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Chapter Text

Liu Qingge reaches out for the sole copy of the comic book he has been looking for. But as he does so, another hand lands on the cover of the book. They both stop as their fingers brush against each other.

Shen Qingqiu looks at him first, a green fixed fan with cute chibis covers half of his face. Liu Qingge was frozen in his place, the book forgotten. A blush threatens to creep his face and ears as they begin to feel warm.

Shen Qingqiu finally lets go of the book and puts down the hand holding the fan. He smiles at him. His eyes form crescent moons as he does so, his lips curling sweetly. Cherry blossoms finally burst on Liu Qingge's cheeks.

"Y..you...you ca..can have it." Liu Qingge stutters.

"No, it's okay. I was just curious. The cover looked interesting." Shen Qingqiu explained.

"It's...very interesting." Liu Qingge shyly replied, choosing to look at the floor.

"What is it about?" Shen Qingqiu asked.

"Monsters." He answers as he continues to look down.

"Really? I love monsters!" Shen Qingqiu's eyes twinkled as he looks down on the book again.

"But it's alright. You can have this one." He added as he winked at him.

Shen Qingqiu smiles at him again before turning his back and becoming lost in the sea of people and comic books in the shop. Liu Qingge eventually returns to his senses. He grabs the book and goes to the cashier to pay for it.

He leaves the shop still trying to fathom what has just happened. As he walks, he spots a wisp of a white shirt with bamboo leaves as it turns into a corner. He doesn't think, he just runs for it, like he is meant to do it.

"Hey..." He called out.

Shen Qingqiu stops, curiosity etched on his face as he turns around.

"Did you forget something?" He asked as he plays with his fan.

"I...I have the first three volumes, if...if...just if...you want to borrow it!" Liu Qingge puffs it out.

"I..." Realizing what he has just said, Liu Qingge's face turns roses.

"I'd love to!" Shen Qingqiu squeals. He extends his hand as he says, "Shen Qingqiu. Nice to meet you!"

"Liu Qingge." He hesitates as he squeezes Shen Qingqiu's hand.

"Ah, I'll call you Liu-Shidi then!" Shen Qingqiu beams at him as he squeezes his hand back. "I have a feeling we'll have fun together!"

Chapter Text

Liu Qingge looks to his left where the street is as he tries to innocently brush his hand against Shen Qingqiu's while walking on the pavement. Shen Qingqiu does not seem to notice as he continues forward. He hesitates as he attempts it again.

But when he does, Shen Qingqiu grabs his hand. He is startled by the gesture so he stops. Slowly, he turns to face Shen Qingqiu who is looking down and busy intertwining their fingers. When he is done, he lifts his head to meet his eyes. Liu Qingge feels the warm hand he is holding but the rest of his body feels numb.

Shen Qingqiu tilts his head to the right then he raises his hand holding the fan and aims it on his head. He closes his eyes and hunches his shoulders before it even lands on him. When it finally lands, it is soft and stays there for a bit before it slides down from his head.

When he opens his eyes, Shen Qingqiu is looking at him. He smiles at him sweetly.

"Why didn't you just tell me?" Shen Qingqiu asked.

"I..." It's always like this. Small things like this make him feel ruffled, especially with him.

"I... didn't know if....if...you would like it." His heart hammers as he tries to defend himself.

"Of course, I would." It was Shen Qingqiu's turn to be flustered.

He covers his face with the fan, his cheeks the color of crisp red apples. "Didn't...didn't...I already tell you...that I like you?"

Liu Qingge blinks. When he recovers, he squeezes Shen Qingqiu's hand gently. Then, he looks away as he whispers, his cheeks matching the color of Shen Qingqiu's.

"I really like you too."

Chapter Text

Liu Qingge puts down the scissors. The torn pages of several magazines are scattered on the floor. Beside him, Shen Qingqiu is busy cutting a picture of a sword straight from a magazine.

"Hmmm...I think we should eat." Liu Qingge turns to Shen Qingqiu and pats his leg. Then he points at the low table with two empty glasses, a pitcher of iced tea, and two small plates with a slice of cake each. Strawberry shortcake.

Shen Qingqiu has a sweet tooth. He remembers it well because every time they are out, he always buys sweets. And even though he has been pretending to avoid it, Liu Qingge has noticed his stolen glances towards the cake.

Liu Qingge nudges him again and Shen Qingqiu stops and looks at the table. He beams at him and nods like a puppy. They move to the table but not before Shen Qingqiu grabs his fan.

"Mmmmm....so good!" Shen Qingqiu's eyes have stars in them. Liu Qingge stares as he savors every bite.

"You should eat too!" Shen Qingqiu urges him so he does.

He closes his eyes for a bit after he licks the frosting on the fork. Too sweet for his taste. But not bad.

His eyes open with the faint touch. Shen Qingqiu has extended his hand to wipe the vanilla frosting on the edge of his lips with his thumb.

"What?" Shen Qingqiu asked innocently.

"N...nothing." Liu Qingge looks at the fork in his hand. He will never be ready for anything that Shen Qingqiu does. And just as he was contemplating, Shen Qingqiu leans forward and without warning kisses him on the cheek.

Chapter Text

Shen Qingqiu continues to pout.

"It's just one week." Liu Qingge explains as he fidgets with the hem of his shirt.

He has forgotten about his family's annual trip to Hawaii and he has just broken the news to a very unhappy Shen Qingqiu. They have had plans to start the summer together but it's not possible now.

