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The wind gently rustles the leaves, picking up small leaves and sending them into flight, spinning them in a dance, pleasantly blowing coolness on his face, fluttering his loose hair. The sun gradually disappears behind the mountains, coloring the sky in bright colors and throwing red rays on the ground.
Xie Lian is leisurely strolling through the glade, coming closer to the edge of the cliff and looking down without fear into the valley below, where a small narrow river flows, the hills are decorated with colorful flowers, and birds are happily chirping in the trees. This place is securely sheltered by mountains and rocks on all sides, away from the prying eyes of people, who do not feed bread, let only leave their mark everywhere, disturb the peace of the forest and nature. Xie Lian is glad that in all the time he has lived, no man has yet reached this place and desecrated the land. He will protect this place with all his might, only to preserve its peace and pristine beauty.
The grass softly tickles his bare feet, and the man turns around, about to leave, but stops, smiling happily as a sharp gust of wind flutters his hair and the long billows of his robes, and he hears the flapping of huge wings behind him.
He hears a noisy breath and the touch of massive paws on the ground and turns, raising his hands and asking to come closer, as he has done so many times before. The dragon immediately tilts its burgundy scaled head, leaning against the palms set up and letting Xie Lian stroke himself, hearing his light laughter. The man moves closer, running his hands over dragon's head, stroking his horns and moving to his neck, smiling as the dragon turns his head, nuzzling against his side.
- Did you miss me? - Xie Lian asks playfully, sitting down on the grass next to the massive body and leaning against it.
Very much, – Hua Cheng replies in complete seriousness, and his serpentine eyes are staring at the man, which smiles warmly and blushes slightly at his words.
- It's only been a couple of days since we've seen each other,– Xie Lian says a little reproachfully, though he himself actually feels the same way. After centuries alone, other people's company has become a necessity, a breath of fresh air, and he can no longer imagine life without daily interaction with Hua Cheng.
And what. That's a lot, – the dragon stubbornly snorts, shaking his head and leaning against man's palms, which immediately begin stroking the shiny scales.
- Okay, okay, – Xie Lian smiles, enjoying the moments of peace and tranquility, feeling the warmth of another's body and the beating of his heart. He runs his hand over his strong back, fingertips touching the old, now healed, scars that are invisible even if you don't look closely. His mind flashes back to the day he found the dragon, wounded and exhausted, being chased by humans. He vividly remembers how he rushed off in pursuit, not hesitating for a second, thinking only of finding it before the humans did.
The rain that day rained all day and all night, never stopping for a minute, covering the sky with clouds and blocking out the sunlight. Heavy drops drummed on the leaves, playing catch-up to see which one would reach the ground first, and which would remain frozen at the tip of a leaf. The grass and flowers bent under the weight of the water, and the wind whirled the drops, changing direction now and again, now quiet, now rising again.
His bare feet slowly stepped on the wet grass, enjoying its coolness and softness, and the umbrella in his hands protected him from the pouring rain. Xie Lian strolled leisurely along the edge of the forest not far from his home, reaching the cliff and looking out over the valley below it and the mountains so far away that they rise above the ground with black peaks, lost in the thunderclouds. Xie Lian smiles at the corners of his lips and covers his eyes as the wind splashes drops at him, pulling back his umbrella a little and tilting his head, exposing his face to the cool rain.
Thunder rumbles somewhere in the distance, and a flash of lightning illuminates a huge dark silhouette among the clouds, and Xie Lian squints his eyes in an attempt to make it out. The creature whirls over the forest as if trying to escape from something, soars into the air and suddenly plummets into a free fall, falling exhaustedly onto the tall pines and spruces, hiding in the woods.
The umbrella falls to the ground and the cold rain touches his hair and clothes, immediately making them heavier, but Xie Lian ignores this, stepping quickly across the grass and switching to a run, stepping into the air right off the cliff and running, stepping on the drops high above the ground and crossing the seemingly so large valley. A few minutes pass before his feet touch the ground again, and Xie Lian runs into the woods, looping between the trees and hoping not to lose his way amid such monotonous scenery. He crosses a small lake, barely touching the water with his toes, leaving little ripples on it, and lost among the trees again, never stopping for a moment.
