Hualian AU Xtraz ~ Christmas Lights

Part 7

It was kind of funny having a shower and putting on nice clothes just to stay home, doing last bits of cooking together; the turkey had been in the oven for hours, Xie Lian's mum had potatoes boiling to roast them right after, while Xie Lian's father put some jazzy music on, and served them that mulled wine he had done before.

It was sickly-sweet, and Xie Lian's excuses to his dad, he'd drink just a little bit to try it out were just silly. They just stood close together, Hua Cheng's arm around Xie Lian's shoulders, chatting and having a laugh with his parents. Even Ruoye kept wandering around, sniffing at their feet, or trying to climb at them.

"Yes! Merry Christmas", his mum said, making a toast with them sitting around the table. She went on, "It's been a good year: LianLian back at uni, doing what he loves, bringing you over San Lan", she added, with a big smile.

"Mum, alright", Xie Lian said, before she went on and on, "Food's getting cold".

"Merry Christmas everyone, let's eat. Bon appétit!", his dad said, getting up to cut the turkey, which was sizzling, its delicious smell wafting around the house.

Everybody helped themselves, clinking glasses – this time Xie Lian's dad got them a good red wine – and for a while they just ate silently, nodding and making approval noises to each other. Ruoye tried to climb at everyone's lap here and there; Xie Lian's mum always told her off, but Xie Lian kept giving her bits of turkey skin under the table.

After dessert and coffee, they did some exchanging of presents from under the Christmas tree: little things like toiletry kits, socks, chocolates. On their many talks about not liking Christmas, they agreed people often go over-the-top on pricey presents, luxury meals, dress-to-impress: it was all quite exhausting. Things weren't like this at all with Xie Lian and his family!

After dinner, Xie Lian went to do the dishes; Hua Cheng was shooed away – so he joined Xie Lian's parents and Ruoye to watch something on tv, still sipping on his wine. His mum picked up the show, a Xianxia series – he thought it was an unusual choice, but soon he realised the reason.

She was in hysterics, "Look look look! This wig is so badly put we can see its lace!", and then, "C'mon, these swords are clearly plastic pfff", while Xie Lian's father went "Shhh I'm trying to understand the story! Who's this now?"

Poor Xie Lian's dad, he was trying to get the plot, really? Hua Cheng joined Xie Lian's mum in the laughter: that show was indeed funny: too sudden close-in/close ups, crazy camera movements, over acting, not to mention the CGI effects...

When Xie Lian came to sit by his side, he kept asking about the plot, just like his father!

"Gege, forget it", he said, putting an arm around him.

After a while Xie Lian's mum got up, "That's it boys, we're going to bed. We have to drive to this Christmas dinner we were invited for, what, two hours?"

"Two and a half", his dad replied, and added, "You sure you don't wanna come?"

"Thanks dad", Xie Lian replied, "I'd rather just relax, but say hello to everybody from me".

"Alright LianLian", his mum kissed him, and then kissed Hua Cheng, "Good night!"

After they left, Xie Lian nudged Hua Cheng, "Right, how about a good martial arts film then?"

•

Hua Cheng woke up in the lounge, with only the soft and colourful twinkling of the Christmas lights from the tree. The tv was off. Had he fallen asleep on the sofa, while watching that film? He looked at Xie Lian, asleep and breathing softly beside him, his face red, blue, yellow, green. Hua Cheng couldn't decide which was more beautiful.

He just kept looking, a soft smile on his face; as if feeling he was being observed, Xie Lian stirred slightly, his eyelashes fluttering, and he slowly opened his eyes. He smiled, and lifted his head, looking around.

"Have we fallen asleep while watching tv?", he asked drowsily.

Hua Cheng nodded, and he leaned back on him, snuggling himself.

"Gege", Hua Cheng asked, "Tell me now: how did you know I spent Christmas at home last year?".

Xie Lian smiled and replied, "It's just, San Lang, all the assignments and projects you told me about when we met after Christmas... it was obvious you just stayed home, working".

Hua Cheng pursed his lips, then smiled. "I can't fool you, you're not just a pretty face are you?"

Xie Lian pffted a laugh, then caressed his face, asking, "So, how did you find it, did you have fun? I know you don't like Christmas..."

Hua Cheng held Xie Lian's hand on his face, and gave him a little smile. "It's not that I don't like, I just, well I never had a Christmas really. Till now". He flashed a smile, pulling Xie Lian towards him, and said on his ear, "You're my Christmas".

Xie Lian widened his eyes, "San Lang, you can't say stuff like this now, it's so soppy".

"I love soppy", he replied, kissing Xie Lian under the Christmas lights; breaking the kiss, he added, "Merry Christmas Gege".

"Merry Christmas San Lang", Xie Lian replied smiling sweetly; then he got up, giving Hua Cheng his hand, "C'mon let's go to bed".

Thanks for reading, that was my take on the 'Lantern and Riddles' Extra. 

This lowly writer doesn't really like Christmas, and thought of writing a Christmas fic just to cheer things up – only Hua Cheng's backstory and POV were even more depressing! 💔

Luckily he has Gege as Christmas present... 😍

Merry Christmas everybody, I hope you're having fun! 

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