Chapter Text
Honghong’er stared down onto the bustling streets below. The parade hadn’t yet reached the section of the city, but he could hear its joyous calls. Gold flashed out of the corner of his eye, and Honghong'er gasped as The Crown Prince of Xianle came into view. The flash of his sword was visible even from afar.
Honghong’er leaned further as they drew closer. The gilded blades and soft flower petals danced hypnotically, luring him further and further over. His small hands gripped the edge of the wall in a death vice. Cries from the crowd grew louder as the prince became clearer. Honghong’er was fully captivated by the performance, smiling, forgetting all the aches from his wearing body, laughing and cheering-
Until the wall was no longer beneath his fingers.
He didn’t register the subtle jostle. He didn’t realize that his moment of joy led to a moment of carelessness. A moment of carelessness that led to a moment of true fear.
Falling through the air, towards the ground, towards the shining scales of a dragon below, waiting to eat him and turn him into less than a splatter on the pavement.
He shut his eyes. Only one able to see the shining sun even when closed, the other shrouded beneath bandages. Soon enough both would be dark.
A moment of fear that led to peace. Peace in knowing that his worthless life would end, peace in no longer having to bear the creaking of his joints and ache in his muscles. Peace in knowing he would no longer living in constant pain, knowing he wouldn’t bring other’s misfortune any longer.
He felt a thud as he crashed, awaiting the end-
And yet, the sun still gleamed from behind his eyelashes. Cautiously opening his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of someone else, rays of light forming a golden halo.
The shouts and jeers of the crowd faded away, silence ringing loud in Honghong’er’s ears.
The next minutes – maybe hours – were a blur. Honghong’er only stared with starry eyed wonder as he was whisked to the palace to pace his punishment.
“What’s your name?” the man asked him, looking down at Honghong’er still in his arms.
“...hong…hong’er,” he mumbled.
The man’s bright smile rivaled the sun. “Honghong’er, is that right? My name’s Feng Xin!”
Honghong’er rolled the syllables around on his tongue. The low curve of Fengg, the sharp Xin.
Once at the palace, gold gleamed ever brighter, jewels embedded into the walls, music floating through the halls. His grip on Feng Xin’s armor tightened when met with the sharp glares of passing officials.
Arriving at the throne room, the King of Xianle gazed down upon Honghong’er. A mix of pity and rage was laid upon his face.
“Honghong’er, I need to speak with the King. How about you go outside and play?” Feng Xin tried to detach Feng Xin from his robes.
“No,” he said, just loud enough for Feng Xin to hear. Honghong’er only clung tighter. Who knows what punishment he would face? Exile? Death? He didn’t know, he’d never heard of anything of this sort happening. It wasn’t like he typically paid much attention anyway.
After five minutes of soft coaxing, Honghong’er finally let go. Another attendant led him out to a large courtyard filled with soft grass and pastel flowers. Sparing not even a slight glance, the attendant swiftly left Honghong’er. A small swing hung from a tree branch, where another child was slowly rocking back and forth.
Once the other child noticed Honghong’er, he ran over.
“What’s your name?” The child asked. The hem of his robes had a thin layer of mud caking the bottom, and a small dot of dirt smeared on his face. His hair – which was probably set into a neat ponytail when the day started – was half undone and strands flew every which way.
“Honghong’er,” he replied.
“Nice to meet you! My name’s Qi Rong,” Qi Rong had a slight lisp to his words. Grabbing Honghong’er by the wrist, Qi Rong dragged him to the simple swing. Pushing Honghong’er into the seat, he started to gently rock him back and forth.
“I don’t usually see other kids around here. Even my cousin won’t play with me anymore,” Honghong’er could hear the pout in his voice.
Honghong’er sat in silence as Qi Rong babbled on. His mind wandered back to his punishment — what was going to happen to him?
All of a sudden, Qi Rong fell silent. Turning around, Honghong’er was greeted by the sight of an attendant whispering in Qi Rong’s ear.
Qi Rong’s bright, clear grin turned cloudy.
“You’re the one who ruined the parade.” It wasn’t a question, instead a statement dripping with malice, “You ruined my cousin’s moment.”
Honghong’er didn’t have time to react before Qi Rong launched himself like a feral cat.
Qi Rong’s mud caked nails clawed at his face, raking across the bandages covering his horrid eye. But they held, only falling looser instead of breaking.
The same didn’t hold true for his soft flesh. Qi Rong’s nails quickly turned bloody, only stopping when the attendant pulled him back.
Ears full with the pulsing of his heartbeat, Honghong’er lay on the ground. Once perfect grass now shredded beneath him, crystal dew left over from the morning seeping into his clothes. Blood now stained that grass, small drops of red mixed in green. Qi Rong was dragged away, to be reprimanded or rewarded Honghong’er did not know.
Honghong’er rewrapped the bandages around his face without a word. He was used to this treatment by now. Filthy fabric, already coated with dirt, now was further sullied with his blood.
Blood that held less worth than the soil beneath his feet. At least the soil had creatures that brought life to many others: fungi breaking down the dead, worms that provide stability to the soil. Ants tunneling and weakly pollinating, plants that bloom with beautiful flowers to be admired. He did nothing of the sort, only dragging others down and into the grave with him. He would be better off in the soil, feeding the fungi and insects. That would provide more benefit than his mere, puny, existence.
An existence that would have, should have, ended today. Even if he didn’t want it, the fates knew best. And yet, they played a cruel trick, letting him be saved.
A savior he would have to repay tenfold, or die trying. Feng Xin, who didn’t flinch at the sight of him, who didn’t beat him upon knowing his name or knowing the misfortune that followed. Who might die for Honghong’er, or face severe punishment. To know that, and still smile at Honghong’er, was enough.