divinityshackled

[divinityshackled]

[divinityshackled]

People would often assume Xie Lian to be naïve due to the kindness of his heart, but the truth was: the scrap immortal was very observant, always putting other people’s comfort above his own to create the most pleasant atmosphere for everyone around him. Therefore he did notice the way the guardian’s gaze lingered on his chest before she swiftly turned away to offer him her hair, which was always a mighty mess after sleeping.

For a short moment Xie Lian felt uneasy as he first checked if the bandage was still properly wrapped around his neck to conceal the cursed shackle, then he glanced down his own body. The ring San Lang had given him was still resting above his heart, but that could surely not be the reason for Xiao Hua to react like that. On the other hand.. Yes, the scars were quite visible on his pale skin if the sunlight hit him in the right angle, but surely this couldn’t have been the first time Xiao Had noticed them? At this point they had spent countless nights cuddled against one another’s bodies, arms wrapped around one another, hands tracing each other’s skin. Could it be that she just noticed the severity of his scars in this very moment, and what torment they had to be proof of?

Xie Lian’s heart felt heavy. He had not meant to burden the guardian with his past. It had been so long ago. What did it matter that 800 years ago a hundred swords had pierced his heart while he was tied onto his own altar? His hands started to shake. No. He couldn’t go back there again. He couldn’t let the pain of the memories consume him again.

First, he reached out to gather all of Xiao Hua’s hair at her back, then he picked up the precious golden comb and went to work. As always he was precise but careful, combing every single strand while also making sure not to accidentally hurt her by being too rough, but even though brushing her hair was his favorite part of their morning routine, this time the air around them felt tense. The guardian sitting in front of him seemed awfully still and quiet. Xie Lian sighed quietly, then he whispered:

“Please don’t be upset. It doesn’t hurt anymore, I promise.”

Xiao Hua’s hand retreated instinctively when Xie Lian moved, only then realizing what she’d been doing. For a brief moment, she was uneasy; she had never been this forward before. Her gaze lingered on his face, then drifted slightly downward. There it was again, caught in the small square of sunlight from the window. She noted the marks, they aligned so perfectly on the front. Although her experience in the world was limited, she had witnessed her share of humans at the hunt, arrows flying with such force that they pierced clean through their pray, feathers on one end, arrow head through the other, leaving no chance for recovery. Surely the scar would seem the same. And yet, here… there were dozens. Perhaps hundreds..

His voice broke through her thoughts, though it took a moment for her to fully register his words. His face was calm, his expression ready to help her, as he had done so many times before. Of course, this would be something he was accustomed to, a memory that must have been so far away in his mind. But to her, who only now grasped the reality… her eyes began to prickle as she fought the urge to blink. She turned her head away quickly before fully rotating away from him, offering her hair for him to brush, yet in truth, it was to hide the swift swipe of her hand over her face. She didn’t even fully understand what it all meant, but her heart felt heavy, weighed by her own thoughts and the sadness they carried. To think that someone who had shown her nothing but gentle kindness from the very start… had once been met with only cruelty. She had no words to say to dismiss or ease his worries, she knew if she spoke her own voice would betray anything she said.

[divinityshackled]

Even though the woman was not actively scolding him, there was still a tone of displeasure in her voice that made Xie Lian feel rather embarrassed. He really liked their little home that was Puqi shrine, even though most of the time it seemed to be on the verge of collapse, but he had been a scrap collector for almost 800 years, he was used to accommodations that were way worse than this, he would clearly consider their shrine a luxury. At this point he had to be honest with himself though and admit that the woman was right, in this condition Puqi shrine was not suitable to spend a winter in, plus, he had a guardian living with him now, while he was used to living under uncomfortable circumstances it would not be fair to force Xiao Hua to spend the winter under the same conditions.

He took the little piece of paper and was just about to thank the old woman again when she shuffled out of the door, leaving them just like this after appearing in their lives like a true savior.

“Hmm”, Xie Lian hummed quietly to himself and then handed the paper to Xiao Hua, waiting for her judgement on the ingredients, but when she asked him to read the words out loud he realized that he did not yet have the time to teach her how to read.

“Once winter comes and there won’t be much for us to do, I am going to sit you down to teach you how to read. I am teaching San Lang how to write properly, I wouldn’t mind teaching you as well.”

But they could discuss that matter further later, for now it was more important to get Xiao Hua to recover.

“Move over a little?”, the cultivator asked and once the guardian moved to the side as much as her blanket nest allowed, Xie Lian sat down on the straw mat, then he pulled Xiao Hua onto his lap, holding out the recipe for her to see as he pointed at the different words.

“So, it says for this soup we need green ginger and mountain dew, but also..”

Xie Lian read the list of ingredients and instructions to the guardian that was now settled in his lap, and as he read he also started playing with her hair, wrapping a long strand around his finger.

“Does any of this sound familiar to you? The woman had looked at you as if she expected you to know.”

While he waited for a response, he couldn’t help but worry about the condition of their little shrine. He would need to find a way to renovate the shrine soon, otherwise he would have to insist on Xiao Hua returning to the Heavenly Capital to spend the winter in the warmth of her palace.

Xiao Hua found herself confined once more to her nest of blankets, a nest of her own making. A part of her felt guilty about occupying the straw mat. With her weakened state, Xie Lian would insist she remain where she was to heal, leaving him with no other space to rest. It seemed unfair to hog the only comfortable place in Puqi Shrine. As she sat on the mat, she watched and listened to the easy conversation between him and the old woman. The warmth of their familiarity brought her a flicker of comfort; it was nice to have people around, to share words and laughter.

The woman appeared less than satisfied with Xie Lian’s responses, her concern for their lack of preparation evident. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she said, “Ah, I have my grandson to do that for me, but thank you, oh-” She paused, as if remembering something important, and shuffled back to the basket. After rummaging underneath the jars, she produced a small folded paper and handed it to Xie Lian.

“This is a recipe for a soup. It’s been in my family for years, and I believe it will bring her comfort. The ingredients are a bit uncommon, but I’m certain she’ll know what to do.” The old woman smiled, an unknown glint in her eyes. Before she left, she bowed to the small shrine, casting a lingering glance back at Xiao Hua, her smile warm and reassuring.

Xiao Hua’s gaze remained fixed on the woman as she departed, her expression shifting from mild interest to something heightened. Her ears perked forward, and she had half a mind to get up and move toward the door, but her legs were heavy with fatigue. Her mouth parted slightly, as if she might call out, but instead, she turned to Xie Lian, her hand outstretched. “Let me see?” she asked, her voice soft yet insistent.

As he handed her the recipe, she examined it closely, her fingers tracing the lines as she pointed at each one. “What does this say?” she inquired, realizing she still couldn't read.

