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“Remind me again why did I let you talk me into this?”
“Because you love me and I’m your absolute favorite?”
The glare Hei Xiazi received for his attempt was met with such a deadpan glare that he felt a cold shiver go down his spine.
“Because I love you and you are my absolute favorite?”
Liu Sang’s eyes narrowed a fraction further and he crossed his arms.
Hei Xiazi’s smile faltered.
“Now that is a lie and I don’t even need to rely on my hearing to be able to tell.”
“I’m sorry?”
Liu Sang let out a heavy sigh. “Let’s just get this done and over with.”
“Got it. You are really saving my hide, you know? I’d have had a hard time coming in here without you.”
“Only because your partners are not available and Xie-ye was busy.”
Hei Xiazi sighed. Nothing escaped Liu Sang’s notice. Well almost nothing.
“Given that it’s very people-y here I would normally not ask you to be my companion. I know this kind of place is not exactly where you can relax and thrive.”
The odd side eye Liu Sang gave Hei Xiazi was part of what the younger man didn’t seemed to understand.
That Hei Xiazi – and Yaba, Wu Xie and Pangzi – all cared for him. And not just as a friend.
But the barrier Liu Sang carried around his heart was carefully erected over many years, growing with each time that he was betrayed or otherwise hurt.
Hei Xiazi supposed he could consider himself lucky that among the four of them Liu Sang seemed to be the most relaxed around him thought he had grown closer to the Iron Triangle as well. Enough to lower his shields and let them in. At least little by little.
Refusing to even consider living him behind in Thunder city had probably helped drill home the fact that they’d never intentionally turn their back on him.
“After this let’s go back to Yucun and relax. Take a looong bath and have Pangzi whip up a delicious meal.” Hei Xiazi grinned wide.
His words actually made Liu Sang’s pitched expression ease up a little and the tiniest of smiles appear on his face. “I hope you mean something else than pork and fried green pepper rice.”
“Hey!” Hei Xiazi protested automatically and slightly breathless. He’d gotten Liu Sang to smile!
“There is nothing wrong with that!” he pouted and felt victorious when that made the other huff a laugh.
“Thought I suppose it can’t be everyone’s favorite or there won’t be any left for me.”
Liu Sang was about to respond when he suddenly stiffened.
Concerned Hei Xiazi was about to ask what was going on when the deep sound of a gong being struck resounded and had Liu Sang first flinch then take a deep breath.
“Alright. It begins. Let’s get the show on.” the young man muttered quietly as he straightened his spine to stand at full height while he removed his pair of glasses and put on the provided mask they had gotten at the entrance.
Hei Xiazi had already made modifications to his own and had been wearing it ever since.
The masks weren’t anything special and hardly covered more than the upper half of one’s face. It wouldn’t be enough to hide one’s identity if one was well-known thought perhaps in the mass of people it was enough to be considered incognito.
For the most part it was likely just another attempt to make everything seem more fancy and exclusive.
As they headed for the balcony that allowed a perfect view of the stage below and thus the items about to auctioned off Xiazi leaned in to whisper to Liu Sang more out of habit than the other actually needing him to.
“I’m going to put my arm around your middle in a moment, kay?”
Liu Sang gave a barely there nod.
Permission granted Xiazi did as told and felt Liu Sang tense under his light touch before he eased up again as Xiazi rested his hand on Liu Sang’s hip.
It was Xiazi who nearly jumped out of his skin when the younger man actually lightly leaned into him.
Hei Xiazi had to swallow and needed a moment to focus back on the present.
Dragging his gaze from the handsome man by his side he swept his eyes over the crowd and then lead the way away from the middle and more to the side of the balcony.
“You good?”
Liu Sang exhaled slowly and then tapped Xiazi’s wrist twice to signal that “yes”, he was alright.
They stayed in comfortable silence then, just watching the proceedings from their spot.
