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Through the years that passed ever since Xian Le had fallen, the rumors and topic spread like wildfire to nearby and even far away villages. The kingdom had fallen 800 years ago and the chatter that surrounded the incident had decreased over time, although news may never be brought up, they will never fully decease.
Xie lian had been awake for awhile and yet he still remained laying down, the reason being he was trapped. He laid confined in the arms of a ghost king who would normally wake until much later. Xie lian had spent long enough in this hold and ever so carefully removed the hands that held his waist, although the touch was light and slow, the possession the hands were holding was now gone.
Before Xie lian could stand, he felt a sudden tension around his waist once again, he was halted by an arm. "Gege?" Hua cheng called out, "ah, San lang did I wake you?" Although it was purely nothing to feel bad about, he couldn't stop the small cloud of guilt of hovering over his heart. Hua cheng lazily shook his head in response, sitting up, he rested his chin atop Xie lians shoulder.
"San lang, I have to buy more supplies today, I can't remain here all morning." "Can't gege go in the afternoon?" Hua cheng retorted, "Yes but it's best not to put things off." Xie lian replied in a serene manner. "Can I join gege?" Hua cheng asked, releasing his hold from the god's waist and retracting his head back from his shoulder, "I don't see why not" with that confirmation, the two headed out to the main village.
The sun's rays casted down upon the small-town, it had rained previously. The scent of the wet grass drafted in the breeze, the weather was not too warm nor too cold, it was perfect. "What does gege plan on buying?" Hua cheng asked, hands clasped behind his back and each step he took was tranquil. "Mainly vegetables, seeds if they're not too expensive, and perhaps tools now that it has crossed my mind." Xie lian responded, his thumb gently tapping his chin as he thought.
With the look Xie lian was presenting, Hua cheng could not contain the soft chuckle that left his throat. "What's wrong?" Xie lian suddenly asked hearing the small laughter that Hua Cheng had emmited, "nothing to worry about gege" he reassured with a gentle smile, though it wouldn't last for long.
It had not be long since they entered the village and already they were a quarter of the way done, but as they passed through, a certain word reached both Hua cheng's and Xie lians ears. A word they both knew too well. "Xian Le" Xie lian paused his step for a moment, although he was used to the gossip of his kingdom, it had been well over 800 years since it's fall and there was almost no one who either knew of its existence, or didn't bother to care about it.
Hua cheng and Xie lian were a good distance away of not being considered to eavesdropping. "Xian Le? Wasn't that the kingdom that fell 800 years ago and had the disease... Human face I think it was?" A farmer asked aloud, "yeah that's it! It's a shame how it fell, I heard the prince was the main cause for the destruction of that kingdom." Another farmer pitched in. "Being responsible for your kingdom and people's death, my heart wouldn't be able to handle such regret. Especially havin' no cure for a disease that spread like wildfire and appeared outta' nowhere!"
The farmer exclaimed, dramatically using his hands for emphasis. "To try so hard and protect your home yet still fail as you try with your might." The two farmers continued their conversation, using their tone of voice and hands for the importance of their thoughts and expression.
Xie lian had grown tired of the topic and began walking, what he didn't notice was the sharp and cold glare Hua cheng's eye carried. Such anger could practically be felt, the vains on the ghost king's snow white-hand looked as if it would pop. Such lowly people to discuss a subject so casually.
Through the rest of the time Xie lian had grabbed his needed essentials, Hua cheng remained silent yet still by the god's side. Xie lian felt the sudden unusual tense aura, glancing at Hua cheng who stood not much distance. He was angered, not at himself, but the glowering gaze his eye presented at anyone who passed, was dislikement. "San lang?" Xie lian called out softly, Hua cheng's expression immediately softend. "Yes gege ?" Stunned on the situation, Xie lian came to the conclusion he would ask when they returned to PuQi shrine.
"Nothing, I've finished gathering everything I need. Let's head back" He announced with a gentle smile. It was now nearing mid afternoon, the tempature had decreased an unnoticeable amount, the breeze that carried the fresh scent of grass could be said to smell even more fresh than it was previously. When Xie lian and Hua cheng reached the shrine, the items were placed gently on the table.
"This should last the month. San lang, would you li—" But before the sentence could be completed, he was wrapped into an embrace. Surprised by the sudden action, Xie lian remained stunned for the mere moment before bringing an arm and patting the forearm of Hua cheng's maple- red sleeve.
"San lang, what is this about?" It was not unusual for Hua cheng to hug Xie Lian out of the blue, often times it was to tease or distract, but this certain hug was tighter, it had a feeling behind it. "What gege heard earlier was nonsense." Xie lian could not process what it was directed to, his head scrambled through the events that happend at the village, until finally it hit him. The talk of Xian Le. "Those lowly beings are asking for death." San lang murmured, his mouth stuffed into the fabric of Xie lians pale white robes.
"San lang, I really don't mind. These are old news, I've heard plenty of talk and it does not affect me." Xie lian softly uttered, nudging Hua cheng to release the hold, to which the ghost automatically withdrew. A tender smile appeared upon the god's face, his lips curved upwards in a tranquil manner. He cupped Hua cheng's face, his jade hand's cool and gentle. He brought Hua cheng closer until their faces were inches apart.
"I appreciate San lang's worry, but old news from the past should not be worth your time." "I understand gege, but it urkes me to the bone to hear such things." San lang remarked. Xie lian quietly huffed a laugh before retracting his hands, "But it is true. I was the main cause for Xian Le's fall, my naive self focused too much on Yong'an instead of things that were much more urgent."
"Naive, but true to the heart. Gege can feel regret for his actions but that does not make them necessarily bad." Xie lian could only nod in agreement, his eyes curved into crescents. "That is true." Hua cheng returned a smile, but with a swift move, he looped an arm around the god's waist, his hand supporting Xie lians chin. "hahah, San lang." Xie lian suddenly laughed, the laughter that bubbled up in his throat increase with every second.
"Yes your Highness?" Hua cheng responded, his hand that wrapped around Xie lians waist pinched the sides of the god, immediately sending him into a pit of giggles. "San lang, San lang! I give I give! Stohahp" by the first minute he had already formed tears that prickled in the corner of his eyes. The sensitive sensation at his side finally ceased.
Hua cheng gently began to plant pecks on Xie lian, starting from the forehead, each eye-lid, the bridge of his nose, each cheek, lips, and down to the collar bone. Xie lian could feel his face grow hot, but he had yet to pull away. "Gege.." the tone of voice had suddenly turned alluring, the afternoon had suddenly turned into a long one.