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The first time they met was in elementary school. It was not long after the Jiang’s had adopted Wei Ying. He had met Jiang Cheng and his father at the school playground, dragging a shy boy by the hand. He was also a year older than Jiang Cheng and had short brown hair with braids in it. He wore a green shirt and yellow shorts. His face flushed pink when Jiang Cheng’s father said hello, but he responded politely.
Jiang Cheng didn’t know much at the ripe age of 6, but he felt that this was what beauty looked like.
Wei Ying dragged his new friend over to Jiang Cheng, who was sitting on a swing, with a gaped tooth smile. He proudly introduced his friend, Nie Huaisang, to his favorite little brother. Jiang Cheng grouchily reminded Wei Ying that he was his only little brother. Nie Huaisang laughed at that. It was a joyous sound, like the song of a bird.
Jiang Cheng went wide-eyed at the sound and asked Nie Huaisang if he wanted to join him on the swings. Nie Huaisang happily agreed, jumping on the swing next to him and ordering Wei Ying to give them both a push.
Wei Ying argued at first, but Nie Huaisang mentioned something about kickball, and Wei Ying hurriedly went to give the pair a push.
Jiang Cheng doesn’t remember much from the rest of the day, but he does remember Nie Huaisang’s smile being as radiant as the sun.
-----
The first time they kissed was in middle school. Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying were at Nie Huaisang’s house for his birthday, along with a bunch of other kids that Jiang Cheng doesn’t remember. It was a sleepover, and at some point in the early hours of the morning after Nie Huaisang’s brother and parents went to bed, Wei Ying suggested they all play spin the bottle with one of the empty soda bottles.
Jiang Cheng hadn’t wanted to, but it wasn’t his party, so he really didn’t have a say. Being the birthday boy, Nie Huaisang spun first. By chance, or fate, or some godly power, the bottle landed upon Jiang Cheng.
Wei Ying hollered and pushed his brother towards his best friend. Jiang Cheng fell forward, before catching himself and freezing. He stared wide-eyed at Nie Huaisang, who stared back, just as surprised. Neither moved. Wei Ying, tired of the lack of kissing, told the pair that if they didn’t kiss, they had to go draw pictures of Nie Mingjue’s face with a permanent marker.
That got the pair moving.
Nie Huaisang leaned forward to meet Jiang Cheng. He hesitated for a second, before placing his lips gently against Jiang Cheng’s lips.
Jiang Cheng would never forget the way Nie Huaisang’s lips felt during that first kiss: soft and plump and warm. He would also never forget the way Nie Huaisang blushed when the pair broke apart or the way he shyly avoided Jiang Cheng’s eyes. He would never forget the way his stomach jumped at the sight, or how his head became a confused, jumbled mess.
No one else spun the bottle that night.
-----
The first time Jiang Cheng knew he was in love with Nie Huaisang was during the prom his junior year.
Nie Huaisang had come to their home a few weeks prior practically in tears.
“How could you do this to me?!” Nie Huaisang wailed at Wei Ying. He sighed.
“I’m sorry Huaisang but Wen Ning asked me to go with him already,” Wei Ying said, attempting to console his friend.
“But I’m your best friend! I get first dibs on being your prom date,” Nie Huaisang countered. Wei Ying just gave him a sad look and pat on the shoulder. Jiang Cheng was sure that Nie Huaisang was crying now. His chest clenched painfully.
“I can take you,” Jiang Cheng said suddenly. He hadn’t meant to say that, he just didn’t want Nie Huaisang to be upset anymore.
Two sets of eyes fell onto him. There was silence for what felt like an eternity before Nie Huaisang squealed and ran over to where Jiang Cheng was sitting on the couch to throw himself at him. Jiang Cheng let at an “oof” at the impact before awkwardly wrapping his arms around his friend. Nie Huaisang cried into his shoulder and said words of what Jiang Cheng thought was a thank you, but it was hard to tell through his sobbing.
“Are you sure that’s ok?” Wei Ying asked, sitting down next to his brother. “I know you said you didn’t want to go.”
