sleeping in the same bed

The rain stopped completely late at night, leaving only the dripping sound of water from the eaves tapping against the windowsill, and the lingering, moist, and crisp scent in the air.

In that room on the third floor of Yucaiyuan, the lights had long been turned off. Only the light from the distant streetlights outside the window shone through the gaps in the curtains, casting a few hazy streaks of light into the dim room.

The single bed in the bedroom, which was not spacious enough for two adult men, was now under unprecedented "pressure".

Tan Huaiyu washed himself clean and wore soft cotton pajamas. He wrapped himself tightly in a thin blanket against the wall, revealing only a pair of eyes that shone brightly even in the dim light. He stared unblinkingly in the direction of the bathroom, like a large dog that was both excited and nervous, waiting for its owner to go to bed.

The sound of water stopped. After a while, the bathroom door was gently pushed open. Qi Shuo emerged, still damp with sweat, wearing the same pajamas as before, his hair slightly wet, gleaming darkly in the dim light. He walked to the bedside, pausing for a moment.

Tan Huaiyu immediately held her breath, her fingers unconsciously clenching the corner of the blanket.

Qi Shuo's gaze swept across the small bulge on the bed and those excessively bright eyes in the darkness, and he sighed almost imperceptibly.

Then, he lifted the blanket on his side and lay down.

The mattress sagged slightly with the weight of the extra person, making a soft creaking sound.

The two were separated by a narrow "river and Han boundary," less than an arm's length apart, and could even clearly feel the heat emanating from each other's bodies and their slightly restrained breathing due to tension or discomfort.

The air seemed to freeze. The sound of dripping water outside the window was amplified infinitely.

Tan Huaiyu stood frozen, not daring to move an inch, not even daring to move his eyes, all his senses focused on the person beside him.

He could smell the same faint shower gel scent on Qi Shuo as he did, mixed with a clean and refreshing scent that belonged only to Qi Shuo.

The aura was so close, silently permeating the air around him, making his heart pound like a drum, and the sound of his blood rushing through his ears resound.

Qi Shuo didn't fall asleep immediately. He lay flat on his back with his arms at his sides, his body a little stiff from not being used to sharing a bed with someone.

He could feel Tan Huaiyu's breathing, which was trying hard to suppress but was still disordered, and he could even imagine his wide-eyed, nervous appearance.

The subtle unease that arose from the "compromise" was replaced by a hint of amusement and helpless indulgence.

Time flowed slowly in the silent stalemate. How long it lasted was unknown; perhaps only a few minutes, perhaps an eternity.

Tan Huaiyu finally couldn't hold back any longer and, extremely slowly, like in slow motion in a movie, turned to face Qi Shuo.

His movements were so light as to be almost imperceptible, as if he were afraid of disturbing something. Then, tentatively, he gently pressed his forehead against the outside of Qi Shuo's shoulder and arm.

It was an extremely restrained, almost imperceptible touch, yet it was like a subtle electric current that instantly pierced through the tight, invisible barrier between the two.

Qi Shuo's body trembled almost imperceptibly, but he did not dodge.

Having received this silent acquiescence, Tan Huaiyu grew a little bolder.

He carefully extended one of his hands from under the covers, his fingertips first touching the back of Qi Shuo's hand placed at his side. Seeing that Qi Shuo did not react, he slowly, with a slight tremor, squeezed his fingers between Qi Shuo's fingers and then gently clasped them together.

The moment their fingers intertwined, they both seemed to tremble. Tan Huaiyu's palms were slightly sweaty and slippery, yet he gripped them tightly with unusual force.

Qi Shuo's fingers were long and strong, initially a little stiff, but under the warm, moist palm, they slowly, little by little, relaxed, and then he grasped that hand in return.

Skin to skin, body heat intertwined. A connection more intimate and tender than an embrace was quietly forged in the darkness and silence.

Tan Huaiyu's heart felt completely filled by the clasped hands and the warmth of their embrace. He was no longer satisfied with just that.

He shifted, burying his face deeper into Qi Shuo's neck, his warm breath spraying unreservedly onto that sensitive skin, filled with longing and utter cuddling.

"Qi Shuo..." he called out very softly, his voice breathy and gentle in the quiet night.

“…Mmm.” Qi Shuo responded, his voice a little hoarse. He could feel the skin on the side of his neck trembling slightly from Tan Huaiyu’s breathing, and he could feel the body in his arms becoming more and more relaxed and closer to him, showing a growing sense of dependence.

The last bit of awkwardness and defense in my heart crumbled in this silent intimacy and embrace.

He released their clasped hands, and before Tan Huaiyu could even feel disappointed, he raised his arm, passed it under Tan Huaiyu's neck, and then pulled her closer, embracing her even more tightly and firmly.

Her other hand naturally wrapped around his waist and back, completely pulling him into her embrace.

This was a real, close, and unreserved hug.

It was deeper than the comforting and warming embrace on the sofa, and more profound than the rewarding light kiss in the office.

It's the close contact of skin through a thin fabric, the almost synchronized resonance of heartbeats through the chest, and the ultimate intimacy of breath mingling and whispering.

Tan Huaiyu let out a short, satisfied whimper from the sudden, completely enveloping embrace. He immediately stretched out his arms and hugged Qi Shuo's waist tightly, burying his face deep in his chest, greedily inhaling his pleasant scent, feeling the steady, powerful rise and fall of his chest, and the reassuring warmth transmitted through the fabric.

