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Chapter Text

(Post Season 2. This fanfiction was made before Season 3 has dropped. So you need information on Season 1, Season 2 and Bridon Arc.)

(Disclaimer: I saw this PROMPT on other fanfics. I am not directly copying nor am I claiming this as original. I just thought I’d let you know it is technically inspired)

The day had passed on without any hitch in the timeline, at least as much as Lu Guang remembers. It must be his 10th, maybe 12th time travelling back. He's been slowly losing track of time and instead focusing his memory on the man who forced him into this position.

Cheng Xiaoshi.

A wildcard. An impulsive, annoying, irresponsible, irrational, over thinker with little to no self-preservation. That's the man he decided to protect. And that sacrificial man, is the only one who Lu Guang has failed.

Lu Guang's fingers twitched at the cruel reminder his mind gave him. Lu Guang was sitting on the couch, with Cheng Xiaoshi in view (because, Cheng Xiaoshi died when he wasn't looking.)

 "Lu Guang— GuangGuang—Oi."

"Lu Guang!"

Lu Guang was jolted out of his thoughts, when he saw Cheng Xiaoshi looking at him with an exasperated look, that barely covered the worry his eyes were tainted by. Lu Guang drew his attention towards Cheng Xiaoshi's pulse, trying to regain his awareness.

"You don't need to shout so loud. I was simply lost in my thoughts. Or is that a foreign concept to the likes of you?" Lu Guang quipped, feeling grounded by the familiar bickering that the two shared.

"Rude—" Cheng Xiaoshi let out a mocking snarl as he leaned on the kitchen counter, parallel to Lu Guang (We'll never meet, will we, Cheng Xiaoshi?) 

"I'll have you know, I was being nice by snapping you out of your smart and studious mind. Our favourite landlady has given us a case, and I need you to go see if 'it's up to our standards' or whatever." Cheng Xiaoshi raised his fingers in air quotations. 

It seems he's still hung up on the case Lu Guang hid from him. They did resolve it out and they definitely went through so many instances in which it should be Lu Guang who holds the grudges, but he decides to let Cheng Xiaoshi have this. It was primarily his fault for causing so many miscommunications in between them, but can anybody blame him? He went through many scenarios in which telling Cheng Xiaoshi, made the man guilt ridden (or kept him dead, again.).

But, if Lu Guang was also being entirely honest to himself, he was going to check the case himself, and he probably would have also not accepted it if it posed a problem to Cheng Xiaoshi's psyche. He can't take the risk, especially with how emotional Cheng Xiaoshi is. (Lu Guang would've stayed like that too, had he not had his nerves numbed with every blood stain on his fingers.)

"Did you open the envelope she sent you?" Lu Guang questioned as he got up from his place on the couch to go up to Cheng Xiaoshi. 

Lu Guang went near Cheng Xiaoshi, trying to act calm and composed, just like a normal person checking on his friend, not a person making sure that his companion wasn't exposed to something disturbing.

"Where's the envelope?" Lu Guang questioned as he briefly looked around and near Cheng Xiaoshi before meeting his eyes.

"I didn't eat it, Qiao Ling didn't give it to me. She just kept going on about how—

 "I'm giving this to the boss! You'd probably get us in jail! Let Lu Guang come here"

"Lu Guang should be the one here and yada yada yada. I feel offended! Why can't I agree to cases?" Cheng Xiaoshi flailed his hands around as he went on a string of complaints.

"Because you let your emotions lead you—(you died because of that. You always died because of that.) It's not necessarily a bad thing, but your powers can disrupt the timeline, so you can't act on instinct." Lu Guang reassured Cheng Xiaoshi as he stepped away from Cheng Xiaoshi. He hoped that his monotone voice hid the bitterness that seeped through every word he spoke.

Cheng Xiaoshi stopped his rant as he looked at Lu Guang for a minute before breaking into a grin. "Lu Guang, you really know how to butter somebody up? In your genes or something?"

"So you like being insulted then? Noted." Lu Guang deadpanned as he walked out of the Photo Studio, relishing in the sputtered garble of noises he heard from behind him.

