Chapter Text
Exhausted from waking up so early, the journey, bedroom sports, and all the emotions, Xie Lian fell asleep in San Lang's arms, feeling so comfortable he might have combust from sheer happiness.
He wakes up on his side, holding his hot water bottle tight, which is hot again for some reason. He's naked, the white sheet conveniently hiding what needs to be hidden and that only, which is weird. What's even weirder is that he's alone in bed.
That realization is enough to force him to open his eyes, blinking slowly. He feels groggy and has no idea of what time it can be. But that's not important, because as he opens his eyes, the first thing he sees is San Lang. And what a sight he makes.
He's sitting cross-legged on an armchair maybe two meters away from Xie Lian, one arm holding a portfolio as a support to allow his other one to.. write? Draw? Knowing San Lang, he's definitely drawing, even if the ballpoint pen mustn't be the best tool for that.
San Lang's hair is a mess, some of it stuck behind his ear, but still hiding half of his pretty face. He's wearing Xie Lian's hoodie, the one he wore earlier for the journey, and his own red boxer. Xie Lian feels so much adoration for him that he could start crying.
San Lang's eye leaves the paper to look at Xie Lian, confirming his theory that he's drawing him and probably placed the sheet like that himself. They smile fondly at each other.
"Slept well?" San Lang asks, and it's almost a whisper.
"Yeah, did I sleep for a long time?" Xie Lian looks around for his phone and finds it on the bed table. He'd only have to hold out an arm to catch it, but he's comfy.
"Just an hour." San Lang provides him with the information. "Is this okay?" He adds, pointing at his drawing.
Xie Lian nods right away, loving to have San Lang's eye on him. "What a muse I'd be if I said no. Can I take a photo of you in exchange?" He wants to make sure beforehand, knowing how sensitive San Lang is of his appearance.
He smiles softly at Xie Lian. "Of course, you don't have to ask, you can take anything you wish. Also I might have taken one of gege already." San Lang confesses, not looking embarrassed at all, his smile turning into a smirk.
Xie Lian blushes. "Oh, that's okay." He says even though San Lang didn't doubt of it.
He extends his arm to catch his phone, ignoring some texts from his friends to open his camera. San Lang poses, then goes back to his work when Xie Lian is done. Except Xie Lian also wants to immortalize that sight forever, so he moves discretely to take a few more photos.
He closes his eyes again, the cold he feels on his naked skin a nice contrast with the hot water bottle. His guess is that San Lang found it.. somewhere on the bed where Xie Lian left it earlier and asked for hot water to be brought to the room. Xie Lian can't help but smile fondly at the thought.
After a few more minutes, he asks: "Can I move?"
"Of course, gege. I'm almost done anyway." San Lang gives his green light, and Xie Lian sits on the bed, taking the hot water bottle with him, careful that the sheet stays in place.
He's rubbing his eyes with his free hand when San Lang stops him: "Wait! Don't move!" Then, more gently, he adds: "Please."
Perplexed, Xie Lian complies, his eyes closed. He can hear San Lang taking something, his best guess is his phone, to take another photo, but then he moves again, this time his whole body.
Xie Lian can hear and feel him coming closer and smiles in anticipation. As expected, fingers are placed softly on his chin, then San Lang's lips meet his. His smile grows into the kiss, and he opens his eyes when San Lang breaks it. He stays close, though, and Xie Lian buries his face into his chest, moving to wrap his arms tightly around San Lang's waist as the hot water bottle falls between them. Oh, and the sheet too.
He doesn't feel embarrassed, though. It's nothing San Lang hasn't already seen. "Can I see your drawing?" He asks, intrigued. He never saw San Lang's art with a pen.
"Sure. But it's so bad.. Gege will have to pose for me again when I can access my stuff." San Lang whines, playing with Xie Lian's tangled hair.
Xie Lian chuckles onto his chest, shaking his head. "I'm sure it looks amazing." He says, trustfully. He genuinely doesn't think anything ugly could come up of San Lang's hands.
"Well, yeah, it's a drawing of gege." And it's said so naturally that Xie Lian is tempted to believe it.
San Lang turns around to go get the drawing, and Xie Lian takes advantage of the opportunity to grab his own boxer and put it on. He also catches hold of the hot water bottle for warming purpose.
Without a hesitation or awkwardness, San Lang gives him the drawing, looking intensely at Xie Lian, waiting for his judgement. Xie Lian wonders if his confidence comes from being used to it by now, as he must have submitted his art to examination thousands of times before, or if he accepted deep down that Xie Lian is unable not to love something that's linked to him.
And he does. Love it, that is. It's different from everything he saw previously from San Lang. It's always been artworks completely removed from reality, in his own universe. This might be the first realistic piece he sees from San Lang. Warmly, he thinks it's because that's how San Lang wants to remember it: exactly how it happened. No modification made, except for the hot water bottle, who turned into a fox plushy with a black eye-patch.
Xie Lian can't help but smile. Even with the realistic aspect of the artwork, he's pretty sure he doesn't look like that when he's sleeping, so.. ethereal. That's what he loves so much about the portraits San Lang makes of him: he can physically see his love in every stroke of pen or paintbrush.
"Wow, San Lang.. I don't think I'll ever fully get used to how talented you are." He compliments, giving it back to San Lang.
"Ah, gege, you're flattering me, I only had a good model." San Lang brushes Xie Lian's praise off.
"Everything you made is amazing, even if I'm not on it, though." Xie Lian argues with a fake pout.
