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Tw: ghosts, character death, distraught JC let's goo >:3
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The ghost came after Lan Huan left.
No, not ghost. Ghosts. They roamed around the house, taunting JC.
They were voices, at first. Soft pitter-pattering footsteps at the corridor outside his bedroom,
Tw: ghosts, character death, distraught JC let's goo >:3
.
.
The ghost came after Lan Huan left.
No, not ghost. Ghosts. They roamed around the house, taunting JC.
They were voices, at first. Soft pitter-pattering footsteps at the corridor outside his bedroom,
clanging pots at the kitchen, flutters of papers. JC convinced himself they were just that--voices of an old house in the middle of the night.
(LH told him that, once upon a time. Old houses like theirs groaned and creaked in the night, shrinking back into their size after all
(LH told him that, once upon a time. Old houses like theirs groaned and creaked in the night, shrinking back into their size after all
day expanding under the sun).
But then came the whispers.
Hushed tones. Low conversations inside the walls, behind th curtains, at the room next door. When JC peeked in, it was always empty.
Of course it was empty.
No one lived here but him.
But then came the whispers.
Hushed tones. Low conversations inside the walls, behind th curtains, at the room next door. When JC peeked in, it was always empty.
Of course it was empty.
No one lived here but him.
JC shivered.
The house had always been so cold, the old woods weren't so dense anymore. There were spaces between the walls where the wind seeped through.
But back then, with LH here, his A-Huan hugging him, the beating of his heart against JC's chest; even the bitterest winter
The house had always been so cold, the old woods weren't so dense anymore. There were spaces between the walls where the wind seeped through.
But back then, with LH here, his A-Huan hugging him, the beating of his heart against JC's chest; even the bitterest winter
was nothing but a passing breeze.
LH was his warm yellow light, his sun, his hearth. Without him, the house frozen inside an eternal frost, and JC's fingers felt icy against his skin.
Even if he set the house on fire, it would never be warm without LH beside him.
LH was his warm yellow light, his sun, his hearth. Without him, the house frozen inside an eternal frost, and JC's fingers felt icy against his skin.
Even if he set the house on fire, it would never be warm without LH beside him.
But the worst thing about the cold were the ghosts. They /thrived/ in it.
Oh how JC hated it, listening to the sound of their bodiless laughter, their muted conversations, the creaks and moans.
Mocking him, taunting him, because while they had companies, JC was all alone.
Oh how JC hated it, listening to the sound of their bodiless laughter, their muted conversations, the creaks and moans.
Mocking him, taunting him, because while they had companies, JC was all alone.
"Stop!" JC screamed to no one, "leave me alone!"
Instead of stopping, the ghosts screamed.
Sometimes, JC screamed back.
Sometimes he hid under the covers and cried, calling for his love, cursing him for leaving, begging him to come back.
LH didnt come back. The ghosts stayed.
Instead of stopping, the ghosts screamed.
Sometimes, JC screamed back.
Sometimes he hid under the covers and cried, calling for his love, cursing him for leaving, begging him to come back.
LH didnt come back. The ghosts stayed.
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The house was small and old, nothing like the residence JC spent his childhood in, but it was as perfect as his and LH's dream.
JC remembered--when they first bought it, half of the roofs had collapsed, and the space underneath the joists had been invested with mice.
.
The house was small and old, nothing like the residence JC spent his childhood in, but it was as perfect as his and LH's dream.
JC remembered--when they first bought it, half of the roofs had collapsed, and the space underneath the joists had been invested with mice.
They renovated it on their own since they've spent most of their savings purchasing it, and by the end of it JC fell sick from exhaustion.
LH sat by his bed, cooking him bone broth soup (they didn't have enough money to buy ribs), and promised that, when JC recovered,
LH sat by his bed, cooking him bone broth soup (they didn't have enough money to buy ribs), and promised that, when JC recovered,
LH would make him a beautiful garden at the barren backyard, with the pond and lotus flowers to remind him of home.
The pond was still there now, but the lotus had long since gone. Without LH, no one took care of them. JC had always been too frail, and the cold outside had
The pond was still there now, but the lotus had long since gone. Without LH, no one took care of them. JC had always been too frail, and the cold outside had
become unbearable.
The ghosts, of course, took advantage of this. As if knowing that JC wouldn't be able to take care of things as pristine as LH, those pesky things started to play tricks on him.
They hid away his things. Small ones, like the bell of his family, his favorite
The ghosts, of course, took advantage of this. As if knowing that JC wouldn't be able to take care of things as pristine as LH, those pesky things started to play tricks on him.
They hid away his things. Small ones, like the bell of his family, his favorite
pen, the postcards. Just enough to irk him.
Then they began to move things around: JC woke up to the living room completely rearranged, and he had to spent an unholy amount of time putting everything back in place because well, he tires easily.
If LH was here, he would throw
Then they began to move things around: JC woke up to the living room completely rearranged, and he had to spent an unholy amount of time putting everything back in place because well, he tires easily.
If LH was here, he would throw
a fuss watching JC pushing the heavy wooden furnitures alone.
"Beloved, please, be mindful of your heart!" He would fret, and carried JC to a chair, and put his feet on the footstool, and brought him tea.
JC would pretend he hated being treated like a porcelain, but in truth
"Beloved, please, be mindful of your heart!" He would fret, and carried JC to a chair, and put his feet on the footstool, and brought him tea.
JC would pretend he hated being treated like a porcelain, but in truth
he loved being pampered, as long as it was LH.
His husband could do nothing wrong. He was perfect, as perfect as JC's dream.
And he left JC alone, in their perfect house, with the ghosts who messed it up as they please.
When JC took a rest, breaths heavy, nobody soothed him.
