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It was late when Punz finally walked through his apartment door. He had gone on an errand run late afternoon and didn’t get back till late evening. Mind tired and body sore he started the search for his boyfriend so he can get hugs and the sleep he had been craving for most of the day. When he had left, Foolish was streaming and had been streaming for s few hours, so he assumed he would’ve ended by now.
Looking around the flat there was little sign of life, all the lights were off and the only noise he could hear is the cars rushing past the building. It was slightly unsettling how lonely the rooms seemed in the dark and without his boyfriend’s joy. He hadn’t received any texts that would indicate that the other had left for any reason, but he got no reply when he called out.
It wasn’t until he gave up looking and turned off the hall light that he noticed the light spilling out from under the bathroom door. That was weird. He never heard any water running and if Foolish wasn’t in the shower, then surely, he would’ve called back to Punz. Worry built in his chest as bad thoughts started to flood his head as to why Foolish wouldn’t be able to answer him. He anxiously knocked on the door before slowly opening it.
The last thing he thought he would walk in on was his boyfriend sitting in the bathtub, filled to the brim with bubbles, sipping on an apple juice box, with his headphones still sitting around his ears. As weird as a sight it was, it did explain why he never got an answer when he shouted. Many questions started to pop up the more Punz took in the situation.
Why was Foolish in the bath, he hates baths, he only ever used the shower.
Why did he have his headphones on? He’s in the bath, why does he need it? What is he even listening to?
Where did he get the juice box? Punz was 98% sure they didn’t own any.
Does his boyfriend even realise that he’s there? He hasn’t looked away from the spot on the wall he’s been staring at when Punz came in.
Walking over and crouching next to the tub he placed a hand on Foolish’s shoulder to get his attention. Breaking out of his trance Foolish jumped at the sudden touch leading to him accidently splashing water onto Punz.
“Oh, sorry.” He reached out to wipe away the water drops left on Punz’s face but stopped short when more water dripped from his hand. He instead moved to take off his headphones but stopped once again, this time it was Punz that had stopped him. Punz had wrapped his hand round Foolish’s wrist stopping him from touching his headphones with wet hands and taking them off himself. Foolish gave him a sheepish look before dropping his arms back under the water, finally giving up on touching anything.
“What are you even listening to?” Punz asked but not waiting for an answer before he put the headphones on himself. Relaxing ocean sounds filled his ears and his confusion grew even more. “Are you just sitting in the bath listening to ocean noises?”
“Don’t judge me. I can do what I want and your negative energy isn’t welcome here.” Foolish mumbled, he looked somewhat embarrassed like Punz wasn’t meant to see this.
“I’m not judging, just asking a question. I’m a little confused, I thought you hated baths? Was your stream really that bad?” Punz voice softened greatly as he realised the mood the other was in.
“I don’t like baths but I like the sea and this is as close as I’m gonna get right now.” Foolish pouted and lightly splashed the water.
Punz tried his hardest not to laugh at the ridiculousness of the scenario. If it was any other situation, Punz would’ve laughed at someone trying to make their small bathroom into the sea. But after hearing how tired his boyfriend sounded, he decided it was probably best not to say anything.
“Where did you get the juice box?” Punz asks the next question on his mind.
“From the packet.” Okay. Looks like Punz wasn’t going to be getting any answers tonight.
“Makes sense.”
“Grab one and join me.” Foolish finally turned to look at Punz, although it was more of a tired stare.
“What?”
“Grab a juice box, and join me.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a second. Do you need another one as well?” Punz gestured to the rather large box of apple flavoured juice boxes.
“Yes please,” Foolish reached out to grab the box that Punz was offering. “You’re the best boyfriend ever, you know.”
“If I knew that’s all it would take to get that title, I would’ve bought you a multipack of them ages ago.” Letting out a weak laugh as he attempted to step into the bath without it over flowing. The water was now only mildly warm but it was still pleasant, however it did make Punz voice another question. “How long have you been in here?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t looked at the time since I ended stream.” He pulled Punz closer to him, using him as a personal pillow and resting his head on his back.
“Have you just been sitting here then, listening to ocean noises?”
“Yeah, it’s calming to pretend I’m on a pool float in the middle of the ocean sometimes.”
“It would be quite worrying if we’re on a pool float and neck deep in water.”
“Stop ruining the immersion! You can get out if you don’t want to be here.”
“No, I’m sorry. I want to be on a sinking pool float with you! It’s all I want in life.” Punz gave a little giggle.
“Fine, that’s it.” Foolish tried to stand up and leave.
“No, no, no. I’m actually sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Punz dropped his full weight back on Foolish to try and stop him from leaving. Struggling to keep the other down he spewed apologies in between giggles to try make up for it.
Foolish huffed but eventually sat back down and relaxed again. “Fine, I’ll stay, but you have to respect the pool float.” Stabbing the straw into the juice box, Foolish angrily sipped the juice while glaring at Punz, who was once again trying his hardest to keep a serious face.
“I’ll respect the pool float and I’m very happy to be in the pool float.” Snuggling back into the chest of the other. Foolish accepted his apology and wrapped his arms back round Punz and shoved his face back into his back, closing his eyes in comfort.
They stayed in the bath until the water had cooled down significantly and most the bubbles had disappeared. Moving straight from the bath to cuddling in bed, Punz finally felt at peace. He finally got the cuddles he needed, the warmth from his bed seeped into his bones and the comfort and protection from Foolish meant he fell asleep in as little as five minutes.