[semi-closed] the master of my own disguise

[illicitly]

Who ⬤ Nie Huaisang and others
What ⬤ July/August Catch-All
When ⬤ All throughout July and August
Where ⬤ Various
Content Warnings ⬤ MDZS spoilers are a given. Casual discussion of kink of varying extremes and sex work, probably. Possible talk of war, violence, death, trauma, and mental illness. I'll update and include specific warnings in headers as they come up. Sex.



[If you'd like to thread, feel free to plot with me on my permanent plotting post or DM me through the game's Discord server or add me (Mimarin#7493). If neither of those options work for you, I also have a RP plurk at talespinner if you want to add me on there.]

Comments

[illicitly]

Jin Guangyao's sudden move to rent this room for them makes more sense to Nie Huaisang now - he's pushing himself again. His own expression softens throughout the confession, during which he wraps his arms around the other man in return. They both needed this discussion, he thinks. Needed this honest talk about these feelings they hide from themselves and each other even now. They've come a long way very quickly but there's still ground to cover and issues they need to work through but neither of them have to work through it alone anymore.

That's part of what being in a relationship is, isn't it? it's not just sex and whispering platitudes and sweet nothings. It's dedication and hard work, too. And it's very hard work for them, indeed. Genuine remorse and unfathomable regret is visible in Nie Huaisang's eyes as his lover talks about the horrific experience he'd gone through before his wedding night. The dark secret that he'd exploited himself under the assumption that Qin Su had been the only victim of that tragedy. This isn't about him or his feelings right now though.

"I'm sorry. I wish I'd never told her, that I'd never paid the maid to tell anyone about it. I didn't understand. I didn't think it through and I'm so sorry. Not just for her sake but yours as well. I was wrong to assume the worst."

The words might be too little and too late to repair the irreversible damage Nie Huaisang had caused but they're honest, sincere, and come straight from the heart.

"What happened wasn't either of your faults. Neither of you knew and the one that did know didn't do enough to stop it. I'm sorry for what happened to you both. Neither of you deserved that pain."

He takes a moment to kiss Jin Guangyao's neck and shoulder, murmuring quietly.

"I don't want you to think that my problems are because of you. You're not dirty. You're not filth. You're not tainted because of what happened back then or because of what blood flows through your veins. I just... I want to give you the best i can of me. I want to give you something good and I'm afraid that I can't. There are just some things I need to work through, too, A-Yao. That's all."

[taintedpeony]

All relationships had a lot of work involved. That they were on this path together and that they were trying meant a lot to him.

"Thank you for saying that," he said after a while. The apology was too late, as any apology for harming Da-ge would be. However, it mattered that he knew now. That he understood. "Perhaps I should have told her long ago...But I was afraid. I was afraid that she would do what she did. I wanted to protect her. Even if it was a sin. I just...She deserved so much better than me a husband who couldn't love her the way she deserved, to give her many children as she yearned for... A-Song deserved better too.

I...Thank you." he felt like he deserved all the pain though. But that was neither here nor there.

"I need to work through this issue though. It is affecting my work and everything else. Perhaps I can trust Maiden Julietta to assist me in working through some of this. Or ask A-Jing for advice... I think they would understand where I am coming from. I don't want to put this on you."

He squeezed Huaisang tightly to him. He was blinking back tears. His voice was thick and vulnerable. Almost childlike.

"R-Really? You don't think I'm dirty?"

He pressed his face against his shoulder.

"This is nice. I like being held. Can we just keep holding each other then? I only want what you want to give."

[illicitly]

"I like holding you and talking things out with you like this. I think we probably need to keep doing it this way for a while. Pushing ourselves too hard hasn't been doing either of us any good, A-Yao. If we're not careful, we'll wear down what we've managed to rebuild these past months to the point it'll snap under pressure. I don't want that to happen."

He knows his limits. He doesn't have the strength to fight to make a failing relationship work and for him, love is just a feeling and like all feelings can change or fade completely with time. Or they can be compartmentalized and controlled to some degree in order to do what's necessary.

Nie Huaisang's a territorial creature when it comes to his loved ones, prone to possessiveness and insecurity, and while he isn't particularly fond of sharing, he's wise enough to understand that they're in a situation that requires compromise and a creative solution.

