Work Text:
When Xie Lian woke up, the sun still had not risen. The scent of incense clung in the air within Puqi Shrine while the essence of wet earth from last night’s rain wafted through an open window. A wind chime jingled in greeting of dawn’s gentle breeze. While the leaves’ changing colors and falling blossoms meant autumn was approaching swiftly, summer’s humid air lingered throughout the night and morning. Besides the wind chime’s jingle and occasional crackle of a fallen leaf, silence guarded the village of Puqi.
Xie Lian listened to his husband’s even breathing. Both of their bodies curved towards each other, Xie Lian’s head tucked under Hua Cheng’s chin and their chests pressed against the other. Hua Cheng’s inner robe rubbed against Xie Lian’s cheek while he breathed softly into Xie Lian’s hair. Even though Hua Cheng’s skin should have been icy to the touch, Xie Lian felt warm. Often, they fell asleep like this, and even when they didn’t, overnight their bodies would naturally be drawn to each other. After Xie Lian’s shackles were broken, they didn’t need to sleep. There were days when both would enjoy each other’s company through the night and into dawn. However, sleep brought comfort. Last night, after Hua Cheng ravished Xie Lian thoroughly, they laid quietly to the night’s downpour and drifted to sleep.
Xie Lian sighed, hot breath hitting Hua Cheng’s exposed chest. He would give away all his merits if it meant staying with Hua Cheng longer today. But he needed to grant a prayer. Xie Lian had decided to grant the prayer early in the morning prior to official business he had at the Heavenly Capital. He was afraid that with how long and chaotic meetings went in the Heavenly Capital, he wouldn’t see Hua Cheng until evening. While only less than a day apart, Xie Lian still found it uncomfortable, despite 50 years of marriage. Xie Lian had already explained this predicament to Hua Cheng yesterday, and it only took multiple reassurances and a promise to “make it up to San Lang” that convinced Hua Cheng did not need to accompany him. After all, Hua Cheng also had important business in Ghost City today.
Realizing time was passing by, Xie Lian slowly untangled himself from his husband. After readjusting his robes, he moved to stand when a pale hand shot through the dark and gripped his arm.
“Gege. Where are you going?” A deep, wild voice. However, instead of the playful or sleepy tones Xie Lian was so fond of, anxiety and fear were layered into the question.
Xie Lian gripped back the hand. “San Lang. I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m going out to grant a prayer, did you forget? Then I will go to the Heavens. You should see me again tonight.” Underneath Xie Lian’s hand, Hua Cheng’s fist seemed to tremble, but Xie Lian didn’t know if he was imagining it. He twisted at the waist. “San Lang? Is everything okay?”
In the dark, it was hard to make out Hua Cheng’s expression. The Ghost King’s once even breathing was slightly off beat, alarming Xie Lian. “San Lang?”
In the next second, Hua Cheng’s body and hand relaxed, the slight tremors vanishing. Xie Lian could see a flash of his husband’s smile. The deep, wild voice returned to normal. “I forgot about Gege’s business today. Don’t spend too much time away and hurry back to me, okay, Gege?”
Even though Hua Cheng’s normal demeanor returned, Xie Lian didn’t move and studied his husband further, eyebrows furrowed. “San Lang…?”
“Everything is fine, taizi dianxia. I just forgot, that’s all,” Hua Cheng responded instantly. He rose from the bed and leaned forward. A warm kiss pressed to Xie Lian’s forehead. “Of course, I feel pain to leave Gege’s side, but my heart will heal knowing you will make it up to me.” The last few words were obviously an innuendo, and Xie Lian’s face warmed.
After observing his husband some more, he deemed Hua Cheng’s behavior to being startled awake. After all, both of them have been through many horrific trials, so there were times neither of them could wake easily. So, after scolding his husband lightly, he finished dressing and pushed out the door of Puqi Shrine, all the while feeling Hua Cheng’s burning gaze on his back.
Halfway through his journey to the mortal who prayed for him, Xie Lian realized something. The smile his husband gave this morning wasn’t sincere at all.
