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The first time Xie Lian drank himself drunk was on purpose - an attempt to drown the bottomless feeling of rage and despair. The second time Xie Lian became drunk was on accident.
Xie Lians luck seemed to have reached rock bottom when he found himself miles from the nearest village, no shelter in sight, and completely out of food and water the sun beating relentlessly down on him. What should have been a stretch of mild spring weather with rain showers turned into a heat wave with no reprieve.
Trudging through the dusty mountain road Xie Lian sighed deeply his parched throat swallowing around nothing as he couldn’t even summon saliva anymore for relief. All he could only think to keep moving as he took his next step forward. This proved to be the wrong move as Xie Lians luck seemed to think rock bottom wasn’t deep enough. Xie Lian tripped on the root of a small dead tree causing him to lose balance sliding several hundred feet into the valley below bringing half the mountainside down with him.
Exhausted, Xie Lian continued to lie in the ground staring languidly at the sky. The bright sun and cheerful blue mocking his misfortunes. The day passed slowly and once dusk sets in he finds the strength to rise and explore his surroundings. He searches the surrounding area for potential food or shelter and spies a creek bed lined with shrubbery a short distance away. However, upon approaching it he sees that it has run dry just like his luck. Following the creek bed farther into the valley he eventually comes across a small hut sheltered under two large trees and a cliff face. The building appears structural sound albeit unmaintained as tall grass and weeds have overgrown the yard. Xie Lian slowly makes his way to the cabin - cautious his luck would turn on him but optimistic that he might have found a place to spend the night. He slowly pushed the door open only to be startled as it fell to the ground, Xie Lian glanced at the door before inspecting the space beyond. The door revealed a sparse and tidy single room cottage with the tables, chairs, sleeping mat covered in a layer of dust. To the left a small cooking spot appeared a long with a shelf filled with various jars. Ah, well not only has Xie Lian found a place to sleep he may have also found his next meal! As he sifts through the jars on the shelf he locates a pickle jar that despite a slight funky smell it doesn’t seem too far off from normal - it’s definitely better than some of the meals he’s consumed in the past! In addition there’s several jars with a sweet smelling liquid in it that smell faintly of peaches.
Xie lians dry parched throat cannot resist the temptation and the need for water immediately overrides his inhibitions as he downs the entire container of peach juice. Not terrible, he’s definitely had worse. Although this one had a funky taste he hasn’t really had before. He fumbles over his own feet as he reaches for a second jar luckily catching himself and the jar so it remains unscathed. The second jar tastes just as good as the first and he downs it just as quickly. Upon sating his thirst he feels a little dizzy and sleepy and immediately falls to the floor of the cottage leaning against the wall falling into a light slumber.
He’s startled awake a few minutes later by cackling noises beyond the cottage. He stares outside the door only to be startled by the sight of hundreds of stars dancing and streaking across the night sky and…. Talking to one another? He clumsily exits the cottage to sit (well he can’t sit up to well so lay down) on the front step to watch. This must be an illusion he surmises, the peach wine must have been stronger than he thought. This isn’t the first time it’s happened (as a fairly recent encounter with cactus juice lead to him seeing all sorts of odd things in the desert). The difference here is that he doesn’t feel in any particular danger. Just a little warm and fuzzy and the world around him seems to be a little stranger and just ever so slightly tilted off its axis. As he stares at the sky he fails to notice an approaching figure until they are close by. Startled he looks to the shadows and sees a tall man dressed in dark robes with a high pony tail. He stares at the man and blurts out the first name that comes to mind that isn’t a name at all: “Wu Ming?”
There is a brief moment of silence before the man replies and when he does it is with the words Xie Lian never expected to hear again “Yes Your Highness”
Ah that solidifies what he already knows. He’s definitely hallucinating.
