Brothel meme continued

[lastjinstanding]

Continued from here

Jin Ling had really hoped he'd have A-Yuan at his side for this, but he didn't blame the sweet man for being ill one bit. In fact, he really enjoyed holding him as they finished traveling up to Lotus Pier. He sends servants off the boat to arrange a discreet delivery of his ill and subdued guest to private chambers following Ling's disembark. He instructed only Fu Geming to carry A-Yuan with Liling.

Sadly, after that, he had to leave his pets in his servants care. Squaring his shoulders, he stepped onto the pier. He bowed humbly to all of his relatives and gave them each a proper greeting- or in Wei Wuxian's case, a cheeky one.

He was brought into the main hall and given the seat next to Jiang Cheng's throne. Wei Wuxian was seated beside him with Lan Wangji at the next seat. And yes, Wangji had been offered the throne but had chosen to stay at Wuxian's side. It was Jiang Cheng's wedding, after all.

Jin Ling is happy sitting to a nice cup of tea and some wine after a long day of travel with promise of dinner coming.

~~~

"Jin-Guniang, is the young master Zheng in this room?" A young, unfamiliar male voice asks. "I have some medicine I wish to offer if you'd announce me."

"Of course. Let me ask for you," Liling says in a warm tone. She knocks on Yuan's door and peeks in. She smiles when she sees him awake. She comes in and shuts the door behind her. "Zheng-gongzi? How are you feeling? A friend of Jin-zongzhu from the Lan Clan is here to offer you some medicine. Would you feel up to seeing him?"

Comments

[notaturnip]

Yuan is about to say that would be lovely when Jin Ling's voice catches his attention and he immediately brightens, looking over at the other with a smile.

He hides a giggle behind his hand at their interaction - it's clear from their bickering that they're actually very fond of one another. He barely even notices the familiarity of Jingyi using his name so he doesn't look surprised or offended by it.

"He's not a brat," he says fondly, feeling as though he ought to be on Jin Ling's side (not enough people seem to be on his side, he thinks)

"I'm so sorry I was too unwell to join you, Jin-zongzhu," he says politely, unsure about being too familiar with him in front of someone else, even a friend "I hope it didn't cause you any problems?"

[lastjinstanding]

Ling gets a smug look on his face when Yuan defends him. It feels nice to have someone on his side. He pushes away from the door and saunters over. He moves behind Jingyi and with a not-so gentle shove, takes his friend's spot on the bed. "You get the floor!"

Jingyi yelps and lands on the dais the bed was set up on. "He's right, you're not a brat. You're an ass, Rulan!"

Ling scowls at being called that name but holds out his hand for Yuan. "Don't worry about it. Everyone understood, A-Yuan." He finds he wants to lift the hand in his to his lips to kiss, but he refrains given who else was there. "And you don't have to stand on ceremony with Jingyi."

The Lan disciple looks from one man to the other a bit amazed at what he was seeing. He'd been tossed on the floor not because Jin Ling wanted to be lazy and sit, but because he wanted to sit with his beau. That was so cute! (In a very Rulan way).

"You know, Yuan's too good for you, right?"

[notaturnip]

Yuan can't hide his giggles that time, though it takes all his willpower not to lean against Jin Ling as he sits. He does take his hand, squeezing lightly and giving him an affectionate smile.

He blushes at the comment - if only Jingyi knew how wrong he was! Jin Ling was far, far too good for him. He shakes his head.

"Not at all. I'm lucky to have the honour of A-Ling's attention," he did say he didn't need to stand on ceremony after all. "Anybody would be."

[lastjinstanding]

It is very strange being told by your best friend that a prostitute is too good for you. However, he isn't nearly as mad about it as he might normally be- especially not when Yuan uses his birth name like that. He finds himself wanting to pull the man against him again to kiss him.

Since when did he get so affectionate? He really likes it.

"Okay, like that. How did you fool poor Yuan like this?" Jingyi asks. "He thinks you're sweet."

"I can be sweet!" Ling defends, cheeks going a little red.

Jingyi looks at him like he's grown another head. "Are you blushing? Holy shit, I need to go find Zizhen."

"He's here too?" Ling groans.

