#sangcheng week 2020

[seph-makes-art]

From sagcheng week 2020

Moving works from Twitter here 🥰

[eyesawchan]

ehe it was sangcheng week on twitter! Here’s day 1: horror au where nhs is a succubus and jc is his dorky childhood best friend (yes this is a jennifer’s body au 🙈🙈)

[zepellisjoestars]

day one: “the kiss” by gustav klimt

[purplejiang]

this is my second fic for sangcheng week 2020

[v-katsuki]

masterlist of my "mo dao zu shi" fics

✿ twitter | ao3 | writing tag ✿

what to expect: novel & donghua settings, canon divergences, established relationships, mutual pining, fluff, angst, humor

pairings: sangcheng (21), wangxian (5), gen (5),  nielan (3), songxiao (2)

— F I C  M A S T E R L I S T —

✿ Halcyon

→ nielan | rated T | 520 words

The morning after.

✿ Spaces between us [WIP]

→ sangcheng | rated M | 4.8k words | ⚠ canon typical violence | written for SangCheng Week 2019

When Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng are framed for a crime they didn't commit they decide to work together to clean their names, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.

(Or; Jiang Cheng didn't expect to solve a murder mystery with his ex, but life is like that sometimes.)

✿ Long yearning

→ sangcheng | rated T | 1.8k words

“Let me write a poem on you,” Nie Huaisang says with enthusiasm.

Jiang Cheng just blinks.

✿ Taste your beating heart

→ wangxian | rated M | 1.3k words | ⚠ canon typical violence

Lan Wangji looks at Wei Wuxian and his golden eyes focus on him with intensity. Wei Wuxian walks towards him, slowly, until he is kneeling in front of Lan Wangji.

Beautiful, gorgeous Lan Wangji.

The dark clothes suit him as well as the white ones once did. He still wears his forehead ribbon embroidered with blue drifting clouds, a reminder of his old life—of the orthodox path he abandoned when he followed Wei Wuxian to the Burial Mounds.

✿ From sunset to daybreak

→ gen + minor songxiao | rated G | 8.1k words | ⚠ canon typical violence | written for MXTX Reverse Big Bang 2019 [art]

In which Xiao Xingchen and Song Zichen have a reunion and A-Qing gets a family.

✿ When midnight approaches

→ sangcheng | rated M | 2k words | ⚠ canon typical violence | written for Daylight Moon: A SangCheng Revenge AU Zine [website]

They meet when the moon shines at night.

✿ For the sake of convenience

→ sangcheng | rated M | 6.3k words

“I came here to ask you to marry me,” Nie Huaisang says boldly and Jiang Cheng chokes on his tea.

“What the fuck are you talking about!” He slams his hand down on the table. The delicate porcelain pieces rattle.

“A marriage of convenience, a fake marriage if you want to call it like that. It will be only for appearances, but both of us can benefit from it,” Nie Huaisang explains.

Jiang Cheng huffs.

✿ #1 Dads

→ gen + minor wangxian | rated G | 825 words | written for WangXian Week 2020

There’s a #1 Dad mug on the counter. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan wonder for whom.

✿ a cold evening

→ sangcheng | rated T | 500 words | russian translation available

It's cold in the Unclean Realm. Jiang Cheng doesn't like it.

✿ Close to the Heart

→ sangcheng | rated T | 1.2k words

Nie Huaisang paints fans with Jiang Cheng.

✿ In a field full of gentians, I could dream you away

→ nielan | rated T | 6.3k words | ⚠ canon typical violence | written for NieLan Weekend 2020

Nie Mingjue stands in front of him barely a couple of chi away—young, strong, and imposing. He rarely looks so good in his dreams. He often stands so far away that Lan Xichen cannot even discern his features, let alone see his face.

“Mingjue,” Lan Xichen breathes.

(Lan Xichen dreams of Nie Mingjue.)

✿ and they were teammates... oh my god, they were teammates!

→ wangxian | rated T | 5.6k words | russian translation available

“I want to work with you for the upcoming science fair,” Lan Zhan says.

Wei Ying opens his mouth, closes it, and then opens it again.

“You what?”

“I want to work with you for the upcoming science fair,” Lan Zhan repeats.

“I heard you the first time, but why?” Wei Ying doesn’t know why a model student like Lan Zhan would like to work with a troublemaker like him.

Lan Zhan blinks and speaks with conviction. “I think we can be a great team, Wei Ying.”

✿ Honest Mistakes

→ nielan | rated T | 4.2k words | ⚠ canon typical violence

Three times Nie Mingjue accidentally touches Lan Xichen’s forehead ribbon + one time Lan Xichen wraps it around his hands first.

✿ shorelines

→ songxiao | rated M | 2.7k words | ⚠ canon typical violence, major character death | written for songxiao reverse itty bitty bang 2020 [art]

Song Lan wakes up with bandages tied firmly around his eyes, in a room he cannot recognize, and with only a note to guide him to Xiao Xingchen:

Find me where the waves meet the land on the sixth anniversary of our first meeting.

✿ Serenditipy

→ sangcheng | rated T | 3k words | ⚠ implied canonical character death | written for SangCheng Zine [art]

Three times Jiang Cheng wants to give a bell to Nie Huaisang and the one time he succeeds.

✿ Moonlight Serenade

→ sangcheng | rated T | 1.6k words | written for SangCheng Zine

Their relationship is like the one between the sea and the land. Fated to meet over and over again, but not to stay together for long.

✿ and it feels like love

→ sangcheng | rated G | 1.2k words | written for #scgiftevent

Nie Huaisang is the one who sends the first gift.

✿ linger like a tattoo kiss

→ sangcheng | rated M | 5.3k words | ⚠ implied canonical character death

Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang, and the times they draw on each other’s skin.

✿ Oscillation

→ sangcheng + background wangxian | rated T | 25k words | ⚠ canon typical violence | written for SangCheng Mini Bang 2020-2021 [art]

“So, this is how it feels to be taller,” Nie Huaisang says, swaying on his feet.

“Is that what you are going to say about this?” Jiang Cheng asks, crossing his arms.

“What do you want me to say then?” Nie Huaisang retorts. “Would you prefer me to cry and panic again?”

“I don’t know!” Jiang Cheng throws his hands up.

(or; After a night-hunt that goes wrong, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang switch bodies. It spirals from there.)

✿ the lightning in me (that strikes relentless)

→ sangcheng | rated E | 2.5k words | written for SangCheng Week 2021

Jiang Cheng noticed the marks when he started using Zidian more often.

✿ The heart yearns to remember

→ sangcheng | rated T | 8.6k words | ⚠ injury | written for SangCheng Week 2021

It is too bright when he opens his eyes.

The light hurts his eyes and does nothing to alleviate his pounding headache. He does not know where he is, does not remember falling asleep—does not remember anything.

(Or; Wanyin wakes up in the Unclean Realm. His memories are gone.)

✿ Ulterior Motives

→ sangcheng | rated T | 4k words | spanish version available

Jiang Cheng keeps on finding Nie Huaisang’s lost fans. Unknowingly for him, nothing Nie Huaisang ever does is unintentional.

✿ fluttering wings, fluttering hearts

→ sangcheng | rated G | 1.7k words | written for Home Is Where The Heart Is: A Sangcheng Travel Zine

The sun has not come out yet.

Nie Huaisang sighs and looks through the window of the bus. There is not a lot to see, just some vegetation surrounding the road, a few small houses, and denser forests farther away as they travel up the mountain.

(Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng visit a Monarch butterfly reserve.)

✿ Long Story Short: Ghosts Are Real

→ wangxian + background songxiao + mentions of nielan & xuanli | rated T | 25.5k words | ⚠ horror elements, mentioned blood, implied suicide, referenced child abuse, referenced character death

Looking for a roommate. 2BR furnished apartment. Private balcony. Pets OK. High-speed Wi-Fi included!

When Wei Ying sees the ad and the very affordable rent below it, he doesn’t think twice. If he does, someone else might snatch that amazing deal away from him, so he clicks on the contact button, states that he is extremely interested in the available room, and waits impatiently for a reply.

(or; Wei Ying moves into a haunted building. He doesn’t believe in ghosts.)

✿ After Dusk

→ sangcheng | rated T | 6.1k words

A collection of late-night conversations and intimate moments amidst the storm.

✿ They were not study partners

→ gen + sangcheng + background nielan | rated T | 4k words | written for SangCheng Week 2022

Everything starts with an unexpected announcement that comes when Nie Mingjue is busy doing the dishes.

“Da-ge, I invited a friend, to—uh, study here tomorrow,” Huaisang comments casually, walking into the kitchen with his phone in his hand.

Nie Mingjue pauses his task and closes the faucet. Huaisang never, in his twenty years of life, has invited someone over to study.

