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Since Hua Cheng had returned, they had slowly begun to form a relationship that was more than friendship, and with that came kisses. Xie Lian liked kissing, he really did but… he was struggling with how overwhelming the kisses were. It didn’t help that his first few experiences with both kissing and kissing Hua Cheng had been as part of so many life-or-death situations, that neither he or his body quite knew how to react now kisses were something to be lingered upon, savoured and enjoyed.
Hua Cheng had offered for them to take a break from kissing but Xie Lian was determined to get past his problems. He had mastered so many different things in his eight-hundred years, mostly out of necessity to survive, he was not going to miss out on something so enjoyable. After much thinking he settled on a new method – reciting the Ethics Sutra had been his calming companion over the centuries, so he decided to try a new mantra. If his senses were going to be overwhelmed then he was going to focus on every last little detail until his body accepted them. He told Hua Cheng of his plan, and the next evening, they decided to try it out.
They settled on the bedroll Xie Lian had set up on the floor of the cottage at Mount Taicang, it was the same one they had led on that first night together. Both of them were wearing thin robes, Hua Cheng’s suggestion so Xie Lian could feel the sensations a little better (and not at all so he could get a sneaky look at his Gege’s wonderful physique) In the candlelight they sat facing each other. Xie Lian took a deep breath to clear his mind, before giving Hua Cheng a little nod. Hua Cheng lent forward, his lips light on Xie Lian’s.
As his eyes fluttered shut, instead of letting his mind spiral Xie Lian began to focus on the feel of the touch. Soft and lightly greasy from the balm Hua Cheng had applied earlier, Hua Cheng’s lips gently moved back and for, easing Xie Lian slowly into the next step. It was different to when they had shared spiritual power, there was no supernatural heat flowing between them.
As Xie Lian took a breath, he opened his eyes, focusing on sight. The light flush on Hua Cheng’s cheeks, the sparkle in his eye. Oh, it was more wonderful than he had expected. Hua Cheng looked almost enthralled with the sight before him, a soft, soft smile adorned his face. Why had he been feeling so worried when his partner was looking at him like this? He could feel his face begin to heat and Hua Cheng took it as a sign to kiss him again.
As Hua Cheng came close, Xie Lian focused on what he could smell, beneath the lingering smell of the dinner he had burnt. He could smell the floral scent of the oil Hua Cheng used in his hair, he guessed his own hair would have the same scent, as Hua Cheng had taken to combing it through his hair as well. As their lips met, Xie Lian could smell the spearmint Hua Cheng had added to their sweet red bean dessert. The combination of scents was oddly comforting, so strongly tethered to the domestic life he had created with Hua Cheng he was able to douse the overwhelming thoughts telling him that he needed to run, that he wasn’t allowed to enjoy this. But he could and he was going to.
As if sensing Xie Lian’s internal triumph, Hua Cheng deepened the kiss. As his tongue slid into his mouth Xie Lian focused on the taste. Underneath the spearmint he could taste what he could only call San Lang. He was certain no matter what form his husband could take, he could kiss him and still taste the addictive taste of his husband.
As their tongues slid against one and other, Xie Lian focused on what he could hear. The strange slidey squelch of their tongues. The deep quiet moans of his husband contrasted with his own higher pitched moans. He startled as he realised that noise was actually him, he didn’t know he was capable of making such noises. Hua Cheng slowed the kiss and they broke apart, a gentle hand stroked the side of his face, wiping away a tear he hadn’t realised had started to fall.
They didn’t need to share words for Hua Cheng to know he was okay, just overwhelmed in a different, more joyous way. Taking a deep breath, Xie Lian lent forward, and wrapped his arms around Hua Cheng’s neck and kissed him. The touch was soft but forceful and as Hua Cheng opened his mouth to let Xie Lian’s tongue in, Hua Cheng’s hands began to explore Xie Lian’s body. Xie Lian shivered as he savoured the loving touch of his boyfriend. As they kissed Xie Lian tried to pour all the joy and happiness he was feeling into it. He was glad he had fought the overwhelming feelings, and if this was how good kissing could feel, he couldn’t wait for the day he and Hua Cheng married and take that next big step in their intimate relationship.