[divinityshackled]

Watching the guardian and the child interact would warm anyone’s heart. Jing Xiu had the naivety of a child about her, excitement and happiness all over her as she ran to greet the guardian, hugging her legs before pulling her forward to examine the spoils of the day. Xiao Hua had the patience and gentleness of a divine being, indulging in the little one’s shenanigans, and it was not only Jing Xiu who was in awe when the flower that was tucked behind Xiao Hua’s ear came back to life, of course Xie Lian was as well. Watching the scene, he almost felt like an intruder, like he was watching a scene that was not meant for his eyes, like he was interrupting a moment between close friends, or rather, a divine being and their believer.

Xie Lian remained where he was, he did not dare approach, but eventually Xiao Hua turned to him again and that was when the child noticed him as well, and even though he obviously did not get the warm welcome the guardian got, at least she did not look displeased, instead there was curiosity in her eyes as she tried to connect the dots between the Lady in White and the cultivator. And he did not know exactly how to respond, what could he say without being too straightforward, but also simple enough for a child to understand. What could he say without awakening the urge to flee in the guardian?

“The White Lady and I are… friends”, Xie Lian eventually says with a gentle smile on his lips. ‘Acquaintances’ is what he had wanted to say, but it was not quite true. Him and the guardian had the same goal: to defeat the creature and save her forest. Of course they were friends.

“It was thanks to your advice that I managed to befriend her, it is important to gift someone the candies they like, not the ones they don’t like”, he tried to say jokingly, but he kept glancing at the guardian, he felt rather embarrassed that he had to try to bribe her with candy to finally get a chance to talk to her and still it had not been enough to lure her out. In the end she had taken pity on him and kept him from poisoning himself. He had not been very helpful this far.

It was time for him to stop being idle; he did not want to interrupt their meeting, but they had things to do.

“We were just on our way to the village. Would you like to accompany us, Jing Xiu?”  

Xiao Hua’s gaze lingered on the child as the question hung in the air, unanswered. A familiar hesitation tugged at her thoughts, a quiet voice urging her to stay distant. She had learned to be cautious, to keep others at arm’s length, for the world outside her quiet existence had often proven dangerous. Yet this child, Jing Xiu, was different. She was kind, and Xiao Hua knew her well.

A step forward, to bold, and a branch snapped under her hoof. The sound startled Jing Xiu, her head snapping up in alarm. Fear flashed in the child’s eyes, but it quickly melted into surprise, and then joy.

"Jiejie!" Jing Xiu cried, her voice bright and full of relief.

The little girl ran to her, crossing the clearing in a blur of movement, only stopping when she reached Xiao Hua’s leg. She hugged her tightly, without hesitation or concern for the worn and tattered fabric of Xiao Hua’s robes. The child pressed her face against her. Xiao Hua, uncertain at first, let one hand rest gently atop Jing Xiu’s head, the simple gesture feeling foreign but natural at the same time.

When Jing Xiu looked up, her eyes shone with pure wonder and adoration, a gaze Xiao Hua found almost painful. How could this child see her in such a light? There was no radiance left in her, no beauty or strength to admire. Xiao Hua felt like a shadow of her former self, her once bright glow reduced to a dim flicker. She was tired, weary to her bones, but Jing Xiu saw none of that. The child looked at her as if she were whole, unbroken. Somehow, she could peer through the layers of sorrow that had weighed Xiao Hua down for so long.

"I brought you some things, look!" Jing Xiu exclaimed, pulling Xiao Hua forward with excitement. Xiao Hua allowed herself to be led.

On the old stump were small gifts: a vibrant stone and a large leaf cradling three round sweet dumplings. "Wait, one more thing!" Jing Xiu rummaged in her pocket before pulling out a small flower, though it had clearly suffered on its journey. Its petals were crushed, and one looked as if it might fall off any second. Jing Xiu’s smile faltered at the sight of it, her joy dimming.

Xiao Hua crouched to Jing Xiu’s level, her heart softening. She turned her head to offer her ear, a silent invitation. The child gently tucked the battered flower into Xiao Hua’s hair, her sadness turning to awe as the wilted bloom began to revive. It stood fresh and vibrant, as though it had just been plucked.

Xiao Hua smiled softly, touched by the moment, but then she remembered the cultivator nearby. Her gaze shifted, drawing Jing Xiu’s attention toward him.

"Daoist-gege?" Jing Xiu asked, her curiosity returning. She looked between them, her eyes wide with wonder. "Do you know Jiejie? Are you friends?"

[divinityshackled]

Xie Lian tried to act casual. He really did. Someone who did not know him would take a single glance at him and think the whole situation made him uncomfortable, but that was not it, exactly. It was truly more that the situation made him nervous, flustered even. The cultivator was not used to situations that included nudity, no matter if it involved a female human or a guardian. He was quick to avert his eyes when Xiao Hua shook off her rain-soaked robe and sunk into the warm water of the bathtub and he stood there awkwardly for another moment, and just as he was about to turn around to busy himself with something else while she bathed, he noticed her holding out the golden comb to him.

A soft smile appeared on his lips as he took the offered comb. Brushing the guardian’s hair had always been something Xie Lian enjoyed to do, Xiao Hua had long hair and it usually fell down her back in waves, only when she had to attend parties and banquets in the Heavenly Capital did she wear it styled in proper braids, but down in the human realm she was always wearing it open as a proper mane, but like that it also got easily tangled, especially if she participated in activities like playing in the rain. Xie Lian didn’t mind. He could spend hours brushing her hair, it was relaxing and calming to him, and as he started to work the brush through her wet hair the awkwardness he had felt before easily slipped from his mind.

“I am sorry I had to pluck you out of the rain”, Xie Lian said eventually, his tone gentle. “It was nice seeing you play, I was just worried you would get sick. If only the weather was warmer, I would let you play as long as you desired.”

Yes, it was true. The sight of the guardian playing in the rain and mud and puddles had filled his heart with warmth, more warmth than he could understand, but it had been nice nevertheless. The guardian had been through so much, even now it felt like she was still adjusting to her new role as heavenly official, but also to the fact that she was around humans more often now, especially as people frequently visited Puqi shrine now to catch a glimpse of the beautiful new shrine keeper. The wounds inflicted on her soul would need time to heal, but Xie Lian was proud that Xiao Hua seemed to be more at ease around him with every passing day.

“There is not much we can do while the weather stays like this”, he continued with a little sigh; even though he did not mind the colder months of the year, he often missed it to be able to sit outside and work on talismans or whatever else was required at the moment.

Xie Lian finished brushing the guardian’s hair, absentmindedly running his fingers through the long strands to make sure they were really free of tangles, then he stood up again, stalling for a moment.

“We need to get you into a dry robe. Which one of yours would you like to wear?”

