[Closed] A chill to warm the sadness

[wrotetheworld]

WHO: Shang Qinghua and Xie Lian
WHAT: A mission and an ice skating date for distraction purposes
WHEN: Christmas Eve
WHERE: Various places in Winter
WARNINGS: Sad boys, because Hua Cheng was sent home

Maybe he should have expected it might happen. His king had been sent away, after all. But that didn't make Hua Cheng's vanishing any easier. Not for Shang Qinghua, who'd really come to like the ghost, and certainly not for Xie Lian, his actual husband.

But if there was one thing that Shang Qinghua, lord of An Ding, knew made for great distraction, it was having something to do. And a trip to some caves filled with bioluminescent plants to do some harvesting sounded like just the place to start.

Well, the start was getting out their door, but not until he was satisfied with how warmly the god was bundled up.

"I got some protective gloves from the Research Center, so we can pull those over the warm ones when we get there," Qinghua said, making sure Xie Lian's cloak was fastened. Because fussing over someone was another way he could push away feelings he didn't have time for.

Comments

[disgracedprince]

Part of him is missing; a loss Shang Qinghua understands personally. Pain isn't something Xie Lian ever wants to share with someone else, yet he can't lie and say Qinghua's experience doesn't help. The sweet fussing over his clothing, for example, sends small tendrils of warmth to his heart.

"Are you sure you want to do this with me?" he asks, softly, his face pale, "I don't think we will be in great danger..." but he wouldn't blame the other man for holding him responsible for the disappearance of a certain king and a certain ghost.

Xie Lian, even without his curse, seems to channel bad luck.

[wrotetheworld]

They'd taken such good care of them, hadn't they? So what kind of asshole would he be if he didn't return the favor. Besides, he didn't like seeing his lover so sad.

"Of course," he said, pulling Xie Lian's hood up for him. "I've heard the caves are really pretty, and two sets of hands are better than one, right? Plus I want to gather up some extra to see if I can make ink out of the fluids. It'd be fun to write with glowing ink, wouldn't it?"

As if he could blame him for either. Nor would he.

"And if we finish up in time, I thought maybe we could go skating."

[disgracedprince]

He wouldn't be an asshole at all! Not to Xie Lian. But he doesn't think of himself in the same way he thinks of others. He can suffer and will do so quietly; others, on the other hand, need to be protected and soothed until their pain lessens.

However he might be learning a thing or two. Qinghua's plan for his ink makes the warmth in his chest grow. He gathers the other man into his arms and embraces him tightly.

"Let's gather as much ink as you like." he murmurs against Qinghua's soft hair, "Then we can go skating. I'm sure I'll make a spectacle out of myself." he kisses the side of Qinghua's head, not in the least worried about embarrassing himself. How else will he learn?

[wrotetheworld]

Clearly, the pair of them both had the same self worth issues.

Shang Qinghua didn't expect the hug, but he leaned into it almost immediately, soaking the embrace in like he always did.

"I'll help keep you steady on the ice, don't worry," Shang Qinghua said, giving him a smile, cheeks warm. "I like to think that I've gotten pretty good at it."

[disgracedprince]

Lack of self worth issues, yes. Which is why Xie Lian doesn't take any of his friends (and lovers) for granted. He fusses over Qinghua's clothes, pulling up his hood too.

"I'm depending on you." for so much. He bumps their foreheads together and chuckles weakly.

"I need to see your skill. I've spent more time in deserts than on the ice." he glances over to make sure their animal friends have food, water and access to the outdoors. Since they are Pokemon, they have the intelligence to come and go as they please.