He was right. Jiang Cheng hadn’t wanted to go. But not for the reason his brother thought. It wasn’t because he was too shy to ask someone, or because all the girls at their school had apparently backlisted him. It was because he wanted to go with Nie Huaisang, but he thought he would be going with his brother. Now that he knew he wasn’t, he was more than happy to go.
“It’s fine,” Jiang Cheng said. “Besides, if he doesn’t go I’m going to have to listen to him cry about it.”
Nie Huaisang finally pulled away from his shoulder to give him a brilliant smile.
A few weeks later they attended the prom. The Wen’s had rented a limo for the group of friends. They had just finished picking up Wen Qing’s date, Mianmian, and were now on their way to pick up Nie Huaisang.
When they arrived, Wei Ying pushed him out the door and wished him luck in dealing with Nie Mingjue before slamming the car door. Jiang Cheng cursed at his brother under his breath all the way up to the house. He cleared his throat and took a few deep breathes before ringing the doorbell.
Jiang Cheng thanked every god there was that Nie Huaisang was the one to open the door. He lost his breath though at the sight of him. He was wearing a green button-up shirt with a gold bowtie and a pair of black trousers. Half of his hair was pulled up into a top knot with a braid around it. He was also wearing what looked to be like makeup, as his cheek shimmered in the light.
Overall, he was a vision, and Jiang Cheng was stunned speechless. Nie Huaisang smiled sweetly at him.
“Are those for me?” he asked, pointing to what was in Jiang Cheng’s hands. Jiang Cheng shook out of his stupor and looked at his hands. Nie Huaisang had made a comment about how he hadn’t wanted to a corsage, as he found them to be tacky and a waste of money. But Jiang Cheng thought a bouquet would be ok.
“Ya,” Jiang Cheng finally replied, handing over the small bouquet of white lilies, Nie Huaisang’s second favorite flowers. “I wanted to give you the full prom experience, and you said you didn’t like corsages, so I got you these.”
Nie Huaisang’s face lit up as he took the flowers. He pulled them close to his face and took a deep breath.
“You’re too sweet A-Cheng,” Nie Huaisang praised, causing Jiang Cheng’s face to turn a bright red. “Thank you.”
Before anyone could say anything else, however, a throat was cleared behind them. Nie Mingjue stood with his arms crossed, his eyes throwing daggers at Jiang Cheng. He felt a shiver run up his spine at the sight of the brother before Nie Huaisang grabbed his wrist and pulled him out the door.
“We’re leaving now da-ge! See you later!” he yelled over his shoulder. Nie Mingjue yelled back about not staying out too late, but the pair didn’t listen and got into the limo.
By the time they arrived at the prom, the party was in full swing. The group danced the night away, stuffed their faces with food, and drank punch that was more than likely spiked with alcohol. Overall it was a pretty fun night.
Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng were sitting at their table resting. Wen Qing and Mianmian had run off somewhere, and Wei Ying and Wen Ning were in the bathroom when suddenly a slow song came on.
“Oh,” Nie Huaisang said, perking up from his previously relaxed state in the foldable chair, “I love this song.”
Jiang Cheng hummed in acknowledgment.
“A-Cheng,” Nie Huaisang said, laying his hand on Jiang Cheng’s wrist. “Dance with me.”
Jiang Cheng groaned. “You saw how bad of a dancer I was back there!”
“Oh come on A-Cheng!” Nie Huaisang whined. “You promised you’d give me the prom experience.”
Well, how could Jiang Cheng say no to that? He sighed and walked over to stand in front of Nie Huaisang. He reached out his hand and Nie Huaisang took it with a wide smile. He then walked the pair over to the rest of the dancing couples and awkwardly wrapped his hands around Nie Huaisang’s waist. Nie Huaisang placed his hands on Jiang Cheng’s shoulders, and the two began to sway to the music.
