Work Text:
"Let me go" Jin Ling breaks his hands free from Lan Sizhui's grip and faces him with a stern look, knees shaking. He says with a tinge of hurt in his voice "If you don't like me, just say so!"
Lan Sizhui replies trying to take Jin Ling's hand but failed "It's not like that-"
"Then what??" Jin Ling looks at him in the eye.
"I like you," Lan Sizhui says drawing closer
Jin Ling's eyes widen from shock,
"What?" He asks dumbfounded.
"I like you, romantically," He moves even closer,
He smiles taking Jin Ling's hand like it's the most delicate thing in the world, "I've liked you longer than I've realized, I like how endearing you are when you pout, how you treat everyone with kindness despite how harsh the world is,"
"Your smile and the way you laugh, it's all so beautiful and breathtaking, I couldn't get enough of it" He caresses his knuckles and kisses it softly.
He lifts Jin Ling's hand and presses it on his cheek, "I've longed to have you in my embrace and kiss all your worries away," Lan Sizhui says with the most endearing smile as he kisses his fingertips
"You captured me in ways no one ever could."
Jin Ling looks at Lan Sizhui's indigo eyes with his amber ones.
Wait that's not part of the script...
"Will you let me have you? That is- if you want to." He says fixing his gaze on Jin Ling.
"I...." Jin Ling takes a deep breathe.
"I'll think about it.
"And cut!" The director says,
"Lan Sizhui, that improv was fantastic! You captured me in ways no one ever could? Absolute cinema!" The Director compliments as everyone claps their hands with glee. "Gosh we really felt the yearning," a staff squeals beside the assistant director who hums in agreement.
"I think Jin Ling did amazing too," Lan Sizhui adds making Jin Ling want to roll his eyes, but he doesn't want to make a scene.
"He's so charming and humble too" another staff from the other booths squeals.
"You're way too humble" Jin Ling laughs with his most 'natural - but not really' smile, "But I mean it." Lan Sizhui smiles warmly and everyone's hearts fluttered while Jin Ling felt something heavy in his stomach, which probably was envy.
God, what a show off!
"Alright everyone that's a wrap for this scene, go freshen up" Jin Ling sighs in relief, he couldn't stand the presence of his "rival" any longer.
How did he even get to this situation, from love rivals in a love triangle, to competing for different leading man roles, and now they're together in a boys love series?
Gods, please give Jin Ling a break.
__________
"Both of you did very well in the auditions out of all the other auditionees," The director says across the table.
Jin Ling had been called to the callbacks after getting a text that he passed the audition, however, his rival Lan Sizhui is there too.
It had been long since they were casted together, and in a love triangle romcom fighting for one girl. The fans were crazy taking bets on which guy becomes endgame. In the end Lan Sizhui's character was the endgame and it sent Jin Ling's fans on a rampage.
Both actors are from rival companies, Jin Ling is from Jinlintai Entertainment while Lan Sizhui is from Cloud Company. So when people heard the news of them being together in one romance series, it went viral all over social media. Will it be another love triangle series? The fans are preparing for the war about to happen.
After all, both of them are on demand actors from each of their own companies and generally in all of China. Jin Ling is known as the grumpy and pouty but handsome male lead, while Lan Sizhui is the gentleman and prince charming.
And with their popularity, their fans would clash online treating their idols like chickens fighting eachother in the cockpit arena.
And of course even behind the scenes, they compete for roles. The acting industry is tense, and so is Jin Ling's knuckles formed into a ball on his lap.
What is he doing here? I thought I passed the audition.
And then it hit him, they never disclosed what kind of film this this.
And like a psychic the director says, "I know the both of you are wondering why all of you are here this afternoon" She says lifting the script from the table. Jin Ling has a bad feeling.
"Please hand them their scripts," she asks the staff and they quickly handed the two young men their respective scripts. "I gave you both different lines during your audition, you were the actors that I exactly envisioned for my leads, and you guys did not disappoint me." She flips the script to the first page.
Jin Ling reads the summary and he freezes
"This is a boy's love series, and the two of you are casted as the main pair, congratulations!" The director exclaims to Jin Ling's demise
No way, there is no way this is happening
Jin Ling looks at the door nearby, if he could just quickly run away-
"Thank you so much for giving me this role director, we won't disappoint you." Lan Sizhui interrupts his thoughts, shaking hands with the director putting on a charming smile. Jin Ling wants to bang his head on the table.
