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Chapter Text

Hua Cheng could not be more overjoyed. If his heart still beat, it would be going faster than ever before. He almost felt it sputter to life at the sight of his beloved—his god, freezing on the oxcart, wearing the same white robes that he always did. 

The only difference was that the robes were clean as if the battle with Jun Wu had never happened. 

Xie Lian’s face was stretched as if he was in complete and utter disbelief— at first . Then, the god scrambled off the oxcart, almost falling in the process, but very quickly righted himself. Hua Cheng’s chest swelled, and he grinned as they began to walk toward each other. The god walked slowly, and the ghost matched his pace. 

Paces quickened. Suddenly, the two broke into a run toward each other, grinning all the while. Finally, Xie Lian jumped into Hua Cheng’s arms, tightly wrapping his arms around his neck. Hua Cheng clung to his god’s waist, pressing their bodies into a tight, loving embrace. His mouth was quirked into a wriggling smile, very unlike the typical smirk he sported. 

“San Lang!” Xie Lian exclaimed in pure delight, burying his face into the ghost’s neck. 

However, as many times as Hua Cheng had planned this scenario out in his mind, whenever it came to his beloved, he was bound to engage with some form of spontaneity. 

As strong as he was, the impact of his god’s weight caused him to stumble backward, still holding tight onto his waist. 

“ Shit –!” Hua Cheng cursed, accidentally this time. 

Xie Lian made a shocked noise as the two landed on the ground with a thud. Hua Cheng was gazed at with a pair of gorgeous amber eyes, his beloved’s expression adorably surprised. The late-winter night air left Xie Lian’s cheeks and the tip of his nose just slightly pink, and his small breaths were manifested into white puffs in the cold. 

The silence ended quickly, the gentle panting morphing into joyful laughter. Hua Cheng couldn’t help but laugh along with him, holding on tight as they rolled around in the grass in pure, unadulterated happiness.

Finally slowing to a stop, they lay on their sides facing each other, grinning. Xie Lian cupped Hua Cheng’s face, caressing his cheeks to seemingly check if he was truly, truly here. That playful expression melted into a soft smile as he rubbed the pads of his thumbs along the ghost’s forehead, his cheekbones, then finally planted a little peck on that crooked nose. 

The ghost chuckled. “Did gege miss me?” Hua Cheng asked. 

“Hah…” Xie Lian breathed, then pressed their foreheads together and closed his amber eyes. “... Miss you? Oh, San Lang…” Then his god’s voice broke. 

Hua Cheng pressed his lips together tightly. He pulled his god closer so his perfect face rested at the base of the ghost’s pale neck, panic rising in his chest. “Your Highness…” He whispered, his throat growing tight with emotion.

Immediately, the ghost noticed how thin Xie Lian was. Somehow, he was thinner than when he had last held him, which seemed impossible. 

“S-San Lang don’t… Don’t ever leave me like that again… I…” Xie Lian whimpered, hot, fat tears rolling down his cheeks and staining crimson robes. “I-I know you said you would never leave m-me… A-And I always kn-knew you would come back– I just… Oh, San Lang… ”

“I-I waited for you… Every single day… Every moment I could spare, I spent sitting at the window, hoping, praying that you would return. Then… Every time someone would knock on the door, I would hope it was you. And…” Xie Lian said, bursting into shaking sobs again. 

His god, sitting by the door, gazing out the window, collecting scraps, and even trying to connect to their private communication array. The ghost could visualize all of that, and it broke him. 

For a long time, Hua Cheng simply let his god break down in his arms. His crimson robes were covered in tears, snot, and what have you, but he didn’t care in the least. It was the least he could do for causing this pain. 

Once Xie Lian caught his breath a little, the ghost swallowed. “Your Highness… I am so sorry to have caused you so much pain and suffering. I… I hope you can forgive me. I promise that I will never leave your side again, I will…” Hua Cheng said, his voice faltering and tears welling in his eye. “Sorry, this one is pathetic... You’re the one who’s been waiting for me this whole time.”

Xie Lian’s gaze whipped upward, and Hua Cheng’s stomach dropped at those amber eyes shooting him an intense glare. “D-Don’t you dare call yourself pathetic. San Lang could never be…” Xie Lian said. His tone was almost icy, yet it carried a sweetness that nobody else could replicate. 

Hua Cheng opened his mouth to protest, but Xie Lian quickly cut the ghost off with a fervent kiss. His lips were wet from tears, but Hua Cheng didn’t care. Closing his eye, the devotee pulled his beloved god even closer, and he sighed. 

The ghost missed this feeling so much. He had gotten so used to being able to kiss Xie Lian a year ago that when he had to disperse to regain his strength, Hua Cheng had almost forgotten how soft, yet firm, the gorgeous petal-like pair of lips were. He felt immensely guilty about it, but he would never allow this to happen again, especially not since his god had been in so much pain. 

If he had to kiss him over and over, several times a day, he would be more than happy to do so. He would never forget— he refused. 

The two did not part for several moments, just lying in the cold, dewy grass, feeling each other, taking in every detail of how each other’s lips felt after not being able to for so long. When Xie Lian parted, he panted very quietly, the corners of his eyes red from sobbing. 

“Do not call yourself such awful things ever again. Do you understand?” Xie Lian demanded. 

“... Alright. I promise.” Hua Cheng acquiesced, pressing their noses together.

However, that was not enough for the god, and he grasped the ghost by the wrists. “Good.” Xie Lian said curtly, pulling him into yet another kiss. 

Many complicated feelings arose in Hua Cheng’s chest— guilt, anger, joy— but the one that shone through the brightest was pure, unconditional love for his beloved in his arms. 

Once the god had finished crying, they both shakily stood and headed back to Puqi Shrine, not once letting go. His Highness had insisted on cooking something for both of them, which Hua Cheng then just held onto his waist, resting his head on his god’s shoulder. 

Since those horrendous shackles had been removed, Xie Lian’s cooking had improved, but Hua Cheng found himself missing the robust flavors that he had tasted when he first came to Puqi Shrine. Everyone would double over, and it served them right. Anything his god would make was divine in itself, and those who couldn’t handle it were unworthy.

Even he, Hua Cheng, who could handle it, felt unworthy as well. Nobody had ever offered to cook for him, save his mother when he was alive, nor had anyone ever made things he could taste as a ghost. 

Anything Xie Lian would create for him, he would cherish close to his heart as long as he existed. 

It was late, but neither of them could sleep, nor did they want to. Xie Lian held Hua Cheng to his chest, combing his fingers through the ghost king’s inky strands. They had stripped down to their inner robes, boots kicked off by the end of the sleeping mat. 

 His god hummed, and Hua Cheng pulled him closer, gently pressing a hand between Xie Lian’s strong shoulder blades. “Yes, gege?” 

“San Lang, I just… I have so many questions…” Xie Lian muttered, pressing his face closer to the top of the ghost’s head. “I don’t know where to start…”

“And we have nothing but time. Ask away.” Hua Cheng said, smiling softly into those sweet, earthy-smelling robes. The scent of his god. 

“... Why did you have to disperse? And why for that long?” Xie Lian asked. 

The ghost felt his artificial breath catch in his throat as guilt washed over him once more. He paused for a moment, then sighed. “Gege, I was honestly surprised that I was able to come back this quickly.” Hua Cheng said. “Not to say that you weren’t allowed to miss me…”

The ghost didn’t even have to look at the god’s face to know that Xie Lian was blushing. “W-Well… San Lang did break my shackles… That must have taken a lot of spiritual energy. Are you sure you’re alright?” Xie Lian said, his grip tightening. 

