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"A-Cheng, you coming to the party?"
"Stop calling me that," Hua Cheng sighed. "And no. I don't care about literally anyone in our class."
He Xuan rolled his eyes. "I bet our Crown Prince will be there," he mumbled as he turned around, leaving Hua Cheng's room.
Hua Cheng scoffed. "Like I care about some popular guy!"
He sat down on the his bed and thought about it. Whatever, he'll get free food and leave if he wants. No one is gonna bother him anyway, probably. He's been bullied before but he couldn't care less anymore. Besides, his class hasn't done anything to him yet so he doubts it would start at the end of the year.
Sure, he'll go to this stupid senior get-together or whatever it is.
He stood up, walking out the door to the kitchen. He peaked his head around the corner to see He Xuan at the fridge, of course.
"Hey."
He Xuan jumped and turned around. "The fuck do you want?"
He straightened up, looking at him confidently. "When is the... party or whatever."
Yin Yu perked up from the table as He Xuan gaped at him. Hua Cheng held back from rolling his eyes. Did his roommates really think he was that god damn lame, they were this surprised by him being slightly interested in the party?
"Monday. Why? Are you going?"
"None of your business," he hissed. "And thanks."
He Xuan cocked an eyebrow. "You coming for the Crown Prince?"
"Because I have nothing better to do," he corrected before he walked back to his room, hearing whispering from the kitchen (to which he did roll his eyes at this time).
He closed his door and leaned against it. Monday. It's Saturday. He didn't want to wait long, it already felt embarrassing as it is to show up to a senior party when he's never shown up to a single class or school event in his entire four years of being at his University.
Fortunately for him, the two days passed quickly. He decided to catch up on late homework so he would actually graduate, and it took up most of his time. When he wasn't doing homework, he was drawing.
Thinking about it now that he was about to leave with the other two, he realized he didn't know what his school's "Crown Prince" looked like, or who he even was.
"Who is the Crown Prince?" Hua Cheng asked as they left the house. It was a little before 6pm, which was when everyone was supposed to be at the University gym.
Yin Yu cocked an eyebrow, only to let it drop immediately. "Are you that tuned out?"
"Yeah, do you think my not caring about anyone is an act? I don't know anyone in this school."
"You know Pei Ming," He Xuan corrected. Hua Cheng looked at him blankly. "Who?"
He Xuan sighed. "Pei Ming flirted with you like two months ago, and you rejected him hard. He gets with everyone in the school, and everyone likes him. He probably should've expected it but still looked a little offended from your response."
Hua Cheng thought about it, trying to remember that event. He Xuan added, "You told him to go to hell."
Hua Cheng smiled. "Ah, yes. I remember him."
Yin Yu let out a sigh as he got into the driver's seat of the car.
Hua Cheng got in the passenger seat, ignoring the protests from He Xuan. As Yin Yu drove to the school, Hua Cheng thought of something. "Has he slept with the Crown Prince? Also you haven't told me who that dude is yet."
Yin Yu nodded. "Right. He gets his name from a play in his freshman year, it was one around the time of prince's and god's. He had the main role, and because of his beauty and personality, the nickname stuck. His real name is Xie Lian.
Xie Lian. That sounded nice, surprisingly.
"His beauty?"
"Yeah," He Xuan interrupted. "Everyone thinks he's extremely gorgeous. I think I heard he's got some thing for abstinence."
Hua Cheng looked up at him through the mirror with a confused look.
"He's a virgin," Yin Yu explained. "Never been with anyone, not even dating. Apparently Jun Wu, another popular guy, has eyes on him, though. Pei Ming even tried to get with him for a night, but he just politely refused and went off to his close friends again."
"What about his close friends?" Hua Cheng couldn't help his curiosity.
"They're dangerous," He Xuan said blankly. "If anyone even wants a chance with Xie Lian, they've gotta get past them. They don't let, like, anyone talk to him. If anyone did, they'd be quick to join and tell them off. They're all childhood friends I guess, but they act like fucking bodyguards. It's kinda sickening, I just can't imagine having two friends not letting you do whatever the fuck you want. Insufferable."
Yin Yu nodded. "I understand though. He supposedly has a bad experience with people flirting with him when he was younger, so they're protective. Maybe a little too much, but I haven't personally seen how far they go to people who are insistent on getting with Xie Lian."
