#tgcf drabbles

[imafraidoftomorrow]

Imagine Pei Ming finally coming to accept that he has a big huge fat crush on Yushi Huang, only to discover that the Rain Master is a lesbian.

Imagine, then, the dazzling General Ming Guang, the notorious Lady's Man™️ and infamous womanizer, determinedly going to his best friend and fellow tumor Ling Wen, asking her to please teach him how to use his spiritual power to change genders. Ling Wen stares up at him stone-faced and deadpan from her desk, one eyebrow twitching, and asks, "Come again?"

Cut to a scene of Yushi Huang and a very pretty femme General Ming Guang riding on the back of her ox through a wheat field at dusk, with Pei Ming sitting behind her, arms wrapped around Rain Master's waist and chin resting on her shoulder, smiling and dreamy-eyed and contented, affections never straying again.

[muqingfx]

Heyyyy

Idk why I'm sharing this with you specifically but...

Can you imagine a scenario where mu qing gets cursed where he gets like super cold and after a certain amount of time will turn to ice (think of frozen) but he'll survive if he warms up. Aka fengqing cuddles ♥️♥️

gonna write a short drabble

Metal meets rotten flesh as Mu Qing flings his zhanmadao at the infernal ghost.

"Got you," Mu Qing whispers under his breath. He's fatigued after endless pursuits and perpetual clashes; the ribbon that usually holds his dark hair in place has fallen off, resulting in messy strands carpeting his head and obscuring his line of vision. His breathing is rough and robes tattered, but finally, finally, he has the damn ghost beneath him, shuddering and seething under his blade.

Mu Qing's eyes widen as he's propelled meters back by a gush of frigid wind that chills his godly skin. Ah, nevermind. He spoke too soon. When has it ever been easy?

His precious zhanmadao is pulled away from his grip, flying off and plummeting to the ground with a loud thud. Although Mu Qing had tried to keep his eyes on the ghost, the pest had somehow evaded his vigilance. From behind him, Mu Qing hears footsteps of not one, but at least a hundred creatures closing in on him. His head rivots to look behind and there's a whole damn army of ghosts.

"Shit," Mu Qing curses. He takes in his wearied state and distant saber. "Shit, shit," he curses some more. The little nuisances jump around, squealing and yelling as they make their way to Mu Qing.

Mu Qing, a martial god. What the hell? He's a martial god, dammit. Who do these little shits think they are?

He lifts his arm and creates a swirl of spiritual energy on his palm, the golden orb illuminating the dark sky. He thrusts his hand forward, watching gleefully as the little shits scream in agony. To finish it off, Mu Qing scurries to retrieve his zhanmadao and slices through multiple ghosts at once. The rest is suspiciously uncomplicated, considering the hassle he had to go through to get here, and the ghosts are all eliminated in moments.

The silence is deafening after Mu Qing stamps out the last one, excluding the soft hoots of an owl. But then Mu Qing realizes something fairly unusual: he's really fucking cold.

"What the fuck are you wearing, nutcase?" Feng Xin snorts out a laughter as soon as Mu Qing walks into his work chambers. Through the spritual array, they had decided on a meeting regarding the Southern region's welfare.

"Shut up," Mu Qing hisses, "I'm cold."

"Yeah? It's the middle of summer."

"Get to business, Ju Yang. Where are the reports?" He fixes the cloth around his neck. It's been two days since his encounter with the army of ghosts, and each hour since then felt like his body heat was being sucked out of him. "And get me some hot tea."

Feng Xin glares at him but says nothing, reaching for the unorganized scrolls on his worktop. He hands them over to Mu Qing, who accepts it with shaking hands. When Feng Xin's gaze lingers a second too long, Mu Qing swats at his face with the scrolls.

"Motherfucker," Feng Xin mutters, but still has decency to invite Mu Qing to sit down on his divan. "It's tranquil. For now."

Mu Qing nods. "Villages are undisturbed. Temples aren't being messed with. Ghosts are out of sight. Prayers are not too bothersome." He shuffles the scrolls. "Is that all?”

Offering a hum of confirmation, Feng Xin lays out the teapot and cups on the table. The warm steam from the served tea has Mu Qing resisting the urge to hover his hands over the spout. He doesn’t. Obviously.

“Have you been on any missions recently?” Feng Xin asks around a mouthful of wafers.

“What? That’s none of your concern. Yes. A few days ago. Don’t speak with your mouth full.”

Feng Xin swallows down his food quickly. “You did? How did it go?”

“Stop prying. It went fine.” He closes his eyes and sips his tea, indulging in it’s heat.

A stupid pout forms on Feng Xin’s face. “I haven’t been on a mission in ages—”

“I do not care.”

“—so I’ve been cooped up in here, answering prayers.”

Mu Qing sets his half-empty teacup down and glares at the oaf sitting in front of him. “Why is it so cold in here?”

Said oaf’s eyebrows scrunch into a frown. “Cold? Mu Qing, it’s fucking sweltering. Are you sick?”

“I don’t get sick.”

“Stubborn prick. You’re wearing like, four robes.”

Instantly, Mu Qing’s hands raised up to clutch at his layers of clothing. “Judging bitch.”

