pyramultimuse

[pyramultimuse]

Hua didn't want Xie to feel trapped with him, but the man was still a hostage and needed to be kept close. He wanted to give Xie a chance and some trust to make this experience less frightening. Seeing that the other was happy with this he smiled. What he didn't expect was a little kiss and it caused him to blush just slightly.

"You're too cute for your own good, Xie Lian..." He muttered and glanced away. The man got up from bed and went to his closet to change, not caring if the nurse watched him. He's been exposed in many situations and didn't care who saw him at this point. "My clothes would be a bit big on you, but I have some that can be adjusted..." After getting himself dressed he brought some clothes out for Xie Lian and set them on the bed. Hua went to pick up his phone, checking some messages from the night and frowning.

"I'm going to have to take care of something first." He said as he moved away to open a special drawer and took out a handgun to tuck away on his belt then pulled his jacket closed to hide it. "When you're dressed you can come out for breakfast and play on the playstation until I get back. I shouldn't be more than an hour."

“It’s beautiful… I like red foxes, though my favorite are bunnies.” He chuckled. Xie Lian watched as the man sat up and stretched, all the muscles tensing and releasing that were on display. This man had no right to be so physically attractive, or attractive in general.

His attention redirected when Hua Cheng mentioned that he could come with him on errands if he promised not to run away. His eyes widened and glistened, nodding. “I promise not to run and that I’ll be on my best behavior.” Though, he didn’t really care about picking an outfit, the fact that Hua Cheng was letting him go with him was more than enough reason to behave and he didn’t want to upset him again. Xie Lian didn’t like to see him angry, didn’t like it to be directed at him, but what he disliked the most was how much it upset him after.

Xie Lian smiled and scooted a little closer so he could place a soft kiss to the man’s cheek. “Thank you.”

[pyramultimuse]

He smiled and glanced towards his back, he couldn't see much of it but he knew how beautiful it was. The tattoo artist he had gone to was one of the best he could find. "Most gangs have tattoos, the Ghosts have dragons but I went with something a little different. The red fox is my favorite animal." Hua Cheng explained and moved to sit up, letting the blanket fall as he stretched then reached for his eyepatch on the night stand to tie it back on.

"I need to run some errands today. If you promise not to run off you can come with me." The gang leader offered the opportunity to get out of the house for awhile. "I need to buy a new outfit for an event tonight, if you're on your best behavior I'll let you pick out something for yourself."

We was impressed by the toned back, but also of the huge tattoo. Curious that it seemed to be a combination of a dragon and a fox, but it was beautiful. Without thinking about it too much, he slowly reached out and gently running it over his back, but pulled back the moment Hua Cheng stirred and his cheeks instantly burned.

Xie Lian covered his face with the hand that just touched the man’s back, trying to hide how guilty he was looking. “Good morning and… yes. I was impressed by the art on your back…” And the fact your back looks so strong seeing it without clothes. Which he didn’t say out loud, that would be totally inappropriate.

[pyramultimuse]

Hua Cheng did sleep more peacefully with the nurse in bed beside him. Though he had stayed with his back towards Xie as to not invade his personal space. The cover was only partially pulled up, his shoulders and back exposed. As there were scars on the toned body that was more muscular than he seemed when wearing clothes, but what was really surprising was the full back tattoo of a creature that looked like the combination of a chinese dragon and a red fox. Long twisting body with red-orange fur and surrounded by stylized grey smoke and fire.

Feeling the soft hand against his back he took a deep breath then yawned. Head then turning to glance over his shoulder at what Xie was doing. "Good morning. Doing some exploring?" Hua asked in a playful tone, teasing Xie but not angry with him.

He hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but the previous events had been exhausting and he was surrounded by the man’s scent, the bed was perfect, he couldn’t help but to caught by sleep.

And even after everything, the fact that they reconciled, helped enormously to have a peaceful rest. Yes, he knew not to cross the line now, that even if friends, in his current position, he had to remain respectful. Hua Cheng was sweet to him when he did and he liked him sweet.

