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mobagehelllocal · 4 years

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“i can hold the world in my hands” ver vi - ace, jack, epel & sebek

If you're still doing holding the world writing— how about with Ace, Ruggie, Jack, Lilia and Epel?

- from Anonymous

Hi there!~ May I request "I can hold the entire world in my hands." with the first years boys? (Maybe Trey in exchange of Deuce?) . I love your writing!~

- from @silizu

Hi! If you haven’t gotten requests for this yet, I was hoping you could do the world prompt with the remaining 1st years. I love your writing with the TWST boys so much!

- from @tullia-daragona

A/N: Alright! I decided to just compile these three requests because they’re for the rest of the first years!~ These are the last “i can hold the world” requests in my inbox~ We’re almost completely done with this series! I’m a little sad that it’s almost over, but I’m also excited to share other projects--! I don’t want to spoil anything so please do look forward to it!

@silizu, thank you so much for loving my work!

@tullia-daragona thank you so much! i always worry if i capture their characters well, so messages like this really cheer me up! ^^

Without further ado, let’s go!

other versions: ver i (dorm leaders), ver ii (deuce, leech twins, silver),

ver iv (ruggie, rook, lilia), ver v (trey), ver vi (this)

Ace grinned as he spotted you from across the gym.

“Lemme just greet them!” he said to Floyd and Jamil (the former of which had to be held back by the latter, because he saw you too and ‘but I want a hug from Shrimpy!’ ‘Yeah, no’).

"Hey!” Ace panted as he reached you, “were you watching practice?”

“Yeah!” you smiled up at him. “That was amazing Ace!”

“Stop feeding his ego...” Grim huffed as he curled up in your lap and promptly dozed off. You laughed as you stroked Grim’s fur.

“Can you stay the whole time?”

“Yup!” You raised your fist into the air. “I’ll be cheering you on Ace!” Ace shot you a self-satisfied smirk, and drew his face closer to yours.

“Won’t you give me something to encourage me by?”

“Eh? Is the promise of cheering not enough?” He shook his head rapidly.

“Hm...” your gaze wandered off briefly, before you looked back at Ace with a grin.

“Then, how about I tell you a secret~”

“Ah?” Ace tilted his head, “it would depend on the secret.”

“I can hold the world in my hands.” you whisper to him, and he pulled back--brow arched high.

“That can’t be possible. You said there wasn’t anything magic in your world.”

“Come on, humor me Ace.”

“Alright.” he crossed his arms, and cocked his head to the side. With a grin, you reached forward, and cupped his cheeks in your hands. His brows jerked upward.

“Tada~” you giggled at him. “I’m holding the world in my hands!”

Ace felt the heat rise up his cheeks as soon as your words sunk in. His heart skipped a beat at the way you grinned at him with genuine affection.

‘Cute,’ he thought, ‘too cute.’

He pulled away, his eyes flickered in the other direction.

“Whatever.” he said, with a pout. You raise a hand to your own face, as you giggled into your palm at his cute expression. His expression was embarrassed, and there was a bright red flush rising to his cheek.

‘Ace is cute too.’ You thought with a grin.

When he noticed your expression, his pout grew severe and he grabbed your face in his hands too.

“Ace--mhmp!”

He aggressively pressed your lips together, and your eyes instinctively slid shut. Ace nibbled lightly on your lower lip, and you felt the blood rush to your head at the sensation. When Ace pulled back, your lips were redder than usual--and so was your face.

He grinned, pleased with himself.

“Now, that’s encouragement.”

“Ace!” you protested, as your hands raised to your cheeks--you felt the heat that radiated from them. He winked, and with a snicker began to walk back to the rest of the team players.

“Hey [Name]!” you looked up, and he sent you a gentle smile that made the affection in his eyes shine brightly.

‘You’re my world too.’ He mouthed. Once you blushed, Ace felt his cheeks heat up too at his actions. He quickly turned away, and from a walk escalated his movement to a jog.

EXTRA:

You stared after your boyfriend, with loving eyes.

Grim, who had been jostled at your movement, just shot you a grumpy expression.

On the other side of the court, Floyd began to squeeze the life out of Ace.

“Aaaaaa~ Aaaaaaaa~ What was that? That was so disgustingly cute, I’m going to squeeze you--”

“Floyd, please let go of him...” Jamil sighed.

“Good work out there, Jack.” you clapped your hands for him as he finally stopped in front of you. He gave a soft grunt of acknowledgement as he began to steady his breathing. He bent, and placed his palms onto his knees as he panted. When he turned to you, you were already holding out his jug.

“Thanks.” He said, as he popped it open for a drink.

“Wanna sit and take a break? I sliced some peaches for refreshments.” He did as you suggested, as he sat beside you. You handed him a small lunch box set with a fork for him to use. He hesitated for a moment.

“You don’t have to do this, you know.”

You smiled at that.

Though Jack sounded dismissive, it wasn’t that he didn’t want you doing these things--it was more like he didn’t need you to do these little things for him. He might not actually understand why you even want to always watch him during his morning runs--hang around with water and fruit during his breaks.

“Nah, I want to do this Jack.” you said, and when he furrowed his brows, you added “you’re my boyfriend after all. I want to these things to show you that I’m cheering you on.”

He immediately raises his unoccupied hand to hide the lower half of his face, his eyes flickered away from yours in embarrassment. However, with a quick glance--

‘Yup. His tail is wagging.’ you thought joyfully, before quickly making sure that when he turned back to you--you were looking at his face. No need for your boyfriend to know that he instinctively moves his tail around when he’s happy.

“I know you’re cheering me on.” He finally said, “but it’s fine if you don’t show up sometimes okay? I don’t mind if you sleep in... or something. A lot of the seniors tell me that I wake up insanely early so...”

“It’s fine. If I can make it, I will, if I don’t, I won’t.” you reach to lace your fingers with his. “I’m okay Jack. Anytime with you is worth it.”

He doesn’t look particularly convinced, but he nodded, and turned his gaze back to the fruit you had cut for him.

‘How do I convince him?’

“Hey Jack.”

“Yeah?” he asked, as he stuffed a fruit slice into his mouth.

“I can hold the world in my hands, you know.”

“Hah?” he turned to you, confused. “Is that... possible?”

“Sure is.” you chirped, “want me to show you.”

“Alright.” he answered slowly, as he ate another fruit slice.

Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, you slid one hand underneath his chin, and slowly turned his face to look at you. He looked at you strangely, one cheek round, because he had stopped chewing at your action. You slid your other hand to his other cheek and beamed at him.

“Like this.” You said, “I can hold the world like this.”

He furrowed his brow in confusion, as he seemed to try and comprehend your statement. You see how he gets it by the way his ears and tail stiffen.

“Wait you--”

Then he proceeded to choke on the fruit slice in his mouth. He pulled away and doubled over as he coughed.

“Oh no--Jack, are you okay?” you frantically offered him a handkerchief and brought him his jug as his cough subsided to a wheeze.

“I’m--” he wheezed, “okay--just, give me... a minute...” he raised his other hand to his to feel his heart, and the way it’s rhythm had increased because of your statement.

‘How--how do you shake my heart so effortlessly?’

He wondered, as he glanced at you from the corner of his eye. When you notice his glance, you shoot him a relieved smile, which made him feel his blush rise even further up his face.

“You--” You leant forward.

“I--what?” you tilted your head, and he cleared his throat.

“Did you mean that?”

“That you are my world?” You asked, and he blushed. Amused, you nodded, “of course I did Jack.” His eyes flickered away again, and you looked at his tail to notice that it began to wag gently.

Unfortunately for you, you weren’t quick enough this time. When his tail suddenly stilled, you looked back at Jack to see his face was beet red.

“Was my tail...?”

“Eheh...” He abruptly stood up and began to walk off. “Ah! Wait! Jack! I’m sorry! I can’t help it! It’s so cute I didn’t want you to stop!”

“Don’t call me cute!” he called back, his ears folded back lightly against his head, and you barely thought of an ‘awww’ before he growled at you, his face becoming an even brighter red shade. He quickly came up to you, and wrapped you in his warm embrace.

“You... you make my heart beat so fast... and you’ve always... just known how I feel--I” your face flushed red (from his statement, or the way you’re pressed against his muscles--you don’t know) “I--I want to know your heart too.” he finished softly, and you giggled against his pecs (his pecs!)

“Silly Jack, you already know my heart!” you pulled back to look up at his flushed face. “I told you right? I love you.” he turned away, his ears twitched and his tail moved again.

“K..keep quiet. Please.”

Epel offered you another carved apple, which you happily took.

“Is it fine to eat such a pretty thing?” you sighed, as you stared in awe at the detailed rabbit in your hands.

“It’s fine.” Epel smiled at you, and you know how much he hated it--but your heart beats a little faster at the way the sunlight hits his lavender hair, and eyelashes. They make his blue eyes shine all the more--and it leaves you breathless.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Epel tilted his head, and blinked--his pale lashes tangled ever so briefly.

“I’m just glad I have you for a boyfriend.” you tell him with a smile. At that, a light flush rose to his cheeks.

“I’m not particularly strong, or masculine.” he finally said, as put down his knife. He frowned at himself in the mirror. “Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

Your heart twisted.

You’re lucky he lets you see his much more tender expressions--but Epel always struggled with his looks. Being someone who was raised in the farm, you could sort of understand that this perception was built by how his delicate features meant he was often coddled. Epel probably grew up with this perception that being skilled was better than being pretty--and that the scales weren’t in his favor.

It didn’t help he was placed in Pomefiore, where they prized beauty above all else.

But, Epel was forgetting one thing.

If anything, he truly did suit the House of the Beautiful Queen.

“Epel,” you leant forward. “Listen--I do really think you fit the House of the Beautiful Queen above all else.”

“What? What do you mean?” he frowned.

“The Beautiful Queen prized her beauty above all else, but.... being beautiful isn’t just about looking the part.” you said as you struggled to remember one of Vil’s many lectures, “Vil said it too right--that you have to also be skilled, to truly be beautiful.”

“I’m... I’m having a difficult time understanding.”

“I’m saying Epel--if there’s anything you really need to take away from the Beautiful Queen is this--it’s owning, claiming your beauty, and finding a way to use it to your advantage to come out stronger.” His eyes widened in response. “Being beautiful doesn’t mean being weak. You just need to learn how to use it to make yourself stronger.”

“Really? Is that what you think?”

You nod vigorously.

“Epel, you--” you paused, “look, I know how to hold the world in my hands.” He stared at you quizzically at the sudden change in topic, but you only smiled.

“Huh?”

“Here.” you gently cupped his face in your hands, and he froze--his already wide eyes become bigger as he looked at you. “You’re my world Epel. It makes me sad that you don’t see--you’re both beautiful and strong Epel. You’re not just one or the other. You’re both.”

Epel stared at you, startled--and in awe. The light hits your face, your eyes shimmer with pure love, and your smile is so kind.

His heart skipped a beat--at your unfaltering love and devotion, despite his own insecurities.

He doesn’t understand why people still call him beautiful, with you right by his side.

“I--thank you, [Name].” you beamed as you see that the way he looked at you meant that you had gotten your message across.

“That’s good!” you beamed, and as you pulled back your hands, Epel grabbed one and pressed a soft kiss against it. He reached his other hand to brush your cheeks as well.

“[Name]... I want you to know that you’re incredibly beautiful too,” he paused. “and I’ll kick anyone’s arse if they think otherwise.”

You felt yourself blush at that, and you ducked your head--you felt bashful.

“Thank you Epel.”

“And...”

You looked up at him, and he sent you a heartrending smile.

“You’re my world too.”

"Choose Sebek!” You demanded, with your arms wrapped around yourself. “Malleus or me?”

Sebek immediately sputtered in response, his face contorted into an uncomfortable expression which proved to you that he couldn’t choose.

(Somewhere behind you, Lilia let out a low “oooooh”, and Silver snorted himself awake, muttering “whazzat.” To which the fae actually ‘shushed’ him.)

At any other time, you would’ve shot Lilia an incredulous look, but you were busy staring at the stuttering student.

“That is... I--” he swallowed, his eyes darted around nervously before he met your gaze again.

“It’s fine Sebek.” you sighed, as you shot him a false smile. “I was joking.”

“You were?” Sebek perked up.

(”Of course she wasn’t!” Lilia said, the telltale sound of crunching made you twitch--was he eating your popcorn? Watching this confrontation? Like a drama?)

Sebek glanced behind you then looked at you again.

Of course you weren’t joking.

Well, half-joking really.

You had, earlier, complained to Lilia that Sebek would often still chose Malleus over you.

(”Then test him!” Lilia said, with an excited gleam in his eyes. For real--that old man loved his drama.)

So after being hyped up by Lilia, you had decided to ask him this question. You had wanted to know if he’d pick Malleus or you in an instant.

Some very insecure part of you worried endlessly that he’d immediately pick Malleus without a second thought, so it took all your courage to actually see what he’d chose. On the other hand, you really didn’t want to do this. Malleus was important to him--you got that but sometimes--

You wondered if you were any important to him as he was to you.

That he had difficulty choosing--’Well that meant something right?’ you thought to yourself. ‘That there’s a chance he might chose me.’

Though you were disappointed he hadn’t chosen you instantly, you tried to tell yourself to be satisfied with his indecision at least.

However, you’d make one thing clear to him...

“Listen, Sebek.” he flinched and met your gaze again.

“Yeah?”

“I can hold the world in my hands.” You hold his gaze steadily. “This is something Malleus probably cannot do.”

He bristled lightly at that, his instinct was to defend his lord--that is until you stepped closer and cupped his face in your warm hands.

“I’m holding my world.” You confessed, and he more than feels his face reddened at the realization--what you’re trying to get across to him--

‘I chose you Sebek.’

‘I chose you.’

Your eyes glimmered.

‘Could you choose me?’

Just as quickly as you held him, you let go of him and shot him a weak smile.

“Well, that’s all I wanted to say.” you said before you moved to take the seat next to Lilia. Sebek hesitantly took the seat next to you, and he would glance at you then down on his hands again.

‘You chose me... without thinking twice... I...’ his fist clenched, ‘why can’t I do the same for you...?’

#aiwrites #aiscenarios #twisted wonderland #twst #twst scenarios #twst ace #twst jack #twst epel #twst sebek #actually ace is the one who owns a braincell between deuce grim and him tbh #jack is cute and i want to touch his tail...#i would simp harder for epel if blavat sky didnt exist #in conclusion sebek is the hardest first year to write for #romantically atleast--im interested how they'll handle his character arc...#ai twst hold series

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eveningstar1516 · 3 years

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Rise of the Demon King ~ Chapter 10

Rise of the Demon King Fic: Multi Chapter Paring: MC x Everyone (Mostly Lucifer) Type: Angst with a Happy Ending Total Word Count: 26,758 TW: Major Character Death, Reader gets stabbed with a sword through their chest so..., Abusive Parents, Past Child Abuse, Demon Hunters, Loss of Control Summary: You’ve done it. You’ve finally done it. You’ve managed to anger the demon king. Now you hold your head high as he hands down your sentence. AO3 Portal: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27065362 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A/N: I gotta Discord server guys! It's primarily Obey Me but other fandoms are welcome as well. It's kinda baby and dead so me and the other members are looking to revive it and we'd love for you to come join us. A roleplay area is included :) https://discord.gg/F3YEmDZCPS Please remember to read and accept the rules once you join for access to all the channels. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Previously: Satan spent the rest of the night by his brother's side, cleaning his room and slowly, step by step, bringing back how his brother usually looked like. A glowing masterpiece, worthy of both envy and praise. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHAPTER 10 - A Strong Bond (1616 words)

I was sitting at Lucifer's desk in his old room. After spending 3 sleepless nights in a row, Simeon helped me move into Luci’s old room which thankfully had some really good blinds to block out the celestial sun. The paperwork seemed as endless as it had in the Devildom only this time, it was the archangels' work. While they did their share and dealt with their department’s issues, the majority of the work still fell on my shoulders. I’m starting to understand why Lucifer felt this way towards paperwork. I put the pen down as I finished up the last of this week’s paperwork. Looking at the time, I realized I’ve been working for the past 9 hours straight. Getting up, I stretched my back and felt my joints popping. I filed the rest of the work and got dressed in something more comfortable. A simple dark blue turtleneck and white jeans. I made my way to the kitchen, having missed dinner, I wanted to get something to nibble on before bed. Upon entering, I found Raphael at the table with a cup of celestial berry tea. Noticing me, he looked up and waved me over.

