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Chapter Text

Lotus Pier in the summer is an experience. 

The hot golden sun ,the bright vibrant fabric that everyone is clothed in as far as the eye can see, the bustling markets filled with haggling merchants and shouting women eager to sell their goods, the exotic smell of spices so strong in the breeze that it feels as though the very air itself is made of the thing. It's invigorating and alive with all the things that AREN'T in Qinghe.

It seems impossible to believe that this place had burned to the ground less than a decade ago. 

There's truly only one thing missing. The image of deep purple robes and dark grey eyes flitter through his mind. Huaisang lays strewn against a tree, peacefully basking in golden warrmth of the late afternoon sun, robes fanned out around his still and tranquill body.

"Where's Zongzhu?" He asks, cracking an eye open and holding his hand over his face to block the sun as he tries to see the Disciple's face.

"You know where." The young man sighs and nods his head in the direction of the Sect leader's chambers. 

"Again?" Huaisang squints at him under the glare of the sun, even under the shade of his sleeve hanging loosely off his wrist

"You know how he is." The disciple says instead of agreeing, he doesn't bring his eyes to look at Huaisang, avoiding looking at the man, instead choosing to stare into the distance

"I've come all this way to see him and he can't even be bothered to host his guest properly!" Huaisang abruptly sits up with a start to complain this loudly to the disciple. "I'm forcing him to have some fun with me! I'll make sure that he will not work into the night again! He will stop!" He proclaims  "Get the wine!"

"Yes, Young Master Nie." The disciple bows quickly and dashes off to get the wine, but not quick enough that Huaisang cannot see the faint curling of his lips into smile on his face.

Huaisang heaves himself up off the floor and arranges his robes for a few second before flouncing off in direction of Jiang Zongzhu. He strides quickly through the labyrinth that is the many, many paths, walkways and docks of Lotus Pier, his light green robes catch the light breeze and fan out loosely behind him like wings.

Huaisang throws open the door to the office (though not without straining under their sheer weight-but alas, that was the price one pays for dramatics). He finds the man bent over his desk with; a thick stack of paperwork, an ink pot and a spare quill-his tabletop companions in his beaurocratic endeavours. His hair is tied neatly with his ornamental hairpin, a symbol of his status as sect leader and deep purpled robes clothe his body.

He doesn't even glance up at Huaisang's arrival, simply continues to work. Huaisang feels rather disappointed at this mediocre welcome by Jiang Zongzhu, he stops up to the sect leader as loudly as possible, thudding like an elephant with shoes hitting the ground with as much force as Huaisang could manage. He stomps right up until he's standing beside the other man and peers over him.

"Honestly," Huaisang sighs, forgoing a greeting-if Wanyin didn't greet him then he'd do the same (Yes Huaisang was petty, what of it?) "Stop overworking yourself." 

"I'm not." Jiang Wanyin says, he doesn't look up from his paperwork. He's still writing even now, wrists curving fluidly as they form the characters, ink appearing after his hand like an echo of his thoughts onto paper. 

"When does harvest season begin?" Huaisang inquires politely, bringing his fan up to hold over his face 

"Next week." Wanyin reaches out for a new scroll

"Will you be working then?" Huaisang inquires again, with a innocent flutter of his fan, concealing a knowing smile

"Will I be working, will I be work-OF COURSE I WILL!" Jiang Wanyin outbursts, face contorts for a few seconds at the sheer ridiculousness of what he's hearing, he whips round, hair sent flying to the side, to stare at Huaisang "Do you know how important harvest season is for us?!? Especially now?!?! It's our mid year economic boost that ensures we have enough funds to make it through the year!"

Huaisang takes the oppurtunity of Wanyin's movement to quickly spring up and install himself on the man's desk in a moment of surprising agility. He sits atop the wooden surface, right leg folded over the left, well-mannered even as causing a disruption to the sect leader. A rather polite looking nuisance.

"Well then," Huaisang says, a sly smile upon his face as he taps the fan against his chin "You MUST spend this evening with me."

Wanyin does not even deign him a reply"..." Unfortunately, his stony expression does nothing to deter Huaisang in the slightest.

"This evening and tomorrow then will also be spent with this one." He folds his arm across his chest and pouts petulantly (rather like a child)

"No." Wanyin crosses his arms too and leans back against his chair, his expression unyielding

"Oh come on Jiang-Xiong-" Huaisang says "If you overwork yourself to death then who's gonna lead your sect?"

Wanyin furrows his brows, him now looking like the child, he leans forwards to speak to Huaisang "I won't." 

Nie Huaisang's glare says otherwise. "It wouldn't kill you to take a day off." Wanyin scoffs at that. Huaisang's face becomes less hard as he continues to ask "To spend with me, for old time's sake?"

"We're not that old Huaisang." Wanyin rolls his eyes, but his face softens anyway, brows relaxing and the tension disappearing with the crinkles in his forehead

Huaisang leans forwards so he's only a breath away from Jiang Wanyin. "Please?" he whispers, pleading

He can see him faltering, eyes glancing up at Huaisang before he says "...Okay, fine."  Agreeing at last to this particular demand of Huaisang's.

"Wonderful!" Huaisang claps his hands together in glee "I've already arranged for Wine to be brought to your chambers!"

"Of course you did." Jiang Wanyin sighs, rolling his eyes again. "Just give me a moment to tidy my things and I'll meet you outside my chambers."

"You're no fun." Nie Huaisang huffs again

"I'm not starting a rumour about the Young master Nie and Jiang-Zongzhu having an illicit affair." Jiang Wanyin states in absolute deadpan  

"Oh what's the harm in a little rumour?" Huaisang says flipantly "Never did anyone any damage."

Wanyin's eyes steel a moment at that before he reiterates "Not. In. My. Chambers."

"My Chambers then." Huaisang shrugs, accepting the boundry before adding "And anyways, who would tell? These disciples of yours would keep your secrets, wouldn't they?"

"They would." Jiang Wanyin says slowly, mulling that fact over in his mind, pondering the fact his disciples were loyal (strange man he is) 

"Then what's the issue?" Huaisang waves his fan flippantly, sending a light gust of air that shifts a lock of Wanyin's hair ever so slightly "Eh, it doesn't matter. See you at my rooms this evening."

He springs off the desk with surprising ease for all his complaining about his weakness and merrily makes his way out of the office, robes swishing around him. But the very moment before he steps outside, he turns back on his heel to look the sect leader in the eye and say- 

"THIS evening." Huaisang reminds

"Fine, yes, we established that it would be this evening, Nie gongzi" Jiang Wanyin's eyes flash with mild annoyance "I'll keep my word."

"Good!" Huaisang exclaims cheerfully "See you soon!"

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

The time passes steadily and Huaisang busies himself with a series of simple tasks; picking out new robes to wear and then changing into them, writing his Da-ge a letter (Just to clarify he is very much still alive and well despite not being in Qinghe), calling for the servants to ask that the wine be brought to his own chambers this evening, and reading some rather explicit material that he'd snuck into Lotus Pier.

It's only a mere 3 hours before Huaisang hears a knock on the door to his guest chambers and he rushes to hide his spring book back amongst his belongings. He shoves it under a set of jade bracelets he'd bought from a vendor down at the Lotus Pier markets yesterday, and sends up a quick prayer that no one will find it (lest he traumatise some poor Jiang disciple).

"You're rather early." Huaisang notes when he opens the door

Jiang Wanyin stands before him, arms crossed, impatient and petulant, his eyes itching to roll in annoyance.

The golden sun light of the sun looks absolutely splendid on him, he seems to glow out on the docks of Lotus Pier with the sunshine and the spiced breeze.

"What happened to a greeting?" Wanyin asks, sulkily "Perhaps even a 'thank you for drinking with me Jiang-Xiong?

