#thank you to the AD for all these beautiful hualians!!!!

[hualian]

TGCF Audio Drama 🦋 Hualian cover arts

[englishsub]

fic writer meme!

i was tagged by @microcomets and @cairoscene :) thank you friendz

1. how many works do you have on ao3?

22, which is both more and less than i expected.

2. what's your total ao3 wordcount?

529,320

3. what fandoms do you write for?

i've branched out in recent years; like my fellow taggers, i write for fewer fandoms that i'm in. food takes ages to cook and even longer to actually commit to. i started with mdzs/cql and tgcf before moving to shl/tyk, though now i mostly write trigun and video game fic.

4. what are your top 5 fics by kudos?

爱不释手; never let me go

总有一天; a place to hide (can’t find one near)

花无百日红; the flower that withers

在此恭迎夷陵老祖; to yiling laozu, the great and venerable

蓝色生死恋; a blue love (to live and to die for)

me 🤝 cair wangxian monopoly

5. do you respond to comments?

not usually - if the comment jumps out in some way or asks a question about podficcing i might, but i generally don't. i read every single one and hold them close to my heart, though.

6. what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

LOL it's an open ending but the implications are pretty clear - 美丽的日子; beautiful days

7. what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

most of them end happy, except when they don't :)

8. do you get hate on fics?

not really. i did for a stint back in 2021 when that anon was going around but it was honestly very funny for me.

9. do you write smut?

sometimes.

10. do you write crossovers? what's the craziest one you have written?

just the one time, not usually. it was a threadfic - a mdzs/tgcf crossover where wwx was raised by hualian instead of the jiangs.

11. have you ever had a fic stolen?

yeah. the good ole ctrl+f+replace of names. i remember they even stole my author's note. i'd said something to the effect of "i have to go study..." (i was in high school) and they added "which i didn't even end up doing..."

12. have you ever had a fic translated?

yes and i think fic translation is so cool!

13. have you ever co-written a fic before?

nope.

14. what's your all time favorite ship?

EVER?

pirates of the caribbean will/elizabeth.

but it's honestly a rotating rotisserie throughout life of my fav ships depending on what i'm hungry for at a given moment. it's 2024 and i'm back in ff7 hell, for instance.

15. what is a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

歃血; blood oath, and it pains me deeply to admit. not because i have any measure of anxiety about returning to it, or feel any pressure, but because it genuinely had one of my favorite premises and setups, was super gory and horrific, and i'd packed in every crazy trope i love into the outline. i was really excited about. then the fandom imploded and i can't look at it anymore.

she's my white whale. i'd finish it for @megafaunatic alone.

16. what are your writing strengths?

atmosphere. payoff. saying things are like other things. i understand this is annoying for some people though, which is fair.

17. what are your writing weaknesses?

i put off every single sex scene in a fic until i had written everything else, such that i had to sit and write 10,000 words, spread across three scenes, of sex. worst week of my life.

internal logic, because i think it's so obvious in my head that i forget to explain it in words on the page.

i think i always can improve on character voice. that's an eternal work in progress.

18. thoughts of writing dialogue in another language in fics?

it's cool. probably good to consult a native speaker if writer of the fic doesn't speak it, though?

19. first fandom you wrote for?

christ. harry potter, by hand, in pencil, in an a5 notebook.

20. favorite fic you have written?

recency bias compels me to say by the time the apocalypse began, because i worked my ass and head off for it, and i ended up really happy with how it turned out. sci-fi's not really my wheelhouse.

i have a huge soft spot for my clj arranged marriage fic, 双命; twin fates, because i had such a blast writing it. and 总有一天; a place to hide (can’t find one near) will always be special to me, because it was like taking a huge, glittering, orgasmic shit.

i believe quite a few people have already been cross-tagged but i will tag you guys again for fun: @yuebings @cafecliche @dcyiyou @vinelark @floofyfluff @ziusik

[thenanamisimp]

End of 2023 autumn season - part 2

Check out this post to read part 1 of my autumn 2023 reviews! It includes my opinions on Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden deductions and Spy x Family season 2.

This part 2 includes opinions on Heaven Official's Blessing season 2 and Jujutsu Kaisen season 2. I waited so long to post this so I could include both reviews in one post since Heaven Official's Blessing actually only just finished this week.

In part 1 I didn't discuss any plot points so no spoiler warning was included; this time I'm talking about 2 of my absolute favourite adaptations - hence SPOILER WARNING for Jujutsu Kaisen and Heaven Official's Blessing (short discussions of the novel as well).

Heaven Official's Blessing, Season 2

Mmmkay so here's the thing... After watching season 1 on Netflix 2 years ago, I bought volume 1 of the official translation, read it and then kinda... Gave up. Then as the hype of season 2 started and then after the first couple episodes came out I became intrigued enough to finally read the rest of the books. And then I got even more attached to Hualian - which caused my MXTX spiral but that's besides the point.

Reading the books was actually a great decision because knowing what happens allowed me to appreciate the adaptation that much more. The first couple episodes of the season were not that exciting for me (I don't particularly enjoy the Banyue arc so I don't care for the aftermath) but then as we properly got into the gambler's den scenes, paradise manor, Fang Xin guoshi - I was hooked. I especially enjoyed the adaptation of the Qi Rong cave scenes and the Gilded Banquet arc. I also seriously loved the liberties the adaptation took with some scenes - like adding more information about the Gilded Banquet and Lord Anle. NOVEL SPOILERS [Hated (but loved) how they teased Xie Lian's parents' suicide - that scene crashed my SOUL as I wasn't expecting to see anything regarding that arc for another couple seasons at least.

