Work Text:
They did not actually plan to keep it a secret. Not deliberately. Things just happened that way.
From the first time Huang Shaotian encountered Ye Qiu and lost to him in Glory, he was captivated. Here was a guy who wasn't fazed even a little bit when faced with the amount of trash that Huang Shaotian spouted, especially during PK. Ye Qiu filtered his comments out with nonchalant ease and hit back with his own brand of shameless, utterly irritating trash talk that had made Huang Shaotian himself stutter for a moment at first.
It happened without either of them noticing.
Truth be told, Huang Shaotian did not plan on dating Ye Qiu, stealthily or otherwise. He just wanted to spend more time with him. He wanted to know his thoughts on Glory, on tactics, on the dungeons they run, on the other teams. He wanted to share his own thoughts and hear his opinion on them. And yet, somehow, he started talking about things that aren't quite related to Glory, such as favorite foods, favorite places to visit, their most embarrassing moments, and why don't we go for food as we talk, Old Ye?
Huang Shaotian was a chatterbox. He knew that. The world knew that. But while most people reacted with irritation and anger when the chatting did not actually serve a purpose, such as distracting an opponent in Glory, Ye Qiu listened anyway. Oh, he took great pleasure in cutting Huang Shaotian off most of the time but, somehow, he knew when Huang Shaotian actually wanted him to hear what he was saying.
That was a novel concept and Huang Shaotian had to admit that, for a while, he was looking for the other shoe to drop.
But it didn't.
Ye Qiu was still there. He still listened. He still thrashed him in Glory. He still made time for him.
Ye Qiu never pushed Huang Shaotian away even when he was at his most annoying. He was there, even when Huang Shaotian didn't expect him to be.
The affection and the fondness that crept upon him was undeniable. Every time Huang Shaotian looked at Ye Qiu, the way he guided the trainees, the way he nurtured their interests while being blunt but not needlessly cruel with his remarks, the way he played Glory like it was an extension of his own self, the way his fingers danced across the keys and the way he manuevered his characters with the utmost grace and efficiency... Huang Shaotian knew then that he was in deep.
In the beginning, he had mistaken it for hero worship. Actually, it was possible that that's how it all started. He had seen enough trainees mooning over Ye Qiu and One Autumn Leaf to know that in the beginning, behind the irritation that he had been beaten, the same hero worship had lingered within him too. And yet, things had changed somehow.
Maybe it was when Ye Qiu looked at him, instead of just glancing over him, or when he remembered one of the many seemingly inconsequential things Huang Shaotian had rambled on (a craving for butterscotch ice cream) and acted on it (Huang Shaotian did not expect the Battle God to break him out of the dorms at midnight to go to an open-all-night ice cream shop just so they can eat ice creams to their heart's content), or how, much later, he showed him that the world wasn't ending when Wei Chen left Blue Rain (abandoned him) without a single word or warning, or when he helped him to be a better team player and taught him to look past the initial misconceptions and become a damn good partner and Vice Captain.
Things changed slowly but steadily.
There were times that Huang Shaotian doubted that this thing between them was even real. Maybe it was all in his head. Maybe he was imagining the side glances, the acceptance of lingering touches, the hidden smiles. Maybe he was going mad because of his wishful thinking.
But then, Ye Qiu would look at him with his piercing eyes, the gold startling him with its intensity. He would clap his hand on Huang Shaotian's shoulder, as one does, but his fingertips would graze his nape, ruffling the hair there and causing goosebumps and, in one memorable moment, his thumb had pressed lightly, so lightly, over his Adam's apple, feeling as Huang Shaotian had swallowed around a suddenly dry throat. Huang Shaotian could have very well considered that to be a random, completely innocent occurrence, if he hadn't actually noticed the way Ye Qiu's eyes had darkened just a shade, the way his expression had all but intensified enough to be called as devouring.
The tension between them simmered for a while. It was surprising because neither Ye Qiu nor Huang Shaotian were people who liked to draw things out. Ye Qiu was known for his direct tactics, to achieve maximum output in minimum time and absolutely no one would call Huang Shaotian as slow. And yet both of them stood on a precipice, waiting for something elusive, enjoying the way the air crackled between them. Even the Glory matches they had were intense and usually left the other viewers uncomfortable due to the unnamed feeling that was ever-present between them.
It came to a head after one of their many Glory matches. Ye Qiu was relaxed as he got up from his seat and stretched, but his eyes were alert behind the fringes of his hair falling over his forehead. He tilted his head towards the door with a lazy roll of his neck, an insolent smirk tugging at his lips. Huang Shaotian always had been a sucker for arrogance. He followed the other out.
