When We Lie Side by Side

*** A/N: Happy White Day 2022, everyone! <3

----------

The blossom of spring was just beginning, with the chilling breeze of winter still swirling around the corner, as if reluctant to leave. People walking down the street started lessening the amount of layers of their clothes. Towards the evening, however, few dared to recklessly leave their coats and jackets when venturing outside, lest they'd caught a windchill.

It would be best to withdraw to one's abode, truly. Coated in the warmth of one's home, spending the night with one's beloved, why brave the wintry breeze and shove through the bustling street if one could lay down on a soft bed, eased and relaxed?

Wen Kexing covered his mouth as he let out a big yawn. The day was tiring, but he was home at last. Clean and refreshed from the bath, he had nothing else to do now but wait for drowsiness to take him away as he lazed around on the bed; his long legs sprawled while his back cushion by thick pillows. In all honesty, he could fall asleep just like this, dozing off without a care for anything.

Rubbing his slightly reddened eyes, he threw a glance at the one lying beside him. Zhou Zishu was already in his favorite sleeping attire: loose shirt and shorts that had been worn down by age, the fabric somewhat stretched and the color no longer vibrant. Who knows how many years this pair of shirt and pants had been in his possession? Though they didn't lack money to buy brand new attire, in Zhou Zishu's eyes, it felt more comfortable to sleep in his old clothes. The love of his life was unfortunately a beauty who knew not (and cared not) for taking care of himself, but in regards to this sleeping attire preference, Wen Kexing felt that he could somehow share the sentiment, despite he himself being someone who paid great attention to his personal appearance.

At the moment, Zhou Zishu was also lying sprawled on the bed, back cushioned with some pillows. He was reading a book, and he looked so immersed in it the man hadn't let out even a huft in the past two hours. The two of them were literally next to each other yet not a single word was exchanged for such a long time, it wasn't hard to imagine where Wen Kexing's sleepiness stemmed from. Feeling bored, he turned in Zhou Zishu's direction.

"A-Xu," he called.

There was no answer.

"A-Xuuu..."

Not getting the attention he wanted, he threw his arm and leg around the other, practically making Zhou Zishu a full body pillow as he snuggled into him. Nevertheless, despite his strenuous effort, the only response he received was still not satisfactory.

"Mnn," Zhou Zishu mumbled nonchalantly, flipping the page of his book without a care.

Wen Kexing was not at all happy with his reaction. He pursed his lips, pouting, knitting his brows together. If an ordinary plea did not work, then perhaps it was time for him to be a bit mischievous. Thus, he slipped his hand into Zhou Zishu's shirt, placing his warm palm over the other's abdomen.

And yet before he could "wander" any further, all of a sudden his hand got slapped away.

"Don't make trouble," Zhou Zishu scolded him, frowning.

"Husband Zhou, why won't you spare me even a glance? What is this wife lacking? Have you grown tired of me?"

What he received in return were lines and lines of whining as Wen Kexing stuck even closer to him, burying his face on Zhou Zishu's shoulder. The latter rolled his eyes and sighed, mentally criticizing this man-child whose need for attention exceeded even that of a clingy woman. With the way he behaved and based on past experiences, Zhou Zishu had no problem figuring out what it was that this man wanted.