#lgbtq short strory | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

shortstories-slp · 3 years

Text

Paperback Writer

{Wu Honghui, born in the Hunan Province of China on October 7, 1996.}

{He has brown hair, hazel eyes (+wears glasses), weighs 130 pounds, and height 5’6”.}

{Homosexual}

{He is a writer mainly in the romance genre.}

Honghui rushes into his publisher’s office and slams down an overflowing portfolio.

“Mister Editor! I brought in a new draft. Please read it and give me feedback.” He yells over all the talk in the office, and everyone falls silent narrowing their eyes on him. A man a little older than him walks over and smiles, stating.

“Hello Honghui! I’m your new editor Feng Haoyu, but you can just call me Hao.” Honghui looks at him and he blushes.

“Ah. It’s nice to meet you Hao. Uhm. I just wanted to drop this off for you to read.” He mutters and slides the portfolio towards Haoyu, before making a beeline for the door. Haoyu smiles and takes the portfolio to his desk, beginning to read over the draft. He begins to make corrections to it.

Honghui sits on his sofa and pets his calico cat, thinking about Haoyu.

“I wonder what happened to Mister Gou?” He says to himself and sighs, shaking his head. He decides to read through his own copy of the draft to see if he can find any mistakes.

|A Few Hours Later|

Honghui rests his glasses on his head and sets down his red pen, pinching the bridge of his nose. His phone chimes and he opened his text messages, placing his glasses back on his nose.

Feng Haoyu: Hello Honghui! This is Feng Haoyu. I’m texting you to inform you that I’ve finished reading the draft. You can pick it up whenever you have free time.

Wu Honghui: Thanks Hao! ^o.o^ I will be there to pick it up tomorrow morning.

Feng Haoyu: Okay. See you then!

Honghui gets up from the sofa and walks into his bedroom, yawning. He takes off his glasses and slips into bed, falling asleep rather quickly.

|The Next Morning|

Honghui walks to a café and picks up an iced caramel macchiato, before continuing to the publisher’s office. He sips his macchiato and walks into the building, waiting near the front desk. Haoyu walks out to greet him and hands him the portfolio.

“I wrote comments in the margins, and I fixed a few grammar mistakes. Overall, it was alright.” He explains and Honghui nods, before asking.

“It was just alright?” Haoyu replies.

“Yeah. It was just like any other romance story.” Honghui feels a pang of hurt in his chest and mumbles.

“Why are you even my editor? I only write romance.” He turns on his heels and starts to head to the door, briskly.

Haoyu watches him leave and shakes his head, thinking.

‘You have the passion and drive to write better stories and genres, but you choose not to. Why is that?’

Honghui gets home and sits his portfolio onto the counter, staring at it.

“Hey Bean! I’m sure you can cheer me up.” He says to his calico cat, crouching down to scratch her chin gently. His phone chimes and he groaned, not wanting to open his message but he does so regardless.

Feng Haoyu: I’m sorry if what I said earlier came off as rude. I just know that you can write better things, but it’s not my place to tell you what genre to write. I hope that you will still work with me.

He looks at the message for a while, trying to think of how to respond to that. Honghui sits his phone down and distracts himself for a while, reading through the portfolio.

‘Haoyu did make a good point. I can do better than a traditional romance novel.’

He thinks and finally decides how he is going to reply to the text from Haoyu.

Wu Honghui:That was pretty rude of you to talk to me like that. e^e However, you can make it up to me by treating me to lunch. You were right though. I am going to make less traditional romance novels from now on.

Feng Haoyu: I wouldn’t mind treating you to lunch and great! I can’t wait to see how to change the rhetoric of the boring romance genre.

Honghui smiles at the message and locks his phone. He takes out his notepad and starts to write different prompts for his stories. After brainstorming, he narrows down the list and circles one of the prompts beginning to type on his computer. Honghui ends up falling asleep at his desk.

|The Next Day|

Feng Haoyu: Hey Honghui! Are you free to have lunch today?

Haoyu looks out the window of his apartment, feeling anxious about having lunch with Honghui.

Wu Honghui: Yes! Can we go to the sushi buffet place? OvO

Feng Haoyu: Of course! What is your address? I will pick you up.

Honghui texts his address to Haoyu and takes a shower, before getting dressed. He slips on his shoes and blushes when he remembers the situation, he is in.

‘Ah… this makes it seem like we are dating. I mean I don’t mind, but what about Hao? Augh!’

He thinks and struggles with his internal monologue but gets interrupted by his phone ringing.

Feng Haoyu: “Hey. I’m outside in the blue car.”

Wu Honghui: “Oh! I’m sorry. I will be out in just a second.”

Feng Haoyu: “Okay take your time. I will be waiting.”

