Work Text:
Jeongguk opens the bedroom door expecting to find darkness inside, a common occurrence this week he has been arriving late at home from work. Instead, when he opens the door, he sees a dim light coming from inside, surely thanks to one of the bedside lamps. He enters the room and, in the exact moment he opens the door enough to spot the bed and see Namjoon lying on it, Namjoon’s grip on the book he is holding fails and it falls on his face. And it is the massive one.
Jeongguk throws his backpack on the floor and rushes to the bed, worried about the integrity of his boyfriend’s face. “Hyung, are you okay?”
Namjoon pushes the book off his face hurriedly, as trying to cover the fact that he just dropped a book on his face, and quickly sits up on the bed. Now that the book is not covering his face anymore, Jeongguk can see the sleepy expression on the older’s face and understands what had just happened.
“Yes, I’m okay. The book just slipped because it’s, huh… heavy,” Namjoon says with a raspy voice, his eyelids heavy and his blinking very slow.
“Are you sure it was because of that and not because you were falling asleep?” Jeongguk says laughing.
“I was not falling asleep,” the other answers indignantly.
“You can hardly keep your eyes open, Namjoonie hyung,” Jeongguk says finding the way Namjoon’s blinks are getting slower every passing moment adorable. “Just admit it.”
“I don’t have to admit anything because I was not falling asleep,” he says punctuating every word and putting a determined expression on his face as he begins to read again.
Knowing his boyfriend, Jeongguk decides to try a different approach and stretches his arms, faking a yawn. “Ugh, it’s been a long day at work and I am so tired. I am ready for some cuddles and sleep,” he says grabbing his pyjamas and starting to change his clothes.
Namjoon does an humming sound but doesn’t say anything. He keeps looking at his book, opening his eyes very wide trying to fight the sleep away. Jeongguk slips into the covers, and lies on the bed facing Namjoon’s direction, expecting the other to settle the book in his bedside table and go to sleep. He doesn’t do it.
“Come on, hyung. Cuddles,” he pouts, just because he knows that the older can’t resist, deciding to play dirty when the other keeps ignoring him.
“In a bit, Jeonggukie. I want to finish this part of the book.”
He is being difficult and Jeongguk knows how stubborn he can be when he wants. He is lucky that Jeongguk is finding the whole situation cute.
“That part is still going to be there in the morning, you can read it tomorrow,” he says shaking his head. “And anyways, you have read that book like a billion times. Why is it so important to finish it now when you know the things that happen in the story by heart?”
“You don’t get it, it’s because it’s my favorite part,” he says whining, sticking out his lower lip. Jeongguk wants to laugh and also kiss him all over his face.
Les Miserables , Jeongguk reads on the cover. He doesn’t need to because he knows what book exactly is just by looking at its exterior, even though he has never read it.
It’s Namjoon’s favorite book and he re-reads it from time to time, so Jeongguk is familiar with it already. He doesn’t understand how Namjoon is able to read it again every year because that book is enormous, but he is very passionate with everything related to that story, so it isn’t really that surprising. It almost makes Jeongguk want to read it too. Almost, because he forgets the idea when he remembers the book is more than one thousand pages long.
“And it will still be your favorite scene tomorrow.”
“No, I have to read this now because it’s a sad scene, and sad things are supposed to be read in the night,” he nods his head with conviction.
“Okay,” Jeongguk says pushing himself up on his elbows to give Namjoon a kiss on his cheek and goes back to lying on the bed.
He decides to drop the subject because he knows Namjoon and he is not going to give in if he has set his mind in reading the damn book tonight. Instead, he pushes the covers up to his shoulders and observes his boyfriend as he reads. He doesn’t have to wait too much before Namjoon starts to close his eyes again, the book slowly falling from his hands until it lands on his lap. Jeongguk covers his mouth to keep from laughing because he is finding the whole situation very amusing.
He sits up as quietly as he can manage and tries to remove the book from Namjoon’s lap, being careful to not wake him up. He has a plan in his head, the first step being to take away the book from Namjoon’s vicinity and then, when he manages it, he will convince Namjoon to go to sleep in his half-conscious state. However, when he puts a hand on the book, Namjoon’s eyes fly open and he grabs Jeongguk’s wrist to stop him from moving.
