Work Text:
It started off with a normal day. Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang woke up, went about their day in an ordinary fashion (which included maintaining the studio, doing various jobs, cleaning, and eating dinner), and then relaxed. Shortly after, they went to bed, only to repeat the same thing the next day.
It ended with a normal night.
So if it was supposed to be a normal night, then why was Lu Guang in the middle of a panic attack?
It started when he abruptly woke up from a nightmare that he could not remember. However, the feelings he felt were still very much present and running rampant. Anxiety clogged his throat, fear seized his lungs, and his breaths came out in short but harsh pants.
The last time a nightmare followed by a panic attack happened, it was back when he was still new to looping. Being unable to emotionally process anything regularly led to nights like these, but Lu Guang thought that he had gotten over it.
He tried to calm down. He thought about the good times he had with Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling, about things that made him feel at peace. He tried to control his breathing. Nothing worked.
At least calm down so you don’t wake Cheng Xiaoshi-
“Lu Guang?” Ah, dammit. “Lu Guang, what’s wrong?”
Lu Guang tried to answer, but all that left his mouth was another shaky exhale.
“I’m coming down!” Cheng Xiaoshi said. Within seconds, his worried face filled Lu Guang’s vision. “Hey, don’t pull at your hair like that.”
Cheng Xiaoshi’s hands gently pulled Lu Guang’s own hands away from his hair. He hadn’t even realized he was pulling at it until the other man mentioned it.
“Take a few deep breaths. Try to calm down; you’re safe here,” Cheng Xiaoshi murmured, but Lu Guang could only shake his head. He had tried that already.
“Okay, here. Let’s go to the couch instead, yeah?” Cheng Xiaoshi started guiding him to the living room, calmly talking throughout it. He rambled about mundane things, like the weather today and how pretty the night sky looked when he couldn’t sleep. “I like to hang outside on the storefront steps when I can’t calm down, and just stare into the stars. Sometimes, I’m lucky, and I see a shooting star pass by!”
“...can we go there?” Lu Guang hoarsely whispered. Cheng Xiaoshi eagerly agreed.
And that’s how the duo found themselves stargazing and pointing out constellations on the steps leading up to their studio.
It did take a while for Lu Guang to calm down completely. But once he did, his gratitude for Cheng Xiaoshi swelled even further.
“...thanks for doing this,” Lu Guang hesitantly started, after a lull in their conversation. “I really appreciate it.”
Cheng Xiaoshi beamed, radiating with the energy of a thousand stars combined. “Of course! I’d do anything for you, Lu Guang!”
A flash of white caught their eyes.
“Guang Guang, look! We got lucky tonight~!”
A glowing star was streaking across the sky. It was soon followed by several more, along with the excited squealing of Cheng Xiaoshi.
“I didn’t realize there would be a meteor shower tonight,” Lu Guang idly commented.
“So many shooting stars to wish upon! Come on, come on! Make a wish, or three!” Cheng Xiaoshi said, tugging Lu Guang’s hand. Lu Guang complied.
“I wish for-”
I wish for-
“-Lu Guang to be happy forever!”
-Cheng Xiaoshi to live in happiness forever.
“Idiot,” Lu Guang lightly chuckled. “But thank you.”
“What did you wish for?”
“I can’t tell you. What if our wishes cancel out?”
“Aww,” Cheng Xiaoshi pouted. “Fine.”
They both turned to look at the sky again.
When dawn arrived, it was time for a new day - and Lu Guang was happy. Happier than he had been in a long time, in fact.
He smiled softly. If only he could live like this forever.