Jiehong was tending to his garden today, as he did everyday. However, instead of the positivity he would usually attempt to show, he instead had an air of melancholy around him. He’d known the situation with Jinzha would happen. Anything good he touched seemed to fall apart right in front of him. This was why he was known as the disgraced God. Why waste resources on someone who doesn’t deserve to live? Let alone deserve to be pampered or treated as the other Gods were. Jiehong truly saw himself as lesser than everyone else; however, this had not always been the case. After all, despite being only a minor God, he was still a God.

He remembered his ascension clearly: the way the ground beneath him seemed to shift, a bright light shining from above him, and his pounding heart falling into his stomach as a rush of something came over him. He now knew that rush to be the rush of power that accompanies becoming a God, but at the time it was a novel thing. 

~~~

Clear blue sky surrounded the other like crystals of sapphire, replacing the muddy, dirty ground. He was helping a farmer till in a village nearby his cabin. He covered his eyes, bringing a hand up to block out some of the overwhelming brightness, but instead found his strained eyes fixated on the robes he now wore. Layered in fine pinks and golds, patterns of various lotus blossoms sown into the delicate satin material. He blinked, once, twice before sharply looking up as he heard a voice. 

“Your Highness,” a soft voice intoned. 

“Highness?” the man stammered, eyes raking over the woman in front of him. She had light hair, a golden glow amongst the blue surrounding them. Pale blue robes covered her frame, as delicate and detailed as his, though with more layers, soft and flowing. White swirling marks could be seen on her arms, where her sleeves were cuffed, and the chiffon hung loosely like ribbons. Her attire was intricate and delicate much like her facial features. Her light skin was almost like porcelain, and honey eyes sat beneath long lashes which moved delicately with her every blink. She was most certainly a God. 

“I didn't mean to startle you,” she responded, voice soft and emanating a sense of calm. “Though many will now refer to you as such, since you have managed to ascend. I suppose congratulations are in order.” She bowed her head slightly, a small gesture that held more respect than one would know. 

A small “Oh…” fell from Jiehong’s parted lips, still stunned by the nature of what appeared to be occurring. Somehow, he had ascended. This he understood, though he was not certain of what deed he could have done to have gotten such attention and status. Simply put, he worked alongside farmers, mixed medicinal herbs, and helped people with his knowledge and love for flowers. None of this seemed, to him, very significant.

“I shall assume by the look on your face that you do not understand why you are here.” The woman smiled, pulling her rouge lips back as she did. “You are here to be the minor God of Flowers, your healing and love for nature has been spoken about and revered. It is something the people need, therefore the Empress felt it right to take you under her wing.” 

“Oh… um… I…” It seemed his words had run dry. He was unable to formulate a sentence but knew that it would be seen as extremely rude to not do so. Still, Jiehong found himself unable to focus or think. Then, panic started to set in. 

“It is quite alright. It will take you a moment to get over the shock and to come to terms with what you are facing. All of the new ones are much like you are currently.” She chuckled, the sound light and melodic. “Allow me to take you to see your temple, you may rest there before we meet with the Empress later.” She turned then, expecting the other to follow. As her back faced him, she added casually, “I am Hua Liu, it is a pleasure to meet you properly, Your Highness.”

~~~

As Jiehong looked around the now bare garden, he struggled to even remember how it used to look when he had first arrived. It was difficult for him sometimes, he would admit, knowing such a beautiful place had become this desolate and bare. It was such a heartbreaking thought, even worse to be faced with such a fate everyday–knowing he couldn’t die, knowing they took it out on his flowers, those innocent plants, because they couldn’t kill him. They wished to hurt him, and each day they were successful. 

He used to think the isolation was the worst part, but he was wrong. He actually preferred to be away from all of the overly judgmental stares he would face whenever he had to see others in the Heavens. At least this way he got to drown in his sorrows in peace. He just wished his flowers could be allowed to lay to rest. He truly didn’t wish to see them tortured any longer. 

Jiehong sighed, knowing that he had spent more than enough time staring at the single small bloom beginning to sprout from the planted sunflower. Sometimes he would sit there to make sure it wasn’t hurt, that nothing had happened or changed. Doing this always brought on a wave of warmth, as he thought about the man who gave him this opportunity, as well as sadness knowing that, one day, it would once again be taken away.

As he was moving through the forest with Jinzha, Zhi Yu wished nothing more than to be able to witness this moment with his Highness. He wished to see the way his eyes lit up and the way his smile shined. Yes, he knew he could always witness and experience this through Jinzha, but it would not be the same as experiencing the feeling you get when seeing your loved one joyous or content.

He sighed then kicked a small rock nearby as his boots crunched on the forest floor. This was, he knew, as close as he could get for now without being detected. 

“It will be alright Zhi Yu,” Jinzha spoke, her voice carrying through the air and to him. She slowed to a stop, glancing her crimson eyes over at the other.

“I am aware,” he replied more harshly than he had intended, before sighing once more and rubbing a hand down his face. Zhi Yu glanced toward her and allowed his hand to drop. “Just…” he paused, gesturing loosely, “look after him, okay?”

“As always.” She moved to nuzzle her hand against his palm softly, before taking a step back. “You can always check in,” she reminded him.

“I am aware. Stay out of trouble, Jinzha.” After saying this, he disappeared into the shadow of a nearby tree. 

Jinzha huffed through her nose, shaking her head as she began to move quickly and silently. Noting the starting glint of the barrier coming into her line of sight, she moved to pass through it, still marvelling at how she was able to. She knew it was because of her connection with Zhi Yu, but it really hit her sometimes how powerful he must be, for only a fraction of his power was needed to disrupt such a barrier. 

She moved quietly, glancing around to see if she could see his Highness anywhere. She caught a glimpse of white and pink as she noted the corner of his robe moving slightly. 

Jiehong froze by the sides of the temple, blinking in disbelief. He was clearly in shock of what he was seeing, not having believed that Jinzha was alive, let alone that he would see the creature here with him once more.

Jinzha moved slowly towards Jiehong, not wanting to startle him, but also willing him to know that he wasn’t going crazy–that she was truly here and that as long as she could be, she always would remain. This movement was all it took for Jiehong to break out of his state of shock. In a flurry of white and pink, he rushed forward, tears streaming down his face, unable to not allow them to fall as he immediately dropped to his knees next to Jinzha, burying his head into the hound’s fur. His arms grasped the hound tightly as if worried that Jinzha would disappear should he let go. Her name continuously fell from his lips–a melody which surrounded them. 

So black and white merged with white and pink creating a beautiful, if not contrasting, scene for anyone lucky enough to witness such a reunion. One man sat in his room, watching in on the two, a smile gentle and kind enough to startle anyone who saw it. For once, he was as much at peace as he could be now that his beloved wasn’t alone anymore. Come what may…