Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It would be a lie to say that Mo had never fucked around with anyone his entire life. Throughout high school, he’d sneak out and mess around with several guys every few weeks.

None of Mo's relationships lasted longer than a month. He often had constant arguments and misunderstandings with the guy he referred to as his “boyfriend.” They all blamed Mo for being too fierce and excessive. They didn’t appreciate his hyper-independence or his bratty demeanor. Instead, they wanted someone they could easily persuade to do what they wanted—someone willing to submit to them.

But Mo? He was tough luck. He isn't too fond of the idea of submitting to another person. "That wasn't his thing," he said.

Years had gone by, and he’s now a college student, studying culinary. He had dated approximately three guys during his three years in college. He thought he’d settle with the last one, as things were going great for both of them—no arguments, no anything. Until news broke out around campus.

Felix, the guy he thought was the one for him, had been secretly having an affair with someone from the Art department. It was the biggest gossip across all college departments.

Mo was shocked to hear the news, as he believed their relationship was progressing well and that Felix could be the one for him; however, he realized he was mistaken.

Later that day, once they settled into their small apartment, a fracas broke out between them. Their talk lasted two and a half hours—half-assed apologies and hurtful words were thrown around the room.

Finally, Mo had had enough. He grabbed his jacket that was hanging on the doorknob and put on his shoes.

“Hey, Mo— Fuck! Just listen to me!” Felix yelled out, trying to stop Mo from leaving the room.

“Shut it, asshole—” his words were shortly interrupted when his arm was pulled by Felix. It didn't hurt, but it certainly added more fuel to the fire.

Mo pushed Felix away, causing him to stumble on the wooden floor with his breath uneven. Mo put on his jacket, opened the door, and took one last glance at his ex-boyfriend.

“Don't even think about following me. I’ll get my stuff tomorrow morning; don’t bother texting me, we’re fucking done.” And just like that, he slammed the door shut before leaving.

He decided to head to the nearest bar to drink away his troubles and avoid thinking about the situation for the night. Sitting alone on a stool, he scrolled through his phone, deleting all the messages he had exchanged with Felix. Each time a message from Felix popped up on his screen, his chest felt tighter.

—

FELIX: Guanshan, please come home.

FELIX: Let’s talk about this, please; I can't live without you.

FELIX: I’m sorry, Guanshan.

FELIX: Please give me another chance

—

Mo felt his eyes swelling. He turned off his phone and chugged the glass of alcohol in his hand. Dammit, he just wanted to forget the events that had happened today.

The bartender handed him another drink. Surprised, he blinked twice to see if there had been a mistake—he hadn’t ordered another drink, at least not that he could remember.

“Uh, hey, you must be mistaken. I didn’t order another drink yet,” he called out to the bartender, feeling utterly confused.

“Mr. He over there bought that for you,” he said, pointing at the man on the other side of the room. The man wore a chain around his neck, black slacks, and a plain black t-shirt.

Before Mo could respond, the bartender added, “He also wanted me to let you know that you can order more drinks if you’d like—it’s on him.”

Mo turned his head to take a look at the guy, then his gaze returned to the bartender as he nodded in response. At first, Mo thought it was ridiculous—who in their right mind would buy someone like him a drink? Especially considering he looked completely worn out from the earlier incident. He shook his head, let out a sigh, and then downed the drink that the stranger had bought him. He stared at the empty glass, the argument between him and Felix still lingering in his mind.

“I should leave,” he thought to himself. He got up, grabbed his jacket that was placed on the counter, and was about to walk away when he suddenly remembered the man from earlier.

He hadn’t properly thanked him yet. As he started walking towards the man sitting alone at the table, scrolling through his phone, he felt a wave of nervousness. When he reached him, he awkwardly expressed his gratitude.

“Hey, um… Thanks for the free drink. I really appreciate it,” he said, scratching the back of his head.

His amber eyes met the man’s coal-black ones. The man smiled and replied, “No problem. But why don't you join me for a bit?” His voice was husky and low.

Mo opened his mouth to decline, but the thought of facing Felix again made him hesitate. He wasn’t ready to talk to him yet, and this guy didn’t seem so bad. Why not give it a try? Spending another hour in this place with this man wouldn’t hurt. He nodded and took a seat beside the man.

“Aren't you going to tell me your name?” The man inquired, his eyes sparkling with curiosity as he leaned slightly forward.

Mo scoffed, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. “I only agreed to accompany you, not to share my personal info with a stranger."

The man chuckled, the sound light and easy in the air. “You’re funny,” he said, his smile widening. “It's He Tian, by the way.”

Mo raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. “And?”

“And this stranger,” He Tian continued, his tone teasing, “would like to know your name.”

With a hint of reluctance, Mo sighed, finally relenting. “It's Mo Guan Shan.”

