Work Text:
Love.
What an honor it was to fall in love. Over and over, every time different, but just as special. How lucky Lu Guang was to get the chance to fall in love with his best friend for the rest of forever.
The first time was full of a pounding heart, flushed cheeks, stolen glances.
Sitting on the sofa in the sunroom, pretending to read a book, he loved Cheng Xiaoshi.
When times were tough, and they choked down watery tea, and filled their stomachs with instant noodles, he loved Cheng Xiaoshi.
But he had no idea if his feelings were reciprocated. And it wasn’t as if he could ask . What if he ruined everything between them? No, no he’d rather suffer in silence than make things uncomfortable.
And yet...
It was after a particularly harrowing mission, Lu Guang was rubbing his partner’s back. Small, slow circles, as he caught his breath. “Thank...you Lu Guang. I’m...glad you’re here with me,” he smiled up at him, looking through those long lashes.
“I’ll always be by your side. And that’s a promise.” Could Cheng Xioshi feel his heart pounding? Could he feel the heat in his cheeks? He swallowed against a lump in his throat. Was he imagining it, or was there a warmth in Xiaoshi’s cheeks as well?
“Lu Guang, I have something to tell you. Especially after a mission like this I...” He shifted so that he was more easily facing Lu Guang. “I can’t keep it in any longer. I’ve been afraid to tell you because I...” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Okay, me, just say it.” He exhaled. “Lu Guang, I love you. And I have for a very long time. If you don’t love me back I–”
Lu Guang interrupted the ramble with a kiss. “Xiaoshi, I love you too.”
Being in love in secret was one thing. But being in love together was a whole new thing entirely. The pounding heart and flushed cheeks were still there, but stolen glances turned into tender touches and stolen kisses. At every opportunity hands were exploring and lips were touching.
Everything felt magical. Everything felt new.
“Hey Lu Guang,” Cheng Xiaoshi leaned against him, one day. “We should go out to dinner. Somewhere special. We’ve done all those extra jobs for the landlady. Whaddya say?”
He wanted to protest. Wanted to insist that they save their money. But there was something in his eyes that told me he couldn’t. They had to go out on this date. “Yes, I’d love to.”
It was a noodle shop down from the photo studio. Nothing fancy, or luxurious. But for the two of them, it was the best meal they’d had in ages. He could see Cheng Xiaoshi fidgeting about something, but didn’t think much of it. His partner was always up to something. “This broth is good,” he murmured.
There was a clatter behind them, causing Lu Guang to jump a bit in his seat. He looked around, and when he looked back, Cheng Xiaoshi was kneeling in front of him, holding out a box. “W-what are you...”
“Lu Guang, loving you has been the greatest honor of my life. Will you marry me?” There were tears in those beautiful eyes. Lu Guang didn’t know how to speak for a moment. He could only nod.
Cheng Xiaoshi jumped up, hugging him so hard, his chair nearly tipped over. He gave him a kiss, then slipped a beautiful ring onto his finger.
Falling in love for the first time again.
And again.
And again.
Lu Guang loved falling in love with Cheng Xiaoshi. Now that he knew what to look for, the second time was so much more enjoyable. He picked up on his nervous mannerisms quicker, noticing the moment that Cheng Xiaoshi seemed to fall for him. His cheeks still heated and his heart still pounded.
Oh how he longed for those lips.
But he couldn’t push it too soon. Timelines had to be preserved, of course. And he was certain that Cheng Xiaoshi confessing was one of those very important nodes that had to be preserved...Or maybe he just enjoyed the attention. Plus, their first time was so magical, the second would be as well, wouldn’t it? The waiting would make it all the sweeter.
“Lu Guang, I have something to tell you.” Same couch. Same nervous catch in his throat. “I’ve been too afraid to–” He let it play out much the same, kissing him with a bit more fervor than the first time. But in his defense, he really missed those lips.
Waiting for the proposal was nearly too much to handle. Lu Guang distracted himself by getting more bold with his touches. With his kisses. Never pushing too hard, but if he tried something new, who could complain (Cheng Xiaoshi certainly wasn’t).
When the proposal came this time, Lu Guang played along as the crash sounded behind him, allowing Cheng Xiaoshi to get into position. He asked his question, Lu Guang emphatically answered, tears in his eyes. They crashed to the ground this time, laughing, hugging, kissing. It was a night to remember.
Time and time again.
Falling in love.
Proposing.
Getting married.
Falling in love.
Kissing.
Hugging.
Taking things deeper.
Falling in love.
A million first dates.
A million first kisses.
The feeling never went away, or lessened. Lu Guang loved Cheng Xiaoshi so much. Each time felt like the first all over again.
