I am an extremely burnt out office worker who wants something to do on his breaks other than sitting and twiddling his thumbs until he goes back to his desk. I also love Hong Lu.
So, I thought I would offer up reader insert content! This includes both headcanons and little drabbles. What I do depends on my energy level; please do be patient with me!
Rules (I will delete anything that does not follow them without notice):
1. I only do Hong Lu. By default, I do post-C8 Sinner Hong Lu, so if you send in a request with no Hong Lu parameters I will assume this is what you want.
2. My creed is to keep him as in character as possible. If you ask for one of the colder Hong Lu IDs or a pre-C8 Hong Lu, he will be true to how he is/was.
3. I don't do yandere stuff right now. I may warm up to it later as time heals me, but it's currently an ick of mine for very personal reasons.
4. Since this is a ploy to keep me occupied on my work break and I also don't have the time to make sure minors are not following this blog, there will be NO NSFW REQUESTS. You can ask for something a little spicy but full on NSFW is a no go. Sorry! Maybe I'll make an alt later or something idk
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hi there, i usually dont mess around with imagines blogs at all even if its for characters i really like but... i really like your stuff so far. would you be ok with maybe doing some transfem hong lu headcanons? its one of my favorite hcs for hong lu, but its okay if not
Oh my god I've been working on this for SO LONG because I wanted to make this perfect, but perfect is the enemy of good and it's Pride Month so I'm going to just get over myself! This is something I feel super strongly about myself as an enjoyer of the original novel. Did you know there's articles and papers examining the trans coding of Jia Baoyu? Here's one by Li Kotomi, a Taiwanese writer who is a trans woman herself!
Since this is an imagines blog I'm tossing in some x reader stuff, but it's mostly Hong Lu focused. Some inspiration from the novel for this one, as well as my vague ideas on how Hongyuan (specifically Daguanyuan) approaches gender (also novel inspired). Also, disclaimer: I am a GNC trans man, so I may not be familiar with any particulars about the transfeminine experience.
Though Jia Mu had been thoroughly consumed by the Anamnaworm, a part of Shi Miyin that still lived deep within her once idly wondered if her little Baoyu would've been happier as a commoner girl with two black eyes.
The City is a harsh place. Throughout the vast majority of its cold, sprawling alleyways, people simply do not care what your name and pronouns are as long as they themselves are fed and have a roof over their heads before the Sweepers come out. It stands to reason that inventing arbitrary gender laws about sticking to "what you were born as" (if such a thing is even always that clear cut) is a pastime of the ultra rich. So brings us to Daguanyuan.
One would think the Jade able to avoid these things. But, much like the rest of the choices stolen from her, Hong Lu did not get to choose her gender. People placed the expectation of manhood on her, and she responded in kind, reflecting their falsehoods in the mirror she made of her face. Jia Zheng and Lady Wang had their first legitimate son. Xue Baochai had wonderful husband. And so on and so forth.
When she was picked up by Limbus Company, she found it curious how...spacious the world felt under the name she gave Faust, even though it was something she thought of randomly. And the people around her were even more curious. They did not look at her strangely when she introduced herself with an "unusual" name, and some of them even gave "unusual" names of their own. ("Don" Quixote? "Outis"—"Nobody"? You can just do that...?)
As the journey went on, she would experience these odd sensations. Hong Lu would suddenly feel comfortable in her skin, at times. Being around people who didn't place such strict expectations on her seemed to do this. But the screams of that day and the joyous laughter behind her jade eye would bring her right back to where she belonged: floating, aimlessly, simply witnessing the things that passed her by. You noticed this once. That's how you figured out how stiff Hong Lu actually is most of the time...and that accidentally getting called "she" on the street made her look the most relaxed you've ever seen.
Following her turn, you assumed that relaxed posture would return tenfold. But while she wasn't nearly as stiff and quiet as before, it was clear she was struggling to learn how to be "herself", whatever that's supposed to mean after 20 years of being whatever people wanted her to be. So, remembering that "misgendering" incident, you decide to "accidentally" call her Miss Hong Lu.
Her face was priceless. She was still smiling, but her eyes were wide and not a word came out of her mouth. It took her a full minute to buffer before she finally unfroze to bring a hand to her chest. With a glimmer of curiosity in her black eye, she leaned in. "'Miss'?"
From then on, you'd keep making those little "mistakes". Some of the more emotionally attentive Sinners caught on to this, and before Hong Lu knew it, the whole bus was calling her things like a 'dear feminine companion' or a 'dingbat of a lass'. Even Vergilius reprimanded her with a "ma'am". For the first time ever, she truly felt as if she belonged in her own skin. Another weight crushing her chest lifted.
She came out to everyone eventually, which resulted in a lot of awkward "yeah, duhs" and Hong Lu asking how everyone figured it out with a confused tilt of the head. This is how she learned her real smiles aren't anywhere near as practiced as her default expression. They were, according to her assessment in the mirror, very unbecoming of Jia Baoyu.
