Work Text:
Lan Xichen was a hard man to find a gift for.
Growing up as part of the main branch of the Lan clan made him set in the precepts, and thus, he did not want for much, if anything.
It made it difficult for Jin Guangyao to decide on what to get him for his birthday.
Especially as observant as he was, he truly could not remember a time in which Lan Xichen had ever specifically implied he wanted something.
So, he’d taken to roaming the streets of Lanling alone in his spare time to see if anything from the markets would call to him, but nothing ever did. No matter how many different stalls he combed his way through, nor even people he talked to, asking about more precious wares they did not display, nothing was suited to his Er-ge.
On the very rare occasion that he found something slightly noteworthy, though not perfect, it was far out of his small budget, but that in itself felt more like a blessing that allowed him not to buy out of desperation. He needed something truly precious for Lan Xichen, something that would show him all the care he held for him.
As he was still empty-handed, he decided to go another route and decided that he would pay a visit to his sworn brother, perhaps on a walk through Caiyi Town with the man in question, he might be able to purchase something that intrigued him but was left behind due to the “frivolous” nature of want instead of need.
Things went very differently from what he’d imagined as he walked with the other.
“Thank you for inviting me out with you, A-Yao… It’s always a pleasure to spend time with you”The man says as he examines some hair ribbons. However, this was not the style of what his Er-ge would wear, especially with him already adorned with his intricate guan, so he quickly dismissed the thought and returned his full attention to him.
“Of course Er-ge… I could say the same in turn”He says with a soft smile, as they continued to walk, they paused at a fabrics vendor. Again, he carefully watched as Lan Xichen examined the fabrics, but nothing appeared to be to his taste, if anything, it seemed as if the other was trying to shop for someone.
“Er-ge? Are you looking for something?”He asked.
The man seemed to pause before smiling at him, “Not particularly, it’s just nice to observe the new things that have arrived here, it isn’t often that I visit for a trip of leisure”He muses before turning his head back to the fabrics and gently feeling one between his fingers before moving on once more.
“A-Yao… would you like to share a meal together?”
He blinked as he looked away from the trinkets on the table beside them, “Of course, Er-ge”He says with a nod.
“Wonderful, I’ve been told that there is a new place that has recently opened up. Sounds like it has a rather peaceful atmosphere with plenty of options”The Lan muses before beginning to lead the way.
Jin Guangyao followed closely behind, but his eyes glanced back to the marketplace, and an unpleasant feeling began to take root inside him at his failure to find anything for the other.
He never expected it to be so difficult, though perhaps the subjects of his previous practice were far too easy to buy for, could that be the reason for his lacking?
Nie Huaisang was the primary person he gifted things to, and usually it was brushes, fans, inks or new erotica novels. It was all the other seemed to want for, and he was excited every time to receive anything, even if he already had countless others. He seemed to cherish each new one, especially when it was given by his “San-ge”.
Da-ge had initially been harder, but when he’d forced the man to take a day of rest at one point while he was still under the Nie clan's banners, the man had genuinely thanked him for it and ever since, a day's break was considered a well-loved gift.
But that wasn’t feasible for him to do for Lan Xichen, but physical gifts seemed out of the picture as well, so what could he give him?
His mind whirled as they eventually came across the quaint tavern, thankful that when they sat down and the food arrived rather quickly, thus letting him avoid any conversation for the time, as he truly could not imagine how it would go with his mind in such distress.
With the last bits of their meal consumed, Lan Xichen looked out the window at the creeping dark beginning to settle over them.
“It’s getting a bit late for you to travel all the way back to Jinlin Tai. Why don’t you stay at the Cloud Recesses for the night?”He asks.
Jin Guangyao turned his head to look out after finishing his food before glancing back to Lan Xichen, “If it’s no trouble to Er-ge, that would be most generous”He says with a nod.
—
He awoke to the light fragrance of tea, and he furrowed his brows together as he slowly lifted himself from the comforts of the bed, only partially disappointed that he would have to leave the comfort behind until his next visit.
He stretched his aching limbs before turning his attention to the small table where he found a tray holding a small pot, cup, bowl and… a letter?
Slipping over to the table, he knelt and picked it up, unfolding it, it appeared as one from Lan Xichen.
Dear A-Yao,
There was some business I had to attend to in Caiyi Town, I should only take a sichen at most to return. Please feel free to take a walk, or if you would prefer to stay in the Hanshi, there are some books in the main room that I have borrowed from the library, and I believe they might be of some interest to you.
I hope you enjoy the tea and congee,
Lan Xichen
He smiled to the letter before placing it back on the table and starting on the small breakfast, thankful he didn’t need to leave.
