Work Text:
…A few months earlier…
The starry sky had only been so bright for Shen Wei once in his life: when he still had Kunlun and Zhurong by his side. Now he lay down on the soft grass to sleep, but he couldn't close his eyes. He had already been in the dark for too long. Being able to see the stars again was soothing.
Over his body, he had a blanket he hadn't asked for. Under his head, some folded garment was a pillow he had said he didn't need, and got it anyway. A few meters away, a campfire to keep him protected from the cold. Although he had already said that he didn't suffer the effects of the weather, like cold or heat.
Beside him... That was not only unexpected, but surprising and hopeful somehow. All the things he believed in for millennia could be shattered just by that. He wouldn't care about most of them.
He turned to look at the sleeping man beside him. That man had refused to abandon him. And now he refrained from sleeping protected inside the tent because he realized that Shen Wei didn't want a roof over him after being confined for so long. He wanted to see the sky and feel the dew that made the scent of pines even more vivid and refreshing.
Thus, Wu Xie had come to sleep outside as well, while Pangzi, Liu Sang and Xiao Hua slept in the tent and Xiaoge and Hei Xiazi kept vigil around the small camp.
Shen Wei was looking at him but it was still hard to believe. He had so many questions, so many doubts, and he still held all the wonder he had felt thousands of years before.
The crackling of the fire and the distant sounds of night birds and insects was comforting. Like a calm melody that mingled with the sound of Wu Xie's breathing. Shen Wei could spend countless hours just being lulled by those sounds. And yet, he wouldn't close his eyes because he wanted to look at that face for as long as he could.
He adjusted the blanket around himself, keeping it loose and under his shoulders, trying to ease the feeling he still had from the tight vines on his flesh.
Shen Wei was relieved that the trousers and shirt that Wu Xie had given him to wear, after he had bathed in the nearby stream, were loose and comfortable. On top of that, Pangzi's sweatshirt was even more comfortable.
The socks belonged to Xiao Hua, who was the only one who had clean pairs of socks in his backpack and had protested against the idea of any of the others lending ‘awful’ socks to the poor professor - by then Shen Wei had already told them that he was a Professor in the human world.
Shen Wei couldn't remember ever receiving so much attention in his entire existence.
Pangzi had made him eat, even though he said he wasn't hungry - or he didn't think so, until he put the warm food in his mouth. So he was starving and that had been the best noodles ever.
Xiao Hua and Liu Sang had talked to him so politely, about books and music, until he was calmer around them.
Hei Xiazi had checked all the information available online about 'Zhao Yunlan' and even managed to get some direct contacts in Longcheng and was able to assure Shen Wei that Zhao Yunlan was fine, was still working at SID and was leading the same life.
Relieved to hear from Zhao Yunlan, clean, fed and comfortable, Shen Wei had finally allowed himself to relax and just enjoy being in the presence of someone dear he never thought he would see again.
He still couldn't open portals or even do something as simple as change into his human appearance, so his hair was still long, his fangs were visible when he spoke or if he smiled, and his claws were just retracted but didn't look like ordinary man's fingernails.
But it was all right, if Zhao Yunlan was safe and if that person before him had promised to find Zhao Yunlan and continue to protect him, it was all right. Shen Wei could get some rest now.
He lifted his hand, about to touch Wu Xie's face, thinking about all the times when he still was a little Ghost King and Zhurong had suddenly hugged him, saying he was the sweetest thing the god ever knew. Kunlun would laugh and say Zhurong was old and senile. And would proceed to dispute Shen Wei's attention. Shen Wei still didn't understand how Zhurong could think he was sweet. He lamented he had met him only a while before he-
Shen Wei didn't want to think about that. He was there now, within reach.
Shen Wei wondered if touching that one could cause him any harm. But Wu Xie looked just fine after touching him in the temple, and after that, when helping him to wash his wounds in the stream.
Warm hands gently touching his sensitive skin. He got so overwhelmed that he felt an urge to cry he didn't have in a long time. He didn't shed a tear, though.
With his hand still in the air, in the untaken decision of touching Wu Xie's face or not, he watched as Wu Xie's eyelids flickered and then, sleepy eyes were staring at him.
"You couldn't sleep?" Wu Xie asked with a raspy and low voice.
"I don't need to."
"Nonsense. You won't recover if you don't eat and sleep properly." Wu Xie pretended he didn't notice the hand about to touch him, slowly withdrawing.
