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How long had he been here?
IT HURTS.
How long had this endless darkness pressed down on him? The grudge of a clan burning through his veins just as harsh as the nail through his chest.
IT HURTS IT HURTS.
He was beyond starving. Beyond dehydrated.
PLEASE MAKE IT STOP.
His body tried to heal around the permanent intrusion in his chest and against the poison in his veins but that only made it worse. If he weren’t cursed with immortality he would’ve been dead long ago and out of this pain.
PLEASE JUST LET ME DIE ALREADY.
He was in and out of consciousness, no idea how long he was out for any given time or how long he remained awake before cold and sweet unconsciousness took him again.
IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS!
Though his body refused to let him die, the pain was more than it could bear with no chance to rest. Most of his waking moments were hazy with delusion.
MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP.
The only sounds made were the broken sound of his voice screaming out for help from people who were not truly there. Could not truly hear.
PLEASE!
Xie Lian had long since stopped actually being aware of the sensation of the pain, but as he slipped into darkness once more, he was dimly aware of the fact his fingers were fairly wet. He must have thrashed too much trying to escape and bled out again.
JUST LET ME DIE THIS TIME.
***
In a tomb that housed a forgotten fallen god, a mournful wail filled the air. The tomb had not been a quiet one. It had long been filled with half insane pleas and broken screams muffled from within the thick coffin walls. But this scream was different. Full of grief and despair beyond words, it shuddered through the mountains and valleys. Animals trembled. Ghosts quaked. Humans feared.
Deep within a tomb that housed a forgotten fallen god, the god’s bad luck finally faltered in the face of his devoted believer’s good luck. But whether such a scene could truly be called lucky was hard to say.
***
Xie Lian had the fuzzy half formed thought that his hallucinations were getting worse. It looked as though he were on a plush bed of pure white, surrounded by silver butterflies who gently opened and closed their wings. He couldn’t feel the pain as starkly as usual. It must be too much for his body to bear then.
Still, he had to get out. He kicked up, trying to break out of the coffin, only to find he feet seemed to kick freely, nothing above him. How terrible were his delusions getting?
“Your highness!” There was a figure standing beside him in a second, a face full of poorly concealed concern. “You’re safe now, please rest. Do you need food? Water?”
Ah his delusions really were being cruel. That deep voice sounded so gentle. It was the first time he had hallucinated a person he didn’t know.
“Water,” he begged, though he knew this kind delusion couldn’t truly help.
The figure flitted away and was back within moments. Xie Lian felt a firm hand lift his head gently, a cool cup brought to his lips and he drank. He drank.
Xie Lian wanted to weep at the feeling of water flowing freely into his mouth, swallowing greedily and practically breathing it in until he was gasping and choking.
“Your highness, please slow down,” the man begged. “I’ll give you as much water as you need.”
“More,” Xie Lian choked out, still coughing out the water he’d swallowed wrong on his first attempt.
The man held out more and Xie Lian’s shaky hands scrambled for purchase, clinging to the cup and drinking so furiously half of it spilled from his mouth, soaking the front of his robes and he was dimly aware that the robes didn’t feel bloodied and torn anymore but this. This was more important.
“More, please!” He tried to sit up on his own, dimly aware of the fact the man’s hands had come up, not touching but ready to support if necessary.
“How about soup? Your highness needs food too.”
Xie Lian felt a shudder run through him. “Yes. Please.”
The man tried to help him avoid mess, but Xie Lian was determined to drink the soup himself, shaky hands spilling as he greedily drank in what his body so badly needed. “Thank you,” Xie Lian managed after the second bowl of soup, feeling broken and tired and safe, before he promptly slipped back into unconsciousness.
***
In Ghost City there were whispers. Their lord had a guest. He was not to be bothered for any reason. All servants had been dismissed from Paradise Manor for the time being. The city of the dead shook with excitement. With fear.
Anticipation of a turning point that was practically palpable hung in the air.
