Hua Cheng

"Forgive me, Gege...I might end up being quite late..." He's been trying to get back to his first (but not last) husband for hours. Unfortunately, things kept occurring that required his attention.

Being in the middle of a storm was not exactly the most pleasant thing in the world. Doing it in the dark was obnoxious. Doing it in hail was miserable. But all three? Yeah, he was pretty over the day.

He just finished wrapping up his final mission and the cleanup.

Finally, he could go home...except he couldn't.

Why?

"PLEASE! LET ME GO, AUNTIE!"

SLAP! KICK! KICK! CRACK! SIZZLE!

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He could hear a child screaming and someone harming him, even electrical cracking. Most likely, said "Aunt." However, finding them in a storm wasn't going to be simple.

"JUST UP, YOU WORTHLESS BRAT! YOU'VE RUINED EVERYTHING, AND NOW I CAN FINALLY BE RID OF YOU ONCE AND FOR ALL!" Her voice was cold and venomous, nothing but vile and filled with hatred.

"I'LL LEAVE! I'LL LEAVE!" The boy was sobbing and begging her.

"Far too late for that. But don't worry, you won't be coming back."

Hua Cheng really didn't like the sound of that and sent out his butterflies to scour the area as he did the same.

"NO! NO, AUNTIE! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

'They sound close to the-SHIT!' Hua Cheng took off to them as fast as he could. He saw a glint of silver and gold.

"You've ruined everything, now my precious Jiang Cheng can flourish as he deserves, and my worthless husband can get his priorities in order." She forced the chained-up boy onto the bridge.

"Time to be rid of this accursed, Wei Wuxian. I hope the drop into hell is agony." Kicking the weight off the bridge, the small body is yanked off and over the waterfall.

SPLASH!

A smirk crossed her pink lips as the woman calmly left the crime scene to return home. Her problem was permanently resolved.

Unbeknownst to her, a hand covered quivering lips as two people balanced on one of the deadly spiked rocks beneath the falls.

What would have been the boy's agonizing demise and his final resting place.

Once she was gone, the man returned them both safely to land. Slowly the boy looked at him unsurely.

"T-Thank you..."

"No problem, now hold on, you're coming with me."

The boy looked at him, surprised. "I am...?" In return, he got a sad smile, "Well, I'm not leaving you out here."

The little boy looked ready to cry but simply held Hua Cheng tightly. "What's your name, little one?"

"Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian."

"What would you prefer?"

"Wei Ying, please." Hua Cheng smiled and held him securely to him, "The hold on Wei Ying, let's head home." With that, Hua Cheng (and now Wei Ying) finally made his way home to his Dianxia.

"WAIT! F-First...I was wondering..."

Xie Lian was warming some food that Hua Cheng made before leaving. The gentle God was a mix of half asleep and on high alert, waiting for his Husband to return. He's awfully late and has yet to send a butterfly explaining anything, either.

"San Lang, you better be alright..." He frowned as he waited for him. Xie Lian didn't have to wait long before the door opened. He immediately turned to greet his husband when he saw a bundle in his arms.

The lump moved, and out popped some wild black hair.

"S-San Lang...?" Suddenly the little body turned to face him with curiosity and fear. Only then did Xie Lian see that the little boy was quite hurt.

"Oh, honey..." He walked over to the pair, and his husband smiled apologetically.

"Apologies for running late, Gege. Nonstop jobs today, and then this little one was in serious trouble." Xie Lian looked at the little boy worriedly.

"May I tend to your ouchies, please?" He gestured to some without touching them. Soft eyes scrutinized him before nodding fast and reaching to him.

Gently, Xie Lian took the boy and gave his husband a kiss on the cheek. "We'll talk afterward, but I'm glad you're both safe. But you're soaked! Out of those wet clothes!" Huffing, the God tended to his little guest.

As he tended to his injuries, he carefully checked him for more. He found plenty of scratches, bruises, and cuts, injuries to his head, right leg, a few ribs, and left shoulder. The poor thing also suffered some serious rope burns, even around his neck.

Even still, the worst injuries were inevitably the whip marks all over him. Ooh, the amount of strain it took to keep his face neutral...

WHO WOULD DO THIS TO A CHILD?! When he gets his hands on them...

Soon the cutie was dressed in one of Xie Lian's warmer tops, with Ruo Ye acting as a belt for him. Looking slighter healthier and feeling better, the boy gave him a warm hug.

It took everything for Xie Lian not to melt as he held him carefully. Stroking his hair and rocking him.

Both felt warm and content.

