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satonthelotuspier · 2 years

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Fashion Is Pain, But Fashion Designers Are Worse - also on AO3

Fandom: Mo dao zu shi R/S: Wei Wuxian x Jiang Cheng Rating: Teen Words: 7.7k

Summary:

Omega Jiang Cheng knows his career has a shelf-life and the time is fast approaching that he will be forced to retire. By that time he also has to make the decision on who he will take as his mate.

There's a lot of interest, but he's hiding the truth, perhaps even from himself, of who the only alpha to hold his heart is.

Can he reconcile his own anger at society's expectations, those of his parents, and his feelings in time to make a decision that he won't regret for the rest of his life?

Your correspondent has been watching the swansong summer of a certain omega with great interest. It’s been a busy time on the catwalks of Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong as the fashion power houses have been making up for time lost during lockdown with streams of shows, press events, new line launches and the resultant melee that goes along with them.

Our elegant swan has been in high demand, and has likely wracked up more travel miles between the fashion centres of China than we’d like to even think about. Not unusual given that this is their last dance and every house is eager to cash in on the extra press offered our darling omega due to the timing of this season.

Being honest, it’s making Your Correspondent a little maudlin thinking of next year without them.

Even with the hoo-ha in full swing, what does surprise is the fact that, with our swan’s birthday fast approaching, there has still yet to be any engagement announced by the family.

Your correspondent is entirely sure it’s not for lack of prospective mates.

One thing is for certain, however, by our swan’s imminent birthday, an engagement will have to be announced, lest the family lose control of the decision, and our darling omega is assigned a mate by public lottery.

Your correspondent will continue to watch with interest.

“Jiang Cheng.” The sound of his name pulled him out of his catnap. “We’re almost there, Heimao.” Nie Mingjue informed, and Jiang Cheng altered his posture in the backseat of the car, wiped surreptitiously at his chin to catch any stray drool that had put in a special appearance while he had been sleeping, and ran a hand through his hair to tame any rogue strands.

It was a practised series of movements that were long ingrained in Jiang Cheng now; he was well trained at catching up on sleep where he could, and ensuring that he always looked his best where cameras might catch him; even after one of said naps.

“Thanks, Dage.” He had known Nie Mingjue for many years, being school-friends with his younger half-brother Nie Huaisang, and had always just called him the same way as his friend. He had been lucky enough that Nie Mingjue’s existing security contract had run out about the same time his parents had been looking for a personal bodyguard for him.

They had been together over a decade by now, and Jiang Cheng appreciated the cool competence of the other. He was professionalism mixed with caring older brother, and Jiang Cheng had gotten through some tough times in what was, after all, an extremely demanding job, through leaning on Nie Mingjue’s solid shoulder.

He tried his very best in return not to cause Nie Mingjue much trouble, being a model body to guard. When it came to his personal safety Nie Mingjue was in charge and he listened.

The solidly built security consultant wouldn’t be a terrible choice for a mate. Nie Mingjue had offered, knowing it was preying heavily on Jiang Cheng’s mind with the fast-approach of his twenty-fifth birthday. The birthday at which society decreed that, no matter how successful or independent an omega was, that was the point at which they had to have taken a mate.

It was obvious the looming population crisis wasn’t going to be solved by a single omega choosing not to breed, but the law was the law, and he had very little choice in the matter. In a society where male births vastly outnumbered female, a male omega was a commodity.

So choose he had to. Before November.

He glanced over at Nie Mingjue. Big, solid, capable Siberian tiger Nie Mingjue, who would be someone he could rely on. It wasn’t that they never clashed; that would be impossible. Both of them had tempers. But he had never felt unsafe with Nie Mingjue, and he doubted he ever would.

But as with every single offer he had received, something held him back from taking the leap.

Perhaps it was his feelings for...someone else.

Who didn’t necessarily please his mother. Less than hired staff would.

At least Nie Mingjue belonged to the correct genus of Felidae for his mother. That other person hit both negatives.

He had been reminded again and again taking a mate was a duty. To family and country. And perhaps that had been part of the problem. Perhaps because of that he had become resistant to making the choice he wanted most for himself, because even if he did have feelings for that someone else, he wouldn’t necessarily be making that choice at all at the moment. Or, if he did, it wouldn’t be with the view to retire from his profession and begin to breed for the good of the world.

He had until November. Then the choice would be taken out of his, or his family’s, hands. Then who knew what might happen?

For himself, or anyone else, the choice would have to be made sooner rather than later.

He sighed, and to distract himself, he began to scroll through his phone. He had lots of communications to catch up on, but he would have time for those when he was in hair and makeup.

He checked a few news articles and gossip columns out of nihilistic fascination.