Xie Lian woke in the early hours, and as he woke, he got to witness Hua Cheng sleeping beside him. He was in awe at that moment. Eye patch or no eyepatch, the man was still very handsome. The scars added something to his hardened exterior, but in sleep his face looked somewhat relaxed. Letting his own eyes fall a bit more and his cheeks deepened in color upon seeing him without a shirt. He looked so strong and fit… Xie Lian moved closer, slowly, did the man have more scars?

[pyramultimuse]

After cleaning himself Hua Cheng stepped out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist since Xie had used his bath robe. He looked over to see the other had eaten and fallen asleep. He smiled and went to dress himself for bed, just underwear and pajama bottoms. He came over to the bed wear Xie was curled up with his pillow all cute, but was laying on top of the covers. A chuckle passed his lips and he petted Xie's head then giving his forehead a kiss.

Going over to the closet he found the extra blanket to lay over Xie Lian. Admiring him a moment before he went around to the other side of the bed where he sat down, checking his phone then set it to vibrate as to not wake the other in case it went off during the night. He plugged it in and laid down, sleep soon following.

Xie Lian’s expression warmed when he saw the other react to his touch, leaning into it like he had wanted it. Hua Cheng’s silence made him sad for the other. He never should have gotten into the life he got.

When he got lifted off his knees he let out a little giggle before settling on the bed and keeping Hua Cheng in his arms and burying his nose against the other’s neck. “I could have never forgotten about you, Hua Cheng…” Giving a gentle squeeze back before he too let go. Xie Lian watched the man move to the bathroom and got up once he was out of sight, he got up and walked over to the pajama’s left for him and put them on, along with underwear.

He then ate, it was at a temperature he could easily eat it and when he was done he lied down on the bed, over the sheets. Xie Lian wanted to brush his teeth before he would fall asleep. Though it was becoming difficult to keep his eyes open. He lied on his side and hugged the man’s pillow that smelled like him, smiling lightly. He wanted to be on good terms with him, stay that way. “Hua Cheng…” his name falling of his lips in a whisper, warm.

Xie Lian was curled in on himself, comfortable, falling asleep while holding Hua Cheng’s pillow.

[pyramultimuse]

He gazed at Xie Lian and listened. When the hand was brought up he leaned into the touch, his eyelids closing as he relished in the contact for a few moments. Everything the nurse had to say, he didn't answer the question and that itself was an answer. Hua Cheng breathed in a sigh and just when he was going to pull away the nurse wrapped his arms around him.

The action was unexpected but welcomed. He reached down to wrap his arms around Xie Lian's waist and pulled him from his kneeling position to being him onto the bed to sit and hug him properly. "Maybe. But I'm glad it was you... That you hadn't forgotten about me." He said softly and gave Xie a gentle squeeze before pulling away. "Eat, you must be starving." Hua petted the other's damp hair before getting up to head to the bathroom to clean himself up and let Xie have some privacy to get dressed and eat.

Xie Lian watches the other, watched him hurting and somehow he just knew that was because of him. That Xie Lian made him feel things he had locked away. Xie Lian felt the fear from before leave him as he watched his expression soften, and the display of remorse. He thought of what to say to Hua Cheng without making him think he was lying or just saving his own ass.

"You had a horrible life... You lost your eye without any form of sedative... And you paid a high price for it. Your soul..." Xie Lian reaches out gently, slowly, bringing his hand to the man's temple at the side where his eye was no more. When he would let him, he would place his palm gently against his face.

"You had to become someone else, or you wouldn't have been able to survive it... Habits learned over 15 years, Hua Cheng... That's not something to break easily. I've been sheltered most of my life, barely experienced anything, you've been exposed to the worst."

Xie Lian scooted a bit closer before he wrapped his arms around the other. "I guess it would have been easier if it had been anyone but me."

[pyramultimuse]

While Xie was in the bathroom a servant had come to drop off some pajamas that would fit better and dinner. Though there was only one meal, Hua Cheng didn't feel like eating. Too stressed at the moment. Feeling things was too much, he wasn't used to this. For years he had grown numb, not caring about human life or what others felt. But now here he was feeling so many things.

