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“How is it my fault?!”
The voice of Sect Leader Jin Rulan has become familiar in Cloud Recesses in the last year. Not to say he isn’t quite often in his own territory and seeing to his sect’s needs (and making sure they aren’t getting up to anything nefarious), it’s simply that Jin Ling has a very distinct and very loud shriek. Fortunately, there is one surefire way to cut him off before he gets a full head of steam.
“If you hadn’t fussed- Hanguang Jun!” Jingyi stops mid-sniping and twists to bow hastily to the Chief Cultivator and his own personal idol. At his side is Sizhui, bowing in sync and for some reason both Lan disciples are dripping wet and Sizhui’s normal placid face looks... sheepish?
“This one greets Hanguang Jun and offers him a letter from Sect Leader Jiang,” Sizhui says, pulling out said letter from his qiankun pouch, fortunately (or perhaps not) dry. Lan Wangji’s face doesn’t move yet somehow manages to convey an impatient disdain even as he accepts the letter, breaking the seal.
“Are you well?” he asks, scanning the document as the four Juniors (Zizhen was peeping at him from behind Jingyi’s shoulder) wait to be dismissed.
“The intersectional meeting started off quite well, Hanguang Jun,” Zizhen offers up, smiling tentatively.
“We learned a few new techniques to try out-” Jingyi’s voice cuts off when Lan Wangji lifts his gaze from the letter to pin him in place like a butterfly.
“Sect Leader Jiang states you are banned from Lotus Pier.”
Sizhui goes scarlet and Jin Ling lifts his chin. “It’s not forever. Juijui isn’t going to start anything over something so trivial.”
“That’s not how you made it sound at the time,” Jingyi retorts, crossing his arms and huffing. “Besides, maybe we don’t even want to go back. It’s pretty dangerous if you ask me!”
“Jingyi,” Sizhui scolds but then sighs, offering a bow to his father. “Hanguang Jun, allow us to explain.”
Lan Sizhui has spent the better part of the year away from Cloud Recesses. It’s the longest time he’s been apart from his Sect and everything he’s known. It had been terrifying at first. Lonely as well, despite his Uncle’s company. Lan Sizhui will not return to Cloud Recesses the same as when he left it but that had been a fact long before he had returned to Qishan to pay his respects to his family.
Hanguang Jun would remind him that the experiences Sizhui has gained are valuable and honorable. That Gusu Lan will never be closed to him no matter how long it may be until he has found what he needs. If Sizhui could believe in anyone’s steadfastness, it would be his father’s. And yet... it isn’t just his father he misses nor is it just what could happen sharing secrets that he never knew he’d been keeping. It’s so many nameless, formless worries that he can’t see how to untangle from the ache in his chest because it’s been a year since he’s seen his best friend.
“A Yuan, we’re at the border,” Wen Ning’s gentle voice tugs him out of his thoughts and Sizhui offers him a soft “mn” and a smile.
“Here, chew on these if you end up on a boat. It will ease sickness,” Wen Ning offers a small pouch carefully with his stiff, cool fingers. It smells heavily of ginger and maybe a little bit of mint. Wen Ning had admitted that a lot of their clan had issues with water travel but Wen Qing used her needles to help the worse cases. Wen Ning wasn’t as adept with needles even before he died and so Sizhui isn’t surprised (even if he is touched) to receive an alternative option.
“I would like to learn how to use needles as Qing jie did,” he says quietly, brows knit together, fingers restlessly tracing the stitching on the bag, wondering if the pattern is one of the Wen’s legacies. There’s so much he still needs to know. So many traditions and family trades to store up and keep. Sizhui may be young but he can’t help but feel sometimes like things are slipping through his fingers, things he doesn’t even know to be aware of.
“There’s time for that later,” Wen Ning assures him, as if he knows Sizhui’s thoughts. Perhaps he understands though, he had been burdened with this responsibility alone when he had thought Sizhui hadn’t survived the siege of the Burial Mounds. “Your friends are waiting for you. You should hurry to join them.”
