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One of the perks of dating someone who's younger than you, is they somehow make you feel younger.
At least, that's what Enjin feels.
Sometimes, he can't even tell who's the older one in this relationship. Zanka may be younger in age, but clearly, he's more mature in several departments.
Enjin can testify.
Meanwhile, Enjin himself, as he loves to declare, is always young in heart, so of course, if one were asking who's the adult in this relationship, even Enjin wouldn't hesitate to answer: Zanka.
And apparently that annoys Zanka to no end.
Some times—most times.
Enjin loves it when he's being annoying on purpose at Zanka. He loves to be the reason Zanka is so done with him, the younger begrudgingly caves in.
It sounds childish, it looks childish.
But Enjin loves being childish when he's around Zanka.
He loves being this carefree.
Enjin loves watching the ever serious face turns even more serious, he loves teasing the growing frown that deepens itself, he loves it when Zanka loses his composure over his antics.
This evening, is no different.
Becoming one of those rare days when Enjin and Zanka have the opportunity to retire to their room earlier, without any needs to socialize, tonight. Riyo and Rudo are still in a mission with Tamsy. Enjin and Zanka have just finished their own this morning, so they've got plenty of time to rest and relax for the rest of the day.
In the quiet of their room, Zanka picks the worst time ever to read the book he means to finish, on their bed. Enjin doesn't exactly expect sexy time, but he does expect he can spend the night, cuddling or perhaps make out a little, before the fatigue steals their consciousness.
Instead, Zanka settles himself on the bed, sitting in front of Enjin's, leaning on his chest as he starts reading.
Enjin initially wants to put on some TV only to ignore it, but Zanka doesn't even look interested in his surroundings. He opts to rest his chin on Zanka's shoulder, trying to read what he's reading.
It's a book about ancient martial arts and while it can be useful in combat and battle, Enjin has zero interest in learning the theory.
Zanka doesn't seem to mind with Enjin's presence behind him, he reads quite fast like he's genuinely in invested in his book and that makes Enjin feels ignored more.
He can say, he's bored, but he honestly just craves attention from the one and only other occupant on this bed.
And so it begins.
Enjin channels his boredom into distracting Zanka.
Touching him here and there, trying to get him into meaningless conversation, bothering him like a little child demanding his mother's attention—everything.
Enjin is super, duper bored, and still, Zanka is way too immersed in his reading that he ignores every attempt from Enjin to distract him.
"Zanzan, Zanzan, Zanzan," Enjin whines, wrapping his arms around Zanka's middle and blowing air at his tassel earrings.
Zanka merely shifts, makes himself comfortable, and continues to flip the pages. Enjin huffs.
"Zanzan, stop being a nerd," he nuzzles Zanka's neck.
Zanka doesn't even react. He just tilts his head, giving Enjin easier access.
At this point, it just seems impossible for Enjin to make Zanka take his eyes off his book.
Enjin huffs again. "What's so great about that book anyway?"
That gets him the desired attention.
"It's very interesting. Did you know that this is the only known copy left? Tomme went through all the hassles to get me this book. It has so many useful fighting techniques," Zanka says without turning his head. "I'll lend it to you when I'm done."
Enjin groans into Zanka's shoulder. "I don't want to read your boring book."
Zanka bumps their heads gently. "It's not boring. You'll agree with me once you read it."
Enjin huffs. Still he doesn't give up trying to steal Zanka's attention.
He starts playing with Zanka's tassels, now, knowing Zanka dislikes it when someone is doing that to him, even if that someone is Enjin. He caresses the metal hoop, pressing lightly over the earlobe, flicking the soft strands, sometimes targeting that sensitive spot behind Zanka's ears on purpose.
Enjin can feel the rise of his chest as Zanka inhales deeply, like he's trying not to scold him.
And still, Zanka keeps flipping through the pages.
That only gets Enjin even bolder. He makes an exaggerated kissy sound, knowing it repulses the younger one.
Zanka eventually dodges the annoying antics, turning just slightly to glare.
"Can you please stop bothering me for a minute?"
Enjin purses his lips and does his best to sport his pathetic puppy eyes.
"We're finally in bed and all you care about is that stupid book."
Zanka rolls his eyes.
"I'm in bed to rest, Enjin, not to deal with your obnoxiousness."
Enjin makes a face at that, blowing raspberries at him. "You can't say no to this handsome face."
Something flashes across Zanka's face; too fast for Enjin to catch it, too quick for Enjin to decipher.
But it's still something.
Unfortunately, Zanka is more than capable of regaining his composure.
"No," the younger simply says.
Enjin groans, as dramatic as possible. "Zanzan, Zanzan, Zanzan—"
Zanka merely turns around and ignores him again.
Only then does Enjin remember something that will definitely make Zanka take a break from his book. He slips his arm off Zanka's middle. Zanka freezes for just a moment, but long enough for Enjin to notice.
"Ah, finally," Zanka says, pretends to be relieved, but Enjin can tell he mourns the loss of his touch. Always so obvious, while he's also oblivious of doing so. "Now, if you don't mind—"
Right before Zanka can even finish his sentence, Enjin seizes the opportunity to attack his waist with tickles.
The effect is instant—a surprised yelp that turns into a half-laugh, half-scowl.
Enjin has the upper hand here. He has all the leverage. With nothing on his hands, he gets to attack Zanka with maximum power. He knows every weak spot, every trigger point, every exact area to cover.
Zanka, on the other hand, struggles to fight back, because he tries to avoid the attack without losing the mark on the book he's currently holding.
"Okay, okay, stop it, I give up," Zanka wheezes breathlessly. He doesn't even realize he's now lying on his back, hands grasping the sleeves of Enjin's shirt. The book lays quietly on the edge of the bed, so close to meet its fate on the floor.