By the time Xie Lian reaches the right place, it is past midnight, and very soon it will be dawn. Xie Lian halts abruptly in the middle of the forest, looking at the fallen trees and the long silhouette of a dragon lying on them, his body riddled with scratches from sharp twigs and what appears to be some kind of human-made weapon.
Xie Lian frowns as he descends into the resulting funnel and approaches the unconscious animal, gently touching the dark crimson scales and damaged wing. He snaps his fingers, and an invisible barrier appears above them, covering them from the cold rain and giving them a little warmth, hiding those inside from outsiders.
- Why are they doing this to you? - Xie Lian says sadly, leaning his palm against the damaged areas. Magic flickered beneath his fingers, shimmering with golden flashes, healing open wounds and relieving pain. It will have to wait a little while for it to heal, but Xie Lian speeds up the process, wanting to ease the creature's suffering.
He strokes the dragon's head, touching his strong, curling horns with his fingers. In his long life, Xie Lian has only seen dragons a couple of times, but never so close. There are incredibly few of them on earth, and they are good at hiding from people who want to "do the deed" and defeat a dangerous dragon. Xie Liang, basically incapable of negative emotions, feels annoyed whenever they kill animals for entertainment or fame. And he does not want to put this dragon in the hands of ignorant and cruel people.
At some moment, fatigue after a long run makes itself felt, and the soft warmth inside the dome lulls, and Xie Lian sits down on the dried grass, leaning back against the strong torso, covering his eyes and immediately falling back into sleep.
***
The sun rises above the horizon, casting its first timid rays on the earth, hungry for warmth after a long rain and sullen dark clouds. The forest gradually comes to life, the light chirping of birds is heard, animals come out of their burrows to bask in the sunlight. Nightingales fly up into the higher branches, gazing with interest at the fallen trees and the motionless dragon, hesitating to fly closer and simply watching.
At some point, the creature moves, turning his head slightly and startling the birds frozen on the branches, which fly away at the imagined danger. The dragon opens his eyes, immediately narrowing his pupils and gazing warily at the sleeping man beside him. A low growl escapes his throat, and the creature tenses his whole body, vaguely aware of the blunt pain at the point of hit, but it is of no concern to him now. Xie Lian wakes up from the his movements, sitting up straight and rubbing his eyes. He is immediately confronted with the gaze of large snake eyes, which stare at him steadfastly, waiting.
Xie Lian sits down on his knees beside him, trying to do everything slowly so as not to frighten or provoke the dragon, maintaining eye contact with it. The creature growls again, louder, opening his mouth with a dozen razor-sharp teeth, and the man holds up his hands in a conciliatory gesture.
- Don't be afraid, please, I won't hurt you, – Xie Lian begins softly, not risking to come any closer, – I have healed your wounds and hidden you from humans.
Who are you?!
A formidable low voice echoes in Xie Lian's head, and he opens his eyes in surprise.
- You can talk! Don't worry, I won't hurt you. My name is Xie Liang, what is yours?
The dragon freezes warily, noisily drawing in air and keeping his eyes on Xie Lian.
You know my language.
- Yes, a little bit, – Xie Lian nods in agreement.
And you are not human.
The man smiles.
- That's right. That's why I won't touch you. Trust me.
His voice has a magical effect, and the animal feels it, relaxing his muscles and allowing Xie Lian to come closer. The man smiles, nodding appreciatively and still cautiously approaching him, touching the scales with his fingers. In the sunlight it casts a beautiful red, and Xie Lian cannot resist the urge to stroke it a little. The dragon flinches at the touch, but does nothing, looking at Xie Lian expectantly. He feels no danger from this creature, whoever he may be, but he doesn't let his guard down in case there's a catch. Xie Lian checks his wounds, gently touching them with his magic, relieving itching and pain, sending waves of warmth through his body.
- Your wounds are healing quickly, I think you'll be fully healed by tomorrow morning, – Xie Lian concludes, looking the dragon in the eyes.
I cannot wait here. People will find me.
- They won't, I promise you.
