reclist (but only for stuff with nie huaisang in it)

[headstone]

I’ve been threatening to do this for years and it's in no way exhaustive, but here’s a smattering of stuff that is seminal To Mee.

Organized by pairing, and then in order of how recently I read it, and obviously skews towards pairings I read the most actively. Canonverse unless stated otherwise. I’ve only included comments when I had something in particular to say; otherwise, I will let the work speak for itself.

Some of these works are literary masterpieces, some are... not, but enjoyable, etc. There are a few works by friends acquaintances beloved mutuals etc because you are talented and have good taste. :)

Why not also listen to my thematically relevant playlist while you peruse my selections??????????

GEN

Another Journey by july_19th_club: 14k, rated G | this fic made me sob like a baby.

spoilery content warning

canon-typical spirit sacrifice suicide ahoy!

Nie Huaisang reflects on a life lived, and makes plans for the future. Xichen comes along for the ride.

The Third Son of Qinghe Nie by hansbekhart: 1.8k, not rated | this fic also made me sob like a baby and I believe was the impetus for me to make a rec list in the first place. I guess the common thread between this and the above fic is Huaisang being revealed to have volunteered/be planning to volunteer himself for [above spoilery content warning] so maybe that’s my insta-cry button? good to know. I just have suchhhh a deep obsession with scenarios in which Huaisang becomes anyone's dubious mentor, especially when he does love them and it doesn't stop him in any way from acting so fucking wack!!!!!

Wei Wuxian’s eyes flicker over Sizhui again, from top to bottom. Sizhui holds still, lets him make his assumptions. The hair ornaments that have been in the family for generations. The outer robe that belonged to Er-ge when he was Sizhui’s age, cared for as tenderly as Sizhui himself, and any of Er-ge’s other surviving treasures. There hadn’t been many left, by the time Da-ge had finally succumbed. They were the same in that way: Sizhui had come to Qinghe with nothing left too.

what i have of you by astrolesbian: 5.4k, rated T | thee famous NHS horse fic

“I can’t promise anything,” Nie Huaisang says, sharper than he means, and then hides behind his fan to soften it, and to hide the tremble of his chin. “I don’t know anything about horses.”

dead doves: please eat by westiec: 1.1k, rated T | gimmicky concept, surprisingly impactful execution!!!!!!!!!

Nie Huaisang loves beautiful things, and plucking game birds is an exercise in destroying something beautiful. After which it's an exercise in picking off tiny bits of fluffy down that hide in the crevices and don't want to come out, and that's just annoying.

SANGCHENG

why wait for the best by picnicbasket: 2.3k, rated E | modern corpo AU, very fun

He has no idea where Nie Huaisang learned to behave like this.

The Silkworm’s Dream by sangchus: 11k, rated E | UNFINISHED WIP, including here even though I suspect it’s abandoned just because I love the core premise and found the bits we get here very juicy; rule 63 canon divergence Qishan-Wen-wins-the-Sunshot-Campaign fic with cis woman NHS and trans woman JC; I just loved the universe set up here and the way the characters were treated in this setting

Jiang Wanyin may not be as dead as previously thought, but she does not look far from it now. Most noticeably, she is far thinner than Nie Huaisang has ever seen her. What were once sharp, pretty features have been transformed into a skull’s leering mask, illuminated in glimpses by the ominous lick of shadows along her cheekbone. Wan skin has become translucent with illness and exhibits color only in the sick flush of her cheeks. Sable hair sticks wetly to the curve of her neck.

silence by inberin: 4.1k, rated G

At this, Huaisang laughs. It sounds real, but what does Jiang Cheng know? “I’ve said quite enough for a lifetime, I think,” he says, the mirth still playing about his lips in a way that makes Jiang Cheng sit up a little straighter. “I also think it’s much more fun if you do the talking.”

Lean for Love Forever by Pip: 6.5k, rated E | modern AU; trans man NHS; listen. this is how you know how much I like sangcheng because there are multiple modern AUs on this list despite me not usually reading them. also this fic is quite funny and charming.

