ZITHERISMS

A barely discerned nod followed “It was something my mother played with her…” he shook his head talk of his mother made him morose and he looked away. “Forget it, its stupid.” he stated defensive of himself.  Jin Ling would keep it limited to food. He wasn’t good at socializing, even though he hid behind a mask of confidence.

He was going to get Sizhui to sleep if only for a nap one way or another. If he had to crawl into that bed himself and keep him there. How he thought he might be able to do this, he hadn’t quiet approached yet, but he would damn well try. Sides, Sizhui looked like a good wind might knock him over. He didn’t want him to get hurt, or fall off his sword flying back to Gusu. A number of other vivid things that might happen, was inspired by his abundant imagination.  Jin Ling wondered if he was so use to not sleeping that he’d deny anyone telling him he needed too. Not that it would work on the equally stubborn Sect Leader.

“Like in Yunmeng ?” he asked immediately “I like spicy food too.” he nodded “That sounds good.” he agreed Sizhui stumbled and the other boy was immediately there with an arm looped around his waist allowing him to lean against him. He didn’t make a sound and he pretended it didn’t happen. He was simply silent support.Jin Ling approached it in the same way he had holding Sizhui’s hand.

It didn’t feel wrong.

“That’s the place.” he stated pointing to a dark wood Tea House. True to his word there was the soft sound of water around the place. “Will you pick a table for us ?” he asked “I will put the order in because I want Peach Wine..I will of course get us tea as well.” he promised.Also, no way Sizhui was paying.

@zitherisms​

He had never heard Jin Ling really... talk about his parents, save for an outburst or two in the past. And he wanted to hear more, but the Jin sect leader cut it off, so Lan Sizhui didn’t push it. Instead, they continued their path to the tea house Jin Ling had described- it held a pleasant aura, inviting and relaxing. 

Sizhui had a feeling this was to further push his exhaustion- push him into sleep. Jin Ling asked him to pick a table, and the elder cultivator arched a brow at him. “Tell me how much my food costs.” He didn’t have much on him, especially given that it wasn’t meant to be a long trip, but there was no way he was going to just... let Jin Ling provide for him. 

Why did such a thought make his stomach flip? 

He had meet off and on with Lan Sizhui to train and to basically improve his own sword play. While Jin Ling was good, he had been picking up some of his closest friends tricks as well. Not that Jin Ling would have ever admitted that Lan Sizhui was the one closest to him, his best friend and blood brother was Zizhen, but he didn’t miss him like he did Sizhui. He dismissed it to growing up since he had no one close in his own Sect.

There was always a certain joy when he saw Sizhui, and a sadness when he had to return home, no matter who had to leave first. He didn’t study emotions to closely. He denied he had them. Truth was he felt them to keenly, didn’t understand how to handle them, and they often caused the young sect leader to have a melt down.

A rare seen smile found its way onto Jin Ling’s face when he saw the older youth. A hand had come up in greeting. “Lan Yuan.” He hunched down to speak to Fairy, and sent her to scout. Mostly because she loved Sizhui not that she got that from her owner –at all. , she would bound over to him and she would go on back legs for attention from him. Not minding if her paws were dirty or going to ruin Sizhui’s pristine robes.

He was alright with Sizhui in his personal space and he even opened his mouth to ask him how his journey had been . There was an intensity in Sizhui that was not common and when he caught the golden over robe in his hands. Jin Ling’s brows drew together. He was about to ask him what he was doing, when he jerked him forward. Jin Ling slid his feet apart to keep from crashing into Sizhui, arms going around the other boy to keep balance. If his brain had been able to process more then -do not fall down- he might have noticed the intent.

Jin Ling has never kissed anyone, and suddenly there are lips on his and they are soft , warm and demanding of a response, passion poured into the way lips slant over his and he makes a little sound, a whimper really. It draws warmth into him, into his heart, foxfire through his veins and he tilts his head just enough to accommodate the kiss. He’s not even worried he’s going to be the worse kisser in the universe in the instance. He is pliant, inviting and yielding.  Maybe, because he’s stolen ever single inner thought Jin Ling has with the action. His brain has simply sparked out. The grip on Sizhui’s  shoulders relaxing to find their way into his hair, uncaring of the ribbon that brushes his wrist, he tugs the other  closer, demanding, insistent… typical Jin Ling.Even though he was surprised at himself.

