thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

my respect for mu qing grows more and more whenever i have to do laundry or wash the dishes like wow dude you really are god's strongest soldier

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

Hua Cheng making sure gege never wakes up from a nightmare to believing he's back in that fucking coffin. Hua Cheng always keeping a couple of butterflies flitting around the bedroom for light so that the room is never entirely pitch black. Hua Cheng opening the windows at night so the sounds of the city or the sounds of frogs or birds are always coming through so it's never dead silent. Hua Cheng making sure the bed has the softest pillows and mattresses and blankets so Dianxia never wakes up on something hard. Hua Cheng holding Dianxia through the night so he never wakes up feeling alone.

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

Ko-Fi donation ficlet #7:

It’s not Mu Qing’s idea of fun to scour a heavenly party in search of Feng Xin, who’s been drunkenly rambling in Mu Qing’s communication array for a quarter shichen, but here he is: wading through the crowds.

When he enters an armory behind the palace—an armory? really? after drinking?—he finds Feng Xin, surrounded by a group of other officials. Low-level martial gods. A civil god. A few deputies from various palaces. They spot him before Feng Xin does, amused smiles breaking out across their faces.

Feng Xin turns, probably to figure out what they’re looking at, and lights up at the sight of Mu Qing. “Hey! Hey! It’s you! It’s my wife!” To the officials: “My wife is here!” To Mu Qing: “My wife! You came! I missed you!”

The officials burst into laughter.

Among them: “A hundred merits on Xuan Zhen.”

“Eh—a hundred on Nan Yang just to make it interesting.”

“Two hundred on Xuan Zhen. He’s going to murder Nan Yang for that comment. Wife? Pfft. Who’d marry him?”

“Hey! Shut the fuck up!” Feng Xin yells, jabbing a finger in the last official’s face. “I married him! He’s a great wife! Better than yours!”

“I don’t have a wife.”

“You bet you don’t! I don’t wanna hear another word out of your shitty mouth! You wish you were as—as lucky as I am!” He turns to Mu Qing, swaying a little. “Hey—I love you. I love you a whole bunch. I love you so much. Let’s go home.”

Mu Qing sighs and closes the distance between them. He can tell the officials haven’t given up on their bet and are waiting in anticipation, for Mu Qing to punch Feng Xin into the nearest wall—but Mu Qing opens his arms instead, and Feng Xin steps inside them, hugging him.

He kisses Mu Qing’s cheek, uncoordinated. “You’re the best wife.”

“I know.”

“I love you.”

“I know.” Married for a week and Feng Xin has already blabbed about it to a whole room. The entire capital will know by tomorrow. The Mortal Realm? Probably by next month. So much for keeping this quiet until they had a plan for the fallout of the news.

“Do you love me?” Feng Xin asks, flopping all over him, voice sad. “I’m sorry. I made you look dumb. You’re gonna hate me.”

The whole room stares as Mu Qing takes Feng Xin’s hand and guides him toward the door. For all to hear, he says—without stuttering (as much as he can feel his vocal cords tightening up and how heavily he’s blushing)—“I love you, too. Now shut the fuck up before I knock you out and carry you back to your palace.”

With a hearty laugh, Feng Xin sweeps him up into his arms—then falls over, sending them both careening to the floor in front of the crowd.

Idiot, Mu Qing thinks, trapped under his husband’s weight. Then: my idiot.

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

If Xie Lian wanted to top then Hua Cheng would 100% let him. No questions asked. As long as Gege is happy ✌️

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

When all I want to do is to disappear and never be found again, I know that my own existence is an act of rebellion.

I'm a queer artist who has been over the past year trying to build up my own art and brand. Honestly, I'm nowhere near where I hoped to be, but that's the thing about being a small artist, it's not easy and if luck is not on your side then you have no chance.

But here I am trying nonetheless. I decided to finally put some of the art for sell to earn some much needed income. If you like what you see and would like to support me, please go to my redbubble store and buy some or share it for others to see.

I know redbubble ugh, I hope to put my stuff in other places as well but here is where I'm starting.

Expect to see more of me in the near future.

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

Sangcheng week Day 2 - Joy & Celebration

Celebrating the joy of life. A normal day where both of them are simply alive, well and happy together 🪷

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

happy birthday, my dear jiang cheng 💜

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

i am drowning / there is no sight of land you are coming down with me / hand in unlovable hand

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

"Take a seat back in your clamshell If the oceans not enough, nor am I Rollin' in, I feel a dark swell Crawling up the skin of my spine"

beefleaf/Shuangxuan fanart [Please do not repost or edit]

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

Quick tgcf survey!