His husband could do nothing wrong. He was perfect, as perfect as JC's dream.
And he left JC alone, in their perfect house, with the ghosts who messed it up as they please.
When JC took a rest, breaths heavy, nobody soothed him.
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Sometimes, there were apparitions.
Those were the most terrifying ones, something that reminded JC that the ghosts were--well-- /ghosts/, instead of his lonely imaginations.
And JC was helpless to face them.
He didn't know how many ghosts there were, what kind of shape
.
Sometimes, there were apparitions.
Those were the most terrifying ones, something that reminded JC that the ghosts were--well-- /ghosts/, instead of his lonely imaginations.
And JC was helpless to face them.
He didn't know how many ghosts there were, what kind of shape
they took.
He saw dog ghosts, sniffing curiously under the table. He saw cat ghosts chasing imaginary balls.
There were women, always pale and terrified, as if frozen in the horror of their deaths. There were men, who were usually the most violent--they disturbed JC all night,
He saw dog ghosts, sniffing curiously under the table. He saw cat ghosts chasing imaginary balls.
There were women, always pale and terrified, as if frozen in the horror of their deaths. There were men, who were usually the most violent--they disturbed JC all night,
emitting these /unpleasant/ air that made him restless.
But the worst were the children.
When JC glimpsed at them, most of them looked back at him with curiosity, as if they didn't comprehend that the two of them were of different world. Oh the tragedy of life ended too soon.
But the worst were the children.
When JC glimpsed at them, most of them looked back at him with curiosity, as if they didn't comprehend that the two of them were of different world. Oh the tragedy of life ended too soon.
JC prayed for them, for these young souls to find peace. And for the old ones--though they were bothersome and sometimes violent, in the end JC realized that they were merely seeking closure.
Maybe they were attracted to the house because they could feel JC's loneliness.
Maybe they were attracted to the house because they could feel JC's loneliness.
After all, he too haunted the house in his own way, waiting for his beloved.
The difference was that he swore not to leave the house before LH returned.
The ghosts, after awhile, would disappear, replaced by new ones.
JC's house was just a fleeting phase for them, a place to
The difference was that he swore not to leave the house before LH returned.
The ghosts, after awhile, would disappear, replaced by new ones.
JC's house was just a fleeting phase for them, a place to
rest, before they continued on their journey.
JC envied them sometimes.
LH had promised to take him to visit his parents. JC was still waiting, anchored to the promise, like an old boat bobbing on an old, abandoned pier.
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JC envied them sometimes.
LH had promised to take him to visit his parents. JC was still waiting, anchored to the promise, like an old boat bobbing on an old, abandoned pier.
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He dreamed of LH.
They were at the sunroom facing the garden. LH was playing his guqin, JC sat in front of him, dressing in his best robes.
Why was he dressed in his best robes?
Oh, right. He was welcoming his husband home.
"Beloved," LH's voice was soft, like velvet pillow.
They were at the sunroom facing the garden. LH was playing his guqin, JC sat in front of him, dressing in his best robes.
Why was he dressed in his best robes?
Oh, right. He was welcoming his husband home.
"Beloved," LH's voice was soft, like velvet pillow.
"How long have you been waiting for me?"
"Too long, A-Huan," JC scooted closer, putting his small, ivory hands in LH's warm enveloping ones. "Don't ever leave me again. It's so lonely without you, and so cold. And the house became haunted."
LH chuckled. "Haunted, my love?"
"Too long, A-Huan," JC scooted closer, putting his small, ivory hands in LH's warm enveloping ones. "Don't ever leave me again. It's so lonely without you, and so cold. And the house became haunted."
LH chuckled. "Haunted, my love?"
"Yes! There were ghosts, prancing around our home, making noises at night. I can't sleep!" JC whined, leaning into his husband's embrace. "I can never sleep without you."
The wind blew from the open doors to the garden. It was winter, and the garden was barren.
The wind blew from the open doors to the garden. It was winter, and the garden was barren.
JC shivered. LH tightened his hold and JC closed his eyes, safe in his lover's warmth.
"I can't be without you, A-Huan. Don't leave me."
"Ah, Beloved," LH kissed the top of his head. "Why do you love me so much?"
"It's your own fault."
LH chuckled. "It is, isn't it?"
"I can't be without you, A-Huan. Don't leave me."
"Ah, Beloved," LH kissed the top of his head. "Why do you love me so much?"
"It's your own fault."
LH chuckled. "It is, isn't it?"
Then he sighed, but he sounded sad.
JC stiffened. Why was his husband feeling sad?
"But, my beloved. Even the fiercest of love cannot keep us together forever."
"W--what do you mean?"
"We must part, love."
JC circled his arms around LH, keeping him close. "You're leaving?"
JC stiffened. Why was his husband feeling sad?
"But, my beloved. Even the fiercest of love cannot keep us together forever."
"W--what do you mean?"
"We must part, love."
JC circled his arms around LH, keeping him close. "You're leaving?"
"I am."
"Why? What kind of business now? You just got home--ack, forget it! If you go, I'll go with you! No more leaving me behind!"
"You must let me go, love." LH's voice sounded far away. JC clung desperately onto him, keeping as much of him as he could.
"No! How could I?
"Why? What kind of business now? You just got home--ack, forget it! If you go, I'll go with you! No more leaving me behind!"
"You must let me go, love." LH's voice sounded far away. JC clung desperately onto him, keeping as much of him as he could.
"No! How could I?
Why do you leave me, A-Huan? Did I do something wrong? Please, I'll be good! I'll drink my medicine, I will rest, I will do anything!"