Hua Cheng frowned when Yin Yu spoke of the bad experience. He wondered what exactly that entailed. However, the friends excited him. He thought that was a fun challenge for him to do. Maybe he'd attempt flirting with this Crown Prince.
Yin Yu parked the car and got out, grabbing his bag from the back. Hua Cheng followed shortly, closing the door He Xuan just opened to get out. He snorted as he heard the door open again, He Xuan cursing at him for being an annoying bastard.
"Look," Yin Yu whispered. Hua Cheng looked to where Yin Yu was pointing.
"That's him."
Hua Cheng noticed who they were looking at. At first, he saw two random guys walking together, but then he saw a shorter man behind them, each of his hands in one of the other's.
Someone ran over to them and squealed loudly, he could hear it even from where they stood. Hua Cheng cringed, but watched what would happen.
Surprisingly, the two men stepped away. The person instantly hugged who he realized was Xie Lian, and when they pulled away, Hua Cheng could see him a little better. He was still kinda behind them, but he saw his cute pajamas and his hair in a bun. He was too far away for Hua Cheng to see any facial features, but he decided this Crown Prince was quite pretty.
They talked for a bit until the two guys linked hands with Xie Lian again, and he stood between them, swaying their hands back and forth as they walked. Hua Cheng snorted, seeing him sway hands with a couple of guys who seemed just as annoyed as him most of the time.
"Those are the two bodyguards," He Xuan confirmed, as if it wasn't obvious. "Apparently they're like rivals, they hate each other and are only found not bickering when they're with Xie Lian."
Hua Cheng cocked an eyebrow. "Those three are really fucking weird."
Yin Yu shrugged, walking past them. "We're not any better."
Hua Cheng laughed, following. That was very true.
Yin Yu suddenly looked back. "If you guys see... you know who, get him away from me."
"Yeah boss, go on," He Xuan sighed. "We know, we will keep you away from your precious ex who is still very much in love with you."
"Shut up," Yin Yu glared.
They walked into the school in silence, Hua Cheng looking around. Nothing was different except a few decorations leading to the gym. On the sides of the gym, there were many air mattresses lined up, some people already claiming theirs with their own pillows and blankets. Hua Cheng didn't plan on staying the night, but he realized he might. Considering he didn't think these air mattresses could hold three grown men, maybe he could take this as his chance to get to Xie Lian.
Part of him felt guilty for wanting to flirt with a guy just for the sake of doing it in spite of his friends, but who knows, maybe he'll be extremely attractive and that'll be his new motive. Suddenly realizing that, he looked around to see if he could find the Crown Prince.
Eyes locking on a man who looked like one of the bodyguard-friend's, he looked around for the other, who wasn't far. He squinted, and sure enough, Xie Lian was sitting on a mattress next to them. They seemed to be talking about something, as if the two friends disagreed with whatever Xie Lian was saying.
He still was quite far from him, being on the other side of the gym, but he noticed his build. He seemed thin, but not unhealthily.
"You're staring," He Xuan said from beside him, snapping him out of his thoughts. "The Crown Prince is pretty, you won't be the only one staring tonight."
Hua Cheng rolled his eyes. "Fuck you, I was just trying to see him. He's so damn far."
"Yin Yu, which one of us do you want to share a bed with?"
Hua Cheng snorted. "I'm not staying for the night."
He Xuan cocked an eyebrow. "I saw how you were trying to look at Xie Lian. Don't act like you don't wanna try some shit tonight."
Hua Cheng laughed. "Then he'll sleep with you, obviously."
Yin Yu nodded. "I'd prefer Hua Cheng, as he doesn't snore, but it's okay."
He Xuan looked offended. "And I do?"
"Mn."
He Xuan rolled his eyes. "Bastard. I'll leave you with your damn boyfriend if you keep that up."
Hua Cheng snorted at the immediate expression change from Yin Yu, instantly looked horrified and disgusted at the same time. He looked back over to Xie Lian, and saw him walking over to someone without the bodyguards.
He Xuan looked over as well and scowled. "That's Shi Qingxuan. They're close, that's why the other two aren't complaining. They're the person who hugged him earlier."
"Why do you look like you wanna rip their head off?"
"Because I do. Their brother is Shi Wudu."
Hua Cheng remembered that name. In High School, He Xuan was on the swim team in their school. Shi Wudu was apparently some guy on the swimming team of their opposing school, and he spread rumors that He Xuan cheated on a recent exam. Word got to his school and he was disqualified from an upcoming championship, and expelled from school.