“What are you still doing up Raph?” “I could ask the same. Here, we have some leftovers.” Raphael got up and got a plate from the fridge placing it in the microwave before getting another mug to pour more tea in. “Thank you” I took the mug with both hands and slowly sipped it. Relishing the warmth flowing down my throat. Taking the plate out of the microwave, Raphael set it in front of me before ruffling my hair and sitting back down. Laughing I retaliated back.

“H-hey! I’m not a child”

“You are compared to us. An overworked tired child that despite being in over their head, is doing an amazing job at keeping us running.”

“Thank you. It is hard though. I have no idea how Lu did it, still does it.”

“Yeah, Sammy would work himself to exhaustion. You actually remind me of him. Your determination to get the work done flawlessly and your dedication. Are you sure you’re not supposed to be an angel?”

“Heh, thanks Raph, but you and I both know I’m only doing this to go back.”

“Do you have to though? You’ve been here for a full millenia now. Don’t you want to stay?”

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s lovely up here and you guys are the absolute best, but I don’t belong here. My heart is in the Devildom with the brothers.”

“Why though? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing, but why would you rather stay in the Devildom than here?”

“I guess the Devildom just grew on me. The Devildom, and the bro’s. I like the way Belphie looks when he’s sleeping peacefully, his head on my lap. I admire the way Beel protects his twin and his brothers, sacrificing everything to make them happy. I envy the way Asmo can change a tense atmosphere into an up beat one effectively dissolving any tension. I find myself thinking about Satan and the late reading nights we’d have and the discussions about cats and our books. I wish I had as much passion as Levi does with his games and shows. Confidently ranting on about them without caring what others think. I’m amazed by Mammon’s love for his family. Everything he sacrifices to make them happy. He even puts himself in the line of fire and would redirect the attention to himself by doing something stupid to distract them from their suffering. I love Lucifer. I love how much he cares for his family. All he sacrifices, all he endures, all the pain he hides from them to keep them happy. To keep us all happy... I miss them.” Tears started pooling as I reminisced about the brothers. Raphael leaned over and pulled me into a shoulder hug.

“I know you do. If it’s any consolation, I’m sure they miss you too. It sounds like you created a strong bond with them. I’m sure you’ll get to see them soon.”

“I hope so. Thanks Raph.”

“Anytime Y/N. I think you should get some rest. Don’t forget we have a-”

“Y/N, Raphael.” Michael walked into the kitchen. He had a look that closely resembled contentment and relief.

“Michael, how can we help you?”

“You should be in bed Raphael. Father wants to see Y/N. Now.” Raphael and I exchanged a look. I finished off my tea and hugged Raphael goodnight before heading to my room to change into something more appropriate for my meeting with God. 5 minutes later and we were on our way to the palace. In the Devildom After they lost Y/N The day they lost Y/N was the hardest day in their life. After they got back to the house, they both went straight to their room, not talking with anyone. Behind the relative safety of a locked door, Belphie crawled into bed and tried to escape reality. Beel sat on his bed and closed his eyes. He didn’t try to sleep, he didn’t go to the kitchen, he didn’t move. He just sat there, the pain numbing him. They stayed like this for a while before Belphie started tossing and turning, his slumber becoming a restless nightmare. Beel got up and changed into something more comfortable. He moved Belphie over and got under the covers, pulling his twin into his chest. Belphie felt himself being pulled into his older brother's embrace and leaned into it, grief evident on both their faces as they both fell into a dreamless sleep.

The days following weren’t much better. Beel wouldn’t eat as much, practically starving himself and he was rarely found. When any of the brothers would go looking for him, they’d either find him in his room or the gym. Belphie wouldn’t wake up at all anymore. He’d go weeks sleeping, if you could call nightmare filled nights sleeping. He wasn’t any better awake either. When he did wake to attend school or fulfill an order from the king, you could practically see the waves of pure wrath and resentment surrounding him, only dispersing when Beel was close by. There were days where neither of them would leave their room, both just staring into space, little words exchanged. Although they didn’t need to. Their shared bond conveyed more than words could express. The pain amplified by this bond. When Belphie was awake, the twins would practically be inseparable. Neither going anywhere without the other.

This went on for a few months. One day after being rudely awakened from a nap, Belphie found himself wandering the house for a quiet place to sleep. Normally, he’d just head up to the attic, however today, he found his feet leading him down to the catacombs, towards Lilith’s, now Y/N’s casket. He doesn’t know what brought him here, but as soon as he saw it, his eyes started watering. He doesn’t know if it’s because of the memories he has assorted with the casket or if it was because Beel was sitting next to it, leaning his back against the side, crying. Sensing Belphie’s presence, Beel opened his eyes and turned his head towards his twin. He cracked a small, tired smile as Belphie moved to sit next to him. This was the first time Belphegor had seen Beelzebub cry since Y/N’s execution. Sitting next to his brother, he leaned into the larger demon letting his own tears flow. Their hands gravitated toward each other as they took hold. For the first time since the trial, they sat together in silence; tears flowing down their cheeks. Eventually, they fell asleep like this, holding each other's hands. It was Levi that found them. The 3rd born having come down to place the gift he got for Y/N from the convention on the casket. He spotted the twins sleeping with tear stained cheeks and left. He came back down a few minutes later with a blanket and a few snacks for when they awoke. Not wanting to disturb them, he set down the Ruri-chan kit and carefully draped the blanket over them. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was envious of the twins connection and devotion to be there for each other. Then he remembered about their connection. He knows the twins can feel what the other is feeling. He realized that they were probably taking this the hardest, their shared connection amplifying the pain. His envy for them left, replaced by something resembling pity. He left them in the catacombs and retreated to his room. The twins awoke at the same time. They took notice of the blanket draped over them and the fruit tray placed next to them. They exchanged a smile as Beel leaned over to grab the tray, offering the fruit to Belphie first. Belphegor grabbed an apple slice and held it towards Beel. Beel opened his mouth accepting the slice and repeated the action with a clementine. They continued like this, feeding each other until the tray was empty. They stayed down in the catacombs for a little while longer, their bond conveying the vows they made to each other. They’d never leave each other's side. Always be there for their other half.

After that day, Beel would take responsibility for waking the youngest whenever he slept for too long and Belphie took responsibility for making sure Beel ate whenever he was awake. From that day forward, you’d never find one twin without the other close by. Their relationship strengthened, one relying on the other. Always being there when needed.

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snusbandxknifewife · 3 years

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Not me seeing this post:

And starting an entirely new Jurdan AU based on it lmao. Rated E for “Excessive Mentioning Of Sex Toys”

~~~

Dun dun.

Jude looks up as the front door of her father’s business, Lawn & Order, opens. The bell, added by her eldest sister in an effort to annoy their father, has been going off all day. Work is piling up on the receptionist desk and she curses to herself, knowing that more paperwork means less time outside.

A USPS delivery man walks in, hauling a hand truck nearly overflowing with boxes. Sweat drips down his face, pooling at his collar as Jude decides that maybe a little time in the AC isn’t too bad on a day as hot as this one.

“Sign here,” the obviously exhausted man says as he turns a clipboard towards her.

Funny, Madoc didn’t tell her they’d be getting a delivery today.

Still, she shrugs and absentmindedly signs the clipboard as the man unloads the hand truck with a dramatic groan. She should get up and help him, and, on any other day, she probably would. But today is for licking wounds and pouting.

The clock ticks quietly as Jude considers how she has to file papers and phone customers and clean the shop, just to go home for family dinner where her sister will undoubtedly be moaning about her cheating ass of an ex.

Not sure why she’s surprised, considering he cheated on JUDE with HER.

Taryn and Locke had been a thing officially for only three months, but they’d been sleeping together behind Jude’s back for much longer than that. The very idea makes her skin crawl and she would much rather spend her valuable time cutting someone’s lawn with nail clippers instead of playing nice with her poor heartbroken witch of a twin.

“Have a good one!” Jude clocks back into reality as the USPS man walks out the door, taking his hand truck with him and leaving her to the quiet of the AC unit and the court room tv playing in the corner.

Sighing, she gets up from her leather stool and walks around the counter to pick up the boxes. They look innocent enough, simple white USPS priority mail boxes that she expects to contain samples of seeds or maybe replacement weed whacking string trimmers. She could use some of those, the weed whacker she takes in her truck hasn’t been working as well as usual and Mrs. Mitsgunmins is kind of an asshole about precision.

She lets out a groan as she picks up the top two. The boxes are a lot heavier than she thought they’d be. Puzzled, she sets the two boxes on the counter, leaving behind the other two as she goes on a hunt for some scissors. Making it almost to her father’s office, she cusses audibly as she remembers the hunting knife she keeps in her boot.

It’s been a long fucking day.

Jude hums along to a commercial as she walks back to the counter, pulling out her knife along the way and slicing the tape of the top box. With a whistle, she opens the box and frowns at finding a bunch of little cardboard boxes stuffed inside. What the hell did Madoc order?

Her whistling stops in horror as she picks up one of the packages and spins it around, only to find bold neon print plastered along the front: XXX RECHARGEABLE NIPPLE CLAMPS

“WHAT THE FUCK?” Jude screeches at the top of her lungs as she drops the box and jumps back. Why the hell does her father need some hundred-or-so sets of rechargeable nipple clamps? Why do nipple clamps even need to be charged in the first place?

Taking a moment to steel herself, Jude moves towards the second box—staying as far away from the nipple clamps as possible—and reads the label for an explanation.

Ohhhh, these are for next door. The delivery man must’ve mixed up the addresses.

Letting out a sigh of relief, she pushes the nipple clamps back into their box and closes the lid, checking the other labels and seeing that all four boxes are meant for next door and thanking her lucky stars that Madoc didn’t suddenly decide to get his kink on.

Looking out across the driveway to the innocuous white building beside Lawn & Order, she rolls her eyes. The Sinful Serpent—complete with its shimmering golden apple sign—has been the bane of her father’s existence since it opened a year ago. Every day she has to hear about how he hates sharing space with some gross sex shop. While adult stores aren’t really Jude’s thing, she hasn’t cared too much because she hasn’t had to interact with the store or owner.

Until, she supposes, today.

She stacks the boxes back up and picks them all up with a grunt, thankful for the workout routine that her work provides as she curses the delivery man for taking his hand truck with him.

Only one car is in the parking lot of the sex shop and she celebrates the fact that nobody will see her going into the store. The last thing she needs is people recognizing her workplace on her shirt and bothering her or her dad. It’s already bad enough listening to old men ogle her when she goes to do landscaping work.

The front door is hooked up to an electronic bell that sounds like the twinkle of magic. As she pushes her way into the Sinful Serpent, she lets out a sound of surprise. Whatever she expected a sex shop to look like, this certainly isn’t it.

The entire store is decorated to look like a forest at twilight, with displays cut into bookshelves that look like giant trees and murals depicting faeries dancing through delicate nature landscapes wrapping around the walls. The lighting is low, except for where spotlights illuminate the wares. Over along one wall, by where the lingerie and exotic dancing costumes are, is a stage with a pole, the whole area bathed in blue light and covered in decor like coral. Between the entrance and exit door, the area for the registers resembles a castle.

“Give me a moment,” a voice calls out from within the castle. “I’ve got to check your ID.”

Jude panics, the very suggestion that she might be a customer in a store like this sending her brain into red alert. “I’m not here to shop!”

“The hell you here for then? Last I checked we didn’t have a gloryhole.”

She all but screams, short circuiting at being faced with a worse option than shopping at a store like this. As she tries to think of what to say, a young man pops up from behind the counter and surveys her, his kohl-lined eyes narrowed as he tries to figure out what her deal is.

He’s dressed in all black, his button up shirt undone halfway down his chest, exposing edges of tattoos that she doesn’t study enough to identify. His bottom lip and septum are pierced, as are his ears—which appear to have been elfed, because they end in sharp points. When he crosses his arms in front of his chest, his fingers are covered in glittering rings.

And he’s grinning at her.

“I uh, um,” she shakes her head, and then remembers the heavy boxes she’s hauled all the way over. “I work next door and, uh, the mailman,” she trails off again, her cheeks flaming as she lowers her voice and mutters, “I think he mixed up our addresses.”

His smile widens and his eyes look dangerous as he tilts his head. “And why would you think that?”

She glares at him and he chuckles lowly.

“We didn’t order these.”

“Can you be sure?” He asks, raising one painted nail to tap thoughtfully against his chin. “A landscaping company and adult entertainment store must have some overlap. Ropes and chains come to mind.”

“We don’t need rechargeable nipple clamps!”

“Everybody needs rechargeable nipple clamps,” he counters, his smirk replaced by reverent intensity.

She lets out a frustrated noise and slams the boxes on the counter, her back cracking in protest. “I don’t!”

“Woah! Stow the seriosity, Sunshine,” he lifts his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just playing with you.”

Grinding her teeth and digging her nails into her palms, she does her very best to keep from choking him out as he leans across the counter, his falling shirt collar exposing a necklace with a snake pendant hanging at his sternum.

She goes to spin on her heel and leave, but stops when a door—hidden behind a painting of a faun and nymph doing unspeakable things—opens, revealing a pretty young woman with blue hair pulled up into a messy bun.

“Cardan I can’t find the damn nipple clamps. I thought they were supposed to be delivered today?”

“Don’t worry, Nic,” the young man calls back with a smile. “Sunshine here brought them over.”

Jude, bristling at the title, misses how the woman momentarily blanches when she lays eyes on her. Quickly recovering and putting on a stony face, she walks over to the castle counter and inspects the opened box.

“You look familiar,” she observes and Jude zeroes in on her carefully cool tone. “Don’t you work at that coffee shop downtown? Bean There, Done That?”

“You’re thinking of my twin, Taryn.” Jude bites her tongue, doing her beat to avoid sounding annoyed at being confused with that backstabbing little—

“Sunshine here is our neighbor, Nicasia,” Cardan cheerfully announces. “She got our order and was kind enough to haul it over.”

“My name is Jude,” she grumbles.

He ignores her, leaning in conspiratorially and stage whispering in Nicasia’s ear. “She has insisted that she doesn’t need rechargeable nipple clamps, so surely they must belong to us.”

“Everyone needs rechargeable nipple clamps,” Nicasia whispers back.

“That’s what I said!”

Jude, rooted in place from the pure horror of listening to this conversation, watches as Cardan picks up a pair of scissors and opens a second box; pulling out a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs and grinning when he notices her watching him. Nicasia raises a perfectly groomed brow at the situation before grabbing the box of nipple clamps and heading to restock the shelves.

Once again, he leans forward, fingers spinning the handcuffs around as he smirks at her. “Now that the packages are handled, what can I do you for?”

Jude frowns, sure that he misspoke. It’s then that her phone goes off and she celebrates any excuse to get the fuck out.

Emergency situation at Dr. Wullworth’s. Need you to take over cutting at the Collethes. -Madoc

“I’m good, I’ve got a lawn to trim,” she says, turning off her phone and tucking it back into her pocket.

“Awe, Sunshine, you ain’t gotta clean up for me.”

She tilts her head in confusion before shrugging and turning to leave.

“Gotta go out the other door, Sunshine,” he sighs, almost like he’s disappointed. Weird.

Jude still tries the door, but it won’t open from this side, so she grabs ahold of her pride and walks around the castle counter, moving as quickly as she can and keeping her head down to avoid getting any further education.

“Bye,” she waves her hand awkwardly as she hits the exit door.

“Bye, Sunshine.”

~~~~~

Mostly setup for the AU. Yes all the last names are keysmashes. Yes I did go on early 2 bed’s website and choose random buttons until I found a sex toy that seemed a little odd. (The nipple clamps are rechargeable because they vibrate.) Big thanks to the discord server for helping me with ideas!

Tag list: @cardan-greenbriar-tcp @hizqueen4life @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 @thewickedkings @aelin-queen-of-terrasen @cheekycheekycheeks @queen-of-glass @b00kworm @doingmyrainbow @andromeddea @jurdanhell @thesirenwashere @illyrianwitchling @courtofjurdan @clockworkgraystairs @st00pid231 @booksandlewks @fateandluminary

Let me know if you want to be tagged!

