Work Text:
Jin Guangyao made a face in the mirror as he looked at the outfit he had foolishly accepted from Huaisang. The little brat knew exactly what he was doing when he pushed a plain looking box into Jin Guangyao’s hands with that innocent smile, casually dropping that he had a similar gift for his newly wed husband, Lan Xichen.
“Yao-ge, please! It’s your first Christmas together, just trust me! I would never do you wrong!” With the plea and the big eyes, Jin Guangyao could do nothing but sigh and accept the suspiciously heavy box.
Now, as he looks in the mirror at the sweater he was wearing, he swore to himself that he would never accept another gift from Huaisang again, not without seeing what it was first. It was thick and warm, and he begrudgingly admitted it was comfortable, but it was what was on it that made him so unhappy.
“On The Naughty List” In print, separated each line with a hideous green stripe with red accents on it, it fit him a little too well for him to enjoy it. He knew that most people in his inner circle knew of his less then pleasant past, either they were there to witness it themselves (His husband, Huaisang, Mingjue) or were close enough to either of those 3 to be told of it (Wangji, Wei Wuxian, Jiang Wanyin, Jiang Yanli), and while they weren’t upset at it, it was certainly a topic they avoided.
Before he had wed his husband, before they had even begun to date, Jin Guangyao had to fight tooth and nail to get recognized, and that meant doing some of his fathers less then legal business in order to earn enough money to fund his mothers recovery. His hands were certainly not clean, and only the fact that he had been taken out of that situation made things better. His mother recovered, but was still frail, so he still worked to support her, but at a much more legal job, assisting Lan Xichen at his studio, teaching music classes.
Only the younger Nie would be brave enough to acknowledge his past but subtle enough he could play it off.
With a sigh, Jin Guangyao tucked the thought of revenge away as he fixed his hair again before he decided to show his husband what he was gifted. If nothing else, he could resell it.
When he stepped out of the bedroom, he was greeted with the most ethereal sight. His husband, hair down from its usual bun, waiting in the hall for him with that soft smile that always made him swoon. What really caught his eye was the matching ugly green sweater, matching all the way to the words.
“On the Naughty List”
Jin Guangyao couldn't stop the laugh in time once he read it, letting the smile stay on his face as he read it again to make sure his eyes weren’t tricking him. His husband's ears were tinted pink lightly, the blush settling nicely on his cheek bones as he watched.
“Why were you put on the naughty list A-Huan? You’ve been nothing but good to everyone you meet.” Circling his arms around his husband's waist, Jin Guangyao leaned against him as he looked up, dimpling up at him with mirth.
His husband coughed lightly as he blushed, but never looked away from him as he spoke, “Huaisang said he saw you limping after we spent the night together last he slept over. That was all he said when I asked about it.”
Jin Guangyao couldn’t help but let out an inelegant snort at that, leaning up to kiss his husband gently.
“He does know that I enjoy it when I’m limping if it’s from you, yes?”
He couldn’t help but tease his beloved, smiling wider when his blush deepened. He knew exactly what Huaisang was talking about as well, he remembers walking out sore from a fantastic night and hearing Huaisang squeak and run back into the guest room he was staying in.
The two of them leaned against each other for some time, simply enjoying being together, before someone knocked on the door.
“You two better be decent because I’m coming in! It’s about time to go to the party!” Wei Wuxians voice called out from the other side, followed quickly by the sound of keys unlocking their door. He giggled as his husband blushed more, remembering the time they had been….interrupted. During their personal time on the couch. Lan Wangji still blushed when he looked at the seat sometimes.
Wei Wuxian comes in in his normal fashion, loudly and brimming with energy. With him is his husband, Lan Wangji. They are also wearing matching sweaters, though these are more romantic then the others. Wei Wuxians is red, with “ All I want for christmas is you ” and a hand pointing to the left, while Lan Wangjis is the same, but in green and pointing to the right. The two brothers greet each other in their own way, while Wei Wuxian comes over and claps Jin Guangyao on his good shoulder, grinning wide.
“I see Huaisang got you two as well with his sweaters! You both look good though. Lets get going!” He cheered as he began pulling Jin Guangyao out by his arm, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji following behind them.
He settled in the back with Lan Xichen and held his hand as they began to set off to the party that Mingjue and his brother were throwing.
If anyone had asked Jin Guangyao if he would’ve been living this life a year ago, he would’ve scoffed at them and sent them on their way so he could continue his work for his father.
But here is now, hand in hand with his love, surrounded by friends and on his way to see more, and no longer doing dirty business to survive. He leaned over to kiss his husband with a smile before settling back against the seat and watching the roads go by on their drive.
Yeah, he was happy and loved, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.