Hybrid Rainbow

They finish rebuilding the officers’ living quarters first – and it does make a lot of difference. There’s an almost audible sigh of relief among the whole squad that day, as if they finally know that they are moving forward, that they’ll be fine.

The training grounds are next, upon Captain Jiang’s orders – because with that available as well, they can finally welcome and train new officers in earnest. They get to start to refill their ranks.

“Where’s the Lieutenant?” Jiang Cheng asks, one afternoon, after he’s had to fill Xiaoyu’s bowl that morning himself as the bird’s caretaker hadn’t made an appearance all day. “Is he on another errand? I thought he was finished with those.”

“Oh, he’s in Soul City, sir. I thought you knew.” Jiang Meifen replies, looking up from the documents she had been sorting on his desk. She smiles when she sees her older cousin frowning, deep in thought, while a little yellow canary rests on his shoulder. “He said he’s visiting some of the guard stations in the districts, checking up on our officers there.”

“He went alone?” Jiang Cheng says, absently feeding a little berry to the bird on his shoulder.

“He took two officers with him, he said he’s not good with maps.”

“Yeah, he sucks at those.” Jiang Cheng scoffs, then he turns and narrows his eyes at a new addition to his side table, which has been steadily acquiring increasingly colorful and fancier trinkets and decoration over the past month. “And what is up with this box of fancy snacks on my table?”

“Lieutenant Nie said they’re for everyone. There are more boxes in the pantry, the officers are helping themselves to it. ” Then she smiles sheepishly. “I hope you don’t mind, I took some from the table earlier too…”

“It’s fine.” he blinks, picking one of the little sweets up and popping it into his mouth. “So we just have expensive snacks… for the whole squad?”

“The Lieutenant also took some with him to give to the officers on duty in Soul City.”

“How much did we pay for these?”

“Oh, no, they came with your lunch, Captain.”

Jiang Cheng looks at the girl and raises an eyebrow. “Jiejie sent them?”

“Yes, um…” she laughs lightly, awkwardly. “Lieutenant Nie said, if you… uh… I quote, ‘throw a fit’ about it, to remind you that, um… you’re rich. And so is he, and so is your sister’s husband-”

“The hell-”

“-and!” This time, she actually extracts a little note from her clipboard and reads off of it, “If he says anything about using personal funds for the squad, tell him I know that he’s been contributing his own salary to the division’s budget, and-”

“Give me that.” Jiang Cheng scowls, taking the note from the girl. He mumbles the next words he reads,“-should write back to his sister to thank her for this very nice gesture. P.S. The red bean buns are really good, try them.”

Jiang Cheng crumples the note, recites a quick spell, the paper bursts into flames, and he waves the ashes off out the window.

Then he asks, “The officers?”

Jiang Meifen has to cough to hide her giggle. “They really like the snacks, Captain.”

Xiaoyu snuggles his neck. Jiang Cheng takes a red bean bun.

.

Nie Huaisang returns with their 3rd Seat officer. They bear both good and bad news.

The good news is that their officers have not felt discouraged despite their extended assignment in Soul City, away from their division and their homes. According to Nie Huaisang, they welcomed him enthusiastically, the snacks much appreciated – and majority of them are able to tough it out because they’re constantly being updated about how the repairs and rebuilding efforts in their home base are moving forward faster than planned.

Jiang Cheng is relieved to hear that, and makes a note to make sure the officers on duty are given a proper break as soon as possible. The training grounds and new recruits would be coming any day now, they can work out new assignments soon.

The bad news is that there’s been a particularly elusive Hollow roaming the districts.

This news is delivered by Lu Zhen, a man closer in age to Jiang Cheng’s late father than Jiang Cheng himself. Despite his age and experience, he still trusted a much younger and greener Jiang Cheng to lead the division and accepted his new role as 3rd Seat with an assignment in Soul City. Jiang Cheng is grateful for this loyalty, and thus values any advice and concerns the man brings to him, so he listens intently to the report.

According to Lu Zhen, there has been no reported deaths or missing souls yet, but there has been destruction of property and several officers have been injured, in an effort to protect residents that got targeted by the Hollow. Thankfully the residents haven’t gone into a panic or anything, thanks to the Sixth Division officers constantly making their presence known, providing them security – but they’ve been given a warning to be more careful moving around the streets.

“Basically, we are on high alert until we’ve caught this Hollow.” Lu Zhen says. “We’ve had no problems catching others since we’ve gone back on patrol, but this one has evaded us four times now, and no one has been able to really make out a physical description, except… Most accounts says they can make out dark robes and black mist. It escapes fast too, in that same cloud of mist.”

Jiang Cheng stops, and looks at the man, eyes inquiring. “And this information, only our officers know of this?”

“When 3rd Seat Lu told me,” Nie Huaisang says, stepping forward. “I told him he should report this directly to you.”

