Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The familiar pattering sound of the rain on the windowsill had been a comforting melody all morning, weaving its way through the quiet confines of the office. The view from the window had been almost the same for the past few days—gloomy-looking skies hung heavy overhead, wind howling as if the gods themselves had been angered… and rain.

Head propped by a hand underneath his chin, Xie Lian found himself lost in thought for a long while, ensnared by the spectacle unfolding before his very eyes. He watched as the raindrops, like tiny messengers from the heavens, violently raced down the glass as if rushing to their inevitable demise, the blank page on his laptop nothing more than an afterthought.

Just a few years ago, he had had no concerns when it came to his writing career—he was constantly complimented for his remarkable way with words, and his ideas flowed effortlessly onto the pages, resulting in fantasy worlds that captivated even the most skeptical audiences with ease. He was happy. His readers were happy. Somehow, even Mu Qing, his loyal but overly demanding editor, was happy.

Until he was not.

It’s not so much that Xie Lian didn’t know what he wanted to write about nowadays, it’s just that he never seemed satisfied with the words in front of him anymore, the text almost foreign and the quality worse than that of the rushed essays he had often delivered last minute for his university coursework. In his defense, the topics had always been mind-numbingly boring.

It felt like a downward spiral, his role nothing more than that of an unwilling spectator. To say the situation left him constantly frustrated would be an understatement.

He had tried nearly everything: removing distractions, listening to ambient music that matched the mood of the scenes he envisioned, even going on walks in hopes of finding something, anything, that would elicit a reaction. Occasionally, he would stumble upon fleeting moments of inspiration—a snippet of conversation, a striking sunset, or the quiet rhythm of rain—but they slipped away as quickly as they came. Desperate, he ventured into a different genre—romance, he had decided at some point—yet his slight inexperience worked against him.

Nothing seemed to work.

Resigning himself to the fact that it would most likely be another unproductive day, he sighed quietly, grabbed his maroon cardigan from the back of the chair, and moved to the living room. Maybe he could watch something, even though he knew it wouldn’t be enough to redirect his thoughts away from his troubles. A day off from his part-time job should have been an opportunity to unwind; instead, the lack of a distraction simply provided an opportunity for the anxiety to settle in even more comfortably than usual.

He lounged on the couch, remote in hand, flipping through channels until he settled on an unfamiliar movie. It seemed to involve a parade and a small child falling from a wall before being swiftly saved by… a flying man in a golden mask? Pfft, ridiculous, he thought to himself, making no move to swap to a different channel.

He nodded off eventually, only to awaken to the movie's end credits rolling across the screen.

Blinking groggily, he checked his phone and noted it was barely past noon. He considered visiting his roommate’s workplace—maybe have lunch together—knowing his friend’s reassuring presence could always ease his mind. However, a particularly strong gust of wind rattled the windows, reminding him of the uninviting weather outside.

A cup of hot chocolate would have to suffice for the time being.

• ────── ❀ ❀ ❀ ────── •

It was completely dark outside and the rain had stopped by the time his roommate got home.

“Gege, I’m home,” Hua Cheng announced as he entered their shared apartment, a familiar greeting echoing through the space.

The events that had led to their current arrangement were... interesting, to say the least.

When Xie Lian took a part-time position at a local bakery, he quickly befriended Shi Qingxuan. The fact that the man spent the majority of their shifts together gushing over his boyfriend didn’t bother him in the slightest; he actually found it quite endearing.

One day, however, Xie Lian noticed a change in his usual cheerfulness. It turned out his boyfriend had a friend who had recently moved to town and had been temporarily crashing on his couch while searching for a place to stay, preferably near the art gallery. Despite claiming he had no issue with the man personally, Shi Qingxuan had been deeply upset by the disruption he had caused to the couple’s weekend plans, which often involved movie marathons. Determined to find a solution, he had been on a mission.

As he listened to his co-worker’s chatter, Xie Lian took mental note of his own situation: he had been struggling with rent for a few months, had a spare bedroom being used as a storage space, lived just a 10-minute walk away from said art gallery, and... had been feeling quite lonely, the apartment rather spacious for a single occupant.

He couldn’t help but inwardly groan at the admission.

All things considered, it wasn’t really surprising when Shi Qingxuan asked him if he was interested in renting out his spare bedroom.

That same day, Xie Lian gave Hua Cheng a tour of the place, and the younger man cheerfully accepted his terms before he could finish reminding him that an immediate answer wasn’t necessary.

He moved in the day after.

Having Hua Cheng as a roommate was nerve-racking at first. Considerate and kind, the man was a constant presence at his side whenever he wasn’t working, either exceedingly curious about his writing or simply interested in spending time together.

Initially cautious not to overstep any boundaries, small tokens of kindness became increasingly frequent as days went by—a blanket over his shoulders whenever he fell asleep at the desk, the singular white flower next to his working space replaced by a fresh one multiple times a week, or a plate of steamed buns after a particularly exhausting shift.

For Xie Lian, this dynamic was unusual, since he had lived alone for as long as he could remember. Being an only child meant that, even in his youth, sharing a private space with anyone other than his parents had never been a thing; his younger cousin only visited during the holidays and never stayed for long.

He wasn’t particularly fond of solitude—quite the opposite—but breaking such a pattern wasn’t something that could be done overnight.

Even though it had taken a few months, they became nearly inseparable. They would have dinner together most days, watch a movie on Fridays, and go grocery shopping on Saturday mornings. Over time, his loneliness slowly dissipated, significantly improving his mood, and his days became more exciting with someone to talk to at the end of the day. Especially someone like Hua Cheng, who seemingly cherished his company like a rare gift.

He couldn’t understand why.

Yet, he never questioned it too deeply, not when even his writing became somewhat more agreeable at some point—slightly less “word vomit” and more “moderately burnt word soup.”

Speaking of which, a faint smell of burning and a warm presence by his side, accompanied by a deep chuckle, abruptly yanked him back to the present.

“Hello… Hello? Earth to Xie Lian!” The words broke through as Hua Cheng gently took over the cooking duties, one hand pushing him aside while the other rushed to the pot on the stove. “What has gege so lost in thought that his dear roommate doesn’t even get his usual warm welcome?” he teased, a smile on his face. “Let me handle the rest.”

“Sorry, San Lang. Welcome back,” Xie Lian murmured, stepping aside. His voice lacked its usual cheer at his friend’s arrival. Hua Cheng's arched eyebrow and inquisitive expression as he glanced back indicated he had noticed. Reluctantly, he confessed, “I couldn’t write again today. The whole day felt pointless, and I ended up reminiscing about how we met and forgot about dinner in the process.”

