1

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Nie Huaisang looks so peaceful, Jiang Cheng thinks, watching his friend sleep. It’s not a complaint, merely an observation.

His housemate had looked on edge earlier – it was one of his not-so-good days. Jiang Cheng had been lounging on his bed, watching review videos about some new music production equipment he’s been eyeing to get, when Nie Huaisang walked in and asked if he could stay for a bit.

They’ve been over this. Jiang Cheng had already let him know that it’s okay to go to him – to hang out, to sit with, to take a nap – whenever Huaisang needed the company. So he just scooted over to one side of the bed to make space, and Nie Huaisang laid down and took a nap on his pillow.

Nie Huaisang had dozed off quite easily, and Jiang Cheng simply plugs his earphones in to provide some quiet.

The problem with letting Nie Huaisang sleep in his bed, Jiang Cheng thinks, is that Jiang Cheng gets sleepy too, sometimes. Like now.

He could leave, take a nap somewhere else, on the couch, on the studio – but that defeats the purpose of him keeping Nie Huaisang company.

He could sleep right here – it is his bed after all. But he doesn’t know how Nie Huaisang will react to that, when he wakes up and finds that Jiang Cheng is sleeping right next to him. He doesn’t really know if that might breach a boundary, if he was being too comfortable-

Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but yawn, and maybe Nie Huaisang really is that anxious today, because that is enough to rouse him.

Nie Huaisang blinks up sleepily. “A-Cheng,” he says, yawning himself. “You should sleep too, if you’re tired.”

Jiang Cheng keeps his voice soft. “You’re in my bed.” he says, neutral, testing how Nie Huaisang would respond to that.

Nie Huaisang is silent for a moment – it looks like it’s taking some time to sink in. “Oh. I can-… I’ll leave-”

Ah, that’s what Jiang Cheng was worried about. He didn’t really want to kick Nie Huaisang out…

“No, it’s fine.” he says, reaching over and laying a hand on his friend’s arm, comforting. Nie Huaisang looks up at him. Then, awkwardly, he continues, “We can both be in my bed?”

Nie Huaisang didn’t think much about it. Maybe he is too sleepy, or it really is okay. “Sure.” he says, already fading back into slumber.

That’s permission enough, Jiang Cheng decides. So he puts his laptop aside, and then lays down on the bed, on his back, staring at the ceiling.

He’s not used to this. Sure, he’d shared a bed with his brother and bandmates, let them sleep on his shoulder in the van after a concert, but this is so… quiet. Peaceful. Should he turn his back to Nie Huaisang, would that make it less awkward? Would it make him more comfortable?

When he turns his head to the side, looking at his friend, he sees that Nie Huaisang is already fast asleep again.

Maybe he should just stay like this. He can sleep like this.

That’s when he feels fumbling at his side, and then Nie Huaisang is hugging his arm, like it’s a pillow, or one of his plushies.

He does always sleep hugging a plushie, Jiang Cheng thinks.

Well now, he really can’t leave, and he should just stay like this.

So Jiang Cheng stays, and lets himself drift off.

.

.

When Jiang Cheng wakes up, he doesn’t know how long he’s been asleep. All he knows is that Nie Huaisang is still snuggled against him, sleeping, and that Jiang Cheng has, sometime in his sleep, turned to his side and is now holding his sleeping housemate in his arms.

Ah, he got too comfortable. Nie Huaisang is too warm and soft. He doesn’t have any other excuse than that.

But one look at the clock on his side table tells him that he should get up, because there are things to do, like dinner and calls and the laundry he’s been lazy all week about.

It’s an effort to untangle from Nie Huaisang – warm, soft, peaceful – but he manages to do so without waking him up. He places his pillow beside his friend for him to snuggle instead.

As he leaves his room and gets to work, Jiang Cheng simply makes sure to leave the door open and the hallway lights on. He plays music on the speakers in the kitchen, mellow songs only loud enough for the sound to carry to his bedroom, so that when Nie Huaisang wakes up, he’ll know he’s not alone.

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2

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Now, Jiang Cheng is well aware that his bed can fit two adults. He and Nie Huaisang had shared it for naps quite a few times, after all.

What he’s not sure is if it will fit two adults and a child.

Okay, so it’s adorable. Jin Ling sleeping is always adorable, specially today as he’s wearing a fluffy dragon onesie. Nie Huaisang sleeping is… well, he’s always cute and soft and all those things, specially sleeping curled up like this, wearing one of his super soft wool sweaters. Jiang Cheng would die before telling his friend, but he really likes those sweaters.

The thing is, Jiang Cheng is quite tired today. He was supposed to spend the day with them. After all, Saturday is A-Ling Day. But then he got some calls from his label and management, some stuff about their band and contracts, the standard tedious paperwork shit. MianMian is on a movie set, Wen Ning is in school and Wei Ying is… in the mountains or farm or wherever the hell he ran off to – so it fell on Jiang Cheng to go to the office and sort it out.

He didn’t mind, really. But paperwork has always been rough and tiring, so he came home determined to take a nap after all that.

Then he finds that his nephew and his housemate have taken his bed. He doesn’t know how they ended up like this, really. He doesn’t even know how Nie Huaisang managed to get Jin Ling to take a nap – Jin Ling hates naps – but somehow the kid is down. That’s reason to celebrate. Jiang Cheng wishes he could celebrate by sleeping on his bed.

