Work Text:
The photo studio was always quite active during the winter holiday season, with many happy families and smiling faces eager to bring their joyous celebratory memories to life; tangible trophies to decorate their walls, a museum of all their loved ones gently protected within wooden frames. And as such, Time Photo Studio had become much busier as of late.
Cheng Xiaoshi had been in the darkroom for most of the day, faint songs playing on their radio accompanied by a slight static and occasional commentary. Humming along, he continued the repetitive ritual of developing photos after setting up all the film; developer, stop bath, fixer, wash. Developer, stop bath, fixer, wash. With utmost respect, he mustered as much grace as he could with the seemingly easy process, as entirely boring and painstaking as it was. Though, he didn’t dare mess up an order, hoping for their clients’ holiday to remain as cheerful and serene as he could help with.
Cheng Xiaoshi remembered his first winter without either of his parents. Of course Qiao-ma and Qiao-pa had offered him a place within their family celebration, but the young, heartbroken boy angrily lashed out yet again, refusing to step foot in festivities without his own mother and father; for how dared they all forget and pretend that nothing was awry? Deep into his sulking, Qiao Ling eventually joined him outside on the studios’ front doorstep, bringing with her green tea infused hot chocolate in a thermos and a huge fluffy blanket big enough for the both of them. Huddled together like young penguins, the two of them held hushed conversations in the cold, listening to the muffled music, chatter, and heated debates that blared from neighbouring houses, and waited for the two figures who never did return that night.
Naturally, this time of year is much different now; a casual dinner with Qiao Ling and Lu Guang in the sunroom is more than enough to be content with, as a small pause in their booming business demand. Binging low-budget dramas, stuffing their faces with whatever food they ordered, playing video games on their phones and laughing along with each other was all Cheng Xiaoshi needed to enjoy the winter festivities.
Just as he finished the last of the photos and turned the glowing red safety lamps back on, a dignified knock sounded from the darkroom door; Cheng Xiaoshi immediately recognised it as Lu Guang and opened the door with a sigh of relief. This relief, however, was short lived after noticing the box of manila folders in Lu Guang's arms– no doubt that it was more work to complete; such is the life of an adult, Cheng Xiaoshi gloomily supposed.
Lu Guang looked tired; with his eye bags prominent, his complexion paler than usual, and an uncharacteristically disheveled head of hair. Of course he'd never admit it, but Cheng Xiaoshi's introverted partner was in desperate need of a break, especially after interacting with customers and clients all day– Cheng Xiaoshi often offers to switch roles, yet Lu Guang often refuses to work in the darkroom; he wonders if it could be because of the Li Tianchen incident?
“Xiaoshi, you’ve got twenty-two reels of film to develop by Monday, passport photos to take on the twelveth, and we’ve got a dive scheduled for tomorrow afternoon,” Lu Guang muttered breathlessly, the fatigue even evident in his voice. “Qiao Ling will give us the details at that time”
Cheng Xiaoshi returned the orders with a large groan, taking the box from his partners arms and placed it on a mostly empty shelf before physically deflating at Lu Guang's feet, grabbing his jacket and resisting the urge to drag him down as well, lest he be met with endless scolding.
“Lu Guaaang. Guang-Guaaang. Isn’t this too much work? It’s too much work right??? We need to take a break right this moment before all this photo paper suffocates me to death!” Xiaoshi exaggerated.
“... Idiot,” Lu Guang could only reply with a minute sigh, closing his eyes and pinching the space between his brows. He really must be exhausted to not even come up with a snappy remark, Cheng Xiaoshi pondered in exasperation. This would not do.
In hasty movements of a mischievous, half formulated plan he had thought up impulsively in the span of two seconds, Cheng Xiaoshi dialled up the volume of the radio, circled around Lu Guang to close the sliding door and bathed them in red lighting once again, then coaxed Lu Guang's arms around his own waist, placing his own around the shorter man’s shoulders.
“Xiaoshi! What on earth are you doing!” Lu Guang was tense, perhaps because of the enclosed space and chemicals? Anyhow, Cheng Xiaoshi brought his hand up to caress Lu Guang's hair paired with faint hushing sounds, and nudged the head to rest upon his shoulder. Half unsurprisingly, his soft yet demanding guidance was met with minimal resistance.
The staticky song playing on their radio was quite slow and calming. Keep In Mind, was it? Xiaoshi had wondered. It was a terrific song; music simply wasn’t made as good as it in this day and age.
Taking the lead, the taller of the two began to sway them both side to side, making a clumsy attempt to hum along to the lyrics and giddily enjoyed the quiet moment. Lu Guang seemed to decompress by the second; his muscles easing up and unwinding as the song progressed. He let out a long exhale and completely surrendered, melting into Cheng Xiaoshi’s embrace, reciprocating his affection.
Together, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang twirled around in an unskillful attempt at a lazy waltz, giggling softly with every wrong step and turn. Perfection was left at the door of the small room, allowing the two to naturally exist in each other’s presence in the confines of the four walls, privacy granting them the freedom of complete expression. Oh, what a peaceful feeling. They continued on until the song began to fade out, the soft guitar's melody awakening them from a trance of pure elation.
"Mmn, thank you for that, Xiaoshi," Lu Guang whispered as his head comfortably rested on the claimed space of his partner's shoulder, "I really needed that, I mean it." Though they were still doused in red, Cheng Xiaoshi was sure Lu Guang's ears were turning redder. Resisting a smirk, he cleared his throat and reciprocated the honesty of their created atmosphere.
“Hey Lu Guang? Know that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes, uh, okay?” Cheng Xiaoshi whispered awkwardly, wholeheartedly concerned for his partner’s reluctance to share his burdens. “Well, what I mean is, you don’t have to feel like you need to deal with everything yourself, don’t deny it. Let yourself have breaks, and let me and Ling-jie help you out when you need it. It breaks my heart to see you suffering alone, you know? Talk to me, Guang-Guang. Tell me when anything is bothering you. Or don’t, and I’ll just be a shoulder for you to lean on. Being all stoic and grumpy like that makes you grow wrinkles, you know?” A chuckle and a brief hmph is exchanged between the two, with one of them lucky to not get hit in the side. “You’re only human Lu Guang, just like me.”
“Just like you…” Lu Guang replied distantly. He could tell there was still something Lu Guang reluctant to say, but Cheng Xiaoshi believed in him, in that he would confess everything when he was ready. He always did, after all. They were partners, and every sufferance they could surely get through together. But for now, slow dancing in the dark was enough.