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There was soft light streaming through the windows as the sun rose over the horizon in a fading yellow that reflected off the white and blue china of the tea set, left in its place on the shelf. On ordinary days, the aroma of tea leaves being handled and brewed was predominant in the house at that time. But not that day. The aroma that filled the air was stronger, awakening the senses and appealing to the palate before it even reached the mouth.
It had only been a short time since they had settled in Longcheng, and for Shen Wei, returning to that city was a fulfilled desire. Especially since he had been able to get his job back at the University. Returning to teaching was essential to him - it was one of the few true pleasures he had. It was not a mask, although it sometimes served that purpose. He would be a Professor even if it was 'useless' in other senses.
It had been a long time since Shen Wei had felt as sincerely happy as he was now. He had almost forgotten the taste of it. Nowadays, this tasted like the coffee Wu Xie brewed. Chocolatey, not bitter. With smooth cream that melted into the steaming drink. That aroma - and the taste - were a comfort on the mornings when Wu Xie was the first to get out of bed.
Getting used to being happy, though, was something Shen Wei was still managing. Sometimes he felt guilty for being able to have that chance, to live a little for himself, to relive a love that he always imagined was completely lost, to have a moment where his heart didn't hurt all the time. Even though his time was running out, he still felt guilty about that fragile moment in his existence, where he could finally not be alone, before his time came.
He had had to tell Wu Xie, with no intention of hiding from him, that time was no longer in his favor. That what was happening to the pillars was also his sentence.
Wu Xie, however, had told him 'it won't happen like that'. With such certainty in that single statement that Shen Wei was inclined to believe it. His adored Zhurong-jun had never been wrong about those things in the past. And he never lied to Shen Wei, for better or for worse. Even when the truth would open a wound, he had never lied.
He had never said, however, whether he would return from that battle or not. Because a solid statement, in those circumstances, could be a lie. If he had said he would return, it would have been a lie at that time. If he had said he would never return, it would have become a lie by now.
Breakfast was over for now, but the aroma of coffee lingered in the room. Shen Wei stood there for a moment, reconsidering what had been of his past, and what was of his present. The cold draft coming from the window was a reminder of another home he had had in his long existence.
"You think too much," Wu Xie said, wrapping his arms around Shen Wei's waist and bringing him closer, taking him out of the spiral of thoughts he usually immersed himself in when he was silent for a long time. The empty coffee mugs left out on the counter. "You're frowning."
"Don't you ever think too much?" Shen Wei asked, while hugging the other back, snuggling his head on Wu Xie's shoulder, in the soft knitted sweater, which smelled of mild cologne and a vague scent of tobacco. The usual scent of magnolia and incense was hidden beneath the subtlety of being human - but Shen Wei was not sure what being human could mean in Wu Xie's circumstances of existence.
"If I thought too much, or at least the minimum necessary, I wouldn't be the author of so many 'accidents' and a variety of 'small disasters' that make my friends seriously question how I'm still alive at this point..." Wu Xie chuckled softly, gently stroking the Professor's back - Shen Wei was always a delicate child in his eyes.
"Well, being surprised that you were still alive was also the first thing I did when you found me." If Wu Xie had any way of knowing who Shen Wei had been for millennia before meeting him again, he would understand how rare it was that subtle tone of amusement in his voice, something that had ceased for over five millennia.
"That's right. Now come on, I'll take you to the University." Wu Xie guided his partner out of the kitchen, thinking that the mornings should be longer before work, so they could still be in their pajamas, rather than fully dressed to face the day outside.
"No need, it's just a short walk." And even saying that, Shen Wei looked for both of their coats and scarves on the rack next to the front door.
"Well, I'll walk you there, sweetie. Now that it's finally getting cold, we can enjoy the morning air together while I take you to work." Wu Xie quickly put on his own coat, and then unhurriedly took Shen Wei's coat and helped him dress, turning him to face himself to align the collar and fasten the buttons.
Shen Wei just watched the act, which was not the first time. He should have known that after that first coat - his first nice outfit - so, so long ago, that person would always make a point of dressing him well and keeping him comfortable, even though that one knew Shen Wei wasn't affected by the weather.
