#sangcheng loving hours

1. Nie Huaisang sways his hips to the beat of the music blaring from the radio, a tray of unbaked cookies in his hands. He taps his feet against the cold, kitchen tile, humming and nodding along to the music.

"You look stupid," his boyfriend tells him.
With a wink, he turns around to face a frowning Jiang Cheng seated by the kitchen counter, cup of coffee in hand. "Your favorite kind of stupid."

"Agreed," Jiang Cheng says with a smirk as he moves to join his lover.
It's 3 AM and they should be asleep like the rest of the city, the stillness undisturbed, not until the sun rises on the horizon.

Jiang Cheng takes Huaisang's hand and twirls him around, the latter bursting into a fit of adorable giggles.
"I don't know how to dance," Jiang Cheng whispers seriously when he presses their foreheads together, hands on his lover's waist.

Nie Huaisang snakes his arms around the taller man's neck, swaying both of them slowly in sync to the music.
He steals a kiss on Jiang Cheng's nose, giggling at the ridiculous expression he makes afterwards, before he pulls the grumbling man impossibly closer.

"Don't worry," he whispers back, voice tinged with fondness. "I'll teach you how to."
#sangcheng loving hours

2. "Stop squirming."

Nie Huaisang pouts but Jiang Cheng's statement effectively makes him behave. He leans back and places his head against his boyfriend's shoulder, letting out a contented sigh.

"I'm getting sleepy," he mumbles.
"Don't," Jiang Cheng says, but he places a hand on his lover's head anyway, stroking his hair affectionately.

Huaisang giggles and playfully splashes water around. When Jiang Cheng reaches down to pinch his cheeks, he stops and whines.

"Aiya!! That hurts!!"
Jiang Cheng freezes. "It does?"

"Yes," the other man confirms, tears forming at the corner of his eyes. "Kiss it to make it feel better!"

Jiang Cheng huffs in annoyance but he does as he is told, dipping his head to plant a kiss on his lover's cheeks.
Feeling a little mischievous, he begins peppering the smaller man with kisses all over the face, turning Huaisang into a giggling mess.

"We need a bigger bathtub," Jiang Cheng says afterwards, tired from messing around.

Huaisang grins.
#sangcheng loving hours

3. Nie Huaisang nudges his lover, as gentle as he could. He frowns when Jiang Cheng doesn't stir from his afternoon nap, still sprawled like an eagle on their bed.

"Come oooon," he grumbles, poking Jiang Cheng's cheek. "Babe, sweetie, wake up!"
Still, Jiang Cheng doesn't stir.

Remembering how the man in front of him pinched his cheeks earlier in the morning, Huaisang uses both hands to squish the life out of Jiang Cheng's cheeks as well.

He pulls at the soft flesh, wiggling them until they turn red.
"Aiya, why are you such a heavy sleeper?" Huaisang says, defeated.

As he turns to get off the bed and leave, he suddenly feels two strong arms wrap around his waist, pulling him down into an embrace.

"A-Cheng!!" He shrieks in surprise and Jiang Cheng only grins.
Sleep still in his eyes and his voice husky and low, he whispers, "I love you."

Huaisang flushes red at the sudden words of affection, combined with Jiang Cheng's large hand slowly caressing his hair. He bites his lip, speechless and quite surprised.
After a few heartbeats, Huaisang slowly wraps his arms around the other man, nuzzling his face into his lover's chest.

"A-Cheng," he whines, voice muffled. "I love you too."

He hears Jiang Cheng exhale happily, pulling him closer into the hug.
#sangcheng loving hours

4. Their dates used to be so awkward. So stiff and so lacking in conversations. Huaisang remembers how suffocating it was when they first sat in front of each other, unsure smiles and uneasiness evident in the way they moved.
The second date was better.

Jiang Cheng took him to a beautiful restaurant then, all the time being the perfect gentleman that he is. There was less frostiness in the air, both parties interested in knowing the other more.
Nie Huaisang found himself leaning in most of the time, intent on observing the man before him with his own eyes.

He's kind even if he feels shy about it. He always means well, always making sure he isn't being insensitive. He has a nice smile, something Huaisang found cute.
When they walked home that night, Jiang Cheng accompanying him back to his apartment after they circled the park once, Nie Huaisang took the initiative to hold his date's hand.

It was cold, and kind of trembling, but when Huaisang smiled at Jiang Cheng, his worries faded away.
Jiang Cheng squeezed his hand, ears reddening. He scratched the back of his head shyly too!

When they arrived in front of the apartment, both seemed reluctant to let go of the other.

