Love Like You

To end a life the heart is locked

     "Are you from a rich family?" Xie Lian asks as San Lang settles down with Tuzi. His back was turned to San Lang and Tuzi as he prepared dinner.

San Lang was petting Tuzi as Tuzi ate some carrots.

"Why would you like to know?" San lang raised a brow.

Although Xie Lian wasn't looking at San lang he couldn't help but blush, "I-I just noticed your attire, like your rings, they're real silver right? Or that fancy earring, I had begun to think, what is this esteemed person like yourself really doing out here?"

San Lang stares at Xie Lian silently which makes Xie Lian slowly start to grow uncomfortable as he feels San Lang's gaze on him, "Ah! It's only curiosity though! I'm not forcing you to answer!"

San Lang puffs out a laugh, "Maybe another time? I promise to tell you when the time is right."

Xie Lian furrows his eyebrows, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means, the day I lose my other eye I'll tell you."

Xie Lian turns eyebrows furrowed in concern to look at the man that's now holding in his laugh, "Ahaha, you really believed me? Relax gege, I was just teasing."

"After that cruel joke you have the nerve to call me gege?" Xie Lian's back was turned once again.

San Lang's smile falls, "I- I'm sorry g- I mean Xie Li-" San Lang's sentence was cut short when he noticed Xie Lian's broad shoulder shaking. Is he mad?!

A little giggle escapes from Xie Lian, "I was only teasing, call me however you want San Lang."

San Lang lets out a sigh of relief, "Gege, you're really funny. You scared me." He chuckles.

Xie Lian hums, "Well I had to get you back somehow right?"

He brings in dinner and Tuzi hops away at the smell, Hui who was curled up by the door whimpers before following Tuzi.

"Aiya, those two always leave me to eat dinner by myself." Xie Lian tsks turning his gaze to San Lang, "At least you're here to keep me company." He smiles, his eyes turning into crescents.

A sharp pang hit San Lang in the chest and San Lang quickly changed his gaze to the food, if you can call it food, in front of him.

Guilt can be a cruel, vile feeling, it eats you alive unless you can get rid of the said object that has made you feel guilty or live with it, forever weighing your heart down, death being the only escape.

San Lang would rather kill himself, but for a stranger? A kind stranger like Xie Lian? He was tempted, but deep down he knew it wasn't worth it. 

"I don't come from a rich family, but I've given myself a name and have become known by a lot of people."

Xie Lian's eyes widen, "Wow! You're famous?! I wish I would've known sooner, I would've taken you to a neighboring town where they have better hospitality."

"No need to worry." San lang chuckles, "Right here feels just fine. Thank you for the food."

The pair finally finished dinner, no stomach problems whatsoever from either party.

Xie Lian laid an old futon on the floor for San Lang to sleep in. Then prepared for bed, climbing into the tattered mattress on the floor.

"I hope this is comfortable, I'll find something better for you to sleep in tomorrow morning."

Shaking his head San lang responds, "No need, I find this more comfortable then the bed at home."

"I insist, I'll go out to town and find something for you rich folk."

"Haha, as I said gege there's no need."

Out of all the lies he has told his victims this one was the whole hearted truth, San Lang really never felt at home anywhere, he didn't know what a home should feel like anyway, but being in this room with Xie Lian felt like home.

"Then sleep well. See you in the morning." The bed rustles and five minutes later he hears the soft slow breathing from Xie Lian.

1 hour passes.

3 hours pass.

5 hours pass.

San Lang's eyes fly open, slowly he gets out of the futon and nears Xie Lian, his resting figure slowly rising up and down.

San Lang reaches out to grab Xie Lian's face, ready to break his neck, ready to put him in an eternal sleep.