***
Xie Lian felt more human when he woke up next. This was not a hallucination, he thought. His hallucinations typically didn’t continue between bouts of unconsciousness and never had they left his belly feeling full and his thirst sated.
The butterflies around him still were there, covering every portion of the bed he wasn’t laying on. They seemed to shimmer as they slowly opened and closed their wings. Breathtaking.
Sitting up, he was careful not to disturb them.
“Your highness.” That man was back, kneeling at the bedside now. “Do you require anything?”
“Please, there’s no need to address me like that, you must be mistaken.” Xie Lian smiled awkwardly, taking stock of his surroundings. The room was simple, consisting mainly of the large bed he sat on, a dresser, and a desk. A big window behind the strange man revealed it to be night.
The man kept his gaze down. “I am not mistaken in your identity but if it displeases you I will stop. How would his highness prefer to be addressed?”
“Ah…” Xie Lian paused. He wasn’t quite sure why this man had rescued him and called him so politely, so he wasn’t sure what name to give. “Who do you think I am?”
The man trembled, barely noticeable.
Xie Lian didn’t sense any malicious intent from the man, and he’d clearly been saved by him. “May I know who you are?” He changed the question.
The man seemed to struggle with this too though. “This one is not deserving of his name. Your- you do not need to trouble yourself remembering him.”
Xie Lian tilted his head. “Didn’t you save me?”
Anger flashed across the man’s face but was gone in an instant. Still, he was clearly in a bad mood and Xie Lian couldn’t understand fully. “No. I came much too late.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You should not have had to endure such a thing.”
Xie Lian moved slowly, the butterflies fluttering out of his way as his feet found the floor. “You don’t need to kneel anymore. It wasn’t your fault.” He held out a hand to help the man up. For a moment, he thought the man would take it, but with a hardened face he stood by himself, eyes cast down still.
“Would you like dinner? Or I could have new clothes brought out? Anything you desire will be attended to while you recover.”
“I’m already recovered.”
The man’s jaw clenched. “You may stay as long as you wish. But if there’s somewhere you would rather be I can also provide transportation.”
“My friend, who do you think I am?” Xie Lian asked again.
The man’s face was unreadable. “Your highness is your highness.”
He couldn’t know who Xie Lian truly was…?
“Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Xianle.”
Xie Lian felt his breath catch. “Xianle is long gone.” It was five hundred years gone. Or, it had been when he was first put in the coffin.
The man said nothing.
There was no way he was a normal human, but Xie Lian had already suspected as much. The butterflies, while beautiful, were clearly not ordinary, and besides that, normal humans wouldn’t have pried him out of the coffin and brought him to such a luxurious place to heal.
“You do not have to tell me who you are. But where are we?”
“We are in this lowly one’s residence.” The man seemed to chew over his words thoughtfully before admitting, “In Ghost City.”
Ah. The man must have been quite powerful to have such a well constructed human form and such a nice residence. But Xie Lian didn’t keep up well with such gossip and likely wouldn’t have known the man even if a name was given.
“This one apologizes for bringing you to such a vulgar place.”
“No no, I apologize for taking your bed.”
“This is a guest room, you may take it as long as you wish.”
Xie Lian felt a bit better at that.
Some might think it strange that he wasn’t at all alarmed to be in the house of a powerful ghost, but truthfully Xie Lian didn’t see any reason to be on guard. There was no malicious intent and honestly if the ghost had wanted to do something to him, he would have when he was still unconscious or in the coffin. It was odd to be recognized, but he was too grateful of being out of the hellish loop of pain to care. The man clearly didn’t want to talk about it and Xie Lian wasn’t one to pry or look a gift horse in the mouth. So instead he shakily stood and stretched, feeling Ruoye rustle against his wrist as if in greeting.
“You’ve been a very good host. Is there anything I can do to repay you?”
“There is no need to repay this lowly one. Your compliments are already more than he deserves.”
“Then please indulge me in a request?”
“Anything.”
“Please allow me to pay you back somehow. Do you have any requests of me? I have some martial skills and some practice in construction. Though, I admit, my martial skill is much better than my building skill.”