"You finally came out."

Lu Guang's heart almost stopped right then and there. "Was hiding from view necessary? You could've come in."

Qiao Ling huffed as she put her hands on her hips. "That's exactly the problem, Cheng Xiaoshi won't be able to satisfy his curiosity. I feel like we're in risk merely standing here. You know how he gets."

Lu Guang does. He can't help but admire Qiao Ling. He himself also considers her his older sister, even though technically, in this attempt, they've known each other for a modest amount of years. Every time he has time travelled, his Cheng Xiaoshi has done something that he could never anticipate. But Qiao Ling, throughout all timelines, has remained the same. Protective, strong and caring. Even as she is clearly berating Cheng Xiaoshi, the fact that she is trying to outwardly protect him is defining. 

But this interaction might also be because of how she saw Lu Guang yelling at Cheng Xiaoshi, after he travelled into the evidence pictures of Emma's case, without Lu Guang's permission. 

Lu Guang could only feel emotions of rage and despair when he rushed up those stairs.

"YOU COULD'VE DIED, DO YOU HEAR ME CHENG XIAOSHI? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" 'You could've left me again,' —goes unsaid.

Lu Guang felt guilt coming out of his throat like bile when he saw the defeated look on his face. All the yelling that was going to come out quieted down, resorting to grinding his teeth.

Qiao Ling's expression was by far the most pained. In this time frame, she wasn't aware of how their powers worked, so she couldn't quite understand what was going on, and how Cheng Xiaoshi appeared from thin air. But she didn't know what to say or who to stop. 

"—Lu Guang? Hello? Still haven't woken up yet?" Qiao Ling impatiently shuffled on her feet as she waited for Lu Guang's awareness to come back. She wouldn't snap him out of wherever he was, but she'd try her best to coax him.

"Sorry—I guess I haven't been sleeping much. I've been struggling to keep my eyes open this whole morning." Lu Guang rubbed his eyes. "Do you have the envelope with you?"

"I can't come empty handed, can I?" Qiao Ling remarks, as she tosses the envelope. "Listen, it's a bit... the situation is a bit personal. I know you'll probably just outright refuse, but with Cheng Xiaoshi, it's a different story. You'll need to tell him what the case is and why you refused, just—keep that in mind, okay?" 'I don't want to see you two fight again, it's the worst.' —While Qiao Ling doesn't say it, it feels implied.

"... I'll try." And Lu Guang will try. He trusts in Qiao Ling's judgement, and he doesn't want a repeat of the last few times. 

Qiao Ling softly smiles, her head tilting in a manner that seems oddly fond. "Thanks Lu Guang, Cheng Xiaoshi couldn't have found anyone better."

Lu Guang felt the implications and he had to bite back a smile. Maybe in a past timeline, he would've flushed in embarrassment, but also feel the sense of pride an animal would feel at their choice of mate. But Lu Guang has failed time and time in proving he can be by Cheng Xiaoshi's side.

Lu Guang opens the envelope and looks through the pictures. He chooses one at random and takes it out. The content in this picture is of two girls grinning from ear to ear. The picture was taken with the camera quite close to the girls, barely showing the background.

Lu Guang used his ability, his eyes shining blue as he dove in the picture.

The girl on the left looked at the other with affection dripping through her every movement, more like a lover gazing upon their partner.

However, the girl on the right did not maintain the same emotions. Her face didn’t outright show any disgust or anger at the girl, more of a resigned sadness. 

"Mahira, don’t you think this picture is nice? You look so adorable!" The girl on the left cooed as she examined the picture.

"… Mm, it is pretty, Shimura." Mahira’s voice sounded hoarse.

Shimura lowered her phone as she looked at Mahira with confusion stuck all over her face, her smile turned into a frown as she looked closely at Mahira. "What’s up? You’re doing your petty voice again. Did you hate the picture that muc—"

"Why’d you bring me out here?" Mahira interrupted Shimura halfway through as her arms crossed in a protective stance.

"… Huh? To hang out..? Have you hit your he—"

"Don’t lie to me, for fuck’s sake! The cake? The letter that I can’t open until I go home? The questions about who are my other friends? The smile you’ve been faking this whole time?!" Mahira yells over Shimura as she closes in on her.