“Dage!” He had found Nie Huaisang’s latest gossip rag offering straight away. No doubt he sounded whiny, but it was too late to change his tone now. “Can you please tell Huaisang to stop spreading his speculative rubbish about me in his gossip column. He’s as subtle as a panda with a mallet.”

Nie Mingjue only shrugged, however. “What power do you think I have over my brother, Heimao?” He asked with a hint of a grin in his voice.

Jiang Cheng pouted. Not even the cute nickname the other had called him since he was a young, clumsy black leopard cub could soothe him this time though.

A new message came through and he picked it up just as they pulled in just underneath the large, glass-fronted skyscraper owned by Jiang Corp.

Yang Hai, his assistant, along with the other’s twin sister Yang Mei, who between them ensured he had help on hand whenever necessary, had sent a text telling him everything was ready, he just needed to make his way to his dressing room.

He’s here.

The final line of the message wasn’t a surprise, but it didn’t mean that his heart didn’t pound a little at the knowledge.

He grabbed a bottle of water out of the mini refrigerator in the back of the car, and drained half in one go, trying to soothe his own giddiness, and took the rest with him as he slid from the seat as Nie Mingjue held the door open for him.

There were met at the elevator by Yin Zhu, one of his mother’s assistants, who filled him in on the fine details of the evening.

“I need a shower. The flight was delayed two hours and we had to come here directly.” He told her.

“Furen already informed us, xiansheng. You may use the facilities in her office, as she is in last minute preparation meetings for the next hour.” With her words she pressed the relevant floor number, with her ID badge unlocking the private upper floors of the building. They were soon in his mother’s top floor rooms, and Nie Mingjue took up point at the outer sitting room while he used the facilities.

Necessity had made him the king of the quick shower, but he did have a little extra time, having cut out a trip back to his apartment from the airport, and coming here directly, so he spent a few extra minutes under the spray, enjoying feeling the tension of the day drain away along with the soapy hot water.

After his shower, he threw on fresh clothes from his ever-present overnight bag, and made his way down to the dressing rooms. Once in the hustle and bustle of the dressing areas he knew he’d be fine for a while, and he urged Nie Mingjue to take a break, and make sure he ate something. The other would be by his side after the event began, for most of the night and wouldn’t get a chance until afterwards.

Hair and makeup were his first port of call, and he caught up with his text messages while he sat in front of the mirrors.

His older sister Jiang Yanli said she was excited to catch up later, although she had already been through the dressing process and was by their parents’ side while the final touches were seen to.

Lan Xichen expressed his delight at being invited to tonight’s launch party by Jiang Corp, and hoped Jiang Cheng would spare him a little time later, and perhaps consider his offer.

Another offer of a mate who he could definitely do worse than. Lan Xichen; handsome, urbane, erudite, well-educated, and President of the Lan fashion house, was someone who Jiang Cheng had dated casually when he had been in the same city with free time. A snow leopard whose family originally came from a mountainous region of Jiangsu, but who’s more recent antecedents had started a design house based in Shanghai. He was engaging company, and had a way of making his date feel like the centre of his world at that moment, which was quite a feat for someone with as much responsibility as Lan Xichen held.

But yet again, in his heart Jiang Cheng was still loath to make someone settle for his ‘could do worse than’. It wasn’t fair to them.

There was a message from Jin Guangyao.

Now there was a dangerous man, even the few times he had met him had allowed Jiang Cheng to pick up on that. And it was nothing to do with his alternate form. He believed the step-brother of his brother-in-law was a Clouded Leopard like his father, but he wasn’t entirely sure. It had never really come up in conversation. Jin Guangyao came across as refined and educated, but like it was cultivated, rather than ingrained. He had never been anything but attentive and pleasant to Jiang Cheng, but he had still sensed there was an undercurrent, of a man who could be entirely ruthless if given the opportunity, of a man who didn’t cry too much over collateral damage. He guessed that was the psychopathy of the elite business world right there.

Jiang Cheng had kept a careful distance between them, never wishing to give the other cause to be ruthless in regards to him.

By the time he was ejected by hair and makeup, he had fully caught up with his messages and he moved on to the dressing room. He was taken through the chaos that was several models being dressed by Jiang Corp employers, to a more private section towards the back.

There were several arrangements with discrete cards tucked into them.

His eyes scanned them.

They were all beautiful.

Yang Hai appeared at that moment.

“Xiansheng. The flowers have been arriving all day. I think you’ll particularly like to see this one.” His supremely competent assistant pointed out an arrangement made of two bold lotus flowers surrounded by chrysanthemums.

The choice of message wasn’t even slightly subtle. But he supposed the thought was kind enough.