A loving gaze watched the pair happily and contemplated their options. However, the first thing is first. He kneeled by them and carefully fed the little boy food after making sure it was safe.

San Lang loved his Dianxia, but holy shit, he didn't need him accidentally killing the kid.

All too quickly, their guest was snoozing in their arms. "What happened?" They made sure to talk softly.

"After completing my work, I heard him screaming and someone was abusing him. I caught up to them by a waterfall, he was tied to something heavy and thrown off to die. I saved him but stayed hidden for his own sake."

Xie Lian quietly took everything in. "Do you know why?"

"She said some bullshit about him being a curse that ruined everything or whatever, mentioned another boy, and apparently hates her husband too. So she's just miserable, bitter, and pathetic."

Slowly he turned to his husband, who was gazing at the boy. "You want to keep him? Don't you?"

He hesitantly nodded to his lover, "I do." Biting his lip, Xie Lian held the boy closer. "I do too."

A relieved smile crossed his face as he pulled Xie Lian and their son closer. "However..."

Uh oh.

"You're telling our other husbands." All the color left his face in realization before he pouted, "Yes, Dianxia..."

Mu Qing and Feng Xin have been away from home for about a month, and they are becoming restless. They missed their bed, their home, their quiet relaxing evenings, and most importantly, they missed their wonderful husbands.

But would die before admitting that.

The month had been grueling and borderline unbearable. He swore most of them didn't have fucking brain cells, and having to deal with absurd and/or dumbass wishes didn't exactly help either.

Long story short, they were tired and frustrated. Mu Qing was sick of the bullshit, and the only thing keeping him sane was, ironically, Feng Xin.

Like yeah, he's a dumbass, but at least he's his dumbass.

Sighing in exhaustion, he almost stopped. An arm slipping around his waist guided him onwards. Not bothering to peek through his fingers, he felt an equally exhausted Feng Xin leaning his head on his as they walked.

All they could do was support each other on the way home. It was moments like this that he truly cherished. Moments like this he held in his heart forever more.

Relaxing, he let his husband hold him and buried his face in his neck.

Finally, their home was in view, and they were about to sprint to it when they saw what else was in view. A young boy younger than 10 chasing one of Hua Cheng's butterflies and having the time of his life.

Speaking of their husband, he was watching the boy with a smile.

What the flipping fuck happened while they were gone....?

"MU QING! FENG XIN!" The door to their home slammed open, and out came Xie Lian to them. Only then did Hua Cheng look up from the little ball of energy to see them.

He too was on his feet to us, and the tired duo gratefully accepted the love. But even then, their eyes never left the child.

"As happy as we are to see you, we need an explanation."

"Now, please."

Xie Lian gave Hua Cheng a knowing smirk. "This should be interesting. Come along, Wei Ying!" Their Dianxia scooped up the giggly boy, who they'd finally noticed was wearing-

"Oh hell no, what is that!?" Mu Qing looked at the "outfit" in pure offense.

Wow, suddenly he was full of energy! Where the fuck did he leave his sewing kit...

"We didn't want to go shopping for him without talking to you both first." That didn't soothe him. "So you let the poor baby walk around like THAT!?"

He gave Xie Lian and Hua Cheng a positively brutal look. "The talk can wait." Previous exhaustion long gone, Mu Qing rolled up his sleeves and stormed inside for his sewing supplies.

Stealing the boy, he took his measurements and adopted him as a little helper. Mu Qing began making him some proper clothing while Feng Xin took a good ass nap. 'Lucky son of a-'

"BLAST!" He got so distracted he stuck himself. From his peripheral, he saw the little guy freeze like he was about to hit him.

That made his eyes narrow, and he saw the boy cower more.

Understanding the situation swiftly, he relaxed his features and looked at him soothingly. "I'm not angry, sweet one. I simply hurt myself, and I apologize for scaring you."

Gently pulling the boy in his arms, he felt him slowly relax, then tense again, scurrying away. He returned with bandages and tried to help him. Smiling softly, he let the little boy be his nurse and thanked him with a kiss on his forehead.

Back on track, they focused back on the outfit, and in no time at all, Wei Ying was spinning proudly in his new clothing.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I LOOK SO COOL!" He posed before running outside to show Xie Lian and Hua Cheng.

Said husbands entered with the excited kid, "I see you haven't lost your touch!"

"They're a bit too burned into my psyche. I could do it in my sleep. Who you should be amazed by is him. He was an incredible helper and nurse!" The boy buried his face shyly and blushed hard.

Soon they put the boy down for a nap and woke Feng Xin from his. "Okay, where did you find this child, and who the fuck abused him?"

