Work Text:
Click.
The door's lock sounds.
Alberu passes through the doorway, taking his shoes off that's been making his feet hurt for a long, long time. It almost makes him want to jump up in happiness but it all comes out as a relieved sigh.
It's been two long months since he's ever come home before midnight, always coming home late at the ungodly hours of 2 to 4 AM—sometimes not even coming home at all.
‘This is all because of that damned sudden project put on the company and that fucker who pulled out on his investments.’ Alberu says in his mind, a frown crawling up on his face.
Hanging his coat and bag by the foyer, he walks by the living room and kitchen to get to his—their—room.
His footsteps were quiet, just in case. He opens the door and the sight that welcomes him sends warmth through the entirety of his body, almost making his knees buckle, but he stands firm.
A certain redhead, namely Cale, was sprawled across the bed, a blanket covering up half his body. Messy red hair splayed on the soft pillow his head was resting on. Face squished and soft, illuminated by the night lamp on the nightstand, he looked peaceful.
‘And pretty…’ Alberu adds.
Alberu takes in the sight wholeheartedly. Walking forward with no hesitation, he only stopped when he stood by the side of the bed.
Lifting his hand, he reaches for Cale's face. He softly places it on Cale's face to stroke the sleeping man's face, tracing over his cheekbones that were ever so slightly yellow, caused by the moon night lamp—courtesy of Raon. He studies the redhead's features; arched but soft eyebrows that always seem to meet in the middle when Cale frowns, his long eyelashes that flutter when he blinks, his sharp nose, and his red, plumpy lips that have always been inviting.
‘Pretty.’
He leans down, slightly dry lips meeting soft forehead skin. It's been a few days ever since Alberu's got to kiss Cale's forehead and he missed it.
“I'm home,” he whispers, careful to not wake Cale up.
All Alberu gets is a soft, almost inaudible, sigh from the sleeping man before getting up again to shower.
He knows Cale wouldn't like it if he knew that Alberu went into their bed without washing off first.
Walking into the shower, a thought pops up in his head.
‘Hm, shouldn't the three kids be sleeping with Cale by now?’ He ponders, wondering why the trio isn't by the redhead’s side when usually, they would be squished up with each other, seemingly trying to stick themselves to Cale all night which usually leaves no space for Alberu to be beside the man and join in on cuddling him.
‘Oh! If I’m right, they should be at Eruhaben-nim’s place on the weekends,’ He finishes the thought, remembering what he and Cale talked about before he left for his arduous work that went on for two months.
Alberu continues on with his shower, his mind and body finally relaxing with the warmth the water provided. It's not enough, it seems. His body is searching for something more, something much warmer and cozier; like his soft bed, like his fluffy blanket—like his Cale.
Thinking of the past two months, Alberu suddenly feels the tiredness weigh down on his whole body. The amount of all nighters and coffee he’s had would’ve surely put him in the hospital if it weren’t for all the care that Cale and the kids would do for him whenever they could. Nobody knows just how thankful he is for his family, truly. If he could, he’d smother them with all the things that this world could offer but Cale—out of all people—would tell him that he’s spoiling their family too much.
After his bath, he changes into his pajamas that he’s certainly missed. For the past weeks, he’s only ever been sleeping in his suits, too tired to change out of them. Drying his hair felt so taxing now that his eyes are starting to droop involuntarily, his head swimming with fogginess.
Alberu almost forgets to pull out the plug of the hair dryer before going out the bathroom, his body swaying a little like a tipsy man.
He finally reaches his side of the bed and throws himself on the mattress, fortunately not waking Cale up. The moment Alberu’s back hits the soft mattress, he feels himself drifting away to his island of dreams. He’s just so glad he can do so while spooning his Cale.
It’s 3 in the morning and Cale miraculously wakes up, not knowing the cause. He senses a familiar warmth on his back and he turns around only to see the face of his partner, soundly sleeping. Even with dark circles under his eyes, Alberu still looks as handsome as ever, Cale thinks.
“Welcome home,” He whispers and kisses Alberu between his brows, hugging him with the same warmth the other offers.
He’ll be sure to wake up a bit earlier than usual and prepare a hearty breakfast for his Alberu, a little celebration for his hard work.