This was commissioned to me by @millpang on Twitter. I have been given permission to post. This is the story to go with it.
“Auntie was very nice to me when I picked you up today. I should get her flowers on the way back~” He Tian said as he drove, occasionally stealing glances at Mo Guan Shan who looked incredibly handsome in his suit. Mo Guan Shan was staring out the window, looking at the dimly lit streets and the street vendors who were still selling their deliciously hot delicacies. He Tian made a mental note of that, making sure their next date would be visiting these same streets the next time so that Mo could eat to his heart’s content. Right now, though, their school was holding a reunion in order to celebrate their achievements with the years gone by. A dance was being held to commemorate this special day. It took a lot of convincing on his part, mostly through a lot of sex, but he finally managed to get Mo’s consent. “You’ll come with me?”He Tian remembered asking Mo after a light romp in bed, tilting Mo’s head to gaze into his half-lidded eyes, and got an affirmation through a soft hum that escaped his lips.
“Will Zhan Zheng Serious and Jian Yi be there?” Mo Guan Shan asked, shaking him from his thoughts.
“You know it,” He Tian replied. They were nearing the parking lot of the school now. It changed very little since they had last been there, but the gymnasium was larger now, with new additions having been made from what he could see. As soon as he parked the car, Mo Guan Shan was already stepping out, taking in the sight of the school and letting the nostalgia seep in. A brisk wind tousled his red hair, and his memories, both the good and the bad, came flashing to him like a cinematic film, all in sequential order. The memories caught up to the present time with He Tian standing beside him now without saying anything, leaving this moment between them uninterrupted as it needed to be.
He Tian took out his lighter and a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up before breathing it in. “Give me one,” Mo Guan Shan said, reaching out to grab one from the pack in his hand. He Tian held it back, though, smirking as he did so. Instead, he leaned in close to Mo’s face. “What are you—“ Mo Guan Shan’s mouth was parted when He Tian shotgunned the smoke into him, causing Mo to cough and to yell, “Fuck you!”
“Good. You know I don’t like it when you smoke, Little Mo,” He Tian said, taking in a few more smokes before dropping the cigarette from his hand and crushing it under his foot. “Shall we get going?”
Mo Guan Shan was already regretting being there. The gymnasium hall was packed with people, with white chairs and round tables set up all around the room but with a large space at the center left for when it came time to dance. Crowds were one thing he couldn’t stand. “I want to go home,” he said, turning around and abruptly heading towards the door. He Tian snaked his arm across his waist and pulled him close. “We just got here, give it a chance. You might start to like it. Let’s go get some drinks.”
“This is the last time I listen to you,” Mo Guan Shan replied, but nevertheless allowed himself to be led to the snack and drinks area set up across the wall of the gymnasium. However, they did not make it very far when He Tian was suddenly surrounded by many women, all gushing and getting up close to him, blushing and making a scene. “He Tian! You are even more handsome!” “He Tian, do you remember me? From Class A? Can I have your number?” “Let’s take a photo together!” “He Tian is still so hot!” “I saw him first!” While all this was happening, Mo Guan inadvertently became separated from He Tian, while He Tian had to manage the undesired attention with his polite smile plastered across his face. Mo Guan Shan almost felt bad for him, but remembered He Tian wouldn’t share a cigarette so he felt this was due justice and contentedly headed off to the snack area alone.
Along the way, he felt an arm rest across his shoulder and a high-pitched voice say, “Red, you actually came! You know, you actually look like someone when you dress up!” Mo Guan Shan turned to see Jian Yi’s face very close to his own, with Zhan Zheng Xi standing beside Jian Yi. Even as a man, he thought they both looked very handsome in a short glance, as Jian Yi wore an impeccable white suit and Xi wore a dark blue one. “This guy never learned the meaning of personal space,” Mo thought, but wasn’t truly annoyed. In fact, he appreciated Jian Yi’s genuine and carefree personality as few people acted that way towards him. Xi was still the same reserved and calm person he has always been, and studied Mo Guan Shan’s face before looking back at He Tian, understanding clouding his face.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?...” Mo Guan Shan didn’t make a move to shrug away and instead began to pile up a plate with food, favoring the sandwiches over the rest. “How long do you two plan on being here?”