✿ all's well that ends well (to end up with you)

→ sangcheng + mentions of wangxian | rated T | 5k words | written for SangCheng Week 2022

“I’m a perfectly fine gentleman!” Nie Huaisang waves his arms around and knocks over a couple of empty jars of wine, not exactly proving his point. “I’d make a great husband.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m versed in the Six Arts, I come from a family that’s well-respected nowadays, and I’ve read enough erotic books to know how to—”

“Stop!” Jiang Cheng covers his mouth with his hand.

(Or: The story of five rejected marriage proposals, a wedding, and a promise of forever.)

✿ deep in the lake, beneath the lotuses

→ sangcheng | rated T | 7k words | ⚠  past character death

Jiang Cheng had never been a stranger to ghosts.

✿ Let’s Talk About Love

→ wangxian | rated T | 4k words

“Hello, everyone, and welcome to Let’s Talk About Love. The radio show where I read your concerns about love and give you advice,” Nie Huaisang speaks into his microphone. “Please remember to not take any advice too seriously, though,” he adds in a whisper.

(or; yilinglaozu and bluebunny0123 ask for romantic advice. Nie Huaisang is happy to help.)

✿ Balancing on Breaking Branches

→ sangcheng | rated T | 15k words | ⚠ canon typical violence + character death | written for SangCheng Mini Bang 2023 [art 1, 2 & 3]

Something does not feel quite right when Nie Huaisang wakes up.

He is not sure why, but he just knows that the world has changed—shifted in a way he can’t explain and yet he can feel it deep inside, making his chest ache and his heart beat faster, as if some unknown danger lurks nearby.

(or; Nie Huaisang gets another chance to make everything right, but some things will never change.)

✿ the soup stealer

→ gen + minor xuanli & wangxian | rated g | 4.5k words

Three times Wei Ying steals soup from Jin Zixuan’s fridge in the middle of the night, and one time they eat soup together.

✿ It takes courage to pet a dog.

→ gen + minor wangxian | rated T | 10.5k words | ⚠ past animal abandonement + a bit of canon typical violence

“Sizhui!” Wei Wuxian cries desperately, sliding the door open with a snap.

His eyes scan the patrons who look at him with annoyance before he finds Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi sitting together, drinking warm tea.

“Senior Wei?” Lan Sizhui, always so kind, stands up and walks over to Wei Wuxian with a worried look on his face.

“Here, take this!” Wei Wuxian pushes the basket into Lan Sizhui’s chest.

“What—”

“Oh, dear! Oh, Heavens!” Wei Wuxian exclaims, taking a step back. “I can’t believe I just did that—fuck!”

Lan Jingyi joins them, standing next to Lan Sizhui. He beams as he looks into the basket. “Puppies!”.

✿ The Art of Kissing

→ sangcheng | rated M | 3.1k words | written for SangCheng Week 2023

Something does not feel quite right when Nie Huaisang wakes up.

He is not sure why, but he just knows that the world has changed—shifted in a way he can’t explain and yet he can feel it deep inside, making his chest ache and his heart beat faster, as if some unknown danger lurks nearby.

(or; Nie Huaisang gets another chance to make everything right, but some things will never change.)

[bloody-bee-tea]

BeeTober 2020 Day 21

Brush - Rustle

Yet again I give you more sangcheng for Day 21 because these two deserve some love and also because they have the best siblings. 

Jiang Cheng waits until his siblings sat down to get up and start to pace.

“Why are we here?” Jiang Yanli finally carefully asks on Jiang Cheng’s fifteenth round through the living-room and he finally comes to a stop.

“I need your advice on something,” he tells them and a cold shudder runs down his back when Wei Wuxian starts to beam at him. “Actually, I mostly need your advice,” he then says to Jiang Yanli, mostly to spite Wei Wuxian and he allows himself a small smile when Wei Wuxian huffs in outrage.

“See if I care, then,” Wei Wuxian grumbles under his breath and Jiang Cheng presses his lips together.

“If you don’t want to know anymore, you can leave any time,” Jiang Cheng tells him, but Wei Wuxian stubbornly stays where he is, not that Jiang Cheng expected anything different.

“What do you need advice on, A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli asks, always the calm voice of reason and Jiang Cheng sighs.

“You’re allowed to make fun of me for five minutes and then I need actual help,” he tells them and Wei Wuxian’s gleeful look at the promise of being able to make fun of Jiang Cheng without consequences makes Jiang Cheng regret his every life choice.

“I’m so ready,” Wei Wuxian whispers, scooting forwards until what he does can only barely be classified as sitting and Jiang Cheng decides to get this over with as soon as possible.

“I’m in love with Huaisang,” he says and watches as his siblings freeze.

“Dammit,” Wei Wuxian mutters after a good minute and moves to retrieve his wallet.

Jiang Cheng watches in confusion as he hands Jiang Yanli a not inconsiderable amount of money.

“What the fuck?” Jiang Cheng asks, as his sister packs the money away with a smug look on her face.

“We made a bet,” she then informs him.

That much Jiang Cheng already gathered himself, so he raises an eyebrow at her to prompt her to go on.

“Wei Wuxian was under the impression you weren’t aware of your feelings yet, while I said that you knew that you’re in love.”

“Since when have you known?” Wei Wuxian asks, clearly still lamenting the loss of his money and Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes.

“Since I fell in love with him,” he gives back and bares his teeth at Wei Wuxian.

“I didn’t know you were this aware of your feelings,” Wei Wuxian says, clearly unbothered by Jiang Cheng’s action and Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes.

He had to be aware of his emotions to curb his more violent and explosive reactions. He was an angry person by default and learning to recognize his emotions had been a hard lesson in his youth but he only profited from that now.

“My name is not Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng says and Jiang Yanli hides her laugh behind a hand.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Wei Wuxian demands to know, clearly outraged and Jiang Cheng smiles at him for real this time.

“It means that I’m not stupidly pining away after my best friend,” Jiang Cheng tells him and he vows to mark this day red in the calendar because Wei Wuxian is staring at him, clearly speechless.

“I’m not in love with Lan Zhan,” he yells when he finally finds his words again and Jiang Yanli puts a calming hand on his arm.

“It’s okay that you are,” she tells Wei Wuxian who turns big eyes on her.

“But I’m—Lan Zhan—what do you even mean?” Wei Wuxian sounds honestly despairing but Jiang Cheng does not have the time to tell his brother to stop making them all miserable and simply kiss Lan Wangji like he so clearly wants to do.

It would be greatly appreciated by everyone.

But still, this is not why Jiang Cheng called them here.

“Can we get back to my problem first?” he asks and at least Jiang Yanli gives him her full attention.

“Why do you think being in love with Huaisang is a problem?” she wants to know and Jiang Cheng wants to be mad at her, because it’s quiet obvious to himself, but she truly doesn’t seem to understand.

“He doesn’t like me back?” he tries and Jiang Yanli gives him her best ‘Oh, A-Cheng, don’t be stupid’-look.

“I mean, we’re best friends, what do I do if he doesn’t feel the same? What if I ruin the one good friendship I have?”

“Do you really think Huaisang would simply end your friendship over this?” Wei Wuxian wants to know, clearly having pushed his own issue with Lan Zhan to the back of his mind for now.

“Maybe?”

“Okay, no offense, or whatever, but Huaisang is an attention whore. At the very least he’ll be pleased to have your attention,” Wei Wuxian tells him and Jiang Cheng has to admit that he might just be right.

But there’s still an issue.

“I can actually see that,” he slowly starts but then shrugs helplessly. “But who would want my attention?” he then asks and Jiang Yanli’s face falls.

“A-Cheng, your attention is nothing bad,” she softly says and Jiang Cheng has to snort at that.

“Yeah, right,” he mutters and Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian get up from the couch and hug him at the same time.

“It’s not,” Wei Wuxian says with vehemence. “And if Huaisang says it is, I’m going to beat him up.”

“You’re scared of Nie Mingjue, you’re not going to do shit,” Jiang Cheng gives back, even though his eyes might burn the slightest bit.

“I’m going to distract him,” Jiang Yanli offers and Jiang Cheng loves them so much.

“Okay,” he agrees and then takes a deep breath. “So you’re voting for telling him.”

“We are,” Wei Wuxian says and Jiang Cheng pulls away enough to level Wei Wuxian with a glare.

“I’m voting for you telling Lan Wangji, too,” he says and Jiang Yanli nods her encouragement.

“Ugh, this is about you, so stop this,” Wei Wuxian complains and pulls Jiang Cheng close again. “One crisis per evening,” he decides and Jiang Cheng gives in.

“Fine,” he says, as Jiang Yanli giggles and he just enjoys having his siblings close like this.

He’ll need to remember this when Nie Huaisang inevitably rejects him.

~*~*~

It’s not unusual for Jiang Cheng to spend the afternoon at the Nie house. In fact, it’s so common, that Nie Mingjue plans for him to be there during dinner on three days out of the week.

He’s right to do so, too.

So Jiang Cheng shouldn’t feel so nervous, sitting on the couch he has been sitting on for almost as long as he can remember, Nie Mingjue working on some new form to torture the members of his gym, while Nie Huaisang is in his corner, swinging a brush and putting the most intricate paintings on a fan.

