Incorporeal Hua Cheng (Braincracker #1)
AU where ghosts can never become fully corporeal, no matter how powerful they are. Hua Cheng is a calamity, able to manipulate space around him, can wield a sword and build statues, but whenever he touches a human, only a human, his body passes through.
Xie Lian and Hua Cheng fall in love still, but when they kiss, it's a ghost kiss, the flicker of a butterfly's wings. When they hold hands, they slowly, slowly interlock fingers, so that if they imagine hard enough, they're still touching, but if they move even a fraction, the ghostly hand will pass right through.
At a certain angle, the sun catches Hua Cheng when his skin isn't just pale, but clear, and when it first happens, Hua Cheng doesn't miss Xie Lian's slightly startled gaze.
Xie Lian sometimes forgets he can't touch him because Hua Cheng can touch inanimate objects, and when they reunite and Xie Lian runs into his arms, he holds onto thin air, until Hua Cheng chuckles into his ear, "Gege, is it fun standing inside of me?"
When it's winter and they've collected enough firewood for their cottage, Hua Cheng gazes at Xie Lian, breath fogging the air and hands held in front of the fireplace.
I wish I could be the one to warm you.
"What do you mean, San Lang?" Xie Lian asks.
Hua Cheng blinks, mind catching up to his mouth.
"You're cold, and the fireplace is warm," Hua Cheng says softly.
"Mn, but you're warm to me. Now come over here, San Lang, I want you to try this tea I made."
