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If Xie Lian were to pinpoint the moment his life changed course, he would say it was when he met Crimson Rain.
Xie Lian was a bank teller, though it seemed he was on the fast track to promotion. He knew that he was good at what he did, even if he was a relatively small cog in the machine. Xie Lian knew all the regular customers and exactly how he needed to handle each one. He was good with them. Always a friendly face, always knowing what had to be done to satisfy their needs. It wasn't much, but knowing he was good at something came with a feeling of purpose that he cherished.
Xie Lian had a fiancé. That really should've been cause for celebration, but even he had to admit he had his reservations about it. Jun Wu was a senior officer in the police force. He'd worked hard for the respect he commanded in his position. That was why he was so distant. Not because he didn't care about Xie Lian, but because he had such heavy duties to keep up with. Xie Lian kept telling himself he expected too much from Jun Wu, that a relationship was about compromise. Jun Wu had made so much of a commitment that he'd proposed. That should be enough.
"Have a lovely day, ma'am." Xie Lian smiled politely, looking down at the computer screen in front of him. Before even glancing at the next customer, he began to say the practiced greeting. "Good morning. How can I help you today?"
Upon seeing the customer's face, Xie Lian's stomach sank. Because he didn't see a face at all. The person in front of him wore a dark hood, and their face was obscured by an eerie white smiling mask. It was obvious what was happening. A person would only walk into a bank dressed like that for one reason.
"I apologise for the disturbance," the stranger said, his voice surprisingly friendly and warm. "I need you to calmly collect as much money as you can and bring it to me without making a scene."
Aside from the circumstances and the strange mask, this person didn't seem at all threatening. Yet, because of what was happening, Xie Lian's instinct was fear. Xie Lian had heard plenty of terrible stories from Jun Wu about the criminals he'd been forced to deal with, and the things they were capable of. Xie Lian didn't know what the masked thief would do if his demands weren't met. Jun Wu was the policeman, and as much as Xie Lian had heard from his fiancé, he didn't know what he was supposed to do in such a situation. They'd barely been trained for it.
Xie Lian’s work station was obscured by the safety barrier. So long as he remained subtle, the thief wouldn't know what he was doing. With barely perceptible movement, Xie Lian reached for his phone. He glanced down, trying to mask the subtle shift of his hand with dread. The first number in his phone was Jun Wu's. Calling him came with benefits. If the thief figured out what he was doing, it wouldn't look like he'd called the police. Besides, Jun Wu was highly regarded. He had enough power to get people moving quickly.
Once Xie Lian was sure Jun Wu had picked up, he focused his attention on the thief and asked, "Why are you doing this?"
The mask made it impossible for Xie Lian to determine the stranger's demeanor. He leaned in closer, and Xie Lian instinctively shifted back. "Please get the money, and I will be out of your hair."
Xie Lian looked around the room, tentatively asking, "Are there others, or is it just you?"
Xie Lian was sure that every little bit of information he could get would help Jun Wu. There had to be others, didn't there? People didn't just rob a bank on their own, right? But how many would there be? How well planned was this? How much trouble were they actually in? Xie Lian couldn't see a weapon, but that didn't mean there wasn't one. It would be foolish to think no lives were at risk.
"Please do this for me." The thief tilted his head to the side in an oddly endearing way, using his charm to coax him. "I don't want to do anything. I just want to get the money and go."
"O-Okay." Xie Lian looked down at the desk, seeing the call was still going. Jun Wu was still listening. He clenched his fists, trying to stop the shaking. "Okay. Just don't hurt anyone. Please."
"No one will be harmed," the thief assured.
Xie Lian pursed his lips and hesitantly said, "Just wait here."
There was a decision to be made: did he bring his phone and try to talk to Jun Wu, or leave it there, removing the risk of being caught? Xie Lian hoped that leaving it there might provide more details. Maybe the thief would say something if no one else was around.
The idea was to move slowly. Xie Lian wanted to give Jun Wu as much time to get there as possible. He wanted to avoid giving in to the thief’s demands. Most importantly, he didn't want anyone to catch on to what was happening and cause a panic. Xie Lian stayed within sight of the thief, partly to keep the situation calm and prevent the stranger from suspecting foul play. Partly because he was able to ensure no one else was being roped into the mess.
From glances back at the thief, Xie Lian was slowly getting a better idea of exactly what kind of danger they were in. The thief kept looking over his shoulder at two people in particular. The first was standing by the entrance. Based on build and height alone, Xie Lian could only assume it was a man. All other details were obscured by the hood he had up, and the scarf wrapped around his face like a mask. He did not appear to have any business there; instead standing in place with his arms crossed, looking more like a security guard than a customer.
The other, Xie Lian could make out even less of. They were at the counter provided for filling out forms, facing away and leaning down as though they were hard at work. But they weren't actually doing anything. The way they bent over the counter gave Xie Lian just enough of an angle to spot the gun hidden at the back of their waistband.
This was even more serious than Xie Lian had first suspected.
It was difficult to know just how much time had passed. How long had he been stalling? It was proving challenging to pretend to do what he was asked without actually having money in his hands. The man at the door gestured to the person at the counter, causing them to stand up straight and swiftly move to the thief standing at Xie Lian’s desk. The movement gave Xie Lian the perfect view of their long, auburn hair, but the cowl pulled up over their mouth, mixed with the sunglasses, made them almost impossible to identify.
They leaned in close, whispering something in the thief's ear, and though it was hard to tell, Xie Lian was sure the thief was looking right at him. There was a part of Xie Lian that was afraid he'd been found out. But unless they discovered his phone, there was no reason to blame anything on him.
"Cover the entrance," The thief directed the other. There was almost regret in his voice when he said to Xie Lian, "I'm really sorry for everything that comes next."
The ominous nature of those words sat heavily on Xie Lian's chest, watching wordlessly as the three thieves convened at the entrance. Xie Lian felt numb watching their clear agitation as they stared out into the street. The sounds of sirens and the flashing lights did not ease his mind as he thought they might. The thief's words just kept ringing in his head, telling him this was far from over.
"Can I have everyone's attention, please!" The thief with the smiling mask called out to the room at large. He stepped forward, reinforcing his role as leader of the group. "As you can hear, there is a commotion with the police outside the building. They are here for my colleagues and myself. I need everyone to remain calm and follow instructions."
While there was clear authority in his voice, it didn't come across as arrogance. Rather, it felt like he held complete control of the situation. It felt like he knew exactly what needed to be done to make it through the circumstances, and it was only natural to follow his guidance. He was reassuring in a way that defied logic. All reason told Xie Lian that this thief was the reason they were in this mess, yet Xie Lian's heart said listening was the only way out.
"I'm going to be transparent with you; we do have weapons, but they will not be used. They are only a defense against the police. Please do not panic. No one will be harmed," the thief reassured, ensuring the hysteria would not arrive later when their weapons were revealed. "Right now, my priority is to get everyone out of this building safely, but I cannot put any faith in the police and what they may do, so I must ask that you stay inside. Wind Master here will take care of you. If you have any concerns, please let them know."
The thief in the cowl, Wind Master, stepped toward the crowd, ushering everyone over to one side of the room. "Come sit over here with me, away from the windows."
Quiet murmuring spread through the room, people trying to understand what was going on. The thief had not provided all the details. He hadn't explained their reason for being there, that what they were doing justified the police's involvement. Xie Lian wondered if that truth had been withheld to keep everyone on side or to prevent further hysteria in the room. Regardless, Xie Lian said nothing. There was no reason to add fuel to an already volatile situation. As much as Xie Lian didn't want to give these thieves what they wanted, he agreed that the safety of everyone involved was of the utmost importance.
Despite following instructions and sitting with the group, Xie Lian's focus was on the two who still stood by the door. Wind Master's gentle comforting was nothing but white noise as Xie Lian stared ahead, taking in the clear disquiet in the pair's movements.
"This wasn't part of the plan," the hooded thief hissed.
"No shit." The masked thief stayed off to one side, watching the movement outside whilst keeping out of range for any shots.
"We can't just stay here."
"You want to go out there and try your luck with the boys in blue? Be my guest." The smiling mask belied the unease in his voice. "Best case scenario, you get arrested."
"What about the money?"
"Fuck the money!" Even from the other side of the room, Xie Lian flinched at the outburst. "This was your moronic plan, and I was dumb enough to go along with it. And now all these people's lives are our responsibility. I don't want to hear about the money. I want you to stay here and make sure they don't get any closer while I try to figure out a way to get us out of here."
"Whatever you say, Crimson Rain." The hooded thief said it with disdain, clearly displeased to be taking orders from him, but aware that it was the best way to get through the situation.
When the thief with the smiling mask started walking towards the group, Xie Lian quickly looked away, focusing his attention on Wind Master. They'd settled themself in the middle of the group, talking animatedly about how exciting the situation was, as if trying to keep up their spirits. Of all the expectations Xie Lian had for dangerous criminals, this didn't match up at all. Wind Master especially seemed almost oblivious to the severity of the situation. Strangely, their casual nature appeared to calm the group.
"Excuse me." Xie Lian jolted, not expecting Crimson Rain's warm voice or for him to be kneeling at his side. Xie Lian’s reaction earned a gentle laugh. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
Xie Lian stared up at Crimson Rain, giving himself a moment for his heart to calm. It was the closest he'd ever been to the thief. Where once there was a barrier between them, Xie Lian suddenly had nothing to keep him safe. It stood to reason that he was in the most danger with their leader. Xie Lian had been given a taste of Crimson Rain's frustration just moments ago. The last thing he wanted was to bear the brunt of that anger.
"N-No, it's fine," Xie Lian replied, shifting uncomfortably in place. "Is everything okay?"
"…I'll get back to you on that." Crimson Rain gestured to the entrance, "Since you work here, I was hoping you'd be able to help me with the security shutters. Do you have the keys?"
"Oh." Xie Lian glanced over at his desk, biting his lip.
There were plenty of other staff stuck in that room. It was surprising that Crimson Rain decided to ask him. Maybe it was because they’d already spoken before. Maybe it was easier when the rapport was already established. If he could even call it a rapport. Perhaps Crimson Rain suspected him of something and was just trying to keep him close. It was that fear and paranoia that made Xie Lian uneasy.
Until he looked into those eyes.
They were barely visible behind the mask, but from so close, Xie Lian could see them. He could make out the stark difference between the vibrant red of his right eye and the darkness of the left. Was that why they called him Crimson Rain? There was kindness in those eyes. Something that told Xie Lian that he was safe despite every instinct telling him to be afraid.
"I know where they are. I just need to get them," Xie Lian explained, taken by surprise when Crimson Rain got to his feet and offered his hand.
At first, Xie Lian stared at it, uncertain of what exactly he should do. He took in the length of Crimson Rain’s slender fingers, the elegance of them. An odd thought to have, Xie Lian noted, when considering a dangerous criminal. But was he dangerous? Xie Lian kept running through the last thirty minutes. Crimson Rain had adamantly requested the money, but insisted no one would be harmed. The way he'd lashed out, vehement that every life in the building would remain safe. It was difficult to be afraid when Crimson Rain had proven himself so benevolent.
Taking the offered hand, Xie Lian let Crimson Rain pull him to his feet, eyes fixated on the point of contact. Crimson Rain's hand was cold. So cold, Xie Lian wanted to sandwich it between his own, maybe hold it to his lips and breathe some warmth into it. Another strange consideration, Xie Lian thought, letting his fingers fall from Crimson Rain's before he could dwell any further.
Finally drawing his gaze away, Xie Lian looked up to find that Crimson Rain was watching him. The smiling mask made it feel positive, almost kind, but Xie Lian wasn't sure what was hidden beneath. And he couldn't decide whether he liked that feeling of anonymity or not.
"Lead the way." Crimson Rain gestured towards the counters, reminding Xie Lian of their goal.
"Right." Xie Lian rushed toward his desk, using the task as a much-needed distraction from his racing thoughts. It wasn't normal to feel safe with your captor. It certainly wasn't normal to be so curious about them. Was it? Xie Lian snatched the keys from a hook on the wall and explained, "The shutters are a little heavy, but you just need to pull them across, and then I can lock them with these."
Crimson Rain took Xie Lian by the shoulders and carefully guided him to a specific spot off to one side of the room and instructed, "Stay right here. I don't think they'll risk taking any shots right now, but I don't want to take any chances. Once I have the shutter over, you can come and lock it, okay?"
"Okay," Xie Lian replied a little breathlessly.
Xie Lian had never experienced such a level of comfort and care before, and his fiancé was a cop. To think this criminal was so capable of empathy, so insistent on keeping everyone safe. It just didn't make sense for him to be doing all of this. With the help of the hooded thief, Crimson Rain pulled the shutter closed, providing them with a little more cover and safety should the police get trigger-happy. Xie Lian didn't believe that would happen. He knew that Jun Wu had certainly been forced to fire before, but couldn't imagine them ever doing it unless absolutely necessary. It didn't seem possible for these thieves to drive them to that point.
Xie Lian moved closer, making sure the shutter was properly in place and locking it. He froze at the sound of Crimson Rain's warm, velvety voice at his side. "Good job."
The effect was immediate. Xie Lian's body seemed to react to Crimson Rain all on its own, a blush blooming over his face and speaking of emotions he hadn't quite had the time to comprehend yet. When Crimson Rain was near, Xie Lian felt nervous. Not in a bad way, he had decided. It wasn't the fear he'd initially felt upon their meeting. That same dread didn’t exist within him anymore. It stemmed from the unknown. Xie Lian couldn't begin to know what Crimson Rain would do next. He was an enigma. And while that should have been discomforting in such a situation, Xie Lian found that trying to unravel the mystery of this man was precisely what he needed to ground himself.
Looking down at the keys in his hand, Xie Lian rubbed the other over his face, as if he could somehow wipe away the evidence of his emotions. He swiftly pressed the keys into Crimson Rain's grip, insisting, "Y-You should probably hold onto these."
"Thanks," Crimson Rain said after a beat, and Xie Lian could've sworn he heard amusement in his voice. Turning away, he called out, "Black Water." The keys were tossed to the hooded thief, and Crimson Rain instructed, "You stay here and keep an eye on the cops. Let me know if anything changes."
An annoyed grunt was the only response he received before the hooded thief, Black Water, settled himself on the floor by the shutters, leaning against them as he watched the chaos unfolding outside.
Turning back to Xie Lian, Crimson Rain tilted his head just slightly. The movement might not have been so noticeable if not for the mask he wore. He'd done it before, when he was trying to get Xie Lian to give him the money. It was charming and oddly endearing, and Xie Lian wondered if Crimson Rain even knew that he did that. Every time he did, Xie Lian's mind would try to piece together some image of the face that remained hidden and the expression he might be making. Xie Lian couldn't say why, but he kept imagining there to be a gentle, welcoming smile. Perhaps that was just the influence of the mask.
"There have to be other exits in the building," Crimson Rain noted. "Can you show me where they are?"
Once again, Xie Lian was taken aback by how Crimson Rain seemed to be relying on him. Xie Lian could do anything, take Crimson Rain to any part of the bank, lead him into some kind of trap, and it seemed Crimson Rain would trust him regardless. Logic told Xie Lian that this was Crimson Rain's only choice, that they were stuck in that building, and that it only made sense to ask for direction on the structure of the place from someone who worked there. Yet, Xie Lian had not missed the very real fact that Crimson Rain was so calm and so patient in a situation where most criminals would be waving around guns and shouting demands.
It was that level of quiet confidence and unwavering equanimity that was throwing Xie Lian for a loop.
"Um, yeah, there's a fire exit." Xie Lian shook his head, trying to make himself focus on the task at hand. "It's on the side of the building. I can show you."
"Please." Crimson Rain politely stepped aside, waiting for Xie Lian's guidance.
It was just like a fire drill, Xie Lian told himself. He'd gone through those motions dozens of times. Of course, for his location in the building, he normally would just exit through the front entrance, but he'd been made to learn all exits for every eventuality. This just wasn't the situation he ever thought he'd be using it for. As Xie Lian took them to the fire exit, he noted that this was an escape route and wondered why the criminal would be so willing to have one of his captors lead him there. Was he not afraid that Xie Lian would try to make a run for it? Although Xie Lian supposed that trying to get away would prove even more dangerous.
Standing in front of the fire exit doors, Xie Lian explained, "They're the same as most fire exits. It’s a push-down lever. Doesn't open from the other side. Are you thinking about ways to get out, or are you trying to stop the police getting inside?"
"Both," Crimson Rain replied, reaching out and pressing a hand to the bar.
Xie Lian watched with bated breath, unsure of what outcome he was actually hoping for. He was the reason the police were there in the first place; it made sense to want Crimson Rain and his accomplices to go to jail for what they'd done that day. But he still didn't believe there was a malicious bone in Crimson Rain's body. He'd seen no proof of it. Aside from the one outburst he'd let loose on Black Water, Crimson Rain had maintained an air of poise, and his care for the safety of everyone in the building had never wavered. Maybe all of this was just some terrible mistake.
The door clicked open when Crimson Rain pressed on the bar, and it felt like time slowed down for a moment. Xie Lian could barely breathe, watching the moment unfold before him. The room felt too quiet, too empty, and this fire exit… It felt too easy. When Crimson Rain pushed the door open, everything went from slow to far too fast. The screaming outside was instant, officers shouting demands for Crimson Rain to come out with his hands up, to drop his weapons, to remain where they could see him. Xie Lian moved without thinking, grabbing the back of Crimson Rain's shirt in a white-knuckled grip and pulling him back inside. The click of the door closing again was deafening in the quiet hallway.