The man seemed startled by that. “You want this lowly one to make a request of you?”
“It’s the least I can do.”
There was a shocked silence where Xie Lian watched him patiently before the man opened his mouth at last. “Then. Would you do me the honor of allowing me to call you ‘your highness’?”
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. What kind of request was that? “Yes but that doesn’t count, you can ask for more than that.”
The man paused for longer this time. “Then… would your highness do me the honor of resting at my residence a bit longer?”
“How would that be repaying you?”
The man finally looked up at him. “It would be the greatest gift your highness could give me.” The sincerity in that face was startled.
Xie Lian found himself nodding. “Alright.”
***
Hua Cheng had searched for centuries. He had wandered and interrogated and barely missed Xie Lian for centuries and at last he had found him. Too late. Much too late. His beloved, bathed in old and new blood. So much blood it had been caked to his skin. His hair. Hua Cheng had burned the clothes. He’d washed the blood off so carefully, but it had taken hours. Hours of barely keeping his hands from trembling until Xie Lian seemed clean enough to be comfortable and he’d laid him down, sending butterflies to watch and to protect. As if he ever left the room himself.
He’d found his beloved at last, now that he had strength, power, and wealth, and for what? He was as useless as he’d been as a child, as useless as he’d been at the altar. The only use Hua Cheng had was in dying. He wouldn’t allow himself to rejoice in a meeting that only proved how little he could actually help his highness.
Yet, his highness, kind and noble and beautiful as ever, did not blame him. Did not turn away with disgust. His voice was kind. His smile seemed genuine. And he took his meals with Hua Cheng during the ‘day’, telling him stories and playing with the butterflies and never pressing Hua Cheng for a name.
And Hua Cheng felt alive with love again.
And Hua Cheng felt useless with his weaknesses so fresh on his mind again.
Every night his highness bid him good dreams and went to his own room. And every night Hua Cheng lit incense until his room was so thick with smoke one couldn’t breathe and could hardly see and he prayed.
He prayed.
***
“Your highness, would you grant me the pleasure of allowing this one to show you something today?” The man asked gently.
Xie Lian had been in Ghost City, or more precisely, this residence, for a week now. The days were spent simply, mostly never leaving the guest room. He was surprised by how nice it was. Maybe it had to do with how long he’d been stuck with only hallucinations for company, but he felt he and his host were truly well matched.
He was an attentive listener and as the days went on he seemed to have more confidence sharing his own thoughts too. His host seemed to have endless knowledge on every subject. Truly incredible.
Originally Xie Lian had just intended to stay for a few days, find something nice to do for his host, and be on his way. But… it was nice here. And his host really did seem to see his presence as a good thing so he found himself staying. How long had it been since he’d felt so at home somewhere? As the Guoshi he had always had a roof over his head and food in his stomach, but he hadn’t had companionship like this. Hadn’t felt so comfortable like this.
He had healed from the physical pain of the coffin, that was true, but slowly, ever so slowly, Xie Lian thought there might be a deeper healing happening here. Greedily, he didn’t want to let it go.
“I would love to see anything you wish to show me,” Xie Lian smiled reassuringly.
His host smiled back. Maybe it was a bit self-centered, but Xie Lian thought maybe his stay was healing this man too in a way.
They walked comfortably, shoulders brushing, though the hall was wide enough to leave space. Originally his host had flinched and shied away from contact, but today he seemed content with it, not creating any more distance between them, and Xie Lian smiled again.
The doors they stopped at were intricately carved with terrible and violent beasts that parted as his host stepped forward. The blast of killing intent from inside the room sent Xie Lian on guard. Someone had gotten into the manor? His host had just been playing him? No that couldn’t be, he had been exceedingly generous. Ruoye was poised and ready to strike, but Xie Lian never gave the order.
The tension in his shoulders dropped. Oh. Incredible.
Xie Lian wandered into the room half in a daze, eager to look around. “Your armory is incredible… may I…?”
