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"Don't worry," Lan Xichen said reassuringly to the surly young men at the entrance of the dark cave. "He's with me."
Nie Huaisang glanced around trying to figure out if anyone else was as mystified as him-- this was not what Huaisang anticipated when the First Jade passed him a note asking to meet just after curfew.
The young men, however, parted and Lan Xichen started down the shadowy path. A few steps in, he realized Huaisang hadn't followed, still rooted in place.
He turned back and took Huaisang's hand.
Lacing their fingers together. In front of strangers!
"Let's go," Lan Xichen grinned. Not his polite smile or even the warm smile Nie Huaisang had been getting since. It was a lopsided, bordering on a smirk, honest-to-goodness grin.
Lan Xichen was grinning. At him!
It made no sense, but this time, when Lan Xichen pulled, Nie Huaisang followed.
They crossed the threshold, and a rush of magic sealed the entrance to the cave, leaving them in darkness. Nie Huaisang yelped and clung to Xichen's arm.
"Xichen-ge, ah, where are we going?" Nie Huaisang asked, trying very hard to sound calm and sophisticated, like someone who could catch the eye of the most beautiful young cultivator of their generation.
Xichen, a little clumsy as he only had use of a single arm, illuminated a talisman. The warm glow showed their surroundings to be not a natural cave at all, but a tunnel with ornately carved walls and steps leading down.
"There's something I want to show you, that I think you'll like."
"Is this a night hunt?" Huaisang said, suspicious. "Did Da-ge ask you to take me night hunting?
"Is that why he didn't want me coming home before the next school session starts?"
The older boy shook his head ruefully. "Huaisang, I said it was something you'll like. And you always say how much you hate night hunts."
Nie Huaisang let go of Xichen's arm to give him a full view of Huaisang's cutest pout. "Well, that's never stopped anyone from dragging me on them before."
"Well, I promise it's not a night hunt, but-- we do need to hurry. This talisman won't last long. Do you mind if we run?"
"Run?! That's just as--" but Nie Huaisang's words were cut off by a gasp when Lan Xichen scooped him up like a bride and began speeding down the passageway. Huaisang didn't know what was more breathtaking: looking up at his crush, strong and focused with black hair streaming behind him, or the literal wind in Huaisang's face from how fast they flew.
Just as the talisman light flickered out, Lan Xichen slowed to a stop in front of a massive, faintly glowing jade door. He lowered Huaisang, and then, pressing his palm to the center, he sent a pulse of spiritual energy into the door.
It swung open revealing an ornate room, decorated with low tables and wall hangings, plush silk cushions and bright brass incense burners.
At the tables lounged men and women, some in Lan robes. The others, Huaisang realized from their lack of sect markings, must be common folk from Cayi. All were finely dressed. Many played cards or dice or drank.
"I--um, what?" Huaisang's stammering carried further in the vaulted room than expected.
Ahh! He internally screamed. Now people are looking!
But Xichen took his hand and, bowing politely to people as they passed, led Huaisang to a slightly more private table in a corner of the room.
A man appeared with jars of Emperor's Smile and glasses.
"Is wine alright, A-Sang, or would you prefer tea?"
"Would I prefer tea?" Huaisang gestured wildly. "Would I? Would you?! You're the one from the sect with the wall of rules? The wall that you make everyone memorize? The wall with the rule about drinking?"
There it was, that grin again. Huaisang's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What is so funny? You--you, tease!" Not thinking of anything but his wounded ego, Nie Huaisang jabbed Lan Xichen in the ribs with his fan.
"That's what you are Lan-gongzi! A big tease! Acting all sweet and innocent like you've never even had a single romantic thought in your life!
"Now this! You drink and flirt and carry boys in your arms. To--to enchanted underground speakeasies!
"I thought I was going to teach you how to kiss! I had a whole plan, ge-ge, for how I was going to be your first kiss in the woods after curfew. How can I--"
The other boy leaned in and pressed his mouth to Nie Huaisang's.
It was a terrible kiss. Their teeth clacked. Their noses bumped. And when they pulled away they both were red-faced and giggling.
"You are my first kiss, A-Sang." Xichen said earnestly. "And we can do your plan in the woods too, but I've been wanting to bring you here forever."
Somehow, despite everything, Huaisang relaxed at Xichen's confession. At least there was one thing he could confidently do better than the First Jade. He then looked around the room.
"What is this place Xichen-ge? Does Master Lan know you do this?"
Xichen, chuckled. "Yes, Uncle knows about the Loosened Ribbon Room." He pointed to a low stage where a musician played the guqin. "Uncle has even performed."
Huaisang took a long swig from his wine glass then poured another, muttering "Maybe I need to be drunk for this to make sense."
"So you're telling me, that all of you Lans have a secret club where you loosen your metaphorical ribbons and the rules don't apply?"
"There are still rules, A-Sang." Xichen gently slid the wine out of Huaisang's reach. "Just not the same ones for students and uninitiated outer disciples. And only people who have the good sense not to act foolishly are allowed."
Well. That certainly didn't explain why Nie Huaisang, the worst student and known class fool, had been invited.
Seeing his look, the older boy scooted closer and placed a shy (teasing) hand to Nie Huaisang's cheek.
"I know you were upset about failing class, and I have to confess: I asked Mingjue to let you stay over the holiday so that I could help tutor you."
"Xichen-ge! You schemed? For me?"
"Don't say it like that, A-Sang! I do want to tutor you. I--I just also wanted to show you that the Cloud Recesses isn't only terrible rules and bland food.
"The Room is also for those who are or might be partnered with Lan disciples… the rules are always more relaxed for them." He brushed Huaisang's hair behind his ear.
"I wanted to show you something that might make you want to stay here."
Huaisang turned his face into Xichen's warm palm. "I already wanted to stay, A-Huan, with you."
Their second kiss was... still not great, but they had all summer to practice.