[ damn, he never did see the sunrise. he'll have to take reki's word for it regarding its beauty, but he honestly wouldn't have traded the sight of it for the feeling of ease and comfort that quickly overtook him only seconds after reki's gentle promise.
he kept his word, too — qi fang rouses awake hours later, a gentle sun settling on his face and the rhythmic sound of waves right at his ears. no bugs, just the itch you'd expect from rolling around in the sand, but otherwise he feels sated... safe.
that is, until the rest of his faculties catch up with him, and then he's jolting up, clutching at the body still limp against him, a sharp gasp catching in his lungs. ]
[ cool. at least qi fang gets to wake up gently to all of this divine ambiance; reki's awakening is more panic and jostling and being very suddenly conscious before he's actually ready. ]
Wha...
[ he has to double-time it through this grogginess to check for imminent danger. of course, they're on the most peaceful stretch of sand in the entire country with nothing around for as far as the eye can see but trees and water. reki fixes him with the single most betrayed look. ]
[ peace is, unfortunately, a faraway land in comparison to where qi fang currently is, scrambling around in his pocket for his phone to check the time. his 34% battery flashes at 10:27 AM at him and he swears, emphatically, under his breath before he's suddenly pushing himself up to his feet, kicking up sand and toppling over boyfriends in the process. ]
Shit, [ he says, for maybe the fifth time since he's woken, and he stoops down to help reki back up, absently dusting him off along the way. ] Sorry. Shit — I gotta go.
[ awesome. he's half-asleep and covered in sand and his boyfriend is having a panic attack. not exactly the lazy beach morning he had in mind last night. ]
Home?
[ reki's stretching ends up with him taking qi fang's hand and wobbling to his feet. he yawns and rubs at his eyes with the one spot on his sleeve that isn't completely covered. ]
[ he looks at reki's face distractedly, like he's trying to decide something. if they're fast enough, they can probably get there before li qiang arrives... after a moment he rubs his thumb over reki's cheek, brushing off some sand there. ]
Yeah, I gotta get home before lunch. [ he's chewing on his lip, grasping reki's hand and starting to lead them back towards the bike. ] My brother's visiting and he's — particular.
[ reki watches him skeptically, but that doesn't last long. soon, he's brightening right back up again, dutifully clearing the way for qi fang as they brave that overgrown path again. ]
You never told me you had a brother.
[ or that he had plans for today. he could've set his alarm to the wrong time again so they could spend the morning freaking out together. ]
[ when reki takes the lead, qi fang has to curb a protest in his throat. there's really only room for a single person to walk through the path, and it makes sense for reki to go first since he knows the area better, but the anxiousness buzzing in qi fang's veins makes him want to go first, go faster. ]
Yeah, older, [ he mumbles, distractedly fishing out his phone again to check if said brother has left him any messages. so far, none. good — he must still be traveling. ] He's studying in America, so these visits are pretty rare.
[ if qi fang's tall ass eats a whole branch to the face, reki will never forgive himself. not like he's even paying attention, back on that phone again. reki bats a springy palm out of their way and shoots a look over his shoulder, one brow arched curiously. ]
[ qi fang's eyes are still on his phone, going over the text messages from the night before to doublecheck his details. in his distraction, he can't hide the way his expression twists darkly in annoyance. ]
Asshole swings by once in a blue moon and expects everyone to drop everything for him — and they do — showing up like God's favorite son cuz he can't ever do anything wrong. Then he fucks off again, like we're just one stop on his promo tour. So, no, I'm not super stoked.
[ he pauses, only just realizing how sharp his voice sounds. he glances up, belatedly squeezing reki's hand in apology. ]
and by that i mean why are you so fucking awesome. boyfriend of the year award, hands down. ]
Better to turn up empty-handed and on time than late with chocolates. Not that he cares, but mom and dad'll somehow find the time to say something about it later.
[ he forces a calming breath through his teeth and shoves his phone back in his pocket. ]
He just told us he was coming last night. It should just be a lunch. We can still go to the amusement park tonight.
