Just Hua Cheng being a disaster and HuaLian flirting with Xie Lian not really knowing they are flirting! haha. 
Thank you for reading! Q.Q
~

Hua Cheng opened the door to his penthouse. It wasn't the largest one he had but it was definitely decent and it was something he'd be happy to share with Xie Lian. Gods, his gege deserved to live comfortably. And he believed his gege was.

He turned the lights on and Xie Lian's eyes widened like saucers. He didn't have to invite Xie Lian in as the man went in on his own after toeing his shoes off. "Wow, San Lang! Your place is really squeaky clean! It suits you," he giggled.

Hua Cheng's heart warmed. After a long day and fucking long weeks, he was now with Xie Lian, and not only that, Xie Lian was in his place where he would be safe, comfortable, and well taken care of. That was all he wanted.

"Let's go inside the bedroom now, gege. You might want to clean up and wear more comfortable clothes." He gently held Xie Lian's wrist. Fucking perfect. He thought as Xie Lian let him lead him to his bedroom. 

His place had only one floor and three bedrooms. The other two were smaller than the master's bedroom. It would do. He came there when he was too tired and he was near the area. It was well-maintained because he hired a cleaner who regularly visited every three days and restocked food in the fridge as well.

Hua Cheng opened the bedroom door. He turned the lights on and the room lit up in warm yellow light. The interior of the room was plain but boyish. The colors were all neutral. 

"Gege?" he turned to Xie Lian whose face was so red. "Are you okay?"

Xie Lian nodded eagerly but asked with a voice pitch higher, "Will I sleep here, San Lang?"

Of course. He wanted to say. But he didn't want to make Xie Lian uncomfortable or scared. After all, this would be the first time they would sleep together with him knowing his real identity. It was something so big for Hua Cheng and might be overwhelming for Xie Lian. As much as possible, he wanted Xie Lian to let it sink in first if needed. "If you want to, gege. You know I like sleeping beside you. I got used to it." He scratched the back of his head. Hell, he might as well be blushing right now. "But I have two other rooms you can choose from if it would be more comfortable to sleep separately." He had to admit that he was breaking his own heart with what he was saying. 

But Xie Lian offered him a kind smile and bashfully peered under his lashes. It was fucking too much for Hua Cheng's heart. "Silly San Lang, why won't I want to sleep beside you?" Hua Cheng's heart was about to burst out of his chest. "I can only sleep well with you." Hua Cheng was a goner.

And because he was and because he was stupid, he held Xie Lian's face with both of his hands. The man was just blinking, confused by his sudden actions. Hua Cheng kept his cool though. He bet his hands were cold. "Okay, gege. Anything you want."

It felt too intimate and there was nothing Hua Cheng wanted to do more than hold Xie Lian for a little longer. But he didn't want to rush things. He broke from the trance. "Stay here, gege." He went to get comfortable clothes for Xie Lian. He found a set of unused pajamas in his drawer and handed it to the older.

"Here, gege. You can change into these. I will just get you a glass of water, okay? The bathroom is over there. Feel free to use that unused stuff inside. Okay?"

Xie Lian beamed and nodded as he took the clothes from him. "Thank you, San Lang."-

"Anything for you. Anything." He smiled genuinely. As if he wouldn't do anything for Xie Lian. If the man would ask him to dance, hell, he would. Literally, there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for him. 

Quickly, he filled the glass with water. But before he returned to the room, he leaned to the kitchen counter and took a deep breath. It would be embarrassing to admit that his knees were shaking. But his knees were shaking! Not that Yin Yu or He Xuan would know. 

Fuck. He is inside my house. And in my self-control, I trust. And that his control was running thin! He had always been patient, especially with Xie Lian. He had nothing but sincere and pure intentions. But what could he do?! He was just a man. Not that he would ever touch Xie Lian without his consent. He wouldn't stoop that low. But he might do embarrassing things... such as propose for marriage? Who knows?!

In frustration, he wiped his face with his hand.

When Hua Cheng felt he had calmed down enough, he took a deep breath and happily dragged himself to the bedroom. He knocked first. He did not want to walk into a half-naked Xie Lian! Haha. I might probably want-

Hua Cheng, you despicable man! He scolded himself mentally. 

/knock/ /knock/

"Gege, can I enter now?" His fingers fidgeted. 

"Wait, San Lang. I'm still buttoning it up," the voice from the room said. Ah~  See? Fuck. Is this even a good idea?

