The Fault in Humankind
Chapter 1: Bread, cheese, potato.
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, dystopian AU, Angst, Romance, Adventure, Supernatural, Military
Authors note: Some of you may recognise the title of this story as I had it up a few years ago, I've decided to rewrite it as it's a project I'm really passionate about, I wanted to write it better and make it more interesting, I hope you guys like :D
Guan Ping used his sleeve to wipe the sweat trickling down his forehead, he squatted down beside the wall, resting his head against the cold brick. He rubbed his hands together and blew inside them, the icy wind pinched at his pale skin. He looked around the busy street, the town square was bustling with life. Merchants wailing over each other to compete for customers. The fishermen hauled large barrels of fish to the markets, the hunters exchanged their game for a hefty sum, horses trotted up and down the road, some pulling carriages and some led by their steel eyed owners.
Within the walls everything was safe, as though peace was more than a myth, but with the population growing the food was dwindling, famine spread like a plague. With that said, an unknown source of population control emerged from the depths of a dark world. They call them the grievers, serpentine ferocious beasts, hungry for human flesh. It's said they can swallow a human adult with one swipe, and although not many of the public had ever seen one, the tales were terrifying enough to prevent anyone from stepping foot outside. The books documented that they range from 10 foot to 15 foot in height, and although they have a preference for tearing limbs and drinking human blood, they can also sting their victim causing them extreme pain for weeks and a slow death if one manages to escape. The grievers have mouths like piranha's, but are faceless, and it is unknown how they can truly see. Their skin texture appears wet and they often make an ear deafening shriek to call their allies upon sighting prey.
The cultists in the city believe it to be a punishment from the heavens. Scholars believe it to be evolution, the world exists within a food chain. Humanity needed to be controlled, to fight for survival. The first trailblazers built the walls to safeguard humanity, the people today shelter behind it, but see it as both a curse and a blessing. The government decided to raise an army to fight this danger, and at the same time reducing the number of stomachs needing to be fed and body's to be housed. Homelessness was very common.
Scholars believed that soon the grievers would adapt to be unbeatable, deadly. That one day they would climb the walls and rip apart every soul hiding in this gigantic pen. Something needed to be done. The army's tasks ranged from collecting knowledge, resources, defending the walls, policing the public, and those who ventured outside to fight or to be human fodder. The mortality rate was the highest for the latter. Despite this the army plan to balance the populace had a favourable outcome.
One day Guan Yu left on a government operation and didn't return which likely implied that he'd been grinded to pieces by a griever or suffered for weeks of its poison till he dropped dead if he was less lucky. With that, Guan Ping had nowhere to go, he'd found an infirmary to work in in exchange for a place to sleep. Guan Ping was an ambitious nineteen-year-old, full of fire and passion to fight, to survive.
Guan Ping's eyes smiled with him upon seeing a tall man in uniform approach. The man did not smile back, but he walked towards him. Guan Ping shot up and led the way without saying a word, the brunette man followed closely, his honey pool eyes pinned on the younger man. Guan Ping walked into an alleyway, a more quiet and private spot from the liveliness of the market square. The man followed in. Guan Ping halted by the way, still smiling, this time more smugly, he blinked slowly and looked up at the stern man who stood before him. Xiahou Dun folded his arms blinking slowly too as he looked down at Guan Ping's tired slate coloured eyes. Xiahou Dun's mouth curved into a light smile, and then he held Guan Ping's face and pushed him against the wall, his mouth closing his, their lips pressed against each other. The heat of the contact warming Guan Ping's skin from its earlier cold temperature. Guan Ping tiptoed as he held Dun's hand's that held his face, getting more of him. Their noses leaned against each other as their mouth's continued to lock and beg one another for more. Xiahou Dun almost broke the kiss to laugh, the corner of his mouth curving but then fought Guan Ping back, pressing his forehead hard against him and his mouth mashed against him, electric and delicious, reminding him who was in charge here.
