Work Text:
The nightmares always start the same way: acrid smoke filling his dressing room, hot air burning his lungs, people on the other side of the door shouting and calling for help. Gu Chijun tosses and turns in bed, reliving that horrible day on set. It's been three weeks and the dreams keep coming—as the doctor warned they would.
What the doctor hadn't said was that the dreams would change with time.
At first they only depicted the terror and panic of the actual fire, so vivid he couldn't breathe properly and woke the moment he grabbed the doorknob of his dressing room and burned his hand. Now they aren't so vivid at the start. They still leave him sweaty and agitated, but the most vivid part starts once the door bursts open, revealing a dashing figure in black bunker gear with an impressive mask.
The panic gives way to comfort as the figure walks to where he's crouched in a corner and holds out his hand. Gu Chijun takes it, and the next second he is being princess-carried outside, safe in those strong arms, a smaller mask over his own face.
He wakes up slowly, sweaty and tangled in the comforter, but it's nothing compared to the blinding panic the same had dreams caused three weeks ago. He opens his eyes and rolls over onto his back. As he stares at the ceiling, he recalls what happened next with clarity.
The firefighter—mask off—looking down at him with those dark, worried eyes, asking if he was okay as soon as they got outside the huge warehouse where the set had been. He had a smudge of soot on his cheekbone, and Gu Chijun still feels the need to wipe off it with his thumb. He didn't then. He regrets it now.
Gu Chijun rolls onto his side, curling up under the bedsheets. He should sleep some more; it's still early. But as soon as he closes his eyes, those soft dark ones are back, gazing at him in concern, and Gu Chijun buries his head in the pillows. Why is that stupid firefighter so cute? Now instead of fighting off nightmares like the strong male god that he is, Gu Chijun has to fight off worried puppy eyes that rival Xiao Junjun's.
With a growl, he drags his head out from under his pillow—it's too hot and suffocating. It doesn't erase the pouty lips and the perfect jawline. He glances at his phone, the one reserved for his private life, charging on the nightstand. Should he send Huo Yan a text? If he's up he'll answer—at least he has in the past weeks. It's always soothing to read his words after a bad dream.
Instead, Gu Chijun flings the bedsheets away and starfishes on his bed, taking up all the space, and scowls at the ceiling as he grumbles, "Damn you, Huo Yan!"
~ * ~
His phone pings, and Gu Chijun's attention is instantly on the new text message, Zhang Shiyu forgotten. He grabs the phone and opens the message, failing at not being eager. He grins as he reads and answers immediately. He doesn't notice that Zhang Shiyu stopped talking, not when his phone pings again with another response right away.
The conversation continues, Gu Chijun curling more around his phone as new messages arrive. His grin might be turning mushy, but since he's safe in his apartment, away from the press, he doesn't care. Everything else ceases to exist the moment he has a text from Huo Yan to answer—even the latest Lego set he's been working on. (It's a giant firefighter truck). He loves it, but his conversation with Huo Yan is more interesting.
"Chijun."
He hums, not paying attention. Who cares about social media and press conferences, anyway? It's not part of his job—not until the film is finished. The production company can handle the fire debacle and accusations of security neglect on set. Not him.
"Gu Chijun!"
"What?"
"Are you done chatting with your new girlfriend, and can we get back to the filming schedule?"
Gu Chijun gapes at his agent. "I'm not chatting with a girlfriend, I'm talking to Huo Yan!" he barks back, offended. Huo Yan can't be his girlfriend, and he can't be Huo Yan's either. Huo Yan isn't just some pretty face to walk with on a red carpet. Huo Yan is something else entirely.
He gets off the couch and goes to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. He's restless now. Zhang Shiyu's words have caused something to loosen in his chest, or tighten, he can't decide. All he knows is that the idea of being that close to the firefighter who saved him isn't disgusting or weird. He likes it, somehow.
It's also a solution to his current problem.
It's not weird to dream about your boyfriend. It's not weird to wake up yearning to hear your boyfriend's voice after a bad dream. It's not weird to send a text instead, and feel your heart beat faster when you get an answer immediately. When he looks up, water forgotten, Zhang Shiyu jumps up from the couch, his hands coming up as if to fend off danger, or evil.
"No. No, no, no, absolutely not!"
Gu Chijun's eyes narrow as he stares at his apparently-mind-reader-agent. "Why?"
"Because surely he's married already! Or has a cute girlfriend!" Gu Chijun doesn't budge. Zhang Shiyu panics. "You were never interested in men before!" Gu Chijun doesn't blink. Shiyu snaps his fingers as inspiration strikes. "You're—you're a cold male god, remember?" He says as he pokes a finger in Gu Chijun's direction. That usually cures a lot of his problems.
