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The first thing San stumbles across as he opens the door to their dorm late into the night is Wooyoung's slouched form in their tiny kitchen, seemingly stirring something in a pot that sits on the stove. Small, wispy tendrils of steam envelop him while he leans closer to dump some meat in the pot, as excited as ever when cooking for the members.
San doesn't find it in himself to move from the entrance, dumping his keys in the tiny bowl by the door and staring at Wooyoung for what feels like forever. He's exhausted to the bone, body weighed down by tons of concerns and stress as their comeback inches closer and closer. Perhaps he shouldn't have practiced so much, especially this late. Perhaps he should've joined the others home when they left a few hours ago. But he didn't and now he can feel himself become more tired by the minute, eyes barely open as he leans against the wall for support.
Wooyoung appears to be unaware of his presence but that's to be expected when he's cooking. San knows how much he loves it, how deep he gets into the zone. So he keeps on watching him fondly, sighing into the otherwise quiet space.
That seems to finally get Wooyoung's attention, his body turning in San's direction not even a few seconds later. His whole face contorts into a dazzling smile, grin wide and bright, his eyes practically turning into small slits from the force of his happiness. San feels like he can breathe easier, especially when Wooyoung saunters over to him with open arms.
"San-ah, you're finally back. I've been making dinner for you so you're just in time for some stew." Wooyoung's voice is low and soft and it sends a visible shiver down San's spine. But it changes to a more concerned tone when San stumbles forward and straight into the warmth of a waiting embrace. Relief hits him all at once and the sigh that comes next is barely concealed as Wooyoung cradles his slumped form to his chest. "What's wrong, honey? Are you hurt? Did something happen at practice?"
"'m fine, just tired."
San's voice sounds foreign even to his own ears, words jumbled and slurred against Wooyoung's soft skin that only serves to surround him even more, enveloping him in a searing warmth and the same comforting scent of freshly washed clothes - San's clothes. The little thief keeps on stealing his sweaters but San's past the point of being bothered by their absence. Instead, he shuffles closer, as close as humanly possible, and places more weight on Wooyoung than he could probably manage but if he were annoyed by it, Wooyoung doesn't complain. He rarely does.
"I keep telling you to stop pushing yourself so hard. You never listen to me though." Wooyoung keeps him close to his chest, swaying both of them from side to side as gently as he can given their position, his voice back to a soft rasp against San's ear.
San hums, basking in the tranquility of their dorm - lights dimmed just enough for them to watch their steps. It's the most peace he's gotten all day and he comes to realize that it's all because of Wooyoung.
"You're my hardworking, stubborn Sannie, aren't you? Guess I have to get used to it." Wooyoung leans down to press a soft kiss on San's head and just as suddenly, he pulls away and pats his butt twice before ushering him down the hall. "Now go take a long, relaxing shower. Dinner will be ready by the time you come out and when you do, I'll take care of you. Sounds good?"
Taking a moment to collect himself and his rushing desire to tackle the other in a bone crushing hug, San looks over his shoulder and gives Wooyoung a sheepish grin. "Sounds great, Young-ah. But you don't have-"
"I want to. Now go."
Given their long lasting relationship, San knows better than anyone not to deny Wooyoung anything, starting from the smallest of things to whatever this recent turn of events is supposed to be. Taking care of San? It's almost a foreign concept but San would be lying if he said he's not at least a bit excited to see what Wooyoung has in store for him. It's not that Wooyoung didn't reciprocate his love and care - he did, he still does, albeit in more subtle ways such as cooking his favorite meal unexpectedly or holding his hand as soon as they leave the stage, away from prying eyes. San is the one who's more outspoken when it comes to expressing his affections - he's loud and bold about it and as much as Wooyoung pretends to hate such displays of love, San knows that's far from the truth. He sees the way he preens under the loving glances, the way the apples of his cheeks turn crimson, the way he complains and playfully pushes San away but relents in the end with a shy smile. San knows that Wooyoung loves him. In his own, subtle way.
So, while surprised by the determined look in Wooyoung's eyes and bold claims of wanting to take care of San, a sizzling feeling of love in its purest form bubbles under San's skin as he trudges towards their shared bathroom for a shower. His cheeks are already flushed and the tiredness makes way for a building anticipation.
Wooyoung will take care of him. He wants to.
So San will let him. For the first time, San will surrender to being taken care of instead of taking care of others.
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It's roughly an hour later when San slips out of the shower, slightly more awake than when he got in and it's a miracle in itself that he didn't fall asleep under the hot jets of water. That would've led to another scolding from Wooyoung and most likely to a nasty fall. He shudders at the thought and maneuvers his heavy limbs into a comfortable set of pajamas - probably Wooyoung's but he doesn't have it in himself to change into his own. They're a bit tighter around the shoulders and chest but they'll do for tonight.
He figures it's time for dinner and walks back to where Wooyoung waits for him, two bowls on the table under the dim lighting and he almost laughs at the setting that resembles a fancy dinner at a restaurant just as fancy even though they're in their dorm - a place that's often disorganized as a result of eight grown men scrambling around every single day. Watching as Wooyoung does some finishing touches, San knows he'll have to make it up to him as soon as the rush of promotions dies out and they have time for themselves.
"Come, my dear. Have a seat." He chuckles at Wooyoung's slightly deepened voice and arm behind his back as he urges San to take a seat at the table. He does so with a smile.