“Well, Mo, why don’t we get to know each other better?” He Tian said as he slid a glass of whiskey towards Mo, wearing a smug expression.

An hour and a half later, Mo was drunk and had been telling He Tian everything that had just happened to him earlier today.

“Can you fucking believe that?! He cheated on me with the opposite gender, He Tian—the opposite fucking gender!” Mo said as he slammed his glass on the table.

“Mhm, I can’t believe it either,” He Tian said as he wiped a drop of liquor from the corner of Mo’s lips. “I can’t believe he dared to cheat on someone as cute as you,” he added, clearly teasing the redhead.

Mo swatted He Tian’s hand away. “That’s nonsense,” he spat.

He caught a glimpse of the time on the man’s watch and jolted in realization—it was almost eleven in the evening. He needed to leave and catch the next subway home, or he’d end up spending money on a hotel for the night.

He stood up, faced He Tian, and tried to explain, but his words came out in a slur. “I need to—uhm, get home—”

He Tian made him sit back down. “Sit down, relax. I’ve got you. I’ll take you home after a few more drinks, okay?”

Mo eventually calmed down and nodded at the offer.

Mo's back hit the soft mattress, and he let out a moan of relief, finally feeling some comfort after a long day of stress. Beside him, He Tian was sitting, taking off his shoes and shirt. Tipsy from all the liquor he had consumed, Mo's brain began to think that he was about to have a one-night stand with the man next to him. However, Mo wasn't in the mood; his throat felt suddenly dry, and he opened his mouth to speak up.

“I’m not really feeling up for anything at the moment,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, tinged with uncertainty.

“What do you mean?” He Tian asked, puzzled by the sudden statement.

“You know… sex. I just don’t have the energy or desire for it right now, if that’s what you’re hoping for.”

With a playful smile, He Tian responded, “Oh, silly Mo, just close your eyes and go to sleep. I’m not looking for anything more from you tonight. Just rest.”

Mo rolled his eyes in response. He adjusted his position in bed, lying on his side and hugging the soft pillows beside him. Soon, his eyelids began to droop, and eventually, the room was filled with his gentle snores

Chapter Text

Mo woke up to the smell of coffee and the faint clatter of dishes from the small kitchen. For a moment, he didn’t remember where he was. The sheets beneath him weren’t his own, and the air smelled faintly of cologne and cigarette smoke. When he turned his head, he saw a black leather jacket thrown carelessly over a chair.

His heart skipped. Right. Last night. The bar. The drinks. Him.

Mo sat up too fast, his head pounding in protest. He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. Before he could decide whether to sneak out or confront whatever the hell he’d gotten himself into, He Tian’s voice called out from the other room.

“Morning, Sleeping Beauty.”

Mo stiffened. He Tian stood by the doorframe, and Mo finally got a good look at his face, sober. He looked annoyingly good for someone Mo had just met in a bar. His hair was messy, with black strands sticking to his forehead. He had a sharp jawline and stood at about six feet three inches tall. It seemed like he hadn’t even tried, yet he somehow resembled a model who had just stepped out of a magazine. 

Fuck, he’s hot. Mo thought to himself. 

He Tian handed him a glass of water, took a seat beside him, and greeted him once again, “Good morning, sleeping beauty.” 

“Where am I? And what time is it?” He asked, yawning while rubbing his eyes. 

“I wasn't sure where you lived, so I brought you back to my place for the night. Also,” He Tian paused for a moment to check the time on his phone, “it's almost nine-thirty in the morning.”

“Shit—I have to go.” He immediately got up and searched for his phone. 

He Tian was confused by the sudden change. 

“Go where? It's Friday—plus shouldn't you be resting after consuming that amount of alcohol last night? Your head must be pounding from the hangover.” 

He Tian’s right, his head was thumping like crazy—it felt like he hadn't slept in ages from how bad it hurt. But he couldn't afford to miss a day of school, not when he’s a year away from graduating. 

“Easy for you to say. I can’t afford to miss a day in school—fuck, where the hell is my phone?” Mo replied, still looking for his phone all over the bed. 

He Tian raised his eyebrows in surprise upon hearing that the grumpy redhead was still in school. "School? Wait, how old are you exactly?" 

"I’m turning twenty-two. Seriously! Stop asking me questions and help me find my shit so I can get out of here already," Mo quickly replied, still in a hurry to locate his phone as he didn't want to miss his next class.

A sigh of relief escaped He Tian’s lips after getting reassured that he didn't bring home a teenager back to his place whom he had just met in a bar. “Well, that’s a fucking relief,” he exclaimed. 

Mo was caught off guard at what He Tian had just said. “What the fuck does that mean?” The tone of his voice made it clear that he was ticked off. “Hold on... Don't tell me you’re younger than me?” 

He Tian burst out laughing, and tears started forming in the corners of his eyes. “Oh god—you’re really hilarious, aren't you?” Mo’s face started to heat up. 

