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Hong’er was a statue. That was fine. He had always been a statue. He had… feelings and something like memories but it was a bit more complicated than that.
Mostly being a statue meant he did not move or think or feel at all. Mostly being a statue meant he was frozen in time with no way to be aware of himself. But every now and then His Highness would visit and the cave that was Hong’er’s whole world would fill with life.
The problem was that it was not his highness and whenever the god visited he somehow got lost from his own god.
Hong’er clutched his flower tight as he ran through the rooms, wondering where his highness had gone off to this time. His god had a habit of wandering. It wasn’t that he wanted to be seperated any more than Hong’er did, at least, Hong’er didn’t think so. But his god was the curious sort who delighted in the freedom of animation and just sort of… forgot to let him keep up at times.
Hearing the sound of clinking swords, Hong’er perked up and ran towards the sound, peeking into the room.
A Crown Prince happily sparred with a little soldier not unlike Hong’er. The blades danced against each other to create a dazzling display, but occasionally the Crown Prince would laugh and stop, adjusting the little soldier’s form.
Hong’er thought that little soldier was ugly. Maybe it was because they looked too much alike, both covered in bandages. Maybe it was because they were next to someone as beautiful as his highness.
Hong’er clutched the flower to his chest as he watched them. This solider may have been ugly, acting so big and grown up like he didn’t still need his highness to teach him proper form, but… he got to be with his highness. Got to learn from him. This highness seemed completely focused on training his little soldier.
The stone god demonstrated a new move, seeming delighted when his little soldier managed to replicate it.
And Hong’er yearned.
His highness seemed to finally notice they had an audience, turning and smiling at Hong’er. The soldier simply stared, standing at attention. Crouching a bit, his highness held out a sword for Hong’er to practice with, but Hong’er shook his head.
He yearned, but not for this. This was not his god. This god already had a believer, however ugly and stupid he may have been. Hong’er thought it may have been nice to learn to practice how to wield a sword with his highness, but much more important was delivering his flower.
So Hong’er ran off again, searching for his god.
He stopped as he noticed who was stalking the halls just ahead of him. Backing up, Hong’er made space for the statue to pass. All of them knew not to bother him. He could be cruel at times. Hong’er loved him all the same. He wouldn’t have minded if his own god were like that.
Still, the mask obscured that beautiful face Hong’er liked so much and every step seemed filled with sadness. Hong’er would never want his god to hurt like that.
The god that was not his swept past him, not even sparing a glance. Like a shadow, another masked figure followed, constantly just a step away.
And once again Hong’er yearned.
The nameless him who was not him spared Hong’er not a glance, but his highness did, pausing to notice such an unfortunate child wandering the halls.
For a moment, Hong’er thought the man might give him a bit of attention. It wasn’t the statue he wanted, but it would be near enough to spur on his spirit. But then the Misfortune god looked past him, down the hall.
It was His Highness, the live one. The one who brought life to them.
Hong’er ignored the ghost behind the god. The ghost who’s memories he shared didn’t interest Hong’er one bit.
His Highness sealed the statue of himself and, anticipating the way it would upset the smile-masked follower, sealed him too.
“San Lang, this is serious, we don’t know what that one will get up to! We already know these statues of me can draw teleportation arrays, who knows what else it’s strong enough to do?”
“Gege I didn’t take off the seal, he did,” The living (was he truly living if he was a ghost?) Hong’er gestured to the nameless one.
His Highness sighed. “That’s why he’s getting sealed too this time. None of the other statues of you will unseal them will they?”
“I don’t think so. But really gege, you don’t need to worry so much. He’s never tried anything.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t,” his highness huffed, but pulled his husband in for a kiss.
Hong’er watched with wide eyes. His own god did not kiss him like that. Probably wasn’t interested in such things. After all, Hong’er was too young for him, plus dirty and ugly to boot.
But still… Hong’er yearned.
Finally realizing he was being watched, His Highness looked down at Hong’er, clearing his throat. “Oh, did you get separated from your pair?”
Hong’er nodded. This was not his highness, but he was a Crown Prince. Perhaps he could help.
“Did we see any statues of me without a pair yet?”
The lucky version of him who got kisses shook his head. “Not the way we came.”
“It must be over that direction then. Do you need help finding him?” His Highness patted his head.
And it was very nice, but Hong’er’s hands stayed closed around the flower. This was not the man he followed. Not his god. Just a version of him. And it may have been true that Hong’er’s own god was only an imitation of this one, but imitation or not, his highness was the only true god Hong’er would ever believe in.
So he shook his head.
“Alright, be careful then.” His Highness gave a little wave and went off again, likely going to do whatever it was they had come to the cave for.
Hong’er had to hurry now. If he waited too long, his energy might run out and he couldn’t bear the idea of not finding his highness before then. Of being separated for who knew how long before they were brought to life again. It was too horrible.
His little feet knocked against the ground as he ran, peeking inside rooms and down halls.
Suddenly, he felt it.
Hong’er nearly tripped over himself as he came to a sudden stop, head swiveling to find him.
And there he was! The Crown Prince Who Pleased the Gods looked at him, gaze just as set on Hong’er as Hong’er’s was on him.
Hong’er held out his hands, exposing that little flower. It wasn’t much, he knew that. He knew that the other versions of him could probably offer more. The little soldier and the nameless one were stronger. The real him was an adult who could kiss and love. And all Hong’er had was his unending devotion and this stupid flower. He couldn’t even talk.
But all the same, The Crown Prince Who Pleased the Gods smiled at him and picked him up, pulling him into those loving arms. Just like always. Just where he belonged.
Hong’er buried his face into the robes of his god, feeling his highness shift him into one arm so he could continue with his sword play.
And after a few moments, Hong’er peeked out to watch, always stunned by his highness’s skill.
Hong’er was an ugly, useless child. He was created to be messy and pitiful, not at all appropriate to be safely cocooned in his highness’s arms. But when The Crown Prince Who Pleased the Gods smiled down at Hong’er, the little statue thought maybe it was okay to be a little greedy. A little selfish. All those other versions of him got to be with his highness in some way. If Hong’er and them were the same, didn’t that mean some part of him deserved this too?
The Crown Prince laughed, a soundless thing since none of the statues could speak, but Hong’er swore he could hear it. Swore he could hear that lovely laughter, bright and full of life. So Hong’er smiled back.
His highness went first. He almost always did, using up so much energy sword fighting. Hong’er felt the spiritual power slowly leave his highness, the stone returning to its rigid form, keeping Hong’er safely nestled against it. Burying his face in his highness’s chest, Hong’er waited as he felt the spiritual power leave him too. His thoughts slowed. His ability to move ceased. That was okay. Hong’er was right where he wanted to be.
Hong’er was a statue. That was fine. He had always been a statue. He had… feelings and something like memories but it was a bit more complicated than that. But as the last of the power left him and Hong’er’s consciousness fell back into the blankness of stone, there was nothing complicated about it at all. He was right where he was supposed to be, held in the arms of his god.
When the two of them were blessed with life again once more, Hong’er was sure to appreciate it.