The card confirmed it was from his parents with love, not that he had had any doubt. He hummed his thanks for Yang Hai’s input.

There was also a stunningly beautiful bouquet, which turned out to be from Lan Wangji. His card was customarily elegant.

Now Lan Wangji, younger brother of Lan Xichen and a designer for the Lan fashion house, had been quite a surprise entrant to the melee surrounding his alleged suitors. Because Jiang Cheng had always assumed Lan Wangji hated him with a passion.

The other had always acted like he did, anyway.

Maybe he was being pushed into it by his uncle, who seemed to have decided he would like to have Jiang Cheng as a nephew-in-law. He suspected that familial pressure was why Lan Xichen had thrown his own glove into the arena, and assumed that must be the same for Lan Wangji. Jin Guangyao was likely similarly urged on by his father.

Jiang Cheng was under no illusions he was a commodity, and a highly desirable one at that. Felidae omegas had always been at a premium, especially in the prominent families.

He smothered a sigh, and turned a smile on Yang Hai. “Could you please ensure they’re sent to my apartment, and some reused for charitable purposes?” Yang Hai was so efficient he knew the other would already have a list of senders to ensure thank you messages were returned at a future date.

The other set to work loading up a delivery trolley which had been brought for just that purpose, then left to facilitate the transportation of Jiang Cheng’s flowers on to their next destinations.

“I was going to have most of them thrown in the trash...”

At the sudden sound of a voice behind him he jumped. Jiang Cheng hadn’t heard the other approach. But that was Wei Wuxian. Soft and silent when he wanted to be.

And he hadn’t realised how wound tightly he was, building up to this.

“...but your annoying assistant wouldn’t let me.”

Jiang Cheng turned, ensuring his face was settled into something approaching neutral.

Wei Wuxian had arrived.

The moment he had been dreading, just because having to try and keep a lid on his stupid emotions was something he disliked, and Wei Wuxian caused more than his fair share of emotions.

The other paused a few feet away from him, watching him intently. Wei Wuxian had several hangers draped over his arm, which he transferred to the nearby rails after a few more moments of observation.

“They’re gifts, you can’t just throw them away.” Jiang Cheng said simply in response to his opening comment, raising his eyebrows as Wei Wuxian turned to face him.

“You can’t. I can.” Wei Wuxian flashed a grin at him. That grin, that he’d known all his life; cheeky, self confident and full of mischief, almost teased a matching smile from him. Almost.

Not that holding it back had been any use at all, considering Wei Wuxian often knew him better than he knew himself.

“Not even a tiny little smile for your Xian-gege, Chengcheng?” He urged.

“Not even the tiniest.” Jiang Cheng said ruthlessly. “Who’s gege?”

Wei Wuxian made a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Be your grumpy best self. But you shouldn’t upset the man making you look pretty tonight.”

Jiang Cheng was surprised. “Mama is letting you dress me in one of your designs?” It wasn’t that Wei Wuxian wasn’t an excellent designer, just that his mother had a habit of ruling what he wore from the Jiang collections with an iron fist.

“Jiang-shushu insisted, seeing as the core of this year’s offerings are my designs.”

Jiang Cheng was glad he hadn’t been around to watch those fireworks. Even now, so many years of living with each other’s personalities later, Jiang Fengmian wasn’t always able to avoid sparking Yu Ziyuan’s monumental temper.

One Jiang Cheng had inherited.

Wei Wuxian was watching him with an amused smile on his face. “Jiang-shushu promised to take your Mama to Paris next Fashion Week, she was only annoyed for about twenty four hours this time.” He raised his eyebrows, and Jiang Cheng tilted his head in question. “Feel free to bear that in mind, if you want to know how to calm Furen down after making a decision she doesn’t agree with.”

“And why would I need to do that?” He asked.

Wei Wuxian waggled his eyebrows, “you know the only reason you haven’t accepted my proposal yet is because your mother doesn’t think I’m good enough for her precious omega.”

“That’s not true.” That was true.

Wei Wuxian snorted, then turned to begin removing the protective coverings from the clothing on the rail. “Which part, A-Cheng? The fact your mother doesn’t think I’m good enough for her baby? Or the part that that’s the only reason you won’t accept my proposal? Because I can only be wrong about one of the two, even though I don’t think I am about either.”

“Your ego is a thing to behold, truly, A-Xian!” Jiang Cheng was stung into responding to Wei Wuxian’s words.

“Why, thank you. Glad you noticed.” As ever, Wei Wuxian wasn’t phased by his remonstrations. “But seriously, she’s never hidden the fact she thinks I’m beneath you. All of you. Me, a pathetic little leopard cat, daring to raise my unworthy eyes high enough to behold her precious leopard cub.”

