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“When is Taeyangie coming?” Intak asked, elongating the end of the sentence into a whine as he rolled his head toward Keeho.
“If you ask me that one more time, you’re staying for cleaning duty.” Keeho barely spared him a glance, scrolling on his phone.
The party had died down considerably, and Intak was awkwardly lying over an armchair on the patio behind their main university building, legs dangling off one side and head off the other. The seat was too small, and his back began to hurt from the surprisingly hard armrest, but he was too tired to wait around standing, and since someone had spilled an unidentified sweet-smelling liquid on the larger outdoor seat, there weren’t many options left.
“I don’t even live here,” Intak replied. “Why would I be cleaning the mess?”
“Because you’re annoying. Also, no one lives here. It’s school property.”
Intak considered arguing about how people lived in the dorms, which was also considered school property, but that’d be pointless since it applied to neither of them anyway. The curfew and countless other rules were a big turn-off, so Intak stayed with his family, while Keeho currently shared an apartment with Jiung. Until recently, Jiung and Taeyang had shared one instead, but relationships evolved and circumstances naturally adjusted.
Intak could still clearly recall how he first met Taeyang when he was picking up Jiung from the dance studio. It was a fond memory that made him laugh—he was so clueless about the upcoming shifts in his life. He remembered being a wide-eyed nineteen-year-old intimidated by Taeyang’s initial aura of coolness and effortless quiet charisma. It didn’t take long for him to find out how silly and playful Taeyang actually was, which made him much more approachable. But the real reason Intak gravitated toward him was simply because of how unapologetically himself Taeyang was. To Intak, Taeyang was the easiest person to be around.
Despite his confidence and security in their friendship—later relationship—Intak sometimes wondered what made Taeyang feel the same about him in the earlier days, when Intak felt like a bumbling idiot in his presence. Maybe it was exactly that. He’d never know because getting Taeyang to talk about his emotional disposition in the early days was a lost cause—getting him to talk about his current feelings was the same hassle.
Keeho was sitting in front of him, his jacket spread out on the ground beneath him, leaning against a wooden table cluttered with plastic cups and various wrappers. It was the end of the semester, which meant the faculty members and students held a huge celebration outside on the campus grounds. Somehow this year Keeho got roped into helping organise it, and making sure the place returned to its original neat state by the end of the week.
People were still lingering around, playing made-up bullshit games or laughing too loudly from their blankets scattered all over the park, but the night breeze scared most of them off. Keeho had to stay till the end, but Intak got bored and wanted to go home. Well, not home exactly, but to Taeyang’s apartment, which was essentially the same thing. Except he had no car. Normally, he’d call a taxi, but he had boyfriend privileges now. No matter how much Taeyang complained and pretended otherwise, Intak knew he’d pick him up if he called.
And he was right.
His unlocked phone was lying on his lap, but it was taking forever for Taeyang to arrive. Intak was practically sober now, which was excruciatingly boring. The wind blew past, and he shivered, regretting not bringing anything to pull over his short-sleeved t-shirt. Leaning his head against the seat, neck uncomfortably bent, he closed his eyes and groaned. He heard Keeho sigh, but there was no remark this time. The faint music coming from someone’s speakers, paired with the overall dullness and distracted Keeho as his only company, was putting him to sleep.
He startled awake at a sudden cold sensation spreading over his face, realising he really must have dozed off. Coming face to face with Taeyang’s bored expression—leaning over him and pressing something cool against his cheek—a smile automatically spread across Intak’s face.
“Hey,” Intak said softly.
“Take it.” Taeyang pushed the small water bottle against his cheek harder, annoyance palpable in his tone, but Intak saw the corner of his mouth twitch up, so he knew Taeyang was playing it up.
“After a kiss,” he pursed his lips.
“Ew,” came from the ground.
He heard Keeho yelp as Taeyang kicked him, before leaning down and granting Intak the kiss. It was a brief touch of lips, more of a peck, and Intak’s body still flooded with warmth. He quickly took the water bottle before Taeyang’s annoyance became real and twisted off the cap to take a sip under his watchful eyes.
He tilted his head up, wondering if he could steal another kiss.
Taeyang raised an eyebrow at the ridiculous smile Intak knew was on his own face.
“You said you weren’t drunk,” Taeyang said dryly.
“I’m not. I just love my boyfriend.”
“Oh my god,” Keeho let out another helpful remark.
Intak frowned, looking past Taeyang’s legs to tell him exactly what he thought of his comments before Taeyang grabbed his arm and pulled him up. He was unprepared for the sudden movement, and his slightly fuzzy head caused him to stumble embarrassingly, his phone sliding to the ground. He couldn’t bring himself to care when Taeyang caught him, saying, “Come on, idiot,” with his quiet, soft voice. Taeyang snatched the water bottle and took Intak’s hand, intertwining their fingers. Intak quickly bent down to pick up his phone and slip it into his pocket, before Taeyang started dragging him away.