—
Hua Cheng had returned to paradise manor that day in a foul mood. Not only had he failed to find his highness… Again. He also wasted his time following up on sightings of a cultivator dressed in white using a band as a spiritual weapon only to find a cultivator dressed in white that was obviously not his highness and used what was obviously a tree vine as a spiritual weapon and not a white bandage. This wouldn’t have been so bad if hadn’t been confronted by the cultivators cultivation partner who was exceedingly arrogant and as dumb as a dog. Hua Cheng made a quick and awkward departure before he had to explain himself but the blow to his ego - and to his hopes - left him in a foul mood. He might as well return to the gambling den and take this out on whoever is foolish enough to cross paths with him tonight. As he pulls out his dice in one hand a moment away from tossing them he is interrupted by Yin Yu in the communication array. “Chengzu we have an issue with the northwest entrance to ghost city”. Hua Cheng was silent as he waited for Yin Yu to continue. “A rockslide appears to have disturbed the burial grounds where the entrance was located. It has released many spirits into ghost city and into the surrounding area in the mortal realm.” Yin Yu began to continue “at this time I -“ Yin Yu was cut off by Hua Chengs reply. “Don’t bother, I’ll see to it myself”. This would be exactly what Hua Cheng needed to distract himself. Putting some unruly ghosts in their place will make himself feel better about the things he can’t control.
Upon dispatching the ghosts that were wreaking havoc in ghost city, he disbursed a few butterflies to explore the area in the mortal realm and ensure none had left there. A moment of power was all that was needed to repair the gate. Although it was likely to close soon due to the change in topography and yin energy with the rockslide so he’ll have to be wary of a new opening in the coming weeks.
As he prepares to call this task completed and return to his residence his butterflies alert him to a strange sight in the mortal realm. Some ghost fires - likely displaced by the rockslide slide - seem to be trapped beneath two large trees and running themselves ragged trying to escape. Dumb things Hua Cheng huffs a laugh. But then he remembers he was once a lowly ghost fire that received assistance when he was trapped and decides to take a moment and help them escape.
As he materializes close to the ghost fires he scans the surrounding area and at this moment his heart clenches and his entire body runs colder than it has in centuries. There lying on the steps of a run down cottage is his highness divine figure illuminated by the glow of hundreds of ghost fires. He immediately shifts forms to the one of the young master he specifically crafted to greet his highness. Upon doing so though his highness finally notices him and looks up. Hua Cheng only has a moment to revel in this serendipitous moment before he hears his high was wistfully call out to him with a name that is not a name.
Hua Cheng instinctually replies the only way he knows how “Yes Your highness?”
-
Hua Cheng watches as Xie Lian begins to rise and approach him but is startled as it appears Xie Lian is struggling to remain upright. “Your highness allow me” as he reaches for Xie lians arm and steadies him. Xie Lian stares into Hua Chengs eyes. A gentle smile on his face as he reaches a hand up to cup Hua Chengs face. “Ah Wu Ming, so this is what you look like? I always knew you were handsome.” Hua Cheng is startled into silence by the compliment (his highness thinks hes handsome!?!). “But I guess this is just how I would dream of you. So funny that I would imagine Wu Ming to be so cute!” Xie Lian giggles his eyes turning into crescents as he pinches Hua Chengs cheek. “But I really do miss you” Xie Lian says his tone taking on a melancholy note. “I’m so lonely, Won’t you stay with me a while?” Xie Lian says beseeching Hua Cheng. “Your highness!” Hua Cheng gasps finally able to respond “this one will never leave you!” Xie Lian sighs looking at the ground “But you already have.” At this Xie Lian fully leans over and promptly empties the meager contents of his stomach onto Hua Chengs leather boots. At this Hua Cheng finally realizes that something is very off with his high was. He gently rubs Xie Lians shoulder and back in soothing circles. “Here” he hands Xie Lian a cloth and a canteen of water. “Let’s get you somewhere more comfortable” as he gently assist Xie Lian to sit back down on the steps