Author's POV
The insufficiency of light was seen everywhere, and it looked mysterious because of the darkness. In a dead silence without the presence of any sound to describe the night scene, it could suddenly hear footsteps clearly proving itself to be the only sound.
A young man in tattered rags, walked and strayed along the desolate streets his heart fluttering at times he could see dark imprints dancing on the periphery of his vision; something crept within the shadows that made the cold of the night creep into the bones taking him up in a cocoon of dread.
"W-Who's there?" a young man asked with a voice almost ghostly, perspiration dripping down his forehead and driven sweat into his eye to keep his eyes locked on something ahead, unable to look back for what could be seen in their places. The night was alive; it'd push against him like an amorphous being, so thick and stifling.
"I-I asked who?" he repeated, the question rising a little in pitch, betraying rising panic within him. The oppressive silence that shrouded him felt like some heavy blanket and when he thought he could almost convince himself it was all in his head, one single, ominous ray of red light peeked from behind to slice through the darkness and shed light upon something horrific. At that instant, reality shattered, and he fell to the ground, paralyzed by fear.
"Aaaaa!" he shouted, his voice out into the darkness, but then he was gone, disappeared among the shadows as if never breathed into existence.
And everywhere grew quiet again, in a dead silence that was heavier somehow, air thick with an unnamed tension that lingered well after the crying had ended.
· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·
A soft caressing wind whispers past open windows and creates a scene of alluring elegance as dawn is breaking across the room, painting everything in light golden hues.
A streak of sunlight crept through the red curtains and danced upon the bodies of two males entwined in each other's loving embrace. The two males slowly opened their eyes deep into each other's soulful expression. A man in white, tousled hair and smooth skin cuddling into the other, dressed in sleek black, strong yet tender. Such an easily audible heart rhythm, synchronized beats speaking of a tie more profound than words, a tied body driven to reaction by each touch, warm and thickly intimate. As his body presses against hers, the man in black closes the distance between their lips, softly pressing into hers and does not want to make a break through the lingering magic of the moment. With each respiration shared for the other, they sink into a tender exploration, which soon turns into a heated make-out session, feeding their passion and pushing them closer toward lovemaking as morning light pours into the room.
"Gege, how are you?" Hua Cheng teased, a playful smirk on his lips as he watched the older man struggle up, a smile and bliss from the early moments still floating in the air.
The man in white blushed, his cheek turning to a soft crimson, "I am f- " before he could finish the sentence, Hua Cheng lifted his Gege in a playful bridal style without giving the older man the chance to protest.
Xie Lian, surprised by the quick movement and embarrassed at the show of affection, covered his face with two hands, heart fluttering at the display, while the younger simply let loose into a small, infectious chuckle as he carried his husband toward the bathroom. After a refreshing bath that full of warmth and laughter, Hua Cheng softly laid Xie Lian back in their bed; the sheets were warm from the earlier intimacy of warmth.
"Gege, you rest; I will be back in some time; something urgent came up," he said, as his words slightly changed to pack out.
"Okay, then I will wait for you," replied Xie Lian smiling warmly. It was not easy for the younger man to leave when love strung him on like a tether and pulled at heartstrings as he lingered near the door.
After making up his mind numerous times to leave his husband, Hua Cheng walked toward the Paradise Hall of Paradise Manor his mind still waltzing with thoughts of his beloved.
Paradise Manor stood in the middle of Ghost City and was close to a shivering lake. It was home but very well-compacted sanctuary covered with memories that seemed to peek through laughter as well as love. The manor, as a gorgeous pavilion lavishly carved with intricate detailing and an intense aura of serenity, is where Hua Cheng and Xie Lian had been staying since they got married---an indestructible bond that could have lasted almost half a century.
"Better if it's something important!" declared Hua Cheng, his sparkling glint targeting directly at his assistant, who was visibly dripping with sweat because of the intensity of his master's gaze.
"Some evil ghosts have escaped from prison," Yin Yu said, not in a very loud voice, as he did his best to keep himself within bounds.
"Only this?" Hua Cheng asked, his calm demeanor a mask to the tempest brewing under, his mind raring for ideas on how to deal with all the chaos.
"Not just this; the ghost is now causing trouble in the mortal realm," Yin Yu continued, his voice quivering as he feared for his life at the beck of the Ghost King.
"Where exactly in mortal realm?" Hua Cheng asked the question.
"In the Nightless City; most of the disturbances occur there," Yin Yu replied, his voice wavering slightly.
"Go, go now, I will handle it myself!" said Hua Cheng with a charming smile, his head whirling with an idea as to how to combine duty with much-needed getaway. He turned swiftly about and went back to the room that held his heart.
"Gege, why'd you get up?" Hua Cheng teased with a smile, sitting the older man up on the bed as concern etched the lines in his features.
"I am okay, San lang; I simply wanted to get some water," Xie Lian reassured as he reached out to hold his husband's hands, the warmth of their connection grating their reality into place.
"Mn Gege, want to travel?" Hua Cheng suddenly asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief as if he were concocting something deliciously devious.
"Well, some ghosts are causing trouble in the mortal realm, so I think if we go together, we can also explore new places after resolving the matter," Hua Cheng suggested, his grin expanding, planning to go on a honeymoon with an excuse of investigation.
"Of course, San lang, we'll go together!" says Xie Lian, his mild smile and curious expression alive with a thrill of excitement. "But where are we going? You said new places?" he asked in a questioning tone of voice.
"Nightless City!" says Hua Cheng enthusiastically, the prospect of adventure joyfully filling him.
"Fine then, let's head out in the evening!" Xie Lian cried with excitement, causing the little young man to smirk as his little plan came off without a hitch.
"Well, then, let's sleep!" said Hua Cheng, drawing his husband close, warmth of their bodies creating a cocoon of safety and love as they surrendered to the gentle embrace of slumber.
YOU ARE READING
𝐇𝐮𝐚 𝐘𝐢𝐧𝐠┃𝐘𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 ✓
Fanfiction: In the process of rewriting : "Lan Zhan, look how beautiful! Aren't they?" Wei Wuxian pointed towards the silver butterflies flying gracefully around him, their wings beating gently in the night like tiny pieces of a starry sky. "Mn!" replied Lan...
