#it all started with me wanting to draw ouyang with his hair down like a sad wet cat. then i thought ha what if he had sheer silk inner robe

[ozymandien]

later, ouyang thought esen wouldn't even had noticed: the moment his stillness of anticipation flicked into the stillness of shame, as quickly as capping a candle. his blood ran cold; his body burned. it was the feeling of a blade slid gently into his heart.

#[transmigrates into this book to prevent esen from opening his mouth] #if he had kissed him here ..... #anyway this scene lives in my mind rent FREE #it all started with me wanting to draw ouyang with his hair down like a sad wet cat. then i thought ha what if he had sheer silk inner robe #AND THEN i thought what if esen's hand ended up in his mouth. like just hypothetically . #i must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul so i did just that #i'm so soo soso normal about ouyang's pretty face as you can tell #general ouyang #esen temur #('s hand) #the radiant emperor #she who became the sun #he who drowned the world #shelley parker chan #fanart #digital art #myart

[grapefruitsketches]

Untamed Spring Fest 2020 - Days 22 & 23: Fragrance & Earth

1,969 Words

Post-Canon, Wangxian Family and the Junior Quartet on a farm. Mostly fluff with some WWX feelings and Wangxian flirting.

“At least Lil’ Apple can be useful. All Fairy can do is run around barking and making a mess!”

“Fairy does not just run around making a mess!”

Jin Ling and Jingyi had been arguing on and off all morning (at least since Wei Wuxian and Ouyang Zizhen had arrived). Lan Zhan’s total disinterest in mediating such disputes was usually a comedic reflection of the boy Wei Wuxian had known in his school days. He had, in fact teased his husband as they had traded off responsibility in supervising the team of visiting Juniors earlier that day, but as the sun had risen higher in the sky and the sweat dripped down his face and back, it had been more and more difficult to find the disruption to the usually peaceful scenery to be anything but a nuisance.

“Jin Ling! Jingyi!” he finally shouted their way, exasperated, “If you’re not going to dig those potatoes up, I need you to carry that over to the southwestern plot for me, the one with the onions!” Wei Wuxian smiled a bit too widely as he pointed at some troughs strategically placed downwind from the turnip plot he, Ouyang Zizhen, and Lan Sizhui were working on.

The two teens whirled around, silenced at least for the moment by the instructions. They followed Wei Wuxian’s gesture.

As if on cue, the two started their protests as one.

“Not the manure!” “Come on, we did that last time!” they complained.

“Ah ah ah,” Wei Wuxian shook his head, waving a finger at the two, “Someone’s got to do it. And my farm. My rules. Go get the buckets.”

Jin Ling looked like he was going to protest, but Jingyi had already resigned himself to the disgusting task, so Jin Ling just huffed and followed along, not wanting to be left behind.

“Father,” Sizhui said softly as the two trudged off, “Can I go help them? They did do it last time and I feel bad…”

Wei Wuxian chuckled, “You’re too noble, A-Yuan,” he reached over to ruffle the boy’s hair, making his son reach up to anxiously readjust his hairpiece, “How could I let my little turnip live through such hardship?”

There was a sudden relief from the sun’s glaring rays on his back. A long shadow had fallen over him.

“Go ahead, Sizhui,” Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but smile as the sound of his husband’s voice washed over him, “But take some water first.”

“Lan Zhaan,” the shade his husband provided wasn’t enough to stop Wei Wuxian from whining, “I need A-Yuan here, he’s my good luck charm.”

He turned to look at his husband, who stood behind him, carrying a tray of cups and a jug of water.

Sizhui had already stood up, ready to go. Now he wavered, looking between his two parents, unwilling to pick a side. He took the water he was offered by his Lan father, stalling for time.

“Our farm, our rules, remember? Our son can do what he wants here.” Lan Zhan said, tone serious as ever, but the hint of a smirk letting Wei Wuxian know he was teasing.

Wei Wuxian sighed dramatically, “Fine, go,” he waved Sizhui off, “If you must leave the nest so soon, so be it,” he pouted, turning back to the seedlings, shoulders slumped as if to prove his long-suffering sacrifice.

Sizhui smiled at Lan Zhan, “Thank you father,” he said. He turned towards his other father before he left, saying, “You know, sometimes turnips have to grow up and leave for the market!”

“Lan Zhaaan, our son is being so ungrateful,” Wei Wuxian complained, but then turned to his Sizhui, expression softening, “if you have to leave me, at least take this.” He unravelled a strip of beige cloth from his arm and handed it to Sizhui, who took it, looking questioningly back at his father.