“What are you doing?”
“Hyung, you fell asleep. Again.” Jeongguk says stopping himself from laughing.
Namjoon looks flustered for a few seconds because he can’t deny the obvious anymore, but he wants to finish the chapter (or the part of the book, or whatever it is) and he looks like he just stepped on a puppy.
That’s when Jeongguk has a brilliant idea.
“Hyung, do you want me to read for you? You look tired and that way you could rest your eyes and still finish reading this part,” he says with a soft voice, the one he knows Namjoon finds cute, and hopes it works. “What do you think?”
His face looks like he is having an internal struggle, but after a few seconds, he nods his head. “Okay. But, you don’t mind the spoilers?”
“No, I don’t mind them.” He is not going to tell him that he has no plans of reading that brick of a book because he doesn’t want to see his sad face.
Namjoon goes to hand the book over to Jeongguk but stops with his hands in mid air making a face like he just remembered something. “This part is a bit… sad. You don’t like sad things.”
“Don’t worry, I can take it,” he says with confidence he doesn’t really feel. He really doesn’t like sad stories, but if he doesn’t do this Namjoon is never going to go to sleep. “Come on, lie on the bed and make yourself comfortable. The reading session is going to start in a sec.”
Namjoon laughs as he rests his head on the pillow, bringing the covers up to his chin the way he likes. He closes his eyes and lets out a sigh, and Jeongguk has to resist the urge to kiss him again. In any other occasion he would do it without a second thought, but his goal is to get Namjoon to sleep and that will interfere with it.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” Namjoon says with a raspy voice and dragging out the word. Jeongguk is sure he is going to fall asleep in no time.
“Okay. Chapter XIII. Passing Gleams ,” he reads, lowering his tone of voice so it would be easier to lull Namjoon to sleep.
“ In the chaos of sentiments and passions which defend a barricade, there is a little of everything; there is bravery, there is youth, honor, enthusiasm, the ideal, conviction, the rage of the gambler, and, above all, intermittences of hope. ”
Jeongguk doesn’t fully understand what the book is talking about because he doesn’t know anything about the story and he doesn’t have a context for this part, but he gets why Namjoon would like this. The older is very passionate with social issues, always reading and watching content related to it. Jeongguk loves listening to him because he always learns something new. And, if you ask Jeongguk, Namjoon is the most attractive when he is talking fiercely about something related to his values, so he is always happy to listen because of that too.
He keeps reading for a while, getting more interested by the story as he progresses. Maybe this book is not as boring as he thought.
“Wow, this Enjolras character is so cool. He reminds me a lot of you, hyung,” Jeongguk can’t help but say, absolutely in awe by the similarities between the two. He decides right there that he will be his favorite character.
Namjoon smiles faintly without opening his eyes and squeezes Jeongguk’s leg. “You are cooler, Jeonggukie.”
Jeongguk disagrees, but he doesn’t say anything, not wanting to disrupt the half-asleep state the other is already in. Namjoon will always be the coolest person he has ever known and nothing will change that. He is not being biased, it’s a fact as clear as the day.
He reads, sparing glances to Namjoon between paragraphs, and Jeongguk observes his breath becoming more even and deeper. He continues reading for a while to make sure the other is sleep.
At some point, he hears a snore, a signal that he could settle the book in the shelf and go to sleep. But he has to recognize that he is too invested in the story now and wants to see how this part ends. He reads to himself though, now that he is sure that his boyfriend is asleep.
He feels restless as he advances in the story, the events occuring in the chapters making him tense. He doesn’t understand some things, doesn’t know the characters or their background, and some words feel familiar (probably because Namjoon has used them), but he doesn’t know the meaning. He will make sure to ask Namjoon in the morning.
As he reaches the final chapters of this part of the book, he gets why Namjoon said that this is sad and that he wouldn’t like it. He keeps reading with teary eyes, a knot formed on his throat with the fear of what’s about to happen.
