#᛭ — [IC] cruel and cold like the black waters [HE XUAN]

[deathfavor]

@diivineray said: come inside. have a drink. // Hua cheng @ he Xuan

city of last chances

There's no need for the dead to breathe; He Xuan does so only so it won't draw more attention to Puqi Shrine. Not that many are out ; winter has settled in and snow lays heavy upon the ground. The wind feels like ice shards and the few people who are out have their heads bowed against the wind, rushing towards their destinations with little regard to the world around them. None spare the other hooded figure at the shrine a second glance. That is fine by him ; favorable even. He'll leave the repayment and go without and problems -

It can never go that simply, can it?

He Xuan was about to drop the heavy bag of money into the donation box when the door opens. ( Admittedly, the bag holds more than truly necessary - he doubts Xie Lian would charge him anything for the soup he devoured the day of Puqi's rebuilding, but he still feels obligated to repay for both that and the inconvenience. ) Instead ; he stares in surprise when he's hit with the warmth from inside the shrine and sees Hua Cheng. It's both nice and VEXING, which often occurs when Hua Cheng is factored into situations with him. But if the surprise on the other king is anything to go buy, it seemed this wasn't a scheme or trap. Just unlucky. ( He Xuan almost wants to laugh ; even in death he can't escape misfortune. ) Except he's eaten the ghost responsible so he's not actually sure if that holds true beyond his hunger or not.

" I don't wish to intrude. " It's the first thing He Xuan can think to say at the invitation. He's not sure if that's proper manners or his age-old instinct to retreat. The heat is a sharp contrast to the cold he stands in, but he can't feel it. Not the cold at least. He's silent before he decides to push the bag towards Hua Cheng instead. " For Xie Lian, not you. " He adds with a bit more of his usual tone before Hua Cheng can tease him about his debt. " Although you I'm sure are more likely to accept it. It's for the inconvenience of the meals I had when Puqi shrine had opened. " He visited, as he had promised, but hadn't dared to approach anyone and remained wrapped in a disguise until he'd slipped away. And then he'd slept - deep in the ocean without expectations of the future. Yet here he was.

His head bows slightly, more to avoid staring than anything else as he takes a step backwards further into the cold. " I apologize for the delay. I only recently woke up again. Give him my regards. " He's going to retreat back into his black waters.

[deathfavor]

Gold gaze falls to the rabbits being offered to him. It’s cruel irony, being offered something like the god he was meant to be before his fate hate been stolen. But this ghost couldn’t know that. None of them did save one. Maybe two. So he extends a hand to accept the offering, a wave of subtle hunger starting to creep in like water to the shoreline.

“  Understandable. Everyone has their set preferences. Is there a specific dish?  “  He inquires more for formality than anything else even if anything BESIDES another Ghost King doesn’t demand his respect. Even Supremes. “  So you’re a liar? At least you’re honest in that.  “  He Xuan remarks, raising an eyebrow.  “  No one knows much about me, so you certainly haven’t. If there is anyone, it would be Crimson Rain Sought Flower.  “  Not Black Water Submerging Boats.  “  Is there something you are after? I doubt mere chit-chat.  “  Though he doesn’t directly answer the question, the implications speak for themselves.

Hong Lian shrugged as he offered the other the rabbits. "They are okay. I would rather have a different dish myself, but who can pass up food when you catch it while hunting," he remarked, sounding a bit bored.

He set his katana down, leaning against his leg. "So are you the great Black Water that I have heard so much about?" he asked keeping that last bit in a low tone, as if he didn't want to be over heard. He smirked a little. "I only ask out of respect of course."

[deathfavor]

@deiscension said: "did you used to play in the street when you were little?" - a somewhat tipsy sqx trying to get my to talk more.

still born sentence starters

Should it ever be inquired upon in the future, He Xuan would say this little slip up was something born of alcohol and nothing more. It certainly wasn't because the persistence of the wind master was finally starting to get somewhere with him. He Xuan lifts the cup of sake to his lip, contemplating his word choices.