"Ah, my love. You've done everything for me, you gave me all I could ask for and more," LH whispered. JC wept, and maybe LH too. "All you need
"Ah, my love. You've done everything for me, you gave me all I could ask for and more," LH whispered. JC wept, and maybe LH too. "All you need
to do now, is letting me go. Please, be at peace."
"How can I be at peace when I'm not with you?" JC sobbed.
LH didn't answer.
"A-Huan?"
JC was alone in the sunroom. It was dark & the doors were closed, the guqin sat silent by the wall.
He prostrated on the floor and wailed.
"How can I be at peace when I'm not with you?" JC sobbed.
LH didn't answer.
"A-Huan?"
JC was alone in the sunroom. It was dark & the doors were closed, the guqin sat silent by the wall.
He prostrated on the floor and wailed.
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Time moved so strangely for JC.
Sometimes he woke up to the sun beam on his eyes from the window. He squeezed his eyes shut to get used to the light, but when he opened them everything was dark.
The days passed & bleed into one infinity. The days slipped through his fingers
.
Time moved so strangely for JC.
Sometimes he woke up to the sun beam on his eyes from the window. He squeezed his eyes shut to get used to the light, but when he opened them everything was dark.
The days passed & bleed into one infinity. The days slipped through his fingers
like sand, moving too fast for him to catch up. The days were stagnant, a second that lasted for eternity.
Between them, the ghosts were coming and going like guests of some inn. JC dreamed of LH, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. Never again LH told him to let go, but never again
Between them, the ghosts were coming and going like guests of some inn. JC dreamed of LH, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. Never again LH told him to let go, but never again
the dream felt as real.
JC drifted in his house's corridors, always cold, waiting for LH to come home. Because a dream was just that. A dream.
His beloved was still alive, he went for awhile to earn more money so that they could buy a better medicine for JC, to install a better
JC drifted in his house's corridors, always cold, waiting for LH to come home. Because a dream was just that. A dream.
His beloved was still alive, he went for awhile to earn more money so that they could buy a better medicine for JC, to install a better
insulation for their house.
When he was back, JC would tell him that he could do well with cheap medicine, he didnt mind the cold rooms.
As long as LH was around, the air was easier to breathe in, the rooms were warmer with his laughter and songs.
It was never money JC wanted.
When he was back, JC would tell him that he could do well with cheap medicine, he didnt mind the cold rooms.
As long as LH was around, the air was easier to breathe in, the rooms were warmer with his laughter and songs.
It was never money JC wanted.
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Someone was crying.
JC was pulled from his restless slumber, listening to the sound that crept through the cold, dry air.
A quiet, sniffling sound, paused sometimes by a childish hiccup.
A new ghost had arrived.
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Someone was crying.
JC was pulled from his restless slumber, listening to the sound that crept through the cold, dry air.
A quiet, sniffling sound, paused sometimes by a childish hiccup.
A new ghost had arrived.
Maybe JC was feeling lonely, or maybe child ghosts always pulled at his heartstring more than the others.
He approached the source of the sound, peeking through the door.
Leaning against LH's guqin, was a little sad ghost. His yellow clothes a stark contrast to the dingy room.
He approached the source of the sound, peeking through the door.
Leaning against LH's guqin, was a little sad ghost. His yellow clothes a stark contrast to the dingy room.
"Hello?"
The little ghost gasped, his surprise mimicked JC's. Though he had been living with the ghosts for ... Awhile, and sometimes screamed or cursed at them in general before praying for them, he had never before tried to initiate a direct communication.
But this little one
The little ghost gasped, his surprise mimicked JC's. Though he had been living with the ghosts for ... Awhile, and sometimes screamed or cursed at them in general before praying for them, he had never before tried to initiate a direct communication.
But this little one
had sounded so miserable, and there was more than enough misery in this house.
The little ghost scrubbed his eyes with his sleeves like a kitten. How cute. "Who-who are you?" He hiccuped, voice still wet from crying.
JC sat by the door, folding his hands on his lap. "I am the
The little ghost scrubbed his eyes with his sleeves like a kitten. How cute. "Who-who are you?" He hiccuped, voice still wet from crying.
JC sat by the door, folding his hands on his lap. "I am the
owner of this house."
Red-rimmed owlish eyes blinked at him. The little ones always had this curious glint in their eyes, as if they hadn't realized they were from other dimension.
"You live here?" The little ghost asked, tilting his head.
"I do," JC smiled. "And it seems that
Red-rimmed owlish eyes blinked at him. The little ones always had this curious glint in their eyes, as if they hadn't realized they were from other dimension.
"You live here?" The little ghost asked, tilting his head.
"I do," JC smiled. "And it seems that
a sad little kitten has sneaked into my house when I was sleeping."
"I'm sorry, Shushu, for intruding," the ghost hiccuped. Ah, such a polite boy. JC's heart grieved for the parents.
"It's alright, it's time for me to wake up anyway. What's your name, little one?"
"I'm sorry, Shushu, for intruding," the ghost hiccuped. Ah, such a polite boy. JC's heart grieved for the parents.
"It's alright, it's time for me to wake up anyway. What's your name, little one?"
The little ghost shifted to make a more proper sitting position, before introducing himself.
"Thank you for having me, Shushu. My name is A-Ling."
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"Thank you for having me, Shushu. My name is A-Ling."
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So maybe JC had grown too lonely, or maybe he had gone crazy.
Before he knew it, he befriended A-Ling the little ghost.
Well. As much as being friends with ghosts could work, anyway. Sometimes A-Ling didn't appear, sometimes JC blinked at the boy disappeared.
But when he was
Before he knew it, he befriended A-Ling the little ghost.
