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Since she could remember, Su Mucheng only had her brother. Every hardship they faced, they faced it together. It was only ever them—Su Muqiu and Su Mucheng; the two of them against the world.
It all changed when Su Muqiu brought in another—a girl, Ye Xiu. She was closer to Su Muqiu's age than she was to Su Mucheng. She was never afraid to speak her mind, never thought to curb her tongue. She was kind and brave, genuine and clever, and Su Mucheng–
Su Mucheng thought Ye Xiu was the coolest person ever. Right after Su Muqiu, of course.
Everything that Ye Xiu did was amazing in Su Mucheng's eyes. Her brother, on noticing how distracted she became—how she kept blushing and tripping over herself whenever she was around Ye Xiu, laughed himself sick over her predicament. He took every opportunity possible to tease his sister when Ye Xiu wasn't around. Su Mucheng was grateful for the small mercies.
When Su Mucheng and Su Muqiu witnessed Ye Xiu's twin sister, Ye Qiu, trying to convince her to return home, Su Mucheng was afraid that Ye Xiu would leave. But after hugging her sister goodbye, she returned to them, smiling. Su Mucheng was glad, and so was Su Muqiu.
Somehow, without noticing, the three of them became almost like family. Su Mucheng would buy steamed buns for Su Muqiu and Ye Xiu whenever she came home from school. Ye Xiu would take her out to eat ice-cream when Su Muqiu was busy with work. Su Muqiu would get little gifts for both the girls whenever he could.
When Glory was released, both Su Muqiu and Ye Xiu dominated the server, easily becoming the top players. Su Mucheng loved to watch them play the game, the clicking of the mouse and the clacking of the keyboard forming a soothing symphony to her. She was sad that she couldn't play with them but her brother assured her that he would create her an account later, as long as she worked hard on her studies.
As months flew by, Su Mucheng cheered on her brother and Ye Xiu as they worked for their dream of reaching the peak of Glory, at the professional level.
Excellent Era was formed.
Su Muqiu died.
His sudden loss was a heavy blow to both of them. Su Mucheng felt unmoored and adrift, unable to anchor herself to the present, her mind wandering to the swirls of the past, shying away from a future without her brother. Having been with him since she could remember, Su Mucheng felt alone.
One night, when she was choking back her sobs, trying to be quiet so as not to disturb Ye Xiu who had to be exhausted from taking care of the formalities without being able to freely grieve, she startled when a hand fell on her shoulder.
"Scoot over," Ye Xiu murmured. Su Mucheng did so.
They were quiet, lying on their backs, staring into the darkness. Tears started streaking down Su Mucheng's face, silently. When a sob was wrenched out, against her will, Ye Xiu wordlessly opened her arms. Su Mucheng threw herself into the embrace, shaking in the wake of the grief pouring out. Ye Xiu hummed wordlessly, a simple and comforting melody, as she stroked her hand over Su Mucheng's head, her fingers carding through her hair, soothing.
"You're not alone," Ye Xiu said, with conviction, when the gut-wrenching sobs had died down. "I will not leave you alone."
Su Mucheng swallowed harshly, a fear that she wasn't aware she was carrying, melting away.
"Hey," Ye Xiu said, tilting Su Mucheng's face up from where she hid it in Ye Xiu's neck.
Su Mucheng looked up at her with red, puffy eyes, heartbreak and misery clear in them. The light from the streetlights outside illuminated the room, throwing streaks across the floor and the bed. Ye Xiu looked determined, her eyes soft but firm.
"I'm never leaving you, Mucheng," Ye Xiu enunciated, holding her gaze. "Do you understand?"
Su Mucheng hesitated for a moment before nodding, her throat dry and heart thundering in her chest. "Yes."
Ye Xiu smiled then, just a little upturn of the lips but her eyes brightened, the gold glinting mysteriously.
"Good," she said, warmly. Leaning in, Ye Xiu pressed a gentle kiss on Su Mucheng's forehead, her lips a line of welcoming heat.
They slept together that day, the other's presence and warmth a balm against the chill that encroached upon their hearts. Su Muqiu was gone, torn away from them by a twist of fate, but Su Mucheng was still alive and so was Ye Xiu.
His legacy would live on.
Su Mucheng was not jealous. Of course not.