'Hm. It seems the Shimura girl was also feeling melancholic.'

"I— You can’t be serious? I was just being nice! How—" Shimura tried to defend herself before her hand was grabbed by Mahira, her eyes glossing over with unshed tears.

"Just spit it out! You’re making this worse than it already is!" Mahira’s voice cracked.

"… I’m leaving. In a month from now.." Shimura’s voice turned into a whisper.

"What?"

Lu Guang snapped out of the picture, not wanting to look further. He looked back up at Qiao Ling. "Who’s the client and what’s the summary?"

Qiao Ling looked at Lu Guang like he just grew three tails. "You literally just went through the picture. Why do I need to give a summary?"

Lu Guang sighed as he crossed his arms. "I am not finishing that." 

Qiao Ling froze for a moment before she gave an understanding nod. "I see. The client is Mahira Yuminoziki. She was quite lonely, but she found refuge in her best friend. She became attached. Around a year of them being friends, her friend had to leave. They fought on that day, causing them to never reconcile. And when Mahira built up the courage to talk to her after such a long time, she found out her friend had passed away from cancer."

Lu Guang tensed, almost crumpling the picture in his hands before he sighed. "What does she want to last say to her friend?"

"A goodbye."

"… This might disrupt the timeline. And Cheng Xiaoshi… He’s too free minded…"

"Then drill it in him." Qiao Ling interrupted. "He can’t forever be somebody who has to be protected from his own actions. Make sure he does it right."

"Then I don’t think he’ll be able to accept this. You’ve seen him, he can’t let anything go. He acts rashly and then regrets." Lu Guang reasoned with Qiao Ling.

"I know all of that Lu Guang. But, you need to explain all of that to him. Here," Qiao Ling passes Lu Guang a chocolate bar. "For being a good boss."

"… You really want him to take this job." Lu Guang looked at Qiao Ling, like really looked.

"Can you blame me? He’s so old yet everybody he knows still treats him like a kid. Well deserved, but Cheng Xiaoshi should work to be more mature. And I’m hoping you’ll help?"

'I absolutely do not want him to accept.' "Alright, I’ll see if he’s up for it." Lu Guang nodded as he went inside the Photo Studio.

Qiao Ling looked at his retreating body before sighing. "I bet my life savings he’s not going to try in the slightest to get Cheng Xiaoshi to accept and follow the rules."

Chapter Text

Lu Guang stepped inside the Photo Studio, his face neutralising into a subtle frown. His eyes scanned the Photo Studio's entrance, trying to gauge where exactly Cheng Xiaoshi had gone. His demeanour relaxed upon seeing the other man slouched on the couch, with his legs sprawled.

The faint noise from Lu Guang snapped Cheng Xiaoshi's head up. He looked at Lu Guang with an expression that barely contained his excitement.

"So— Did you look at the pictures? What d'ya think, Lu Guang?" Cheng Xiaoshi could barely contain his restlessness as his left leg bounced.

Lu Guang let out a small sigh as he viewed Cheng Xiaoshi's body language. He really doesn't want to do this, but Qiao Ling told him to. "Cheng Xiaoshi. I need you to listen to me, and I mean it. Open your ears and don't tune me out."

Cheng Xiaoshi's body tensed in a 'flight-or-fight' response before he leaned his back into the couch. "Don't beat around the bush, spit it out."

".. The situation is about two friends falling out. You cannot—and I mean it—cannot mess this up. You just need to say a few sentences, and we can get this over with. Under no circumstances, can you change the script. Do you get it?"

Lu Guang watched as Cheng Xiaoshi's face went through a plethora of emotions. Going from excitement and joy at Lu Guang accepting the case, to dejection at the case's nature in itself, to resignation at the last few sentences. The constant repetition of the warning told Cheng Xiaoshi all he needed to know.

"Fine, I get it—I won't. I'll follow the stupid script." Cheng Xiaoshi slumped, his hands resting on his knees.