It won't mater. He Sheng was a nobody in the slums of poverty, and no one ever checked the history of gods unless something demanded it or it was a great spectacle like the four tales. Ming Yi is, for all intents and purposes, a rather ordinary if reclusive god, nothing special. ( Other than his seeming disdain for the credits being thrown around - no matter how long he's been spotted with the Wind Master, never once has anyone seen him accept any. ) He lowers the cup, finally speaking.

" Not very often. I was often busy even when I was little, or studying. " It isn't a lie, and it's not something unusual enough to draw unwanted attention. " ...I had a little sister though who did. She loved to play in the streets. I usually kept watch over her. " It was all true. Once they had been treasured memories. He'd never had many material things, but those memories had been priceless, outshining any gems or gold coins that could be flaunted.

Now they were stained with blood and darkness. He can feel his throat clench as he suffocates silently. ( Which is funny, given that he can't ACTUALLY be suffocated any more. )

The Ghost King takes another sip of his drink. " She loved to dance. Especially when it rained. She'd dance and play in the rain like it was no big deal, even when she was completely drenched. " He manages a thin smile, and if he strains, maybe he can still hear her innocent laugh in the distance.

" I had to study, but I always made sure she had a warm meal and dry clothes when she came in. " He remembers, " She very much loved to be outside. " He can't blame her; outside was the promise of what could be while their barely held together home was a cold reminder of what was. " Why? What brought this up? "

[deathfavor]

@deiscension said: This should have been an easy mission. An overachieving cultivator had gotten his hands on a stray spiritual device in the shape of a locket. As soon as he had clasped it around his neck, it had nearly choked all his qi and very life from him. Show up, scold him a little under the guise of being an official from a neighboring sect, confiscate. Down and back with enough time to spare for a nice dinner and a few rounds of wine (their treat of course, which was obviously why they'd dragged their best friend into it)! Except-- it hadn't been a spiritual device. It had been a possessed charm. As soon as the hapless cultivator touched it, he ceased to exist. They'd never seen anything quite like this before; a puppeteered corpse gnashing its teeth at anything close enough to bite, practically ripping itself apart just to get to something with a stronger, healthier source of spiritual energy. Too many mortals had tried their luck already. The moment anyone made physical contact with the body, their meridians bled like opened veins.

Shi Qingxuan had been so sure the blast from Ming Yi had knocked the thing senseless. While cooing about how dependable their best friend was, they'd reached down to undo the locket. He'd warned them to wait a moment. Of course they hadn't listened. They should have just broken the chain. They should have kept their eyes on the body. They should have taken caution for once. Instead, they'd cried, "Ming-xiong, you really are too rough!" as soon as his hand had closed around their arm and yanked. But they hadn't. And now he was sprawled against the shack wall, pulsing rends in his neck where that horrible thing's fingernails had raked into his flesh.

Only now do they take proper precaution and summon a whirling gale to keep the possessed corpse suctioned to the floor. Locket in hand, they rush to his side. Their stomach twists. Ashen discoloration spreads from his wounds. They've only ever seen this color on ghosts.

The memory of a voice dripping in perverse hunger leers in their ear. Your closest friends will die because of you.

Their form switches back in an instant, fan clattering to the ground at the Earth Master's as Shi Qingxuan drops to their knees in front of him. They're the Wind Master now! There's not a single person or force in the world that would dare touch them or theirs. That wretched thing went silent centuries ago. Besides, Reverends couldn't bring harm to gods. Unless every event in their life leading to this moment had been carefully woven into their fate as soon as they'd taken heed of that damned curse. What a silly idea. So silly they can't help but laugh- a strangled noise that's more of a whine than anything else.

Heartbeat pounding against their skull, Shi Qingxuan gingerly presses the back of their hand to his forehead. Residual qi deviation rips through their veins like a knife through delicate silk. They swallow down the urge to vomit and focus on buffeting his deviated energy against theirs. The wounds are already closing. But he's still so pale. So still. So... dead.

