anything else left to distract him from the little lightheaded, annoyed (flustered) feeling that was taking over all his senses after what happened.

(What just happened?)

He clenched his jaw and huffed, still confused, still annoyed. His steps sounded firm and clear as he kept his determined stride to the room he already knew so well, not even glancing at the young cultivators that knew better than to interrupt him when he looked like this, even if they seemed much more relaxed with his presence at the Cloud Recess after seeing it so often.

Never, ever Jiang Cheng could describe Wei Wuxian, the Patriarch Yilling, one of the most feared cultivators across all the sects, the black spot in Lan Quiren's golden record, the most irresponsible uncle and brother this world had ever seen, as embarrassed.

The scene had hit him like a brick and Jiang Cheng didn’t even mean to see it in the first place! He could pretty much actually go on with the rest of his entire life without ever picturing for a single second what Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan liked to do in their freetime together.

Nowadays, however, both of them spend more time over each other than away, absolutely shamelessly, with no care about who was watching or where they were. With Wei Wuxian drapping himself over his husband's lap during dinners and conferences and Lan Zhan spending every night when the other is away in a hunt or a visit to the Yunmeng sect playing his guqin melancholically through the night and the early hours of the morning to express his deep feeling of longing and pining.

(Thanks everything that Jiang Cheng was never actually there to witness the last one, being an information that Lan Huan shared with him recently with an amused smile on his lips. Because he was pretty sure that if he was living in Gusu Lan and had to endure their constant show of unyielding affection for each other he would end up breaking that damn instrument into pieces.)

So, it was no surprise that Jiang Cheng was forced to witness his brother’s love life first hand again. Because he had been a fool who accepted to have a tea over Wei Wuxian’s house and even more of a fool to believe that his brother, the very one who called him in the first place, would be actually prepared to receive him on the time he himself choose and perhaps be there to show him at least a hint of respect and hospitality that the leader of Yunmeng Jiang Sect deserved and open that goddamn door at once!

(And, yes, maybe he was still jittery about Wei Wuxian’s death. Maybe when he heard the cultivator of resentful energy shout - even though loud noises are forbidden in the Cloud Recess - and the sound of something heavy falling following suit his mind got somehow clogged and his knocking louder and more incisive the longer no one answered him. Maybe he forgot for a moment that they were in the Gusu Lan Sect and, for the first time in a long while, it was only him and Wei Wuxian against the world again. This time he would not run the fuck away.) 

However, when the door opened - a better description would be “was forcefully ripped away from his path, but that was irrelevant - the scene that greeted him had absolutely nothing to do with blood or pain or any kind of danger.

(Not one that Wei Wuxian wasn’t more than used with, at least.)

“What” his voice trembled, no longer with a jittery feeling, but with a barely concealed annoyance. The electricity cracking from Zidian danced now in his arm for an entire different reason than getting ready for a fight. “Is happening here?”

Wei Wuxian squealed on the floor, squirming on the ground like a worm on a rainy day as his husband’s hands danced dedicatedly on his torso at a tickly pace.

“Punishment.” Lan Zhan answered, stoic and direct as ever, totally impassive under Cheng’s blasting glare. Especially because he didn't see it, not even bothering to look up from his position, gaze clued on Wei Wuxian’s face almost hypnotized, as if it was the only image that could ever matter in the world.

(Urgh.)

“A-Cheng!” 

It was ridiculous, really, how only that (and who knew he still had in him to call Jiang Cheng in such an affectionate form) was enough to make his eyes immediately snap into Wei Wuxian’s direction, something relaxing in him when he acknowledged the usual playful tune he already knew too well.

“What.”

“Hehehelp me!”

Jiang Cheng could feel an artery pulsating in his forehead, they both falling easily in their usual push and dance. “Stop being dramatic, he is barely touching you. Get up and use your hands!”

“No, I can't!” His whine was quickly taken over by more giggles, his entire body contorting in protest at the playful attack as he kept his dramatic wailing. “I will rip Lan Zhan's forehead ribbon! Please, A-Cheng!”

Jiang Cheng almost had a whiplash at how quickly his head turned to look at Lan Zhan’s naked forehead and then at Wei Wuxian's hands, seeing that they were in fact bonded by the delicate, white band that the Lan Sect was known for. 

The forehead ribbon. A sacred symbol of resilience and restraint, an extension of yourself that could only be touched and freed by your close family and your significant other, being used as an illusion of a bondage in a meaningless punishment of a childish game.

Lan Zhan’s expression continued just the same as it always did, impassive and serious. Yet, he managed to look extremely smug all the same. He was fully aware of the trap he just put his husband into, knowing Wei Wuxian would rather endure far worse tortures than tickling instead of giving the ribbon left in his care a single strain or tear.

Shameless.

He scoffed. 

(Jiang Cheng ignored how he himself felt when Lan Huan let him touch his own forehead ribbon. He took the ends of the white fabric and freely gave them to Jiang Cheng in one of their quiet evenings, only so they could be woven into the braids of the Yumneng Sect he was occupied in replicating, eyes focused and movements certain as he styled the other’s long, beautiful black hair. How soft and small it felt in his palms. The meaning of that act. How reverent and careful Jiang Cheng was during the entire process, holding the white fabric into his calloused hands while his fingertips and soul trembled with emotion.)

And then those two were just playing around with theirs. They really have no shame!

“Always asking me to clean up your messes, fight for this one yourself! Don’t you remember that you called me here to have tea in the first place? Have you really lost all the sense of respect?”

Wei Wuxian only giggled harder. Whether it was because he always thought it was fun how upright Jiang Cheng was about both of their reputations and how easy it had always been to rile him up about it or because Lan Zhan now changed his absolute nonsense of a tickle attack to focus on his sides, it was uncertain.

“Don’t be so grumpy, A-Cheng!” He squeaked loudly when Lan Zhan tweaked his lowest rib (of course he discovered about that specially ticklish spot, Wei Wuxian had always been so obvious about it, crackling and squirming like crazy when Jiang Cheng did no much than just glaze over it). It didn’t take long before the new sound was completely engulfed by a new round of even more uncontrollable snickers, his legs kicking desperately with energy. “Your face will get stuck in a frown forever! Like a sour plum!”

And, of course he would use his every ounce of oxygen to tease him. Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to replicate.

“Mn.” Lan Zhan interrupted. (Was that an agreement?!) “You’re early.”

The leader from the Yumeng sect crossed his arms defensively, refusing to look too much into the meaning of the other’s words. Another scowl formed in his face. “Of course I am early. Like an actual adult that has more responsibilities and matters to attend to than to get into childish games like tickle fights.”

If that could even be considered a tickle fight at all. It was nothing like the wars he and Wei Wuxian used to get when they were kids, far away from their parents and with too much energy, time and laughter to spare. More often than not they would be rolling on the soft soil or giving the other a surprise ambush in the middle of the piers, squeezing, digging and tickling anywhere they could reach. Teasing, taunting and threatening each other with every sound and laughter. Using all the tricks and pages on the book to get the upper hand for at least a few giddy, breathless seconds. Big smiles, warm hearts and adrenaline running freely in their bones for hours with no end until they both laid exhaustively on the ground, accidentally rolled into one of the lakes or Shiejie came to call them for dinner.

Jiang Cheng watched as the delicate hands rested on the other’s sides and continued to softly scribble non stop on the lowest ribs over and over again, taking turns before quickening their pace and making We Wuxian trash from a side to another with a high pitched ‘eee’ sound until it slowed the rhythm to a light plucking of strings, lightly pressing each spot and barely vibrating there before jumping away.

“Not a tickle fight.” The Lan enlightened. “Punishment.”

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! No! Please, have mercy. Take pity on your poor husband!”

It was like Jiang Cheng couldn’t pry his eyes away, watching as Lan Wangji calmly run the tip of his fingers up and down the others’ ticklish sides, repeating the cycle for a couple more of times, like a boat letting itself being dragged by the slow pace of the river in a calm day, completely unfazed by his husband’s increasing maddened snickers, his tune starting to border on hysterical.

For a moment, the fingers curled into claws and Jiang Cheng thought that he would actually use an efficient, honest and true tickle attack, finally kneading on the skin and letting the crackles and squeals fill the air with their cacophony. 

His hopes, however, seemed unfounded when the Lan just continued his soft touches, now using more of his nails to create an unbearable, ticklish feeling than only his fingertips and successfully pull more squeals and squeaks with such a move.

(And, if his own ticklish sides tingled in sympathy that was literally nobody's business and a secret that will die and be buried with him.)

Jiang Cheng finally snapped.

“That is not even the proper way you do it!” He did not get close and demonstrated his point, of course. Because he… (surely wouldn’t be welcomed to) he wasn’t a kid anymore and knew he was right. 

Yet, his hands still gesticulated around, antsy.

(Wanting to grab, wanting to dig, wanting to squeeze, to attack and win and listen and never let go again. To feel the taste of the victory of a brawl that is meaningless and only in playful fun, again. To hear screams of laughter and not of fear, to perform with the crackles and shrieks and giggles as the only instrument he was ever actually skilled. An especial melody of affection that needed no words and even he could learn how to play.)

Jiang Cheng pushed those thoughts deep down and continued.

“You’re not even giving any attention to his hips! It’s his most ticklish, weak, defenseless and easy spot ever!” He ignored the protesting, giggly shout from Wei Wuxian and continued, forcing himself to focus on his words and not on the natural answering smirk trying to take over the corner of his lips. “You just need to knead there for a few minutes and then he will be gone. Besides, when you add raspberries to it he’ll laughs so much that you will actually be able to shut him up for once. That is a proper tickle attack. With this, you’re just being lazy!” 

Purposely, he pointed to Lan Zhan’s administrations that now consisted in sweetly rubbing his thumbs on Wei Ying’s highest ribs, happily following his torso as it shook with the barely concealed chuckles and tried to wiggle away from the touch. A lazy job indeed. “You’re barely even touching him at all! That is not even tickling!”

“Oh, it tickles!” Wei Wuxian whined, words were almost completely lost with how much he was giggling. His arms trembled with the force to not slam down when Lan Zhan used a single finger to calmly poke and scratch his armpits, more than unfazed at both of the Yunmeng siblings' outburst. 

Actually, if Jiang Cheng squinted his eyes, he could actually imagine a challenging glint when those golden eyes quickly stared at him for a second. 

“It really tickles! It tickles so, so much!”

For a flash Jiang Cheng saw himself marching determinately at him, sitting on the ground and then diving to dig on Wei Wuxian’s hips non stop. Remind him what is actually a tickle attack so he would actually agree with his point and not poke fun at him just this once. Use the techniques that he took years to perfect and his muscles still remembered perfectly even when his mind refused to. Watch as that smug air in Lan Wangji changed to surprise when he got Wei Wuxian to really laugh and show all of them how right he was.

He crossed his arms even tighter around himself, growling harder and looking in another direction. His feet continued locked on the ground.

Unfortunately, Lan Zhang took the silence as an opportunity.

“Wei Ying is very cute and beautiful like this. Red and happy.”

“Lan Zhan! Warnings! You can’t say things like that without warning me first.” 

Jiang Cheng stopped right in his tracks and slowly turned to look at Wei Wuxian, time slowing as he realized what Lan Wangji had just said, barely processing the rest of their conversation. 

“Besides, I can think of something else that makes me very red and happy- Lan Zhan, no!”

“Shameless.”

“Husband, please, you’re killing meee!”

“Wei Ying.”

“Wait, wait, not there!”

It was true.

Jiang Cheng's eyes widened, but the image in front of him didn’t change. The other was right. 

Wei Wuxian was blushing in embarrassment. 

The color was not a fruit of his loud, unrestrained laughter, because for the last minutes all he did was giggle and snicker non stop, with plenty of oxygen and teases filling his lungs. It was not the result of any kind of flirt because Wei Wuxian took those as a challenge that he knew he would always win. It was not a make up he tried with Shijie. A natural consequence of spending an entire day under the sun training with his sword. It was nothing else. No other explanation besides the fact that, after thirty years, Jiang Cheng finally saw his brother get flustered. 

Embarrassed. 

Shy, even.

For the second time in his life, Jiang Cheng found Lan Wangji leaving him without words.

With a whoosh, he was out of the room.

[~*~]

“Good afternoon, Jiang Cheng.”

As it always did, a pleasant shiver ran on his body when Lan Xichen called him. All of his previous thoughts disappearing immediately from his head, his usual frown naturally losing the heat and annoyance as he looked at the other. 

Lan Huan looked as ethereal and beautiful as ever, the white robes and blue hues pooling like waves at his feet and around his straight posture as he wrote on his desk, probably answering letters from other sects and solving administration matters. His hair was slightly messed and he was only in his inner robes, completely comfortable and domestic, not batting a single eye when Jiang Wanyin barged right in.

Even after being together so long, the scene still looked gorgeous as it always did. Like it came right out a scenery painted in a fan that you hid in your robes and carried close to your heart. A picture drawn straight from the purest jade. He had seen it plenty of times before and hoped to continue to do so for much more.

It left Jiang Cheng breathless.

“I see you’re back early.”

And just like that, his breath and frown were back again. The one in purple robes scoffed and closed the door. He headed to the bed, sitting there with a grunt. 

“Not in the mood to watch Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji declare their undying love for each other for the hundredth time of the day.”

Lan Huan chuckled. It rang sweet like the bells the Yunmeng sect used to expurge curses and clean the mind. “I see. Perhaps it’s time to start closing your eyes, then?”

But the light tease didn’t actually register for him, because for a moment he looked at the other and another scene appeared in his mind as a flash. 

Lan Xichen’s smile growing bigger, wobbling at the corners as his controlled chuckles were transformed into bubbly giggles and loud snickers, his entire face covered by a layer of red that spread in a beautiful hue from his cheeks to the tip of his ears, his eyes - teary and brilliant and so full of love and feelings - watching him in excitement, protests that held no true meaning falling freely from his lips and locking Jiang Cheng’s gaze forever on him with how melodious it was.

As it was usual, his body and mouth were already acting even before his own mind catched up with it.

“I want to try something new.” He listened his own voice saying. Steps steady and determined carried him to the sect leader Lan and pulled him to his feet, basically dragging him back to his bed.

Lan Xichen didn’t yelp, but let out a tiny surprised sound when Jiang Cheng shoved (much gentler than anyone could ever believe him of being) him on the mattress, quickly straddling him and sitting on his thighs, storming gray eyes looking at him intensely, watching his every twitch and expression in search for any kind of discomfort. 

Of course, realizing that only made Lan Xichen melt, following the other’s lead easily.

(Not blindly, of course. )

(He sometimes wonders if he will ever be able to do so, ever again, but those are thoughts for other moments.) 

So he tilted his head and questioned to those brilliant eyes. “What do you have in mind?”

“I want…” And his face morphed, never losing its lines of determination and decision, but now being tinted in red as Jiang Cheng looked away from him, a very lovely blush taking over his face. His jaw locked and words quieter, as if they were being pushed through his teeth. There was shyness in his tune. “To tickle you.”

“Oh.” 

Lan Xichen tried to not sound too teasy, but he couldn’t really hide the playful amusement taking over his tune, his expression, his gaze, his everything after such an adorable admission. 

He didn’t really know what sputtered his lover’s mood all of sudden, but interacting with Wei Wuxian and his own brother always left Jiang Wanyin’s emotions all over the place. If what his beloved needed after this afternoon was to have him laughing hysterically until he was a mess, completely putty and willing under his strong and trustworthy hands, Lan Xichen hardly had any opposition to this.

(Which wasn’t to say that he wouldn’t look into some sweet… justice, later. Revenge is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses, afterall.)

Tickling was always a concept that interested him immensely. The laughter full of joy and the touches that were both incredibly warm and completely unbearable, together with the playfulness of the teases and the care intertwined in every note of those steps made his heart softer and his stomach flutter pleasantly everytime such bonding activity was involved. Especially when it came to Jiang Cheng.

