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In the quiet expanse of Mount Taicang, Xie Lian’s cottage stood like a lone sentinel among the trees he had planted.
Young saplings and sprigs of green dotted the area, their delicate leaves fluttering in the wind, but even their vitality couldn’t hide the silent loneliness that lingered around the cottage.
He had cultivated this small slice of peace in hopes that one day Hua Cheng might come back and see it—if not for Hua Cheng, then for himself, so he would have something to care for.
Each day was an exercise in patience.
He moved like a ghost, drifting through his routine as he tended to the garden and the trees, pulling out weeds, watering each plant, making sure they grew tall and strong, as if he could somehow will Hua Cheng back by taking care of something—anything.
But there were days, long stretches of them, when he’d feel too hollow to move, and he’d just sit by the window, watching the mist rise over the mountains, waiting.
It was on one of those days, as he sat wrapped in silence, that he felt a presence approaching, heavy as the incoming storm clouds.
The air grew dense, the light dimming until it settled into an unnatural stillness. Xie Lian’s heart stilled.
He didn’t turn, though he knew exactly who it was.
“You’re certainly hard to find these days” He Xuan’s voice, low and cold, broke the quiet.
Xie Lian turned slowly, meeting He Xuan’s gaze as he stood in the doorway.
His expression was impassive, but there was something probing in his dark eyes, like he was assessing a long-forgotten monument, curious at its resilience and the cracks that lay beneath.
“Black Water” Xie Lian greeted softly, surprised by his own voice, how it wavered from lack of use.
The water demons’ brow lifted slightly. “I heard you’d been hiding yourself away.”
“I’m not hiding” Xie Lian replied with a faint smile, though it was devoid of mirth. “I’m… waiting.”
He Xuan’s gaze flickered to the garden beyond the cottage, the saplings barely reaching up to Xie Lian’s knees.
“Waiting… here?” He seemed to scoff, though it wasn’t cruel. “For how long?”
“As long as it takes.”
He Xuan looked at Xie Lian, his gaze filled with a flicker of understanding, and perhaps something else—pity.
He approached the table, sliding his hand across the rough wood before resting his gaze fully on Xie Lian.
“Even if it takes forever?”
Xie Lian met his stare, unflinching. “Yes.”
For a moment, He Xuan was silent, as if searching for a flaw in Xie Lian’s resolve, a crack where he might have hidden some deeper, darker truth.
But all he found was a man, waiting—waiting with the patience of someone who had already weathered lifetimes of loss.
“You know, waiting can turn to something else, if you let it.” He Xuan’s tone was cool, but there was a sliver of caution beneath it. “You might lose yourself in it.”
Xie Lian’s smile was soft, tired. “What else would I lose? I’m just… holding on to what I have left.”
He Xuan gave a short, dry laugh, folding his arms.
“Is that what you call it? I’ve known people who’ve waited centuries for someone they loved.” He paused, his gaze growing distant, as if recalling faces long gone.
“And I’ve seen what it does to them.”
Xie Lian was quiet, watching him with a quiet sympathy.
“You would understand, wouldn’t you?” he asked gently, though he knew his words cut deep.
He Xuan’s mouth tightened, but he didn’t deny it. Instead, he let his eyes wander to the garden, to the small seedlings fighting their way toward the light.
He could almost feel Hua Cheng’s absence here, like a cold weight that had settled into the ground, anchoring Xie Lian.
“What will you do” he asked finally, his voice as soft as the mist drifting through the trees, “if he doesn’t come back?”
The question hung in the air, sharp and painful, but Xie Lian didn’t flinch. He turned his gaze toward the garden, watching the new buds sway gently in the breeze, their leaves trembling but alive.
He looked back at He Xuan, his expression calm.
“Then I’ll keep planting. And I’ll keep waiting. Even if it’s for nothing.”
He Xuan’s lips pressed into a thin line. He wanted to tell Xie Lian that it was foolish, that it would lead only to more sorrow—but he knew it was futile.