"My body doesn't work this way, since I'm not… I'm not…" Shen Wei's gaze lowered. Once, he hadn't been afraid of that because the other knew it anyway and still chose to approach.
"What?"
"...A living being…" If my heart doesn't need to beat for me to keep standing, and inside of me there's no soul, how could I be the same as you?
"Eh, nonsense too. You're alive right in front of me now," Wu Xie softly said, while reaching to touch the hand that hadn't made its way to his face, running his fingertips through Shen Wei's palm, "So you need to eat good food and sleep comfortably. Grass and a blanket is not the best we should offer you, but it's only for tonight. Tomorrow we'll be back in the village's inn, so you can have a warm shower and rest in an actual bed."
Shen Wei wouldn't understand the kindness in those eyes towards him, and the softness in that voice speaking to him, if he hadn't seen this many times before.
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
“It seems," Wu Xie started, thoughtful, "that you know more reasons for this than I do. And that you know me…" He brought Shen Wei's hand to his face, where he hesitated to touch just a moment ago, and finished saying, "for longer than I’ve known myself.”
Shen Wei dared to caress that face, still reluctantly, feeling its warmth and the lines, memories under his fingertips.
In his memory, Zhurong's laughter was still one of the most beautiful sounds he's ever heard. He'd sit by the little Ghost King's side and listen to Kunlun while he told what he learned from Shennong's lectures. The problem was Kunlun making up things for the parts he didn't remember.
"Hahaha, this is absurd! This doesn't make sense with the things you said previously! You're going to teach everything wrong to Xiao Wei!" Zhurong nearly fell off the rock he was sitting on. The little Ghost King was confused as to what was so funny. Kunlun, however, didn't look amused - which only made the other god laugh even harder.
"How this doesn't make sense?! It's you that is old and senile!” Kunlun was admittedly not very patient, but he would lose his composure much more quickly with the other's teasing.
Zhurong got up off the rock in a quick, graceful leap, which seemed to have nothing to do with someone old and senile.
"If you are going to teach something, you are committed to the truth. Otherwise, what will become of the one who trusts you as his master?"
"You're annoying, Zhurong," Kunlun grumbled, as he went to sit next to the little Ghost King, "Annoying."
The little Ghost King didn't really understand the arguments between the two gods, he knew it wasn't actually a fight, but he had no idea what it was either. Shen Wei would only realize millennia later a truth that he had too much respect for the other two to say out loud: when together, Kunlun and Zhurong had a tendency to be idiots. On purpose or by accident.
"Xiao Wei, about the use of herbs... they have little or no effect on us. At least not while we are at full capacity. But if one day you need to treat shifters or humans, you need to know correctly what a simple plant does - which can save or take a life.” Zhurong's voice was like a calm breeze passing over the tall grass of the fields when he explained or told things to the little Ghost King. He was always patient and started things with the simplest context. And although Kunlun mumbled here and there, he often fell silent when listening to Zhurong, absorbed by the way the other spoke.
It was especially pleasant for the little Ghost King because it was a tone of voice he had only heard a few times when he crossed paths with Nuwa. But when it came from Zhurong, it was directed at him. That gentle voice was for that unworthy Ghost King. And even more pleasant because Zhurong used to sit under the tree, hug the little Ghost King and stroke his hair while telling him things he still remembered or rambling about strange concepts that he himself had just given up thinking about.
Kunlun often surrendered and ended up sitting with them. And little by little, he had learned to be softer with the little Ghost King, to forget a little how strong Xiao Wei really was and remember that he was still very young and more sensitive than he let on.
For an instant, Shen Wei felt himself lying under the tree, snuggled between the two gods, and he knew no shame in that moment, feeling their legs entwined with his, and their sleepy breaths against his skin. He had been delighted right there, with them, for every second that lasted.
Right now, he missed Kunlun – Zhao Yunlan – even though he had never met him face to face. And he wanted to come closer and snuggle up to Zhurong - Wu Xie - right there, so close to him.
"I thought I had lost you forever..." Shen Wei's fingers continued to trace caresses on Wu Xie's face, exactly the same lines and shapes as thousands of years ago.
"I'm right in front of you, but it seems like you still miss me anyway. What did we mean to each other?" When Wu Xie himself leaned closer, already guessing what kind of feeling he was seeing in the entity’s eyes, Shen Wei almost lost all his ties. Except for one.
