Work Text:
“Cheng Xiaoshi, stop fidgeting, you’re going to wrinkle your suit!” Qiao Ling smacked him gently with her comb. His only response was a resigned sigh as he mostly settled down,the only movement being his bouncing leg.
Up.
Down.
Sigh.
Smack.
Up.
Down.
“You’re nervous, I get it, but there’s no reason to be. It’s going to be–”
“No reason? What do you mean no reason!” He jumped out of the chair, spinning around to face Qiao Ling, his eyes wild. “I am about to get married. Why shouldn’t I be nervous?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, eyebrow raised. “Because you’re getting married to Lu Guang, and you know that he’s absolutely obsessed with you. Now, sit.” She pointed to the chair. “I need to finish brushing your hair.”
-
“What if he says no?” Cheng Xiaoshi was pacing. Back and forth. He was so full of frantic energy that it was making Qiao Ling’s head hurt. She grabbed the sleeve of his jacket, stopping him from moving.
“What are you talking about?”
“Lu Guang. What if he says no?” There was genuine fear in his eyes. A quiver to his lip. “I just...I love him, and I want to be with him. For...forever.” Qiao Ling smiled softly and tugged him down next to her on the couch.
“Walk me through the plan. How do you want to propose? Do you need my help? Your Big Sis will make sure that it’s a success.”
-
She had finished brushing and styling his hair. His usual little ponytail being replaced with a series of small, intricate braids. They emphasized his curls, and made him look like a prince. “I’m going to put just a touch of makeup on you. It’s for the camera, okay? You’re going to want a lot of pictures, right?”
Cheng Xiaoshi smiled sheepishly, he certainly would. A day to revisit over and over and over. “Ling-jie?”
“Hm?” She pulled out the makeup and the brushes.
“Do you think Lu Guang’s okay in there? I know why he can’t be here, I just...” He pouted.
“He’s fine. Xu Shanshan is with him. He insisted on being alone, but I wouldn’t let that happen. Now stop pouting. You’ll see him in a few minutes.”
-
“You knew, didn’t you!” Cheng Xiaoshi laughed, shoving Qiao Ling playfully. There was a beautiful ring on his finger, and a light in his eyes. “You knew he was going to propose!”
She sipped her boba tea and glanced at him, before shutting her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He laughed. “Look at this ring, it’s beautiful! I’m getting married, I’m really getting married.”
-
“There.” She put the finishing touches on his makeup. Very simple, just to even out his skin tone and make him look perfect for the camera. “Let’s see, you’ve got your hair done, you’ve got your makeup. I guess the only thing left is to get dressed.”
They opted for more modern outfits. A nice silk shirt, a beautiful suit jacket. In shades of red, of course. Qiao Ling smoothed the fabric of his jacket. “You look very handsome. At least...as handsome as you can look.”
“Hey!”
She winked to show that she was teasing. “Do you remember when we were kids? You talked about your dream wedding. You–”
“Nope. We’re not bringing that up!” He shook his head. “Don’t need to relive that. Now, I think it’s time to go. Shall we?”
-
“Nuh uh, you’re wrong. I am gonna get married someday!” The young boy puffed out his chest, his hands fisted on his hips. “And I’m gonna be the prettiest bride anyone has ever seen.”
This was met with a snort of laughter. “You dummy, you’re a boy, you’d be a groom! Not that anyone’s gonna wanna marry you. You’re a stinky boy!”
His bottom lip quivered. He didn’t want to be a groom if that meant he couldn’t wear the beautiful dresses. “You’re wrong! I’m not stinky! You’re just smelling yourself.” Besides, he knew deep down that he was going to find someone. The perfect someone. Someday. And then he’d rub it in her dumb, stupid face.
-
They opted for a simple wedding. They had the photo studio, why not just use it? That was their home, after all. And it wasn’t as if they had a lot of guests. It was just the couple of friends they’d gathered along the way, Qiao Ling and her family of course, and Master Siwen. It was all the people who counted. But faced with the reality that all of these people were going to be looking at him, he froze.
“I can’t do this.” He pulled his hand out of Qiao Ling’s grasp, as he quickly walked out of the photo studio. “Nope. It’s not happening. Call it off, all of it.”
“Cheng Xiaoshi.” Qiao Ling scowled as she hurried after him. “What are you doing? Lu Guang is in there, waiting for you. What’s your problem?”
“I don’t know.” He groaned, rubbing his eyes. “I don’t know. Why am I so scared?”
She laughed softly, reaching up and placing her hands gently on his cheeks. “Because you love him, and you want it to be perfect.” She pressed his cheeks together. “But you’re overthinking it. You need to go in there and just get it done.”
With his cheeks squished, he had no choice but to laugh. “Okay, okay.” She let go of his face. “I’ll go in there on one condition.”
-
Lu Guang shifted from foot to foot, very small, nearly imperceptible shifts, but they were still there. He checked his watch. They had decided on 2, it was now nearly 2:15. Had something happened?
No.
No, no.
Those weren’t the thoughts he was going to have. Not today, not on his wedding day.
And yet, he couldn’t help but worry. His eyes flicked to Xu ShanShan who was checking her phone, a puzzled look on her face. So Qiao Ling hadn’t texted her either...that was concerning. Had something happened?
Just as panic had begun to settle in, the door opened. The pre-recorded music started to swell, right on cue. Lu Guang turned, and his breath caught in his throat. There he was. His soulmate.
Qiao Ling had her arm looped through his as she walked him down the (short) aisle. She presented him to Lu Guang. “He’s your problem now. Good luck.”
“Hey–”
Lu Guang cut off the protests by taking Cheng Xiaoshi’s hands. “You kept me waiting, Xiaoshi.”
“I got nervous,” he laughed. But as he stood across from Lu Guang, he couldn’t remember what he’d been so nervous about. Holding his hands was the most patient, most loving, most beautiful person that Cheng Xiaoshi had ever known. “But I’m okay now! Let’s get married.”
“Hm, I’m not so sure now.”
“Lu Guang!”
-
The ceremony ended up being beautiful. There was barely a dry eye in the sun room. Or at least, that’s how Cheng Xiaoshi chose to remember it. Once everything was finished, they gathered for food and cake.
Cheng Xiaoshi grabbed two plates and walked over to Qiao Ling, offering her one. “Thanks, by the way.”
“Hm?” She took the cake. “For what?”
“For...everything today. You helped me get ready. You kept me sane. You walked me down the aisle. That...was a lot, and I appreciate it.”
“Well, that’s what family is for, little brother. And don’t you ever forget it.”
He smiled, bumping into her gently. “I won’t.”