Chapter Text
The Ghost City opened for a grand event that promised to be the day that Hua Cheng would be richer than his thousands of years ruling the land. Red lights illuminated the winding streets, lively music echoed among the ancient buildings, the sweet aroma of the treats enchanted everyone present, funny allegories and others dubious, but nothing that strayed from the supernatural routine of the city. Making the magic of the occasion much more attractive, even if one wasn't exactly there to place bets.
Amidst the festive crowd, Xie Lian smiled as he watched the movement. Beside him, Hua Cheng walked with a relaxed air, his hand resting comfortably on Xie Lian's lower back, ensuring that he wouldn't be swept away by the sea of ghosts and visitors.
"San Lang, don't you think all this is impressive?" he commented, looking at the stands decorated with lanterns and ribbons.
"It's just a detail compared to you, gege," Hua Cheng replied with a mischievous smile, making Xie Lian blush slightly.
Her husband's adorable reaction made her smile grow significantly. However, she did not continue to tease him as they continued walking, while Xie Lian looked for something else that could occupy both of their attention. After a few more minutes of walking and vendors signaling for them to go to their stalls, she noticed a more discreet stall with few customers. It displayed beautifully decorated masks, some of animals, others of demons, and others in the shape of human faces. The variety and visible care in each one caught her attention.
“Look,” he pointed, tugging on Hua Cheng’s sleeve. “What a beautiful piece of work!” he exclaimed, stopping to take a closer look.
“Does Gege like masks like that?” he asked, moving closer to examine them closely.
Looking embarrassed, he said, “Well, I don’t know. I haven’t worn masks in a long time. In fact, I don’t even know if they would look good on me…”
“Anything will look good on Gege,” Hua Cheng interrupted quickly, his one eye shining with conviction. He leaned over slightly to pick up a different mask—one in deep red tones, with details that resembled a fox. “How about this one?”
Xie chuckled softly as he held the mask up to his face. “Don’t you think it’s too flashy?”
“It would suit me, then,” he laughed, taking it back. “For Gege…” He turned to observe which of the masks on display would look perfect on his god. Although privately he thought that none of them really came close to the other.
The salesman, watching with a nervous smile to please the Ghost King, suggested another mask: a white one, shaped like a ferret, with soft tones along the surface. “This one might also be of interest to Chengzu.” Hua Cheng took it, examining all the finishing and painting, smiling in satisfaction. “This one!” He handed it to Xie Lian. “This one looks like you, gege. Want to try it on?” He carefully put on the mask and turned to Hua Cheng. “So?” The smile was hidden by the same transparency in his question.
"Gege could rise again and I still wouldn't know how to use the right words to describe him" he said, taking his beloved's hand and kissing it.
"You really do have a particular way of praising, San Lang." He silently thanked that his face was covered or everyone would see the crimson on his cheeks.
Hua Cheng smiled, taking off his mask delicately. "Prepare it, I'll take it."
The salesman didn't think twice before preparing the best package for the couple. Not charging anything, but getting paid anyway. After a few more moments of evaluation, the god picked out two with plenty of details that resembled his beloved.
"Does Gege want these too?" Hua Cheng asked softly.
"Yes" he said, biting his lips, clearly undecided. "I'm torn between them, actually."
He reached out and took them. Tilting his head slightly, as if calculating something. "Why not both? One to wear tonight and one to keep as a souvenir."
Unsure whether to laugh or cry, he tried to stop the other. “No need, San Lang. One is enough, and besides, it’s not… for me,” he whispered shyly.
The calamity knew, all the more reason to want both, since it was his god who was choosing for him.
“When it comes to you, gege, ‘enough’ is never enough,” he declared with a small smile before signaling to the man who would take both, ignoring Xie Lian’s shy protests.
As they walked out of the tent, the Crown Prince found himself smiling involuntarily. Hua Cheng always knew how to spoil him—not with grand gestures, but with small moments like this, filled with kindness and thoughtfulness.
“San Lang,” he called, unwrapping one shaped like a fox. “Can we walk around wearing these?” he asked with a hint of warmth in his voice.
"If it's gege who asks, how could I deny it." He bends down slightly, letting the god cover his face with the mask.
The almond-shaped eyes shine with the ghost's attractive sight, the fingers descending gently over the surface before moving away to take his own, but being interrupted seconds before by a soft kiss.
Xie Lian blinked in surprise, his heart racing as if he had been caught red-handed. "San Lang..." he murmured, his voice restrained.
Hua Cheng took just long enough for their eyes to meet, a smile playing on his lips. "I can't help it, man. It's just that you were so adorable just now."
Feeling a heat rise to his ears, he looked away for a moment before laughing softly, almost nervously. "C-Come on, let's continue."
Laughing, he adjusted a mask over his own face, an image of calm confidence and inexhaustible charm. At the same time Xie was already reaching for his own, however, the ghost took it and placed it on his face, bringing their “noses” closer together, symbolizing a second kiss.
“They say that festivities are more fun when we are dressed up.” His voice had a seductive tone, a promise embedded between the words, his fingers intertwining with Xie’s as if they had belonged there from the beginning. And pass it on.
The god nodded, allowing Hua Cheng to lead him through the busy streets. The vibrancy of the festivities around them contrasted with the gentle stillness between them, as if the world around them was just a backdrop to the moment shared.
End!