OC Spotlight: Tu Shen // sfw

Not-so-surprise it's me, Kubi! This month I'll be taking over the OC Spotlight! I'm so excited to be finally able to present the stories of my own characters and give you all a perspective to accompany Fangs' existing Spotlights. Today I'll be presenting you with the adapted story of Tu Shen within our Gods Among Us universe. 

Enjoy!

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Tu Shen was not always a god.

Long, long ago, in a small province along the southern coast of China, Tu Shen was born as a mortal baby boy to mortal parents as Hu Tianbao. He would grow up strong, healthy, and maybe a little too sound of mind; his parents would often bemoan his keen intellect being more a source of mischief than help. The boy would always get into things he wasn't supposed to, find ways to cheat past his mundane chores to free him to pursue whatever his heart desired. Still, Tianbao's intentions were almost always pure, and his more troublesome habits turned into a sense of resourcefulness for helping those around him. There was no problem too difficult for the witty Tianbao, and once he set his mind on something nothing would stand in his way. Anyone who encountered him often ended up charmed by the young man, even if begrudgingly.

One fateful day while in the market with his parents, Tianbao spotted a traveling merchant peddling beautiful silks and all sorts of dazzling goods. From then on he set his sights on becoming a merchant, bartering labor for new skills where he could, and making up for the rest with a handsome face and silver tongue. He not only learned to read and write, but how to do it well. Trading, bartering, and negotiation were soon added to his ever growing arsenal eccentric skills.

Then, the peace he knew for so long was cut short. War ravaged the empire as dynasties changed hands, and soon Tianbao was one of many young men conscripted into its army. The skills he acquired in his youth turned into pillars that would support his knowledge of tactics and diplomacy. He rose quickly in the ranks, soon obtaining the rank of captain to the surprise of many--a commoner nobody turned into captain? Rumors began to spread that he had somehow won favor of his superiors through less savory means. The rumor had some truth to it; by the time Tianbao had made captain, he and had been seeing one of the imperial officers in secret for some time. But it was not because of this that Tianbao had obtained his rank--quite the opposite. It was his reliability and skill that led to the time they spent together,and what had started as mere camaraderie blossomed into a passionate affair. Tianbao would not trade it for anything.

However, love would not be enough. The tides of war changed, victories turning to defeat, and many in the ranks of their army began looking for a way out. The pressure allowed the officer to show his true colors: when his authority was threatened, he turned to despotism to soothe his own growing paranoia. Any mistakes were answered with an iron fist, and any criticism was met with violence. Even Tianbao stood the brunt of his temper, shouldering responsibility for a laundry list of failures and enduring endless blame in the name of love and duty. In the end, not even that was enough.

The imperial officer's paranoia worsened as rumors of their relationship began to further undermine him. Soon Tianbao found himself with hands bound behind his back as his official charges were read to a grim, silent crowd of former peers: treason to the state and "immoral behavior" towards those above his station. He was sentenced to death by beating.

In his last moments as he bled on the ground, Tianbao wished for another life; one full of love that would not end in sorrow.

The gods saw Tianbao's cruel death and took pity on him. When he awoke, it would be to the heavenly realms. They gifted him with the form of a rabbit in honor of his vigilance, quick wit, and resourcefulness, and granted him power over the domain of his wish: love.

And so Hu Tianbao became Tu Shen.

Though he was to be a deity of love overall, it's no coincidence that his sympathies often fell more frequently to the woes of same-sex couples. After all, his mortal memories still burned in his heart. Rather than embitter him, however, they spurred him forward to meticulously attend to his worshippers and cultivate his realm into a sanctuary--any shrine to Tu Shen would be place for those who were struggled because of who they loved; a place where they could rest and heal. Centuries would pass, and soon Tu Shen would become surrounded by loyal attendants and companions, the realm itself blossoming with life. Some of the most favored of these companions would be a trio of mermaids: Tevai, Aiyu, and Renxia (the last of which who would later become the husband of Huangwu).

With so many to entertain, Tu Shen would plan elaborate feasts, inviting even other gods and spirits. The banquets would gain reputation as the hottest ticket in supernatural world: anybody who was anybody would be in attendance. Some would attend to seek his wisdom in matchmaking, some to seek new lovers, and some even seeking the company of the god himself. Others would simply enjoy the celebrations, drinking deep of sweet wine and having their fill of delicious food. It wasn't long before Tu Shen began getting showered in gifts for hosting such fine banquets, everything from fine silks and jewels to the best of a new harvest. Even his personal attendant, a mouse spirit named Itsuki, was gifted to him by the Japanese lucky god Daikokuten. His realm grew in prosperity and his influence spread far and wide to the point where even a particular devil  would occasionally be invited to attend. After many years, Tu Shen more and more resembled the mischievous aspiring merchant than the heartbroken and duty-bound soldier he used to be.

Of course, he still had his duties. While listening to the prayers of mortals, he found they curiously did not wish for his influence on matters of love but rather pleaded for his protection. A monster had been raiding various human villages, causing terror wherever he went--and Tu Shen knew better that anyone that terror could make it difficult for love to bloom. So, he intervened.

That is when Tu Shen first met Nian.