Guan Ping placed his heel back on the floor as he pulled back to catch his breath, he chuckled nervously, as Xiahou Dun peered over him smugly, the taller man relaxed his head back, giving Guan Ping space, Guan Ping felt the heat rise in his cheeks as though I'd been their first time. Xiahou Dun cupped his face towards him this time more determined, Guan Ping's earthy coloured irises watched Dun's lips move in to his slowly, both through half lidded eyes. But before Dun could close the gap Guan Ping stepped back and moved his hand off him.
Guan Ping's pupils were wide like a hungry cat "You have-?" he asks.
Xiahou Dun nod's and smiles gently, placing his hand in his pocket to pull out a round cloth, and open's Guan Ping's hand to place the warm ball in it.
Guan Ping open's it excitedly, holding his breath, and Xiahou Dun support's his hands sensibly. "Don't go dropping it" He scolds, and Guan Ping nod's his face brightening up with joy at the sight of a warm loaf of bread and a boiled potato. He wastes no time to thank Xiahou Dun and takes a big bite of the bread followed by another, not taking time to chew his food as he stuffs his mouth.
Xiahou Dun's smile fades, and he looks around the alley way to ensure they are still alone. Guan Ping looks up at him, his cheeks filled with bread, his brows furrow. "Thank you" he says sounding muffled by his intensive chewing.
Xiahou Dun tries to smile, and then ruffles Guan Ping's hair as he frowns. Guan Ping looks at him confusedly and then Dun wrap's his arms around him entangling him in a hug. Xiahou Dun rests his cheek On Guan Ping's dusty black locks. Guan Ping feel's Dun's chest heave against him, as he continues to eat within Dun's arms. The older man lets him go then, and stands beside him. Guan Ping continues to bite the last few bits of the bread and licks his fingers and then leans down on the wall unravelling his boiled potato to guzzle it down next. As he picks up his potato his eyes pin to the small block of cheese in the cloth. "You got me cheese too?" Guan Ping announces appreciatively looking up at Dun, he pouts as he blinks through glassy eyes, and then he resumes to eat, his cheese in one hand and his potato in the other.
Xiahou Dun raises a brow and then sits down against the wall beside Guan Ping, watching him through half lidded eyes.
"I care about you… a lot" Guan Ping blurts out, avoiding to look at Dun who begins to smirk smugly.
"Just say it" Xiahou Dun encourages teasingly.
"That's as much as you'll ever hear" Guan Ping responds raising a brow annoyed, and avoiding Xiahou Dun's mockery. Xiahou Dun placed his hands behind his own head cockily, and Guan Ping continued to occupy himself with his food to avoid Dun's smug face.
Xiahou Dun waited till Guan Ping was on his last bite of the cheese block, he blinked and then his face turned serious. "I'll be going away for some time…" He declared, and Guan Ping froze for a minute, and then chewed his last bite more slowly.
"They can send someone else, right?" Guan Ping said quietly.
"I'll be gone for longer this time, I'm not sure how long" Xiahou Dun continued trying to avoid the reaction he'd anticipated.
Guan Ping turned to face him, his brows furrowed deeply. "You said you'd wait for me" He reminded.
"Guan Ping-" Xiahou Dun sighed and swallowed before he continued.
"Give me two years, there's two years left and then I can-" Guan Ping trembled as he spoke, and tried to take Xiahou Dun's hand but the latter moved it away coldly.
"Ping you don't understand, I have no say in this, I have to-" Xiahou Dun said firmly, his tone sounding annoyed.
"You said-" Guan Ping looked at him helplessly, but didn't want to push further.
"Guan Ping!" Xiahou Dun yelled, and the former fell silent, Dun placed his hand's on Guan Ping's head. "This is bigger than both of us, you understand me" Xiahou Dun whispered loudly, and Guan Ping avoided to look at him, but he could see the water forming in his eyes.
Xiahou Dun stood up quickly letting him go, he paused as he stood over him but chose to say nothing, and then proceeded to leave. Guan Ping watched him clenching his teeth and fist to hold back the rage inside.
"Try to not die" He mumbles blinking slowly, his scathed hands tremble.
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