And in all honesty, Jiang Cheng shouldn’t deny that was what his mother thought. The fact Wei Wuxian’s animal form was from the Felinae genus, and not Panthera like the vast majority of those who had made offers of matehood to him, was a reason that Yu Ziyuan had always put up resistance to the idea when Jiang Fengmian had supported it. But with that same honesty Jiang Cheng couldn’t be sure if that was the entire reason she disliked Wei Wuxian so much, or just the convenient excuse she made for her disagreement.

Wei Wuxian didn’t have the most endearing personality; at least in some people’s eyes.

“You know, you might be making your mother angry, but Jiang-shushu would be ecstatic. So either way you’re going to make one parent unhappy, might it not as well be the decision you want to make so at least you are happy?” Wei Wuxian pressed.

And Jiang Cheng had indeed thought of that himself. So many times.

But as with every other possibility he had been offered, there was still something that held him back.

He didn’t think it was anything about Wei Wuxian, per se. Yes, he was annoying, self-confident, a bit of an ass on occasion, but they were all aspects of the other he had lived with all their lives together. They didn’t bother him that much. They were just the personality traits he had to put up with, like Wei Wuxian did with his temper, or occasional unthinking arrogance.

Maybe it was that he didn’t trust himself? And not disappointing his mother was as convenient an excuse as her choosing Wei Wuxian’s genus to focus on.

In the honest depths of his soul, he had already admitted that he thought he was in love with Wei Wuxian, but what if Wei Wuxian was just his rebellion? Because he resented the fact that everything he had done until now didn’t matter, until he gave up his identity as an independent person, and took up a new identity as an omega, where all that mattered to society was how well he undertook his duty as a broodmare.

And he didn’t appreciate Wei Wuxian’s towering self-confidence, didn’t like how much Wei Wuxian thought he knew Jiang Cheng’s mind better than he did himself.

That erasure of identity was something the omega in him railed against.

He didn’t want another person thinking for him, making decisions for him...

Logically, he knew that wasn’t the intent of Wei Wuxian when he kept pushing at Jiang Cheng on the matter.

But it still kept him wary.

He was struggling so very much with this decision, and what would be for the best, it wasn’t fair that Wei Wuxian was just that self-assured. About everything. The other probably had never felt a single moment of doubt or unease in his entire life.

Truly annoying.

“How very big-headed of you to assume you’re the decision I’d make.” Stung, Jiang Cheng tossed his head, and began to strip out of his sweatsuit so he could begin to put on the clothes Wei Wuxian had unwrapped. As he glanced back at Wei Wuxian he saw the other had his back firmly turned to him at the moment, and his shoulders were stiff.

He paused.

Had Jiang Cheng hurt him with his words?

He had been very dismissive. Quite acidic even, hadn’t he? But wasn’t that only in response to Wei Wuxian’s annoying habit of thinking he knew everything better than anyone else?

Yes of course it was.

Did it mean Wei Wuxian didn’t have feelings that could be hurt too?

He had used to think that that was indeed the case. But it was impossible. Of course Wei Wuxian could be hurt, just like everyone else.

Jiang Cheng also thought that the feelings Wei Wuxian had for him were a genuine form of affection. Whether it was love…

Well, could anyone else but Wei Wuxian himself be sure of that?

He licked his lips, and decided to try to apologise. He was terrible at it, and would probably make it worse. But he wasn’t a crybaby kid anymore. He was an adult, and tried to act like one. “I-.”

Wei Wuxian spun around then, a grin on his face that could have been genuine, or could have been there to hide the sting of Jiang Cheng’s words.

“Time to get dressed, Chengcheng.” He spoke over the top of whatever it was that Jiang Cheng had been about to say.

He allowed Wei Wuxian to change the topic.“I’d better look amazing, or my mother will hear of this.” He tried for something a little more light-hearted. Wei Wuxian had always mocked him about telling his mother being his default response when Wei Wuxian had used to tease him to tears when they were children.

“Sweet Thing, it will be perfect. It’s me.” He winked. “Your mother will see it anyway, there’s no avoiding that.” And he brought over the first item to put on.

“I’m special to have the designer himself here helping me dress.” He said in that same teasing vein they had both followed.

“How could you ever doubt it, A-Cheng? Everything about you is so special.” But the other turned unexpectedly serious.

His eyes shot up, and their gazes meshed, at Wei Wuxian’s words, which sounded heartfelt and sincere.

He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know what the other meant. All his life he had been treated like he was special because of who and what he was.

And the sad thing was, that even surrounded by that sentiment from his family and friends, it felt more like a cage than anything positive to him.

“It feels more like a curse than anything to celebrate.” His voice was clipped, and he dragged his eyes away.