As soon as he says this, loud voices erupt from deep in the forest, arguing about something, getting closer and closer. The dragon tenses once more, propping himself up on his paws and preparing to attack, when Xie Lian throws his arm out in front of him, perfectly calm.
- You don't have to. Just don't make a sound. They won't see us.
The creature tilts his head incredulously, shifting his gaze from the forest to Xie Lian and back again, finally listening to the request and exhaling quietly, frozen in place. The voices grow louder, and Xie Lian sees a group of men with hunting rifles and crossbows, and two of them are carrying some sort of device, the purpose of which the man vaguely guesses as he looks at the dragon's healing wounds. He steps back a little, standing beside him and leaning his palm against the dragon's neck in a mute plea to trust and wait.
Surprisingly, the men do pass by, literally a couple of meters from the dragon's tail, not noticing him or Xie Lian at all, and hide in the forest floor. The man relaxes only when their voices fade into the distance, and turns to the dragon, raising his head and smiling.
- I told you they wouldn't find you.
Dragon's gaze softens, his pupils becomes a little wider, and the dragon himself gradually relaxes, sinking to the ground.
Hua Cheng. That's my name.
Xie Lian smiles broadly, squinting his eyes slightly and feeling an inexplicable joy at being trusted. He moves closer and gently touches the scales on the dragon's head, stroking lightly and enjoying these moments of calm.
- Such a beautiful name, – Xie Lian says quite sincerely, – do you mind if I stay with you until you heal?
You saved me, so I don't mind, – he pauses, as if doubting whether to say what he thinks, – you're a good man.
Xie Lian laughs, covering his mouth with his palm and tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. His hair got pretty disheveled during the night run, and he didn't have time to tidy it up after he woke up.
- You're good too, Hua Cheng.
The dragon freezes, not responding, as Xie Lian sits down beside him, leaning lightly against him and smiling when Hua Cheng doesn't mind. He pulls out a small carved comb decorated with dried flowers and begins methodically combing his long blond hair.
I can't remember the last time I was called by my name, – the dragon suddenly speaks, and Xie Lian thinks it sounds a little bit bitter.
- Are you lonely? - he asks, trying to keep his eyes on his own hair, afraid that he might see more emotion in dragon's eyes than Hua Cheng is willing to show.
You, too.
The hand with the comb falters, and Xie Lian hesitates to look up already because of his own feelings. Unlike him, Hua Cheng does not ask-just states it, as if he felt he would be right. The man exhales, covering his eyes, and smiles sadly.
- Then we could, – Xie Lian begins hesitantly, not knowing how to choose the right words. It's been too long since he's spoken to anyone. – You could fly to where I live. And I would call your name more often. We...wouldn't be alone anymore.
He looks up after all, timidly looking out from under his lashes into the big snake eyes that stare intently at him.
Where do you live?
Xie Lian turns his head, pointing his finger somewhere toward the edge of the forest on the opposite side from the mountains.
- Beyond the forest on the other side of the valley.
The dragon perks up a little, looking at the man in surprise.
It's very far away. Did you notice me from that distance? - Hua Cheng asks disbelievingly.
- I have good eyesight, – Xie Lian grins as he finishes brushing his hair and braiding two thin braids that he pins at the back of his head with a small pin.
For a man, it's half a day's journey.
- A run can take a couple of hours, – Xie Lian corrects him, not really understanding what Hua Cheng is getting at. The dragon is silent for a few moments, as if pondering his answer.
Why? Did you run so far in the rain because you noticed me?
- You answered your own question, Hua Cheng, – his name rolls off his tongue easily, and the dragon's reaction cannot hide from Xie Lian, creature seems to perk up a little when he hears his name from the man's mouth. - I noticed you. I wouldn't have come if I hadn't seen you fall. I thought something was wrong and I wanted to help. I was afraid people would find you.
Thank you.
Xie Lian's heart skips a beat when he hears the dragon's voice full of gratitude.
I probably would have died if it weren't for you.
- I'm glad you're okay now, – Xie Lian replies sincerely, briefly stroking his back.