The temptation to wrap his arms from behind Liu Sang and hold him close was tempting but while they did want to be seen as a couple – because that was one of the rules of attendance: pairs only – anything more than they were doing would not only push Liu Sang’s boundaries but also potentially get them kicked out.
And they couldn’t risk that. Not yet anyway.
Liu Sang shifted against him then and Hei Xiazi automatically adapted and ended up putting his arm around his shoulders instead. He only just barely refrained form putting his weight onto the other like he liked to do.
“Target has just left his office. Both guards are leaving with him.”
Instantly Hei Xiazi understood.
It was now or never.
This time he did jump in surprise when Liu Sang suddenly bent over, holding onto his stomach. Even thought this too had been part of the plan he couldn’t help but worry for real as he pulled Liu Sang away from the railing and the people to seek a quieter corner.
“They just passed by.”
Liu Sang’s quiet murmur made a weight fall off Xiazi’s shoulders.
“You almost had me there.” he quietly returned and didn’t miss the snickering that got him.
“Worrywart. I told you I’m good.”
“I know you are.” Hei Xiazi didn’t miss a beat.
Normally that would have gotten him a bony elbow into the side.
As they were still in public however and Liu Sang was too much of a professional to risk their cover Hei Xiazi was safe.
“Here. Take a seat. Will you be fine while I’ll get you some water?”
This too was but pre-text for Hei Xiazi to have an excuse to leave and for Liu Sang to stand guard.
Liu Sang gave him a nod and waved his hand in a dismissive motion that onlookers would understand as ‘go ahead’ but actually meant ‘get your ass moving already’ in Liu Sang speech.
Hei Xiazi hurried off and then slipped away on the staircase to hide behind a curtain and carefully open a window and slip out into the night.
The air was cool and refreshing as it hit him and he carefully made his way around along the ledge.
The host’s office was only a bit further of where he had left Liu Sang and breaking in was but a matter of daredevil courage and a knack for opening things supposed to be locked.
And perhaps the one or other tool making things easier for him.
He was shifting through some documents and taking pictures with is mobile phone when heard some sort of commotion outside.
Was the boss already back?! Hei Xiazi had barely had had a few minutes! He wasn’t done yet! And most importantly he hadn’t had the file he needed the most yet!
Rushing to put things back in order while at the same time searching for his true goal he hoped that Liu Sang would be fine holding them up.
Words were being exchanged and Hei Xiazi had to strain his hearing to catch Liu Sang’s quiet, hoarse sounding voice.
“Please. I’m not feeling well. My partner will be back any moment and then I’ll be go-”
Hei Xiazi found himself bristling at the sound of gagging and gritted his teeth as he heard the various reactions to Liu Sang’s act.
At least he hoped it was an act.
Finally striking gold Xiazi hurried to snap pics of the important pages and then shuffled them back together.
He was out the window and back at the staircase within a few moments and retrieved the bottle of water he’d stashed behind the curtain earlier before breaking into a sprint as he rushed up the remaining steps.
A small crowd had gathered around Liu Sang while many others looked on from their spots a safe distance away.
“Entschuldigen Sie bitte!” Hei Xiazi threw out in his hardest German accent as he marched on with determination.
People stepped aside and cleared a path for him – not because they had understood a word – but because of the language sounding crude and aggressive to those not familiar with it.
“My dear?” he switched to English as he dropped to one knee right in front of Liu Sang.
“I think… I ate something bad…”
Hei Xiazi’s jaw almost dropped. He had never heard Liu Sang actually speak anything but Chinese.
A tap against his knee had him back into the game.
“You got food poisoned?!” Hei Xiazi cried out in their mother tongue and then promptly put the bottle of water aside with more force than needed.
“That’s it! I’ve had enough! We are leaving!” he stated before swooping his partner in crime into his arms and raising to his feet.
The people around them had started to whisper to each other but he made a show of ignoring them all and heading for the exit.
No one made an attempt to stop them for which Hei Xiazi was grateful.