Regarding censorship, this season wasn't too bad; do keep in mind tho, nothing too crazy happens in volume 2 which is what season 2 adapted. We lost the lap scene from paradise manor unfortunately. Xie Lian not falling into Hua Cheng's lap was a big loss but instead we got Xie Lian carrying Hua Cheng bridal style out of the way? I don't know, can't complain too much about that one.]

The animation, art and music were, as expected, incredible. This season elevated this donghua for me and earned its spot into my top 10. It probably helps how attached I am to the books and knowing what's coming. Overall, definitely one of my faves of the season. Please give this donghua a chance if you love fantasy.

Jujutsu Kaisen, Season 2

I have so many thoughts. So many feelings.

If you know me or have followed me for any length of time at all - or literally just by reading my name - you'll know that Jujutsu Kaisen is my favourite series of all time. Season 2 ran for almost half of 2023 and for me, it was my favourite of the season, not unexpectedly considering my love for the manga and the anime being my favourite of all time.

I don't wanna talk about the plot of hidden inventory and Shibuya arc cause we all know it's genius writing and plot so.... Let's just hype it up!

First of all, I can't speak about how beautiful the adaptation was and the incredible job the animators did without also talking about how MAPPA treats their employees with the least amount of respect they could. If you weren't online and weren't keeping up with the fandom on twitter as the season 2 was being aired, there were multiple animators from the jjk team tweeting about how horrible they feel and the mental load they are under from the pressure to finish animating jjk with a schedule that was unrealistic. Please show some love to the jjk animators and remember to thank the team - not MAPPA!

That being said, the animation team was ON IT. There was not one single episode that disappointed me - I was instead wowed by every new episode that came out and especially the extended fights, such as Megumi vs Toji, Sukuna vs Mahoraga, Yuji vs Mahito were so well done and beyond my expectations every single time. Even knowing what was about to happen, I was left at the edge of my seat, gasping at how beautiful the adaptation was every. single. time. without fail. I made an event of every new episode and my Thursday nights basically became rituals while the season was being aired.

ANIME SPOILERS [I have to specifically mention that Nanami's death episode, Nobara's death (jury's still out on her death if you cope really hard) and every episode after that were world changing, brain-altering, earth shatteringly good. I mourned Nanami's death for 3 days even knowing it was coming. The animators did an insane job and really did him justice. The whole dancing on the beach transitioning into the fight scenes was simply, insane. I love Nanami. Gege give him BACKKKKKKKK]

Anw this post is basically just Jujutsu Kaisen praise. I love Jujutsu Kaisen and this season surpassed my expectations and I loved every moment of it. Everyone should watch Jujutsu Kaisen, just be warned of the tragedy. And trauma. And many deaths.

Thanks for reading another anime ramble! Enjoy watching :)

theNanamiSimp

[crowning-art]

TGCF SPOILERS

-------------------------------------------

Uhhhh......

Okeyy....??? I'm veryyy confused...and suspicious rn like very suspicious

As soon as I started reading, I'm like wait, what if Shi Wudu was at the door, then obviously Shi QIngxuan would open the door, right??? And that would also explain the repulsive reaction later on when the three tumours come. I'm telling you, Shi Wudu sent the Reverend of Empty Words after Shi Qingxuan, I dunno why....but i Just KNOW smt is up. Maybe he is being blackmailed?????

WHAT THE HECK???? SHI QINGXUAN IS THE LORD WHO POURED WINE????? DOES THIS HAVE SMT TO DO WITH SHI WUDU TOO?? IS THIS WHY HE SENT REVERAND OF EMPTY WORDS TO CAUSE PROBLEMS??? IM SO CONFUSED I dont trust Shi Wudu

WHAT IF SHI WUDU WROTE THIS TOO????

It was a row of large words, dripping with blood: “WRETCHED BEGINNING WRETCHED END”.

Ok I don't think he did, BUT WHAT IF HE'S THE CAUSE FOR THE WRETCHED END??? WHAT IF HE CAUSED THE WRETCHED BEGINNING TOO

The whole fancy sedan chair thing Hua Cheng sent was so cute and on brand for him lmao, but tHIS PART

In the next second, he heard those female ghosts say: “Yeah. And here I was so sure that golden litter was definitely for the madam wife!”

I mean...they aren't wrong tho lmao

- and of course, OF COURSE

WHAT THE HECK!? WHAT THE HECK!! CAN THESE TWO PLZ LET ME CONCENTRATE ON THE PLOT FOR TWO SECOND, LIKE IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?! PLZ I LITERALLY FORGET EVERYTHING SERIOUS HBDIWBDWJNWJN WHY ARE THEY SO CUTE, MY HEART T-T

- And then he says...

Hua Cheng said slowly, “Then, believe me. Stay far away from Wind Master, Water Master, Earth Master, Ling Wen, and Pei Ming. The further away, the better.”

(Me and Xie Lian in our heads: WHY WHYYYYYYY WHAT IS HAPPENING???/ WHAT ARE YOU HIDING??? WHATS GOING ON?????) Ok I think he probably said this to protect Xie Lian from whatever evil will befall the rest, I don't think it's because they are evil or anything...unlessssss....Shi Wudu....

