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After countless hotel rooms, night trains, unfamiliar cities and tight schedules, waking up in soft, familiar sheets and without an alarm was maybe the closest thing to heaven they could imagine. The late morning sun has found its way into their bedroom, beams of light gently landed on the blanket while the first pair of eyes fluttered open.
It took a moment for Jakob to fully wake up, his face buried in pillows and an even breath brushing his hair. For the first time in a long while he truly felt like nothing could take him away right from where he was right now. No deadlines, no calls, not even the urge to get up and catch breakfast before the day would crush them with new questions and appointments.
Instead he scooted a little closer to the man next to him and entangled their legs even further. His sleepy eyes fell onto his partners and he couldn’t help the amused smile when he laid his head on Kevin’s shoulder, the taller still peacefully asleep. Axel had gone full koala, arms wrapped around Kevin’s waist, face pressed against his arm and legs extended to Jakob’s side.
He reached over to brush a few strands of hair out of Axel’s face, the little frown between his eyebrows a little too adorable for Jakob’s own good. The room was quiet and the wooden floor and closets reflected the sun in a soft glow that he missed so much. No exhilarating concert or new place could ever beat the familiarity and comfort of their shared home.
Any place was fine when they were together, when Jakob could wake up and see these two faces first in the morning. But this little place in the world, carved out only for each other, was perfect to him.
From the little yard in the back where they spend endless evenings, to the bright kitchen where he lost count of how many good meals they shared, down to the living space filled with books and old movies and vinyls and games, each a remain of years spent together. Walls and nooks decorated with things each of them could tell a story about that would make the other laugh. Old and new instruments somehow fit in between, which they said they would probably have to sort out some day but always end up using too much anyways.
And for the next few weeks nothing was going to stop him from spending every minute in this little home with the people he loved most.
Jakob’s gaze landed on the intertwined figures next to him again, adoration of over fifteen years filling up his chest. He let his fingers trail over to Kevin’s hand laying on top of the blankets, gently following its lines so as not to wake him up before locking their fingers. Sighing softly at how easily they fit together.
The first two things Kevin noticed as he stirred awake was the warmth surrounding him and the fact his body felt kind of numb. Not quite yet adjusted to the brightness of the room, he slowly opened his eyes only to be met with the culprits of his state.
Axel had made him into his pillow and Jakob was trying to bring as little space between them as possible. He smiled softly before placing a kiss on top of Jakob’s head, that he tilted slightly at the movement.
“Oh, I didn’t see you were awake”, Kevin said surprised, watching the corners of Jakob’s lips rise in amusement.
“Not for long. Just… resting a bit more”, he answered as he placed his head back into the crook of Kevin’s neck. Never more could he relate to the exhaustion lying underneath - the past months resting deep in bones.
“Seems like we all need it, given this one hasn’t moved since yesterday.” He looked at Axel, who was still fast asleep, holding onto Kevin like he would vanish if he didn’t. “I’m pretty sure, I don’t feel one half of my body anymore.”
Jakob huffed a quiet laugh. “Bummer, I was just thinking of using you as a pillow permanently.”
“You will get neck pain by the end of the week”, he simply commented and laid his head on top of Jakob’s.
“I don’t have to be anywhere, it would be worth it.”
Kevin had to suppress a laugh, closing his eyes again with a smile. He could get used to it. He couldn’t tell how often he wished for this over hotel beds that were too small and quiet mornings that had to be wasted to get to the next appointment.
He took a deep breath, the scent of Jakob’s washed hair and fresh bedsheets filling the air around him. There were a lot of things he missed, but the familiarity of it all was probably something he had looked forward to the most.
Shows were fun and never would he wish for anything else than performing with the people he loved. But never could he do it without the calm moments in between, the comfort of their home and the moments alone spent with a good book or long talks on a Friday night.
Kevin let his eyes rest on Axel peacefully asleep on him, thinking there was no place he would rather be.
It would be a lie if Axel said this hadn’t been the best night of sleep he had gotten in a while. Because not only did his phone remain silent but he woke up with his loved ones right next to him.
The atmosphere of their home surrounding him in a warm embrace and making all the nights either alone or squeezed into a bed vanish in the past. There would be more of those of course, but right now he would stay right where he was.
Axel pressed his face closer against Kevin’s side before sitting up slightly, the pair in front of him still blurry. He could hear Jakob hum, the grin recognisable without him needing his vision. “Look who is finally waking up.”
Kevin joined in immediately as Axel reached for his glasses on the nightstand. “Hope I was comfortable.”