#jurdan #Jude Duarte #cardan greenbriar #tfota #tfota fanfic #sex shop/landscaping au #tyrannosaurus lex writes #literally just crack

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elisaphoenix13 · 4 years

Text

Mainstream Barbeque

"Mama...up." Valerie says quietly as she reaches up toward Stephen and makes grabby hands at him.

"Just a minute cub."

The baby pouts but continues to cling to Stephen's leg as he sets up the table for the barbeque. It had been like this all day, and the more of the team that arrived, the more she stuck to the sorcerer and made it a little difficult to move around and help. She was comfortable with the team and trusted them, but the noise was still overwhelming for her and Stephen was safe and calming. He hoped she would be content to go to Natasha or Quill when they arrived but Valerie seemed intent on staying with Stephen today. Not even Tony was able to successfully pry her away. Maybe the two new teenagers made her nervous.

Stephen lifts a brow when the container of brownies he knew had been next to the plates suddenly disappears and pulls some plastic cups out of their packaging calmly.

"Put them back Thomas."

Said teen appears to his left with a small gust of wind to give away the fact that he had run over. "How did you know?"

"He's Mom. He knows everything." Bucky answers as he sets down the container of cookies he brought.

"Oh...I thought that was a joke."

Stephen huffs in amusement. "It started out that way...but then it stuck...and then Diana and Valerie kind of made it real."

He finally finishes setting up the table and bends down to pick up Valerie and place her on his hip, and then looks around. Peter, Cassie, Harley, and Diana were in their bathing suits giving Athena and Gerald baths, some of the men were either playing football or swimming in the lake (Clint was starting a trend of doing dangerous tricks off the tire swing and into the lake), and Laura was inside helping prep food. The Barton kids had been part of the lake shenanigans but looked to have joined in on giving the wolf and alpaca their baths.

Some further observation showed Wanda and Loki helping William practice his magic, and Thor and Quill were off in the distance sparri--

"No! Absolutely not!" Stephen shouts at the two gods as he sends a spell at them with a flick of his wrist to stop them.

"Quail was just going to show me how much he's improved with his powers!"

"It's Quill." The celestial corrects with some annoyance.

"Yes. That's what I said."

Stephen glares at them as he approaches them. "There will be no sparring between you two! Last time you sent out a shockwave and blew out every single one of the compound's windows! It had just finished being rebuilt too!"

"Pfft...it was one time--owowow!" Quill whines when Stephen grabs his ear.

"My husband had to pay for that!"

"He's a billionaire!"

"He's not going to be at the rate you break things! Find something else to do!" Stephen releases Quill and starts to walk away before calling over his shoulder. "That doesn't mean Scott either!"

"Well there goes my day." Quill grumbles.

Valerie rests her head on Stephen's shoulder and watches calmly as he walks around to check in on everyone. Even Carol, T'Challa, and Shuri had come to enjoy the barbeque, and Stephen takes the seat next to the king as they watch the rather rough football game. T'Challa looks over at Valerie and smiles at her softly, and the baby hides her face in Stephen's shoulder.

"The last time I was here, you only had Peter." He says and Stephen looks at him.

"That's right. You didn't come here with the rest of us after…"

"No. Now I see you have four children."

"Harley was adopted under similar circumstances to Peter, but Diana and Valerie are biologically both mine and Tony's thanks to magic."

"What about the other three? I met Clint's kids earlier but I'm not familiar with the others."

Stephen looks over at Cassie. "Cassie is Scott's...Quill parents her as well. The twins are William and Thomas. They're technically mine too but Wanda and Vision take care of them."

"Did you adopt them too?"

"No. Tony and I just have permanent guardianship over them."

"This really is a family." T'Challa mutters softly and Stephen looks back at him.

"Well I'm sure if you ask anyone, they'll all tell you that I parent everyone."

The king smirks. "Do you?"

"Well someone has to keep them all from doing stupid things."

T'Challa laughs and looks back to the football game and Stephen watches as Natasha and Carol occasionally flip the others onto their backs. Football was always played a little extremely, but as long as the right people were playing, Stephen didn't stop it. If there were any players that weren't enhanced or trained assassins (Nat was a force to deal with so Stephen never bothered to keep her away), the sorcerer would either tell the enhanced persons to take it easy or just have the others wait a little while so the enhanced could get it out of their system. The unenhanced were content to spend time in the lake for now.

Stephen looks over to the kids when he hears laughter, and sighs when he just manages to watch Athena shake the water from her body. Harley and Peter cover the wolf in towels and dry her as thoroughly as possible, and when they finish, the girls take over with the grooming. Athena actually liked the attention Cassie, Lila, and Diana were giving her, and stood very still so they could brush her down. The boys turned their attention to Gerald, and the alpaca barely paid the kids any kind as they gave him his bath. He just lazily munched on his hay as he was scrubbed down. Instead of towels being used though, Thomas ran over and used his speed to air dry Gerald. By the time his bath was finished, the girls had finished with Athena, and the wolf happily trotted over to Stephen to sit by him.

Loyal as ever.

"Athena pretty." Valerie mumbles against Stephen's shoulder as she reaches out to the wolf. Her tiny hand pets Athena gently and the baby smiles. "Soft, Mama."

"Is she?" Stephen humors his youngest by reaching down and petting his wolf as well. Valerie was right. It was like touching silk. The girls did a fantastic job grooming her.

"How do you have a wild creature so tame?" T'Challa asks from beside the sorcerer.

"Long story short, the kids and I were turned into wolves, Athena came across us and helped us, but when we were turned back, she wanted to come with us. She was by herself and I was able to use a spell to communicate what the rules were and what she would have to expect. Tony caved and let her come home with us, and Athena has yet to disappoint. She protects the kids and I only have to tell her who a friend is once. If I tell her to attack, she will...unless family is attacked first. That's the only time she won't wait for a command." Stephen explains.

"That's amazing." The king admits. "She acts like a pet."

"She is and isn't. She's a companion too. Although she does sleep at the foot of our bed." Stephen chuckles.

"How does Tony feel about it?"

"He doesn't care as long as she stays off the pillows."

Stephen then catches the king up with everything up to that point, and halfway through it, Tony announces that lunch is ready. The sorcerer got up so he could get Valerie's food, since kids got their food first, then the unenhanced, then the enhanced. He figured on getting both of their plates since going back a second time would be a waste of time and he wasn't enhanced, and let his daughter pick most of what she wanted. He had to persuade a little more vegetables on her plate, but it wasn't too big of a deal since Valerie enjoyed everything for the most part. As soon as they were finished, they sat down on one of the many laid out blankets, and Stephen made sure Valerie was all set before he started eating himself. Tony would take care of Diana, and Wanda would explain the process to the twins. Athena of course waited patiently until Stephen was situated before she joined him on the blankets and flopped onto her side next to him to doze.

"She won't bite me will she?" Stephen looks up when William speaks and smiles softly before turning his attention back to his food.

"No. She knows you're a friend. Everyone here is."

"... can I sit here?" The boy asks shyly and Stephen nods.

"Of course." When William sits down, the sorcerer glances over at him. "How are you and your brother adjusting?"

"It's...it takes some getting used to. We're not used to this kind of attention, but it's nice...and Wanda makes really good food."

"That's good."

"I don't get the ban on peppermint though." William brings up with confusion.

Stephen chuckles. "It makes Peter sick. A con of the spider bite. Just the smell itself drives him into his room. Last time I ate it, he avoided me like the plague for a full twenty-four hours. He can smell it on whoever ate it."

"Did he like peppermint before the bite?"

"Loved it."

"That sucks."

Lunch passed just like that. William asking questions about the Stark family (and in the background, Stephen noticed that Harley was at war with himself trying to figure out whether to join them or not. He didn't. He sat with Peter and Cooper with a defeated sigh). William asked Stephen about his magic and the girls' existence...and the sorcerer calmly answered each question. The teen was still learning after all.

William was then surprised when an alpaca decided to disturb the teen's personal bubble to steal the leftover apple slices on his plate. He shouted when Gerald bent down to Hoover the fruit and then actually held a hand over his heart to no doubt attempt to calm his pounding heart. Gerald was harmless, but he was pretty persistent about things he wanted. He had a bad habit of helping himself to people's fruits and vegetables and Stephen and Tony had been trying to kick the habit, but to no avail. Someone had to be sharing with the alpaca for their scolding to fall on deaf ears.

"Gerald! No! Get out of here you overgrown fuzzball." Tony shoos the animal away when he runs over, and huffs as the alpaca walks away with an annoyed grunt. "Sorry TinkerBell. Want me to get you some more fruit?"

William blinks and looks up at the engineer. "Wh-what did you call me?"

Stephen rolls his eyes. "Better get used to it. He gives everyone a nickname. Sometimes more than one."

"Your brother is Speedy Gonzalez." Tony informs the teen with a grin.

"That's... accurate." William sighs and drops his hand. "It's fine. I was done anyway. He did me a favor."

"Just push him away if it happens again. He's harmless." Stephen says as he gets up and Valerie follows him to throw their plates in the trash.

The cans were sitting behind the cabin and when the two were done tossing their garbage, Stephen looked around when he heard muttering. He raises an eyebrow and walks around the far corner to investigate and narrows his eyes when he finds Sam feeding Gerald some fruit from his own plate.

"You're the one teaching him this bad habit?!"

Sam jumps and looks up at him sheepishly. "Sorry Mama Bear."

"You in twouble." Valerie says quietly from her position at Stephen's leg.

"Stop feeding him from your plate and I won't make you clean his pen." Stephen compromises and the darker male nods quickly.

"He won't be getting anything from my plate anymore. Strictly treats I grab just for him."

"Thank you. He just gave William a heart attack."

"What? This guy?" Sam grins and pets the alpaca's neck. "He's--"

"Harmless. Yes. I told him."

"Mom!" Peter runs around the corner and nearly trips over his own feet as he stops. "Quill and Carol are about to spar."

"Absolutely not! She's on par with a god--all of you overgrown children are chipping away at my sanity…"

Sam smirks as Stephen picks up Valerie to stop the new attempt at a godly sparring session.

"Up for some ultimate frisbee in the mud?" Peter asks and Sam shrugs.

"Sure. Why not. I'll enjoy it while I can before Stephen finds out.

#mama bear au #supremefamily #ironstrange #mama bear stephen strange #avengers #the avengers kids #tchalla #william kaplan #thomas shepherd #celestial quill

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billie-ford · 4 years

Text

1 2 3

What Comes After

The morning sun rolled over the Hilltop colony like a warm blanket; a golden shine of reassuring hope that today would be better than the last. The rays that shone over the tall walls of the community made the smoke of Billie’s cigarette almost entirely opaque as she brought it to her lips for another drag.

It was the first sense of peace she’d felt in days despite the underlying melancholy that had become her, soaking in the warmth that touched her skin as a gift opposed to a nuisance for the first time since that awful morning while she watched the community come to life.

“Would you be bothered if I asked how many hours of sleep you got?”

Billie watched as Sasha emerged from Gregory’s mansion and approached her trailer, taking a seat on the stair below her before lighting up her own smoke when the box was offered.

“Not as bothered as you would be by the answer.”

Sasha’s smiles were always so warm. Warmer than the sun. She donned a fresh pair of clothes gifted by Hilltop’s resident laundry hanger and the already worn in appearance led Billie to believe that Sasha was losing hours of sleep too.

“You know,” Sasha’s chest swelled with a deep sigh, “it’s been hard to close my eyes for more than a second since the other night. Much less fall asleep for more than a minute.”

“It plays over and over again in your head doesn’t it?” She nodded. “Yeah...me too. You been in to check on Maggie yet?” Billie took one last deep drag of her cigarette, her first of many for the day, and stubbed the butt out on the traction of her boot.

“Not yet. I passed Dr. Carson in the hallway and he said she was still asleep.”

“What about..uhm..them?”

Sasha frowned, eyes falling to the ground as she shook her head. “I haven’t really been able to stomach it. We should wait for Maggie to wake up..then we can all go together.”

“Sure, guess we can.”

Twigs snapped and leaves crunched under Millie’s heavy boots as she walked down the long, deserted road. The coming of Autumn made the already dismal roads that much more gray and with the new addition of crunching leaves and wind blown twigs, that much more dangerous too.

Dawn had barely broke when she began her journey; tip-toing carefully throughout the house she shared with Eugene and Rosita while packing her bag and running through the streets of Alexandria as quick as she could to avoid being spotted. By the time she had hopped down from the community walls her clothes were already splattered in blood, burying her old aunt’s bowie knife in skull after skull when the crunching leaves beneath her boots gave away her position to the multitude of walkers roaming around the other side. She had walked for miles by the time the sun had fully set in the sky, checking her wrist at every street sign; the directions to Hilltop scribbled down her pale skin in blue ink.

She missed her aunt, her godmother, her guardian now that her father was dead. Being home without Billie was almost unbearable. Since that night, nobody in the community treated her the same; crossing the street when she approached, refusing to look her in the eye, stumbling over their words when they so much as mentioned his name. They were either avoiding her or they were overbearing, and their apologies and eulogies just barely clung to their tongues. She was looking for any excuse to get out, and going to see her father’s grave was just excuse enough. It troubled her deeply that she never got to say goodbye to her dad, not even a last glace. Sasha had been quick to obscure Millie’s vision when the first blow of the bat landed and as the days rolled on a part of Millie was thankful for it - but a part of her also resented Sasha for not giving her that closure.

As she trekked along she wondered if he was buried or burned. If a memorial of flowers and other trinkets had been placed in the wake of the fallen. She remembered that Billie had hand carved a sign for Kenny’s cat when he eventually died, she would do the same for her own brother. Something told her Billie wouldn’t let anyone burn her brother, and it was that feeling that drove Millie to make the journey to Hilltop.

The infirmary was empty when Sasha and Billie entered, Dr. Carson looking up to the door when it whined on its hinges. At the far back of the sickly white room was Maggie, just a lump of steady breathes beneath her just as white sheets.

Her eyes cracked open ever so slightly upon the feeling of Sasha’s hand on her arm and she smiled weakly at the two who had worked tirelessly to assist her here. She was frail, her eyes sunken and her skin so pale it edged on blue. She had just barely the energy to lift an arm to clutch Sasha’s hand.

“Welcome to, beautiful,” Billie patted Maggie’s leg, “’member us?”

“Unfortunately.”

“How ‘bout Dr. Carson? Resident life saver here at the Hilltop?”

Just over Billie’s shoulder stood the striking doctor with a kind smile of his own when his patient looked at him. “How long have I been down?” She asked.

“A little over three days,” Carson answered. “You suffered from the condition abruptio placentae; it’s a separation of the placenta from the uterus. It’s unusual this early, but uh, could be brought on by severe trauma. Possibly the bruises on your abdomen-”

“Did I-I...lose..?” Maggie exhaled sharply, almost too afraid to ask. Even more afraid to hear the answer.

“No.” She let out her held breath. “Thanks to your friends. Had they not got you here when they did things might have looked much worse.

Baby’s heart rate is normal but you’re going to have to take it easy for a few days. You don’t want to exacerbate the separation any more.”

“Where is he?” Maggie asked, looking between her friends. “Where are they both?”

“I took care of it.” “I want to see them.” “You heard Carson.” “Billie, please.”

Billie looked to Carson, sharing a look of concern with the doctor. He cleared his throat, “just make sure she goes slow and get her straight to bed afterwards.”

Before he could say any more, Maggie was throwing her covers to the floor and standing on shaky legs as the two raced to either side of her to hold her steady. Much like the morning they had arrived. ‘Easy, easy, easy.’ Billie cooed.

“Straight to bed.” Carson reiterated as they guided her out of the door and into the hot sun.

Billie sat on a rock as she watched the two stand over the graves she had dug, slicing her breakfast of a single green apple with her hunting knife before chucking the pieces between her teeth dispassionately. Her frown was heavy and her eyes almost burned at the sight of the graves she wished she could forget. It was like a nightmare she couldn’t shake; vigorously digging her own brother’s grave before rolling his headless body into the dirt before doing the same for one of her best friends. She reached into her pocket, feel the brass chain cool her fingertips as she pulled the pocket watch from the place it had been nestled for the last three days.