"Because I'm thinking about gege when I do it." San Lang says with a cocky smile.
"At least you admit it's amazing." Xie Lian remarks, smiling, proud of himself.
San Lang's smile drops, outraged. "Gege! How dare you manipulate your poor San Lang?"
Xie Lian bursts into laughters. "I'm glad San Lang knows how great he is, even if he pretends the contrary."
"Gege, I'll hit you with this pillow if you don't stop right now." San Lang threatens, but doesn't make any move in the pillow's direction.
"You can try. But I want to see your paintings.. And E'Ming! Can we go to your place?" Xie Lian demands, suddenly excited. He can't wait to pet the cat.
"Ah but gege, that cat is a devil, feared by all. Very dangerous." San Lang affirms, even though Xie Lian always hears him purr during their phone calls. And yeah, he also heard San Lang's friends scream in fear as he attacked them, but Xie Lian is good with cats, he's pretty sure he can win E'Ming over with some time.
"I'm sure I can manage. Except if San Lang doesn't want to bring me home." Xie Lian falsely pouts, even if there's a hint of true insecurity hidden behind it because what if—
"Not a home, just the place I live in, that's very different." San Lang contradicts him, but the way he looks at Xie Lian is full of love.
Xie Lian can't help but smile shyly. "Yeah? Then where's home?" He hopes he already knows the answer to that.
San Lang smiles and leans to kiss Xie Lian. "Wherever you are." He whispers against his lips. Perfect opportunity for Xie Lian to kiss him again.
"Good. Then.." He stops himself, wondering if he can be brave enough to ask what he wants to ask. He finds the strength in San Lang's eye. "Shall you let me bring you home? Not in a week or in a month, but tomorrow when I'm supposed to go back? Or I'll stay with you until you can come with me. I saved money, so it's not a problem. Please say yes." Xie Lian asks, looking into San Lang's eye, waiting, holding his heart out for San Lang to take. He just hopes he won't crush it.
San Lang's smile widens. He takes Xie Lian's hand in his, bringing it to his lips to kiss it gently, like it's something precious. "Gege is too good with this lowly San Lang. But if you'll have me then of course, I'd follow you to the end of the world."
Xie Lian can almost feel his heart jumping happily in his chest.
* * *
Getting the authorization to leave the hotel unsupervised went like this:
"Is it okay with you if I go to San Lang's place? I wanna meet his cat and see his paintings." Xie Lian asked to a messy Shi Qingxuan who had probably been sleeping a few moments before opening the door. Behind him, Xie Lian could catch sight of He Xuan watching a documentary about fishes. He didn't ask about that.
"Huh, yeah, we'll get ready." Shi Qingxuan answered, still half asleep.
"The invitation is only for gege." San Lang then said, not apologetic at all.
"Oh, okay. Rude. At least take a camera with you? Please?" Shi Qingxuan tried to negotiate, yawning.
"No." San Lang refused before Xie Lian could even consider it.
"Come ooon, don't be like this, the viewers want to see the cute cat! And the cute couple." Shi Qingxuan whines, and this got Xie Lian's heart missing a beat. Of course, they were a couple. He already knew that. But still.
"The cat is ugly." San Lang said, annoyed.
Shi Qingxuan looked about ready to cry then so Xie Lian understood he needed to take actions. "Alright, I'll take the camera if you let San Lang come back with us tomorrow. Him and all his stuff. That might be a lot of stuff. And the cat."
It was only then that He Xuan seemed to notice they were there by saying: "Please kill me now."
But Shi Qingxuan just yawned again. "Sure, sure, whatever, just take it."
Then, a camera was put into Xie Lian's hands and the door was slammed in front of him.
So now, they're in a small coffee shop they found not too far. San Lang suddenly remembered Xie Lian hadn't ate in forever (he himself completely forgot about his body's needs) and decided he had to buy almost every pastry available. He, himself, only ordered a coffee.
"Do you think they'll notice about our clothing arrangement?" Xie Lian wonders, looking at the camera from every angle. He's wearing the same clothes as in the meeting room, including San Lang's scarf, but unfortunately, he accidentally ripped half of the buttons on San Lang's shirt. So San Lang is still wearing his travel hoodie, which the viewers might recognize.
"Probably not, people aren't that focused on tv shows. But I can put my coat on when you film if it makes you more comfortable. I personally don't mind people noticing, though."
Xie Lian shakes his head. "No, it's okay, I don't mind either." It's not like he knows a lot of people that might judge him if they saw and noticed. He's planning on telling everything — well, almost — to his friends, and the only family he has left is his crazy cousin, but he doesn't care about what Qi Rong might think of him.
Once the camera is on, he turns the screen to see himself and make sure the frame is good. He moves closer to San Lang on the booth seat, and San Lang's arm automatically finds its place around his waist. He's about to press the recording button when he feels San Lang's long fingers making their way under his sweater.
He gasps, turning to San Lang with his lips parted. "San Lang!" He reprimands him, falsely mad.
San Lang chuckles. "Too bad gege wasn't recording already, you should have seen your face."
Xie Lian pouts. "Stop teasing and be serious."
Removing his hand, then his arm — Xie Lian immediately mourns the loss —, San Lang suppresses every emotion from his face. "Alright, director, tell me what to do."
"Just be natural. I'll do most of the talking." He decides, then presses the recording button. "Hello everyone! We're now on our way to San Lang's apartment as originally planned. We're currently not with Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan because.. Huh.."
"We stole a camera and ran away together." San Lang provides as Xie Lian is struggling. It's harder than he thought it'd be.