“Gege thinks about me when he’s having a bad day?” he responded quickly, another teasing reply. But before Xie Lian could even process the words, he added, “I’m joking, I’m joking. Why don’t you tell me about it while we eat? Or I can just talk about my day instead, if you prefer.”

Thankfully, Hua Cheng could always keep the conversation flowing, effortlessly steering it even when Xie Lian was unsure of what to say. Throughout most of the meal, they discussed the renovations nearing completion for an upcoming art exhibition the gallery would be hosting. Despite his usual hesitancy to burden Xie Lian with his concerns, a hint of sadness tinged his voice whenever the topic of his own work arose. His smile, intended to mask it, betrayed his inner struggle—he had wanted to submit his own paintings but repeatedly convinced himself they weren’t good enough, no matter how much Xie Lian insisted otherwise.

At some point, the conversation died down, and they fell into a comfortable silence.

Once the dishes were washed and the kitchen tidied, both men retreated to the living room, quickly getting comfortable beneath a shared blanket. Xie Lian retrieved the remote from the coffee table and handed it over to Hua Cheng with a small smile before resting his head on the arm already behind him.

“Does gege not want to choose what we watch?”

Shaking his head, Xie Lian replied, “San Lang can pick. I just want to sit here for a while.”

A gentle chuckle escaped Hua Cheng’s lips as he flicked through the channels, showing little interest in the programs flashing across the screen. His fingers eventually found their way to Xie Lian’s hair, absentmindedly weaving through the long strands, occasionally twirling them between his fingers as he considered the options on TV.

Hua Cheng’s touch, although tender, stirred a mix of emotions within Xie Lian. While he cherished these moments of quiet companionship, a fleeting uncertainty lingered at the back of his mind. He couldn’t help but wonder why his roommate invested so much time and care in him—he often viewed himself as dull, his life nothing but a series of unremarkable events.

The contrast between his own perceived mediocrity and Hua Cheng’s unwavering attention gnawed at him, a quiet unease that he pushed aside in favor of enjoying the tranquility of the moment.

Finally settling on the latest episode of Eternal Faith, Hua Cheng’s hand shifted to the back of Xie Lian's head, deft fingers now expertly massaging his scalp in slow, rhythmic motions. The sensation was soothing, almost hypnotic, and Xie Lian felt himself relax further, eyes drifting shut.

With his eyes closed, he felt the other man’s head carefully rest against his temple.

“Comfortable?” Hua Cheng whispered softly, his breath brushing against Xie Lian’s ear.

A contented hum was all he could manage in response, a mixture of gratitude and warmth spreading through him.

When he next opened his eyes, mellow rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, pleasantly enveloping the room in a delicate orange glow that hinted at the early hour. Still groggy from sleep, he struggled to remember how he had made it to his own bed the night before.

Chapter Text

As the days drifted by, everything seemed to blur together for Xie Lian. Peering outside, he felt trapped in an endless loop—only the date displayed in the bottom right corner of his screen or the few paragraphs he had managed to piece together reminded him that each day wasn’t just a repeat of the last. However, unbeknownst to him, the weather subtly shifted—the clouds grew even darker and the rain more intense, a prelude to what lay ahead.

No matter what he did, the persistent feelings of guilt haunted him relentlessly, a heavy burden from his inability to create anything of worth for the past couple of years. Each failed attempt and missed opportunity weighed heavily on his conscience, especially when Mu Qing, now more of a close friend rather than just an editor, occasionally called, worried about his well-being.

Startled out of his misery by the unexpected vibration of his phone on the desk, he quickly reached for it, curious about the incoming message.

San Lang 🦊 [14:28]: Gege, I need your help.

Xie Lian’s concern showed clearly on his face, a furrowed brow and frown replacing his previously neutral expression. Worried that something was wrong, he replied as quickly as he could, for once not struggling with the keyboard of his phone.

Xie Lian 🌸 [14:29]: What is it, San Lang? Is everything okay?

San Lang 🦊 [14:31]: Remember the art exhibition I told you about? The one to support local artists?

He sighed in relief, his tension easing.

Xie Lian 🌸 [14:32]: Yes, of course. What about it?

San Lang 🦊 [14:35]: Apparently, someone dropped last minute. They were in a frenzy all morning about finding someone else on such short notice until someone must have told them about my work and now they want me to fill the empty spot.

A smile quickly spread across his lips. It was impossible to contain the excitement he felt at the news. He had always believed in Hua Cheng’s talent, knowing deep down that all his friend needed was recognition beyond Xie Lian’s own.

Xie Lian 🌸 [14:35]: San Lang, that’s great news!

San Lang 🦊 [14:38]: I guess? Except I can only showcase one painting and they need an answer before the end of my shift. Will gege please be my savior and help me choose? I’ll send two options, and all he needs to do is pick the one he likes the most.

As thrilled as he was to help, his knowledge of art was limited. While he enjoyed going to the museum with Hua Cheng and often visited him at his workplace, his understanding paled in comparison to his friend’s expertise. Still, how could he refuse, especially when asked so sweetly?

Xie Lian 🌸 [14:40]: All your work is incredible, San Lang. I don’t know if I’ll be able to help. But I’ll try my best, I promise.

The pictures were sent not even a minute later. The first, an intricate piece depicting a small, decrepit temple on a rainy day, its weathered stone walls adorned with patches of moss and cracks worn by time; a small figure beneath a vibrant red umbrella standing in the foreground, a stark contrast against the muted tones of the temple and the dreary backdrop of the rain. And the second… the second, a picture of a dick.

What.

While the obvious assumption was that it had been sent by mistake, that didn’t mean Xie Lian was able to tear his eyes off the phone screen—his mouth suddenly watering, he felt like a feral animal deprived of a meal in weeks. Maybe months.

Staring at the picture, he couldn’t escape the storm of conflicting emotions within him. While he had always acknowledged Hua Cheng’s charm, there was something else simmering beneath the surface—an undeniable attraction that had perhaps always lingered in the back of his mind, now brought to the forefront by this unexpected, intimate glimpse.

He instantly recognized Hua Cheng’s bed.

Although they spent a lot of time together in their shared living space, they maintained a mutual respect for each other’s privacy, consciously avoiding entering each other’s bedrooms. Despite this unspoken agreement, he had stepped inside Hua Cheng’s bedroom a few times, usually at his request, and could tell those were the black satin sheets the man liked so much, praising them for their comfort and how nice they felt against his skin.