They walked side by side, in the dark, their path illuminated only by the distant lights on the building behind them. Their fingers brushed, electricity shooting through Huang Shaotian's spine. Ye Qiu talked about his game play and where he should improve, the places where he was strong and the skills where he could be stronger. Huang Shaotian listened intently, committing it all to memory, even as his heart pounded rapidly.
Huang Shaotian glanced at Ye Qiu, wondering if the other truly was as calm and collected as he appeared to be. He noticed then that Ye Qiu was smirking, and he was side-eyeing him as though he knew what he was thinking. The sudden flare of anger and irritation made him grab hold of Ye Qiu's hand and pull him towards himself. In a smooth movement, Ye Qiu was right there and then, they were kissing.
"You absolute bastard," Huang Shaotian muttered, delighted, against Ye Qiu's lips, feeling it curve smugly below his words. "You planned this, didn't you? Don't answer that!"
He dipped in for another kiss, one hand cupping Ye Qiu's cheek while the other was entangled with Ye Qiu's own hand. He shivered as Ye Qiu slid his other hand along Huang Shaotian's neck and tilted his head just so and deepened the kiss.
Huang Shaotian broke off, gulping down the cool air, and dropping his head to rest on Ye Qiu's shoulder. Ye Qiu let out a short, warm laugh and pressed a kiss to the side of his head. The affection that filled him at that gesture threatened to choke him, all the words stuck in his throat, clamoring to get out but being unable to.
"You shameless monster, Old Ye," Huang Shaotian said, turning his face to bury it in Ye Qiu's neck. "Do you ever stop plotting, huh? Taking advantage of a poor innocent person like me, have you no shame?"
Ye Qiu snorted at that comment. He let go of Huang Shaotian's hand to wrap it around his waist, holding him securely.
"You've never been innocent in your life," Ye Qiu laughed. He then turned slightly and spoke his next words directly into Huang Shaotian's ear, his breath caressing his ear lobe and making him shiver. He tightened his hold. "Besides, we both got we wanted. It's a win-win, don't you think?"
Huang Shaotian nipped at Ye Qiu's neck harshly in retribution, before soothing it with his tongue. He couldn't deny what he said, after all.
Ye Qiu nudged his head up just to capture his mouth in a kiss again, firmly pulling the bottom lip in between his teeth. Huang Shaotian dazedly wondered, while holding on for his dear life, if Ye Qiu was an expert at everything else too. He was sure that he wouldn't survive it if it was so.
Ye Qiu softened the kiss, drawing it out and pecked him once, twice, thrice before bringing him closer, embracing him fully. One hand inched under the hem of his shirt and lay unobtrusively on his back, a thumb stroking the heated skin, supposedly soothing while, in reality, fanning the flames.
Huang Shaotian groaned even as his slowly calming pulse picked up speed again. He sincerely doubted if he would be able to survive Ye Qiu. But, oh, what a way to go.
"My name is actually Ye Xiu."
Huang Shaotian sputtered. "You- what!?"
Ye Qiu - no, Ye Xiu shrugged nonchalantly, as though he was talking about the weather. "I took my twin brother's id when I ran away from home. I was 15."
Huang Shaotian was speechless for once.
Ye Xiu looked down at him from where he was looming over him, his hands braced on the mattress, on either side of Huang Shaotian's head. He then smirked wickedly.
"I'd rather you call out my name when I'm bringing you to the doors of heaven, instead of my brother's." A thread of possessiveness wound through his voice. Huang Shaotian blinked.
"Tch, arrogant bastard. Confident, are we? One might even say you are overconfident, Ye Xiu. Doors of heaven, he says. Pffft! Your mouth is writing checks your body might not be able to cash, Old Ye. You sure you can keep up with me? Let me tell yo- mmph!"
The words cut off as Ye Xiu swooped down to capture his mouth. Those had been fighting words, Huang Shaotian knew. And looking at the dark, lustful look in Ye Xiu's eyes, Huang Shaotian smiled victoriously. There would be time for everything soft and sweet later. At that moment however, Huang Shaotian wanted the Battle God. He wanted that razor sharp intensity, that scorching heat, the torturous drag of merciless attention. He wanted Ye Xiu.
And he got him.
Only Yu Wenzhou and Su Mucheng knew about them. It wasn't that they wanted to hide their relationship, no. It was simply not something either of them ever felt like announcing. They didn't deliberately hide that they were together. But their behaviour didn't change much outwardly and no one ever caught on.
