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Xie Lian was curled up on Hua Cheng's torso as they both enjoyed a peaceful evening at the shrine.
Faint candlelight danced on the wick while Ghost King's fingers - just as frivolous, found their place under Xie Lian's robes. He enjoyed and welcomed change in his beloved's breathing pattern under the touch.
Fingers moved slowly, as if taking in each fall and rise of God's glorious body. They didn't rush, wanting to feel and examine anything across the journey up Xie Lian's torso.
"San Lang."
Soft voice finally spoke, making Hua Cheng stop momentarily. Although tone wasn't harsh, it did sound like a certain threat.
Ghost King could live and even die three times over for His Highness. He spoiled Xie Lian, just as much as the God spoiled him.
His dedication was endless. There were no bounds to what he would do.
Well - there technically was one thing Hua Cheng found himself to be awkwardly opposed to.
"Have you finished your calligraphy?" Xie Lian knew the answer, yet asked anyway.
Recently, he found himself giving in to Hua Cheng's excuses and before he realised, a month passed with carefully prepared scroll as untouched as it could possibly be.
Which was curious, considering the amount of time God's husband spent pampering each curve of his body. But even while gasping from sheer pleasure, the goal in Xie Lian's mind burned just as much as his skin underneath Hua Cheng's weight.
"With the state of it now, you could never admit that I was your teacher on the matter. I expect it finished until end of the week."
"How cruel of you, Gege." Hua Cheng's whine was right in his ear "Wasn't it you who said shrine is so cold during this time of year? Befitting duties of a faithfull and devoted husband, I merely tried to provide you with warmth. Gege's statement leaves me sincerely heartbroken."
The honeyed words were something Xie Lian fell for the first 36 times since living together. Now, however, God was certain of the expression he would find once his gaze rose up his husband's face.
A smirk.
The sincere amusement at the fact that scroll was somewhere there, yet Xie Lian was right on his chest, enjoying the warmth just as much.
It was almost funny how Xie Lian battled his own smile while staring at the handsome Ghost King. At last, God wouldn't lose a fight to the tender embrace just yet!
"I can see great pain in your eye, indeed. If only it were as sincere as the grin on your face."
Suddenly, form underneath Xie Lian changed. Figure became slimmer as God's weight seemed to press firmer against it, as if being heavier than the body against which man was lying.
"What about now, Gege?" Smile turned into a pout. Hua Cheng's face looked younger. With both shining eyes fluttered up and staring directly at his beloved "Surely you trusted this humble San Lang when you offered him to rest beside you?"
Xie Lian blushed.
San Lang before him was the first form he met after 800 years of wandering around during second banishment.
"Don't- tease me like this, San Lang." Xie Lian turned his gaze away from the shimmering eyes.
Another victory painted on Hua Cheng's face when he took his lover's arm gently and pressed it to his lips.
Xie Lian was swooned. No matter the version, no matter the time - he trusted Hua Cheng completely. So much so that he could give in everything: future of his kingdom during that one festival so long ago, former teachings of former Jun Wu and celibacy tied so strong to God's cultivation.
All of these things he handed on a platter and if he was to go back in time, he would do it all over again. Despite the despair that came with it. If he could only open his eyes at the very moment and end up in the same place again and again.
He had no regrets.
Except-
Xie Lian's body tensed, putting an end to Hua Cheng's playfulness. His husband noticed the change immediately.
"What is it, Gege?" Ghost King's eyes narrowed. His grip held God's body firmly, as if worried he may suddenly lose balance.
There was silence. Both men stared at each other with minds as much in thought, yet keenly aware of the tension within the room.
Xie Lian wouldn't change anything, that was no lie. Even smallest of shifts could reflow the current in the stream of creation.
And yet, to admit there was no remorse would crush his heart completely.
He slowly got off his husband's lap and Hua Cheng's hands allowed him to do so, lingering until God's body weight was fully lifted.
"San Lang, is that true that you can change your form to anything I've seen before?" He asked.
"Of course, Gege." Hua Cheng stated. He didn't press further on the subject. Instead, keeping a steady mind and patiently waiting for how events play out "Is there anything specific that you wish to see?"
God's fingers fumbled against each other. With a sudden rush in his mind, it took him a minute to stay on the edge of what he wanted to say. Wondering, whether these words should leave his mouth.
"How about... Wu Ming?" Name rolled rather awkwardly off Xie Lian's tongue, as if body wasn't sure if it was even allowed to utter it.
Ghost King's gaze sharpened. He knew the events associated with this version of him. Memories became apparent and clear in both of their minds.
'Are you sure' was about to leave him, when Xie Lian spoke with full determination.
"Please, San Lang. There is something that I wanted to do and never got the chance. Not after that day."
Hua Cheng felt a clench in his chest, but he didn't press the issue further.
"Very well." Ghost King said.
He looked at him, yet his eyes became slowly covered by a smiling mask. Body changed again to someone younger, smaller.
And within next few seconds, person before Xie Lian was none other than restless soul of a Xianle soldier.
Wu Ming appeared before Xie Lian's eyes again.
"Ge-" Hua Cheng yelped when his body was pulled forward, right into Xie Lian's embrace.
Hug was strong, keeping him tightly against God's chest. It happened so fast, Ghost King's limbs could only lay helplessly at his sides.