Terrible time to think about that.

More importantly, since Hua Cheng frequently struggled with the concept of shirts or any other type of upper body garments, he also recognized his chest. His very defined chest, his mind treacherously supplied. His enormous tattoo spanned from his left pectoral all the way down to his wrist—a stunning display of butterflies, flowers, and ancient Chinese motifs. A work of art, just like the man himself.

And how could he not notice his nipple piercings? Oh, how he absolutely adored them. His pants suddenly felt tighter at the memory of all the times Hua Cheng would casually walk around the house after a shower in nothing but a towel on his hips, the item hanging on for dear life, mirroring how Xie Lian felt on the inside.

The sight of his cock, though, was new. It was slightly bigger than he had imagined, a lovely shade of pink at the tip… and adorned with a frenum piercing. Oh. While not surprising given his roommate’s penchant for all sorts of jewelry, it was definitely a nice addition to the growing list of things he appreciated about the man.

He suddenly felt very hot, unable to suppress a full-body shiver. Struggling to divert his gaze from the piercing, he forced himself to examine the rest of the picture—Hua Cheng was lying down, his left hand holding himself at the base while the right one angled the phone downward from his neck. His skin had a glistening sheen, suggesting he had just showered or—

Never mind, that was worse.

Realizing he had completely lost track of his thoughts, which were wandering into increasingly dangerous territory, Xie Lian adjusted his pants, now suffocatingly tight, and looked back at the conversation. He also realized the other man was waiting for an answer.

What could he possibly say? Should he pretend nothing was wrong and suggest choosing the first option? Maybe I should have started by telling him that he accidentally sent something he didn’t mean to instead of acting like a horny teenager! That would have been the sensible thing to do, but it had been over 15 minutes since the pictures were sent—no way it would have taken him this long to notice the mistake.

Deciding it was too late to salvage his dignity, his cock-addled brain reminded him of Hua Cheng’s usual confidence and flirtatious nature. Perhaps this was the perfect moment to turn the tables.

Xie Lian 🌸 [14:57]: While I think the second option definitely has the most potential, I don’t think the art gallery would approve of the choice.

His screen was immediately bombarded with a flurry of swear words and apologies, the picture now gone unless he scrolled up. Yet, hidden or deleted, it made no difference—he had already seen it, the details now etched into his brain. When the constant notification sound finally ceased after a couple of minutes, he read the last message.

San Lang 🦊 [14:59]: Please just forget you saw that.

That... didn’t quite go as planned. Had he somehow made things worse? Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation or cry at his terrible comedic timing.

But how could he forget? If he were completely honest with himself, it wasn’t as if he had just discovered his attraction to his very handsome roommate. It wasn’t the first time he had gotten hard imagining how Hua Cheng would look naked on his own bed, long black hair strewn across the sheets, jerking himself off with Xie Lian’s name on his lips.

He had simply never allowed those thoughts to linger, unsure of how to handle the idea of being close to Hua Cheng in ways that went beyond friendship, or his desire to be bent over every flat surface in the apartment.

He didn’t know what to say, or if there was any point in replying to begin with—Should I apologize?—so he opted for silence and a cold shower.

• ────── ❀ ❀ ❀ ────── •

They never got to talk about it.

In the days following the accidental exchange, despite their reluctance to acknowledge what had happened, their dynamic remained largely unchanged, though a subtle tension hung in the air whenever they shared the same space. Hua Cheng’s recent busy schedule meant they didn’t spend as much time together, providing a temporary reprieve.

It seemed neither of them knew how to bring it up, so they danced around the topic—not pretending it didn’t happen, but not discussing it either.

Avoiding unwanted feelings was exactly why Xie Lian had never allowed himself to think of his roommate as more than a temporary blessing. He always averted his eyes after every warm smile, and adamantly refused to cross the boundary set by the waistband of his pants whenever the lower half of his body screamed for attention during the lonelier nights.

Allowing himself to look and want so shamelessly had been disastrous for his self-control, the picture simply a catalyst for his spiraling thoughts.

Not only had he been mulling things over almost nonstop, but he still couldn’t get it out of his head while going through his closet, desperately hoping to find an outfit suitable for the event—something neither too fancy nor too casual. Normally, he would have asked Hua Cheng for his opinion, but today he had left a few hours earlier to help make sure everything was ready. That meant Xie Lian was on his own.

Huffing an exasperated breath, he decided to stop overthinking and settled on a turtleneck jumper and tight-fitting jeans. These were remnants of outfits once gifted by Mu Qing, meant to “make him look more professional” during book signing events. Black wasn’t really his color, yet he couldn’t deny that he looked good. He completed the ensemble with leather boots, ensuring every detail was just right. The finishing touch was a pair of silver butterfly earrings he absolutely adored—a birthday gift from Hua Cheng.

After gathering everything he needed, he grabbed a beige overcoat and his keys on the way out, hoping it wouldn’t rain during his short walk to the art gallery.

The gods were merciful this time.

The atmosphere inside was lively—although not packed, there were quite a few more people than he had expected wandering through the venue. The lighting was warm and inviting, with soft spotlights bathing the artwork in a gentle glow, casting shadows that danced along the walls. Murmurs of admiration and curiosity filled the air, mingling with the occasional clink of glasses and the hushed tones of conversations between guests.

It made him happy; the bustling crowd meant more opportunities for someone to notice the work of the man he sought amidst the crowd. However, instead of the artist himself, it was Shi Qingxuan who found him.

“A-Lian!”

Xie Lian was thrilled to immediately see a friendly face. “Qingxuan! Hi!” Then, turning to his friend’s boyfriend, he continued, “Hello, He Xuan. I did not expect to see you two here.”

“Well... Hua Cheng texted He Xuan yesterday to invite him, he said no, Hua Cheng mentioned there would be food, and here we are!” Shi Qingxuan explained, looking at the man in question and shaking his head, a fond smile never leaving his face. “The usual,” he added with a shrug. “Speaking of, where’s the celebrity?”

“Oh, I just got here so I don’t kn—”

“There.” He Xuan pointed to the back of the room with his left hand, an appetizer already mysteriously in the other.

Even at a distance, Hua Cheng looked divine. He was wearing a crimson button-up shirt, sleeves rolled back to his elbows and a criminal number of buttons undone, paired with his trademark black jeans and combat boots. Xie Lian couldn’t make out the details from their distance, but he was sure the man was adorned with a fair amount of jewelry. And, of course, the black eyepatch he always wore over his right eye, adding a sort of dangerous aura to his looks.

