Puqi village is a quiet little place at all times, and on summer days as hot at this one, its streets are usually empty while everyone seeks shelter from the humid heat.

But when its god enters the little village, the peace is all but forgotten.

Xie Lian does not even make it two houses, asking politely for scraps, before he is already being actively searched out by the villagers coming to offer him more. It does no take long for a considerable crowd to gather, Xie Lian being the centerpiece of it, and for everyone to all put push belongings they allegedly did not need anymore onto him.

„Daozhang, Daozhang!"

„Daozhang, have this, too."

"Here are some leftovers as well, Daozhang."

It is a mess of bodies, reaching hands and chattering voices, laughter prevalent over it all. In this chaos - peaceful, gentle chaos - it is easy for Hua Cheng to slip into the background and become a silent observer. As much as he loves being at his god's side, this is one of the main reasons Hua Cheng enjoys accompanying his husband on his scrap collecting – the watching. Here, Xie Lian is in his element. His smile is genuine and radiant while he bows over each offering made to him, his hands gentle when he accepts the scraps carefully or takes hands reaching reverently for him between his own to hold. His laughter is hearty when he lifts villager's children onto his shoulders when they beg him to and does a twirl to make them squeal with glee.

He is, simply said, radiant, contagious in his joy. Hua Cheng thrills just watching him from afar, all but overwhelmed by his love for this man.

Hua Cheng knows very well that aside from himself, no one really understands why Xie Lian still does this. This being menial tasks at best, and scrap collecting at worst. Every now and then there are even a few bold enough amongst the heavenly court – a few stupid enough, Hua Cheng scoffs – who ask about it, some politely, some less so.

I am the scrap god, Xie Lian cheerfully reminds all of them, over and over again. What else would I be doing?

A silent scream of outrage follows that statement wherever he goes with it. Of course he could be doing literally anything else! After all, it is no secret to anyone in all the realms that the former laughing stock of the three realms is now, surely, to be considered amongst the uppermost rank of the gods, if not above all of them.

But that, exactly, is the conundrum. For who could fathom to tell the strongest martial god what he was supposed to do with his time?

Well, except for Feng Xin and Mu Qing, of course. They had no problem to make their opinion about it known the first time it had become clear Xie Lian will not forsake this habit, and they had done so very loudly, and lengthily. It had gone on long enough that Hua Cheng had been seriously considering sending his wraith butterflies at them at some point. But Xie Lian had been smiling for most of the outburst, looking more amused than anything else, with a calming hand on his husband's wrist. And so the two idiots had gotten away unscathed.

Surprisingly enough, the aftermath had been… almost pleasant. Feng Xin had looked considerably lighter after his outburst, had even been huffing a laugh when Xie Lian politely thanked him for those insights. Even Mu Qing's mouth had been twitching into what looked much more like a smile than a sneer.

Once they had gone – a hasty retreat at Xie Lian's offer to stay for dinner – Xie Lian had laughed at Hua Cheng's obvious confusion.

"They almost had to," he had said with a smile so very fond. "It would be strange for all of us if they didn't complain, wouldn't it? It does not mean they don't accept my decision."

And, well. It is not that Hua Cheng really understands that reasoning. But he also can't be bothered to spend too much time to try and understand those two. As long as they do not stand in Gege's way and Gege is happy, he is happy too.

And if nobody else has eyes to see how happy these lower tasks make Xie Lian and that that is all that counts then… well. More fool them. Hua Cheng couldn't care less about them.

A gentle tug at the hem of his robes pulls him from his musings, and Hua Cheng blinks, confused… until his gaze dips lower and he finds himself being scrutinized closely by a villager's child. He thinks he recognizes it, vaguely. The boy had been riding on Xie Lian's shoulder only moments before.

The dark eyes in a round face are scrunched up as the boy gazes up at him, either because of the sun's glare or in an attempt to look stern, Hua Cheng cannot tell. He is not particularly well-versed with children. That does not mean he has any reason be rude, however. "Can I help you, little one?"

Being acknowledged, the boy's features unfurl in a big grin, and he offers something up to Hua Cheng with both hands.

A steamed bun.

Hua Cheng blinks once more, then "pft"-s quietly. This is new. Of course he is no stranger around the village anymore, the sight of cheery young San Lang helping Dhaozhang with his work well known. No one hesitates any more to approach him, seeing him as a fixture to their village as much as they do Xie Lian. Still, he usually does not receive any gifts. Those are for Xie Lian.

