Work Text:
Shang Qinghua arrived home two hours earlier than he would have if he had taken the subway. The district where he lived was opposite to where his date was, it was a residential area, although there was a public school and a daycare a few blocks away.
It was a simple condominium where each apartment had one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a tiny bathroom.
Each apartment was for rent at a cheap price since it was managed by a kind elderly woman who liked to help. Shang Qinghua had the pleasure of being one of the first to move in and chose to live on one of the lower floors of the building, which meant he didn't have to climb many stairs.
Not that he went out often. In fact, it had been the first time in months that he went out for anything not related to work.
The absence of an elevator in that block was unfortunately significant. There was one day when Shang Qinghua climbed the stairs drunk and almost tripped on the numerous steps, he barely resisted paying the fine and lying down on the stairs to sleep. He was too lazy to climb when he wasn't sober, which encouraged him not to drink frequently. If he did, it was with his friend Mobei, who could carry him up the stairs and even put the author to bed.
"You can drop me off here, there's no elevator up there," said Shang Qinghua, trying hard not to sound like he was expelling Shen Jiu away because, no, he wasn't. He wouldn't send the man away now that he had just arrived there. He wanted to spend at least five more minutes with Shen Jiu.
This was the end of a first date that had completely exceeded his expectations.
Shen Jiu had offered to drive him there so he wouldn't have to take the subway during rush hour, and Shang Qinghua couldn't stop thinking that he was taking advantage of the man.
Shen Jiu was too adorable with his subtle expressions and frowns. Throughout the drive to his apartment, Shang Qinghua kept the conversation going, delighted that Shen Jiu answered questions about his life without a single complaint.
The meeting didn't satisfy their desire to get to know each other better, and Shang Qinghua needed to distract himself from the sight of Shen Jiu next to him in the car, the strong thighs pressed against the seat, the hands steady holding the steering wheel of the car
The fingers, oh, the fingers were a sight. With every movement Shang Qinghua controlled himself to look at the road and avoided watching Shen Jiu shift gears. The firm and delicate movements, the glances at the road, the annoyance at the traffic lights' delay.
Shang Qinghua didn't know how to drive, he couldn't afford it when he was young, and now he didn't have the time to learn. But in all the times he'd hitched rides, he'd never seen anyone look so attractive while driving.
Shang Qinghua felt too old to get excited by that sight and wouldn't embarrass himself that way.
Not on the first date.
"I said I'd walk you to the door, didn't I?" Shen Jiu spoke with a raised eyebrow.
"Did you?"
"I did."
"I don't remember that" said thoughtfully, turning to Shen Jiu, curious.
"I'm sure that's what I offered."
Shang Qinghua pressed his lips together, he doubted that Shen Jiu had actually said that, but he was so distracted by the sight of Shen Jiu's face illuminated by the faint streetlight that he couldn't recall their earlier conversations.
"Would you prefer it if I left you here?" Shen Jiu asked softly.
"No, no. I want you to walk me all the way up... But u can't come in. I'm not the type of guy who brings his date home on the first date," Shang Qinghua said nervous that this was what Shen Jiu wanted and that his refusal might drive the man away from his life.
Shang Qinghua didn't bring anyone home on the first date, not on the second, nor ever.
Although a small part of him wished to drag Shen Jiu inside, he felt so connected to the man in just a few hours that he could imagine reliving that day many more times. Who knows if they would go out again, if Shang Qinghua would have another chance to meet someone like that. So quiet, so calm, so appreciable.
Shen Jiu made a low sound of agreement, and Shang Qinghua glanced at him discreetly, seeing the small tension disappear from Shen Jiu's shoulders.
He was relieved.
"I'm not the type to go on the first date," said Shen Jiu, looking at the entrance of the building.
"Oh. Maybe the fifth?"
"Maybe in the fifth" agreed.
Shang Qinghua shook his head, the suggestion of a fifth date was too much for his poor heart.
"Okay... So would you accompany me then?" Qinghua asked, extending his hand for Shen Jiu to take.
“To your door?
"Yes."
"Of course, Shang Qinghua."
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Climbing two flights of stairs had never felt so quick, Shang Qinghua was disappointed by how fast they reached his floor.
