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“Chu-ge?”
Chu Shuzhi looks up to where Guo Changcheng stands next to his desk. It was the end of the work day and the rest of the SID team had either left or were making themselves scarce. It had thankfully been a slow day, with each team member working on their individual projects. Zhao Yunlan had even left early, muttering something about needing to see a man about a cloak.
“Yes Changcheng?”
The younger man gives him a soft smile, fidgeting with something behind his back. Seeming to come to a decision, Guo Changcheng nods to himself, thrusting that item that was behind him at Chu Shuzhi.
It was a shiny pink box, delicately wrapped in a red ribbon, no larger than Guo Changcheng’s notebook. Chu Shuzhi took it from the younger man and turned it over in his hands.
Raising an eyebrow, Chu Shuzhi asks, “What is this?”
His question seemed to fluster Guo Changcheng, who’s cheeks were slowly turning pink.
“Chu-ge, do you know what today is?”
Chu Shuzhi wracked his brain for any important dates he might have missed. Guo Changcheg’s birthday wasn’t for a few more months and he wasn’t the one who’d be getting gifts for that.
“Ah Chu-ge, it’s Valentine’s Day. And I thought… since we had… we were… never mind! Ignore me. I’ll take that back!” Guo Changcheng lunges to grab the box back but Chu Shuzhi moves it behind his back and out of the younger man’s reach. His momentum caused him to fall, barely catching himself on Chu Shuzhi’s shoulders. Guo Changcheng’s blush spread aggressively across his face and ears. His clumsiness had brought his face inches from Chu Shuzhi’s.
The older man’s eyes locked with Guo Changcheng’s. “What is Valentine’s Day Changcheng?”
Swallowing nervously, Guo Changcheng replied, “Valentine’s Day is when you celebrate the people in your life that you care about. Usually with chocolates and flowers. It's traditionally a day for… lovers.” He whispers the last part, gaze dropping to Chu Shuzhi’s chest.
Chu Shuzhi stares at the top of the other man’s head, contemplating what he had just said. It was true that their relationship had evolved. No longer was Guo Changcheng the annoying new intern who Chu Shuzhi was forced to keep an eye on. Now, Chu Shuzhi’s attention to Guo Changcheng was completely voluntary, touches that had once been harsh had softened, gruff commands were now protective orders.
He sought out Guo Changcheng’s company, craved it even. Spending time with the younger man brought a joy to his life that he hadn’t had since he was much younger and Nianzhi was still alive. The two had been spending an increasing amount of time at Chu Shuzhi’s apartment, frequently making dinners together after a weekend afternoon of training. Each time they ate together, they’d lingered a little longer, sat a little closer, leaned in a little more. This past weekend, Guo Changcheng had nearly stayed too late, however Chu Shuzhi had decided it was a better idea to walk the younger man home. Keeping the Vice Minister’s nephew out late at night without warning was a sure way to cause trouble.
Chu Shuzhi shifts forward, bringing his arm back in front and placing his other hand over Guo Changcheng’s on his shoulder. “Changcheng, look at me.”
The younger man shakes his head, refusing to meet Chu Shuzhi’s eye. Huffing at the other man’s antics, Chu Shuzhi uses the arm holding the box to wrap around Guo Changcheng’s waist and pull him into his lap.
Guo Changcheng lets out a surprise yelp, heading whipping up as he finds himself firmly sitting on Chu Shuzhi’s thighs, long legs stretched out around them. He frantically looks around the office, searching for any of the other SID members who might still be around.
“No one is here, Changcheng. Now look at me.” Chu Shuzhi’s stern voice caused Guo Changcheng to finally meet his eye. “Good. Now Changcheng, tell me why you got me something for this Valentine’s Day.”
Guo Changcheng’s fingers clenched in the fabric of Chu Shuzhi’s coat, his eyes growing wide. “I had thought, well I had hoped, that now that we’ve been spending more time together, that Chu-ge might…. Like me the same way I like him.” His voice breaks a bit on the last word, gaze dropping again.
Chu Shuzhi sighed. Guo Changcheng looked heartbroken and the younger man had absolutely no idea what his words did to Chu Shuzhi. Grabbing the hand that rested under his, Chu Shuzhi gently, slowly lifted it off his shoulder and laced their fingers together. Bringing their joint hands to his cheek, Chu Shuzhi nuzzled into them. Eyes closing, he sighed. Softly, he opened Guo Changcheng’s palm and grazed his lips across it. A gasp caused him to reopen his eyes and look at the younger man.
