Heart of the Sea

C7: Our End

HC POV:

It's been some time since I woke up. I found him underwear, cooked food for Xie Lian and showed him around. "San Lang? Are these today's Televisions?" I looked at him bewildered. He lives under the water and suddenly knows what a TV is.. "What? I was around when the first Telephone was let alone a Television. Hell, I went straight to England to see it in the works!" I was in pure shock but that was replaced with a small smile. "So you're saying I'm infatuated with a grandpa? It's not like I didn't know that but I'm glad it's confirmed..." He went quiet. Too quiet. Way too quiet. I look at him from over my shoulder. I stop scrubbing the dishes when I see his face. "Heh?" That snapped him out of it. I turned off the water and turned around. "Huh?"

"You went quiet. You good?" As Hua Cheng continued to watch the merman, he saw him go pink. As if the heat was slowly rising. You could see him practically steaming.. "You... you said you're infatuated with– with me..." Xie Lian pointed to himself bashfully and started twiddling his thumbs. "I did, didn't I? It's crazy. You say you love someone and they either blush or they don't believe you. Most of the time they try to let you down slowly.." Hua Cheng turned back to the dishes and continues to scrub them. "So, which of those will follow your very pink and nervous reaction?" He didn't want to know but it'd be better than overthinking and possibly dying just by not knowing. At least then he'd know if the other man didn't want him around. So he'd pack up and leave. "I... where'd those stupid thoughts come from? I feel the same way.. burns me inside all the same." Hua Cheng froze and smiled to himself. "Thank you..."

You know maybe he can stay missing forever. The two of them can stay right here or travel the sea together. "Gege, do you want to stay here with me? I'll teach you more about human society. You get to try new things. I'll switch my job and we'll live peacefully on this beach. You'll still have the water and we'll share the land.." Hua Cheng proposed in the middle of the night. They're on the balcony of their shared room. Looking at stars and talking about everything and nothing. "Mmn. That'd be nice. No one to disturb our peace. You, with me. I'd love that."

Third Person:

Of course there will come a day when it'll be just Xie Lian again. But he'd cross that bridge when he comes to it. He may possibly meet Hua Cheng's incarnation or die happily with his lover waiting for him on the other side. A more peaceful way to go in his opinion. But knowing God, and his plans, he'll live through many incarnations of Hua Cheng before he can rest peacefully. On this beach, where his happiness has truly become a reality. Yeah... a great way to go.

Then like their conversation never happened, Xie Lian let out a breath. He sank into Hua Cheng's shoulder who in turn, did the exact same. The two would be found days later by He Xuan. He'd let an involuntary tear slip from his eyes. For though their friendship was rocky on the out and inside, he still truly cared. He wishes he could've said goodbye, but he's happy he died with the man he saw all those years ago in a dream. Instead of calling the police, however, he decided to hire a private service. One that would cremate the two together. He then went along the beach to find they're perfect view. A hard goodbye. But one he know's was returned.

Xie Lian, a Merman, and Hua Cheng, an ordinary human. Both forever together, on the beach, in their cozy home, or traveling the many oceans and seas together. Their happy ending. They suffered illness during their travels back to land and now live in an eternal paradise of their own.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I'm sorry I ended it here but I can't continue it with how busy I've become. I prioritize my health and this is not where it lies. Heart of The Sea may rest here now with you all. Again thank you, and good night.