aulteration | sangcheng zone

Don't lose-- just where do you think I even would! The boat is only so large!

[He was NOT expecting his fellow Sect Leader to get practically naked in front of him? Hello?

... but it isn't as though he minds. He doesn't consider himself a cut-sleeve, exactly, but he knows he appreciates anyone with a good physique, and Jiang Cheng is certainly something to look at. So he looks, subtly, over the edge of his fan as those clothes are discarded piece by piece, the belt held on his lap.

It's not new. He knew he found Jiang Cheng attractive years ago, too, but-- damn it all, he still is. Maybe more so, now.]

-be quick about it.

[so he can get his clothes BACK ON.]

Don't drop it in the water, [he corrects, giving Huaisang a look. But he knows the other man wouldn't fumble the clarity bell. At least, he doesn't think so.] And don't capsize the boat.

[Huaisang isn't wrong. Jiang Cheng looks... very unnecessarily good for a man who has such a terrible attitude most of the time. And he's almost aquatic, being from Lotus Pier. The boat only rocks a little when he steps one foot on the edge and dives over into the water to disappear beneath.

Opening his eyes isn't going to be good, but he knows how to maneuver to the bottom to feel around for the pole.]

I don't know how much you think I can manage while simply sitting here...

[Let him live? God.

He watches Jiang Cheng dive gracefully off the boat, allowing himself a moment of appreciation for it before he starts pointedly not thinking about him returning to the boat nearly naked and soaked. Absolutely not. The clothes need to go right back on.

Fortunately, Huaisang is a good actor who will manage not to blatantly stare, whenever Jiang Cheng returns.]

[His long fingers feel against the sediment on the bottom of the lake in the general area the pole sank. Running out of breath isn't an issue; Jiang Cheng has a great lung capacity thanks to where he's grown up.

Little bubbles pool up to the surface here and there in certain spots, and then before long, his pale face and neck breaks the surface tension when he emerges. He doesn't gasp raggedly so much as exhale once, and then inhale deeply.

He blinks the water out of his eyes and lashes, glancing up. The two long pieces of fringe are glued to the side of his face almost like a very bad beard.]

I found it.

[Thank the gods for how terrible the fringe looks all glued to his face, or Huaisang would be in trouble. He exhales a relieved breath, eyes definitely not lingering on the tiny droplets of water clinging to his lashes.

Fuck.]

Good, good-!! Here, come up, I'll help with your clothes...

I need to dry off first.

[Well, Huaisang isn't going to like it when he reaches up to quickly swipe his hand through his bangs to flatten them back and make them less unruly.

He holds the edge of the boat while pulling the pole carefully up to align it longways inside. But he doesn't risk capsizing said boat with Huaisang in it.

Instead, he files his hand along as he swims around to the other side and to the bank of the tree island. Huaisang unfortunately gets a nice look of his back as he hauls himself out by the arms.

Does Jiang Cheng have a few cute moles? Hmmm.]

[both i and nhs hate this hot jc content.

Anyway, he definitely stares since Jiang Cheng is facing away! Let him appreciate the back. Maybe more than just the back... hm. His elbow rests on the edge of the boat, chin in his palm.]

You aren't going to just leave me here, are you?

[As if he's going to step out of the boat himself, he might fall.]

[stop my sexy jc tags

Huaisang really isn't going to bother getting out of the boat without help, is he? Terrible. A part of Jiang Cheng thinks "tch," but then another, larger part... strangely... enjoys it?

A little tick on his check list of things he looks for in a wife. Cultivation level not to high, personality not to strong.]

Didn't you tell me you wanted to stay there like that for now?

[There is more tease in his tone than he'd like. But once he's settled on the bank (now Huaisang gets to appreciate the other side), he reaches out to catch the boat and pull it in closer. He offers Huiasang a hand.]

Not stuck in a boat by myself, I don't!

[It doesn't go unnoticed that Jiang Cheng doesn't bother scolding him for not doing anything about it himself... Huaisang files that away for later, along with the teasing note in his voice. His eyes linger only very briefly on the exposed plane of his abdomen (nice) before he reaches out to take Jiang Cheng's hand, allowing himself to be helped out of the boat.]

I'm right here.

[He hides the small quirk of amusement on his lips in the act of helping Huaisang across to the grass island. It's not much exactly; somewhat small with two thick trees of long willowing leaves. They are big enough to climb and relax in, however.

But Jiang Cheng is still sitting on the bank, a heel hooked onto the boat so it doesn't float away until the water settles. He tries to wring out the legs of his under pants to encourage it to dry faster.]

Yes, but you weren't in the boat, were you?

[So, not good enough. Huaisang steps on to the little island, and settles a step or two away from Jiang Cheng, robes fanning out around him.

He's definitely still not looking.]

You were right, though. It's much nicer out here.

[He feels... only slightly out of place after he smooths down the pants. Being this unclothed in front of another Sect Leader seems highly inappropriate, and yet...

They are both men? They had once been good friends? It's fine.]

It's cooler. [He glances from Huaisang to the hanging branches.] And quieter.

And the view from here is quite nice.

[He adds that almost absently, with a little hum as he fans himself.

