Jiang Xiao Shuai's POV
He didn't mean to wake up so early.
But the warmth next to him made it impossible to turn away.
Cheng Yu's arm was draped over his waist, chin nestled gently against his shoulder, and his slow, rhythmic breathing tickled the back of Xiao Shuai's neck. He was still asleep. Peacefully, almost childlike, a rare sight for someone who usually smirked his way through life.
Xiao Shuai stayed still for a while, eyes half-open, letting himself just feel everything.
Safety.
Quiet.
Skin still humming with memory.
When Cheng Yu finally stirred, it was with a soft groan and a sleepy nuzzle against the crook of Shuai's neck.
"Mmm... good morning."
Xiao Shuai turned slightly, enough to see his face.
"Morning."
Cheng Yu blinked lazily. "You're still here."
"You're holding me hostage," Xiao Shuai said with a light smirk, voice raspy from sleep.
"Damn right I am."
They both laughed softly. But the laughter faded just a little when Cheng Yu looked at him with those dark, serious eyes.
"Xiaoshuai..."
"Mm?"
"Be my boyfriend."
Xiao Shuai blinked.
No dramatic buildup. No teasing. Just the bare truth, laid in front of him.
"Officially?" he asked, voice smaller than he intended.
Cheng Yu nodded. "I want everyone to know. Even if they don't understand... I want it to be you."
Xiao Shuai stared at him for a moment. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a small, crooked grin.
"I mean... I did spend the night, didn't I?"
Cheng Yu exhaled in relief. "So that's a yes?"
"It's a yes, idiot."
And then their lips met again. Softer this time. Familiar. Like a promise.
By the time they made it out of bed, Cheng Yu had insisted on making breakfast.
Xiao Shuai sat on the kitchen counter, wearing Cheng Yu's hoodie and watching him fumble with eggs like he was defusing a bomb.
"You ever cracked one before?" Shuai teased, sipping from his mug.
"I've cracked heads. This is harder," Cheng Yu muttered.
"You're literally holding a spatula like a weapon."
"Old habits."
He flipped a pancake. It landed half on the pan, half on the counter.
Xiao Shuai laughed so hard he nearly choked on his drink. "Wow. My boyfriend's dangerous in every way."
Cheng Yu turned, eyes gleaming. "Say that again."
"What? That you're a disaster in the kitchen?"
"No." He came over, wiping his hands on a towel and stepping between Shuai's legs. "The other part."
Shuai's cheeks flushed. "My boyfriend?"
Cheng Yu leaned in and kissed his forehead. "Yeah. That."
As they ate – half-pancakes, over-scrambled eggs, and perfect laughter, Xiao Shuai's phone buzzed.
[Group Chat: Dumb Ducks 🦆]
Chi Cheng: "Everything okay over there?"
Suo Wei: "We miss you two 😢 Also... I think Wang Shuo is planning something."
Chi Cheng: "We're keeping an eye on things. Let's meet later."
Jiang Xiao Shuai sighed.
Cheng Yu read over his shoulder. "Chi Cheng's still on edge about that guy."
"He's right to be. But after last night..." Xiao Shuai looked up, expression serious. "Let's not keep this secret anymore. Not from them. Not from anyone."
"You sure?"
Xiao Shuai nodded. "If you are."
Cheng Yu smiled slowly, reaching across the table to brush his fingers along Shuai's wrist the same one Meng Tao had grabbed, now only faintly marked.
"I've never been more sure."
Later that day, as the four of them reunited on campus, something had changed.
No one said it outright.
But the way Cheng Yu held Xiao Shuai's hand under the table?
The way Chi Cheng looked at him, surprised for only a second before nodding in silent support?
And the way Wu Suo Wei grinned, wide and proud as he leaned closer to Xiao Shuai and whispered, "I knew it," before hugging him tightly?
It all meant one thing:
The secrets were slowly fading.
And love, real and raw and warm, was finally stepping into the light.