Work Text:
When Lucien returns home from work to the mansion, the last thing he expects to find is Victor sitting on the couch, swaddled in one of the blankets he’s dragged out from the closet where they are kept when they aren’t in use. Naturally, he’s perturbed and arches a brow, silently questioning the financier but Victor does his best to shrug the whole thing off with his usual tactics.
“I catch a cold once a year. I'll be fine, I don't want you coming down with anything.”
The chef sneezes again, quite abruptly. Lucien narrows his eyes in concern as he peers over at Victor, not wanting to overstep too much but also filled with the urge to be there for him as he sets his work bag on a dining chair before approaching the brown leather sofa with long, quick strides. It’s clear the tycoon has avoided mentioning that he’s unwell during the workday since he’s known that the neuroscientist has his plate full with the publication of one of his research papers. He likely hadn’t wanted to worry him and they’d kept their exchanges to brief texts throughout the morning and afternoon but it appears there is cause for concern now. Lucien’s voice is soft as his brows dip in distress that the billionaire might decide to push him away.
“Would you like me to take care of you, Victor?”
The older man snuggles deeper into the blanket, hiding the lower half of his face. Does he want comfort? Yes, and he’s well accustomed to the idea of asking for it when he wants it. However...
“I don't want to get you sick.”
“You can say no to me, sweetheart.” The look the philanthropist sends his way tells him that it most definitely isn’t a no. The professor sighs and climbs under the blanket as well, wrapping his arms tightly around the older man before rocking him. His voice sounds soothing and calm, attempting to keep the worry he’s feeling out of his tone as he addresses the CEO. “Have you eaten today?”
The response he earns is short and a bit petulant even as Victor leans into his form to take comfort from him while disregarding one of Lucien’s questions. “I know.”
Avoiding one question, while answering the other. A classic deflection tactic.
The researcher’s been together with the philanthropist long enough to recognise his behavioural patterns and he lets out a nonchalant hum as he calls him out on it. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Victor looks at his cup of tea on the side table, nodding toward it as an indication he’d had something at least before elaborating. “I've had crackers, and some of the medicine in the cabinet.”
The lecturer glances at the beverage Victor must’ve brewed before his arrival from work and exhales softly, placing a hand against his forehead while his eyes narrow with concern. He retracts it and pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose, noting that the capitalist feels warmer to his touch than he typically does. “Have you been running a temperature today?”
“I don't know, I didn't have a thermometer.”
Victor pauses.
“Am I now? I took some medicine for nausea. And the sneezing.”
Lucien lifts the blanket over his legs, untangling himself from his beau before space folding away without a word and returns a second later with a thermometer. “Say aah.” He tugs the instrument out of its casing and looks expectantly at the financier as he takes his spot next to him on the sofa again. The investor sticks his tongue out, letting Lucien place the thermometer under his tongue.
“Aaaaaaah. Can I haff crackerth?”
Lucien keeps his reply short and firm, conveying with his tone that there’s no room for argument. “Once we're done checking that you don't have a fever.” Victor looks grumpy again, eyes narrowed as he waits for the thermometer to finish.
The professor tenderly strokes the tycoon's bangs back while being patient for the thermometer to beep as he begins to lay down his proposal, having mulled over this for some time now.
“So about that day off we've been discussing, I think tomorrow might be a good idea. Just so you can get some rest and recuperate. Would you like me to talk to Goldman to reschedule your meetings? Is there anything important going on tomorrow?”
Lucien’s careful to keep his voice lighter again, slipping into a caretaker role with ease. He wants the best for Victor and right now, that is a break from work. Perhaps conveying that he has his health at heart will convince the billionaire to be more agreeable to his suggestion.
The thermometer sounds and the academician removes it from Victor's mouth, frowning at the reading. Well, that’s not good.
The tycoon disregards the question, keeping his answer as succinct as possible while Lucien gives him a look at how he continues to speak while he’s attempting to care for him. “You don't need to call me into work, just get me my laptop.”
The professor grumbles softly at Victor’s response. “So stubborn,” he mutters under his breath. “You have a fever, sweetheart. I'm going to get you some tablets for it since you haven’t had any and your crackers. Actually, did you even have a meal?”
Victor groans at the declaration of his fever. “I had a can of soup. I didn’t have the energy to stand for much more than that.”
Apprehension clouds Lucien’s features and he purses his lips. Victor’s clearly feeling weak. Something fresh would do him some good now, seeing that he only has the appetite for tea and some crackers. “Would you like some fruits instead?” The suggestion from Lucien is more informative than anything.
