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The door clicked and Lyney drifted in on tired feet, the faint trace of smoke powder still clinging to his coat. He didn’t bother with the lights, didn’t bother with his shoes—he just let himself fall into the couch, face-first into the cushions. His breath steadied almost instantly. Out. Cold.
Moments later, Aether slipped in with a paper bag tucked against his chest.
“good work today, lyney. I got dinner—” he started, then stopped, spotting the magician already asleep. A little frown tugged at his mouth before it softened into a giggle.
“i thought you said u wanted fish for dinner tonight..”
He set the bag on the table and knelt beside the couch. With careful hands, Aether shifted Lyney so his neck wouldn’t cramp, then unlaced and eased off his shoes one by one. He fetched a warm blanket from the armchair and draped it over him, tucking it lightly under Lyney’s chin.
Aether stayed right there on the floor, settling on his knees next to him. He opened the bag, taking a few quiet bites with a glance toward Lyney’s face between each one.
“maybe your stomach will wake u up,” he teased under his breath. He was hungry, and he needed to eat anyway—but after a little, he paused, watching. Lyney didn’t stir. Still deep, steady sleep.
Aether closed the containers, stood, padded to the kitchen to put the food away, and came straight back. He lowered to the floor again, facing the couch, knees tucked under him so he was level with Lyney’s sleeping face.
“u really are amazing..” he murmured, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from Lyney’s forehead. His fingertips lingered, then traced the gentle line of his cheek. He bent and placed a soft kiss at Lyney’s temple.
“you always look so dazzling in the shows .. but ..”
His thumb stroked along Lyney’s cheekbone.
“here with me .. u look the most dazzling… and you probably don’t even see it ..”
Aether swallowed, cheeks warming.
“i feel like i keep falling in love with you more ..”
“the more i see the real you…”
The confession made him flustered; he hid his face for a second against the edge of the couch cushion, breathing in the familiar warmth of Lyney’s scent.
Then he lifted his head, made up his mind, and leaned in to press the gentlest kiss to Lyney’s sleeping lips.
“i love you.. lyney …”
He stayed there, watching quiet, patient, adoring .. until his own eyelids grew heavy. Still on the floor, he rested his head against the couch beside Lyney’s face, their breaths falling into the same slow rhythm as Aether drifted to sleep, keeping watch even in his dreams.
Lyney stirred with a soft groan, blinking the sleep from his eyes. The first thing he saw was Aether’s face right in front of him, cheeks slightly squished against the couch edge, his head tilted forward in an awkward position.
The sight made Lyney bite back a laugh, though a quiet giggle escaped anyway. “Adorable…”
He noticed the still-dark room, the night was far from over. His gaze shifted down to see Aether kneeling beside the couch, arms folded on the cushion, his chin resting there without a hint of a blanket. Then he realized—his own blanket was draped over him.
Lyney exhaled through his nose in quiet affection. “Mon amour… you need to remember to take care of yourself too…” he whispered.
Carefully, he slid his hands around Aether’s waist, trying to lift him. It was clumsy
Lyney wasn’t exactly built for carrying, especially after a draining show and just waking up, but he managed.
Each step toward the bedroom felt heavier, yet the thought of Aether taking off his shoes earlier warmed him enough to push through.
Finally, he reached the bed, lowering Aether down with care. “Phew, finally—” he began, only for his tired balance to betray him.
With a startled gasp, he stumbled forward, bracing one hand on the mattress to soften the fall.
He ended up over Aether, his hair falling slightly over his eyes. The moment froze—Aether beneath him, the soft rise and fall of his chest, the quiet curve of his lips.
Lyney’s heart pounded. His eyes traced every detail—the glow of Aether’s skin in the dim light, the delicate slope of his nose, and… his lips.
Before he could think, he leaned in and stole a kiss.. It was brief, impulsive and when his mind caught up, a rush of heat spread across his cheeks. He pulled back quickly, hiding his face with one hand. A tiny, embarrassed squeak slipped out despite him trying to hold it in.
Aether’s voice was soft, still laced with sleep. “Lyney… you awake…?”
In a flustered blur, Lyney slid onto the bed beside him, tugging the blanket over them both. “Yes, mon chéri… it’s time to sleep now” he said, doing his best to mask the embarrassment in his voice.
“But… dinner…” Aether mumbled.
Lyney smiled faintly, patting his head before pressing a gentle kiss there. “It’s okay, We can eat tomorrow.”
Aether let out a tiny hum, the sound melting into steady breathing as he drifted off in Lyney’s arms. Without realizing it, his hold on Lyney tightened—warm, protective, almost as if he was awake.
Lyney felt the tension in his body ease, slowly melting away in that embrace.
The gentle scent of cooked fish lingered in the air, and a thought crossed his mind: “Tomorrow… I want to eat fish together” Before he could linger on it, his eyes fluttered closed, and he sank into a deep, peaceful sleep, held close by the warmth he cherished most.
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[ Bonus ] Next morning
Aether blinked awake, confused
“Huh?why am I in bed?”
The culprit was lying right next to him sleeping soundly…