"Ah," Lan Xichen exclaims, holding his hand to his mouth and hurriedly placing the ceramic teacup back onto the wooden table.

Jiang Cheng stands up from his desk in alarm, his work instantly forgotten.

"What is the matter?" His voice is tinged slightly with worry.

His lover quickly dismisses him with a small wave of his hand, his other hand still covering his mouth.

"It is nothing, Wanyin- I have merely burnt my tongue. It will subside soon enough." His usual gentle tone is hinted with a tint of pain.

Jiang Cheng frowns, the creases in his brow staining his handsome face. He walks over to Lan Xichen, the steps slightly hurried.

“Let me take a look…” he murmurs, leaning in close to Lan Xichen, only to kiss his lips softly when he turns his face towards him, pushing his tongue into the other's warmth.

Lan Xichen’s eyes widen, but only for a second, as he recovers and reciprocates the kiss, their tongues swirling playfully around each other. The action was natural, the feeling as light as air.

It felt like an eternity before the lovers parted, both their lips a bright ruby colour, swollen from the extended period of intimacy.

“Is it better now?” Jiang Cheng whispers, bringing a hand up to gently caress the other’s bottom lip.

A sly smile emerges onto Lan Xichen's face. “I still feel a little sting- may we try again?”