@cuckoo-among-beasts: The Jiang disciples were by now used to Huaisang's presence at Lotus Pier, just as the Nie disciples were used to Wanyin visiting the Unclean Realm, so when Wanyin instructs some younger disciples while Huaisang watches on, it's quite natural for the Jiang messenger to relay his message to Huaisang. This time though, it's something Wanyin might want to know immediately. "Laogong!" Huaisang calls out, looking slightly over his shoulder. Not until the word leaves his mouth does he realise what he just called him. The blush is instant, but he somehow manages to stay composed. "Wanyin, this message might be important," he adds, trying to act like he didn't just call Wanyin his husband.
it is not something he had ever expected out of anyone's mouth, really; the formality of being called as someone's husband had never once touched his mind or tickled his fancy- for as soft - hearted as jiang wanyin truly is, he is much too riddled with the need to keep his sect first, his family closest. how could he, then, be the type to romanticize a life he could not have? or fantasize of someone he fancies calling him husband? he could not, truly, fathom it nor could he think of such things without flustering like a silly little boy.
when he had been younger, he had hardly heard such endearments being used in front of him between his parents- his mother's smiles aiming themselves at her pride and joy, his father's gentle hands always pressing themselves atop his shīxiōng's head. there never was a moment where he could recollect a soft, loving call of husband or wife echoing throughout the courtyards of the lotus pier.
however, here it is different. here, he has his partner wandering about and mingling with his disciples as though he had always fit right into the missing piece of the lotus pier; when jiang wanyin's gaze flits from the form of the younger disciples to nie huaisang, his heart warms and melts where it beats. he seems to blend right into the lotus pier's heart, despite the differing colors, and it's difficult for jiang wanyin to focus until he feels a younger disciple step on his boot. so suddenly does his attention snap back into him, a ferocious frown curling on his features as he barks at the disciple to move to the back, to rejoin the formation. here he finds himself within the confinements of his sect once more- such a normalcy of life has he adapted, with nie huaisang fluttering beside him. he finds no turmoil in this any longer but only ease.
though his mind does eventually drift, and drift harder does it when huaisang's lilting tone calls him lǎogōng. jiang wanyin's syllables twist in his mouth and come out as a stutter, his brows shooting to his hairline and an angry flush beginning to splotch on his cheekbones immediately. the disciples scattered about have also taken note of the sudden endearment, taken note of how huaisang attempts to gloss over what he had just called him. he does not remember being acquainted with the term, had not ever thought of himself worthy of being called lǎogōng- but with huaisang's mouth forming the syllables, he feels his heart beat incessantly and rapidly, the thunderous wave of thumpthumpthump the only thing he can hear.
" dismissed- leave and get some rest, " he grits out gruffly, turning his head away to hide the way his visage is utterly and honestly red. it does not slip by him how his disciples giggle and run away, how the messenger clears his throat and leaves with a bow. the courtyard is, then, empty save for jiang wanyin and nie huaisang ( and the hidden disciples, eager to watch it all unfold ). he approaches the man with a curious look, a myriad of emotions flickering on his angular features before he settles on childishly flustered and intensely intrigued.
" important? " he murmurs thickly, tone stiff and awkward. there is an elephant in the room he should address but he is still flustered and rabbit - hearted and his mother did not teach him how to deal with such emotions well into a successful and long - lasting courtship. yet, he waits for the message to be relayed- his dark and heavy gaze lingering on huaisang's visage as a fist flexes and relaxes in an attempt to keep himself calm instead of enacting on his heart's desires. " important enough for you to stumble on your words and call me lǎogōng? "