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Soft music could be heard throughout the apartment, filling it with a gentle sense of peace. Xie Lian hummed along to the melody, trying to decide between two white shirts that his San Lang gifted him recently.
Before they got together, Xie Lian would dress in a simple white t-shirt and jeans, never venturing beyond his comfort zone. Now, his boyfriend, he blushed at the very thought, filled his wardrobe with the most high quality pieces one could imagine.
Nonetheless, Hua Cheng had a lot of respect for Xie Lian’s sense of comfort and so, his clothes remained mostly light in colour, beyond some red jackets—which his San Lang reassured him he looked stunning in—or golden detailing on some of his shirts.
They remained elegant, yet simple, not quite reminiscent of his time as the son of the CEO of an idol business and a famous idol himself. Back then, his clothes were stitched with real gold and precious gems. Something he would not ever choose for himself now.
That time in his life was filled with more riches than a person could imagine, yet it remained empty, purposeless in a way his current lifestyle was the complete antithesis of.
Now, he was surrounded by friends, old and new, and met someone who made his life worth living, not just surviving.
As though summoned by his thoughts (and Xie Lian wasn't entirely convinced his San Lang couldn't read his mind given how easily he anticipated his every need), two muscular arms wrapped around his waist and a certain someone nuzzled into his hair.
Xie Lian relaxed and leaned back into the strong frame of his boyfriend, a sigh of contentment escaping him as his tired muscles loosened up slowly.
“Hello, gege.”
A delightfully deep voice greeted him and Xie Lian felt a shiver run down his spine. His San Lang’s voice truly made him feel weak in the knees.
“Baobei,” he returned the greeting easily and he could hear the smile in his own voice.
They started swaying slowly to the music and the hands on his waist turned him around to face his beloved. The sight of Hua Cheng’s face always stole his breath away from him. The beautifully chiseled face, his gentle eye the colour of rich chocolate, a scar across the other adding to a roguish charm, and a mischievous smile that promised endless fun.
All that made him the most handsome man Xie Lian has ever seen. Though, he had to admit, no matter what his San Lang looked like, he would think he was the most handsome anyway.
San Lang moved one of his hands to grip Xie Lian’s palm and brought their combined hands up. They started taking steps to the rhythm of the music, now dancing properly around the bedroom, Christmas lights cast a soft glow on their faces and Xie Lian was half-tempted to give up their plans to enjoy this for longer.
Hua Cheng seemed to read his mind once again, as they slowed down to a halt and a kiss was pressed to his cheek, barely there and so utterly soft, akin to a brush of a butterfly’s wing against his skin.
“We should finish getting ready, gege.”
Then, as though anticipating his next question, “Gege will look perfect in anything he wears. But it's cold, so perhaps a turtleneck would be more sensible.”
Xie Lian laughed, his San Lang was truly one of a kind. Always knowing what he wanted before he himself even did. What had he done to deserve this kind of happiness?
Once they were ready, they stepped outside and the cold winter air immediately began biting their exposed noses and cheeks.
Snowflakes fell down from the sky slowly, lazily, as though they had all the time in the world to create a unique kind of beauty that turned the park they were walking through into a winter wonderland. The park was lovely, trees decorated with frost and the ground covered by a deep layer of snow, which glinted prettily in the sunlight.
Xie Lian looked around, trying to take everything in, pulling his San Lang behind him. When he turned around to tell him something, he faltered, as he saw the soft, loving smile on his San Lang’s face. He lost his train of thought and whipped his head back around, face turning hot as a blush rose high on his cheeks.
He gasped, when he realised they made it to the market, warm golden lights shining wherever he looked. The numerous stalls seemed full of wonders, trinkets glittering and delicious smells floating around.
Hua Cheng led them expertly through the crowd, weaving between people. Like a graceful dancer, Xie Lian couldn't help but admire, letting himself be pulled along.
He leaned into Hua Cheng's side, when stopped in front of one of the stalls, selling handmade hair ornaments. They were gorgeous, some made of glass, others of metal or wood. Xie Lian glanced around, before one caught his eye. A white and red hairpin made of dark wood, which stood out against the rest.