He Xuan kept saying it was because he was going to win so Shi Wudu did that so he didn't have to worry about losing. Sure enough, Shi Wudu did win. Hua Cheng has seen He Xuan swim a few times, and he was definitely faster than Shi Wudu.
"Okay, but why do you hate them?"
"Simply because their brother is him."
Hua Cheng snorted. "That's a child's way of thinking."
"So is spreading rumors to win a god damn swimming match," He Xuan retorted annoyedly. Hua Cheng hummed in agreement. "You're both children, then."
He Xuan rolled his eyes and left, probably looking for the food. Hua Cheng looked back to Xie Lian and wondered how he would approach him.
The entire night gave him no openings to talk to Xie Lian. He was either suffocated by his two friends, or out of sight. He still hasn't even seen him up close. He sighed. What was he doing? Spending his entire night trying to flirt with some random guy he'd never see again after he graduates just in spite of his bodyguard-friends?
He stood up, walking to the bathroom. He needed a reality check. A big splash of water in his face and a reminder that he's not even that attractive might give him that.
When he opened the door to the bathroom, he went to the sink, ignoring the other guy in there already. He pulled the eyepatch up onto his hair to get it out of the way.He turned on the faucet, filling his hands with water. He splashed it into his face, enjoying the cold water. It always felt nice doing that.
He wiped his eyes and looked up in the mirror, and his breath stopped. Xie Lian walked to the sink next to him after zipping his pants up, and smiled at him. Hua Cheng instantly put the eyepatch on, despite his face being wet.
"Hello! I don't think I've seen you around much, what's your name?"
Water dripped onto his own shirt as Hua Cheng stared at the boy. He was gorgeous, and even that was an understatement. He understood why everyone loved him. His heart would beat out of his chest if it could, he felt it pounding. He wished for himself to calm down, he was just so surprised at such a perfect chance. And maybe the sweet smile on his face caught him a little off guard as well.
He lifted his shirt to dry off his face, lifting the eyepatch slightly to dry under it. When he dropped it, Xie Lian's cheeks were tinted a rosy colour. He smiled proudly. He didn't even do much, and this was already going so well.
"You may call this one San Lang," he said confidently. "I don't often go to school events, but I figured this would be the last so why not come? And I heard you were here. Truly a blessing to actually have a chance to meet you up so close."
Xie Lian seemed to blush easily at this. Perhaps he wasn't flirted with much. Hua Cheng found that hard to believe, but then he remembered the bodyguards. Okay, yeah maybe he wasn't flirted with much.
Xie Lian chuckled. "Such a flatterer, San Lang. Well I assume you already know my name, but I feel rude to not introduce myself. I'm Xie Lian," he smiled brightly.
Hua Cheng's heart skipped a beat, but kept his cool.
"It's very nice meeting you, Xie Lian. I actually couldn’t help noticing you're with two other people, would you happen to be sharing a mattress with them tonight?"
Xie Lian sighed as he began washing his hands. "Well, I insisted I could find another friend to sleep with! But they refused, they're kind of protective. You've probably heard or seen by now," he chuckled nervously. Xie Lian continued, "Then they started fighting about which one I'd sleep with, since the air mattresses can't fit three of us."
"Mn. That is a predicament. Forgive this one for such a bold suggestion, but gege may share my bed if he'd like."
Xie Lian turned to him, blushing more now. "Gege?"
"You're older than me, I'm a couple years younger than most of our seniors."
"Ah, I see. But would you really not mind?"
Amazing.
"Of course not, this lowly one would love having your beautiful face in his bed."
Perhaps he was a bit forward, but Xie Lian's reactions were too much for him to hold back.
"Hm, I'd love that then! San Lang is very kind. I'll have to tell them I'm with A-Xuan though, they won't like it if I say it's a student I haven't met before today..."
Hua Cheng laughed and nodded. "Understood. I'm eager to see you sneaking over to me tonight."
Xie Lian's ears turned red and he smiled. "See you later."
Hua Cheng nodded, and they both left the bathroom, heading their own ways.
Yin Yu watched him come back. "You both came out at the same time, did you talk?"
"Much better than talking," Hua Cheng sighed contently.
"Did you..."
"No! I'm not that horrible, jeez. I offered my bed for him tonight, and he said yes. He's very attractive, I understand the hype over him."
