Threads of Devotion

One

"San Lang doesn't want gege to gooooo," Hua Cheng whined, clinging to his god's waist, still barely awake. He buries his face in Xie Lian's stomach, legs tangled in the blankets. His sprawled, disheveled state made Xie Lian coo over how cute his husband is.

"Awww, I'm sorry San Lang, I really have to go," Xie Lian said softly, stroking Hua Cheng's head as he sat at the edge of the bed. "I told you this last night, remember? Qianqiu is having trouble with this demon in the east terrorizing villages, so I have to go help."

"But two weeks??" Hua Cheng groaned exasperatedly. "Is gege sure I can't go too? I could help!"

Xie Lian shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry beloved, but you have your own things to tend to anyway," He apologized again. He felt bad for leaving San Lang behind, but he really couldn't help it. Usually he would be gone for a day or two at most, but this demon was reported at least at a wrath rank, so it will take longer to investigate and find a way to capture it, if they could find it.

"But 4:30 in the morning? The heavens are working you too hard- does this San Lang need to burn more temples?" The ghost king looked up at Xie Lian, his sleepy eyes blazing. Xie Lian laughed, bringing himself away from his thoughts.

"No, there's no need for that." He leaned down to kiss the top of Hua Cheng's head. "Come now, be good San Lang," He teased softly, slowly removing himself from Hua Cheng's grip. "We can still communicate through spiritual array, right?"

"...Mm," Hua Cheng sighed reluctantly, moving to sit up. As much as he wanted his gege to stay, he knew his god had his own business. It's not like he could follow him around the heavens all day. (Even though he wanted to.) And he had faith in his husband's strength. Xie Lian stood up from the bed and snapped his fingers, changing out of his sleeping robes into his daily daoist robes, though these had butterflies embroidered at the hems of the robe and sleeves- a gift from Hua Cheng. One that the god was reluctant to accept at first, but now he wears them almost everyday.The ghost king opened his arms, beckoning Xie Lian for a hug, to which Xie Lian obliged.

Xie Lian squeezed his beloved tightly, before planting another kiss on his forehead, then his lips.

"I love you, San Lang. I'll be back soon, okay?"

Hua Cheng hummed contently. "Love you gege. Be safe."

***

When Xie Lian arrived at the eastern territories, nearing the village he and Lang Qianqiu had agreed to meet at, he spotted the other crown prince leaning against a fence outside of a small teashop just outside of the village, a distant look on his face. Xie Lian was faintly surprised that a teashop was still open this time of day with its lights still on, and he held a sudden sense of respect for the owners.

"Qianqiu," Xie Lian greeted warmly, smiling as he waved. Qianqiu snapped from his stupor, straightening as Xie Lian approached.

"Guoshi." The title escaped his mouth before he could stop it, and he paused, realizing the weight that word held. But he didn't know how to take it back. Xie Lian didn't seem to mind though, as his smile just deepened.

"Is anyone else joining us, or will it just be the two of us tonight?" He asked, but just as he said it, a familiar voice could be heard not far from them.

"Xie Lian!" Feng Xin called, waving as he came into view, with Mu Qing behind him. The latter was trying to refrain from rolling his eyes again, Xie Lian could see.

Xie Lian smiled at his two old friends. "Feng Xin, Mu Qing," he greeted, nodding.

Mu Qing let out a sigh, massaging the bridge of his nose. "It's way too early for this," he said, and Feng Xin snorted.