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- Story Start –
It’s a beautiful afternoon at Wugui Sea, unlike yesterday when it rained cats and dogs. In a shaded cove, a tiny rowboat sits on tranquil blue green waters. Buxiu occupies one end with a fishing road in his hand. Ershiqi perches at the other end, peering intently into the water, one hand gripping the side of their small boat for balance and the other held out, fingers curled, ready to pounce on an unsuspecting victim.
Without warning, his hand plunges into the water.
“Got it!” He holds up his dripping fist with a wriggling fish trapped within, grinning at Buxiu and showering both of them with water droplets.
It’s impressive… if Buxiu hasn’t already seen and heard the same thing ten times in the past hour. Ershiqi’s fish catching ability is great not that Buxiu would admit it out loud. That kitty’s head is already too big. Besides…
“I’ve caught eleven. No, twelve now.” Buxiu reels in his line and unhooks the wriggling fish at the end, dropping it into the basket at his feet. Ershiqi had insisted on making this a competition, but they’ve caught enough for today. Buxiu wants to call it quits while he’s ahead.
“Twelve?” Ershiqi exclaims, eyes wide. “Are you sure? Maybe you counted wrong?”
“Twelve. I’m sure. Let’s go back.”
Ershiqi hurries over and peers inside Buxiu’s basket to count. Buxiu hears muffled counting before Ershiqi raises his head, pouting.
“I told you, twelve,” Buxiu says. “That’s a total of twenty two between us.”
“Wait, I can’t let you catch more than me!” Ershiqi shoots to his feet and stares into the water, turning this way and that. The boat starts to rock with his movements.
“Sit down.” Buxiu hurriedly grabs Ershiqi’s arm and pulls until he’s sitting down again.
“I’m sure I can catch more than you.” Ershiqi leans over one side, one hand raised and ready to pounce on the next unsuspecting fish.
“You’re annoying,” Buxiu says with a sigh although he’s far from being annoyed. He keeps back his fishing rod and waits, gaze on Ershiqi’s face which is scrunched up in concentration.
He looks cute.
Feeling his face warm at that traitorous thought, Buxiu averts his gaze.
“Oh, I see a big one!”
Buxiu turns to look at the water.
“Where?”
“Over there - come back!” Ershiqi scrambles closer to Buxiu, his gaze fixed on the water.
Buxiu tries to scoot backwards except there’s no room. What happens next is inevitable – Ershiqi’s foot slides under Buxiu’s leg. He lurches forward, arms flailing wildly to find his balance. Buxiu grabs his waist and Ershiqi ends up tumbling into his lap.
They stare at each other, eyes wide and, in Buxiu’s case, heart thundering away.
“I was –“
“You were -“
They break off in unison.
“Right.”
“Yeah.”
They fall silent again.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Buxiu sounds as breathless as Ershiqi and wonders if this counts as cuddling, only Ershiqi isn’t in his cat form. Then he wonders if Ershiqi realises, only he’s looking at his hair.
“You do wear a lot of silver.”
“Well.” Buxiu pauses to clear his throat. “I am a silver dragon.”
“In your hair, I mean.” Ershiqi presses one hand against Buxiu’s chest and stretches up a bit to take a better look. The wind brushes those soft white curls against Buxiu’s cheek. “They’re pretty.”
“… thanks.” Buxiu wonders if Ershiqi can hear the mad gallop of his heart and stops breathing.
“You even have a piercing in your right eyebrow.” A finger touches said eyebrow.
“Mn.” Buxiu is starting to feel lightheaded.
“And here.” Ershiqi leans forward to touch the silver adorning Buxiu’s right ear.
Buxiu freezes – Ershiqi is practically lying on his chest – before forcing himself to relax and continue breathing. It’s either that or pass out which would be mortifying. Except that it’s not helping because Ershiqi smells like a soft, fuzzy blanket warmed by sunlight.
“Your ear is so red.” Ershiqi informs him. The soft puffs of his breath against Buxiu’s cheek turns said ear even redder.
“Are you done?” Buxiu all but groans. His face feels like it’s about to explode with heat.
“Huh?” Leaning back, Ershiqi looks at him, blinks and then turns pink. His gaze flicks down to Buxiu’s lips and then back up, pupils dark.
Buxiu promptly stops breathing again, lips parting without conscious thought or decision.
“You’re staring at my lips again.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Are there… are there any fish crumbs stuck there?” Buxiu wants to recall those words the instant they’re spoken – they haven’t eaten any fish today! – but Ershiqi is nodding earnestly.
“Yes, there are! H-hold still.”
Buxiu does exactly that as Ershiqi leans in again and their lips touch for the second time. Closing his eyes, Buxiu focuses on the soft press of their lips, on their shallow breathing, and Ershiqi’s warmth. Then Ershiqi moves his head, turning the mere press of lips into an actual kiss.
Buxiu’s heart starts racing even faster. Before he can respond, Ershiqi’s lips disappears. Eyes snapping open, Buxiu sees him scooting backwards on straightened arms, sending the boat rocking again.
“Stop moving or you’ll send us both into the water!” Buxiu grabs both sides of the boat in alarm, trying to stabilise it.
“S-sorry!” Scrunched up at the other end of the boat, Ershiqi stares at him, eyes round and face rosy. “No crumbs, you’re good! And I… I think we have enough fish now.”
Buxiu narrows his eyes a little and deliberately licks his lips, gratified when Ershiqi utters a soft mewl before hiding his face in his hands.
“Right.” Buxiu sounds like he’s not drunk water in days and clears his throat. “In that case, let’s go back.”
He grabs hold of the oars with unsteady hands and starts rowing, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. This was their second kiss so he’s hopeful that there will be more coming.
- Story End -