A few minutes of silence, and suddenly, Jiang Cheng whispered, "God, I like you so much."
#sangcheng loving hours

5. Nie Huaisang clings to his boyfriend, eyes pleading.

"Please," he pouts. "Stay with me tonight, A-Cheng."

Jiang Cheng contemplates, tempted to escape to their bedroom and sleep until morning comes to wake him up. But at the same time...
He glances at Huaisang, brows stitched close, forehead creased. His lover looks absolutely pitiful, tears on the corners of his pretty eyes. He stares at those thin, delicate lips and sighs.

"Fine." He quickly moves to kiss his boyfriend before looking away. "I'll stay."
Twenty minutes into the movie, and Jiang Cheng is already screaming his head off.

The apartment's dark, the only light coming from the TV screen where they watched a horror movie for Huaisang's new project. He didn't want to stay up alone so Huaisang asked his lover for help.
However, looking at them now, it seems his A-Cheng is more scared than he is supposed to be considering he hates horror movies. The man already put his feet up the couch, clutching Huaisang close whenever there are jumpscares.

Huaisang is too amused to focus on the movie.
"Ahhhh," Huaisang mutters under his breath as the protagonist walked down the empty and dark hallway. "She's gonna get killed."

Jiang Cheng sputters beside him, the grip on his hand tightening. "Huaisang, shut up."

Huaisang giggles.
"Look," he whispers again, leaning against his boyfriend. "Imagine a shadow standing by your bed when you wake up just like that."

Jiang Cheng throws him a quick glare before hiding behind a pillow again. "Huaisang, I swear... damn it."
Huaisang laughs and pulls Jiang Cheng towards him, embracing him and laying his boyfriend's head on his shoulder. One hand caressed the poor man's head while the other, he intertwined their hands together.

"I'm here," Huaisang says, planting a kiss on Jiang Cheng's forehead.
#sangcheng loving hours

6. It's an understatement to say that he's tired. It's more than that and beyond. Sounds exaggerated, but Jiang Cheng feels like life has been drained out of him tonight.

He lands on the docks with his disicples scrambling behind him.
"Sect Leader," they all say in unison, bowing down in respect.

Jiang Cheng waves them off, too exhausted to say anything else. After being away from Lotus Pier for three days and two nights, off to hunt some monsters far away, all he wants to do is lie down on his bed.
He groggily moves towards his home, feet dragging against the pavement. The halls are quiet, the peace undisturbed until he came in.

Exhaling loudly, he heads for his room, almost stumbling and never seemingly walking straight by now.
He enters carefully. It is dark and cold. He never truly expected anyone to be awake at this hour but out of the corner of his eyes, he sees a shadow move.

"A-Cheng!!" A familiar voice calls out, followed by the warm press of a hand against his cheek.
Almost immediately, Jiang Cheng melts into the touch. His shoulders relax and his exhaustion leaves his mind. Wordlessly, he embraces the man before him.

He buries his face into the man's neck, leaving a loving kiss there before rubbing his cheek against the man's shoulder.
"Are you tired?" The man inquires, rubbing his back with small hands. Hmmm, the hands that he loves to hold onto dearly.

Jiang Cheng nods and the man pulls him towards the bed, not breaking the embrace.
"A-Sang," comes Jiang Cheng's voice, slurred and low.

His husband hums in response, quietly working his way to untangle the ties on Jiang Cheng's hair. He signals for Jiang Cheng to move away for a moment, this time to help him get out of his outer robes.
Nie Huaisang, for all the beauty that he is, appeared to be shining under the moonlight that streamed through the room's window.

Jiang Cheng observes the man in front of him, his heart aching with too much love for his husband.
Instinctively, he cups Huaisang's cheeks and kisses him, the action slow and sweet and yet so, so fulfilling.

One kiss and suddenly Jiang Cheng feels alive once more.

"I love you," he whispers as he embraces Huaisang again, tucking the latter's head under his chin.
His husband hugs him back and Jiang Cheng rightfully feels a sheet of warmth wrap around him, enveloping his heart with joy.

In the darkness of the room, his husband returns his affection with a loving voice. "And I, you."
#sangcheng loving hours

7. An arranged marriage.

That's what his brother said, seated in his swivel chair, arms propped above the table as he leaned in. His eyes are trained on Huaisang's face, looking for a crack in his expression.

Huaisang swallows.
He fights back the urge to shiver as his brother refused to look away. Carefully, Nie Mingjue says, "Someone from a good family, Huaisang."