“Baobei…”

“Don’t. You don’t know what it’s like, because you can do whatever you want for as long as you want. Whether I was ready or not I knew I’d always have to give up whatever profession I chose when I hit twenty-five, so I chose a career I knew would have a limited shelf-life, and would have that even if I hadn’t been an omega. Just so it wouldn’t sting quite as much when the time came.” He tried to hold back the sting of helpless tears, and he was mostly successful.

But they were still obvious to Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian pressed his lips together, and shook his head. “You’re right, Jiang Cheng, I don’t know what it’s like to have that hanging over my head all my life. But I do know how unfair it is; enough to sympathise with you over it.”

He was surprised at Wei Wuxian’s sentiment, but perhaps he shouldn’t have been. The other wasn’t uncaring after all; he wasn’t without empathy. He just sometimes came across as brash and unthinking.

“But no crying tonight. Makeup have done such a good job already, you don’t want to force them to have to touch it up. Come, dress. Before Furen sends one of her assistants after us.”

There was a part of him that hated that tone, as of Wei Wuxian comforting an upset child. But another, larger part almost melted.

He couldn’t afford to.

“Who’s crying?” He snipped, trying to put iron back into his tone, and Wei Wuxian grinned.

Wei Wuxian was also very correct, it was time to dress, and Wei Wuxian began to help him on with his outfit for the evening.

He was especially careful to keep his touch impersonal and businesslike as piece after piece was donned, despite the fact he was quite tactile as a person. And despite the fact Jiang Cheng was still hyper-aware of it, it helped him focus a little more on the task at hand and not this awkward, sweet, delicious, but almost impossible thing, whatever it was, between them.

The outfit itself was obviously based very visually on Edwardian dress; it consisted of a high-necked white shirt with a purple-lace-trimmed collar and a lightly ruffled front.

The bottoms were high waisted three quarter length purple silk and wool blend trousers. They had a wide waistband, and in reality, as he moved It was more like a partitioned skirt, actually, so when he was stood still with his legs close to each other it would look more like a skirt, but when he walked the trouser legs would be obvious. This, over long, black boots with amethyst studs on them actually looked very chic, retro, and elegant. He really liked it.

He expressed his personal approval of Wei Wuxian’s creation.

“You look as perfect as I knew you would.” Wei Wuxian said as he stepped back to admire the finished product. “You were the only one I had in mind when designing this.”

It wasn’t the first time Jiang Cheng had been told by designers they had made things specifically with him in mind, and it was often a useful chat up line. But he found himself giddy and truly pleased to hear it from Wei Wuxian.

Which maybe made him stupid. Didn’t he know the other flirted as naturally as breathing?

But, call him naive and stupid, but he believed Wei Wuxian when he said this. The other was surprisingly serious about his profession, and really didn’t need to butter Jiang Cheng up in that way. In fact, he rarely ever had. He had always pursued Jiang Cheng with the ‘teasing the boy he liked’ approach, more than ‘promise the moon’ tactic.

And call him a masochist but it had always worked for him.

“You look stunning, Sweet Thing.” Wei Wuxian said, drawing him out of his own thoughts. “You are stunning.” He had avoided personal touch so far while dressing Jiang Cheng, but at this point, he stepped closer, and with a gentle finger beneath Jiang Cheng’s chin, tilted his face a little.

Was he going to live so very dangerously as to kiss Jiang Cheng? Here? Now? With things as they were?

It looked very much like it.

And what was Jiang Cheng going to do in response? Yell at him? Turn away? Kiss him first?

Who knew? Not Jiang Cheng, that was for sure. It spoke of the riotous emotions Wei Wuxian had always sparked in him. He’d never ever been sure whether he wanted to run far away or dive head first into his arms. He wasn’t about to resolve that confusion any time soon.

He could see Wei Wuxian slowly leaning closer.

Damn, but the other was giving Jiang Cheng the chance to push him away, to tell him to back off. And Jiang Cheng could no more have done that at that moment, than he could have sprouted wings and flown out of the window.

This wasn’t a film, but Jiang Cheng would have bet good money that the sound of Nie Mingjue’s cough to announce his presence only happened with nothing more than a hair’s breadth between their lips.

He could feel the heat from Wei Wuxian’s skin, could almost feel the touch of his mouth ghosting against his own, they were so close.

And Jiang Cheng was thankful to Nie Mingjue for stepping in and reminding him where they were.

And he hated him for it with equal fervour.

“Your parents are waiting, Heimao.” His security agent said as he pulled away from Wei Wuxian guiltily.

He threw an unsure look at Wei Wuxian as he put a little distance between them, and made his way to Nie Mingjue’s side.

“I’ll follow in a while. I need to make sure everything here is finished, then I’ll be at the party.”

