Chapter Text
Dear Huaisang,
I can’t believe you thought that was a good idea. You’re lucky the innkeeper didn’t turn you out at once. Then again, if anyone could get free lodging in exchange for artistic wonderments, it would be you. Your painting better be hung above their fireplace for all the trouble you went through. I know you said you were totally fine hopping from town to town, going where the wind takes you, or whatever other colorful language you want to use to justify your excursion, but I can’t help but worry about you think you were better off at that dumb school. If you stayed, you’d be home by now.
Yeah, I can already hear you whining about how much you hate studying and sword practice so I’ll stop nagging. I’m not your brother, who probably has a whole other letter for you that’s just yelling. So I’ll spare you. This time.
I’ve been tracking your journey on the maps we have in the castle library. You’re heading close to the sea. Are you sure you don’t wanna turn back inland? We all remember what happened that time Wei Wuxian and I tried teaching you how to swim in the indoor lotus pond. You’re lucky I was there to save you from drowning, even though it should have been impossible to drown in water that you can stand up in. But maybe you’ll feel a little more familiar on the seaside (If the pirates don’t get to you first. On second thought, make sure to steer clear of any pirates.)
Are you gonna be coming home back soon? Because having to suffer through Wei Wuxian’s non-stop blathering is ten times worse when I have to do it alone. He’s been getting on my nerves all the damn time. He keeps trying to read me those stupid romance books you guys seem to like so much but he’s awful at storytelling. You were the only one who made listening to them passable. The sparrows by the lake have also started to miss you. Stupid birds just get scared when I try to feed them. And yes, I’m doing it exactly like how you showed me before! So come back to Lotus Pier, okay?
Write to me as soon as you find another address to send from. Remember to always keep a knife tucked into your boot. If you get ambushed by thugs and bandits, I’ll break your damn legs!
Love
Come back soon
I miss you
Stay well,
Jiang Cheng
Nie Huaisang let out a wistful sigh as he folded the letter in half and tucked it away in the original envelope it was sent in. He ran his thumb over the purple wax seal, tracing each petal of the lotus emblem. The letter was dated exactly three years ago from today, the last letter he had gotten from his old friend.
He was sure Jiang Cheng wanted to send more, and probably had done just that, but it was kind of hard to write after Huaisang’s permanent address became the literal ocean.
Ever since he decided that he would be returning to Lotus Pier, he spent a lot of time rereading old letters and getting lost in his childhood memories. Sometimes, through the salty sea air he grew to know over the last couple years, he could still smell the faint sweetness of lotus flowers as the sun set over Lotus Pier.
As he tucked the envelope into the inner pocket of his waistcoat, the carriage he was riding in gave a sudden lurch.
“Ack!” Nie Huaisang clung to the sides of his travel companion, who laughed before shoving him off.
“We spend, what, almost four years on the high seas and you’re scared to your wit’s end by some cobblestone?” Mo Xuanyu punched Nie Huaisang’s shoulder before doubling over in laughter.
Nie Huaisang rubbed the sore spot with a dramatic cry. “There’s a difference. If the carriage tips over and I land on the streets, I’ll be embarrassed and scuffed up. If I fall into water, I can simply dry myself.”
Mo Xuanyu scoffed. “If you fell into water, you’d drown.”
“How can I drown if I have the fearsome Ghost Pirate Mo Xuanyu to save me?”
“Oh please!” Mo Xuanyu rolled his eyes. “No force on earth can get you to enter water unless your precious Jiang Cheng is there to save you.”
Nie Huaisang’s hand moved over his chest on instinct where, under the layers of his coat and blouse, a purple ring was tied to his neck. “So you wouldn’t save me from drowning?”
“I’ve saved you from everything! From countless Waterborne Abysses to that time you almost got captured by rival pirates who wanted to marry you off to their captain. Not to mention that mermaid who fell in love with your painting and tried to kill you over it. Oh! Can’t forget the trail of broken hearts left behind you.” Mo Xuanyu recounted each detail while Nie Huaisang buried his face in his hands.
“I get it! At this rate I can’t wait for Wen Ning and Wen Qing to finish visiting their relatives so they can drag you back out to sea and out of my ear.”