Jiang Cheng brought his own work with him, like he usually does, but he can’t concentrate today. Today, he can only think about the last talk he had with his siblings and how he decided to confess to Nie Huaisang today.

Maybe it was a stupid decision.

But Jiang Cheng can hear Jiang Yanli’s voice in his mind, telling him how he has nothing to fear, how his friendship with Nie Huaisang isn’t so fragile as to break over this, and Jiang Cheng squares his shoulders.

His sister is always right, after all.

Jiang Cheng spares half a thought to the fact that Nie Mingjue might pose a greater danger to Jiang Cheng than even Nie Huaisang, because if he disapproves of Jiang Cheng, he might simply kill him on the spot, but Jiang Cheng pushes that thought far away.

It’s something he can worry over when he knows how Nie Huaisang will react to his confession.

“Huaisang,” Jiang Cheng says, keeping his eyes on Nie Huaisang as he makes a distracted noise.

“Huaisang, listen,” Jiang Cheng says again, and this time Nie Huaisang drags his eyes away from his fan.

“What?” he asks, doesn’t quite snap, because he would never snap at Jiang Cheng, and Jiang Cheng powers through this.

“Let’s say I’m in love with you,” Jiang Cheng starts and panics when Nie Huaisang’s eyes go wide. “Hypothetically. Let’s hypothetically says I’m in love with you. How would you react?” he wants to know and watches as Nie Huaisang goes from pale to a fetching red.

Jiang Cheng wants to taste it with his lips.

“Da-ge is right there!” Nie Huaisang screeches once he finds his voice and there’s a rustle from Nie Mingjue’s corner of the living-room.

“No, he’s not,” Nie Mingjue says and then gets up, clearly intending to leave them to it.

He passes by the couch, and therefor Jiang Cheng, on his way out and he briefly puts his hand on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder.

“Good for you,” Nie Mingjue tells him and it makes Jiang Cheng flush, as he watches Nie Mingjue walk away and giving them their privacy.

Jiang Cheng wonders if there will still be a plate for him at dinner tonight.

“Jiang Cheng!” Nie Huaisang almost yells, and Jiang Cheng wonders if he said his name a few times before, so he is quick to turn all his attention back to Nie Huaisang.

“What?” Jiang Cheng innocently asks and Nie Huaisang points his brush at him as if he’s going to kill him with it, if Jiang Cheng says the wrong thing.

Jiang Cheng wouldn’t put it past him, either.

“You can’t just say something like that,” Nie Huaisang says and Jiang Cheng’s heart falls.

“It’s hypothetical, remember?” he tries, hopes to salvage this somehow, but Nie Huaisang is shaking his head so violently that he hits himself in the face with his ponytail.

“It better not be,” Nie Huaisang grumbles and then puts the brush away before he gets up and walks over to the couch.

Jiang Cheng is quite speechless when Nie Huaisang simply plops himself down in Jiang Cheng’s lap, but his hands automatically come up to settle on Nie Huaisang’s hips.

He thinks this is a rather good sign, but Jiang Cheng doesn’t dare trust it yet.

“So, let’s say I’m in love with you, hypothetically,” Jiang Cheng says again and Nie Huaisang rolls his eyes, but he goes soft and pliant under Jiang Cheng’s hands.

“Fine, let’s say it’s hypothetical,” he agrees and Jiang Cheng gets the distinct impression that he’s only indulging him.

“What would your reaction be?” Jiang Cheng dares to ask and blushes again when Nie Huaisang gives a very pointed look at Jiang Cheng’s lap.

The lap he’s currently sitting on.

“So, not bad?” Jiang Cheng asks and Nie Huaisang has the audacity to throw his head back as he laughs, which only puts his neck on beautiful display and Jiang Cheng itches to get his lips on that.

“Oh, A-Cheng,” Nie Huaisang says, and even though it’s a completely different tone than his sister usually uses it feels a lot like it’s the same.

“What?” Jiang Cheng defensively says and Nie Huaisang puts his arms around Jiang Cheng’s neck before he leans in close.

“My reaction to that sadly hypothetical question would be to kiss you,” he says and he is so close that Jiang Cheng can almost feel his lips brush against his own.

Almost.

“What if it’s not hypothetical?” Jiang Cheng manages to get out and Nie Huaisang beams at him.

“Isn’t it?” he demands to know and Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes, which only makes Nie Huaisang chuckle. “You started with this hypothetical bullshit,” Nie Huaisang says. “Take responsibility for it.”

“Alright,” Jiang Cheng nods. “I’m in love with you,” he then says and he’s almost not at all scared, except for how fast his heart is beating.

But he likes to think that is because Nie Huaisang is in his lap and looking at him like that and leaning close again.

He doesn’t verbally answer, but with what Nie Huaisang said before Jiang Cheng didn’t expect him to. Instead, Nie Huaisang stops teasing him and finally brings their lips together.

“A good answer,” Jiang Cheng breathes out when they finally part and he enjoys the slightly dazed look on Nie Huaisang’s face.

“The best answer,” Nie Huaisang agrees and then they both startle when Nie Mingjue suddenly shows up in the living-room again.

“Kissing will be the only thing you do on the couch in the living-room, where everyone sits,” he tells them, and Jiang Cheng thinks he has never seen Nie Huaisang move so fast, because suddenly he’s sitting prim and proper to Jiang Cheng’s left.

“Better,” Nie Mingjue agrees and leaves them to it again.

Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng stay frozen for a few seconds longer, but then they start to laugh at the same time, and Jiang Cheng goes just a little bit soft when Nie Huaisang easily leans into his side.

“We could go to my room,” Nie Huaisang suggests but Jiang Cheng shakes his head.

“Absolutely not. He’s making dinner, and he will barge into your room without properly knocking first,” Jiang Cheng prophesises and Nie Huaisang sighs because he knows Jiang Cheng is right.

“Then we have to make good use of what we are allowed to do here,” Nie Huaisang decides and Jiang Cheng couldn’t agree more whole heartedly.

When Nie Mingjue fetches them for dinner, Nie Huaisang might not be sitting in Jiang Cheng’s lap, but Jiang Cheng doubts having Nie Huaisang draped all over him is any better.

Jiang Cheng couldn’t care less, because having Nie Huaisang in his arms like that is worth every glare from Nie Mingjue.

Link to my ko-fi on the sidebar!

[theresa-draws]

sangcheng week 2020 // day 3 - yearning / "lotus and birds" - badashanren

colours by @dapacchicode 🌿

the poem here’s from “the song of bamboo twigs” by liu yuxi, translation here

[ceilingfrogs]

Of Demon Ducks and Money Toads

SangCheng Month 2020 (on ao3)

Day 5 : Family

(somewhat of a continuation of day 2 (birds))

Nie Huaisang liked adopting creatures. It was a problem.

The problem started out small. A few birds here and there that would find a home in Nie Huaisang’s ever-expanding aviary. That was fine. Those small birds were easily dealt with.

Then Nie Huaisang went and found two large eggs from who knew where; he had just shown up one day with the eggs after he had snuck out for a walk.

A few weeks later, with the help of some gentle heating talismans, the eggs hatched into two of the ugliest baby birds Nie Mingjue had ever seen (and baby birds were notoriously ugly).

Huaisang would go on to call those two ugly birds Blossom and Dumpling because of course he would.

Blossom and Dumpling themselves weren’t a problem either at first. But then, they started to grow and grow and they didn’t stop. They kept growing until they could no longer fit in the aviary, until a bigger one had to be built just for them, until they outgrew even that cage. Until they were so big, they couldn’t stay in the Unclean Realm anymore.

Nie Huaisang had been distraught, thinking he would be forced to get rid of the birds he had started calling his babies (Dumpling and Blossom had been the first hatchlings Nie Huaisang had raised; Nie Mingjue wouldn’t be surprised if those birds really did think of Nie Huaisang as their mother).

Nie Mingjue hated to see Nie Huaisang cry and these tears had been the silent ones that Nie Huaisang only ever shed when he was truly upset, and so Nie Mingjue went further up into the mountains and spent a whole week trying to find a suitable cave for the birds that were apparently his nephews.

Huaisang had been elated when Nie Mingue had shown him the cave. He had thrown himself at Nie Mingjue and hugged him so hard that Nie Mingjue was barely touching the ground.

Dumpling and Blossom were moved into the cave and were as happy as ever, spoiled rotten by Nie Huiasang.

They never grew out of their ugly phase, but Nie Huaisang loved them and they made him happy, so Nie Mingjue was willing to love them too, even if no one ever quite figured out what type of bird they were (Nie Mingjue was certain they weren’t natural, but he never voiced that out loud).

The problem got worse when Nie Huisang befriended Jiang Cheng (they said they were just friends; Nie Mingjue didn’t buy it, but Jiang Cheng was a good and honorable person and wouldn't think of doing anything untoward with Nie Huaisang, no doubt much to Nie Huaisang's displeasure).

