Chapter Text
Initially, Heathcliff was not very fond of Hong Lu.
Heathcliff's first impression of Hong Lu was terrible. Clearly, Hong Lu was a spoiled rich kid, and his constant curiosity and thoughtless remarks annoyed Heathcliff greatly. He thought he and Hong Lu would never get along (of course, this was Heathcliff's one-sided hatred).
But things changed when Dante first applied the R Corp ID card to Heathcliff.
Heathcliff saw more than Dante could see; after all, it was Heathcliff's own memories and experiences (though from a different Mirror World, not entirely his own). He saw another figure beside him, with very long black hair, skin so white it was almost translucent, and unique two-colored eyes. There was only one difference: the "Hong Lu" of the R Corp world didn't smile.
The gloomy expression never been seen on Hong Lu's face in this world, so Heathcliff, half curious and half excited, continued to watch what other unusual expressions this "Hong Lu" might have. As Heathcliff hoped, he saw a furious Hong Lu, clutching his head, his eyes bloodshot, and gnashing his teeth while swung his weapon, attacking those around him, including Heathcliff himself.
At that moment, a new horizon opened before Heathcliff. He wanted to see different ‘Hong Lu’s, with different appearances, different expressions, not just his usual (annoyingly) nonchalant smile.
And then Heathcliff realized something: all his and Hong Lu's IDs had never been from the same Mirror World.
Hong Lu W Corp's ID card appeared first, resulting in Dante's complete failure to pull Heathcliff W Corp.
Heathcliff R Corp had been here since day one, but he'd never met Hong Lu R Corp, the one he'd been yearning to meet.
Hong Lu Kurokumo was SO ATTRACTIVE with his collar unbuttoned, revealing his bare chest—one of the times he'd shown so much skin, enough to make Heathcliff torn between pretending to stumble and burying his face between those breasts, or buttoning Hong Lu’s shirt up to his neck (Sinner#7 just envied everyone who got to see Hong Lu like this).
He'd overheard a conversation between Hong Lu Kurokumo and Dante, that it seemed both Hong Lu and Heathcliff were Kurokumo's Wakashu. Even now, Heathcliff is still counting the days until Dante brought that ID, so he'd have more reason to talk to Hong Lu.
Hong Lu Fanghunt Office… Okay, Heathcliff wouldn't admit he was a little hopeful about getting a Bloodfiend-related ID just to see Hong Lu's reaction. No, he wouldn't admit he wanted to be crushed into a puddle of blood by Hong Lu—that was too brutal. But thinking about choking, or being tied up… well, that sounds interesting enough okay!!
What? Heathcliff doesn't have a Bloodfiend ID? Oii, Clockhead, where did all that talk about "anything that could happen" go?
But you really can't expect much from a Manager who's only awakened two months ago and experiencing Walpurgis Night for the first time in his life. Look, just sharding Solemn Lament Yi Sang, In the Name of Love and Hate Don Quixote, and The Sword Sharpened with Tears Rodion has already drained Dante's time and effort.
Heathcliff continued enter the Mirror Dungeons in dissapointed. However, when he back to the bus, a surprise already there, waiting for him.
Standing here is The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu, an ID Dante had just acquired a moment ago.
Dante explained something about this being a “Bad End” ID or something something, but Heathcliff couldn't hear anything anymore. His eyes were fixed on one person only, and all he could think was ‘how dominant his Lord is.’ Those once bright and sparkling eyes, now gleamed with a ruthless cruelty, as if they wouldn't spare anyone who displeased the emperor. His voice, used to clear and melodious like a stream, now held a hoarse, powerful, thunderous authority like cold, indifferent metal. Yet, His Lordship wasn't an unreasonable tyrant; Heathcliff still saw the gentleness and kindness hidden beneath those actions. Contradiction intertwined with invariability created his absolute Lord, the Lord of Hongyuan.
Wait.
From when did Hong Lu become ‘his’ Lord???
To answer Heathcliff's wordless question, of course, it was for Dante’s doing.
Not only Lord of Hongyuan, Dante also successfully acquired an ID of Heathcliff from the same world as the Lord, called You Branch Adept. Dante was thrilled to see the two of them together on the same battlefield, so the Manager quickly uptied them both to the maximum level.
At that moment, Heathcliff's mind was instantly flooded with the experiences and memories of You Branch Adept Heathcliff. Not just battlefield experiences, but everything that 'that Heathcliff' had observed. This included scenes from the morning, when the Lord would dreamily nuzzle his face into the tufts of fur on Heathcliff's chest while holding him tightly; or when Heathcliff lost control and slaughtered his surroundings, but the Lord would stroke his head and say, "Good boy, my Heath" (not You nor Adept, but his name!). Even when his body temperature rose and he craved for touch, the Lord would still reach out and caress him, satisfying him until he was wet and full…
Okay, now this is not Bloodflame's fault that makes his blood run high in temperature anymore.
Clearly, Heathcliff's relationship with his Lord in the Mirror World went beyond the usual emperor-guard level, and likely in other Mirror Worlds as well. But Heathcliff and Hong Lu of this world couldn't even have a decent conversation, let alone be intimate enough to share a physical intimacy.
Was there a future for them?
No, to be precise, did Hong Lu even desire a future with Heathcliff by his side?
Heathcliff never had the courage to ask that question.
Because when he looked at Hong Lu, at his serene face, at those jade-like eyes, Heathcliff felt he would never be the man good enough to be worthy.