“Alright.” He said. “I won’t hold back, then.”

“You better not.” The one in purple bit back, but his words held no heat and there was a grateful line softening all of the hard edges in his body. He positioned his hands on Lan Huan’s ribs - a good starting point, not too ticklish so he would lose all his energy right in the beginning and yet effective enough that just with a few moments of drilling his laughter would already be bubbling out of his lips. 

Jiang Cheng felt how Lan Xichen tensed instinctively under him and he curled his fingers close, just enough for his nails would graze on his skin, actually giving him a reason to tense up this time and successfully pulling a squirm out of the Lan.

Perfect. He just needed to keep going like that. Soft and light. See for himself what is so special about this technique that it’s worth giving up the adrenaline of seeing someone become undone with only a few touches, to watch them get hysterical, loud, free with the more effective and energetic tickly ministrations. See how long would it take for his lover to become a total mess, to completely lose the battle against the sensations and just let himself be lost in a sea of giggles and blushes. 

Exactly. Just like that. 

Soft and light. 

Simple and clear as water.

His fingers didn’t want to move.

That was the thing, wasn’t it? 

Jiang Cheng wasn’t gentle. Nothing about him was soft, or light, or caring. His fingers were calloused and his skin thick after years of handling Zidian and its electricity, of carrying oars and rowing around the countless rivers in Lotus Pier and holding his weight in fights since he was a child, not at all skilled in the finest arts such as playing instruments skillfully like Lan Huan or painting beautiful landscapes as Nie Huaisang. 

His hands were the reason of more pain and tears than laughter and happiness. He was Sandu Shengshou and he carried that mantle with pride. It's what made him survive after the Wen’s massacre of his clan. It's what brought his entire sect rising back again, strong and new from the ashes and fire as he maintained every building, every alliance, every battle to prove their worth with his own sweat and blood, clawing, tearing and snarling his way up, up, up. Until Yunmeng was back to be one of the four most powerful and influential sects again. Until him, A-Ling and the entire world of cultivation had more than smoke and destruction to remember his family by. Until the other’s pity became respect and fear. It was what had been necessary at the time. He did what he had to.  

(It was what destroyed one of the last remnants of his family and pushed his brother far and away. What left him angry and frustrated behind, hitting back at anything that got too close, completely alone in the world except for a nephew that he had to raise, too young to even remember his parents. It was what consumed his every action and every thought and every lashing until there was nothing left except hope and resentment. 

And yet… He was still here. Trying. His nephew was now the leader of his own sect. Yet, he was blessed with Lan Xichen. Yet, his sect respects and grows under his direction and the rivers continue to flow and the lotus to bloom totally uncaring for the tribulations of his mind. Yet, his brother is finally back and they are still trying to fix all of that.)

(Trying.)

A hand pulled him right out of his merciless thoughts, smothering the hard lines of his frown. Lan Xichen’s eyes immediately found his own, staring at his surprised face for some seconds before lifting his torso and placing gentle kisses on his front, following the path of warmth and electricity that his touch had already started. 

The care and intimacy made Jiang Cheng scoff and frown again but now for an entirely different reason, momentarily rendered unable to move to hide his flaming face until the other decided that all the lines of his expression had been thoroughly kissed and smothered enough, no more darkness or doubt filling his gaze.

Clear enough from his previous thoughts, that only made him get even more determined about his decision, not shying away from the leader from Gusu Lan’s sect when those brown eyes focused on him, plenty comfortable to just lay there and exchange silences until Jiang Cheng could gather and organize his thoughts. 

“I want to be gentle.” He finally spit, words tumbling out of his lips before he could take them back. 

The eyes crinkled on the corners and seemed to shine brighter in understanding and then something else, so strong that made it impossible for him to keep holding his gaze, feeling strangely bashful under it. The feared Sandu Shengsou humphed and turned away his gaze, again.

…That wouldn’t work. He had to be able to watch and analyze his Lan Huan’s every tiny reaction, every quiet sound and every hint of movement to map all his best spots and what tickling worked best, with this new technique. He may not be totally sold to this entire idea of “soft touches” yet, but that was no excuse to not do a decent job. 

Jiang Cheng had never half assed any of the things he set his mind to do and he isn’t about to start doing that now.

He wasn’t sure of how successful he would be in that, however, when Lan Huan’s gaze kept capturing and rendering him defenseless with those beautiful stares again and again.

“Close your eyes.”

Lan Xichen arched an eyebrow, more amused than questioning, but he hesitated for half of a second. It was enough to make Jiang Cheng’s brain disconnect from his lips and words fall, blunt and true, from his mouth before he could stop them. 

“I can’t do it with you looking. It’s frustrating and distracting.” (Mesmerizing. Beautiful. The only thing I could look at for hours and hours at the time.)

Once more, the other’s brown eyes got filled with fun and something before he complied.

“Alright. I will be sure to give you my oral report in the most detailed and thorough manner as possible afterwards, of course.”

“Shut it.” Jiang Cheng digged on his ribs momentarily, a hot flush of pride spreading on his soul at how that made Lan Huan immediately jump, a surprised squeak filling the air and almost convincing the one in purple to throw away everything else and just dig more and more until those and other delightful sounds ran loud and free across the room.

But, no. Now, he had another objective.

He stopped pressing so firmly on the skin, leaving his fingers only resting on the spot before slowly running them up and down on his ribcage. 

Holding his breath, Lan Xichen waited. When no other attack came besides the soothing rubbing, his body inevitably relaxed little by little, melting with the ministrations. 

“That is very nice.” His words came out less jokingly than before, shining with genuinity. Of course, lying was forbidden in the Clouds Recesses, however, a direct honesty was a rare threat that Wanyin was more than happy to enjoy. “Mm.”

Jiang Cheng hummed in acknowledgement and continued with his touch. 

With no hurry, he took his time to let his fingers wander, lower enough to caress the dip of the other’s hips and then back up, deviating from his torso to massage his arms and shoulders and slightly press his thumbs in circling motions on the base of his neck. 

For a moment he mused letting his hands go even higher to cup his face so he could kiss it. That idea was fastly discarded, though, since Jiang Cheng was pretty sure he could quickly be dissuaded from his new experiment if they were to follow this path. Lan Xichen knew how to be very distracting when he wanted to.

His hands continued to wander on that very same path for a few more minutes and soon enough Lan Xichen felt himself even more relaxed, as if floating in clouds, not even bothered by the small sounds that kept being fished from his lips again and again as the soft touch kept slipping and brushing on every sensitive part of his body before continuing with its path. 

It was like Jiang Wanyin was mapping every single weak spot on his torso and purposely focusing on them with tiny scribbles and light scratches more and more. 

With each new repetition, Lan Huan could only feel the tingles spreading further across his nerves, teasing and tickling them for seconds after the caring, a tad unbearable touch of the other went away, only barely starting to subside before those playful fingers were back to alight them once more, making the tickly sensations grow stronger and never really end.

Therefore, his relaxed sounds quickly began being interrupted by huffs of laughter and tiny notes on the back of his throat that were starting to sound too much like high pitched giggles to be ignored or pushed away.

Lan Xichen was so lost in those thoughts that he barely registered as the hands came to a stop on his ribcage, spreading across his ribs and on those awfully sensitive places in between them. Not until small, extremely controlled and tiny sparks of electricity made him jump, pulling a surprised, and uncharacteristically loud shriek from him, his mind and body falling too quickly from the clouds for him to try to stop its escape.

Jiang Cheng chuckled darkly. 

“Oi, what was that?”

When he pressed his lips and didn’t answer, another spark of electricity teased the spot, and then another and another and another. Lan Huan felt himself grow giddier, not being able to help but squeak and yelp at each new attack on his poor ribs. 

“To think that only Zidian could have so much effect on the very own Zewu Jun. Maybe I should have tried to use it earlier if I knew it could make you squeal like that.” The feeling of giggles in the back of his throat came back with full force. He bit them back. “Tell me, Xichen, how much longer do you think you could take it before descending into madness? You’re barely surviving those few sparks as it is. What if I decided to wrap the Zidian around you and unleash all this new power. How much time do you think you would be able to hold your laughter back, then?”

His eyes were closed but Lan Xichen could feel the other’s gaze on him, staring unblinking and attentively, drinking up his every reaction. He knew he could see how the light burn of blush started to take over his ears and spread lower in his neck, how his torso squirmed instinctively with each word. In a desperate attempt of defense, he scrambled for anything before his brain, who was trying really, really hard to not think about Jiang Wanyin’s words or otherwise he would die, caught up into a cute, very special detail about this new tactic of his.

“Have,” he gulped, taking a few tries before his words could come out with just a slight tremble on them, hiding the persistent joyful energy that kept trying to take over. By the way that Jiang Cheng’s fingers digged on his ribcage and began vibrating in a low, warning pace, he wasn’t very satisfied with this. 

Still, no one could overcome a Lan in a battle of self control, even the most stubborn of their lovers. He continued.

“Have you been training harmless ways to use your Zidian lately, Sandu Shengshou?”

The fingers on his ribcage froze, and a very pointed silence followed his question. As a result, his smile got even bigger, making him want to open his eyes just to see the delightful effect of his words on his beloved. 

Lan Huan decided to push his luck a tad further, putting all the fondness and warmth he was feeling in his words and tune until it spilled in every syllable and letter. 

“To think my dear Jiang Wanyin could be so attentive and cute. Must have taken a lot of time and practice to achieve a fine skill like this one.” Then, with a more innocent tune. “I would love to hear all about how you accomplished such a dangerous feat to perfection all by yourself. How much restraint it must have taken.”

The implications were clear, even if he didn’t say anything else out loud, pulling his sleeved hand up to cover his playful grin. 

Jiang Cheng felt his entire body, from his tip of his nose to the end of his fingers, burn, flustered, when he remembered all those times he had to test the technique on himself, learning how to control the power he could use in each attack. It took weeks until he had perfected the new tactics and made those tiny sparks spread a maddening, tickling feeling across every sense and a giggle sprouted in his mouth. 

Only then he allowed himself to try it on others. Sneaking a few electric pokes and jabs to hit his disciples once or twice while correcting their forms during the training and watching them or jump away surprisingly or try to hide their initial squeaky reaction, especially under his usual frowning, serious gaze. It was the only way to be sure that it worked, of course. 

So much work only so he could surprise his family in a future tickle fight, having now a new trick under his sleeve to put in good use.

Jiang Cheng growled in answer to the tease and his fingers crawled higher, filled with electricity while poking and prodding all their way up the other’s torso until it stopped just a few inches from his armpits. He watched with satisfaction the way that just the hint of his hands there made Lan Xichen wiggle like a worm from one side to another. Plenty of poorly concealed snickery titters filled the room the entire time, his hand shooting down again, showing his smile once more.

(Really, who did Lan Xichen think he could fool with this? Hadn’t he been the one to say he wouldn’t hold back? And yet he kept concealing smiles and holding up his laughter in every way. Hmph.)

(Nevertheless, Jiang Cheng couldn’t really say that the prospect of breaking his barriers bit by bit until he could no longer hold back his every giggle, chuckle, crackle and squeal didn’t fill him with new fierce, unwavering determination to keep going.)

“You want to talk about restraint, then?” Jiang Wanyin snarked, getting closer and feeling incredibly smug when that succeeded in turning Lan Xichen’s grin much wobblier and shakier.

His smirk shone, taking over his entire expression, sharp enough for the other to feel it without needing to see. 

“I have a challenge. To see how much of your giant and stubborn self control will save you when you’re completely at my mercy.” 

His words were taunting and, still, Lan Xichen couldn’t even pretend to feel truly threatened by them. 

Somehow, his thoughts must have shown on his face because Jiang Wanyin let out those fond huffs he always did when he thought someone was being too cute for no reason and his tune got into a mix of soft and exasperated. 

“But, if you’re already giddy and giggling like this-” to highlight his words he suddenly pressed on the pits, making a snort explode from him, his bubbly snickers that the other just described jumping on his throat and begging to be set free. The burn of his ears was back. “When I have barely even done anything? Maybe it won’t be a challenge at all. I didn’t even get to start with the real tickling and you already look so close to losing.”

Maybe it was the playfulness. Maybe it was how at ease and safe he felt around the other. Maybe it was the adrenaline of the new game. The joy of seeing how much fun Jiang Cheng was having, how vocal he was being about it. However, for once, Lan Huan didn’t even think twice about the words that were falling from his mouth.

“I am still not laughing right now, though. Am I, Jiang Cheng?”

There was a quick, sharp intake of breath and some seconds of dangerous silence. Lan Xichen felt the hair on the nape of his neck standing and a small hum of electricity charged the air.

A low, raspy chuckle that sounded so close to him made a kind of energy that had nothing to do with the Zidian run like crazy across his spine, sending all his nerves into a frenzy and his mind to tip the abyss of incoherency. Two hands laid on his wrists and started to pull them upwards until they rested nicely above his head, leaving his entire torso free from any form of defense.

His voice was really, really close.

“Don’t you dare to put them down or I won’t hold back.”

Having already played too much with fire, Lan Huan only nodded, letting the other concentrate once again in his attack. He took a deep breath and buried his reactions and snickers deep inside, relaxing his muscles and reining his expression and soul back into a calm and serene appearance, as if he was just getting ready for another afternoon of meditating.

Very well, if this was a challenge, he might as well give his best.

(No one could overcome a Lan in a battle of self control, afterall.)

Jiang Wanyin went back to a more upright position and stopped for a few seconds, eying the arms in front of him with a concentrated consideration. 

Unexpectedly, he remembered a game that his Shiejie used to play with him when he was being too grumpy as a kid, which was, non-surprisingly, more often than not. The pang on his chest that always came when he thought about her didn’t feel as painful as it normally did, not when he was surrounded by Lan Xichen’s warmth and presence, when there was too much joy and happiness going around. It did, though, gave him an idea.

He laid one finger on the center of the other’s slender palm, and slowly started to swirl his digit over its lines and curves. The muscles under it trembled and his sharp attention was quick to capture how it made Lan Huan’s breath hitch for a moment before it went back to normal, face as calm as ever. 

Jiang Cheng felt like a predator, slowly backing his prey into a corner. 

Carefully, he continued drawing spirals on the skin, doing a couple of them before going up to lightly scribble at each finger, being careful to keep the touches light and soft as he went descending to the wrist. Every single inch of it got a good skittering and a few more swirls, dancing fingers continuing to follow their path. 

Getting to the forearm, Jiang Wanyin changed the pace of his fingers and the pressure of his touch, now focusing and curling more his fingers and letting his nails drag themselves freely across his skin. Goosebumps follows his tickles, especially as he decided to take a break on the inner part of Lan Xichen’s elbow and dance, scratch and scribble on the most sensitive spots he found until now, quiet as ever as he used every ounce of his attention to catch and internally cherish every surprised, barely audible huff and puff of snickers from his lover with the breakeaned pattern.

The path across his biceps was even slower, with him doing everything to drag the moment for as long as he could before arriving at his primer destination: the armpit. His hand rested there, not even twitching as he saw Lan Huan hold his breath, waiting in expectation for his next move.

Because it would be foolish to think he wouldn’t have another one prepared. That he wasn’t as expectant as Lan Xichen himself for the moment that the dam would finally break and his usual merciless and energetic tickle attack would be unleashed upon every single tickle spot. 

But Jiang Cheng was feeling mischievous. The game had barely begun, afterall. 

So, with his other free hand, he started repeating the same tickly treatment on his other palm, and thinking that was it, Lan Xichen allowed himself to exhale, gathering his strength to keep up with the challenge, feeling a bit more confident for it, since now he already had an idea of what was going to happen.