But today, Gu Chijun raises an eyebrow, slowly standing to his full height behind the kitchen counter. "So? How does being a cold male god stop me from having a boyfriend?" He considers for a moment. "Huo Yan is handsome, smart, and strong. The perfect boyfriend to accompany a cold male god like me." The more he thinks about it, the more it seems like a great idea.
Zhang Shiyu growls to himself. That was supposed to stop the idea, not make it more attractive. He hates himself for a second, before hating Gu Chijun and his twisted logic instead.
"Ok, fine. You want him as your boyfriend. But who says he's interested?"
Gu Chijun, still standing behind the counter, clad in his very limited edition custom-made firefighter themed Lego t-shirt and sweats set (originally only available in children’s sizing but being a top star is good for something after all, it turns out), opens his arms and grins. "Who wouldn't be?" He himself knows he's handsome; everyone agrees. Or a lot of people do, anyway, and Huo Yan looks like a man of excellent taste. Besides, if he wanted money, he would have asked already when he gave Gu Chijun his phone number. Or he wouldn't be a firefighter. Gu Chijun knows several modelling contracts are but a few phone calls away, if Huo Yan wants. He's tall enough for this, and if he can princess-carry a grown man packed with muscles such as Gu Chijun, he must have the body to go with the job, hidden under that hideous bunker gear.
"What if he already has someone? What if he's a gold digger?" Zhang Shiyu knows he's playing his last card, but they have to get back to the new filming schedule and forget about this passing boyfriend fancy.
Gu Chijun stops grinning and drinks his water at last. "I'll find out, then."
He wants to have Huo Yan as his boyfriend, and he will.
~ * ~
Gu Chijun keeps dreaming about Huo Yan. The dreams turn sweeter, veering into unknown territory, as days pass and Zhang Shiyu finds all the information he can on Gi Chijun's future boyfriend.
Gu Chijun refuses to speak about filming until he has answers, devoting his time to Xiao Junjun and his Lego firetruck instead.
He's just out of the shower two days later, a towel around his hips, when Zhang Shiyu barges into his room with a folder in hand. "Here!" He announces, tossing it onto the bed. "Bedtime reading for you. Now, about the schedule—"
"Wait, are you finally done with the investigation?" Gu Chijun interrupts. "And can I have some privacy, please?" His agent has no business seeing him naked.
With a loud roll of his eyes, Zhang Shiyu turns around to face the wall, but that's all he offers. "So, the new schedule—" He doesn't continue when he hears pages turning. He turns around to check. Gu Chijun is sitting on the bed, petting Xiao Junjun with his left hand and going through the file on his lap with his right. This can't continue.
"Gu Chijun! The schedule... please..." He's close to begging but they really do have to review it.
"So he is single... and he's a lieutenant." Gu Chijun looks up, worried. "Is that a big thing?" He is not too concerned about his fiancé-to-be's situation, he has enough money to provide for him, but someone with a bit of ambition would be good.
"Yes, yes it is—it means he commands a whole station." Zhang Shiyu answers with a long-suffering sigh. He knows better than to try to change the subject when Gu Chijun has an idea stuck in that thick skull of his.
Worry vanishes immediately. Gu Chijun likes someone with goals in sight. He goes on with the report, liking what he sees more and more. Huo Yan likes to spend time with his loved ones, loves his job, and is handsome in plain, civilian clothes. They have so much in common already.
He finishes reading what's in the file and nods, satisfied. "Good work. Now turn around."
Zhang Shiyu obeys at once. "So, about the schedule?"
"Yes, we have to talk about it." Zhang Shiyu listens carefully but it's the rustling of clothes now, not paper, and hope blooms in his chest. "I'll need some free time to continue with my boyfriend plan. I can't spend days and nights on set to make up for poor safety measures and bad planning," Gu Chijun warns, priorities clear in mind.
Zhang Shiyu doesn't say a word as Gu Chijun goes on about his plans to learn more about and win over his prospective boyfriend. After all, work will come in handy when Huo Yan's refusal shatters said plans.
~ * ~
Gu Chijun is more focused on set than he ever was. This boyfriend project is great motivation—even Zhang Shiyu has to admit it. He's also more demanding of every member of the team, but since it helps things go smoother and faster, the director approves.
The new schedule turns out to be perfect. All the exterior scenes have been pushed forward while a second team evaluates and repairs the damage done by the fire to the interior sets. But as they film scenes mostly at night or early morning, Gu Chijun has most of his days to himself. What better opportunity to test the waters and see if Huo Yan would be as great a boyfriend as Gu Chijun knows he will be?