“Tie it like this,” Wei Wuxian instructed, dragging pinched fingers from below his nose to behind his head, “it’ll help with the smell, I promise.”

Sizhui smiled, and nodded, determined, “I will. Thank you!” He gave each of his fathers a hug (Lan Zhan returning it stiffly but warmly, Wei Wuxian pretending to sob into his shoulder) and followed after Jin Ling and Jingyi.

Wei Wuxian turned to Zizhen who had been quietly counting out inches between seedlings this whole time, “At least you haven’t abandoned me. Or,” he shot a pouting look at Lan Zhan, “betrayed me.” Lan Zhan only rolled his eyes and offered a cup of water in response, which Wei Wuxian took eagerly.

“Two… three… huh?” Zizhen interrupted his count, looking up finally and seeming confused at the replacement of Sizhui with Hanguang-Jun, who was holding a cup of water out for him as well.

Wei Wuxian laughed, patting the boy in red on the shoulder, “I’m glad you stayed, you actually seem to know what you’re doing here!” It was true. The boy was a natural at farming. Wei Wuxian was confidant the wheat would have died weeks ago if not for Zizhen’s careful advice on the Juniors’ last visit.

Zizhen grinned, “Thank you, Wei-gongzi! You know, I used to spend summers at my aunt and uncle’s home, and they had the most beautiful farm, with the best pear orchard, the sweetest, most delicate pears you’ve ever tasted…”

Zizhen carried on, explaining in great detail the transition from seedlings, to turnips, of pear blossoms to fruit, picnics and fishing by the river, deciding what to eat based on what was ripest that day.

Lan Zhan had sat next to Wei Wuxian, setting the tray aside and pulling out a small shovel to dig the holes where his husband would plant the seedlings. Their hands occasionally (not entirely accidentally) brushed in their mechanical movements from one hole to the next. Wei Wuxian’s whole face scrunched into a smile at the touch, the world slowing as he looked to meet his husband’s gentle eyes.

The sound of Zizhen’s chatter drifted off into silence, drawing Wei Wuxian back to reality. His eyes snapped onto Zizhen, who was staring, frozen, mouth just barely open, at the two near-legendary cultivators kneeling across from him, hand in hand.

Wei Wuxian stifled a laugh, bringing a hand up to wave it in the boy’s face, “Zizhen, Zizhen!” he said, breaking through whatever haze had ensnared him.

Ouyang Zizhen blinked back into reality, “Huh? Oh!” he shook his head, and hurriedly bowed in turn at Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan, “I’m so sorry Wei-Gongzi, Hanguang-Jun,” he said, “I was just… was just…” he stopped, lost for words.

“Admiring our love?” Wei Wuxian said, waggling his eyebrows in mock suggestiveness at Lan Zhan (which earned him a low “Wei Ying!”)

But Zizhen only nodded earnestly, “Yes!” he said, “I just…” he paused, he wiped a real tear that streaked down his face at this, creating a smudge of dirt down his cheek as he did so, “I love your love story so much. It’s just so… so beautiful!”

Wei Wuxian laughed, and looked over at his husband, who looked stricken, a faint blush darkening his cheeks, which only made him laugh harder.

“Lan Zhan!” he said, “You hear that? We’re beautiful!” he cupped a hand over his husband’s face. Lan Zhan turned towards him, eyes still wide. Wei Wuxian removied his hand slowly, carefully. Ensuring every speck of dirt possible remained on his husband’s face.

Lan Zhan only closed his eyes, a mirror of his brother in that moment, sighed, and reopened them. A frown fell on his face as he looked at Wei Wuxian, “Wei Ying.” He said seriously, “there is something on your nose,” he pointed towards his own nose as though this helped matters.

“Ah!” Wei Wuxian reacted instinctively, partway through rubbing off the imagined dirt on his nose when he realized, “Lan Zhaaan!”

His husband smiled, and reached to help clean the newly applied dirt off of his husband’s nose. He seemed content to leave the faint handprint on his own face.

A soft whine came from across the row of seedlings. Zizhen was crying again.

--

The three planted the turnip seedlings in peaceful silence for a long while, the sun dipping towards the horizon before they were done. Lan Zhan digging, Wei Wuxian planting, Zizhen checking as they went, incredibly adept at spotting where a hole was too shallow, too deep, too close to another plant.

Voices began to drift back over from the direction of the southwestern plot, two loud ones with long pauses between them, which, as they drew closer, turned out not to be silences but instead Sizhui’s quieter attempts at intervention in the arguments that hadn’t ever ceased.

