[ It's the second week of Xichen's time in this realm, the second week he has cast a silencing charm on his bedroom to hide the distressed noises that might leave him. Candles are snuffed out and he slides into bed, curling an arm around himself as he slumps on his side, blankets pulled up high with only the sound of his own breathing. This is the part he likes the most, when the darkness is quiet and peaceful, empty, and he can relax a little knowing his new friends are also settled nearby, Ruka one of the first to sleep, followed by the men. Sometimes Hua Cheng appears, but Xichen has never seen him stay: belatedly, he now knows why. A husband. That's one of the sweetest things to happen since they all arrived, a reunion that glowed with affection so strong Xichen could barely contain his blush (even without the excuse of the hot water in the baths). He's also glad that Wangji has Wei Wuxian nearby, even if ... Xichen isn't sure he ought to dwell on the 'even if' of their relationship, so he contents himself knowing the pair are likely sleeping within a close proximity to ward off danger, no matter what else has occurred between them during their two years away together.
He falls asleep with idle thoughts of going home, taking his family and friends to Cloud Recesses ...
The White Woman shoves him onto his back when she appears and Xichen wakes on a startled gasp, limbs frozen to the bed where he stares up in alarm, tension locking him up further. Something about this particular spirit keeps him pinned and he hates it, struggling in aborted jerks and kicks to no avail. His breathing speeds up when Jin Guangyao's face morphs above him and he closes his eyes when his own head won't turn away, a strangled whimper catching in his throat.
It's nothing new. The lurid descriptions of why it was always necessary for Jin Guangyao to have prostitutes fuck his father's corpse to debase him further, all the things they did to the body; it was an obvious conclusion for him to impregnate his own sister and, naturally, to enjoy it; the lying was so easy that Jin Guangyao never even really tried with Xichen. What a trusting fool. How many died because of your love for me, Er-ge? Your short-sightedness? Further, how Jin Guangyao would have murdered Wangji if it could have brought Xichen closer to him in his web of lies. How he would have done it.
When the ghostly spectre brazenly ups stroking his hair to licking along Xichen's jaw, his startled scream catches behind his lips and he does his best to shake his head, the cackling sound of his old, dear friend pouring madly all over the naked skin of his neck. Don't you want me to stop, Er-ge? Say the word! Say stop! Tell me not to hurt anyone! It must be that you like this ...
Xichen can barely breathe.
I can't move, I can't move, I can't move, GetawayGetawayGetaway.
His mind starts to break as the ghost intends, white noise in Xichen's ears that sounds like his own muffled protests as he strains to turn his head even an inch away from that lurid, laughing face. ]
[ naturally, he spends most of his time at his husband's side. he has no other responsibilities here, after all-- there's no ghost city, no misguided worshipers, no ghosts or fallen gods relying on him. just xie lian, as it always should have been. and yet.. there's a part of him, however small, that isn't satisfied to entirely ignore the humans here. his few short years as a living human being had been misery--always hungry, hurting, exhausted, hideous--the only bright spots his few brief interactions with his highness. he's always been grateful for his death. in death, he found power, after all.
but most living humans don't feel the same way. most humans want to go on living, and there are so, so many things in the world that can kill them. like--
--his steps pause at the threshold of his bedroom above the bathhouse, and he turns, gaze drawn to another door--
--like another ghost. ]
E-Ming, [ he murmurs, and the saber jumps from its sheath, scarlet eye narrowed, radiating malice and bloodthirst. it's a warning, hua cheng's one brief moment of courtesy given before he strides across the floor and throws open the door. ]
You dare, [ he accuses, voice full of ice, sharp enough to cut. light flashes on e-ming's blade as it slices at the disguised woman, forcing her to throw herself away from xichen beneath or lose her head. ] This human is mine! [ the cursed blade doesn't let up, darting in, forcing the woman to retreat even as hua cheng himself crosses to xichen's bedding. he reaches down with a hand that's surprisingly gentle, but merciless as it hauls the human into sitting up with easy strength. ] Look at me. She's a ghost. Starve her.
[ The door blows open and silver slices through the air (a sword? a sword!) to cast back to White Woman, her face melting away from Jin Guangyao's in shock ... and not a small amount of fright, Xichen is grimly pleased to notice. His limbs feel like they have been pushing boulders uphill as he lurches toward the unexpected figure of Hua Cheng that looms near. There is so much qi filling the room that Xichen's head briefly spins and he thinks, a little madly, he is lucky a Ghost king never chose to haunt him instead.
