#insert Sunshot Campaign montage

[limitbreaker23]

How to save your beloathed companion, a guide by Jiang Cheng

Do you ever think about that time when Jiang Cheng protected Lan Wangji in the temple in this exclusive cql scene? I know, I do all the time as well. Why did they add this scene, why do I not even need my shipping goggles to think about 300 scenarios that led to this climactic protection of a beloathed companion?

Jiang Cheng’s face here is the complete derailing of emotions, just shock, fear, instinct taking over. He has to yeet between the sword that comes for – Lan Wangji?

Now, the logical brain says that the sword was aimed at Wei Ying, who is the more obvious emotional focus for Jiang Cheng here. Why, then, is the sword aiming straight for Lan Wangji? Jin Guangyao, are you sitting in my Chengzhan boat, rowing with me, one paddle each, to help this ship gain steam? Thank you, A-Yao. #shipsupportedbymengyao #schemetovictory

Lan Wangji is his natural self of calm indifference and ready to break and cut off arms when the sword comes for him. He never hit it off with Jin Guangyao anyway, despite Xiongzhang asking them to have tea and guqin lessons together (totally). He saw the sword coming and will meet his sharp friend without spiritual power.

But he isn’t allowed. See that face? For Lan Wangji, this is an expression of utter shock and internal gasping. His beloathed companion saved him. How dare he. No one ever saved Hanguang-Jun before. A shipper’s brain is instantly filled with a montage of Sunshot Campaign memories of Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji dodging close calls, kicking each other out of the way of swords coming for their youthful throats, and the eyeroll and hmph shared as thanks afterwards. cql couldn't do this because their shots of Chengzhan during the Sunshot Campaign were too romantic.

Jiang Cheng gets hurt and slashed when he throws himself between sword and Lan Wangji. It might not leave another scar to gently touch and memorise this moment, but Jiang Cheng does already have one for that.

Since cql for mysterious reasons decided against prolonged hugging scenes during the temple climax, nothing stands in the way of Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji falling into each other’s arms in fanfic, turn beloathed into beloved, and make me very happy. Which would look something like this:

Jiang Cheng, slumping down, bleeding out: Ngh. Lan Wangji, scooting over to check bleeding: Hmph. And they sat there happily ever after.

For mysterious reasons, I do not have any images depicting this comforting reconciliation scene. Trapped somewhere in my brain and on the cql cutting floor.