Well. As much as being friends with ghosts could work, anyway. Sometimes A-Ling didn't appear, sometimes JC blinked at the boy disappeared.
But when he was
there, JC was gravitated to him, like A-Ling's long lost uncle whom he meant to visit.
"A-Ling lived faar away from here," he told JC one afternoon, as they sat in two matching chairs, facing the garden, the sun warmed their skin.
Somehow, with A-Ling here, JC could feel warmth
"A-Ling lived faar away from here," he told JC one afternoon, as they sat in two matching chairs, facing the garden, the sun warmed their skin.
Somehow, with A-Ling here, JC could feel warmth
again.
"Then Mama said we're going to visit Jiujiu! A-Ling never met Jiujiu because Jiujiu is very sick, he can't go anywhere. So we waited until A-Ling is a big boy and can make long trip to visit Jiujiu," the boy puffed up a little at that.
But then, he deflated.
"Then Mama said we're going to visit Jiujiu! A-Ling never met Jiujiu because Jiujiu is very sick, he can't go anywhere. So we waited until A-Ling is a big boy and can make long trip to visit Jiujiu," the boy puffed up a little at that.
But then, he deflated.
"But then the accident happened. Mama and Baba are in heaven now. And A-Ling is here."
There was something sad and eerie in the way the boy told his story unflinchingly. JC wondered if that was how children worked, they were unable to connect the sadness that was eating them and
There was something sad and eerie in the way the boy told his story unflinchingly. JC wondered if that was how children worked, they were unable to connect the sadness that was eating them and
the story behind it, so A-Ling could both repeated the accident's story in morbid details and cried for his parents after.
Or maybe their tragic death kept him here, the absurdity of it too terrible for his young mind to process, so he was stuck here while his parents moved on.
Or maybe their tragic death kept him here, the absurdity of it too terrible for his young mind to process, so he was stuck here while his parents moved on.
Either way, JC felt a surge of protectiveness to the lonely ghost boy, and showered him with as much affection he could offer, as well as prayers.
He also told him stories.
About his life with LH, mostly. About how he moved from his childhood home far away, about how he started
He also told him stories.
About his life with LH, mostly. About how he moved from his childhood home far away, about how he started
a new life with the husband he loved above all wealth and glory.
A-Ling giggled whenever JC shared the shenanigans during the renovation of their house, and his eyes gleamed in awe when JC said LH was a very good hunter--he could shot a rabbit through the eyes and not taint its
A-Ling giggled whenever JC shared the shenanigans during the renovation of their house, and his eyes gleamed in awe when JC said LH was a very good hunter--he could shot a rabbit through the eyes and not taint its
fur, all while riding a galloping horse.
"A-Huan also very good at playing instruments. The guqin at the sunroom is his. He often plays for me before dinner."
JC hummed the song LH played for him. He wished he could play guqin and showed A-Ling its true musical beauty, but
"A-Huan also very good at playing instruments. The guqin at the sunroom is his. He often plays for me before dinner."
JC hummed the song LH played for him. He wished he could play guqin and showed A-Ling its true musical beauty, but
then again, the song wouldn't be as beautiful if it wasn't LH who played it.
After the guqin story, A-Ling became a bit mischievous. Whenever he visited, he would pluck the guqin string to let JC knew of his arrival.
"Brat! That guqin is the most expensive item in this house!
After the guqin story, A-Ling became a bit mischievous. Whenever he visited, he would pluck the guqin string to let JC knew of his arrival.
"Brat! That guqin is the most expensive item in this house!
You'll break it!"
But A-Ling knew his chiding never had a real heat in it. "Shushu, how would you know I visit, if I don't pluck the string? Do you want me to cry again?"
JC huffed and rolled his eyes. A-Ling giggled, and JC's heart grew tender in a way it didn't after LH left.
But A-Ling knew his chiding never had a real heat in it. "Shushu, how would you know I visit, if I don't pluck the string? Do you want me to cry again?"
JC huffed and rolled his eyes. A-Ling giggled, and JC's heart grew tender in a way it didn't after LH left.
.
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But as all good things, their friendship too must come to an end.
One day JC waited for a whole day for the guqin to be plucked, but it didnt. He waited and waited, but A-Ling never appeared again.
It seemed that he had finally passed on. Just like that, without a farewell.
.
But as all good things, their friendship too must come to an end.
One day JC waited for a whole day for the guqin to be plucked, but it didnt. He waited and waited, but A-Ling never appeared again.
It seemed that he had finally passed on. Just like that, without a farewell.
JC cried, both of relief and sadness.
He was glad, but he was now alone once more.
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He was glad, but he was now alone once more.
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.
The blunt clink of bowl lid being opened & the rich smell of broth roused JC from sleep. The chair by the bed was dragged closer, a heavy sigh as someone sat on it.
JC didn't shift to face the person. What use of it, if he knew it wasn't his husband?
"Master, it's time to eat."
JC didn't shift to face the person. What use of it, if he knew it wasn't his husband?
"Master, it's time to eat."
The voice was gentle, motherly, followed by a gentle touch to his arm. The hand was wrinkled, roughed with life, but the touch was kind.
It didn't soothe him. "I'm not hungry."
"Now, Master. Don't be like that. You haven't had anything since yesterday morning. Here, Auntie has
It didn't soothe him. "I'm not hungry."
"Now, Master. Don't be like that. You haven't had anything since yesterday morning. Here, Auntie has
prepared a pork-rib soup. It's your favorite, isnt it?"
Not really. His favorite was his sister's soup, as well as LH's. None of them cooked for him now.
Following his silence, his caretaker sighed again. "Master, please be mindful of your health. Master Lan would be worried--"
Not really. His favorite was his sister's soup, as well as LH's. None of them cooked for him now.
