Chapter Text
In the foggy mess that is Cheng Xiaoshi’s brain at five a.m., he can only wonder how people who have to wake up this early every day manage. Owning his own photography studio means he gets to make his own hours, so he usually wouldn’t dream of scheduling a shoot so early, but the client insisted on taking photos at sunrise. Something to do with the character they’re cosplaying. He can’t even imagine how early the client had to wake up to get their ensemble together. This is a repeat customer, and their looks are always elaborate.
He tries and fails to suppress a yawn, eyes watering as it slips out. His legs feel leaden as he trudges to the train station. The streets are quiet and empty save for a few early morning stragglers like himself. It just makes him want to go back to sleep even more. He needs caffeine or he might actually die. He didn’t think to make coffee before heading out the door. Of course he didn’t. He’s not one for thinking ahead like that. He’s more one to wing it in the moment. After all, he’s produced some of his best work through spontaneity and improvisation.
Like divine intervention, a sign for a coffee shop catches his eye: Divinity Coffee House , the sign reads. It’s not far from the studio, so he’s no doubt passed by it many times, but he’s never really paid attention enough to notice it before. To his relief, the lights inside were on, and the sign on the door was flipped to ‘Open.’ The coffee could be brewed with dirty sink water for all he cared, it’s the only thing capable of getting him through this shoot.
The lights are soft and warm inside, and the smell of coffee floats through the air. There’s a handful of plain wooden tables and chairs spread out across a tiled floor, with booths lining the outer wall. Against the back wall there’s a green couch that looks well-worn. It’s completely empty.
Cheng Xiaoshi is so busy taking in the ambience of the place that he barely notices the voice from behind the counter.
“Morning. How can I help you?”
“I just need caffeine, lots and lots of—”
He stops as he finally gets a look at the owner of the voice. The first thing he notices is a head of fluffy, white hair. Is that natural? The next thing he sees are eyes dark and gray. They carry this intensity, too. Looking into them is like watching storm clouds gather. The man has high cheekbones and sharp features. Even the dark circles under his eyes add character to his face.
Cheng Xiaoshi’s never wanted to photograph a person more.
“Lots of…caffeine, I’m guessing?”
Even his voice is nice. It’s deep, but there’s a soft edge to it.
Cheng Xiaoshi looks for a name tag, but only finds the logo of a butterfly next to a crescent moon on the deep blue apron the barista wears over a black t-shirt. The dark colors only make the stark white of his hair stand out more.
It’s then that Cheng Xiaoshi realizes he’s been staring. He can’t stop his cheeks from heating up as he rubs the back of his neck.
“Uh…yeah. You guessed it.” He lets out a nervous laugh. “Truth be told, I usually just make coffee at home, so I don’t really know what’s good here.”
The barista nods.
“I see. Would you like a recommendation?”
“Uh—sure, yeah. I’m not picky so I’ll drink just about anything. I mean, not—not anything , please give me something that tastes good. I just mean…you know.”
It’s then that Cheng Xiaoshi takes a minute to internally scold himself. What the hell is wrong with him? He doesn’t usually struggle this much to talk to people. What is it about this guy that’s thrown him off so badly?
“How do you usually take it?”
Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes widen slightly as he’s sure his blush grows deeper.
“Take what now?”
The barista tilts his head to the side.
“Your coffee. How do you usually make it at home?”
“Oh. Lots of cream and sugar.”
The barista nods.
“How about a vanilla latte, then? I can make it a double shot.”
Cheng Xiaoshi isn’t sure what he means by that, but he nods anyway.
“That’ll be 25 Yuan.”
Cheng Xiaoshi pays for his drink, and the barista sets to work.
“Sorry if I’m being a little weird,” he can’t help but say.
“That’s okay,” the barista says, not picking his head up from the machine. “I take it you’re not much of a morning person.”
A relieved smile washes over Cheng Xiaoshi’s face.
