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Steven always hated post match interviews. It wasn't because of the cameras or the endless questions, he'd gotten used to those years ago when his career as a professional boxer took off, but because every second spent smiling under bright lights was another second keeping him away from home. Away from his boyfriend.
Tonight had been particularly exhausting. Twelve rough rounds. A stubborn opponent. A split-second mistake that earned him a busted lip and a pair of bruised knuckles that throbbed with every movement. Nothing he hadn't dealt with a hundred times before. Still, by the time he stepped out of the car and climbed the stairs to their apartment, fatigue had settled deep into his bones.
He unlocked the door quietly, or at least he tried to. The second the lock clicked, footsteps came barreling down the hallway.
"Steven!"
Woongki practically crashed into him, hugging his boyfriend tightly as if it had been years since he last saw him, but immediately froze when he took a better look at him. Steven saw the smile on his boyfriend's face disappear.
"Oh my God, what happened to you?!"
"Hi, baby." He greeted him.
"Your mouth…"
Steven grinned at him and quickly came to regret the action, his split lip protested immediately and he let out a low hiss because of the pain.
"Steven!"
"It's fine." He reassured the younger.
"No, it's not fine!" Woongki cupped his face with both hands, eyes wide with horror. "You said you'd text me when it ended!"
"I did."
"You said you won!"
"I did won! I–"
"You failed to mention that you came home looking like you fought a bear!"
Steven chuckled. "Technically, I fought a human-bear. That guy was huge! You should've seen him! "
Woongki stared at him. He was not amused, not in the slightest.
Steven immediately recognized that expression. Ah. No jokes.
"Woongki—"
"Sit down." Demanded the other with a resigned sigh.
"Baby–"
"Sit." Woongki pointed at the couch, furrowed brows creating a small crease on his forehead.
"Yes, sir." Steven obeyed and took a seat on the couch, back hunched forward and palms on his knees. He tried flexing his knuckles, wincing in pain.
Woongki disappeared into the bathroom and came back carrying their first aid kit like he was preparing for surgery.
Steven couldn't help smiling. God, he was cute, even when he was angry. Especially when he was angry.
Woongki knelt in front of him and carefully tilted his chin upward. The anger from earlier had already melted into worry.
"Does this hurt?"
A beat of hesitation and then, "A little."
"And your hands?"
"They're okay."
"Steven."
"Ok, they hurt."
"How much?"
"Like… a three?"
Woongki narrowed his eyes. "Steven."
"Maybe five..." He chanced a glance at Woongki, only to find him looking unamused."...Or maybe seven.”
Woongki sighed. "You are the worst patient in existence."
Steven smiled softly. "But I'm your patient."
"I'm serious, Steven."
"So am I."
"No, you're not!" Woongki's voice cracked slightly, and suddenly Steven realized something. Woongki's eyes were glossy. His boyfriend looked genuinely upset.
The smile faded from Steven's face. "Hey."
Woongki ignored him and began cleaning the cut on his lip. A little too aggressively.
"Ow! It hurts." Whined the older.
Woongki looked unimpressed and kept going. "Good."
Steven let out a deep sigh. "Baby, look, I'm sorry–"
"You should be."
"Woongki…"
"No, because every time you come back saying you're fine and then you're bleeding and bruised and–" His voice wobbled. "And I hate it."
Steven's heart sank.
Woongki quickly looked away. "I know it's your job. I know you love boxing. I know you're good at it. I know all of that." He sniffed, his voice cracking when he managed to continue. "But every time you step into that ring, I spend the whole time worrying for you."
Steven's expression softened immediately.
"Oh."
"And then you come home smiling like this is nothing and–" His voice became tiny. "And it's not nothing to me."
Steven's chest hurt far worse than any punch he'd taken that night. He hated seeing his boyfriend like this, hated seeing him worry and being the reason he seemed so distraught. "Woongki…"
"No." The younger boy shook his head stubbornly, with renewed vigor. "No, because if your hand hurts, just say your hand hurts! Don't sit there pretending you're made of titanium!"
Steven couldn't help a quiet laugh at that. "I almost feel noth–"
"Steven Kim!"
"Okay, okay!" The man raised his hands in surrender, looking down at the younger.
Woongki glared. "No jokes."
"Sorry. No jokes."
"No boxer pride." Woongki continued, resuming to cleaning the older's injured lower lip. "And no pretending you're invincible."
"Baby, I wasn't pretending." Steven bit back a whine as antiseptic was dabbed on his lip.
