Work Text:
Taemin stares at his phone, eyes unfocused, mind a mile away.
He can't remember the last time he got a chance to leave his house; the walls of his home have become a guard against the virus storming through the world — yet, they'd also become a form of personal torment. An unforgiving jail that teased him with opening doors, whispering at him to step outside into the world.
He missed going outside, he missed dancing and teaching his classes. He misses the staff at his dance studio, the jokes and laughs they shared. He missed his students.
But above all… he’s really missing his boyfriend.
Taemin understands the importance of staying inside, of course; this isn't about him - it's about keeping others safe. It's about keeping the wave of infections down so that the medical staff across Korea can do their job more effectively.
But it doesn't make it any easier.
Taemin had been one of the lucky ones, having had time to pack up for a while and get to his parents’ apartment before the country went into lockdown. He at least gets enough human contact that he doesn’t become deprived. His parents have been amazing, doting on him and his brother as the days get harder. He misses the fun of life, he misses seeing his neighbors, he misses dancing in a proper studio.
Taemin sighs, focusing on his phone and staring at the text message from Ten.
How are u doing? x
He takes a while to type out, I’m doing okay, a little bummed, but fine, healthy. What about you?
Ten doesn’t reply, not to the question at least, just saying give me 10 .
Taemin huffs and chucks his phone on his desk, turning his attention back to his laptop.
The screen is dim, ready to turn to sleep mode and he drags his finger across the mouse pad. He’s in the middle of doing his paperwork, his taxes, predicting how much the pandemic is going to cost his studio. It’s not looking too good - they’d survive it for sure, but Taemin might have to let some of his staff go; he’ll of course rehire them as soon as the monetary dip is over, but it’s still not an idea that he likes anything about. He can afford one more month of payment for them all at this rate and he sighs, rubbing his eyes aggressively with the palms of his hands. He lets bright sparks fly across them, letting the kaleidoscope patterns amaze him before a noise makes him jump.
Taemin looks over to his window, blinking the colours away, trying to figure out what the noise is before his jaw drops open. He stands up, walking over and pulls his window open, glaring at Ten. “What the hell are you doing here? Curfew was an hour ago, Ten.”
Ten shrugs, grinning and holds out a bag of food. The mask he wears prevents any sight of his smile but Taemin can see the way his eyes quirk at the corners, turning upwards. Taemin blinks, unable to really process this, taking the bag of food being held out to him on muscle memory. He opens it, smiling when he realises it’s their usual favourite take out for a movie night before his head snaps back up.
“What are you doing here? Ten, there’s a lockdown!”
“I know. But I also know you’re stressed and cooping up in your room alone. If I tell you to go talk to your family you’re pretty much going to ignore me and you need some support. I took back roads, I wore a mask the entire time, I didn’t see anyone and if I had I would have ensured I was a good distance away from them. Don’t worry. Pull your TV over to your nightstand, use the HDMI to connect your laptop to it, and we can put Netflix on where you can stay across the room and I can stay outside here. I’ve figured it out, we’re still far enough away we won’t risk spreading the virus if either of us had it. Plus… I really miss you.”
Taemin blinks, taking a moment to process everything that Ten's saying before he shakes his head, a smile on his face. He sets the take out bag on his dresser, doing as Ten directed before he disappears downstairs. He peers into the living room, finding his family half-asleep, sitting in front of the television and he smiles. He heads to the kitchen, grabbing chopsticks and cutlery before heading back upstairs.
Taemin quickly dishes the food up and Ten steps away from the window, edging himself along the tree outside, perching himself, balanced. Taemin walks across the room, setting Ten's food on the windowsill and steps back, settling in his office chair. He quickly saves all his files before he scoots back, Ten taking the opportunity to settle on the roof. Taemin chokes on his first mouthful as he watches him pull a blanket out of the bag he brought, settling himself and pulling his mask down to chew at his food.
“You really came prepared, huh?”
Ten grins and nods at the television. “I’m not going to stay too long, how about an episode? I heard Kingdom season 2 came out. As soon as it’s finished, I’ll leave and sneak home. I promise.”