Wei Wuxian’s gaze drifted over to the three Juniors, all three with their faces wrapped with a cloth to block the fragrant smell from their buckets that had luckily not yet reached the turnip plot. He was suddenly struck by a similar image, a memory of a life past. A boy in black, one in gold, one in white. Similar ribbons tied below the noses of the black and gold clad teens…

He clawed his fingers into the dirt, shaking his head. Smells could bring you back, to places he would rather not revisit right now. Now, he grounded himself in the smell of the earth, the ground beneath his fingers, the warmth of the sun on his back, his husband’s gentle, methodical digging and gentle humming beside him. Zizhen. Ling. Jingyi. A-Yuan. Their futures before them.

As he gripped the earth, he remembered. The furthest past was seconds before, when Lan Zhan had last made a hole or when they had last touched. The most distant future was the potatoes they would pull for dinner, the fresh vegetables Wen Ning would bring from town. He thought of the warm fire they would make once the summer nights brought enough coolness for that to be comfortable. Wen Ning quietly teaching Wen Qing’s medical books to Sizhui. Lan Jingyi sneaking an extra piece of fish from Jin Ling’s plate when he wasn’t looking, Zizhen telling a ghost story that would make all their skin crawl. Lan Zhan by his side, now, always. Wei Wuxian breathed, and planted another turnip seedling into the dirt.

The three returning Juniors, who, it became clear as they drew nearer, desperately needed a bath, were smiling. Zizhen rose to join them. They were not the same as Wei Wuxian’s classmates from all those years ago, they were their own people. Brought up by guardians who understood the horrors of war, the costs of petty fighting, of failing to understand what was truly important until it was too late. They had grown up raised by the fears of their guardians, but in a time of peace, not war.

Wei Wuxian reached out beside him, grasping for and finding Lan Zhan’s hand, squeezing it tight. The look he received in return and the tightened grip on his hand reassured him. Things were alright now.

“Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian whispered, looking towards the man standing next to him, “I think we should start an orchard.” Lan Zhan hummed in interest, Wei Wuxian continued, “Maybe apples… I’m sure Lil’ Apple would like that.”

He smiled at his husband, who smiled back, nodding. His muscles ached from the day’s hard work, these months on the farm somehow more exhausting than those spent hunting down ghosts and monsters.

The six cultivators, the group of four with the pair trailing behind, walked back towards the farmhouse. The scent of Wen Ning’s latest attempt at a Lotus Rib Soup drifted towards them, welcoming them inside.

Wei Wuxian looked around himself, at the fields, as they returned. All around them, things grew. They were safe, they were cared for, and they were at peace.

#untamed spring fest #the untamed #mdzs #cql #wangxian #junior quartet #wei wuxian #lan wangji #lan sizhui #ouyang zizhen #lan jingyi #jin ling #yes the fragrance is... manure

[ruensroad]

Starstruck

Are people tired of new AU’s yet? XD

It’s a JinYi so you only have @this-solaris-life to blame. P: Featuring Models!Jingyi and Yuan, author/conceptual artist!Jin Ling and illustrator!Zizhen.

(and behind the scenes Xicheng because it’s ME.)

---

It wasn’t the largest convention he’d ever walked into, but the crush of people felt oddly more intense as he followed Yuan’s expert weaving through the main area to the back building, where the Artist Alley had been laid out. Perhaps it was because only a bare medical mask was all that stood between him and what could be a crush of fangirls that he couldn’t seem to catch his breath, perhaps it was because of just who was in that Artist Alley. Probably a bit of both.

All he knew was that if Yuan’s arm wasn’t linked through his, he’d have been lost an hour ago. Typing furiously on their phones - Jingyi to his father, Yuan to his boyfriend - they’d managed to keep their heads down and look normal enough not to be noticed as the models they were, which was a headache Jingyi didn’t need. He just wished his father was a better distraction considering he himself was now the fanboy. Lan Huan, long disappeared into Artist’s Alley to find his own fanboy crush, had only sent him keyboard-smashed sentences the past hour, which was cute since ba-ba only ever wrote out his texts in perfect grammar. It just did nothing for his own herd of butterflies bashing around in his stomach, keyboard-smashing right back in spirit.

If he made it out of this without fainting, he’d consider it a win.

It was thankfully quieter in the artist’s area, with more rows of tables to better thin out the crowds. Jingyi and Yuan still kept their heads down, just in case their masks were not enough, though it didn’t take long before Yuan was quickening his steps, jolting his already struggling breath right out of him again.

Because there it was, Table C71 and C72, with the partition down between them to make a double table. One side for the illustrator of the comics splattered all over the wall behind the two men sitting there, and the other for the author…

The author, who was unfairly attractive with his hair pulled up messily and a pencil behind his ear, grinning at people as they moved up with books to be signed.

