A/N: A small exploration of the relationship between Hua Cheng and He Xuan.
Getting To Know The Ghost King
'Black Water Sinking Ships' had an excellent ring to it. He Xuan was secretly very pleased with how his descent into the Ghost Realm had gone, and he was looking forward to putting his revenge plans in motion. Before he started making moves, there was one thing he needed to do: he needed to meet Crimson Rain Sought Flower.
The problem with being one of the top ghosts in the realm was that everyone knew a little something about you, but luckily few of them knew a lot. Even if he believed this Crimson Rain knew nothing more than the next ghost, he had a sinking feeling that the so-called Ghost King knew everything.
Stories about Hua Cheng ranged from one extreme to the next; people with 'friends' in Ghost City said he was a very fair guy and they were glad it was him and not (insert name of someone they despised), but others said he was as cruel as they came. He Xuan was not about to make the mistake of assuming he knew anything about Crimson Rain from the stories he'd heard, and he wasn't going to assume he would win in any kind of confrontation they might have – physical or otherwise. So, he scheduled a meeting with the Ghost King, and it was surprisingly easy. He had to wonder if Crimson Rain was as interested in Black Water as Black Water was him.
ooo
It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous. Anyone would be if they were going to meet the supposedly most powerful ghost in his own house. The question of whether to come armed to the ears was a tough one, but in the end He Xuan left with nothing more than what he would usually take on a trip. After all, if Hua Cheng was at home and the rumour that he collected interesting weapons was real, then it was likely He Xuan didn't have anything that would be able to stop the Ghost King for very long. Besides, coming almost empty-handed was a sign of peace, and he certainly wasn't looking for trouble.
The Hua Cheng that met him was maybe in his mid-20s, sporting an eyepatch, with the famed scimitar at his waist. He was also dressed in a gorgeous red robe – and He Xuan would have been disappointed if he hadn't have been. This guy was definitely Hua Cheng according to everything he had heard, but by the gods he didn't expect him to be this beautiful. Some of the stories painted Crimson Rain as a monster, and now He Xuan was trying to remember if they had just been descriptions of his personality, or if looks had been included under the same umbrella.
"Please, come in."
He Xuan was also taken aback by his voice and politeness, and wondered if perhaps Hua Cheng kept pretty men as servants. It surely wasn't too far-fetched that he dressed all his servants this nicely, right?
"What are you waiting for? I thought you wanted to come here?" Now there was an edge of annoyance in his voice, and He Xuan stepped in, suddenly pulled out of his reverie.
"Thank you," he said, not wanting to seem rude.
He didn't have pretty men serving him; instead there were pretty ladies. Hua Cheng had pulled out all the stops to impress He Xuan, not that he needed to be impressed. Perhaps it was all part of intimidating him, as if to say 'don't fuck around with me.' He clearly had the wealth and status to make sure it wouldn't be easy to mess with him. Not that He Xuan wanted to step on Hua Cheng's toes – this city was far too lively for a place full of the dead. He Xuan quite liked his island out at sea where visitors were few and far between. He had tried his hardest to ensure there were no visitors, but some always slipped through the net.
Hua Cheng made a lot of small talk, and later on He Xuan would reflect on this and realise that it was just him taking measure of He Xuan. Crimson Rain didn't care for small talk, neither did Black Water, but at the time they weren't acquainted enough to tell the other to cut the crap. Still, the first round of small talk was interesting as they carefully exchanged notes – this place was called Paradise Manor, and yes, the armoury was real, but no you can't see it. He Xuan repaid every crumb of information with a bit of his own – no one lives to tell the tale of his territory because only the dead float. Eventually he mentioned the bone fish, but for some reason they didn't sound as cool as the things Hua Cheng was talking about.
When the teapot ran dry Hua Cheng called an end to the social visit, and although He Xuan felt it was too short, he was very glad to leave. They were both hundreds of years old by now, both wasted a decade clawing their way out of Mt Tonglu; there was no need to be hasty with building a working relationship.
ooo
The next time they met, He Xuan's fish were less like pets and more like guard dogs. This time he talked at length about them while Hua Cheng talked about butterflies. He began to understand why the rumours went from one extreme to the other: it turned out Crimson Rain was just like that. The guy had started off by saying how he'd had a man's legs chopped off after losing a bet, and now he was waxing lyrical about these little wraith butterflies. He Xuan thought they looked very delicate – like something he might find adorning a woman's hair. At least his fish had always looked ferocious, even if they didn't act it.
"You will rule the seas, and I will rule the land, agreed?"
