Challenge- Xie Lian ignores Hua Cheng!

Mind Numb, Hushed Breaths

The sun seemed happy.

The flowers chuckled happily.

Even the breeze wanted to tickle him.

It was all unfair. This was one of the reasons he resented the Gods - except, of course, his God.

And now his God - beloved - was.. angry at him? He swore inwardly that whoever hurt his Gege would experience things worse than death itself. Oh, they will wish they are dead alright.

He poked his temple with his index and middle finger. Communication Array.

Few minutes later, a voice barely audible croaked, "Hello?"

"He Xuan." Hua Cheng said, as though tasted something bitter.

"Oh?" the person at the other end gloated. "well? Is there anything in particular you want this slave of yours to finish, or are you just here to annoy me like last time?"

Hua Cheng mentally noted to increase his debt later. "I don't have time for this. Did something happen at the upper court earlier today?"

"Does this have something to do with your crown prince? I haven't visited the heavenly realm for a while, so I do not know."

If possible, Hua Cheng would've thrown all the worldly curses at him.

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

He Xuan probably felt the ominous aura coming from him. Which is why he wisely replied a gruff "Hm."

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It had been very awkward, to say the least. Concerning on Hua Cheng's part. His Gege would not speak to him, smile at him or even meet eyes with him.

Xie Lian had been avoiding him like the Human Face Plague itself. They ate in silence and when Hua Cheng tried to talk with him, he would find an excuse or run away. They spent the entirety of evening playing chase.

After some time, Xie Lian noticed that San Lang did not try to interact with him anymore. He just... disappeared? His chest hurt too much to think.

How long will I be able to avoid him?

There were times he foolishly called out San Lang, calling him for dinner or for practicing calligraphy. Only when the reply was the sound of trees gently swaying outside did he come back to reality.

He spent the rest of the day sulking in the corner. Somehow, although he inwardly admitted that it should've been San Lang who sulked, he couldn't help but feel all gloomy. There was a stretch of pit in his stomach, which remained empty no matter how much he tried to cheer up. His heart was a tangled bush of thorns; it hurt him that he was the one hurting San Lang.

San Lang had a hurt look on his face.. other times, he simply just stared as his Gege shot him down...

All sorts of images of San Lang spun in his mind. His eyes, with their usual twinkle gone. .The pout.

Xie Lian fumbled with his blanket rather harshly. He wiggled here and there, trying to keep the streaming tears in check.

He failed. The sobs he locked at bay came crashing down his throat.

Author's note: I haven't edited this chapter, though it has been revised twice. So please do not refrain from commenting if there are any mistakes/errors - be it regarding Cannon or grammar!

And I also wanna thank the lovely dear who commented first in the entirety of this fanfic. It really made my day!

OMIGOSH I FINALLY FINISHED ANOTHER DRAFT.