It wasn’t until his rental car had been brought around and they were leaving the mansion behind them that Hei Xiazi was able to relax.
“That was a close one. Your acting was fantastic! And I didn’t knew speak English! Are you fluent in other languages too?!” he happily babbled.
Liu Sang made an odd sound in his throat and when Xiazi glanced over he noticed the sweat on Liu Sang’s pale face.
“Shit.” he hissed and quickly threw on the blinker before directing the car to the side of the road.
“You weren’t acting, where you?”
“Shut up.”
Liu Sang’s eyes were tiny slits and he was now covering his mouth with a hand while his other frantically fumbled for something under his suit.
Hei Xiazi batted Liu Sang’s hand away to take over.
The moment his fingers brushed over a familiar device he froze for a split-second before beating himself over the head in his mind.
He was such a blind idiot!
How could he not notice the lack of cables?! Liu Sang had removed his earplugs and thus his only protection against the noise!
No wonder he looked the way he did.
Liu Sang started trembling as he worked the little black nubs into his ears. Small, fine tremors at first but quickly growing noticeable in intensity even as the hearing specialist tucked his hands under his armpits.
“Keep driving.” he ordered snappish while closing his eyes again and leaning back despite clearly wanting to curl up. “We have a flight to catch.”
“Are… Can you handle the drive? I can-”
“Drive.”
Hei Xiazi hesitated long enough that Liu Sang cracked an eye open to glare at him.
“Do you really want to risk getting caught?”
Unhappy Xiazi pressed his lips into a thin line before complying by starting up the engine again.
Unfortunately Liu Sang was right. There hadn’t been enough time to put everything back in order and if the guy noticed they would naturally be the top suspects.
Especially once he realized that the potential German business partner that he had been sucking up to for months was actually taking a cruising the Mediterranean with his latest girlfriend.
A car switch and change of clothing later they finally made it to the airport where Liu Sang was holding onto Hei Xiazi’s arm in an iron grip.
For both physical and mental support.
They were among the first ones on the plane thanks to some strings Xiazi had pulled ahead of their little ‘heist’.
“Is there anything that can help you?” Xiazi asked while gently rubbing circles over Liu Sang’s back.
His poor friend was already bent forward and held onto a brown paper bag just in case.
“Sleeping pills. But I’m not taking them.” the youth huffed out.
“Why not?”
“… I don’t like it.”
Xiazi contemplated that while seeking eye contact with the stewardess that had shown concern during their check-in. The pretty lady immediately understood what he wanted when he gestured towards the snack trolley and brought over a bottle of cooled water.
“Alright, I got something cool for your neck.” he informed Liu Sang before carefully sliding the container under the short ponytail onto his slender nape.
Despite the warning Liu Sang gasped at the contrast in temperatures and shuddered once, taking some of the tension in his body with it.
“Does that help?”
“Yes.”
Despite the short flight they experienced turbulence shortly after take-off and with Liu Sang looking sicker by the moment Hei Xiazi brought up the sleeping pills up again.
“I know you don’t like being unaware and not in control of what is going on but I got you. I swear I’ll look after you and protect you.”
Liu Sang glanced at Xiazi from beneath his long lashes.
Another lurch had Liu Sang grab at the seat in front of him with one hand.
“Okay.” he agreed hoarsely. “I’ll hold you to that. And no funny business! I better not wake up with doodles on my face!”
“… Of course not. I wouldn’t abuse your trust like that.” Xiazi quietly answered and meant every word of it.
Liu Sang was out like a candle shortly after taking a look and picking one of the brands available and giving Xiazi a heads up that he might be quite out of it upon waking up and needing help walking.
Hei Xiazi however had no intention of waking Liu Sang up at all.
Deciding that the other needed the rest after pushing his limits like that again when Liu Sang didn’t wake up by the time they had landed he simply carried him out of the plane into his arms again.
Pangzi was intercepting him as he looked for a free taxi.