“Zhan Zheng Xi came for the food and I came for the dance,” Jian Yi announced loudly. “But we probably won’t be here long because Xi Xi has two left feet, if you know what I mean.”
“You don’t have to let him know that...” Zhan Zheng Xi said with a slight blush, and Mo Guan Shan couldn’t help but smirk. “Anyway, we came to say hello and to let you know where we’re sitting. Come look for us when you’re done. If you want,” he added. Xi was more perceptive to Mo’s personality, and knew it was better to keep the offer open-ended.
Mo Guan Shan nodded. “Thanks,” he replied. Now by himself, he stole a glance at He Tian, but he couldn’t very well see him with the swarm of people surrounding him. There were some men gathered around him too, but they were mostly trying to pry their girlfriends/wives away from He Tian. “He is still so popular after all this time. Of all the people to end up with, why would he choose me?” Mo hated the insecurities that still rose up from time to time. He knew he had a temper, and that he did not come from a wealthy family. His father was still in prison, whom he visited whenever he was given permission to do so. He worked low-wage jobs still, even with He Tian offering to get him something better or even more than that, having Mo not work at all. Mo would never agree to that though, he just could never accept allow himself to accept handouts. With all this, he couldn’t understand why, even when He Tian had to leave for long periods of time (He Tian would never tell him why), He Tian would always come back to him without fail.
“Mo Guan Shan?” Mo looked down to see a young, petite woman looking up at him. He did not recognize her. “Do I know you?” He responded, to which he later thought the question came out rather tersely, and even rudely.
“Of course you don’t remember me,” she blushed. “We were in the same class together, for history. You sat in front of me, and you were usually sleeping.” She tucked her brown hair behind her ear. “That was years ago. Anyway, I wanted to say you look very good in that suit. And I wanted to ask if you came here by yourself?” Mo Guan Shan was dumbfounded. Of course he wouldn’t remember her, he was never awake in that class. Right now though, he didn’t understand why she approached him, and what she saw in him now that made her ask this. Part of him thought this was a joke, and she was dared to do this. Another part of him thought she was honest, but he wanted to respond in a way that would reject her in the softest way possible. This was something he had no idea how to do.
He Tian was losing patience. It was his idea to come to this, but now he was the one regretting it. His expectation was to be with Mo the entire night, but as things were now, these ladies would not leave him alone. While giving them his quick, witty replies, He Tian strained to catch a glimpse of Mo Guan Shan. The first time, he became relaxed when he saw Jian Yi and Zhan Zheng Xi with him, knowing he was in good company. Now, though, he saw an unfamiliar brunette uncomfortably close to Mo (Who is she? Did Mo know her?) She was speaking to him (What are they talking about?) And she was tucking her hair behind her ear, coyly. “Not okay, not okay, not okay,” He Tian thought repeatedly. He was excusing himself from the women surrounding him, ignoring their laments and protests, and he began to briskly walk towards Mo, parting between the people in front of him smoothly but urgently until he was resting his arm on Mo’s shoulder, possessively. “Care to introduce me to your friend, Mo Guan Shan?”
“He Tian.” Mo Guan Shan was relieved to have He Tian at his side now. “She was a classmate from years ago...” His voice trailed off as he realized he didn’t know her name. He looked at her apologetically. Seeing them together, she was overwhelmed by their good looks combined. “Vivi,” she stammered. “I was asking if he was here alone—“
“He’s not,” He Tian cut her off with a smile.
“Oh...” Her voice trailed off. She looked around the room. “Is she sitting at one of the tables?” She wasn’t entirely convinced Mo was taken.
“You misunderstand.” He Tian removed his arm from Mo Guan Shan’s shoulder and instead placed his hand on Mo’s waist. Vivi looked at them and blushed profusely. “Oh.” She jerked her head a couple of times in short bows. “I’m sorry for interrupting!” She stated and to He Tian she sighed, “You’re so lucky.”
“Thank you,” He replied. “You’ll find yours soon.” When she had gone, He Tian found Mo Guan Shan staring at him. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing, just— nothing.” Mo Guan didn’t want to thank him for coming over, or to tell him what he was thinking about before. He also didn’t understand why the girl told He Tian he was lucky. In his mind, it was the other way around.