"The sun is still high in the sky." Huaisang ignores his words

"I will not have any rumours emerging about me calling on you at night." Jiang Wanyin declares firmly

Huaisang is not impressed in the slightest with this excuse. He sighs and looks Jiang Wanyin in the eye.

Wanyin frowns as he admits "...And perhaps my disciples have barred my entry to my office." He huffs, disgruntled 

Huaisang openly laughs at that and opens the door fully for him "Come on in Jiang-Xiong. I'm afraid I can't offer you some wine as it has not yet been brought."

"I call bullshit." Wanyin says rather forthright and bluntly "I know you've brought your own."

Huaisang snorts, before protesting "It's only a small jar Zongzhu!"  

"Yet I have no doubt it will rather strong. Else you would not have bothered to bring it." He says dryly with another tilt of the brow "Am I correct?"

"You wound me Jiang-Xiong!" Huaisang exclaims, waving his fan around his face "But yes, you are correct."

The man pauses a moment before demanding "Well, get it out then." 

"As you wish Jiang-Zongzhu." Huaisang hums happily to himself as he strides over to his pile of belongings.

He kneels down next to the bed and rifles through his things, taking care to avoid a certain set of books- lest he wants to be adomished by Jiang Wanyin for bringing such things into Lotus Pier (the man was like Lan Qiren when it came to these things)- before he pulls out two small black jars. He neatly opens the top and the heavy scent of Jasmine fills the room.

"I got this one from a trip to one of the smaller sects near Qinghe." Huaisang says to soothe Jiang Wanyin's doubtful look "It's perfectly safe to consume-I've had it many times before, they import it to the Impure realm."

"I see, and is this trade deal organised on your behalf?" Jiang Wanyin asks, voice droll. His eyes scan over the two jars in Huaisang's possession and he can practically hear the 'That's more than one jar' float into Wanyin's head

"Such wit!" Huaisang grins cheekily at him "But you are right again Jiang Xiong!"

He grabs a little pouch in which he keeps the cups and sits down, gesturing for Wanyin to sit down near him. He pours himself a cup and sets the open jar down infront of him, the second sits neatly sealed at his right- easy reach for later. He waits a few moments while Wanyin sits down opposite him before he pours a second cup. Then he lifts his own cup as though to drink it. 

"Tell me about yourself Sect Leader." Huaisang smiles sweetly over his cup at Jiang Wanyin. 

"And what would you have me say?" He returns "All there is to know about me, is public news already."

"Not that boring stuff!" Huaisang exclaims "The interesting stuff! Like the secrets you tell nobody?" He waves his arms again frivolously   

"And why would I tell you that?" He furrows his forehead and looks intently at Huaisang, serious "If they're secrets then why should I entrust them to you?"

Huaisang pauses a moment, purses his lips then a second later he's pouting "Gosh you're no fun Jiang-Xiong! Always so serious!"

"If I'm so boring then I can leave," Wanyin tilts his head to the side, and mirth seeps into his tone "There's no reason you have to drink with this one."

"Nope!" Huaisang reaches across to wave a finger in his face "You are not escaping me that easily!"

Wanyin rolls his eyes fondly and takes a sip from his own cup. Huaisang watches as his face morphs into surprise then mild pleasure at the taste, before he takes another larger, more indulgent sip. Huaisang feels a strange sort of pride and warmth fill him as he watches the man enjoy a wine he picked out.

"I know!" Huaisang grins "A drinking game. I ask you a question and then you ask me one."

"Why should I agree to that? Either I tell you my secrets or you get me drunk enough to spill them anyway." Jiang Wanyin raises an eyebrow "Was that not your plan?"

Huaisang is a surprised, a little shocked even that he has been found out so easily. Guessing the alcohol was a safe bet- Huaisang had made sure it was no secret that Young Master Nie was a fan of good wine, and Jiang Wanyin had been present for a good many nights spent consuming Huaisang's stash back at Cloud Recess. But to correctly predict his tactics to weedle information out of someone? He had spread no rumours about such thing. Only his brother (and sworn brothers) could read him that well, and even then they all let slip sometimes.

Huaisang quite frankly feels rather exposed at being called out so bluntly, he lets out a nervous chuckle, disguised as normal joking laughter, his heart thudding faster in his chest at the idea of being known by Jiang Wanyin. He brings his cup to his lips and quietly sips, the wine goes down smoothly like silk against his throat and he feels himself relax again at the familiar mellow and sweet taste.

"You forget, that I knew you back at Cloud Recess." Wanyin has slightest hint of a sly smile pulling at the corners of his lips as he looks down into his cup "And my memory is not so bad as though I would have forgotten."

What else do you remember about me? -Huaisang wants to ask, instead he simply hums in reply to that, leans his back against the bed behind him and lifts his cup to the sky, letting the last drops of liquer slowly trickle out and into his mouth as he tries to calm the restless beating of his heart.

"Cloud Recess," Huaisang muses aloud "It feels so long ago. Doesn't it?"

He remembers it well; him, Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying, even Lan Wangji in those few moments when Wei Ying dragged him along somehow. The world had been so simple back then, they were merely teens (Albeit teens with titles but that had felt like it mattered very little back then). There was secreted alcohol and sneaking out and whispering across rows in lessons.

There had been no war (despite it growing in the background) and the worst threat that could befall them was getting caught breaking the rules by Lan Qiren.

"That might be the most honest thing you've said this whole time." Jiang Cheng replies, a tone of amusement laced in his voice

They both sit there a few moments, reminiscing in silence over their shared memory. The memory of happier times hang over them both.

"Alright then." Jiang Cheng looks at Huaisang and there's a genuine smile on his face now. He's smiling at Huaisang "Ask your question A-Sang."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         And Huaisang just melts.

"A-Sang?" Jiang Cheng repeats, "You chickened out or something?" And just for a moment, Huaisang can see the mild concern flash across his face

"No-no!" Huaisang hurries to reassure him that he very much has not "Of course not A-Cheng."

"Well then." A-Cheng reaches over to fill Huaisang's own cup, then sits back and watches Huaisang with those dark grey eyes, and a fresh smirk that he wears so very well "Ask away, old friend."

Chapter Text

He leans his head on his hand and watches Jiang Wanyin sleep. His forehead is smooth, bare of any creases, and his pink lips do not turn downwards into a frown, he looks at peace. His hair is pooled around his head like ink and silk, the sunlight filters in brightly from the window Huaisang had forgotten to close and falls on Wanyin's face, soft and delicate. 

The fact that he is laying sprawled on the floor, completely unrefined does nothing to lessen his beauty. The stubborn man had insisted even drunk, that he would NOT be causing a scandal-and had chosen to lay down on the floor. Despite the fact that no one would actually know, and if they were trying to cause a scandal, no one would care what actually happened.

Huaisang exhales softly, taking in the sight before him a few seconds more before he reaches a hand down and prods at his cheek with a finger. "Wanyin, Wanyin, Wanyin, Wany-"

"What?" He slowly opens his eyes. He blinks and gazes up at Huaisang inquisitively "What is it?"

"Did you have fun last night?" Huaisang asks him, focusing intently on his reply

"What?" Jiang Cheng repeats, a little dumbly

"I said, Did you have fu-"

"Yes, I heard you-you don't need to repeat yourself" Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes again.  

"Well then?" Huaisang pushes

He sighs, warm tone and a hint of exasperation "Yes I had fun A-sang."

The nickname sends a pang of warmth to Huaisang's heart.The nicknames had not been just for last night.

"Then I have been successful in my mission." Huaisang nods sagely, as though he were some wise monk on some noble god-divined mission. 