Oh, well. Fine. They have extra pillows. Jiang Cheng can sleep on the couch.

Jin Ling turns over. His onesie has a fluffy dragon tail. Nie Huaisang must feel the movement beside him, as he reaches over to pat the kid’s back, just to make sure he’s still there. He still looks mostly asleep, though.

They both look so fluffy… and comfy… and cozy.

Jiang Cheng realizes that he’s not annoyed that they’ve taken his bed. He is annoyed that he can’t join them.

He gives in. He changes into his lounge clothes, and walks over to his bed. “A-Sang,” he says, gently nudging his housemate. “Scoot over.”

Nie Huaisang blinks up at him blearily, but he doesn’t complain and simply gathers a sleeping Jin Ling to himself and scoots over to make room for Jiang Cheng.

As soon as Jiang Cheng lays down on the bed, Nie Huaisang shifts closer to him, while little Jin Ling groans as he is squished between the two men. Jiang Cheng easily scoops the child up to move him so he is lying on top of him instead, in a more comfortable position.

Jiang Cheng watches his nephew sleep as he whispers, “How did you get him to nap?”

Nie Huaisang snuggles against his side, then burrows his face on Jiang Cheng’s bicep. “Mm… told him he’ll get to be tall like you…”

“Ah.”

Jin Ling blinks up, realizing he is now on top of his uncle. “Jiujiu? You nap too?”

“Yeah. Go back to sleep, A-Ling.” Jiang Cheng says, voice soft as he strokes the child’s hair.

Jin Ling is already dozing off again, but is not going down quite yet – “You wanna get taller? But… you’re tall already…”

“Yeah, maybe I can get even taller. Reach more stuff.”

“Okay.” – and… there. He’s out again. Surprisingly easy.

Beside him, Nie Huaisang sleepily mumbles, “Don’t get taller… I’m so short…”

Jiang Cheng thinks of a response to that, comes up with nothing, and then looks to see that Nie Huaisang is fast asleep again.

Now Jiang Cheng is stuck, Nie Huaisang has his arm, and Jin Ling is sprawled on top of him.

Yep. They are both very soft. And warm.

Jiang Cheng sleeps.

.

.

Jiang Cheng wakes up to little hands patting his face.

“Jiujiu…” Jin Ling whines. “Jiujiu, I have to pee. Please, put me down, thank you.”

Jiang Cheng does not open his eyes, and instead holds the squirming child on top of him steady.

“Jiujiu, lemme gooooo… I have to pee…”

“Mm.” Jiang Cheng groans, pretending to be asleep. “My pillow is moving too much.”

“Jiujiu! I’m not pillow! I’m A-Ling!” The child says, resorting to violence, which means he has grabbed his uncle’s shirt and is trying to shake him. “Wake up!!!”

“No, you’re too fluffy and little. You must be a pillow.”

Jin Ling is kicking now. “No! I’m a big boy and I pee on the toilet!”

Jiang Cheng keeps his nephew caged in his arms, nuzzling the top of his head. “Jiujiu can’t sleep without a pillow.”

“I’m not pillow!!!”

He feels shaking from beside him, and hears Nie Huaisang’s muffled giggles. Of course a screaming child will wake him up. At least he’s entertained.

“Jiujiu!!!”

Deciding that he’s had enough fun, and to stop risking poor Jin Ling having an “accident”, Jiang Cheng finally frees him, holding on just enough to guide the child safely from the bed and onto his feet. He watches as Jin Ling runs out the door and to the bathroom down the hallway.

Jin Ling has spent enough weekends in his uncle’s apartment, and he is a big boy, so Jiang Cheng trusts that he’ll be okay.

He simply turns over, only to see Nie Huaisang awake and smiling at him. “Oh no, jiujiu, your pillow has left you…” he teases.

“Yeah, shut up.” is all Jiang Cheng says, before gathering Nie Huaisang into his arms instead. He is not as soft and fluffy as Jin Ling, but he’ll do just fine.

Nie Huaisang laughs, but lets himself be held. “Oh, we’re gonna be cuddly today?”

Jiang Cheng just closes his eyes and pretends to sleep. It worked on Jin Ling, might work on Nie Huaisang, too.

They hear little feet scrambling down the hallway again. “Jiujiu! I can’t go! Help, please, thank you!”

“I thought he’s a big boy…” Jiang Cheng mumbles against Nie Huaisang’s hair.

He hears an amused chuckle from Nie Huaisang, followed by, “A-Cheng, he’s wearing a onesie.”

“Ah, shit.” Jiang Cheng curses. He lets out a heavy sigh, summons up the will to let go of Nie Huaisang wearing his soft, soft wool sweater, and does just that.

“Jiujiu!”

“Yeah, coming.”

Jin Ling screams when he gets scooped up and carried all the way to the bathroom.

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3

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It’s late when Jiang Cheng realizes that he’d never slept in Nie Huaisang’s bed before.

Nie Huaisang has just changed into a fresh shirt that doesn’t smell of paint, and has moved his pillows to one side of the bed, along with most of his plushies. He takes it upon himself to take Jiang Cheng’s pillows as well and set them down on the side he’d just freed.

“Is this okay?” Nie Huaisang asks him, already hugging a very cute and round chicken plushie. “Do you need more pillows? Wanna take one of the plushies?”

Honestly, Jiang Cheng didn’t really know what he expected. No, wait – he expected to sleep on the studio couch. He gave his room to Wei Ying and A-Yuan for the night… and for the rest of the week while they’re staying over.