"You have all my attention, now," he sighs, hands reaching for Enjin's face, cupping his jaws. "What do you want?"
Enjin grins. "For you to stop being so serious and actually relax."
But before Zanka can question the meaning of his words, Enjin is apparently cruel enough to resume his tickle attack.
This time with more fervor. Like he's having his revenge for Zanka's ignoring him.
It's not that hard to win this game, it's already rigged from the start, he has the unbound knowledge of everything Zanka and he utilizes it to his benefit.
Zanka can only gasp for his mercy, but Enjin likes wants to hear him beg.
At some point, Zanka has to resort to using his legs to take Enjin down, attempting to turn the situation around, only to realize it's useless because Enjin, being much physically advantageous, doesn't even budge.
And if Enjin eventually gets tired of laughing and annoying Zanka and ends up staring at him instead; and if Zanka eventually gets fed up for failing to return every annoying thing Enjin does to him, and just sporting that adorable pout that makes Enjin wants to kiss him senseless—well, then Enjin will gladly let you know this:
One of the perks of dating someone who's younger than you, is they somehow make you feel younger.
At least, that's what Enjin feels.
Sometimes, he can't even tell who's the older one in this relationship. Zanka may be younger in age, but clearly, he's more mature in several departments.
Enjin can testify.
Meanwhile, Enjin himself, as he loves to declare, is always young in heart, so of course, if one were asking who's the adult in this relationship, even Enjin wouldn't hesitate to answer: Zanka.
And apparently that annoys Zanka to no end.
Some times—most times.
What can he say? Enjin just loves it when he's being annoying on purpose at Zanka.
"You're so cute when you're annoyed," Enjin grins, as he towers above Zanka, hands caging his face, his body casting the shadow over him.
"I'm not cute," Zanka pants, pushing him back.
To no avail.
Enjin leans in to pepper his face with feathery kisses. "The cutest."
Over his nose. "The most adorable."
Over his eyebrows. "My precious Zanka."
Over his cheeks, his jaws, completely misses the lips on purpose, grinning. "Such a cutie-pie."
"I'm not!" Zanka yelps indignantly, now resembles more of the signature color of his family with how red he looks now. "Stop saying nonsense!"
Enjin hums, pretending to stop and think. "But I think I know what you are, Zanzan."
Zanka barks an annoyed, "What?"
Enjin chuckles before leaning down again, this time to aim right.
"You're mine."
Zanka stares up at him, chest still heaving from the tickle attack, cheeks flushed red. For a second, Enjin is almost sure he might argue again, only to save the remaining of his dignity, but then his shoulders slump against the mattress in surrender.
Enjin emerges from the battle, winning.
"Idiot," Zanka mutters, but there's no heat in it. Contrary to his words, his hands travel up and anchor themselves on his shoulder. He can feel a gentle tug, a silent request to come even closer.
Enjin's grin widens as he complies. "Your idiot."
He finally closes the distance and kisses Zanka the way they both deserve, the kind of kiss that he's been waiting to happen, when it's finally their time to be in the comfort of their bed.
Zanka sighs into it, tilting his head just right, aligning himself with Enjin. His fingers thread into Enjin's hair, tugging lightly before they settles on his undercut.
When they break apart for air, Enjin doesn't go far. He rests their foreheads together, noses brushing.
"See? Was that so hard?" Enjin murmurs, thumb stroking Zanka's cheek. "Putting the book down and not ignoring your very handsome boyfriend?
"You're insufferable," Zanka huffs a breath that might've been a laugh, his cheeks remain pinkish Enjin almost gets tempted to kiss him again.
"You love me anyway."
Zanka sighs. For a moment, Enjin thinks he will hear more denial, but Zanka merely accepts the fact.
"Unfortunately."
Pretending like it doesn't get him all excited, Enjin gasps a faux offense and retaliates by burying his face in Zanka's neck, nosing the sensitive skin there.
The younger jolts with a startled laugh, the sound echoes in the quiet of their room.
"Enjin—!"
Enjin nips the skin playfully. "Yep, that's me."
He shifts his weight, rolling them both until Zanka is half-draped over his chest, their legs tangled. The forgotten book eventually meets its fate and slides off of the bed.
Neither of them cares.
"I don't know why I have to put up with this. You're so childish sometimes," Zanka sighs as he props his chin on Enjin's sternum, looking down at him with that familiar mix of fond exasperation and reluctant affection.
Enjin lifts his eyebrow.
"What, craving attention from my cute boyfriend is wrong, now?"
"You're eleven years older than me, you're not a kid anymore," Zanka scoffs. "And I'm not cute, stop saying that."
"Age is just a number, Zanzan. My heart is eternally as young as yours." Enjin pinches him lightly on the hip. "And you're the cutest, stop denying your true identity."
Zanka rolls his eyes so hard it's a wonder they don't get stuck, but he leans down anyway, pressing a quick, almost shy kiss to the corner of Enjin's mouth.
Then another to his jaw.
Then another right over his collarbone.
Enjin can't help but softens, as he wraps both arms around Zanka's waist, holding him close, feeling the steady beat of the younger's heart against his own.
And if later, Enjin will start teasing him again, and if later, Zanka is adamant to not back down this time, and if later they'll end up not resting at all—well, it's a good thing that they get their deserved night, at last.
As Zanka settles into Enjin's arms, as the sleep slowly creeping up to them, Enjin is glad that Zanka is never too young to be his equal and that Enjin is never too old to be his match.
After all, one of the perks of dating someone who's younger than you, is they somehow make you feel younger.
At least, that's what Enjin feels.
And some times—most times, they make you feel like the luckiest guy alive, too.