The line seemed to come out of nowhere as they were getting to the bottom of their cups. They had been having a conversation that had been heavily alluding to this idea, but Hua Cheng really was that direct!
"I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea," he added when he saw the look of surprise on He Xuan's face.
Naturally he agreed, and he prayed that if this White No Face turned up that he wouldn't be interested in a watery abode.
ooo
The idea of laying with another man had never really crossed his mind when he'd been alive, but once you've been dead for a while the whole idea of only keeping an eye out for the opposite sex was boring. At least, that's what he told himself. It might also have to do with the fact that Hua Cheng continued to parade around as a sexy young man. He'd even slipped into Ghost City a few times without telling Hua Cheng, and on the one occasion he had managed to spot him strolling around, he'd looked even more appealing. He Xuan had to wonder if he covered up his chest just because he was having a visitor, because the only people he'd ever met with the audacity to walk around like that were usually stood outside brothels.
Of course, there was the very real conclusion that Hua Cheng was simply a whore. They hadn't fully discussed their previous lives – that was the kind of information Supremes were tight-lipped about – so why couldn't He Xuan decide to create his own backstory for Crimson Rain based on what he'd seen? And, if this was a real part of his backstory, then would it be bad to ask if he could find out what a night with him was like?
One didn't just ask Hua Chengzhu for a night's entertainment though. No, he needed to research first, just in case he was wrong. Black Water spent many a night on the streets of Ghost City frequenting a variety of establishments with one goal in mind: who did Hua Cheng like? Find people he liked, find out more about him. It seemed a simple equation to follow.
After many nights with few answers, He Xuan found himself in the lowest rated brothel in Ghost City, having started with the highest rated (and what an expense that had been!). Now his questions were a little broader: where did Hua Cheng go? Forget about finding someone he liked, he had to know where the guy was going in the first place!
There were no answers but one: the Gambling Den. There was no other place that came up consistently. The man had apparently never been to any brothel in the city (and they all assured him that they would know, because the brothel in question would never shut up about it if Hua Chengzhu graced them with his presence), and he hardly ever ate out, and never at the same place. Yet the Gambling Den was somewhere you could guarantee to find him at least once a week, maybe more if it was a busy week. One girl said it was because he enjoyed torturing humans that trespassed in the city.
The information he received from those in the Gambling Den was nothing he hadn't already heard from other denizens of the city, or from Hua Cheng himself. The Ghost King went in for high stakes, most often body parts, or their life if they still had one to bet, and he won nearly every time. Admittedly he hadn't found a credible source saying that Hua Cheng had ever lost, but surely he couldn't win every time. The people found in the Den were those that enjoyed gossip and spreading around any little rumour they could get their hands on. Suffice to say, He Xuan learned nothing of value other than Hua Cheng had not been lying about his escapades within this building.
ooo
'Friends' was not a word either Supreme would use to describe their relationship, but as they sat drinking together to bring in the New Year, they both contemplated it. Hua Cheng didn't need friends, but this guy had potential to be useful, so why not invite him to drown his sorrows of passing another year without finding His Highness? He Xuan was equally indifferent to making friends, but he didn't want to appear rude when he was probably the only person to receive such an invitation from the Ghost King.
One of Hua Cheng's ladies slipped in to change the wine jar, and it was only then that he considered that maybe the reason Hua Cheng wasn't seen out and about was because he everything he needed right here in Paradise Manor. Yet Crimson Rain never so much as looked at these women. If he didn't care for them then why were they all beautiful women? Were things different behind closed doors? Or were they trophy pieces to show off to visitors like himself? There was even the possibility that Hua Cheng only used them when inviting others over.
He had so many questions, but the one his drunken-self chose to ask was, "Why are you so sexy?"
Hua Cheng turned his gaze from the night sky to look at him. "Am I? Am I not the most hideous thing you've ever laid eyes on?"
He Xuan had to play that back a few times to make sure his ears were functioning. "Are the standards backwards in Ghost City? Are the ugly pig bastards running the soup stalls meant to be handsome around here?"
"Depends who you ask."
"Why does the Ghost King choose to wear such a pretty skin?"
"Are you so sure it's a skin? You don't believe I was born this way?"
"I like to think you've embellished your appearance just a little. I certainly have."
For a moment Hua Cheng looked at him more closely than he ever had, as if he was trying to pick out which features He Xuan had decided to tweak. In that moment he was mesmerised by the eye running over him and he leaned in closer until his lips covered Hua Cheng's in a very sloppy kiss. Was it the alcohol? Or was it the fact that the only things he'd touched recently had been low-level ghosts? For some reason Hua Cheng's cool lips were very soft and enticing.
