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The world has changed.
Xie lian…not so much.
It has been over two millennia since he first ascended. He's honestly not so sure just how many years ago it was.
Maybe it’s been three millennia, it doesn't matter in the end.
The years bleed into each other. He's not really sure which one is which.
Not that he minds. He's been happy spending his life with San Lang.
The world has changed. But their love has not. Cheesy as it may sound, Xie Lian knows it's true.
They live “off the grid” as the people of the time would call it. Somewhere in the mountains. He thinks it's been renamed, but it will always be Mount Taicang to him.
Ghost city is long sense gone, and they decided this was the next best place.
As the years went on, more gods ascended. Leaving less and less believers for the two of them.
Then life became more, technology based.
There were less people who believed in gods overall.
And in those names of the few gods who are still prayed to, Xie Lian's name is not one of them.
But he still had one believer.
The only one that matters.
Him and Hua Cheng have no more spiritual power. He didn't mind. Hua Cheng got used to it after a few hundred years.
They spend their days farming and playing around on the mostly forgotten mountain.
He enjoys what little he has. As long as he had San Lang that truly would be enough.
He knew he could spend forever like this and never get bored.
But he also knows he's lived his life to the fullest.
All of the things he's wanted to say or do have been done and spoken. There's really nothing left then to spend the rest of forever here.
He could, really. But he knows that all things must come to an end, especially if they're good things.
Every book must be shut, every dish eaten, every door closed, and the last breath must be taken.
The only reason he hadn't faded from existence was San Lang.
All gods eventually disappear once they lose their last believer. All of Xie Lian's godly friends met that fate.
If simply knowing they existed had been enough, Xie Lian would have more company.
Their faith in the God must to be true. And what better example than San Lang?
There was no one more true in their faith then San Lang.
And the reason San Lang was still alive, as much as he could be, was the silver ring on Xie Lian's neck. He could only die if the ashes had been destroyed.
Thus their lives were in each other's hands.
Maybe it was time to use that.
“San Lang?”
The other hummed in acknowledgement as he chopped vegetables. While Xie Lian did most of the cooking, San Lang still enjoyed doing it every now and then.
“I think it's time to go.”
“Go where gege?” He chuckled. They hadn't left the mountain in years.
Xie Lian simply stayed silent and leaned against his husband's back. Hua Cheng stopped his movement.
He turned around to face Xie Lian.
“Are you not happy with me? Have I done something wrong?” Hua Cheng said after processing what Xie Lian meant.
“No, never,” Xie Lian chuckled, “I just think…
I think it's time for us to go. There is nothing here that needs us.” Xie Lian put it simply.
“I need you.”
“Who says that's going to change? I don't think death would change anything.” He truly didn't, he fully believed him and San Lang would be together after death.
“Is this what his highness wants?”
“Only if you agree.”
“Death does not scare me, the only thing I fear is losing you.” He wrapped his arms around Xie Lian.
Xie Lian leaned into his husband and looked out the small window.
“The only reason I have never thought of death was because I had you.” Xie Lian said into his husband's chest.
Once he had San Lang, death never crossed his mind. Not like before, he would almost think of it everyday. Not that he wanted to kill himself. But more so he would wish he didn't wake up the next morning.
He's sure that sounds silly, that love fixed him. But it didn't, it was time, patience and care. All of those things came with San Lang.
There were bad days for sure, but most days he enjoyed falling asleep knowing San Lang would be there in the morning.
“But there is no banquet in this world that doesn't come to an end.” Xie lian said as the sun set behind the city full of glass towers and pavement roads.
“Your highness really will be the death of me.” Hua Cheng sighed into Xie Lian’s hair.
They both paused at what he said. Xie Lian couldn't help but laugh at the reality of it now.
“What made your highness think of this?” Hua Cheng asked after they calmed down.
“I'm not sure. Believe me San Lang I do not long for death. I just know now is right.”
It was a hard feeling to put into words. He's so content with his life he knows he will die happy.
“Hmm.” He sighs.