But Feng Xin doesn’t get riled up and start yelling and cursing like he usually would. His brows draw in together as if he were concerned, and his eyes rake over the length of Mu Qing’s figure. “Are you cursed? Just what type of ghost did you fight?”

“I’m not cursed.” He’s not. Yes, his symptoms started, strangely, after his confrontation with the ghost. So what? Coincidences happen. And he’s just cold. That's literally it.

“Mu Qing.” Feng Xin’s own tone leaves no room for argument. Both official are no less obstinate than the other.

“I’m not cursed! The ghost I fought with used the element of snow. There. Happy? Cretin.”

Feng Xin’s jaw clenches, an impatient glint in his eyes. “Snow? You’re not usually this fucking stupid, Mu Qing.”

Mu Qing jumps to his feet, already grabbing his zhanmadao from his side. “What did you just say?”

“Fucking hell, Mu Qing!” Feng Xin holds his hand up and effectively stops Mu Qing from swinging his saber. “Where the fuck was your head when Ling Wen was explaining this shit?”

“What…”

“She clearly described a savage ghost who could fucking freeze a heavenly official to death.”

Mu Qing pauses. In the back of his head, he indistinctly remembers a warning from Ling Wen.

“Fuck,” Feng Xin cusses, seemingly more stressed than Mu Qing’s himself. “Fucking fuck.”

He grasps Mu Qing’s hand—and then flinches back. “You’re a fucking icicle! Come here.” Carefully, Feng Xin pulls Mu Qing closer to his body, coercing him into a hug. Brawny arms wrap around Mu Qing’s torso and a palm pushes Mu Qing’s face into a warm shoulder,

He sighs in relief when he feels the temperature shoot up.

“Still cold?” Feng Xin mutters right into his ear and Mu Qing fucking shivers.

“What do you think? Moron.”

“Don’t be a bitch or I’ll just let you fucking die.”

“Then let me.”

“I need to shut that mouth of yours.”

Mu Qing tears himself away, face flaming. “I’m fine now.” He turns and stomps away, determined to go elsewhere.

Feng Xin doesn’t let him though, snatching his arm and tugging him hard so Mu Qing’s back slams against a firm chest.

"Like fuck you are."

"Let me go." Mu Qing struggles against Feng Xin's vice grip, though his efforts as futile as the bigger man deftly hauls him around the Nan Yang Palace and into his bedchambers.

Feng Xin's bedchambers.

He--considerably gently--tosses Mu Qing onto the soft duvet and throws a sizeable quilt at him. "Get comfy, general."

Mu Qing glowers, though it's half-hearted. But his fury fades into alarm as Feng Xin joins him on the bed.

"What the--what the fuck are you doing?!" he yelps, horrified. He scrambles away, making space between the two bodies.

And once again, Feng Xin effortlessly pulls him back under the quilt. "Shut up and stay still."

Mu Qing freezes, letting Feng Xin maneuver him around as if he were a doll.

"Warm up, fucker." Feng Xin pats both of Mu Qing's cheeks, trying to give it some colour.

"Stop it," Mu Qing hisses. Feng Xin encircles his limbs around Mu Qing's middle, and Mu Qing can only exhale as he lets him.

He lets Feng Xin nuzzle his face into the curve of Mu Qing's neck.

He lets Feng Xin's fingers draw slow, soothing circles on his palm.

He let's Feng Xin warm him until he's a ball of fire, melting away his frosty fraud exterior.

[echochqmber]

@here4hualian kissmas day 5: kissing the cursed shackles

Xie Lian is bathing himself in the river when he notices the little ghost fire.

He calls out to it. "Hello? Do you need anything?"

Xie Lian doesn't feel particularly concerned about his modesty. Maybe it's the fact that the ghost fire doesn't have visible eyes to watch him with, even if it is hovering rather intently.

"Are you alright?" Xie Lian tries.

The ghost fire finally responds. "I'm fine. Dianxia doesn't need to worry about me."

Xie Lian is too tired to deal with how being recognized makes him feel. "Did you want to use the river? I don't mind sharing."

Slowly, the ghost fire drifts over, although it makes to movements towards the water. It just hovers next to Xie Lian, giving off a faint blue glow.

Subconsciously, Xie Lian scratches at his cursed shackle. It's been hurting all day. Ah, that's probably how the ghost fire recognized him. Word of his banishment and the punishment he received has spread quickly through the mortal realm.

"Does it hurt?" the ghost fire asks, and Xie Lian startles.

"Ah, it's nothing, really."

The ghost sinks lower towards the water, and Xie Lian is reminded of the way a human might pout. Perhaps it was looking to emphasize? Who better could understand pain than someone who has experienced death?

"I tried to use my spiritual powers today," Xie Lian tells it. "This thing has been squeezing at me ever since. It's only a little painful, don't worry. I've felt way worse."

"Is there anything this one can do to help?"

"Unless you have some spiritual energy to lend me." Xie Lian means it as a joke.

The ghost fire takes it seriously.

It floats upwards, flying over to Xie Lian's neck. The sensation of cold flames on his bare skin tickles, and chills rise down Xie Lian's spine.

