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The weather was absolutely perfect. Crisp air, cold temperatures, coloured leaves being blown gently through the sky. It was autumn, and that meant all of Zhanghao's favourite things.
It was the time of baking, books, slow dances, sweaters, blankets, candles, movies, decorations, hot chocolate. It meant curling up in bed with his favourite pair of fuzzy socks on and reading a book. It meant making snickerdoodle cookies and eating them all by himself. It meant wrapping his hands around a mug of hot chocolate with a candle lit and taking in the aroma. But most importantly, this year he had someone to do it with together.
He had Hanbin.
A beam of sunlight hitting his face roused Zhanghao from his sleep. The remains of rainclouds covering the sky weren't enough to stop the sun from peeking through. Opening his eyes, he already felt refreshed and ready to start the day. Hanbin's arm fell away as Zhanghao sat up. Zhanghao leaned down and kissed his forehead. Hanbin wouldn't wake for another hour or so, he knew. Throwing his favourite sweater on, he quietly left the room.
Zhanghao pulled out his to-do list. He had one for every holiday, every year. Most of the time they were the same every year, but once in a while it would change if he found a new recipe or bought new decorations. Sometimes he would change it up completely. Today's list was an entirely new one. Zhanghao scanned through it, taking mental note of the order he should do things in.
Putting on his favourite autumn-themed playlist, he got to work pulling out decorations and setting them out. The pumpkin spice scented candle on the countertop flickered to life and spilled its scent into the house. Sunlight poured in through the now-visible windows. Zhanghao hummed along to the music, taking the leaf garlands and hanging them up along the mantlepiece. They sat perfectly onto their hooks, bringing life to the dull furniture. A set of fake candles stood on each end of the mantle with miniature pumpkins surrounding them. Pictures of Hanbin and Zhanghao settled between these decorations. Zhanghao smiled at them for a moment before moving onto another part of the room.
It was only halfway through his routine that he realised he was hungry. The candle’s scent sparked an idea in his head. He quickly got to work pulling out all the necessary ingredients. Mixing the ingredients together, he hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want to wake Hanbin up with all the noise, but he had already started and didn’t want to leave it unfinished or lose the rhythm of his routine. Zhanghao didn’t need to worry, though, as he felt a pair of strong arms wrap around his waist and pull him close.
“Ah — good morning, Bin.”
“Mm... morning, Hao.”
Hanbin nestled his head into Zhanghao’s neck, peeking over his shoulder at what he was doing.
“It smells nice in here,” the younger commented. He lifted his head briefly to take in the unfamiliar room. “What’s all this —?”
The tips of Zhanghao’s ears flushed red. “I — well, autumn is my favourite season, so...”
“So you decided to decorate?”
“It was going to be a surprise...”
Hanbin gently took the bowl Zhanghao was holding and started mixing the ingredients for him.
"I'll love anything you do, Hao. It looks amazing, it really does. Feels like I've been transported to another dimension," Hanbin reassured him. A small smile graced Zhanghao's face before it turned into a pout, and he took the bowl back.
"Let me at least make the cookies?"
Hanbin chuckled. "Sure. Would you like me to help decorate, or do you have your own order and want to do it yourself?"
That made Zhanghao ponder for a moment. In every past relationship, he never wanted anyone else to help decorate. He had his list and he liked it that way. Besides, no one else voluntarily wanted to help anyways. Zhanghao turned to Hanbin, only to find him looking over the list he held in his hand. His face was scrunched in concentration, eyes flickering up often to check what had already been done. Zhanghao melted.
"You can help."
Hanbin's cheeks hurt from smiling.
He walked over and hugged Zhanghao, kissing his cheek as a thank you. "Just tell me where to put things and I will, okay hyung?"
So three hours later, after a couple burnt cookies, sweaters, and leaves, the house was decorated and officially ready for autumn. The duo settled on the couch, a plate of cookies on the table in front of them and a movie playing. Zhanghao rested his head on Hanbin's chest, hands playing with Hanbin's. Their fingers danced with each other, settling down to intertwine with one another. Hanbin grabbed a cookie, pressing it to Zhanghao's lips and letting him take a bite out of it.
"I did a great job on these," Zhanghao smiled.
"You did indeed, Hao."
Hanbin's cheeks turned red when he felt the older press a light kiss to his tattoo. "Hao —"
Zhanghao didn't stop, giving him kisses all over his face and neck until Hanbin had been reduced to a flustered and giggling mess.
"H-Hao! Stop it —!"
"Never~"
"Alright, that's it!"
"Wha— Hey! Bin!"
Zhanghao squirmed around as Hanbin attacked his sides, tickling him until they were both breathless from laughter. Hanbin helped him sit up, hugging him comfortingly. Zhanghao sulked, hitting Hanbin's chest, but ultimately accepted his defeat and snuggled into him.
A state of comfort and trust washed over both of them. They were both content, eating cookies and watching movies surrounded by their own world they created. Together.