Yin Yu chuckled quietly. "To see you so interested in something like this is surprising. I'm sure He Xuan would be even more surprised. I've known you for three years, but he's a childhood friend. Perhaps he hasn't seen you this interested in something since you were children."
"Enough," Hua Cheng sighed, sitting down. "You guys treat me like a monster."
"You are," Yin Yu said with a shrug. "Aren't you only flirting in spite of his friends?"
Hua Cheng felt his heart beat faster, thinking about how gorgeous Xie Lian was. Yin Yu must've noticed how flustered he got.
"I see, you're actually attracted to him now? I'm surprised, I didn't think you the type to get attracted so easily."
Hua Cheng glared at him, hoping he wasn't blushing at all. "Shut up."
Yin Yu snorted, but stayed silent after.
Eventually, they had brought some snacks and played games. Hua Cheng didn't participate in any, but he watched Xie Lian join most of them. His eyes rarely ever left Xie Lian the rest of the night. A few movies were played, and most people fell asleep by the second and third movie. Hua Cheng was still wide awake, waiting for Xie Lian.
He felt a tap on his shoulder, and looked up to see Xie Lian. It was quite dark, but he could still make out a smile on the man's face. It lit up the entire room.
Hua Cheng smiled and whispered. "Gege, you came."
"Mn. A-Xin and A-Qing are asleep," he whispered back. Hua Cheng moved over and Xie Lian sat next to him.
"Wanna keep watching or sleep?"
Xie Lian started, "Keep watching—" He was silenced with a yawn, and Hua Cheng could see a blush on his face from the dim light from the hallway he was now facing.
Hua Cheng smiled. "We can lay down." Xie Lian chuckled and hummed in agreement. "I brought my pillow and blanket."
"Ah I'm glad, I didn't plan on staying the night until I met you, so I actually don't have anything to give gege."
Xie Lian's eyes widened. "Really? What will you use?"
"Mn. I don't mind, I'm used to sleeping on the ground anyway. I can use my arm."
Xie Lian frowned. "You should use my pillow then. Don't worry, it's clean."
"Then what would gege use?"
Xie Lian seemed flustered as he looked away slightly. "I could use your arm and shoulder. Instead of you? It would be more comfortable like that than using your own arm, so maybe that would um... work better."
Hua Cheng had never heard a better idea.
"Gege has amazing ideas," he confirmed. "But I still don't want to take your pillow."
"I insist, San Lang. I don't mind! I am also used to sleeping on the floor. Besides, I'm curious how comfortable San Lang is."
It was Hua Cheng's turn to feel flustered now. He was grateful his face was not very visible, not enough to see any possible blush at least.
He nodded. "I will try not to disappoint gege."
"You could never," Xie Lian whispered with a smile.
Hua Cheng smiled and laid down on the side, head on Xie Lian's pillow. It smelled wonderful, just like him. Xie Lian followed him shortly, bringing the blanket up onto them. Hua Cheng held out his arm, and Xie Lian laid his head on his shoulder. As they got comfortable, Xie Lian wrapped his arm around Hua Cheng's waist, finding no where better to put it.
Hua Cheng pulled him close, and his face was close to Xie Lian's hair. He could easily smell Xie Lian's cologne, or maybe that was a natural smell. He loved it, it was warm and nice; comforting.
"Goodnight, gege. Get some sleep."
"Mn, goodnight San Lang." Xie Lian nuzzled into his body, and soon relaxed. Hua Cheng could feel when his body went limp, falling asleep. He smiled softly and kissed the top of his head.
In his head, he considered which option would be best. He had two of them. One being fall asleep with Xie Lian, and the other being stay awake to savor this moment for much longer. He tried doing the latter for a while, but after a few hours he ended up falling asleep, turning on his side and holding Xie Lian close to his body.
"Hey, you guys might wanna get up."
Hua Cheng groans at the sudden light and he shoves his face back in his blanket. Hm, no, that's not a blanket. Large pillow?
He opened his eyes slightly and noticed a sleeping Xie Lian in his arms. He instantly smiled and nuzzled into Xie Lian's neck, earning a shiver. Xie Lian melted into the touch, getting impossibly closer to Hua Cheng.
"Guys," the annoying voice came back.
Hua Cheng groaned and looked up at the person, not recognizing them. "Huh?"