Xie Lian had always been this way: steadfast, willing to bear the weight of the world if it meant protecting what he loved.
“Perhaps you’re a bigger fool than I thought” He Xuan muttered, but his words lacked their usual bite.
There was a trace of something else—admiration, perhaps, or respect for a strength he knew all too well.
As He Xuan turned to leave, he paused at the threshold, glancing back at Xie Lian one last time.
“If you ever tire of waiting…” he trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. “There are other ways to ease the pain.”
“...”
Thunder rumbled in the distance, and as He Xuan turned to leave, a heavy downpour began, the kind that soaked the earth in minutes.
Xie Lian watched the rain pour from the eaves of the cottage, cascading down in sheets that blurred the world outside.
He hesitated before he called after him, his voice soft.
“He Xuan” he said. “Would you like to stay a little longer? Have some tea?”
He Xuan turned, his expression unreadable as he considered the offer.
For a moment, Xie Lian wondered if he would refuse.
But with a slight nod, He Xuan stepped back into the cottage, bringing with him the scent of rain and the chill of the storm.
Xie Lian busied himself with the teapot, pouring water into the kettle and setting it over the small fire.
They sat across from each other in silence, the soft hiss of rain filling the room, their quiet companionship easing some of the loneliness that had woven itself into the walls.
There was something unspoken between them—a mutual understanding of loss, of the quiet ache that came from waiting for people who were no longer there.
As the tea steeped, Xie Lian poured each of them a cup.
He Xuan took his with a quiet nod, his gaze drifting over the room, taking in the small touches of warmth that Xie Lian had brought to this space.
For all its simplicity, the cottage held a fragile beauty, one that echoed Xie Lian’s stubborn heart.
“Do you think he’d like it here?” He Xuan’s question was barely above a whisper, but it cut through the silence with surprising sharpness.
Xie Lian looked down at his tea, the warmth of the cup seeping into his hands.
“I hope he would” he said, his voice soft, as if confessing a secret.
“I built it with him in mind. But even if he never sees it… it’s something I can hold onto.”
He Xuan’s gaze lingered on him, and Xie Lian felt its weight, the quiet intensity that seemed to peel away layers he’d kept hidden.
He didn’t shy away from it. Somehow, He Xuan’s presence didn’t feel like an intrusion; it felt like a strange, unexpected comfort, the kind that crept in quietly, unasked for but not unwelcome.
They drank in silence, letting the rain and the warmth of the tea fill the spaces between them.
But as the moments passed, Xie Lian felt something shift—a heaviness in the air, a pull he hadn’t expected.
He looked up, meeting He Xuan’s eyes as he moved next to him, and he saw the rawness there, the reflection of his own longing, his own loneliness.
He didn’t resist when He Xuan leaned forward, the world falling away as their lips met.
It was a gentle kiss at first, hesitant and searching, as if both were surprised by the simplicity of it.
But as He Xuan’s hand rose to cradle his cheek, Xie Lian felt the dam of his own restraint give way.
The waiting, the quiet ache that had built with each empty day—he allowed himself, just for a moment, to let it all go.
He closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth of the kiss, feeling the way He Xuan’s touch softened against him, both of them seeking something in the other, something to fill the empty spaces that loss had carved into their hearts.
He could taste the rain on He Xuan’s lips, feel the ghost of his sorrow woven into each movement.
For this one moment, he let himself be carried by it, the comfort, the touch, the warmth that reminded him he was still alive, still capable of feeling, of needing.
It wasn’t the same as what he’d felt with Hua Cheng; it wasn’t love, but it was real. It was enough.
As they drew apart, He Xuan’s hand lingered against Xie Lian’s cheek, his gaze searching, as if waiting for rejection, for hesitation.
But Xie Lian held his gaze, a quiet acceptance in his eyes. He let a small, tired smile touch his lips, one that spoke of all the things he couldn’t say.
