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╭────── · · ਏਓ · · ──────╮ 011 : living together ╰────── · · ਏਓ · · ──────╯
crickets were heard throughout the night as the three finally got to a shelter which is xie lian's humble, small, shrine. the owner of the shrine was currently on the floor as he fished out the things he had bought earlier morning.
"'temple is about to collapse. beloved benefactors,'" [f/n] started. entering the shrine as san lang carefully moved the curtains for him. "'please donate for the repair, as well as for your blessing.'" he finishes reciting on what was written on the board outside.
"see, it is shabby. that's why i was afraid that you two would mind." the two males stands next to xie lian at the center of the shrine. they both observed the rundown shack. tattered cloths serving as a curtain and door as it barely hanged on its hinges. though, for them, knowing that it was a god's home, it gave a strong sense of peace.
san lang assures the worried god who was still fixing his stuff, "it's not bad. do you have a bed?" xie lian points to the side and they saw the gathered hay with a thin mattress on top that was supposed to be a bed. "if you don't mind.. we three could share a bed tonight."
while [f/n] felt pity when he saw the poor attempt of a makeshift bed, san lang's features soften before he looks to the side to speak with a soft voice. "fine by me." a bit flustered at the fact he was going to share a bed with the two people that he admires so much.
silence crept between them as xie lian rose up from his spot to pat away the dusts off the hay bed. he felt a bit embarrassed for the inconvenience he caused for the two of them, but nonetheless gestured for them to lay down on the bed.
the feeling of it was barely soft, yet [f/n] and san lang took their positions. who were they to even complain? it was a good thing that xie lian was kind enough to make them stay. and just like earlier, [f/n] was placed in between them by their request.
the crown prince started to prepare himself to sleep. he removed his white robe, shoes and others. while he was undoing the tie of his other bandages, he starts to talk. "i'm really sorry for the inconvenience. my place is really a rundown.." he trails off when he notices the two staring at the mark that was seen on the gaps of the bandages on his neck.
'a cursed shackle.' [f/n] also looks down to xie lian's ankle, 'two cursed shackles. one in his neck, and one on his right ankle.' a frown was seen on his face, his dull [e/c] eyes going darker at the sight. he felt mad at himself. he wasn't present when it happened to xie lian. he wasn't able to prevent it from happening.
xie lian's cursed shackles was a reminder for [y/n] to constantly tell himself that he is indeed—a useless god.
the crown prince immediately covers the marks when he saw them looking at it. noticing the bothered expression on his face, [f/n] changed the topic. "i believe that this place is great. it definitely has a lot of potential." he looks around, trying to find something. "you're just missing a few things here and there."