Sizhui doesn’t suggest Wen Ning accompany him, much as he wishes otherwise. He knows even without Sect Leader Jiang’s disapproval, there are too many people from other Sects that would see only the Ghost General and not Wen Ning’s gentle kindness. Impulsively he throws his arms around Wen Ning and clutches at his shoulders tightly. “I will see you soon,” he swears, feeling Wen Ning’s stiff surprise give way to returned affection.
Pulling apart, Sizhui straightens and offers a more appropriately formal bow. “Safe journeys, I look forward to our next meeting.”
Wen Ning smiles as best he can and gives a bow in return.
Sizh watches the older man walk away, trying to ignore the anxious pull in his gut as he does. He knows, logically, that Wen Ning is not only very capable and very strong, he is not likely to go look for trouble, unlike Senior Wei (still out traveling the roads looking for something he needs before he can join his waiting friends and family again). Still, if he watches where Wen Ning’s silhouette disappears from view for a long time after, it’s only a little betrayal of the Lan rules. He will assign himself to write out the principles regarding excessive attachment when he returns home.
For now, he focuses on finding his way into the heart of the Jiang territory and Lotus Pier.
He doesn’t mind the long route he takes; Lotus Pier and the surrounding land is really beautiful. Objectively, Sizhui can see it in the lush greenery, the fat lotus blossoms ranging from the most delicate of pinks to exotic violets to riotous oranges. The architecture doesn’t so much as dominate the land as it weaves itself through it and sway atop the myriad rivers. It’s the rivers that Sizhui takes exception to. Actually, specifically it is Sizhui’s stomach that takes exception.
In deference to that, Wen-qianbei’s pouch of remedies notwithstanding, his path has taken him away from the more traveled rivers and quicker boats even if it takes longer. He does miss the merchant sellers on the docks, hocking their wares cheerfully, calling out in such friendly tones that even Caiyi Town can’t compare. Still, without Jingyi at his side tugging at his sleeve and pointing out whatever caught his eye, there is little point.
Perhaps they can go together, later in the evening, just them. If Jingyi even wants to after being apart for so long. Sizhui shouldn’t assume that he can take up his place at his dearest friend’s side again without accepting that he may have to account for some changes. Jingyi may have even gotten a sweetheart at that.
His stomach squeezes and Sizhui doesn’t do himself the disservice pretending he’s simply too close to the water.
“Is that him?”
“Asking if every single person that walks through the door is Sizhui won’t make Sizhui show up faster,” Jin Ling snaps, clearly annoyed by Jingyi’s restless excitement but not enough to miss the opportunity to greet their friend himself. Young Mistress was more contradiction than person in Jingyi’s belief but at least he was entertaining that way.
“He’ll be here soon,” Zizhen assures, smiling encouragement. “He probably has a lot to tell us about his travels with the Ghost General!”
“I don’t care if he didn’t do anything at all, it’s been forever since I saw him last! Do you know that we’ve never-”
“-Never been apart longer than a day before this. Yes, you mentioned it. Many, many times,” Jin Ling hops off the railing he was lounging on like the teenager he is rather than the proper Sect Leader he had to be anywhere else. Oh Sect Leader Jiang would still chew him out if he caught him but it’s pretty apparent that for Jin Ling there’s comfort in knowing there is one place he can still be mostly himself. Fairy trots at his heels as he comes up to Jingyi’s other side.
“You got letters from him, he’s coming,” he adds impatiently. “Everyone did, it’s not like he won’t show.”
“I’m not worried he won’t show, although he could’ve been kidnapped. He is the Sect Heir,” Jingyi retorts, fingers restlessly worrying at the hem of his sleeves. “Those letters could’ve been forged!”
“Do you think so?” Zizhen asks, eyes widening. “That would be terrible! Think of how Hanguang Jun and Wei-qainbei would suffer!”
“How they would suffer? What about me?!” Jingyi scoffs. “I’ve been suffering! Who do you think kept me from doing endless handstands while copying the precepts? I have no filter without Sizhui!”