Jin Ling will not be outshined and gave his best smile, "I am greatly honored to have this role, thank you director." He shakes the director's hand and glances at Lan Sizhui who had been looking at him too. He avertz his eyes, face flushing from the attention.
"All right, let's start reading the script, shall we?" The director says gesturing them to sit down."Jin Ling, you're Jiang Rulan, Lan Sizhui, you're Wei Yuan, let's begin the script reading starting with page 1."
Oh fuck me
Jin Ling tries not to cry, there is an onscreen kiss not just once. He mentally pulls his hair as the scenes gets more intimate. He glances at Lan Sizhui who seems to be unfazed and smiling?
Are you seriously letting this shit happen???
"And that's a wrap, what do you guys think?" The director closes the script and waits for the comments with anticipation, eyes sparkling.
"I think it's really romantic," Lan Sizhui says, "The story was realistic, the queer love story was handled very well, I think it's about time people get queer presentation in mainstream media," He beams "After all, my parents are queer, they would be happy to watch this."
They all look at Jin Ling with expectations, "To me, it's just right, it has the right amount of sweetness without being too cliche, and the ending was satisfying." He replies trying to sound chill from the fact that he has to do romantic scenes with his co-actor. And even colliding their lips, the thought makes his stomach ache.
"However director, isn't this illegal? Gay media is frowned upon and censored in this country, will we be ok?" Jin Ling grimaces at the idea of going to jail, orange is not a good color on him.
The director laughs, "Oh no worries, we're in a fanfiction, it's totally legal!"
"Huh???" The two actors ask in unison.
"I got it under control, don't worry you two." The director says with a reassuring smile. The two actors could only look at eachother with confused expressions. Question marks all over their faces.
__________
When the series was announced, it went viral, MEGA VIRAL.
@rulanjii tweets
OH MY GOD MY BABY A-LING IN A BL??? And with Lan Sizhui too wtf???😠
Replies:
@LanSizhuiMySavior
What do you mean by "wtf???" stop hating on my baby🤬
-@rulannjii
No, I mean as a positive reaction ijbol😭
--@LanSizhuiMySavior
Oh right sorry, our fandoms are always fighting lololol XD ANYWAYS I AM GOING INSANE RIGHT NOW
---@rulannjii
I KNOW RIGHT??? I CAN'T WAIT
@lansizhuisleftoverturnip
HE'S TOO GOOD FOR THAT ANGRY YELLOW BABY
Replies:
@nekojinling
I will shove an umbrella up your ass.
@yellowling
We will doxx you💘
Jin Ling shivers
Fans can really be scary, Jin Ling sighs turning off his phone, his makeup artist retouches his blush on for the last time.
"Alright you're good to go!" The makeup artist closes the blush on and puts it down with the brush, "Oh wait please stay still and close your eyes" He does so as she sprays his face with a setting spray that felt cool on his skin.
"Oh Jin Ling, you look adorable! Have fun on your meet and greet" She encourages Jin Ling who in return smiles.
"Thank you dajie, it's been awhile since my last meet and greet." He says standing up and patting down his clothes. He looks at the mirror, he looks pretty neat, his hime cut framing his face.
He wore his yellow polo shirt and black baggy pants with yellow chain attatched at the side and tiny plush toy attatched to his belt.
"Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui stand by." The stage manager says lifting the intercom headset mic on her lips, they both stand by the door, "Alright, both of them are ready, just give me the cue."
A muffled voice can be heard from the intercom headset, the stage manager pats their backs "Go."
They both go up the stage, screams errupted the entire mall, they all wave to their fans giving heart signs. Jin Ling blows a kiss at a girl watching from the 2nd floor balcony and she faints.
They both sit at their respective seats, both of them at the center between their co actors, Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen each at both sides. Lan Jingyi is casted as Lan Sizhui's bestfriend and Ouyang Zizhen is casted as Jin Ling's new classmate who catches feeling with Jin Ling's character.
Though in the ending — spoiler alert, the 2nd lead falls in love with Jingyi's character, so there's no sad ending.