"No." He corrects. "We just wanted some alone time to talk without the pressure of a big team. I think we're supposed to show you San Lang's cat though."
San Lang bursts into laughters, hiding his face in the crook of Xie Lian's neck, sending shivers in all his body. "Good thing they'll only see this footage when we're home."
Xie Lian feels warm inside at that. Home. It's crazy how natural this word sounds in San Lang's mouth as he talks about Xie Lian's place. "Oh, right! I need to tell them about that! San Lang finally accepted to live with me! So he'll come back with us tomorrow and we'll get a new beginning there. I'm really happy, it's perfect, better than my wildest dreams." He confesses with a smile.
San Lang kisses his cheek, several times, always going a bit closer to his lips. So Xie Lian stops the recording and turns his head a bit to kiss him back.
* * *
"Alright guys, we're now at San Lang's door. Or Yin Yu's, to be more precise." Xie Lian explains to the camera as San Lang unlocks the door. "Will he be there, by the way?"
"No, I kicked him out for the day." San Lang opens the door, letting Xie Lian go in first. It's tiny but there aren't many furnitures so it's not that bad. Still, two people in there must be hard in the everyday life.
San Lang takes his boots off and holds out a hand in Xie Lian's direction. After a second of confusion, Xie Lian understands and gives him the camera to do the same. But San Lang doesn't give the camera back, filming Xie Lian with a smile.
Xie Lian blushes, embarrassed to be in the spotlight. But he quickly forgets about that as a black cat bounces in their direction, making a beeline to Xie Lian. San Lang raises his foot as a barrier between Xie Lian and the cat, but the animal just rests his two front paws on the foot to sniff Xie Lian. It's adorable.
Kneeling, Xie Lian offers his hand to E'Ming. San Lang's foot moves away from Xie Lian to push the cat, but he jumps on Xie Lian's knees and lets himself fall, rubbing his head on him. "You're so cute! San Lang, why would you say he's a demon?"
San Lang kneels next to him as if ready to tear the cat off of Xie Lian if needed. "I swear he always was a moody cat but since he lost his eye he hates absolutely everyone but me. Even Yin Yu is careful around him." He smiles.
"Maybe he can smell your scent on me?" Xie Lian says, then blushes furiously as he realizes what he just said. "I mean.." He looks down, trying to hide his face but he had the good idea of tying his hair so it doesn't do much.
San Lang chuckles. "Maybe he can feel how much I love gege."
"Ah, San Lang, stop teasing."
"I'm not." San Lang affirms, then gets back on his feet. "Come on, gege. My paintings and drawings are behind the screen."
Xie Lian takes San Lang's offered hand to get up too, forcing E'Ming to jump down with a grumpy meowing. "Sorry, we'll play later." He promises.
He notices a wooden screen close to the living room's wall, an improvised cupboard. Behind it, more canvas he's even seen in his entire life, including in shops. Xie Lian gasps, overwhelmed. He only closes his mouth when he hears San Lang laughing, camera in hand but looking directly at him. And it shouldn't surprise him so much, truly. He knows San Lang has been an artist for years, he saw photos. But seeing the whole thing in real life.. It's something else. And there isn't even the paints, brushes and pens San Lang probably stocks.. Wherever he can.
"And this, my friends, is the face of a man reconsidering his offer of living together." San Lang teases, a smirk on his lips, eye still intensely fixed on Xie Lian, never leaving him.
That has Xie Lian stop staring to look at San Lang instead. "Shut up, it's not. I'm just glad my place is bigger. You could even have your own room if I move some stuff around." He never really allowed himself to imagine how San Lang would fit into his home since what happened last time. But now that it's becoming real, he feels so excited he could scream.
"That's nice.." San Lang starts, holding out a hand to wrap a lock of Xie Lian's hair around his finger playfully. "But I'd rather share gege's room." Then, he bits his lower lip and Xie Lian dies.
Red like a tomato, Xie Lian stammers: "That's not.. I meant.. San Lang." He groans and hides his face in San Lang's chest.
San Lang automatically removes his hand from his hair to stroke Xie Lian's back, comforting. "I'm sorry, gege." He doesn't sound sorry at all.
Xie Lian straightens to look back at the paintings. "Can I..?"
"Of course."
"Is that everything you did?" He wonders, moving them around to see the ones hidden behind. He recognizes most of them, as San Lang sends and posts photos regularly, but seeing them with his own eyes is a whole different experience. It feels sacred.
San Lang nods. "Everything I didn't sell yet or send away to expositions."
"Did you ever sell something with me on it?" He asks, then realizes how full of himself he must sounds.
"No. I didn't know if you'd feel comfortable with that." San Lang says, still docilely filming Xie Lian.
"You could have asked." Xie Lian remarks, finding the first portrait San Lang did of him, with the flower crown. Or, at least, the first he saw.
"I didn't want to separate from a representation of you." San Lang admits shamelessly. "But I could if you're okay with it and if I paint it with the idea of not keeping it. Perhaps."
"I think I'd like that." Xie Lian confesses, blushing, embarrassed.
"Don't be shy, gege. Look at yourself, you belong in a museum." And on San Lang's lips, it sounds like the truth.
* * *
San Lang shows him the rest of the small apartment. Xie Lian sees for himself the paint strains on the wardrobe and the sight makes him weirdly emotional. They play with E'Ming, but too quickly, Xie Lian receives a text from Shi Qingxuan, asking him to come back at the hotel to take stock of the situation.
