"Yao Wang?"
Ning Huo was at the lavender house, standing inside, holding a cup of lavender tea. He seemed shocked that Yao Wang was there. He seemed shocked that Yao Wang would come back. Yao Wang barely glanced at him, before stepping inside. "Come on. I want you to take me somewhere." Yao Wang said quickly, not looking at the other's face. Ning Huo frowned. "Where would you like to go? I know where almost everything is." Ning Huo said proudly.
"Do you know where the Realm's Edge is?" Yao Wang asked, looking back at Ning Huo. He didn't look too shocked. "Realm's Edge. Yes, I do. I had to cross it. Why did you want to go?" Ning Huo asked curiously. His voice was still lighthearted, something Yao Wang had grown to love. Yao Wang sighed.
"There's supposed to be tens of ghosts all trying to break the barrier. I am supposed to reinforce it. So I needed help." Yao Wang answered, looking around. It looked the exact same as Ning Huo smiled. "So you asked me instead of one of your good friends. Fang Hai or Chen Guo would love to." Ning Huo teased. Yao Wang only glanced at Ning Huo, before grabbing a lavender flower. "Ning-" Yao Wang stopped himself before saying the name. "Let's go." He says, stepping around Ning Huo to get out of the house. But before he could, Ning Huo grabbed his arm lightly.
"What did you call me?" His question was gentle, soft. It was kind and considerate. No anger or hate behind it. Yao Wang finally looked into Ning Huo's red eyes. He didn't see any evil or pain like he had when he first met him. "I mispronounced your name. XingYing." Yao Wang lied, and Ning Huo could see right through him. Right through all his lies.
"If you want me to go with you, you need to tell me the truth. What were you going to call me?" Ning Huo asked, gripping slightly tighter. No where near harsh, and it didn't hurt Yao Wang at all. It felt more like a reminder than a threat. His words were never a threat. No where near hurtful. He wasn't hurtful. So why was he doing any of this?
He didn't want to hurt Ning Huo, he honestly didn't. But, all of Heaven was counting on him to do this. Ning Huo had hurt, pain, betrayal in his eyes. Like he knew exactly what Yao Wang was thinking. Like he remembered exactly what happened to Yao Wan, what he was planning. He probably did know. He probably hated Yao Wang. Yao Wang understood.
Yao Wang would have hated himself if that happened.
Yao Wang looked down at the ground. "Ning Huo." Yao Wang answered truthfully. Ning Huo stared at him for a second, before laughing. "Did someone tell you that name? '' Ning Huo asked, his voice lighthearted once again. He loosened his grip, before loosening his hand entirely once again. Yao Wang kept his hand in place before dropping it. They were both hesitant, but for two different reasons.
Ning Huo nodded, clearing his throat. "I prefer XingYing." He states simply, stepping out of the lavender house. Yao Wang looked over, before nodding. He glanced at the flower in Yao Wang's hand, before shutting the door behind Yao Wang.``Really? Why?" Yao Wang asked. Ning Huo had a soft smile on his face. "Because you gave me that name." No matter how many times Yao Wang calls the Ghost King, Ning Huo, he will always be XingYing.
"Should I call you XingYing, then?" Yao Wang asks. Ning Huo shrugged, crossing his arms. Yao Wang smiled, following the man's footsteps. As he walked, the lavender plants didn't seem harmed. Even when he reached down to touch them with his gloved hand, none dyed like they had many nights ago "What about Ge ge?" Yao Wang asks, barely hiding his smile.
Ning Huo smiled, shaking his head and looking forward. Yao Wang kept teasing him with the intimate word. "What? Is something wrong, Ge ge? You know you can tell me anything." Yao Wang continued.
Now he was standing with Ning Huo, walking with him. He realized he wouldn't be able to push Ning Huo off the cliff. He knew he wouldn't be able to, but now, seeing Ning Huo's face, he never would. Yao Wang sighs, looking away. Ning Huo looked embarrassed, yet happy. "Ge ge? Brother, really?" Ning Huo asked, looking back at Yao Wang. Yao Wang smiled. "Well, you told me that I could call you anything." Yao Wang said, smiling. Ning Huo shook his head, pushing Yao Wang lightly.
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Yao Wang couldn't tell you how long it took them to make it to Realm's Edge. Yao Wang couldn't tell you what they did on their way. He wouldn't be able to tell you where they were, or what path they found. Yao Wang wouldn't be able to do anything. He was too focused on one thing. Only one person.
"We're here." Ning Huo gestured to the edge. Yao Wang had never seen a place like this. Never seem a diversion, a spot between two realms. On Yao Wang's side it was green grass, trees and other life forms standing till the very edge. There was a field around the Human Realm. A mirrored illusion. That's why the world is a circle. Well it's perceived as a student, filled with a green and beautiful life.
On the other side were different shades of black, red, and orange. A fiery mist floating from the blackened ground, filled with soot and smoke. The Ghost Realm. It was much like hell, only worse. Orange cracks in the rock filled with crimson blood, slowly blackening as it heals before burning once again.
Yao Wang began walking to the edge, Ning Huo holding him back from moving to close. "Be careful. I don't want you falling." Ning Huo worries, holding onto his hand. Yao Wang laughs quietly, turning to look opposite of the gaping fault to look at Ning Huo.
Yao Wang froze, his breath being sucked out of his body. He stared not at Ning Huo, but instead behind him. Ning Huo laughs softly. Yao Wang's blue eyes went to Ning Huo's red ones. "Ning Huo….. why are you laughing?" Yao Wang asked quietly. Ning Huo only continued laughing, dramatically wiping the tears out of his eyes. "Your face. Ge ge you're face." Ning Huo gasped for air, before continuing laughing.
Yao Wang quickly lifted Ning Huo up to look him in the eyes. "Ning Huo, please." Yao Wang beggar. For being a ghost, when Yao Wang placed a hand on his cheek, it felt so warm. "Yao Wang, why do you seem so sad?
"They won't hurt me…"
"But your sadness will…"