And I’m thinking about how
People fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
The lights were dim as the two swayed to the music. The previous awkwardness began to melt away with each and every note. Slowly and unknowingly, the two began to pull each other closer, until they were chest to chest. At some point, Jiang Cheng had caught Nie Huaisang’s eyes, and he couldn’t let them go. He stayed there, staring, feeling warmed by the whisky color of Nie Huaisang’s eyes. His face felt flushed, and he was positive that Nie Huaisang could feel his heart beating through his chest. His breathing felt rapid, his hands tingled where they met Nie Huaisang’s hips.
Suddenly, the song came to a close, but Jiang Cheng was reluctant to pull away. Nie Huaisang must have felt the same, as he made no move to break their embrace either.
It wasn’t until Wei Ying came slamming into them a few seconds later to drag them further into the crowd of students so they could dance to his favorite song that the two broke apart.
Wei Ying pulled Nie Huaisang into the crowd, out of sight. It was then that Jiang Cheng thought to himself, I am in love with Nie Huaisang.
-----
The first time Jiang Cheng saw Nie Huaisang cry was during his freshman year at college. He was in the middle of class when he got a slew of calls from Nie Huaisang. After the third, he slipped out of his lecture and into the hall to answer.
“I’m in class Huaisang,” he hissed quietly into the phone.
“JIANG CHENG!” Nie Huaisang wailed. “It’s da-ge! A-Cheng it’s da-ge…” he trailed off, breaking into sobs.
“Tell me where you are,” Jiang Cheng said, as he rushed back into the classroom to gather his things and rushing out the door again. Nie Huaisang gave him an address to a hospital 10 minutes away, and Jiang Cheng ran through campus and into a cab.
When he arrived, he darted through the hospital and to the waiting room. The minute Nie Huaisang saw him he threw himself into Jiang Cheng’s arms. Jiang Cheng pulled him close to his chest and held him tightly, ignore the wet stains that were pooling on his shirt from his friend's tears.
“What happened?” Jiang Cheng asked gently. New sobs wracked Nie Huaisang, and Jiang Cheng ran his fingers through his loose hair in comfort.
“There was an accident,” another man said. Jiang Cheng hadn’t realized anyone else had been there. He looked away from Nie Huaisang and saw a man sitting in one of the waiting room chairs. He was wearing a light blue hoodie and some grey sweatpants. His hair was long and as black as a raven. His face was pale from shock, but his eyes were red from crying. Jiang Cheng had met him once or twice before. He couldn’t quite remember his name, but he knew for certain it was Nie Mingjue’s boyfriend.
“What kind of accident?” Jiang Cheng asked, moving Nie Huaisang so they could sit. He never let go of his friends, and once they were sat down, positioned him so he could bury his face against his shoulder. He kept his arm firmly around his shoulders and stroked it gently.
“A car accident,” the man said. “Someone t-boned his car. They are doing emergency surgery. I guess he had a lot of swelling in his brain. They aren’t sure if he’ll…” He couldn’t finish his sentence.
He took a shaky breath and tried, unsuccessfully, to school his expression. Jiang Cheng knew what he was trying to do. After all, he had done it so many times. He was trying to be strong, trying not to burden others. Jiang Cheng put a hand on the man’s shoulder and squeezed. The man gave him a tired smile in return, one that didn’t reach his eyes.
The afternoon came and went. They sat and waited for updates. Nie Huaisang had stopped crying and was taking a nap on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder. Wei Ying came as soon as Jiang Cheng had remembered to text him. He and the man, Lan Huan, as Nie Huaisang reminded him, had gone to get everyone some food.
Jiang Cheng reached into his bag and pulled out his notes. The action caused Jiang Cheng to wake up.
“Sorry,” Jiang Cheng apologized.
“‘s ok,” Nie Huaisang mumbled. “What time is it?”
“7:49.”
There was a long pause.
“Anything?”
“…no.”
Nie Huaisang took a shaky breath. Jiang Cheng patted his shoulder in comfort and tried to think of a way to comfort his friend.
“Give me your hand,” Jiang Cheng said suddenly.