I want to make some to hand out at cons when I cosplay shi qingxuan and I'm trying to decide what to make them look like

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

I'm still in bed so apologies if this is incoherent but. I was thinking about how Binghe is often watching SQQ's reactions really closely to better adapt his behavior to what SQQ wants/needs, and I can't help but wonder if that's something originating from Binghe's history of abuse. Binghe is stated to be very clever and perceptive, and I get the impression that he trained those skills on trying to track SQQ's (especially original SQQ's) moods. It's not uncommon for abused kids to become hypervigilant when it comes to the moods of the adults around them, and it would make sense if he was especially observant around original SQQ so he could avoid additional punishment brought out by SQQ's bad moods

When Shen Yuan took over, he probably had to completely adjust the way he'd been reading SQQ's moods (more evidence that he knows damn well that this is not his original shizun) and though he likely got to relax a bit after realizing SQQ was no longer going to abuse him, that habit is hard to break. SQQ definitely doesn't make it easy for him since he's often intentionally hiding how he feels, but Binghe probably got good at telling this is how he looks when he's happy, when he's tired, when he's annoyed, etc.

Which probably made the Endless Abyss betrayal even worse! He thought he'd gotten so good at understanding his shizun, but it turns out he didn't understand at all. After he escapes the Abyss, he's trying so hard to be what SQQ wants, trying so hard to figure out what he wants him to be, but unfortunately for him, SQQ is an unpredictable motherfucker who thinks emotional honesty might kill him, so Binghe has his work cut out for him when it comes to figuring out what SQQ wants! But he's nothing if not a dedicated study, which is why we see him again and again watching SQQ's reactions so carefully and adjusting like "is this what he wants? Maybe this instead?"

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

Tiān Guān Cì Fú Hanakotoba Analysis Part 1

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-> 1) Peach Blossom/Plum Blossom/Cherry Blossom

While the flowering trees featured in the donghua as well as in its opening credits, official artwork and ending credits could be plum blossoms (Prunus mume) or cherry blossoms (Prunus serrulata), they are most likely to be peach blossoms (Prunus persica). Despite the fact that they can be difficult to differentiate between at times, especially when referencing a drawing, these three blossoms do have a few distinguishing features, which are as follows. Peach blossoms have pointed petals, plum blossoms have rounded petals, and cherry blossoms have a notch at the tip of their petals. Peach blossoms produce two flowers from a single node, whilst plum blossoms produce one flower per node and cherry blossoms produce several flowers per node. Finally, while plum and cherry blossoms develop leaves after their blossoms fall, while peach blossoms seem to produce leaves concurrently with flowering. Despite these distinctions, these flowers are frequently confused with one another, resulting in a significant overlap in their symbolic meanings throughout different cultures; thus, my decision to feature them all here.