“Here.” She called out to Maggie, reaching out and dropping the accessory into her open palm. “It was in Glenn’s pocket,” she scoffed, “all Abe had was a cigar..”

The pain was pronounced. For all of them. Tears welled in every eye of the trio as they tried in vain to make any sense of it - how they would go on without their leader, without the ones they loved.

Maggie placed the watch over Glenn’s grave lovely as Billie wondered if back home, in Alexandria, there was anything left to honor her fallen soldier with. There had to be something more than a smelly old cigar now stained terribly with near black blood.

Sasha’s eyes darted over Abraham’s grave, searching for an answer she wouldn’t find. “Everything feels so wrong..”

“Not everything.”

Maggie’s optimism was admirable and Billie felt she was once that way; able to find even the tiniest of gems when she dug through all the dirt. But now, now she just felt irritated by the glimmer of hope in Maggie’s eyes, and when a Hilltop member peeked in to whisk her away she leapt at the chance.

It was Bertie who had recognized Millie first when she was stopped at the gates of Hilltop and smiled at her before running off to fetch Billie. Billie’s eyes widened in shock when she saw her niece walk through the gates and ran to gather her in her arms, checking her for injuries and swiping at the splatters of blood painting her skin. It wasn’t her own, Millie promised. “Are you- what are- Why are you here?”

“I missed you...all of you.” “Millie?” “Hey, Sasha!”

Sasha appeared at Billie’s side with the same surprised look before hugging the teen tightly. It was a relief to see her alive and well after the night they all suffered, but one more Alexandrian in a community they weren’t supposed to know about meant one more person to hide when the saviors finally rolled around for their pick ups.

“You can’t be here, Mills. It’s not safe for you, you have to be home.” A look flashed behind Millie’s eyes, a sadness that sunk her shoulders and clenched her jaw. It baffled Billie just how much she looked like her father when she did such a thing, how their twin hues of blue in their eyes would darken like a mood ring and their lips pressed into a thin line. So much of how they were feeling could be conveyed in their eyes alone. Billie sighed. “I came to see him, didn’t you?” She nodded.

The women shared a look and Sasha, the woman who was well on her way to becoming her step-mother, grabbed Millie by the hand gently. “I’ll take you.” She spoke softly. “We can go back to Billie’s trailer after and I’ll make you something to eat. Sound good?” Millie nodded and with one last yearning look to her aunt she went off with Sasha to finally see her father’s resting place.

Billie watched them disappear beyond the grove before dashing behind the guards post and sinking to the ground with accelerated panic. With Maggie’s oncoming pregnancy, Millie’s sudden appearance, the looming shadows of the saviors and her own grief she has yet to properly deal with, it was all becoming too much for Billie. As her breath became harder to catch and a fresh round of hot tears reached her eyes, Billie realized she was officially having a panic attack.

Jesus had just emerged from the mansion, the tips of his ears hot from another argument with Gregory when he spotted the woman across the grounds, the same woman he was just defending up in Gregory’s office. He rushed for her, dodging community members to be by her hyperventilating side.

“Billie! Hey, hey, hey...” He squeezed her arms softly while they shook from her sobs. “Billie, can you look at me?”

Jesus had seen many panic attacks within the Hilltop walls; new comers barely getting a grip on life within the walls, losing loved ones, just life in general. Yet seeing it now, with her, felt completely foreign. This wasn’t the person he had met on the road just weeks ago; who had pistol whipped him when he tried to steal supplies from herself and her brother, who had gotten into a sarcasm battle with Gregory and won, who had snapped Andy’s arm when he got into a fight with Abraham. This was just a shell of that person.

Her eyes met his, half-lidded bambi eyes ringed with red. She bit her bottom lip between her teeth to stop its quivering.

“Just watch me okay? Breath like this, in,” he inhaled, “and out.” After a few repetitions she followed, her gaze breaking from his to his hands on her wrists as her breathing steadied and her heart slowed to a normal patter. He released his gentle grip before sitting back in a crisscrossed position. “May I ask what that was about?”

She shrugged. “I’m just...overwhelmed.”

“Overwhelmed generally means someone needs a break.” “I can’t take a break. Too many people need me.”

Jesus sighed, looking off into the community. “I don’t think Sasha or Maggie would hold it against you for looking out for yourself. You aren’t sleeping, that much I can see...it’ll only make things harder for you if you don’t take a step back now.”

Billie kissed her teeth, rolling his words around in her head. “S’at your professional opinion?”

“Personal. We’re just friends here.” He smirked. “One can only hold so much before they start to crumble, Billie. That’s what community - family - is for. We share the load when some of us start to crack.”

Knowing it and hearing it were two very different things. She knew she was taking on too much, she always did, but someone else knowing it and seeing it...it made her feel too vulnerable. Being seen made her feel vulnerable. Billie liked Jesus. He was a pain in her ass when they caught him on the side of the road but since introducing them to Hilltop, showing them that there was so much more in the world, she’s considered him almost a brother.

Their gentle interaction was suddenly disrupted by the roaring sound of engines and Kal’s boots above them stomping along the wood of the guards post.

“The Saviors are coming!”

The pair jumped up from the grass like a fire had been lit beneath them and Jesus grabbed her by the wrist roughly, throwing caution to the wind as he pulled her quickly behind the trailers. If she was seen by any of the Saviors that were on the road that night they’d know the communities were colluding. Knowing they were colluding meant consequences for both of their communities; consequences including their death.

“Come on, I know a place to hide.” They were now dashing along the wall of the colony as the gates opened and trucks of Saviors flooded in.

That dreadful panic settled back into Billie’s stomach as she ran in time with Jesus as she wondered where Sasha, Maggie and Millie were. Where they inside the mansion? A trailer? Still at the graves? She feared they got caught up with Gregory, knowing that if it benefited him he would sell them out in a second.

“Here.” Jesus stopped along the wall furthest from the gate, standing in front of a large crate of wood. “They don’t know about this.” Before Billie had the chance to question him he was lifting the logs, revealing a secret bunker within. She supposed it was made for this very reason; hiding for something that shouldn’t be in the colony. “I’ll come get you when they’re gone. Two knocks. Stay quiet.”

It was a tight fit, scratching the walls and bearing splinters in her biceps while Jesus watched over his shoulder. He casted one last look her way, bright blue eyes filled with worry before shutting the top and encasing her in darkness.

Her breath was ragged, terrified, and she held it periodically when she thought she had heard something. It felt like hours spent in the pitch black bunker, rocking in the cold dirt, nothing to be heard but the rushing adrenaline beating in her own ears between short bursts of breath. Steady footsteps from above made her lurch back further into the darkness, holding her breath once again. The voice was muffled as it approached, whistling a familiar tune that caused a wave of nausea to settle in Billie’s stomach.

Whoever was above her was not Jesus, and she feared whoever it was knew just what they were looking for.

#what comes after #chapter four #writing #fanfiction #twd #billie ford #sasha williams #maggie rhee #millie ford #paul 'jesus' rovia

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scribeofmorpheus · 5 years

Text

Himmeløyne [7/?]

Pairing: Loki Odinson x Reader

Words: 3k | Catch Up Here | Masterlist

Warnings: Umm... how about some angst?

A/N: Honestly, before the final scenes, I’m not sure if I#m happy with this chapter or not... But I’ve been saying I’d update and I think it’s best I just let this leave my editing folder.

Taglist is open! Reblog, comment or leave a like please ☺

~Y/N

"Come on, Little Stormbringer!" Thor cheered, practically glowing with excitement.

You strapped on your arm braces and retrieve your weapon of choice -a bow Sif had personally strong-armed Brokkr into making. Thor had kept his side of the bargain, opting to use a measly replacement axe instead of Mjolnir.

You notched an arrow, pointing it at his chest with a playful smile.

"Ten gold coins on the little lass," Volstagg declared, chomping on a leg of lamb, beard greasy with gravy.

Fandral pulled out a white cloth, dabbing at Volstagg's beard with a disapproving glower, "Can you not be such a messy lout at times?"

Hogun folded his arms, poking Volstagg in the chest, "I'll take that action."

Sif chuckled, rolling her eyes at the boys, "Double or nothing, Y/N can get the upper hand on our God of Thunder-less-ness here."

Fandral stopped dabbing and Hogun arched a brow high, "Deal," they both said with eager grins.

Loki leaned on a pillar a few feet away, flicking a coin absentmindedly in one hand –separate from everyone else. Ever the lonesome wolf.

Footsteps encroached nearer and all turned silent when they caught sight of Frigga accompanied by a few of her ladies-in-waiting. She shook her head and you could almost hear her tut-tut at Thor's behaviour, but when she didn't interject and try to stop what was about to happen, everyone let out a communal sigh. She walked over to Loki. They began to converse in hushed tones. Every now and again you'd catch wind of him glancing over at you with a strange look in his eye. Sometimes it frustrated you that you couldn't read his mind.

"Okay," Sif moved closer to the border of the sparring area once everyone had finished placing their bets. "I want a clean fight. Y/N you can maim Thor all you want, he's a big boy, he can take it. Just not the eyes."

Thor nodded in agreement, "Or my jewels!" he shouted out prompting scoffs from your audience.

Sif rolled her eyes, a hint of amusement alleviating some of that weight that sat on her brow, "And the prince's jewels," she reiterated dramatically. "Secondly, Thor, as promised, no thunder and no Mjolnir. If you are disarmed at any point in the fight that counts as an automatic lose. Two taps on the ground signify defeat if your opponent gains the upper hand. Are we in agreement?"

"Hear, hear," Thor pounded on his chest.

You opted for a curt nod in response.

"Okay," she smiled. "Loki do the honours."

Loki used his magic to materialise an illusion of a handkerchief falling through the still air. Swaying and sagging downwards. Sif retreated to where Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg.

Tension seeped into the open space as your muscles started to shake from anticipation, adrenaline spiking up your spine the instant the fake cloth touched the dewy grass.

It had began.

You notched several arrows with quick ease. Thor bobbed, weaved and countered by slicing his axe through the projectiles. His size made him a big target, but his strength and skill made it difficult to get a hit in. Beside you, you caught sight of Fandral wincing and groaning every time you nearly landed a hit, his fist swaying around in the air. Hogun remained his stoic self, eyes fixed on observing your form and technique. Volstagg was enjoying the little spout of entertainment that accompanied his meal and Sif smiled, barely, but noticeably as she watched you with pride turning her posture ramrod-straight.

Frigga and Loki kept on, still speaking in hushed tones, but their attentions were now fixed on your little sparring match.

Eventually, Thor managed to get too close for a long-range weapon to remain efficient so you swapped it for a set of twin daggers you had hidden under your sleeves. Loki smirked when he noticed you had picked up one of his tricks.

"Ha," Thor bellowed when he dodged your slash, a happy smile on his face. "It seems you've been spending too much time with a certain trickster god..."

You scoffed, "I'm adaptable. This has nothing to do with who I spend my time with." You spun in a flurry of slashes and jabs.

"I beg to differ," he said when he countered one of your moves perfectly, like he'd done it before. "That right there-" he pushed you back and you stumbled to the ground. He swung his axe in one hand, breath heaving strongly. "That right there is one of Loki's favourite little secret attacks. Slashing forward while hiding your other dagger behind your back. Smart…but I've seen it a thousand times." He brought his axe down in a menacing swing. Everyone took a step closer, hands hovering in the air, a second away from countering Thor's attack.

His momentum abruptly stopped and the axe cast half a shadow across your face, the sharp curved edge barely a narrow margin from touching the tip of your nose.

He chuckled some more, a brightness to his energy as he showed off his pearly whites. Thor planted the axe in the soft grass and stretched out his hand to help you up. Your ethereal glow faded away, the blue mist dissipating from your hands sending the vines that were previously reaching out towards him curling back to their original position.

You let out a despondent huff, lips pulled in a pout as you reluctantly reached for his hand.

Fandral grinned from ear to ear, fingers wiggling at Sif, "Pay up."

Sif rolled her eyes, "It's not over yet," she warned him.

Thor heard her comment and craned his neck to the side, confused by her words.

Then, in the spirit of a limber cat, you hoisted your weight onto your upper back, wrapping your legs around his mid-section, using a controlled burst of magic to topple him over. Your legs straddling his sides as you placed a dagger under his Adam's apple.

"Can I interest you in a close shave?" you jested lightly as Thor's hand tapped down on the grass twice. You leaned closer to whisper, "You were holding back."

He shared a secret wink with you, whispering at an equally low octave, "I don't know what you mean."

Another pure, warming laugh sent vibrations travelling up your spine. Whether that was all for show or a genuine reaction was anybody’s guess. Nonetheless, his energy was still as infectious as ever and you too began to laugh with him. Eventually, Volstagg joined in, tray of food completely demolished.

Fandral clicked his tongue as he reached into his pocket to drop a coin purse in Sif's palm, "She technically cheated, you know."

She shrugged as Hogun repeated Fandral's actions, her hand sinking lower from the weight of two coin purses.

"Technically, she didn't," Hogun explained. "The rules were to either be disarmed or to tap the ground twice if you admitted defeat, and Y/N was never disarmed at any point in the battle, nor did she tap out."

~Loki

Loki stared breathlessly at the entangled position you and Thor were laying in. Your head rolled back in a sonorous laugh while Thor's face lit up from excitement.

Darkness snaked around his stomach and his liver and his kidneys. Squeezing and constricting until he could feel the burn of a primal emotion sear under his flesh and seep into his marrow. His fist shook ever so subtly, a droplet of blood dripping from his closed fist.

What was this feeling?

Is this… jealousy? He scoffed at his moronic reaction, molars filing down against each other.

Thor's smile never faded as he lifted Y/N off his body and spun her around like a child in need of praise.

"I never knew you to be one to accept defeat so freely," Loki bit down on his tongue to keep his tone monotonous.

The air shifted once again and it was obvious everyone felt it too. Loki hadn't been as subtle as he intended. In all honesty, he hadn’t intended to say or do anything besides watch. Oh, what a fool he’d been to think he’d be capable of remaining impassive in the face of such displays of emotion.

He cursed his curious nature for bringing him here.

Thor slapped Y/N's back affectionately, his unrestrained strength sending her off balance for a split second. "She's a good fighter… for a mortal at least."

"Ow," She rubbed at her shoulder blade as she picked her bow off the ground and used her magic to form droplets of rain out of a gathered mass of water syphoned off the top of a water barrel.

"Besides," Thor added. "She has turned out to be quite the little trickster. It doesn't exactly keep things fair in a fight."

Loki stretched open his arms, his frame bowing in a mock pose, "Are you insinuating that the great God of Thunder cannot handle a few slights of hand in a fight?"

"Is that a challenge, brother?" he asked.

Loki smirked, "Only if you make it one, brother."

Predetermining where this not-so-friendly banter was heading, Fandral nudged Sif's side with his elbow, "Double on Thor."

She snorted, "Fandral, old friend," she tossed the money bags in the air repeatedly. "You never learned when to bow out while you were still ahead. Lucky for me, I know when that is -and it's now. If you'll excuse me, I have some gold to spend." She departed from the three men.

Thor eagerly accepted Loki's challenge, his broad steps transporting him towards his axe quickly. "No magic," he stated.

Loki nodded, "No magic."

And just like that, another match had started.

Loki moved delicately, yet with a purposeful methodology to each step. He was like some type of surgically trained dancer. Each step and combo meticulously thought out before they were enacted.

Thor was the opposite. His movements relied on strength and proximity. The picture was like an ode to every song of bravery every scribed; a titan of a man battling against a leaf in the wind. It was enthralling.

Loki lured Thor in hit after hit and moved out of the way in the last instant. He was going to tire him out before he made any offensive advances.

Y/N winced when one of Loki's dagger's managed to nick at Thor’s tough skin. That simple reflexive action made something snap inside him and suddenly all that heat that made his blood boil ruptured in a spectacular shower of red, hot anger.

The next thing he knew, he was sending Thor propelling through the air, green mists of energy shimmering around him.

"Oh dear," his mother gasped as she lifted her dress skirts to run to Thor's side.