Victor still manages the strength to raise an eyebrow questioningly. “Would I?”
A soft sigh falls from Lucien’s lips as his investor continues to put up a fight against him. The scientist knows it’s a futile effort but he humours his lover nonetheless. “Vitamin Cs are good for your immune system. Wouldn't you like to work from home tomorrow? If you're still running a fever, you won't be able to. Let me just…”
The entrepreneur looks up at his beau fussing over him, still frowning. “I've worked with a fever before.”
Lucien places the thermometer aside over a piece of tissue paper he’s tugged out of a box before pulling out his phone and making a call as he lifts himself off from the couch and walks away to continue his conversation out of earshot of the financier before he objects yet again.
“Hello, Jennifer. Something urgent has come up and I won't be able to come into the labs tomorrow. Could you oversee a couple of the experiments? I don't think there will be anything important but call me right away if I am needed.” He listens to the young woman on the line for a few moments before bidding his farewell. “Thank you, I appreciate it. I'll make it up to you.”
His eyes narrow as he turns back to peer at Victor, approaching him once he’s wrapped up his call. “You're not doing that tomorrow,” the academician states squarely as he picks up the thermometer and pads away to rinse it in the kitchen. He then grabs two tablets of fever meds and a tall mug of warm water before washing his hands thoroughly. Regarding their fruit basket, he eyes the fresh selection Victor had procured from the market nearby over the weekend before picking up an orange. The professor places the fruit on a plate, setting the thermometer aside and quietly makes his way to sit next to the older man again, amusement glinting in his dark eyes from the exasperated expression his lover wears.
“You didn't have to call in. I'm sure you're putting Jennifer out. I just need to rest.” Victor reaches out for the orange on the plate in Lucien’s hand and tries a different tack. “I'll be boring while I sleep. You'll be very bored.”
Lucien swats Victor's hand away before the financier can blink, a picture of poise and grace as the lecturer curls a leg under his form. “No touching of the orange. My hands are clean, yours are not.” The CEO pouts in response. “She'll be fine, I've taken over for her many times. Besides, I'll be working from home anyway. I can keep an eye on you in case your fever takes a turn for the worse.”
Setting the mug and meds on the side table, the academician reaches for the orange on the plate on his lap and starts to peel it quickly with his nimble fingers, tugging the skin off before offering a wedge to Victor. “Here you go.”
He frowns as he takes the orange wedge from Lucien, munching on half of the slice slowly. “You're her supervisor, that's your job. And I'm already sick, I can't get myself sicker by peeling an orange.”
“But it doesn't hurt to be careful and hygienic. Stop fighting me.” Lucien pushes the other half past Victor's lips, effectively silencing his protests. “I told her I'd make it up to her, Victor. Do you really want me gone that badly?”
The businessman’s eyes go wide as the orange is pushed into his mouth. He chews it fully and swallows before responding, scooting closer to Lucien and resting his head on his shoulder. “I don't want you gone. I just don't want to inconvenience you for my sake.”
The researcher idly traces a finger over Victor's lip once he's done chewing before reaching back down for the next wedge. He cocks an eyebrow at the older man before shaking his head and sighing as he feels the comfortable weight of his head on his shoulder. “Did I say it is an inconvenience, Victor? Well, good. Because I’m not planning on leaving even if you’d told me you wanted me gone.” Picking up another orange slice, he slowly lifts it and playfully wiggles it forward until it presses on the CEO's lips, waiting for him to grant the wedge entrance.
Victor huffs a quiet laugh at the little dance that Lucien makes the orange do, biding his time until it's pressing against his lips before opening his mouth and taking a bite. “You didn't. I assumed incorrectly again. Yes, dear.”
The TV consultant cranes his neck and observes, brows furrowing slightly as Victor chews on the orange before leaning close to plant a soft peck to his crown of black waves, satisfied that his investor seems to finally be done with resisting him and his efforts. There has to be a limit to his stubbornness and perhaps he has found it quicker than usual tonight. Just another indication that his partner is off his game.
“Good boy. Besides, it's not like I won't be working at all tomorrow, right? There's still a lot I can do. Don't fret about it. I'm not going to call Goldman just yet but if you're running a temperature tomorrow morning, I'm not bringing you your laptop. I think that's fair.”
Victor sighs a little - he has a few proposals he has to look over, but he knows Lucien is probably not going to let him even think about it. He settles for nuzzling into his shoulder. “I could just text him tomorrow; you don't have to call.”