Like a true gentleman, San Lang accompanies him, stopping in front of the hotel's front door. "Text me the infos for tomorrow?" He asks, and Xie Lian's heart aches as he understands San Lang's not coming with him.
It's normal, he tries to convince himself. In the episodes, they always leave to see each other again the next day, taking some time to digest everything. But Xie Lian still doesn't totally believe that San Lang won't disappear if he loses sight of him.
He knows San Lang needs to pack everything and probably wants to spend time with his friends because it might be a while before he sees them again. But Xie Lian is selfish and wants to keep San Lang to himself.
Still, he knows he has no right to ask San Lang to stay. He's a free spirit, only doing what he feels like doing, going wherever he wants, whenever he wants. He's not someone you can try to control. Not that Xie Lian would want that anyway. Sometimes, loving someone is accepting to let them go.
So he nods, removing the scarf from his neck to wrap it around San Lang's. He takes advantage of his hands being up there to cup San Lang's cheeks, spurring him into lowering his head as he himself stands on tip-toe to kiss him.
He deepens the kiss to make it last, feeling San Lang's hands on him, warm arms around him. He breaks the kiss just long enough to whisper: "I love you." Then, he's kissing him again, quickly, almost desperate.
When he finally let go, San Lang whispers back: "I love you too."
Xie Lian leaves first, going into the hotel before he can see San Lang turn away. He doesn't think he could handle the sight without running after him.
Fortunately, someone from the production team is waiting for Xie Lian inside. She guides him to the meeting room while making small talk, asking him if everything went well, if he's hungry or thirsty. She also retrieves the camera he took to San Lang's place.
Xie Lian isn't even fully inside the room that Shi Qingxuan already appears, giving him a quick hug. "Sooo? Tell us everything!"
Inside, He Xuan is sitting at the table, in front of dozen of empty plates, looking depressed. Well, maybe it's his normal look, Xie Lian wouldn't know.
He smiles, wondering how one single day could hold so much. This morning, he felt so helpless, worried that his whole world would come crushing around him and he wouldn't be able to do anything to stop it. Now, it's like standing on top of the world, and he doesn't think he could possibly be happier.
"It was amazing. I really can't wait to start a new life with him being physically here with me. It's almost too good to be true." He says as he goes to sit on the couch, suddenly feeling very tired, as much from running around everywhere all day as from all the emotions.
Shi Qingxuan pinches him.
"Aoutch, what was that for?" He asks, now less tired.
Shi Qingxuan smiles innocently. "Just wanted to prove you it's not a dream. So, about that moving together thing, is it real? Are you sure?"
"It's a dumb decision made under the excitement. You should wait and see if he's really willing to be better for you and if he wants this as much as you do." He Xuan interferes, still staring at his empty plates.
Xie Lian pouts a bit. "Of course he feels the same! I don't want to wait anymore and neither does he. He was scared to lose me and now he's ready and I am and we don't have money to spare into train tickets anyway."
He Xuan smirks. "Alright, just wanted to make sure."
"He-xiong, you're so mean!" Shi Qingxuan reprimands him but his heart isn't into it. "It'll be our first time doing a house move. Damn, how are we going to do that?"
"He doesn't own any furnitures, just clothes and art stuff. A lot of that but nothing we can't put in a train." Xie Lian reassures him, feeling a bit guilty to ask that of them. Technically, he could rent a van and come get San Lang himself, but the journey would last forever and it's not what he imagines when he thinks about going on a road trip with his lover.
"And the ugly cat." He Xuan adds.
"E'Ming's not ugly, he's an adorable black cat." Xie Lian argues, though he can't help but think that it might be best if the two hosts don't come too close to the cat.
"I hate cats." He Xuan complains, even if there's no emotion in his voice.
"You hate everything." Shi Qingxuan jokes.
"Except food."
"Hey, you were supposed to say except me!" Shi Qingxuan pouts.
"I thought I shouldn't lie anymore." He Xuan says, and Xie Lian can't believe He Xuan can joke. Well, he hopes it's a joke.
"Rude! Okay so, He-xiong, do you love me?" Shi Qingxuan teases, knowing he won.
"… Yes."
"Yaaay!" Shi Qingxuan throws himself in He Xuan's lap, He Xuan's arms automatically wrapping around his waist even though he's groaning, pretending to be annoyed.
Xie Lian smiles at the sight.
Now, seeing them loving each other doesn't ache anymore.
* * *
That night, Xie Lian falls asleep quickly and soundly, not waking up until his alarm rings the next morning. On his phone, there's a good morning text from San Lang, received an hour earlier. Knowing him, Xie Lian doubts he got more than maybe two hours of sleep.
Smiling fondly, he sends one back before getting ready for the day. He hesitates between dressing to impress and dressing comfortably for the train journey later, but he ends up going for comfy clothes. He wants to look desirable for San Lang but he really can't handle sitting for hours in slim jean.
Once his suitcase is closed, he brings it to the hotel's hall, where everyone is packing everything. The last there are Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan, the first one with a wide smile so opposed to the grumpy face walking next to him.
"Hi everyone! Ready to go?"
Xie Lian follows to the car, sitting at the front next to He Xuan. They make small talk, the mood light as they drive to San Lang's address. Xie Lian is bouncing from anticipation and excitement, and as soon as He Xuan stops the car, he almost jumps out, trying hard not to run.
He waits for the team in front of the door, but he's internally cursing them for taking so long. They take the stairs to the first floor where the apartment is, and Xie Lian knocks on the door with energy, several times, until it opens.. On some plain looking guy who has nothing to do with his San Lang.
