dumbshow | highly new, slightly improved open post

highly new, slightly improved open post

assorted morons

optional prompts/ideas

☆ caught in the rain meme
☆ little steps meme
☆ affectionate physical contact meme
☆ picture prompt also acceptable but link them so it's tidy
☆ AU ideas: soulmates AU, reincarnation AU, Bad End AU, canon divergent/roleswap AU, dorky college AU, crossover AU, super indulgent high fantasy AU
☆ melodrama is ultimate tier
★ SHIPPING AND FUCC:
☆ non-fluffy relationship types I'm down for: codependent, master/servant power imbalance type ships, "we're bad for each other but worse for anyone else," other things I am failing to think of tbh
☆ things I am not into: noncon (includes "dubcon"), incest, tsundere shit if your tsundere is just verbally abusive, gratuitous torture porn, you'll probably have to ask me about harder kinks and they will vary by character
☆ I don't have a kink list so pitch me an idea if u thirsty
☆ if you would prefer a locked post I can also make that happen

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Huaisang hums, not looking up at him still. He's been caught, then, Jiang Cheng remembers just enough to question him about his intentions or whatever they should call it, and Huaisang's heart pounds painfully the longer he sits here and says nothing. Here he's been, lazing his days away at Qinghe, and it isn't a bad life. His brother is here. He's safe here, he can more or less do as he pleases...

But Jiang Cheng is always somewhere else. Huaisang can't pinpoint the moment Jiang Cheng's absence started to weigh on him as much as it has in recent weeks, but he isn't so foolish as to not know his own heart. No, of course not- he knows what he wants. That part is easy, it's expressing it (well, sober) that gives him pause.

Idly he lifts a hand to touch his lips, the way Jiang Cheng had that night— and then he looks at him, because what is a serious conversation without absolutely torturing himself?

First,] Your hair looks ridiculous like that.

[It's still not an answer, he knows, he knows--]

I would like to see Lotus Pier with you.

[He opens his mouth to start snapping, so thank god that isn't the only thing Huaisang notices. He's having feelings again, like some kind of twelve year old, and Huaisang wants to talk about his hair, oh my god--

It's easier to get worked up about that than focus on what he says next. Because that's terrifying, even more so than a polite brush-off or mild rejection. That's a confirmation, that's a yes, and suddenly the future seems both bright and full of peril.

He should push more. He should confirm it, or ask more: do you want to stay with me, do you want to be with me, and by the way, how exactly do you mean it, because I've thought a lot about kissing you, but a promise to go to one's home isn't a promise to kiss, perhaps we're just really good friends--]

Good.

[They'll start here, though. He swallows thickly, his eyes darting down to where Huaisang's mouth, but then:]

Don't criticize if you're not going to help me fix it.

[Will this be easier if they're not staring right at each other? Maybe!]

You took my pin out, so I'll criticize however much I want.

[Ah, but it's just a tease, because it is easier to do this if he has something else to do with his hands. He reaches over to gently tug one of those errant locks of hair, to guide Jiang Cheng to bow his head enough for Huaisang to do something proper with his hair here, while they discuss... feelings. Or visits. Or something.]

But all you have to say is "good"? You came all this way!

[Appreciate him a little more! Damn! He pauses before adding, more gently,] I'm glad you came.

What would you have me say? I'm not--!

[Calm the fuck down, why don't you? He hushes as Huaisang's fingers go to his hair, because that's the way to shut him up, apparently: touch him even a little. He glowers at the floor, fingers flexing against the floor.]

I've missed you.

[There: an offering, albeit not a revolutionary one. He drums his fingers once, twice, then adds:]

I would have come sooner, but I wanted to finish it first. Lotus Pier is . . .

I want you to see it as it should be, especially in summer. Not how they destroyed it.

[. . .]

You're forbidden from whining about the humidity, though.

[Hmm, that's better. Huaisang shifts to face him and scoot a little closer— to do his hair properly, of course. To hear that he was missed, and the sentiment... makes his heart ache once more, hope and confusion swirled together. He's been caught, but what about Jiang Cheng? Is he just lonely?

Well, yeah, but—

It's so much to think about. At least he was missed.]

Now that you've pointed it out, I'm going to notice it even more... I'll have to stay inside and hope for the best.

[mmmm...]

I've missed you, too. [...] And I'm sure you did a magnificent job, so I'm looking forward to it.

We live by a lake, Nie-xiong. Lotus Pier is named for the lotuses that grow in the lake. You aren't sitting inside all day and ignoring it.

[His eyes close in quiet contentment, utterly pleased to have Huaisang's fingers in his hair once more.]

You'll be lucky if I don't shove you in . . .

[See, and this is why he lo-- likes Huaisang so much. Because there's such a casual intimacy, and it's easy to weave between difficult topics and less serious ones.]

You came all the way here to take me back with you and now you want to watch me drown? Jiang-xiong is cruel!

[He tugs a lock of hair, not hard, but pointedly. Be nice to him or he'll stay indoors the whole time.]

My brother won't like it if he hears you saying something like that.

[Which is an amusing thought, actually, until he realizes... this is Jiang Cheng he's talking to... What's worse: Jiang Cheng embarrassing himself in front of Mingjue, or Jiang Cheng not mentioning it at all and leaving it to Huaisang to deal with?]

Did you talk to him?

Not about this.

[He glances up, meeting his eyes pointedly. Huaisang, you can absolutely deal with this, babe!]