“What gave it away?”
He thinks he hears the barista chuckle, but it’s hard to tell over the hum of the espresso machine.
“Are you up this early for work?”
Cheng Xiaoshi fidgets with the strap of his camera bag.
“Yeah. I’m a photographer.”
The barista looks over his shoulder at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Really? And you’re going to a photoshoot this early?”
“Yeah. The client’s a professional cosplayer. I guess she’s trying to capture the spirit of the character by taking pictures with the sunrise in the background, or something like that. I’ve worked with her before. She’s cool. I probably wouldn’t have agreed to it otherwise.”
“Oh? What would your boss say to that?”
“I run my own studio, so I’m my own boss.”
The barista nods in approval. He fully turns around to face him.
“You know, I follow some cosers. Maybe I’ve heard of your client?”
“Oh—uh—” Cheng Xiaoshi wrangles with his pants pocket for his phone, and pulls up the client’s profile.
“This is her.” He holds the phone up to show the barista.
The man steps forward, leaning over the countertop to look at the phone. Cheng Xiaoshi’s heartbeat speeds up just slightly at having him so close. He tries to calm down, telling himself to quit being ridiculous, when the barista gives a small hmm .
“I don’t recognize her, but she’s good.”
Cheng Xiaoshi nods.
“Yeah. Her outfits look even more detailed in person.”
“Did you take those photos?”
“Not those ones. I’ve only worked with her a few times.”
“Can I see one you did take?”
For possibly the first time in years, Cheng Xiaoshi’s nervous to show someone his work. But he does as the barista asks and pulls up one from the last shoot he did with her.
The man looks at it for a few seconds before leaning back.
“You’re very talented.”
He feels his cheeks flush again at the compliment.
“Yeah—I mean—thank you.”
The espresso machine indicating it’s finished brewing saves Cheng Xiaoshi from embarrassing himself any further. The barista turns back around to start assembling the drink. Cheng Xiaoshi can’t find the right way to start up a new conversation until the barista is handing over his coffee.
“Thank you. I’m Cheng Xiaoshi, by the way.”
He holds out his free hand. The barista takes it, shaking it.
“Lu Guang. Nice to meet you, Cheng Xiaoshi.”
He’s only halfway present for the photo shoot. He spends most of it thinking about Lu Guang. He thinks about what he might look like standing where the coser’s posing now, with a halo of sunlight around him, or how his eyes would look if the light hit them just so. He thinks about that small, almost shy smile, and how it would photograph. Extremely well, if Cheng Xiaoshi had to guess.
There was no question. He had to go back to that coffee shop. He had to see Lu Guang again. The idea creates a fluttering in his chest. After they wrap up the photo shoot, he spends the walk home brainstorming non-creepy ways to get Lu Guang to model for him. Normally, if he saw someone he wanted to photograph, he would just ask point blank, but he got the sense that Lu Guang would require a more subtle approach. He seemed a bit reserved, not the sort that would jump at the chance to get in front of a camera.
By the time he crosses the threshold of his studio, he’s come up empty on ideas. Just as he’s contemplating asking for help, a familiar figure walks through the door.
“Well if it isn’t my favorite landlady!”
Qiao Ling plops onto the couch near the door.
“Morning Cheng Xiaoshi. How was the shoot?”
“Pretty cool, actually. It’s not often I’m up early enough to appreciate the sunrise lighting.”
“Oh? Does that mean you’ll stop sleeping in and take more early bird jobs?”
Cheng Xiaoshi snorts.
“Hell no. I am not built for that.”
A comfortable silence passes between them until Cheng Xiaoshi speaks again.
“Hey, Qiao Ling? Can I get your advice on something?”
“I’m always willing to spread my wisdom. What’s up?”
“There’s this guy who works at the coffee shop down the street. I really want to photograph him, but I know he’ll turn me down if I just come right out and ask him.”
“So you want to…what? Trick him into modeling for you?”