Xie Lian frowns, checking the number on the door even though he remembers the place from the day before.
"Hi, I'm Yin Yu." The guy, Yin Yu, introduces himself sheepishly, and Xie Lian's face goes from confusion to a bright smile. San Lang's friend is probably feeling awkward because of their phone call.. Or because Shi Qingxuan is looking at him as if he's his next meal as He Xuan shoves a camera on his face.
"Oh, of course. Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Xie Lian!" For some reason, he wasn't expecting Yin Yu to be home today either, but it's logical that he'd want to say goodbye to San Lang and maybe meet Xie Lian.
"I know. There's like.. A thousand portraits of you in my living room." Yin Yu says, moving to let them in.
"Ah.. Yeah.." Xie Lian isn't sure of what one is supposed to answer to that, so he comes in in hope that Shi Qingxuan would take the lead of the rest of the conversation.
"So you're Hua Cheng's friend, right? Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?" Shi Qingxuan almost jumps on him, and Xie Lian selfishly abandons them because he spotted San Lang in the living room.
He's wearing a red, simple jumper, but somehow, it looks fancy on him, with black jean with holes. He's looking at Xie Lian as if he's the most precious thing he's ever seen, and Xie Lian is pretty sure he has a similar expression on his face.
He goes to San Lang as his lover is kind of stuck behind a pile of suitcases. He leans his elbows on said pile to get closer to San Lang. "Hello there." He greets him with a smile, immediately returned with a kiss.
"Fancy seeing you here, gege." San Lang answers, smirking. He has a dark ring under his eye, but somehow, he just looks hotter instead of tired.
"Are you almost done packing? Can I help?"
"Don't worry about it, gege, this San Lang worked hard to be ready on time. I just need to convince E'Ming to get into his carrier."
"Maybe I can do it?" Xie Lian offers, wanting to see the cat anyway.
"Ah, gege, unfortunately, I fear it's a job only I can do." San Lang announces, falsely pained.
"Oh? And why that?" Xie Lian asks, curious even though he can see on San Lang's face that he's in a mischievous mood.
San Lang smirks. "Because he's hiding on top of the wardrobe."
Xie Lian sends San Lang a look, both exasperated and amused. "If E'Ming can reach it I'm sure I can too." He objects in a tone of defy. He doesn't know why, but now, he needs to be the one to get the cat.
San Lang huffs a laugh. "Suit yourself." He dares him, designing the wardrobe behind him. On the other side of the pile of suitcases. Alright.
Without more hesitations, Xie Lian hops on top of the suitcases, quickly rocking his legs on San Lang's side, taking his offered hands to help balancing himself as he jumps back of the floor, both of them in an unconscious, automatic gesture.
They smile at each other and for a moment, it's like the world has stopped. Xie Lian wants to bury his face in San Lang's chest, and San Lang is leaning, resting his forehead against Xie Lian's. They almost kiss, but Xie Lian denies him (and himself) of that pleasure in a teasing smile as he escapes from San Lang's personal space.
Instead, he goes in the wardrobe direction, not letting go of one of San Lang's hands, though. His beloved follows docilely as Xie Lian spots E'Ming. Or at least, his tail. Moving quickly.
"Gege, be careful. He's pissed." San Lang warns as Xie Lian raises his hands in E'Ming direction. But a few scratches never scared him so he doesn't even slow down, only stopping to realize he's missing a few centimeters.
He about to admit defeat when he feels hands on his waist, and then, he's being lifted. He huffs in surprise, not expecting that, and how the fuck is San Lang so strong?! Still, he doesn't take time to think and just grabs E'Ming, who's thankfully happy enough to see Xie Lian to be docile and lets himself be collected in Xie Lian's arms.
San Lang puts him back on the floor, but his arms stay around Xie Lian's waist, hugging him tightly. "Thank gods gege is here to help." He whispers into Xie Lian's ear before leaning to kiss right next to it, rubbing his head against Xie Lian's.
In his's arms, E'Ming is demanding attention, but Xie Lian isn't himself anymore, slowly losing his mind under San Lang's touch.
"San Lang.." He moans in a whisper, closing his eyes.
Shi Qingxuan then notice E'Ming, apparently finally done with torturing Yin Yu. "Eh, that cat looks friendly enough! Give it to me!" He asks excitedly, holding out his hands in their direction.
Xie Lian groans, half annoyed to be disturbed. Still, he tears himself from San Lang's arms to comply.
But before Shi Qingxuan can even touch E'Ming, the cat is meowing madly, trying to scratch Shi Qingxuan's hand. The host immediately retracts them, looking startled. "Wow, you weren't joking. Hi, by the way." He says to San Lang.
"Morning." San Lang answers, bringing the carrier. E'Ming becomes even madder when he sees it, trying to escape from Xie Lian's arms.
"Come on, E'Ming, show them how good of a cat you are! I promise I have a wardrobe too." Xie Lian negotiates, trying to force the cat into the carrier.
San Lang pushes him, done with the cat's temper. E'Ming meows furiously but can't do anything before San Lang closes the door, successfully locking him inside.
Xie Lian looks inside. "Sorry, E'Ming, we'll be there soon."
"Actually we won't, I hope he won't shit himself." Is what Shi Qingxuan decides to add, making San Lang snorts.
That being done, they start taking everything to the cars. Somehow, everything fits and after one last check, they're ready to go.
The team waits outside to give San Lang privacy to say goodbye, only Xie Lian is still at the apartment with him.
