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The apartment door creaked open, revealing a light from the corridor into Soobin's room. The sudden change startled Soobin, so he turned around from his loading computer screen, waiting for Soobin to turn on his game. Yet then, as soon as Soobin saw the figure standing on the doorway, he forgot the point of turning his computer at all and his eyes lingered on the shadow. "Yeonjun hyung?"
Yeonjun seemed... messy, to say the least. His grey hair was disheveled, bangs sticking on his damp forehead. His eyes were tired, evident from the darker ring surrounding them and the slightly red spreading in his sclera. Yeonjun always took his biggest pride on having the best standing posture, but there he was, slouching with his shoulders slumped down, heaving as if he was dying. His oversized shirt and cargo pants clung onto his skin from all the buckets of sweat he had throughout the practice for his performance video. He was exhausted to the core.
"You alright?" Soobin tilted his head slightly. Fuck, that's a stupid question. He mentally slapped his cheeks. Of course, he's not! He moved forward and met Yeonjun on the door frame, and as soon as he stood in front of the man, Yeonjun fell forward.
Initially, Soobin didn't think it'd be that bad, but the moment Soobin caught Yeonjun, he felt the immense burden Yeonjun was carrying on his back. Because then, Yeonjun was practically weightless, probably due to the little amount of food he consumed yet intense amount of physically and mentally taxing tasks he did. Soobin's arms wrapped around Yeonjun, and he carried the man with ease. "Oh, Junnie," he cooed helplessly as Yeonjun nuzzled his head on Soobin's shoulder. "Let's take you to bath."
But there was a little motion as Yeonjun shook his head weakly. "Don't want. Sleepy," he whispered, shortly. "Too tired."
Soobin somewhat knew that day would come. It wasn't a surprise because it's something Soobin had initially mentally prepared himself for, anticipating every night and day when Yeonjun announced to the group that he was making a solo debut between their Korean comeback and Japan concert tour. He was pretty certain that Yeonjun would be exhausted, but he knew Yeonjun was an unstoppable force, so he'd rather not say a word about it.
No, Soobin didn't say anything not because he didn't care, but because he cared for Yeonjun the most. He knew that Yeonjun wouldn't want to be stopped anyways, so he'd let Yeonjun shine. Then, Soobin would stand and watch as Yeonjun burn the brightest he could, yet if Yeonjun had to fall, Soobin would always catch him.
As always, Soobin was the steady waters Yeonjun could trust himself to fall on. For Yeonjun, Soobin could be whatever the older man wanted. For Yeonjun, Soobin could be the shoulder Yeonjun cries on and the chest Yeonjun sleeps on. For Yeonjun, Soobin would do anything, and if it meant he had to be the one taking care of Yeonjun during the worst, most tiring days of his, he'd gladly do so. There was nothing in the world Soobin wouldn't want to do for Yeonjun.
"Baby..." Soobin sighed. "Come on. You'll feel better when you're clean," he said, tenderly, one hand rubbing Yeonjun's back to calm his boyfriend down. "You don't have to do anything. I'll help you take the bath."
Yet Yeonjun was still reluctant. He only opened his eyes slightly and pouted. "Kitty hates water." He purred before nuzzling his nose on the crook of Soobin's neck and smiled. "Binnie smells nice." He'd let himself rest in the comfort that was Soobin's embrace.
Oh. Soobin gulped as he realized that Yeonjun was in his kitten headspace, his cuteness so overwhelming that it was so bad for Soobin's weak heart. That's not a revelation, neither it was something new, but it just indicated how far Yeonjun had gone since the headspace would only appear during the roughest times they had to go through and the last time it happened was some time during Yeonjun's solo mixtape era.
"Junnie, my dearest," spoke Soobin softly. He had always been the most tender hearted when it came to Yeonjun, but especially during those times when life felt too tough for the older male. "I bet we'll smell nicer if we take a warm bath first, don't you think so?" He slowly held Yeonjun by the nape, looking at Yeonjun's eyes that were opening just slightly. "Let's take a bath together, and then we'll cuddle, okay?"