“You wound me!” Mo Xuanyu feigned offense, but then sighed. He sat back up and gave Nie Huaisang a sad look. “Are you sure you don’t want to come back with us? You know, I think you left your favorite fan back in your cabin. Might be a sign that you should stay.”
Nie Huaisang shook his head. “Nice try, but I’m afraid I’ll be staying home from now on.”
Mo Xuanyu huffed in defeat and crossed his arms, refusing to look anywhere but outside the window at the bustling market town that was Yunmeng. The captain wasn’t really angry, though. A bit sad, sure, but Nie Huaisang had made sure his friend came to terms with their inevitable departure a long time ago. It was time to go home.
Home. Nie Huaisang felt a jolt of excitement at the idea. The past five years felt twice as long but went by at the blink of an eye.
He hoped Da-ge wouldn’t be too upset with him about how long he’s been away. Although, really it was all Da-ge’s fault for Nie Huaisang’s prolonged absence anyway. Nie Huaisang would have been perfectly content to spend his days accompanying the two young princes of Lotus Pier, lazing by the lily ponds and painting in their gorgeous art room. He spent ten amazing years doing just that, after all.
Then Da-ge had to come and stick his saber in the middle of everything. Before he knew it, Nie Huaisang was being sent away to some dumb academy in a far-off land to learn how to be a “proper” prince.
The plan was for Nie Huaisang to shape up within two years, but all that was thrown out the window when Nie Huaisang decided to throw himself out the window of his dormitory and take off before anyone noticed.
Suddenly free to do whatever he wanted, Nie Huaisang decided to perhaps prolong his education and travel the lands in search of himself. He spent the following year and a half going from town to town, getting into trouble only to escape in the nick of time. He followed traveling merchants, joined a couple of performance groups, even tailed some monks for a couple of days before being politely asked to leave.
It wasn’t all fun and life-threatening games. He seduced many skeezy artists and misfits along the way, which was most often how he scored food and shelter. Sometimes he was the artist, serving under some wealthy family for a bit before he got tired and left. Other times he scored a cozy gig as someone else’s muse, but didn’t like how clingy they got and left as well.
Nie Huaisang began to garner attention for his loose behavior, disappearing into the night on a whim and impossible to pin down. He spread his wings and let the breezes guide him wherever he pleased. His lifestyle wasn’t the most stable, but it was his and he liked to think he got the most out of the experience: refined taste in clothes, reputation as a soulful artist, and sometimes a target on his back.
That last one would’ve ended his life had Mo Xuanyu not picked him up from that seedy tavern and whisked him away for a few grand years of piracy.
Nie Huaisang looked over at his friend. “Are you sure you’re alright escorting me back home? I’m quite sure Yunmeng Jiang also has a call for your arrest if you’re caught.”
“Unlikely.” Mo Xuanyu kicked his feet up on the seat across from him. “See, the great thing about being the Ghost Pirate is that, as long as you have enough white powder and a scary face, anyone can be the Ghost Pirate. Right now, I’m just any old bastard off the street.”
Without the flashy costume, fake accent, and infamous white face with red eyes, Mo Xuanyu passed for a fine young gentleman found in any respectable court. He was handsome enough, with delicate features and long lashes. He reminded Nie Huaisang a lot of Wei Wuxian. Maybe that was why he stayed with the pirate for so long.
“I hope Da-ge doesn’t ask too many questions.” Nie Huaisang readjusted his coat and looked out the window.
“From what you’ve shown me in the letters he sent you, it’d be a miracle he doesn’t skin you alive. Maybe he can be the new Ghost Pirate if I ever retire,” Mo Xuanyu joked.
Yunmeng was as lively as ever. Each turn of the carriage wheel brought back an old memory of when Nie Huaisang wandered the streets with his two friends. There was the shop where Wei Wuxian always tried to score free drinks. Around the corner was Nie Huaisang’s favorite fan store- the one Jiang Cheng always followed him to while grumbling about how he didn’t need a third new fan that week. Up ahead was the fabric store where Jiang Cheng would watch Wei Wuxian flirt with the tailors while Nie Huaisang tried on new outfits.
