Gu Liwei stared at the closed bathroom door and laughed. Just like a rabbit, he thought. Sun He was just full of contradictions. He was shy when it comes to everything new but could adapt easily and become more confident and assertive. The last time they talked about Sun He's ex-boyfriend, Gu Liwei thought he was going to shut him down, but Sun He had surprised him by how brave he could be. Now that Gu Liwei was hinting at confessing, Sun He became as shy as the first time they met and he flew towards the bathroom. Sun He fascinated Gu Liwei. Everything about him made Gu Liwei like him more and more. Gu Liwei smiled before heading towards the kitchen to start cooking. He did not think Sun He was going to come out of the bathroom any time soon.
Gu Liwei was right. Sun He was hiding. Sun He looked at himself in the mirror and his face was as red as a tomato. The thuds of his heartbeat made his body tremble. Sun He's eyes were shining. He could barely recognized himself. Sun He stared at his reflection and foolishly smiled. He had never felt that way before. Sun He was happy and scared. He did not dare to think about the reasons being his fears. Nor did he dare explore the reasons why Gu Liwei's casual confession made him so happy. He turned on the faucet and washed his face with cold water. Sun He cursed below his breath hating now more than ever how easily he could blush. He took a couple deep breaths, trying to calm down his rapid heartbeat. I can do this, he thought to himself. Sun He stared at the handle of the bathroom door and remembered Gu Liwei's words. A gleeful laugh escaped from his mouth and he turned back to the bathroom sink. He needed more time.
When Sun He mustered the courage to go back to the kitchen, Gu Liwei was done prepping the ingredients for the first side dish and had already put the rice in the rice cooker. Sun He stood at the doorway watching Gu Liwei. "Do you need any help?" he asked. Gu Liwei turned around and smiled. "No, I should be done in a few." Sun He felt uncomfortable just watching. He walked towards Gu Liwei and started cutting the vegetables that Gu Liwei had put aside. Gu Liwei stopped in his movements, chuckled before he continued to cook. A comfortable silence reigned as they both concentrated on their tasks. Sun He felt peaceful listening to the faint sounds of movements next to him. He heard the oil sizzling and a delicious smell wafted to his nose. Sun He looked towards Gu Liwei. Gu Liwei's attention was on the pan in front of him, giving Sun He the opportunity to admire his concentrated look. Gu Liwei's eyebrows were slightly frowned and the constant smile that was on his face had disappeared. His long hair was tied into a bun, the ends resting on his shoulders. The dark blue shirt he was wearing highlighted his pale golden skin. Gu Liwei had pulled the sleeves of his shirt up, demonstrating his muscled arms. Sun He felt a warm tingling in his stomach and his cheeks reddened. He inhaled quietly, his eyes transfixed on the beautiful sight in front of him.
Gu Liwei's lips widened into a smile feeling Sun He's scorching eyes on him. He turned his head and his eyes met Sun He's. Sun He's eyes widened and a blush coated his cheeks at the heat in Gu Liwei's eyes. He suddenly felt parched. Sun He hurriedly straightened up and turned around murmuring something about setting the table up. Gu Liwei let out a small laugh staring at Sun He's retreating back. He really was enjoying himself.
Gu Liwei and Sun He made small talk while they were eating. Sun He was less nervous and they both fell back in their usual routine: talking about everything and nothing. Sun He complimented Gu Liwei on his cooking. Gu Liwei had told him that he often cooked and Sun He himself liked cooking as well, but Sun He never imagined that Gu Liwei's cooking would be so good.
Gu Liwei consciously did not bring up any conversation about Sun He's night out. He also did not think it wise to mention his talk with Cao Zhiqiang. He wanted Sun He to trust him enough to open up to him. He wanted Sun He to accept him into his world, slowly but surely. After they were both done, Gu Liwei washed the dishes and Sun He dried them before putting them away. They worked alongside each other harmoniously and tacitly, as if they had been together for a long time.