"Good family," echoes Huaisang, a little tremble in his voice. "And good for OUR family?"

His brother doesn't say anything.
Huaisang's mind wanders.

What is he going to do? What is he supposed to do? What is he going to tell A-Cheng, his beloved, the only person who wants to spend his life with?

His questions go unanswered, even after he leaves his brother's office.
Lunch with Jiang Cheng seemed like a dream. Startled out of his daze when his lover grabs hold of his hand, Huaisang tears up before he could stop himself.

"A-Cheng!!" He cries pitifully. "A-Cheng, I'm sorry. Da-ge said... Da-ge said I have to get married..."
"I really don't know anything about this..." He mumbles, too scared to look at Jiang Cheng's eyes all of a sudden. "What should I do? I love only you... A-Cheng, help me!!"

Determination surged Jiang Cheng's veins and within an hour, he is heading to Nie Mingjue's office.
They enter his office hand in hand, the certain Jiang dragging a sobbing Huaisang behind him.

"Sir, forgive my intrusion," Jiang Cheng immediately says but he stops. "But I—"

He freezes when he notices and sees his father and mother seated across the older Nie.
"Mom?" He states dumbly. "Dad?"

His mother, Madam Yu, raises an eyebrow as she peeks at their intertwined hands but she doesn't say anything. Jiang Fengmian only smiles kindly at them.

Nie Huaisang steps forward, confusion written on his face. "Da-ge?"
His brother grins, the corner of his eyes crinkling. "Hello, Huaisang. We're discussing your marriage to this good-looking young man." He glances at the Jiangs, who nod in agreement. "Take a seat, both of you."

Huaisang almost collapses, his knees like jelly.
He quietly pieces the puzzle together as the discussion continued. He's going to marry Jiang Cheng, his A-Cheng. Gosh, he was so scared it would be someone else... Huh, suddenly, the twist in his stomach loosens.

"A-Sang," Jiang Cheng calls, hand on his. "I love you."
Jiang Cheng is smiling at him, a rare sight that always gave Huaisang the butterflies. He smiles back, squeezing his boyfriend's hand.

"I love you too," Huaisang sheepishly replies, giggles erupting from his chest. "And I'll marry you!"
#sangcheng loving hours

8. Nie Huaisang noticed a habit.

His husband, hard as stone he may seem outside, is nothing but a sweet baby deep inside. He's sensitive, but doesn't show it. He's kind, but he's embarassed about it. He's perfect, but he doesn't see it.
He tries to act strong on his own. Lips forming a thin line, a neutral expression on his face. Shoulders always too tense, and his movement rigid and awkward.

The only times he has ever seen Jiang Cheng without his usual demeanour is when he's near Huaisang.
Wordlessly, he would wrap his arms around the smaller man from behind, placing his chin on Huaisang's shoulder.

He would rub Huaisang's stomach with his large hand, humming a low tune under his breath. Then, before leaving to do something else, he would kiss Huaisang's temple.
It's a simple gesture, but full of meaning.

It makes Huaisang feel like he's someone Jiang Cheng truly treasures — and in reality, the certain Jiang indeed does that.

To Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang is a beacon of light, a bed after a tiring day, land after a storm at sea.
He is his comfort and life, a reassurance that he is alive and he is living the life he wants. To Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang is his lifeline.

And the way he moves around his lover shows everything single ounce of love he has for Nie Huaisang.
Huaisang knows, feels warmed at the overflowing love Jiang Cheng has for him, and he returns it just as much — maybe even more.

He is a shield that protects Jiang Cheng when he's most vulnerable, and Jiang Cheng is an anchor that keeps him grounded.
Words cannot express the way they love each other. Simply like this, they know.

Nie Huaisang is Jiang Cheng's. Jiang Cheng is Nie Huaisang's.

Even if the world burns, that will never change.
#sangcheng loving hours

9. One thing Nie Huaisang found out about his boyfriend during one of their dates is that he has a good voice.

The way Jiang Cheng talks usually has a tinge of toughness in it. He rarely expresses his real emotions through words, but he feels.
Others only hear his grumbles and complaints, but Nie Huaisang has heard more.

He has heard the man softly say "I love you" numerous times. He has heard the man mumble worriedly when Huaisang is sick. He has heard the man call out his name affectionately.
Jiang Cheng's voice is beautiful.

It runs deep with emotions, like an unending well that never runs out of water. He has a low voice, loud but also quiet, every vibration resonating to Huaisang's heart. His is an angel's voice; it is a melody that occupies his mind all day.
What Huaisang also discovers something during their Disneyland date is that Jiang Cheng can sing, and his singing voice is the most wonderful thing in the world.

