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Walking into one of the gardens of Paradise Manor, Hua Cheng hummed a soft tune to himself. Spotting the back of a white figure sitting beneath a tree, he felt his face split into a grin.
Truly, it couldn't be helped. Even after years of marriage, the sight of his husband made his heart flutter and his soul sing. He bounded over joyfully, loudly exclaiming, “Gege, I'm back! The disagreement was solved artfully, and you will be proud to know that not a drop of blood was spilled. Though I do think that gege could have done a better job.”
Diplomacy was not a favourite of his and they both knew it. However, it was necessary, and he had spent the better part of the day sorting out a tedious (and pointless, he felt) meeting with a couple of unruly ghosts. The whole thing could have probably been solved with some good old fashioned bloodshed, except one of the ghosts was the owner of Xie Lian’s favourite sweet stall. So diplomacy was unfortunately in favour.
Hua Cheng hadn’t received any reaction, however. Which… was quite unusual. Ordinarily, he would have received an overjoyed- 'San Lang!' And quite possibly a lengthy and passionate kiss. Which might have developed into some very loving touches, which by that point they would have tumbled into bed. Or potentially a large patch of grass. He wasn't really that picky.
But, that didn't seem to be the case today. Instead, Xie Lian continued staying seated, his long hair unbound and curtained around his face. He gave a non-committal hum and instead pulled his knees closer to his chest.
Hua Cheng, sensing that things weren’t quite as right as they were meant to be, placed the small bag he was carrying down on a nearby rock. He walked over to his beloved and silently sat next to him.
"Ah, sorry San Lang. This one is not feeling too well. Perhaps you should go and finish any duties you have- I’ll be fine in a while. Whilst Xie Lian had kept his face hidden, his voice had betrayed him.
"My only duty is to serve my husband," chastised Hua Cheng softly. "And gege should know that I would never leave, not unless he truly wants me to."
Hua Cheng gently reached over to Xie Lian’s hair. "May I ask why gege is in his old form?" He murmured, tucking the silky hair behind an ear- revealing a round, tear-soaked face.
"Well. Sometimes I think to myself, it’s not good to lie to one’s husband. And- and sometimes I feel I-" Xie Lian hiccuped out a strangled sob. Hua Cheng rubbed his thumb against his cheek, waiting patiently.
“I was born a... certain way, and San Lang always shows his true form around me, so I should show the same respect. But then I thought, that San Lang only wants a husband, and not a… a…”
“I only want gege. And you will always be my husband, no matter what your body is. If gege were a worm-”
Xie Lian let out a slightly hysterical snort. “San lang, really. A worm?” He sniffled again, but was smiling a little now. Which was a victory in Hua Cheng's opinion.
“Yes, a worm. I would love gege and nourish him. I would make sure that he is surrounded by soft soil and flowers. If he were to never surface again I would be happy to know that his home was safe and secure.” Hua cheng pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of each eye, his heart clenching at the salty taste.
His entire soul ached. He wanted to destroy everything that had ever hurt Xie Lian, to soak the ground with the blood of anyone who crossed him. But, the conflict of the mind wasn’t so easily solved. It made him feel useless. What good what a supreme ghost king if there were no one to defeat, to slay?
So, instead, he would have to do the only thing he knew he could do. Love his beloved until his love ran out. And he knew personally that that would never happen. Something that had lasted his centuries was hard to break.
(Distantly, he was very grateful that his driving force for existence wasn’t revenge. Revenge wasn't very useful here.)
Xie Lian’s body trembled as more tears ran down his face, desperately trying to force the sobs back down. Silently, he pressed his forehead against Hua Cheng’s.
The two of them sat in silence, letting spiritual energy flow softly between them. It was something the two did when there were no words, but only the overwhelming need for the other’s presence.
Together, they sat under the tree, hands clutched together tightly. Hua Cheng pushed his love and devotion through their temporary bond. If he could, he would take all of Xie Lian's anguish, and the stupid belief that he wasnt good enough. He would take it all, and replace it with his affection and desire.
Eventually, the two opened their eyes and lovingly locked gazes.
