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Hua Cheng had spent years kneeling in front of Xia Lian’s statues, or paintings, or shrines.
So after they were married, it shouldn’t have surprised anyone that he often would kneel before him using any excuse he could.
“Gege, let me help you put on your shoes.” He would say. Xie Lian would blush, but indulge him by holding out his foot.
“San Lang.” He’d protest softly when he would press kisses to his ankle. Hua Cheng would offer him his most dazzling smile before leaning back in to tenderly press his teeth against the skin.
“I can’t help it, gege. You taste too good.” He purred as he said it, adoring the darkening blush on Xie Lian’s cheeks.
His beloved was just too cute.
“Gege, here, I’ll help you get dressed.” He would say. Xie Lian would place his hands on his shoulders, allowing him to help him into his clothing.
He always made sure to work his way up. Every fastener was closed with care, and every sash was tied tightly enough that it wouldn’t fall loose during the day, but not tight enough to bring Xie Lian discomfort.
After his clothing was put on, Hua Cheng would then offer to do his hair. Xie Lian never protested this one, as he hated doing it himself.
“I love how soft your hair is, dianxia.” Hua Cheng murmured as he brushed it today. Xie Lian smiled, resisting the urge to nod his acceptance of the compliment.
Hua Cheng would usually squeeze in a quick scalp massage as well. If his fingers tenderly swiped over the delicate swell of Xie Lian’s ears, causing him to squirm at the ticklish feeling. Hua Cheng chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head as an apology that he didn’t really mean.
After his hair was done, Hua Cheng would run out of excuses to kneel before his beloved. He would reign in his need and spend most of the day pushing it out of his mind.
Some days it worked, and he was able to function as normally as he could.
Others, he would end up too tense to focus. After snapping at a poor servant for the fifth time, he would try and seek Xie Lian out.
Xie Lian was usually smiling at whatever task he was working on. That smile would grow when he entered the room. It always broke Hua Cheng’s heart when it fell due to the distress on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Xie Lian asked, quickly approaching him. He cupped his face, a worried frown on his own.
“I. Sit please?” Hua Cheng managed to ask. Xie Lian nodded, quickly finding a chair. Hua Cheng dropped to his knees, resting his head on Xie Lian’s lap.
“Did something trigger this?” Xie Lian asked. Hua Cheng shook his head, eyes closing as his dianxia’s hand began to card through his hair. “Okay good. Well, not good that you aren’t feeling your best. But good that I don’t need to correct a behavior somewhere.” Xie Lian chuckled at his own rambling, and it brought a tiny smile to Hua Cheng’s face.
“Thank you for being willing to do it.” He murmured. Xie Lian’s other hand gently pressed his head down into his lap, his thumb rubbing an affectionate circle on his cheek.
“Of course, my love. I’d do anything for you. What else do you need, hm?” Xie Lian asked. His fingers slid over Hua Cheng’s mouth, a silent offering. Hua Cheng parted his lips, moaning with relief as Xie Lian filled his mouth. Sometimes this is where this scenario would turn sexual. But today the monsters in his head weren’t in the mood, so Hua Cheng settled for sucking on Xie Lian’s fingers.
His tongue rubbed over the digits, feeling guilty when it caused a bit of saliva to ooze out the side of his mouth. Xie Lian must have sensed that, as he slipped his other hand down to rub at the back of his neck, a silent assurance that it was okay.
It never took him long to get settled again. After about 15 minutes he pulled back, a fresh wave of shame and embarrassment washing over him. He opened his mouth to apologize, just for Xie Lian to cover his mouth.
“Nope. Are you feeling better, my love?” He asked. Hua Cheng nodded. “Then that’s enough for me.” Xie Lian sent him a reassuring smile before pulling out a handkerchief and wiping away the saliva.
“Thanks, gege.” Hua Cheng said. Xie Lian nodded, stepping forward to wrap his arms around his waist in a comforting hug.
“You’re very welcome, San Lang. Now do you want to finish the day with me?” Hua Cheng nodded.
The next part of the day that Hua Cheng spent kneeling at Xie Lian’s feet would be after the day was done.
After having carefully “wrapped” his beloved in his clothing for the day, he got the pleasure of unwrapping him.
Since today had been a rough mental health day, it didn’t turn sexual. He carefully pulled off his shoes first. Noticing the slight swelling, Hua Cheng gave them a quick massage to help with that, and then moved on to removing his robes.
As each inch of perfect skin was revealed, Hua Cheng felt himself a little more in love, and more than a little more satisfied that he was the only person that go to see this these days. He couldn’t resist pressing kisses against his skin as he changed him into his pajamas, and finally ended with pressing a tender kiss against his lips.
“Thank you, my love.” Xie Lian said when they parted, a warm smile on his face. “You take such good care of me, and I love you all the more for it.” Hua Cheng grinned at the compliment, bashfully looking away as his cheeks turned pink.
“Of course, dianxia. It’s my privilege to care for you.” He murmured.
He rose to his feet and quickly changed himself as Xie Lian took down his hair. Once they were settled in bed, Hua Cheng extinguished the candles and lanterns with a snap of his fingers. Xie Lian slid closer, resting his cheek on his chest as his arm slid around his waist.
As much as Hua Cheng loved kneeling for his beloved, nothing beat the intimacy of holding him.