“You barely have one with me,” Sizhui’s voice is wry but very affectionate.
The small group startles and then lets out a disjointed cheer of delight as they rush over to their friend. Before the other two could reach him, Jingyi’s long legs ate up the distance and he careens into his favorite person in the world. He hugs Sizhui to his pounding chest before stepping back and picking him up to swing around. “You’re here! You made it!” Jingyi crows, nervous energy turning into fizzy elation that can hardly be contained. “You- you’re shorter.”
Sizhui stumbles a little when Jingyi sets him on his feet, cheeks red. He looks tanned from the travelling and his eyes--- Jingyi could get lost in the dark warmth of them. “I think you’ll find that you got taller instead. Hello Jingyi,” he greets softly, tone feeling intimate and just for him-
Before Jingyi’s mouth can say anything else ridiculous, Zizhen and Jin Ling crowd in to offer their greetings (Zizhen) and scoldings (Jin Ling). Sizhui laughs quietly, exuding happiness in a way that Jingyi wants nothing more than to bask in it like a flower in the springtime sun. Belatedly he realizes his arm is still wrapped around Sizhui’s back in a half hug and he withdraws it before anyone, Sizhui included, notices how grabby he’s being.
He’s going to have a lot of trouble with some of the rules about not smiling foolishly or being excessively delighted anyway, he doesn’t need to add anything else to the list. Lan Qiren was pretty skeptical about letting him lead their delegation already, Jingyi needs to prove that he can be trusted. Prove that he’s not a burden to Sizhui but a worthy companion. For... Sect related reasons.
“You should come meet the others! I know my shidi are excited to be here and get to know other Sects,” Zizhen is saying, tugging on Sizhui’s hand to lead him towards the courtyard where the intersectional meeting is having an informal gathering before all the more official activities the following day.
“You didn’t tell me how you came up with this,” Sizhui prompts, following at a sedate pace. He seems bemused but also a little ...shy maybe? Jingyi hasn’t seen Sizhui this hesitant since they were very little. He bumps their shoulders together - or attempts to. He is taller than Sizhui now, probably by almost three inches.
“We were looking for a way to get Jin Ling out of Koi Tower,” Zizhen announces shamelessly.
“That’s not it!” Jin Ling immediately counters, ears going red. He tugs at his robes, more formal than he used to wear but less so than official Sect business- a compromise due to the meeting. “In order to foster better communication, support and camaraderie and to prevent what happened in the previous generation, we brought this up to the Chief Cultivator who endorsed our plan.”
“It’s only a few disciples from each participating Sect,” Zizhen admits. “But I think if we do this often enough, at least once a season, we’ll see a lot more participation.”
“We got the idea from when Wei Wuxian had us all working together in Yi City and fighting together at the Burial Mounds,” Jin Ling adds as they come up to observe the other disciples milling about in the main Lotus Pier courtyard. There seems to be about three or four at most from each Sect, but even so that means there’s about a good twenty or so people ranging from perhaps fourteen to maybe a few years Sizhui’s senior.
“I think that sounds like a good way to work out situations before they become real issues. It is much harder to attack someone you’ve grown to know and appreciate,” Sizhui agrees with a nod, glancing at Jingyi. “I am curious why Lotus Pier was chosen.”
Jin Ling mutters something but Jingyi can’t help himself. “Oh that was a caveat from Sect Leader Jiang himself. He wouldn’t support Young Mistress without it,” he declares nonchalantly, sending the Young Mistress a smirk.
Sizhui’s face is puzzled but Jin Ling finally crosses his arms and spits out, “Juijui said he wasn’t about to let dozens of hormonal, brainless disciples run around Koi Tower without any actual adults to keep them from burning the place down.”
Zizhen offers a smile. “Jiang-zongzhu is generous to give us all this space and is even offering food and rooms. I know my Sect wouldn’t be able to offer as much.”