Lucien nods and swallows, placing his head on top of Victor's gently before reaching for another wedge, raising it like an airplane in the air as he mimics a noise that is similar to a plane’s take-off. He stops right before the mogul’s mouth, keen to hear his warm, rumbly chuckle again. It makes sense that the chef wants to text Goldman himself instead of letting the academician do it. He has a reputation to maintain after all and Victor's always been extremely professional. The neuroscientist’s meddling would be unnecessary and he does not want the businessman to appear weak to his subordinates in any way.
“Mm, of course. I'll let you handle it and just look after you while you're under my care.”
Victor manages another huff of amusement at how the scientist is managing to make his food fly toward him; he spares a moment as he chews the next orange slice to wonder if this is what Lucien is like around children. He knows he doesn't view him as one obviously, but he supposes taking care of a sick family member would probably necessitate strategies like these. Victor was never the sort of child to need them, but he hardly ever turned down an opportunity to see his beau being so adorable.
“Alright. In return, let me go with you to the orphanage sometime.” It was a place that Victor hadn't been keen to go in the past given their shared history, but maybe if he got to see Lucien like this...
His eyebrows shoot up as Victor tells him that he wants to accompany him to the orphanage out of nowhere. Eyes widening mildly from surprise, not having expected his lover to ask for this in exchange for letting Lucien take care of him, Lucien tilts his head, trying to follow his train of thought. The mogul has never asked to tag along on his bi-weekly visits to the Twin Leaves Orphanage before and he understands why that has been the case. The lecturer can tell there is still some underlying trauma from the kidnapping incident when they were youths and is aware it can be potentially triggering for the older man. Having been in close contact with the establishment for many years now, Lucien is fine with being there. The place looks a lot different and that one building that had been used to “house” them when they were kids is kept locked, always.
“You don't have to do anything in return, silly. But are you sure? I'm usually spending time with the children and I don't know if that will be enjoyable for you.”
The tycoon nods, his mind made up. It's been a long time, and he's sure it's probably quite different now. If Lucien could be there, he should be fine. “I want to see you with them, and I actually don't mind kids.” They make more sense and are usually more honest than adults, anyways.
Lucien chuckles at the older man's reply, eyes filled with mirth as he bumps his head lightly against his. “Oh? You want to watch me play Daddy, huh?” He reaches down for another wedge and this time waves it up and down in the air before pausing in front of the billionaire's mouth. He has his concerns about whether it will be fun for the chef but he knows it's his decision to make at the end of the day. He would appreciate the company nonetheless, having visited the orphanage by his lonesome for the last few years. Lucien’s never brought anyone along in the past but if there’s someone he would, it has to be Victor, of course.
Victor’s cheeks pink a little at the implication his boyfriend is making but he nods anyway, not really having the energy to bother denying it. His eyes are still amused as Lucien wiggles the slice around in the air, making it go up and down before appearing before his lips. He eats again, this time pausing after he takes the piece to kiss his boyfriend's fingertips.
He eyes how happy the businessman looks as he continues to feed him in a spirited manner, taking in the way some colour has returned to his cheeks already. He had been looking pale earlier but perhaps he is feeling a little better now. A soft coo falls from Lucien’s lips at the gentle peck to his digits and he taps at the older man's mouth before reaching for another slice right as Victor lifts his head from his shoulder and turns it around to face him. This time, Lucien brings it up to his own lips, maintaining eye contact as he takes a tiny nibble, enjoying the sweet and sour flavour that tantalises his palate whenever the chef is around him, enhancing his senses, before spinning it around until it sits right at Victor's mouth.
“Good. They're a lovely bunch and I think they'd like to meet you. I should actually inform the director about it in advance. The kids are going to be so excited.”
The CEO hums softly as Lucien strikes at his lips gently before nibbling on a piece, the shared eye contact making him flush a little more. Victor knows that Lucien sometimes samples his food to tease him; this must be another of those times. He takes the partially bitten piece into his mouth. He doesn't think he remembers a time when children outside of his own family have ever been excited to see him.“Mm, probably for the best. Will they be? I don't think they'll know who I am.”
Chuckling softly at how adorable his partner looks when he blushes, Lucien leans a little closer, affectionately pecking at his forehead as the older man chews on the orange slice thoughtfully. It's his turn to feel a small, warm flush spread across his chest as he considers Victor's question and he swallows hard, wrapping one arm around the billionaire's shoulders to pull him in a little closer. “I think you're underestimating how well known you are. Plus, you're a local. But that's not why they'll be thrilled. I… may have spoken about you to the kids in the past.”