"Hello, gege." Hua Cheng smiled, and swiftly leant forward, pressing his lips against Xie Lian's. With a soft exhale, Xie Lian kissed back unhurriedly, lost in the sensation of a warm mouth against his. He untangled his arms and wrapped them around Hua Cheng's neck. Soon after, he pulled back, looking much less troubled than before.
“Did you truly mean that?” he asked, voice calmer.
“That I would make you a little worm home and look after you forever?” Hua cheng replied, grinning at the blush that accompanying Xie Lian’s laugh. He kissed the warm cheeks, which didn't help.
He mimicked Xie Lian's pose, draping his own arms across his husband.
“Or that you would be my husband, even when you have the body of a woman?"
Xie lian cast his eyes down at his lap, squirming slightly at the words.
"...Yes. the last one, I mean. You don't want a… a wife?" He whispered the last word like it was a curse.
"I only want the one god. I only want you, Xie Lian. You are the only god I will ever serve, and ever love. I don't want a wife. I want my gege."
Hua Cheng lovingly traced his hands along Xie Lian's face. Letting spiritual power pool in his fingers, he looked up questioningly.
"May I?"
Fresh tears spilled out, and Xie Lian nodded wordlessly.
Permission granted, Hua Cheng pushed out his power into the face beneath his hands, shaping it back. The cheekbones became shaper, the jaw more square. He stroked a finger along an eyebrow, feeling the light buzzing of power as it became thicker under his hands. He trailed them down a slim neck, feeling tendons thicken and lengthen.
Impulsively, he leant forward and kissed him right in the centre of his neck, feeling the hardened lump form under his lips. He gave an impish grin at the little shiver his husband made, relishing in the fact that he could still be the cause of such a reaction.
Trailing his lips down his skin, he reached defined collarbones that elongated beneath his ministrations. He flicked his tongue out, tasting the salty skin below.
Despite how much he wanted to continue his path down, he held back. One day, he would show his husband how much he loved him, no matter his body.
Instead, he finished the transformation with a burst of energy, until Xie Lian was in his true, male body.
Xie Lian whimpered a little at the rush of energy, blinking away the lights in his eyes. He took a slow, calming breath and cleared his throat.
"Ah. Thank you San Lang."
Hua Cheng eyed his flushed complexion, and swung his legs over to straddle him.
"So, does gege feel like himself again?" He murmured, giving an earlobe a little kiss. "I made sure everything was back to normal." He waggled his eyebrows at Xie Lian, before laughing at the way he coughed before buying his face into his chest.
"San Lang knows me best, after all." Although his voice was muffled by Hua Cheng's chest, the affection shone through clearly. "He truly is the best husband one could ask for."
Hua Cheng hummed. "If you say so gege. Though I still think that you are the best husband."
Xie Lian chuckled at their old argument. "Oh!" He exclaimed, sitting up suddenly. "You said you had something for me?"
Hua Cheng looked at him blankly, before remembering.
"Do you remember when that three armed ghost burnt down the sweet stall that you love? It turns out that old Xua was his grandfather. So instead of a simple battle, there was a long and pointless mediation, in which I most definitely did not brandish any weapons. And to say thanks, old Xua gave you a bag of your favourite sweets."
As he talked, Hua Cheng walked over to the rock, picking up the small cloth bag. He sat back down next to Xie Lian, and handed it over.
"But I didn't even do anything?"
"Gege doesn't have to do anything. Everyone loves you anyway. You're my husband, and they know it."
Xie Lian snorted ungracefully. "You know, if you were nicer to them, I'm sure you would get a bag of sweets too."
"I have a reputation to maintain. How can I be the fierce Crimson Rain if I'm being gifted sweet bags every day?" He laid back, looking at the tree leaves above. "Besides, my husband is kind enough for us both."
Xie Lian looked at him fondly, and lay his head on his chest. "I love you, Hua Cheng, Crimson Rain Sought Flower."
Hua Cheng chuckled. "And I you, my Flower-Crowned God."
"San Lang?"
"Yes, gege?"
"Thank you."