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The day seemed to drag on for Kaeya. He stayed glued on the bed, clad in only his boxer shorts and a way too oversized hoodie, stretching every now and then before settling back into the plush pillows and a quilt that feels like it’s been woven by the sheep gods themselves. He has a stack of papers he’d better work on and a couple of books to put his nose in but he just feels so sluggish and trapped . Like he’s chained to the bed.
Like he’s incapable of doing anything.
At least it's a weekend, Kaeya tries to reassure himself, before rolling over onto his stomach and spreading his limbs like a starfish.
He has this incessant buzzing in his head he can’t seem to get rid off. Something within itching to tell him to do something productive and not lay around like some useless lump. But you know you deserve the break, a little voice tells him that suspiciously sounds like his boyfriend. And he does! He continues to tell himself but it doesn’t work. He feels like he’s been rendered helpless by his unforgiving brain. He shouldn’t feel guilty for taking care of himself. Kaeya repeats these words to himself.
With a groan, he presses his face onto the bed. He’s so.. tired. Truly, whatever witty remark or ounce of cleverness he has under his belt is nothing against his treacherous mind. He feels his fingers tingle with the urge to do something that Ajax wouldn’t be happy to know about. Where is Ajax? He needs him. He misses his boyfriend..
As if on cue, his phone dings with a notification, one that Klee changed when she stole his phone one time. He didn’t have the heart to change it back. She even changed his ringtone for Ajax, so whenever he called it would be her voice cooing ‘Prince charming is calling!’ before she burst into a fit of giggles. He blindly pats the space next to him and lifts his head from the sheets to read.
He feels himself smile. The tightness in his chest that he hasn’t noticed build up melting away like cotton candy.
Ajax
/) • ,•) /) 🍽️?!
Me
🥡? (\(•^ • (\
Ajax
/) • 3•) /) 💕 ok ily! b there soon!
Kaeya giggles softly to himself and turns to lay on his back. The soft material of his hoodie brushes pleasantly against his skin. To him, Ajax is nothing short of a miracle worker, he seems to have developed a boyfriend-sense. Checking on him when he’s having a less than stellar day. Hell, he even brushes his hair or simply plays with their interlaced fingers when Kaeya looks the least bit troubled. The one that grounds him when he gets too ahead of himself.
He brings the collar of the hoodie up to his nose and inhales the pleasant scent of the fabric softener Ajax insisted was the best out there. It smelled like lavender and perfume with a hint of both their scents– being from their shared closet. The smell makes his eyes flutter and his limbs loosen, rearranging himself into a fetal position and tucking his legs inside the hoodie. Just like that he goes to sleep, the memories of his boyfriend’s hushed singing effectively squashing down the dark whispers of his mind.
Kaeya dazedly looks around. The sound of the door opening grabs his attention and his heart stutters a bit at the sight of his boyfriend walking through it. From the looks of it, he just got home, shirtless with a towel hung around his neck. Ajax doesn’t seem to realize he’s awake since he walks past the bed to use the hair dryer.
His heart faintly aches at the sight, impossibly fond. It’s been months since they moved in together– even longer since they got together. But Ajax still renders him speechless, softens him down with hugs and meaningful smiles. Ajax turns around to see him already awake and his heart sings when an adoring smile appears on his lover’s face. The ginger puts the towel somewhere– he couldn’t see before Ajax is already tossing the sheets out of the way. Kaeya lets out a laugh, a bit rough from disuse, as he opens his arms to welcome him.
However, Ajax decides to crawl into the hoodie, the size of it allowing him to snuggle up on top of him. He feels his arms wrap around his torso and lets out a startled laugh when Ajax’s head pops up from the wide collar, their noses brushing and his bangs blocking the blue eyes he loves dearly. “Hey,” Ajax whispers softly once Kaeya pushes his bangs out of the way. “I brought take-out from Wanmin, your favorite. How was your day?”
Ajax hums understandingly when he automatically looks down. “Not good, huh?” He presses a long kiss to his temples. “Have you eaten?” He asks against his skin. Kaeya feels tears prick his eyes at the question, he hasn’t done anything today. He winds his arms around the other to pull him closer. Ajax must’ve sensed the sudden stiffness since he tuts gently and pulls his face away to put their foreheads together. “Focus on me, beautiful,” He says softly.
He snaps his eyes back to meet Ajax’s. He doesn’t know why he expected to see disappointment or disgust, Ajax would never, his gut wrenches at just the thought of it. Instead he sees fondness and he’s stumped. Doesn’t understand why the ginger would look at him like he’s precious when he’s been doing nothing. Laying around uselessly like a worthless piece of shit-
“Kaeya, my darling, my love,” Ajax sings softly, lightly as he wipes his tears away. “Are you under the blanket today? Or are you hugging the pillow too?” He asks, using the codes they came up with when Kaeya doesn’t have the words to speak about what’s bothering him.