Everything ended very suddenly when he felt a hand on his chest pushing him away forcefully.
"Disgusting," was all Hua Cheng had to say on the matter.
What if Crimson Rain had no interest in anyone and was parading around as a sexy man because he could and it was probably driving several people mad? He might be one of those several.
"What kind of person do you like?" He Xuan asked.
"There is only one person for me."
Who that person was was not for He Xuan to know yet - he hadn't obtained that privilege. However, at least he would be able to sleep at night knowing that Hua Cheng was roaming around looking sexy at all times for this special someone - whom, he was quite certain, had not yet noticed the Ghost King.
They both returned to their wine cups and said nothing more on the matter. He Xuan had seen Hua Cheng obliterate people in the gambling den for their desires, and yet the man chose not to say a word about the fact He Xuan had just kissed him. He had to wonder if Hua Cheng was trying to save him a bit of face, but in reality the Ghost King was too shocked to pick his words.
ooo
Things carried on as if the New Year had never happened. Hua Cheng said nothing about the (many) embarrassing things He Xuan had said that night, and in return he didn't pry further to find out more about this 'special someone.'
Eventually he found himself playing spy in the heavens as part of his revenge plot. Sure, he could have made it on his own without Hua Cheng's help, but living in the heavenly capital was rather expensive, especially when one wasn't actually a god. Asking for financial help had not been easy, but it was necessary. The worst part was that Hua Cheng took great pleasure in holding his debt over him. Another reminder that 'friends' was not something they could be described as.
ooo
"Still no sign of that Crown Prince of Xianle."
Since taking up his post he had been granted the knowledge of who Hua Cheng was truly after. He hadn't directly said it, but He Xuan hadn't been a top scholar for nothing. It was extremely obvious to anyone that heard him say the prince's name (he'd been reluctant to say it, as if He Xuan was expected to know who the crown prince of a country that had been destroyed over a hundred years before his birth was) that Hua Cheng held the man in great reverence.
"My bastard new best friend taught me a new trick. Want to see?"
Hua Cheng didn't seem to care, but he waved a hand as if to say 'go on.'
In the blink of an eye He Xuan's form shrunk in places and grew in others as his form grew more feminine.
"This is Lady Earth Master." Even her voice had changed, but the deeper notes were still there, true to character.
"Not Lady Black Water?"
He Xuan's sharp features displayed disgust, and Hua Cheng thought it was a good look on her. "You won't catch me looking like this outside of the heavens, and only if my bitch friend is forcing me to play with her."
"I'll have to try hard to catch a glimpse then. Although, it's strange you're showing it off now. I'd say you're rather proud of it."
She huffed. "I put a lot of effort into making myself as sexy as you. Of course I needed your opinion as to whether I should call it a success."
Hua Cheng's gaze was different now, and it made He Xuan feel odd, but in a good way, he supposed.
"I guess you've succeeded." His tone was indifferent.
"But you still wouldn't fuck me like this?" She was tired of beating around the bush by now.
"Definitely not."
He Xuan's chest receded and when he next spoke it was in his usual voice that was as deep as the ocean. "I read up about your little man-crush."
Hua Cheng's eye snapped towards him and He Xuan could feel a dangerous aura emanating from him. "Don't disrespect His Highness in my presence."
He Xuan rolled his eyes. He had come a long way since first meeting Crimson Rain, and, now he felt they were on more equal footing, he finally felt like he could do something as simple as rolling his eyes at the guy. However, still being very much in need of the Ghost King's money, he decided to skip over recounting the not-so-glamorous tales of the Crown Prince he'd found in the heavenly library.
"I was expecting to find you somewhere in the stories."
Hua Cheng gave a light chuckle, thinking how audacious it was for Black Water to keep an eye out for information on his mortal life. "I'm no one important."
"Really?" He Xuan's tone was sceptical. "What's your deal with him then?"
In his experience, any ghost that hung around this long looking for someone only wanted one thing: revenge. So when he realised it was something like love, he had expected to find out that this Xie Lian had run off with Hua Cheng, but all the books said the guy upheld celibacy as part of his cultivation – not quite the romantic tale he'd been envisioning.
Don't tell me…
"Are you seriously tracking down this guy because you have a crush on him? I was joking earlier…"
Hua Cheng was silent, no longer looking at He Xuan.