Gege.
Xie Lian lifted his head in surprise. His heart jumped with happiness when he realized Hua Cheng had reached him through the spiritual communication array. San Lang?
Before him, martial gods were gathered in the hall, each side shouting at one another. At first, Xie Lian had tried to calm things down, but matters escalated, and he had slumped in his chair, defeated. Somehow, even though Xie Lian had rejected the position several times and loudly protested against the title, he had been made the de facto ruler of Heaven. He rejected most duties that came with the position, but some matters couldn’t be helped (just like Ling Wen’s unfortunate position). Heaven needed a leader.
Xie Lian felt the start of a headache, but at the sound of Hua Cheng’s voice, all trace of that headache vanished.
Where are you, Gege?
Xie Lian frowned in confusion. At the Heavenly Capital. Did San Lang forget?
Was that fear in Hua Cheng’s voice? It was as if Xie Lian could feel the waves of something wretched coming through the spiritual array.
There was a pause. Too long of a pause, in fact, that Xie Lian was about to rise and rush down to wherever his husband was, but Hua Cheng answered in the next beat, That’s right. I’m sorry, Gege. I forgot.
Hua Cheng forgot? Twice? This wasn’t like his husband at all. Ahaha, that’s okay, my memory is bad too. How is Ghost City? Is San Lang okay? Is Black Water Submerging Boats doing well these days?
…Everything is fine. Don’t worry about other people, Gege, they’re not worth your time.
Cold sweat formed on Xie Lian’s back. Why did he suspect that the “other people” Hua Cheng was referring to also included Hua Cheng himself?
Hurry home.
Before Xie Lian could respond, a god shouted, “Taizi Dianxia! Will you please focus and give us your opinion on this matter?”
Xie Lian blinked at the dozens of faces watching him expectantly. The one who had shouted at him was a scowling Mu Qing. Vaguely, he could recall the conversation was something about a Water God replacement.
“Ahaha,” Xie Lian laughed nervously and clapped his hands. “I don’t think this can be solved today. Why don’t we set it aside for next time and move onto the next subject? Unfortunately, something has come up, and I would like to return to the mortal realm as soon as possible.”
…
Even though it was an inadequate answer, most followed his lead. Xie Lian kept a gentle smile on his face while the subject changed, but to those who knew him well, they could tell other things were on his mind. Mu Qing and Feng Xin exchanged a look.
Xie Lian had hurried the Heaven’s Officials meeting along, but it still took a chunk of time. By the time Xie Lian could jump from the Heavens and make his way to Ghost City, the sun was close to the horizon in the mortal realm. Of course, in Ghost City, the sun did not exist.
“Great Grand Uncle! Great Grand Uncle! You’ve returned!” a shrill voice greeted him just as he entered Ghost City. Before he knew it, many ghosts surrounded him, welcoming him with reverence and happiness.
Xie Lian humored them with a smile and greeted back, “Hello, hello, everyone. Um, please make way, don’t push, don’t push.”
“Great Grand Uncle, you’re seeing Cheng-zhu right? Please visit him as soon as possible! Cheng-zhu isn’t feeling well today.”
Xie Lian froze, the same cold sweat returning at those words. His heart grew heavy, and dreadful anxiety entered his body.
“Don’t talk about Cheng-zhu that way! Cheng-zhu is always the greatest!”
“Yeah but…his temper today…”
“Don’t insult Cheng-zhu! If he wants to slap around us ghosts, then we should be honored! If he destroys a shop, we should thank him for giving us work!”
“Yes, yes!”
“I heard Cheng-zhu turned Black Water away today! Can you imagine! Black Water came all the way to Ghost City, and Cheng-zhu didn’t even meet with him!”
“Great Grand Uncle, please comfort Cheng-zhu!”
“Like I said, Cheng-zhu is the greatest, he doesn’t need comfort!”
“Quiet,” Xie Lian ordered, a rare edge to his voice. Immediately, the ghosts quieted, watching curiously as Xie Lian struggled to compose himself. The thought of Hua Cheng in pain, emotionally or otherwise, hurt him deeply. “Did you see San Lang today?” He asked the question to the ghost who spoke first.