Busy stalls and crowded squares gave way to the serene path, signaling the entrance to Lotus Pier. The riverside castle wasn’t as tall as traditional architecture. Fortified with both stone and wood, Lotus Pier had a humble elegance to its estate. Muted woodwork and understated purples elevated the Jiang family and distinguished it from the other kingdoms nearby.
Rather than continue onto the main road leading up towards the castle, the carriage turned towards a stone fortress on the side. Square, grey, and strong. The Qinghe Nie embassy.
They pulled up to a large stone gate with a beast’s head carved on the front. It took a few moments to convince the guards that the young Prince Nie Huaisang had, at last, returned, but it was all cleared up and soon the trunks were being slowly unloaded.
“Are you going to come out?” Nie Huaisang called to Mo Xuanyu, who remained seated inside the carriage.
“Not likely.” Mo Xuanyu wrinkled his nose. “As much as I’d love to meet your friends, I do need to keep a low profile just in case. I’ll be close by though, if you ever need me.”
“You’re not returning straight to sea?”
Mo Xuanyu pretended to think for a moment. “No, I think I’ll stay on land. Just for a little while. The Wen siblings would appreciate the extra family time. Might take care of some personal business with some old… relatives. Don’t say goodbye yet, Nie Huaisang. I’m not letting you off the hook that easy.”
Nie Huaisang chuckled. “Of course not, Captain.” With a final salute, he shut the door to give Mo Xuanyu some privacy and turned to help some of the attendants with the trunks.
Not by lifting any of them, of course. He instead made sure that none of his pieces and collections were damaged. Those from Qinghe Nie weren’t exactly known to have the most delicate hand.
“Ah, be careful! My fans are in there! Steady with that case! The framework is quite fragile.” Nie Huaisang fretted about the carriage. He lost track of time until the sound of obnoxious laughter, followed by an exasperated groan, made his spine freeze.
Half-hidden behind the carriage, he saw servants jump out of the way as two young masters walked down the road. They were dressed on a different caliber than any noble or guard. Two shining crowns sat on black hair- one pristine and straight, the other a bit lopsided. Nie Huaisang saw the familiar swish of purple and black. His heart gave a leap. The young princes stopped right in front of where the attendants were busy moving trunks.
“Eh? Are we getting a new cavalry or something?” Wei Wuxian, looking the same as he had five years ago with his wild hair and loud voice, scratched his nose as he watched the servants work.
“I didn’t get notice of Nie Mingjue requesting new guards.” Another voice. Tired, with a charming gruffness. Nie Huaisang pressed himself against the back of the carriage, trying to remain hidden in the shadows. He took deep breaths while quelling the butterflies in his stomach.
“Who could it be then that’s got everyone in such a hurry?” Wei Wuxian walked a few steps forward, turning his head around to look at his brother but spotting Nie Huaisang instead. “Woah! A pirate?”
Well… that wasn’t entirely untrue.
He brushed his hands on his black pants before folding them behind his back. With his puffy blouse, water-worn boots, and knee-length coat, he did look rather like a fancy pirate of sorts.
Nie Huaisang didn’t know what to say as he met the gazes of his old friends. He thought he was prepared for this. He imagined coming back so many times, throwing himself into their arms and whining about some trivial matter like in the good old days. He never imagined how much yet how little they’ve changed over the years.
“Ah, do you not recognize me?” Nie Huaisang managed to speak, head tucked a bit in his chin from the embarrassment of the encounter.
“Eh? Are we supposed to?” Wei Wuxian continued scratching at his nose.
Ah, of course Wei Wuxian with his poor memory would have trouble remembering. It wasn’t like Nie Huaisang looked the same as he did when he was fifteen either.
Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, oh Jiang Cheng stared right at Nie Huaisang. He had grown taller in five years. About a head above Nie Huaisang now. His eyes were sharper and his lips were pressed into a thin line. His purple vest was tucked into creaseless pants. Despite the sudden upgrade in regality, there was still the fixed look of annoyance that forever endeared the prince to Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang blinked at Jiang Cheng, wishing he had something clever to say as those dark grey eyes continued to scrutinize him.
Wei Wuxian elbowed his brother. “Jiang Cheng, do you-”
“...Huaisang?” Jiang Cheng cut his brother off with a hesitant guess. He took a step closer, eyes growing soft with the recollection of distant memories and past laughter. “Huaisang, it’s really you.”