He's still careful. He can't risk a rejection filmed and posted on Weibo.
But something feels different from before. He knows Huo Yan means a lot to him already. If he says no when Gu Chijun asks him out, it will hurt more deeply than the few (very few) girls who rejected him before.
He forgets all about rejection and heartache when Huo Yan's smile greets him as he emerges from the station. Gu Chijun's text only said he'd be waiting, but of course Huo Yan found him. Huo Yan always does, wherever he hides to wait for him. He stops a few steps away, taking care to never corner him after Gu Chijun noted once in passing how stressful fans crowding him is.
"Hi! Are you done for today?" Huo Yan asks.
Gu Chijun nods. "Are you?"
"Yes, I'm off until tomorrow evening."
Gu Chijun stands, silent, watching Huo Yan in his everyday clothes. He's so handsome in just simple jeans and a black t-shirt. Gu Chijun could stare all day without getting bored. Is this what people feel when they look at him? He'll ponder this later. For now he has plans.
"Are you tired? Do you have plans now?" He silently prays for two 'no's, because he has something planned, but he won't impose on Huo Yan. He's here to observe and make sure Huo Yan is the perfect match for him.
Huo Yan shakes his head. "Do you have something in mind?"
"I do, if you'd like." Lunch in a discreet restaurant he went to when his career had first started, nothing too fancy, but where they'll have privacy nonetheless. Then a stroll through the small streets nearby, and, if all goes as planned, a thank you gift for his savior. Gu Chijun wants to see Huo Yan in a proper tailored shirt. He's already called a shop or three.
Huo Yan's smile is breathtaking, or maybe it's the sun, bright and clear today, but Gu Chijun forgets to stress about the answer he'll receive. Until now, whether it was care packages being delivered to Huo Yan's station or the few times he came to get him after work, Huo Yan never said 'no.' Still, Gu Chijun feels butterflies starting to flit about in his stomach the longer he waits. Huo Yan's 'yes' is never a given. He likes it. He likes the uncertainty of it. Each 'yes' feels like a victory he worked for, just like snapping the final Lego of a set into place.
Huo Yan tilts his head, considering. "Will you let me invite you out for lunch this time?" His smile turns mischievous when he adds, "I might remember sudden plans if you refuse."
Gu Chijun gapes at him, scandalized. How dare he? He pouts and crosses his arms over his chest. It’s to emphasize his displeasure, and definitely not because it makes his shirt stretch over his muscles in a flattering way. "Do you know how many people would kill for me to invite them somewhere?"
Huo Yan shrugs. "I don't care about them. So? Do I have to come up with sudden plans?" He tries hard not to laugh, and Gu Chijun pouts harder. This is unfair. How can someone be so cute and handsome while being so vile?
"Fine! But only this time!"
Huo Yan grins but doesn't answer, only gesturing for Gu Chijun to lead the way to his car. Gu Chijun glares his way for a second more, just to make his point, but he can't help but grin in victory as he turns away to walk to his car. Time spent with Huo Yan is always the best, vileness involved or not.
~ * ~
Filming the outdoor scenes is going as smoothly as ever, and this new schedule is fabulous. When he's not having lunch with Huo Yan once filming is over for the day, they can have coffee and snacks in the afternoon before evening shooting starts. When they can't see each other, Gu Chijun keeps his phone nearby. They don't have to say hello nowadays when they meet—they text so much it's unneeded.
Gu Chijun is in his private tent on location when Zhang Shiyu comes back with a bottle of water. He puts it on the small table near Gu Chijun's chair without looking up from his own phone. "Say hi to Huo Yan for me," he says just as his phone rings. He answers, ignoring Gu Chijun's glare.
How could Zhang Shiyu know he's texting Huo Yan? He didn't say. And his agent couldn't have seen, either, or he would be cooing at his phone where a photo of the cat Huo Yan saved from a tree is a fluffy old thing, looking content as he keeps still, cradled in Huo Yan's arms. Gu Chijun sighs. He remembers how comfy and safe it felt, when Huo Yan carried him like that.
His planning for how to get into Huo Yan's arms is halted by Zhang Shiyu coming back into the tent. "So, how is he doing?"
"How did you know it's him?" Gu Chijun asks, hiding the phone against his chest.
Zhang Shiyu rolls his eyes. "Who else are you texting except him these days?"
"My mother?"
"With that smitten face?"
"I don't have a smitten face," Gu Chijun grumbles weakly, sliding down in his seat. "I just..."
Zhang Shiyu sighs and sits in the chair beside him. Gu Chijun is still pursuing this firefighter, weeks after his decision. Shiyu has never seen him so dedicated before, except for a role. Maybe it's more serious than he thought.
