Chapter Text
Jin Ling had to have pissed of some god in his previous life, or be the unluckiest person in existence. Who else has the misfortune to get stuck on a lake after a rather misfortunate encounter with some water ghosts. The water ghosts themselves weren’t much of a problem Jin Ling, Lan Jingyi and Sizhui had handled them with relative ease, dispatching the ghosts in record time.
If only they hadn’t lost their swords, after a significantly stronger water ghost had taken hold of them and dragged them down to the bottom of the lake. Sizhui, who was fortunate enough to be able to grab his sword in time before it disappeared under the waves, had left Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi on the raft, not strong enough to carry another person on his sword yet. Not like either boy was thrilled at the idea of leaving their swords at the bottom of a lake. So here they were, waiting for Sizhui to get back with help.
Lan Jingyi was looking down at the water forlornly, as if his sword would suddenly appear again. “Keep pouting, that will get us our swords back and out of here faster,” Jin Ling provokes, getting frustrated of waiting. “Well then , young mistress, please tell me you have an idea on how to get our swords back,” Lan Jingyi looks at him pointedly. “Why don’t you go try diving them up.” Jin Ling sneers back.
Out of all people he had to be stuck with Lan Lan Jingyi, the unlannest Lan, that could not help himself but to push every one of Jin Ling’s buttons. Of course it’s to no surprise that Lan Jingyi retaliates. He gets up to stand, glaring at Jin Ling. “Why don’t you go ahead and get them yourself? Or is the young mistress afraid he’ll get his clothes dirty?” Lan Jingyi is a few centimeters shorter than Jin Ling, looking more like a kicked puppy from this angle than the intimidating image he must’ve been aiming for.
Cute.
The realization hits Jin Ling like he hits the water after Lan Jingyi pushes him. Clearly not expecting Jin Ling to just go down like a sack of potatoes, Lan Jingyi let’s out a surprised sound before regaining his composure. “What the- Jin Ling!” He exclaims, hurriedly kneeling at the edge of the raft. Jin Ling comes back up spluttering. He’s completely soaked, his clothes are ruined and his hair is going to be a pain to deal with. But he can’t seem to care about any of that because Lan Lan Jingyi is right in front of him, looking at him worried.
Lan Jingyi’s concern only grows when he sees Jin Ling’s face split into a dopey smile. “Did you hit your head on the way down, young mistress?” There’s a smile pulling at Lan Jingyi’s lips, combined with his eyes still wide from shock he looks like he’s on the verge of a hysteric breakdown.
Jin Ling has never seen a person more beautiful.
He’s about to say as much, when Sizhui, Hanguang-Jun, Senior Wei and sect leader Jiang come into view on their swords. Jin Ling is relieved at the sight of them, but can’t help the sliver of disappointment he feels bubbling up. Pushing himself up the raft he thinks of the scolding his jiujiu is gonna give him when he’ll see him completely drenched and very un-sect leader like.
“If you wanted to go for a swim, you could’ve taken our swords back up with you, you know?” Lan Jingyi teases him, stealthily giving him a once over to make sure he didn’t really hit his head or anything. “I can’t believe you just pushed me into the water,” Jin Ling says, grin still on his face. “My jiujiu is gonna break your legs.” Lan Jingyi snorts, hitting him lightly on the shoulder. “Sure, but he’ll have your head for going down with a single push.”
“He is already going to strangle us for losing our swords.”
“You lost your swords!?” sect leader Jiang barks, as he comes into earshot. Jin Ling and Lan Lan Jingyi straighten up, Sandu Shengshou’s anger directed at you never will be anything but intimidating. “I should leave you both here until you dive them up!” Jin Ling perks up at the threat, the thought of spending more time with Lan Lan Jingyi a favorable prospect. His jiujiu’s murderous vibes flaring up at his nephew’s eagerness, Jin Ling expects to be kicked of the raft, but his jiujiu just closes his eyes pinching the bridge of his nose while muttering to himself what sounds like “don’t kill him” over and over again.
Jin Ling shifts his focus to Lan Jingyi, who is sat ramrod straight with his head down looking utterly terrified of his jiujiu. Sizhui is still floating on his sword talking to Hanguang-Jun and Wei Wuxian. The latter hanging of of his husband with a big grin on his face. No wonder his jiujiu is in such a foul mood.
Jiang Cheng threatens Jin Ling some more before Wei Wuxian sidles up to him and slings an arm around his shoulder. The already bulging vein on sect leader Jiang’s forehead pops, Wei Wuxian opens his mouth like his brother isn’t on the verge of going into a qi deviation. “A-cheng, why don’t you cut them some slack, hmm? We can figure out a fitting punishment after we fish their swords back up.” Jiang Cheng begrudgingly agrees, pushing Wei Wuxian of him halfheartedly.
“Fine, but you two better not expect to get off this easy.”
They find the water ghost that had taken their swords, Jiang Cheng whipping it with Zidian is enough to get rid of it. Jin Ling pretends he isn't a little embarassed at his failure. They retrieve their swords and ride them back to Cloud Recesses. His uncle staying in Caiyi town because of "sect leader duties" but his unwillingness to be anywhere near Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian for extended periods of time.
Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling are in the Cloud Recesses’ library pavilion, carrying out their punishment: copying the Lan rules about sword upkeeping 10 times. While doing a handstand. Lan Jingyi, who is used to the Lan sect’s unusual punishment, looks at complete ease, maintaining a perfect posture whilst standing on one hand, calligraphy brush in the other. Jin Ling on the other hand, had given up trying to remain the handstand as soon as Wei Wuxian, who is supposed to supervise them, left the room. Probably on his way to bother his husband or something.
Jin Ling is quite content with the opportunity it gives him to stare at Lan Jingyi and fantasize about his undoubtedly strong arms. He can see the other’s muscles straining, even through the many layers that comprise the Lan uniform. Jin Ling is honestly astonished Lan Jingyi is able to hold this pose for as long as he did, nearing an incense stick of time having passed.
“Like what you see, young mistress?” Lan Jingyi teases, no strain whatsoever in his voice from staying in a handstand. His face has assumed a red tint though, assuredly from standing upside down for so long. “Even my jiujiu’s punishments aren’t as bad as this,” Jin Ling says instead of acknowledging the taunt. “He better not get any ideas from this.” Jin Ling shudders at the thought of having his jiujiu add this to his already fast repertoire of punishments.
Lan Jingyi finally gets down, stretching his sore arms. “My shoulders are gonna kill me tomorrow,” Jin Ling isn’t staring at the way his muscles move. “I don’t think Senior Wei is coming back. Wanna get out of here?” Lan Jingyi sends him with a mischievous grin and Jin Ling feels like he’s gonna keel over and die. All he can do is nod and pray Lan Jingyi doesn’t notice his blush.