Jiang Cheng spares him a glance and then turns to Lu Zhen with quiet nod. “Thank you for your discretion, officer. You’ve had a long journey today, feel free to stay in the barracks tonight. I believe your new quarters are ready for you now. I’ll let you know our next steps tomorrow.”

“Of course. It’s good to be back here, Captain Jiang. And thank you for your company today, Lieutenant Nie.” He bows to both his senior officers, and then exits the room.

It’s Nie Huaisang who breaks the extended silence, after the older man leaves, walking around the table and standing beside Jiang Cheng.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly, reaching for his Captain- his friend’s arm-

Jiang Cheng leans away, as if burned, and he snaps out, “I’m fine.”

Nie Huaisang immediately steps back. He grips his fan on both hands, looking down. “I’m sorry, Captain.”

Jiang Cheng stops, looking surprised by his own actions. His shoulders drop. “No, I-… You didn’t- It’s fine. I just-…” he takes a deep, steadying breath. His voice is raspy and he says his next words slowly. “Thank you, for… bringing that directly to me.”

Nie Huaisang shakes his head. “Of course. So you… do think it’s him, too, don’t you?”

“I don’t know. We’ve had Hollows that manifested mist before. It’s not unheard of, but-… Well.”

“But you have to make sure.” Nie Huaisang nods. “You’re going out there yourself?”

“I can’t. There’s so much to do here, still. And we finally got the funds for the-… For-…” Jiang Cheng trails off, his eyes straying to the documents in his desk, and Nie Huaisang follows his gaze, also catching the half-finished letter that Jiang Cheng has been writing. “We can’t delay these…”

Nie Huaisang recognizes the letter, the formal words. He’s had to write a few of these himself on behalf of the Nie clan. They’re mostly for older staff who have passed, a letter addressed to their families, offering the house’s condolences, words of comfort and financial compensation to help them through and provide some security…

“You don’t have to.” Nie Huaisang says. He takes it upon himself to gather the documents, the list of names – “I can do it. You can go, if you need to-”

Jiang Cheng frowns, moving to take the papers back. “No, it has to be done properly-”

“Do you think I won’t do it properly? I’m your Lieutenant, I can handle your correspondence, and-” Nie Huaisang’s fingers hover over the list of names, and it’s jarring to see how long it really is. Some of them he even recognizes, and he lets out a shaky breath. “I can do this one, it’s okay. You shouldn’t even be the one doing this! They’re your family… and friends… I’ll be careful, and considerate, and-”

“A-Sang.”

Nie Huaisang stops, because it’s the first time Jiang Cheng has called him that since… Well, since everything that happened. He looks back at his friend- When did he move so close?

Jiang Cheng lets out a wary sigh. He looks at the documents, but doesn’t try to take them away anymore. “Are you sure?”

Nie Huaisang looks back at him and turns so he can face him properly. He holds the documents to his chest with one hand, while his other tightens its grip on his fan.

“Yes. And you said it yourself, I’m not as bad as you thought I’d be at this.” he lets out a light-hearted, awkward laugh. “I’ll try my best not to screw it up. Just…”

His attempt at laughter trails off, and Nie Huaisang bows his head and closes his eyes as he steps forward, closing the space between them until his forehead presses against Jiang Cheng’s chest. He keeps his hold firm on the items in his hand, because otherwise he might just drop them and grab on to something – someone – else.

“Please be careful, Captain.” he says quietly, so soft he’s unsure if Jiang Cheng even heard it.

But perhaps he did, because he feels strong arms wrap around him and hold him tight, and Jiang Cheng’s breath against the side of his head.

“Okay.” he hears, a whisper. “I will.”

They stay like that for a second – then two – then three. Finally Jiang Cheng lets go and steps back.

“Go home, Lieutenant.” he says, expression carefully calm. “We both have a long day tomorrow.”

.

.

It’s a strange feeling, sitting on the Captain’s desk, but Nie Huaisang doesn’t let that stop him from focusing on his job today – writing letters. Lots of letters. Despite claiming to hate work, he is thankful he has these to distract him today, because otherwise he would probably just pace around the room and make poor Xiaoyu dizzy.

He didn’t even get to see Jiang Cheng off – the guard on duty told him that the Captain left before dawn, accompanied by 3rd Seat Lu and a handful of others. No new recruits or transfers, only seated and experienced Sixth Division officers.

Only those who would have known Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Meifen sits on the windowsill, feeding Xiaoyu the bird’s daily diet of berries and vegetables. “Are you sure you don’t need help with those, Lieutenant?”

“It’s okay, Meifen.” Nie Huaisang says, sending his companion a smile. “These are your family and friends, too. I refused to put this on the Captain, I won’t put it on you, either.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Meifen says, smiling back. “I’ve been worried about him going through all of it. He’s had to do it many times over, too.”

