Work Text:
Each and every stroke infuriated Ten even more as he huffed erasing lines and making new rough ones. He needed this to be perfect. The noises above his wall were knocking his concentration off completely. On other days he’d completely ignored it, turning his music or tv up as if it was some competition. Today it just got on his nerves a little more. This project was going to set off his career and he wasn’t going to let some annoying new person upstairs bother him.
Ten made his way to where whoever this was after asking what room was above his. He had ought to give the latter a piece of his mind whilst he impatiently waited for the elevator. Who do they think they are? He wanted to give the benefit of the doubt but it felt purposeful at this point like they knew it was ticking him off. It had been a month since they moved and this had happened repeatedly.
He decided to opt for going for the nice beat around the bush. He had to remind himself they didn’t know what was going on and they must’ve not known they were interrupting someone a floor down.
The door swiftly opened to a man, hood over his head and what looked like tensed shoulders and a small shine of sweat on his face. Ten felt a sudden pang of guilt in his chest. He wasn’t expecting this.
“Uh hi, is everything alright? it’s not often I get company.” The latter joked whilst scratching the back of his head with a small smile.
“Hi! I just wanted to ask you if you’re aware of the noises coming from your room maybe?”
“Oh uh noises no I don’t think it’s coming from mine. Are you sure?”
“I was sure it was coming from you.” Ten says teeth clenched in a smile.
“Are you sure it’s not just maybe the wind knocking on your windows? It has been quite stormy.” He stuttering in his words.
Ten had a strong feeling he was lying, not malicious intent lying but the kind where someone’s hiding something lying. He didn’t want to push, especially when the guy really seemed sweet. Cute. Also cute.
“Alright. I’m Ten by the way.” He held his hand out to shake.
“Oh I’m Guanheng.” He shook Ten’s hand, a smile loosely forming on his face unlike the tight lipped one moments ago.
-
Again.
Instead of the small slight noises this time it sounded like glass. It sounded like someone throwing things against the wall or floor. Instead of getting annoyed like the last few times Ten felt worry settle in his chest. He remembered the moment they met the guy looked a little lost. He decided on whether or not to head up to the guy. He wanted to finish this art project as there was just a little left but this stranger was taking up his mind.
Ten remembered they exchanged phone numbers after a small talk on how they found their apartments and all and noticed how the latter was hesitant on talking about his living. He decided to give a quick text to check if everything was alright. He was sure this wasn’t wind knocking against windows.
After a short while Ten had finished up on his project but the celebration was short lived. There was still no response and it was quiet after what he thought he heard was glass shattering. Maybe it was an accident and he was overthinking things?
It felt like hours when Ten finally got a text back from Guanheng. He didn’t know why he cared so much but he did. He knew what the response would be.
Must’ve been the wind.
-
He knew Guanheng was closed off. He knew he wasn’t going to open up anytime soon. Ten respected that no matter how many times he texted and went over. He still couldn’t help the sinking feeling in his gut. He decided to do what he used to do before but instead of it being for a competition on noise it’d be to let Guanheng know he’s here.
He’ll play music towards where he knew he’d probably be sitting and could hear. It was a song that got him through frustrations and he’d hope it’d help the latter too.
You don't need to walk this lonely road
陪你跨越日升和月落
從未知到未來 (we gon' be alright)
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright (we gon' be alright)
Moments later his phone lights up at his side.
Guanheng: Thank you :)
-
Guanheng had left a text asking if Ten could come over. Nerves washed over him as his mind sauntered over Ten replying with no. He wanted to tell him everything. How the noises he heard was him throwing things about whilst trying to get his steps right.
His instructor had berated him on how he lacked and today he just needed someone. He needed him. They grew closer over the weeks despite shutting himself off at times. A soft knock on the door snapped him away from the dwelling thoughts.
Ten had a wide smile on his face carrying some food in one hand and some cds in another. Guanheng noticed the logo on the bag along with the cds being his favourite and his smile spread further.
“How’d you know these were my favourite?”
“I remember you rambling about it before and noted it down for whenever.”
For the first time in a while Guanheng felt giddiness burst inside of him inside of the slithering sense of fear that shook him and danced against his spine mocking him of his failures. He felt a warm embrace.
Ten was ready to listen and he did. He made sure Guanheng was comfy. He wasn’t sure how close they were or what they had become over the few weeks but with Guanheng lying in his head in his lap opening up whilst blankets shielded them from the cold and a comedic movie in the background he felt calm. He hoped Guanheng felt the same.
His heart hurt to hear Guanheng was struggling with not feeling like he was doing enough with his performance. His moves were so fluid and he felt every bit of his story. He shared the most vulnerable peace of himself and Ten made sure to tell him how great he was when Guanheng showed him what he had worked on.
-
“Why don’t you teach me?”
“Teach you what?”
“Your moves of course. I want to learn from the great Guanheng. I’ll give you a free art lesson in return.” Ten says as they both munch on food.
“Hmm deal! I would teach you any day anyways.”
“I’d give you free art lessons any day. Free drawings too of you dancing in the moment so you see how good you really look.” Ten smiled as he noticed Guanheng’s cheeks deepened in ruby rose.
Guanheng’s hands brushed against Ten’s as he moved along with him in every step. Ten was a natural at this. He moved as smoothly as a skilled hand with a paintbrush against paper did. The way they moved together was natural.
Ten giggled against him as he followed the latter through the mirror and his detailed instructions. If this was what love felt like, to be loved and cared for, then Guanheng wanted it all.
Ten then also had the latter dance on his own to draw him in the moment. Guanheng didn’t doubt Ten’s skills as he was shown the work he did but did doubt his own. Ten reassured him knowing how he felt with unspoken words. The finishing touch had Guanheng’s jaw drop as he held it and drew Ten in a tight embrace.
They didn’t know how it happened or how things would move like this but as their lips brushed against each other it didn’t matter. They were lost in the moment as they parted to catch their breaths, foreheads touching together holding the back of each other's necks.
“I really like you.” Ten says barely above a whisper.
“I really like you.” Guanheng giggled against his lips.
“Can I take you on a date?”
“Of course it’s a yes.”
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