The ghost eagerly nodded. “Yes, Great Grand Uncle. Cheng-zhu came earlier and was walking around with a serious expression. He seemed troubled so naturally we asked, but Cheng-zhu just told us to scram. So we did! But—but we still watched from afar, and Cheng-zhu walked around some more and scared a few of us ghosts. And then Cheng-zhu blasted an entire shop down! We don’t know what that merchant did, but it must have upset Cheng-zhu very much.”
Another ghost piped in, “Yeah, and when Black Water came today, he was asking all of us humble ghosts where Cheng-zhu was. But Cheng-zhu changed his mind last minute and cancelled the meeting. Cheng-zhu is entitled to do anything he wants, of course! But it’s too strange, Great Grand Uncle, too strange.”
That, Xie Lian agreed. His anxiety and panic that started as a small seed this morning was now wildly growing, painful roots digging into his stomach and blocking his breathing. My dear San Lang…
Xie Lian felt his heavy legs move. He pushed past the crowd and ended up running down the main street, straight towards Qiandeng Temple. “Thank you, everyone!” he added hastily behind him. San Lang, I’m coming!
When Hua Cheng woke up, he felt like drowning. Waves of terror and past wounds consumed him on the humid dawn of Puqi village. Despite being a ghost who did not need to breathe, Hua Cheng gasped inwardly. A familiar fear camped within his heart, squeezing painfully until Hua Cheng could only shudder against it.
You’re unworthy. You’re unworthy. Disgusting. Hideous. You’re unworthy!
These days were not new. While they came far and few between since marrying Xie Lian, 800 years of a painful past did not erase itself easily. There were days where rising from bed felt more torturous than the pain of carving his eye out. Today his mood soured instantly, and no placating words or well wishes would drag him to the surface. These were the days where Hua Cheng struggled to exist.
Both of them experienced these miserable days. For Xie Lian, he started those days in a cold sweat, the night before plagued by nightmares of White No-Face. The rest of the day Xie Lian would numbly exist, feeling the phantom pains of a hundred swords and the paralyzing fear of losing Hua Cheng. Even though his wounds had long healed, Xie Lian relived his 800 years of existence on those days. Even though his misfortune shackle had long been broken, he was terrified his bad luck would take Hua Cheng. At rare times, he barely ate or spoke, often gazing blankly ahead, unable to respond to concerned friends, including Feng Xin and Mu Qing. Sometimes, Xie Lian stayed in bed, soaking tears into Hua Cheng’s chest, in despair over the unfairness that followed his entire life. No matter how tight Hua Cheng held him, Xie Lian desperately tried to burrow closer until the only way to achieve his wish was to bury himself within Hua Cheng’s skin. These were the days where Xie Lian struggled to exist.
For Hua Cheng, unrelenting thoughts of how disgusting, unworthy, and hideous he was afflicted him. The paralyzing fear of losing Xie Lian left him terrifyingly vulnerable. On these days, Hua Cheng was convinced he was unworthy of Xie Lian’s love. On these days, he believed Xie Lian deserved a better believer, one who did not fail him over and over in the last 800 years. On these days, when Xie Lian left his eyesight, his mind screamed He’s leaving! Forever, he’s leaving, he’s leaving, he’s leaving! And on these days, His Highness’ screams of pain as Xie Lian was stabbed over one hundred times while he helplessly watched haunted his soul.
While Xie Lian often let Hua Cheng comfort him during those godawful days, Hua Cheng had the annoying habit of suppressing his thoughts, determined to deal with it alone. Because even though Xie Lian was the only one who could bring him comfort, he already felt unworthy, disgusting for Xie Lian to touch, and to burden his god with his revolting emotions was too much to bear.
During the dawn of Puqi village, Hua Cheng felt his husband shift slightly, as if to move off the bed.
HE’S LEAVING!