Xie Lian himself only owed three pairs of robes, all looking the same, he was not sure what exactly the guardian had brought down from the capital for herself.

One could take the Guardian out of the forest, but one could never take the forest out of the Guardian. Xiao Hua's very essence was born from the joy of flowers, sunshine, and rain. To expect her to be anything else would be like asking a river to suddenly flow backward. She was soiled, drenched by the downpour, yet it reminded her of days long past, running through streams, tumbling in the shallows, covered in mud and completely free. She had always been a mess, but in the best way possible. After every storm, she would simply lie in a patch of sunlight until she dried off.

Crouching down, she wrung the water from the ends of her robes. She paused when she felt a warm pressure atop her head. It was a gesture she wasn’t quite used to, but she didn’t mind it. She remained there, balanced on her small hooves, peering through the open door to watch the commotion inside. Hauling out the bathing tub, filling it with warmed water. It really would have been easier for her to just go and dunk herself in the nearby river and tread carefully back, as she had always done, but the steam rising from the warmed water felt much more inviting than the cold bite of the river.

There were many things that made Xiao Hua fascinating. Her features, of course, but it was also the way she carried herself. Guardians were known for their carefree nature, and Xiao Hua was no exception despite all she endured. Yet, there was a unique aspect to her; she had spent most of her life alone. That solitude had shaped her into someone who barely registered the presence of others, even when they were around. She was used to doing everything alone, without the self-consciousness that came from being observed.

Her movements were unhurried and natural, as if she hadn’t noticed or cared about Xie Lian being present. Her clothes slipped off with a wet thud, pooling at her feet in a soaked heap, and she stepped free of them without hesitation. From the waist down, her body was distinctly unlike a human’s, resembling more closely that of a deer. What her clothes typically concealed was the soft triangle of a tail behind her, lying relaxed and blending into the damp fluff of her hips. The fur that covered her legs tapered smoothly up to her shoulders, merging with her skin in a seamless transition. A rare sight to see for many, as most Guardians quickly adopted a clothed lifestyle once they had human form.

As she settled into the tub, she hesitated briefly, adjusting to the warmth that sent a shiver through her after the cool rain. The water splashed slightly as she fully submerged, her hair drifting around her like a pale cloud. Relaxing into the heat, she reached for the golden comb, the familiar weight of it in her hand, before passing it up to Xie Lian with a quiet ease.

[divinityshackled]

011. How would your character court the person of their dreams?

Bold of you to assume he would ever try to court anyone. Xie Lian does not realise he has a crush on someone until it is already too late. Being affectionate comes easy to him. He is a scrap collector, he does not have a lot of money to court someone with physical items, but his affection is visible in his actions. Standing protectively in front of someone, telling someone to please be careful, cooking for them, holding their hand.

Which is exactly what is happening with Xiao Hua. Circumstances make them grow closer and find comfort in each other, but it is only when someone actually asks him about his feelings that he realizes the warmth that spreads through his entire body whenever he holds Xiao Hua’s hand.

In short; Xia Lian does not actively court people, he accidentally courts them.

[divinityshackled]

001. When is their birthday? Do they do anything to celebrate their birthday?

Xie Lian’s birthday is July the 15th. As a child of Xianle royalty his family would hold a grand banquet in his name every year, but things obviously changed after the fall of the kingdom. His mother insisted on celebrating his birthday once more, but both the king and Xie Lian himself refused, saying they should save their money for more important occasions, for example one of them falling sick. Then his parents passed away under tragic circumstances and he had not celebrated his birthday since. Even 800 years later he would not even remember his own birthday if there was no one around to remind him.

[divinityshackled]

Xie Lian had taken the time to put Xiao Hua back into her nest of blankets when the older woman left to get whatever she thought would be helpful to cure the poor guardian’s condition, he wrapped one blanket around her small shoulders, then put the other ones over her, wanting to keep her warm and comfortable. That was all he could do, really. He was no healer. A part of him was grateful when the women returned, bringing a small basket with her, but the other part was suspicious and he knelt down next to the older woman when she began to treat Xiao Hua. It almost shocked Xie Lian. When had he become so suspicious of kindness that was so freely given? He only knew he wanted to protect Xiao Hua from any potential harm, even if it came in the form of a seemingly defenseless old woman.

He listened attentively when she explained which of the jars to use under what circumstances and he nodded along like a child that was taught how to read or write. Xie Lian pressed his lips into a thin line as he inspected the little jar that was holding the healing paste, and he suddenly remembered the times he had gotten sick as a child, and how he had refused to drink and eat any bitter medicine. He had simply decided to suffer in silence until it passed. He shook his head. He had been such a stubborn little boy.

“Thank you for your help, now the little shrine keeper will be back on her feet in no time.”

Xie Lian stood up from where he was kneeling to bow before the older woman, then he reached into the basket to take out one of the incense sticks and he put it onto the shrine. It felt weird to be the one to put it there, this was a shrine dedicated to himself after all, but he didn’t want to look ungrateful. He did not miss the way their guest was looking around the shrine and the living area with a judging eye. The cultivator laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head.

“We have spent the summer collecting donations, but it was not quite enough yet for proper renovations. I have someone who offered to help with the renovations though, so please don’t worry..”

His gaze wandered to the wooden door for the briefest moment, and he remembered fondly how San Lang had built it shortly after they had met and how he had offered to help them with any further renovations. San Lang had said he would do it for free and provide the materials for them but Xie Lian had insisted he wanted to earn the materials himself, but now winter was fast approaching and slowly but surely he regretted his choices, especially with Xiao Hua already falling sick.

Xie Lian turned to the older woman once more, then he spoke:

“I am grateful for your offered help and assistance. If you ever need help with anything, be it to carry something or to plow your field, please do not hesitate to ask. I am in your debt.”

Xiao Hua had gone from warm to cold, and now back to warm again. If it made her more or less uncomfortable, she couldn't tell. She was the embodiment of discomfort, without any clear cause or solution. Whether she stayed still or moved, whether the air was warm or cold, whether her eyes were open or closed, everything felt the same. A dull ache pulsed through her, but the persistent contact between her and Xie Lian offered a small source of relief. When he spoke, she both heard and felt his words, the soft vibration traveling from his chest to hers. She barely registered the presence of someone nearby, though the voice was familiar. She had no energy to give even a small greeting; any breath beyond a shallow exhale set her throat burning, and she coughed quietly from a feeble attempt.

The older woman stepped inside but lingered near the doorway. "Thank you, I just ate before coming here," she politely declined any offer of hospitality. During her visits, she had become used to the cramped closeness of the shrine and living quarters. With so little space, the areas for prayer and living collided, and with winter approaching, any outdoor activities would soon be forced inside, making the small space feel even tighter. It wasn’t ideal, but there was no changing it.