He wanted to call him over, take a good look once he was close, and then congratulate him again, though he was certain Hua Cheng would just wave it off. However, he seemed busy talking to someone else, so Xie Lian didn’t want to intrude.

It didn’t matter because soon enough their eyes met, and Hua Cheng immediately excused himself, striding over to where the three of them were standing near the entrance.

“Hello everyone, thank you for coming,” he greeted politely, standing next to Xie Lian with his right hand lightly resting on the small of his back. “He Xuan, I see you’ve found the main attraction.”

He Xuan simply shrugged. “Hey, I made it very clear that I wasn’t coming because of you. Don’t try to make me feel guilty now.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Hua Cheng replied with a chuckle.

Looking between the two men in front of him, Shi Qingxuan blindly reached for his boyfriend’s wrist, both hands now occupied with food, and hurriedly pulled him away. “We’re going to go ahead and take a look around. See you both in a bit!”

Meanwhile, Xie Lian had been stealing furtive glances at his roommate, barely registering what was happening around him, instead confirming what he already knew: Hua Cheng indeed looked divine. Even more so up close. His fingers, just as expected, were adorned with a multitude of silver rings, while a tear-shaped red pendant dangled from his right ear. His open shirt revealed a sliver of his tattoo, the other end fully exposed by the rolled-up sleeves. Another button and he would be able to see—

He immediately averted his eyes, silently chastising himself. What am I doing? This is getting out of hand. Control yourself, Xie Lian!

Unaware of his inner turmoil, Hua Cheng looked directly at him before not-so-subtly raking his eye up and down his body. Xie Lian felt a mix of flattery and discomfort under that intense gaze, his cheeks warming despite his efforts to remain composed. Hua Cheng's eye seemed to linger just a moment longer than necessary before he leaned in slightly, close enough that his breath ghosted against Xie Lian’s ear.

“I’m really happy to see you here. You look great,” he whispered hesitantly.

Xie Lian's heart skipped a beat at the closeness, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. He wanted to respond in kind, but the weight of the recent incident hung between them, stifling his usual ease. “Thank you, San Lang. You look better.”

Hua Cheng’s eye darted away for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his features. “Nonsense.” He seemed to be holding back, the playful glint in his eye replaced with a more subdued look, as if he were choosing his words with deliberate care. “All these works of art, and the prettiest one doesn’t even get to be appraised.”

Xie Lian felt a shiver run down his spine at the implication, the words brushing against something deep inside him that he had been trying to ignore. “Don’t tease,” he replied softly, nudging Hua Cheng’s shoulder lightly, but his voice trembled ever so slightly.

“I’m not teasing. Black suits you.” With a careful motion, his right hand slowly moved from its previous spot to sweep a strand of hair behind Xie Lian’s ear. “And whoever gave you these really knew what they were doing,” Hua Cheng murmured, his fingers brushing the butterfly earring. Xie Lian swallowed, feeling a tingling sensation where Hua Cheng’s touch lingered.

His heart raced, torn between wanting to lean into the touch and maintaining a safe distance.

“San Lang...” he whined, avoiding eye contact.

“The blush suits you, too.”

“San Lang!”

“Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll stop.” He chuckled briefly, his expression then shifting into something more solemn. “Sorry if I upset you.”

These exchanges had become second nature, a back-and-forth even their friends were used to by now—Hua Cheng would tease Xie Lian, who would playfully scold him in return for his shameless behavior, sometimes cautioning against him saying such things to others. Hua Cheng would laugh, always quick to apologize, and the cycle would repeat every few days. Despite his feelings towards the other, it had never really bothered him; in fact, some of his lines were so cheesy, he couldn’t help but find them amusing.

But suppressing emotions for a long period of time had a way of bringing them back to the surface eventually, their intensity often magnified. And Xie Lian had been doing nothing but pushing down his feelings for over a year.

He’s my roommate, my friend. The teasing is just part of his nature. He’s simply comfortable because we’ve shared an apartment for so long.

These were all lies he would tell himself to cover up the real reason he would deny everything so fiercely.

He would never be interested in someone like me.

Chapter Text

After about a week of sporadic bouts of heavy rain, the weather had turned relentless. Outside, a violent thunderstorm raged—ominous clouds darkened the sky, intermittently lit up by brilliant streaks of lightning that aggressively illuminated the apartment. Inside, only the kitchen remained bright as Xie Lian busied himself with preparing dinner.

He worried slightly. Not only was Hua Cheng late, but they were still avoiding the topic constantly plaguing his mind. While part of him felt relieved to evade what would undoubtedly be an uncomfortable conversation, another part felt miserable for not being able to shake the image of Hua Cheng’s body from his thoughts.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at the picture again, afraid of the effect it would have on him. It also felt like a transgression of the trust between them—it was already bad enough that he refused to delete it.

The night prior had been the worst. He dreamt of the art exhibition, innocently at first, until memories of gentle touches on his ear and Hua Cheng’s proximity flooded back. How, at the time, he had subconsciously wished for the teasing to continue, for Hua Cheng to tell him in excruciating detail how pretty he looked, followed by vivid images of being pulled into a storage room and kissed until his lips were sore. He imagined his body being roughly pressed against a wall, hands fumbling in the dark in a vicious attempt to map each other’s bodies as quickly as possible. He didn’t mind the idea of begging, as long as he could feel those long fingers where he needed them most.

He desperately craved to feel wanted. Needed.

Loath as he was to admit it, for the first time, he had allowed himself relief—one hand had pumped furiously as tears flowed down his cheeks, pleasure and frustration seamlessly intertwined, while the other had prevented the needy sounds escaping his lips from being heard by anyone other than himself.

Pulled from his thoughts by the sound of a door opening, Xie Lian glanced towards the entrance just in time to see Hua Cheng stumble into the apartment, his hair and clothes equally drenched. Water dripped from his jacket, forming small puddles on the floor as he closed the door behind him. He shivered slightly, the expression on his face suggesting he felt as miserable as he looked.

“Hop in the shower quickly before you catch a cold, San Lang. I’ll have some warm soup ready for you by the time you come out.”

Carefully removing his shoes and jacket to minimize the mess, Hua Cheng weakly murmured a “thank you” before heading straight to the bathroom.

As Xie Lian continued preparing dinner, he soon heard the telltale sound of water running. His mind instantly wandered, conjuring images of Hua Cheng in the shower—water trailing over his shoulders, cascading down his back, tracing the contours of his muscles—

He shook his head, trying to dispel the images that both thrilled and tormented him, and refocused on the meal.

