Work Text:
'So denied
So I lied
Are you the now or never kind
In a day and a day love
I'm gonna be gone for good again
Are you willing to be had
Are you cool with just tonight
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon'
Here's To The Night – Eve 6
Standing beneath the warm spray of the shower head, He Tian closes his eyes and let's himself relax by just a fraction. Somehow, by some miracle, they were able to evade his brother and his goons. He can't believe Mo was able to keep up with him given his battered state and he feels guilty now for pushing him so hard. The redhead collapsed onto one of the twin beds the moment they were in their room so He Tian elected to take the first shower to give Little Mo time to rest.
When he called Zheng Xi earlier, he knew right away by the other boys response that his brother was close by so he immediately hung up and turned off his phone. If he keeps it powered on, he knows that his brother can track his movements with it. In the morning he'll have to find a way to get his hands on a burner phone. He doesn't enjoy the thought of stealing but he will do what he needs to since he spent almost all of the pocket money he had on this room.
The alternative isn't an option for him – at least not yet.
That being said he doesn't have any plan and he doesn't know what their next move should be. Right now, he regrets dragging Mo Guan Shan along with him but in the moment his only thought was that they needed to get away. He Tian knew if he went with his brother as he requested, he would not have seen Mo Guan Shan again anytime soon, if ever, so he fought back. On instinct his arm had shot out and he wrapped his hand around Mo's forearm and pulled. He still doesn't know why Mo ran with him, whether it was the shock or the momentum that spurred him on but he did, keeping pace with He Tian every step of the way. The euphoria that flooded He Tian's system as they sprinted through hoards of people, losing their pursuers in the process was intoxicating. He had his freedom and he had his love and he didn't need anything else.
It's a juvenile thought, he knows, and as the adrenaline in his system subsided the reality of the situation rushed in to claim its place. Their circumstances are more complicated but for now he just wants to enjoy this stolen time together. He wasn't naive enough to think his brother would just let him live a peaceful life on his dime but he didn't expect to be cut off quite so soon.
He's angry with himself for losing his composure and pulling Mo Guan Shan into an extraordinarily messy situation. Not only did he cause them to get arrested but now they were on the run from his well connected and ruthless brother. This had not been part of his plan, one stupid decision and everything had been turned upside down. Even if he doesn't want to believe that his brother would do anything to hurt Guan Shan, he knows that his brother won't hesitate to use Mo as leverage against him. It's an inevitability and it only deepens the resentment that he already feels for He Cheng.
Turning off the taps he shakes his head and runs a hand through his wet hair. He Tian is well and truly fucked, there is no denying it but he'll think of something. Once he has gotten some sleep and can think straight he'll be able to plot and strategize. He Cheng may be well connected but He Tian has connections of his own that are completely independent of his brother and it may be time to call in some favors. At a minimum, he should be able to find a way to make some quick cash. For the rest, he may need to rely on Little Mo since the other boy is far more street wise and capable than he is.
He dresses and steps into the main area of the room. “You should shower before you sleep.”
Mo grumbles, throwing his arm over his face, completely rejecting any idea that involves him getting up. He Tian can't blame him, Mo must feel completely drained after the insanity of the evenings events. It is now well past midnight and he is still recovering from his wounds and his own trauma after all. So He Tian concedes and lets the other boy sleep. He strips the other bed of its threadbare blanket and covers Little Mo with it.
After tucking his love in, he bends down and runs a gentle hand across the redheads face. “No regrets, okay?” He whispers, reverence reverberating in his low voice. “We're not allowed to go back on our promises.”
Forgoing the opportunity to have his own bed, he climbs into the bed with Guan Shan and curls around him; wrapping his arms around him and intertwining their legs.
“I'll find a way to make sure you have a good life.” He promises, punctuating his vow by squeezing Mo gently.
The redhead grunts and shuffles a bit until he is settled more comfortably in He Tian's hold. “You're fucking noisy...” He grumbles but he nudges He Tian's foot with his own, a silent show of solidarity.
He Tian nuzzles into the warmth of Guan Shan's neck and breathes in, soothing himself with the other boy's presence. Not long after both boys fall asleep, content and safe in each others arms, if only for the moment.
It could be minutes or hours later, Mo can't tell, but he wakes with a start as He Tian's arms tighten painfully around his upper arms. The tension aggravates the bruises and scrapes and he nudges his bed mate with his arm.
The taller boy is whimpering and jerking in his sleep and Mo recognizes the signs of his nightmare having seen it once before. When He Tian's grip loosens enough, he turns himself around in He Tian's arms and pats his face gently.
“He Tian.” He calls out, loud enough for the other boy to hear him but quietly enough not to startle him too badly.
Luckily, it isn't as difficult to rouse him this time as it had been last time. After calling his name once more, He Tian inhales a shuddering breath and opens his eyes. His gaze is unfocused and searching for a moment before he registers the warm and solid form pressed against him.
“Are you okay?”
The question hangs in the air between them before He Tian nods, pulling the redhead closer to him and pressing his lips against the top of his head.
'It was just a nightmare.' He tells himself, trying to shake off the horrifying images that seem to cling to the insides of his eyelids. He knows his brother can be cruel but he can't imagine him stooping to the level of brutality that he just dreamt about. His imagination and his guilt seem to be colluding to develop the most savage scenarios.
When Mo pulls away from him he begrudgingly lets him go. “Does your face hurt?” Guan Shan asks, his voice sleepy and quiet as he searches He Tian's face for any further signs of distress or any explanation of what disturbed him. His warm fingertips hover over He Tian's cheek, avoiding outright touching him.
The truth is He Tian didn't even register his brother striking him and it didn't sting his face nor his pride. So what if He Cheng hit him in front of Mo? It was He Cheng that looked like the asshole in the end, not him.
