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.

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[threedontknows]

Huaisang returns after paying and getting roped into a few little problems the innkeeper and a few of the surrounding shopkeepers wanted to present to the leader of the Qinghe Nie. He does his best to solve what he can, then slips away to return back to Aaron.

“Are you dressed? The sun’s out today!”

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron is dressed, peeking out one of the windows when Huaisang walks in.

"Yeah, I'm dressed."

Had a whole bath and everything.

"Ain't too hot?"

[threedontknows]

He’s just so pretty. Huaisang waves his fan in front of his face and smiles a little in admiration.

“It doesn’t get too hot here, not high up in the mountains like we are.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

He puts his feet on the floor and stands up, stretching his arms over his head. "Then I guess I'm ready for more shopping," he says, smiling indulgently at him.

[threedontknows]

Oh, that smile. It isn’t so greedy to want someone to smile at him like that all the time, is it? Especially someone as lovely and as scheming as Aaron.

“Shall we?” he asks, tucking his fan into his belt.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Yeah. You gonna get me something real nice?"

He puts a hand on his lower back, urging him forward.

[threedontknows]

"Only if that's what you want," Huaisang smiles, taking his hand for just a brief moment as they step outside the room. It's quiet down in the main room, most of the guests still asleep or having risen to continue their journey.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"What, you really gonna let me wander around with you not looking my best?" he laughs.

[threedontknows]

Huaisang looks aghast. “What? No, never! I’m going to dress you in all sorts of finery!”

But again, only if Aaron wants that. He believes that if he gives him a choice he’ll pick out something he’ll feel more comfortable in.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron is enjoying that look on his face. It's pretty priceless.

"Oh sure. And then I'll grow my hair out long, too."

[threedontknows]

“That might be a step too far,” he laughs, batting his lashes slightly as they head out into the street. “You’re a foreigner, no one would expect long hair or a guan!”

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Oh thank fuck. I look terrible with long hair had a full fucking mullet when I was a kid."

He shakes his head. Bad memories.

[threedontknows]

He has no idea what that is! But he’s sure it was terrible, because this is the hair style that suits Aaron best.

“You need to look like yourself, that’s how I like you.” He links his arm with Aaron’s and smiles, all charm and sweetness.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron rolls his eyes.

"You're so full of shit," he teases fondly.

[threedontknows]

“Don’t be mean to your gege when he’s being so nice to you!” he argues, still holding tightly to him. “You should pick me out a present. I’ll pay for it, but I want to see what you think I’d like.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

He huffs. "That's a goddamn trap, Huaisang."

But he's not opposed to it. He scans a few of the stalls, dragging him along.

[threedontknows]

“Of course it’s not a trap. It’s just a test to see how well you know me, and if you can please me.”

He grins and sets a pouch of money into Aaron’s hand, happily following him along.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron rolls his eyes. "And if I choose something wrong?"

He's not actually worried about that.

[threedontknows]

“You won’t.”

He smiles and leans against him again, peering over the edge of his fan to look at the goods in the stall.

[creeksidealtarboy]

He smirks. "Yeah, I know I fucking won't. Because I already made you buy this for yourself yesterday."

He turns, pulling one of the pins he had been eyeing yesterday. The one Huaisang had gotten him in his rush to spoil Aaron.

"I had been wanting to give it to you yesterday," he laughs.

[threedontknows]

“Aaron!”

What a clever, clever man! And right under his nose too!

Huaisang grins and throws his arms around Aaron’s neck, giving him a kiss to his cheek. “You’re so thoughtful, I adore it! My baobei bought me the loveliest pin.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron turns a deep, deep red and ducks his head. "Yeah, yeah. Don't make a fucking big deal."

[threedontknows]

Oh, he’s adorable when he blushes! That’s the best reward. He’ll have to make him doing it again and again.

“I’ll stop embarrassing you if you put it in my hair.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

He hastily clips it in his hair and then shakes his head before walking away. Or attempting to.

[threedontknows]

Huaisang is quickly on his tail, continuing to smile as he tilts his head to let the light catch in his new hairpiece.

“Turn up here, that’s where the garment district is,” he hums, even more excited about buying Aaron an outfit he’d feel comfortable in.