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“You’re so beautiful,” Kyungsoo murmured against Baekhyun’s skin, feeling him shudder in his arms. Post-sex Baekhyun was pliant and needy, but right now he was quiet, soft pants the only sound other than Kyungsoo’s reassurances. Kyungsoo ran a hand down his back and kissed his shoulder. “I love you.”
“Don’t go,” Baekhyun begged, fingers circling around his wrist.
“I need to clean you up, my love.”
“I don’t want to be clean. I want you.”
Kyungsoo laughed a little and shook his head. “Baekhyunnie. I am not cuddling with you like this.”
“Says who?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s clear I’m the one who said it.”
“Asshole. Monster. The worst boyfriend ever.”
Kyungsoo pulled back a fraction in exaggerated shock. “Take that back!”
“Not until you make it up to me.”
“Hm... how should I?” With a mischievous grin, Kyungsoo bit lightly at his skin. Baekhyun yelped. “Like this?” He kissed his nose. “Or like this? What about...” without warning, Kyungsoo tickled his side. “Like this!” Baekhyun jolted, pushing his hands away as he laughed.
“Stop! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
“Take it back,” Kyungsoo said, pinning him into the mattress by straddling his hips. Baekhyun wiggled in place.
“Okay! I surrender. You’re not an asshole and you’re the best boyfriend ever, okay?”
“Really?”
“Really. I swear.” Baekhyun breathed a sigh of relief when Kyungsoo finally drew his hands away. He pouted. “If I knew you were so insecure, I wouldn’t have said it.”
“Oh, shut up.”
Reaching for him, Baekhyun pulled him down onto his chest and tangled their legs together. He hummed and cuddled against Kyungsoo, closing his eyes.
“This was a trap, wasn’t it?” Kyungsoo asked. He sighed. Still, he put his arms around him and held him close. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep, but I’m getting up once you do. So hurry, because I’m tired.”
“Not my problem,” Baekhyun said smugly.
“You’re allergic to hygiene.”
“You’re allergic to loving me.”
How dramatic. Kyungsoo rolled his eyes.
“Go to sleep,” Kyungsoo said. Baekhyun made a small sound of acknowledgement and relaxed.
It was a trap in the end, all right. Kyungsoo woke up late into the evening when Baekhyun shifted, and cursed in his head.
What a sly bastard.
“Morning,” Baekhyun mumbled against his chest. “You fell asleep?”
“Your fault. It’s too comfortable.”
“Mm.” Tilting his head up, Baekhyun kissed his lips slowly and leisurely. When he pulled away he settled in again, content. “I told you. Naps after sex is the best. And cuddles. And kisses.”
Kyungsoo massaged his arm gently. “I won’t argue this time, but only because I fell asleep too.”
“What time is it?”
He looked at the digital clock by their bed. “Seven? It’s so late.”
Baekhyun frowned when Kyungsoo slipped away from his hold and got up. With the gaze of someone half-awake, he watched Kyungsoo muss his hair. “Where are you going?”
“We’re washing up and then I’m going to cook dinner. Are you craving anything? It has to be something easy, since it’s already this late.”
“Mac and cheese?” Baekhyun requested, yawning cutely. He looked like a cat, especially when the yawn was accompanied by a generous stretch across the bed.
“Alright. I’m not sure if we have the pasta but I’ll check.”
Going to the bathroom, Kyungsoo started filling the tub. Then he went to prep ingredients.
A lot of people who knew the two of them always wondered if Kyungsoo got tired of taking care of Baekhyun, but the truth was that to him, it wasn’t a chore or an obligation to care for him. It was something he genuinely liked to do. He liked pampering Baekhyun in the ways that he could, especially given that he was more introverted between the two of them and private about his affection.
Baekhyun took care of him in other ways, anyway. Giving him attention when he didn’t even know he wanted it. Noticing when he was in a bad mood and instantly knowing what to do to ease his worries. Reminding him that he was irreplaceable and loved, and someone to lean on when he needed it. Sure, it didn’t seem like much to others compared to how Kyungsoo cooked and cleaned for the two of them, but to him it was everything.
“Kyungsoo.” Baekhyun was at the door to the kitchen, a hand on the frame. “The bath is ready. I turned off the water.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” He was still looking for the wooden spatula, which should have been in the drawer with the other utensils but was nowhere to be seen.