Jin Ling’s ears are pink but from the softening of his scowl, it’s clear he appreciates the words, ever proud and defensive of his prickly Uncle. “It’s a better setting anyway, especially this time of year. The lotus are flowering and the weather is good,” he dismisses, kneeling to pat Fairy’s flank. “We’ve got a few demonstrations from the larger Sects set up tomorrow and then some more casual activities, like going out on the lake. Sorry, Sizhui,” he adds, seeming to remember belatedly about his sickness.
Sizhui smiles and shakes his head, patting the pouch hanging from his belt. “Actually Wen-qianbei has given me a remedy that should make it easier for me so don’t worry about it.”
“The Ghost General made you this?” Zizhen’s eyes widen as he peers closer, dark hair swinging over a shoulder. “He must really favor you! You have to tell us all about your travels!”
Jingyi is also dying to know about what he’s been doing but also why he left so suddenly with the Senior. Still, he can see Sizhui withdrawing a little at the blatant interest. Rather than let his friend feel awkward, he steps in. “I thought we were going to be fed! Sizhui’s probably not had a proper meal in months, you should show him some of the local fare, Jin Ling.”
Sizhui squeezes his hand lightly as Zizhen and Jin Ling immediately get into a discussion about whether they should head into the market or stay at the Pier, so Jingyi knows he made the right call. It’s a very good start to their meeting if he does say so himself and there will be time for Sizhui to tell him what he’s been doing without Jingyi and whether or not he plans to keep doing that in the future too.
The next morning comes too soon. Jingyi might have been getting up at dawn every day of his life but it doesn’t mean it’s easy . He yawns loudly, stretching out his long limbs until he can feel his bones pop in protest. Sizhui is already meditating, folded up in lotus position so Jingyi steals the chance to really look his fill. Sizhui might be right that he’s taller but Jingyi can see some difference in the other boy as well. It’s not as obvious maybe but this is Sizhui and he’s Jingyi- no one knows him better except Hanguang-Jun and even then Jingyi would privately bet that he still might win that contest.
Like as much as Sizhui was talking and teasing with them last night, Jingyi knew he’d been preoccupied and it wasn’t due to sickness. Sizhui’s pauses were a little too long and his words a little too careful. With any luck, he’ll be able to get the other boy alone for an hour or so and they can work out what’s upsetting Sizhui. Jingyi’s not about to let anything stand that he can fix if it’s for Sizhui.
In spite of this nagging worry, Jingyi is over the moon having Sizhui back. Even being in the unfamiliar rooms hadn’t dampened the simple pleasure of going to sleep listening to Sizhui’s soft little snuffles as he got settled. The first few weeks when he was gone Jingyi had slept so badly that in a fit of insanity he had actually composed a poem to the little noises, likening them to a baby bunny in a cozy little burrow. The following morning Jingyi had stared in horror at what he’d done and shoved the paper under his mattress.
“You didn’t fall back asleep, did you?” Sizhui calls out to him, quiet in the early morning light. His large eyes, so deep they were like -- like something poets would think about but not Jingyi because he is not a poet.
“No! Just waiting for you,” he replies, springing out of bed. “You probably have gotten lazy, no routines on the road to keep up with, no Lan-shifu threatening handstands until you’re as old and venerated as he is,” He scoffs, despite the fact it’s him that’s still in his under robes while all Sizhui needs to do is put on his ribbon.
Jingyi is definitely not thinking about a very specific dream where ...someone had helped Sizhui with that task and rakishly pressed a kiss to the cloud emblem resting on the center of his forehead. He blames Zizhen’s books for any salacious ideas that ran amok in his brain when he was asleep.
“I hope you haven’t been. Waiting for me,” Sizhui replies, eyes on his knees. He sounds faintly worried.
“What? I was teasing, Sizhui,” Jingyi immediately sits across from the other boy and takes his hand. “I mean, yes I missed you. You have no idea,” he lets out a self-deprecating laugh. “But I kept busy and look what I’ve cooked up with Jin Ling and Zizhen! All my chattering and energy put to good use for once.”
“Mn, Jingyi is always up to good,” he replies with a little smile. Still, he doesn’t seem as reassured as Jingyi hoped he would. He slips his fingers out of his grip too, standing to retrieve his ribbon. “We should get ready in case we need to help with anything.”
