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The living room was dimly lit, the soft hum of the heater filling the silence. Zhang Hao lay in bed, arms crossed, stubbornly glaring at the ceiling. His earlier words echoed in his mind, "Sleep on the couch tonight!" It had seemed like a reasonable punishment after Hanbin accidentally spilled coffee all over his music sheets.
But now... now he couldn't sleep.
Zhang Hao shifted for the fifth time, punching his pillow in irritation. It wasn’t just about the music sheets anymore. His bed felt cold and empty without Hanbin’s presence. He’d grown too used to the warmth of Hanbin’s arms, the way his boyfriend always curled around him like a protective shield.
With a defeated sigh, Zhang Hao threw the blanket off and padded softly to the living room. He peeked around the corner and found Hanbin sitting upright on the couch, a blanket draped over his legs. He wasn’t sleeping; instead, he was quietly scrolling through his phone, his expression calm and unbothered. When he noticed Zhang Hao standing there, Hanbin looked up and smiled.
“You couldn’t sleep, could you?” Hanbin asked, his tone gentle but teasing.
Zhang Hao huffed, crossing his arms. “Maybe.”
Hanbin sit up and patted the empty place beside him,"Come here,baby."
Zhang Hao hesitated, frowning. “Why should I? You’re supposed to be mad at me, or something.”
Hanbin chuckled softly. “I’m not mad. And I don’t think you really are either.” He patted the spot again. “Come on.”
Zhang Hao hesitated before walking over, sitting on the edge of the couch. “I… I didn’t mean to make you sleep out here,” he mumbled. “I just got mad.”
“I know,” Hanbin said, his voice gentle. He shifted to face Zhang Hao fully, studying him with those warm, understanding eyes. “I’m sorry about your music sheets, Hao. I know how important the music sheets for you because of the upcoming show, and I feel awful for ruining them. I promise I will help you to get a new one."
Zhang Hao’s shoulders relaxed slightly. Of course Hanbin would say that. He was always like this—calm, patient, the kind of person who never let his temper flare. “I’m sorry too,” Zhang Hao mumbled. “I overreacted. And I… I miss you.”
Hanbin tilted his head. “Miss me? I’m right here.”
“No, I mean…” Zhang Hao fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, his face heating up. “I miss… your arms. When I sleep. I couldn’t fall asleep without you holding my waist.”
Hanbin blinked, then his lips curved into a warm smile. “You’re so cute.” He said softly, reaching out to brush Zhang Hao’s hair from his face.
“I’m not cute!” Zhang Hao protested, his cheeks glowing red. “I’m just saying it’s weird sleeping without you, okay?”
Hanbin chuckled and scooted closer, wrapping his arms around Zhang Hao. “I missed you too, Hao. But I wanted to give you space after you told me to sleep on the couch.”
Zhang Hao leaned into the embrace, resting his head against Hanbin’s chest. “I don’t want space,” he mumbled. “I just want you to hold me.”
There was a pause before Zhang Hao looked away, muttering, “Can we go back to bed now? This couch is uncomfortable.”
Hanbin grinned, scooping Zhang Hao up bridal-style despite his protests. “Let’s go. I’ll make sure to hold you extra tight tonight.”
Zhang Hao buried his face in Hanbin’s chest, mumbling, “Don’t tease me...”
But as Hanbin laid him down and wrapped his arms around him, Zhang Hao couldn’t help but smile. "Better?" Hanbin mumbled.
Zhang Hao yawn,already beginning to drift off in the warmth of Hanbin’s embrace, nodded sleepily. “Better.”