PLZ STOP SAYING SMT SERIOUS AND THEN SMT CUTE LIKE THIS I CAN'T STAND THE ROLLERCOASTER PLZ

He said, “I’ve long wanted to say something. If gege doesn’t feel secure living here, why not just move somewhere else?”

Xie Lian shook his head. “That’s easy for you to say, San Lang. Where would I move to?”

Hua Cheng smiled. “Why not move over to my place?”

Hehehe

Hua Cheng raised his brows. “En, that’s right. Virtuous and beautiful. A real noble and gracious special someone that I’ve liked since I was young. I’ve had that crush for many years, and pursued really hard before I was able to win that person over.

Hua Cheng grinned and added, “But, it wasn’t all a lie. I just haven’t won that person over yet.

Hehe we all know who you are talking about~

lol I missed Mu Qing and Feng Xin, thanks for the brief cameo lol reminded me of the good ol book 1 days

Uhhhh....UUUHHHHHH

Shi Qingxuan was trussed-up tightly, his hands and legs all bound with ropes. He was tied onto his own bed, but was still struggling unceasingly. Next to him, Shi Wudu was pacing back and forth by the bed, a bowl full of something black and unknown in his hands. He paused for a moment, then suddenly walked over, and forced its contents down Shi Qingxuan’s throat.

OK WHat the hell? WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON?!!! YOU ARE LITERALLY DOING NOTHING TO MKAE YOURSELF LOOK BETTER SHI WUDU?! IM SO CONFUSED WHY IS THIS MADMAN TORTURING SHI QINGXUAN?! wait?? is the wind master possessed??? by that demon??? but the contents of the bowl seem evil???? Maybe he IS evil just as I have been thinking he is

I DUNNO

I DUNNO

I'm going back to pretending nothing is happening except cute Hualian moments (No, I'm lying, I'm trying to figure out what's happening)

PLZ NO SPOILERS FOR ME

[lan-xichens]

Fave tgcf donghua moments - really appreciating the little moments they added that weren’t in the novel on my rewatch- like HC shielding XL at banyue when the building collapses, or the tiny moment of acknowledgment between HC and earth master when they escape the sinners pit too. You can tell the donghua team really care about doing it justice!

YES I love these!! I'm also very soft for that moment HC shields XL, I keep going back to it. The details are just amazing ♡ Thanks for these!

@to-walk-the-single-log-bridge said: #ah I don’t remember if donghua is comic or anime adaption #love them both tho #in the comic so far #I loved that hualian is a bit more canon if ya knoe what I mean #like San lang is holding xie lian constantly in the sinners pit #he keeps him Safe #and with the anime adaption #I just really like the fact that it’s animated #and San Lan constantly giving xie lian heart eyes #like he only doesn’t when he’s glaring at someone else for being rude to his gege #but regardless s#I am Obsessed and I Love Them

I did mean the animated series we can now watch on Netflix, but, I absolutely understand what you’re saying. Hualian being already a bit aware of how much they love each other is so good 😍 San Lang giving heart eyes... I’m going to remember that one.

@moonwaif said: #anytime hua cheng gets flustered

Honestly that’s a mood hahaha, and a good match for the previous one!

@thebdelliumlady said: It's got to be When Hua Cheng catches Xie Lian in the pit and we get our first look at the real Crimson Rain Sought Flower. Equal parts romantic and bad ass!

Yessss I’m with you, so much, I love this moment!

@voulezvulcan said: for me it has to be the bridal walk, it felt super magical thanks to also the beautiful amazing incredible showstopping track One flower One Sword~

The music in that scene! Ah, I already planned to do something with this moment, but now I’m sure 🥰

Thanks for all of these! Totally not going to turn them into gifsets 😇 More responses always welcome!

[corthycorth]

I posted 7,620 times in 2021

423 posts created (6%)

7197 posts reblogged (94%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 17.0 posts.

I added 638 tags in 2021

#ask - 212 posts

#sk8 the infinity - 65 posts

#xiao-horse - 61 posts

#mdzs - 53 posts

#sk8 - 51 posts

#professionalthrashsstuff - 50 posts

#tgcf - 47 posts

#reki kyan - 36 posts

#risenempire - 34 posts

#langa hasegawa - 29 posts

Longest Tag: 78 characters

#why do we never find things we need but find it when we don't need it anymore-

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

What i learned from each mxtx couple:

Bingqiu: communicate is important in a relationship or misunderstandings can happen.

Wangxian: even if you are different from others you are still worthy of love + that everything you do have consequences.

Hualian: love they thought me love. That you can be loved for you and not what you are or what you have done.

Thanks mxtx for teaching me this stuff i will keep them with me till the end🥺✊

246 notes • Posted 2021-03-05 09:34:11 GMT

#4

Me: I have no reason to live-

Hualian: *existing*

Wangxian: *existing*

Bingqiu: *existing*

Me: I have reasons to live

314 notes • Posted 2021-06-21 08:55:57 GMT

#3

Miya: You really did it slime *happy tears*

Reki: come here *wipes the tears*

Langa: sometimes I forgets you are not real brothers

Joe and Cherry: they are real brothers, we adopted them.

Langa: *confused* then what about me?

