Work Text:
"Don't say you haven't thought about it."
Song Lan squints at the man in front of him, shirtless and with his hair down, giving him a cocky grin and the most frustrating bedroom eyes he's ever seen on anyone.
He wrinkles his nose. "I haven't."
The man scoffs and flips some hair over his shoulder, as if he knows he's hot. "You so have."
"I have not ," Song Lan insists more aggressively.
The annoying specimen in front of him is Xue Yang, one of Xiao Xingchen's associates. Junior yoga instructor, though Song Lan is sure he's just a part timer; Xiao Xingchen has mentioned seeing him working other jobs around town.
Whatever Xue Yang is, he's mostly the bane of Song Lan's existence. Ever since he came to work out at the gym where Xiao Xingchen works, the man has decided to either make direct eye contact when he walks past his area (usually as he's bending down), or take his breaks right as Song Lan is in the middle of his routine under the pretense of also working out (Xue Yang then proceeds to do so right beside him).
A pretty, young thing, Xue Yang knows he's attractive as well as charming, always making his students feel on top of the world with honey coated words of praise. Song Lan knows better, though, knows he's a flirtatious, arrogant little shit who just wants to get up in his space, and he has thought about it.
"There's nobody here but us," Xue Yang presses on, making a light grab for Song Lan's towel— which he swiftly jerks away. "I won't tell if you don't."
"There's nothing to tell," Song Lan speaks through gritted teeth. Then, remembering Xiao Xingchen's words to not let things get to him, he takes a deep breath. "I detest the touch of other people."
That'll surely get Xue Yang to ease off, right?
Wrong.
"Maybe you just haven't been touched by the right person," he purrs in response. "Why don't you swing by class? I bet I could melt all that tension right off your bones."
"How many times must I tell you no before it gets through your thick skull? I want nothing to do with you!" Song Lan barks, swinging his arm out to drive Xue Yang away.
"Okay! Okay, too pushy, I'm sorry," Xue Yang replies with surprising humility, even as he stumbles back into one of the shower room benches.
Song Lan feels bad immediately, and reaches out to break his fall. Catching him by the elbow, he inadvertently drags Xue Yang into his arms.
Time seems to stop.
Xue Yang's hands are hovering in mid-air, as if he's afraid to put them anywhere on Song Lan's equally shirtless form, but his head is pressed to his chest, cheek right against his heart.
He makes no move to break away.
Song Lan's breathing quickens for a few moments, but the disgust he tends to feel at touching another person seems to be absent for the time being. He's noticed it fades when he's helping someone in need.
He's still holding onto Xue Yang's elbow.
"Can I ask you something?" Xue Yang speaks up, and it's quiet enough to tickle Song Lan's skin.
Despite how awkward he feels, he ends up agreeing. "Sure."
"Why don't you like me?" The question is soft, but not entirely insecure. "The way you look at me, it's like I killed your parents."
"I don't like people who come on too strong," Song Lan blurts out without thinking on it for long. To not address such a question immediately would make him feel worse than he's beginning to feel already. "Nor do I like those who play around carelessly."
"Play aro…? Sorry, did I miss something?" Xue Yang turns his head to look up at him with a furrowed brow. "What do you mean by that, exactly?"
"Well," Song Lan's cheeks are beginning to feel awfully warm. "With Xingchen, the way you make him laugh, the way I've never been able to…"
"Wait, Xingchen? Like Xiao Xingchen, my coworker?" Xue Yang's brow becomes even more furrowed. "Look, he's great, love that guy, but he's really easy to amuse— hold on, are you his roomie? "
Song Lan blinks in confusion, the heat of his face cooling slightly. Had he misread? This is mortifying.
And not just for him, either. Xue Yang is already taking a big step back.
"Fuck, why didn't he tell me? I've been hitting on you every single time you come here, and he never thought to pull me aside and say that you're his best friend and that you're off limits? Not to mention the fact you think I've been playing him this whole time, holy shit, I dunno if I wanna kill him or myse—"
Xue Yang's rambling is cut short by Song Lan pulling him into a rough kiss. He nearly loses his footing as he falls back into his arms, held tighter than Song Lan expected he'd ever hold anyone; left arm wrapped firmly around his waist as his right hand grips his chin.
Xue Yang doesn't move away as he's backed against the wall, and Song Lan knows only two things in that moment.
Xue Yang's body is warm, and his moans are sweet.
-
He's going to have to invest in lube, though. As flexible as Xue Yang is, and he is remarkably flexible, as Song Lan finds out firsthand, he's not superhuman…
The last thing he wants to do is break him if things somehow end up this way again. Pushing him firmly to the wall and gripping his hips hard enough to leave them red is rough enough, he thinks.
At least for now.
-
"So will you come to class now?"
The question makes Song Lan's lips twitch, as if he's about to smile. He tilts his head slightly to look at the man resting in his arms under the warm shower stream.
"Maybe," he replies. "If I won't distract you too much."
"You won't," Xue Yang snorts and pats his chest, the gesture creating an amusing wet slap. "Though I can't wait to see you in sweats up close."
-
"You saw him flirting with me, Xingchen," Song Lan has his turtleneck practically up to his ears as he confronts his amused roommate. "And I thought he was flirting with you ! Why didn't you think to clear things up?"
"Firstly, I didn't know you thought that," Xiao Xingchen can't help but stifle a giggle. "Secondly, I didn't want to say anything in case it would scare him off."
Song Lan tilts his head to one side, demanding answers as his cheeks once again warm up.
"I thought it was cute," Xiao Xingchen admits more quietly. "I've never seen him so taken with anyone."
It's as if he's oblivious to Song Lan's feelings for him! Would that be for the best now, or should Song Lan still try to pursue him? Would it be right, after…?
What is he going to do? He wishes this turtleneck would swallow him whole.
"Thirdly…"
There's more. Why is there more? He thinks he's going to hit the ground when Xiao Xingchen speaks again.
"I've invited him for dinner."