"Ming Yi?" Their voice hasn't been this small in a long, long time. They try not to think about how similar this abode is to that forgotten little house at the foot of a mountain somewhere far away. "Look at me. Please. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, it's my fault- scold me all you want, a-alright?"

my muse take a hit to protect your muse from a fatal strike ; send your muse's reaction

Black Water Submerging Ships could crush this pest with no problem. He could devour it, obliterate it, there were a million and one things he could do. But Ming Yi is not a fighter and Ming Yi is ALIVE rather than DEAD. So He Xuan needs to play the part, he shields Shi Qingxuan the moment he sees that they are not listening to his advice. Too playful and careless. It is a good thing that He Xuan did so too, because pain flares in his throat as fingernails dig into flesh and rip.

He slumps against the shack, and he can feel the disguise he dons start to fracture in the way of the unexpected pain. Anger gnashes in his chest, like the ocean trying to be captured by a dam. It slams against his ribcage and adds to the spasms in his throat alongside the pulsing wounds. He's forgotten to breath. But in the grand scheme, such a small thing is likely to go unnoticed. He a least recalls to keep some of the body heat going, so he does not appear as cold as he really is.

He feels their touch against him as he sits, black veil of hair heavy around them. Checking he's alive. Which is hilarious, He Xuan can't help but to bitterly think while is eyes stay closed. ( For the best, or he fears the ocean's rage would reflect in his gaze. ) He hasn't been alive for a very long time now, and he hasn't been without pain for even longer. All his power as a Ghost King and he suffers still, and he had suffered long before he choked out his final breath on a rainy, muddy street, bleeding out from his wounds.

But then they try to help and it burns. Even as flesh knits back together and starts to turn back to a normal flesh color rather than the corpse-like color, the aid only makes him sick to his stomach. It's not the same as simply transferring spiritual energy. It's so much more than that and it takes everything to keep himself under control when everything makes feel like he's straining against chains.

Shi Qingxuan calls his name and his eyelashes finally flutter, opening so a slit of golden eyes could be observed. He doesn't want to look at them. He wants to destroy that insolent, mindless spirit, and then slink away into the ocean. He wants to go back to his mansion or into the welcoming depths of his ocean. Maybe he'd play with his dragons but he'd prefer to sleep a few days in the heavy waters that offer silence and peace. He won't get that though. Shi Qingxuan is going to fret, which means Ming Yi can't go off like he usually does.

He Xuan forces his eyes to lift to look towards Shi Qingxuan.

" I told you to be careful. " He scolds, but it's weak and quiet, lacking his stern strength. A hand lifts, gently pushing away their hand from his head. ( Gently? Or weakly? Only he knew. ) " Go deal with the corpse and locket first. I'll be fine. Those two things should be your priority. " It's a quick reminder, his gaze shifting to the trapped corpse and then towards the locket with a pointed expression. His hand nudges them again, urging them back to get to work. " Once you're done with that, then you can come help. I won't accept any more till you do. " He adds. Maybe the idea that the sooner they did that meant the sooner they could help Ming Yi would be motive enough. "

The rage still snarls like a provoked animal and it clouds his thoughts. He is tired. He waits until Shi Qingxuan is focused on the other tasks before he lets himself sink into it. He's maintained the disguise long enough that it can be maintained in his sleep. At least a quick nap should held settle the rage beating in his chest like a war drum.

When Shi Qingxuan looks over, they'll find he's slid to his side, slumped on the ground with closed eyes. But he's breathing, and the wounds are little other than fading marks. He is, however, unusually cool to the touch and his complexion remains pale overall. Healthier than before, but certainly not great.

[deathfavor]

@deiscension said: <anon> I am obviously Ming-xiong's number one, most reliable, bestest (and therefore also prettiest!), truest friend in the all the realms, no matter what tacky purple silk dresses I may or may not be wearing, isn't that right? <definitely not shi qingxuan></anon>

ask my muse about their connections with other characters

' . . . '

He Xuan Ming Yi has an inscrutable expression on his face as he looks at the oh so mysterious note. NOT. It was blatantly obvious who it was. He doubted anyone besides Ling Wen might be able to accurately capture the Wind Master's lexicon, but she would be unable to avoid asking an actual question. This lacks that, which makes it easy to see that it's the genuine goddess asking.

