All That Glimmers in the Water
Writer’s Note: @ruensroad - Here’s the little birdy idea we talked about last night. Sorry It wasn’t yesterday like I planned! :D I hope you enjoy it!
Nie Huaisang was glad to be brought back inside after a long day on the porch. He’d been placed on the desk on the dais just in front of another low table in the main chamber. It was larger than the one Senior Mo had been seated at with rather delicious looking food being placed. If he’d been human this meal would have been something he’d have enjoyed thoroughly. His train of thought was lost as Senior Mo stepped out from his bedroom.
The burgundy inner robe from earlier was gone. It had been replaced with a black gossamer robe with flames embroidering the sleeves on top of a maroon outer robe. The outer robes covered a high collared black silk inner robe that flowed at the hem. The black leather belt kept the layers closed. The ribbon that’d been in his hair is gone too. Those ink colored tresses were now up in an elegant bun with a hair pin the shape of a red plum blossom fig in his hair. The red eye shadow from yesterday was back haloing those ash colored eyes and the same color had been painted on his lips.
“Go ahead and open the door. I will play while we wait for him to arrive.” Mo Xuanyu instructed as he made his way to the desk. His dark eyes sliding over to the little bird that was staring at him. A thin smile forming on his face at the thought. A bird staring at him? He almost let himself chuckle but kept it inside as he started to play. Wen Ning opened the doors, giving respectful nods to the two disciples guarding the doorway.
If he’d had his human body no doubt would he have been standing there gaping like a fish. Senior Mo was beautiful and the way he played the guqin was elegant. His mind turning to the knowledge he had about the clan. He knew that Madam Mo had two children by Jin Guangshan. The first had died of a summer fever and the last hadn’t been seen since he was a toddler. Which was to be expected since Madam Mo had divorced the boy’s father. What was his name? Oh! Xuanyu, Mo Xuanyu, I think it is. Could this beautiful man be him? Nie Huaisang thought to himself as his mind continued pondering on Madam Mo. She was known for being protective and formidable. Her sect had been known for their cultivation of songs and wondered if the man could sing too. If he did, he probably sounded heavenly. Nie Huaisang thought. His train of thought led him to wonder that if he did have that ability, why hadn’t he used it? Maybe they’ve done something to him too? But he’s that monster's husband?
“Not all prisons are made of walls, A-Sang.” the voice of his dear friend, Jiang Cheng whispered in his mind. He chirped, sadly missing his friend which of course had him thinking of his brother. Oh, how he wished to know about Nie Mingjue and the others.
Mo Xuanyu looked over hearing the sad song his bird was singing. He frowned wondering if this song of meditation was agitating the little bird. He switched the song to one that was cheerful.
“What song is that, husband? I didn’t think you knew any other song than your soft melancholy ones.” The deep timbered voice of Wen Xu said, interrupting the moment. Nei Huaisang chirped, turning to see that Wen Xu was leaning against the open door frame. A smug smile across his lips with his arms crossed. His dark eyes focused on Senior Mo then flicked over to him.
Nie Huaisang flew to the bottom of his cage trying to be as small as possible. Although he wanted to reach out to Senior Mo and Wen Ning. He still couldn’t trust that they too wouldn’t hurt him. He looked upr seeing an expression of indifference spread across Senior Mo’s face that reminded him of Lan Wangji as he stood up going over to the dinner table.
“But that would be ridiculous wouldn’t it? My husband, Mo Xuanyu of Mo Sect, not knowing any songs?” He heard Wen Xu laugh. The shuffling stopped shortly making Nie Huaisang think that he’d gone to the table. He surprised himself by not chirping in surprise when he’d discovered that Senior Mo was in fact, Mo Xuanyu. The last time he’d been in his brother’s war room, Elder Bao had said that Madam Yo’s son was with his Aunt. Which meant that the woman was dead, too. Madam Mo’s sister was known for her prowess as cultivator. It must have been horrible to watch the woman die. The Wen’s are known for their cruelty. So he knew that whichever one that’d been able to defeat her had made Mo Xuanyu watch. His thoughts lead him to a bout of curiosity. He moved just enough to see over the rim of the tray of the cage to watch them, keeping most of his small body still hidden.
“Song of Endless Happiness.” Mo Xuanyu answered, not looking at Wen Xu, making the latter smile. That smile made a shiver go through Nie Huaisang causing him to ruffle his feathers. He knew that look. It was the same look he’d seen on Sect Leader Su’s face when looking at Meng Yao when his brother brought him to sect conferences. A wave of protectiveness came over him.
“You should play it more.” Wen Xu replied, moving his hand over top of Mo Xuanyu’s.