Hua Cheng was already reflecting on his life choices. Should he not have had taken Xie Lian in his place where he'd feel the need to be in control of his territory? He sounded like a caveman. 

The door to his room opened and he saw Xie Lian, wearing pajamas that were a little too big on him and it just made him cuter. Hua Cheng couldn't help but be endeared and at the same time, feel more protective of the man before him... The same man who saved him.

Hua Cheng entered the room and closed the door behind him. 

"Here's your water, gege. I'll just freshen up. You can just rest on the bed... whenever you want, of course."

Xie Lian nodded, "Thank you, San Lang!"

Hua Cheng took his own pajamas with him to the bathroom. He usually slept with no top on and just some comfortable pajama bottoms. But whenever he was with Xie Lian, he was doing his best to be decent. He didn't want to cause any discomfort to Xie Lian... not that wearing no shirt with friends wasn't normal. He just wanted to be safe. 

Hua Cheng freshened up. He also brushed his teeth and face. Once he was clean enough, he went out of the comfort room. There, he saw Xie Lian sitting on his bed with his back leaning on the headboard. The soft yellow light accentuated his skin and the softness of his facial features. 

Xie Lian smiled at him. 

Fuck my life. Hua Cheng was entranced, so in love, so devoted... so obsessed. But no, he didn't show it that much or he'd scare him away. 

He cleared his throat and quickly settled beside Xie Lian. 

They were now lying beside each other and since the bed was spacious, there was a space between them. And Hua Cheng was trying hard to maintain that distance between them because deep inside him, he knew there was tension. How could he stop himself from being attracted to the person whom he loved for so long and this same person accepted him with no questions asked? How could he not fall more in love with him? Plus, Xie Lian was just so gorgeous. 

But Xie Lian had other plans. The man scooted closer to him and turned to him.

"Are you not sleepy, gege?" Hua Cheng asked. 

"I am. A little." Xie Lian soundlessly chuckled. "Uhm, San Lang?"

"Yes, gege?"

"Would you disappear like that again?"

A lump was stuck on Hua Cheng's throat. He was taken by surprise by the question. "Gege, I won't leave you. You can't easily kick me out of your life."

Xie Lian hummed and seemed pleased! Pleased! Hua Cheng might just be thinking too much but his gege did seem pleased. "Good, San Lang. I haven't had friends growing up. You're the first true friend I've had in the longest time... The last person..." Xie Lian's voice broke and Hua Cheng's heart did too. "I-I was forced to... to leave him... I don't know if he-he came out safe... I-"

And though vague, Hua Cheng knew what and who he was referring to. He knew because that boy was him. And he wanted to tell Xie Lian that that boy was in front of him: safe, well, and capable. He was now powerful enough to protect Xie Lian... It was what he failed to do years ago. But he didn't know if Xie Lian would take it well if he'd break it to him now. 

The day was already overwhelming. 

Instead, Hua Cheng comforted Xie Lian. He extended his arm and asked, "May I hold my gege?"

Wordlessly, Xie Lian threw himself over Hua Cheng. And the younger easily wrapped his arms around his gege. Their bodies were pressed together and although the room was air-conditioned, it felt so warm. Xie Lian was warmth. 

Hua Cheng rubbed Xie Lian's back in a comforting manner as he could see that the man was in distress reminiscing about the past. Xie Lian's face was at the crook of his neck and fuck Hua Cheng for liking too much his warm breath on his skin. "You did your best, gege. Whatever it was, you did your best. And this San Lang is proud of you."

"San Lang, don't leave me?" Xie Lian's voice was muffled. 

"I will never leave, never did I. No way in the future." That was a vow. I will keep you safe, baby. Hua Cheng's hand went to brush Xie Lian's hair. "My gege is the bestest person."

Xie Lian relaxed at that. "Hmm~ You praise me too much, San Lang."

"Of course! Gege deserves praises. He's so good."

Bashful, Xie Lian hid his face further. Getting comfortable, aren't we? Hua Cheng wouldn't have it another way. 

"You're a sweet-talker."

"Always sweet for gege," Hua Cheng chuckled. "Gege, did you really miss me? Am I that missable?"

"San Lang! Is that even a word?" Xie Lian laughed. 

Hua Cheng wanted to tackle Xie Lian with kisses! Kiss Xie Lian's face over and over. But for Xie Lian, he was just a friend, and even if the man allowed him to hold him like this, Hua Cheng had no right to kiss him. "Gege, are you not afraid of me?"

Xie Lian shook his head. "Never. You are San Lang. You are good to me."

