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

[fanoperator]

Huaisang listens, breathing slowing and evening out as he relaxes in Jiang Cheng's arms. He doesn't want to let himself fall asleep, because this is important, and it means a lot to him that Jiang Cheng is taking this care with him. But he feels soothed and calmed in a way that he hasn't for a long time, and the story feels more like a dream as it continues, low and soothing.

"That's lovely, Jiang Cheng," he murmurs once it's done, yawning with sleepy contentment. "It was soothing. I needed that."

[jc_superstar]

He smiled, rubbing Huaisang's arm gently. "It's a favorite story. All the story tellers would master it for the festivals and children. And it was always one I requested, over and over again. I guess I had some of the story telling rub off on me." It was a story he told A-Ling over and over again when he was little, sometimes embellishing the lotus portion, sometimes the race portion. He adjusted it depending on the boy's mood.

"I'm glad you liked it," he murmured after, turning towards him when he said it. While utilizing cultivation was needed, he didn't have the heart to push either of them into it. Huaisang was warm and cozy and relaxed and Cheng felt that was more important than anything else.

[fanoperator]

"I'm glad to have you here," Huaisang replied, smiling tiredly and keeping his head on Jiang Cheng's shoulder. "You're warm. Am I okay like this? I'm not hurting you?" He was a little worried about the pressure on Jiang Cheng's torso, but not yet worried enough to draw away from him. He needed his friend close.

[jc_superstar]

"I'm okay," he assured his friend, holding Huaisang closer to him. "And, after all the calamity that's happened, I'm glad you're here, too." Cheng couldn't imagine handling the immediate days after the event on his own. He could have buried himself in work but with Lan Qiren here, he was certain there wouldn't have had many things that required his attention.

While he had suggested they meditate again, he didn't push it, preferring the company and warmth that was being shared here. "Sleep," he urged softly.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang nodded, a little bit hesitant at sleeping again after he'd just slept for hours, but he did indeed feel exhausted. The events of the night before had been emotionally draining, he supposed, in addition to the sleep deprivation. In addition to the physical injury.

Releasing Jiang Cheng again, Huaisang laid down very carefully. He whimpered as he shifted his leg, but he still wanted to move enough so that he could lay on his side with his injured leg uppermost. This put his back to Jiang Cheng, and Huaisang hoped he understood that this was a desire to spoon rather than a cold shoulder, but he resolved that he'd specify if Jiang Cheng didn't automatically understand.

First half of testing done! I swear I lost 5 lbs sweating

[jc_superstar]

He watched Huaisang for a moment, brows furrowed as he tried to puzzle out what was happening. He did and took one final drink of tea before getting the blankets arranged and laying on his side as well, covering Huaisang's back and winding an arm around his middle. "Comfortable?" His voice was soft and warm as he worked to get used to this. Last night...or this morning? That was different. They had both been pushed to their limits. Now Cheng was a little more aware, sliding his hand higher towards Huaisang's chest when he realized that it might have been scandelous to have his hand on the man's stomach.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang made a happy noise as Jiang Cheng's body pressed against his back. His hand rested over Jiang Cheng's, not thinking anything of it when Jiang Cheng moved it other than perhaps he wanted to feel how Huaisang's heart was beating. It gave a little flutter at the thought, and his cheeks flushed, but he didn't make any effort to brush Jiang Cheng's hand away. His grip tightened, if anything, wanting to keep Jiang Cheng close. "Yes. Warm. Safe. Thank you, Chengcheng."