It’s fine by Jiang Cheng, really. The studio couch is comfy.

But Nie Huaisang had a point, that they would fit just fine in his bed, they’ve shared often enough. And after Jiang Cheng’s little… moment (read: emotional breakdown) earlier that night, he can admit that maybe he’d prefer the company after all. Just this one time.

“A-Cheng?” Nie Huaisang calls, and he looks concerned now, because Jiang Cheng is just stupidly standing by his bed.

“Y-Yeah, no, this is good.” Jiang Cheng hurriedly answers, and gets on the bed.

Nie Huaisang says good night as he turns the lights off and lies down, his back to Jiang Cheng, cuddling his big chicken.

Jiang Cheng says good night back, lies down on his side of the bed, and closes his eyes.

He tries to sleep.

He couldn’t sleep. He shifts to lie on his side instead of his back instead.

After a few minutes, he moves to face the other way.

Yeah. Nope. He turns again.

“You sure you don’t want a plushie?” Nie Huaisang calls from his side of the bed, voice already muffled by the sheets.

“I’m fine. Just… Whatever.” Jiang Cheng answers. “Maybe I had too much coffee.”

“Mm. Okay.”

The thing is, whenever they find themselves sleeping on the same bed – Jiang Cheng’s bed – Nie Huaisang tends to drift towards his companion pretty quickly, clinging to his arm or snuggling against his side, because he tends to sleep always hugging something – so Jiang Cheng becomes that for him.

But now they are on Nie Huaisang’s bed, with his wealth of plushies, and he doesn’t really need to snuggle up to Jiang Cheng to fall asleep here. He has his giant chicken. And like, 20 more assorted stuffed companions.

Jiang Cheng isn’t used to that. But it’s no big deal. He can sleep on the same bed as Nie Huaisang without being cuddled up to him. Yep. He can do that. He will do that. No big deal.

He turns again, tosses again-

“A-Cheng…” Nie Huaisang calls again, sounding sleepier this time. “It’s fine if you wanna go back to the couch…”

No, Jiang Cheng thinks. The couch is good, sure, but the bed is better, always. It’s even softer than Jiang Cheng’s bed, and very comfortable.

“No, I’m good.”

Now if only he can find a good sleeping position-

After a few more moments of Jiang Cheng trying not to toss and turn, and in the process just going too still, Nie Huaisang asks, softly, “Are you just staring at the ceiling now?”

“Yeah. Sorry. Maybe I should go.”

The room is mostly dark, but Jiang Cheng can still see plenty, thanks to a tiny duck night light that doubles as a clock on the bedside table. So he can see that Nie Huaisang doesn’t look annoyed or angry, just sleepy, when he sits up and moves closer to the middle of the bed, closer to Jiang Cheng, and then lays back down again.

Nie Huaisang still has his back turned, and is still hugging his chicken. But now he’s right beside Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng takes a moment, considering. Then he decides that he is too messed up from the day’s events to really try to think too hard about this now. He’d already sorta cried on Nie Huaisang just an hour ago, anyway. So. Whatever.

He turns to his side and presses close to Nie Huaisang, throwing an arm across his housemate and the plushie. It is very soft.

“Thanks.” he mumbles as he buries his face in Nie Huaisang’s hair, breathing in the scent of flower-scented shampoo. “S-”

“If you say sorry, I’ll kick you out.”

Jiang Cheng chuckles, and just snuggles closer. “Okay. Good night.”

“G’night.”

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.

Jiang Cheng wakes up first – he always does.

He wakes up because he hears the faint sounds of footsteps and voices from the hallway.

Ah, they should have closed the door. Why did they leave it open anyway? At least it’s not open all the way, just left ajar.

But also, what time is it? He squints at the night light on the bedside table – the tiny duck is right there, and there are glowing numbers on its very round tummy-

“The hell?” he whispers, looking towards the door. He can see shadows moving outside. Is Wei Ying really up this early? He can hear him talking, so maybe A-Yuan is awake too?

He lets out a sigh. He is still spooning Nie Huaisang, which feels nice. His housemate is still fast asleep, hugging his plushie. Waking him up is the last thing Jiang Cheng wants to do right now.

Then there is movement from the doorway, the door opening just a bit more to let Wei Ying peer inside. His voice is barely above a whisper as he calls, ”H-hello…?”

Jiang Cheng lifts his head to look at his brother, but doesn’t make any effort to get up. ”What?” he mouths.

“Hey- Oh! O-oh, I didn’t know you guys were- Sorry- I- Why is the door open???”

It is far too early for shenanigans, Jiang Cheng decides. “What do you want?” he actually speaks this time, though he keeps his voice as quiet as he can.

“Um, so. A-Yuan wakes up at 5 AM. I can’t put him back to sleep and now he’s hungry, so- Don’t worry, I’ll be fine making something, I just- Uh. This door was open so I thought I’d check-”

“You checked. We’re alive. Good job.”

“Okay. Okay, sure- Just… uh. So I’ll go then? Uhh… Yeah, if you hear noises, that’s just us, you’re not being robbed. Really sorry to- Didn’t you guys said you weren’t-”

Wei Ying is cut off by a big chunky plushie hitting him on the face.

Oh. Jiang Cheng didn’t see that coming. It happened so fast.