She didn't care about how Ye Xiu always brightened up when facing Han Wenqing in Glory, how she had a fierce grin on her face every time they battled each other, her hands a blur, her mouth spewing out trash-talk like she was born to do it, and how she walked with a bounce after every interaction with Han fucking Wenqing.
Okay, so, Su Mucheng might be jealous, just a little bit. But she wouldn't do anything about it. She knew that Ye Xiu still saw her as a younger kid, someone to take care of. She didn't see Su Mucheng as an equal. Yet.
Su Mucheng could wait. She'll train, tirelessly, until she can join Ye Xiu on the stage of Glory. Ye Xiu had already led Excellent Era to snatch two championships. Su Mucheng had the faith that the third championship was Excellent Era's too. And for the fourth season, Su Mucheng would be there, having her back, supporting her.
But until then, despite her previous convictions, Su Mucheng wished, desperately, that Han Wenqing would fuck right off.
Su Mucheng entered the pro scene as a fierce Launcher, terrifying her opponents with Dancing Rain, her brother's gift to her. One Autumn Leaf and Dancing Rain were the best partners there could be, effortlessly falling into place next to each other, having each other's back like they've done it a million times—which, arguably, they had, while training.
She relieved the pressure that the management put on an uncaring Ye Xiu for advertising and revenue. Su Mucheng took the place in the spotlight so that Ye Xiu wouldn't have to. Ye Xiu didn't say anything but her shoulders were less tight whenever she met with Tao Xuan, her eyes were warmer whenever she looked at Su Mucheng and she indulged Su Mucheng's whims more for going out to eat or to shop.
If anyone ever thought that Su Mucheng, the newcomer, would be a pushover, they would have been very much mistaken. And that is not counting Ye Xiu's protectiveness over Su Mucheng.
There was an incident that happened in the first few months of Su Mucheng's entry into Glory's Pro circle. It was only spoken of in whispers and accounts differed on what exactly happened. But one thing that was common in every retelling of The Incident was that the other pro player who had decided, very cleverly (note the sarcasm), to bully Su Mucheng had to visit the hospital to reset his nose. People also spoke of how the unlucky pro had encountered Ye Xiu and had walked away, trembling with fear.
No one knew if the rumours were true but the next time he came across Su Mucheng and Ye Xiu, they had given him a saccharine sweet smile—well, Su Mucheng had smiled while Ye Xiu had just looked at him, blankly—that had him paling, almost sickeningly, in terror. It was agreed then, unanimously, that no one should ever mess with either of them as they would destroy you, mercilessly and without blinking an eye, both in Glory and in real life.
Su Mucheng laughed when Chu Yunxiu told her about that gossip.
Ye Xiu was oblivious to almost everything but Glory. That was a known fact.
Su Mucheng believed that Ye Xiu was blind to her infatuation. She believed that her lingering glances, soft eyes, hesitant touches, the way she said Ye Xiu as though it was something precious, and how she always, always, smiled—wide and delighted and, just a touch, longing—every time she saw her, was not something that Ye Xiu noticed. Su Mucheng believed that Ye Xiu did not see how she gravitated towards the other.
Su Mucheng was wrong.
It was true that Ye Xiu didn't care for most things other than Glory. But, to Ye Xiu, Su Mucheng wasn't 'most things'.
Ye Xiu did notice it all. She just didn't react to it. Of all the people, it was Han Wenqing who called her out on it. It didn't surprise her that it was him—they had always had a deeper sense of rapport than the other pros, since the beginning.
"So, Su Mucheng," Han Wenqing said, looking into the distance.
Ye Xiu glanced at him for a second and looked away.
"You know how she feels about you," he stated.
Ye Xiu took a drag of her cigarette, letting the smoke curl around her as she exhaled softly. "Yes."
"You should tell her if you're not interested," he said.
Ye Xiu didn't reply. Han Wenqing looked at her, properly, then.
"You are," he said, raising an incredulous eyebrow.
Ye Xiu hesitated. "I'm not not interested."
Han Wenqing looked extremely unimpressed. Ye Xiu snickered.
"Maybe I'm lazy and I'm waiting for her to make a move," Ye Xiu said, feeling magnanimous for indulging in Han Wenqing's desire for answers.
Han Wenqing tilted his head and studied her face. He smirked as though he just came up with the punchline of a great joke.
