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Ye Xiu didn’t mean to be so wholly unromantic but when Han Wenqing sank down on one knee and held out the championship ring from season four, the first thing that came to mind was unromantic. Of course, he didn’t have to voice it, but he couldn’t resist the urge to tease Han Wenqing, even just a little, to bring out the little furrow between his eyebrows when he frowned.
“Lao Han why are you offering me that, I have four.” Han Wenqing blinked in mild surprise before he frowned, aiming an unimpressed look at his boyfriend’s smug smile.
“I’m asking you to marry me.” And it was blunt, to the point, lacking any of the traditional romantic trappings of proposals, the ones that Su Mucheng and Chu Yunxiu liked to pick apart in their favourite dramas. Yet the straightforward request was so typical of Han Wenqing, so reminiscent of his playstyle that Ye Xiu felt the familiar surge of affection and love in his chest.
“Would you like me to offer you a ring in return if I say yes?” Ye Xiu tapped one finger against his chin, mulling over the idea to himself, even if Han Wenqing already knew his answer, knew what he’d say long before he sank down on one knee, Ye Xiu wanted to draw the moment out a little longer. “Wouldn’t that be so confusing, if you have my fourth championship ring and I have your season four championship ring? Ahhh, Lao Han that’s so terribly unlucky, whatever were you thinking-“ Ye Xiu’s laughter was cut off by Han Wenqing catching him in a deep kiss, one hand cupping his cheek, the other at his back. The ring bounced off the carpet and under the sofa but Ye Xiu was too preoccupied with tangling his fingers in his boyfriend’s- in his fiancé’s hair to notice.
“I’ll buy you another ring, a lucky ring,” the words were murmured quietly, head pressed against Ye Xiu’s, eyes focused and earnest. The well of emotions in Ye Xiu’s chest threatened to spill over and so he tugged Han Wenqing down into another kiss, pulling him as close as he was able.
“You can give me any ring you wish, I’d marry you without one.” Ye Xiu paused for a moment, “though my family might disagree.” Han Wenqing huffed out a laugh, rearranging them to lay Ye Xiu’s head against his shoulder, content with the reassuring weight.
“My mother would protest if I didn’t provide a ring.” Ye Xiu’s lips curved into a smile as he twisted his head to meet Han Wenqing’s eyes.
“Then you should find me a ring, one that our families won’t be able to find fault with.” Han Wenqing nodded, tucking one arm around Ye Xiu’s waist, expression serious.
“Anything you want.” Ye Xiu shook his head, affection bubbling up in his chest as he leant up to press a chaste kiss to his fiancé’s cheek.
“You can’t say such sweet things, how am I to handle it?” Han Wenqing merely smiled, tucking Ye Xiu more securely against his side before replying.
“I love you.” Ye Xiu grinned up at him, expression open and bright with adoration.
“I love you too.”
“Did I succeed?” The words were whispered against the shell of Ye Xiu’s ear as they recreated the steps from the dance lessons his parents had insisted upon before the wedding.
“Succeed at what?” Han Wenqing tugged Ye Xiu’s left hand into his field of view, ignoring the way Ye Qiu seemed to be hissing at them to stick to the steps they’d been taught.
“Did I buy a ring to satisfy the expectations of our parents?” Ye Xiu took in the gold band around his finger, the Glory logo inscribed into the metal. On the inside of the band, the date he’d first fought Desert Dust in the arena. When he’d asked how he still remembered the date, Han Wenqing’s response was achingly simple.
“It was the first time we met. Why wouldn’t I remember it.”
“Even my didi was impressed by the ring, I didn’t expect that.” Han Wenqing’s cheeks dusted red at that, the slightest flush on his skin and Ye Xiu narrowed his eyes for a moment, mulling the reaction over before reaching the obvious conclusion.
“You asked my brother to help!” When Han Wenqing’s flush only deepened Ye Xiu gasped theatrically, even as he stuck to the steps as to not draw his brother’s wrath. “My brother picked out the ring!”
“You told me I should pick a ring he would like, I asked him what kind of rings he’d recommend.”
“Lao Han, Lao Han why didn’t you just ask me?” Ye Xiu watched as his husband visibly struggled, searching for a way out of answering the question before defeat flickered across his face and he gave in.
“Your brother said you had no taste.” Han Wenqing looked as if he felt bad for saying it but Ye Xiu simply tilted his head back in laughter, captivating Han Wenqing with how good he looked, caught up in joy.
“He still holds a grudge against me for the outfit I picked for us that one time, ahhh Han Wenqing you shouldn’t listen to such slander against my character-“ Ye Xiu was cut off by his husband’s lips covering his own, the kiss soft and chaste before they broke apart.
“Do you like the ring?” The words were quiet, for Ye Xiu and Ye Xiu alone and he offered a bright smile.
“Of course I do.” He murmured back, pressing his forehead against Han Wenqing’s as they swayed to the music, lost in one another.