One look at Liu Sang was all it took before the man grabbed Xiazi by the elbow and lead him to a familiar van.
“I didn’t knew you were back already. How was the trip? Anyone injured? How mean of Yaba and Wu Xie to send you all alone this long road away from home to pick us up.”
“Didn’t knew either.” Pangzi grunted as they worked to carefully shift their long limbed noodle boy into the back of the car and comfortably arranging and securing him there.
“Didn’t see your message in time to postpone the trip, sorry. We got back a few hours ago and I sent the other two ahead to get everything ready while I napped in the Jinbei until it was time to pick you up. Wouldn’t want to subject Sangsang to the bus drivers perfect pothole seeking skills when he can have the comfort of this baby and his Pang-ye’s driving.”
“Sounds reasonably.” Xiazi chuckled and smiled even wider when Pangzi – with Liu Sang taken care of for the time being – leaned in for a hug.
The perfectly tight squeeze made Xiazi feel warm and seemed to squeeze the remaining tension right out of him.
“You can lean back and try to nap as well. I got it all from here.” Pangzi told him after Xiazi had buckled in as well. “Next stop: Yucun. Cozy Cottage of Retirement. With breaks.”
Snickering Hei Xiazi did as told.
While he didn’t fall asleep he did rest with his eyes closed for part of the way, enjoying how Pangzi hummed along some melody that Xiazi failed to recognize. Perhaps it was also made up.
It was not very loud – out of consideration to Liu Sang mostly – but was very soothing. Almost like a lullaby.
Before the temptation of falling asleep could become too much after all they already arrived at their destination.
Xiazi blinked behind his pair of shades and wondered if he hadn’t dozed off after all. The trip didn’t feel as long as it should have. Or perhaps it was simply the good company that made time fly by.
Liu Sang didn’t stir when they carefully extracted him from the car, nor when Wu Xie couldn’t contain the gasp of surprise when he spotted the young man in Xiazi’s arms as he opened the door to greet them.
Xiaoge blinked once at the two of them before heading up the stairs ahead of Xiazi and his precious bundle.
The other was just preparing the bed in Liu Sang’s room when Xiazi entered and made his way over.
Together the two of them slowly lowered Liu Sang onto the soft surface.
It was then that they youth stirred and cracked his bleary eyes open into tiny slits.
“...Zi?”
Xiazi’s heart jumped in surprise and he swallowed as he wondered if he had just gotten a nickname or if he had just not heard the first part of his name.
“We are home. With Yaba, Pangzia and Wu Xie.” he managed instead
Liu Sang made a sound of acknowledgment as he let his eyes fall shut again.
“Hey? Is it okay if we switch you into something more comfy?”
“...Mmmhm. ‘s okay...”
Hei Xiazi threw a helpless look towards his oldest partner. Could they really consider this consent as consent given the circumstances?
Yaba was no help however as the tiny soft smile made him look so enamored and smitten that he didn’t even notice Xiazi’s look.
Or – given by the slight twitch of his corners – he was intentionally trolling poor Xiazi. Again.
“Liu Sang.” Xiaoge gently coaxed.
At first there was no response but just as the man was about to call out again Liu Sang quickly shook his head as if snapping himself out of a daze – or jerking himself away from falling asleep – and snapped his eyes open.
A moment later the dark orbs locked onto his Ouxiang.
Who didn’t keep the tiny smile from his lips which colored Liu Sang’s cheeks slightly darker and made his mouth fall just ever so slightly open.
“Can we wash you down with a cloth too?”
Liu Sang had the perfect expression of a deer caught in the headlights and clearly struggled to get enough brain cells awake enough to formulate an answer.
“Underwear stays on.”
The words were blurted out quietly but with a firmness that made it sound more like an unquestionable order.
Both Xiazi and Xiaoge ended up nodding regardless. They hadn’t had the intention to strip Liu Sang all the way.