“Your highness can touch as he pleases,” his host smiled and had Xie Lian had the attention to spare, he would’ve processed that he had never seen his host look so at ease and happy. Almost proud.
But, Xie Lian had more important things on his mind. Every one of the weapons was a masterpiece and Xie Lian found himself trying to take in every single one, babbling facts and questions and techniques.
They spent the day there. His host tried to gift him those he lingered on longer, but Xie Lian refused every time, insisting again and again he couldn’t take more when he’d already been given so much. His host, always a fountain of knowledge, seemed to actually know enough to keep up well with Xie Lian too. His critiques and long winded thoughts on each weapon was matched in enthusiasm for once.
“What weapon do you prefer?” Xie Lian smiled, leaning next to his host on the wall as he stared happily at the magnificent armory.
The man hesitated. He did this sometimes when talk was too personal. Sometimes he answered and other times he didn’t, but Xie Lian was always patient.
Today though, it seemed he would answer. He patted his side. “My scimitar. Someone once told me I had good potential with a sabre.”
“Are you any good?” Xie Lian eyed the weapon. It did look quite exquisite.
The man laughed, and it was more genuine happiness than anything else Xie Lian had heard from him so far. For a moment he was distracted from the sword, caught in how handsome his host looked like that, face alight with mirth. “I like to think so.”
Xie Lian’s eyes went back to the blade. “Maybe we could spar. It certainly does look like a worthy weapon. I would love to see it in action.”
“Your highness… wants to spar with me?”
“En. Though I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m a bit rusty.”
“I’m sure your highness will be perfect.” If Xie Lian had looked up from the blade, he would’ve seen the adoration in that eye on him. Pure, and unwavering love and devotion directed at him.
Instead, oblivious, conversation turned back towards weapons.
After a bit longer of Xie Lian’s obvious staring at the weapon, his host took it off.
“You can hold it if you’d like. It’s called E’ming. Just… it’s a bit badly behaved is all.”
Xie Lian took it gently, blinking as the carved silver eyelid in the hilt opened, a red eye squinting almost… happily at him.
“Hello there.”
E’ming seemed beyond happy at that, eye spinning wildly.
“It likes you. Usually E’ming is too lazy to even blink.”
“Thank you, little one. I like you too.”
E’ming shook in his hands and Xie Lian felt himself petting the blade the way one might pet a cat.
His host snorted. “His highness figured out what it wanted? I was about to scold it.”
“Huh?”
“It was asking to be pet. I was going to tell it to behave but you pet it before I could.”
“Oh.” Xie Lian looked down at the scimitar quivering with delight, sure it would purr if it could. “It just seemed fitting. It’s very cute. And very clever. Did you forge this?”
And so the conversation fell back to weapons again, E’ming comfortably cradled in Xie Lian’s arms until dinner.
***
His host was constantly trying to give him something. He tried to gift Xie Lian fancy robes, accessories, soaps, candies, weapons, brushes, anything and everything that could possibly be needed. Xie Lian did his best to politely refuse most of it.
He accepted some of the plainer robes, because he had to wear something. He accepted one of the swords, because he needed one for sparring. Some soaps were needed for proper washing (which he needed more of now that he was sparring again), but all else could be refused really.
He had already been given all the basic necessities in the most luxurious way possible, how could he accept more? But this one felt different.
He stared down at the crystal-clear ring hanging from a delicate chain that his host had just given him.
“It’s not important. His highness can wear it or toss it, but it belongs to him.”
All the other gifts had been incredible treasures, but this felt different. Xie Lian was sure this ring was special. “This is clearly something extraordinary…”
“Not really, it’s just best suited to his highness. This one prays you will do as you like with it.”
Xie Lian found himself putting it on. “I’ll keep it safe. Until you want it back.”
His host smiled, seeming extremely happy at the sight of that ring against Xie Lian’s chest. “I won’t.”
***
Xie Lian’s heart raced as his host pressed into him, firm and confident movements aggressively forcing him back until— Xie Lian went back on offensive, grinning wildly at the delight in his host’s eye as he forced the ghost back on defense. Neither of them was using their full strength, but they were still faster than most eyes could see, blades flying and carefully placed steps gliding in a seamless dance.