“I get why they had to do make him do this.” Nie Huaisang looks down at his papers. “But it’s still cruel. One of the other captains should have appointed someone else, even just for this. Anyone else! Except for da-ge, I know he sucks at this.”

Jiang Meifen lets out a surprised laugh. “You seem fully qualified to be doing it, though.”

“I have experience.” Nie Huaisang shrugs. “And I’ve written lots of letters. Those are mostly love letters, though. Those brutes in Eleventh? They can’t romance, at all. I had to write so many letters for them! It’s a miracle any of them make it to formal courtship…”

“Do you like it better here, then? Than in the Eleventh?”

Nie Huaisang hums. “Maybe? I do miss being the prettiest officer in the division, though.”

“Ah, Lieutenant, but you are the prettiest officer here, too.” The girl laughs, amused. “Do you not see how our officers blush whenever you praise them? One moment they’ll be terrified of the Captain, and then they’ll be all starry-eyed once you smile at them. Specially the new recruits.”

Nie Huaisang blinks at her, then laughs awkwardly. “You flatter me, 5th Seat Jiang.” He goes back to his work. “But yes, please keep asking me fun questions. To keep me from thinking about our stubborn Captain out there hunting some mysterious Hollow.”

.

.

Nie Huaisang had instructed the guards on night duty to report to him in his quarters once their Captain returns, so when he gets a knock on his door late at night, he already knows what it must mean.

He makes it to the main hall of the barracks in time to see Captain Jiang Wanyin dismiss the other officers that returned with him, telling them to rest and take tomorrow off. He looks tired, slightly haggard from the trip, but otherwise unharmed. When he notices Nie Huaisang walking over, he dismisses the rest of the guards.

“Welcome back, Captain.” Nie Huaisang says, voice quiet, watching the guards and other officers leave for their stations and their quarters. It’s only been a few days since they finished construction in the main hall, and its emptiness makes any sound echo loudly.

“You didn’t have to stay up.” Jiang Cheng says, brows furrowed as he looks at Nie Huaisang in his plain sleeping robes, holding on to a thick shawl wrapped around his shoulders, his long hair down in a loose braid. “Or did I wake you?”

Nie Huaisang shakes his head. “It’s fine. I told them to let me know when you returned.” He steps closer. “How are you feeling?”

Jiang Cheng lets out a heavy sigh, and Nie Huaisang almost caught a subtle flinch in his features. “If you’re already up, then… Come with me.”

Nie Huaisang follows him towards the direction he knows the Captain’s sleeping quarters to be. He’s never been there, before, but he keeps quiet and waits patiently for Jiang Cheng to speak first.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t say anything until they have closed the door of the captain’s quarters behind them.

“It wasn’t Wei Wuxian. We should be so lucky. Just your standard Hollow, it just so happened to know a few tricks. We were able to capture and purify it.”

Nie Huaisang watches him walk towards the bed and start to take his white captain’s robe off. Instantly, he notices how stiff the other man’s movements are, and he steps forward to help. After the captain’s robe, Jiang Cheng moves to loosen his uniform robes, as well.

“I don’t wanna keep you up too long.” he says, as Nie Huaisang wordlessly helps him slip his arms off his uniform robes. “Just- Help me change my bandages.”

“Bandages-? Are you okay?” Nie Huaisang blinks, looks down at Jiang Cheng’s bare torso, and sees the bandages wrapped just above his waist. There’s a bit of blood seeping through them. “What happened?”

“It’s stupid. A captain, getting hit by a low level Hollow. I would’ve finished the job quicker if I didn’t think it could be-…” Jiang Cheng grunts, sitting down on the bed. “Nevermind.” He gestures towards the first-aid kit on the nearby table, and Nie Huaisang grabs it before sitting beside him.

“You should’ve gone to the 4th Division instead of bearing it.” Nie Huaisang frowns, as he starts unwrapping the sweaty and bloody bandages from Jiang Cheng’s torso. “And here I thought you made quick work of that Hollow out there, you looked completely fine…”

“Sure, I leave on my first field duty as captain, encounter a stupid low level Hollow, and come back bloody. That’ll boost morale.” Jiang Cheng huffs, but not without another slight flinch. “I’m fine, I used a healing spell on the worst of it, I was just… too tired to close it completely.”

He looks at Nie Huaisang, noting a rare disapproving frown on his friend’s face.

Jiang Cheng tries to speak softer as he continues, “Just change the wrappings, I’ll sleep it off and finish healing it in the morning.”

“Do you really think I’d let you do that?” Nie Huaisang shakes his head, putting the used bandages aside before scooting closer. “Here, let’s fix you.”

Nie Huaisang whispers the incantation for healing, then hovers a glowing hand right above the half-closed wound on Jiang Cheng’s side.

