Work Text:
The Warmth Of An Embrace
Qin never knew what comfort felt like until Duang entered his life. To everyone else, Qin seemed composed, grounded, adept, and put together, but behind closed doors, Duang was the only one who saw the real Qin. The Qin that was exhausted, the one that was too tired, fragile, quiet and Qin only let Duang see this side of him.
To him, the only comfort he ever knew was beside Duang, in his arms, in his embrace. When the world outside got too loud, the days seemed to rush, and everything felt too much. Qin had always looked for Duang – for those eyes which always looked at him with warmth, adoration, patience, and so much love.
For Qin today was one of those days, where expectations got too much, everything felt overwhelming, every gaze felt too heavy and the entire day’s exhaustion weighed upon his shoulders, Qin came back to an empty condo because Duang had to stay back with his friends for a project, and even though Duang reassured him that he would be back soon the condo felt too empty, too quiet without his Duang.
Duang was always somewhere in the condo near Qin - sometimes in the kitchen cooking Qin’s favourite food, sometimes sitting at the foot of the couch beside Qin, sketching away and mostly on the bed where they lay tangled with one another for hours. Without realizing Duang had silently woven his way into Qin’s life, effortlessly bringing with him a warmth that Qin cherished.
With every ounce of energy drained from him, Qin dragged his weary body across the quiet condo and crawled into the bed, sinking deeply into the sheets where he and Duang had lain together just that morning. His eyelids felt impossibly heavy against the soft mattress, but one last time, his eyes drifted to his phone, checking the last text Duang had send. Reading the words felt like a reassuring promise:
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be home soon. Eat well and rest up. Love you, Qin.’
A small but adoring smile graced Qin’s lips before he finally let his eyes rest, sinking into a deep sleep as his breathing grew heavy and the tension of the day left his shoulders.
It was almost midnight by the time Duang returned to the condo. The hallways were dark, and the only source of light was the small lamp near the couch. Duang entered slowly with his art supplies in one hand while the other carried Qin’s favourite stir-fried shrimp and rice. Walking to the couch, he laid down his supplies and bag, carrying the takeout to the kitchen counter. Duang placed the food onto a plate, arranging it properly before carrying it to the bedroom, where he knew Qin was.
Stepping into the bedroom, Duang was greeted with the most adorable sight. Qin was curled up into the sheets, hugging a pillow tightly close to his chest; his breathing was steady, his chest rising and falling in a slow and steady rhythm. Seeing Qin deep in sleep, Duang exhaled a sigh of relief, his own exhaustion of the day melting away. He placed the food plate on the nightstand beside the bed. Then he carefully sat on the edge of the mattress, facing Qin.
Duang didn’t have the heart to wake him up. Seeing Qin sleeping peacefully was a rare sight, mostly because Qin was often busy with his jazz rehearsals, composing and writing songs; he hardly had time to sleep. However, Duang knew for sure that Qin was sleeping without eating anything, and he couldn’t let him go hungry. Duang gently brushed away a strand of hair falling onto Qin’s forehead while his eyes travelled to Qin’s face, tracing each feature softly. The long eyelashes, his slightly flushed cheeks, and the adorable tip of his nose, down to his soft, plump lips, where his eyes lingered just a second longer before Qin stirred a bit.
As Duang gently pulled away his fingers from Qin’s face, Qin let out a soft murmur as his heavy eyelids slowly fluttered open. The bedroom felt completely different; the cold and heavy silence now replaced by the warm and comforting presence of Duang seated beside him. Letting go of the pillow, he stretched his hand just enough to grasp the edge of Duang’s shirt, his voice a low and raspy whisper. “You’re back?”
More than a question, it felt like a reassuring statement that Qin was telling himself - that Duang was here, right beside him, and that Duang would always come back to him. To his Qin.
“Hmm, I’m back. Didn’t I promise I’d be back soon?” Duang said, warm fingers gently stroking Qin’s hands, tracing each curve.
“You did promise, but you’re late,” Qin responded, getting up from the bed, his hair ruffled and sleep still lingering in his eyes. He tried to act annoyed and grumpy to let Duang see that he was a bit upset that he had to be in the condo alone. But much to Qin’s disappointment, Duang just looked at Qin with a smile on his face.
