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Cheng Xiaoshi missed Lu Guang.
Okay, maybe that was—definitely was—an overreaction, but he missed his partner!
Lu Guang had been gone since 9am this morning, since he had classes at university. Cheng Xiaoshi didn't have any more classes, so it was just him in the studio today.
It wasn't as if he had nothing to do, the studio was still open, so he was at the counter all day. But, he found himself missing the steady presence of his roommate as the day went by.
He tried texting the other, but Lu Guang only responded once. It was a short and brief message at 9am.
‘I’ll be home late, don't wait for me for dinner.’ And that was it.
The young photographer checked his phone, no new messages from his roommate. Sighing, he pocketed it away and started to close the shop.
Is he okay? He has a bunch of work to do, he should be taking breaks. He thought, tucking away all the photos in the darkroom into their respective boxes to be shipped.
Has he eaten dinner yet? I wonder what he ate for lunch. Cheng Xiaoshi puts away all the orders and photos on the counter, organizing them neatly by date. That guy always loses track of time while studying.
He sighs, moving to the front door. He turned the sign from ‘Open’ to ‘Closed’ and flopped down on the couch.
Still a few more hours until Lu Guang's classes ended. The time ticked at a slow pace as he watched the clock.
It's going to be a long couple of hours. The diver thought. He stood up, stretching his limbs before deciding to look for something to do.
Cheng Xiaoshi jumped out of his seat when he heard the front door of the studio open. He hurriedly went to the front, the grin of his face was big as he collided with his roommate.
“Lu Guang!”
Lu Guang let out a small noise of surprise, almost falling backwards if it weren't for Cheng Xiaoshi holding him.
“You idiot! We could've fallen!” The other said in annoyance, glaring at his partner. Though, there was no real anger in Lu Guang's voice.
As Lu Guang took off his coat and placed it on the coat hanger, Cheng Xiaoshi noticed his sluggish movements. His eyes looked like they were about to close shut any minute, and Lu Guang just barely missed placing his coat on the coat hanger
Wordlessly, he reached out and took off his winter gear for him. “Have you eaten dinner yet?” The older male asked, taking off the other's gloves. Cold. He's really cold.
“I'm fine, I ate earlier with my classmates before our last class of the night.” His roommate replied as he rubbed his eyes.
Cheng Xiaoshi hums as he locks the front door. Lu Guang blinked and suddenly his roommate was right in front of him. When did he..?
“Let's go to sleep, Guang-Guang.” Warm hands took hold of his. Thumbs rubbed circles on the back of his hands, giving them warmth.
He also hadn't noticed when his bag was taken from him, and was now in Cheng Xiaoshi's hands. Gently, the black haired male led him upstairs to their bedroom.
Lu Guang was half asleep as he changed into his pajamas. And if Cheng Xiaoshi was honest, his partner looked like he was about to fall asleep standing up.
Lu Guang blinks. Then, he was placed onto the bottom bunk. Did.. Cheng Xiaoshi carry him?
His face grew a little warmer at this.
A hand ran through his hair, and he leaned into the touch. The urge to fall asleep grew stronger.
“Xiaoshi.. Stay with me tonight.” He whispered, holding onto Cheng Xiaoshi's sleeve.
One adorable fact about Lu Guang?
He was incredibly clingy and affectionate when he's half asleep.
Cheng Xiaoshi's face turned red. Losing his words for a moment.
And just like how Lu Guang couldn't say no to Cheng Xiaoshi.
Cheng Xiaoshi could never say no to Lu Guang.
So, he climbed into the space beside his partner. Almost immediately, arms wrapped around his waist.
“Clingy Guang-Guang..” Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around the other as well. He pressed his face against the soft, white hair. To hide the growing blush on his face.
“Was your day fine?” Was asked quietly, the sound low and comforting to not disrupt the calm moment between them. “You didn't reply to me allllll day, you know...” Cheng Xiaoshi pouted a little at that.
Despite his face being hidden, tucked away under Cheng Xiaoshi's chin, he could see Lu Guang rolling his eyes. “Fool.” The other scoffed. “I told you, I was going to be busy today.”
“Well, the studio was so booooring today without my Guang-Guang.” Cheng Xiaoshi pressed a kiss to the crown of his partner's head. “Can't blame me for being so clingy.”
“Idiot, you're ridiculous..” Lu Guang's voice was quieter as he responded.
The tips of Lu Guang's ears were red. Cheng Xiaoshi pressed a kiss, this time to kiss his forehead, in response.
Adorable.
“My day was fine.” Lu Guang said. “What did you do in the studio today?”
Or in other words, was his day good as well? Is what Lu Guang was asking.
“Oh it was great!” Cheng Xiaoshi said. “The day started off slow right after you left, but Qiao Ling came over. We built snowmen while we waited for customers!”
“How'd that turn out, then?” Was Lu Guang's muffled reply from where his face was hidden against his shoulder.
“I built the best snowman ever! Ashame you didn't see it, Lu Guang. I gave it sunglasses, a hoodie, a hat and everything!”
“You destroyed Qiao Ling’s snowman and she decided to destroy yours, I presume.”
“Ack!- Well…” Lu Guang’s predictions were always on point. “Yeah..” He sighed.
“The landlady was evil, Guang-Guang! After destroying Charles-” “You named your snowman Charles..?” “She started a snowball fight and threw multiple of them at me! With no warning!”
“That does tend to be how snowball fights work, Xiaoshi.” A pause. “And you deserved it.”
A gasp. “I was vulnerable and defenseless! Mourning the loss of my dear snowman, Charles!”
“You’re being dramatic…” Lu Guang replied, and snuggled closer to Cheng Xiaoshi. His voice had started to get drowsier, the other had realized.
“I’m only telling how my day went, I’m not over dramatizing anything.” Cheng Xiaoshi huffed and feigned annoyance.
He heard Lu Guang chuckle softly, and his expression slowly morphed into one of pure softness.
Cheng Xiaoshi continued to tell Lu Guang what happened during his day. From the lady asking for a photoshoot with her cats—he saw Lu Guang perk up at this, it was adorable—to how he almost gave the wrong pack of photographs to a customer because there were customers with similar, almost identical, names.
He was in the middle of telling Lu Guang how there was such a precious and cute dog in one of the rolls of photographs he developed until he heard soft snoring.
He paused. “Lu Guang?” He said quietly.
He glanced down at his roommate in his arms, who was asleep.
“Tired yourself out, huh?” Cheng Xiaoshi muttered fondly, brushing away the bangs from the other's face.
Holding him closer, he pressed a sweet and soft kiss to his partner's forehead. Then, he pulled the blanket tighter around them, closing his eyes as well.
“Goodnight, my Guang-Guang.”
I can sleep well easily now.
Because you're now with me.