Chapter Text
He risked a quick glance over the edge of his a book, before he tried to focus on the text again. Only half a page left, till the end of the chapter. But his partner was already impatiently waiting for him at the counter. He felt stared at, which almost literally ate his ability to concentrate. After a deep sigh, he closed the book and laid it with a longing look, slowly down on the table in front of him. The last three or four sentences would have to wait for his return.
"I still think it's a bad idea", said Lu Guang while he got up on his feet.
Cheng Xiaoshi had a wide, ever so slightly mocking, grin on his face. "Now it's already too late for regrets. Also I know, you're the one who looks forward to it the most." In triumph he waved his right hand which he had previously hidden behind his back, though the air. It held a small bag whose content rustled from the quick movement. "Or did you really believe I wouldn't notice that you secretly bought treats?"
With a grumpy expression on his face, Lu Guang snatched the bag out of his partner's hand. "Stop that!" The moment his cheeks became warmer, he trudged out of the photo studio, in the hope that Cheng Xiaoshi hadn't noticed his embarrassment over getting caught.
He let the treats slide into one of the pockets of his trousers.
Out of sight and after one deep breath, Lu Guang was slowly able to find his cool again.
A few moments later he heard Cheng Xiaoshi, who had followed him outside and was now busy locking the front door. "Oh! Come on! It's only for a week."
But exactly that was Lu Guang's problem! Though, he preferred to keep this to himself. Having the little cat around would be for sure a welcome change of their everyday life, however the thought that this was supposed to be over again after only a mere week, already left a tiny empty spot in his heart.
And this, before it had even started!
Cheng Xiaoshi for sure hadn't even thought of something like this, while he had begged, until his partner was left with no other options but finally giving in. Plus he unknowingly added more events to the pile of unpredicted little changes the new timeline brought for Lu Guang, who still tried to keep everything exactly as he remembered it happening. But it admittedly was an impossible task to do.
Lu Guang recalled that Qiao Ling had also originally told them how the owners of the little cat would go on holiday for a week and therefore also would be in need of a cat sitter. Cheng Xiaoshi had obviously offered to take care of the formerly mentioned cat, before she was even able to finish her sentence. She had shut him down immediately and said that was out of the question.
However this time it was Qiao Ling, who had suggested that they would be perfect for the job. Lu Guang had ruminated for hours over which event could have led to her behaviour being different.
One of the biggest changes Lu Guang had unintentionally made, was ending up in a romantic relationship with Cheng Xiaoshi. He had loved him in the original timeline as well, but somehow had never found the opportunity or – when he was honest to himself – the courage to confess to him.
This time however Xia Fei had mentioned something to Cheng Xiaoshi, while they had been in Bridon. Because he had straight up asked him about it as soon as they were alone. It had been scary, but Lu Guang did not have the heart to lie and deny it.
To still somehow keep control of that change, he had convinced Cheng Xiaoshi not to tell a single soul about it, who only agreed to this after Lu Guang argued that the photo studio with two officially single men would attract more customers. He had even been able to make Cheng Xiaoshi keep it a secret from Qiao Ling because he wasn't sure if she wouldn't tell everyone about it. She sometimes had a habit of putting her nose too deep into other people's business and then bringing it up at the most unfavourable moments, because it was just too good of a story not to share.
But maybe it was exactly this relationship, what had caused a general different mood? And Qiao Ling had another opinion this time simply because it felt more like a cozy home in the photo studio than it did in the original timeline?
Whatever it was, Lu Guang couldn't let that happen and so, he had told Cheng Xiaoshi that they were unable to take care of the little cat, in the moment Qiao Ling didn't. This had lasted until she was gone and Cheng Xiaoshi started a second attempt to persuade him which included that Lu Guang got showered with hugs and kisses until he gave up on his futile attempt of resisting the inevitable.
And one phone call with Qiao Ling later they had gotten the job.
He shook his head. Maybe he should move his thoughts aside for now. After all Cheng Xiaoshi was right and now it really was too late for regrets and he also had to admit to his own shame that he was kind of looking forward to it.
After another deep, grounding breath, Lu Guang turned around and waited for his partner to walk the two steps down towards him, before they both made themselves on their way.