Hua Cheng chuckled and grinned. He shifted his body so that he was eye-to-eye with Xie Lian, the tips of his god’s toes brushing against his ankles. The ghost lifted his hand to cradle his beloved’s face, caressing his thumb against those smooth, pale cheeks. Xie Lian leaned into the touch, and Hua Cheng’s still heart melted. 

“Your Highness… I will always have enough for both of us. More than enough.” Hua Cheng said, reverently. 

Xie Lian looked at him with a curious but admiring gaze— one he didn’t feel he deserved.

“However…” Hua Cheng said, his voice smooth and very purposefully mischievous. “This San Lang does make sure that people keep up on their promises. Regardless of who I may be, Your Highness, you did promise to pay me back.” 

The ghost grinned as Xie Lian went completely red in the face. “I-I… S-San Lang, of course, I’ll pay you back, I just…” The god started. 

“Hmmm?” Hua Cheng hummed, leaning closer. They were barely a breath’s width apart now, and his normally still heart thumped languidly beneath his ribcage. 

“I don’t have any money… Could I pay another way?” Xie Lian asked.

Hua Cheng grinned. “Certainly. How would gege like to pay me back?” He asked, his eye lidded. 

“I-I give great calligraphy lessons! Or I can teach you certain stretches? N-Not that San Lang would need to improve in any way, he’s already incredible at fighting anyway—” Xie Lian stuttered. 

Hua Cheng froze for a moment, his eye wide. Then, his lips curled upward, and he laughed. As bad as it might’ve been, he couldn’t help it— his god made him so happy, how could he not? Especially when he was being so adorably oblivious. 

Hua Cheng turned onto his back, pressing the back of his hand to his mouth in a half-assed attempt to stifle his mirth. 

Xie Lian pouted. “S-San Lang! What’s so funny?” 

“Oh, Your Highness… ” Hua Cheng said breathlessly, sliding his hand up to cover his eye. “Simply being with you is… Is…” He trailed off, tears threatening to stream down his cold, pale cheeks. 

It was then Xie Lian’s turn to freeze. Amber eyes wide, he stared at him, and then his gaze softened. “San Lang…” He muttered sympathetically, scooting closer. 

“This one feels like he’s dreaming.” San Lang began, his voice shaky. “I never thought I could… That I would be so lucky as to even be in His Highness’s presence this much.”

Xie Lian sighed quietly and brought Hua Cheng’s hand away, cupping his face so tenderly. Hua Cheng’s eyes, including the empty socket, couldn’t keep up with how many tears were being produced. They burned, and his entire frame shook. 

He felt like that child crying in His Highness’s arms once more. It was pathetic, but Xie Lian seemed so happy to see him and had made him promise not to say awful things about himself. 

“Your Highness looks so tired… Not as tired as I’ve seen you before, but…” Hua Cheng faltered, a silent sob slipping past his lips. 

Xie Lian sighed quietly and tucked a piece of inky strands behind the ghost’s pointed ear, his expression forlorn. “I… I fear that I’m not the prince you once fell in love with.” He said. “San Lang… you revealed that you have always been with me. For that, I am more grateful than I can ever express.”

Hua Cheng could not even mutter a reverent phrase to show that he was listening. The ghost simply leaned into those beautiful hands that graced him with their touch, blinking back tears as he stared into those amber eyes. 

“I don’t know if I will ever be able to understand why you would stay, or even why you returned. I have thrown away so much, been selfish, gone off the deep end, and murdered innocent people…” Xie Lian said, his voice quavering. “I am not as kind and gentle as you may perceive. I… San Lang… I know you’ve waited for me for so long… Much longer than I ever could for someone. Will you be able to love me once again? If you knew absolutely everything?” 

Memories of how he was caught mid-air at the God Pleasing Parade, the umbrella and red coral earring he clutched like lifelines flashed in his mind. Enlisting in the army and getting kicked out, the odd jobs he took to save up enough to give himself the tattoo that remained even after death of his beloved’s name, that only he could read. 

The fall of Xianle, His Highness’s anguish as he lost his only two friends, and how he continued to fight despite everything. Approaching the white-robed god as a wrath, given the name Wu Ming, and the orders he obeyed without hesitation. 

The despair his god cried when his last believer had absorbed the Human Face disease, and nearly completely dispersed in the process. 

Xie Lian had been through hell and back, and he still refused to become anything like Jun Wu, or otherwise. He remained his hilarious, oblivious, beautiful, wise, and divine self. And Hua Cheng would serve him until the end of his days, over and over, even if it meant his end. 

The ghost could only flash his teeth in a poor attempt at a smile, the corners of his lips turned down as he cried. “Y-Your Highness…” Hua Cheng croaked. “I said it before, and I will say it again: I refuse to leave this world because my beloved still exists. I understand your everything— I mean that. Sincerely, I do…”

Hua Cheng pressed his lips to Xie Lian’s forehead. “I have never stopped loving you. I never will. Nothing can change my devotion— nothing at all.” He declared. Wiping tears from his beloved’s eyes with his thumb, Hua Cheng bit his lip to keep from sobbing. 

“I just… I don’t understand…” Xie Lian whimpered, his entire body shaking with sobs. “I don’t understand why you would insist on staying in this world for a broken god. A god not worth loving, nor fighting for…”

Rage flashed in Hua Cheng for a mere moment, and his brows furrowed, slipping his hands from Xie Lian’s cheeks. “Then, Your Highness…” He said, his voice dark. “I ask that you take that band that you wear around your neck… and crush it. Burn it. ” 

Xie Lian’s eyes snapped wide and his hands flew to Hua Cheng’s robes, fisting them tightly. “How could you say this! Why now?!” He cried, gritting his teeth. “I kept this thing safe with my blood and sweat, and panicked if I didn’t feel it pressing against my skin— I have always worn it close since I woke up with it, here in this very shrine on this very same sleeping mat! This ring— your ashes— are a symbol of our love. Do you realize what you just asked me to do, San Lang?!” Xie Lian sobbed with rage.  “The only way it could ever be removed is if you cut. My. Throat. ”

“Your Highness…” Hua Cheng said. “Only my beloved knew such things. Do you know what that makes you?”

Xie Lian’s breath hitched, and giant tears cascaded down his cheeks, unaccompanied by sobs or screams. “S-San Lang…”

“ Beloved… I will say it again…” Hua Cheng quavered. “I am forever your most devoted believer… Your Highness… I will fall in love with you over and over again, however many times it takes for you to believe that you are more than enough.”

“I don’t care how, where, or when… I love every version of you. No matter how long it’s been— I don’t care, I will always wait for you.” Hua Cheng said. “Don’t tell me… that you’re not the same person. You are my beloved, no matter what…” 

Before he could say more, the devotee was pulled into a kiss, wet from tears. 

Their time together since meeting again on the oxcart had been glorious. Hua Cheng was living his dream, helping his god, trying his best to make sure he was comfortable amidst trying to help every soul he could, even if it wasn’t remotely his responsibility. 

Even when they went to deal with Qi Rong, the bastard, Hua Cheng enjoyed seeing the look on that idiot's face the moment Xie Lian slapped him so shamelessly. 

Xie Lian, insistent that he was a horrible person undeserving of forgiveness, resigning himself to be trapped in a coffin for eternity, further insisted that he help complete strangers who would sooner spit at his feet than risk their necks for him. 

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Xianle, The Flower-Crowned Martial God, the most perfect being under the sun and stars. Xie Lian, confined to the Mortal Realm to collect scraps and shunned by all except for one, lone child born under The Star of Solitude, who had risen from the ashes of Mount Tonglu to serve his god even after death. 