Axel turned to them, not able to keep the smirk to himself. “The most comfortable pillow I had in a while. Will use it again.” This time he laid down fully on his upper body, receiving a grunt from Kevin and a laugh from Jakob, who he greeted with a kiss.
“You both are overestimating the strength of my back”, Kevin said and laid his head back on the pillows.
Axel met Jakob’s eyes, knowing they both had the same idea in mind, turning their heads to the taller man. He leaned forward just enough to place a kiss on his cheek, smiling to himself as he saw the surprised face. “We would never.”
“Despite”, Jakob started right next to him. “Your back seemed more than fine to me the other night.”
Axel had to suppress a laugh, finding himself back on Kevin’s chest as he watched their partner’s eyebrows raise at Jakob’s remark.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”, he asked, bad at concealing the smile in the corner of his lips.
Jakob put on his most innocent voice and expression. “I was talking about Jåo Nåo of course.”
“Right… and next time I should carry you both to bed, or what?” There was obvious sarcasm in his voice but Axel had to say he wouldn’t mind that at all.
“I like that, what do you say, Axel?”, Jakob asked as he settled back onto Kevin’s shoulder, taking Axel’s free hand resting between them in his own.
“Sounds good to me.” He closed his eyes with a smile, indulging in the warmth and touch just a little longer.
It had been too long ago since they could drag out their mornings and tease each other without a clock looming over their heads telling them to get ready. Of course not all mornings had been like that but it was different. No one could interrupt them here and not even the fanciest hotel could match their beautiful home filled with all the things he held so close to his heart.
Tiny things made his chest grow with fondness - like the old, dark green lampshades he got from his grandmother, which were matching with their curtains. So did the pictures of each period of their lives in the hallway or the little trinkets spread all throughout the house that they have gotten from their trips.
He found most things he wanted in Jakob’s smile and Kevin’s gentle gaze. But when he found himself back home it was like both of these things only became more special - only for him to see and cherish.
“I don’t know about you guys but I could get used to this”, he said then, being met with agreeing hums. “The only thing missing is… some breakfast.”
“Oh, that would be the dream”, Jakob said in a slightly theatrical voice, followed by a nod from Kevin, neither of them moving.
“How about I make us something and then-” Axel was just about to sit up again when he felt an arm wrap around his waist that pulled him right back down, a yelp escaping from his throat at the sudden motion
He looked at Kevin with raised eyebrows who didn’t let go of him. “You are not doing anything.”
Confused, he searched for Jakob’s gaze but the other just hummed. “Kevin’s right, you did more than enough during the tour. You are not going to organise or prepare anything today.”
“You are really sweet, but I don’t think making breakfast will kill me”, he said in protest, understanding their concern but feeling quite silly about it.
Kevin didn’t budge. “No, but you did so much, it’s time for you to just lay back and rest. Jakob can make breakfast.”
Jakob gave him a betrayed look. “Why me?”
“Well, you see, I have to follow my duty as a personal pillow right now”, Kevin said and looked down to where Axel laid on top of him.
Axel snorted at both the comment and Jakob’s defeated expression.
“I set myself up for that one”, he agreed with a sigh.
Kevin smirked and then gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Yes, you did.”
“Fine.” Although with a lot of restraint, Jakob stood up, giving them one last look before walking out the door. “I’m gonna make you the greatest breakfast you ever had, just you wait here.”
After they shared an amused look, Axel wrapped his arms around Kevin once again, enjoying the motion of Kevin's thumb drawing circles on his back.
Their silence didn't last long, though, his partner sighing before he spoke up again. “I fear, I do need to get up after all.”
Axel frowned and looked up to the man who didn’t look like he wanted to leave.
“Nature calls”, Kevin added and Axel had to huff a laugh.
“Are you getting old after all?”, he teased, sitting up to give him space.
“I've been awake for a while now.”
Axel only smirked at his glare, watching Kevin leave the bed. “You can tell me, I know how it is.”
“Very funny.” Kevin rolled his eyes affectionately, leaning over to press a kiss on his forehead. “Just stay right here, old man.”
With a snicker he buried his face into the sheets again, glasses going askew. The huge bed felt awfully empty now, only their smell hanging onto the pillows and blankets.
The sun was high up by the time they settled down at the table. The breakfast wasn’t anything special, just the usual they would always have, but if you asked any of them they would probably tell you it was the best one they ever had. Just the three of them with remarks about the egg being too runny or not being runny enough paired with loving gazes that would have anyone watching roll their eyes.