The pout was so prominent on Yeonjun's plump lips that Soobin couldn't help but just to kiss them gently. Soobin looked at Yeonjun with so much fondness, his heart bleeding out his love for his boyfriend endlessly. "I promise we can cuddle if Junnie's a good kitty, okay?" He raised his pinky finger. "And in order to be a good kitty, Junnie has to...?"
Yeonjun sighed. "Take a bath," he answered, sadly so. "Okay, Binnie. Let's take a bath." He flung himself onto Soobin's shoulder again, surrendering as to let Soobin bring him to the bath.
It was much easier then, because they'd already have their own bathrooms they needed not to share. So, Soobin just needed to lock his bedroom door and enter his own bathroom door, so they could have a little privacy while he took care of Yeonjun. He turned on the faucet into the warmer setting and plugged in the drainage, so Yeonjun could have his favorite relaxing warm bath.
Soobin placed Yeonjun on the edge of the tub, letting the man sit and watched Soobin prepare everything. Perhaps, Soobin wasn't the neatest, most prepared and arranged person, but for Yeonjun, he could try. So, he lit up Yeonjun's favorite blackberry scented candles, and picked his favorite blue grapefruit bath bomb.
He smiled softly when his eyes met Yeonjun's in a brief moment, after making sure everything was ready and enough. He took off his own clothes until he was stripped bare and threw the dirty laundry into the basket. "Let's get your clothes off, too," he murmured as he helped Yeonjun take off his sweat dampened clothes until he was naked and ready to take a bath. When Soobin came back from putting away Yeonjun's clothes, he saw the glint in Yeonjun's eyes while he stared at Soobin's body.
Frankly, Soobin wanted what Yeonjun wanted to. Though then, he couldn't possibly let Yeonjun do it. Not when Yeonjun was completely and utterly worn out. What's the point of an intercourse if one of the parties couldn't enjoy it as well? So, Soobin denied Yeonjun's little unspoken request, deeming his boyfriend not in the right state yet to go for it. Soobin crouched down to meet Yeonjun's eyes, and, "We can do it tomorrow when Junnie's more rested and less tired. For now, Junnie has to be clean and tucked to bed. Understood?"
Yeonjun pursed his lips a little, his expressions unreadable for a while. Then, he looked down and nodded sadly. "Okay."
It genuinely did hurt Soobin to say 'no' to something Yeonjun wanted. He just couldn't resist that little protruded plump lips, and perhaps his weakness for Yeonjun was all to blame for. But then his love for Yeonjun had to be bigger and stronger, so Yeonjun could have the rest he deserved first.
Slowly and deliberately, Soobin placed Yeonjun into the tub as soon as the faucet was turned off. Then, carefully, he squeezed himself beneath Yeonjun and hugged the man by his waist. "Here," he said calmly as he placed the bath bomb on Yeonjun's hand. "Put it in the water, love."
Yeonjun accepted it with his raised eyebrows, then submerged the bath bomb in the water. It immediately fizzled into pink and blue, burst of colors emerging to every direction. Something lit up beneath his eyes, innocently so, and Soobin felt a little more relieved at how Yeonjun was a bit giddy and warmer.
Soobin'd let Yeonjun play around with the bath bomb, while he took the bottle of shampoo on his left. He turned on the shower into the lowest setting, making sure the water that ran was warm enough. When the water ran between Yeonjun's soft strands, Soobin threaded his fingers between them, caressing and massaging Yeonjun gently to release the knots in his head.
A smile couldn't help but bloom on Soobin's face as Yeonjun played with the bath bomb. It was like watching a kitten playing around with a yarn ball. He placed some shampoo on his palms and cleaned Yeonjun's hair as he stole some glances at how Yeonjun's feline like eyes gleamed with joy.
"Hmm," hummed Yeonjun sadly when the bath bomb finished fizzling on his hands.