Xie Lian, with a smile that could warm the coldest of dead hearts. Xie Lian, the one being capable of cold-blooded murder, while simultaneously getting upset that he stepped on a flower while on a walk. 

“Xie Lian… My beloved… Your Highness…” Hua Cheng muttered as they parted. “How… How long has it been? How long did you have to wait?”

The god smiled, tears still staining his cheeks and dripping down his chin. Xie Lian laughed a wet laugh, pressing their foreheads together and closing his eyes. 

“What’s a single year compared to eight hundred of them?” 

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Chapter Text

 “Xie Lian… My beloved… Your Highness…” Hua Cheng muttered as they parted. “How… How long has it been? How long did you have to wait?”

The god smiled, tears still staining his cheeks and dripping down his chin. Xie Lian laughed a wet laugh and closed his eyes, pressing their foreheads together. “What’s a single year compared to eight hundred of them?” He whispered. 

Hua Cheng's slowly thumping heart swelled so much that it was almost painful. He smiled, a breathy chuckle slipping past his lips. Sliding an arm around his god's waist, he pulled their bodies together. 

Eyes closed, and lips connected once more, the wetness of tears remaining. Xie Lian whimpered quietly, but didn't pull away. The ghost brought his other hand to cradle one side of his beloved's face, and caressed that soft cheek with the pad of his thumb. 

They lay together like this for a long time, simply feeling each other, not parting or saying a word. Xie Lian's body heat seeped into Hua Cheng's body and hands, making him more tepid rather than chilled. The devotee sighed, and his god's body squirmed. 

Deciding to give Xie Lian a little mercy after the very emotional conversation they just had, Hua Cheng smiled into the kiss and parted, gently gazing into those beautifully complicated amber eyes. 

"S-San Lang…" Xie Lian said, his voice barely audible. 

"Hm?" Hua Cheng hummed, running fingertips along his beloved's spine. 

"Hah… Just…" Xie Lian breathed, seeming to melt at the gentle touches, his adrenaline slowly subsiding into exhaustion. 

"If His Highness is tired, he should rest." Hua Cheng said. Xie Lian's furrowed brow said everything the devotee needed to know, and he smirked. "I promise I will be here when he wakes up."

This seemed to satisfy that concern. The god averted his gaze and shifted down, immediately nuzzling his face into Hua Cheng's red robes. The silvery butterfly necklace he wore clinked as Xie Lian pressed his forehead against it, and the ghost's heart melted. He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take, but he refused to disperse at feeling overwhelmed with adoration. 

Soon, the only sound in Puqi Shrine was Xie Lian's soft snores. 

"Goodnight, Your Highness." Hua Cheng whispered, willing the candle on the altar to extinguish. 

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Hua Cheng must have closed his eyes at some point and drifted off at the sheer feeling of peace he felt while cradling his god in his arms.

"San Lang…" Xie Lian cooed softly, and the ghost's eyes blinked open. 

The early morning sunlight pushed its way through the corners of the woven window coverings, meaning that it was fairly late in the morning already. Puqi Shrine was a little chilly, but Xie Lian was warm. 

Hua Cheng smiled down at the beautiful, tear-stained face of his beloved. "Yes, gege? Did you sleep well?"

"Mm." Xie Lian replied softly. "I dreamt a little."

"Good dreams, I hope?"

Xie Lian pressed his lips together and blushed. "… I dreamt of San Lang…" He muttered. 

Hua Cheng chuckled and pressed a kiss to Xie Lian's forehead. "Was this San Lang good to his gege?"

"San Lang is always good to me…" Xie Lian mumbled, burying his face in crimson robes once more out of shyness. 

Hua Cheng grinned and rubbed his god's back with a flat palm, focusing on the spot between the shoulder blades. He decided that he wouldn't tease his beloved too much so early in the morning. 

He hummed thoughtfully. "Does gege wish to sleep more?" Hua Cheng asked. 

"No…"

Xie Lian’s body shifted, and suddenly, the god was on top of him. Hua Cheng had no time to react before he felt a soft, velvety pair of lips planted a tender kiss on the tip of his nose. 

Xie Lian’s knees were on either side of the ghost’s slender hips.  His sturdy, beautiful hands were mere centimeters from the curves of Hua Cheng’s pointed ears. 

Heat surged through his veins, and his heart prickled beneath his chest. If Hua Cheng needed to breathe, he could’ve passed out right then and there.

As it was, he remained incredibly still, as if any movement would ruin this lovely moment.

“Gege, what are you doing?” Hua Cheng asked coyly, trying to keep his voice level amidst the nervousness that coursed through him. 

Xie Lian hummed and cupped the side of Hua Cheng's face, caressing his thumb just over the ghost's tragus.

As their gazes met, Hua Cheng could feel himself completely melt under those loving, amber eyes that had been in his dreams of His Highness, shameful and not. 

“Gege…?” Hua Cheng repeated quietly, his expression softening to that of flustered surprise. 

The god looked a little shocked, and then he smirked, imitating something the ghost usually did. “Oh, is San Lang feeling shy all of a sudden?” Xie Lian teased. "I thought nothing could make him feel shy."

He was thankful he couldn’t blush. “First of all, not true." Hua Cheng replied, grinning mischievously. "Second… Does gege wish to find out?"

At that moment, Xie Lian seemed to realize their current position, and he went completely red in the face. It was surprisingly easy to get His Highness to this point, and Hua Cheng enjoyed every single ounce of it. 

However, as flustered as Xie Lian seemed to be, he didn’t move. Coyly turning his head to the side to expose his neck, Hua Cheng gazed up at the former prince with his one, dark eye, the corners wrinkling as he smiled. 

“S-San Lang…” Xie Lian muttered. 

Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow. “Hm?”

There was another pause, but the ghost waited patiently for Xie Lian to find the words. The god bit his lip and averted his gaze. Was that… guilt?

Hua Cheng furrowed his brow and straightened his neck. “Does His Highness wish to tell me something?” He asked sincerely. 

“I… Yes…”  Xie Lian murmured. 

“Then do so.” Hua Cheng coaxed. "Gege can tell me anything." 

The former prince sighed and rolled off the ghost, turning his back on him.

As his beloved curled in on himself, Hua Cheng scowled. He was going to find whoever was making His Highness feel so shitty and kill them, unless his god gave him reason to abstain. 

“… I lied to San Lang.” Xie Lian admitted quietly. 

… What??

“Does he remember when I was saying we fought that night? In Qiandeng Temple?” Xie Lian mumbled, but Hua Cheng heard every word.

How could he not?

The ghost turned on his side and stared at the back of his beloved god’s head, those dark strands pooling around his shoulders. “Of course. I remember everything His Highness says.” Hua Cheng said, repeating a phrase he had said the day he dispersed a year ago. 

“Right, right…” Xie Lian said, his voice getting nervous again. “I… We… We didn’t… Actually… ” 

Ah. It was this again.

Of course, Hua Cheng had been keenly aware of the fact that Xie Lian had been lying to him about that. He had tried to bring it up while they had been running from those cultivators, but Xie Lian had avoided the question constantly.

He assumed it was because Xie Lian didn’t want to admit that he had allowed himself to be in such a situation with none other than the Crimson Rain Sought Flower of all nefarious individuals. 

He had offended his god once more. 

Hua Cheng shook his head and reached out to place a hand on Xie Lian’s shoulder comfortingly. “Gege, it’s alright. This one is at fault for not controlling himself better–”

“No!” Xie Lian exclaimed. “It’s not your fault, it’s my fault!”

