Work Text:
It's a late autumn evening, Wang Yue finished all his deliveries for the day and went back home to shower and check up on his brother. Ling Rui has found them a volunteer caretaker from the hospital to look after Wang Chao during the day; which put Wang Yue's mind at ease. He'd pleaded with Ling Rui not to go to such extremes to help him, but the latter only insisted, telling Wang Yue that only this would as well put his own mind be at ease.
When they first started seeing each other, Wang Yue had shyly asked his former girlfriend to watch Wang Chao every time Ling Rui asked to meet him and she kindly agreed, probably to make up for her guilt. Wang Yue's lies about his brother's situation were eventually revealed when one time Ling Rui arrived early and saw Wang Yue's former girlfriend at his home. Wang Yue had to nervously explain the whole situation to Ling Rui who seemed angered, not by the presence of his former girlfriend at his home, yet by Wang Yue's justifiable lie.
Luckily, his brother seems to like the caretaker Ling Rui picked, and Wang Yue can't be more thankful.
He sprays a light perfume after his shower, an expensive one which he rarely wears, and he pats his brother's head one last time before waving a quick goodbye, giddily going on his way to meet Ling Rui at the hospital.
The traffic light shines red and Wang Yue complains, clicking his tongue at the potential delay. He takes the time to call the restaurant he works at to make them prepare Ling Rui's favorite dishes, and when he hangs up, he notices a flower shop at the other side of the street.
A cheesy idea pops up in his mind and without second thoughts, he makes a full U-turn, parking his bike by the shop. He hesitates for a while and tries to leave but the lady catches him last minute, pulling him cheerfully inside the shop.
He blushes when the lady asks what type of flowers his 'girlfriend' likes but he doesn't correct her. She circles the shop once, twice, three times, suggesting roses, tulips, gerberas, gardenias and so on; Wang Yue checks the time to hint at her but she doesn't stop, so he finally asks for the classic, red roses.
Today, Wang Yue is the one taking Ling Rui on a date.
It's already dark when Wang Yue arrives at the hospital, but he doesn't see Ling Rui nearby. He looks at his watch only to notice that Ling Rui's shift should've ended minutes ago and he worries for a moment, it's strange for Ling Rui not to be waiting for him out by the gates.
He takes the bouquet and smells the flowers to pass the time, shaking off the exaggerated concern. He smiles, caressing the roses lightly; Ling Rui will definitely like them. He's been so stressed out about the research scholarship in Germany and the superiors at the hospital have been too harsh on him; so maybe, just maybe Wang Yue can cheer him up with the little things he can offer.
Ling Rui probably enjoys extravagances that Wang Yue can never afford which made the latter even more insecure; especially when he found out by accident that Ling Rui's wife is a big company CEO who can offer him anything he asks for; things that Wang Yue will never have the chance to touch.
He suddenly recalls the first time he heard that Ling Rui was married; he'd been eavesdropping on the hospital staff through the hallways as they discussed his wife's company's ordeal and how supportive Ling Rui was to her; a match made in heaven, they'd said.
It wasn't a shock for Wang Yue but rather a disappointment; his heart stung and back then he didn't know why. Though as weeks passed, Ling Rui still never mentioned his wife so Wang Yue decided not to ask, and enjoy him from afar instead, but the deeper he knew him the less control he had over his heart. He took Ling Rui's presence in his life as a blessing that he doesn't deserve, so now he tries his best, with whatever he can, however he can, to 'pay' him back with small things that he knew Ling Rui will love, no matter how small they are.
After a long while, Wang Yue sees Ling Rui's colleagues leaving but still no sign of him at all. He catches one colleague he'd seen Ling Rui talk to before and the woman looks at his grip in disgust, so he quickly removes his hand and looks down, embarrassed.
"I apologize." He says, "I saw you before talking to Ling Rui, has he already left?"
"Who are you?" She asks, apathetic. "Doctor Ling Rui is now busy; he has no time to do charity."
"This is not-"
"Sure." She cuts him off and nods sarcastically, eyeing him up and down one more time before walking away.
Wang Yue sucks up the indirect insult and nods at her politely, cursing under his breath but only at himself- for being so unworthy. He goes back to his spot and picks up the bouquet with one hand, considering whether he should leave or stay. Pathetic. What right does he have to take Ling Rui on a date? What dreams is he trying to catch?
