angryhearts | Date Night

Date Night

WHO: Xie Lian and Hua Cheng

WHAT: A date between a god and a ghost

WHEN: Near Christmas

WHERE: Around the hotel

NOTES: Content warnings: Things could get NSFW in comments

Xie Lian knows that they have very few options when it comes to what they can do in the hotel in regards to courting but he thought it would be nice for him and Hua Cheng to enjoy something of the kind. He knows that Hua Cheng doesn't really have to eat and that they don't really need to go and do anything special for the both of them to be happy. But given the feeling in the hotel and how everything is so beautifully decorated it just seems like a good time to enjoy even just a casual stroll and enjoy the surroundings.

With all the snow on the ground and trees decorated around the hotel it is as close to walking outside as they could possibly get. He doesn't really have any plans besides spending some time with Hua Cheng and exploring these feelings that have been building up in him.

He looks up at the other man with a smile, "Are you ready to explore, San Lang?"

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"Being here with you is gift enough, San Lang." Xie Lian smiles up at him. He had been here alone for several months so being able to walk beside Hua Cheng again is enough of a present. He couldn't ask for anything more.

He looks down at this feet as they travel through the snow. "I'm getting rather used to not having shoes. And the snow isn't cold so it isn't that bad."

It is still odd to be barefoot and he doesn't really understand why they can't have them but that is the hardly the strangest thing he has encountered in the hotel.

"Still, gege. You deserve a pair of good boots at least to keep your feet warm." He doesn't feel anything being considered a ghost, but he does feel cold to an extent. Still, it gives him much relief that he found him at last. He didn't want gege to suffer and be alone. So consider it a miracle that he's here with him, to enjoy the holiday with him.

Looking at the shops open, at least, open by the staff who care enough to come and keep it open, he looks at the only toy store with toys on the shelves for sale.

"Gege, do you like toys?"

"Toys?" Xie Lian looks into the shop with all the varieties of animals and things displayed.

"I've never really thought about it. I've been training since I was a child so all I've really known is swords and cultivation."

He hadn't really thought about toys or the typical things that children would have wanted. He could have had anything he wanted, his parents willing to spoil him any way that they could.

"Strange they sell toys for the children here. I wonder if they expect anyone to come?" This hotel has been quiet after all, and he did see the other cultivators wandering.

Still, he's curious to take a closer look with his hands in his pocket and enter the store while browsing through. There's a strange array of toys from dolls, musical instruments, and gadgets from other worlds.

He found a red toy drum rattle from their world and he picks it up to play it. "gege look, a toy rattle drum." And he plays for him.

Xie Lian wanders around looking at the various toys. He pauses at the stuffed animals and picks up what looks to be a ferret. It's kind of cute but he puts it back down when Hua Cheng calls to him.

He walks over and looks at the little drum. "Do you remember having toys like this when you were young, San Lang?" He knows that he was a poor child but he often thought that the children in the kingdom were often playing with such things. He remembers very vaguely having toys similar as well when he was young.

He sees the ferret he picks up and puts it back. He goes over to pick it up, and realized the doll is meant for him, instead of the toy drum, that this is the one he should give to him.

"Dianxia, here. I think little one wants to go home with you."

At his question, "No. I don't remember much of my childhood. When I was a child, I remember having to fight everyday and my parents would beat me if I want something or even talk. I don't have much to live for. I'll be lucky to have food and clothes on my back. The only thing that kept me from dying is the vision of your face on the statue and sleeping at your temple."

Xie Lian instantly feels bad about asking about Hua Cheng's childhood. He knows that he is the boy that feel from the tower during the parade and he knows what little he remembers of their interactions after that. But it is all still so little when considering how long they have known each other and how much history there is between that point and this one.

He walks back over and places his hand lightly on the man's arm as he looks at the stuffed animal. "He is very cute. I like him."

From his perspective, he saved his life several times. Beneath the mask, he sees more than a god. He is his reason to live.

He smiles softly at him, gazing into his eyes, pleased with the gift. He give that ferret good luck. "Then take him home. It's my offering. The same way I will take you back home."

"Thank you, San Lang. I'm sure he will be very happy in his new home." He collects the little ferret into his arms and looks up at him. "Is there anything in here you would like?"

