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It’s a cold night in the depths of winter when the power goes out.
If there’s anything Cheng Xiaoshi hates most in this world, it’s the cold. Especially the kind that is so severe you can feel it down to your bones.
He doesn’t know quite why he hates it so much, maybe it’s because of how paralysing it can be. Every task seems to be a hundred times more tiring and wearisome during times when it’s particularly chilly. He also finds himself feeling more alone whenever it’s cold, although he’s not certain as to why. Cheng Xiaoshi wishes he could just go into hibernation during the colder months, then he wouldn’t have to deal with the struggle of winter.
That’s why, as the sun starts to set and paints the studio in a dim light, his heart drops a little, puzzled expression on his face as he finds that the kitchen light refuses to turn on when he goes to flip the switch.
It couldn’t be. Could it…? Cheng Xiaoshi wonders anxiously.
Nervous, he calls out, “Lu Guang, did you mess with the electricity?”
It takes a while before Lu Guang responds from the sunroom. “No, why?”
“The light isn’t turning on in the kitchen.”
Moments later, Lu Guang appears in the kitchen beside Cheng Xiaoshi.
“Maybe the lightbulb burned out? I’ll check the light in the sunroom,” announces Lu Guang.
Shortly after he left, Cheng Xiaoshi gets the confirmation he dreaded.
“The light in the sunroom isn’t working either.. I think the power’s gone out.”
Cheng Xiaoshi lets out a deep sigh as Lu Guang enters back into the kitchen. “It’s the middle of winter and we have no power. How are we going to sleep tonight? I’m already freezing…”
“It’ll be fine. I’ll go get us extra blankets from upstairs,” Lu Guang says calmly.
Great. Now he can’t even make that instant ramen he came into the kitchen to make in the first place.
Cheng Xiaoshi walks to the sunroom in defeat, wondering how he was going to cure his hunger now.
He sits down on the couch as he waits for Lu Guang to come back with the blankets, already beginning to shiver from the cold.
“Found them,” exclaims Lu Guang as he descends downstairs and into the sunroom.
He hands the blankets to Cheng Xiaoshi and settles next to him on the couch. Cheng Xiaoshi wraps the blankets around them both. “Thanks. Although I don’t know how this’ll be enough to keep us warm without the heater running. I hope the power turns back on soon…,” mumbles Cheng Xiaoshi.
At that, a phone dings. Lu Guang checks it to find a text message from their electrical utility provider.
“The power won’t be back until tomorrow morning, apparently.”
Cheng Xiaoshi’s heart sinks further at the news. “Seriously...? What are we going to do? It’s literally snowing outside! And I’m starving, we can’t eat anything without power,” he says worriedly, slightly frustrated.
“Let’s order takeout then. I could eat something too,” replies Lu Guang.
Cheng Xiaoshi brightens at that, mood lifting immediately after hearing the words “take out”. They hardly ever order takeout anymore, Lu Guang insisting on it being a waste of money everytime Cheng Xiaoshi wants to order something.
“Can we order from that shop down the street? We haven’t eaten from there in so long! I miss their dumplings,” Cheng Xiaoshi suggests excitedly.
“Sure, you can pick what to order. I don’t mind,” says Lu Guang with a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips, happy that Cheng Xiaoshi seems more like himself at his proposal.
Cheng Xiaoshi gives him one of those radiant smiles of his in response, one that never fails to make Lu Guang’s heart melt at the sight.
Cheng Xiaoshi takes his time picking their food. After deciding and going over the order with Lu Guang, making sure he was okay with what Cheng Xiaoshi picked out for them, Cheng Xiaoshi calls the shop and places their order.
The lady on the phone tells him that their food would arrive in around an hour. So, now all that there was left to do was wait.
“Lu Guanggg…,” Cheng Xiaoshi says, whining.
“Hm?” Lu Guang hums, turning to look at Cheng Xiaoshi.
Cheng Xiaoshi shivers, “I’m cold…”
Lu Guang sighs, “Lie down,” he commands.
Cheng Xiaoshi complies without protest, collapsing sideways on his back, with his head landing on the armrest of the couch.
“Move over a bit,” Lu Guang says, shifting to lie down next to Cheng Xiaoshi.
He settles down next to Cheng Xiaoshi and scoots closer to him. Lu Guang then drapes the blankets one by one over himself and Cheng Xiaoshi.
He wraps his arms around Cheng Xiaoshi, trying to get as close to him as possible to ensure that Cheng Xiaoshi is warm.
Cheng Xiaoshi shifts slightly into a comfortable position and brings his arms around Lu Guang, tucking his head into the crook of Lu Guang’s neck. Their legs intertwine and their hearts fall into a synchronised rhythm as they both relax against each other.
Cheng Xiaoshi closes his eyes, savouring the moment. He always feels so incredibly content with Lu Guang’s arms around him, feeling as though the entire world around them has faded away and they’re the only ones that exist. Only them, cuddling in their cosy little studio with so much love between the two of them, like nothing else matters.
The cold was so much more bearable now that it became more like just an afterthought to him.
Everything became so much more bearable with Lu Guang around. With him by his side, Cheng Xiaoshi feels as though he could face anything.