He’s never been to a sex shop. He’s never wanted to, for one thing (not because he’s a prude, just-- just because), and for another thing, his mother would actually kill him if she somehow found out. He doesn’t know how she’d find out, but if she did, his life would be over. Nie Huaisang doesn’t have the same sort of issues, on account of how he’s not a prude, and he doesn’t have an overprotective mom, and he apparently does sometimes want to go to sex shops even though he’s perfectly capable of ordering his-- his whatevers online, like everyone else.

Living Memory by ghosthouses: 1.7k, rated T

Once Jin Guangyao has left, he gives himself two indulgences. The first, a day to scream in his rooms made soundproof with a talisman. The second, a physical list written in code, to keep his older self, who will have let the pain dull with time, accountable for what must be done.

Good Things by ghosthouses: 1.7k, rated E | yes I’m sure you’re all shocked that a lot of these recs are just “Sangcheng BDSM porn” but sometimes the CHARACTERIZATION IS GOOD!!!

He thinks about backing off completely one more time, giving his own neglected cock some attention and making Jiang Cheng watch. But Jiang Cheng seems to see it in his eyes, gives him a helpless, horrified look and, ah, maybe Nie Huaisang is getting soft in his old age.

a thousand tomorrows by inberin: 8k, rated G | I’m not sure if FOOWD would have evolved as it did if someone else hadn’t already written “postcanon Sangcheng bitter dried up 30something hags in love getting MARRIED” and convinced me it could be good

“You should already know what I want,” Jiang Cheng tells him, voice ragged. [...] “But what about you?”

“Me?” Huaisang smiles. “I’m simple, you know. I’ll want anything you want.”

dark water by Morgan: 7k, rated E

There is a sparking thrill of fear running through him that someone will catch them, that they will be in trouble if someone finds them, hiding out and getting drunk. It is balanced against - but somehow, not outweighed by; the two thoughts just tug against each other, rocking the boat of him back and forth - the knowledge that no-one can scold him, any more.

Dead Ringer by FeelsForBreakfast: 9k, rated E | an exceptionally unpleasant (complimentary) NHS POV!

Jiang Cheng cringes slightly, and Nie Huaisang feels the slick nausea of victory. Everyone thinks he’s so fucking stupid and they think he doesn’t know. It’s possible he should have claimed a headache and slunk out of this banquet hours ago. It’s possible he’s not fit for company tonight.

Descending by lightningwaltz: 6.4k, rated E | thee erotic hypnosis fic

“When did you become so authoritative?” Jiang Cheng wants to sound irked, but can’t quite manage anything beyond nervous curiosity.

Only the Shallow by herecomesaspecialboy: 14k, rated E | very silly but the porn is hot,

Nie Huaisang coaxes Jiang Cheng’s tongue into his mouth and sucks on it. Jiang Cheng’s resulting whines are the most erotic thing he’s ever heard. It sparks something ferocious and terrifying in him, something dark and primal that feels very, very dangerous.

the way is shut, and we cannot go back by saltedpin: 5.3k, rated T

“Nie Huaisang,” he says, a slight slur in his words, his face close enough that Huaisang can almost taste the alcohol on his breath, “Nie Huaisang, I know it was you.”

a steady hand by sangchus: 3.9k, rated E

He does it for the reward of that slow-blooming smile. Warmth pathetically suffuses him at even this simple praise. Part of him will always crave the pleased murmur his compliance earns. Something boyish, desperate. A tug at a mother’s skirts to be held; training until his knuckles bleed for a nod from his father. It is the self-same curse.

SANGYAO

nothing gold can stay by screechfox: 2.9k, rated M

Unearthed from a pile of papers a decade old, you find Meng Yao, half-sketched in black ink, staring up at you.

in the tall weeds by cordial: 1.2k, rated T | EXCELLENT QINGHE ERA SANGYAO WITH NHS TRANSFEM EGG MODE???????????????? AS A GIFT FIC FOR ME??????????? POG

The Nie-furen Jin Guangshan could have invented out of her would have haunted these hallways; sometimes the universe slyly hands Meng Yao what he has not paid or begged for but what he deserves.

The hands of a missionary by fishhook: 6.7k, rated T

Meng Yao teaches Nie Huaisang the proper way to catch a songbird.