Honghui composes himself and grabs his side bag, along with his house keys. He locks the door and walks out to Haoyu’s car, getting into the passenger seat. He buckles up and adjusts his glasses, before looking over at Haoyu.

“Okay. I’m all set.” He says in a chipper tone.

“Yeah. Let’s get going.” Haoyu says and starts to drive to the restaurant.

|At the Sushi Buffet|

They get seated at a booth near the back, sitting across from each other they fall into an awkward silence. Haoyu clears his throat and asks

“So, how long have you been a writer? Why do you like to write romance novels?” Honghui replies

“Well, I’ve been writing for about three and a half years now. I write the romance genre just because it is fun and appealing, but I want to make same sex romance novels too. They are pretty rare and… never mind.” He rubs the back of his neck and avoids eye contact. Haoyu nods and supports him.

“That sounds like a stellar idea. I think you should go for it.” Honghui smiles and asks

“You really think that?” Haoyu replies

“Of course!”

They get greeted by a waitress and then get up to pile their plates with sushi.

|After Lunch|

“I fixed all of the stuff you marked in my draft Hao. So, I think it will probably be ready to publish soon.” Honghui says happily and pats Haoyu’s shoulder. Haoyu replies

“Well, give it to me when we go back to your house.” Honghui nods and gets into Haoyu’s car. He gets home and gets out of the car, looking at Haoyu.

“Just give me a minute and I will bring the revised version out to you.” He states and runs up to his front door, unlocking it. He heads inside and grabs the thick stack of papers, carefully carrying them out to Haoyu’s car. He puts them on the passenger seat and thanks Haoyu.

“Thank you for taking me out to lunch Hao. It’s been such a long time since I went out with someone. I mean had lunch with someone.” He stumbles over his words and blushes wildly. Haoyu smiles at him, causing his heart to race.

“I know what you mean. It was nice hanging out with you Honghui.” He says and drives off after Honghui shut the door.

Honghui goes into his house and mentally hits himself, thinking.

‘Now he probably thinks I’m a weirdo. Great.’

He walks into his office and starts to draft another story.

|A Few Weeks Later|

Feng Haoyu: Your story has been published and it is being printed right now. What languages do you want it translated to later?

Wu Honghui: Yay! *\(ouo)/* I wanted it translated to English, Japanese, French, and German eventually.

Feng Haoyu: Noted. Also, I never got to ask you this, but why do you use emoticons? It’s not very professional. You should limit yourself and try to sway off using them.

Wu Honghui: But I love using Emoticons. 3:< I don’t have to be professional talking to you, do I? You are only a year older than me. |||<(@o@)>|||

Feng Haoyu: I would prefer if you didn’t use them, but it seems like it can’t be helped.

|A Month After the Publishing|

Honghui sits out on his veranda and reads a book. His novel seemed to be a hit and it just passed the goal of selling 500 books. His phone rings and he shut his book.

Feng Haoyu: “Hey the office is having a celebration for your 500th book sale. It’s tonight. I can pick you up if you would like.”

Wu Honghui: “Will I have to get dressed up? I don’t want to but if I have too I will.”

Feng Haoyu: “No, but if you want to you can.”

Wu Honghui: “Okay. I will see you later.”

Honghui hangs up and gets dressed in a casual suit. He grabs his bag and waits for Haoyu to come pick him up.

|The Party|

Haoyu and Honghui walk into the office together and they start to hang out with Haoyu’s coworkers. They have cake and a few drinks. Honghui signs a few books and steps outside to get fresh air. Haoyu walks out after him and shifts his weight nervously, before walking closer to Honghui holding something behind his back.

“Hey Honghui. It’s been a few months since I’ve become your editor/publisher, but I feel like we are more than just writer and publisher.” He tries to explain his feelings and Honghui looks up at him. Honghui starts to ask him a question.

“Wait! Are you going to...?” Haoyu interrupts him and asks

“Honghui. Will you date me?” He pulls a bouquet of flowers out from behind his back. Honghui blushes and counters

“No. I mean yes, but what about you? This isn’t very professional and you yelled at me for using emoticons… This is more serious than that.” Haoyu hangs his head and responds defeated

“Yeah… I guess you are right. I will j-.” Honghui interrupts him this time and shouts

“I want to date you! As long as it is fine with your supervisor!” Haoyu smiles and replies

“My supervisor doesn’t mind. I can assure you of that.” Honghui hugs him tightly and mutters

“I am so happy right now!” Haoyu hugs him back and kisses the top of his head.

“I understand why you truly only write romance novels now… Honghui.” He states softly. Honghui looks up at him and smirks.

“Well, why is that?” He asks and Haoyu replies

“It’s a secret.”

1 note · View note