“The day after tomorrow is the mid-autumn festival, no?”
“Gege is correct.”
“I know that's soon, but I think that's the day.”
Some might call him crazy. Planning the day of his passing. Without tears as well. But he can't help but feel content.
He is ready, his life is complete. He's had his adventures and he's had his years of solitude.
Dying on the day he met the love of his life, is just right.
“I think Gege is right.”
He gave San Lang a kiss to the cheek, then the lips.
“You've forgotten about dinner, San Lang.” He tries to tease, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Well Gege is so distracting I can’t help but be memorized.” He jokes back. He's glad San Lang also changed the topic.
Not that he's uncomfortable. It's just an, uncomfortable topic to put it simply.
“Such nonsense from that mouth of yours.” He goes to sweep the floor as Hua Cheng returns to the vegetables.
-
They spend the next day doing some simple cleaning and playing around the mountain.
The day had gone and went faster than usual. A sign that winter is coming closer and closer.
He pulled himself close to his husband as they settled down for bed. He sighed as he laid his head on San Lang's chest.
Then he felt water drop on his head, first he thought they were from the ceiling. But he knew the roof didn't have any leaks.
Then he heard his husband sob.
“Oh San Lang. Come here.” He said, although they were already pressed close together.
He brought Hua Cheng to lay in his lap. He squeezed Xie Lian like a lifeline. Sobbing into his stomach.
He'd never seen him cry like this. The last time he saw Hua Cheng cry was on their wedding day.
He'd seen Hua Cheng come close many times, but never sobbing on this level.
All he could truly see in his lap was a young boy, clutching to his pristine royal robes. Bandages around his head hiding nothing more than just his eye.
“My San Lang.” Xie Lian said as he rubbed back Hua Cheng's hair. Seeing him like this brought tears to his own eyes.
“I'm sorry Gege, I just…” San Lang started, it was rare for him to be inarticulated like this, “I never expected to spend my life getting to love you the way I wanted. So ending it with you was never something I thought would happen.”
“San Lang. I never thought I would love someone as much as I love you. I have never once regret any day I've spent with you.” Xie Lian startled to babble a bit. He can hardly ever put his love into words.
Hua Cheng deserves much more than he has to give. But Xie Lian's babbling made Hua Cheng take another shaky breath he didn't need.
But Xie Lian knows he can try. He's been trying. So had San Lang.
They have been trying for years. And it was always enough.
“Gege is too good for me.” He snuggled in closer to Xie Lian.
“Don't say such nonsense!”
“Gege has always been kind and caring with me. Giving me more patience than I sometimes deserved. Although there isn't much good in me, it's because of his highness.”
“Oh, San Lang. There is plenty good in you. More than just what I've inspired. But I must say the same, I've become better because of you, for you. I wouldn't be who I am without your support.” He hugged Hua Cheng close.
San Lang began to place kisses all over Xie Lian’s neck. Then his face. Xie Lian began to giggle because of it.
“San Lang! San Lang it tickles!”
“Does Gege want it to stop?” He pulls away for a second.
“I suppose not.” Then his husband continued his onslaught of tickling.
The two eventually tired after a few more hours of playing around.
Although his husband was always cold, he found himself warm in his embrace. Much like he did every night.
Tonight was realistically no different than any other night. But he knew it was his last.
He didn't mourn it. He didn't cry. He simply laid his head down, and allowed himself rest.
-
The next morning began like it always did.
Xie Lian woke up first, and when he attempted to make tea San Lang tried to keep him in bed.
As usual Xie Lian stayed in bed to give him a few extra minutes of “Gege time” as San Lang called it.
“You get lot's time with me every day.” He reminded.
“Very true, but I can always use more time with Gege.”
“Such nonsense, such nonsense.” He muttered as he went to boil water.
After tea, San Lang went to sweep the leaves and Xie Lian began to clean up the shrine.
“Ah! San Lang, so many leaves.” He praised.
“I might have gotten a bit carried away.” Xie Lian looked around and realized all the leaves around the shrine were in his big pile. Much more then was needed.