He's definitely just talking about the lake.]

Do you come out here often, Jiang Cheng?

[HUAISANG.

I hate that Jiang Cheng is very stupid, so he does not quite get the implication of this aside from, like, maybe a tiny inkling which gets his brows to knot.]

I haven't in a long time. I did when I was rebuilding Lotus Pier, as a break.

I'm surprised you don't-- you really should take breaks more often, you know. It might help that disposition of yours.

[Light, teasing-- though okay, he does mean it a little. Jiang Cheng take breaks challenge.

Huaisang considers before removing his shoes, tugging up the hems of his layers of robes to keep them dry as he dips his feet in the water. May as well, while he waits for his companion to dry.]

[It's the ease that makes him glance over, irritable, but it's the movement which keeps him looking. It's more he's thinking about what Huaisang has said, and then he finally focuses on what he's actually staring at.

This is not at all something to be embarrassed about, not when he's sitting here in literally his underwear. But?? Whatever, sue him, for gods' sake. Huaisang's ankles are much more dainty and slender than his own.

It's downright scandalous, seeing it. What is he, a teenager? This is ridiculous.

But he swallows, turns red under the heavy shadow of the trees, and looks away hurriedly.]

You underestimate how quickly Lotus Pier would fall to ruin if I took a break.

[Oh, that's interesting. That's very interesting, actually. Nie Huaisang doesn't fail to notice the way he reddens and looks away, and he hums idly, pulling the layers of fabric further up to his knees, exposing the soft curve of his calves. It's entirely casual, just so he can dip his feet a little further, that's all!

Jiang Cheng might have looked away, but he's patient. He'll wait.]

Would it really-- you don't have a single trusted advisor who could keep it running, just for a day? Perhaps you ought to change that.

[In his peripheral, he can see more of Huaisang's legs appearing as the robe pulls away and the legs go in the water. His jaw clenches.]

I would simply rather do it myself.

[He is a hard-headed FOOL. Clearly. And there is something to be said about being in control when he had no control over a lot of things happening in his life.]

You can't put everything off on other people.

Neither can you shoulder everything yourself forever.

[He says it mildly, just sort of idly kicking his feet as he looks out over the lake. He's watching Jiang Cheng out of the corner of his eye, though.]

[Jiang Cheng's mouth opens, but then he shuts it a few seconds after. Huiasang isn't wrong, but he's spent a long time shouldering many things.

Not that he is looking for recognition for doing it. There was plenty he never breathed a word of to anyone. That hadn't been the point.]

Why are you-- [He's trying to casually talk to Huaisang like normal when he looks back; his eyes immediately glance at Huaisang's legs before jumping frantically back to Huaisang's face.] Why are you trying so hard to convince me?

[There's a tiny, amused glint in Huaisang's eyes when Jiang Cheng looks up to his face once more, but he says nothing, and it fades as quick as it sparked to life.]

Because you've had many responsibilities, for a long time now. Bringing up young master Jin too, on top of it all...

[He looks away there, back over the water.]

...it grows heavy, carrying it all alone. That's all.

[Please let him live. When has he ever been not blacklisted enough to see sexy legs? He hates being out here like this with nothing business to occupy his mind. He could take all of it with a straight face then.

He watches Huaisang's face when the other man turns around, face pinched softly.]

It does, [he agrees. For a long moment, he's quiet, almost hesitant.] But I don't want anyone else to carry it. Especially not A-Ling.

[look you have your hot wet jc tags and i have nhs sticking a leggy wayyy out. Which is exactly what he does, stretching out languidly.]

He doesn't need to-- no one else needs to carry all of it for you, what is it you think I'm asking?

[Nie Huaisang dips a hand in the lake water, swirling it, making little waves and ripples... and then he flicks droplets of water at Jiang Cheng's face, because SOMEONE has been an influence on him lately.]

Someone else can handle the day-to-day of your Sect, easily enough. Not forever, but long enough for you to set that particular weight aside, and take it back up when you return.

Edited 2020-08-22 03:31 (UTC)

[Well, he is very serious and very focused on their serious topic, so he looks visibly stunned when Huaisang just... tosses droplets of water at him. He even has a reflexive startle.

Alright. That's it. He's tried really hard to be a respectable Sect Leader! He has apologized for his joke, he's tried not to look at sexy legs...]

You--

[He could simply lean over and slap his hand through the water and give Huaisang a huge splash. But no. He's stupid. The first thing he thinks to do is reach out and give Huaisang a swift shove forward at the shoulder.]

[He realizes as soon as he's done it, eyes going slightly wide as Jiang Cheng startles, and he's opening his mouth to apologize--

Which means he gets a mouthful of lake water as he's shoved forward into it, choking and spluttering, limbs flailing reflexively. It definitely serves to make sure he gets soaked by the time he rights himself (thankfully, the water here is shallow); Huaisang pushes himself back up, wet robes hanging heavy on his smaller frame, hair clinging to his face.]

Jiang Cheng!

[It's practically a wail, and sounds very pathetic, especially when he looks like a mess to go along with it.]

Really, not even giving me a chance to say anything-!! These are going to take forever to dry!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject