a sliver of light seeped through the gap in the curtains—whether from a streetlamp or the moon, it was impossible to tell.

the soft hum of the air conditioner was barely audible in the quiet bedroom.

li xiaos arm encircled jiang yus waist, his palm against the skin at his side, his thumb gently rubbing.

he kissed jiang yus collarbone, lingering on the mole just below it.

jiang yus fingers threaded through his hair, tightening, then loosening.

time slowly passed.

jiang yus breathing grew heavier and heavier, his arms wrapping around li xiaos neck, his face burying into the crook of his neck, panting heavily.

“tired?“

li xiaos voice was muffled against his neck.

“…mm.“

jiang yus voice floated, breathless.

li xiaos arm tightened, his lips pressing against jiang yus ear, his voice hoarse:

“then let me take over.“

with one arm around jiang yus waist and the other braced on the bed, he leaned forward and slowly lowered jiang yu onto the mattress.

jiang yus back pletely open at his waist, his whole body sinking into the bed.

li xiao hovered above him, hands planted on either side of his head, looking down at him.

jiang yus eyes were bright, reflecting li xiaos image.

li xiao leaned down and kissed jiang yus lips.

this kiss was very light, carrying a soothing quality.

jiang yus arms wrapped around li xiaos neck, pulling himself closer.

the kiss deepened.

li xiaos breathing grew heavier, his palms roaming over jiang yus body.

he kissed jiang yus shoulder hollow, leaving faint red marks on the skin there.

then he kissed the inside of his arm, where the skin was so thin that blue veins were visible.

he gave it a light lick, his teeth grazing the skin.

jiang yus body trembled slightly, a soft whimper escaping his throat.

li xiaos kisses continued downward.

from his arm to his elbow, from his elbow to his wrist, finally stopping at his fingertips.

he took jiang yus index finger into his mouth, the tip of his tongue lightly sweeping over the pad.

jiang yus breathing completely fell apart.

li xiao lifted his head and looked at him.

jiang yus face was flushed, his eyes moist, his lips slightly parted.

li xiaos mouth curved into a smile. he leaned down and kissed jiang yus lips, his hand sliding from his waist to his back, then he rolled over, letting jiang yu lie on top of him.

jiang yu lay on li xiaos chest, his face buried in the crook of his neck, gasping for air.

li xiaos palm patted his back gently, rhythmically. when his breathing had steadied somewhat, he slowly rolled over again, lowering jiang yu back onto the bed, letting him lie on his stomach.

jiang yu turned his face to the side, resting on the pillow li xiao had slipped beneath him, his eyes half-closed.

under the light, his back glowed with a warm luster, the contours of his shoulder blades sharp, the line of his spine running from his neck down to his waist, disappearing into the bathrobe pooled around his hips.

li xiao leaned down and kissed that shoulder blade.

jiang yus lashes fluttered.

li xiaos kisses moved slowly down from his shoulder blade, the tip of his tongue tracing each raised bump of his spine.

he kissed very slowly, each kiss carrying an almost reverent tenderness.

jiang yus fingers clenched the bedsheet.

li xiaos kisses stopped at his waist.

his lips pressed against the skin there, feeling it grow warm beneath his mouth.

he kissed it once, then again, the tip of his tongue lightly brushing over it.

jiang yus fingers gripped the sheet even tighter.