A while later, as he set the table, he almost shattered the bowl in his hands when the other man walked up in nothing but a pair of gray sweatpants, shirt in hand, and casually sat down.

At least it wasn’t a towel this time. Xie Lian didn’t know whether he was happy or sad about that.

“Smells good.”

“It’s just a simple chicken noodle soup, San Lang. Hopefully it doesn’t taste too bad.”

He tried his hardest not to look at the exposed chest in front of him as he brought Hua Cheng his bowl and sat down across from him, but it turned out to be quite the task.

“Impossible, you always make the best food,” Hua Cheng said, scooping up a large portion of noodles with his chopsticks and humming in approval.

Xie Lian trusted his words, yet it was strange that he seemed to be the only one within his small friend group who appreciated his cooking. Even He Xuan would adamantly refuse Xie Lian’s dinner invites, always sarcastically claiming he wasn’t interested in becoming acquainted with the local hospital’s emergency room staff.

Since it was Friday, they cheerfully discussed the movie choice for the night between bites of their food, eventually settling on a horror movie suggested by Hua Cheng. He argued the intensity of the thunderstorm outside would add to the experience, especially with all the lights off.

Once both bowls were empty, he immediately got to his feet, insisting on washing the dishes while Xie Lian prepared the movie and blankets. However, a sharp crack of thunder suddenly plunged the apartment into darkness. The hum of the refrigerator stopped, and the soft glow of the kitchen lights vanished, replaced by an eerie silence.

Hua Cheng sighed audibly, clearly frustrated. “Great, just what we needed.” Carefully setting the bowls down on the nearest surface, he added, “Do we have any candles?”

“Should be some in the kitchen. Third drawer of the rightmost cabinet, I think.”

With barely any light to guide him, the man fumbled his way through the kitchen, feeling along the counter. He pulled open what he hoped was the correct drawer and started rifling through it, his fingers brushing against utensils and other items he couldn’t identify by touch alone. He let out a sigh of relief shortly after, finding the familiar shape of a few candles. “And matches?”

From his spot on the couch, Xie Lian hummed thoughtfully, doing his best to assist. “I don’t think we have any? Not that I remember, anyway.”

“For fuck’s sake...” Hua Cheng grumbled. “I think I have a lighter on my desk. Give me a minute.”

Xie Lian heard slow footsteps make their way towards the bedroom, accompanied by a loud curse shortly after. Not even a minute later, Hua Cheng emerged from the room, clutching not only the lighter but also his phone, the flashlight making it much easier to navigate the darkened apartment.

He placed the candles on the coffee table and swiftly lit each one, their warm, flickering flames gradually casting a soft glow around the room. Satisfied, he settled onto the couch beside Xie Lian.

Legs slightly spread, head tilted back and eye closed, he looked like the very picture of comfort.

Xie Lian found himself immediately admiring the other’s physique, the intimate glow casting delicate shadows that emphasized his roommate’s toned form. The fabric of the shirt he now wore clung just enough to reveal the outline of firm muscles beneath, each breath causing a slight rise and fall. Below, the sweatpants draped casually around his legs and hips, loose enough to leave out any intimate details, although he had more than enough information to fill in the gaps. With every passing moment, he could feel his resolve crumbling further.

Completely entranced, he almost missed the question.

“Is there anything you want to do?”

Thankfully, Hua Cheng’s eye was still closed.

He didn’t know whether to blame the other man’s relaxed stance or the mental exhaustion caused by their current situation for the next words that slipped out of his mouth. “San Lang, why have you stopped calling me gege?”

Xie Lian could vaguely guess the reason, although he wanted to hear it from Hua Cheng directly. The momentary pause in the man’s breath indicated that he was as surprised by the bluntness as Xie Lian was.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered softly after a while, still unmoving.

“What for?”

Sighing, he finally opened his eye, tilting his head slightly to stare directly at Xie Lian. “I... made a stupid mistake and sent you something I shouldn’t have.”

“That doesn’t answer my initial question,” he insisted, his tone firm yet calm, eyes fixed on Hua Cheng.

While Xie Lian managed to keep his expression neutral, Hua Cheng seemed troubled—running his hands over his face, he sighed once more, looking like he would rather talk about anything else than continue this conversation. But enough was enough.

“I was embarrassed and... felt guilty,” he began. “I didn’t know how to bring it up either. Thought maybe you didn’t even want to talk about it and we could just forget it happened and move on, you know? But then I looked at you that same night, and you looked uncomfortable, so I figured I didn’t have the right to call you that anymore after messing up.” After a brief pause, he added, “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m sorry.”

Despite the other man’s lengthy admission, Xie Lian’s response was almost immediate. “I never stopped calling you San Lang or wanting to spend time with you, so how could I be uncomfortable? I just didn’t know what to say. Besides,” he continued, shifting his position on the couch to face the other man fully, “that didn’t stop you from being a shameless flirt during the exhibition.”

Hua Cheng chuckled softly at his comment, appearing slightly more relaxed. Yet, he still hesitated. “I didn’t mean to, but...” He glanced down briefly, then met Xie Lian’s eyes again. “Gege looked so beautiful, I couldn’t stop myself.”

As much as he welcomed the term of endearment again, he couldn’t ignore how deeply the teasing affected him, especially when he allowed himself to let the words run freely through his head instead of instantly dismissing them.

Before any weak protest could leave his lips, he felt Hua Cheng’s right hand slowly approach his. Glancing down, he watched as their fingers tentatively touched.

Refusing to meet Hua Cheng’s gaze, he murmured, “San Lang...”

“What is it, gege?”

“I’ve told you before, don’t say those things so casually. They might be taken seriously.”

A faint smile tugged at Hua Cheng’s lips as he replied softly, “I sure hope so.”

At that, Xie Lian instantly looked up in astonishment, his eyes scanning Hua Cheng’s face for any hint of a joke but finding none. Instead, he was met with an uncharacteristically shy, vulnerable smile—a sharp contrast to his usual layer of confidence and mischief. Gradually, the distance between them began to close. Hua Cheng’s gaze shifted from Xie Lian’s eyes to his lips and back again, his approach slow and hesitant, silently offering him the chance to withdraw.

But Hua Cheng was not the only one yearning for closeness—unconsciously, much like a moth drawn to a flame, Xie Lian also leaned towards him in a wordless plea. As they drew closer, both men paused with their faces mere inches apart, breaths somewhat unsteady.

Feeling the man’s left hand gently cup his cheek, Xie Lian shivered at the touch.

