honeymooning

It’s da-ge, of all people, who brings the matter to Nie Huaisang’s attention.

The brothers are having dinner together, as is their newly established tradition to spend at least a couple of hours with each other every week, when Nie Mingjue asks, “How are you getting along with your neighbors, by the way?”

“Our… neighbors?” Nie Huaisang blinks, thoughtful.

It’s been two months since he moved out from the Nie family home and into a shared apartment with his friend Jiang Cheng, and things have been going… well. They’re both going through some major life changes, but they’re good friends, so they had no problem being supportive of each other through the whole thing. Though sometimes the supporting got… awkward. But it was always an awkwardness borne of inexperience, not out of hesitation, or distance.

They have never spent this much time with each other before, after all.

And now Nie Mingjue just brought up their… neighbors. They have neighbors? Wait, of course they have neighbors!

Some are pretty nice, they smile and nod at Nie Huaisang on the elevator. Some are kinda snobbish, but they weren’t rude.

Some had cute dogs too! Nie Huaisang had wanted to pet them… But between the constant grocery, furniture & miscellaneous shopping that’s been happening while he and Jiang Cheng are making a little nest of their new home, add to that Nie Huaisang’s evasiveness of the general public, he hasn’t had the courage to ask to pet any of the good little fur babies.

Ah, they made him miss Baxia.

(Maybe he can get his own fur baby? He’ll have to ask Jiang Cheng about that, though seeing how he was with Baxia, Nie Huaisang knows his friend does like animals…)

But, back to the neighbors – Nie Huaisang can’t exactly recall a time he had talked to any of them, past polite greetings of ‘good morning’ and ‘good evening’ and ‘yes, the elevator’s still going up, sorry’ and ‘thank you’ when someone nicely holds the door open for him when he’s carrying stuff.

He looks down at his plate, then up at his brother again, and he smiles, sheepish. “Never met ‘em, actually.”

“Never-?” Nie Mingjue looks appalled. “Not one?”

“Well, I don’t go out that much? We’ve been busy settling in?” Nie Huaisang shrugs. “Actually, I’ve never met anyone who got off the same floor as I did… I don’t know, maybe we have no neighbors!” he trails off with an awkward laugh.

“Nie Huaisang.” his brother says, in that ‘Listen, child’ tone of his, which Nie Huaisang very much hates, but would also admit he’s starting to miss. “It’s important to get along with your neighbors. You should know this, you’ve always gotten along with our neighbors here. Or have you forgotten how much help they have always been to us?”

Nie Huaisang pouts. Of course he knows and loves his childhood neighbors! They were nothing but helpful and supportive to his brother, a teenager raising his younger brother all on his own. The siblings had, time and again, relied on their much older neighbors, from the smallest things like lending them some tools for the house or missing cooking ingredients, to bigger favors like babysitting young Huaisang, or even fending off media and reporters looking for juicy gossip details… And in turn the brothers have never turned them down when they’re the ones who needed assistance.

But Nie Huaisang’s new neighborhood is different now…

“Da-ge, most of our neighbors here have known me since I was a kid. I didn’t have a choice but to know them. But now… well.” Nie Huaisang sighs. “It’s not like our new neighbors would come up to our door with baked goods because they made too many, y’know? They don’t know us, and, like, it’s kind of a fancy place, so I bet those people like keeping their stuff private. Jiang-xiong is kinda still avoiding being seen, too…”

It is a fancy place – an expensive one, which Nie Mingjue had frowned at, at first. But he had eventually relented because it did look to be a fair trade for the privacy and security that his brother and Jiang Cheng both need, given their considerable celebrity status and some… more recent events.

Still. Nie Mingjue had been through the whole ‘settling in’ routine. He knows two people can’t live in their own little bubble forever and let no one in.

“I’m not telling you to be all chummy with them all,” he tells Huaisang, who, even as he tries to look stubborn, is still obviously willing to listen to his big brother. “But it’s good to have a community around you. Even a small one. Just try getting to know at least one or two of your neighbors. It’s helpful to have friends around.”

Huaisang considers it, and it doesn’t take much time because he knows his brother is right. “Okay, da-ge. I’ll try.”

“Tell your boyfriend too. He’s kind of a snob so he’s probably scaring them off.”

He holds back a sigh. “He’s not my boyfriend…”

This time, it’s Nie Mingjue’s turn to blink at his brother. “He isn’t? Still?”

“You’re waiting?” Nie Huaisang tells him, raising an eyebrow. “You know I’d tell you if he was. I know you like him.”

“No, I don’t. He’s too broody.”

“You let him stay with us for a month.“

“Because I thought he was your boyfriend.”

“When did I say he was my boyfriend?”

“You didn’t have to, I just found you all cuddled up with him and you were like ‘Da-ge i’m moving in with A-Cheng and you can’t stop me!’ – and then he was sleeping on your bed! How was I supposed to read that?”

“We wanted to split rent and all the units I liked are too big for one person…” This time, Nie Huaisang does sigh. “And he slept on my couch, not my bed…?”

“If he’s not your boyfriend, what have I been scaring him for?”

Nie Huaisang throws his hands up in defeat. “I don’t know!”

Nie Mingjue huffs, indignant. “Whatever! Tell him to be nice to your neighbors!”

“Fine!”

“Good!”

And with that, they both went back to their food to make a point that that part of the conversation was over.

Then, with a lighter tone and a cheery smile, Nie Huaisang asks, “So how was work today?”

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And so, it is with his big brother’s advice (read: instruction) in mind that Nie Huaisang decided to try to make some small talk, or at least say something past ‘good evening’ to the next neighbor he meets on his way home.

Keyword: try. And only if they seem nice!

Said neighbors turn out to be two women both carrying a bunch of little paper bags, rushing towards the elevator just right after Nie Huaisang.

Nie Huaisang holds the ‘open door’ button for them.

One of them is older, middle-aged, dressed in an expensive and elegant ensemble, while the other is younger and dressed simpler, carrying more bags.

The older lady smiles at Nie Huaisang and says, “Thank you very much, dear.”

Nie Huaisang smiles back. “Don’t mention it, auntie.”

The woman takes a moment to look at him, then smiles again. “Ah, you’re one of those boys from 619, aren’t you? The new ones?”

Huaisang blinks, not expecting to be recognized so quickly and specifically. He didn’t even know this auntie! Yet she knows his exact apartment number?

“U-um, yes, ma’am. I-… Um. Nie Huaisang.” he says, bowing.

“Oh! Perfect timing!” She looks delighted. Huaisang watches as she turns to the other woman, whom Huaisang now realizes must be her assistant. They exchange a few words that he couldn’t make out. Then she picks out one of the little paperbags and holds it out to Huaisang. “Here, this one is yours.“

Huaisang looks at the paperbag, noting the logo of a popular patisserie stamped across it. “O-Oh, you really don’t have to-”

“I was going to have Suyin here drop by your place to deliver this, but we’re running late, so I’m glad we ran into you here.” she continues, now practically pushing the paperbag into Huaisang’s hand. “Please, for you and that nice young man of yours! A token of my appreciation for his help with me and my bags the other day.“

“I… I see…” Nie Huaisang nods, hesitantly accepting the gift. So… this gift was more a thank you gift for Jiang Cheng who apparently has met this auntie and helped her with her bags… Okay? Sounds plausible? “I’m sure it was no trouble for him though.”

“Psh!” the woman waves it off. “It’s late, really! We should have sent you a welcome gift ages ago, but we thought you must still be settling in! We know how it is, so much things to do, and stuff to have delivered, and papers to go through, and of course, you must be in your honeymoon phase, still-”

Honeymoon?! Nie Huaisang shakes his head quickly. “O-oh, auntie, we’re not-… um…”

“Ah, yes, yes!” the auntie laughs, reassuring. “He did tell me you’re not married yet, I remember! And you are still young anyway. There’s plenty of time!”

Oh, dear. Nie Huaisang doesn’t know how to correct that, since, well… it’s not… wrong…. technically…

“I just meant to say, whenever you move to a new place, no matter how brief, or how long you have been together, it’s always so exciting and you always get that honeymoon feel! I would know, dear. Oh, I remember when my third husband and I moved here-”

Her smile is bright and brilliant, her laugh infectious. Nie Huaisang couldn’t help but just smile, nod and laugh along.

Even though he is now once again questioning if maybe this very pleasant lady has the wrong person.

But she did specify their apartment number…

There is a beep, and the elevator stops, the doors opening.

“Oh, here we are. It’s nice meeting you, and send my thanks to your young man.”