1.1) Peach Blossom

Peach blossoms are known as táohuā (桃花) in Chinese. They symbolise immortality, vitality, longevity, peace, good luck, success and prosperity in Chinese culture. Furthermore, peach tree wood was believed to protect humans from evil spirits, therefore branches were hung above doorways to drive demons away, and peach wood wands were used in exorcisms. Furthermore, its Chinese name “táohuā” has the figurative meaning of “luck in love affairs; luck in love”. Peaches are also known as senki or senka in China (meaning tree or fruit that gives power to the gods), and it has been believed since ancient times that peaches have the divine power to grant people perpetual ageing and longevity.  Peach blossoms are known as momo (桃) in Japanese. Its meanings in hanakotoba are “I am your captivator”, “invincible under heaven” and good-natured. Its symbolic meaning��of "invincible under heaven" stems from the fact that peach has traditionally been used to fend off evil spirits and as a spiritual medicine for immortality. In Western floriography, peach blossoms symbolize longevity, gentleness, honour, peace, happiness and generosity. The peach blossom also has the meanings "I am your captive" and "your charms are unrivalled qualities." The peach blossom has been used as a symbol of renewal and growth in Western literature.Xie Lian’s infamous quote “Body in the abyss, heart in paradise” (MXTX, p. 6) is translated from the original “Shēn zài wú jiàn, xīn zài táo yuan” (身在无间, 心在桃源)—which can be roughly translated as “Body in Wujian, heart in Taoyuan”. The word "paradise" in his quote actually corresponds with the Chinese phrase "táo yuan" (桃源)—which is short for táohuāyuán (桃花源)—which means "peach blossom valley," and is a saying for paradise/heaven. The phrase is taken from the title of Tao Yuanming's 421 CE fable, which details a chance discovery of an ethereal paradise where its inhabitants live an ideal existence in harmony with nature for centuries, remaining oblivious of the outside world. This phrase can also refer to an idealistic place of serenity and rest, but it is also used to refer to an unrealistic fantasy. Additionally, the peach blossom’s symbolic meanings of immortality, longevity, good luck, generosity, honour, good-natured, prosperity and “invincibility under heaven” as well as its association with gods and divine power suit the attributes of the heavenly realm—which is where they are primarily seen in the series—as well as the values its officials are meant to aspire to. The tree’s symbolic meanings of “your charms are unrivalled qualities”, “luck in love”, renewal and growth greatly complement Xie Lian and Hua Cheng’s relationship. Despite having his luck sealed away and being catastrophically unlucky from then on, Xie Lian was extremely fortunate in discovering profound and enduring love. Furthermore, Xie Lian's immense generosity and compassion for people, albeit an unattainable ideal for many, was part of what drew Hua Cheng to him: "If your dream is to save the common people, then my dream, is only you" (MXTX, p. 1953). This corresponds to the peach blossom's association with dignity, serenity, charity, and "unrivalled charms". The scene in the second season's ending theme visuals during which a peach tree branch is shown enduring weather conditions throughout all four seasons is a representation of Hua Cheng's patience and dedication while searching for Xie Lian during the 800 years between the latter's second banishment and third ascension. It also parallels Xie Lian's patience and fidelity while waiting for Hua Cheng's return after the final battle.

1.2) Plum Blossom

Plum blossoms are known as méihuā (梅花) in Chinese. They hold the symbolic meanings of endurance, perseverance, vitality, inner strength, hope and thriving through adversity in Chinese culture because they are one of the hardiest flower species in the world and blossom during winter defying all the vagaries of winter weather. When their blossoms valiantly emerge during the latter weeks of winter, they are seen as a hopeful omen of spring and are treasured for their splendour during the darkest time of year. Plum blossoms thus herald the arrival of spring and signal the end of winter. Plum blossoms are also China's national flower, serving as a national symbol. Plum blossoms are associated with longevity because their blossoms remain in flower for a month. Plum blossoms can also represent those with a strong personality who are unafraid of difficulties.   In Japan, plum blossoms are known as ume (梅). Its meanings in hanakotoba include integrity, patience, elegance, loyalty and faithfulness. In Western floriography, plum blossoms symbolise keeping promises, fidelity, beauty and longevity. Plum blossoms are also associated with the end of winter and represent hope, tenacity, perseverance, courage, and beauty's capacity to overcome adversity. Furthermore, plum blossoms represent prosperity, fruitfulness, beauty, purity, and good fortune. Wild plum blossoms in particular represent independence. The intricate dynamics of Hua Cheng and Xie Lian's relationship are complemented by the symbolic meanings of hope and the onset of spring evoked by plum blossoms. After 800 years of roaming alone, Xie Lian meets Hua Cheng. Bringing a sense of fulfilment, excitement, and happiness to his life that he hadn’t felt in a long time; as he told Hua Cheng, "Only after meeting you, did I rediscover that it's such a simple thing to be happy" (MXTX, p. 1060). Plum blossoms can also represent individuals who possess strong personalities and are not intimidated by challenges, which complements Xie Lian's character well. Despite being subjected to tremendous adversity, he continues to be as unyielding and resilient as he was before his first banishment, remarking, "I might not be able to decide whether the road is easy or not, but whether I walk it is entirely up to me" (MXTX, p. 1125). The plum blossom’s symbolic meanings of integrity, patience, fidelity, perseverance, courage, beauty, independence and elegance also complement Xie Lian’s character. The plum blossom’s symbolic meaning of keeping promises greatly aligns with Hua Cheng’s character, especially when referencing his declaration to Xie Lian near the end of the novel, "There is no banquet in this world that does not come to an end...but I will never leave you. I will come back...Your Highness, believe me" (MXTX, p. 1954). True to his promise, he defies death once more to return to Xie Lian after replenishing his spiritual power for an indeterminable amount of time. Hua Cheng’s unwavering devotion to Xie Lian is a core part of his character which also ties into the plum blossom’s meanings of fidelity, loyalty and faithfulness. Hua Cheng’s favourite poem referenced in the novel—Ache of Separation by the Tang poet Yuan Zhen—is a reference to his immense devotion. The poem states “After seeing the vast sea, no water can compare; Scattered from the peak of Mount Wu, there are no other clouds… Many times I’ve passed through the flowers, yet I spare them no glance; For half my fate is in cultivation, and the other half, in you.” This poem, which is akin to Hua Cheng's feelings for Xie Lian, describes the poet's unwavering love and devotion for his late wife Wei Cong and how nothing and no one else can compare to her presence in his life. This once more relates to the plum blossom representing devotion, loyalty, and fidelity.

