To the Moon and Back

11. One month to go, and something happens

That evening, Hua Cheng stayed behind in the lab, monitoring at what rate a RNR enzyme converted ribonucleotides into deoxyribonucleotides, or building blocks of DNA – how human bodies could adapt to a space environment on a cellular level. He'd skip dinner and get some snack instead, and probably wouldn't see Xie Lian anymore.

'Absence makes the heart grow fonder as they say, so let Gege miss me a little', he thought.

He was surprised when, after leaving the kitchen, he saw Xie Lian in the lounge, sitting on the sofa with a tablet. It was very inviting, but Hua Cheng only stopped by to say goodnight – he didn't want to keep Xie Lian on his toes too much.

Seeing him, Xie Lian said, "I'm checking Earth touch down procedures, you know as a refresher".

Why was he explaining himself like that, maybe he wants some company? They haven't really spent time together these days, nor had any meaningful conversations – Hua Cheng missed it.

He replied, half-teasingly, "Oh right. Well you need to focus then, I'll leave you to it".

Xie Lian put the tablet down, "I'm finished for today. You can sit down and relax a bit if you want". He seemed as detached as his old self, but Hua Cheng saw some... desperation behind his eyes, his smile. He sat down on the sofa too, but not too close.

"Gege", he asked softly, "Are you anxious to be going back to Earth? It's only one month now".

"Earth feels like a distant memory. Every time I go there, I feel I belong less and less", he replied, looking away, lost in thoughts. Hua Cheng didn't say anything, waiting for him to carry on, but Xie Lian just smiled and said, "You must be counting down the seconds! Going to your remote beach..."

Hua Cheng said, "I wouldn't mind staying", and flashing a smile, added, "But only if you stay too".

Xie Lian laughed, "San Lang I told you many times, it's my job to make the station comfortable – "

"I mean you", Hua Cheng said, "I never imagined I'd come up here and meet someone so easy-going, and sweet and... well. Fucking hot". He looked at him intently, but Xie Lian laughed in embarrassment, blushing, not knowing what to say.

Hua Cheng got closer, giving him a burning look, and caressed his face, rubbing his thumb lightly on Xie Lian's cheek. Xie Lian didn't move and just looked at him back fixedly.

"Gege. I like you", he said, and kissed Xie Lian softly – Xie Lian didn't move, but didn't push him away either. Hua Cheng's tongue licked Xie Lian's lips lightly, then made its way in, playing with Xie Lian's tongue. His hand grabbed at his neck, and his other arm wrapped around Xie Lian's waist tightly.

He broke the kiss, and as he realised Xie Lian didn't react against it at all, he smiled, and put their faces together, rubbing his lips against Xie Lian's cheeks, jawline, neck and ear.

"Hey. Say something", he spoke by his ear, "I know you've been checking me out. Waiting for me outside the shower... not to mention a certain camera..." and he pffted a laugh.

Xie Lian sighed, and Hua Cheng, still laughing, lifted his chin with a finger and kissed him again.

Then he looked at Xie Lian's face and said, "The first moment I saw you, under the airlock's orange lights – "

"You hadn't seen a picture of me before!", Xie Lian said, "How, even The Agency website has one".

Hua Cheng smiled, "Gege, there's a picture of you on The Agency's space program presentation, on all materials of the aeronautics course... you're big on Earth! But I thought it was an old, retouched one. I never expected you to be this cute in real life!"