"I understand," he says quietly, kissing his temple. "I want you to do what you need to work through this. If Lady Julieta and your friend are willing to help so work's easier for you, that's fine. But I have a couple of conditions."

Nie Huaisang's invested too much in this relationship already to risk it slipping away during the throes of passion.

"No matter whose bed you wind up in, you come home to me. None of your other lovers enter our bed without permission or me being present. You make it clear to them that you already have a partner and you're unavailable for anything more than sex and friendship. And if you ever decide that you'd rather be with them than with me, you tell me first and we'll go from there. Does that sound fair or reasonable to you?"

[taintedpeony]

"I think you're right. We both have a tendency to push ourselves. No matter how we look at it our relationship will not be normal in the sense of how other's go. I am happy with cuddling you and talking things out. How are you so wise?" he pressed his lips against his cheek to emphasize this fact.

"Those sound like very reasonable requests. We're both doing sex work so it makes sense to put these boundaries. I want to add that if we cannot come home for a reason, say we are drunk and it is unsafe to, or something like the blood rain happens again. Just let's text each other so we know the other is safe." he squeezed him gently.

"I should also tell you that I picked these two friends of mine to explore with because I know they are both wanting only friendship. You are the only one I want to be my partner, Huaisang. I wouldn't do this with anyone I had any romantic inclinations towards. I wouldn't be able to give them that. Besides Maiden Julieta already knows about us, and has a boyfriend herself."

Jin Guangyao knew what it was like to be insecure. He was always second to the shining golden boy Zixuan, and even though his relationship with his Gege was different now, he could understand Huaisang's fear. Especially with how he didn't even know that he felt for him.

"You come first and foremost in my life. I am making that commitment to you. No matter who I end up sleeping with, I will always discuss it with you. I want you to feel safe and comfortable. Thank you for telling me your needs. I appreciate that. We will keep these communication channels open between us."

[illicitly]

Some of the constant tension thrumming under the surface dissipates and Nie Huaisang lets out a breath. If he has to cut ties with Jin Guangyao in order to protect himself from further harm, he will without hesitation but judging from his words, such a move might not become necessary. As long as Jin Guangyao doesn't abuse his generosity and what trust and goodwill he's managed to regain during their time together in Jigoku-cho, he shouldn't have to exit the stage.

"That's a fair condition to add. There's no need cause one another unnecessary distress. I agree to these terms."

He doesn't know Gojyo nearly well enough to assess the risk there so he's going to have to take his word for it that there's no threat. As for Julieta, he trusts her with him.

"It's better to be honest with each other than hide things. I don't know about you but I'm tired of keeping any more secrets than are necessary. I've worn enough masks for a lifetime."

The ones he puts on for work-related purposes are enough.

[taintedpeony]

He would understand if he had to. Cutting off what hurts if it caused needless pain to survive. Jin Guangyao wouldn't blame him if it came to that.

"I have as well. I'm so very tired of hiding, Huaisang. I don't know if I can anymore. I'm just too tired. I would rather keep all of our cards on the table and see what happens.

We are both still healing from things that are horrific, I am still nursing grief and heartbreak. You are getting reconnected with your true self. This slow path is a better one I think.

So I promise I will not hide my tails from you." he leans up and presses a chaste kiss on his forehead, pushing his bangs away from his face. He looked at those nervous eyes and worked on soothing his shoulders.

"I think I can be happy here. I feel terrible for saying this. Doing what I do. But dancing has been affording me a sense to express some of my deeper feelings like music did in Hakagemachi. I've been working on ascribing different meanings to music and dance, removing it from being a weapon or association with Lan Xichen or Mama. I'm making it mine, an art that I can express the things that are too painful to say. I've lived my life too long in comparison to others.

I was going to suggest that perhaps you should try something similar with art or calligraphy, something that you can really work through some of the deeper complex feelings you feel and really be able to examine them. It might help you with your journey on feeling at home with yourself."

[illicitly]

He listens, accepting that kiss and soothing, leaning against him.

"I've been wanting to find more time for painting and calligraphy. I used to be so good at that but I've fallen out of practice. I do some things for work but it's just not the same as doing it for myself."