Jiang Cheng was a good ‘friend’ for Nie Huaisang but there was one glaringly obvious issue.

Jiang Cheng liked dogs, loved them. Yet, for some reason, he wouldn’t allow dogs in Lotus Pier. Unfortunately, that meant that whatever stray Jiang Cheng found would inevitably end up in the Unclean Realm. It was completely Nie Huaisang’s fault.

Nie Mingjue got used to the dogs like he had got used to the birds.

Jiang Cheng had asked Nie Mingjue if it was too much trouble having so many dogs in the Unclean Realm, and he had looked so concerned and somewhat guilty (even though, again, Nie Huaisang was to blame).

Jiang Cheng always looked so happy and relaxed whenever he spent time with the dogs, so different from the well-concealed uptight anxious mess he usually was, and Nie Mingjue had been incapable of saying that yes it was a problem. Instead, he had said that he was more than happy to have so many dogs in his home, and Jiang Cheng had looked so relieved that Nie Mingjue couldn't feel sorry for lying (maybe it was also somewhat Nie Minjue’s fault).

But it didn’t stop with the birds and the dogs. It was when Jiang Cheng started bringing mythical beings for Huaisang that the problem really got out of hand.

The first time it happened was a surprise. Nie Mingjue knew Nie Huaisang loved birds, but he thought Jiang Cheng had gone a bit too far with the phoenix which had apparently been named Firecracker.

“It’s an adorable name,” Huaisang said, gently clutching the baby phoenix in his hands, “Jiang Cheng came up with it.”

Nie Mingjue thought it sounded more like a fire hazard but he didn’t say that.

Firecracker got along splendidly with Blossom and Dumpling which meant the phoenix was here to stay.

Then came a rather fat three-legged toad (Huaisang insisted it wasn’t a money toad even with all the coins that kept appearing everywhere). There also were winged beasts that definitely shouldn't have wings, the odd fox with more than one tail, a duck that may or may not be a demon and so many more mythical and apparently-not-extinct beings.

(Nie Mingjue wasn’t sure whether or not these beasts were unofficial courtship gifts; he hoped they were because, if not, Nie Mingjue didn’t want to see just what legendary creature Jiang Cheng would unearth for an actual courting gift.)

By the time the juvenile dragon arrived, Nie Mingjue had gotten used to even the legendary creatures. Though, he really did wish Lychee (the dragon) would stop shedding her skin all over the place.

(Gods help Huaisang and Jiang Cheng’s future human children; Nie Mingjue didn’t imagine the naming process going well.)

Nie Mingjue tried explaining to them that they couldn’t adopt every creature they thought looked cute (which turned out to be all of them). He tried. He did not succeed. And, unfortunately, if the longing looks Huaisang and Jiang Cheng kept throwing at each other were anything to go by, this was a problem that wouldn't be leaving Nie Mingjue anytime soon if ever.

Nie Mingjue would just have to get used to having dragons and money toads and demon ducks in the family.

It wasn’t the weirdest thing to happen in the Unclean Realm, but it was up there.

[mcgrillzdumpinc]

At the Crossroads

Summary: There is another world, one filled to the brim with all assortment of spirits, ghosts, and monsters.  Jiang Cheng does not expect to come to know this world after suffering a car crash, but at least he has his siblings and his boyfriend, Nie Huaisang, along for the ride. Written for the SangCheng 2020 Winter Exchange!

Pairing: SangCheng, WangXian

Rating: T

Warnings: Referenced child abuse, physical injuries, referenced severe injuries to a child, car crash

Word count: 7011

It starts, as so many stories do, with a car crash.  Well, to be more accurate, it starts with a fire to the Jiang parents’ house followed by a desperate escape from the city by the Jiang children. They weren’t home when the fire started, so all they have are the personal affects they were carrying that day. No toothbrushes, no suitcases, only the clothes on their backs and whatever happened to be in their pockets and purses.  They withdraw money from ATMs and buy what they need with the cash.  They run desperately, perhaps fruitlessly, in Wei Wuxian’s beat-up van, hoping they can make it to their mother’s side of the family on the other side of the state.

Jiang Cheng crashes the car on the sixth day of the trip.  On barely any sleep and a limitless amount of anxious energy, he fails to see the truck turn into his lane until it rams into his side of the van.

When Jiang Cheng comes to, it’s to the face of his boyfriend’s older brother. “We heard what happened,” Nie Mingjue says.  “We won’t let those Wen-dogs get any closer to you.”

Some time later—Jiang Cheng loses track of the days—he’s discharged from the hospital. He’s given more than enough pamphlets to read—on concussion recovery, what to expect when he starts physical therapy for his broken leg, as well as general information on what to expect with the cracks in his ribs and his broken arm.  Nie Mingjue promises to help Jiang Cheng set everything up back home, including the physical therapist, before shepherding his wheelchair-bound body into a private jet.

“Your brother and sister are already back in our home,” Nie Mingjue explains for the third or fourth time.  “Their injuries weren’t as severe.”  He settles into a seat next to Jiang Cheng and orders them both some water.

“What about the Wens?” Jiang Cheng asks.  “Why the hell did they come after my family?”

Predictably, Nie Mingjue goes silent.  No matter what Jiang Cheng says or does, the man refuses to release any information on the people who razed his home.  If it weren’t for the heavy amount of pain killers coursing through his system, Jiang Cheng would probably have decked him with his good hand.

“Your father is still in the hospital,” Nie Mingjue eventually says, after the plane has set off.  “His chances are looking good for a full recovery.  Your mother—”

“Is dead?”

Nie Mingjue sighs through his nose.  “Is missing.  Where the hell did you get the idea that she’s dead?”

“Because she’s stronger than my dad.  Anyone who would hurt him wouldn’t allow her to live.”

“Have better faith in your parents.  We don’t know where Yu Ziyuan is, but we know for certain she isn’t with the Wens.”

“Because they’d be gone if she was?”

Nie Mingjue snorts at that and orders a small meal for them.  “You’re damn right.”

~~~

Jiang Cheng is rudely awoken by Nie Mingjue when they arrive at the Nie mansion. He doesn’t even remember leaving the plane, but he guesses that should be expected.  He’s been sleeping a lot since the accident.

Wei Wuxian, Yanli, and Huaisang are all there to greet him, waiting in the foyer with party poppers.  Jiang Cheng curses loudly when Wei Wuxian pops his right in his face.

“Happy to have you here with us!” Wei Wuxian cheers, picking pieces of paper out of Jiang Cheng’s hair.

“You couldn’t have found a nicer way to welcome me?” Jiang Cheng growls.

Yanli chuckles as she pulls Wei Wuxian aside to hug her younger brother.  “Welcome back, A-Cheng.  We’re all very happy to see you doing well.”

Jiang Cheng returns her hug with his good arm, burrowing his nose into her long hair.  “Same here.”

From what the doctors told him, Wei Wuxian and Yanli suffered much less than him. The car had rolled off the road and into grassy embankment.  Yanli, in the passenger seat, suffered a herniated disk in her upper back, a sprained wrist, a slight closed fracture to her skull, and various bruises along her right side.  Wei Wuxian, meanwhile, merely bore a concussion and broken leg.  They were all due for physical therapy and a long time on painkillers, but Jiang Cheng would certainly be in recovery much longer than them. Not that he minded, really.  He would rather it be him than either of his siblings.

“A-Cheng,” Huaisang pipes in.  “Are you hungry?”

“We didn’t eat on the trip over,” Nie Mingjue answers, which is a lie.  While Jiang Cheng barely touched his plane meal, he knows Nie Mingjue quickly packed his own away.  Without Jiang Cheng voicing the truth, Nie Mingjue pulls his younger brother into a side hug.  “You gonna cook for us?”

Huaisang scrunches his nose and pushes himself away from his older brother. “Ugh, why would I do that?  I’ll go ask the cooks to start something for all of us.”

With a quick peck to Jiang Cheng’s cheek (followed by a retching sound from Wei Wuxian), Huaisang hurries off towards the kitchen.  Yanli follows him after pressing a kiss to Jiang Cheng’s forehead.

“With all that love, you’ll recover in no time,” Nie Mingjue jokes dryly.

“Oh, would you like to join in on the love pool, da-ge?” Wei Wuxian teases. “Between the four of us, I’m sure Jiang Cheng will be flying in a month!”

“Hey! Who gave you the right to call him da-ge?” Jiang Cheng chastises.  If his brother wasn’t standing on his crutch well out of Jiang Cheng’s reach, he definitely would have slapped him.

“Huaisang did!” Wei Wuxian answers.  “Just last night he said ‘We’re all simply didi and meimei to my da-ge’.” He takes on a peaceful, almost Buddha-like, stance as he recites Huaisang’s words.

“That’s not permission!” Jiang Cheng argues.

“He was right, though,” Nie Mingjue chuckles.  “You’re all around my didi’s age, after all.  You can call me da-ge.”  With that, he takes the handles of Jiang Cheng’s wheelchair and begins pushing him towards the kitchen.  Despite the crutch, Wei Wuxian manages to keep up with Nie Mingjue’s long strides.  “Now, then, let’s get some dinner.”