Huaisang can hear the dry chuckle in his voice when Jiang Cheng agrees "I suppose you have." 

"What time is is?" Jiang Cheng questions, pushing himself up with his hands into sitting, legs stretched in front of him, his back straight in perfect posture

"Don't worry." Huaisang tells him "Still early-look." He points a hand in the direction of the window

Jiang Cheng pauses to take in the bright morning sunshine, confirming this fact for himself, his face quirks into an expression too quick for Huaisang to catch before it goes again. Then he's pushed himself to standing and is striding for the door with an arm reached out to push it open.

"WAIT!" Huaisang yells after him, realising a little too late as Jiang Cheng disappears throught the door "YOU'RE SPENDING THE DAY WITH ME JIANG CHENG!!!"

There's a moment of silence and Huaisang thinks perhaps the man had either walked so fast he had not heard Huaisang or had simply ignored him altogether. His doubts are put to rest when Jiang Cheng walks back into the doorframe, a little sheepish.

"I know that." He said and Huaisang watched the slight tell of his fingers tugging at his sleeves, hanging low by his sides and partially concealed by the fabric itself.

Huaisang quickly sits up and gets out of bed grabbing his fan and hurried off to lean against the doorframe, as to be closer to Jiang Cheng. He leans his side against the frame, taking up a position of ill-posture that would surely horrify his childhood tutors as he faces the man.

"Then mind telling me where you were going Jiang-Xiong?" He raises a slight eyebrow and his tone is perfectly polite (and a tad bit arrogant)

"To my chambers." Jiang Cheng replies, feigning ignorance as to Huaisang's true meaning "I do need to change do I not? I'm sure it will be seen as disgraceful if I showed you around Lotus Pier in such a shameless state. People will talk, you know Nie-gongzi."

"I doubt the rumours would mind." Huaisang says thoughtfully, he taps his chin once-twice-thrice with his closed fan, face placid and calm before breaking into a teasing grin "Considering Jiang zongzhu already spent last night with this one."

He flushes from face to neck with surprising (and worrying) speed as he points a finger at Huaisang "You know it wasn't like that!" He protest

"Calm down A-Cheng." Huaisang laughs jovially "Of course it wasn't like that! And who would tell? Your disciples are tight-lipped as a clam about their zongzhu's affairs, and I can attest to that from my experiences."

"And what does Huaisang mean by that?" Jiang Cheng questions, suspicion seeping in to taint his voice and his flush gone

"Nothing! Only that this one tried to get gossip from the disciples and they were all to happy to share about the village" Huaisang reassures him "-but never Jiang Xiong." 

"Good to know that those disciples of mine have not forgotten their manners in the face of such a guest as you." Jiang Cheng huffs, miffed

"And what does the esteemed Jiang-gongzi mean by that?" Huaisang opens his fan and flutters it over his face, wide doe eyes and blinking his long eyelashes slowly in tactical bait

"Nothing, nothing at all." Jiang Cheng tells him, he bows politely "I will return to my chambers and get changed to meet you at the entrance to Lotus Pier in a kè or so."

"Alright then." Huaisang smiles sweetly "This one will be waiting"

And then he leaves, and Huaisang stands a few moments to watch him walk off into the distance before turning back to his own room and task awaiting him. He too was in need of a change from last night's clothes.

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

Huaisang does not rush in getting ready, assuming that Jiang Cheng was exaggerating when he said he would be ready in under 15 minutes, even so-Huaisang just goes the slightest bit faster.

He picks out a pair of grey robes, far lighter than the standard Qinghe Nie robes- more akin to white than black. He opts against wearing the green one as it's far too dark for Lotus Pier's summer. Nie Huaisang may be frivolous and finickity with his clothes but even he has the sense not to wear too dark a colour in this heat. The Jiangs may be able to pull it off but Huaisang is unfortunately too used to the far cooler temperatures of Qinghe's climate to be able to wear that rich purple so well.

He takes a moment to adjust his hairpin a final time, taking small delight in the whimsy of the little bells that dangle at the end of his hairpin as he gazes on himself in the mirror. Huaisang thinks he looks satisfyingly pleasing, he smiles at his reflection a second more before he steps away to pick up a white fan and sets about leaving for his destination.

The Sect leader is waiting for him when Huaisang arrives, looking mildly annoyed at Huaisang's tardiness. He leans against the entrance gate with his arms folded across his chest as he watches Huaisang approach.

"I thought we agreed to meet here in 15 minutes?" Jiang Cheng asked when Huaisang was close enough

"No-you said you'd be here in 15 minutes, I said no such thing." Huaisang counters in defence of himself "Therefore you cannot be mad at me!" He smiles slyly before adding "Did this one mention that Jiang zhongzhu looks rather fine today?"

"Nice try Huaisang." Jiang Cheng replies "Flattery won't do anything if there's no one to subdue."

"So you mean that you're not annoyed at this one for his lateness?" Huaisang questions him, tilting his head in mock confusion

"No." Jiang Cheng responds "Just to try and be a little quicker next time." 

"Alright then Jiang Xiong." Huaisang hums in agreement, "This one will make more effort next time."

Jiang Cheng's reply comes in the form of a mollified and pleased sounding noise before he steps forwards, closer to Huaisang. He reaches a hand out and gently flicks the little flower shaped bells at the end of Huaisang's hairpin, the bells twinkle then his gaze focuses on the little silver ornaments and Huaisang wonders what he's thinking.

His face is surprisingly blank for Jiang Xiong and Huaisang stiffens the slightest. They spend a quiet moment with Jiang Cheng's hand not-quite-in-Huaisang's-hair and Huaisang stood with uncharacteristic stillness as he waits for what the other will do next.

The answer is in fact nothing.

Because there's a loud- "Achoo!" and they both turn to face a small cluster of disciples who'd gathered at the entrance while they hadn't noticed. A young man has his hand clamped over his mouth and he looks absolutely mortified.

"Sorry!" He squeaks out and he's abruptly elbowed in the ribs by his shimei "Ow-I can't control my sneezes! You know this!"

His fellow disciples all shake their head disapprovingly at him - what for Huaisang doesn't know, but he feels a sense of pity towards the young man. The disciples all bring their hands together and bow in unison.

"We're sorry for making you wait Jiang zongzhu and Nie Gongzi." They chorus

"Yes, yes, it's fine." Jiang Cheng retorts bluntly "Let us get going now."

"Yes Zongzhu!" They exclaim cheerfully before they bow again and dash off to the line of boats docked at the piers

"I was not aware that it was a group excursion." Nie Huaisang says when they're out of earshot, confused 

"They often go down to town." is Jiang Cheng's explanation "Many have family there and it makes sense to visit frequently if one lives close does it not?"

"I suppose."  Huaisang pouts "It's just that this one thought it would be Jiang gongzi giving me a special tour."

"You'll still get your tour. The disciples will soon disperse when we arrive." Jiang Cheng reassures him promptly "Come, we should be leaving." He strides towards the little docks and Huaisang quickly falls into step a pace behind him.

"Nie Gongzi!" A female disciple calls out to him "Will you give us the honour of riding in out boat?"

Nie Huaisang pauses a moment then turns back to Jiang Cheng. To his surprise the man has already climbed into a different boat full of disciples. So much for escorting Huaisang personally.

"Well?" Jiang Cheng calls back to him "What are you waiting for?" 

Huaisang turns back to the young woman. "I would love to...?"

"Liu Mei, Nie Gongzi." She bows before extending an arm out to him "Would you like a hand getting in?"

"Such a polite young woman." Huaisang praises her cheerfully

"This one thanks you for your kind words." She bows to him

Huaisang takes her proffered hand and carefully steps into the boat. It wobbles and Huaisang uses every inch of his willpower not to yelp as it shakes again. He makes it into the boat intact. There's two other girls in the boat; one with brown hair in twin buns braided neatly in Yunmeng style and another girl who wears her black hair more loosely in a ponytail and a simple braid among the loose hair. They both bob him a bow in unison.