“It has no use here.” Mo Xuanyu stated, sliding his hand out from beneath Wen Xu’s into his lap making Nie Huaisang not being able to help himself but snort or atleast making some kind of mocking chirp that had both men looking in his direction. Wen Xu’s eyes narrowed at him and Nie Huaisang ducked down trying to hide himself. But it was no use. Wen Xu got up walking to the dias. His dark eyes focusing on Nie Huaisang’s making him still.
“Do you like your gift, husband?” Wen Xu askes with a wicked grin, watching the fast beat of Nie Huaisang’s small chest.
“No.”
“Hmm….” Wen Xu humms making a display of holding his chin as if in thought, “What about nongbao or feiwu no wait. I have one better.” His expression turned smug, “How about A-Song? I think that’s a perfect name for a songbird. Since all this one will do is listen to pretty songs and sing for the rest of his days.” Wen Xu gleefully stated.
Nie Huaisang stilled. His heart sinking at the memory of his beloved nephew. The one that had been killed during the start of the war. It had devastated his family. His brother and Meng Yao had been inconsolable for days. He didn’t make a sound but he felt the sting of tears forming on his eyes. The fear he’d felt quickly changed to rage. He flew up to the perch to squawk at him but the coldness of Mo Xuanyu’s tone stopped him. Instead he ruffled his feathers spreading his wings at him as if in challenge.
“No.” Mo Xuanyu replied, “I do not like it.”
“Then I will leave it up to you, husband. I have another gift for you.” Wen Xu replied, turning on his heels to walk over to Mo Xuanyu. Nie Huaisang watched as Mo Xuanyu stilled as Wen Xu stepped up behind him. He reached down taking the hair pin out, tossing it on the table not caring that it landed with a clack on the table from its weight. The hair bun coming undone, silky black hair pouring over his shoulders and down his back like a waterfall. He catches a strand bringing it up to his face as he kneels down beside the other.
Wen Xu stretches out his hand in Mo Xuanyu’s peripheral line of sight and a black velvet satchel appears with golden beads. He doesn’t wait for the latter to open it. He knows that Mo Xuanyu won’t. He hasn’t in the four months he’s had him. There are thawks of the beads clashing as he unties it then pulls out a delicate black jade hair comb with rubies gathered in the shape of a sun. Wen Xu let’s the satchel drop and dematerialize out of sight as he slips his fingers through Mo Xuanyu’s hair putting the comb in.
“Perfect.” Wen Xu whispers low, making Nie Huaisang inwardly cringe and from the sharpness in Mo Xuanyu’s gaze that’s refusing to look at Wen Xu he just knows the latter feels the same.
Probably worse. Nie Huaisang thinks. Disgusted and wishing he was in his human body, he would fend the other off of Mo Xuanyu. The man clearly doesn’t want Wen Xu anywhere near him. Not that Wen Xu cares in the slightest.
Wen Xu leans in close, his nose grazing the shell of Mo Xuanyu’s ear. The warmth of his breath on the sliver of the other’s exposed neck. “Your brother wishes to see you.”
The only giveaway that the words have affected him is the almost inaudible sharp gasp that Mo Xuanyu let’s out. Wen Xu smirks as he reaches a hand up to lightly wrap his fingers around Mo Xuanyu’s delicate neck. “One glance meeting my eyes…. I’ll allow it.”
Mo Xuanyu’s heart was racing and he knew that the other could feel it with his thumb pressed on his throat. But he didn’t care. He had brother’s with Jin Guangshan. Meng Yao and Jin Zixuan had both tried to stop what happened in their own ways. He had no idea of what happened with his eldest brother and Meng Yao, he was with Nie Mingjue when Wen Xu and Wen Chao took Qinghe. He didn’t care what Wen Chao boasted. What those fools don't know about his brother will be the death of them, and he would rather die before telling them. So, that meant the brother risking his life is Jin Zixuan. But what for?
“He will have a safe passage here and back.” Mo Xuanyu stated firmly.
“Yes.” Wen Xu whispered back. His fingers trailing up his neck to grip his jaw turning Mo Xuanyu’s face to his. Ash colored eyes still averted but slowly they shifted to look into Wen Xu’s dark brown ones filled with a heady gaze. They stayed like that for a moment too long for Mo Xuanyu’s liking until those dark eyes drifted down to his lips. The Wen heir’s thumb moved to smudge the lipstick on his lips.
A shiver of disgust and actual fear rolled down Mo Xuanyu’s spine. He was about to push the other away when someone approached the open doors of the main chamber. The moment lost as Wen Xu turned to look at who’d arrived. Nie Huaisang could see from the perch that it was Wen Zhuliu. Wen Xu rolled his eyes but kept his hand on Mo Xuanyu’s face.