“You can take the Head Disciple out of Cloud Recesses but he’s still a Head Disciple,” Jingyi teases, getting his gawky limbs under him. He throws on his robes, impatient to show Sizhui he could be counted on. Not just to help with his duties but as a confidant too. “I know we all have been pestering you about Wen-qianbei but you don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to. Just because we don’t lie doesn’t mean we have to share private things with anyone who asks,” Jingyi says, hoping he sounds like he means it and isn’t frustratingly curious himself.
Sizhui blinks, faint color blooming around his cheeks. “Jingyi, I want to tell you but...” Jingyi’s surprise must register but Sizhui winces and looks down. “I don’t know where to start. Maybe we could-”
Before he can finish his thought, Fairy’s barking is the only warning they get before Jin Ling and Zizhen burst into their guest quarters and bundle them along in their wake. There’s only a flash of frustration on Sizhui’s face before it smooths out into his usual politeness and Jingyi is left wondering what he was going to suggest.
Maybe they could... go somewhere? Alone?
Sizhui is not enjoying the intersectional meeting. As much as he wants to deny it, he will not ignore truth simply because it reflects poorly on him.
The day had started off well actually. All the disciples had sat down to breakfast together, continuing getting to know each other from the previous night. Several already looked as if they were forming friendships and playful competitions had sprung up after each major Sect demonstrated unique skills. Sizhui was very proud of his friends for coming up with this idea. Not only did it promote cooperation, it gave all of them a more expansive base of knowledge to call upon.
Still, Sizhui’s good will was tested as the morning gave way to afternoon and he had to bear witness to how much other disciples admired Jingyi’s new growth spurt and his appealing combination of attitude and handsome features. Far too many of these other disciples are giving Jingyi lingering looks and praising his abilities and oh would Lan Jingyi please show them that talisman again? His calligraphy is so unique! (Actually Jingyi has decent calligraphy due to hours upon hours of writing practice. Even Sizhui’s isn’t as nice when Jingyi puts his mind to it.)
The worst of the lot is definitely Hong Zhou, a Jiang disciple. Hong Zhou is a stocky boy a year or so younger than Jingyi with a crooked smile and freckles across his nose and cheekbones. It should add up to something unattractive but Sizhui can reluctantly admit it actually just makes him come across as mischievous.
Currently Hong Zhou’s freckles are stretched with his cheeks as he laughs in delight at something Jingyi has said to annoy Jin Ling. Sizhui’s teeth are grinding together.
“Okay, I know you Gusu Lan aren’t as used to bows as us Jiang so don’t feel badly if you can’t keep up,” Hong Zhou teases, actually tossing a wink towards Jingyi. Sizhui feels the oddest urge to pick up the other disciple and throw him off the nearby walkway and into the water.
“We Gusu Lan are well trained in all the gentlemanly arts,” Jingyi replies, arms crossed confidently over his chest.
“I bet Lil Apple makes a perfect chariot horse for you,” Jin Ling mocks from his other side.
“Well I could borrow your fat dog instead -”
“Those two,” Zizhen shakes his head fondly as he leans on his own bow next to Sizhui. He’s already had his turn at the targets with a fair showing. Granted there was already a long history of intermingling skills between Baling Ouyang and Jiang due to their close relation geographically
“That disciple, Hong Zhou, he seems quite...outgoing,” Sizhui says with as calm an air as he can manage.
“Hmm? He does, doesn’t he. Not very handsome in the classical way,” Zizhen tilts his head, observing. “But I think a steady heart is the best reflection on a person! Like someone who waits for their love during a long separation,” he adds, glancing at Sizhui with an odd sort of intense look. “That speaks well of future devotion, don’t you agree?”
“I would say so, yes,” he replies, a little uncertain where the conversation was going.