Following his silence, his caretaker sighed again. "Master, please be mindful of your health. Master Lan would be worried--"
"Would he though?" JC cut her off. "Would he be worried to his helpless husband, far away at home? He doesn't even answer my letters anymore. Ten times the letter batch arrived to the post office, not one of them is mine," JC's voice cracked at the end. "Does he still care for
this sickly, weak husband of his? Maybe he finds a healthier, prettier one ...."
He sobbed and hid his face in the pillows.
"Ah, Master Jiang," his caretaker cooed, soothing his back in circles. The movement was calming, but it didn't soothe his tormented heart. "Now, you're
He sobbed and hid his face in the pillows.
"Ah, Master Jiang," his caretaker cooed, soothing his back in circles. The movement was calming, but it didn't soothe his tormented heart. "Now, you're
letting your mind wanders to a thornful path. It's not well for your body and heart.
Master Lan loves you, this you know better than anyone. He left for you--"
"I didn't ask him to!" JC screamed to the pillow, feeling like a child yet unable to stop. "I never asked him to.
Master Lan loves you, this you know better than anyone. He left for you--"
"I didn't ask him to!" JC screamed to the pillow, feeling like a child yet unable to stop. "I never asked him to.
Having him here is enough. Being with him is enough."
"Master Lan wants to spend more time with Master Jiang. That's why, he went to find a better means, so you can heal better."
"He wouldn't be with me if I died worrying for him."
"Master Jiang!" The caretaker gasped, "Please
"Master Lan wants to spend more time with Master Jiang. That's why, he went to find a better means, so you can heal better."
"He wouldn't be with me if I died worrying for him."
"Master Jiang!" The caretaker gasped, "Please
don't say such thing. You'll do well and welcomed Master Lan when he
comes home. This Auntie of yours would make sure of it. I would even drag you back to the land of the living if I have to!"
This, at least, earned a wet chuckle from JC. He turned his head at last to face her.
comes home. This Auntie of yours would make sure of it. I would even drag you back to the land of the living if I have to!"
This, at least, earned a wet chuckle from JC. He turned his head at last to face her.
"Really, Auntie? Do you even have the strength?"
She huffed and raised her chin comically. "Auntie might not have the Lans' arms strength, but she's raised by a great woman, Baoshan Sanren! Auntie spent her youth carrying water from the mountain back and forth. I'm a force to
She huffed and raised her chin comically. "Auntie might not have the Lans' arms strength, but she's raised by a great woman, Baoshan Sanren! Auntie spent her youth carrying water from the mountain back and forth. I'm a force to
be reckoned with!"
JC sniffled. "Maybe you can hit A-Huan for me when he comes home."
"That can be arranged, with proper rewards," she winked. "But now, let's eat first, shall we?"
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JC sniffled. "Maybe you can hit A-Huan for me when he comes home."
"That can be arranged, with proper rewards," she winked. "But now, let's eat first, shall we?"
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Someone plucked the guqin strings.
JC jumped from his bed, running to the sunroom as if flying.
"A-Ling?"
But the ghost sitting by the instrument wasn't the little boy dressed in yellow he had come to love.
It was a petite lady, dressed in red. Her eyes were a pair of deep
JC jumped from his bed, running to the sunroom as if flying.
"A-Ling?"
But the ghost sitting by the instrument wasn't the little boy dressed in yellow he had come to love.
It was a petite lady, dressed in red. Her eyes were a pair of deep
pools, sucking JC in and threatened to drown him.
JC gripped the doorframe to catch himself. She was different. She was different from A-Ling, from all the other ghosts who had come and gone.
A wicked spirit, JC's mind supplied him. A powerful one.
JC felt faint. Would this
JC gripped the doorframe to catch himself. She was different. She was different from A-Ling, from all the other ghosts who had come and gone.
A wicked spirit, JC's mind supplied him. A powerful one.
JC felt faint. Would this
being do harm on him?
"Good evening," she greeted, something in her delicate voice sent shivers down his spine. She must go. How should he sent her go?
"What do you want?" JC braved, trying not to let fear seeped in his tone.
She blinked. "I want answers."
"I have none."
"Good evening," she greeted, something in her delicate voice sent shivers down his spine. She must go. How should he sent her go?
"What do you want?" JC braved, trying not to let fear seeped in his tone.
She blinked. "I want answers."
"I have none."
"You do. You just don't know it yet," she replied, plucking at the string.
A surge of irritation propelled him. He crossed the threshold, pulled his husband's instrument away from her.
"Don't touch what isn't yours."
She looked surprised but soon composed herself, folding her
A surge of irritation propelled him. He crossed the threshold, pulled his husband's instrument away from her.
"Don't touch what isn't yours."
She looked surprised but soon composed herself, folding her
hands on her lap. "My apologize."
Something in the air changed. The room was warmer somehow, but not in the pleasant kind. It was stuffy, like a closed room in summer.
And though there was only him and the lady, JC could feel /presence/. JC trembled with realization.
Something in the air changed. The room was warmer somehow, but not in the pleasant kind. It was stuffy, like a closed room in summer.
And though there was only him and the lady, JC could feel /presence/. JC trembled with realization.
"You brought friends."
JC couldn't see them, but surely, the room was swarmed with ghosts.
Maybe the lady plucked the strings to drag him into the room. He fell into their trap.
Would they eat him alive? What could vengeful spirits do to living beings? Did they prey on him
JC couldn't see them, but surely, the room was swarmed with ghosts.
Maybe the lady plucked the strings to drag him into the room. He fell into their trap.
Would they eat him alive? What could vengeful spirits do to living beings? Did they prey on him
because he was already weakened?