Hua Cheng's voice was barely above a whisper. “Tell me if you don’t want this.”

Instead of a direct answer, Xie Lian simply murmured, “San Lang is terrible for my self-control.”

Hua Cheng didn’t reply; he merely continued smiling, adjusting his position to better face Xie Lian, lips lingering close, his figure towering slightly over the man now that he was no longer leaning back.

When their lips finally touched, it was chaste—a tender, delicate exploration of new territory. Xie Lian’s eyes fluttered closed instantly, unaware of the gaze leisurely roaming his face, intent on absorbing every detail of his features.

However, impatience soon took over Hua Cheng. He deepened the kiss, their noses brushing as his hand moved from Xie Lian’s cheek to the back of his head, fingers threading through the long strands of his hair. A firm tug earned him a soft, delicious moan. With his own eye now closed, he focused on committing every little noise coming from his lover’s lips to memory.

With their kisses growing increasingly urgent, what started as a delicate meeting of lips turned into something hungry and desperate—clumsy, yet charged with unparalleled intensity.

Their hands on the couch now intertwined, Xie Lian’s fingers inadvertently dug into the other man’s skin. Exhausted from masking his feelings, he surrendered, allowing himself to be consumed by the flames he had so desperately tried to extinguish, again and again, to no avail.

Unsure of how much he was allowed, he tentatively placed his free hand on Hua Cheng’s leg. The gentle brush of his thumb against the fabric was a stark contrast to the intensity of their mouths against each other. An intensity he almost struggled to match.

Hua Cheng responded eagerly, spurred on by the whimpers escaping Xie Lian’s lips. He tugged on his bottom lip with gentle insistence, teasing between pleasure and pain, before biting down firmly, sending a thrilling jolt through Xie Lian’s body. His tongue soothed the sting almost instantly.

“Fuck, you sound so good.”

Hua Cheng sounded utterly lost in desire, and Xie Lian loved it. He reveled in the chaos of it all—the raspiness of his voice, the ragged breathing, the urgency. It was empowering to realize that the lust he felt wasn’t one-sided; in fact, the other man somehow seemed even more overwhelmed than he was.

With this newfound knowledge, Xie Lian acted with a boldness he would have berated himself for under different circumstances. Placing both hands on the man’s chest, he briefly broke their kiss to push him back onto the cushions. Then, he swung his right leg over and straddled him, unabashedly moving his hips and pressing his growing erection into the abdomen beneath him, too turned on to care how desperate he seemed.

If the matching hardness he felt rubbing against his backside was any indication, it didn’t matter.

Despite his larger frame, Hua Cheng let himself be pushed and pulled, body going limp until Xie Lian was fully seated on top of his crotch.

“Eager,” he teased with a mischievous smile.

Before Xie Lian could protest, Hua Cheng was moving his hands back to his body, both of them settling on the firm globes of his ass and squeezing hard. He dug his fingers into the flesh, guiding the unsteady movement of his hips.

Xie Lian leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Hua Cheng’s. His hands flew to the back of his head, fingers weaving through inky black locks and gently tugging, carefully avoiding the strap of the eyepatch. The action drew a moan from the man underneath him, mirroring the sounds spilling from his own lips.

“San Lang...” he panted, struggling to find the words. “I’ve—ahh—I’ve wanted you for so long.”

“Yeah?”

Xie Lian simply hummed in agreement, not trusting his ability to speak.

“Tell me about it, gege.”

Despite Hua Cheng’s request, the man didn’t wait before moving his left hand to the back of Xie Lian’s head once more. With a sharp tug, he tilted Xie Lian’s head back, exposing the elegant line of his throat. Starting from the base, he pressed delicate kisses along the skin while slowly moving upward, lips unhurried in their exploration. Each kiss left a trail of warmth and longing, his touch deliberate yet tender, as if he were mapping the contours of Xie Lian’s neck with devoted reverence.

“Gege...” he whispered between kisses, his breath warm against Xie Lian’s ear. “Won’t you tell me how much you want me?”

Barely registering the words, he murmured weakly, “C-can’t.”

“Hmm? Why not?”

Hua Cheng’s smile was evident against Xie Lian’s skin, a hint of amusement in his voice.

He’s impossible, even now.

Momentarily distracted by his thoughts, he nearly missed the tongue tracing the outer shell of his ear, then moving on to tease his earlobe with gentle bites. Despite the softer approach this time, his reaction was much more intense—his breath caught in his throat and he shuddered violently, the soft graze of teeth igniting a fire spreading from his ear down to his very core.

The warmth of Hua Cheng’s breath against his skin intensified the sensation, making it hard for him to concentrate on anything else but the powerful waves of pleasure engulfing him.

“Wanna mark your pretty little neck so bad... Make you mine...” Hua Cheng murmured in his ear, pausing his movements. He tugged at the earlobe again. “Would you like that?”

“Y-yes...”

Immediately, his lips pressed against Xie Lian’s neck again, harsher this time, and he could feel a bruise forming as the tender flesh was sucked into Hua Cheng’s mouth. The caress of his tongue followed, moving in small, circular motions against the skin before nibbling that exact same spot.

As he repeated the pattern all over, faint murmurs spilled from his lips between kisses—words like “mine” and “beautiful” were uttered like a mantra.

Xie Lian couldn’t help but moan, loud and unrestrained. In the confines of his pants, his neglected cock pressed almost painfully against its constraints, begging to be released.

A few minutes later, finally satisfied, Hua Cheng leaned back slightly to admire his handiwork. He tenderly stroked Xie Lian’s lips, feeling the warm breath ghost over his fingers as they both struggled to regain their composure. In a whisper, he uttered the word one last time, “Mine.”

Overwhelmed by the intensity of his lover’s ministrations, Xie Lian attempted to create some distance between them.

With his breathing now steadier, he took a moment to observe the man beneath him. Hua Cheng looked content, a playful smirk dancing on his lips as he gazed back intently. His hair was in complete disarray, tousled by the fervent movements of Xie Lian’s own hands.

Considering how his neck had been assaulted with reckless abandon, he was certain he didn’t fare any better.

Eager for his turn to unravel the man before him, he began to slowly slide his hands downward, fingertips tracing the edge of his roommate’s shirt. Absentmindedly tugging his bottom lip between his teeth, he slipped his hands underneath the fabric, running his fingers over the defined muscles.

Hua Cheng remained still, quietly watching the man in his lap, his own hands resting on Xie Lian’s thighs, thumbs soothingly caressing them in encouragement.

“Wanna... see you,” Xie Lian said quietly.