He looks up as Lucien kisses him on the forehead, stopping mid-chew to observe him acting so fondly toward him. Victor shakes his head at the idea that kids would be aware enough to understand who a businessman is, but it suddenly makes sense when his lover reveals that he's let slip about him to the children in the past. A corner of his mouth tugs up into a small smile as his boyfriend tugs him forward, and he turns his head so he's rubbing his cheek into the soft fabric of the black turtleneck sweater he's wearing. He can't resist teasing him just a little bit.
“Oh? I hope I can live up to their expectations. What have you told them?”
Hearing the lilted tone in Victor's voice, Lucien squeezes the edge of his shoulder while lifting a finger to tap at his nose. Victor blinks a little rapidly as he tracks his boyfriend's finger nudging the tip of his nose, sighing softly at the domesticity of the moment. The professor tilts his head to peck at one side of his beau’s, right over his soft hair as he catches a whiff of his rose shampoo. It smells so fucking incredible. He always does. The lecturer grabs another orange slice and moves it as if it's ascending a set of stairs before stopping right at his lover’s mouth as it reaches its destination. The tycoon looks up with amusement yet again before he takes it into his mouth, maintaining eye contact this time.
“I'm certain you will exceed their expectations. But that, my love, is for you to find out when you meet them. They may or may not tease us.”
His lips curve up into a subtle smile while his eyes crinkle and he thinks about the curious kids at the orphanage who have been constantly bombarding him with questions about his love life. Lucien had eventually caved in, a while after he and Victor had made things official and had given them snippets about the man, the way he makes him feel and some of the sweet things he has done for him in the past. Lucien knows that will definitely shape their impressions of the CEO and they would like him for his true qualities, remaining completely untainted by the perceptions many in Loveland tend to have about him, especially those working in the same industry as his partner.
Of course, he's not giving away anything to Victor; this is another one of their games. Still, the philanthropist can hazard a guess based on the soft look on Lucien's face. “I suppose I can take a bit of teasing for your sake.”
Gazing down into Victor's alluring hematite eyes, Lucien swallows, his larynx bobbing as he basks in the warmth of his boyfriend and how beautiful he looks in his arms. Slowly, he begins to stroke little circles on the edge of his shoulder with his thumb before leaning in to smooch his cheek fondly, letting his lashes flutter against the older man's cheekbone as he plants gentle butterfly kisses to his flesh. Victor makes a soft noise as he's kissed so tenderly on the cheek. The researcher always treats him so reverently; he isn't sure what he's done in a past life to deserve him, but he is endlessly grateful.
“Mmm, you have no choice but to take it either way. You've agreed to tag along now.”
“Mm, I usually take what you give me.”
Smiling against Victor's cheek as the older man mewls with pleasure while he dots little, warm kisses on his soft flesh, Lucien laughs softly, eyelids flying open at his remark. A deep growl escapes his throat and he playfully roars against the chef's ear, voice deepening slightly as it gets huskier. “You take it very, very well.”
The capitalist joins in with Lucien’s laughter as his entire form shakes against the professor’s before it devolves into a bout of giggles while his beau rumbles cheekily near his ear. They're having a very different dynamic today, but he's not bothered - seeing Lucien's doting side is adorable. “You're the only one who would know.”
The neuroscientist perks up at the adorable little giggles he draws out of his investor, jabbing his fingers against his ribs to tickle him slightly while he looks so carefree. His heart skips a beat when Victor tells him he's the only one who'd know and he suspires softly against him, letting the warmth of his words flood him with joy from within his core at the commitment from the older man.
That he is his one and only.
“And I love testing all of your limits to satisfy my own curiosities.”
“Test away. But in return, I'll find someone with loose lips who will dish out all the dirt on what their special guest has been telling them about the man he's brought with him this time.”
Lucien feels the tips of his ears pinken slightly as Victor tells him he'll find out just what he has revealed about him to the kids and he closes his eyes, thinking back to the Saturdays he's spent with the little ones, talking to them about what he had done the previous weekend, his plans with Victor and just how he has been making him feel. It has been difficult for him to hide how happy he has been and the children have easily picked up on it too, having known him for a few years now. He just hopes the chef won't mind that others know about what he means to Lucien in his life.
“I don't know if you'll have enough time for that. They'll be asking the very special guest all about me, I think.”