Glory was everything to them both. But they took time, when they could, to see each other, to spend time with each other. It had been very annoying when Huang Shaotian had come to know that Ye Xiu did not have a phone and nor did he plan to acquire one. It had taken quite a bit of manipulation, cajoling and threatening to get him to agree to using a phone. No one would ever believe that Excellent Era's Ye Qiu, would sulk like a kid when made to use a phone. Huang Shaotian would deny to his dying day that he cooed at the pout on his boyfriend's face.
They had their bad days, of course. Every relationship did. But they worked through it by fighting in Glory and then having make-up sex when they could meet up. That was a winning combination if ever there was one. Huang Shaotian would swear by it.
Then, Ye Xiu retired.
Yu Wenzhou glanced at Huang Shaotian, questioning. All he could do was shake his head in confusion, as worry filled him. He had known something was happening in Excellent Era. Everyone in the pro circle did. But he had accepted the reassurances that Ye Xiu had given him. God, he was such a fool.
He reached out to Su Mucheng. The rage that filled him was immense. He wished he had Troubling Rain's sword just so he could cut a few heads off at Excellent Era. He opened the chat with Ye Xiu.
Are you okay?
He paused. He didn't want to be overbearing or overwhelming. Not now. His phone vibrated with a response.
Give me two days.
Huang Shaotian texted back an acceptance. He remembered what Su Mucheng had said and the address where Ye Xiu was. He turned to his Captain to explain the situation and ask for few days of leave. Even if his dumb boyfriend didn't ask for help (him), he would still be there anyway.
His team members jumped out of his way as he left, cursing foully.
"At this moment, is there anything you wish to say to everyone?"
"I'm back."
The crowd screamed and every pro present cheered for the return of the legend.
Huang Shaotian had his eyes just for Ye Xiu, even as he shouted in joy, jumping up and down. Yu Wenzhou smiled fondly at his antics but did not stop him.
Ye Xiu looked straight at him then, unerringly finding him in the crowd. Huang Shaotian froze. And then, his wide grin softened to something softer, something more intimate. He watched as Ye Xiu, eyes glistening, pressed his hand to his mouth, kissed it, and extended it in his direction. The crowd went wild thinking that their God was noticing them. Neither Ye Xiu nor Huang Shaotian looked away from each other.
Ye Xiu ✓
A million thanks to my sister and my boyfriend for their unwavering support.
@Su_Mucheng @Huang_Shaotian
[Image shows Ye Xiu in the middle with Su Mucheng and Huang Shaotian on either side of him. Ye Xiu has an arm over Su Mucheng's shoulder as she leans into him, smiling widely. Huang Shaotian is kissing him on the cheek as he laughs in delight.]
~
Huang Shaotian ✓: Correction!! Boyfriend has been upgraded to fiancé!
Su Mucheng ✓: I'm so happy for the both of you!!! [heart emoji] [crying emoji]
Yu Wenzhou ✓: Congratulations, Senior! And best of luck! You'll need it to deal with Shaotian ^_^
Huang Shaotian ✓: CAPTAIN!!! HOW COULD YOU???!!? THIS IS UTTER BETRAYAL!!! HOW SHAMELESS OF YOU! HAVE YOU NO HEART?!?!
fanthedragon: HuangYe is REAL??!!!!? #HuangYeWedding
allhailthedeception: OMG they are so cute together!!! My heart!!! #HuangYeWedding
autobotsrollout: FIANCE!! OMG IT'S A HUANGYE WEDDING [crying emoji] I never thought [crying emoji] this would ever happen [heart emoji] #HuangYeWedding
noticemegodye: after everything God Ye deserves happiness and I hope him and Huang Shao are very happy together *sniffles* #HuangYeWedding
Han Wenqing stared blankly at the broken cup in his hands. In front of him the news was showing Ye Xiu's tweet and the anchor was excitedly talking about the relationship between Ye Xiu and Huang Shaotian.
He did not expect to feel this wave of sorrow. True, he had been crushing on Ye Xiu since the beginning of their rivalry. Also true that he had hoped for that infatuation to be mutual. But apparently not.
"Captain?" Zhang Xinjie said, quietly.
Han Wenqing recalled how Ye Xiu had been a bit more lighter, a bit less haggard, a lot more happier. He remembered how Ye Xiu had smiled more often and he sighed. At the end of it all, even though he was bitter about losing all chances with Ye Xiu, he had to admit that he was content as long as Ye Xiu was happy.
You're getting sentimental in your old age, he mocked himself.
"Did you know about this?" Han Wenqing asked.
"No. They were quite thorough in hiding their relationship," Zhang Xinjie said.
Han Wenqing nodded. He then pulled out his phone, after putting away from the broken ceramic pieces in his hand.
Han Wenqing ✓
Congratulations to Ye Xiu and Huang Shaotian. They are both well matched in their shamelessness. Wishing them all the best.
