Open RP Post

[illicitly]

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Open post for threads with Nie Huaisang outside of games and memes.

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[illicitly]

"Pretty slim," he murmurs with a sigh.

Okay, even carefully cuddling might be a bit too difficult right now but Huaisang does manage to reach over to curl his fingers around Jiang Cheng's at least. His body hurts all over but he's willing to bear it. Now that getting physical isn't an option at the moment, he's focusing more on his feelings, how fiercely his heart is beating from just being in close proximity to his friend now.

But is this still only a friendship after all they've experienced since that first kiss outside? It's not, is it? Things have changed between them after all of that and honestly, even now, this... whatever it is makes him feel happy and content in a way that's different from how he's felt when spending time with Wei Wuxian in the past. It feels deeper somehow, more intense.

But maybe he doesn't need to understand everything between them right now. They still have time to figure all of this out, right? Lessons here don't end for several more months, at least.

"I'll ask Xichen-ge tomorrow if we can use the cold spring. It'll be uncomfortable but it should help us recover faster."

[inflexibility]

"He might have to carry us there if it's as bad as it is now." His fingers do tighten around Huaisang's though, eyes still closed as he does his best not to move.

It's not his first time being beaten but this time it was worse. The guilt didn't help, even if he knew they hadn't really done anything wrong. Gusu standards were different from the other sects and it wasn't like he'd actually planned this.

[illicitly]

"Maybe it won't hurt as much after we sleep."

He looks over at Jiang Cheng, eyes softening as he sighs.

"I don't regret it, though. It was worth it."

Jiang Cheng is worth it.

[inflexibility]

The words are enough to have him shifting closer, even if it hurts, at least attempting to get close enough to brush a kiss to Huaisang's lips before he winces, his grip tightening on the other teenager's hand.

Because that's not..something he honestly expected to hear, not with what happened.

"..Yeah, it was."

[illicitly]

That makes two of them who are surprised, then. He half-expected Jiang Cheng to want to back out and he wouldn't have blamed with him with a mother like Madam Yu. The ever so brief contact of lips and the tightened grip on his hand reassure him, however. Though if Jiang Cheng had wanted to just forget about it, he would've agreed, even he would've been sad about it.

Maybe Huaisang's more of a romantic than he'd ever thought he was because all he can think now is how much closer he feels to Jiang Cheng now, after sharing this experience together. It's nice, really nice. The physical pain, not so much, but the rest of it.

"I'm glad you think so, too, A-Cheng," is all he says though, feeling a warmth inside he can't name. His eyes drift closed.

[illicitly]

"Oh? What kind of games? Sometimes I play chess."

Huaisang glances briefly toward a rather expensive looking custom chess set laid out on the coffee table, its pieces intricately carved to resembling historical Chinese immortals and heroes. It's been quite some time since he played a match against someone. He really should change that soon, he thinks, so his skills and intellect remain sharp.

"And it's impressive that you do martial arts. I've never had any talent in it despite my brother's best efforts to teach me."

He laughs a bit as he opens his water and takes a sip.

[inflexibility]

"Siege, Doom, Halo, Mortal Kombat sometimes." He answers absently, gaze settling on Huaisang when he drinks before forcing his eyes away.

"Depends on what Wei Wuxian's in the mood for, really." Although he does play games like Stardew or Animal Crossing with his sister sometimes as well.

[illicitly]

"Oh, I see. I've played with him a few times, too. Mostly first-person shooters. Apparently, I play a good sniper in teams..."

It certainly suits him better than the role of heavy artillery, anyway, and it closer to his idea of fun. When he sees Jiang Cheng look away, it's Huaisang's turn to take his chin in hand and turn his face back to look at him. He smiles gently at the other man.

"It's all right to look, Wanyin. I invited you here for a reason. It's just not very often that I have visitors like this. I tend to keep to myself more these days."

Come to think of it, it might be the reason Yanli decided to play matchmaker for him and Jiang Cheng. Bless her and her desire to help the people around her achieve happiness.

[inflexibility]

"They never hold his attention for too long." He nurmurs it before Huaisang catches his chin and then his mouth is dry, gaze on the other man's face before he leans down to kiss him, one arm snaking around his waist.

