At the End of the World

iv.

The survivors started arriving in the days after.

Soldiers, students, families, gang members, people of all kinds came to Lu Hao's stronghold. The ones who were trustworthy stayed; the ones who were violent were taken care of.

Hong Sheng watched from the back, staring with hollow eyes as more and more faces he recognized arrived. There, that girl with her heart-shaped face and bright eyes, she was the fire-wielder that always called out "Hao Ge!" in a cute voice. And over there, that mature woman in a coat, she was the scientist who was as smart as she was beautiful, and who spent many hours discussing 'research' with Lu Hao.

The dancing twins who could heal people's hearts as well as their injuries arrived, enchanting the entire stronghold. The mischievous beauty who attempted to infiltrate and steal their resources ended up defecting and joining them.

Countless talented and amazing people had come, just as Hong Sheng had always known they would.

And just like before, Hong Sheng had no chance of competing against them.

Hong Sheng watched Lu Hao greeting them, saw the sparkle in his eyes and his smile now directed toward someone else.

Oh well. At least this time, he had memories of those days when Lu Hao had treasured him like no other. Even if those days were over now, even if they would never come again, Hong Sheng could remember them deep in the furthest corners of his heart, where no one could ever touch.

They were throwing a party to celebrate a successful mission. Hong Sheng swirled the soda can in his hands. He didn't feel like celebrating. It was too much noise, too many people.

He saw a girl stumble, giggling drunkenly into Lu Hao's shoulder. Lu Hao turned his head and whispered something into her ear, then hoisted her up into his arms and carried her up the steps.

Hong Sheng sipped his soda and wondered if maybe he should try and grab some beer instead.

But he'd never liked feeling drunk. He might as well just go and wallow in bed, pretending that nothing was wrong, that nothing had changed. He was just pathetic enough that it might even work. Hong Sheng stood and quietly slipped away. The door to Lu Hao's room was shut. He was glad that he couldn't hear anything coming from there, not yet at least.

Hong Sheng entered his own room and padded toward the bed. He was tired, so tired. He collapsed onto the bed.

And someone was beneath him.

Before Hong Sheng could let out a shriek, an arm wrapped around his waist and the sound of a warm chuckle entered his ears.

"It's just me," came Lu Hao's voice in the darkness. Hong Sheng froze, caught in the half-embrace, then pushed the arm away and scrambled off the bed. Lu Hao made a small noise of discontent, and Hong Sheng flushed.

"Lu Hao, you—why are you in my bed?"

"I put Meng Wei in my room. All the other beds are taken. I thought you wouldn't if we shared... Hong Sheng?" Lu Hao sounded worried. "If this is too much, it's fine. I'll sleep on the floor." Hong Sheng heard the ripple of bedsheets as Lu Hao sat up.

Hong Sheng didn't understand what was happening. "Why... why aren't you staying with Meng Wei?"

Lu Hao paused. "Hong Sheng, she's drunk. That's not... and in the first place, I wouldn't."

Hong Sheng knew he was overreacting. He drew in a deep breath and counted numbers. "Okay," he said. "Okay, it's fine. Let's just sleep." He could sleep platonically in the same bed as Lu Hao. That was fine.