Aftermath

[fanoperator]

Huaisang sat on the steps in front of Guanyin temple, still staring at Meng Yao's hat and the droplet of blood that had caught on his thumb. Wei-xiong had gone, and Wangji, and Xichen. Huaisang thought that Xichen in particular would probably prefer not to see him again for a while. Xichen had believed Meng Yao at once when he accused Huaisang of orchestrating his downfall. The others, Huaisang was pretty sure, weren't certain.

"Jiang Cheng!" Huaisang called, waving to him in hopes that he wouldn't leave yet. Of all of them, Jiang Cheng was the one he most wanted in his life, and would regret most if he lost. The others he could live without, if necessary. He would miss Wei-xiong and Wangji. Xichen he was glad to lose. He'd never been entirely certain whether Xichen really was ignorant of Meng Yao's crimes, or if he had actively enabled those crimes. But Jiang Cheng he still wanted as a friend. More than ever, now that it was over and Huaisang no longer had to fear for his life at the least misstep, no longer had to fear that he might drag Jiang Cheng into danger or that Jiang Cheng would decide that honor required rash action.

Comments

[jc_superstar]

Victory was bittersweet. Actually, it was quite sour in Cheng's mouth. Of course, Cheng was doomed to be alone forever, but not Huaisang! No, while he did cultivate a bit of a fluffhead personality, he was certain that would all change, and once the world realized how clever and patient Huaisang was in avenging his brother's death and removing a blight in the Cultivation world...no, he was going to be fine.

"But that's my fate," he said, nudging Huaisang gently with his shoulder. "It is not yours, or anyone else's to bear. No, once the others understand what you did to protect your brother's honor and avenge his wrongful death, they'll be knocking at your door, begging for your favor." He offered a wry smile. "You did a good thing, Huaisang. You lanced a poisonous wound in the Cultivation world, a wound that even the best of us didn't see." Or refused to see, but that was a detail that didn't need to be hashed out.

[fanoperator]

"It's only your fate because you're determined to make it your fate," Huaisang said, sharply frustrated enough that it was almost lashing out, but the cutting edge was still blunted by the fact that he was upset for Jiang Cheng more than he was upset at him. "All your life, you've refused to let anyone close, and you say it's inevitable, but it's not. It's just what you've chosen, because you're afraid that if you open yourself up, you'll get hurt."

He smiled weakly at Jiang Cheng's words. It was a nice thought, having people wanting to court him. "I'm not sure I want to actually take credit for any of that. Maybe I can be a little more competent publicly now, but I don't want people to think of me as a threat or a schemer. People who liked Meng Yao are inevitably going to believe that the charges against him were invented, or exaggerated, or just plain excusable. They'll think that I'm a villain for persecuting him. I'd rather not take credit for bringing him down if I can just avoid all that."

[jc_superstar]

Cheng nodded in full agreement of Huaisang's assessment of him. "I am afraid of getting hurt. I've never been proven wrong, Huaisang. I loved my father and he brought home Wuxian and all of his attention went to him. I loved Wuxian and he left in more than one way. My sister, married Zixuan and died. Nephew? He already has one foot out the door. And you, in a sense, way back when. I don't blame you for it. You had a task to complete. But it still stands that no one has proven me wrong, yet, no matter how I hope it is otherwise."

Part of him hopes it's different now, that someone would stay, but he's not holding his breath.

"Do you think they really liked him or that they pretended to for fear of bad luck befalling them under mysterious circumstances?" Because he didn't think that those people who 'liked' him were as deluded as Xichen had been. He hoped not, at least.

[fanoperator]

"So you do hope for it, despite how much you try to push people away," Huaisang murmurs, tucking that observation away for further consideration. But now the conversation has shifted toward Meng Yao. Huaisang frowns unhappily, gazing off out the window at the darkening sky.

"People did really like him, Jiang-xiong. Or at least they were deceived by him. You have to remember, he had a silver tongue. And most people never suspected him of anything. My job would have been vastly easier if they had. But he was good at making himself seem honorable, and wielding courtesy like a knife. I liked him, and I suspected nothing for years. I'm usually so good at judging a person's character."

Shaking his head to dismiss the topic, Huaisang closes his eyes, pained. "Anyway. My point was only that I don't think all--or even many--will agree with you. My people in Qinghe will, mostly. But as for anyone wanting to court me for reasons other than my position and my wealth? I've spent my life being a failure at nearly every measure of what makes an admirable gentleman. I like myself as I am, but I don't delude myself that many people will ever desire me."

[jc_superstar]

"I would." He said that without thinking. "I mean, I value a strong family bond, despite how my parents were. And you care about your people-don't think I didn't notice that they were fed and sheltered, while others worried about your coffers. I think those are more admirable traits than power and wealth."