That was until the leader of Yunmeng sect began pinching his armpit and a sharp gasp was suddenly ripped from him. His arms twitched downwards and his head turned just half of an inch to the side, cheeks puffing just the tiniest bit with barely concealed sounds before it all turned back to normal, his face going back to a serene, unbothered mask. 

Still, no small details escaped Jiang Cheng’s attentive gaze: the way that his fingers curled every time he hit a sweet spot, how the skin around his eyes crinkled when a playful poke hit his pit, and, especially, how red his ears were getting, the color starting to spill to his neck with each passing second. 

This was fine. 

Jiang Wanyin could be patient. Precise. Unwavering. 

There was one yet to be born who was able to win against him when it came to stubbornness.

Therefore, he continued his double attack, assaulting the defenseless armpit with gentle, quick pinches that felt like tiny kisses on his skin at the same time that his other hand concentrated all the skittering and dancing on the other ticklish arm. 

The longer he went, the more his tranquil façade began to slip, each and every single occasion being followed by way too smug chuckles that made Lan Huan both want to kiss his lover, let everything go and let himself giggle non stop or even worse: whine in protest. 

The thing that Lan Xichen failed to consider when accepting this challenge was a very simple one: he did not realize how absolutely maddening and unbearably quiet this all would be. 

Silence had never bothered him, of course. Yet, right now it only left him with no other option but to concentrate on everything happening around him: on the way his lover kept scribbling, pinching and poking his tickle spots calmly without ever, ever moving away. On the soft tingling touches following his every twitch. In those attentive eyes that kept watching his every reaction, every move and smile. All of his sharky intakes of breath, gasps, yelps and quiet snickers seemed to resonate in his ears and across the room like they were being amplified. There was only one thing that interrupted them:

Jiang Wanyin’s teases.

“What?” Said one taunted as he finally, finally decided to move on from his poor armpits. His relief, though, was very short when he pressed on his higher ribs and vibrated. Lan Huan’s back arched and a snort almost broke his barriers. “You thought it was over? Not so soon, I still have much, much more places to explore. Is the challenge getting too hard for you already?”

He didn’t answer, too much concentrated in keeping his composure as those horrible, unfair and worming fingers quickly scrambled to wiggle on the base of his spine, their light scratches making him want to jump from his skin. His body tried to move both far away and much closer from the sensation. 

“I can see your arms coming down, Lan Huan. Keep them up, I said. Have you forgotten about my promise that quickly or are you testing me? Do you really want me to destroy you with tickles that bad?”

Lan Xichen held his breath and squirmed lightly in the same place. Usually Jiang Wanyin’s merciless teasing was accompanied by an equally ruthless tickling that would leave him laughing hysterically, too occupied with his own inelegant and extremely loud crackling to even think too much about his words. As they were right now, however, he was just unable to tune every provocation and every tickle out. 

Even if he stopped pressing his lips so tightly and let his control crumble, the leader of Lan Sect was pretty sure that his bubbly giggles and childish squeaks wouldn’t even come close to subdue his lover’s sentences. No one could ever dream of being able to outshout the very own Sandu Shengshou, afterall.

Those hands crept higher, jumping from his spine to press on each and every rib on its way for so quickly, so, so fast that the touch only lasted a few seconds before the fingers scrambled away as if his skin was made of fire. The pokes came one after the other in a rapid succession that teased and left more ticklish sparks across every nerve. At this point he couldn’t even distinguish if Jiang Cheng was using the Zidian or if all the anticipation and gentle scribbles made him infinitely more ticklish, muscles tensing and trembling with every touch.

Lan Xichen found himself on the brick of letting his control go and his snickers and chuckles free. His arms and armpits still tingled from the previous attack and every instinctive twitch of his torso made a new wave of phantom tickles tease them, his entire body feeling just like a giant, ticklish spot. 

His lips were wobbly and a smile was finally able to blossom on them.

His arms went down.

“Lan Huan,” Jiang Wanyin warned once more. 

A single finger began scribbling and prodding at his spine, way too close from his shoulderblades too be a coincidence and Lan Xichen wanted to kick out the pent up energy that didn’t stop flooding his veins. His back once more arched a piece of time longer than the previous time. Lan Huan caught himself and forced it to relax again into the laying position, bringing it right back to the assaulting finger. It was quite counterproductive, since it made him want to squirm away all over again. “Put your arms back up.”

Lan Xichen felt like he had all the reason for the pout he showed the other, still he hid it all the same behind one of his sleeves. 

There was simply no warning before the hand on his spine pressed on and drummed in a full attack on the spot, making his entire body spasm with the force of the crackle he had to hold, torso squirming away but unable to truly escape from the tickles.

Jiang Cheng’s previous other free hand latched on his side and began squeezing. His entire body now bounced, cheeks puffed out with all the laughing being held inside. Still, no sound left him. Thoughts and feeling zig zagged in his mind in a totally undignified frenetic manner that would certainly make his uncle and the elders of the clan go into qi deviation if they knew.

“I told you, didn’t I? Arms up, Lan Huan.”

Lan Xichen kicked, pressed his hand firmly on his mouth and squirmed on the same place, feeling like laughter was about to break and fill the entire room in any second now. He managed to endure a total of half of a minute before his arms were shooting upwards again and, just as fast, the hands there were just now mercilessly assaulting his ticklish with all the kneading and drilling of an energetic tickle attack, went back to caressing softly at his skin. 

He quietly muffled a tiny, surprised squeak. Somehow the light, sweet scratches felt even more awfully tickly now than before and Lan Huan barely had any willpower left to keep his bubbly, high pitched reactions inside as he tried to take his breath back.

“I can see your barrier cracking.” Jiang Cheng’s voice was suddenly horribly close and he hummed in response to the teasy words. No matter how giggly and silly he sounded now or how fireflies batted their wings like crazy in his belly or how his lips couldn’t stop curling upwards and his face started getting redder than ever. It was only a hum. “I can see how your eyes crinkle and how your smile grows bigger and bigger with every tiny, smallest move of my fingers. I can feel how your muscles tremble under them, before you regain your control and force them to relax. I can hear your giddiness and how you hold your breath every time I find a new defenseless, sensitive spot. I know how it’s taking longer and longer for you to gather your restrain and hide all of these little details.”

At that, he purposely focuses his attention in prodding and wiggling his fingers in the place where Lan Huan’s stomach and side meet, pulling another loud snort from him. 

“And,” Jiang Cheng continues, his usual rough tune coming out like a pleased purring of a predator that circles his prey. “Above it all, I can see how you try to move your face away from me, Lan Huan. But you’re not getting away. No. Not after all the effort I used here and not until I get to see how much of a laughing, blushing mess I can make our elegant Zewu Jun to be. Until you won’t be able to look at me without feeling giggles filling your throat and a smile taking over your face. Until I get to hear every squeal, every snicker, every delightful, uncontrollable reaction you have to offer.”

Lan Xichen felt like he was going to explode. The gentle tickling continued as slow and as light as always, sweet and lovely as if nothing had happened at all, in a total contrast from the absolutely unmerciful and on point that it was every tease. Each word seemed to hit his sensitive ears and coax him closer to giving up from a challenge that he never really cared about in the first place. 

Jiang Wanyin seemed very aware of all of this. The leader of the Lan Sect wondered when did they become so crystal clear to each other.

“And then, when all of your barriers break, when your self control and restraint can no longer save you from me, I will keep on tickling, keep on teasing and keep on getting all of your smiles, squirms and giggles, over and over and over again.”

A quick pinch kissed his hips and Lan Huan let a giggle escape from his lips.

And then another and another and another. Suddenly, the room was filled by a high pitched, quick and loud giggling fit that he hardly indulged in his daily life, making his ears feel like they were on fire when, with each passing second, they only continued to grow more uncontrollable and ring louder, being interrupted only by a couple of snorts before continuing their song and dance.

A white flash suddenly appeared in Jiang Wanyin’s field of vision and in a blink those long sleeves were concealing his lover’s smile again. 

Jiang Cheng huffed, rolling his eyes at the sudden bashfulness of the other and Lan Xichen didn’t need to open his to see the fondly exasperated grin that always accompanied those moments. 

After a few pieces of second when he saw that the other wouldn’t really move, the one in purple robes tried to take his arms away from his face. However, the Lan simply dodged from his grip, giving Jiang Cheng only a glimpse of that full dazzling smile before it was gone again, sleeves fluttering skillfully in and out of his hold when he kept trying to push them out of the way.    

"Stop hiding your face!" For once his exclamation didn’t even pretend to sound annoyed, the threat hidden in his words losing any and every heat as it got mixed with a bark of laughter. “Wasn’t you the one who was all about not holding back just minutes ago?”

Lan Xichen merely chuckled. Jiang Cheng kept fighting to pin, once more, his energetic arms.

In the end, he was successful, of course. 

His lover had been barely trying, afterall.

Still, he felt a tad breathless, little from the quick roughhousing and much more because he was suddenly hit by the full image of Lan Huan’s handsome, gorgeous face. He could feel his own skin heat up as he momentarily froze in the same place.

Lan Xichen lightly pulled his arms in protest, unaware of the other’s struggles. "It's stronger than me!" He giggled a defense and the way that it sounded like it was only two seconds from becoming a screech broke Jiang Wanyin out of it.

Once again, a huff left his mouth.

The hands stopped their dance on his hips. It took three heartbeats, but Lan Xichen felt his pinned wrists being pressed a bit stronger on the mattress and the weight on his thighs shifted forward. If that hadn’t indicated that the Yumeng sect leader moved closer, the voice hitting his absurdly red ear certainly would. 

“You know who else is stronger than you?”

There was a hint of a growling in his tune that made bells ring in alarm in his mind, nerves getting alight with electricity. 

For a moment he almost gave up and opened his eyes, wanting to see what was happening, but the anticipation on the air was already stronger and Xichen wanted to hear where it would go if he didn’t tip it any further. The hands on his wrists gave them a squeeze that was both too much of a warning to be a purely comforting touch and way too soft to match the threatening tune that fell from Jiang Wanyin's lips. 

“Me.” 

His breath now teased the skin of his neck, making electricity to fly across the tickle spots to his mouth, expanding his smile. "So I will repeat myself just this last time: keep your arms here, nice and far away from that pretty face, or I will do it for you. Deal?" 

Lan Xichen’s snickering now had less to do with the tickles and, just for the fun of it, he tipped his head to the side, as if thinking about his answer. 

(If that opened the path of his neck for more attacks, it was simply a coincidence. He hummed a not-so-controlled giggle when his lover caved to the cute sign and laid a quick kiss on the base of his jaw. Good, he was starting to think he would have to pout for it.) 

He could feel those gray eyes glued on him as the silence stretched and the squeezing of his hands quickly changed to a firmer hold of his wrists in an answer of a question that hadn’t even been voiced in the first place. 

"Oi, I am going to break your legs!” This time, Lan Huan really couldn’t help the playful tilt of his tune as the snickers grew to full chuckling, his reactions being totally unleashed and all over the place. They sounded just the tiniest bit hysterical, but the teasingness of it couldn’t really be ignored. Jiang Wanyin made it too easy. “Tsk. I thought it was against the great Gusu Lan's rules to be impolite. Disrespecting and leaving another Sect Leader without an answer is an offense that is not taken lightly." 

Truly, the words had slipped from Lan Xichen’s lips even before he could truly ponder about them.

"Maybe some people just like to think before answering, Wanyin." 

(Lan Xichen ignored the irony.)

Before the other's growl could become stronger and his hands got free for the only purpose of absolutely destroying him with tickles until he took every single syllable back, Lan Xichen quickly lifted his torso and planted a giggly, placating kiss on his cheek, opening his eyes just about time to see that lovely red blossoming across Jiang Wanyin’s entire face. 

With his expression completely relaxed, the surprise and fluster successfully whipped away the frown that naturally appeared anytime he was provoked. 

With this, truly, Lan Huan couldn't really be blamed for the other couple of pecks he stole before the feared Sandu Shengsou came back from the surprise and turned away, hair falling in front of his face in a poor attempt to hide it while his hands continued to rend him immobile. 

"I will keep my arms up." He chipped, because even with his pokes of fun, the feeling that he would never be able to see Jiang Cheng’s hands getting close again without breaking into a sea of crackling snickers and the phantom tingling that kept playing with his nerves like a guqin, he was still having too much fun playing with this new side of his lover and he would actually hate to take the teases too far. 

"Feeling very confident today, aren’t you?" Lan Xichen felt his eyes widen. There was simply no other way to describe it, but when the other’s gaze fell on him, it could only describe them as hungry. 

"Let's see how much breath you'll have to tease me when we're done." 

Just like that, those hands were back, making him want to curl into a ball when, even after everything, no energetic, quick and destroying tickle attack assaulted his hips in a kneading, clawing and drilling dance that he knew so well and prepared for. A kind of attack that would have him lose control and laugh immediately, not caring at all about rules or pretenses for minutes at time.

Instead, this touch was light, traveling across his sides. It wiggled and scratched at any and every inch of skin, careful to not forget a single spot. 

Remembering Jiang Wanyin's first request, he closed his eyes, trying his best to not take the other's example and try to hide his own blushing face behind the curtains of his own hair. The tiny, unusual giggles flooding and spilling from his lips hysterically were back. 

They continued like that for a couple of minutes, Jiang Cheng actually feeling impressed with how Lan Xichen kept his arms - shaking in a far image from the how composed they were in the beginning of the game - up the entire time, especially as his pokes and pinches now deliberately focused on the most ticklish spots, wiggling and skittering more and more frequently as the seconds ticked by.

It didn’t take too long before he started feeling antsy. With all his lover’s most sensitive and weak spots being successfully mapped out so he could focus entirely on them and with the challenge no longer running there wasn’t a lot to focus besides the extremely cute reactions of his beloved, which was something he could indeed watch forever, but also something that he knew he could make it become even more adorable. That nagging feeling that he just needed to do something kept him agitated.

Usually, with his usual ruthless attacks, that would be the moment he would find himself spilling how precious and important Lan Huan was to him. How his presence warmed the coldest of the nights and his smiles brightened the greyest of his days. In those moments, though, his words were accompanied by a loud crackling or hysterical laughter, making it impossible for the other to even see how much vulnerable he decided to be. 

It was easier this way, when he was sure that his beloved wouldn’t take the chance to start praising him and make him freeze, or even worse, stutter over his words, quickly turning the tables about who the blushing mess was. 

(Gods, Huan was simply merciless when he stuttered, throwing one praise after another in a quick succession before he could even think of getting his footing again, refusing to not let the full extension of his own affection to show with his, as well.)

Jiang Cheng was definitely not a fool to even think to start, in that sweet, calm pace of the melodious giggling fit, a battle he knew he would not win.

Technically, he knew that Lan Xichen in no way minded the silence, he was the brother of Lan Wangji, after all. Yet, he found himself thinking about some other tease, a game or anything he could say or do to see which more reactions he could get.

At the sudden thought of his brother in law, an idea appeared in his mind. A kind of… provocation he saw him using earlier, if he could even call it that. 

It was silly, but it was worth a try.

He lowered his voice in a tune he knew that it affected the other immensely, raspy and paused. 

“Lan Huan.”

“Yes?”

The answer was as quick and eager as ever, no tilt of playfulness of flustering falling from it. Embarrassedly, Jiang Cheng felt his face get on fire.

(How would he know that this wouldn’t work! When he himself still felt as defenseless and soft as the first time Sect Leader Lan used his given name when he continued using it every single day?)

“Wanyin?” Lan Xichen tried again when no answer came, opening his eyes only to see the other quickly deviate his gaze, blush deep in his face, a giant pout resting on his lips. It only made him laugh harder, albeit confusedly.

“Nothing.” He grumbled. “Doesn’t matter. It’s not important.”