“I know what you’re offering” Xie Lian said, his voice barely a whisper. “And… thank you.”
Without breaking eye contact, He Xuan reached out to gently grasp Xie Lian's wrist, guiding him towards the plush straw mat that lay spread out before the fireplace.
The soft rustle of fabric as they shed their clothing was the only sound in the intimate space, punctuated by the occasional creak of the old wooden beams overhead.
Once naked, they stood facing each other, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows across their exposed skin.
A shiver ran through Xie Lian as He Xuan's gaze roamed over him, drinking in every detail with an intensity that made his pulse quicken.
Wordlessly, He Xuan reached out to trace the lines of Xie Lian's torso, following the path of a scar that bisected his chest.
With a fluid grace, He Xuan lowered Xie Lian onto the soft expanse of the straw mat, his body covering Xie Lian's as their mouths met once more in a deep, passionate kiss.
This time, there was no hesitancy, no tentative exploration - only a raw, unbridled hunger that consumed them both.
He Xuan's hands roamed freely over Xie Lian's form with a possessive fervor.
His fingers tangled in Xie Lian's hair, tugging lightly to angle his head for better access as he devoured his mouth with a ravenous intensity.
Xie Lian responded in kind, his arms wrapping around He Xuan's waist to pull him closer, craving the heat and solidity of his body against his own.
Their kisses grew increasingly urgent, tongues tangling and teeth nipping at sensitive flesh as the air between them grew heavy with arousal.
He Xuan's hardness pressed insistently against Xie Lian's thigh, a silent testament to his desire.
Breaking the kiss, He Xuan trailed his lips down the column of Xie Lian's throat, pausing to lave attention on the juncture where neck met shoulder.
His teeth grazed the delicate skin, eliciting a gasp from Xie Lian as pleasure sparked along his nerves.
Xie Lian moaned quietly; it was laden with need and desperation.
He Xuan lifted his head to meet Xie Lian's fevered gaze, understanding shining in his dark eyes.
He Xuan's hands roamed lower, skimming over the planes of Xie Lian's stomach until his fingers brushed against the heated flesh between his legs.
Xie Lian bucked up into the touch, a broken moan escaping his lips as He Xuan wrapped his hand around his aching length, stroking him with firm, purposeful movements.
"Ah..." Xie Lian gasped, his head tipping back against the straw mat as waves of pleasure radiated out from He Xuan's touch.
His own hands fisted in the sheets beneath him, knuckles turning white as he fought to maintain some semblance of control.
He Xuan worked him skillfully, his grip alternating between light caresses and firmer pressure, driving Xie Lian ever closer to the edge.
As Xie Lian teetered on the brink of release, He Xuan released his throbbing length, ignoring the desperate whine that fell from Xie Lian's lips at the sudden loss.
Instead, he shifted his attention lower, spreading Xie Lian's thighs wider to expose his most intimate area to He Xuan's hungry gaze.
He Xuan took a moment to simply admire the sight before him, his eyes darkening with lust as he drank in every detail.
Then, slowly, deliberately, he leaned in and dragged his tongue along the cleft of Xie Lian's rear, savoring the musky flavor of his skin.
Xie Lian jolted at the unexpected sensation, a strangled cry tearing from his throat as He Xuan's wicked tongue circled his entrance, teasing and probing with maddening precision.
"Ah!"
He Xuan continued his ministrations, his tongue delving deeper with each pass, coating Xie Lian's hole with slick saliva.
Xie Lian's hips bucked wildly, trying to escape the relentless stimulation even as his body craved more.
The dual sensations of He Xuan's skilled mouth and his own aching cock, still unsatisfied, pushed Xie Lian over the edge.
With a hoarse shout, he came hard, spilling his release across his abdomen as wave after wave of intense pleasure crashed over him.
For a moment, he lay there panting, overwhelmed by the force of his climax.
But even as he struggled to catch his breath, he felt He Xuan's warm breath ghosting over his spent flesh, and a fresh surge of desire ignited within him.