"Duh, that's his cousin your uncle's marrying." Jingyi remembers then that they're leaving Yuan out and turns to him. "Ouyang Zizhen is heir to the Baling Ouyang Clan. The three of us have been friends for years. He and his father are here but don't worry, you can just call him Zizhen, just like you can call me Jingyi. You'll probably like him the best if you like people who are actually sweet."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ling frowns, just shy of a pout. It was true and he couldn't really deny it. Everyone liked Zizhen. Although.. "Aren't you in love with him though?"

It's Jingyi's turn to flush red and he swats the sect leader's arm. "Shhh! What's wrong with you?! He doesn't know." He focuses back on Yuan's wrist. Over his head Ling mouths 'he knows'.

[notaturnip]

Yuan just watches them, letting the conversation flow over him - he wants to join in, but he doesn't know the people they're talking about and he's scared of saying something wrong. He appreciates it, though, when Jingyi takes the time to draw him into the conversation, though he notices it's at the expense of Jin Ling again - clearly they have the kind of relationship where they're just constantly teasing each other.

When Ling mouths over Jingyi's head, he can't help himself, he snorts with laughter - and he can't put a hand over his mouth to stop it because Jin Ling is still holding one hand and Jingyi is currently holding his other wrist. Instead he leans forward to rest his head on Jin Ling's shoulder in helpless giggles.

"I'm sorry," he straightens up, getting control of himself "You can't make me laugh like this in front of all A-Ling's family! I want to make a good impression on them."

[lastjinstanding]

Ling laughs and presses a kiss to the top of A-Yuan's head when he rests it briefly on his shoulder. He loves his laugh and he decides he doesn't really care if everyone in the other room hears it. In fact, he quickly hooks his arm around A-Yuan when he starts to straighten up, to keep him against his side.

"You'll make a great first impression. Don't worry, A-Yuan. They already started grilling me about you," he reassures his pet. Although somehow the word was no longer feeling as appropriate as it used to.

"Hey, off topic but, Yuan, are you still feeling bad at all? I have some medicine if you are or maybe you just needed the rest?" Jingyi cuts in. He hates to do it when the other two were being so cute but treating the poor boy was the reason he was there.

[notaturnip]

Yuan leans against him comfortably when that arm curls around his side, almost sighing into it. This kind of easy affection wasn't often given, at least not without expecting anything more, so it was nice to indulge and enjoy the comfortable camaraderie of their presence at the same time.

"Oh dear, what did they ask?" He says softly - a perfectly normal question, but a subtle way of asking what Jin Ling's told them, so he doesn't get anything wrong.

He glances over at Jingyi with a smile when he asks how he's feeling and shakes his head.

"No, I'm feeling much better now, thank you."

[lastjinstanding]

"They were surprised it's only been three days since we've met," he answers, his smile turning into a smirk. Yuan was impressively good at being subtle. He wonders what in the future they'll be able to get away with talking about in the presence of others without anyone realizing what they're truly saying.

"Three days?" Jingyi asks shocked. "Oh, yeah, Yuan! You didn't finish telling me how you two met."

They're both relieved to hear Yuan is feeling better. Jingyi gently lets go of Yuan's wrist and sits back more comfortably. He does glance at the door wondering what was taking Liling so long though.

Jin Ling hesitates at the question, realizing he doesn't have a cover story for how they met. However, it isn't too hard to make one up. "We met while I was nighthunting. He was traveling to Yanling to visit and on his way his party got attacked by a couple dire bears. Lucky for him, Fairy and I were traveling nearby."

Jingyi was starting to think that was a sweet 'meet cute' when he thinks.. a couple dire bears? Jin Ling expects him to believe he took on monstrous sized bears with just Fairy? Either his friend's skill has gotten significantly better or he's full of shit.

[notaturnip]

Three days. Yuan commits that to memory with a slight nod. When Jingyi asks how they met, he glances at Jin Ling with an encouraging little nudge, as though he was suggesting he be the one to tell the story - mostly, of course, because he's the one in charge here, Yuan wants to be sure the story is one he approves of, and the best way is to let him make it up.