"Are you okay?" Xie Lian asked, surprised by the desperation in his own voice.
"I'm fine." Crimson Rain turned to Xie Lian, brushing a hand over his arm as if checking him for any damage. Eventually, his hands rested on Xie Lian's shoulders, and he coaxed, "Hey, look at me. Take a deep breath."
Xie Lian did what he was told, only realising he was shaking when he was given that moment to come down from the adrenaline. It was becoming more and more clear to Xie Lian that he did not do well in situations beyond his own control. This was so far out of his scope. He couldn't stop anything that was happening, and there was so much at stake. Xie Lian swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to explain, "I-I just— I thought they might hurt you."
"I'm okay. You're okay. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. No matter what. Okay?" Crimson Rain assured, his voice taking on a soothing edge that impossibly told Xie Lian that nothing bad would happen.
Xie Lian nodded hesitantly. "Okay."
"Can you tell me your name?" Crimson Rain asked, and though Xie Lian knew it was a means of distraction, he appreciated it nonetheless.
"Xie Lian."
"Xie Lian," Crimson Rain repeated. "That's a nice name."
Xie Lian had to agree. It did sound nice when he said it.
"Xie Lian, I need you to find me something to block this doorway. Just in case," Crimson Rain instructed.
Having a goal made it easier to think. If he just kept following Crimson Rain's guidance, everything would be okay. So, Xie Lian moved into nearby rooms, trying to find something that might do the job. He wasn't sure how heavy that door was. If the police did manage to break it down, would anything he put in front of it even matter? There were some very heavy cabinets filled with decades of paperwork. It wasn't much, but it was perhaps the best he could do under the circumstances.
Xie Lian had managed to push the first cabinet into the hallway by the time Hua Cheng called out, "Can you get me one of those ropes from the barriers out front? I'll handle the cabinets."
"Okay." Xie Lian blinked, surprised by the change in direction, but obediently followed regardless.
What was perhaps most shocking of all was the freedom Xie Lian was being given. They were all hostages in this situation. It didn't matter how kind Crimson Rain was; he was still the one with the gun, still the one forcibly keeping them there, though Xie Lian truly believed it was for their own benefit. Despite that, he had allowed Xie Lian to look through rooms without supervision. He'd asked Xie Lian to go and get things for him without an escort. Xie Lian could be doing anything, but once again, Crimson Rain was showing his faith. It didn't feel like a man desperate to get out alive, no matter the cost. Crimson Rain was relying on him. And that reliance made it easier for Xie Lian to trust him.
Returning with the velvet rope, Xie Lian watched as Crimson Rain used it to tie the push-down levers together, ensuring that the doors would only open if the rope snapped. Once it was in place, they worked together to push the cabinets into position. It wasn't much, but it would certainly slow the police down if they tried to break through. At the very least, they would be provided with plenty of warning if they managed to do it. That was all they could hope for.
"Thank you. I know I've been asking a lot of you," Crimson Rain said as he escorted Xie Lian back to the group. "And I wanted to say I'm sorry. For scaring you, and for asking you to bring me the money."
Xie Lian bit his lip, quietly admitting, "You did scare me then. You don't scare me now."
"Are you saying I need to work harder on my terrifying, hardened criminal angle?" Crimson Rain teased.
Xie Lian laughed, shaking his head. "No, I um, I quite like the gentler Crimson Rain." He gestured to Black Water, still sitting by the door, "Save your wrath for him, please."
Crimson Rain's sudden peal of laughter took Xie Lian by surprise. It was important to soak it in, to take as much joy from this terrible situation as he could. And Crimson Rain had such a vibrant laugh. It was warm, and deep, and so completely genuine. It was a sound you could grow used to, maybe even find yourself longing to hear again. He couldn't say why, but Xie Lian hoped he would.
"He certainly deserves it more than you do." Crimson Rain pointed to Wind Master and said, "They will make sure you're comfortable. If you need anything at all, you can go to them. But you can also come to me. Just you, though. Don't tell the others."
Xie Lian smiled, feeling lighter than he had since Crimson Rain had first walked into the building. "Are you allowed to play favourites with your hostages?"
"They're my hostages, I make the rules." Crimson Rain shrugged.
Despite how much Xie Lian wanted to stay close to Crimson Rain and learn more about the mysterious man behind the smiling mask, he settled back on the floor with the rest of the hostages, staring down at the ring on his finger. It was impossible not to question what he could've done differently. If he had just given Crimson Rain the money, if he hadn't called Jun Wu, none of this would be happening. The thieves would've left. All these people would be safe. If anyone got hurt, Xie Lian could only blame himself.
The sound of a phone ringing broke through the silence.
Everyone looked around at each other, trying to figure out who the culprit was, rather than searching out their own phones. But Xie Lian didn't need to look to know who was behind the ringing. It wasn't coming from the crowd. It was coming from his desk. Trepidation filled his stomach, and if he could've made himself any smaller, he would've. There was only one person who would be calling him now, and it was his own fault, but he'd been hoping that Jun Wu would be able to sort things out himself.
"I thought you took everyone's phones." Crimson Rain stared pointedly at Wind Master.
"You never told me to take anyone's phones," they pointed out.
"Is that not common sense?" Crimson Rain sighed, following the sound of the ringing to Xie Lian's desk and picking up the phone. He scrutinised it for a moment before pointing to Xie Lian. "Can I talk to you?"
Xie Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There was no denying that it belonged to him. Crimson Rain had seen him sitting at that desk. All he could do was hope that he'd established enough of a connection, and Crimson Rain would remain as understanding as he had been. Looking around the group, Xie Lian found that all eyes were on him. Some seemed concerned, others suspicious. It would be fair to believe Xie Lian had some hand in this mess. Crimson Rain had been pulling him aside at every given opportunity. How could they not believe he was in on it?
Reluctantly, Xie Lian got up, crossing the room to Crimson Rain and preparing for all hell to break loose when he asked the inevitable question. "Can you tell me who Jun Wu is?"
"He's my fiancé." Xie Lian wrung his fingers together nervously, "He um… He's a senior police officer."
"A cop!?" Black Water screeched from across the room, "Are you fucking kidding? We robbed the one bank with a cop's boyfriend at the front desk!?"
"Fiancé," Xie Lian corrected, staring at the ground and wishing it would swallow him up.
"He'll kill us to get to him," Black Water stressed. "We've put the only thing that matters to this guy at risk."
It was a bold statement. One that Xie Lian couldn't quite get behind. He was most certainly not the only thing that mattered in Jun Wu's life. In fact, if he was being completely honest with himself, Xie Lian knew he was on the lower end of that list. That had never been a problem. Being low on the roster of priorities didn't feel like such a big deal when the rest of the items were things like finding armed criminals and keeping the city safe. It had always been known and acceptable for Xie Lian to be independent.
But Jun Wu did care. Enough to organise all the police cars outside and to call him back, at least.
"This isn't necessarily a bad thing," Crimson Rain said, still scrutinising the phone in his hand.
"Really?" Black Water scoffed, gesturing to the shutters and the chaos outside. "Have you forgotten what's going on out there?" He pointed at Xie Lian. "He complicates things."
"They'll want him safe even more than any of the others," Crimson Rain pointed out. "He's exactly the leverage we need."
Xie Lian tried not to take offense. Though it made him sound like nothing more than a tool, he had to agree that he was indeed the best option the thieves had to negotiate a way out. Ultimately, the goal was for this mess to end quickly, with as few complications as possible. Xie Lian didn't mind being a tool if it meant everyone else would be safe. He'd called Jun Wu when he did because he believed lives were at risk. Now that he'd had time to watch the thieves interact, he had come to the conclusion that they were perfectly safe. Perhaps it was foolish to so swiftly put his faith in these criminals, and Xie Lian couldn't explain exactly why he was so sure, but Crimson Rain had made him feel safe when nothing had made sense.
The shrill sound of Xie Lian's phone ringing in Hua Cheng's hand jolted him from his thoughts. They all stared down at it as if it held all the answers. Jun Wu's name lit up the screen. There was something almost foreboding about it. Like the phone call held the answer to their fates.
Crimson Rain was the first to move, hovering his thumb over the button to answer and instructing Xie Lian, "Talk to him."
His heart leapt into his throat when Crimson Rain answered the call, switching it to speaker. It was suddenly much more pressure than Xie Lian had expected. What was he supposed to say? How was he supposed to negotiate for them when he didn't know what they wanted him to ask for?
Before he could overthink it, Xie Lian took a shaky breath and tentatively said, "Hello?"
"Are they still there?" Jun Wu's cool, equanimous voice broke through the quiet of the room.
Xie Lian was shaken by the lack of emotion in Jun Wu's voice. Or maybe it wasn't that. Not exactly. It was the lack of care. Jun Wu wasn't rushing to find out if Xie Lian was okay. Hell, he wasn't even asking about any of the other hostages, either. Jun Wu's focus was entirely on the job at hand. He couldn't be blamed. The situation was serious. There was no time for emotions to get in the way.
But Xie Lian would've liked some sign of concern from his fiancé.
"Yes." Xie Lian pursed his lips, looking around at Crimson Rain and Black Water standing on either side of him. "Yeah, they're still here."
"Where are they?" Jun Wu asked.
"Right here," Crimson Rain spoke up, resting a reassuring hand on Xie Lian's shoulder. "How can I help you, officer?"
"You can calmly vacate the building with your hands behind your head," Jun Wu retorted, his voice taking on an aggravated edge.
Crimson Rain chuckled, shaking his head, "You know, I'd really love to leave, but I'm going to need your assurance that I can do so safely. Once you do that for me, I'll be out of your hair."
"The building is surrounded. You're in no position to be making demands," Jun Wu pointed out.
Crimson Rain paused for a moment, and Xie Lian found himself again wishing he could see his face. What was he thinking? This was Xie Lian's first experience with this side of Jun Wu. It was hard to say what exactly he'd been expecting, but perhaps a little more understanding. A little more flexibility. Xie Lian recognised that talking to a criminal must be difficult for a cop, but knowing that lives were potentially at stake made Xie Lian wonder why Jun Wu was being so rigid in his commands.
Crimson Rain's sigh was audible even beneath the mask. "I didn't really want to go here so quickly, but you should keep in mind that your fiancé's life is in my hands right now." Though there was a threatening tone to his voice, Crimson Rain gently squeezed Xie Lian's shoulder, an action designed to soothe any concerns his words might've raised. "If you'd like him back in one piece, you should strongly consider letting us leave. What do you think, officer?"
"No," Jun Wu responded almost instantly.
The swiftness of Jun Wu's refusal seemed to take Crimson Rain off guard just as much as it did Xie Lian. Letting dangerous criminals get away obviously went against everything Jun Wu believed in. Still, the complete lack of hesitation when Xie Lian's life was on the line left questions floating in his mind. Questions of how much love was really there. Questions of whether Jun Wu even cared. Maybe this was just an incredible poker face. But still, Xie Lian couldn't imagine being able to take such a risk with someone who was supposed to mean so much to Jun Wu.
"I'm sorry. I have to take some of the blame for your ignorance. I led you to believe you have a choice in this." There was a dangerous edge to Crimson Rain's voice. "You won't get him back unless you agree to my terms."
"I said no," Jun Wu insisted. "I don't care who you have, you're not getting what you want."
Crimson Rain scoffed. "I'm impressed by your commitment to your current level of understanding. Maybe you need a little more time to wrap your head around the gravity of the situation." He hung up the phone, looking pointedly at Xie Lian and dryly saying, "He seems like quite a catch."
Xie Lian averted his gaze, staring at a scuff mark on the floor as if it held the answers to life itself. It was difficult for Xie Lian to reconcile the feeling of shame that was suddenly threatening to swallow him whole. Jun Wu's actions were his own. Xie Lian played no part in it. Still, there was a connection that couldn't be denied. They were tethered to each other by the ring on Xie Lian's finger. Jun Wu's nonchalance and antipathetic nature reflected back on Xie Lian. This was the man he had chosen. The discomfort didn't just come from Jun Wu's actions. It came from the realisation that, maybe, Xie Lian didn't like the man he was supposed to love.
Twisting the ring on his finger with his thumb, Xie Lian barely registered Crimson Rain calling out to him. The gentle press of a reassuring hand on Xie Lian's shoulder drew him from his thoughts. Looking up, he found that Crimson Rain had moved closer, holding out the phone and carefully asking, "Is it okay if I hold onto this for a while? In case he calls again."
Once more, Xie Lian found himself wishing he could see the face behind that smiling mask, to better understand what exactly Crimson Rain was thinking. Was there a strategy behind this kindness? The juxtaposition between Jun Wu's cold indifference and Crimson Rain's quiet care was startling. Xie Lian shook his head, letting out a shaky breath as if it might take all the uncertainty with it. "Yeah. You're the one in charge here. You can do whatever you want."
Crimson Rain's grip tightened minutely for just a moment, his voice somehow even softer when he assured, "Not if it makes you uncomfortable."
"Are you going to call him back?" Xie Lian asked, trying to change the subject before he obsessed over Crimson Rain's motives.
"If he doesn't call back later today, I will. It's not like I'm counting down the seconds 'till I get to hear from him again." Crimson Rain shrugged. "I don't suppose you keep any food in this place? I'd like to figure out how much time we've got."
Grateful for the distraction, Xie Lian replied, "We have a break room with a kitchen. There's a fridge and a pantry in there. I wouldn't say we're fully stocked up, but we should have enough food to last a while. I can show you."
Crimson Rain gestured for Xie Lian to step forward, and he could hear the smile in his voice when he requested, "Lead the way."
What did Crimson Rain's smile look like? Was it simple and subtle? Was it bright like the sun? Was it the kind of smile that encapsulated his whole face, or something more reserved? If Xie Lian tried to picture it in his mind, it was somewhere in between. a small quirk of the lip that spoke of quiet confidence. Then again, when he really let himself go, really let the emotions take over, Xie Lian could imagine the crinkling of Crimson Rain's eyes, the way his skin would almost glow with his happiness. Xie Lian didn't know why he was trying so hard to imagine what Crimson Rain really looked like. But something about the images his mind conjured up was comforting.
Stepping into the break room, Xie Lian opened the fridge and looked over everything it had to offer. "There are some leftovers in here that will probably last another day or two. Milk, juice. The pantry should have some crackers and protein bars. And there should be a bunch of ramen cups. That'll last a while."
"Oh, good." Crimson Rain sounded relieved, pulling out everything he could find from the pantry and lining it up on the nearest table. He was taking stock of every item, counting how much they had, and considering how many people were trapped in the other room. "This should last a few more days. Depending on how long it takes, I might be able to negotiate for some hostages to be released in exchange for some food."
"You really think we're going to be stuck in here that long?" Xie Lian pursed his lips; the weight of the situation only became heavier the more they discussed it.
"Well, your boyfriend doesn't seem interested in compromise," Crimson Rain pointed out.
"Fiancé," Xie Lian corrected, that same unsettling feeling tying his stomach in knots.
"Right, fiancé." Crimson Rain waved a hand dismissively. "I need to find a way out of here where no one gets hurt and I don't wind up in jail. So, at least for right now, it looks like we're stuck here. This is an old building. There might be more exits that we don't know about. I'll start looking around. Maybe we'll be able to leave quietly."
Pulling a chair out from the table, Xie Lian dropped into it. He started stacking the ramen cups into a tower, keeping his mind busy in any way he could. The same thought kept circling his mind like a shark. This was his fault. None of this would've happened if he'd just minded his business and given them the money. He would've been shaken up, yes, but everyone else would've gotten on with their day. There wouldn't be a swarm of police outside the building with guns trained on every exit. If Xie Lian had just stayed quiet and done what he was told, this would've already been over.
"Look, I'm really sorry," Crimson Rain said, breaking the destructive cycle of thoughts. "You being so connected to the guy in charge… I can't afford to let you go. You're the leverage we need if we want to get out of here in one piece."
Xie Lian smiled, thinking about the people in the other room. Some were workers, others were customers who came in at the wrong time. All of them were just people trying to live their lives. No one had signed up for this. Not even Wind Master and Black Water. There were people in that room who had families to return to, people who were fraught with worry about their well-being. Xie Lian only had his fiancé, and it had already been made clear that Jun Wu didn't care nearly as much as a loving partner was supposed to.
With that thought in mind, Xie Lian earnestly said, "That's okay. I'd prefer to stay here."
✦✦✦
It didn't matter how many times Xie Lian's phone rang that day. The results were always the same. Crimson Rain would go into it attempting to show some shred of understanding. The intention was always to make a deal. Jun Wu would shoot down every offer made. There was no reasoning with him. Xie Lian would not be returned for their safe passage. Hostages would not be offered for food, blankets, or any other comfort to make their lockdown more bearable. Xie Lian wasn't there for every call, but he'd been ushered over often enough, always asked to assure Jun Wu that the hostages were perfectly fine. And every time, Jun Wu met him with the same cold apathy.