Hua Cheng startled, and his hand shrank back. The silence that followed was agonizing, and the ghost pressed his lips into a thin line. Xie Lian rolled over and met his gaze, his eyes red from silent tears. 

His god had cried so much already, and Hua Cheng felt guilty for being the cause of more tears. 

Xie Lian took a shaky breath. “I… I took advantage of you, and I… You… You were all over me…” He said.

A combination of guilt and self-hatred flared up within, and Hua Cheng averted his gaze, shutting his eye tightly. 

The ghost knew that something had happened from how Xie Lian blushed when he was asked about it, and from the state of Qiandeng Temple surrounding them. His memory was fuzzy, but Hua Cheng did remember kissing and traveling hands, as well as the wet, agonized begging and pleading of His Highness as he was pressed against the altar, worshipped in the most blasphemous way imaginable. The nerve… 

“San Lang, look at me…” Xie Lian pleaded. 

Furrowing his brow, his chest ached. “How could I? This one is unworthy after he violated you in such a way…” Hua Cheng said, his voice edged. 

A warm hand cupped his face, but he still refused to look. Xie Lian sighed, rubbing the pad of his thumb along Hua Cheng’s cheekbone. “I was so conflicted then. I’ve… I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. You were not in control of yourself, so how could you possibly be the one at fault? I allowed that, I even.. Indulged it. You were in so much pain, and I just allowed you to…” Xie Lian said, still having a hard time getting the words out. “I was grappling with my feelings, and as much as I knew I shouldn’t have, I… I allowed it to happen anyway. For that, I’m sorry.” 

Hua Cheng finally opened his eye and looked at his god, who gazed at him with the utmost grace and love. He didn’t dare touch him, as much as he wanted to pull Xie Lian into his arms and never let go again.

The immense guilt he felt was nothing compared to the bomb that his god dropped on him next.

“I realized at that moment that I wanted more to do with you. That I wanted to be…” Xie Lian began. “That I wanted to be with you. For the foreseeable future. More than just… friends.”

Hua Cheng stared at him, not knowing what to say other than, “… His Highness has wanted this one for that long?”, which was said pathetically. 

He thought it might’ve been maybe a few days before when Xie Lian stumbled across the Cave of Ten Thousand Gods. But this would have been much later than what His Highness was confessing. 

“I… Y-Yes, well– Longer than that, that’s just when I finally admitted it to myself, which…” Xie Lian sighed. “It should’ve been realized under better circumstances.”

Hua Cheng chuckled softly.

“And… In the future…” Xie Lian began. “I want San Lang to be present. I want all of him… Not just…”

In… In the what?! He what?!

Before his thoughts could go off the deep end, Hua Cheng had to make sure that his ridiculous assumptions were correct. “What… What are you implying?” He asked quietly. 

Xie Lian had stopped crying now, but was red for different reasons. “I-I… Oh gods, San Lang, please don’t make me say it.” He begged. 

“Oh, now gege has to say it.” Hua Cheng teased. “Otherwise, how will this one know if he won’t be struck down for what he thinks it is?”

“San Lang, I would never strike you, don’t say such things.” Xie Lian chided. 

“My apologies, gege." Hua Cheng said. "Now… Tell me."

Xie Lian took a breath to steel himself, and Hua Cheng couldn’t help but find it adorable, amidst the guilt he felt. “I want to do that, perhaps when you’re more present. Not when you’re dealing with some painful affliction that forces you to act on things you wouldn’t normally…” Xie Lian trailed off, but the message was clear. 

“… Gege, let me make something very clear.” Hua Cheng began, those amber eyes meeting his dark one. “Those… were my desires. As shameful as they might be. … At that moment, I could not hear your protests, and that terrifies me to no end.”

“San Lang…” Xie Lian whispered, cupping the other side of the ghost’s face with his other hand. 

“That is what made this so… horrible. If His Highness ever wanted anything similar again, which is not ever necessary," He quickly added, "… I want to be fully present as well. I never want to be in that kind of fog where I couldn’t listen to His Highness ever again. This one would never want to make you feel like you weren’t listened to, ever. I always want to hear what you have to say.”

Xie Lian stared at him, his lips slightly parted. Hua Cheng resisted the urge to brush this off, to make it seem like he had been insincere, but he had meant every word. He was simply nervous. 

Hua Cheng found himself leaning closer to those beautiful lips. However, Xie Lian was leaning forward as well, his amber eyes lidded. The devotee could feel his god’s warm breath on his cold lips, and he fought down a full-body shiver.

The scent of that sweetness was divine and could only belong to his beloved. 

“San Lang, I… I need you. I… want you.” Xie Lian blurted out. 

“Your Highness… ?” Hua Cheng muttered. 

Then, with hardly any notice, Xie Lian practically slammed their lips together, his eyes shut tightly. Hua Cheng fought down a surprised noise as his eye flew open and then shut again. 

Xie Lian was so warm, and his hands warmed up the ghost's cold cheeks, the feeling reminiscent of hot blush. His dead heart thumped faster in his chest, and he swiped the tip of his tongue along his beloved's velvety bottom lip. 

"S-San-" Xie Lian couldn't finish before he let out a choked moan. 

Hands wandered and fisted fabric. Bodies squirmed and pressed closer. Xie Lian's body became slick with sweat, and clammy hands grasped feverishly along his shoulders and biceps, the god clearly unsure where to put his hands. 

Turning their heads to gain more access, slick sounds of wet kisses burned the ghost’s ears. Warm spit dripped down the corners of Xie Lian’s mouth, and Hua Cheng made it a point to lap up every drop.

Soft, muffled moans slipped into the kiss, and the ghost’s heart thrummed. Hua Cheng could practically smell his god getting aroused, not to mention the hardness pressing against his thigh. He sighed blissfully and pressed on Xie Lian's shoulder, rolling on top of him. 

Any time spent kissing his god would never be enough, though it felt like an eternity before they parted. Xie Lian looked debauched already-- strands of dark hair were stuck to his forehead and the sides of his neck, and his skin was splotchy with blush. Lips were swollen as they glistened, slick with spit from their sloppy, passionate kisses.

Liquid heat surged through Hua Cheng's dead veins, his heart further spurring to life, triggering the apex of his thighs to throb. He gritted his teeth behind his lips, biting down a whimper as he looked into Xie Lian's eyes.

"San… Lang…" Xie Lian panted.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Hua Cheng whispered reverently, exercising all of his control not to pounce immediately. 

"I… More…" Xie Lian begged. "I need more… I feel like I'm going to… to…"

Oh, that was dangerous.

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Chapter Text

"I… More…" Xie Lian begged, his voice just above a whisper. "I need more… I feel like I'm going to… to…"

Of course, the former prince didn't know what true arousal felt like. The only one that he had felt, to Hua Cheng’s knowledge, was that of the flowering Yao pollen, and accidentally in the coffin that they had shoved themselves in. 

For the first time since he was alive, Hua Cheng's legs began to shake. The devotee swallowed. "I pray that His Highness forgive me." Hua Cheng whispered, leaning down to Xie Lian's deeply flushed ear, his dark eye lidded. "This believer wishes to devour him, body… and soul." 

Swiping the tip of his tongue over the lobe, teasing the closed-up hole at the base with the tip, Xie Lian squirmed beneath him. "Oh… Oh…" 

Xie Lian’s moans were timid, possibly nervous at hearing himself in such a state. He was completely overwhelmed by a few kisses and licks of that hot, flushed ear, and his body quivered already. One hand clutched Hua Cheng's inner robes at the base of his neck desperately. At the same time, the other slipped underneath the silvery butterfly necklace that had somehow remained on despite outer robes being discarded the night before.