He doesn't know if Hua Cheng really desires anything. There aren't any weapons in this place so he can't gift him with a new sword. But he wonders if there might be something else that catches his eye.

"What about an art set?"

Hua Cheng doesn't have many desires, other than the love and affection of his god. But at his suggestion, he took it to the heart and he realized it pleases his god to draw and paint.

"There is a small art store I see a while back. They don't have much selection but let's go there now and then I'll take you back to our room, and I'll paint what pleases you."

He smiles softly and taking his hand, they walk out and go to the nearby art store to look for an art set and art supplies.

"So many of these stores seem aimed at children but there aren't any to be seen...There was one time when this place turned most of us younger but that didn't last."

It is odd how there is a strangely high male population in the hotel as well. It is something Xie Lian has noticed. Many of the staffers are female but the guests are mostly male.

Not that he has met all of them, which he would like to do at some point.

"Hm, this place is Wonderland gege. And there's one ruling Queen whom we don't know much about." He listens, he wasn't there when the children turn younger. "I see. I don't about that."

In the art shop, most of the art supplies are free, so he takes as many as he wished, smiles at the clerks, and thanked them. With the art supplies, he plans to draw a lot of pictures today.

"I got most of the art supplies I need to do paintings gege. Maybe today I shall go to your room?"

"If you would like to. My room is not as impressive as San Lang's is." But it is familiar since it is the shrine the both of them spend so much time in. It is comfortable for him at least but it isn't as fancy as San Lang's home in Ghost City.

"What are you going to draw?" He heads back towards the lobby.

"It's the best room because it's comfortable and it's your temple. I think with care, that's where you will feel your best."

He smiles softly at him as he has an idea that struck him. "Whatever gege wishes. Since we're going to your room, go to your room and I'll meet up with you later. I need to gather some more supplies to prepare."

"Oh? Alright, San Lang. I'll go and prepare some tea for when you arrive." Tea is the one thing he can make and expect to turn out fine without any sot of deadly capabilities.

He is curious what else San Lang has to get but he will do what he said and go off towards his room and get things ready for the other man.

"I want to build your temple gege." He smiles sweetly, but also rueful. He knew he has good luck though he can feel it, that his spiritual power has been greatly diminished, so he requires to put in more extra effort in his tasks. Hua Cheng gathered the things he needs, but then he has an idea, so he gathers a little extra from the spa also to make his night special.

When he arrives in his room, he sets it up. He set up the altar putting up candles and burning incense, and place candies and fruits for offerings on plates.

"There, gege look. I did it. I set up an altar, your altar." It looks beautiful and decorated with incense, candles, and place of offerings.

Xie Lian sits on the mat, watching him create the alter with awe. He never really expected such a thing in this place. "It's beautiful, San Lang. I'm not a god in this place...there won't be anyone who would bring offerings and appreciate it."

But he is touched regardless. San Lang is always so thoughtful towards him and it does make it feel a little bit more like home. He will be able to look upon it every day and that makes him happy.

He stands up and walks over, "Thank you, San Lang."

It saddens Hua Cheng to hear that he doesn't have any followers and the staff never heard of him.

"You're always the god I remembered in my heart, and in my heart, there's the temple where I always worship you in there." Then softly, "But here, I brought you offerings." He had it all laid out on the altar he made. "There's fruits, chocolates, and candies, so help yourself."

Meanwhile, he did promised him a painting, so he's going to assemble a blank canvas and placed it on a wooden stand. Then he brought up a chair and he filled the bowls of fresh water, and make preparations for his painting with the watercolors of paint and using a brush.

Dipping the brush into the water and paint, he looks over from the canvas. "What kind of drawing you like gege? Your kingdom and the way you are 800 years ago? A favorite animal you like? Give an idea, a dream, and I'll paint out like a vision for you."

"You drew the painting over the alter back home. That is all that this alter is missing. I think that is what would make a perfect painting to finish this off."

Xie Lian still feels a little embarrassed about Hua Cheng painting him but it is exactly what this alter needs.

He settles back down on the mat so he can watch the man work. He hasn't ever actually watched Hua Cheng in his painting process.

