’til next weekend

.

Nie Huaisang wakes up late the morning after the party. It’s a Sunday, he knows. He had gone to bed tired but relaxed, and so he wakes up slow, not in any hurry. He sighs against his pillows as he opens his eyes just slightly to check the time on the clock on his bedside table-

He bolts up. It is almost noon.

Nie Huaisang stares at his phone. Yes, sure, he should get up. He is hungry, and he probably should get those chores done.

But also. What kind of suggestion is that? Forget about Jiang Cheng? After last night? With the way he was so handsome and dreamy during the whole party, and he was being so sweet to Nie Huaisang while in front of his family, and then he had a cool motorcycle and they had tea and like, a heart-to-heart conversation and then he kissed Nie Huaisang just out of nowhere and didn’t really say anything about it and just implied that they might be doing that again-

Nie Huaisang has half a mind to tell him how ridiculous he’s being. Nie Huaisang doesn’t care that he’s at work. Maybe Nie Huaisang should send him a bunch of angry, upset emojis-

Okay, now that’s unfair. What is Nie Huaisang supposed to do with that? They’re doing heart emojis now? And he’s just expected to be normal about it for four whole days?

Nie Huaisang groans miserably into his pillow, then sends his reply.

Finally, with a deep sigh, he gets up and goes to get lunch.

It’s Sunday, his day to call home. Perfect. Maybe he can make this da-ge’s problem again.

.

.

---

.

.

Nie Huaisang thinks the universe may be playing some sort of cruel prank on him.

Because after that perfect, wonderful, amazing night, he doesn’t see Jiang Cheng for two whole weeks.

The first week is bearable, somewhat. The theater company’s schedule has considerably picked up, production is really getting into the building and construction of sets and costumes, and that means it’s all hands on deck. And it was all good – Nie Huaisang loves the work. But then some of their supplies got delayed… so that means they had to work on some stuff into the weekend to keep their timeline on track…

So their supposed second movie got a second raincheck.

It’s okay, Jiang Cheng told Nie Huaisang. Wei Ying has been bugging him to hang out anyway, while he’s in town. So that weekend is gone, but it wasn’t so bad. Nie Huaisang got to focus on work, which he needed, and Jiang Cheng got to spend time with his brother, which is nice. It’s fine. It’s cool. It happens.

The universe being cruel started on the second week, really.

.

.

.

---

.

.

---

.

.

.

That Saturday, as he worked over costumes and set pieces, he got a bunch of pictures of very cute and precious-looking senior dogs and cats. Some of them were even playing with cute kids. It heals Nie Huaisang’s heart a little, like those videos of animal rescues in the internet.

To be fair, this is just… what happens, really. When you’re both adults with jobs and responsibilities and-

Waitaminute, does he miss Jiang Cheng so much he’s starting to sound like him? Ugh.

Now it’s been two weeks, still counting, the hours and days passing by until it’s almost the third weekend that Nie Huaisang hasn’t seen Jiang Cheng.

They’ve both been troopers during this whole thing, Nie Huaisang thinks. Their texts have been mostly checking in, reminding the other to take breaks, to eat their meals on time and to take care on their way home. Maybe a quick funny thing that happened on their day. That’s really all they can do for each other at the moment, because the rest would be… too important for just texts.

So Nie Huaisang contents himself with this for the time being – a bunch of quick reminders throughout the day that he’s grateful for but really just makes him badly miss his… friend?

What are they right now, anyway?

Their texts have been… not exactly ‘flirty’, not that way, but there’s been… something more to them, these days. Like more… affection, something like that? It’s just… softer.

And there have been plenty of heart emojis in the chat since the night of the party, but what do those even mean, really?

See, that’s one of the things that shouldn’t be discussed via text.

He has no time to think about it, though. There are plenty of things to do. Costumes to finish for dress rehearsals and soon – very soon – tech week.

At least all these things are keeping him entirely occupied, because otherwise Nie Huaisang would’ve already gone insane.

.

.

---

.

.

It’s a Sunday night. Nie Huaisang has officially not seen Jiang Cheng for four weeks.

A month. Because for some sort of cursed reason, life decided to happen to them both and their schedules never seemed to align or give way for the other.

It sucks. A lot.

But hey, there’s one good thing, at least.

Nie Huaisang’s team is done with costumes. For now. They will finally be able to take a break for… maybe two, three days… before they have to lock in again for dress rehearsals and tech week. Where everything sorta comes together and then falls apart in the process before coming together again until they’re all ready for showtime.