"By the heavens above…I'm right, aren't I?" He didn't know what to make of it, waiting for Hua Cheng to dispute his words.
Forget all the information he'd read up top – this was the real juicy part! The fearsome Crimson Rain Sought Flower had spent several hundred years looking for a prince he had a crush on!
"Does he know –" He Xuan was about to grab this opportunity with both hands, but was interrupted.
Ming-xiong~ came through the communication array.
He sighed and stood up.
Ming-xiong, where have you got to? I want to show you these fantastic dresses I found. They're matching!
"I have to go." He held out a hand to Hua Cheng who put a bag of coins into his open palm.
"Stop snooping into things that aren't your business or I'll raise the interest on that."
"Can't find a guy I know nothing about."
He was gone before Hua Cheng could point out he'd never asked Black Water to find the Crown Prince, only to keep an eye out.
ooo
When He Xuan had finally delivered news of the Crown Prince's 3rd ascension, he thought that Hua Cheng took it rather well. That being, he nodded in a rather stunned way and didn't say much else on the matter.
The Hua Cheng before him now was an absolute state, and much more like what he'd expected of someone who'd finally found their crush after 800 years. He liked to think that originally Hua Cheng hadn't believed him – maybe he'd lied, or this guy was an imposter. But, after meeting Xie Lian on Mt Yujun, he had changed completely. He Xuan wasn't quite sure how Hua Cheng had managed to stand in the prince's presence, let alone take his hand and walk alongside him. What did make sense was that Hua Cheng hadn't said a word to Xie Lian, and that fact made He Xuan chuckle.
Hua Cheng was pacing up and down while He Xuan was eating a selection of things he'd picked up during his stroll to Paradise Manor. He would never like his female form, but it certainly was useful for scoring a discount.
"What if he thinks I'm ugly?" Hua Cheng asked, mostly to himself. He Xuan didn't have a chance to swallow and respond before he followed up with, "I am. I'm disgusting. He won't even look at me."
"You're the hottest person I know. I think you'll be fine."
"He's up in the heavens where nearly everyone is beautiful! I'm just a disgusting little ghost dwelling in my nasty city full of gross people and things."
"There's a difference between being beautiful and being hot. I wouldn't fuck most of the gods. I'd fuck you though."
Hua Cheng finally paused his pacing. "Just because you haven't been laid for a century."
That wasn't true, but He Xuan didn't want to refute it in case he ended up admitting who he'd shared a bed with recently. He'd much rather leave Hua Cheng believing this. "Says the 800-year-old virgin." He reclined back in his seat. "Come on, let's have a bit of fun. You'll surely need to have a little experience to impress this guy."
"As if this lowly one would dare to touch His Highness like that."
He Xuan burst out laughing. "I'm not buying your bullshit. There's no way you haven't jacked off to him at least once a decade."
Hua Cheng knew better than to respond with a 'no' too quickly.
"And if he bent over and asked you to take him, would you really say no?"
"If His Highness asked something of me, I would do it in an instant."
He Xuan nodded. "Exactly. You should know what to do if he asks."
"Are you offering to bend over for me?" Hua Cheng asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
Ah, he'd walked into that one. "On second thought, I feel like you'll be able to figure it out. You're quite smart after all."
Hua Cheng's voice was quiet when he spoke next. "Do you think this form is good? Isn't it too intimidating?"
"What? You think it'll be too sexy for him and he'll think you're out of his league?"
"I could never be out of His Highness's league. Rather, I am leagues below him."
He Xuan shrugged. "Maybe go in a younger form? You clearly want to follow him around like a puppy, so you should look like one too."
The frown on Hua Cheng's face said he didn't like the comparison, but it was true.
"I'll give you some advice," He Xuan said, "As…someone who wants you to consider shaving a little off my debt for good advice." Definitely not stepping near the word 'friend.' "However old you decide to look, go as yourself. That way, if you eventually decide to show him your true form, he won't be so shocked. Trust me, acting like someone you're not is a right pain in the ass."
He Xuan stood, deciding he'd said enough for today. The conversation was getting a little deeper than expected, and he'd run out of food. "I should head back before my absence is noticed. If you change your mind about getting some experience, my door is always open."
"And as always, my answer is the same: my body is only for His Highness."
Just before He Xuan reached the door, Hua Cheng called out to him. "Black Water. Thank you."
He couldn't recall Hua Cheng ever thanking him. The softness in his voice was also very off-putting. He yanked the door open and absconded into the night.
A/N: I bet someone has written a longer, better version of these two getting to know each other. Let me know if you have any recs ."
