aulteration | sangcheng zone

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!

[He shouldn't have been so rough. He's always use to going big, or going home, and he should not have been so rough with Huaisang, even teasingly.

The hint of amusement vanished from his face when Huaisang topples, and he shifts like he thinks he might have to leap into the water after the man, but then realizes... Huaisang is fine, only now disgusting sitting in the somewhat swampy lake water of Yunmeng.

It's been even longer than thirteen years since he's last let himself laugh. The sound is extremely hoarse, and sharp and very short, but he laughs as he steps into the water to make sure Huaisang can stand.]

I guess you'll tell me I won't be able to make this one up so easily then?

[Anyone else, he might huff at for laughing at him, but Jiang Cheng...

It's been so long that he didn't really remember what hearing him laugh sounded like-- he tries to think if he has a memory of it at all. There's absolutely no chance he's going to scold the man for it, not when he wants to hear him laugh again sometime--

Ah. He really does want that, doesn't he? He didn't even know it until just now. Something twists, just slightly, in his chest at the realization.

But he reaches up, insisting silently on being helped to his feet.]

Not easily at all! We'll be out here for hours, or I'll be going back with wet robes-- ah, I don't have spare ones prepared either...

[This could probably be solved with the clever application of a talisman or two to dry them faster once hung. Huaisang elects not to point this out, instead declaring:]

You'll just have to let me borrow some of yours, mine are going to smell of lake water even if they do dry.

[Spoiled. Huaisang is really out here taking advantage of Jiang Cheng's desire to be the respectable Sect Leader his mother wanted (under all of those too intense regulations).

Unfortunate that when you help a guy up with both hands, you end up close and... well, holding hands.]

Are you implying smelling like Yunmeng lake water is disgusting?

[He's teasing. It barely sounds like it because it's going to take longer than a lake shove to get the stick out of his ass, but he's teasing.]

[They're definitely just holding hands now, because Huaisang doesn't let go-- he acts like he doesn't even notice he hasn't, as if he's just quickly forgotten about it once he's standing.]

Being soaked with it certainly is, these are heavy-!

[But the fact that Jiang Cheng is teasing sparks a little more of it in him. He's-- curious what he can get away with, honestly, if he can get Jiang Cheng to tease. His head tilts, corners of his mouth curving in a little grin.]

Why? Do you happen to like that, Jiang Cheng?

[(nhs voice) wow can't believe you want me to smell like your lake?]

[Teasing is something he hasn't done as long as it's been since he last laughed. It's surprisingly... nice. He won't admit that, of course, but it feels strangely cathartic to be able to tease with someone who will easily deflect it rather than cower in front of him.

Not that he minds people cowering--his image!]

I'll have you know, Yunmeng has the least disgusting lake water in our world.

[Look, he doesn't know what else to say. He's bad at jokes. Huaisang is TOO close, and he's bad at jokes. He has to turn away to try to get to his clothes in the boat.]

Not that I don't believe you, but my clothes will still need to be cleaned, least disgusting or not.

[He lets Jiang Cheng turn away, but while he's not looking-- Huaisang is busy undoing the belt of his outermost layers, loosening and removing it, folding it to set aside so that he can begin pulling off his soaked outer robes.

Jiang Cheng is out here wearing practically nothing, he thinks he's allowed to start divesting himself of some of his own clothes. They're uncomfortable now.]

[Rather than begin pulling the clothes back on himself, Jiang Cheng starts folding them neatly over one of his arms until he has everything.]

I'll have them cleaned. [Which is the least he could do for dunking Huaisang in the water.] I have-- [He turns back to the other man, but freezes when he realizes Huaisang is just... starting to remove clothes. It's fine. They'll both be half naked.

It's fine.]

...I have additional robes you can wear until they are cleaned.

I do hate to impose on you that much, but- yes, it would be appreciated.

[It's the least he could do!

Huaisang says that entirely casually, draping his outer robes over a nearby branch, removing more. He's down to thinner layers that cling to him now that they're wet, almost inappropriate despite still being fully covered-- he leaves it at that for now, actually.]

I suppose we'll be awfully delayed in getting back, though, waiting for these to dry...

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