Work Text:
It was just a regular lazy afternoon for the young, broke model still taking photos even after hours of working. When he first stepped into his now career path, he imagined it as the perfect paradise; get dressed, pose and go back to his warm dorm. Unfortunately for him, that was very far from the truth. Right now, he was wishing for that same paradise.
He had to endure it, though. Because damn it all if he disappointed Vein, he seriously didn't wanna deal with his scolding.
As the camera flashed yet another picture of another thousands and the photographer yelled out for the staff to change the lightning, reality— the one that seemed just too sweet— dawned on him for nth time.
He really was the star of Bridon, his face appearing on every billboard, magazines and advertisements. Xia Fei, the same little broke college student who scrambled money by taking shitty part-time jobs and doing practically free projects.
He was doing good. He was doing good. Despite being a university student struggling to pay his student loans— he’s doing good. This part-time job is good, everything’s good and better.
Another shot was taken, and Xia Fei breathed out a small, shuddering breath as the photographer yelled at him, something about his poses, something that he couldn’t make out that clearly. He took a deep breath,
and his wide grin returned, carding a hand through his hair, though his annoyance was clear as day.
Could you really blame him? His muscles and joints ached after posing and seeing that stupid, bright camera flash for five hours straight. His, poor, poor aching muscles yearned for the soothing, tranquil water of his shower, or simply a brief moment to take a breather! Perhaps for 12 straight hours.
That was when Vein entered the studio and everyone stopped in their tracks, or whatever they were doing to glance over, some mumbling quiet greetings to their boss. Xia Fei, however, was ecstatic at the sight of the older man. The camera man’s gaze turned to the tall, red-haired man when he heard him speak.
The red-haired man looked around the studio, his red piercing gaze taking in the atmosphere and everything. Xia Fei gulped when Vein’s gaze settled on him, a small hint of a smile curling on his lips, “How about you all take a break? Hm?” Vein clapped his hands, his toothy grin widening, “You've all been working hard for a while."
The director and the camera man shared a glance before nodding, the other staff taking that as a hint to leave for now. Not like anyone would disobey the red-haired man. They proceeded to clean up around the studio, before staff started filing out of the small building for fresh air, some idly chatting.
Xia Fei let out a deep sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging in exhaustion. He deeply thanked whatever entity decided to take pity on him after watching him suffer for hours and sent Vein here at this moment.
Vein’s toothy grin turned into an amused smirk, letting out a soft huff of laughter when the younger man’s exhaustion poured out very obviously. He approached the blond man, hands in his pockets— still with that amused little smirk on his lips, watching the blond man as he wiped the sweat off his forehead before he spoke up.
"How was your shoot?" He asked, though the answer was crystal clear by the exhaustion and the look of despair on Xia Fei’s face. The blond man grumbled and spoke in a tone that tilted to ‘whiny child’, but one that also tilted to ‘please get me out of here’.
"Boss— boss. They’re seriously making me work for hours! Do they- do they not know how tiring it is to bend my freaking back and- arms and everything else for endless hours?"
The red haired man looked down at the rambling, pouty younger man, his smirk only growing. Vein let out a small laugh, bubbling from his chest at the sight of Xia Fei complaining so much.
"Quit complaining. You should be thankful I told them to catch a break, you know. Or else you would've continued with this."
Xia Fei furrowed his brows, his face growing sour at the thought of him never being able to take a break if Vein didn’t appear.
"Sorryyy.. sorry, won't complain.."
Xia Fei rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, his gaze shifting to the floor and the older man’s fancy dress shoes. He let out a shaky breath, his slender fingers playing idly with the hairs on the back of his neck.
He really couldn't complain about his boss, or about the job. ‘Cause that’d be kind of a very asshole move. The man dug him out of the dirt multiple times, so he'd be thankful no matter what. And he’d be sure to repay his favor by doing good, or even *great* on this gig, and the next gig, and the gig after that.