They spent that evening talking with each other and eventually getting into more drinks. Hua Cheng made him try whiskey for the first time when the sky started to blaze red and then try a white wine when the stars started to speckle. It was comfortable and languid and Xie Lian was able to forget about his worries.
What was there to worry about when Hua Cheng was with him? No bills or scholarships to maintain, no past friendships looking to haunt him, no reminders of his past mistakes. It was always about the present with him and Xie Lian reveled in it.
He started to get sleepy when the moon was illuminating the room and Hua Cheng's bicep was under his head. Their legs were intertwined and Xie Lian ran his fingers up and down Hua Cheng's side with his nails. He could see the goosebumps forming and it made him smile.
"Gege likes teasing me, eh?" Hua Cheng murmurs into his hair. His warm breath made Xie Lian resist shivering.
"Does San Lang not do the same?" He asked, looking up to look him in the eyes. Hua Cheng's gaze was soft, eyes half lidded. Xie Lian decides to tease him a little more, "San Lang gege loves to tease me all the time, does he not?"
Hua Cheng's eyes widened in surprise. He abruptly coughs into his hand and blinks a few times, avoiding eye contact for a moment. Xie Lian smiles something self-satisfied.
He decides to continue as normal, "I don't think He Xuan is coming back. Does San Lang gege think we scared him away?"
Hua Cheng covers his hand with his mouth and leans back, shaking his head minutely.
Xie Lian leans forward a little in response. "What's wrong, San Lang gege? I thought you weren't affected by alcohol." He knew that he well into the drunk stage to have the courage to be this flirtatious but he liked how it made Hua Cheng nervous.
"Ge- Gege," Hua Cheng clears his throat and lowers his hand. "Gege, you are going to kill me."
Xie Lian grins and runs his hand to Hua Cheng's hip and squeezes. "San Lang gege-"
Abruptly, Hua Cheng grabs his shoulder and pushes him down, legs framing his own against the bed as he hovers over Xie Lian on his elbows. Xie Lian freezes, pliant in surprise, and looks up at Hua Cheng with a heavy blush on his face. Hua Cheng is breathing a bit harsher than before and he lowers his face to Xie Lian's neck.
"You will be the death of me, Dianxia," He murmured into his skin. This time, Xia Lian couldn't stop the full body shudder. He could feel Hua Cheng's smile. Hua Cheng leaned onto one elbow and let the other hand lay on Xie Lian's collarbone. His hand was so large that it touched his neck and shoulder as well, a heavy and grounding weight pressing him down.
What was unsaid between them‐ it was heavy and apparent. They both knew it was there, both knew what they were too afraid to voice out loud. It would make it real and what was real was fragile.
Xie Lian moved his hands at the touch, one grasping into Hua Cheng's shirt between them and the other caressing his face. He took in his warmth and kept it for himself. Seeped in his attention and the ability to be so close to someone.
Instead, Xie Lian hummed into Hua Cheng's temple. "San Lang."
"Gege?" His voice came out muffled.
"San Lang," he said again. A complete statement.
"Gege." Hua Cheng's hand on Xie Lian's collarbone twitched.
Xie Lian smiled. If this all Xie Lian would ever get, he couldn't complain.
Hua Cheng lowered himself to press completely on top of him and Xie Lian moved his hands to wrap around his large torso. The weight felt good, his warm and alcohol filled body thrumming with pleasure. Hua Cheng wrapped his arms around Xie Lian, pressing them between him and the bed.
They stayed like that for a long time, murmuring half sentences here and there as Xie Lian started to drift to sleep. His worries forgotten and a loving presence to take their place. There was nothing more he could ask for.