...But she isn't Jia Baoyu now, is she?
As an aside, her presentation preferences didn't change much. Maybe she'll try a more elaborate ribbon in her hair from time to time, but she's come to develop that same sense of neutrality a lot of other folks in the City have. She finds it more validating to not play the aggressive gender games from Daguanyuan and just be loose with it.
One day, Sinclair mentioned that the gender balance in the bus was kind of...off, now? Not that it's really necessary but he was just thinking abou—
And then Don Quixote proudly stood up and said he would take Hong Lu's place. Everybody clapped. #Pride
hihi!!! i hope you're having a good day, may i request hcs of hong lu consoling reader having a mental breakdown? i wanna be so badly held by this man while ugly crying my ass off
i'm saying like......please hold me sir. I'm alive BTW.
Consoling During a Breakdown (Post-Canto 8)
In the lead-up to the breakdown, Hong Lu can tell something is off about you. He hasn't shaken his habit of observing and analyzing the world all the time; according to what he's seen, you haven't exactly been doing well recently. He keeps wanting to ask if you're alright, but things have been more demanding than usual lately, so he can never seem to catch you long enough to have an actual conversation. It's just one thing after another, all the time. It's not good for anyone, but especially not you. Hong Lu is not able to bring you back down until the dam breaks.
If you're one to catch it and hide before it totally overwhelms you, Hong Lu will come across you and hesitate for a moment before approaching you. If it all comes crashing down while you're in public, he'll be quick to gently guide you to a more private location, and if that's not possible, he'll shield you from the world with his body.
He's talked his coworkers through their feelings before, and he attempts this at first, softly calling out to you. But words do not work at the breakdown's peak. So, instead, he tries a different approach, using his experience as an older brother to rub your back while you cry it out. Hong Lu doesn't want to freak you out too much with more physical contact than you can handle, but if you turn to hug him, he'll let it happen, moving to run his hand through your hair instead.
When you can finally hear his voice over your crying, he'll keep telling you it's alright. You can cry as much as you need. You can make his sleeve soaking wet, if you want. Bottling it up wouldn't be good, now would it? He would know.
He's a patient man. He'll be there when you're ready to speak. There, you can vent to him all you'd like; he'll listen attentively and sympathize with your pain. When all is said and done, you're probably all out of sorts, so Hong Lu helps you tidy back up, then offers to get you some warm tea. It'll help your throat after all that crying~ Maybe you'd like a snack, too? You must be hungry.
He'll let you know you can come talk to him if you ever need it. Hong Lu will do his best to help you in the moment, even if you're both being yoinked around 24/7. It's better to try and do something than wait until everything explodes again, right?
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omg ur writing is peak.. may i request some general hcs for lord of hongyuan hong lu? thank u!! 🫶
angst fans when they see an angst generator in their inbox
General Headcanons (Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu)
There are rumors in Hongyuan, winding through the streets in a whisper, telling of the Lord's lover. Nobody can confirm this story, and many consider it nonsense. He's never made anything like that public, and to be quite frank, he doesn't seem like the type of person who could fall in love.
Little do they know that it's all true.
You are someone he just happened to meet at the right place at the right time during his travels. Hong Lu prioritized his revenge, but he could not forget the person who brought drops of life back to his hardened heart. He only made a move after he ensured the end of the Xianren and solidified his reign, and even then, he's kept all your affairs private. He cannot risk you getting hurt; he has lost too much.
When things became serious between you two, Hong Lu gave you the option to either stay in Daguanyuan or live a life outside of it, but under his protection. He wanted you to have this choice simply because the idea of you ever feeling trapped in Daguanyuan like he once did made him sick to his stomach.
Regardless of what you decide, meeting with Hong Lu is unfortunately a rare event. He's always busy with something. When he is able to see you (usually late at night), expect him to be practically all over you. You might just be the only soul in the whole City who can soothe the pain in his eye with your presence alone. The towering, unstoppable force who rules Hongyuan with an iron fist becomes merely an exhausted and grieving man in your arms.
He has a special fondness for when you change his bandages. You swear you see the faintest little smile when you do so. You once asked him why his eye socket is constantly bleeding, but all he could tell you is that he's tried to make it stop and failed.
Another thing he does that he never seems to do around anyone else is...laugh. It's very rare and very quiet, but it's there. They're genuine laughs from real, innocent amusement, usually after you've made some kind of joke or looked particularly silly.
As time goes on, he seems to be getting frailer and frailer. His nighttime visits are far and few between. You know he is preparing for war—he tells you about his plans to hear your trustworthy insights—but as concerning as it is on its own, you're even more worried about what it all must be doing to his health.
Hong Lu pushes himself because he know his time will be up soon. He wants to leave behind a better world for you, one where you will never know the suffering that he and others have had to endure. It's the least he can do for the single petal left in his life.