Hua Cheng rests his head on the grass, shielding his eyes and watching from under his lowered eyelids as Xie Liang moves his fingers through the flowers, picking them from the ground or simply creating them from nothing right in his palm, weaving the stems together, making a neat wreath. Watching him work monotonously is relaxing, and Hua Cheng almost closes his eyes when a gentle, melodious voice touches his ear.
Ah, in the old days.
The earth and the heavens were conjuring,
Marvelous marvels would be seen back then,
Wonderful wonders would come true by themselves..
The dragon looks at Xie Lian with interest, not daring to move so as not to dislodge the man. He sings a song in an ancient language that Hua Cheng thought everyone had already forgotten, but this man still remembers it. It makes him wonder how old Xie Lian really is.
A winged wyrm would often hide in a lonely garden
Often hid in the midnight of May.
Only girls to see the moon
Went out with a stately gait, -
He would grab one swiftly
And soared, and sought back.
The melodious voice breaks the silence of the forest, attracting the attention not only of Hua Cheng, but also of the local inhabitants: the birds are quietly chattering, talking about something and flying closer, no longer afraid of the big dragon, because if this man is sitting next to him, then - can, so it is not dangerous.
Xie Liang sings a song about love, cruel and sad, about envy and grief, about courage and loyalty, and it seems to Hua Cheng that he has never heard anything more beautiful. Around the man, magic sparkles, warm gold flashes like fireflies, and envelops the field, bringing peace and tranquility.
I have never met anywhere
Such beauties, swans,
With such milky whiteness,
Neither in an overseas country, nor in an eastern one...
Xie Lian finishes the wreath, lightly touching the flowers with his fingers and enjoying the softness of the petals. He puts it on, fixing his hair, and leans back, throwing his head back. Xie Lian pauses between verses, blowing the remaining wildflower buds from his palm, which soar into the air, whirling in a little dance and sparkling in the sunlight.
The song ends and Xie Lian's voice fades, greeted by the chirping of the birds. The glade falls into silence, broken only by the joyful birds circling around, and Xie Lian smiles as he lets the tit sit on his hand, gently stroking the soft feathers on its back with his finger.
Your voice is very beautiful.
Hua Cheng says it a little later, as if he had been afraid of ruining the moment all along.
- Thank you, Hua Cheng, – Xie Lian replies cheerfully, smiling at the dragon, – I haven't sung to anyone in a long time.
Only the song is sad.
This phrase causes Xie Lian to rise, looking into dragon's eyes in surprise.
- Do you...do you know this language? It's very old indeed.
I do. I have been living for a long time.
- I'm surprised anyone still knows it, – Xie Lian's voice slips a sad note, and he smiles briefly, looking somewhere in the distance.
Animals remember almost all the languages that humans forget, – Hua Cheng says, and it seems to the man that the dragon has really lived a long time. Xie Lian sees him for the first time as an ancient creature like himself.
Xie Lian answers nothing, leaning sideways on the dragon and absently stroking the red scales, smiling as a slightly timid voice echoes in his head.
Will you sing something else?
The day is drawing toward sunset, the sun lost among the hundreds of trees, casting red rays on the ground that loop between the branches, creating whimsical shadows. Xie Lian soon falls asleep beside the dragon, lulled by the warmth of his body, and smiles slightly through sleep as his wing covers him from the rising wind.
***
The scales glisten in the setting sun as Xie Lian runs his hand over it. Hua Cheng sets himself up under his touch, shielding his eyes and laying his head next to man's legs, touching his nose to his thigh. Xie Lian adores sitting with him like this, madly appreciating every tiny act of trust from the dragon, and his heart rejoices at the mere thought of how Hua Cheng feels about him. He understands his emotions without words, he hears them every time Hua Cheng is not even aware of it.
But it is even nicer to realize that this trust in him arose almost immediately, the day they met and later, when Hua Cheng decided to take Xie Liang home. It is unlikely that the man will ever forget that first flight. He had traveled around many lands, seen familiar landscapes change, some places he would no longer recognize as the years passed, but what it was like to see everything from a bird's eye view.