Xie Lian had watched Crimson Rain's resolve begin to wane as every call solidified a harsh truth: he would not be leaving that building with his freedom. The smiling mask hid the frustration. Xie Lian was sheltered from the animosity, though it could never be completely contained. He'd heard the growls of agitation. He'd listened to the subtle digs at Jun Wu's intelligence, insults always smart enough to go over the officer's head. He'd even seen Crimson Rain hold himself back from throwing the phone across the room after one particularly fruitless call.
Watching from amongst the group of hostages, Xie Lian saw Crimson Rain pacing the floors, trying to imagine the storm raging inside his mind. But just as swiftly as the exasperation began, Crimson Rain was moving to the front doors, patting Black Water on the shoulder. "Go rest. You've been watching them all day. I'll take over."
Black Water grunted, shrugging Crimson Rain's hand away and pushing himself off the wall. The slouch in Black Water's walk spoke of his exhaustion. He'd been so vigilantly watching the outside, even putting himself at risk by sitting so close to the window. Xie Lian almost wanted to thank him for working so hard to keep them safe, but Black Water had moved to the opposite side of the room, using the wall to slide to the floor. He crossed his arms over his chest and settled comfortably for the evening.
Xie Lian's gaze returned to Crimson Rain, watching as their gentle leader set up post just as Black Water had, leaning his head against the shutters and watching the world beyond their prison. It was not the first time that day Xie Lian had found himself curious to know who Crimson Rain was. More than the identity. Xie Lian wanted to know the man beneath the mask. He wanted to understand what kind of life would lead someone to this point. What could've happened to Crimson Rain that would give him the idea that this was the correct decision to make? Because, despite the fact that being trapped in that building made Crimson Rain a criminal, Xie Lian had never known anyone so kind. And it wasn't just him. Black Water had been prickly, but had made no attempts to intimidate or harm anyone. Wind Master had gone out of their way to make everyone feel safe and comfortable.
What had happened to cause three compassionate people to stoop to such drastic measures?
"So." Xie Lian jumped when Wind Master's voice came from directly beside him. The thief settled themselves comfortably to Xie Lian's right, adjusting the cowel and sunglasses obscuring their face from view. "Can I see your engagement ring?"
"What?" Xie Lian glanced down at his hand, seeing the plain band of silver glint in the light. "Oh."
"It's so exciting!" Wind Master squealed, taking Xie Lian's hand and holding it close to their face to inspect the ring. They sighed dreamily. "Oh, I love romance. How did he pop the question?"
Xie Lian stared at his hand, going through the memories in his head. This was a conversation he was supposed to look forward to. The elation of telling the people close to him that he had gotten engaged, and retelling the story. Hearing their jubilation on his behalf. The questions of when the wedding would be and what they had planned for it. Xie Lian should've been happy to have someone to talk to about it, especially someone who was already prepared to be as supportive as anyone could possibly be. But Xie Lian knew that the story of their engagement wasn't the romantic fairytale that people wanted to hear.
"It was nothing, really. We'd been dating for a few months. Maybe four or five? I asked him what his plans for the future were. He um, he rattled off some stuff about promotions." Xie Lian laughed nervously, "I told him I meant us. I wanted to know if he had really thought about the future. I wanted to know if he was the type that wanted a commitment, or if we were a casual thing. I didn't mind either way, I just wanted to know."
Wind Master nodded, and from so close, Xie Lian could see he had their undivided attention.
"He didn't tell me what his plans were. He uh, he looked at me for a moment. Like he was trying to fit together the pieces of a puzzle. And then he asked me to marry him." Xie Lian laughed incredulously, reliving that memory so vividly in his mind, "It happened so quickly, I just— I said yes. And here we are."
Xie Lian knew that their romance was a whirlwind. In an ideal world, he would've given it more time. He would've lived with Jun Wu first. He would've learned more about who Jun Wu was as a person. When he thought about it, Xie Lian didn't know why he said yes to a proposal four months into a relationship. Maybe because a part of him had given up on love some time ago. Maybe because he didn't believe for a moment that anyone else would have him. Maybe he was afraid of being alone.
Jun Wu's proposal, as sudden and premature as it was, had blindsided him into saying yes. Xie Lian always told himself it was the right choice. But that was only because he could never imagine saying no when asked such a monumental question. When someone asked you to marry them, there was only ever supposed to be one answer. Xie Lian took a shuddering breath as a startling realisation hit him.
Did he want to marry Jun Wu, or had he agreed to it out of obligation?
"Oh. Well, that's okay. Sometimes proposals just happen." Wind Master's voice was filled with the same unwavering kindness and acceptance they'd shown from the beginning. "The ring he picked is nice. Simple, but nice."
"Oh, he didn't." Xie Lian stared at the ring on his finger, that same wash of shame he'd felt after the first phone call rushing back as he explained, "I um, I picked it out myself."
"That's so lovely!" Wind Master gushed, "I think it's sweet when couples go and pick the ring together."
"No," Xie Lian quickly said, biting his quivering lip. The more they spoke about it, the more wrong it felt. It was like being woken from a trance. Hearing himself say it all out loud forced him to see the flaws. "He wasn't there. He just— he told me to pick something for myself." Xie Lian wrapped a hand around his finger, shielding the ring from view and letting out a shaky laugh, "It's not a big deal. It's only a ring."
Xie Lian didn't know who he was saying it to. He couldn't quite tell if he was trying to reassure Wind Master or himself. He did believe the ring didn't matter. It could've been made of string, and he would've been happy. It was the sentiment behind it. It was the symbol. It was the ability to look down at the band on his finger and think about how much Jun Wu loved him, how much Jun Wu had promised to him. But the more Xie Lian thought about their engagement, the more that ring brought into question.
A silence had fallen between them, and when Xie Lian looked at Wind Master, he could see concern in those eyes. It only made him feel worse. This wasn't something that should elicit pity. It was supposed to be a celebration. People were supposed to be happy for him.
"Well, at least you have one. Black Water hasn't gotten me a ring yet." Wind Master stretched their legs out in front of them, resting one over the other.
Instinctively, Xie Lian looked across the room at Black Water, curled up in the corner on his own. Aside from airing his grievances with the entire situation, Black Water had been quiet, cold, and kept to himself ever since their lockdown began. He came across as the kind of person who avoided others. The complete opposite of Wind Master, from what little Xie Lian had witnessed. It was hard to believe that the pair were a couple. But, he supposed opposites could work rather well together.
"He technically hasn't even asked me. One day, he said, 'we're going to spend the rest of our lives together, so you better stick around,' and that's when I knew how serious this was." Wind Master hummed thoughtfully.
"Black Water said that?" Xie Lian asked.
"There's an ooey gooey centre underneath all that gloomy brooding." Wind Master giggled. They crossed their arms over their chest, leaning back against the wall and sighing. "He promised he'd get me a ring once everything calms down. We aren't bothering with a ceremony or anything like that, though. We're going to run away together. He'll start his own aquarium and teach people about sea life. I'll save up for a kombi and start a mobile beauty business. In the Spring, we'll take the van and drive as far as the road will take us. He wants to set up a bed in the back, so we can lie together with the doors open, watching the sunrise while he plays with my hair. Our piece of paradise."
"That… He planned all of that with you?" Xie Lian asked, trying to process such an elaborate idea.
"Mn." Wind Master nodded. "After he got some bad news, he decided that life was too short. Said that he wanted to… cherish me." Wind Master paused as if feeling the weight of the words when they finished the thought.
"Wow." Xie Lian murmured under his breath, "That's so romantic."
He'd received tastes of romance when their relationship began, but Jun Wu had always made it clear that work was his priority. That had never been a problem. Xie Lian was proud to be with someone so diligent. Besides, Jun Wu still cared. He checked in on Xie Lian. He wanted to know where Xie Lian had spent his days, or what his plans were. It was important for Jun Wu to know who Xie Lian's friends were, and it was nice that he took that interest. But their lives didn't really blend.
When Jun Wu made plans, they did not involve Xie Lian. If they did, it was a compromise. If Jun Wu would prefer Xie Lian not attend a get-together, he would find something they could do as a couple instead. Jun Wu would keep Xie Lian close when most convenient, but could just as easily put distance between them. Xie Lian had learned to find confidence in the ability to be completely independent within their relationship. But the idea of future plans interwoven together, sharing their space, and it feeling like home… that sounded like heaven.
"That's love," Wind Master said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
✦✦✦
Xie Lian knew a hostage situation would take time to resolve. He did not expect it to be days. Surely these things were supposed to be sorted out by nightfall, but Xie Lian had begun to lose track of time. It had been at least three days since the nightmare had begun, though Xie Lian was surprised that he didn't truly think of it that way at all. Watching the thieves throughout the time spent in that bank, Xie Lian found that they would either plan for means of escape, or check that the hostages were alright.
Perhaps the most surprising part of it all was how amicably everyone interacted with each other. There was no resentment from those forced to stay, even though they had every right to feel it. The thieves had been treating everyone so well, listening to their problems, making sure they were fed, insisting that they had nothing to fear and that they would find a way to get everyone out of the building unharmed. There was a feeling of camaraderie in the air. They weren't captors. They were equals. Everyone had found themselves in this situation, and everyone was trying to find a way out. Together.
Crimson Rain was the one relaying information to the crowd, which made sense. He was the one trying so hard to negotiate with the police, after all. It was unfortunate that every time he had to express what progress had been made, there was always so little. Over the days, there had been dozens of calls. The phone had been sitting back on Xie Lian's desk to charge most of the time, as the phone calls had drained it so completely. And throughout all of those calls, every offer Crimson Rain had attempted to make had been met with resistance and hostility.
Xie Lian couldn't begin to understand it. The goal for the police was supposed to be to prevent harm to the public. It would be so easy for them to do that if they just tried to be reasonable. Yes, it meant that they might not get to put the culprits behind bars, but wasn't that more important than letting people suffer in that building with supplies slowly dwindling? It was a sentiment everyone shared. Hearing the news day after day that no agreements had been made, and hearing Crimson Rain struggling over the phone to make Jun Wu see sense, had caused every hostage in that building to feel a kinship with the thieves and a disdain for the policemen keeping them locked away.
For Xie Lian, the situation had been a bit of a wake-up call, though not in the way that he had ever wanted. At first, it had been little things. Upon learning of Black Water and Wind Master's budding romance, he would catch glimpses of moments. They were only subtle things. Black Water would rest a hand on Wind Master's back and ask how they were feeling. Wind Master would adjust Black Water's hoodie and playfully chide him on his dishevelled appearance. They were barely perceptible displays of affection, but they were there, and they made Xie Lian's heart sink. He couldn't remember the last time someone had done that for him. Well, aside from the delicate care Crimson Rain had shown him since the day they met.
The love between Black Water and Wind Master had put into question the love between Xie Lian and Jun Wu. It looked so easy for the thieves. As natural as breathing. Xie Lian couldn't remember a time when it felt simple. It was like playing a role without knowing the script. Xie Lian didn't know what Jun Wu wanted him to be. He didn't know what their lives were going to look like in five years. These were all issues that Xie Lian had known were there, but believed to be teething problems everyone had to figure out on the road to becoming a husband. He was starting to believe it might be a little deeper than that.
"Relationships are all about give and take," Wind Master explained one evening. They had quickly become a confidant for Xie Lian. It was as though they could sense the underlying issues and were trying to help Xie Lian unravel them. "You said he sometimes asks you to cancel plans for something he wants to do. Does he ever do that for you?"
Xie Lian stared at the ring on his finger, twisting it with his other hand. His teeth dug into his bottom lip hard enough to bleed, and he was afraid to look up at Wind Master. Because he knew the answer. No. Xie Lian couldn't remember the last time Jun Wu had set something aside in order to make him happy. He couldn't remember the last time anything had been about him. At least, not in a positive way.
Xie Lian's voice wavered with uncertainty as he lied, "We want the same things, so it doesn't feel like a compromise."
It was obvious Wind Master didn't believe him, but instead of calling him out on the blatant falsehood, they said, "You know, you never told me how you got together in the first place."
That was an interesting story. Xie Lian always thought of it as one of the ideal stories for a couple, simply because it had been so unorthodox.
"We first met when he pulled me over for a broken taillight." Xie Lian smiled sheepishly. "He was really nice about it. Told me he'd let me off with a warning and sent me on my way. I didn't see him again for another week or so."
"Huh. Must've been fate," Wind Master remarked, and Xie Lian could tell it was supposed to be reassuring.
"No, not at all." Xie Lian shook his head. "He showed up here one day, saying something about needing to do some kind of inspection. It didn't make any sense at all, but he still seemed so serious about it." Xie Lian laughed at the memory. "When I called him out on it, he admitted that he had… he'd looked up my licence plate. Found out I worked here. He said he hadn't been able to stop thinking about me and asked me if he could buy me a drink. And I said yes."
There was a pause at first as Wind Master took a moment to process the story. Eventually, they responded, "That's… Are you okay, A-Lian? Like, are you safe?"
"What?" Xie Lian frowned, looking around the room as if it might hold the answer, "Why wouldn't I be?"
Wind Master laughed uneasily, "You just described a stalker."
"No, I didn't," Xie Lian quickly denied.
"He checked your licence plate and tracked down where you work," Wind Master pointed out. "That's not normal behaviour. Does he do anything else? Is your car bugged?"
Xie Lian scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous. Jun Wu would never do anything to make me feel unsafe."
Despite the certainty in his voice, more doubts had begun to surface. Xie Lian had always believed it to be kind of sweet that Jun Wu had gone to such lengths to find him. It felt nice to be desired so much. But hearing it said out loud did change some things. If anyone else had told Xie Lian that same story, he'd be just as concerned for them. So, why had he been so forgiving?
"You know, when we get out of here, I'm sure I could convince the others to take you with us. Sounds like you might need to disappear, too." Wind Master shrugged. "Black Water might take a bit of convincing, but I'm sure Crimson Rain would be all for it."
"What? No! No, I'm fine. Really," Xie Lian insisted.
"Alright," Wind Master got to their feet, stretching their arms out in front of them and heading towards Black Water. "But if you change your mind, you know where I'll be."
Xie Lian knew he shouldn't watch, but he did. Watching Wind Master pull Black Water into a hug only made his heart sink. He still didn't know why they made it look so simple. And now with even more doubts filling his head, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. He'd already agreed to marry Jun Wu. There was no taking that back. It should be a good thing, so why did it feel so wrong?
"You look troubled." Xie Lian looked up just in time to see Crimson Rain using the wall to slip down beside him.
"You sound tired," Xie Lian countered.
"Who, me?" Crimson Rain waved a hand dismissively. "No, I love talking to your boyfriend and hearing all his delusions of adequacy." Xie Lian bit back a laugh, but couldn't hide his smile. Crimson Rain reached out and gently poked his cheek. "Much better. How are you holding up?"
"Getting by. Wind Master's been keeping me entertained."
"Mn, they're good at that." Crimson Rain slid his thumb over the phone screen, checking for any notifications. It had remained blissfully quiet for the last hour, but he couldn’t be sure it wouldn’t ring again. "I hope you're not missing the outside world too much. I would've really liked to get everyone out of here a lot sooner."
"I'm actually not." Xie Lian stared at the ring again, trying to rationalise with himself why he preferred to stay locked in the building rather than go home. It felt like life was simpler in the bank. Jun Wu's influence couldn't reach him. For the first time since they met, Xie Lian was able to think for himself. "I don't… I don't miss him. Is that bad?"
"No, I get it." Xie Lian could hear the amusement in Crimson Rain's voice. "I've had to talk to him every day for the past three days, and I'm losing the will to live. I don't know how you do it."
"He's not usually this bad." Xie Lian laughed gently when the smiling mask stared back at him. "Okay, maybe he is. But he's just trying to do his job." A moment of silence fell between them before Xie Lian finally asked the question that had been weighing on his mind since the day they met, "Why are you doing all of this?"
"Do you think it’d change anything if you knew the answer?" Crimson Rain asked curiously.
"I just want to understand," Xie Lian admitted.
Whatever had compelled them to take such drastic action had to be a big deal. What little he'd learned over the last few days had told him that the thieves were good people. They didn't want to hurt anyone. They weren't getting any pleasure from the control they had over their captors. It had only been about the money. So, what could be so important that they'd risk everything to get this money?
"Black Water came up with the idea. He owes me a lot of money, and he said that this would be the best way to pay me back. But he's not doing it for me. He's doing it for Wind Master." Crimson Rain sighed, pocketing the phone once he'd decided it wasn't going to ring.
"Did something happen?" Xie Lian leaned in closer, drawn in by the story.
At first, Crimson Rain seemed reluctant to admit it, but eventually said, "They have heart valve disease. They need surgery to fix it, but it costs a lot of money. Black Water's been borrowing money from me to help pay for the medication, but if they don't get that surgery…"
"I had no idea." Xie Lian looked across the room, watching as Wind Master swayed on the spot whilst talking excitedly to Black Water. "They seem fine."
"That's what they want you to think." Crimson Rain crossed his arms over his chest. "They have a perfectly reasonable reason to be here doing this. Can't say the same for me."
Xie Lian was only more intrigued. It made perfect sense for them to be doing this for a greater purpose. No one had gotten hurt. Everyone had been well cared for. Because it was never about anyone else. It was only for Wind Master's well-being. If Xie Lian had it his way, they would've taken the money and gotten away. But then, it was his fault they hadn't.
"So, why are you here, then?" Xie Lian asked, admittedly more interested in understanding Crimson Rain's reasoning.