~~~

The following weeks in the Nie mansion are nice.  Before the house burned, the siblings were spread about, steadily finding their own lives away from the nest.  Wei Wuxian practically lived with Lan Wangji as he built his music career, Yanli was doing well for herself as an art curator, and Jiang Cheng was learning the how to run his family’s ship building company.  They met for weekly family dinners and texted often, but that was the extent of their contact.  So despite the uncertainty that lays outside Nie walls, it is rather nice to have his siblings around and nearby.

Best of all, though, is Huaisang.  Jiang Cheng began dating him after graduating college, so they’ve been together for nearly two years.  Truth be told, before his world went to shit, Jiang Cheng was heavily considering asking Huaisang to move in with him.  And now that he’s here, he’s got the shared-house experience with his boyfriend.  Sure he’s stuck to a wheelchair, and he can barely do anything because of a concussion, and there’s a near-constant dull pain on his entire left side, but—Huaisang.  Huaisang is here and Jiang Cheng’s stupid besotted mind can barely focus on anything past that when it’s just the two of them.

One morning, though, as Jiang Cheng rouses with his head against Huaisang’s back, he hears a sniffing sound.  Turning over, he finds himself face to face with a dog.  A chow chow, specifically, with its large nose shoved in his face.

“…Hello?” Jiang Cheng whispers.  He’s not certain if he’s dreaming, but he can hear Huaisang snoring next to him and can feel that dull pain in his left side.  So he’s betting on being awake.  He reaches out to touch the dog, but it backs away before he can touch it.

With some distance between them, Jiang Cheng can see the dog almost in full. Massive and bulky with long reddish-orange fur blanketing its frame.  It stares back at him with a quiet, knowing look.  The longer Jiang Cheng observes it, though, the more he realizes that the chow chow is…off, somehow.  Its eyes are a bit too big, nose too long, paws larger than its body should allow.  Its tail stands on full alert, unmoving, as it—damn it all—it maintains eye contact with Jiang Cheng.

“Can you hear me?”

The voice invades Jiang Cheng’s brain, echoing and throbbing.  He screams.

“You can!  You can hear me!”

The dog’s tail begins to wag and its maw opens.  A dark blue tongue lolls out over too-sharp teeth.  Jiang Cheng swears there is a void where the back of the dog’s throat should be.

“What the fuck… What the fuck is happening!”

Jiang Cheng’s yelling rouses his bedmate.  He hears Huaisang sit up, mumbling out a, “What the hell are you shouting for?”

“The dog!” Jiang Cheng screeches.  Without taking his eyes off the apparition, he reaches behind him to touch Huaisang’s arm. “There’s a fucking—I don’t know what it is—a ghost dog?  And it’s speaking to me!”

He feels Huaisang’s arm tense.  The air is silent, tense, as Nie Huaisang peaks over his boyfriend’s shoulder.

“He can see you, Buttercup?”

Before Jiang Cheng can process that, the voice echoes in his brain again, splitting his head apart.  “Yeah! Isn’t this exciting?!”  The dog—Buttercup?—bounces on its front paws. “We don’t have to hide from him anymore!”

“Okay, what the fuck, stop doing that!”  Despite his throbbing head, Jiang Cheng still manages to raise his voice. “It hurts, damn it!”

“Okay, don’t worry, A-Cheng.”  Huaisang rests his hands on both of Jiang Cheng’s shoulders and squeezes.  “I’ll explain everything soon.”  A kiss to the temple, a surefire way to make Jiang Cheng relax in his boyfriend’s hold.  “Buttercup, speak only to me for now, okay?  This is still new for him.”

Jiang Cheng would object, but the pain in his head has reached his eyes and it’s hard to focus past that.  He’s worried for a second that the concussion has worsened, but he’d sooner take the chance to rest than figure out if he needs to return to the doctor.  He closes his eyes, desperate for the early morning sunshine to disappear.  Huaisang continues speaking, but Jiang Cheng can’t make out the words.  He hears the bedroom door open, but he doesn’t know if somebody came in or left.  All he can know is the ringing in his ears and the grounding touch of Huaisang.

When Jiang Cheng comes to again, he’s seated at the dining table.  Looking around, he recognizes he’s in the private dining hall.  It’s smaller than the dining hall reserved for entertaining guests.  The walls here, like the rest of the house, are arching and high, painted in a green-grey.  A bull’s head is mounted on the wall opposite of Jiang Cheng, but that is thankfully the most morbid of the decorations.  The rest of the room is covered in framed greyscale pictures of people Jiang Cheng doesn’t know.  Decorative plates are lined up next to the entrance door.  On the wall closest to Jiang Cheng, to his left, is a scroll depicting an artfully painted crane.

The table he’s sitting at is a nice mahogany, dark brown wood shining in its lacquer.  Egg drop soup has been served in front of him.  Looking up from the food, Jiang Cheng realizes that he’s not alone at the table.  Huaisang is sitting with his older brother across from Jiang Cheng.  At the far left side of the table, Yanli is sitting by herself, staring into her bowl with a tight gaze.  At the far right is Wei Wuxian sitting next to Lan Wangji.  They both look guilty as hell—well, as guilty as the stone-faced Lan Wangji can look.  Everyone has a bowl of soup, but it seems nobody has dug in.

“Ah, you finally came to,” Nie Mingjue speaks up.

Four pairs of eyes immediately turn to focus on him.  Huaisang breaks into a bright smile and reaches across the table, taking Jiang Cheng’s right hand.  “We’re starving, A-Cheng.  Let’s eat while we explain what’s going on.”

Jiang Cheng slides his eyes to meet Yanli’s.  She smiles and nods approvingly.

The soup is still passingly warm, thankfully.  While Jiang Cheng sips up the chicken broth and bits of tofu, Huaisang releases his hand to settle in his seat.  He has the audacity to look ashamed, which irks him, because in Jiang Cheng’s very correct opinion, his boyfriend should only be happy.

“Do you want to start?” Huaisang asks his brother.

“You’re better at talking,” Nie Mingjue quips.

Huaisang makes a huge, put-upon sigh.  “Okay, well… let’s start with Buttercup, huh?”

At her name, the dog suddenly appears to Jiang Cheng’s right.  Straight out of thin-air.  Jiang Cheng swears he can see space still settling around her form.

He expects to hear her voice echoing in his head again, but there is only silence in his ears.  Huaisang, though, stares at her and says, “Yes, Buttercup, everything’s fine now.  Please be silent while I start explaining.”  He goes quiet again, snorts seconds later, before starting to talk again.  “Okay, well… There’s a lot, so buckle in.”

“Can I get another serving of soup?” Wei Wuxian suddenly asks.

Before either Nie can answer, or Jiang Cheng can scold his brother for eating so fast, Lan Wangji takes Wei Wuxian’s bowl and walks towards the kitchen. Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes as Lan Wangji passes.

“Anyway,” Huaisang starts.  “Um… A-Cheng, Yanli-jie… This is Buttercup.  She’s a hellhound.”

“There’s nothing hell-like about her,” Jiang Cheng immediately interrupts.  Were it not for the headache-inducing voice and ability to appear out of nowhere and general wrongness, she’d actually be rather cute.

“They’re not actually from Hell, Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian immediately responds.

“What?  You already know about this?!”

Wei Wuxian has the decency to look ashamed.  “Well… yeah… This’ll come up, promise!”

“Yeah, believe it or not, your brother factors into this whole mess,” Nie Mingjue says.

“That’s not surprising at all,” Jiang Cheng deadpans.

“I have to agree…” Yanli mumbles.

“Not fair, jiejie!” Wei Wuxian cries.

“Strange things happen around you, A-Xian,” Yanli responds with her best tired smile.

“Can I continue now?” Huaisang asks, an exhausted edge to his voice.

“Yes” and “Sorry” respond to him in chorus.  Lan Wangji returns to the room with a steaming bowl of soup and silently serves Wei Wuxian, who wastes no time digging in again.

“Great, thank you, as I was saying…” Huaisang flicks out his fan and begins gently fanning himself.  “We just call her type hellhounds.  Really, she’s a spectral dog.   Cadejo, barguests, grave hounds, etcetera.  You’ve heard of them in plenty of myths and folktales.  Buttercup is one of them.”

“I have one, too,” Nie Mingjue says.  With a whistle, another dog appears in the room.  This one is larger and longer than Buttercup. It holds its head high, regal as it stares down the Jiang siblings with too-knowing, too-bright brown eyes. Shadows settle around its form into long, stringy fur, darker than night yet seemingly fluffy.  Its jaw is too large to fit perfectly on its face and its lengthy tail disappears into the wall.  In time, Jiang Cheng realizes that it looks like an Irish wolfhound drawn with near-perfect memory.  “This is Baxia,” Nie Mingjue introduces with a proud smile.  “She’s a quiet one, but she’ll warm up to you all in no time.”