"Sometimes, I'm astounded at how dumb you are," he said, shaking his head.
Ye Xiu clicked her tongue, mocking. "No need to break out the insults."
"You're waiting for her to make a move because you want her to be sure," he said, disregarding her apparent apathy. "You're scared that she'll regret it—regret you. "
He laughed and placed a hand on her shoulder. She relaxed, only then realising that she had tensed up.
"Ye Qiu," Han Wenqing said, firmly, willing her to believe him. "I sincerely doubt that anyone could ever regret you, in any way."
Su Mucheng had a plan. A plan to make Ye Xiu fall in love with her.
It was going to be a stealthy mission where Su Mucheng would slowly conquer Ye Xiu's conscious and subconscious inhibitions without her realising it. Su Mucheng was going to win through casual, physical affection.
She started by greeting Ye Xiu with a hand on her arm. After a few days, she progressed it to an arm around her waist. When Ye Xiu only gave her a curious look and didn't say anything against it, Su Mucheng started leaning into her while wrapping an arm around her, whenever she saw Ye Xiu. Though she had tensed up the first few times, Ye Xiu didn't bat an eyelash as she got accustomed to it. Su Mucheng counted that a win.
Next, she introduced hugs. Ye Xiu never denied her hugs whenever she asked for it. But this time, Su Mucheng would be the one doling it out on an unsuspecting Ye Xiu.
Ye Xiu let out a surprised laugh the first few times Su Mucheng had sprung a hug on her. Then, when the hugs didn't stop, she gave Su Mucheng a suspicious glance.
"Give me a warning before you do anything illegal, Mucheng," Ye Xiu said. Her tone was wary but her eyes were glinting with mirth.
Su Mucheng just winked. She was absolutely delighted when Ye Xiu slowly started accepting hugs as the new norm and even started initiating a few of her own. Things were going incredibly well and Su Mucheng was ecstatic.
(Huang Shaotian, on noticing the new practice, had demanded that Ye Xiu give him a hug too. Su Mucheng, a head shorter than her, had peeked from behind a laughing Ye Xiu and had given him a death glare, promising him pain. Huang Shaotian noticed it, gulped nervously and hastily waved off Ye Xiu's joking offer for a hug. Su Mucheng beamed.
Ye Xiu, having noticed the interaction, turned away, hiding her laugh with a cough.)
One night, feeling particularly bold, Su Mucheng leaned in and pressed a light kiss on Ye Xiu's cheek, after hugging her. Ye Xiu looked at her with unreadable eyes. Su Mucheng held her gaze, smiling calmly, waiting. Ye Xiu skimmed a finger down Su Mucheng's rosy cheek and smirked.
"Good night, Mucheng," she murmured.
And so, gentle kisses on the cheek were added into the new 'norm'. Somedays, Ye Xiu would respond with a forehead kiss of her own. Those days were the ones when Su Mucheng spent too long thinking about Ye Xiu, instead of sleeping. She wondered if Ye Xiu knew what she was doing. She couldn't possibly be that oblivious, could she? And if she wasn't oblivious, if she really noticed what was going on, then, why didn't she put a stop to it?
Su Mucheng couldn't prevent a tiny tendril of hope from sprouting in her heart.
Maybe… Just, maybe…
Just as things were going well for Su Mucheng, everything took a nosedive within Excellent Era.
Su Mucheng could only watch, helpless, as all her efforts at mitigating the disaster proved useless. Excellent Era pushed and pushed and pushed at Ye Xiu, to her last dregs of patience. Su Mucheng knew that one of the reasons why Ye Xiu let things happen as they did was, other than the love and fondness she held for Excellent Era, Su Mucheng herself.
She wanted Ye Xiu to lash out at the fools, the money-minded management. She wanted to tell Ye Xiu that she didn't have to hold back for her sake. But she didn't because of one fear.
Su Mucheng was afraid that if Ye Xiu didn't have Su Mucheng as a reason to stay, then she might leave Excellent Era. She might leave Su Mucheng.
Truth be told, Su Mucheng didn't want to be alone again.
She knew that it was her hidden insecurity talking and that Ye Xiu would never ever abandon her and yet, emotions are illogical in their core and no amount of logic would assuage her fears. (Su Muqiu didn't want to leave Su Mucheng either, but look what happened.)
