Work Text:
The first time Sui Zhou saw Tang Fan’s collection of lurid romance novels, he wanted to scrub his eyes out after reading a few pages. The fact he managed to read more than one sentence, not to mention several pages , was a testament to how shocked he was.
“Hey, I’m hungry! When’s dinner—
Sui Zhou looked up from the books in his hand and gave Tang Fan the most deprecating look he had ever given the other man before. And he had eye-rolled and stared down Tang Fan quite a lot since their first meeting.
“Waah! How did you get those?” Tang Fan rushed in and snatched the books from Sui Zhou.
Sui Zhou gestured with his free hand. “My room.”
Tang Fan had the grace to look sheepish. Then he snapped his fingers. “Ah, Dong’er suddenly came into my room saying I stole her candy and started looking through my books and I took these to your room so she wouldn’t read them and I forgot I put them here and I also forgot she’d already seen me writing them…” He tittered, scratching his head with a free hand.
“Writing—you wrote this—this drivel?!”
Tang Fan looked offended and hurt at the same time. “It’s not drivel! It’s literature! Romance!” Each word made Sui Zhou look more incredulous. Which upset Tang Fan more. So he emphasized each word even more. Just to bring home his point that his novels were not drivel. Or trash. Or some other bad word.
Sui Zhou glanced at the novels squashed in Tang Fan’s arms and quoted, “He pinned her against the wall and straightforwardly shoved his tongue into her mouth. He moaned in wanton abandon.”
Tang Fan blushed. But he still rallied. “They’re passionately in love. Of course, they’ll do that.”
Sui Zhou’s brows furrowed. “That’s supposed to be in love? I thought he’s raping her.”
Tang Fan was shocked. “I’m a magistrate! I won’t create lead characters who commit crimes! That’s a passionate kiss!”
Sui Zhou cocked his head to the side and crossed his arms. His mouth opened and closed several times. It was evident he was considering and rejecting several questions. “Tell me,” he said, settling on one point, “have you ever kissed someone before?”
Tang Fan harrumphed. “Of course!”
“Kissing your sister doesn’t count.”
Now it was Tang Fan’s turn to open and close his mouth without saying anything.
Sui Zhou walked forward and peered into Tang Fan’s eyes. He smirked. His deep voice as smooth as honey. “You know, there are different kisses between lovers. Each one has its own level of passion and emotion.”
Tang Fan took several steps back and discovered he’d backed himself against a wall. Sui Zhou placed both hands against the wall by Tang Fan’s head. The younger man wanted to squirm away, but Sui Zhou’s eyes held him in check.
“For example—”
Sui Zhou bent and pressed his lips on Tang Fan’s for the briefest moment. It was really just a touch of two lips. But Tang Fan’s eyes widened. His mouth formed a silent “O”.
Sui Zhou whispered, “And then there’s this.”
He angled his head and pressed their lips. Longer. A little harder. But still kept the kiss slow and gentle. With a promise of heat in the background.
A few seconds into the kiss, Tang Fan’s eyes shuttered close. His lips relaxed and opened slightly.
Sui Zhou’s lips twitched as he used his tongue to give a slow swipe over Tang Fan’s lower lip. He straightened a bit.
Tang Fan kept his eyes closed. His breathing ragged.
But Sui Zhou didn’t give him a chance to recover.
“Of course, there’s also this.”
This time, he went in hard. Intertwining their lips together. Probing Tang Fan’s lips with his tongue. Until the other opened his mouth and timidly met his tongue.
This time, Sui Zhou smiled fully into the kiss. Tang Fan was always a quick study.
They both leaned into the kiss. Sui Zhou’s hands dropped from the wall to caress Tang Fan’s face. One hand moved to the back of Tang Fan’s head to bring their faces closer. Turn the kiss deeper.
Tang Fan moaned.
Sui Zhou took this as a signal to slowly end the kiss. He was supremely gratified when Tang Fan made a dissatisfied noise when they separated.
Sui Zhou straightened up and waited for Tang Fan to open his eyes.
Tang Fan childishly pouted when he finally opened his eyes. He self-consciously wiped his lips. “It wasn’t something I didn’t know,” he stuttered. “I mean it’s no different from other kisses. I mean—”
Sui Zhou smirked. “Really?” He leaned in close.
Tang Fan’s eyes zeroed in on Sui Zhou’s lips.
“There are other kisses,” Sui Zhou said, as if sharing a secret. He gave a quick peck on Tang Fan’s lips. “But that’s enough for today.”
And he walked away to make dinner, looking forward to their next lesson. He was absolutely certain there would be another lesson. After all, Tang Fan could never resist solving a mystery.