“It’s here, if this is what you’re looking for.” Baekhyun went to the counter and pulled it from the container. “Remember? We put some of them here since there’s not enough space in the cabinet.”
“Thanks. Also, stop walking around naked like a caveman. I swear, one of these days Jongdae or Junmyeon will be over and you’ll give them a heart attack.”
Baekhyun rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. Jongdae’s used to it by now.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Old roommates have secrets is what that means.”
Kyungsoo narrowed his eyes. “Should I be concerned?”
“There’s no one to be jealous of if it’s always been you, babe.” Baekhyun checked the empty pot to make sure he hadn’t started and took his hand. “Come take a bath now.”
“Wait, let me put some water in to boil.”
When they finally made it to the bathroom it became yet another cuddle session of sorts, Baekhyun being his usual clingy self and attaching to Kyungsoo’s back the instant he joined him in the tub. The water was soothingly warm and they relaxed while talking aimlessly. Then they changed and Kyungsoo got to work in the kitchen while Baekhyun watched at the counter, singing along to the song he was blasting on his phone.
“Kyungja.”
“Mhm?”
“Why do you love me?”
This wasn’t the first time Baekhyun asked, but each time Kyungsoo considered it seriously. Bringing two finished plates of mac and cheese over, he settled across from Baekhyun and handed him a fork. “I just love you,” he said simply. “If I had to give you a specific reason it’d be hard, because it’s just everything about you.”
“You gave me a specific reason last time,” Baekhyun pointed out. “You said you liked my laugh and my smile, right?”
“It’s true, but it’s not the full answer.”
“Tell me, then.”
“I think I’m too simple for specific reasons. It’s not fair to only choose one thing.”
Baekhyun tilted his head with a teasing smile. “Aww. Is it because you want to choose everything instead?”
“Obviously.” Why else? “What about you? Why do you love me?”
“Hm...”
Baekhyun chewed slowly. Kyungsoo shifted in his seat.
“Do you really have to think that hard?”
“Shh.” Baekhyun laughed. “I just wanted to take time to think about it.”
There was another pause as Baekhyun looked into his eyes before he finally spoke again.
“I love you because you’re so steady. But you also keep me guessing. You’ll give me the world but deny me cuddles—“ Baekhyun grinned at Kyungsoo’s scoff “—and you’ll tell me to shut up but listen to me tell a stupid story about something that happened ten years ago, even if I don’t give you any context and it’s out of the blue.”
“Well, that’s because I like hearing your stories.”
“So you say, but if I’m telling a joke too loudly you get all dad on me.”
“I do not!”
“Do too.” Baekhyun fluttered his eyelashes, tilting his head. “It’s okay. I think it’s hot anyway. Tell me to stop chewing so loudly more often; it turns me on.”
Kyungsoo spluttered and Baekhyun bursted into laughter, setting his fork down on his plate.
“I’m done now,” Baekhyun said with a cute pout. His cheeks were pink from all the laughing. Setting his head down against the table, he peered up at Kyungsoo. “Sleep soon?”
“Sleep now.” Kyungsoo said. He moved to stand, but Baekhyun grabbed his wrist before he could.
“Wait, I’ll wash the dishes this time.”
“Do it next time.” Kyungsoo said, petting his head. “You’re sore, aren’t you?”
Baekhyun protested, and this time the red in his cheeks were from embarrassment. “I’m not!”
“I saw you limping earlier,” Kyungsoo teased, although he saw no such thing. He liked to see Baekhyun shy every once in a while. It didn’t happen often. Plus, Baekhyun was teasing him just a minute ago, so he deserved it anyway. Grinning, he took the plates and started washing. A moment later he felt Baekhyun attach himself to his back. His head rested on his shoulder.
“‘M sleepy,” Baekhyun mumbled.
“Go to bed, then, silly.”
“Not without you.”
Kyungsoo shook his head with an amused huff, but kissed Baekhyun’s hair anyway, reaching to put the dish away. “Okay. I’m almost done.”
They stayed in that position until he finished. Then they got ready for bed and curled up in the sheets together. Baekhyun brought their blanket over them and drew close to his chest, immediately relaxing in his hold.
“Tell me,” Baekhyun mumbled against him.
Without even saying it out loud, Kyungsoo knew what he wanted. Kissing him gently on the top of his head, he said softly, “Sleep, my love.”
And they slept.