Nie Huaisang watches as the women gather their many bags again. He holds the door open for them. “It’s nice to meet you too, auntie. Thank you, again-”

“Don’t mention it – just enjoy them!” the auntie says as they walk off. “Don’t be a stranger! Come visit, I left my card with your sweetheart!”

Huaisang waves and smiles back as he lets the doors slide closed again.

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Jiang Cheng is lying on the couch, scrolling through a music and tech blog on his tablet when he hears the door open, followed by Nie Huaisang announcing that he’s home.

It’s pretty late, and he is too relaxed and focused on the catchy headlines to bother sitting up, but he does reply to his housemate. “Hey.” he says lazily.

“Wanyin?” Nie Huaisang calls. That’s strange, Jiang Cheng thinks, Nie Huaisang had stopped calling him that recently, unless he’s teasing. He doesn’t sound like he’s teasing right now, though.

Shrugging it off, Jiang Cheng answers, “On the couch.”

“Oh! There you are.” Nie Huaisang appears, slipping off his coat and scarf. He dumps them on the nearby chair before perching on the couch’s armrest, right beside Jiang Cheng’s head. “Wanyin.”

“Hm?” Jiang Cheng blinks, craning his head up to look at his housemate. Nie Huaisang doesn’t sound like he’s teasing, but it’s another familiar tone…

Ah. That’s the tone his mother and aunties use when he’s in trouble, but they’ve decided to say it nicely.

Is Jiang Cheng in trouble? He’s never been in trouble with Nie Huaisang before. What did that even mean?

“I met one of our neighbors just now. She’s a very sweet auntie.” Nie Huaisang says.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. She was nice to me.”

“Uh… that’s good?”

“I wonder, though. Why does she call you my young man?”

Jiang Cheng stares.

Nie Huaisang stares back.

“She calls me your what?”

“My young man.”

“What does that even-” He stops, because Nie Huaisang gives him a look, and- Oh. Ohhhh… Oh, that is… Huh. Jiang Cheng sits up. “But. I’m not your… young man.”

Yes, Jiang Cheng is young, and a man. But he’s not… Huaisang’s? He’s pretty sure he would know if he was.

“Mm-hm.” Huaisang nods, very pleasant, very sweet. He smiles. “Well, she’s very convinced you are.”

“Why?” he asks again, very confused. “And who was this… this auntie?”

Nie Huaisang shrugs. “I didn’t get her name, she was too busy giving life advice ’cause she thinks we’re honeymooning or whatever-”

“We’re what?”

“On a honeymoon phase, A-Cheng, keep up. She also gave me this!” he says, finally brandishing a little fancy-looking paper bag towards Jiang Cheng’s face. “She says it’s for you! A thank you gift, she said you helped her the other day?”

“I did?” Jiang Cheng asks, looking at the gift in suspicion.

Nie Huaisang moves from his perch on the armrest to sit beside Jiang Cheng on the couch. In the process he takes Jiang Cheng’s tablet and replaces it with the bag before Jiang Cheng can even process what’s happening.

Left with no choice, Jiang Cheng opens the bag. He digs out a little box of colorful macarons, all elaborately and carefully decorated – hand-painted swirls, flowers, little scenery…

“Wow.” Jiang Cheng says, staring blankly at the treats.

Meanwhile, Nie Huaisang lets out an awed gasp. “Oh! They’re so pretty!”

Jiang Cheng groans. “I can’t eat these. They’re all decorated and shit.”

“What? You eat my cupcakes all the time.”

“Yeah, but those are ugly.”

Nie Huaisang gasps and hits his arm. “Jerk.”

“No, just honest.” Jiang Cheng replies. He laughs when Huaisang pouts and hits him again, carefully holding the box of treats away to keep them safe from the scuffle. “What? Hey. Hey! Stop it-”

Nie Huaisang glares, but he is clearly trying to hold his laughter back as well as he continues to shove and hit his friend. “Those cupcakes are made with love!”

“Your love is ugly.”

“Your personality is ugly!”

Jiang Cheng only looks smug. “I know.”

Huaisang gapes at him, but before he could retort, Jiang Cheng swiftly stuffs a macaron in his open mouth. Nie Huaisang almost chokes in surprise, but he catches himself and just grudgingly starts chewing, all the while still glaring at his friend.

“How is it?” Jiang Cheng asks, genuinely curious.

Nie Huaisang finishes chewing, swallows, and then his expression softens as he lets out a dramatic sigh. “It’s so good…”

“Nice.” Jiang Cheng takes another piece for himself. They’re quiet as he savors the taste of the expensive treat.

Nie Huaisang leans over to peer at the box. “Aw, we’re already missing two… I wanted to take a picture of the whole set…”

Jiang Cheng snorts. “Why? So you can make ugly macarons?”

Holding back a laugh, Nie Huaisang shoves him again.

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They forget about the auntie question for a night, not circling back to it until the next morning while they’re making breakfast.

Or more like, Nie Huaisang is complaining while Jiang Cheng makes breakfast.

“Why is this photoshoot scheduled so early in the morning? That’s evil. It’s Monday. Maybe Yao-ge hates me.” he whines, trying to set the table and doing it very badly.

Jiang Cheng ignores him in favor of cooking their breakfast. “He doesn’t hate you. It’s just called having a job.”

“Easy for you to say, you like mornings.” Nie Huaisang says, taking his seat by the dining table, where he finds the box of macarons from the previous night. There are still two pieces left. “So what’s the story with the nice auntie again? Why does she think we’re together?”

It’s not that they didn’t expect at least some people to think that. They both work in showbiz in some way and they’re not that naive to think that the public will never speculate on them living together…

But Nie Huaisang really did think that they’d been doing an okay job at lying low. It’s only been two months! Neither of them have made any major public appearance, save for Nie Huaisang showing up for a few scheduled photoshoots.

“Hell if I know. I don’t even know which auntie it was.” Jiang Cheng shrugs.

Nie Huaisang turns to him, squinting. “Excuse me, ‘which’ auntie? There are more aunties?”

“There are many aunties, Huaisang. Don’t you see them around here? In the lobby, the elevator?”

“Uh… yeah? Wait. You mean, you’ve helped all of those aunties?”

Jiang Cheng looks at him. “Not all of them. I don’t- I just-… When they need help with their bags or something, I help them, that’s all. It’s not like I keep track, or… or get to know each one of them?”

Nie Huaisang looks at him, absorbing this information. Then, he looks at his friend accusingly. “Jiang Wanyin, you… you player!”

Jiang Cheng almost lets go of his spatula. “What?”

“Aunties are my thing! They love me!” Nie Huaisang cries. “And here you are, just… just charming all of them! Behind my back too, traitor!”

Once again, Jiang Cheng is reminded that Nie Huaisang is Wei Wuxian’s best friend, for many reasons.

One of which is the flair for the dramatic.

Gods, he’s lucky Jiang Cheng really likes the flat.

“…and da-ge even told me to befriend our neighbors! What will I tell him? You’re buddy-buddy with all the aunties and I don’t even know any of them?”

“I’m not-! Fine, you go be buddy-buddy with all of them, then. Bake some cookies or something.”

Nie Huaisang pouts. “Maybe I will! I’ll show you, I can charm them too.”

“I told you, I didn’t charm them.”

“Silence, traitor.”

Jiang Cheng glares. “This traitor made you breakfast.”

Nie Huaisang squeaks in surprise when a delicious meal is set in front of him. After a moment, he looks up at Jiang Cheng and smiles sweetly. “Thank you, A-Cheng.”

The other man scoffs. “That’s better.”

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With Huaisang gone to work for the day, Jiang Cheng had some more time alone to continue working on the flat. They’re not done sorting all the records and books yet, so he goes and does that.

While engrossed in the activity, he thinks again about the auntie question. They had barely gotten back around to it that morning before Nie Huaisang started being annoying and dramatic.

He tries to recall if, over the past week, he did help someone significantly enough that they felt obligated to send an expensive thank-you gift.

Jiang Cheng was raised to have good manners. If he sees someone struggling, and if it was within his means to help, he will help them! Specially the old ladies who lived in their building, who even with the occasional assistant or help, always seemed to be overwhelmed with boxes and shopping bags.

He sees the brands in those bags, too. Are they really always shopping? That much?

He shrugs it off – not his business.

That’s just the kind of neighbors you’ll get if you live in a fancy place where most of the other tenants were either private big business owners or rich retirees, he supposes. It’s a place built for privacy and luxury in the city. Its location isn’t exactly close to the popular stages, studios and entertainment locales, so it’s not very ideal for busy celebrities, but that’s kind of the point, at least for him and Nie Huaisang at this time.

