Work Text:
Xie Lian stood before the bedroom mirror, staring at his reflection with a mix of determination and anxiety. His crisp white shirt was perfectly pressed, tucked neatly into the waistband of his charcoal trousers. The navy tie he’d selected with agonizing care hung loosely around his neck, its knot stubbornly unfinished. His fingers fumbled with the fabric, a soft groan of frustration escaping his lips.
"Why does this feel more like a battle than getting dressed?" he muttered to himself.
From the bathroom, Hua Cheng’s voice floated in, smooth and teasing. "Because, gege, you’re clearly not winning."
Xie Lian rolled his eyes, though a small smile crept onto his lips. Hua Cheng always had a way of turning his frustration into something almost laughable. Moments later, the bathroom door opened, and Xie Lian momentarily forgot about the tie entirely.
Hua Cheng stepped into the room, effortlessly commanding the space. His black velvet suit jacket shimmered faintly under the warm light, the gold phoenix brooch on his lapel catching Xie Lian’s eye. His long hair fell in soft waves, framing his sharp features, and the crimson lipstick he wore added a bold elegance that made him utterly captivating.
Xie Lian swallowed, his cheeks warming. “You look like you just walked off the runway,” he mumbled, his voice barely audible.
“And you look like you’re about to charm an entire room with your brilliance,” Hua Cheng replied smoothly, closing the distance between them. He reached for Xie Lian’s tie, deftly straightening it with practiced ease. His hands lingered, their warmth grounding Xie Lian.
“I’m not brilliant,” Xie Lian murmured, lowering his gaze. “I’m just lucky to be there. Everyone else is—”
“Stop.” Hua Cheng’s voice was soft but firm as he lifted Xie Lian’s chin, their eyes meeting. “You are brilliant, gege. More brilliant than any of them. And I won’t let you doubt yourself tonight.”
Xie Lian’s lips parted to argue, but Hua Cheng silenced him with a sly smile and a raised tube of crimson lipstick.
“What are you doing?” Xie Lian asked, his brows furrowing.
“Helping you make an impression,” Hua Cheng said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Before Xie Lian could protest, Hua Cheng leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. The warmth of the kiss sent a shiver through Xie Lian, and when Hua Cheng pulled back, the vivid red imprint of his lips remained.
“San Lang!” Xie Lian exclaimed, his voice rising as his hand shot up toward his face.
Hua Cheng caught Xie Lian’s wrist, his smirk widening as he shook his head. “Nope. You’re not wiping it off just yet. I’m not done.”
“Not done?” Xie Lian echoed, his voice a mix of disbelief and laughter, his heart still racing from the surprise kiss.
Hua Cheng leaned in again, this time pressing a kiss to Xie Lian’s forehead, leaving another bold red imprint. He moved to the bridge of his nose, then to the other cheek, each kiss deliberate and playful. Xie Lian squirmed, half-heartedly trying to pull away, but Hua Cheng’s laughter was contagious, and soon Xie Lian found himself laughing too, his earlier anxiety forgotten in the warmth of the moment.
“Okay, okay, that’s enough!” Xie Lian managed between giggles, his face now adorned with a constellation of lipstick marks.
Hua Cheng stepped back, admiring his work with a satisfied nod. “Perfect. Now everyone will know you’re taken. By me.”
Xie Lian smiled softly, his hand reaching up to touch the mark on his cheek. “You’re impossible,” he said, but the words were light, fond.
“And you’re adorable,” Hua Cheng replied, leaning in for one final kiss—this one on Xie Lian’s lips. The kiss was slow and lingering, filled with unspoken affection, and when they pulled apart, Hua Cheng gently wiped away the excess lipstick with his thumb. His expression softened, turning serious. “You’re going to be amazing tonight, gege. I’m so proud of you.”
Xie Lian’s heart swelled at Hua Cheng’s words. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
When they finally arrived at the awards ceremony, Xie Lian was a bundle of nerves once again, but Hua Cheng stayed close, his hand a constant, reassuring presence. During the ceremony, when Xie Lian’s name was announced as the winner of the Best Debut Novel award, his heart skipped a beat.
As he walked to the stage, his pulse racing, Xie Lian glanced toward the crowd. He caught sight of Hua Cheng, who blew him a kiss, his grin as bright as the stage lights. A wave of warmth spread through Xie Lian when he realized the faint lipstick marks still lingered on his cheek.
In his acceptance speech, Xie Lian spoke from the heart, filled with gratitude and sprinkled with self-deprecating humor, but he saved the best for last. “And to my partner, Hua Cheng, who always knows how to make me laugh when I need it most—thank you for believing in me, even when I don’t.”
The audience erupted into applause, but all Xie Lian could focus on was Hua Cheng, clapping the loudest, his face beaming with pride.