"Sit, sit." The brown-haired girl ushers him to the space next to her 

Huaisang smiles warmly at her. "Who might you be?" He inquires politely, wanting to know his new companions 

"I'm Liu Jia." She answers, before pointing at the woman who helped him into the boat "That's my Jie." Then she takes the hand of the girl on the other side of her "This is my love, the wonderful and beautiful Xu Yue." 

The mentioned girl immediately blushes and freezes for a moment before stuttering out "I'm sorry Nie gongzi, I'm not used to her being so vocal about her feelings for me yet."

"Well plenty of time to get used to it." Liu Jia wraps an arm around her lover's shoulder before pressing a quick kiss to her cheek "Because I'm going to be singing it from the rooftops for the whole world to hear how much I love you!"

"Sorry, Nie Gongzi!" The girl appologises, somehow going even redder than before "You must think us very rude-"

"Nonsense!" Huaisang assures her "In fact I find it rather sweet." He sighs wistfully "Oh, to be in love and loved back."

"Does Young Master Nie have a love?" Liu Jia asks suddenly "Or in want of a certain person's love?"

She's surprisingly close to the truth.

"A-Jia!" Xu Yue yoinks her sleeve "You can't just ask Nie Gongzi that!" She turns to Huaisang  "This one appologises for her partner's shamlessness." Mild panic is displayed on her face at the thought they might have derailed diplomatic relations.

Huaisang finds himself amused enough at the pair of them that he thinks, why the hell not. " It's quite alright Xu-Xiaojie, I'm not offended- in fact I will answer this one question-I do have want of a certain person's love. But it's ill-fated I'm afraid, so you can't tell anyone okay?"

"We'll keep your secret Nie Gongzi." Xu Yue promises him with a small quiet smile and her lover nods in agreement

"Is that why you're in Lotus Pier?" Liu Jia asks to follow his confession "To get over your love in a new place? Assuming your love is back home in Qinghe?"

Huaisang refrains from answering that- not because he's avoiding spilling more details about his love life (definitely not)- because he's caught sight of Jiang Cheng in the boat closest to him and a thought pops into his head.

He calls out to the man. "Jiang-Xiong!" Huaisang waves at him from his decently comfortable seat in the boat "I bet we could beat you in a race!"

"Is that a challenge?" Jiang Cheng asks, turning to glance at his friend across the water from where he sits rowing in the boat (Huaisang didn't understand why he didn't get a disciple to do it-He was sect leader for god's sake )"Are you, challenging me A-Sang?"

"Of course A-Cheng!" Huaisang grins boldly, before opening his fan and fluttering it over his face in habit "First to that tree over there wins!" He points with his free hand to a willow tree that sits rooted firmly on the riverbank

"You think you can win?" Jiang Cheng purses his lips and tilts his head curiously, observing Huaisang

"I don't know..." Huaisang smirks brazenly "Ling-Xiaojie here seems a very formidable woman."

He says this with full honestly because the woman had been rowing the three of them in the boat effortlessly the entirety of the boat ride thus far and Huaisang had not heard as much as a grunt of labour from her. Looking at her now, Huaisang realises that she does indeed look rather like her sister, only older and with a singular bun rather than her meimei's two.

"Her family name is LIU you ass!" Jiang Cheng snipes and Huaisang gasps aloud at his crassness

Insults in broad daylight?!?!? PROFANITIES !??!?!? How very flagrant!!! Jiang Cheng really was getting more comfortable with him! He grinned internally before responding in turn.

"JIANG-XIONG IS VERY BRAZEN!" Huaisang yells over at him, thouroughly delighted at his outburst before switching to address the woman who's skills he's betting on "Also I appologise for my mistake Liu-Xiojie." He quiets to talk to the young woman rowing his boat

"It is fine Young Master Nie." She smiles kindly before adding "And I think it key to mention that Jiang zongzhu has already started and is halfway to the tree."

"A-CHENG!" Huaisang whips round aghast before pointing an accusatory finger at the offending man  "YOU DECEITFUL SWINDLER!"

True to Liu-Xiojie's words, Jiang Cheng was already at the tree now, having reached it while Huaisang had screamed profanities at him. "You must pay better awareness to your surroundings A-Sang." He smirks shamelessly

"SHAMELESS! YOU ARE SHAMELESS JIANG WANYIN!" Huaisang shouts loudly at him and Liu-Xiojie takes that as her cue to start rowing after she had paused a moment to let Huaisang yell at her Sect Leader

"Not as shameless as you Nie Huaisang!" He responds in turn, smiling widely - and Huaisang feels a warm sensation nestling in his chest.

Huaisang can't help but violently burst into uncontrollable laughter, giggling and hiccuping, clutching at his side. And then Jiang Cheng somehow beams even wider before breaking into his own fit of chortles and guffaws so openly, at their silly and childish antics.

It's as though all the barriers between them melted overnight.

Around them the disciples are all joining in. Grasping their sides and one young man even going so far as to fall off the boat with a splash (They're promptly hauled back up by a fellow disciple). Liu Jia is giggling loudly brightly and beside her Xu Yue laughs into her palms, hands held over her face in delight at the playfull scene before her. Liu Mei offers her own rough few chuckles before stopping, but still has the air of a smile about her face.

That positive and happy mood continues on for the rest of the journey and Huaisang can't help but feel pleased with himself at the joy he's managed to bring with a few silly words.

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

True to Jiang Cheng's word, most of the disciples do leave them on arrival. Huaisang waves goodbye to the three women who accompanied him as they head off smiling to visit their mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers.

Then it's just Nie Huaisang, Jiang Cheng and two Jiang disciples trailing behind them at distance.

"What do you want to do?" Jiang Cheng asks him, serious expression on his face (he was treating Huaisang's wants as though they held great importance- Huaisang thinks with glee- Which they did. Anything Huaisang wanted he must get!)

They end up-rather predictably on Huaisang's part- at the bustling marketplace. He busies himself with shopping and sampling all the local good Yunmeng has to offer him, while Jiang Cheng stands watching him- offering the ocasional input and directing him to a few stalls depending on what Huaisang was looking to buy. It was a rather amiciable way to spend the morning.

Huaisang is looking through a jewellery stall before he hears bit and phrases of a conversation between Jiang Cheng and a nearby Vendor. His ears perk up at the sounds of the other's protests and he turns around out of pure curiousity.

"A-Cheng!" Huaisang laughs upon turning around, at the sight before he questions the man "Are you proposing anytime soon?"

"What? No!" Jiang cheng rushes to defend himself, blushing (yet again) all the while "The aunties have refused to let me leave without this. They gave it to me for me." He stands there awkwardly, holding a delicate golden bracelet in the palm of his hand.

"Oh, so no special lady for Jiang zongzhu?" Huaisang asks coyly, pulling out his fan to flutter and bats his eyelashes teasingly at the man

"No!" Jiang Cheng exclaims "Here." He thrusts the bracelet into Huaisang's hand "You can have it." He turns away from Huaisang and a flush of heat brushes his cheeks before disappearing "It's not real gold anyways."

Huaisang wants to burst out laughing at this man's embarrassment over a mere bracelet. "As you wish Jiang-Xiong! This one will gladly take the gift regardless!"

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

"Here," Jiang Cheng thrusts something in his face "For you."

Huaisang freezes a moment while his brain processes the sugary sweet aroma. Then he bites down and theres a satifying crunch and the warm taste of spiced candied hawthorne floods his mouth.