"Ah...is that what you wanted gege?" He heard his request like a prayer, and he closes his eyes, having the perfect memory of what Prince Xie Lian used to look like 800 years ago. Then softly, "All right. A portrait of you, my prince for your altar."

It took an hour for him to paint completely from memory from his childhood, but it's his eyes and his face on that day, a moment that he never forgets and burns in his memory and in his soul. The sound of the brush over the canvas as he blends the colors, the splash of the water when he dips the brush, making the colors wet for the perfect blend, and painting him as the Crown Prince Xie Lian.

"I remember that day when you saved me 800 years ago. In the old kingdom of Xianle, a kingdom in the central plains. That day, I couldn't endure my family, so I was thinking of ending my life. But then, I see you for the first time, greeting your people. I'm so dazzled by how radiant you look that I fell from the city walls. I was that youth you saved and catch during an important ceremony. When you caught me, I saw your face for the first time beneath your mask. I have never seen such a beautiful being in my entire life."

He paints slowly, paying attention to the details. "I never forget your face, dianxia. In my heart, you remain beautiful forever."

Eventually, when he finished, he drew the portrait yet again exactly with the same precision and perfection. He turned the canvas around, so that he could see what he sees in him and what he painted.

"This is the way I see you, my love."

He smiles softly but also a little sadly as he listens to Hua Cheng talk about that time. He had ruined the parade and been scolded by his parents for his antics. But he didn't care since he was able to save the boy's life. He never knew their lives would become to entwined.

And perhaps his actions during the parade are exactly what it took to bring ruin to his kingdom...the exile of his family...the hardship that they endured after that. But in a way it all shaped the person he has become. And now that he is by Hua Cheng's side, he feels happier then he has in a long time.

So for that he is also content and he knows there are many things in his life he should have done differently. But he can't take any of it back and so as painful as his life has been, there has just been enough good for him to accept all of it.

"It's beautiful, San Lang. Thank you so much. I'll treasure it." He treasures anything that the man gives him.

Seeing the painting pleases him, seeing Xie Lian happy is all he ever wanted. He doesn't want anything back from him. He could destroy him by destroying his ring and ashes if he wanted. That's how much trust and faith he has in him. It has been 800 years between them, so he doesn't think much of the past, it's history. He only exists for himself and his happiness, and for him, his happiness is a gift, so he happily worships him as his devoted follower.

"Just wait until the paint dries and then I'll hang it up for your altar. It will take all night." He smiles when the painting is finished, he leaves it to dry on the canvas and then washes the paint off his hands by the basin.

"Your temple it needs light." Taking a deep breath, he has spiritual energy even if it's diminished by a few levels, it's all he needs. He forms his silver butterflies to flutter around the room, some landed on the wall and on the bed, and on Xie Lian's head and shoulders, lighting up his temple like stars against darkness.

He smiles as he sees the butterflies. With most of their abilities taken from then it is a relief to see them looking so healthy. It is good to know that they can get them back for awhile. Not that he really has any abilities that they could take.

"I'm glad you were able to get these back."

He likes the butterflies and they have proven to be very useful many times. Even when it seems like they are just casually around, they are actually being very useful by observing things for their boss.

"My butterflies are glad to see you too, your highness."

Xie Lian looks so beautiful and dignified as he intended to cover him with his butterflies. He vows never to leave him ever again and make him happy in this world and back to their home. He uses a poker to start the fireplace to warm up his room of a temple, the heat gets hotter.

He comes closer to him and cups his face, so he can gaze into his eyes as the butterflies flutter and lands around his hair and shoulders. He looks so happy.

He cups his chin, looking into his eyes. "Gege. Your temple now has light. It needs warmth. Is the fireplace warm enough for you?"

"The fire is definitely warm enough. You don't have to fuss over me so much." Xie Lian is used to much harsher conditions. The snow that was under his feet hardly even noticeable considering what he has lived through in those 800 years. The mat in this room even a little more comfortable then the one back at home. Apparently they couldn't replicate everything with perfection. The hotel couldn't help but make it better.

"You can sit down and relax."

It's not like San Lang's room. There are no chairs, no comfortable seating. Only the little mat that they have shared so many nights on.

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