So Jiang Cheng tries to recall all of those shopaholic ladies that he assisted. His memories of them mostly blurred into each other, since he is almost always on his own errand whenever he encountered them and thus he’s focused on those instead.

There’s one that stood out, though. One auntie that he helped and had a little chat with… What did they talk about, again?

He recalls… snippets. Not even full sentences, really, just bits and pieces-

(“-just moved in, right? How long have you two-“)

(“Uh, six years, I think-“)

(“-married?”)

(“-no, ma’am – … – focusing on my career-“)

Huh.

Jiang Cheng stops sorting books.

Ah.

Okay, maybe this one’s on him.

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When Nie Huaisang gets back home, he tells Jiang Cheng that he met another nice auntie. They talked about the weather and a book club, to which Nie Huaisang and his “handsome young man” are both invited.

Jiang Cheng pauses.

He didn’t talk to anyone else – any other auntie – about Huaisang! Right?

“…and I was like, oh, auntie, won’t we be intruding? We don’t know anyone else there? But apparently they all know us! I don’t know how, they just said they’ve been talking about us for weeks and they were thinking of when to come visit. They’re just giving us space, she said, ’cause they all think we’re some couple in our first move together. Do we really give off that vibe?”

As Nie Huaisang laughs, Jiang Cheng buries his head in his hands and screams internally.

(“-moving in together? – … – first time?”)

(“Yes, ma’am- … – on a bit of a break right now – … – personal projects-“)

(“-very nice! It’s always good to find time to spend with loved ones!”)

Yep. Definitely his fault.

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The next day, Jiang Cheng finds himself trying to console a forlorn Nie Huaisang, who is standing over a batch of freshly-made cookies.

They surprisingly look like normal cookies. Nie Huaisang didn’t decorate them, for once, and that seemed to work out because they do look like good cookies. Even delicious cookies!

The problem though, is that Nie Huaisang’s decorations aren’t really the only flaws of his baking.

“Are they really bad?” Nie Huaisang sniffs.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t like to lie. “It’s… It’s a cookie, A-Sang. It tastes like a cookie.” he says, trying not to cough from the sheer amount of sugar he just consumed. In one cookie. Yep. That’s where they’re at, right now.

Nie Huaisang sighs. “We can’t give them away, can’t we?”

Jiang Cheng is not heartless, contrary to popular belief. “I’m sure store-bought will still be appreciated.” Awkwardly, he pats his friend’s back. “Y’know, I’m sure you can… charm… the neighbor aunties without gifts. You said it yourself, they love you.”

“Ah, but those ones only loved me because they’ve seen me small and cute!”

“You’re still small and cute.” Jiang Cheng says, before he could stop himself.

Unfortunately, Nie Huaisang just glosses over that, laser-focused on his goal. “But I used to be smaller and cuter! You would’ve loved me too!”

This time, Jiang Cheng successfully holds himself back from saying he already loves him anyway. That’s too sappy. He has a reputation to maintain.

“But these ones! These aunties like you better, because you’re a big, strong, tall and handsome man helping them with their luxury paperbags!” Nie Huaisang rants. “Hey, do you know how much those bags cost? One can like, pay several months rent. A year, even! I’m in fashion so I kinda get it, but like, they should take that money and help people, you know? How many bags do they need, anyway? They’re throwing away their money! Just because they can- Oh my God, do I not like aunties when they’re rich?”

“Okay, we’re spiraling.” Jiang Cheng grabs one cookie and offers it to Nie Huaisang, who bites obediently.

“Wow.” Nie Huaisang says, chewing, face scrunched up. “You ate this?”

You baked it – Jiang Cheng wants to point out, but that would just be mean. Instead he shrugs. “Hey, I bet jiejie has a good cookie recipe. Want me to ask her?”

Nie Huaisang looks at him, eyes big and sparkling. “You’d do that for me?”

Idly, Jiang Cheng wonders if he is spoiling Nie Huaisang too much. It’s only been two months. So far he has indulged his new housemate in all the spontaneous activities – baking, repainting the studio, building a bunch of Lego flowers – and his silly little ‘missions’ – the memory wall, finding out if the lobby guy has a twin or if he really is just there 24/7, and now this thing with the aunties…

Will this happen a lot while they’re living together? Jiang doesn’t know, and can’t find it in himself to be so concerned for the moment because, well, what harm can it do?

For now, he shrugs and then picks up his phone to call his sister.

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As they wait for the new (improved) batch of cookies to bake, Jiang Cheng tells Nie Huaisang about his conversation with “Auntie Macaron”. He also shows him the woman’s card – the one he had totally forgotten until Nie Huaisang mentioned it. The nice lady had given it to him when they met the first time, with a quick scribble of her unit and contact number plus a note to visit anytime the young men needed anything, or even for a simple chat.

Nie Huaisang listens to everything, takes a moment to process, and then nods. “Okay, so you told this auntie-”

“Gao.”

“-this Auntie Gao. You told her we’ve been together six years.”

“I didn’t mean to! I told you, I had my headphones on, I thought she asked something else! Just… now that I look back on it, she could only have been asking about… the other thing. I guess?”

“Well. They love that stuff. At least you answered her other questions like, properly.”

He shrugs. “Media training.”

“Media training.” Nie Huaisang nods, understanding completely. He looks at the card again and chuckles. “Of course that’s why she had so many of those bags… She owns the patisserie! Ugh, we really can’t give her bad cookies.”

“Jiejie’s cookies are great. I made sure you followed that recipe to the letter. We should be fine.” Jiang Cheng says.

He’s still eating the first batch of (diabetes-inducing) cookies. Nie Huaisang is horrified, but also quite touched.

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Auntie Gao is pleasantly surprised to see them turn up at her door that afternoon with a nicely wrapped tray of cookies.

“We wanted to thank you for making us feel welcome.” Nie Huaisang tells the woman, with his best, most charming smile.

It’s these random moments that remind Jiang Cheng that the two of them had both been child actors together.

He watches as Auntie Gao practically melts, a hand flying to her chest. “Oh, how very sweet of you, dear! Come in, come in, both of you!”

They are both ushered inside Auntie Gao’s apartment.

“Please excuse the mess…” she says – and of course there is no mess.

Already Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng can tell the place is bigger than theirs, the decor expensive yet elegant. It looks like a showroom, almost, but the many picture frames with portraits of family and friends displayed on almost every desk and table surface were enough to make it feel homey.

She leads them to her living room, gesturing to her couch. “Oh, had I known that I would have guests today…”

“We hope we’re not intruding?” Nie Huaisang says, still perfectly sweet and charming.

“Not at all, it’s just me and husband staying here, and he’s at work right now! The stubborn man still won’t retire even though he keeps telling me he would…”

“I see. It seems uncle likes to keep busy?”

“He really doesn’t have to. We’re comfortable! Ah, but enough about that…” Auntie Gao shakes her head. She turns to Jiang Cheng holding the tray of cookies. “Oh, let me take that, dear.”

Jiang Cheng hands the tray to her with a polite bow. “We hope you like it, ma’am.”

“So polite.“ the woman smiles, taking the tray. She looks down at the cookies and looks pleased. “My, are these homemade?”

Nie Huaisang smiles and nods. “A-Cheng’s sister is an amazing cook, and she was kind enough to share her recipe.”

“I see, I see! Then, I’m excited to try it.” Auntie Gao grins. She takes a step closer to Nie Huaisang, lays a hand on his arm, and winks. “And nicely done, dear. It’s always good to get along with your in-laws.”

Jiang Cheng manages to keep a straight face as he sits down. Following beside him, Nie Huaisang laughs a light, awkward laugh.

“Ah… Actually, auntie-”

“Yes, yes. Not married yet. But you get my point, I’m sure you do.” she waves him off with a pointed grin. “Oh, I should get us some drinks! My daughter just sent me a really nice tea blend. Do you boys like tea? Or do you prefer coffee?”

In the end, Auntie Gao was sweet and endearing, obviously happy to meet new people that she can talk to about her stubborn husband, her “little” patisserie, and her children who had taken over the business. Between all those, they managed to tell her that Jiang Cheng is a musician on a personal break and that Nie Huaisang is a fashion model, and then barely anything else.

She did like the cookies, though. And the tea was very good.

She had told them to feel free to visit again, anytime they want, because she is always happy to have guests. She also said they should go visit “the others”. When Nie Huaisang sheepishly said they haven’t been introduced to any others, the woman claps her hands together and looks at both her young guests excitedly.

“I see! Well then, you two might want to come to book club! Come meet our neighbors! We have meetings every week, Sunday afternoon. That’s where everyone catches up!”