So, of course, when Jin Ling tells a (slightly unbelievable) tale of daring and bravery, he's absolutely going to back him up.

"It was terrifying," he admits, eyes a little wide as though he's still shaken (after all it's only been three days) "I don't know what we would have done if A-Ling and his men hadn't been there."

(Sorrry, Jin Ling, you're getting some back up here, because Yuan can see that scepticism in Jingyi's look)

"A-Ling saved my life," he says breathlessly "one of them was almost upon me when he stopped it."

[lastjinstanding]

He is a 100000% keeping this man. He just backed up Jin Ling's ridiculous story in the most amazing way possible. How soon can he make Jingyi leave and get Yuan out of that robe? His gaze trails down Yuan's neck where he can almost imagine his pulse quickening. It was especially naughty to think about doing any of this at his jiujiu's house.

Reluctantly, his focus returns to Yuan's face. "I've never seen a prettier damsel in distress."

Jingyi is successfully back to thinking they're adorable. Although he still thinks he needs to try and practice swords with Jin Ling before the trip was over to see these new skills in action. "Yuan, you'll have to come with us to this year's tournament to see him there too. He was almost impressive there last year."

[notaturnip]

Yuan is more than familiar with the look of a man who wants him, so he can absolutely see that look in Jin Ling's eyes - but he's playing a part here, so he lowers his eyes demurely and smiles, blush colouring his cheeks.

"Flattery, A-Ling, I must have looked a terrible mess."

He looks up at Jingyi's suggestion and it's really only a lot of practice that keeps the easy smile on his face.

"I do hope I'll be able to," he says non-committally, mindful of the way Jin Ling hadn't responded when he'd offered himself for other events. His heart aches to be able to say yes, he'll be there.

[lastjinstanding]

"You'd better invite him!" Jingyi says, smacking Jin Ling in the arm like before.

"Hey!" Ling snaps out of his leering and sputters at his friend putting him on the spot. His cheeks color slightly, but he answers truthfully. "Of course, we'll be there! I just- I hadn't gotten around to inviting him yet!" Be cool, man, damn! He swings a hand back at the Lan disciple which only gets a laugh.

"And now you have, aren't you glad I'm around?" Jingyi snickers. "It's settled. We'll all go together. My work here is done." He gets up and dusts off his robes. "And before you get carried away, Rulan, he has refreshments coming so either act really fast or hold off."

"Get out!" Ling kicks at him and the young, snickering, man in white scurries out the door, giving Yuan a quick wave and grin before shutting it.

[notaturnip]

Yuan laughs at their antics but he's not really thinking about it, he's thinking about Jin Ling saying we'll be there. He's probably only saying it because Jingyi put him on the spot, because if this was a real relationship he'd have no reason to say no, he'll be able to come up with an excuse for him not being there when he needs to. He can't let himself get his hopes up.

He waves back at Jingyi as he leaves, though as soon as he's gone the friendly smile drops into a worried expression as he looks at Jin Ling.

"I hope I didn't say anything wrong," he says hesitantly "and I'm really so sorry for missing the greetings, I never would have gone to sleep if I'd realised I would sleep so heavily!"

[lastjinstanding]

He turns and is a half a second away from simply ignoring whatever Yuan is about to say in favor of kissing him breathless. However, the concern and then the words stop him. The fact that he even thinks of keeping up his lie is what convinces him to confess. He doesn't want to be like the rest of his family and if he starts to deceive people, particularly those he cares about, he's doing just that. Never mind this whole experience is one big rouse.

"Yuan.. none of that was your fault. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to suffer and my spiritual energy was so low.." His gaze drops to one of the golden deer embroidered on Yuan's robes. "I made you fall asleep. I give you my word, I didn't let anything happen to you. You went straight from the boat to here and you've had Geming and Liling.. well, and I guess Jingyi, around you since. When it comes to healing magic, I'm not like the Lan clan. I'm not that strong."

