saltysandycandy

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Christmas advice for ladies (crossposted from Old Weird Scotland on mastodon, with permission)

I want you all to keep this in mind!

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i like xie lian bc he's on a sherlock holmes level of deriving a whole exposé from random shit no one else noticed and is constantly tricking ppl and seeing right through everyone, but he also does things like attempt to perform cpr on a ghost who wasn't even unconscious and dming ling wen to warn her about ling wen turning evil. complex character

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Neith’s TGCF Fic Recs:

I’ve never made a rec list before, but for Christmas, I wanted to share some (not all—by god, we’d be here forever) of the fics saved to my kindle, some of my bookmarks, and some of my friends’ works (with overlap between those categories).

In no particular order:

tell you every day by scrapimmortal

Adorable amnesia Wulian oneshot that makes me smile.

melt (i’d tell them; put me back in it) by scrapimmortal

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve read this, I would have many dollars; perfection.

The flap of a butterfly’s wing by Ameji

Really enjoyed the political and personal drama in this one. A fun, exciting read that got me thinking about how to approach my own fics.

Pig in the Garden by illuminatingsceadugunga

I love FengQing’s heads exploding over hualian being married pre-third ascension; it’s delightful—very fun fic!

The Supplicant by ardenrabbit

The anticipation in chapter 1 was literally killing me; so excited to see more!

Land of the Callous by starvingwritist

A very fun, well-constructed truth serum Xianle quartet fic; Hualian are perfect for each other, truly. Couldn’t wait to see what would go wrong (and right)!

Heaven is Overwhelming by crispytaco

I love selective mutism fics; this one is very sweet! Comfort read.

there’s no rush by miska_za

Very sweet marathon sex; another comfort read.

quiet like stains by haysel

This soulmate AU has permanently altered my brain. It’s my favorite modern AU.

and the rain won’t make any difference by haysel

The atmosphere and the emotion? Out of this world. Love at first sight that takes your breath away. So sweet.

Your Courage, Your Despair by boomchick

I think about this fic at least once a week. Hualian hurt/comfort is my favorite thing.

‘Til our compass stands still by edenwolfie

Cannot watch the s2 opening of the donghua without getting nostalgia for this fic. Love the OCs. Love the characterization of XL. I would live in this fic if I could.

The Road I Walked Alone by aewea

Gives me literal chills every time (love it). What would happen if the play at the Mid-Autumn Banquet was actually the 100 swords scene.

We Stan Scrap Gege! by paidsubscription

Couldn’t stop laughing and smiling. Love this author’s AUs. Always so well thought out. And the “ghost citizens” are amazingly written!

The southern guide to a happy marriage by illuminate

The way this author writes Mu Qing makes me feral. FengQing get married before Xie Lian ascends a third time. It’s horny. It’s fun.

I can feel your halo by illuminate

Probably my favorite fengqing fanfic; I’ve read it a dozen times! Mu Qing’s spiritual powers are stolen, and he takes full advantage of them being gone to fulfill some long-buried desires.

common love isn’t for us by nobirdstofly

A really fun, dynamic piece that plays with FengQing’s deputy disguises. Hot too!

I Want to Ki** You by tyelperintal

I love every interaction Xie Lian and Mu Qing have in this piece, especially when XL gives way too many details about his sex life in order to help MQ navigate his desire for FX.

Wu Ming Loving Hours by featherpoet

A cute and inventive what-if. A canon divergence from Wuming’s death.

When I Was Older by corduroyserpent

An emotional time travel fic I love. Read it twice. Plan to reread soon!

Nameless Longing by corduroyserpent

A follow-up to the above fic; the “good boy” lives rent free in my brain. A roleplay Wulian fic with a twist ending.

Against All Odds by yuushoku

A really sweet royalty AU where Hua Cheng has to pass three trials to wed Xie Lian. Comfort read.

bring a light by uraa

A cute wangxian/hualian crossover!

charcoal daydreams by beesinspades

One of the first fics I read for this fandom! The first tgcf fic I ever downloaded! Artist HC runs into his old crush when XL applies to be his model.

steady love (in a place we know) by beesinspades

Hurts my heart but in a good way; it’s like missing someone who’s right in front of you. Hualian go on a road trip.

Is he, you know, a follower of Ju Yang? by airawyn

Very cute! Love the fengqing dynamic and banter!

Your Touch Means Everything to Me by fayleen

Love the tension in this one! A canon-divergent first kiss after the Banyue arc.

The State of You by peppaspray

Hot and sweet! Hua Cheng trying to seduce his husband in different forms.

to be seen by blessinglanterns

An interesting look at Hua Cheng coming back from being dispersed on Tonglu. Very sweet.

If you love me for me by fullmetalpotterhead

A really adorable royalty AU where Hua Cheng needs to marry Xie Lian for political reasons but quickly falls in love with him after he disguises himself in order to meet XL before their wedding.