Guo Changcheng’s face was full of astonishment, his eyes a little glassy, and a small smile forming on his lips.
“And if I did feel the same way? What then? I’m not a nice man Changcheng. I’m significantly older than you and I’ve done horrible things in my life, caused suffering to a lot of people. Hell, I'm not even the same species. Do you think a relationship with me is something you Uncle and Aunt would approve of?”
Guo Changcheng’s astonishment morphed into stubbornness at Chu Shushi’s words. Leaning back, he says, “Chu-ge, you might not be a nice man, but you are kind. You’ve always gone above and beyond to protect and guide me, even when you didn’t like me. You look out for me, more than just in the field. You make sure I get home safe when it's late, you always order my favorite food when we eat as a team, and you’ve been teaching me how to take care of myself. And I might not know every detail about your past but do I know you, maybe better than anyone, minus Profession Shen. As for my family, they want me to be happy. Being with you makes me happy.”
It was Chu Shuzhi’s turn to be stunned. He should have known that Guo Changcheng would be as thoughtful about his feelings as he was about everything else.
Chu Shuzhi drops the box he had continued to hold and pulls Gup Changcheng closer, their stomachs flush together.
“I am going to kiss you. Tell me to stop now if you don’t want me to.”
“Chu-ge, how could I not want you to?”
Chu Shuzhi unlaces their hand and raises his to cup Guo Changcheng’s face. From this angle, the younger man was taller than him, so slowly he tips his head up and pulls Guo Changcheng’s forward. Their lips touch and Guo Changcheng gasps slightly. Chu Shuzhi continues, turning his head to avoid their noses bumping uncomfortably, and slots their lips together.
The first thing he notices is how warm Guo Changcheng’s lips are. Chu Shuzhi had always run on the cooler side and the feeling of that warmth against him compelled him to push closer. A hand winds itself in the short hairs at the nape of his neck, causing a shiver to run down his spine. Returning the favor, he lifts one of his own hands to scratch along Guo Changcheng’s back. A louder gasp escapes the man’s lips, providing the perfect opportunity for Chu Shuzhi to deepen the kiss. His tongue slips out and runs along the other man’s lower lip.
Guo Changcheng pulls back at this, his lips slightly swollen and pink from Chu Shuzhi's own. The younger man takes a few deep breaths, eyes slightly unfocused. Chu Shuzhi’s tongue peeks out, swiping along his own lips and picking up the residual taste of Guo Changcheng on them.
A strangled sound comes from above Guo Changcheng, whose eyes were tracking Chu Shuzhi’s tongue. The older man smirks, the hand around Guo Changcheng’s waist tightening briefly.
Guo Changcheng sees the smirk and starts to pout.
“Chu-ge! You can’t make fun of me. That was my first kiss.”
Chu Shuzhi felt his brain stall.
“What do you mean that was your first kiss?”
Guo Changcheng begins to look uncertain.
“I did tell you I didn’t have any friends growing up. The only dates I’ve been on were matchmaking ones set up by my Aunt and those never went overly well.”
Finally processing this information, Chu Shuzhi comes to a decision. Taking both his hands, he wraps them around Guo Changcheng’s, faintly he realizes how close they are to touching. Once his grip is secure, he stands, taking the younger man with him. He gently places Guo Changcheng on the floor, the man too shocked to say anything. Walking around the desks, he packs all of Guo Changcheng’s things into his messenger bag and steps back over to the still stunned man. Placing the bag around Guo Changcheng’s neck, Chu Shuzhi picks up the forgotten box and then grasps one of the other man’s hands with his empty one.
Starting towards the door, Chu Shuzhi pulls Guo Changcheng behind him.
“Chu-ge?”
Looking over his shoulder, Chu Shuzhi flashes one of his rare smiles, although these days they have been making more of an appearance.
“You said Valentine’s Day is about celebrating with those you care about. Well the day isn’t over yet. We’re going to my place and I’m making us dinner.”
A radiant grin breaks across Guo Changcheng’s face. The younger man moves to walk next to Chu Shuzhi and leans in, placing a delicate kiss on the older man’s cheek.
“I would love to have dinner with you.”