Cast a Shadow [My Stand In]

to wipe my tears

Somehow, the morning felt brighter.

The oppressive weight that had hung over him for years seemed to have lifted, if only slightly. Very slightly, but that little difference was incredibly glorious.

There were short moments between his desperation when he could forget several things. Short moments where memories overlapped, harsh words fading to the dark to be replaced by that soft sound of "oh" that Ming had grown to cherish in the span of one night.

A warmth he hadn't known for some time was what he'd needed. A warmth that glowed from within, spreading with the strength to do... to say the things that Ming had promised himself he'd do or say if he was ever given the chance.

He'd been caught off guard the night before. He hadn't known his sister would spring Tong out of nowhere. That was why Ming hadn't been able to do what he wanted.

For the better part of seven years, he'd played it over in his head. How it was going to be the moment he laid eyes on Tong again.

He knew he'd be taller than Tong. He knew his family's wealth would eclipse any bit of success Tong would ever acquire. He knew that he'd be, for the first, in a position of power.

But May's surprise had taken all that away from Ming.

Fortunately, The Stuntman had restored it.

Ming was back.

It had been invigorating to speak to The Stuntman... to Tong, so disrespectfully. It had been a thorough healing experience to press down on Tong and feel him quiver in fear, with the knowledge that Ming had every right and ability to cause him so much pain.

His family sponsored most of Tong's movies. Ming could pull right out from under him anytime he wanted.

Thinking of that made him smile as he strolled up the stairs to begin his day.

To begin his week.

To live.

Ming spent his time between the office and the mall. He made his way around the mansion, unafraid of what would happen if he laid eyes on Tong. His mind had never been clear.

He was in such a good mood that Ming even went on a blind date to ease his mother's nagging. Of course, it was a girl.

Of course, Ming would never set eyes on her again.

When he returned home for Dinner, he could hear voices coming from the dining room. Hungry, he followed the sound of May's cheerful laugh until he turned into the dining room.

Ming halted at the door, his hands digging into the frame as his eyes met Tong's, over May's head.

"Hey," Tong said, waving him over.

Everything in Ming's head went blank for a second as he took a step back.

"Ming?" May said, turning around.

He didn't wait to hear anything else as he bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time till he went into his room and shut the door, reaching for the center case as he leaned against it, tapping his fingers as his entire body trembled.

"Shit," he said, blinking down at the glass case and not seeing it. "Shit."

He'd thought he could do it. He'd thought he could handle it. He'd been wrong.

Taking deep breaths, Ming exhaled as he blinked to clear his vision but nothing worked.

He tried to remember The Stuntman, but every time he thought of him... of the back, he'd looked at all night, of the power he'd wielded, all Ming saw was Tong's face. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to remember what The Stuntman looked like, but even the kisses they'd shared face-to-face were suddenly replaced by kisses that had been wrung from him in high school. Kisses that he hadn't asked for.