"They say I'm evil, the devil incarnate." It was true, not that Hua Cheng ever cared. Quite the contrary, he liked it. He liked being feared because that was the only way he could think of to protect what and who mattered to him. 

"I know what is evil, San Lang. I know. And you're not." Hua Cheng might have stopped breathing. Xie Lian's opinion was what mattered. "I'm sleepy..."

"Sleep now, gege."

"In a while... San Lang, why were the employees in Gambler's Den kind to me? Did you tell them to be?"

Hua Cheng hummed thoughtfully. The only thing he did was make sure Xie Lian was safe inside his lair. But he told none of those with whom Xie Lian interacted about it. "No, gege. You told them yourself."

"Huh? I didn't even say anything. I was scared they'd do something to me if they knew I was an investigator!"

Hua Cheng chuckled darkly. "No one will ever lay a hand on you inside my territory. You're always safe with me. And you're the one who told them, gege... Remember the coat you were wearing?" Hua Cheng ran his fingers on Xie Lian's spine. "It's mine."

"Oh! The butterfly embroidered on it was your symbol... It was unique to you. They considered me yours..."

You are mine. Mine. Does he have any idea what his words do to me? Hua Cheng cleared his throat. "Yes. What surprised me was that you managed to enter the basement." He raised his brow. 

Xie Lian stiffened and nervously laughed. "Ahh~ ahaha. I met Shi QingXuan. She's your friend, right?"

"Hmm~ I figured. Yeah, she's a brat, gege." Hua Cheng smiled. 

"You're fond of her," Xie Lian said. 

"I'm not."

"She's your friend. You are fond of her."

"I'm only fond of gege." 

Xie Lian laughed. "You're... something."

Then, quietness. Still, Hua Cheng never stopped touching Xie Lian in a comforting way. "Okay, let's-" Hua Cheng was about to let go of Xie Lian and settle him back beside him when Xie Lian cut him off. 

"Goodnight, San Lang." He snuggled into his embrace. "Sweet dreams."

Fuck my life. Now that his worry for Xie Lian at the moment subsided, he could feel more of Xie Lian's body on his and boy was he turned on. Of course, he would be. Xie Lian was hugging him and was lying on his body. 

Still struggling internally, Hua Cheng still brushed his hand on Xie Lian's head. He didn't let his struggle stop him from enjoying the moment. After all the searching, after all the years of longing and worrying about where this man was, now, he was in his embrace. 

More than feeling horny was feeling contentment. Hua Cheng was content at that very moment. 

After an hour of holding Xie Lian, Hua Cheng settled him beside him. Damn was he horny. He didn't want to be weird! After settling him beside, Hua Cheng stood up and went in for another cold shower... which just washed away his sleepiness. 

~

When Hua Cheng woke up, Xie Lian was still soundly sleeping beside him. He is safe, just like how it should be. He felt like everything was going according to his plan and he couldn't be any happier. There was inexplicable joy in his heart just having the privilege to open his eyes and see Xie Lian first thing in the morning. 

He was in such a great mood. 

Hua Cheng stretched his arms and got up to freshen himself up. He needed to prepare breakfast for his gege. 

I know he eats almost anything! But what do I have in the fridge? Hua Cheng was having a conversation with himself in his mind as we walked out of the room. Would an omelet be good? Should I just order out? Gege likes any food I give him. He shook his head. There was no need to overthink this stuff.

While cooking a simple breakfast for Xie Lian, Hua Cheng heard a thud. And just like that, he was quick to turn and go to the bedroom where his gege was. But before he could reach there, the door opened. 

Xie Lian's bed hair was so cute. It was so obvious that his baby just woke up with his eyes still puffy. "San Lang! I thought I was dreaming!"

"Does gege think him hugging me last night to sleep was a dream, hmm?" Hua Cheng smirked but oh gods, his heart was melting like a puddle. 

Xie Lian blushed! "You- San Lang! You're teasing me."

"I am not teasing, gege! This San Lang is simply asking." He tried to keep a cool face.

Xie Lian just gave him a tiny glare, not scary at all because he was not trying to be. "I'm just happy you're here now where I can see you."

"I'm happy too, gege." Hua Cheng grinned. "Come on, let's eat now. I just finished cooking."

Hua Cheng was done preparing the table when Xie Lian's phone rang. "Ahh~ San Lang, I have to take this call."