And yet, the sight of the very seriously offered steamed bun stirs something in his dead chest. He plucks it out of the small hands with a low bow. „Why, thank you, little one. "

A quick glance around to make sure almost everyone's attention is still on Xie Lian. Then he winks conspiringly at the child and flicks his wrist.

The boy's dark eyes go round with surprise and awe when Hua Cheng unfurls his fingers and there, upon his palm, lies a beautiful white peony.

Hua Cheng slides the flower into the child's hand, then turns him with a gentle yet firm hand back towards the crowd. „Off you go now. And, shhh."

The boy mimics him, pressing a finger to his lips clumsily, before running of. Probably towards his friends, to show them the treasure he had gotten. Hua Cheng huffs a laugh while he straightens up again. He is fairly sure that by tomorrow, everyone in the village will know of his little trick. It is just as well. He gains a sense of mischievous enjoyment out of the rumors and awed whispers such little slight of hands elicit.

„Thank you, everyone, for your generosity, but I really could not carry any more!"

Xie Lian's words rings clear out over the constant chatter even if he does not raise his voice. It is a signal for Hua Cheng, and he starts walking around the edges of the crowd unhurriedly. He is not the one being held back by eager devotees at every step, so he reaches the end of the street first and waits patiently for Xie Lian to catch up.

It takes a few more minutes but finally, Xie Lian says goodbye to the last of the people still chattering to him, bows deeply, and promises loudly for everyone to hear that he will come back soon – yes, yes, promise!

"And thank you so much, again!"

Cheers and well-wishes follow him even when he already turns around, his whole attention settling on Hua Cheng for the first time they have entered the village.

The moment Xie Lian focuses on him, the love in his bright eyes nearly knocks Hua Cheng over. He really cannot help the smile spreading on his face or the hand reaching for his god, his husband, a reflex he does not attempt to quell at all. Why should he, when it is the easiest and best thing in the world to pull his husband in by the waist and lean down to press a kiss to the crown of his head?

„Done for today, gege?"

„En." Xie Lian hums happily and reciprocates by standing on his tiptoes for a quick peck to Hua Cheng's cheek. As they start walking the path back to Puqi Shrine, Xie Lian slips from the half-embrace in order to reach onto his back and pull one of the two baskets he is carrying there towards his front. There is an almost childlike joy on his face when he starts rustling through the top layer of items, chattering happily, "And just look how much there is today! Xiao-Yan and Xiao-Jing gave us so many leftovers it will keep us a whole week!"

"How nice of them. Here, let me, gege," Hua Cheng reaches over to take the first basket from his husband's grip so he might focus on the second one. While Xie Lian is still distracted, he slips it onto his own back instead.

Of course it does not go unnoticed for long. Xie Lian almost immediately sees what is up and opens his mouth to protest that he can carry both baskets, San Lang should not bother. It is a well-familiar discussion between them, more of a teasing back and forth than a real argument, and Hua Cheng usually indulges in it happily in order to praise his Gege's strength and stamina until Xie Lian is blushing tomato red.

Today, however, Hua Cheng has a weapon of distraction on his side. He slides it out of his sleeve easily and holds it up in a flourish. "Gege, look, I got gifted a treasure, too."

„Wha-… You did? Oh!" Xie Lian positively sparkles with joy when he spots the steamed bun, any and all discussions immediately fleeing his mind. He accepts it eagerly, only to immediately break it in two and offer one half back to Hua Cheng.

Hua Cheng takes a bite out of it without taking his eyes off his husband. The way Xie Lian's cheek puff out when he devours the bun, eyes squinting happily, is just too adorable. He had thought the same back when-…

„Sharing a steamed bun on the way to Puqi Shrine." Xie Lian hums contently. There is a little spring to his step when he looks up at Hua Cheng. „This feels a little like the day you found me again, doesn't it?"

His chest nearly constricts with all the happiness he feels, and Hua Cheng smiles softly, catching Xie Lian's free hand in his to squeeze it. „I had been thinking just the same, gege."

The smile at each other, a little bashful, and very, very lovingly. For a while, they walk in silence, content to simply bask in each other's presence.