Sun He looked at the time and wondered if it would be too forthcoming if he asked Gu Liwei to stay to watch a movie. Would Gu Liwei think he meant something more? Would he stay the night? Sun He blushed at his thoughts and played with his fingers. He bit his lips and looked towards Gu Liwei. Gu Liwei was drying the counter when a quiet voice made him stop. "Do you want to watch a movie?" Gu Liwei acquiesced happily. He would never say no to more time with Sun He.
Gu Liwei and Sun He settled on watching a romantic comedy. Sun He turned off the lights then joined Gu Liwei on the sofa. Even though he sat at the end of the sofa, Sun He could feel Gu Liwei's warmth radiating off of him. If he moved a few more inches, he would be able to touch Gu Liwei's legs. Sun He drew his legs to his chest trying to concentrate on the TV in front of him rather than the handsome specimen next to him, who was exuding male pheromones. However, no matter how much he tried to, Sun He could not take his attention away from Gu Liwei. Sun He was becoming more nervous as the time went by. When the actors on the screen kissed for the first time, Sun He could not help fidgeting.
Gu Liwei looked towards the nervous man next to him and sighed. He reached for the remote on the side table and stopped the movie. Sun He looked towards him confused. Sun He's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Gu Liwei moving closer entrapping him against the sofa with his hand on the arm of the sofa. Gu Liwei did not give Sun He any space to run away. He looked down at Sun He's pouty lips and his eyes darkened. "Sun He" He started, his voice low and deep. "I like you." Sun He could feel his heart thumping in his chest. Gu Liwei had said that he liked him earlier, however this "I like you" somehow felt different. Sun He was not sure if it was the darkness surrounding them, creating an ambiguous atmosphere, or if it was the frozen pictures of the actors entangled in a kiss, but Gu Liwei's confession felt more solemn. Sun He knew he could not escape even if he wanted to. He had to answer Gu Liwei.
Gu Liwei stared at Sun He's trembling eyelashes, awaiting Sun He's answer. Sun He was quiet for a long time. Gu Liwei's heart sank in his stomach. He wondered if it was too soon to confess. If he was pushing Sun He too far. Gu Liwei sighed and tried to retreat thinking to himself that he should be more patient. Sun He grabbed his retreating arm and stopped him. Gu Liwei could feel him trembling and inhaled sharply, nervous that Sun He's next words would not be what he would like them to be. Sun He looked at Gu Liwei and took a deep breath trying to lessen his nervousness. He licked his lips and four quiet words spilled out of him. "I like you too."
Gu Liwei was ecstatic. He stared at Sun He's firm eyes and he felt sweet. He knew it probably took Sun He a lot of courage to utter those words to him. Gu Liwei's expression softened. "Thank you, Sun He. Thank you for willing to give me a chance." He said caressing Sun He's cheek. Sun He blushed even harder but did not look away. Gu Liwei approached him and his eyes fell on Sun He's lips making his intentions clear. Sun He licked his lips in nervousness and his neck shrunk when he saw Gu Liwei's eyes darkening. His heart was thumping in expectation. He wanted this, he thought to himself. He wanted him. Sun He straightened leaning in Gu Liwei's direction. A sigh escaped both Gu Liwei and Sun He when their lips touched. Sparks flew; Gu Liwei's lips were soft and warm.
Sun He felt Gu Liwei lifting his chin and bringing him closer to him. A wet and warm object probed his lips begging for entrance. Sun He parted his lips allowing Gu Liwei to deepen their kiss. A moan escaped his lips when Gu Liwei's tongue touched his. Sun He could smell the woody, slightly minty scent oozing out of Gu Liwei's body. Gu Liwei's smell reminded him of cold pine.
Sun He felt dizzy, butterflies dancing in his stomach. He did not know how it happened but he found himself lying on the sofa underneath Gu Liwei's body. Their tongues entangled and seemed inseparable. Sun He did not know where he started and where Gu Liwei ended. He could not breathe but did not dare stop indulging. Indulging in Gu Liwei's warmth. Indulging in their gentle dance.
Gu Liwei lifted his head looking down at the man below him whose breathing was as fast as his own was. He stared at those reddish lips and could not help and take another bite. He could feel the thuds of Sun He's heartbeat against his. The softness of his lips against his. The warmth blossoming in his chest. He could stay like this forever.