The Warriors Three all glared at him, nostrils flaring with disgust. One of them barked, "What is the matter with you?"

Loki ran his tongue over his teeth and conjured a portal, disappearing through it before Y/N could get a chance to say anything. Before he could get the chance to see her reaction –to see those beautiful eyes of hers gawk at him, finally seeing him for the monster everyone thought he was.

~Y/N

The sun had already begun to set by the time you found Loki. He was leaning against the railing of the balcony where you first laid eyes on him. His posture slumping at the shoulders, chin pressed to his chest, eyes closed shut tightly. His long raven hair curling and winding with the wind.

He was like a statue. A beautifully haunted statue with cheekbones carved from marble and skin so cold to the touch you feared it would turn your bones to brittle glass if you touched him.

The only lively thing about him in that moment was the warm orange light cast onto his skin, turning him golden like the sun. He was beside himself -lost within his chaotic mind, unmoored from all sense and reason, adrift in an empty, dark sea.

He looked lonely.

"I can feel you," he breathed, opening his eyes to look out towards the water cascading at the edge of the world.

"I can leave if you want to be alone."

The lines on his face pulled his eyes to a near close as a sad half-smile pulled upwards, "No. I don't want to be alone."

You settled close to him, hands nearly touching. The heat between you two forming a cushion of static.

"I'm sorry you saw that..." his body was pulled closer to the encroaching shadow that the night sky brought. It was a subconscious form of staying armoured. You remained within the retreating strokes of last light. "You probably think me as some kind of monster. After all, how many brothers do you know lash out so violently against their own blood?" he huffed resentfully.

"I don't think you're a monster," you brushed the strands of hair sticking to your eyelashes away. "If anything, you proved that even gods can be human at heart –flawed and just as out of control as the rest of us lowly mortals."

"So… you think I have a heart?"

A blush spread from your chest to your neck, "Blood courses through you, doesn't it?" you tried to keep your equanimity.

You turned to look at his side profile, the angles of his face sharp and handsome in an elegant way. Gravity pulled your bottom lip down, leaving your mouth agape. "What happened? I've never seen you lose control before."

His hand balled into a fist and it was then that you notice the line of dried blood, "I… I don't know. I haven't been myself lately. Ever since…" he trailed off, letting the crisp air cool his lungs with a hungry inhale.

The same cool air felt divine against your flush cheeks, "Ever since what?"

When he didn't answer you, you ran your fingers against the material of his coat. It felt like a short-haired pelt, soft and velvety. A spark travelled through your fingertips.

"Loki?" you tried to reach out. “Talk to me.”

He looked down at the contact between his coat and your fingers, a glint of light turning his eyes to an azure crystal colour. You could see your own face reflected in his irises. A look of concern adorning your features. There was something else at play –something new– in the way your features softened around him.

"Ever since I dreamed of you," he admitted in a husky voice.

You gasped, unsure of what to do or say or think. Your heart overwhelmed your senses by beating even faster than it had during your sparring match -if that was even a feasible possibility.

You felt like you might burst.

Loki hummed pleasantly as his searching gaze moved in a circular motion around your face, a weak muscle trying to pull at the edge of his mouth.

You felt naked under his incandescent blues, "What?"

He cupped your face, "Your eyes… they're glowing."

The sound of your hard swallow hit your inner ear and you swayed backwards, trying to stay within the protective circle of light.

"Don't be afraid of me," he whispered in a plea.

With that, your legs took the next forward steps on their own. Open and unreserved, you allowed yourself to be pulled into the shadow, away from the light and into the arms of this beautiful, conflicted and rare spirit. His touch warmed from the contact of skin to skin.

"They aren't glowing because I'm afraid of you."

He dipped his head, the scent of him washing over you like rejuvenating raindrops.

"If I could wish for anything, it would be for these beautiful eyes to never grow dark," his thumb brushed your cheekbone and moved upwards to stroke your lashes.

Sharp teeth applied pressure on your lower lip. In your mind, the floor gave way, parting to make room for you and him to slip into the head rush of a forever spiral.

"You've bewitched me," his jaw shuddered. "Ever since Niflheim… you awakened something restless inside of me. You haunt me in my dreams. You are in my thoughts. You are in the very air I breathe -it’s the most pleasurable form of torture." He brought his other hand to brace against your ribs. You were certain he could feel the powerful thrumming of your heart.

After hearing his confession, you were rendered voiceless. Paralysed and lost in the splendour of the moment. You couldn't understand your own feelings. You'd never felt like this before. It was all consuming, it felt dangerous... almost, forbidden. A part of you wanted to make this spot your home, your shelter from the storm that was always brewing beneath the surface lately. But the other side of you, the very human and very angry part of you, was still piecing itself back together again -still rebuilding after the fire. And as soothing as if felt, being in his arms, you weren't ready for whatever this was.

"Loki," your voice cracked. "Please… don't"

You tried to pull away, but he simply moved closer -one foot in the light, the other still in shadow. "You feel it too. The pull. I know you do. Because I refuse to believe I'm the only one in agony when I wake up and realise you were never sleeping beside me."

You trembled against his stiff body, "I don't know what to think. I'm still trying to learn how to breathe again -how to be… free from this hate and despair. If I let you in right now, as broken as I am, I may shatter."

"I promise to never let that happen," his lips found yours in a desperate attempt.

It was a sweet serenade of tongues and pressed bodies. A belladonna laced kiss that threatened to be too much -to turn poisonous if indulged in for too long. Your untrained tongue was coaxed by his, flesh turning tender and swollen as he took you over the edge with him. Now you were plummeting beyond desire or infatuation or lust. He pulled you down like the anchor of a ship tied to your feet, sinking further and further into this blissful, indescribable sensation until you could barely remember your own name. Within the kiss, you had found something long lost. You had found a shred of your innocence and it revealed itself in the form of a flustered virgin.

You gasped when he broke the kiss, spinning around to catch your breath away from the penetrating power of his gaze. You could still taste him on your tongue, still feel the echoes of his touch on your skin.

"Y/N," he whispered, reaching out to pull you back to him and it was too much.

You couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t stand still. "I- I need to think," was all you offered him before you dashed away.

To be continued…

Tags: @mejohanssonwrites @tarynkauai @wanderlust-travler @ladybugsfanfics @electroma89 @texmexdarling @fire-in-her-veinz @whosaidididthat @themusingsofmany @adefectivedetective

Permatags: @gruffle1 @thechickvic @notawarriorjustyet @savethehoneeybees @the-reader-in-the-rye

#loki #loki x reader #loki odinson imagine #Loki Laufeyson #loki x you #happy Thor #loki imagine #marvel #mcu #avengers #Himmeløyne fic

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chisie12 · 5 years

Text

Friends and Butterflies, An After Ending - Part 3

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20490521/chapters/48755918 Uh, domestic bliss again? Cause the chapter i had for ‘language of flowers’ just got too long At least it’s day 4 now and it’s actually the right prompt time ovo;;

~~*~~*~~ Life… was truly, oddly fulfilling at the moment.

It was like their calm spring of Heavenly Waterfall rippled, the peace disturbed. The original habitants, the pair of red fox and white mink, sneaked out of the berry shrubs to bask under the sun, deftly ignoring the idiotic cat and dog fighting in the background as two smaller bunnies nervously hopped around them. A pair of butterfly koi, coloured yin and yang, dipped back into the water when the pair of cat and dog started hissing and yowling from the trees. What used to be a bubble with just the two of them, somehow overnight, the newlyweds became a family of four, even if their children weren’t theirs by blood, while being surrounded by… more relatives related by blood.

Life… was odd. Yeah.

And chaotic. ~~*~~*~~

Day 1: Becoming part of the Hua family

The next morning after their midnight adventure, Hua Cheng woke up to someone warm closely snuggled under his arm. He was comfortably curled and pressed against his body like a snug pet, as though Hua Cheng’s body and arm was his personal nest of a safe haven. His slender leg was wrapped around one of the demon’s own one, arms neatly tucked by his chest with fingers brushing close to his pink, parted lips.

There was something special about waking up next to someone you love. Something about sharing blankets and body heat, listening to the steady breathing of their slumber that’ll bring comfort to your mind just by simply being next to them, to bare your soul in the darkness and to submit yourself to vulnerability.

Hua Cheng stroked the soft chocolate coloured hair with a brush of his fingers, tracing the sides of his cheek as he stared at the thick long eyelashes, the smooth skin of his face… his lips…

Leaning down, he pressed a quick kiss onto his forehead and slipped out of the bed whilst being careful not to wake – he smiled at the thought– his husband, Xie Lian. With a soft groan, the man’s arm reached out and he quickly settled his pillow near his fingers, who immediately latched onto the cotton and snuggled against it. He watched the sleeping man breathe in his scent on the pillow before leaving the room with a loving smile.

And then he found his sons up bright and early a few short moments before sunrise.

“It’s quite early to be awake,” he commented when he saw them sitting by the front porch’s steps.

“Good morning,” the twins echoed.

“Where’s Crown Prince Xian Le?” Huang Qing later asked.

Hua Cheng smiled sheepishly. “That… he’s still in bed. He worked hard yesterday.”

Huang Qing rolled his eyes. “That little bit of work and he’s tired?”

Hua Cheng nodded his head wordlessly, thinking, ‘Yeah. He worked really hard in bed.’

Why wouldn’t he? They just got married and haven’t even had their honeymoon yet!

Huang Shao blinked, pouting at being lost. “Ba ba, I don’t understand. What work?”

His older brother turned towards him and patted his head comfortingly. “It’s alright. Just some adult stuff.”

Huang Shao huffed but left it be.

Hua Cheng watched the boys watch the sunrise, the wisps of orange brightening into a blazing yellow that shone on their faces. Both were really identical, except for the bloodless countenance that Huang Qing had in comparison to Huang Shao’s pink flush. After their small adventure last night, Hua Cheng had immediately helped Huang Qing attain a physical body upon their return (thus joining his husband in bed when it was very late!) and he could clearly see the contentment in those eyes, so contagious that he was bubbling over with pride and joy too.

“We’re usually awake quite early,” Huang Qing suddenly spoke up, his voice wistful and distant, gaze dropping from the sunrise and onto the elongating shadows. “By now, we would be cutting bamboo to bring back for… pa.” His voice grew soft, melancholic, and he felt a large hand rested on his head. He closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, feeling the slight relief the sensation brought, washing away the bitterness ever so slightly. It was the first time someone (he cared) could actually touch him ever since that day. “Pa always had us go before sunrise, so we wouldn’t get burnt by the sun.”

Hua Cheng hummed in acknowledgement and they spent some moments in silence before he spoke up, “Let’s get you boys some breakfast.”

“Sweet potato porridge!” Huang Shao exclaimed right away when he jumped to his feet.

“You can’t always live off that,” Hua Cheng and Huang Qing lightly scolded. They each shared a glance and laughed.

“Why not? It is good for my tummy, keeps me full and gives me energy! It’s perfect!”

~~*~~*~~

Day 6: It’s not for you, San Lang.

Blood oozed out of his finger, a bead of red striking a beautiful contrast to the white cloth. With a sigh, Xie Lian hurriedly unwrapped the white strip of cloth around his finger and applied more medicine, his skin turning even yellower from the copious amount already added before wrapping it once more.

Picking up the threaded needle, he gingerly held the cut cotton cloth of a soft brown colour and poked the needle through.

He eventually managed to sew the two pieces together after a long while, fatigue already swelling in his bones. Hua Cheng stood by the door of the study. He saw the brown and white cotton fabric piled up on the table before his husband with the vials of medicine and cotton strips on the side table next to him.

“Ge ge,” he sang, catching the man’s attention, only to cause him to yelp as he pricked his finger again.

“What’s up, San Lang? Do you need me for something?” Xie Lian asked, looking at Hua Cheng while he applied the medicine yet again. With how skilful he was with a sword, one would think he would be able to avoid pricking and slicing his finger while sewing. No one probably got hurt as much as he did!

“Are you making something?”

“Yeah, it’s a surprise!”

“For me?” Hua Cheng teased.

But Xie Lian shook his head. “No, not for you.”

The demon pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why not? I want something that ge ge made too.”

Xie Lian chuckled and turned back to the fabric. “Your best present is already having me as a husband. Now hurry and see if the boys are okay!”

With a tender smile on his face and a blissful gleam in his gaze, he silently and wordlessly turned around, leaving his husband to his surprise. Even if he couldn’t see it, he could easily tell that the man was furiously blushing, a delicious red of an apple avoiding to be devoured on the spot.

Well, he couldn’t deny. Being Xie Lian’s husband was the best present after all.

~~*~~*~~

Day 21: Do you (not) like Xie Lian?

“Qing-ge ah, do you not like Xie Lian ba ba?”

Huang Qing continued walking around the garden with his brother following behind. “Who said I didn’t?”

“But Qing-ge, you don’t talk to Xie Lian ba ba like Hua Cheng ba ba. You don’t call him ba, always Crown Prince Xian Le!” Huang Shao tightly gripped onto his brother’s hand as he leaped onto a garden rock half his height. “Xie Lian ba ba is very nice. He is always smiling and very kind. He always makes us lunch too!”

“That we can’t eat,” Huang Qing huffed with a roll of his eyes as he held his other arm up just in case his brother lost his footing.

“At least he tries!” Huang Shao pouted, carefully turning on the rock so he could face his brother, the hand still in his. “He’s not a good cook like Hua Cheng ba ba, but I can see that he really cares about us!”

“Mm,” Huang Qing neither denied nor agreed.

“Do you not like Xie Lian ba ba because of the prayer?” Tiptoeing on the rock, Huang Shao continued light-heartedly, “A-Shao heard about it. But I think he tried his best.” There was a short pause when he dropped back onto his heels, his voice equally falling. “A-Shao thinks that… even if Xie Lian ba ba helped us earlier, pa would still become a ghost.”

He hopped off the rock with a light huff, Huang Qing’s arms easily catching onto his brother to steady his footing. Compared to a little under a month ago, Huang Shao looked healthier and fuller, though he was still smaller than most kids his age.

“What do you mean?” Huang Qing asked.

“When Qing-ge… left, the old man and his son started beating us even more. Sometimes pa would be bleeding for days and A-Shao cannot move his arms.”

The sharp tug at his arm caused him to turn back, startled at the glowering expression Huang Qing had. “Did they break your arms, A-di?”

Huang Shao nodded naively, unperturbed at the sullen behaviour, “Yeah, they did. Why?”

A growl rumbled in his throat, anger rising to his head. Those evil, stupid, mean – !

“Qing-ge ah, don’t be angry. Did A-Shao make you angry? A-Shao didn’t mean to…”

Huang Qing forced to calm himself at hearing the pleading tone in his brother’s voice, his heart breaking a little. “No, no. I’m not angry at you, A-di. I’m just sad.”

Those words brightened up Huang Shao’s expression, relieved. “A-Shao is happy then. It’s already in the past. Isn’t it better now? We get good food to eat! A big garden to play in and our uncles are all so nice. So, please don’t be sad!”

“Mm, yeah,” Huang Qing said with a small smile as they walked around QianDeng Temple. As they neared the back-temple garden, they heard the rustling of dried leaves being swept, the curiosity rising. Slowing down, they peeked out from the corner and then blinked at the same time.

There he was, smiling under the shade with white sleeves rolled up and a rake in hand. Dried leaves were gradually swept into a growing pile by the side and when he was done, he bent down to clean Old Man Huang’s grave before setting a fresh plate of fruits down and then lighting the incense for him.

“You know… he does this every day,” came a voice behind them.

Startled, the twins spun around to see Hua Cheng standing there with hands clasped behind his back and smiling warmly at them.

They turned back to watching Xie Lian walk away with the rags and pail of water. That’s when they realised who the person that had been diligently cleaning and changing their father’s offerings every day was when they went to pay their respects.

~~*~~*~~

Day 30: Uncles! …? …Can I be jealous?

“Ba ba, can we get this?”

“A-Shao, that’s for a woman.”

“I’ll have to agree with Crown Prince Xian Le, A-di. Why do you want to get that?”

“Oh, oh! Qing-ge doesn’t know it yet! But, but, on Xie Lian ba ba’s and Hua Cheng ba ba’s wedding, there was this one Heavenly ge ge that could transform!” Huang Shao eagerly explained.