Su Mucheng took to shuffling into Ye Xiu's rooms at night, unable to sleep in her own bed, a nameless fear making her think that Ye Xiu wouldn't be present in the morning. The first time, Ye Xiu had taken one look at a restless Su Mucheng, a barely-there tremble running through her frame, and had opened the door wider, wordlessly letting her enter. They had played Glory together, for the fun of it, before deciding to sleep.
Not wanting to impose on Ye Xiu too much, Su Mucheng tried to go to her only when she wasn't able to sleep, her head clogged with too many thoughts and regrets and wistful hopes. And even when she did, she rarely stayed over.
Until, one day, Ye Xiu said, "Stay, " in a low voice, not looking up from the monitor. Su Mucheng, halfway to the door, paused in surprise, hesitated and then, turned around to pad over to the bed. She curled up on one side, dozing off while listening to the usual click-clack sounds. She was roused temporarily from her sleep when Ye Xiu climbed into the bed, hushing her unintelligible questioning sounds. Su Mucheng felt a hand curling around her waist and pulling her closer. Lips pressed tenderly on her forehead, lingering. Su Mucheng sleepily nuzzled into the warmth before her. A warm chuckle sounded above her, making her think of sunshine and dark chocolate. A soft and fond whisper of 'Sleep, Mucheng,' followed her into her dreams.
Excellent Era had lost again.
Ye Xiu and Su Mucheng could only do so much when the rest of the team insisted on not cooperating. And yet, Su Mucheng knew that Ye Xiu would be the one blamed for the defeat.
While Ye Xiu was stuck in another long meeting with the management, Su Mucheng got some of their favourite foods and let herself into Ye Xiu's room to wait for her. She looked down at her uniform—she was too tired to go to her room to change into her clothes. She glanced at Ye Xiu's closet and smirked.
When Ye Xiu entered, cigarette smoke clinging to her, a faint furrow in between her eyebrows, she caught sight of Su Mucheng sitting cross-legged on the bed, with the laptop open in front of her, food placed at the side, wearing one of Ye Xiu's oversized tees. Ye Xiu inhaled sharply, her mouth parting open in surprise. Her eyes raked over Su Mucheng—the shadow of her collarbones exposed as the top hung loose, low on one of her shoulders, the arms of the top almost covering her palms.
Su Mucheng looked up from the laptop to see Ye Xiu watching her with darkened eyes and an intense yet unreadable expression. The atmosphere felt tense, as though they were on the brink of something. She swallowed hard before smiling at Ye Xiu. "Change into something comfortable. I have food and some trashy movies that will numb our brains."
Ye Xiu let out a laugh, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. She went to do as she suggested.
Later, under the cover of darkness, Su Mucheng tucked her head into the space between Ye Xiu's neck and shoulder, putting a hand over Ye Xiu's waist. One of Ye Xiu's hands laid below Su Mucheng's head—arm bending around her back, the warmth of Ye Xiu's palm seeping through the clothes, burning a trail along Su Mucheng's shoulder and elbow—while the other rubbed soothing circles on the hand over Ye Xiu's waist.
"Will you leave?" Su Mucheng asked in a whisper. Ye Xiu let out a long exhale but was silent.
"I'm coming with you, if you are," Su Mucheng said, hurriedly. "We can transfer to another team. Blue Rain maybe, or Tiny Herb-"
She stopped when Ye Xiu sighed and pressed a gentle kiss to Su Mucheng's forehead.
"Mucheng," Ye Xiu said, unbearably fond. Su Mucheng swallowed against the lump in her throat.
"It isn't time yet," Ye Xiu said, vaguely. Su Mucheng felt the faint vibration of her voice where she had tucked her face in. "Until then, we'll play as we always have, giving it our best."
Su Mucheng rose up, supporting her weight on an elbow, to look into Ye Xiu's eyes that glinted a dark gold. In the low light of the night lamp, Ye Xiu looked like an immortal, her pale skin glowed, ethereal.
"You will tell me," she said, firm, holding Ye Xiu's dark gaze. "If you're planning anything, you will include me in it. I'm not a kid anymore, Ye Xiu. Don't cut me out."
