Work Text:
It all started with a headache and a sore throat.
Gang Tae was in their study-slash work area, reviewing for the final exam of his college life. He chuckled to himself because he could hear Munyeong’s voice in his head, “FINALLY. You can finally spend more time with me after this.”
—
It’s been 4 years since they went on that road trip, and they finally settled down at a small house near Juri’s place so they could be nearer the people closest to them.
A lot has happened then. As soon as they got back from their road trip, Gang Tae looked for universities to apply to, while Munyeong started to write her next book. In between work and school, Gang Tae and Munyeong got married in an intimate ceremony with their closest family and friends. Gang Tae smiled to himself again as he remembered how angelic Munyeong looked as she was walking down the aisle clutching Sang Tae’s arm, smiling with tears in her eyes as she gazed at Gang Tae the whole time.
Since then, they have settled into normalcy. They have their daily routines: Gang Tae waking up earlier than his wife to cook her breakfast before class, then kissing her good-bye before he heads off to school for the day. Meanwhile, Munyeong either continues writing on her latest book or visits Sang Tae for the day.
When Gang Tae comes home from school, he cooks for dinner and as they eat, they both catch up with each other on how their day was. They end the day beside each other at their work station, Gang Tae reading on the latest lecture from class, while Munyeong continues writing. Then like clockwork, when he hears Munyeong close her laptop, he tidies up his things, and they head to their bedroom together. Munyeong nestles herself in his embrace and they sleep, tired from all the events of the day.
—
He felt a slight throbbing in his head and attempted to alleviate the pain by massaging the temples of his head. Munyeong doesn’t miss this and glanced at her husband, “what’s wrong?” He smiled at her and said, “No need to worry, it’s just a little headache. Probably from reading and writing too much.”
“Tsk.” Munyeong shook her head and closed her laptop. She walked over to where he was and closed his laptop. “Time to go to bed, mister. You still need to rest. You have been at it the whole day. Let’s go to bed.” She grabbed his hand and was pulling him up. Despite the pain, Gang Tae found himself smiling and stood up to follow Munyeong to bed.
Through the years, Munyeong has learned how to take care of him and Gang Tae has learned to accept being taken care of. Even then, he couldn’t help but smile every time Munyeong shows concern for him.
I could probably never get used to this. Gang Tae closed his eyes and wrapped his arm around Munyeong a bit tighter as he drifted off to sleep.
—
Gang Tae woke up with his body heavy as lead and his head felt like it was being drilled continuously. He tried to get up but he felt a hand stop him.
“No, you’re not going to school today. You’ve been burning up the whole night.” He looked over to see Munyeong seated on his side of the bed and tried to protest. “But—“
“I already texted your professor and told him that you won’t be able to go to school today. She said she’ll e-mail you the modules and readings that you need. She also rescheduled your final exam.”
Gang Tae lied back down on bed and weakly chuckled, “Knowing you though, Munyeong, you probably threatened her into rescheduling my exam.” Munyeong narrowed her eyes and glared at her husband in response. But he saw her immediately soften her gaze seeing how much in pain he was.
“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?” Munyeong asked while wiping the sweat off his forehead with a damp cloth.
Gang Tae tried to speak, but even speaking was a chore, so he whispered, “It was only a headache last night. I didn’t think much of it.”
Munyeong shook her head. “You’ve been staying up late recently on your laptop. And don’t think that I don’t know about you skipping your meals, Moon Gang-Tae. I have eyes everywhere.” Gang Tae wanted to ask how, but he was just too tired to ask. She gently fixed the hair away from his face. “Rest. I’ll be working right here so you can call me if you need me.”
He closed his eyes and smiled as he felt her lips touch his forehead. He felt her stand up, but he grabbed her arm. Munyeong stopped and looked at Gang Tae in worry, “Do you need anything?”
He opened up his arms as an invitation to her. He heard her sigh but he felt her settle in his embrace. He kissed the top of her head as he tightened his embrace.
“I feel like the luckiest guy in the world because I have a wife like you. I love you, Munyeong.”
She reciprocated his embrace and he felt her lips on his.
“I’m the luckiest girl in the world because I have you, Moon Gang Tae. I love you too, very much. Rest well.”
His heart swelled up at her words and he drifted off to sleep, his smile never leaving his face.