It was energizing. It was addicting. Already sparring had become a regular part of their little routine, slotted in right before dinner and bed. His host was more than just good, he was amazing. It had been so long since Xie Lian had had a worthy opponent to spar with. But oh was he worthy.
Neither of them put enough strength in to be panting, but they always finished covered in a sweat that left Xie Lian feeling utterly satisfied in spite of the stickiness it left on his clothes.
Even with both of them holding back, Xie Lian found he almost always ended up the winner. His host looked up at him, his eye wide with delight and a wild sort of excitement as he froze, Xie Lian’s blade to his throat.
Slowly, his host lifted his hands and dropped his own blade, licking his grinning lips. “It’s my loss again.”
“You put up a good fight though,” Xie Lian grinned back, sheathing his own blade.
“San Lang.”
“What?” Xie Lian’s grin faltered with confusion.
“Your highness can call me San Lang.”
Xie Lian’s smile returned. “San Lang.”
And the joy on San Lang’s face truly made him the most handsome man Xie Lian had ever seen.
***
“Would your highness like to see Ghost City tomorrow?”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
San Lang laughed. “Not with me.”
Xie Lian knew his host was aware of his strength and hadn’t been referring to danger that could just be solved with brute force, so San Lang must be someone others didn’t bother. It made sense. He was clearly powerful.
“Then I would love too.”
San Lang hummed, then paused. “But your highness, before we do, I should tell you I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
Xie Lian had been living with San Lang for six months now. It had taken three to get any name out of him at all, so he wasn’t all that surprised there was more he hadn’t been told. He waited, patient.
“In Ghost City, and most other places, I’m more commonly referred to as Hua Cheng.”
Xie Lian nodded. As expected, the name meant nothing to him.
Hua Cheng seemed to realize this and clarified further. “Ghost City is my territory.”
Xie Lian clapped. “San Lang truly is impressive to have such infamous territory.”
Hua Cheng’s lips quirked into a half smile, though it was clear he was still nervous. “Your highness doesn’t mind?”
“Why would I?”
“Most people don’t think kindly of Ghost Kings.”
Xie Lian waved off his concern. “Whether you’re human, ghost king, or whatever isn’t important.”
“It… it’s not?”
“Relationships are based on chance and matching wavelengths. If I like you, I like you, it’s as simple as that. You’ve been nothing but good to me, so I have no reason to doubt San Lang’s intentions.”
Hua Cheng laughed. “Yeah. I suppose you’re right. But how does his highness know I don’t have any devious intentions?” He leaned in a bit.
Xie Lian laughed off the flirtation. More and more Hua Cheng seemed to play with him these days as he loosened up around Xie Lian. “San Lang could have his pick of women, I doubt he needs to find such a roundabout way to win over a failed god like me.”
“Your highness sells yourself short. But why is his highness so convinced I have luck with women?”
“Oh no, you won’t trick me into complimenting you like last time,” Xie Lian chuckled, and the look Hua Cheng gave him in return washed over his chest like decadent chocolate on the tongue. Dark and rich and sweetly bitter in a way that left one craving more.
Xie Lian had long since stopped thinking about when he would leave.
***
Ghost City was jubilant. It had been so long since their Chengzhu graced them with their presence but today he was out and about, hand in hand with a cultivator and in a better mood than they had ever seen him.
He was their Chengzhu, powerful and awe inspiring. Clearly this cultivator with him must be important too.
So the ghosts scrambled over each other to offer gifts and praise to their Chengzhu’s special guest, delighting when he thanked them each individually, with a kind smile as the gifts piled up and up until finally the order came ‘Scram!” and the fun had to be done from afar, gossip circuiting quickly.
Ghost City reveled, thrown fully into celebration for their Lord’s return. For the arrival of their Lord’s special friend. For their Lord’s joy.
They hoped Xie Daozhang stayed forever.