Instantly, Soobin noticed the problem. He giggled as he opened a box beside him quietly. He felt Yeonjun's eyes trained towards his hands and he smiled. "Here," he muttered as he handed Yeonjun what he unpacked. It was a simple Doraemon waterproof squishy toy he bought from his friend who recently went to Japan, just because he thought Yeonjun would like it. He huffed as soon as Yeonjun's eyes crinkled and sunk into his cheeks when he accepted the toy. He turned on the handheld shower again and rinsed Yeonjun's hair. "You like it?"
"I do!" Yeonjun's voice became a bit high pitched, excited, though it was a little hoarse and weary. His happiness overcame his tiredness as he squished the plush toy, playing around with the adorable dorayaki the toy was holding as well. When his hair was all rinsed away from the shampoo, he grinned and slightly turned around, eyes heavy and expectant as he blinked.
Soobin blinked in confusion as he looked at Yeonjun's face in front of him after he put away the shower. "Is everything alright?"
Yeonjun only flung his arms around Soobin and squished his nose on Soobin's ear. "I love you!" He cupped Soobin's face and peppered it with kisses until Soobin grinned widely and blushed wildly. "Thank you, Binnie!" He turned around to play with the toy again, happily so.
Perhaps, happiness came simple between them. Perhaps, love weren't always gestures of grandeur, things needed to be said through so much more, but small gifts just because one remembers the other. Perhaps, love came in little mundane things too, something beautifully tedious.
"Mmhm," murmured Soobin. "You're most welcome, Junnie." He took a pump of soap on his palm, then paused for a while. Then, he chuckled when he spread the soap across Yeonjun's back and chest.
Yeonjun purred as he placed the cute toy to his cheek. Then, he turned at Soobin. He didn't say a word, but his eyes asked Soobin why the younger male was laughing all in a sudden.
"Of course, kitty Junnie likes the Doraemon," said Soobin, reluctantly. He poked Yeonjun's nose before Yeonjun turned around. He smiled as he lightly massaged the knots on the muscles in Yeonjun's torso and arms. "Cats and cats behavior." He repositioned himself and spread the soap around Yeonjun's stomach and legs as well. Then, he showered Yeonjun lightly before turning it off and setting it aside. "Good job, kitty. Now, let's get you dried up and wash your face and brush your teeth."
Soobin dried himself as quick as he could and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then, he pulled the drainage lid and helped Yeonjun up, before drying his boyfriend with another towel and wrapped it around his waist too. He's glad Yeonjun seemed to be less tired than he did a couple minutes prior.
Yeonjun was carried again by Soobin, then put on the empty space beside the wash basin. He hummed some tunes from his upcoming release, as he focused on the toy in his hand. When he looked up, Soobin's hands were already foamy with facial wash. He smiled and closed his eyes.
Gently, Soobin scrubbed Yeonjun's face, lightly massaging the muscles as well. He made sure every part of his face was being cleaned, not wanting Yeonjun to freak out if the little shift of hygiene practice caused his skin to pop an acne all in a sudden the next morning. When he's done, he rinsed the soap off his hands, and wiped Yeonjun's face gently with a warm wet towel.
"Binnie." Yeonjun set aside the toy behind him, so his hands gripped on the granite instead. His legs swung around lightly. "Do you think I'm pretty?"
As Soobin squeezed some toothpaste on Yeonjun's electric toothbrush, he giggled. He looked at Yeonjun, then. He knew that Yeonjun knew he himself was pretty, but he just needed to hear the validation from Soobin. Soobin understood then that all Yeonjun needed wasn't an answer but a reassurance. So, "Always, Junnie. You're always pretty." He handed Yeonjun the toothbrush and let Yeonjun turn it on himself and cleaned his teeth with it. When he turned to his own toothbrush and squeezed himself some toothpaste as well, he paused. Then, "But Junnie will be prettier if Junnie eats more."
"I'll be fat then," mumbled Yeonjun with the toothbrush inside his mouth. He furrowed his eyebrows.
