Lian's eyes snapped back t Bai Ye, and he turned to him, his voice barely higher than a whisper. "Bai Ye..."
Bai Ye's gaze met Lian's, his eyes calm and inquiring. "Yes, Lian?"
Lian's face scrunched up, his eyes narrowing. "Do you...do you fancy Mochen?"
Bai Ye's expression froze, his eyes widening in confusion. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken questions.
Lian's face flushed a deep shade of red as he realized the absurdity of his question. He beat his lower lip, his eyes darting away from Bai Ye's.
Mortified, Lian stood up, attempting to make a hasty exit. But as he reached the door, a strong force pulled him back. He stumbled, falling into Bai Ye's arms.
For a moment, they just sat there, Lian's face buried in Bai Ye's chest. Lian's stomach was a whirlwind of butterflies, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. Oh heavens help me! What did I just do?
Bai Ye's arms wrapped around Lian, holding him in place. Lian tried to stand up, but Bai Ye's grip was firm.
As they sat there, the tension between them was palpable. Lian's question had revealed a truth he couldn't ignore; his feelings for Bai Ye went far beyond mere friendship.
The room was brightly lit, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind outside. Incense sticks burned in the corner, casting a fragrant scent through the air.
Bai Ye's voice was low and soothing. "Lian, why would you ask such a thing?"
Lian's face was still buried in Bai Ye's chest. He muttered something incoherent, his words muffled.
Bai Ye's arms tightened around Lian. "Look at me, Lian," he said, his voice gentle.
Lian slowly lifted his head, his eyes meeting Bai Ye's. The air was charged with tension, the silence between them a living, existent thing.
As Lian's eyes met Bai Ye's, his heart raced like a wild animal. He tried to look away, but Bai Ye's gaze held him captive.
Bai Ye's voice was low and soothing. "Lian, why do you ask such a thing?" he repeated, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Lian's face flushed a deep shade of red. "N-nothing," he stuttered. "I was just joking. Can I go now?"
Bai Ye's smile grew wider, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're not very good at lying, Lian," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.
Lian's lashes flickered rapidly as he blinked, his eyes darting away from Bai Ye's. But Bai Ye's gaze followed him, his eyes burning with intensity.
Bai Ye's voice dropped to a whisper. "Lian, look at me."
Lian's heart skipped a beat as he slowly raised his eyes to meet Bai Ye's. The air was charged with tension, the silence between them thick and heavy.
Bai Ye's eyes seemed to bore into Lian's soul, as if searching for something hidden deep within. Lian's breath caught in his throat, his chest heaving with anticipation.
And then, without warning, Bai Ye leaned in, his face inches from Lian's.
Then their lips touched.
As Bai Ye's lips touched Lian's, Lian's eyes widened in shock. He was frozen, unsure of how to react. But as the kiss deepened, Lian's instincts took over. He leaned in, his hand instinctively wrapping around Bai Ye's neck, pulling him closer.
Bai Ye's hands cradled Lian's wrists, his fingers tracing the delicate bones. The kiss was like a spark, igniting a fire that had been smoldering beneath the surface.
When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, Lian's eyes were dazed. He looked up at Bai Ye, his expression a mix of confusion and wonder.
But before he could process his emotions, Bai Ye leaned in again, their lips meeting in a fierce, passionate kiss. This time, they held each other tighter, their bodies pressed together as if they couldn't get enough of each other.
Lian's hands roamed over Bai Ye's back, his fingers digging into the muscles as if he was trying to anchor himself. Bai Ye's hands were equally possessive, his fingers tracing the curves of Lian's face.
As they broke apart again, gasping for air, Lian's eyes locked onto Bai Ye's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like electricity.
The room around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the depths of their own desires. The air was heavy with the scent of incense and something more primal, something that spoke to the very heart of their being.
In that moment, Lian knew that nothing would ever be the same again. The kiss had changed everything, awakening a hunger within him that he couldn't ignore.
As they sat there, Bai Ye's hands roamed over Lian's waist, his fingers tracing the curves of his body. Lian's eyes were still dazed, his lips swollen from their kisses.
Bai Ye's voice was low and husky, his words dripping with emotion. "Lian," he whispered, his breath caressing Lian's ear. "Nothing in this world can change the fact that you are mine."
Lian's eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting Bai Ye's. He looked taken aback by Bai Ye's words, but as he processed them, a small smile played on his lips.
Bai Ye's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "You belong to me, Lian," he repeated, his voice low and possessive. "And I belong to you. When you're by my side, I don't fancy anyone else."
The room around them was dimly lit, the only sound the soft crackling of the incense sticks. The air was heavy with the scent of sandalwood and jasmine, the fragrance wafting from the intricately carved wooden panels.
Lian nodded slowly, his eyes still locked onto Bai Ye's. He looked a bit dazed, but he seemed to understand the depth of Bai Ye's emotions.
Bai Ye's smile grew wider as he leaned in, his lips brushing against Lian's ear. "Good boy," he whispered, his breath sending shivers down Lian's spine.
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside melted away. All that mattered was the love they shared, a love that transcended time and space.
Then Bai Ye's eyes sparkled with mischief as he asked, "Lian, were you actually jealous of Mochen?"
Lian's face turned a deep shade of red as he felt embarrassment wash over him. He hid his face in Bai Ye's chest, his voice muffled. "No, no, no...I wasn't jealous."
Bai Ye chuckled, his laughter low and husky. "Lian, you're blushing," he teased, his fingers tracing the curve of Lian's cheek.
After a moment, Lian lifted his head, his eyes meeting Bai Ye's. "Aren't you supposed to leave for the underworld?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Don't you have something to take care of?"
Bai Ye's smile faltered for a moment before he replied, "It's not as important as you, Lian."
Lian's eyes widened, his face softening. "No, if you need to do something, you should do it," he said, his voice filled with concern.
Bai Ye's smile returned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We can leave tomorrow at dawn, then."
Lian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. He reached up, his fingers tangling in Bai Ye's hair as he played with the silky strands.
Bai Ye closed his eyes, a look of contentment washing over his face. He wrapped his arms around Lian, holding him close as he savored the moment.
The room around them was quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of the silk curtains in the breeze. Incense sticks burned in the corner, casting a fragrant scent through the air.
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, Bai Ye couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. The little boy he had longed for was now in his arms, and it was a feeling he never wanted to let go of.