By the time Xie Lian has finished his impromptu meal and is shaking his hand free of the crumbs, they have reached the hillside path up to Puqi Shrine and are entering the forest and its blissfully cool shade. Since there is no one to be seen far and wide, Hua Cheng changes form as easily as the light changes around them. One second he is only a few inches taller than Xie Lian, the next he stands almost a head taller, his voice having dropped into a deep baritone. "Gege, you have not told me yet what treasures you found today."

There is no startle or second look from Xie Lian when he smiles up at him, used as he is to his husband in all his forms and skins. He slips his basket under one arm and starts rummaging around in it, already flourishing at the notion of being able to talk about one of his favorite things "Ah, that's right! There is this scroll I meant to show you, I don't think I've seen it even in your library…"

"Is that right?"

And there is Hua Cheng's second favorite thing about accompanying his god on scrap collecting tours – seeing Xie Lian so excited about every single thing he finds, be it big or small, useful or useless, beautiful or ugly. With the excitement of a treasure hunter unearthing rare and precious items from times long past, Xie Lian starts pulling out one item after the other, excitedly chattering about what he likes about it and intends to do with it. He talks and talks, hands moving animatedly throughout, a flush of excitement high on his cheeks.

Hua Cheng would be just as happy to simply watch this animated side of his god, but what he probably likes best of all is that he can contribute now. He offers opinions on scrolls Xie Lian shows him, praises the more beautiful pieces, and discusses with his husband what they could probably make out of the things which others would simply consider trash.

When almost all of the contents of both baskets have been rooted through and placed back carefully, there is a restless energy about Xie Lian. He is basically vibrating with excitement, Hua Cheng notices, a smirk curling over his face as he asks innocently, "Was that already all, gege?"

"You know it's not," Xie Lian accuses, eyes alight with laughter and excitement. "San Lang knows me too well."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

"Mhm." Xie Lian wants to make him wait for his teasing, he can tell, but he simply cannot. They are both grinning with it when Xie Lian gives in and pulls free the last of the hoard, presenting it proudly. "Just look at this lucky find, San Lang!"

While Hua Cheng watches fondly, Xie Lian starts pulling small items out of the assortment of scraps, one after the other. They are so small that they are not immediately recognizable, only when Xie Lian gently shakes them and clear tinkling rings out. Bells. None of them as big as a man's thumb, some golden, some copper.

„Aren't they wonderful?"

„They are," Hua Cheng agrees.

Joy radiates off Xie Lian in waves while he tests one after the other, cooing happily at each new sound the tiny items produced. Hua Cheng watches, rapt, when a silver bell, smaller than its siblings, catches his god's attention.

"And this one is my favorite." Xie Lian declares and shakes it with more vigor than before, and when the sound rings out, Hua Cheng immediately understands why this one caught his husband's fancy.

The bell is fractured. The smallest of cracks, barely there when one did not look for it, but still enough to add a definitive discord to its sound.

Xie Lian is beaming at the broken little bell as if it the blemish only makes it all the more precious.

Something turns over in Hua Cheng's dead chest where no heart should beat anymore. It is so very like Xie Lian to look at trash and see a treasure in it.

"We should hang it up in the shrine," he suggests, eager to keep anything that makes gege so happy around for as long as possible.

Xie Lian looks at him as if he had just gifted him the moon and the stars, beaming so much it must hurt. "I was thinking the same thing! Maybe over the entrance? So it will toll as a welcome greeting every time someone enters!"

"Gege has wonderful ideas as always. We will do just that."

The answering smile he gets for that could blind a mortal man, Hua Cheng is sure of it. He smiles right back, already mentally sorting through ideas on how to accomplish this simple request. The bell alone would be fine, he is sure of it, but his god's temple deserves a little more. But not too much, Xie Lian would protest if he goes overboard with and spends money on it. Maybe there are some more scraps he could use to –

He is so caught up in planning that he actually startles – startles – when something wet drips onto the tip of his nose. He blinks, stops, and then another drop hits him and realization with it.

It has started raining.

Next to him, Xie Lian's laughter at his husband's perplexed face is cut short when he gets hit by rain drops as well. They both look up at the same time and watch as one, two, three rain drops follow – and then all of a sudden, it is like the heavens itself have opened up and started a flood. An ominous roar starts around them and then a merciless torrent of water thunders down around and on them like a waterfall.