Xie Lian clung tightly to the massive horns, clinging to his strong body as the dragon soared skyward, leaving the forests and fields behind and the mountains hidden behind misty clouds. Hua Cheng changed direction slightly, wanting to show Xie Lian more, and swept toward the sea, diving off the cliff and spreading his wings sharply just over the water. Xie Lian gasped in surprise as he looked at his own reflection in the water surface, shifting his gaze to Hua Cheng, and for a moment he thought the dragon was smiling.
Hua Cheng loops among the coastal rocks, flying under a small archway, and flaps his wings harder, rising higher directly into the clouds, spreading his wings and gliding gently, letting the wind guide him. Xie Lian straightens up, his heart still pounding frantically after his flight, but not from fear - but from inexpressible admiration and pure joy. He stretches out his hand, touching the soft clouds that disperse in a haze and settle on his fingers in a pleasant coolness. The scenery before his eyes takes his breath away, and Xie Lian never imagined that he would ever see something like this. It becomes a little jealous that Hua Cheng sees it every day, but Xie Lian is not going to be so foolishly offended by it. He leans against dragon's neck, covering his eyes.
- Hua Cheng, it's amazing, – Xie Lian utters quite sincerely. - You are amazing, – he whispers secretly in his ear, having no idea what storm of emotion the dragon's heart is stirring.
A strange sound, remotely resembling a purr, erupts from the dragon's throat, and Xie Lian laughs, stroking the creature on the back. They fly for a while longer, then Hua Cheng brings Xie Lian home, landing on the edge of the ledge from which the man spotted the wounded dragon just over twenty-four hours ago.
- Thank you, – Xie Lian says as he comes down to the ground, – that was incredible, and I would be very glad if you would come again sometime.
Did you enjoy it?
- Of course I did! - The man smiles, and the dragon snorts, covering his eyes in satisfaction.
About what you said...I can fly in a couple of days, – Hua Cheng says it as if he's a little unsure, but really he's eager to socialize. He doesn't want to leave this man. Whether it's Xie Lian's magic that works on him or his good heart, but Hua Cheng feels absolutely no danger around him. On the contrary, the feeling is the exact opposite of danger. Tranquility. Peacefulness. Caring. Hua Cheng feels all of this. He understands why the Forest loves Xie Liang so much - it is his home, he himself - a part of it - the safest place for everyone. For Hua Cheng. And he wants to enjoy the warmth of his gaze a little more.
- Fine, I'll wait, – Xie Lian says cheerfully, rolling from heel to toe, and the dragon finds it sweet. He nods briefly, spreading his wings and soaring into the air, and flies off into the distance, toward the mountains, while Xie Lian follows him with a glance.
Hua Cheng kept his promise and flew back a few days later, and then some more. Sometimes they just rested together, Xie Liang singing to him and telling him myths and legends he had heard long ago, and Hua Cheng supplementing his stories or telling his own, surprising the man with his knowledge. He told many things that Xie Liang did not know, and vice versa, so they never got tired of sharing anything with each other. Sometimes Hua Cheng would ride him on his back, taking him to faraway lands and showing him more and more scenery, receiving in return, time after time, enthusiastic cheers and a broad smile that he so enjoyed watching.
Xie Lian smiles very often, even now, humming something casually in a whisper. He traces patterns on his scales that only he knows, sending small discharges of magic across another's body that reverberate warmly under his skin, penetrating to his heart. Xie Liang seems to have no idea how it affects Hua Cheng, and how his every kind gesture echoes in the dragon's soul.
"I don't want it to end."
"I like it here. With him."
Xie Lian smiles slightly, not letting on that he hears everything perfectly. It's not Hua Cheng's thoughts – his feelings, it's in his heart, and Xie Lian is a little embarrassed to hear something so intimate, but it is what leads him to one thought.
"Why was I born something like this?"
The man faintly shudders at the longing that pervades this phrase, at the hopelessness in his voice, and so he decides. If Hua Cheng doesn't like it, he will put things back the way they were. Xie Liang stands up, approaching the dragon and puzzling him a little with his behavior.
- Hua Cheng, I want to do something. Will you let me do it?
The dragon watches interestedly as Xie Lian touches the palm of his hand to his chest just above his heart, wincing in anticipation of permission.
Do as you see fit.