“That’s good! It would be quite sad if one person didn’t feel as deeply as the other, especially if they were already friends,” Zizhen’s eyes widen and dart around, as if he’s looking for an escape. “I mean, look how many tragedies are written about striving for someone who can’t return that love-”
“Zizhen,” Sizhui gives him a warm look, finally getting the implications of the odd conversation. “You know you are worthy of that kind of devotion in return, right?” He glances over at Jin Ling and then back.
Zizhen goes scarlet. “Sizhui!”
Before he can assure the other boy of his discretion, Jin Ling drags out his bow and stamps his foot, loudly ranting, “Go ahead and shoot! If you actually make it, I won’t have you grovel at Fairy’s paws for forgiveness!”
The reckless grin that crosses Jingyi’s face should worry Sizhui more than it does. Maybe it’s because he’s missed his friend. His eagerness to get out in the world and do things, have experiences and refusing to back down in the face of silly things like adversity or common sense. His own amusement is tampered by Hong Zhou offering up his own bow for Jingyi to use.
They all are trained with bows but as they aren’t hunters, don’t have reason to use them as often as other Sects. Jingyi draws the string taunt then releases. The arrow flies; well, more accurately, it hurtles over the target to embed itself deeply in a tree several feet behind with a deep ‘thunk’. Hong Zhou looks surprised and Sizhui feels an unbecoming sense of smugness growing from his chest before the Jiang disciple lets out a delighted laugh.
“Oh wow! The draw on that isn’t easy and you just- how did you- let me see your arms,” Hong Zhou shamelessly reaches out to wrap his fingers around Jingyi’s biceps and squeeze while babbling out some insipid praise. Sizhui wants to push him over and gag him with his own hair ribbon.
“It’s because I always end up doing a lot of handstands in punishment,” Jingyi laughs off the comments, seemingly unaware of the admiration Hong Zhou is blatantly favoring him with.
“Lan-gege is nothing like what this one has heard about Gusu disciples,” Hong Zhou simpers.
“Sizhui, are you okay? You look-” Zizhen ventures, reminding Sizhui that he’s not alone. The other boy looks concerned and perhaps even slightly scared.
“I’m quite well. Let’s go see what some of the other disciples are doing, shall we?”
Zizhen lets out a soft yipe as Sizhui hauls him away, the Lan unaware of the worried look Zizhen shares with Jingyi before they’re out of sight.
Jingyi has barely seen Sizhui all day and it’s worse than him being traveling because Sizhui is right here and still isn’t around. He’d thought that Sizhui had wanted to steal away so they could talk privately together but they haven’t had a single moment to try the whole morning or afternoon. Sizhui is always helpful and never denies anyone his time or assistance and there are many people aware of his reputation already. Jingyi’s trying to follow in his example too, to be generous with his skills to whoever seeks him out. It’s gratifying but also a bit annoying, making him wish that they could get into one of those boats and sail off alone.
As if someone had guessed his desires but decided to mock him, a group of about nine of them end up on the docks where there are two wide, flat bottomed boats moored. He glances at Sizhui, frowning.
“We don’t have to go,” he starts.
“Is Lan-gege worried about being out on the water?” Hong Zhou teases, already on one of the crafts while his fellow Jiang disciple is on the other with Jin Ling and Zizhen.
“Lan Sizhui tends to get sick,” he admits.
“He can stay there and wait for us,” Hong Zhou shrugs, looking uninterested in Sizhui’s well being. Well that showed a disappointing lack of discernment if he didn’t care about Sizhui-
“Actually, I will join you,” Sizhui replies sweetly, stepping up onto the dock. He sways and closes his eyes for a moment before he continues on, determined. Jingyi lopes after him, long limbs letting him catch up easily. He wants to help him but he doesn’t want to make Sizhui feel like Jingyi doesn’t support his new boldness so mostly ends up hovering like a useless fool.
“You don’t have to ride on the boats if you don’t want to,” Jingyi tells him as quietly as he can manage.
Sizhui opens up the pouch on his belt and takes out some candied ginger, popping it in his mouth. He isn’t looking at Jingyi when he says, “You don’t need to babysit me, you can do as you wish, I know you’ve been having a good time.”
