Hualian AU Xtraz ~ Christmas Lights

Part 1

Hua Cheng had been invited to spend Christmas with Xie Lian back in XianLe, but he said he was seeing his family – which he wasn't. He couldn't possibly burden Gege like that, he'd be wanting to spend some time with his parents; besides, Hua Cheng wasn't sure he could be with him 24/7 and not give away that he wanted to be more than just a friend!

So when he met Xie Lian at The Heavens' end of term celebration, he felt he had to put a little act.

"Why are you hiding here anyway? Come", Xie Lian called him to join in the party.

He said he had to go, feeling like dying inside. Then added, "Have a nice time with your family, and see you after the break".

Play it cool, play it cool; don't let Gege see you're desperate to stay...

Xie Lian smiled, "You too, have a nice break". He paused, then said, "I'll text you. You can reply if you have the time".

If he had the time! When wouldn't he have the time to reply a text from Xie Lian? But surely he said that only because he thought Hua Cheng would be busy with his family – he was always so polite.

Hua Cheng replied, "Yeah let's text each other", before leaving, but really wishing he could have stayed. He was playing it cool even to himself, but he knew he'd miss Gege a lot over the break – not calling or texting too much on top of that...

And for some reason he wasn't sure Xie Lian believed he was spending Christmas with his family.

•

"I didn't believe it of course", Xie Lian said on the following year, when he invited Hua Cheng for Christmas again. He added, "I'm not leaving you home alone this time".

"How did you know – ", he blurted out, already giving away Xie Lian was right!

He didn't know what to say: they've been dating only for two weeks or so – not that he wasn't sure about Xie Lian, of course he was! – but maybe his parents would think he was being pushy. It was too early to meet them – for the first time in his life he was worrying about what people thought of him. And having to behave, not kiss or touch Gege... it'd be torture!

They were slouching on Hua Cheng's sofa, watching some anime series, drinking beer and chatting between episodes. Xie Lian kept getting closer and closer, leaning on, linking arms – Hua Cheng was sure he did it on purpose, how would he disagree with anything Xie Lian said when he did that?

"Is it because you don't like Christmas?", he asked softly, looking at him.

Hua Cheng thought about it, "I, hum, I wouldn't say I don't like it. I just think it's boring. It's a long holiday, and winter, with nothing to do but eat heavy food. I mean, I know it's a time to get together with family and all that – "

He never had this getting together with family though. He had a different upbringing, very different than Xie Lian's – so sometimes he had to work out things that for Xie Lian were just natural. In the few times Xie Lian realised it he felt incredibly awkward, so Hua Cheng didn't like to bring it up.

"I know what you mean", Xie Lian replied, "I also feel restless after so many days doing nothing, just stuffing myself. And drinking", he paused, probably wondering what to say about the family bit. He went on, "You know I spent a few years backpacking, so Christmas was when I missed my parents the most. I got back and spent Christmas with them last year, but..."

"But?", Hua Cheng asked.

"Hum. I know we didn't have anything going on, we were only friends, but, San Lang, I wish you were there. I missed you. That's why I was looking forward to this year".

Hua Cheng blurted out, "Gege, I – did you miss me, seriously? Do you really want me to – ", his mind buzzing with thoughts of having spent Christmas home alone – who knows how Xie Lian found out – while Xie Lian was at home with his parents, wishing they were together!

He smiled, hugging his arm tighter, "It's no big deal, just my parents. And Ruoye. They always get invited somewhere on Christmas Day, so on Christmas Eve we cook some nice food, my dad always gets good wine too... we just enjoy ourselves and relax".

Before he had the chance to reply, Xie Lian added, "Plus, my mum's dying to meet you".

Xie Lian had mentioned he was close to his mum. "I see. She wants to check who's this guy her baby boy's hanging around with", Hua Cheng replied, getting slightly worried again.

But Xie Lian pffted a laugh, "If I know my mum, she'll be all over you, then telling you embarrassing stories of when I was a kid".

Hua Cheng smiled, hardly containing his excitement: meeting Xie Lian's mum, listening to anything and everything about Gege sounded irresistible. And if he wants him to spend Christmas together, of course Hua Cheng will go, no need to ask twice. He'll dress up as Santa even!

Putting his arms around Xie Lian and hugging him tight, Hua Cheng replied, "Alright Gege, I'm going".

Xie Lian raised a brow mockingly, "Because of my mum?"

Hua Cheng couldn't resist when he made faces like that; he kissed him and said, "How could I stay away from you all these days anyway?"

Xie Lian replied with a "hmm", and carried on kissing him.

After a bit of kissing, Hua Cheng was totally convinced... 😉

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