And then, there's a tendril of energy flowing into him. It's small, barely there at all, but to Xie Lian, who hasn't had anything like it in so long, it may as well be an ocean of power.

It feels almost like a kiss, the way the ghost fire is transferring it.

After a moments, Xie Lian pulls away. His cheeks are slightly flushed. "You'll burn yourself out if you give me too much, silly thing. You really didn't need to do that."

"But I wanted to. Does it still hurt?"

Xie Lian pauses. Because... "No. It doesn't. I... thank you."

[yoyowrites]

i refuse to believe that xie lian would allow shi qingxuan to be homeless for ever.

after things settle, he would definitely extend a hand toward him, if only to give sqx a safe place to lay his head, they're friends after all. he often tries to give him tips, he just worries about stepping on toes and doesn't want to come off holier than though

however, he has competition.

there is also pei ming and ling wen wanting to help sqx. those two were best friends with his brother and helped cover up a huge thing, you think they wouldn't help sqx with all their might? ling wen is drowning with work but she makes sure to always have an eye on sqx. she'll try to sort something out with one of her followers to try to get sqx a job or something. pei ming as well. he always had a tumultuous relationship with sqx but he really did care for him. he makes sure to occasionally visit. since he keeps in touch with pei xiu, he'll often ask him to visit sqx. when pei xiu visits, he always brings something from the rain master

so sometimes when xl visits, a ling wen follower is there as well as pei xiu and banyue are there.

of course, he xuan is still obsessed with sqx

[niki-phoria]

I'D GIVE YOU ALL THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE

pairing: xie lian x gn!reader (no pronouns used) genre: fluff/comfort word count: 472

notes: tgcf has taken over my mind so enjoy some (possibly ooc ??) xie lian nightmare comfort lol, set at puqi shrine before xie lian meets hua cheng, title from the 1975 - i couldn't be more in love

your body jolts upright as you’re forcibly ripped out of your dream. you can feel your heart pounding wildly in your chest. shivers run down your spine as you blink a few times, desperately willing your eyes to adjust to the darkness quicker. 

in your disorientation, you quickly scan the room for any danger. the fabric xie lian had hung up as a makeshift door flaps quietly in the wind. a few stray offerings sit on the edge of a nearby table. a stream of moonlight shines in through a small hole in the roof, illuminating the small shrine just enough for you to make out xie lian’s worried figure staring at you. 

“y/n?” his voice is quiet, as if you’re a small animal that will bolt at the first sight of danger. xie lian pauses for a second as if to search for the right words before finally settling on, “are you alright?”

“yeah,” you breathe. you run a shaky hand through your hair, taking a shallow breath. “i’m fine.”

xie lian doesn’t believe you. he’s smart enough to recognize the signs of anxiety. he’s known you for long enough to know exactly which nightmares plague your dreams. even the exhaustion of traveling for hours on foot isn’t enough to starve off the horrors that live inside of your mind. 

xie lian turns, reaching over to grab his boots. “why don’t i go get you some water? it’s been a while since you had anything to drink.” 

“wait,” your hand catches xie lian’s wrist before you can stop yourself. disguised by the darkness of the night, a flush rises to both of your cheeks. your grip around his hand loosens, but you don’t pull away completely. “stay?” your voice is barely a whisper; it’s all but swallowed by the quiet of the night. “please.”

xie lian’s gaze lingers on your hand for a second before he looks up into your eyes once again. your touch ignites goosebumps along his skin. since the fall of xianle, he had long since forgotten what it felt like to be touched with care. 

despite his reservations, xie lian curtly nods. “alright,” he murmurs, settling down on the straw mat beside you once again. 

the ground is uncomfortable, but it’s nothing you’re not used to. xie lian lays facing you; even with your eyes closed you can feel him studying each of your features. you can feel the mat move slightly as he shuffles closer. he props his head against his arm like a makeshift pillow.

you tense momentarily when xie lian reaches over, gingerly resting his hand on top of your own. despite the cold night, his skin is warm. his fingers gently trace along the grooves of your knuckles. “try to get some sleep,” he whispers. “i’ll be here when you wake up.”

if you enjoyed this fic, please consider leaving a like, comment, feedback, or rebloging !!

[everylastbird]

I've been thinking of a soulmates style au wherein hualian discover they are soulmates after XL saves HC as a child.

In this AU meeting your soulmate is incredibly rare and very auspicious, so even though HC is a commoner he is recognized as XL's future spouse and taken into the care of the royal family, but sequestered away from XL to maintain decorum. They see each other now and again, and interact during events and gatherings, but otherwise are kept separated. HC is delighted and pines and generally dreams of the day he gets to officially marry XL and be his wife.

(I like to personally use the term 'wife' in danmei specifically to mean 'the spouse that marries into the home of the other', so as he is marrying into XL's home, he would be the bride in this scenario.)

XL ascends, as in canon. Unlike in canon, when a soulmate ascends, so too does your soulmate, and HC ascends with XL.

XL also descends and falls from godhood, as in canon. Ever so magnanimous, JW ~kindly~ allows HC to stay in heaven upon XL's request, as HC didn't break any rules. HC is, however, bound to the heavens, unable to descend to seek out XL.