[notaturnip]

"Oh!" Yuan looks surprised, and then, against all logic, he looks relieved. "I was so worried I'd messed up. Thank you, A-Ling, for taking such good care of me. I trust you, I know you'd never let anything happen to me, and it was much better sleeping through the journey than trying not to be sick through it."

It's clear that Jin Ling is worried about it, which is just impossibly sweet. Ruined, he's completely ruined, no other man is ever going to compare.

[lastjinstanding]

Ruined, he's completely ruined, no other [person] is ever going to compare. The words somehow echo in his own mind at that precise moment.

He can't believe anyone would trust in him so much that he could tell them he'd literally put a sleeping spell on them and they weren't afraid at all. There wasn't a soul on this earth he believed in as much as that and yet, he'd managed to earn that kind of trust from someone else. Sure, there were people he should trust like that. Jiujiu would never harm him and Wuxian but what if.. he'd thought that before. He'd believed in family at other times and had nearly had his head cut off!

He reaches out and pulls Yuan to him tightly, burying his face in his shoulder. He hopes he moved fast enough to prevent the other boy from seeing the tear. It was unlikely as this whole thing had caught him by surprise so much. Whatever the case, he holds on as though his life depends on it and uses every ounce of willpower not to let any more tears fall.

[notaturnip]

Yuan's eyes widen, startled, as Jin Ling suddenly buries his face in his shoulder, his arms instinctively wrapping around the younger man. For a split second, Yuan thinks, it almost seemed like Jin Ling was crying, but surely not? Why would he?

He shifts his arms so he can stroke Jin Ling's hair softly, the other holding him close.

"A-Ling?" He says, voice quiet and concerned "what.. what is it? Is something wrong?" He doesn't think he did anything wrong, because Jin Ling probably wouldn't be hugging him if he did, but he wonders if perhaps he's upset him accidentally, said something that brought up bad memories - he just has no idea what.

[lastjinstanding]

Jin Ling draws back and clears his throat. No that isn't the faintest damp spot on Yuan's robe where he might have cried. That's entirely someone's imagination!

"I uh.. I have to go. I'll.." He pauses and gives Yuan's forehead a kiss. He knows he's being confusing, but he's also freaking the hell out. He might as well spread the irrational crazy sense around. "I'll be back in just a little while. Everything is fine, Yuan."

He gets up and hurries out of the room. He needs to find his uncle, the stupid romantic obsessed one!

[notaturnip]

"A-Ling..." He's already rushing off before Yuan even manages to find his voice and he is so confused what's going on. His robe is slightly damp, Ling was clearly upset about something, but the kiss on the forehead suggested he certainly isn't mad at him. He sighs, resigning himself to confusion at least until Jin Ling returns.

He wonders if maybe he should go and find Liling and check she wasn't delayed by anything important, or if he ought to wait here.

The uncle Jin Ling is looking for is currently lounging in his own guest quarters (which are actually his old rooms. Jiang Cheng had claimed he'd had them cleaned out, but they were actually just as he left them. Wei Wuxian would have teased him about that if it hadn't left a lump in his own throat upon realising it) - his husband, luckily, is still dealing with other matters, so he's not doing anything untoward except drinking.

[lastjinstanding]

Whatever you do, Wuxian, don't mention it or the whole thing will be burned to the ground!

Ling stands outside his uncle's room pacing back and forth for several minutes debating whether he should ask or if this was a horrible idea and he should go back to his room and just have sex with A-Yuan. He also realized he called Yuan 'Yuan' and not 'A-Yuan' and feels guilty about it. He was definitely too precious to him not to get that courtesy. He'd just been flustered. He should go back and apologize. No!

He lifts a hand and knocks, wincing at the sound. This could easily be the dumbest thing he's ever done but if anyone could look past station it was the man who protected a bunch of nobodies in the Burial Mound. "Wei-shimu?" Smirk. "We need to talk!"