He gasps for air, gripping red fabric that serves as an anchor. Though sweat soaks his nightclothes and he faintly trembles, he does as instructed and looks at Hua Cheng, feeling more like himself the longer he doesn't have to see a-Yao there; the difference is so stark that it works, there is so much redredred. The White Woman will be merciless tomorrow night, Xichen worries, though he really does not care in the moment, able to move and breathe. In the swirling panic of his thoughts, the additional notion of Hua Cheng now knowing this awful, shameful secret is something to be dealt with at a later date. ]
She looked like ... someone who hurt me. [ To cut a long story short.
Where is Shuoyue? Surely it was nearby? Ah, there are dark spots in his vision. Xichen hangs his head, exhausted from what feels like hours of enduring spitefulness. ]
[ having chased the woman away for the moment--for the night--e-ming returns to its master's side, hovering nearby to guard them both. hua cheng stares down at the figure clinging to him, shaking and diminished, and sighs internally. he had no intention of taking anyone else into his protection, but he can't just walk away now. it's clear that this young man is damaged, and hua cheng does somewhat owe him. what would happen if he left like this? the haunting ghosts in this village have already proven that they dare much.
he clicks his tongue, then releases the other man's arm, instead scooping him into his arms and rising. ]
This will not be habitual, but I'm taking you with me tonight. Is there anything you won't leave behind for a few hours? [ around him butterflies flutter into the air, filling the room with soft, flickering light. several land on xichen's sword, pausing there questioningly. as they do so, he shifts the young man into one arm, reaching for his dice at the same time.
forgive him, your highness, you've clearly had too much influence on this lowly one. ]
[ Only the surprise he feels keeps him conscious as he is scooped up like he weighs nothing, the tingling in his deadened legs slowly returning on the edge of his consciousness (She was so heavy). Xichen's head lolls, eyes closing as he murmurs, ] Shuoyue.
[ His sword that gleams like the new moon even when sheathed, cold like its master. Liebing can be summoned, the xiao is safe. What else? Scraping his pride off the floor would be useful, hah. Oh, dear.
Being held like a child has Xichen almost dropping to sleep then and there. Only one person would have been strong enough back home to lift him so carelessly, only one person would have so furiously charged in like that, and he misses the company of his sworn brother keenly after enduring a-Yao's hissing for yet another night in a row, mind thinned from too little sleep throughout the week. ]
Da-ge ...
[ Comforted, his words are muffled sleepily between his shoulder and red clothes. ]
[ the sword. xichen is so exhausted he's falling asleep against hua cheng's shoulder, and there's some irony in that, isn't there? one ghost had tormented him mercilessly, and here he is, so trusting of a more powerful ghost that he's as pliant as a tired child in his arms. he'd find it amusing if he didn't find it so troubling.
the butterflies lift the gleaming sword, and e-ming sheathes itself. he's about to roll the dice and open up an array when xichen mumbles something that makes the ghost stiffen, cold fingers tightening around the dice until their blunt edges dig into his palm. he takes a brief, useless breath, and resolves to pretend he didn't hear. he doesn't want to know. he doesn't want any more attachments. and he's certain that xichen will be embarrassed about all of this later, anyway.
he steps through the dice array and back out just outside his husband's bedroom, tapping the door with the tip of his boot and sending a quick warning through the message device they were both provided. once he's certain his husband will not be in an undressed state, he nudges the door open, stepping inside. just for tonight, they'll make up a bed for xichen on the floor, and hua cheng will see to it that no one in this room has to put up with interrupted sleep. ]
[Xie Lian was only dozing - and he was dressed, thank you very much, spending hundreds of years with mostly one set of robes basically means you wea them all the time most of the time and it's been a hard habit to break now that he doesn't have to, to be honest.
He is quite distressed to see Lan Xichen in that state, but when Hua Cheng mentions the ghost, he nods understandingly.]
Ah, yes. I've met one too. It was... I can understand why he'd feel bad about it.
[And of course Xie Lian will at first insist that they let Lan Xichen take the bed, he's the one who needs recovering, but well, they end managing a rather cozy nest of blankets on the floor in the end and it doesn't look like he's uncomfortable, and Xie Lian can use his husband's robes for a blanket.]