Is this guy fucking serious? 

“Listen, I mean it! The last thing I want is for people to find out I spent the night in a teenage boy’s bedroom right after breaking up with my ex!” Mo exclaimed, his eyes wide with exasperation.

“Come on, I’m not younger than you, you know that, little Mo,” he replied, a teasing grin playing on his lips.

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Oh really? And just how old are you, He Tian?”

With a playful smirk, he leaned back slightly and said, “I’m turning thirty-two next week. Surprise.”

Mo was stunned. This dickhead is already in his thirties—which explains the deep voice, the tall frame, and… the faintest shadow above his upper lip. Like an evidence of a mustache slowly making its comeback after getting it freshly shaved a few days ago. He rubbed his face aggressively. “How did I manage to get myself involved with this older guy?”  he muttered to himself, still in shock. 

Mo looked at He Tian with a look of upset and groaned, “Help me find my phone, old man. I need to attend my class.” 

“Sure. But only if you give me your number after,” he said smoothly with a smug expression.

“You’re disgusting,” he scoffed.

“Good luck spending the whole day searching for your phone then. It’s a shame that you’ll miss class because of it.”

“Okay, fuck, fine! Where is it?”

He Tian pointed at the corner of the room, where there was a charger plugged in and there was Mo’s phone—charging. Mo stumbled on his way. He turned his phone on and was met with a bunch of missed calls and unread messages from Felix. His mood immediately turned sour. He groaned, his head in his hands. His hangover suddenly worsens. 

He Tian seemed to pick up on the sudden shift of mood. He approached Mo and simply checked in on him. “What’s with the long face?” 

The redhead flopped down on the floor, groaning. “Someone kill me already.”

He Tian flopped down beside him and patted his back in an attempt to soothe the other. “What's wrong now? Come on, talk to me.”

“My head is pounding, and my ex-boyfriend has been blowing up my phone since last night,” his voice cracked. “I don't know what to do.” Mo just wanted to disappear already—he felt like he had lost so much dignity. He could feel his eyes swelling and tears forming in the corners of his eyes—when unexpectedly, he heard He Tian mumble. 

“Screw that ex-boyfriend of yours; you could do so much better,” he sighed. “I mean it, little Mo.”

Mo reddens at the sudden nickname. “Don’t call me that.”

“Seriously? You focused only on the nickname and not your self-worth?” He Tian said, raising one eyebrow and smirking. “Unbelievable,” he laughed. 

Mo pouted. He completely forgot about the message that the other person was trying to deliver because of that stupid nickname. “Give me your phone,” He Tian called out. Before Mo could even say or do anything, He Tian had already grabbed his phone, scrolled through something, and then finally started typing down something. 

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” 

“Saving my number in your contacts.”

Mo was about to protest—he didn't like how cocky this man was. What gave him the right to just take his device and put something there that he didn't want or ask for in the first place? His thoughts were shortly cut off by the man beside him. 

“I’ll take you to your college this morning, and once your classes are finished, just give me a call, and I’ll be there to pick you up.” He Tian said, his voice steady and reassuring.

“Why would you go out of your way to do that?” Mo asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Driving me there seems reasonable, but coming back for me later feels unnecessary.”

He smiled softly, his eyes warm with sincerity. “Because I genuinely want to get to know you better. Plus, I can see that you’re dealing with a lot right now. It must be overwhelming and stressful—so having some company might help ease things for you, don’t you think?”

Well... He Tian is kinda right—he does need some distraction at the moment. Plus, the offer didn't seem too bad, so fuck it. He’ll give it a try. 

“Okay,” he replied. 

He Tian’s smile grew, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “Great. You get ready then. There's a closet there filled with spare clothes; pick and use whatever you want. I’ll wait for you.” 

—

Mo entered his college building looking cooler than usual. He had a faint scent of expensive men’s cologne and wore a shirt with "HE" printed on the back. The shirt was slightly oversized for him, as were his jeans, which would have likely fallen to his ankles if not for the belt holding them in place. While walking, he could feel other students’ eyes on him. He stopped at one of the tables, where his friends—Buzzcut, Jian Yi, and Zheng Xi—were sitting. 

“Scooch over,” Mo demanded. 

Baldy immediately obeyed the order, feeling both happy and surprised at the same time.

Well... people didn't exactly expect Mo to show up to school today, especially after the news about Felix, and they also did not expect Mo to show up looking stylish. 

“You look... nice today,” Zheng Xi commented, with a hint of surprise at the way Mo’s dressed. 

Jian Yi jumped in, “You seriously look like you just walked out of a modeling gig—” and Buzzcut added, “For real, Boss! Where’d you score those clothes? They’re totally awesome.” 