“It's fine.” He Tian assures, placing his hand on top of Mo's, causing the redheads hand to rest on his face. They stay like that for a few minutes as He Tian's thundering heartbeat starts to slow in his chest.
Mo slides his hand out from beneath He Tians, yawning and stretching before he declares, “You're a shitty liar.”
He Tian's mouth quirks but even Little Mo's crass humor can't help him shake off the uneasiness that has settled in his heart. As much as He Tian wants this to work, he isn't naive enough to believe that his brother will let him go. He knows that it's only a matter of time before his brother catches up with them and their great escape comes to an end. Of course, he will do everything within his power to delay that inescapable finale.
“Mo Guan Shan.” He Tian murmurs, pulling the slimmer boy back into his embrace. “I just want you to know that whatever happens, we made a promise to each other. I won't go back on mine, no matter what.” He can feel the way Mo's body tenses in his arms at the declaration and he runs a soothing hand down the redheads back.
He Tian promised that he would find a way for Mo to have a good life and he meant every word but as the gravity of their situation sinks in, He Tian realizes that the way to achieve that may be something neither of them wants to face.
He Tian doesn't know what tomorrow will bring and he prays that they will get more than just tonight.
“You're being dramatic again.” Mo admonishes, his voice muffled by his position.
“I'm serious. No matter what happens.” He Tian reaffirms, his voice stronger and more earnest.
“Okay.” Mo acknowledges, his body relaxing a bit before following with, “I won't go back on mine either.”
God dammit, He Tian feels like he's going to cry. He loves Mo Guan Shan so fucking much, more than he feels like his heart can stand. He can't understand how a simple infatuation and interest has grown into full a fledged, soul deep devotion. His affection for Mo has him feeling like he could take on the world or give it all up in the same breath; the deciding factor would be what Mo wanted.
They say the path to hell is paved with good intent and He Tian has a feeling that he's going to find that out for himself first hand.
For now he's forcing himself to put those thoughts and worries aside. He only wants to focus on the feeling of Little Mo pressed against him, whole and perfect and his.
“You should go back to sleep.” He Tian suggests as Mo yawns again. He chuckles at the cute way Mo's voice squeaks at the end of his yawn.
Mo shuffles back, blinking up at He Tian with soft, tired eyes and he cannot resist the temptation to kiss the redhead. He leans in, lips hovering over Mo's for a heartbeat, their breaths mingling before he presses forward, their lips meeting in a chaste kiss. It isn't there first kiss or even their second but it still makes He Tian's heart pound and takes his breath away as if it were the first time all over again. They had kissed until they were breathless the night before; until their lips were swollen and He Tian's bottom lip was bruised from where Mo Guan Shan bit him. It was meant to be more gentle but Guan Shan's inexperience had him using slightly too much force. He Tian had just laughed it off which caused Mo to bite him harder during their next make out session. He Tian didn't mind at all, it was a hazard he was willing to risk.
“I'll protect you.” He Tian swears against Mo's lips as he pulls back. The other boy doesn't acknowledge his words so he just caresses the redhead's cheekbone with his thumb, over and over again until Mo's eyes become heavy again. He kisses Mo's forehead as he continues the soothing ministrations that seem to be putting Mo to sleep.
For a long while, He Tian stares at the water stained walls ahead of him, fighting against his own fatigue so that he can commit this moment to memory. He is determined to never forget the feeling of Guan Shan in his arms because he knows he will need to rely on it in the future. This memory will become an anchor, it will be the constant reminder of why when doubt invades his mind.
Despite his best efforts, his exhaustion catches up with him and he falls asleep wrapped around Mo Guan Shan for the second time that night.
He Tian can't believe that they made it through the night without his brother beating down the door. He wakes up alone but the sound of the water running in the bathroom soothes the anxiety he felt initially upon waking. As he sits up in the bed he looks down at his clothes. He's going to look ridiculous walking around in his pajamas and a trench coat but he doesn't have any alternative. He usually keeps a spare set of clothes in his locker at the gym but he doesn't know if it's safe to go there. There's no telling how many eyes his brother will have around town looking for him though what he's currently wearing is probably more conspicuous than anything else.
His rambling thoughts are interrupted as his partner steps out of the bathroom with a wall of steam following behind him. Amber eyes meet his and the redhead nods by way of greeting. He Tian smiles, just waking up in the same room as Little Mo has made him unimaginably happy. Mo averts is gaze and pulls the over sized hoodie over his head. Once he's dressed he stands by the edge of the bed and He Tian looks up at him expectantly.
“I want to get my ear pierced.” Mo announces quietly, his face flushing a delightful shade of pink.
The announcement takes He Tian by surprise but he's not necessarily opposed to it. “Here?” He Tian asks as he reaches up and softly pinches the shell of Guan Shan's ear. The redhead shudders at the touch and Tian feels his face heat in response. Mo nods, taking He Tian's hands with his own and holding them gently.
“If that's what you really want, then let's do it.” He agrees, running his thumb across his knuckles in reassurance. “Does this mean that you like me?” He asks and Mo's face scrunches up in a sour expression.
“Shut up, chicken dick or you'll make me change my mind.”
He Tian laughs at Mo's trademark hostility, there's nothing Little Mo can say to him that will depress him right now.
“If you're all set, let's get checked out and go.” He suggests, he doesn't want to be in one place for too long. They have a lot of groundwork to do today and it wouldn't hurt to put as much distance between them and his brother as they can.
“After you,” Mo insists, gesturing with his arm, “you're the mastermind in all this.”
He Tian can't say he agrees but he'll accept the responsibility for now. Somehow they'll figure it out together.
One step at a time.