lastjinstanding | Brothel meme continued

"I can take you on a tour of the grounds as long as it's not too late. There are some places that are restricted but since you're going to be one of us I can probably..." He wants to say bend the rules, but maybe he's not quite that brave. "I could ask?" Maybe. Hanguang Jun was being really lenient right now, but he needed to remember how unusual this was and there were limits.

"I can at least show you our library, our class rooms, where the guests houses are, and the Back Mountain." He leans in and puts a hand by his mouth. "Hanguang Jun keeps a secret nest of rabbits out there!"

Yuan was about to say he appreciates it but he'd rather stay here, for now, just in case - Hanguang-Jun hadn't indicated they were free to leave, and while he also hadn't said they couldn't, he wasnt sure arguing over that kind of technicality was such a good idea on his first day here. He's sure he'll get a tour soon enough.

He was about to say all of that. Then Jingyi mentions rabbits.

"Oh," he perks up, eyes wide "I love rabbits."

Jingyi's grin widened and he looks at Zizhen. Ah-ha! He found something to make Yuan even more happy! This was great!

"You do? That's great! I do too! It's like you really are just like them! How have you been away from Hanguang Jun and Wei Wuxian all this time and still be so similar? It's funny isn't it?" He pours tea and as he moves around the table, he drops a handkerchief from his sleeve. Stepping over to get it, his foot taps on a piece of flooring that doesn't sound quite like the rest.

Thunk thunk, dunk, thunk. "What? Is there a hidden compartment?"

Yuan blushes, a small, pleased smile on his face.

"You really think I'm like them?" He asks quietly. Zizhen nods his agreement.

"Yea! You-" he stops, looking over at Jingyi with wide eyes "a secret compartment?" He repeats with a gasp.

"...I wonder what's in there...." Yuan can't help but be curious. He doesn't intend to look, he's really just musing out loud, but Zizhen looks equal parts fascinated and terrified, he's desperate to know but this is Hanguang Jun's house, can they really get away with looking?

"Should we look?" He whispers

Jingyi is frozen in place for a couple of long moments as he inwardly debates. He knows he shouldn't look. This is Hanguang Jun's house and he's finally been trusted to be in here alone. However, the idea that Lan Wangji of all people might have some kind of hidden anything was so hard to believe, it wasn't going to be real until he looked. It is possible he's just been away from Cloud Recesses' discipline for too many days and that hit in the head really did some damage, who knows.

Either way, he's going in!

"Zizhen! Watch the door! Okay, Yuan? Never ever ever ever ever ever do this!" He crouches down and with a little more hesitation, he pulled the floor board up.

His jaw drops as he sees several black jugs of liquor, a books with poorly sewn on covers, a bottle of liquid fire (peppers), some makeup, Mo Xuanyu's mask, some well put together books, some treasure, and a few other things that were very 'non-Lan'. Jingyi picks up a small wrapped silk cloth and finds within it a white comb with beautiful silver and blue painted design and a little rabbit pair on it. Scrawled on a note under says, 'You'll never use this but I bet you keep it or my name isn't Wei Wuxian!'

Jingyi hands the card and the comb over to Yuan to see.

Zizhen nods, running over to the door to keep watch, though he keeps craning his head back and hissing 'what is it?' as Jingyi looks inside.

Yuan looks over Jingyi's shoulder with a little frown - some of it made sense to him, but why hide things like liquor alongside treasure? And books? Yuan was no stranger to hiding things you owned to protect them, but why would Hanguang Jun need to do it?

He takes the comb and reads the little note with a giggle, smiling softly at the painted rabbits.

"That's so sweet," he murmurs, carefully wrapping it again and passing it back to him, before looking over to Zizhen who looks about ready to come over himself.

"There's some liquor for some reason, some pornography-" he'd recognise those books anywhere even without looking inside "-a mask, some treasures, and a few other odds and ends. I don't know why he's hiding some of it."

"Liquor isn't allowed in Cloud Recesses."

"...why?" Yuan blinks.

"Forget the door! Get over here!" Jingyi calls. He can't even describe how interesting this is! Zizhen was not going to believe what they just discovered. "It's Mo Xuanyu's mask!"

