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Cheng Xiaoshi had long since grown accustomed to the sensation of being connected to Lu Guang. Their unique partnership as time travellers allowed them to share an intimate telepathic bond, one that proved vital in their work as partners in crime. They could communicate effortlessly through this link, sharing thoughts and emotions as if they were their own. Their bond's strength was the foundation of their success, a reliable constant in the ever-changing tapestry of time.
As Cheng Xiaoshi dove into the past, his consciousness intertwined with that of his target, he found himself in a bustling marketplace. He wove through the crowd, the cacophony of voices and noises blending together in a chaotic symphony. He was here for a mission, one of critical importance.
Through their telepathic bond, Lu Guang provided guidance and directions to Cheng Xiaoshi, steering him toward their target. "Cheng, you need to turn left at the next stall. Our target is wearing a grey hat and a brown jacket."
Xiaoshi nodded, his focus on the task at hand. With a deep breath, he zeroed in on his target, a man in his thirties with a worn, tired expression. His goal was to uncover the secret deal the man was about to make, one that would inevitably result in catastrophe for countless innocent lives.
"Got it, Lu. I'm following him now," Cheng replied through their bond, his mind focused on the mission and the constant presence of his partner, the man who had been at his side through countless harrowing ordeals.
Suddenly, Cheng heard a sharp intake of breath and a moan of pain from Lu Guang through their connection. The telepathic link between them snapped violently, leaving Cheng reeling from the abrupt severance. Panic rose in his chest, threatening to suffocate him as the gravity of the situation became all too clear.
Cheng called out to Lu Guang through their bond, his voice trembling with fear and urgency. "Lu Guang?" Nothing, silence. "Lu, something happened? Answer me!" But there was no response, only a deafening silence that sent a shiver down his spine. Without a second thought, Cheng clapped his hands together, abandoning his mission and hurling his consciousness back to the present. He could no longer sense Lu Guang, and he could feel in his gut that something had gone horribly wrong. Time seemed to stretch out infinitely during the moment it took him to snap back to his reality, his heart hammering relentlessly against his ribcage.
When Cheng finally returned to the present, he found himself back in the old photo studio, their shared bedroom room dimly lit by the fading evening light. When he spun around in panic, his eyes quickly fell upon the scene that awaited him: Lu Guang lying on the floor, his body crumpled and lifeless, a dark pool of blood surrounding him. Somewhere downstairs, he faintly heard the sound of someone running out the door, but his attention was solely focused on his friend.
Cheng's heart seemed to shatter as he fell to his knees beside his partner. The sight of Lu Guang, the man who had been his rock and anchor in countless turbulent times, now lying so still and broken was almost too much to bear., but he needed to stay focused and act fast. His breath hitched in his throat as he reached out a trembling hand, pressing his fingers against the side of Lu Guang's neck, desperately seeking a pulse.
To his immense relief, he found it, weak and thready, but still present. Time was of the essence now, and Cheng's mind raced as he tried to remember the first aid training they had both undergone at some point in the early days of their time travelling business - you never know what might happen when you enter someone's past. He pressed one of his palms firmly against the gunshot wound, wincing at the warmth and stickiness of the blood that soaked through his fingers.
As he applied pressure to the wound, Cheng desperately tried to keep his composure, despite the tears welling in his eyes. It wasn't the time to get lost in emotion; he needed as clear a mind as he could possibly keep in this situation. Lu Guang's moans of pain that sounded in response to his touch were like daggers to Cheng's heart. "I know it hurts, Lu. I'm sorry, but I need to." Guang seemingly tried to lift his hand, but Xiaoshi quickly caught it and put it back down; he knew he needed to keep his partner calm and conserve his energy.
"Lu Guang," Cheng said softly, choking back tears, "you need to stay with me, okay? Don't waste your energy trying to talk. Just focus on staying alive. Help is on the way, I promise."
Lu Guang's eyes fluttered open, and though they were clouded with pain, Cheng could see the determination and trust within them. He could sense that Lu Guang was trying to reach out to him, to reestablish their telepathic connection, but the silence between them remained.
Cheng fumbled for his phone with one hand, the other pressed firmly to the gaping hole in his partner's body. He dialled emergency services as quickly as he could while still applying pressure to the wound. The operator on the other end promised help was on the way, but to Cheng, every passing second felt like an eternity. The gnawing fear that he might lose Lu Guang clawed at his insides, threatening to consume him entirely.
As he waited, Cheng tried to keep Lu Guang conscious. He spoke softly, his voice choked with emotion as he recalled their shared memories, desperate to keep his partner tethered to the present. "...and then we went to get boba tea for the first time, that old place around the corner..." He couldn't bear the thought of losing him, not when they had come so far and faced so much together. "...Qiao Ling smacked me so hard I thought I'd go deaf..."