"I do," the lady admitted, "but they won't disturb you."
JC sneered. "This is my house. Your presence here is unwelcome, and already disturbed me."
She hummed. "As soon as you give us answers, we will go."
"I have none!" How could they expect
"I do," the lady admitted, "but they won't disturb you."
JC sneered. "This is my house. Your presence here is unwelcome, and already disturbed me."
She hummed. "As soon as you give us answers, we will go."
"I have none!" How could they expect
him to have answers to whatever tethered them to the world of the living, when he didn't even know them?
None of the ghosts had demanded anything from him before. Maybe ... Somehow this house was known to be a way to pass to the other side?
But everyone passed on their own way.
None of the ghosts had demanded anything from him before. Maybe ... Somehow this house was known to be a way to pass to the other side?
But everyone passed on their own way.
JC only helped them with prayers, and (involuntary) gave them a place to vent out their frustrations.
He told the red lady this, and she hummed.
"Do you know A-Ling?"
A wall of protectiveness rose. "What do you want to do with him?"
"Do you know where he is?"
"He passed on.
He told the red lady this, and she hummed.
"Do you know A-Ling?"
A wall of protectiveness rose. "What do you want to do with him?"
"Do you know where he is?"
"He passed on.
You wouldn't find him here."
Non-corporeal whispers washed over him. JC shivered, though the room had slowly become unbearably hot.
He was glad that A-Ling left when he did. That way, the pure soul wouldn't fall victim those these evil spirits.
The lady locked him in her gaze.
Non-corporeal whispers washed over him. JC shivered, though the room had slowly become unbearably hot.
He was glad that A-Ling left when he did. That way, the pure soul wouldn't fall victim those these evil spirits.
The lady locked him in her gaze.
"Do you live here alone?"
"I am."
"Where is your husband?"
"What do you want with my husband?"
The sound of broken porcelain startled JC. He whipped his head around to find the vase on the cabinet broke into small pieces.
The lady narrowed her eyes at him.
JC should have
"I am."
"Where is your husband?"
"What do you want with my husband?"
The sound of broken porcelain startled JC. He whipped his head around to find the vase on the cabinet broke into small pieces.
The lady narrowed her eyes at him.
JC should have
been scared, but instead he found himself seething.
"You can't threaten me with your power," he growled, all fear gone.
There was nothing he feared more than losing his A-Huan, and he certainly would not lose him to the likes of her!
The whispers around them grew in cadence.
"You can't threaten me with your power," he growled, all fear gone.
There was nothing he feared more than losing his A-Huan, and he certainly would not lose him to the likes of her!
The whispers around them grew in cadence.
The air was thicker, hotter, pressing on him. Devouring him.
"Your husband left to work on a ship," the lady in red continued, undeterred. "He promised to come back with wealth, and you've been waiting for him."
"Shut up! You know nothing of him!"
The furnitures in the room
"Your husband left to work on a ship," the lady in red continued, undeterred. "He promised to come back with wealth, and you've been waiting for him."
"Shut up! You know nothing of him!"
The furnitures in the room
groaned and creaked, shifting from their places in jerky movements like living corpse trying to scare him.
JC wasn't scared. This was his house. These were his things, his and LH's things, ones they picked from the yard sale or made themselves.
These ghosts couldn't scare him
JC wasn't scared. This was his house. These were his things, his and LH's things, ones they picked from the yard sale or made themselves.
These ghosts couldn't scare him
with their little tricks.
"You're right, I know nothing of him," the lady's voice was heavy, warped, as if she was talking through an invisible veil. "You're the one who knows him the most. You know he didn't come home as promised."
"He's just late!" JC screamed, "The ship--
"You're right, I know nothing of him," the lady's voice was heavy, warped, as if she was talking through an invisible veil. "You're the one who knows him the most. You know he didn't come home as promised."
"He's just late!" JC screamed, "The ship--
he said the ship wouldn't be able to sail sometimes. It could take years for him to come home!"
"How long have you been waiting?"
/How long have you been waiting for me, Beloved?/
Too long.
But an eternity was never too long, if A-Huan came to him in the end.
"He wouldn't."
"How long have you been waiting?"
/How long have you been waiting for me, Beloved?/
Too long.
But an eternity was never too long, if A-Huan came to him in the end.
"He wouldn't."
The lady spoke, as if reading his mind. "You know he wouldn't. You know, Jiang Cheng, that your husband Lan Huan is--"
JC roared, pouncing on her. It was stupid, really. You couldnt touch ghosts. No matter how angry you are, how furious--when you punch them they'd go through you
JC roared, pouncing on her. It was stupid, really. You couldnt touch ghosts. No matter how angry you are, how furious--when you punch them they'd go through you
like air.
The lady just sat there, looking at him with those terrible eyes. The room was in chaos, the whispers grew so loud as if they talked /inside/ his head.
"Go away!" He commanded, swinging the nearest object to the lady's head.
The lady just sat there, looking at him with those terrible eyes. The room was in chaos, the whispers grew so loud as if they talked /inside/ his head.
"Go away!" He commanded, swinging the nearest object to the lady's head.
Before it collided with her, she disappeared.
JC tumbled to the floor from the momentum.
The room was silent once more, darkness shrouded everything, changing every turned chairs and cabinets into mounds of sleeping beasts.
The wind hushed from between the walls. JC shivered.
JC tumbled to the floor from the momentum.
The room was silent once more, darkness shrouded everything, changing every turned chairs and cabinets into mounds of sleeping beasts.
The wind hushed from between the walls. JC shivered.
"Ah ...." He moaned, his frail glass-work heart thumped erratically, painfully. "A-Huan ...."