“Oh my gods,” Jingyi croaked out and did his best to stop. Yuan slowed, but pulled him along still, stronger than he looked. “I can’t do this.”

“You can and you will,” Yuan laughed, then excitedly waved through a break in the crowd. “Ah, they see us! A-Zhen!”

The illustrator grinned wide behind his glasses and practically leapt over the table to join them amidst a gaggle of giggling girls. Jingyi barely let go of Yuan before his friend was engulfed in a hug.

“You made it!” Ouyang Zizhen said, holding his hand out to Jingyi with Yuan beaming under his arm. “A-Yuan told us so much about you.”

One didn’t become a model without being starstruck often, meeting idols left and right. But these two men, who’s only spotlight was a warm spot in a comic convention, who’s following were loyal Weibo and Twitter users, not rich companies trying to break their pockets - these two men were a whole new brand of awe, because Jingyi had chosen to follow them, to love their work and stalk their social media.

Shaking the hand of an artist who helped fill his world with some normal, exciting joy was breathtaking.

“Only the bad stuff,” Yuan promised as they shook hands, eyes soft and sweet over his mask. He nuzzled under Zizhen’s jaw like a cat and Jingyi had to bite down a laugh to see it. “Speaking of, did you get it?”

Jingyi immediately felt on guard with the near identical grins on their faces, curling their eyes to the same half moons. “I did,” Zizhen promised him with a kiss to his cheek, then quickly returned to his table. A white, hardbound book was soon being pressed into Jingyi’s hands when he hurried back and he felt his entire mouth go dry.

“A-Ling put these together for Kingdoms,” Zizhen told him, which was rather unnecessary at that point. Jingyi had fallen so far down the xianxia novel’s hole he’d recognize the border art anywhere. “Last couple sketch pages are a sneak peak into a new character we’re going to introduce.”

“And!” Yuan piped up, just as excitedly and, truly, they were a match of twin devils. “He’s taking quick sketch commissions on the covers. So get in line!”

He couldn’t even make a token protest, manhandled as he was into it, and found himself staring dumbly at the book in his hands as the line slowly moved. Holding an actual, real art piece of an artist he’d crushed on for months was a religious experience, he was starting to realize. No wonder ba-ba’s texts were all keyboard-smashing. Fuck.

Nearly ten minutes of waiting was not nearly enough to prepare for the moment he was pushed to the table and one Jin Ling looked up at him, a smile on his face that immediately faltered in shock. Jingyi belatedly remembered Jin Ling had followed his social media first, which had started this whole mess, and gave a shaky wave and smile, which he showed with a careful pull down of his mask.

“I’m sure Wen Yuan warned you…” he started, awkward, and wanted to smack himself. What a lame first thing to say to his fanboy crush!

Blushing, he thrust the book at the man, which was hardly an improvement. “Uh… can I request a side character?”

He watched Jin Ling shake himself off and quickly covered his mouth again when the horde of fans behind and around him peeked in on the newest commission. Jin Ling nodded, all business, and pulled free his pencil as he righted the cover to the correct orientation. “Who would you like?”

Gods, his voice was even better than he’d imagined. Smooth and low, almost surprisingly so, and his eyes had a honeyed sheen. Jingyi had to take a moment just to remember to breathe and not vibrate clear through the floor.

“Rulan,” he said, decisive on that. “He only appeared in a few chapters, but I’ve always been curious about him.”

Oddly, that had Jin Ling blushing, but with a nod he put down some drawing guidelines. “He’s a favorite of mine,” was his quiet admission, nearly imperceptible over the excited murmuring surrounding them. “I hope i can do more with him in the future.”

The news had all awkwardness fleeing in a heady rush. Jingyi laughed, startling him, and leaned in to eagerly watch him. “Please do! He’s so biting and funny, but also strong and gallant. My kind of character.”

Jin Ling was handsome, always, but with rosy cheeks he was stunning. Clearing his throat, the artist tucked his pencil back behind his ear and pulled out a Sharpie. Seemingly out of a bare circle and line, the smirking, cocky face of Rulan took shape and quickly. Jingyi watched him in open awe. 

“It’s Jingyi, right?” Jin Ling asked, voice even quieter, and it was only because Jingyi was leaning in so close that he heard it at all. Their eyes met, a mere foot of space between them, and Jingyi felt his own face heat, even as a smile spread wide over his lips.

“It is,” he nodded, feeling like they were running with a joke only they knew, a charming secret shared, and it was only his name. Gods, he had it bad.

