Work Text:
Jin Guangyao was an excellent event planner. He knew how to throw the most lavish of parties, and today was no exception.
It was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, a day of celebration that symbolized the end of the previous year and the commencement of a new one. This day was particularly known for its evening lighting of sky lanterns, and thus was rightfully named the Lantern Festival.
The daytime festivities had proven to be a great success. A style of parade took place on the streets of Lanling City, consisting of colorful displays, dancers, musicians and some townspeople in lion and dragon dance costumes. Booths also lined the streets, anywhere from food vendors and merchants to street performers who showcased their magic or did a dance number.
As for the celebrations at JinlinTai, those were exclusive to the royal family, its sect members and a limited number of special guests. Not to mention a certain special guest that Jin Guangyao personally invited. His sworn brother. His Er-Ge. The illustrious Zewu-Jun.
The two shared a table at the banquet, seated close to the throne where Jin Guangshan was unsurprisingly surrounded by his concubines. Jin Guangyao paid no mind to it at all however, his sights set fully on the man beside him. It filled his heart with so much joy that Zewu-Jun could attend. And even though there were others present in the beautifully adorned Glamour Hall, it felt as if he and his Er-Ge were in a little world of their own. Conversing, laughing, just being able to enjoy these small moments together.
After the exquisite banquet, performances were put on in the hall. Spectators indulged in desserts and spirits as they watched the variety show unfold. First it was a dance performance, followed by a pair of singers who also played their own respective guqins. Several actors then took center stage, portraying an abridged version of a classic opera. Despite all the glorious entertainment, every part of it paled in comparison to Zewu-Jun. Jin Guangyao found himself unable to take his eyes off of the Lan sect leader, and Lan Xichen in turn couldn't keep his eyes off of his A-Yao either. Again, the two lost themselves in a world of their own.
As soon as the festivities in Glamour Hall wrapped up, everyone was directed to the main square for the lighting of the sky lanterns. Multiple tables had been set up with white lanterns atop them. Ink and brushes were also provided so people could write their wishes onto the blank surfaces.
Being the good host that he was, Jin Guangyao allowed everyone else to partake in the preparation of their lanterns first. He watched as dark ink seeped into paper, varying characters being stroked onto those lanterns like paint to an empty canvas. He'd become so entranced by the movements that he hardly noticed the man who came to stand at his side.
"Aren't you going to light one, A-Yao?"
Jin Guangyao smiled softly at Zewu-Jun's gentle tone. The man had always been so kind to him, wanting to make sure he felt included in anything and everything. As he gazed up at the taller man, his smile grew larger, exposing his dimples. "Of course I will, Er-Ge. Once everyone is done preparing theirs."
Lan Xichen nodded, reciprocating a small smile of his own. "So you're going to keep me waiting?"
Brows furrowed just the slightest in confusion. "What do you mean?"
A chuckle escaped the sect leader at the adorable reaction. "I mean, I want to light one with you."
Jin Guangyao was rendered speechless. One of the renowned Jades of Lan, --the Lan sect leader no less-- wanted to light a lantern with him? He wasn't quite sure how to react, though the light blush across his cheeks pretty much gave him away. And the way in which Zewu-Jun looked at him with those tender eyes and that handsome, kind smile of his? How could he possibly deny him?
Returning a grin of his own, Jin Guangyao finally replied, "I would be honored to, Er-Ge."
Lan Xichen merely shook his head at his A-Yao's politeness, traces of a smile still lingering on his lips. "The honor would be mine."
Eventually the pair made their way to one of the tables and got to work decorating their lantern. Both agreed they would each get a side on which to write their wishes for the new year. They also concurred that neither had to share their wish if they did not wish to disclose it.
Upon completing their lantern, they waited for the rest of the crowd to finish up with theirs. They purposely chose to stand at the far back so prying eyes wouldn't be able to see them. Or at least to limit the number of curious onlookers, though it wasn't as if either of them really cared.
Everyone's attention was set on the lantern lighting anyway, using fire talismans to light the small candle inside before they collectively propelled them into the air.
Jin Guangyao held his and Zewu-Jun's sky lantern with both hands while Zewu-Jun was the one to make use of the talisman. Once the candle wick was ignited, Jin Guangyao released the lantern. He watched in amazement as it flew higher and higher up, accompanied by its fellow sky lanterns.
It was a stunning spectacle to behold on such a lovely night, most especially with a certain someone by his side. All that was left was to fulfill the wish he'd made on that floating lantern, in the hopes of creating more beautiful memories similar to this one.
'Sometime this year,' Jin Guangyao thought to himself, 'sometime this year I will confess to Zewu-Jun.'