If I asked it would you take me away? (Hualian tgcf)

《4》

As Xie Lian followed the earth master in silence he couldn't help but notice that cute little butterfly buzzing around the other. How darling. Like a cute child asking for attention. So clean and white. Like a fresh flower that glowed in the sun.

It looked... actually upon closer inspection it looked almost angry. Did Hua Cheng... no. Surely not. But maybe... perhaps. Xie Lian shakes his head. Only one way to find out!

"Lord earth master?" Xie Lian questions tentatively. "Yes?" The god answers not turning around or paying any mind to the butterfly. "It seems my dear husband doesn't like you very much."

The earth master freezes unexpectedly and surprisingly, so does the butterfly. Xie Lian doesn't notice and I'm true clumsy fashion, bumped into the back of him. He apologised quietly stepping back.

"You...what?" He asks not acknowledging the apology. "What makes you say that. Like I've ever met a ghost king before. I'm far to busy being lazy."

Xie Lian smiles not a great lire yet he's managed to hide himself so well. "Also your highness if I was to ask for your private communication array password..." he says looking off with the same far away expression as last time. He's talking to someone. Probably Ling Wen.

The heavens own personal helicopter mom.

"I'd say recite the ethics sutras a thousand times." The god looks baffled. There's a strange glow to his eye as he scowls tapping his temple. Ling Wen must be giving him trouble.

Then after a long sigh. 'I see. An interesting choice.' He says testing it out. 'Indeed.'

Xie lian glances at the creature still flapping mid air. And he laughs. His husbands friends are so cute. So sweet and.. well rather deadly actually.

He Xuan follows his gaze and scowls. "Damn pests." He says swatting it. The butterfly avoids the hit easily. But then again this earth master didn't really try. Almost like he's putting on a show.

"Your Highness do you perhaps know if fish like to eat butterflies?"

Xie Lian tilts his head. Well if that didn't confirm his suspicions nothing will. "What a curious question." He ponders. "I'd doubt it. Maybe some do but I'd hardly call it a nutritious meal. I'd think they'd much prefer maggots or other fish. At least bigger bug. Maybe even kelp or algae of some kind?" He questions. "I use to have a large koi pond but I can't seem to remember what we fed them. Pellets perhaps." The prince sighs. "It was so long ago now."

The earth master laughs. "Not nutritious you say? Yes, I think you're right. Maybe they'd be interested in eating a god?" He muses. Xie Lian taps his chin. "Perhaps, though I wouldn't have thought skeleton fish require any kind of sustenance." He says matter of fact.

The earth master nods. "No you're right there, they just like to play. They're young after all barely two hundred." Xie Lian giggles to himself and stretches his hand out. "Come now Hua Cheng. Rest while I talk to your friend here."

The butterfly does as told and obediently rests on the gods hand.

He Xuan watches unamused. "Hua Cheng has no friends, only enemies." The other says coldly.

"Oh hush black water, you're his friend are you not?" Xie Lian asks. "Hard chance. I just owe him money, pet care is expensive. But my babies deserve the best."

Xie Lian humms looking down at his hand smiling. "I like marine life." He says. "I've missed not having fish to talk to as well." He Xuan peers over. "You talked to your fish?" Xie Lian looks offended. "Like you don't." He says pouting.

He Xuan has to give him that one. "Alright so I do, what are you going to do?! Tell everyone?!" He grumbles. Xie Lian laughs shaking his head. "Of course not! Everyone already knows He Xuan is obsessed with his fish. Of course it's a given you'd talk to them." Then before He Xuan can react Xie Lian looks up.