Nie Huaisang gave him a confused look but did as he was told. Jiang Cheng reached into the front of his bag and took out a black sharpie. He flipped Nie Huaisang’s hand so his palm was lying flat against his lap, and took the cap off the sharpie. He then started drawing on the back of Nie Huaisang’s hand. Nie Huaisang sat there silently and attempted to look over Jiang Cheng’s shoulder to see what he was drawing. When he finished, he blew a few times on his friend's hand before holding it up to show him.
Nie Huaisang gasped. On the back of his hands were multiple lotus flowers. They were his friend's favorite flowers. He used to gush over the lotuses that bloomed in the ponds at his family’s house while they were growing up. Seeing them always cheered him up. Jiang Cheng was no artist, nothing like his brother, but he thought maybe they would make Nie Huaisang smile.
Apparently, though, it had the opposite effect. Big fat tears started to roll down Nie Huaisang’s face. Unsure of what to do, Jiang Cheng grabbed his friend and wrapped him up in a big hug.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he whispered into his friend's ear.
Nie Huaisang laughed sadly in return. “No they didn’t upset me,” he said, pushing himself away from Jiang Cheng’s embrace. “I love them.” He then mustered the biggest smile he could manage during the trying time.
“They are your favorite,” Jiang Cheng said hoarsely. “Whenever you came to see them you always smiled. I just wanted to make you smile.”
Tears welled in Nie Huaisang’s eyes again. “You remembered,” he whispered, allowing the tears to fall.
Nie Huaisang had always been perfect in Jiang Cheng’s eyes. He was like a god, so otherworldly. His beauty was beyond compare, his wit unmatched, his smile heavenly, his laugh like the song of an angel. But at this moment, he looked so broken, so tired, so human, that Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but fall more in love with the man. He was this storm of perfection and flaws, beauty and ugliness, happiness and sorrow. And Jiang Cheng wanted all of it, every single thing.
“Of course,” Jiang Cheng said, whipping the tears from Nie Huaisang’s cheeks. “It’s you.”
Nie Huaisang let out a cry and fell back into Jiang Cheng’s embrace. They sat there holding on to one another for what felt like an eternity.
-----
The first time they said I love you was during the Christmas break. Nie Mingjue was spending the holidays with his boyfriend's family, so Jiang Cheng had invited him to spend the break at his house.
In hindsight, that had been a bad idea.
Family get-togethers rarely went smoothly at the Jiang household. Christmas dinner had started out good enough. Jiang Fengmian had asked how everyone’s lives were going. Jiang Yanli had received a job as head chef at a high-end restaurant. Wei Ying’s end of the semester art show had gone well. Nie Huaisang was enjoying his job working for the school newspaper.
When it got to be Jiang Cheng’s turn is when things went sour.
“I got a 94 on my Intro to Economics final,” he said.
“Just a 94?!” his mother screeched. That then snowballed into how Jiang Cheng was not trying hard enough in school, and that need they remind him that he is taking over the family business and that Wei Ying always got better grades them him in high school without even trying so why couldn’t he?
Once it got to him transferring to a school closer to home so he wouldn’t be so distracted by Wei Ying and his friends, Jiang Cheng had had enough. He quickly stood from the table, excused himself, and walked out the door leading to their large backyard. He ignored the calls from his siblings and friend.
Before he knew it, he was sitting under a gazebo in front of their lotus pond. He couldn’t remember how he had gotten here, or why he had come. It was the middle of winter, so the lotuses hadn’t bloomed yet. But this spot was always quiet and peaceful, and Jiang Cheng had always come here when he needed to get away for a bit.
He shivered in the crisp December air. In his haste to get away from his family, he had forgotten to grab a coat. Whatever. He’d rather get hypothermia right now than go back.
“I thought I’d find you here,” a sweet voice said, pulling Jiang Cheng from his wandering thoughts. He looked over his shoulder to see Nie Huaisang standing outside the gazebo. He was bundled up in a puffy coat and a big scarf. In his hands was Jiang Cheng’s coat. The cold left Jiang Cheng’s body at the sight and was replaced by a wonderful warmth. He patted the seat next to him and Nie Huaisang sat down, wrapping Jiang Cheng’s coat around his shoulders, and snuggling into his side to find more warmth. Nie Huaisang had always hated the cold, which made it all the more remarkable that he had come out to find him. Which reminds him:
“Why are you here?” Jiang Cheng asked. “You hate the cold.”