Did that mean he would have considered someone below his station? He had, once, a long time ago. Actually, if Cheng thought about it enough, he would have valued that more than an equal, for he rarely found anyone of similar status with him to have the same thoughts as he did: Sect leaders worked for the people, not get rich off their people's labor.

But then he realized he might have revealed too much and flushed, clearing his throat. "Is there any more wine in that pot?" He was going to take a long drink from it, too, at this point.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang blinks in bewilderment, trying to puzzle out which part Jiang Cheng was responding to. I would court you? I would desire you? I would like a romantic partner despite pushing people away?

It was true, what Jiang Cheng said. Huaisang's people were fed and sheltered. Qinghe looked shabbier than ever, as Huaisang could 'never find' the funds to renew the gold on temple roofs or to restore the taotie beasts that served as the Nie emblems in statues and medallions, but the roads and bridges were all in excellent repair. Lan Xichen had never looked beyond the veneer of what Huaisang told him, and Meng Yao had only ever cared about appearances. Neither of them had noticed that Huaisang's people were well cared-for.

Jiang Cheng had noticed.

He held out the pot of wine. They'd need to call for more very soon. "You'd ... court me?"

[jc_superstar]

The blush bloomed completely on his face as he drank deeply, but he didn't choke at the query. "But we're both sect leaders, how would that ever work? And people expect heirs. So." So it wouldn't work, right? Even though he said he would court. He gave Huaisang a cautious glance.

"I don't do things frivolously. But if I could..." He shook his head, taking in another drink. He honestly had no idea what Hauisang's preferences would be, anyway. He could just be talking to hear his own voice, at this point.

[fanoperator]

"There are solutions to things like that," Huaisang said. "We can always adopt heirs, that's easy. And we can always visit back and forth, at the very least. Or there are other solutions that might be more ... dramatic." Huaisang has a few ideas.

He sits forward, holding out a hand toward Jiang Cheng to invite him closer. "So court me. If you can't accept that long-term and you still feel you need a blood heir, then just ... let me be happy until you're ready to do that."

[jc_superstar]

He eyes that hand, then looks back up to the other man's face. How could he make it sound all so simple? Huaisang makes it sound so easy. Like it would be easy to do this, and equally easy to just cast him aside. He doesn't like that part, though. No one should be cast aside like that. He knows the hurt of it all too well.

"I wouldn't be able to cast you aside like that," he uttered roughly. "That's not right." But he reached for Huaisang's hand, lacing his fingers with the other's. "You're not supposed to be just something interesting and entertaining until something better comes along." That's said with conviction, because he knows how that feels.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang swallowed heavily as he squeezed tight to Jiang Cheng's hand, clinging to him. "That's ... all I've ever been," he confesses, thinking of all the brief flings he's ever had, and how he's always made himself small, just trying to entertain his partners and keep their interest long enough to get the attention that he so desperately needs. "No one's ever just wanted me. I've only ever been convenient. If you at least want me, even if it's inconvenient, then we can ... we can find a way to make it work. Even if only temporarily."

He can't help but diminish himself, even now trying to make himself small if it means he can have a little of what he wants. "Please," he whispers, biting down hard on his lower lip as he studies his friend's face.

[jc_superstar]

He watches Huaisang, how he speaks, how he shrinks into himself. In the end, he moves to wind an arm around Huaisang and pull him in as tight as he could without bothering wounds too much. "I don't believe it will be easy," he said softly. "But it will not be inconvenient."

How they had gotten to this part like this, he has no idea. First there was trouble, then his nephew had been abducted, then all the drama in the Temple... And now this? It was all still a whirlwind and he felt like he hadn't thought it through and again he found himself not minding that in the least. He wasn't freaking out about this sudden decision.

So maybe this was okay after all?

Regardless, he held Huaisang close, tucking the other man's head under his chin.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang made a soft, grateful sound as Jiang Cheng pulled him into an embrace. His hands wound around Jiang Cheng's waist in return, nestling into his arms and resting his cheek against Jiang Cheng's chest. He hugged him as tight as he dared, careful of his friend's injury but desperately grateful for this closeness and warmth.

Not feeling capable of speech, Huaisang just held on, wanting this moment to last as long as possible and fearing that if he moved or spoke, it might fracture.

[jc_superstar]

Cheng didn't move either. It felt good to have someone in an embrace and they not pull away. Everyone pulled away too soon these days. So to have Huaisang clinging to him... well, he must need it, as did Cheng. Instead of pulling away, Cheng gambled on leaning up against the head board, using that to support them as he kept hold of Huaisang, still puzzled as to how everything came to be at this moment.