He feels a sob coming up so he nods his head. “Hugging the pillow too?” He nods again. Ajax’s face falls at the confirmation before he nuzzles their noses together. “That’s alright, baby. Are you okay with me touching you right now? Or is it grounding you?” As a reply, he wraps his legs around his waist. Ajax laughs softly, the puffs of air hitting his lips.
“Let’s have some dinner, yeah?” He whispers conspiratorially. Kaeya feels his eyes widen.
Dinner? He glances at the wall clock to see it’s now 7pm. Has he really stayed in bed all day..? He couldn’t prepare himself enough against the sudden feeling of self-loathing washing over him. Before he could think about it more, the ginger maneuvers them into a sitting position and slips out of the large hoodie. He protests at the loss of warmth until Ajax holds his hands and brings him to stand up from the bed. Instantly, he feels dizzy but he smiles faintly when he feels Ajax re-enter the hoodie from behind. His arms wrapped securely around his middle and his chin nestled atop his head. They stay standing there as they wait for the dizziness to ebb away. “Feeling better now? Let’s eat, Kae!” He says happily when Kaeya nods.
Walking to the kitchenette of their apartment was a bit tricky since they were practically one entity with four legs but they quickly got the hang of it. Kaeya laughs softly when he feels the pads of Ajax’s fingers tap rhythmically against his stomach. The sound seemed to have delighted Ajax, if the affectionate kiss to his hairline was anything to go by. The small action spreads warmth across his chest, chasing the hollow ache away bit by bit.
“Can..can we watch a movie while we eat?” He speaks out, frowning at the croakiness of his voice. It makes sense, he hasn’t talked for the whole day, staying buried under pillows. “Anything you want, Kae.” Ajax agrees easily as he unpacks the take-out. How he’s doing that while constricted by the hoodie, he doesn’t know, but it’s endearing how he resolutely keeps himself pressed to Kaeya.
The warmth of his skin, the combined sensations of the hoodie keeping his back against his chest, it keeps him focused on his surroundings. He focuses on the unmistakable scent of Wanmin Restaurant’s food and the steady in and out of Ajax’s breathing. To remind himself he’s here and he’s not going too into his head when it’s at its most ruthless.
“Okay, hold this. We have to walk to the couch.” Ajax mutters as Kaeya steadily holds the tray of take-out food. He huffs when he realizes some of the dishes are spicy, knowing already that Ajax is going to valiantly try to up his spice tolerance tonight.
They both giggle as they walk to the couch, trying to keep the tray steady to prevent any spilling, as steady as being conjoined by a hoodie can permit them to be. Ajax sighs in relief once they’re successfully standing by the couch. Kaeya settles the tray carefully onto the coffee table, the ginger bending his knees to make it easier for him.
When the tray is safely on the coffee table, Ajax immediately wraps his arms around his middle once more and flops them down the couch. He lets out a yelp in surprise while Ajax laughs. His boyfriend then brings him closer and kisses his ear as he browses the movie selection on the television.
“Are you okay with Grave of The Fireflies?” He asks him, reaching for the carton of food. “What? But that’s sad,” The ginger whines, bringing Kaeya even closer to him. “Why not Howl’s Moving Castle?’
“I want a less embarrassing reason for crying.”
Ajax doesn’t say anything to that, only huffs in mock exasperation, “Fine, but can we watch Arrietty after?”
“Hmm, deal.” He smiles, pressing the button to start the movie. As the movie starts he feels the other nudge him. He hums and looks back only to be met with a searing kiss.
The angle is awkward like this, but he melts into it anyway, the kiss simmering into something sweet and gentle. Ajax breaks away to pepper his face with kisses, presses long kisses to both his eyelids when he closes his eyes, whispering I love you, you did well today, I’m glad you’re here, I’m so lucky you’re mine-
Kaeya sniffs and weakly punches his shoulder, almost missing it because of their position. “You’re lucky I haven’t eaten anything spicy yet.” The threat from making him cry lacked any venom thanks to the pout in his voice.
Ajax chuckles fondly at the sight and proceeds to kiss his tears away. He doesn’t protest, every press of his lips unwinding the tightness in his chest. Not when he knows he has Ajax’s arms around him underneath their oversized hoodie and a favorite movie of his playing.
“Kae,” Ajax calls out softly, his finger tracing the outline of his collarbone.
“Hmm?”
“Feed me?” He beams at him. Kaeya huffs and pinches the ginger’s cheek, heart aching fondly at his boyfriend’s sweetness.
He holds a piece of Crystal Shrimp between his chopsticks to Ajax’s waiting mouth, “I can do that.”