"Yes, you were."
Steven smiled faintly. "Maybe a little."
"A lot." Woongki carefully took one of his hands after being finished with his boyfriend's mouth.
Steven winced before he could stop himself, making Woongki immediately look up.
"It's busted." Was all Steven could manage to let out in that moment without sounding like a little child who scraped his knee at the playground.
"Exactly." Woongki shook his head. Then, his voice was soft again. "You don't have to be tough with me, you know."
Steven blinked. "What?"
Woongki gently dabbed an antibiotic ointment over the split skin, before wrapping fresh gauze around Steven's knuckles. "You don't have to act strong all the time." His thumb caressed Steven's palm. "You don't need to be tough around me."
Steven stared at his now pouting boyfriend and suddenly felt strangely emotional. After twelve rounds of sharing punches with another man, this was where he always wanted to come back to. Woongki was too good to him. Always tending to his injuries, always worrying like crazy. Always by his side.
"Woongki."
"Hm?"
"I love you."
Woongki didn't even look up. A moment of silence and then,"I know."
"That's cold."
"I'm mad." Woongki began packing up the first-aid kit away.
Steven laughed. And immediately regretted it. "Fuck…" He said almost putting a hand over his mouth.
"See?!" Woongki nearly jumped. "Don't laugh!"
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Sit there and suffer!"
"You're terrifying." Steven fake shuddered, smiling in the process. And before Woongki could stop him, he leaned down and pressed his forehead against his.
The younger boy froze."Steven–"
"Hey."
Woongki stalled. "Hi…What is it?"
"Thank you."
They younger man's eyes softened. "For what?"
"For worrying."
Woongki hummed low in his throat, signaling the other that he was listening.
Steven smiled gently and kept going. "For patching me up, for yelling at me, for waiting for me." His voice grew quieter. "For being the best part of my day… I missed you like crazy, you know."
Woongki's ears turned pink immediately.
"Don't say things like that when I'm trying to be angry."
"Mm. I'm sorry."
"I'm serious. You almost made me cry."
"Did I now? I'm sorry– "
"And stop saying sorry!"
"Oops. Sorry!"
Woongki gasped. "Steven!"
The older man burst out laughing, and then yelped when his lip stung. "Ow..."
"Serves you right!" Despite himself, Woongki laughed too.
And just like that, the tension broke.
Steven listened to the sound of his boyfriend's giggles fill the apartment, smiling to himself. As Woongki raised to his feet to put the first-aid kit back in the cabinet, Steven couldn't stop thinking one thing. He'd fight a thousand matches. Take a thousand punches. Come home with a busted lip a thousand times, as long as this was what waited for him afterwards.
As long as Woongki was here, he'd always come home happily.
Woongki then finished cleaning the last of the antiseptic that might have rolled along Steven’s hands with careful, almost exaggerated focus, like any wrong pressure might undo the whole man sitting in front of him. Steven, for his part, was trying very hard not to look like he was enjoying the attention too much.
He failed.
“Stop smiling,” Woongki muttered without looking up.
“I’m not smiling.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m in pain, Woongki.”
“You're being annoying on purpose.”
Steven exhaled through his nose, a soft laugh he immediately regretted when his split lip reminded him it existed. “Ow.”
Woongki’s eyes flicked up instantly. “Ok, seriously. Stop laughing.”
“I'd stop, you know, but you're making it very difficult. You're so cute when you're mad~” He cooed teasingly at the younger.
“Steven.”
“Okay, okay.” But his voice had gone softer now, the teasing still there but buried under exhaustion. The kind that settled into his shoulders, his spine, the way he sat slightly leaned back like gravity had started negotiating harder terms with him.
Woongki, with his hawk eyes, noticed in an instant. “You’re tired,” he said quietly.
Steven shrugged with one shoulder. “Just the usual aftermath. But I'm fine.”
Woongki didn’t respond right away. He just wrapped both hands around Steven’s and clutched them more tightly than necessary.
Steven winced again. “Baby.”
“Oh, oops! My bad.”
“That was uncalled for.”
Woongki let go of his hands and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “You came home looking like that and you want me to be nice?”
“I want you to be soft with me.” Steven whined petulantly.
Woongki finally looked up at him properly.
That flicker in his gaze, it was back again. The worry underneath the frustration, an expression Steven never liked seeing because it meant Woongki had been sitting alone, imagining every possible version of what could’ve gone wrong.
“I don’t like it when you get hurt,” Woongki said, quieter now.
Steven’s teasing died instantly. “I know.”