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With a goal completed successfully, Nie Huaisang mellows out for the time being.

It helps that with things beginning to settle after the move, Nie Huaisang has started to catch up on his work backlogs. He’s back and busy with art commissions and various modeling jobs again.

That means Jiang Cheng picks up the slack on a lot of the chores and drives Nie Huaisang to his photoshoots, but he doesn’t mind so much. He has the time to spare, anyway.

Really, Jiang Cheng is just glad that his roommate is not obsessing over aunties and baking perfect cookies anymore.

He’s just coming back from dropping Nie Huaisang off at his latest photoshoot, making his way to the elevators when he is approached by a woman in a suit. She is a stranger to him but as he is quickly learning about his new home, she is one of two familiar sights – a person dressed impressively, carrying all too many things.

(The other option is a person carrying too few things. Like a man in a very fancy and elaborate suit, a phone on his person and absolutely nothing else. He is trailed, of course, by the people carrying too many things.)

(Jiang Cheng is a celebrity and he grew up with politician parents, but he can never get used to these crowds, it seems.)

“Mr. Jiang?” the stern-looking woman in the suit asks. She looks to be about Jiang Cheng’s age, if not just a bit older. “Excuse me, it is Mr. Jiang, is it?”

Jiang Cheng makes sure to remove his earphones this time. He nods, remaining distant and cordial. “Yes, how may I help you?”

“My name is Wang Suyin. I am Madame Gao’s assistant. I was just heading to your apartment, she wants me to give you these.”

Jiang Cheng watches her expertly wrangle a clipboard, two phones, a large document binder, her shoulder bag and a bunch of paperbags, all in her arms. He wants to offer to help, but for some reason he thinks he might just throw her off her game if he does – so he just waits for her to hand him one of the smaller bags.

“She says thank you for visiting her, and to invite you and Mr. Nie to book club. There’s a note in there with her message, and their book of the month.”

“O-Oh. I see…” Jiang Cheng takes a quick peek at the bag. There is a book inside, a little envelope that is probably Auntie Gao’s message, and another box of those delicious macarons from last time. This time he also spots some other wrapped candies. “This might be too much-”

“Not at all. This is her usual. Madame Gao is very generous, specially to new friends.” Wang Suyin says, gathering up the rest of her stuff back in her arms. She makes it look so easy.

“Of course.” Jiang Cheng nods. Perhaps that is the only proper response to Wang Suyin. “Please thank Madame Gao for us. We- Uh, we’ll have to check our schedules, though-”

“I did tell her she might be coming on too strong. So she said to make sure I tell you that you shouldn’t feel obligated if it’s not your thing, and you can keep the book either way, you might like it.”

Huh.

“Alright. Got it.” he says.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Jiang.” – and with that, she walks off. On her way out, she also manages to pull along a wheeled luggage. Whoa.

Jiang Cheng decides that he likes Wang Suyin. She is very direct and precise. He likes people who are good at their jobs.

Now, though. He has some treats to eat, and a book to check out.

.

.

.

Nie Huaisang sighs as he studies the beautiful, delicate icing swirls and decorations of a lovely blue-green macaron.

“Do you think someday I can make macarons as pretty as these?”.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t look up from his reading, but he does respond. “Do you want the truth, or do you want me to be nice to you?”

Nie Huaisang hits him with a pillow. Jiang Cheng doesn’t budge.

He’d told Nie Huaisang all about his encounter with Auntie Gao’s secretary earlier, as soon as his housemate arrived home from work and found Jiang Cheng four chapters deep in a book he’d never seen before.

“I am living with a terrible, terrible person.” Nie Huaisang pouts, settling down in the couch with his roommate. He sets the box of macarons aside, as well as the message that came with it, so he can lean over and read the synopsis at the back of the book in Jiang Cheng’s hand.

Jiang Cheng is nice enough to tilt the book a bit to let him read easier.

“You seem like you’re getting into this one.” Nie Huaisang says. “Is it good?”

A shrug. “Not sure. I just started. This woman is being stupid.”

“Oh.” Nie Huaisang snorts. “It’s bad, then?”

“Right now? Yeah. But I dunno, it might get better. This lady has nowhere to go but up, anyway.”

“Got it.” Nie Huaisang says with a laugh, leaning back on the couch comfortably.

He’s had a long day, and it feels good to finally sit down and just relax. He watches his friend frown in disapproval, probably at another poor choice the lead character has made in the story.

“So are you going? To book club?”

This time, Jiang Cheng does look up from the book and turns to him. “Why just me?”

Nie Huaisang hugs a pillow to himself, closing his eyes. “Well, you’re reading the book. I’m not.”

“I wanted to see what the deal is. You never know.” Jiang Cheng shrugs again. Then he shakes his head. “Now I’m invested because I’m too concerned for this idiot Jessica and her choices.”

“Jessica?”

“That’s her name, you saw it in the back.”

“Right.” Nie Huaisang nods indulgently. “So you’re going, then.”

Jiang Cheng looks at him. “You’re not?”

Nie Huaisang chuckles. “Sorry, A-Cheng… As much as I’d love to catch up on Jessica’s apparently questionable life choices, I do have a bunch of work to do.”

“It’s on Sunday afternoon.”

“I have commissions to finish…” He yawns. “You should go, though. You don’t have work.”

Jiang Cheng puts his book down, narrows his eyes at his friend even though he has his eyes closed and won’t see it. “You mean I’m unemployed?”

“Now, now. Don’t be hard on yourself.” Nie Huaisang offers comfortingly, blindly reaching out to pat him… somewhere. Anywhere. He narrowly misses the other man entirely and has to lean forward and open one eye so he can properly pat Jiang Cheng’s arm. “Who knows? You might enjoy it…”

Jiang Cheng peers at his sleepy face. “Nie Huaisang. Listen to me. You are not feeding me alive to a bunch of aunties.”

“I would never.” Nie Huaisang says, and it would probably be more convincing if he actually tried to sound like he meant it. “But I really am busy, Jiang-xiong.”

Jiang Cheng looks at a loss as Nie Huaisang moves the pillow to his lap and then proceeds to lie his head down on it. He starts to tell Nie Huaisang to go to his room if he wants to nap, but he is too distracted.

“So, what, do we just turn them down?”

“No, no, you should go if you want to.” Nie Huaisang mumbles against the pillow, making himself comfortable. “Together you can all have meaningful discussions about Jessica.”

Jiang Cheng groans as he leans back on the couch, throwing a hand up in exasperation. “Yeah, how is she not seeing the ton of red flags on this guy?”

“Is he hot?”

“I guess.”

“There you go.”

“Jessica, what the hell.”

There is no response, and when Jiang Cheng looks down, he sees that Nie Huaisang is already dozing peacefully in his lap.

“A-Sang.” he whispers. “Sorry. Last one.”

It takes Nie Huaisang a moment to answer. “Hm?”

“You like nature, right?”

“I love nature, yes.”

“Maybe we should-”

“I will not move to the mountains,” Nie Huaisang says, cutting him off. “…just to escape auntie book club.”

“You know, there are lots of birds in the mountains.”

“Jiang Wanyin, go back to your book.”

And he does.

.

An hour or so later, Nie Huaisang wakes up, feeling better and energized.

Jiang Cheng is still reading his book, a frown set on his face, so Nie Huaisang stands up and volunteers to make dinner.

He is chopping up vegetables when he hears a groan from the couch.

“He is a serial killer, Jessica! Go home!”

Nie Huaisang bites his lip to keep himself from giggling. Oh, his friend is totally going to book club.

.

.

---

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.

Auntie Gao is very delighted to see Jiang Cheng that Sunday afternoon.

“Is it only you today, Mr. Jiang?” she asks, making a show of peering around Jiang Cheng in the hopes of seeing his housemate.

Jiang Cheng nods. “Just me, auntie. Huaisang is quite busy with work, unfortunately.”

“The poor dear! On a Sunday?”

He tries for a smile and what he hopes looks like an easy shrug. “Well… you know, when inspiration strikes…?”

“Ah. Of course.” she nods, readily accepting the answer with a conspiratorial wink. “Artists, I know.”

“But he does send his love.” Jiang Cheng says quickly, brandishing the neatly-wrapped box he brought with him. “He hopes you like it as much as last time.”

Auntie Gao looks down as the package and gasps in delight. “Oh, more cookies! Yes, they were wonderful. I’m sure the others will love it.”

From there, Jiang Cheng is whisked away, letting Auntie Gao lead him inside by the arm. He is introduced to too many people he hopes he won’t have to name right away. All the while Auntie Gao makes sure everyone knew that it is her who managed to bring their dashing new neighbor in for their little club.