"It's a long story. I don't want to bore you with the details."
"You wouldn't be boring me," Xie Lian rushed to say, grabbing Crimson Rain's hand as if the touch might be enough to sway his decision. "You don't have to tell me anything, of course, but I'd like to know more about you. If you want."
Gazing down at their joined hands, Xie Lian was once again reminded of Crimson Rain's icy touch. It wasn't unpleasant. Despite the cold, his elegant fingers were soft and well-groomed. Xie Lian wanted to warm him up somehow, to hug Crimson Rain's hand to his chest until his body heat took away the cold. Someone as lovely as this didn't deserve to be so uncomfortable. Breath caught in Xie Lian's throat when Crimson Rain gently gripped his hand; delicate reassurance after days of uncertainty.
"I've lived on the street most of my life," Crimson Rain admitted, his voice shifting to something much more somber than the earlier teasing. "All I'd known for a long time was mattresses made out of old, dirty clothes, and looking through trash for food. I didn't have a family or anyone I could ask for help. I just had to make it by on my own."
"You needed money to get off the street?" Xie Lian asked.
"No. I managed that myself. I wouldn't say I'm thriving, but I get by. Pay my rent. Fill my stomach." Crimson Rain shrugged. "Helping Black Water and Wind Master with the medication has been keeping things interesting, but I'm not at risk or anything like that."
"Then… why?"
Crimson Rain sighed. "Living the life I have, you see the cruelty of the world. You see how messed up everything is. The rich get richer. The poor stay poor. So many criminals do it because they can't see another way out. Like my two idiot accomplices. The world shouldn't be like this. I guess this was just my stupid way of getting back at it for everything it's done to me." Crimson Rain traced circles on the back of Xie Lian's hand with his thumb. "I know it's dumb. I know it makes no sense."
"No, it does," Xie Lian reassured. "I couldn't possibly know how much you've had to deal with, but I can understand wanting to get back at the world for hurting you so much. You didn't deserve any of that. You're a good person."
Crimson Rain scoffed at the last remark, letting his hand slip from Xie Lian's grasp, "Well, it doesn't matter now. I fucked it all up. Now I'm going to jail, Wind Master's not getting their surgery, and it's all my fault."
"It's not your fault." Xie Lian bit his lip. "It's mine."
"What are you talking about?" The confusion was palpable in Crimson Rain's voice.
It had been weighing on Xie Lian's mind since the very first day. None of this would've happened if it weren't for him. It would've been much simpler for Crimson Rain to get the money he wanted if it had been any other teller he went to that day. Maybe they would've found a way to sound the alarms, too, but Xie Lian's connection was the only reason they'd gotten there so fast. He'd kept it to himself up to that point. Afraid of the wrath he'd force upon himself if Crimson Rain ever knew. But it was eating away at him every day, feeling so much care and kindness whilst knowing what he'd done.
"When you came up to the counter and asked for the money… I called Jun Wu. He was listening when I was asking you those questions." Xie Lian looked down at his hands, afraid to see Crimson Rain's reaction. A silly thought, Xie Lian supposed, when his face had always remained hidden from view. "I'm the reason the police got here so fast. I'm the reason Jun Wu's the one you're trying to negotiate with. I-If I'd known about Wind Master, I never would've— I would've helped you. They need the money more than the bank does."
Crimson Rain laughed. It was a deep, warm sound, so pleasant it made Xie Lian's heart race, though he couldn't pinpoint why. After a time, Crimson Rain patted Xie Lian's leg and said, "That was really smart. I didn't suspect you at all. But don't worry. I don't blame you. Anyone would've done the same thing in your place."
Xie Lian smiled shyly. "I didn't mean to ruin the great Crimson Rain's plans."
Crimson Rain leaned into Xie Lian's space, something playful in his voice when he said, "Call me San Lang."
Xie Lian blushed, but despite his mind screaming to look away, he found himself entranced. Crimson Rain was close enough that he could see the eyes behind that mask again. He could see the glint of mischief. He could see the genuine amusement. With the pet name in play, Xie Lian's imagination ran wild, conjuring up a new idea of what the face behind that mask might look like. Younger than Xie Lian had first suspected, but still rugged. Xie Lian didn't know why, but he was absolutely certain that Crimson Rain was unaware of his own good looks. Or perhaps that was just what Xie Lian was hoping for. But why would he hope for something like that?
"And I don't mind my plans being foiled. By you." Crimson Rain stretched his limbs, making himself comfortable. But again, he was shifting toward Xie Lian, the mask moving so close to Xie Lian's ear that he could feel the ghost of his breath. "I won't tell your boyfriend you held my hand earlier if you keep talking to me."
"Fiancé," Xie Lian whispered, unable to resist his instinct to correct the title.
"Mn, him." Crimson Rain chuckled, resting his head back against the wall. "I like hearing your voice. It's calming."
Xie Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
His mind was spinning with thoughts, all pulling him in different directions. Flirting was not something new. Xie Lian was not so sheltered that he'd never experienced it before. But it was difficult to know how he was supposed to react to flirting when he had a partner waiting for him. Actually, that wasn't true at all. Xie Lian knew that he should put Crimson Rain in his place. He should remind him that such behaviour between them was inappropriate for oh, so many reasons. But there was a part of Xie Lian that found it intoxicating. He couldn't remember the last time someone had spoken to him like that. He wasn't sure it had ever felt so good. Like a bird puffing up its feathers with pride, Xie Lian found himself enjoying the attention.
Another part of his mind screamed at himself. At the ridiculousness of his own thoughts. Crimson Rain was not flirting with him. He was just teasing, being playful. It was in his nature to talk like that and to lean in close. He'd been doing the same things the entire time they'd been in that building. Of course, he didn't seem to do it with anyone else, but then, he wasn't spending nearly as much time with the others. It was just kindness. Just lighthearted banter designed to calm Xie Lian's nerves in an otherwise stressful situation. It was really more telling of Xie Lian's own depravity that he would read into it in such a way.
"What would you like me to talk about?" Xie Lian murmured, his mind still trying to catch up with his thoughts.
"Anything." Crimson Rain's voice took on a deep, but soft edge. It was exactly what Xie Lian would imagine it to sound like first thing in the morning. Calming. Warm. "Whatever's on your mind."
Xie Lian took a moment to contemplate what it was he could say. Something sincere, but lighthearted enough to take the edge off the situation. "I read a book about foxes recently. It, um, it was something a friend recommended to me. They're such interesting creatures. And so cute. I learned a lot about them. Like, did you know that foxes don't leave claw marks when they walk?"
Crimson Rain only hummed in response, showing his interest, whilst remaining quiet and letting Xie Lian speak. It was interesting to have someone's undivided attention, even when he was talking about something so mundane, something he was sure Crimson Rain didn't actually care about.
"It's because they retract their claws when they walk. Kind of like you in a way." Xie Lian blinked, surprised by his own words and how ludicrous it sounded. "Ah, what I mean is, I think that you have claws and you're willing to use them, like when you're taking those phone calls, but you're actually quite gentle." Xie Lian scratched his cheek nervously. "That was a weird thing to say, wasn't it?"
"Mn, not at all," Hua Cheng mumbled sleepily. "I'm flattered gege thinks I'm so cute and cuddly."
Staring at the ground, Xie Lian tried to ignore the heat rising to his face. "U-Uh, what else? Let's see… oh, I know! Foxes aren't bothered by the cold. I guess that's not that surprising. They have all that fur, after all. But that's kind of like you, too. Your hands are cold, but it doesn't seem to trouble you."
Xie Lian stared down at Crimson Rain's hand, still feeling its touch like an echo on his skin. It wasn't something he should want to feel again. It wasn't something he was allowed to have. But all the same, he was so fond of it. Crimson Rain's touch had always been reassuring. It was designed to soothe Xie Lian's fears and doubts, a feeling Xie Lian hadn't experienced in such a long time. It was the simplicity of everything. Like Wind Master and Black Water, he was beginning to realise. But that was a thought too forbidden to indulge.
"You strike me as the type who likes his solitude, too. Maybe not as much as Black Water does, of course, but you keep to yourself. Mostly. And that's a bit like a fox, as well. They like to hunt and sleep on their own." Xie Lian's breath caught when he felt a weight rest against his shoulder. Tentatively turning his head, Xie Lian found Crimson Rain nestled there. He could hear Crimson Rain's slow, steady breathing and knew he must have fallen asleep. Xie Lian smiled. "Or not."
It was the closest and most vulnerable Crimson Rain had ever been. Xie Lian's heart raced at the thought, and swelled with fondness. Such openness was unheard of in Xie Lian's life. Not between friends. Not between what little family he had. Not even with Jun Wu. Biting his lip, Xie Lian's gaze trailed down to Crimson Rain's hand again, his mind a haze of impermissible thoughts, things he had tried to deny or bury beneath obligation.
"I don't know what's wrong with me," Xie Lian whispered, afraid he might wake Crimson Rain with his shameful confessions. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since the day this all started. I wish I knew what you looked like. But I… I don't think that it would matter. Besides, the mask has its own charms. And… And I know that I shouldn't feel these things for you. Not when there's Jun Wu…"
The guilt had been slowly eating away at Xie Lian, the more he realised how serious his feelings for Crimson Rain were becoming. A man he knew nothing about. A man with no name. A man with no face. But truthfully, he felt like he knew Crimson Rain so much more than the person he'd promised himself to.
"I'm not happy with him. I think I'm starting to figure that out. And I know I should leave, but I'm scared of being alone. Sometimes, it's better to deal with the problems if it comes with the promise of forever, you know?" Taking a shaky breath, Xie Lian carefully threaded their fingers together, finding comfort in the cool of Crimson Rain's hand. Avoiding the mask, Xie Lian rested his head against Crimson Rain's and quietly admitted, "But if there was ever the promise of you, I wouldn't think twice."
✦✦✦
"No— If you just—" Xie Lian watched as Crimson Rain tried to speak, getting spoken over by Jun Wu at every turn. With an exasperated sigh, Crimson Rain raised his voice. "Look, I don't have the time, paper, or crayons to explain this to you. Do I need to speak slower?" He emphasised every word, giving Jun Wu plenty of time to process each one. "We are not leaving this building until you can assure me of our safe passage. If you can't agree to that, we're done here."
Xie Lian stifled a laugh, averting his gaze when Crimson Rain looked at him. He knew it was cruel to laugh when the insults were directed at his partner, but they were so clever, so well thought out, yet Crimson Rain was able to come up with them in an instant. It was impossible not to be impressed by such innate talent for cruel jabs. Besides, Jun Wu had earned each one with his inability to compromise. Every day he refused to budge was another day innocent lives were at risk. For a man who was supposed to care so much for the people of the city, Xie Lian couldn't believe Jun Wu had been showing such disregard.
"We all want the hostages returned safely," Jun Wu began.
"Really?" Crimson Rain scoffed. "Because I've offered to let them go every single day since this farce began, and you've turned me down each time."
"Your requests have been unreasonable." Xie Lian could hear the frustration in Jun Wu's voice.
"My apologies. I wasn't aware basic human rights were unreasonable," Crimson Rain sneered.
Most of the requests that had been made were for comfort, and Crimson Rain had been thinking of everyone else before himself. Xie Lian was sure that Crimson Rain wouldn't so much as touch the supplies he was trying to acquire. But it didn't matter. Jun Wu had rejected it each time, preferring to starve everyone out than show a shred of humanity. It didn't make any sense. Xie Lian had no experience in law enforcement, but he'd always believed that more could be achieved if the dialogue was open, if there was some kind of give and take. Jun Wu couldn't possibly be trusted if he did nothing to show his empathy.
"It is unreasonable for you to request supplies to draw this situation out any longer than it needs to," Jun Wu insisted.
"I'd agree with your logic, but then we'd both be wrong. I wouldn't need the supplies if you would take the civilians off my hands. This situation would've been over days ago if you'd just let us walk, but you—"
Xie Lian rested a hand on Crimson Rain's arm, silencing the tirade that was threatening to break his dam of diplomacy. He kept his voice gentle and calm, hoping that perhaps he might be able to make Jun Wu see sense. "Everyone's tired. We've waited for you to find another way. Maybe… Maybe you should give them what they want."
"I can't just—" Jun Wu cut off his own rant before the rage could take over, "I can't just let criminals walk free."
Xie Lian bit his lip, clenching his eyes shut when he quietly implored, "I want to go home. Please, laogong. I-I miss you."
Just saying those words was like swallowing poison. The bitter taste slid down his throat, burning as it went, and the further it spread, the more sick Xie Lian felt. Xie Lian didn't want to go home. Not at all. He was terrified of what awaited him when he was freed from that building, afraid of having to accept the life he'd always had after sampling freedom from within this prison. Mostly, he was afraid of never seeing Crimson Rain again, never knowing who had so easily managed to snatch Xie Lian's heart from another.
Would they pass each other on the street? Never knowing that the man he saw every day was the one he'd lost the moment this nightmare came to an end? What a cruel twist of fate that would be. In a perfect world, Xie Lian would have it all. Freedom from the bank. Freedom from Jun Wu. Most importantly, Crimson Rain's freedom. A life where they wouldn't have to go their separate ways.
But life wasn't fair, and the world Xie Lian wanted didn't exist.
There was a long pause, and for a moment, Xie Lian thought perhaps Jun Wu had hung up. The only reason he knew it couldn't be true was the name still lighting up the phone screen and the time continuing to tick up. Xie Lian glanced at Crimson Rain, biting his lip to hide his quiver. He hoped Crimson Rain knew he didn't mean it. He knew that Crimson Rain had no reason to believe he didn't. The ring still sat on Xie Lian's finger like an anchor keeping him moored in this life. Why would Crimson Rain believe anything else when Xie Lian had given him no reason to doubt? And why would it even matter if he did? It wasn't as though Crimson Rain would ever want…
"Fine." Jun Wu's stoic voice broke Xie Lian from his thoughts.
"I'm sorry?" Crimson Rain spoke with genuine astonishment. "I must've misheard; it sounded like you were being reasonable."
"Don't make me change my mind," Jun Wu growled. "You'll bring Xie Lian to me in fifteen minutes. You do that, and I'll let you go. But I want you to personally bring him out."
"Done. See you in fifteen minutes," Crimson Rain agreed, hanging up the phone with a relieved sigh. "Black Water! Wind Master! Pack up your things."
All at once, the movement picked up around the room. Black Water and Wind Master were racing from place to place, ensuring they had everything they needed, checking that hostages were still okay, and preparing them for what was to come. Even Crimson Rain was on the move, barking orders at the pair whenever another important task came to mind. No one had expected this to happen. They'd resigned themselves to the fact that they were going to be stuck in that building forever. With an ending approaching, it felt like there was still so much that needed to be done.
Xie Lian stared at his phone, still sitting on the counter, trying to comprehend the conversation they'd just had. "I don't understand. I've asked him so many times. Why now…?"
"It's been almost a week," Crimson Rain pointed out. "I'd say some crap about him wanting to see his fiancé again, but that's never mattered to him before. It's more likely that he's feeling the pressure after so much time with no progress."
Xie Lian nodded hesitantly. He supposed that made sense. Jun Wu certainly hadn't shown any concern in all the time Xie Lian had been in there. It was more logical that the reason for his sudden change of heart had something to do with the job, with saving face. This case wasn't worth losing his position over, even if he did have to let the culprits go to bring it to an end. That was surely better than keeping so many lives at risk, right?
Watching the thieves move around, trying to make the most of the fifteen minutes they'd been given, Xie Lian had never felt more helpless. He wasn't sure how to assist them. And selfishly, part of him wasn't ready to let go. These people had been good to him. They'd taken care of him during one of the scariest events of his life. They'd shown him the darkness in Jun Wu's heart; they'd given him the courage to accept that maybe the life he had wasn't the one he wanted. But they were leaving. And with them went the chance of Xie Lian's own escape. Wind Master's offer to run away with them was off the table. Not when he was needed as leverage for them to walk free. The fifteen minutes they were given were the last Xie Lian would ever have with them.
"Hey, I know we're asking a lot of you." Crimson Rain rested his hands on Xie Lian's arms, the weights a gentle reassurance as he asked, "You okay?"
No, Xie Lian wanted to say. He wasn't alright. None of this was alright. Selfishly, he wanted to cling to the freedom he felt in that place, his ability to think and make choices for himself, an ability he didn't know he'd been missing before they opened his eyes to it. He didn't want to be a pretty bird trapped in Jun Wu's gilded cage anymore, but he didn't know how to get out without them. He didn't know what he would be without them. But maybe trapped was precisely what Xie Lian was supposed to be. Trapped in a loveless marriage. Trapped in a bank heist. In the end, he was trading one cage for another.
But at least Crimson Rain would be free.
"I'm fine." Xie Lian nodded hesitantly, not quite believing his own words, but hoping Crimson Rain would. "I just want this to be over."
"It will be. Very soon." Crimson Rain guided Xie Lian to the shutters, gesturing to the sea of police officers still standing guard outside. "I know this is a lot, and I wouldn't be asking you to do this if I had any other choice. But I'm going to be right behind you every step of the way. I won't let anything happen to you. Once you get to Jun Wu, you'll never have to see me again."