Ye Xiu was quiet as she looked at Su Mucheng who was still hovering over her. She raised a hand and gently, very gently, with her fingers, traced the collarbone that was left uncovered by the oversized top. Su Mucheng shivered, lips parting without conscious thought. Ye Xiu moved her caresses from the curve of her shoulder to the hollow of her neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps in her wake.
Su Mucheng swallowed harshly, thankful for the low-lit ambience, hoping that Ye Xiu isn't able to see the effect her casual touch has on her. Ye Xiu's fingers paused on her throat, just above her pulse point. Her hand crept to the back of her neck and pressed very lightly. Su Mucheng leaned in just a little closer.
Ye Xiu lifted her head, one hand pressing on the mattress for leverage. Su Mucheng closed her eyes.
A warm, moist kiss was placed on the junction of Su Mucheng's neck and shoulder. The lips lifted for a fraction of a second, a rush of air hitting her oversensitive skin, before it returned to trail a blazing line of heat from the neck, over the collarbone to the end of the shoulder. Su Mucheng trembled.
Ye Xiu pressed a lingering open-mouthed kiss to the base of her throat. Then, she laid back down, pulling Su Mucheng with her. Su Mucheng felt her wobbly elbow collapse as she fell into her previous position.
"My clothes look really good on you, Mucheng," Ye Xiu said, her voice deep and raspy.
Su Mucheng let out a low, miserable whine, as a shiver skated across her spine, and hid her flushed face in Ye Xiu's neck again. Ye Xiu laughed quietly. Su Mucheng, feeling really irritated and, at the same time, as though she was floating above the clouds, turned her head and nipped at Ye Xiu's shoulder.
Ye Xiu hissed in surprise and then laughed, delighted. Su Mucheng joined in, unable to control her mirth.
They slept like that, tangled together. Just before she sank into the welcoming embrace of sleep, Su Mucheng noted, hazily, that Ye Xiu hadn't promised her that she would include Su Mucheng in her plans.
Ye Xiu left Excellent Era. She retired but wouldn't let Su Mucheng retire along with her.
'For the ten years we put in, for our Excellent Era. Stay and play well. I'll be back.'
Su Mucheng was not angry, no. She had passed that ages ago. Right then, however, she was furious. The rage simmered just beneath her skin, ready to boil over and unleash havoc on the people around her who were fawning over Sun Xiang, proclaiming him to be the next Battle God.
Sun Xiang met her eyes from across the room and flinched at the hellfire within. Su Mucheng withheld the sneer that threatened to break free and instead, smiled sweetly and politely.
Sun Xiang blanched but tried to hide it.
Su Mucheng cut her glance to Tao Xuan next. His chuffed smile fell in an instant, a wary look coming over his face, when he saw her. She gave him a long look, relishing in the discomfort he was obviously feeling.
Then, she turned on her heel and left the meeting room.
When Su Mucheng went to see Ye Xiu in the Happy café, Ye Xiu looked free in a way she hadn't been in a long time. Su Mucheng was saddened at the difference that was very much apparent, but was glad that Ye Xiu could smile openly and genuinely, without any venom, hidden or otherwise, directed at her.
Su Mucheng tried to put on a brave face, not wanting Ye Xiu to worry. But when she was leaving, she didn't manage to turn away fast enough, as she felt her cheery expression crumble. Ye Xiu stopped her with a hand on her arm. Su Mucheng looked back at Ye Xiu, grinning sheepishly through tear-filled eyes.
Ye Xiu frowned, one hand coming up to cup Su Mucheng's cheek. Su Mucheng couldn't stop herself from leaning into the touch.
"One year?" Su Mucheng asked, letting out a small, choked laugh. "I can wait."
Ye Xiu continued watching her with concerned eyes. She brushed away the strands of hair that fell over Su Mucheng's forehead and wiped off a tear with her thumb. She smiled then—one part sad, one part wistful and another part so, so proud.
Su Mucheng giggled wetly, and dove in for a hug. Ye Xiu wrapped her arms around Su Mucheng and held her tight.
They stood there, pressed together—Su Mucheng on her tiptoes, tucking her head under Ye Xiu's chin and Ye Xiu with her eyes closed and cheek resting on Su Mucheng's head—just breathing.
The pro players' chat group buzzed continuously with news of Ye Xiu wreaking havoc on the tenth server, once the identity of the infamous Lord Grim was known. Many messages were directed at Su Mucheng, begging her to control her girlfriend.