He supposed that he didn't need to know how everything was going to work out right now. There was a lot of busy work that needed to be done. He's certain there would be an investigation--especially since Xichen was bound to put himself in seclusion again. And the Jin were going to want answers. Even though A-Lin--Rulan. Jin Ling would have to get used to that, or just be called Sect Leader Jin everywhere he went. But the sect is going to want answers from Jiang Cheng, considering everything that happened. And even during all of this, they will also want answers from Huasiang. How will that shake out in the end?


Another day, he decided. That could be dealt with on another day. For today, however--"We should get to working on speed healing our wounds, again." But he made no move to change their positions.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang made a soft sound of acknowledgement, but didn't loosen his grip at all. That sounded like a much less important priority than being held. Jiang Cheng was warm, and Huaisang felt safe. He needed this, and felt more like himself than he had in years.

"Are you hurting?" he asked, when it occurred to him that his wound wasn't the only one in question and perhaps Jiang Cheng brought it up because he was pained by his own. "I have spiritual energy to spare, if you need it."

[jc_superstar]

"No. I've had worse." That much was true. He was more concerned about Huaisang; that wound needed to heal quickly and well and not be infected. Who knew, Su She's dagger could have been poisoned! He didn't put that past the elder Jins.

"You should concentrate on your wound, A-Sang. My core is not weak." That... actually hurt some, to say. Because it wasn't his core, not really, no matter what the previous owner said.

[fanoperator]

"I'm stronger than you think," Huaisang said, with a tiny smile. "I do my cultivation practice, even if it's just the minimum of meditation and strength exercises every morning, but I have relatively little use for the energy because I do not expend it the way that most cultivators do. I use a little to weave through my braids, keeping them pristine, but that's about it. I'm like a reservoir of energy."

Catching a stray lock of Jiang Cheng's hair, Huaisang twines it around his finger, admiring the thickness of it compared to the fine silk of his own.

[jc_superstar]

"If that were the case, then you should already be healed twice over and not worry about walking," he teased gently, leaning slightly into the touch, eyes half closing as his hair was played with. There was a grin heard in his next question, "Or are you merely milking the injury so you can have more time here?"

He still didn't move much, but did shift so that Huaisang was cuddled up and tucked in against him more securely.

[fanoperator]

"I can't heal in an instant with any amount of energy!" Huaisang scoffed, grumbling and nuzzling at his friend's collar. "I still have to focus and meditate to speed it up and it still takes time. I have energy to spare, but it'll still take time to heal either of us. We can do more in a bit, before we sleep." Jiang Cheng was spot on that Huaisang didn't yet want to leave this embrace or this room. Huaisang didn't care if it was obvious. He just wanted to stay here, safe in Jiang Cheng's arms.

[jc_superstar]

A small chuckle vibrated through Cheng's chest as he pets Huaisang's hair, mindful of the braids. "Fine, fine. I suppose you know best," he teased softly, letting his lips mouth the words on Huaisang's hair than speak into them. He held the embrace for several more minutes before slowly parting, taking a moment to look at his friend's face.

"Better, now?"

His expression was softer, making him look almost as young as he was during their time in Cloud Recesses. He figured the sooner they healed up, the sooner they could start figuring out what exactly they were to each other.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang made a sound in reply that was part affirmation and part whimper, unhappy at the loss of his friend's embrace. He gave Jiang Cheng a pout, also looking almost as young as when they were in Gusu. "Better, thank you."

He hesitated, not wanting to seem entirely childish even though he's still pouting. "I don't want to leave. This time with you has meant so much to me."

[jc_superstar]

Cheng smiled softly, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "I know. But we both still have responsibilities. And I'm sure a council will be called to figure out the aftermath of this mess." He was certain of it since it affected all of the major sects.

"But we still have time, A-Sang. Don't worry." Once all the loose ends were taken care of, they could move forward.

[fanoperator]

"Ugh, I don't want to deal with a council," Huaisang sighed, wrinkling his nose. Though he would have heavy sway in any council, with Jiang Cheng so strongly in support of him, and Jin Ling strongly under Jiang Cheng's influence and guidance. Lan Qiren would represent the Lans, most likely, but aside from them, the power of the great sects had ... become more concentrated, in a certain way. He wondered if it would give some of the smaller sects an opportunity to claim promotion. "You know," Huaisang said, thoughtfully. An idea was taking shape in his mind, though he wasn't sure if Jiang Cheng would object to it.

When he'd been asked hours ago about what schemes he would pursue next, he'd genuinely wanted nothing. But the prospect of being courted by Jiang Cheng changed things. Huaisang was willing to change the world to make that happen.