Xie Lian: ‘…we all kind of can though, son.’

“And at the dinner, I think he was arguing with another ge ge. He smelled like fish! And suddenly, that Heavenly ge ge transformed into a very pretty jie jie!!”

Xie Lian: ‘…why didn’t I know this happened during the banquet?’

“She had silver hair and it was bright and shimmering, like the gold foils ba ba got for us to play! And so tall! Then I asked the uncle next to me if I could switch places with him so I can sit next to her. He was a very kind uncle!”

Xie Lian while forcing to keep the smile on his face: ‘…Mu Qing, if you dared seduce my son…’

“Uncle? Did you call me?”

The family turned around towards the voice. Xie Lian was surprised to see them in Ghost City!

“Ba ba, Qing-ge! It’s the Heavenly ge ge and the kind uncle!” Huang Shao exclaimed, his face darting back and forth between the people and his family.

“Feng Xin? Mu Qing? Why are you here?” Xie Lian asked with a wry grin.

The pair of generals looked down at the two boys who each held Xie Lian’s hands, confusion painting their features. “When did you have children? Doesn’t it take around nine months before you pop one? But you have two?”

“What is he talking about?” Huang Qing pointedly asked a flustered Xie Lian who was spluttering at Feng Xin for the question.

“Nothing!” Xie Lian’s face turned a deeper shade as he answered his older son’s question before turning to his old bodyguard, “And they’re adopted! Twins!”

Huang Shao took this cue to step forward, one hand still in Xie Lian’s, and he smiled sweetly at Mu Qing as he waved with his free hand. “Heavenly ge ge! Hi! Do you remember A-Shao?”

Mu Qing glanced down onto the grinning boy. “Ah! The little boy from the banquet! How are you?” he asked as he crouched down, a smile stealing the spotlight on his lips.

The boy was overjoyed at being remembered by the general, buzzing around like an excited bunny that couldn’t run amok. “Heavenly ge ge! What’s your name? I’m A-Shao!”

A soft chuckle escaped. “A-Shao can call me Qing-ge if you like!”

“Eh?” Huang Shao tilted his head with a frown. “But that’s my ge ge’s name!”

Mu Qing turned towards the other boy “You’re also named ‘Qing’?”

Huang Qing nodded and replied tautly, “Surname Huang, Huang Qing. Nice to meet you.”

The man narrowed his eyes at the different treatment compared to his younger brother, but his attention was soon stolen again by a soft-spoken, shy voice.

“Can… I call you Qing-jie?”

Everything around him seemed to freeze, the bustling excitement around Ghost City and Feng Xin’s conversation with Xie Lian dimming in his ears. Qing…jie? His mind wanted to scream, to roll his eyes at such an idiotic, naïve yet adorable request because why would he want to be referred to as a female when he was a man!?

Yet, his heart already spoke before his mind could send its orders: “Sure. You may call me Qing-jie.”

He should have raged, at least get angry, but the merry cheer from the boy warmed his heart, his innocence contagious as he felt his lips curve higher. Turning towards the other boy, he offered the same and surprisingly, he agreed easily. Then he felt a small hand tug at his, catching his attention once more.

“Qing-jie! Do you like this?” Huang Shao asked, pointing towards the woman’s robe he saw before. Silk dyed a plain deep black, soft to the touch with a pleasant caress, trimmed in silver that shimmered identical to his own hair, Mu Qing felt his heartstrings tug at the old familiar feeling of warmth coursing through his veins; of when children he looked after before he ascended would try to present him things or cheer him up, make him laugh and smile without a care for his background or identity – that all they wanted was just a friend to play with.

With a low hum, Mu Qing found himself nodding. “Mm, I do. It’s very lovely. You have good tastes.”

Feng Xin and Xie Lian watched agape by the sides, contrasting thoughts flying over their head.

Feng Xin: ‘What the actual fuck? Is this still Mu Qing? Who the hell possessed this guy!? He was never gentle like this with me!’

Xie Lian: ‘…Mu Qing… stop… seducing… my son. Please.’

Xie Lian continued to lament at the ordeal, confused and torn at the turn of events. Should he be happy? Or should he be angry? Did Huang Shao truly understand what it means to like someone? Should he separate the two? But what if it wasn’t the type of love he was thinking about?

Ahhh, this was all too confusing for him!

He never even loved someone until Hua Cheng came into his life.

…Should he tell Hua Cheng?

“Ba ba, do you think you can buy for Qing-jie?”

Huang Shao’s question pulled him out of his thoughts. Xie Lian’s smile twitched. Did he hear right?

‘This ba ba of yours is poor, okay! Ba is the one with money!’ Xie Lian howled regrettably in his mind.

Catching his old employer’s expression, Mu Qing hurriedly added, “A-Shao ah, even though I think it’s nice, I have too many clothes. It will be a waste to buy for me. You should keep the money for yourself! Tell… your… ba ba to buy some new clothes for you!”

“Oh…” Huang Shao’s mouth fell open into an ‘O’ as he considered Mu Qing’s words. Looking at his brother, he asked, “Qing-ge, do you want any new clothes?”

Huang Qing shook his head. “I think we have enough.”

Turning back to Mu Qing, Huang Shao happily said, “It’s okay, Qing-jie! Qing-ge said we have enough clothes. So, A-Shao thinks it’s best to just save for the future!”

Ruffling the boy’s hair, Mu Qing praised him for being a good boy and stood up. When he looked back at Feng Xin, the smile disappeared without a trace and he rolled his eyes at the dumbstruck man. “What? What’s wrong with you?”

“The hell –”

“Don’t curse in front of the children!”

Feng Xin jumped at the four different voices booming in his ears. Xie Lian and Mu Qing he knew, but there were clearly two more than he didn’t recognise!

“Have you no shame!” One of the two voices reprimanded, swatting at his arm with a folded fan.

“Ah! It’s the man that smelled like fish!”

He Xuan and Shi Qing Xuan turned their attention towards the voice, the former pursing his lips into a straight line while the latter grinned and crouched down.

“Aiya! Such a cute boy! Do you remember who this ge ge is?”

Huang Shao blinked and nodded his head immediately. “Of course, I do. You sat next to Fish-ge!”

Shi Qing Xuan laughed heartily when he heard He Xuan’s nickname, the sound calming like a warm summer wave in the demon’s heart. “That’s right! My name is Shi Qing Xuan and Fish-ge is… you can still call him Fish-ge and call me Feng-ge if you’d like? It might be too confusing since we both have ‘Xuan’ in our names.”

Huang Shao blinked twice. “Why ‘Feng-ge’?”

Shi Qing Xuan winked and waved his fan open with a flick of his wrist, covering half his face behind the paper and mysteriously said, “Because I used to be the Wind God.”

With his hair combed and elegantly tied at the back, and his face flushed a healthy pink while wearing beautiful robes of a light blue colour, it was really as though the former Wind God had reappeared to grace them with his presence.

Huang Shao oh-ed at the thought, wholeheartedly believing the man. “Okay! I’ll call you Feng-ge then!” After that, he quickly turned back to his silent twin brother and introduced, “This is my brother, Qing-ge! Qing-ge, these are the ge ge and uncle I met during ba ba’s banquet!”

Huang Qing mirrored his action, warily watching the strangers that stood before him and his family. Subconsciously, he gripped Xie Lian’s tighter and scooted all that little bit closer to the man. He knew none of them and even if his brother was friendly with them, he was technically friendly to everyone!

Xie Lian kept his attention on Huang Shao, watching him interact freely with the three men and one demon. His youngest son was such a sweet talker, calling these men who were centuries older than him ‘brother’! (With the exception of Feng Xin, of course.)

However, his heart was internally sobbing at Huang Qing’s actions, whether it was from being relied upon or that it was his son being uncomfortable, he felt an unbearable ache beat.

“Why are all of you visiting Ghost City?” Xie Lian asked at last.

“We thought we should visit,” Feng Xin replied when Mu Qing scoffed and looked away. “See how your married life is.”

Seeing Mu Qing’s displeased expression, Feng Xin felt the cuss words dancing on the tip of his tongue, laughing at his discomfort and self-suppression. ‘I had to drag you here and you look like that! Ugh. You clearly enjoyed being with the kid!’

Shi Qing Xuan tapped his lips with his fan, an arm crossed over his chest as he held his other elbow. “Well, He-xiong got really hungry and I kind of ran out of food. So, we thought we could come here for some food?”

Xie Lian sighed. Seeing Huang Shao’s expectant and hopeful puppy dog eyes, he felt a certain bitterness churn deep in his stomach. Should he – could he – be jealous of these people stealing his son’s attention away!? It was supposed to be a family shopping trip!

Not a ‘treat-us-please’ trip or an ‘entertain-me’ trip!

Yet, when he refocused onto Huang Shao’s suddenly teary eyed, pouty expression, his defences immediately crumbled into dust.

He sighed.

“Then, I suppose we should all go have some dinner? I’ll call for San Lang to join us.”

~~*~~*~~

Day 43: To study or to train?

A resigned sigh echoed in the empty hall.

Another sigh echoed beside him.

“Bored?” Xie Lian asked, having walked into the main hall when he heard his sons sigh. He could understand them though. Other than the usual toys they were gifted by Hua Cheng and his uncles, the boys didn’t really have other children their age to play with.

And Xie Lian would bless to the Heavens when his boys didn’t go out to play with the ghosts. They wreaked havoc no matter where they went! Outside of Ghost City! Ever since the group of four entered his sons’ lives, he realised his life has been more chaotic than ever!

Overturned stalls, broken furniture, expert level hide and seek!

Of course, they’d behave when Hua Cheng was around. Little demons, just like their father.

(Adorable little demons though.)

“Yeah, we’re bored, Crown Prince Xian Le,” Huang Qing flatly said with his face cradled in his hands, his elbows resting on his knees as they sat on the steps near the black jade futon.

“Do you have any new toys for us to play with, ba ba?” Huang Shao asked with a pout.

“Did I hear toys?” Hua Cheng’s head peeked out from the doorway, grinning at his family.

“Do you have any, ba?” the twins perked up.

The hall experienced its third sigh when Xie Lian thought about his circumstances. He’d always hear them call Hua Cheng ‘ba’, yet only Huang Shao would call him ‘ba ba’ (the slight difference was what the boy decided on not long ago because ‘Xie Lian ba ba’ and ‘Hua Cheng ba ba’ was too much of a mouthful to say when they’re in the same room). Huang Qing… was still… cold. Nor even an ounce of warmth.

Sigh.

Hua Cheng waved for them to come over and Xie Lian watched then obediently listen. He heard faint murmurings, simply inaudible for him to make out the words and curiousity spiked. What could his husband give that was so secretive? He saw the bright smiles blooming on their youthful faces, excitement gleaming in their eyes.

And so, he walked over, proud yet curiously happy.

…

“San Lang!!”

All three of them jumped at the scream. They slowly looked at Xie Lian who was clutching at the doorframe, aghast and pale at the sight of gleaming silver in the light.

Huang Qing glared at his reaction, his hand tightening at the gift his father just gave. Was Xie Lian going to berate them and take their new toys away? They were awesome and practical! He loved it! “Crown Prince –”

“Does Xie Lian ba ba not like it?” Huang Shao’s face fell and quickly interjected.

Hua Cheng’s grin widened, “I think it’s a good gift!”

However, ignoring his sons, he turned a fierce expression onto Hua Cheng. “You can’t just give it to them like this! Teach them how to hold it properly!”

Both boys were stunned, blinking in confusion. Huh?

Seeing their expressions, Hua Cheng chuckled and patted them each on their heads, undisturbed by Xie Lian’s scolding. “Your ba ba is a martial god, remember? He specialises especially in swords. In fact, he loves swords.”

“Loves them more than ba?” Huang Shao tilted his head back to glance at his father.

“No,” Hua Cheng’s smile was pulled tight. “He better not.”

“Oh, shush.” Xie Lian stepped forward and took the scabbards from Hua Cheng. Knowing him, he must have simply told the children to pull out the swords and play with them. Seven-year-old boys! With real and sharp, polished swords! San Lang ah! Please be more careful!

Xie Lian carefully put the swords back into their respective scabbards. “Do you want to train on how to use a sword?”

There was eager excitement on their faces, even Huang Qing who normally scowled or flatly stared at him kept nodding his head.

“Or do you want to study and learn how to read?”

At that question, the boys’ expressions fell, dark and gloomy. “No, I want to train,” they flatly said simultaneously.

“San Lang ba ba would be teaching you how to read and write,” a grin jumped onto Xie Lian’s lips as Hua Cheng’s fell, “It’ll be good practice for all of you!”

“The best swordsman is a person who’s also refined in literature,” Xie Lian added when all three of them continued to gloomily look at him.

As though he was the most boring person in the world.

…

“Fine! Sword practice first then writing!”

Everyone cheered at the good news.

It was worth a shot. Sigh.

“San Lang, you’re practicing too.”

“But ge ge,” a seductive whisper suddenly breathed against his ear when the boys turned to run towards the garden, “As long as yours is beautiful, it doesn’t matter if mine is ugly.”

“Your sons might not feel the same,” he casually commented while removing the (although welcomed) hand on his ass. “We’ve got to train the –”

Lips dove down to devour his words and a tongue slid out to immediately assert its dominance. A moan quickly escaped his lips when an arm curled around his waist and pulled him in deeper, sending his mind into a lust-filled haze. Yet, before he could delve deeper into the warmth, it pulled away as quick as lightning.

“Nope, gotta wait for tonight, ge ge,” Hua Cheng chuckled and playfully ran towards the garden.

Xie Lian’s chest heaved up and down, his breathing ragged partly from shock and partly from the brief pleasure. Just what…? When his mind finally registered the situation, an embarrassed flush climbed onto his cheeks.

“San Lang!!”

~~*~~*~~

Day 50: You sure you didn’t take the pill?

It was only a week since the training began, but it was merely surprises after surprises.

Drenched in sweat, heavy pants, smooth skin turning callous bit by bit, but not once was there ever a complaint. The sun would blaze, burn as spring passed and summer came to life. Hot winds blew, but they carried on.

Each slash, each swing, each step forward and in retreat; repetitive, dull. But their movements were swift, filled with all the power their little bodies could muster even if all they held was a wooden sword.

“It’s definitely in the genes.”

With an eyebrow raised, Xie Lian glanced over to his husband who was leisurely biting into a plum and said questioningly, “But they’re… adopted?”

Hua Cheng watched the boys closely, taking another bite of his fruit and nonchalantly asked back, “Are you sure, ge ge? Did you secretly take a child-bearing pill? They have your eyes.”

Even if it was a joke, a casual remark made offhandedly, Xie Lian’s jaw dropped. His mind blanked at that moment, all praises for his sons dispersing like the hot summer winds, while dreadful panic was exploding at the accusation. Incoherent words spilled from his mouth, jumbling and tripping over themselves, but everything was a mess in him! Just how – just what – when – did he do something wrong!?

Hua Cheng stared at him in bafflement.

“What’s wrong?”

“San Lang! I didn’t! There’s no way! I wouldn’t – there’s only you! I just – I only… with you…”

Xie Lian’s voice eventually died in his throat, his head dropped low as he rubbed his arms for the slightest amount of comfort. He bit into his bottom lip, warmth pooling in his eyes. Was there a reason for Hua Cheng to say that? Did he not trust him? They were already married but, but… oh my God.

The thought itself sent a thousand blades to pierce his heart, a pain worse than watching Hua Cheng disappear while in his arms. The agony of realising, thinking that your love, despite surviving through hurdles and obstacles, didn’t trust you…

No, he didn’t want to think about it further.

“Ge ge, your highness,” Hua Cheng had called out softly when everything fell into a heavy silence, almost to the point of suffocation. Xie Lian didn’t respond.

Did he say something wrong? He gently tugged at Xie Lian’s arm but the man simply shook his head wordlessly. What did he say wrong?

“My love…” he called again, “My husband…”

“Hubby?” he finally tried.

Xie Lian instantly perked up at the term of endearment, worried and distraught, panic thinking to himself: ‘Hua Cheng never calls me that.’