[ it's his turn to squeeze qi fang's hand, sparing a moment to take a breath with him before they climb on to the bike. like, it goes without saying that reki's gonna break every traffic law in the book to get him there on time. he can comfort bae a little. ]
How about you lemme know whenever you need to escape and I'll come scoop you up.
[ he huffs out a laugh, taking his place behind reki on the bike and stalling only long enough to wrap his arms tight around reki's middle and squeeze. ]
I wish.
[ he really really wishes ]
But he's never here for long and most of the time it's just easier playing nice.
[ reki has to ruffle his hair. rude awakening or not, this boy is precious. ]
S'long as you know it's an option.
[ they can peel out of the sandlot as soon as qi fang's settled, one of his hands spared to clasp over qi fang's arm. it's enough to spoil him for cars forever; one day he's gonna be legally allowed to drive, like for real, and this is gonna be the only acceptable option. ]
[ qi fang stays silent but presses a kiss to the back of reki's neck in response, keeping his hold firm the whole ride over. he never enjoys these meetings to begin with, but today he's feeling especially aggrieved — and not just because he's running late with sand in his hair and hickeys all over his throat. he bottles it up in his throat, though, swallowing it down every time it threatens to rise up. by the time they make it to his house he's got little more than thirty minutes to spare — just enough time for a shower and one last few minutes to decompress and put his best game face on.
he stares up at the windows of his house as the bike rolls to a stop and the engine idles. a quick scan at the driveway shows no appearance of a rental yet. he climbs off in record time and turns to reki, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. ]
I'll call you after, ok? [ he's not sure yet if it'll be more for him or for reki. ] You should get going.
[ well you know. maybe those hickeys wouldn't have been there if someone had said something about having an important rendezvous, but it's all good. he'll learn better someday. ]
Yeah, sure.
[ ugh, something about this sucks so much. whatever, he smiles anyway. ]
Good luck.
[ he can get going, sure, but fighting the urge to cast that last longing little look over his shoulder is non-negotiable. he couldn't help it if he tried. ]
[ maybe it's a little foreboding to note that when reki does cast that last longing look back, qi fang has already turned around to pace into the house, hands clenched and jaw set tight...
it's a little over 6pm, and qi fang still hasn't called. not a text or a peep from him the whole day, except for one innocuous picture secretly sent during lunch of a melting piece of honeycomb on a charcuterie board with the caption "🐝 mine." but then it's radio silence after that, the long hours of the afternoon stretching on and on into the evening proper. ]
[ koyomi jerks at the handful of his hair that she's got, making him hiss in pain until she threads a band around it and relents. "uh, no?? you're already way too obsessive." she starts to roughly comb through his loose hair again. "and sit still. you're moving too much." ]
I am not... [ reki mumbles, squinting in pain and displeasure. a whole two seconds elapses, and then he casts a look over his shoulder. ] Am I?
[ koyomi sighs and throws her hands up in defeat. "i can't with you when you're like this. the rule is you always let the guy call you or else you look way too lame. now give me my scrunchie back." she fishes out her palm expectantly, and reki sullenly places the scrunchie inside it. ]
I'm not obsessive, [ he tells her retreating form as it storms into the next room. ] ... And we're both guys, what the fuck.
[ so... not lame if he checks his phone for the 900th time since he got home and shoots off a perfectly casual u ok? text. right? right. ]
[ it'll be a couple of minutes before reki gets a response — a fire of texts that, from the start, are definitely not from qi fang. ]
yea hes fine just being a dumbass the usual
hi reki it's sj btw
[ what reki will receive next is a haphazard selfie wherein sun jing is posing in front of qi fang, sprawled out on some grassy area with a hand over his face and the other flashing her the middle finger. they're clearly outside, somewhere, and (if the crumpled paper bag leaning against qi fang's hip is of any indication) likely intoxicated to some extent. ]
he doesnt want u 2 see him like this but he also talked about ur pretty eyes for ten whole mins so wanna come mop him up? i can give u the deets
o shit whats good dude im getting my shit together rn just hit me w a pin
[ first thing's first, he's gotta tear all of these braids out of his hair. then, he's grabbing the keys and speeding out to the bike, texting along the way. ]
[ she gives him the address before expounding on that piece of eloquence, and also sends reki another picture of a close-up of qi fang's profile — rather, the sour look on his face as she shoves his own phone right up in there. ]
just u know family stuff idk how much hes already told u so ill leave it to him to be a fucking man about it and talk to u :p
also we should double date sometime!!!1 my gf is rly cute u will like her
lmao ok enuff!! i see that grumpy face too much already & ive been tellin him ugh just hmu whenever u wanna do smthn & ill drag him along b there in 20 ok?