They passed by Rapunzel's tower that day and Huaisang remembers saying Tangled is his favorite Disney movie.
Out of nowhere, Jiang Cheng suddenly held his hand and burst into singing, loud enough only for Huaisang to hear.

Saying Huaisang felt touched is not enough. He felt like he was born to be there at that moment, basking in love; like the universe put him there for a reason.
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were

Now you're here shining in the starlight
Now you're here suddenly I know
If you're here, it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go
Jiang Cheng smiled at him, sheepish at the way he sneakily changed some lyrics. He continued to sing, eyes full of love.

And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted

"All at once, everything is different." Jiang Cheng caresses Huaisang's face, a thumb brushing against his cheekbone. "Now that I see you."

It was and still is the greatest moment in Huaisang's life.
#sangcheng loving hours

10. The first time Nie Huaisang wore a crop top in front of his boyfriend, Jiang Cheng almost lost his mind.

Nie Huaisang was standing in front of the café where they agreed to meet at, wearing a purple crop top hoodie paired with black jeans.
He was scrolling through his phone, completely oblivious of the way Jiang Cheng stared at him and the way a lot of people are staring at him, actually.

Catching a young man eyeing his boyfriend, it only takes Jiang Cheng less than five strides to reach Huaisang with a frown.
He glares at the stranger and hurriedly removes his own jacket, putting it around a surprised Huaisang's shoulders, hoping it would help cover up his boyfriend's body from prying eyes.

"Oh, hey," Nie Huaisang greets, albeit awkward and slightly confused. "You're here?"
"I am," Jiang Cheng says bluntly.

Huaisang raises a brow at his tone.

Jiang Cheng swallows. "... I am." This time, his voice is softer, and Huaisang gives him a teasing grin when he notices the change.

"Why are you putting this around me?" Huaisang asks.
"No reason." He looks away.

"Do you think I look ridiculous wearing this kind of outfit?"

Jiang Cheng makes the mistake of glancing towards Huaisang and immediately, he's caught at the way Huaisang widened his eyes or the way he puckered his lios into an adorable pout.
All he could do is sigh.

"You look very pretty, okay?" He makes a show of looking around them before saying, "But lots of people were staring earlier and I..."

"Awww! My A-Cheng is jealous!"

Jiang Cheng scowls at the annoying (but gorgeous) way Huaisang smiles.
Fond irritation seeps into his veins. He reaches out to wrap his arm behind Huaisang, a hand on the his boyfriend's waist.

"You're mine," he states, confident and sure. "So only I am allowed to see this."

He pinches Huaisang's side lightly, earning a whine from the man.
"Why do you love to pinch me so much?" Huaisang grumbles, hitting Jiang Cheng's chest.

Jiang Cheng chuckles as he escorts Huaisang into the café. Before they enter, he lowers his head so he can reach Huaisang's ear.

"I love you so much too."

He moves away with a smile.
#sangcheng loving hours

11. Emotions are mysterious.

One can feel too happy in a minute, and then succumb to loneliness the next. Anger can be a mask for sadness and concern. Tears can come from happiness too. Exhaustion is always around the corner.
Jiang Cheng is a man who finds expressing emotions difficult.

He was brought up in a home where her mother showed affection toughly, his father blessing it to a different child. He was whipped into being a cold statue. The only moments he let loose are rare.
He laughed when his brother made a ridiculous joke that one time. He loved the days he stayed by his sister's side, glowing under her care. He cried when his parents died. He grieved when he lost everything; his home, his sister, his brother.

But how can he show weakness?
He's a sect leader now. He's supposed to be strong and reliable, not vulnerable and soft.

So he keeps his forehead creased, sboulders squared and the tone of his voice harsh and cold.

What can he do? He has a responsibility now, a sect to run.
Looking back, he truly was a lost cause, consumed by nothing but anger and grief. Mad at the world or himself, he doesn't know which one is closer to the truth.

But now...

Jiang Cheng allows himself to smile as he observed the face of the man sleeping next to him.
Hair dishevelled, lips bruised from kissing, a visible pattern of love bites on his pretty neck. Nie Huaisang is beautiful.

His heart aches as he caressed the man's hair and then his cheeks, softly touching his eyelids, tracing his nose and lips. He sighs, contented.
He still has a responsibility. He still finds it hard to express his emotions. He still has many things that he can't show properly, be it in his words or his actions.

But looking at his husband like this, looking at Nie Huaisang, he only knows one emotion: love.
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