“I’ll get you to tell me everything once we get home,” He Tian muttered softly, running his hand through Mo’s hair. “His hair always feels good,” he thought before grabbing a plate for himself and beginning to select the contents such as chicken and rice, and mashed potatoes and salad. He also took a sandwich to save Mo a second trip, and then finished his selection with a cup of red wine. “Where to?” He asked.
“Jian Yi and Xi saved us a spot,” Mo Guan Shan replied, arching his chin to signal where they were seated.
“How sweet of them,” He Tian said playfully, and allowed Mo to lead the way towards the table. Each table accommodated a group of four people, which suited them perfectly. Once their, the boisterous Jian Yi began rattling off about how it had been a long time since the four of them were together, and that they should meet up more often. He Tian laughed, and told him me must be having memory problems since they had seen each other not two weeks before. “You know what I mean though. Like an actually get-together. A vacation, even? If only one of us were rich...” Jian Yi smiled a mockingly sad smile, and Xi bumped him with his elbow. “Just kidding!”
“No, no. That’s actually a good idea. I can accommodate that, as long as you all open up your schedules.” Jian Yi was gushing and already making plans, speaking excitedly to Zhan Zheng Xi about where they should go. Meanwhile, He Tian took a drink of the wine and asked, “What do you think, Little Mo?”
Before Mo could answer, someone’s voice rung loudly through the speaker systems. The individual thanked everyone for being their today, and gave a relatively short speech about how he was honored that so many people came, and how he was sure they were contributing to society in a positive way. After listing off the names of the people who prepared the event, everyone applauded at the end and shortly after the lights dimmed, leaving only the center of the gymnasium illuminated. Slow music started filling the halls of the room and as if in cue, couples began making their way to dance. Jian Yi was one of the first to go, practically sweeping Zhan Zheng Xi off his feet and no, Jian Yi was not kidding when he said hinted at Xi being a terrible dancer.
“If anyone asks, we don’t know them,” Mo Guan Shan said. He Tian chuckled, and then smoothly brought his hand over Mo’s. “Will you dance with me?” He Tian asked expectantly.
“People are going to be staring because of you,” Mo Guan Shan said after a minute, a small blush beginning to color his cheeks. His eyes were clouded with indecisiveness.
“Then let them stare,” He Tian answered. He firmly held Mo’s hand and pulled him towards the dance floor, leading them forward with resolve. Mo Guan Shan let out a soft gasp when he was pulled into He Tian’s body with a sharp tug of his arm. He Tian placed his hand along the small of Mo’s back, raising his suit jacket to reach at Mo’s waist suggestively. He Tian had caught Mo from stumbling by bringing his leg forward and by raising one of their arms overhead, smoothly aligning their bodies in a way that showed adeptness to dance. Mo Guan Shan looked upward, blushing at how close their faces were, their noses practically touching. He Tian gazed into Mo’s eyes as if he were the only one in the room worth looking at. “You look so beautiful,” He Tian said in a low voice that only Mo could hear. He lowered his head so that his lips were brushing his ear. “Thank you for coming with me tonight. You don’t know happy I am because of you.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Mo Guan Shan mumbled, embarrassed. He wondered how red his face was, and he did his best to ignore the women who were practically watering at the mouths because of their interaction. Some were even taking pictures, but He Tian didn’t seem to mind. “I actually don’t hate it that much,” Mo said.
He Tian gave a short, attractive laugh then. “What’s so funny?” Mo asked in the middle of being spun gently by He Tian. “You texted something similar a long time ago,” He Tian replied, smiling. Now Mo was being dipped low by He Tian, and Mo Guan Shan held on to He Tian’s arms firmly, their movements both graceful and lithe.
Mo was no longer thinking about the people around them, and simply allowed himself to share this moment with He Tian, to let these memories burn in his mind and heart in all its intensity. He didn’t even realize how much time had passed, didn’t notice as one by one couples began to leave, as the gymnasium grew more empty. At some point Jian Yi and Zhan Zheng Xi had escaped to share in their own tender moment of intimacy. No words needed to be exchanged when such moments came, and no apologies were in order.
Once the last song was played, He Tian still lingered in his embrace against Mo. Mo Guan Shan squirmed a little, bringing his arms up to his chest, but he didn’t push He Tian away. “Isn’t—isn’t it time for you to let me go?” Mo Guan Shan asked.
“Never,” He Tian said, burrowing his head onto Mo’s neck, his embrace becoming more passionate.