"I'm Xie Lian's friend, and unless you want to get killed, I suggest you let go of your death grip on his waist before the other two wake up."
Hua Cheng sighed, and looked down at Xie Lian. He literally came in hopes to make them pissed, but he didn't want Xie Lian to deal with their bickering over this for who knows how long. He kissed Xie Lian's ear and whispered, "Gege."
Xie Lian nuzzled into the touch, mumbling incoherent words.
Hua Cheng chuckled. "Gege, it's time to get up. I don't want your bodyguards to annoy you."
Xie Lian sighed in content as he reach his hand onto Hua Cheng's back under his shirt. "Mm... 5 minutes..."
Hua Cheng shivered at his warm fingers on his back, it was very different in contrast to his cold body.
Shi Qingxuan snorted. "You and your lover have a little bit left before they wake up. He told me he was gonna say he was sleeping with me so he could sleep with a new friend, but I didn't know it was Hua Cheng."
Hua Cheng glared up at them. "He doesn't seem to know it's me, so just keep quiet alright?"
"Hm. Sure, just don't hurt him. Though, by the way you hold him in your sleep, I don't think I have to worry, honestly. The other two, maybe not so much."
Hua Cheng held onto Xie Lian until he figured he should really get up. After Shi Qingxuan's reminder, he realized he did not want the other two to recognize him as well. Before, he didn't really care, and he thought everyone would stay away from him so it wasn't even going to work, but now that he's got so much of Xie Lian's attention, he didn't want to lose it when he heard the rumors about the guy sleeping with him last night.
"Gege, we should get up."
Xie Lian sighed and after a few moments, he sat up and rubbed his eyes. Hua Cheng grinned, staring at his bed head. He's so cute... Xie Lian turned back to him and he started blushing, instantly bringing his hands to his hair to flatten it down.
"San Lang, Im sorry. Did I sleep on you for too long?"
"Nothing gege does is ever too long. But your friends may not like me."
"Ah right, sorry."
"Don't apologize," he smiled softly. "I enjoyed it a lot. Best sleep I've had in forever."
Xie Lian blushed more and stood up, grabbing his things. "I'll get going then."
"Ah, gege. I really enjoy your company," he swallowed. "Could we exchange phone numbers? Considering we are graduating soon, I won't see you in school."
Xie Lian smiled and looked relieved, as if he wanted to ask as well. The thought warmed Hua Cheng's heart. "I'd love to!" He instantly put his number in Hua Cheng's phone and waved as he went Shi Qingxuan's bed. Hua Cheng smiled down at his phone and saved the contact as "gege <3".
"Why are you smiling so much?" He Xuan walked over to him and sat down on his bed. Hua Cheng rolled his eyes and pushed him off. "None of your business."
He Xuan sighed in defeat, too tired to care.
Hua Cheng cocked an eyebrow. "Yin Yu slept alone last night, you never came back. Where were you?"
He Xuan scrunched his face up as he looked at Hua Cheng. "You fucking stayed up all night?"
"For a few hours actually, is that admitting you were somewhere else all night?"
He Xuan's expression froze and he looked away. "What the fuck ever. I was fighting with Shi Wudu, happy?"
Hua Cheng snorted. "All night? Were you fighting with fists or mouths?"
He Xuan flipped him off. "God you are insufferable! No I just didn't end up coming back."
"You don't seem very beat up," Hua Cheng pointed out. He Xuan glared at him. "Because I won, dumbass."
Hua Cheng smiled. "Why is Shi Wudu even here?"
"For the god damn party, dumbass."
"Oh yeah, I didn't see him in here earlier so I forgot," he said, hoping to get more out of him. It worked.
"Yeah, he's probably off with his friends before we started games."
"Mm, right. Is he a counselor here or something?"
"No? A student, are you fucking dumb?"
"Isn't Shi Wudu a grade above us?"
He Xuan froze, and Hua Cheng had to cover his mouth to not laugh out loud. He Xuan was caught so fucking easily.
He Xuan sighed and curled up on the ground by the mattress. "Shut the fuck up, don't talk to me."
Hua Cheng kept chuckling and smiled down at him. "Why lie? Just tell me what you were actually doing, or don't. Why make up some lie? As if you care about keeping it from me."
He Xuan mumbled something, and Hua Cheng smirked. "What was that?"
"I said— I was with one of the Shi's."
Hua Cheng snorted. "Were you having sex with Shi Qingxuan?"
