#tgcf drabble

[thegirlything]

The softest hair

Characters: Hua Cheng x Gn!Reader

Soft, silky, smooth.

Sometimes you really asked yourself how he was doing it.

Staring at the man slumped over the throne in Paradise Hall, you shook your head.

You had asked if you could give him a new hairstyle, since his hair was getting long and it seemed fun.

But you got lost in how soft his hair was.

His hair wasn’t even supposed to feel real and yet somehow, he had the softest hair you’ve ever felt.

It was almost frustrating how perfect Hua Cheng’s hair seemed to be.

His eyes were closed, humming contently as your fingers combed through his hair.

You twirled a strand of it around your finger, mesmerized.

“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” Your lips were pressed tight, eyes squinted.

Why did his hair have to be so perfect?

Hua Cheng’s laugh filled Paradise Hall. He adjusted his position, cracking his eye open and looking at you.

“Whatever do you mean my sweet?” His voice was deep, soft and a serious threat to your ability to breathe.

You could feel your cheeks burning up and he hadn’t even said anything… bad!

You hated how much he affected you. A smirk. A few soft words. And every time it caused your brain to just stop…

Your infatuation with this man was going to kill you one day, you were sure of it.

“Your hair. It’s so soft! And silky!” You averted your eyes from the long-haired man. The ground suddenly so much more interesting than before.

He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to. His smirk made you forget what you were asking him before anyways.

Hua Cheng leaned into your touch again, eyes closed and enjoying your warm touch.

“Is that why you’ve been combing through my hair for the last two hours?”

Your cheeks burned as you slapped his shoulder lightly.

He really was the worst.

But at least he was your worst.

[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

[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 you, 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.

[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 !!

[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.

[solaceinthesand]

baby's first tgcf fic gulppp

my fic!!!

who's surprised... it's an au. basically, the premise is that it's a modern au, but all of the heavenly court--who live in jun wu's APARTMENT COMPLEX--are all monsters LMAO. mu qing's a vampire, feng xin's a werewolf, and they're all trying to keep their identities secret. somehow it's working???

[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."

[aris2700]

Something I thought of while watching TGCF season 2.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Though a red bloom thrives both alone and with other such blooms. There are times when the bloom stretches and grows around blooms of pure white thorns thick and wild. Thorns so thick it creates a barrier, protecting the white bloom from hands seeking to pluck it, forever killing it.

The thorns had not always been so thick, so abundant. There was a time back when the thorns were dull and pitiful. The white bloom was plucked, left to regrow its beauty. However what returned in place of the white bloom was damaged and withered. Unrecognizable. During that time the thorns had no choice but to grow stronger and choke out the gray bloom. Doing that was self destructive and killed the thorns as well.

Over time the white bloomed returned surrounded by a bush of red thorned blooms. Protected but not sheltered. Hard to pluck and able to grow freely. Though many hands tried to pluck the bloom they each failed, only to be pricked and scratched by the thorns chasing them away.

The thorns however took far too much damage and left the white bloom alone and unprotected. Or so is believed. In truth the white bloom and too grown thorns. Not out of self defense but to protect the red bloom.