Centuries pass, and HC becomes known as a God of constancy, faithfulness, and marriage. He is regarded with both awe and pity. Poor HC, who remains loyal to a faithless god of misfortune. Isn't it incredible, how much he is willing and able to endure to uphold the sanctity of his marriage vows? He has a large faction of worshippers, mostly brides and wives in arranged, unhappy marriages, who pray to him for strength.

Few, if any, remember that Xianle fell before HC had the chance to marry XL. That all this time he has remained steadfast and true to his fiancé, rather than his husband. The gods that do look upon him with scorn and judgment. No one expects him to remain loyal to the likes of XL, so who does he think he is putting on this show for?

It doesn't matter what those gods, or even what his worshippers think of him, however. HC is loyal to XL out of love, and devotion. He is not suffering out of obligation. His only pain is that felt by his fiancé, and the pain of separation forced upon him.

And despite what the gods and his worshippers assume, he is not a long-suffering bride who sits and pines for his beloved. While he yearns for the day he can reunite with XL, HC spends his time playing the long-con. After all, is the keeping of house and home not one of the primary roles of any good wife? And the heavens are so steeped in filth. Certainly not worthy of his husband to be.

As for XL, he strives and toils to regain his godhood under the weight of his lost worshippers and the scorn of the gods who once praised him.

More than that, he worries, often, about HC, and his misplaced loyalty. Every now and then XL hears another tale of HC's endless, unshakeable loyalty, but with those tales also come stories of that devotion being nothing more than a shackle. Nothing is ever said of HC's love for his husband, or HC's happiness, only his impressive endurance in the face of obligation to a worthless husband. XL fears that HC is little more than a long suffering would-be bride, held back by XL's mistakes and the fate that bound them together without either of their say.

So XL does his best to regain his godhood, so that he may re-enter heaven and finally free HC from himself for good.

When, after 800 years, XL finally ascends once again, nothing is as he had expected it to be. There is a crowd, but no one is casting judgment or disparaging him. Instead, it seems as though he has ascended amidst the start of a lavish celebration.

As XL stands amidst a sea of joyful revelry, a procession slowly makes its way towards him, and at its end, a bridal sedan.

When the sedan stops before him and a hand moves aside its curtain, XL reaches out to grasp it without thinking. Gently, he leads the bride off of the sedan and onto solid ground.

XL looks up at a veil of opaque crimson silk. He cannot see the face behind it, does not even know, after all this time, what HC would even look like... But in this moment he knows, unquestionably, that this is not just any bride, but his bride.

Part of XL recalls that one of his main reasons to rise to godhood again was to let HC go, to finally allow him freedom from the weight of being tethered to someone like XL. And yet, any thoughts of breaking his vows to HC dry up in his mouth. He has thought of so many ways to say it, so many ways to cut HC loose of him without bringing HC any more pain, but he cannot bring himself to say any of them.

The hand in his grasp turns, and laces their fingers together. His bride's hand is strong, XL observes as though from a distance, unflinching and sure.

"Hello, gege," HC says. His voice is deeper than XL remembers, richer and more vibrant than anything he has experienced for decades, if not centuries. 

"Ah, San Lang, I'm sorry, " he manages to force out through his shock. His laugh is pitchy and uneven even to his own ears. "I'm afraid I'm not quite prepared...!"

"It's okay, gege." A thumb carasses his knuckles tenderly, and XL's throat tightens. "I already have everything ready for us."

[fortune-maiden]

FX Week Day 6: Temple

Day 6 of @fxweek :D

This is actually the very last drabble I wrote chronologically (assuming I don't write any more lol)

In Feng Xin’s humble opinion, it wasn’t fair that the things he should have been smug about were the things he hated the most. “Thank goodness for the Ju Yang temple. There’s always one of those around when we need ‘em,” Mu Qing cackled, leading them to their lodgings for the night. Of course he had a temple in this area – why wouldn’t there be a temple to the fucking fertility god in the middle of someone else’s fucking territory and – “Wait.” Feng Xin suddenly realized something. “Why do you always know where my temples are?” Mu Qing went silent.

[cecropiacrown]

"What!?" Shi Qingxuan gasps, leaning forward from their place sprawled on He Xuan's lap. One hand flits to their chest while their other reaches forward to wave dramatically in Xie Lian's direction, an ornery little grin on their face.

"A-Lian," they chide, unserious. "You lost it?"

Xie Lian wrinkles his nose at that, smiling a bit awkwardly.

Mu Qing and Feng Xin have been sitting off to the side, arguing about their current game of cards, but Feng Xin perks up at the change in conversation, looking like he may be getting ready to interject. Mu Qing, with his thin face a little red from secondhand embarrassment, has been pretending to not be listening. After all, the two of them are quite well-aware of what Xie Lian is talking about, considering they share an apartment with him.

Mu Qing thumps Feng Xin on the chest with the back of his hand before he has a chance to go and say something stupid. Feng Xin just shoots him a confused and angry look and licks his lips like he's getting ready to speak anyway. With a sigh and a heavy eyeroll, Mu Qing knocks his knee against Feng Xin's for emphasis. The action pulls a groan from Feng Xin and a muttered 'bitch', but successfully discourages him from doing whatever it was he was going to do.

