Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 434: Love quizzes
Luo Muchen was staring at him with tenderness in his eyes that held a mixture of joy, relief, and an underlying trace of guilt. He blamed himself for what happened to Qie Xieling. If only he could have protected him better. For the time Qie Xieling was passed out he felt like he had failed him. It was getting to him so much that his mood was way worse than usual. It was so bad that it was as though he was being forced to take the throne. Well, technically he was but still. Everyone close to him was constantly checking if Qie Xieling was awake yet so they could take some heat off their backs.
Now that he was awake they were already planning to lock them up in there till Luo Muchen was mellowed out.
Luo Muchen leaned down, placing a soft kiss on the top of his head. Tears welled up in his eyes, his voice choked with emotion as he held Qie Xieling tightly. "I am so sorry," he whispered, his words barely audible. "I should have protected you better. I failed you."
Qie Xieling’s fingers clutched the fabric of his clothes his emotions gushing out like the floodgates had been opened. He shook his head gently, his voice filled with reassurance. "No," he murmured. "You don’t have to apologize. This wasn’t your fault... You didn’t ask for this." Qie Xieling didn’t want his apology especially because they were trapped in this game because of his family. He felt bad for dragging him into this and he hoped to apologise one day.
On the other hand, a mix of emotions flickered across Luo Muchen’s face, gratitude mingling with the remnants of guilt. He understood Qie Xieling’s words intellectually, but his heart still carried the weight of responsibility.
Seeking solace, Qie Xieling buried his face in Luo Muchen’s chest, inhaling his comforting scent. His grip tightened as if trying to merge their souls in that single embrace.
"How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?" He asked and Qie Xieling raised his head to look at him.
"I think I am okay. My muscles ache a little but I am fine," he said as Luo Muchen caressed his cheek with his thumb while looking into his eyes.
Qie Xieling couldn’t hide the guilt he felt towards Luo Muchen even for Bo Ailun and the others. He looked away and Luo Muchen couldn’t help but spot the flicker of emotion in his eyes. He knew Qie Xieling was hiding something from him. His eyes darkened as he gently pinched Qie Xieling’s chin forcing him to look up at him.
"You aren’t going to leave me right?" he whispered the fear of Qie Xieling walking out on him intense. He didn’t care how people in Zeden perceived him. That would not stop him from being with him. Once he realised his feelings for him he knew he wasn’t going to let him go. When he saw Qie Xieling avert his gaze his emotions got the of better him.
Qie Xieling’s brow arched in surprise. How on earth did he come to that conclusion? Qie Xieling’s gaze softened before he pulled him in for a deep, passionate kiss.
It was as though a warm blanket had suddenly enveloped them both. Everything else around faded into oblivion. Qie Xieling rested his forehead against the side of Luo Muchen’s. The warmth radiating from him calmed him. "You are stuck with me for as long as we are here," said Qie Xieling as he brushed the hair off his face.
Luo Muchen sighed softly his muscles visibly relaxed. "You promise," he replied. Qie Xieling smiled at him before curling his pinky finger.
"I promise," he said and Luo Muchen looked at his pinky a little confused. Qie Xieling could see his confusion clearly written on his face so he pulled Luo Muchen’s hand and locked their pinky fingers together. It was rather childish but Qie Xieling truly meant it.
Luo Muchen glanced at their fingers joined together his mind racing with ideas on how to propose to him. He had no idea how lavish or private it should be. He wasn’t even sure what Qie Xieling preferred.
Most people would try and make it as romantic as possible. Whether it was perfect or not it wouldn’t matter. But Luo Muchen was a perfectionist. He couldn’t ask Qie Xieling directly but he had other means.
***
Qie Xieling had no idea what was happening lately but each time he was on his communicator there would be news about someone proposing to someone. If not it was a small love quiz here and there that would pop up and they would ask things like perfect date or perfect proposal. Each time Bo Ailun would ask him about his opinion or urge him to take the quiz. When he did ask for Qie Xieling’s opinion he would write it down and go tell his boss every single detail.
Qie Xieling had absolutely no idea that he was being set up. The one time he did get suspicious was when he came out from the shower and found Luo Muchen seriously looking at his holographic display like he was doing something important.
When he took a look, Luo Muchen was doing a silly quiz online. "What are you doing?" he asked and Luo Muchen glanced up at him before saying,
"Just passing time." Qie Xieling nodded his head before turning to leave but his wrist was grasped and he was pulled down onto the bed. The world spun and before he knew it he was lying underneath Luo Muchen with only a bath towel maintaining his dignity.
"Would you like to answer it for me?" he said his heated gaze boring into Qie Xieling’s skin making him shiver. Qie Xieling bent his legs at the knees as he pulled Luo Muchen making him rest on his shoulder. Qie Xieling brought the holographic display closer and his brow knitted before asking,
"What is this for?" he asked as he tilted his head slightly to look at Luo Muchen who was nuzzling against his neck.
Luo Muchen who had already come up with the perfect excuse gently bit Qie Xieling’s ear lobe before whispering. "For the coronation of course," he said and Qie Xieling’s brow knitted like he was surprised that Luo Muchen actually paid attention to such things. Well, he was a perfectionist after all so Qie Xieling brushed it off.
AN: Next Chapter ready for those interested. Happy reading!