"No! We slept."
Hua Cheng smirked slyly. "Slept or actually slept?"
"Actually slept," He Xuan hissed. "I'm not at all interested in them. I just figured if I can get close to them, I might find out something I can do for revenge."
"Revenge?" Hua Cheng cocked an eyebrow. "You're pathetic."
"Pathetic and smart," He Xuan retorted as he stood up.
Hua Cheng looked over at Xie Lian and noticed the two others were now awake, talking to Xie Lian. He smiled softly, remembering the warmth of Xie Lisn pressed to him all night. He looked so beautiful as he slept, with the dim light reaching in from the hallway. He placed a hundred kisses on his head, every time Xie Lian sighed in his sleep, and he wanted to do it again.
"You're looking at the Crown Prince longingly. What happened between you two?"
"He slept in my arms," Hua Cheng practically sighed with the words. The smile never left his face.
He Xuan snorted. "You look terrifying so happy. And did he really? Does he even know the rumors of you?"
Hua Cheng was brought out of his happy moment and he hissed at He Xuan. "Don't bring that up. He didn't seem to recognize me. Even if he doesn't want to see me ever again when he realizes who I am after we graduate..." He frowns, looking back at Xie Lian. "His company was amazing. I don't want him to find out until then. Until then, I want to be a little selfish. I wont be able to stand the look of disgust on his face when he looks at me, realizing he slept with me."
He Xuan sighed. "Whatever. But be careful, if those other two see you, they'll instantly warn him."
"Mn, I know. At first I planned on pissing them off but I'd much rather they didn't see me now. Anyway we should leave soon."
He Xuan nodded, going over to Yin Yu.
Hua Cheng turned in his bed that night, letting out a groan. Did he really get used to Xie Lian in one night that he’s having trouble sleeping without him?
He grabbed his phone from next to his pillow and went to his messages and started a new chat with Xie Lian.
Me (2:35)
gege! it’s san lang :) it’s late, i hope ur asleep.
He really didn’t know what he expected to happen now. If Xie Lian was awake, would he just ask if he could come sneak over into his house? Maybe he lived with those friends like Hua Cheng did. He sighed, and waited. A minute later, his phone light turned on from a notification.
gege <3 (2:36)
San Lang! I’m so glad you texted. :) I stayed up until 1 doing some stuff, and I cannot sleep. Are you having troubles as well?
Hua Cheng felt his chest warm up at the thought of Xie Lian wanting the same thing as him.
Me (2:37)
hm i could come over and give gege some warmth to sleep
He knew he wasn’t warm, but what was he supposed to say? He would give him coldness?
gege <3 (2:37)
Right now?
Me (2:38)
if u want me to. i can sneak in. i’m quiet :)
gege <3 (2:40)
Feng Xin and Mu Qing are here but they’re asleep, i’ll open my window for you?
Hua Cheng smiled, wondering if he’s ever done this before. He didn’t seem like the type to have people sneak in his room. He quickly put his eyepatch on and left.
Me (2:52)
here ^_^
He leaned his arms against the window with lights on, and suddenly the curtains were opened. He smiled up at Xie Lian, who was blushing and smiling like a kid doing a rebel thing for the first time.
Xie Lian opened the window and whispered, “San Lang!”
“Gege, hello.” He crawled into the window and carefully landed on the ground below it and dusted off his shirt a bit, and Xie Lian hugged him.
“You feel freezing, were you waiting for long?”
“I ran here,” he said a little breathless as if it finally caught up to him.
Xie Lian’s eyes widened. Hua Cheng smiled down at him. “I didn’t wanna make any noise with my car, it’s okay. You weren’t too far. I also didn’t feel like finding my keys because that was loud. Not that I care if I wake up those two but they’d ask where I’m going and i just wanted to come to gege as soon as I could.”
Xie Lian chuckled, his face reddening more. “Mn. I see. Well warm up okay? Come, lay in my bed.”
Hua Cheng didn’t have to be told twice before quickly getting in his bed, very content when Xie Lian crawled in and instantly cuddled into his arms.
He carefully held Xie Lian, making sure his cold skin didn’t touch Xie Lian’s arms. Xie Lian held him close and he sighed contently, relaxing against Xie Lian.
“Does gege want to sleep? I can watch over and slip out before your friends wake up.”