Jiang Cheng nodded at his words, and followed the larger form of Nie Mingjue back out through the dressing area, and into the corridor. Just as they began to make their way over to the elevators Yang Hai met them coming the other way.

“Ah, xiansheng, you’re on your way. That’s good. Furen wished to discuss a few issues before the party begins tonight.”

Of course she did. Tonight nothing could be allowed to go wrong, and his mother would want to make sure Jiang Cheng was fully informed of any final changes or information to facilitate that.

“We’re going there right now. I think you can leave the rest to my mother’s assistants,” Jiang Cheng assured Yang Hai, who nodded.

“Alright, thanks, Jiang Cheng. Yang Mei will check in with you tomorrow after lunch, there are a few schedule changes that have come up for your trip to Guangzhou next week. If that’s everything, I’ll leave first.”

“It is. I’ll see you next week, have a nice weekend away.”

Yang Hai, everything perfectly efficient and business respectful when on the clock, tossed him a small smile of thanks now he was on his own time. “It should be a good time.” He was attending one of his university friend’s birthday parties at his family’s holiday home at the coast.

The three of them took the elevator together.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Nie Mingjue asked suddenly. And none of them had a thick enough face to pretend they didn’t know what he was talking about.

“His mother could eat his new alpha.” Yang Hai said in a low voice, holding back a laugh.

Nie Mingjue sighed, and rolled his eyes.

Yang Hai did have a point. In a way. Not that he thought Yu Ziyuan would countenance such a scandal.

“You’ve been in love with the kitty since you were a cub. Your eyes go all glazed and dewy and longing when you look at him. Isn’t it about time you put both of you out of your misery and just made the choice you obviously want to make?”

“It isn’t like that!” Jiang Cheng denied automatically.

“Heimao, yes it is. You told me before you couldn’t take Wei Wuxian for a mate because your mother hates him, because he isn’t a big cat. I call bullshit on that excuse. You have half the Panthera alphas in China offering for you and you still haven’t accepted a single one of them, either. Your mother approves of at least half of them. It sounds like you’re just making excuses to hurt yourself at this stage.”

Nie Mingjue’s words came with a hefty dose of reality, and Jiang Cheng didn’t like the taste very much recently.

He did love Wei Wuxian. He always had. Wei Wuxian was the choice he wanted to make, if he had to. The choice he would likely have already made, if making it didn’t make him feel like he was drawing a neat line under Jiang Cheng the person, and starting the new narrative on Jiang Cheng the omega, the mate, the broodmare. And he wished that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t Wei Wuxian’s fault, any more than it was any of those others who had offered themselves as his mate.

His feelings were just so complicated on the matter. And perhaps it had been because the closer it had come, the more of a whirlwind his life had become, and he hadn’t really had time to just think about things. To come to terms with them.

All his life he had known this was to be his future, but the closer it had come the more he realised he wasn’t as reconciled with it as he had thought he was.

“Wishing doesn't change the fact that, whether you like it or not, in one month you’ll either have to choose for yourself, or the decision will be made for you. I’m not sure it’s worth taking the risk of not making that call at this stage. I know it isn’t fair, Heimao, but it’s happening, and I’d rather see you settled with someone who loves you, or at the very least, someone who will treat you with the respect and care you deserve, than at the whim of a lottery.”

The elevator had stopped on the floor Jiang Cheng and Nie Mingjue needed to exit at some time ago, but, finger on the open door button, holding the car in place, Yang Hai had kept them there while the discussion happened.

“You deserve to make the best choice for yourself, Jiang Cheng.” He said simply as Nie Mingjue finished his own thoughts. “You’re the one who will have to live with your mate after everything has settled, not Furen, or Jiang-zong, or anyone else. As...extra...as Wei Wuxian can be, it’s always been more than obvious you feel the same way about each other. If you think he would make you happy, does it even matter what your mother thinks? And if the answer to that is yes, you have options that offer different types of security for you.”

Jiang Cheng could count on one hand the number of times Yang Hai had offered any kind of personal advice to him, and perhaps it was for that reason that his words hit Jiang Cheng harder than Nie Mingjue’s always did.

“On an unrelated note, he’s done an amazing job on your outfit, Jiang Cheng. You look stunning. Furen and Jiang-zong will be ecstatic.” Yang Hai added.

“You do.” Nie Mingjue agreed.

Compliments aside, he accepted that, no, he couldn’t avoid making some form of decision, no matter how long he delayed it, unless he risked even what little autonomy now allowed him. And beyond that decision, he was the one who would have to deal with the forever after it entailed.

As he considered Yang Hai’s words further, the pair of them exited the elevator, leaving Yang Hai to continue his own journey downwards, to the ground floor.

