Work Text:
“No matter how ugly you may think your scars are, I will kiss them all. I’ll kiss them and kiss them and kiss them until all that remains are the imprints of my lips so when you look at them you’ll only see my permanent love.”
Lu Guang said nothing. Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t need words to understand him. Lu Guang’s expressionless face–his relaxed eyebrows, the far-away look in his eyes, the way his lips didn’t move and his forehead crease didn’t show–Cheng Xiaoshi knew Lu Guang wasn’t really present. And all he wanted to do was drag him back into the studio and keep him there.
“Where’d you go?” Cheng Xiaoshi asks. “You always leave in these moments.”
Silence.
“Okay,” Cheng Xiaoshi sighs, “take out our leftovers?”
“Leftovers.” Lu Guang answers.
Cheng Xiaoshi gets up from his spot on the couch and slowly makes his way to the kitchen. Before going in, he pauses and tells Lu Guang: “You always lock the door behind you, too.”
Lu Guang doesn’t make a sound as he reaches for his book.
––––––
Lu Guang stares at the ceiling. He listens to the sounds of stray dogs and wonders when Cheng Xiaoshi will bring one of them to the studio. He’s surprised it hasn’t happened yet–perhaps Cheng Xiaoshi learned his lesson after bringing Elizabeth over.
Lu Guang remembers Elizabeth fondly. He misses her sometimes and still wishes they could have kept her. Realistically, it would be very difficult for him and Cheng Xiaoshi to take care of Elizabeth–or any pet, really–considering their workload. Fortunately, her owners bring her on their busy days. Though it’s short-lived, Lu Guang cherishes those days–it’s the reason why he insisted they keep the scratching post–yet, he wishes they were more frequent. How wonderful it would be to have an additional member of the studio.
Lu Guang rolls over on his left side to shake himself from these thoughts. Yearning for the improbable won’t get him anywhere. Besides, he and Cheng Xiaoshi have important work to do every day. Sometimes keeping a door locked was necessary for avoiding distractions.
–––––
“Lu Guang?”
“Hm?”
“Your silence is loud and I wish we’d stop pretending it isn’t. Shit, is that selfish? Maybe. I just worry you won’t find your way back if I’m not there to help. I know you don’t need me and that you are more than capable of doing it on your own but I can’t help and think ‘Okay, that’s it. He’s a goner’ until you appear in front of me again.
“I’m not against your need to be solo–hell man, we all need it y’know?–I just wish you’d tell me where you go so I can greet you with a strawberry cake in my hands when you’re back.”
The sounds of crickets entered their room. The half-moon shone from the night sky, showering everyone with its blessing. The lack of stars was a reminder of the light pollution that infected every inch of heaven.
“Lu Guang?”
“Hm?”
“I hope you’ll let me bake that strawberry cake one day.”
Five minutes later, the cricket sounds were replaced by Cheng Xiaoshi’s snores. Lu Guang lay on his back, staring at the ceiling once again.
“Perhaps tomorrow.”