Jin Ling smiled at that, bashful, but a hint of that confident grin on his profile picture was starting to take root. Which did nothing for Jingyi’s heart. Shit. 

“Well, Jingyi, thank you for liking Rulan,” he said and lifted the completed book to him, face open and almost sweet. “It was a pleasure to draw him.”

Jingyi took the book and stared down at the quickly sketched in, very beloved face of his favorite character. For Jingyi, from Jin Ling had been set in the corner and he felt his heart start to gallop.

“In my line of work… well, I guess I’ve come to appreciate the people behind the scenes, so to speak,” he said, hoping Jin Ling would understand. “I will always like Rulan, even if you turn him into an asshole. He was the first character I fell for.”

Jin Ling blushed again and Jingyi desperately wished he knew the reason for it. Still, that smile was disarming and deadly and Jingyi couldn’t breathe all over again

“He’s already an asshole, but noted,” he laughed, laughed, and Jingyi was pretty sure he could die right then without a regret in the world. “Thank you, Jingyi. I’m sure I’ll see you later, yeah?”

Later. Oh gods, there was a later!

Jingyi swallowed hard and nodded, knowing his beaming smile showed even through his mask. “Definitely.”

#ruenwrites #jinyi #social media love story au #junior trio #plus zizhen! #jin ling #lan jingyi #wen yuan #lan sizhui #lan yuan #ouyang zizhen #hints of xicheng too #sizhen

[this-solaris-life]

Hotter Than The Sun

This lovely drabble is set in my Our War of Hearts AU; It’s specifically set after the original events and is for the pairing JinYi. @ruensroad​  - I keep saying thank you for drawing the beautiful artwork below but really words can’t describe how I really feel. It means so much to me. This is my christmas present to you inspired by your beautiful drawing of JinYi! You inspire me so much and thanks for always being willing to listen to me ramble on and on about this AU. @the-sassiest-trixster​ - I told you that it would have purpose :p

Artist Credit: @ruensroad​ *absolutely do not remove credit* 

The knock on the door is what woke him. Jingyi groaned shifting his tired limbs. He'd stayed up late working on his gifts for Lan Sizhui and Zizhen. Since being sent to Lotus Pier to live with his cousin, Lan Xichen, he’s found himself taking up a craft - glass blowing. Ironic considering the reason he was even sent here was because he’d accidentally set one of the classrooms on fire back in the Cloud of Recesses.

“Young Master Lan?” Biyu, the Jiang disciple assigned to him, called him through the door. She knocked again before speaking, “Young Master Lan?”

“Yes?” He sleepily croaked.

”You need to get up. Your friends are about to arrive at the docks.” Biyu answered.

“How long do I have?” He asked already tossing back the sheets.

“Long enough to take the bath that I’ve already prepared for you, and promptly go to the docks.” Biyu replied before walking away to keep from hearing him compliment her again. He’d found out quick that she didn’t take to flattery at all. A formidable woman with a good deal of patience. He smiled fondly before getting out of bed.

He took a brisk bath putting on the robes that was laid out. The fabric lightweight and breathable to accommodate the hotter weather in Yunmeng. By the time he was done and at the end of the pier just like she’d told him, his friends arrived. Lan Sizhui and Ouyang Zizhen both having smiles on their faces.

Jingyi quickly pulled them both into hugs. “I’ve missed you both.” He grinned.

“We’ve missed you too.” Sizhui replied.

“The Cloud of Recesses isn’t the same without you.” Zizhen chuckled.

“But,” Sizhui counted “you being here at Lotus Pier has benefited you.”

“Yeah! Where is that benefit?” Zizhen grinned.

“He’s with the other archers training for the festival.” Jingyi answered looking away from his friends.

He hoped the bright sun of the day helped to hide the blush that he felt forming on his cheeks. He’d kept in touch with rare visits and plenty of letters to his two best friends. At the beginning they were full of self pity, then turned to complaints when Sect Leader Jiang’s nephew, Jin Ling had come to learn his studies about his mother’s sect. Jin Ling and his start had been a misunderstanding that sparked pranks, bickering, and competition. It wasn’t until after a night hunt the two of them realized that they liked each other. Now, Jingyi is blessed to be in a very happy relationship with the heir of Lanling Jin sect.

“Oi, he’s blushing.” Zizhen teased leaning into a chuckling Sizhui.

“No, I’m not! It’s just the heat.” Jingyi playfully pouted stepping between them looping his arms around one of theirs pulling them forward, “You guys must be hungry. Let me show you a place and then I can show the workshop.”

“You mean they actually let you around flame here?” Zizhen joked earning him a quick jab to the side.

“Hey!” Zizhen fussed.