They knew without needing to talk about it that that was a barrier that they were not to cross yet. If ever. Emergencies and group spa and baths aside.
Apparently their reactions were enough for Liu Sang to accept them with a nod.
It was a very clear show of trust when he let his eyes fall shut again and visibly relaxed to sink into the mattress and pillow beneath him.
It was not the first time any of them had to help Liu Sang out of his clothes for a number of reasons.
Yet it was the first time they could do so without any sort of urgency.
There was no injury or other health issue that forced their hands to work quickly and as such they could allow themselves to be carefully and gentle.
Careful to not disturb Liu Sang’s slumber as they worked together like a well-oiled machine.
By the time Xiazi tucked Liu Sang in – now clean and in comfy clothing provided by Pangzi – Wu Xie had stood in the door for quite a while, watching them without saying a word.
Xiaoge carried the dirty clothes with him as he left the room with Xiazi quietly following behind.
He didn’t get to close the door behind himself because Wu Xie was faster for once.
Xiazi broke into a wide grin when Wu Xie looked up at him expectantly and didn’t need to be asked to bend down so they could kiss.
Xiaoge watched them from the side with twinkling eyes, then just nodded towards the clothes and went back downstairs.
“Everything went well?” Wu Xie asked as he slowly followed after Xiaoge.
“I got what I went there for.”
“But?”
“Liu Sang got sick.”
Wu Xie’s head snapped over with a sharp gaze but Xiazi cut him off before he could ask any questions. “I think he intentionally exposed himself to the noise to become sick for real. To buy me some more time and reinforce our cover story.”
A long suffering and fond sigh slipped from Wu Xie. “That sounds exactly like something Liu Sang would think of and do. Luckily we got Pangzi. I’m sure he can whip something up that will take it easy on Liu Sang’s stomach.”
“Of course I can!” Pangzi called over from the kitchen, mock offended that his cooking skills seemed to be in doubt. “I am already working on it. That said, get your butts over here – on the table, Wu Xie, not in my actual kitchen!”
The man waved the knife in his hand in silent threats at his Tianzhen who chuckled softly and took his usual seat with Xiazi slipping into the one next to him because he could.
Pangzi rolled his eyes at his antics but didn’t point out that that was Yaba’s seat he was occupying. It was an age old thing between him and Yaba, one that had taken a bit of time for Pangzi and Wu Xie to get used to it and they now would occasionally tease either of them about.
Like that one time Yaba had ‘borrowed’ Xiazi’s leather jacket and a pair of shades.
There was one picture of proof that Xiaoge hadn’t been fast enough to intercept that existed only between the three of them. Perhaps it would one day also end up in Liu Sang’s extensive picture collection of his Ouxiang.
Xiazi beamed at Pangzi when a divine scent hit his nose followed by a plate of his favorite food in the world being placed in front of him. “Dig in.”
“You don’t need to tell me twice! Kiss?”
Pangzi grinned and leaned in for a quick peek and then Xiazi was in taste buds heaven.
It might be a trick of his mind but Xiazi felt that each time Pangzi cooked this dish for him he somehow managed to make it taste a little bit better.
It filled him with warmth from the inside out that would stay with him for a long time.
“Bed now?” Wu Xie suggested after watching him with his chin propped up on his hand.
“Sounds good to me.” Xiazi nodded and glanced at both Pangzi and Xiaoge. “You two guys coming as well?”
“You know me. I can rarely say no to a good night’s sleep with my favorite people. Unless…” Pangzi started before trailing off, tiling his head in an unspoken question.
“Oh, no, no, no. Just sleeping.” Wu Xie instantly waved his hands before promptly yawning heartily. “I think we can all do with a rest.”
“Xiaoge?”
The man blinked slowly. Considering. Then shook his head. “Not bed.”
“Will you join us anyway?” Xiazi asked reaching out in invitation and letting his hand hover in the air.
Xiaoge nodded while glancing at the hand then placed his own into it.
