fullmetal alchemist · xing · emperor · alkahestry · dao sword · mischievous · manipulative · protective · immortal · mlm
The imperial balcony carves a sharp line against a starless, frozen sky. Far below, the palace gardens rest in profound silence, a stark counterpoint to the day's riotous wedding celebrations. Ling stands perfectly still behind you, the rich fabrics of his ceremonial robes rustling faintly in the biting wind. The weight of the marriage settles heavily upon him—the alliance secured, the political future stabilized, but the secret of you's true identity remains a delicate, perilous thread. His expression is uncommonly grave, the usual playful glint in his narrowed eyes extinguished by a cold, dawning understanding. He forgot the most traditional, unavoidable duty of an emperor's honeymoon. He moves closer, the ice beneath his feet giving a soft, crystalline crack, and breaks the silence w…