"Did you ask him yet?"
"No." Zhang Shiyu doesn't answer, and Gu Chijun can only stand the heavy silence for so long. "What if he says no? We're fine like this. We don't need to change anything."
"Don't you want more? What happened to the boyfriend plan?" Gu Chijun shrugs lightly. "What if your next role doesn't allow you to see him as much? What if... what if he gets tired of waiting and finds someone else?"
That gets Gu Chijun to sit up ramrod straight in his chair. "What? Why? He doesn't need anyone else—I'm here! And wait for what exactly?" He's out of his seat and looming dangerously above his agent. "What do you know?" He takes a step forward. "Tell me now, Shiyu, I'm paying you, you have to answer!"
Zhang Shiyu already has his hands up in a faint call for peace. "I don't know anything, Chijun, I'm just saying, you should ask. That's all."
Gu Chijun stops his threatening advance. "Why? I thought you thought this was a bad idea." He eyes his agent suspiciously. Such a change of heart can't be good.
"I thought you'd get bored but..." Zhang Shiyu shrugs. "It's been weeks. You look happy. And it's my job to advise you on important decisions. So: my advice is, ask him out. You already know he's not after your money, and he shies away as soon as he spots a camera when he works." That's proof enough for him that the man is interested in Gu Chijun and Gu Chijun alone, rather than his money of fame. It's more than can be said about many previous of the people who've approached him.
Zhang Shiyu closes his eyes and prepares himself for another triumphant speech about how right Gu Chijun was and why he should probably fire Shiyu, but none comes. When he looks back up, Chijun is worrying his lower lip, looking lost. "How do I do it?"
Zhang Shiyu decides he loves Huo Yan already if he can do this to Gu Chijun. A bit of humility can't hurt. He grins. "You're not needed on set for a while, so let's plan! You'll get your new boyfriend in no time."
~ * ~
Gu Chijun isn't convinced, but it's too late to back out now. Zhang Shiyu pulled some strings and reached out to a few contacts—the small park not too far from Huo Yan's station where they sometimes had lunch, snacks, or just met to chat when their schedules didn't align too well has been kept open for them despite the late hour.
They haven't met for three days. First because filming ran late and Huo Yan was busy, then because Gu Chijun wasn't strong enough to face Huo Yan while planning all this. He misses him so much it's suffocating. And after tonight he might never see him again.
He checks the setup one last time. It fits his style.
Bouquets of blue and white roses, with fairy lights woven between the flowers, cover the secluded corner of the park, masking all the grass underneath. Huo Yan won't see anything until the last moment, though—little white and blue candles molded as roses are scattered along the path to guide him to this corner.
Gu Chijun stands there, in the middle of the flowers and the soft, golden light. Behind him stands a large wooden sign, with a careful "Will you be my boyfriend?" calligraphed on it. Fresh blue and white roses are woven into it. A row of tealight candles hidden in its base create a gentle glow to highlight it in the night. It's gorgeous, and custom made. If Huo Yan says no, Gu Chijun decides he will burn it as revenge.
He turns back to face the only path coming here and checks his phone again. Nothing new from Huo Yan. He had texted him, asking to meet here at 10 p.m. without saying anything more. There's a security guard at each of the two park entries, preventing anyone but Huo Yan from entering. No one will ruin this. Except one of them.
It's not time yet, but Huo Yan is always on time, and for him "on time" means "five minutes early." It's seven to ten. He should be here soon.
It still feels like hours before the familiar tall figure appears at the corner of the path through the park. As soon as he sees him, Gu Chijun stands taller, forgetting to breathe. Huo Yan is wearing the tailored shirt he gifted him. The roses fill the gentle night breeze with fragrance and the fairy lights cast a golden glow in the night. The perfect romantic scenery for his proposal.
He takes a deep breath. If this were a movie, the heroine would gasp upon arrival, her hands coming to cover her mouth in surprise. He would smile, something like a grin, and tilt his head and she would—
"Gu Chijun?"
Fine, so no surprised gasp from Huo Yan. He'll have to work harder, then. It's fine. It doesn't change the plan. His palms are clammy, and the need to wipe them on his white dress pants is strong. He resists. Huo Yan has stopped a few paces away, taking in the decor and… everything.
The rose smell is subtle and sweet in the air, the bouquet army an impressive sight. Gu Chijun knows because he supervised the installation himself. He had to show Huo Yan he was serious about this. It's not some celebrity fancy, or a passing whim. He wants Huo Yan as his boyfriend, and what better way to say it than an avalanche of roses, candles, and a giant hand lettered sign decorated with fresh flowers?