Soobin poked Yeonjun's nose again. "You're pretty regardless, Junnie, but you'll always be prettiest when you eat and are healthy," he said warmly. He pinched Yeonjun's cheek, a bit saddened by the fact that they sunk and had become more hollowed with his bones becoming more prominent and sharper. "You're really cute and beautiful in whatever way you are, though."
Yeonjun stopped brushing his teeth and gargled. When he finished, he stepped down to stand beside Soobin and watched as Soobin brushed his own teeth. His gaze was delicate, glazed with honey sweetness of love.
When Soobin's done brushing his teeth, he looked at Yeonjun and snorted. "What?" He tilted his head slightly. "Does kitty need anything?"
Yeonjun shook his head lightly. "Thank you, Binnie," he said, instead. He smiled. He tiptoed and pecked Soobin's lips. "I love you."
Then, perhaps, warmth came so easily between them. So, Soobin grinned as well. Something within him felt tranquil, like he was content. He cupped Yeonjun's face, and pressed a kiss on his nose again. "No need to thank me, love," he said. "I'm doing this because I love you too."
Throughout Yeonjun's seven step skin care routine too, Soobin helped it all. He did all the steps by memories, as he'd memorized it from watching it from the sides while he did another type of routine for himself as well. Then, perhaps, it's not too complicated for Soobin when he'd done it out of love, the same way he'd map Yeonjun's moles and little crevices.
Yeonjun giggled through it all. He was put to sit on the space beside the wash basin again by Soobin, as he let Soobin do everything for him. He'd place his hands on Soobin's shoulders, then he started to play around with the stretchy skin under Soobin's jaws, seemingly fascinated as always.
"Why are you still obsessed with my skin?" Soobin sighed as he finished Yeonjun's last step. "We've been together for ten years now and I feel like you haven't changed your fixation on this."
"It's adorable," answered Yeonjun.
Hearing Yeonjun's answer, Soobin looked at Yeonjun and placed his hands on Yeonjun's thighs. "Says the most adorable kitty in the world," he responded as he pinched Yeonjun's cheeks. He chuckled when Yeonjun pouted. "What? You don't think you're cute?"
"I'm not!" Yeonjun crossed his arms on his chest, sulky, a petulant behavior so childish it didn't match his built chest.
"Whatever you say, cutie," teased Soobin even further as he bit on Yeonjun's neck, sending shivers along Yeonjun's skin. The mark did turn bluish purple in an instance and Soobin pulled away with a satisfied smirk on his face. He continued to finish his skin care routine while Yeonjun stared at him in disbelief and started meowing loudly and playfully bit and scratched his arm.
"Alright, enough biting, kitty," said Soobin once he's done. He snorted and picked up Yeonjun with ease, then carried him to the bed. He wore his own clothes and helped Yeonjun wear Soobin's sweater and boxers too. But as soon as Soobin plopped on the bed to cuddle Yeonjun, Yeonjun took his knuckle again and shoved it into his mouth like he's teething. "Junnie, you could just say it if you're hungry."
Yeonjun shuffled a bit and laid his entire body on top of Soobin. "Nope, kitty already ate a whole lot after practice," he said. "Kitty likes Binnie." He gripped Soobin's shoulders and nibbled on Soobin's ear. When he's satisfied, he moved to the other ear and on Soobin's neck, leaving little red marks along Soobin's skin.
Surrendering fully, Soobin's arms encircled around Yeonjun's waist, letting his boyfriend do whatever he wanted to him. He enjoyed Yeonjun's little purrings, sniffing along the lines of his collarbones, and using his neck as a chew toy. If being completely honest, it did turn him on a little, but he knew not to say it so Yeonjun could rest assured that he's allowed to rest without having to have sex when his body's all weary. Softly, Soobin petted Yeonjun, his fingers threading Yeonjun's hair on one, and another rubbing Yeonjun's back slowly up and down.
When Yeonjun's satisfied, he scooted over and pulled Soobin's arms around his waist. "Kiss me," he commanded, ever so tenderly.