Before any of them start eating, San reaches over the table for Wooyoung's hand, ignoring the surprised squeak as he lands a loud kiss over Wooyoung's knuckles. "Thank you for the meal, Young-ah."
"It's no big deal, I wanted to do this for you." Wooyoung looks down at their linked hands, blushing furiously from the earlier gesture. "Let's eat now, yeah? It'll get cold if you keep holding my hand."
San lets go of Wooyoung's hand with a slight pout, wishing for nothing more than to scoop Wooyoung into his arms and hold him so tight that their bodies fuse into one, to tell him just how much he loves and appreciates him. Words would never be enough, he figures. So he sticks to eating the warm, delicious meal for now and all but melts into the chair at the familiar taste.
"Good?" Wooyoung looks up at him expectantly, a small grin brightening his face. He already knows just how good the stew is but he still pries for an answer, often getting cocky when San showers him with praise upon praise. It's just how he is and San loves him more day by day.
He nods eagerly, mouth still too full to formulate a coherent answer but the desire to let Wooyoung know is too strong so he swallows what he can before reaching for Wooyoung's hands and pulls them towards him, caressing his knuckles. "It's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten." He means every word of that sentence, a nearly blinding smile making its appearance.
Wooyoung finds himself vibrating in his seat, the praise going straight to his heart. It's such a simple compliment in the grand scheme of things but as per usual, only San's compliments are able to reduce him to a flustered mess. He often looks for any opportunity to hear more, to bask in the copious amount of love that San has for him, to feel so special that he can barely fit in his own skin from the excitement. He feels like a puppy, totally dependent on San's praise and affection. Luckily, he doesn't have to try hard to earn them.
"You say that about every meal I make for you though." He chuckles and holds San's hands just as tight, consumed by the sight in front of him - San, lovely San, flushed from the hot shower and wearing his pajamas? He could eat him right up.
San pouts once again and Wooyoung finds it harder and harder to stop himself from jumping across the table and cuddling his adorable boyfriend to death. His size might be intimidating but only he knows the true San, the most candid version of him that he'll forever hold close to his heart. No one else will know him like this and for that Wooyoung is eternally grateful.
"But it's the truth. Everything you make is the most delicious." San stresses it out around another big bite, looking almost hilarious but Wooyoung appreciates it regardless. "See? My bowl is almost empty. It's that good."
"Oh, trust me, Sannie. I know that."
"You just wanted to hear it from me again, didn't you?"
"Exactly. Who else to stroke my big ego if not for my darling?"
San shakes his head with a laugh, finishing what's left of his meal and watching as Wooyoung jumps from his seat and stops him from doing the dishes with a "They need a long soak, leave them in the sink", effectively shutting down any protests as he pulls him to his room with a bounce to his steps.
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Once in the comfort of Wooyoung's bedroom, San lets out a heavy sigh and all but crumples on the soft sheets that smell once again like San's laundry detergent. He'd tease Wooyoung about it but he bites his tongue at the moment, the tiredness making him even more sluggish and unable to focus on anything else besides the feeling of the mattress dipping as Wooyoung joins him, his body radiating warmth as he lays there and strokes San's hair.
It's mostly quiet save for the occasional sighs and grunts as Wooyoung settles more comfortably and pulls San down on top of him in order to hold him close and work on the tender muscles of his back. It's peaceful, it's what San envisioned home to be and feel like, it's the comfort that only Wooyoung is able to provide.
"Do you feel better, Sannie? Anything else I can do?" Wooyoung whispers in his hair, still running a hand through the soft strands, occasionally scratching his scalp while his other hand slips underneath the shirt he's wearing to draw shapes across his skin with his fingers, the touch so soft and delicate that San slumps completely atop Wooyoung.
The younger's legs shift once or twice, wrapped loosely around San's lower body and they both sigh, eyes closed and breaths even.
"Just hold me, please." San mumbles against Wooyoung's neck, nuzzling closer and leaving soft kisses on the warm skin. "I don't want anything else but you."
Wooyoung almost bursts at the seams from the amount of love he has for San, so unbelieveably giddy that he holds San even tighter against him, tipping his chin up and kissing him with every last ounce of affection he can muster in his own sleepy state. "I love you so much." He whispers in the small space between their lips before he attaches them again, melting in San's arms as the older wraps his arms around him and surrounds him with love from all sides. It's nearly euphoric, his insides feel fluttery and his heartbeat skyrockets when San's lips part from his own just to press lovely touches on his forehead, dipping lower to nuzzle his jawline then all the way back to his neck, kissing it tenderly. Wooyoung goes completely limp, allowing San to hold him with all the care in the world, the care that only he can portray so beautifully just for him.
"I love you too, Young-ah."
Wooyoung doesn't want to ever know what it's like to live without San, without his loving touches and kind words, without his warm presence and constant support. He doesn't. So he tightens the hold he has on him and kisses the side of his head, letting him know just how much he loves him.
"I'll always be here for you, okay? You'll always have me and I'll always take care of you when you need me." He tells San with all the sincerity he can muster.
San knows. He'll never doubt a single thing that Wooyoung just said because he knows it's the truth. So he reciprocates the tight hug and grins against Wooyoung's skin.
"I know, love. You'll always have me too."