Wordlessly, Hua Cheng lifted his arms, allowing him to clumsily remove his shirt.

Once the garment was off, after a bit of maneuvering and a sly, almost imperceptible kiss on Xie Lian’s chin as he untangled the bundle from the man’s wrists, he wasted no time exploring the newly exposed torso. His fingers moved swiftly to the pierced nipples, and he curiously pinched one of the barbells, relishing Hua Cheng’s instant reaction.

“Gege...” he whimpered softly.

“I’ve been thinking about these ever since I saw them.”

Hua Cheng’s eye widened, surprise quickly replacing his previous expression. “You like them?”

“Yes...” His eyes carefully lowered to the outline of the other man’s erection. “The, um, other one, too.”

Despite feeling emboldened after their intense make-out session, Xie Lian’s voice carried a hint of hesitance, a blush spreading furiously across his cheeks.

Truth was, he never expected to reach this point, never dared to imagine what it would be like for Hua Cheng to return his deeply buried affections. The man was everything—smart, funny, charming, caring, beautiful. And Xie Lian... Xie Lian was nothing more than a plain rock with no light of its own endlessly orbiting around a star.

“Oh? Gege’s been fantasizing about his poor, innocent San Lang?” he teased, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. “How dirty.”

He wanted to be wholly consumed by this star.

Making a conscious effort to steady his features once more, he playfully swatted away the hand making its way to his warm cheeks, giving the other an adorably disgruntled look in turn. “It’s San Lang’s fault.”

Hua Cheng hummed. “If I had known I could have you like this, I would’ve intentionally sent a picture of me naked much sooner.”

“I... I do want more than just your body, though,” he muttered, averting his eyes.

Taking hold of the hands pressed against his chest, Hua Cheng leaned in just enough to gently bump their noses together, silently pleading for the other man’s attention. When amber-colored eyes finally locked with his, he whispered, “I’ll give you anything you want.”

The words were like unleashing a dam, an overwhelming flood of emotions taking over both men. Their bodies tangled again, mouths crashed together with renewed intensity, the fire threatening to burn everything around them.

Hua Cheng finally began undressing Xie Lian, the shirt haphazardly thrown somewhere behind him mere seconds before he considered simply ripping it off his torso, not wanting to wait any longer. His fair skin, marred only by a handful of old scars, was mesmerizing to behold. But before he could continue his unhurried worship, Xie Lian was pushing himself off his lap.

“Gege, where are you going?” Hua Cheng asked, voice tinged with curiosity.

Xie Lian slowly lowered himself to his knees, his gaze never wavering from the other’s eye. His hands rested gently on Hua Cheng’s thighs, fingers brushing the fabric reverently. He teased, deliberately ignoring the bulge right in front of him.

Leaning forward, he made a show of rubbing his face against Hua Cheng’s crotch, the innocent look on his face belying his intentions. “San Lang...”

“Fuck.”

Hua Cheng looked like he was about to ascend to the heavens.

Gripping the waistband, Xie Lian patiently waited for Hua Cheng to lift his hips. Slowly, he peeled down both his sweatpants and underwear, his mouth watering as his eyes drank in the sight of the exposed cock.

Excitement palpable, Xie Lian ran his fingers carefully along the shaft, feeling its warmth and the slight throbbing beneath his touch. Pausing just below the head, he traced the cool metal of Hua Cheng’s frenum piercing with his thumb, trembling at the thought of tracing it with his tongue instead.

Above him, a low moan escaped Hua Cheng’s lips at the intimate contact, spurring Xie Lian on. Encouraged by the reaction, he wrapped his fingers around the base and gave an experimental tug, eliciting a deep, guttural sound.

“Keep touching me, please...” Hua Cheng groaned, his voice strained with need. “Your hands feel so good... F-fuck.”

His hips subtly rocked in response to the deliberate slowness of Xie Lian’s movements, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away from his lover. The look they exchanged was fond, their hearts racing in sync.

Driven by his own desire to touch, he cupped Xie Lian’s face lovingly, his fingers tracing a path along the soft skin. Tilting the chin upward, he traced the pad of his thumb along the bottom lip, pulling it down to open his mouth.

Obediently, Xie Lian leaned in closer, his tongue darting out to tease the slit, tasting the salty fluids gathered there. He took the head into his mouth, savoring the stretch of his lips around the girth, gently sucking to adjust to its size and weight. Gradually, he took more of Hua Cheng, inch by inch, tracing his tongue along the piercing.

The taste and feel of him were intoxicating, and Xie Lian lost himself in the rhythm, bobbing his head with increasing fervor. Each movement was met with a gratifying response, further encouraging him.

“God, you’re so fucking hot like this, so eager for my cock.”

Xie Lian hummed in response, pleased by Hua Cheng’s praise. A warm flush spread across his cheeks, the words igniting a deeper passion within him.

“Does gege like it when I tell him how go—ngh—how good he makes his San Lang feel?”

He did. The knowledge that he could evoke such a powerful reaction with just his mouth filled him with joy. As he was about to voice his thoughts, a firm hand grabbed his elbow, pulling him upward in one swift motion.

“Come here,” Hua Cheng commanded, his voice laced with desire and urgency.

“But San Lang, I wasn’t do—” Xie Lian started, only to be interrupted as strong hands lifted him effortlessly by his thighs.

“I know,” Hua Cheng said, kissing Xie Lian as he yelped and hurriedly wrapped his arms and legs around him, “but as much as I would have liked to come down your throat, it’s my turn.”

Leaning down slightly, he instructed Xie Lian to fetch a candle before carrying him to his bedroom. Without letting go, he waited until the candle was placed on the bedside table, then unceremoniously threw him onto the bed.

Xie Lian landed with a soft thud, the satin sheets cool against his back where they touched. Half-naked and with his hair tousled across the sheets, he mirrored Hua Cheng in his most vivid fantasies. His arousal was palpable, evidenced by the damp spot at the front of his pants, his cock regrettably still trapped and neglected.

As if reading his mind, Hua Cheng wasted no time in stripping him of the rest of his clothes. He then climbed onto the bed, positioning himself between his legs.

“Look at you...” he murmured, his gaze hungry. “Perfect.”

Hua Cheng immediately went to work, skillfully taking Xie Lian into his mouth without hesitation. If Xie Lian had found satisfaction in pleasuring him, he was unprepared to be on the receiving end of such expert ministrations. Each movement sent shivers down his spine, waves of pleasure coursing through him. He attempted to stifle a moan by covering his mouth, but Hua Cheng instantly seized his hands and pinned them above his head with a touch that was both dominant and tender.