But as seconds tick by, the need to fidget grows. Huo Yan is just staring, agape, taking in the sight before him. Well, it is impressive after all.
But then he closes his mouth and bites his lip. Gu Chijun knows Huo Yan is trying not to laugh. He does a passable job of it, but he fails at not smiling. And then he isn't smiling nor biting his lip anymore.
Gu Chijun isn't sure what this means. Huo Yan's shoulders are shaking and he tries to hide his bright smile behind his large, elegant hands. Gu Chijun loves Huo Yan's hands and wants to keep one in his on at all times when they're together. He doesn't care if it makes him look stupid. But he never tried until now, scared of what Huo Yan would say.
He is strangely calm as he notes the reaction and surprised hand-over-mouth he aimed for happening, if not in the way he hoped.
He stands straighter, determined. If Huo Yan refuses, then he'll keep his dignity and go back home, before indulging in snacks and soppy romance movies. He always looks excellent in them. "So? Is it a no, then?"
Huo Yan must see the distress blooming on his face somehow, because he stops laughing and walks over, careful not to step on the flowers on the ground. He stops right before invading Gu Chijun's personal space and smiles.
"Are you asking me if I want to date you, Gu Chijun?"
Gu Chijun blinks, and blinks again. Then he half turns toward the flowery sign asking this exactly. Is the sign not big enough? Maybe he should have gone with the posters all over town signed with a simple 'C' like he wanted to instead of listening to Zhang Shiyu. Clearly the poster option wouldn't have left any opportunity for misunderstanding.
He turns back to look at Huo Yan. "Yes, I am. Is this... Is this a no?" He knows he looks pitiful. His eyes sting, he can't get his lips to curve into a fake smile, and it's hard to breathe.
But Huo Yan is still smiling. He takes the last two steps and he's there, cupping Gu Chijun's face with a gentle hand. "Didn't you take me on so many dates already?" He asks softly. Gu Chijun blinks again. Did he? "Lunches, walks with snacks by the river, breakfasts, shopping trips, dinners... All the times we met here, in this park… Weren't those all dates?"
Gu Chijun wants to consider this, he really does, but Huo Yan's hand is still on his cheek. It's distracting. Huo Yan is also leaning down now, and Gu Chijun has done the same enough in front of a camera to know what it means. He closes his eyes and forgets about dates and everything but Huo Yan's lips on his.
It's a soft kiss, almost chaste. The next is just as sweet but with added spice and Gu Chijun likes that. He claims their third, his arms around Huo Yan's neck to keep him close. It's a bit weird to be the shorter one, but he can get used to it. Huo Yan's hands claiming his hips in a possessive grip are a step in that direction.
They have to stop kissing eventually, and they're both smiling, until Huo Yan takes a look around and… frowns. "Now, about those candles…"
"You don't like them?" Gu Chijun will personally buy and destroy every rose-shaped candle in existence if Huo Yan asks. He doesn't.
"They're a fire hazard. Is that sign wood?" Gu Chijun nods while dread seizes Huo Yan. "Let's put those candles out. I don't want to work tonight." Gu Chijun detaches himself from his boyfriend, but a strong arm around his waist tugs him back in Huo Yan's embrace. So that move isn't only in movies for aesthetics. He wonders if he could convince Huo Yan to kabedon him, later. For science. "And the flowers…?"
Gu Chijun needs a moment. That whisper so close to his ear does things to him. Things he likes.
Then he looks too, and sees what Huo Yan must see: not a fabulous proposal to be his boyfriend, but a lot of work for park workers to clean up the next day. "Hmm… I went a little overboard. Maybe?"
Huo Yan laughs out loud and hugs him close before kissing him again. The dread blooming in Gu Chijun's stomach withers. "Only a little, yes," Huo Yan says wryly, but his smile gentles his tone. "Let's see..." Gu Chijun watches raptly as Huo Yan thinks. Whatever his boyfriend says next, he knows he will agree. "We put all the candles out first, then we leave a bouquet on every doorstep around? That way they won't go to waste. What do you say?"
Gu Chijun is already picking up some of the bouquets from the ground, careless of his light blue designer shirt, leaving the candles to the expert. This sounds like a great idea. He's so happy he wants everyone to know, even if he knows they can't. He stops when he picks up a fourth bouquet. "Will you keep one?"
"Two."
"Two?"
Huo Yan nods. "Three even. One for you, one for me. And one for my mother, if you don't mind?"
Gu Chijun shakes his head as soon as Huo Yan is done asking. He steps closer and gets on his tiptoes to steal another kiss. Whatever his boyfriend wants.