Victor laughs quietly as he watches his beau turn just a little redder before he scoots back on the couch they're resting on, eyes drooping a little. He'd come down here because he wanted Lucien’s company, but now, all he can think of is a nap. Maybe the professor would stay with him and he could press his cooler hands onto his face to break his fever. “Hm, I'm sure I can manage to turn it around a few times at least. I'm a pretty good negotiator. You really found that much to talk about, huh?” He blinks up at him, genuinely curious. He doesn't really think he is that fascinating, even if he has managed to capture the attention of someone as amazing as his boyfriend is. Victor just works hard, that’s all.
Lucien’s eyebrows shoot up as the chef wiggles out of his warm embrace to get comfortable against the couch before watching as he looks up at the scientist through tired eyes. Leaning forward, he places the plate with the orange peel on the side table before reaching out for the mug of warm water and the two tablets. It is best to get his fever medicines into his system right away before it worsens and it looks like the billionaire is halfway on his path to slumber, looking so relaxed at this moment. A small smile plays on his lips from the satisfaction that he's doing a good job taking care of the older man.
“You're an excellent negotiator, honey. Well, you're the only one in my life, Victor. And it's not like I can talk about my research for too long without losing their interest and I'll never talk about the Collective, of course. So conversation tends to drift towards romance, my love life and my partner. And all of that is you.”
He looks away from his beau for a few seconds, heart racing in his chest as he admits what he’s been up to on his bi-weekly visits to the orphanage, without the capitalist’s knowledge. Victor can feel his heart squeeze a bit at how affected the genius looks and the way he reassures him that he’s his person. Taking a few seconds to calm down, Lucien raises the mug and tablets and looks over at his boyfriend with a lovestruck expression, fondness evident in his dark eyes. “Say aah, again. It's time for you to take your meds, mon chaton.”
As the tycoon loosens his jaw obediently and waits, Lucien places the tablets on his tongue and offers him the mug of lukewarm water, tipping it upwards slightly while his boyfriend subtly adjusts the place at which it flows into his mouth.
Victor brings a hand up to tilt the mug, letting his boyfriend care for him in a way that he doesn't think he's let anyone before - not even his parents did this much for him, that he remembers. Lucien’s other hand idly plays with the mogul’s dark waves, fingers threading through his soft locks repeatedly before taking the mug away as he simpers subtly. The older man sighs into the soft touch to his hair and leans back, snuggling down into the couch cushions.
The scientist straightens up from the couch, sliding the blanket off of himself and tucks it around the CEO snugly before picking up the plate on the side table as he makes his way into the kitchen. He quickly discards the orange peel into the trash and rinses the dishes thoroughly, setting it on the rack to dry before wiping his hands clean and entering the living room again. Lucien beams as he observes how cosy and snuggled up Victor looks on the couch, ready to just sleep his evening away while he towers over him.
Lowering himself to reach a hand down to pat his boyfriend’s hair tenderly, the lecturer shifts and fluffs the cushions under his head slightly so he won't feel any strain on his neck when he eventually wakes up in the morning. Placing a hand over his blanketed knees, Lucien pushes them in a little so there's no way the billionaire may fall off the couch even if he tosses and turns later in the evening and he just so happens to not be around. The chef is very nearly asleep, eyes bleary as he blinks them open to watch Lucien make his adjustments. “Is there anything else you'd like? You look really tired, Victor. Get some rest, hmm?”
“M'fine. Thanks, Lu.” His eyes fall shut again and his eyelashes flutter softly as his breathing evens out, the philanthropist finally falling asleep.
Lucien freezes slightly, arching a brow at Victor as he closes his eyes and drifts off, somewhat surprised by the new nickname. It isn't one he had ever used before and he briefly wonders if his fatigue and delirium have led to this. He repeats the syllable under his breath, in that same French accent his partner had used when uttering it, emphasising the “u” sound. From past encounters, the lecturer knows that Victor’s French accent has a tendency to slip out when he’s more vulnerable, all of his layers peeled back as he lets his guard down. Lucien is proud of being able to elicit such moments from the CEO but this feels significant. No one has ever called him Lu before, not even his parents but it is short, sweet and cute. He finds that he likes it quite a lot and wonders if Victor will ever use it on him again. Perhaps he should tell him what has happened when he’s up. If he’s feeling better.
Running his fingers through his hair, he strolls towards the dining table behind the brown leather sofa and extends an arm to pick up his long-abandoned office bag. Lucien retrieves his tablet before making his way back to situate himself on the couch cosily, lifting the chef's feet under the blankets. The academician arranges them over his lap gingerly, being careful not to wake his boyfriend up as he gets comfortable, settling in for a night of watching Victor as he dozes off easily while the scientist works through reading some research reports.