knock knock (hanlong) (english)

it's so bittersweet (but i like the chase)

at first, xinlong didn't realize he was there.

it started innocently enough. xinlong was used to working uncertain hours, leaving the dance studio late at night and coming in early in the morning to teach idols the choreographies he made for their songs. zihao would keep him company, with zeyu occasionally dropping by to bring them lunch, dinner or just coffee. but on that rainy afternoon, he was by himself when he bumped into him.

he almost spilled his coffee at the stranger as he was leaving the coffee shop. he was about his age, pale skin and dark hair, and a look of someone who was caught red handed doing something they weren't supposed to. like a deer in headlights, he stood frozen, staring at xinlong before shyly apologizing and asking xinlong if he spilled any of his drink, to which he replied it was fine and attempted to strike some conversation because god knew he was lonely and desperate for the touch of a guy his age, but he was overly shy and apologized again before walking away. back then, he really hoped they could see each other again. they would. kind of. the guy, for sure, would be seeing him.

that was when xinlong started seeing him more and more often. as he was leaving the studio. as he was coming in. getting coffee. going home. he was always there, quietly standing and watching. zihao noticed him, wanted to call the cops or ask mingrui to attempt to scare him off but xinlong couldn't let him.

xinlong couldn't lose the attention.

he knew the guy watched him. he knew when he was being followed, he knew the person with no info on their xiaohongshu profile but that insisted on following him and liking all his posts was that man. he knew his body was being thirsted after, watched, wanted with every move he made under that careful, obsessive gaze.

that's why he made sure to walk the same path everyday, he posted on xiaohongshu more often. he peeked his windows open, stripped, put on a show. he could feel it deep in his bones to the point he watched himself and his every move to make sure he looked on point; perfect.

because every since the day they met in front of the coffee shop, back when xinlong didn't realize he was being followed, he couldn't forget the man. his fair skin, deep eyes, dark hair, wide chest, strong arms. he could feel his mouth water just by remembering him. he was so lonely, god knew how hard it was coming across men who caught his interest on the hellhole that was henan, and it was like the perfect guy dropped right on his lap like a gift that came straight from the skies. and, god bless him, the whole getting to know, seduction part was out of the window right from the start.

and xinlong watched him back just as intently, in his own way, to the point he learnt every single spot, everywhere he usually hid. so he looked at him. they stared at each other; through the windows, from across the street, as xinlong got ready to bed. it excited him to no end as he came closer and closer. losing fear. zihao called him crazy, a freak, but xinlong couldn't help the fire that cursed through his veins when he felt those attentive eyes on him; a high nothing in the world could begin to replicate.

his skin burned, sweat running down his back as he stripped out of his clothes once again, back turned to the window he left closed on purpose. tired of foreplay, of playing games. he needed a move.

knock knock on his window. he could hear the faint noise of breathing coming from outside.

"open up, xinlong."