Still reeling from his intense orgasm, Xie Lian barely registered the gentle press of He Xuan's fingers against his tender rear, seeking entry into his now relaxed channel.
But as those deft digits breached his opening, Xie Lian let out a soft whimper, his body instinctively clenching around the intrusion.
He Xuan worked slowly, easing two fingers inside Xie Lian's heat before beginning a languid rhythm, curling and scissoring to stretch and prepare him further.
Xie Lian's breath hitched with each deliberate thrust, his mind hazy with lingering pleasure and growing arousal.
As He Xuan's fingers pumped steadily in and out, Xie Lian found himself arching back, silently begging for more.
With a low growl of approval, He Xuan withdrew his fingers from Xie Lian's twitching hole, replacing them with the broad head of his thick cock.
Xie Lian's eyes flew open, his chest heaving as he watched He Xuan's impressive length tease his entrance, coated in a sheen of precum.
Then, with a slow, deliberate push, He Xuan sank into Xie Lian's welcoming heat, stretching him deliciously wide.
Xie Lian's back arched, a choked moan escaping his parted lips as he adjusted to the sizeable invasion.
He Xuan paused for a moment, allowing Xie Lian to acclimate, before withdrawing almost completely and sliding back in, setting a leisurely pace.
Eventually the wet slap of flesh meeting flesh filled the air as He Xuan's powerful strokes drove into Xie Lian's body, each deep plunge sending ripples of pleasure through their joined forms.
Xie Lian met each thrust with an eager buck of his own hips, his inner muscles clenching greedily around He Xuan's pistoning cock.
Their mouths were equally engaged, a frenzied dance of lips and tongues as they fed off each other's passion.
He Xuan's dark eyes blazed with lust, his mouth claiming Xie Lian's in searing kisses that left them both breathless, and a hand gently cradling his head while the other gripped onto the mat for support.
Xie Lian retaliated in kind, his own hunger evident in the fervor of his responses.
Lost in the haze of pleasure, Xie Lian could only cling to He Xuan, his fingers digging into the firm muscles of He Xuan's back as he was rocked by each powerful thrust.
The coil of ecstasy wound tighter and tighter in his core, his breaths coming in short, sharp gasps as he teetered on the brink of another shattering climax.
He Xuan seemed to sense his impending release, his movements becoming more urgent, more demanding.
He angled his hips just so, striking that perfect spot deep inside Xie Lian with each punishing stroke.
The change in position sent bolts of pure bliss shooting through Xie Lian's body, pushing him closer and closer to the edge.
With a final, devastating thrust, He Xuan buried himself to the hilt, grinding against that sensitive bundle of nerves.
Xie Lian shattered, his vision going white as he cried out his release.
His inner walls clamped down on He Xuan's pulsing length, milking him for all he was worth as wave after wave of intense pleasure crashed over him.
He Xuan followed soon after, his own groan of satisfaction muffled against Xie Lian's sweat-slicked skin as he emptied himself deep inside the others quivering channel.
They clung to each other as the aftershocks subsided, their labored breathing gradually slowing to match the steady rhythm of their heartbeats.
In the aftermath, still neither of them spoke a word. So they simply held each other close, basking in the warmth of each others body's.
____
Xie Lian slowly blinked awake, taking in the soft glow of the morning light filtering through the rain-streaked window. The storm outside was relentless, each raindrop tapping steadily against the glass, matching the heavy, somber thudding of his heart.
He realised he was covered in a warm, soft weight—a black robe draped over him, its unmistakable scent lingering close.
The ache and exhaustion from the night before had been wiped clean.
His skin felt fresh, his hair untangled and resting against the pillow.
Someone had taken care of him, yet he was alone in the quiet room.
He Xuan was gone.
Xie Lian’s fingers traced the edges of the robe absentmindedly, his thoughts both blank and swirling.
He would wait…no matter how long it took…he would wait.