"I'm sorry," Xie Lian's voice was shaking beside Wu Ming's ear. Boy's chin was resting above his shoulder, feeling scent of incense that surrounded the shrine and clinged onto Xie Lian's sweating skin "I'm so deeply sorry. For everything."
It took Hua Cheng a moment to realise his eyes were staring widely into a wall. He became increasingly aware of the proximity and Xie Lian's clench on his muscles. He could barely move and if he were a human, he would probably barely breathe as well.
Wu Ming's arms hesitantly wrapped around God's back. Not because he didn't want to, but became somehow, he feared form before him would crumble and shatter as if made out of finest porcelain.
Then, Xie Lian's body winced in a sob.
There was one, but more quickly followed. Sobbing swiftly changed into a dreadful cry.
"It should have never been you. This body feels slim and underweight. You were so young," wet tears quickly leaked through the fabric on Wu Ming's shoulder "Did it hurt? To take on so many vengeful spirits?"
Hua Cheng closed his eyes, pressing chin firmer against Xie Lian. He could hear God's heart pound against his own chest, as if trying to make his own still heart beat again with its force.
"You must never forgive me," Xie Lian's voice made his eyes shot back open "Please, San Lang. Promise me this one version will persist to hate me forever for all I've done. All that I wanted to destroy for nothing but my flawed judgement."
Xie Lian choked. He couldn't say anything else nor see anything from tears clouding his vision. 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' God mumbled like a madman, rocking their bodies in a pitiful swing. Unable to contain sudden explosion of dread he had kept closed for years somewhere inside his mind. Grip turned almost painful - knowing the body he held was physically there yet terrified it would turn to ash and wither in front of him.
Hua Cheng was sure that if his silent heart were to began pumping again - that would be the moment. His hand navigated blindly, while body remained pressed against Xie Lian, until it landed on the God's cheek.
"Don't cry, Your Highness." same young voice made Xie Lian's breath stop momentarily. Slender fingers swiped across struck of tears on his pale skin.
"Why..." Xie Lian shook "Why would you take on the anger not aimed at you. Causing you to die once more?"
"I had a reason. And I was the one who wished to wield that sword in the first place."
With a bit of resistance, Xie Lian's trembling muscles eased their grip, allowing Wu Ming to pull back. Snow white smiling mask was right in front of God's royal brown eyes.
"It was my beloved, who sustained terrible injuries in the war and suffered a fate worse than death. I could only watch helplessly as they suffered in torment and struggled in agony."
Xie Lian couldn't speak - he had no reply to the words he previously heard centuries ago. Wu Ming's hand stayed on his cheek as voice continued.
"I wished for the deaths of Yong'ans people more than anyone. For them all to perish by my own hand. I was overcome by hatred. Until my gracious noble special someone showed me light once again."
Xie Lian's mind drifted to the single man with bamboo hat, shielding him from rain and putting an abrupt stop to his horrifying plan.
Just one man was enough.
And just one believer kept him going for the next 800 years to come.
Just one Wu Ming ready to die again in a battlefield for what or rather who he believed in.
"He saved me again. Not knowing to be capable at the time of saving common people once more. I knew since the moment my eyes lied upon him that it was My Highness."
Xie Lian gulped at the throat which seemed closed on the tears. Clumsy, trembling hands reached for the mask and with another movement, took it off ghost's face.
Wu Ming was smiling.
A sincere, peaceful smile matching the lifeless object that clung previously to boy's face.
"It wasn't your fault," now the young man's arms cradled Xie Lian's body to him. Smile still present, although there was one lonely tear strolling down Wu Ming's face. Far and hidden from Xie Lian's eyes "Your Highness, none of it was your fault."
Grip on God's form tightened as form holding him became stronger and sturdier. Long black hair suddenly tickled Xie Lian's neck.
Hua Cheng switched back to his original body.
"I love you, San Lang." Xie Lian muttered to Ghost King's neck.
"I know, Gege." His lips pepper kissed his beloved's neck. They went up towards jaw and began kissing away remaining tears which rolled down Xie Lian's face "I love you too."
It felt as if 800 years flashed before Xie Lian's eyes until he registered body holding him belonging to his husband again.
But it was always him.
Xie Lian's one and only - first and last most devoted believer he had in this world.
Man began playing with Ghost King's long strands of hair.
"I shall work on Gege's calligraphy scroll this evening," Hua Cheng said, but then a strong push shoved him against the bed surface.
"Stay with me, San Lang." Xie Lian pleaded and before his beloved could say anything else, their lips sealed in a passionate kiss "Calligraphy can wait. You have a full week afterall."
Hua Cheng chuckled. It was rare for Xie Lian to take the initiative so fiercely and each time Ghost King welcomed it as a gift that it was.
"If Gege so wishes, this San Lang has no complaints."
With now bare chest and shining eye, Hua Cheng looked up at his husband. He felt soft, delicate hands go up his stomach and chest. They stopped near the unbeating heart.
Heart that yearned for him, bled for him and stopped for him before and now - although there was no pulse, would continue doing so.
Forever.
And even if there were many memories they shared together, some that may fill one with happiness or remorse. Making them both stumble in vengeful pain or hopeful struck of light both Hua Cheng and Xie Lian found themselves certain of one universal agreement that pushed them forward and will continue doing just that.
Afterall, as up above and down below - by heaven official's blessing, no paths are bound.