Do you really want me to tell him that I'm taking you back home with me?

[Which sure is a way to phrase it, but he doesn't regret it.]

[uggggghhhh babe]

So I don't have to, yes!

[It's not as if Mingjue will tell him no, but Huaisang will still have to face his stern look of vague disapproval... sigh. He drops his hands to, honestly, squish Jiang Cheng's cheeks to really emphasize his despair. Aaah...]

I will, but you'll owe me.

[As if he's not already taking him home to luxuriate by the lake... details! And phrasing: noted and accepted, thanks.]

Hey--

[He bats vaguely at his hands, swatting them away as he sits back.]

I will not. He's your brother-- why is this responsibility suddenly on me? And I came all this way just to return your pin in person. If anything, you owe me.

[Ah, yes, the pin— Huaisang glances at it, then picks it up to stick back in his own hair at long last, a pointed use of accessory that will not set off Mingjue's disapproval alarm at all. If he's going to do this, he may as well do it in the most classic Younger Sibling (tm) way possible...]

Well, never mind. [he owes nothing... his presence is the favor] But you have to come with me when I talk to him or he'll think you're a coward.

[Battle prowess is invalid if he can't look Mingjue in the face before spiriting away his baby brother, etc.]

[Hey, what the fuck, that's an actually valid argument . . . damn it. Has he not suffered in life enough? Why must he be bullied into these things?]

I'm his junior in every sense. I'm sure he doesn't think much of me either way.

[But they don't have to go right this second, right? He's not due to see Mingjue til dinner, anyway, so why rush it.]

Ah . . . how long do you want to stay, anyway? [A beat, and then the world's lamest justification:] He'll want to know.

[The next difficult choice: right before dinner, or right after... Huaisang will workshop it. He shrugs, a little guiltily about that first thing— because it might be true? Jiang Cheng proved himself in battle, certainly, and saved Huaisang's life a handful of times, but Mingjue is who he is...

So, ah. The other thing.]

Well... as long as I can get away with it.

[Which is a convenient half-answer; as long as Jiang Cheng will put up with him, for one...]

So ask to stay for the rest of the season.

[Or: another six weeks. It's an impulsive answer, but not utterly shocking. Not when everyone is in that post-war feel-good stage, where everyone's friendly and no one wants to dive back into war so quickly. The Nie clan sending their second son on a social visit to the Jiang clan is a fairly good move, politically speaking-- there's no better time for cementing alliances.]

Even if he disapproves, he'll only reduce it to a month.

It sounds like you want to negotiate, Jiang-xiong.

[Ha... it's fine, it's fine - Huaisang will still do it. It's a good idea anyway, and six weeks sounds like a dream; six weeks of wandering around Lotus Pier, seeing the lake, the town... Jiang Cheng has a sect to run, but surely there will be plenty of quiet moments alone just like this one. Very enticing.

Mingjue is still Mingjue and that all can come later, so for now it's time to indulge.]

What will we do first when we get to Lotus Pier?

[Oh, that's the game they're playing . . . well, not that he minds. There are worse games to play.]

I told you: I'm dumping you in the water.

[He says it with a straight face. Did you want a blissful romantic fantasy? This is it: swimming around with a dude you're into and who might maybe be into you too, possibly.

Pros: seeing your crush shirtless and wet.

Cons: swimming in a lake.]

It's past time you learned how to swim.

Oh, then maybe I won't go.

[Concept: Jiang Cheng can slosh around in the lake and Huaisang can watch. That sounds better than this terrible suggestion, which sucks. Thanks for nothing, babe.]

I want to eat some lotus seeds, first. Then we'll see about your lake.

You can't refuse, it wasn't a suggestion. You're my guest, you have to abide by my rules.

[Just wait: he really will enforce this. Huaisang will look like a drowned cat by the end of this.]

You can have lotus seeds afterwards, as a reward, if you do well.

[This guy... the things Huaisang does for a pretty boy? Truly, he is weak.]

Still cruel. Don't leave me in the middle of the lake for six weeks, Jiang-xiong...

Besides tormenting me in the water— tell me what else you want to do.

[Hm, and his smile doesn't fade so much as quiets.]

I want you to see what Yunmeng has to offer. All of it: there's no finer teahouses, no better craftsmen, no cleverer blacksmiths. You're going to beggar yourself from how much you want to buy.

[Ah, see, there it is; Jiang Cheng does know how to play this little indulgent game. Good, good.]

I'm sure I will! I'll have to keep it all at Lotus Pier or my brother will complain...

[He'll just have to... spend more time there! Dang!]

And then?

And then . . . it'll be shooting star season. Midsummer's the best time for it. So when it's clear, we'll go watch the disciples make wishes.

[And mercilessly mock them? Maybe! Except he's not quite up to making a comment like that, not right now.]

Suit you?

[A little mean and a little romantic, that's the ticket. Huaisang makes a face like he needs to really think about it, because hmm, it doesn't sound perfect at all.]

Ah... yes, I can manage all that. It's early, [considerably,] but promise you'll make a wish with me when it's time.

[Then they can make fun of the kids.]

Depends on the wish.

[Wait, fuck, that's not what he meant, and he grimaces.]

I mean . . . we should probably come up with it now. If we're going to do it together.

Jiang-xiong, isn't doing it now the same as making another promise...?

[He needs at least a full week to come up with an adequate wish, please do not put him on the spot like this.]

Unless you already thought of something.

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