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“Thank you, San Lang,” says Xie Lian, as if serving him wasn’t the highlight of Hua Cheng’s day. He only smiles in answer, leaning in for his promised kiss. Xie Lian gives it freely, eagerly, and with a matching smile of his own. His lips are chapped, dried out from the cold; Hua Cheng makes a mental note for their next trip. Somewhere warmer, maybe. He doesn’t mind the cold - but Xie Lian gets sick easily and Hua Cheng is not having a repeat of the last time.
Xie Lian hums, dissatisfied that Hua Cheng’s thoughts drifted away. Then- hisses softly. Hua Cheng pulls back to see tea dripping from his fingers. It’s not too hot, thankfully; Hua Cheng knows better than to pass Xie Lian a scolding beverage. He's not willing to tempt Xie Lian's bad luck.
Hua Cheng takes the mug back and leans against the log, watching transfixed as Xie Lian starts wiping his fingers with a handkerchief. Hua Cheng’s handkerchief. The same one Hua Cheng gave to him three years ago; The one Xie Lian claimed to have lost. Or- actually lost and then found it after a long time? It happens often enough; but Hua Cheng isn’t going to ask. Chances are, Xie Lian lied, too shy to admit he wanted to keep it, and as entertaining as it would be to watch him fluster about being caught in a lie, it’s not worth making him feel guilty.
“Sorry about the tea,” Xie Lian says, laughing softly. “I’ll be more careful”
“Nonsense, gege. Barely anything spilled. You have fast reflexes”
Xie Lian turns red at the praise, ears flushing where they peek out under his headband. The tip of his nose is scarlet too, the blush sitting high on his cheeks. Two parts embarrassment, three parts cold, Hua Cheng thinks with fondness, adding wood to the fire. Xie Lian watches him with bright eyes and a content smile. A few wisps of hair escaped from his bun onto his face. He looks stunning bathed in the amber light.
They’ve hiked miles to admire the view up here - but if he’s being honest, Hua Cheng would be just as breathless at home.
“San Lang,” Xie Lian says after a moment. Nothing more, nothing less. But Hua Cheng hears the question anyway, adjusting until there’s space between his legs for Xie Lian to crawl into. He makes sure the tea in not in the way, and then he squirms his way to his spot. Curling on his side, Xie Lian rests his head on Hua Cheng’s chest. His content sigh fogs in the cold of the night. Hua Cheng pulls a blanket from the log he’s leaning against, wrapping it around them both as best as he can. Xie Lian laughs when he presses it hard under his back and thighs. Only his head remains visible, and Hua Cheng nods to himself with satisfaction.
“San Lang, how will I drink like this?” Xie Lian tilts his head back to look at him. He’s trying very hard to pout, but the smile can’t quite leave his face. Hua Cheng loves him. He never imagined he could cherish somebody half this much.
“Last time, gege got sick. I’m not risking it this time,” Hua Cheng grins. He places a kiss on Xie Lian’s forehead, reaching for the abandoned mug. He places it by Xie Lian’s lips. Xie Lian snorts, taking a single sip and then wiggling his arms out.
He takes the mug wordlessly, craning his head up to look at his fiance. Hua Cheng’s hair is wild under the wool hat he’s wearing. The poor thing looks like it’s about to pop from his head. Xie Lian grabs a strand nearest him and rubs it between his fingers. He can never get tired from looking at Hua Cheng, all sharp angles that soften only in moments like this. He remembers, two years ago, not far from here. It was sunset then; the light illuminating Hua Cheng’s profile as he knelt on the ground. Xie Lian grew so distracted at the sight he missed the question at first.
His face heats at the memory and he buries deeper into the blanket. Hua Cheng holds him tighter, sighing into his hair. “What’s gege thinking about?”
There’s a moment of silence. Then, “...San Lang”
Hua Cheng waits. Noses the shell of Xie Lian’s ear. But nothing follows and he straightens up with a furrowed brow. “...”
“...”
A beat passes. Two. And then Xie Lian giggles into his tea, shoulders shaking violently. Hua Cheng blinks down at him, deflating, “Gege…”
“I love you,” Xie Lian says, setting the tea aside. He twists in Hua Cheng’s hold, bringing their lips together. With no other means of replying, he twists them sideways, deepening the kiss.
“That’s not fair, gege,” he gasps when they break apart. Xie Lian cups his cheek and Hua Cheng nuzzles in it, pouting.
“It’s true though. I was just thinking how beautiful my beloved is”
“What a coincidence,” Hua Cheng smirks, as if the grin never left his face. “So was I”
Like this, Hua Cheng can barely see Xie Lian now, but it doesn’t matter. He has every inch of his being memorized, from the tips of his hair to the scratches on his fingers. The way he looks in the firelight, the way he glows in the sun. The mole on his calf, the scar on his neck. He doesn’t need to see to know Xie Lian flushes even deeper at his words. Hua Cheng leans down, peppering kisses all over his beloved’s face.
Luck has always been on his side, but to be able to have this - have Xie Lian - Hua Cheng will never get used to it.