"It's going to be hard for Jin Ling, leading the Jin Sect at this time. I felt too young and unprepared to take over the Nie Sect, and I had to deal with some pretty terrifying power grabs, and I was in my twenties. I have an idea that ... I think you should discuss with him." Huaisang sat up straighter, mind starting to operate at full power as he laid out his thoughts. "I think you should consider uniting the sects." He lifts a finger to stop Jiang Cheng from a knee-jerk rejection of the idea. "You'd run both the Jiang and the Jin sects, you'd manage the administrators and governors holding power in the various cities and towns under your control. You'd be able to more actively mentor Jin Ling in the management and supervision of a great sect. It provides him with significantly more protection and support now, and it provides him with inheriting both sects in the future. Even if you were to make him your heir to receive the Jiang Sect in the future, combining it under your own supervision makes it immensely easier for him both now and in the future."

[jc_superstar]

"I'm aware of how difficult it was. I was but eighteen when I ascended. A-Ling is younger than that." They all became men way too young, in his mind. Leaders and caretakers of people before they really understood what it was to be a man.

He thought about what Huaisang had said. Dual leadership over Jiang and Jin. While he and Guangyao had plenty of pleasantries before the betrayal, he wasn't certain if it was entirely prudent. "That would be a shift in power I'm not certain the others would be agreeable to." Of course, no contest with the Nies. But Lans? "Perhaps a conservatorship of some sort." The minor sects would make the loudest protest on combining Jiang and Jin. "And there will be talk that perhaps I consipired to make this happen." No doubt there would be people who spoke about that.

[fanoperator]

"Perhaps," Huaisang agreed, letting Jiang Cheng work through his thoughts for a moment. He'd expected most of it, and he thought it was most significant that there weren't many others who could make any real objection. The Lans would most seriously want to avoid any conflict, especially now, and they wouldn't be willing to move against the combined power of the Jiang and Jin sects--and the support of the Nie sect--unless Jiang Cheng showed a serious abuse of that power. "You'll want to take time to think about the implications, and I do think you should discuss it with Jin Ling as soon as possible." That was the core of the issue, Huaisang thought. If Jin Ling felt that his uncle was trying to seize his power, Jiang Cheng would never go against his wishes and the matter was irrelevant. If Jin Ling was grateful for the reprieve, Jiang Cheng would have no choice but to proceed with it. "Even without that, you're going to have an administrative hand in the Jin Sect for at least a few years, and you'll probably need to have a fairly significant martial influence in the Jin Sect as well, to handle any threats who try to move against him. So many of the objections and accusations of conspiracy will be exactly the same in either situation." Therefore, why not choose the option that centralized that power and made it easier for both uncle and nephew?

This time, Huaisang gave him only a couple of seconds to take that in before he continued with the next possibility. "And if you courted me, seriously courted me..." he let it trail for just a moment, to give Jiang Cheng the opportunity to realize where this was going before he said it. "You'd be offering him the chance to inherit the power of three sects."

Huaisang knows exactly what the implications are of this idea. That's not just a merger. That's an empire, the sort of thing that the Wens had wanted to do. The smaller sects would object, but even all combined, even with the Lans as well, they couldn't actually put up any kind of real resistance. Lan Qiren would be furious and Lan Xichen would probably never willingly speak to either of them again, but Huaisang didn't think that either would be willing to go to battle over it unless there were significant abuses of power from the new empire. It had been hard enough to get the Lans into the Sunshot Campaign even after the Wens had nearly killed their heirs in Xuanwu cave. The smaller sects wouldn't even try to go to battle without the Lan Sect. If Jiang Cheng agreed to the idea and Jin Ling didn't object to it, no one could prevent it.

Huaisang's only real fear in proposing it is that Jiang Cheng will think of him as corrupt and power-hungry, and that Jiang Cheng will question whether this was Huaisang's plan all along. That terrifies him, losing Jiang Cheng when he's so close to getting to be with him.

[jc_superstar]

What Nie Huaisang was implying was a huge thing. It was what Guangshan wanted before he died-was murdered, whatever. There had been no real loss there, as far as Cheng was concerned. But for the others, it was a big deal.

"That's something that can be visited later," he finally responded, not wanting to bring on a headache just yet. "There's time, and I need to find out where A-Ling has been spirited off to. If anything of this magnitude is going to be discussed, I want him present so it doesn't seem like you and I are conspiring against the rest of the cultivation world." Yes, that seemed like the best response to all of it. He wasn't going to dismiss it nor embrace it. "I would ask the Lans but... they have enough on their plate." With Xichen so broken, Cheng didn't want to involve the man, nor ask for his opinion on the matter considering he had been so blinded with what had been going on in the past. And there was the matter that Wangi had spirited Wuxian away which would bring no relief to Qiren, either. Fine by him.

For now, he would rather deal with the present issues at hand, which was healing, resting and then returning home. More healing and resting, though. He was curious to figure out how this arrangement of courting would work. He figured decently well, though maybe in secret first. "It may be best that we keep our own affairs quiet until the sects are better settled. I don't want anyone assuming that one or both of us are hedging to come out on top of this mess."