Xie Lian frowned. “I don’t want you to be alone. Besides, you texted me because you couldn’t sleep. Wouldn’t you like to sleep?”
Hua Cheng held back from kissing the frown away. “I’m much more content being awake with gege in my arms than being awake alone.”
Xie Lian hid his face in Hua Cheng’s chest, as he let out a quiet laugh. “Stop teasing me, San Lang…”
“Mn this one apologizes. Get some sleep okay?”
Xie Lian looked back up at him and after a while, he sighed and nodded, nuzzling into Hua Cheng. He enjoyed how easily Xie Lian relaxed in his arms, but the thought also scared him. He didn’t want to get too attached. Xie Lian would find out eventually, and probably not want to be around him anymore.
Hua Cheng kept his promise. He stayed awake the entire night, and around 8 am he decided to leave. He wasn’t sure when they woke up, but he figured it was probably early. He sighed, not wanting to leave Xie Lian.
He gently pushed Xie Lian away and looked down at him. He moved hair out of his face, and held his hand on his face for a while. It kind of scared him how quickly he had taking a liking to Xie Lian. For many years, he never thought he’d ever like anyone like this. And his feelings came so quickly, he was scared they’d be broken just as fast.
After half an incense time, he gently pried Xie Lian off of himself. Xie Lian pouted in his sleep, and he wanted to kiss it away like before. He got out of the bed and covered Xie Lian up, placing a kiss on his head before crawling out of the window. He closed the curtains and then the window, and walked back home, leaving a text that he got out without his friends noticing, and a thank you for making his night much better.
He had no classes today, so he planned on sleeping when he got home. He opened the door, and saw He Xuan looking at him. He sighed, walking past him.
“Where were you? You look exhausted.”
He crawled onto the couch and curled up, falling asleep quite quickly.
“You bastard, you never sleep this heavy, what the fuck did you do last night?”
Hua Cheng sighed. He was having a wonderful dream of a picnic with Xie Lian. He Xuan ruined everything.
He slowly sat up, yawning. He looked up and saw He Cuan glaring down at him with a plate in his hand.
“I made you lunch, literally do not mention it. I mean it. It’s noon, eat.”
Hua Cheng sighed. Noon was way too fucking early. He was still so tired, but he took the plate and mumbled a thanks, to which was responded with “I said don’t fucking mention it.” followed by He Xuan sitting down.
“What did you do last night?”
Hua Cheng smiled softly. “Gege.”
“Huh? Who?”
“I went to gege’s house. He slept in my arms. I basically protected him,” he shrugged as he took a bite.
He Xuan visibly had wheels turning in his head. “Who— Oh. Xie Lian?”
Hua Cheng nodded, stuffing another bite in his mouth.
“You’re fucking head over heels for that dude. You can’t sleep alone so you go to his house so you can stay awake still but have him with you?” Hua Cheng nodded again. “Mn.”
He Xuan sighed. “And you called me pathetic,” he mumbled as he got up and left the room.
He took his phone out of his pocket and saw a text from Xie Lian.
gege <3 (09:58)
San Lang! Last night was amazing, I really hope I wasn’t too much trouble for you. Thank you. :) It was so fun, I was nervous my friends found out! They didn’t notice, which made me even more excited about it. Next time I’ll let you sleep okay?
Hua Cheng’s face was on fire, as well as his chest. He let out a soft sigh. Next time… He smiled, texting back.
Me (12:27)
i’m glad i could help gege sleep. and i’d love to come again, watching you sleep is very entertaining so i don’t mind if i don’t sleep. ur drool is adorable orz
gege <3 (12:29)
San Lang! Did I really? I’m so sorry. What does orz mean?
Me (12:30)
look at it like the o is a head, the r is an arm, and the z is a leg. it’s a lil man bending over
gege <3 (12:32)
Oh I see it! Why are you bending over?
Hua Cheng laughed. Xie Lian was precious, god he didn’t wanna give this up anytime soon.
Me (12:32)
i’m not actually, it’s just a little emoticon. it’s like me falling over bc i can’t stand how cute u are <3
gege <3 (12:35)
San Lang!! Stop it! I dropped my phone!
Me (12:36)
is gege so into my romantics he can’t even hold things? interesting.
gege <3 (12:37)
San Lang, stop teasing me. orz
Hua Cheng laughed hard, smiling down at him copying the emoticon. How adorable.
