Work Text:
Lan Xichen’s presence was unexpected today.
Jin Guangyao doesn’t mind, of course, not when he can meet Er-ge .
Jin Guangshan is probably not happy about this. The upcoming cultivation conference is the first one since the Sunshot campaign. The Jin clan was hosting this time and Jin Guangshan was aiming to be the leader of all the clans. Jin Guangshan was also going to try to get Wei Wuxian to give up the Stygian Tiger Amulet. He needed to amaze everyone with the glamour of the sect.
Of course, he wouldn’t do the work himself. It had to fall on Guangyao’s shoulders.
Xichen turning up so early without notice put Jin Guangshan in a difficult position because he was not aware of the preparations.
Guangyao could see that Xichen’s calm tone hid his tightened smile. He was angry for Guangyao, that Guangyao had to do all the work.
With a steady gaze, Xichen offers to help with the preparations.
Jin Guangshan huffs in frustration, ordering Guangyao to show Xichen to a guest room.
Guangyao smiles subserviently to Jin Guangshan, turning to smile wider at Xichen, requesting Xichen to follow him.
They salute Jin Guangshan politely, and Jin Guangshan huffs, flicking his sleeves and leaving.
Guangyao hides a smile, inviting Xichen to follow him. Xichen smiles truly now, gesturing for Guangyao to lead the way.
-----
Xichen eyes Guangyao’s personal correspondence pile in his study, to which Guangyao bites his lip.
He hasn’t responded to Xichen’s most recent letter. He has read it, of course. The wax seal is broken, letter on top of the others, held down by a peony-shaped jade paperweight.
Xichen doesn’t say a word, seating himself and setting the table for tea.
Guangyao has to protest, picking up the teapot before Xichen can.
Xichen nods, letting Guangyao pour the tea.
They sit in silence, Xichen eyes the correspondence pile ever so often.
Oh, so he was upset by the lack of response. Guangyao bites his lips again; he’s been too busy with preparations.
Was that a pout Guangyao sees on Xichen’s lips? Did he think Guangyao would not respond on purpose?
Setting down his cup, Xichen starts, “I thought A-Yao found someone else to send letters with, which is why you did not respond to mine.”
So he was jealous! Guangyao has never expected to see this expression on Xichen’s face. He doesn’t think anyone has, not when he is the First Jade of Lan, the esteemed Zewu-jun .
Oh, how lucky Guangyao was!
“Er-ge, I’ve been busy. As you can see, I have not received any other correspondence.”
That wasn’t entirely the truth; Guangyao has pulled up Xichen’s letter again and again to the top of the pile. It was to be the first one he would respond to when he had the time.
Xichen relaxes then, seemingly happy that Guangyao was going to respond to him first.
“How can I help with the conference then, A-Yao ?”
-----
They share dinner on Guangyao’s study table, the scrolls with plans temporarily placed aside.
Guangyao had ordered the kitchen to prepare food specifically for Xichen’s taste under the guise of testing the food to be served at the conference.
The smile on Xichen’s face is enough for him to confirm that the Lan sect disciples will be served those dishes in three days.
They get back to work quickly after that.
Surprisingly, they work well as a team. Xichen arranges the seating based on current tensions between the sects he is aware of as Guangyao sorts out the budget for decorations of the Glamour Hall.
Guangyao is grinding ink, propping himself up with his palm as he looks over the map of Lanling’s forests. When he looks up, Xichen is staring endearingly at him.
It makes Guangyao self-conscious enough to raise his sleeve and cover his face.
He picks up the brush again, fingers already red from holding a brush for too long.
And Xichen rests a hand on his wrist, stopping him.
“Let’s take a break. The plans will still be here tomorrow.”
It must be almost time for the Gusu Lan to sleep.
Guangyao shakes his head, insisting that he can finish this before he rests.
Xichen doesn’t push it, instead drawing out his guqin and playing a calming tune.
Guangyao tries to concentrate, but the thought of Xichen opposite him playing for him causes him to sneak a glance.
He meets Xichen’s eyes, which twinkle with mischief, knowing he got Guangyao’s attention.
Guangyao sighs, putting down the brush. Xichen smiles like he won.
Well, two can play that game.
Guangyao stands abruptly, walking over to kneel behind Xichen, running his fingers down his hair.
He purposefully slides his fingers through the forehead ribbon. He can feel Xichen stiffen, his ears turning red.
Even so, Xichen doesn’t stop him.
Guangyao takes that as consent to untie the forehead ribbon.
-----
When Xichen looks up, Guangyao has removed his shoes and hat, Xichen’s forehead ribbon wrapped a few times around his hand.
The music stops instantly as Xichen feels his face heat up.
Guangyao looks upset at that, eyes pleading Xichen to play more.
Xichen takes a breath to steady his fingers, starting to play the Song of Clarity.
Guangyao frowns then.
Xichen stops, changing course and plucking out a fast folk song from the restaurants in Pingjiang.
This gains Xichen a smile, and Guangyao looks at him with the gaze of a predator before starting to dance. He flicks Xichen’s forehead ribbon out ever so often, twirling it around. His moves are precise but delicate. His feet pattering lightly on the floor, now without shoes.
It takes all of Xichen’s concentration to continue playing.
Guangyao gets closer then, twirling the ribbon and brushing past Xichen’s fingers.
Xichen thinks his heart might stop.
With all the control he can muster, Xichen doesn’t reach out to grab the ribbon, instead making it to the end of the song.
Guangyao gracefully sits beside him, his hand with the ribbon resting on Xichen’s hand.
Xichen thinks he might burst into flames from how hot his face feels.
“ A-Yao …” Xichen doesn’t know how to start.
“My mother’s friend used to dance. She taught me. I found it fun then.” Guangyao explains as if it was a simple matter of fact. That Xichen did not almost combust from watching Guangyao dance. “I hope Er-ge enjoyed that as much as I enjoy your music.”
Xichen has to remind himself that he cannot ask that of Guangyao. Watching Guangyao’s delicate body dancing to his music. Xichen repeats the Lan rules in his head, as only to distract himself from acting on his temptations.
Xichen doesn’t remember closing his eyes until Guangyao is pulling him up from his seat, leading Xichen to the bed.
Xichen starts denying, denying what he’s not sure. He can’t think straight now, not after seeing Guangyao dance.
Guangyao smiles serenely, “Aren’t you going to sleep, Er-ge ? We will have a long day tomorrow.”
Guangyao disappears behind the changing screen in a flutter. Xichen realises Guangyao is still holding on to his forehead ribbon and his face reddens again.
When Guangyao returns, he gestures for Xichen to go ahead.
“I should return to my quarters, A-Yao .” It’s halfhearted but better than nothing.
Guangyao almost looks disappointed that Xichen can still form coherent sentences.
With a big smile, Guangyao tells Xichen that his quarters are very far and it was already dark outside.
Xichen gives in easily to Guangyao’s smile and slips behind the screen to strip to his underclothes for sleeping.
When he returns, Guangyao is lying on the bed, running his fingers through Xichen’s forehead ribbon. He notices Xichen and beckons him by twirling the forehead ribbon.
Xichen carefully lies beside Guangyao, and Guangyao reaches for Xichen’s wrist and ties their wrists together with the ribbon.
“Good night, Er-ge .” Guangyao says in an overly cheerful voice.
Xichen almost whines in frustration when Guangyao blows out the bedside candle and slips under the covers.
Guangyao falls asleep quickly, but Xichen’s thoughts are still racing.
Xichen doesn’t think he can take this teasing anymore, not when Guangyao is snuggling closer in his arms, forehead ribbon linking their wrists.