“You can be unreasonably stubborn for a smart guy, sometimes, Jiang Cheng.” Nie Mingjue said.

They arrived in the exposition hall which had been beautifully decorated with the main theme colour being the purple the Jiangs were associated with. It was slowly filling up with Jiang employees and a few over eager early guests, as staff bustled around ensuring every miniscule detail was attended to.

Jin Zhu was at his mother’s side, listening to her rattle off any imperfections or issues that she saw that needed to be solved immediately, and the other dispatched workers with the militant efficiency of a parade ground Sergeant.

“A-Cheng!” Jiang Yanli was the first to spot him, and she waved him over. “A-Xian is a genius, you look amazing.” She said it, but she did too. The long, slim, silk dress she wore, all spaghetti straps and elegant ruffles, again in Jiang purples, suited her perfectly,

“As do you, A-Jie. Wei Wuxian has a big mouth, but he’s still very skilled as a designer.”

Jiang Yanli giggled at his snipe, rolling her eyes as if humouring her baby brother, which in effect was what she was doing, knowing how he and Wei Wuxian often spoke of each other in teasing terms to disguise their feelings.

“He is, and hopefully everyone is going to get the chance to see it this year.”

Wei Wuxian would stamp his mark on the world. He was too skilled to do anything else. Jiang Cheng knew that without a doubt. And maybe that was fair. As much as he railed about his own impending and unwelcome retirement, Jiang Cheng had more than had his time in the spotlight. He was well regarded, successful and something of the darling of the fashion press, and had been since he was a teen. He had a reputation as a golden goose, and any line that managed to bring him onboard generally did exceptionally well that season. He had been in demand, and had worked tirelessly for years, and indeed was doing so right up until the beginning of November. Just before his birthday.

His craft came with keeping in shape, being the body the true geniuses draped their creative output on, which was why he had been able to step into the spotlight at so young an age.

Wei Wuxian, in direct comparison, while long accepted as someone with natural talent, had also spent a long time in the shadows, honing his craft, learning the tricks of the trade from those around him, and bringing all that knowledge together into this, his own real first moment as the forefront of notice. The joyous thing for Wei Wuxian, and indeed Jiang Cheng as someone who did care for him, was that Wei Wuxian had the rest of his life to ride his fame, once he secured it.

The evening was a resounding success, and Wei Wuxian became the name on everyone’s lips over the following days.

The sneak peak at his designs whetted their appetites, and it ensured that when the Jiangs arranged their next full show and catwalk event in the spring, with Wei Wuxian’s full collection, the excitement and interest would be astronomical. Even if, by that point, Jiang Cheng would only be involved on the periphery.

From a personal point of view, Jiang Cheng found the party to be very interesting. As a spectator sport, and for himself.

He circulated and mingled as required, subtly praising Wei Wuxian’s work to anyone who would listen, and being the best advertisement he could be, which was wearing what Wei Wuxian had designed and making it look great, which he did, and somewhat effortlessly, even if he did say so himself.

Wei Wuxian wasn’t able to stay by his side all night, which would have been impossible, no matter how much the other wanted to, to enable him to stymie the other alphas in attendance from seeking Jiang Cheng out and having the opportunity to speak to him as privately as it was possible to in a crowded party. But that did also give Jiang Cheng the chance to watch Wei Wuxian too. The alpha was confident and bright and drew attention to himself almost automatically, with his personality, good looks, and easy charm.

While he was with Jiang Cheng he was attentive, ensuring the omega always had a drink in his hand; first champaign, then water when he switched later. He made sure Jiang Cheng ate something to keep his energy levels up and soak up the alcohol he had sipped at, and he stared daggers at Lan Xichen particularly, every time the other was anywhere within 10 yards of where they stood.

He couldn’t fend the Lan President’s attentions off of Jiang Cheng all night, however, and Lan Xichen took several opportunities to talk to the omega. Their relationship had always been good, and Jiang Cheng liked him as a person, as well as someone who he had casually dated.

He thought he might have to address the issue of Lan Xichen’s offer during one of their many talks, but surprisingly, Lan Xichen didn’t bring it up. It was left to Jiang Cheng to mention it towards the end of the night, because he didn’t feel it was right leaving things in the air and not being honest with Lan Xichen. But the other only smiled at him.

“I didn’t need to ask, Jiang Cheng, I think it’s obvious that you’ve made your decision finally, and I wish you happy, and hope we can remain friends. Although with how your interested party is looking at me right now, I think he might have some objections.”

“Wei Wuxian isn’t the boss of me.” He said it automatically, with just a trace of acid in his tone. Then he paused. Because if he did choose Wei Wuxian that would legally be the outcome. The same went for anyone else.