Art by: @loud_barking
He picks up his phone and thinks to dial Ling Rui, but then he calls the restaurant instead and cancels the order. Pathetic. He kicks the tire of his bike and drags a hand over his face. What fantasies is he trying to fulfil chasing a married man?
He thinks of leaving but still paces impatiently, poking his head to look over from afar, still refusing to go before he, at least, makes sure Ling Rui is okay. He ponders if he should go up to look for him, but then takes a glimpse at his clothes and remembers the woman's words, so he changes his mind. He is not suitable to meet people like this, especially not Ling Rui's colleagues.
More minutes pass and he leans against the bike in frustration, lost in thought, maybe this was a mistake... Maybe Ling Rui saw him and decided to leave, maybe he is embarrassed by him or doesn't want his colleagues to know, maybe maybe maybe... His heart ached with maybe's.
He sighs; convinced that Ling Rui probably left early in his wife's Range Rover, but he doesn't blame him. He's a married man after all and to him, Wang Yue is just a distraction from the stressful marriage. He has no authority over him, and certainly, he has no right to blame him. Either way, Wang Yue didn't inform Ling Rui that he'll come today like he usually does, so Ling Rui could've forgotten... He must've forgotten.
He sits back on the bike and reminisces back to four months ago...
The first time Wang Yue came here wasn't because of an injury, but to visit an old lady who's always been kind to him and his brother. He saw Ling Rui at the end of the hallway and for some reason, the warm smile and sparkly eyes washed Wang Yue's troubles away.
The second time he came here was to deliver takeout and he also saw Ling Rui; he'd kindly offered to take the food up to the nurses so that Wang Yue doesn't have to take the stairs; and that image engraved itself in Wang Yue's heart. How fortunate must he be to meet such kindness after so many years of pain?
The third time, he came here just because of Ling Rui, to see him, know him and talk to him, and he's been coming every day ever since.
Wang Yue chuckles at his silly self and takes the roses, walking a few steps forward, looking up at the tall building as a chilly, unwelcoming waft of wind disheveled his hair. He shakes his head, caressing the roses one last time before abandoning them on a nearby bench and turning away to leave, leaving his heart back along with them.
Few steps away and he doesn't know why, but he stops and glances at the exist once more, just in case...
This time he sees Ling Rui.
Not the usual bubbly smiley Ling Rui though. He seemed anxious, desolate.
Wang Yue stares from afar and Ling Rui sees him, he freezes, one step forward and two steps back, he panics, but when Ling Rui starts to walk towards him, he runs to him too, just like a magnet, paying no attention to anything or anyone around, except Ling Rui.
Ling Rui's eyes are swollen red and his face is pale, lips still trembling. Wang Yue takes his face and gazes at him closer; a layer of worry evident in his eyes. "Ling Rui, what happened?" He asks quietly, wiping away a tear from other's face, "Were you crying?"
Ling Rui shakes his head but he doesn't deny it out loud. He closes his eyes and places his own hands over Wang Yue's, leaning into his touch. "Xiao Yue..."
The ring around Ling Rui's finger shines in Wang Yue's face and he tries to shade his eyes from the hurt, "What happened...? Why were you so late and why are you in such state?" Wang Yue asks many questions, hoping Ling Rui would answer at least one.
But Ling Rui suddenly brings Wang Yue into a hug, a tight one, burying his face in his neck. He stays there for a while and rubs his nose over his shoulder, "You smell nice." He whispers, ignoring Wang Yue's earlier concerns.
Confused, Wang Yue pulls back slowly and guides Ling Rui's to the bench where he left the roses. He seats him carefully and crouches down beside him, searching for the right words to say. He finally places a reassuring hand on Ling Rui's knee and nods, "Tell me."
Ling Rui grimaces again, swaying on the verge of tears. "I... I failed the operation."
Wang Yue doesn't speak.
"The man... Didn't survive. His wife..." Ling Rui falters, "his wife blames me..." He cries, "Xiao Yue, he has a wife... A wife and 2 kids!"
Wang Yue exhales a broken breath he was holding for long and stands up, bringing Ling Rui's head slowly to rest on his chest. This isn't the first time Ling Rui fails a dangerous operation, but it never gets easier for him, if anything, it gets harder as the counts rise. Wang Yue stood at a loss for words because he knows that no matter what he says, it won't get better and Ling Rui won't listen.
