I Am Me // JC x LXC

Here For Me

Jiang Cheng leaned back in his seat as he looked over the training grounds. The students were working hard, one eye on their leader at all times.

They noticed the change in the man since Jin Ling was sent to the Jin sect to take care of minor affairs. It was his "initiation into the sect world" according to Jiang Cheng.

But while there had been pride on his face when he was announcing Jin Ling's appointment, in the day's following, the sect leader had descended into a downward spiral.

He would eat and drink very little, wander through Lotus Cove with a blank look on his face.

His paperwork was getting done just as efficiently, but when he wasn't busy, there was a very obvious change.

Jin Ling had asked the disciples to keep an eye on him and send him messages on a daily basis.

"Sect leader."

Jiang Cheng blinked.

"Er...sect leader?"

Jiang Cheng looked up and to the side, seeing a messenger standing a few feet away.

The guards had stopped him.

"What?" he questioned with a murmur.

"Zewu Jun is at the gate. He wishes to visit sect leader...alone."

Jiang Cheng stood up and headed immediately toward the entrance of Lotus Cove.

His heart was craving for attention, for someone to fill the spot his beloved nephew had left.

Lan Xichen had filled that spot so easily, it had been like he had been there before.

The white robes stood out against the aged black wood gate, the sunlight caressing his fair skin.

"Sect leader Lan," Jiang Cheng called, "Are you hungry?"

Lan Xichen nodded with a kind smile, reaching out and taking Jiang Cheng by the corner of his elbow. The younger male looked at the gentle hand and sent him something of a small smile.

They walked unaccompanied to the back pavillion, the breeze warmer than usual for the coming winter.

There was already hot tea waiting and food hidden in stone containers to keep the dishes warm.

Jiang Cheng sat down, flipping his sleeves back and motioning for Lan Xichen to sit next to him.

The Lan took the seat and watched with careful eyes as Jiang Cheng poured tea for the two of them. His eyes never left the younger man's face.

"Are you alright?"

Jiang Cheng halted in his actions for a brief moment, tea dribbling out of the spout of the tea pot into the small cup, then uprighted the tea pot and returned it to the fire.

"What do you mean?"

"Jin Ling came on an errand. He asked me to check on you."

The bluntness made Jiang Cheng hesitate. He liked it when people didn't lie to him, so this was something that caught him off guard but in a good way.

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips.

"I am fine."

"You came running when I sent the messenger," Lan Xichen replied, "I heard from the men in the tavern there was a waiting list to get through the front gate to talk to you."

Jiang Cheng's face flushed a sharp red and he sipped his tea quickly, turning his eyes away from the Lan.

"Jin Ling told me you were acting odd. Sect leaders should not have those rumors going around," Xichen explained, "I came to check and since I was allowed in immediately and was greeted by you, despite your training session, at the front gate, I can only conclude there is something wrong."