“It is nice to meet everyone,” a deep, rumbling voice echoes in Jiang Cheng’s brain.  There’s much less pain this time, but his head still protests at the intrusion.

“Don’t speak yet, Baxia,” Nie Mingjue softly reprimands. “They’re still new.”

“She was speaking?” Yanli interjects.  The Nie brothers look at her with twin expressions of surprise.

“Huh… That’s interesting,” Huaisang mumbles.

“Maybe damage taken plays a role?” Wei Wuxian asks.

“Maybe,” Lan Wangji replies.  “Her skull wasn’t fractured like Jiang Cheng’s.”

“But there was still head damage,” Nie Mingjue adds.

“Mind cluing us in to your conversation?” Jiang Cheng grumbles.

“Sorry, A-Cheng, I promise this will make sense soon. Yes, Yanli, Baxia was speaking. These spectral dogs… they’re from what we call the Otherworld.  This is a lot to take in, but basically every folk monster you can think of more or less exists and they all come from the Otherworld.  Spectral dogs are some of the most plentiful and usually attach themselves to people like us.”

Jiang Cheng puts his spoon in his empty bowl.  “And who’s you?”

“Sovereigns,” Nie Mingjue answers.  “That’s what the Otherworld folk like to call us.  We…” he clears his throat, “we have a few abilities that allow us to interact with them.”

“It differs from person to person,” Huaisang continues. “Yanli, I think you only have what we call the Sight ability.  You can see Otherworld creatures and talk to them, but you can’t hear them.  You need to having the Hearing.  Which, Chengcheng, you definitely have.”

Frustration builds in Jiang Cheng, pounding against his chest and gripping his throat.  He taps the table, just a distraction, just an attempt to channel the fury inside him. “And why am I just now learning about this?”

“Would you have believe us if we told you?  Oh, Jiang Cheng, by the way, there’s this whole spirit world that is super real and only a select few people know about it!  Wow!  Sucks that you can’t see these spectral dogs!” Wei Wuxian exclaims.

Which reminds him—“Why aren’t you freaking out at the dogs?”

Wei Wuxian grins at him, stupidly smug.  “I’m too cool to worry about ghosts.”

“Wei Ying does not register them as real dogs,” Lan Wangji explains, much to the protests of Wei Wuxian.

“They…certainly don’t look real,” Yanli agrees.  Jiang Cheng reaches out to take her hand.  She accepts, clammy skin sliding over his cast.

“We would have liked to tell you,” Nie Mingjue says as he stands up.  “But there is only so much the human brain can believe without physical proof.”  He lifts his right hand and, in seconds, a spectral human appears in the room.  Space shifts around her, light passing through her body.  Jiang Cheng tries to study her features, but there is a strange barrier, a mist, which obscures her.  As she nears him, the air turns cold, freezing him down to the bones.  She takes his and Yanli’s empty bowls and carries them towards the kitchen.

“Was that a ghost?” Yanli asks, a tremble to her voice.  Jiang Cheng rubs his thumb across her knuckles.

“Yes, and da-ge just exercised what’s called the Control ability.  It allows a Sovereign to manipulate creatures from the Otherworld,” Huaisang explains.

Jiang Cheng nearly snaps at his boyfriend.  But when he looks up, he is met with the expression he hates the most from Huaisang—stone-cold, hidden behind layers of thick skin, only his lips and eyelids moving.  Jiang Cheng can’t read him when he’s like this.  He only has experience to rely upon, and experience tells him that he needs to be kind now.  If he is not, then his boyfriend will likely shutter away, further and further from Jiang Cheng until months of reconciliation attempts finally bring him back to the Huaisang that Jiang Cheng cherishes the most.

The early days of their romance were not kind.  Huaisang’s life has not been kind.  As Jiang Cheng digests this new secret, he believes he may have found another piece to the puzzle of why, exactly, this stone relief of his boyfriend exists.

Swallowing down the anger at his tongue, Jiang Cheng instead says, “So you don’t just have a ghost maid?”

Nie Mingjue snorts.  “No, and she’ll likely be very angry at me later for that.”

Huaisang’s eyes dart to Buttercup.  In a few seconds, he says, “Buttercup would like you to know that all Otherworld creatures have feelings like us.  They do not take kindly to being controlled.  But there are some vicious creatures we have no choice but to fight. That’s why Enchanters like da-ge and Lan Wangji are very vital.  Ah!  Enchanters is what we call people with Control.”

All attention shifts to Lan Wangji, who hums before saying, “I am not as powerful as Mingjue-ge or Xichen-ge.  But I can control low-level spirits, like sprites.”

Yanli lets a shuddering exhale.  “I believe a break would be beneficial.  May I be excused?”

A frown tugs at Nie Mingjue’s lips as he steps around to Yanli’s side of the table. “Of course, Yanli.  Allow me to guide you to the gardens.”

She takes the arm he offers her and stands up, releasing Jiang Cheng’s hand. “Gladly, Mingjue.”  Cradling her forehead, Yanli walks away with Nie Mingjue, Baxia trailing after them, leaving the four boys and Buttercup to themselves.

“Can I speak alone with A-Cheng?” Huaisang asks.  Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are quick to agree.

With just the two of them, Jiang Cheng finds it easier to hold back the anger still boiling in his gut.  Gripping the edge of the table, he manages to bite out, “I’m not mad at you.”

That brings a spark to Huaisang’s eyes. “Really?”

It’s still hard to talk about his feelings.  But, well, he’s nearing twenty-five and therapy is proving wonders. “I’m mad at the situation, a-and not knowing so much, but, um… I’m not mad at you.”

“That sounded painful for you.”

That’s snark.  Jiang Cheng chuckles, “Believe it or not you could tell me you’re an alien and I’d probably still love you.”

The stone on Huaisang’s face melts into awe and adoration.  Smiling back the tears in his eyes, Huaisang replies, “I love you, too, puppy.  More than anything.  I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”

Jiang Cheng sighs and leans back in his wheelchair.  His grip on the table relents.  Huaisang stands so he can come sit beside him.  “Can you at least tell me why you all can see these things?” It’s still new to him and Yanli, and some of the things they said earlier hinted that it is not an in-born ability.

“It varies by person, but the most common catalyst is near-death experiences.” Despite the strain it must put on his back, Huaisang leans out of his chair to rest his head on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder.  “Some people are born with their abilities, like the Lans.  Some of the Wens we know were also born with it, like Wen Ning and Wen Qing.  But… well, you know what happened to Wei Wuxian when he was a child, right?”

There were a few months between Wei Wuxian losing his parents and being found by Jiang Fengmian.  Jiang Cheng gulps before responding, “He doesn’t tell me much about it, but I was there when he was in recovery.  Don’t think I’ll ever forget when I watched the doctors re-do his bandages and I could see his muscles.”

“Yeah.” Huaisang takes Jiang Cheng’s hand and kisses his knuckles.  “Things didn’t look good for you, either.  I’m surprised Yanli-jie gained the Sight ability, but I guess head trauma counts as a near-death experience.”

“…And you?” Jiang Cheng whispers.

Huaisang goes silent.  Thankfully, though, no stone grows on his face.  In time, he answers, “Dad.  When he got really sick.  He got violent towards me and da-ge.  Our moms tried to protect us, but…”

But when it came down to putting him in a mental institution, Huaisang’s extended family refused to endorse his admittance.  And when it came to divorce, to removing the children from their abusive father, the extended family pulled their strings and the mothers—“Strangers,” Huaisang once spat, recounting the words of a cousin—were pushed out of the family without their sons.

It wasn’t until Nie Mingjue was twenty that the mothers were allowed back into the family.  That was twelve years ago.  While they no longer live in the mansion, Jiang Cheng has met them on multiple occasions. He can understand why losing them impacted Huaisang so heavily.

“I’m sorry,” Jiang Cheng says with a kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead.

“Things are better now,” Huaisang swears.  “Plus, I gained a few new friends.”

“Like Buttercup?” Jiang Cheng asks, looking over to the spectral dog.  She is sitting patiently, staring very directly at the couple, but her tail wags with the attention.