@zitherisms​

The moment their lips met, Lan Sizhui thought perhaps this was the biggest mistake of his life- he couldn’t stop thinking about Jin Ling, though, and he simply had to do something to get himself back under control. Perhaps, however, this hadn’t been the wisest of ideas. Regardless, that fear passed when Jin Ling kissed him back. 

It felt like butterflies in his stomach, tittering around excitedly, all abuzz in the moment. 

Jin Ling kissed him back! Lan Sizhui would have burst out with a laugh had his mouth not been otherwise preoccupied by the other’s. Only after they parted from their passionate meeting of lips did he feel giggles escape him- his own cheeks red. It was only a moment of space before he pressed forward, kissing in Ling again, one hand sliding up to cup Jin Ling’s cheek as they kissed. 

It was awkward and fumbling- passionate and needy, somewhere between eager and hesitant. Again, Lan Sizhui separated his lips from Jin Ling’s. 

He blinked and tilted his head at that “Really ?” he paused “I didn’t know.” an honest answer and he recalculated locations. “OH, okay.” he nodded “I know another place then.” he stated with a toss of his ponytail. “There is a place closer to the water.” then he was made very clear of the fact he was holding Sizhui’s hand, or rather now Sizhui was holding his because he had tightened his grip. Muted by the action. Jin Ling wasn’t used to people wanting to spend time with him let alone touch him. So words were stolen from the golden eyed boy. “I like chicken but I do not much care for some of the sweet beef dishes.” he admitted at least he had found words  “A secret for a secret I suppose.” he offered. “I mean I don’t know if you’ve ever played that game before.” a head tip. “The only pork I like is in the soup my mother use to make, but that’s more to feel closer to her, I have tried it with chicken and it tastes just as good to me.”

Of course Jin Ling’s ultimate goal was to get this stubborn boy to sleep. He wasn’t sure why suddenly it was more important to him then usual. He wrote it off to being worried for his friend. He could count all of them on one hand.

“I think alot of things are good.” he stated “The place we are going the has a good chicken with chestnuts. He stated,”Though the Pineapple chicken isn’t terrible either if you have a sweet tooth, and want to try something not so savory.“ he tossed Sizhui a look when he mentioned paying. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen not on his watch. His sect had plenty of wealth, and if he could do something good with it. He would.  He waited for the yawn to pass before he moved again. ”Its a nice little place.“ he stated ”Quiet, you can hear the water from the rooms there.“ he glanced to Sizhui as he led them along still connected at the hand. Never mind his brain still hadn’t registered that they were holding hands in a town.

Jin Ling would deck someone that said something. He was not given to being nice to idiots.

"So do you have a favorite chicken dish ?”

@zitherisms​

“A...secret for a secret?” The name of the game was muttered to himself, brows pulling together in concentration... He couldn’t remember any such game from his youth, or- anywhere, even. Had he  ever even seen other kids playing it? No matter, Jin Ling had carried on with the  conversation. Sizhui listened as he spoke about the different foods, rambled about chicken, and the place they were going to. 

      Confirmed Sizhui’s suspicions; why else would Sect Leader Jin remark on being about to hear the water from the rooms? Some part of him, in the innermost workings of his heart and mind, a voice said he should remain stubbornly resolute and refuse to sleep. It was still vocal, but more than that was the voice that said he should avoid becoming a burden at all costs. 

      “I’m- not too picky. I like food with ah... a bit of  spice to it?” Sizhui offered. “Spicy chicken and rice would be enough for me.” And that was the truth of it; that alone sounded heavenly- Sizhui stumbled briefly, green eyes blinking down at his own feet. 

@elegantyoungmaster​ sent:  💏  || and got: (15.)…passionately.

   If only there was something to well and truly blame his outburst on.  Well... there was but then again, Sizhui was the type of guy who owned up to his actions, however much trouble they brought him. And this was perhaps the most troubling of situations. 

