Work Text:
Xie Lian groaned as he climbed the last step up to his apartment. He ached everywhere, from his toes all the way up to his neck, everything hurt. He and Shi Qingxuan had spend the entire day moving him into her new apartment with He Xuan. And, as was usually in line with Xie Lian’s luck, the elevator in the building was broken. And fixed about twenty minutes before they were done.
Now, all he wanted was to shower and pass out in his bed. And see Hua Cheng. The two were supposed to have an at home date night after the unpacking was done. Xie Lian had found a new recipe he really wanted to try and Hua Cheng was going to bring over a movie. Xie Lian hated to cancel on him. It had been too long since the two of them had been able to have a night together but now he felt gross and sweaty and he knew he’d left a mess in the kitchen before leaving to meet Shi Qingxuan and all the energy he had left was enough to shower and potentially microwave some noodles before passing out.
Xie Lian unlocked the door and kicked his shoes off and dumped his keys on the table just inside. A crash from the kitchen made him jump.
“Hello?” He called out, reaching back for the front door and digging his phone out of his pocket.
“Gege? Is that you?”
Xie Lian let out a breath and quickly made his way to the kitchen. Inside, where he was expecting to his dirty breakfast dishes, no food cooked and ready to eat, and definitely no person standing in his kitchen, there was actually clean dishes, a pot simmering on the stove, and his dear, beautiful, handsome boyfriend.
Hua Cheng smiled brightly at him and covered the pot. "Welcome home.”
Xie Lian smiled and threw his arms around Hua Cheng. He buried his face in his neck and sighed happily. “What are you doing here?”
His arms came up and wrapped around Xie Lian. “I wanted to see you. He Xuan said the elevator was broken and then he had to leave. I was hoping I could leave work early enough to come help you but I couldn’t. I was hoping dinner might be an okay substitute.”
Xie Lian sighed happily and squeezed tighter. “Mmm, dinner is good but you’re even better.” He closed his eyes and rested for a moment, enjoying the peace that Hua Cheng always brought with him. The two stood there for a few minutes before Xie Lian’s stomach growled loudly and broke the two apart.
Hua Cheng chuckled and pressed a kiss to Xie Lian’s cheek. “There’s still a little more time for dinner to cook if you want to go shower.”
“Have I told you recently you’re my favorite person?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng flushed at the words and gently pushed him away. “Go shower.” Xie Lian pressed a quick peck to his lips and turned to go. As he walked through the living room he noticed the folded blankets, the pillow that had been on the floor fluffed and sitting on the couch, the book he was sure he’d left out was neatly put away, book marked tucked in where Xie Lian had left it open. Xie Lian laughed and shook his head. His dear Hua Cheng.
By the time he got out of the shower, the apartment had filled with the smell of a good homecooked meal. His mouth watered as he quickly dried off and made his way back into the kitchen where Hua Cheng was ladling the soup into two bowls.
“It smells amazing,” Xie Lian said as he walked up behind Hua Cheng and wrapped his arms around him. “Mmm, I’m glad you came over.”
Hua Cheng squeezed his hand and turned his head and pressed a kiss to Xie Lian’s temple. “I still brought the movie with me if you want to watch it?”
“I do,” Xie Lian said. He sighed and unwrapped himself from Hua Cheng. They took their bowls into the living room. Hua Cheng put the movie on and as soon as he sat down Xie Lian curled up against him. Hua Cheng rested his head against Xie Lian’s, the two trading comments and laughs and opinions as they watched the story play out in front of them.
As the credits rolled across the screen, Xie Lian turned to Hua Cheng. “Will you stay over tonight?”
Hua Cheng smiled softly and cupped his cheek. “I’d love to.”
“Good,” Xie Lian said. He tugged on Hua Cheng’s hand and the two curled up in bed together. Xie Lian rested his head on Hua Cheng’s chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart. Hua Cheng stroked Xie Lian’s back, his fingers playing with the ends of his hair as the two fell into a peaceful sleep tangled up with each other.