Chapter Text
Xie Lian remained a bit grumpy about the incident with the villager into the next day. Hua Cheng did everything he could think of to placate his husband: personally cooking his favorite foods, giving him tender massages, making sweet love to him until he cried out for mercy —
…Well. The latter is more of a nightly occurrence, but still usually effective.
So, in a final desperate act, Hua Cheng takes Xie Lian to a large market in the Capital region that afternoon. Hua Cheng doesn’t typically like these kinds of places, because unlike the markets in Ghost City, he can’t control the crowds and racket when they become overwhelming. So for him to suggest the idea in the first place hints an unusual degree of desperation — and just this alone prompts Xie Lian to try and control himself a little more.
His tumultuous feelings are still baffling to him. He’s never experienced anything like this, ever — something somewhat similar happened when Hua Cheng returned from his year of absence, but that was expected. This came out of nowhere and hit him like a horse running at full-speed. He really should think of some way to apologize to his husband — maybe he can buy him something at the market. He’s been such a handful.
When it’s time to depart, they leave in Hua Cheng’s skeleton palanquin, much to Xie Lian’s dismay.
“San Lang,” He grabs his husband’s sleeve, “won’t this cause too much of a scene? It may scare some of the mortals witless!”
Hua Cheng smiles, offering a hand for Xie Lian to step inside. “The only thing it will accomplish is earning gege the respect he deserves from those at the market. A flashy and fancy form of transport, fit only for the most beautiful prince.”
Xie Lian flushes. He’s flattered, but he gives Hua Cheng an incredulous look.
His husband bursts out laughing. “Okay, okay, gege. How about we make a compromise: we use the palanquin, but stop a little ways outside the city so we don’t cause a scene. Is that alright?”
Xie Lian sighs, but concedes.
The city market bustles with people — in late spring, it seems that everyone has set out to buy new clothes for the summer. Usually, Xie Lian is’t too bothered by crowds and noise — if anything, they help him blend in, taking the attention away from himself and any possible mishaps with his bad luck. But today, with the sun’s heavy rays heating his already hot skin, the hollering of citizens and accidental brush of passersby is a drain on his energy.
Hua Cheng has taken a more inconspicuous form today: his robes are similar to those of his San Lang form, and he doesn’t sport an eyepatch today. Xie Lian himself has no need to change his clothes to make them less suspicious — he still wears the same white cultivator robes as always, today with his straw hat atop his head to shield himself from the sun.
Hua Cheng peers at him worriedly through it all. He repositions Xie Lian’s straw hat as he speaks. “Gege, are you sure you’re alright? We really don’t have to stay here if you’re not feeling well. This trip was only for you, anyway.”
Xie Lian looks up and gives him a little smile from underneath the safety of his hat. “It’s alright, San Lang. If we went home, I would just wallow in bed again, anyway. I think getting outside will be a helpful change of pace.”
“If gege says so. Let me know if you change your mind.” Hua Cheng takes his hand again and continues gently leading him through the market.
They stop at an accessories shop when a ji hairpin catches Xie Lian’s eye — one with a silver butterfly adorned to the top, with crystals woven into the wings. Hua Cheng mumbles something about how “it’s not of befitting quality for gege,” and how he “could make a much better piece if gege wishes,” but still buys it, in the end. Whatever gege wants, gege gets.
Their next stop is a street food stall, with delicious noodles — soy sauce based and caramelized, with both a sweet and spicy kick. Hua Cheng promises to make them for Xie Lian at home someday, after seeing the delighted expression on his husband’s face as he shovels them into his mouth.
By the time the sky is beginning to turn an orange-yellow color, Xie Lian is beat.
“San Lang,” He says, slightly winded, “I think we better head home soon.”
Hua Cheng stops walking and turns to his husband, an arm around his waist to support him. “Of course, gege. Let’s start walking back towards where we came in. I just called the palanquin for us.”
Xie Lian snuggles into his side, blissful to be by his mate’s side even in exhaustion. “Thank you, San Lang.”
About halfway through their walk, Xie Lian spots a shop that he hadn’t seen on the way in.
The little stall is lined with baby products — cute little robes and tiny hairpins, toys and picture books. Xie Lian is immediately captivated. There’s a beautiful red robe on display — one that looks to be made of the softest silk, with white embroidery of magical beasts on the torso: dragons, tigers, wolves and the like, flying amongst the clouds.
And suddenly, his head is filled with images of what a child with his mate would look like.
Would they have Hua Cheng’s black hair, or Xie Lian’s chestnut? Would they inherit his husband’s striking red eye? Oh, this ruby robe would look so cute on them if so. Xie Lian was always told by his mother that he had adorable chubby cheeks as a baby, so surely his and Hua Cheng’s child would too —
“San Lang, San Lang,” He tugs on Hua Cheng’s sleeve, grinning. “Look at that adorable robe!”
Hua Cheng is more focused on his mate’s radiance, but he does spare the robe a glance. Unbeknownst to Xie Lian himself, his scent is beginning to intensify, dripping with sweetness.
“Does gege want to go take a look at that stall?” He smiles.
“I do, I do!” Xie Lian’s head bobs up and down enthusiastically as he pulls Hua Cheng across the way by the sleeve.
Up close, the robe is even more entrancing. The shopkeeper, a gentle older woman in subdued purple robes, smiles at them. “Ah, welcome! Are you two expecting soon?”
Xie Lian flushes as Hua Cheng pulls him closer with a smirk.
“Ah, no ma’am! We were just passing by and saw this wonderful robe!” Xie Lian waves his hands in front of him as he stumbles over his words to clarify.
She chuckles, and Xie Lian gets the strange feeling that she wasn’t convinced by his words at all. “Well, please do have a look around. Perhaps you’ll find something for the future.”
Xie Lian bows. “Th-thank you, ma’am.”
Really, Xie Lian hadn’t even put too much thought into the idea of having kids until now! He hadn’t had his heat in so long, it seemed like it would be nearly impossible, anyway. But suddenly, something about the idea just feels so lovely and attractive. Like something that he needs.
Hua Cheng pulls the red robe down from a hanger and hands it to the woman. “We’ll take this one, please.”
Xie Lian’s mouth hangs open.
He just barely whispers, “San Lang, there’s no need! Really, we don’t even have anything to do with that thing!”
And much to his mortification, Hua Cheng just shrugs and grins, replying, “Isn’t it just as she said, gege? Maybe not right now, but soon.”