"I would have insisted you come to me," clearly. But the trip really is an easier one and pleasant even as far as traveling goes and the destination and the person there make it well worth it all the same. He moves closer to Jiang Cheng, fanning himself idly as he did.
"I do expect you to make it worth my while," he teases.
"We both have duties to attend to. Next time I will come to you." It's some sort of a promise; a vow of a next time and more. They're both very busy, of course they are, but that doesn't mean they can't make time for one another.
"What do you have in mind?" He steps closer, eyes a little dark.
Huaisang smiles at the promise and he nods in acceptance of it. In truth, he didn't mind the travel but there's also something nice in the other being willing to travel for him as well.
Slowly he closes his fan as the other steps close, a small coy smile on his lips. "Wouldn't it be too easy if I told you how to make it worth my while?" The fan is attached to free his hands and he steps closer, his hand touching the other's arm, caressing downward.
"Surely, you know me well enough to have an idea the things I have in mind."
There's no way he is always going to leave the burden in Huaisang's hands; Jiang Cheng is nothing if not willing and there is no part of him that desires to make the other man feel as though he is unwanted or worth less than he is.
Instinct has him wanting to reach for the fan, to tug it away and drop it to one side, but he knows better. He'd never damage one of Nie Huaisang's fans; the other man might never forgive him.
"Perhaps you will have me on my knees tonight, to thank you for your journey."
Huaisang's eyes lit up at that suggestion, leaning in he presses a kiss to the other's lips. His hand caressed back up his arm to his shoulder, fingers curling there.
"I think that is a good place to start," he says, voice playful. In truth, he doesn't need to be thanked for making the journey. He just wants the affection and to be the center of Jiang Cheng's attention and the method that that happens tonight matters less than the time they get to spend together.
"But, I think we should eat first," he says, pushing away from him much the same as he had moved close to kiss him.
It's a temptation that is difficult for him to swallow back; he wants to take care of Huaisang, to give him everything that he could ever ask for and more. Don't they deserve that? The two of them together...
"Just to start?" That's a tease, more than anything. It's not as if he doesn't want to do everything - as much or as far as his dear Nie Huaisang could ask. What they lack in time together they certainly make up for with passion.
Frowning, Jiang Cheng has to breathe out gently before he forces himself to step away, nodding his head.
"Fine. First we shall eat and then we shall have each other."
"Just to start," Huaisang agrees but he reaches for the other's hand when Jiang Cheng frowns. He brings it up to his lips in a soft kiss.
"Don't frown, we'll last longer if we don't start feeling hungry," he let's go of his hand takes out his fan with one of his hands and the other going behind his back.
It's difficult, wanting to ask for more than he thinks he deserves, but he realises that Huaisang is not going to turn him away. What Jiang Cheng wants is to walk into Lotus Pier with this man at his side, their fingers twined together, to admit to the world the blossoming love in his heart - but he bites his tongue for now.
This is theirs, shared, not for anyone else to see. He can manage that, worshipping his heart when they are alone, stealing moments together. Perhaps one day he can steal Huaisang away for a week, for longer, to truly show his appreciation.
"That is because the food elsewhere is bland," Jiang Cheng scoffs, watching the fan fondly. "I should give you spices and tea to take back with you."
Huaisang would love nothing more than for their relationship to not be a secret. If there were a way to stay by each other's sides and still fulfill their duties, Huaisang would have been on that chance. Still, what really matters is that they both know who they are to one another and every moment they get is precious in it's way.
"Everywhere might be an exaggeration but it is the best here," Huaisang smiles, lightly fanning himself. "I would certainly appreciate such a kind gift. I will have to send something back to you."
Life would be very different if Nie Mingjue was still with them - it would brighten Huaisang's life, certainly, and it would allow a different kind of relationship between the two of them. That is just wishful thinking, however; Jiang Cheng knows that he must now find different ways to court Huaisang, to prove his devotion and affection, to make sure that the other man knows that he will never be left alone again.
He would do almost anything.
"Of course it's best here. It is my clan." He scoffs, reaching out to touch his fingers against the shape of the fan. "I will arrange a package for you before you leave. You have my word."
Huaisang makes an amused sound at the other's scoff, his eyes dropping to watch the other's fingers with a smile. He steps closer to him again and leans up to kiss him softly, the hand behind his back coming up to stroke through the other's hair carefully.
"Thank you," he says, stepping back and looking more or less innocent as his hand returns behind his back.
The kiss does soften him, and for a moment he pauses and lets himself relax into the moment. It makes him feel as though he is floating, and it's ridiculous how completely open and vulnerable he is around Huaisang. It's so different from the person he has to be when he is sect leader, someone harsher and angrier.
He gives him a quick, faux-sour look, not really angry, before he laughs.
"Not long at all. Come with me and we'll have it in moments."
Huaisang looks all the more amused by the expression and then he gets a laugh. Jiang Cheng needs to laugh more often. He looks so handsome when he does and it makes Huaisang's heart swell in his chest. It's not always easy to make him laugh but sometimes he thinks it is getting easier overall.