The plushie falls on the floor. Wei Ying looks at it, then at Nie Huaisang, who, still lying on his pillow and squinting at him, somehow managed to aim just right.

“A-Sang, did you just throw a fat bird at me?” he asks, looking and sounding hurt.

“It’s a chicken.” Jiang Cheng provides, before he could stop himself.

Wei Ying looks at him incredulously.

“It’s is. Five. Fucking. AM.” Nie Huaisang says, sounding grumpy- no, pissed.

See, this is actually why Jiang Cheng really didn’t want to wake him up when he saw the time.

“I’m supposed to be dead.” Nie Huaisang continues, before turning over and burrowing his face in Jiang Cheng’s chest to hide from the world and be… well, dead.

Yep.

Jiang Cheng had learned the hard way that Nie Huaisang doesn’t go into Pleasant Person Mode until 7 AM at the earliest, and even then it’s best to put some caffeine in him just to make sure.

“See what you did?” he says to his brother, as he holds Nie Huaisang and pats his back, like trying to put a baby back to sleep.

He is doing this more for Wei Ying, really, because with Nie Huaisang not in Pleasant Person Mode, all bets are off – there might even be murder. Jiang Cheng doesn’t want to find out.

Jiang Cheng just shakes his head. “Go feed your kid.”

“Okay…“ Wei Ying looks terrified. As he should be. “Okaysorrysorrygobacktosleep!”

…and he’s gone. Jiang Cheng lays his head back down on the pillows as he feels Nie Huaisang relax against him, quick to fall back asleep.

He does hear noises from outside. It starts to get concerning after a while. Wei Ying had never been a shining beacon of stealth, but if Jiang Cheng didn’t know it was his brother bustling around, he would think they were getting robbed. A-Yuan’s laughter is nice to hear, but not nice enough to offset the other sounds that are starting to concern Jiang Cheng.

With a weary sigh, he loosens his hold on his housemate. That’s how he finds out that Nie Huaisang is clinging to his shirt.

“A-Sang, someone is fucking with my kitchen.”

“Nooooooooo…” Nie Huaisang whines, and he sounds so sad that Jiang Cheng actually feels bad.

Still. He has to go. Carefully, he pries the other’s hands from his shirt as he starts to get up. “I’ll go get your chicken.” he offers.

Nie Huaisang is frowning, but maybe he is still too sleepy to do anything. “Mm’kay.”

Jiang Cheng does get the plushie from the floor, and gives it back for Nie Huaisang to cuddle.

.

When he gets to the kitchen, A-Yuan is eating a bowl of cereal and milk, probably the only things Wei Ying could successfully scrounge up in a hurry in an unfamiliar kitchen.

“Good morning, shushu!” A-Yuan beams. So bright. So early.

“Good morning, A-Yuan.” Jiang Cheng says with a smile, ruffling the boy’s hair.

Then he turns to his brother, and before Wei Ying can greet him as well, Jiang Cheng looks at him with a serious expression. “Break up with him.”

Wei Ying blinks. “W-What?”

“Look at your son.” Jiang Cheng says. “He is a perfect angel child and your husband made it so he wakes up at 5 AM on the dot. Terrible. Get a divorce.”

Wei Ying gasps, and hurries to cover his son’s ears as he cries, “Jiang Cheng!”

Luckily, A-Yuan only looks excited, kicking his feet. “Baba, we get a horse?”

Jiang Cheng just shakes his head as he steps forward and grabs his apron, shooing his brother out of the way. “I’ll make proper breakfast. Get your hands off my frying pan.”

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4

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In the morning after, Jiang Cheng wakes up first, as he always does. He looks down to see Nie Huaisang sleeping peacefully, head laid on his bare chest, arm slung across Jiang Cheng’s torso.

He is in one of Jiang Cheng’s sleep shirts, the bigger ones that of course are even bigger on Nie Huaisang’s slight frame. Like this, Jiang Cheng is treated to a generous view of his partner’s neck and shoulders – and the marks he’d left there from the night before.

Jiang Cheng stays still for a while, basking in the peace and silence of the early morning and Nie Huaisang’s steady breathing.

Nie Huaisang’s long brown hair is loose and messy, strands cover his face, and when they start to tickle Jiang Cheng’s chest, Jiang Cheng reaches down to brush them back, tuck them behind Nie Huaisang’s ear.

That’s when Nie Huaisang stirs and lets out a small sleepy noise. Thankfully it is a reasonable hour and Nie Huaisang wouldn’t be in a bad mood waking up – but it is still early enough that Jiang Cheng knows he would probably not object to sleeping in.

“Hi.” Jiang Cheng greets, a finger tracing the other’s cheek.

“Hi?” Nie Huaisang replies, slow and drifting. He has yet to open his eyes. “S’it time to get up yet?”

“Not quite yet.”

“Mm. Good.” Nie Huaisang smiles this time, and cozies up to him, a hand creeping to his chest, and staying there. “This is so nice. So warm.”

“Yeah, I’m lucky I run hot. Someone took my shirt.”

“Poor Jiang-xiong… someone took his shirt.” Nie Huaisang lets out a light laugh. “It is a good thing that he is hot.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“S’what I heard.”

Jiang Cheng resigns himself to being a pillow for a few minutes more. As Nie Huaisang takes his time to wake up oh-so slowly, Jiang Chengs runs his fingers through his hair, brushing them back from his face and shoulders.

After a while, Jiang Cheng says, “A-Sang.”