Woongki reached for his face again, more gently this time, fingertips brushing the edge of his jaw where a faint bruise was already forming. His thumb hovered near Steven’s split lip but didn’t touch it yet, like he was afraid that if he made contact with it, the whole man might break like glass.
“Does this hurt?” he asked again.
“Only when you look at me like that,” Steven said.
Woongki rolled his eyes immediately, but there was no heat in it. “Don’t flirt.”
“I’m not flirting.”
“You’re absolutely flirting.”
Steven’s smile turned small. “Maybe a little.”
Woongki sighed like he was losing a war he never agreed to fight. Then he stood, tugging lightly at Steven’s sleeve. “Come on.”
“Where?”
“Bathroom.”
Steven blinked. “That sounds ominous.”
“It’s not ominous. You smell like sweat and ring mats.”
“I just won a fight though!” The boxer sing-songed.
“Yeah, yeah. Congratulations. Now you’re going to take a shower before you fall asleep on my couch and I have to drag you like a dead body.”
He sounded dismissive but Steven knew him better. Woongki was proud of him, he always was. When all the worry will wear off by the next day, they will both celebrate Steven's win and Woongki will shower his boyfriend in praise, fawning over his lean muscles.
The bathroom was warm, fogged slightly from Woongki running the water too hot on accident. Steven stood there for a moment while Woongki adjusted the temperature like it was a life or death situation.
“You don’t have to babysit me,” Steven said.
Woongki didn’t look back. “You literally walked in bleeding.”
“It’s a minor injury.”
“Your lip is split.”
“Looks worse than it feels, I swear–”
Woongki turned around so fast Steven almost took a step back out of instinct. “Steven. Don’t start again.”
Woongki held his gaze a moment longer, then exhaled and turned back to the shower. “Get in.”
Steam filled the small space almost immediately. He stepped under the water and let it hit his shoulders, closing his eyes for a second longer than usual. The warmth loosened something in him he hadn’t realized was clenched so tightly.
He heard Woongki behind him, moving around the bathroom. Towels, bottles, the soft clink of things being set down.
“Sit,” Woongki ordered.
Steven opened one eye. “In the shower?”
“Yes.”
“You're being a little extra, aren't you?”
Woongki didn’t answer. Just crossed his arms. Steven sighed dramatically, then carefully lowered himself onto the built-in ledge. Immediately, Woongki knelt beside him again like this was just another regular night.
Woongki took his strawberry scented shampoo into his hands and started washing Steven’s hair. And Steven, world champion boxer, feared in the ring, went completely still and sighed happily.
“Mmh, this is new,” he muttered.
“Shut up.”
“You’re pampering me.”
“I’m cleaning you.”
“You’re massaging my head.” A low moan slipped out of him at the soothing pressure against his head.
“It’s shampooing.”
“It’s affectionate shampooing.” Woongki pressed harder for a second. Steven hissed. “Okay, okay! Message received…” But then he leaned back slightly anyway.
And that was the part he didn’t say out loud. That he liked this too much. Woongki’s fingers moved carefully through his hair, slower now, gentler. The tension in Steven’s shoulders started to melt without him noticing.
“You’re going to fall asleep in the shower.” Woongki warned.
“I’m not, I swear..” But the words came out slurred.
Woongki rinsed his hair, guiding his head forward gently. Water streamed down, warm and steady.
“Don’t get those wet,” he muttered, referring to his bandaged hands, already adjusting the angle of the water before Steven could even react. He reached in briefly, guiding Steven’s arm away from the direct stream, fingers light at his wrist so he wouldn’t soak the gauze. Every movement was precise, almost overly attentive, like he was afraid even a drop of water would undo everything he’d just finished patching up.
Steven watched him for a moment, then let out a quiet breath, a little softer than a laugh. “You’re being dramatic.”
Woongki didn’t even look up. “I’m being careful,” he corrected, still fussing with the water pressure as if Steven’s hands were his full responsibility now. “You should ice these later,” He added.
“I’ll forget though.”
“Yeah, ‘cause you're an oldie.”
“You’ll remind me?” He pleaded with puppy eyes, turning his head at Woongki.
“Mm. I always remind you.”
Steven smiled faintly. “You’re kind of my personal trainer.”
“I’m your boyfriend.”
“Same job description sometimes, don't you think?”
Woongki huffed a quiet laugh despite himself. And that sound, small, warm and familiar, did something to Steven’s chest that no adrenaline induced match ever could.