"Wait, what? Back up a bit!" Feng Xin spluttered at the sudden bombshell. "How did you know?!" Hua Cheng and Xie Lian looked at him, surprised.

"It's true?!" Feng Xin leaned in, pissed and ready for murder. Hua Cheng gave him a look that screamed, "Trust me, babe, I know."

Xie Lian covered their mouths, annoyed. "Stop! Mu Qing, how did you know?" All eyes turned to him.

"When I was making his clothes, I hurt myself. And when I raised my voice, he flinched like I was about to harm him. Then practically curled into a ball when I frowned, even though it was in concern at the reaction. Most likely taking it as anger towards him." Mu Qing thought about the interaction again.

"It's only when I completely relaxed my features, took on a more gentle appearance, and talked to him calmly that he finally unfurled and relaxed a little. Then I had to soothe him from there. After he understood that he wasn't in trouble, he processed my words fully and tried to help me." The god lifted his hand and showed them Wei Ying's medical treatment.

They all fucking swooned at how cute it was.

"However, those are signs that he was been abused. A single yell and he thought he was about to be struck and a small frown made him look ready to die. Someone has done severe damage to this child and I want to skin them, so answers, now. Where did you find him?"

Hua Cheng and Xie Lian shared a look before explaining the circumstances. Feng Xin and Mu Qing shared a look before nodding.

"That's one hell of a story, bad ending though since you let the bitch live."

Hua Cheng huffed, "There's a reason for that. Before we returned here, Wei Ying wanted to go back to his house so he could get things important to him."

Hua Cheng and Wei Ying slipped into Wei Ying's room.

It was amazing, but entirely of Wei Ying's making. Brilliant ideas, concepts, and beautiful drawings were everywhere. Full of books and scrolls and whatever he could get his hands on. He was clearly a very creative boy.

He loved to learn and create. It was very apparent, and he seemed to be quite popular...so why did this room feel so...lonely...?

And who bought Wei Ying all of these things?

Suddenly Hua Cheng heard fast but nearly silent footsteps. Swiftly grabbing Wei Ying, he hid them.

The door opened, and a man ran in frantically. "W-Wei Ying? Wei Ying?!" He was desperately looking for the boy, and tears flooded his eyes.

"No...no I'm too late..." He fell to his knees in distress. Hua Cheng gave Wei Ying a "Is he safe?" look and the boy nodded.

With that response, he set Wei Ying down and let the boy tackle the man in a hug. "Wei Ying!" The man hugged him tightly and sobbed in relief.

"Are you okay?! Did she...?"

Hua Cheng slipped out and kept his eyes on the man. The man held Wei Ying closer and slowly moved away from him.

"Who...who...?"

"Uncle! It's okay! He saved me from Auntie...she tried to..."

"She tried to kill him, and he'd be in the afterlife had I not heard him." Horror crossed the man's face.

"That's what I was afraid of..." He held Wei Ying mournfully.

"...........I might have a solution." Hopeful, but weary eyes glanced at him. "What is it?"

"I'll talk with my husbands, and if they approve, we'll adopt Wei Ying, and if not, we'll find a home for him." Surprise filled the man's face, and he thought it'd be about him having more than one husband or one at all, but no.

"You'd do that...? Why?"

Glancing at the boy in his arms, Hua Cheng gave a tired smile. "I understand him better than I'd like to admit."

Nodding in understanding, he looked at Wei Ying sadly. "I wish I could raise you...but I need you safe more...I love you, Wei Ying, and I'm so sorry I failed to protect you..."

Wei Ying held back a sob and hugged the man tightly, "You did your best, and I cherish every moment with you, Jiang Cheng, and Jiang Yanli...I'm sorry for the trou-"

"No, do not listen to her cruel words. You've brought so much joy into our lives. Into everyone's life! Now it's time to find your own joy." He kisses his temple and lets the boy finish packing.

"How will I know he's safe?" He glared into Hua Cheng's eye. "I'll be in contact with you, and if we keep him, you can secretly visit him."

He had a grateful look, "Thank you...for everything..."

All too soon, Wei Ying was ready, and Jiang Fengmian had to say goodbye....hopefully only temporarily.

His three husbands turned to their sleeping guest. Three out of four of them had some kind of attachment to him.

"I think my vote is kind of obvious. What do you all think?"

Xie Lian spoke up next, "I think he'd gel with us nicely, and he's already comfortable enough to peacefully sleep here. It's a little early for us to have kids, but...I think he'd be a wonderful addition to our little family."

Mu Qing was looking at the little boy and remembered him tending to his finger. His kind and warm spirit...Tears pricked his eyes and didn't trust his voice, so he simply nodded.

