#i wanted to write a sangcheng fic for nhs's bday

[appleoctopie]

title: a place to belong fandom: the untamed ship: sangcheng prompt: “You sleep with the stuffed animal I got you?” “Of course” tags: established relationship, cuddling & snuggling, fluff, modern setting

on Ao3

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Jiang Cheng always felt out of place in the soft light of Nie Huaisang’s apartment. He was nothing like the art that lined the walls - scenic paintings that filled the room with shades of green and blue, breathing life into the space. He was afraid of breaking the delicate figurines that dotted the shelves - porcelain birds and glass pieces that had to cost a fortune. 

It was painfully obvious that he didn’t belong among all the art, that he was just a stain on the otherwise perfect canvas. 

“Wanyin.”

Hands touched his face, fingers soft and calloused against his skin, drawing him out of his thoughts. His eyes drifted from the small blue bird he’d been staring at, to the wide hazel eyes that stared up at him, glowing and golden in the afternoon sun. 

“A-Sang.”

Huaisang’s fingers traced over his cheeks and slid across his brows, smoothing the furrow that had formed between them. “What are you thinking so hard about?”

There were flecks of green in Huaisang’s eyes, little bursts of color among the brown and gold.

“Nothing.”

Hauisang hummed, fingers brushing over his jaw. Jiang Cheng wasn’t sure when he’d gotten so close - close enough that he could taste the tea that still lingered on Huaisang’s breath. 

“I don’t believe you.” He breathed the words into the space between them and Jiang Cheng closed his eyes against the force of his stare. Sometimes he felt like Huaisang could see through him, see all the way to his soul.

Huaisang hummed again and Jiang Cheng felt his fingers curl around his neck, felt the lips brush over his jaw.

“I’m tired.”

Jiang Cheng blinked his eyes open, surprised that Huaisang dropped it so quickly. Normally if his boyfriend wanted something he would stop at nothing to get it, whether it was the last piece of pizza or the thoughts in Jiang Cheng’s head, but he just stared up at Jiang Cheng with bright eyes and a warm smile.

“You should sleep then.” 

Huaisang hummed, fingers sliding down to lace through Jiang Cheng’s.

“Only if you come with me.”

Jiang Cheng wasn’t that tired himself, but he was never one to turn down an opportunity to cuddle Huaisang and he let himself get tugged towards the bedroom. 

Like the rest of the apartment the bedroom was full of art - paintings of skylines, fiery sunsets in shades of orange and purple and fluffy clouds that looked real enough to touch. There were photos dotting the walls, some of Huaisang’s brother, others of his friends - memories of his life. Jiang Cheng’s gaze paused on a photo of himself, smiling at the camera with his fingers thrown up in a peace sign. 

“I like to kiss it before I go to bed,” Huaisang said, tugging him further into the room. “It’s almost as good as kissing you.”

He laughed at the flush that scorched across Jiang Cheng’s cheeks and pushed him towards the bed. His knees bumped against the mattress and he fell, bouncing once before settling against the pile of pillows. The green comforter was soft under his hands, and Huaisang climbed on top of him, nuzzling into his neck with a soft sigh. 

“Mm, perfect.” Hauisang melted further into Jiang Cheng when one of his hands came up to trace the line of his spine, dancing towards his head and back down in slow, languid movements.

His other hand slid across the bed, pausing when he felt something soft brush against the back of it. His brow furrowed and he picked the object up, surprised to see the little stuffed husky he had given Huaisang on a whim one day. 

“Do you … do you sleep with this?” 

Hauisang hummed and lifted his head just enough to see what Jiang Cheng was talking about, when he saw the husky he grinned and reached up to take it, hugging it close to his chest.

“Of course.” He pressed a kiss to the top of the husky’s head, resting his chin on Jiang Cheng’s chest to stare up at him. “I named him A-Cheng, and he sleeps with me when you can’t.”

Warmth flowed through Jiang Cheng and he slid both arms around Huaisang’s waist, squeezing the other man against his chest as his emotions threatened to drown him. 

“I love you.” He breathed the words into Huaisang’s hair, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. 

Huaisang breathed a laugh and he felt the brush of lips against his neck. “I love you too.”

Jiang Cheng always felt out of place in Huaisang’s apartment. He wasn’t like the art that lined the walls and dotted the shelves, he wasn’t delicate and soft, he wasn’t beautiful, and yet … Huaisang loved him. Huaisang kissed his photo before bed and slept with the stuffed animal he’d given him, named it A-Cheng after him.

Huaisang had made a space for him among all the art - a space in his heart, a place where he belonged.

#sangcheng #nie huaisang #jiang cheng #the untamed #cql #mdzs #i wanted to write a sangcheng fic for nhs's bday #but instead i had feelings about jiang cheng #i just ... need this boy to know he is Loved #no read more because it's only 800 words and i don't want one