[ it's not that far away, but... stops need to be made. ]
[ the location she sends him should be familiar to him: proudly showcased on qi fang's wall, noticed by reki himself the first time he brought him there. the graffiti isn't shown in any of sun jing's selfies, but the grassy hill they're laying on should look familiar enough. ]
ugh ig u can bring him idk hes kinda a downer cant believe this is the first time were talking wtf
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rekijamin kyan 😠
he kept his word, too — qi fang rouses awake hours later, a gentle sun settling on his face and the rhythmic sound of waves right at his ears. no bugs, just the itch you'd expect from rolling around in the sand, but otherwise he feels sated... safe.
that is, until the rest of his faculties catch up with him, and then he's jolting up, clutching at the body still limp against him, a sharp gasp catching in his lungs. ]
What time is it? Shit—
not his full name 😂😂
Wha...
[ he has to double-time it through this grogginess to check for imminent danger. of course, they're on the most peaceful stretch of sand in the entire country with nothing around for as far as the eye can see but trees and water. reki fixes him with the single most betrayed look. ]
You okay?
it's what he deserves!!
Shit, [ he says, for maybe the fifth time since he's woken, and he stoops down to help reki back up, absently dusting him off along the way. ] Sorry. Shit — I gotta go.
[ li qiang's gonna kill him. ]
Nobody deserves this
Home?
[ reki's stretching ends up with him taking qi fang's hand and wobbling to his feet. he yawns and rubs at his eyes with the one spot on his sleeve that isn't completely covered. ]
I'll take you. Did somethin' happen?
i disagree
[ he looks at reki's face distractedly, like he's trying to decide something. if they're fast enough, they can probably get there before li qiang arrives... after a moment he rubs his thumb over reki's cheek, brushing off some sand there. ]
Yeah, I gotta get home before lunch. [ he's chewing on his lip, grasping reki's hand and starting to lead them back towards the bike. ] My brother's visiting and he's — particular.
Ur right to the trash he goes 🗑️
You never told me you had a brother.
[ or that he had plans for today. he could've set his alarm to the wrong time again so they could spend the morning freaking out together. ]
good let him think about what he's done
Yeah, older, [ he mumbles, distractedly fishing out his phone again to check if said brother has left him any messages. so far, none. good — he must still be traveling. ] He's studying in America, so these visits are pretty rare.
Nah he goin to that incinerator from toy story
You look more nervous than excited.
omg he's not that bad
Asshole swings by once in a blue moon and expects everyone to drop everything for him — and they do — showing up like God's favorite son cuz he can't ever do anything wrong. Then he fucks off again, like we're just one stop on his promo tour. So, no, I'm not super stoked.
[ he pauses, only just realizing how sharp his voice sounds. he glances up, belatedly squeezing reki's hand in apology. ]
Sorry.
Ur blinded by his sick grinds
Nah, you never bitch. Keep it going.
[ in turn, he'll try not to enjoy it so much. ]
Anything you need to pick up on the way? Clothes, flowers... dynamite?
sick grinds on DEEZ NUTS
and by that i mean why are you so fucking awesome. boyfriend of the year award, hands down. ]
Better to turn up empty-handed and on time than late with chocolates. Not that he cares, but mom and dad'll somehow find the time to say something about it later.
[ he forces a calming breath through his teeth and shoves his phone back in his pocket. ]
He just told us he was coming last night. It should just be a lunch. We can still go to the amusement park tonight.
Like where's the lie tho
How about you lemme know whenever you need to escape and I'll come scoop you up.
no it's true he's v good at em
I wish.