Cherry: our son-in-law ofc

Joe: no questions about it!

420 notes • Posted 2021-03-28 10:40:52 GMT

#2

Langa to random person: have you seen my Reki?

Random person: How does he look like?

Langa with tears in his eyes: beautiful

645 notes • Posted 2021-03-07 09:55:57 GMT

#1

I think I speak for all of us lmao

3364 notes • Posted 2021-11-15 15:10:02 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[ysynx]

Hualian AU: Fetish club owner and the piano bar pianist

HC owns a goth club, turned fetish club. It has typical industrial goth vibes, warehouse style set up but with Victorian style iron gates and fencing with bookshelves decorated with all kinds of macabre knickknacks and lush red velvet gratos surrounded by gauzy curtains. The added extra fun comes from the spacious loft decorated in fetish gear and rigs. Whips, flogs, and paddles line the walls. Ropes in all colors are wrapped neatly and put on display on decorative shelves. St. Andrew’s crosses, spanking horses, and wall mounted D-rings complete the space.

So where does the owner of a wildly successful club go to spend his free time? The piano bar across the street of course. It started off as mild curiosity. Who would be brave enough to open a respectable business across the street from the most sinful business in the city?

Turns out the piano bar was boring as all hell and the drinks were mediocre at best. But what made HC go back almost every day for 2 hours at a time was the pianist. An ethereal looking man with shoulder length honey brown hair, half done up in a bun. He always wore a well fitted suit, no tie, with the top button undone.

On the first day HC went he left a generous tip. On the third day he learned his name was Xie Lian. On the fifth day he went and XL wasn’t there, he got his schedule from the manager.

From then on he would go every time XL was scheduled, and he would stay his whole shift, always leaving the biggest tip.

They never spoke, but XL would always look for HC in the crowd, and made sure to play all his requests, even if every single one is a cheesy love ballad.

They keep up this game for a few months until XL opens up his session with a romanticized version of “Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure. HC pops an instant boner, and an even bigger heart boner. His little crush turns into full blown infatuation. At the end of XL’s shift he slips him an even bigger tip with his number wrapped up in one of the bills.

They text back and forth for a week, and HC starts staying with XL after he finishes playing, buying him a drink and getting to know him in the hours before HC has to leave and run his club.

They talk about anything and everything. XL tells him about his white Persian and spends an hour showing him pictures. HC shows him pictures of his one eyed Rottweiler, constantly complaining about how needy he is, but XL can still see the loving gleam in his eye.

It’s during one of their chats after XL’s shift that XL finally asks, “So what do you do?”

HC smirks, takes a sip of his bourbon, then says, “Well you if you’re interested.”

XL chokes on his rum and coke, face a burning red, “I- that’s not what I meant!” He hides his face in his hand.

HC tries to swallow down his laugh, but he can’t stop his shoulders from shaking.

“San Lang...” XL practically whines, dipping his head to hide behind both of his hands.

Taking a few steadying breaths HC finally answers, “Sorry gege, I couldn’t resist.”

After a quick sip of his drink HC continues, “And if it’s any consolation, I own that club across the street. The teasing comes with the job.”

XL perks up at this, “Oh you do? That actually explains a lot. I always wondered if you were going out of your way to come down here.” XL gives a shy smile.

“Don’t worry gege, “ HC gives a knowing smirk, “I come here to see your divine hands make beautiful music.”

“Ah, thank you.” XL bites his bottom lip and looks deeply into his drink.

“So then do you live around here San Lang?”

“Not at all. I like to keep my work life and personal life separate,” HC chuckles, “as much as I can anyway. Though I’ve had pretty things follow me home from work before.”

HC makes eye contact with XL, and drains the last of his drink. XL swallows hard.

XL gets into an uber with HC and they head to HC’s townhouse. It’s a sleek modern thing with a distinct gothic influence. The walls are decorated with gray wallpaper, covered blood red roses and silver filigree.

A black finished iron chandelier lights the foyer, sitting in the center of the double height ceiling. A dark mahogany wrap-around staircase leads to the second floor, the steps covered in a lush red carpet, decorated with more silver and ivory swirls.

HC leads them around the first floor giving a tour of the many rooms before settling them both in the living room. He leaves XL on the 3 seater chesterfield sofa, plush red velvet giving under XL’s weight.

He returns with drinks in hand, soft piano music filling the silence. XL perks up at the music, recognizes them all as pieces he’s played at the piano bar.

HC picks up the conversation, talking about his work, but XL is only half listening, sipping on his drink and scooting closer and closer to HC. Soon they’re bumping knees.

HC sets a hand on XL’s knee, startling him, already flashing a smirk,  “Gege, everything alright? You seem distracted.”

“Sorry San Lang, I just...” XL trails off as he feels HC pull his drink out of his hand and set it aside, hand on his knee trailing up his thigh.

“Apologies gege,” HC leans in, other hand tracing XL’s jaw, lips just a breath away from XL’s, “but you know me, I love to tease.”

XL is the one to lean in and close the distance, but HC is quick to take control. It starts off a hungry pressing of lips against lips, and with a swipe of his tongue HC has XL inviting him in. XL climbs into HC’s lap, straddling his thighs and throwing his arms around HC’s shoulders.