The tip of Mo’s ears burned—he absolutely didn't know how to respond to their comments. What was he going to say? That he got drunk in a random bar, met a guy who was in his thirties, and slept at his place? That just sounds ridiculous—it makes him sound like a whore, too. But they’re his friends… so they do kind of have the right to know. Mo sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and finally, he told them everything that had happened last night. 

“So let me get this straight,” Jian Yi said incredulously, narrowing his eyes at his friend. “You were so utterly heartbroken that you ended up spending time with a guy who’s ten years older than you?” 

“Will you please keep your voice down?” He hissed, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. “And for the record, we didn’t have sex—not even a kiss!” 

“I’m honestly surprised a one-night stand didn’t occur,” Zheng Xi replied, leaning back with a teasing smirk. “These kinds of situations always seem to end that way.”

“Believe me, I’m as shocked as you are,” Mo admitted, shaking his head in disbelief. “That jerk is incredibly full of himself, yet he didn’t even try to make a move. I honestly expected him to.”

“Mo, are you sure you’re not just a little interested in him?” Jian Yi asked, the casual nature of his question earning him a swift, playful stomp on his foot. Letting out an “ack!” was caused by the hit he had earned from his friend. 

Their conversation went on for another thirty minutes before they went their own separate ways on the campus. Mo couldn't really focus on his work. He unintentionally burnt the garlic and onions that were supposed to be used in the dish that his professor had asked him to make. His body was tense, his tone off—everything about Mo was just off. He was still crushed by the news about Felix and the girl in the Art Department. Photos of them being together were leaked too, making Mo more devastated than yesterday. 

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He glanced behind him and saw that it was his professor. Mo sighed, expecting to receive another lecture, but instead, he saw a hint of concern in his professor’s eyes. 

“Guan Shan,” the professor began, voice with a hint of empathy. “It’s clear that your mind is preoccupied, and that’s affecting your performance in the kitchen. I need you to go home and take some time for yourself. Whether it’s resting, reflecting, or finding a way to clear your thoughts, do whatever it takes to regain your focus. I can’t afford to see any more ingredients wasted when we have so much at stake.” 

Mo felt disappointed in himself for a moment, but the professor was right. He does feel like he needs a day off; everything has been stressful for him, and he needs to clear his mind before performing in this kitchen again. So Mo nodded, took his apron off, and headed out. 

—

As he stepped out of the campus, he pulled his phone out to dial He Tian. But before he could even click the call option, he was already called by a man whose voice was familiar, way too familiar. 

“Little Mo!”

Mo turned to his left, and to his surprise, He Tian was there. Black Corvette parked on the side of the building—who knew that a Corvette looked this fancy up close? He was too busy staring at the vehicle that he forgot who had come with it. 

He Tian found Mo’s admiring face endearing; his usually grumpy expression was softened, and his eyes sparkled in admiration. With a smirk, he whispered, “Like what you see?” 

“It looks okay,” Mo blandly replied as he snapped back to his usual demeanor again.

“Sure… Hop in, I want to take you somewhere before it gets dark.” He Tian said as he grabbed Mo’s wrists and led him to the car. 

Mo didn't even bother protesting against it. His whole body and mind finally relaxed when he met up with this bastard again. Maybe this cocky bastard wasn't so bad after all

Chapter Text

The gentle breeze brushed against Mo’s face, his short, red hair softly blown by the wind. The sounds of kids shrieking with laughter, teens shouting at their friends, and parents calling out warnings could be heard from afar. Game stall workers yell, “Step right up! Everyone’s a winner!” in a rhythmic, rehearsed cadence. Everything felt.. So lively. Like he was visiting a memory from his childhood. 

“A carnival? Really?” Mo sarcastically asked with a blank expression on his face. 

“Mhm. Been dying to go here for a while now, it looks even better at night.” He Tian exclaimed, his eyes lit up as he imagined the scenery of the Carnival at dusk. 

“Why didn't we just go here later then? If it looked much more amazing at night, like you said.” His voice was mixed with irritation and sarcasm. 

The other smiled at him, delighted that he asked why he had taken him here during broad daylight. “Because.. We’ll be eating out for dinner, little Mo. Your pick also.” He responded. 

“Wow, I wasn't aware we're on a date.” Mo scoffed.

He Tian’s smile grew wider at the comment. “Well if you wanna put it that way, then sure, this is a date then.” 

Mo was taken aback, his ears flushed red. A sharp smack was made—he didn't realize he could hit someone this quickly. The other man bursts out laughing. “Hey, you’re the one who said it first! I was just going with the flow!” He earned another smack from Mo. 

The first game in the Carnival that they had tried was the High Striker — Mo wasn't really enthusiastic about the game itself, since the people who were playing it were mostly men trying to show off their strengths to their girlfriends. However, while waiting for their turn, Mo spots a small plushie that he finds.. Oddly adorable — it was a mini sandwich plushie that had a grumpy expression on its face, with hands, and cute little feet on it. As He Tian finished up the payment for their entry, he got a glimpse of Mo, adoring the sandwich plushie at the top shelf next to the other prizes. 

