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Sieun stared at the pan in dismay, willing the contents inside to change with his glare alone. The sorry attempt at a pancake which somehow looked both burnt and undercooked at the same time did not change at all, however. He wasn’t even sure if it was edible.
He sighed in defeat, transferring it to the plate anyway. Maybe the maple syrup and some fruit could salvage it?
His phone buzzed with the silent alarm he’d set the night before to wake Suho up.
While both of them were notoriously early risers, Suho even more so than him on the weekdays, always waking him up with a soft kiss to the temple and a steaming cup of tea, before they went on their morning jog, he did take the chance to sleep in on weekends.
Honestly it was something Sieun encouraged— his boyfriend worked too hard and deserved every bit of rest he could catch. But oversleeping always made him sluggish and tired so Sieun would usually set up an alarm to wake him up by nine at max.
He silenced the alarm, pocketing the phone with a sigh. He would deal with the… thing on the plate later; It was already 8:50.
He made his way across to their bedroom, Suho’s name already on his lips when his eyes landed on his boyfriend– who was already awake apparently.
Sieun stood there for a moment, taking in the sight.
Suho was sitting up, still half underneath the covers, sleepily glaring at said covers as if they’d personally offended him. And his hair—
Sieun pursed his lips hard to muffle the laughter that threatened to break out of him all of a sudden.
Because Suho’s hair was standing up everywhere. And he just looked so ridiculous and– cute that Sieun didn’t know what to do with it.
He felt the strangest feeling well up inside him, this foreign itch in his fingers which made him want to squeeze something, preferably his boyfriend’s cheeks. He wanted to bite those cheeks and kiss them all over.
Wait– What the hell?
Sieun shook his head to clear the– strange thoughts plaguing his mind.
But to no avail. As soon as his eyes would land on Suho his hands would start itching, heart feeling liquidy in his chest, like it would just melt out of his body the longer he stared at his boyfriend.
This went on for a couple of minutes when Suho finally seemed to register the other presence in his room, waking up enough to sleepily blink at Sieun. “Hey baby. Good morning,” he yawned, rubbing a fist over his eye. “ What’s that smile for?”
Sieun snapped out of it. “What smile? I’m not smiling.”
“Mm. No. You are. You’re so pretty.” Suho mumbled, a smile appearing on his own face in turn.
Okay, so he was. Sieun tried to fight the corners of mouth that kept pulling up without his permission but they seemed to have a mind of their own. He would get actual smile lines at this rate and it would all be his boyfriend’s fault.
“What’s got you so happy in the morning, huh?” Suho’s smile widened, taking on a smug edge. “Is it your super cool, super handsome boyfriend?” He puffed out his chest, flexing his muscles.
And Sieun couldn’t take it anymore. He burst out laughing, his entire body shaking with mirth.
“Yah!” Suho squawked, trying to sound offended but he was smiling too hard for it to hold any weight. “You’re saying I’m not handsome, punk?”
Sieun tried to regain control of his breathing, panting, his cheeks hurting with how hard he was smiling. “You look like a hedgehog Suho-yah.”
Suho made another indignant sound, running a quick, clumsy hand through his hair, which only made it worse.
It set off Sieun again, giggles spilling out of him as he collapsed on the bed next to his boyfriend. He took Suho’s face carefully in his palm, carding one hand through the unruly strands, fixing them gently, as laughter still spilled from him in quiet huffs.
Suho stilled, going completely pliant in his arms, eyes falling shut, and if he were a cat, as he often accused the smaller boy of being, Sieun was sure he’d be purring.
Sieun felt that overwhelming feeling return with a vengeance. Giddy. Soft. Buoyant— as if he’d float away if not for the tethering weight of his boyfriend.
Was this how Suho felt when he called Sieun cute a thousand times a day, bit his cheeks and peppered his face with kisses?
Well. At least Sieun could understand that urge now.
