Soulmate AU in which a painless mark appears on someone’s skin every time their soulmate gets an injury that should have turned into a scar.
Xue Yang’s skin is flawless. He never had to pay the price for someone else's mistake, was never forced to bear the burden of a stranger’s weakness. Xue Yang feels invincible; he is free, utterly convinced that he does not have a soulmate at all. (who could possibly go through life without ever getting hurt?)
During their years together in Yi City, Xue Yang eventually sees that Xiao Xingchen’s body is littered with soulmarks. He almost starts to pity Xiao Xingchen for being tied to Song Lan.
Xue Yang’s irritation grows the longer he stands as the sole witness to each of those (“harmless”, “long-forgotten”) markings on Xiao Xingchen. How unfair. Xue Yang is quick to embrace his resentment, the only feeling that remains familiar now. It still burns warmly in his chest, alight with clarity.
Xue Yang has never felt more triumphant, more accomplished than the moment Shanghua pierces through Song Lan. The last mark that will ever appear on XXC! And all thanks to Xue Yang! This one can finally be his.
Much too late, XY finds out that he has always been dreadfully wrong. After replacing the bloodied ribbon over XXC’s eyes. While changing XXC’s blood-stained robes.
XY was averting his gaze to ignore a darkening flaw over XXC’s heart, so his eyes stray instead to the fresher mark resting on XXC’s belly. He can’t stop staring at the proof of his gravest error.
Days later, XY dares to look in a mirror. He claws at the first and only blemish on his skin, running across his throat.