“Hm?”

“Move in with me.”

There is a moment’s pause, and a faint noise of confusion. “Um…?” Nie Huaisang chuckles, “What are you talking about?”

This time, he does open his eyes, and gets up on his elbows just a bit to hover over Jiang Cheng, so he can smile a sleepy amused smile at him.

“I already did that.” he says. “Like, three years ago. Four? Closer to four than three? Other way around? I’m bad at dates.” He shrugs, puffing his cheeks cutely. “I even did it before I ever thought of kissing you. Or before you took me out on a date. Before you did all those nice things to me last night. I liked you that much. What more do you want from me, A-Cheng?”

Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. “Nice things? That’s your review?”

“That’s what you’re concerned about?” Nie Huaisang giggles.

“Well, it’s the most recent event out of all of those, so-”

He is cut off when Nie Huaisang leans forward and leaves a kiss on his lips. “It was more than nice.” Nie Huaisang says, eyes earnest, cheeks pink. This time, he talks less teasingly, more awkward, in a hurry- “I can’t talk about it yet without, like, exploding. Please don’t be grumpy after our first time, I don’t know what I’d do with that? Sorryyyy…”

Then he hides his blushing face on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder.

Ah. Yeah, this tracks, Jiang Cheng thinks.

It had been their first time together last night. They weren’t inexperienced, so it wasn’t like a terrible fumbling awkward time. They had danced around it for a while, for the past few months, when sometimes kisses left one of them feeling heady, when touches started lingering during intimate, private moments. When they started sleeping on the same bed more often than not, just to be closer. They had talked about it, once or twice – shared their preferences, been open to each other with what worked and what didn’t, with those previous experiences. They had agreed to be honest about those same things when it came to each other.

Last night, Jiang Cheng came home late and frustrated from the studio after dealing with some unpleasant executives about the band’s activities and appearances (or lack thereof). Usually, Nie Huaisang could smooth a sour mood out as soon as he realizes what his partner’s going through – he’d listen, stick close, kiss the frown away, and let him know it won’t be as bad tomorrow. But he had been having his own off day, stuck on a piece he’s working on, being alone all day and late into the evening not helping with his anxiety. He hugged Jiang Cheng tight as soon as he saw Jiang Cheng’s frustrated scowl. He had asked to be kissed, because they’ve both had a terrible day.

Of course Jiang Cheng had granted his request, but in his mood he’d been a little rough. On a normal day, Nie Huaisang would have asked him to relax, because he’d be doing this to calm him down, but this time he hadn’t seemed to mind the intensity, and seemed to prefer it for once, had asked Jiang Cheng to keep going. It’s only when their kisses had gotten more heated, when Nie Huaisang’s hands tugged insistently on Jiang Cheng’s shirt, that Jiang Cheng snapped out of it enough to check in.

(“Is this okay?”)

(“Y-Yes.”)

(“I don’t want you to have to do this just because I-”)

(“M’not. My day’s been awful too.”)

(“You’ll tell me when to stop-”)

(“-and you’ll tell me if it’s too much, I know.”)

(“Good.”)

Jiang Cheng sighs now, holding Nie Huaisang close and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Stop hiding. You’re making it weird.” he says, squeezing his companion’s waist reassuringly. “Also if you lie on that shoulder any longer I’ll loose my arm. I kinda need my arm. For like, work and stuff.”

Nie Huaisang makes a long, pathetic, drawn out whining sound before resurfacing, easing off Jiang Cheng’s poor shoulder.

He takes a deep breath. “A-Cheng,” he starts, eyes downcast, looking at everywhere but Jiang Cheng, as he gingerly traces the man’s cheek. “It really was… good. For me.”

Jiang Cheng nods. “Sure.”

“Sorry, I just-… I know with you, it’s… uh-”

“Don’t say complicated.” Jiang Cheng says, looking at him with brows starting to furrow just slightly. “It isn’t.”

Nie Huaisang is quick to shake his head. “I wasn’t going to. Really-”

“Don’t make it a big deal.” Jiang Cheng continues, this time softer, just to assure that he’s not angry, just trying to get his point across. “It isn’t, not with you.”

Nie Huaisang looks at him and nods, this time also making sure that Jiang Cheng knows he means what he’s about to say. “I wasn’t going to.” he smiles, blushing sheepishly. “Just… thanks? I think?”

Jiang Cheng huffs, but his cheeks are turning a shade of red as well. “You’re talking like I did you a favor. Stop that. It was good for me, too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, I got to sleep without sending death threats to our record label, did I?”

Nie Huaisang laughs. “Oh, is that what was happening?” When Jiang Cheng just looks annoyed, he peers closer, brushing the man’s hair away from his face. “And now? Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.” Jiang Cheng answers him, honest and to the point. As Nie Huaisang plays with his hair, he repeats his earlier ask – “Move in with me.”

His partner blinks and chuckles, amused. “Okay, really, what are you talking about? Move in with you where?”

“Here.”

“Here-?” Nie Huaisang looks confused, before realization sets in. “Oh-… O-oh, you mean-? Here, in your room?”

“It’s bigger than yours.” Jiang Cheng shrugs. “Specially now we’ve moved all my equipment out to the booth.”

He’s right. During the past few months, since he had started producing and recording the songs for the EP in earnest, they had transformed half of their spacious living room into a recording booth – so most of the music equipment Jiang Cheng had stashed in his room before are there now, including most of his guitars. It helped that the memory wall was already there as a divider, so they just had to soundproof the area.

