Work Text:
The town was alive with music and song, dancing and dramatic plays when Xie Lian and the two generals at his side entered it. Long swatches of red curtains hung from the walls and arched over the main road like a crimson bridge hanging from the sky. The lanterns were already lit in the early evening light, giving off a warm ruby glow reminiscent of Ghost City. The shop owners called out to old and new customers with impressive displays of their wares. The children laughed as they ran across the street and weaved between stalls, red ribbons trailing from their hair ties and belts. Still others sat staring intently at their elders as they listened to the story of the only ghost to become a god.
Excitement and cheer were in the air, and all of it was for Crimson Rain Sought Flower: the capricious thorn in Heaven's side, and Xie Lian's beloved.
"Beautiful!"
At Xie Lian's comment, Mu Qing and Feng Xin followed his line of sight and both felt their mouth drop open in bare-faced shock. Before them was a giant statue of Hua Cheng and while Xie Lian's companions exchanged a grimace, Xie Lian could only stare up at it in captivated wonder. Hua Cheng's statue sat overlooking the town on a throne, his cheek resting against his open palm and his legs crossed at the knees. The sculptor was quite good, capturing Hua Cheng’s wild good looks, rebellious nature and easy authority but not missing the smaller details like the bells on his boots, the butterflies on his vambraces or the small bead hanging from his braid.
Xie Lian felt his heart thump at that familiar arrogant expression, and the memory of his first time meeting Hua Cheng in Ghost City briefly crossed his mind. Carmine curtains swaying gently with each shake of the dice, Hua Cheng's strong hands covering his own and of course that dark eye staring at Xie Lian with tender affection and a banked heat that even then had slipped beneath his skin at the mere touch of their fingers, filling him with —
"Your Highness, what are you doing with that?!" Feng Xin asked apprehensively. He wasn't looking at Xie Lian, but at the two dice Xie Lian had pulled from his sleeves without thinking.
"Hahaha, nothing, nothing." Xie Lian shoved the dice back into his sleeves, embarrassed at having briefly forgotten they were still in the middle of heavenly business. Their stop here was only a temporary rest point before they continued on tomorrow morning.
Clearing his throat, Xie Lian turned his attention back to the impressive rendering of Hua Cheng. Truly a representation worthy of his beloved. And it wasn’t the only one. Xie Lian noted with pride the smaller idols of Hua Cheng standing sentry in entryways and guarding the windowsills in every building his eyes could see.
"I knew there were people who worshipped ghosts, but this is my first time seeing it in person," Mu Qing said and the distaste in his voice made it clear it was an experience he could've gone without.
"Why would anyone want to worship ghosts over gods?" Feng Xin grumbled, crossing his arms with a frown.
"Did you two forget? Not only is San Lang a supreme ghost king, he's also a god," Xie Lian said, bending down to read the small memorial in front of the statue. His lips curved up softly, charmed by its message and the small bundle of flowers surrounding it.
"Besides, god or ghost, none can compare to my Crimson Rain Sought Flower," Xie Lian added quietly, gently touching the flower petals.
The two martial gods frowned and shifted uneasily. Xie Lian's words settled heavily over their shoulders; an immovable weight made all the more crushing by the simple, absolute conviction of his belief.
"Let's split up," Feng Xin blurted out.
At Xie Lian's questioning glance, Feng Xin explained, "To find a place to stay."
For once, Mu Qing was only too happy to follow his lead.
“Agreed! Once we do, we can meet up for a meal to discuss tomorrow's mission,” Mu Qing said.
"All right." Xie Lian dusted off his robes before drawing his form up to face them.
“Just remember not to cause any trouble for San Lang or his worshippers,” Xie Lian said with a smile that matched the edge of warning in his tone.
Mu Qing rolled his eyes. Feng Xin grumbled a bit. In the end, they both nodded, and Xie Lian's expression softened as he waved at them.
Finally, Xie Lian returned his attention to Hua Cheng's statue and the town at large, wondering how such a place came to worship Hua Cheng, and what type of stories it had to share about his husband. More importantly, he regretted not calling along some of Hua Cheng’s wraith butterflies for this trip. He would’ve loved to capture every detail of today's vibrant celebration. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind then he felt a tickling sensation on the back of his neck.
Xie Lian shook out his hair, and a small flurry of silver butterflies surrounded him, greeting him with kisses to his cheek, his nose and the tips of his fingers.
Are you well, Beloved? Hua Cheng's voice through their private communication array gave flight to a different sort of fluttering in his stomach. Xie Lian bit back a sigh, aching for his husband's physical presence.
En. Has the disturbance in Ghost City been resolved? Xie Lian asked, pressing two fingers to his temple.
Almost. That annoying trash will be gone by dawn.
Xie Lian's cheeks flushed, and he fanned his face.
Gege, are you okay?
YES! I mean...yes. Xie Lian covered his eyes with one hand and took a deep breath before continuing.
Between San Lang's extraordinary skills and good luck, he's sure to settle the matter in no time. Xie Lian held out a finger and one of the butterflies landed on it. He gave it a quick peck.
Perhaps afterward, he'd like to share his good fortune with his husband?
Why gege...
The rest of Hua Cheng's response purred across their array, wrapping around Xie Lian with such intense heat that his legs nearly gave out. A few minutes later, a still blushing Xie Lian waded into the sea of red, happy to join in the town's festivities. Happier still when his prediction proved correct, and Hua Cheng joined him well before dawn giving him ample time to celebrate his beloved.