"It was great to meet you, Yin Yu. I wish we could have stayed a bit longer to really talk." Xie Lian says, feeling awkward toward the other man. He wishes he could thank him for everything he did for San Lang over the years, but doing so in front of San Lang would be weird and he doesn't want San Lang to feel embarrassed. He hopes one day he'll get the chance.
"Same here, until next time I guess." Yin Yu answers, sounding almost unsure as he looks at San Lang.
"I guess. I still need to reimburse you." San Lang says, no trace of emotion on his face.
"You can do that from there, you don't need to come back. And I don't need to go there either." Yin Yu retorts.
San Lang rolls his eye. "Are you really going to make me say it?"
"No, I know you enough to know."
Xie Lian can't take this anymore. "San Lang.." He says, exasperated.
San Lang sighs. "Alright. Thank you for everything. I hope you won't feel too lonely now."
Yin Yu laughs. "Not a chance. But I'll miss you. And I'm happy for you."
"Same." San Lang says with a smile.
As they exist the building, Xie Lian feels weird and overwhelmed. He guesses it makes sense, as even if it's San Lang who's leaving a big part of his life, Xie Lian's life is about to change a lot too.
Luckily, he knows it's for the better.
* * *
The train journey is, to put it nicely, a big mess. There're stuff absolutely everywhere. E'Ming is meowing non-stop, preventing anyone to take a nap. At some point, Xie Lian went to the toilet and came back to San Lang and He Xuan throwing candies at each other while arguing on a calm, cold tone, Shi Qingxuan stress-eating everything else while rambling about how much weight he's taking.
Not sure if he should intervene, Xie Lian went to see E'Ming to try and calm him down. He really doesn't want to be accidentally hit by sticky candies. With his luck, it'd end up stuck in his hair.
He stays there, the train slowly lulling him to sleep but E'Ming always waking him up. But it's okay, it could be worst. It could be quiet. Xie Lian could be heartbroken, only bringing home bittersweet memories.
At some point, San Lang joins him, moving E'Ming's carrier to take its place next to Xie Lian, who immediately smile tiredly. "I won." San Lang announces proudly.
Xie Lian giggles, moving closer, their chests facing each other as he takes San Lang's hands in his own, playing with his fingers, just enjoying the touch. "I'm proud of you. How did you achieve that?"
San Lang smirks. "I told him Shi Qingxuan was starting to eat the last biscuits packet so now he's trying to steal it."
"Damn." Xie Lian comments, looking back between the seats to try to see what's going on. He can vaguely hear them talking animatedly but can't understand anything with E'Ming's meowing.
"But don't worry, gege." San Lang starts, putting both of Xie Lian's hands in one of his, freeing the other one to grab something behind his back. "I hid one for you."
Xie Lian smiles. He does start to get a bit hungry. "Thank you, San Lang is too thoughtful." He takes the offered packet, giving one biscuit to San Lang before taking one for himself.
Yeah, things could definitely be worst.
* * *
Xie Lian must have fallen asleep at some point because now he's gently shaken awake. He's resting against a warm, soft surface, feeling cosy and safe, and he has absolutely no intention of changing that.
"Gege, we're almost there, you need to wake up." A low voice informs him in his half asleep state, but the voice is only bringing him more comfort, so Xie Lian rubs him face against San Lang's chest, burying it deeper to show his disagreement with the request.
San Lang chuckles. "Alright, I can carry you to the car, I don't mind. I just want to let you know Shi Qingxuan has a camera in hand and is coming our way."
Xie Lian groans, displeased, but gives in and finally opens his eyes. Everyone is indeed moving around them, E'Ming still asleep for now.
"Hi guys!" Shi Qingxuan arrives next to them, a bright smile on his lips. "How are you? How do you feel?"
"Groggy. And sleepy." Xie Lian answers trustfully, still not totally awake. According to Shi Qingxuan's face, it wasn't the kind of comment he was waiting for. Oops.
"I'm very excited to get to gege's place and for all of you to leave us alone. Though I'm very thankful for everything you did to help us, of course." San Lang says, and Xie Lian isn't sure it's much better but oh well, Shi Qingxuan probably had worst people on his show.
"Huh.. You're welcome?" Shi Qingxuan sounds unsure, not knowing what to say.
"Yeah, we can't thank you guys enough, really, calling you was the second best decision I made in my life." Xie Lian confirms, smiling at Shi Qingxuan. The first one being messaging San Lang in the first place, obviously.
"Haha, I'm glad, you guys drove us crazy but I wish every catfish story could end up like this." Shi Qingxuan says warmly, and Xie Lian knows it's not just words and that Shi Qingxuan genuinely loves helping people.
The train stops completely and it takes them some time to empty everything, but they manage in the end.
In the car, Xie Lian feels a bit anxious, though he knows he has no reason to. It's not like San Lang will say he hates Xie Lian's home and leave or something. And it might be tensed at first with his friends but Xie Lian knows they all love him enough to make it works. No. He knows everything is going to be fine. He just needs his brain to accept that. Accept that it can trust San Lang again.
From now one, the catfish team won't be filming anymore. They have everything they need for the episode, minus one last video call they'll make in a month or two to check on them and ask for some news. Xie Lian can't wait to get there, when they'll be used to be in each other's presence, more at ease, even if he doesn't see how he could ever get used to the way San Lang makes him feel.
Once they're home, Xie Lian and San Lang go in first as the team starts taking their stuff out of the cars. Xie Lian opens the door with a slightly shaking hand, hoping San Lang will like the place. They could move somewhere else together at some point, of course, but he likes the comfy home he built for himself and wishes San Lang can fit in too.