Nie Huaisang had been on break from this job line long enough to actually look forward to the chaos of that, but he knows it wouldn’t be easy, when they get there. Still. He can’t help but feel excited.

He is happy to tell Jiang Cheng all of that, and his friend simply texts back that he is glad to hear the news, and that he’s sure Nie Huaisang and everyone deserves the break.

Alright, Nie Huaisang echoes. Jiang Cheng is sweet, but sometimes he does worry too much. It’s good he’s letting Nie Huaisang go off easy this time without his usual be-safe-going-home-eat-something-healthy-something-with-leaves-and-not-chicken-nuggets-Nie-Huaisang.

Someone calls for him. Nie Huaisang sets his phone aside, and gets right back to work. Time to finish this, so he can finally finally get some rest.

.

.

Nie Huaisang’s team is tired and spent by the time they’re done. Still, they look satisfied with their work. He takes a bit of time checking in on each of them and thanking them for their hard work, telling them to get some proper rest over the next few days because they’ll be right back on the grind after their break.

Nie Huaisang is happy to see them all off, and he appreciates them thanking him for his work as well on their way.

Mo Xuanyu catches up to him as he makes his way outside the studio.

Nie Huaisang smiles at his younger friend. “Thanks for your help too, A-Yu. We couldn’t have finished on time if you guys didn’t pitch in to assist. I mean it.”

“Aw, it’s nothing, Nie-xiong!” Mo Xuanyu says, still with energy to spare somehow. “We’re first-timers and we have zero experience with costumes, we learned so much just helping you cut fabric and pin stuff!”

Ah, early twenties, Nie Huaisang muses internally. “I’m glad to hear that. And there’s so much more fun stuff you’ll learn as you go.”

Then Mo Xuanyu keeps on, talking about all the stuff he’d missed and has to catch up on during their break, about some drama he can finally binge watch, about this one guy he can finally text back…

Nie Huaisang is tired, and he feels a bit guilty that as fond of the kid as he is, he has to tune most of the ramblings out so he can think about his own chores that he will have to get back to tomorrow…

He is vaguely aware that they are now outside the studio, walking out into the street, when he gets brought back to reality because Mo Xuanyu is grabbing on to him and is shaking him-

“-my gosh, Nie-xioooong! You really are so lucky!!!”

Nie Huaisang blinks, and looks at the other at a loss. “Um-… Huh? What?”

Mo Xuanyu is grinning, giddy, tugging at his arm. “Is he picking you up? He must be-!”

Nie Huaisang looks towards where his companion is looking and stops in his tracks.

Parked on the sidewalk a few meters away is a black motorcycle, a very familiar figure perched casually on it, who raises an arm to wave at them.

Oh.

That looks like Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang thinks. He blinks, squints, because he might be seeing things. That’s… Jiang Cheng. What the-…?

Mo Xuanyu is waving back, even as he is nudging Nie Huaisang forward. “Nie-xiong, that’s so cute! Go to him now!”

Nie Huaisang blinks at his junior. “B-But you-… The bus-”

“I can still catch up with the others.” Mo Xuanyu reassures him.

“I have my-…” Nie Huaisang looks down at his giant bag of supplies and sketchbooks that he’s supposed to take home. “I’m carrying a lot-”

“No you aren’t! Gimme, all of them! Quick-”

He could do nothing as Mo Xuanyu grabs all of his things – Nie Huaisang almost feels like he is being robbed – until he is left only with his tiny backpack that has his personal stuff. “Are you sure? Those are-”

“I’ll take care of them, don’t worry! I’ll have the others help me. Now, go! Go to the hot doctor.”

“I-…”

Nie Huaisang feels dumb. This is all just happening, all of a sudden. He wants to sleep, but also Jiang Cheng is here, and Mo Xuanyu is convinced Jiang Cheng is here to pick him up – and Nie Huaisang still thinks that couldn’t be happening, right? It’s Sunday night. Jiang Cheng has to open the clinic early tomorrow!

But then Nie Huaisang looks towards Jiang Cheng again and he’s still there, just waiting patiently. So that part is real? Wow. Okay. Cool.

He helps Mo Xuanyu prop the big bag on his shoulder.

“Wow, this is heavy- Nope! No taking it back, I got it!”

Nie Huaisang chuckles, looking at the other with a grateful smile. “Thanks, A-Yu. And I’m serious, those are official material and technically property of the company, please take care of them-”

Mo Xuanyu waves him off. “Psh. You worry too much, just go!”