1.3) Cherry Blossom

The cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata) is also known as the Japanese cherry and is the unofficial national flower of Japan. Its Japanese name Sakura (桜) has been derived from the word “saku” which means “to bloom”.  Its meanings in hanakotoba are “beauty of spirit”, grace, chastity, excellent beauty, gentleness, good education and the “transience of life”. In Japan, cherry blossoms are also a symbol of the “beauty of impermanence”—a Shinto concept better known as “mono no aware” (物の哀れ) as their falling petals are a reminder that although life is short, it is beautiful and should be savoured. The Japanese concept of “natsukashii” (懐かしい) likewise emphasizes the fleeting nature of cherry blossoms. This concept refers to the happy-yet-wistful nostalgia for times and things that we will never be able to go back to. We will never get to experience those moments again, just like the ephemeral cherry blossoms, which makes them even more significant. Cherry blossoms bloom from March to April which is the start of the new fiscal year in Japan. As a result of this cherry blossoms have also come to symbolise new beginnings and springtime. Given that feudal Japanese soldiers associated cherry blossoms with honour, discipline, and dignity—falling flowers were thought to be symbolic of a Samurai's death. In Western floriography, cherry blossoms herald the changing of the seasons and symbolise renewal and rebirth. They also symbolise the fleeting nature of life, tenderness, forgiveness, strength, beauty, love, confidence, peace, friendship and gratitude.

In China, most of the Cherry blossom’s Japanese symbolic meanings are more strongly associated with plum blossoms. Cherry blossoms are known as yīnghuā (樱花) in Chinese and symbolise life, beauty, femininity, power and mysteriousness in Chinese culture. While still occasionally connected to the concepts of life and death, Cherry blossoms are more connected to the concepts of love and romance as well as beauty and femininity in Chinese culture.

Cherry blossoms are primarily associated with the transiency of life. In Xianxia novels like Tiān Guān Cì Fú, where characters can achieve immortality through cultivation, themes such as the transiency of life are not majorly relevant. However, in Tiān Guān Cì Fú, gods are powered by the faith and worship of their followers and without this faith they would fade into non-existence. These Heavenly Officials are not all-powerful but are beholden to fate like all other living things and are capable of death. It was also stated by MXTX, that Heavenly Officials banished or not, are not included in the wheel of reincarnation after death. This reaffirms that while long-lived, “when humans ascend, they are still human; when they fall, they are still human” (MXTX, p. 541). Xie Lian’s first 2 ascensions and subsequent banishments are also reminiscent of the fleeting nature of life—“He ascended to the heavens quickly, but his fall from grace was even faster” (MXTX, p. 10). At one moment he was “the crown prince who pleased the gods”, at the pinnacle of prominence and the next he was “the laughingstock of the three realms”. This ties in with the cherry blossom’s representation of the fleeting nature of life. Xie Lian’s words to Hua Cheng in chapter 31—“Those who have known each other for decades can become strangers in a day. We've met by chance, and we may part by chance. If we like each other then we shall continue to meet; if we don't, then we shall part. At the end of the day, there's no banquet in the world that doesn't come to an end, so let's go all more with the flow, and I'll say what I want to say” (MXTX, p. 267)—are also reminiscent of the fleeting nature of life.

The Cherry Blossom’s association with the “happy-yet-wistful nostalgia for times and things that we will never be able to go back to” is reminiscent of Xie Lian’s halcyon days before his first ascension as well as the friendship of the Xianle Trio before the fall of Xianle. Additionally, the cherry blossom also symbolizes strength, dignity, “beauty of spirit”, peace, forgiveness gratitude, friendship and tenderness which are all qualities that can be associated with Xie Lian. 