Lu Guang's lips pursed. Without much strength, he smacked Cheng Xiaoshi's head as he sat down beside him. "You don't need to accept this. There's always a chance in the future for them."

Cheng Xiaoshi raised his head to look at Lu Guang, his eyebrows were furrowed. He looked back down at the ground. "What happened to the two of them? Be honest."

Lu Guang looked at Cheng Xiaoshi; like a man who discovered an archaeological treasure. Every life, Cheng Xiaoshi never fails to catch him off guard. Cheng Xiaoshi was the only constant yet also, biggest anomaly; in every timeline. Cheng Xiaoshi kept him pleased with routine, but also made him stay on his toes with his bursts of emotions. Seeing Cheng Xiaoshi with the spark in his eyes still burning, Lu Guang can't help himself from drowning in it. Cheng Xiaoshi never quite lost his blaze (even in death.), always standing back on his feet. Lu Guang admired that in Cheng Xiaoshi, his stubbornness to keep moving. But equally, he wished Cheng Xiaoshi would take a break, would stop proving himself to everybody, and maybe, just maybe, (stop passing away.) let somebody else take his burden.

"Well, our client obviously feels remorse now." Lu Guang raised his hand and hesitated for a moment, before resting it on Cheng Xiaoshi's shoulder, in a quiet expression of comfort. 

"The friend of hers.." Lu Guang's mouth felt like it was zipped shut. There was a tense silence that lingered in the air. Lu Guang pushed against his own heart as he spoke up. "—passed away. The grief must've led her here." 

Lu Guang could feel Cheng Xiaoshi's breathing stop from beneath his hand. He squeezed Cheng Xiaoshi's shoulder in a reassuring manner. Lu Guang raised his free arm to encapsulate Cheng Xiaoshi in a gentle side hug.

Cheng Xiaoshi trembled underneath him as he looped his arms around Lu Guang's back, placing his head in the crook of Lu Guang's neck. "Lu Guang—anybody would want to save their loved ones. This is.. cruel." Cheng Xiaoshi voice came out muffled and mournful as he harshly closed his eyes.

Lu Guang pat Cheng Xiaoshi on the head. "I know. I know it's unfair. But changing the past can erase our existing present." (But there shouldn't be a present without you.) "These people are strangers, people we will never meet again. And besides, sometimes we must move on, no matter how painful it is." 

Lu Guang felt sick at the own lies spewing from his mouth. He felt horrible for blatantly lying, and he felt terrible for being a hypocrite. But he's selfish and he's cruel. There simply shouldn't be a present in which Cheng Xiaoshi dies so young. Lu Guang cannot live in a present without Cheng Xiaoshi. Cheng Xiaoshi is supposed to age and become slow and cranky, (Lu Guang isn't supposed to watch a youthful soul be forcefully extinguished.) Cheng Xiaoshi must outlive him, he'll make sure of it. And he'll keep lying, he'll continue to keep Cheng Xiaoshi in the dark and he'll keep Cheng Xiaoshi protected. At least until Lu Guang knows he's safe.

Cheng Xiaoshi let go first. His face kept twitching, like he was trying to say something but it wouldn't come out. After a few seconds of silence, Cheng Xiaoshi spoke up. "Lu Guang."

Lu Guang unwrapped himself from Cheng Xiaoshi. "Wha—"

Cheng Xiaoshi lifted one of Lu Guang's hands and gave it a high five, diving into the picture.

Lu Guang sat rigid for a moment, trying to process what Cheng Xiaoshi did. He sighed as he rubbed the temples on his head in exasperation, but he couldn’t hide the smile creeping up on his face.

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his eyes to find himself in the body of Mahira. He hands the phone to Shimura for her to look at. Cheng Xiaoshi could feel his own heart stopping.

"Cheng Xiaoshi, I can’t stay here! I’m not going to fight my parents on this! You need to calm down.."

 

"Why do you have to leave me? Why must it be you? Is there no way you can convince them?! Ou—Our area is nice!"

 

"My friend, I know. It is nice! But— My parents are getting better job opportunities! Stop making this about you!"

 

 

'Cheng Xiaoshi, snap out of it. Don’t get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. Whatever you’re thinking of, should be kept in the chests of the past.'