"Mnm!" He exclaims happily before taking another bite

"You can take it you know?" Jiang Cheng says, still holding the end of the stick "You don't need to keep biting it from my hands."

"But Jiang Xiong!" Huaisang grins at him mischeviously "What if this one wants to keep eating it from your hands?" 

"Fine then." Jiang Cheng retorts arrogantly "Eat. I'll just stand here and hold it then. "

"This one is fine with that." Nie Huaisang smirks and takes special care to eat as slowly as possible, savouring every single bite of the Tanghulu. He watches as Jiang Cheng gets frustrated as time goes on, forced to stand there holding out the stick for ages, trapped there by his stubborness to not back down on his words.

"That was delicious, thanks for holding it A-Cheng." Huaisang says after what feels like hours but in reality was likely only minutes.

"No trouble at all." Jiang Cheng says through painfully gritted teeth "No trouble at all."

Huaisang laughs at him and then the other man shakes his head disapprovingly. Jiang Cheng reaches into his sleeves and pulls out a handkerchief before reaching over and wiping it across Huaisang's face.

"You make me hold it while you eat-" Jiang Cheng grumbles under his breath "And you don't even have to manners to eat it neatly, what are you- a child?" He rubs at the stains on Huaisang's cheeks and the corner of his lip

"This one thanks Jiang Xiong for taking care of him." Huaisang tell him politely

"Shush." Is the reply he receives

"Okay Jiang Xiong." Huaisang makes a hum of agreement

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

Time passes quickly and before Huaisang had realised it, the skies had darkened to late evening, the hours had flown by and he had shopped the whole day away. God grant him mercy! Da-Ge was going to kill him when he saw the bill Huaisang had inccured in this day alone! The two disciples seem rather exhausted as they continue to haul the trophies of Huaisang's endeavours around, Jiang Cheng puts a brief hand on the shoulder of one and nods to another, their faces brighten the slightest at recognition of their efforts by their zongzhu.

"Done yet, A-Sang?" He asks, arms folded loosely across his chest as he waits

"Yes." Huaisang nods "And this one has worked up quite a hunger from his efforts in causing financial burden to his Da-ge." He jokes

Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes "Follow me, we will go visit an inn for dinner." He offers an arm and Huaisang gleefully takes it

The two disciples exhale a sigh of relief and physically drop as Jiang Cheng gives them orders to take the goods back to Lotus Pier and then rest. Huaisang feels a pang of sympathy for them, quickly replaced with a jab of amusement as he realises how firm  Jiang Cheng's arm is.

"Jiang Xiong is so strong!" He grins as he gives the other's arm a quick squueze

"Just shut up or I'll leave you here." Jiang Cheng glares at him with no real malice

"Alright, alright! This one will shut up then!" Huaisang exclaims "To dinner!" He points his hand out in a random direction as though he's leading a charge

Jiang Cheng scoffs and rolls his eyes again fondly. "To dinner."

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

The inn is warm and bright and filled with the sound of laughter. The moment Huaisang walks in at Jiang Cheng's side he's hit with the smell of good food and two servers notice their arrival immediately. One dashes off to find and prep a free table while the other walks calmly towards the pair of them.

"Sect Leader Jiang." He bows to Jiang Cheng "And....guest of Jiang Zonzhu?"

"Nie Gongzi will be fine." Huaisang assures him

"Okay then," He nods "Jiang zongzhu and Nie Gongzi- please follow me, we'll have you seated." 

The pair of them follow him towards a quiet table near the edge of the hall, beside it is a window - which lets in a pleasant summer breeze that Huaisang found quite refreshing. The sit down and the waiter nods at them before leaving, to give them time to decide their order.

"A-Cheng!" Huaisang exclaims cheerfully "What do you think this one should order? What's the best thing to try?"

"You don't need to order." Jiang Cheng says "I'll just do it for you."

"Wow! Jiang Zongzhu is specially ordering for me?" Huaisang grins "What did I do to deserve such treatment?"

"Shut your mouth." JIang Cheng rolled his eyes again "You're a guest."

"Aww." Huaisang pouts, tilting his head to lean his face on his hands "Am I just a guest?"

Jiang Cheng is silent and Huaisang cries out woefully at that. How dare he!

"Jiang-xiong is so cruel to this one!" Huaisang exclaims pitifully, he grabs Jiang Cheng's arm and shakes it, rocking all the while "Jiang Xiong! Jiaaang Xiooong! Jiaaaaaaaannnnnngggg Xioooooooonnnnngggg! You big meanie! Jiiiiaaaaaaang Xiiiiiooooooooonnnngggggggggg! Jiiiaaa-" 

"Alright alight, Just shut your mouth!" Jiang Cheng sighs, irritated, placing an hand over the one Huaisang's latched onto his arm, stopping his moving "Fine," Jiang Cheng admits "You're a guest and my friend. Satisfied?"

"Very." Huaisang hums happily

Jiang Cheng just shakes his head at Huaisang and calls over a waiter to order; he rattles off a list of dishes briskly and efficiently. The waiter nods eagerly before zooming off back to the kitchens to relay the order.

"What did you get?" Huaisang inquires when the waiter has disappeared

"You will see." Jiang Cheng replies simply and two waiters returns at surprising speed back with a stack of dishes split between them.

As they unload them onto their table, Jiang Cheng points at the dishes in turn with his chopsticks "Shaomei, Reganmian, Danjiu, Ganbian Ousi."

Huaisang reaches out with his chopsticks towards one of them and Jiang Cheng whacks his chopsticks away with his own. Huaisang looks at him, baffled.

"Not that one." Jiang Cheng points at the dish, he moves his chopsticks over to guesture at a second plate of noodles, paler than the ones Huaisang tried to grab. "This one's yours."

"Jiang Cheng ordered me a personal dish?" Huaisang asks brightly "This one feels blessed by A-Cheng's care."

"Don't make a fuss." Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes before scoffing "It's only because you wouldn't be able to handle mine."

"I would too!" Huaisang protests loudly

"I doubt it." Jiang Cheng says with no hint of a lie "It's too much for you. You're a northener."

"No it wouldn't!" Huaisang exclaims "This one can handle it!" Then Huaisang reaches across, grabs a few strands of Jiang Cheng's noodles with his fingers and stuffs it into his mouth.

Almost immediately his mouth was flooded with heat and his tongue felt like it was on fire. HIS MOUTH WAS BURNING! HIS TONGUE WAS ON FIRE!! EVERYTHING BURNS!!! His ownly real thought was-

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

"JIANG CHEEENG! JIAAANNNGGG CHEEEEENNG!" He starts crying as great fat tears well up in his eyes "It's so spicy A-Cheng! Why didn't you tell me it was this spicy!?!??!"

"I told you! You idiot!" Jiang Cheng exclaims "Why are you blaming me?"

"JIANG CHENG!" Huaisang cries as a new bout of tears swell in his eyes

"Here." Jiang Cheng passes him a cup "Drink this."

Huaisang drinks without a second thought- it was too spicy to think- it and the heat numbs a little under the sweetness and freshness of whatever it was, he drinks more and more till the cup is finished. His tongue still burns, but it is more bearable now.

"Are you okay now?" Jiang Cheng asks him, worried "I can get you more Coconut milk? Or Mung bean cakes, would Mung bean cakes help?"

"Mung bean cakes would be appreciated." Huaisang nods sheepishly

Jiang Cheng pulls a Mung bean cake from thin air and passes it over. When Huaisang bites into the Mung bean cake, he lets out a sigh of relief at the blaze on his tongue finally being extinguished -

Then Jiang Cheng roughly whacks his nose with a chopstick.

"You insolent brat!" JIang Cheng calls "I told you it would be too spicy for you!"