Feng Xin was much harder to convince. He didn't feel like he'd be a very good parent, and he doubted that he'd connect very well with this child.

Plus, children are high maintenance, and they're busy Gods and a very busy Ghost King.

Speaking of, how would raising a human boy work...?

However, even with all the glaring reasons pointing to why he should say no... He looked at his husbands and wanted to scream. They were all trying their bests to look neutral, but it was obvious that they want him to say yes.

He had a headache.

Fixing his face to hide his displeasure, he nodded. "Okay." Before he stood up and went outside to process all of this.

His three partners knew that truly was meant to be a "no" and tried to work out what to do. None of them noticed the little boy holding his belongings silently slip out.

"Going somewhere?" His little head snapped to the God outside eating an apple.

"Yes...to find a home..." An eyebrow raised, "You're staying here."

"No." The eyebrow raised higher, "Oh? And why not?"

"You only said yes, out of obligation and reluctance to disappoint them." Wei Ying frowned looking down. "That's what made Auntie so abusive and angry. She never wanted me, and her reluctance became resentment which became hatred..."

His eyes widened at the implication and choked.

After hacking up a lung, he faced the boy. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. First of all, you really are smart, and second, you're jaded. Just because I didn't really want to say yes, didn't mean I'd ever come to hurt you. I wanted to say no because I don't trust in myself."

Wei Ying looked at him, confused, and Feng Xin patted next to him.

Looking ahead to his exit, then next to the god. He sat. "I just...don't feel you'll like me very much, and I don't feel like I'll be a good parent. We're all busy, and I don't want you to feel lonely or neglected." It felt weird airing out his feelings, but he needed the boy to understand.

"Despite all of my reasons, none of them are because I don't want you. I just don't want to mess up or for you to be miserable and unhappy." The boy slowly nodded and thought for a minute.

"We're you good at your job right away?" He most certainly was not.

"No, not even a little." The boy nodded.

"How about being a husband or boyfriend?" Again no, he fucked up a lot and kept hurting them and himself because of his poor communication skills...

"No...I really wasn't." Another nod.

"Would you say you are now?"

"Yes, but I can still use work in both categories." A final nod and a small smile.

"Then why is being a parent any different? You won't be good at it right away, you'll make mistakes, screw up, and struggle. Like a job or being a partner!" Wei Ying sat up thinking.

"But...anything worth doing is worth fighting for! Trying and messing up until you get it right. Like in a relationship. We're all flawed. Even the Gods make mistakes, but we can't live in those mistakes. We have to learn and grow from them!" A gentle smile was sent his way as he looked at the boy fascinated.

A soft smile of his own lifted his face. "Yeah...you're right." He wrapped his coat around Wei Ying and pulled the boy onto his chest to lie down.

He pet the boy's hair and stroked his back as they lay under the stars. Wei Ying's words bounced in his mind. He could feel Wei Ying fall asleep and looked down at him. He could feel the love coursing through him.

"All I've done is fight to be where I am...who I am...So...why not fight a little more...?" Kissing his forehead, Feng Xin joined him in sleep.

His husbands rushed out in a panic, trying to find Wei Ying only to find them.

They were stunned, to say the least.

Wei Ying and Feng Xin were asleep with Wei Ying wrapped in Feng Xing's warm coat and the man holding the child protectively.

"Now, how did he do that...?"

An impressed smile crossed Hua Cheng's face. "Yeah, I think he'll be just fine with us." Lifting his hand, he sent a butterfly off to deliver the news to Jiang Fengmian.

Mu Qing took Wei Ying's belongings back inside while Xie Lian carried the sleeping duo inside with incredibly attractive ease.

Internally swooning with Mu Qing, Hua Cheng shut the door.

Meanwhile, a man restlessly leaned against the window frame of his spare room, fighting a migraine as he held his youngest child. Looking over to his son tucked comfortably in bed, the man tried to relax and be patient.

Suddenly he saw a glow pass by the window. There it was again. Slowly he opened it and in came the creature. He offered his finger and the butterfly perched gently on it.

"Don't worry Mr. Jiang, he's safe with us. After everything settles, we'll help you see him as promised."

Tears fell from his face as relief hit him like a ton of bricks. "Thank you...thank you and your family. Please...show him how beautiful the world can be..."

"We will, now please rest. You need to be well for yourself and your children." He smiled softly and nodded. "Good night, rest well."

Soon the butterfly took its leave, and Fengmian felt like he could finally breathe. Shutting the window, he and his daughter joined his son, and they finally got to rest.