’Sorry—You’re right, I need to focus.’

"Mahira, don't you think this picture is nice? You look so adorable!" Shimura smiled at the picture on the phone as she looked at Mahira.

’Speak in a disinterested tone.’

"… It’s pretty." Cheng Xiaoshi tried copying what Lu Guang told him.

Shimura lowered her phone as she looked at Mahira with confusion stuck all over her face, her smile turned into a frown as she looked closely at Mahira. "What's up? You're doing your petty voice again. Did you hate the picture that much? I mean, we can take another one you drama—"

’Interrupt her.’

"Why'd you bring me out here?" Cheng Xiaoshi choked out. He could feel the waves of despair from the girl he was possessing. (And maybe, he could feel emotions of his own rising up.)

"... Huh? To hang out..? Did you hit your head while you were taking that nap?"

"Don't lie to me, for fuck's sake! The cake? The letter that I can't open until I go home? The questions about who my other friends are? The smile you've been faking this whole time?!" Cheng Xiaoshi felt his own feelings spill out all over this conversation. He was seeing the same colours again.

"You can’t be—"

Cheng Xiaoshi interrupted sooner than he should’ve. The emotions were all so familiar and fierce. "Haha. I knew it. I knew I couldn’t have anything left for me. It’s always the same! Always the one being left—"

'Cheng Xiaoshi, breathe! Follow the script, don’t find comfort in this person’s emotions. You still wish you could help right? Stop pouring your own heart into it.'

Cheng Xiaoshi stopped in between, causing him to cough harshly. He was trying to ignore the salty tears that coated his throat.

Before Cheng Xiaoshi could move, he felt warm arms covering him. Shimura trembled as she held him tightly. Cheng Xiaoshi’s vision blurred as he felt a lump in his throat. He could feel the other girl’s tears stain his shirt.

"Hic you— I’m sorry." Shimura wailed as she held the other tightly. 

Cheng Xiaoshi himself teared up as he cried in her arms. 

'Push her, Cheng Xiaoshi.'

Cheng Xiaoshi grit his teeth. The whole world feels like it just tilted on its axis. Cheng Xiaoshi ignored the protests coming from the girl’s body he was possessing as he shoved the girl away.

"M-Mahira—"

"… Thank you.. Goodbye." Cheng Xiaoshi bit back a hiss at how sore the girl’s throat has become.

"Wh-What? Wait-Wait! You can’t—"

Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t look back as he sped up, practically running away from the girl behind him.

Lu Guang felt a deep regret at allowing Cheng Xiaoshi to go in this picture, but he can let go of his overbearing lenses for a moment to acknowledge the fact that from where Lu Guang was observing him, Cheng Xiaoshi did seem to be relieved of a burden. Maybe Lu Guang shouldn’t hover so much over hi—

Lu Guang dropped to his knees as he looked up at the figure dangling from the ceiling fan above.

 

'Nonononononononononononononononononononononononononononononono—'

 

Lu Guang threw up at the sight. He had been so blind. How could he have let— How dare he let Cheng Xiaoshi feel— so alone?

Lu Guang jolted from his thoughts, his breaths coming out rough and irregular. He can’t think of that, he won’t think of that, that never happened, that is an erased present, that was just a nightmare—

Lu Guang grabbed his head with his hands. He thought of happy thoughts, good things. Like how Qiao Ling considers him her own, how Xu Shanshan drops anything to help him, how Dong Yi comes for advice even though he’s older—maybe?—Cheng Xiaoshi. Cheng Xiaoshi. Cheng Xiaoshi is alive, he’s breathing and he’s happy. Because he’ll survive this time. He’ll make it out of this loop of death. He’ll survive. He’ll survive.

Lu Guang took a deep intake of breath, as he closed his eyes and laid his head back.

When Cheng Xiaoshi appeared on the couch again, Lu Guang couldn’t hide his relief as he latched on to Cheng Xiaoshi tightly. He wasn’t quite sure if he was catching Cheng Xiaoshi to hold him up after what he just went through, or if Cheng Xiaoshi was the one comforting him.