Lan Sizhui leans to Jin Ling, "Will you be comfortable with fan service?" He whispers, making the gesture obvious to make the fans curious, seeing the positive reactions from the fans, "Sure,"
Lan Sizhui leans back smiling, "Thanks," he says while putting a cat ear on a surprised and flustered Jin Ling. Flashes and phone clicks were heard while everyone coos at Jin Ling looking cute with the cat ears.
I hope the ground eats me alive
The rest of the fanmeet went well, multiple questions answered, Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling teasing eachother for fanservice. Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen giving out comedic jokes and multiple punchlines in between.
The fanmeet proceeds with lots of energy and cheering from the crowd.
Jin Ling can't fucking wait to go home.
—
They all stayed at the dressing room for lunch break, it had been 4 months since they started filming and they are about to finish soon. Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui's chemistry grew as they grow more comfortable with scenes that required intimacy. As expected from professional actors, Jin Ling was able to hide his suffering by continoluously chanting to himself "I love my job, I love my job, I love my job." There's only one problem that Jin Ling will have to face anytime soon.
His kiss scenes with Lan Sizhui,
He could just simply turn it down and ask the director to change the scene, but it would mean that he is a coward. Actors need to show their range and flexibility when it comes to roles, or else Jin Ling will be stuck forever in cutesy romcom dramas until he's way too old for it.
"The food today was so bland eugh!" Lan Jingyi complains lying on the couch, unsatisfied with their lunch today, sponsored by Cloud Entertainment, "Shouldn't you be used to bland meals? You're from Cloud Entertainment and specifically a Lan" Jin Ling points out sitting on a bean bag, legs crossed.
Jingyi grumbles, "Hey wanna buy some food outside?" He says as he gets up, Zizhen checks the time, "Hmm, if we hurry enough we have enough time, I'll come with you." He volunteers putting out a cap and a black mask, "do you have a cap A-Yi?"
Jingyi sighs, "I forgot," he sulks, Zizhen chuckles at that, "I have an extra you can borrow mine" he say pulling out another cap and carefully put it on Lan Jingyi's head.
"How about you guys?" They ask the two leads, "I'm good, " Jin Ling lies down on the couch, "Me too," Lan Sizhui says smiling, "Be careful you two"
And both of them are left alone, Jin Ling closes his eyes but feels a weight on the couch. He opens his eyes and sees Lan Sizhui sitting by his foot with an expression of uncertainty.
"What is it?" Jin Ling asks getting up giving Lan Sizhui more space to sit. The Lan shifts leaning on the couch.
"We're almost done with filming and —" He harrumphed, looking a bit nervous, "And the last scene, I am quite unconfident about it." Jin Ling looks at him with a puzzled look.
"What scene again?" Jin Ling says taking his script from the coffee table and scans it.
"The kiss scene." Lan Sizhui says rather to quickly. Jin Ling's hands flipping a page pauses midway.
Oh.
Jin Ling doesn't look at him, the thing he's been anxious about has been addressed, causing an awkward atmosphere. He stares rather intensly on his knee.
"Can we- " the other man clears his throat and shifts closer, according to Jin Ling's peripheral vision, Lan Sizhui is facing towards him. Jin Ling holds his breathe.
"Can we practice kissing?"
Jin Ling explodes.
He turns his head, and forgot how close Lan Sizhui was, their nose almost touching. They both turn away flustered, "Huh- wh-what??? Practice?"
"I haven't tried kissing anyone, and I don't want to be a problem on set," Lan Sizhui explains, "But if you don't want to it's ok, I can figure it out myself."
Jin Ling tries to consider, he never kissed anyone too. And a horrible kiss would be so ugly, and not to mention, the amount of retakes they'd do makes him shiver.
"I think that's a pretty good idea- um, I mean, it's just work," Jin Ling says avoiding eye contact as much as he can, hands forming in fists putting pressure on his shaking knees. "And I haven't kissed anyone either." He says looking anywhere but him.
"Thank you, Jin Ling." Lan Sizhui faces him, "I promise to be gentle, tell me when it's uncomfortable." Jin Ling shifts and faces him.
"Ok." Jin Ling nods and looks up at Lan Sizhui, "How do we do this though?"
"We do the triangle method first and I'll do the lead since I made the suggestion" Lan Sizhui explains, "You move your gaze from one eye to another, then the lips, and then we move closer and angle our heads to kiss."