“You deserved it.” Suzhui replied as they made their way into the busy town.

“Senior Wei wasn’t joking when he said that the food here in Yunmeng is the best.” Zizhen groaned happily as they made their way to the workshop that Jingyi was able to work on his craft safely. His choice in working with glass was an off handed jab by Jin Ling before they got together. It made him smile now because Jin Ling treasures all the pieces that he’s made for him. They are even displayed in his rooms here in Lotus Pier and at Koi Tower.

“He really wasn’t.” Jingyi agreed even though he and Sizhui had eaten dishes that were far more bland than the ones that had been served to Zizhen. They were still good and Sizhui had given them praise when they were done eating. His thoughts returned to his workshop as they neared the business. It was run by an elderly woman and her niece that’d he become quite fond of. The two of them making beautiful things from trinkets to elaborate sculptures.

The building was beautiful with wind chimes and glass figures hanging on the roof of the porch. Two large windows allowed one to peek inside to see what pieces the glazier is working on. The three of them were able to see through the windows that the young woman was currently working on arranging a windchime.

“There you are A-Jingyi, and you’ve brought friends.” She smiled warmly as she looked up at them.

“Yes, I have A-Fan. This is Lan Sizhui and Ouyang Zizhen.” Jingyi replied introducing his friends. The both of them bowing respectfully. “If it’s okay, may I show them around before we head back?”

“Of course, just be careful in the back. Popo has a sculpture cooling.” Fan replied with a small nod before going back to work on her windchime. The glass figures that would be dangling looked a lot like various sized sea pancakes*.

“That’s adorable.” Zizhen said noticing that Sizhui had taken an interest in it. He and Jingyi shared a look. Sizhui wasn’t one to call out his love adorable things much like his father. So it was a rare sight to see him openly eyeing the windchime.

“It’d make a good gift for Uncle Xichen.” Sizhui stated looking away.

“Is it already claimed?” Jingyi asked.

“No, it’s not and if you want it then I can have this finished before you leave.” Fan answered.

“That’d be perfect.” Zizhen grinned mentally high fiving with Jingyi by sharing a look when Sizhui graced them with a smile.

After that, Jingyi showed them around telling them about different tools and showing them some of the figurines that were on the shelves that he’d made. All of his profits going to Fan and her popo for letting him come here almost every day.

“These are stunning.” Zizhen said lifting one of Jingyi’s beautifully crafted figurines of a bear standing up on its hind legs with a golden heart painted in the center of a sun on it’s stomach.

“Agreed.” Sizhui nodded.

“I’m glad.” Jingyi grinned happily now knowing that his hard work on the gifts he made them would be appreciated. “Because I have these for…” He paused looking on the shelf wondering where his gifts were. He checked the cooling racks despite knowing that they weren’t going to be there because they were completed. He hadn’t seen them on the sale shelves in the front. “Uh, one moment.” He said to them nervously thinking that they might have gotten sold on accident.

“Hey, A-Fan, have you seen my two pieces from last night?”

“Uh-huh, Popo had them sent to Sect Leader Jiang’s residence just before lunch when you didn’t come to collect them.” Fan answered lifting the now completed windchime up.

I must have missed them when I was on my way to the pier. He thought.

“Thanks.” Jingyi said as she nodded.

“If you want to round up your friends. I’ll have this packaged up for you.” Fan stated as she went to grab some cloth to wrap the wind chime in.

“I had a gift for each of you but it seems that they were already sent to Sect Leader Jiang’s residence. Since, we were going there already let’s head out.” Jingyi replied as his friends come back out from the back to check on him. They nodded in agreeance. After paying Fan for her windchime the three of them made their way to the sect leader’s residence.

Sect Leader Jiang’s home was buzzing with the staff getting things prepared for the feast tomorrow to kick off the festival. Sect leaders were welcome to attend this event which is why Zizhen was able to come. He’d been sent in his father’s stead.

“It’s so lively here.” Sizhui mumbled mirroring the sentiment he’d originally felt. It had taken a while to get used to the life that always seemed to be awake here. A contrast to the quiet serenity of the Cloud of Recesses.

“It is.” Jingyi agreed. He was about to continue when three or four of the child disciples went past them running. His sect rule about running on the tip of his tongue and he could tell on Sizhui’s. One lagged behind though. He recognized him and Jingyi called out to him, “Hey! Bohai-xiao, where are you going?”

“The hills! Jin-gege is there dueling with er-shixiong.” Bohai said to him when he stopped long enough to give him a small bow before taking back off to catch up with his friends.

“Maybe we should go check it out?” Zizhen asked grinning because of the look currently on Jingyi’s face.

