𝙃𝙪𝙖𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩

𝒑𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒚 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆

• Modern AU
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The night was quiet. The streets outside glowed with lamps, flickering store signs and the passing headlights of cars. In the distance, the muffled noise of the city played like background music. Within the four walls of Xie Lian's small apartment, the air was oddly still.

Hua Cheng leaned lazily against the back of the couch, his long legs stretched out in front of him like he owned the place..which, knowing Hua Cheng, he might as well have. The man had wealth and power that could buy entire apartment complexes ten times nicer than this one. Yet he stayed here, often draped across Xie Lian's sofa.

Tonight was no different. Hua Cheng in his fitted black shirt and jeans lounged easily, his long black hair tied back, his striking eyepatch gleaming softly in the lamplight. His crimson eye softened whenever it settled on the figure across from him.

Xie Lian sat cross legged on the floor by the coffee table, sorting through a little pile of snacks he had bought from the convenience store earlier. His soft white sweater and loose pants made him look almost too casual..too defenseless. Behind the soft features and cuteness lay power and strength, a man capable of more than anyone would guess at first sight.

He watching Xie Lian carefully separate boxes of sweets as though they were treasures made Hua Cheng's lips curve into a smirk. "Gege" Hua Cheng drawled, the deep velvet of his voice carrying a teasing undertone. "You bought so many snacks..but not a single one for me?"

Xie Lian glanced up, cheeks faintly pink from embarrassment. He had bought some with Hua Cheng in mind..but he hadn't exactly planned on admitting it. "Of course I bought enough for you too, San Lang.." he said, a little defensively. "Don't talk nonsense. I wouldn't eat these all by myself."

Hua Cheng chuckled..a low rumble in his chest. He leaned forward and resting his chin in his hand as he watched Xie Lian open a box of chocolate sticks. His sharp gaze softened even more as he murmured. "Then feed me, Gege."

Xie Lian froze, one hand holding a stick halfway out of the box. "...Feed you?" he repeated.

"Yes" Hua Cheng said without hesitation. His lips tilted into a grin that was both wicked and playful. "You wouldn't make your San Lang starve, would you?"

The words were mockingly pitiful. Xie Lian knew better. He felt his ears burn. "You have two hands, San Lang. You can feed yourself just fine.."

"But it tastes better when Gege does it."

Hua Cheng's voice dropped slightly and the deliberate intimacy in his tone made Xie Lian's heart skip. He sighed and held out the chocolate stick toward Hua Cheng. "Fine. Open your mouth."

Obediently, Hua Cheng leaned forward, biting down on the end of the pocky stick Xie Lian offered. Their eyes locked for a long second and Xie Lian suddenly realized just how close Hua Cheng's lips were to his fingers. The proximity made him quickly pull his hand back, flustered.

Hua Cheng chewed leisurely, his smile widening as if he could hear the frantic pounding of Xie Lian's heart. Then..just as Xie Lian thought the matter was over, Hua Cheng tilted his head slightly and asked. "Gege... have you ever played the pocky game?"

Xie Lian blinked. "The... pocky game?"

"Yep" Hua Cheng replied smoothly, his crimson eye gleaming with mischief. "Two people bite each end of the stick and keep going until they meet in the middle. Whoever pulls away first loses."

Xie Lian's face instantly burned. "W-What kind of game is that?!"

"A harmless one" Hua Cheng said innocently.. though the sharp curve of his lips betrayed him. "Or is Gege afraid of losing?"

Xie Lian narrowed his eyes. "San Lang." His tone was meant to be stern but the heat in his cheeks gave him away. "Don't tease."

"I'm serious." Hua Cheng leaned closer. He lowering his voice until it was barely above a whisper. "I want to play with Gege."

The way he said it was enough to make Xie Lian's breath catch. It wasn't just a suggestion..it was a declaration, a request dipped in longing that made his heart ache and flutter all at once. Xie Lian shook his head, trying to steady himself. "San Lang, that's-"

"Just one round" Hua Cheng interrupted gently. "If Gege doesn't like it, we can stop."

There was no way out of it. After a long pause, Xie Lian exhaled softly. "...Only once."

"Mn." Hua Cheng murmured, satisfaction curling through his tone. "Then let's start."

Xie Lian held a fresh pocky stick between trembling fingers. He placed it between his lips, feeling utterly ridiculous. Hua Cheng on the other hand, moved with ease as he leaning in to take the other end between his teeth.

The moment the chocolate stick connected them, Xie Lian's heart leapt into his throat. He could feel Hua Cheng's warmth, see every detail of his sharp features up close..the fall of black hair, the glint of his eyepatch and the mischievous gleam in his crimson eye.

"San Lang..." Xie Lian mumbled around the stick. Hua Cheng only smirked while biting down gently and inching closer.

The stick shortened slowly. Each tiny bite Hua Cheng took brought them closer..until Xie Lian could practically feel his breath against his skin. His cheeks burned hotter and hotter..and his body screamed at him to retreat..but his pride, his stubbornness and something else kept him still.

Closer and closer.

Until their lips brushed.

Xie Lian's mind went blank. The stick snapped between them. Hua Cheng didn't pull away. Instead, he lingered as his lips brushing against Xie Lian's like the faintest whisper of a kiss. Xie Lian gasped softly, his body jolting. Hua Cheng only tilted his head and pressed in deeper to closing the distance fully. The kiss was unhurried, sweet with the lingering taste of chocolate..

When Hua Cheng finally pulled back, his lips curled in a smile that was both tender and unbearably smug. "Gege" he murmured, his voice husky. "I won~"

Xie Lian's face was so red it looked like steam might rise from it. He tried to glare yet the effect was ruined by how dazed he looked. "That wasn't- You cheated, San Lang!"

Hua Cheng chuckled softly, his crimson eye gleaming with affection. He leaned in again.. close enough that Xie Lian instinctively held his breath. "...Then let's play again. This time, Gege can win."

Xie Lian covered his face with his hands, muffling a groan. "I'll never win"

Hua Cheng only laughed, low and warm as he reached out to gently pull Xie Lian's hands away. His smile softened and for a moment, the teasing faded, leaving only unshakable sincerity in his gaze.

"Win or not.." Hua Cheng whispered while brushing his thumb over Xie Lian's knuckles. "I'll always belong to you, Gege."

Xie Lian's heart was still racing, though his face still burned with embarrassment, he couldn't help the small and helpless smile that tugged at his lips..

"Fine, next round.."