"And maybe, if you have anyone that you like in mind, you can close your eyes and imagine them." Lan Sizhui suggests, but Jin Ling isn't inlove with anyone, "I don't have anyone though, do you?" He asks wondering if anyone was able to capture the heart of the prince.
"I do." He smiles with so much warmth, eyes shining. Jin Ling thinks, his fans would be devastated. Something in his stomach twists, should he just back out?
Jin Ling breathes in through his nose.
"Alright let's do this," Jin Ling readies himself.
"Can I hold your hands? Or other kind of physical touch, but I won't do anything that would make you uncomfortable— just tell me if you don't like it" Lan Sizhui asks, he is indeed, the real textbook definition of a true gentleman.
Jin Ling shrugs at that, "It's alright, we're actors after all." They shift closer knees touching.
They look at eachother's eyes, Jin Ling gulps nervously, he may be Lan Sizhui's rival, but he is not blind, Lan Sizhui is so handsome and has good physique.
Lan Sizhui did the triangle method, looking at his eyes and then his lips, he holds Jin Ling's hand resting on his knee. Jin Ling's palms were sweaty but the other boy doesn't seem to mind. He feels Lan Sizhui's callouses on his fingers, result of nonstop guqin practice, which is taught as family tradition despite him being an actor. Which is an information he got from Jingyi's loud mouth.
Lan Sizhui holds his chin up gently, they put their heads closers until their noses almost touch and feel each other's warm breathe. Finally their lips touch, they stayed in the same position for a fews seconds before Lan Sizhui moves his mouth and tilts his head.
Jin Ling thought kisses would feels gross and sticky, but his lips felt so soft. Lan Sizhui was gentle and warm, maybe the practice was really needed. Lan Sizhui takes Jin Ling's arm and puts it over his shoulder, and Jin Ling places his other hand on the other shoulder. Lan Sizhui holds his waist and pulls him closer, Jin Ling melts from the contact.
He dreaded the thought on having to share his first kiss with his co-actor, but it was instantly forgotten. At the moment, and unconciously, Jin Ling wanted more, Lan Sizhui licked his mouth which startled him causing the kiss to break he shrieked, his eyes opened wide.
"I'm so sorry," Lan Sizhui apologizes, "Are you ok? Should we stop?" He looks at the brunette with concern.
"It's alright, I was just surprised" Jin Ling says arms still wrapped around Lan Sizhui's back, Lan Sizhui caresses his hand "Are you sure?" Jin Ling nods, "This is... just method acting.
"Yeah, method acting" Lan Sizhui breathes staring right at Jin Ling eyes.
Jin Ling leans and presses their lips together.
This time, Jin Ling wasn't startled when Lan Sizhui licked his lips, instead, he opens his mouth allowing their tongues to touch. It wasn't gross, it was addicting causing a muffled sound from Jin Ling's mouth and Lan Sizhui deepens their kiss even more.
It was warm and sweet like honey, they kissed and kissed forgetting the script that slipped and plopped helplessly on the floor. Jin Ling plays with Lan Sizhui's hair who is running his hands on Jin Ling's back . Jin Ling let's out a moan from the sensation.
Lan Sizhui's mouth is hot and he's burning inside, so is what's under there.
And the door clicks.
"Fuck"
They separate quickly and tried to fix their disheveled figures. Jin Ling hops on a bean bag and pretends to read the script.
"Hey guys we brought snacks!" Jingyi beams entering the door with fastfood paper bags, Zizhen enters with drinks. Jingyi almost stumbles but Ouyang Zizhen extends his arm for support.
They place the snacks on the coffee table, they noticed how the room was filled with complete silence, Zizhen taps Jingyi and points at the two actors social distancing, he pauses and looked at how their co-actors looked strange. Lan Sizhui's hair looked a bit out of place while Jin Ling is reading his script upside down.
He lifts an eyebrow, "What happened between you two?" He crossed his arms. Jin Ling with strands of hair sticking up and collar crooked completely ignores. Lan Sizhui fidgets.
Lan Sizhui fails to maintain eye contact, "It's nothing A-Yi."
Lan Jingyi doesn't believe that.
___
The "practice" did help, specifically for the ending scene in the rain.