Jiang Cheng instantly relaxes, shifting to face him properly and give him a more comfortable angle to work with. “Thanks. Forgot you could do that, too.”

He is answered with an offended pout. “Excuse me? We went to the academy together! We learned this together, remember?”

Despite himself, Jiang Cheng chuckles, and lets out a relieved sigh as he feels his wound closing slowly. “I just… don’t remember you being this good at it.”

He feels warm and relaxed – too relaxed, that he finds himself tipping forward, resting his head on Nie Huaisang’s shoulder.

Nie Huaisang is surprised at the sudden weight, but he stays firm, bringing his free hand to Jiang Cheng’s chest to steady them both, while his other hand remains glowing and hovering over the wound, now almost closed. “Easy, Captain. We’ll be done soon.”

It’s when Jiang Cheng finds it difficult to keep his eyes open, that he realizes that this sensation – the warmth, the bonelessness – is not a usual effect of the standard healing spell. “What are you doing?” he asks, a hand finding Nie Huaisang’s wrist. He holds on, but he can’t seem to find it in him to pry the hand away.

“Healing more than your cut.” Nie Huaisang answers. “You’ve barely slept the past few days- heck, this past month. That chips away at your spiritual energy, you know? I can sense it, every day with you, how tense and tight it feels. The others may not notice, but I do.”

“Ah.” Jiang Cheng nods, then remembers he is still leaning against Nie Huaisang’s shoulder. “That, I remember you being good at.” His hand on Nie Huaisang’s wrist tightens, not enough to hurt, but enough to feel a steady pulse, and as soon as he tries to, he also feels the other’s spiritual energy. He frowns. “You gotta stop… don’t wanna drain you.”

“Well, as luck would have it, I’m a Nie.” Nie Huaisang chuckles, and his hand moves from Jiang Cheng’s chest to cradle the back of his neck instead, while the other moves from the wound on Jiang Cheng’s side to instead settle on his abdomen, where Nie Huaisang knows the energy transfer would be more effective. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got lots to share. I suck at controlling it for other things, but it makes me good at this one.”

Jiang Cheng groans, and Nie Huaisang feels him get heavier, as if he has finally stopped fighting to stay up. “You do this often?”

“Too often.” Nie Huaisang sighs. “You’d think a bunch of guys who get stabbed and beat up on the regular would learn some healing spells, but nope, I’ve had to do this so many times back in Eleventh! I’ve tried teaching them, too. They won’t learn.”

Jiang Cheng huffs sleepily. “Maybe they just like having you dote over them.”

“Maybe.” Nie Huaisang hums, considering. “None of them try to cuddle me, though.”

“I’m not-” Jiang Cheng starts, then lets out a disgruntled noise. “I just. Give me a bit. Made me too sleepy. S’unfair.”

“Ah, you’re fine. I’m just messing with you.” Nie Huaisang laughs. “You’re adorable when you’re sleepy.”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. That seems to tickle Nie Huaisang, making him giggle. “I’ll get you back for this.” he threatens.

Nie Huaisang accepts it with amusement. “Sure you will, Captain. Sure you will.”

.

.

Jiang Meifen looks at her older cousin, her Captain, who despite having reportedly returned very very late last night, looks very… well… this morning.

She can’t pinpoint exactly what – it’s a combination of little things – the way he’s munching on some biscuits as he works, the way his brows aren’t as furrowed as usual, how he smiled a little when Xiaoyu came to perch on the paperweight on his desk, how he greeted her first, when she came in…

On the other hand, there’s her Lieutenant – lounging on the brand new couch on one side of the room. Nie Huaisang is leaning his full weight on the couch’s armrest, eyes closed, looking like he’s struggling to stay awake. He is in proper uniform, at least. Well, save for the shawl he has wrapped around him practically like a blanket…

“Lieutenant, are you feeling well?” Jiang Meifen asks, not hiding her concern.

Nie Huaisang waves her off, yawning. “I’m okay, Meifen, don’t you worry. I just need a nap…”

“Leave him be.” Jiang Cheng says, rolling his eyes. “He was being stupid last night, nothing new.”

Nie Huaisang whines. “Fine, see if I stay up to wait for you next time!”

Jiang Cheng shrugs, unapologetic. “I never asked you to stay up.”

“That’s the thanks I get for caring.” Nie Huaisang pouts. “I should go back to Eleventh.”

“Sure. Your brother will just send you back here.”

“Ugh… So mean, and for what…” Nie Huaisang groans, and just buries his face in his arms as he just gives up and fully lays down.

Jiang Meifen braces herself, waiting for her Captain to scold the Lieutenant, to tell him to go to his room if he wants to sleep, but instead, she gets her cousin quietly gesturing at her to draw the curtains closed, so the early morning sunlight misses the dozing figure on the couch.

She smiles and does as asked, and makes as little noise as possible as she says her goodbyes and leaves to do her duties for the day.