As the thorns grew back the white and red blooms grew together in a spiraling bush with thorns protecting both blooms. No hand dared to pluck either bloom in fear of the thorns that guarded each. The bush grew wild, free, and protected. Everlasting in a changing landscape. Seeing through it all.

~~~~~~~

[thegirlything]

Humming in the night, you are my only light

Characters: Xie Lian x Gn!Reader

Summary: On a quiet rooftop beneath the stars, you meet Xie Lian—and give him a piece of your heart.

Notes: Kinda hurt/comfort? This is for all the people staying up late at night, wishing there was someone else with them.

The sun had long since set. Only the stars lit the kingdom of Xianle.

Not a single person or creature seemed to be awake. The kingdom was quiet. Peaceful. Asleep.

If it hadn’t been as dark, someone would have been able to see the small figure sitting on top of a roof.

But no one seemed to notice the dark, humanoid shadow. Sitting. Swinging their legs. Waiting.

After what felt like hours of sitting in the cold another dark silhouette emerged from the castle.

Xie Lian’s eyes scanned every inch of the surroundings he could see, searching frantically for something or rather someone.

“(Y/N)?!” He didn’t quite shout, nor did he whisper.

The wind carried his voice up the roof and his not-quite-question was answered with childish laughter.

Xie Lian’s eyes shot up the castle walls, until he met the eyes of a younger teenager, sitting on the roof.

“Oh. There you are!”

A few swift footsteps later, Xie Lian too was sitting on the castle’s roof.

The two young teenagers sat in silence, gazing at the starlit kingdom.

Only a soft hum broke the silence.

The castle was quiet, as was the kingdom.

Everything seemed to be asleep.

Only two young souls remained awake.

Was this a scene from a fairytale?

No. It was simply two youngsters in-love, who couldn’t meet in sunlight.

“I have brought something for you” the humming silhouette finally broke the silence.

Xie Lian turned to his lover—ah no, best friend—of course, eyes wide.

“Really?”

“Really. Here take it.”

The smaller person pushed a small hairpin into his hands.

The young prince stared at the metal in his hand, a finger tracing its design.

“A hairpin?” He raised an eyebrow—not that his friend would have noticed in the dark.

“Yes. Keep it and you’ll always have a piece of me with you”

Xie Lian didn’t respond to their statement.

They both didn’t say anything after this small exchange.

But if it had been a little less dark, someone would have been able to see the prince clutching the hairpin tighter. Just a little bit, of course.

But it was dark and so no one saw them.

Only a soft hum lingered in the dark.

[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.

[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."

[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!"

[muqingfx]

huaqing drabble (xianle quartet)

Ghost City, about a year ago.

“I hate this place. It reeks.” Mu Qing pointedly scrunches his nose and uses one hand to wave the air in a show of diffusing the stench. It doesn't stink; Mu Qing just feels obliged to criticize.

“No, you don't. You think it’s pretty,” Xie Lian says brightly, a small smile flickering across his face. In lieu of his predictable white robes, he’s wearing a navy blue hanfu that fades to white. The sleeves, as well as the bottom part of the skirt, are patterned lightly with tintless pictures of pistache trees.

It’s ravishing. It’s so beautiful that Mu Qing wants to ask who tailored it, but he wards off the thought just as quickly as it comes.

Hua Cheng and Feng Xin are just around the corner, purchasing tanghulu and rice wine and who-knows-what. They’re wearing blue hanfus as well. The same as Xie Lian’s–yes, they're matching. Ridiculous. When Mu Qing first laid eyes on the three of them, he snorted out a laugh, perhaps only to subdue the fervid jealousy swelling inside of him.

The three of them were… courting. Xie Lian had announced it to him just days prior. He had said it with a grin and two men in his arms.

Mu Qing only stared blankly. “Congratulations?’ he said finally, when it was undeniable that Xie Lian was waiting for a response. He didn't mean to sound apathetic to the reveal, but how was he ought to acknowledge the news, anyway? All he felt was a twinge of sadness, knowing that he’d be solitary more often than not now.

He felt forsaken.

“I do not think it’s pretty,” Mu Qing lies through his teeth. How did Xie Lian savvy that? He had made sure to denigrate Ghost City every time he dropped by Paradise Manor, as fictitious as the remarks were.

“What’s not pretty?” Hua Cheng appears from behind Xie Lian, three sticks of candied cherries in his hand. He hands one to Xie Lian and Feng Xin–who stands next to Mu Qing now, clutching on to far too many paper bags–then to Mu Qing. He doesn't take one for himself.

“Nothing,” Mu Qing quickly says, accepting the tanghulu gingerly. He loves cherries, but maybe not from Hua Cheng’s hands. The ghost king is grudging enough to dip the cherries into horse piss.

“Mu Qing thinks Ghost City is pretty,” Xie Lian says just as quickly, concurrently.

Hua Cheng blinks at him before sweeping his eyes around the astir city. “Do you?”

“No!” Mu Qing’s voice is a pitch higher than it should be.

“What’s the point in denying it? Look, your face is all red.” Feng Xin laughs.

“Shut up, you baboon. You have sugar all over your lips.”

“Huh? Really?”

Xie Lian chuckles. “Come here so I can take it off, A’Xin.”

Mu Qing thinks Xie Lian is going to graciously take a paper towel to wipe it off, but no, of course not. He makes Mu Qing witness his tongue on Feng Xin’s lips. Mu Qing wants to kill himself.

