The loser's left to fall (tgcf)

Exta chapter

Butterflies were gentle by default at least that's what Xie Lian has always thought.

They comforted him. Brushed against his cheek. Soft wings sounding utterly magical with each flap of their wings. They Swarmed him in warmth and love.  They served him were loyal to him and he in turn doted on them. Not that they needed it but the looked so fragile.

They were delicate as if one wrong move would shatter them. Often his heart has dropped seeing them fly into the light. They looked as if their wings would burst into flame and crumble to the ground.

Butterflies reminded him of Hua Cheng. Vulnerable. Delicate. Gorgeous.

But he was wrong. These silver creatures were anything but delicate.

He's said it before Hua Cheng was unlike anyone he'd known. Hua Cheng worshiped him in a way others never have. It felt like he's always been there watching over him. Protecting him.

Hua Cheng would give up the world if it meant Xie Lian would be happy.  And Xie lian now fears they say he does.

That is the love Xie Lian has been enveloped in while he's been in the ghost city.

At first it was awkward. Xie lian was really nothing more than a prize. He's been gambled away without a second thought all for the emperor to loose and send Xie lian on his way.

Surrounded by luxury Xie lian couldn't help but be on edge. Scared Hua Cheng would ask something of him. Yes he's been genuine up till now. Caring for his injured body and asking nothing of him then to rest but still Xie Lian's brain tried to prepare him for the inevitability of a wedding and... the wedding night.

Xie lian has always hated gambling. Ever since he'd seen first hand how it had ruined his teacher all those years ago. Xie lian still hates gambling now. The way people can bet things away like it's nothing makes his blood boil in a way he finds far to overwhelming.

It took a while for Hua Cheng to convince him he didn't do it to own Xie lian. And even longer to set his mind at ease that he would do nothing untoward to him.

To Hua Cheng, Xie lian was free. He could do whatever he wanted the only thing Hua Cheng had asked for was to be able to protect him.

Xie lian for some strange reason found it endearing. Hua Cheng was so powerful yet so childish in his thinking. It was refreshing. Nothing like the people he'd known.

Perhaps that's where he started falling. He had never felt equal in relationships. With the emperor he was a pawn. With his parents he was a delicate flower. With his friends he was the prince and even into Mu Qing and Feng Xin's relationship with him he had felt the surges of power.

Doubt had asked him if he only loved Mu Qing and Feng Xin because that was all he had ever known. Had he been blinded all those years?

But he knew in his heart he had adored them fully. His whole heart had been theirs. They could do with him as they pleased and he would accept. Hua Cheng didn't like that of course.

But Mu Qing and Feng Xin hadn't tried to reach out. Weeks had turned to months and no sign. He knows Hua Cheng would have struggled to accept them into Xie Lian's life if they had made contact, but would have selflessly folded knowing Xie Lian's happiness was worth more.

But no one reached out, no one called to him, no god had shown up to fight Hua Cheng for Xie Lian's hand.

So as the months passed by Xie Lian's heart break heals and Hua Cheng's love shines brighter and brighter.

And slowly like a lotus seed laying dormant in the mud he had begun to grow. With each passing day Hua Cheng had shown him what a life worth living looked like. What equality and compassion could do. Hua Cheng devoted himself to Xie lian and expected nothing in return. Happy enough to call Xie Lian's name and know he's safe.