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“Baobei, are you hungry?" Jun asks quietly as they, along with Minghao, are walking behind everyone towards the car. All of them were planning to rest in their hotel rooms. It is still buzzing in his ears after sitting in a concert hall for a few hours, but Minghao saw Jun being nervous and fidgety earlier – they really could use some time for each other while having dinner.
“Yeah,” softly replies, barely squeezing Jun’s shoulder. “You promised to show me that Chinese place near our hotel.”
At the restaurant, where they could find a table out of everyone’s sight in a far corner, both of them relax. They discuss today’s events, check their social media feeds, and eat at the same time. Jun laughs at comments on Twitter under some post of their appearance at the awards show. However, Minghao still thinks about the lost expression on Junhui’s face from earlier in the evening.
He couldn’t do anything at that moment: two of them had promised each other to keep their distance at such events not to make their relationships public. But it drives him nuts in these situations: Jun clearly needed someone beside him, and his boyfriend sat so far away that all of the members could fit between them.
"You were a little off today, baby...” he says the last part almost inaudibly, mindful of being in a Chinese-speaking society.
“I’m just worried about tomorrow,” he sighs, putting the last pieces of meat into Minghao’s rice bowl. "Not the performance part. I’m just a little afraid of being disappointed, and I definitely don’t want to put my expectations too high, but we’ve really worked so hard,” hinting at the award for the best album of the year.
“I get you, baby. Don’t worry too much, though. Everything that is bound to happen will happen.”
“I know, but I was just recalling all the years of expecting to receive it and then walking out disappointed. I don’t want to put us through this again." He really doesn’t like seeing loved ones being down.
"I have a very good feeling about tomorrow." Minghao smiles encouragingly, holding himself back from pecking his boyfriend on the lips. "So, stop being nervous, I want you to feel super nice when we go up the stairs to get our well-deserved award." Jun can’t stop himself from tightly hugging Minghao from the side.
Half an hour later, they are going to their room with newly bought sour gummies for Junhui. They were lucky to find a working market near the hotel. The couple feels a lot better thanks to silly jokes they keep on making.
"Baobei, I want to soak in the bath to unwind a little.” Jun takes spare clothes to change in the bathroom so that Minghao doesn’t get too excited seeing his boyfriend wrapped in a towel. "I would offer you to join, but not today." He gives Minghao a kiss on the lips and heads towards the bathroom.
"I’m going to do a live, so, don’t be too noisy when you come out,” Minghao shouts after.
It is funny how he feels like a ghost while holding his laugh when Dino and Hao crack jokes a little too good. Fans don’t even suspect him being on the other side of the camera.
He’s thinking of doing a short live tomorrow night regardless of the award results. Their fans do everything they can, so he feels very grateful anyway.
After the live ends, Chan goes to sleep in his own room, and Minghao goes straight to take a shower, yawning. Jun is still lying on the bed in clean spare clothes, chewing on gummies and scrolling through shorts on Youtube.
His younger brother texts him, asking how the day was, and two of them have a little chat before wishing each other good nights. His brother even sends greetings to Minghao, knowing that the couple is probably physically together right now.
"Yangyang is saying hello.”
"He is so sweet. Please, remind me of getting him a present when we’re in China." He’s just out of the shower and is lightly patting his face with cream to help it absorb better. "Baby, shall we go to sleep?”
"Yeah, just give me a minute. I need to brush my teeth, the gummies stuck to them.”
Several minutes later, when both of them are under a light blanket, they set up an alarm for early morning: Jun really doesn’t like skipping breakfast, and Minghao needs some time to cuddle with his boyfriend before starting a day.
"Thank you for being with me..." Junhui gently presses Hao against his chest, thinking of the dinner. "It doesn’t matter what happens tomorrow. My most precious reward is you. Besides, you’re only mine.”
"You’re so sappy today, babe." Minghao chuckles, throwing a leg over Jun. "I love you too.”
And the next day, as the whole group steps on stage to receive that award they've been talking about, Minghao whispers to Junhui:
"I told you about having a good feeling.”