" What friend? Must've been sent to the wrong address. "

[deathfavor]

" It still qualifies as an attempted bribe. " Ming Yi counters in turn, letting out a snort. ( It had been a strange thing - learning to mimic breathing until it became second nature. He Xuan had forgotten it quickly after becoming a ghost - but this role demanded his remembrance of the act.) " How generous. " Like many things, what exactly Ming Yi tone implies is left up to the listener.

The calamity earth master follows after the ever flightful wind master when she begins to walk, easily falling into the familiar rhythm that has formed over the time knowing each other. " No, I imagine not. Not beyond temporary measures that will inevitably wear them down or cause tempers to flare. " Especially if the martial gods around here were in any way similar to the followers. " I doubt it. Villages very rarely prosper from an act like this. A booming city could handle it, but something like this could easily make a village fall apart and cause trade to falter. Unlike a city, they often lack a zone if you will to which a story could be confined. If people don't feel safe, they will be fearful, as will traders. " Ming Yi remarks, as one would expect of the earth master. " A city often will have a building or street or block which confines such stories for entertainment, a village is too small to often achieve a similar separation. "

His eyes slide towards her for a moment, observing her as she speaks before letting his gaze turn ahead once more. " Most likely, perhaps we'll find out more when he pay a visit. " He shrugs - speculation will do them little good when the tangible aspect could be something like an artifact to a full ghost. But why now? He tilts his head in thought. " I'm not sure. It does seem rather odd. "

He strides forward several more steps even after she stops, but once he sees it is not her simply being distracted by something in passing, he pauses while looking at her. " There is a possibility of it. " He acknowledges with a small shrug of his shoulders. " Or a weak ghost utilizing some other event to seem stronger than it is. That's not uncommon. " He muses and then raises an eyebrow. " Yes, I assume so. I take it you have a plan in mind? Or shall we just pay it a visit and see what happens? "

      ⌜◈⌟    ▌ ── 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐢 𝐐𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬. "It's not a bribe if you never actually accepted my offer and chose to accompany me out of the goodness of your heart instead," she counters, cheeky grin once more making itself home on her lips. "But out of the goodness of my own heart, I'll still make sure you don't go hungry." A nigh impossible promise to keep, if his eating habits were anything to go off of.

     𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲. Her whisk works overtime in its swish-swish-swishing as she launches into the findings of her preliminary investigation. "Prayers concerning this haven't come directly to me just yet, actually. The village has been relying on cultivators from a nearby sect to keep things under control. Martial cultivators can't do much about the wind, though. That's the first thing I don't understand about all this. Unless that's the village's idea of entertainment." The hint of laughter that threads through her voice implies she would certainly find it entertaining. Just imagine: a line of cultivators fighting an invisible enemy with all their might, exactly how actors in a play would carry out their choreography. What a riot!

     𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐭. "Anyway! That must mean that whatever this threat is, there's a tangible aspect to it. Or at least, enough of one to have martial cultivators roped in. Which leads me to the next thing I don't understand: why have prayers regarding the wind only started now?" What really worries her is the specific wording of those prayers. They all imply those poor villagers have spent countless weeks listening to the wind whisper monstrous things in their ears. It's always the wind itself they mention. Not 'something that sounds like the wind' or 'something that comes with the wind'.

    𝐒𝐡𝐢 𝐐𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭. "Say... you don't suppose it could be a ghost, could it? If it is, for it to be powerful enough to manipulate an element..." She trails off. A visible shiver runs down her spine. "Best not to jump to conclusions. Nothing we can't deal with, Ming-xiong! Now, where to begin... experiencing it ourselves may be best, right?"

[deathfavor]

@deiscension said: "Mi~ng-xiong!" Shi Qingxuan's smile and voice are both radiant as the sun as she breezes up to him without a thought given to decorum, much less personal space. "I have a favor to ask. But you have to say yes before I tell you what it is."

The voice pierces through the air, demanding the king once again pick up the facade he wears for the sake of vengeance. ( Albeit, in truth, it is not so far from the reality of the king's personality as it was. The fact the real Ming Yi wasn't known made it quite effective. ) He lifts his head from the bowl of noodles he was currently eating.