The smile he gives is as nice as all of Sizhui’s smiles but it makes Jingyi’s own stomach lurch unhappily. He scrambles to make sense of this even as the boat next to theirs pushes off from the dock and they sway with the motion. Sizhui looks a little apprehensive.
“Well that is kind of the point of this beside all the stuff we said to Hanguang Jun to get him to let us even do this,” he points out, crossing his arms and then uncrossing them. “I wanted- we wanted to show we could do more than what we were before Wei-qainbei came back and threw everything into an uproar. We can’t go back to how it was.”
Sizhui looks even more hurt and uncomfortable for some reason and Jingyi wants to know what is bothering him. He huffs air and scrambles for words. “I mean, it has been different. You weren’t at Cloud Recesses anymore so I had to find something to do with myself-”
“Jingyi, oh please, I didn’t mean to disparage you,” Sizhui interrupts him surprisingly, chewing on his bottom lip. “I was just... taken aback. A year didn’t seem like that long when I first headed out. I guess I was wrong. Please, go ahead and join your -- friend. I’ll get off before we leave.”
Sizhui stands up abruptly and Jingyi has no idea what’s going on but he feels panicked at getting this conversation all wrong.
“You’re the one that has been distant all day,” Jingyi accuses rashly as he follows after Sizhui from inside the small cabin onto the decking. “That’s not how I meant that but I didn’t want to-“ he gestures, uncertain how to say it without saying too much.
“Lan-gege seemed well occupied,” Sizhui retorts uncharacteristically. His eyes widen immediately and he clamps a hand over his mouth. Horrified, he bows hastily. “Jingyi, please forgive-”
“No, no, don’t bow, we’re not-”
Sizhui snaps back up, unfortunately he hadn’t realized Jingyi had stepped closer and his head smacks sharply into Jingyi’s chin, jarring them both. Sizhui takes a step back and his foot meets - air.
Jingyi stares in shock.
One moment Sizhui had snapped at him. (He’s never once snapped at Jingyi no matter how much trouble he’s gotten them into.)
The next moment Sizhui’s head is disappearing into the lake water.
“Sizhui!” Jin Ling yelps from the other boat which causes Jingyi’s limbs to regain function.
“He can’t swim well,” he blurts, tossing off his outer robe before diving into the water after his best friend. His heart is hammering hard in his chest, making the lack of air worse already. He has to push his feelings aside. Hanguang Jun would never jeopardize Wei-qainbei’s survival because he was too worried to do what he needed to do. Sizhui deserves no less.
The water is surprisingly cold despite the warmth of the sun and much, much darker than he’s used to compared to the springs and waterfalls around Gusu. It’s hard to see even a foot in front of his face. He thought he’d jumped in close to where Sizhui landed but he can’t feel anything. Jingyi resurfaces to gulp in air and sees Zizhen and Jin Ling frantically yelling and pointing to his left, Jin Ling only saved from falling off his own boat by Zizhen’s arm wrapped around his waist.
Diving back down, Jingyi heads towards his left to search out for Sizhui. He can’t panic even if the longer Sizhui stays under --
He finds Sizhui tangled in the weeds not far away from where his friends had pointed thankfully. His thrashing is slowing, as if he’s having trouble summoning the strength or has lost too much air. Both possibilities are something he has to push aside until he can free Sizhui since he doesn’t seem to be able to swim up.
Once he’s in reach, Jingyi dives down enough to find out why Sizhui can’t get free. His robes are the culprit but it isn’t difficult removing the tangle of reeds and roots from Sizhui. He’s drifting though, not trying to swim up towards the surface. If it’s air he’s lacking, Jingyi should-
He grabs the other boy’s face and draws it up towards his own. Sizhui’s eyes are squeezed closed. That’s probably for the best.
Their lips press together and Jingyi wills himself to focus on pushing air from his lungs into Sizhui’s. It’s a slow process but he feels it when Sizhui starts to respond, to suck in the air. Jingyi keeps Sizhui close, kicking with all the force he can muster until they break the surface of the water and they both gasp, taking in much needed air.