“I seriously hate it!” Nie Huaisang whined. “You owe me big time for making me come all the way out here in this tundra to come and find you!”
Jiang Cheng laughed. It was hardly a tundra. There were only about five inches of snow on the ground.
“But seriously,” Nie Huaisang said, his voice turning suddenly serious, “I was worried about you. You ran out so quickly that I didn’t even have a chance to defend your honor in front of your parents. I was worried you were going to be out here stewing and thinking unnecessary negative thoughts about yourself. So I came to find you as quickly as I could.”
Jiang Cheng was silent for a while. “You didn’t come quick enough,” he said quietly.
“A-Cheng…” Nie Huaisang began to protest.
“They aren’t wrong,” Jiang Cheng said bitterly. “I try and I try but it’s never good enough. It’s never going to be good enough. I’m never going to be as smart as Wei Ying or as good as jiejie. I’m never going to live up to the Jiang family name. I’m probably going to make the family business fail and-”
“A-Cheng that’s enough!” Nie Huaisang said sternly.
Jiang Cheng looked at him in surprise. He never raised his voice at him.
“You are enough,” he continued. “I think it’s amazing how much you try. If it were me I would’ve given up months ago. But you never do, and that’s commendable. And you’re right, you aren’t your siblings. You are so much better. You’re you, Jiang Cheng. You’re grumpy and have a short temper, but you’re also so sweet to your family and friends, and you’re so dependable, and you care so deeply, more deeply than anyone. Plus you are hot. You are good and wonderful and you and I don’t want you to ever think that you aren’t good enough because you are Jiang Cheng, you really are.”
They were silent for a while, staring at one another, Jiang Cheng’s eyes blown wide and Nie Huaisang needing to catch his breath after his rant.
Finally, Jiang Cheng said, “I love you.”
“What?”
Crap. He hadn’t meant to say that. He had meant to say thank you or I’m so glad you’re my friend, but not I love you. But he had said it, and it felt good to say. So maybe he should say it again. He took Nie Huaisang’s hands gently in his. He looked at his face, which was tinted pink, from the cold or the confession Jiang Cheng wasn’t sure, his eyes wide and his mouth hung agape.
“I love you Nie Huaisang,” Jiang Cheng said again, this time more firmly.
He expected rejection, or an awkward laugh, or more silence. What he had not expected were lips crashing against his own, arms thrown over his shoulders and wrapping around him tightly. Jiang Cheng leapt into action as well, deepening the kiss, wrapping his arms around the man’s waist and pulling him in closer.
After a hot make-out session, the two broke apart but stayed close.
“I love you A-Cheng,” Nie Huaisang whispered, resting his forehead against Jiang Chengs. “I’ve loved you for so long.”
“How long?” Jiang Cheng asked, his eyes falling shut.
“Remember that time we played spin the bottle?”
Jiang Cheng pushed the man back a bit so he could look him in the eyes.
“Wait that long?!”
Nie Huaisang laughed. “How long have you loved me for?”
Jiang Cheng looked down. He could feel a blush creeping its way up to his face.
“Since the prom junior year?”
“Oh~” Nie Huaisang teased. “You were so romantic that night. It took everything in me not to kiss you.”
“Why didn’t you?” Jiang Cheng asked, pulling the man close to his side.
“I could tell you weren’t ready then,” Nie Huaisang said. He paused, and then asked, “are you ready now?”
Jiang Cheng chuckled at the question. Had they not just been making out a few minutes ago? But he thought it best to answer, so there were no misunderstandings, “Nie Huaisang, will you be my boyfriend?”
Nie Huaisang looked up at Jiang Cheng and gave him the biggest, brightest smile Jiang Cheng had ever seen.
“Of course I’ll be your boyfriend A-Cheng,” he said, pulling the man in for a searing kiss.