“It is.” Nie Huaisang swallowed. “I am.”
Realization dawned on Jiang Cheng as he took in the difference of the half-decade that showed itself on Nie Huaisang. Jiang Cheng’s eyes grew wide, a wave of scrambled emotions washing over them. A glimmer of something was rooted deep in the starless expanse of Jiang Cheng’s grey eyes. His face naturally settled on a frown, then softened into a dazed expression.
Nie Huaisang wasn’t in a much better position. His hands fiddled with his sleeves. He tried to remain still, as if posing for yet another portrait commissioned by some count or duke. But this was Jiang Cheng, for whom Nie Huaisang knew his heart could never still.
“It is?” Wei Wuxian shoved his brother out of the way and grabbed Nie Huaisang by his shoulders. As soon as the yelp escaped Nie Huaisang’s lips, Wei Wuxian’s eyes lit up. “It is! Jiang Cheng, it’s Nie Huaisang! Where have you been? There’s so much you’ve missed, oh, you have no idea how glad Jiang Cheng and I- but mostly Jiang Cheng- are to see you again.”
“Y-you are?” Wei Wuxian pulled Nie Huaisang into a tight hug. Nie Huaisang wheezed from the impact, but pat his friend on the back. All the while, Jiang Cheng stood with his arms at his side and his face unreadable.
The silent staring was growing insufferable. Soon, Jiang Cheng’s frown lines appeared and he crossed his arms. “Well? Aren’t you going to tell us how you’ve been?”
“G-good!” Nie Huaisang hurried to answer after Wei Wuxian let him go. “I’ve been good. Um, I’m glad to be back home. I hope you are also well. I’ve missed you.”
Jiang Cheng nodded, unable to look Nie Huaisang in the eye but unable to look away from his person either. “I am. We are. I, uh, I mean…”
Wei Wuxian glanced between the two of them. He cleared his throat loudly. “Ahem! Jiang Cheng, aren’t you going to say you miss Huaisang too?”
“He knows that already!” Jiang Cheng snapped, not catching how Nie Huaisang’s breath gave a stutter at the admission.
Wei Wuxian’s smile only grew. “Well aren’t you also gonna give him a hug? It’d be weird if I was the only one who did.”
“As if you were ever concerned about being weird in front of people.” Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. He didn’t move to open his arms, but let them fall to his side as he continued to avoid looking at Nie Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang wished he had something to cover his face with but alas, all his fans were packed away. He knew things might not be the exact same as they were all those years ago, especially since he hadn’t been in contact with Jiang Cheng for the last three years, but Huaisang had at least hoped there might be some inkling of the affection they held for each other when they were teenagers.
Heaven knew Nie Huaisang sure as hell still did. He reached up to clutch the ring around his neck in an effort to ground himself. “It’s alright, Jiang-xiong. You don’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.”
That may have been the wrong thing to say. The crease of Jiang Cheng’s brow worsened. Wei Wuxian let out a sly whistle as Jiang Cheng marched up to Nie Huaisang and tugged him forward. Nie Huaisang let out a noise of alarm as he tripped into Jiang Cheng’s arms.
And what strong arms they were. Nie Huaisang tried to control the burn of his cheeks to no avail as Jiang Cheng’s held him tight. He felt an exhale at the top of his hair and the mutter of something unintelligible.
“H-huh?” Nie Huaisang squeaked.
“Did your ears break? I said I missed you.” Jiang Cheng’s voice was gruff. Nie Huaisang couldn’t see the man’s expression, but hoped it was as soft as the sentiment in those words.
A snort of laughter was heard from inside the carriage that made Nie Huaisang almost choke. Did Mo Xuanyu find this incoherent mess of a reunion entertaining? Now Huaisang really couldn’t return back to a life of piracy. Not when his captain would inevitably gossip to all the crew about what happened here. The combined teasing from his captain and Wen Qing would be endless!
His face burned as he lifted his head enough to peek over Jiang Cheng’s shoulders at Wei Wuxian, grinning like a cat.
As quickly as he was pulled in, Jiang Cheng shoved him right off. Nie Huaisang braced himself against the carriage to steady his feet.