"Technically you didn't say that it would be too spicy, just that I wouldn't be able to handle it." Huaisang mumbles under his breath. Jiang Cheng looks at Huaisang in a state of incredulity and also very much like he was going to hit Huaisang with the chopsticks again.  Huaisang winces, hasn't he suffered enough for his idiotic tendencies tonight??? Before he breaks into an appology"And you were right! You were completely right Jiang Cheng! I was wrong to doubt you. I'm sorry." He quickly amends

Jiang Cheng pauses a moment before he nods, satisfied. Then he starts placing things onto Huaisang's plate with a suprisingly calm and placid manner, he has an air of amusement about him (DID JIANG XIONG FIND HIS SUFFERING FUNNY?!?!?!!?) "Eat. I promise you'll be able to handle these ones."

Huaisang smiles back "This one has complete faith in your words Jiang-Xiong." He bows as low as he can manage from his seat in gratitude, until his head is hanging awkwardly over his ankles before he sits back again.

"Just eat your food." Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes in clear exasperation at Huaisang's dramatics "It will get cold soon."-but his lips quirk up nonetheless at the other's antics 

Chapter Text

Huaisang doesn't expect to see Jiang Wanyin the next day. So honestly it's a suprise when he receives a knock on the door of his chambers after resigning himself to a quiet day inside organising his new wares from yesterday's shopping trip. It's even more befuddling to him when he pulls open the door and is met with the sight of a disgruntled Jiang Zongzhu standing in front of him with a woven basket gripped in his left hand.

"My disciples have exiled me from my office again." He says before Huaisang can even say anything.

Huaisang snorts,"What?" That was, unexpected- but rather amusing honestly.

"Those brats think because they managed once that they can pull it again." Jiang Cheng huffs, and Huaisang thinks that if it were not for the basket in his left hand he most certainly would have crossed his arms.

"Is the Sect motto not attempt the impossible?" He teases the man.

"I'd hardly count sending the Sect leader out with a picnic basket as some impossible feat." Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes and scoffs.

"Why not?" Huaisang questions him.

Jiang Cheng fixes his gaze on Huaisang before his lips quirk up "Well I'm standing in front of you with a picnic basket for one, A-Sang."

"Jiang Xiong has got me there, I suppose." Nie Huaisang hums in agreement, tilting his head to the side "So what does Jiang Xiong want with this one?"

Jiang Cheng smirks and lifts the basket up. "Will you save this one the shame of having a picnic alone?"

Nie Huaisang smiles warmly, a picnic with Jiang Xiong!  "Of course! Let me get my fan!" 

He  dashes calmly walks back into his room to grab pick a fan for the day. He spends a few minutes searching through his collection before he finally decides on one, a crane painted upon a white and blue background. He plucks it in his hand, checks his reflection in the mirror once quickly and sets out to return to his friend outside. 

Jiang Cheng is waiting for him outside, leaning against a pillar again, his basket in hand. He looks up on hearing Huaisang's return and straightens, stepping away from the pillar and towards Huaisang.

"Ready to go A-Sang?" He asks, offering his arm

"This one is ready." Huaisang nods, reaching forwards to take it.

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

They walk around the dock of Lotus Pier; arm in arm as Jiang Cheng leads Huaisang to a little secluded patch of greenery on the outskirts of the structure, there's a willow tree, providing a spot of shade- a momentary reprive from the hot southern sun. 

"Hold this," Jiang Cheng pushes the basket into his hands, "Let me just set this out to sit on." He shakes out a long roll of cloth that unravels from it's tightly coiled shape to it's full length and lays it flat on the grass.

He sits down on it and gestures for Huaisang to join him-he does.  Huaisang folds his legs and sits beside Jiang Cheng, basket still in hand.

"Just a disclaimer, this one has no idea what his disciples put in the basket so therefore takes no responsibility if it turns out to be horrendous, and the same goes if it turns out to be good." Jiang Cheng tells him

Not wanting to take credit if it's awful? How shallow Jiang Xiong! And not wanting to take credit even if it could be wonderful? Also, how very like you.

"Alright then, A-cheng." Huaisang grins cheekily "You won't take credit if it's goo. You won't take credit if it's bad. Let's open it up! This one is quite hungry! My stomach is practically rumbling!"

"What rumbling?" Jiang Cheng mutters under his breath with an affectionate eye roll as he reaches for the basket. He opens the top and Huaisang peers over in curiousity.

"Peking Duck Pancakes! And mung bean cakes!" Huaisang exclaims cheerfully "Your disciples have good taste, A-Cheng!"

"Hmm." Is all he offers in return, pulling out the food.

Huaisang shakes his head, this man. Just accept the praise on your disciples behalf will you?.  "Pass me a mung bean cake please Jiang Xiong?"

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Huaisang sits there looking like a heavenly being. His large rounded doe-like eyes, his hair the dark brown of freshly ground cloves, the fair pallor of his skin that seems to glow in the midday sunshine, the slender curve of his wrist as he holds the fan in his lap. Every part of him looks elegant . He looks,ethereal . But then again, he's always been beautiful to Jiang Cheng.  

Even with the sauce on his lip (Why are you looking at his lips?-He repriminds himself) from the pancakes. He reaches thoughtlessly out to wipe it off before he catches himself. What was he doing? He didn't even have a handkercheif to justify himself! He's about to try and cover up his action when he notices something, a little movement in the length of Huaisang's hair.

"Huaisang." Jiang Cheng says upon realising, "Don't move."

"What? WHy?" Huaisang moves immediately and Jiang Cheng has to resist the urge to roll his eyes and sigh

"There's a spider in your hair." He tells him calmly "Stay still so I can take it o-"

"A SPIDER!??!?!" Nie Huaisang immediately stands up and starts shaking "WHERE??!!? JIANG CHENG GET IT OFF!!! GET IT OFF ME!!!"

Jiang Cheng watches at the spider clings for dear life onto the strands of Huaisang's hair. It's limbs moving almost as frantic as Huaisang's as it tries not to get flung off.

"Calm down!" Jiang Cheng exclaimed, looking up at him "I'm trying."

The spider leaps off it's position in his hair and lands-

"JIANG XIONG I CAN FEEL IT ON MY NECK!!! IT'S GOING TO BITE ME!" Huaisang wails loudly "JIANG CHENG I'M GOING TO DIE!" The spider sits at the base of his neck, perfectly still compared to it's earlier flailings.

"No you are not A-Sang!" He protests "Just sit down and let me take care of it."

Just then the spider choses to start crawling painstakingly slowly up Huaisang's neck.  He wimpers and nods his head, sitting down in front of Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng carefully reaches for the spiderand quickly flicks it away, his finger brushes against the underside of Huaisang's chin-

Huaisang lets out a short burst of laughter and Jiang Cheng pauses a moment to figure out if it's nervous or hysterical. Or maybe...

"A-sang are you ticklish?" He asks curiously

"What? No?" Huaisang replies quickly

"So it wouldn't tickle if I did -this" He reaches for him and tickles Huaisang's ribs

"AH!" Huaisang bats his hands away "Stop-Ha- it Haha!"

"You are ticklish!" Jiang Cheng states with glee.

Huaisang shakes his head and tries to protest. "This one is not!"

"Well I suppose that means this one should test it again then?" Jiang Cheng asks knowingly, reaching for Huaisang again 

"No-HA-ST-" Huaisang giggles and whacks Jiang Cheng with his fan "Jian-HAHA-ST-ST-HAHAHAHA." He grabs onto Jiang Cheng's robe and tries to tickle him back.

It doesn't work because-

Jiang Cheng is impervious to tickling. He always had been.  And even if he wasn't- a childhood with Wei Wuxian's antics would have made ANYONE Tickle-proof.