They make out on the sofa, hands pulling at clothes revealing soft skin and defined muscles. HC pushes XL down to lay on the sofa and kisses his way down his jaw, undoing the buttons on his shirt, tongue laving at newly exposed skin. He takes a nipple into his mouth, toying it with his tongue before sucking, hands busy undoing XL’s belt and pants.

XL has his hands in HC’s hair, pulling hard as HC draws out sweet moans and gasps from him.

It doesn’t take long before HC is mouthing at XL’s clothed dick, drawing out a wet mewl from XL.

“Please...” XL begs.

“Please what?”

“San Lang...”

”I want to hear you say it.”

“Please, your mouth, I want it.”

”Want it how?”

”San Lang-“

“Good boys that follow directions get rewarded.”

XL keens before saying, “Please suck me off San Lang.”

“That’s a good boy.” HC pulls out XL’s painfully red dick, hard and throbbing. He gives the head a teasing lick before swallowing him down.

It doesn’t take long before XL is spilling into HC’s mouth, and HC greedily swallows it all down. When XL comes down from his orgasm he’s pulling HC down into a lazy kiss, a hand trailing down HC’s torso to palm at his dick through his pants.

“Now you,” XL says, breaking the kiss, feeling HC rock his hips into his touch.

“Then let's take this upstairs.”

XL barely gives a nod before HC is lifting him from the sofa. He instinctively wraps his legs around HC’s hips, and his arms hold onto his neck.

XL starts trailing kisses down HC’s neck, nipping at his collar bones, feeling HC kneed his ass as he walks them up the stairs to his softly lit room.

HC throws XL onto a large four poster bed. Dark mahogany frame, red chiffon curtains draped from  the frame, silken black sheets cool against XL’s heated body.

HC starts quickly pulling off his own clothes, quirking an eyebrow at the frozen XL.

“I don’t mind leaving clothes on, but I felt those abs you’re hiding under that shirt.”

XL’s eyes widen and then he’s quickly stripping, HC’s laugh echoing in the room.

HC tosses something onto the bed before crawling on top of XL. He presses his chest against XL, pressing him into the mattress, laying claim to his mouth, nipping at his lip, hands exploring exposed skin.

When HC has XL on the verge of tears he grabs him and flips him so he’s face down ass up. HC grabs the bottle of lube he tossed nearby earlier and pours out a decent amount.

He presses his chest against XL’s back and murmurs into his ear, “Be good and relax for me,” HC’s lube slicked fingers start tracing XL’s cleft.

“Say red if you need me to stop,” is all HC says before straightening out and thoroughly working XL’s hole open.

By the time HC flips him back over, XL is a trembling drooling mess. HC presses butterfly kisses all over XL’s face, massaging his trembling thighs, “So good for me. Letting this San Lang hear such delicious sounds.”

XL clings onto HC’s shoulders as his breathing settles and he stops trembling. His body feeling heavy, he settles deeply into the mattress and lets go of HC. He feels HC move around, hears the crinkling of the condom wrapper, then HC is back between his legs, stroking his thighs.

He presses a kiss to the inside of XL’s knee, “Don’t worry gege, I’ll take good care of you. Just make sure I can hear your pretty little voice.”

And true to his word, he does. He fucks XL roughly into the mattress with strong merciless thrusts as XL desperately clings to him. HC pulls on XL’s hair, making him bare his throat, biting red bruises into the unmarked skin, drawing out even more desperate mewls.

He manhandles XL’s body, pushing him onto his side and throwing a trembling thigh over his shoulder, gripping it to his chest for better leverage, punishing XL’s hole with the new and deeper angle.

Resounding thwacks, followed by yelps and moans, fill the space as HC slaps XL’s plump ass, ogling as it jiggles with each strike.

When HC finally deems them finished, XL is a shaking prone mess. His chest heaves as he desperately tries to catch his breath. HC massages XL’s aching muscles as he wipes him down with a warm wash-cloth.

“Gege was so good. He did so well for me,” he’s murmuring sweet nothings to XL as he works.

HC tucks both of them into bed, bringing XL to lie on top of him, circling him in his arms. His hand traces soothing circles on XL’s back, and he presses kisses to the top of XL’s head. XL tucks himself into a tighter ball, curling under HC’s chin.

“Rest gege, I’ll take care of everything in the morning.” XL gives a small nod before fully relaxing and falling asleep.

The next morning XL can barely move, groaning as he wakes up. HC carries him to the already prepared bath in the en suite bathroom. He washes him, much to XL’s embarrassment.

Dressed in HC’s much too large lounge clothes, XL joins him in the kitchen for breakfast. HC has prepared a large breakfast spread for them both, and makes sure that XL is eating his fill.

When they finish they take their tea to HC’s back yard and sit in reclining chairs on the patio. They talk about everything and nothing. It’s pleasant, and HC can’t remember the last time he enjoyed speaking with someone so much.

“Gege, do you have any plans today?” HC asks during a lull in the conversation.

XL tilts his head to the side as he thinks, “I don’t work today, so no I don’t have anything planned.”

“Then would gege do me the honor of accompanying me to my club tonight?”

“Oh? Are you sure? I’ll probably look really out of place.”

“Don’t worry about that gege, I’ll handle it. But don’t force yourself if you don’t want to.”

“No no, I want to go.” XL turns fully to HC and grabs his hand, “I would love to see the place you’ve built yourself San Lang.”

HC feels his chest tighten, “Alright then, it’s a date.”