Lan Huan opened his mouth to disagree that there wasn’t anything unimportant when it came to Jiang Cheng when the assaulting hand decided that this was the perfect moment to claw on his belly, drumming and scratching fingers way too close to his bellybutton to be a coincidence. A shriek cut his thought process and opened the gates for all the high pitched series of squeaks that left his lips, snickery fit growing up a notch.

“Jiang Wanyin!” He protested at the clear attempt of distraction, refusing to break contact and close his eyes again. 

That is how he managed to see the exact moment Jiang Cheng faltered for a second with his words. Suddenly the redness of his face was painting from the tip of his ears to the tip of his nose and a shudder clearly went through him. Tiny pinches, much quicker and persistent than before, as if demanding his attention, began traveling all across his stomach.

He giggled hysterically. Yet refusing to stop until he discovered what was that about.

“Jiang Cheng!”

His eyebrows furrowed in pure concentration, which gave the Lan a fun contrast with the giant smile plastered in his expression. 

“Sush. It was nothing.”

Why was he reacting like this? Nothing had happened in those last moments and all Lan Xichen did was…

Wait. Could it be…

“Jiang Cheng?” He pushed the words through his high pitched giggles again, not caring how each syllable was completely consumed by his giddy, bubbly and quite silly reactions.

Jiang Wanyin couldn’t stop the way that his blush worsened at this crawling to his neck. His lover’s entire face brightened in understanding.

“Jiang Cheng!” Lan Huan looked like a kid being presented with his favorite toy as a gift. His voice was absolutely delighted, joyful and completely unbothered about how adorable and sweet he made Jiang Cheng’s name sound like this. His tittering and chuckling painted every syllable and sound in a maddening manner that made Jiang Cheng feel like he could keep tickling and listening to it forever. 

It was a dangerous weapon. 

He sticked his finger on his bellybutton in retaliation, scratching the walls and prodding the spot in a way that he knew would make the other go insane with ticklish sensations.

Those chuckles quickly evolved to a loud, belly laughter. 

Lan Huan’s back arched with the new attack and slammed back on the mattress, legs kicking uncontrollably at the sensations. In an alarming sign, Jiang Cheng saw him opening his mouth and quickly sent his other free hand to dig and drum on the rest of his stomach, spidering, squeezing and kneading everywhere he could touch in hopes of making him lose his breath. 

And still… 

“Jiang Wanyin! Jiang Cheng! Cute Cheng!”

Each word was shouted in joy, nothing like the usual calm and proper way Lan Xichen usually held himself. With his heart melting and his chest feeling just like it would explode, Jiang Cheng decided, he has no other option, truly. 

In a swift and quick movement, he freed his hands and turned around, latching on his knees and squeezing.

The sound that came out of the other’s mouth cut across the entire mountain chain, a mix of a shriek and loud crackling filling the air immediately. Jiang Cheng almost stopped right on his tracks with the sheer volume and force of it, quickly turning back to see Lan Xichen completely boneless on the mattress, head thrown back, mouth open wide and eyes crinkling in the corners as squeals and chortles mingled with his unstoppable laughing fit.

It did nothing to stop the warmth filling his soul.

Lan Huan could barely think about anything else but the tickles, how they demanded every ounce of his attention, took over his every thought and danced in every nerve, especially when those playful hands decided to wiggle their way to under his knees and scribble on the horrible, awfully sensitive soft skin there as if their lives depended on it, drumming and scratching non stop.

Well, he had quite asked for this.

Still, when a couple of curious tickly sparkles touched his knees and made all of his senses explode in tingles and laughter and tickles and snorts and tickles, his body automatically jumped to a sitting position and his arms engulfed the other, face immediately hiding on his back in a poor attempt to muffle a loud screech. 

The sparkles, squeezing and drumming continued for gods know how long. Lan Xichen could feel his entire body bounce with the force of each one of his crackles, giggling and squeaks. Jiang Cheng’s own amused chuckles accompanied his, even if the Lan wasn’t really able to make out the teasing words he uttered from time to time and made his back rumble, too occupied in feeling like he was going mad with tickling.

His body moved before his mind, once more. In a blink he was crackling too much to keep himself upwards and in the other he was smashing his lips against Jiang Cheng’s and muffling his laughter until the assault of his worst spot stopped and his reactions lowered to a string of non-stop snickers.

Jiang Cheng scoffed, but turned himself around and adjusted his pose so they could continue the new activity more comfortably.

Lan Xichen jolted and grinned in a truly ungraceful manner when those two hands came to rest on his sides, but they only rubbed firmly on the skin, the new giggles created by the scare being quickly kissed away as the other refused to let Lan Xichen be distracted by anything else that wasn’t him.

It didn’t take long before he melted completely again, his arms coming to rest on Jiang Wanyin’s shoulders and the blush painting his ears now for a completely different reason.

They separated to take a few gulps of air, lingering smiles and shining gazes focused on each other for a few moments. Already recovered, Lan Xichen found himself diving right back in, locking their lips together and pressing closer and closer.

That is, until the traitors, lying hands on his sides, digged on the sensitive spot with all their might. His arms came crashing down and his body tried to curl in a defensive ball, but it was already too late. A new round of loud laughter spilled from his lungs and jumped excitedly from his tongue, filling the room once more in a high pitched tune.

He couldn’t really help the squeal and trashing when Wanyin made sure to whisper the teasing growl next to his ear, again, voice still breathless from all their kissing. “You really thought that that would work, huh? That it would be so easy to distract me? Just a few pecks, then I would forget everything and you would be free to go and be a teasing bastard all over again.” He chuckled and rested his mouth on the base of his neck, every word rumbling and tickling. “I told you before, didn’t I? You will be at my mercy until you have no more breath left to provoke me ever again. I never go back on my word.”

And then he promptly began delivering a giant, unending raspberry on his neck.

Lan Xichen laughed and laughed and laughed for some more minutes until there were tears prickling the corner of his eyes and hiccups began ringing together with his giggles.

The very moment those appeared, though, the playful hands immediately stopped their playful assault to massage and rub softly until the leftover tingles disappeared. The raspberries metamorphosed to pecks and kisses all over his face that got him melting on the spot in no more than a couple of seconds, shoulders still lightly bouncing with the ligering tittering that followed them.

Silence stretched across them like dogs and bunnies usually do, on their lazy days.

“Jiang Cheng.” 

“Hm?”

Lan Xichen waited until those gray eyes were on him and let his smile shine unashamedly. His lover huffed, fond.

“Should this one give you the report now, Sandu Shengshou?”

“Oh, shut up.”

The sect leader Lan chuckled.

That was the only warning Jiang Cheng had before, in an elegant flash of white, he found his entire world spinning until his back hit the mattress and his hands were firmly held above his head. A weight settled on his thighs, pinning him on the spot. Those brown, crinkling eyes were now just inches from his face.

He tried to squirm and pull his arms down, but the grip was as moving as the mountains that surrounded the Cloud Recesses.

“Since my report won’t be necessary, maybe I can explore other… techniques to show you my observations and feelings?”

Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened with understanding. He tried harder to free his arms to at least have a lieu of a shield to protect his currently defenseless tickle spots. His mouth was already betraying him, his lips wobbly turning upwards.

Lan Xichen kept watching him, serene, no hurry at all. 

“They do say that there is no stronger way to bond than to share similar experiences and I would be happy to assist in yours .”

“Lan Huan! Don’t! Do not dare!”

He trashed and buckled, squashing as much as he could the already bubbling titters filling his chest, the kind face above him seeing right through his frown - in the way that he called Lan Xichen by his birth name, how the Zidian didn’t crackle or activate like it did when his master was in danger, in the softness still lingering on him, the excited glint in his gaze, in the very same way that they already had this song and dance plenty of times before - and so effortlessly continued to pin him on the mattress, winking before starting to lower his face, bit by bit.

“Lan Huan, I’m warning you! I will-”

“I love your smile.” The sentence was calm and playful, but Jiang Cheng’s voice still got caught in his throat, frozen. Both because of his words and the tiny, careful and light nibble that hit the ticklish back of his ear, barely pecking the skin over and over again. “I love how beautiful and cute it is, when it’s tiny or big,” Another nibble. “When it’s soft or determined.” Another one. “When you’re aware of it or not.” Another. Another. Another.

“Shuhuhut up!”

Amidst his demand Jiang Cheng let out an uncharacteristic snort.

An answering chuckle rang like a bell and set his cheeks ablaze, stretching his grin wider as he turned his face to press it firmly on his shoulder. The other’s breath made him lift his shoulder in an attempt of defense, only for the ministrations to change to his other ear, more praises and loving teases pouring like rain and making him feel more and more silly, tickly, shy.

(Loved). 

He endured exactly three more compliments (he had to put a stop when Lan Xichen started to point out how he went out of the way to take care and make little nice gestures that should go unnoticed because they’re not a big deal at all!) before snapping, again, with no heat.

“Why don’t you stop saying nonsense,” he tried squirming and scrunching his neck, but the other only hummed dangerously in warning, making tingles and tickly shocks spread like flames on his nerves. He attempted to control the snicker painting his words, unsuccessfully. “And put your mouth to good use?”

“So demanding…”

Still, Lan Xichen acquiesced and took a deep breath. Jiang Cheng closed his eyes, preparing for the killer raspberry that would come and finally put him out of his suffering.

Only for a continued, light gush of air hit his skin, pulling those low, anticipatory giggles from him.

“Soon, Wanyin. First, I must tell you all the endearing, lovely things about you that keep making me swoon and fall in love all over again while I watch this blush take over your beautiful, adorable face. Then, after I’m done, you're going to tell me all of your favorite spots for the day and I will tickle every single one of them, maybe using that delightful technique you just spent so long teaching me all about today, maybe testing how loud and carefree I can make you sound. What do you think?"

Lan Xichen yelped and jolted away when harmless sparks hit both of his hands, making them tingle and automatically let go of the other, which was enough for him to dislodge the Lan from his spot with a hard buckle, throwing him back on the mattress and quickly turning around to run away from the bed.

Before he succeeded, however, Lan Huan jumped and locked his hand on his wrist, maintaining his grip even when Jiang Cheng twisted it left and right and pulling him closer and making the one in purple robes lose his footing.

He then quickly adjusted himself on the bed so the other would fall right on his side and Lan Xichen could quickly finish this game of cat and mouse. 

However, Jiang Cheng used the impulse to turn around and barrel him on the mattress, limbs getting entangled as both of them get lost in giggles, playful growls and some non heated pushing and pulling each other around.

It took a few minutes until he finally had the opening he was waiting for. Brown eyes shone when Jiang Cheng got distracted, too proud of managing to get on top of him during the brawl. With a fast swipe, one of his hands captured the other’s wrist and pulled upwards. His legs did a quick word in locking themselves around the other’s one pair. Unbalanced, Jiang Cheng fell on his chest with a shout and his free hand held his waist close, body rolling and putting Lan Xichen right on top, again. 

Hair fell on his face in a mess of untamed strands as his erratic breath matched Wanyin’s, smiles shining bright. He could feel the way that his ribbon was crooked on his forehead and his usual pristine robes got wrinkles. None of those details went unnoticed by Jiang Cheng, who smirked at him with a sharp smugness, even if his general state was just as bad.

Lan Xichen almost kissed him again.

Instead, though, he took a deep breath, reigning the joyful smile in his face and the childish snickers playing in his throat. 

When he opened his eyes, there was now a honed resolutioness on them, his smile became a smirk and his face got closer to the other. 

"Do that again and I will have to put my sect’s ribbon and spells to a good use.” As always, his voice rang light and sweet, but with an undertone of something low and dangerous that made the very own Sandu Shengshou shiver. “Alright?”

It was not a question.

Lan Xichen nuzzled his neck sweetly. “Thank you for expanding my collection even more with all your wonderful reactions.” 

Oh, gods, Jiang Cheng realized with wide, excited eyes. He was going to die, wasn’t he?

“Shall we begin?”

[~*~]

Random Thoughts:

Jiang Cheng, watching Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan: urg, look at them, so head over the heels for each other, absolutely shameless, no respect at all for anyone who is near. It’s like they have no sense of self preservation at all

Lan Xichen: a

Jiang Cheng: Oh my goddd it’s Lan Xichen hi hi hiiiii <3 <3 :3 <3

~~

Jiang Cheng to me is just aaaaa! The fact that he hates Wei Wuxian and keeps guarding his flute even after 13 years. The way that he follows Jin Ling in his every night hunt. How he was the only one to not chase Wei Wuxian when his identy was revealed. He handing Jin Ling the Zidian just like his mother did to him

I keep thinking about a continuation where, while they're still starting to get closer, Wei Wuxian start having more tickle fights in front of Jiang Cheng - both attacking Lan Yuan, Lan Jingyi or his own husband - until he finally has enough of him looking so gloom and doom everytime he does so and decides to take the matter into his own hands <3

Look, I'm going to be honest, I just need more of everyone in mdzs laughing, playing and being silly, okay? I need more of that happiness and if for that I need to write my own content and spend hours daydreaming about them in cute tickle scenarios so be it <3 <3 peace and love on planet earth

Maybe I will write something with the juniors in the future? Add some pure, playful and joyful fluff in the story. They are just way too precious and def deserve some more laughing in their lives. And Wei Wuxian just have such perfect, amazing tickle monster vibes iugtfrdefrgyu

Also, enjoy this amazing video of Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen that I can't stop thinking about.

[ticklygiggles]

Oh this looks like fun. For either pink or orange, can we have lee Lan Xichen and lers Nie Mingjue and Jin Guangyao? I'm in a 3zun mood.

[2k followers celebration event] - entries closed!

🧡 Orange: bondage/trapped tickling

3Zun - Lan XiChen x Nie MingJue x Jin GuangYao

A/N: aaaaaaaa love me some venerated triad tickles dndkfkff I hope you enjoy this!

Lan XiChen whimpered, shyly pulling at his bound arms above his head. He felt exposed, not only because he was, but also because what kept his arms tied to the wooden pillar was nothing more than his precious forehead ribbon.

His cheeks were hot and the corners of his lips trembled, trying to keep from smiling at the two men who were watching him from above with matching smirks.

Oh, how had he gotten into this?

... He knew it perfectly well.

Recently, Lan XiChen had discovered that Nie MingJue was ticklish and in the past few weeks, it had been his never-ending task to tickle him until the Sect Leader had tears of mirth in his eyes.

Many of those merciless attacks happened at Jin GuangYao's residence, and although there were times when Jin GuangYao joined him in wrecking Nie MingJue, (never missing a chance to mess up with his Da-ge), he usually chose to stay at bay.

Now Lan XiChen understood very well why. From the beginning, Jin GuangYao knew that all those little pranks would end up backfiring and a merciless revenge was simmering in Nie MingJue's heart. A punishment that Lan XiChen would suffer alone, clearly.

"You should be there too," Nie MingJue suddenly said, poking Jin GuangYao's ribs, "but I'll let it slide for now."

Jin GuangYao flinched away from the touch, but held back a squeak very well. "Oh come on, Da-ge," he said, only after he felt the bubbly feeling in his throat go away. "After all, this was my idea, wasn't it? Besides, I know all the most sensitive places in our Sect Leader Lan," he said and Lan XiChen felt the heat in his cheeks grow.

He was not lying. Jin GuangYao was the first one to properly introduce Lan XiChen into tickling. It had been an accident, just an innocent, playful poke to the side that had Lan XiChen jumping, gasping and immediately asking what was that sensation and Jin GuangYao having to show him exactly what it was.

Of course he knew all of Lan XiChen's sensitive spots, and that made him even more nervous.

"N-Now," Lan XiChen started, jolting when two pairs of eyes were back on him. "Are- Are you really going to do this? MingJue-Xiong, p-perhaps an apology will be enough?"

Nie MingJue arched an eyebrow and Jin GuangYao laughed behind his hand.