"Qi Shuo... A-Shuo..." he murmured unconsciously, his voice filled with the happiness of being embraced, and a barely perceptible sob.

Qi Shuo didn't speak, but tightened his arms and gently rested his chin on Tan Huaiyu's soft hair.

His hair carried the same fresh scent of shampoo as his, mixed with the clean, grassy aroma unique to Tan Huaiyu, creating a distinctive and unforgettable fragrance.

He closed his eyes, feeling the real presence and complete trust of the person in his arms. The barren land in his heart, which had been barren for too long, seemed to be completely nourished by this warm body temperature and tight embrace. Something was breaking through the soil and growing wildly.

Darkness amplifies all the senses and strips away all pretense.

On this rainy night, known only to each other, on this not-so-spacious bed, two hearts that were once scarred and far apart finally came together in the most primal and intimate way.

There was no lust, only pure closeness, warmth, and reassurance.

After an unknown amount of time, Tan Huaiyu's consciousness began to wane in Qi Shuo's warm and comforting embrace.

But he couldn't bear to sleep, so he struggled to keep his eyelids open, tilting his head back in the darkness, searching for Qi Shuo's outline. He could only see a blurry jawline and tightly closed eyelashes.

As if bewitched, or driven by some impulse, he slightly raised his head, leaned closer, and placed a very light kiss on Qi Shuo's chin. Like a butterfly skimming the water, the touch was fleeting.

Qi Shuo's eyelashes trembled slightly, but he did not open his eyes.

Tan Huaiyu's courage had been emboldened by the silent night and the warm embrace. He moved closer again, this time targeting those pursed lips that looked exceptionally clear in the darkness.

His kiss was awkward and cautious. He first touched Qi Shuo's lips, feeling their cool softness, and then tentatively sucked on them gently.

Qi Shuo's breathing became almost imperceptibly heavier. He finally opened his eyes.

In the darkness, his eyes were as deep as the night sea, yet they clearly reflected Tan Huaiyu's face, which was close at hand, filled with shyness and longing.

He neither pushed him away nor reciprocated, but simply watched him quietly, letting the awkward kiss linger on his lips.

Tan Huaiyu's heart pounded so hard he felt like he was suffocating under that gaze. But he didn't stop. Instead, as if encouraged by that deep gaze, he stuck out his tongue and carefully licked Qi Shuo's lips.

This action is like a key, gently turning on a switch.

Qi Shuo's Adam's apple bobbed. Then, he suddenly tightened his arms around Tan Huaiyu's waist, pressing their bodies even closer together.

At the same time, he lowered his head and precisely captured Tan Huaiyu's soft lips, which were still tentatively exploring.

This kiss was completely different from the playful and rewarding light kiss in the office. It was also worlds apart from Tan Huaiyu's cautious touch just now.

This was a real, deep kiss, burning with passion and irresistible force.

Qi Shuo's tongue plunged deep into Tan Huaiyu's mouth, sweeping over every inch of his oral cavity with domineering force, hooking around his trembling tongue tip, sucking and licking it with an almost predatory strength, yet deep down it contained an indistinguishable tenderness and pity.

His aura completely enveloped Tan Huaiyu, conquering territory and leaving no room for escape.

"Mmm..." Tan Huaiyu was caught off guard by the sudden and intense kiss. His mind went blank, and he could only passively endure it, then respond awkwardly and with effort, relying on his instincts.

He tightened his arms around Qi Shuo's neck, tilted his head back, and offered himself up more completely, letting those hot lips and tongues sweep away all his reason and oxygen.

In the darkness, the sounds of their lips entwined were both ambiguous and clear, mingling with their increasingly heavy breathing. Their body temperatures rose sharply during their tight embrace and deep kiss, making the air thick and scorching.

The kiss lasted a long time, so long that Tan Huaiyu almost fainted from lack of oxygen. Qi Shuo finally pulled away a little, but their foreheads were still touching, their noses were touching, and their breaths were hot and intertwined.

Tan Huaiyu's eyes were hazy, her lips were swollen and slightly parted, and she was breathing heavily. She slumped into Qi Shuo's arms, as if all her bones had been removed.

Qi Shuo looked at him, who was dizzy from being kissed and completely at his mercy, and the darkness in his eyes deepened.

He gently caressed Tan Huaiyu's swollen, moist lips with his fingertips, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a hint of post-coital satisfaction and a barely perceptible seduction:

"Go to sleep."

After saying that, he pulled Tan Huaiyu back into his arms, pressing his face against his chest and holding him tightly with his arms. It was as if the intense, leg-weak kiss from before was just an ordinary goodnight kiss.

Tan Huaiyu leaned against his chest, feeling dizzy, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling the lingering tingling on her lips and the sweetness about to overflow in her chest, and obediently closed her eyes.

Both body and mind experienced unprecedented satisfaction and peace, and within seconds, consciousness sank into darkness.

In the darkness, Qi Shuo listened to the gradually even and long breathing of the person in his arms, and felt his complete relaxation and dependence. He lowered his head and placed a very light kiss on the top of his head.

Then, he closed his eyes.

Outside the window, all was quiet. Only the two sleeping in each other's arms, enveloped in each other's breath and body warmth, sank into an unprecedentedly peaceful and sweet dream.

Sharing the same bed and pillow, lips and teeth intertwined.

This rainy night seemed to have completely and permanently changed something.