***
“Your highness.” Hua Cheng spoke up as breakfast finished. He’d been on edge all morning.
“Yes?”
“I… have some business to take care of today. Pray you won’t mind?”
Xie Lian was honestly amazed that Hua Cheng had been able to spend so much time with him for this long considering he ran such an influential territory.
“Of course, San Lang is free to handle his business. I can entertain myself in Ghost City.”
Hua Cheng didn’t seem any happier.
“Is something wrong? Does San Lang want help?”
“No it’s… your highness will still be here when I return, right?”
Xie Lian furrowed his brow. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Hua Cheng hesitated. Was this a personal question somehow?
Xie Lian vaguely recalled his first weeks here. How relieved Hua Cheng had looked to see him every morning at breakfast. How tense he’d been saying good night. Xie Lian had thought they were long past that but…
“San Lang. I will stay as long as you’ll have me, truly. I enjoy my time here. And even if I intended to leave, I’d say goodbye properly first.”
Still, Hua Cheng seemed worried. “It is less that this one thinks your highness will leave…”
“Then what is it?”
Hua Cheng swallowed.
Xie Lian reached out for his hand. “You know I will not pry. But I also will not judge.”
Hua Cheng nodded, starting slowly, avoiding Xie Lian’s eyes. “Before you came here I had been looking for you. For a very long time.”
Xie Lian did not ask why. He knew Hua Cheng didn’t want to answer.
“And I could not find you no matter what I did. So sometimes I worry I will lose your highness again.”
Xie Lian squeezed his hand. “I will stay in your territory. Is there anything we can do to help you find me when you finish your work?”
Hua Cheng thought, then nodded slowly, scooping up the hand holding his own. “May I?”
Xie Lian nodded, though he didn’t understand. Hua Cheng’s hands hovered above his as if putting something on him for a moment, and when he pulled back Xie Lian finally saw it. On his third finger was a thin red string, tied like a butterfly and very familiar looking. Xie Lian had seen such a string on Hua Cheng before, and, following the string that came off from his own finger, he found it was actually linked to Hua Cheng’s now.
“Now we’re joined together. Is that okay?” Hua Cheng seemed only mostly confident in his action.
Xie Lian felt heat rise to his face all the same. “Joined together?” He couldn’t help but get caught on the phrase. “Some sort of spell?”
“En. This string will always lead us back to the other.” He tugged on the red string lingering between them and it went invisible. “Your highness can find me this way too.”
“What a good spell. San Lang is very knowledgeable.”
Hua Cheng had yet to drop Xie Lian’s hand and his gaze was hot. Though Hua Cheng was cold with death, his hand felt unreasonably warm against Xie Lian’s own. He thought with just such a look and so small a touch, Hua Cheng might engulf him in a fire that would swallow him whole.
But he merely pulled back. “I will see your highness soon.”
“En. Good luck.”
And then he was gone.
***
Hua Cheng was gone for four days. Four days Xie Lian happily spent exploring Ghost City and it’s odd wonders. The residents were pleasant, if a bit much without their Lord to order them off, and made for good company, so Xie Lian could hardly call himself lonely. And it was impossible to be bored in Ghost City. But…
He missed Hua Cheng.
He found himself playing with the crystal ring and staring at the red butterfly knot far more than he would deem appropriate. His mind kept wandering.
He had thought maybe the lack of his usual sparring was making him restless and tried to run drills, but that only made him miss Hua Cheng more, remembering the way his hair looked messy and wild after they fought. Or the way that pale skin shone with sweat when they pushed each other further and further. Or the way that jade white throat would so willingly bare itself against his blade, lips grinning so tantalizingly when Xie Lian won. Or how—
Sutras. Maybe sutras instead.
So Xie Lian cultivated. Or tried to. He had done some cultivating in his time with San Lang, mostly out of habit, but he found his heart really wasn’t in it at the moment.
Xie Lian sighed and tugged at the invisible string. He could follow it. He could find Hua Cheng if he really wanted to. But Hua Cheng was busy and Xie Lian really didn’t need so much attending he couldn’t be left alone for a few days. He’d spent most of his time alone after all. He was used to it.
