The house was alive with warmth and laughter, a symphony of little voices and the scent of freshly baked cookies filling the air. Lu Haoyu stood by the kitchen counter, watching as Lu Haofei, his oldest, clambered onto a stool to sneak another cookie from the tray.

“Feifei, those are still hot!” Haoyu warned, though he couldn’t hide his smile as his son flashed him a mischievous grin. Haofei was seven, full of energy and wonder, always curious about the world around him. He had his father’s quick smile and his love of adventure.

“Just one more, papa?” Haofei pleaded, holding up his small fingers, already dusted with crumbs. Haoyu laughed and handed him a cookie, ruffling his hair as he did.

“Alright, but don’t tell your brother and sister. They’ll want one too,” he said, glancing over at the twins who were busy playing with a set of blocks in the living room.

The twins, Lu Xiaoyu and Lu Xiaohu, were only four but already so full of personality. Xiaoyu was the quieter of the two, always observing with those big, thoughtful eyes. She had a gentle nature, often taking it upon herself to be the peacekeeper when her brothers got into their little spats. Xiaohu, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of energy. He loved nothing more than building towers out of blocks and then smashing them down with glee, laughing as he did.

Haoyu watched them from the doorway, his heart swelling with pride. This was his family, his world. Every day, he felt like the luckiest man alive, to be surrounded by so much love. Lu Xiaosheng, his husband, would be home soon, and the house would fill even more with joy. Their life wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs, and he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The twins’ laughter drew him back to the present, and he wandered over to join them on the floor. Xiaohu immediately handed him a block, as if inviting him into their game, and Haoyu gladly accepted.

“What are we building today, little Hu?” he asked, already knowing the answer. His son’s eyes lit up as he clutched a block in each hand.

“A castle! With a big, big tower!” Xiaohu declared, his small voice filled with determination. Haoyu nodded, playing along.

“Alright, a castle it is. And who will live in this grand castle?”

Xiaoyu, who had been quietly stacking her own set of blocks, looked up and smiled. “We will. All of us, Papa. You and Daddy and us.”

Haoyu’s heart melted at her words. He pulled both of them into a hug, feeling the weight of their small bodies against him, the soft warmth of their love. In moments like these, he knew that he had everything he could ever want. The twins giggled, their arms wrapped around him, their happiness a tangible thing that filled the room.

Just then, the front door opened, and the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. Lu Xiaocheng’s voice followed, warm and full of affection as he called out, “I’m home!”

Haoyu’s face lit up as he looked up, his heart racing as it always did when Xiaocheng walked into the room. They had been together for so long, yet the sight of him still made Haoyu feel like a young man, head over heels and full of hope.

The children rushed to greet their father, their voices overlapping in excited chatter as they clamored for his attention. Xiaocheng dropped to his knees, scooping them up in a tight hug, laughing as they told him about their day, each one trying to outdo the other in their excitement.

Haoyu watched them, his heart full. This was what he had always dreamed of—a family that loved and supported each other, a home filled with laughter and joy. He knew that they weren’t perfect, that they had their struggles, but in moments like these, none of that mattered.

Xiaocheng looked up and met his gaze, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “How was your day?” he asked, his eyes filled with warmth.

“Better now that you’re here,” Haoyu replied, walking over to join them. He felt Xiaocheng’s hand slip into his waist, a reassuring presence that grounded him, reminding him that they were in this together.

They spent the evening like that, wrapped in each other’s presence, sharing stories and laughter, their world confined to the four walls of their home but expansive enough to hold all their dreams. Haoyu couldn’t imagine a life any different, nor did he want to.

As they sat down to dinner, the children chattered away, their voices filling the room with life. Haoyu listened, content to let them have the spotlight, happy to be a part of their world. He glanced over at Xiaocheng, who was listening with rapt attention, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

After dinner, as the children drifted off to sleep, he found himself lying in bed with Xiaocheng, their hands entwined, a comfortable silence settling between them. Haoyu closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of being next to him, of knowing that they were building a life together, one day at a time.

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In the quiet of the night, when the children were fast asleep and the world outside seemed far away, Xiaocheng would often find himself simply watching Haoyu. He’d lie beside him, the warmth of their shared bed pulling them close, and he’d marvel at how lucky he was to have this life, to have this man by his side.

He remembered the early days, when their love was fresh and new, filled with the excitement of discovery and the thrill of building a life together. Back then, he had loved Haoyu with an intensity that was almost overwhelming, a fierce desire to protect and cherish him. And though the years had tempered that intensity, softening it into something deeper and more enduring, his love for Haoyu had only grown.

Xiaocheng knew that Haoyu was the steady rock in their family, the one who held everything together with his quiet strength and boundless patience. He admired the way Haoyu managed their home, caring for their children with a devotion that was as fierce as it was gentle. Haoyu had a way of making everyone feel seen and valued, a gift that Xiaocheng treasured more than anything.

Tonight was no different. As they lay there, Xiaocheng reached out, his fingers tracing gentle patterns along Haoyu’s back. Haoyu stirred, a sleepy smile playing on his lips as he turned to face him.

“What are you thinking about Chen?” Haoyu asked, his voice soft, tinged with curiosity.

Xiaocheng smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from Haoyu’s forehead. “Just about how much I love you,” he replied, his words barely more than a whisper. He felt the familiar warmth spread through him, a comforting reminder of the bond they shared.

Haoyu chuckled, a sound that was both tender and amused. “After all these years? I would have thought you’d be tired of me by now,” he teased, though his eyes sparkled with a playful light that belied his words.

“Never,” Xiaocheng replied, pulling him close. He pressed a gentle kiss to Haoyu’s forehead, letting his lips linger there, savoring the feel of his skin against his own. “You’re the best part of my life, love. I don’t think I could ever get tired of you.”

They lay there for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, the silence between them comfortable and full. Xiaocheng closed his eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of Haoyu’s breathing, the familiar sound anchoring him in a way that nothing else could.

It was moments like these that reminded him of how much he loved Haoyu, of the quiet strength that he drew from their connection. Haoyu was more than just his partner; he was his confidant, his best friend, his home. They had built a life together, a life that was filled with challenges and uncertainties, but also with love and joy. And through it all, Xiaocheng knew that he could count on Haoyu to be there, to stand by him no matter what.

As he drifted off to sleep, Xiaocheng made a silent promise to himself. He would do whatever it took to protect this love, to keep Haoyu safe and happy. Because, in the end, Haoyu was his everything, the center of his world, the one person who made life worth living.

And as he held Haoyu close, feeling the warmth of his body pressed against his own, Xiaocheng knew that there was nothing he wouldn’t do for him. Because their love was a rare and precious thing, a bond that had been forged through years of shared experiences, of laughter and tears, of hope and heartache. It was a love that had endured, a love that would continue to endure, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

In that moment, Xiaocheng knew with a certainty that went beyond words that he was exactly where he was meant to be. Beside Haoyu, in the home they had built together, surrounded by the love that had brought them this far. And as he closed his eyes, letting sleep wash over him, he knew that he would do everything in his power to protect this love, to keep their family together, to hold onto the happiness they had found.

Because, for Xiaocheng, Haoyu was his heart, his soul, his everything. And he would cherish him, now and always, with a love that was as deep and enduring as the ocean, a love that would never fade, no matter what the future held.

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This is my first ever nonfic boy's love book. Hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Don't copy my wok as I've been working hard for each of my stories.

English isn't my first language so if there's mistakes or errors, feel free to show me.

Grab your tissues! (don't worry this is a happy ending)

✍️Adona 🖤🍂