Before he knew it, his arm dashed out to grip Xie Lian. His husband paused, startled. “Gege,” Hua Cheng said shakily. “Where are you going?”
After Xie Lian reminded him of his plans in a confused tone, Hua Cheng cursed inwardly. They discussed these plans yesterday. He’d been too obvious. Needy. Hua Cheng knew he hadn’t completely convinced Xie Lian that he had just simply forgotten and that he was okay, but it must have been enough because he watched Xie Lian pass through the door with a smile on his face. Once he left, Hua Cheng collapsed back onto the bed, fighting the urge to run after his husband and beg him to stay.
The rest of the day did not get better. Eventually, Hua Cheng did drag himself out of bed and transport to Ghost City. Immediately, he found the small ghosts’ clamor too annoying. Jaw clenched, he sent all of them a ferocious glare, and most of them scattered.
Today meant preparing for He Xuan’s visit and approving the renovations of Gambler’s Den. Some idiots blew it down after a fight broke out during a bet. Yin Yu hurriedly joined his side while they walked through the main street of Ghost City. However, as he listened to Yin Yu’s updates on Ghost City, he found that he was not listening at all. Instead, he was distracted by the blooming anxiety in his chest. It had been hours since he’s heard from Xie Lian. While he knew Xie Lian was out granting a prayer, he should have been done by now. Why was his husband not by his side?
He’s gone, he's gone! You didn’t protect him, he’s gone!
It was an irrational thought. The red thread around his finger remained unbroken. But today that was not enough. Xie Lian was gone.
Call him call him call him call him call him
He waved an hand towards Yin Yu. “Silence,” he ordered.
Yin Yu looked startled but stopped talking.
Gege.
The response was almost immediate. San Lang?
Xie Lian’s voice calmed his heart but did nothing to tame the waves of fear. Where are you, Gege?
…At the Heavenly Capital. Did San Lang forget?
Shame flooded his senses. Of course. The meetings. Even though he thought all of the gods were useless trash, Hua Cheng knew that Xie Lian was, at least for the time being, safe in the Heavenly Capital. But still . . . Hua Cheng swallowed thickly, desperate to ease the lump in his throat. He wanted to hug his husband more than ever, and he cursed every single god in existence for stealing Xie Lian from him.
That’s right. I’m sorry, Gege. I forgot.
--Is San Lang okay? Is Black Water Submerging Boats doing well these days?
Hua Cheng wanted to cry. He was not okay, but he didn’t want Xie Lian to know. He wanted only happiness and peace for his husband. Instead, he acted like a fool and worried His Highness. Unworthy unworthy unworthy unworthy
…Everything is fine. Don’t worry about other people, Gege, they’re not worth your time. Hurry home.
“Cheng-zhu,” Yin Yu interrupted, looking hesitant. “Cheng-zhu, He Xuan has arrived. Where shall we direct him?”
Hua Cheng was in no mood to entertain another Ghost King. “Cancel the meeting,” he said icily, turning away.
“…Cheng-zhu?” Yin Yu followed Hua Cheng briefly through the street. “Black Water and you have planned this meeting for many months—”
“I said cancel the meeting!” Hua Cheng roared. Ghost activity paused on the street, frozen at their lord’s outburst. Yin Yu’s only reaction was a tightening of his lips, followed by a deep bow and a muttered yes, Cheng-zhu.
Misfortunate ghosts still littered the pathway. Many were curious about Hua Cheng’s well being and even some dared to come forward to inquire it. Hua Cheng clenched his fists. His eyes flashed red, and he released a burst of spiritual energy. Ghosts screeched as they flew back several feet and crashed into merchants’ stalls.
“Scram!”
Within seconds, the street was empty.
Hua Cheng’s heavy feet pushed him forward through Ghost City. Qiandeng Temple. He would rest there. It was the only place in Ghost City that smelled of Xie Lian. The only place that could calm his fear. His steps quickened when he recognized the tell-tale signs that the wretched thoughts were returning. Feeling like he was suffocating, Hua Cheng made a desperate attempt to recite their poem in his mind:
No water is enough when you have crossed the sea
No cloud is beautiful—
UNWORTHY.