That was precisely the problem. Xie Lian wanted to see Crimson Rain again. He wanted to see him every day, to wake up every day to the sound of Crimson Rain's snide remarks about Jun Wu's competency, just like he had every day since this all began. He'd been given a taste of who Crimson Rain was, and it was enough to be enthralled. Xie Lian needed to know more, to memorise every sentence in the story of Crimson Rain's life. So far, it was his favourite tale of all. It would be a tragedy to never know how it ends.
"I wouldn't mind seeing you again," Xie Lian murmured. "Or at all."
"Maybe one day." Crimson Rain hummed thoughtfully before playfully teasing, "You never know, I might need to open a new bank account one day."
Xie Lian smiled to himself. It was an unlikely scenario, but a piece of hope he would spend his life clinging to.
"Hey." Xie Lian looked up at the sound of Black Water's voice at his side. "Wind Master's got the keys. Stashed as much money as we can carry. We're all ready to go."
"Good." Crimson Rain pulled the gun from his pocket, placing it in Black Water's palm. "Be ready to close it again if anything goes wrong."
"Wait." Xie Lian looked between the pair of them with growing concern. "You're not bringing that with you?"
"Too dangerous." Crimson Rain shook his head. "I'm not bringing anything that could give them reason to put your life at risk."
"But—"
"Hey." Crimson Rain spoke up, silencing the fears and doubt when he reassured. "Relax. We've got this."
Despite the fear beginning to bubble up inside, Xie Lian smiled. It was the idea that they were a team. In a strange, twisted way, they had been since the day Crimson Rain walked into that building. Xie Lian had helped him lock the shutters. He'd helped secure the fire exits and find rations for the hostages. He'd been there to help with almost every phone call, and he'd found what little ways he could to help keep everyone calm in an impossible situation. And all the way along, he'd been at Crimson Rain's side. Getting closer to him. Learning more about him. Wishing they had more time. If he had to leave, at least he was making every second last.
"Let's do it," Xie Lian urged, ultimately wanting the confirmation that Crimson Rain was getting out of that place once and for all.
The sound of the shutter dragging along the floor as it was slid open was deafening in the otherwise quiet entranceway. Oddly, with the door to his cage finally ajar, Xie Lian found himself paralysed with fear. It was so much brighter outside than it had been in the building. The sun almost blinded him, glinting off police cars parked all over the road just outside the front door. Xie Lian knew he should move, but found himself stuck in place. There were dozens of policemen, all staring at him, all pointing guns in his direction, an intimidating situation to knowingly enter. Even Jun Wu's face among the crowd was not enough to calm his nerves.
Crimson Rain's warmth was against Xie Lian's back, pressed close enough to leave no doubt of his presence. It was a reassurance, a promise that Xie Lian would not be forced to do this alone. Slender fingers wrapped over Xie Lian's shoulders, and Crimson Rain's warm voice whispered into his ear, "Do exactly as I say, okay?"
"Okay," Xie Lian instinctively replied, ready to follow him to the ends of the earth if that was his command.
"Put your hands up, so they can see you're no threat," Crimson Rain instructed, gently squeezing Xie Lian's shoulders when he did as he was told. "Good. Now, I'm going to let go so that I can do the same. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here."
"Stay close," Xie Lian requested.
"I promise." Crimson Rain's hands left Xie Lian's shoulders, but the reassuring press of his chest on Xie Lian's back remained. "Do you see Jun Wu?"
Xie Lian's eyes locked on his fiancé, taking in his phlegmatic demeanor as he kept his gun trained at them. "Yes."
"Good. You're doing so well, gege," Crimson Rain cooed. "I want you to take slow steps toward him. I'll follow your lead."
Xie Lian did as he was told, his body moving on autopilot as he went. Part of him knew that this was making a decision. A life with Crimson Rain was behind him. A life with Jun Wu was in front. But there was no longer any time for selfishness. If he wanted Crimson Rain to be free, the only choice was forward. The first step was tentative. Xie Lian was afraid of what might happen if he moved too quickly, but just as afraid of the ramifications for being slow.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment, and everything happened all at once. Xie Lian watched as Jun Wu pursed his lips, his finger shifting just enough to pull the trigger. Crimson Rain was in front of Xie Lian even before the cracking sound of gunfire rang out. Xie Lian heard Crimson Rain's grunt, the only indication that the bullet had landed. Staring up at the smiling mask looking back at him. His fingers trembled, uncertain of whether he should keep his hands up or not.
Xie Lian's voice quivered as he whispered, "S-San Lang…?"
"Back inside," Crimson Rain urged. "It's too dangerous, go back. Now."
Xie Lian stumbled backwards, grateful he'd taken no more than two steps beyond the entrance, and too afraid to turn his back on Crimson Rain. He was vaguely aware of more shots being fired, though couldn't say for sure which direction they were coming from. Xie Lian's ears were ringing, and the sound in the room felt muffled as his mind tried to catch up with the chaos. The shutters were closed and locked behind them. Black Water and Wind Master swiftly moved away from the windows, and with Crimson Rain's hands resting on his arms, Xie Lian let himself be guided away, too.
"Gege!?" Crimson Rain's urgency broke through the fog for just a moment, gentle fingers brushing up Xie Lian's arms, "Are you okay?"
"He shot you," Xie Lian whispered, his voice still shaking.
"I need you to focus on my voice, gege, please," Crimson Rain insisted.
Xie Lian's fingers shook as he reached toward Crimson Rain, wanting desperately to touch him and reassure himself that he was there, but terrified of hurting him. "Why— Why would he do that?"
"Hey." Crimson Rain took Xie Lian's hand and moved it under the mask to rest against his cheek. His thumb brushed soothing circles against the back of it. "I'm right here. I'm okay."
Xie Lian sucked in a sharp breath, heavy tears sliding down his cheeks. Crimson Rain was okay, he told himself. Crimson Rain was holding his hand. Crimson Rain was at his side. Crimson Rain wouldn't let anything bad happen. Not even—
"We have to stop the bleeding," Black Water said. All attention was on Xie Lian when he sternly asserted, "These buildings always have first aid kits. Where is it?"
Xie Lian clenched his eyes shut, pulling his hand back, but letting Crimson Rain keep holding it. That single touch was all that could keep him grounded in the moment, reassuring him that despite the bullet wound, Crimson Rain was still with him. He tried to sort through his thoughts, pushing back every fear, every terrifying possibility to focus on what needed to be done.
"It's um— I-It's in the back room. By the— It's on the wall. In the break room. By the sink." Xie Lian caught Black Water's arm before he could rush to get it. "Let me do it."
"You're really shaken up right now," Crimson Rain pointed out. "Maybe you need to—"
"Please," Xie Lian's voice rose in his desperation. "Please let me do it."
There was a long pause between them. Xie Lian stared into the crescent eyes on the mask, seeing the heterochromatic ones beneath. They looked back at Xie Lian with concern, but also something akin to fondness. There was no time for this. Though it seemed that Crimson Rain's wound wasn't life-threatening, he was still bleeding. It could still become a problem. And Xie Lian didn't want to risk waiting a moment longer.
"Okay," Crimson Rain conceded. "Okay. I'll follow your lead."
On the front counter, Xie Lian's phone began to ring.
Xie Lian's jaw tensed as he stared at it, knowing there was only one person who could be on the other end of that call. He'd learned over the course of that week that he wasn't in love with Jun Wu. He'd learned that Jun Wu had been keeping him trapped, forcing him away from his friends, making Xie Lian dependent on their relationship. Xie Lian had been taking time to accept all of these things, but with Crimson Rain's blood on Jun Wu's hands, all Xie Lian felt was pure rage.
"I can—"
"No." Xie Lian bit his lip, eyes still trained on the phone. "I want to talk to him."
"Are you sure?" Crimson Rain asked.
"Mn." Xie Lian snatched up the phone and guided Crimson Rain through the staff-only doors. He gestured to the bank vault and instructed Crimson Rain, "Go in there. Take your shirt off. I'll only be a minute."
Xie Lian watched Crimson Rain until he was completely out of sight, hesitantly answering the call and pursing his lips when Jun Wu angrily declared, "What are you doing? We had a deal."
"What part of that deal involved shooting at us?" Xie Lian asked, barely concealing his own rage.
The pause on the other end told Xie Lian that Jun Wu hadn't expected him to be the one answering the phone. He had not prepared himself to have this conversation. Maybe that was for the best. It would be that much harder for him to manipulate Xie Lian all over again.
"Where is he?" Jun Wu asked, assessing the situation.
"He's alive. If that's what you're trying to ask. And I'm fine, too, by the way." Xie Lian paced the room, wanting to hurry up the call, but needing to hear Jun Wu's explanation. "Why did you shoot?"
"He had a gun," Jun Wu tried. "I was defending you."
Xie Lian scoffed, "That's bullshit, and we both know it! I watched him give his gun to one of the others before he left. He didn't have it to stop you doing this!"
His outburst was met with yet more silence, and Xie Lian felt his blood begin to boil the more he thought about it. The truth was, there was only one explanation that made any sense, but it was so despicable that Xie Lian didn't want to believe Jun Wu could be capable of stooping to such levels.
"You've been a cop for a long time. You know how to use a gun. He's taller than me. Broader than me. But he had to jump in front of that bullet. Why would he have to do that? You're such a good shot." Xie Lian bit his lip, trying to stop his trembling. "You shot at me, didn't you? You thought that you could shoot me, then shoot him, and blame it on him. You'd get to call it self-defense.” Xie Lian’s voice became more stern when he demanded, “Tell me I'm wrong."
"… You wouldn't have died," Jun Wu carefully responded, "I didn't aim for anything vital. We could've gotten you medical attention right away. It would've been a valiant part you played to put an end to this unfortunate incident."
"You were willing to put my life at risk just to get what you wanted!?" Xie Lian was seething, tears stinging his eyes as the gravity of such a decision threatened to crush him. "You didn't even hesitate. I thought you were supposed to love me."
"This is bigger than just you. Every person in that building is in danger," Jun Wu stressed, trying to take a position of authority.
"Everyone here is fine! They're fed. They're taken care of. Do you know how many people have gotten hurt since we got locked in here? One! The guy you shot!" Xie Lian spat the words like venom, feeling Jun Wu's tendrils unfurled from him with every outburst. "The only danger here is you idiots pretending to have a clue what the hell you're doing! If you just left, everything would be fine!"
"You called me!" Jun Wu reminded him. It was a fact Xie Lian had been painfully aware of from the beginning.
"Yeah, and I wish I hadn't! I wish I'd never called you, I wish I'd never met you!" Xie Lian screamed down the phone.
"You're upset," Jun Wu calmly replied, a level of condescension in his voice that didn't go unnoticed. "You're in a stressful situation, and you're not thinking clearly."
This was what Jun Wu did. Told Xie Lian how he felt, analysed him, and twisted his thoughts into something more convenient. Made Xie Lian feel smaller, inferior because he was younger. Jun Wu always used it, saying Xie Lian would understand with age. Telling him that he was being immature whenever he dared to go against the things Jun Wu said. Because Jun Wu's word was law, and to go against it was to be a petulant child.
"I'm thinking more clearly than I ever have before, and I'm done. I'm done with this, and I'm done with you." Xie Lian's fingers shook with his anger, but he kept pressing forward, determined to grant himself his freedom. "I'm not marrying you. I'm not dating you. When I get out of here, I don't ever want to see or hear from you again."
Hanging up the phone, Xie Lian dropped it on the nearest table, picked up the first aid kit, and headed towards the bank vault. It felt like he could breathe for the first time in months. Like the heavy noose tied around his neck had loosened its hold. The future was no longer decided for him. He'd have time to make these decisions. But first, he had to tend to Crimson Rain.
Xie Lian moved quickly, afraid of what he might find if he kept Crimson Rain waiting any longer. The area he'd requested Crimson Rain go to was not a place he had been very often. They'd been preparing him for it, though. An imminent promotion was on the horizon. Xie Lian didn't know if it would still be there for him once everything was over. Not when he had every intention of letting them leave with as much money as they would need. He wasn't sure he cared anymore. The only thing that mattered was Crimson Rain's safety. Everything else was an afterthought.
The first aid kit nearly dropped from Xie Lian's grip when he stepped into the vault and found Crimson Rain leaning against the registering table. Shirt off. Mask at his side.
It seemed that Crimson Rain hadn't noticed his presence yet. Xie Lian had time to admire his profile, taking in the sharpness of his jawline, the charming hooked nose, and the length of his eyelashes. His hair fell in beautiful, unruly waves of ebony. He did look young, but mature. Like a man who had seen far too much in his life. A man who had been forced to grow up too quickly, but held the confidence within himself to make it work.
Truthfully, Crimson Rain didn't look at all like Xie Lian had imagined him to be, but that wasn't an issue. Not at all. Seeing Crimson Rain's face for the first time was like watching all the pieces fall into place. He wasn't the man Xie Lian expected, but he was everything he was supposed to be. A face that perfectly framed the personality Xie Lian had been falling for over the last week. It made him so much more beautiful. It made Xie Lian's heart race and his fingers twitch with a need to touch, to caress, to memorise every imperfection. Xie Lian's breath caught when Crimson Rain looked over and smiled.
He'd never met a more enchanting man.
"Your mask is off," Xie Lian dumbly said, still waiting for his mind to catch up.
Crimson Rain looked down at the mask and smiled sheepishly. "It feels good to finally take it off. Just don't tell Black Water." He gestured to the first aid kit. "Is that for me?"
"Oh. Yeah." Xie Lian's face felt hot as he averted his gaze, swiftly crossing the room and placing the kit next to the mask.
Xie Lian pulled out things he knew he could use to treat the wound. All the while, his gaze kept shifting back to the mask smiling up at him, the crescent eyes strangely comforting after so much time together. Xie Lian slipped on a pair of gloves, his hands trembling when he reached out to touch Crimson Rain's back and inspect the wound. The blood wasn't flowing at an alarming rate, and though he knew it had to at least partly be adrenaline, the fact that Crimson Rain was so alert was promising. The wound itself looked clean and precise, but Xie Lian couldn't be sure how much damage there was beneath the surface.
"Give it to me straight, doc," Crimson Rain teased. "Am I going to live?"
Xie Lian huffed a laugh, though he knew he shouldn't. "I can't take the bullet out. Not without risking doing even more damage." He took some gauze and held it to the wound, applying as much pressure as he could. "But I can stop the bleeding and keep it clean."
Crimson Rain took a sharp breath and gripped the edge of the table. "I'm just going to have a bullet in me for the rest of my life?"
"You'd need surgery to get it out," Xie Lian explained. When the gauze was stained red, Xie Lian pulled out a second and pressed it over the first. "B-But it's okay! Lots of people live perfectly normal lives with bullets in their bodies!"
Crimson Rain chuckled, looking over his shoulder at Xie Lian. "How do you know so much about this? You're not a doctor."
Xie Lian looked into those mismatched eyes for a moment, finally able to see them properly. Biting his lip, he admitted, "I've sat in with Jun Wu while they were treating a gunshot wound before."
"Ah, of course. Should've known someone would want to shoot him," Crimson Rain remarked.
Xie Lian smiled to himself, trying to follow the glimpses of joy Crimson Rain was trying to provide in such a terrible situation. Once he was certain the bleeding had stopped, Xie Lian removed the bloodied gauze. He carefully cleaned the area, putting a fresh gauze in place before applying the dressing. It wasn't much, but it was all he could do in the circumstances.
"How did it feel?" Xie Lian tentatively asked. "Getting shot?"
"I don't really remember," Crimson Rain admitted. "It all happened so quickly. I don't think I felt much pain. Just impact. Like being punched. It's starting to ache a little now, but I don't know if that's from the pressure."
"You shouldn't have done that," Xie Lian said, staring at the mask.
The guilt was eating away at him. Crimson Rain had been through hell and back. All because of Xie Lian. Because of that phone call. Because Xie Lian was dating the wrong person. Because Xie Lian was the one who was supposed to be shot. And yet, he took it all in stride. He kept smiling, kept treating Xie Lian with the utmost respect, kept taking care of him.
"And what would the alternative be? Let you take the bullet?" Crimson Rain turned to face Xie Lian. "Out of the question."
Xie Lian's lip quivered, and tears stung at his eyes as he feebly whispered, "Maybe that would be better…"
"It wouldn't." Crimson Rain's voice was startlingly stern. He rested a finger under Xie Lian's chin, pulling it up to look into his eyes and quietly insisting, "It wouldn't be better."
Xie Lian pressed his lips together, trying to stop them from trembling and doing his best to ignore the tears. Crimson Rain was good. Too good. Like a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. Xie Lian was learning that he'd made so many mistakes, but they were all his own burden to bear. Crimson Rain had done all he could to shelter Xie Lian from it, even when he didn't know that was what he was doing. And Xie Lian didn't deserve any of it.
"I'm so sorry." Crimson Rain reached out, elegant, slightly calloused fingers tracing along Xie Lian's arms and leading him in like a siren call. "It was selfish of me to use you like that. I should never have put you in that situation."
"But I wanted to be there." Xie Lian took a shuddering breath. Every time he tried to calm his tears, more would come. Looking into Crimson Rain's eyes, Xie Lian hoped it would be clear when he shakily said, "I want to be here."