“Why are you laughing?” “Did I say something funny? Or are you making fun of me?” Qin questioned, his voice sounding a bit irritated.
“Ohoo, how could I laugh at ter? It’s just that even when you try to show anger, you look too cute. Like now, you look like an angry kitten trying to scare someone.”
Duang laughed, pinching Qin’s soft cheeks gently as Qin’s face turned into a cute frown with his lips pouting.
“You’re getting too comfortable, aren’t you?”
“How could I? It’s because Duang loves ter, so everything ter does is cute in Duang’s eyes.” Duang said, locking their hands together.
Qin tried to maintain the frown on his face, failing immediately as his lips curved upward, giving a small smile.
“You’re a smooth talker.”
Duang just smiled at Qin’s comment, a peaceful silence settling between them. The room that seemed too quiet, too empty, too cold just a few moments ago was suddenly filled with the lingering, lasting warmth of Duang’s presence.
Qin gazed at Duang, his eyes following every feature of Duang’s face before lingering on his lips. Duang noticed, but remained still.
Qin moved forward slightly, closing his eyes as he tilted his face up. Duang didn’t need to guess what Qin wanted; he leaned forward, pressing his lips to Qin’s, in a small peck that lasted a few seconds before pulling back.
Qin, satisfied with the outcome, smiled up at Duang.
“Did you buy stir-fried rice and shrimp? I can smell it.”
“I did, I know you didn’t eat anything and must be hungry. How could I let you go to bed hungry?”
Qin raised his eyebrows, giving Duang a questioning look. “How would you know if I ate or not? I could’ve eaten with Tong and Kim.”
Duang raised his eyebrows right back, a smug expression crossing his face.
“Really? Then tell me, ever since we started dating, have you ever had a meal without me?” Be it with Tong and Kim or Jamie and Pae, we are always together all the time. The university canteen, our favourite dinner spot, and even coffee - we do it all together. Don’t we? Hmm?”
Qin thought about it for a long moment. Duang wasn’t wrong. Ever since they had started dating, they had never been separated for too long. Going to the university together, waiting for each other right after the lectures ended, getting lunches, hanging out with friends, going on trips - they did everything together.
Qin was at a loss for words. He knew Duang wasn’t wrong, and he also knew he had become clingy and too dependent on Duang, but Qin didn’t mind that at all. It was the first time someone was taking care of him willingly, and the first Qin was letting himself be spoiled. Qin liked the attention, the care, the pampering that he received from Duang. Because for Duang, it was always going to be Qin.
And for Qin, it was always going to be Duang.
“You talk too much. Where’s the food? I’m hungry.”
“What, I didn’t lie, did I?” Duang teased.
“I’m hungry,” Qin whined this time, his voice softer than ever, which made his heart melt.
“Should I feed you?”
“Hmm, feed me, I’m sleepy.”
Duang chuckled softly, unable to resist his partner’s rare, vulnerable tone. Turning towards the nightstand, he picked up the plate of stir-fried shrimp and rice, the savoury aroma wafting between them. Duang scooped up a small spoonful of rice and shrimp. He held it up to Qin’s lips with a gentle smile.
“Open up, my lazy kitten. Let me feed you.”
After feeding Qin the last bite, Duang placed the plate back on the nightstand and settled down into the bed, opening his arms. Qin immediately crawled closer, burying his face in the crook of Duang’s neck as a soft, contented sigh left his lips.
“You must’ve been so tired, my Qin. You did great today.” Duang murmured softly, pulling Qin close into his arms.
“I know how much energy you poured into your rehearsals and composing. You’re incredible, but now it’s time to rest. Duang is glad you’re letting yourself rest.”
“Love you, ter,” Duang whispered.
Tightening his arms around Duang, Qin took in all the compliments Duang gave him, a soft flush creeping up his cheeks. Duang chuckled at his reaction, wrapping his own arms securely around Qin’s waist and pulling the heavy duvet up over them both. Tangled together in the very sheets they shared in the morning, the cold emptiness of the condo completely vanished. The quiet bedroom was no longer lonely; it was full, warm and wrapped entirely in the sweet, undeniable warmth of an embrace as they safely drifted off to sleep.