It's been a struggle to fit himself into the picture of success in Jigoku-cho so far but then again, he's still learning how to be open about his competence after so many years of hiding it. But now that he's had a taste for being valued, he wants more. He's never wanted to rise before just to see how far he can go in a career before; even back home, his ambitions are born more out of necessity and obligation than honest desire.

"Your dancing is beautiful. If it helps you express yourself, I think you should keep doing it. I think I could be happy here, too, maybe even become someone great within the clan. And for the first time, I find myself wanting to. I've always been a joke in my clan and our society but in the Tamamo Clan, I'm valued. Even respected. I've never had that before. Barely anyone's respected me or seen actual worth in what I do before. And I like it. I like feeling like I can contribute something worthwhile to a cause."

The Tamamo Clan's cause is worth it, he thinks. The world Tenkohime envisions is one worth fighting for.

"I should try harder to find a healthier balance though. I can't do this job or be myself with anyone if I don't know who that is. And I can't give any partner what they need or deserve if I'm constantly stressed or exhausting myself."

[taintedpeony]

"You were always a skilled artist. It will come back to you in time."

He was very aware of how people viewed him back home and were very proud of how much he had achieved here. He kissed his forehead again, to relay that fact.

"Perhaps we can carve out time like this. Get a room away from our house. See some of the sillier love hotels for the novelty of it and bring paints and paper. You can have some time to relax and paint, I can practice the qin or a new routine. We are both prone to overworking ourselves to the point of exhaustion. This way we can spend some time together but also with ourselves. And we can watch something when we feel like doing something together.

It will just give us an accountability partner.

Personally, I want to stay in a room that looks like a ramen cup. It'll be a fun set for some silly pictures. I'll sew a fish outfit and you can be pickled radish and we can pose sexily." he said laughing a little. "Let's just have some fun."

[illicitly]

Nie Huaisang chuckles at the image.

"That does sound fun. I like the idea of regular outings like this. I'm handling my own scheduling with clients now rather than working through clubs. Once the school's organized and open, my schedule should be more flexible outside of classes and appointments."

He nuzzles Jin Guangyao's jaw a moment, just taking the moment to just breathe and enjoy being with him. Maybe that's what he needs more than anything and the rest will fall into place along the way.

"It'd be a good idea for us to get away to relax regularly. Those vouchers aren't going to do either of us any good if we don't actually put them to use. It'd be a shame to let them expire. These places aren't cheap."

[taintedpeony]

“I really like it as well. I think it is important for us to actually take cafe of ourselves so we can bring our best for the clan. And getting to spend time with you is always a wonderful bonus to any day.” He smiled at him warmly.

"The war took so much from us, and peacetime even more so. This is our time now. Let’s just work on finding happiness, no matter what that might look like. I for one am excited to use the spa vouchers I so gallantly shook my ass for. Feel like going in the morning? I want to get a mani pedi and the full treatment. My tails are looking a bit sad these days.

I’m a Jin, we’re supposed to be beautiful.” He winked. He was mostly being playful. “Gege would balk at the state of me.”

[illicitly]

Jin Guangyao really isn't without his charms. He can't help but smile back. As complicated as things are, they are easier like this in lighter moments. It's easier to connect with that old warmth and happiness that used to fill him whenever they were together like this.

"You're always beautiful and your tails are lovely. I won't turn down a spa day, though. I could use a good shampoo, massage, and long, relaxing soak. And I could use a manicure and pedicure."

Honestly, a chance to do absolutely nothing and just be pampered without any expectations or strings attached sounds better than sex to him these days.

[taintedpeony]

“You are certainly one to speak of beauty. I hear the customers all yelling about your charm.” He kisses him on the nose for emphasis. “that really does sound lovely. I think the petal milk bath may be in our future. It has some oils that does wonders for the skin.”

He stretched his arms back with a yawn. His tails stretching out as well before leaning down and doing a cat stretch, with his hips jutting up a bit. His shoulders made a soft popping noise as he did so.

“I saw a lovely green and gold foil leaf pattern that would look perfect on you.” He smiled up at him, laying down on his chest. “maybe we can look at some jewelry as well. The costume jewelry has been oxidizing and staining my skin green.” He felt less like he was playing a role and more like himself. It did feel like those times he visited Qinghe and they would talk about nothing.