“But… Why?” Nie Huaisang blinks – one, twice – he doesn’t look like he’s about to reject the proposal, just curious about the request. “Are you sure? I know you like your space…”

“Yeah, we both do.”

“I have… clothes. So much clothes, A-Cheng. To be fair, that’s my job, but still. Yeah. That.”

“You can keep your fancy closet there. Just put a reasonable closet here for more reasonable clothes.”

“And what will happen to that room?”

“Guest room?” Jiang Cheng suggests. “A-Ling is growing bigger now, he’s been using one of our beds whenever he sleeps over, anyway. And Wei Ying and A-Yuan will be coming down next month, right? If they have to stay here again, they can use that room.”

“Hm… That does sound practical…” Nie Huaisang contemplates for a moment, before squinting curiously at Jiang Cheng, a small, sly grin growing in his lips. “Hmmm… A-Cheng, are you really just asking me to sleep here always?”

Jiang Cheng just looks at him, and Nie Huaisang can see him just slightly struggling to keep a straight face as he asks back, “Are you going to tease me about it?”

It makes Nie Huaisang laugh, and he stops himself before he shakes his head. “Okay, I was going to, but you might take the invitation back.”

Jiang Cheng raises a brow, looking like he’s seriously considering it. “I might.”

“Please don’t.” Nie Huaisang says quickly, and he leans closer to give him a peck on the cheek. “Yes, okay, A-Cheng, I’ll move in with you.”

Jiang Cheng grins, and pulls him in for another kiss.

.

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5

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Jiang Cheng wakes up right before the alarm he set rings. He reaches over, past a sleeping Nie Huaisang, to tap the glowing duck on the side table and make sure it doesn’t go off.

He should get up, now. He has things to do early this morning that he can’t delay. He takes a moment to snuggle against his sleeping boyfriend, taking a deep breath against Nie Huaisang’s hair, before he draws away.

Of course, it’s not that easy, with Nie Huaisang clinging to him even in his sleep. Jiang Cheng shakes his head, whispering. “A-Sang, hey, I have to go.”

“Mm?” Nie Huaisang blinks blearily, barely awake, sounding sleepy and confused. “Wha- W’time is it? A-Cheng, when did you get back?”

“Last night. Late. It’s fine.” Jiang Cheng answers, carefully prying Nie Huaisang’s arms off him. He grabs one of the plushies within reach on the bed, placing it in the sleepy man’s arms. “Go back to sleep, it’s too early for you to be up.”

Nie Huaisang accepts the substitute, but tries his best to properly look up at him. “What? You-…? Where are you going?”

Jiang Cheng knows Nie Huaisang is just a bit disoriented, this early in the morning, specially since he went to bed last night without Jiang Cheng and then woke up with him there, leaving. He keeps his tone light, casual. “Don’t worry, I’m staying home today. I just, uh, I have to step out for a bit. It’s nothing, go sleep.”

Nie Huaisang is frowning as he burrows his face in his plushie. “Come back soon, I miss you.”

“I know.” Jiang Cheng says with a chuckle. He drops a kiss to Nie Huaisang’s forehead, and gets up.

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Jiang Cheng has just finished making breakfast, and is about to start setting the table, when he hears a high-pitched scream, followed by a screech of his name from the bedroom.

Ah. Nie Huaisang is awake.

He puts the plates down on the dining table and walks, unhurried, to the bedroom. He stops by the doorway to see Nie Huaisang sitting on the bed, holding and playing happily with a brown Chow-Chow puppy.

“Who are you, big baby in my bed? You woke me up to play, hm? Oh, you’re such a big fluffy baby! Who’s the baby? You are! You’re the biggest fluffiest baby!!!”

Nie Huaisang coos and giggles as the (very big) puppy kicks its feet, wags its tail and paws at him.

He is beaming when he turns to Jiang Cheng, who is leaning casually on the doorframe, watching them. “A-Cheng!!! Look, a fluffy baby!!!”

“I can see that.” Jiang Cheng says with a barely restrained grin. “Happy Anniversary.”

Nie Huaisang pauses, blinking at him while the puppy licks his face. “A-Anniversary?”

Jiang Cheng shrugs. “Yeah.”

“We have an anniversary!?”

That’s fair, Jiang Cheng thinks. Their relationship has not been very conventional. There wasn’t any dramatic confession or world-altering realization, one day he just kissed Nie Huaisang and they decided oh sure, we kiss now. Everything else? Mostly stayed the same. They did pick a date, though – that first kiss, it seemed fitting, for when their family and friends ask, just because they kept asking and insisted that that sort of thing was important.

Now Jiang Cheng just shrugs. “Well, we have a date for an anniversary. And that’s today, so. I got you a present. To make it count.”

Nie Huaisang seems to blank out as he processes his words, looking at him with wide eyes, then turning to the fluffy ball of fur in his arms, and finally back again at Jiang Cheng.

“This fluffy baby is ours?” he asks, voice shaky, eyes big and shiny.

Oh, that’s unfair, Jiang Cheng didn’t think he’d be this… cute, when he receives the puppy. Jiang Cheng tries to stay cool, looking away.

