The ring

They each received a week off for Qin Jiu's birthday, as per You Hou's request. As they settled into the hotel room that You Huo rented for a week, Qin Jiu finally decided to get curious about his dear's plans.

You Huo was not the one for much planning. His usual style was more along the lines of casually dealing with things as they came, not preparing for something months in advance.

"Well, dear, any chance you might share some of your grand plans with your boyfriend? Did you choose this nice hotel so we could have marathon sex for a week? I wouldn't mind such a present in the slightest!"

You Huo looked at him with a tell-me-something-I-don't-know expression.

As Qin Jiu's birthday was only on the third day of their vocation, for the first two days they explored the town, visited some sights, and walked along the shoreline, barefoot, warm waves caressing their skin, while the sun was setting behind the horizon.

In the evening of the second day, You Huo led Qin Jiu to the nice restaurant, where the table for the two was already prepared for them.

They talked casually about the place they visited over the candlelit dinner. An unfamiliar cuisine was a discovery for them both, light yet tasty.

The night air was cool and refreshing as they strolled unhurried, hand in hand, under the moonlight back to the hotel. The sound of distant laughter and music filled the streets, creating a lively atmosphere.

In the hotel room, Qin Jiu was pushed to sit down on the sofa by You Huo, as he said that he needed to retrieve something.

Curiosity piqued, Qin Jiu watched as You Huo disappeared into the bedroom, leaving him alone in the dimly lit room. He couldn't help but wonder what his darling was up to, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and contentment, their shared moments from the evening still lingering in their minds.

"Aren't you my birthday present? Do you have something else? Though, if you decided to decorate yourself with a red bow, I would love it even more!" Qin Jiu playfully teased, his voice carrying a hint of seduction. He leaned back against the plush cushions, his eyes never leaving the bedroom door. The anticipation was electrifying, sending a surge of excitement through his veins. He couldn't help but imagine the possibilities of what awaited him on the other side of that door. Would it be another surprise? The possibilities seemed endless, and each one only fueled his desire for You Huo even more.

You Huo returned to him, no red bow at hand to see, only the small box of dark velvet. As You Huo reached him, their eyes locked in a silent understanding. The room seemed to hold its breath; the weight of their connection palpable.

Qin Jiu's eyes focused on the box in his boyfriend's hand, and his throat suddenly went dry. He watched in some trepidation as You Huo was coming closer, some very deep emotion etched on his handsome face.

You Huo lowered himself onto one knee in front of Qin Jiu, opening the box for him to see. Two simple platinum rings were laying together on the white silk lining.

Qin Jiu's expression must have been something to be admired, as You Huo chuckled at him before turning serious again:

"Qin Jiu, will you marry me?"

Qin Jiu stared at him for a moment, unsure that what he was seeing was not a hallucination.

He needed to swallow to moisten his suddenly parched throat before he found his voice:

"I sure will, my Big Examiner!"

You Huo smiled again, carefully putting the ring onto Qin Jiu's ring finger

"Why are you so shocked?" He asked, feeling a slight tremor as Qin Jiu, in turn, was sliding the ring on his own finger.

"I'm just surprised that you have beat me to it!" Qin Jiu said with a playful smirk, tilting his head slightly. "I always thought I would be the one proposing first." He chuckled softly, feeling a rush of happiness wash over him as they both admired their rings for a moment.

Qin Jiu indeed thought about proposing to bring their relationship to the next level. On the one hand, married status wouldn't actually change anything for them in China, as such a relationship still wasn't accepted, nor would they treat each other any differently. But on the other hand, that small, uncertain thought has been loitering around in his mind ever since he remembered everything about their previous relationships. That was the man he wanted and planned to spend the rest of his life with. What if he can also call him family?

Having a family for the first time in his life must be a thrilling sensation. Before meeting You Huo, he didn't have any such thoughts. He had friends and companions, maybe an occasional lover to spend pleasant time with, but nothing too permanent. Between the long and dangerous missions, he couldn't really afford the luxury of having people dependent on him. Besides, the thought of his biological family being replaced by someone else seemed unfilial at the time.

But You Huo had completely changed his perspective on such things. The permanent suddenly seemed like such a desirable yet unreachable outcome. After escaping from the system, these illogical fears and unfounded doubts still stuck in his subconscious.

Besides, his You Huo didn't seem to be a person dreaming about grand weeding and romantic wows spoken in front of countless witnesses. What if he disliked the idea?

You Huo looked deeply into his eyes before throwing his hands around Qin Jiu's neck and hugging him tightly.

"Isn't it because you hesitated to do this?" He whispered in Qin Jiu's ear before kissing it.

He stood up only to sit unceremoniously on Qin Jiu's lap. "Did you think I wouldn't want you?"

After Qin Jiu's telling silence, You Huo laughed a little while caressing Qin Jiu's cheek.

"Haven't I chosen you three times by now? Isn't it obvious enough that I'll always choose you?"

Qin Jiu caught his hand and kissed his knuckles one by one, paying special attention to the finger with a ring on it. It appears that not only were all his fears unfounded, but even his beloved was gracious enough to give him a romantic proposal on his own.

"The only thing that could stop us was the system, and now it's out of commission."

Qin Jiu tightened his embrace.

"You are correct. But I'll never get over how much of a secret romantic my b... my husband is.

"Anyway, you can treat it like a return gift for the earring!" You Huo's checks reddened, and he hastily broke the eye contact between them.

Qin Jiu caught said earring between his lips and hummed in appreciation: "Changed your tune so quickly, my love? Fine. So, is this my birthday present then?"

"Didn't you say I was your birthday present?" His ear was getting an onslaught of attention, making him pant. But You Huo still managed a glance in the clock's direction. "Oh, it's already the 17th. Happy birthday, husband."

"Do you know that I love you?"

"I heard something along those lines."

"Then it seems I need to say it a bit more."

And then they really had marathon sex.