The two of them make a big show of stacking their cards together and splitting them in half so they each have a section to shuffle.

Xie Lian watches his friends being unsubtle and completely ridiculous and sighs after a moment, shaking his head.

“Ah, I've never liked that saying. I didn't lose it, I actually gave it away quite willingly, haha…”

Hua Cheng takes this moment to slink back from the kitchen with a can of sparkling water in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other. He hands the sparkling water to Xie Lian, who takes it with a quiet ‘thank you, San Lang’ and a small smile.

“Did I miss something?" Hua Cheng asks in a low voice directed solely to Xie Lian. He pointedly ignores everyone else as he plops down onto the couch and—whether to show off or just because he is the way he is—Hua Cheng uses his teeth to crack the cap off his beer bottle. He flicks the cap onto the coffee table and settles in comfortably beside Xie Lian, leaning against the back of the couch as he takes a leisurely sip.

Xie Lian bites his lip, his arm slung over the back of the couch behind Hua Cheng as he makes to lean into his space to whisper to him. Shi Qingxuan, however, beats him to it.

“Hua Cheng!" they gush, grinning from ear to ear. Hua Cheng closes his eye like the sound of their voice is grating to him and sighs before looking in Shi Qingxuan's direction, a cold and mirthless smile on his lips.

"What?" he deadpans, clearly uninterested as he takes another sip of his drink.

"Did you know our dear Lianlian isn't a virgin anymore?”

Hua Cheng sputters, choking on his drink, and breaks into a small coughing fit.

Xie Lian winces and quickly works to soothe Hua Cheng, alternating between patting him on the back and rubbing little circles between his shoulder blades. Hua Cheng's normally pale features have gone red from the exertion. Mu Qing snorts at the scene but otherwise stifles his laugh—unlike Feng Xin whose own laugh startles out into the room, earning him a sharp look of disapproval from Xie Lian.

Poor Shi Qingxuan is at a loss, pouting as they slump back against He Xuan's chest and cross their arms.

“Well, uh," Xie Lian starts, smiling sheepishly as he shifts his hand down from Hua Cheng's back to hold him gently at his waist.

"You could say that San Lang was actually the first to know..?”

"Gege!"

[sol-is-the-reason]

❕❕NSFW: Dom! Reader. No gender mentioned. Sub! Mu Qing. Read at your own risk❕❕

Thinking about Sub! Mu Qing who always cries so prettily on your cock.

Sub! Mu Qing who begs you to slow down but snaps his hips to match your pace.

Sub! Mu Qing who always needs to see your face while fucking so he can kiss you glare at you.

Sub! Mu Qing who loves having his hair pulled but complains to you after for messing it up with your rough treatment. (Do you know how much care he goes through to keep it silky and smooth for you?)

Sub! Mu Qing who is an absolute size queen and won't settle for anything else. Who can take all your fingers up his ass and come untouched by nipple play alone.

Sub! Mu Qing who was wary with your affections when you first started dating but comes to trust you with his life as the months goes by.

Ending it on a soft note <3.

[misty--nights]

Here's a short silly thing inspired by this convo with @anshares (you really have to stop giving me such fun ideas). I wrote this in like 30 minutes with no regards for historical accuracy. Enjoy some silly ghost kings banter and He Xuan being down bad for Shi Qingxuan because I have a brand and am incapable of writing his pov without making him pine pathetically ^^

“Is this what you spend my money on?” Hua Cheng asks from his side. He Xuan rolls his eyes.

“What do you care?” He Xuan finally asks. The glass bottle in his hands feels far too frail, like it could shatter with one wrong movement. He Xuan very carefully doesn’t think about what else—who else—feels too fragile under his hands. “I’ll pay you back either way.”

“I’m sure you will,” Hua Cheng mutters. His attention is fixed elsewhere, though, eye caught by a little box decorated with delicate white flowers. One track mind, He Xuan thinks, but doesn’t say.

One can find just about anything in Ghost City. There are many sketchy, and even downright dangerous establishments, but there are also genuine shops, with rare products that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look. He Xuan has had centuries to familiarize himself with the place. He knows exactly where everything he needs can be found. And right now, what he needs is a new hair product Shi Qingxuan has been raving about.

He Xuan opens the bottle in his hands and takes a deep breath. The product inside smells sweet. Like a meadow, he thinks, and the summer breeze. It’s a familiar smell, the same one his mind has come to associate with Shi Qingxuan, the one he always catches when the Wind Master throws his head back to laugh. He Xuan closes his eyes, and he can almost hear that precious laughter. His treacherous chest clenches at that and he knows if he were still alive his whole face would be blushing.

Hua Cheng is looking at him when he opens his eyes again. He raises an eyebrow at him, and He Xuan has to resist the urge to growl. He still has products to buy. It won’t serve him well to anger Hua Cheng before he pays. A silver butterfly flutters down to land on Hua Cheng’s shoulder and his mouth twists into a sharp, dangerous smile.

“What?” He Xuan asks, closing the bottle again and setting it down on the shelf he took it from.

“Nothing,” Hua Cheng says, but that smile is still there, sharper by the second. “Just wait until the next time you complain about my face when talking about His Highness.”