When the sound of sirens finally pierced the air, Cheng felt a wave of relief wash over him. The paramedics burst through the door, their movements swift and efficient as they tended to Lu Guang. Cheng watched helplessly from the sidelines, his heart lodged in his throat as they loaded his partner onto a gurney and rushed him into the ambulance.
He climbed in after them, his hands still stained with Lu Guang's blood. The drive to the hospital was a blur, the world around him distorted and unfamiliar as his thoughts remained fixed on his partner's pale, pain-wracked face.
Upon arrival, Lu Guang was rushed into the emergency room, leaving Cheng to pace the hospital corridors, his mind a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. He felt lost without the familiar warmth of their telepathic connection. His mind was itching as if a ring you had worn for years got lost, but you still reached out for it. Or like your hand got chopped off with no warning in the middle of the day. Or like.... he had to stop that thought and try to change the topic of his inner monologue. The silence in his mind was deafening as he clung to the hope that his partner would pull through.
Hours ticked by, each one more agonizing than the last. Cheng couldn't bring himself to leave the hospital, his entire being consumed by the need to know that Lu Guang was safe. He ignored the concerned glances from the hospital staff as he continued his restless pacing, his heart aching with a mixture of fear, guilt, and desperation.
When a doctor finally emerged to update him on Lu Guang's condition, Cheng felt his heart leap into his throat. The doctor explained that the bullet had caused significant damage but that they had managed to stabilize Lu Guang for the time being. He would need further surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, but there was a chance he could make a full recovery.
The news felt like a lifeline, a ray of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf Xiaoshi. He was granted permission to visit Lu Guang, and he practically sprinted to his partner's bedside, his heart hammering in anticipation.
As he entered the dimly lit hospital room, Cheng's breath caught at the sight of Lu Guang, his usually strong and composed partner, now lying weak and vulnerable in the sterile hospital bed. Tubes and wires connected him to various machines, their beeping and whirring a constant reminder of the fragile thread that held him to life.
Cheng approached the bedside, his heart aching as he took in the sight of his partner's bruised and battered face. He reached out, gently taking Lu Guang's hand in his own, feeling the weak but steady pulse beneath his fingertips. The tears he had been holding back finally spilt over, streaming down his cheeks as relief and anguish washed over him.
"Lu," Cheng whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I should have been there to protect you. I'm sorry I pushed for the mission and acted so brashly. I should have listened to you and stayed... None of this would happen if we didn't..." He cut himself off as Lu Guang's eyes weakly fluttered open. "Lu! Lu Guang, I'm here!" he moved a chair closer to the bed and attracted his partner's disoriented gaze. "You're okay! We're okay."
Though Lu Guang couldn't respond, Cheng could see a flicker of understanding in his eyes. At that moment, despite the silence that still lingered between them, Cheng knew that his partner didn't blame him. They had both known their work had risks beyond that of ordinary people's everyday lives, and they had always faced all it brought together. This was just another challenge to overcome, and they would do it as they always had – side by side.
Over the following days and weeks, Cheng remained steadfastly at Lu Guang's side. He spent countless hours in the hospital room, talking, reading aloud, and even playing their favourite music in an attempt to fill the silence that had settled between them. As Lu Guang's condition gradually improved, their bond began to slowly mend, flickers of their telepathic connection reappearing like sparks in the darkness.
As the connection between them slowly recovered, Xiaoshi found solace in the reawakening of their bond. It was a constant reminder that they were in this together, two halves of a whole, bound by a bond that could weather even the darkest storms.
During their time in the hospital, the two spoke openly and honestly about their fears and feelings, their words raw and vulnerable. They shared their guilt – Cheng for leaving Lu Guang unprotected and Lu Guang for being unable to protect himself or Cheng from the dangers they faced more than he already did.
As the weeks turned to months, Lu Guang's progress astounded his doctors and himself. His body slowly regained its former strength, the scars and bruises fading to become a testament to his resilience and determination. The gunshot mark on his side a clear reminder to always stay alert and composed. And through it all, Cheng was by his side, supporting him every step of the way. He had been his rock, just as Lu Guang had been his, and they emerged from the experience stronger and more united than ever before.
Finally, the day came when Lu Guang was discharged from the hospital. The two returned to their old photo studio with a newfound appreciation for the life they had built together. They knew that their work as time travellers would never be without risks, but they also knew they could face anything together.
As they settled back into their lives, the telepathic connection between them continued to flourish, the once-frayed bond now stronger and more vibrant than ever. They had weathered the storm, and the relationship and trust that held them together now shone like a beacon in the darkness, a testament to the power of their unbreakable bond.
And as they embarked on their next adventure, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, side by side, as partners in every sense of the word. For in the end, it was their trust, their connection and their confidence in each other that would see them through, a bond that could not be broken, even by the sands of time.
The End.