Chapter Text
In the night, Hua Cheng had sat up, sitting against the wall beside Xie Lian who now slept soundly beside him. The half-effect sighs deeply, a regret settling in his chest as he finally slides out of bed and makes his way out of the bedroom, back towards the entrance to the sewers. The small apartment had been enough for him these past 4 years. That being said, he had boarded up practically every window and door to make sure the only entrance could be through the sewers. Safety was the top priority.
Hua Cheng wanted Xie Lian to experience something special, something happy. He knew that his older partner loved helping people in need, and he’d be able to do that here in the underground, but he knew Xie Lian needed something else. So what did Hua Cheng have in mind? A date. He’d set up something nice in the hospital, maybe he could even find a few candles.
As Hua Cheng made his way down the stairwell, he paused. Recalling the tale he had been told the night before, a new anger boiled in his chest. Maybe he should go kill Qi Rong right now while gege wasn’t awake? The thought lingered, even as Hua Cheng convinced himself that Xie Lian would be upset if he did and that he’d lose the horde under Qi Rong’s command.
The thought of sparing Qi Rong made Hua Cheng groan out loud. Thankfully, he was in private. With heavy steps he finally continued down the staircase, unlocking the gate before locking it back up and starting down the long, winding tunnels. Along the way his mind whirred with his previous idea of a date. He could definitely show Xie Lian around his ‘ghost city’ as he liked to call it.
Maybe a nice tour and then dinner? After they could go up to the helicopter pad and look at the stars…the ravenette smiles softly at the idea. Eventually he came to the entrance from the tunnels into the city which was, unsurprising to him, surprisingly active now that the day had been over with. ‘Ghost City’ functioned much like the average town, this included activities like gambling (using items or food as betting material), music, and much more. It was probably his most interesting creation. A ‘City’ under the City, guarded by a decrepit hospital. There had to be some kind of irony or metaphor, or something like that, with how weird it all was.
And there was. Hua Cheng had created this sanctuary for his beloved and molded it to conform to Xie Lian and the ravenette’s secret wild sides. Hua Cheng couldn’t miss how, when Xie Lian first showed up, his eyes flashed with something he hadn’t seen in so long. Something impulsive. The half effect strode through the make-shift streets, the people thanking him and complimenting him as he passed, but he paid them no mind. He made his way to the other side of the ‘city’ where other sewer tunnels were located. The tall man stepped into the darkness with no fear, his red eye flashing with excitement, but it didn’t show on his face.
As he traveled the tunnels, he came to what was He Xuan’s makeshift lair. It smelled horrible here and the wetness of the walls made Hua Cheng want to sigh. It wasn’t hard to spot those glowing yellow eyes in the darkness. The greasy man was like a sea snake in Hua Cheng’s eyes, which was a little odd, but still, a sea snake. He Xuan’s piercing eyes narrowed “odd for you to visit me in the night…” he trails off, stepping out of the darkness.
Hua Cheng just rolled his eyes “and where’s your catch?” He hums, eyeing He Xuan carefully. The long haired half effect shrugs “I left him asleep in the hospital. But that’s not why you're here. Get to the point” always straight forward. Hua Cheng always believed that was one of He Xuan’s best qualities. “I’m taking gege out later, i'm assuming you can hold down the fort?” The crimson dressed man grins, earning a small scowl from the other man.
Hua Cheng didn’t wait for an answer before slinking back the way he came. He Xuan sighed loudly “stupid fucking red-“ “plus 5 percent!” Hua Cheng shouted before He Xuan could finish. The groan that followed was like music to the ravenette’s ears. Hua Cheng made his way through the aisles again, muttering a few different requests to a few different people. Before the man knew it, he was back in the apartment, gazing down at Xie Lian as he slept.
To the one eyed man, the other before him was gorgeous. Perfect. Even when he slept. It was like Xie Lian was a god— no, even prettier than a god. Was that possible? Hua Cheng didn’t know but he also didn’t quite care. As he watched, Xie Lian began to stir, shifting onto his back as he yawned, finally blinking open his eyes. “San Lang?” The brunette murmured, eyes slightly glazed as he looked up at the man in red. Hua Cheng smiled his usual sweet smile. “gege, let’s go on a date,” the ravenette purrs.
Xie Lian was stunned for a moment, so much so he chuckled. A date? In the apocalypse? That sounded a little absurd…but Xie Lian grinned “why not?” Hua Cheng’s smile brightens, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He takes Xie Lian’s hand and all of a sudden, Xie Lian’s exploding the small city that Hua Cheng had created for him. He participated in small card games, traded, and explored the strange ‘buildings’. The red lanterns and small fires added to the charm. The occasional fairy lights were a welcome sight amongst smiling faces.
The half effect watched with so much love at the bright smile Xie Lian displayed, and though his eyes caught on the bandages around his neck and forearms, he remained quiet, doing anything his beloved wished. Before they knew it, Hua Cheng was dragging Xie Lian through the hospital like a child, all the way up to the helicopter pad. It took them a bit and the sun would be up in just a few hours, but Hua Cheng still insisted. When Xie Lian got there and looked up, all he could see was the twinkling of billions of stars. When the city had life in it, all the lights made the stars dim, but now they were shining like coins.
“Thank you, San Lang” Xie Lian murmured, feeling Hua Cheng wrap his arms around the man’s waist from behind. The taller man sighed, leaning down and pressing a kiss on Xie Lian’s forehead when honeyed eyes met his only one. “I’m glad you're safe, gege…I won’t let them hurt you ever again” he states, his expression so serious that it made Xie Lian chuckle. He leaned against Hua Cheng, continuing to gaze at the stars, pointing out constellations Hua Cheng hadn’t really ever noticed. “You know, my tutor, before I joined the army, taught me about the stars. Sometimes I miss his lessons” Xie Lian adorns a fond smile as he looks back on the memories of his younger years.
Hua Cheng chuckles “didn’t you tell me he was strict?” the brunette blushes lightly in embarrassment. “Yes, he was strict, but he was a good man” Xie Lian insists, nudging Hua Cheng with his shoulder. The two sit there, continuing to watch the stars for a little while longer. Hua Cheng was losing his patience and self control. He wanted to really touch Xie Lian, to prove to himself that the other man was safe. Hua Cheng frowned a little. Would Xie Lian even want to kiss a monster? He wasn’t completely human anymore, after all.
Xie Lian seemed to know what Hua Cheng was thinking, so he turned and gently took Hua Cheng’s chin in his hand. Hua Cheng’s single eye widened in surprise as soft lips touched his, and Xie Lian’s beautiful face was just before his. It took the ravenette a moment to gain his bearings, finally pulling Xie Lian into his lap and pressing his lips a little more forcefully to Xie Lian’s. They lost themselves in the sweet taste of each other’s saliva and tongues, Hua Cheng’s arms wrapped tightly around Xie Lian’s waist and Xie Lian’s delicate hands holding the other man’s face.
Before Xie Lian knew it, Hua Cheng was picking him up, standing, and pulling back to let him breathe. “Let’s continue this in the apartment” Hua Cheng murmured, his voice deep with need. Xie Lian was more than happy to oblige.