-> 2) Peony

“At the corner of the jade altar table sat a tiny, lonesome flower. A far-gone memory surfaced in Xie Lian’s mind, and he was momentarily stunned. It was like a dust-covered picture, but when he tried to wipe it clean, it remained blurry. Unspeaking, he frowned and loosened his grasp to pick up that flower. Hua Cheng put down his brush as well and slowly began to grind some ink. “What’s wrong?” Xie Lian smiled. “Nothing. Just…this flower’s scent is refreshing. I’ve always liked this sort.” Offerings of flowers in temples and palaces were far from rare. However, most devotees offered large, fresh bouquets of bright red or purple blossoms, or handcrafted imitation flowers that never wilted. After a pause, Xie Lian said, “Could this be the flower which Crimson Rain sought?” Hua Cheng smiled. “Gege has such godly premonitions.” (MXTX, pp. 765-766) Despite the flower Hua Cheng shielded from the blood rain after raiding Qi Rong's hideout—“…a shower of blood rain poured down from the skies. He saw a flower was getting battered by the bloody rain, so he tilted his umbrella and shielded it” (MXTX, p. 120)—earning him the alias "crimson rain sought flower”, it is never named in the novel. It is however confirmed to be the same kind of flower he always places as an offering on the altar of Xie Lian's temple. In the donghua however, it is portrayed as a white peony (Paeonia). Peonies are known as mǔdān (牡丹) in China and were regarded as China’s national flower during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.). In accordance with this, they symbolise prosperity, honour, wealth and beauty, love and happiness. The Chinese term for peonies means "the most beautiful” while other Chinese names for peonies are "fùguìhuā" and "huawang," which translate to "king of the flowers" and "flower of riches and honour," respectively. In Japan, peonies are called botan (牡丹) and symbolize shyness, wealth and regalness in hanakotoba. The flower's profound appearance, notably its multitudes of large petals that are thin and silk-like, is considered to be where the peony symbolising wealth and regalness originated. In Western floriography, peonies represent bashfulness and compassion. It is speculated that the reason Hua Cheng shielded the white flower to prevent it from being stained by the blood rain is because he associated the flower with Xie Lian.

-> 3) Wild Rose

The flower featured in the above panel is likely a red rose. In China, roses are known as méigui (玫瑰), and in accordance with their universal symbolism, they are strongly associated with romance, passion and love. Thanks to the Chinese monthly rose (Rosa chinensis), which blooms in almost every month of the year, creating a "spring" that never ends, roses are also associated with longevity and the perpetual spring in China. Considering that the colour red is auspicious, red roses are also thought to bring good fortune in China. In Japan, roses are called bara (薔薇) and its meaning in hanakotoba is love and beauty. Red roses in particular symbolize affection and passionate love; while rose thorns represent “happiness in misfortune”.  In Western floriography, roses symbolize love, passion, beauty, romance and secrecy. Red roses symbolize enduring passion, desire, affection and romance. A single rose is said to symbolize love at first sight. The rose flower’s symbolic meanings of enduring passion, romance, “love at first sight” and secrecy tie in well with Hua Cheng and his motivations—“My beloved is a brave, noble, and gracious special someone. He’s saved my life; I’ve looked up to him ever since I was young. But, I wanted to catch up to him more, and become an even stronger person for him. Although he might not remember me well. We never really talked. I want to protect him” (MXTX, p. 1953). The wild rose flower depicted in the opening is seen wilting as Xie Lian walks by leaving only thorns. This could be a depiction of how Xie Lian’s naïve, fragile passion from his youth has long since wilted leaving behind someone wiser who is able to find happiness in misfortune and life’s simplicities. The scene could also possibly be an allusion to how in the novel’s original character concepts Xie Lian was supposed to become a flower god in charge of flowers blooming and wilting after being banished.