This hunger claws at his ribs with razor sharp points and gnaws on his bones, demanding. It is as shifting as the tides, either too much or not enough. At least this is only one bowl that she has seen.

" A favor? " He quirks a brow towards her. " Why would I say yes before I know what it is? " He lifts the chopsticks to point them at her, though careful not to get them too close to her face both for her safety and to avoid having them snatched. " Absolutely not. Tell me what the favor is and then I'll consider it. If there's a good reason. " He retorts, giving her a pointed stare before turning his gaze back to the bowl.

Oh. It was empty. That was an unfortunate fate that dashed any excuse he might have to pay attention to it over her.

[deathfavor]

@piscesiawave said: ❛ you’re welcome to stay, if you want. ❜ //he xuan

soft & sweet sentence starters

He Xuan flinches in surprise when he hears a voice behind him, gold eyes immediately focusing on Xie Lian standing there with a pleasant enough looking smile on his face. Did Xie Lian realize who he was even through the disguise? Or had he just assumed that he might be a mortal like many of the others present, who was shy and needed invitation? He Xuan wasn't sure. He knew how to keep the overwhelming power of a ghost king tightly locked inside his chest like the ocean in a bottle, how to look alive, to breathe as second nature - all necessary for when he had played the role of Ming Yi. Outside of the one favor for Hua Cheng after the Shi Wudu incident, no one had reported seeing He Xuan anywhere. So surely Xie Lian assumed he was just a mortal like any of the others gathered.

Then again, maybe Hua Cheng had ratted him out. But he hadn't told Hue Cheng and he didn't see the other ghost ing. It left him in quite the predicament on how to respond.

" Ah, I appreciate the offer. But it seems to be a local village celebration, no? I wouldn't want to infringe. I was just passing through. I wanted to pay my respects to the shrine for your celebration. " He Xuan responds, his voice quiet as he plays the role of shy outsider with downcast eyes. " You're very generous to extend the offer to me. But I should get going. " It feels a bit silly really, this game of stealth. But he was rarely one for direct interaction with those he wasn't close with. Furthermore, the thought of staying surrounded by people and inevitably being asked why he wasn't eating made dread settle like sludge in his stomach. It'd been hard enough as it was to drag himself out of bed and offer a gift to the shrine. He didn't want to have to put the energy towards another lie.

So close, yet so far to a successful mission.

" Many blessings to you and your shrine. " He Xuan murmurs, bowing his head for a moment before he offers a thin smile. " If you'll excuse me - " He turns around, making as if he was going to head bac into town to one of the inns. In reality, he planned on vanishing the moment he was out of sight.

[deathfavor]

@piscesiawave said: Hua Cheng looks curiously over at He Xuan and smiles, clearing showing he was up to something.

“Would you peel an orange for me?” // he needs to know it’s important

Suspicion flourishes the moment when Hua Cheng smiles at him for no apparent reason. Hua Cheng doesn't do things for no reason. So naturally the ghost king is vigilant to any sort of trick or antics that the other might pull.

Except nothing happens.

" Peel an orange? " He Xuan repeats back, dropping his gaze from Hua Cheng's face to his hands as if to see if there was an orange there. But there wasn't, at least not at the moment. Which made the question all the more strange. " . . .Yes. " He Xuan answers slowly, still watching the other suspiciously. It was true though, he would.

[deathfavor]

@deiscension said: "3, 2, 1…" but reversed! a peck on the cheek for ming-xiong. no her breath doesn't smell like wine, that's just her naturally sweet aura.

Send "3,2,1..." for a new years kiss from my muse

Another year should not be so significant to the gods. He Xuan has learned rather quickly that the gods take any opportunity to celebrate with food and wine and stories that they can get. It's all rather tedious and He Xuan has made it a fact that 'Ming Yi' rarely pays visits to the Heavenly Realm. He does, albeit silently, thank the Lord Rain Master for already have a reputation. It was easy to follow the footsteps, and many gods murmured that it was not so surprising that the Earth Master, with his love for architecture, was likely to be introverted and rarely in attendance. He Xuan is grateful too that this reputation fits and he does not always have to play god.