"I brought some incense for the shrine," the woman said, glancing at Xiao Hua before continuing, "but I may have something else that could help. I'll return shortly." She smiled, offering a gentle bow before departing, her steps were lighter with renewed purpose, energized by the thought of offering help.

A short while later, the woman returned, carefully ascending the steps with a cloth-covered basket in hand. She knocked softly to announce her presence, then handed the basket to Xie Lian. Uncovering it, she revealed medium and small jars, each tightly sealed with brown cloth and string.

By this time, Xiao Hua had been nestled back into a small nest of blankets, propped up to keep her stuffy nose from suffocating her if she lay flat. The woman knelt beside her, gently pressing the back of her hand against Xiao Hua’s cheek and forehead, checking for warmth. From so close, it seemed strange that anyone would not react with awe from her features alone. The horn, her nose, the dotting of white spots along her cheeks. That was the trick of her illusion spell. To any human, Xiao Hua appeared as nothing more than a pale, black-haired, brown-eyed girl, no sign of her true form showing through.

"Have you been into town the last few days?" the old woman asked gently. Xiao Hua nodded. That was all the woman needed.

With a knowing hum, the old woman settled back, her hands moving to the basket as she continued, "Something’s been going around the village. As it does around this time every year, so you needn’t worry too much. My grandson caught the same thing earlier this week. I brought what I used to treat him at home."

She pulled out two jars. The larger one contained pickled vegetables, soured and aged, brimming with nourishing ingredients to help boost the body’s strength. The smaller jar held a concentrated paste. "A spoonful of this, especially when she coughs," the woman instructed, holding it up. "It will burn a little, but that means it’s working."

Xiao Hua eyed the jar silently, finding it oddly familiar. It reminded her of something she had been given during her recovery in the Nature Palace. But she kept that thought to herself, watching as the woman placed both jars within the basket. The rest of the contents were modest offerings for the shrine.

"Just keep her comfortable, and she’ll recover in time," the old woman assured with a warm smile as she rose, her knees groaning in protest. Then she glanced around the small shrine, her brow furrowing. "You’ve been here for quite some time now. Wouldn’t it be better to have some renovations done? Give yourself a proper living space?"

Her words were filled with genuine concern, and she eyed the cramped quarters with a critical gaze. It wasn’t hard to see how unsuitable the current arrangement was, especially with the winter fast approaching. "I know a gentleman or two in town who would gladly add an extension."

[divinityshackled]

The deer they encountered stayed on Xie Lian’s mind even when they continued their journey through the forest. It had been his first time seeing an animal like that, so deeply corrupted by the decay to its very core, and of course his first instinct had been to stop and help the poor creature, but when Xiao Hua didn’t react he had to accept that this seemed to be a familiar sight already. There was nothing he could do. He couldn’t get over the heavy stench of evil qi dripping off the deer.

It bothered him deeply. Xie Lian had always wanted to help everyone, a suffering animal was no exception, but he did not yet know how to stop the decay, or even how the creature caused it in the first place. Yes, he had found the guardian and that was a very important step in the investigation, but if he didn’t manage to find the root of the evil soon he was not sure how much longer the already weakened forest would last. He followed silently, blindly, as the guardian led him through her territory and when she stopped, so did he, his gaze following hers across the clearing and soon a familiar little figure came into view. It was the little girl he had met before, the one that had taught him which offerings to bring for the guardian to finally get her attention.

Xie Lian stopped in his tracks, not really knowing how to continue. This girl was the strongest and maybe Xiao Hua’s only proper believer in this world, what with the villagers not even knowing of her existence. The little one probably had not even noticed their arrival yet, she remained before the stump with her head bowed and Xie Lian was sure she was currently praying to Xiao Hua. The White Lady. He glanced at her and he could tell she was listening.

Heavenly Officials were not allowed to visit mortals and to talk to them, not in their true form anyways, even though Xie Lian had broken the rules plenty of times when he had ascended for the first time, Xiao Hua was a guardian, so he was not sure if the same rules applied to her. Plus, she could probably simply change her appearance. He had no place in this, he knew it, but he still whispered to Xiao Hua:

“Do you want to go talk to her?”

His questions, innocent and born of genuine curiosity, stirred something unsettling within her, like poking a hornet’s nest. Thoughts she hadn't considered in ages, or perhaps ever, whirled in her mind, swirling and undefined like they were cloaked in a haze. Yet none of this turmoil showed on her face, except for a subtle shift in her gaze. "I don't know," she replied. The words were honest, but not entirely truthful. There was an answer, one that, if spoken, might have solved everything. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. The words never had the chance to form before being stifled, buried beneath the thorns she herself had placed to keep them hidden.

She bent her head slightly and coughed into her hand. It was rough, dry, and burned her throat. Quickly, she dipped her hand into the nearby water to wash away the ash, then composed herself and resumed her role as their silent guide.

The forest shifted between patches of green glades, worn thickets, and sickly brittle wood, but they avoided the pockets of Decay completely. The blighted areas, while disturbing, posed no immediate threat, merely symptoms of the forest's deeper corruption. There was no sign of the Eater here. It had retreated, back to where it always went, back to where it beckoned her to follow. Back behind the thorns.

As they approached one such area, she grew cautious, raising her hand to stop Xie Lian. Ahead, through the trees, a deer stood motionless. At first glance, it appeared normal, but its body trembled, as though it could collapse at any moment. Then it turned toward them. Large blisters marred its side, black fluid leaking from its eyes and mouth. Its breath was labored, and its ear twitched weakly before it trudged further into the forest. Xiao Hua remained unaffected by the sight, not due to a lack of compassion, but because of familiarity. Creatures like this had become common. Rabbits, foxes, deer, and even herself were not immune to the rot. She moved on.

To outsiders, the forest seemed endless, an ocean of identical trees, but after some time, they neared the village. She paused, sensing something through the roots, and led them on a brief detour. Standing at the edge of a clearing, she saw a familiar child at the a familiar stump, head bowed and eyes closed over the small pile of random offering pieces.

[divinityshackled]

Xie Lian sat on the straw mat, upright but with his eyes closed. It was still early in the morning, but Xiao Hua and Xie Lian were preparing themselves for a long day of scrap collecting, or rather the guardian did while Xie Lian enjoyed the comb gliding through his hair again and again. He was only wearing the pair of light pants he used for sleeping, his upper half bare and still warm and sensitive from sleeping. With each passing day it got more and more difficult to get out of bed in the morning, as he enjoyed the space and warmth they shared at night more than he probably should. Even now he was on the verge of falling asleep again in this warm moment of comfortably intimacy.