No water is enough when you have crossed the sea
No cloud is beautiful but that which HELP HELP IT HURTS IT HURTS
that which crowns the peak
I pass by flowers WHY WON’T SOMEONE HELP HELP HELP
No water is enough
No water is enough
No water is
Xie Lian’s screams from that fateful night at the temple drowned out everything else. The pain pierced Hua Cheng’s head, and he grunted, knees almost buckling. Stop, Hua Cheng begged. Please stop. In hopes of quelling the pain, he swung and shot a powerful blast at a nearby merchant stall, but it did nothing to lessen the screams.
Stop. Please. Stop.
When Xie Lian entered Qiandeng Temple, he found Hua Cheng resting on the altar. Two arms casually crossed and cushioned his head while one boot laid lazily over his knee. He was in his original form, the silver vambraces glinting in the soft light. His long, black hair cast to the floor from the altar with that one, red pearl framing the side of his cheek. Even through the years, Xie Lian was still breathless at how beautiful Hua Cheng was.
Outwardly, it looked as though Hua Cheng was okay. Xie Lian briefly scanned for any physical injuries, but there were none. His husband’s face was relaxed, no sign of the distress the ghosts discussed just minutes ago.
Hua Cheng opened his eye. He rose gracefully from the altar with a grin. “Gege, you’re back.”
The two rushed forward and embraced each other tightly. Both took the time to breath in each other’s scent, their arms tightening as the seconds went by. Xie Lian felt a gentle peck on his head. “Ah, Gege, really,” Hua Cheng sighed. “A day is too long without you. You’ve left me all alone.”
Xie Lian smiled into Hua Cheng’s chest. “I’ve spoiled you too much, San Lang. I’ve only been gone for less than a day.”
“I’ve said this before, Gege. You only need to stop the sentence to ‘I’ve been gone’, and it’s too much for me. What do you have in your hand?”
“Ah!” Xie Lian pulled away. He held up a bag of food. “The ghosts were nice enough to give us chicken soup. They, um, told me it was cooked the normal way. Did San Lang want to eat with me?”
Hua Cheng chuckled. “Of course, Gege.”
As Hua Cheng reached to grab the bag, Xie Lian’s sharp eyes caught something.
Hua Cheng’s hand was trembling.
Xie Lian let him take the bag and empty the containers, but he observed the Ghost King closely. Hua Cheng stood tall, and his stance looked relaxed. However, Xie Lian knew his husband too well, and Hua Cheng’s shoulders were a little too tense. E-ming’s eye, too, was swirling anxiously.
“Besides missing me, how was today?” Xie Lian asked lightly. “The little ghosts told me you cancelled the meeting with Black Water.”
“Whatever those ghosts told you is utter nonsense,” came Hua Cheng’s cold reply.
“Ghost City loves gossip,” he agreed with a laugh. “But, San Lang—”
“Dianxia, you’re hungry, right? Let’s eat.”
…Xie Lian felt stumped. He let himself be led to their table. Hua Cheng sat across from him with a smile. Dropping the matter for now, they started dinner in an easy manner. The conversation was light and flowed smoothly, with Xie Lian filling Hua Cheng in on all of his day’s details. Hua Cheng listened closely, humming in all of the right places and sneering at the mention of Mu Qing. However, whenever Xie Lian tried to breach topics about Hua Cheng, the conversation was avoided, deftly redirected to another question about Xie Lian.
Soon both of them slumped in their seats, sated. They gazed at each other silently, enjoying the muted commotion outside of Qiandeng Temple and each other’s company.
“San Lang,” Xie Lian said softly. “Come hold me?”
Hua Cheng’s eye warmed with happiness. “Of course, Gege. Anything for you.”
They moved to the altar. Hua Cheng leaned back so that Xie Lian could easily curl against his body. Xie Lian’s arm circled Hua Cheng’s abdomen while two arms wrapped around him. One hand began to gently rake through the tresses of the prince’s hair. The head massage loosened Xie Lian’s shoulders. In return, he squeezed Hua Cheng.