Fun fact: Each ask I receive I add to a mental stew pot, where I have a lot of fun brewing up a dish on my break. It's working to occupy my time. Keep sending asks (even if I keep finalizing posts at a snail's pace don't worry I will get to you)
Do you have any headcanons about jealousy? Would Hong Lu get jealous easily, and what do you think would make him jealous? How does he resolve it? I like the way you characterise him hehe
Thank youuu he means a lot to me so to hear people like my interpretation makes me smile!
Jealousy Headcanons (Post-C8 Hong Lu)
Hong Lu does not often get jealous. He trusts you immensely in a myriad of ways. He's not afraid to maturely communicate with his partner, too.
That being said...he's not immune to it. Especially now as he tries to pay attention to his desires. Something Hong Lu finds himself not liking very much is loneliness. Hong Lu will find moments where his desires for your attention cannot be immediately met, and his heart will respond irrationally towards whoever or whatever has it. He wants to be with you right now, so why do you have to be doing something that isn't being with him?
He doesn't put much stock into it. When he experiences jealousy, it'll be like he just hit by a little sprinkle of rain. Wow! What was that? He can't control you, so what does it matter? Wait, but isn't he going to try to live a life where isn't just a passive bystander? Hm...Obviously, he has to address this somehow.
This is where he gets a bit childishly mischievous. If what's taking up your time is another person, Hong Lu will suddenly make his presence known by standing right next to you and joining the conversation the instant he can squeeze in. He'll gracefully back out if he knows he's not going to have you back any time soon, but this little act satisfies him well enough for him to regain his patience.
If what's taking up your time is a task, he'll either help you with it if possible...or try to gently goad you out of it. You don't have to finish all of that now, do you? Something of yours must be aching. You've been doing it for long enough, right? Why don't you take a break and chat with him over a pot of tea? No? What if he gets you your favorite snacks, too? Haha, got you~
There is a very rare Hong Lu interaction you can unlock where he happens to get jealous when he's also just had a very bad CPTSD time—in other words, when he's feeling extra lonely. He'll come up behind you and cling to you quietly when it's finally just the two of you. He's recharging, shhh.
Everything under the cut because this got way too long!
I won't lie. It's going to take a very, very long time for Hong Lu to figure it out. The last "relationship" he was in and the one that lasted the longest was his unwanted betrothal to Baochai, so you can imagine it takes a hot moment for him to figure out what he's feeling is love.
He does take in the sensations and desires he experiences around you. He always wants to see you, moreso than he does the others; his hands tend to frequently readjust their grip on his guandao if you're nearby while he's holding it; when he sees you peacefully sleeping against a window during a long stretch of driving, he wants to sit beside you and shift you so that you're resting on his warm lap and not the cold glass.
When it finally happens, he's so overjoyed he's almost a little scared by how intense the sensation is. Old fears mix in with his newfound happiness. The smile he makes is so genuine and unpracticed, wobbly, crooked—it's a special little thing that only you get to see.
There's a lot of adjusting he has to do! Hong Lu seems almost shy about everything sometimes, but he gets over it. He trusts you immensely, so he often verbally expresses what's going on with him to the best of his ability to both ensure you know he's actively loving you and help himself understand what's going on by putting it into words. Once he held your hand and laughed and said it's like he's filled head to toe with buzzing.
Hong Lu may just be the most attentive lover imaginable. He's committed every little thing about you to memory and seems to know if something will upset you before you realize it yourself. And during moments where he doesn't seem to get why you're acting in a certain way, he'll just ask. The experience of walking through emotions to understand them is reciprocated with you. He wants to see you smile as much as possible, and if you need to cry or scream, he will let you do it.
...It must be noted, however, that sometimes the things he says are a little...out of touch. Hong Lu is very emotionally intelligent and has gone through a lot, yes, but he's still the most Nested of Nestborns. If you come from a lower class background, you will find yourself scratching your head every now and again. Well, it's not like you weren't used to it by this point, so it's fine (maybe).
His favorite thing to do is hold you. He likes being held as well. You two visit each others' rooms at night so often that Dante considers asking Faust if there's a way to just merge your rooms together. Hong Lu is subtle with his affection when around other people, but the aura you two give off is so strong the whole bus can tell what's going on anyways.
He isn't one for pet names. He'll maybe use one to tease you every now and then, but he likes to say just your name the best. He does, however, enjoy complimenting you in excessively flowery ways, to the point where it may be a godsend that he keeps these things more private. At Yi Sang's behest, it seems he's getting back into his old hobby of writing poetry, and that's leaking into what he says to you...You're probably going to receive a poem from him someday.
He wants you to get along with Xichun! He happily and openly introduces you as his beloved to her, to which she says "good luck with this idiot" (Wei translation: "The lady means to say that she is happy for you both."). Hong Lu starts telling you embarrassing baby Xichun stories right in front of her and Xichun yells.
His nightmares never completely go away.
But now that you're with him, they're starting to subside.
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