A call from the house caused the two to pull apart. They begrudgingly made their way back inside to open gifts with the family. The two sat close to one another as they exchanged gifts. Jiang Cheng got Nie Huaisang a designer bracelet he had been wanting, and Nie Huaisang got Jiang Cheng an appointment with a tattoo artist, and the promise to pay for the tattoo Jiang Cheng had been wanting to get.
Jiang Cheng had been grateful when Jiang Yanli put a hand over his brother’s mouth upon his realization that the two were together.
-----
The first time they went on a date, Jiang Cheng went a bit overboard. Jiang Cheng had put so much thought and effort into planning it. It had to be perfect, just like Nie Huaisang.
It was still the holiday break, but the two had returned to their shared apartment. Jiang Cheng woke Nie Huaisang up with coffee and told him to get ready for their date. Nie Huaisang had grumbled, but Jiang Cheng could tell he was just as excited as he was.
The date began with a couples painting class in the afternoon. Nie Huaisang had beamed when he heard what they were doing. Jiang Cheng was not a great artist and was oftentimes more frustrated than not when doing art, but for Nie Huaisang he would paint a thousand horrible paintings if he got to see him smile and laugh like he did at the end of the class. (Truly, his painting looked like a 5-year-old did it).
After their class, Jiang Cheng took Nie Huaisang to a fancy restaurant that his sister recommended. It was on the top floor of a skyscraper. Jiang Cheng had requested a table next to the window, so the two could see the whole city. Jiang Cheng ordered a steak and Nie Huaisang ordered a seafood pasta dish. The food was delicious, although a bit small.
They go dancing at Nie Huaisang’s favorite club after dinner. Jiang Cheng has only been here once or twice with Nie Huaisang. He’s not a fan of clubs. The music is too loud, there are always too many people, and he hates getting hit on by drunk strangers. But Nie Huaisang likes it, and this place isn’t overly crowded, and the music they play isn’t so bad. So he’s willing to put up with it for the night. Plus, Nie Huaisang is looking really sexy, and the way he dances with Jiang Cheng gets him hot and bothered.
Once the club got too much for them, they take a walk through the park to help sober them up. It’s late, and the park is nearly empty. The two don’t say much of anything, content to just hold hands and be with one another. At some point, Nie Huaisang gets cold, and Jiang Cheng shoves his boyfriend’s hand into his pocket and calls an Uber to pick them up and take them home.
Once they arrive and strip out of their winter ware, Nie Huaisang plops onto the couch. Jiang Cheng can tell he’s exhausted, and he feels guilty for planning so much in one day. He grabs the remote and puts on HGTV. House Hunters is on, one of Nie Huaisang’s favorite shows. He doesn’t care about the premise, he just likes to trash talk the people that are on it. Jiang Cheng throws a blanket over his boyfriend before heading to the kitchen to get him a glass of his favorite wine. When he returns, he hands it to him and receives a smile and a thank you in return. Jiang Cheng gives him a kiss on the forehead before moving to the opposite end of the couch. Before Nie Huaisang could protest, however, Jiang Cheng grabs his legs and puts them into his lap. He then starts to knead all of the tension out of Nie Huaisang’s feet. The man moans contently at the massage and continues to sip his wine and complain about the people on the show.
When Jiang Cheng finishes the massage, he looks over to see his boyfriend staring lovingly at him.
“What?” he asks. He dropped the foot that was in his hands and pushed his boyfriend's legs off of his lap.
“You know, I really appreciate all the effort you put into our first date,” Nie Huaisang said, putting his wine glass down on the side table and moving over so he was snuggled closely to Jiang Cheng’s side, “but this has to be my favorite part of the day.”
Jiang Cheng smiled and dropped a kiss on the top of his boyfriend’s head. He wrapped his arm around his shoulders and the man sighed in contentment.
The next time they went on a date, Jiang Cheng wouldn’t go so overboard.