Xie Lian sighed, thanking all three realms for blessing him with moments like these. He allowed many moments of silence before he broke it with a question, “San Lang, how long have we been married?”
“51 years and 2 months, Dianxia,” came the immediate, but confused reply.
Xie Lian hummed. “Then…why does San Lang think that he could hide he’s in pain from me?”
Hua Cheng’s body went rigid. The hand in his hair stopped moving. Xie Lian waited patiently while his husband tried to come up with a response. In the end, Hua Cheng dipped his head with a small exhale. “…Gege, I was wrong.”
Xie Lian slowly rose to meet Hua Cheng’s dropped gaze. With a frown, he cupped his husband’s face and stared deeply into a vulnerable eye. “Then make it right, San Lang,” Xie Lian said quietly. “Tell me what’s wrong. Tell me how to fix it.”
As if given permission, his eye squinted, like he was holding back tears from bursting. A trembling hand reached to grip Xie Lian’s arm. “Taizi Dianxia,” Hua Cheng said, trembling. “Dianxia…Dianxia, I’m hurting.”
Xie Lian rushed forward to hold Hua Cheng to his chest. Hua Cheng shuddered against his body, a small, wretched sound ripping from his throat. Two hands clawed at the back of white, Taoist robes. Xie Lian gave a distressed hum, hands rubbing in soothing ways all across Hua Cheng’s back. He knew there was nothing he could say or do to alleviate all of Hua Cheng’s suffering, but he hoped he would be enough to get Hua Cheng through this day.
Hua Cheng clung to Xie Lian, unable to stop the tremors that washed through him. Xie Lian buried his face in Hua Cheng’s hair, whispering all kinds of nonsensical comfort in an attempt to ease his pain. It was only when he stopped his whispers to instead lay his cheek against Hua Cheng’s head that he realized Hua Cheng was muttering something.
“Don't leave. Please, don't leave. I’m sorry, Gege,” Hua Cheng said into Xie Lian’s robes. “I’m sorry.”
“San Lang,” Xie Lian said, worriedly. “Why are you apologizing?”
“I’m sorry,” Hua Cheng only repeated. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop it. I’m sorry.”
Xie Lian froze. He remembered then that many years ago, Hua Cheng told him that Xie Lian’s screams during the night of one hundred swords tormented him most. An alarmed noise pulled from Xie Lian’s throat, and he tackled Hua Cheng forcefully. “San Lang!”
The two tumbled back against the altar. Now laying horizontally, side by side, Xie Lian reached shaking hands to cup Hua Cheng’s distraught face. “San Lang,” he called, anxious. “I’m here. I’m safe. You’ve saved me. San Lang did so well, you’ve protected me for more than 800 years. I love you.”
Hua Cheng shook his head, panic within his eye. “Don’t say that, Dianxia. I wasn’t strong enough. Even now...Dianxia, you…you are noble and gracious. I am…” unworthy. hideous. disgusting. Xie Lian knew all too well the words Hua Cheng used to finish that sentence.
Xie Lian’s eyes watered, but he tightened his grip on Hua Cheng’s face as he gave a small exhale. “I shouldn’t have left you, today.” His thumbs rubbed small circles against Hua Cheng’s cheeks. “My dear San Lang…how can you think I can possibly be happy when you’re suffering? My heart is in agony over the thought of San Lang hurting alone. Aren’t we married? I deserve to share your burdens, too.”
When it looked like Hua Cheng was going to protest, Xie Lian cut in, “No, San Lang. Listen.” He was using his stern voice, but it was impossible to hide the love behind it. Hua Cheng obediently closed his mouth, looking at Xie Lian with a mix of reverence and fear. “You are so beautiful. San Lang is impossibly brave, loyal, and beloved. I can’t think of anyone else who is more worthy of love than you.” Normally saying these kinds of things out loud would make Xie Lian flustered, but this wasn’t the time for that. “You are full of so much love. I feel breathless thinking about how lucky I am to have San Lang’s love. Your love has saved me many times over my cursed life, and still you have so much more to offer. I only wish that you see that you are just as deserving of the same kind of love I have for you.”