"Hmm, I don't think an apology will be enough, Er-ge."

"Oh, shush, A-Yao. You are a little traitor. I remember you were tickling MingJue-Xiong just as much as I- n-no! G-Gihive me one s-sehecond, I- ahahaha! Plehehease!"

Lan XiChen's laughter echoed through Jin GuangYao's private chambers at Koi Tower and both Sect Leaders flushed at the beautiful sound. Light and bubbly and warm, that was how they described it later on in little whispers when Lan XiChen was not in the room.

Nie MingJue had barely started, just pinching Lan XiChen's sides, perhaps a little too rough, making Lan XiChen groan softly.

"Softer, Da-ge," Jin GuangYao said with a soft laugh and he gentle pushed Nie MingJue's hands away so his could take their place.

"Gahahaha! N-Nohoho, A-Yahahao!" Now those giggles had turned a little more frantic and Lan XiChen trashed heavily. "Lihihisten!"

"You see?" Jin GuangYao asked, not listening to Lan XiChen and looking at Nie MingJue. "If you do it any harder, you'll hurt him."

Nie MingJue nodded and he tried again and Lan XiChen shrieked, giggling harder as now two pairs of hands tickled his sides with quick pinches and then scribbles and then thumbs sinking into his skin and massaging circles against the muscles of his lower sides.

He squirmed and kicked and tried to pull at his arms, but he didn't want to rip his ribbon, so his movements were limited.

"Hohohold ohohon!" He giggled, shrieking again when one hand moved to his tummy. "Nohoho! Plehehease!"

He reflexively raised his knees to protect his middle, but was surprised when he felt two hands grab each of his knees, pushing his legs back against the wooden floor and each of his lovers straddling one of his legs. However, his surprise grew even more when he felt hands latching to his thighs.

"N-No!" He gasped, trying to move his legs. "N-Not there, I- AHAHAHA!"

Lan XiChen tipped his head back with boisterous laughter as four hands squeezed his inner thighs. He tried to close his legs, but they were pinning him good.

"Er-ge's inner thighs are really ticklish, Da-ge," Jin GuangYao said over Lan XiChen's laughter. "He freaks out if you squeeze up his thigh, like this."

Lan XiChen nearly screeched when he felt Jin GuangYao's hands going up his thigh to that horrendous ticklish spot near his crotch and when the hand finally landed right there, his cackling became nearly hysterical.

Nie MingJue chuckled charmingly as he copied Jin GuangYao's technique, driving Lan XiChen up the wall.

"You go around life being this ticklish, XiChen?" He asked, teasing Lan XiChen as he saw him losing his mind. "That's dangerous, don't you think?"

Jim GuangYao chuckled too, "I think so as well, maybe we should tickle you until you stop being ticklish, Er-ge?"

Lan XiChen shook his head. "NAHAHA! I'll dihihie! Leheheave my thihihihghs alohohone!"

He heard Jin GuangYao and Nie MingJue chuckle before they finally stopped tickling his thighs to scribble all the way up to his ribs, towards his armpits. Lan XiChen widened his eyes, he shook his head and arched his back off the floor, trying too dislodge those evil fingers poking and clawing up his ribs.

"Nohoho! Plehehease, nohohot thehehere!"

Nie MingJue looked at Jin GuangYao curiously and Jin GuangYao chucked.

"Er-ge is the most ticklish under his arms, Da-ge," Jin GuangYao explained calmly, giggling as Lan XiChen's laughter grew desperate the higher his fingers went.

"MingJue-xiohohong, hahahave mehercy! I wihihill nohohot- AH!"

Lan XiChen's sentence was interrupted by a loud shriek, (for a moment he almost doubted that it was a sound that had come from him), when Nie MingJue's fingers moved into his armpits without warning. The sensation was so sudden than Lan XiChen could only gasp, whine and squeak, but as Nie MingJue wiggled his fingers against the sensitive spot over and over and over, it didn't take long for Lan XiChen to break into hysterical laughter.

"Oh, Da-ge. You're so mean," Jin GuangYao teased, his fingers clawing at Lan XiChen's ribs. "Do not do that~, it tickles our poor Sect Leader Lan a lot!"

Lan XiChen couldn't form coherent words as he laughed and laughed and laughed. Nie MingJue was merciless to his exposed armpits and he had to force himself to not lower his arms because his ribbon was in danger - and what would Lan Qiren say if he sees him coming back to the Cloud Recesses without a ribbon? He didn't even want to imagine!

But it was really hard to keep his arms still when Nie MingJue was picking up a rhythm between rapid scribbles and his thumbs digging right into the center of Lan XiChen's armpits, that were making him see stars.

The feeling was maddening. It didn't matter how many tickle fights he had with Jin GuangYao, it was always overwhelming how ticklish he really was.

"M-MingJue-xihohohong!" Lan XiChen laughed, tears of laughter clinging to his lashes. "M-My rihihibbohohon!"

"Hmm?" Nie MingJue hummed and only then seemed to noticed how hard Lan XiChen was trying to save his ribbon. He smirked. "Oh, don't worry, I'll help you out, XiChen," he said, faking a kind voice as he grasped Lan XiChen's wrists in one of his hands, pinning them above Lan XiChen's head.

Lan XiChen gasped and he pulled at his arms, but was imposible to move them now. What was worse, Nie MingJue kept tickling one of his armpits with his free hand.

"Oh, let me help too!" Jin GuangYao chirped and Lan XiChen squeaked out in protest when he felt his other armpit under attack once again.

Were they trying to kill him tickling his most sensitive spot like that?!

He kicked his legs and arched his back, laughing his head off. "PLEHEHEASE! Plehehease, I gihihive uhuhup!"

Nie MingJue chuckled, "Will you stop tickling me then?"

Despite everything, Lan XiChen shook his head no. "N-Nohohoho! You hahave a pretty smihihile! And I lihihike you're lahahaugh!"

"And he also likes being tickled!" Jin GuangYao said excitedly, poking at Lan XiChen's armpit repeatedly.

"LIHIHIHIES!" Lan XiChen squealed, feeling the blush spread all over his face, all the way to his ears, which he had only seen on WangJi before.

"Oh? You like this?" Nie MingJue asked to poor, hysterical Lan XiChen. He shook his head, lying. "I'm not sure why but I do believe you do like it."

No matter what he believed, either way, Lan XiChen couldn't do much more than laugh until his body was growing weak and he could barely squirm under their attack to his underarms.

He knew they wouldn't over do it, but he was reaching his limit and was a little worried until he heard Jin GuangYao over his hysterical laughter:

"Okay, Da-ge," he said gently, giving a final poke to Lan XiChen's armpit. "I think that is enough. We don't want him to start hating this, right?"

Nie MingJue chuckled and with a last scribble, he also stopped. "Yeah, you're right."

Lan XiChen barely noticed the movements around him: his forehead ribbon being untied from around his wrists and being tied properly in its place. Hands gently massaging his sore arms, making him giggle with anticipation as they neared his armpits but never tickled him there; two kisses pressed to his now covered forehead, a glass of water pressed to his lips and four hands helping him sit up.

"Are you alright, Er-ge?" Jin GuangYao asked, playfully bumping his arm against Lan XiChen's.

Lan XiChen nodded, a shy smile on his lips. "I am alright, thank you."

A comfortable silence fell upon them, happy smiles pulling at the corners of their mouths as they enjoyed each other presence, their hearts content for being able to be playful and forget about Clan Sect Leader responsibilities even for a little while.

"I think we should get A-Yao next," Lan XiChen suddenly said, looking for Nie MingJue's eyes.

Nie MingJue smirked and he nodded, "Yes, let's do it."

"W-What? N-No, please! I don't think- gahahAHAHA! NOHOHOT THEHERE!"

[evilhasnever]

I saw you wanted some xiyao sex comedy so consider:

Lan Xichen has never been tickled before. They fin out that he is extremely ticklish when Jin Guangyao kisses his belly and accidentally gets kneed in the chest.

I love comedy and yet my first thought was angst about LXC never getting to be a child and growing up too fast…. But hey, getting kneed by LXC could be ruinous!! Please exercise restraint, Zewu-jun!

counter offer: what if A-Yao is ticklish, but never found out he is still ticklish as an adult because the last person who touched him safely and playfully like that was his mom? (How do we feel about touch starved AND touch averse JGY at the same time?)

I realize I took all the comedy out of it. Oops! But I enjoyed this mental image <3

[bloody-bee-tea]

A cat’s tail

This is just a soft, domestic continuation of A bunny’s kiss that wouldn’t leave me alone.

When Jiang Cheng wakes up, he takes a moment to simply bask in the warmth of the bed, his eyes still closed against the daylight that’s already falling through the window. It is only when he curls towards where Lan Xichen should be that he blearily opens an eye, because Lan Xichen is decidedly not in bed.

Or, well, he is, but he is in his rabbit form.

Jiang Cheng can’t even pretend that he is too sad about that, because Lan Xichen in his rabbit form is still one of the cutest things he has seen and it immediately reminds him of all the times Jiang Cheng spend cuddling Spot in the clearing.

If he isn’t already as relaxed as he can get, he damn well would be now.

Jiang Cheng sighs and curls around Lan Xichen, using the tail that was already slung around Lan Xichen to bring him closer to his chest, and he can’t help the lovesick smile on his face when Lan Xichen’s tiny adorable nose twitches.

“How are you so cute?” Jiang Cheng whispers as he carefully cups Lan Xichen’s tiny body with his hand before he drifts off into sleep again.

When he wakes up the next time, Lan Xichen is back in his human form, but still blessedly close, Jiang Cheng’s tail still slung around his middle, though it can’t wrap around twice like before.

“Good morning,” Lan Xichen mumbles, leaning down to nip first at Jiang Cheng’s ears and then press a lingering, soft kiss to his lips.

“Morning,” Jiang Cheng gives back, shuffling closer to Lan Xichen and his wonderful warmth. “You changed during the night,” he then tells Lan Xichen, who—despite them being together for almost a year now—blushes adorably.

“I thought you wouldn’t notice,” Lan Xichen admits, even though he damn well knows that Jiang Cheng doesn’t mind.

He loves Lan Xichen, in rabbit form or not. It makes no difference to Jiang Cheng.

“’Course I notice,” Jiang Cheng grumbles and pulls Lan Xichen that little bit closer before he drags his cheek over the soft fur on Lan Xichen’s ears.

Lan Xichen chuckles slightly and puts a hand on Jiang Cheng’s tail, stroking it in slow, measured strokes, sending a shiver up and down Jiang Cheng’s back.

“Mng,” Jiang Cheng intelligently says, and the steady motion is enough to almost drag him back down into sleep.

It’s certainly enough to make him purr loudly enough that almost the entire bed vibrates.

Jiang Cheng lets it continue for almost half an hour, safely cocooned in the warm bed and Lan Xichen’s presence, before he blinks his eyes open at Lan Xichen.

Lan Xichen makes an unhappy sound when he notices Jiang Cheng’s eyes on him and to appease him Jiang Cheng nudges his cheek with his nose.

“What’s your obsession with my tail?” Jiang Cheng whispers against his soft skin there and Lan Xichen makes a questioning sound, so Jiang Cheng elaborates. “You know I can purr without you stroking it, right?” he wants to know and frowns when Lan Xichen sighs.

“Yeah, I know,” he admits and then gives Jiang Cheng a cheeky smile before he scratches his scalp, eliciting another round of purrs from Jiang Cheng.

“Stop that,” Jiang Cheng admonishes him, after allowing it for far too long, but he will not allow Lan Xichen to distract him from this.

Jiang Cheng has been wondering about this for far too long now.

“You like it,” Lan Xichen shoots back and Jiang Cheng smiles at him again.

“I love it,” he freely admits, but then narrows his eyes at Lan Xichen. “But that still won’t distract me enough to forget about my question. So tell me, what’s the fascination with my tail?” he asks again and Lan Xichen pulls back a bit, not much, but it’s enough to let in some cold air between them.

“I’m not?” Lan Xichen tries and Jiang Cheng snorts.

“Yeah, right. Is that why it’s always wrapped around you? Especially when you’re in your rabbit form? Because you don’t care about my tail?” he asks and then teasingly tries to retract his tail from where it’s still slung around Lan Xichen’s middle.

When Lan Xichen’s hand shoots out to stop the motion, Jiang Cheng gives him a wicked smile.

“You don’t care, huh?”

Lan Xichen is still for a moment before he groans and buries his face in Jiang Cheng’s neck.

“Okay, fine, I care,” he then says, a clear ‘Are you happy now’ in his tone, but Jiang Cheng is not.

It’s still not an explanation.

“Tell me why?” he gently prods Lan Xichen, who doesn’t come out from his hiding place.

“Do I have to?” Lan Xichen asks. “It’s a stupid reason.”

“All the more reason to tell me,” Jiang Cheng softly says and presses a kiss to every inch of Lan Xichen’s face that he can reach.

Mostly, he gets a lot of fur from Lan Xichen’s ear, but Jiang Cheng isn’t deterred in his mission.

“Ugh, fine,” Lan Xichen says when Jiang Cheng reaches that ticklish spot right at the base of Lan Xichen’s ear.

“I’m all ears,” Jiang Cheng says and swivels his own ears for good measure, too.

Even though Lan Xichen definitely cannot see that, he still bites out a “You’re the worst,” into Jiang Cheng’s neck.

“Don’t even pretend, you love me,” Jiang Cheng shoots back without missing a beat and he’s finally rewarded with Lan Xichen looking up at him.

“I do,” Lan Xichen whispers and presses a kiss to the underside of Jiang Cheng’s chin.

“Then tell me. You have been all about my tail from the very beginning. If you don’t explain, I might start to believe that you just love me for my tail,” Jiang Cheng teasingly says, because he definitely knows that Lan Xichen loves him for more than just that.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lan Xichen predictably chides him and nips at his chin, not that it is much of a punishment.

When Lan Xichen falls silent again, Jiang Cheng waits him out. He already agreed he would tell Jiang Cheng the reason, so he most certainly will.

“When your tail swishes around, you’re agitated,” Lan Xichen finally lowly says and Jiang Cheng frowns. “Your mood comes first, I know that, but when you swish your tail like that it only enhances your bad mood and then it becomes a vicious circle.”

Jiang Cheng nods, because he knows that, but he didn’t think someone else would notice it, too.

“But when I’m sleeping on your tail, or when it’s wrapped around me like this, you can’t swish it and that means you almost always relax,” Lan Xichen goes on and Jiang Cheng has to hide his smile in Lan Xichen’s hair because he’s sure it’s too lovesick to be out in the open.

It would probably ruin his reputation if anyone but Lan Xichen saw him like that.

“So you force me to relax,” Jiang Cheng says once he’s sure his voice is steady and Lan Xichen moves his head so he can blink up at him.

“I don’t like it when you’re stressed and unhappy. I never have. I couldn’t do much as a rabbit, but I certainly could do that.”

“Did it never occur to you that maybe just your presence was enough?” Jiang Cheng wants to know and he knows the answer is no when Lan Xichen turns bright red.

“It cannot possibly be this easy,” Lan Xichen protests, hand still protectively on Jiang Cheng’s tail.

“But it most certainly is,” Jiang Cheng whispers, just as he tilts Lan Xichen’s head up to capture his lips in a soft kiss. “It’s exactly as easy as that,” Jiang Cheng then mumbles, and drops kisses all over Lan Xichen’s flushed face.

“Stop it,” Lan Xichen whines, but there’s a laugh in his voice, so Jiang Cheng does not stop his assault.

It’s only when Lan Xichen puts both his hands on Jiang Cheng’s cheeks that he finally gives up.

“Stop it,” Lan Xichen reiterates but Jiang Cheng only smiles at him.

