Work Text:
The snow began falling early that Saturday morning, transforming the neighborhood into a winter wonderland. Thick, pristine layers of white covered every surface, muffling the world outside. Inside their cozy home, Xie Lian leaned against the kitchen counter, a steaming mug of hot cocoa warming his hands as he watched Hua Cheng rummage through a pile of storage boxes they’d dragged down from the attic.
“Do we really need all of these decorations?” Hua Cheng asked, holding up a knotted string of multicolored lights that looked like it had seen better days. His crimson and amber eyes glinted with mock exasperation, though the twitch of a smile betrayed him.
“Yes,” Xie Lian replied with a playful grin, setting down his mug. “It’s Christmas, San Lang. Go big or go home.”
“We are home,” Hua Cheng muttered, but his lips curved into a smirk as he shook his head.
The tree took center stage in their living room—a real evergreen they had picked out together the weekend before. Its fresh pine scent filled the air, mingling with the sweetness of Xie Lian’s cocoa. They worked together to drape the tree with twinkling lights, delicate ornaments, and shimmering tinsel, occasionally pausing to bicker over placement.
“You can’t put all the red ornaments on one side, Hua Cheng,” Xie Lian chided, stepping back to inspect the tree.
“Why not? It’s balanced,” Hua Cheng replied, stubbornly placing another crimson bauble.
Xie Lian rolled his eyes but let it slide, returning to the box of decorations. As he rummaged, his hand paused on a small glass ornament shaped like an angel, its translucent wings catching the light.
“Remember this?” he asked softly, holding it up for Hua Cheng to see.
Hua Cheng’s gaze softened instantly, his expression transforming. “Our first Christmas together,” he murmured, stepping closer to take the ornament from Xie Lian. He turned it over in his hands for a moment, then carefully placed it near the top of the tree.
“It was the only ornament we could afford back then,” Xie Lian said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “I still think it’s the prettiest one we have.”
Hua Cheng glanced at him, his voice low but filled with affection. “It’s not just pretty—it’s perfect. Like that Christmas, like you.”
Xie Lian felt warmth rise to his cheeks, though he couldn’t suppress his smile. “You’re such a sap,” he said, but there was no real bite in his words.
“Only for you,” Hua Cheng quipped, brushing a light kiss to Xie Lian’s temple before returning to untangling lights.
The stockings came next, hung above the fireplace with an extra touch of festive flair. Xie Lian had insisted on personalizing them with glitter glue, a decision that turned into an unexpectedly messy endeavor. Hua Cheng, determined to make his initials flawless, ended up smudging his “J” into a sparkly blur.
Xie Lian tried to stifle his laughter, but it erupted in waves, his eyes crinkling as he doubled over. “It looks like you tried to draw a candy cane and gave up halfway!”
Hua Cheng narrowed his eyes but couldn’t keep a straight face. “You think you’re so clever, huh? Wait until I ‘accidentally’ glitter bomb your stocking.”
Their teasing dissolved into helpless laughter, echoing warmly through the room until their sides ached and their cheeks flushed.
As twilight painted the sky a soft indigo, they bundled up in scarves and gloves for the next task: stringing lights along the roof. The frosty air nipped at their faces as they climbed the ladder, a box of twinkling bulbs in hand. Xie Lian took charge of the placement, perched precariously near the edge as he secured the final string of lights.
“Be careful,” Hua Cheng called from below, his voice tinged with worry as he steadied the ladder.
“I’ve got it,” Xie Lian replied confidently, but the wind chose that exact moment to send a sharp gust, causing him to wobble.
Hua Cheng’s heart leapt as he shot up the ladder, gripping Xie Lian’s arm just in time to steady him. “What are you doing, Gege?” he scolded, his breath visible in the icy air. “Trying to turn our house into a Christmas-themed emergency room?”
Xie Lian clutched Hua Cheng’s sleeve, laughing despite himself. “You’d probably manage to make the ER festive too.”
Hua Cheng gave him an exasperated look before pulling him close, his grip firm but gentle. “Seriously. What would you do without me?”
“Probably fall off the roof,” Xie Lian admitted with a sheepish grin.
They both burst into laughter, their voices carried away by the cold breeze. With the lights finally in place, they climbed down together, stepping back to admire their work. The roof sparkled against the darkening sky, a constellation of warm white bulbs that brought their home to life.
“You know,” Hua Cheng said, tucking his scarf tighter around Xie Lian’s neck, “this is shaping up to be the brightest house on the block.”
Xie Lian leaned into his touch, his cheeks rosy from the cold and the affection radiating between them. “Good. It’s Christmas. We’re supposed to shine.”
Hua Cheng’s lips quirked up in a soft smile. “You always do, Gege.”
As the first stars blinked into the night sky, the two stood there for a moment longer, basking in the glow of their shared accomplishment—and each other.
Back inside, they stood in the glow of their finished work. The tree shimmered with soft, twinkling lights, the stockings glittered with festive charm, and the roof lights cast a warm, inviting glow over the snow-covered yard. Everything about the house felt alive with holiday cheer.
Hua Cheng slipped an arm around Xie Lian’s waist, a satisfied smile on his face. “Not bad for a day’s work,” he said, his tone proud but teasing.
“Not bad?” Xie Lian repeated with mock indignation, nudging him gently. “It’s a masterpiece.”
Still, his gaze wandered as if something felt incomplete. Then his face lit up with an idea, and without a word, he disappeared into the kitchen.
Hua Cheng tilted his head, puzzled, until Xie Lian reappeared with a sprig of mistletoe held triumphantly above his head. “Aha! Now it’s perfect.”
Hua Cheng groaned, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “You’re unbelievable,” he said, shaking his head with a laugh.
“It’s tradition,” Xie Lian replied, his honey-brown eyes sparkling as he held the mistletoe above both their heads.
Hua Cheng sighed theatrically but couldn’t resist the look on Xie Lian’s face. “Fine,” he said, his voice low and affectionate. He leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that was soft and lingering, a kiss that spoke of countless shared memories and an unshakable bond.
When they pulled apart, Xie Lian grinned, still holding the mistletoe high. “One more,” he said, his voice playful but earnest. “For good luck.”
Hua Cheng chuckled, his gaze warm as he leaned in again. This time, the kiss was slower, deeper, a quiet promise of their love that no amount of snow or time could ever bury. As they parted, Hua Cheng whispered against Xie Lian’s lips, “Just because I love you.”
The snow outside continued to fall, soft and unhurried, blanketing their little house in a layer of sparkling magic. Inside, the warmth of the Christmas lights wrapped around them, a gentle reminder of the life and love they had built together.
This, they both knew, was a holiday they’d treasure forever.