Taeyang walked past Keeho without a word—ignoring his offended expression—prompting a chuckle of goodbye from Intak. Not wasting a second, Intak pressed his weight against Taeyang’s side to get as close as possible. Taeyang sighed and tugged his hand free of the grasp, wrapping his arm around Intak’s shoulders instead. Taeyang’s soft grey hoodie was a pleasant sensation against his cool skin, and he instinctively nuzzled against it, slipping his arm around Taeyang's waist.
“Thank you,” Intak mumbled, realising he hadn’t verbally appreciated Taeyang for driving in the middle of the night to pick him up from someplace he’d specifically said he wasn’t interested in going to.
Taeyang clicked his tongue but tightened his grip, so Intak buried his face in Taeyang’s smooth black hair, which drifted freely in the wind. Judging by the faint apple scent, he’d washed it just before coming. Intak imagined him snuggled in his bed, freshly out of the shower, when Intak called and interrupted his peace. Maybe Taeyang was taking so long due to drying his hair, or maybe he wanted to finish reading a chapter from his new library book, or got caught up in watching a random compilation.
If they weren’t in public, Intak would be kissing his face senseless until Taeyang broke into an involuntary smile and pushed him away, affection seeping from his eyes.
“Stop,” Taeyang deadpanned.
“What? I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re thinking something stupid.”
“We should kiss.”
Intak was predictably shoved off immediately, but unfortunately for Taeyang, he was persistent and quickly attached himself to his side again. He unabashedly stared as Taeyang’s ears slowly reddened.
“You smell so nice,” Intak murmured, getting a whiff of his favourite body wash this time.
Taeyang muttered something under his breath as they reached the car and pushed him off again.
“Not going to open the door for me?” Intak teased, leaning against the passenger side.
“If you don’t get in, I’m leaving you here,” Taeyang said dryly as he got into the car.
Intak was only half-certain that Taeyang wouldn’t abandon him after he’d spent the entire walk bothering him, so he hurried in just as Taeyang turned the engine on. He smiled at the half-full water bottle placed on his seat as he sat down.
Being in Taeyang’s car—in Taeyang’s proximity—meant that Intak had a sole point of focus. He put the seatbelt on and relaxed into the leather seats, eyes fixed on his person of interest. Taeyang turned the radio on low, glancing at Intak out of the corner of his eye before he pulled out of the parking lot.
“There’s a hoodie on the backseat,“ Taeyang quietly noted, eyes on the road.
Admittedly, Intak had completely forgotten he was cold, and when he blindly reached for the piece of clothing to examine it, he smirked. It was one of his black hoodies that Taeyang must have stolen the last time he’d come over. Pulling it over his head, he wished Taeyang had got to wear it instead. Intak liked seeing him in his clothes. He shook his head at how smitten he sounded.
It never ceased to amaze him how the affection he’d been fostering for Taeyang never stopped growing. The first sprout formed two years ago when they’d met and grown exponentially several months ago when they got together. There were vines of tenderness curling through him, leading to a heart full of affection and a brain filled with fondness.
“Intak-ah…” Taeyang sighed, and Intak realised he’d zoned out.
He hummed playfully, followed by, “Did you say something?”
Taeyang only clicked his tongue.
“Hey,” Intak frowned under the lack of attention and lay his hand on Taeyang’s leg, just above the knee. There was no intent behind the touch other than simple closeness. Taeyang was wearing ripped black jeans, and Intak’s fingers slipped under the wide cut, massaging the muscle, thumbing the flesh.
“Drink the water,” Taeyang reminded him, nodding toward the bottle stuck between his thigh and the car door.
Intak pouted but complied, quietly sipping the drink the rest of the way. His hand remained on Taeyang’s thigh, tapping on it, squeezing it, and playing with the loose threads from his jeans. Taeyang twitched under his touch a few times from the tickling sensation, but he didn’t scold Intak or pull away.
When they entered the apartment, Intak was suddenly full of energy, rushing through the bathroom so that he could lie down in bed and press his body against Taeyang’s. The alcohol-induced buzz was gone, but the ever-present Taeyang-induced hum underneath his skin never faded.
As soon as Intak walked into the bedroom, he noticed Taeyang had only managed to change out of his jeans in the time. Intak was immediately levelled with a knowing look and turned around. Taeyang made it clear that Intak wasn’t coming anywhere near the bed before he brushed the alcohol smell out of his mouth.