“But I’m all relaxed now,” Jiang Cheng gives back, tightening his tail around Lan Xichen’s middle and Lan Xichen groans.

“I knew I should have never told you,” he complaints but he leans in for another kiss, so he really can’t be that upset at all.

“You should tell me everything,” Jiang Cheng argues and then tucks Lan Xichen into the curve of his body again. “Especially things you notice about me. It makes me feel very special.”

“You are very special,” Lan Xichen immediately agrees as he rests his hand on Jiang Cheng’s chest, right over his heart. “You are very special to me.”

“And you’re very special to me,” Jiang Cheng gives back without hesitation. “So don’t even pretend that you don’t feel the most safe all wrapped up in my tail. You’re a flight animal, human side or not. You’re instincts are still there, especially in your rabbit form. But you’re always relaxed when my tail is wrapped around you.”

“Because I know you’ll protect me,” Lan Xichen mutters, and tilts his head so that he can press a lingering kiss to Jiang Cheng’s pulse point. “Nothing to fear for me when you’re around.”

“That is true,” Jiang Cheng agrees and tightens his hold on Lan Xichen.

They don’t exchange any more words, just lazy, slow kisses, and even those tamper off when both Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen drift off to sleep again, perfectly relaxed in the arms of the other.

{Buy me a kofi}  

[honibee-arts]

NieLan headcanons

They were each others first everything

Mingjue is easily flustered, Xichen finds it adorable

The way to fluster Xichen is to kiss his forehead and Mingjue does it all the fucking time

They spar for fun. They play to each others strengths and it never gets old.

They love to cuddle. Xichen is touch starved as fuck

NMJ thinks LXC is so beautiful like his beauty just t r a n s c e n d s

They're so close to their brothers they're like a little family

LXCs strength is one of the things NMJ adores about him

NMJ has only found himself attracted to LXC

They're both ticklish

[captain-apostrophe]

someone will remember us (15)

For @mdzswomen‘s MDZS Women Appreciation Weeks event. Read here or on ao3.

Day 15: Betrayal

-

When Lan Xichen stalked into the room, it was difficult for Qin Su to hold back her laughter. It took all of her training at keeping a straight face in public, formal training and otherwise, for her to keep quiet now. She did her best to channel her most imperious Sect Leader's Wife expression: hands folded on her lap, face perfectly blank but for a slight arch of the eyebrows. It was an expression that said 'I deign to accept your presence', and 'understand that I will not allow you to waste my time'.

    "Please excuse this one's intrusion," Lan Xichen said, performatively humble, with a respectful lowering of his head. "But it has come to my attention that there may be a fugitive hiding within this room."

    They both pretended not to hear the muffled giggling the words caused.

    "This is concerning news," Qin Su agreed. "Tell me more about this fugitive."

    Lan Xichen was barely holding back his own smile - it kept slipping out, and even when his mouth was pressed in a straight line his *eyes* remained smiling.

    "They are very devious," he said. "Many people have been taken in by their charms. They are also small and nimble."

    He began to make his way around the room as he spoke - she saw that he was politely avoiding anything that could be construed as snooping, that could seem *too* familiar, and loved him all the more for it - leaning to glance behind screens, checking underneath furniture. He came to a tall cupboard that held some of Qin Su's outer robes.

    "Capable of hiding," he said, as he took hold of the doors and then yanked them dramatically open, "in small places!"

    The cupboard held only the robes that were expected. Qin Su allowed herself to smile, while his back was turned, but was back in character by the time he continued his searching.

    "This is very concerning, *xiongzhang*."

    With apparently zero concern for his own dignity (and, in Qin Su's fond opinion, not losing any of it), Lan Xichen gathered his robes and knelt to peek under the low desk. She saw a brief frown as he straightened. There were, after all, only so many places in this room for even a very small fugitive to ensconce themselves.

    "Do not be concerned, *meimei*. I am here to apprehend this criminal and bring them to justice."

    "Oh! Is that safe?"

    "Not at all."

    He shook his head solemnly.

    "But it is my duty to keep you safe, and I take it very seriously. Besides," he added, still pressing back a smile (and utterly failing to hide it), "this fugitive has a fatal weakness."

    More giggling, and the distinct rustle of fabric. Lan Xichen's head tilted as the sounds narrowed down the remaining possible hiding places.

    "This is a great relief," Qin Su said.

    She raised her hands from her lap and, very slowly, pointed toward her feet. She watched as the understanding reached him: as he noticed how she was perched right at the edge of her seat, as he considered how much space there would be behind her skirts, as the rustling of silk came again from her general direction despite her not moving.

    "But what is this weakness, *xiongzhang*? Please tell me, so that I too might defend myself if need be."

    Lan Xichen held up his hand with the fingers spread, then folded down his pinky. Qin Su gathered handfuls of her robes and readied herself to leap to her feet. Another finger lowered.

    "The weakness," he said, folding down a third. "Is that they are-"

    The last finger, leaving only the thumb.

    "- exceptionally -"

    As he tucked his thumb into his fist, Qin Su jumped up and darted to the side, spinning around as she went to make sure she saw the moment of triumph. Lan Xichen pounced as soon as she stood up.

    "- ticklish!" he cried, snatching the suddenly revealed Jin Rusong up into his arms and proceeding with said tickling punishment. A-Song shrieked in his favourite uncle's arms, wriggling so much that it was a miracle he wasn't dropped (though Qin Su knew that Lan Xichen would never, ever drop him).

    "Ah! Lan-*bobo*!" he squealed. "Put a-Song down!"

    "Never!" Lan Xichen declared. "I've caught you and now I have to tickle you. I'm sorry a-Song, it's the rules."

    Qin Su pressed a hand over her mouth to stifle her own giggles, soaking in the sound of her son's delighted laughter as it filled the room. Luckily for her he had a short memory for holding grudges, and was sure to forgive her betrayal of his hiding place before the day was up.

    "Mama! Save a-Song!"

    "Of course, darling," she giggled. "I'll save you from the bad man."

    Lan Xichen feigned affront at being accused of villainy, but graciously allowed the much smaller and weaker Qin Su to snag her son from his arms... and he finally laughed aloud when, very cruelly, Qin Su betrayed a-Song a second time by taking over the tickling.

[yibo-wang]

any headcanons with madam lan and lan zhan?

hi hello!! oh oh I'm really excited for this cause these days I'm having way to many feels with lan zhan and his relationship with mama lan.

We know they only had one day each month to meet eachother so there's no way the three of them didn't try to make most of their time.

mama lan definitely enjoyed music and lan zhan and xichen definitely played what they learned for her.

lan zhan composed a song for her, it wasnt the best one and it didnt have any wording but he composed it himself for his mother and she adored it

mama lan calling lwj ZhanZhan or a-zhan (🥺🥺🥺)

Idk how this would happen considering she wasn't allowed but mama lan introduced lan zhan to rabbits, maybe she even buried him in a pile of rabbits once and tiny a-zhan who tries to stay serious definitely squealed

^^that's where the other hc comes. mama lan teasing lan zhan for being so serious and not smiling so she's tries to think of ways to make her baby boy smile. (turns out lan wangji is ticklish but everyone was really scared of him as an adult to try to check that)

xichen and lan zhan falling asleep in her lap while she tells them fictional stories (mostly cause cloud recesses doesn't really focus listening to stories for enjoyment) and lan zhan being clingy when they have to leave at the end of the day because a sleepy 4 yr old doesnt really remember rules.

There are more but i just started playing cards with my mom and she wont let me live it down if I lose lol.

[monkeydra]

For "Ship + Number = Write a Kiss": 3) Kiss goodbye - The Mummy OT3. 17) Kiss to distract - Lan Xichen/Meng Yao.

Alright! Here they are! Hope you like them!

Kiss goodbye - The Mummy OT3

“Alright, I’ll be gone for a week at the most,” she reminded them—or reassured herself—darting around the room to grab her suitcase, her purse, double check that she hadn’t missed anything. She kissed the top of Alex’s head, stroking the fine hairs there. He blinked sleepily up at her before falling back into a doze in Ardeth’s arms.

Ardeth was next, her hand cupping his neck to bring him down to her. He smiled and let himself be led, kissing her warm and steady and sweet. She pressed their cheeks together and breathed him in, and he rubbed his stubble over the ticklish skin of her neck. She giggled and pulled away to glare at him in exaggerated betrayal, a smile giving her away at the laughter in his eyes. She kissed him again, quick because otherwise she wouldn’t be able to stop, and stepped back. Ardeth pressed one last kiss to her cheek as she retreated.

She pulled Rick closer to her once she turned, kissing his cheeks and forehead before his lips. Their lips were barely moving, mostly holding each other close, feeling the warmth of the other person. She ran her hands through his hair and he stroked her back, his other wrapped tightly around her. Rick wouldn’t stop until she did, she knew, always the one to draw this out as much as he could.

She forced herself to pull away, reminding herself that she really did want to go to this conference. Sometimes it was true.

~

Rick woke, barely, to Ardeth getting out of bed. Technically they had said their goodbyes last night since Ardeth’s flight back to Egypt was so early, but he still fought to stay awake as Ardeth got ready, knowing that Evie was doing the same. He saw Ardeth turn back to them through sleepy blinks. A fond, exasperated smile twitched at his lips. He sat on the edge of the bed, huffing a quiet laugh when Evie wrapped her arm around his hips and Rick grabbed one of his hands.

“I will be back in three weeks at the latest,” he pointed out.

“Too long,” Evie mumbled groggily into his hip. Ardeth’s teasing grin softened, and he ran his free hand through Evie’s hair.

“Yes,” he agreed. “But with luck the time will pass quickly.” He let go of Rick’s hand and moved away from Evie to brace himself on the bed, leaning down to kiss Rick’s forehead, again to kiss the side of Evie’s head. They were both too sleepy to chase him for more, choosing to pout instead.

He laughed fondly, running his hand over their heads one more time, and left the bed.

Kiss to distract - Lan Xichen/Meng Yao

The tension creeped over his shoulders the longer he looked over the budget. He should stop and go to bed. Xuan-ge would understand if he was behind, now that he had realized what a mess their father had made of their budget before his passing. Still, something in him rankled at leaving work undone.

Gentle hands cradled one of his and soft lips dropped kisses across his knuckles. A smile tugged at his lips despite his best efforts. Those lips moved to his cheek, kissing there over and over again. His smile widened, and those lips landed over his dimple next.

“Er-ge,” he chided, a laugh easily heard in his voice.

“A-Yao,” he replied, turning his face to kiss him on the forehead, nose, eyelids, cheeks again. Meng Yao laughed as he continued to cover his face with kisses.

“I know what you’re doing.”

“Of course. You’re incredibly intelligent and perceptive,” he said instantly, as achingly sincere as always. Meng Yao offered up his lips to keep him from following that thought. Lan Xichen’s compliments became less of a bittersweet sensation as time went on, but they still left him feeling raw. He wanted to keep the lightness of this moment. Thankfully, Lan Xichen never turned down a kiss when offered. He kissed him, gentle and thorough and loving, tugging him closer as the kiss went on.

Meng Yao let himself drift, focusing only on the feel of Lan Xichen’s touch, climbing into his lap when prompted and curling into his arms. Lan Xichen’s hands stroked down his back, large and warm and wonderful, hefting him closer and up. He felt him stand, carrying Meng Yao with ease, and moving them somewhere, pressing short, sweet kisses to his lips again and again.

“Don’t think this will work every time,” he grumbled as they stepped closer to the bed.

“Of course not, A-Yao,” he said against his lips, amused and fond. It would, and they both knew it.

[leatherbookmarking]

today, i bring you: teacher/student xiyao, not the way you think, horny twitter thoughts

tomorrow? who knows, i probably drained my creativity resources for the week lol

GREAT CONTENT AND SAMPLE PICTURES BELÓW

something like this.

if you squint, it works both for elegant, classy lan-laoshi and his polite student my, And friendly jin-laoshi and serious, dedicated student lxc. this is what i choose to believe, at least

lan xichen is so eager for knowledge! he's genuinely interested in the subject, he's dedicated, and his essays show that. and he has no plans of getting in jin-laoshi's pants what-so-ever, but jin-laoshi is only human. (their age difference isn't that large anyway, cmon)

the teacher/student au w/ lxc as the student gets instantly 100% funnier if there's a third person lxc talks to, who's... absolutely confused. what does he mean he helped jin-laoshi sort the boxes of books that arrived? what does he MEAN “the books were written by jin-laoshi's old teacher and was very interesting, actually, and lxc was wondering if he could buy one”? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN. did they fuck?? if they fucked, lxc wouldn't mention it at all, though? is he actually a little bastard, talking with details about the FUCKING BOOKS and omitting the FUCKING FUCKING?

(they did not fuck. jin-laoshi apologized profusely for essentially using lxc as free help. lxc laughed; it's not a problem! and then they had tea and talked about the subject.)

(jin guangyao, meanwhile, was beside himself. lxc would be the death of him one day, he was sure. today he wore a polo shirt, because it was hot, and. yes, it was. and the books were heavy, and he was a strong, healthy young man (as if jgy was much older) but there was a slight sheen of sweat on the back of his neck, and jgy just-- lxc was sitting and counting the books in the boxes, and if he--if jgy just leaned forward, just to check something, over his shoulder, if he got closer to lxc's scent, his sweat, cologne and deodorant, mixed, if he--

if he just skipped all that, and licked the sweat off his neck? what would happen? what would happen then? you would be decked in the face with a flying book, jin guangyao, jgy thinks, because lan xichen looks like a very ticklish person, and

"i'll make tea", he says.)

maybe at some point jgy decides he has the rights to take revenge, even if lxc isn't actively trying to make him lose his mind. but lan xichen is so big. does he like a smaller frame? next classes, jgy wears clothes that seem to emphasize how narrow his shoulders are

the next, his first class of the day, he deliberately comes late, disheveled and panting, apologizing sheepishly. he has one more button open, and as he bends over his desk, unpacking his belongings, he makes sure lxc, sitting in the first row, gets a good glimpse of that sliver of his pale chest. well, lxc and the girl sitting next to him, but oh, whatever. jgy doesn't know if lxc's into him, all his knowledge of weird student behaviour went to hell faced with lxc's eyes, sincerely hungry for education (oh. oh, jgy could educate him, o h )  but if he doesn't, then well. soon he will.

after a while lxc physically can't ignore the reaction he has to his TA*, and he's very disappointed in himself. he keeps on thinking... about meeting with jin-laoshi more. talking about the subject, but also about--things. life. stuff. he's seen small potted plants in his flat, it was... it shouldn't be a surprise, teaching does not make someone a slab of marble with no personality, but if. if jin-laoshi was a student, lxc would call that cute. well. maybe he's overheard female students calling him cute, actually. maybe he agreed with them, in his head. 

tl;dr:

lxc: what if we 😳  if we had tea together and our hands brushed, reaching for the pot

jgy: what if i pushed him backwards onto my desk and rode that dick until his moans alarm everyone and they kick me out and then he'll come to my flat asking why and then we'll fuck AGAIN

* i know nothing about things, ever. "eli but aren't you a student" absolutely but only physically

[kanene-yaaay]

one day i will sit down and actually write all the mdzs tickle headcanons I have and then it will be all over for you guys (<3)

For the moment tho:

Lan Zhan taking his sweet time to copy all the rules of the Lan sect in Wei Ying's back. Sitting on his legs with a book in one of his hands and the other holding one the softest brushes he has, movements precise and serene as ever as he keeps his strokes the straight as possible with his husband squirming and trashing non stop under him, giggling and snickering all the teases and provocations and begging and promises he can imagine. Lan Zhan huffs in a light kind of exasperation when another character gets crooked and he has to put his book down to take the damp, fluff fabric he brough just for this and srubs the paint before he can continue. Wei Ying's laughter get just a tad more hysterical, quickly descending back into high pitches giggles as Lan Zhan dutifully goes back to his work, lips twitching into a soft kind of smile reserved just for those moments. He dips the brush in the ink and continues, almost hipnotized by the way his lover's laughter and reactions changes with every new character, but he refuses to get distracted.

