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“The heater isn’t working” was Baekhyun’s very first thought of the morning, waking in a blind confusion to the chill that settled just outside of his blanket. His second thought was “Kyungsoo is in my room and clinging to me.” Indeed, his flatmate was curled with his forehead against Baekhyun’s shoulder, and his legs hugged Baekhyun’s just like the way he hugged Baekhyun’s arm. He must have come over after it got cold. In a moment of utter disorientation, Baekhyun thought he was dreaming. Then he turned his head and decided that even a dream couldn’t make up such an odd situation. Sure, Kyungsoo became koala-like with people he was close to. But something like this was a bit much.
Fully awake now, Baekhyun assessed the situation. Kyungsoo’s skin was freezing. He’d brought his own blanket, but somehow that one got kicked off the bed, so he’d stolen half of Baekhyun’s instead. His hold on Baekhyun’s arm was an iron grip. If Baekhyun wanted to move, he’d have to take Kyungsoo with him. On top of that, with Kyungsoo’s legs all tangled up with his, it would be difficult to slip away unnoticed. For all intents and purposes, they were tied together. Yet it was still cold.
Baekhyun sighed. He had no other option. He had to wake Kyungsoo up so he could see what was wrong with the heater. Gently, Baekhyun tugged on his arm.
Kyungsoo tightened his hug.
“C’mon, Kyungja,” Baekhyun muttered, tugging harder. Kyungsoo made a sound and fought in his sleep. “I’m cramping.”
After a bit of struggle, Baekhyun decided to rip the bandaid, so to speak. The instant he jerked his arm out of Kyungsoo’s grip, Kyungsoo woke up.
Kyungsoo blinked up at him blearily as he sat up. “Why’d you hit me?”
“I didn’t hit you. You wouldn’t let my arm go.”
“What do you mean?”
“You were hugging me.”
“I wouldn’t hug you,” Kyungsoo said with a yawn. He shivered. “It’s freezing.”
“I know. I’m going to go see what’s wrong with the heater.”
Kyungsoo watched him get up and put on his slippers. He tightened the sheets around him. Baekhyun picked up his blanket that had fallen on the floor and threw that over him, too.
“Why don’t you just stay?”
“Hm?” Baekhyun was distracted, looking for his phone. Maybe he’d left it in the living room. When Kyungsoo didn’t say anything else, he glanced at him. “What?”
“Forget it,” Kyungsoo said. He sighed and brought the blanket over his head. Like that, he looked like a mound of fabric.
“No, say what you were going to say.”
“Just text Junmyeon to get it fixed. Why do you need to go?”
“It’s freezing. You know he won’t send someone for a few hours. If it’s easy to fix then it’ll save us from freezing to death if I go.”
“Whatever then.”
Baekhyun stared at the blanket pile, considering. Then he went and lifted the covers, sliding in.
“What are you doing?” Kyungsoo grumbled. “I thought you were leaving.”
“It seems like you really want me to stay.”
“That was before you turned into an ice cube. Stop touching me. It’s cold.”
“So you only liked me before because I was warm?”
“Yes.”
“Then warm me up.” Baekhyun squished closer despite Kyungsoo’s protests. Within a matter of minutes, all argument died down. They were pressed against each other. So it wasn’t strange, not really, for Baekhyun to do what he did next, which was put his arms around Kyungsoo and pull him to his chest.
“Why are you hugging me?” Kyungsoo asked. His voice was muffled against Baekhyun’s neck.
Baekhyun tightened his arms. “Conserving heat. Why else?”
It was silent for a beat.
“… My back is cold.”
Kyungsoo turned over, prompting Baekhyun to relinquish his hold. But he backed up so that his back was against Baekhyun’s chest. As if it was something they did often, Baekhyun hugged him again without thought. It just felt natural.
“What do you think?” Baekhyun asked after a moment, quietly. “Warm?”
“Mm.”
“Are we going back to sleep?”
“Mm.”
Alright. Baekhyun was always down to sleep in. And it was more enticing to sleep in with his roommate cuddled up in his arms. With a sigh, Baekhyun pulled him closer and closed his eyes.