“I fear I may cause you any harm if I get closer than this,” he whispered, his breath already mingling with Wu Xie’s breath.
“You can feel me. You know… there won’t be harm.” As soon as Wu Xie had finished saying that, Shen Wei stopped holding back.
He pressed their lips together, harder than he intended, but that wasn't the way he remembered the touch between them. Then a second time, when his lips touched Wu Xie's, their mouths slid gently against each other, rediscovering a taste Shen Wei had never forgotten.
Wu Xie hugged him gently, wary of how Shen Wei showed discomfort at anything he could feel tight around his body, at the lingering sensation the vines had left behind. Wu Xie could doubt or believe what Shen Wei said; he could doubt or believe what he himself had been saying without thinking - but he could not doubt the feeling that this kiss was not the first between them, that he had always known that taste, and that the sensation of that hug was permeated into his skin and flesh.
Too sweet in a safe embrace.
An old lovers kiss.
Their hands slowly slid between their bodies, caressing each other over their clothes, stealthily finding their way under their shirts, Shen Wei's cold hands quickly warming themselves on Wu Xie's skin, in small, unhurried pleasures.
Shen Wei pulled away from the kiss as soon as he tasted blood.
Even though he was careful, his fangs were sharp and it was easy to draw blood by breaking the thin skin of someone's mouth.
Wu Xie's fingers were still tangled in the long strands of his hair, while the other arm around Shen Wei's waist held him all the way against his body. He didn't know he could feel this possessive when kissing someone. He didn't know that this made Shen Wei feel safe.
Usually, the taste of blood would have been dangerous, although Shen Wei had excellent self-control. But he never thought that he would have to face being with the other person he loved besides Kunlun and with whom he didn't have such a sad reality if he got too close. As Wu Xie had said, he could feel him. Now he knew that it would do no harm if he touched him. Now he knew he didn't need to step back.
And yet, he had stepped back. A little.
“I’m sorry, I hurted you,” he said softly, brushing his thumb gently in the corner of Wu Xie's mouth, without touching the small cut on his lower lip, from which a trickle of blood oozed out.
"For the one who used to bite me on purpose, apologizing for a small accident is new," Wu Xie chuckled, approaching again, not giving Shen Wei time to process what he had just said. Lips brushing against Shen Wei's, he whispered, "It's okay, it will heal soon. You just have to kiss it better."
Shen Wei couldn't resist the words, passing the tip of his tongue over the trickle of blood before kissing Wu Xie again, more carefully now, trying to prevent the small cut from opening any further or a new cut ending up happening.
They kissed tenderly for a while, until Shen Wei pulled away again, lowering his head until he tucked it under Wu Xie's chin. In the past, due to the difference in height between them, it was easier to do this.
“What’s wrong?” Wu Xie asked, stroking the other's hair.
“Your friends,” Shen Wei breathed in a muffled voice against Wu Xie's neck.
“Ah, Xiazi and Xiaoge? I totally forgot they’re on watch.”
“I don’t want them - or anyone - to watch us …”
“Yeah, that’s true. I don’t want anyone to watch how good you are at this as well,” Wu Xie teased, with a kiss in Shen Wei’s hair.
“This is not the-”
"Don't take it seriously. Come, move into the tent with me. The night dew is starting to get thick, we're going to get wet and cold." Wu Xie could still think logically despite having just made out with the most gorgeous person he had ever seen in his life. The well-being of this gorgeous person came first. He didn't care if the other was an immortal entity that could resist having his heart cut open and bleeding for years. That had been before Shen Wei fell into his arms. Now, anything that could cause harm or discomfort to that person was unacceptable.
"I don't want to disturb others." Shen Wei didn't move a millimeter from where he was.
"You won't disturb them, I promise. Come, I won't sleep without you..."
You always knew how to deal with me, so tenderly…
Shen Wei would give in to the request. Although he knew that Wu Xie would not leave him alone there, he didn’t want to miss the chance to be in Wu Xie's arms for as long as he could be. Having that person back was a dream he had never allowed himself to have, but it had happened anyway. He wouldn't waste it.
Wu Xie turned onto his back, about to stand up, one arm still around Shen Wei. But he stopped there, still lying down, as he looked up at the sky above them.
"We used to sleep under the stars so often... It was beautiful back then. They say the stars have been the same for a long time, but they've changed a little since the last time we lay down on the grass before the rains started..." He brought Shen Wei to his chest, as if he was still smaller and so easy to move, even though they were now the same size.