There are probably less than ten aunties in the little parlor, all women within a decade or so of Auntie Gao’s age. But even with just a few of them, they managed to almost overwhelm Jiang Cheng right away.

He is very grateful for the media training him and the whole band had to take when they first got signed, as he gets bombarded by questions and compliments

He gets asked what he does. Music, he says, he has a band but they are currently on a break.

What does he do now? Still music, just more personal projects.

Is his band famous? He says they are lucky to have a dedicated fanbase.

When did he move in? Three months ago.

It’s not often that they get famous young people moving in… Well, the place looked promising and they value their privacy.

How is he finding his new place? It is comfortable and the community has been very welcoming.

Is his boyfriend coming over too? Not today, he replies, the schedule just didn’t work out.

He didn’t have time to correct that last one because there was another question right after that, and then another. Thankfully they were all mostly pleasant and well-meaning, the seemingly intrusive ones coming across more curious than malicious.

Jiang Cheng manages to keep calm and polite at the very least until someone brings up someone else’s daughter, who is getting married. That takes some heat off him, as one of the aunties proceeds to say that she had been debating with her bride-to-be daughter about where the reception should be held. Then the aunties start recommending reception venues, and Jiang Cheng just tries his best to look like he knows whatever the hell they’re talking about.

The book club meetings usually start like this, Auntie Gao tells him – just simply chatting and catching up, over snacks and tea. They did have very delicious looking snacks and flowery herbal teas arranged beautifully in the table. Jiang Cheng helps himself to some of them.

But soon enough, someone says something about Jessica almost getting married – and then there is a general noise of disapproval among the entire group.

Huh. Jiang Cheng blinks. It is quite nice to have people agree with him.

.

.

“-and these candies are from Auntie Chen, apparently it’s really popular online right now, and this little charm thing is from Auntie Liu, she just came back from her trip to Japan.”

Nie Huaisang only nods as Jiang Cheng finishes laying down a whole bunch of little treats and souvenirs on the table. He had been painting all day, and was dying for a break when Jiang Cheng arrived from his first book club meeting. And now he is just… standing across the table, shirt paint-stained, eyeing what he could only describe as his friend’s “loot”.

“Whoa.” Nie Huaisang says. He stares at the items, then looks up at Jiang Cheng. “Did I miss your birthday or something?”

“Nope.” Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “They’re just that generous.”

“Huh.” Nie Huaisang picks up a little box of nicely-packaged tea and examines it. “If I went with you, would we have gotten double?”

“I… don’t think it works like that.” Jiang Cheng says, walking around the table and grabbing a mug from the cupboard. “But I won’t be surprised if it did happen.” Then he adds, “The cookies were a hit, by the way.”

“Oh! That’s nice. I’m glad.” Nie Huaisang smiles, taking a seat and fussing over the other items now.

“They all said you should come next time.”

“Ah, maybe I will! Can I have this little charm thing? It’s adorable.”

“Knock yourself out. You want coffee?”

“Yes, please.” Nie Huaisang answers, yawning into his hand. “How was it then? It can’t be that bad, if they gave you all this stuff.”

Jiang Cheng takes a second mug. “Yeah, it was fine. Lots of questions. They still think we’re boyfriends. And cute.”

“Aw, they do?”

“They do. Auntie Liu’s daughter is getting married and they can’t agree on a venue. One of them – I think Auntie Li – she just got a cat. Auntie Chen, she gave us that charm thing, she was just in Japan for a vacation… and for content. She’s apparently like, an influencer or something. Auntie Yang kept asking if I, uh, model – and Auntie Gao asked me how old I am, so I told her, and she was like ‘Oh, he’s older than your usual type, Ms. Yang!’ So like, what the fuck? And that was Auntie Yang, okay? She was talking about giving her boyfriend a car. That must be a lucky 20 year old.”

“Oh my God, A-Cheng.” Nie Huaisang laughs. “You picked all of that up? Complete with names?”

“Yeah, that’s why I hate gossip, you know?” Jiang Cheng turned to him with the face of a man finally processing a traumatic event. “‘Cause I have a good memory and I remember absolutely everything. Against my will.”

“Oh, no…” Nie Huaisang tries to sound sympathetic, but he is laughing too much.

“And Auntie Gao said maybe take you next time so Auntie Yang won’t try to hit on me, even though I am too old. Me. Too old. A-Sang, she is my mother’s age. Maybe you and I shouldn’t break up. At least for book club.”

Nie Huaisang wheezes. “Okay. Okay, we’re not breaking up.”

“She was still really nice though.” Jiang Cheng concedes, awkwardly. “She gave us that box of biscuits.”

“I do like these biscuits.” Nie Huaisang nods in approval. He sends Jiang Cheng a smug grin. “You sure you don’t wanna start a career as a sugar baby? You have the time.”

Jiang Cheng stops making coffee to glare. “Nie Huaisang, I do not want to hear those words from you ever again or so help me God, I will move out. I mean it.”

Nie Huaisang bursts out laughing, barely managing to say “Sorry” and “Got it” to his scowling housemate.

He takes a moment to calm down, watching as Jiang Cheng grabs milk to put in his coffee. “Okay, okay so then – was it all just auntie talk? Because that’s just a tea party. Did you guys do book club things at all?”

At that, Jiang Cheng’s expressions changes from pissed to… not excited per se… but a more… positive one.

“Ah, yeah. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thought Jessica shouldn’t have split up with the vampire guy.”

Nie Huaisang gasps. “Spoilers! I’m only on chapter three!”

“Oh. My bad.”

“Wait, the barista is a vampire?”

“No, that’s another guy. The barista is an alien.”

“There’s aliens?!”

“Man, you gotta read faster.”

.

.

---

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The Sunday afternoon after The Billboard is… an experience.

Of course the aunties have heard about The Billboard already. Of course they were ready to pounce at Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang when they turn up.

It really is getting funny now, how the most common instance they find themselves utilizing their media training on is… book club with aunties.

“Mr. Jiang, you told me you’re not a model.” Auntie Yang – tall, fashionable, spoils her young boyfriends – says with a raised brow. “And then we see you on a billboard, hm?”

Jiang Cheng lets out a sheepish smile. “It’s a one time thing, auntie. I promise.”

“Auntie, he was so nice to fill in for my original partner!” Nie Huaisang chimes in, because he’s good with aunties like that. “He really saved the day. But I think he’d like to go back to his peace now.”

“I really would.” Jiang Cheng nods.

“But you were so good at it!” Auntie Liu – now fighting with daughter over the wedding guest list – joins in, holding out a tray with little cakes on it. Jiang Cheng would like an excuse not to talk, so he quickly takes one and starts eating. “You both looked very good!”

“Thank you, auntie. It was my first billboard. I usually only do magazines…” Nie Huaisang says.

Auntie Li – her new cat escaped the other day and Jiang Cheng ended up finding it and bringing it back – turns to smile at Nie Huaisang. ‘’Oh, that is a big deal, then! Congratulations.”

Jiang Cheng is thankful his friend is getting the heat off him, even though it draws more attention to himself. He knows Nie Huaisang doesn’t exactly like advertising his modeling that much, preferring to be anonymous most of the time.

As the aunties began to ask Nie Huaisang about his work, Jiang Cheng feels a hand on his shoulder, and turns to see a friendly middle-aged man smiling at him.

“Don’t worry, they’ll run out of questions soon.” Uncle Hu says.

They were introduced to Uncle Hu on their third book club meeting. Apparently he’s a regular, but he has been away on vacation with family until recently. Now he is back in his apartment that he shares with his husband. He is a welcome presence during book club, sincerely enjoying the aunties’ company and energy while still being laidback and chill.

He also saw through Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang instantly.

.

(“So why are you boys just letting the Madames think you are dating?” he asked them, no warning whatsoever, as they were making their way back to their respective apartments after the meeting. It turns out Uncle Hu lives just down the hall from them.)

(Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang looked at him with wide eyes – both in awe and confusion. How did he know? But also, finally there is someone who didn’t just assume?)

(They didn’t even try to be smart about it. Nie Huaisang looked sheepish. “Um. Well… we tried?”)

(“I told them we’re not married and they assumed we’re just engaged.” Jiang Cheng added.)

(Uncle Hu laughed – loud and carefree. “Oh, that is gold. That sounds like them, too!”)

(“H-How did you know, uncle?” Nie Huaisang asked.)