He had taken off his eyepatch and was staring at the ground, hands in his hair. So lost in thought he hadn't heard the bathroom door open until Xie Lian was kneeling on the ground before him. His remaining eye glanced to Xie Lian and his expression softened at the apology. It didn't make him feel any better though. "You think I'm a monster, don't you?" The man asked softly. "You'd be right. Only a monster and kill someone without any remorse."

Xie Lian gave a nod and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He let the water of the bath run and as it filled up, he got undressed. Getting into the water as it kept filling. In the warmth of the water, his body relaxed some. Before he had walked into the bathroom, he saw Hua Cheng sit on his bed and take a posture of sorrow, or that was at least what he felt from him.

He had overstepped, he’d asked for things over and over and Hua Cheng was honest with him and respectful in his ways. Xie Lian should have thought before he acted. They had something good going, and he honestly liked him, enjoyed his company and he wanted that again. Xie Lian sighed, cupped water in his face and rubbed it. He rarely cried, but that was something he had done a lot the moment he arrived and he didn’t want to cry anymore. He didn’t want to cause trouble and he didn’t want to make Hua Cheng feel bad either.

When he was done, there were no clothes he could wear, but there were towels and a bathrobe, which were clearly Hua Cheng’s. Hoping he wouldn’t mind, but he couldn’t just walk out without clothes.

As he walked out, Hua Cheng was still there on the bed and Xie Lian stepped to him, stopping before him and kneeling before him to be at eye level. “I’m sorry I hit you…” He might have apologized already, but this one was a bit different. This time it wasn’t just about the whole disrespect he had shown, this one was about the act itself. “You’re right… I’m spoiled and I didn’t even realize it.” That’s all he said as adding the excuses wasn’t going to help it make any better.

[pyramultimuse]

Hua Cheng escorted Xie back through the house until they were to the room that Xie Lian had indeed guessed belonged to him. He closed the door and crossed the room to the other door, opening it to the bathroom that had a large bathtub with jets. "You can use the bath to clean up, soaking will help with the aches and warm you up. I'll have a change of clothes and dinner ready for you when you're finished." He explained and looked back at Xie Lian who was afraid to move and on the verge of tears.

He frowned, feeling his heart ache seeing that he had terrified the only person that had been kind to him. Hua Cheng went over to his bed to sit down, hunched over he rubbed his face and sighed deeply.

Xie Lian flinched again at the tone and the hold, but it wasn’t the same hold as Hua Cheng had the day before, but he didn’t relax.

Hua Cheng’s next words stung, but there was truth it in. He was spoiled, though not with freedom, his father often gave him everything he needed and wanted, within reason, but still.

This time Xie Lian didn’t linger and went up the stairs, following the directions to the other man’s room. Upon entering he remained standing and still. The guest room wasn’t his space, but he knew what it was for. Hua Cheng’s room caused stress as he didn’t want to overstep more rules by sitting somewhere and he felt dirty after a night in the basement so he just stood still.

[pyramultimuse]

"Well? Are you coming out or what?" Hua Cheng asked getting impatient now. He rolled his eye and stepped into the cell to grab Xie Lian by the hand and pull him out if he wasn't going to walk out on his own. "Come on already." He said and closed the door after pulling the nurse out.

"If you would've just kept your mouth shut I would've just taken you back to your room. You are so spoiled and you don't even realize it." Hua Cheng said with a huff and pointed to the stairs. "Get moving. You're going to be staying in my room where I can watch you."

Xie Lian’s body instantly tensed up more and bowed again. “I’m sorry, I won’t ask for anything anymore…” He almost added the plea of not keeping him here for another night, but that would be asking something again and he didn’t want that either. “I just thought…” his voice weak and frightened. “I wouldn’t be getting in your way there, but I guess I can’t get in your way here either.”

He kept his position, no matter how his body ached from sitting still for so long, trying not to let his muscles shiver over it, over the cold.  