"Once I was upset because it was cloudy or raining for a long time and then you made stars for me on the ceiling of the temple.” Shen Wei placed his head better on the other's chest and began looking at the sky again, immersed in those memories.
"They were tiny bubbles. Stuffed with fire. But they were still just bubbles. Still, Kunlun scolded me and said I was going to set the temple on fire."
"Bubbles stuffed with fire?" He covered his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing, but he was failing. "That's always how you explained your abilities. It never had a glorious or divine name. It was always just something so simple and so... literal."
"Ah, Xiao Wei, you didn't make fun of me when I gave you the stars!" Wu Xie chuckled, kissing the forehead of the beautiful entity that was snuggling up to him now.
"I would never make fun of you. Never, Zhurong-jun. You know that. But bubbles stuffed with fire?”
"It's good that the sky here is beautiful too, far from the cities and everything that could prevent us from seeing all these stars... Because I'm no longer able to make stars for you, Xiao Wei." Wu Xie was reflective for a while.
"Zhurong-jun..."
"That's it, isn't it? That's who I was... It's okay if you call me by the name I have now. It's no less true than the name you knew me by before." He stroked Shen Wei's back and hair, looking far away, as if he saw something that could be in a place far beyond the stars.
"Does it bother you? Your name from before?"
"No. It's still my name too. It's just that now, I have this life. These friends. A family that gave me the name I have now. You know, I used to play with Xiao Hua when we were kids. I have uncles now, my parents, a grandmother too. My Nainai will like you."
"What are you saying?" Shen Wei raised his face to look at Wu Xie, surprised by what he was hearing.
"That you're going to meet these people. They're who I have now and they're very important to me. And you... you and Kunlun were my family back then. Kunlun can't be with us now, but you're here. I want the family I have now to know the family I've had for most of what I remember from my existence. Although I don't know how to ask you for forgiveness for the time I left you alone."
“You really remember…”
"It's still a bit of a mess. But yes, the more I talk to you, the more I'm with you, the more I remember. The way I'm able to remember, you know how my memory has always been... "
"Was that it? The key to your memory?”
"You and Kunlun. I have tied my memory to your presence. Because if you two were gone... 'Zhurong' doesn't exist without you. That's all."
"You couldn't have done that!" Shen Wei tried to support himself to stand up, unsuccessful due to how much he was wrapped around the other,and the best he managed was to place his hands on the sides of Wu Xie's head, lifting his upper body, while his legs had ended up tangled with the man's.
Wu Xie observed the situation for a moment before wrapping his arms around Shen Wei's neck with a smirk. "Xiao Wei... you said you didn't want anyone to watch us. It seems you've changed your mind."
Shen Wei's eyes widened, and he blushed from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. "Of course not!" Awkwardly, he let go of Wu Xie as quickly as he could, sitting with his back to him, hugging his knees.
Wu Xie laughed quietly, as he sat down as well, wrapping his arms around the other, hugging him from behind, burying his face in his hair. "You haven't changed at all. Well, a little... you're even more beautiful than the last time I saw you."
"Stop it. You're human now. Didn't you say we have to go to the tent because of the dew?" Yes, Shen Wei was still the same child who sometimes became grumpy when teased. It was much more common for Kunlun to do that than Zhurong. But the Fire God sometimes couldn't resist the desire to see the little Ghost King pouting.
“Ai, Xiao Wei, don’t be mad. I almost forgot what happened to you and that you wanted to see the starry sky instead of a dark ceiling. Let's stay here a little longer and see the stars together. And I can find out how many constellations have changed.”
Shen Wei slowly turned around, until he was facing Wu Xie, still within his embrace. "Just a little longer." But he didn't look at the stars above, he continued admiring Wu Xie's face instead. "I still can't believe... that you're really alive. That you're here with me now. That you remember me..."
"I'm here with you. Please forgive me for taking so long to come back." He pulled the blanket over their heads and leaned closer, brushing his lips against Shen Wei's. "That way no one will be able to watch us... And I don't care if you bite me like you used to do before."
Shen Wei chuckled softly, "Don't indulge me. I still have the urge to try to devour what I love..."
Wu Xie nibbled on Shen Wei's lower lip, running his tongue there slowly before whispering, with their mouths still touching, "Wild and sweet little thing, isn't that exactly what I've always loved about you?"
They would forget to admire the stars for a while.
…