Xiazi grinned and pulled Yaba close to wrap his arm around his shoulders then pulled Wu Xie in a headlock while wiggling his free hand from around Xiaoge at Pangzi.
The man only laughed and shook his head before shooing them out of his kitchen.
They all did their best to be quiet when they went up into the master bedroom and got changed.
Pangzi was shuffled into the middle while Wu Xie and Xiazi went to flank him on each side, each getting to lean their head onto Pangzi’s chest.
Xiaoge turned off the lights then went to Xiazi’s side and slowly reached out to remove the glasses.
Xiazi watched him and kept still so as to avoid sending the wrong sort of signals.
He was rewarded with the exclusive view of Xiaoge move smooth like a panther through the night until he slid into the armchair on Wu Xie’s side.
Pulling his long legs up Xiaoge practically was hugging them to his chest before pulling the blanket around his slim figure that was there for the same reason as the armchair.
This was Xiaoge’s place when he wanted to be close to them without being actually physically close.
It was also his preferred place to be the first night after expeditions. Just to make certain that they were all back home and fine without anyone having trailed after them.
Xiazi nodded to him in the darkness and got a nod back.
“Go to sleep already! ALL of you. I can practically HEAR you thinking!” Pangzi grumbled and demanded.
“Yes, sir! Will do, oh great Pang-ye!”
“You better. Or no more fried pork rice with green peppers for you!”
It was an empty threat and they both knew it – unless Xiazi were to somehow really piss the man off and perhaps not even then. Still Xiazi started wailing as he usually did but was cut off when a pillow hit him in the face.
“Yaba! You bully!”
“Sleep.” the traitor told him.
Xiazi had half a mind to throw the pillow back when he realized it smelled after the other man and instead tucked it under his own head. That was another special little way of Xiaoge’s to show he cared.
There was no need for a thank you. Xiazi understood and so did Xiaoge. Besides they were long beyond the point where such words were needed.
When Liu Sang regained consciousness he immediately realized where he was.
The cozy warmth around him and the just perfectly soft but not too soft mattress beneath him and most of all the familiar scents only allowed one conclusion.
He’d been brought ‘home’.
His mind provided him with fuzzy images of Xiazi asking a question and him agreeing because he’d felt safe and then there had been gentle hands on him.
Hands that were careful with him as if he was something precious. That had freed him of stiff and wrinkled clothes that were more like constraints, had cleaned him up and then put him in his special soft clothes with a silky texture that he preferred for sleeping.
All in all: Liu Sang felt good waking up.
With one exception.
Reaching up he instantly grimaced when he touched the top of his head.
It appeared he was due for a hair wash.
Slowly he opened his eyes and sighed.
This was one of the things that he disliked about this place they had carved out just for him in their retirement haven.
It made him want to be lazy and everything that took even a little effort feel like a chore.
Rolling his eyes at himself Liu Sang wiggled his way out from underneath the weighted blanket and swung his legs over the edge.
His feet sunk into the soft carpet and in the dim light he easily made out the shape of slippers placed within easy reach for him.
Yawning he stretched before getting up, slipping into the house shoes provided for him and slowly made his way over to the bathroom.
By the time Liu Sang was done with his hair routine and had changed into a set of clothes for lounging around the house he was also aware of where the others were and followed the scent of food towards Pangzi into the kitchen.
It was congee. With a sort of sweet note that Liu Sang couldn’t put his finger on.
The smell was stirring his stomach however and not in a bad way.
He deliberated for a moment whether to simply call out and jump scare Pangzi out of his intense focus or not but ended up deciding against it.
After all it was easy to tell that Pangzi was making this one especially for him.
Deliberately stepping on the squeaky floor board that Xiaoge liked to use to announce his presence Liu Sang suppressed a smirk as Pangzi immediately glanced up.
The way the older man’s eyes widened and his face lit up a moment later as he broke into a smile caught Liu Sang unexpected.
