Messed up love

Chapter 22- Core and Promises

Xingchen's eyes widened when Xue Yang pressed his lips against his own. He felt the man squeezing his waist and relaxed a bit, he closed his eyes and moved his lips slowly. Xue Yang responded and smiled at the sweet kiss.
He sucked on Xingchen's bottom lip gently and felt the man wrap his arms around his neck. He pulled Xingchen closer and pulled back, "Sorry, I couldn't help it."
"It's fine," Xingchen whispered back, "I started it."
"I'm also sorry for slapping you," Xue Yang whispered, "I still hate myself for that."
"Don't worry about it," Xingchen said smiling, "I deserved it."
     "No you didn't," Xue Yang whispered getting close, "you were looking out for Yanli and needed help. It isn't your fault that Jiang Cheng left, it isn't his either. It was just an accident starboy."
    "You'll never stop calling me that will you?" Xingchen chuckled softly.
     "No, especially now," Xue Yang kissed Xingchen's cheek, "starboy."
Xingchen giggled sweetly, "Moonboy."
   "I like that," Xue Yang smiled.
    "Good, because that's your new name," Xingchen said, "moonboy."
    "Thanks starboy," Xue Yang murmured, "I like it."
    "And I like you," Xingchen softly said.
    "Really?" Xue Yang asked, "I do too."
    Xingchen smiled widely and jumped on Xue Yang who caught him, he kissed the man joyfully.
    Xue Yang was holding Xingchen up by the waist as he kissed him, he smiled into the kiss earning a small laugh.
    They fell on the bed and laughed, Xingchen laid his head on Xue Yang's chest and closed his eyes, "You don't know how long I've been wanting to do this with you."
   "I have too," Xue Yang said, he caressed Xingchen's head and ran a finger through the strands if hair.
    "Moonboy," Xingchen said softly, "do you think we'll be alright?"
    "I'm sure we will starboy," Xue Yang said, "I'm sure everything will get better and we'll soon be living a good happy life."
    "Promise?" Xingchen asked.
    "Promise."

    They had sent Yanli away while she was asleep in a cart. She would probably wake up feeling lost and betrayed but it was for her own safety.
    Wei Ying had also already told Jiang Cheng that if he went to the top of the mountain he would meet Baoshan Sanren and get his golden core fixed. It was a lie of course but it was the only way to tell him, he couldn't just say he was going to give his core to him.
   "Wei Wuxian, are you ready?" Wen Qing asked, she was in the mountain with Wei Ying, Xue Yang, and Wen Ning who was holding Jiang Cheng.
    "I'm ready," Wei Ying said, he took a deep breath and sat down next to where Jiang Cheng was lying. Wen Qing took out a book and a bottle of medicine, she was about to give it to Wei Ying but stopped.
    "Wait...this can't be right," she whispered, "it says that if anything is consumed before or during this process, it will damage the core. But I was sure that it said..."
   "It's fine," Wei Ying said, "I don't need it."
   "Are you sure?" Wen Qing asked, "this is going to be very painful if you don't take it."
    "I don't want the golden core to be damaged," Wei Ying responded.
    "Alright," Wen Qing said, "you're going to have to stay awake for the whole time I'm afraid."
    "How long will it take?" Xue Yang asked.
   "I don't know," Wen Qing said, "maybe a couple of hours or maybe even more than a day."
   "Wei Wuxian, are you sure you want to do this?" Xue Yang asked, as he sat next to his friend.
   "I'm sure," Wei Ying said, "let's start."
   The process took three nights and two days, Wei Ying was awake the whole time and Xue Yang let him grab his arm. It was a painful process, and Wei Ying needed all the support he could get.
   Xue Yang had a bruised arm, it was almost broken, but it was fine with him. He was also awake during the whole process, and it was painful for him to watch.
   He had to watch his best friend, his brother, get his golden core removed and transferred to the other man.
    Right now him and Wei Ying were in town, taking a walk, "Wei Wuxian, are you sure you're alright?"
    "I've already told you," Wei Ying said smiling, "I'm fine."
    "Do you promise?" Xue Yang asked, "Promise to tell me if you feel bad."
    "I promise that I'm alright and that I will tell you if I feel bad," Wei Ying chuckled, "you worry too much." 
     "I'm just looking out for you," Xue Yang said, "I don't want you end up being hurt and me not knowing."
     "You know I tell you everything," Wei Ying said, "so don't worry."
    Suddenly the man was pulled to the side, "Wei Wuxian!" Xue Yang yelled in terror, but was grabbed too. He looked around and saw Wen disciples surrounding them, he sighed, I wonder when they'll leave us alone for once.
    They took the two men to a small building and beat them, "Just give it up," Wen Chao said walking in with Lingjiao, "where is Jiang Cheng?"
    Xue Yang chuckled, "What makes you think we'll tell you?" He said smiling maniacally. Wei Ying stood silent, he was gasping for breath and realized he was still too weak to endure this for long.
    "You know you can't save him, whether you stay silent or stall," Wen Chao said, "Jiang Cheng is merely a waste. He's no better than livestock. The Jiang Clan of Yunmeng is done for." Wei Ying turned to him with a cold glare, the man continuedx "While the old owners are gone, you as a dog better start wagging your tail to beg your new master for mercy."
   When Wei Ying and Xue Yang didn't answer he stood up, "How about this? You caught me in a good mood today, all you need to do is lie on your stomach and crawl three rounds."
   Xue Yang held back a snicker and Wei Ying scoffed. "What do you mean by that look on your face?"
    "Young Master Wen asked you to kneel down," Lingjiao said, "didn't you hear him?"
    The two men laughed, "Sorry about that," Wei Ying said, "I just heard a dog barking, I didn't hear a man's voice. Did you?"
    Wen Chao kicked the man's stomach, "Beat him! Beat him to death!" The men kicked Wei Ying while Xue Yang glared daggers at Wen Chao.
    "Young Master Wen," Lingjiao drawled, "you promised me before that we'll chop off one of his arms."
    "No," Wen Chao said, "no, chopping off his arm will cause too much bleeding. It wouldn't be fun if he dies so soon. Stop!" The men stopped and held a bruised Wei Ying up, "I will ask Wen Zhuliu to crush their golden core first."
   Wei Ying hid a smirk, no core left idiot. "How nice of you," Wei Ying hoarsely said, "whatever torture techniques you've got, bring them on."
    "Mark your words," Lingjiao said taking a step forward.
    "You are going to die. Why still play hero," Wen Chao said.
     "It is exactly because I'm going to die," Wei Ying said, "that I'm not afraid. What I'm afraid of is that I won't die. If you have the guts, just torture me. The crueler the better, because after I die, I'll turn into a ferocious ghost and haunt the Wen Clan."
   "You can't turn into a ferocious ghost," Wen Chao scoffed, "don't listen to his crap."
    Xue Yang chuckled, "You couldn't be more wrong Young Master Wen, he hasn't grown up in the Jiang Clan since birth. He is the son of a myrmidon like myself. We did not have time to go through a ceremony."