"I know." He breathes after the kiss breaks.

[illicitly]

Huaisang responds to the kiss with a soft hum, sliding one hand into the other man's hair to cradle the back of his head. He puts his water bottle down then starts pulling off all the throw pillows but one to rest his head on. Huaisang lays back on the sofa, gently guiding Jiang Cheng down to rest on top of him.

It really has been a while since Huaisang's been in a position like this. enough that he feels a little clumsy, awkward, and uncertain about how to go about getting what he wants from this. Huaisang isn't expecting anything or asking for more than a pleasant evening of companionship but he trusts Yanli enough to give her brother a chance with more depending on how this goes.

[inflexibility]

He goes willingly, stretching the length of Huaisang's body as he seeks another kiss, his mouth claiming Huaisang's, one hand sliding down his side as he does. Kissing is easy enough to lose himself in, at least, although going past that, isn't exactly something he's done all that much before.

Still, it's worth a try if this works. Worst thing is Huaisang sends him home and it's hardly the first time that's happened.

[illicitly]

Huaisang has some experience, mostly a few hooks up and flings during his first two years of college but nothing he'd call a serious relationship. And he hasn't been with anyone at all since well before graduation, having been more focused on his studies. In the couple of years since, he's been more fixated on taking care of his ailing brother until it got to the point that he just couldn't take it anymore and moved out.

This is nice though, something light and not too heavy. Huaisang kisses him back eagerly, sighing into his mouth. His fingers catch the bottom of Jiang Cheng's shirt, lifting it just enough to slip a hand undernath to press against the small of his back. It doesn't move any further for now though, giving them both time to relax and adjust.

"You can touch me wherever you like," he murmurs in the other man's ear once the kiss reaches a natural break. "You have my permission, Wanyin."

[inflexibility]

"I want to." To be there for him, in whatever way he can, even just for a little while. He's not going to interfere in whatever Huaisang has planned, but letting him go alone doesn't sit right.

"I'll send word to Lotus Pier when we get there."

[illicitly]

"...All right."

Even now, Huaisang aches for him, wanting nothing more than to give up and offer himself up to Jiang Cheng's pleasure as he has so many mornings in the past after stealing a night to themselves. But his will is stronger than than that but after a pained, longing look, he forces himself to pull away and drag himself off the bed.

He's already getting ready to leave when one of his men arrives with the news he'd been waiting for. The man, his elder by quite a few years and one of his brother's most trusted subordinates, doesn't even seem to question Jiang Cheng's presence in his master's room so early in the morning. He simply greets him respectfully, relays his message, and turns around and leaves.

"We'll be on our way soon. Do you have everything you need, Jiang-xiong? If you need to stop by your room for anything first, now's the time. I'll meet you outside."

[inflexibility]

"I'll send everything back to Lotus Pier but I do need a few minutes." Except for a change of clothing. His formal robes aren't his everyday wear after all.

"...We could use my sword if you want to send your people ahead." It's out before he can stop himself, gaze drifting to Huaisang for a moment.

[illicitly]

Huaisang closes his eyes.

He remembers. Oh, how he remembers what it's like to fly on his sword with Jiang Cheng's arms wrapped so securely around him so he didn't fall. It been one of the happiest and most moments early in their relationship, the prelude to an impromptu holiday with just the two of them.

He should say no. He should refuse the offer and insist on his men accompanying them. But his mouth won't form the words and he can't help the starkly helpless look of yearning on his face. The ache intensifies and all Huaisang can do is weakly nod his consent.

"I'll instruct my men to go on ahead then and I'll wait for you at the entrance."

[inflexibility]

He nods briefly before going to collect enough clothing for a stay and instructing the rest of his entourage to head back to Lotus Pier. Then it's just a matter of walking down the steps to meet Huaisang, his footsteps slowing as he approaches the other sect leader.

"...Are you ready to go?"

[illicitly]

"Yes, I am."

He looks and sounds tired, beneath his expression cracks of vulnerability. It's hardly a countenance befitting the new leader of the Qinghe Nie Sect and he knows just how pathetic he must look right now. He continues to stand there, eyes downcast, the nervous in air around him palpable.

But he still isn't running away.