Only when Xie Lian was reduced to a symphony of whimpers and moans did Hua Cheng pause. He kissed his way up Xie Lian’s abdomen, teasingly nibbling at his nipples along the way, each kiss leaving a fiery trail on his skin.

“San Lang... please...” Xie Lian mewled.

“Patience, beloved.”

Xie Lian whined softly, more in playful protest than true indignation. Hua Cheng couldn’t help but chuckle, thoroughly enjoying the slightly bratty attitude.

Despite having asked for patience, Hua Cheng promptly reached over to grab a condom and a bottle of lube from the bedside table. Xie Lian’s heart sank at the sight of the condom. As the other man’s fingers closed around the items, he bit his bottom lip, his hand darting out to intercept Hua Cheng’s before the foil packet could be dropped onto the bed.

Hua Cheng arched an eyebrow, silently questioning.

With a hesitant pause, Xie Lian murmured, “Don’t...”

“Don’t what, gege?” he teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Say it.”

“I want you to come inside me,” he blurted out, his cheeks suddenly flushing with a mix of embarrassment and desire.

Hua Cheng’s expression shifted from surprise to clear amusement at the bold admission. “Tsk, tsk, tsk, the mouth on you sometimes,” he said playfully, leaning down to press a quick, tender kiss to Xie Lian’s lips. “I love it.”

The condom was quickly discarded, and Hua Cheng sat upright, uncapping the bottle of lube. Xie Lian’s eyes were glued to the man’s hands as he swiftly coated his fingers, anticipation setting his nerves ablaze.

Lying next to him, Hua Cheng mouthed at his neck once more, the skin still tender from his earlier assault. He spread Xie Lian’s legs a little wider, a cold finger slowly circling his entrance, both teasing and soothing. “I love seeing you like this,” he murmured, voice low and full of desire, “completely at my mercy.”

“Please...” Xie Lian whispered, the plea slipping out involuntarily.

“Mmm, gege begs so nicely,” Hua Cheng whispered back, carefully sinking the finger past the threshold.

The initial intrusion made Xie Lian’s breath hitch, but the slow, deliberate movements soon had him gasping in pleasure. Hua Cheng’s finger felt both invasive and intimate, stretching him with measured care. As he opened him up, Hua Cheng leisurely explored his insides, soon adding another long finger. Xie Lian’s pleasure built steadily, the new sensation sending sparks of ecstasy through his body. His breath grew ragged and he instinctively pushed back against Hua Cheng’s hand.

When he began crooking both fingers inside him, relentlessly brushing against his prostate, Xie Lian’s pleasure skyrocketed.

It felt heavenly.

“More... I need mo—ahh—please, San Lang. P-please, plea—”

Incapable of coherent thought, his words became an endless stream of pleas. The constant pressure against the bundle of nerves and the slight discomfort as Hua Cheng added a third finger overwhelmed his senses. Xie Lian’s hands clutched the sheets, knuckles white from the effort of holding himself together.

“Just a bit longer, my love. I need to open you up properly or I’ll hurt you.” Hua Cheng’s voice was a soothing balm, his words mingling with the intoxicating sensations coursing through his body.

It felt maddening.

“Enough, I’m ready.” Xie Lian’s voice was a breathless demand, each word laced with overwhelming bliss as the sensation of the digits inside him took over. “Please, just fuck me already.” His cock ached, heavy between his legs, and he was seconds away from taking what he wanted.

“So impatient,” Hua Cheng cooed, taking great pleasure in seeing his lover in such a desperate state. His eye was dark with lust, a smile playing on his lips.

Not needing to be told twice, Hua Cheng held the bottle of lube again, coating his dick and spreading Xie Lian’s legs even further. He pulled him closer so his back was against his chest, one hand on Xie Lian’s thigh keeping his leg propped up while the other guided the length to his hole. Pausing, he waited until Xie Lian nodded—the action conveying more than words ever could—before crossing the final line.

After what felt like an eternity, he almost cried when he finally felt the tip of Hua Cheng’s cock breach his entrance—not due to pain but relief.

Months of self-denial led to this moment—open and vulnerable, held by the man he couldn’t stop dreaming about, begging to be fucked. The sensual words spilling from the warm lips next to his ear were a tantalizing mix of filth and praise, each one making his heart race.

For the first time in years, he felt worthy.

Just as with everything they had done, the pace was agonizingly slow initially, but took a desperate edge once the slide inside him felt comfortable. The hand holding his thigh gripped it with such crushing strength, Xie Lian hoped it would bruise the next day. His entire body was like a map, dozens of dark purple specks and bite marks littering his skin in search of hidden treasure.

“You feel incredible, gege. I could stay inside you for all eternity.” Hua Cheng’s thrusts quickened, his breathing growing more ragged as he pressed his lips to Xie Lian’s ear. “You’re mine,” he whispered, his voice a mix of possession and adoration. “Forever.”

Xie Lian’s body responded instinctively, arching into each push, his own cries mingling with Hua Cheng’s. It wasn’t long until the sound of skin slapping against skin echoed through the room, the rhythm nearly devastating.

As their climax approached, Hua Cheng’s hand slid down to Xie Lian’s own neglected arousal, stroking him in time with his movements. The dual sensation was too much to bear, and he felt the tight coil of pleasure in his core snap.

“San Lang!” he cried out, his body convulsing in bliss as he spilled over Hua Cheng’s hand.

The sensation of Xie Lian’s climax, the tightening around him, pushed Hua Cheng over the edge. With a final, deep thrust, he buried himself fully inside, spilling his seed with a low, guttural groan. The warmth of his release filled Xie Lian, making him feel sated, claimed.

They stayed entwined, both sweaty and exhausted, the world fading away until only the image of Hua Cheng lying next to him every night remained in Xie Lian’s mind. As their breaths slowed and their heartbeats synchronized, there was only Hua Cheng.

Maybe he could let himself have this.

He turned his head slowly to meet Hua Cheng’s eye, their noses brushing affectionately. The tenderness in Hua Cheng’s expression mirrored his own, their unspoken love woven into the quiet intimacy of their shared gaze. Words of devotion whispered softly between them filled the space with promises of what was yet to come.

In that moment of acceptance and vulnerability, Xie Lian felt a sense of peace wash over him—a peace he hadn’t known in years, perhaps ever. The doubts and insecurities that had plagued him melted away, replaced by gentle kisses and the unwavering certainty that he was worthy of this love, of Hua Cheng’s love.

Yes, he could definitely let himself have this.