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Every so often, Pang is stunned into oblivion, struck by the realisation that this is his present. He had never quite imagined life at university before, had always assumed that he'd partake in the family business, doing monotonous work — an extension of his life at school, before his world tore apart by the seams and ignited a fire within him, burning with it all what Pang had expected, and nothing was quite the same again. Despite the long hours, the deep-rooted exhaustion that he can't shake out of — a by-product of his coursework — and the fact that all the hours of the day never seem enough, the university is worth it.
Out of all the things that Pang is still unable to fathom, however, is this — the fact that he somehow gets to exist as he is with Wave, gets to revel in his quiet delight, care, and love, gets to drown in all there is to learn about Wave, to learn from Wave.
Wave.
Socked feet pattering across the floor steals Pang's attention from the breakfast that he's meticulously putting together. Pang steals a glance, then decides to indulge some more. It's not every day that Pang gets to see Wave in such a state, having just woken up, rubbing his eyes with a quiet sigh, his sleeves falling way past his hands.
"You're up early," Wave sighs softly, finally blinking back until his gaze focuses on Pang. "Earlier than me."
That is to assume that Pang has slept at all (which he hasn't), but he can only smile in response, peering at how adorable his boyfriend looks. His heart wants to leap out of his chest and land at Wave's feet, as though it isn't already his.
"What are you looking at?" Wave grumbles without heat, his face still scrunched up as he tries getting used to the bright light of the day.
Pang shakes his head, still smiling, and turns back to the omelette he was decorating. "Nothing," Pang replies, putting the plate in the tray with their cups of tea.
Wave is still pawing at his eyes when Pang walks over to him. He bends down to kiss his cheek. "Good morning," greets Pang. "You are very endearing when you're half asleep."
Wave flushes bright red, from the tip of his ears all the way down to his neck.
Pang grins wider; he can barely resist planting another kiss on Wave's cheek.
"Shut up." Wave's smile is gentle, his face relaxing minutely as he takes the tray from Pang's hand.
"Did you sleep well?" Wave asks as they shuffle towards the sofa.
Pang hums noncommittally.
"You didn't sleep at all, did you," Wave states, pulling Pang close. "You weren't there beside me last night."
Pang shakes his head, a bit guilty at that admission. "There was a lot to do," he says, apologetically.
"Don't you look guilty," Wave sighs, patting Pang's shoulder. "You need to rest, though."
Pang shrugs his shoulder in response. "Did you sleep well?"
Wave shakes his head, scuffling towards Pang, immediately burrowing his face in his neck.
"What are you doing?" Pang huffs fondly.
"You're warm," Wave answers simply.
"Because it is very warm," Pang answers softly.
Pang draws their teas in together, handing one to Wave, who takes it despite remaining plastered to him.
"Aren't you sleepy?"
They've both been exhausted lately, barely finding time to do anything but their coursework. Sleepy does not seem to cover the extent of their bone-deep fatigue.
Wave bundles in closer, running his cold hands over Pang.
"Ai Pang," Wave murmurs. "Let's go sleep after breakfast, yeah? We're both hungry and sleepy."
"I can't," Pang says, sipping his tea. "I've to study. There is still so much—"
"Pang," Wave chides. "What do you always tell me when I am working too much?"
"That you need to rest if you want to make it," Pang recites, having repeated that multiple times. He's about to protest why it's different for him when Wave holds his wrist with the cup of tea.
"Exactly," Wave mutters. "It's not different for you either."
"Wave…"
"You need to rest," Wave says, matter-of-factly, pulling his knees closer to his chest, still scuffled close to Pang.
Idly, Pang starts running his fingers through Wave's hair. It is so soft. Pang doesn't know how — they use the same hair products there are, and yet his could never be as soft as Wave's.
"How is your hair so soft?" Pang asks in wonder, knowing full well that he's ignoring Wave's proposition to rest.
"You've to rest," Wave repeats with conviction before his voice turns soft. "I don't dry my hair vigorously. Like you."
"You've got to dry it for me then," Pang replies.
"You're changing the subject," Wave replies, sipping his tea. "But fine. Only if you promise to sleep."
"Wave…"
"I'll wake you up in ninety minutes, okay?" Wave nods. "Do you have anything urgent due?"
Pang shakes his head.
"We're going to rest," Wave says, emphasising the last word, "after we eat. Because you need it."
Pang presses a kiss on his hair. "Okay, if you say so."
Pang and Wave languidly finish their breakfast, put the dishes for a future wash, and make their way towards their bed.
Wave puts on the lo-fi playlist that he knows helps Pang sleep better, despite it hurting his ears a bit, and Pang draws the curtains, their room becoming a sudden envelope of darkness.
Sleep doesn't take long to grace them when it arrives. They've always known that they sleep better when they're surrounded by each other's warmth.