“Wen Xu, Sect Leader Wen wants to see you, now. “ Wen Zhuliu stated after bowing respectfully.
“You’ll have to eat the rest of dinner alone, husband.” Wen Xu ordered with a sigh before standing up. He sent a look at Wen Ning, who had to stand by helplessly along with the other servants watching the exchange, letting him know to make sure that Mo Xuanyu eats. Wen Ning nodded bowing to him as Wen Xu left. Wen Zhuliu bowed to Mo Xuanyu before following behind Wen Xu.
Mo Xuanyu wanted nothing but to order Wen Ning to shut the doors and wipe the lipstick off his face with his bare hands but he couldn’t. The guards and the female disciple that had delivered the notice earlier was still there. The woman was loyal to Wen Xu. She would tell him if he didn’t eat. That wretch had done it before resulting in the horror that had unfolded afterwards. So, he brought the silk napkin to his lips carefully removing the lipstick.
“Wen Ning, go prepare me a bath and take the bird with you. The fresh air would be good for it.” Mo Xuanyu ordered, tone soft before he started eating his dinner.
“Of course, Senior Mo.” Wen Ning replied, grabbing up Nie Huaisang’s cage and heading to the bathing room. Which was more like another garden with its flowers and trees. There was even a stone table off to the side. It had a small covered pavilion that allowed one to hang one's robes on and step off towards a pool that fed off a hot spring.
Wen Ning gave him a look as he hung the cage on a hook that would normally house a lantern. But he could see that other lanterns had been lit.
“You’ll be out here for a bit, little one.” Wen Ning stated. Nie Huaisang chirped happily. Wen Ning chuckled, “What a clever bird.” Then he was off to grab the things necessary for his charge to bathe in peace.
You have no idea. Nie Huaisang thought to himself watching the young man go. He’d seen so much tonight. He wished he could have helped though but he needed to help himself first. Wen Xu had been so smug earlier telling him that he’d keep him as a bird instead of killing him. Could it mean that Da-ge and A-Yao weren’t dead? That would be a good way to torture Da-ge. Make him think that he was dead too. Nie Huaisang thought out loud but it only came out as chirps. He got so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn’t noticed he wasn’t alone until he heard a soft chuckle.
“I hate to say this but A-Song might be a good name for you little one.” Mo Xuanyu laughed as he stepped out from the pavilion in only his silk inner robe. The hairpin and make up gone from his face.
No! Nie Huaisang squawked, ruffling his feathers at Mo Xuanyu.
“I’m guessing that’s a no then…” Mo Xuanyu chuckled. He reached up unbuttoning his collar before untying the silk sash. Nie Huaisang quickly flew down with his back to Mo Xuanyu. He could hear the flutter of silk as it landed on the ground followed by the sloshing of the water as the man entered the pool. Nie Huaisang finally dared to let himself look only to find that Mo Xuanyu had submerged himself under water. When he finally came up for air , it was only his head with his hands wiping the water and hair from his face. Then he swam over near Nie Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang flew up to the perch to see why the other was coming this way and noticed that Wen Ning had left a hot cup of tea for Mo Xuanyu at the water’s edge. Mo Xuanyu stood up then and Nie Huaisang felt like all the breath had been punched out of his current body. The man looked celestial with the moonlight casting an ethereal glow about him. But what really made him chirp in utter surprise was the gold painted talismans on his body. They covered from the base of the neck down his shoulders to just above his forearms. The markings continued down his lean chest and the v of his hips.
You’re beautiful. Nie Huaisang thought then chirped, scolding himself. He should have looked away again. The poor man was already being accosted by Wen Xu. What would he think of him when he turned human again?
“If not A-Song, then what about A- Sang? At least that is similar and you do sing.” Mo Xuanyu laughed, reaching for his tea cup,removing the lid.
YES! YES! Nie Huaisang chirped in approval, looking down at Mo Xuanyu
“Well, then A-Sang it is.” Mo Xuanyu smiled warmly, making Nie Huaisang almost feel safe. That is until the shiny paint caught his attention. It wasn’t just any paint. Those talismans were not going to come off. The markings were made with stygain paint. Which means that the only way for those to come off that beautiful flesh was if the painter died or they were removed by the painter. He flew to one of the bars holding himself there studying the talismans.
Oh no. Nie Huaisang thought as he looked them over. They were talismans to bind Mo Xuanyu’s cultivation inside but also to keep him trapped within the palace. The one person who could help was trapped even more than he.
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Part One // Part Two || Read it on AO3
