"Why are you being so nice to me after everything I've done?" He Xuan asks, confused and slightly dazed because he's been nothing but terrible to Shi Qingxuan. He doesn't deserve this kindness.
"Because I love you." She tells him, and the words are easy to say. Natural.
"Why?"
She looks at him, her smile a little sad, maybe a little wistful, like she's thinking of a far gone memory. "I just do." They tell him, "you're my best friend."
He Xuan just stares, blinking and unable to understand. He doesn't understand. He can't. But he loves them too.
It's almost funny how messy and fucked up their past together is, almost funny how after everything they can still love each other. He Xuan doesn't think he ever stopped loving him, he doesn't know when he started either, but he definitely knows he never stopped. After everything with Shi Wudu was over with, after he brought Shi Qingxuan to the imperial capital and left him alone there, returning to his own domain by his lonesome, he was crushed by the oppressiveness of feeling utterly alone for the first time in so long. At the time, he had thought he was mad at them, thought that Qingxuan deserved his ire too. She didn't. And he wasn't.
He wasn't ever mad at them, not really. He was frustrated, yes, but he was never mad. His anger was for Shi Wudu only and that matter was already dealt with. But the crushing weight of feeling so alone for the first time in so long was not something he had prepared for. He had not prepared to look over his shoulder, expecting to see a smiling face but instead be greeted by nothing. He had not expected to feel disappointed. He brought this on himself. He knew that. But now, Qingxuan was back, in his life every once in a while, often accompanied by Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, and she was never anything but kind to him. She would tease him the same as she used to, yes, but it was never mean.
And, as they sat on the ground together, one now mortal, one still a ghost, both centuries old, her hand found his and he wanted to weep. In sorrow. In joy. In confusion. In love.
"You should hate me." He says instead. Qingxuan laughs and it sounds so beautiful.
"I probably should," they agree with him easily, leaning their weight into his side, head resting on his shoulder and sighing contentedly. "But I don't. I tried to for a while, but I could never bring myself to do it."
"Fool," he scoffs, but he leans into the offered affection.
It's comfortable like this. It's nice. He Xuan doesn't want it to end.
"His Highness asked if I wanted to be appointed again," she says after a moment, and He Xuan startles, unsure where the conversation is going, of what Qingxuan's answer might have been. "I would be the only one in his palace," they continue, and He Xuan can't help but notice that his voice is a little strained.
"What did you tell him?" He asks, breathless, though he doesn't know why.
"I said I'd think about it." They'd think about it? What did that mean? Did he not want to return? Qingxuan had loved being the Wind Master, why did he not sound that eager to return to the upper court?
"It's not like it was before," he tells her, "Jun Wu is gone, no one would say anything bad about you coming back." Was that what he's worried for?
"I know that," he answers easily, shaking his head, "I wanted to ask you before I made a decision." This confuses him. Qingxuan doesn't need his permission to do anything, why must he ask his approval?
"Why?" He asks, shrugging them off his shoulder to look at them properly. Qingxuan pouts but stops leaning against them.
"It was me going to the heavens that ruined your life in the first place. I won't do it if it'll upset you. I don't want to bring you more sorrow than I already have." It was a sweet sentiment. He Xuan didn't care for it.
"What you choose to do is not my decision to make." He tells her seriously. "If you wish to return to the heavens, then that is your decision."
"But, I don't want to offend you, He Xuan," she sounds acutely distressed, like this is something she's been fretting over a while.
"You won't." He assures her, because it's true, because he wants her to do the things that are going to make her happy, because he loves her.
I am here today to present to you my Qianxiu propaganda (Lang Qianqiu & Pei Xiu)
Alternatively: Yong’an solidarity— a prince who had everything taken from him and a soldier fallen from grace. Lang Qianqiu’s reputation as a bright and noble god in Pei Xiu’s eyes is in conflict with the version of Lang Qianqiu traveling the mortal realm and lightly veiling personal revenge with the label of justice. What happened to the god of the East?
Pei Xiu, currently facing heavenly exile in the mortal realm, has already destroyed the lair of the one person Lang Qianqiu is desperately seeking revenge against. It’s not a stretch to imagine the two of them bumping into each other on their respective journeys.
Time for a hypothetical exposition lol
Imagine young mortal Pei Xiu, growing up in the Yong'an outskirts and hearing passing tales of the kingdom's former glory. The elders telling of the legendary prince who ascended to godhood after slaying his former teacher and restoring peace to his people; how the people know him now as their beloved and benevolent protector: His Highness Tai Hua.
Now consider Pei Xiu's surprise after a turbulent and traumatic ascension, the issues and consequences of his actions still close on his heels. The God of the North has seen greatness in him and while he's effectively made a new name for himself, it's not been achieved in a way he wanted. He's ashamed but he resolves to handle what remains of his bloody ascension quietly-- not wanting to tarnish his new General's reputation.
Time passes and Pei Xiu grows accustomed to his new position in the Middle Court, handling several tasks on behalf of Ming Guang Palace while quietly managing the situation within the Half Moon Kingdom. He is efficient and calm under pressure. His General often calls on him to handle affairs among the High Court.
It was only a matter of time before he was tasked with handling business directly with Tai Hua Palace.
They say you should never meet your heroes but if that's the case then Lang Qianqiu is the exception. He's bright and straightforward and far more sincere than other gods of his caliber. Most think him naive; Pei Xiu thinks the High Court could benefit from being more like him. Himself included.
In the passing of time and the expense of Ming Guang's pristine reputation, Pei Xiu finds himself mortal and-- one again-- in exile. Imagine his surprise at a chance encounter with the god of the East while on his new path. He doesn't know what brings Lang Qianqiu to the mortal realm, but it's likely to do with the sudden shift in the prince's demeanor. There's a darkness in his eyes that Pei Xiu recognizes in those who haunt his past; who has stooped so low as to be the object of Tai Hua's revenge?
And now-- some ship vibes to chew on:
In short: I think these two would compliment each other stupidly well and as a result they have an entire cinematic universe in my brain.
Ok we’re gonna say now that the “alt” is for shitposting and every thought I could ever have at any given moment and then the actual account will just be art
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