Hybrid Rainbow

Lieutenant Nie Huaisang walks through the Sixth Division barracks and couldn’t help but smile when he sees a familiar yellow-clad figure ahead of him, walking- no, running, in a hurry.

“Young Master Jin?” he calls, and young Jin Ling immediately stops and turns to him, straightening up before bowing, already so proper and polished even at only seven years old.

“Shushu! Someone said that jiujiu- I mean- Captain Jiang! He’s back?”

“Ah…” Nie Huaisang nods. “That’s what I heard too. Though I expected you to be busy with your lessons at this time?”

Jin Ling adjusts the wooden training sword at his back consciously. “Umm… I asked Master Lu if I can go to jiu- Captain. He said okay.”

Nie Huaisang chuckles. Their 3rd Seat, Lu Zhen, may be a stern and strict veteran, but he has a soft spot for young ones. That’s what makes him a good mentor. It also makes him a trusted option for whenever Captain Jiang has to leave his nephew’s swordsmanship training to someone else.

“I see.” Nie Huaisang simply nods again, and this time he walks towards the boy and extends a hand. “Well then, let’s go welcome Captain Jiang, shall we?”

The boy just stares at the Lieutenant’s offered hand for a moment, clearly debating whether it would be proper as Young Master Jin, in his training robes, with his training sword, and on the barracks, too… but his age wins out, it seems, as he does reach up and holds on to Lieutenant Nie’s hand.

As they walk through the halls together, Nie Huaisang keeps an eye on Jin Ling. The boy is obviously trying his best not to simply take off running, now that he has an adult companion, but the way he is almost pulling Nie Huaisang is telling.

Nie Huaisang smiles, swinging their hands back and forth playfully. “Did you miss your jiujiu, A-Ling?”

Jin Ling slows down a bit as he looks at the man, cheeks adorably puffy as he frowns in disapproval. “Shushu, we’re in the barracks! Jiujiu is Captain Jiang!”

“Ah, I see, my bad…” Nie Huaisang chuckles. Then, leaning down slightly, he whispers, “But it’s just us, you know…”

It doesn’t work. The boy stomps a foot. “Still!”

“Alright, Captain Jiang it is…” Nie Huaisang concedes easily. Then he tilts his head, blinking. “When you’re in the Eighth Division for your archery lessons, what do you call your dad?”

“Captain Jin.”

“Oh… Well, then, why am I just shushu? I don’t get called Lieutenant Nie?”

Jin Ling seems to think about it for a moment, before shrugging. “Hmm… I dunno. You’re shushu.”

Nie Huaisang holds back a laugh, and only nods. He knows better than to argue with kid logic. “Okay. I am shushu then.”

There are plenty of people already in the main hall when they arrive, but it looks like the gathering is about to end soon. Captain Jiang had his back to them as he relays orders and instructions to both the officers who have returned with him, and those who came to welcome him.

Nie Huaisang decides to stand back for a moment, and he has to commend Jin Ling’s patience as the child just holds on to his hand and clutches at his robe, understanding that they must wait until his uncle is done talking to the other officers.

Soon enough, the officers are dismissed one by one, and Nie Huaisang gives Jin Ling a little nudge. “Come on then, Young Master Jin.” he says softly, tugging at the boy’s hand as he walks forward.

Captain Jiang is just talking to one last officer now. 4th Seat Wu had been one of the recruits from the captain’s first months in office, and had quickly risen up the ranks, effectively taking over 4th Seat when their former, older 4th Seat decided to retire. In recent years, he’s been a constant presence behind Captain Jiang during missions, a reliable right hand man in the field.

4th Seat Wu is the one who notices the Lieutenant and the child first, and he smiles and bows as they approach, making Captain Jiang turn as well.

“Jiujiu!” Jin Ling calls, as he breaks off from the Lieutenant and runs to his uncle.

Nie Huaisang couldn’t help but giggle behind his fan. Whatever happened to ‘Jiujiu is Captain Jiang’?

Captain Jiang sends him a bemused look, then gives 4th Seat Wu a nod of dismissal before he crouches down to meet Jin Ling at eye level.

