When Qiao Lu woke up, he found himself in a room bathed in the gentle glow of the morning sun. The familiar yet hazy figure of Ying Chen no where to be found. Yet, a small and furry ball of mochi lay sprawled amongst the vast expanse of rolling waves of silken blankets.

Qiao Lu blinked dazedly as he sat up in a stupor, slowly recalling the events of yesterday.

Huh, it’s seems that waking up sick was really worthwhile, not only was their someone to feed and take care of him, but he also had gotten himself a boyfriend along the way.

Thinking of how Ying Chen gently coaxed him and cuddled with him and even combed his hair, Qiao Lu couldn’t help but think, what a damn steal. If Ying Chen took care of him like before, then he wouldn’t mind being sick for an eternity.

Remembering the soft but fleeting kiss, he couldn’t help but to blush as he slowly got off the bed. His feet lightly landing on a pair of plush slippers.

Last night, after Ying Chen went off to brew some tea, Qiao Lu tried hard to stay awake but at last fell asleep before the other could come back. Qiao Lu felt both apologetic and regretful. He felt apologetic to Ying Chen for falling asleep while the other worked hard to prepare tea for him, while he felt regretful for himself. If only he had stayed awake for longer, ah. Maybe he could’ve gotten another goodnight kiss or some more hugs and cuddles.

Maybe he could have even hugged Ying Chen to sleep, and then maybe he could have woken up to the other’s smiling face, ah!

Yet sadly, he fell asleep last night.

Sighing sorrowfully to himself, Qiao Lu slipped on the plush dark blue slippers and strode towards the door. 

Immediately after opening the dark wood door, the faint aroma of sunshine and breakfast made it’s way to his nose. The lingering scent of cinnamon and pine intermingling with it, which sent a little poke to Qiao Lu’s already tender and sore heart.

How long had it been since he had woken up this happy? How long had been since he had woken up to a fresh, warm meal made by someone who loved him? Although he didn’t want to admit it, at this moment, Qiao Lu felt like crying. Not sad or sorrowful tears but genuinely happy tears. 

Though he said that his childhood wasn’t bad, it was still lonely. Even though in the past he said it would be fine if he lived alone in a new city, he still felt lonely. So at this moment, he felt cherished and happy, so unspeakably happy. 

Qiao Lu felt his throat constrict, and his eyes prickle, yet on his face he wore a small and quiet smile. Though it was a bit ugly, it was a genuinely happy smile.

Like so, Qiao Lu quietly soaked in these emotions, and with every exhale he breathed, he could feel a quiet yet warm peacefulness return to him. It was a moment of quiet, of reassurance that he would be okay. In this silence, Qiao Lu was slowly able to regain his composure, and with a light smile of relief, he made his way downstairs.

As he walked down the unfamiliar steps, he could vaguely see a familiar and soothing figure busying about the house. One moment, he was preparing Fengfeng’s breakfast, the next he was cleaning the already pretty neat side table next to the couch. After that, he could be seen wandering off towards the direction of the dining room and the kitchen.

This lively scene along with that bustling back-view brought an unprecedented feeling to Qiao Lu. In that moment, all he wanted to do was to go and hug that man, and accompany him to do anything. Whether it be cleaning, cooking, spoiling Fengfeng or even just talking. Anything would be fine as long as he could be with him, and spend time with him.

Unknowingly, Qiao Lu’s eyes crinkled in a smile as he watched on. His smile that had just faded the tiniest bit returning in full-force and lifted his lips into an even bigger and happier arc. 

“Meow~”

Fengfeng’s small and sweet cry finally took Qiao Lu’s attention away from the other man, and turned his smiling eyes into ones dancing with mirth as he looked down at the figure that had followed him down. “Good morning.” He greeted.

“Good morning.” Another voice greeted.

Smiling softly, Qiao Lu froze. Something seemed… off?

Quickly looking up, Qiao Lu’s faintly startled gaze rested upon that familiar warm and genial smile, then he looked up even further to meet those eyes that flickered with a teasing light.

“Ying Chen.” Qiao Lu called softly, a small nasal lilt at the end.

Ying Chen’s eyes which glowed with amusement immediately softened as he heard that call. Soothingly, he rubbed Qiao Lu’s hair and warmly answered his call, “Hm?”

“I… really, really like you.” Qiao Lu answered earnestly, though his red earlobes gave away just how embarrassed he felt.

Ying Chen was hit hard by this sudden confession, and felt his heart melt into a puddle of honey and sweetness. So just as earnestly, and sincerely, he confessed:

“I really, really like you too.” 

-Main Story End-

Author’s thoughts: 

Ah, so cute! So sweet~!

P.S, there will be extras!