Xie Lian caught a lone tear that threatened to leave Hua Cheng’s eye. “My San Lang, you are so beloved,” Xie Lian said quietly. “By your ghosts, and most importantly, by me. If you view me with such reverence, with such perfection, then believe your god when I say that of course San Lang is worthy of my love.” He sighed. “My life was not fair, and yes, I have been hurt. But San Lang, you have been hurt, too. It’s neither of our faults for the pain we had to endure. You did everything you could, with that infinite amount of love you hold. But it’s in the past. I am alive because of you, and I exist because of you. You made me your noble, gracious, and important person—your dream. If I am your dream, San Lang, then you are the reason I want to continue living in this world.”
This time, Hua Cheng couldn’t stop the tears that came forth. His voice cracked when he uttered one word, “Gege.”
Both embraced again at the same time, tight and unyielding. Their legs tangled together, their bodies clashing against each other’s curves. Xie Lian’s hips against Hua Cheng’s hips, he could feel E-ming’s constant hum that harmonized with Hua Cheng’s quiet sobs. He pressed many kisses to Hua Cheng’s head, forehead, and ear. “Please tell me next time you are like this, San Lang,” the prince begged. “I want to share your burdens, too. It's an order from your Crown Prince.” It was a weird thing to say, and after saying it, Xie Lian felt foolish. His face red, he opened his mouth to tell his husband to forget the last sentence, when Hua Cheng cut through with a wet chuckle.
“Yes, taizi dianxia.” The words were said in a light manner. Hua Cheng took one, collecting breath. He lifted his head to meet Xie Lian’s flustered gaze. Xie Lian reached to wipe the last tear on the Ghost King’s face, but Hua Cheng caught his hand and instead pressed it to his lips. “…I’m sorry, Gege. For worrying you. For withholding.”
“There’s no need to apologize, San Lang. Just don’t do it again.”
“Yes, Gege.” Hua Cheng sighed. His eye drifted downwards to Xie Lian’s chest, and absently, he rubbed a spot on his chest, as if a sword wound was still there.
Many years ago, on a day possibly worse than today, Hua Cheng had asked his husband randomly if the wounds still hurt. Xie Lian had replied no. Not physically. When Hua Cheng looked doubtful, Xie Lian explained more, It hurts, but it doesn’t. Because San Lang is here. Because even after all that, after the pain and torture, San Lang has always been with me and will always be with me.
“I love you,” Hua Cheng said quietly.
Xie Lian smiled the brightest of smiles. “I love you, too, San Lang.”
The two pressed their lips together, an outpour of love radiating between them. Xie Lian wrapped his arms around Hua Cheng’s neck to deepen the kiss, and for the first time today, Hua Cheng felt like he could breathe.
Bonus
"I SWEAR IF NEITHER ONE OF YOU OPEN THIS DOOR—”
Hua Cheng swung open Qiandeng Temple’s door with a growl. “You must not value your life as a god. What are you doing in my territory?”
Feng Xin scowled back at the Ghost King. He looked wildly uncomfortable, no doubt from being in a Ghost King’s lair, but he was also determined. “What am I doing? I’ve been trying to contact His Highness for hours. Something is wrong with…” Feng Xin’s voice trailed off. He took a closer look at the Ghost King. Hua Cheng’s robes were in disarray, his outer robe gone, and the belt holding his inner robe together was clearly hastily tied. The ghost’s feet were bare. Feng Xin’s face reddened, and he stuttered, “S-so His Highness is okay, I’m assuming…”
Hua Cheng smirked at Feng Xin’s reaction. “Gege is fine, but I am not done with him yet. In fact, I will need him all night. Get out.”
The door closed on Feng Xin’s face. Stunned, Feng Xin could only listen as he heard Xie Lian faintly ask, San Lang, who was that? … YOU TOLD HIM WHAT?