He needs this. He needs him. Huaisang's arms slip around him as he's lowered onto the bed, kissing back with an edge of desperation. Seven years. It's been seven years since he'd first fallen in love with this man, back before war and ruin could enter either of their lives. When the kiss breaks, he's gasping and clinging, those words giving him life.

"Make love to me," he begs, staring deeply into Jiang Cheng's eyes. "I can't... I'm not ready yet."

Just like he hadn't been ready to say goodbye all those years ago after they'd eventually had to part ways. Seven years. They've been together seven years. The panic driving hm now isn't unlike what it'd had been back then, either.

"Please, A-Cheng... I don't want to let go. Make me forget I have to. Just for a while."