Work Text:
~[part 1: Yearning]~
Nesia stared hazily at the ceiling. After a long day at work, he finally managed to hit the hay. Struggling to eat his dinner and then bathe before bed, he lied on his side, hugged his 'guling' while scrolling his phone, waiting to be drifted into a dreamless sleep.
It's the same day, same routine.
Going to work, getting into traffic jams, meetings and meetings, before he jumped back into traffic and went home. Some of his friends invited him to hang out, but lately he had fun by sitting in front of TV, ordering food and cola, while smoking. It was peaceful , he thought, since at least his drama was only work-related.
Like many of his citizens, Nesia adapted to a career-focused lifestyle. He never asked why he didn't marry again and he loved this kind of ignorance. It gave him comfort, though it didn't stop the yearning . Of course he wished to be with a special someone, a business partner now. In loneliness he wondered, 'what if we were together in this era, what would happen to our life? Will it be better? Will it be worse?'
This often haunted him and gave him a wild fantasy of an ideal place called home, with a spacious yard and a front porch, where they could sit and smoke together after a hard day of work. It was very tempting, he admitted.
However, each time he wanted to ask, e ach time he wanted to bring this topic when he met Ned in person, different things flashed before his face. Horrible things. Shameful things he did and their cruelty in the past stopped him. And with a gulp, he said to himself, "forget it."
It was too late.
"Huff~" Nesia placed his phone on a bedside table, before he hugged the bolster, maybe a little too tight. The night wasn't cold. This nation was hot and humid, even with AC on. But being alone in the darkness could chill even the toughest man to the bones.
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~[part 2: Longing]~
At first, Ned thought of everything he did for Nesia as a redemption for his sin in the past. It was his fault and now it's his responsibility to fix things in between them. Last year, he asked his boss to be stationed in their ID Embassy, so he could stay close to Nesia and helped the man with all his might.
Even as nothing more than a ghost in their past because he knew in the way Nesia avoided physical contact, always awkward around him, he stood no chance.
It didn't stop him from reaching out and give his hand every time Nesia stumbled in his walk. He could carry Nesia, like before, but that was wrong. It was his greatest mistake that he didn't even want to remember. To love this man so much, he spoiled Nesia rotten.
"Are you okay?" He watched as Nesia took his hand, they wore gloves, but his heart thumped wildly at the seeping warmth from the fingertips. The monster in him screamed to break free, to tell Nesia his longing , but his lips were tight-lipped and his body rigid, fighting back the urge.
I want to have and claim you.
I want to be the one you see when you wake up
And the last person who saw you drifted into sleep
I want you to be mine, forever.
"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks." The short and cold reply came from Nesia. The warmth in his palm slowly disappeared as the man let go, like a stopper to his heartbeat, hurting him in order to kill his monster. But the creature was immortal, just like the two of them, and each time it was slayed with rejection, the possessive beast grew stronger and fiercer. Ned wondered what would happen if he couldn't contain anymore.
Whether the history repeats itself, or there's a chance for them to start fresh, it's a mystery.
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~[part 3: Pulling]~
'Happy Birthday, Nesia, you're always the top priority in my heart.'
"What the F?" Nesia read the text with a blush. To wake up with such a bomb in the morning, on his birthday, it wasn't good for his health. With the drizzling rain outside the window, Nesia was awake to check on his notification. There are friends and family who sent him wishes, so Ned's message should not be that bothering. It's just one of the unread texts in his inbox, yet he opened it first.
And his heart clenched. "Top priority your ass~" he gritted his teeth, unable to stop his face from blushing and his tears to form at the corner of his eyes.
He cried.
He cried at such a simple declaration of love.
He knew Ned still loved him, he did too. They're just too prideful and stupid.
So he texted back, HE FREAKING TEXTED BACK to this disturbing crazy old ass of his ex, after he made sure there should be nothing in between them from now on.
'Thank you. I expect nothing more than a grand gift from you, Mas.'
Because if there's no man force can stop this pull in between them, then it's the universe to blame at. They are a matchmade by the heaven, that's why no matter how far they tried to runaway from each other, they're always back again.
'I'll give you my world, Dek, my everything.'
Nesia stared at the reply with a warm smile.
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End
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~[Extra: Special Bond]~
It's his birthday celebration. Many friends and personifications sent their wishes. Cakes, flowers, balloons and gifts filled his home. So Nesia held his party via zoom meeting.
In total there are around twenty participants, including Ned. Although the man was off mic and off cam. Not that Nesia got bugged or bothered by it. He was busy chatting with everyone, discussing how they wished to come over. Too bad, Nesia wasn't in good shape so having crowds around was kinda overwhelming.
"So how was your fever, Nesia?" Arthur asked.
"Oh I'm getting better." Nesia smiled.
"Should not sleep with your stomach exposed." Ozzy chirped in.
"Yeah, he's totally doing that." Mal said, "remember once in-"
"One more embarrassing back story, I'm going to mute you." Nesia gritted his teeth at his little brother. Mal mimicked the gesture.
"So you're currently alone at home?" Piri asked, "If you're in trouble, just hit my number, ok? I'm so gonna come over to watch your misery."
Nesia blinked, "and that's my bestie." He sighed in defeat. But it was in a fond way, until he noticed the silent participant. Nesia wondered if Ned didn't want to at least wish him something. Or maybe say hi. Or just show up.
Okay, this started to bug him.
"What about the ice cream place we-"
There's a knock on the door, "hold on. There's another delivery." He stood from the desk, smiling shyly at the way people cheered for him, before they bickered with each other again. Nesia scratched the back of his head, feeling silly for worrying about Ned while he was surrounded by these amazing people.
Forget it.
He opened the door, "Ya?"
"Paket atas nama Nesië ?"
That voice.
Nesia froze on his feet to see the tall and huge Mr.Netherlands towering in front of him, "umm, I was in a hurry so… I can't get anything for you…" Ned pulled down his mask, "except myself…"
Nesia jumped at him and wrapped his hands around the man's neck, "Heck yeah."
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Mal pointed at his screen, where Nesia was back sitting on his desk holding a cup of hot chamomile tea (for his fever). Leaning to the table, there's Ned, calmly watching the protesting crowds, "and why are you there, Londo? You don't get a travel ban from your boss?"
"That's unfair!" Ozzy bared his teeth at Ned.
Ned glanced at the participants on the screen, "I have no travel ban." He said.
"Why did you always get special treatment?"
Nesia saw a small smile formed on Ned's lips. His heart began to throb and his face fumed in red.
"Because, " Ned answered huskily, "Nesia and I have a special bond."