There is still 2,000 of rules left to copy, after all.

~~

And since we're talking about the Lans and everything. No one can convince me that Lan Xichen is NOT simply the biggest tickle monster that ever existed. I can perfectly picture him walking calmly, kind and calm smile on his face as he follows his next prey, reminding them that it's forbbiden to run in the Cloud Recess when they realize what is about to happen and are caught in between running away anyway - not the smartest choice, he will catch you anyway even before you can blink - or staring him with wide eyes while trying to back away - also not the best choice, he is getting closer and the antecipation is a killer - OR just accept the fact that their fate is going to be a very giggly and tickly one in a few minutes. Full of teases and smiles and kind words and a sweet 'thank you for expanding my collection with all of your lovely reactions'

[ticklygiggles]

Ohoho~, requests open I see. Well then I just have to jump on board.

"You have the prettiest laugh I've ever heard, I would like more~" with NieLan

NieLan for the heeeaaart ♥️ I hope you don't mind ticklish!Nie MingJue

"You have the prettiest laugh I've ever heard, I would like more~"

"XiChehen, if you keep- stahahahap!"

Lan XiChen had never felt so much adrenaline coursing through his veins. Not even on the most dangerous of night hunts, but right now, while having Nie MingJue pinned to the wooden floor of the HanShi, his strong arms locked behind his back by one of Lan XiChen's hands, he really felt like he was pushing his luck.

Especially since he was tickling that super tender spot he had found a few weeks ago, (when they were... doing some night activities that had nothing to do with demons or undead), finding it out had sentenced him to an intense tickling session in his most sensitive spot and, to his embarrassment, he still remembered his hysterical laughter filling the entire room.

Right now, they had been simply training, wrestling a little to 'blow off some steam', as Nie MingJue had said, but Lan XiChen could tell he just wanted to wrestle to have fun. He clearly wouldn't deny him the pleasure, but he didn't think that just a few seconds later, he would have the upper hand.

He saw Nie MingJue growling and huffing under him, writhing to push Lan XiChen off him, and that was where Lan XiChen saw his opportunity, it was right there, that specific spot on Nie MingJue's ribs, and his hand moved before his brain could think it twice.

"But you barely indulge me with your true laugh, MingJue-Xiong!" He said, his fingers spreading against Nie MingJue's ribs, thumb digging in the back, the rest in the front, making loud laugh flood past his lips.

"AHAHAHA! Lahahan XiChehehehen! S-Stohop thihihis instahahant or ehehelse!"

Lan XiChen chuckled, but he didn't stop, on the contrary, he took a seat on top of Nie MingJue's lower back and let go of his arms to use both hands on his ribs.

"I'll kihihihill you! Juhuhust y-yohohou wahahait!" Nie MingJue threatened him, but laughing so hard like that, Lan XiChen almost didn't believe him. Almost. Nie MingJue would definitely kill him once this was over, but it was worth it.

"Will you?" Lan XiChen teased. "You are laughing so hard, are you sure you will be able to do so?"

A certain fluttery feeling spread in his chest when he notice the lightest pink hue dusting the tips of Nie MingJue's ears.

"You ahahahare plahahaying with fihire- Oh plehehease, NOT THEHEHERE!"

Lan XiChen knew he was playing with fire, but he didn't mind as long as he kept listening to that boisterous laugh!

[khazadspoon]

Im glad youre feeling better!! I have lots of XiCheng related feels so here I am once again asking for something with "let me give you a massage" if you want?

I had originally planned on a sequel to the yoga instructor au but that didn’t pan out as I had expected so... post canon fluff!

—————————————————————

The visits had started by accident, just a polite thing to do since he was stood outside. Lan Xichen hadn’t turned him away and, seeing how gaunt and tired he looked, Jiang Cheng had taken it upon himself to care for the man. He knew what loss did to a person, especially unexpected loss.

After the first few visits they had started to talk. Lan Xichen has asked after Lotus Pier in a soft and faraway voice. He had asked after Jin Ling and his progress as a new Sect Leader. The words looked like they hurt and Jiang Cheng had replied with as much gentleness as he could muster. It had been enough and Lan Xichen had smiled - a small one, but it had been a victory that Jiang Cheng had carried with him all the way back to Lotus Pier.

The visits continued. Some where harder than others. A year after the events at the temple, Lan Xichen did not speak. But he didn’t lock Jiang Cheng out; he had let Jiang Cheng in and poured them both tea, had ended up with his head resting on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder. His hair had been down, his robes wrinkled. It was the most dishevelled Jiang Cheng had ever seen him.

After that it had been a slow but gentle improvement. He watched as the colour came back to Lan Xichen’s cheeks, as he began to eat more and smile more, as he began to indulge in a new hobby: gardening.

Having grown up around farmers and fisherman, Jiang Cheng was no stranger to physical labour. It was a different beast to cultivation and swordplay. So it was no surprise when he arrived at the Cloud Recesses and found his friend (his beautiful, kind, witty friend who took his breath away some days) hissing at an aching joint.

“I told you it would hurt,” he said, gruffer than he intended.

Lan Xichen gave him a dry look and welcomed him in. “Please, Wanyin; if I had wanted criticism I would have asked my uncle.”

He held up his hands and sat, watching carefully as Lan Xichen eased himself into his seat and reached awkwardly for the teapot. It was, as always, prepared exactly when it was needed. They drank quietly, and Jiang Cheng tried to keep his eyes to himself as he usually did. It was harder when Lan Xichen had his hair down, the long black locks flowing like ink over his shoulders, framing his face beautifully.

He saw Lan Xichen‘a features twist and put his cup down. “Alright,” he said, pushing his sleeves up his wrists. “I’m not going to let you sit in pain any longer. Let me give you a massage, it will help.”

Lan Xichen looked at him with wide eyes, his lips pursed in a pretty ‘o’. He paused, seemed to think about it for a moment, and then nodded once firmly. “If you insist.”

“I do. Now where does it hurt most?”

He gestured to his shoulders and his lower back. Jiang Cheng felt his cheeks flush but ignored it; he was helping a friend, nothing more.

And it was fine, it really was, until he actually sat behind Lan Xichen and gently brushed his hair out of the way. He saw the side of Lan Xichen’s elegant neck and had to recite some of the Lan Sect’s rules in his head to cool down. But, mind on the task at hand (quite literally), he began to knead at the muscles in Lan Xichen’s shoulders.

The shocked gasp made the flush on his cheeks burn hotter. The little “oh” as a particularly large knot unwound was worse. He kneaded and rubbed until Lan Xichen began to list to the side, his breathing deep but just a little uneven.

“Would... you do my back?” The man said under his breath, turning his head to gaze over his shoulder. Jiang Cheng swallowed before nodding.

“You should lay down, though your robes may be in the way,” he offered, knowing his face would be flushed from the tips of his ears.

Lan Xichen hummed and took off his outer robe, thankfully leaving his inner robe on, and lay on the floor. He cushioned his head with his arms and Jiang Cheng could almost swear he had seen a blush on those impeccable features.

“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he said. The words echoed back to him, laden with unintended innuendo, and he resisted the urge to slap himself.

He pressed his hands to Lan Xichen’s back and waited. As he didn’t combust within the first few seconds, he deemed it safe to move.

With firm presses, well practiced at kneading his own aching muscles (and memories of helping Huaisang and Wei Wuxian with their own aches surfaced), Jiang Cheng began his task. He ignored the heat of his own skin and worked at the tension beneath his fingers. Lan Xichen’s quiet gasps and soft sounds were muffled by his arms but Jiang Cheng heard each one as clear as a bell.

He moved his hands to the left, just under his friend’s ribs when the man let out a burst of laughter.

The room fell silent. He heard a drip from outside. Lan Xichen had laughed - it had been loud, sudden, like a burst of spring rain, and it had felt just as refreshing.

“I-” Lan Xichen began as he lifted himself to turn and look at Jiang Cheng. “I’m sorry, it... it seems I’m ticklish.”

He blinked and felt a smile twitch at his lips. “That’s dangerous information to give a man.”

Another beautiful smile spread across Lan Xichen’s face, open and bright, and he giggled. It felt as though a dam had broken, like a bridge had been torn down by that laugh. “You wouldn’t dare!” He said, chest lifting as the laughter began to take him.

Jiang Cheng let the slightly feral grin fix on his own lips. “Maybe I would.”

Lan Xichen laughed again, his entire being moving with the sound, and Jiang Cheng fell in love.

[if-found-return-to-gusu]

Happy Birthday to Me Pt 9

I slapped my face a couple of times and shook it hard to clear myself up.  When we went back to join the others we found that they had already cut the cake and had started to eat it. A-Yuan was demanding everyone eat some.

“It’s so yummy!!” he said happily. And then he looked over and saw me coming back and scrambled over to me as fast as he could with a piece of cake. 

“Xian-Ge! You have to!” he said, offering a forkful of the cake to me. I crouched down and gobbled up the bite with a loud “OMN” sound, making him giggle.

As I knew it would be, the cake was the most delicious cake ever created.

“Lan Zhan, you have to taste this!” I said, offering him a bit off the same fork. I barely finished my sentence before he’d taken the bite, not even bothering to take the fork out of my hands.

And then as I was considering the fact that I’d accidentally created a cliche ‘indirect kiss’ situation, the asshole had to go and lick his lips in the sexiest display I have ever seen in my life. 

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

I managed to smile at him as he nodded his approval at me. I REALLY hope he hasn’t noticed how much I was blushing that day. Ugh. I’m a mess. 

I took Lan Zhan’s hand after that and decided we should officially rejoin the party. Walking turned into challenge mode as it often did when A-Yuan was around, because he grabbed onto my jeans as I walked. 

I’ve had more than one close call with that kid in regards to almost kicking him in the damn face. Ugh.

I stood a bit behind Lan Zhan to hopefully hide how red and gross my eyes were from all that crying. Fortunately everyone was further distracted by SangSang asking for the first brave soul to go up to sing. 

Unwilling to stop touching Lan Zhan, I pulled on his shoulders a bit so I could rest my chin on them. I pressed my cheek against his neck and asked him what he was going to sing. 

He shrugged, which was weird with my head on his shoulders but I was not to be dislodged. This close I could feel the heat coming off his poor red ears. 

I decided NOT to remind him that this was HIS idea. XD

Surprisingly enough, it was DaGe who stomped up on stage first. Never would have pegged him as the musical type!

He further shocked and wowed the crowd by not only singing something from Frank Sinatra, or at least something that sounds like him ( I have no idea what singer sings what. Don’t AT me!) but singing it WELL! He’s got this really deep like slightly raspy kind of voice when he sings. It sounded so GOOD! Talk about a tough act to follow! Fuck I thought karaoke was supposed to be for people BAD at singing!

His song ended up competing against uproarious cheers and whoops, led by Lan Xichen and the kids who easily out-shouted us. (For such a quiet man, Lan Xichen has some PIPES when he wants to be loud!)

A-Ling and A-Yuan somehow ended up on the little podium with him so that they could cheer and dance around him. I can’t imagine they cared either way for the song, but they definitely enjoyed the excuse to scream. Clearly amused, DaGe knelt down to sing TO them, much to their delight. I couldn’t help but laugh as Wen Ning even joined in, pulling the kids a bit further away for safety and twirling in a circle with them in some fun made up dance. 

The song finally ended with a flourish and a bow and much more screaming. When he looked up he seemed to lock eyes with Lan Zhan who immediately looked ready to just book it. He looked even more prepared to bolt when SangSang joined his brother on the stage. 

And just like those creepy twins from The Shining, they asked Lan Zhan to sing with them. 

And not just sing

Oh no.

They asked him to sing Celine Dion with them. 

I may or may not have secretly taken a picture on my phone that I will cherish forever. Just sayin.

He didn’t move at all until Lan Xichen practically shoved him up there. He looked at me for help, but I wasn’t gonna pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity. No way in Hell! So I help his brother push.  Just to seal the deal I used his own words against me. The ones from when I was sick. 

“Do it for me!”

I know I’m an asshole but how could I not?

I didn’t know his spine COULD bend that much. He slumped forward onto the stage, looking utterly defeated. 

Honestly I felt so bad about it I was about to go up and pull him back, but I was too late. The song had started. 

Turns out it wasn’t a Celine Dion song. 

It was THE Celine Dion song. 

Titanic theme BBY!

DaGe draped his arm over Lan Zhan’s shoulders, probably to keep him from running, as Nie Huaisang started off the song with as much over the top passion and drama as is demanded by law for that song. He said something to him but I couldn’t hear it over SangSang’s lovely crooning. 

And then it was  Nie Duet. For once I actually could believe they were brothers! Their shit-eating grins were identical as they pingponged poor Lan Zhan between them with their nudging, trying to get him to sing too. 

Eventually he gave in and between the three of them they made the most amazing, wonderful show I’ve ever seen. Lan Zhan even got into it eventually as he and SangSang practically screamed gracelessly into the microphones.

Amazingly enough, it was DaGe who managed to hit all the high notes. Did he have fucking lessons or something? How??????

I don’t think I’ve ever come CLOSE to seeing Lan Zhan acting that… SILLY before! Oh. He ended up looking like he was having SO much fun. It was so wonderful. I wish he could have that much fun every day of his life!

He looked a bit meek again after the song ended so I hugged him tight after he got off stage. Meanwhile his older brother was pushing his way ON to the stage. Apparently it was his turn now. 

I was trying not to laugh again, afraid he’d think I was making fun of him like he clearly thought before. I didn’t do a great job of it because he told me to go ahead and laugh. “I know it’s lame.”

Oh that got me going, though not in the guffaws that threatened earlier. I chuckled at him for being adorable and told him it wasn’t lame at all. I told him I was just happy to see him acting so damn silly and that I’d love to see it again. 

He pulled back to look at me and I could only start laughing again. A real in the gut laugh. It was good. So good. It was like it cleared up the last of the sobbing I’d done earlier. I felt so much better. 

“That song though,” I said, not able to resist teasing him as I put my head on his shoulder again. “I was NOT expecting that one. Celine Dion? Really??”

And then he pinched my side. Probably trying to tickle me. It did a little but that’s a dangerous game to play when the tickler themselves is QUITE ticklish and the ticklee KNOWS it. 

I pinched him back in the exact same way he pinched me and he lept back so fast it was like a cat jumping out of a bath! And even better, he stumbled RIGHT into the peacock. (brief heart attack because the peacock had at some point stolen A-Lian from her mother, but my precious niece was perfectly fine. ) 

He gave Lan Zhan a LOOK like his patience was seriously being tested, but sighed in the end and offered him A-Lian in what looked very much like a peace offering than anything else. 

“At least you’ll be more careful with her, I hope,” he said in the most threatening tone I think I’ve ever heard from a bird. 

And then Lan Zhan proved he had no qualms with stooping to the lowest of lows by using my beloved niece as a SHIELD while calling for a truce! He held her up so she was standing on his lap and her face covered his and he wiggled her arms all adorable.

And A-Lian just gave me those doe eyes that she learned from her mother and collaborated with him!

So I did the only thing I could do. I shuffled closer, bracing one hand against Lan Zhan’s neck, and tickled my traitor niece instead. She squealed and squirmed, her face turning cherry pink! 

When MianMian and Qin Su started singing some spice girls or destiny’s child or some song or other, A-Lian started to wiggle to it even though I’d stopped tickling her. 

“You like that music?” I heard Lan Zhan say as he took her by the hands to help her keep her balance as he wiggled along with her. He sounded so warm and happy. 

But then I made a mistake. I looked at Lan Zhan again. And oh that FUCKING FEELING came back. 

