With one last careful scan of the narrow space below the window, Meng Yao moved aside to allow Lan Xichen to crouch on his sword and glide out into the open air, managing to only look very slightly ridiculous. Once steady, Lan Xichen reached out his hands. Meng Yao very deliberately did not look down, keeping his breaths slow and calm as he gripped Lan Xichen’s upper arms and climbed onto Shuoyue.
Within seconds they had dropped a dozen feet, faster than Meng Yao would have liked but not so suddenly that either of them overbalanced. Lan Xichen kindly half-lifted Meng Yao with him as he jumped to the ground; they both landed lightly, and Meng Yao was already glancing around, alert for danger as Lan Xichen stowed Shuoyue away.
“This way,” he whispered, touching Lan Xichen’s arm and tilting his head towards the far end of the alley, away from the front of the brothel. They started to walk quickly but quietly in that direction-
“Yao-er?”
Meng Yao went very still, very abruptly; it felt as though his whole being snapped taut. He sucked in a thin breath as he turned and peered past Lan Xichen. Sisi stood in the open side door to the brothel, a bucket in her hands, clearly about to tip it out. She frowned between him and Lan Xichen, although her gaze was mostly just curious, not accusing. Yet.
~
Excerpt from chapter twelve of ‘Impatient and Unkind’, a multi chapter 3zun fic with alternating POV. Canon compliant, very E rated, will be updating once or twice per week.
