Title: Misconception
Fandom: Guardian
Rating: Teen
Length: ~1200
Author's note: A follow-up to this fic with more secret identity shenanigans. Thanks to runningondreams for help!
Summary: "I told the Envoy we're dating."

"I'm aware," Shen Wei answers drily. "He congratulated me."


Zhao Yunlan is not quite sure what to say when he opens the door and sees it's Shen Wei who just knocked. He just moves aside to let him in; doesn't ask why Shen Wei came.

He knows as much.

But as Shen Wei walks past him, Zhao Yunlan realises he's carrying a bag with food containers. He doesn't ask Zhao Yunlan what the hell were you thinking; instead goes straight to the kitchen and starts opening the containers.

Is it possible the Envoy didn't tell him? Why wouldn't he—well, okay, maybe the Envoy was too professional and not going to talk about feelings when he had official business with Shen Wei. Or maybe he didn't want to hear Shen Wei's confirmation. Only of course Shen Wei wouldn't have confirmed, because Zhao Yunlan was lying through his teeth when he talked to the Envoy in Shen Wei's office.

He opens a lollipop, swirls it around in his mouth. It doesn't make him any calmer. Shen Wei is still unpacking the food: some kind of meat that's still steaming, more vegetables than Zhao Yunlan eats in a month, something that smells like a fish; likely a treat for Da Qing.

If the Envoy didn't tell him, Zhao Yunlan has to do it now.

"I told the Envoy we're dating." Somehow that's the more important thing than hey, by the way, so I've heard you're Dixingren.

"I'm aware," Shen Wei answers drily. "He congratulated me."

Zhao Yunlan almost chokes on his lollipop. "That's . . ." He stops. Takes in Shen Wei, the way he just stopped moving, his tense back. "Look, I can tell him the truth. He won't be annoyed at you—I think he likes you—"

"I—you think what?"

Zhao Yunlan has no idea why he's so nervous. Maybe because the Envoy has everything to give Shen Wei, up to and including his freedom, and Zhao Yunlan can never offer him more than that.

"He likes you." He rocks on the balls of his feet. "So if you like him back, there you go. Sorry for making it difficult for you." I was just worried, he doesn't say.

"Zhao Yunlan, I don't—" Shen Wei cuts himself off; looks at a loss for words.

"Why not?" Zhao Yunlan drawls. "The Envoy clearly likes you. He could keep you safe, here in Haixing."

Shen Wei looks him straight in the eyes. "Is this what you think of me, Zhao Yunlan?"

Zhao Yunlan winces. His question really didn't sound too well, did it? "Of course not," he says. "Professor Shen is not like that. I'm sorry."

Shen Wei is still staring at him. "And I don't think the Envoy would be interested in coercing someone with his power, either." He seems offended on the Envoy's behalf.

Zhao Yunlan doesn't know the Envoy well, but he's clearly an honourable man. Shen Wei's probably right here as well.

"Point taken." Zhao Yunlan fidgets. "I didn't really—that's—forget it."

Shen Wei blinks a few times. He watches Zhao Yunlan like he's trying to read the real explanation from his face, and Zhao Yunlan really doubts that's his Dixing power, but the scrutiny still makes him vaguely uncomfortable. He sucks at his lollipop to distract himself, and faint blush covers Shen Wei's cheeks.

"The Black-Cloaked Envoy is not who I am interested in," Shen Wei enunciates in a quiet, intense voice.

It's Zhao Yunlan's turn to blink. Professor Shen, always so proper, always measuring his words. He's inviting Zhao Yunlan to ask, and who is Zhao Yunlan to decline him?

"Who, then?" His mouth is suddenly dry.

Shen Wei takes one step towards him. He's barely out of arm's reach, now. "You lied to the Dixing Ambassador for me," he says in something akin to wonder. "Wouldn't that cause a diplomatic incident?"

Zhao Yunlan rocks on the balls of his feet. "I'll take care of it?" he ventures.

Shen Wei takes one step more. Touches Zhao Yunlan's cheek, ever so gently. Pulls the lollipop out of Zhao Yunlan's mouth with his other hand. "Or," and his voice is but a whisper, "we could make it a reality instead."

Zhao Yunlan's heart is threatening to beat out of his chest. Shen Wei's too close. His lips look too soft. Zhao Yunlan can't think, so near him.

Shen Wei finally leans in, excruciatingly slowly. Zhao Yunlan puts his hands on Shen Wei's waist and pulls him in the last few centimetres. Their lips meet, and oh, but he didn't expect so much hunger in Shen Wei, enough to surpass Zhao Yunlan's own. Shen Wei kisses like Zhao Yunlan's an object of cult in his religion, like he can't get enough, like nothing else matters. He kisses like no one else has ever kissed Zhao Yunlan before, like he already knows him, like he wants to take him apart and put him back together with nothing more than his mouth.

He almost succeeds at it, too.

Zhao Yunlan's panting when they break apart to catch air. Shen Wei's eyes are dark like the night sky and so full of desire Zhao Yunlan feels dizzy with it.

Shen Wei smiles lightly. He puts the lollipop back between Zhao Yunlan's lips. He steps away, and that's when Zhao Yunlan's brain catches up with him, and he rushes to reach back for Shen Wei.

Shen Wei dodges him expertly. "The food will go cold."

Zhao Yunlan is pretty sure it's illegal to kiss like that and then stop to talk about food. He's not hungry, or at least, not for anything Shen Wei's set on the countertop.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Proper nutrition is very important," Shen Wei lectures. He must sound like that in his classes, except in his classes, his pupils wouldn't be blown wide and his face wouldn't be flushed. He's not as unaffected as he pretends to be.

But he stopped for a reason, and this reason isn't likely to be that he likes to see Zhao Yunlan suffer. Zhao Yunlan isn't going to push Shen Wei for something he's not ready to give.

"I'm sure Professor Shen knows all about that," he says. "Studying biology must've given you a lot of insight into human body."

Shen Wei doesn't pause pulling out the plates and chopsticks. "Does it bother you?"

Zhao Yunlan can't even begin to guess what could bother him about Shen Wei's job. "Well, you clearly have an unfair advantage. There must be some secret bio classes only about kissing."

Shen Wei falters in his steps. He catches himself quickly, though, and turns back to face Zhao Yunlan. "That I'm Dixingren."

"Why—" Okay, Zhao Yunlan knows why Shen Wei would be worried about that. "If it bothered me, do you think I would've lied to the Envoy?"

"You can't blame me for asking," Shen Wei says.

"Do you want me to kiss you again to prove it?" Zhao Yunlan asks. "I'll kiss you again for no reason, really, but—"

Shen Wei ducks his head to hide his smile. "Mm. Maybe after dinner I'll ask for a demonstration."

Zhao Yunlan alters his previous opinion. Shen Wei definitely likes to watch him suffer.

"Tease."

Shen Wei gives him a wide-eyed look of offended innocence that's so fake Zhao Yunlan can't stop laughing.