But with Shi Qingxuan's persistent insistence in the communication array over the weeks leading up to the event, He Xuan reluctantly agrees that he, Ming Yi, shall be in attendance for the first new year celebration.

Which explains how he is here, quietly sipping at his cup of wine while chatter erupts around him. But in the chaos, he is a pillar of calm composure. ( And this time, he is not feasting though it is offered. Like the low tide, the waves of his hunger have retreated and left him feeling numbed. He waves away the question with saying he'd been eating when he was called and no longer was hungry. He's begrudgingly accepted a few bites despite how his stomach twisted in displeasure. )

There's a new buzz in the air, and it draws a pause from the ghost king god. More often than not, he keeps to himself this time of the year. On occasion he might spend it in Ghost City. He does not spend it around so many though. His eyes flick towards the goddesses that flock around Pei Ming like animals to a treat, and then to the other gods and goddesses who either seem enthusiastic about it, or give such an ominous aura of displeasure that not even the drunkest person dare approach.

10...9...8..7...

How inane of them. He Xuan finds himself neglecting the attention to the rest of the countdown as he watches Shi Qingxuan scoot over to his side. He lifts a brow but does nothing to stop her.

3...2...1!

Much to the king's surprise, He Xuan finds Shi Qingxuan leaning forward and pressing a chaste kiss to the warm skin of his cheek. ( It would not, however, be warm, if he had not already perfected the act of seeming living - including warmth. ) He blinks in surprise, fingertips raising to brush over where her lips had grazed his skin.

He clears his throat after a moment, adverting his eyes. " Happy New Year. " He manages to push the words past his lips.

[deathfavor]

@aknightwithnosword said: that's the best deal you're gonna get. // huaxuan ~

no country for old men sentence starters

He Xuan pressed his lips together, staring at the rain pouring down in heavy sheets outside the aquarium doors. The heavy rain made an already oppressive night seem even darker, and he sure as hell didn't want to walk through that to get home. He'd be beyond soaked and freezing. His glanced towards Hua Cheng out of the corner of his eye, unsurprised to find him beaming and seeming pleased with himself.

( If he genuinely fought, he's sure Hua Cheng would still insist on driving him back to his dilapidated apartment. )

" Fine. " He Xuan sighed, arms folded across his chest and refusing to look directly at Hua Cheng. He'd probably be looking like something between a smug fox and a child on Christmas morning.

It wasn't, in fact, a bad deal. God knows He Xuan's stomach was starving and a hot meal sounded much better than stale crackers and whatever else he could find. He really couldn't understand Hua Cheng. Helping around at this aquarium when he clearly didn't need the money nor was he even getting paid for it. ( Except maybe in sneaky makeouts - a thought that almost had He Xuan turning red. ) And He Xuan knew plenty well he hadn't been the most welcoming. And yet here he still was. As determined and persistent as ever. Still...liking him.

" I accept the deal. Dinner. And then right to dropping me off, that's the deal. " He Xuan repeats, finally letting his icy gaze properly focus as he turns to look at him. Nevermind the ungodly hour it was - dinner was dinner. That was the plan at least. Who knew if it would actually stay to that.

[deathfavor]

@laduendee​​ said: he doesnt say anything, simply standing in the doorway as he xuan lay curled in his bed. It was a tranquil feeling he felt, one that pulled him away from the entry way and moving back to his place next to him on the bed. His head rested against the pillow, turning so that he was facing he xuan. there's a small smile as he notices those gold eyes reflecting back to him. ' you were supposed to be asleep' he laughs quietly, ' ruined my element of surprise.' // dnklfsndkl some soft quiet pillow talk ? ndfklsnl 

He hears Hua Cheng approaching - this mansion is as empty and hollow as the ghost king himself. There is nothing to hide or muffle his footsteps. And either way, He Xuan had known the moment that Hua Cheng had stepped into his territory, the same way a shark knew when you touched its skin.