[ really, husband, xichen is going to feel awkward enough already, much less if they were to put him in their bed. as it is, the ghost is perfectly content to let his highness fuss with the blanket nest on the floor until he's happy with it, at which time hua cheng deposits the wearily-sleeping human into it.
he watches xie lian adjust a blanket for a few more moments before simply reaching out to scoop his husband back up into his arms. he gently drops him into their bed, then sheds his outer robe, reaching to bundle the god up into the scarlet fabric. he settles at his side, curling his arms around him and pressing his lips to the bridge of his nose. his body is beginning to warm in the facsimile of a living human, offering his body heat to keep his husband comfortable in the night, too. ]
If she comes here to trouble you again-- [ the ghost, the woman in white. ] --I'll crush her myself.
I haven't really seen her around since my memories have come back. Only maybe once or twice.
[And after the first time, the shock has worn off a bit.... plus the people in his house interrupting the haunting, too, which has happened several times.
For now, he is going to snuggle against Hua Cheng and close his eyes again with a small sigh.]
That's one or two times too many. [ clearly he hasn't frightened her enough, to keep her away from his husband permanently. he'll have to see what he can do to change that.
he hums a mild noise at the next comment, nails scratching gently down xie lian's clothed back, long strokes meant to soothe. ] He just needs sleep, [ he agrees mildly, nose brushing the other man's crown. ] As you do. Don't worry about him, I'll keep my eye on him tonight.
[ Sleep comes deeply, if not for long. With an internal clock used to waking at five in the morning, a (finally) well-rested sect leader awakens at the same time as always in soft blankets feeling like he doesn't want to move, at ease for once. That's strange in its rarity these days, however, and when he cracks an eye open further he doesn't recognise the ceiling ... the room, the bed —
Xichen sits up, hair ruffled and askew as his eyes widen at the sight of the foreign bedroom, alarm setting in like an overlay over the confusion. ]
[Xie Lian is no stranger to early mornings, but as it happens, safe and snug in his husband's embrace, he is still sleeping quite soundly for now. The small rustling from the next of blankets is not quite enough to rouse him yet.
He moves a little and nuzzles against Hua Cheng's chest.]
[ as he'd said, hua cheng had ensured no other ghosts would interrupt this household's sleep the night before, and as a consequence, well, he's still awake. it's no hardship, of course: even if he wouldn't do literally anything for his husband, as a ghost himself, he doesn't need sleep, and only indulges in it for the pleasure of waking mornings to xie lian's drowsy smile.
so when xichen stirs, hua cheng brushes his lips across his husband's crown and shifts to tuck his robes more snugly around him, then carefully uncurls from around him to sit up on his elbow. his eye flicks briefly over the human in the nest on the floor, cataloguing any hints of lingering distress from last night, before lifting to his face and his alarmed expression. ]
.. You don't remember. [ hua cheng, that ominous statement certainly isn't helping. ]
Hua Cheng! [ The breathy exclamation bursts free before he can help it, startled, and his brows fly up at the sight of a person-shaped lump beside the Ghost King. ] Is that ... ?
[ Oh. Oh, no. This is very much a bedroom, yes, and those are his new acquaintances whom he doesn't know well enough for this to be a normal occurrence by any stretch of the imagination because they are in bed. Together. Of course together! Bringing up the blanket around himself, he bows his head toward Hua Cheng in apology, voice croaky with disuse and shoulders rounded in shame. ]
[The spoken words are enough to finally rouse Xie Lian, and he yawns and then starts to raise himself in a sitting position, his hair beautifully tousled and sticking out in many directions.
He holds the red robe close as he turns to see Lan Xichen awake and give him a sleepy smile.]
[ Seeing Xie Lian rise from the bed, snuggled so close and cosily with Hua Cheng, has Xichen averting his eyes as colour starts to pinken his ears. The question he is asked leads him to part his lips as he considers, is he better after ... ? Oh.
Oh, no.
The anxiety that stiffens him into a kneeling position is the only thing that could make him look back at the couple, the fear of the White Woman only made less by the notion his brother will discover how he was rescued, and he bows his head and brings his hands together to show his gratitude. ]
I'm very grateful for Hua Cheng and Xie Lian's hospitality, it cannot be repaid though I shall try. Despite my imposition, I would humbly beg this is not mentioned to my brother, Lan Wangji, from the ghost to ... this moment. If you would be so kind.