He knew who it was. It was Xie Lian's employer, the Mayor. His hand unconsciously tightened around the spoon he was holding. What does he want now again? Will he send Xie Lian again in harm's way? Hua Cheng couldn't help but just be irritated with Jun Wu. He might just be overthinking but he was fucking pissed every time he'd give Xie Lian a mission. 

"Excuse me, San Lang..." Xie Lian walked back inside the room. "Good morning, Mayor..."

Xie Lian's

"Good morning, Mayor."

"Good morning, Xie Lian. I know you had a long night. But suddenly, Li Jun was incessantly calling me and was so adamant about meeting up with him. So I need to know if I could trust him because right now, I am thinking otherwise. So instead of meeting you up, you can directly tell me over this call."

"No!" Xie Lian blurted out. "Mayor, no. He is a cunning businessman. From what I've observed and heard last night, Li Jun isn't just going to do business with you... He..." Xie Lian was about to detail the conversation he heard and how his night went without mentioning Hua Cheng. But the Mayor cut him off.

"I see. Hmm~ Thank you, son. I knew I could trust you. I wouldn't have known that he'd be a bad fit if it weren't for you."

"B-But~" I haven't told you anything yet!

"It's okay, Xie Lian. I'll talk to you about it sometime. I just need to get the answer from you so I can confidently say no to him. I'll see you soon."

"The money~" Xie Lian still had some money left from what the Mayor gave him. 

"Keep it. Take it as a bonus. I really have to go. My other phone is ringing again. Take care."

"You too, Mayor. Thank you." He didn't bother to push the Mayor to take the money. It seemed that Mayor Jun Wu was really in a hurry to get back to Li Jun. It was a predictable move after last night's event. 

Xie Lian took a deep breath and smiled as he was reminded of who was waiting for him outside that room. Xie Lian couldn't believe how shameless he was last night... hugging San Lang like that to sleep and he sure was a heavy person! He was just glad that San Lang was cool with it. 

Throwing his phone to the bed, he placed his palms on his heating cheeks. "San Lang is really... ugh..." Although he was really, really joyous about their reunion, Xie Lian couldn't help but feel nervous. 

Am I sick? His heart was beating hard and fast whenever he thought of San Lang. He knew it wasn't normal. But he felt completely fine. Xie Lian gripped his hair and shook his head. "I'm going crazy..."

"Gege? Let's eat. This poor San Lang is hungry," Hua Cheng petulantly said by the door. 

Eyes wide, Xie Lian proceeded to fix his hair. He had to compose himself because he didn't want San Lang to have any idea what dilemma he was going through right now. "Okay, San Lang!" 

As soon as he deemed himself ready, he opened the door to find San Lang with crossed arms but with a relaxed stance. "Is everything okay, gege?"

Xie Lian nodded. "Of course."

"Does gege need to go to the Mayor's Office? I can drive you there."

Xie Lian shook his head and held San Lang's arm as he pulled him towards the dining table. "I don't have to go to work today. Is San Lang going to be busy today?"

"No, gege. Whenever gege is there, San Lang won't be busy." Hua Cheng cheekily smiled as they sat. 

"Seriously, San Lang! I don't want to disturb you! I already did last night and I'm so sorry if I crossed the line." San Lang poured him a glass of milk. 

"What? Gege, there is no need to apologize, okay? I'm happy that you are with me right now and that you accepted me. That's what matters to me." San Lang shrugged. "Besides, I have all the time in the world for you." Mismatched eyes were looking at him with nothing but sincerity in them. 

Xie Lian felt a lot of things. Good things. "Y-Yeah, so if that's the case, can I stay a little longer here? I also..." He turned his head to where the television was. "I also want to watch a movie."

"Oh?" San Lang beamed. "Of course, we should! What movies does gege like?"

Xie Lian swallowed the food he was chewing before answering, "Anything. It has been so long since I've watched a movie."

"Hmm~ Let's watch a movie inside my room, okay? So you can relax too, gege." 

"That'll be wonderful San Lang."

"But please eat first."

"I am eating!" Xie Lian defended himself. 

"Gege, I'm almost finished with my meal! You've barely touched yours."

Xie Lian just sheepishly looked at the younger man. 

After doing the dishes, they headed straight back to Hua Cheng's bedroom. Xie Lian really felt like lazying the whole day with San Lang. He felt too comfortable and he felt as though he deserved this rest day although he really didn't do anything that much except last night. 

He was bored without San Lang. But he was restless. 

He threw himself on the bed while San Lang fixed the television and movie for them.

"Any genre you want to watch, gege?"