He picked it up and inspected it closely. The colours on the delicately sculpted ornament complimented each other, as beautiful red pearls framed delicate white flower petals.
Hua Cheng looked at it as well and hummed in approval.
“It will look beautiful on gege,” he said softly. “We'll take it,” he referred to the shopkeeper who beamed at them.
“Excellent choice, excellent choice, this is one of a kind! Shall I wrap it up for you?” The man offered enthusiastically as Hua Cheng scanned the payment code.
“Ah, no, we will use it now.” Hua Cheng declined and smiled at Xie Lian who blushed, looking away shyly.
He never quite got used to being treated kindly, with affection. But his San Lang was determined to prove to him that he was precious and worthy of care through gestures both small and grand.
Hua Cheng took the hairpin and gathered Xie Lian’s hair into an updo. He slid the hairpin in so gently that Xie Lian barely felt it.
“There,” Hua Cheng said softly behind him, “gorgeous.”
Xie Lian wasn't sure if it was possible to pass out from blushing so hard, but he was most definitely very close to reaching that state.
They moved on from the stall shortly after, drawn in by the delicious smell of freshly fried jiaozi and the irresistible scent of baozi. They sampled a bit of everything from the more traditional street foods like jianbing to more Western foods like German bratwürsts, while drinking mulled wine.
The hot foods and wine staved off the cold as snowflakes continued to fall around them. They have already stopped at most stalls, simply looking or buying more ornaments, and have had their fill of food and drink. However, they were hesitant to go back home quite yet.
When they arrived at the very end of the market, they saw couples, groups of friends and people skating alone on the ice rink.
The rink was sizeable, filled with people yet not so crowded one couldn't move. The surrounding trees were decorated with fairy lights, casting a soft glow over the rink.
“Should we try?” Hua Cheng asked gently, not wanting to push Xie Lian beyond his limits.
San Lang was clearly eager to try it himself, no matter how well he thought he was hiding it, Xie Lian thought fondly.
“Let’s try,” Xie Lian responded, squeezing San Lang's hand.
They walked leisurely towards the ice rink and soon enough acquired their tickets, and skates. Hua Cheng stepped onto the ice confidently, his past as a figure skater shining through, as he relaxed easily. Xie Lian hesitated before stepping onto the ice cautiously. Hua Cheng reached out his hand, palm up, bowing like a prince with a mischievous smile.
“May I, Your Highness?”
Xie Lian laughed at the childhood nickname, bitterness over losing his status as the Idol Prince long buried in the past.
“You may,” he responded, feigning a haughty tone reminiscent of his prince persona, and taking the offered hand.
They moved slowly, Xie Lian still hesitant despite the gentle hand steadying him, his knees feeling like jelly.
“Gege can hold onto me.”
His San Lang was always so thoughtful! Xie Lian smiled and moved even closer to Hua Cheng, melting into his side. Their pace slowed down even further, but neither cared as they held each other, giggling whenever Xie Lian stumbled slightly and was tugged back even closer than before.
The soft glowing lights and the surrounding laughter made the moment feel even more magical. Romantic, Xie Lian's mind supplied and he fought against the redness appearing on his cheeks.
Slowly, Xie Lian gained confidence, his pace smoothing out, no longer tripping up. San Lang’s hand was warm in his own, helping steady him if need be, but trusting him to try to skate by himself.
They slowed down to a stop, as the fireworks lit up the sky. Xie Lian looked at the beautiful display in awe, the shapes appearing in the sky so unique, he couldn't imagine how they could possibly have been created.
Suddenly, a soft hand cradled his cheek and moved his face towards San Lang's. A lovely dark eye glowed with the light of the fireworks, creating an even prettier display than the one in the sky. Xie Lian's breath caught in his chest as his San Lang moved closer, their eyes slipping shut as their mouths connected in a soft kiss.
As the kiss continued, so impossibly gentle, Xie Lian thought to himself that he would happily give up all the riches in the world, just to experience this forever.