Soft fingertips ghosted the skin between his collarbones, and Hua Cheng fought down a helpless noise. Every touch from his god felt like the fires of Mount Tonglu had graced him once more, yet they were gentle and adoring, as if the ghost could disperse if he were to be too rough. 

Hua Cheng was content with these loving caresses, but if Xie Lian did choose to be rough with the ghost and take what he wanted, he wouldn't mind that either. Several obscene pathways that had already been open in the ghost's mind were now flung open, and he was completely overwhelmed. 

The god could grasp his hair by the scalp and pull back, using his mouth for pleasure. Though he had never experienced it, Hua Cheng had craved the taste of that throbbing cock and that delicious, spurting release. He needed that blunt, flared tip to slide down his throat and make him choke on it.  

His Highness could go for as many rounds as he needed, using every single one of Hua Cheng's crevices. If he ever truly desired it, or even just wanted to try it, his god could conjure clones and they could all fuck his gaping hole at once. He shivered at the thought, and the god in question squirmed beneath him. 

If His Highness desired to fill him like the object of devotion that he was, he would accept it eagerly, even if that was much down the line. 

The mere thought sent a feverish spiral to his legs, and he groaned through gritted teeth into Xie Lian's ear as his cock twitched beneath his crimson robes helplessly. The former prince flinched in surprise. 

Before Xie Lian could say anything, Hua Cheng slotted their hips together, simultaneously licking and biting down on that gorgeous neck. 

“Uhn–!” The former prince froze, seemingly startled by his own sounds. Instantly afterward, he proceeded to gasp and squirm. His hips bucked upward greedily, which elicited a choked noise from the crimson-clad ghost as that heat pressed against his own. "Oh– S-San Lang, are you in pain?" Xie Lian managed as he panted, eyes squinting from pleasure. 

Hua Cheng shook his head. "F-Far from it, gege. You've set this one on fire in the best way." He whispered, pressing their foreheads together. 

He slowly began to rut their hips together once more, and Xie Lian whimpered quietly, wrapping his arms around the ghost's neck to cling for dear life. Hua Cheng was forcing his orgasm to stay put until His Highness requested it, if ever. But the one thing he refused to do was halt his god's pleasure, as he clearly desired relief that he had been denied up until this moment. 

As he panted, Hua Cheng realized this position they were in was oddly reminiscent of their time in Blackwater's territory. The coffin had rocked and flipped relentlessly, forcing them to rut together almost exactly as they did now. 

As annoying as those water dragons had been, they had forced them into a position that Hua Cheng had dared dream of, but never thought would come true.  

The ghost grinned at the thought, wondering how differently things might've gone had they given in to their desires then. "Was it like this, gege? When we were in the coffin?" Hua Cheng asked breathily, thrusting once with a little more force, imitating the unpredictable, torturous jostling they had endured. 

The former prince seemed caught off guard by this sudden question. "Huh…? Ah-! Mn- Well- n-not quite, but… close…" Xie Lian admitted, biting his bottom lip to stifle himself. He shut his eyes tightly, somehow redder than before. "This is much… more…"

"Oh? Is that why gege can't look at me? Was it embarrassing? Overwhelming?" Hua Cheng teased, taking extra care to go agonizingly slow. A low groan crawled from the depths of Xie Lian's chest, and his devotee shivered, unable to fight it down. 

The former prince griped Xie Lian seemed unable to respond, his face incredibly flushed and his amber eyes fogged over with pleasure— hunger. 

Just as Hua Cheng was about to suggest removing their already loose inner robes to further explore each other, a very sudden and loud WHAM sounded against the roof. It sounded like a rock, but the ghost had no time to think about that as he flew through the air. 

Hua Cheng was effortlessly launched across the shrine, inches away from crashing into the altar in his landing. He righted himself as gracefully as he could, still stumbling to his feet and leaning against the wood stove as his gangly legs bent in an awkward position that could hardly be called standing. The opening on his top half was now open, and the elegant necklace still felt very out of place. 

Gaze flitting upward, Hua Cheng observed an incredibly disheveled-looking Xie Lian. He stood above the sleeping mat, worn-out, inner robes barely hanging on to his thinner-than-normal frame. This exposed a beautiful, straight neck, which looked neglected in comparison to his swollen, red lips.

The god's gaze darted around the shrine, looking for the source of the sound. Then, those eyes flitted back to the ghost, rushing over to him. 

“San Lang! I’m so sorry, I forget my own strength sometimes…” Xie Lian fretted, running those beautiful hands all over the ghost’s cold, dead body to check for injuries that, if they existed, hardly mattered. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, gege. You were nothing but gentle.” Hua Cheng said, grinning playfully. 

His beloved clicked his tongue incredulously. “You were tossed into the stove, are you sure you’re not hurt?” Xie Lian said, looking up at him with a concerned gaze. 

Hua Cheng paused, then grinned. “Oh, actually, gege… If you wouldn’t mind…” Xie Lian took the ghost seriously for a moment before Hua Cheng bent forward by the waist, speaking into his god’s ear. Xie Lian’s breath hitched. “I’m quite in a bit of pain. It can only be cured by sharing spiritual energy. Would His Highness allow this lowly believer such a privilege as to worship him on the altar?”

Xie Lian was speechless, but Hua Cheng could hear that living, beating heart skip as he did this. He hadn’t said no. 

Before his god could inevitably overthink someone possibly stumbling upon them, Hua Cheng lifted his hand and snapped his fingers once. Hua Cheng leaned back just a little to observe the adorable quirk of that gentle brow. 

“... San Lang?” Xie Lian asked quietly, clearly noticing the sudden change in energy. 

“Everything is alright, Your Highness. This one is just making sure that we won’t be disturbed again.” Hua Cheng said, his one dark eye twinkling.

“An array? But– what if…” Xie Lian began, his hands fiddling with the opening of his white, worn-out robes to tighten them around his body. 

“Hm?”

“What if someone needs me?” Xie Lian asked. “I can’t possibly have someone see me like… this…” His face was beet red again. 

Hua Cheng threw his head back in a laugh. “His Highness is so considerate of others, but what about you? What if you needed something?” He asked, smirking. 

Xie Lian clearly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so he simply pulled Hua Cheng close and buried his face into his chest, flinching as he realized the state of the inner robes. However, he didn’t move away. 

His forehead was warm against the ghost’s cool skin, and Hua Cheng hummed. He lifted a hand and cradled that handsome, soft face, tilting his beloved’s chin upward so that their gazes met once more. 

“... What if an offering stood right before you? Would you deny it?” Hua Cheng asked quietly. 

Xie Lian bit his bottom lip, practically begging to be kissed again. He couldn’t possibly handle much more teasing lest he combust, so the devotee eagerly obliged that silent request, closing the gap. 

It took no time at all before their tongues were exploring each other’s mouths again, teeth knocking together a little due to their shared inexperience. Hua Cheng kept trying to rein himself in to not hurt His Highness, but Xie Lian didn’t seem to mind at all. Thus, the ghost continued to forget that these kinds of kisses were supposed to be gentle.

Whenever ghosts would flee to Crimson Rain-Sought Flower’s domain, he would typically ask for some kind of payment in return for sanctuary. Thankfully for Hua Cheng, it was a very common occurrence that a sex worker would show up on his doorstep. Thus, he would ask each of them what their best technique was and how it felt. They might’ve been a little confused, but it was better than giving up something of much more worth. … At least what they considered to be worth anything. 