"… H-Heh. Are you the one in need of comfort?" Cheng Xiaoshi manages to force out as he holds back his tears.

"… You don’t need to be so strong around me. We’re friends, aren’t we?"

And that was enough for the floodgates to burst. Cheng Xiaoshi wailed and thrashed as he was held tightly in Lu Guang’s arms. And maybe, just maybe, Lu Guang cried too, wrapped around the other.

Lu Guang grunted as he gently laid Cheng Xiaoshi down on the bottom bunk. After letting all his tears fall, Cheng Xiaoshi went limp in Lu Guang’s arms. Lu Guang pretended not to feel happy that Cheng Xiaoshi felt safe with him.

Lu Guang crouched down next to Cheng Xiaoshi’s bed. He looked at how peaceful Cheng Xiaoshi was while he dreamed. His mouth was slightly parted as he took in big and long breaths. Lu Guang removed the strands of hair from Cheng Xiaoshi’s face and smiled. Cheng Xiaoshi deserves to rest.

'I should probably tell Qiao Ling we’re done.' Lu Guang huffed as he took his phone out from the pocket of his pants. He sent Qiao Ling a quick ‘thumbs up’, having full faith she’ll understand.

Lu Guang placed the envelope filled with pictures on the desk. He sees a picture sticking out. It was a blurry photo. Lu Guang took out the picture from where it was peeking from and lifted it up. It was a shaky and distorted photo, so Lu Guang used his ability.

In the first few seconds of the photo, he sees Mahira shaking the camera to obscure the photo as Mahira and Shimura, kiss.

Lu Guang stopped his ability and faintly smiled. It seems these two were a bit more than just friends.

Lu Guang inserts the picture back in the envelope. He goes and changes into nightwear to sleep in.

When Lu Guang heads to sleep, he feels relaxed and calm. His body feels like it’s drowning, but that’s what makes it so riveting.

He slept well, until he heard a thump.

Chapter Text

Lu Guang immediately felt a rush of adrenaline soar through him. His eyes snapped open at the sound, his heart rate accelerating. Lu Guang sat up as much as he could in the upper bunk and peered down, trying to see if Cheng Xiaoshi was still in bed.

Gone.

Lu Guang could feel the panic seep through his body. His own body couldn’t believe it, he refused to believe this was real. Would this be the first anomaly in all of the timelines he’s gone through? He thought he had made it through this September. Will Cheng Xiaoshi leave him again? Is this a dream? Or did he never go back in time? Was that a dream—

Who cares about that, he needs to find Cheng Xiaoshi first. Cheng Xiaoshi will die alone this time because he’s busy questioning himself to save him. He’ll fail Cheng Xiaoshi again, just like— Stop and search for him!

Lu Guang went down the ladder of the bunk bed, trying to be as levelheaded as he can be—which is hard when you think your best friend is bleeding out as you move. Lu Guang ran out of the room and sprinted down the stairs, the loud pumping of his heartbeat in his ears serving as an annoying distraction. He looked around, his eyes darting left and right. The area seemed the same as it was when they completed that job a few hours ago. Is this some sort of trap? Is he missing something?

Lu Guang can’t afford to be logical right now, he could care less about thinking at the moment. He turned towards the main entrance to get to the dark room to inspect it but he stops in his tracks.

The entry door was left open.

Lu Guang froze in his tracks. Was he correct? Is somebody here, are they behind him as he’s standing here wasting time and letting Cheng Xiaoshi die?

Lu Guang snapped his head behind as he raised his hands up to protect his head. However, he felt and saw no presence behind him. This didn’t quell any of his fears, but at least the chances of there being an intruder inside dwindled.

'At least Vein is dead, I’ll take the few crumbs.'