But did he think Wei Wuxian would never try to exert that kind of control over him, even as his mate.

That wasn’t his style. He just liked to whine and complain and try to get Jiang Cheng to feed him attention in any way he could get it.

He hadn’t denied that Wei Wuxian was his interested party, though had he?

And was Lan Xichen correct? Had he made his decision?

He pondered the question long after Lan-zong had left his side.

Wei Wuxian joined him one final time as the party was beginning to break up. He had a huge self-pitying pout on his face.

“What’s he got that I haven’t got? Apart from a huge fortune, that stupid handsome face, the cute carrying their tails around in their mouth thing…”

“You’re handsome enough yourself, Wei Wuxian.” He said it without really thinking. It was true, after all, but the other beamed at him as he did.

“True. Even though I’m not as rich as him, you’re still going to marry me, though, right?”

“Why would anyone want to marry you, Wei Wuxian?” He snapped.

“Because I’m handsome, great in bed, full of more jokes that you can shake a stick at…”

“Well hold me back-,”

“And because I love you, A-Cheng. You know I do. I always have.”

His surprisingly earnestly spoken declaration of love neatly stopped Jiang Cheng’s sarcastic response.

“I...I know.” He said it, because he did know. Wei Wuxian had never been anything but open with Jiang Cheng about how he felt. And Jiang Cheng, while feeling the same, had always been the much cagier one between them, because he didn’t think they would be something he was allowed to let happen.

But Yang Hai was right, he was the one who would have to live with his mate after he had chosen, so it really was his choice; and while a part of him still wished he didn’t have to disappoint his mother, the other part acknowledged that her objection had been a disapproval, never an outright attempt to tell him he couldn’t marry who he liked.

All along he had built it up to be something bigger, because that had been his protection, because he didn’t want to make a decision, because he wanted to put it off for as long as he could.

An excuse was all it was, in the end, and he was out of them.

“I know you do. And I feel the same. I always have, too.”

“Of course I know, Jiang Cheng.” Fully aware of where they still were, Wei Wuxian traced the backs of his fingers against Jiang Cheng’s cheek, quickly, and lightly. A stolen caress in public, more than he should have attempted, but less than he wanted to do. “I hope you know that nothing between us will change after. I’m not going to start telling you where you can go, or who you can go with…”

“I know.” And despite his fears, Jiang Cheng did know it. He’d fully accepted by now Wei Wuxian wasn’t going to be one of those mates at all. “I’m still angry and hurt about having to give up my career, but at least I can be by your side while you embark on your career. I always knew mine would have a shelf life. Maybe while we have a family I’ll throw my hand in at designing myself. It’s not like I couldn’t convince A-Die to push them even if they were terrible. Maybe we can be rival designers.”

“Maybe you should. I’m pretty confident in my own designs though, A-Cheng. And you know, no matter what Jiang-shushu said, Furen would toss any dross straight into the bin. Even it was her precious baby’s.”

Truer words had never been spoken.

“I think searching for the thing you might want to do after modelling would be a good way to ease yourself out of the glamorous jet-setting of being a model though, A-Cheng, you should put some thought into it.”

He really should. He couldn’t be in the public eye anymore, but that didn’t mean he had to sit at home idle just waiting for babies to occur.

With his decisions made, and a new focus for his attention identified, he felt a little more positive about the future of his life outside of his relationship. Within in, he couldn’t be happier. Wei Wuxian was always the choice he had wanted to make, and now he had given himself permission to do just that, everything else would surely fall into place.

Your correspondent has been watching with great interest, and there is a suddenly persistent rumour that a certain swan has finally made a decision on a mate, and an announcement is imminent. This will no doubt be a relief to our swan’s family, who were likely watching with just as much interest, with their breaths held.

There may be an element of the unexpected in the chosen cob, but a swan, who mates for life, will have made their decision with attention and care, Your correspondent has no doubt.

Our elegant bird will absolutely be struggling to fit an engagement announcement and party into an already packed schedule in the run up to their birthday, but we still don’t feel that it would be too much to expect an early December wedding.

Your correspondent can barely contain their own excitement at the thought of the wedding outfits, given the profession of our swan cobs.

The other benefit is that, while not working professionally, we can expect to see still more of our swan at events in future. That they will be wearing the latest fashion hits-to-be will be a given.

Your correspondent hopes you will join them in wishing every happiness to both our darling swan and their chosen mate.

#chengxian #xiancheng #fanfiction #modern setting #alpha/omega #omegaverse #getting together #they're each other's childhood crushes ok #other characters are implied to have offered to be jcs mate #societal structure makes it a lil angsty #characters are implied to be shifters but it doesn't appear in fic

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