The soft rustle of sheets and the first golden rays of morning light streamed through the half-drawn curtains. Wu Suo Wei blinked awake slowly, his eyes adjusting to the quiet haze of dawn. It took him a few seconds to remember why he was in this bed, in this position and why his face was nearly pressed against Chi Cheng's shoulder.
His breath caught.
He hadn't moved all night.
Chi Cheng was still asleep, his back turned slightly, one arm under the pillow, the other resting dangerously close to Suo Wei's side — not touching, but close enough that Wu Suo Wei could feel the warmth through the covers. The boy stayed still as a statue, heart hammering like a drum. Even his pinky finger was trembling under the sheet.
"I didn't snore… right?" Suo Wei whispered to himself.
But the moment he tried to quietly slip out of bed, a deep voice cut through the silence.
"Where are you going, Da Bao?"
Wu Suo Wei froze. Chi Cheng wasn't even facing him just laying there, eyes still closed, lips curved into the faintest smirk.
"I-I… I was going to brush my teeth."
Chi Cheng cracked one eye open. "We have guests. Don't let them think I kicked you out of bed."
"I wasn't—I mean—You didn't—!"
"Relax." Chi Cheng rolled onto his back, arms behind his head now, voice still sleepy. "I'm joking."
Suo Wei sat up with the blanket clutched to his chest, his face already pink. "Y-You're terrible."
Chi Cheng didn't reply. Just smiled lazily at the ceiling like the night hadn't thrown his emotions into quiet chaos too.
They both heard voices outside their mothers were already awake, chatting in the kitchen.
Suo Wei nearly panicked. "Wh-what if they come in and we're not—like—"
"Da Bao," Chi Cheng interrupted softly, eyes flicking over to him. "Come back under the blanket. Five more minutes."
"But—"
Chi Cheng patted the space beside him.
Heart pounding, Suo Wei slid down slowly, cheeks puffed and red as he settled back onto the pillow, careful not to make eye contact. The blanket was warm again. Too warm.
Neither spoke.
Until Chi Cheng mumbled, "You still curl up like a dumpling when you sleep."
Wu Suo Wei hid his face under the blanket.
Chi Cheng turned his head the other way, biting back a small laugh. The sight of Wu Suo Wei's flustered little movements made his chest ache in the most unfamiliar way. Like something warm was trying to escape something he'd been holding back for too long.
The silence between them wasn't awkward anymore. Just soft. Like a memory.
And as Suo Wei's breathing steadied beside him again, Chi Cheng closed his eyes.
But last night...
When the lights were off, and everything had gone still…
Flashback – Late in the night
The room was quiet except for the low hum of the ceiling fan. Outside, crickets chirped faintly under the moonlight that spilled through the curtains.
Chi Cheng lay awake.
He hadn't slept much.
His eyes, sharp in the dark, had remained fixed on the soft figure beside him Wu Suo Wei, curled up facing him, blanket pulled halfway over his face, one hand resting near his cheek. His breathing was slow and steady. Completely out.
Chi Cheng didn't move. He just stared.
At the soft dip of Suo Wei's nose.
At his faintly parted lips.
At the way he'd unconsciously scooted closer during the night maybe out of habit, or warmth, or memory.
His fingers twitched slightly over the blanket. He could almost hear his heart.
Then like something deep and silent broke free Chi Cheng slowly leaned forward, breath held.
He paused just inches away, his gaze drinking in the innocence of the boy beside him.
And very gently, he pressed a kiss to Wu Suo Wei's cheek.
Just a brush.
Quick. Barely there.
He pulled back just as quickly, his face unreadable. Eyes burning quietly under the shadows.
Then he turned onto his back, stared at the ceiling for a long time, and finally closed his eyes.
Back to morning
Wu Suo Wei, still hidden under the blanket, mumbled something incoherent about Chi Cheng being heartless.
Chi Cheng didn't respond just reached over and flicked his forehead lightly through the blanket.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
Only he knew what he'd done last night.
And only he knew what it meant.
But maybe…
One day, Wu Suo Wei would know too.