Su Mucheng grinned, not correcting them.
It will be true soon enough, anyway.
Su Mucheng never hid where her loyalties lay. But, above all, she was a professional player. So, even though she wanted so very much to let the Excellent Era pro players know what exactly she thought of them, she didn't. Even though she wanted to punch Tao Xuan's teeth in, she didn't. She tried to prevent Excellent Era from being relegated—because, even if she wanted to play side by side with Ye Xiu, as soon as possible, she was still a member of Excellent Era and if there's one thing she would never give up on, it was her professional etiquette.
Yet, the relegation happened anyway.
Ye Xiu found her in the ice cream parlour she always frequented when she was upset.
"We'll be facing each other in the playoffs," Su Mucheng said, not lifting her eyes from the ice cream cup in her hand.
"I expect you will give me a hard time," Ye Xiu said, teasing.
Su Mucheng grinned, glancing at her. "When have I not?"
Ye Xiu laughed, eyes crinkling. "Very true. You're a menace."
Su Mucheng wondered what would happen if she just leaned in and caught the other's lips in a kiss that she had been yearning for, for years. She wondered if Ye Xiu would freeze in surprise or if she would melt into it. Maybe Ye Xiu would be expecting it and would turn it into her favour, leaving Su Mucheng gasping and shaking with want. After all, not much could shake Ye Xiu's calm demeanour.
Ye Xiu stole a spoonful of her ice cream.
As Su Mucheng exclaimed in outrage, she thought, no.
Not yet.
After months apart, one in a team which felt foreign and unwelcoming, and another raising a new team, green in experience but having enough passion for Glory to make up for it, Team Excellent Era and Team Happy finally clashed in the finals.
Tao Xuan played his card, pushing Su Mucheng into a corner, putting her career under risk. Xiao Shiqin protested at the act but it was done and nothing could be changed.
Su Mucheng didn't look at anyone when she walked into the booth. She played as she always had. She won.
And when she walked out, after renouncing Excellent Era, she walked past her former team, directly to Team Happy.
To her.
On being folded into Ye Xiu's warm embrace that felt like home, Su Mucheng smiled.
Happy won.
Against overwhelming odds, Team Happy was officially part of the League. Seeing the genuine, unabashed happiness on Ye Xiu's face, her eyes glittering, Su Mucheng felt like her heart was on fire.
Ye Xiu caught her eye and something intangible passed between them—an 'I see you' and an 'I know' wrapped together.
Later, during the celebrations, Su Mucheng tugged at Ye Xiu's sleeve. Without a word, Ye Xiu followed her.
The night was cool but Su Mucheng didn't notice. Her eyes were focused only on the woman in front of her, the one who seemed to be drinking her in with her heavy gaze. Su Mucheng reached for Ye Xiu's hands. Ye Xiu went a step further and laced them together. Su Mucheng smiled, despite herself.
Taking a step forward, she stepped into Ye Xiu's space—close enough to see the bob of her throat when she swallowed, close enough to see how her golden eyes dilated. Su Mucheng tilted her head up, placing one of Ye Xiu's hands on her waist as she placed her own hand on Ye Xiu's shoulder. She raised up on her tiptoes, carefully cataloguing the expressions that flitted on Ye Xiu's face.
That is how she noticed the amusement and the way Ye Xiu's lips curled into a helpless smile. To her credit, Ye Xiu bit her lips in an attempt to control her mirth but it kept breaking free.
Su Mucheng sighed in exasperation.
"Yes, I know, I am short and you are quite tall. No need to gloat."
Ye Xiu snickered.
Su Mucheng glared but her own lips twitched.
"This would go so much easier if you would just bend down. Ever heard of reciprocity?" Su Mucheng said, raising a haughty eyebrow. She stumbled the next moment, unable to maintain her balance on tiptoes for long.
Ye Xiu wrapped both her arms around Su Mucheng to steady her. Su Mucheng hid her face in Ye Xiu's neck and started giggling.
"This is not how I expected the night to go," Su Mucheng said, voice muffled.
Ye Xiu chuckled before nudging her head up. "Mucheng, hey, look at me."
Su Mucheng raised her head, giggles slowly tapering out.
