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Xiao Xingchen was like a blossom, Song Lan thought as he watched the white-clad cultivator over the gentle crackling of the camp fire between them.
When they had first met he had just misjudged which flower encapsulated this bright moon and gentle breeze.
He looked delicate, fragile, like an orchid that needed to be protected and nurtured.
On acquaintance however, it was obvious that he was more like a snowdrop, hardy and tenacious, and the first to signal an end to the cold, harsh winter.
That didn’t stop Song Lan wanting to take care of the other, however.
They had fallen into friendship through shared ideals and a taste for each other’s company.
Song Lan had fallen in love through continued familiarity with a steadfast, unstained soul.
Xiao Xingchen was genuinely a delight. He was everything kindness and thoughtfulness.
His sheltered upbringing on the secret peak of his Shifu left him facing the world with an almost childlike wonder and amazement at everything he encountered, and Song Lan hated to see him being taken advantage of, even though the other rarely realised that was what was happening. Even if he did, he doubted Xiao Xingchen would care; he would likely just brush it off.
Was it any wonder Song Lan felt that fierce need to protect him? To wrap him up in Song Lan’s arms and ensure nothing could hurt him or take advantage of him?
Whether Xiao Xingchen would appreciate the sentiment remained to be seen.
Xiao Xingchen looked up then, and caught Song Lan staring. Song Lan looked away, he wasn’t necessarily embarrassed about his regard for that man, but he also didn’t want Xiao Xingchen to feel hunted, or in any other way uncomfortable around him. Whether the other ever returned his feelings or not he wished to keep this precious friendship first and foremost. That would be enough.
“Zichen” his soft, melodious voice sounded as the other came around the fire to sit next to him on his bedding. “I was convinced to buy these red bean buns by a vendor” he took out the wrapped buns and held them out to him. He was careful not to crowd Song Lan, knowing of the other’s dislike of being touched enough that he always respected Song Lan’s personal space.
The irony was that Xiao Xingchen was probably the only person he wouldn’t mind breaching those barriers he kept up against the rest of the world.
“I probably paid more than I should have” Xiao Xingchen laughed a little self-consciously, “I know you hate it when I do that, I suppose I’m too easily misled”
Song Lan put the other’s lack of understanding of value down to his disconnection from the world, and his inherent belief in the goodness of people. It wasn’t a bad thing, not with Song Lan by his side to guide him from being too badly fleeced, that was.
“Thank you” he took one of the buns, and their fingers brushed around the cloth wrapping.
Xiao Xingchen’s gaze leapt up to meet Song Lan’s, “I’m sorry” he apologized.
“You have no need to be, I don’t mind, Xingchen” he assured, and the other smiled. It was as if the bright moon came from behind the clouds to bathe the earth in it’s gentle, mellow light, and Song Lan thought if he could spend the rest of his days bathed in that light he would be lucky indeed.