“Sangsang! Feeling better? I made you something! Come over here and take a seat! I just finished touching it up! Come here, come here!”
Liu Sang was ushered into his seat and served a bowl along with a spoon within a few moments. As he carefully blew onto the steaming portion he noticed that he still felt the warmth of Pangzi’s hand and arm along his back and shoulder.
Odd. But not bad.
As he took the first careful mouthful he could practically feel Pangzi’s intense gaze on him.
Just then his taste buds appeared to wake up and Liu Sang found himself blinking in surprise.
It was kind of refreshing. Plums perhaps? He was bad at guessing what Pangzi’s secret ingredients might be because they tended to be subtle.
This too was flavorful without being overwhelming. It indeed settled his stomach further and made him hungry for more.
“It’s good.” he allowed before he stuffed his mouth again and pretended to ignore Pangzi’s little celebratory dance he did before skipping – SKIPPING – back over to the stove to work on whatever other dishes he was cooking up for everyone else.
Liu Sang focused his senses on his own bowl to avoid his body potentially reacting unwell.
The other inhabitants stirred from their slumbers one after another and each lit up on seeing Liu Sang up and eating.
Even Wu Xie had a strangely dreamy smile on despite being still half-asleep and had to be guided to the table like a little child by the hand. Courtesy of Xiaoge of course.
Xiazi squeezed Liu Sang’s shoulder as he passed him before working on the coffee machine to give Wu Xie his necessary brown brew.
Liu Sang slowly worked his way through a second bowl while the others had breakfast and chatted. Despite keeping mostly to himself he didn’t feel excluded from the group.
Occasionally his input was asked but mostly they left it up to him whether he wanted to get further involved or not which was nice.
It was the same courtesy they gave Xiaoge who was mostly focused on inhaling his food. At a deliberate slower pace.
It was hard to break out of who knows how long years of training and habit but Xiaoge was trying. To take the time to appreciate and enjoy the food when there was time to do so.
Liu Sang understood. A lot better than he wanted at times.
The urge to grab whatever food you could get your hands on before it was taken from you and gone…
Liu Sang cut his trail of thought off and glanced around.
Wu Xie and Pangzi were involved in one of their food quarrels fighting with their chopsticks about the very same piece of food with Xiazi edging them on from the side while putting an arm on the back of Liu Sang’s chair and leaning in to loudly mock-whisper something that put further oil into the fire.
Predictably Xiaoge swept in at one point and stole the piece away.
Liu Sang expected the other man to stuff it into his own mouth under the outcries of protest from the other members of the Iron Triangle but instead the man turned towards him and held the piece out in offering.
It was a simple piece of chicken breast. Nothing special that made it worth fighting over.
Predicting that it would be fine but mostly to join in on the fun Liu Sang opened his mouth to accept the piece.
For a moment it was silent and Liu Sang paused mid-chew wondering if he’d broken some sort of taboo and was meant to decline.
Then things progressed as he had expected them to with Wu Xie and Pangzi crying Xiaoge’s name in protest first then pouting on Liu Sang who merely rolled his eyes and made a show of swallowing it before leaning back satisfied.
He’d forgotten Xiazi’s arm was right there and was reminded of how close the other man was when this one chuckled warmly at Liu Sang’s reaction.
The sound automatically had Liu Sang till his head just so to catch even the last of the deep rumbles and vibrations.
When everyone was done and the kitchen cleaned up the four of them appeared to have decided at one point that they were going to have ‘spa time’. All five of them.
Liu Sang enjoyed the hot bath and didn’t exactly put up a fight when Wu Xie took him by the wrist while Pangzi and Xiazi ‘pushed’ from behind.
He was certain that if he had firmly told them ‘No’ they would have left him be.
“I sure hope you don’t intend to go in to soak with your hair like this.” Liu Sang threw at Xiazi when they were in the washing area.
Xiazi tilled his head in question and reached up before the corners of his lips dropped.