Except, he realized with startling clarity. He wasn’t used to it anymore. Instead he was used to Hua Cheng being there every morning and spending the day chatting away or sparring with him. He was used to their little touches and Hua Cheng’s teasing flirtations. He was used to blissful happy days that ended in a warm bed with a full belly.
Xie Lian had been thoroughly spoiled. In less than a year, he already ached at the thought of losing a routine so starkly different from that he’d known for several centuries.
It was terrifying. It was incredible.
He missed Hua Cheng.
He hadn’t realized before he had forgotten how to miss people.
***
On the fifth day, Hua Cheng sat where they usually ate breakfast. “Good morning, your highness.”
Xie Lian couldn’t help the grin that graced his face or the joy that filled his body all the way down to his toes. “Did your business go well?”
“En. Did your highness miss me?” Hua Cheng teased.
“Yes,” Xie Lian answered honestly.
Hua Cheng looked dumbstruck, wide eyed at the admission. “I… missed your highness too.”
Xie Lian smiled, but missed the way it made Hua Cheng swallow. “Then it’s a good thing you’re back. Did you want to spar today? I’ve been feeling restless without you.”
“Oh?” Hua Cheng slipped back into playfulness easily. “I had no idea I had such an effect on your highness, making him restless with thoughts of me.”
“Ah, San Lang, you make it sound dirty,” Xie Lian laughed.
Hua Cheng chuckled too, until he noticed Xie Lian’s face had started to heat up.
“Your highness?”
“It’s nothing, it's nothing!”
“I- Is… it dirty, your highness?” Hua Cheng’s face was unreadable. Not that Xie Lian was trying to read it currently as all functioning had gone into denial.
“Hahaha, San Lang really should try the food, it’s very good today.” Truthfully it wasn’t dirty necessarily. It was just that some of his thoughts about sparring had turned to how nice it felt when Hua Cheng grabbed hold of him some times and a few of them may have also been a bit too curiously fixated on his lips and how they might feel and well. Xie Lian had chanted enough sutras at the time to not think too deeply about the implications of those thoughts and he wasn’t about to consider it now.
Or. Ever maybe.
Eventually Hua Cheng went along with him, graciously dropping it for now, and Xie Lian was endlessly grateful.
***
Hua Cheng left more often now. Sometimes Xie Lian came with him. Most times Xie Lian came with him actually. He wasn’t really much help, mostly because both of them solving a problem that required fighting would have been overkill to the extreme, but it was still enjoyable. It was like he was seeing a whole new side to Hua Cheng.
In Paradise Manor he was attentive, ready to serve any and every whim Xie Lian may have. A bit playful. More than a bit flirtatious. But mainly kind and warm and safe.
In Ghost City he had a calm, arrogant sort of disinterest that Xie Lian knew covered genuine affection for the ghosts that lived there.
But outside Ghost City, handling business, was a new Hua Cheng. Rude and taunting. Aggressive and deadly. Xie Lian was endlessly amused. He was more and more intrigued. It seemed Hua Cheng grew more handsome by the day. His laughs got brighter. His voice sounded sweeter, even when he used those cold tones to scoff at enemies before playing with them like a cat might a mouse.
And, well. Xie Lian was panicking.
He had told Hua Cheng he would stay home this time, but he already regretted it. He needed to put space between them. To get his head on straight. But time apart from Hua Cheng did nothing to stop him thinking about the man. If anything it made it worse.
Xie Lian had already caught himself idly kissing the red string once and hadn’t caught the other four times (seven you count the three times he’d kissed the ring). So he was basically hopeless. Distance had been a stupid plan. What was there to keep a distance for anyways?
He thought about following the string, but the idea of taking back his own request to be left behind was a bit embarrassing so he made do around the manor and the city for the two days Hua Cheng was gone. It wasn’t long to be apart at all, still, he was incredibly grateful when Hua Cheng returned.
“Your highness?”