Former soldier or not, Tu Shen was no match for Nian in matters of violence--his shortened tail was evidence of that--nor did he wish to be. So instead he tricked Nian by enticing him into a bet; one that would end with Nian in his servitude. Nian would no longer be able to harm his worshippers, and neither would harm come to anyone involved. Plus, he'd get revenge for his poor tail. A win-win!

Well, at first. While Tu Shen often teased and bullied Nian for his rough ways, and would him off as an example to other gods that even guile could conquer the fiercest beast. But every so often, Tu Shen glimpsed past Nian's anger and saw the sorrow rooted in his heart, one that spoke of loss that was too familiar to ignore. The teasing takes on a gentler playfulness, from bile into banter, and in the late hours when no other ears could pry, Tu Shen would offer to listen. Not that Nian would take him up on the offer (not then, anyhow) but he would try nonetheless. More and more they would spend time together, a rivalry turning into something akin to friendship, and the fire that had once burned in animosity ignited into attraction. It's undeniable that Nian had his own rough charm and Tu Shen least of all would ignore the call of his own domain. The moment he noticed Nian's eyes lingering on him in a different kind of hunger, he let little time go to waste. Soon enough the servants would gossip about seeing Tu Shen lead Nian by the hand to his room in the middle of the night, neither emerging until morning (and sometimes, even the afternoon).

Not that this alone would stop their bickering. They most butted heads over their opinion of humans, with Nian was convinced they don't deserve the blessings they were given and Tu Shen believing their prayers worth answering. One day Nian had asked, "What would a rabbit like you know about how humans really are, anyway?"

For a while Tu Shen was quiet. While he never kept his past a secret, he had long found comfort in his gift of godhood and the way it shaped him anew. Maybe it had been the strength of the wine, or the way Nian kept near to him and let Tu Shen rest his head on his shoulder, but Tu Shen closed his eyes and found himself recounting days long past. He told Nian of the faint memory of his parents, of the small sleepy town they lived in, the war that came to it, the man he pledged his heart to, and the miserable end he was granted in return. For the first time, he felt a certain peace in recounting his death, and perhaps it was the way Nian looked at him--not in pity, but understanding.

They would have many quiet nights like this, sharing their stories behind closed doors. Those around them began to notice the way they grew more gentle around each other, from the way Tu Shen would so easily brush the hair out of Nian's face to the way Nian's hand would linger on the small of Tu Shen's back. It was clear Nian was no longer simply a servant--but no one was entirely surprised that Tu Shen would take on yet another lover. Yet, at every banquet since their dalliance began, Tu Shen would politely decline the offers from his other suitors, only for them to witness Nian slipping into his bedroom. Surely Tu Shen would grow tired of the brute? But then the next banquet would come around and Tu Shen refused them all the same. And the next, and the next... Word began to travel: the god of love had finally found love for himself.

The biggest surprise of all, however, would come in the form of a small budding flower in the midst of his realm. When it bloomed, out sprung a small little rabbit in Tu Shen's image, and on her forehead a tiny little horn resembling Nian's own. If anyone had doubted how the two loved each other, they'd be hard pressed to find any stronger proof than the child that had sprung from the realm itself. They went on to name her Xiao Tu, and she would want for nothing.

Yet, joy would only come with tragedy close at its heels. The way to Tu Shen's realm, though lesser known, was not off-limits to even mortal kind. If one was careful and cunning with enough knowledge of magic they could follow one of his many guests ferrying themselves through the twisting river along the mountains and through the dense, sweet-scented fog. After all, who would want to harm such a benevolent god?

Disguised amongst the other guests, and wielding powerful sorcery, the man looked carefully for a familiar creature. Little did anyone know, the new guest had not been after Tu Shen, but his new husband. Nian had once destroyed the village of the mortal, and in return the mortal sought to take his revenge. When he had reached his beloved Nian in the courtyard, he was already dying. Xiao Tu asked why his body was still and Tu Shen found he could not answer. The mortal upon seeing them learned his mistake, but Tu Shen knew so well how often humans learned their lessons far too late.

For the first time in many centuries, Tu Shen was overcome with a very human grief.

Weeks passed, and the realm was heavy with silence. Tu Shen would not take any visitors, and meals were left untouched outside the door to his rooms. The servants would only see him tending to Nian's cold body, gently cleaning his skin and applying perfumes and oils, even changing his clothes. All the while, Tu Shen would speak to him so softly no one else could hear, as if reliving the days they spent under moonlight in the gardens. When he slept, it was next to his body. Only Xiao Tu seemed to be able to break him from his sorrow, and bit by bit she reminded him of why he had earned his godhood—for not even the sorrow of loss could make him forget the joy of love.

Eventually Nian was laid in a tomb, and just as Tu Shen was ready to say goodbye, his ear twitched upon hearing a single breath. Before the doors could close, he rushed in, and to his disbelief Nian greeted him in an embrace, warm and alive.

For it was the rabbit god's wish was it not? A life full of love that would not end in sorrow.

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aaaaa tu shen! nian! i love them! <3 hope you all adore kubi's writing as much as i do, and as always, if you have any questions just comment below!

// text + tu shen © kubi; art + nian © me.