Chapter Text
The real world has few fairytales. A story may start with “Once upon a time”, but very few people get the true “happily ever after”.
Yu Xi Gu lost his parents young, felt like a burden to his aunt, and ended up living alone. Then, he met his knight in shining armour - the chaotic ray of sunshine in his life - Xiang Hao Ting. Moving in together felt like a dream, but it was real and tangible, and he was living it right now. The smell of onions lingered in the air making his eyes water - but that wasn’t the only reason he teared up.
Warmth filled his heart as he looked over at Xiang Hao Ting, catching the man staring at him dreamily. Both smiled widely at each other, Xi Gu not knowing who smiled first. “Taste this,” said Xi Gu. “Is it good?”
“Delicious!” came the grinning response from Hao Ting.
Xi Gu shook his head, smile waning. “But will your parents like it?” he asked, fretting.
“They prefer saltier food,” Hao Ting replied. “Don’t worry though: it’s truly delicious!” Yu Xi Gu crouched down and checked the shopping bag. His eyes widened and he slapped his knee, “Damn it!”
“What?” asked Xiang Hao Ting, brows and eyes both curious and slightly worried.
“I forgot the salt!” Xi Gu laughed, standing up. “I’ll go get some right now. Just keep an eye on the soup for me, alright?”
As Xi Gu looked back, he smiled again at Hao Ting‘s stare once more. The man nodded, obediently turning to the soup as he’d been asked. Xi Gu quickly left the flat and set off to the shops.
As he drew close to the shop, Yu Xi Gu felt his pockets vibrate. He searched for his phone, finding it buried in his pocket under the keys. It was none other than Xiang Hao Ting calling. Xi Gu smirked, thinking his love was so clingy to miss him after only a few minutes out of the house.
“Wallet.” said Xiang Hao Ting, his voice distorted over the phone. Yu Xi Gu checked his pockets again, sighing after confirming that he’d forgotten his wallet. “I’ll bring it to you, so meet me halfway!” chirped Xiang Hao Ting, almost too happy at getting to see his boyfriend sooner than he’d expected.
Yu Xi Gu changed his route, retracing his steps home. Home, smiled Xi Gu. He’d never imagined that he’d finally find a warm and loving home. But his dream was unfolding before his eyes, a dream he hadn’t dared have until now. A dream that he’d constantly remember through every waking moment of his. A dream that came true, just like getting into the top physics university course in Taiwan, getting a lovely flat for a price that seemed too good to be true, and his dream man alongside him for everything. With the plethora of dreams he was fulfilling, his life truly was changing for the better!