[pyramultimuse]

He nodded his head and accepted the apology. The cell was unlocked and Hua opened the door, offering his hand to the other. "I understand why you were upset, but next time think before you act." The gang leader warned Xie.

"I just said don't ask me for anything." Hua Cheng said firmly. "Do you need another need another night here or will you accept wherever I put you?" The gang leader had planned on doing just hat, taking Xie back to the guest room he initially had him in but since the nurse couldn't help himself Hua had to scare him.

When Hua Cheng came back and asked if he wished to come out, Xie Lian finally got up from his corner woodenly. Only when the other stopped talking did he bow deeply, head down. “I apologize for disrespecting you… I will behave accordingly from now on. I hope you can forgive me.” He remained in this position until given a sign that his apology was enough. He would then stand straight, looking exhausted, shivering, but didn’t complain.

“The only thing I shall ask if I’m allowed to return to the room assigned to me before?” Xie Lian didn’t look at Hua Cheng, afraid that he’d cry again even if a part of him believed there was no tears left.  

[pyramultimuse]

The night Hua stayed up fuming for most of the evening. Only getting a few hours at most before pacing then getting to work. His mind kept wandering back to Xie Lian cold and alone in the basement, but he kept himself busy through the day. It wasn't until late afternoon the basement door opened and someone came down the stairs. Hua stood in front of the cell door with his arms crossed, much calmer than he was when he first put Xie Lian here.

"Would you like to come out now?" He asked quietly. "You are a guest here only if you behave or else you'll be treated as a prisoner. Do not ask me for anything, you are entitled to nothing and whatever I give or do for you is a privilege." Hua Cheng explained and took out the silver key. "I didn't like putting you here Xie Lian, don't make me do it again."

When the metal echoed through the basement, he flinched and as Hua Cheng corrected his behavior, he huddled into himself even more. Xie Lian was angry too when he took his opinion to assassinate someone. To become an nurse or doctor, one must take an oath and by asking Xie Lian’s opinion and have it sound like that his opinion got someone killed was basically breaking that oat. But he didn’t say it, he kept it to himself. Now he was just... afraid of the man again.

Just apologizing again right before Hua Cheng left the basement and leave him alone in the cold, damn space.

The cold set into his skin soon after, sleep didn’t come but in small, uncomfortable fits. He would drink the water, eat the plain rice and set it back where it had been left, then back to his corner. His body began to ache from sitting in one spot, but he didn’t move from it either.

[pyramultimuse]

He watched Xie head down the stairs and descended behind him. Taking out his silver key he unlocked the cell and waited for Xie to enter. The door slammed and the metal against metal echoed in the empty space as he locked it back up. Hua stared at the nurse in the corner, brimming with anger but there was also betrayal.

"I do not give kindness freely. I gave you a chance and you took advantage of what you were given. Now that you have nothing you can think about what you've done." He said before turning to leave, stomping up the stairs and slamming the door behind him. Silence follows. Time seems to slow to a crawl, hours passing would feel like days. In the morning someone would come down and place a bottle of water and a simple bowl of rice through the space between the bars and set on the floor, saying nothing to Xie Lian and heading back upstairs.

Xie Lian saw the switch and quickly realized that he had gotten too comfortable in his situation. This change was frightening, his heart going from relaxed to panicked in a second once the other pulled him from the couch and  dragged him through the house. The strong pull had him stumbling along the way as he tried to struggle and plea, but a part of him knew that he shouldn’t have smacked him.

“Hua Cheng… I’m sorry…” He tried, but it wasn’t happening. He saw the door to the basement and his heart sank. Xie Lian dropped his head, his shoulders hunched, his eyes prickling from holding back tears, but nodded and bowed without looking at Hua Cheng before going down the basement.

Once down there, he took the corner he had been in before, rest his back against the wall and slid down. His knees up, hugging his legs and just burying his face there. What had he been thinking? Getting friendly, cozy even with a man like Hua Cheng? But sitting there, he had time to think about it. Anyone else might have been dead at this point. Xie Lian did something where he forced Hua Cheng to do this, he didn’t really hurt him?