"Rulan, it's raining, let's go back inside." Wei Yuan opens an umbrella. "You'll catch a cold!"
Jiang Rulan takes two steps away fron Wei Yuan and laughs closing his eyes feeling the cold raindrops on his face. "A-Yuan you're missing out, the rain feels really good" he catches the cold rain droplets with his hands.
"Come on" He pulls Wei Yuan's hands and the umbrella drops to the ground, "Rulan!" The cold water startles him.
Jiang Rulan giggles, "Don't be such a fuddy duddy" he lifts and swing Wei Yuan's hands, "We used to play in the rain, didn't we?" He let's go of Wei Yuan's hand and walks to a nearby puddle of water and jumps, "we used to do this too" he grins and Wei Yuan laughs.
"Who makes the biggest splash wins," Wei Yuan grins back, "Shall we?"
They splash around with laughter until their cheeks and stomach hurt.
They stopped to breathe and they look at eachother, smile remaining on their faces.
Jiang Rulan puts his arms on his back and looks down "Doesn't all this seem romantic?" He smiles looking back up grinning from ear to ear. Wei Yuan steps closer, "You think so?"
"Yes I think so." He moves closer and tilts his head up, Wei Yuan is an inch taller.
"Yes." Jiang Rulan states cupping Wei Yuan's face.
"Yes what?" Wei Yuan leans in to the touch.
"Yes" Jiang Rulan giggles.
"Yes?" Wei Yuan asks confused and Jiang Rulan gives him a knowing look.
Wei Yuan thinked and thinked and paused, "You're saying yes— to me?"
Rulan giggles, "Yes."
"Say that again," Wei Yuan takes both of his hands, "Yes," Wei Yuan cups his face "Yes" Wei Yuan kisses his forehead, "Yes," a kisses on his eyelids, "Yes A-Yuan." Rulan says as Wei Yuan kisses his cheeks.
"I'm yours" and they seal their mouths with a gentle kiss.
They break apart and stare at eachother in awe, "All mine?" Wei Yuan asks touching their foreheads.
"Yes," Jiang Rulan gives the side of Wei Yuan's mouth a kiss.
"All yours" and Jiang Rulan pulls him back for more kisses.
"And cut!" The whole room errupted with applause and congratulations, "That's a wrap! That was amazing you two!" The director embraces the two leads, "I am blessed to be avle to work with the two of you"She hugs them tighter.
"Alright, we'll save the congratulations for later, for now the two of you need to dry up or you'll catch a cold!" The assistant director shoos them away before they get stuck in the set with wet clothes.
@rulanjii tweets:
HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THE LAST EPISODE??? HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK????❤️🔥
replies:
@LanSizhuiMySaviour
there's no way those two aren't dating, no one can convince me otherwise
- @rulanjii
IKR?? The look of love, THE LOOK OF LOVE IN SIZHUI'S EYES😍
@lansizhuisleftoverturnip
I admit, they look together
-@nekojinling
I love the character development, so therefore we won't shove an umbrella up your ass anymore, you are dismissed.
-@rulanjii
We grant you clemency🙏
___
"Congratulations Sizhui," Lan Jingyi pats Lan Sizhui's back, "You too Jingyi, and Zizhen too"
"Oh you're too modest" Zizhen laughs from across the table helping Sizhui cut some meat into strips to grill.
They reserved a private room for the four of them. They all promised to eat Korean Barbecue after they wrap up as a reward. The series was a major hit.
"No, I absolutely mean it, I think you guys have chemistry- oh, A-Yi can you pass me the plate?" Jingyi gives him the clean plate for freshly cooked meat, the aroma was very tempting, Jingyi took a piece, humming in satisfaction.
"By the way, the young mistress is late- " Jingyi gets cut off by the appearance of a man in yellow crossing his arms, he takes of his mask and hat which he wore as cover up "Who's late?" He sits beside Zizhen and crosses his arms, "Don't tell me Jingyi ate everything," he teases.
"No I didn't" Jingyi fumes, "I'm even helping Sizhui with grilling" He smirks crossing his arms as a form of dominance, "Oh really?" Jin Ling raises his eyebrows, "You only passed the plate to Sizhui, A-Yi" Ouyang Zizhen laughs.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side" Jingyi slaps a leaf of lettuce on Zizhen's forehead, causing the entire group a fit of giggles.