of the cottage. Xie Lian giggles a little as he settles down. “Hmm?” Hua Cheng asks “what does his highness think is so funny?” “Just that if I ever see you again * hic * I would prostrate myself and have this whole speech * hic * ready to go to apologize and instead I just * hic * can’t keep look at how handsome you are and then * hic * ruin your shoes “ at this the giggles turn to sobs and Xie Lian tries to stifle his crying. “I really should’ve treated you better and now I’m not doing any better than I did before. Even in my dreams I can’t treat you properly” Xie Lian dissolves into a fit of mixed hiccups and sobs following this outburst. Hua Cheng continues to rub circles on Xie Lians back ateemoting to comfort him “shhhh your highness, this one was honored to fight for your highness. Your highness has nothing to apologize for” through intermittent sobs Xie Lian begins talking again “you don’t have to call me your highness anymore. You can if you want to. I won’t get mad if you do, but it’s been centuries since I was a prince, you can call me something else” Hua Chengs smiles softly “ok Gege” startling Xie Lian from his cries, he looks up at Hua Cheng and then slowly he smiles appearing happy with the new address. And as quickly as it came, the smile is gone again fresh tears forming in Xie Lians eyes “but I don’t have a nice name to call you. Why did I give you a better name” Xie Lian begins crying again. Well, at least Hua Cheng has an answer prepared for that! “This one would be honored if Gege would call me San Lang” xie lians sobs stop but he is still frowning“San Lang, that’s a name for your beloved not for me.” Hua Cheng begins to protest but Xie Lian continues to ramble with a distant look in his eye “Sometimes I think about what I did and how it destroyed two lives not just one. I hated myself for a long time because of that. And even worse .. when you spoke of your beloved I would get jealous. Why couldn’t anyone love me like that? Love me enough to stay.” Xie lians voice had dropped to a raspy whisper at this point “sometimes I wished I was your beloved” and then sighs and begins staring quietly at Hua Cheng. “You’ll be gone soon. Poof. Just like you did before. And just like every time I dream of you”. Hua Chengs hand continues to rub Xie lians back while the other is fisted tightly in his lap. “Gege dreams of this San Lang?” He asks part of him elated that his highness would remember him and part of him seething over his inability to protect his highness from pain and loneliness for these past centuries. Xie Lian nods quietly and continues to watch Hua Cheng. “But you always wear the mask” he says and reaches out to poke Hua Chengs cheek. As much as Hua Cheng wants to continue discovering what else his highness thinks of him, he cannot allow himself to indulge at a time like this. His highness is distressed and very obviously inebriated. To take advantage of the opportunity would be to dishonor his God. At this thought, the shock of finding his highness has worn off enough for Hua Chengs to take account of the situation. Cautiously he reaches towards Xie lians face and tilts Xie lians face towards himself. “Might I ask what Gege has had to eat or drink today?” Based on the smell Hua Cheng is pretty sure his highness has not consumed much besides alcohol. At least he seems to be faring a bit better than the last time Hua Cheng saw Xie Lian drunk. And this time Hua Cheng is not a helpless ghost fire that can’t actually do anything to assist his highness. He coaxes Xie Lian to take a few more sips of water while he waits for an answer. “I just had some old pickles and *hic* peach *hic* juice” Xie Lian replies nodding towards the inside of the cottage. “One moment Gege” Hua Cheng gets up to inspect the contents of the cottage finding two empty jars with a strong peach and alcohol smell as well as an empty pickle jar. He returns to Xie lians side. “Seems like the peach juice may have been stronger than Gege expected. Here the water will help, is Gege still hungry?” Xie Lian replies by yawning and resting his head on Hua Chengs shoulder slowly nodding as he buries his face in Hua Chengs robes. “Then will you allow me to take you to my residence? there is plenty of food and a warm bed for Gege” Xie Lian nods again. If he can hallucinate Wu Ming then he can certainly hallucinate food and a warm bed and maybe his night won’t be so bad. He really is so sleepy now. Hua Cheng gently takes Xie Lian by the waist. “Then shall we?” Says Hua Cheng as he rolls the dice.
