Xu Jin rolled up his sleeves with great seriousness, as if he were about to perform surgery instead of washing dishes.
Chen watched from the side, arms crossed, amused.
"Wait," Chen said, turning toward the cabinet above the sink. He opened it and took out two aprons—one pale beige, simple and clean; the other slightly darker, with a tiny embroidered leaf near the hem.
He handed one to Xu Jin.
"Wear this."
Xu Jin stared at it.
Then stared at Chen.
Then stared at the apron again.
"…How?"
Chen blinked. Once.
"…You don't know how to wear an apron?"
Xu Jin cleared his throat. "I've… never needed one."
Chen exhaled slowly, the kind of sigh that carried disappointment, disbelief, and fond annoyance all at once.
"Give it here."
Xu Jin obediently handed it back.
Chen stepped closer—too close for Xu Jin's peace of mind. He shook the apron open with a practiced flick, then looped it over Xu Jin's neck. His fingers brushed Xu Jin's collarbone as he adjusted the strap, light and efficient, completely unaware of the internal chaos he was causing.
Xu Jin froze.
Like a statue.
Like a man whose brain had temporarily left his body.
Chen tied the waist strings neatly behind him, fingers moving fast. "There. Done."
Only then did he look up.
Xu Jin's ears were pink.
Not subtle pink.
Soft, obvious, freshly-steamed pink.
Chen tilted his head.
"Oh," he said casually, lips curving. "You're such a shy boy."
Xu Jin's soul combusted.
"…Shy my foot," he muttered under his breath.
"What?" Chen asked, already turning back toward the sink.
"Nothing," Xu Jin said quickly. Too quickly.
Chen didn't hear it. Or maybe he did and chose not to. He handed Xu Jin a sponge.
"Wash carefully," Chen added. "These plates are fragile."
Xu Jin nodded solemnly. "Roger."
Chen paused.
"…Roger?"
Xu Jin grinned, trying very hard to look normal while wearing an apron tied by the person he was definitely not thinking about too much.
Chen shook his head, amused, and moved to stand beside him at the sink.
Water ran. Plates clinked softly. Yun Hu sat nearby like a supervisor, tail flicking.
And Xu Jin thought—
If this is what ordinary life feels like,
maybe he didn't want extraordinary anymore.
Just… this.
They washed the dishes together.
Well—together was a generous word.
Xu Jin tried. Truly. He stood straight, sleeves rolled, apron firmly on, expression serious. Unfortunately, seriousness did not stop water from splashing everywhere. His movements were just a little too big, a little too enthusiastic, and within minutes his sleeves were damp, the front of his shirt spotted with water.
Chen noticed.
So did Yun Hu.
The cat took one look at the flying droplets, flicked his tail in pure judgment, and retreated to a safe distance like a seasoned survivor of many household disasters.
Chen laughed softly. "You're washing dishes, not fighting them."
"I'm being careful," Xu Jin said—right as he accidentally sent another splash onto himself.
At least this time, nothing broke.
Progress.
Xu Jin glanced at Chen, then paused. "Brother."
"Hm?"
"You have something on your nose."
Chen frowned and wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "Like this?"
Xu Jin squinted. "No… still there."
Chen wiped again, slower this time. "Now?"
Xu Jin shook his head very seriously. "Still there."
Chen leaned closer, confused. "Where?"
"Here," Xu Jin said. "Let me."
Before Chen could react, Xu Jin dipped his finger into the soap and—dab—smudged it gently onto Chen's nose.
A tiny white streak.
Xu Jin burst out laughing.
"Xu Jin!"
Chen stared at him, stunned for half a second before narrowing his eyes. "Oh, you're dead."
He reached out to retaliate—but in his haste, his foot stepped onto the soapy water that had spilled earlier.
Everything happened at once.
Chen slipped.
"—!"
He fell forward.
Xu Jin reacted purely on instinct, arms shooting out to grab him. He caught Chen around the waist—
Their noses brushed.
Just for a breath.
Just for a heartbeat.
Xu Jin noticed.
Only Xu Jin noticed.
Because the very next second—
Thunk.
Their foreheads collided.
"Ow!"
"Ow—!"
They both hissed, pulling back and clutching their heads. Chen groaned. Xu Jin winced.
From a safe distance, Yun Hu watched, tail swaying, utterly unimpressed.
Chen looked up first, eyes slightly watery. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Xu Jin laughed despite the pain. "I swear I didn't! Are you okay?"
Chen rubbed his forehead, then glanced at Xu Jin—soaked sleeves, crooked apron, guilty smile—and sighed.
Yun Hu chose that moment to intervene.
With a sharp little mrrp, the cat sprang forward, landing neatly against Chen's chest. His paws hooked onto Chen's shirt as if claiming territory, and before Chen could react—
lick.
Right on his forehead.
Chen froze. "Yun Hu—"
lick. lick.
The cat was thorough, like he was disinfecting emotional damage.
Xu Jin stared.
"…Is he scolding me?"
Yun Hu stopped mid-lick, lifted his head slowly, and turned.
Then—glare.
A full, unblinking, judgmental stare locked straight onto Xu Jin.
The kind that said: You hurt him. Explain yourself.
Xu Jin raised both hands immediately. "I didn't mean it. I swear. It was an accident."
Yun Hu's tail flicked once.
Dangerously.
Chen laughed despite himself and wrapped an arm around the cat. "It's okay, it's okay. He didn't do it on purpose."
Another glare.
Then Yun Hu leaned back down and gave Chen one final, decisive lick on the forehead, like stamping approved.
Only then did he settle against Chen's chest, chin lifted proudly.
Xu Jin let out a breath. "I've been judged."
Chen smiled, eyes warm, and gently scratched Yun Hu's chin. "You deserved it."
Xu Jin looked at the two of them—cat guarding, Chen relaxed and soft in his arms—and thought, very clearly:
I might never outrank this demon cat who is trying to monopolise the person in front of them.
Beaware xu jin better take some actions beforehand or try to bribe this cat to be a middleman.