He nudges the redhead. “Little Mo~ What’re you staring at?” 

Mo quickly averted his gaze and fixated on He Tian’s dark, coal-black eyes. “When’s our turn?” he asked, his voice sounding a little enthusiastic as he set his goal for the day — to get the grumpy-looking sandwich plush. 

“Hm.. It should be..” He Tian checked how many people were still in front of them in line, and saw that they were actually the ones who were now at the very front of the line. “Now.”

Mo gulped and shuffled closer, the weight of curious eyes prickling at the back of his neck.

“Ladies and gentlemen—our brave challenger!” the carnival barker announced, He pressed the hammer into Mo’s hands with a flourish, giving a quick demonstration before stepping back. “Simple as this—hit the target, ring the bell, and the prize is yours! Let’s see what you’ve got!

He took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the hammer, and finally threw a hit. “8ft! So close, but not bad, kid!” The game master asserted. His heart was beating faster than usual, and the adrenaline rush still lingered in his body. He handed the hammer back to the old man and noticed the crowd whispering to each other—like they were judging Mo for not hitting the bell on the first try. That thought made him self-conscious—things were going well, but suddenly he felt like shit after a few worries. He hurried back toward He Tian, ready to disappear from the crowd. 

But before he could slip away, He Tian’s tall frame stepped forward.

“Ohhh—look what we have here!” the game master bellowed, his voice carrying over the carnival din. He sized He Tian up from head to toe with exaggerated flair. “A challenger built like a damn oak tree! Ladies and gents, do we think he’s got the strength to make this bell sing?”

The bystanders whooped and clapped, a few shouting encouragements. Mo groaned under his breath and tugged at He Tian’s sleeve. “Don’t. Just don’t.”

He Tian only smirked, plucking the hammer from the game master’s hand as if it weighed nothing. He gave it a casual swing, testing the balance, then glanced sidelong at Mo. “What? Gotta defend your honor.”

The game master grinned widely, egging him on. “That’s it, big guy! Plant your feet, give it a mighty swing—show us what you’re made of!”

Mo crossed his arms, trying to look unimpressed, but his ears burned as He Tian stepped into position, rolling his shoulders like he’d been waiting for this exact moment. With one smooth hit, the bell made a loud “Ding!” sound. The crowd applauded, thrilled to witness someone finally hit the jackpot.  

The old man clapped his hands, “Looks like we have a winner!” he exclaimed. Mo couldn't believe what he had just witnessed— ”This motherfucker is such a show off,” he mumbled to himself. 

He Tian shoved the plushie onto Mo’s chest. Mo blinked once, then blinked again, his furrowed brow softened at the plush. “I figured you’d want this one,” He Tian said casually with a grin on his face. Mo didn't respond, he was too busy admiring the small, grumpy-looking sandwich plush in his hands. 

Mo glanced up at him, his eyes were sparkling. “…Thanks,” he whispered almost shyly. 

He Tian’s lips curved into a soft, almost indulgent smile. “Mhm. Come on—plenty more games waiting for us,” he murmured, tugging the redhead gently by the wrist as he steered him away from the High Strike booth. The echo of the bell and the game master’s voice faded behind them, swallowed by the lively chaos of the carnival. 

They spent the afternoon drifting from booth to booth—first the Duck Pond, then Ring Toss, and on to the next challenge that caught their eye. Each game left them laughing, teasing, or bickering over who had the better aim. Every so often they paused for breaks, sitting shoulder to shoulder on a bench with cones of melting ice cream, trading stories between bites.

Somewhere along the way, the space between them began to shrink. Fingers brushed when they both reached for a prize at the same time, and when they hit the jackpot at one booth, they realized—almost too late—that their hands had clasped together in victory. Neither of them mentioned it, but neither let go right away either 

Time check: 5:32 PM 

Mo was exhausted but he didn't tell He Tian nor did he show it.

 They sat on a bench to catch their breath—he turned to look at the man next to him and saw that he was on his phone, probably talking to someone. He fixed his eyes back to the view in front of him, the wind was cooler around this time of the day, and it was making him feel more drowsy.

He tried—really, really, tried to keep his eyes open. But his body was exhausted, and he had done so much for today. And He Tian on the other handseemed to be occupied by his phone.. So he gave in with a sigh and said to himself that he’ll only rest his eyes for five minutes, in case He Tian wants to roam around again. 

But eventually, that led to Mo completely falling asleep. He Tian wasn't really paying attention to him anymore, he didn't even know that Mo had fallen asleep until he felt something heavy falling onto his shoulder. Startled, he immediately checked to see what had just landed on his shoulder—it was Mo. Sleeping peacefully with his mouth slightly parted. 

