Work Text:
Duang sat on the floor by Qin’s couch, just barely touching Qin’s leg. He planned his next assignment—a still life—his sketchpad on his thighs.
The geometric bubble tissue box brought to mind Qin with a sniffly nose, in need of soup and care. Duang almost tore his paper. How cute~
Oh! The headphones and microphone. Qin hard at work making music, so focused. So hot~
Or! The sorrowful KAWS sculptures around the room. Qin wanted love and Duang would give him all the love he could muster~
Wait! The water jug on the counter. Qin offering him a drink anytime he came over. So sweet~
“Just pick one,” Qin complained, not looking up from his book. “And not based on how sweet I am. It’s just water.” He grimaced, but blushed. Cute~
Wait. “How’d you know I was thinking about you offering me water?”
Qin’s expression froze, his body just as stiff. He shifted his leg away. He usually didn’t let Duang touch him. Whenever Duang got close, Qin moved away or acted like he would punch Duang. But lately, he’d allowed it.
Also lately, Qin had made odd comments. Last week, he’d offered Duang dinner just when Duang got hungry. A few days ago, while doing schoolwork, Duang got distracted by songs in his head, and Qin tickled Duang with his toes under Duang’s leg and told him to focus. When they were kissing, Duang thought to nip Qin’s ear or throat, and Qin leaned his head to give Duang access. He’d thought it a coincidence, but—
He hugged Qin’s leg. Qin flinched. Looking up, Duang thought, ‘Teeerrrr, tell me what your gift is. Na? Na?’
Qin’s eyes were on his book, but he wasn’t reading.
“It won’t change how I feel about you,” Duang said aloud, nuzzling Qin’s thigh. “It’s part of who you are, and I love all of you.”
Probably someone found out about Qin’s power and shunned him, or used him somehow, or spread a rumor, or—Duang would just have to love Qin even more to make up for it! Whether Qin reciprocated or not, Duang’s love would never falter!
“You’re so embarrassing.” Qin hid his blush behind his book. After a silent moment, a murmur. “Your thoughts. I hear them when we touch.”
No wonder Qin wanted space! All those thoughts would be overwhelming! Even just Duang’s thoughts sometimes overwhelmed him. Hearing others? Oof!
Wait. Were Duang’s thoughts overwhelming Qin? He should back off.
No sooner had Duang let go than Qin dropped his book to pull him back. His eyes were intense. “I don’t…mind yours.” He glanced away shyly.
Oooooh Qin was so cute! Duang latched onto Qin’s arm and beamed up at him, even as he squirmed in place. Seeing Qin’s face go even redder had Duang’s chest feeling warm, his heart too big for his body.
“Thank you for telling me,” Duang said, seriously.
Qin’s lips pressed thin, and his eyes grew shiny. “Thank you…for staying.”