Xie Lian did not think much, he was quietly humming to himself, and as he was so content and comfortable in the moment it took him a second to realize that the movements of the comb had stilled. Instead it was replaced by the gentle touch of her soft fingertips, brushing over the warm skin between his shoulders. It made Xie Lian shiver. Not unpleasantly, quite the opposite, he had learned to find a lot of comfort in the guardian’s tender touches, barely anything managed to soothe him like the warmth radiating from Xiao Hua’s soft hands.

For another short moment he stayed still until he finally moved to turn around, his long hair falling over his left shoulder as he now faced the guardian. She was beautiful. Yes, her own hair was still a mess, but her skin was pale and her cheeks a little rosy. If it was due to sleep or because of their comfortable intimacy he did not now, but just as many mornings before he looked at her and could feel his heart beat just a little faster.

“Do you want me to comb your hair?”, Xie Lian offers and already takes the golden comb into his hand, but when she did not reply immediately worry appeared in his honey-brown eyes.

“Xiao Hua? Are you okay?”

🐝  *  ―  𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑻𝑺. ➽ [ scars ] sender gently tracing receiver's scars + reverse | @tosaveaforest

The comb glided through his hair in gentle, deliberate strokes from crown to tip. One rebellious lock refused to be tamed, curling stubbornly with each pass of the comb, such was Xie Lian’s persistent bedhead. Xiao Hua gathered his hair at his back, wanting to ensure every last tangle was smoothed out before letting him take over to style it as he preferred. She found quiet contentment in these early morning rituals; sleepy-eyed, yawning, pulling on robes, and taming unruly hair, though her own was rarely ever truly tamed, no matter how much it was brushed.

But there was always something that caught her attention in these moments. She’d noticed it before, from the front, once or twice when she glanced at him before. And now, as she combed through his hair, the light revealed the same strange pattern on his back. For a brief moment, she wondered what it was, though deep down, she already knew. But seeing it like this, etched into his skin and illuminated by the morning light, gave it a new clarity.

Scars were expected, common even, especially for someone like Xie Lian. But these... these were different. They crisscrossed his skin in a complex web, more intricate and numerous than she had realized, seemingly more concentrated towards the center of his chest. The fact that they were similar on his back. He had told her before about battles he had participated in in his past, but could such fighting really leave one's skin so marred? So deliberate?

She quickly realized she had stopped brushing his hair, the tips of her fingers having been tracing back and forth between his shoulder blades.

[divinityshackled]

Xie Lian looked on with both curiosity and wonder when Xiao Hua reached out her hand to the small but impressive rose bush and even though the guardian was weakened the plant obeyed her silent command without hesitation and within a couple of minutes the rose bush had returned to its former winterproof self, no traces left behind of the glory it stood in just a few moments prior. And just in time, as only a few seconds later footsteps could be heard behind them.

Holding Xiao Hua still in his arms he turned around to see who was visiting the shrine under such cold weather conditions, and even though he did not know her name he recognized the older lady. She had been at the shrine before, he had seen her chatting with Xiao Hua, but sometimes she only brought an offering and left without a word.

“She caught a cold, but I thought getting some fresh air would do her good”, Xie Lian explained, suddenly feeling guilty about being caught of exposing the sick Xiao Hua to the frigid air. He returned to Puqi shrine, pointing at the door with his chin.

“Please, come inside. It is way too cold to remain outside to chat.”

Inside Puqi shrine it was warm, though it looked a little messy, what with every blanket available being piled up for Xiao Hua. Yes, he had invited the strange woman inside, but Xie Lian couldn’t help but slightly turn away from her, holding Xiao Hua almost protectively against his chest. Still he smiled politely, gesturing towards the pot with congee.

“May I offer you a bowl of congee?”

Their little corner of the world was preparing for the long sleep of winter. A rose bush in full spring bloom would stand out terribly against the fading landscape, and it was bad for the plant, too. Xiao Hua extended an arm, the movement still graceful, though it felt heavy with exhaustion. Her hand was more inclined to drop than sweep, drifting downwards just shy of the plant's leaves. The flowers reacted in kind, their petals closing, shrinking back to buds, and then vanishing altogether, leaves following suit. What had been a vibrant bloom was now nothing more than a bundle of bare twigs. Her head leaned against Xie Lian's shoulder once more as she took a slow, deep breath.

Moments later, the sound of shuffling footsteps broke the stillness of the shrine yard. The steps were uneven, like someone who could no longer manage a full stride, and soon, an old woman appeared, ambling her way toward them. She had come from across town, making her occasional pilgrimage to the shrine. Though few in the village truly understood what this particular god protected, many still came to offer gifts and prayers. It never hurt to try, especially in a place that had gone without a proper shrine for so long. The old woman had visited once or twice before. Always kind and one for a little conversation here and there.

She stopped when she saw the pair, noting the mild oddity of one being carried by the other and standing next to a dead shrub. Upon looking at Xiao Hua, her expression changed to one of empathy. "Poor thing, has something happened?" Concern lined her worn yet kind face. Seeing the fragile state of the newer shrine keeper, it wasn’t hard to piece things together. "It's chilly out here. She should be inside, resting."

[divinityshackled]

Each step he took was slow and deliberate as he made his way back to Puqi shrine, each step felt like it didn’t bring him closer to his destination at all. Blood was dripping from numerous wounds on his body and Xie Lian pressed his hand to his bleeding side as he took the final steps of his journey.

When he had heard rumors of a wolf-like beast abducting children to its cave to devour them he had not hesitated to investigate and save those children, but he had not anticipated for the creature to be so big, or so powerful. At the end of the day the children were saved but Xie Lian had ended up badly injured and even the fact that he had made it back to Puqi village seemed like a miracle, but if there was one word to describe the Scrap Immortal it would be resilient. He pushed open the door to Puqi shrine, leaving trails of blood in his wake.

“Xiao Hua, I..” I need help. His words died in his throat when he realized she wasn’t here. Did he get too used to her company that he had relied too much on her to save him? Of course she could not always stay at Puqi shrine, she was a Heavenly Official after all, she had her own duties, her own things to look after. Taking another step Xie Lian finally collapsed on top of his straw mat.

In his dream he was back inside the cave of the wolf beast, but what was waiting for him there was not the creature he anticipated but something else entirely. It was a man wearing white robes, no, those were funeral garbs, and when he turned slowly, so awfully slowly, he revealed the crying-smiling mask on his face. Xie Lian wanted to run but of course White No-Face was faster, easily overpowering him as he pushed him to the ground; a cold hand was caressing his forehead and his neck as he brought his face close to Xie Lian’s and whispered:

“I’ve found you.”