A silence fell between them, and Xie Lian hoped it meant Crimson Rain might understand. His fingers shook as he leaned in, resting a hand on Crimson Rain's chest and grazing their lips together. It was barely a touch. A moment of indulgence Xie Lian didn't deserve. He hadn't asked, hadn't given Crimson Rain the chance to tell him this wasn't right. When he pulled back, Crimson Rain was staring at him, surprise in those mesmerising eyes, but no disgust. No repulsion. Xie Lian thought he should feel guilty. Guilty for Jun Wu. Guilty for everything he had put Crimson Rain through, yet still wanting to take more.
Crimson Rain's hand caressed Xie Lian's cheek, and he found himself leaning into that soothing touch, eyes falling shut as he was led into a most tender, heartfelt kiss.
All the noise in Xie Lian's mind disappeared. All the fears and doubts. All the mounting regrets melted away under the delicate touch of a man Xie Lian wasn’t worthy of, but wanted with all his heart. A calm washed over him as everything was replaced with the warm glow of Crimson Rain's affection. Xie Lian's hand slid up Crimson Rain's chest, fingers moving to rest at the nape of his neck, greedily claiming every kiss he could get.
"We should really stop," Crimson Rain murmured against his lips, though he made no effort to separate them. "Your boyfriend's already shot me once."
"He's not my boyfriend." Xie Lian sighed, resting their heads together, almost afraid something might come between them.
"Right, fiancé. Whatever," Crimson Rain flippantly corrected himself.
"Oh, no." Xie Lian chuckled, nuzzling his nose against the side of Crimson Rain's and explaining, "I broke up with him."
"Oh, thank god." The feel of Crimson Rain's hand sliding down to his waist left a pleasant swooping feeling in Xie Lian's stomach, like a sharp drop during a rollercoaster. "You could do so much better."
Xie Lian smiled, for the first time in his life, believing it. Crimson Rain was proof. If Xie Lian could have Crimson Rain, he would have been doing better. The best, in fact. His fingers tangled in Crimson Rain's hair, drawing him back in for more. It was as though now he'd been given a taste, Xie Lian could no longer hold himself back. So long, he'd stopped himself from being happy; he'd forced himself to pretend the hell he'd created was what he needed when this paradise was waiting.
Crimson Rain made kissing feel like worship. Every movement was slow, but precise. Every touch filled with intent. Xie Lian had never known a kiss to make him feel special, but this did. So, he followed it, greedy to know the true depths of Crimson Rain's affection, to understand if it was as infinite as Xie Lian's felt. Crimson Rain's hand at the small of his back felt like safety, like a tether preventing anything from parting them. Xie Lian sighed happily into the kiss, tilting his head and letting his tongue glide along the seam of Crimson Rain's lips, feeling a jolt of something pleasant when the tip dipped between them.
Crimson Rain rested their heads together, sucking in a sudden breath as their lips parted. Xie Lian wondered if he'd done too much, if this was a step beyond what Crimson Rain felt comfortable with. They'd already gone as far as they had, Xie Lian thought. Why not go a little further?
"Sorry." Xie Lian murmured into Crimson Rain's lips, "I should've asked."
"No, I just wasn't expecting you to be so forward," Crimson Rain explained. He used his finger to tip Xie Lian's chin up, gently tugging Xie Lian's lip between his teeth. "I like it."
"What were you expecting?" Xie Lian asked, feeling a magnetic pull that screamed to stop talking and keep kissing him.
"I don't know exactly. But that's the thing about you, gege," Crimson Rain said in a sultry tone. "You're always defying my expectations."
Xie Lian could resist no longer, moving in for more and sighing happily when Crimson Rain's tongue so eagerly moved against his own. There was heat in every touch, and Xie Lian soon lost himself to the motions, soft sounds of satisfaction breathed into Crimson Rain's mouth every time their kisses grew more intimate. Xie Lian was being too much. He knew that he was, but he wanted to get closer, to feel everything Crimson Rain had to offer and have the darkness of the past cleansed from his body, replaced by a feeling so much softer, so much happier than any he'd felt before.
The closer Xie Lian got, the more Crimson Rain seemed to encourage him. Eventually, Xie Lian was pressed between Crimson Rain's legs, their bodies flush against each other. There was a thrill that came with the need to slip onto his toes to reach Crimson Rain's lips. It was only made better by the wandering hands cupping Xie Lian's ass and using the leverage to pull him up for more. Xie Lian groaned, overwhelmed by it, sinking his teeth into Crimson Rain's lip and pressing their hips together. The response was instant. Crimson Rain didn't push him away, didn't ask him to slow down. Instead, fingers dug into Xie Lian's ass, pressing him down and grinding their hips together.
Xie Lian gasped, a heat pooling in his stomach at the feel of Crimson Rain's obvious erection dragging against his own through the fabric. Xie Lian couldn't remember the last time he'd felt desirable. He had no idea he could want someone as much as he did Crimson Rain, his mind a haze of lust and deep affection.
"Too much?" Crimson Rain asked through panted breaths.
"Shh," Xie Lian implored, rutting against him, chasing the feeling only Crimson Rain's body on his own could provide.
"Wait," Crimson Rain requested, and though Xie Lian really didn't want to, he relented, looking up at him through half-lidded eyes. Crimson Rain caressed his cheek, admiring him like a work of art. "Tell me what you want, gege. More? Do you want me to take your clothes off? How far do you want to go with this? We can stop at any time. I just don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Xie Lian felt the heat rise to his cheeks, more bashful from such a sweet sentiment than the shameless dry humping they'd been engaging in just moments prior. Part of him knew that Crimson Rain was just being a gentleman, trying to learn Xie Lian's boundaries before he could get close enough to cross them. But Xie Lian hadn't been asked what he wanted in such a long time. It had never mattered before. Just hearing Crimson Rain ask… it was so sexy.
Xie Lian trailed a finger over Crimson Rain's chest, biting his lip, "I want it all. Everything. Please…"
"Everything?" Crimson Rain stole a kiss, rubbing his thumb lovingly against Xie Lian's cheek. "You're sure?"
"Mn." Xie Lian nodded, grazing his fingers along Crimson Rain's arm, taking the time to memorise him. "I want you to take care of me. Please."
"I can do that," Crimson Rain purred, the gentle vibration of his voice sending shivers down Xie Lian's spine. "Wait here. I'll be right back. I promise."
"Okay." Xie Lian stole another kiss, letting their lips linger together. "Don't be long."
Xie Lian had to force himself to detangle their limbs, biting his lip as he watched Crimson Rain pluck up the mask and move swiftly to the door. Immediately, Xie Lian wanted to follow like a lovesick puppy, just as he had been since the moment they'd been trapped in that building. But Crimson Rain asked him to stay, and Xie Lian would do as he was told. The anticipation would be half the fun.
Crimson Rain faltered at the door, turning back to Xie Lian and saying, "It's Hua Cheng, by the way." He smiled shyly. "My name's Hua Cheng."
Watching as he left, Xie Lian smiled shyly. He paced around the room, trying to process exactly what he was doing. This was insanity, perhaps the most impulsive thing Xie Lian had ever done. Was he really considering this? Having sex with a man he'd only known for a week? A man whose face and name had been a mystery until mere moments prior? Despite that thought, Xie Lian still felt like he'd known Crimson Rain— no, Hua Cheng— for so much longer. He was like an old friend. Like a part of Xie Lian's life that he didn't know he'd missed. If it felt right, did it even matter?
There was a part of Xie Lian's mind that reminded him of Jun Wu, and that he had only just called it off. He questioned whether he should feel guilty for moving on so swiftly. But Xie Lian wasn't sure if what he felt for Jun Wu was ever love. It was always an obligation. Saying yes to the date because Jun Wu was a police officer. Following instructions to keep Jun Wu happy. Agreeing to the marriage because that was what you were supposed to do. Was there even anything to get over when the entire relationship was a farce?
Xie Lian was broken from his racing thoughts when Hua Cheng returned, a small bottle in hand. He nervously tried to explain, "Sorry. I just— I thought it would be more comfortable for you if I got… B-Black Water had it. I just had to convince him."
Appraising Hua Cheng for a moment, Xie Lian was struck by this bashful, charmingly sweet side. In that moment, he realised why he was in such a rush: their time together was finite. Xie Lian didn't know when, but inevitably, the situation would resolve. Hua Cheng would be arrested or find a way out. Either way, they would be separated, and Xie Lian couldn't be sure they would ever see each other again. Truthfully, he was setting himself up for heartbreak, giving himself over to someone who couldn't promise him forever. But if Xie Lian had to choose, he knew he'd rather taste Hua Cheng's touch just once than spend his life wishing he had.
Stepping into Hua Cheng's space, Xie Lian took the chin of the mask and lifted it off, admiring the blush dusting Hua Cheng's cheeks. Shifting onto his toes, Xie Lian wrapped his arms around Hua Cheng's neck, humming. "You risked your life for me? Again?"
"For you, I'd risk my life a thousand times." Hua Cheng smirked, resting his hands on the backs of Xie Lian's thighs and lifting him off the ground.
Xie Lian's lips were on Hua Cheng's in an instant, legs wrapping around his waist, desperate for the taste he'd so swiftly grown addicted to. Feeling himself placed on the registering table, the clatter of the bottle dropping at his side, Xie Lian looked up at Hua Cheng with hungry eyes. He had to know, didn't he? Surely there was no room to doubt how strongly Xie Lian felt. Perhaps the feelings had developed too quickly, but Xie Lian was overwhelmed with devotion. Hua Cheng had shown him what it was like to be happy. More than that, he'd shown Xie Lian that it was so easy. How could he do anything but cling to that effortless joy?
As Hua Cheng's fingers deftly undid the buttons on his shirt, Xie Lian whined against his lips, his insistence dragging Hua Cheng closer. Even pressed against each other, skin against skin, nothing would be enough. They'd spent too long apart for there to ever be a chance at separation again. There wasn't a moment to breathe, or think, or act. The moment Xie Lian's shirt was pushed open, Hua Cheng's lips slid lower, soft kisses trailed down his throat to his chest. Strong hands moved under the fabric, wrapping around Xie Lian's body, elegant fingers splayed against his skin. The softness of every kiss, the way Hua Cheng would linger each time, ensuring not an inch was neglected, all felt akin to being worshipped. A tear slid down Xie Lian's cheek as he arched his back into Hua Cheng's loving touch, carding his fingers through Hua Cheng's hair.
"You're so beautiful," Hua Cheng murmured against his chest, warm breath ghosting a nipple and sending sparks of pleasure up Xie Lian's spine. "I thought so the moment I met you."
"Sah— San Lang…" Xie Lian gently tugged Hua Cheng's hair, biting his lip. "You're teasing…"
"Is this not what you wanted?" Xie Lian could feel Hua Cheng's smirk against his chest. "I thought I was doing so well."
Xie Lian wrapped his leg around Hua Cheng's waist, using the leverage to grind their hips together, his voice a stern warning. "San Lang."
Hua Cheng groaned, his fingers softly scratching along Xie Lian's back. "Is it so wrong to want to savour you?"
Despite his words, Hua Cheng switched tactics, moving to play with Xie Lian's nipple using his tongue. Xie Lian rolled their hips together again, pressing Hua Cheng's face into his chest in his desperation for more. Even as Hua Cheng sucked and nibbled at the sensitive nub, Xie Lian had decided it wasn't enough. It would never be enough. Hua Cheng had turned him into this, made him so insatiable for his touch. Nothing had ever felt the way Hua Cheng did. Nothing would ever compare. How could he spend the rest of his life knowing that this would always be out of reach?
"Hah! S-San Lang, please, I can't— I can't wait," Xie Lian implored, fingers still clutching the smiling mask as he clung to Hua Cheng's body.
"So greedy," Hua Cheng noted, kissing his way down Xie Lian's body. He nuzzled against the trail of hairs below Xie Lian's navel, a satisfied sigh leaving his lips. "Fuck, you're perfect, aren't you?"
Xie Lian's stomach muscles quivered and tensed, trying to hold still despite how close Hua Cheng was to precisely where Xie Lian wanted him to be. Despite Xie Lian's entire body screaming to be taken, it was important to wait, to give Hua Cheng the time to savour it. Xie Lian couldn't be sure it would ever happen again. It would be a shame for it to end so quickly. Besides, no one spoke of Xie Lian the way Hua Cheng did. These grand declarations of affection and of praise had never existed for Xie Lian before.
The only time Xie Lian heard that he was good, it came from himself; he never thought hearing it from a lover could be so intoxicating.
A loud clattering filled the room when Xie Lian dropped the mask, but it went ignored as Xie Lian cradled Hua Cheng's face in his hands, pulling him up and pressing their lips together. It was driven by need and insistence, a desire for Hua Cheng to know how special he was, how much this moment meant to Xie Lian, an irrational hope that it could last a lifetime. Hua Cheng's kisses were zealous, claiming Xie Lian's lips like a prize even as his fingers worked open Xie Lian's pants, and it took only a few careful shifts of Xie Lian's hips to be free of them.
Telling himself he wasn't allowed this was a fool's errand. Xie Lian wasn't sure how he'd ever expected to keep himself away. Preventing their union would be no easier than changing the Earth's rotation. The moment they came into each other's orbit, Xie Lian should've known this would be the only outcome. Why fight it? Why not give in to the temptations? Wasn't it worth it for just one taste of Hua Cheng's love?
The sound of the bottle cap clicking open caused Xie Lian's breath to catch. He looked up at Hua Cheng through half-lidded eyes, admiring the darkness in the mismatched ones staring back at him. Heat pooled in Xie Lian's stomach as Hua Cheng's teeth grazed and tugged his bottom lip.
"You're sure?" Hua Cheng whispered, giving Xie Lian one last chance to change his mind.
"Do it," Xie Lian encouraged.
The slide of Hua Cheng's slightly calloused hand under his thigh was one of the most erotic feelings Xie Lian had ever experienced. His body became so compliant, allowing Hua Cheng to lift his leg as much as he needed to get the right angle. It was as if Hua Cheng were testing it, learning the capabilities of Xie Lian's body as he went. Soon, Xie Lian was laid out on the table, one leg almost all the way over Hua Cheng's shoulder. With his lover leaning over him, Xie Lian gingerly wrapped his other leg around Hua Cheng's waist, trying to keep him close.
All breath left Xie Lian's body as a slick finger pressed into him, accompanied by a trail of loving kisses along his neck. He must've looked like a complete mess, hair dishevelled, cheeks rosy as the haze of lust began to take over, but for once in his life, Xie Lian didn't care. It felt so good, how could anything else possibly matter?
"Fuck, how are you so flexible?" Hua Cheng mused, slowly fucking Xie Lian on his finger.
"I-I don't know. I do yoga— ah—!" Xie Lian tried to reply, barely able to find the words between every pump from Hua Cheng.
"You're so cute." Hua Cheng chuckled, the low sultry tone sending pleasant vibrations through Xie Lian's body. "Are you ready for another?"
"Yesss!" Xie Lian hissed, rocking down on Hua Cheng's finger with his enthusiasm.
Hua Cheng's grip dug into Xie Lian's thigh tight enough to leave bruises, and oh, he hoped they would. He longed for every mark Hua Cheng might leave on his body, that they might be there forever, an eternal reminder of such a fleeting union. As a second finger joined the first, Xie Lian's unrestrained euphoric cries echoed through the vault, back arching, toes curling as Hua Cheng slowly spread him open.
It wouldn't be long, Xie Lian kept telling himself. Soon, Hua Cheng would give him everything he desired. Just a little more, and he would be ready. Every smile pressed into his neck, every subtle groan muffled into his skin, was proof he was doing well, and just the thought of Hua Cheng being so proud of him gave Xie Lian the same pleasant feeling in his stomach from earlier.
When a third finger pressed into him, Xie Lian dug his heel into Hua Cheng's lower back, pressing him closer and trying helplessly to rut against him. The angle was all wrong, he couldn't get the leverage he needed, and every second without relief was the most pleasant kind of torture. Hua Cheng seemed to notice his plight, cooing and kissing along Xie Lian's jaw. Words of praise were whispered into his skin, promises of what was to come, gentle coaxing to relax and let Hua Cheng take care of him. And Xie Lian had never felt more cared for in his life. Giving himself over to Hua Cheng felt as natural as breathing.
This was safety. This was happiness. This was love.
"I think you're ready for my cock now," Hua Cheng whispered against his lips, delicately wiping a tear from Xie Lian's cheek. "Is that what you want, gege?"
"Nnnh…" Xie Lian whined, nodding emphatically.
A new wave of tears threatened to be shed as the fingers left Xie Lian's body, suddenly feeling impossibly empty. It wouldn't be long, he reminded himself. Just another moment, and they would finally be connected. Sitting up, Xie Lian bit his lip, watching Hua Cheng's pants drop to the floor. He'd never seen a more perfect body in his life. Perfectly toned, skin as fair as snow, the occasional scar that came from a life more cruel than Hua Cheng would ever deserve. But it made up who Hua Cheng was. And he was flawless.
Before Hua Cheng could grab the bottle, Xie Lian did, answering the quirk of Hua Cheng's brow by pouring the lubricant onto his own hand, and gesturing for Hua Cheng to come closer. The moment he was able, Xie Lian's hand was on Hua Cheng's cock, his fingers barely wrapping around the girth as he began a slow rhythm of strokes. The effect was immediate, Hua Cheng rocking into his touch, head resting on Xie Lian's shoulder, and gently moaning with the tempo.