A question occurs to Cheng Xiaoshi as he thought about Lu Guang and about the cold.
“Hey. I was just wondering... doesn’t the cold bother you? How are you always so unfazed by it?,” Cheng Xiaoshi whispers.
“It doesn’t bother me. I actually sort of enjoy it,” replies Lu Guang, quietly.
“Really? How can you enjoy something so torturous? I hate the cold, it makes me miserable. I just wish it could be summer again already,” groans Cheng Xiaoshi.
“But then we wouldn’t be able to do this as often without the cold. Isn’t it nice being able to stay like this without all the sweat and heat in summer? At least this way we can warm up, together, while also getting to enjoy a moment like this,” Lu Guang replies thoughtfully, giving Cheng Xiaoshi a new perspective on the cold.
“Hm… I’ve actually never thought of it that way before. I guess I’ve always subconsciously associated the cold with being alone without ever really thinking about how untrue that is,” Cheng Xiaoshi ponders, his perspective shifting slightly. Maybe he should be more grateful for the cold, he wouldn’t be having this moment with Lu Guang otherwise, this moment in which he feels anything but alone in, in which he feels almost as if they are entwined.
“You’re never alone, Xiaoshi. I’ll always be with you. Remember that,” Lu Guang says softly and sincerely, moving away slightly, just enough to be able to look into Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes, hoping he can convey how much he really means it.
“Lu Guang… Thank you,” Cheng Xiaoshi looks at him like he’s his entire world, giving him a gentle smile.
Confusion in his eyes, he says, “What for?”
“For being here. I can’t thank you enough for everything you do for me. You have no idea how lonely I was before you came into my life and for that I am eternally grateful,” Cheng Xiaoshi says so honestly, so earnestly. He means it with every fibre of his being and needs to make sure that Lu Guang gets that.
“Xiaoshi, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. There’s no reason for you to thank me, I wouldn’t be able to leave you even if you hated me.”
Cheng Xiaoshi can’t resist leaning in and closing the gap between them after hearing those words. He kisses Lu Guang so, so gently but also like he’s the air he needs to breathe, like he wouldn’t be able to live without him. And Lu Guang kisses Cheng Xiaoshi back in the exact same way, just as fiercely and just as tenderly all at once.
Lu Guang brings his hands up to touch Cheng Xiaoshi, cupping his cheek with one hand and tangling the other in Cheng Xiaoshi’s hair.
The kiss felt like it would last forever. Unfortunately, It doesn’t, as eventually they needed to part for air.
After parting, they gaze into each other’s eyes lovingly. Cheng Xiaoshi felt dizzy with happiness. He wants to be with Lu Guang forever, just like this.
Cheng Xiaoshi reaches up to Lu Guang’s gently grab Lu Guang’s face and kisses his forehead impossibly tenderly.
“I love you so much, Lu Guang.”
Cheng Xiaoshi’s heart skips several beats when Lu Guang gives Cheng Xiaoshi the brightest and most genuine smile he’s ever seen on him.
“I love you more than you will ever know. I love you an amount I never thought would be possible for me to love a person, but you made it possible, Xiaoshi.”
At that, a few tears escape Cheng Xiaoshi’s face before he could even process the fact that they were there, he feels overwhelmingly emotional. Lu Guang rushes to wipe his tears away. Lu Guang’s own eyes begin welling up with tears at the sight.
“Don’t cry, love…” Lu Guang whispers.
“I’m just so happy, you have no idea. Don’t ever leave me, Lu Guang.” Cheng Xiaoshi kisses Lu Guang breathlessly again.
“There’s nothing you could ever do that would make me leave you. Nothing.”
They basked in each other’s warm embrace, cherishing the moment, wishing it would never end.
A while later, however, they hear the doorbell ring, temporarily interrupting the moment.
“That must be the food, I’ll go get it,” says Lu Guang softly.
Lu Guang answers the door, pays for their food and brings it into the sunroom.
They lay the food out on the coffee table and sit down to eat, using their phones’ flashlights for light.
“Wow, these are delicious, I forgot how much I adore these dumplings!” Cheng Xiaoshi exclaims happily.
Lu Guang smiles upon seeing Cheng Xiaoshi’s joyful expression, wishing he could see him this happy everyday.
“I’m glad you still like them just as much. We can order them more often if you’d like,” replies Lu Guang.
“For real? Let’s have them every day then!” says Cheng Xiaoshi cheerfully.
“Maybe not every day… we’ll run out of money.” Lu Guang reasons.
“Then, just on the particularly cold days, like today!” Cheng Xiaoshi suggests enthusiastically.
“Sure. We can do that.” Lu Guang chuckles, gazing fondly at Cheng Xiaoshi.
After they finish eating, they put away the dishes and climb the stairs into their shared bedroom. And, as if it were some unspoken agreement between the both of them, they crawl into Cheng Xiaoshi’s bottom bunk and snuggle in together.
“Goodnight, Guangguang.”
“Goodnight, my love.”
Cradling one another, they slowly begin to fall asleep.
Maybe the cold wasn’t so bad after all.