/Come back to me./
/The house had become so cold and haunted without you, and they were telling lies to make me lost faith in you./
JC curled into himself, and cried.
/Come back to me./
/The house had become so cold and haunted without you, and they were telling lies to make me lost faith in you./
JC curled into himself, and cried.
.
.
"Absolutely not!"
JC might be bedridden, but as LH had teasingly said, his glare could still burn unaware men to smithereens.
He was putting all his strength into said glare now.
LH, that infuriating man, only smiled as he held JC's pale hand. "My love, my heart.
.
"Absolutely not!"
JC might be bedridden, but as LH had teasingly said, his glare could still burn unaware men to smithereens.
He was putting all his strength into said glare now.
LH, that infuriating man, only smiled as he held JC's pale hand. "My love, my heart.
A chance like this would not come twice. Please, Beloved. We need this so you can get better."
"I'm fine," JC scoffed, trying to get up from the bed to prove his point, but of course his twiggy arms betrayed him. He collapsed on the pillow with a frustrated huff.
LH sushed and
"I'm fine," JC scoffed, trying to get up from the bed to prove his point, but of course his twiggy arms betrayed him. He collapsed on the pillow with a frustrated huff.
LH sushed and
dabbed JC's sweaty forehead with a warm cloth. JC swatted him away.
"I'm fine," he gritted out, "it's not like I haven't been sick since forever. I can bear it, A-Huan. As long as you're with me."
LH's smile was so sad. How unfair of him! He knew JC was weak to that puppy look.
"I'm fine," he gritted out, "it's not like I haven't been sick since forever. I can bear it, A-Huan. As long as you're with me."
LH's smile was so sad. How unfair of him! He knew JC was weak to that puppy look.
"/I/ can't bear it, my love," he grasped JC's hand and put it on his chest. "Watching you in pain torns my soul in two."
"So you want to leave because you can't stand to look at me anymore," JC spit out bitterly.
He knew LH didn't mean it that way. Hell, even JC didn't mean
"So you want to leave because you can't stand to look at me anymore," JC spit out bitterly.
He knew LH didn't mean it that way. Hell, even JC didn't mean
what he said. He /knew/ his husband would never intentionally hurt him.
It was just easier to say hurtful things when you were hurting.
"Ah,my sweet. My dearest A-Cheng. How could I? I would tire of the world before I tire of you. And that's why I must go. So we can be together
It was just easier to say hurtful things when you were hurting.
"Ah,my sweet. My dearest A-Cheng. How could I? I would tire of the world before I tire of you. And that's why I must go. So we can be together
until we are old and grey; until I grow ugly and you have to bear ot every day."
He pinched JC's cheeks to tease him, but JC was having none of it.
"There're other ways. If it's money, we can write to A-Jie. She wouldn't deny me."
"I'm sur she wouldn't. But it's a dangerous
He pinched JC's cheeks to tease him, but JC was having none of it.
"There're other ways. If it's money, we can write to A-Jie. She wouldn't deny me."
"I'm sur she wouldn't. But it's a dangerous
time now, A-Cheng. Lots of letters don't get through, let alone money. I can't afford uncertainty."
"Well, I can't afford being separated from you!" JC's voice cracked at the end. He blinked back the angry tears. "You said you'll never leave me alone."
"You won't. Uncle Wei's
"Well, I can't afford being separated from you!" JC's voice cracked at the end. He blinked back the angry tears. "You said you'll never leave me alone."
"You won't. Uncle Wei's
family will take care of you when I'm away."
"It's not the same."
"It's not," LH agreed, kissing his fingers. "But I promise I won't be long. Just wait, beloved. When the lotus blooms again, I'll play you a new song, and we'll watch the garden together until sunset."
"It's not the same."
"It's not," LH agreed, kissing his fingers. "But I promise I won't be long. Just wait, beloved. When the lotus blooms again, I'll play you a new song, and we'll watch the garden together until sunset."
LH caressed JC's paper-thin cheek. "I promise, my love. You'll never feel cold again."
JC cried himself to sleep, leaning to his husband's touch.
When he woke up, it was dark and cold, and his husband was gone.
.
.
.
JC cried himself to sleep, leaning to his husband's touch.
When he woke up, it was dark and cold, and his husband was gone.
.
.
.
After the wicked ghost in red, the house wasn't haunted anymore.
It was as if those lost souls sensed that an evil spirit had visited the place and they refused to come near.
JC didn't know what to feel. Those ghosts were noisy and they disturbed his privacy, but after so long
It was as if those lost souls sensed that an evil spirit had visited the place and they refused to come near.
JC didn't know what to feel. Those ghosts were noisy and they disturbed his privacy, but after so long
living with them, their lack of presence made him lonely.
It reminded him of his and LH's story, back when they weren't husbands. LH used to be so annoying with his persistence and that stupid smiles. JC wished he got ran over by an ox cart, but when he did got ran over
It reminded him of his and LH's story, back when they weren't husbands. LH used to be so annoying with his persistence and that stupid smiles. JC wished he got ran over by an ox cart, but when he did got ran over
(because his A-Huan was both graceful and a klutz and he sometimes daydreamed in the middle of the road) JC got worried sick. Literally.
LH, crutches and all, visited him and brought him flowers. Such was his dummy, silly, lovely Lan Huan.
LH, crutches and all, visited him and brought him flowers. Such was his dummy, silly, lovely Lan Huan.
The house got a bit warmer. JC couldn't fathom how or why. He didn't shiver as much anymore, the cold didn't seep into his bones like trying to break it into shards.
The sunroom was especially warm, as the sunlight shone into it in full capacity. JC spent most of his days there,
The sunroom was especially warm, as the sunlight shone into it in full capacity. JC spent most of his days there,
plucking at the guqin or humming his songs. Sometimes, when he dozed off, he dreamed of gentle voices.
