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]

He cups Aaron's face and looks up at him with complete adoration, pushing his golden hair out of his face. "Maybe not tonight, we have this stupid gala. But when we're home."

[creeksidealtarboy]

"I don't care," he breathes. "I know it'll happen."

[threedontknows]

"I'll find you the loveliest red robes," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to his temple. "The finest, most delicate fabric. We'll take our bows in front of my family."

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Red, huh? Alright." He sits up, pulling himself out of him and sitting back, propping himself up on his hands.

[threedontknows]

"Red. It brings a couple good fortune." He rolls onto his stomach and looks up at Aaron with his chin on his arms. "Red and an auspicious day, when the stars are aligned."

[creeksidealtarboy]

"It's up to you, babe. I don't give a shit how, as long as it gets done."

He just wants to be with him.

[threedontknows]

"That's a dangerous thing to say to me, baobei. Everything's going to be ornate. You'll be covered in gold."

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron regards him rather seriously. "Is that what you want?" he wonders. "I don't mind it. You can put me in gold."

[threedontknows]

"I want to make you feel like an emperor." It is what he wants. He wants Aaron to feel what it's like to never want for a thing, to be the envy of everyone around him, if only for one night.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Me? I ain't no good as an emperor, but - you kinda make me feel like it."

He leans forward to kiss him.

[threedontknows]

He kisses him back, keeping it soft and sweet to prevent himself from getting riled up again. And Aaron deserves gentleness and love, not just sex.

He pulls back with a quick kiss to Aaron’s nose. “We have to get ready for the banquet.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

He smiles, touching Huaisang's face with his fingers. "What do I wear?"

[threedontknows]

"I brought one of the robes we had made for you in Qinghe." He leans against his touch briefly and then pulls away to get himself washed, oiled, and dressed for the banquet. He has to look the part, after all.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron watches him for a while, but he eventually gets up and goes through his own routine that he's established over the past few days. Brush his hair, wash his face, style his hair with the water, get dressed.

He picks out the dark blue robe and cinches it tightly.

"Look alright?"

[threedontknows]

Huaisang is sitting at his mirror with a brush in hand. He pauses to look over his shoulder, smiling with half-painted lips at the sight of Aaron in those dashing robes.

"You look Nie."

He turns back to finish adding the paint to his lips and cheeks and eyelids.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron laughs, a little caught off guard and more than a little pleased.

"Yeah? Good." He walks over and puts his hands on his shoulders.

[threedontknows]

"Good," he repeats, taking the black kohl and drawing along his eyelids. "The cut of those robes are flattering. Looking at you reminds me that I have really good taste."

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron just rolls his eyes. "You do, Your Excellency. Very good taste." He squeezes his shoulders gently, massaging them out while he finishes his face.

[threedontknows]

When he's finished with his makeup he sets the brush down and glances at Aaron through the mirror. "You should probably stop touching me like that, or I'll have you take me to bed again."

He bats his eyes again.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"I won't do it," he answers innocently. "You'll simply be uncomfortable for the entirety of the banquet."

[threedontknows]

"That's cruel of you. You're supposed to love me."

He pouts as he gathers his hair, now meticulously braided, into his metal guan.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"That is how I show my love," he laughs. "By reminding you that you're the most powerful person in the world...and I still make you squirm."

[threedontknows]

“I let you make me squirm,” he argues with a grin. “I have some self control, after all. I just don’t want to act like it.”

He flashes him a bit of a devilish grin. “Not when you’re so delicious-looking.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

"You're gonna get yourself all hot and bothered with talk like that," he snorts.

[threedontknows]

“Maybe that’s what I want,” he says, plucking his fan from the top of his vanity and tapping Aaron in the chest. “Are you ready? We’ll be announced soon.”