Hua Cheng is caught between feeling delighted at being able to bring his highness to paradise manor and treat him with all the luxuries he deserves and self loathing that he could not have done more for his highness. After establishing Xie Lian in the room prepared for him, Hua Cheng has some small snacks and tea delivered for Xie Lian. Xie Lian slowly eats a few morsels of food and drinks only a single cup of tea. Continuing in his silence morosely staring at the floor his glance flickering towards Hua Cheng on occasion. Hua Cheng coaxes Xie lian to take a few more bites of the food and a few more sips of tea until he is satisfied that Xie Lian has eaten enough. He assists xie Lian in cleaning up and then moves him towards the bed to rest. Xie Lian clings to Hua Cheng as he attempts to tuck him into bed. “Youre going to leave me again” whispers Xie Lian into Hia Chengs arm “I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone, dispersed and I’ll be alone again”. Hua Chengs heart breaks as he realizes this is reason for Xie lians taciturn behavior since they entered paradise manor . “No Gege” he soothes, “ I won’t leave you. I’ll be here in the morning when you wake.” Xie Lian mumbles a reply into Hua Chengs arm that he can’t understand. So Hua Cheng acquiesces to Xie Lian and remains on the bed with him, gently combing through Xie Lians hair and rubbing his back with his free hand as Xie lians breathing transitions to gentle snoring.
-
The next morning Xie Lian awakes in warm bed in a strange room with a mild headache hugging an oddly shaped pillow to his chest. He startles awake upon realizing the item is not a pillow but an arm. An arm attached to a very handsome man, no not a man, ghost, dressed in red, with an eye patch covering one eye and wild hair cascading down his back dozing halfway off the bed.
Oh
Oh no.
Had Xie Lian propositioned someone last night?!? This is exactly why he never drinks! He must’ve gone crazy again and done something insane. How else would he end up in some strangers mansion in an enormous bed that could fit a family of five. Xie Lian cycles his spiritual energy and feels his cultivation intact so they must’ve not done anything … yet. But would that really be too bad? Thinks Xie Lian as he gazes at the slumbering visage of the handsome ghost. What am I thinking? This thought startles Xie Lian into action so he immediately lets go of the man’s arm and scrambles off the bed only to be hit with a horrendous wave of nausea causing him to sway on his feet.
“Gege are you ok?” The man shifts to stand in front of Xie Lian reaching out in what appeared to be an offer of support. But before he can reach him, Xie Lian raises his hands and lowers his head in a polite bow. “Kind sir, I do believe there’s been some sort of a mistake. You see I have a medical condition - I can’t get it up! I’m sorry if I deceived you …. ” The man in red pauses and frowns “Gege needn’t worry. This one was merely ensuring you slept well. Does Gege not remember anything from last night?” Xie Lian scratches his cheek as he replies startled by the strangers generous response to his outburst. “No, I drank what must have been an off batch of peach juice and experienced a delusion… “Xie Lian trails off at the memory of encountering Wu Ming in his dream. Snapping back to the moment he continues “If you’ll be so kind as to show me the way to the nearest road I’ll be in my way” Xie Lian states. What a pity though, he would’ve loved to have spent more time with this handsome ghost in his handsome house.
“Oh Gege” the ghost smiles leaning in closer “it wasn’t a delusion” at this Xie lians face turns redder than Hua Chengs robes as he scrambles to continue apologizing “then this one is truly sorry for…” Xie Lian pauses his eyes going wide upon realizing the implication of those words. He raises his eyes to meet Hua Chengs gaze head on “Then it’s really you?” Recognition dawning on his face Xie Lian tentatively reaches out for Hua Cheng “yes” answers Hua Cheng returning Xie Lian embrace . “And I meant what i said last night. I will never leave you, your highness” an oh formed on Xie lians lips as he looked up meeting Hua Chengs eye, “I didn’t mean to burden you with so much last night. If my feelings are a nuisance you dont need to humor me. I…” “gege” hua Cheng interrupts Xie Lian his hand reaching for Xie lians chin. “ did I ever tell you about my beloved?” Xie Lian shakes his head slowly. “They are a gracious, noble, special someone” he says as he lays a kiss on Xie lians forehead “I have looked up to them since I was young and hope to catch up to them some day” he plants a kiss in Xie lians cheek “and I remain in this world to protect them” Hua Cheng says as he places another gentle kiss on Xie Lians other cheek. “It took me centuries but I finally found them” Hua Cheng leans his mouth a hairs breadth from Xie lians lips. Waiting. Xie Lian finally pulls Hua Cheng closer with a cry of “San Lang” as he moves to meet Hua Chengs lips with his own.