Work Text:
Xie Lian traces the edges of Hua Cheng's skin where he's pulled it back, then looks back up at his husband. "You're sure it doesn't hurt?"
"Not at all," Hua Cheng reassures him, smiling gently. "I couldn't be more comfortable."
Xie Lian nods, trailing his fingers over the glistening bone of Hua Cheng's ribcage. A finger slips between two ribs and brushes Hua Cheng's exposed lung.
Hua Cheng moans.
"San Lang?" Xie Lian asks, alarmed.
"I'm fine," Hua Cheng says quickly.
"You said it didn’t hurt," Xie Lian accuses.
"It doesn’t," Hua Cheng says, a certain tone in his voice.
Ah.
"You like that I’m doing this," Xie Lian laughs, running his finger over Hua Cheng’s lung again. This time, Hua Cheng’s mouth opens in a gasp. "You like that I’m touching you so intimately. San Lang, your insides are beautiful."
Hua Cheng blinks at him, looking wild.
"Your lungs," Xie Lian says softly, "are perfect. Look at the way they move. Your craftmanship is amazing."
"Gege," Hua Cheng says, sounding winded. Xie Lian has barely started.
"Your stomach," he says, thumbing over the organ, cupping a hand over it, "works so hard to digest my food. You’re the only one who likes it, you know. You’re the only one who can taste the love I put into it."
"Everyone else’s taste buds are inferior," Hua Cheng says.
Xie Lian smiles at him. "And your heart," he says, pushing a finger between Hua Cheng’s ribs to stroke the little thing. It throbs under his touch, as if it’s trying to get closer to him. So cute! "You love so hard. You care so well for me. San Lang, this is mine, isn’t it?"
"All yours," Hua Cheng whispers. "Everything of me, it’s yours."
Xie Lian bends down to press a kiss to Hua Cheng’s sternum, laughing as Hua Cheng flinches away in shock. "San Lang! Aren’t I allowed to kiss what’s mine?"
"Dirty," Hua Cheng wheezes. "Gege’s lips shouldn’t touch such a nasty possession."
Xie Lian licks his lips. "You don’t taste too bad," he says contemplatively. "I’ve had worse."
"Mercy, mercy," Hua Cheng whines, throwing a hand over his eye. "You can’t just say things like that."
"Oh, poor San Lang," Xie Lian says, grinning. He pets Hua Cheng’s side. "Protect these for me, won’t you? You’re so good at keeping my things safe. I never have to worry when I entrust something to my San Lang."
For a moment, Hua Cheng just stares at him. Then - "Yes, Your Highness," he says, and his skin smooths back over his torso, healed as if it had never been opened.
Xie Lian leans forward to kiss his sternum again. "Good," he says softly. "Protect my San Lang’s heart, especially. It means so much to me."
"I will," Hua Cheng says, just as softly. "I’ll keep your heart safe."