Hua Cheng had felt relieved when Xie Lian responded, only for his expression to fall when he noticed the paling countenance of his husband. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you like that. I was only joking! Ge ge, slowly, breathe,” he could only say gently as a hand worriedly holds Xie Lian’s arm. “In… and out. Yes, that’s it. Slowly.”

Xie Lian’s chest heaved with Hua Cheng’s words, his gaze blank and mind filled with only the heavy pants of his breathing.

“Are you bullying him again, ba?” Huang Shao piped up when the twins noticed the abnormality, their training disrupted.

Huang Qing nodded his head in consensus, resting the tip of his practice sword in the grass, and added unhelpfully, “Must have been quite mean.” But he was frowning rather deeply, an inexplicable turmoil rolling in his gaze.

Hua Cheng’s expression fell further after hearing their words. He stayed quiet and continued to try calm his husband. Just what did he say to make him panic this bad?

However, a smaller figure had already walked up towards Xie Lian, one hand still gripping onto his practice sword and the other lifting to tug at the panic-stricken man. “Ma, can you teach me how to lunge properly? A-Qing thinks he’s still not doing it right.”

Xie Lian blinked, a new habit he picked from his sons. Ma? That was a new term he’s never been called before – wait. Ma?

His vision refocused, the blades of grass sharpening in his sight and feeling the warm, sticky humid air breathe at his face. There was a small, pale hand tugging onto his rolled-up sleeves. Wearing training robes equally plain and white like his, beautiful locks of hair sticking to his damp face (from such humid weather), there Huang Qing stood with a serious expression; As if he said nothing out of the ordinary, as if everything was perfectly normal.

“Did you hear what I said, ma?” Huang Qing rolled his eyes.

…he’s been hanging out with Mu Qing far too much.

Still, Xie Lian nodded his head and smiled so bright. Ma! ‘A-Qing called me ‘ma!’’ It was no longer that annoying title ‘Crown Prince Xian Le’! Who’d want his son to call him that anyway!

If ‘ma’ it is, then ‘ma’ it will be!!

“Which part do you think you’re weak at? Come and show ma.”

Hua Cheng remained frozen on the spot as his husband’s arm slipped out of his fingers, walking away without even a glance back. His hand felt colder than usual, his heart suddenly empty with a gaping hole. Small flowers seemed to bloom around the grinning Xie Lian while he worked on Huang Qing’s form, seeing what was actually weak and repeatedly demonstrated it for their oldest son.

Huang Shao tilted his head to the right and watched his stock-still father continue being a statue. Seeing the half eaten plum in Hua Cheng’s pale hand slipping, he quickly grabbed it with the swipe of his hand and bit down into the fruit.

“What did ba say to ma?” Huang Shao asked as he chewed onto the fruit, immediately adopting his brother’s way of referring to their always-smiling, affable father.

Hua Cheng was still shocked, his gaze dropping to look at his empty palm, the one that allowed Xie Lian to slip away. That… was the first time Xie Lian ever voluntarily left him in such a situation. “I… I… was just joking?”

Huang Shao remained quiet as he waited, the plum gradually being consumed the only sound in the silence.

“I was just joking that… ma must have given birth to you two,” Hua Cheng finally squeezed out, his eyes closing in pain as he clenched his palm, “Because A-Qing and A-Shao are quite skilled with a sword even though you’re only 7 years old, and the both of you have eyes the same as ma. S-So… I just…”

Even he was not expecting his bubbly son to frown at him, the plum now finished. “Wow, ba. That is quite mean…”

Even he thought so!? It was just a joke!

Seeing his father’s growing distress, pale face turning even paler, Huang Shao pouted and pointed out, “Ma only loves you. A-Shao and Qing-ge know he loves you very much, and ba and ma just got married. If he gave birth to us, it means that we must be his sons by blood, right?” His voice was lilt, jumping high at the last word as he played with the thoughts. “But that would mean ma loved someone else before you! But ma said she only ever loved one person!”

Hua Cheng was startled at the declaration, the fear and panic receding like the tide. When did they –?

“And it’s very mean too because what about my pa!” Huang Shao huffed, making a face at Hua Cheng of unhappy bared canines on a scrunched-up face before running back toward his brother and Xie Lian, who happily opened his arms and allowed him to dive into the embrace.

The demon remained standing by the tree, head lowered and arms limp, yet his muscles felt tense, like a wooden puppet that’s been left hanging without its puppeteer, unable to move and unable to act, with only the thoughts a violent whirl in his mind as his only companion. He tried to organise the chaos in his mind, to sort them out one by one, but the words continued to jumble and bite at each other.

His head throbbed in pain.

…

That night, Xie Lian reluctantly stepped into their room, the darkness consuming his figure whole. His heart jumped to his throat, suffocating and panicking when his fingers finally slid the door close. After the training, the twins had immediately brought him to their favourite stall in Ghost City, distracting him with the good mortal food and fighting to pay for his meal with the savings they’ve managed to save up.

All the while Hua Cheng silently followed behind like a shadow.

“Ge ge…?”

Xie Lian fought to calm his nerves at the slight startle that shocked his body. He slowly turned on his heel, his gaze moving from the shut door and towards the bed where a figure sat with his back slumped.

“G-Ge ge?” Hua Cheng called again, the fear creeping its way into his voice he tried to steady but a force was stuck in his throat, its weight heavy and burdensome. He wanted to move, to walk towards his husband but his feet didn’t listen, glued to the floor as though it was lead weighing thousands of kilograms.

“San Lang…” Xie Lian whispered, his voice a frightened whisper. Now that they were alone in the dark, the thoughts that had been repressed came gushing out like a tidal wave, engulfing his mind mercilessly. His feet quietly padded across the room, his throat bobbing as he gulped the lump hitched there.

Did Hua Cheng really not trust him subconsciously? Which was why he made that comment? That his husband felt a repressed fear with thinking he might have past histories with other men!?

Hua Cheng’s masculine scent wafted into his nose when his feet paused by the bedside, their knees a mere few inches away. The distance felt so close, yet so far to the married couple.

‘If only I just reached my hand out…’ they thought simultaneously, an ache in their hearts begging to be held, to feel the warmth of the other person’s love chasing the dark thoughts away.

But no one made a move.

Xie Lian stood there, unmoving with his head held low, his hair falling to curtain his unreadable expression.

Hua Cheng sat there, staring up at this husband with an anguish in his gaze, wishing, screaming, he could move.

Time congealed around them, the darkness suffocating and warping around their bodies when the candlelight flickered. They both hoped someone would make the first move, yet a restraining fear locked their limbs, their voices.

A wave of anguish rose within Xie Lian the longer he waited but his husband was like the corpse, equally still like the dead. The more one hoped, the bigger the disappointment, after all. The emotion rose, crawled up his heart and to his mind, washing everything with a feeling of heartache that pulsed dull and painful. Why wouldn’t he move? Did he really not trust me anymore? Please just say something… anything…

‘I don’t want this silence…’

His head lowered even more. A warm wetness assaulted his eyes, trapped behind the lids, his breathing becoming ragged, short and sharp.

‘Maybe I should say it first –’

A knock rapped against their door; the sound exceptionally loud in the silence. Both men jolted and turned towards it.

“Ma…? Are you awake?” Came a soft voice.

Xie Lian’s instincts went on overdrive when he heard the trembles. He quickly strode over while wiping the unshed tears away with his arms and opened the door. He dropped into a crouch, caressing both boys on their heads with a worry in his tone. “A-Qing? A-Shao? What’s wrong?”

“W-We…” Huang Qing started but soon fell silent, the words stuck. The both of them stood there, each holding each other’s hand while a plush bunny slumped over their free arm. The plush didn’t look particularly adorable, with mismatched ears and paws, and made of cloths cut from cotton in brown and white.

Xie Lian patiently waited, intently aware of Hua Cheng’s gaze on his back.

“We…” Huang Qing tried again but his body started to shake when sobs racked his body, his large round eyes filling with absent tears.

Xie Lian quickly drew him into his arms, noting that Huang Shao was fighting hard to hold his own tears back, the liquid dripping out of his nose as he tried to maintain a serious expression.

“N-Nightmare…” Huang Shao squeaked, the sound scaring even him. The tears spilled out of his eyes like the glass finally breaking and he sobbed and sobbed. “Qing-ge and A-Shao had a nightmare…! Uuu… ba and ma were f-fighting… a-and, and…”

Huang Qing clutched onto Xie Lian’s robes as he cried without tears, the pain unbearable and smothering him for the exact reason he couldn’t cry. Xie Lian’s heart broke, the cracks growing longer and deeper with each cry as he brought both of them into his arms.

But that’s when Huang Qing suddenly burst, “And then ba and ma said you didn’t want A-Qing and A-di anymore!”

Cold water splashed onto the men; Hua Cheng shot up to his feet, rushing over to his sons in a flash as Xie Lian tried to comfort them, patting their heads and whispering in soft, slow tones that they weren’t fighting, that they would never abandon A-Qing and A-Shao. When the boys noticed that Hua Cheng was crouched down next to them, he was attacked by faces full of tears and sobs, of sadness and heartbreak.

“Please don’t fight with ma anymore, ba?” the twins begged in unison as they crawled into his lap, gripping his robes as they cried in his arms. “Please, ba. Please… A-Qing/A-Shao don’t want you to fight with ma…”

“Shh… I won’t fight with ma anymore. I won’t. Everything is okay… We won’t abandon either of you…”

Children were a blessing, a gift from the Heavens, possessing a certain intuition that would turn mute over time as they grew up, an intuition that allowed them to feel and understand something, even if their parents said otherwise. They could tell if their parents are down, happy or in a fight, and those more outspoken would voice it out, yet there would be those that silently kept it bottled in for reasons only they would understand.

But good parents always wanted to protect their children’s innocence, to shelter and protect, to only let them know of the good and pray they grow up well. To be healthy and happy, to give them the very best.

Hua Cheng and Xie Lian could only be acquiescent to their requests, to wipe their tears away and warm them in their embrace, until their sobs died down and their cries reduced to tiny sniffles.

“Sleep with ma and pa tonight?” Xie Lian affectionately asked, kissing both of them on the forehead when they finally calmed down, feeling his heart too finally settling from the aches and worries.

Hua Cheng echoed his husband, hoping, so dearly hoping they’d say yes.

He couldn’t bear leave them alone after that ordeal.

“We… won’t disturb ma and pa?” Huang Qing asked in reply, peeking up from his spot in Xie Lian’s arms who nodded with a smile.

“Of course not!”

…

The candle had burned low, its warm glow dim in the dark. Nestled in the centre of the bed, comfortably tucked behind the blanket and tightly hugging their plush bunnies, were the twins sleeping in between their parents who had been coaxing them to sleep with constant reassurance. Seeing their at long last steady rise and fall of deep slumber, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng carefully got out of bed and walked towards the candle, their steps silent like the shadows.

“Ge ge… I’m sorry.” A pleading murmur in the light, an icy hand holding a warm one in desperation, in grief. “I’m sorry I joked like that.”

No further explanations, no defending himself. Just… a simple apology, a simple plea.

Xie Lian called out his name softly, covering the cold hand with his and took the step closer towards his husband. His unshed tears returned to prick his eyes and his sight turned into a watery haze. The red robes of his husband’s blurred, the image distorting. “I’m sorry too… I’m sorry I reacted like that. I thought you didn’t trust me.”

Hua Cheng slipped his hand free, raising them to cup Xie Lian’s tear-stained cheeks as he rested his forehead against his. “Never. It was a terrible joke. I was wrong.”

Xie Lian neither agreed nor denied, only responding by leaning into Hua Cheng’s touch.

Hua Cheng kissed his forehead, a hard press of anguished emotions. “I love you.”

A declaration whispered against his skin, as though desperate to let him know that he still loved the man, that he feared he wouldn’t know.

I love you.

I really really love you.

‘Please accept it, please don’t reject me.’

A fair hand rested itself atop the cold shivering one on his cheek, gently, warmly holding it. “San Lang…”

And he tilted his head to kiss the trembling lips, pressing and directing to relax the jaw and the teeth gnawing at the bottom lip, massaging their lips together in a reassuring warmth. Hua Cheng hungrily devoured the kiss, drinking in every love he could get as his hands tightened their grip. It was a fear, a valid fear aroused by his husband, yet doused by the very same man.

Moist lips, tingling in bliss, parted with their tangled taste gleaming under the candle. Turning to towards the flame, Xie Lian gently blew it out, the smoky scent filling the room.

“It’s been a long day. Let’s go to bed.”

~~*~~*~~

Day 71: Can you do it, boys?

The summer was at its peak and summer blooms were thriving in the sun, waving their greetings to those that passed.

In Paradise Manor, there were two people lying across the pagoda newly built and set up in the back garden. A small pond encircled the building, lotus buds budding above the water. It had been built on a whim, mainly to liven up the manor’s empty garden, so that the place could really feel more like a ‘home’.

A man, tall and slender, walked across the arched bridge with a tray in hand.

“Ba!”

“Finally! We thought we were gonna melt in the heat!”

Chuckling, Hua Cheng handed them the tray with bowls of crushed ice laced with different fruit juices. Huang Qing took the bowl with mango, sweet yet sour, while his brother grabbed the peach shaved ice that had a really sweet taste to it.

“Thanks, ba!”

Hua Cheng picked up his own bowl of melon shaved ice and plopped into the space in front of his sons. His gaze floated across the large expanse of land that the garden held and other than the lotus lake, the place still seemed dull to him.

“Look! A dragonfly!” He called out.

A dragonfly zipped through the budding lotus flowers, flitting and beating its wings across the water’s surface, inciting ripples to dance. The boys gasped in excitement, running to the edge of the pagoda to watch it fly.

“Hi, dragonfly!” Huang Shao greeted with a spoon in his hand, bits of his shaved ice falling into the pond with a splash.

Hua Cheng watched the scene play out while he ate his shaved ice with still an arrogant elegance in his movements, a hum playing off his lips. The dragonfly landed on a lotus, its wings stopping to rest before it zipped away.

A thought came into his mind. He then mentally calculated the days and gasped in realisation. “Oh! It’s coming soon!”

“Huh? What is, ba?” Huang Shao turned back to look at him.

A cheeky smile curled on the man’s lips as he waved a hand for his sons to come over. “Come, come. I have a very nice idea and I’ll need your help for it. It’s a surprise for ma.”

~~*~~*~~

Day 72: Mission: Surprise Ma! T-minus 7 days.

“Ma! Ma!”

“Yes, A-Shao?”

“Can we visit Qing-jie?”

“Err…”

“We can’t?”

At his son’s teary eyes and pout, Xie Lian felt dread and got down to his knees. “No, no. I’ll ask Mu Qing to come visit instead, okay?”

“Yay! Thanks, ma!”

“But…”

“But…?”

“A-Shao ah, you’re still very young. It’s not very good to be… very attached to someone else.”

Huang Shao tilted his head as Huang Qing rolled his eyes. “What do you mean, ma?”

Xie Lian bit his lip. Just how was he supposed to tell his son that it’s not good to fall in love so early when he’s still so young?

Ah, never mind. He’ll have Hua Cheng do it. Maybe he’ll know what to say.

Connecting to the communication array, he heard the bustling chatter of the other Heavenly Officials.

“Good morning!” he greeted.

Unlike the previous times when they would descend into silence, a cacophony of greetings waved back.

“Your highness! Good morning!”

“Morning! How are you?”

“Your highness, how’s the honeymoon?”

“I’m well, thank you!” Xie Lian answered, deftly ignoring Pei Ming’s teasing tone on his honeymoon.

What honeymoon? It didn’t make a difference!

…everyday was a honeymoon, that’s why.

But they didn’t need to know that.

“Is General Xuan Zhen here?” Xie Lian then asked politely.

“What do you want?” Mu Qing’s voice bit out.

“It’s not me. But it’s urgent. Do you think you can come?”

Mu Qing went silent, just like the entire communication array. After a moment did he only speak up, “Alright.”

“Where the fuck you going?” Feng Xin cut in, making his presence known.

“I’ll see you then!” Xie Lian called out before leaving the array.

“Hello? What the fuck. Where are you going!”

…

“Anyone?”

…

“Fuck.”

When Mu Qing came down to Ghost City, Xie Lian was somehow not surprised that Feng Xin tagged along. Huang Shao who was standing by his side, a hand in his, was jumping up and down while waving his hand excitedly at Mu Qing.