Hua Cheng clucks his tongue, annoyed at himself and the weather and anything else which could be considered a reason to so carelessly drench his husband. There had barely been any clouds around when they had started their trek back, and now this. Had he really been so distracted by gazing at Xie Lian – which is absolutely justified, he thinks – that he missed this extreme change? Dismayed by his thoughtlessness, Hua Cheng shakes his head. No point to dwell on it. They are close to home now, having just left the forest, but Puqi Shrine is still beyond another hill slope and Xie Lian will be drenched right down to the bone if he doesn't do something. He reaches out, ready to pull an umbrella out of thin air to serve them as shelter-…

The sound of laughter stops him dead. It is clear and bright, full of delight. It spills out around them like the most precious bells and freezes him to the spot.

Up ahead, having stepped further into the deluge, Xie Lian slowly turns in a circle, face and palms tipped up towards the sky as if to greet the droplets like old friends. He does not stop laughing in sheer glee even though his outer robes are already drenched and it will only be a matter of seconds until he is wet to the bone.

"San Lang! Look!" He cries once he sees his husband staring. "Isn't it wonderful?"

And it is, it really is, but not for the reason Xie Lian probably thinks. The rain is coming down around him so strongly now that Xie Lian is the only thing clearly visibly against the blurry background, and he seems to be glowing, a solitary ray of sunshine amidst the storm in his white robes and with his bright laughter, droplets sprinkling to all sides while he twirls and twirls around himself as if in dance.

Hua Cheng can only stare at his happy husband in complete awe.

How anyone can look at this divine creature and think he is not a god is beyond Hua Cheng.

Another turn, then Xie Lian stops, still laughing, but no longer focused only on the downpour. He tilts his head at Hua Cheng, smiling inquiringly. "What has San Lang staring so?"

"You," Hua Cheng says honestly, not even having to think about. "Always you."

A flush climbs up Xie Lian's neck, born equal parts from pleasure and embarrassment, and he laughs and offers out one hand.

Hua Cheng moves immediately, calling forth an umbrella finally and crossing the distance between them all in one motion. Slotting easily in Xie Lian's personal space, he wraps his free arm around his husband's waist and raises the other above their heads, but mostly over Xie Lian's, to make sure the umbrella covers him fully.

Xie Lian follows the pull willingly, until they are chest to chest and he has to look up at Hua Cheng. His eyes are still so very bright with laughter and love that it steals the air out of Hua Cheng's lungs. How fortunate, he thinks, that he does not need to breath anymore, or else Gege would really be the death of him.

Xie Lian reaches up with one hand to help stabilize the umbrella. The other arm slides around Hua Cheng's neck and pulls gently until their foreheads tip together, breaths mingling in the little space left between them. So close together and with the rain around and the umbrella above, it feels a little as if they are only two beings left in existence. It seems fitting that Xie Lian's words come quietly, as if a secret only between the two of them.

"I've always loved rain," Xie Lian says, eyelashes tickling Hua Cheng's cheek when he closes his eyes in search of words. "The sound of it is so… so soothing, and afterwards, the air is nice and clear. As if the whole world has been cleansed."

Hua Cheng hums quietly, hopes to encourage the other to continue. He knows by now, this habit of Xie Lian to keep talks of himself as short as possible. As if afraid he might bore his listeners with it. But in turn, Xie Lian should know that he can never bore his husband. Much like Xie Lian collects his treasures in the form of scraps, Hua Cheng keep his own treasury of things Xie Lian has shared with him, from grand stories right down to throw-away comments on different subjects. These days, it is easier to get his god to talk about himself just by listening intently to him.

His patience pays off. Xie Lian laughs, a little self-deprecatingly, but finishes, „It's probably my favorite weather."

The following pause is less hesitant and more expectant. Hua Cheng hums quietly. Now he is the one to hesitate, unsure of how honest he should be.

Once upon a time, long ago, when cold could still bother him, when getting wet could still mean that he would fall ill, Hua Cheng had hated rain. Back then rain meant wet and cold on top of being hungry and lonely. It served as a harsh reminder that he had no place to offer warmth and shelter.

He has never really been able to shake the memory of that, even when no weather can bother him anymore.

He knows Xie Lian would not judge. Would understand. But it would also make him worry for Hua Cheng, and it feels wrong to taint such a happy day like this with unhappy memories.

Today, these shadows of the past have no hold on him. Today, Hua Cheng even finds himself thinking he can could try and give rain a new meaning, if it makes Xie Lian this happy.

„San Lang?"

Some of his reminiscing must have reflected on his face. Xie Lian is pulling back enough to scan his features, concern flickering up in his gaze.