“Well it's nice nonetheless. I almost want to jump in it.” He admitted. He never did that as a child. But traveling for 800 years, let him see the joys of childhood he missed out on.
“Well why not?”
“I don't want to ruin the pile you spent so long working on.”
San Lang seemed dissatisfied with that answer. They locked eyes before Xie Lian knew what was coming.
He tried to run away but Hua Cheng grabbed him by the waist and dragged him now into the leaves.
“Haha! San Lang! San Lang!” Xie Lian couldn't do anything but laugh.
Him and his husband startle to wrestle in the pile of leaves. Truly making a mess of the pile San Lang made.
“Okay! Okay! Gege wins! Gege always wins!” Hua Cheng “gave up”.
“Did Gege enjoy jumping into the pile?” He turned over to lay on his side and stare as Xie Lian.
“Hmm, I think it was more dragged in than jumping.” Xie Lain teased.
“I can remake the pile if you'd like.”
“No! No, this was nice.” He quickly said, knowing his husband would get up and do it.
He grabbed San Lang's hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Im almost feeling a bit sleepy.”
“You can rest, I'll wake you whenever you want.”
“No, I don't think I want to rest yet.”
“What would Gege like to do then?”
He thought for a moment, before deciding, “tag.” He booped Hua Cheng on the nose before getting up and running away.
The ghost king sat up in confusion before following suit and chasing after his husband.
Then he realized Xie Lian hid from him. So he startled to stalk the forest, trying to find the other.
He walked slowly trying not to make a sound. Then he remembered all of his silver jewelry chimed as he walked.
He quickly ran back to the shack and threw off his boots and removed his jewelry before he went back to the forest to find his husband.
“Gege is quite the tease, I only have one eye you know.” He teased in the open.
After a few more minutes of searching he found Rouye, who seemed to be looking for him.
“Oh, are you going against your master to help me? Such a sly silk.” He let Rouye lead him to Xie Lian.
Xie lian was facing away from him, looking out in front of the tree he was currently behind. He quickly climbed up it to get a higher vantage point.
“Rouye.” He looked at the silk and smiled.
Rouye made its way to Xie Lian as quietly as possible. He came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Huh?” He turned around and saw San Lang waving at him from the ground. Rouye turned tail and ran away with San Lang, “San Lang! That doesn't count!” He jumped down from the tree and ran after the other.
“I think it does!” He held out his arm and let Rouye wrap around it under his robes.
“Rouye! You traiter!” He laughed.
Xie Lian thought of an idea, and slowed down to let Hua Cheng think he got an upper hand.
“E-ming, E-ming.” He called for the similar when he returned to the shack. He noticed San Lang without all of his jewelry, and figured he was also left here.
E-ming flew into Xie Lian's hands.
“Do you know where San Lang is?” He asked hopefully, he wanted to give San Lang a taste of his own medicine.
E-ming dropped itself to the ground, like it was throwing a fit.
“Oh, it's okay. You can still come, I promise!” He brought the weapon back into his hands and gave it a small peck.
Xie Lian hooked it onto his waist ban, and ran off.
Thus they spent the next few hours playing their silly game of tag. Often using the others' spiritual companion to help them.
“Okay San Lang, I'm getting tired.” He said as San Lang caught him for the last time.
“We can stop if Gege likes, the sun will set soon.”
“Ah, I'd like to watch it, if you don't mind.”
“I could never be bothered by anything, as long as I'm doing it with Gege.” He gave Xie Lian a few kisses on his face.
“You’re such a silly man.” Xie Lian said as he returned the kiss.
“Gege, could I actually see E-ming for a minute?”
“Yes, of course.” He handed over the man's weapon.
He held his hand for Xie Lian. He let himself be led by Hua Cheng, who brought them to a tree. It was the one that often had the prettiest leaves both in the spring and fall. Xie Lian was quite fond of it.
Hua Cheng started to carve into the tree. Xie Lian gasped as he watched him tap E-ming through the bark.
