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“Is it snowing?” You Huo questions, voice muddled and slurred, face half-buried in his comfy pillow.
“It is.” Qin Jiu’s lips arch upwards in the bloom of an adoring smile. That soft quality that sweetens You Huo’s voice in the mornings with a subtle rasp, he savours it so fondly. His hand that houses You Huo’s cheek in its hold shifts faintly. It guides him to a cherishing kiss, tender lips brushing against each other.
Delight floods, serenity pours. You Huo nestles into the summery warmth, his safe haven, and hums. He gathers no energy to blink his lids open.
“The ground is already covered in a thick blanket of snow.” Qin Jiu remarks. “It must have started snowing last night. When we were–”
“–busy.” His last word is deliberately drawled out, cubed in a box of tease. And the scarlet that blooms on the curve of his beloved’s ear as his response, he never fails to catch and relish it.
“Your ears for sure do like me a lot, Big Invigilator.” He murmurs, the tip of his index finger grazing the graceful line that guides him to a bedazzling stud. “What about your heart? Does it harbour the same feelings?”
“What do you think?”
“Me? I think… it does.” His palm unfolds on the younger’s chest, sensing those tiny butterfly wings flutter against his skin. “See? I am correct.”
You Huo huffs.
“Isn’t it romantic?” Qin Jiu lifts the blanket of temporary silence. “The snow has started falling the moment we were sharing our bodies in a dance of passion, pouring our hearts into kisses.”
“Big Invigilator, I love you so much.”
The customary confession unfurls quite suddenly. You Huo soaks in the familiarity of it before he extends a hushed response. “Ditto.”
“Only ‘ditto’, dearest? Not reinforced by an ‘I love you, too?’, huh?”
“Ditto.” The younger is kind enough to repeat.
“Alright, ditto.”
“Stop talking.” The Chief Instructor commands, stirring so his head rests more comfortably against the older’s chest. His arm remains draped over Qin Jiu’s waist.
He drifts asleep again.
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Drowsiness sated enough for the gold of his orbs to dew alight, You Huo battles the bone-deep stiffness before he manages to sit up. He yawns the will to flop back down away, poking the other awake from his light slumber.
“I’m awake.” He announces.
The other rouses with a chuckle. He hums, rubs his eyes and moves to gather You Huo into his arms. He hoists up the younger, heading to the adjoined bathroom.
They muss and muck around for a good, long while. Emerging clean from the steam, Qin Jiu invites them to two cups of fresh tea. The flavour carries a tang of sweetness in the pool of bitterness, pleasant enough to earn You Huo’s glance of approval.
Qin Jiu picks up a cookie from the plate, pushing the rest towards You Huo. He watches, care reflected in the gleam of his gaze, as the younger enjoys a quiet breakfast. He lowers his head, snickering to himself.
“What?” You Huo quirks a brow.
“Nothing. I just love you so much.”
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Defeated, You Huo sighs, helping Qin Jiu roll the snow to a round body of white.
“Show some enthusiasm, Big Invigilator.” Qin Jiu rests gloved hands on his waist, straightening up to suggest. “It surely isn’t that boring?”
You Huo nods.
Five seconds later, a frozen ball of frosty enthusiasm is hurled at Qin Jiu, perfectly gracing his features.
Qin Jiu blinks, in awe, and then, howls an heart-felt laughter.
And so, begins a fierce fight. Big and small bodies of snow fly around, hitting and crashing.
It is so foolishly childish, but so be it. Both of them had the dream of a normal, foolish childhood stolen. Let it be foolishly childish.
When the battle calms, both of them are panting in sync, crouched to knees. No one yields, and no one declares victory. In a mutual agreement, they both retreat.
“You look silly.” You Huo smiles, tipping a finger on the red tip of his lover’s nose.
Qin Jiu doesn’t deny. He pierces a carrot into the pitiful snowman’s face to play as its own stupid nose. “There. We have an equally silly child.”
And then, follows another gift of affection. “I love you so much, You Huo. Happy birthday.”
You Huo’s soft smile lingers, and grows more bright. “As long as you’re here, it’ll be a happy one.”
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