He found out, after a while, that it wasn’t a completely unchangeable moment. But it always happened. There was never a moment where they didn’t fall in love. But there was one time where Cheng Xiaoshi proposed even before he confessed. Sitting at the table, he even had a ring in his pocket. Having skipped all that came in between “I love you” and “Will you marry me?”
Lu Guang had never seen his face that red before, as he stammered, trying to backpedal. “Sorry I...I guess I jumped the gun. It’s just I had this feeling that...that you...and I...and...”
“Of course I’ll marry you, Xiaoshi. Let’s go get married right now.”
So they did.
There was one time, he didn’t know what number, it hardly mattered, where Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t offer him a ring with a proposal. The confession was much the same, ending in smiles, giggles and kisses.
But this time, he brought Lu Guang out on a walk, just near sunset. It was perhaps the most beautiful sunset that Lu Guang had ever seen. He had a feeling it was a proposal trip, but he obviously couldn’t ask, he’d just have to wait it out and go along for the ride.
They stopped at the top of the hill, overlooking the city. Cheng Xiaoshi gestured for them to sit, immediately leaning into Lu Guang. “You know, Lu Guang, every day feels like a new adventure when we’re together. Don’t you think so?”
Lu Guang put his arm around his love and hummed softly. “Yeah, I agree.”
“I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and handed Lu Guang something that was decidedly larger than a ring. “I...love you so much Lu Guang. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you...marry me?”
No matter how many times he heard those words, he still got choked up. He wiped away a tear. “Yeah. Of course I will.”
“Open it! Open it!” Cheng Xiaoshi grinned, sitting up and bouncing a little.
Lu Guang opened the gift. It was a beautiful watch, the engraving reading Always By Your Side. “Oh Xiaoshi...this is...amazing.” He couldn’t wipe away the tears fast enough. “Thank you.”
Cheng Xiaoshi watched Lu Guang make their tea. I love you, he thought with a smile. “Thank you, Guang Guang~” he sang playfully. “Guang Guang makes the best teeeeea!” He nudged his best friend playfully. The other gave him the barest hint of a smile.
“Drink up, you need all the energy you can get.” Lu Guang handed him the mug. Cheng Xiaoshi nodded, taking a big drink. “Careful, it’s hot!” He snatched it back, spilling it all over the table. “Shit...”
“Oh! Sorry, let me grab a towel.” He jumped up and ran to the sink. He threw Lu Guang the towel, his heart hammering against his chest. There was tea all over Lu Guang’s shirt. I love you... “You’re soaked. I’m sorry.”
“No harm, no foul,” Lu Guang slid Cheng Xiaoshi the other mug of tea. “Drink up. But please be careful this time, it’s hot.”
Cheng Xiaoshi blew on the offending liquid before taking a drink. “Ahhhh. But now you don’t get one.” He set the cup down. “Want me to–”
Lu Guang held up his hand. “It’s alright. There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about real quick.” Cheng Xiaoshi watched as he looked down at his hands, fiddling with his watch. “Cheng Xiaoshi, we’ve been through so much together. I know we’ve never said it out loud, but I have a feeling that...you feel the same way that I do.”
Cheng Xiaoshi’s face heated up. “Lu Guang what are you...”
Lu Guang looked him in the eyes. “I love you. And I want us to spend the rest of eternity with each other. Partners...until the end of time. What do you say?”
His nervousness bubbled out as a giggle that started in the pit of his stomach. It was a giddiness that he didn’t have the words to properly explain. “What do I say?! I say I love you too!” He set the mug of tea down and threw himself into Lu Guang’s lap, wrapping his arms around him and showering him with little kisses. “I’ve been thinking about telling you for weeks, but I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
“There’s one last thing. Let me see your hand.” Despite his confusion, Cheng Xiaoshi dutifully presented his hand. Lu Guang tied a little red string around his finger. “It’s not a proper ring. We can’t really afford that yet, but until then, this will have to do. Let it be a reminder that I’m yours and you’re mine.”
“A red string.” Cheng Xiaoshi smiled. Like they were soulmates. “It’s perfect.”
Lu Guang smiled at Cheng Xiaoshi, holding his hand tightly. The red string tying them together in more ways that he would ever know. As he reveled in this bliss, the feeling of being the person to ask for once, he closed his eyes and imagined each first kiss, each proposal that came before.
Those Cheng Xiaoshis and this one in front of him combining all into one to make him feel more love than he could have ever thought possible.
“I love you.” He heard, and felt a million times over.
“I love you too, Xiaoshi.” For the rest of eternity.