His cheeks flush red at Yuan so casually mentioning the porn. He wasn't as naïve as a few of the disciples but he was a Lan boy, after all. Not only that but this was Hanguang Jun and Wei Wuxian's porn! No! No way was it Hanguang Jun's! He was sure the younger Jade never looked at this stuff. He couldn't. That.. oh he was getting lightheaded!

The question about the alcohol is also surprising. "All of this stuff is! Well.. not the.. mask?" Depending on what was in those books, pretty much everything else was. The liquor, the porn, the comb was too expensive and showy for something here in Cloud Recesses- not that Lan Wangji wore combs, the treasure was excessive and should be given to the poor and there was no good reason to have makeup that he could think of. "It's one of our disciplines. We're supposed to be focused on cultivation and peace here. Alcohol can affect our qi and cause disorderly conduct."

"Isn't that half the fun?" Yuan murmurs quietly, causing Zizhen to snort - the Ouyang boy has joined them now and is staring down at the stash with wide eyes.

"We should close this, pretend we haven't seen it." Zizhen says, but of course he doesn't move to do anything of the sort, in fact he reaches down and picks up one of the books, flicking it open to a random page. He thought it might have been the pornography - it is not. He gasps.

"This is... these are Wei Wuxian's books," he says, looking up at Jingyi, his voice dropping to a whisper "This is demonic cultivation."

Jingyi smirks and snickers. "Well.. yes, but.. I don't know how things are going to be handled with you. I'm guessing the rules will be different given who your parents are, but if we misbehave the punishment isn't worth it. I have a couple scars on my back from the discipline rods for an indiscretion a few years ago."

He looks at Zizhen. "Because I disobeyed and fought with you and Jin Ling at the Burial Mounds? Lan Qiren was furious with how I conducted myself there." He shrugs.

For someone just admitting to getting beat, he doesn't seem too upset about it and is easily distracted by Zizhen's discovery. "Whoa! I bet he would want to hide those from the rest of us."

He picks up a jar of scented oil and looks at it funny. "What do you suppose this is?" Yuan would know there tends to be a matching much smaller jar stashed near the bed.

Zizhen's head jerks up from the book at the news of his punishment, frowning deeply.

"You shouldn't have been punished for that," he says stubbornly "that was the right thing to do."

Jingyi might not be very upset about it, but Zizhen clearly is.

Yuan looks concerned - not just about the punishment, but also the casual way Jingyi brushes it off.

"We never got beatings from Madame if we misbehaved... she wouldn't want to punish us any way that left marks," he admits "I do have a scar from- never mind."

He probably shouldn't talk about any of that, even with these two, he shouldn't remind them of where he came from, he thinks.

And then immediately glances at the oil and says, without thinking, "It's for lubrication."

Zizhen, who has read a few books of his own, immediately gets what he means and blushes - he might not be a Lan disciple, but he's still a well behaved young master.

"I know. It's okay." It was the right thing to do and Jingyi had accepted the punishment like a Lan! It was one of the only times he'd acted like one too. He'd followed Wen Ning and fought bravely with the other juniors! If it meant he lost some of Lan Qiren's approval and had to earn a few scars well.. that's what what he had to do. It would've been really nice to have another Lan disciple there to help him though. It was once everything was over, he discovered how much approval he'd gained from Hanguang Jun for the act. He'd practically been adopted for it.

"From what?" He asks Yuan concerned.

The explanation of the oil almost goes over Jingyi's head but a glance in Zizhen's direction fills in the blanks for him. He turns a dark shade of red and glances toward the couple's bed. "Oh!" He puts it back quickly. That apparently was too much for him as Jingyi starts putting everything back to hide it again.

Zizhen doesn't voice it, but he thinks that some Lans (Lan Qiren) focus too much on all their stupid rules and forget that the Lan words call for righteousness, and he personally thinks that Jingyi has that in spades - especially when he's willing to break the rules to stand up for what he believes in.

He might be a little bit biased, though, he does have nothing but admiration for Jingyi.

"I..." Yuan shrugs, looking down as he helps pack the things back into the little hiding place. He clears his throat awkwardly "I had a client who got a little over-zealous with a whip."

Only one of the marks on his back had scarred, but he hadn't been able to see another client for nearly two weeks after that.