When he turned back he saw the Hua Cheng carved, Xie Lian and San Lang into the tree.
“A bit childish, but I thought Gege might like it.”
Somehow his writing was infinitely better when he carved it. Even after 3,000 years his hand writing hadn't improved. But Xie Lian kept that to himself.
“It's very cute! But it's missing something.”
“What’s that?” He handed over E-ming to let Xie Lian do his work.
Hua Cheng tried to peek over his shoulder, but Xie Lian kept blocking him, hiding his work.
“Ah! It's very accurate.” San Lang exclaimed when Xie Lian turned away from the tree.
“Its a bit messy, but I thought it was important.”
“It's very excellent.” He leaned in to kiss Xie Lian.
Xie Lian giggled at the other, before getting him halfway.
“Well, it seems sunset has started.” Xie Lian said when he finally pulled away.
“The lanterns won't start for at least an incense time.”
“That's alright, I don't mind doing this some more.” He admitted sheepishly. Xie Lian truly never changed.
Hua Cheng chuckled as he intertwined their fingers.
“San Lang can you hold E-ming?” Xie Lian asked.
He held the hilt out towards his husband.
Xie Lian took Rouye in his hands.
“Thank you, for being by my side all these years. You've been a wonderful companion.” He held Rouye to his heart as he spoke. He blinked back the tears he felt forming.
Rouye was the one constant companion he had for 800 years.
He gently took Rouye and tied him around the hilt of E-ming.
“I think they should stay here.” He looked at San Lang. Since they were powered by their own life forces, he figured they would lose consciousness after him and San Lang left.
He knows San Lang didn't feel much attachment to E-ming. He couldn't blame him, it was made from his eye. He didn't treat it very nicely. Which he often got scolded for.
But he knew San Lang was a fan of Rouye. Rouye also liked Hua Cheng very much. Often sliding off Xie Lian's body to hide under the other's robes instead.
“I agree.”
He took E-ming and stabbed him into the ground.
E-ming closed its eye peacefully, and Rouye fluttered in the wind.
Xie Lian couldn't help but let a few tears fall. Rouye had been by his side for millennia, longer than San Lang had. Knowing Rouye won't be going with him left a silk sized hole in his heart.
San Lang let Xie Lian cry, rubbing his back in comforting circles.
“Look Gege, the lanterns have been lit.” San Lang mummered into his ear.
Xie Lian looked up, rubbing his tears. In the distance you could see glowing lanterns fly into the sky.
Although it's a bit of an older tradition, some still celebrate by flying lanterns into the sky.
Xie Lian remembered the days when San Lang would light thousands for him every year. But he long since stopped, on the account he had no means to get these lanterns.
“Come on San Lang.”
He pulled his husband up and brought him eight before the decline of the mountain.
They watched the lanterns fly higher and higher for a few minutes before Xie Lian quietly spoke up.
“I don't think I can do it by myself.” He held the ring in his hand, still attached to his neck.
Hua Cheng pressed his hand back to palm of Xie Lian's hand and intertwined their free hands.
“I love you San Lang.” He smiled at his husband.
“I love you.” He leaned down to kiss Xie Lian. Xie Lian eagerly met him in the middle, hoping to stop the tears from falling.
Kissing his husband wasn't anything new, but it was different now. He didn't cry out of sadness. He cried from how good his life became. All the years he spent with his lover were the best he's ever had.
San Lang slowly began to close his hand around Xie Lian's and squeezing. Applying pressure to the ring.
He felt himself fading. It didn't hurt, but he knew it was happening.
He wonders if this is how San Lang felt all those years ago.
Then black.
There are the occasional hikers who find themselves climbing to the top of Mount Taicang.
It's become popular amongst the community lately. For its strange “antiques” as people call them.
First you notice the abandoned shack, it hasn't been taken care of in years. But it still has an air of pristineness around it.
You'll also find a scimitar strangely stuck to the ground, with pristine white silk tied impossibly tight around it.
And two flowers, one white, one red. Who no matter where the sun is in the sky, will always face each other.