Xie Lian opened his eyes.
“I’m sorry, were you meditating? I shouldn’t have disturbed you.”
“No, I’m glad you did. Welcome home, San Lang.” Xie Lian came over, happy to see him again.
“Maybe I should leave without you more often, you’re so eager to see me.”
“I always like seeing San Lang.”
“Did you miss me?” Teasing words.
“I did,” Xie Lian had no trouble admitting that much.
“Hm. I missed your highness too.” Hua Cheng kissed his hand, right over where the red string was tied and Xie Lian felt his cheeks warm.
He could handle the flirting but really, sometimes Hua Cheng was too much.
But Hua Cheng’s gaze was honest and steady. He looked at Xie Lian like he was trying to memorize his features. To savor every part of the sight of him.
“San Lang, can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
“Why were you looking for me?”
The question clearly surprised Hua Cheng, and his gaze faltered, hand pulling away.
“You know who I am, I think you must be as old as me.”
“En,” Hua Cheng admitted, though it was a bit strained.
“But I lost all my believers so quickly after I got them in the scheme of things. There’s no reason for you to be looking for a failed god.”
“Your highness is my only god.” Hua Cheng whispered.
“What?”
“Your highness is not a failed god to me. You are the only god I believe in.” His whisper was fierce and thick with emotion.
“San Lang… how long have you…?”
Hua Cheng looked up, expression complicated. “To die in battle for you was my greatest honour.”
Xie Lian felt his breath stop.
“To fail to prevent your pain was— is my greatest shame. I want to watch your highness bask in the glory you deserve. But I’m still not strong enough. I’ve let you suffer.”
“No. No, that wasn’t San Lang’s fault.” His head was spinning at the implications.
“This lowly one has been searching for you for centuries. I didn’t intend to live with you like this, just to serve you, from afar even if that’s what you preferred but…”
But then Xie Lian had been too hurt to be left there. And then Xie Lian had stayed. And stayed.
“Why me?”
“Your courage, your despair, your kindness, your pain, your resentment, your hate, your intelligence, your foolishness; I understand all of it and I worship every part of you. You are beautiful and gracious and I want nothing more than to serve you however you allow me to, your highness. I would be a stepping stone to crumble under your feet if that’s what you wanted. But I know you would never allow that.”
Xie Lian felt like his head was swimming with the weight of Hua Cheng’s words and his gaze, so sincere. So breathtakingly sincere.
“However I allow you to?”
“Yes.”
“So,” Xie Lian said slowly. “Your feelings are only those of a follower?”
Hua Cheng’s gaze dropped again. “If that is how your highness will have me.”
Xie Lian felt his heart skip. “Most followers don’t tease their gods like you do.”
Hua Cheng swallowed. “En.”
“But you do. And… San Lang doesn’t seem to flirt with anyone else.”
“En.”
“Just me.”
Hua Cheng nodded, as if unable to speak anymore.
“But your feelings are just that of a believer?”
Hua Cheng’s expression became complicated again. “If his highness knows the answer, why is he asking?”
“You want to know how I will have you?” Xie Lian’s blood was in his ears, the beating of his heart loud and demanding.
Hua Cheng swallowed. Nodded.
Xie Lian closed the small distance between them, hugging Hua Cheng tight.
The Ghost King had no heartbeat. No breath. But still he let out a small gasp of surprise before crushing Xie Lian in a return hug. His voice wavered. “Your highness really will be the death of me.”
***
In Ghost City, cheers could be heard for three days. Celebration could still be witnessed for a week more, though the wedding had completed. Ghost City was always loud, but for once it was loud with joy and laughter. The ghosts sung praises to their Lord and his husband. Rice littered the streets from overzealous throwing and it seemed as though the entire city was participating in a joyous festival.
Paradise Manor was no longer a residence their Lord sometimes stayed in. It was now firmly a home. And Ghost City had two Lords.
Much later, a quake would shake the heavens and officials would groan to see the thrice ascended laughing stock of the three realms. But that is a story for a different day.