𝙃𝙪𝙖𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩

𝒑𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎

The late afternoon sun spilled in through the open windows of Puqi Shrine..painting the wooden floor in molten gold. The air was warm, touched with the faint sweetness of freshly cut pears laid out on a plate between them.

Hua Cheng sat cross legged by the low table, his fingers idly tapping against his knee. His black leather eyepatch caught the sunlight, a faint gleam running over its edge. His attention was fixed solely on the man in front of him.

Xie Lian had just returned from the small orchard behind the shrine with sleeves rolled up, a knife in hand from slicing fruit. His hair was loose, falling like silk over his shoulders.. a few stray strands sticking to his temple where sweat had dampened his skin. He smiled softly, sliding the plate toward Hua Cheng.

"Here, San Lang" Xie Lian said gently. "These are sweet this season. Try them."

Hua Cheng's lips curved faintly. He didn't reach for the plate immediately. Instead, he leaned his chin against his palm, watching Xie Lian's every movement with a gaze so intent it almost burned. "You went to all that trouble just for me?" Hua Cheng asked, his tone laced with lazy amusement.

Xie Lian laughed lightly, placing the knife aside. "Is it so strange for me to take care of you for once? You're always the one doing everything, San Lang. It's only fair I repay you now and then."

Hua Cheng arched a brow, the corner of his mouth lifting in that familiar half smirk. "Gege... I don't recall asking for repayment. Just having you here is enough."

His hand finally reached for one of the pear slices. He took a slow bite, the crispness breaking softly between his teeth. The sweetness spread over his tongue..but it was nothing compared to the quiet delight pooling in his chest from seeing Xie Lian so intent on caring for him.

Xie Lian leaned slightly forward, resting one elbow on the table as his other hand lifted gently to brush his fingertips against Hua Cheng's cheek. His touch was warm.. calloused just enough to remind Hua Cheng of the strength behind that seemingly delicate hand.

Hua Cheng's eye narrowed slightly, a subtle flicker of shyness darting through his expression. His heartbeat..usually steady as a war drum, skipped for a moment. "...Gege.." he murmured, his voice quieter now.

"Yes?" Xie Lian's smile was gentle, eyes crinkling faintly at the corners.

Hua Cheng's lips parted but words didn't come easily. He had fought countless battles, faced enemies without fear..yet the simple act of Xie Lian touching his face left him disarmed. The warmth in that gaze wasn't something he could ever build defenses against nor did he want to.

"You'll make me think you're spoiling me on purpose." Hua Cheng said at last, his tone attempting to carry his usual teasing lilt.

Xie Lian chuckled softly. "And if I am?"

The words hung in the air..light yet piercing. Hua Cheng felt a slow and uncontainable warmth spread through him..and he leaned just slightly into the touch without meaning to. "Then I suppose.." Hua Cheng said, his voice dropping low. "I'll just have to get used to it."

They sat like that for a moment.. no words, no sound. Just the gentle hum of cicadas outside and the occasional creak of the wooden beams overhead.

Finally, Xie Lian pulled back..only to pick up another slice of pear. He held it out, his eyes bright with quiet amusement. "Here. Say 'ah' San Lang."

Hua Cheng gave him a look that was part disbelief, part indulgence. "Gege..."

"Come now. You're not shy, are you?" Xie Lian tilted his head.

Hua Cheng huffed a quiet laugh while shaking his head. "For you? Never." He leaned forward, taking the offered fruit directly from Xie Lian's hand. His lips brushed the tips of Xie Lian's fingers briefly...whether by accident or intent, neither of them pointed out.

Xie Lian's eyes softened. "Good boy."

Hua Cheng nearly choked not from the fruit, but from the way the words hit him unexpectedly. He shot Xie Lian a look that something far more dangerous. "Gege..." His tone was low. Even so, his smirk betrayed him.

Xie Lian only laughed as he sitting back with satisfaction. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"You..." Hua Cheng leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "You know exactly what you're doing."

The afternoon passed like that with fruit shared between them, small touches exchanged without thought and quiet banter that felt as natural as breathing. Hua Cheng didn't even realize when he had shifted closer until his knee brushed against Gege's under the table. Xie Lian didn't move away. In fact, he shifted closer in return, his shoulder brushing Hua Cheng's arm.
_

Later, as the sunlight began to fade, Hua Cheng caught Xie Lian's wrist just as he was about to clear the table.

"Gege."

Xie Lian paused, looking down at him.

"Thank you" Hua Cheng said simply. His voice was steady. Yet, there was something in it..something that spoke of more than just gratitude for a plate of fruit.

Xie Lian smiled faintly. "I told you, San Lang. I like taking care of you too."

Hua Cheng's fingers tightened slightly around his wrist then released it just as quickly. "...Then I suppose I'm in trouble."

"Trouble?" Xie Lian tilted his head.

Hua Cheng smirked, his eye glinting. "..If you keep treating me like this... I might never let you stop."

Xie Lian's gaze lingered on Hua Cheng's face carried more weight than any jest. He smiled gently. "Then don't."

The world outside the shrine was vast and unpredictable...filled with dangers both mortal and divine. In that moment, beneath the quiet sky, the two of them sat side by side. One smiling softly, the other looking at him like he was the only thing worth living for..