#HuangYeWedding
Huang Shaotian ✓: well matched in shamelessness, he says!!! We're well matched in other ways too, you old bastard!!! How dare you!!! I will pKPKPKPKPK you so bad, just watch. Also, thanks [angel emoji]
Ye Xiu ✓: Thank you, Old Han. Ignore Shaotian, he's over excited [laughing emoji]
looktotheeast: God Han!!!! Congratulating and roasting them at the same time!!! I bow before him!!
letitgohans: [broken heart emoji] hanye has sunk [crying emoji]
Wang Jiexi looked at the news with a dawning sense of horror. Even when normal, Huang Shaotian was insufferable, and so was Ye Xiu. People don't walk away from conversations with them without wanting to punch their faces in. But now, they were going to only get worse, he knew it. Call it a self-preservation instinct but he knew that his sanity was seriously on the line.
His eyes twitched. This was a nightmare. His hands threatened to shake even as he typed out an obligatory tweet to congratulate the couple.
Looking at the Tiny Herb team, Wang Jiexi wondered if, perhaps, it was time to make a tactical retreat and retire.
Damn you both, Wang Jiexi thought, bitterly. But to be honest, he really was happy for the both of them. He just wished their happiness didn't come at the cost of his peace of mind.
He laughed then. When had things involving Ye Xiu ever gone well for the others?
Oh well. It is what it is.
Sun Xiang came across the news because Qiu Fei thought it absolutely necessary to burst into his room at an ungodly hour just to shove the bright screen in his face, burning his retinas.
As Qiu Fei chattered excitedly about Senior Ye and Senior Huang, Sun Xiang fell against Qiu Fei, who was sitting next to him, numb.
He realised now why in those first few matches as Excellent Era's captain, Huang Shaotian had been particularly vicious against him. He recalled the ruthless light in the Sword Saint's eyes and shivered. Of course, Huang Shaotian had been murderous and out for blood. Sun Xiang had effectively put his boyfriend out of a job and taken over his place.
A tremor ran down his spine and he tried to push down the whine that crawled up his throat but it escaped anyway. He closed his eyes in mortification and hid his face in Qiu Fei's neck when Qiu Fei paused in curiosity.
"Sun Xiang?"
"He wanted to kill me that day," Sun Xiang moaned in agony.
Unseen, Qiu Fei cocked an eyebrow at the other's dramatics.
"Huang Shaotian," Sun Xiang clarified, his face still buried in its hiding place. "When I took over One Autumn Leaf and became Captain. I know he wanted to kill me then. He was vicious."
"Don't you think you're overreacting," Qiu Fei asked, as Sun Xiang sneaked his hands across his waist to hold the other boy close.
"I'm traumatised," Sun Xiang hissed. "This is belated trauma. Be a good boy and help me recover instead of talking nonsense!"
Qiu Fei bit back a smile but didn't argue anymore.
They fell asleep a while later, tangled together in bed, Sun Xiang's head resting on Qiu Fei's chest, while Qiu Fei held him close in a protective embrace.
As for Ye Xiu and Huang Shaotian, as was their usual modus operandi, they kept playing Glory even as their very existence threatened other people's lives.
After finishing a few dungeon runs and duels, Huang Shaotian got up from his chair and stood behind Ye Xiu's, hands on his shoulders, watching as his fiancé (fiancé!!!) expertly steered his character in the game. A few minutes later, he glided his hands slowly upwards and held Ye Xiu's neck gently. He then slowly and surely moved his hands back to their original position. Leaning down, Huang Shaotian brought an ear lobe into his mouth and nipped ever so gently. He heard a hitch in Ye Xiu's breath, only because he was listening for it. The gameplay was smooth as always.
"Your fiancé," Huang Shaotian pressed a kiss to the ear he bit, "is feeling neglected."
He kissed his cheek. "You should do something about that."
A peck on the corner of his mouth, lingering. "Don't you think?"
The game was logged out in quick, decisive moments and the next second a hand was pulling him insistently to the bed.
Huang Shaotian laughed breathlessly. He really, really loved this man. And looking at the reverent way in which Ye Xiu gazed at him, as though he was something immeasurably precious, he knew that he was loved back.
Ye Qiu: YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED AND I'M KNOWING THIS THROUGH NEWS!?!?!!
Ye Qiu: HAVE YOU NO SHAME????
Ye Qiu: Mother and Father want you home [evil smirk emoji]
Ye Qiu: Oh and bring your 'fiancé'
Ye Qiu: They want to... 'meet' him
Ye Xiu: oh shit
Ye Qiu: [evil_cackling.gif]