The boy stops in front of him, opens his mouth to speak, then remembers to bow. “Captain Jiang! Welcome back!”

“It’s good to be back, Young Master Jin.” Jiang Cheng replies, meeting his nephew’s formality with his own. Then he nudges the boy to look back up at him. When he does, Jiang Cheng grins. “How are you, A-Ling?”

“I, umm, I was training, jiujiu! But they said you’re back so I asked Master Lu if it’s okay to see you and he said it’s okay to see you!” Jin Ling looks down and fiddles with the sash holding his training sword on his back. “Um… I will go back to training now…?”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head as he chuckles. “I think Master Lu can give you the rest of the day off. Young Master Jin is invited to join Captain Jiang for lunch, in Lotus Pier.”

Jin Ling beams, and holds on to his uncle as the man takes him in his arms and carries him as he stands up. Jin Ling has been told by his etiquette teachers that he might be too big to carry now, but his father and his uncle both never seem to have trouble with it. It’s okay, his mother always assures him. His baba and his jiujiu are both strong. After all, they are both Captains!

Nie Huaisang watches the interaction with a smile, but he doesn’t forget to greet 4th Seat Wu as the man bows to him on his way out.

“Anything interesting happen in the field, 4th Seat Wu?” the Lieutenant asks.

4th Seat Wu looks shortly towards their Captain and the boy in his arms, then turns to the Lieutenant with a light smile and shakes his head. “Nothing you have to worry about, Lieutenant Nie.”

“That’s good to hear.” Lieutenant Nie replies. “Thank you for looking after our Captain, as always.”

“It’s an honor, sir.” the officer says, before bowing again and walking off.

Nie Huaisang watches him leave, then turns when he hears Jiang Cheng’s voice, closer now.

“Do you think we should invite the Lieutenant, A-Ling?” the Captain asks the child he is carrying in one arm.

Jin Ling looks at him, then at Nie Huaisang, before blinking in confusion at his uncle. “You should eat together. You’re ber- beer- been-throats???”

“Betrothed.” Jiang Cheng provides.

“That! Mama says. You go together.”

“You heard the Young Master, Captain.” Nie Huaisang chimes in, falling into step with his Captain. “We go together.”

“Fine, then. I guess you’re coming with us.” Jiang Cheng concedes readily as he offers his free arm to Nie Huaisang, who smiles and takes it. “After A-Ling washes up and changes from his training robes. He’s kinda stinky.”

“I was training, jiujiu!” Jin Ling insists, cheeks pink.

“And that’s good. You’re still stinky.” Jiang Cheng says. “Your mother will be mad at me if I let you eat while you’re dirty.”

The boy lets out a whine, but simply slumps against his uncle and doesn’t argue.

As they walk, Jiang Cheng listens to his nephew as the kid tells him about his day – or his morning, really – and what new sword forms he’s been studying during the week. He nods and hums in interest in the right places, and tells Jin Ling that he must be doing very well.

When they get to the entrance of the training halls, Jiang Cheng sets the boy down. “Alright, A-Ling. Go say goodbye to Master Lu. Don’t forget to thank him for his time. And wash up before you come to my office, alright?”

“Okay, jiujiu!” the boy says, and he is too excited about going to Lotus Pier with his uncle, that he just quickly runs off to do as he was told.

“He’s so big now.” Nie Huaisang sighs, watching the boy run away. “And so like you, such a hard worker! When I was that age, I was hiding from da-ge and saber lessons.”

Jiang Cheng turns to him with a raised eyebrow. “You’re still hiding from your da-ge and saber lessons.”

“Oh, that’s true!” Nie Huaisang laughs, then blinks when he is pulled closer. He feels Jiang Cheng press a kiss to his forehead, and he smiles as he looks up. “Right here in the halls, Captain?”

Jiang Cheng only shrugs. “Like they don’t already know.”

“Very romantic, never fails to sweep me off my feet.” Nie Huaisang says, before he wraps his arms around the other’s shoulders and pulls him down to kiss him on the lips.

Jiang Cheng follows, melting into the kiss, but keeping it light, playful. When they part, he raises a hand to tuck a stray strand of Nie Huaisang’s hair behind his ear. “I’m back, I guess.”