"You're so big," Xie Lian murmured into Hua Cheng's ear, finding his own little thrill in teasing. His thumb brushed against Hua Cheng's frenulum, giving the area extra attention as he mused, "I don't know how I'll do it. I'll be feeling you for weeks…"
Hua Cheng's breath stuttered over a surprised whimper, insistently seeking the pleasures of Xie Lian's hand the more he spoke.
"But I want it so badly," Xie Lian admitted, sighing softly. "I want you to split me in ha—"
Xie Lian's words caught in his throat when Hua Cheng's hand pressed over his mouth, a needy whine softened on his shoulder. Hua Cheng's voice was strained when he implored, "Stop. You'll make me come."
Xie Lian blushed, but had the good sense to look apologetic, slowing his strokes and eventually letting go. It would be such a waste for Hua Cheng to come so soon, especially when he was so close to getting what he wanted. Hua Cheng seemed to agree, though he still had ideas of his own. Strong hands rested on Xie Lian's waist, a reminder of the significant difference in their size. Just the thought made Xie Lian tingle pleasantly.
"I want to see how flexible you really are," Hua Cheng warned, pulling Xie Lian into his arms.
There was only a moment to prepare himself before Xie Lian was slammed against the wall of deposit boxes, clinging to Hua Cheng's back for purchase. He let himself be manhandled in Hua Cheng's arms until they found the most comfortable position. One of Xie Lian's ankles rested on Hua Cheng's shoulder. The other was wrapped tightly around Hua Cheng's hip. As their heads rested together, breathing into each other's lips, Xie Lian tangled his fingers in Hua Cheng's raven hair.
"Wow, look at you." Hua Cheng's voice was filled with awe, cock dragging against Xie Lian's ass but never quite giving him enough. "I wonder how deep I could go with you bent like this."
Xie Lian growled, the teasing swiftly becoming too much to bear with his goal so close. He pulled roughly on Hua Cheng's hair, biting his lip and urging, "Find out."
The sound that Hua Cheng made came from deep within his chest. A low, guttural snarl that spoke of impulsivity. Like he couldn't hold himself back, no matter how hard he tried. Like he was feeling the same possessiveness as Xie Lian. Xie Lian should've known it was a warning. All at once, Hua Cheng pressed into him, teeth and lips clashing like ravenous wolves. Xie Lian had never been more ready to submit, parting his lips and moaning as Hua Cheng claimed his mouth.
Hua Cheng was not gentle. Not even a little bit. That was precisely what Xie Lian had been hoping for, feeling all breath punched from his body with every ardent thrust. It was as though every touch was reviving Xie Lian from the inside out, filling him with heat, and love, and passion, and lust he scarcely remembered ever feeling before. Hua Cheng's fingers on Xie Lian's ass dug in deep, crescent nails pressing so hard he thought he might break. Maybe that was what he wanted. To be torn to pieces and put back together again. Only Hua Cheng could do it. Hua Cheng was the one Xie Lian could trust to touch him and make him feel alive.
As Hua Cheng's lips trailed to Xie Lian's neck, Xie Lian could do nothing but cling to him and listen to his saccharine words. "So much of value in this vault, but it all pales in comparison to you."
Xie Lian's whimper was barely audible, drowned out by the insistent bucking of Hua Cheng's hips, the gentle crash every time Xie Lian was slammed back against the lockboxes. There was no one in the world like Hua Cheng. No one who would say such lovely things in the throes of passion, no one who could so easily make Xie Lian feel like the only one who mattered.
"All the money; it's meaningless." Hua Cheng nuzzled into Xie Lian's neck. "I wish I could just steal you away instead."
Xie Lian's heart swelled at the thought. Being whisked away from the fucked up life he'd found himself in. Away from Jun Wu and his manipulation. From the loneliness. From all the misery that was looming on the horizon once Hua Cheng left that place. What Xie Lian would've given to be able to follow Hua Cheng, to cling to the slice of happiness they'd found together in a world so dark and cold.
"Bite me," Xie Lian whispered, tears in his eyes.
"What?" Hua Cheng kissed up Xie Lian's neck, hot breath ghosting his skin.
"Mark me," Xie Lian pleaded. "I want to remember for as long as I can. Please."
"Gege," Hua Cheng sighed, sinking his teeth into his neck.
Pain bloomed, swiftly blending into pleasure. Never before had Xie Lian felt so pampered. Fingers carded through Hua Cheng's unruly hair like beautiful strands of silk, and Xie Lian rested his head back against the boxes, lips parted over shuddering moans. Hua Cheng kept bouncing Xie Lian on his cock, pressing in deeper with every thrust. His teeth and lips moved along Xie Lian's neck, biting down and following with gentle, apologetic kisses. Xie Lian knew he would be painted like a canvas, and just the thought of it filled his stomach with a pleasant heat. To be claimed by Hua Cheng was the greatest gift of all.
"So pretty." Hua Cheng nudged his nose gently against Xie Lian's neck, now mottled with bites. "I fear I'm too greedy to ever let you go."
"Don't let go," Xie Lian pleaded, cradling Hua Cheng's face in his hands and pulling him up to Xie Lian's lips. "Don't let go, I want— ah! Want you to steal me…"
Their lips moved together like magnets, desperately seeking the heat of each other's bodies. Xie Lian was panting into Hua Cheng's mouth, losing himself to the motions as he was fucked so mercilessly. Every second was bliss, pain and pleasure blending together to create something wonderful. Hua Cheng was feeding Xie Lian every delectable moan with each buck of his hips, licking into his mouth like a man starved. Xie Lian followed every kiss, submitting to Hua Cheng's whims and clinging to a quixotic belief that the very essence of their beings could become one if they gave into each other completely.
"Sa—San Lang!" Xie Lian whimpered, pressing down on Hua Cheng's cock every time he was able. He could feel the heat growing in his stomach, so close to the edge, but not yet ready to let it end. "I'm—oh, fuck!"
"Are you close, gege?" Hua Cheng purred, the teasing lilt to his voice as provocative as it was sexy. Keeping Xie Lian upright with just one hand on his ass and their bodies pressed roughly into the wall, Hua Cheng used his other hand to rub his thumb against the head of Xie Lian's cock. "Would you like some help?"
Just that one touch was enough to send sparks of pleasure shooting up Xie Lian's body. With their heads resting together, Xie Lian swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded emphatically. He didn't want it to end yet. He'd rather the night last a lifetime. But the thought of Hua Cheng touching him so intimately, the thought of all of Hua Cheng's attention so wholly focused on Xie Lian's pleasure, was too good to pass up.
Hua Cheng's hand wrapped around him with ease, spreading the slick over his cock. "Look at how wet you are. So worked up just for me. I'm so lucky."
Xie Lian mewled, rocking into Hua Cheng's hand, holding Hua Cheng's head against his own in his desperation to stay as close as possible. He greedily accepted every piece of praise lovingly fed to him, hanging on every sweet word from Hua Cheng's lips. Even Hua Cheng's strokes were so affectionate, so gentle and sweet, as though he were taking the time to memorise the feel of Xie Lian's erection moving through his fingers, savouring the moment.
"Does that feel good? You want a little more?" Hua Cheng asked sweetly.
Despite how fondly Hua Cheng was touching him, the fucking remained just as relentless. It was like even though Hua Cheng wanted so badly to show Xie Lian how important he was, it was just as crucial to follow the lust controlling his body. Like both sides needed to be fulfilled. Hua Cheng grunted with every thrust, the delicate sounds of pleasure mixing with Xie Lian's between every gently uttered phrase.
Xie Lian nodded, suddenly feeling almost overwhelmed by such affection. No one had ever touched him like that. No one had ever looked at him like that, either. Like he was precious. Like he was the most important thing in the world, a feeling that Xie Lian had never known before Hua Cheng. A feeling he wanted to helplessly chase for the rest of his life, to cling to with both hands and never let go.
"You're so beautiful," Hua Cheng whispered, trailing kisses along his jaw and slowly picking up the pace with his strokes, eventually matching the rhythm of his thrusts. "The way you look when you blush. The sounds you make. Fuck, gege, you have to know how perfect you are." Hua Cheng's thumb grazed along the vein on Xie Lian's cock. "It's like holding a piece of heaven."
Between the ever-growing pleasure and the building up of such overwhelming emotions, Xie Lian couldn't hold himself back a moment longer, burying his face against Hua Cheng's shoulder and moaning as he came. His body shook with the aftershocks of his orgasm, his mind fading into a haze of bliss, clinging to every whispered praise in his ear as Hua Cheng talked him through his climax.
Hua Cheng kept going, fucking Xie Lian like the connection was the only thing that mattered. Ignoring the overstimulation, Xie Lian pressed his heel into Hua Cheng's hip, urging him to keep moving. "Mmnh, that's it, San Lang," Xie Lian encouraged, "Let me have it, please. I want it, I want everything."
It took only a few more thrusts before Hua Cheng's hips stuttered, burying his cock deep inside Xie Lian, a long string of moans spilling from his lips. Xie Lian could tell he was spent, carding his fingers through Hua Cheng's hair and taking the moment to cherish him, to memorise everything, and ignore the painful thoughts that came with the idea that this would soon be over. Hua Cheng carefully unfurled Xie Lian's body from his own, slowly placing him on the ground, but Xie Lian wasn't sure he could trust his legs anymore. Instead, he clung to Hua Cheng's arms, giggling when Hua Cheng gently lowered them to the ground.
Instinctively, Xie Lian all but crawled into Hua Cheng's lap, resting against his chest. For a moment, he could pretend that this was it, that everything he wanted was right there and that nothing would be able to take it away. This was happiness, and love, and who were they to deny it? How could the world ever let them be parted? It didn't make any sense. The only thing that did, the only way everything could be made right, was if they were able to remain together.
Xie Lian knew it was impossible. Even if he tried to take up Wind Master's offer and run away with them, Jun Wu wouldn't relent. Jun Wu would keep looking. As much as Xie Lian didn't want to believe it could be true, Wind Master had made a good point. There was every chance that Jun Wu had bugged his car. Or his phone. Or anything else in Xie Lian's life. Like a cockroach, he would keep coming back. The only way to keep Hua Cheng safe was to stay away.
But for now, they had this moment.
Strong arms wrapped around Xie Lian, and he quickly gave in to it, finding comfort in the warmth of their bodies pressed so close together. After knowing Hua Cheng for a week, Xie Lian had found himself drawn to him in ways that felt incomprehensible. It wasn't just lust. It was little things. It was the desire to hold his hand. It was the compulsion to smile upon hearing his voice, and the warmth that washed over Xie Lian's body at the sight of that smiling mask.
"San Lang?" Xie Lian looked up at him, admiring the lazy curve of Hua Cheng's lips and the droopiness of his eyes. The adrenaline from the gunshot had to be wearing off. Hua Cheng must've been exhausted.
"Mn?" Hua Cheng hugged him a little tighter, trailing his fingers up and down Xie Lian's spine.
"No matter what happens next…" Xie Lian started, almost afraid to finish the thought. There were so many possibilities, not all of them good, but he liked to believe that Hua Cheng would find a way out.
"No." Hua Cheng pressed a finger to Xie Lian's lips. "We're not saying our goodbyes right now. Not after all that." Hua Cheng paused, and for the first time, Xie Lian saw something akin to fear in his eyes when he gently implored, "Just let us have tonight, gege."
"No goodbyes," Xie Lian promised, shifting up in Hua Cheng's lap and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I just want you to know… I've never felt this way about anyone before. And… And I won't ever give up on this. Us."
"Good." Hua Cheng threaded their fingers together, nuzzling into Xie Lian's hair and kissing the top of his head. "Neither will I."
✦✦✦
At some point, Xie Lian fell asleep in Hua Cheng's arms. It hadn't been his intention. Ideally, he would've liked to find somewhere more comfortable for Hua Cheng to sleep, especially with his wound so fresh. But Hua Cheng's body was warm and reassuring, and once their limbs were tangled together, Xie Lian couldn't bear to part them. The smiling mask remained on the floor by the desk, along with a pile of their clothes. Xie Lian looked up at Hua Cheng, admiring the effortless beauty in every feature. It was more than natural good looks. It was a beauty that came from within and made every feature shine all the brighter.
Watching Hua Cheng sleep, Xie Lian regarded the innocence in his expression, trying to comprehend how someone so kind, so sincere had been thrust into such a terrible situation. Hua Cheng didn't deserve to go to jail. He didn't deserve to be punished for this. What had he really done? He'd tried to take some money to pay for a life-saving surgery. At every turn, he'd tried to negotiate with the police; he'd taken care of every hostage. Hua Cheng had done everything right in a world full of cruelty. If only there were a way out.
Xie Lian knew the entrance was out of the question. So were the fire exits. The building was large and old. In the back of his mind, Xie Lian was sure there had to be another way, but he had never found one. He wracked his brain for an answer, thinking about every unused room in the building, trying to decide if there was anything that he hadn't explored that might hold an answer. Nothing seemed plausible. There was no leaving under normal circumstances. All sides were guarded. Xie Lian doubted above would be much better. The only other option was…
Xie Lian gasped, shaking Hua Cheng's arm. "San Lang! San Lang, wake up."
"Ow," Hua Cheng groaned, pressing a hand to his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Xie Lian was already scrambling around the room, grabbing Hua Cheng's pants and tossing them at him before picking up his own. "Get dressed."
Hua Cheng whined like a petulant child, reluctantly doing as he was told. "But, gege, don't you want to cuddle a little first?"
That simple question caused Xie Lian's every movement to falter. His gaze trailed back to Hua Cheng, watching as he zipped up his pants. Hua Cheng was sitting up, looking around as though he were trying to take stock of where he was. Xie Lian could see the exact moment Hua Cheng replayed their evening together in his mind. Their passionate lovemaking. The way Hua Cheng had so dotingly cleaned them up, and they held each other through the night. Hua Cheng's shy smile was all Xie Lian needed to know he was thinking about it.
Crossing the space between them, Xie Lian knelt down and pressed a kiss to Hua Cheng's nose. "Later. This is important."
Hua Cheng smirked. "Promise?"
Xie Lian laughed, resting their heads together and gently nudging Hua Cheng like a playful goat. "San Lang, please."
Sighing dramatically, Hua Cheng kissed Xie Lian's cheek. "Can't blame me for trying." Hua Cheng gingerly got to his feet, crossing the room to grab his shirt and grimacing when he saw the blood staining it. "What's going on?"
"I just had an idea." Xie Lian explained, buttoning his own shirt, "I didn't think about it before, because it never gets used. There's a basement level to the bank. It's mostly used for emergency storage, but no one ever goes down there."
"Okay." Hua Cheng nodded along, sounding just as confused as when Xie Lian started.
"But the building's so old. There are lots of doors and spaces down there that got boarded up a long time ago." Xie Lian bit his lip, realising how far-fetched the idea sounded the longer he spoke. "Maybe… maybe there's a passageway that leads to another building or something. If we open them up, maybe you'll be able to get out."
Hua Cheng's smile slowly grew, a faraway look in his eyes as though he were picturing every word Xie Lian said. It was a chance. Where everything had felt helpless for so long, suddenly, there was potential. Maybe Hua Cheng would be able to get out. Maybe they'd actually be able to take the money Wind Master would need. If this worked, they could get away with their freedom. And though there was a part of Xie Lian that wanted Hua Cheng to stay, he knew that this was the only way it could end. Their separation was the best available outcome.
Picking up Hua Cheng's mask, Xie Lian stared into the smile, the crescent eyes somehow comforting where once the sight of it had been unnerving. He tenderly brushed a finger along the cheek of the mask, admiring the simplicity of it. Hua Cheng hadn't needed, or even wanted, to be extravagant. The mask was a perfect example of Hua Cheng's ability to command a room with nothing but the power of his presence. It was a symbol of Hua Cheng's intimidating nature and the soft-hearted man beneath that stern exterior.
Xie Lian loved that mask.
"I'll get Black Water to help us take a look around, see if we can find a way out." Hua Cheng crossed the room, brushing a finger under Xie Lian's chin and pushing his face up to look into his eyes. "You okay?"
The reality of the situation was beginning to hit Xie Lian. The decisions he'd made had led to this. The phone call. Allowing himself to get close to Hua Cheng. Breaking things off with Jun Wu. Giving his body to Hua Cheng, and perhaps inadvertently, his heart, too. It wouldn't hurt as much if he'd kept a distance. But looking into Hua Cheng's eyes, Xie Lian couldn't imagine a world where he could possibly resist.
"Yeah. You should put this back on before Black Water yells at you." Xie Lian shifted onto his toes, carefully slipping the mask onto Hua Cheng's head. Throwing caution to the wind, he leaned in and kissed Hua Cheng's cheek before fixing the mask into place, obscuring Hua Cheng's perfect features from view.
"I think it's a little late for that." Hua Cheng laughed, taking Xie Lian's hand and moving it under the mask to kiss his knuckles. "You ready to do this?"
"Mn." Xie Lian tried to ignore the warmth blossoming in his chest from such a charming gesture. "Let's get you out of here."