Xie Lian awoke with a scream, thrashing around as if he tried to fight off an invisible foe and when eventually his vision cleared and he saw Xiao Hua hovering above him, he reached out to claw his bloodied hands into her clean robes, afraid she would disappear if he let go. Nothing terrified him as much as that one white robed figure. His eyes welled with tears as he tried to hold them back, shaking and stammering as he spoke, unaware of the fever currently raging through his system;

“It’s White No-Face, he’s coming for me.”

even more injury memes ➽ [ FOUND ]  for receiver to show up at sender’s house shrine because they haven’t been heard from in a while only to discover sender is recovering from major injuries. @tosaveaforest

Red. It was the color that greeted Xiao Hua as she stepped cautiously along the path from the small gate to the entrance. Crimson stains speckled across packed dirt, leading her gaze upward to where the wooden stairs awaited. Each step seemed to echo with an unsettling foreboding. In her hands, she held a basket brimming with the fruits of her day's labor—various roots gathered for food and medicinal salves. Yet, as the gravity of the scene before her took hold, the basket slipped from her grip, scattering its precious contents across the floor with a clatter that seemed to shatter the silence of the shrine.

The blood she saw was not the result of an animal’s misfortune. Though she had never wished harm upon creatures, she had hoped for such a simple explanation. The truth was far more alarming.

On the straw mat lay the young man, Xie Lian, not resting but seemingly having collapsed, his body crumpled with his back facing her. His once-pristine white robes were now marred by dark, spreading splotches of red, suggesting severe wounds concealed beneath. The quiet of the shrine was pierced by the soft, hurried tap of her footsteps on the wooden floor, her previous evening’s plans entirely forgotten in the wake of growing anxiety.

Her hands trembled as she reached out to turn him over, but her fingers curling instinctively into fists. Was it too forward to worry so deeply? She had known Xie Lian only a short while—was it too soon to feel this much concern? Should she seek other's help? Was there time?

With deliberate care, she grasped his shoulder and upper arm, gently maneuvering him onto his back. His face was pale, his cheeks flushed with fever. Her fingertips brushed his forehead, pushing aside the damp, sweat-slicked strands of hair that clung stubbornly to his skin. A fever.

She fetched cool water from the well, her movements swift but measured. A small, folded cloth was sacrificed to the task of tending to him. She dabbed it carefully across his forehead and neck, her heart aching with each touch, hoping to bring him some measure of relief in the midst of his suffering.

[divinityshackled]

When Xiao Hua rolled off the tree Xie Lian meant to catch her, but there was no need, she was sinking into the soil and disappeared from view, not leaving a trace behind, then she stepped out from behind a tree. Like a true magician. For a moment he could only stare at her in wonder. He could have made so much money on the streets if he had those moves in his repertoire.

“Marvelous”, he simply says and the light in his eyes was proof of it being said with absolute sincerity. The more he learned about the guardian the more he came to the conclusion that they deserved more credit than any of the Heavenly Officials were giving them. They truly possessed talents that no martial god could ever master. Xie Lian did not need another invitation, he followed her when she walked away and he knew she would lead him out of the forest and back to the village, just as he had requested.

As they walked he took the time to inspect more of the forest, looking for traces left behind by the creature that had paid them a nightly visit, but no matter where he looked he couldn’t find scratch marks or residues of its evil qi. The further they walked away from the small shack, the more the forest seemed to come back to life and when they stopped at a little creek the forest once more was basically dripping with spiritual energy, which was also the moment Xie Lian realized that this forest would be a perfect place to cultivate, if only it wasn’t infected and corrupted by an evil spirit.

When Xiao Hua stopped so did he, and he crouched down by the little creek, dipping his hands into the cool water to wash his face, then he formed a little bowl with his hands to drink a bit of the refreshing water, not thinking twice about if it could be poisoned. Xiao Hua had stopped here and he was confident that after preventing him from eating a foul mushroom the previous night she would not suddenly change her mind and let him poison himself after all.

He heard her voice, no matter how quiet it was, and his honey-brown eyes were filled with empathy; he knew how it felt to have one’s home crumbling and falling apart under the corruption of someone else. You could fight back, but there was nothing one could do once their fate was set in stone. Once upon a time Xie Lian had believed things could be changed, if only people had the courage to fight back. These days he was not so confident anymore. Wherever he went disaster followed and he had long given up on his own fate, but Ying Yue had requested his help specifically and he could see the predicament the guardian was in. He would not leave before this was solved.

“When did the forest start to look like this?”, Xie Lian asked carefully, trying not to probe too hard, not wanting to reopen old wounds and have the guardian flee from him eventually. “Do you remember from where the decay first started to spread? It is often helpful to learn about a creature’s origins..”

Part of him felt bad to ask her about these things when she was still visibly shaken from the nightly encounter, so he rose to his feet again, looking into the direction where he thought the village was.

“In any case, we need to find you a safer place to sleep.”

Long forgotten were the social customs, like the rudeness of staring and stare she did. Xiao Hua had never needed to avert her gaze; people rarely noticed her, let alone made eye contact. Her expression, unreadable yet mildly interested, lingered on him briefly. Then, in a fluid motion, she rolled off the branch. One might have expected a hard landing from that height, but she sank into the ground as if it were water. She vanished without disturbing the soil and reappeared beside the tree, stepping out as though she had merely passed behind it. She hadn’t fled, though part of her wanted to. She couldn't explain why. His words left a knot in her stomach, something uncomfortable to sit beside the emptiness. She wanted to deny it, to ignore the Thing and let it fade away, but last night proved that it wasn’t fading. She didn’t want to be involved, but deep down, she knew she was already tangled in it, like roots choking a tree.

The shack lay deeper in the forest than most dared venture, with no pre-determined path made anywhere to lead one out. Judging by his earlier struggle, she felt the boy would lose his way as soon as he started walking. Finally, she moved, her steps silent against the hard ground. She would lead, and something told her he would follow. She didn’t look back as they walked, but she knew where he was. On they tread, and slowly the forest shifted subtly around them, and by the time the change was noticed, it was clear they had crossed into a seemingly different place. Here, the land felt old- much different than the sickly trees they left behind. Moss-covered trees stood like sentinels, their twisted branches bowed with age. The air hung heavy, as if a conversation had just hushed at their arrival. Fleeting sparkles drifted through the air, vanishing before focus could catch them. This part of the forest felt untouched, neither by human hands nor corruption, and the spiritual energy was palpable.

Xiao Hua walked on, her steps light, almost as if she enjoyed the quiet journey. Anyone else might have filled the silence with conversation, asked questions, tried to learn more about each other. But she wasn’t one for such talk. She hadn't anyone to talk to in such a way. She could have explained everything she knew, offered him knowledge for the reluctant quest she had been drawn into- but something held her back. This wasn’t his concern. Better to leave him out of it, send him on his way. 𝗡𝗼, 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻��, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. She didn’t want him involved, yet found herself unable to abandon him. The thought unsettled her, made her head ache.

A small creek interrupted their path onward, a perfect spot to rest after the morning’s long walk. Xiao Hua crouched, her tall form folding into itself. She stared ahead, eyes distant, watching the trees without really seeing them.