(Uncle Hu gave the two of them an assessing look, and he simply shrugs. “I just do. You guys are not quite there yet, I feel.“)

(“We’re really not trying to-”)

(“I’m not talking about marriage, or dating.” the man said, raising a hand to appease them. He doesn’t sound judgmental or anything, it was pure patience and fatherly understanding. “Partnerships come in different forms. I can see you two make a good team, at whatever this is you’re building together.“)

.

Jiang Cheng wouldn’t say it out loud, but that eased something in him that he didn’t know was there weighing him down. He hadn’t had time to examine it, not really – but he saw how Nie Huaisang looked appreciatively at the man as well.

Uncle Hu said that he’s not telling on them to the aunties. Just because he finds it funny.

These days, Jiang Cheng tends to gravitate to Uncle Hu for company in these meetings. The aunties didn’t seem to notice, or mind. They still doted on him just the same. Not as much as they doted on Nie Huaisang, though, because Nie Huaisang actively works to be loved by aunties. Something about a challenge from Mingjue-ge. Jiang Cheng just lets him have that.

“Now, I know you’ve heard it from everyone already,” Uncle Hu tells Jiang Cheng. “But the billboard did look great. I showed my husband, and he was tempted to come to book club just to see you. Who would’ve known that’s what finally convinces that old dog?”

Jiang Cheng chuckles. “Sorry, uncle, it is not happening again.”

“I respect that.” Uncle Hu says, amused. “Now, do you think your partner has had quite enough of the spotlight?”

These days, Jiang Cheng is finding out that he likes that word. Partner. It just seemed like the right one, for whatever strange, specific, constant but ever-changing unnamed space he and Nie Huaisang occupy in each other’s lives at the moment.

Jiang Cheng’s gaze turns to Nie Huaisang, who is now blushing slightly as Auntie Chen takes a selfie with him. He seems to ask her if she’ll be posting it, and she looks understanding as she says only if it’s okay with him.

“Uh, yeah, I think we should save him now.”

“I got this one.” Uncle Hu pats his shoulder once, twice, before walking forward and clearing his throat, instantly getting the rest of the room’s attention. “Now, ladies, shall we discuss our latest read before our teas get cold?”

.

.

---

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---

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Nie Huaisang rings the doorbell to a now familiar apartment unit – it is not on the same floor as theirs, but he’s been here several times over the past two years.

In his arms, he is carrying a big, heavy bundle of fur. The cat is a ragdoll – white with orange points, big blue eyes and a little pink nose. She is wearing a collar that Nie Huaisang had crocheted himself – white and green with little pink and red rose buds.

Nie Huaisang smiles at the woman who opens the door. “Hello, auntie. Look who I found hanging out in our balcony again!”

Auntie Li blinks, looks behind her, a quick once-over of her apartment, before turning back to her guest and the familiar cat in disbelief. “Rosie!” she exclaims. “You ran off again! Did she cause trouble for you, dear?”

“No, not at all. Rosie’s a sweetie as always.” Nie Huaisang assures her as he hands the cat over. “But Bear isn’t really used to visiting cats yet so he was barking a lot. It was kinda stressing him out so I thought I’d bring Rosie back home for now.”

“Of course, of course.” Auntie Li sighs. She pouts at the cat in her arms. “You, missy, should stop terrorizing poor little Bear.”

Rosie just meows, blinking big innocent eyes at her mom.

Auntie Li turns to Nie Huaisang again. With her free hand, she pats his cheek fondly. “Thank you for bringing her home. You and your Mr. Jiang, you always look after Rosie. I appreciate it.”

“Aw, it’s okay, auntie!” Nie Huaisang shakes his head. “It really is no trouble at all. Now I should let you go back to your day-”

The woman nods, but looks thoughtful. “Actually, dear… I don’t want to impose, and I feel I’ve already bothered you too much… But can I ask for another favor?”

“Oh.” Nie Huaisang blinks. “How can I help, auntie?”

Auntie Li looks wary, even shy as she says, “I have a bit of a fashion emergency?”

.

Auntie Li’s emergency turns out to be less of an emergency and more of a dilemma. Nie Huaisang had followed her inside her apartment and to her room, where a bunch of dresses – formal, cocktail, party, all sorts – have been laid down for assessment on the large bed.

“I haven’t gone out for… for something like this, in so long… Now I’m not quite sure, what should I wear? I’m quite sure these all still fit, but would they look any good on me now?”

Nie Huaisang smiles at her before he goes and examines the dresses on the bed. “Auntie, please, you’re gorgeous. You still will be gorgeous in any dress you wear.”

“You flatter me, dear.” Auntie Li shakes her head, blushing slightly. “But seriously, I am at a loss! I’m not even sure if it’s still appropriate for me to do these things….”

“You mean, go on a date?” Nie Huaisang blinks. “Of course it is! You do like this person, right?”

It melts Nie Huaisang’s heart, to see the woman nod bashfully, a hand to her pink cheek. “We met in the library… We were looking for the same book, and I was about to give way, but he was such a gentleman, letting me have it first. I met him again after he’d returned it, and he remembered me from last time and asked me what I thought about it… Then we talked some more, and came to get coffee after…”

Nie Huaisang didn’t know all that much about Auntie Li, compared to the other aunties, at least. She had always been soft-spoken and more subdued than the others, more private too. From what he can recall, she managed some kind of successful family business and is an early retiree after passing the torch on to her relatives. Nie Huaisang knows she lives alone now, a single woman with only Rosie for company, and she likes coming to the library. She also often compliments their music.

“…and after a few more meetings like that, he asked if I would like to have dinner with him! He’d like to get to know me better, he said…”

“That’s so sweet. He sounds like a proper gentleman, auntie.” Nie Huaisang says, encouraging. All the while, he had set aside a number of the dresses, and has narrowed down their options. “If you already like the same things, I’m sure you’ll have a good time together.”

“We do.” Auntie Li nods, but she still looks worried. “But I still feel nervous. I haven’t… put myself out there… in decades.” She sighs, then she sees the dress that Nie Huaisang lifts up. “Oh, I liked that one very much, but it might be too revealing? Isn’t it a bit old-fashioned too?”

“No, this cut is pretty timeless.” Nie Huaisang assures her, then eyes her teasingly. “Besides, auntie, if you’ve got the goods…”

The woman gasps, blushing brighter. “Oh, you!” she exclaims, embarrassed.

“No, really!“ Nie Huaisang laughs, keeping the mood light. He didn’t want her to kick him out, this is too much fun.

She looks touched, but she shakes her head. “I… may be able to fill it in, but I think I’d be worrying about it too much…”

Nie Huaisang nods easily. “Of course. It’s a first date, you should wear something you’re comfy with. You already have enough to think about! But just saying, you can keep this on deck, it’s a really great choice.”

“M-Maybe when I feel braver.” the woman says as she watches her young guest pick another dress. “I do see some of those photos of yours, you know. You always look so good. Ah, to have that confidence!”

“Aw,” It’s now Nie Huaisang’s turn to be flattered. “Thank you, auntie. I do get nervous with some of those shoots, though! Specially the more… revealing ones. They can get intimidating!”

“Oh, I might have seen some of those, I think. They were so nice.” Then she lets out a little playful smile. “I’m sure when Mr. Jiang saw those, he must have thought how he’s a very a lucky man.”

Nie Huaisang blushes. It’s been a year since he and Jiang Cheng had… well, not really confessed, he wouldn’t even use realized because that made things more… vague. It’s been a year since they decided – yes, that might be the right word. They decided that “just friends” isn’t where they’re at, anymore. They’ve already considered each other as partners even before that, though. That always seemed to be the more important thing between them.

But yes, it has been a little over a year. They didn’t even think to have an anniversary at first, then only because their friends and family kept asking ”Since when?”, they just marked the date that they finished that one song. The one they had their first kiss to. It seemed fitting. And for their first year, Jiang Cheng took Bear home. That pretty much sealed the deal on that date.

Nie Huaisang really should be used to their neighbor aunties’ remarks about them by now. They’ve been teasing and doting on both of them since the start after all.

But there are times like this, just little compliments, that remind Nie Huaisang that oh, he is in love with Jiang Cheng, and Jiang Cheng loves him back, which is crazy. It seemed so unexpected yet it fell into place so naturally. It felt so… normal, like being in a room and then moving into another different room, in the same house. And that’s something that overwhelms him, just a little.

.

(Of course, Uncle Hu noticed, as soon as he saw them in book club that week, holding hands.)

(“I see.” he had said, with his same patient and fatherly smile. “You two seem to be exploring something new.”)

(“Uncle,” Jiang Cheng replied, awkward. “Are you psychic?”)

(That got him a loud and hearty laugh.)