[peerless-soshi]

May I ask for your nice drabble with hualian and 6 + 46?

Rules: Send me two (2) tropes from this list + a ship and I’ll describe how I’d combine them in the same story.

Bookshop AU + Blind Date

The mission looked simply.

Step one: go to the bookstore. Step two: grab the book. Step three: leave the bookstore without causing any additional problems.

Nothing out of ordinary - if you’re an ordinary person, of course, and not Xie Lian. A loser he was, he never had any hopes things could just go as planned.

It could have been worse, Xie Lian thought, gritting his teeth and reaching up. It was good enough that nobody saw him in this embarrassing pose. He stood on his tiptoe, grabbed the shelf, raised his head… Just a little more! His arm started to ache, as if an army of annoying yet bloodthirsty ants was biting it off… And he wasn’t even that short. But here and now, Xie Lian felt like a hamster climbing a bed. Or a bookcase.

It was routine after lectures for him to go to the small bookstore with used books and do homework. Usually, he could count on a nice seller that always took afternoon shifts and wandered through the aisles decked in the smell of books, quietly like a speck of dust, somehow ending up near Xie Lian. But today the boy was nowhere to be found. Maybe Xie Lian shouldn’t be surprised; after all, the book he needed was placed at the very top of the bookcase, and his bad luck made sure there was no ladder nor help to save him.

Xie Lian looked around, then glanced up. It was there; a small paper butterfly eyed him back from the spine of the book, silvering in the light so dimmed by the high shelves. It was just his imagination, a stupid rustle of sheets, but Xie Lian thought he heard a distant wings flutter…

Embarrassing.

Any claims that the paper butterfly was left there for him were nonsense and haughty dreams. He bowed his head. Xie Lian knew he was insisting upon a reason in a coincidence, but last thing he wanted to do — the very last thing — was stopping right before the ending. And so Xie Lian set his foot on the bottom shelf and cautiously checked the weight. Nothing, The bookcase seemed to be stable, hundreds of heavy stories resting on its shelves and holding them under the cover of dust. He added another leg, straightened up. Waited. The sound of crash never came. Well, it was already more than Xie Lian was hoping for. The bookcase falling on him, burying him under a ton of paper like under rubbish and leaving like that until the next morning… Xie Lian pictured it that way. Or similar. But he could easily reach up and touch the book with the silver butterfly. Almost. Just few more centimeters…

The crack came to his ears later than expected. Xie Lian didn’t have time to glean much of an impression from what was going on, he only felt the book slipping away from his fingers and falling, pulling along a cascade of volumes. Allowing himself to act on the spur of the moment, Xie Lian tried to catch them.

Expect that he was the one being caught.

“What?” he exclaimed, meeting the blink of crimson eyes.

It was him. The nice seller, Hua Cheng.

His one hand closed on Xie Lian’s waist, helping him, while the other kept in place the escaping books, like a thread of light passing from a dark corner, too fast to notice. Xie Lian’s breathing swallowed. Strange. He didn’t expect to be that surprised by books… As if remembering about his offence, Xie Lian looked up to see that Hua Cheng stopped the swaying bookcase and pulled something from the cursed top shelf.

“Is this what you were looking for?” he asked with a smile.

“Yes. Thank you a lot,” Xie Lian answered, taking the book and trying to return the smile despite the blush flooding his ears.

“You should call me, I would came,” Hua Cheng said, and then added, a bit like explaining something that stayed only in his mind, “It’s really quiet here. I’d just hear you no matter what.”

Xie Lian simply nodded. His nervousness was palpable; seen in tense gestures, heard in shaking words. “There’s no need, no need! I didn’t want to bother you… though in the end, I did it anyway, right? You’re looking at the master of making unwanted problems.“

“You’re never a problem,” Hua Cheng stated faintly.

“You only said that because you didn’t spend enough time with me,” Xie Lian commented with a rueful smile, his words spilling out.

Has he really just said it?

The bookseller didn’t answer immediately, faltering into a painful silence. Xie Lian risked a quick look at Hua Cheng’s face. Though so skilled in browsing books, he still couldn’t read it. There was a glint of surprise in his eyes, and a shadow of annoyance on his lips. He didn’t speak, but something passed between them.

It was when Hua Cheng broke the silence. “I’ll never refuse my biggest help in your slightest worry. Just ask.”

Upon hearing it Xie Lian noticed, finally, how small was the distance between them. If he stepped forward, he could scuffed his palm on Hua Cheng’s chest and maybe feel the smell of flowers, now shallow under the ever-present old paper scent. So he did what any adult would do in the face of an awkward situation — turned on his heels and fled.

“Thank you for your help and goodbye!”

“Gege, wait!” Hua Cheng called, flashing a glance Xie Lian’s way. But he was cut by the closing door.

True, it was rude to run away so suddenly, but he’s gotten used to offending people despite his intention. What new could detract him? So Xie Lian just run, until his knees felt weak, until his throat trapped his breath, hoping Hua Cheng didn’t chase after him.

Now, what was pushing him out from the bookstore? Shame? Probably. Whatever it was, he had to get away, or his heart would reach a speed threatening to end him in an ambulance. Not that he expected a real heart attack. Dying like that would be too simple.