He makes a point of jogging away just so Nie Huaisang can’t go after him anymore. Nie Huaisang watches him take his phone out in a hurry to make a call, and immediately start screeching about how whoever it was on the other line should wait up for him.

Okay. So Nie Huaisang is alone now.

Well, there’s Jiang Cheng, who he looks towards again, and is still there. Somehow Nie Huaisang thought if he looked away enough times, he’ll be gone. Like a horror movie ghost. But he’s still there! What the hell.

Nie Huaisang walks towards Jiang Cheng – slowly at first, but almost subconsciously he picks up his pace into a jog. When he gets close enough, Jiang Cheng steps down from the motorcycle, and that’s when Nie Huaisang rushes forward and practically crashes against the other man.

He hears a low chuckle as he burrows his face on Jiang Cheng’s chest. Strong arms wrap around him, holding him warm and close.

“What are you doing here?” Nie Huaisang asks, voice muffled by the other’s shirt.

He feels it when Jiang Cheng shrugs. “Making sure you get home safe.”

Nie Huaisang draws back to look up at him. He’s not sure what his expression really must look like right now, but he’s sure he sounds miserable as he asks, “Why?”

Another shrug, then Jiang Cheng leans down to kiss his cheek.

Oh. Oh, we do that now. Okay. Nie Huaisang thinks, feeling full and yet like he is about to float at the same time. He lets out a quiet whine as he clutches on to Jiang Cheng’s shirt and goes to hug him again.

“I didn’t see you for so long…”

“Yeah, like twenty years? And you survived. Wow.”

Nie Huaisang groans. “Don’t be a jerk, y’know what I mean…”

Jiang Cheng chuckles again, just holding him close, one hand running through Nie Huaisang’s hair while the other is firm on his back. He can probably tell that Nie Huaisang is feeling just a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

“Will Mo Xuanyu be okay?” Jiang Cheng asks, after a moment.

“Yeah, he’s got friends he’s coming home with…” Nie Huaisang answers, sighing. “How long have you been out here?”

“Since 11, like you said.”

“You should’ve told me…” Then he draws away, so he can frown in disapproval. “A-Cheng, that’s like half an hour ago! You could’ve waited inside!”

“Surprise…?” Jiang Cheng tries, but he’s not really into it. When Nie Huaisang tries to step back to scold him, Jiang Cheng’s hands slip to his waist instead, squeezing comfortingly. “It’s fine. I was playing Crossy Road on my phone.”

The combination of those words and the hands on his waist effectively gets Nie Huaisang to soften, and now he is back to looking like he wants to cry, voice trembling slightly as he asks, “Y-You played Crossy Road?”

“Yeah.” Jiang Cheng nods, taking the moment of vulnerability to grin and pull Nie Huaisang closer again. “It’s a terrible game and I’m deleting it tomorrow.”

That makes Nie Huaisang laugh, and Jiang Cheng finally reaches over for something from the motorcycle.

He hands Nie Huaisang a helmet. “Alright, we’re taking too long here. Put this on.”

Nie Huaisang blinks down at the item as he takes it. “Oh… It’s not pink anymore.”

“That’s my spare one.”

“There’s a Fairy sticker!” he gasps, looking down at the almost faded Lotus Pier Bakery sticker on the black helmet.

“Jin Ling.”

“Awww…”

“C’mon. Helmet on.” Jiang Cheng says as he starts to take his jacket off. ”I forgot to bring another jacket, though, so you just wear this for now.”

“Ah, you don’t have to-”

“I do, actually.” he says, draping the leather jacket around Nie Huaisang’s shoulders, not accepting any arguments. “What’s the point of getting you home safe if you just get sick?”

“But what about you?”

“I’m good. I’m not the one wearing the shirt that looks like Yan-yan went through it with scissors.”

“It’s a statement.” Nie Huaisang pouts.

Jiang Cheng might be immune to that face at this point. “I respect the statement, and you look great, but it’s not keeping you warm, A-Sang.”

Okay, Nie Huaisang has nothing to say to that.

At least he does look great, according to Jiang Cheng.

Nice.

“So you’re just heading home or is there somewhere else you have to stop by first?”

“I…. Um.”

The question stumps Nie Huaisang, all of a sudden, in the middle of slipping his arms through the sleeves of Jiang Cheng’s jacket. It’s supposed to be an easy question to answer – yes, of course, he was going to head straight home, that was the plan.