.

Now, Auntie Li settles at the edge of the bed, fiddling with one of the dresses. “I do admire you and Mr. Jiang, dear. Everytime I see you two together, I can see how fond you are of each other.”

“That’s sweet of you, auntie.” Nie Huaisang says, smiling back.

“You two knew each other a long time, if I’m right?”

“We met when we were very little.” he nods, thoughtful. “But it was so short a time, we hardly remember it. We got to know each other properly when we were teens, though. And we started working together after that… I became really good friends with A-Cheng and his band, his family. Then when it came time for them to take a bit of a break, out of the spotlight for a bit, the two of us just… decided to stay together, here.”

“That’s very nice.” the woman sighs. “And I’m glad you kids decided to take this time for each other. When I was your age, I was just… working, and working… No wonder my relationships never worked out. I was always, always so busy. Had no time for other things…”

“Auntie…” Nie Huaisang frowns, concerned. “But you have time now, don’t you?”

“I guess…” Auntie Li says with a wistful smile. “I hope it’s not too late.”

Nie Huaisang nods, and then, he summons up some cheerful, excited energy as he says, “Oh, it won’t be too late-” He raises up one of the dresses with a flourish. “-not if you wear this!”

Auntie Li blinks in surprise. “O-Oh! That’s… hm….”

Nie Huaisang grins. “It’s not too daring, but it will show you off, and it’s super classy too. The color is just right for an evening candlelight dinner. What do you think, auntie? Try it on?”

“I… do think I can manage this one.” she smiles nervously. “Will you be honest if it doesn’t look as good?”

Nie Huaisang takes a deep breath. “Auntie, this is my job. Trust me, you’ll look super good, your gentleman will go down on one knee when he sees you.”

Auntie Li blushes bright red, but does accept the dress that Nie Huaisang hands her. “Oh, stop it!”

He chuckles as he heads to the door to let her change. As he closes the door behind him, he sees Rosie sprawled lazily on a nearby chair. She doesn’t complain when he picks her up, sits on the chair and then settles her in his lap.

As he pets the cat, he calls out, “Do you want me to do your hair?”

Auntie Li calls back from behind the door. “Will that be okay? I feel like I’ve bothered you enough for the day…”

“It’s fine! A-Cheng won’t be home for a while, and Bear is probably just napping right now.”

“Oh, you’re an angel! I will make it up to you, I promise.”

Nie Huaisang assures her that it really is no trouble, that he loves dressing people up anyway, and this was a good way to spend his afternoon.

Auntie Li does look great in the dress he picked. He makes some quick adjustments here and there, but overall it’s a good fit. They chat a bit more as he helps her pin her hair up – nothing too formal, he tries to make the updo look as effortless but elegant as he can.

While he pins her hair up, he says, “Dinner for two by the river… It’s so classy and romantic…”

“Isn’t it a bit old-fashioned? Do you young ones still do that?” she asks. “What are your dates like, dear?”

“Ah, we’ve never-…” he starts, stops abruptly and blinks, thinking about it. “We’re not really the ‘going out’ type, I think. We prefer staying in, we only really go out with friends, or family.”

“Oh?”

“Well… There’s the thing about A-Cheng being this big famous rockstar with like, a million billion fans.” Nie Huaisang chuckles. “And, um, I think you know… we haven’t really… come out, publicly, about being together.”

“I see.” she smiles. “I do hope you enjoy yourselves, still?”

“Don’t worry, auntie, we find ways to enjoy ourselves, the two of us.”

“Hm, that’s good…” Auntie Li says, and then she processes the words. She gasps, looking at her guest, who is grinning mischievously. “Oh, you! Mr. Nie!”

“What is it?” Nie Huaisang giggles. “I mean, we watch movies and stuff!”

“We both know that’s not what you were talking about, dear.”

“Well, yeah, those other things too-”

“Cheeky boy! Alright, I won’t ask anymore!”

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Jiang Cheng comes home to a quiet apartment. It’s not empty – Bear is there to welcome him, but the lights are still off, and Nie Huaisang is not in his studio.

He frowns, checking his phone if his boyfriend left any messages – Nie Huaisang did send a text saying Rosie dropped by again and he’s going to bring her home, but that was quite a while back…

Huh. Maybe he got distracted, or took other stops. Jiang Cheng just shrugs and takes his coat off, sets his guitar case down, and gives Bear a treat, because Bear didn’t run off with his shoes this time.

Someone should get started on dinner soon. Right now, it looks like only Jiang Cheng is available for that, but Jiang Cheng has had quite a long day at the recording studio today – he should rest a bit. So he plops down on the couch, leans back, and closes his eyes…

.

That’s how Nie Huaisang finds him, sitting on the couch, just rousing from his nap, Bear’s head still on his lap.

“Oh, you’re home! Welcome home.” Nie Huaisang says, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek. He peers at Jiang Cheng’s sleepy face and blinks. “Hm, are you okay, A-Cheng?”

“Yeah, was just napping.” Jiang Cheng yawns, looking back at him. “Will you make dinner?”

“Sure. Oh, you are tired.” Nie Huaisang frowns slightly, stroking his hair. “You work too hard.”

Jiang Cheng shrugs, closing his eyes again, absently petting Bear below him. “I’m okay, A-Sang. You should start dinner.”

Nie Huaisang steps back for a moment. Then, instead of walking away and heading to the kitchen, he instead joins Jiang Cheng on the couch, curling up beside him.

“Later.” he says. “I missed you. Bear missed you.”

Jiang Cheng wraps an arm around his boyfriend. Nie Huaisang snuggles close, flush against his side.

“Yeah, but Bear can’t make dinner.”

“Bear is your son. He can do anything.”

“Sure.” Jiang Cheng says, smiling as he drops a kiss to Nie Huaisang’s forehead. “Where’ve you been?”

“I brought Rosie home. Bear isn’t used to her, still.” Nie Huaisang answers, making himself comfortable, resting his head on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder. “Auntie Li needed a bit of help, so I stayed a bit to help her.”

“Ah.”

“A-Cheng?”

“Hm.”

“Take me out on a date.”

That is new, and Jiang Cheng opens his eyes slightly to look at his companion. “A date?”

“Yeah, a date.”

“Okay.” Jiang Cheng says first, because why not? And then, he asks, “What brought this on?”

“Auntie Li. She’s going on a date with this nice gentleman she met at the library. Isn’t it cute?”

Jiang Cheng hums. It is cute. He’s happy for Auntie Li. But – “That’s all? Auntie Li is going on a date so you wanna be on a date too?”

“A-Cheng, we have never gone on a date.” Nie Huaisang points out, pouting. “We have a baby. And no date. That’s weird.”

Jiang Cheng shrugs. “Yeah, well, we can’t exactly just… go out to a fancy restaurant, without announcing our… thing. I’m fine if you want to come out with it. Are you?”

Nie Huaisang frowns – okay, he did not think of that part. In hindsight, he really should have. He’s usually the one who insists on their privacy. “I don’t think I’m ready yet.” He sighs. “I guess that means no date.”

Jiang Cheng is quick to shake his head, and his hand on Nie Huaisang’s waist squeezes comfortingly. “No. I’ll think of something.” he says. He is too sleepy to actually think right now, but he knows something will come to him. He sees Nie Huaisang smile at his answer. “Have you been waiting for me to do that? I just never noticed?”

“Oh, no, not at all. I didn’t even realize either until Auntie Li mentioned it! So I thought I should ask you!” Nie Huaisang laughs, waving it off easily. He looks at Jiang Cheng, eyes twinkling. “So we’re going? Like, a real date? Like, outside?”

Jiang Cheng nods easily. “Whatever makes you happy.”

Nie Huaisang stifles his gasp, he didn’t want to disrupt Jiang Cheng’s rest too much. But he does snuggle even closer, burrowing his face on his boyfriend’s shoulder. “You already make me happy.”

Jiang Cheng… appreciates that, very much. He lifts his free hand from Bear’s fur so he could trace Nie Huaisang’s cheek, nudging lightly. When Nie Huaisang looks up at him, he leans down to kiss him on the lips.

It’s a short, sweet kiss. Nie Huaisang blinks at Jiang Cheng when he pulls back, then almost shyly, he tugs at Jiang Cheng’s shirt and they both fall into each other. Their next kisses are slow and languid, and despite his claims of sleepiness, Jiang Cheng somehow still has the energy to hold Nie Huaisang and lay him down on the couch, before kissing him again.

Nie Huaisang’s breath hitches as he feels Jiang Cheng start to leave kisses down his neck. “Um… Shouldn’t I make dinner?”