[ the ghost king clicks his tongue at the horrified apology, but there's amusement in his single eye. he takes a moment to gently brush his husband's tangled hair back from his face, then turns more fully toward xichen once more. ]
I brought you here to be certain you'd sleep. Nothing else happened. You were exhausted.
[ he sits up, swinging his legs out of the bed-- missing his boots and red outer layer, it's the most unclothed xichen's seen him thus far, but he's still entirely decent, at least. a good thing, considering the human's awkwardness this morning. ]
I have no reason to tell your brother or anyone else anything about you.
[It tales a minute as Xie Lian disentangles himself a bit from his own robes, smoothing them over and then draping Hua Cheng's red robe around his shoulders. He gets off the bed and comes to his knees in front of Lan Xichen, catching the man's hands in his gently.]
There's no need to apologize. It was the easiest way to make sure the ghost wouldn't bother you. They don't like to come near Hua Cheng.
I've seen one of them too. They tend to prey on some of your worst memories. I know what that feels like.
[ Some of the tension starts easing from his shoulders at their reassurances, lifting his eyes when Xie Lian kneels to take his hands. Looking between them, his frown softens into a smile despite the pink blush remaining in his ears and his surprise to hear about the other man's experience with the White Woman, paired with their kindness in removing him from that situation, makes him feel ... slightly less alone in his struggles. ]
Lan Huan thanks you both.
[ It's only polite to let them know who he is, after all this, and not just have then stand on titles. ]
[ he pauses briefly at the newly-given name, aware that it must be one lan xichen doesn't give out easily, but doesn't linger over it. he's aware that the human must be feeling vulnerable, indebted, and if that's the reason he's sharing such an intimate thing.. well. hua cheng doesn't want other attachments here, anyway. hasn't he said as much?
still, he can see the way he softens with xie lian's reassurances, and that's only to be expected. it's hard not to feel at ease under the attention of the only god that matters. ]
I'll see what I can do to ensure your room is included in my territory. [ the ghosts here clearly don't always respect such things, but he expects it will make them think twice, at least. ]
[Xie Lian briefly smiles up at Hua Cheng and gives him a small nod of thanks, but soon his attention is back on their guest, and he actually goes to put his palm on Lan Xichen's forehead to feel for a fever, but he doesn't feel hot to the touch now. Still, he did sweat a bit during that ordeal.]
I'll get you a basin so you can at least wash up a little, and you should probably go for a bath, too, after breakfast.
Hua Cheng, can you make the tea while I see what we have to eat?
[ To be taken care of by such a young man is a little galling but only superficially, and he has the grace to gratefully accept Xie Lian's offer of washing up. That, and he's incredibly indebted to Hua Cheng for his part, not knowing how to thank him yet beyond a nod. ]
You're very kind. You remind me of home, in that way, and the disciples of Cloud Recesses.
Haha, well, I only studied cultivation for a few years, and that was a very, very long time ago.
[But well, if that brings he other man some peace, why not? Let him get up again, durst off his robes, and start fretting about for a basin and some water.]
[ It can't have been that long, not when Xie Lian looks so young. Even with successful cultivation slowing down the aging process, he can't be much older than his early twenties. ]
[ of course, a request from his husband is as good as holy writ to him, so he rises from the bed to start the tea. he has half his attention on the other two men, though, and finds his mouth curling into an amused smile at lan xichen's question.
he glances back over his shoulder with an arched brow. ] Ah, gege hasn't told you yet. [ he chuckles as he turns back to his preparations. ] My husband is older than me, you know.
[Really, their age difference is barely a few years and given how old they both are, it hardly even matters these days!
Still, Xie Lian looks vaguely embarrassed when he responds. It's rarer and rarer that he meets people here that don't know, because he's been truthful any time he's asked, so he's disclosed his identity to almost everyone by now, but with so many new people...]
That was more than eight hundred years ago. And let me ell you that I made my teacher despair at times. Poor Guoshi, I was so insolent with him back then...
[ Blinking through his disbelief, he tries to contain it as he rises from his makeshift bed, tidying and folding it to give himself something to do. Hua Cheng is thoroughly enjoying this, isn't he? ]
[ Ascended? Gods??? Xichen really cannot help the way his mouth hangs open as he hugs folded blankets, staring after Xie Lian who disappears into the kitchen, apparently a god. No wonder Wangji somewhat idolises the young(???) man, if he knows about that, it's practically his one goal in life (beyond constantly being attached to Wei Wuxian for any convenient reason and often none at all).