“Well… You’ve been saying that you miss Baxia, and I’ve been going out more often, sometimes I get back so late, so… I thought you’d like some company. He’s a rescue, the shelter’s been taking care of him, and I was planning on taking you to pick, but when I saw him, he was so sweet and I just knew-”

He is cut off when Nie Huaisang barrels on to him, almost tackling him, really, throwing his arms around Jiang Cheng’s neck and hugging tight.

For a stunned second, Jiang Cheng just watches the Chow Chow on the bed rolling happily all over on their blankets, then he hugs Nie Huaisang back, lifting him off his feet and making him laugh.

“Thank you.” Nie Huaisang mumbles against his shoulder. “I love him. I love you.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Jiang Cheng chuckles, drawing back. He raises an eyebrow when he looks at Nie Huaisang’s face. “Hey, are you crying?”

Nie Huaisang is not not crying – and between his bed hair, flushed cheeks and pink nose, he is a mess. That, and he says things like “I’m allowed to cry. I just had a baby.”

Jiang Cheng only shakes his head, pulling Nie Huaisang close by the waist with one hand, while the other wipes the single tear falling down his cheek. “You’re gonna be more insufferable now, huh? I gave you a partner in crime.”

“You did.” Nie Huaisang laughs, wrapping his arms around Jiang Cheng as he stands on tip-toes, leans up and kisses him. He smiles after. “I love you. Have I said it yet?”

Jiang Cheng smiles back. “Yeah, but you can keep saying it.”

“Jerk.” Nie Huaisang says, rolling his eyes. He’s not as good at it as Jiang Cheng is, but he’s learning.

Jiang Cheng simply shrugs, leans down to kiss him again, and says, “I love you too.”

“I have to get you a present too.” Nie Huaisang pouts. “What do you want? Do you want another Snakey?”

Jiang Cheng snorts. “No, thanks. One Snakey is good.”

“Ah, I’ll think of something, I swear!”

The puppy on the bed whines, probably feeling left out as he can’t get off the bed just yet. Nie Huaisang coos as he practically jumps back on the bed and scoops the dog up in his arms. Jiang Cheng joins them on a calmer pace.

As Nie Huaisang gives the puppy belly rubs, he asks, “When did you-? This is why you left earlier?”

“Yeah, I got him from the shelter last night.” Jiang Cheng nods, smiling lightly as he watches the puppy wag his tail. “Uncle Hu kept him overnight for me so I don’t spoil the surprise. Picked him up early across the hall this morning.”

“Of course Uncle Hu is in on this.” Nie Huaisang shakes his head in amusement. The puppy paws at him again and he grins in delight. “He’s such a good, sweet baby! Aw, I love him so much…”

Jiang Cheng leans back on his arms, content to watch. “Good. ‘Cause he’s ours now. You got a name for him?”

“Oh, right!” Nie Huaisang blinks. He looks down at the puppy and nuzzles into fluffy brown fur. “Hello, Bear. It so nice to meet you!”

Huh. That’s… kinda perfect, actually.

Jiang Cheng leans over and scratches behind the puppy’s little ears. He seems to like that, judging by how his leg is kicking so fast. He grins.

“Welcome home, Bear.”

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---

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+1

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Nie Huaisang wakes up before Jiang Cheng does. It surprises him, a bit. It’s late in the morning, and Jiang Cheng is an early riser, no matter how late he goes to bed.

And they had gone to bed so late last night. A week- no, months of shows, interviews and concerts, through the country, then traveling home. It’s a wonder they got any sleep at all last night, with how they got home late from the airport, and then Jiang Cheng has had to pack up again, this time for a much longer trip.

Nie Huaisang just rests there, watching the other man sleep. It’s not often he gets to do so.

But perhaps they are both tired, as Nie Huaisang is starting to doze off again when he hears a familiar voice – “Are you just gonna be creepy and watch me sleep?”

Nie Huaisang blinks, looks at Jiang Cheng – eyes closed, breathing even, lips in a barely-there grin. “You’re awake?”

“I don’t wanna be.” Jiang Cheng grunts out, but he does open his eyes slightly, looking at Nie Huaisang hovering slightly above him.

Nie Huaisang pouts at him. ”So when it’s me, it’s creepy, but when it’s you watching me sleep, it’s romantic, huh.”

“Who said it was romantic?”

“Me! I think it is!” Nie Huaisang pokes his nose, and he scrunches his face. “You’re always so sweet! So you think I’m creepy?”

Jiang Cheng chuckles, taking his hand in his just so he’ll stop poking. He twines their fingers together and then kisses Nie Huaisang’s fingers.

See? Romantic! Nie Huaisang thinks as his indignant expression fades, blushing just slightly.

“No, you’re fine.” Jiang Cheng says absently. “Just not used to it. Why are you up so early?”

“It’s 10 AM.”

“We slept at like, 5. This is early.”

Nie Huaisang sighs, and scoots closer so he can lean forward and kiss Jiang Cheng, softly, sweetly, almost lingering. Jiang Cheng holds him close in return, and looks at him with furrowed brows as soon as they let go.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, brushing Nie Huaisang’s hair away from his face.

Nie Huaisang looks down. “You’re leaving today.”

Jiang Cheng keeps his eyes on him, cradling his face as he prompts, “And?”

“I’ll miss you.” Nie Huaisang continues, and he plops down on top of Jiang Cheng again, hiding as he complains, “It’s gonna suck… So much… Who will wake me up in the morning?”

“Your alarm clock.” Jiang Cheng says simply. When Nie Huaisang raises his head to frown at him, he shrugs. “What? It’s true. Don’t count on Bear. He wakes up when you do.”