-----
The last time Jiang Cheng called Nie Huaisang was on a beautiful day in April. He stood outside of the city’s largest indoor botanical gardens, waiting for his boyfriend. He checked his reflection in the glass window. He hoped he looked good, but compared to his boyfriend did he ever? He was wearing a grey turtle neck sweater, dark purple pants, and a light purple coat on top. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail and there were twin braids on either side of his head.
A car door was slammed shut and Nie Huaisang ran over to him. Jiang Cheng had to remind himself to breathe. He was wearing a gold silk low-cut polka dot blazer with matching pants and emerald green heels.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said, trying to catch his breath. “My meeting ran long. You look good!” He fussed with the collar on Jiang Cheng’s jacket. Jiang Cheng caught his hands and brought them up to his mouth to give each hand a kiss.
“So do you,” he said gently. Nie Huaisang gave him a dazzling smile.
“So what are we doing here?” Nie Huaisang asked, looking at the building.
“Well it’s a beautiful day and I thought we should finally check out the gardens,” Jiang Cheng said, trying to act as casual as possible.
“Sounds great!” Nie Huaisang replied, wrapping his hand around Jiang Cheng’s arm. Jiang Cheng opened the door and led them inside.
The gardens were huge, encased under and large glass dome. There was a stone path that led the way through the gardens. Jiang Cheng led them along with it. Nie Huaisang stopped every now and then to take a picture of the flowers, himself and the two of them together.
At some point, the two happened upon a swing that was connected to a large tree. Jiang Cheng led Nie Huaisang onto it and positioned himself behind the man so he could push him.
“Do you remember the first time we met?” Jiang Cheng asked.
“Ya. It was at our school's playground. Wei Ying had been gushing about you all day, so I was really excited to meet you. You were so cute back then, all shy and little.”
“Shut up,” Jiang Cheng grumbled, causing Nie Huaisang to laugh. He sat there swinging for a little while longer before the two continued to walk along the path.
After a while, they ran into Wei Ying and Jiang Yanli, who were sitting on the ground in a circle with Lan Zhan and Jin Zixuan, a glass bottle in the middle.
“What’s this?” Nie Huaisang asked, giving Jiang Cheng a confused look.
“It’s spin the bottle!” Wei Ying exclaimed. “Come and play! Birthday boy gets to go first!”
Nie Huaisang gasped, clearly realizing what Jiang Cheng was trying to do. He took his hand and kneeled down to join the group, Jiang Cheng following him. He then grabbed the bottle and spun it. The bottle landed on Lan Zhan, who hastily positioned the bottle so that it was pointing at Jiang Cheng. The group laughed, and Jiang Cheng leaned in to give his boyfriend a firm yet gentle kiss. After they broke apart, Jiang Cheng grabbed Nie Huaisang’s hand and lifted him up so they were standing.
“Come on. There’s more to see.”
They continued walking for a bit before they ran into Nie Mingjue and Lan Huan. The two were standing next to a table that held a speaker and a bouquet of white lilies. Jiang Cheng grabbed the lilies.
“Nie Mingjue,” he said, turning to look at the stern man. “I’m here to pick up Nie Huaisang for the prom.”
Nie Mingjue glared at Jiang Cheng, his arms crossed tightly against his chest.
“Mn,” he replied gruffly.
“Have fun!” Lan Huan said, wrapping his arms around one of Nie Mingjue’s. That caused the man to relax ever so slightly.
Jiang Cheng then walked over to Nie Huaisang and gave him the flowers.
“For you,” he said, handing him the bouquet.
Nie Huaisang was attempting to fight back tears when music started. Jiang Cheng grabbed his waist and started to sway. Nie Huaisang placed his hands on his boyfriend's shoulders and swayed with him.
The two stopped along with the music.
“Jiang Cheng this is-” Nie Huaisang began.
“Wait! There’s still more,” Jiang Cheng interrupted, grabbing his hand and pulling him along the path once again.
At some point, Jiang Cheng stopped.
“Give me your hand for a second,” Jiang Cheng askes. Nie Huaisang’s breath caught in his throat and he silently did as he was told.
