Xie Lian

I sighed and moved in front of Lang, he crossed his arms and glared at me -- without his appearance I really would have thought it was San Lang's face.

"I am sorry," I paused and fiddled with my fingers. "For hurting you. If I had..I truly never meant to."

Lang raised an eyebrow.

"Was it something I said to make you feel like a burden?" My breath got shallow. "I'm become so foolish when your around, I feel weak, but so safe and protected. If I could take it all back, I promise to make it all up to you."

Lang was about to say something until I said back.

"I just- fear to lose you. My journey would never be incredible without you in it." I urged, before sighing softly.

"You won't lose him." Lang answered back, smiling more. "He's too stubborn for that."

"Really?..But, he hasn't looked me in the eye since." I say back, looking at him.

"I mean he had given you a gift, I'd say he cares somehow," Lang laid back, chuckling. "What would you get him in return?"

"I..Mh," I paused and thought. "Soup."

Windmaster motioned to me, disgusted by my actions. "Soup? What are you doing to me? Boy, you're hopeless.."

Ming smacked the back of Windmaster's head. "Oh please, you're to talk!"

"What do you want to tell him?"

"That I don't want him to leave me." I blurt out, flushed in the face. "Just to stay! With me!"

Lang grinned, scoffing as he looked off. "He's ready. We might as well give them space, hm?"

"He's nearby?" Windmaster questioned, before getting tugged to the door. "You idiot- We're going home."

"Oh! Bye Xianle!!" Windmaster called, laughing.

I waved him goodbye, I truly will miss him.

Lang gave me one last look before getting up. "You got this. Same as I, I have a few words to tell someone special of my own."

I smiled more and nodded. "I hope you tell them. I wish you luck."

All three had left me alone, the temple was back to being quiet.

I curled my knees to my chest, burying my head in them.

💮ꕥ💮ꕥ💮ꕥ💮ꕥ💮

I sweeped, sighing as I dusted the dirt out of the door. A few believers waved to me, smiling bright.

"..God."

"God..!"

"God! Thank you for bringing my son to good health!"

I glanced up and smiled back, waving a hand to them. I was glad they had been given much hope, it made me feel like I had hope too.

Minutes go by, it had been around 40 minutes, sitting in bed with the butterfly necklace clutched against my palm. I kept the door open in case he would return, but once I looked up, my eyes widened.

After a while, my eyes softened at the sight.

San Lang was sitting on the porch, sitting as he usually did, elbows on his knees. His head was hung low, not saying a word.

I sighed, guilt clutching my stomach. I slowly walked over, holding the door open, standing by the doorway. "..Are you okay?"

"Yeah." He answered bluntly, a small sniffle heard.

"Have," I paused and looked at him with upset eyes. "Have you been crying?"

"No."

I crossed my arms, and closed my lips together, falling apart by his voice. I raised a hand and moved a strand of hair behind my ear, glancing back at him. "Do you want to talk about it?.."

He laughed brokenly, raising a hand to wipe his eyes. "Tsh- no."

I took a few steps towards him, he didn't seem to enjoy it, his body trembled with each step. I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, kneeling on the wood stairs next to him.

San Lang squeezed his eyes shut, turning his head away slightly. I could still see the distress in his face -- he squeezed his knees with his hands.

"Do you..want a hug?"

He let a few moments go by before nodding,"..Yeah."

I smiled warmly, sliding a hand to his cheek before pulling him in for a hug. San Lang clutched my elbow with his hand, the other holding the ground to hold himself up.

"It's okay," I urged back, running my hands through his hair. "Did I say something wrong to you?"

He got quiet for a long moment before clutching onto me tighter. "..How could you love me?"

The question confused me for a moment, halting my strokes. "How could I not love you?"

He let out a small laugh, running a hand down my arm. "Of course you would say that.."

"I mean it," I moved out of the hug, cupping his face in my hands. His face tilted a hue of pink, staring at me with admiration. "How could I not? Please, enlighten me."

"My true," He paused and grabbed my wrist. "Form is monstrous. A hideous embodiment for monsters that reside beside me. How could you live with that?"

A strand of hair swooped down my face, panic in my eyes. My voice broke, of how ridiculous that was to say -- "I could live with you easily!"

His eyes widened from my voice, he'd never heard me this way before, but it just wasn't true!

"I have always witnessed true beauty from you." I said sternly. "In the form that resides one less eye. The form that gives the most powerful essence of greatness. You will not speak that way."

"Gege,"

"Change back."

"Must you be so stern to me-"

"Change." I huffed before laughing nervously. "If you want..I don't want no force either."

He sputtered in laughter, grinning more. "I suppose I can't argue against you."

I let go of San Lang before watching his form change -- my smile softened, recognizing the arrogant grin on his face. "What now, God of Scraps?"

I tilted my head a bit, scooting over. I raised a hand on San Lang's face before pressing a kiss on his cheek. The energy rushed back, before exhaling a sigh. It had felt like I was given my sleep back.

I smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. "Please don't be insecure..You are the Ghost King, your status has been matched with both power and beauty."

He slid a finger across his cheek before chuckling. "Oh, you are truly adorable."

"That-!" I paused and covered my warm cheeks. "Oh, no teasing.."

"Then, may I-?" San Lang removed a hand from my cheek before pressing a kiss on top of my hand. "Although I don't agree with your statement, I do see your beauty too."

I smiled more before closing my legs. "Thank you, although its much too generous."

He sighed and looked at the sky. "I suppose. Or maybe its just true."

I sat merely inches from him, leg against leg -- before an idea came to my mind. I let his hand go and ran back inside -- grabbing a pen.

I sat next to him, gently grabbing his wrist before turning his hand to his palm.

He was confused as
I written,'美丽的' (Beautiful) in neat writing.

His eye widened more, staring at his palm. I crossed my arms and sighed. "So you'll always remember that you are.."

"Give me the pen." He asserts, I listened and handed it to him. He grabbed my arm and wrote upon the words,
'令人着迷的' (Mesmerizing).

I smiled even more, looking at him with admiration, although his handwriting was below standard. "Hey, that was my job.."

"Oh? Well, I've got the pen. Now, it's my job," San Lang then grabbed my palm and wrote,'可爱的' (Cute).

The words made my smile widen more, of all the compliments I could have been given..

"That is no fair!" I exclaimed back, reaching for the pen. "San Lang!"

He laughed and held his hand up high, blocking my reach with his other hand. "Not so fast, Gege!"

I huffed and stopped my reach before moving into his lap, reaching with both hands. "Mh!"

San Lang's face reddened before falling backward from the weight -- we both yelped and thudded on the ground.

I winced and held my head with a hand, but something cushioned my fall. I looked down and flushed. San Lang stared at me, his eye softening into mine. I blinked a few times -- San Lang's arms lowered down as I grasped the pen, holding it tightly.

I started to laugh, my hair swerved down my shoulders. "I win.."

He was so quiet, was he..flustered?