"It'll be a couple of days by sword travel. The air might be a little chillier than what you're used to in Lotus Pier."

[inflexibility]

"I'll be fine." He draws his sword, lets it drop to float before offering Huaisang his hand to help him up onto the sword before joining him. He's got an arm firmly around his waist as they leave, heading in the direction of Qinghe.

And he doesn't even try to make Huaisang talk, flying with him until they have to stop in a town. Jiang Cheng getting them rooms at the inn. Separate rooms because he doesn't want to presume after the previous night.

[illicitly]

Huaisang leans into his embrace the whole way, just resting and not speaking, barely even paying attention to the ground below during the flight. The separate rooms are the right call; he seems to relax a little once he hears it. As sect leaders, appearances must be maintained. Even if Jiang Cheng has no desire to marry, Huaisang's future marriage prospects will dwindle to nothing it their status as lovers ever becomes known to the public and there will be no bride to help him continue the clan lineage.

After they've taken the evening meal and gone to their separate rooms for the night, Huaisang waits until it's after dark and most of the inn's inhabitant have gone to bed before sneaking over to Jiang Cheng's room. He softly raps on the doorframe in the same code he used to use when sneaking over at the Cloud Recesses and waits.

[inflexibility]

He doesn't honestly remember the last time he slept consistently, and it's only a moment or two before the door opens, letting Huaisang inside. He doesn't speak, just moves back to settle in the bed.

Makes room for him. But he's not pushing attention on Huaisang either. If this helps him sleep, it's more than enough.

[illicitly]

Wordlessly, Huaisang sits down on the bed and he hates himself for being so pathetic and weak. He's not yet the leader the Qinghe Nie needs him to be, that his brother wanted him to be, or so he thinks, but he's determined to become those things and not let Nie Mingjue's trust be place in vain.

Right now, though, he still needs Jiang Cheng. Huaisang looks at him now with, his heart in his eyes. Hurt, resignation, grief, and love all bleed together in a messy tangle of emotion. He doesn't want to initate this; he wants the decision to be taken out of his hands but he can't ask him for not. Not after how Huaisang had hurt hm the night before.

So after a few minutes of conflicted silence, Huaisang reaches over to turn the other man's face toward his. He leans in to kiss him on the mouth and stays there in the moment for quite a while before breaking it just enough to whisper the words he hadn't said back to him the night before.

"I love you, Jiang Cheng. So much it hurts."

[inflexibility]

He gives him time, watches him sit there and struggle with himself, his body still, just waiting to see what he's going to do. And the kiss surprises him a little after the previous night, but he's not going to reject it, far from it.

He takes control of the kiss, deepens it, something possessive in the way he kisses Huaisang, more assured than the last time they'd been together, at least. Fingers slip into his hair, stilling at the words that slip out.

And he almost forgets to breathe for a moment before he moves, tugs Huasiang to lie down on the bed and kisses him again, settling over him.

"I love you too." When he breaks this kiss, just looking down at Huaisang.

[illicitly]

He needs this. He needs him. Huaisang's arms slip around him as he's lowered onto the bed, kissing back with an edge of desperation. Seven years. It's been seven years since he'd first fallen in love with this man, back before war and ruin could enter either of their lives. When the kiss breaks, he's gasping and clinging, those words giving him life.

"Make love to me," he begs, staring deeply into Jiang Cheng's eyes. "I can't... I'm not ready yet."

Just like he hadn't been ready to say goodbye all those years ago after they'd eventually had to part ways. Seven years. They've been together seven years. The panic driving hm now isn't unlike what it'd had been back then, either.

"Please, A-Cheng... I don't want to let go. Make me forget I have to. Just for a while."

[inflexibility]

His hands move, cupping Huaisang's face as he looks down at him, his eyes taking in every detail before he's leaning down to kiss him again when Huaisang stops speaking, the kiss demanding this time, more aggressive than he's probably used to.

But they've both changed so much over the years since their first kiss. Jiang Cheng's hands move, fingers undoing the belt, pushing his robe open as he breaks the kiss, dips his head to at Huaisang's collarbone before he sucks a mark there, one of the spots they both favor.

And then he's catching a nipple between his teeth, tongue flicking over slowly, eyes flicking up to watch his face.