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Those years after the war hit Xie Lian hard…

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he was neither impressed nor offended

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i could add a few more stages to grief if they let me

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@here4hualian kissmas day 10: a kiss as a reward

tw for hallucinations

Hua Cheng's hands are cramping as he puts the finishing touches on statue number eight-thousand, nine-hundred, fifty-two. He has to focus to keep his fingers from shaking, lest he mar the stone.

"You've worked so hard," a voice whispers. A voice that isn't there, isn't real. But Hua Cheng listens, because it is still the voice of his god. His beloved.

"It's only what you deserve," Hua Cheng replies, shaving off the last bit of stone to make the intricate design of Xie Lian's robes.

"But you're the only one who can do it so well."

Hua Cheng examines the finished sculpture. "Only because I have the best muse."

He hears his god's laugh. "My ghost flatters me too much."

It's not real, Hua Cheng forcefully reminds himself. He's not here.

Hua Cheng turns. Xie Lian is standing there, wearing white-and-gold robes. He looks like he did before the fall of Xianle, when those eyes weren't clouded over with pain, and his face wasn't twisted into a grimace.

"My most devoted believer," the god whispers, and Hua Cheng breaks.

"Dianxia..." He steps forward. Places his hands on Xie Lian's shoulders. The god's skin is cold to the touch through the fabric of his robes.

"You deserve a reward for all this hard work," Xie Lian tells him. "Will you let me reward you?"

"I don't need a reward."

"Maybe not. But you deserve it." Xie Lian's eyes sparkle as he gazes up at him. "Close your eyes."

Hua Cheng obeys, and he hears Xie Lian let out a contented sigh.

A moment later, there are lips on his. Soft, cold lips, and Hua Cheng's entire body shudders. He lets out a moan. Hua Cheng reaches up, cupping Xie Lian's face, the god's cool skin sending shivers through him.

"Dianxia," he murmurs, pressing closer.

Xie Lian doesn't kiss him back.

Hua Cheng goes still. Slowly, he pulls away.

He's standing in front of the statue he just finished carving, one hand still cupping its cheek. The statue move, doesn't speak. Hua Cheng's spit glistens on his lips.

The ghost pulls away, cursing himself for forgetting. This place likes to torment him, or maybe that's just his own mind attempting to tear itself apart. He cannot afford to go mad.

He picks up his chisel, moving to a new block of stone, and begins carving statue number eight-thousand, nine-hundred, fifty-three.

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I hate how people will look at popular indie artists who had one or two songs go viral on TikTok and start making fun of anybody who listens to them. "Oh you listen to Lemon Demon, Will Wood, Jack Stauber, Glass Animals, and Mother Mother? Tsk, don't you know that is stupid TikTok neurodivergent white transmasc preteen music? It's so mid and bad you should listen to real music–" you are a pit of misery

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wow this is too intimate to share with my close friends or family let me put this on my tumblr blog for hundreds of strangers to see

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too many stories about turning yourself into a monster as a metaphor for pretending to be something you aren't and losing yourself in the process. not enough stories about turning yourself into a monster as a metaphor for choosing to openly embrace yourself even if it's strange to other people

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♧ authorized reprint for tumblr // artist:     TOri（23）

✿ please do not remove source link// edit  illustration // change caption // upload to other websites!

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chapter 2 teaser - hualian get to know each other a bit better, in both the past and the present

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People beefing with Jiang Cheng:

Jiang Cheng:

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@here4hualian kissmas day 3: morning kiss

Xie Lian wakes up before Wu Ming. The two have been travelling for several weeks now after just narrowly managing to not release the Human Face Disease.

Yesterday, Xie Lian had managed to get his hands on a straw mat through collecting scraps in a nearby village. What had followed was a battle of politeness with both Xie Lian and Wu Ming insisting that the other sleep on the mat, before Xie Lian finally suggested that they share it.

Xie Lian turns over, and is surprised to see Wu Ming is still asleep. Usually, the ghost will go to sleep after Xie Lian, and wake up before him. What's more surprising, though, is that Wu Ming's face is bereft of his mask. Xie Lian has caught glimpses of Wu Ming's face before, whenever he would lift up the mask to eat, or remove it to bathe, but he's never had a chance to properly admire his companion's face.

It's a very lovely face.

Wu Ming stirs, mumbling something under his breath. Xie Lian can just barely make out his own title amidst the jumble of words.

"Wu Ming? Are you awake?"

"Dianxia needs... more jewelry," the ghost mutters.

"Jewelry?"

"For the... ceremony."

Xie Lian can't keep his lips from quirking up into a smile. "Wu Ming, I think you're dreaming."

"Mnngh... dianxia... g'mornin"

Wu Ming doesn't open his eyes, but he does stretch, much like a cat. Then, he leans forward, pressing his lips against Xie Lian's in a sloppy kiss.

Xie Lian goes still.

A moment later, Wu Ming also goes still. Then, the ghost jerks away, hiding his face behind both hands. "Dianxia... please forgive this one."

Xie Lian is still a little in shock. He's never experience anything like that before. "Ah, it's... it's fine."

Just what was Wu Ming dreaming about?!

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Corvid Christmas tree. Simple, but beautiful.