“A-Cheeeeeeeng…” he whines. “I don’t want you to leave… Why are you leaving already? It’s so soon… We just got–”

Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow, watching Nie Huaisang’s face heat up suddenly.

Nie Huaisang raises his hand to look at his finger – Oh, good. It’s still there. He didn’t dream it!

Then he continues to whine at Jiang Cheng again – “How could you put this ring on me and then leave the next day, you total jerk!”

Jiang Cheng laughs at that, and moves to take his hand. “Want me to take it back?”

“No!” Nie Huaisang cries, taking his hands away from Jiang Cheng’s reach.

“Give me that-” Jiang Cheng reaches out for it again, and Nie Huaisang rolls away, and that starts a tussle on the bed.

“Noooo, stop it! I’m keeping it! Forever!”

“Nah, you called me a jerk after I said all those nice things to ask you-”

“Well now you’re leaving me- Ah! Jiang Cheng!”

“Give, you little-!”

By the time they’re laughing and breathless, they’re tangled up with each other on the other side of the bed, pillows and plushies and sheets strewn all around them. Nie Huaisang finds himself pinned down, Jiang Cheng hovering over him. Despite the upper hand though, Jiang Cheng is making no real effort to go for the ring.

Nie Huaisang pouts up at him. “I need this so you’ll come back to me.”

“I’ll come back to you even if you lose it.” Jiang Cheng says, then, shrugging, he adds, “I might get a bit upset if you do, though.”

Nie Huaisang has to stifle his laugh before he says, “I’ll take care of it. So don’t take it back, okay?”

Jiang Cheng simply leans down and kisses him, and finally Nie Huaisang throws his arms around his best friend- boyfriend- partner- fiance’s neck to kiss him back.

When Jiang Cheng pulls away, he notices how Nie Huaisang looks flushed, happy, but still hesitant. “What is it?”

“A-Cheng, I-… I won’t be wearing this on my hand when I go out.” Nie Huaisang says, sounding uncertain, almost apologetic. “I think I’ll wear it on a necklace. Under my clothes. Is that okay?”

Jiang Cheng is quick to understand what he’s saying. Of course. Nie Huaisang had needed some time to come out with their relationship in public. This one is bigger, more serious. He needs time again. He wants this one to be just theirs first, even just for a bit.

Jiang Cheng is fine with that. Really, Jiang Cheng might want that too.

He’ll be going overseas with the band, touring, on the road for the next few months. Nie Huaisang is going to stay here. He has his art and model jobs, responsibilities and opportunities he can’t just pass over. An announcement like this? They won’t face the publicity from that while they’re apart.

“As long as you wear it. I don’t care how.” Jiang Cheng says, leaning down again and kissing Nie Huaisang’s forehead. They fall back on the bed, still a tangled heap, but this time a comfortable one.

“Thank you.” Nie Huaisang smiles. It’s bittersweet. “I really hate that you’re leaving this soon.”

“C’mon.” Jiang Cheng says, nudging him. “It’s only gonna be a couple of months.”

“But that’s it. A couple of months.” Nie Huaisang says with a resigned sigh. “That’s so long.”

“You know you can follow whenever you want.” Jiang Cheng says. “You’re practically part of the band, we can work those tickets out, easy.”

“I know.” Nie Huaisang nods, holding on to his hand. Then, playing up his whining voice, he says, “But… ah… that’s so much work… I’m fragile!”

“Huh. Okay. That’s how it is. I really thought you loved me. I changed my mind. Give it back-”

“No! No, okay, okay, stop taking it back! Sorry!” Nie Huaisang laughs as he is caged in Jiang Cheng’s arms.

This time, Jiang Cheng doesn’t let go right away, instead squeezing him slightly, comfortingly. “No, seriously. You just call us, and we’ll make it happen. You’re with us.”

He feels Nie Huaisang nod against him, hands clutching on his shirt.

“But you have work, anyway, yeah?” he continues. “You’ll be busy too. It’ll fly by. If you get bored, go pester Mingjue-ge, or hang out with Jiejie and A-Ling. Bring Bear. Go to book club. You know I’ve freed up the dates for Auntie Li’s wedding, so you’ll have me back, then, too.”

“Okay.” Nie Huaisang says, turning in his arms so he could face him. “You keep safe out there then, okay? And promise you’ll take a break for that wedding or it’s not just me who’ll get upset, you also got all the aunties.”

Jiang Cheng nods and grins. “I promise.”

Nie Huaisang contents himself with that, and for a moment they just lie there, savoring the peace and quiet, together.

But soon someone’s phone rings, and they’re pulled back to reality.

Jiang Cheng has to finish packing, and then they have to go to his sister’s, so Nie Huaisang can pick Bear up, and Jiang Cheng can say his goodbyes to his jiejie and A-Ling. Then from there, Jiang Cheng will head to the airport with the rest of the band and their team.

”Let’s get Bear?” Jiang Cheng offers. “I need to talk to him, too. Tell him to take care of you.”

Nie Huaisang smiles. Jiang Cheng is going, but as always he makes sure Nie Huaisang wouldn’t feel alone.

He takes a deep breath to compose himself, then nods. “He always takes care of me. Just like his dad.”

It’s an effort, to untangle and leave the comfort of each other’s arms, of their warm familiar bed, but they do it, together.

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.fin.