And easily, Soobin complied. He pressed his lips against Yeonjun's temple. Then, he'd let his lips brush against Yeonjun's eyelids. Afterwards, Soobin moved to kiss Yeonjun's nose. Tons of kisses were placed on Yeonjun's cheeks by Soobin whom loved them the most. Then, Soobin pressed his lips against Yeonjun's lips. He moved along to kiss Yeonjun's chin, then tentatively along his jawlines. He did it all, while he held Yeonjun tight, feeling the older male's beating heart against his, feeling every part of Yeonjun on him.
Then, Soobin kissed Yeonjun's lips again, that time fully. He'd let his tongue slot in the space easily, tasting Yeonjun's faint toothbrush minty-ness, melting entirely into Yeonjun's succulence. He knew then he was meant to be there, belonging in Yeonjun's life. He was anything Yeonjun wanted him to be and he's gladly doing so. He smiled when Yeonjun hummed into the kiss and instinctively threw his leg over Soobin's until the heat spread between them, doing more than the duvet covering them did.
Yeonjun's hands slipped under Soobin's shirt, nails digging onto Soobin's tensing flesh, scratching down to feel Soobin inherently. He kissed Soobin and swirled around the space in the younger's mouth, letting him explore the space he'd known by heart already. He pressed their bodies closer until the gap was non existent and neither knew where one began and one ended.
It was Soobin who pulled away first. His temple was against Yeonjun's, and a small blush crept on his cheeks. He didn't know why he was still flustered after years of being with Yeonjun. Perhaps, it's Yeonjun's effect on him, and the spell couldn't be lifted either way. "Junnie," he said. "I know you like your work. I'll forever be proud of you."
Then came the slight tilt on Yeonjun's head and his eyes were full of questions as they blinked.
"But, you'll have to remember to take breaks, too, okay?" Soobin's thumbs gently rubbed against Yeonjun's cheeks. "I'll always be here to support you, to watch you bloom. I'll be here when you need me to, wherever you want me to." He smiled softly. "Turn to me when you're tired. I can be your home if you let me to," he continued. "I'll be the place you take your time to heal."
"Kitty wants Binnie's kisses," answered Yeonjun. "Binnie's kisses heal kitty."
Soobin chuckled. "Okay." So, he did again. He littered Yeonjun's face with kisses, up to his neck and his ears too. Because after all, he loved Yeonjun more than anything in the world and if Yeonjun said that his kisses were his healing then so be it. "I love you, Junnie. Kitty, my dearest."
Yeonjun's eyes glowed with something beautiful, something warm and unmistakably fond that he'd only share with Soobin.
Perhaps, Soobin was the luckiest man on earth after all. He knew he didn't deserve to have such a wonderful boyfriend like Yeonjun, who was perfect in all aspects. He knew he wasn't worth half of Yeonjun's entire being, but there Yeonjun was, wrapped in his arms while they lied on his bed, as the night fell deeper and darker and colder, but between them it was bright and weightless and warm. Soobin stroked the back of Yeonjun's head lovingly as he gazed at the man in front of him, sometimes letting his hands caress Yeonjun's ears.
The way Yeonjun smiled let him show the little fangs that made him look even more feline like. He seemed so endearing, especially when the moonlight softened the edges of what he'd built for his solo release persona. In Soobin's arms, he seemed prettier than anything that had ever existed and would ever exist. He was beautiful beyond comprehension.
And perhaps, Soobin was the most fortunate man to ever be able to call Yeonjun his.
"I love you too, Binnie. Lots and lots of love."
When Yeonjun turned his back against Soobin, he'd let Soobin wrap his arms on his waist. He pressed himself against Soobin's body still, while hugging the cat body pillow Soobin bought for him specifically. He was fast asleep, then, the atmosphere already getting him to relax.
Deliberately, Soobin slipped his hands under Yeonjun's shirt, while his legs sandwiched Yeonjun's. He rubbed Yeonjun's stomach to loosen the knots tied around his abdomen area, so Yeonjun could sleep better. When Yeonjun's purrs turned into little snores, Soobin smiled. He nuzzled on Yeonjun's shoulder, seeking for comfort too.
"Good night, kitty my dearest."