Later that evening, Yujin was wrapped in Xiao's blue robe, far too large on him, trailing across the wooden floor.
"Why do your clothes always smell like wind and old books?" he asked, burying his face into the fabric.
"Because I'm a Lan," Yujin muttered, fixing his undone hair ribbon. "We read a lot. And… bathe a lot."
"Hmm." Xiao padded barefoot up behind him, slipped his arms around his waist from behind. "Even your loneliness smells like you."
Yujin froze. His hands lowered slowly to rest over Yujin's.
"…You still feel I'm lonely?"
"I know you are. Just like me."
He turned Xiao around gently.
"I've always been someone people either wanted to possess or save. But you… you just held me. Like I wasn't a wound."
Xiao's breath hitched.
"I didn't mean to fall for you," he confessed. "You're everything we're told to stay away from. Loud. Shameless. Dangerous. …But when you smile at me, it's the only time I want to live a long life."
Yujin's lip quivered just a little. He leaned forward, placing a slow kiss over Xiao's Lan forehead ribbon.
"And I didn't mean to stay this long," he whispered. "But the bed feels wrong without your cold feet brushing mine."
They kissed again, deeper this time, not for need but confirmation.
Outside, someone knocked.
The sound shattered the quiet. Yujin flinched, Xiao's eyes snapped open.
"...Are we found?" Yujin whispered.
Xiao gripped his hand.
"Doesn't matter. If this is a borrowed night…stolen..or gifted.. I'll protect it until the very end."