[ he really really wishes ]
But he's never here for long and most of the time it's just easier playing nice.
Yeah so incinerator
[ reki has to ruffle his hair. rude awakening or not, this boy is precious. ]
S'long as you know it's an option.
[ they can peel out of the sandlot as soon as qi fang's settled, one of his hands spared to clasp over qi fang's arm. it's enough to spoil him for cars forever; one day he's gonna be legally allowed to drive, like for real, and this is gonna be the only acceptable option. ]
ok fine but he will be missed
he stares up at the windows of his house as the bike rolls to a stop and the engine idles. a quick scan at the driveway shows no appearance of a rental yet. he climbs off in record time and turns to reki, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. ]
I'll call you after, ok? [ he's not sure yet if it'll be more for him or for reki. ] You should get going.
Qi fang too they burn together
Yeah, sure.
[ ugh, something about this sucks so much. whatever, he smiles anyway. ]
Good luck.
[ he can get going, sure, but fighting the urge to cast that last longing little look over his shoulder is non-negotiable. he couldn't help it if he tried. ]
uhhhHhHhHhh lemme get back to you on that—
it's a little over 6pm, and qi fang still hasn't called. not a text or a peep from him the whole day, except for one innocuous picture secretly sent during lunch of a melting piece of honeycomb on a charcuterie board with the caption "🐝 mine." but then it's radio silence after that, the long hours of the afternoon stretching on and on into the evening proper. ]
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
[ koyomi jerks at the handful of his hair that she's got, making him hiss in pain until she threads a band around it and relents. "uh, no?? you're already way too obsessive." she starts to roughly comb through his loose hair again. "and sit still. you're moving too much." ]
I am not... [ reki mumbles, squinting in pain and displeasure. a whole two seconds elapses, and then he casts a look over his shoulder. ] Am I?
[ koyomi sighs and throws her hands up in defeat. "i can't with you when you're like this. the rule is you always let the guy call you or else you look way too lame. now give me my scrunchie back." she fishes out her palm expectantly, and reki sullenly places the scrunchie inside it. ]
I'm not obsessive, [ he tells her retreating form as it storms into the next room. ] ... And we're both guys, what the fuck.
[ so... not lame if he checks his phone for the 900th time since he got home and shoots off a perfectly casual u ok? text. right? right. ]
RIP...
yea
hes fine
just being a dumbass
the usual
hi reki it's sj btw
[ what reki will receive next is a haphazard selfie wherein sun jing is posing in front of qi fang, sprawled out on some grassy area with a hand over his face and the other flashing her the middle finger. they're clearly outside, somewhere, and (if the crumpled paper bag leaning against qi fang's hip is of any indication) likely intoxicated to some extent. ]
he doesnt want u 2 see him like this
but
he also talked about ur pretty eyes for ten whole mins
so
wanna come mop him up?
i can give u the deets
no subject
im getting my shit together rn just hit me w a pin
[ first thing's first, he's gotta tear all of these braids out of his hair. then, he's grabbing the keys and speeding out to the bike, texting along the way. ]
can u like
tell me whats goin on
no subject
[ she gives him the address before expounding on that piece of eloquence, and also sends reki another picture of a close-up of qi fang's profile — rather, the sour look on his face as she shoves his own phone right up in there. ]
just u know
family stuff
idk how much hes already told u
so ill leave it to him
to be a fucking man about it and talk to u :p
also we should double date sometime!!!1 my gf is rly cute u will like her
no subject
lmao ok enuff!! i see that grumpy face too much already
& ive been tellin him ugh
just hmu whenever u wanna do smthn & ill drag him along
b there in 20 ok?
[ it's not that far away, but... stops need to be made. ]
no subject
ugh ig u can bring him
idk hes kinda a downer
cant believe this is the first time were talking wtf
no subject
and yeah, he's texting and driving. it's been one day, he's pro enough now. ]
ikr
he lured me into all this w promises wed all eat lunch together but that never happened
steal my # well get up to some shit
no subject
greedy asshole tbh
keeping u all to himself
im saving ur num now!!
hell probs steal his phone back soon
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