Title: Don't take too long
Fandom: Modao Zushi
Rating: G
Length: 326
Content notes: Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang, Bittersweet, Mention of Nie Mingjue's death
Author notes:
Summary: Don't take too long was a familiar phrase between them.


“Don’t take too long.”

It had become a joke between the two of them. A joke Nie Mingjue was getting tired of making, but the phrase felt safe in its familiarity nonetheless.

“I won’t Da-ge! I’ll be right back for my saber lesson, believe it!”

Nie Mingjue snorted. As if. Nie Huaisang would never be on time for his saber lessons, and that was something anyone in the sect could attest to. Still, the banter was familiar.

---

“Don’t take too long!”

Nie Huaisang grinned at him, and Nie Mingjue felt his lips lift upward at having the familiar phrase directed at him for once.

He shook his head. “I won’t. I’ll be back in time for your saber lessons tomorrow, so you’d better practice.”

He snorted at Nie Huaisang’s pout of dismay. They both knew he wouldn’t attend that one either, but it was routine at this point, and it would feel odd if either of them deviated from it.

--

“Don’t take too long.”

Nie Huaisang pressed a hand to his brother’s face, first covering his eyes, then letting it trace his brother’s features aimlessly. He had his saber with him for once. Attached at his back like a true Nie. How unfortunate that his brother wasn’t alive to see it.

“Don’t take too long coming back to me.”

If there was one thing Nie Huaisang knew, it was that his brother was the best. And what kind of da-ge would leave his precious didi to navigate a world without him? He would be back to him somehow before long.

Plus Baxia was missing, which must mean that she was planning something as she’d otherwise be right alongside his brother. She would never leave him alone otherwise.

Nie Huaisang breathed in, thinking of her as he stopped his hand above his brother’s still chest. The absence of a heartbeat resounding in the silence.

“Don’t take too long bringing him back to me Baxia. I trust you.”