Jiang Cheng stops just long enough to say, “Later. I missed you.”

Nie Huaisang groans. His own words, thrown right back at him. And he couldn’t care less.

Then as Jiang Cheng moves back up to kiss Nie Huaisang’s lips again, his face is met with a long, wet strip of dog tongue.

Nie Huaisang laughs. “Bear missed you too. I told you!”

Jiang Cheng groans, as Bear continues to lick his face and Nie Huaisang continues to laugh at him. “Bear- No- I missed you too but- Down, boy. Down- Sit-”

Eventually, he gets Bear to stop slobbering all over both of them, and Nie Huaisang manages to grab one of Bear’s toys from the floor nearby and throw it somewhere for the puppy to run after.

Nie Huaisang looks up at his boyfriend, smiling. “I’m sorry, I’m not kissing you while you have Bear drool all over your face.”

“That’s fair.” Jiang Cheng says.

He looks down at Nie Huaisang below him – long hair messy, lips pink and cheeks flushed. He’s wearing one of Jiang Cheng’s old band shirts. His hand is clinging to Jiang Cheng’s own shirt, wanting, but waiting.

This is still quite new, even after a year. But Jiang Cheng is getting there, they both are. For this new kind of intimacy, they’re steadily learning how to read each other and themselves better, these days.

So Jiang Cheng says, “I’ll wash my face. You order dinner.”

Nie Huaisang looks at him, questioning. “Order?”

The answer he gets is a quick caress of Jiang Cheng’s hand on his waist under his shirt, and a kiss to his cheek. “For after.” And then Jiang Cheng is off, making his way to their bedroom, picking up his guitar case and coat on his way.

“O-Oh! Okay.” Nie Huaisang squeaks out, voice small, breathless. He sits up to watch his boyfriend go. “I… thought you were tired?”

“Guess I’m not that tired.” is all Jiang Cheng says back.

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After they’ve showered, as they sat together on the couch, quietly eating takeout food while watching a random documentary with Bear curled up in between them, Jiang Cheng says, “What about a picnic?”

Nie Huaisang looks away from the natural scenery from the screen to blink at him. “Hm?”

“Somewhere private, where we can be outside. We’ll bring food and drinks, you can bring your art stuff if you want, then it’s just you and me and Bear. Does that sound like a good date?”

Nie Huaisang stares at him.

Jiang Cheng stares back. “What?”

Nie Huaisang just smiles, leans over to kiss his cheek, then goes back to watching the documentary.

Jiang Cheng looks satisfied with that response. “Alright, then. Picnic it is.”

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“Ready?”

Nie Huaisang looks at Jiang Cheng, and the hand outstretched towards him. Then he looks towards the entrance of the restaurant, and takes a deep breath.

“Ready.” he says, taking Jiang Cheng’s hand.

He lets himself be led inside, through the tables, and into a private suite.

As soon as they enter, they are welcomed by familiar voices.

“Finally! My boys!” Auntie Gao exclaims, hugging them both to her. Both of her boys hug her back, laughing when she kisses their cheeks. She draws back, and looks at them with a fond smile. “I’ve missed you both! We hardly had any time to say goodbye after everything that happened!”

“We missed you too, auntie.” Jiang Cheng says, smiling.

Nie Huaisang nods along. “We’re sorry it took us so long to be available, between moving, and wrapping up the tour, and we had to have tight security for a while-”

“No, no, it’s okay, dear.” Auntie Gao squeezing his hands. “We totally understand. That whole debacle was terrifying. I’m just glad you’re safe and you’re starting over, even if you have to be away.”

Of course, Auntie Gao isn’t the only one excited to see them, as they are hugged and held and fussed over by the rest of their friends from book club.

It’s been months since they’ve had to move, after the whole stalker break-in incident, and they had to say goodbye to the aunties in a hurry. The ladies have been very understanding, knowing that Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang cannot stay in a place that’s now compromised for them. They’ve also been very sad, some tears were shed in those goodbyes.

It took a while to make time for a meeting, and they’re glad they can finally get together again, thanks to Uncle Hu who offered up his own restaurant’s private suite.

The man himself walks in and keeps his distance, only watching the welcomes and hugs. It’s only when they all begin to settle down, that he finally approaches and claps a hand to Jiang Cheng’s shoulder. “Good to finally see you, Mr. Jiang. I hope things are going well?”

Jiang Cheng nods. “Better than ever, uncle.”

“I’m happy for you both. But don’t wait up for book club to visit next time, okay? Feel free to come by here anytime. You’ll always have free drinks on me.”

“Thank you, uncle!” Nie Huaisang says, and he’s always been the sweeter, affectionate one, so Uncle Hu is ready to receive him with a hug.

Uncle Hu chuckles as he pats the younger’s back. “Alright, alright – everyone settle down, the food will be here very soon.”

There’s a general noise of celebration, as people finally move to take their seats.

Nie Huaisang is happy to own the task of updating their company – about how they’re finding their new place, about closing off their tour, about Bear…

“Oh, but won’t our Mr. Jiang be leaving again, soon? Your band is getting back together, I heard?” Auntie Gao asks, looking concerned.

“Yes, auntie.” Jiang Cheng nods. “The band will be touring again, in a few months. So I might not make it to all our meetings…”

“I am excited!” Auntie Liu declares. She claps her hands together excitedly. “I got tickets, you know!”

“Auntie?” Nie Huaisang breaks into a smile, leaning forward. “Black Lotus tickets?”

“Of course!” the woman nods proudly. “My granddaughter is a big fan, she bought us tickets! I went with her to one of your concerts, didn’t I? I can go to Mr. Jiang’s band’s concert, too!”

“I’m… afraid the band concerts are a bit different than mine and A-Sang’s, auntie.” Jiang Cheng says, flattered but slightly concerned. “Are you sure?”

“Oh, I know that, sweetie.” Auntie Liu laughs. “I watched the DVDs! My, you people are so lively. That brother of yours? Also very handsome. But don’t worry, you are my favorite.”

Auntie Gao leans over, pouting slightly. “You didn’t tell us? We could have gotten tickets together!”

“Are you serious?” Auntie Yang blinks. “With your knees?”

“What do you mean, with my knees? My knees are fine!”

“They don’t allow your cane in the venue, you know that, right?” Auntie Yang points out. “I did tell my boy that he should go, and get me a souvenir. One of those card things the young girls hang in their bags. They sell those in the concerts, right?”

“Oh, I have one! My granddaughter’s friend makes them special with these nice frames and all. They gave me this- Look! Mr. Jiang, you have very creative fans.”

Nie Huaisang watches in amusement as the three women argue and chat across the table – about their knees, and concert tickets, and granddaughters who are Black Lotus fangirls. Jiang Cheng is smack in the middle of them, and is trying his best to smile and nod at the right moments – and also to tell the aunties that maybe they shouldn’t go if it would be a health risk…

It’s then than Auntie Li beside him leans closer. “Will you be going with them on the tour, Mr. Nie?”

Nie Huaisang smiles and nods. “For the first couple shows, the ones in the country, as their stylist. But I have my own projects and exhibits down the line, so I’ll be staying here while they go off overseas.”

“Oh, so you won’t be gone too long, then? I’m glad.” Then Auntie Li lowers her voice, just a bit. “You see, I want to ask you for another favor.”

Nie Huaisang blinks, and leans closer, curious. “Auntie?” The woman lays her hand on his arm, and he catches sight of the simple, elegant ring on her finger.

“We haven’t set the date yet, but it would be this year. I might need help picking another dress.” she says with a small smile.

Nie Huaisang almost jumps, giddy, holding on to her hand and squeezing. “Oh, auntie! Congratulations!”

“You keep me updated on your schedule, hm? I want both you and your Mr. Jiang to be there, if possible.”

“Of course, of course!”

When Nie Huaisang looks across the table towards his boyfriend, he had to keep himself from laughing as he sees that Auntie Chen has somehow stolen Jiang Cheng from the others. They are huddled together over her phone – he’s pointing at stuff and she’s nodding along. What they’re talking about, Nie Huaisang can’t tell, but they do look adorable.

The food arrives and they all dig in. They thank and compliment Uncle Hu, who is, as always, patient and accommodating, but also quite proud of his work.

At the end of the night, Auntie Chen takes her phone out for a group photo.

This time, Nie Huaisang doesn’t have to worry about keeping his distance, or looking casual. This time, he can relish in the comfort of Jiang Cheng’s arm around him, holding him close, as they both smile for the camera.

Auntie Chen asks if she can post it, and Nie Huaisang is not worried at all as he says yes.

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.fin.