He chuckled at the sight of the redhead sleeping, he adjusted their position so that both of them could feel more comfortable. “Guess I tired you out today, huh?” he murmured, careful not to disturb his nap.

Time check: 6:12 PM

Mo was woken by the sudden noise from He Tian’s phone—a booming voice praising words like ‘Marvelous!’ and ‘Sweet!’, followed by the relentless popping and bursting of pieces he couldn’t even begin to describe. He peeked to see what kind of shenanigans this guy was doing on his phone and to his surprise, he saw He Tian playing… Candy Crush?

-

I know that he’s old, but come on! 

-

He Tian glanced over, lips tugging into a smug grin as his thumb flicked across the glowing screen. “Little Mo, are you up?”

Mo squinted, his hair a complete mess as he rubbed at his eyes. His brows furrowed, but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was holding back a laugh. “Why the hell are you playing Candy Crush…” he muttered, voice rough from sleep.

He Tian only chuckled, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief as he angled the phone toward him. “What? Is this your way of saying good morning?”

“Is blasting your speaker all the way while playing Candy Crush your way of saying good morning?” Mo grumbled, glaring at him from his chest.

He Tian snorted, laughter spilling out as he finally locked his phone and shoved it back into his pocket. The corner of his lips curled upward, clearly entertained by Mo’s irritation. “You got me.” He exclaimed dramatically with both of his hands up, as if he were surrendering to the authorities. 

Mo rubbed his eyes, still a little groggy from his nap. “We should get going, I have things to do after this,” he said as he got up to stretch. The other man got up as well, and they both headed back to the car. 

Their time at the carnival had finally come to an end. Both of them left exhausted and worn out, their arms filled with bags of prizes they had managed to win. Mo’s legs ached and his voice was hoarse from yelling at game stalls, but he couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much. He Tian had dragged him into every booth they passed, whether it was throwing rings, fishing out rubber ducks, or hammering down on High Strike like he was showing off. Mo had rolled his eyes a dozen times that afternoon, but secretly, he had enjoyed every second of it.

And today, he had forgotten about Felix for the whole day. He hadn’t once thought about the betrayal or the relationship that had been built on a lie. Instead, all he could remember was the sound of He Tian’s laugh, the way his dark eyes glimmered when he was teasing, and how easy it was to lose himself in the moment. Thanks to He Tian, the ache in his chest had been replaced with something new—something lighter, but far more dangerous.

–

By the time they stepped out of the glowing carnival grounds, the night air was cooler, carrying the faint smell of fried food and cotton candy. The neon lights flickered behind them, and Mo tightened his grip on the bags in his hands. His body was tired, but his chest felt strangely light, almost… unburdened.

He Tian walked beside him in silence for a while, his hands tucked in his pockets, humming quietly as if he hadn’t a care in the world. Mo glanced at him once, then quickly looked away, annoyed at the heat creeping up his neck.

“Hungry?” He Tian finally asked, breaking the silence.

Mo opened his mouth to say no, but his stomach betrayed him with a low growl. He Tian’s smirk widened. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Mo scowled, ready to fire back some snappy retort, but before he could, He Tian casually added, “My treat.”

And just like that, Mo realized this day wasn’t over yet.

Chapter Text

A wave of warmth and the mouthwatering scent of sizzling oil, garlic, and grilled meat hit them when they stepped inside. The air was thick with the aroma of spices blooming in hot pans, soy sauce caramelizing on the grill, and a hint of something sweet—maybe freshly baked bread or dessert—drifting from the kitchen. It was the kind of smell that made your stomach growl on instinct.

The restaurant wasn’t fancy but had that cozy, late-night charm. Rows of booth tables lined the walls, their deep red cushions slightly worn but soft, offering privacy and comfort. Warm yellow lights hung overhead, casting a mellow glow over each booth like little pockets of calm amid the chatter. A couple of families were finishing their meals, their laughter and the clinking of cutlery blending with the hum of a ceiling fan and a faint old song playing from the radio.

Mo slid into one of the booths, sinking into the cushioned seat with a quiet sigh, feeling the warmth seep into his tired body. Across from him, He Tian leaned back casually, one arm draped over the backrest. His relaxed posture made the small booth feel even more intimate. 

The waitress came with the menu in her hand. He Tian ordered casually as if he had eaten in this place multiple times now. Mo didn't order for himself as He Tian already beat him to it. He doesn't mind, really, he’s thankful that someone is willing to help him relax after a rough day. 

His phone which was placed on top of the table suddenly lit up, and multiple missed calls and messages from Felix came flooding in. 

— 

FELIX: Hey, where are you?

2 Missed Calls from Felix.

FELIX: Let's talk things out?

FELIX: I understand that you’re mad at me, but at least call me back. 

FELIX: Please.

—

He turned his phone off in disbelief. His head fell into his hands, why am I so unfortunate? When will this ever end? I’m so fucking tired. 