That will not do at all. Smiling, Hua Cheng leans closer, closing the distance once more to murmur, „Should this husband pray to Lady Rain Master for more of this weather then?"

Delight overtakes the beginning worry in Xie Lian's eyes, and he laughs, shaking his head, concern thankfully forgotten. „No, no. Don't bother Rain Master for this. I get to enjoy rain occasionally, that is more than enough."

„Good," Hua Cheng says very seriously, before he smirks. „This one only wants to pray to Gege, anyway."

Xie Lian laughs happily, shaking them both through with it. But then he shudders again and it is not from laughter at all. Hua Cheng frowns, displeased, when he notes the shivers wracking his husband. It might be a warm day, but the rain is cold, and Xie Lian's robes are clinging to him by now. "Gege," he murmurs, bends in to press a kiss to Xie Lian's wet and cold cheek. "Let this husband of yours take you home and get you dried up."

Xie Lian shudders once more and presses in closer, as if seeking body heat which Hua Cheng cannot provide. "You don't have to ask. Let's go home, San Lang."

Home. No matter how many times Xie Lian says it, it still makes a warm glow bloom in Hua Cheng's chest. He is grinning giddily with it, he knows it. "Hold on, gege."

Wasting no more time, he tightens his grip around Xie Lian's waist and lifts him up in one fell swoop, letting go of the umbrella to slip that arm under his husband's legs instead. Xie Lian must have figure out what he is about to do, since he tightens his own grip around Hua Cheng's neck and the umbrella at just the right moment. Still, he cries out as if startled, "San Lang, don't! Now you're wet, too!"

"No trouble at all, gege," Hua Cheng hums while he starts walking, not slowed down by the weight he is now carrying. "I don't feel the cold. And I cannot let you walk on this dirty road. What husband would I be if I did?"

"You know that is silly, right? I'm already wet, it doesn't matter anymore-…"

„Ah, see? This husband has failed already by allowing you to get wet. Let me make it up by carrying you, gege."

„Ridiculous!" Xie Lian has both hands clapped over his beet-red face but he is laughing, giggles only slightly muffled by his palms. „San Laaang!"

Hua Cheng laughs along with him, laughs and laughs even while he bends over to kiss the crown of his husband's head without slowing his fast pace and almost topples them both over with it.

By the time they reach the shrine, they are both drenched. Xie Lian is switching between apologizing for not holding the umbrella steady and accusing Hua Cheng for distracting him from it, while Hua Cheng is not apologetic at all, and more focused on kissing his husband even more still while pulling at their wet clothes, insisting they need to be off now so he could set about warming Gege up immediately.

In the mess and the laughter, the baskets full of scraps are left behind without Xie Lian noticing. He honestly forgets about it altogether once Hua Cheng makes good on his promise and warms him up very thoroughly.

Hua Cheng, however, does not forget…

He just has something much more important to focus on for the rest of the day, and night.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A few days later, visitors to Puqi Shrine notice a wind chime hanging above the entrance, swaying gently in the brise.

It is made entirely of scrapes. Strands of cloth and pieces of glass, all in different hues of blue and a very few greys and white, swing gently back and forth, clinking gently against the bells. Its centerpiece is made up by a tiny silvery bell with a discordant toll, the sound which should be grating to the ears strangely beautiful as it rings out along with its siblings in a melody not unlike the sound of rain.

Many comment approvingly on it and praise the artistic skill it must have taken to make something so beautiful out of scraps.

Every time someone does, Xie Lian beams, love and happiness bright in his eyes so strong it illuminates the entire shrine. "Thank you. My husband made it for me; he is a very talented artist. San Lang?"

"Gege?"

"Can you come here, please? I want to introduce you. These visitors were just admiring your work-…"

And when the visitors had thought the Daozhang had been glowing before, it is nothing to the way he lights up when a second man approaches at the call, evidently the one he called husband. Xie Lian's entire face would shine like the sun while he waves the other over for a kiss and to introduce him to the visitors, gushing about the many talents his beloved had mastered unprompted. He is so caught up in it, he does not even seem to notice the way his San Lang is looking upon him with such a gentle and loving expression on his handsome features as if he is looking at a most precious thing.

Maybe, the visitors would then murmur to each other when they leave after their prayers, smiling still at the memory of such evident and strong love, maybe they should also hang up wind chimes in their homes now.

For good luck in love and marriage.