The next week was the same, Hua Cheng would come to Xie Lian’s house at 1am when everyone was asleep, and one of them would stay up so he could leave at 9. Apparently they woke up at 9:30, so he was able to stay a little longer than the first time.
After graduation, Hua Cheng looked around for Xie Lian. Once he found Shi Qingxuan, he walked over to them and tapped their shoulder. They looked back at him and smiled softly. “Hua Cheng.”
He forced a small smile in response. “Gege?”
Shi Qingxuan laughed and pointed in a direction, and he thanked them and instantly started pushing through the crowd. When he found Feng Xin and Mu Qing, he knew Xie Lian would be near. His eyes stung from the unshed tears he was holding back. He didn’t want to spend another graduation alone. Even a moment with gege would be sufficient.
Suddenly Shi Qingxuan was there, and they were pulling Feng Xin and Mu Qing away. They looked back at Hua Cheng and winked. He made a mental note to thank them a hundred times later. He looked around and finally saw Xie Lian’s ponytail. He went over to him and stood behind him, taking a deep breath. He tapped his shoulder.
Xie Lian was laughing and smiling with someone when he turned around, and his smile got impossibly brighter. “San Lang!”
“Gege,” he replied breathlessly. He smiles softly. That smile, it was gorgeous.
Xie Lian jumped onto him, and Hua Cheng instantly held him, spinning him in a circle. He shoved his face in Xie Lian’s neck, feeling comfort in his smell and warmth.
“Gege,” he repeated.
“Hua Cheng,” Xie Lian replied with a whisper.
Hua Cheng’s eyes widened and he pulled away, looking down at Xie Lian with a curious eye. “How did you…?”
“There’s not many people who wear eyepatches, Hua Cheng. I don’t mind that you didn’t tell me.”
Hua Cheng let out a gasp, and smiled. “Gege doesn’t mind?”
“Of course not.”
“The rumors?”
Xie Lian shook his head. “You’re nothing like the rumors. I don’t care about them. You can tell me your life story at your own pace, I don’t care much for what others have to say about you. You are sweet and caring, that’s all I care about. If I like you, I’ll like you even if you were a beggar. If I hate you, I’d hate you even if you were a king. Your past doesn’t matter. Are you tearing up? Did I say something wrong?”
Hua Cheng laughed and picked him up, spinning him again, earning a beautiful laugh from Xie Lian.
He put him back down and smiled softly. “Just happy. Very happy, gege.” He leaned down and whispered, “This one would still prefer San Lang, though.” He pulled away, and saw Xie Lian smile at him. “Okay, San Lang.”
“But really,” Xie Lian continued. “You seemed to be tearing up before as well, did something happen?”
Hua Cheng shook his head. “Not necessarily. I just got a little emotional seeing so many families, I guess.” He looked down, ashamed.
Xie Lian pushed up on his toes and kissed his forehead. “Your’s aren’t here?”
Hua Cheng blushed as he looked back at Xie Lian and shook his head. “I’ll tell gege why, someday. If gege would like that.”
Xie Lian smiled softly. “I would love that, San Lang. Perhaps the story of this as well,” his eyes flickered to his right eye, covered by the eyepatch.
Hua Cheng was nervous at first. No one but He Xuan knew what was under that eyepatch. And his middle school bullies. But then he realized he was okay with showing and telling Xie Lian.
He let out a content sigh and nodded. “I love you gege.” His eyes widened immediately, realizing what he said.
Xie Lian seemed very surprised, his cheeks and ears blushing. So cute. He smiled brightly up at Hua Cheng. “I love you too, San Lang.”
“Can I please kiss you?”
Xie Lian chuckled. “When my San Lang asks so politely, how could I ever say no?”
Hua Cheng pouted, and leaned down. He mumbled, “You’re going to spoil this one with your words and actions eventually.” He let his lips touch Xie Lian’s, and they were so soft. He felt insecure about his own chapped lips, hoping it wasn’t too bad. When Xie Lian leaned into the kiss, he wrapped his arms around his waist and continued kissing him. They only let go when Xie Lian pulled away for air, and laughed nervously up at Hua Cheng.
“You… you’re going to spoil this gege if you ever do that again.”
Hua Cheng smiled. “I’d love to do it many more times.”
Xie Lian blushed. “San Lang.”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
Hua Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. “I love you, gege. You make me happier than anything in this world.”
Xie Lian smiled. “As do you.”