'It all used to look like this,' she said softly, her voice low, flat, tinged with a sadness too faint to name. She wanted to say more, but nothing else came.

[divinityshackled]

🪽🪽🪽

[divinityshackled]

100 Random Character Development Questions

001. When is their birthday? 002. Do they do anything to celebrate their birthday? 003. Does your character like coffee better, or tea? 004. Do they prefer being alone or with others? 005. Are they in good health? 006. What sense do they most rely on? 007. Is your character an optimist or a pessimist? 008. What is their favorite fairy tale? 009. Do they believe in happy endings? 010. Do they believe in love at first sight? 011. How would your character court the person of their dreams? 012. What makes your character embarrassed? 013. Have they ever been bullied or teased? 014. Detail one secret shame your character feels. 015. Are they most likely to fight with their fists or their tongue? 016. What is their choice of weapon? 017. When does your character think that violence is justified or deserved? 018. Your character wakes up to find that war has been declared. What do they do? 019. If they could have a superpower, what would they choose? 020. What are their hobbies? 021. How do they display affection? 022. What is the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen? 023. What do they consider beautiful in others physically? 024. What do they consider ugly in others physically? 025. What do they consider beautiful in others personality-wise? 026. What do they consider ugly in others personality-wise? 027. What is their idea of perfect happiness? 028. What makes them laugh out loud? 029. What sort of sense of humor does your character have? 030. Do they believe in the afterlife? 031. Are they superstitious about anything? 032. Does your character believe in ghosts? 033. Do they keep their promises? 034. What’s their view of lying? 035. What is the most important rule your character lives by? 036. How honorable is your character? 037. If your character saw someone drop a large sum of money and knew that they could probably take it without anyone noticing, what would they do? 038. What bad habits do they have? 039. What do they think is the worst thing that can be done to a person? 040. What is their obsession? 041. Are they comfortable with technology? 042. What is their greatest achievement? 043. What will they stand up for? 044. What disgusts them? 045. Does your character have any chronic medical conditions? 046. How do they handle getting sick? 047. What was the last medical problem your character had? 048. Do they have any allergies? 049. How does your character feel about growing old? 050. How does your character feel about their own mortality? 051. If they knew they would die tomorrow, what would they do today? 052. What is your character’s worst flaw? 053. What is your character’s greatest strength? 054. Does your character want power or authority of any kind? 055. Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? 056. Has your character ever struck someone in anger? 057. Has your character ever killed anyone? 058. What is your character’s idea of a perfect day? 059. List several phrases your character is fond of uttering. Where did they pick them up? 060. What is your character’s attitude toward education and learning? 061. Does your character prefer adventure or safety and security? 062. What sort of legacy does your character wish to leave behind? 063. How well does your character handle difficult people? 064. In what ways does your character annoy others? 065. Is your character better at leading or following? Which do they prefer? 066. Does your character prefer city life or being out in nature? 067. Does your character believe in fate or destiny? 068. How strong is your character’s sense of responsibility? What kinds of things trigger it? 069. What about your character is heroic? 070. What about your character is cowardly? 071. How kind is your character? 072. In a Dungeons & Dragons game, which class would your character be? (wizard, fighter, bard, priest, ranger, etc.) 073. In a novel, what plot role would your character fill? (hero, anti-hero, sidekick, villain, etc.) 074. What is your character’s favorite game? 075. Is your character ticklish? 076. How do they express anger? 077. How often do they cry? Over what? 078. How emotionally stable is your character? 079. How easy is it for them to read the emotions of others? 080. How easy is it for others to read your character’s emotions? 081. Is your character religious? 082. What are your character’s sleeping preferences? 083. What is the first thing they say and/or do when they wake up? 084. Describe your character in one word. 085. Describe your character in three words. 086. How would your character describe themself in one word? 087. How would your character describe themself in three words? 088. Is your character quiet or loud? 089. How vocally expressive is your character? 090. How bodily expressive is your character? 091. What type of music does your character like? 092. What emotion does your character evoke in others? 093. What is your character’s goal in life? 094. Name three things most would not expect your character to be able to know. 095. Name three things most would not expect your character to be able to do. 096. How do they move and carry themselves? What energy do they project? 097. How well do they adapt to change? 098. Does your character like animals? 099. Do they talk to inanimate objects? 100. Does your character dream? If so, what do they dream about?

[divinityshackled]

PROMPTS FOR SPENDING THE NIGHT TOGETHER *  adjust as necessary, send 'reverse' for the reversal of action prompts

ACTIONS AND SETTINGS

[ storm ] sender sees the awful weather conditions outside and insists receiver stay the night and ride it out

[ too late ] sender notices how late it is and suggests receiver sleeps over rather than travel the long distance home

[ sleepover ] sender and receiver have been planning this sleepover situation for a while now, and tonight's the night it finally happens!

[ one bed ] sender and receiver are forced to share the same room and the single bed within it

[ accident ] while traveling with receiver, sender accidentally books a room with one bed, and the place is too crowded to find another option

[ sick ] sender tends to a sick receiver at their home and stays the night to watch over them

[ injured ] sender brings an injured receiver home and refuses to leave their side overnight

[ couch ] while receiver sleeps on the couch, sender leaves their bedroom to snuggle with them instead

[ sneak ] while receiver sleeps in their bed, sender abandons their place on the couch and climbs into bed with them

[ awkward ] sender and receiver, laying in the same bed, establish some distance between their bodies before falling asleep. when they wake up, they realize they're cuddling

[ movie ] while watching a movie together, sender and receiver fall asleep on the couch and end up staying there all night

[ car ] with no hotel or place to stay in sight, sender and receiver fall asleep in their car together

[ fort ] sender and receiver build a pillow fort and fall asleep inside it

[ read ] sender reads to receiver to help them fall asleep

[ work ] forced to pull an all-nighter, sender and receiver work tirelessly side by side through the night

[ tent ] there's only one tent on this camping trip/adventure, so sender and receiver are forced to snuggle down in cramped quarters and make it work

[ outdoors ] sender and receiver construct a temporary shelter to get through the night outdoors, huddling together for warmth

[ pretend ] sender and receiver are fake-dating/fake-married and have to be seen staying the same room together to fully sell the relationship

[ intimacy ] sender and receiver wake up in the same bed and, in the haze of a beautiful morning, kiss for the very first time

[ whisper ] while receiver sleeps (or pretends to sleep) beside them, sender whispers affectionate, reassuring things to them thinking they can't hear

[ caress ] while receiver sleeps (or pretends to be asleep) beside them, sender admires how wonderful they look and gently caresses their arm

[ innocent ] before the two of them fall asleep, sender leans in and presses an innocent kiss to receiver's forehead