“What? No, don’t be ridiculous. I just need to find a way to convince him.”
Qiao Ling puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow at him.
“Why can’t you just be your usual, charming self?”
Cheng Xiaoshi sighs.
“I don’t know why, but when I met him I got kinda flustered.”
“Incredible. And here I was thinking you had no sense of shame,” Qiao Ling teased, pinching his cheek.
He swats her hand away.
“It’s just—look, you’d understand if you met him.”
Qiao Ling gets a twinkle in her eye.
“Then maybe I should.”
And that’s how he ends up back at Divinity the next morning with Qiao Ling in tow.
It’s just past ten a.m., which is about as early as Cheng Xiaoshi will wake up if it’s not for work. When they enter the shop, it’s significantly busier than the empty shop he was in yesterday. Nearly all the tables are full, and there’s even a couple on the couch in the back. There’s a sizable line at the front, and at the counter taking orders, looking calm in the face of the morning rush, is Lu Guang.
It’s like his memory downplayed just how beautiful this guy was, because now he can’t take his eyes off him. He watches him take orders, his brows knit together as he focuses on the tablet in front of him. Cheng Xiaoshi can’t hear exactly what he’s saying this far away, but he can just barely hear the low hum of his voice cut through the ambient chatter of everyone else.
Finally they get to the front of the line.
“Lu Guang! Fancy meeting you here,” he says lightly.
Lu Guang just nods.
“Good to see you. Got another long shoot today?”
“Uh—no, actually, I was just telling my friend here how good your coffee was and she couldn’t wait to try it.”
“I’m Qiao Ling,” she gives Lu Guang a slight wave.
“Lu Guang. Nice to meet you.”
Cheng Xiaoshi can feel an awkward tension in the air.
“So, you guys always busy at this time of day?” he asks, running a hand through his hair..
Lu Guang’s face doesn’t betray much of any emotion, so Cheng Xiaoshi can only pray he’s not annoying him.
“Usually, yes. Sometimes if the weather’s bad it’s slower.”
“Right, yeah, makes sense.”
“So, what can I get for you?” Lu Guang asks, his attention turning back to the tablet.
“I’ll have a caramel macchiato,” Qiao Ling says.
Cheng Xiaoshi notices a slight tug at the corner of Lu Guang’s mouth at her order.
“Good choice,” he says.
Cheng Xiaoshi feels a twinge of annoyance at that until Lu Guang turns his attention to him.
“And for you?”
Those eyes almost render him speechless, but he clears his throat and finds his words.
“Uh…that latte you made me yesterday was really good. I’ll do that.”
Lu Guang taps the tablet.
“One vanilla latte…that’ll be 55 yuan.”
He tries not to look too outwardly relieved when Qiao Ling pays for them.
“Come back soon,” Lu Guang says, nodding at them.
“Yeah, will do,” Cheng Xiaoshi says.
They stand near the counter while their drinks get made.
After a moment of watching Lu Guang work the counter, Cheng Xiaoshi feels eyes on him. He looks over to find Qiao Ling staring at him with an odd look.
“What?” he asks.
Qiao Ling smiles slyly and shrugs.
“Oh, nothing.”
A different barista makes their drinks this time and she hands them over with a smile.
They leave the bustling shop with drinks in hand. Cheng Xiaoshi takes a sip of his and frowns. It’s not as good as the one Lu Guang made him.
“So…” he prompts.
“You were right,” Qiao Ling says. “I get it now.”
Cheng Xiaoshi flourishes the hand not holding coffee.
“Thank you! I told you—”
“You have a crush on Lu Guang.”
Cheng Xiaoshi freezes.
When he recovers and they continue walking, he scoffs.
“I do not!”
“Do so,” she taunts.
“My interest in Lu Guang is purely artistic! I just want to photograph him!”
“I’ve been with you when you’ve asked to photograph people before. You have never looked at any of them like that.”