Suho made a small whining sound when Sieun’s hand stilled in hair and—
Suho’s eyes snapped open. “Did you just bite my nose?” he asked incredulously.
“No?”
“Yah! Yeon Sieun!”
Sieun leaned in to press a quick kiss at the very spot he’d had his teeth to just a few moments ago, just to watch his boyfriend’s nose crinkle adorably.
Suho opened his eyes slowly and Sieun wasn’t sure what expression was painted on his face, but he could see in real time how the other’s breath caught, eyes growing impossibly softer.
Sieun felt like he’d shatter under the weight of the love held in that gaze alone.
And– what could he do except press his lips against those precious lids? Move onto the curve of his brows (so very expressive) sliding past his temple to those unbearably soft, adorable cheeks? Kiss, kiss, kiss. The other side— brow, temple, cheek.
Sieun felt lit up from within. From the sun of his love for the other boy burning bright against his chest. If nothing was left of him in the coming years, this would still remain. His love for Suho, etched into his very bones, into his ashes– would remain.
Pressing a last lingering kiss on the other’s lips, he drew back, every atom in his body protesting the distance. From the way Suho whined against his lips, arms tightening around his waist –and when had that happened– he felt the same.
But they had to get out of bed sometime.
“Suho-yah, stop.” He laughed lightly trying to disentangle himself from the other’s grip, only for Suho to pull him closer, their bodies flush against each other.
“Asking me to let you go after you after nearly stopping my heart– isn’t that a cruel and unusual punishment Yeon Sieun?” Suho murmured into his hair, the vibrations travelling down his spine, curling into a pleasant warmth in his gut.
Warm. Sieun was so warm. Safely enclasped in his boyfriend’s arms, their chests rising and falling together, listening to the steady, comforting rhythm beneath his ear, Sieun felt so unbelievably warm. Content.
“Well,” Sieun nuzzled further into the other's chest, “We can’t have that.”
Suho made a triumphant noise beneath him.
Feeling playful all of a sudden, Sieun continued, “I guess I’ll just have to refrain from doing it ever again.” He pulled away abruptly, trying his hardest to maintain the stoic facade that kept slipping.
“Wha- No!” Suho exclaimed, chasing after him.
“But what of your heart then?” Sieun teased, scooting back, barely escaping the other's attempts at catching him.
“Come here you punk! Just you-”
Sieun yelped, maneuvering his body out of reach, laughter tumbling out of him, as Suho redoubled his efforts, a wild, carefree grin on his face.
It went on for a few minutes, the room ringing with loud exclamations and squeals, their shared laughter bouncing off of walls, before Suho finally caught him, caging his body on all fours.
“Gotcha.”
Sieun stared up at Suho, panting slightly, taking in his flushed cheeks, the soft, happy crinkle of his eyes and that gorgeous, incandescent smile. His hair was in a disarray, all of Sieun’s previous hard work already undone, but he looked so, so beautiful that Sieun wasn’t sure he’d be able to look away even if he tried.
And he was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to just– capture that moment. Freeze it in time. Bottle up that sunny smile and live in it forever.
It was an urge that was becoming increasingly familiar the more he built his life with Suho by his side.
A million of these perfect moments scattered in time, each one lining a different shade of happiness.
And a million more to come. A lifetime to discover every shade of happiness with Suho.
Sieun lifted a palm towards his boyfriend’s cheek, but an audible rumbling sound broke the moment. He let his hand fall back down on his face, mortified.
Suho laughed, loud and bright. “ Alright. The royal stomach has decreed that it’s time for breakfast.”
“Shut up,” Sieun mumbled from beneath his fingers.
Suho only laughed louder, gently trying to dislodge Sieun’s hand.
And well.
Maybe the embarrassment was worth getting to hear Suho laugh like that. No one had to know that, though.
He finally gave in, sitting up with a sigh. He fixed Suho with an icy glare, sulking when it seemed to have the reverse effect instead.