The sight of the spare purple toothbrush set aside Taeyang’s white one didn’t make him pause anymore, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth every time he reached for it. He took longer this time, so Taeyang could change and get ready for bed in peace, and Intak was spared needless glares. They crossed paths in the bathroom door, intentionally brushing against each other just because they could. Intak slipped into the clothes Taeyang had prepared for him and settled down.
He was lying on the bed, scrolling on his phone, when Taeyang returned. Only now did Intak notice Taeyang’s loose t-shirt was one of his.
“If you keep going like this, I’m not going to have any clothes left,” Intak commented, watching Taeyang approach the bed tiredly.
“Not my problem,” Taeyang yawned, and Intak put his phone aside, then spread his arms with a questioning noise.
Sometimes, Taeyang crawled into his arms, resting his head on his chest, while Intak caressed his hair. Other times, Taeyang manhandled him into whatever position he wanted until it was comfortable to spend the night. Satisfied as long as they were pressed together, Intak had no complaints either way.
Taeyang hesitated a little, and Intak’s brow furrowed at the deep, unsteady breath Taeyang inhaled before settling against his chest.
“Everything okay?” Intak whispered into his hair, arms securely encircling him.
There was a brief pause as Taeyang began drawing random shapes on the fabric of his t-shirt, a calming, comforting motion.
“I’ve been thinking about something,” Taeyang started quietly, burrowing deeper into his chest.
Intak instinctively tightened his grip and waited patiently.
“I haven’t put up an ad for the free bedroom yet.”
“Do you want help?” Intak asked, slightly confused.
He couldn’t imagine Taeyang needing assistance with something like that, but it had been a couple of months since Jiung had moved out, so maybe Taeyang just needed a push to get going. Intak heard that it took Taeyang some time to get used to sharing his living space with Jiung and vice versa, but when Intak met them, they were both far past that stage.
Taeyang murmured something into his t-shirt that Intak couldn’t make out.
“Hey, I can’t understand you mumbling like that,” he laughed fondly at the display, continuing to stroke Taeyang’s hair gently.
He felt Taeyang’s exasperated sigh even through the cotton fabric. There was another short silence.
“Move in with me.”
Intak’s fingers momentarily faltered before resuming the soothing motion. A soft smile crossed his face at Taeyang’s demanding delivery while he actively hid in Intak’s chest.
“Is that an order?“ Intak chuckled to hide how taken aback he was for a moment, but Taeyang could definitely still hear his heartbeat quicken.
“Answer.” Taeyang pinched his side.
Intak flinched and let out a startled laugh. “Hey, you didn’t ask anything!”
Taeyang bit his chest this time and then sputtered dramatically at the taste of fabric in his mouth as Intak winced lightly and tugged him up by his hair. Taeyang was looking at him with half-lidded eyes, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
Intak couldn’t resist pulling him into a kiss.
Taeyang propped himself up, palm pressing against the left side of Intak’s ribcage where his heart was pounding. Intak thought maybe Taeyang wanted to feel it, feel the effect he had on Intak as if it wasn’t obvious, like he didn’t know.
The kiss was languid. It was slow and deliberate, which was the only relaxed thing about Intak in that moment. His thoughts were racing, replaying Taeyang’s sort-of question over and over in his head while his pulse thrummed in his ears. He never doubted they’d get there someday, but this felt soon, soon in the best way possible. He couldn’t help but chuckle against Taeyang's lips, thinking about how much Taeyang must really love him. Since Taeyang wasn’t the type to say it, every time Intak was reminded of how deep his affection truly ran, it hit him hard and fast, momentarily overwhelming him.
Taeyang pulled back with a pout, eyes narrowed in playful annoyance. Intak drew him back immediately until they were both smiling too much to continue. Intak tucked the loose black strands, falling around their faces protectively, behind Taeyang’s ears to see his unguarded, gentle expression clearly.
“I’d love that. Living with you,” Intak said softly, and Taeyang’s eyes crinkled at the corners.
Taeyang’s arms looped around his neck, and he pressed against Intak with enthusiasm masked as force. Intak squeezed his eyes shut, trying to finally settle his heartbeat. Taeyang began leaving quick pecks starting behind his ear and moving down his neck until Intak was chuckling at the sensation. He nudged Taeyang’s shoulder, and he pulled back. Intak tipped his head up, aching for their lips to touch again. He felt a little ridiculous, but it was impossible to resist Taeyang’s lips.
Their kisses gradually turned so lazy that they were barely doing anything other than leaning against each other. The comfort, the domesticity of it all, was something Intak hoped would never falter. When he thought of living with Taeyang, he only envisioned it multiplying, expanding beyond a measure capable of being described.
“You’re thinking something stupid again,” Taeyang murmured against his lips.
“It’s nothing you don’t know,” he whispered honestly.
(Un)fortunately for Taeyang, Intak would be thinking countless more ‘stupid’ thoughts as long as they were together.