Aaron/Huaisang

[creeksidealtarboy]

It's nightfall by the time Aaron finally sees this "Impure Realm" that they took him to. He's hungry. He's filthy. He's thirsty. And there's nothing around him that's familiar. He has cigarettes in the pocket of his jeans and nothing else of his own. No note. No information.

Only the vaguely unsettling feeling that he's been deposited somewhere...wrong.

These people look like Huaisang. The robes, the way they move...it's familiar enough that, before they could unsheath their swords, he's throwing his hands out, asking for Nie Huaisang to their complete bafflement. But they loaded him up and took him. Goddamn.

Hopefully they sent someone ahead.

Comments

[threedontknows]

"Visit the Eastern garden if you can," he smiles. "It's my favorite."

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Sure," he laughs, getting out of bed so he can dress properly.

[threedontknows]

Not to mention he personally had the gardens rebuilt after his brother had succumbed to his illness. The Impure Realm looks as beautiful as it once did years and years ago when he was young, as was appropriate for a great clan.

He finishes his bun and sits down at the table to get a little work done in the morning. "Your robes are hanging behind the divider."

[creeksidealtarboy]

He brushes his hand along Huaisang's shoulders as he passes, taking paper and a pen with him as he walks out.

He sits outside in the Eastern Garden, the paper in his lap, working on a new poem.

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang waits until Aaron is actually out of sight before he covers his face with his hands and laughs to himself, giddy and a little lovesick.

Answering correspondence is so much nicer with something to look forward to. He takes care of business and then rises a few hours later, ready for lunch with Aaron.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron doesn't return for lunch. He's lost himself in the gardens, in his words, legs crossed as he leans back against a tree.

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang doesn't mind getting a little air, but the gardens of the Impure Realm are vast and winding. He uses a little trick - a little bit of a location spell to find the general area where Aaron is roaming. He follows the little sparkling butterfly on to where Aaron is currently enjoying himself.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron glances over at the light footsteps. "Hey," he says with a smile. "Oh shit, what time is it?"

[threedontknows]

He sits himself down beside him and produces a bundle of lunch - to go! "Time for you to eat something," he says, handing over some roasted meats and steamed pancakes.

[creeksidealtarboy]

He laughs.

"Oh that looks fucking great." He digs his hands into it, pulling out the pancakes.

[threedontknows]

"Of course it does, I have the best cooks." He hums a little as he indulges in an apricot, happily bobbing beside Aaron as he eats.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Did you find them or did you inherit them?" he teases, nudging him with his shoulder.

[threedontknows]

"Inherited them. Some of them are family members. Cousins. I've known them my whole life." And of course they've pampered him.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"They adore you," he tells him, leaning against his side. "You're fucking spoiled."

[threedontknows]

"I'm very spoiled. I always have been." At least he knows it. "They like you, though they think you're too thin."

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Everyone is thin!" he protests, but he won't argue against more food.

"You sure they like me?"

Aaron, who has never really been liked, doesn't trust it.

[threedontknows]

Of course they like him! They've never seen their young master so happy, which they've pointed out multiple times that day.

"Yeah," he tells him, laying his head onto his shoulder. "They like you a lot."

[creeksidealtarboy]

He takes his hand after he's eaten his fill.

"I've been thinking. It's been - days now. I don't think the Barge is coming back, Huaisang. There isn't anyone else here."

[threedontknows]

“I’ve been thinking about it as well. I’m going to put notices out to the other clans and see if there’s anything amiss.”

But maybe…dare they hope?

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Would you have heard by now?" he wonders idly, standing up and holding down a hand for him.

[threedontknows]

Huaisang places his hand in his with a soft smile of thanks. It feels good to be looked after.

“Possibly, but they might assume these visitors are ghosts or yao. It also depends on how scattered everyone is.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Aren't you some badass leader?" he laughs.

[threedontknows]

He pulls his closed fan - a favorite one - from his sleeve and bops Aaron on the chest. “Of course I am! And my network of gossips is unparalleled! But I can’t account for everyone being sneaky or stupid, can I?”

[creeksidealtarboy]

He laughs, reaching out to capture that fan in his fingers. "You should. But there ain't that many sneaky people around."

[threedontknows]

Huaisang pulls the fan back with a dramatic snap, flicking it open in one smooth motion and batting his eyes. "Just you and me."