He Xuan feels a shiver run up his spine. He won’t ask, won’t give Hua Cheng the satisfaction, but he knows whatever face he was making when smelling the product will be a blow to his pride for years to come.

“Whatever,” he mutters. He tries to sound indifferent, but he knows it’s not very convincing. Hua Cheng, thanks to some miracle, doesn’t call him out on it. “There’s supposed to be a new scent from this manufacturer. Help me find it.”

“You think I’m here to do your work for you?” Hua Cheng asks with a scoff. He still sets the little box down on the counter and turns towards the hair product bottles. He Xuan doesn’t call him out on it. “Why do you need a different one, anyways? I thought you always used the same.”

“Shi Qingxuan mentioned the new scent reminded him of me,” He Xuan replies without much thought.

He realizes his mistake a second later. Hua Cheng has turned to look at him with an intensity he doesn’t like, both eyebrows raised in surprise. He Xuan holds his gaze for a long moment before he has to look away. Once more, he feels like he would be blushing if he could.

“Well,” Hua Cheng says. He Xuan waits for him to say more, but he doesn’t.

There’s an odd look on his face when He Xuan turns to look at him, one that feels too knowing. In the silence that settles around them, he debates the merits of just puffing out of existence. He doesn’t know how he’ll be able to look Hua Cheng in the eye again after this.

“Just help me find the damn bottle,” he finally manages to bite out after what feels like an eternity.

Hua Cheng just hums and turns back towards the shelf. He lets the topic go for now, but He Xuan is not so naïve. He knows Hua Cheng, and he knows he won’t let it go forever. This conversation will come up again, at the worst possible moment. He will brace himself for that. Until then, though, he will do his very best to pretend he never said anything incriminating, pretend nothing has changed since he first took Ming Yi’s place as the Earth Master. After all, he has become truly amazing at lying to himself on that matter.

[habizuh-studios]

TGCF in Hua Cheng's POV?!

More likely than you think. Part 1, Book 1

---------------- “Crimson Rain,” Hua Cheng hears in his spiritual communication array. He’s been so bored lately. The only semi-interesting thing that had happened was him pummeling Qi Rong to the ground in his own city, so he’s excited to hear something.“I have good news for you,” he says. He more excited than usual. “So good that you have to contact me this way?” Hua Cheng says with a smirk. “To the point of having to use that stupid password, yes,” He Xuan probably rolls his eyes. “But I’ll get straight to the point. His Highness, the Crown Prince of Xianle, has ascended to Heaven once again.” Hua Cheng’s eyes go wide hearing that. His Royal Highness… Part of him wishes he found him earlier. The rest of him, however, is quietly celebrating. He brings his hand down from when it was resting on his temple and closes it into a fist. His head hangs down a little bit and he closes his eyes. He smiles- a true, genuine smile. It may be ugly, with too sharp teeth and crooked, but it’s genuine. It took so long… “Hua Cheng, what are you doing?” He Xuan’s annoying monotone voice breaks his euphoric stupor. Fuck He Xuan. “You don’t even know where he currently is.” “... Aren’t you going to tell me?” “Yes,” He Xuan says. How Hua Cheng can hear the joy in He Xuan’s voice. It’s uncharacteristic, but he doesn’t really care at the moment. “But not for free. He has caused quite the property damage from his ascension alone. Sent a clock flying towards General Xuan Zhen, destroyed General Nan Yang’s palace… He’s in a lot of debt. Now he’s doing a mission in the mortal realm to pay it off.” Hua Cheng thinks that this is very convenient. His good luck was actually worth something! “Hua Cheng, don’t you want to know where he-” “Free food, five months. I’ll feed your bonefish for two months. Anything else for them, one. Nothing to your debt.” “Ehem, pardon?” “You heard me. Do we have a deal, He Xuan?” “DEAL. He should be near the mountain of Yu Jun, at a tea shop… Small Shop of Chance Encounters. Fitting name, isn’t it? Anyway, he’s going to solving that Ghost Groom case some people were praying about. Maybe he’ll even ride in the bridal sedan…” “6 months of free food.” Hua Cheng can hear how much smile is in He Xuan’s voice. It’s disgusting, honestly, and he honestly pities him. That does not matter right now, however. What does matter is His Highness. He will not throw away this chance no matter how much it costs him. Just to see him once is all he asks for.

[muqingfx]

can you write mu qing being nursed back to health against his wishes please. he would never admit it even if it meant dying (cough.. mt tonglu lava scene.. cough) so it's what he deserves

anon didnt specify for ships, so i did what any normal person would do. four of them. whether its platonic or romantic is totally up to you!

"Let. Me," Mu Qing struggles against Xie Lian's vice-like grip with gritted teeth "go." He swings his fist to land a blow on his friend's jaw in an attempt to break free, but his punch is deterred by yet another nuisance.

“Feng Xin,” Mu Qing hisses, vision still blurry. If it weren't for Xie Lian’s hold on him, Mu Qing would have shamefully collapsed head-first into the dirt.

“Mu Qing,” he hears Xie Lian say softly, “you just need some rest.”

“You don't get to strangle me!” Mu Qing retaliates, kicking and screaming like a child.