Jin Ling steals a glance at Lan Sizhui, they never spoke since the wrapping up, the trip to the locker room as they change from their wet clothes was entirely silent, they've been awkward eversince. The kiss was just part of the job, it shouldn't be that bad right? Well, wrong. Every mention of Lan Sizhui brings him back to the "practice" makeout session that made his 'you know what' tingle.
Not to mention the moan that came out of his mouth, he didn't know he could emit a sound like that.
It felt way too good and the way Lan Sizhui looked at him was so hot.
He's been denying the feeling but it keeps punching him in the face in the mere mention of Lan Sizhui.
It didn't help that people seem to like their tandem so much, lots of events were booked for the two of them, for the entire year.
"Jin Ling, you should eat more" Lan Sizhui places a few cuts of meat on Jin Ling's plate, " Thanks" Jin Ling says stuffing rice and meat in his mouth avoiding eye contact.
"Let's make a toast" Lan Jingyi opens a bottle of soju and fills up their shot glasses, "for the four of us" they lift their glasses, "A toast to more projects as good as this!"
The rest of the night went by with lots of food, drinks and laughter. It wouldn't be compete without Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling's usual banter and Ouyang Zizhen joining in while Lan Sizhui mediates.
Lan Jingyi with his low alcohol tolerance K.O'ed with his head resting on the table.
"I think it's time we go home" Lan Sizhui sighs, "I'll carry A-Yi with me" He stands up,
Zizhen also stands up, "Oh no need, A-Yi and I have plans for tomorrow, his things are in my car" Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling raises an eyebrow at that.
"A sleep over without us?" Jin Ling gives Zizhen a questioning look which Zizhen avoids and averts his gaze somewhere else.
"We have a special bond." He answers way too fast but Jin Ling caught on.
"Special bond huh?" Jin Ling smirks and stands up to slap Jingyi's cheeks, "Gods he's in a deep sleep," Jin Ling laughs pinching Lan Jingyi's cheeks.
"A-Yiii, wake up" Zizhen taps his shoulders, Jingyi groans "Already?" He looks up and squints his eyes, drool evident on the side of his lips, Zizhen giggles and gently wipes it off with a tissue, "It's getting late"
"Okay" Lan Jingyi says getting up with the help of Zizhen.
The trip to the parking lot was a bit challenging with a drunk Lan trying not to fall face flat on the ground. They finally managed to put him inside Zizhen's car.
"Thanks guys," Zizhen says rolling his shoulders from all the weight lifting, he opens his car door "We'll take it from here," He waves his hand and enters his car, "He opens the window and waves, "take care guys.
They just stand there as the car leaves.
Jin Ling receives a phone call, "Jiujiu?"
"A-Ling, sorry I can't pick you up right now" he sighs, "There's an emergency in the company and I can't leave till we sort things out"
"Who's with you right now?" Jin Ling glances at the boy beside him, "I'm with Lan Sizhui"
"Does he have a car with him? You can ask him to drop you off" Jin Ling purses his lips, "But jiujiu-" he gets interrupted from a voice calling his jiujiu
"I gotta go now-" the phone call ends.
Jin Ling sighs pinching the bridge of his nose.
Great, just great.
"Is there something wrong?" For the first time in the entire night, Jin Ling makes eye contact with the culprit of his daily crisis.
"Jiujiu can't pick me up today" He looks down biting his lip, hesitating, maybe he could just pick up an uber instead. "I can drop you off" Lan Sizhui offers, "Oh, I don't want to bother you." Jin Ling shyly rubs his neck.
"No, I insist, your apartment isn't even that far," Lan Sizhui says grabbing his car keys in his pocket, "And it's safer this way" He grins. And the very same tender sensation Jin Ling felt during the makeout "practice" came back.
—
Jin Ling could only look out the window to watch the city lights, the entire ride was awkward and so silent, aside from the engine and music in the radio, and maybe the wind from air conditioner that seemed specially loud.
The first to break the silence was Lan Sizhui.
"Jin Ling, did I..." Lan Sizhui pauses, "Did I do something wrong?"
