I

Cheng Xiaoshi kicked small concrete bits off the sidewalk and into the road. The buildings on this street no longer reflected the setting sun's light. A clear sign , Cheng Xiaoshi was going home way later than usual. Later than promised. Lately , which he was sure was going to become usual , he carried a backpack with him.

Stepping inside the darkened shop , Cheng snuck upstairs as quietly as he could to not disturb his sleeping best friend. Swinging the backpack off his shoulders and onto the side of the bunk , he sat down preparing to settle down for the night. It was a long day.

"You've been out later these days."

Ah , it was Lu's voice. He was still awake.

"Qiao Ling was mad at you today."

"When is she not ?" Cheng groaned.

"Then you should have canceled your plans with her. It's small , but you know her video games are important to her."

Cheng rolled his brown eyes , his back hunched over as he rested his chin in his palm. There was a lot more on his mind than things such as those. Their cases and personal things. But he did make a mental note to apologize tomorrow. "I will spare my time accordingly tomorrow." He replied like reading a script. "If I forget to say sorry , remind me ? Pretty please ?"

Lu shifted his position. Cheng could probably imagine and get it correct about what expression Lu may have been wearing. "Your responsibility. I won't be your messenger this time."

"Ah Lu ," Cheng shook his head. "So cold ! It stings."

Lu dismissed that subject quickly ,, feeling the need to repeat himself once again. Concerning his words about Cheng's activities. More so reword. He was not one to dance around the subject.

"You spent a lot of time outside today." Lu already knew why. But if he could get Xiaoshi to open up naturally , he could offer him some comfort.

There goes the same tension Cheng tried to ignore setting itself within him again. "Felt something in the air saying I might lose to Qiao Ling today. I spent my time practicing my combos at the arcade! Those kids had no clue what was coming to them. Neither will Qiao Ling." Cheng , not even bothering to change his clothes ,, snuggled up to his covers. "No way she's beating me again. Not today , not tomorrow , not ever." He smirked.

But Lu was also not one to pry.

"Just be reasonable next time ? You never know when our workload could increase."

Cheng rolled over to lay down and kicked the bunk above him. "I got it , don't worry dude. Go to sleep , will ya ?"

They exchanged their goodnight wishes , both shifting once more into comfortable positions. Though Cheng couldn't fall asleep as easily as he had hoped too. Too much to think about. Too much to feel. He had to dig into his pocket. He just had to grab his phone and stare at the lock screen.

What a cute picture of you.

Cheng thought for a moment.

Couldn't hurt , right ? At least not as much as it did now.

Clap.

Lu sighed.

"You finally stopped blinking after 3 pictures. How do you even blink when you're the one taking the picture?'" In an instant , you were beside him viewing your gallery of photos that Cheng took with your phone.

"What? That many ? Lemme see." Cheng snatched the phone back before you could even react. "Hey!"

Every time you jumped to get your phone back , Xiaoshi twirled away and laughed. He swiped through the pictures , making sure to keep the phone held high and away from you. You just sighed at his silly behavior. He gets so ahead of himself when he's excited.

"Hmm , I do like these , really. But can we take one more?" Cheng's yellow eyes sparkled. "Come on. Just one more picture. The day's too beautiful not to. Let's take advantage of it !" You laughed at his antics. A beautiful day to spend time with friends , he always did make you a bit giddy. "Can't argue with that."

Xiaoshi cheered , grabbing your shoulder and bringing you in. "One , two , three , say Xiaoshi!"

"Are you serious ?-"

It was the best picture ever in his eyes. Him looking at the camera in pure bliss while you were caught in between a laugh , looking at him with those squinted smiling eyes. A new memory to ask you to send him. Just for him.

" Can I just say your smile looks great today?" Cheng grinned as he stared at the phone. You were a bit surprised by such a compliment. "What's gotten into you today? Something happen at work that makes you want to share your joy with the world?"

"I'm just bein' nice! Can't a guy compliment his friend?" Xiaoshi shoved the phone in your hands dramatically. As if offended by your questioning. But he didn't keep the fake despair for long.

"I'm just really glad to see you today." He admitted , a lot more calmer. "Is that weird to say mid-hang out?"

Your smile grew tender. You didn't reply immediately , and Xiaoshi admired the wonder he saw in your eyes. "Thank you , Cheng Xiaoshi. I don't think it's weird at all." you grasped his hand , pulling him in your direction.

"I think we've spent enough time on pictures , though. Let's get to the museum before we run out of daylight!"

Xiaoshi didn't reply as quickly as he wished he could've . A bit stuck on the scene in front of him. You leading him down the busy street , with a playful smile. A perfect summer scene. He squeezed your hand tighter.

It just slipped out of his mouth , the same as it did in the past."Don't worry so much ! We've got all the time in the world."

You two just laughed like little children playing together, in your own little world.

Word count : 978