For what feels like a split second and forever at the same time, their faces are still pressed together so closely Jingyi can see droplets beading on Sizhui’s thick fan of lashes and the tremble of his bottom lip. He is fervently grateful the water is numbingly cold and cools any thoughts that could run amok now that his brain isn’t focused solely on them surviving.
“You- saved me,” Sizhui whispers.
“Of course. I’d do anything for you,” Jingyi replies immediately and winces.
Before he can say anything else dumb or sickeningly pathetic, Sizhui lunges at him. With a squawk, Jingyi nearly gets dunked but for Sizhui’s arms determinedly seizing around his shoulders. Then his mouth is-
Oh.
Oh. They’re kissing.
They’re kissing ! It’s wet and hurried but it feels perfect because it’s Lan Sizhui’s mouth on Jingyi’s and he’s been trying to figure out how to get that to happen for longer than he wants to admit to. Then he realizes he’s been acting like a beached fish rather than kissing back so he grabs at Sizhui and does his best.
Sizhui squeaks and Jingyi loves it. He especially loves that he can get him to do it again.
“-then Jin Ling yelled at them to get out of the lake and that they were defiling it-”
“We were not defiling anything! It’s not defiling if it comes from a place of love, besides no one would’ve known if you hadn’t shrieked like a blushing maiden, Young Mistress-”
“You kissed him so long Juijui would’ve seen it anyway! It’s your own fault you got banned,” Jin Ling glowers.
“I don’t mind,” Jingyi replies loftily from his position next to Sizhui, holding his hand discretely between their bodies, “It just means Sizhui doesn’t have to worry about boats any more.”
Hanguang Jun clears his throat and everyone realizes that they have been getting carried away. “Forgive us, Hanguang Jun,” Sizhui offers with a bow, reluctantly releasing Jingyi’s hand. “We will accept any and all punishment you and Jiang-zongzhu deem necessary for our conduct.”
The Chief Cultivator’s gaze lingers on the assembled group in front of him without giving any clue to his thoughts. Even Sizhui who knows he understands his father better than most people, feels faintly nervous. There aren’t any rules about this sort of situation though they definitely could’ve acted with better decorum. Fighting the urge to fidget (Jingyi is failing at that), Sizhui takes a breath and lifts his chin to meet his father’s eyes. He is not ashamed of his feelings and won’t apologize for them.
Slowly, like a present being unwrapped, Hanguang Jun’s smile curls his lips just so and the twinkle in his eyes tells Sizhui everything he needs to hear without saying a word.
“I will write to Jiang Wanyin and advise him of my decision regarding your discipline. For now, you will return to your quarters and change out of your wet robes,” he tells them in a measured tone, no hint of humor. Then, “Separately.”
Sizhui flushes but Jingyi only grins as he bows. “Thank you Hanguang Jun!”
Later, near hai shi, Sizhui and Jingyi are enjoying a quiet interlude in the long overdue conversation they both had been longing to have. Sizhui knows there’s still more to say, that Jingyi deserves to know about Sizhui if he intends to be his... partner, but for now, this is enough. To sit and bask in the affection that’s returned in full.
Jingyi lifts his head from where he’d been propping it on Sizhui’s shoulder, humming absently as Sizhui removes his ribbon to set aside. “If you’re worried about Lotus Pier, I will write or prostrate myself in front of Jiang-zongzhi.”
“That’s not necessary,” Sizhui shakes his head. Pausing for a moment, he glances at Jingyi from under his lashes, hiding a smile. “After all, it is better not to court danger, Lan-gege.”
“Danger? I was simply teasing Young Mistress. You don’t think there’s actual danger there for you, do you?” Jingyi scoffs, reluctantly sitting back. He begins to finally start getting ready to sleep too as if he wanted to prolong the day as much as possible. Sizhui understands the feeling.
“Mn. Not for Sizhui.”
“For who?” Jingyi pauses, puzzled.
“Hong Zhou.”
“Oh. Wait, what?”