Work Text:
Xiao Guo’s right hand came down hard on the blaring alarm clock. He crawled out of bed and went about his morning routine.
Despite helping the old lady cross the street with all her shopping Xiao Guo managed to get to Number 4 with ten minutes to spare.
He unlocked the door, turned on the lights and went to his desk to boot up his computer.
By half past ten he was still the only one in the office. It was the third time in a week that nobody had bothered to turn up to work.
Lin Jing wasn't even technically part of the team anymore, and had blocked all of Xiao Guo’s text messages and emails after his initial response of, “Sorry, looking after Da Qing.”
And Da Qing, well, the Vice-Chief hadn't been seen as a human since they had arrived at the hospital with an unconscious Zhao Yun Lan. Officially he has taken a leave of absence but Xiao Guo was really worried he wasn’t coming back. Why would a cat return to a place where his human was no longer present.
Hong-jie had put in her resignation the day after SID was reinstated, her new responsibility as the Ya Shou representative was too important. She hadn't been able to look at Zhao Yun Lan’s office.
His eyes started to well up, Xiao Guo shook his head and roughly rubbed his eyes. He can't cry now. He needed to be the strong one. Everyone needed time to heal and grieve. After all, he had known the Chief least amount of time, he doesn't get to wallow in bed. And the first order of business was to go through the personnel data that the new Chief Zhao had sent through for future recruitment.
“Where is everyone?” Xiao Guo almost fell off his chair as he turned toward the familiar voice. Chu stood next to the couch in the common area, dressed in his normal black. Xiao Guo couldn't hold back anymore - tears fell down his face and he started sobbing.
“Why are you crying?” Chu asked, alarmed and slightly concerned.
“I - I - I thought no one was coming.” Xiao Guo wiped his eyes and nose with his sleeves. “You have been gone for nearly two weeks, and everyone is hurt. And I have to be strong now. And-”
Strong hands pulls him forward into Chu’s arms. Xiao Guo went limp and then wrapped his arms around Chu as hard as he could.
“I was checking up the old borders between Dixing and Haixing to make sure they are secure.” Chu murmured into his hair. “I left you a letter on your desk.”
Xiao Guo had seen the letter but was afraid it was goodbye so he had accidentally spilled hot tea over it. Between the tears and sniffling Xiao Guo tried to explain what happened to the letter.
“Shh. It is okay. I'm here. I'm not going to leave you.” A strong hand smoothed down his hair. “We will hold this place together till everyone comes back. “
Xiao Guo let himself believe.
--FIN--