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Could it be called destiny if you literally used all of your life, your death, your resources and luck to get the results that you wanted?
Hua Cheng didn't often think about it, but Xie Lian was reading him a poem about trying to avoid one's destiny and still meeting it on the path ahead, and it made him feel contemplative. The poem was pleasing, and Xie Lian's tones more pleasing still, and he allowed his mind to wander a bit as he was wrapped in the prose read by his beloved's voice.
One could argue that it was fate who met him first, that day, when he fell from the wall and his Dianxia was there to catch him. From that moment on, his actions weren't trying to pull Dianxia to him - it was simply fate crossing their paths over and over. A soft nudge that this is where he was meant to be. This was who he was to follow, to worship, to protect, and eventually, to love.
Of course, he had moved mountains to find him again. He had fought and scraped and for a long while, the fates would not give him back what he had been promised so long ago. He struggled alone, and cut down anyone who would get in his way. He never dared to doubt or lose hope, though it was a lie to say he never felt the sting of frustration now and again to know it had taken so long to find him, that Xie Lian had suffered so much solitude and hardship for so long. Hua Cheng knew it ran deeper than his Dianxia would confess to, but that would be dealt with in time.
As he sat and considered it though, it hadn't just been him. Xie Lian's fate had also brought their paths to cross, again and again, even in the rare times that Hua Cheng had been pulled away for other business. His Highness always seemed to be turning up upon his own path, no matter what he was up to, and it was both a delight and a confirmation. Of course their paths would cross again. They were always meant to.
"San Lang?" The poetry had stopped and Xie Lian had a trace of concern in his voice. Hua Cheng cracked his eye open again to see his beloved tilting his head at him with a smile. "Did you fall asleep? Ah, did I pick a boring poem for you?"
"Not boring at all, gege," he answered, his smile widening as he propped his cheek on his hand. "I was simply taking in the imagery. Please, continue on."
"Oh," Xie Lian replied in a tone that meant he didn't buy it, but he smiled and closed the book. "That, was actually the end of it."
Undeterred, Hua Cheng simply laughed. "Ah, my apologies; I guess I was too lost in the imagery. Gege always finds such wonderful poems."
"I'm just glad you like them." Xie Lian set the book down, calm and relaxed as always. It meant so much to Hua Cheng that, despite his dangerous tendency to trust everyone at first meeting, Xie Lian always had that deep well of trust for him, no matter what limb they had to go out on. He was certain Xie Lian didn't realize himself, but Hua Cheng noticed every step, every action made in trust, since the first time they met and every time after. "Why don't you read one to me, San Lang? I'd love to hear one of your favorites."
Hua Cheng smiled, pulling over the book already by his hand. "Of course, gege. It would be my pleasure."