After the shower, Woongki wrapped him in a fluffy towel. Steven made no fuss, which, in itself, was uncommon.
“You’re unusually cooperative,” Woongki observed.
“Mmh, I’m injured and on the verge of collapse.” He was clearly sarcastic, watching the younger man with his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Woongki watched him attentively. Steven was so obviously enjoying the attention. It was kinda cute.
“Sit.”
Steven sat. Immediately.
Woongki blinked. “Wow.”
“See? I can be obedient too.” He said smugly, taunting the younger. Woongki blushed furiously and smacked Steven on the back of his head lightly, making the other's body shake in a silent laugh.
In the bedroom, Woongki dug out clean clothes. Steven’s oversized black hoodie, a pair of soft gray sweatpants, and tossed them at him.
Steven caught them one-handed. “Are you mad at me still?” he asked.
Woongki paused. “I was.”
“And now?”
He chewed the inside of his cheek. “...Less.”
Steven smiled faintly. “Good. ‘Cause I hate when you're mad at me.”
Woongki sat beside him on the bed. Then after a second of hesitation, leaned his head lightly against Steven’s shoulder, so careful with the motion, like Steven might break. The older stilled. Then slowly turned his head just enough to rest his cheek against Woongki’s hair.
Neither of them spoke for a moment. Outside, the world kept moving, the sound of the city a distant hum. Inside their apartment, everything finally slowed down.
“You scared me earlier,” Woongki admitted quietly.
Guilt flared hot in his chest. “I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t say I wanted an apology.”
Steven hummed. “Right. You wanted me to suffer.”
“I wanted you to be careful.”
“I am careful. I won't be this reckless in the future. I promise you.”
Woongki studied him for a second, then nodded once. “That’s enough,” he said. Then, softer: “I just need you to come home.”
Steven’s expression changed. Something quiet, something grounded. “I will always do,” he said.
Woongki didn’t answer with words. He just reached up and gently touched Steven’s busted lip again, slower this time, careful enough that it barely counted as contact.
And Steven, for once, didn’t joke. He just leaned into it.
Then Woongki cleared his throat, sounding almost shy. “I love you too, you know. So fucking much. And I’m sorry if I can sometimes seem nagging, but I’m just worried about you.”
Steven looked at him with gentle eyes. “I know, love. I appreciate everything you do for me.”
Then, unexpectedly, Woongki cupped his cheek and kissed the corner of his mouth. A single, soft, affectionate kiss that made Steven’s knees go weak.
“Is that all?”
“Yeah, that’s all. You’re hurt. No funny business tonight.”
Steven immediately started huffing. With puppy eyes, he leaned closer to Woongki’s face and whined, “Please, one more kiss.”
Damn Steven and his innocent act. Woongki rolled his eyes and planted another small kiss on Steven’s upper lip, right on the spot where his lip was not injured.
"Not like that. Kiss me properly.”
“Steven, you're going to get hurt.”
“I don’t care.”
“Well, I do–” but Woongki didn’t manage to finish what he was about to say because Steven cut him off with a hungry kiss. Woongki’s eyes widened and he placed a palm against Steven’s chest. He meant to push him away slowly, but all his resolve melted the moment he heard Steven let out a soft moan.
After a few moments, Steven was the one who broke the kiss, just to say, “We’ll take it easy tonight, I promise. I won’t put in much effort, just– please. I want you.”
Woongki looked at him in disbelief and whined. He didn’t know if it was because of his words, or because his boyfriend could be very stubborn sometimes. “Fine, whatever. But if I think you’re in pain for even a second, we stop and—”
Steven only heard Woongki’s agreement, tuning out whatever else he had to say. He nodded eagerly, a wide smile spreading across his face, and pulled him back into another kiss.
His lower lip throbbed, his knuckles burned with pain as he gripped Woongki's waist, pulling the younger closer to him, but he ignored it all in favor of feeling the younger pressed to him.
“You're so cute when you're angry.” Said Steven for the second time that night, breaking the kiss and leaving wet pecks along Woongki's jaw. “And hot when you're feisty like today.” Another kiss on his chin. “Makes me wanna eat you whole.” Then he dived back into the younger's mouth, licking into his mouth and ripping little whines from him.
Breaking the kiss once again, Steven looked Woongki from head to toe. His cheeks were rosy and he already had that vacant gaze the older was way too familiar with. Little puffs of air leaved his parted swollen lips and Steven couldn't wait to show him how much he cherished him.
“Now be a good boy for me and take off your shirt, yeah?”