Wu Xie adjusted the Professor's scarf carefully, taking one last moment to caress his face and admire those lines that had always been perfect. Despite the neat and elegant Professor in front of him now, Wu Xie could still see the wild child that used to run with him through the fields and mountains of the newly formed Earth when he looked into those eyes. One of the two most wonderful things he had ever known in his entire existence. The other was Kunlun, which he didn't want to think about at the moment because he was still trying to manage missing him and having to work alongside him at the same time.
For a moment, Wu Xie breathed in the crisp mountain air again. He was sure that Shen Wei also felt as if this was not the then and now. Opening his eyes, he took a deep breath once more, the crisp air of Longcheng on that autumn morning. He had barely noticed the short way between leaving the apartment and reaching the street.
He watched Shen Wei, who had stopped at the edge of the sidewalk to let the cold, fresh air hit his face, fill him inside, in a longing that existed almost palpably within him and overflowed outside of him. They had enjoyed all the seasons together, many times. But the cold seasons had shaped the way they loved. Apparently, it was happening like this again.
As Wu Xie approached, he was surprised by the hand that reached for his. When they left the house, to the world outside, he was always the one who took the initiative to hold Shen Wei's hands. The Professor being the first to reach out and intertwine their fingers together was something new.
For a while, they walked in silence, shoulder to shoulder, Shen Wei instinctively snuggling into Wu Xie's warmth. He wondered if things were made more difficult for Wu Xie by having to see Zhao Yunlan every day from now on, and simply not being anything to him other than a co-worker. But Wu Xie never complained despite the quiet moment with the cigarette on the balcony, every time after returning from the SID office.
"You don't care if the other professors at the University see you like this with me?" Wu Xie broke the silence, looking ahead at the trees in shades of yellow and red, the breeze swaying the branches, causing dry leaves to fall, forming patterns on the path.
"They know I have a partner."
"Yes, I imagine they know, after all you wear a ring. That doesn't mean they know you have a male partner."
"It's no coincidence that I told one of my students that I have a husband, when they asked me about the ring."
"Why did they ask you that?"
"Because they wanted to know if the ring was an adornment or a relationship status," Shen Wei explained, although he was no stranger to why his students wanted to know this. He was young (or looked to be) and aware that he was attractive. The ring had saved him from semesters of deluded students ahead. Furthermore, if Shen Wei was seen like that with Wu Xie, his students would know that his husband was indeed very handsome and if any illusions were left, it would go down the drain right then and there.
His husband.
How did they suddenly get there?
The hand Shen Wei held told him that he was back where he belonged. And the air that reminded them of mountain air, lingering in a cold breeze against their faces, made Shen Wei think that the painful time of loneliness was a small break in a much longer time. Perhaps Wu Xie was right, just like before. Perhaps Shen Wei's fate would not be to disappear when the pillars broke. If they would break. The world had palpably changed since the first spark of memory of the primordial god had revealed that the fire of the heavens had never been extinguished.
Beside the University stairs, they stopped, facing each other, closer than perhaps they had intended. A little more and it would be a hug. The breeze had ruffled both of their hair, and Wu Xie had raised his free hand to try and straighten the Professor's always tidy hair, without success given the continuation of the weather. They would both remain a little messed while still there, in the street. It was warm and alluring to be so close, it always had been. Shen Wei closed his eyes to feel Wu Xie's warm, moist breath touch his dry, icy face.
"Xiao Wei... I want to kiss you," Wu Xie murmured, almost brushing the tips of their noses.
Shen Wei didn't need to open his eyes to know that there was no one around. It was still very early, there was still a lot of time before students and other teachers started arriving. Most of the world was still asleep. He could have a moment.
"It's still too early to be stacking books in the classroom... we can walk a little further," Shen Wei teased, an implied promise. "I don't want to get fired for inappropriate conduct now that I've got my job back." And with a low laugh, he finally pulled away and opened his eyes, expecting a small scolding or even a trace of disappointment. What he received, however, was a fond laugh.
"Okay, okay. You're right. And I really wanted to take advantage of the cold air to walk around hugging you. Here's my chance, right?"
Taking Shen Wei gently by the waist, Wu Xie guided him back down the sidewalk and they resumed walking.
It still felt like crisp mountain air surrounding them. And protecting them. As if the one they both loved had never forgotten them.
Maybe one day.