Nie Huaisang laughs.  “Yes, exactly like Buttercup.”

~~~

The next few weeks are… a lot, to put it shortly.  Between physical therapy, losing the cast on his arm, finally being cleared of his concussion, moving from wheelchair to crutches, and long nights with Huaisang, Jiang Cheng is being caught up on everything his brother and boyfriend have been hiding from him.

To start, those who can interact with the Otherworld—“Sovereigns and Enchanters,” Huaisang reminds him—are part of the Praeter Society.  The name is different depending on region, but its English name is Praeter.  There are already plans to induct Jiang Cheng and Yanli once they have finished recovering. And, as it turns out, most of their acquaintances are already part of the Praeter society.  It sounds so hilariously convenient that it takes quite a lot of arguing to convince Jiang Cheng that, no, nobody is lying to him about the members.

“My theory is that gaining the abilities has a lot to do with proximity to other members!” Wei Wuxian adds unhelpfully.

“How does that work?” Yanli is the only one who bothers to ask.

“Thank you for asking, jiejie.  You see, I think we all carry energy from the Otherworld—”

“Back to the subject at hand,” Huaisang interrupts.

The worst surprise, though, is who else in Jiang Cheng’s family is a member.

“My mother?!”

“We call her the Queen of the city,” Nie Mingjue informs him with an insufferably amused smirk.

“To be more accurate, she has a role of Leader for this area.  There are only a few others with the distinction,” Huaisang explains as he pinches his brother’s cheek.

“Your father is a member, too, but he never graduated past the Sovereign status,” Nie Mingjue adds, unperturbed by his brother’s pinching.

Then, the actual worst information comes to light.

“Wei Wuxian, you’re responsible for our house getting burnt down?!”

“Hey! Not responsible!” Wei Wuxian defends. Lan Wangji puts his arm around Wei Wuxian’s shoulders and levels a heavy glare Jiang Cheng’s way.

“He really isn’t, A-Cheng,” Huaisang soothes as he rubs the back of Jiang Cheng’s neck.  “We’ve heard the story multiple times by now.  It was an honest accident.”

See, a week before their house was attacked and Jiang Cheng’s entire life changed, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had been visiting Wen Ning and Wen Qing at the Wen estate.  Despite their bad relations with Wen Ruohan and his brood, the couple were allowed on the premises with the promise that they would never leave Wen Qing’s sight. They kept the promise, since Wei Wuxian was under the watchful eyes of at least two responsible parties (the Wen siblings).

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji followed the Wen siblings around the estate, trading stories and enjoying the company.  But as evening approached, Wen Ning excused himself to go to the restroom, only to not return over thirty minutes later.  Worried, Wen Qing went to search for him.  Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji tailed after her.

As it turned out, Wen Ning was simply bait in a trap laid by Wen Chao.  The unscrupulous cousin in question wanted to play a prank on Wei Wuxian in retaliation for years of Wei Wuxian outdoing and mocking him at every turn.  The Wens have a peculiar practice of studying spirits and the like from the Otherworld.  All their many experiments were kept in a section of the estate.  And that sacred place was where Wen Ning was found.

The problem here is that Wen Ning is easily possessed.  And in this section of the estate were countless spirits and beasts, most hostile.  Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had no choice but to fight back.

And the real problem none of them were aware of until after the fact is that many of these spirits were the ghosts of ancestors.  Moreover, decades of experimentation were lost to indiscriminate exorcism.

“So they decided to burn our house?!”

“It’s the Wens, what the fuck do you expect?”

Jiang Cheng sighs.  It’s a lot to take in.  Honestly, if he were learning all this a year ago, he’s pretty sure he would’ve flown off the handle and probably tried to expel Wei Wuxian from the family.  But that was before therapy and many deep talks with Huaisang about life, death, and family.  So as it stands right now, he’s pissed, but he’s taking it in stride best he can.

“Do we at least know where Mom is, then?” Jiang Cheng asks once he’s managed to calm down.

Wei Wuxian frowns and replies, “We’re pretty sure she’s laying low and digging up dirt on the Wens.  We’ll need irrefutable proof if we’re gonna give them what for.”

“But she’s safe?”

Wei Wuxian grips his brother’s shoulder.  “Of course.  It’s Madame Yu.  We both know a tornado couldn’t bring her down.”

~~~

About two months into recovery, Jiang Cheng and Yanli are given the clear to begin induction.  Jiang Cheng still has to use crutches, but thankfully there’s no grand ceremony that’ll require him to stand or walk much.

In fact, it’s a very informal process.  Fast-food restaurant informal.

“My apologies if you were expecting somewhere nicer,” Jin Guangyao says with his usual placating smile.

“It’s fine.  We love the shakes here,” Yanli replies.  It’s hard to tell how genuine she’s being.

The history between the Jiangs and the Jins isn’t bad, but it isn’t great, either. Yu Ziyuan and Madame Jin get along like sisters, but it’s not the same story for their children.  Jiang Cheng doesn’t know the exact story between Yanli and Jin Guangyao, but he knows that the two don’t tend to stay in the same room together unless Jin Zixuan, the only person they both like, is present. But Jin Zixuan isn’t present. It’s just Jin Guangyao, Jiang Cheng, Yanli, and an exhausted Huaisang.

“Please don’t fight,” Huaisang begs.  “We’re in public and A-Cheng kept me up last night.”

Yanli smiles in the way only a sister can.  “I’m happy to know you two are getting along so well.”

Jiang Cheng sputters.  “Not like that!  We were watching a movie!  Spirited Away!”

“Twice,” Huaisang clarifies.  “The first time through, A-Cheng kept asking if any of the creatures are real, so we had to watch it again.”

As it turns out, the little charcoal helpers are real, but very rare.

“Ah, that’s one of my favorite movies,” Jin Guangyao says.  An employee stops by their table to deliver a truly massive burger to him.  “What was your favorite part, Jiang Cheng?”

Jiang Cheng glances at his sister.  “…We can talk later.  I’ll text you.  Anyway. Praeter induction.”

“Right!”  Jin Guangyao takes a sip of his beverage and begins with a simple run-down of roles in the Praeter.  There are Leaders, like Yu Ziyuan, who are charged with protecting certain areas. Organizers, like Jin Guangyao, who keep tabs on all Sovereigns and Enchanters in an area.  Searchers find possible Sovereigns and Enchanters.  And, finally, the Fighters, who are the main line of defense against Otherworldly dangers.

“Since Miss Yanli is limited to the Sight ability, we would like her to take on a Searcher role,” Jin Guangyao continues after devouring his burger with impressive speed.  “For you, Jiang Cheng, it’s up to you.”

Huaisang’s grip on Jiang Cheng’s hand tightens.  “I think he should be a Fighter.  He and Wuxian would make a good team.”

Jiang Cheng took up sword fighting classes with Wei Wuxian when they were kids. He’d definitely call their teamwork in tournaments pretty impressive.

“Or he could be a Searcher like you, Sang-di,” Jin Guangyao easily replies. There’s a coldness in his voice that sets Jiang Cheng on edge.

Nie Huaisang goes silent.  He glares at Jiang Cheng with the ‘you better agree with me’ look.

“I’ll just be a Fighter.  Wei Wuxian can show me the ropes.”

Jin Guangyao smiles in that annoyingly placating way.  “All right, then.  When you’re completely healed, we’ll send you on your first mission.”  He reaches into his bag and pulls out a manilla folder. “Now, Miss Yanli, would you like to go over your role as a Searcher today?”

“I think I’m fine for now,” Yanli says as she puts a hand on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder. Her grip is tight.  “I’d rather wait until my brothers are healed before I start anything.”

Jin Guangyao nods and replaces the manilla folder.  “Very well.  You have my number, so call me when you’re ready.”

The three of them leave Jin Guangyao in the restaurant.  As they walk back to the car, Yanli and Nie Huaisang’s grips are still tight on Jiang Cheng.  He’d really like to know what has them so on edge, but as he sees their sullen expressions in the reflection of car windows, he decides to ask another time.

~~~

‘Another time’ turns out to be a whole month later, when he’s been deemed back in full health and has returned to regular exercise and swordfights with Wei Wuxian.  Jiang Fengmian has been discharged from the hospital, as well, but he’s deemed it better to focus on re-building the house.  In addition, Yu Ziyuan has resurfaced, armed with testimony and physical evidence of the Wens attacking her home.  There will be some time, however, before mundane courts will bring the Wens to justice. It will be longer still for the Praeter society to differentiate and weed out those in the Wen who still pose a threat to other Praeter members.  So, in the interest of safety, the Jiang children will remain under Nie protection.  Thankfully, Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan are the type to check in daily, so Jiang Cheng doesn’t miss them as much as he thought he would.

One chilly night, Huaisang crawls into bed next to Jiang Cheng looking like some haunted version of himself.  Before Jiang Cheng can ask what’s going on, Huaisang whispers, “They’ll kill them, you know.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Cheng asks, hand hovering cautiously next to his boyfriend’s wrist.

“The Wen.  Those who the courts don’t manage to catch, they’ll be under strict scrutiny by the Praeter.  Those who don’t pass the test will die.”  He gulps. “Wen Qing and Wen Ning will be fine, I can promise you that, but if there’s anyone else there you care about, you have to tell me now.”

Jiang Cheng’s hand floats to Huaisang’s cheek and rubs away a tear.  “You say that like you’ll be there.”

“I will,” Huaisang admits through a cracked voice.  “It’s my job as a Searcher.  We find people with the abilities.  We figure out if they are a threat.  We kill those who are.”

Jiang Cheng gazes at his boyfriend.  Moonlight is pouring through the window next to the bed.  Huaisang looks beautiful in it.  He also looks so small and weak.  He’s open, no stone in sight.  Jiang Cheng cups his cheek.  “Have you…?”

“No,” Huaisang immediately replies.  “Not yet.  But—”

“I’ll still be here if you ever do,” Jiang Cheng swears.  “I’ll be here until the end, if you’ll let me.”

Huaisang gasps.  He stares down at Jiang Cheng, mouth as wide open as his eyes.  Soon, disbelief makes way for soft, breathy chuckles, the type that fill Jiang Cheng’s lungs with sunlight.  “Careful, A-Cheng.  I’ll fall further in love with you.”

“What if I want you to?” Jiang Cheng asks, guiding Huaisang down until their lips ghost against each other.  “I love you, A-Sang.  I’ll stay with you if you’ll stay with me.”

“When did you get so eloquent?” Huaisang teases, his eyes crinkling.  “I love you, too, A-Cheng.  I want to stay with you.”

“Good.” With that, he kisses him, deep and meaningful.  Everything about this new world is strange and Jiang Cheng can barely keep up.  But none of that matters, since that he has Huaisang by his side.