He Tian had caught up with the way Mo was behaving after checking his phone. And promising to help him have a good time and forget about his ex, he called Mo and asked what the problem was. 

“Hey, what’s wrong?” 

Mo was hesitant to tell him at first, but eventually did—the man was treating him and the least he could do was answer his questions. “Felix—my ex—won’t stop blowing up my phone. Asking to talk but I don't think we have anything to even talk about anymore. But I need to go back to his place to get my stuff back.”

“Oh, that guy again,” He Tian exclaimed. 

Mo’s frown deepened. Yes, He Tian, that guy again. 

“What if we drive back to his place after this? I can help you load everything into the car and then drive you to your place," the man suggested, his tone sounding genuine. But… If he accepts this offer, he’ll have to deal with the thought of how he will repay this man. And to make things worse—he didn't even have any other place to stay, he’s been living with Felix since last year and he had never thought that things would end up messy. 

He sighed. “Alright. But don't do anything stupid, I can handle my shit alone.” 

He Tian’s usual annoying grin returned. “Alright, big boy.” he teased.

Mo’s face flushed red at the teasing words. Before he could smack the older man’s arm, the savory scent of saucy steak, fried rice, and soup hit his nose. The waitress put down their dishes on the marble table, flashed a smile, and said “Enjoy” before leaving them alone again. 

Just looking at the food made Mo’s mouth water, he hadn't eaten a whole meal today, so he dug into the food. A “mhm” escaped from his lips, and the taste melted in his taste buds. He Tian found the view of Mo devouring the food he had specifically picked for him, endearing. “How cute,” he mumbled before joining Mo in devouring the dishes. 

Once they were done, they didn't leave right away. They took their time, exchanging glances without saying anything. The tension felt intimate, at first glance, it looks as if they were more than friends.. But they barely know each other for a day. They went on like this for a few more minutes. Just enjoying the comfort of feeling full while accompanied by someone good. 

Mo looked up at He Tian’s face, his eyes tracing every detail of the masterpiece in front of him. The man’s hair, which had been slicked back earlier, was now slightly tousled — probably from all the things they’d done today. His nose was perfect, with a high bridge and a sharp, straight line. And damn, he looked even hotter when he wasn’t wearing that usual annoying grin. His cheek and the tip of his ears burned scarlet as his stomach felt hot, the feeling was dangerous. 

As for He Tian, he had been glued to his phone for the past ten minutes, scrolling with that annoyingly blank expression he wore when he was too focused to notice anything else. He hadn’t looked up from his phone in what felt like forever, his thumb scrolling lazily as if Mo weren’t sitting right across from him.

Mo propped his chin on his hand, watching him with growing annoyance. “Seriously?” he muttered, tapping his fingers on the table. When that didn’t work, he stretched his leg under the table and lightly brushed his foot against He Tian’s ankle.

Nothing.

Mo narrowed his eyes and tried again—this time a slow, deliberate drag of his toes along He Tian’s calf.

He Tian’s scrolling faltered. His gaze lifted, sharp and questioning.

Mo only smiled sweetly. “Finally,” he said.

He Tian arched a brow. “You’re needy.”

Mo tilted his head, foot still teasing along his leg. “And you’re ignoring me.”

He Tian let out a quiet laugh, setting his phone down with a small thud. “So this is how you ask for attention now?”

Mo leaned forward, matching his stare. “Well, you weren’t listening when I was being nice,” he said, giving one last playful nudge under the table.

He Tian kicked back lightly—not to push him away, but to hook his foot around Mo’s. Their eyes locked, tension crackling in the air.

“Happy now?” He Tian asked

Mo looked at him with half-lidded eyes, a hint of hunger behind those amber flames. He was starving again, not for food. But rather for something else. 

“I wanna drink,” he murmured.

He Tian raised a brow. “Now?” 

“Yeah.”

“Mo, we have to get your things from your ex’s place,” he sighed. “We can’t, not tonight.” 

Mo pouted and crossed his arms. “Whatever,” he hissed under his breath.

He Tian chuckled. How could he ever take Mo seriously when he looked like that? Just look at him—his brows furrowed, lips flushed almost the same shade as his cheeks and ears. Completely adorable. He couldn’t care less about Mo’s attitude; if anything, that was exactly what made him even more attractive.

“Alright,” He Tian said in defeat. “Just one drink, and we’ll go.” 

As promised, they only had one drink. It was disappointing to Mo, but a side of him was thankful that the man was somewhat still responsible despite being a total devil at times. He’s seated beside He Tian on the passenger seat, the taste of liquor still lingering in his tongue. His head was turned to his right, watching the view beside him—they were on their way to Felix’s apartment and it would be a damn lie to say that it didn’t make him feel uneasy. 

His mind was a fog. 

“What am I supposed to say to him when I face him?” 