And when he arrives at a chapter where the destiny of two of the characters is displayed, he can’t help it anymore. He starts to cry heavily, sobbing and having difficulties to breath. Once he begins, he isn’t able to stop anymore no matter how hard he tries.
He tries to muffle the sounds he is making with his hands, but he isn’t very successful because in the next moment, Namjoon stirs and looks at him with a frown on his face. When he becomes aware of what’s happening, he quickly rises to a sitting position, taking Jeongguk face between his hands.
“What happens, Jeongguk?” he asks looking at his surroundings, trying to find the cause of Jeongguk’s tears.
“Th- they died holding hands,” he manages to say between sobs, scratching his eye.
Namjoon expression changes to understanding and brings Jeongguk head closer to him, so he can kiss his forehead. “Oh baby, I know. I’m sorry, it’s very sad.”
Jeongguk nods and hugs Namjoon, hiding his face in the older’s neck, and lets the tears flow. Namjoon caresses his back and keeps giving him kisses in his head. “I don’t want them to die,” Jeongguk says with a small voice.
He begins to hiccup then and he wants the ground to swallow him. This is becoming the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he can’t help it.
“I don’t either, but we can’t change it. It’s just a story, don’t worry” he laughs hugging Jeongguk closer.
“Still, I don’t want to,” he says whining, like that is going to change what he just read.
Namjoon comforts Jeongguk until he calms down. He extracts Jeongguk face from his neck when his breathing is back to normal, and wipes away the remainder of his tears from his cheeks. “I’m sorry for making you read that,” Namjoon says with a regretful expression.
Jeongguk shrugs. “I was actually liking the story, even with the sad part. Would you tell me more things about it another day, please?”
“Sure,” Namjoon smiles. “You know, there’s actually a movie adaptation of the book and it’s a musical. I’m sure you will like it. We could watch it in the weekend, if you want.”
“I want,” Jeongguk nods his head and smiles, happy with his Namjoon’s idea.
“You could even sing some of the songs for me,” Namjoon says pinching his side.
Jeongguk hides his face again in Namjoon’s neck, suddenly embarrassed. He knows he can sing and knows that Namjoon loves his voice, but still, he feels shy when the older asks him to do it.
“We should go to sleep,” Namjoon says.
“Yes, like I was saying half an hour ago,” Jeongguk teases. He feels exhausted after all of the crying.
“Okay, you were right,” Namjoon gives up. He kisses Jeongguk briefly again, but on the mouth this time, bopping his nose right after.
They lie down on the bed then, Jeongguk quickly adopting his little spoon position as usual, and Namjoon settling behind, putting his arm around Jeongguk’s waist and smelling his hair.
“You have a good reading voice, I really liked it. You should read to me again another night. I’ll make sure it’s something happier.”
“Of course, hyung. I’ll read for you whenever you want” Jeongguk answers squeezing his hand.
The room falls into silence after that, the only sounds that can be heard being the cars in the driveway and the occasionally conversation when someone passes by. Jeongguk is dozing off when he suddenly remembers something important he wanted to ask before falling asleep.
“Hyung, are you awake?” he asks in a hushed tone in case the other is sleeping already.
“Yes, but not for much longer.”
“I’m curious about something related to the story. Can I ask it to you?” Namjoon squeezes his side signaling him to continue. “The last chapter I read is called ‘ Orestes Fasting and Pylades Drunk ’. Who are they? Are they other characters of the book? Because they didn’t appear in the parts I read.”
“They are two mythological male figures, known by their romantic relationship. In the book the author is making a comparison with the characters. In fact he does it multiple times.”
“Oh,” Jeongguk says, realizing something, “so, in the book, the two of them were-”
“In love, yes,” Namjoon cuts him before he finishes. “I will defend that to my last breath.”
Jeongguk smiles, asking himself how can he be so lucky to have someone like Namjoon by his side. “Good night, Namjoonie hyung.”
“Good night, Jeonggukie” Namjoon says leaving a soft kiss on the back of his neck.
****
In the end, it becomes an habit for Jeongguk to read Namjoon to sleep, but he doesn’t complain. He loves the way Namjoon looks at him when he is reading out loud.
They watch the movie too, a few days later. Jeongguk’s favorite character is still Enjolras.