"I am grateful for your hospitality," Huaisang hums and his hand goes behind his back again as he moves along with the other so they can have a meal before retiring to more intimate activities that Jiang Cheng had probably expected to start with.
Finding any moment of joy or happiness is rare in the midst of leading a sect; Jiang Cheng had inherited one that had been totally destroyed by the Wen Clan and he's not sure how best to bring himself back together sometimes. He wishes there were more chances for him to smile, more chances for him to bask in his enjoyment - but there is too many pressures on his shoulders, too much pain that he has yet to overcome.
His eyes flick over Huaisang for a moment and he breathes out. Stepping closer, he lets his hand reach out and brush over the other man's, letting their fingers twine before he returns to his usual stoic, upright position.
It's the kind of sweetness that no one else will ever get from him - Jiang Cheng keeps himself close, tucked away, but Huaisang brings it out of him without even considering the consequences. It's one of the things he is most fond of.
When he steps out of the rooms it feels as though there is a mask on his face; he has to be someone else, something beyond just his heart. He has to be the Sect Leader, and that is much harder.
"We do have wine," he says, voice low and quiet. "We can have a little at dinner and some more later, in my rooms."
Huaisang smiles and his eyes are a bit mischievous. There are little things when they are together that makes it feel like before they were sect leaders respectively, before all the tragedy and responsibility. This is one of those things, food, drink, indulging in each other...
It comes with a scoff, because of course it does. Jiang Cheng is nothing if not determined to prove himself in whatever he comes to face, even if that might be in the department of romance. Even if that is proving himself to his lover.
"Maybe not but there's a first time for everything," Huaisang says lightly and he does like to prod at the other's ego and to spur him into proving himself or showing off.
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"I do expect you to make it worth my while," he teases.
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"What do you have in mind?" He steps closer, eyes a little dark.
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Slowly he closes his fan as the other steps close, a small coy smile on his lips. "Wouldn't it be too easy if I told you how to make it worth my while?" The fan is attached to free his hands and he steps closer, his hand touching the other's arm, caressing downward.
"Surely, you know me well enough to have an idea the things I have in mind."
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Instinct has him wanting to reach for the fan, to tug it away and drop it to one side, but he knows better. He'd never damage one of Nie Huaisang's fans; the other man might never forgive him.
"Perhaps you will have me on my knees tonight, to thank you for your journey."
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"I think that is a good place to start," he says, voice playful. In truth, he doesn't need to be thanked for making the journey. He just wants the affection and to be the center of Jiang Cheng's attention and the method that that happens tonight matters less than the time they get to spend together.
"But, I think we should eat first," he says, pushing away from him much the same as he had moved close to kiss him.
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"Just to start?" That's a tease, more than anything. It's not as if he doesn't want to do everything - as much or as far as his dear Nie Huaisang could ask. What they lack in time together they certainly make up for with passion.
Frowning, Jiang Cheng has to breathe out gently before he forces himself to step away, nodding his head.
"Fine. First we shall eat and then we shall have each other."
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"Don't frown, we'll last longer if we don't start feeling hungry," he let's go of his hand takes out his fan with one of his hands and the other going behind his back.
"I always love the food here too."
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This is theirs, shared, not for anyone else to see. He can manage that, worshipping his heart when they are alone, stealing moments together. Perhaps one day he can steal Huaisang away for a week, for longer, to truly show his appreciation.
"That is because the food elsewhere is bland," Jiang Cheng scoffs, watching the fan fondly. "I should give you spices and tea to take back with you."
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"Everywhere might be an exaggeration but it is the best here," Huaisang smiles, lightly fanning himself. "I would certainly appreciate such a kind gift. I will have to send something back to you."
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He would do almost anything.
"Of course it's best here. It is my clan." He scoffs, reaching out to touch his fingers against the shape of the fan. "I will arrange a package for you before you leave. You have my word."
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"Thank you," he says, stepping back and looking more or less innocent as his hand returns behind his back.
"How long will it take for food to be prepared?"
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He gives him a quick, faux-sour look, not really angry, before he laughs.
"Not long at all. Come with me and we'll have it in moments."
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"I am grateful for your hospitality," Huaisang hums and his hand goes behind his back again as he moves along with the other so they can have a meal before retiring to more intimate activities that Jiang Cheng had probably expected to start with.
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His eyes flick over Huaisang for a moment and he breathes out. Stepping closer, he lets his hand reach out and brush over the other man's, letting their fingers twine before he returns to his usual stoic, upright position.
"I am very glad you're here, a-Sang."
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"I am very happy I am here. Where else would I get such well seasoned food?" he teases but they both know that the reasons are far beyond that.
"You have plenty of wine I assume too? We haven't drank together in such a long time."
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When he steps out of the rooms it feels as though there is a mask on his face; he has to be someone else, something beyond just his heart. He has to be the Sect Leader, and that is much harder.
"We do have wine," he says, voice low and quiet. "We can have a little at dinner and some more later, in my rooms."
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"I do hope you can keep up."
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It comes with a scoff, because of course it does. Jiang Cheng is nothing if not determined to prove himself in whatever he comes to face, even if that might be in the department of romance. Even if that is proving himself to his lover.
"I'll show you."
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"You'll try, my love."