“Cute,” Suho placed a quick kiss on his temple. “Give me ten minutes, I'll just wash up quickly.”
Sieun dropped back on the bed, idly listening to the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. Suho’s side was still warm and he buried his head into the pillow, letting the comforting scent wash over him. It felt so— domestic. Slow. Soft, like he had all the time in the world.
The sounds stopped and he turned his head as the bathroom door clicked open. Suho walked into the room, clad only in a towel, rubbing his hair roughly with another one, droplets sliding over his bare chest. Feeling too hot all of a sudden, Sieun swallowed, drinking in the sight in front of him slowly. How he was still this affected after everything, he didn’t know.
Suho– who seemed to have a sixth sense for all things Sieun, caught him. “Like what you see baby?” he teased.
Sieun flushed. Remembering abruptly that he was supposed to be upset, he huffed and looked away causing Suho to laugh again. He resolutely kept his head turned away ignoring the chuckles and faint rustling sounds as Suho got dressed.
Something poked his cheek and a fully dressed Suho appeared in his view.“Come on now baby, don't distract me with that pout, we need to get some food in you.”
Before Sieun could protest (he was most definitely not pouting, thank you very much) Suho lifted him off the bed in one smooth movement, holding him securely in his arms. His arms and legs came up automatically to wrap around the other with a gasp, all words dying on his lips. Even after all this time, when Suho had done it a thousand times before, it never failed to leave Sieun breathless and tonguetied.
Suho smiled knowingly, the smug bastard, and kissed his cheek lightly. “Comfy, baby?”
And Sieun actually was. Held firmly in those strong arms, with the dewy scent of Suho’s wash and shampoo surrounding him, he felt like he could melt. He wasn’t about to admit it though. He pursed his lips in reply.
But Suho only smiled at the non answer, dropping another kiss to his cheek. “Cute,” he reiterated, leading them towards the kitchen.
It was only when Suho gently settled him at the counter did he remember the mess he had left in his wake in the morning. He tried to scramble off the counter, to somehow magically hide all the mess before Suho could realise, but his boyfriend was quicker.
“Aigoo baby, you made us breakfast?” Suho cooed, eyes crinkling softly. “Why didn’t you tell me? It must’ve gone cold by now.”
And well.
Breakfast was a generous term for the thing currently sitting on the plate. Suho seemed to realise it too, from the way he paused when he actually looked at what Sieun had made.
It would almost be comical if it didn’t make Sieun want to die of embarrassment.
“You.. don’t have to eat that.” Sieun flushed, moving to take the plate away but Suho snatched it before he could.
“No! ” Suho cradled the plate almost protectively. “I want to eat it.”
“Suho,” Sieun said, exasperated. “You really don’t have to, I was going to throw it away anyway.”
“Nope. Lalala. Not hearing it. Some syrup will fix it right up,” Suho insisted, a mulish set to his mouth that made Sieun want to shake him. Or kiss him. Or both. Humming lightly under his breath, his (dumb, infuriating) boyfriend opened the cupboard. “Speaking of, we’re almost out baby, add that to the grocery list, okay?”
Why was his boyfriend so stubborn? And so stupidly sweet?
Sieun threw his head back and stared at the ceiling for answers.
There were none.
Sieun sighed, giving in, and tapped the notes app open on his phone. “Done,” He confirmed, eyeing the other flatly– who was now steadily pouring a mountain of syrup on the plate, “But I'm not taking care of you if you get food poisoning from that.”
“Sure.” Suho grinned back at him, unbothered. They both knew he was lying.
“O-kay. Now for the moment of truth.” Suho took a careful bite. He chewed for a moment, brows scrunched in concentration, before his face quite literally froze.
His eyes slowly traveled to meet Sieun’s and he hastily unfroze, swallowing, while aiming an exuberant thumbs up towards him. “It’s amazing, baby. The best pancake I’ve ever had.” Suho smiled, or rather tried to. His face looked like it was stuck permanently in a grimace.
