𝙃𝙪𝙖𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒌

The town was buzzing with life that late afternoon. Small wooden stalls lined the cobblestone streets, hawking everything from candied plums to hand carved ornaments. Lanterns swung overhead as children darted past, chasing each other's shadows. Amidst this bustle, two figures strolled side by side. One dressed simply in white robes as his expression calm but observant. The other taller, dressed in sleek red.

Xie Lian clasped his hands behind his back as he glanced from stall to stall, eyes filled with mild curiosity and a quiet cheer. Hua Cheng watched him with the patience of someone who would stand in a storm for days if Xie Lian so much as asked.

"San Lang" Xie Lian called suddenly, his lips curling slightly upward as he stopped at a small and humble booth tucked between two shops. "Look at this."

Hua Cheng's single visible eye flicked down to where Xie Lian pointed. The stall owner, a chubby uncle with red cheeks was arranging masks. Not the kind meant to hide one's whole face..but small decorative masks meant to cover only the eyes. They came in shapes of animals..rabbits, cranes, foxes and even ferrets, painted with glossy strokes.

Xie Lian bent closer, his fingers brushing one of them gently as if hesitant to disturb the neat row. It was a mask shaped like a ferret, white with playful little streaks, the brushwork neat and full of spirit. His eyes shone with a flicker of boyish delight.

"This one's rather cute" he said softly. "Doesn't it look mischievous, San Lang?"

Hua Cheng chuckled, his tone low and teasing. "Mischievous? Gege, if you want something like that, shouldn't you be choosing a fox instead? That's the animal known for cunning."

Xie Lian turned his head and gave him a mock glare..though the smile in his eyes betrayed him. "Are you saying I'm cunning?"

Hua Cheng smirked as he leaning in just slightly so his voice brushed warm against Xie Lian's ear. "Gege can be whatever he wants. But if you want my honest opinion..." He paused, his smile deepening. "You're far too soft hearted to be a fox."

Xie Lian coughed lightly, pretending not to be flustered and quickly picked up the ferret mask to hide his expression. "Well, I like this one."

The stall keeper's eyes twinkled as he rubbed his hands together. "Young master has good taste! That ferret mask is very popular with playful couples. Would you like to buy it?"

Before Xie Lian could answer, Hua Cheng was already reaching into his sleeve. "We'll take it."

The stall keeper blinked at the speed of the response as Hua Cheng pressed a silver ingot into his palm..far more than the mask's worth. "Keep the change."

"Ah- thank you, thank you!" The uncle bowed deeply and his smile so wide it nearly split his face.

Xie Lian blinked and frowned lightly. "San Lang, that was too much. It was just a simple trinket."

"If you like it then it's priceless."

Xie Lian opened his mouth to argue but found himself at a loss. His heart felt oddly light..yet his cheeks warmed at Hua Cheng's unabashed sincerity. With a soft huff, he carefully lifted the mask and tied it behind his head. The ferret's little painted eyes gleamed as they sat above his own.

"How do I look?" Xie Lian asked and tilting his head slightly.

Hua Cheng stared for a long moment, his lips curving upward slowly. "...Adorable.."

Xie Lian laughed and his ears turned faintly pink. "I was going for mischievous, not adorable."

"To me, everything about you is adorable~" Hua Cheng said easily.

To cover his fluster, Xie Lian quickly rummaged through the rest of the stall and plucked out another mask..a fox one. The design was sharp.. giving it a cunning and fierce expression. What made Xie Lian's lips twitch was the detail. The fox mask had a tiny painted eyepatch over its right eye.

"This one suits you perfectly, San Lang" Xie Lian said with a smile. "Here."

Hua Cheng raised a brow, amused. "A fox?"

"Yes. A fox is loyal to its mate, you know" Xie Lian said softly and handing it to him.

The corner of Hua Cheng's mouth tugged upward as he accepted it, his fingers brushing against Xie Lian's hand deliberately longer than necessary. He lifted the mask and tied it on, the painted eyepatch aligning humorously with his real one.

Xie Lian's shoulders shook as he struggled not to laugh. "San Lang, you look... you look-" He broke into a chuckle. "You look even more like yourself now. Who knew they'd make a mask with an eyepatch?"

Hua Cheng tapped the mask lightly, a playful glint in his visible eye. "If it pleases you, then I'll wear it always."

They strolled onward through the lively street, now wearing their masks like two actors from a small town festival play. Children ran past pointing at them while whispering excitedly about them. Some giggled and called them a pair.

Xie Lian flushed but couldn't suppress his smile as he listened. Hua Cheng walked calmly and ignoring the curious gazes of others, his focus unwaveringly fixed on Xie Lian.

"San Lang" Xie Lian said after a while, glancing sideways at him. "Aren't you embarrassed? People keep staring."

"Why would I be embarrassed?" Hua Cheng asked smoothly. "Gege looks too lovely not to stare at. If they admire you, let them. If they envy me for standing by your side, I welcome it."

Xie Lian blinked..caught between exasperation and laughter. "...You really never get tired of saying things like that, do you?"

"Never" Hua Cheng said without hesitation.

As they continued walking, the lanterns above began to glow brighter, the sky dimming into indigo. The air carried the scent of roasted chestnuts and sweet buns. Xie Lian paused at a bridge overlooking the water..where the lanterns reflections rippled like stars. He leaned on the wooden railing, his ferret mask slightly askew.

"San Lang" he murmured, his voice softer now. "You've given me so much already. Aren't you tired of always indulging me?"

Hua Cheng came to stand beside him, leaning casually against the railing. His fox mask cast a shadow across his sharp cheekbones. He turned his head, eye gleaming like molten silver. "My only wish in all my lifetimes is to give you everything you want. If I could, I'd hang the stars above just so you could choose one to wear as a brooch."

Xie Lian's breath hitched faintly. His lips parted. After a long pause, he let out a small giggle. "...That's impossible."

"Impossible for anyone else. But for you, always possible" Hua Cheng replied with quiet conviction.

For a moment, silence hung between them, filled only by the murmur of the crowd and the soft splash of water below. Xie Lian lifted his gaze to Hua Cheng, his heart warmed and softened. He reached up and adjusted Hua Cheng's fox mask slightly. His fingers brushing against the curve of his jaw. "Then, San Lang... stay by my side. Just like this. Even if it's only with silly masks and a night market."

Hua Cheng caught his hand gently and holding it in his own. His lips curved in a smile that was equal parts flirty and reverent. "Always, Gege" he whispered.

So they stood together, the fox and the ferret, two unlikely masks mirroring the unshakable bond between them..