"What do you mean?" Jin Ling asks still not looking at Sizhui,
"You haven't looked at me all night." And there it goes, the elephant in the room— or should we say, car, viciously waiting to be adressed.
Jin Ling bites his lip, "I..." he fidgets,
"Was it the kiss?" Jin Ling freezes. The elephant triumphs at that.
"Uh no? It's part of the script" He tries to sound and act normal, his heart is beating fast.
Another beat of silence. And an invisible elephant stomping it's foot for attention— in Jin Ling's imagination.
"I meant the kiss, in the dressing room." Lan Sizhui says anxiously, "I'm sorry, I must have made you so uncomfortable"
"It was nothing, you had my consent" Jin Ling says crossing his arms.
"But still, it was my idea"
Jin Ling looks over at Lan Sizhui who's eyes are focused on the road, brows furrowing, lips forming a frown. He looks genuinely worried and looks like he really felt bad. Jin Ling felt guilty, if he didn't like the kiss he would have stopped it after a few seconds.
Jin Ling is a bad liar, but if he admits it, it would go beyond the boundary of a friend, and he's afraid of what would happen between them from now on.
"Seriously, I didn't mind at all." Jin Ling huffs,
"Are you sure?" Jin Ling tries not to cry, the more Lan Sizhui asks about it, the more he gets anxious.
"Yes I'm sure" Lan Sizhui finally shuts up, Jin Ling looks at him again, he's still frowning.
"You're overthinking it" Jin Ling pokes his shoulder, "Seriously, we're okay" He crosses his arms again.
"Okay" Lan Sizhui turns at the next street, "Are you really sure?"
Irritated, Jin Ling purses his lips and takes a deep breathe. The more he answers Lan Sizhui the same thing, the more it feels like a lie, and maybe it really is a lie. And Jin Ling hates lying.
"Stop the car." Jin Ling demands and points at an empty parking lot near by.
"Huh?" Lan Sizhui asks startled,
"I said stop the car." Lan Sizhui drives to the empty parking lot. He easily parks the car on the one of the many empty spot.
Jin Ling takes off his seatbelt and faces Lan Sizhui,
They look at eachother in silence.
Jin Ling pulls him close with his collar, waiting for Lan Sizhui to draw back incase he feels uncomfortable. But Lan Sizhui lets Jin Ling pull him closer until their noses touch and locked in eachother's eyes.
Just a centimeter away till their lips touch.
Lan Sizhui closes the gap.
Jin Ling realized how much he longed for this, how much he starved for this, given how he clung on Lan Sizhui's neck who's holding his waist with one hand, the other on the car seat for support. Lan Sizhui tilts his head like he did the first time and slides in his tongue.
Suddenly there was a random flash of light.
The pair quickly separated and a shadowed figure quickly runs away. Jin Ling covers his face to muffle a groan, "Fuuuck" he groans in his palms. "They were tailing us," Lan Sizhui states checking out the window for signs of other people outside the car.
Jin Ling limply leans back on the car seat, "Guess we'll expect a scandal tomorrow..." He doesn't know whether he should laugh or cry. He can already hear his jiujiu reprimanding him and maybe— maybe actually breaks his legs for the first time. Jin Ling would set a whole new record, he laughs making Lan Sizhui look at him with concern.
Lan Sizhui holds Jin Ling's hand "Guess we'll have to deal with this tomorrow," Jin Ling says squeezing his hand. "We'll be alright," Lan Sizhui leans over Jin Ling with an assuring smile. "For now we'll have to deal about.. this"
"What about it?" Jin Ling pouts looking down.
"Hmm" Lan Sizhui hums, "How about I start with— I like you, Jin Ling."
"I... are you sure?" Jin Ling looks up meeting Lan Sizhui's eyes, "Of course, I wouldn't have felt so happy when I found out we'd be in a project again— together."
"Since when?" Jin Ling scans Lan Sizhui's face for signs of dishonesty, but got even more flustered to see Lan Sizhui looking at him with the most loving eyes, the kind that fans would call "the look of love".
He has seen it himself, but on cam, scripted, and under the watch of many people. But this time, it's only with him and only for him.