It was getting painful to watch. Sieun didn’t know whether to laugh or pray for the ground to swallow him whole. “Is it so?” He asked, sliding off the counter. “Then I should try it too.”
He padded towards the other, who was looking increasingly panicked.
“No, no. It’s mine. I want to have it all.” Suho babbled desperately.
“You can’t spare me a single bite?” Sieun asked faux-innocently as he leaned down, caging Suho in the chair.
“I– uh– you–” Suho stuttered, red blossoming on those stupidly adorable cheeks.
Gotcha. Sieun grabbed his chance, swiping the plate from the table with a triumphant noise.
“No! Wait–”
But Suho was too late. Sieun shoved a bite in his mouth and—
Oh dear god.
— spit it out immediately. Eyes watering, he gestured frantically at Suho, “Water.”
Suho scrambled immediately to fetch him some, hissing as his hip hit the edge of the counter in his hurry. “Here you go, baby.”
Sieun downed it gratefully, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He placed the glass down with a thud.
“That was–” he paused, trying to search for words that would accurately describe the past few moments of horror, but coming up short, “–horrible.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Suho countered weakly, words trailing off when Sieun fixed him with a withering glare.
“That was quite literally– the worst thing I’ve ever tasted. It was uncooked, Suho. And yet, somehow burnt. And bitter. I don’t even remember adding anything remotely bitter?” Sieun threw his hands out in frustration, turning towards Suho– whose lips were twitching.
“You’re finding this funny,” Sieun muttered dryly, glowering when his boyfriend simply shrugged.
“You have to admit, it is a little bit,” Suho grinned unrepentantly, having given up all pretences.
Sieun’s glare only grew icier.
He looked back at the plate and sighed, deflating suddenly. “I wanted to do something nice for you.” he said in a small voice, “You’re always cooking for me, surprising me with ridiculous, sweet gestures. I wanted to do it for a change.”
“Oh, baby.”
Suho pulled him into his chest, tucking him under his chin, “Are you kidding me? You’re the one always doing sweet things for me. You remember every inane thought that comes out of my mouth. Every little thing I mention in passing. You’re— so warm, Sieunnie, the sweetest person I know.”
Sieun swallowed a lump in his throat, burrowing closer.
“And– I loved it.” Suho squeezed him tighter when he made a protesting noise. “It was… It needs improvement, sure–”
“It’s a crime against tastebuds.” Sieun muttered into his chest, melting when it vibrated with Suho’s laugh.
“It needs improvement,” Suho stressed, laughter giving way to something softer. “But you tried, baby. So, yeah I loved it. And you. I love you so much, Sieunnie.”
Sieun peered up at those gorgeous browns, the soft crinkle at the sides he could envision growing into crows feet years from now. The thought settled into his chest, molten and so, so lovely. “Even though I should be banned from kitchens forever?” he asked, tremulous, heart going su-ho su-ho su-ho.
“Especially then.” Suho murmured, leaning down to seal the gap between them.
Sieun pressed closer, one hand coming up to cup Suho’s jaw, hoping his lips would convey what his words couldn’t– you’re my everything, I’m so glad you’re here, I’m so incredibly lucky I get to build my life with you, around you and–
“I love you too.” More than anything.
Then—
A loud rumble broke the silence.
“Godammit,” Sieun glared down at his traitorous stomach, turning to aim it at his boyfriend who was cackling again. “I take it back,”
“Sure, baby.” Suho grinned, kissing both of his cheeks in quick succession. “C’mon, time for some actual breakfast.”
Suho started humming again as he worked around the kitchen to gather ingredients while Sieun moved to dispose of the disastrous remains.
Another shade to add to his collection. Who knew happiness could look like an ugly yellow and charcoal black.
“Baby?” Suho called, snapping Sieun out of his thoughts.“You okay?”
“Yeah,” Sieun smiled.“Perfect.”