He lets San Lang enter first, looking at him expectantly. San Lang goes in, looking around before turning to Xie Lian. "Gege, where can I put E'Ming until we can let him out of the carrier?"
"Oh, huh, give him to me, I'll put him in my.. the bedroom, ah." Xie Lian says awkwardly, taking E'Ming and moving to the bedroom to escape the situation.
He opens the door and puts E'Ming on the floor, ready to go back to San Lang when he hears his voice.
"Everything is so white, it resembles you." San Lang notices, commenting on the place for the first time, and maybe he's wondering how he's going to fit in there.
"We can redecorate for something that we'll both like, I don't mind. I want San Lang to feel comfortable too." He offers.
"Don't worry, gege, I'm happy as long as you're here. And I like it, I like feeling that I'm in your space. It's way better than Yin Yu's apartment." San Lang says while playing with a strand of Xie Lian's hair, a gesture that has him almost combusting.
"Ah, I'm glad, but I want it to become San Lang's space too." He almost whispers, feeling hot.
San Lang smiles. "Good. Because it's about to get full of my stuff."
Indeed, less than two hours later, Xie Lian and San Lang's! place is a mess; suitcases, bags and paintings everywhere. It's going to take a long time to tidy everything up but Xie Lian wouldn't have it any other way.
As they say their goodbyes, everyone is exhausted.
"It was so nice to meet you two! Take care, okay? We'll call you soon." Shi Qingxuan says, hugging Xie Lian then San Lang, who looks about ready to push him away but doesn't because.. Well, Shi Qingxuan is way too adorable and that would just be too cruel.
"Don't screw this up." Is He Xuan last advice that he delivers while glaring at San Lang, who glares back. At least he doesn't go for hugs and only nods at them as a goodbye.
Xie Lian waves at everyone as they leave, San Lang's arms around his middle, too busy to do the same.
As soon as he closes the front door, San Lang is pushing him against it to kiss him with a hunger almost foreign with how calm and passive he acted until then. Xie Lian thought he was tired and overwhelmed but now he imagines San Lang just wasn't at ease with a lot of people around him and maybe the cameras. That, or he really hated He Xuan.
Xie Lian kisses him back anyway, losing himself in it for a few minutes until he gently pushes San Lang away. "San Lang.. Wait.. Stop." He manages to say, and San Lang immediately let go of him, stepping back to leave him space. "We forgot E'Ming." He says to let him know he wants this, but that they have to take care of the cat first.
"Oh. I don't care." San Lang answers before kissing Xie Lian again, and it takes all his willpower to stop him again.
"Don't lie. And I do anyway."
"I'm not lying." San Lang pouts but doesn't try to kiss him again.
"Don't you care about sleeping in a room that smells like cat poo?" Xie Lian asks, still not moving.
"I slept in worst."
"Do I want to know?"
"No."
"Alright. I still don't want to have to bath E'Ming if he poo on himself." Xie Lian finally escapes from San Lang's embrace to go to his bedroom. San Lang doesn't follow him, instead, Xie Lian can hear him searching through the bags, looking for the litter, he hopes.
Settling E'Ming in takes some time, but once it's done, the cat doesn't look more disturbed than that, finding his way to the couch to take a nap, probably tired from all the meowing.
Xie Lian also texts his friends to let them know they made it home safely, telling them they'll be authorized to show up in a few days when his place isn't a mess anymore and if they come anyway, he'll let them at the door.
That doesn't stop them, though, as they have a spare key.
"Gege, there're two people breaking in. Can I punch them?" Is how San Lang greets them as they're moving the paintings in the second bedroom, Xie Lian inside as San Lang gives him the paintings, still in the hall.
San Lang obviously recognized his friends from their video call and they're the only ones to have a key (Xie Lian really needs to make one for San Lang), but Xie Lian still comes to check, just in time to see the both of them looking furious, not at each other for once.
"Hi Feng Xin and Mu Qing, please close the door so E'Ming won't run away." He smiles at them, not surprised at all to see them. "And no, San Lang, please don't punch them." He adds, looking at his lover, taking the paintings he has in hands before disappearing again in the bedroom-office.
"Why are you so unnecessarily rude? We helped you!" Feng Xin says, outraged.
"Guess Xie Lian liked to have rude people around him." Mu Qing mumbles.
"What is that supposed to mean? Are you talking about yourself?" Feng Xin asks and Xie Lian can picture him crossing his arms, glaring at Mu Qing.
He goes out again to take the next paintings, right when E'Ming arrives from the living room to see what's going on. The cat's eye is fixed on Xie Lian's friends, tail moving quickly. Then, he charges at them, jumping to scratch both their hands before landing back on the floor and turning around in Xie Lian's direction to rub his head against his leg.
Feng Xin and Mu Qing yell, more of shock than pain.
"What is that ugly thing?" Mu Qing asks at the same time Feng Xin says: "Did you train it to do that?" To San Lang.
Xie Lian takes the paintings from San Lang's hands and disappear again, taking E'Ming with him.
San Lang only huffs, amused and condescending. He leans against the doorway. "Gege, do you want to go on a walk grab some coffee or something? It's getting too crowded here, I'm overwhelmed." He says, not sounding overwhelmed at all.
Xie Lian smiles, stroking his cheek affectionately. "We should finish this first, don't you think? Can you wait a bit longer?"
San Lang pouts but nods anyway.