Jingyi, who was normally so cavalier about things, was having trouble meeting Zizhen's gaze. He said it was fine, but at the time it had hurt his spirit more than anyone had a right to know. Fortunately, between Jingyi's experience and Hanguang Jun's, Lan Zhan now mostly gave punishments involving copying books, the precepts, chores, kneeling, and endurance discipline (like holding up planks while kneeling). Those were the more extreme cases though.

"Aww, Yuan!" Jingyi laments, putting a hand lightly on his shoulder. He wonders if Yuan remembers who it is. If so, he bets if he even implies the man did something bad to Yuan, Jin Ling would have the guy run through with a sword. However, they weren't going to mention that name for a while. "I'm sorry. I hate that you've had to live like that. You're such a sweet person and you didn't deserve to be treated like that."

"I had a roof over my head and food in my stomach. There are worse things." Yuan says pragmatically - he didn't always believe that. Sometimes when he had his worse clients (like Xiaowen), he wondered if maybe it would be better to still be on the streets, but there was something to be said for knowing when his next meal was coming from.

"There are better things, too, and you deserve them all," Zizhen says firmly "Jingyi's right. You didn't deserve that. I'm glad your fathers have found you and you get to stay here now, you're going to love it."

Yuan smiles gratefully at both of them.

"Thank you. I couldn't have asked for better friends to help me with this."

Jingyi glances down at Yuan's reasoning. It is so simple but it slays him. He's the second son of one of the wealthiest family in Gusu and part of a very powerful clan. Things like a roof over his head and food in his belly have never been concerns for more than a couple hours on the rarest and most temporary of occasions. He wonders what it would be like to live in a world where he be at the mercy of a whip and angry, disgusting men to survive?

He fortunately starts paying attention again right when he hears he was right about something and then Yuan being sweet. He smiles at Yuan, heartfelt, but as he does, he suddenly recalls how Jin Ling had been hiding so much behind a smile too. Well, okay, maybe not a smile in Lingy-Boy's case, but he'd convinced Zizhen and Jingyi everything was normal for so long! In a way, hadn't he been at the mercy of some angry, disgusting man as well?

he feels his heart clench painfully in his chest. Before he knows it he's telling his friends he needs some air and dashes outside.

He nearly collides with the wooden archway that leads to the Jingshi from the other buildings as he grabs it for balance. He hugs it and cries! It was like A-Qing all over again!

Both boys startle when Jingyi suddenly rushes outside and Zizhen looks after him, stuck with indecision.

"Go after him." Yuan says softly, giving him a gentle, encouraging nudge and moving to finish putting away everything they'd found and cover up that they'd looked at all.

"Are you-" Zizhen starts, but Yuan interrupts him, a little firmer but still kind.

"Go."

Zizhen nods and rushes out, coming to an abrupt stop when he finds Jingyi sobbing just outside.

"A-Yi," he says gently, the name slipping out before he can stop it "it's okay, I'm here."

"It's not fair!" He whimpers, letting go of the wood when Zizhen gets close only to switch to wrapping his arm around his friend's abdomen instead. He buries his face in his chest. "H- he's so sweet! If Ling ha-hadn't done something so utterly stupid.." He dissolves into too many tears to talk for a couple minutes.

"We always think he's so strong.. but do you realize that Yuan.. Yuan's probably the first person to ever be like that with him? To be soft with him?" He looks up, face red and swollen with tears. "We almost lost him and it's because I'm always such a dick to him! He didn't feel like he could tell us! And now we're both here with Yuan and who's with Ling?! Again?!"

Zizhen lets Jingyi cling to him, wrapping his arms around his friend and just holding him, waiting for the words to come. It takes him a little bit of time for understanding to dawn.

"It's not your fault, A-yi," he says, and he means it, but he can't help but wonder if they could have done more, if they could have found more ways to show Jin Ling he could trust them both. They were almost there, he thinks, at the wedding, but then they lost it, and it was too late anyway, and Jingyi and Yuan both got hurt.

"His uncle is with him, right? Wei-qianbei left to go after him, so he isn't alone. And- and when we've got Yuan settled in, I'll go visit him too, just to check up. We won't let anything like this happen again, I promise."