He continues to tickle Huaisang, taking small pride at the other's pink laughing face as he gasps for breath between giggles.

Huaisang collapses backwards onto the ground and brings Jiang Cheng down with him in a huge toppling mess.

They both freeze, Huaisang looks up at him wide-eyed from where he's framed within Jiang Cheng's arms and black hair that falls like a curtain down off his head. He gasps heavy, still recovering from being tickled, a strand of brown hair sticks to his lip and his breath puffs up into Jiang Cheng's face.  His heart thudded in his chest and he felt a heat rise to his face. 

What was he doing? 

This was improper! Huaisang was a guest! He couldn't go around manhandling and throwing him like some thug! He was sect leader Jiang! There was social ettiquite to be followed! As to not end up in situations like this! Which were indecent! What would the rumours say?!? Sect Leader Jiang Attacked Nie Gongzi?!?!?! Nie Mingjue would have his head!!!

He leans back and sits on his heels, offering a hand to Huaisang.

"Are you okay?" He asks hesitantly, Please let him be okay. Jiang Cheng knew he was strong, and if his father was anything to believe-too forceful. Nie Huaisang was delicate, soft like the petals of a lily, what if he'd harmed him in some way? Huaisang had hit the ground Hard.

"Yeah." Huaisang shakes his head, dazed as he takes the proffered hand. "Yes I'm fine A-Cheng."

"This one appologises,"He says diplomatically, using all of his sect heir formal training "I shouldn't have acted so familiar."

"What-No!" Huaisang exclaims in confusion, for once in his life scrambling for words. "No-no it's fine! I was just startled."

"Still, I shouldn't have done that." Jiang Cheng pushes. "It wasn't proper. This one will n-"

"Nonsense!" Huaisang slaps his hand with the fan, startling him "We are Friends! Friends- Jiang Xiong! We were close back in Cloud Recess and I would like to be close friends again! And that means no appologising for being open with me! In fact I encourage it! Be as familiar with me as you want! I have enough to deal with deciphering my brother! I do not want to have to wheedle emotion out of you!"

Nie Huaisang... didn't harbour a grudge against him for that?  He wanted to be close friends again? He encouraged Jiang Cheng to be familiar?

(His heart skips a beat at that.)

Jiang Cheng is, perplexed? He sits there silently for a moment and Huaisang sighs.

"Appologies for my outburst." Huaisang puts his hands together and bows "This one just wants you to treat him like a familiar friend. That is all."

"Okay." Jiang Cheng agrees to that quickly, surprising himself. "I'll treat you familiarly then A-Sang."

"Good." Huaisang beams at him "Now let's continue this picnic, we still have plenty of food to finish do we not?" He holds out a Mung bean cake as a peace offering

Jiang Cheng lets out a short laugh and reaches to take it.

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

Nie Huaisang had feared that he'd overstepped with his outburst. That Jiang Cheng would've taken offense to his words. He cringes at how...blunt he'd been. Not to mention him friend-zoning himself,

 The words 'We are Friends! Friends- Jiang Xiong!'  Ring through his mind and he grimaces. Well, if there was any chance of more, Huaisang has probably ruined it with his silly words trying to fix the situation.

He's been dazed about the situation, sure. Who wouldn't if they were so closed to the stupidly attractive man that was Jiang Wanyin??? He has been so close, close enough for Huaisang to reach up and claim his lips- if he dared. But he didn't- because Huaisang was a big fat coward when it came to love. Jiang Cheng had been so close that Huaisang could feel the man's arms pressing down on the edges of his hair, it was truly a miracle Jiang Xiong had not noticed how fast his heart had been pounding- or if he had, been so kind as to not mention it and expose Huaisang. 

Huaisang had been worried that despite Jiang Cheng's agreement to being close friends, the man secretly harboured a disapproval or newfound dislike of him and would perhaps avoid him for the remainder of Huaisang's stay- which would be a good while yet and make the rest of this trip completely unbearable for him.

He's pleasantly surprised- and wholeheartedly relieved when he crosses paths with him the next day and it truly seems as though there is no ill will between them.

Over the next few days Huaisang finds himself meeting up with Jiang Wanyin frequently. A servant at his door, asking for his presence on Jiang Xiong's behalf, a certain sect leader just sitting down beside him in the dining hall, even Jiang Cheng himself to personally invite Huaisang for dinner. Mostly for lunch but sometimes for dinner or breakfast.

And before he knows it-

                                           they're already in the start of next week.                                                                                                                                                             

Chapter Text

Harvest season is marked by a flurry of activity, disciples all running round in a chaos of activity. He catches sight of Liu Jia dashing past his door with a towering pile of baskets, balanced precariously high in her arms. There's no disciples to accompany him now, all caught up in the bustle of the Lotus Harvest, new boats docked at the pier signal workers from Yunmeng here to help. It's all a new sensation for him, Huaisang the lone spectator to the pinnacle of the Jiang Sect's trade.

There's nothing like this at Qinghe. Nothing that even comes close.

That's something unique to the Jiangs. They're a key part of the community. Not in the we-protect-you-if-you-listen-to-us way that most sects had with their people, but we are the same as you, we are apart of one whole thing.

 Huaisang had noticed it before in little bits and pieces; the disciples running home often, the aunties at the marketplace teasing Jiang Xiong, the fact that they did not sit in a private table at the inn, the children freely running up the steps of Lotus to watch the disciples train.

The Jiangs were Yunmeng, and Yunmeng was the Jiangs. The two were intrixably linked, one could not be separated from the other.  And the Harvest season is a prime display of conmmunity, a celebration of the bond between the Jiangs and their people. 

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

Huaisang decided to sit on the edge of a small shaded pathway that abruptly stops, leading nowhere, it's likely not been finished yet, too small for more than 2 people to stand shoulder to shoulder on. This makes it the perfect spot for Huaisang to sit without disturbing the chaos of the harvest. He'd stepped out looking for a way to cool down and this little pathway had provided the perfect spot to do so, he currently sits in just his inner robes, feet dangling in the lake and his shoes neatly next to him. 

It's far too hot for him to care about propriety.

It's also the perfect spot to ogle a certain handsome sect leader.

Just like everyone else at Lotus Pier (bar Huaisang), Jiang Wanyin is helping out with the Lotus harvest. He stands there waist deep in the lake; sun shinning on his bronzed skin, the curve of his muscle defined as he works, the little rivulets of water running across his skin from the splash of people in the water. all set against the backdrop of bloomed Lotus flowers. Huaisang finds this to perhaps be, no definitely the most attractive sight he has ever seen.

He is so focused on Jiang Xiong's body that he doesn't realise that the man himself has caught on.

"Are you gonna just sit there all pretty and just stare at me all day?" Jiang Cheng asks, amused. 

Huaisang startles, and scrambles to find and excuse "No, I'm going to- wait did you just call me pretty?"

Jiang Wanyin simply smiles at him, smugly.

"Jiang Xiong!" Huaisang exclaims with glee, taking out his fan to cover up his faint blush and far too happy a smile "How scandalous!"

 Jiang Wanyin opens his mouth to quip back when a small energetic prescence brushes past Huaisang, knocking him to the side and forcing him to clutch the edge of the small wooden pier lest  he fall, and Jiang Cheng's suddenly grabbing a child out of thin air.

"No Xiang." He tells the boy, waving a disapproving finger "Not today."

"Aww." The kid frowns, head drooping forwards so dark bangs cover his face "Everyone else gets to help!"

"Everyone else... isn't sick because they decided to go to jump in the lake in the middle of the night then go to bed with wet hair."

"Hmnph." Xiang pouts.

"You're sick, and sitting in the lake all day is only going to make that worse." Jiang Cheng tells him. "Get back inside with the little ones and rest, you can help when you're better."