~~~

There’s a wraith terrorizing the town.  Because of course there is.

“Those are tricky creatures,” Yu Ziyuan advises over the phone.  “Only very strong Enchanters can control them.”  In the background of the call, Jiang Cheng hears his father grunt in affirmation.  “Make sure you don’t go alone.”

“It’s my first hunt,” Jiang Cheng replies.  From his end of the call, he watches as Huaisang sketches out a map based on reports from Jin Guangyao.  They’ve stationed themselves in a parlor room while the rest of their team prepares for the hunt.  “Nobody will let me out of their sight.”

“I certainly won’t!” Wei Wuxian shouts from another room.

“Was that Wei Wuxian?” Yu Ziyuan asks.  Jiang Cheng confirms.  “Tell him that he can expect a lashing if you so much as get a cut tonight.”

Jiang Cheng relays his mother’s message.

“Nooooo!” Wei Wuxian whines, knowing full well that Yu Ziyuan is not being serious. “I promise, Auntie, I’ll take extra special care of Chengcheng!”

“He says he’ll abandon me at the first sight of the wraith,” Jiang Cheng lies. He hears Huaisang snort.

“It’s not good to lie,” Buttercup reminds him from her position at Huaisang’s feet.

“Don’t lie,” Yu Ziyuan scolds.  The line goes silent for a few moments before Jiang Cheng hears his father’s voice.

“Be careful, A-Cheng.  Stay close to Wei Wuxian, he’ll protect you,” Jiang Fengmian advises.

A familiar jealousy rumbles in Jiang Cheng’s chest.  He squashes it in favor of watching his boyfriend draw.  “I will.  Either me or Wei Wuxian will call you when the wraith is gone.”

“Good,” Jiang Fengmian comments.  “Pass the phone to Wei Wuxian.  I want to talk to him.”

Barely restraining a decades-old frustration, Jiang Cheng calls Wei Wuxian over to take the phone.  When his brother disappears into another room, Jiang Cheng moves to sit next to Huaisang.

“Drawing maps or doing math, which is more boring for you?” Jiang Cheng teases.

“Ugh, don’t remind me of math!” Huaisang complains.  He steals a kiss from Jiang Cheng before saying, “But math. The maps are still kind of fun.”

Jiang Cheng hums and sneaks a hand onto Huaisang’s lower back, rubbing his fingers against the cloth of Huaisang’s shirt.  Huaisang leans into the touch with a happy rumble.  “Will you be coming with us?” Jiang Cheng eventually asks.

“Of course I will!” Nie Huaisang exclaims.  “They try to have a Searcher on hand for most of these exorcisms.  I’ll have to keep my distance when we find the wraith, but I’m not going to abandon my boyfriend.”

Jiang Cheng grips the back of Huaisang’s shirt and lays his head against his shoulder. “Speaking of boyfriends…”

“Oh my god, are you going to propose before your first exorcism?” Huaisang interrupts.

Jiang Cheng does not blush, thank you very much.  “N-no!  I—” his voice drops to a whisper, “I was going to ask you if you wanted to get an apartment together after this all blows over.”

“Oh thank god you only want cohabitation,” Huaisang sighs.

“…Is getting engaged to me so bad?” Jiang Cheng mumbles, eyebrows knitted together.

“N-no…” Huaisang stutters.  Jiang Cheng peers up and catches a splash of red highlighting Huaisang’s freckles.  “It’s just too soon, is all.  But…”  Huaisang twists in his chair so that he’s facing Jiang Cheng, a fiery determination in his eyes.  “If you ever do want to get married, I’m all for it.”

Jiang Cheng smiles and kisses Huaisang.  “I love you.”

“I love you, too, A-Cheng.”

“Break it up, lovebirds!” Nie Mingjue shouts.  He lumbers into the parlor room with a massive and stuffed duffel bag slung over his shoulder.  “You got that map done, didi?”

“Almost,” Huaisang replies, taking pen to paper.  “Just a few more minutes.”

“Good,” Nie Mingjue says with a nod.  He turns his attention to Jiang Cheng and tosses him a sword in a purple sheath.  “That’ll allow you to fight beings from the Otherworld.  Wei Wuxian and Wangji have one, too.”

“You bet we do!” Wei Wuxian exclaims as he and his boyfriend bound into the room. Wei Wuxian holds up two swords, one in a red scabbard and the other in a white scabbard.  Much to Jiang Cheng’s immediate annoyance, the red scabbard has been thoroughly decorated, so it looks like a group art project where nobody could decide on a theme.  “We’re going to have so much fun, Jiang Cheng!”

“Fucking gross,” Jiang Cheng grumbles.  “Hey, A-Sang, can I go on a different mission?  One that doesn’t involve eyesores?”

“A-Xian is not an eyesore,” Lan Wangji instantly objects.

“You’re all eyesores when it comes to fashion,” Huaisang mutters.

“That’s fair,” Wei Wuxian says with a good-natured laugh.  He slips Jiang Cheng’s phone back into its owners hands.  “Hey, you got that map done yet?”

“Just finished!” Huaisang responds as he holds up several large sheets of paper. Each one details a different area with notes on where and when the wraith has appeared.  “I think we should start with the church, since it pops up there the most often.”

“Agreed,” Nie Mingjue pipes in.  “Jiang Cheng, you ready?”

Jiang Cheng looks down at his sword, then over at Huaisang.  All of this is, to a certain degree, still new.  Still scary.  If this happened a year or two ago, he probably would have run into it headfirst, determined to prove himself good at something, anything.  But so much is different now.  There’s a strangeness he has to tackle, but he has the good sense not to tackle it alone.

Jiang Cheng takes Huaisang’s hand, squeezes, and says, “Yeah, I’m ready to go.”

[yozzers-abandoned]

Art from Sangcheng week 2020  A mash up Fire Emblem AU where Jiang Cheng is a prince turned mercenary working as a bodyguard for a laguz kingdom’s branded prince, in exchange for the kingdom’s khan giving him protection from the Wens. 

the skin color i chose fr jiang cheng feels v gross rn bcs it looks greenish on my screen fr some reason but I hope it isnt on yours :) 

[lavender-bed]

I wrote a fic for sangcheng week 2020 and drew a little something to go with it 👀 maybe consider giving it a read?

[theinkquiry]

Lilies in the Mist 

by theinkquiry

Chapters: 5/14 (Fully written- new chapters posted every 1-2 days :) )

Fandom: 魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù, 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín/Niè Huáisāng, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Yànlí/Jīn Zǐxuān, Luó "Mián Mián" Qīngyáng/Wēn Qíng

Characters: Niè Huáisāng, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Mèng Yáo | Jīn Guāngyáo, Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Niè Míngjué, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Jiāng Yànlí, Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín, Wēn Qíng, Luó "Mián Mián" Qīngyáng, Lán Yuàn | Lán Sīzhuī

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Beauty and the Beast Fusion, Memory Loss, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mutual Pining, Dream Sequences, Hurt/Comfort, Slow Burn, really slow burn, plot heavy, SangCheng Week 2020, NHS and LWJ are friends!!!, Nie Bros FTW

Summary:

"Have you heard? Have you heard the Legend of Lotus Pier?" After his older brother goes missing, Nie Huaisang goes searching for him and stumbles upon a lost sect hidden in the cursed, misty waters of Yunmeng. Who is the mysteriously handsome sect leader, and why does Huaisang feel so... connected to him? The more time he spends with Jiang Cheng, the more he realizes that everything he's known for the past 5 years might not be what it seems.

Loosely follows the storyline of Beauty and the Beast.

[eyesawchan]

sangcheng week d5: anger aka my excuse to draw a fma au 👀👀

[zepellisjoestars]

day 5: wrath

[purplejiang]

my third fic for sangcheng week 2020! day 3: lotus and birds by bada shanren

[zepellisjoestars]

day 2: music au