No! I’m good with being an uncle! I don’t need more! 

My life is a MESS. I can’t even take care of myself! How am I supposed to think about…

But then if he was with me… 

NO!

He’s NOT with me! This is just idle fantasy and I SHOULDN’T be daydreaming about it! YOU KNOW BETTER WEI YING.

Besides even if that were… a thing. It’s kinda putting the cart before the horse. 

One step at a time. If we ever do actually make it past step one THEN we can start thinking of… what would that be. Step 15?????????????????????????????????????????

UGH.

He was looking at her with such a tender expression. It made my heart squeeze with want so hard it almost hurt. 

I grabbed a glass of wine and downed it to help keep my mind away from such dangerous fantasies. 

“I didn’t know you were so good with kids,” I said once the burn of the alcohol had settled in my stomach. 

“I didn’t know either,” Lan Zhan said. Do Lans not have kids? I suppose he’s probably spent most of his time with his brother, and he doesn’t have kids so maybe that makes sense. 

“Maybe A-Lian is just that good with adults,” he continued after a thoughtful pause, making me snicker.  I leaned in to kiss my niece’s chubby (and admittedly kinda sticky) cheek and she giggled, making my heart squeeze again. 

Then she made grabby hands at me to pick her up! ;dklsjf;saj I must have done something right because she doesn’t ask for me very often! So naturally I scooped her up immediately. Lan Zhan seemed unwilling to give her up, not that I blame him, and held her a little longer even though she was secured in my arms already. 

Eventually he did let go though, saying he was going to get more cake. I made A-Lian wave at him as he got up and asked him to bring me a slice of the cocai--cake too. 

[this-solaris-life]

A Jealous Lan Bunny

Prompt Request:  Wangxian for tickle? Where lwj is the ticklish one? Prompt List: CLICK HERE Notes: This is set in my You’re My Muse au. 

------

This is a great idea, Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian praised his boyfriend as he turned on their apple tv. The two of them had been working so hard lately. It’d been nice to finally have a day off just the two of them. They’d gotten to sleep in, have a late breakfast, which led to a rather long tasty shower, and them taking another nap afterwards. So here they were in some fresh pajama’s lounging on the couch getting ready to watch a movie. 

Since, Lan Wangji doesn’t like horror movies. He’d opted for disney plus instead of netflix. They were bound to find something nice and fluffy for them to watch. 

“What do you want to watch?” Wei Wuxian asked leaning into his boyfriend as he scrolled.

Whatever you want to watch. Lan Wangji signed.

“No, no, Lan Zhan, come on. There has to be one you want to see.” Wei Wuxian tried coaxing from him. He named off a few but stopped when he’d said Zootopia. Not that it surprised him that this was the movie that had caught his boyfriend’s eye. The thumbnail was of a bunny and a fox. His adorable boyfriend loved to act like he doesn’t like cute things even if they do have ten fluff balls hopping and loafing around their house. Along with other various adorable knickknacks. And well obviously, Lan Wangji, but Wei Wuxian kept that to himself.  

“Zootopia it is!” Wei Wuxian declared, seeing the joy in his boyfriend’s eyes. He was about to click to play when his phone on the side table start to ring. 

“Just a second, Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian said moving away from him to the end of their sectional couch. A smile on his face seeing that it was Wen Ning.

“Oh, hey, A-Ning!” Wei Wuxian cheerfully greeted the other man when answering. His head was turned so he couldn’t see the disappointed look on Lan Wangji’s face. He’d hoped that their day would uninterrupted. His boyfriend was so easily distracted.  

Lan Wangji knew that he shouldn’t be upset about Wen Ning calling his boyfriend. The two were best friends since childhood. Wei Wuxian had stated that they were brothers in spirit. Plus, Wen Ning has been nothing but supportive of their relationship since they started dating. He was even trying to learn ASL...however, the deeply hidden insecurities he had, tended to make him upset with the man. 

Normally, he could push it aside but the beaming smile on Wei Wuxian’s face at whatever Wen Ning said made him feel like he’d just downed a shot of vinegar. Lan Wangji quickly got up going to the kitchen. To try and clear his thoughts while the two talked he would make them some popcorn for the movie. He liked making the popcorn in the popcorn maker that his xiongzhang had gotten them when they moved in together. So he grabbed the butter, oil, and the kettle corn popcorn kernels from the pantry. As he started making the popcorn, he hoped by the time he was done that phone call would be done too.

Sadly, this wasn’t the case when twenty minutes later, Lan Wangji stepped back into the living room to find that his boyfriend was still happily chatting away to Wen Ning. He huffed softly allowing himself to roll his eyes before he was within the other’s line of sight. 

“Ohhhh? Tell me all about it, A-Ning!” Wei Wuxian practically purred stealing a hand full of kernels out of the bowl as his boyfriend passed in front of him to sit back down. 

Lan Wangji inwardly sighed, sitting down a little bit away to give Wei Wuxian some space on the couch. He’d learn from all the other times this had happened that given the gossip he could spontaneously flail. And if the reason, he told himself was that it was because Suibian and Bichen were currently hopping around under the coffee table, that he put the bowl in his lap, it was the truth. It had nothing to do with the fact that he needed something to focus on other than their conversation. 

When another couple of minutes passed with no hope of the conversation ending, Lan Wangji grabbed the remote clicking the for the movie to start without Wei Wuxian. It might have been rude but right now he wanted to be childish. 

Wei Wuxian knew something was off. He hadn’t missed that Lan Wangji had sat further away from him when he came back. From that moment, Wei Wuxian had been only half listening to Wen Ning. His dark eyes shifting to observe that the pouty expression on his boyfriend's face as he angrily ate some of the sweet popcorn from the bowl in his lap. It wasn’t hard to guess what was wrong when Lan Wangji started the movie while he was still on the phone. 

“A-Ning, text me about it later.” Wei Wuxian said hanging up his phone. A smug expression blooming on his face at seeing Lan Wangji try to act like he hadn’t just heard him. 

“You know that was just A-Ning, right?” Wei Wuxian said putting his phone on the end table, “So there is no need to be jealous. The only Lan bunny that should be jealous should be Xichen-ge.” 

He couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped him as Lan Wangji’s brows furrowed followed by his head sharply turning to look at him. Whiskey colored eyes looking concerned. 

Why? Lan Wangji gestured. 

“Because my best friend has had the biggest crush on my little brother since high school. He’s just never said anything. Too shy to ruin the relationship he has with him now.” Wei Wuxian confessed moving to be closer to his boyfriend. 

Does your brother know? Lan Wangi asked. 

“Completely oblivious and hopelessly in love with Xichen-ge.” Wei Wuxian chuckled as his boyfriend tried to process the information. “So, there’s no need to be jealous.”

Lan Wangji’s ears started to tinge red and he shook his head in denial. His cheeks were starting to turn that same lovely shade. 

“Yes, you were Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian teased pouncing on him. His skilled fingers locating those tender ticklish spots that Lan Wangji liked to keep hidden. The bowl falling to the carpet floor as Lan Wangji tried to squirm away from his touch. He wasn’t successful with Wei Wuxian sitting on his thighs trapping his legs. Lan Wangji mouthed for him to stop but Wei Wuxian gleefully ignored him. Loving the sight of how flushed the other was from trying to get away and the wide smile from laughing on his lips, Wei Wuxian knew he wasn’t going to stop now. When the tears from laughing so hard started to fall he finally relented. 

Lan Wangji knew that his face was a mess with the too hot blush and the tears. He panted looking up at his smug boyfriend. He knew that Wei Wuxian was pleased with himself for reducing him to this state. The man loved to tease him so. He’d be preening for days. 

“Oh Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian said softly before leaning down to pepper his heated face with too quick kisses. Giving special attention to his freckles. He’d saved the lips for last, pressing a longer sweeter kiss to Lan Wangji’s. 

Lan Wangji happily responded back. He went to wrap his arms around Wei Wuxian’s neck stopped at the clinking sound of metal against glass. Which meant one of the bunnies, probably Suibian, was munching on some popcorn right now. He went to reach for the bowl turning his head to break the kiss but Wei Wuxian chased after his lips deepening it. As Wei Wuxian caught his wrist too, pinning it beside his head, the bowl was forgotten once more.

[ruensroad]

👀💜 *slides into your ask* here I am again seeing if you’d be up to 53, 100, or 135 for Xicheng or any MDZ couple 😘 from the Drabble challenge 1-150 🖤

LOL I’m honored that you wanted another! Part of the marriage au (because I’m a basic b.)

And I did Xicheng with 135 here!

Prompt is from this list here.

Prompt 53 & 100 | “Take off your shirt.” & “I’m sorry, but that was adorable.” | Xicheng

He was beginning to wonder if he was going to be able to do this. It’d been easy to agree when Lan Xichen had backed him slowly into the wall and kissed him, between the hot breaths and those hands cradling the sides of his jaw. Seeing the heat in the usually composed Lan’s eyes, knowing he was responsible for the way he was breathless, flushed, wanting...

It’d been way too easy to say yes to this. But now, without the safety of that moment, Jiang Cheng was just a man who’d never done this before, let alone with someone he cared about. They were married, fine, and friends long before, but this was… new. Very new.

The only consolation was that Lan Xichen seemed just as uncertain as he did standing alone with him in Jiang Cheng’s rooms. And why shouldn’t he? Four thousand rules of strict Lan conduct. If Jiang Cheng didn’t know what he was doing, what was the chance that Lan Xichen did?

No, chances were Jiang Cheng would have to take charge here. What a terrifying prospect. Still, he wasn’t about to let Lan Xichen down. He was a coward in some things, but he was determined that this wouldn’t be one of them. So, with far more bravado than he was feeling, he leaned in the archway to the room, watching Lan Xichen slowly undo his hair and set his ribbon aside. His movements were slow, purposeful, but his shoulders were slightly tense. Was he, perhaps, waiting for Jiang Cheng to tell him to leave?

“Do you want this?” Jiang Cheng asked, because that was the most important part of tonight, if anything even happened. He needed to know Lan Xichen wasn’t forcing himself to be here.

Lan Xichen’s shoulders hitched and a fetching blush traveled down his neck, stark against the white robes. “I do,” he said, managing a strong voice. Jiang Cheng nodded, believing him, and took a slow breath to steady himself.

“Then take off your robes,” he said, challenge clear. “If you sleep in that many layers you’ll get way too hot.”

Lan Xichen swallowed at that and Jiang Cheng felt something in his stomach start to heat. Shit. How could this man rile him up so badly with just the barest flash of throat?

Slowly, Lan Xichen reached for his sash and looked uncertain all over again. Jiang Cheng forced himself to move off the wall and over to the man, feeling vulnerable, but that was a small price to pay to let Lan Xichen know he was not alone in this.

“Here, let me,” Jiang Cheng said in a voice that he hoped sounded more attractive then scared. Reaching forward, he hooked his fingers through the sash and pulled it free. The slide of fabric on fabric had him shivering.

“Wanyin,” Lan Xichen murmured, not bothering to hide the anticipation he felt in his own voice. Jiang Cheng took another breath and slid his hands up Lan Xichen’s chest, fingers splaying, and eased the top robe off the man’s shoulders, then the second.

When he touched skin, Lan Xichen flinched and Jiang Cheng paused, looking up at him. His husband looked… wrecked. Just from being touched. The sight made him burn all the more.

“Lan Huan,” he said softly, stepping in close. “Do you still want this?”

“Yes, I just…” Lan Xichen closed his eyes, breathing slow. “No one has ever…”

“Yeah, me either,” Jiang Cheng said and removed his hands from under the final robe. Lan Xichen made a soft noise of protest, but quieted when Jiang Cheng took his wrists and gently guided them to his own sash.

“We don’t have to…” Jiang Cheng couldn’t even say it, blushing hotly as it burned in his mind. Lan Xichen seemed in an equal state of embarrassment, but nodded again.

“The night is ours. We can only see where it goes,” he said, ever wise, and slipped Jiang Cheng’s sash free. It fell to the floor in a flutter, a violet arch against the puddle of white and blue at their feet. Jiang Cheng shivered as his outer robes were dropped to the floor, then stopped Lan Xichen from touching him again.

“If you want me to stop, tell me,” Jiang Cheng told him, firm on that. “I will stop immediately. I swear it.”

Lan Xichen softened at that and the kiss he drew him into was heartbreakingly tender. “I know you will, Wanyin,” he said, eyes full of trust and want. It was a heady combination, one Jiang Cheng had never been given. With trembling hands, he touched Lan Xichen’s chest once more, feeling his skin, and delighted in the soft gasp he won against his mouth.

“If I do something you don’t like…”

“I will tell you, but only if you promise the same,” Lan Xichen said, kissing him slowly, deeply. Jiang Cheng felt his knees go weak as their eyes met, dark and charged with the desire that had been building since the beginning. “I am here, I am willing, and I am yours.”

He punctuated the declaration with little kisses on Jiang Cheng’s forehead, his cheek, his nose, while his final layer of clothing slipped to the floor. He scrunched his face out of instinct, back arching and body twitching as Lan Xichen’s fingers trailed up his back. It was far too light, far too quick, and his skin was not used to being touched. He nearly danced right out of Lan Xichen’s hands, a soft yelp in his throat.

And just like that, Lan Xichen was laughing, a low, boyish, guileless laugh that would be beautiful to hear if it weren’t aimed at him doing something so damned embarrassing. Flushing in shame, it took all of Jiang Cheng’s willpower not to grab up his fallen clothing and sulk off into some dark corner somewhere like a hissing cat, but the urge was strong.

“Forgive me, Wanyin,” Lan Xichen was quick to stop him before he could even move, reading his blush as easily as he read his scowl. “I’m sorry, but that was adorable.”

The mood gone, Jiang Cheng felt no concern with smacking the man in the stomach, lightly, but enough to make a sharp noise. “Shut up, I’m not adorable.”

“You are,” Lan Xichen argued, because of course he did, and returned his hands to where Jiang Cheng had shied away. This time, however, his touch was far more firm and Jiang Cheng gradually relaxed. “I am sorry,” he said again with a slow kiss to a spot under Jiang Cheng’s eye. “I will do my best to not touch so softly. You are not touched often, so your skin must be sensitive.”

It was better than saying ticklish, so Jiang cheng would take it. “You as well?” he asked, awed that somehow their moment was not lost yet. The heat was still in his belly, the want still in Lan Xichen’s eyes. He lifted his hands back over Lan Xichen’s chest and pushed up, making the under robe cascade down the man’s arms and to the floor. He was like carved jade, pale and smooth skinned. And there were random dots on his collar bone, the top of his shoulder. Jiang Cheng felt the urge to lean in and kiss them, so he did.

Lan Xichen made a noise a bit like a whimper, bitten off quickly. “Yes,” he breathed as Jiang Cheng kissed the freckle on his collarbone. Jiang Cheng made sure it was not too light, more a scrape of teeth and tongue than just lips, and his husband’s grip on him almost turned painful.

“Fuck…” Jiang Cheng pulled back, only to be kissed, the kind of kiss that made him go weak, even as his body came alive, breath hot and mind turning to mush. Where Lan Xichen had learned to kiss like that was a mystery and one Jiang Cheng did not want to solve. All that mattered was that he was the one Lan Xichen was kissing and damn was it good.

“If you don’t stop kissing me, I’m going to fall over,” Jiang Cheng warned, shivering in his hold. Lan Xichen managed a laugh, just as out of breath as he was, and pressed their foreheads together.

“Then take me to bed?”

Who knew just where the night would lead. He only knew he wanted to find out and that every answer lay in Lan Xichen’s arms. So Jiang Cheng slid his hands over Lan Xichen’s shoulders and stepped backwards, hands twisting in Lan Xichen’s hair, beckoning.

“Bed.”