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Tiny limbs thrashed about as a dark shadow loomed above, blanketing everything in it's void. The young girl watched from the side, wailing soundlessly as two figures, one in red, and one in white, were taken over by that formless creature. Soon, there was no one but her. She stood alone as her breath hitched around a violent sob that tore it's way through her throat. Whispers poisoned her mind. Some spoke of how her parents would never come back. Some told her that now, she was alone. Alone, in this depth less void.
Hua Nian bolted upright, cheeks practically flooded with her tears. Her whole body felt incredibly hot and cold at the same time as her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. It was too dark. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she threw the blankets aside, willing her small limbs to stop shaking enough so that she could walk.
She placed both palms on the walls for support as she shuffled herself along, stumbling several times on her own sleeping robes along the way. Clumsily, she continued in this manner through two hallways. As she reached the door, a sense of relief briefly washed over her before she remembered her dream from previously. Hurriedly, she pushed that door open, praying silently that her parents would be there, unharmed, untouched by that monstrous creature.
"A-Nian?" Xie Lian questioned gently while rubbing his eyes. He had been roused the moment the door to their bedroom had creaked open, he'd become increasingly used to waking easily since he and his husband had become parents. To his right, he felt Hua cheng stirring and sitting up as well, leaning his head on the god's shoulder as he eyed the doorway.
"A-die!" Their daughter came running to them, jumping onto the bed before tightly wrapping her arms around Xie Lian's waist. He realised with increasing worry that her limbs were trembling, and he knew his husband did as well with the way the other perked up, narrowing his eye.
"What happened?" Hua Cheng asked, gently yet firmly. Xie Lian patted soothing circles into Hua Nian's back as he felt a wet patch form on his shoulder.
"I had a bad dream." Hua Nian whispered as she burrowed further into her father's chest, her inky hair spilling over her shoulders.
Xie Lian's eyes softened in understanding, while Hua Cheng murderous intent dissipated. The latter began to thread his fingers through his daughter's hair. Thankfully, although most of her features and behaviour took after the ghost king, she had inherited Xie Lian's neat, silky hair (as well as both of his golden, doe eyes).
"Would you like to stay here for tonight, A-Nian?" The god asked quietly, though he was pretty much certain of the answer.
Sure enough, their daughter nodded eagerly, wiping at her tear soaked cheeks with her sleeves.
Hua Cheng picked his daughter up to place her between the two of them, but she refused to budge from her position on top of Xie Lian, acting as clingy to her father as ever (this was also a trait she inherited from Hua Cheng, it seemed).
Hua Cheng huffed, resigning himself to instead releasing a few wraith butterflies, which began tickling the four year old.
"Baba!" Hua Nian squealed at the onslaught, giggling as she tried to dodge the nimble creatures. Xie Lian chuckled as well at the playful sight, warmth filling his chest as he looked at the two beings he loved the most in this world.
It wasn't long before exhaustion caught up to the child though, giggles turning into yawns as she blearily rubbed her eyes.
Hua Cheng's voice was full of amusement as he rubbed his daughter's hair, "looks like our little devil is finally tired."
"Mmn," Hua Nian mumbled in a vague sound of agreement. "Don't leave though."
Xie Lian placed a kiss in her hair, "of course we won't leave, sweetheart."
"Promise?" Hua Nian pleaded, blinking open her sleepy eyes. "A-die and Baba can never leave A-Nian!"
Xie Lian looked somewhat hesitant at the words, anxiety filling his eyes that turned into surprise as Hua Cheng spoke in his place.
"Promise. We won't ever leave you alone." The ghost's voice was as sincere as ever, causing the young girl to immediately relax and succumb to her fatigue. Her breathing gradually slowed as she fully fell into slumber.
Xie Lian sighed slightly after a while, worry creasing his features as he gazed at his husband.
"What's wrong, beloved?" The other asked gently, threading his fingers through the god's, though he was careful not to rouse the child between them.
"San Lang," Xie Lian began, hesitance creeping into his tone. "Do you really think we can make such promises to her?"
His question was one of desperation. Of regret, and anxiety. It was a question made by one who had seen the fall and rise of countless nations, including his own.
Hua Cheng hummed, considering the query which was in all honesty, more of a desperate plea.
"Gege, let me ask you this. Do you intend on leaving our daughter?"
Surprise flickered across Xie Lian's face as he immediately rushed to reply, "of course not!"
His voice was deliberately quiet, coming out as a panicked whisper.
Hua Cheng smiled as he cupped his god's cheek, "then I believe that it is a promise we can make. Both of us are aware that we would never purposefully leave if it within our power to stay. What matters most are our intentions and true feelings."
Hua Cheng paused, before continuing in a voice just as gentle, if a little more firm.
"Dianxia is noble and gracious, both his feelings and intentions have only ever been in the interest of those around him who he cares about. Even if they may not deserve it."
The last part was said very quietly, sounding more like a nagging wife rather than an actual complaint.
"San Lang," Xie Lian huffed in exasperation at the exaggerated praise, before sighing once more. "I just… worry. You know that my bad luck hasn't fully faded yet, and everything now just seems too good to be true."
"I think I can understand how gege feels. I felt the same way after finding you again, and as we built our life together." Hua Cheng paused then as if in consideration, or perhaps to let the weight of his words sink in. "But I also know that I would do everything in my power to keep it this way. I would gladly give up one thousand lifetimes just to ensure you two would be safe."
Xie Lian smiled sadly, but didn't refute the claim. He was sure he would have in the early years of their marriage. When the wound of Hua Cheng disappearing was still too raw and open. But over the time, he realised that arguing against those words would be much too hypocritical, for he, too, would endure the sufferings of eight hundred years all over again to ensure the ones he cared about would be safe.
"Me too." Was all he chose to say in response. Content to just bask in this peace. It was the least of what the both of them deserved, after all those hardships and struggles.
The silence was soon broken by a soft snore, causing both god and ghost to look at the young girl while chuckling.
"Trust our little devil to ruin the moment," Hua Cheng teased fondly, so much open love in his expression that Xie Lian couldn't help but truly believe that he was allowed to have this.