Taemin nods and quickly sets it up, hitting play and relaxing into his chair as he focuses on eating his food. It’s an awkward angle to watch the television at, but like this, where he can see Ten perched just outside his window, after months of not seeing him at all in person, brings some solitude to his soul.
He knows deep down they really shouldn't be doing this and he should send Ten home as soon as humanly possible - but he's selfish and needs his partner. It's been too long since he's properly seen Ten and this has brought him more comfort than any text has in the recent months.
They fall easily into their usual routine; Ten pipes up with a joke here and there. Taemin giggles and responds with another joke, but a dad joke, making Ten groan and roll his eyes. Ten eats his food relatively quickly, leaning in to place the plate on the window sill - with a small amount of food for Taemin to try. Taemin blushes. He finishes his own food, leaving some and switches the plate, settling back down.
They comment on each other's food choices. They poke fun at one another, making each other splutter and blush.
Ten tells him about what he's been doing at home; all the designs he's made for a clothing line, the dances he's been choreographing for his YouTube channel, the jokes his friends have been playing. He's in the middle of explaining an in-depth prank he and Taeyong have been playing on Yang Yang, involving ugly Christmas sweaters and cat food when Taemin blinks.
"Ten, I love you."
Ten falls silent, blinking. "What?"
"I said, รักนะ."
Ten stares, cheeks flushing under his mask as he registers the Thai that Taemin's saying. He looks down at the ground, rubbing his arm.
"I can't believe you're doing this, risking going to jail just to see me."
"I know you needed it, Taemin-ah. It's worth the risk. I know you're struggling with your depression a little and this entire situation isn't making it any easier... I just want to make sure you're safe and okay... รักนะ, Taemin, I love you too."
Taemin smiles a little, watching him as he struggles with the sudden burst of emotions. Taemin takes a slow breath. "When this is over... do you want to go to Taiwan? Take a few weeks away from all of this."
"Why Taiwan?"
"Well, Taiwan was the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage... How about it? We invite just close friends and family, something small, and throw it all to fate?"
Ten stares, blinking rapidly, breathing heavier for a moment. Taemin feels his anxiety growing in his chest and looks back to the television.
"Yes. Yes, oh my god. Let's do it."
Taemin whips his head back round to stare at Ten before he starts smiling. "Alright... I'll start looking up venues and stuff."
"I can't wait to tell my mom, oh gosh. She's loved you since the start, but we need to go to Thailand before we get married. Everyone needs to meet you properly, not just over video call, okay?"
"Deal. And my mom is going to love this, her and Taesun will probably want to take you suit shopping."
"Does it have to be so formal? If it's a small reception, why not something like a beach wedding? Not something big, nothing all fancy, but suit jackets and beach shorts and flip flops."
"Well I hope I'm invited."
Both of them jump out of their skin, heads shooting to Taemin's bedroom door. His dad stands there, arms crossed over his chest as he observes them both.
Taemin laughs, awkwardly, sniffing a little. "Of course you are Dad... I swear this... isn't... it's not... I know it's illegal he's here but there's good reason."
Ten smiles awkwardly behind his mask. "I'm sorry, I'm going to leave soon, I promise."
Taemin's dad looks between the two of them, sighing. "Taesun is taking the ladder outside. Ten can come in, get a proper shower and keep wearing that mask but he can have the spare room for tonight. I'm not about to send him home this late. Anyone going around out there at this time during this virus is either as foolish and in love as you or up to no good. But that mask stays on until you sleep, the window is open when you take it off, and then you put that mask straight back on in the morning."
Ten blinks a few times before nodding. Taemin straightens up, beaming at his father. "Thank you, Papa."
"Ten, get a shower, get dressed then come into the kitchen. I want to hear about all these wedding plans."
Taemin beams as Ten nods, looking down as Taesun appears, helping him with a ladder. He stands, getting clean clothes from his dresser for Ten to change into, taking them through into the bathroom.
The world isn't fixed. The pandemic is still looming; it's terrifying, crashing against him at every turn. But tonight? The undated future plans?
There's better days on the way.