"I guess since we had our first project together," Lan Sizhui leans back on his seat but not letting go of Jin Ling's hand. "My first impression of you was how pretty you were in person, and that you're actually nice unlike what the rumours say"
"I've always been nice," Jin Ling rolls his eyes
Lan Sizhui chuckles, "Would you believe me if I tell you that I fought your antis online?" Jin Ling quickly turns his head to Lan Sizhui appalled, "Wh-What?". Lan Sizhui looks back, "I've been a fan of yours this whole time, I couldn't stand them spreading lies about you, but don't tell anyone." Lan Sizhui put his pointer finger on his mouth and winks.
"No way! Does that mean you fought your fans too??" Jin Ling covers his mouth dramatically with his hands, "I have no idea thee kind and handsome Prince Lan Sizhui would fight anyone?" The thought of Lan Sizhui logging in his dump account just to lash out on his antis is such a bizzare thought, but it is real.
"How about you? Do you like me too?" Lan Sizhui asks grinning, making him more strikingly handsome despite being flustered and dishevelled from all the kissing. He wants to ruin him more. He's the only one who can see Lan Sizhui in this state, dishevelled and mischievous unlike his public image.
"I'm not sure," Jin Ling looks down afraid to see disappointment from Lan Sizhui's face, "It's just that, it's just a recent thing for me, eversince we kissed that day, I just can't stop thinking about it." He fiddles with the end of his sweater.
"And that you were even more handsome— even though you've always be so handsome" Jin Ling leans at the door and looks out of the window embarrassed.
"Jin Ling thinks I'm handsome?" Lan Sizhui beams at that. Jin Ling peaks and mumbles, "Everybody calls you that."
"But it's different when it comes from Jin Ling." He leans as Jin Ling refuses to look at him, "Are you embarrassed?" He pokes Jin Ling's cheek
"I-" Jin Ling turns his head and takes Lan Sizhui's hands, "Stop teasing me!"
"But you looked so adorable," Lan Sizhui uses his other hand to pinch Jin Ling's puffed cheeks, Jin Ling grumbles in response, he laughs "Sorry sorry, it's really cute when you get riled up like this." He cups his cheeks, Jin Ling cools down at the touch. They stare at each other for a minute.
Jin Ling reaches out and cups Lan Sizhui's face and kisses him, he pulls away and ruffles his hair. He gives him a toothy grin while taking a look at his work of art. "What was that for?" Lan Sizhui asks, amused.
"You're always so proper and tidy, I like this new look," Jin Ling giggles, "It's a rare sight."
"Well if you wake up next to me, you can see this again," Lan Sizhui crosses his arms and leans on the seat sideways, "We haven't gone on a date yet and now you're asking me to live with you? Tsk tsk, how naughty of you" Jin Ling teases back, Lan Sizhui leans closer and touches Jin Ling's chin.
"Maybe I am naughty." They kiss again, this time more eager, Jin Ling clings to him again and bits his lower lip. Lan Sizhui presses their lips again smiling.
They part ways to breathe, "I think we should go now, it's getting late" Jin Ling groans at that, "Noo, I don't wanna" He wines.
"Alright, what do you want to do?" Lan Sizhui kisses his cheek.
"Hmmm, kiss me again?" Jin Ling tilts his head.
"Again?" Lan Sizhui presses his forehead on Jin Ling's.
"One more time" And they kiss again like there's no tomorrow.
—
@jinling_daily tweets
I just woke up... what do you mean Jin Ling got caught kissing Lan Sizhui in an empty parking lot.
KISSING SIZHUI EVERYONE!!!🤯😵💫
replies:
@nekojinling
THEY LOOK SO GOOD, I CAN SMELL COUPLE OF THE YEAR i just hate how they labelled it as a "scandal"😤
@LanSizhuiMySaviour
I'M THROWING A PARTY
--@orchidfairy
COUNT ME IN OOMF!!!
@rulannjii
HELLO??? THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT???
@sizhuisleftoverturnip
Is this AI?😔 I HOPE IT'S NOT🙏🙏🙏
--@rulanjii
I just saw the pic, it's 100% real!!!
---@sizhuisleftoverturnip
THANKS HEAVENS!!!
----@RosmarBatumbakalDelaCruz
MGA BAYOT BUANG BALIK NA MO SA GINOO🤬
-----@sizhuisleftoverturnip
Baliw ka ba ate?
-------@rulannjii
Dapat iba social media ng mga matatanda eh