#gu she

first of all, we have tao mo outside the tea house trying to read the sign and instead decides to figure it out based on surroundings/smells rather than characters. a lot could be said about his own character through this fact but that's another story. anyway, he concludes that there are probably beautiful women upstairs (like a brothel), and then guess where he sees gu she for the first time? walking down the stairs in his beautiful gold and white robes surrounded by flower petals.

the cinematographers were like alright let's make it certain this is love at first sight. the multiple angles of them seeing each other, followed by the 360-degree freeze shot with flower petals falling around them. had this been a bigger cdrama you can bet your ass the couple-song would be playing over this whole scene.

then it picks up again and tao mo does this adorable, "stereotypical high school girl seeing the hot football player looking at her" blush/smirk as he walks past gu she. like this man fell fast and he fell hard.

now let's talk about gu 'i hate seeing you go but i love watching you leave' she. he turns and watches tao mo pass. now this could be the fact he recognizes tao mo from the tragic backstory (tm) or because he also is catching the feelings. his actions moving forward prove it was the latter. like....sir....you are not slick. neither is your himbo love interest.

Gu She: Just now you said you have some business.

Tao Mo: Hm?

Gu She: At the gate, you said you have some business.

Tao Mo: You came to find me I thought you have something.

Gu She: And if I have nothing?

Tao Mo: Then... Then you are my business.

Gu She: *smiles*

Tao Mo: You should smile more. You look charming with your smile.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa the BOYS. Okay let’s see what I can do! 

21 - A chaste kiss given to each other because they are in mixed company. 22 - A kiss that is leading to more, but is interrupted by a third party. 47 - A kiss paired with a tight hug, knocking the breath out of the person being hugged.

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Gu She sat as he always did - perfectly poised, not a stitch of clothing or a strand of hair out of place, his face a mask of impassive yet imposing beauty. He was arresting even when simply sat listening to a small time lawyer ramble on about some small time case that held little interest to anyone at the table. It seemed to be a gift he had, and Tao Mo was taken aback by it each and every time. 

He had only just arrived at the party, having been kept at the courthouse for far longer than was necessary. Tao Mo knew he looked unkempt in comparison to most of the attendees, his robes a shade too loose after sitting down all day, but the joy he felt when he saw Gu She was more important. He felt his lips curve into a bright grin and could practically feel Hao Guozi’s pout at being ignored behind him. 

Several people tried to greet Tao Mo, their words sincere and polite. He tried his best to give at least some attention to the various officials and scholars among the guests but Gu She was right there-

It was at least an hour before he got to speak to the man. His mood had soured, only lifting when Gu She’s eyes met his across the room. The stiffness left his face, a soft affection filling it and lighting the dark colour of his eyes from within. It set Tao Mo’s heart fluttering like a bird within his chest. Gu She made his way across the room, his dark blue robes catching the light as he moved. 

“You made it,” Gu She said under his breath. Their hands touched, fingers kissing where lips could not, just a brush of skin but enough to tell Tao Mo he had been missed. 

He smiled at his lover and let his index finger draw a line up his wrist to where his pulse thrummed below the skin. “Of course I did; you’re here.”

Gu She’s smile widened almost imperceptibly. It was an old joke, well worn now. “I’m here.”

They lingered among the guests for a few minutes, walking between them to escape the watchful gazes of Hao Guozi and Gu Xiajia before slipping into a dark corridor. 

Laughter filtered through the walls, softened by the distance and darkness. Gu She was warm at his side and Tao Mo let out a deep sigh as they embraced in the stillness of the night. He held on tight, felt Gu She’s arms around him tighten to the point where breathing was difficult. He relished the challenge and tilted his chin, found the warm skin of Gu She’s neck and pressed a kiss there. 

“Ah-”

Gu She’s gasp lit a fire in his stomach. He chuckled against his lover’s neck and nudged at him, brought their lips together to kiss properly for the first time in what felt like days. 

Gu She’s lips parted for him, his breath falling in a sigh between their mouths and Tao Mo drank it like wine. He tasted the desire on Gu She’s tongue and sucked on his lower lip, drew it between his teeth, bit down just hard enough to startle a moan from within. His hands found Gu She’s hips and pressed their bodies together. Thick robes separated them, but he felt the desperation rising in both of them nonetheless.

Fingers buried themselves in his hair, dragged him closer, hips pushing to find friction as the desire rose. Tao Mo let out a gasp as he was pushed against a wall and moaned under his breath as a thigh pushed between his own. Gu She was shorter but broader, his body strong under the thick robes he wore, and he used his strength well. 

“Gu She,” Tao Mo moaned into the man’s mouth. “I want-”

“Tell me,” Gu She whispered. “Tell me what you want, I’ll give it to you here.”

The implication drove him to madness. Gu She would do anything, if Tao Mo asked him to. Even there, just a wall away from a room of powerful men who could destroy them with a single word. 

“I want you to-”

There was a loud, deliberate cough, a sliver of light falling across the floor scant inches from their feet. 

“Sorry to interrupt such a delicate moment, but people are starting to notice your absence.”

Mu Chun smirked from a small entranceway, mirth in his eyes even as he pointedly looked anywhere but at the two men in the hallway. 

Tao Mo resisted the urge to stamp his feet like a child. He leaned back, head knocking against the wall, and sighed instead. Gu She mumbled something unintelligible against his neck then bit down lightly, drawing a gasp from Tao Mo as he drew back. 

“We better go back in then,” he said with a dark frown. 

It’s all on YouTube! It was going to be a 24/28 episode series, but because censors caught it it’s only 12. Here’s a link to Episode One [X]

Sadly a little rushed at the end, but for an uncomplicated, slightly silly romance, it’s super lovely! I’m thankful that the team on this show tried so hard for the fans of the book. I hope you enjoy it, anon!

This is for @complaininginthedark