Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The sun was still young in the sky, casting a golden hue over the lush fields and hills that surrounded the small temple. The air was clean and sweet.. filled with the scent of blooming flowers and ripening fruit. Birds chirped lazily in the trees and the morning breeze ruffled the white sleeves of Xie Lian’s robe as he bent down to inspect the rows of fruit bushes growing near the temple.
A bright and contented smile stretched across Xie Lian’s face. The fruits were heavy and ripe.. their colors rich under the warm sunlight.
"This season has been so good to them" Xie Lian murmured while gently cradling a plump golden peach in his palm. "They're perfect."
He carefully plucked the fruit and set it into a woven basket resting by his feet. His movements were tender as if he were handling little treasures.
Behind him, a familiar voice called out. "Gege, you work too hard. Let me help you."
Xie Lian turned, his eyes immediately softening at the sight of Hua Cheng strolling toward him, long black hair rippling behind him, crimson eye sparkling in the morning light.
"San Lang" Xie Lian said, laughter in his voice. "You don't have to. I can manage."
"But I want to.." Hua Cheng said easily, already crouching down beside him and picking up a basket. He looked up at Xie Lian with a smile that could melt mountains. "Let’s do it together, alright?"
Xie Lian laughed softly, unable to resist him. "Alright, alright. Thank you, San Lang."
They worked side by side, moving along the orchard. Xie Lian would carefully inspect each fruit, gently twisting the ripe ones free while Hua Cheng moved more efficiently and carefully...making sure none were bruised or damaged.
At one point, Hua Cheng plucked a particularly bright peach and held it up to Xie Lian’s lips teasingly.
"Gege" he said, voice low and mischievous. "Want a taste?"
Xie Lian’s cheeks flushed a soft pink.. he smiled and leaned forward to take a small bite, the juice dripping down his chin.
Hua Cheng chuckled as he wiping it away with his thumb before licking his own thumb without a second thought. His eyes gleamed.
"Sweet~" Hua Cheng murmured..but he wasn’t talking about the peach.
Xie Lian ducked his head, heart fluttering wildly.. the joy bubbling in his chest was too warm....too overwhelming to hide.
They continued picking fruits, chatting lightly. "These will be good for making preserves" Xie Lian mused, examining a cluster of berries. "And maybe a pie?"
Xie Lian laughed. "Yes, yes. You’ll get your share, San Lang. Don’t worry."
"I’m not worried" Hua Cheng said smugly. "I’m just making sure you remember I’m your number one taster."
"You’re my only taster.." Xie Lian said with a kind smile.
Hua Cheng smile back in gentle away. He leaned closer as his voice lowering in mock seriousness. "Then it’s a responsibility I take very seriously, Your Highness~"
Xie Lian shook his head, smiling so widely his cheeks hurt. As they moved to a small fig tree, Xie Lian stood on tiptoe.. trying to reach a particularly large fruit hanging just a little too high.
"Ngh.. almost!-" he strained.
Without a word, Hua Cheng stepped behind him and gently placing his hands on Xie Lian’s waist to steady him. His touch was firm yet respectful, sending a little shiver up Xie Lian’s spine.
"Careful, Gege.." Hua Cheng said softly against his ear. "Don’t fall. I’ve got you."
Xie Lian managed to pluck the fig with a triumphant little laugh, turning slightly to smile at Hua Cheng who was still holding him carefully.
Their faces were close..so close that Xie Lian could see the faint freckle at the corner of Hua Cheng’s mouth... could feel the warmth of Hua Cheng’s breath against his cheek.
Xie Lian feels shy...and bold at the same time, lifted a hand to brush a loose strand of hair from Hua Cheng’s forehead. His fingers lingered a little longer than necessary.. tracing the line of Hua Cheng’s temple with infinite gentleness.
"Thank you, San Lang" he whispered.
Hua Cheng’s eye softened to something so tender it almost hurt to look at. He brought Xie Lian’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles reverently.
"No problem.." Hua Cheng whispered back. _
Later that morning, they sat together on the temple’s front ground, the baskets full and fragrant beside them. Xie Lian leaned against Hua Cheng’s side.. both of them watching the lazy clouds drift across the brilliant blue sky.
Xie Lian bit into a fresh peach, offering the next bite to Hua Cheng without thinking. Hua Cheng leaned forward and took it straight from Xie Lian’s fingers... his lips brushing Xie Lian’s fingertips in a way that made Xie Lian’s ears turn pink again.
"Gege.." Hua Cheng murmured, eyes half lidded with happiness. "If every morning could be like this, I wouldn't want anything else in the world."
Xie Lian smiled, heart full to the brim and rested his head against Hua Cheng’s shoulder. "Then let’s have as many mornings like this as we can.." Xie Lian whispered back.
Hua Cheng tilted his head to rest against Xie Lian’s.. their shadows blending together on the ground.. warm and inseparable under the rising sun.