As shameful as it might have been, Hua Cheng wanted to make sure that he was prepared for any situation to meet his god’s every need. His Highness would never have to know unless he asked, which he hoped he never would. It would be too embarrassing to admit. 

The moment Xie Lian was pressed against the altar, he gasped, but seemed not to want their lips to part for more than a breath. Hua Cheng hummed as his beloved clung to the devotee as he was lifted to sit atop the wooden surface. 

Tongues desperately licked over each other, swiping over teeth and lips. Spit dripped down the corners of Hua Cheng’s mouth, and he hummed in delight at the mere idea that he and his god were already mixing. Like the few times they’d kissed this deeply before, Xie Lian tasted just as warm and sweet.

Strong legs tucked around his gangly ones, and Xie Lian’s bare foot drew up the back of his thigh very slowly as he squirmed atop the altar. It was taking everything for the ghost not to completely lose it. Hua Cheng slid his hands to Xie Lian’s sides, relishing in every shiver and sigh, as he began to pull back the white inner robes that hardly covered his god. 

Xie Lian flinched at Hua Cheng’s cold fingers against his chest and gasped sharply. Hua Cheng parted, checking every curve of that expression to make sure his god was alright. He smiled, pressing their foreheads together. “Don’t be afraid, Your Highness. If you want to stop at any point, tell me. An offering is not, and should not be forced.” Hua Cheng said. 

“It’s just…” Xie Lian muttered. “We’re on an altar…”

Realization hit the ghost instantaneously. The event that had transformed Hua Cheng from a weak little ghost flame to a wrath was the worst night of his existence. He had witnessed his beloved be torn to shreds, barely recognizable afterward. Spread out on the altar, being used by greedy, desperate nobodies that had no business even speaking to him. 

Hua Cheng had been powerless to do anything. He waited by His Highness’s side for days, weeks, months until he healed. He vowed to protect him and serve him for the rest of time. 

This was actually a terrible idea, pressing him against an altar like this, he told himself. It made the ghost feel even worse about the night in Qiandeng Temple. 

The ghost froze, dark eye wide. “... Gege, if you don’t want to do it here, it’s alright, we can–” Hua Cheng started. 

“No! No… I think…” Xie Lian interrupted, pulling him back. Hua Cheng was patient, gazing at his god with utmost reverence. “This might be good for both of us. … You were there too, after all.” 

The god tucked a piece of inky hair behind a cold, pointed ear. “I-Instead of that night… I will remember… this.” Xie Lian said, his voice just above a whisper. 

It was clear that Xie Lian had no idea what was really in store for him. However, judging by the hungry fog in those gleaming, amber eyes, the devotee might dare to assume that his god wanted everything he had to give. 

“Your Highness…” Hua Cheng muttered reverently. “… Stop me if you change your mind.” 

Xie Lian’s eyes squinted as he smiled softly, as if to reassure his last believer. Hua Cheng couldn’t say more before their lips were pressed together for the hundredth time. 

Soon, Xie Lian’s inner robes slipped down his biceps, revealing beautifully smooth shoulders and toned arms with faded scars. At the sight of more of his beloved, the ghost felt reinvigorated, reaching forward to untie the white pair of pants. 

However, unexpectedly, it seemed that Xie Lian had the same idea. Before Hua Cheng could process what was happening, Xie Lian reached down to remove the rest of his devotee’s inner robes. In his heated fervor, the former prince reached a little too low. 

Lips locked together, tongues sliding against each other, and the exchange of heat— it was all too much as Xie Lian grasped firmly around his throbbing, aching cock terribly hidden beneath those crimson robes. 

Hua Cheng’s body spasmed and jolted forward as his stomach curled in pleasure. “Hmmn–!” 

The ghost’s one, dark eye rolled back, and his eyelid fluttered in much-awaited ecstasy, his lips tingling from the vibrations his sound made against their skin. At the outburst, Xie Lian stared at him, soft brows raised in shock and curiosity. 

The ghost could hardly enjoy the fog that washed over him before his stomach dropped in horror. Frantic, he pulled away from the kiss and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could say a word to cover up what just happened, Xie Lian’s fingertips, in their fervor to curl back, brushed over the wet stain that bloomed on the front of his pants. 

Their eyes met, and for perhaps the first time since their meeting in the oxcart, the ghost averted his gaze in pure embarrassment. 

“San Lang…?” Xie Lian tilted his head slightly, glancing up from between the ghost’s thighs to his one wide, dark eye. “Are you alright?”

Hua Cheng was completely and utterly mortified, hurrying to rectify his mistake. “Your Highness, I… I apologize, I promise I’ll–” He stuttered. 

“No, no, stop– stop! What’s the matter?” Xie Lian asked again, even more worried now. Hua Cheng could practically see the overthinking wheels spinning in his beloved’s mind. 

“I promise I’ll have enough stamina, I just– I’m so sorry–” Hua Cheng tried to continue down his spiral, but Xie Lian cupped the ghost’s face, pulling him into a kiss to shut him up. It was quick, but Hua Cheng felt dizzy.

The god released his lips, but not his face, holding him still. “San Lang… Did you… erm– … already?” Xie Lian asked, clearly too shy to say what he actually meant. Thankfully for him, Hua Cheng was too embarrassed to even think about teasing at the moment. 

Hua Cheng looked away, but didn’t move his body this time. Xie Lian took that as a response and nodded. “Is that… normal?” He asked quietly. 

Xie Lian’s tone was the furthest thing from teasing, but Hua Cheng couldn’t bear it. They hadn’t even fully disrobed yet, and he had already dared finish before His Highness had even had a chance! It was truly blasphemous. 

“Gege, please don’t tease me.” Hua Cheng muttered. 

Xie Lian sighed. “I’m not, I’m just asking, San Lang. … But it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it, I just… Have never… done such things before.”

Silence filled the room for several moments before the ghost finally spoke. “... Neither have I, Your Highness.” Hua Cheng admitted. 

Gentle brows raised, and amber eyes widened in shock. “What? Then… How…” Xie Lian muttered. 

“Hm?”

“You had this aura about you, I just assumed…” Xie Lian said, his face reddening. 

Hua Cheng paused, then chuckled, some of his embarrassment melting away. His god was truly innocent of such things. “I’m not celibate, if that’s what you mean.” The ghost replied. 

Xie Lian’s eyes darted downward shyly, then he realized what he was looking at, then met Hua Cheng’s gaze again. The ghost fought down a snort. “Your Highness, this is as much a first for me as it is for you.” Hua Cheng reassured. “I didn’t have time for anyone else, nor did I desire anyone else…”

The ghost leaned forward, pressing his lips to the corner of Xie Lian’s mouth, running a cold hand up that beautifully toned stomach. “San Lang…” The god sighed, his heartbeat picking up again. 

It seemed his god was not too eager to continue asking questions about this, so the thankful devotee took the opportunity to continue. 

Hua Cheng was quick to remove Xie Lian’s pants this time, tucking his thumbs underneath the waistband and pulling down. The god lifted his hips to accommodate the removal, seemingly eager to continue. Clothes were tossed to the floor, red and white folding over each other, creating a sight pulled right out of a mad dream. 

The only piece of clothing that remained on his god’s body was pooled around his hips, hardly touching his jade-like skin that practically glittered with sweat. 

Xie Lian had a few new scars on his body, including around his neck and ankle, where the shackles had been just a year ago. The god could just heal them as if they never existed, but he had clearly chosen not to. Perhaps he was too used to something being there, and wanted to be reminded of his hardships. 

