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The Nataraja awards went well, even if it was a little too long. By the end of it, both Net and JJ felt fatigued. Eventually, they managed to push through.
Net drove JJ home, despite the latter's protests: JJ worried about Net not getting enough rest. After a quick hug and a peck on a cheek and one very flustered JJ, Net had to leave.
And now sprawled on his bed, Net scrolls through Twitter, wondering what their fans have been posting about and what they think of their appearance at the awards today. Nothing out of the ordinary. However, one thing keeps popping up again and again. And that is JJ's hairstyle. Net can't blame them, because he, too, is still hung up on it, even though he spent the whole evening with JJ looking like this.
Net closes his eyes, but the image flashes constantly in the back of his mind - JJ with his brown curly hair, a bright yet soft smile adorning his face. So pretty, ethereal even. Net was too busy worrying about the event and what to say to reporters, so he couldn't properly bask in his boyfriend's beauty. Though short clips and candid photos fans took say otherwise. Net doesn't remember staring at JJ this much.
Am I that obvious?
Tossing and turning don't help him fall asleep. Every time Net tries to think of anything else, his mind refuses to cooperate, throwing at him JJ's image one after another. He wonders if his boyfriend is asleep already. Despite trying hard to battle himself and his impulsiveness, Net ends up sending JJ a text.
Are you awake?
Net puts his phone down and sighs. What am I doing? We have an early schedule tomorrow.
Yes. What's wrong?
JJ's reply comes just as fast as Net grabs his phone, clutching it tightly. He ponders before sending one back.
Can I come over?
Net holds his breath. The phone in the palm of his hand is hot, but he himself feels even hotter. Even the AC blasting at the lowest setting doesn't help at all.
Yeah
Please
It's only a few letters, a collection of tiny pixels on a screen, but they make Net's heart jump. He shoots up from his bed, wears whatever is in his sight, not caring if his hair is messy (he didn't bother drying it properly, so now it's sticking in every possible direction).
When Net reaches JJ's house, his boyfriend is already outside, waiting. It's difficult to park, as he has JJ glancing at him with a small smile playing on his lips. But fortunately, Net manages.
JJ lets out a quiet gasp when Net lunges towards him and pulls him into his embrace. Whining in a joking manner, JJ tries to break free, only for Net to wrap his arms around his waist tighter. JJ huffs, giving in only this time. He sees and feels tiredness radiating off of Net, so he decides not to fight too much tonight. Only for tonight.
Net nuzzles into the crook of JJ's neck, breathing in as deeply as he can. The scent of shampoo and soap lingers there and hits his nose first, but underneath it all, Net can clearly make out JJ's natural scent. He proceeds to bury further.
"I'm ticklish!" JJ bursts out in a fit of laughter, wriggling in Net's embrace. He slaps him softly on his forearm. "Let me go, P'Net!"
Net weakens his hold and finally lifts his head to gaze into his boyfriend's eyes. JJ glances up at him just for a second before breaking eye contact and lowering his head. It's barely noticeable, but Net still takes note of how JJ's cheeks turn just a little bit pink, the prettiest shade of pink he's ever seen.
"What are you being shy about?" Net presses a kiss to his nose. "It's not like we haven't done more."
Startled, JJ leans back and hurriedly looks left and right to see if anyone witnessed what has just happened. Reassured that they're alone, JJ lets himself relax.
"Stop being this handsome then," JJ retorts.
Net resists the crushing urge to shower him with more kisses, but he knows how his boyfriend wouldn't appreciate it done out in public. Although it's late in the night and everyone seems to be long asleep, they have to be cautious. Reluctantly, Net allows JJ to escape, but not before intertwining their fingers instead. He gently rubs circles on JJ's soft hands with his thumbs. A smile never leaves Net's lips.
"What brought you here anyway?" JJ asks, tilting his head.
"You looked stunning today, and I regret not telling you. I'm sorry."
"Silly."
JJ bites the corner of his bottom lip, putting all his effort into not grinning like a fool at the simplest compliment. Immediately, Net lets go of one of his hands and cups JJ's face. In response, understanding him without any words spoken, JJ releases his bottom lip.
"Oi P'Net, I wasn't even doing it harshly," he says and swats Net's hand away. "If you're referring to my hair, it's all gone now. See? I took a shower, so I'm not stunning anymore or whatever you said."
Laughing, Net ruffles JJ's damp hair, while the latter pouts and rolls his eyes.
"My grumpy cat, mine," Net whispers into JJ's ear, leaning down. "No matter what hairstyle you have, whatever clothes you wear, no matter how disheveled or tired you look, in my eyes you're the most beautiful, the prettiest."
JJ catches his breath as he, at last, meets Net's eyes. This time, he doesn't look away. He brushes a strand of hair away from Net's forehead, caresses his eyebrow, then his cheekbone, slowly making way down. Net gulps. Tapping his finger under Net's chin, JJ steps in closer. There is no space left between them, not even air could pass through.
"And?" breathes out JJ.
"And I'm happy to be called yours," Net answers.
JJ makes a happy sound before slapping a hand over his mouth, surprised by his own reaction. Solely being under Net's attention proves to be a little too much, so he hides his face into Net's shoulder, hugging him back.
Net doesn't comment on it this time. Sometimes, teasing gets overwhelming for his boyfriend, especially after a long day of work. He simply hums a song, softly rocking JJ back and forth. JJ sighs in content.
Net feels something tugging at his heart. He wasn't supposed to get all emotional over a mere hug, yet he does anyway. Why wouldn't he, when he has his whole world cradled in his arms? Why wouldn't he, when JJ is all he ever longed for all these years?
Net lifts his head and blinks away the tears threatening to spill from the corners of his eyes. After uselessly trying, he can't mask his sniffles as something else.
"P'Net?" JJ glances at him, voice laced with concern. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
JJ attempts to step back and check Net for any injuries, but Net shakes his head and refuses to release him. Frowning, JJ waits for an answer, but he doesn't rush him, nor does he demand it.
This only makes Net want to cry more.
Ugh, I'm such a crybaby, he thinks.
"I'm ok, don't worry, I just- I'm very glad we've met. Thank you for being with me, for me. Thank you for staying despite…despite everything."
If Net didn't know it was midnight, he'd think the sun had appeared out of nowhere. But no, it's JJ's bright smile and eyes twinkling like the hottest stars. Net loved to stargaze before, but now he doesn't seek out any constellations far, far away from him, for now he has his own star, standing right in front of him.
"I'd do it again and again, in every lifetime," replies JJ, his own eyes getting blurry as well.
Net nods and wipes his tears away.
"Let's get inside and dry your hair. I don't want you to get sick."
JJ nods back and takes Net's hand into his.
"Let's go."