𝙃𝙪𝙖𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

The golden light of a warm afternoon poured through the open windows of Xie Lian's humble abode, illuminating the wooden table where a pristine sheet of parchment lay, along with an inkstone and brush. Hua Cheng sat across from Xie Lian, his ever-present smirk lingering on his lips. His fingers casually toyed with the brush, though his crimson eyes remained fixed on Xie Lian instead of the paper before him.

"San Lang, focus" Xie Lian said, his voice a mix of amusement and exasperation. He gestured toward the blank parchment. "Calligraphy takes concentration. You won’t improve if you don’t even try."

"Who says I want to improve?" Hua Cheng replied smoothly, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at Xie Lian with open adoration. "I'd much rather watch my Gege teach than attempt something so... unnecessary."

Xie Lian sighed, though the corners of his lips betrayed a faint smile. "Calligraphy is a valuable skill. Everyone should at least know the basics."

"But why write beautifully when I can simply speak beautifully to you instead?" Hua Cheng teased, his voice low and honeyed.

Xie Lian's cheek reddened slightly but he maintained his composure. He pointed at the brush in Hua Cheng's hand. "Because you promised you’d learn. Now stop trying to distract me and start writing."

With a dramatic sigh, Hua Cheng dipped the brush into the ink and moved it toward the paper. The tip wavered as he made his first stroke uneven, blotchy and completely unlike the elegant lines Xie Lian had demonstrated earlier.

Xie Lian winced. "San Lang, what is that supposed to be?"

"A masterpiece" Hua Cheng replied confidently, setting the brush down and leaning back.

Xie Lian leaned closer to inspect the messy strokes. "It looks more like a… startled spider."

Hua Cheng chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "Then it’s abstract art. Perhaps I’ll start a new trend."

Shaking his head, Xie Lian picked up the brush. "Watch closely. The key is to keep your hand steady and apply even pressure. Like this." He demonstrated, his strokes smooth and precise.

Hua Cheng didn’t move but Xie Lian could feel his gaze burning into him. Finally, he glanced up. "San Lang, are you even paying attention?"

"Always" Hua Cheng said with a smile that could melt glaciers. "But you’re far more interesting than the ink."

Xie Lian sighed again, this time with a hint of defeat. He placed the brush back in Hua Cheng's hand and moved behind him. "Fine. If you won’t focus on your own, I’ll guide you."

Hua Cheng sat up a little straighter, his smirk softening into something more tender. Xie Lian’s hands settled gently over Hua Cheng's, and together they moved the brush across the paper.

"See? That’s not so hard" Xie Lian murmured, his voice close to Hua Cheng’s ear.

Hua Cheng tilted his head slightly, his cheek brushing against Xie Lian's. "With Gege guiding me, anything is possible."

Xie Lian straightened quickly, his cheeks pink. "Stop saying things like that or I won’t help you anymore." Hua Cheng chuckled, his voice warm and rich. "But Gege looks so cute when he’s flustered.."

By the time the lesson ended, the parchment was a chaotic mix of beautiful strokes guided by Xie Lian and disastrous ones created by Hua Cheng.

"Well, it’s… a start." Xie Lian said diplomatically, holding up the paper.

"I think it’s perfect" Hua Cheng said, standing and wrapping an arm around Xie Lian’s waist.

Xie Lian raised an eyebrow. "You think everything I do is perfect."

"Because it is" Hua Cheng replied smoothly, pressing a kiss to Xie Lian’s temple.

Xie Lian sighed but smiled, leaning into Hua Cheng’s embrace. "..Next time, be serious when I teach this"

"I'll try, Gege.." Hua Cheng whispered, pulling him closer as the golden light bathed them in its warmth.