His god’s body was perfect, more perfect than he could have ever imagined. In that cave, 800 years ago, when His Highness was experiencing torment of several kinds of lust all at once, Hua Cheng had just been an oblivious, stupid little soldier. He had seen only parts of that perfect body and heard sounds just like the ones Xie Lian made now. 

Memories of that chest and those sultry cries had tormented him for centuries. He had carved statues, none of which could ever capture the beauty of His Highness, regardless of his form. 

This moment was one that Hua Cheng had only imagined in his madness. None of those hallucinations could ever compare to the reality of seeing the entirety of that red, blooming cock between two beautifully smooth thighs. Veins curled around the shaft, and the flared tip glistened with warm fluid. The entirety twitched impatiently. 

It was much larger than Hua Cheng had imagined, and he almost felt ashamed. That dead heart thumped beneath his chest, and his own cock throbbed back to life.

The ghost couldn’t help but stare for a moment, blinking when Xie Lian began to squirm uneasily. “S-San Lang…” He complained quietly. 

He shook his head and met his beloved’s gaze, grinning. “Sorry, gege. You’re just more beautiful than this one could have ever imagined.” Hua Cheng said. 

As Xie Lian brought two fingers up to his forehead, the ghost knelt and planted a gentle kiss on that beautiful knee. The former prince flinched at the touch, hooking his knee around Hua Cheng’s shoulder as the ghost created a slow trail of kisses along his muscular inner thigh. Xie Lian shivered when slender hands warmed by wandering touches caressed his hips and up to his waist. 

“S-San Lang… What…” Xie Lian muttered, his hand having traveled just over his mouth, his eyes lidded and his brows inverted. 

The ghost hummed, rubbing circles into the base of his beloved’s ribs. “Well… That’s up to you.” Hua Cheng said, grinning. 

“H-Huh?”

“This one could use his mouth, or his hands… Take your pick, gege.” 

Hua Cheng relished in how red Xie Lian could get without passing out, grinning despite himself. The former prince stuttered, then bit his lip, averting his eyes to the floor at the side of the altar. 

“Gege. Look at me.” Hua Cheng coaxed. 

It took a moment, but Xie Lian finally met his gaze once more, his amber eyes foggy. Hua Cheng smiled to himself— perhaps his beloved needed something to make him feel less alone. Hua Cheng stood once more, willing the last of his own clothing to disappear— the ghost was completely bare. Xie Lian’s eyes widened, but he made no move to cover his face. 

The god stared down in pure fascination. 

Hua Cheng let out a chuckle, and that amber gaze flitted up to meet him once more. “Gege told this one not to stare, and here he is, being such a hypocrite…” He teased, resting his hands on Xie Lian’s thighs.

“San Lang…” Xie Lian said, moving to cover his face again. Hua Cheng gently grasped his wrist and held it midair. The god made a confused expression, which looked funny with his flushed cheeks and glistening brow. 

The ghost gave him a very sincere look. “This believer wishes to see god’s reaction to his offering.” Hua Cheng whispered reverently. 

Xie Lian did not argue. Hua Cheng decided to stop leaving them both in suspense and slid his hand over that smooth abdomen, his thumb ghosting over curled hairs. 

“ Hah…” Xie Lian panted, his beautiful lips parted, and his jaw nearly slack. “San Lang…”

How could the devotee ignore that desperate plea? Swallowing down his nervousness, Hua Cheng slowly slid the tips of his fingers along the base of that erect shaft. "Mmn–” Xie Lian flinched at the contact, and Hua Cheng moved from grasping that wrist to weaving their fingers together. His beloved squeezed his hand, and the ghost’s thumping heart squeezed in turn. 

As he fully wrapped his hand around that large, throbbing cock, Hua Cheng swore he was dreaming. Xie Lian gasped and pressed his lips together nervously to stifle any other sounds, furrowing his brow. 

Oh no you don’t. 

Hua Cheng leaned forward, swiping a tongue over those beautiful lips once again. Xie Lian immediately allowed access, parting with a blissful sigh. However, as much as his god tried to use the devotee’s mouth to muffle his sounds, Hua Cheng would not let him. 

He lapped at Xie Lian’s tongue, running a thumb over the tip to smear the dripping fluid all over him. Beginning to move his hand up and down, Hua Cheng squeezed gently as he got closer to the tip. He sent a waterfall of spiritual energy down Xie Lian’s throat— this was an offering to his god, after all. 

“Uhn– Hah–” Xie Lian’s wet gasps and grunts filled the room, sounding hollow as Hua Cheng practically pried his mouth open with his tongue. Swiping a thumb over the swollen tip, he did what he could remember being told about, and what Xie Lian seemed the most responsive to. 

The devotee drank up every twitch of the brow, blissful sigh, and moan. Feeling those hips stutter every so often at his slow, loving ministrations. Amber eyes would flutter open and closed, seeming indecisive whether they wanted to meet Hua Cheng’s dark, burning gaze or not.

All of this was such dangerous encouragement. A ravenous beat reared its head inside him, and Hua Cheng picked up the pace. He pressed their foreheads together, no longer needing to coax Xie Lian to let out his sounds. 

“Oh–! Mmn–!” Xie Lian whined, his hand sliding from Hua Cheng’s to his arm, gripping his bicep fiercely. 

“Your Highness? Do you wish to stop?” Hua Cheng asked. Xie Lian rapidly shook his head, their skin hardly rubbing together from the amount of sweat on the former prince’s forehead. The ghost grinned and kept going. 

Xie Lian’s entire body was quaking, any free limb clinging to the ghost in some way. His legs tucked around Hua Cheng’s thighs, and his hand had slid from his bicep to his shoulder, digging his fingertips into the solid form. 

“S-San Lang, let’s– Ah–! ” Xie Lian began, cutting himself off with his own cries. 

“Gege?” Hua Cheng asked, panting unnecessarily. 

The god gasped for air, spit dripping from the corners of his mouth. “Let’s get married, after this, please? I know you said you were joking the first time, but I— I really want to–!” Xie Lian managed, his voice wet, incredibly desperate. 

Xie Lian’s entire body was splotchy with redness, glistening with sweat, and Hua Cheng’s breath hitched. His Highness was on the verge. 

Hua Cheng started. He felt like such an imbecile, making his beloved think he was joking about such a thing. He quickly vowed to never allow his cowardice to keep him from saying such an important thing ever again. 

“I– Your Highness, of course—”

“Ask... Properly– Mnn–! ” Xie Lian tried to sound serious, but then couldn’t bite back his moan. “I feel like I’m going to explode into a million pieces…!”

Hua Cheng gulped. His Highness was much closer than he realized. “N-Now??” He stammered.

“When– Uhn–! When else?” Xie Lian asked breathlessly. 

Hua Cheng took a deep breath, trying to focus on getting His Highness off while focusing on asking in the most sincere way that he knew how. 

'Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Xianle… Please hear this humble believer’s urgent request…' Hua Cheng began, praying, knowing Xie Lian could hear him. The god moaned loudly, seemingly invigorated by this method. Hua Cheng felt like a young boy again, devout in every way, standing in the temple just after His Highness had graced him with his presence. After he asked him to make his meaning in life, and gave him such a sense of duty that he would carry with him even after death. 

The devotee continued: 'You are my beloved. My gracious, noble, special someone, who has gone through hardships no other could possibly fathom. The flower-crowned martial god, who protects his believers with a smile more radiant than the sun. Your Highness, who glows like the full moon on a clear night, illuminating even the darkest of places…'

'My god, the only god… I extend a most genuine offer of a bond everlasting. I pray to never rest in peace, so that I may walk by your side for the rest of time.'