    You see, some time ago, he realized he had far more-than-platonic feelings for Sect Leader Jin Ling,  courtesy name Rulan. Sizhui had actually had his feelings pointed out to him by none other than his own best friend, Lan Jingyi. That was what led hi mto this predicament. 

if sizhui says that is not it in any form or sense,   then it must be so-   jingyi wholeheartedly believes the other’s words without a single protest or refute of his own.   a slight imitation of hanguang-jun’s lack of words slips past his lips:      “   mn,   i do   …   but-   ”      he huffs,   pulling out a similar talisman from within his sleeves.      “   i do not understand-   do i need to-   maybe an extra stroke here   …   do i have to write it with my own blood?!   ”

the younger of the pair scrunches up his features,   glancing from the yellow paper to his friend   &   the stare he receives silences him,   makes him round out his eyes before they soften   &   he grins,   cheeky.   how could he still feel so worried with sizhui beside him?   he did,   a while ago,   but now that he is not as lonely as he had been,   he’s hardly worried.   he’s just   …   he’s just not putting his all into the talisman,   if he’s being truthful.   jingyi’s hazelnut hues say it all:   the way they flick from inquiring greens to the paper,   his thumb tracing o’er onyx - colored strokes,   fidgeting in place. 

“   it’s okay,   sizhui.   i will channel my all into this one!   ”      with newfound confidence,   jingyi tilts his head to face his childhood friend with an unwavering smile   &   gleaming eyes-   he’s excited.   sizhui’s here,   everything will be okay. 

jingyi’s grin draws one from sizhui as well, a wide, encouraging grin. he had a feeling that jingyi had held back- whether from anxiousness or anticipation or maybe even fear of failure, it was hard to say- and that was why it hadn’t done much at all. but now... 

    now there’s that look of confidence he loves to see on jingyi’s face, and sizhui can’t help but to feel excited. “you can do it!” he vocalizes it, his own thrill unmistakable. he squeezes jingyi’s hand before letting go- jingyi can do this on his own, and shouldn’t feel any outside influence. sizhui doesn’t move away from him, however, turning his attention forward. “you can do this,” he repeats with certainty. 

Of course that would be the follow up question from the boy clad in gold. Sleep was important to mood, and to cultivation. Sizhui led Night Hunts, what happened if he slipped up from no sleep ? He pushed the thought away. It had been harder to get away for Night Hunt’s since he’d assumed Sect Leader status, and he was trying to do what he had to and do what he needed to. Very little time for what he actually wanted to do. This was a rare occasion for him.

Jin Ling sighed through his nose and tilted his head at Lan Sizhui. “Cute.” he stated “Really cute, Lan Yuan.” he shot him a cross look. “I know that rule.” he reminded him. “That is not what I meant, and moreso.” his voice took on a scandalized tone “I think you know that…” golden eyes flashed in the light of the city street seeking the other boy’s emerald one’s.  Sizhui was the most hidden, open person Jin Ling had ever met. He gave off an air of being approachable, but there was a mask to hide his true self.

Jin Ling honestly didn’t know at first. However, the fact that he acted different from his normal behavior had been the dead give away. As someone who felt like he’d like the floor to swallow him up more then once, he knew that look. So he had opted to lead him along. A distraction.

“A few..” he repeated and he drew in a startled breath. This boy needed sleep. Clearly he was more of a fox then anyone knew. Sly and cunning on the uptake. “Mhm” he voiced. So Sizhui needed sleep. How was he going to convince him to do that ? He knew where to go now though at least. He stopped tugging and fell more into leading him along still holding onto the older boy’s hand.

He held his hand delicately like he was fragile, like he might hurt him if he applied to much strength, or if he pulled wrong he’d break him. He remembered how hurt Sizhui had been when he’d pushed him. He didn’t want that look again, he’d felt wretched for it. So now gentle was how he handled him.The shyness wasn’t staged he was shy and he was easy to blush. He also knew if anyone saw him do this they would be merciless in teasing him. “Let’s have a meal.” he suggested “There is a nice place here that makes some of the best dishes without meat in them.”

Still he didn’t let go.

@zitherisms​

The light touch didn’t go unnoticed- but Sizhui didn’t bring attention to it. There was a vague feeling of annoyance all the same, though he gave a small smile. “I’m not in Cloud Recesses, I can have meat,” He shifted to tighten his grip on Jin Ling’s hand, as if to say it was okay to hold on harder. “I’m-” A pause as he gathered his thoughts, green eyes fluttering closed for a moment. “I’m allergic to pork.” It was a sheepish comment. “But I like chicken.” 

He had no doubt in his mind that Jin Ling was going to attempt to convince him to sleep.