Work Text:
Somewhere along the way, they had fallen into a routine. Cheng Xiaoshi bustling around in the kitchen, insisting on finding new creative ways to spice up their instant ramen. Lu Guang undoing Cheng Xiaoshi's ponytail on the couch after dinner and laying his head down on his lap to thread his fingers through his dark hair. They'd end up on the same bed most nights, each coming up with an excuse to squeeze in with the other. Their lips meeting in the dark, skin brushing, and gasps punctuating the night.
They didn't put words to it though. Lu Guang never felt eloquent enough to find the right ones and Xiaoshi was afraid that naming what they had would tip the fragile balance they'd created. So they continued, the words etching themselves into their every action instead.
When Xiaoshi complained that he'd lost all his hair ties again, Lu Guang found himself buying extra packs at the convenience store, wordlessly gathering Xiaoshi's hair up into its usual ponytail when he gets home. When Lu Guang tried to discreetly rub his temples to ease the building headache from overusing his powers, Xiaoshi brings him pain killers and water. But still, they don't speak about it.
It isn't until after the stabbing, after Xiaoshi's tears on Lu Guang's face mixing with the blood, after Lu Guang tried desperately to force himself to focus on Xiaoshi for just a second longer. At the hospital, after Lu Guang's surgery, Xiaoshi had gripped his hand hard and cried hot tears into his shirt. The dam breaks, finally, and the words rush out like a chant, broken and desperate. "Lu Guang. Lu Guang. Lu Guang."
"I love you. I love you. I love you."
Lying in the hospital bed, Lu Guang thinks what a mess we are. Xiaoshi said it first, of course, always the braver one of them both. He thinks about Xiaoshi on that very first day, how his hair ruffled in the breeze on the basketball court. His blinding smile as he reached out to invite Lu Guang into the game. How Lu Guang saw his face and wanted to take his hand and say yes, yes, to wherever you want to go. His voice is scratchy and hoarse, but he forces the words out. "Cheng Xiaoshi..." Xiaoshi raises his head, eyes wide. The words catch in Lu Guang's throat, so he squeezes Xiaoshi's hand instead, hoping he can see the raw emotion shining in his eyes.
Xiaoshi smiles then, tears wetting his eyelashes. He leans forward and kisses Lu Guang gently, mindful of his injuries. He brings their foreheads together and whispers, "It's okay." Lu Guang stares up into Xiaoshi's eyes and loses himself in the feelings that wash over him. Xiaoshi's lost his hair tie somewhere, his hair tangled and sticking up in every direction. The dark circles under his eyes are darker than he's ever seen them. But in that moment, Lu Guang thinks he might be the most beautiful man alive.
Afterwards, Xiaoshi has more nightmares than normal, but they get through it, soft whispers and bodies pressing against each other in the dark. They find excuses to say the words. Lu Guang wrapping his arms around Xiaoshi from behind while he's cooking to murmur into his ear. Xiaoshi planting a kiss on Lu Guang's hand before a dive, the words bright against his smile. Lu Guang whispering, harsh and breathless, against Xiaoshi's neck when he's coming apart in his arms. Xiaoshi ending every note, every grocery list with a series of hearts.
When Qiao Ling catches them, she makes a face and turns away, hiding her smile. She pretends not to notice the stolen kisses behind the counter, the fact that only one bed has been slept in. I'm so glad, she thinks. I'm so glad they found each other.