"Promise?" Xiang asks, holding out his pinkie finger.

Jiang Cheng sighs, linking his pinkie with the boy's "Yes I promise."

"Okay," Xiang says "Place me back on the platform please."

"Remember to appologise to A-sang for pushing him aside." Jiang Cheng chides as he walks towards Nie Huaisang.

Jiang Cheng's arm brushes against Huaisang's bare ankle and he feels a shiver up his spine from the mere unexpected contact. Wanyin doesn't seem to realise he's even touched Nie Huaisang, calmly depositing the child next to him. A faint sense of embarrassment fills Huaisang, God, a shiver?!?! He was too sensative.

"Sorry A-sang." The child says, and Jiang Xiong lightly bops him on the head with his fist

"Who are you calling 'A-sang'? That's Nie-Gongzi for you." Jiang Wanyin lectures

"Sorry Nie Gongzi." Xiang repeats,

"That's quite alright," Huaisang reassures him with a smile "This one does not mind." 

"Remember, " Jiang Cheng tells the boy. "The faster you get back the faster you get better."

Xiang's eyes suddenly light up and he nods firmly "Mhm!" And he turns and sprints all the down the path back to the main building.

As Jiang Cheng watches the child run as fast as his legs can carry him Huaisang comes to the startling realisation of exactly how close Jiang Xiong is. He stands near the end of the little dock and Huaisang thinks that if he wanted to, he could reach out and touch that golden brown chest. He doesn't, of course- but it takes more self-restraint than should be necessary. His mind begins to drift as he stares at a single bead of water on his shoulder, it runs down in a little trickle, across his chest and down, down, down towards- 

"Are you alright, A-Sang?" Jiang Xiong asks him, after a moment of observing him. Nie Huaisang startles and he can feel his cheeks heat "You seem quite hot, has the heat gotten to you?"

Ah yes- THE HEAT! Definitely why Huaisang was flushing. "Ah, yes, this one does find Yunmeng to be hotter than Qinghe." He replies

"Perhaps you would like to cool down." Jiang Cheng quirks an eyebrow, he wraps both his hands around Huaisang's ankles again. He covers his face further, holding the fan closer to his face to hide his reaction to the touch. It's only at the very last moment that Huaisang realises the intent behind it.

"JIANG CHE-!" Huaisang yelps as he's unceremoniously yanked forwards by his ankles to be doused in lakewater.

Nie Huaisang flails a few moments in the water before he managed to latch his feet onto the groun and push up to standing. He stands there sputtering in the lake, soaked thorough and glaring furiously at the man in front of him. He finds it very hard to maintain this fury (unfortunately) while looking up at the man, because once again, Jiang Xiong is unfairly handsome. 

Still, he deserved to be a little mad after practically getting thrown in the lake, and he will make sure Jiang Cheng knows it!

"Jiang Xiong I can't swim!" He childishly throws his fan at the offensive man. It bounces off his shoulder cleanly and Jiang Cheng does not even flinch at the impact.

"Yes you can," Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes at the statement. "I saw you at Cloud Recess."

"That's different!" Huaisang protests

"How so?"

"It was shallow!"

"It's not that deep," Jiang Cheng counters, "It's not even to your neck."

"We can't all be as tall as Jiang-Xiong." Nie Huaisang huffs, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Just stand still then Huaisang." Jiang Xiong advises in exasperation, "You can't drown if you're not moving."

"No." Huaisang huffs, displeased at this response "Carry me."

Jiang Xiong pauses for a moment of sheer increduality, before he sputters out a disdainful "I'm not going to-"

"Carry me!" Huaisang says as he unceremoniously throws himself into Jiang Wanyin's arms

"Huaisang!" Jiang Cheng shrieks at him as he swiftly scoops him into his arms, "Why the hell would you do that? What if I dropped you?" He lectures. Nie Huaisang makes to ignore him, "Then I'd be responsible for injuring Qinghe Nie-"

His lecture is cut off by a series of cheers and whoops and applause from the audience, aka the lake chock-ful of people who both of them had convieniently forgotten about (who had been watching their entire interaction). 

"Jiang Zongzhu is that your wife!!?" A man who Huaisang thinks sells Tanghulu calls out 

They both flush red hotfrom their hairline's to their necks "No!" they exclaim in unison. 

"Don't worry Zongzhu!" A woman calls cheerfully from where she sits on the dock with the baskets "We support you and your preferences!"

Jiang Cheng groans as he drops his head to hang down. "Now look what you've done."

Huaisang just laughs at him and pats at his head sympathetically. "There, there, Zongzhu."

"I should just drop you." Jiang Wanyin lifts his head to look at him

"No!" Huaisang hooks his arms around his neck with surprising speed. "Being dropped in the lake once is enough for me!"

"Hmm, this one is still tempted." JIang Cheng smirks, before dropping his head down closer to Nie Huaisang "Convince me."

Nie Huaisang leans his head against Jiang Xiong's (very attractive) chest and whispers, lips by his ear "This one would be most disraught and saddened as a guest if he were to be thrown into the lake."

"I'm still considering ..." He whispers back to him

"Well I think the whole of your sect AND Yunmeng would berrate you if you did so, considering I am both your guest and according to them- wife." Huaisang's voice is honey-sweet. "Would they not?"

"...Yes." Jiang Cheng sighs, throwing his head back "Yes, you are right."

"I knew it." Huaisang grins cheerfully "Now are you going to carry me back inside so I can get a change of clothes?"

"...Fine, yes." Wanyin rolls his eyes "This one will carry you back."

Huaisang happily pats his (well-established as lean but muscular) arm "Splendid!" 

"Let's just hope this doesn't get back to your brother." Jiang Cheng tells him, "Else I fear the Jiang sect will no longer have a head."

"Take me back to my chambers A-Cheng!"

"Oh hush A-sang!"

⊹˚. ♡🕊️♡˚.⊹

Nie Huaisang is not afraid to say that he spent the next two weeks reliving the memory of being in Jiang Wanyin's arms and continuing to watch him work in the harvest. He spends it in a variety of different spots, slyly observing the man. It's not lost on him that all the townspeople and disciple's whisper anytime they see him but assume he's not close enough to hear, but the gossip is amusing enough that he doesn't make to stop it, even if it does give him a little pang of wistfulness anytime he hears it.

"Jiang Zongzhu must be secretly courting Nie Gongzi!" A disciple whispers to her friend. 

Pfsh, I wish! I'd love to be courted by A-Cheng! 

"Jiang Zongzhu and Nie Gongzi must be secret lovers." An old man loudly tells his equally elderly female companion 
"And why would they be secret? Idiot." The woman scoffs at him "He's sect leader! Why would he keep his lover secret?"
"Because Nie Zongzhu would slice his head off!" The Man exclaims, "Don't you know he's very protective of his didi?"

That actually does make a little bit of sense. Da-ge probably would fight Jiang Xiong is he asked, probably throw him off our local peak.

"Do you think Jiang Zongzhu is going to propose?" A small girl asks her mother "Should I ask Jiang Zongzhu?"
"Oh shush!" He mother scolds her "We'll find out by the end of Nie Gongzi's visit."

Wanyin proposing to him on this visit, ah that would be great. Huaisang wouldn't be opposed in the slightest to being his Jiang Furren. He'd rather enjoy being his wife. Huaisang would definitely give him lots of heirs; imagine 5 little ones running round Lotus Pier. Would they look more like Huaisang or Wanyin? Perhaps a mix? Nie Huaisang's eyes and Jiang Cheng's hair. Jiang Cheng's eyes and Nie Huaisang's smile. Yes, that would be amazing! They'd be the most adorable children in the world!

A shame it'd never happen, Huaisang sighs, It was just a fantasy.