Xie Lian looked at his wrist, which was red by the strength the man used. He let out a silent sob, tears finally falling and wishing he was home, wishing this would have never happened to him…  

[pyramultimuse]

The smack took Hua Cheng by surprise and the servant and guard stared at Xie Lian with horrified expressions and fear as if they were about to witness a murder. He blinked a few times and his gaze hardened. If it was anyone else the gang leader would've killed them without hesitation, but this was his friend. Though he couldn't allow such an act as slapping him across the face to go unpunished, especially it happening right in front of his people.

Without a word he pushed off the blanket and took Xie Lian's legs off his lap. Hua Cheng then got to his feet and grabbed Xie by the write, yanking him to his feet he pulled the nurse through the house. Taking him back to a familiar door, opening it to reveal the dim stairs down to the basement.

"You've taken my kindness for granted and repaid me by striking me in my own home, disrespecting me in my own home. I think you need a reality check, Xie Lian. Get down there. Now." He growled harshly to the nurse, his eye burning with anger that he was doing his best to hold back from lashing out physically.

For a split second he was glad that he could give his opinion, but that turned sour the moment Hua Cheng told his guard to find the man and shoot him in the head. “I did not share my opinion to get someone killed! You probably don’t even have to bother as it will catch up with him one way or the other.” He smacked the man, maybe a little harder than expected and then crossed his legs and arms, scowling a little and had his head turned to the movie credits. But he didn’t walk away, because deep inside he liked his company, but he didn’t like that their evening turned into killing someone.

Was it his fault? Or was Hua Cheng testing his insight? Probably the latter. “Tell me that it wasn’t because of me what you just ordered your guard to do? You knew your answer before you asked my opinion? No… don’t answer that…” He didn’t want to know, because what if he really did took his opinion and indirectly pulled him deeper into Hua Cheng’s world.

“Another movie…” He needed a distraction from what just happened. Despite what just happened, he stayed right where he was, to have the man as company still. Xie Lian sighed before settling back against the other, with his legs still over the man’s lap.  

[pyramultimuse]

He listened to Xie Lian's opinion that he was interested to listen to. Very logical and Hua smiled to him and nodded. "Very good, you're quite right Xie Lian, thank you." He said warmly and brought the phone back up to his ear to speak to the man on the other end. "I've thought about it and decided you're on your own. Good luck~" Hua Cheng said and hung up, handing his phone back to his guard. "Find him and shoot him in the head." He ordered coldly then stuck his arm back under the blanket, adjusting it around him and Xie Lian to resume cuddling.

"Sorry for the interruption. Looks like the movie is over, shall we watch another one or are you read for bed?" He asked in the same kind tone he's been using with Xie Lian as if he hadn't just ordered someone to be executed.

Xie Lian was also enjoying the affection and connection. It wasn't something he got to do often, especially not on this level. At first it was a bit distracting but then it eased him and he was able to follow the movie again. Then their peace got interrupted and he sighed a little, not ready to end it, but he knew Hua Cheng was a busy man.

However, he didn't expect him to ask for his opinion and it showed for a for a few second, but then he thought about it. "It depends on their reputation with you." he said. "Is this the first time it happened? Or has it happened before? Though, if they loaned money from you, to 'pay off a different loan' but ends up wasting it elsewhere, like gambling or drugs... Then you might better not lend them more, you will never get it back. I'd say, evaluate the person and their reason for wanting to loan money." he looked at the other and became a bit surprised by his 'observation'. "I don't think you should if their reasons for wanting more sounds dubious." he didn't get the whole story, but it sounded fishy.

[pyramultimuse]

He looked the other over for a moment and tilted his head. "You sure you want to get your underclothes wet? The salt water isn't good for those fabrics." The ghost king had no issue in providing something for Nie to wear but wouldn't force the other to change. "Whatever you're comfortable with, you are my guest."

Hua Cheng said and after finishing his drink and set aside he first took off his shoes to leave on the ground, followed by his belt with Eming and his silver accessories. He then stood and casually started disrobing, taking everything off and set aside down to just his undergarments. Looking down to Nie he smiled slyly and waited, a hand resting on his hip as he stared down at the cultivator to also undress so they could go swimming.