“We were heading that way right?” Jingyi replied as he started following after the boy.

“Right.” Zizhen said nodding his head as Sizhui shook his trailing after him.

It didn’t take them long to get to the practice hills outside the training grounds. The hills is the exterior training area for archer’s to practice. A few ascending walkways have been made in the ground in the hill to signal where the archer is to stand. Which is where they spotted Jin Ling with another young man. The young man had gone first. His one arrow missing the target while the other three had landed.

Jingyi came to a full body stop at the sight. He swallowed hard seeing his partner looking hotter than the sun take his form about to shoot. His half pulled back hair free of any decoration. He had a beaming smile on his face. The normally golden clad hier was currently dressed in simple Jiang sect robes. The left side of his robes completely off his torso folded down exposing his wonderfully toned frame.

Honey eyes meeting molten gold making Jin Ling flush before refocusing on his task. “Fire!” Jin Ling yelled and the disciple launched the catapult filled with four apples. He released his arrows each one scoring an apple with perfect precision. The arrows hitting the desired spot on the target. He earned a chorus of cheers from the juniors of Jiang sect and the golden dressed juniors of Lanling Jin sect that’d come to watch.

Jingyi happily cheered with the others. His chest swelling with pride. Jin Ling has many talents but his speciality is archery. He loved watching him practice and during their hunts. His gaze tracking Jin Ling as he comes towards them with the others dispersing.

He didn’t know when he’d sat down or when his mouth dropped open but his best friend assisted in closing it with a gentle lift of his hand.

“You might want to keep that shut.” Sizhui laughed.

“Before the flies go in…” Zizhen added.

“Or the drool comes out.” Jin Ling joked as he came a stop in front of them making the others laugh. The flush to his cheeks a bit deeper as his gaze met Jingyi’s. The earlier gleam in his golden eyes back. He reached out grabbing him by the waist pulling him into his lap. Jin Ling flailed for only a second before he wrapped an arm around Jingyi’s shoulder.

“And suddenly those disciples over there look like they’d make great friends.” Zizhen sassed as Suzhui urged him towards the said disciples to let them have a moment.

Jingyi probably should feel embarrassed for being so shameless, but he lets the sound of Lan Qiren’s voice reciting their sect rules fade at the smile on the other’s face. “I love you.” He says getting lost in honey colored eyes.

Jin Ling’s heart started to race at his confession. One that Jingyi gives so freely to him. He wishes that he too could but it always stops in his throat. There is no doubt he loves Jingyi with all of his heart. It’s just not that easy. He guesses that he’s like his jiujiu in this way. Jin Ling leans in pressing a soft kiss to the other’s lips to keep him from some say thing anything else when Jingyi looks like he’s about to start talking. It’s the sound of Zizhen’s teasing calls followed by some of the disciples over to them that has them parting with blushes on both their cheeks laughing.

-----

*JingYi’s figurines are based off this post.

* Sea Pancakes - there has been a craze on Twitter of the #xicheng fandom showing Xichen as a sea pan cake with a neko-mermaid Jiang Cheng.  It’s super cute and click the hashtag above if you want to check the art out. 

#jinyi #our war of hearts au #Lan Sizhui #Ouyang Zizhen #Mentions of Wei Wuxian #solaris writes #i hope that you really do like this #it took a turn i didn't think it would #sorry if im butchering the sect relationship titles #I have no knowledge of archery

[theprincebuffoon]

A Cure for Heat

”Can you cure him?”

Dr. Wu corrected the incense sticks meticulously, waving her hand so that the smoke swirled and coiled around her fingers. She inhaled the scent of them, pondering the old man's question for a moment.

”Yes, Lord Ouyang. It's a high fever, but it is not incurable. With time, it should go down.”

”And if I want it done quickly?”

”...there are ways.” Dr. Wu said dispassionately, though she could not mask a little smile. ”You want your son fit for battle?”

”No.” Lord Ouyang said gruffly. ”Worse. Imperial exams. They're coming up soon, and he needs to be well enough to travel. And study. This illness comes at an inauspicious time.”

Dr. Wu inclined her head, her long eyelashes fluttering. Red lips were now curled into an obvious smile, hidden behind her peacock fan. The young master was, indeed, too ill to travel. She cast an eye towards him where he lay in the bed, cool water dripping from a cloth on his forehead. He was a handsome man, thin and limber, a scholarly gentleman well versed in calligraphy, judging from his fingers. Straight-nosed and pale, clean-shaven and with hair let out to flow around his shoulders. The young man was perhaps five years her junior, only starting his career.