~~~

"Shh! A-Geming! I have to go!" Liling's voice chirped in a little extra sweet tone outside of Yuan's door. She cleared her throat and straightened her collar before tapping on the door. "Zheng-gongzi? My apologies I'm late, sir!" In addition to water, she now has a tray of food and tea. And um.. a requested small bottle of .. well.. oil. *Ahem*. There's a discreet cloth over it though.

[notaturnip]

Wei Wuxian looks up in confusion at the knock, then sighs at the voice on the other side of it - his nephew is such a brat (he's so proud). Still, there's a note of something in that voice that suggests this might be something serious.

"Talk? Come in, come in, what do we need to talk about?"

~~~

Yuan raises an eyebrow at that tone, a tiny smile playing on his lips despite everything going on with himself. He could have seen that coming, but it's still an interesting development. He calls for Liling to come in, smiling gratefully when he sees she's brought him food - now that the nausea is gone, he's realised how long it is since he last ate.

"Don't worry about it, Liling," he reassures with a smile, neatly sweeping the oil from the tray and tucking it safely in his sleeve for later. He doesn't know if it's been requested or Liling is thinking ahead, but he hopes the former.

"Thank you."

[lastjinstanding]

He puts his hand on the door and almost chickens out again. It takes everything in him to push it open and step inside. As he does, he tilts his chin up trying to convey a confidence he didn't feel. He quickly shuts the door behind him and folds his arms behind him. He steps closer and realizes he has no idea how to start this.

".. Uh.. H-how've you been?" That was totally a normal question to ask of someone he just had dinner with not an hour ago, right? He wasn't looking at his uncle. He knew that was a stupid start. "Um.. before you were with Lan-xiandu.. you had a reputation, didn't you?"

His gaze snaps back to his uncle. "Not as the Yiling Patriarch but in.. uh.. another sense." Oh god, how do people talk about these things? It's not like he's had parents to teach him such things! He was so not blushing either!

~~~

She tries not to notice just how skillfully he hides away the oil. That was like a true magician!

"Did Lan-gongzi help you feel better?" She asks, fussing with fluffing his pillow and changing out some incense sticks for him. "I would've thought Jin-zongzhu would've been back by now. You're rather lucky. There are a few of the guests who are choosing to stay on their boats this evening because of how overcrowded it is for the wedding. A few of our men are having to stay there are well."

[notaturnip]

"Fine," Wuxian answers the how are you question with a shrug, since he can tell very clearly that Jin Ling isn't really looking for an answer so much as wanted a way to start the conversation. He waits for the point.

Jin Ling seems to be having trouble with it.

It takes Wei Wuxian a minute to reach a (wrong) conclusion and his eyes widen a little.

"Rulan! Did you come to ask me about sex? Aiya, didn't Jiang Cheng tell you about this stuff already? Come on, sit down, I'll tell you everything."

~~~

"Yes, Jingyi was very helpful, I'm feeling much better," he smiles softly and nods.

"Oh, I feel sorry for them," he wrinkles his nose at the idea of being stuck sleeping on a boat "I'm very glad Jin-zongzhu was able to get me a room! He was here, but he.. said he had to go and do something and he left..."

Abruptly and clearly flustered. Yuan still doesn't know what to make of it.

[lastjinstanding]

"What?!" Could the floor just open up and eat him? The absolutely worst part of this was, he could easily see where Wuxian would come to that very stupid conclusion based on how he was acting. "N- no! No! No! I know.. plenty about that. I.. dammit."

He put his face in his hands for a moment. At least he'd somehow gone from the demeanor of 'I'm pretending to be a haughty sect leader' to finally a 'I'm an eighteen year old coming to my uncle'. He flops down on a chair near Wuxian. "I need to know how prostitution works. Like.. the system. And you can make fun of me for it in here, but don't.. you can't tell anyone I'm asking about this. Ever!"

~~~

Liling snickers. "Do you know people around here actually like boats? They would sleep in their boats willingly! A couple of the Jiang disciples and servants willingly gave up their beds for us. I suppose it comes from growing up on a riverbank." She shakes her head. "Don't ask me, I don't understand it. I don't get sick like you, but they scare me. You never know what's going on underneath the surface.." She shudders.

She glances toward the hall hearing Jin Ling had been here but left. That didn't make any sense. "Do you want me to go look for him? He has the room next door, but these walls are thin, so we'd be able to tell if he was there or not. You know, if you're feeling better you don't have to stay in your room. You're a gongzi. You're welcome to go about however you please or if you prefer, I can help you get ready for bed."

[notaturnip]

Honestly, Wei Wuxian is kind of glad that isn't what his nephew wants to know, for a start he's more than old enough now to know it already, and truthfully he'd get way more embarrassed trying to explain it than he was letting on.

When Jin Ling explains what he does want to know, though, it's very much not what he was expecting at all.

"I can probably tell you what you need to know," he concedes "but you're going to have to tell me more, first. Why would you ask such a question when you are here with someone? You can't tell me you're planning on hiring a prostitute....?" He refuses to believe Jin Ling is taking after his grandfather, there must be a reason for this

~~~

Yuan looks aghast at the very idea of enjoying boats, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I suppose that makes sense," he concedes "but the thought of it almost makes me ill again, let alone actually doing it."

He considers her offer and then shakes his head.

"He said he'd be back and I'm sure he will. If he's not back when I'm done eating I might go for a small walk, just to stretch my legs a little, but then I'll return to wait for him. Will you be around to let him know where I've gone if he does return?"