“Where the hell have you been the past three years?” Jiang Cheng gave Nie Huaisang’s shoulder a light shove. His frown deepened to hide the faint tinge of pink on his cheek.
Wei Wuxian took the opposite approach, slinging his arm over Nie Huaisang’s shoulders. “You look so cool! Oh man, we’ve tried to get any bit of news about you for ages. You won’t believe the crazy stories we heard. Is it true you spent an entire month working on a portrait for the elusive Baoshan Sanren? Did you ever find the rumored underground art gallery full of porn? I bet Jiang Cheng wants to know. You know, he wanted to send a battalion out for you when someone told us you might have gotten kidnapped by pirates.”
Nie Huaisang’s laughter turned into a cough. “What?”
Wow, the rumors about Nie Huaisang’s adventures sure did run wild. Even if most of them were true. The idea of Jiang Cheng sending a party after Nie Huaisang was something out of an epic romance. His heart gave a hopeful leap.
“Shut up, Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng punched Wei Wuxian hard enough for him to almost fall over Nie Huaisang. They both stumbled before laughing it off.
“I have so much to tell you guys, I don’t even know where to start.” Wei Wuxian was all ears, but Jiang Cheng’s crossed arms indicated a level of crossness directed at Nie Huaisang.
Jiang Cheng looked like he used to whenever he really got mad with Wei Wuxian. Whether it was another one of his parents’ arguments over succession or a prank gone too far, Jiang Cheng’s withdrawn posture and sad eyes was something Nie Huaisang never wanted to be the cause of.
It wasn’t that Nie Huaisang ignored his old friends on purpose for three years, but writing from the ocean was difficult. Mo Xuanyu’s pirate ship was the most sought after vessel in all the seas. Even after the captain gave in to his pleas for a line- any line - of communication, well… seagulls weren’t exactly the most reliable messenger bird.
“I promise I’ll tell you everything.” Nie Huaisang softened his voice. He hoped his sincerity sounded, well, sincere.
Jiang Cheng looked up while Wei Wuxian started to rattle off more rumors he’d heard. He was still upset but there was a hint of hope. Of second chances and cleared-up misunderstandings.
From inside the fortress came a clatter. Nie Huaisang turned towards the noise. Oh dear! He hoped whatever fell wasn’t one of his priceless artworks or collectables. It’d be a shame to lose something right as he finished his years of journeying.
“Uh, I think you might have to tell us later, Nie-xiong.” Wei Wuxian hissed through his teeth. “Jiang Cheng and I still have to run to town. I’d welcome you to join us, but I think you need to say hi to someone else first.”
Wei Wuxian grabbed Jiang Cheng by the arm and the two booked it down the road. All of Huaisang’s previous concerns jumped out of his mind at the one sound he didn’t miss hearing.
“Nie Huaisang!” The voice that trembled the strongest of boulders. The sound that cracked the will of ten armies. It could only belong to Nie Huaisang’s one and only older brother.
Already shaking and ready to burst into tears, Nie Huaisang slowly turned around. “Da-ge! I-I’m home!”
Nie Mingjue stomped through the courtyard. Even from far away, Nie Huaisang saw the scowl and felt the anger radiating off of his brother. Attendants dropped whatever they were doing and got out of his way. Even the carriage was unloaded in an instant and rattled down the road, leaving Huaisang stranded. Not even the Ghost Pirate was brave enough, huh? Soon, the outdoors were desolate. Not even a speck of dust wanted to stay around and hear the lecture that Nie Huaisang was going to get.
“Nie Huaisang!” Nie Mingjue frowned down at the younger Nie. “So, you’ve finally decided to come home, have you?”
“I have.” Nie Huaisang gulped. He dared not meet his brother’s gaze.
“Uh-huh.” The strained calmness in Nie Mingjue’s voice honestly scared Nie Huaisang more than his unbridled shouting. “And how long is that going to last?”
Truth be told, Nie Huaisang didn’t know. It was his go-to answer of choice but really, he really didn’t know. He spent so long answering to the beck and call of no one but his own dreams, he forgot what stability was like.
“For a while,” was the answer he settled on.