”I can make his fever go down tonight.” she said. ”In three days, he will be well. But you must leave me alone with him. My fee is seven strings of coins.”

”Done.” Lord Ouyang said, and without another word, he turned and left. He was taciturn, the old man, and not so very handsome; but his son took after the mother. He was beautifully angled, androgynous and fine. She turned, knowing the Young Master had been listening in.

As the door closed behind her, the Doctor spoke.

”Young Master Ouyang,” she said with a deep bow. ”I have been tasked by your father to cure your illness. You understand I must obey his command.”

”Yes. Doctor... what's wrong with me?”

”You are filled with a great excess of fire. With incense, and water, and vegetarian diet, this imbalance can be corrected.” she smoothed her skirts, brushing off some invisible dust from the dark embroidery. Black threads on green, her dress hugging her figure, constraining her curves. ”But that will take many days.”

”You said... tonight.”

”I did.” she confirmed. ”This excess of fire can be drained.”

”Acupuncture?”

”You are indeed a learned man, Young Master,” Doctor Wu said, with another bow. ”I am afraid this method, too, would take too long. I bid you sit up.”

The young man pulled himself half-sitting in the bed. The covers slipped from his chest, and Dr. Wu observed with some delight that it was bare. Limber muscles played across his pectorals. He was blushing from the fever, but by now quite awake, looking curious.

With practiced, nonchalant movements, Dr. Wu lifted her hands behind her shoulders, and began untying her dress.

The young master blinked, for a moment not comprehending what he observed. The embroidered silk shifted around her shoulders, until it fell open in the back and the woman, with practiced movements, slipped out of the garment and bunched it in her arms, carefully folding it. Beneath, she wore a chemise suspended from her neck, pale arms revealed, the garment bulging around her hips where her underpants were tied. She had silk stockings and practical leather shoes.

”I don't- I don't understand.”

Dr. Wu pulled the fabric of her chemise up, so that the long silk stocking was revealed all the way to the garter tied about her thigh. She put her leg on a chair, running a hand towards the knots and slowly untying them. In the half-light of the candles, her breasts were teasing through the thin chemise, unsupported and almost uncovered.

”To get this fire to leave you,” she said, and her voice was honey-smooth now, ”it must first be permitted to rise to the surface.”

The man blushed, and now averted his eyes as the stocking came untied. Down her thigh it slipped, revealing the ivory color of her leg.

”This- this is quite indecent, miss-”

”Doctor.” she said, interrupting him. ”Not miss. Doctor.” Her other stocking came down, and she undid her shoes, taking them off and the sunken stockings with them. Bare feet came down on the fur carpet of the Young Master's chamber, and her chemise fell into place reaching barely to her knees. She reached for her hips now, and beneath the fabric undid the bows that held up her underpants.

The Young Master closed his eyes as they slipped down her hips to pool at her feet, nude entirely beneath her thin chemise. It seemed the slightest breeze in the room caused the silken garment to shift and ripple, so that a different part of her body could be seen. Here, it clung tightly to a breast, then sighed and relaxed to a film across her stomach. It slid between her legs, outlining the lips of her sex, the shape of her thighs where they met. Her nipples showed through the garment now, stiff and eager.

”I'm afraid I must ask you to look.”

”Must you?”

”I must.” she insisted.

”But miss, you're-”

”Doctor.” she said firmly again.

He opened his eyes. The Doctor was untying the chemise around her neck, and letting her hips sway absent-mindedly side to side as she did. He swallowed, and the blush on his face intensified as the silk slipped over her shoulders, flowing like meltwater over her collarbones and down to her breasts, generous, perky, tipped with dark red like poppies in the bud. She smiled at him then, and approached, letting the garment fall away from her completely. Between her legs, he made out a dark triangle of hair, a pair of soft velvet thighs, and then she came to him so that she stood by the bed. Her hand went, unabashedly, to the covers.

”When the fire is drawn out,” she almost whispered, her voice lower now. She smiled, and her eyelashes danced before her gaze, ”it can be drawn out. It runs hot in a man. Hot and...”

Her hand found what she sought. She gasped a little, playfully.

”This- this is surely improper-” the Young Master protested, a hand around her wrist. She shivered at the touch, but batted his hand away.

”Doctor's orders,” she smiled. ”How can such a thing be improper?”

”But- you're a <i>woman</i>.”

”Very much so.”

Her hands, gently, folded away the cover. She smiled as she climbed up above him, her thighs grazing his, her hands gently pushing his shoulders so that he was lying in the bed once more. She leaned down and grazed her lips against his nose, and let her hips sink so that her lips grazed also against the fire rising in him.

”And as a woman, I will draw your fever out.