Jiang Cheng grabbed a marker out of his jacket pocket and started doodling on the back of Nie Huaisang’s hand. When he finished, he put the marker away and showed him his hand. There were lotuses all over the back of it.
“You’re favorite,” Jiang Cheng said.
Nie Huaisang was silent for a second before glaring at Jiang Cheng.
“Seriously?” he said flatly.
“What?” Jiang Cheng askes worried.
“I thought…never mind. Let’s keep going.”
Nie Huaisang grabbed his hand and the pair kept walking. They landed upon a lotus pond a few minutes later. A bench sat in front of it, and Jiang Cheng guided him to sit on it. They two were silent for a few moments.
“I remember that day like it was yesterday,” Jiang Cheng said finally.
“What day?”
“The day I told you I loved you,” he said. “I had been wanting to say it for so long, but I was always too afraid. But then you told in so many ways how you felt about me, and I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I had to tell you.”
They was a pause.
“I don’t regret saying it. I’ll never regret saying it. It was the best day of my life after all.”
Nie Huaisang smiled at him and gave him a brief kiss. “It was the best day of my life too.”
They sat there, their foreheads resting against one another’s before Jiang Cheng ushered them away once again.
At some point, they came across a velvet couch positioned aesthetically in front of some rose bushes. Jiang Cheng sat down and patted the seat next to him, ushering Nie Huaisang to do the same. Once he did, Jiang Cheng grabbed his legs and plopped them into his lap. He took off Nie Huaisang’s heels and started massaging his feet.
Nie Huaisang hummed contently and enjoyed the attention, reminiscing their first date. Once he was finished, Jiang Cheng dropped his feet and pulled the man close to his side. They stayed there silently for a while, holding each other close, breathing each other in, just enjoying each other’s presence.
“I know I said that I wouldn’t go overboard after that but I don’t think I can keep that promise.” Jiang Cheng said quietly. Nie Huaisang pulled back a little from their embrace to give him a confused look. Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and continued. “You complete me, in a way I never thought possible. You make me feel things that I never thought I could. You make me happy in a way I never knew how. And you deserve everything. You deserve big over the top romantic gestures and crazy thought out dates because you give me so much that I just want to give you a little something in return.”
Nie Huaisang stared wide-eyed at his boyfriend. Jiang Cheng looked down nervously at his lap.
“And soon, I hope to give you the big, overboard wedding that you deserve,” Jiang Cheng said.
“A-Cheng, you mean…?”
Jiang Cheng left their embrace and fell to the ground on one knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. He opened it to reveal a big, over the top ring.
“Nie Huaisang, my Nie Huaisang, the love of my life,” he said reverently, “will you marry me?”
Nie Huaisang was sobbing now, had been since Jiang Cheng had gotten onto one knee. He nodded.
“Yes you idiot,” he said, holding out the hand covered in lotuses. Jiang Cheng gave him one of the rare, beautiful smiles and slipped the ring onto his finger. The second he put it on Nie Huaisang crashed into him, his lips meeting his in a hurried, passionate kiss. Jiang Cheng pulled him tight to his chest, moving the two so they were standing. When they broke apart, Jiang Cheng lifted him off the group and swung him around, causing Nie Huaisang to squeal and laugh.
After he placed him once again on the ground, he grabbed his hand.
“There’s still one more thing we have to do,” he said. He led his fiancé down another path to a side room of the gardens that was commonly reserved for parties.
He opened the door to the sound of cheers. All of their friends and family were there, holding glasses of champagne and little desserts. Nie Huaisang smiled.
Wei Ying and Jiang Yanli ran up to him and hugged him, welcoming him to the family. They begged him to show them the ring, which he did so proudly. Nie Mingjue gave Jiang Cheng a strong pat on the back, causing him to lose his footing a bit. Lan Huan gave him a soft congratulations. He smiled at the pair and nodded.
Later, the two managed to slip out of the party and back to the lotus pond. They sat on the bench, holding hands and exchanging soft, sweet kisses. Words of love were exchanged, and ideas of a grand future wedding being passed around.