Threads of Devotion

Seven

Once in Paradise Manor, Xie Lian brought them to their shared bedroom, carefully placing Hua Cheng on the bed. Xie Lian kneeled in front of him on the floor, helping to massage Hua Cheng's numb legs.

The god knew that Hua Cheng was in a vulnerable state. He didn't want to imagine the abuse and the trauma his beloved went through, though he had a faint idea of it all. He knew how lowly Hua Cheng regarded himself, and he knew that the largest factor that rendered him into this state was his hate for himself.

"Does San Lang hurt anywhere else?" Xie Lian asked, breaking the silence between them. Hua Cheng had been staring blankly as Xie Lian massaged at the pins and needles in his legs. He shook his head limply, eye cloudy as he held in tears.

"Did it..." Xie Lian thought of how he should phrase it. "Did it... touch you anywhere else?" The prospect of it was so horrible, so unimaginable that Xie Lian wouldn't know what to do if it were true.

It's a small relief, then, when Hua Cheng shakes his head again, slightly surprised by the question. Xie Lian nods in understanding. He gets up to sit by Hua Cheng on the bed, holding his hands gently.

"San Lang," Xie Lian whispered. "Can I have a few silver butterflies?"

Hua Cheng doesn't meet his eyes, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. But he does as told, and a few silver butterflies take shape in the air around them, fluttering about. Their silver wings emit a soft glow, lighting the room slightly.

Xie Lian smiled softly, catching a butterfly on his finger. He lifted Hua Cheng's sleeve, placing the butterfly on his wound. Hua Cheng's eye widened once he realizes the god's intent, and yanks his arm back. Xie Lian doesn't take offense to his action, and watches carefully as Hua Cheng's chest heaves up and down with breaths he doesn't need. Panic and fear is etched onto his features as he scoots back to the far corner of the bed.

Alarm systems are going off in Hua Cheng's head. He's still so very confused. Why didn't he sense the demon earlier? Why is Xie Lian acting so kind? The past few weeks have been a blur, and he's mixing the real with the fake. The face that he had registered with cruelty, is suddenly staring at him with calm, patient eyes.

"Y-your highness- what are you trying to-" Didn't the ghost king deserve these wounds? Weren't they a punishment? A reminder? Wasn't it all his fault? Why wasn't His Highness mad?

Seeing the distress in his beloved's face, Xie Lian inched closer, a hand outstretched in surrender.

"San Lang. It's okay. It's me." If Hua Cheng didn't want his wounds healed now, that was okay. Xie Lian could try again later. His main focus was on Hua Cheng's wellbeing. Xie Lian gently placed his palm against the ghost king's now tear-streaked cheek, observing how he still flinched, but eased into the touch soon after.

Xie Lian's heart ached at the state Hua Cheng had been rendered into. Though usually seeming all-powerful, underneath the ghost king's mask was a broken man, still haunted by his past. Though, when you've lived as long as they had, of course you'd be broken. Xie Lian couldn't name a single person in heaven that wasn't.

As Hua Cheng seemed to slow his breathing, Xie Lian opened his arms, gently pulling the ghost king into a hug. Hua Cheng didn't seem to protest, but was tense as he laid his head on Xie Lian's chest. The god shifted his position to get Hua Cheng into a more comfortable position. He stroked Hua Cheng's head, humming a small tune. Tears soaked into Xie Lian's robes but he paid them no mind.

"I'm sorry," Hua Cheng choked out. He wasn't sure where to put his arms- he wasn't sure if he was welcome to return the hug. Xie Lian shushed him.

"Nonsense," he said, planting a kiss on top of Hua Cheng's head. "You have nothing to apologize for."