Xie Lian smiles slightly, covering his eyes and letting the magic flow through his veins, releasing under his fingers and touching his scales. Golden flashes are reflected in the serpent's eyes, casting glares across Xie Lian's handsome face, and the dragon squirms, shaking his head and exhaling heavily. He feels an incomprehensible heaviness throughout his body and a slight dizziness, but he doesn't stop Xie Lian, confident that he won't be harmed. A golden glow envelops the glade, and for a few seconds the man sees nothing at all when the scales under his hands are replaced by the soft silk of a red mantle, and man's warm palms rest on his waist.
Xie Lian raises his head, facing the surprised look in his black eyes, and he can't help but notice how handsome Hua Cheng turned out to be. He has dark long hair, slightly unruly and curly at the ends, sharp cheekbones, and thin lips. He is taller and larger than Xie Liang, and the man likes that. He has pale, almost porcelain skin, what people seem to call "aristocratic pallor." It suits Hua Cheng, even very much so, and Xie Lian can't hold back a smile. He is so happy to see him.
- You... – Hua Cheng's voice is a little hoarse from being unused, and he clears his throat, – why did you do that?
He has a beautiful low voice and a velvet timbre, and it sounds even better live than when Xie Lian heard it in his head. He smiles warmly, lifting his arms and wrapping his arms around Hua Cheng's neck, clutching his palms at the back of his head.
- I heard you. I know how you feel about me, – Hua Cheng flinches, caught red-handed, but doesn't look away, frozen in anticipation. Xie Lian puts his palm on his cheek, stroking the cool skin with his thumb and biting his lip in an attempt to hold back a smile as the man unknowingly reaches for that touch. - I think I'm in love with you, too.
He whispers intimately, quietly so that only Hua Cheng can hear, even though there is no one around them anyway. The man exhales noisily, looking at Xie Lian disbelievingly, forgetting the words and not knowing at all what to say in response. Instead, he leans in slightly, squeezing Xie Lian in his arms and nuzzling his neck, inhaling the sweet smell of flowers. After Hua Cheng understood the nature of his feelings, he couldn't imagine ever getting the chance to touch Xie Liang, to hug him, and not just be content with the man spending time with him and falling asleep next to him. And even more, he had no idea that his feelings would ever be known, that they would ever be responded to. His heart beats frantically in his chest as Xie Lian hugs him back, tiptoeing in (insanely cute, in fact) – because it means that Hua Cheng is dear to him, too, so much so that Xie Lian has decided to fulfill a recent dream the dragon has had - to be there, to be just like him.
- Look at me, – Xie Lian says softly, and the man straightens up, looking into his beloved's eyes, in which the sunlight leaves its glare.
Xie Lian smiles, tucking a black strand behind Hua Cheng's ear, and tips himself up on his toes, pressing briefly against the man's lips. Hua Cheng freezes, and a light blush touches his cheeks as he leans closer, repeating the kiss, gently crushing the other man's lips. Xie Lian wraps his arms around his neck, feeling the grip on his waist intensify, and he himself is pressed closer and hugged harder, so nice and so warm. Xie Lian smiles into the kiss, burrowing his fingers into his black hair as Hua Cheng kisses him sensually, deeply, and holds him tightly and gently, like the biggest jewel, like the most important dragon treasure.
The kiss is interrupted when they both run out of air, and Hua Cheng pulls away, fascinated by the beautiful face, cheeks streaked with freckles and tinged with blush, long brown hair, in which wildflowers are entangled; those amber living eyes, in which joy and love are splashed, lips stretched in an affectionate smile.
- What are you doing to me...– the man exhales in amazement, pressing his lips to the top of his head and kissing his soft hair.
Xie Lian laughs, blushing harder and hugging Hua Cheng, inhaling the smell of the forest and the fire from his skin. He wants to stand a little longer, to prolong the moment, but they will have plenty more time to be together.
All the time of the world, in fact.
Xie Lian takes Hua Cheng's hand, squeezing his cool palm and intertwining his fingers. He pulls him toward home, and a slight smile appears on the man's lips as he takes the first step toward Xie Lian.
- Let's go home, Hua Cheng.