Nie Huaisang smiles back. “Welcome home, A-Cheng.” Then he loops his arm around Jiang Cheng’s again, and pulls him forward. “Now, let’s take this to your office. I have to leave Xiaoyu some snacks before we go.”

They walk the halls of the Sixth Division together – once destroyed, then rebuilt anew, and now not so much as well-worn, but definitely lived in. It’s warm, peaceful, and filled with life.

“Anything interesting happen while I was away?” Jiang Cheng asks, back to business.

“Not much. Nothing concerning, thankfully.” Nie Huaisang answers. “Oh, but Yanli-jie did visit the other day. We had tea, she wanted to watch A-Ling train.”

Jiang Cheng nods. “Hm. She must be bored. A-Ling has training every other day now.”

“I figured. She said she’s planning a trip to Lotus Pier soon, just to check on things.”

“Must be to help Meifen. We heard anything from her?”

“None, but that’s to be expected. Wedding preparations are no trivial matter, even for someone as capable as our 5th Seat.” Nie Huaisang then perks up. “Ah, but we’re going to Lotus Pier today, we should invite her to eat lunch with us! Just to catch up…”

“We could.” Jiang Cheng considers. “Won’t she be too busy?”

“Invite her regardless! I’m sure she’ll want to make some time for her Captain.” Nie Huaisang raises a paper fan and pokes his companion’s arm playfully. “Not to mention the man who’ll be giving her away…”

Jiang Cheng lets out a disgruntled noise. “Don’t remind me… I still think I might screw up.”

“A-Cheng, you cannot possibly screw up just giving your blessing to your nicest, most hard-working cousin.” Nie Huaisang rolls his eyes. “That’s unbecoming of Clan Leader Jiang.”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head, choosing not to think about that for a moment. He had been thrust into the Captain and Clan Leader positions so abruptly years ago, and while he has done his best to do good by both titles, he knows he has prioritized one over the other, out of necessity. He is only now beginning to backtrack, trying to find balance in all his roles. After all, the elders and branch family members can only hold the fort by themselves for so long – Clan Leader Jiang has to actually start representing the noble house now.

Case in point, arriving in his office, his desk now has not only a stack of correspondences for Captain Jiang, but also growing pile of invitations for the leader of the Jiang clan.

At least he has Nie Huaisang helping to manage that. His fiancé navigates these situations well. Scarily well.

In speaking of noble houses-

He looks up from skimming the documents and invitations left for him on his desk. “Hey, what is that thing I am hearing from the officers? About Captain-Commander Jin and your da-ge having a row?”

Nie Huaisang, standing by Xiaoyu’s cage, bursts out laughing. “Ah, that one is so funny, A-Cheng! You wouldn’t believe how petty old man Jin got-”

Nie Huaisang goes on, telling another ridiculous tale from the last Captains’ meeting that Jiang Cheng had missed. Jiang Cheng is not sorry that he missed it – he knows that his Lieutenant is more than capable of representing the division if he had to – but Jiang Cheng does regret not being able to witness Captain Nie talk down Captain-Commander Jin (who, mind, only paid his way to his current position). Those moments were always a highlight.

Jiang Cheng stands by the window of his office.

He looks to the side, appreciating the sweet sight of Nie Huaisang petting Xiaoyu as he shares gossip that Jiang Cheng mostly doesn’t really care about but listens to anyway.

Then he looks out into the view of the training grounds, where experienced officers are mentoring younger ones. The gates, where officers are happily coming home from their week in Soul City on patrol duty. Then to the rest of the buildings that now make up the new Sixth Division.

It’s then that Xiaoyu takes to the air, and he watches the yellow dot disappear into clear blue skies.

He hears the tell-tale pitter-patter of little feet in the halls, and he knows that Jin Ling will barge in the room anytime soon, demanding they go to Lotus Pier now and eat lunch, together.

“Ready to leave, Captain?” he hears his Lieutenant ask.

Captain Jiang Wanyin pats down his white captain’s robe, adjusts the purple sash across his chest, and turns.

“Let’s go.”

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fin.