/Hang on/, they whispered, /I'll find a way. Just stay/.
Maybe it was LH, sending him messages. Maybe he was on his way home.
JC would wait for him, however long it took.
.
.
/Hang on/, they whispered, /I'll find a way. Just stay/.
Maybe it was LH, sending him messages. Maybe he was on his way home.
JC would wait for him, however long it took.
.
.
.
.
The rain fell in a soft hush, drenching the hardened soil and filling up the pond.
The lotuses that had slumbered long in their dry state, stretched out to greet the sun once more.
They bloomed, violet and pink and yellow, reminiscence of home.
The spring had arrived.
.
.
.
The rain fell in a soft hush, drenching the hardened soil and filling up the pond.
The lotuses that had slumbered long in their dry state, stretched out to greet the sun once more.
They bloomed, violet and pink and yellow, reminiscence of home.
The spring had arrived.
.
.
Someone plucked the guqin.
No, not just plucking it. They were /playing/ it.
JC closed his eyes, too scared to open them, fearing that it was just another dream. He listened.
It was his A-Huan's song, the one he often played for JC before dinner.
It was a song only A-Huan
No, not just plucking it. They were /playing/ it.
JC closed his eyes, too scared to open them, fearing that it was just another dream. He listened.
It was his A-Huan's song, the one he often played for JC before dinner.
It was a song only A-Huan
could play.
He opened his eyes, slowly, afraid that everything would shatter into lonely illusory. The song was still playing, a gentle twang he so dearly missed.
With his whole body trembled with both fear of disappointment and excitement, JC approached the sunroom.
He opened his eyes, slowly, afraid that everything would shatter into lonely illusory. The song was still playing, a gentle twang he so dearly missed.
With his whole body trembled with both fear of disappointment and excitement, JC approached the sunroom.
It was the peak of morning, the sun was reaching its best golden color drawing straight lines on the wooden floor.
Just beyond the light's reach was LH, perched on his guqin seat, strumming the strings with his long calloused fingers.
JC blinked. LH did not disappear.
Just beyond the light's reach was LH, perched on his guqin seat, strumming the strings with his long calloused fingers.
JC blinked. LH did not disappear.
"A-Huan?"
As he stepped into the room, JC realized too late that he was only in his white sleeping robes, messy and unsightly. He might have been pale with sleep too, and gaunt of yearning.
He was in no way presentable for his husband who had been away for long. But he couldn't
As he stepped into the room, JC realized too late that he was only in his white sleeping robes, messy and unsightly. He might have been pale with sleep too, and gaunt of yearning.
He was in no way presentable for his husband who had been away for long. But he couldn't
bring himself to turn to the bedroom & changed clothes, afraid that LH would be gone when he turned his back.
LH raised his head. He looked different somehow, the lines of his face wasn't really in sync with the ones in JC's memory. His hair was a lot shorter now, like a sailor.
LH raised his head. He looked different somehow, the lines of his face wasn't really in sync with the ones in JC's memory. His hair was a lot shorter now, like a sailor.
He truly had been away for too long.
"My love, my A-Huan. Is that really you?"
For a second too long LH only stared, his eyes wide as if in surprise, and JC felt very self conscious about himself. Had he really turned so ugly and disheveled, that LH was speechless?
"My love, my A-Huan. Is that really you?"
For a second too long LH only stared, his eyes wide as if in surprise, and JC felt very self conscious about himself. Had he really turned so ugly and disheveled, that LH was speechless?
He should have took care of himself better! After all, wasn't his body LH's temple?
But his self criticism flew over his head when LH said those words. The words he had been yearning to hear.
"Beloved. I'm home."
JC threw himself to his husband's embrace as if flying.
But his self criticism flew over his head when LH said those words. The words he had been yearning to hear.
"Beloved. I'm home."
JC threw himself to his husband's embrace as if flying.
"A-Huan!" He cried, burying his face into his husband's clothes. He smelled--oh, he smelled of something crisp and fresh, not the elegant and heavy sandalwood. He changed.
And yet he was still his A-Huan.
"How dare you leave me for so long? Don't ever leave me again!"
And yet he was still his A-Huan.
"How dare you leave me for so long? Don't ever leave me again!"
LH gathered his small frame into his deep and enveloping embrace and ah, finally, JC was /home/.
"I'm sorry," LH whispered, kissing his forehead, his hair, his cheeks. "I'm sorry. You've been waiting for too long, haven't you? My beloved ...."
LH cupped his face. JC looked up
"I'm sorry," LH whispered, kissing his forehead, his hair, his cheeks. "I'm sorry. You've been waiting for too long, haven't you? My beloved ...."
LH cupped his face. JC looked up
at him, reverent, loving, yearning.
"I miss you, husband," JC said, hoping that those four words could convey everything. He knew they couldn't.
He knew LH understood him anyway.
"I know."
"Kiss me, love."
LH kissed him like the world was crumbling, and JC kissed him back,
"I miss you, husband," JC said, hoping that those four words could convey everything. He knew they couldn't.
He knew LH understood him anyway.
"I know."
"Kiss me, love."
LH kissed him like the world was crumbling, and JC kissed him back,
and just like that warmth came back full force into him, as if he was reborn again.
The gentle breeze wafted through the open doors, bringing sweet scent of blooms. Spring had arrived, and JC's years of seclusion was over.
.
.
.
{end of arc i}
The gentle breeze wafted through the open doors, bringing sweet scent of blooms. Spring had arrived, and JC's years of seclusion was over.
.
.
.
{end of arc i}
