His voice is soft, wistful for days gone by, and Jiang Cheng finds himself reaching out, his hand heavy on Nie Huaisang’s thin shoulder. Nie Huaisang looks at him, eyes wide in sincere surprise, which gives way to a smile so wide it crinkles the corners of his eyes, so real and beautiful. The way he had in Gusu, wet hair stuck to pale skin, eyes honey-gold under the summer sun; before his brother’s death, before Sect Leader Nie, when they were only Jiang-xiong and Huaisang-xiong, when it was all so simple – Jiang Cheng's requirements in a partner.