Huaisang chuckles. "If you wanted me dead, I would be dead by now." No, he didn't fear that the Ghost King would let him drown. Not that he feared death anyway. It had been many years since he last feared that.

"I think I would like to go into the ocean then. I've not been into any body of water since my youth and I was trying to catch fish with my bare hands with Wei-xiong." The smile on his lips turns a little nostalgic. It had been fun to play around with Wei Wuxian, trying to catch fish to get some extra food besides the Lan's meager portions. That was all before the war. Before things began to crack and shatter.

"I'll be fine as long as I remove my outer layers." It was getting a bit too warm for all of his clothes anyway. The climate here is considerably warmer than Qinghe.

[pyramultimuse]

Diaval didn't use his magic often now adays, so this wouldn't strain him much at all. He was happy to help a new friend and settled comfortably against Caz. Though he was tired with it being late at night. In a safe spot receiving gentle pets from the druid the raven yawned and let himself relax. Eyes closing the raven fell asleep in minutes. His small form easy enough to move if needed and wouldn't stir much.

Caz wanted Diaval to feel welcome in the forest, even though it wasn't his own. He smiled when the raven seemed to relax with the others before he told Caz that he could make him feel better. Caz frowned a little because he didn't understand, but he held open his arm as Diaval nuzzled closer.

"Oh.." Caz murmured before he recognised the kind of magic Diaval used to make him indeed feel better. He had been a bit tired with the healing he had done himself for others. "Thank you." The druid murmured softly, but he didn't want the raven to tire himself out. "You're very kind." The forest animals had scattered again and Caz leaned against a tree, gently caressing over Diaval's feathers a moment.

[pyramultimuse]

No not the tears, anything but that. Aziraphale knew exactly how to manipulate his emotions to get exactly what he wanted. The angel was right, he wouldn't be better off without him. Then who would be around to save Aziraphale? No one, heaven was filled with a bunch of apocalyptic sociopaths who would even kill one of their own if the didn't go along with the plan.

"You're such a big baby, angel." Crowley said in defeat as he stepped up to his angel. "If it will make you feel better then fine. One blessing." He peered down at the shorter male over the rim of his red circular shades.

Aziraphale sighed. The sound betrayed his annoyance. It also held worry and fear. The noise was a loaded response to the situation. "But, Crowley dear, you do need a blessing. In this instance, you need blessed," he cautioned, trying to choose his words carefully. "A blessing does not turn you into an angel. It protects you! That's all it does. Let me protect you."

Tears shined in his eyes. They burned the corners as they threatened to slide down the sides of his nose. "You might be all right, but what about me? Do you think I will be all right?" he snapped. He felt selfish for that but he couldn't think of anything else to say. "I am sorry, Crowley, but I would not be better off without you."

[pyramultimuse]

Leonardo was nervous to say the least, he knew his artwork and talent spoke volumes but there was always the fear of judgement. Not towards his skill but as him as a person, there were many closed minded people who saw others as less and would treat them as such. But with the way Charles spoke about his king there was a little hope.

"Oh? That is very kind of you, I found lodging in town but I'm happy to accept the offer to stay here. I'll have to fetch the rest of my things at the inn but that can be done later." He smiled with some relief, it'll save him some money staying with the lord and he'd have Charles around to keep his art accurate.

"Then lets sit and I can start sketching you. You can tell me about yourself, I like to know more about a person what's unseen to help bring it out in my art."

"Good. Then that would be your first task. Of course you will stay here for the duration of your commission. I can't have you travelling back and forth." Charles answered before he looked a bit shocked when Leonardo told him that the court wouldn't care to meet him.

"The king is very interested in art, Leo. He finds artists most worth his while and if you get talking about inventions then he surely would like to hear more. He is a very intelligent man, composes poetry and the like." Charles explained to the other man with a nod. "He of course loves Master Holbein and has multiple paintings by him, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be flattered. You will come with me to court next time."