Heaven Official's Blessing - Extra Chapter ["The First Time"]

Extra Chapter: "The First Time"

A/N: This chapter takes place during the last chapter of the final volume installment of the Heaven Official's Blessing series.

"The First Time"

Xie Lian slowly swam up from the waters of a dream, and the first thing he could sense was a cool presence at his side. Letting out a soft sigh, he snuggled closer. A strong arm wrapped around his back; his head pillowed on soft fabric, and below, that sweet coolness against his cheek.

He rested there for a long moment, utterly content, before the last vestiges of his dream slipped away. Suddenly, he was aware of a bright light against the back of his eyelids, and opened his eyes.

Sunlight was streaming through the front windows of the Puqi Shrine, casting the entire south wall in a brilliant golden glow. His gaze drifted from the kitchen, dishes from last night's dinner neatly stacked beside the sink; to the table, empty except for a glass bottle stuffed with small white flowers, their petals soft and sweet, mid-bloom; to the altar close to his feet, upon which sat incense, small trinkets, and a magnificent painting of the god for whom the shrine was erected. Everything appeared ethereal in the morning glow.

Blinking slowly, Xie Lian's gaze landed on the person beside him.

It still didn't feel real.

Black hair loose and messy against the straw mat, black eyelashes brushing against his pale cheek, a sharp jaw, pink lips parted just slightly... Hua Cheng slept quietly, peacefully, and Xie Lian's heart constricted in his chest.

It had been a month since the Lantern Festival, a month since Xie Lian returned to the Puqi Shrine and saw him standing in the yard, raising a lantern in Xie Lian's name to the sky as gently as if a bird was taking flight from his hand. Xie Lian always knew he would return. He kept hope burning hot and bright in his chest for a year, ever since he was forced to watch Hua Cheng dissolve into nothingness in Mount TongLu. But the abundant relief, happiness, and joy that had consumed him for the last few weeks seemed too good to be true. Even now, Xie Lian couldn't tear his eyes away from Hua Cheng. The sunlight kissed and smoothed all his features, like he was radiating a heavenly aura.

Xie Lian raised his hand without realizing what he was doing and traced his fingers softly down Hua Cheng's cheek. His touch was feather-light, and yet Hua Cheng's eye opened.

Xie Lian's cheeks tinged with pink. He went to pull his hand away, but Hua Cheng laid his own hand over Xie Lian's, trapping it against his cheek.

"I didn't mean to wake you," Xie Lian whispered.

"Gege, there's no better way to wake up," Hua Cheng murmured back, lips lifting. His voice was slightly hoarse from sleep and it sent a tiny shiver through him.

"Would you like some tea?" Xie Lian asked.

"Lay here with me a little longer first," Hua Cheng said. When it became clear Xie Lian wasn't going to leave, Hua Cheng let go of his hand, and Xie Lian rested his head back against Hua Cheng's chest. The Ghost King didn't have a heartbeat or emit any kind of body heat like a living person, so when they were mired in the heat of summer, being near him was like a refreshing breeze, cool and soothing. He could feel Hua Cheng lightly playing with his hair, running strands between his fingers, twisting them back and forth without ever tugging on them. Outside, he could hear birds chirping and the wind rustling gently in the trees. It was so quiet around the shrine that he could even make out, very faintly, the morning shouts and chatter of the nearby town as its citizens began the day.

He closed his eyes for a bit but he wasn't able to fall back asleep; instead, he sank into serenity like a stone in deep water.

Eventually there came a rustling on the path leading up to the shrine and the low murmur of voices. There were two: the croak of an older man and a younger, brash voice, in easy conversation.