But now that there’s another option presented, he can’t help but think-…

“What?” Jiang Cheng prompts, as he adjusts the jacket snug on his new passenger.

Nie Huaisang looks at him like he’s just realizing something. “I’m… hungry.”

This time it’s Jiang Cheng’s turn to look disappointed. “You haven’t eaten? I reminded you earlier and you said-”

“No, no, I ate dinner!” Nie Huaisang insists, but he quickly turns sheepish. “But… that was a while ago and I did lots of other stuff, including lifting and carrying a bunch of things and now I’m… hungry again?”

Jiang Cheng looks at him, takes a moment to consider and asks, “Okay. So where are we going?”

“Umm… so don’t judge me…? I ate veggies earlier like you told me too…” Nie Huaisang starts, slowly looking down, hiding his pink cheeks under the helmet. “Can we get… egg burger…?”

Jiang Cheng, bless him, does keep his judgement to himself. He only thinks for a moment, before suggesting, “Night market?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

.

.

.

The overnight food market is bright and lively but is very crowded, even on a Sunday night, so after buying a bunch of truly unhealthy food and a very large drink, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang thought it best to exit the market vicinity and find a quieter spot to eat.

It’s only a couple of blocks away from Jiang Cheng’s clinic, where he had parked his motorcycle. So they ended up going back there and laying out Jiang Cheng’s jacket on the sidewalk before sitting down and eating. It’s dark but the moon is bright and they’re seated near a lamp post. It’s quiet, but not dead silent as they can hear the distant sounds of music and people from the market. Passersby were scarce and were usually just on their way either to or from the night market.

It’s almost like a picnic, Nie Huaisang thinks.

Jiang Cheng isn’t hungry, but street food and snacks have always been appetizing and easy to get into, so he did get some food for himself.

Nie Huaisang is hungry, and he immediately takes a bite of his precious egg burger, sighs, and proceeds to scarf the rest of it down.

“Are you okay?” Jiang Cheng asks, peering at his companion, although the lack of proper lighting just makes him squint. “You look like you’re going to cry.”

“Maybe I am.” Nie Huaisang replies, mouth still half-full. To his credit, he does swallow first before continuing. “We finished the costumes. I’m so tired. This egg burger is so good. You’re here. Everything is happening so much…”

“Alright, let’s calm down.” Jiang Cheng reaches over and pats his head. “Congrats. On the costumes.”

“Thanks…” Nie Huaisang says, hunching, staring down at his food. “For this. And for picking me up. I would’ve been okay if you hadn’t. But this is really nice.”

“Yeah, well.” Jiang Cheng shrugs, picking up the very large cup of watermelon juice that looks more like a small tub than a cup, putting two straws on it, and taking a sip from one. He leans back on his free arm. “I wanted to see you anyway.”

Nie Huaisang turns to him, chewing, voice shaky and high-pitched – “Y’did?”

Another shrug. “It’s been a while.” Then he turns to Nie Huaisang and says, “Don’t cry. I will walk.”

“I’m just feeling a lot of things right now.” Nie Huaisang whines, but is conscious enough to accept the drink that gets passed to him. “I missed you? And… and egg burger. Why is it so good? I want like, five more…”

“I missed you too.” Jiang Cheng says. When he sees Nie Huaisang’s lips start to quiver, he shakes his head, and reaches his free hand over to cup his face, caress his cheek with his thumb. “No. Nope. Get it together. Drink.”

“I’m trying.” Nie Huaisang says, and drinks.

It helps. After a few moments, Nie Huaisang is calmer. He’s still a mess, but this time it looks like he’s just very tired, not about to cry.

“Also.” Jiang Cheng finally continues, “You told me you’ve been staying out late for work, but I didn’t know it was this late. Are you really getting enough rest?”

Nie Huaisang shrugs this time, takes another sip of drink and then says, “I’ll have plenty of time to rest after the show run… It always take a while until the company decides on the next production…”

Jiang Cheng instantly has things to say about that, but he knows better at this point. They are both stubborn when it came to work. That’s not always good, but he knows that they both do work that they love. Not many people can say that. So he lets this pass for now.

Nie Huaisang gives him the drink back, and goes back to finish his food.

Since they’re sitting on the same jacket pressed close together, Nie Huaisang doesn’t even have to scoot closer so he can lean on Jiang Cheng. And Jiang Cheng readily wraps an arm around his shoulders – because at this point one of them will fall over if he doesn’t.