Stitch These Wounds by unbirthdaydance: 2.8k, rated T

“Shh,” murmurs Jin Guangyao, petting his hair consolingly. “Huaisang, I… I’m sorry. I miss him too.”

desire till there’s nothing left of me by wizardlover: 1.5k, rated T

“Yao-ge,” he says, and he’s grateful that the wobble in his voice can be justified with the alcohol. He turns around, the waver and stumble not even a pretense, and gives Jin Guangyao his best sheepish, foolish smile. “I got lost.”

All the Best Lies Have One by Zeebie: 1.5k, rated T

"You were so--so poised, and elegant, and clever, and you didn’t use a saber, and da-ge valued you so highly!” You could not help searching his face then. Not a flicker. “And I thought, maybe, finally, there was a way for me to be something other than useless. That’s all it was, at first,” you said. “Admiration. Respect."

in favor of none by circeltea: 9.2k, rated T | Chinese mythology AU; technically Sangcheng but JGY & NHS is the focus relationship

Meng Yao loses. He bows his head in wry submission. When he lifts his glittering eyes back up to Huaisang’s, Huaisang feels suddenly pinned to the spot. Not for the first time, he remembers how afraid he is of this friend of his; his mouth goes dry and his mind blank.

SANGYU

sleep, death, desire by aurorareality: 2.7k, rated E | oh boy this one is ghoulish

He’s pretty. Nie Huaisang wishes it weren’t so dark, wishes he could light a candle. Mo Xuanyu deserves to be seen at least once. But the world has never cared about what they deserve, and so Nie Huaisang pushes him gently onto the bed.

the final cut by Wildehack: 20k, rated E | if you only read one fic off this list, make it this one.

Huaisang allows himself to meet Mo Xuanyu’s eyes when Jin Guangyao steps fully away, keeping his expression perfectly blank. No one is paying the slightest piece of attention to either of them. Huaisang looks back to Jin Guangyao, then to Mo Xuanyu. Mo Xuanyu is pale as a ghost. Then Lan Xichen approaches Huaisang, and when he turns to him he slips the headshaker back on, easy as donning a robe.

XISANG

search for the cut by cordial: 700w, rated T

There was a slick of stray blood along Lan Xichen's collar, after, that beaded into a tiny necklace under the influence of Lan mess-repelling talismans as they flew. His face remained impeccable, statuesque, as clear as any conscience, comforting in its serenity.

gather jewels from graveyards by LuckyDiceKirby: 15k, rated T

After all, a man should have to live with his mistakes. There is no other way to learn from them. His brother believed that.

in the shadow of your heart by LuckyDiceKirby: 2.6k, rated T | this + the above fic = PAIN

Huaisang brightens immediately whenever Lan Xichen is near, and often makes excuses to draw him away from conversations with a-Yao, so sweet and unsubtle that Lan Xichen can’t find it within himself to be annoyed. Huaisang is the sort of person who deserves an easy, uncomplicated life. There is something peaceful in the idea that he can entertain such a frivolous crush, in the wake of all that’s happened.

hasten on across the ice by lightningwaltz: 5.8k, rated E | UNFINISHED WIP but the one extant chapter can be read as standalone. I love this fic. I love a postcanon NHS who is just an absolute cunt

Nie Huaisang slides further into the bed until they’re both facing one another. “I see, I see. So he’s no longer A-Yao to you? What a demotion.” Nie Huaisang tries to say this as an aside, but he somewhat spoils the effect by continuing to stare at Lan Xichen. […] “Call him A-Yao, like you always did,” Nie Huaisang says, lightly, “or this conversation is over.”

RANDOM RAREPAIRS

Who Doesn’t Cry At Weddings? by wayofcloudbrain: Nie Huaisang/Qin Su, 12k, rated E | bananas modern AU concept that I’m obsessed with. This fic is so fucking funny

Qin Su is sick and tired of this wedding. And her marriage. Nie Huaisang is conveniently present.

Comments

[screechfox]

!!! This is such a good reclist, I need to go through it and read everything, including the fics I've already read. Highly honoured to be in such good company.