Chapter Text
Hua Cheng sat sprawled on his throne, one leg draped lazily over the armrest, his chin resting on a closed fist. The day dragged on, and there was nothing interesting enough to entertain him. Boredom had become a constant for someone who had lived centuries and still had an eternity to spare.
His gaze wandered idly just as his mind did, drifting past some flickering candles before landing on a gold-framed mirror across the room. In his reflection, a red coral bead caught his eye. His gaze softened at the thought of who it reminded him of.
Hua Cheng reached out and tugged on the bead. His fingers traced all over the bead as he toyed with it absentmindedly; a subconscious action done out of habit.
Wondering what his husband was up to, he brought the bead up to his lips and planted a soft kiss on it.
It had been hours since Xie Lian left for the Heavenly Court early that morning. He slipped away while Hua Cheng was still too dazed from his sleep to muster a stronger protest. His husband had become skilled at navigating around his clinginess, and Hua Cheng, in turn, had grown softer with time.
Hua Cheng let out a small sigh, the coral bead still in his hold. It was nice to have something to remember His Highness with, but it was far from enough to fill up his absence.
He may have long since mastered the art of patience, but he wasn’t immune to longing.
Xie Lian let out a long, weary sigh in the Heavenly Court, his steps slowing for the first time since morning. The day had been relentless, bombarding him with task after task that had him darting all over the heavenly realm. They really do work him to his bones; something his husband would constantly complain about.
As the tension in his shoulders eased, his thoughts instantly wandered to his husband.
Xie Lian reached for the chain around his neck, letting his fingers brush against the cool metal of the ring. It felt grounding, like a thread tying him to the one he missed most. Unlike the invisible red string on their fingers, the ring was something he could touch, as though it was Hua Cheng himself.
A soft smile tugged at his lips as he took out the ring and pressed it to his lips. The kiss lingered just a second longer than usual.
“San Lang,” he murmured under his breath, his voice laced with fondness and longing. “I’ll be home soon.”
The tenderness in his own voice made him chuckle, faintly embarrassed at his display of such affection.
Just the thought of his husband was enough for his exhaustion to melt away, if only for a brief moment.
When the two had finally reunited, the sun had dipped below the horizon. Xie Lian had barely stepped through the entrance of Pu Qi shrine when Hua Cheng appeared in the doorway, his single eye lighting up at the sight of his beloved. No matter how far when or where Xie Lian returned to, Hua Cheng was always there, waiting.
After exchanging a few words and habitual touches, Xie Lian busied himself with his evening—tidying the shrine, preparing dinner, tending to chores here and there. Resting was a luxury he rarely allowed himself, much to Hua Cheng’s disagreement.
After a few failed attempts at dissuading Xie Lian, the ghost king lounged nearby him. Perched on their bed, his gaze was fixated on the martial god. He didn’t need to voice his thoughts; the intensity of his stare spoke volumes.
Under that gaze, Xie Lian’s hands faltered slightly, the back of his neck heating up.
“San Lang, do you want to —” Xie Lian began, turning to face him, but the words died on his lips when their eyes met. Hua Cheng was smiling at him. Relaxed, laid-back, and charming.
Without breaking eye contact, Hua Cheng raised the red coral bead in his hand and pressed a slow, deliberate kiss on it. He didn’t bother hiding his widening grin as he watched Xie Lian’s reaction unfold.
Xie Lian nearly dropped the pot he was holding. His cheeks burned as warmth spread to the tips of his ears.
“San Lang…” he mumbled, half in protest and half flustered. He could feel himself blushing hard under his husband’s teasing.
“You’ve been on your feet all day, Your Highness. Why not rest now?” Hua Cheng said invitingly.
Determined not to yield so easily, Xie Lian reached for the ring around his neck. He kissed it in the same deliberate manner, letting his lips linger on the cool metal as he stared right back at Hua Cheng. He tried his best to appear unfazed, but his husband was simply a hurdle too high to overcome. Hua Cheng’s smile only grew from the sight.
A faint pout settled on Xie Lian’s lips, the blush deepening on his face as he realized what he just did. In vain.
Hua Cheng laughed, low and rich. The next instance, he pulled Xie Lian into his arms with fluid grace, toppling them both onto the bed.
“San Lang!” Xie Lian yelped, though his protest quickly dissolved into laughter as they landed in a tangle of limbs and robes. Hua Cheng held him close, letting their warmth intertwine before slowly undoing the ribbon in his hair and the clasps on his robe with ease.
In no time, Xie Lian felt his body relax as he rested comfortably in his arms.
“No more work tonight, Your Highness,” Hua Cheng murmured against his ear, his voice commanding but gentle. “You’re mine now.”
Xie Lian sighed with an expression of fond exasperation. However, he made no effort to escape. He nestled closer against Hua Cheng’s chest, his fingers finding their way to the red coral bead in his husband’s hair.
The night stretched on as they settled into a quiet rhythm of playful tussling and soothing cuddles, and the world outside seemed to fade.