"Anything light, San Lang. I just don't want to watch anything that's mainly about violence." Xie Lian said it casually but he couldn't miss the way San Lang's shoulders tensed. The young man had been mostly relaxed around him. 

But it had always been like that all his life since he could remember. Xie Lian generally didn't like violence. He hated it. And although he hadn't watched a movie with themes close to violence, he wouldn't risk it. It might just reopen wounds and trauma he repressed for a long time. 

Hua Cheng inhaled deeply and his eyes were not shining in mischief. He was angry for no apparent reason! 

Xie Lian shrugged, "San Lang, why are you still standing there? Put the movie in and come here." Xie Lian softly smiled and patted the bed beside him. 

"Okay, gege. So, uhm~ okay." Hua Cheng chose a movie for them. As the man walked to where he was, he remarked, "I see that you are getting clingier with me, gege."

Oh, am I making him uncomfortable? I shouldn't be so clingy, right? Does he not like it? It hit Xie Lian that he really had no idea if he was doing great with San Lang since he had no friends growing up except for when he was still a child. It might barely amount to anything for that kid. For the longest time, it was his first time to have a relationship with someone as close as this. 

And he wasn't like this to Mu Qing and Feng Xin! 

Xie Lian gnawed his lower lip while thinking hard. He didn't even notice that Hua Cheng already sat beside him. 

"Gege?"

What if I'm just really embarrassing myself? We barely spent time together where he can freely be himself as Hua Cheng... not that he is different when he's Hua Cheng. But what-

"Gege, is there anything wrong? This San Lang is worried."

Xie Lian snapped out from his trail of thoughts when he heard Hua Cheng's sad tone. "I-Uhh-"

"Tell this San Lang so I can make it better," it was an earnest request. 

Not really wanting to tell the younger man, Xie Lian scratched his temple with his finger. "Ah~ hehe, I just spaced out, San Lang."

"Gege," it was firm. 

"San Lang." Xie Lian looked into Hua Cheng's eyes. 

"Tell me. Did I do anything wrong?"

It was awkward. Xie Lian just regretted spacing out for a short while. Of course, Hua Cheng would notice it. He was the one who called San Lang over. He knew San Lang was just teasing him.

But it just struck him. He didn't have to overthink. He just had to be mindful. 

"I'm fine, San Lang." He offered him a smile. "There's nothing wrong."

"Gege... Please tell me."

He is persistent. 

"San Lang..." Xie Lian whined and put his palms on his cheeks. "IsitbadifI'mclingynotthatIamclingyIjustwanttobesure." 

"Gege, hahaha," Hua Cheng laughed. "Speak slowly."

Xie Lian huffed fondly. His cheeks were flaming. "Is it bad if I'm clingy? It's not that I am a clingy friend... I just want to be sure..." Friend? Definitely. Friend. Yeah, right. Friend. NO OVERTHINKING. 

"I like a clingy gege such as you." Hua Cheng winked. 

"San Lang!" He playfully slapped his firm arm. 

"Gege, really." A warm large hand enveloped his. "You are free to be anything you want with me."

Xie Lian's hand automatically shot up to his own neck where the necklace-like mark was at the mention of the word free. "Really?" Hua Cheng acted as if he didn't notice such action.

"Hmm! This San Lang is privileged enough to be with you now."

Xie Lian gently smiled. "San Lang can also be anything he wants to be with me."

"Now, now, that's settled, gege." Hua Cheng patted his head. Lovingly? Xie Lian had no idea. "Let's watch the movie then!"

~

After watching the movie, Xie Lian sat up straight. He could punch the air right now. He was just delighted. "That was awesome, San Lang! I liked it." It was a mixture of action and mystery genres with a little crime in it.

San Lang lazily smiled at him. "I'm glad you liked it." 

The two of them didn't move as they let the movie roll the credits. 

"San Lang," Xie Lian wanted to open it to the man. "I have to go back to my house this day. Can you- Will you drop me off? Will you go back with me? Will you stay there with me like before? Are we back like how things used to be weeks ago? You have somewhere to go now and you're not that lost man in the market as you claimed. You have options. Will you-?

"Is this San Lang still invited to stay at gege's house?" Hua Cheng blinked a couple of times as if he was pleading with his beautiful eyes. "I may be Hua Cheng but I'm still gege's San Lang."

Oh. 

My San Lang. 

"Yes!" Xie Lian was breathless. "Let's go home later."

San Lang gave him a blinding smile. "Home... I like the sound of that."