Hua Cheng

I rushed back to the temple at full speed -- the lady took a long glance at me, her eyes soft and gentle.

How stupid was I to leave Lian alone?! He must be so confused and-

I threw the door open, the darkness of the temple lit up by the sun shining out from the door. Lian was curled up near the bathroom door, digging his hands even further in his hair once he heard me. "P..Please don't look at me.."

I took a deep breath, walking over to his fevered state -- he looked much worse than before.

I kneeled down to see his sad and teary eyes, a flush of red on his cheeks. He must be overheated.

He looked away from my eyes and continued to look away from me, almost ashamed. That's when I noticed black shackles on his wrists, two more on his ankles, a curse I was much too aware of.

Was this why he wanted believers so badly? In who's right mind would think Xie Lian would deserve this?

I reached for his hand, hot to the touch. He took a shaky breath and pulled away from me, Ruoye curling around my finger.

"Lian, I can't stand seeing you in so much pain," I answered, as honest as I could to him.

"I made a dumb mistake, Cheng.." Lian's voice broke, his body trembling slightly as he moved back onto his knees. "I just- I didn't want to let you down. Why must I ask for your help, please, just go back into town, don't worry-"

"If I wasn't worried, I wouldn't have came," I lightly traced my fingertips over his sweat-damp bangs -- before hoisting him into my arms.

I placed him back onto the bed before moving the silk off me, scavenging the items I'd got. I pulled out the medicine and a cup before kneeling to his body.

He sat criss-crossed, swallowing down the meds. I grabbed the cup and handed him some water to cool him down.

Lian's eyes dazingly glanced at E-Ming, crying its eye out. How embarrassing it was for my sword to express the emotions I tried to suppress on my face.

"Why is it so sad..?" Lian asked me.

"E-Ming? He's dramatic," I scoffed and smacked my hand over the eye, shutting it up.

"No, no," Lian reached out before pulling away. I then urged his hand over, letting him touch my sword. He slid his fingers over the smooth metal, fascinated. There was a shine in his eyes.

E-Ming didn't seem very fascinating to me. It's a slender, long and curved scimitar that I always wore on my waist.

But, what I was truly amazed by was that it's eye opened to Lian. E-Ming only opened its eye to someone it was fond with, and as far as I knew, it was only for myself to see.

Lian smiled gently and looked up at me. "Is it okay, if I hold it?"

"Of course, Gege," I unclipped my sword, glaring at it to behave before setting it into Lian's hands.

Lian's eyes brightened a bit, his fingers taking in the material. "Hi there.."

I might as well make something for him to eat -- I opened some of the drawers to make some cookies. Sweet, and filled with energy. Just like Lian always was.

💮ꕥ💮ꕥ💮ꕥ💮ꕥ💮

E-Ming

Xie Lian was one my master admired for 800 years. That enough made me excited, my eyes curved up in delight -- the touch was soft and gentle.

"Who's a good sword?" Lian asked me.

Probably not me.. He won't like that I hurt his friend..

"Yes! You are.." Lian clapped and gave me a warm smile -- my eye widened in shock.

I'm a good sword!

I squirmed a bit in delight as Lian watched me in amusement. He took a moment to lay down before setting me beside him. He looked so tired, but his energy was so infectious.

"So shiny.." Lian mumbled to me -- master chuckled as he put chocolate chips in the cookie dough.

My eye widened more, a glint of proudest.

H-His highness complimented me..

Master raised his hand, tugging me from Lian's gaze. He used me to chop up some apples before setting me by in my place.

Hua Cheng

"Lay down."

Lian laid down, smiling up at me. "You take good care of it."

"You take care of yours," I paused and looked over my shoulder. "I'll get you enough believers, that the whole town will know your name."

Lian got quiet, some of his hair falling down the sides of his face. He looked up before digging his wrists into his sleeves. "I'm sorry for not telling you."

"There's no need for apologies, Gege." I moved to the side and wet a towel, before sitting down beside him.

He looked up with bright and comforting eyes, watching me rest the damp towel on his forehead. Lian let out a long sigh of relief, the coldness helping him be at ease. "..Thank you, San Lang."

I smiled and brushed some hair behind his ear. "A nickname, huh?"

Lian laughed nervously, the pink tint never leaving his cheeks. "You gave me one, it was only fair."

"It is fair." I held my hand in his, before rubbing my thumb over the black marks on his skin. His laughter died down, a sad furrow in his eyebrows. "Can you get the bandages, from the bathroom, please?"

I stared at him for a moment before laughing. "How come? The cookies will be done soon, sit tight and rest. I'll wake you up when they are cooled."

"Okay.."

"It's not to be ashamed of. You'll bring me comfort if you sleep."

Lian agreed to my terms, before shutting his eyes. It was too easy for him to be so vulnerable around me. To express his discomfort and his beliefs.

I glanced back at the cookies -- I'd let them heat up, and Lian expected me to wake him up soon after.

But, he deserves to rest for a little longer. Besides, I wanted to get started on Lian's portrait.