Ye Xiu held her chin between her thumb and forefinger and leaned down to catch her mouth in a deep kiss, tasting the laughter that was still on the tip of her tongue. Su Mucheng felt light-headed as Ye Xiu, literally, stole her breath away.
"How's that for reciprocity?" Ye Xiu asked, laughter threaded through her words, close to Su Mucheng's ear. Before she could respond, Ye Xiu sucked the tip of the earlobe into her mouth, nipping the sensitive skin.
Su Mucheng inhaled sharply, a choked moan filling the air, and ducked in for another kiss in lieu of an answer. She finally got to kiss the woman of her dreams and she wasn't going to spend the time talking. She clutched at Ye Xiu's upper arms, needing the support as the world spun around her, her focus only on Ye Xiu.
When they broke apart for air, Ye Xiu tucked the few strands of hair, which had come loose, behind Su Mucheng's ear. Then, she pressed her lips gently to Su Mucheng's forehead, her eyes and the tip of her nose. Su Mucheng wiggled her nose in response.
Seeing how Ye Xiu was gazing at her, heat and tenderness both combined, Su Mucheng couldn't stop smiling. She knew what that expression meant. It was the same expression that settled on her own face whenever she was with Ye Xiu. She wrapped her arms around Ye Xiu and tucked her head under her chin, hoping for her heart to calm down.
She heard Ye Xiu chuckle fondly and felt her press a kiss on top of her head. A whisper of her name floated through the air.
They were finally together; Su Mucheng was where she was always meant to be and the stars were out and beautiful that night.
Su Mucheng knew, then, that she would never ever forget that perfect day and that euphoric feeling—of being held safely within Ye Xiu's arms, of belonging, of being whole.
Su Mucheng ✓
Friends to lovers, slowburn, spread over 10 years.
Thank you for being mine [heart emoji]
@Ye_Xiu
[First image shows Ye Xiu and Su Mucheng slow-dancing to some music, hands wrapped around each other. They're gazing at each other, with soft smiles and starry-eyed gazes. They are completely absorbed in their own world.
Second image shows Ye Xiu and Su Mucheng standing on the balcony. Su Mucheng has her head turned up just as Ye Xiu is leaning down. They are about to kiss. Su Mucheng has her eyes closed, a small smile on her lips. Ye Xiu is taking in the sight of Su Mucheng before her, her golden eyes bright in the evening sun, her hands laced together behind Su Mucheng, pulling her in.]
…
Han Wenqing ✓: About damn time. There's only so much pining a man can take.
Huang Shaotian ✓: AHHH FINALLY!!! OLD YE OLD YE!!! HOW DARE YOU NOT ALREADY MAKE A MOVE ON MUCHENG??? YOU MADE HER WAIT FOR SO MANY YEARS!!!! I'LL PKPKPKPKPKPK YOU FOR MUCHENG!!!
Chu Yunxiu ✓: Congratulations!!! So, maybe now the movie nights can be for watching movies instead of singing Senior Ye's praises and wondering why she was never interested in you, Mumu? [winking emoji] [laughing emoji]
Su Mucheng ✓: CHU YUNXIU!!!!! NOT IN PUBLIC!!!!
Ye Xiu ✓: This I have to hear. Call me, Little Chu?
Chu Yunxiu ✓: Of course, Senior Ye!! [angel emoji] Sorry, Mumu! [grinning emoji]
Wang Jiexi ✓: As Old Han said, about time. Congratulations! Su Mucheng, please try to mitigate Ye Xiu's chaos.
noticemegodye: YECHENG!!! YECHENG!!! LOOK HOW GODDESS YE IS LOOKING AT GODDESS SU!!! That's true love! #yecheng
allhailthedeception: Captain Han being a good bro! And Huang Shao finding an excuse to pk with Ye Xiu [facepalm while crying emoji] Chu Yunxiu is going to provide all the secret info lmao! Ahh they look so happy together!! #yecheng
gardenmyherbs: looks like wjx has a high opinion on smc lol asking her to reduce the yx effect [laughing emoji] i personally think smc will join yx in causing chaos hehe #yecheng
RIPtenthserver: did y'all not notice the caption!!!???? Goddess Su reads fanfiction!!! Or maybe even writes it??? [side-eye emoji] [giggling emoji] #yecheng #whatablessedday