Wind Master was left with the rest of the hostages with the goal of maintaining morale. After the events of the previous day, it was difficult to keep everyone in good spirits, but the brief glimpse they got of Hua Cheng up and on his feet seemed to be enough. It was incredible to see how much support Hua Cheng had managed to garner over the week they'd spent in that bank. It didn't seem possible. Any other criminal would be seen as a stain on the city. Any other situation would've left the hostages combative and unforgiving. Somehow, Hua Cheng had managed to win the hearts of everyone in that building. Xie Lian couldn't pretend to be that surprised, though. Not after all he had found himself feeling.
With Black Water begrudgingly in tow, they made their way into the lower levels of the building, a miasmic sense of foreboding in the dark, desolate air. Xie Lian had never liked the lower levels. There was something unsettling about it. He knew that it was just a large, mostly empty space that almost never got used, but he had never been able to shake the feeling regardless. Maybe it was the thought that the bank building was so old, that the underground level had been there for at least a century, and he couldn't possibly know what kinds of things had gone on in that murky place.
The lights didn't work down there; the bulbs had died out some time ago. Instead, Black Water had Xie Lian's phone in hand, using it as a makeshift flashlight. There was so much dust, so many cobwebs, so much debris from a time long passed. Xie Lian didn't know why it hadn't all been cleaned out. So much space left unused. Was it because everyone felt that same oppressive ambience? Maybe it had scared everyone else away, too. Xie Lian was staring down a long hallway lined with piping when his foot caught on a plank. Stumbling forward, his heart leapt into his throat when Hua Cheng's strong arms caught him. Xie Lian froze for a moment, taking the time to process what had just happened and allow Hua Cheng's proximity to calm his nerves.
"You alright?" Hua Cheng asked, his voice dripping with a mix of concern and understanding.
"Yeah. Sorry, I—" Xie Lian took a shaky breath, trying to steady his nerves and focus on the task at hand. He gestured to a doorway to one side and explained, "Some of these doors go nowhere. That one just opens to a brick wall. But there are others. I've never been down that hallway before, but there's a lot of space down here. There's got to be something."
"There better be," Black Water grumbled, making his way toward the narrow hallway. "This place gives me the creeps."
"Maybe that'll work in our favour. If we do find something, the cops might not check down here right away. Could buy us some time," Hua Cheng suggested.
With Black Water at the front, Xie Lian followed behind, Hua Cheng's hands resting on his waist as reassurance, gently guiding him through. It reminded Xie Lian of the day prior, being guided out of the building, the moment the shot rang out, and the fear that overwhelmed him at the thought of something happening to Hua Cheng. His heart raced, and he reached for one of Hua Cheng's hands, squeezing it tightly in his own. The danger was no longer present, but the dread remained.
Passing through the hall, they found themselves in another large, barren room. Their footsteps echoed through the darkness, making the space feel much grander, much more ominous than it truly was. Just as Xie Lian had described, there were a few doors scattered around the space, some boarded up, others seemingly open. Xie Lian crossed the room to one, turning the doorknob and frowning when it didn't give. Locked. He couldn't begin to theorise where on earth the key would be.
Brushing his hand over the wooden finish, Xie Lian hummed thoughtfully, applying some pressure and noting how the door seemed to bend just slightly under it. The wood was old, not nearly as sturdy as it once was. Maybe with enough force, they wouldn't need a key at all. Stepping back, Xie Lian took a steadying breath before kicking the door with as much force as he could muster. The wood splintered, but didn't give way completely. Gritting his teeth, Xie Lian kicked it again, groaning with the exertion of such strength as he urged, "Come on!"
It took only two firm kicks and the pressure of Xie Lian's body against the door to break it open. Xie Lian tried not to think too deeply about the trouble that would find him for damaging private property.
"Holy shit," Hua Cheng muttered.
"Sorry." Xie Lian supposed he really should've given them some warning before he started knocking things down. He looked into the newly exposed room, frowning when all he found were old, rusty shelving units. "I thought maybe there might be something in there."
"Don't be sorry. That was hot," Hua Cheng exclaimed. Xie Lian was grateful for the darkness hiding his blush, but Black Water's groan of disgust could not be ignored. Not that Hua Cheng seemed to mind, if his gentle laughter was anything to go by. Hua Cheng gestured to another door, one that was boarded up, "Might need a little help on this one."
"There was a crowbar in the other room. Here." Black Water tossed Xie Lian's phone to Hua Cheng before going back to find the tool.
Once Xie Lian was standing at Hua Cheng's side, appraising the quality of the old boards, Hua Cheng asked, "You alright? You seem on edge."
"What if there's nothing down here?" Xie Lian asked, voicing the fear at the back of his mind.
The thought that he might disappoint them, that he was giving them hope just to snuff it out, was weighing on Xie Lian's mind. Finding a way out was important. More important than anything else. If this didn't work, Xie Lian really was out of ideas. The only other path ahead he could see was jail. And that wasn't a path Xie Lian was ready to humour.
"What if there is?" Hua Cheng countered. "Which would you prefer?"
Xie Lian looked away, looking down at the floor in the darkness as he quietly admitted, "I don't know which would be worse."
"We'll figure it out," Hua Cheng reassured, and Xie Lian knew he wasn't talking about escape routes anymore.
"I wish I'd met you sooner." Xie Lian was mostly speaking to himself, using the cover of darkness to facilitate his vulnerability. "Somewhere else. In a coffee shop or a library. Somewhere we could sit and talk for hours about our lives, and none of this would hang over us. We'd be able to think about when we'd get to see each other again. I'd ask you to spend the night at my place way too soon, because that's how reckless I am, but you'd make it feel right. You'd play with my hair all night, we would just hold each other, and… and there wouldn't be this question in the back of my mind." Xie Lian sighed. "How much time do we have left?"
Xie Lian let himself be pulled into Hua Cheng's embrace, finding comfort in his tender promise. "It's going to be okay."
The sound of Black Water's footsteps reverberating into the room had Xie Lian reluctantly shuffling away. There would be time for that later, Xie Lian told himself, though he couldn't quite believe it. As Black Water put the crowbar to the board, Hua Cheng handed Xie Lian the phone. Xie Lian stood back with the phone light trained on them, trying to help in what little way he could. Black Water used the leverage of the crowbar, whilst Hua Cheng used brute force, slipping his fingers between the board and the door and pulling. It took time, but eventually, there was a cracking sound as the board began to splinter under the pressure.
Once the doorway was cleared, Black Water reached out and opened it, a frustrated growl leaving his lips upon being met with yet another wall of bricks. "What was the point of all that?"
"I-I don't know. Maybe… Maybe there's something behind the bricks? There are a lot of rooms down here that never get opened," Xie Lian tried to explain. Every failed attempt made him feel sick, thinking about what it might mean for the three thieves and their chances of escape.
"It's fine, gege. You didn't know. Right, Black Water?" A threatening edge took over Hua Cheng's voice.
"…Right." Black Water muttered.
"There's another one over there," Hua Cheng pointed out, gesturing to a boarded-up door in the corner of the room. "We might have more luck with that one."
Black Water's patience seemed to be wearing thin. The likelihood of finding anything down there was decreasing by the minute. But desperation prevented them from giving up until every last inch of that basement was inspected. So, they assumed their positions, and it seemed that the boards tore free from the door with even less difficulty than the last. When Black Water opened it, they were met with darkness. Xie Lian stepped closer, shining the light from his phone into the room. His breath caught when what was illuminated wasn't a room at all, but a long passageway that seemed to go on forever, far beyond the reach of the light.
"No fucking way," Black Water breathed.
"That easily surpasses the length of the building," Hua Cheng noted. "I wouldn't be surprised if it came out at the sewers."
"Wind Master's gonna love that," Black Water dryly remarked.
"Mn, but it's a chance." Hua Cheng took the crowbar from Black Water and instructed, "Go get Wind Master and all the money you guys stashed. We're leaving."
"Now?" Xie Lian looked between them, a panic beginning to settle in at the realisation that he wasn't just losing Hua Cheng soon, but that there would be no more time at all. Black Water seemed disinterested, already leaving to follow Hua Cheng's instructions. "You're leaving right now?"
"We have to. You saw how desperate he's getting. If he's already shot me, who knows what he's willing to do next." Hua Cheng's voice was filled with regret when he said, "The sooner I leave, the sooner you'll be safe."
Xian Lian bit his lip as the emotions threatened to spill over. It was true, and he knew it, but that didn't mean Xie Lian was quite ready to let go yet. He desperately looked around the room as if hoping it might hold some kind of answer. Some way they could be together again. None could be found. This was the end, and Xie Lian knew it. There were still so many things he'd wanted to say. So much left to share.
Moving impulsively, Xie Lian took the engagement ring from his finger, reaching for Hua Cheng's hand and placing it in his palm. "Take it. Sell it. M-Maybe it'll help."
"Gege…" Hua Cheng turned the ring over in his hand. "I can't take your ring."
"You can. I want you to." Xie Lian tenderly closed Hua Cheng's hand over the ring. "I want nothing to do with him. And if that ring can make your life a little easier, then I need you to take it. Please."
Hua Cheng seemed reluctant, but eventually pocketed the ring. "Okay. If that's really what you want."
Xie Lian wanted a lot of things. So many, in fact. It was almost overwhelming after spending his life telling himself to want nothing at all, to not allow greed to motivate him. Wanting was a troublesome thing, especially when the world had always been too cruel to provide. The only times Xie Lian had ever been allowed to want were in the moments he knew he could make those desires come true himself. All the things Xie Lian wished for now were beyond reach. They were dreams he could not make happen, no matter how hard he tried.
Hua Cheng was a bird far too beautiful to be caged.
Tears welled in Xie Lian's eyes, and he quietly admitted, "I'm not ready to say goodbye to you yet."
"Don't say goodbye to me. Not now. Not ever," Hua Cheng implored.
Xie Lian's laugh was watery, tickled by the absurdity of such a statement at a time like this. "But you have to leave."
Hua Cheng took his hands, the cold of them still more comforting than Xie Lian would ever truly comprehend. Like a poet, Hua Cheng spoke, weaving words far too beautiful, far too full of hope to be true. "There is no banquet in this world that doesn't come to an end. But I will never leave you."
Xie Lian's breath caught. He squeezed Hua Cheng's hands as tightly as he could, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Do you really mean that?"
The only response Hua Cheng gave was a question: "Will you wait for me?"
It may have been foolish, but after the week they'd spent together, Xie Lian truly did believe Hua Cheng was capable of anything. He could survive a bullet. He could calm the minds of a room full of hostages. He could outwit a senior police officer. And he could steal Xie Lian's heart. If Hua Cheng said that he wouldn't leave Xie Lian, if Hua Cheng asked Xie Lian to wait, there was nothing in the world that would ever stop Xie Lian from doing exactly that.
"As long as it takes," Xie Lian vowed.
"Then you have nothing to worry about," Hua Cheng assured. He took a step back, his fingers slipping from Xie Lian's at the sound of footsteps. "You two ready to go?"
Xie Lian took a shaky breath, taking the moment of reprieve to wipe away his tears. It wouldn't be right to look like a mess in their last moments together. Hua Cheng deserved a much fonder picture to hang on to. So, Xie Lian tried to control himself, tried to be the strong person he'd always told himself to be. At least until they left. At least until he was back home in his own bed, where no one would be able to judge him for breaking down.
"Got everything." Wind Master's cheerful voice cut through the tension in the room. "This better work. I'm not going into the sewers for nothing."
"It'll work," Hua Cheng confidently asserted. He gave one last instruction to Xie Lian. "I need you to go back up there and pretend we're still in the building for as long as you possibly can. Eventually, when he calls, you can tell him that we left and everyone's safe, but the more time you can buy us to get away, the better."
"Of course." Xie Lian's heart raced, ecstatic to be able to help Hua Cheng one more time. He could only watch helplessly as they all moved toward the passageway. It was desperation that had Xie Lian calling out, "San Lang? I…"
Xie Lian didn't know what he wanted to say. It felt far too soon to be using words like 'love'. But letting Hua Cheng leave without expressing his affection felt unacceptable. To say he had feelings for Hua Cheng, to say he would miss him, or to say he was happy that they'd met, all of those statements felt inadequate. What he felt for Hua Cheng went beyond all that. Like meeting another side of himself. Like the twisted notion of fate might actually be true. What could Xie Lian possibly say that encompassed all of that?
In an instant, Hua Cheng was at his side, pulling off his mask and cupping Xie Lian's face in his hand, drawing him in for a kiss. Xie Lian had never felt more desperate for another person's touch. A soft whimper escaped him, cradling Hua Cheng's face in his hands and eagerly following the warmth of his mouth. Xie Lian wouldn't let himself think about it being their last kiss. It wouldn't be. It couldn't be. Because Hua Cheng had promised he would come back. But all the same, he put his all into that touch, hoping that somehow it would be enough to tell Hua Cheng the depths of his affections.
Xie Lian's fingers shook; the sound of Black Water clearing his throat behind them was not enough to pull them apart. Not completely. Xie Lian rested their heads together, taking a moment to breathe him in, to memorise every sense that made up the man who had so swiftly claimed every part of him. Stealing one last kiss, Xie Lian let their lips linger together, fighting the urge to beg Hua Cheng to stay. This would be enough. It had to be enough.
Hua Cheng's thumb brushed sweetly along Xie Lian's cheek. "I'll see you soon, gege."
Nodding his acceptance, Xie Lian smiled. Because he believed it.
✦✦✦
Nothing was the same after the bank incident. Xie Lian did as he was told, waited until the last minute to reveal that the thieves were no longer in the building. Jun Wu had pursued him. It was a vicious side of Jun Wu that Xie Lian had never seen before, but should've known had always been there. There were threats and investigations. Xie Lian was told time and time again that he could be charged as an accessory, charged with obstruction of justice, if he didn't tell them where the thieves had gone. But the fact was, Xie Lian didn't know. He remained honest when asked questions, only keeping the romance that had bloomed between himself and their leader a secret. With everything else out in the open, they had nothing they could use against him, and eventually, those threats were dropped.
Blessedly, Xie Lian had never moved in with Jun Wu in the first place, so there was no need for him to uproot his life upon their separation. He should've seen the writing on the wall. How could he have believed marrying Jun Wu was the correct decision when they had never spent a day living in a shared space? Still, Jun Wu didn't give up. His tactics changed, though. Sometimes, he was sweet, trying to woo Xie Lian back in. Sometimes, he was menacing, using his power to find ways to get to Xie Lian. Maybe he thought that intimidation would win Xie Lian back. It never did, of course. Jun Wu's documented use of malfeasance served to help Xie Lian when the restraining order came into play. He doubted it would be enough to stop Jun Wu, but it was a start.
Xie Lian still worked at the bank with no sign of his promotion in sight. Maybe they thought he did have something to do with the robbery. Maybe they were just punishing him for being unable to save the money. Xie Lian didn't mind. Not at all. The intent was always to keep working at that place for as long as he possibly could, holding onto the hope that one day he might see Hua Cheng again. Staying in the same area was imperative. It was worth putting up with Jun Wu if it gave Hua Cheng a chance to find him. Even after a year had passed, Xie Lian hadn't given up. He promised he wouldn't. Hua Cheng would come back. One day.
Sitting in the break room, Xie Lian slurped on a cup of instant ramen, his mind trailing to the past. Being in that room with Hua Cheng. Taking stock of the available food and water, trying to determine how much time they could last on the rations they had. Wondering how long they would be stuck in that building. It was funny, Xie Lian had somehow remained a captor in that place, one of his own making. He would never leave that bank, and Xie Lian had made his peace with that. It was a site of hope as long as it held memories of his beloved.
The sound of his phone ringing jolted him from his thoughts. Xie Lian looked down at it, frowning when he didn't recognise the number. It wouldn't have been the first time Jun Wu had used another number to trick Xie Lian into picking up, and yet, it had always felt wrong not to. Sighing in resignation, Xie Lian pressed the answer button and held his phone to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Gege?"
Xie Lian froze, a million memories made within one short week all flooding back. It was a voice that had filled him with comfort, a voice that had made him feel safe, and loved, and strong. So strong. Xie Lian could hardly control his body, his heart racing at the sound of a voice he had almost thought he wouldn't hear again.
"S-San Lang?" Xie Lian whispered, not trusting himself to speak.
The gentle chuckle on the other end made Xie Lian's stomach swoop pleasantly. "Oh, it's so good to hear your voice.”
"How did you get my number?" Xie Lian asked, not sure where to begin.
There were so many questions he wanted to ask. How did they get out? What was on the other side of the passageway? Was Wind Master okay? Had Hua Cheng thought about him as much as Xie Lian had?
"I had your phone for a whole week, gege. You think I didn't swipe your number?" The amusement in Hua Cheng's voice was as nostalgic as it was calming. "Are you still working at the bank?"
"Mn." Xie Lian didn't realise there were tears in his eyes, his emotions beginning to take over. "I'm on my break right now."
"Oh, good." Hua Cheng paused, his voice taking on an affectionate softness when he added, "There's someone waiting for you outside. If you have a free minute."
Despite the shake Xie Lian felt in his entire body, he moved on autopilot, everything within himself screaming to follow Hua Cheng's guidance, just as he had a year prior. Stepping out of the break room, Xie Lian looked out the entrance window, catching sight of a man standing just outside the bank. They seemed entirely normal, just an average person on the street. He wore a crimson hoodie pulled up to obscure his face, a silver engagement ring hanging from around his neck. The only thing that made the man stand out was his crescent-eyed, smiling mask.
Xie Lian dropped his phone and ran.