He glances at Hua Cheng and his astonished expression softens with sympathy, reserved though it is. Xie Lian exits into the kitchen, though he can likely still hear as Xichen addresses the Ghost King with admiring respect. ]
A tale of a love that lasted eight-hundred years would be famous where I come from, ghost or human. I would like to have been raised with such a story to warm the ice-cold winter nights in Cloud Recesses.
It's not so straightforward as that, [ hua cheng corrects mildly, setting the tea-tray with its steaming pot and cups on the room's small table. ] We've only been married a short time.
[ he'd been a nothing little ghost for a time, and even once he'd become a calamity, he hadn't felt worthy of courting xie lian. he still doesn't feel worthy of his love or admiration most of the time, but his husband doesn't leave much room for doubt, either.
he taps nails against the table absently, single eye lifting to xichen once more, mouth tilting up at the corner. ] It's a very long story. Gege can tell you if he wishes to.
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>>hua cheng; tw, a touchy ghost with no respect for consent.
He falls asleep with idle thoughts of going home, taking his family and friends to Cloud Recesses ...
The White Woman shoves him onto his back when she appears and Xichen wakes on a startled gasp, limbs frozen to the bed where he stares up in alarm, tension locking him up further. Something about this particular spirit keeps him pinned and he hates it, struggling in aborted jerks and kicks to no avail. His breathing speeds up when Jin Guangyao's face morphs above him and he closes his eyes when his own head won't turn away, a strangled whimper catching in his throat.
It's nothing new. The lurid descriptions of why it was always necessary for Jin Guangyao to have prostitutes fuck his father's corpse to debase him further, all the things they did to the body; it was an obvious conclusion for him to impregnate his own sister and, naturally, to enjoy it; the lying was so easy that Jin Guangyao never even really tried with Xichen. What a trusting fool. How many died because of your love for me, Er-ge? Your short-sightedness? Further, how Jin Guangyao would have murdered Wangji if it could have brought Xichen closer to him in his web of lies. How he would have done it.
When the ghostly spectre brazenly ups stroking his hair to licking along Xichen's jaw, his startled scream catches behind his lips and he does his best to shake his head, the cackling sound of his old, dear friend pouring madly all over the naked skin of his neck. Don't you want me to stop, Er-ge? Say the word! Say stop! Tell me not to hurt anyone! It must be that you like this ...
Xichen can barely breathe.
I can't move, I can't move, I can't move, GetawayGetawayGetaway.
His mind starts to break as the ghost intends, white noise in Xichen's ears that sounds like his own muffled protests as he strains to turn his head even an inch away from that lurid, laughing face. ]
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but most living humans don't feel the same way. most humans want to go on living, and there are so, so many things in the world that can kill them. like--
--his steps pause at the threshold of his bedroom above the bathhouse, and he turns, gaze drawn to another door--
--like another ghost. ]
E-Ming, [ he murmurs, and the saber jumps from its sheath, scarlet eye narrowed, radiating malice and bloodthirst. it's a warning, hua cheng's one brief moment of courtesy given before he strides across the floor and throws open the door. ]
You dare, [ he accuses, voice full of ice, sharp enough to cut. light flashes on e-ming's blade as it slices at the disguised woman, forcing her to throw herself away from xichen beneath or lose her head. ] This human is mine! [ the cursed blade doesn't let up, darting in, forcing the woman to retreat even as hua cheng himself crosses to xichen's bedding. he reaches down with a hand that's surprisingly gentle, but merciless as it hauls the human into sitting up with easy strength. ] Look at me. She's a ghost. Starve her.
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He gasps for air, gripping red fabric that serves as an anchor. Though sweat soaks his nightclothes and he faintly trembles, he does as instructed and looks at Hua Cheng, feeling more like himself the longer he doesn't have to see a-Yao there; the difference is so stark that it works, there is so much redredred. The White Woman will be merciless tomorrow night, Xichen worries, though he really does not care in the moment, able to move and breathe. In the swirling panic of his thoughts, the additional notion of Hua Cheng now knowing this awful, shameful secret is something to be dealt with at a later date. ]
She looked like ... someone who hurt me. [ To cut a long story short.