Lu Guang was sure he was dead after they had left Bridon. A burden was lifted from him when that bastard was declared dead. Cheng Xiaoshi was shaken up that day. He had questioned Lu Guang continuously. Of course, Lu Guang lied. He didn’t and still doesn’t regret not telling Cheng Xiaoshi the truth. Hell, the only way Lu Guang would tell him the truth was if he was certain no harm would come to Cheng Xiaoshi, because then Cheng Xiaoshi would still be safe without him. If Cheng Xiaoshi figured it out and cut ties with him, Lu Guang would travel back in time. He truly means it when he says he’s cruel, but he believes that what he’s doing is pretty controlled. If he hadn’t kept his composure, Lu Guang’s sure Cheng Xiaoshi would’ve never left his sight.

"Cheng Xiaoshi! Cheng Xiaoshi are you there?!"

No answer came back. He’s sure in his conjecture that nobody is present. If there was another person here they would’ve come out to kill Lu Guang as well.

Lu Guang didn’t think twice before he ran out of the studio.

A rational person would’ve first contacted people who live close by or trusted family or friends. But, Lu Guang wasn’t quite fond of wasting valuable time that might cost Cheng Xiaoshi his life again.

Lu Guang yelled out Cheng Xiaoshi’s name as he stepped outside. If any of their neighbours wake up, he frankly doesn’t care. Besides, Cheng Xiaoshi manages to get people to be overprotective of him no matter what. It seems nothing but obsession follows the boy. From the fucking blondie to the purple haired freak crossing over to the red haired bastard and finally landing on Lu Guang himself. It’s not like Qiao Ling is any less protective, but it’s good she doesn’t have to suffer through this.

Lu Guang started walking running towards his right, a random direction that felt right. He let the streets guide him as he searched for the man. Lu Guang was trying not to let the panic show on his face, but he can feel his face muscles twitching, and that isn’t really a positive sign in his books.

He hears a distant crunching of leaves and he drags his body in that direction. Upon going with the path of sound, he finds a park, with plenty of small critters walking all throughout. Why are these animals outside in November at an ungodly hour? Lu Guang would also like to know the answer to that.

Lu Guang looked around the park from afar but doubted that the other would be here, so he quickly left the area and kept going ahead. He swears, when he finds Cheng Xiaoshi, which he will, he’s going to put a tracker on him. There have been far too many times in which they’ve been separated like this. If Lu Guang was honest and let concern drip through his voice, could he get Cheng Xiaoshi to agree? No— he needs to first find Cheng Xiaoshi in order to think of these things.

At the next turn, Lu Guang was already feeling a sense of rage and helplessness seep through him. He could tell time was passing by quickly, yet there was not a sign of Cheng Xiaoshi present. At the next crossing, there were three ways in which he could run, so he stopped only to choose one. Huh, there was a life in which he lost Cheng Xiaoshi like this.

Lu Guang grit his teeth as the cold wind blew through, his pajamas not doing much to keep him warm. Lu Guang looked around for any traces or clues to figure out where exactly Cheng Xiaoshi went. He paused before his head could dart to the right again. Lu Guang snapped out of his panicked movement as his eyes locked on a man limping away, whose back was strikingly the exact same as Cheng Xiaoshi’s. And his attire—

That’s Cheng Xiaoshi.

Is he hallucinating? He must be. This must be somebody’s ability. Who could do such a scummy thing, with no reason behind it?

Lu Guang logically believed that this couldn’t be Cheng Xiaoshi, but there was an uncomfortable feeling welling up in his stomach. His body moved on its own, ignoring all reason. He ran up to Cheng Xiaoshi but slowed his pace down when he was right behind him. Lu Guang outstretched his hand to grab Cheng Xiaoshi but hesitated for a moment. Before Lu Guang could come to a decision, the quiet figure in front of him mumbled.

"Mm.. Home."

Lu Guang stopped in his tracks before regaining his speed. He walked slightly ahead of Cheng Xiaoshi to observe him.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s body was hunched over and his eyes were glazed over. There didn’t seem to be any sort of recognition when Lu Guang came inside Cheng Xiaoshi’s view of sight.

".. You wanna go home?"

Cheng Xiaoshi graces Lu Guang with no response as he continues walking ahead. With all of these observations, Lu Guang assumes that Cheng Xiaoshi’s is currently sleep walking.

But this wasn’t present in any of the previous times Lu Guang had travelled back in time. So this is the anomaly? Or did this event just speed up for Cheng Xiaoshi? Maybe this was supposed to happen but was stopped when he took that bullet.