“Like what?”
Qiao Ling levels him with a look.
“Like you’re some blushing school girl talking to the hottest boy in class. Honestly, it was kind of painful to watch.”
“Painful to—?” He lets out a frustrated sigh. “Look, it’s not like that, really.”
“Oh? So you wouldn’t mind if I asked him out, then?”
That idea twists a knot in his stomach.
“I didn’t think he was your type,” Cheng Xiaoshi says coolly.
“He’s not,” she says flippantly, looking around before returning her gaze to Cheng Xiaoshi. “But it bothered you to think about him going out with someone else, didn’t it?”
It did, but he wasn’t about to admit that. He hated admitting when she was right. She was always so smug about it.
Turns out he doesn’t have to admit it. His silence is enough for Qiao Ling, and she gets all smug about it anyway.
“You really are hopeless, Cheng Xiaoshi,” she says with a laugh, shaking her head.
Qiao Ling really annoys him sometimes.
***
He tries not to go to Divinity too often. For his wallet’s sake, if nothing else.
Key word being ‘tries.’
After going four times in five days (the fifth day he learned the coffee shop is closed on Sundays), Qiao Ling flicks his forehead and demands he ask this guy out already so he can stop throwing away all his money on overpriced coffee.
So now he limits his visits to once a week.
He was encountering a problem, though. Coming around the time he normally gets up means the shop is always too busy to really talk to Lu Guang. A couple times he wasn’t even working the counter, so all he got was a nod in greeting before he turned his attention back to brewing coffee, if he noticed Cheng Xiaoshi at all.
Which brings him to today, in which he’s up before the sun again. He’s determined to finally have another conversation with Lu Guang beyond giving his coffee order.
To his delight, when he gets there, the shop is as dead as it was last time. The only soul in the place besides him is Lu Guang, who’s leaning on the front counter facing away from the entrance. He’s reading something, but Cheng Xiaoshi can’t tell what it is from where he’s standing.
The bell on the door signifying his arrival prompts Lu Guang to turn around and set down his book.
“Cheng Xiaoshi,” he says with a mild surprise in his voice.
“Lu Guang,” Cheng Xiaoshi parrots back.
“I didn’t think you’d ever be here this early again,” Lu Guang says.
Cheng Xiaoshi shrugs.
“That photoshoot with the coser reminded me how nice the lighting gets around sunrise, so I thought I’d get some photos for my website.”
It’s a half-truth. He does appreciate early morning lighting, and he is going to go take some nature photos for his website after this, but that’s really just an excuse he made sure to prepare for when Lu Guang inevitably questioned what he was doing there so early.
Lu Guang responds with a nod. Usually he’d take this lull in the conversation to take his order, but for some reason he doesn’t this time. He stays quiet, almost expectantly.
“So, how long have you worked here?” Cheng Xiaoshi asks.
“Since we opened, so about two years.”
“Wow. Since opening, huh? That must have been cool seeing it become so successful.”
“Yes. We’ve been doing better than I expected. It makes me glad I decided to open Divinity after all.”
Cheng Xiaoshi blinks.
“You’re the owner?”
Lu Guang nods, then tilts his head when Cheng Xiaoshi doesn’t respond.
“What is it?”
Cheng Xiaoshi shakes his head.
“Nothing. It’s just, you seem pretty young to be running your own business.”
“I could say the same for you. You look like you’re around my age, yet you run your own photography business.”
Cheng Xiaoshi sighs.
“That’s different. My parents owned the studio first. I’m just running it for them until they get back.”
“Back from where?”
Cheng Xiaoshi freezes, then after a moment clears his throat.
“Uh—anyway, I was thinking you could make me something new today. What about that drink that Qiao Ling got when I brought her?”
Lu Guang looks like he wants to press further, but he doesn’t.
“A caramel macchiato?”
“Yeah. That.”
“Are you sure? The flavor will be stronger than what you’re used to.”