[ kiss ] sender and receiver share a tender kiss before they cuddle and fall asleep in each other's arms

[ spoon ] sender snuggles up behind receiver in bed and spoons them as they sleep

[ snore ] sender wakes up in the middle of the night and realizes receiver's snoring woke them up

[ hair ] sender gently strokes receiver's hair until they fall asleep

[ locked up ] locked away in the same cell/compartment, sender and receiver try and sleep side by side for comfort and warmth

[ cave ] out of options, sender and receiver are forced to spend the night together in a cave

DIALOGUE PROMPTS

i know my way around. i've stayed the night before.

is this the pillow i used last time?

mind if i stay the night?

you snore, you know.

i think i might fall asleep standing up.

it's not safe for you to drive home.

you should stay here. i don't mind.

i'll take the couch, and you can have my bed.

don't be serious. i'll take the couch.

this could be fun! it's a sleepover!

i have nowhere else to go.

i feel safer when you're here.

i don't want to impose.

are you the big spoon or little spoon?

would it be all right if i stayed the night?

i don't snore.

i'll stay on my side of the bed if you stay on yours.

pretend there's an invisible line down the middle of the bed. don't cross it.

there's no harm in cuddling.

i'm freezing.

is this the first time you've slept with someone?

this doesn't have to lead to sex.

this doesn't mean anything.

you fell asleep on my shoulder.

i'll protect you all night.

you'll never get home in a storm like this.

i don't want you driving in that.

i don't want you traveling in that.

bad news. the room's only got one bed.

is there a pullout couch we can use?

i'll just sleep on the floor.

pretty sure we cuddled all night.

you used me as your pillow.

i got you a blanket.

mind if i scoot in?

stay in bed. i'm here to help.

what's a little cuddling between friends?

i'm glad you stayed over.

what if we watch something to pass the time?

i didn't have anywhere else to go.

did you have to buy the smallest tent possible?

at least pretend that you like me.

do you like spooning?

this doesn't have to be awkward.

you're really warm.

this is cozy.

you should stay like this.

i don't want you to go.

can i hold you for a while?

[divinityshackled]

100 INDULGENT TROPES

A collection of one hundred tropes of varying nature. Spiritual successor to my previous An Extremely Self-Indulgent Meme. Some of these pair well together and can easily be sent in various combinations. Some are also highly suggestive in nature. Engage appropriately.

one muse steps protectively in front of the other

one muse tends to the other’s injury

one muse is not acting like themselves and the other has to snap them out of it

one muse kisses the other during an argument

one muse pins the other to a wall

one muse kisses the other on their hand or wrist

one muse kisses the other on their neck or shoulder

one muse helps the other put on a necklace or tie

our muses aren’t supposed to be together but keep meeting anyway (on purpose or by accident)

our muses have a secret relationship

one muse takes a blow meant for the the other

one muse fights away enemies attacking the the other

one muse asks the other for their favor / a token before battle or a tourney

our muses share a night together believing it might be their last

our muses are in an arranged marriage / betrothal

our muses willingly marry for political reasons

our muses get married for love

our muses get married in a spur-of-the-moment decision

one muse has taken the other captive

our muses are in love but one thinks they aren’t good enough for the other

our muses are forced to ally for a common goal

our muses are enemies or former enemies but have started to fall for each other

our muses claim to hate each other but there is palpable tension between the two

our muses are trying to manipulate each other

one muse is trying to manipulate the other

our muses have feelings for each other but have conflicting loyalties

our muses are friends but have started to fall for each other

our muses are childhood friends that have been slowly falling for each other over the years

one muse has been in love with the other for a long time but is afraid their feelings are not reciprocated

one muse is in love with the other but they are in a relationship with or engaged to another person

our muses engage in a courtly romance

one muse is a knight in service to the the other’s family

one muse seeks comfort from a loveless marriage with the other, their lover

one muse traces the other’s scars

one muse kisses the other in a moment of heightened emotion

one muse confides in the other in a vulnerable moment

our muses are in love but circumstances prevent them from being together

our muses are exes who discover lingering feelings after reuniting

one muse confesses love to another after that person is injured

one muse confesses love to another because they believe they may die soon

our muses must share a bed

one muse lifts the other’s chin to look them in the eye

one muse places a hand at the back of the other’s neck to pull them extremely close

our muses have been hooking up, no strings attached

our muses have been hooking up, but one or both has developed deeper feelings

our muses are exes that hook up against their better judgement

one muse presumes the other is dead but is shocked when they show up alive again

one muse betrays their long held loyalties in order to save the other’s life from their own allies

our muses fake a relationship but have no actual interest in each other

our muses fake a relationship but start to genuinely fall for each other

one muse is known for their hard exterior and softens only in the other’s presence

one muse is the other’s weakness, something an enemy is trying to exploit

our muses are stuck somewhere together and must occupy their time

one muse has feelings for the other but has not acted on them due to their association with another character (a sibling / relative / ex / etc. ) or an organization

one muse is scared to act on feelings for the other due to poor experiences with love in the past

one muse is oblivious to the other’s feelings for them

one muse acts oblivious to the other’s feelings for them but really they are aware

one muse has unrequited feelings for the other

our muses are co-workers engaging in a hidden romance

one muse reveals one of their darkest secrets to the other

one muse comforts the other during an emotional breakdown

one muse calms the other from an intense rage

one muse’s family forbids them from seeing the other

our muses are in love but their friends / family do not support their relationship

one muse seeks redemption for past actions and comes to the other to atone

our muses regularly exchange letters

our muses move in together

our muses adopt a pet together

our muses have a child together

our muses adopt a child together

one muse discovers they are pregnant by accident

our muses have been set up by mutual friends

our muses have been set up by a matchmaker

our muses are in love with each other but are in denial

one muse is the other’s bodyguard / protector

one muse is royalty while the other is a commoner / rogue / societal outcast

one muse kisses the other for a bet

one muse relentlessly flirts with the other

our muses kiss for the first time ever

one muse wins a date with the other at an event

our muses dance together for the first time

one muse brushes their fingers through the other’s hair

one muse drunkenly confesses something to the other

our muses drunkenly hook up and wake up next to each other

our muses are roommates

our muses are partners in crime

one muse is a supernatural creature who falls for the other, who is a mortal

our muses are supernatural creatures from opposite clans or species that are historically hostile to each other

one muses is under a spell / in the middle of a monstrous transformation but somehow recognizes the other and refrains from harming them

our muses cuddle for warmth

our muses run away together

one muse wears piece of clothing or jewelry that belongs to the other

our muses bathe together

our muses cook together

our muses cuddle in bed

one muse serenades the other

one muse holds a weapon to the other as a threat

one muse physically lifts the other up

one muse protectively wraps an arm around the other

meet cute !