Where is Shuoyue? Surely it was nearby? Ah, there are dark spots in his vision. Xichen hangs his head, exhausted from what feels like hours of enduring spitefulness. ]
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[ having chased the woman away for the moment--for the night--e-ming returns to its master's side, hovering nearby to guard them both. hua cheng stares down at the figure clinging to him, shaking and diminished, and sighs internally. he had no intention of taking anyone else into his protection, but he can't just walk away now. it's clear that this young man is damaged, and hua cheng does somewhat owe him. what would happen if he left like this? the haunting ghosts in this village have already proven that they dare much.
he clicks his tongue, then releases the other man's arm, instead scooping him into his arms and rising. ]
This will not be habitual, but I'm taking you with me tonight. Is there anything you won't leave behind for a few hours? [ around him butterflies flutter into the air, filling the room with soft, flickering light. several land on xichen's sword, pausing there questioningly. as they do so, he shifts the young man into one arm, reaching for his dice at the same time.
forgive him, your highness, you've clearly had too much influence on this lowly one. ]
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[ His sword that gleams like the new moon even when sheathed, cold like its master. Liebing can be summoned, the xiao is safe. What else? Scraping his pride off the floor would be useful, hah. Oh, dear.
Being held like a child has Xichen almost dropping to sleep then and there. Only one person would have been strong enough back home to lift him so carelessly, only one person would have so furiously charged in like that, and he misses the company of his sworn brother keenly after enduring a-Yao's hissing for yet another night in a row, mind thinned from too little sleep throughout the week. ]
Da-ge ...
[ Comforted, his words are muffled sleepily between his shoulder and red clothes. ]
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the butterflies lift the gleaming sword, and e-ming sheathes itself. he's about to roll the dice and open up an array when xichen mumbles something that makes the ghost stiffen, cold fingers tightening around the dice until their blunt edges dig into his palm. he takes a brief, useless breath, and resolves to pretend he didn't hear. he doesn't want to know. he doesn't want any more attachments. and he's certain that xichen will be embarrassed about all of this later, anyway.
he steps through the dice array and back out just outside his husband's bedroom, tapping the door with the tip of his boot and sending a quick warning through the message device they were both provided. once he's certain his husband will not be in an undressed state, he nudges the door open, stepping inside. just for tonight, they'll make up a bed for xichen on the floor, and hua cheng will see to it that no one in this room has to put up with interrupted sleep. ]
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He is quite distressed to see Lan Xichen in that state, but when Hua Cheng mentions the ghost, he nods understandingly.]
Ah, yes. I've met one too. It was... I can understand why he'd feel bad about it.
[And of course Xie Lian will at first insist that they let Lan Xichen take the bed, he's the one who needs recovering, but well, they end managing a rather cozy nest of blankets on the floor in the end and it doesn't look like he's uncomfortable, and Xie Lian can use his husband's robes for a blanket.]
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he watches xie lian adjust a blanket for a few more moments before simply reaching out to scoop his husband back up into his arms. he gently drops him into their bed, then sheds his outer robe, reaching to bundle the god up into the scarlet fabric. he settles at his side, curling his arms around him and pressing his lips to the bridge of his nose. his body is beginning to warm in the facsimile of a living human, offering his body heat to keep his husband comfortable in the night, too. ]
If she comes here to trouble you again-- [ the ghost, the woman in white. ] --I'll crush her myself.
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[And after the first time, the shock has worn off a bit.... plus the people in his house interrupting the haunting, too, which has happened several times.
For now, he is going to snuggle against Hua Cheng and close his eyes again with a small sigh.]
Hopefully, he'll have recuperated by tomorrow.
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he hums a mild noise at the next comment, nails scratching gently down xie lian's clothed back, long strokes meant to soothe. ] He just needs sleep, [ he agrees mildly, nose brushing the other man's crown. ] As you do. Don't worry about him, I'll keep my eye on him tonight.
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Xichen sits up, hair ruffled and askew as his eyes widen at the sight of the foreign bedroom, alarm setting in like an overlay over the confusion. ]
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He moves a little and nuzzles against Hua Cheng's chest.]