"He has a family, Xiao Yue!" Ling Rui sobs.
"It's alright... It's not your fault." Wang Yue whispers in a soothing voice and strokes Ling Rui's hair, feeling the wetness of his tears on his clothes.
"I am incompetent..."
"Shh..." Wang Yue rubs his back gently and leans down to kiss Ling Rui's hair. "You did your best..."
After a while, Ling Rui calms down but keeps hugging Wang Yue's waist, eyes closed and nuzzling in his chest. "You smell so nice." He says, cracking a smile.
"Alright." Wang Yue smiles when Ling Rui smiles, looking apologetically at the nearby people staring at them, "Let go."
"Xiao Yue, were you planning to leave before I came?"
"I was worried about you, but I didn't want to seem... It's..."
Ling Rui lets go slowly and rests back on the bench, finally noticing the roses. He touches the petals with his fingertips and looks around, "Did someone leave these here...?" He asks, changing the subject, "They look fresh."
Wang Yue turns bright red and bites his lip, "They are fresh." He says, "I just bought them."
"Oh." Ling Rui takes the roses and smells them, the rosy scent refreshing his lungs. "For whom?"
"For you." Wang Yue admits and seals his lips, not seeming to want to say anything else.
Ling Rui looks up and his eyes twinkle with joy and expectation. People only send him flowers when he does them a favor or when succeeds in an operation or merely just to chase him around, but they mean nothing. The flowers wither and die and he is again forgotten when those people heal or find a new person to chase.
He holds the roses closer and when he looks at Wang Yue again, he sees hope.
Quick sketch by: @Sakurai_yaoi
"You really gave me the flowers..." Ling Rui says, stuck in shock and disbelief.
"I know- It's probably silly and-"
"I love them," Ling Rui grins, hugging the bouquet with both arms, "I love them, Xiao Yue, I love them so much."
Wang Yue flicks his shoulder gently and shies away, "Lower your voice~"
Ling Rui laughs and places the roses down, he holds Wang Yue's hand with both of his and kisses it softly, recalling how he saw him from his office window holding the roses and waiting by his bike, under the street light amidst the autumn breeze, wondering how he should face him, wondering what he'll think of him, if he'll blame him or push him away. But Wang Yue has proved all his fears to be delusions, mere uncertainties and irrational doubts; Wang Yue stayed and waited and still gave him the flowers, despite being late and even when he failed.
Ling Rui almost lost himself in his sea of thoughts when he noticed Wang Yue silently staring at his ring. He's been planning to tell him for weeks but he was scared of driving him away. His commitment to his wife was originally a means to an end that they both agreed to, and now that the deed has been paid, they've already filed for divorce. He only wore the ring for public purposes and that's all. But will Wang Yue believe him now that he knows he lied?
"Are you hungry?" Wang Yue tries to keep a smile, "I'll call the restaurant to prepare something, you must eat."
"I don't have my car..." Ling Rui rubs his palm nervously, "I... I need to tell you something."
"It's alright." Wang Yue smiles again and picks up the roses, handing them to Ling Rui. He ignores the remark and holds his hand, the one with the ring, "I have an extra helmet, let's go."
Ling Rui gazes at him in awe and doesn't move, "Xiao Yue..."
"Or you stay here, wait for me." Wang Yue combs away some hair from Ling Rui's eyes, he has no Range Rover, but he has love to give. "I'll come to pick you from here."
Ling Rui watches Wang Yue's back as he walks towards the gate, hoping that he didn't make that excuse to go shed a tear or two away from him. His heart throbs with guilt. He's hurt him, deeply. He glances down at his ring and then at the roses, finding the roses much more valuable than the ring.
His only regret was wounding Wang Yue's heart; a person who's never asked him for anything or took him for granted, who loved him unconditionally and gave him his all, even when he couldn't give back.
His phone suddenly buzzes with a message from Lu Fangning and he checks it, smiling at fondly at his lockscreen of Wang Yue.
She has signed the papers.
Ling Rui sighs in relief, a spontaneous grin flashing on his face; the grin turns into loud laughter and he can't seem to stop. Hope, Wang Yue was indeed his hope. Life truly works in mysterious ways; what a marvelous twist of fate!
He starts walking forward but then halts; he takes off the ring and leaves it on the bench, holding the roses tighter and running after Wang Yue, thanking the heavens and calling his name.