“A-Cheng…”

“Yeah?”

“Is this a date?”

“Uh.” Jiang Cheng stops, sounding genuinely clueless for once. Like he’s just noticed something that’s been there for a while. He takes a long sip of watermelon juice. “It’s. I didn’t really think. When I decided to go pick you up. Err… It… can be whatever you want it to be?”

Nie Huaisang lets out a small sound that Jiang Cheng thinks is what disappointment sounds like. “That’s what people say when they want it to be a date…”

“Is it?”

“I think so…”

Jiang Cheng knows that Nie Huaisang is trying his ‘maybe flirting’ thing right now. That thing he does, which is to be coy just to avoid stammering because he got flustered.

So Jiang Cheng decides he might as well go with it. He hands their shared drink over and says, “What about… we decide after? When I drop you off later, you can tell me if it’s a date or not and we’ll go with that.”

Nie Huaisang smiles as he drinks. ”Okay.” Then he puts the small tub down so he can wrap both arms around Jiang Cheng’s torso, snuggling comfortably.

“A-Cheng…”

“Hm?”

“Do we have more egg burger?”

A deep, heavy sigh. “Yes, but you’ve had two. I’m cutting you off ‘cause you’re going to bed soon.”

“Noooo…” Nie Huaisang complains miserably. “I’ll be fine…!”

“You won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m a literal doctor.”

“For dogs!”

“Don’t go there.”

.

.

---

.

.

Pretty soon, Nie Huaisang is climbing off the motorcycle in front of the apartment gates again. This time, despite his fatigue, he manages to not sway on his feet when he touches down.

“Thank you again…” Nie Huaisang says, cheeks tinted pink as he hands Jiang Cheng the spare helmet back. “Sorry you had to bear with my weird midnight cravings. And… weird me. Just in general.”

“It’s fine. You feeling better now?” Jiang Cheng asks, reaching out and running his fingers through Nie Huaisang’s hair, once again messy from the helmet.

“Much better, yeah.” Nie Huaisang nods, smiling as he looks down.

“Next time, if it gets really late and you need a ride home, you call me.” Jiang Cheng pulls back, so he can look at the other better. He tips Nie Huaisang’s chin up to catch his eyes. “You got it?”

“Got it.” Nie Huaisang says, looking right back at him. He smiles. “I really appreciate this, you know.”

A shrug, followed by a barely-there grin. “So,” Jiang Cheng prompts, “Was this a date?”

Nie Huaisang chuckles, then he nods. “I think so, yeah. I’m counting it.”

“Hm. Sounds good.”

Bringing an arm around Nie Huaisang’s waist, Jiang Cheng pulls him closer and leans forward to give him a kiss, and Nie Huaisang latches on to his shirt as he returns it, falling easily into him.

So we do this now, too. Nie Huaisang thinks again. Okay.

Over the past month, Nie Huaisang had allowed himself to think – to dream – that their next kiss, after the ones they had that night of the party, would probably be more intense, more eager. Or it could go the opposite route and be shy, hesitant ones. They haven’t seen each other for several weeks, after all.

Instead, this one is sweet, relaxed and easy – a nice little moment at the end of the night. It feels light. It feels… right. They both have small, intimate smiles when their lips part.

“Drive safe, A-Cheng.” Nie Huaisang says, giving Jiang Cheng a kiss on the cheek before stepping back.

“Sure.” Jiang Cheng simply nods as he puts his helmet back on. “Get some rest now.”

Nie Huaisang watches him drive, and waits until the motorcycle has disappeared down the road before he steps inside the gates.

And it’s only then that he realizes-

“Ah! His jacket!”

Nie Huaisang sighs, as he looks down and pats the leather jacket that Jiang Cheng had insisted he wear again before the motorcycle ride home.

It is definitely too big for him, but it feels nice, and Jiang Cheng had zipped it up himself earlier, making sure it’s snug and warm.

Nie Huaisang’s heart feels full again.

Oh, well. Jiang Cheng is driving now, no use trying to call him back, he probably won’t check his phone until he’s home.

Nie Huaisang just pulls the jacket tight around himself, thinks of the events of the night, and smiles as he continues on his way to his apartment.

He’ll have sweet dreams tonight, and an excuse to message Jiang Cheng in the morning.

The universe isn’t that cruel, after all.

.

.

.

to be continued!

.

next time:
chapter eight – korean barbeque