It is Zizhen's fault it's hard to understand Jingyi. There's about ten points he's making at once. Only about two manage to get fully voiced enough to make sense, but it's everything. He's devastated by Yuan's abuse and how close he came to never getting out of that horrible life. He's distraught with this new knowledge Hanguang Jun and Wei Wuxian even had a son that they were mourning and never spoke of. It would've been so easy for them never to have found each other. How had fate worked it out that Jin Ling would come up with such a bizarre plan and feel so utterly alone to try it?

He runs his sleeves over his face wiping away tears. "R-really? You'd do that? You'd go check on him? I know it's silly with his uncles there and I know they're going to take care of him but.. Zizhen, please? Would you tell him how sorry I am? You know, if.. he doesn't know.." He drops his head against green robes and starts sobbing again. He loves his friends! Both of them! He already loves Yuan as well and he just met him.

He doesn't mean to be such a chore. He closes his eyes and a rush of criticism from his father and Lan Qiren flow back through his mind reminding him how 'un-Lan-like' he was. Even crying like this was against who they were. Never mind that emotions can get unbalanced with a concussion. Instead, he just holds his best friend tighter.

"Of course," Zizhen reassures softly "I'm worried about him too, and I want him to know we both care about him. I'll let you know as soon as I've seen him, okay? I'll write you a letter and send it with his fastest courier."

There's no judgement or criticism from him, just a comforting arms wrapped around Jingyi and a soothing hand running up and down his back. He'll stand here forever if be needs to.

"It's okay," he murmurs "I'm here. I'll always be here. I mean.. except when I'm not. But. You know what I mean, right?" He laughs awkwardly.

It isn't fair! He's busy crying here and Zizhen somehow pulls a watery giggle from him. He tries to maintain his pout, but a smile is threatening to appear. He playfully swats the Ouyang sect heir in the arm lightly. "You're such a dork!"

He draws back in for a hug and to lay his head on Zizhen's shoulder as a few remaining tremors go through him. Eventually he's just basking in his friend's embrace, something he's never done and the very brief times they've maybe done this he's taken for granted and ended far too quickly. What if something happens to Zizhen? What if when he leaves Cloud Recesses..

He has to quickly push that thought away before he drowns in it. However, it gives him a few ideas and maybe something Yuan might be able to help him with (involving a proper education on a few things).

There is one thing he can do now. He looks up and studies Zizhen's face for a minute, trying to find some courage.

Zizhen is more than happy to get the chance to hold him, and he's smiling smugly at making him laugh, even if he is being called a dork for it. When Jingyi draws away and looks at him, his breath catches and he isn't sure why.

"Feeling better?" He asks in hushed tones, watching his friend's face carefully. There's something there, something he doesn't think he's seen before, but he can't quote figure out what it is.

He knows what he hopes it is, but he doesn't want to let himself get carried away.

"Yeah, thanks.." he answers in that same quiet tone. His eyes drop to Zizhen's lips and then back up to meet his gaze. He's so torn on how to do this. Is he supposed to ask first or is there an etiquette he doesn't know? If he does this and Zizhen doesn't feel the same way is he going to hate him for it or be furious at him?

He starts to lose his nerve when he mutters 'hell with it' and leans in to press his lips against Zizhen's. Only it's a little too hard and awkward to be a 'good' kiss.

It is hard, and awkward, but it's what Zizhen's been wanting for a while now so he can't bring himself to care, and after he gets over his immediate shock he tilts his head to fit their mouths together better, trying to show Jingyi by example how it ought to be.

One of the hands wrapped around him comes up to cup his cheek, brushing his thumb across it gently.

This is actually happening, he is kissing Jingyi!

Oh. Oh!

The kiss had started off strange but when Zizhen adjusts it, suddenly the Lan junior is seeing hearts in his eyes! The world disappears around them and there is only Zizhen and his amazingly soft, plush lips. Jingyi swears he's never felt anything so luscious and tender in all his life. Zizhen's mouth tastes sweet and there's a scent to him that the Lan disciple has always liked about him, but he didn't realize just how much until now.

Tilting his head into the caress, he sighs happily, not wanting the kiss to ever end. He is so breathless though. Where did his air go? How can he be breathing so heavily and he feels lightheaded. As he draws back from the kind, romantic man who has been so supportive in everything they've gone through in the last few years. His heart swells with joy from the kiss and the love and the..

Jingyi swoons. Literally. On the ground. Zizhen, your kiss made your crush faint. Congratulations.

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