“Yeah, why not?”
Lu Guang punches in the order.
“30 Yuan.”
There’s a lull in the conversation as Lu Guang starts up the espresso machine. Cheng Xiaoshi doesn’t let the silence linger long, though.
“So what were you reading?”
Lu Guang turns around to look at the book tented on the counter. He dog-ears the page he’s on, then hands the book to Cheng Xiaoshi.
“It’s this sci-fi series I’ve been into lately.”
“A manhua. Nice. I would’ve guessed you’d be more into the classics.”
Lu Guang shrugs.
“Comics can be just as engaging, and they have just as much to say about society as the classics.”
“Right. Yeah.”
Cheng Xiaoshi hands the book back with a smile.
“So what’s it about?” he asks.
“Time travel, among other things.”
“Awesome. Maybe I should read it.”
“I own the series. If you want, I can lend you the first few volumes?”
Cheng Xiaoshi hadn’t expected that.
“Are you sure? I mean, you barely know me.” He rubs the back of his neck.
Lu Guang looks at him carefully.
“I wouldn’t have offered it if I wasn’t sure,” he says.
The tension between them moves from awkward to something else as they look at each other. Finally, Cheng Xiaoshi smiles.
“Okay, yeah, that’d be great.”
Lu Guang offers a small smile back.
“Well, if you want to lend them to me, we should probably exchange contact info,” Cheng Xiaoshi says, fishing out his phone and offering it to Lu Guang.
Lu Guang accepts it almost hesitantly and puts his information in. Cheng Xiaoshi sends him a smiling emoji to give him his contact in return. The emoji makes Lu Guang smile again, but this one is a bit wider, more sincere. It sends warmth through Cheng Xiaoshi’s chest. Almost immediately he’s overtaken with a need to make him smile like that again, if only he knew how.
Lu Guang’s eyes widen, as if remembering something.
“Right. Your drink.”
Apparently the espresso had finished brewing at some point, and neither had noticed. Lu Guang gets to work assembling his drink and offers it to Cheng Xiaoshi.
“Here.”
Their fingers brush as Cheng Xiaoshi goes to take the drink, sending a spark of electricity through him. He nearly drops the damn thing, and thanks all the deities he can think of that he doesn’t.
“I’ll see you around?” Lu Guang asks.
“Yeah. See you.”
Cheng Xiaoshi takes his time leaving, unable to keep his eyes off Lu Guang until he’s out the door.
***
“I have an idea,” Cheng Xiaoshi announces as Qiao Ling enters the studio.
“That’s never a good sign,” Qiao Ling winces.
Cheng Xiaoshi isn’t put off by her lack of enthusiasm. He only rolls his eyes and continues.
“So I found the website for Divinity, right? By the way, did you know Lu Guang owns that place? Anyway, it looks like their photos could use updating. The place looks totally different compared to when these were taken.”
“I see. Planning to offer your services?”
Cheng Xiaoshi points at her.
“Right. Free of charge so he can’t say no.”
Qiao Ling closes the distance between them and flicks the back of his head.
“Ow!”
“I get you’re crushing on this guy, but you have debt to pay. You can’t be doing jobs for free!”
“I’m not crush—Look, it’ll be fine!” His voice grows exasperated.
Qiao Ling sighs.
“He seems the type to offer to pay anyway, so if he does you better take him up on it,” she says with a warning glare.
With that, Qiao Ling leaves. Cheng Xiaoshi pulls out his phone and pulls up Lu Guang’s contact.
The only message in their chat is that emoji he sent him.
Okay. Just text him. No big deal. Play it cool.
He starts typing.
Cheng Xiaoshi
Hey! About that book you talked about lending me…can I come pick it up tomorrow?
One minute goes by. Then two. Then ten. After what feels like an eternity, but is apparently only twenty minutes, his phone buzzes with a reply.