   ( He loathes it as much as he yearns for it. Perhaps because he yearns for it. )

He Xuan however does not make the first move. He refuses. It will not help. The ache is already too deep in his bones, and its warmth scares him as much as he wants to possessively coil around it. Already his ribs have been pried apart like an old shipwreck and this yearning want has settled in his chasm like the reefs of the ocean do of the shipwrecks. It brings life back to where there wasn’t supposed to be any..

He also knows that no movement will not discourage Hua Cheng. He’s woken up, groggy and disoriented after some of his highs and lows and seen Hua Cheng laying beside him or moving about his mansion. Sometimes he’s been there during some of the short hibernations where he stayed in bed, or at least He Xuan had seen traces of him lingering in the space like a blanket someone drapes over you when you’ve fallen asleep. He lingers even when he is not here, a comfort that never fails to warm him.

Gold eyes stare with unrelenting attention when he watches Hua Cheng lay beside him and then shift to face him. He supposes it can’t be helped how something twists in his chest every time that the other ghost king still chooses to come back time and time again. Not that He Xuan didn’t make his own efforts in kind, venturing into Ghost City or to Paradise Manor on occasion or other similar gestures, but he would not fault Hua Cheng to get tired of him after all these years. But he never seems to, even when He Xuan has been at his worst. (He does not think he can ever voice how thankful he is for that.) 

   “  Was I?  “  He Xuan raises an eyebrow, voice flat despite his unspoken happiness at seeing the other ghost king that shows when he shifts a bit closer. Subtle, but louder in its silence.  “  I didn’t receive the letter or butterfly saying so. Maybe the fish ate it.  “  He shrugs casually, finally blinking for the first time since Hua Cheng’s entered his domain.  “  I’m sure you will get over the broken heart of a ruined surprise. Or end up coming up with something new.  “  He snorts, quieting after a moment to observe Hua Cheng.  “  You didn’t come all this way for a nap, did you?  “  He inquires, his want for knowledge unable to take not knowing any longer why Hua Cheng expected him to be asleep.

[deathfavor]

@laduendee​​​ said: [ STUBBORN ] / huaxuan!

FOREHEAD PROMPTS [ STUBBORN ]:     thoroughly exasperated by the receiver’s stubbornness, the sender exasperatedly, but fondly, pulls them in for a good old forehead touch.

   He Xuan leans back, arms folded across his chest and eyes shut with a sense of finality to his statement. He wasn’t going, and that was that. It seemed like Hua Cheng had finally got it through his skull that the ghost king was much happier to curl up in his library pouring over a new text he’d recovered than having to go to Ghost City to see some celebration or just walk around. Unlike SOMEONE, Black Water Submerging Boats was famous for the very fact he was so isolated and rarely seen. He wasn’t going to go parading around. Even the topic of food was not an effective tool to lure him into making an appearance.

   But gold eyes snap open with a startled flail when he suddenly feels himself being pulled forward. It isn’t far, but it’s enough to feel like being suddenly thrust into the desert - shockingly jarring and momentarily disorienting. Hua Cheng’s laughter is nearly inevitable to fill the air, but that isn’t on his mind at the moment. Rather he takes the time to look over Hua Cheng’s features that he can see when they’re pressed this close. Even if they’re both ghosts, Hua Cheng always seems to burn so much more vibrantly, so full of life and animated even in death in a stark contrast to himself. 

   (  It’s something he thinks about often. How much it seemed like he was kept in his state like a skeleton in a forgotten cell in comparison.  )

    “  What was that for?  “  He grumbles when he recovers enough to reply, though the stubborn dismissal of his words moments ago has now lessened with the sensation of Hua Cheng’s fingers in his silk, ink colored hair, resting at the base of his skull. He knows though. He knows that exasperated huff, he can read it in Hua Cheng’s body language as clear as words on a page.  “  Surely you are not surprised by this? I don’t have the desire to interact with those I don’t know. “  Which essentially meant everyone OTHER than Hua Cheng, a very carefully chosen phrase to leave the truth unspoken without drawing attention to it.