He gathered the dishes back on the tray and set them aside before standing up and dressing in his outer robes before stepping out of the guest room and making his way to the main room to flip through the books.
–
“A-Yao?”
Jin Guangyao looks up from his seat at the table, a book open in front of him, he swiftly stands to greet the man, yet he’s quickly grabbed out of the bow.
“Welcome back Er-ge”He says, smiling up at the other.
“Thank you, I hope it wasn’t too boring while I was away, though it appears you have been enjoying the literature I left behind?”He asks, as his eyes glance at the stack of books near the one he’s currently reading.
“Ah- yes, Er-ge is well versed in this one’s tastes”He says.
“That’s nice to hear, but in truth, they are really only my own. It is merely lucky that we share similar tastes”He responds before turning to the disciple beside him and taking the few things he appeared to be holding before sending him off.
“I hope A-Yao doesn’t mind, but I have brought some things for you. I hope that they will also be to your tastes.”
At this, Jin Guangyao’s features froze, and he was ever thankful that his smile was his constant weapon, for at least it remained as the other held out the things to him.
His heart sank as his eyes lowered to observe the items now in his hands. Lan Xichen had bought him gifts? Gifts for him? It was his birthday… Jin Guangyao had nothing for him, and yet here was Lan Xichen handing him gifts, he couldn’t stop the sharp prickling in his eyes as tears threatened to spill.
“A-Yao?” The man’s voice sounded distant.
And as he lifted his gaze up once more, he watched the other’s features fall, “A-Yao…? Is something wrong? If you don’t like them, I can return them…”He says and holds his hand out to retrieve the items.
Jin Guangyao feels his grip tighten on them, “E-Er-ge… Er-ge has bought something for me…”He whispered, before letting out a shaky laugh, “Er-ge has bought this one gifts on his birthday… and I have nothing to give him…”He adds, eyes looking down once more. The fabrics in his hands were beautiful, if he was correct in his observation, it appeared to be a new hair ribbon, blue with gold accents woven through it, and a golden coat with soft fur lining.
“Nothing to give me? But A-Yao has already given me what I wished for…”The other says as he tilts his head in an attempt to catch his eye once more.
“What?”He breathed out and finally met the others' eyes.
An embarrassed smile seemed to curl up the corners of the others lips and he broke the eye contact for a moment, “A-Yao spent the whole day with me in Caiyi Town yesterday and has even stayed for the day of my birthday… that is more than I could have asked for on this day”The man says softly and as Jin Guangyao carefully observed the man seemed to redden at the ears as a blush crept up along his neck.
In turn, he quickly averted his gaze as he felt heat rising up his own cheeks, and a softer smile relaxed them, “I see…”He says softly as he quickly blinks away the lingering sting.
Lan Xichen cleared his throat before returning his gaze again, “You needn’t worry about getting me anything really, truly your presence is all I wished for… so thank you for indulging me, A-Yao, I hope you didn’t worry yourself too much…”He says.
Jin Guangyao quickly shook his head, he would not reveal the true dread he had held, but all of it was melting away with the others' words, so it really didn’t matter anymore. “Not too much… I am glad I was able to fulfill this wish for you than… and thank you for these”He says, turning their attention back to the gifts.
“Of course… I know the ribbon is more suited to the style here, but perhaps you might be able to wear it in future visits… the outerrobe is for the winter, of course, it is soon to be cold, and I wouldn’t want A-Yao to catch cold”The man says.
“Er-ge is always thoughtful to this A-Yao…”He responds, and he feels his heart racing. Perhaps he might be able to sneak the ribbon underneath his hat when he returned to Jinlin Tai, and the coat was close to the Jin style, though as he briefly unfolded it to observe it, he noticed the faintest detailing on the inside, his fingers carefully ghosted along the stitching of clouds… “They’re beautiful…”He says as he folds the robe once more.
He drinks up the moment before his mind unhelpfully reminds him he ought to return to his clan, “This A-Yao must apologize in that he must leave now… I did not warn my father of my prolonged absence, so I should be returning now even though the day isn’t done yet…”He says softly.
“It’s alright, A-Yao… You gave me plenty of your time, and Da-ge mentioned he would be visiting later, so don’t worry, I will not be too lonely without your presence”Lan Xichen responds with a nod before extending a hand for them to step out together.
They make their way to the gates, and upon finishing their goodbyes, Jin Guangyao begins his descent down the steps with his new gifts carefully tucked away.
Lan Xichen watches until the other rises in the air on Hensheng and slips away on the winds.
“Be safe, A-Yao…”He whispers before turning to make his own return to his duties.