"Aren't you going to say something?!" Feng Xin half yells, annoyed.
"What do you think he is? His babysitter? His mom?" Mu Qing argues.
Xie Lian sighs and takes San Lang's hands to bring him inside, talking with his voice low for San Lang's ears only: "I know you're not a fan of them because of how they acted in the past, but it was my fight with them and we sorted things out a long time ago. I don't know where I'd be without them, they're like family. I'm not asking you to like them, but you don't have to fight my battles."
San Lang nods. "I know, gege, they're just naturally annoying. And I barely did anything, they're yelling at each other, I'm just standing there."
Xie Lian smiles. He can't argue with that. "Right, they're.. Whatever."
San Lang chuckles and leans down to kiss Xie Lian, suddenly, unexpectedly. Xie Lian smiles into the kiss.
"What was that for?" He asks once San Lang let go.
"I was missing gege too much." Not a trace of any teasing in his voice, only the truth.
Xie Lian doesn't know what to do or say, feeling himself blushing furiously. So he decides to hide his face against San Lang's chest, arms wrapping around his middle right away.
"What are you doing in there?" Feng Xin's voice says from the other side of the wall.
"I'm going to murder him." San Lang announces.
"Don't say things like that in front of E'Ming." Xie Lian reprimands him, straightening himself, forcing San Lang to let go. Which gives his lover the opportunity to kneel down and cover E'Ming's ears.
"Better?" San Lang smirks, proud of himself.
Xie Lian tousles his hair, amused. It might be complicated at first, but he knows San Lang and his friends will get used to each other's presence and eventually get along.
Perhaps.
* * *
Two months later
Seated in front of his computer, Xie Lian waits. He can't help but remember two months ago, when he was in a similar situation, waiting for a call from the same people. This time, though, his friends aren't doing gods' know what in the living room, so his place is perfectly silent.
Too silent.
He wishes San Lang would be there with him.
He checks his phone in case he'd have missed a notification somehow, but nothing. Disappointed, he tries to convince himself it's okay and pets the sleeping cat on his lap behind the ears.
Suddenly, his computer rings with a video call, making both Xie Lian and E'Ming jump slightly. He hurries to pick up, smiling as the image of Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan appears on screen.
"Hi! We missed you! How are you?" Shi Qingxuan greets happily.
"Hi! I'm good, how are you guys?" Xie Lian asks back with a smile.
"We're good! Sooo.. How have things been? I'm surprised Hua Cheng is not with you.."
Xie Lian's smile freezes for a second. "Yeah, he left yesterday morning to see his friends, he'll be back tomorrow. But things are.. Good. Perfect, actually. It was a bit hard with my friends at first but now I guess they like teasing each other but don't actually hate each other?"
Shi Qingxuan chuckles. "I'm glad to hear that!"
"You don't look that happy, though." He Xuan intervenes.
Xie Lian looks down sheepishly. "Ah, I just miss San Lang.." It's only been a day, but after having been with him almost all the time for two months, it seems like he can't get enough of him.
"Maybe we can add him to the call?" Shi Qingxuan offers. "We were going to call him too anyway."
"Yes!" Xie Lian almost yells, winning himself an angry meow from E'Ming.
"Oh, was that E'Ming?" Shi Qingxuan asks, interested but also almost afraid.
"Yeah, he's on my lap."
"Damn, I can still hear his meowing in my nightmares. Alright, I'm adding Hua Cheng!"
They wait, Xie Lian's stomach knotted in anticipation. Luckily, it takes only a few seconds for his beloved to appear on his screen. His hair is tied in a high ponytail, only a few strands of hair escape to frame his handsome face, who breaks into a smile quickly. Xie Lian hopes it's because he saw him.
"Gege! You look so good today!" He immediately compliments him, confirming Xie Lian's hopes.
"Thanks, it's good to see you too." Xie Lian smiles fondly.
"How are you doing, Hua Cheng?" Shi Qingxuan asks.
"I'll be better when I'm back with gege but overall I'm good." San Lang doesn't elaborate more, never having been a fan of the concept of the emission.
"Great, haha, he was just telling us he was missing you, you guys are so cute. Right, He-xiong?"
"Hm."
E'Ming chooses that moment to get up, and Xie Lian catches him under his front legs to show him through the camera. "Look, E'Ming! Say hi to dad!" He takes E'Ming's right paw to wave at the screen. San Lang chuckles. E'Ming meows unhappily, so Xie Lian leaves him alone.
"I see E'Ming is adjusting well." Shi Qingxuan comments.
"Gege is his favorite." San Lang says proudly.
"That's not true! I hug him more but he's unsettled every time San Lang leaves, even for a few minutes!" Xie Lian argues.
"He looks fine by me."
"He's just pretending in front of the camera!"
Shi Qingxuan laughs. "Alright! Well, I'm glad to see you guys are doing great. Don't forget to invite us to the wedding, okay?"
Xie Lian chokes, but San Lang shrugs and says: "Works for me."
The next day, when Xie Lian hears a key being put inside the keyhole, he runs to the door, opening it in front of a surprised San Lang. He has a flower in the hand not holding the key, and holds it out for Xie Lian to take, a soft smile on his lips. But Xie Lian ignores it to jump into San Lang's arms, holding him tight, defying anyone to try and separate them.
San Lang's arms naturally wrap around him as he buries his face in the crook of Xie Lian's neck. "I missed you too." He whispers, his breath tickling Xie Lian, who can't help but giggle softly, both because of that and from relief to have San Lang back with him.
Finally, they're home.