When the familiar street scenery was gone, Xie Lian also slowed down, his heartbeat deafening. Small clouds of his rapid breathing wrapped around his head, cooling drops of sweat. Yes, a breath in and out… A light frisson of shivers went down Xie Lian’s arms— the days were getting shorter and he couldn’t believe it was already so cold and late: dark sky above him, starlight outlining his shadow on the sidewalk. The chilly autumn air bit through his jacket.

Xie Lian was standing there, shaking a little, when a lightning hit: from a technical standpoint, he had just stolen this book, right? Taking an item from a place where said items were being sold and not paying for it could be called differently, but it boiled down to one: he was a thief.

Something new in his life.

The weird thing was, Xie Lian didn’t feel that bad. Now, when the heart was silent, his thoughts spoke much louder. There was nothing he could do but come back to the bookstore and apologize to Hua Cheng. If he turned back immediately, there was a chance the seller would give it up. Xie Lian didn’t have enough money to buy a hamburger at a promotional price, not to mention a prison bail. Take care of it immediately or die in a cell later. But then the book became heavier in his pocket. Xie Lian stopped and reached for it carefully. Checking now wouldn’t hurt… He stepped aside, leaned against the wall and let a little light of a street lamp hide him.

His curious eyes drifted through the text, lost in the new world. The small paper butterfly was still there, still on the spine, its wings like sails of a ship taking him on another journey. Xie Lian’s pulse stammered. The shush of pages turning showed him the familiar calligraphy, so crooked and messy and written in honey.

To Xie Lian,My heart is so full of you; I can hardly call it my own.- San Lang

Though it was the ugliest, the most cursed writing Xie Lian has ever seen, the quote decorated the whole front page like an example of how something can be beautiful without being beautiful. He found himself flattened against the wall, behind his closed eyelids imagining a hand scribbling those words, then painting them red and flowery… And oh, the hot flush of shame flooded him. It was burning. But like the previous ones, this book was filled with messages: some parts of the text were underlined, other fragments were added, and handwritten though barely legible notes snaked in the margins elsewhere. Pay attention to this… Isn’t it funny?… Actually in 1876… Don’t you think it can be interpreted as…

The mysterious San Lang kept leaving books for Xie Lian. And Xie Lian kept finding them in the next-door bookstore.

He hid the book under his arm. Sticking here wouldn’t help, especially when his homework was piling up somewhere in his room. But when Xie Lian turned the book upside down, something fell down. A petal of white, not so different than a paper butterfly: a rustling pair of glorious wings. The impulse to reach for it was so strong, and Xie Lian caught the piece of paper before it could touch the ground. From there, his own name glanced at him.

To Xie Lian, from San Lang.

An envelope.

He opened it with trembling hands.

I can think of so many things to tell you when you make me forget my words. This can’t be. If you come to the bookstore tonight at 7 pm, I’ll happily let you in. - San Lang

There was such an elegance in these lines, encyclopedias of meanings and feelings between them, that Xie Lian ignored how badly written it was. He only stared at the letter and read it again, under the street lantern. He read it while walking. He read it on the main sidewalk. He read it on a park bench. He stumbled over a can while reading it again.

Meet me. Someone was asking Xie Lian out.

He sort of wanted to go.

He sort of couldn’t get it out of his head that San Lang was a dream, daring and magnificent. And it was fictitious, of course. Xie Lian liked it; talking with him through books and anonymous messages was almost… Was what? Romantic? This sounded way too proud and could seriously mean a thousand things. But something Xie Lian has never considered was accepting that San Lang was just a person of skin and blood, even though he knew it. He did. And he knew that looking into his eyes with so many confessions stored behind the back door in his memory… Xie Lian blushed. It have made him feel awkward.

Running on a blind date with a stranger, late in the evening, when nobody knew where Xie Lian went was the perfect recipe to get somebody killed. Xie Lian was not somebody. He wandered about it a little when he stopped right before the bookstore, but much more he wandered why he called it a date

He had to admit to himself that rejecting the invitation after everything San Lang has done for him was unfair. At the very least Xie Lian could make sure it wasn’t a joke. And the almost-stolen book was a good excuse to come.

The first part of his problem appeared as soon as Xie Lian arrived; Hua Cheng was standing behind the glass door, peering at a crust of early autumn frost rousing in the corners. The street lights were caught on the glass like in a spider’s web, softening his features in golden touches of amber. He looked thoughtful; there was a light in his eyes of wistfulness and absolute wonder. For a moment Xie Lian suffered a slight prick of envy for whoever was behind this enthralled look. Until he realized that Hua Cheng was looking at him.

All of this happened in a flutter of seconds —Xie Lian took a step forward, seized the handle, and Hua Cheng approached, only to lock the door. He turned his head. Xie Lian was so accustomed to the emotions accompanying being ignored that it shouldn’t startle him, but it was Hua Cheng, and it hurt to be a phantom that couldn’t be seen. he fell back a step and the seller’s eyes followed him. Something on his face changed.

What was going on?

“Sorry….” Xie Lian started, hoping that Hua Cheng could hear him behind the door, “I didn’t want to bother…”

“No, I’m sorry,” Hua Cheng rushed to say, “It was me who made you feel bad. I didn’t want things… to turn out like this. Or to end like this. May you forget?”

“Forget?” Xie Lian repeated. He couldn’t stop himself and breathed out a small, incredulous laugh. “I came back to apologize for stealing this book and return it.” He pointed to the book hidden under his arm. “Why are you apologizing to me? I don’t understand.”