From beside him, he hears Feng Xin click his tongue. “We’re not fucking strangling you. And if you weren't so fucking difficult–”

“Just leave me alone!” Mu Qing finally manages to shove them both away. Are his eyes playing tricks on him again or is he swaying on his feet? “Why can't you just… let me be?” he catches himself asking before tumbling to the ground.

“Bloody rascal, how on earth did this happen?”

“I think they used a spell to weaken his body. His spiritual powers are still depleted–if might take a while for it to rise up again on it’s own, San Lang.”

“Then, what does gege suggest we do?”

Mu Qing winces when something wet presses against his abdomen. His eyes flutter open, yet all he sees is solid darkness.

“He’s waking up!” he hears Feng Xin say. “Mu Qing, can you hear me.”

Of course I can hear your, oaf, is what Mu Qing tries to say, but his voice catches at his throat.

A cold palm presses against his forehead and Mu Qing wants nothing more than to slap it off.

“He’s burning up.” Hua Cheng. The hand moves further down his face, fingertips brushing against his eyelids. There’s a brief moment of utter vulnerability, as if Mu Qing is giving up his soul for another. But then his vision clears, and he sees three very different expressions on familiar faces.

Xie Lian’s temple is creased, his mouth downturned as he stares at Mu Qing’s face. And upon glancing down, he sees Xie Lian’s hand squeezing his own. A face of unhidden concern; pity. Something dark brews inside him as he processes that–being a damsel in distress, the General of the Southwest. Ridiculous.

Feng Xin is kneeling on the mat beside him, a damp cloth in his hand. His thick brows are furrowed as he scowls at Mu Qing. Strands of brunette hair fall over his face, his usually somewhat-neat bun now undone. He looks tired, annoyed. At Mu Qing. For what, wasting his time? For being so infirm and demanding attention? Nobody asked him to take care of Mu Qing, that imbecile.

And then there's the beast of a man, Hua Cheng. Hands folded across his chest, he looks as nonchalant as ever. His eyes sear into Mu Qing, bored and degrading.

Mu Qing feels the headache he had woken up with aggravate.

“Why am I being gawked at like some pathetic critter?” It comes out coarse and rough, his throat still aching and sore.

“Pathetic, indeed,” Hua Cheng sneers.

A knot tightens in his gut, the humiliation finally settling in. Gathering the strength to do so, Mu Qing lifts himself so his elbows support his weight. A sharp pain surges through him and both Xie Lian and Feng Xin scramble to grasp his arms, preventing the demeaning fall.

“Careful, Mu Qing,” Xie Lian chides. His fingers dig into Mu Qing’s skin–wait, where are his clothes?!

As if reading his mind, Feng Xin says, “Your clothes are ruined. Covered in fucking blood. We took it off so we could dress your wounds. Which are fucking bad, by the way.”

“Fuck you guys, that doesn't mean you can strip me of my robes. I’m not a doll.”

He feels Xie Lian’s hold on him weaken, a flicker of hurt passing through his eyes–did Mu Qing go too far?

“I don't mean–I… that's not. What I. You know. I’m–”

The bed dips on his right, and Mu Qing trails off. From his peripheral vision, he sees Hua Cheng taking off his own upper robe.

“If you're so uncomfortable,” he says casually, “you can put this on, general.” The ghost king drapes his red upper robe over Mu Qing’s shoulder, and his touch is so gentle, so tender, Mu Qing actually trembles.

“Cold?” he asks, right into Mu Qing’s ear. Mu Qing’s head tips forward to bypass Hua Cheng’s warm–how is it warm when he’s dead–breath. When he glances up, he locks eyes with Xie Lian, who pouts with his eyes wide like a deer’s.

“We’re not strangers.” his palms cup Mu Qing’s cheeks, and he finds himself leaning towards the touch. “We’re your friends.”

“Yeah, jackass. Stop pushing us away with every inch of your fucking life. It’s fucking annoying,” Feng Xin just has to add.

Mu Qing turns his head to glare, but Feng Xin smiles like a maniac instead of glaring right back. It’s fond and adoring and completely unlike him.

Hua Cheng scoffs from beside him. “It’s really not that hard to let yourself be spoiled, just for a little bit. You're too hard on yourself, Xuan Zhen.”

“Fucking hate to agree with Hua Cheng,” he hears Feng Xin mutter.

“Ugh…” Mu Qing hides his face with his hands, embarrassed. He’s sure he looks nothing less than a tomato.

Xie Lian’s chuckle fills the air and Mu Qing thinks that maybe this isn't so bad.

This is nice.

He might not want this again, or he definitely will want this again.

[echochqmber]

@here4hualian kissmas day 2: sharing spiritual powers

Hua Cheng has been back for three days now, and they still haven't left the simple comfort of the cottage Xie Lian built in the time the ghost king was gone.

Currently, they're laying side by side in the bed. Xie Lian won't stop smiling at him, and Hua Cheng is a greedy man who cannot look away.

Xie Lian leans forward, pressing their mouths together, and Hua Cheng presses into the kiss. Warmth flows between them, like a fire in the hearth on a chilly day, and Hua Cheng hungers for that warmth. At least, until it's overwhelming.