“Your Royal Highness…” Hua Cheng finished aloud, swallowing down a moan. “I love you. I will always love you. Please–”

“S-San Lang–! I–! I-I accept–!” Xie Lian managed to cry out before his body spasmed and convulsed at his climax. Thick, white spurts flooded all over slender fingers, sending shivers down the devotee’s spine. His Highness’ gentle kneading on Hua Cheng’s shoulder became a grip so fierce that it would’ve left a very lasting bruise if he were alive.

The devotee moaned quietly along with his god, unable to hold back a reaction to something so beautiful and long-awaited. Hua Cheng frantically pulled their lips together, and Xie Lian whined, coming down from possibly his first orgasm ever. His Highness looked so overwhelmed, but simultaneously enraptured. 

However, the god wasn’t done. After a moment of catching their breaths, Hua Cheng moved to let go, and Xie Lian whimpered at the loss of contact. Oblivious, the ghost took a step back, but his beloved’s grip remained steadfast and gently jerked him back into place. 

“Gege?” Hua Cheng glanced up, puzzled. “Is everything alright?”

“...” Xie Lian was silent for a moment, not meeting his gaze. “… San Lang, how are we going to consummate?”

Hua Cheng paused and then burst out laughing, tossing his head back. Xie Lian finally released his shoulder, only to give him a light smack in reprimand. “San Lang! I’m serious, I don’t…” He faltered, his hands fisting the white inner robes pooling at his hips. 

The ghost righted himself and cleared his throat to stifle his laughter. “Don’t worry, Your Highness… There are ways.” Hua Cheng said, his voice still dripping with mirth. He comfortingly tucked a piece of dark hair behind Xie Lian’s ear, planting a reverent kiss on his hairline. The god whimpered almost inaudibly, and his devotee caressed his cheek lovingly. 

There was another pause. “… How?” Xie Lian asked, his voice barely above a whisper. 

The ghost grinned, and his eyes glinted mischievously. “This one could show you, if you would like.” Hua Cheng offered. 

Xie Lian made a noise of acknowledgement, but was unable to do much else. Hua Cheng flicked his fingers up, beckoning a bottle he kept in his robes to float through the air towards them. The small, dark bottle landed in his hands, and he opened the lid with a single flick, sending it flying and skittering across the floor. 

Xie Lian’s amber eyes followed his every movement, nervous but ever-curious. Cute. 

Hua Cheng poured the bottle’s earthy-smelling contents into his hand, rubbing his fingers together to test the slickness. Xie Lian’s watchful gaze almost burned, and the ghost resisted the urge to bite his lip. 

Tossing the bottle over his shoulder, he willed his fingernails shorter. He pressed the pad of his slick finger against the space between the soft, smooth fat of Xie Lian’s crevice and his still-twitching ballsack. The former prince jolted, hissing a breath through his teeth. 

“C-Cold…” Xie Lian mumbled. 

“I thought gege liked cold things.” Hua Cheng said, smirking as his beloved pursed his lips shyly. 

As he used his other hand to push Xie Lian’s thighs further apart, Hua Cheng could feel his beloved squirm. 

“Your Highness… Don’t be scared.” Hua Cheng whispered. 

“I-I… I’m not…” Xie Lian replied. “San Lang is gentle…”

Smiling, Hua Cheng slid his finger down to that puckered hole that had never been touched, even by Xie Lian himself. 

“Hmmn…” Xie Lian whimpered, sliding a flat palm up Hua Cheng’s arm and gently grasping his shoulder again to steady himself. 

“Your Highness, tell me if it hurts.” Hua Cheng said.

His beloved glanced up at him, seemingly confused, but nodded anyhow. “… I promise.” Xie Lian said. 

Extremely focused, Hua Cheng spread the lubricant around that tightly closed opening. He relished in every twitch and squirm, feeling the tip of his finger absorbing Xie Lian’s body heat as he gently caressed. 

Then, he slowly slid inside. 

“O-Oh! S-San Lang…” Xie Lian sighed, his body quivering at the foreign sensation of being entered in such a way. 

The scalding heat of his god’s crevice elicited a quiet moan from the depths of Hua Cheng’s chest. He imagined that Xie Lian was much more relaxed than he would have been had they tried this first. 

“Gege, relax.” Hua Cheng coaxed, pressing a gentle kiss to Xie Lian’s cheek. The former prince nodded and breathed deeply. 

“There we go…” Hua Cheng found himself saying, without any forethought. “Gege is taking this offering so well…” 

Xie Lian’s brows bunched up at the praise, but he kept his breathing steady. Soon enough, Hua Cheng’s slender finger was fully sheathed to the knuckle. Xie Lian shivered, both his hands having found their way to the back of the devotee’s head, fingertips pressing into the scalp. 

“Gege, does it feel good?” Hua Cheng asked. 

“Mmn… Strange…” Xie Lian muttered. 

The ghost flashed a smirk. Curling his fingers, he thrust upward, searching for a swollen, hot gland. Simultaneously, he slowly fed spiritual energy from his fingertips. Xie Lian’s jaw went slack, and he let out a sudden, shivering moan. 

“How about now, gege?” 

“Uhn–! Ohh, San Lang… Yes, good…” Xie Lian breathed. 

As his beloved pulled his hair, which had him seeing stars, Hua Cheng couldn’t help but stare in awe at his god’s pleasure with one glittering eye. He thrust his finger again, going extremely slow to draw this out as long as he possibly could, savoring what he had desired for over 800 years.

Soft, wet moans and gasps filled Puqi Shrine once more. Reverent words were whispered by a devotee, and a generous god answered his prayers as he experienced the most devout worship in thousands of years. 

“S-San Lang– Ah– Ah–!” 

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The ghost and the god lay together on the sleeping mat, blankets pulled over them. Xie Lian rested his head on their bundled-up robes, running his thumb along that nearly illegible tattoo on the ghost’s forearm lovingly. 

The ghost smiled softly. “… Did His Highness enjoy this believer’s offerings?” Hua Cheng asked quietly. 

Xie Lian paused and looked up, then bit his lip. “… What about you, San Lang?” He asked in turn. 

Even if he hadn’t directly answered the question, Hua Cheng would take it. “If it’s with gege, I will always enjoy it.” He said, smiling. 

Xie Lian chuckled and nuzzled his face back into Hua Cheng’s chest, making the ghost’s dead heart melt. “San Lang…?” 

“Hm?”

“Are you excited to see me in red?” Xie Lian asked, the mirthful smile audible in his words. 

The ghost hummed softly. “I already have, gege. Remember?” Hua Cheng replied. 

Xie Lian chuckled, remembering their meeting on Mount Yujun as he had dressed up as a decoy bride. “I suppose you have, haha…”

“But this believer could never tire of the sight. My perfect god in a wedding sedan, all dressed up?” Hua Cheng said, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead dramatically in a swoon.

“San Lang!” Xie Lian exclaimed quietly, further hiding his face into that firm chest and shifting deeper under the blankets. 

Hua Cheng laughed gently. Petting the back of his beloved’s head and smoothing back those thick, dark strands, the ghost pressed Xie Lian closer. “I can’t wait to marry you, Your Highness. You will have the most beautiful wedding ever. I swear it.”

Xie Lian didn’t respond, but Hua Cheng could feel the heat of his cheeks deepening against his cool skin, and he smiled. 

They had eternity together— that was enough.

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