Hua Cheng blinked. They stood for a moment, facing each other on two sides of the door, until Xie Lian realized the air around him became warmer. It wasn’t the weather — his breath was still painting on the cold glass like a brush —but something inside his chest sparkled, and ignited. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Hua Cheng. The boy had red on his cheeks.

He tapped the door with his finger. “There’s nothing to worry about, I didn’t even consider it stealing. Take the book, it’s yours.”

But Xie Lian grabbed the handle. The soft guilt in his eyes now hardened. “Why did you apologize?” he asked, “What were you trying to say?”

Everything clicked into place. The books being always what he needed made sense, and he understood why they were waiting for him away from other customer’s sight. Why San Lang was never wrong about what to write, as if he knew him.

“It’s you?” Xie Lian whispered, not asked.

Hua Cheng bounced a little, his hand close to the lock. This time it was his turn to look as if he was about to run away from the bookstore and get on a plane to another country.

This has never crossed his mind — Hua Cheng and San Lang and his quiet bookstore — but the moment Xie Lian put his hand on the glass, the biggest smile lit his face, and the feeling of comfort filled him. Maybe he was crazy. After all, he was planning to go… on a date… with a secret admirer. But that’s the point: his blind date wasn’t blind at all.

“Didn’t you write that you would gladly let me in?”

The click of the lock was as beautiful as a silver butterfly.

[latenightblue]

(📷 2/2) Taiwan Day 3: Hello 花莲市 Huālián! 🏮🏮 Arguably one of the best places we've ever been. Made us realize lots of things 👬 花莲市 Huālián is a County of East Taiwan. It's part of our itinerary, and earlier morning was our flight from Taipei (north) to Hualian (east), only a quick 40min flight ✈ Taiwan is a small island nation. Most people live in the northern & western coast (facing South China Sea & Mainland China). On the other hand, the east coast is more 'tranquil', lots of pristine beaches (as it faces the Pacific Ocean) and lush forests. We instantly fell in love 🗻 Between us 2, my Boyfriend is really the outdoor kind of guy. He loves nature, the sea, hiking, camping, etc; all those physical activities done in the natural backdrop. I'm his opposite, I love the concrete jungle, I love skyscrapers, the city life, comfort, etc. We do love both, it's just that one outweighs the other. That's why when we were planning our Taiwan Trip months ago for my 24th Birthday, he added this place to our Itinerary. It's his 2nd time now. His 1st exp was in his childhood years, w/ his family. He couldn't appreciate these things back then, that's why he wants to revisit it. And now he's even happier as he brought the love of his life 😶👬 花莲市 Huālián is just so beautiful. The shots we took won't justify how breathtaking the scenes are in this place. We visited Taroko Gorge, Qixingtin Beach, & Cingshui Cliffs. Beautiful Taiwan 🏞 Happiest Birthday so far 😢 In my 24 years of existence, I've never seen a more awe-inspiring place than 花莲市. We promise to visit more places (that we crossed out, di kasya in our 3-day plan) in Taiwan next time 🎋 From Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and now Taiwan. Slowly realizng my childhood dreams of exploring my favorite country & culture: majestic China 🏮 All with the love of my life. Thank you & I love you Dong. 我也爱你宝贝! 😙👬 Chinese Erhu 🎶 (at Taroko in Hualien, Taiwan (台灣花蓮太魯閣))

[latenightblue]

(📷 1/2) Taiwan Day 3: Hello 花莲市 Huālián! 🏮🏮 Arguably one of the best places we've ever been. Made us realize lots of things 👬 花莲市 Huālián is a County of East Taiwan. It's part of our itinerary, and earlier morning was our flight from Taipei (north) to Hualian (east), only a quick 40min flight ✈ Taiwan is a small island nation. Most people live in the northern & western coast (facing South China Sea & Mainland China). On the other hand, the east coast is more 'tranquil', lots of pristine beaches (as it faces the Pacific Ocean) and lush forests. We instantly fell in love 🗻 Between us 2, my Boyfriend is really the outdoor kind of guy. He loves nature, the sea, hiking, camping, etc; all those physical activities done in the natural backdrop. I'm his opposite, I love the concrete jungle, I love skyscrapers, the city life, comfort, etc. We do love both, it's just that one outweighs the other. That's why when we were planning our Taiwan Trip months ago for my 24th Birthday, he added this place to our Itinerary. It's his 2nd time now. His 1st exp was in his childhood years, w/ his family. He couldn't appreciate these things back then, that's why he wants to revisit it. And now he's even happier as he brought the love of his life 😶👬 花莲市 Huālián is just so beautiful. The shots we took won't justify how breathtaking the scenes are in this place. We visited Taroko Gorge, Qixingtin Beach, & Cingshui Cliffs. Beautiful Taiwan 🏞 Happiest Birthday so far 😢 In my 24 years of existence, I've never seen a more awe-inspiring place than 花莲市. We promise to visit more places (that we crossed out, di kasya in our 3-day plan) in Taiwan next time 🎋 From Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and now Taiwan. Slowly realizng my childhood dreams of exploring my favorite country & culture: majestic China 🏮 All with the love of my life. Thank you & I love you Dong. 我也爱你宝贝! 😙👬 Chinese Erhu 🎶 (at Taroko in Hualien, Taiwan (台灣花蓮太魯閣))