“Three years of nothing but crumpled letters saying ‘I’m safe, don’t worry,’ delivered by seagulls. Three years of me worrying to my wits end about your safety. Three years, Nie Huaisang, and this is all you have to say to me?”
Nie Huaisang took a deep breath. “I don’t regret it.”
Nie Mingjue didn’t say anything. Sneaking a look up, it seemed like Da-ge was actually willing to listen for once. Rather than squander the chance, Nie Huaisang continued.
“I don’t. You can kick me out or lock me up but I’m never going to be what you want me to be. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. I draw, I wander, I don’t think things through, but there’s no way I’m going to turn out into one of those stupid academy graduates with nothing in their brains but their own egos.”
“And that’s how you really feel?”
Nie Huaisang nodded.
Nie Mingjue let out a grunt. Even after so many years, Nie Huaisang was nowhere close to matching his brother’s height. He felt like a little kid again. Nie Mingjue raised his hand and Nie Huaisang covered his head.
“I’m sorry Da-ge! Please don’t break any of my things!”
What followed wasn’t a hit or a threat, but rather… a hug. The grip was still way too tight, and from that Nie Huaisang might dramatically claim to die from the embrace, but it was a hug nonetheless.
He couldn’t even remember the last time Da-ge was so affectionate.
He was always busy with his duties leading the Yunmeng Jiang armies, yet somehow found time to nag at Nie Huaisang about his own training. The two of them were sent by their father to study in Lotus Pier under the Jiangs since Huaisang was five. While Nie Mingjue rose to acclaim with his sharp blade and sharper attitude, Nie Huaisang was notorious for the exact opposite.
Oh, those happy days spent sneaking off to work on his calligraphy and painting instead of his swordsmanship. Whenever Nie Mingjue found him and tried to make him do actual work, Nie Huaisang used to grab onto the nearest heavy object and hang on for his dear life. He was resourceful like that, and it came in handy when Da-ge decided to ruin it all by sending Nie Huaisang away to some far-off academy to learn some “discipline.”
Truth be told, part of why Nie Huaisang stayed away for so long was because he was afraid of how his brother would react to his initial running away. Every time he thought someone from Lotus Pier was looking for him, sent by his Da-ge, Nie Huaisang got the urge to run and never look back.
Being home now, it was kind of nice. Nie Huaisang pat his brother on the back, returning the hug with similar strength. “It’s… good to be back!”
When Da-ge finally let go, Nie Huaisang was wheezing. He put his hands on his knees. Since when did hugging become an athletic trial?
“Don’t think you’re free to go yet, Huaisang.” Nie Mingjue crossed his arms. He was using the same voice he used for training Lotus Pier’s soldiers. “You’re going to explain every single damn detail of what happened since your last letter to me.”
The last letter to Da-ge. Nie Huaisang scratched the back of his head. So much had happened, he didn’t know who knew what in which order.
When he first high-tailed it from the academy, Nie Huaisang kept up his letters religiously. He may have been rebellious, but he cared about the people he was leaving behind. The contents of the letters, though, varied a lot.
Jiang Cheng was the recipient Nie Huaisang spent the most time writing to. Mostly about his own safety, how he missed his presence, some light flirtation. Jiang-xiong knew all about what he thought of the people he stayed with and some of the worries he had about being on his own.
Wei Wuxian’s letters read more like tragic comedies. To him, Nie Huaisang held nothing back. Pages were filled with recommendations for tourist spots, more of the scandalous details about his hosts and fellow artists, and all the exciting things to come out at night when proper society turned a blind eye. They shared jokes, imagined scenarios, suggestions for where Huaisang should go next, and plenty of encouraging words.
Da-ge’s letters were much more formal. Nie Huaisang made sure his brother always knew his general location, but kept it vague enough so that he wouldn’t march an army over to come find him. Not like he had time anyway since Lotus Pier would then be missing its best warrior. Correspondence was brief and Nie Huaisang made sure to exaggerate how responsible and safe he was. Most days the letters were outright lies made to placate Da-ge’s temper.
“Uh…” Standing in front of Nie Mingjue right now, Nie Huaisang failed to recall a single one of those white lies. “Would you believe it if I told you that I joined forces with the Ghost Pirate?”