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Fox hybrids weren't necessarily known for hating the rain the way some other hybrids could be, but they did have a tendency to dislike it. However, Hua Cheng, like many fox hybrids, was perfectly capable of going out and about his daily life when it got stormy.
Especially since Xie Lian had gifted him an extra large umbrella to make sure he stayed dry no matter how much he tried to keep Xie Lian covered too.
He knew Xie Lian didn't mind the rain the way he did, but he still couldn't help but tip the umbrella to keep him dry, so there was a comfort in finally being able to keep Xie Lian safe from the rain without getting a wet shoulder, even if he would've gladly stood in the rain for hours to keep Xie Lian warm and dry for only a minute.
"What's gege planning on cooking?" Hua Cheng asked, moving himself back into position closer to the road as they crossed the street and found themselves swapped.
Xie Lian seemed amused by the unneeded protection, but didn't argue it. He never had. "I thought we could just get some snacks today. Something we can eat in the burrow."
'The burrow' being what they called Hua Cheng's bed when they drew the canopy down over it to create a safe little nook that satisfied Hua Cheng's instincts.Though he had never said anything about it, Xie Lian had seemed to silently understand Hua Cheng liked to spend rainy days like this inside the burrow and had taken to joining him there, watching movies on their laptops or just chatting and cuddling. Those nights he fell asleep there with him. It was almost too much, too perfect. His favorite person in the safety of his favorite place.
So Hua Cheng had come to quite enjoy rainy days.
"En, sounds good. What movie should we watch?"
"Is there any documentaries San Lang has been meaning to watch?"
"None that I want to watch today. I was going to work on finishing the sweater so I won't be paying enough attention." If he was just knitting he would have been able to focus fine on the documentary, but combined with cuddling Xie Lian? Impossible.
"How about the restoration show?"
"That sounds nice," Hua Cheng's tail brushed against Xie Lian's from the wagging he could never help. He didn't really try to help it. Why would he ever want to hide how happy Xie Lian made him?
There was a quiet joy in shaking out his umbrella as they got into their preferred store, the pair of them splitting up to make their way to the snacks they knew each other liked best with a familiarity that nothing but time living together and crafting routines together could give them.
Xie Lian liked mantou– Hua Cheng knew better than to bother with bao even if it would’ve made the better dinner option, his beloved really did prefer no filling, though he'd never admitted it.
Hua Cheng liked puddings– today Xie Lian grabbed him mango.
Xie Lian liked most seeds and nuts– Hua Cheng grabbed him a mix, already vowing to eat all the ones he knew Xie Lian only ate because he thought he was supposed to.
Hua Cheng liked to try the strangest thing he could find in the shop– Xie Lian grabbed him chips that claimed to be flavored like 'meat lovers pizza'.
It was absolutely not a proper dinner for two grown adults.
But no one was here to tell them they couldn't, so they took their selections to the front.
"I can pay," Xie Lian said as he set down his snacks for the cashier.
Hua Cheng had already pulled out his phone to pay. "Next time."
Xie Lian gave him an exasperated smile. Hua Cheng told him he could pay 'next time' every time they went out together. Although if you asked Hua Cheng, Xie Lian really should've learned not to bother trying, surely he'd realized by now Hua Cheng would've paid his portion of rent if he could get away with it.
"San Lang you can't hold the bag and the umbrella," Xie Lian swiped their purchases before he could grab it.
"But gege what will I do with my free hand if I don't have the bag? It'll be so lonely."
"San Lang managed on the way here," Xie Lian grinned as they headed back out, their large red umbrella furling out to protect them both on the way home.
"And it was so difficult," Hua Cheng leaned against him dramatically, tail swatting them both in its eagerness.
"Luckily we live nearby then." Xie Lian oh so cruelly answered.
Hua Cheng switched the umbrella to the hand further from Xie Lian, keeping it tipped so that Xie Lian didn't miss even a centimeter of coverage and bumping hands with him.
Xie Lian didn't give him the bag, but he did slot their fingers together, which Hua Cheng thought might have been just as good.
Besides, Xie Lian was right, they did live nearby, that was why that store had become their usual stop.
All too soon they were dropping each other's warm hands and taking off their shoes and coats to head inside. It was hardly a hardship though when it meant Hua Cheng was following Xie Lian into the kitchen to grab a few napkins and utensils before they both headed into his room with a single minded focus on burrowing together.
Hua Cheng had never hated the rain. It was usually just annoying. It made him tired and slow, the darkness and chill pulling something deep inside him to curl up and rest. But living with Xie Lian made rainy days such a joy.
"You on my lap today? Since you're knitting?" Xie Lian asked as the show began to play, a comforting white noise mixing with the rain.
"Gege knows I'd never turn down the chance to be on his lap," Hua Cheng grinned, making himself at home tucked between Xie Lian's legs and counting out where he'd left off as Xie Lian rustled through the bag.
His tail didn't wag like this, though he was undoubtedly happy. Instead it curled contently around Xie Lian's side to warm him, content with the way Xie Lian often absentmindedly pet it.
Xie Lian watched their show. Hua Cheng focused on finishing his sweater. Xie Lian munched on their snacks. Hua Cheng whined for the bits of the mix he knew Xie Lian didn't actually care for until Xie Lian was automatically feeding him every part he didn't like. He was pretty sure Xie Lian had long ago caught on to why he was so insistent he steal those ones. He never called Hua Cheng out on it though. It was just another of those unspoken understandings.
It took two episodes for Hua Cheng to finish what he'd had left of the sleeve and then at last months of work was finished.
Xie Lian rested his head on Hua Cheng's shoulder, looking at it.
"It's done?"
"En. Does gege want to try it on?"
"It's for me?"
Hua Cheng pulled off his lap to turn around, smile endlessly fond as he held it out. "En."
"When are you going to make something for yourself?" Xie Lian took it carefully, making sure the food was out of the way before slipping it on.
"When gege stops liking the things I make."
"Impossible, San Lang is too talented, he makes the most comfortable things in the world," Xie Lian shot back as he smoothed down the sweater. "Although I think you made the sleeves a bit long this time. Is it so I can double up the sleeves and keep extra warm?"
"They aren't too long. They're sweater paws."
"Sweater paws?" Xie Lian held his hands up, the too long sleeves making him look smaller with the way they flopped over. He laughed as he processed it. "Isn't that for children?"
"Its for anyone."
“It seems like it might be for San Lang,” Xie Lian pointed out, although he still posed for him.
“I don’t know what gege’s talking about, he’s the one with the paws.”
“And San Lang is the one who looks like he’s enjoying himself.”
“So cruel gege, do you mean you don’t like my gift? Did the sweater curse finally come true?”
Xie Lian laughed, pulling Hua Cheng back into his arms to snuggle. “Never. I’ll appreciate all your gifts, even if you have ulterior motives with them.”
“So gracious.” Hua Cheng didn’t bother denying the ulterior motives bit.
Xie Lian shook his head, nuzzling him happily.
Hua Cheng really loved rainy days.