[deathfavor]

@laduendee​​ said: " kiss me. " // hc and hx !! 

the serpent and the wings of night starters

    “  What?  NOW?  “  He Xuan shoots a look immediately towards Hua Cheng when he hears the voice rumble in his ear. Despite the noise of the gambling den, it feels impossibly loud in his ear. It shouldn’t shock him but it does all the same.

   Gold eyes slide from observing the Ghost King to looking outwards. It’s a heavy curtain this time - they can see out with everyone outside only vaguely able to see silhouettes. He doubted any of them even know He Xuan had slipped in, like a shark in midnight waters - unseen till he was already there. Besides the fact that most of them were too busy with their games to pay any attention to what was going on in their immediate surroundings, much less the platform that Hua Cheng was seated on and where the elusive water demon was lurking in the background.

   His ribs creak with the effort to draw in a breath purely so he can exhale into a sigh. One way or another, Hua Cheng will either get what he wants or annoy the shit out of He Xuan. But when gold eyes open again, there’s a cunning gleam to them as he lifts himself from the black pool of fabric  He raises up till he can swing one leg over Hua Cheng’s lap and settle comfortably on him. A hand lifts to the Ghost King’s cheek, tilting his head up as Hua Cheng leans closer.

   “  Are you so sure I’m the real one?  “  He Xuan murmurs in the space between them, lips curving upwards. He leans a bit to the side to give Hua Cheng a look over his shoulder to the crowd, where another He Xuan sat in the distance in a quieter corner of the den, observing. But his head turned to look towards Hua Cheng with a little smile and raised eyebrow. 

   The He Xuan on Hua Cheng’s lap leans back to where he’d been to cut off their view before he bends down to press his lips against the other king’s, arms snaking around Hua Cheng’s neck to keep him close. He pushes closer, pushes into the kiss like waves surging towards the waiting shoreline. The lack of needing to breathe had its advantages, as he savors Hua Cheng before pulling back a fraction - just enough to sever the connection as he grins.

   “  That good enough, O’ Crimson Rain?  “  He whispers teasingly, paying little attention to the world other than them.

[deathfavor]

@heaxrtinparadise​​​​ ​said: you said you were hungry, so i brought you something. // hexuan

will they won’t they starters

    Logically, he knows full well that he shouldn’t be surprised by the fact Hua Cheng appears at the water’s edge with food. Water laps at the king’s boots as if trying to beckon him further into the dark waters that the other king currently resides in.  Only his gold eyes appear visible above its rippling surface with ever-present focus.

    “  You didn’t have to do that.  “  He Xuan murmurs as he slides through the water and draws closer to the shore. He did remember mentioning that to Hua Cheng a little while ago. Yet he hadn’t actually expected anything. His hunger for now remained passive and stable, neither a high tide nor a low tide of the feeling. It’d simply been an absent answer when he had felt Hua Cheng tap into their private communication array.

   He had gone through all this effort though. Maybe it wasn’t much to Hua Cheng. It likely hadn’t been much of a thought, in the same way cost rarely seemed to matter to the ghost king unless he wished to tease He Xuan about their so called debt.  (  It is a ghost of his former self that still seeks to repay that debt in full.  )

    He Xuan emerged from the waters, water whisked away and leaving his robes dry as he stands beside Hua Cheng. It does make his stomach growl seeing the food and thus renders any dismissal of his own hunger as pointless. He pulls them away from the shallow water at the ankles to sit down on the sand a foot or so away from it before he sits down and accepts the offering.

    “  Thank you.  “  He offers his thanks before he even takes a bit of the food. It looks new, whatever it was. Certainly not from the supplies he’d already had in his manor. Which meant Hua Cheng had either gotten more ingredients and made it, or it was from a newer restaurant in Ghost City that he had yet to visit.

   “  It’s good.  “  He adds, savoring the burst of flavor on his tongue before he holds up a forkful of the dish.  “  Do you want a bite?  “  He inquires, offering it towards him. He didn’t mind sharing with the one who’d been gracious enough to get him food based off a casual answer. 

[deathfavor]

@heaxrtinparadise​ said: whispers 'wet socks' in he xuan's ears~ 

‘  .  .  .  ‘

‘  I’m changing my communication password.  ‘