A suspicion crossed Liu Sang’s mind. “Don’t tell me… you didn’t even wash out the styling wax from yesterday?!”
The guilty sheepish expression told Liu Sang everything he needed.
“Liu Saaaaaaaaaang.” Xiazi whined. Likely in response to Liu Sang’s expression of disgust. “Help me do my hair? Yours always looks so nice.”
The request along with the comment about his own hair surprised Liu Sang but he allowed the other to ‘convince’ him into this task with but another huff.
“Get your ass over here.” he grumbled and set to work.
It was a good thing Liu Sang kept a second set of his toiletry items in his basket with a fresh set of clothes for emergencies in there.
It wasn’t that much of a work really to clean Xiazi’s hair up even if there were times that Liu Sang wanted to beat the older man up. Like for not holding still or groaning over the top when Liu Sang pressed his fingers in his skull and moaning how good Liu Sang was to him.
Of course this was Xiazi sitting between his legs and that man could never do things normally.
“There. Done.” Liu Sang finally announced only to have Pangzi jump up and rush over.
“Me next! Me next!”
Before Liu Sang could tell him off the two had switched spots and he only shook his head before getting to the task even thought there was not really a need to. Pangzi’s hair was after all well looked after. Threads of white and silver shimmered among the black curls inviting Liu Sang to play and wrap them around his fingers but he resisted.
As Liu sang finished up Pangzi and threw a towel over the other man’s head he accidentally glanced over at the others.
A dramatic eye roll later he patted the now deserted stool. “Get over here already before I changed my mind.”
He could literally see dog ears perking up on Wu Xie’s head and an imaginary tail waggling as the man dropped his longing puppy eyes and almost slipped in a hurry to do as asked.
Wu Xie’s hair was coarse and dry needing some extra care but it wasn’t entirely beyond hope.
It slid silkily between Liu Sang’s fingers even in a wet state by the time he was satisfied.
Wu Xie had only just stood up when Xiaoge slid into the vacant seat and slowly tilled his head back blinking at Liu Sang upside down.
Taken aback Liu Sang starred back before huffing fondly and shaking his head.
Spoiled lot. ALL of them.
He needed another moment to actually brush a hand through Xiaoge’s hair to take in it’s texture. Xiaoge’s eyes fluttered shut in a show of trust that had Liu Sang’s heart skip with… feelings he decided to firmly lock behind a door in his mind to perhaps take a look at at a later time.
“Done.” Liu Sang announced quietly a while later. He felt kind of odd with how Xiaoge had leaned into the touch and almost rubbed against his hands like a cat a few times.
Xiaoge who carefully decided who he would touch and who was allowed to touch him, who held his affections very close to his heart did usually not lower his walls this far around anyone that wasn’t Wu Xie, Pangzi or Xiazi. Liu Sang felt very honored to be allowed this much.
A hand with noticeable longer index and middle finger was in Liu Sang’s vision.
Liu Sang trailed the hand up along the arm until he met Xiaoge’s dark eyes.
He didn’t really need help getting up.
But that wasn’t what Xiaoge was thinking or offering to begin with.
Liu Sang swallowed as he placed his own hand into Xiaoge’s and watched the fingers close around his.
Xiaoge kept holding onto Liu Sang’s hand even after Liu Sang had gotten to his feet.
All the way over to the bath tub where the others had been suspiciously quiet and watching them.
The hand was still there after Liu Sang had safely gotten into the water.
It was still wrapped around his when Xiaoge slid in to sit next to him and didn’t let go even after.
Wu Xie and Pangzi smile oddly soft at the two of them, perhaps silently congratulating Liu Sang for finally getting so close to the man he’d admired for a long time.
On Liu Sang’s other side Xiazi slid closer and threw his arm out to rest along the back behind Liu Sang.
Since the other had put it there Liu Sang felt only fair to make use of it since it was in his space and leaned back to use it as headrest and closed his eyes.
He was home.