“Oh, heavens…” Mu Qing mutters, horrified.

“And yet you don't look away.” He can hear the smirk in Hua Cheng’s voice.

“I’m looking away now. Watch.” Mu Qing turns on his heels and walks away from all three of them. He’d rather traverse Ghost City himself than watch three men get cozy together.

“You like pretty things?”

“Why on earth did you follow me?” Mu Qing yells over the bustling crowds.

Hua Cheng shrugs. “This is my territory. I’d rather keep my eyes on the heavenly official walking freely through the streets of it.”

“As if your butterflies haven't been.” It would be cretinous if Mu Qing hadn't taken notice of the silver butterflies that seemed to take a special predilection for parroting a tail.

“Just so you know,” Hua Cheng drawls, hands on his hips as a crimson eye lazily skims over his perimeters. “My butterflies much prefer gege’s company.”

Mu Qing rolls his eyes, resisting the overwhelming urge to pound Hua Cheng’s head with a barrel. “Then why the hell are they shadowing me?!”

“Because I told them to, you halfwit. Because gege asked me to.”

“Xie Lian—what?” Mu Qing halts his strides, and Hua Cheng stops with him, throwing an irritated glare over his shoulder. “That makes no sense. Stop watching me like a hawk. Don't you guys have better things to do?”

“Not really. Come along, now. Gege will be displeased if I lose you.”

Mu Qing splutters, dumbfounded. “What the fuck? What am I, a kid?”

“If you don't hurry up, I’ll make you wish you were, general. At least then my strikes wouldn't be as hard. Don't make gege wait.”

“...Then go? What the hell? Need I always be under your relentless supervision?” Mu Qing retorts, reveling in the way Hua Cheng’s glare sharpens by a hair.

“Gege wanted to spend time with you, and you just plan to leave him alone? Don't be selfish.”

“Selfish–?” Mu Qing cuts himself off. He can feel his face burn like a furnace with the heat of pure fury and sanguine wrath.

Selfish was a sickening taunt thrown at Mu Qing for centuries now, and in the cold clarity of truth, it should be as meaningless as a bag of spilled rice.

But Mu Qing never got accustomed to anything; not the sudden shift from being cast aside like a forgotten stain–because what else do they serve on a copper platter to those born to poverty and servitude?–to the glorious decadence and golden indulgence of godhood, or how the thick silence that echoed the Xuan Zhen Palace transitioned into shared laughter and warmth and everything Mu Qing’s ever wanted–

“Xuan Zhen.” The sudden snap of Hua Cheng’s fingers, just inches away from his face, jerked him to the present. “Your eyes dulled.”

“Oh. No, they didn’t." He redefines his guise, correcting the tiniest misaligned muscles. "Now go back to your lovers, they need you. I’m going back.” He turns his back to Hua Cheng, his hands preparing to draw a teleportation array. Mu Qing doesn't know why, but he feels as if he's been enveloped in a sorrow so great it numbs him. He thinks it might be because he has too much of a workload sitting on his desk, waiting for his return. It's not because he's upset about Hua Cheng seeing him as inconsiderate.

That's preposterous.

“Alright, hold on now. Where are you going?”

“To my palace.”

“Leaving already, General?” He can hear the smugness that colours every syllable in Hua Cheng’s words, and the irritation grows twofold.

“Yes, this place is a pit of discarded garbage. And you piss me off.” His fingers start to outline the intricate details of the array, making sure each stroke is as perfect as the last, when fingers curl around his wrist in an iron hold.

“Did I offend you somehow?” Hua Cheng’s voice is devoid of his usual cockiness, now replaced by a lilted whisper and tender guilt.

Mu Qing can only think of the scrawny boy Hua Cheng once was, with tattered rags and eyes that have glimpsed too much into brutal reality. He recalls the way Hua Cheng clung onto Xie Lian's robes like the stars hug the sky, and how the beads in his eyes gazed up at his prince with utter devotion and admiration.

Hua Cheng was a quivering child back then, and now...

Despite himself, Mu Qing feels a smile blossom, though it’s soft and curved only slightly at the edges, like the brush of delicate silk against smooth skin.

Hua Cheng takes a step forward so he can get a look at Mu Qing’s face. His eyes widen by a fraction when he sees it. “...You’re smiling.”

“If I say you did offend me, would you fall to your knees in remorse and plead for my mercy?”

“Absolutely not." Hua Cheng's face contorts in aversion before a sly smirk takes its place. "But I might make amends in… other ways.”

“Other ways?” Mu Qing wrinkles his brow, scouring Hua Cheng’s dark eyes for answers to questions he doesn’t know of.

Hua Cheng doesn’t reply immediately. His gaze stays fixed on Mu Qing as he glides his fingers up from where they're wrapped around the god's wrist to his lips–sensually, like the drip of rich honey–and caresses the soft flesh he finds there with his thumb. “Name your price.”

Mu Qing’s breath trembles in his throat, and his lungs constrict. “W-what are you doing?” His voice is raw and brittle and it cracks–it’s abhorrent, really, how easy it is for Mu Qing to unfold his vulnerability at the slightest hint of fluster.

When he remains silent, Hua Cheng leans down until his lips graze the shell of Mu Qing’s ear. “You're prettier than all of Ghost City. Take your sweet time, Xuan Zhen.” And then he wanes into the night, leaving behind nothing but a hundred silver butterflies and the wind’s melodious whistles.

What the fuck.

[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.

[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.