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╰┈➤ Part 2 𐀔

╰┈➤ Anime Hanakotoba Posts Directory

[I had to split this post in half due to Tumblr's image/gif limit so please find part 2 on my blog. Also, I wanted to post this on the release date for S2 of the donghua but felt like the post wasn't ready yet so decided to postpone it till this week. If you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts... Also, if I've gotten any of the kanji, romaji, hanzi or pinyin incorrect, feel free to correct me]

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

❄️ (°ー°〃) 💛

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

donghua yushi huang donghua yushi huang donghua yushi huang donghua yushi huang donghua yushi huang

im so normal about her, trust

not easy trying to draw the robes of someone bending over backwards queen stand up straight please

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

Ko-Fi donation ficlet #6:

Mu Qing crosses his arms, standing with Feng Xin in the dark outside Xie Lian’s little cottage on Mount Taicang. Hua Cheng has answered the door and bars their entry. For the second time, Mu Qing says, “We need to talk to Xie Lian.”

“Is that so?” Hua Cheng responds dully. The cottage glows at his back.

“He’s not answering his array.”

“Did you stop and think perhaps there might be a reason for that?”

“Listen—” Feng Xin begins, only to be cut off by Xie Lian’s voice indoors: “San Lang, what’s going on?”

“Just taking out the trash, gege— Gege, go back to bed. Gege.” He sighs.

Xie Lian moves into view, his nose cherry-red, cheeks flushed. He leans his head against Hua Cheng’s shoulder and closes his eyes.

“Oh,” Feng Xin says. “You’re sick.”

“No. Just a little feverish,” Xie Lian responds without opening his eyes.

“More than a little,” Hua Cheng protests, and lays his hand across Xie Lian’s forehead. Xie Lian snatches it and refuses to free it.

“Mmmm, San Lang is so cold,” he praises, exhaling in relief when Hua Cheng offers his other hand for his cheek. For several moments, they all stand there, but then Xie Lian opens his eyes and shifts into Hua Cheng’s arms, tucking his forehead against Hua Cheng’s bare neck. “Did you come for dinner? I don’t feel so bad. I can still cook you something.”

Mu Qing and Feng Xin blanch.

“We’ll handle the matter on our own,” Mu Qing says quickly.

Xie Lian chuckles, then coughs a little. With a pained look, Hua Cheng scoops Xie Lian up under his knees and cradles him. “The trash is taking itself out. Come on, gege. You need to sleep.” He kisses Xie Lian’s forehead—his nose—his lips. Another rough cough rattles through Xie Lian’s lungs. “Bed.”

“Okay,” Xie Lian says, and the door is kicked closed in Mu Qing and Feng Xin’s faces. They huff and turn back the way they came, the forest alive with night sounds: crickets, the snap of twigs, an owl.

“I know Hua Cheng is—Hua Cheng,” Feng Xin says. “But… I don’t know. He really does seem to treat His Highness okay. Right?”

Mu Qing rolls his eyes. “Those two were made for each other.”

[thecrimsonrainthatseekstheflower]

Warm.

Mu Qing wants to be warm.

His hands and arms ache with cold. His nose too. And his feet. His toes are freezing. He wiggles them—brow furrowing—still cold.

He hears a sound. It comes from his own throat. It's discontented and frustrated.

He wants to be warm now.

And there is warmth close by. He feels it radiating, like a fire.

His hands clench; cold fingers are so stiff.

He presses his face further into his pillow and makes another sound in his throat, as if it'll do anything.

He's asleep.

His body is heavy with it.

So heavy.

And so, so cold.

The energy stirs within him, anger soaring at the pervasive chill. He's only half asleep now as he rolls to seek out the nearby warmth—icy hand landing on a firm, dense cloth—so hot it could be a furnace.

He sighs and reaches out his other hand to press against it. It's large, like a second mattress, and as warm as a freshly prepared bath. The cloth gives slightly under his touch, like a breath, and the ache in his fingers starts to dull.

Oh. Oh, that's nice.

He curls close enough to bury his face into the plushness of it, his feet searching out the heat until they, too, are enveloped in it.

Warm.

Safe.

Mu Qing hums and drifts back into a deep, satisfied sleep.

_____

It takes every ounce of willpower within Feng Xin to not offer a prayer to the god who is currently snuggled against his chest.

He had only laid down with Mu Qing for a moment—just to get a better look at him and ensure the latest round of medicine was working correctly. He hadn't meant to stay so long, but Mu Qing was having such a fitful sleep, Feng Xin couldn't bear to take his eyes off of him.

Mu Qing makes that sound again—that quiet, content hum—and fists Feng Xin's disheveled robes so firmly in his hands that Feng Xin is certain the fabric will never lay flat again.

Oh, Heavens help him.