He shouldn’t dwell on that for too long. Such thoughts won’t do him any good. Lu Guang prayed to every god out there in hopes that he was doing the correct thing when somebody is sleep walking.

Lu Guang follows behind Cheng Xiaoshi, barely leaving breathing space between the two. He gently puts a hand on Cheng Xiaoshi’s shoulder.

"Home isn’t this way, Cheng Xiaoshi."

Cheng Xiaoshi only grumbles as he tries moving forward, attempting to get Lu Guang’s hand off. Lu Guang doesn’t grace him with that mercy, as he easily spins him around towards the direction of their studio. Lu Guang has always had more strength than Cheng Xiaoshi, well not really, he gained strength after he wanted to have the ability to protect Cheng Xiaoshi from the sheer number of people and things behind the boy.

"Home is ahead."

Lu Guang assured Cheng Xiaoshi, ignoring the whines of protest that poured from the other’s mouth. He gently led Cheng Xiaoshi forward, flinching whenever he would hear those familiar groans of one close to waking up. Lu Cuang eased up on the already faint pushes but still kept a hand there to stabilise.

They went through all of the turns that Lu Guang dashed through. Lu Guang’s surprised he even remembered the landmarking indicators while he was running here. When they pass by the park, Cheng Xiaoshi’s body tries walking towards it but Lu Guang gently twists Cheng Xiaoshi to make him continue walking straight.

When the two entered the Photo Studio again, Lu Guang let out a deep breath. He interlocked his hand with Cheng Xiaoshi’s and kept him following along as Lu Guang stepped up the stairs. Leading Cheng Xiaoshi up itself was a tedious task, with Lu Guang making sure Cheng Xiaoshi was fine every step. He was fairly surprised Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t struggle that much, just a few minute trips. However, he didn’t loosen up in the slightest. The thud that woke him up was definitely from Cheng Xiaoshi, and he didn’t want a repeat, no matter how that sound was formed.

After they reached their bedroom, Lu Guang let go of Cheng Xiaoshi’s hand. Ashamedly, he wanted to keep holding on but he doesn’t want to cross any further lines.

Before Lu Guang could nudge Cheng Xiaoshi to sleep, Cheng Xiaoshi himself went limping to his bed. When his head reached the pillow, his face smoothed out and he fell back asleep. Lu Guang let out a snort as he got close to Cheng Xiaoshi and tucked him under the blankets.

However, Lu Guang’s body stayed rooted in that place, like something was applying force to his body. He crouched down near Cheng Xiaoshi’s bed and stared at him. Maybe he’ll feel better when he checks Cheng Xiaoshi’s pulse. Lu Guang put the finger tips of his index and middle finger to the carotid artery. Normal, breathing, alive.

Lu Guang got up to go to bed, but Cheng Xiaoshi’s half conscious body raised their arm and tugged Lu Guang’s hand down, trying to bring him back down.

When Lu Guang giddily goes back to crouching down near Cheng Xiaoshi, the other boy scoots further behind as his back hits the wall.

Lu Guang paused for a hot moment.

"Do you.. want me to sleep with you?"

Cheng Xiaoshi’s didn’t respond but he raised his blanket in a welcoming gesture. Lu Guang never slipped inside a bed faster in his life. The bottom bunk was cramped and frankly a bit uncomfortable, but Lu Guang couldn’t care less. His joy then settled into embarrassment as he became completely rigid. Cheng Xiaoshi, still muddled with sleep, tossed some of the blanket on Lu Guang’s still body and curled up near him, completely knocking himself out.

After a while of freaking out, Lu Guang finally gave in and relaxed his body completely. Lu Guang would be mortified to admit that his body relaxed itself completely for the first time in a while. The smell of Cheng Xiaoshi’s heady scent laced with his and Lu Guang’s favourite honey scented shampoo. Lu Guang involuntarily pressed further into Cheng Xiaoshi’s snuggled up body and closed his eyes.

He’ll let his future and rational self deal with this in the morning. He’s simply supporting his friend currently.