“What if things don’t end well, even if I’m just there to collect my stuff?”

He suddenly felt a hand on his thigh, causing him to part from his thoughts and snap his head back to the man beside him. “You okay, little Mo?” He Tian asked, his eyes still focusing on the road but his voice sounded genuine. His thumb brushes lightly against Mo’s thigh, in an attempt to comfort him even while driving. Before Mo could even respond, He Tian beat him to it.

“We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready,” he murmured. “You can rest first and do this tomorrow morning.” 

He Tian was far too caring for someone he had just met in a bar. It was making him all fuzzy and warm—when was the last time he got treated like this? Would it be alright if he asked to stay at his place again—or get held by him? 

“I wanna sleep,” Mo mumbled. 

He Tian nodded and handed him the phone, so he could type his address on Google Maps so they could head over there instead.

 “About that.. I don’t have any place to stay.”

Mo’s face was flushed, heat creeping all the way up to his ears. He peeked up at the other man’s face, trying to read his expression, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. His throat tightened as he swallowed hard, forcing himself to speak through the haze of nerves and alcohol. “C-can I stay at your place?” he blurted out, the words slurred and shaky — and the instant they left his mouth, his embarrassment deepened. 

“Alright,” was all He Tian said, his voice low and steady — no hesitation, no teasing this time. He shifted slightly in his seat, one hand resting lazily on the steering wheel as the car glided through the dimly lit streets.

The city lights outside blurred into streaks of gold and white as they passed, casting fleeting patterns across Mo’s flushed face. When the car reached the next intersection, He Tian flicked on the signal and made a smooth turn, the tires humming softly against the asphalt.

The familiar route toward his apartment stretched ahead of them, quiet except for the gentle hum of the engine. Mo’s pulse thrummed in his ears, the simple word replaying over and over in his head. Alright.

The front door clicked open. He Tian was the first to step inside, Mo followed behind closely, as if he wasn’t here this morning. Mo’s chest tightened a little, he was hoping for something to happen between him and He Tian—because something always happens when you come over to some guy’s house! So why wasn’t He Tian making a move? The thought made Mo frown, he flopped down on the couch and let out a huge groan. 

“Little Mo, what are you groaning about now?” He Tian asked as he flopped down next to him, his hands running through freely in those red strands. 

Mo was annoyed. This guy is so touchy, he talks so much, but he isn't even asking Mo for anything, not even head. Maybe Mo is just disappointed that He Tian wasn’t making a single dirty move on him. “I shouldn’t be thinking about this, nor should I feel frustrated about this,” Mo thought to himself. 

Or maybe.. He Tian was just waiting for Mo. To say the right things, or to make a move. Ah, fuck it..

Mo snuggled closer to the older man. His arms that were on his side, were thrown over He Tian’s neck. He kept his eyes fixated on the other’s dark, coal ones. 

He wanted He Tian, No—he needed him. 

“Why aren’t you making a single move on me, huh?” he asked, voice laced with frustration — like he was demanding He Tian to do something. “Answer me.”

He Tian’s hand slid up along Mo’s side beneath the fabric, the sudden touch making Mo jolt in surprise. A low chuckle slipped from He Tian’s lips as his other arm wrapped around Mo’s waist, drawing him in closer until there was barely any space left between them.

“I didn’t realize you were this eager,” He Tian murmured, voice dropping into something teasing and deliberate. “All this time I’ve been nice and patient with you, but what you really wanted something else from me, huh?” 

Mo didn’t dare to bark back. The words that slipped out of the older man’s mouth were indeed true—he does want something else from him, he wanted something that’ll make him feel good. He wants He Tian to make him feel good. That’s what he wants. He doesn’t want to admit it out loud, but his actions are giving it away. 

He shifted closer, until the distance between them vanished. Their noses brushed, light and electric, sending a shiver down his spine. Their breaths mingled—uneven, hot, charged with a tension that neither of them dared to break. His pulse pounded in his ears, every beat echoing the growing ache low in his body.

God, he could feel his pants tighten, the fabric straining as heat pooled between them. And it wasn’t just him—he could feel the other’s arousal too, pressing insistently against the barrier of their clothes, as if trying to break free and meet his.

The air thickened; time slowed. One glance into the other’s eyes was all it took—hungry, breathless, wanting. And then, with a single shared inhale, the space between them collapsed entirely. Their lips met in a desperate, heated kiss that tasted of everything they’d been holding back. 

Mo’s phone was ringing and vibrating against the floor, but neither of them paid it any attention. They were far too lost in each other’s lips, caught in a rhythm that made the rest of the world blur. The shrill tone became nothing more than background noise, blending seamlessly with the distant hum of the city below—the traffic, the wind, the faint chatter of strangers. All that mattered in that moment was the warmth of their mouths, the press of their bodies, and the dizzying closeness that left no room for distractions.