Fortunately, they didn't encounter anyone along the way, allowing them to hold hands the entire time.
"This is it," Shang Qinghua said, stopping in front of a brown door with the number 201 on it.
He fell silent, watching Shen Jiu stop in front of him with a gentle smile, the hands clasped together.
"Delivered safely," Shen Jiu said.
"And before midnight. The fairy godmother would be proud," Shang Qinghua joked, proud to receive a genuine smile in response. See how it's done, Prince Charming? That's how you win someone over. "Thank you for bringing me, Shen Jiu."
"It was my pleasure, Qinghua. It was a great date."
"I hope it means you'll send more messages," Shang Qinghua joked again, smiling nervously.
"Only if you agree to a second date."
Shang Qinghua blinked in surprise.
A second date.
He liked the sound of that.
He opened his mouth and closed it, unsure how to respond without letting his anxiety show. His fingers tightened around Shen Jiu's, unconsciously pulling him closer, and Shen Jiu didn't mind coming closer.
"We haven't even finished the first one, and you're already planning the next?"
"You proposed to me within an hour of conversation," he teased.
"I... I didn't do that. Shen Jiu!"
Shang Qinghua complained upon hearing it, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the phrase.
It wasn't intentional to suggest marriage, but Shang Qinghua liked the idea.
There, standing before Shen Jiu, he imagined the two of them getting married. He imagined them wearing traditional red instead of Western white.
Shen Jiu chuckled softly at Shang Qinghua's little yelp.
Again, that beautiful laugh.
Shang Qinghua took a step forward, his free hand reaching out and almost touching Shen Jiu's torso, refraining from touching him without his permission.
"We could schedule a dinner or a movie," Shen Jiu suggested, observing Shang Qinghua's actions. He raised his hand, touching Shang Qinghua's red-flushed cheek, and the author leaned into the touch, content.
"I would love that," Shang Qinghua said, but his gaze was fixed on Shen Jiu's lips, his face leaning towards them.
Shen Jiu leaned in, and Shang Qinghua didn't hesitate, he stretched up on his tiptoes and let his lips meet Shen Jiu's.
Shang gasped softly, surprised by the initiative, not even afraid that Shen Jiu would push him away because the other's mouth responded from the start.
Shang Qinghua felt his body being embraced by strong arms, his body pushed to the side, and his back pressed against the door with Shen Jiu in front of him.
Was it appropriate to kiss on the first date? Shang Qinghua had never considered it. He had never managed to. But he felt impressed.
One didn't need to be a great connoisseur of kisses to understand that this one was perfect, that Shen Jiu was a wonderful kisser. There was eagerness, softness, desire, and who knows how many more feelings involved there.
It was calm, but Shang Qinghua felt so damn hot with their bodies pressed together, giving kisses sometimes gentle, sometimes looses against his mouth.
Shang Qinghua was so lost in the sensation he felt that his brain felt like it would shut down at any moment.
He wished to invite Shen Jiu to come into his house, even if it was just to kiss for the rest of the day.
Before he could do anything, Shen Jiu pulled away. His hands were on Shang Qinghua's hips, holding firmly, his lips red and cheeks slightly flushed.
"So... second date?" he asked, his voice huskier than usual.
Shang Qinghua shuddered and nodded. He didn't have the strength to speak.
Shen Jiu leaned in and kissed the top of Shang Qinghua's head, releasing his small frame as he took a few steps back. He seemed as nervous as Shang Qinghua for the first time that day, he was shaken by an impulsive behavior, but not dissatisfied with the result.
Shang Qinghua leaned against the door to keep from falling and returned the smile he received with a slight embarrassment.
"Text me when you get home?" he asked nervously.
"Of course, Qinghua."
They looked at each other.
"Thank you for bringing me," Shang Qinghua said, and Shen Jiu smiled. He didn't lean in to kiss Shang Qinghua again, but his eyes practically declared that desire. If Shang Qinghua's legs weren't so shaky, he would have jumped on the other man, taking him again before seeing him go.
"I'll bring you next time too," he promised, and he walked away down the hallway before hearing a response. His footsteps sounded fast, and Shang Qinghua watched, tempted to wave shakily as he saw him disappear downstairs.
Damn, he really hoped Shen Jiu would send more messages and set up another meeting.