Chapter Text
“ I heard that Prince Nie is causing quite the scene down at the docks. ”
It had only been a short time ago that Jiang Cheng and Prince Nie Mingjue had said their goodbyes-- Their previous days together having gone much better than either of them had expected them to. While Mingjue had been known to be picky about his choices, Jiang Cheng had found himself in a… similar enough position.
He’d overheard the discussions regarding him so many times, between his mother and whoever it was that had brought their child for him to meet-- And the things that others had said about him had clung to him, burrowing deep inside and resting near his heart.
“The youngest son of a royal family isn’t worth all the trouble.”
“Do you have any other children?”
“He’ll never find a suitor with an attitude like that.”
And at first? He had tried to be different, to adhere to what many would expect from someone of his status-- But it never lasted for long. He could never properly hold himself back-- And it didn’t help that so many of the potential suitors that came to Yunmeng were so boring and uninteresting-- If not straight up annoying.
… And so Jiang Cheng had finally decided that he just wouldn’t try anymore. It wasn’t worth it. He’d be himself, and if someone didn’t like that? Well, they’d just have to deal with it.
Then there was Nie Mingjue, who did so much more than deal with the attitude that made him so detestable-- And, admittedly, Jiang Cheng didn’t understand. Why was he so interested in his worst qualities? Why did he care so much about someone as insufferable as himself?
… Those were questions that were best saved for later. For now… There were other things to deal with.
Like what he had overheard from the servants just now; the fact that Mingjue was apparently causing a scene. He had no doubts that Nie Mingjue was capable of such things, even with the short amount of time they had spent together…
But he never expected to bear witness to such an act so soon into agreeing to seek further relations with the dragon. … And so there were multiple reasons that Jiang Cheng had made the decision to see about his now-betrothed. The first was… Fairly obvious, he would hope. He cared deeply for the other prince; even if marriage was an option that they would deem unfit for one reason or another… He was someone Jiang Cheng would always value as a close companion.
… He hoped that they would be able to get married, though.
The second reason for wanting to go, of course, was… a little more self indulgent. He was curious about what could have upset someone like Nie Mingjue so badly for him to be described as 'causing a scene.'
Jiang Cheng was no stranger to the anger of a dragon, given his own dragon blood from his mother's side… but even this seemed to be a bit out of place for something like that. What reason would he have to be angry? It was much more reasonable to assume there was something else.
And so, the moment he was able, Jiang Cheng made his way towards the docks.
---
The streets were bustling, as always. And yet… There was something off. A sort of unease among the people of Lotus Pier as Jiang Cheng made his way towards the docks. An unease that only seemed to grow as he grew closer to his destination--
The unease of his people was understandable-- a dragon's temper and emotions were nothing to play with. If one weren't careful in such situations, they could easily get themselves hurt.
The people's unease, as well as the unusual coldness of the air are what eventually brought Jiang Cheng to Nie Mingjue's side. And the image before him could be considered quite… humorous, if not for the potential danger involved with such a spike in Mingjue's temperament.
Standing on the opposite end of the docks was King Nie himself, Mingjue's father. He was a tall and broad man-- and even from a distance, Jiang Cheng could see the strong resemblance between him and his eldest son.
And then, about midway down, was Mingjue. The much larger boy was sitting on the dock, his back to his father-- draconic features even more apparent than just the horns that normally adorned his head. His arms were crossed across his chest, and he refused to move despite his father's reasoning.
"A-Jue," the man's voice was… Surprisingly gentle, despite the roughness of his exterior. "We have to leave. We'll come back to Yunmeng very soon, but there are matters to attend to back in Qinghe."
"Then leave without me, if you'll be back so soon!" Mingjue's response was quick and snappy. "I'm not leaving! I like Yunmeng! I like Jiang Wanyin! I don't want to leave him!"
"There are things that I need you for at home, A-Jue. We'll be able to come back very soon. And don't you want to see your brother?"
"I get to see A-Sang everyday! I want to stay with Wanyin!"
… For someone to cause such a scene over him was… not something that Jiang Cheng had ever expected. And yet here he was, watching the boy he would hopefully marry refuse his father's pleas to come with him. Because he wanted to stay with him.
… The moment that he was certain about the situation, Jiang Cheng moved forward. He made his way through the small crowd that had gathered to watch the scene-- made up with people who were too brave for their own good-- and stopped just behind Mingjue.
“... Nie Mingjue,” his voice was gentle as he moved to stand in front of the other prince. He crouched down to his level, taking a gentle hand to brush strands of hair from his face-- Carefully allowing the edge of his hand to run over the cool scales that lined his cheek. “... What’s wrong? Why are you so upset?”
Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but smile as he caught the way Mingjue’s eyes lit up the moment that he had noticed him. The hand that had been used to brush hair from his face was now being held by both of Mingjue’s hands-- and his skin was still so cool in comparison to his own. When he looked down at them, he couldn’t help but notice the sharp claws that had started to take the place of well-kept fingernails-- He was handsome, even when in such an awkward state of in-between forms.
“ Tell A-Die that I’m staying here. ” His gentle grasp on Jiang Cheng’s hand tightened just a little as he made his plea-- Amber eyes tearfully staring into his own. “I don’t want to leave you!”
… It really was ridiculous, wasn’t it? And Jiang Cheng almost laughed as he made that request of him-- But he held himself back, clearing his throat instead. “Your father has already refused to let you stay, Mingjue.”
… He regretted his words as soon as they escaped his lips, seeing the tearful look that Mingjue was now giving him. Jiang Cheng was quick to continue with his train of thought. “ However…” He broke eye-contact with Mingjue, looking to King Nie himself.
“... If you would allow me, I would like to accompany the two of you to Qinghe. I’ve… never been. And if it will make things easier for A-Jue…” He paused, feeling his face flush as he realized what he had just called the other prince. … But he forced himself to continue. “... I’d like to do that, if you will allow it.”
Almost instantly Mingjue’s tune changed-- From tears and being upset about having to leave… To wrapping his arms around Jiang Cheng so tightly that he had the breath knocked out of him.
“ Please, A-Die! Let him come to Qinghe with us! He’ll love it--” … His attention was quickly on Jiang Cheng. “ You’ll love it, A-Yin! ”
… Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but chuckle, carefully trying to push himself up while holding Mingjue’s weight. “I’m sure that I will, A-Jue. … I’m sure that I will.”