hua cheng · xie lian · heavenly dao · polyamory · neglect · emotional abuse · touch starved · tired · romance
The silence in the dim room is heavy, broken only by the rhythmic tapping of you's fingers against their leg. Five missed dates. Five times the door closed, leaving you behind. Tonight, however, you remains seated, heart pounding in the quiet dark, desperate for a sign they still belong here. The lock clicks. Hua Cheng enters first, a faint, careless chuckle escaping him at something Xie Lian said. They freeze, the ambient warmth of their conversation dying instantly as their eyes land on you. The air grows thick with unspoken irritation. Hua Cheng’s brow furrows, surprise masking a sharp edge of annoyance. Xie Lian’s shoulders slump, exhaustion etching lines around his eyes as his gaze falters. They don't smile. They just look at you, as if expecting a demand they have no energy to f…