Isn't this a LOT of spiritual energy?!

Hua Cheng pulls away. "Gege?"

"San Lang?" Oh, how he's dreamed of getting to hear Xie Lian like this, how he's fantasized.

"Why are you giving me spiritual energy?"

Xie Lian shrugs. "I owe you a whole lot, don't I?"

His voice sounds casual, but the last syllable of that sentence trembles just slightly. Someone else might not have noticed, but Hua Cheng has always been attuned to his beloved.

Hua Cheng reaches out, stroking Xie Lian's cheek with the pad of his thumb. "You don't have to repay me all at once, okay?"

Xie Lian nods. "I know that. I'm just - I just don't want you to fade away again. If I can do anything to prevent it..."

"I won't," Hua Cheng promises. "I'll stay right here."

[zarasu]

There's something about Ghost City, Xie Lian thinks.

It's strangely familiar, even though it's unlike anything he has seen before. There's something about the red everywhere, something about the architecture, something, even, about the smell.

It's like Xian Le, he realises as he enters the Gambler's Den, being swallowed up by the manic, colourful crowd. The thought is utterly ridiculous. This place is nothing like Xian Le, really.

And yet... and yet.

The smell of floral incense fills his lungs and he thinks of streets full of flowers. He touches one of the columns reaching up towards the second floor and he's reminded of playing hide and seek as a child, ducking behind columns like this and running around them to flee when he was found. From the corners of his eyes, the people here look dizzyingly familiar.

Everything, everything makes memories come bubbling up until he can feel fine cloth swishing against his wrists, until he holds his chin up with the boisterous arrogance of youth.

It's Xian Le, but with all its colours inverted. Completely different, all the darkness out in the open, but the frame is the same.

He breathes memories and long lost feelings as he gets closer to the red curtain fluttering in the room, up on the dais.

There is someone sitting behind it and, in his heart, Xie Lian already knows who it is.

Hua Cheng had come to him like a secret in the shape of a person. Close-lipped smiles like he was holding a flower on his tongue, but his eyes sparkling like stars. Now, he is unfolding like a flower in the night, showing Xie Lian his true self.

Ghost City is Hua Cheng's domain, not only in name. He's everywhere, in the air, in the colours, in the very taste on Xie Lian's tongue.

He had asked to be shown Hua Cheng's true form. But now that he sees it, he only has more questions, the need to know gripping him with clawed hands and digging deep into his chest.

Hua Cheng, he wonders, as he looks up at the fluttering curtain, at the shape of a man behind it. Who are you?

Who are you?

And why do I feel that I know you?

[skygemspeaks]

"Why not escape the Heavenly Capital alive first, then find a chance to look for them later? Why did you insist on recognizing your son when the situation was so dire? I simply made the best possible decision for all parties in the moment."

Feng Xin wasn't nearly as calm as Mu Qing. "Best possible decision, my ass! You can only say that because it's not your family!"

"That's right!" Mu Qing yells back, cutting off Feng Xin before he can continue berating him. "YOU are my family!"

Xie Lian, who had been about to step in between them to mediate as he usually did, froze in his tracks. He turned towards Mu Qing, mouth open and eyes wide as he tried to figure out if he'd heard correctly.

Mu Qing's face was beet red and he had taken a step backwards, body trembling as if he was fighting the urge to flee, or maybe take back what he'd said.

Xie Lian's eyes darted to Feng Xin, who was staring at Mu Qing blankly, all the fight having drained out of him.

"Y-you and his highness are my family," Mu Qing reiterated, stumbling over his words and only getting more flustered as he spoke. "And I know that I haven't always treated you the way you deserved in the past, and I know that you probably don't feel the same way about me, but that doesn't matter to me. As long as you both are okay, I don't care about what happens to anyone else."

Xie Lian swallowed hard around the lump in his throat, feeling tears pricking at his eyes.

Unfortunately, just at that moment he felt a sudden wave of killing intent, and dove forward to knock Mu Qing out of the way, shouting, "Watch out!"

[dani-in-the-daniverse]

Drabble: proposal

Xie lian laid awake looking at the ceiling of the hut at mount taicang, his body pleasantly exhausted after many rounds. He didn’t know how many hours had passed since he’d ran into his san lang’s arms after one year of absence, but the sky outside was clearing already.

Hua cheng had his head pillowed on xie lian’s chest, listening closely to his heartbeat. Xie lian smiled and absentmindedly ran his fingers through his hair, basking in the casual intimacy of the moment.

“San lang? Are you asleep?”

“Mmh, no. But if gege keeps doing that I might.”

He was so cute.

“I just wanted to ask… wanna get married? It’s not a joke.”

Xie lian was enveloped in a bone-crushing embrace, but there was no urgency this time, just love, pure, incurable love.

“Yes. Yes, gege, of course I want to marry you.” How could he not accept, when his god, his beloved, wanted to share his eternity with him?

“Thank you. Hong hong’er. Wu Ming. San lang. Hua cheng. I’m sure I’ll be the happiest husband… with you by my side, everything will be okay. Goodnight, my san lang. My fiancé.”

Hua cheng kissed him softly.

“Goodnight, gege.”