"I know." Shen Qingqiu lets out a sigh as he continuously taps the fan against his palm, his eyes downcast. "I'm still sad." Shen Qingqiu lifts his head to meet his gaze.

"I'll...I'll call you every day." Liu Qingge tries to assure him.

A cool breeze sways the leaves of the tree where Shen Qingqiu stands nearby. A few leaves fall and one lands softly on his head. Shen Qingqiu reaches out to remove it.

"Promise?" Shen Qingqiu asks, still a little disappointed.

"Promise! And I'll...if you...I'll send you pictures if you want...lots of them..." He eagerly replies.

Shen Qingqiu looks down on his fan.

"But it's not the same."

"I..." Shen Qingqiu hesitates then he covers his face with the fan as he mumbles something.

Liu Qingge gives him a confused look. "I'm sorry. I didn't...hear it well."

"Hmph. I won't say it again." Shen Qingqiu turns his back on him and fans himself rapidly.

Liu Qingge moves closer to him.

"But I didn't hear it! P...Please say it again...P...Please..." He pleads.

"I said..." Shen Qingqiu begins then he bites his lip. He takes a deep breath and tries again.

"I said I will miss you!" Liu Qingge suddenly hugs him from the back. Shen Qingqiu is unable to move. The shock registers a little later when his fan falls from his hand.

Liu Qingge hugs him tighter. "I promise to see you as soon I return."

Chapter Text

Shen Qingqiu runs towards Liu Qingge and glomps him. Liu Qingge loses balance and falls with the weight, the bag of sweet treats joins him as they get strewn on the grass.

Shen Qingqiu lies on top of him, their legs in a tangled mess. He looks so happy and uncaring.

"You're back! I'm so happy to see you!" Shen Qingqiu squeals in delight.

Liu Qingge looks away. He covers his face with his arm, trying to hide his crimson-dusted cheeks but Shen Qingqiu only pulls it away to see his face.

"Hey!" Shen Qingqiu calls out.

Liu Qingge swallows and tries to collect himself. He looks at Shen Qingqiu and gives a slow nod. Then he tilts his head to eye the scattered sweets.

"I brought you something." He tells him in one breath.

Shen Qingqiu, still feeling comfortably nestled against him, follows the direction of his gaze and sees the colorful packets of various sweets.

"Oh!" Shen Qingqiu hugs him. "Thank you!"

Liu Qingge's face and ears turn a darker shade of red.

"W...Welcome.” He says as he slowly returns the hug.

“I’ve...missed you…” He whispers into Shen Qingqiu's ear.

Chapter Text

Shen Qingqiu pulls Liu Qingge as they run across the buzzing street filled with knick-knacks and food stalls. The mid-autumn festival mood is as colorful as the decors hanging everywhere. Music and peals of laughter ring throughout the festivities.

"Hurry!" He shouts at Liu Qingge as he points with his fan towards the night sky with the beautiful moon.

They catch their breath as they reach the edge of the riverbank. They sit down and watch as slowly, the lanterns ascend the sky.

"Wow..." Shen Qingqiu's eyes widen at the sight as he unconsciously grabs Liu Qingge's hand.

Liu Qingge peeks at their intertwined hands and then his glance moves towards Shen Qingqiu's face. He can say the same with everything he's feeling at the moment but he remains silent.

Shen Qingqiu looks at him and offers him a smile. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes." Liu Qingge shyly smiles back at him. Everything. Everything is as long as I'm with you. He thinks.

"I got you something!" Shen Qingqiu lets go of his hand and takes out a small box from his pocket.

"I...I also got you this." Liu Qingge hands a handcrafted box. It's white with beautiful hand-drawn green bamboo leaves.

They exchange boxes, Shen Qingqiu's gift box is dark blue with a golden dragon design. They open the boxes at the same time and see a perfectly shaped lotus-seed mooncake. They look at each other, touched by the gesture.

"Thank you!" They say in chorus. Surprised, Shen Qingqiu bursts into giggles. Liu Qingge gets caught in it. Eventually, they stop. Liu Qingge takes his hand this time.

"Thank you...for inviting me tonight." Liu Qingge says and then finally having the courage, he leans forward and kisses Shen Qingqiu's nose.

Chapter Text

Shen Qingqiu looks animated as he tells a story. He is seated on the floor on a cushion, right next to Liu Qingge, close to the fireplace. His hands dance in the air, especially the one holding the fan.

He has the habit of using his fan to hit whoever he is talking to when he starts laughing before he even completes the funny bits. Liu Qingge adores all of these.

Shen Qingqiu says something about a character and doubles over, alternating from giggling and laughing aloud as he hits Liu Qingge repeatedly with the fan. Liu Qingge doesn't catch everything but he laughs anyway, amused at how happy the other is.

When they both calm down, Liu Qingge takes the fan from him and hands him his mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. Shen Qingqiu takes a sip and puts it down beside him. Then he squeezes and holds Liu Qingge's arm before he leans on his shoulder.

Liu Qingge drinks his own hot chocolate and uses his other hand to squeeze Shen Qingqiu's knee, he leaves it there. They stay like that for a while.

"I like this." Liu Qingge breaks the silence.

"Me too." Shen Qingqiu lifts his head and answers his unspoken question.

Liu Qingge puts down his mug and faces him. Their gazes meet.

"Are you going to kiss me?" Shen Qingqiu asks.

"Do...do you want me to?" Liu Qingge says, his heart beating fast.

"Do you want to?" Shen Qingqiu continues to peer into his eyes.

Liu Qingge braces one hand to the floor, then he leans towards him and holds the back of his head with the other. And slowly, he presses his lips against his.