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so when xichen stirs, hua cheng brushes his lips across his husband's crown and shifts to tuck his robes more snugly around him, then carefully uncurls from around him to sit up on his elbow. his eye flicks briefly over the human in the nest on the floor, cataloguing any hints of lingering distress from last night, before lifting to his face and his alarmed expression. ]
.. You don't remember. [ hua cheng, that ominous statement certainly isn't helping. ]
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[ Oh. Oh, no. This is very much a bedroom, yes, and those are his new acquaintances whom he doesn't know well enough for this to be a normal occurrence by any stretch of the imagination because they are in bed. Together. Of course together! Bringing up the blanket around himself, he bows his head toward Hua Cheng in apology, voice croaky with disuse and shoulders rounded in shame. ]
Please elaborate on ... how I came to be here.
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He holds the red robe close as he turns to see Lan Xichen awake and give him a sleepy smile.]
Are you feeling better?
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Oh, no.
The anxiety that stiffens him into a kneeling position is the only thing that could make him look back at the couple, the fear of the White Woman only made less by the notion his brother will discover how he was rescued, and he bows his head and brings his hands together to show his gratitude. ]
I'm very grateful for Hua Cheng and Xie Lian's hospitality, it cannot be repaid though I shall try. Despite my imposition, I would humbly beg this is not mentioned to my brother, Lan Wangji, from the ghost to ... this moment. If you would be so kind.
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I brought you here to be certain you'd sleep. Nothing else happened. You were exhausted.
[ he sits up, swinging his legs out of the bed-- missing his boots and red outer layer, it's the most unclothed xichen's seen him thus far, but he's still entirely decent, at least. a good thing, considering the human's awkwardness this morning. ]
I have no reason to tell your brother or anyone else anything about you.
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There's no need to apologize. It was the easiest way to make sure the ghost wouldn't bother you. They don't like to come near Hua Cheng.
I've seen one of them too. They tend to prey on some of your worst memories. I know what that feels like.
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Lan Huan thanks you both.
[ It's only polite to let them know who he is, after all this, and not just have then stand on titles. ]
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still, he can see the way he softens with xie lian's reassurances, and that's only to be expected. it's hard not to feel at ease under the attention of the only god that matters. ]
I'll see what I can do to ensure your room is included in my territory. [ the ghosts here clearly don't always respect such things, but he expects it will make them think twice, at least. ]
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I'll get you a basin so you can at least wash up a little, and you should probably go for a bath, too, after breakfast.
Hua Cheng, can you make the tea while I see what we have to eat?
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You're very kind. You remind me of home, in that way, and the disciples of Cloud Recesses.
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[But well, if that brings he other man some peace, why not? Let him get up again, durst off his robes, and start fretting about for a basin and some water.]
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[ It can't have been that long, not when Xie Lian looks so young. Even with successful cultivation slowing down the aging process, he can't be much older than his early twenties. ]
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he glances back over his shoulder with an arched brow. ] Ah, gege hasn't told you yet. [ he chuckles as he turns back to his preparations. ] My husband is older than me, you know.
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[Really, their age difference is barely a few years and given how old they both are, it hardly even matters these days!
Still, Xie Lian looks vaguely embarrassed when he responds. It's rarer and rarer that he meets people here that don't know, because he's been truthful any time he's asked, so he's disclosed his identity to almost everyone by now, but with so many new people...]
That was more than eight hundred years ago. And let me ell you that I made my teacher despair at times. Poor Guoshi, I was so insolent with him back then...
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[ Blinking through his disbelief, he tries to contain it as he rises from his makeshift bed, tidying and folding it to give himself something to do. Hua Cheng is thoroughly enjoying this, isn't he? ]
I thought you were much younger than Wangji.
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[There, he is holding out a basin filled with water.]
I was seventeen when I ascended, so my body remains as it was then. But, yes, it's been... a while.
I'll let you freshen up and go see what's in the kitchen for breakfast.
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He glances at Hua Cheng and his astonished expression softens with sympathy, reserved though it is. Xie Lian exits into the kitchen, though he can likely still hear as Xichen addresses the Ghost King with admiring respect. ]
A tale of a love that lasted eight-hundred years would be famous where I come from, ghost or human. I would like to have been raised with such a story to warm the ice-cold winter nights in Cloud Recesses.
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[ he'd been a nothing little ghost for a time, and even once he'd become a calamity, he hadn't felt worthy of courting xie lian. he still doesn't feel worthy of his love or admiration most of the time, but his husband doesn't leave much room for doubt, either.
he taps nails against the table absently, single eye lifting to xichen once more, mouth tilting up at the corner. ] It's a very long story. Gege can tell you if he wishes to.