Lu Guang
Of course. I’ll bring it with me to Divinity. Come by whenever you’re free.
A small smile appears on Cheng Xiaoshi’s face as he looks at the screen.
Cheng Xiaoshi
Perfect! See you then. ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Not wanting to take any chances, Cheng Xiaoshi wakes up early the next morning. The coffee shop is completely dead again, except for Lu Guang.
“Cheng Xiaoshi. You’re earlier than I expected.”
Cheng Xiaoshi rubs the back of his neck and looks everywhere but at Lu Guang.
“Right, well, I didn’t want to bother you when it was busy.”
A pause.
“You got up this early just to come see me?”
Cheng Xiaoshi feels his cheeks warm. When Lu Guang put it like that it sounded more creepy than practical.
“It’s not—”
An exhale that could almost be considered a laugh escapes Lu Guang.
“Dummy. This isn’t the only time of day we’re slow.”
Cheng Xiaoshi blinks.
“It’s not?”
Lu Guang shakes his head with a small smile.
“Try stopping by around noon next time.”
“Noon. Right.”
Lu Guang places both hands on the counter, leaning into it.
“Would you like a drink while you’re here?”
Cheng Xiaoshi shakes his head.
“I’d love one, but I don’t think my poor wallet could take the hit,” he laughs.
Lu Guang nods. He turns around and gets some espresso started. Cheng Xiaoshi figures he’s making a drink for himself.
“I’ll go grab those books for you,” he says before disappearing to the back.
Cheng Xiaoshi looks around the place again, this time with his photographer’s eye. He already has a couple nice shots in mind when Lu Guang reappears with three books in hand.
“I got you the first three. I assume you’ll get through them pretty fast.”
Cheng Xiaoshi takes the books from him.
“Probably not as fast as you’re thinking,” he admits. “I like to take my time looking at the artwork.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. I’ve actually gotten ideas for some unique poses for clients from manhua panels before, and I also like to draw sometimes, so it’s kinda hard not to get distracted, honestly.”
“Huh.”
Lu Guang’s expression is unreadable as he studies Cheng Xiaoshi’s face, which warms at the attention. He only turns away when the espresso machine stops, retreating behind the counter to make his drink. It’s sort of calming in a way, watching Lu Guang work. He’s so self-assured, working with the kind of confidence only years of practice could provide. Cheng Xiaoshi wonders if he looks similar when he’s taking photos.
Once the drink is finished, Lu Guang comes back around the counter, and holds the cup out to Cheng Xiaoshi.
“Here. On the house.”
Cheng Xiaoshi feels ridiculous, blushing this much, but he’s powerless to stop it in the face of small gestures like that. He’s so caught off guard that he almost leaves before remembering his plan.
“Hey, by the way, I found your website for this place.”
Lu Guang tilts his head.
“Oh. Honestly, I’d forgotten I made one.”
Cheng Xiaoshi frowns at that. Maybe his plan wasn’t as solid as he thought.
“Well, anyway, I noticed the photos look a bit out of date and thought maybe I could take some new ones for you?”
Lu Guang’s eyebrows raise.
“That’d be great. How much do you charge?”
Cheng Xiaoshi smiles.
“It’d be on the house.”
Lu Guang immediately shakes his head.
“I couldn’t do that to you.”
Cheng Xiaoshi raises an eyebrow.
“You do realize that sounds a bit hypocritical coming from someone who just gave me free coffee?” He glances down at the coffee cup for emphasis.
Lu Guang rolls his eyes.
“That’s just a cup of coffee. It’s different.”
“Look, don’t think of it as a free service. Just think of it as me doing a favor for a friend,” Cheng Xiaoshi says.
Lu Guang freezes, and Cheng Xiaoshi starts to worry he said something wrong, until Lu Guang smiles. It’s the same wider smile he’d given when he’d sent that emoji to him. The same one he’s been longing to see.
“Alright. A favor for a friend, then.”