“Behave, A-Shao. Mu Qing isn’t running anywhere,” Xie Lian lightly scolded.

With a pout on his face and obediently listening to his father, Huang Shao said, “Yes, ma.”

Huang Qing rolled his eyes at the scene.

“Thanks for coming, Mu Qing,” said Xie Lian.

“Not a problem. What’s the urgency?” Mu Qing asked.

Xie Lian lifted his excited son’s hand that he held and said, “This one here wanted you to come.”

When his father let go, Huang Shao immediately pounced onto Mu Qing, hugging the slim man around the leg. “Qing-jie! Let’s play?”

“Oh no, no ‘playing’, A-Shao!” Xie Lian scolded. Their ‘playing’ could only be running amok in Ghost City!

Mu Qing rolled his eyes at Xie Lian and bent down to effortlessly pick up the pouting boy, the action alone enough to flip the frown up. “We’ll find something else to do, okay?”

“Mm!”

“A-Qing, you coming?” Mu Qing asked but the older twin shook his head, tightly gripping his father’s hand and edging a little closer. “Then, I’ll see you later. I’ll take care of A-Shao.”

Xie Lian nodded and watched them leave before turning to the boy in his hand. “Is there anything you’d like to do?”

Huang Qing pursed his lips, a serious expression on his face. “Train.”

Hearing that his son wanted to polish his sword skills even more, Xie Lian was elated to the point his smile stretched from ear to ear. “Then, let’s go! We can work on your lunge again!”

When dinner rolled around, Xie Lian and Huang Qing who were already bathed and ready for dinner found Huang Shao sitting by the dining table with… two other people by his side: A scowling man and a ravishing beauty.

“Why… are you two here? Like that?”

Seeing Xie Lian’s deadpanned expression as he took the seat in front of them, Mu Qing rolled his eyes and daintily took a sip of his tea. He was dressed in woman’s clothes, hair combed and beautifully tied up with a flower hairpin adorning the silver locks. Huang Shao sat between him and Feng Xin with the biggest grin ever.

Should Xie Lian ask what happened as a father?

…Should he be worried?

“A-Shao requested it,” Mu Qing answered vapidly.

“Ah…” Xie Lian slowly nodded his head and a thought came to him, ‘You’re rather accommodating of A-Shao…’

“Mm,” Huang Shao nodded his head with a grin. “Qing-jie is really really pretty! And she’s so nice. Qing-jie brought A-Shao to eat a lot of good food! We talked a lot. I also found out that Qing-jie likes cats and foxes!”

A smile broke out on Mu Qing’s face as he affectionately rubbed the boy’s head.

Feng Xin kept silent the whole time, gloomy eyes constantly darting between the excited boy and his fellow general. Who knew what was on his mind?

Patting Huang Qing on the head, he reminded, “A-Qing, remember to drink some water, okay? I’ll go help ba with the food.”

“It’s okay, ma,” Huang Qing hurriedly stood up before the man could lift his butt off the chair, his actions swift and smooth. “I’ll help ba.”

“Okay!” Xie Lian replied after a moment of thought. Despite his smile, he wondered if his son thought he would burn the kitchen too – or the food. With a soft hum, he happily drank the tea. It’s probably both.

‘Hmm, I should probably sweep the garden tomorrow. The leaves are piling up too much,’ Xie Lian pondered, getting lost in his thoughts. There was still the daily sword training with the boys and the weekly cleaning of Paradise Manor. Sure, Hua Cheng could always get someone to clean it for him but he felt that he should be doing it since he’s now married to the city lord; It’s his responsibility after all.

Maybe the boys could work on parrying tomorrow as well… Or should they work on riposting instead? Huang Qing could probably start working on either. His form was good for both offensive and defensive stances, though he seemed better with offense, whereas Huang Shao leaned towards defence…

They could always work on teamwork?

“Ma,” Huang Shao called out but his father was still spaced out. Huffing his cheeks, he leaned across the table and lightly swatted on his father’s arm, calling out louder, “Ma!”

A jolt shocked through the man and he refocused onto his son. “Huh? Yes, A-Shao? Are you hungry?”

The boy shook his head and put on a solemn expression. “I wanna marry Qing-jie when I grow up!!”

A shriek reverberated through the hall as though a firecracker had blown up. The shock burst forth from within, forcing the tea to gush in reverse, spraying it across the table like a pressurized hose exploding.

Xie Lian started at his son with his mouth undecided between opening and closing like a silent goldfish. Did he just hear right? Did Huang Shao just…

“YOU’RE ONLY SEVEN!” Feng Xin screeched as he impulsively slammed his cup on the table, shattering it in the process. “YOU CAN’T MARRY HIM!”

Instinctively, a fair hand flew out and blocked the ricocheting broken pieces of ceramic from slicing Huang Shao’s face. A fierce expression turned onto the general as a murderous, protective aura engulfed him.

Huang Shao had jumped at the sound, his body quivering like a leaf blasted by the wind while he stared at Feng Xin who was taken aback at the sight before turning back to his father that had blocked the shards. The boy’s expression fell, lips trembling and water pooling in his eyes. Reaching his hands out, fat drops of tears spilled from the corners as he cried out, “Ma…!”

Xie Lian leaned forward and picked up his son, gently soothing the crying boy in his arms as his killing intent momentarily disappeared.

“How can you yell at him like that!” Mu Qing barked, slapping the shocked Feng Xin hard with the back of his hand. “He’s just a child!”

“I…I… But he said he wanted to marry you!” Feng Xin cried out in defense, his tanned cheeks darkening in fluster.

“And. He’s. Still. A. Child!” Mu Qing growled, his curvy chest heavily heaving in anger.

Huang Shao’s cries echoed in the room, loud and reverberating. He clutched onto his father, burying his head into the chest, drenching it with his tears.

“What did you do to my son?” A low growl sounded, dark and menacing and exceptionally clear amidst the chaos.

A winter’s cold blade shone against Feng Xin’s neck, a sting sending shivers through his nerves. The intangible murderous aura doubled, laying upon his body like a mountain. E-Ming’s eye glared daggers at the man from below his jaw, as though he wished to draw blood right there and then.

Feng Xin’s skin sliced against the sharp blade when he gulped the lump of fear in his throat and he turned only his gaze to meet the dark gaze of the Supreme Demon Crimson Rain Sought Flower. “I-I didn’t do anything!” The cold fear grew in his heart when the blade pressed nearer to his neck, drawing a thin line of blood. “I only scolded him for wanting to marry Mu Qing!”

Hua Cheng snapped his gaze towards the man in question, narrowing his eye at the appearance the silver haired man took. “You tried seducing my son?” There was a sinister curl of his lips, like a predator’s arrogance in killing its prey.

“As if,” Mu Qing rolled his eyes, unafraid of the demon. “A-Shao requested for me to transform, so I did to please him.”

With the blade still on Feng Xin’s neck, Hua Cheng leaned a little closer to the nonchalant man. “So accommodating of you. I didn’t know you were that nice.”

“That’s cause he’s a sweetheart, unlike a certain bas – man I know,” Mu Qing seethed, catching himself in time when both fathers turned a murderous glare towards him. He raised his arms to gather his long hair, fluttering them to cool his neck and swept it to the side.

Feng Xin gulped at the sight of the slender neck, mentally swearing to himself, ‘Fuck, can’t he change back to a man!?’

“A-Di…” Having arrived with Hua Cheng, Huang Qing set the plate of meat on the table and rested a hand on Huang Shao’s back, the tensed worry evident in between his brows. “What happened?”

“Qing-ge…!” Huang Shao sobbed, turning to face his brother while still gripping hard onto Xie Lian’s clothes. “Uncle Feng… U-Uncle Feng!” he sniffled and the sobs came harder, tiny fists tightening their hold. “H-He won’t let me marry Qing-jie!”

Different reactions presented itself across the room; Xie Lian squeezed his son harder, Feng Xin’s expression turned gloomier, Hua Cheng killing intent spiked and pierced the Heavens, Mu Qing feigned ignorance despite the turmoil wreaking havoc in his mindscape, while Huang Qing merely went: “Oh. That.”

Surprised at the reaction, both fathers turned towards their oldest son and said, “You knew?”

Huang Qing innocently nodded his head. “A-di told me before.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Xie Lian frowned while Hua Cheng turned a piercing glare onto Mu Qing, hatred for the general multiplying by the second.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal?” Huang Qing squeaked. “Ma and ba wouldn’t let him! And I thought Qing-jie was more suitable to be with that Fish-ge ge…” His eyes shifted onto his father’s hand that held his brother and blinked.

Xie Lian pondered for a moment.

Fish-ge ge?

…He Xuan?

“Yo, I heard my name.”

Everyone in the hall jerked their heads towards the pair of newcomers, the mixed auras confusing both demon and man. Shi Qing Xuan leaned onto He Xuan as he hobbled on one leg.

“What’s wrong?” the man asked, limping towards the table. “I thought we’d be late for dinner but it looks like you haven’t started.”

“Clearly they’re in the mood for eating,” He Xuan flatly said, gesturing towards E-Ming still held against Feng Xin’s throat. “Is it ‘bully Feng Xin day’? Why wasn’t I invited?” he cackled evilly.

There was a slight breeze in the room and Feng Xin finally managed to release the breath that he had been holding, the pressure lifting off him like a breath of fresh air. However, He Xuan jumped back with Shi Qing Xuan in his arm when he felt a shadow lunge towards him, quick and decisive. With a wave of his hand, he gathered the water elements that hung in the humid air as he continued to step back.

“What’s wrong with you?” He Xuan grumbled, tilting his head sideways as E-Ming pierced the space beside his face, Shi Qing Xuan safe on the other side. “Can’t you at least let me put him down!”

“You’ll protect him anyways,” Hua Cheng replied in a monotone. E-Ming slashed out to the side, forcing He Xuan to duck and pull away.

He felt the water convene by his palm, its caress warm and welcoming as he rolled upright. Glistening water glinted in the sunlight, creating a curtain of sparkles that divided the space between the two demons, sharp yet beautiful. Ignoring the attack, Hua Cheng thrusted the scimitar out and He Xuan retaliated with a wave of his arm. Water immediately congealed into a shield and the blade struck deep into the construct.

“Child’s play,” Hua Cheng scowled, moving to pull his scimitar out when the water softened and curled around the blade. “Huh?”

Like a hand seizing hold of the blade, the water grew in density and strongly held the scimitar in place. He Xuan clenched his hand into a fist and threw his arm out. The bubble of water mirrored his movements, forcefully snatching E-Ming out of Hua Cheng’s grip and throwing it aside.

“You learned a new trick.”

“Thank you. I have to when dealing with you.”

“Not bad. Marry Mu Qing.”

“Ye - Wait, what?” He Xuan had been focused on assessing Shi Qing Xuan for any injuries, his replies half-hearted and nonchalant when Hua Cheng demanded such a thing.

The man settled gently on the floor was shocked as well, the smile frozen rigid. Maybe they shouldn’t have come to leech off the demon king.

“Marry Mu Qing. Now,” Hua Cheng narrowed his gaze, his tone leaving no room for negotiations.

“Hold on, what happened!” the former Wind God burst out, question marks dancing around his head. “Don’t you owe us an explanation?”

“A-Shao wants to marry Mu Qing. Fucking marry Mu Qing so he won’t!” Hua Cheng growled under his breath, his voice dropping down a notch so that his sons won’t hear his cuss.

“Why not ask Feng Xin to marry him?” Shi Qing Xuan frowned, his voice taut.

“Feng Xin? That bastard won’t ever agree to it. They’re constantly fighting!” Hua Cheng glowered, feeling unpleasant and uncomfortable at his son’s choice of a husband.

“Did you even ask!?”

“San Lang?” Xie Lian piped up, his voice disrupting the harsh whispers muttering in the corner

Hua Cheng leapt to his feet and ran back to his husband’s side, picking up E-Ming on the way. Huang Shao sniffled as he looked up at his father with his arms stretched out. With a soft coo, he picked up the boy and cradled him.

“What’s wrong, A-Shao?”

“Is ba not happy if A-Shao marries Qing-jie because I’m only seven?”

Feng Xin froze at the latter part of his question, inching away from the father-son duo bit by bit while Hua Cheng sighed and pinched Huang Shao’s cheek. Xie Lian prayed at the side, hoping that his husband would change his son’s mind. He prayed and prayed and prayed: Huang Shao was still young! But his hopes were dashed, torn and broken down mercilessly like a lonely sandcastle crumbling under the high tide.

“It’s not that ba isn’t happy if A-Shao wants to marry. Ba is unhappy you just want to marry Mu Qing! He won’t be a good husband!”

“San Lang!”

“Hey!!”

“Let me tell you a secret,” Hua Cheng whispered, as though he was telling Huang Shao the biggest secret in the world, “Do you know when ba fell in love with ma?”

Huang Shao repeatedly shook his head.

Leaning down to his ear, Hua Cheng muttered something barely audible into his son’s ears and whatever he said caused the boy to gasp out in admiration. “Really?”

Hua Cheng nodded his head seriously. “Because I knew ma was the best choice for me! I don’t think Mu Qing is good enough for my little boy!”

Mu Qing wore a sullen expression on his face as he silently cleaned up the mess Feng Xin created. Despite the annoyance at the demon’s comments, he relented and simply dropped his attention onto carefully picking up the ceramic pieces.

Feng Xin’s eyes darted towards the ‘woman’, her movements slow and somehow enchanting. Watching her gave him a sensation he never understood, something never felt before. It was odd, a little uncomfortable but it wasn’t something he’d shy away. His instinctual reactions never surfaced, never screamed at his mind to chase her away. Was it because he knew underneath that ravishing beauty was a man, he knew all too well? That if he stripped it away, he would see the man he’d come to hate yet — his ended his thoughts there. He was treading very close to uncharted territory here!

When Mu Qing bent down to pick up the broken pieces, Feng Xin felt a heat gather in his body, collecting and growing below his middle. He quickly looked away and suppressed the groan that crawled up his throat. He tried hard to erase the image in his mind, of the fair skin on the exposed curves, of soft hair he could grip and pull —

Rushing footsteps thudding across the floor caught his attention and he looked up in time to see Huang Qing return with a small pouch in his hands as he ran towards Xie Lian. He watched with curiosity when the child picked up his father’s bleeding hand and realisation dawned on the general when he remembered he was the one that caused that. Guilt started to eat away at his insides. Why did he feel like such a failure today?

Xie Lian glanced down when Huang Qing gently picked up his hand, having forgotten that it was bleeding. A warmth cradled his heart when his son cleaned the wounds before applying the all too familiar medicine. Past memories flashed through his mind, back when his oldest son was still acting unfamiliar with him, cold and distant, and now…

His lips neared the pale face, pressing onto the cold forehead in a gentle kiss. He felt the boy freeze under his touch and he leaned back to smile down at his shocked son. “Thank you, A-Qing.”

Huang Qing blinked his eyes twice in confusion before he realised what had just happened. Eyes widening in surprise, he quickly dipped his head in a fluster while cleaning up the things he used. “Y-You’re welcome, ma.”

On the other hand, Huang Shao was still in Hua Cheng’s arms getting his curiousity answered.

“How did you know ma was good for you?”

“Why did ma save you?”

“But you didn’t see ma for so many years! Why did ba ba wait?”

“A-Shao wish he can find someone like that to love too…”

He Xuan and Shi Qing Xuan eventually sat down at the other end of the table, feeling awkward and starving.

“Will we be eating at all?” He Xuan inquired, feeling his stomach rumble violently.

“Yeah, yeah. We will,” Hua Cheng waved him off dismissively, his attention fully on his son.

He Xuan was about to express his dissatisfaction again when he felt a sense of trepidation settle in his nerves at Huang Shao’s next words. He nervously turned towards Shi Qing Xuan who was emitting a dense frightening aura, Mu Qing’s rejecting splutters faint at the back of his mind.

Shit. That boy was going to be the death of him!

“Then A-Shao thinks that Fish-ge should marry Qing-jie!”

#hualianweek2k19 #hualian fic #slight fem!MQ #tian guan ci fu #domestic bliss #domestic fluff #slight angst #implied beefleaf #implied fengqing

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