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Episode 26, Xia Zhuo: "Can I reacquaint you?"
Ouyang Jun had been about to leave, but the question makes him stop and look back. And consider their situation from a new point of view.
Xia Zhuo had approved of every suggestion Ouyang Jun made today. He accepted Ouyang Jun's water bottle with a smile and a "thank you", even took a few sips. He agreed to play a one-on-one game of basketball when Ouyang Jun offered. It had been competitive but friendly, and Xia Zhuo had visibly enjoyed himself. And when Ouyang Jun had asked him for a "little talk", Xia Zhuo had directed them towards the main ventilation tunnels, away from both cameras and nosy comrades.
Their conversation had been nice, too. A lot better than Ouyang Jun had expected. Xia Zhuo had listened to what Ouyang Jun had wanted to say, hadn't interrupted or rejected Ouyang Jun's words. Instead, he'd shown curiosity and a hint of gentle teasing, asking after Ouyang Jun's intentions for his approach.
Ouyang Jun is wondering how much of his perception of Xia Zhuo had been coloured by his own feelings of inadequacy. Handsome rich kid, genius brain, most popular student on campus, fellow dorm mate - Ouyang Jun had turned down each and every overture of friendship, even refused to shake the offered hands when Xia Zhuo and his friends had introduced themselves back then.
Now Xia Zhuo is sprawled over the two shallow steps, practically lying in front of Ouyang Jun's feet. His body language is relaxed and open, almost inviting, and the expression on his face is hopeful. And suddenly Ouyang Jun wants.
A tiny voice inside of Ouyang Jun is trying to tell him that he's misinterpreting the signals, but he's already turned around and taken the few steps back towards Xia Zhuo, who hasn't moved from his position except for following Ouyang Jun's progress with his head. For a moment they simply look at each other in silence, Xia Zhuo seemingly patiently waiting for Ouyang Jun to make a decision.
What if Ouyang Jun did misunderstand Xia Zhuo? He takes a deep breath. It might not change anything. If this goes wrong, nobody else will know. Probably. If Xia Zhuo manages to keep this from his friends; Lin Anbang and Yi Zimeng have their ways to weasel information out of Xia Zhuo, who is far too trusting of the both of them. But Xia Zhuo is not someone to hold grudges for a long time, so it might not matter.
Ouyang Jun decides to take the risk. He goes down to one knee on the lowest step, places it directly between Xia Zhuo's legs. It's a bold move, but he gets his answer right away. Xia Zhuo smiles at him, and lets his knees fall open a little bit wider. Slowly, Ouyang Jun lifts a hand to Xia Zhuo's face, watches him close his eyes and take a soft breath, leaving his mouth slightly parted. All right, here goes nothing. He leans in.
The first touch is tentative, just feeling each other out. Xia Zhuo has beautiful, full lips, and they are very soft against Ouyang Jun's own. He moves a bit closer, feels Xia Zhuo's arms come around him, and embraces him in return. They kiss like that for a while, open-mouthed, unhurried, until Xia Zhuo gently nips at Ouyang Jun's lip and follows it up with a flick of tongue.
Apparently, the testing phase is over. This time, Ouyang Jun doesn't hesitate to take the invitation. He presses forward, tightens his grip around Xia Zhuo, and goes all in. The kissing turns passionate, but they manage to keep it from becoming aggressive. This is not a competition, but if it was, they'd both be winning right now.
Suddenly, Ouyang Jun experiences a brief moment of vertigo. His first thought is lack of oxygen, then he realises that Xia Zhuo has let himself lean back, so he's fully lying on the ground. Ouyang Jun has followed him all the way down, one of his own legs slung over Xia Zhuo's, practically resting his whole weight on Xia Zhuo. He attempts to draw a little bit away, but Xia Zhuo lets out a small sound of protest and tightens his arms around Ouyang Jun.
Things heat up very fast, figuratively and literally. Even the big fans in the ventilation tunnel couldn't do much in the short amount of time they have been spending here, and they're both still a bit sweaty from their basketball game. Ouyang Jun doesn't mind. Xia Zhuo's body feels nice and solid under Ouyang Jun, and he smells earthy and warm. Ouyang Jun finds he likes it a lot. Kissing Xia Zhuo is way better than kissing girls at university.
When he feels himself getting hard against Xia Zhuo's thigh, Ouyang Jun decides they need to stop. Not because he's embarrassed — he has no reason to when he can feel that Xiao Zhuo is hard as well — but they still have to make their way back to their quarters, and the hangar is huge, and the hallways are very long. Too many opportunities for someone to see them like this.
He gently breaks Xia Zhuo's hold and rolls off of him. For a few minutes they're simply lying next to each other, breathing heavily, trying to cool down again. The rhythmic noise of the large fan blades is soothing, hypnotic, almost tempting them into falling asleep. It's as if they're in a kind of peaceful bubble, removed from the outer world. Some more minutes pass just like that.
But Ouyang Jun can't help it. Now that they're not kissing anymore, he's starting to feel anxious again. How will Xia Zhuo react? Will they manage to continue their new course, or will it become even more awkward between them now? But before he can finish that thought, Xia Zhuo leans up a bit and smiles at him.
"I liked that very much. Do you think we could do that again?"
Ouyang Jun wants to say this, and maybe a lot more, but he's too relieved at Xia Zhuo's easy acceptance to do more than nod and give him a tiny smile in return. He should have known, shouldn't have worried. Now there's only...
"Do you prefer to keep this a secret, or am I allowed to tell Lin Anbang and Yi Zimeng?"
...this. Xia Zhuo's nosy, overprotective friends. Who are completely biased against Ouyang Jun ever since their time together at university. He can't stop himself from grimacing, hears Xia Zhuo laughing softly in reply.
"All right, then, better not. Although, fair warning, they will probably notice something if we keep on doing this."
They definitely will, Ouyang Jun is sure. But for now it doesn't matter. He's too happy that Xia Zhuo intends to kiss him again in the future.
He sighs. Their downtime will end soon, and they'll be on duty again. Reluctantly, Ouyang Jun heaves himself up and offers a hand to Xia Zhuo to help him up.
"Let's go and take a shower."
Together, he doesn't say, but he's pleased to read the same thought in Xia Zhuo's eyes.