Work Text:
Even though Yan Suizhi was healthy, his body's constitution had never returned to its best state. He finds that he often gets cold easily, especially at night. When a gust of wind blows past him on the sidewalk, he shivers involuntarily which doesn't escape Gu Yan's notice.
Gu Yan instantly frowns and efficiently takes off his own coat and drapes it over Yan Suizhi's shoulders. "It's cold season, especially at the school. You need to take care of yourself more," he chides.
"I'll be fine, I'm really not that cold." Yan Suizhi tries to give the coat back, but to no avail.
Gu Yan narrows his eyes. "I remember someone telling me in the past that he had a good immune system too," he says.
"That was our first kiss, so you don't get to use that against me," Yan Suizhi replies cheekily.
Gu Yan grabs hold of Yan Suizhi's pale hands. "Your hands are so cold," he observes, voice full of concern. He intertwines his fingers between Yan Suizhi's and stuffs his hand into his pocket. "You have to tell me these things," he says quietly.
Yan Suizhi turns to look at Gu Yan. "My lips are cold too," he says expectantly. When Gu Yan gives him a deadpan look, Yan Suizhi's eyes widen. "You're not going to warm them up? You would leave them to freeze?" he asks incredulously. "To think that you are actually so heartless."
"Who's heartless?" Gu Yan presses his lips so hard against Yan Suizhi's that his head tilts backwards. It brings a laugh of Yan Suizhi, who wipes the sides of his mouth after the messy kiss. They walk back home quickly, with Gu Yan angling his body to shield him from the biting wind.
Still, Yan Suizhi sneezes as he enters the warmth of their home. It earns him a sharp glare from Gu Yan, who angrily pushes Yan Suizhi into a hot shower. Not long after, the man with the self-proclaimed great immune system is lying in bed, wrapped in a mountain of blankets. "Are you satisfied now?" Yan Suizhi grudgingly asks.
Gu Yan cups Yan Suizhi's cheek and nods when he feels that his body temperature is normal. Then he slides under the covers, wrapping an arm around Yan Suizhi and pulling him close. Yan Suizhi snuggles comfortably against his chest, making a content sound. "Did I worry you?" he says guiltily. "I swear to tell you next time if I'm feeling cold."
"Really?" Gu Yan asks. "Should we sign a contract?"
Yan Suizhi laughs through his nose. "Have you so little trust in me?"
"You have a terrible track record for this type of thing," Gu Yan says.
"I'm old and it's hard to change my ways," Yan Suizhi laments. "Begging Lawyer Gu to give me a chance."
Gu Yan hums. "Sleep."
Yan Suizhi closes his eyes with a pleased smile. He falls asleep soon after to the comforting sensation of Gu Yan's slow, rhythmic breaths.
-
Yan Suizhi is looking through student papers at his desk when there is a knock on the door. He calls for them to enter and when he looks up, his mood lifts to find out that it's Gu Yan who has decided to visit his office. "Have you had your vitamins today?" and "What about your ginseng tea?" are the first questions to leave Gu Yan's mouth.
"I have, Doctor Gu," Yan Suizhi answers in dramatic exasperation. "Do you need the evidence too?"
Gu Yan walks over to Yan Suizhi's desk. His line of sight travels from a tea-stained mug to a Dean Yan who doesn't seem to be feeling ill. Satisfied, his gaze falls on the papers in front of Yan Suizhi. "Any difficult students this year?" he asks casually.
"As memorable as you?" Yan Suizhi quips. "Nope, I'm afraid that's hard to come by." Gu Yan shoots him an unimpressed look, but Yan Suizhi pats his chest in reassurance. "Don't worry, you're still my favourite student."
Gu Yan quickly stops Yan Suizhi's hand in its tracks, which was starting to freely fondle around. He bends down to Yan Suizhi's height and corrects him, "I'm your husband."
Yan Suizhi hums in assent, "Yes, you're my husband." He leans in and plants a quick peck on Gu Yan's lips.
Gu Yan's brows crinkle together. "You've been drinking coffee when I'm not around again," he says.
Yan Suizhi pulls Gu Yan close again and kisses him more fervently. "Don't think about other things when you're kissing me."
"A very obvious ploy to distract me," Gu Yan breathes against Yan Suizhi's lips.
"But is it working?" Yan Suizhi asks. He does a victory lap in his mind when Gu Yan only deepens the kiss wordlessly. All of a sudden, he abruptly pushes him Gu Yan away. "Need I remind you that we are in my office and not at home? Control yourself, Lawyer Gu."
Gu Yan blinks blankly at him. "This is my fault?"
"Of course," Yan Suizhi scolds brazenly, "I was just sitting in my office when you distracted me from my work."
Gu Yan runs a hand over his face, trying to recover from the whiplash of being turned on to being reprimanded. "Painting yourself as an innocent party?" he says lowly. "I'll teach you a lesson when we get home."
Yan Suizhi smirks in challenge. "I would love to see you try."
That night, a certain repentant teacher admits his wrong multiple times, all thanks to his own shameless words.
-
With Nan Lu's ever-increasing reputation as a law firm, and in addition to their dean's connections, a collaboration with Maze University was almost inevitable. Gu Yan returns home one day and shares, "Miss Fitz asked me if I would be willing to take on an intern this year."
A smile grows on Yan Suizhi's face. "She'll be elated to hear that you're actually considering it."
Gu Yan nods in contemplation. "I'm not sure. I've never taken on a proper intern before."
"Proper intern?" Yan Suizhi's expression turns bewildered. "What am I to you, Lawyer Gu? Improper?" Gu Yan benevolently decides not to grace that question with an answer.
"Should I be jealous?" Yan Suizhi continues jokingly. "I don't remember you being this enthusiastic to take me on."
"Nonsense," Gu Yan replies softly.
Yan Suizhi chuckles lightly. "I'm sure any student would be honoured to intern for a first class lawyer," he assures Gu Yan. "Do you best not to scare them, okay?"
Gu Yan raises an eyebrow. "I don't do anything to scare anyone."
"Yes, but your presence is..." Yan Suizhi motions vaguely in the air. "Just try to smile?" He taps the corners of Gu Yan's mouth in reminder.
Gu Yan wraps his hands around Yan Suizhi's waist. "My presence is what?"
Yan Suizhi thinks for a moment. "Intimidating?"
"And do I intimidate you?" Gu Yan asks.
"Of course not." Yan Suizhi looks up at Gu Yan. "What's there to be intimidated about?" His tone turns reminiscent. "Do you remember back then, you were so worried that I didn't have money or a place to stay, you brought me on a business trip?"
Gu Yan huffs amusedly at the memory. "And you were sitting in my office like you owned it."
"I was really trying my best. Believe me," Yan Suizhi says. "But at least it helped you recognise me, right?"
"I would have recognised you anyway," Gu Yan tells him.
"Oh? So confident?" Yan Suizhi tilts his head. "I'll have you know I can be a pretty good actor when I want to," he boasts.
Gu Yan closes the gap between them, until their noses are almost touching. "I would recognise you anywhere," he whispers.
Yan Suizhi's lips part slightly in astonishment. "When did you learn such romantic words?" He gives Gu Yan a languid kiss. Gu Yan doesn't answer. He runs his hands all over Yan Suizhi, not a speck of skin unfamiliar to him. The question of when Gu Yan learnt to speak so sweetly is quickly thrown aside, as Yan Suizhi falls victim to actions more loving than he could ever imagine.