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Suho stirred the contents of the pan, absentmindedly tasting it with his thumb. Hm. Needed more salt.
Ring!
The doorbell rang causing Suho to glance at the clock. Right on time. He set the spatula aside, turning off the stove and padded towards the door.
Sieun’s tired face stared back at him as the door clicked open. “Hey, baby,” Suho murmured, a content feeling spreading through his chest just at the sight.
It probably wasn’t healthy— missing someone so much within the span of a few hours but then, when had they ever been normal? Besides, Suho thought fiercely as he took Sieun’s bag, pressing a chaste kiss on the smaller’s head, they were allowed this. They had earned this.
He didn’t bother asking Sieun how his exam had gone, knowing now from experience that the other wasn’t capable of coherent speech until he’d had some much needed sleep and food in his system. Medical school was brutual— even for someone as dedicated as Sieun.
Instead, he carefully set Sieun’s bag away, going back to the kitchen to tend to the food while Sieun zombie-walked to their room to get changed.
Or so he thought. Because as soon as he entered their room to cajole Sieun into eating something, he realised the other was sound asleep on their bed— still dressed in the same clothes, phone and ID strewn away haphazardly. It was so out of character for his boyfriend, normally so particular with his things, that it made Suho’s chest tighten with worry. Sieun had been running on empty for weeks now, going through sleepless night after sleepless night– running himself ragged for these exams.
But he knew how important it was for Sieun to do this, to work on this dream– his dream, not one carved by his parents' expectations. So he tried his best to curb his overprotective instincts and support his boyfriend the best he could from the sidelines.
Sieun made a soft snuffling sound in his sleep, snapping Suho from his reverie. Even tired, his boyfriend looked so cute, curled up on his side, face relaxed, wisps of his soft hair curling over his eyes–almost like an angel. His angel.
Suho’s chest felt weirdly warm and gooey like someone had cracked open his heart like an egg.
He almost didn't have the heart to disturb the other. But he also knew that, despite his best efforts, Sieun hadn’t eaten anything substantial in almost a full day.
So he sank down into the bed beside his boyfriend, running a gentle hand through the silky strands. “Sieunnie,” he called softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, “Baby, wake up.”
Not even a twitch. Sieun was out.
“Sieun-ah,” Suho called, a little louder, patting the other’s cheeks softly.
After some attempts, Sieun moaned slightly, nestling closer to Suho’s thigh.
Finally. Some sign of life.
“Come on, baby. You have to eat something.”
“N-no,” Sieun mumbled, incoherent and sulky.
“No? Baby you haven't eaten anything since breakfast– which you also didn't finish, might I remind you.”
But Sieun simply shook his head, eyes still closed, a frown marring his face,
Maybe Suho needed a different approach. He bent down, pressing kisses to Sieun’s face– cheeks, forehead, nose— which still scrunched adorably even half-asleep. Only when Suho bit Sieun’s cheek lightly, did the other open his eyes, if only to glare sleepily at Suho.
“Suho-yah,” Sieun whined, sleepily, “Stop being mean.”
Suho had to bite his lip to keep from laughing, a movement which didn’t go unnoticed by Sieun judging from the way he practically hissed in Suho’s direction.
God, why was his boyfriend so adorable? This soft, sulky version of him was too much for Suho’s poor heart. Every day he discovered a new version of Sieun he adored– sharp and calculating in a classroom, feral in a fight, soft and happy in the morning, or— this one: tired, clingy and just a bit bratty. He loved them all.
“I’m being mean, am I?”
Sieun only nodded, still glaring blearily.
“Sorry kitty.” Suho soothed the other, carding his fingers again through his hair, “I know you’re tired. But you have to eat, yes? You know I can’t let you sleep like this.”
But Sieun’s eyes were already closing, melting more and more into Suho’s touch.
“Sieunnie are you awake?”
“Mm.”
“Suho huffed a laugh, “Baby your eyes are closed again.”
No response.
Okay. Suho's heart definitely needed to be checked at. This tingly, melty sensation couldn't possibly be normal all the time.
Feeling mischievous all of a sudden, he blew gently at Sieun's eyes. In response, they immediately scrunched (rather adorably in his opinion), drawing another laugh from Suho.
There was a high chance he'd get his face clawed at by his boyfriend but it was worth it.
And hey, it worked– somewhat– for Sieun's eyes slit open, glaring in Suho's direction again.
“Suho.”
Oof. Suho. Not Suho-yah. Or jagi.
Suho.
His baby was pissed, definitely.
“Sieunnie,” He said, mimicking Sieun's tone. “Food.”
The scowl melted away from Sieun's face, only to be replaced by a pleading expression.
“Suho-yah, please.”
And he looked so, so tired that Suho almost gave in. Sieun rarely asked for anything and to see this expression on his face was breaking his heart.
But it was for Sieun's health, he had to remind himself.
“Baby I know.” He said, brushing his thumb against Sieun's cheek as an apology, “I'm sorry. Hyung's being mean, but it's for your health no? Come on– It'll take ten minutes. Fifteen max. Then I won't disturb you, I promise.”
“For me? Please?” He added when Sieun didn't say anything for a minute.
Sieun's face softened. He took a deep breath, propping himself up to lean against Suho. “Okay,” He sighed, burying his face in the crook of Suho's neck. “Okay. Ten minutes.”
“And you're never a disturbance to me.” He slurred as Suho dragged him gently by his hand to the kitchen.
Suho had to kiss him then. “Even when I'm being mean?” He teased.
“Shut up.”
Suho laughed.
They ate slowly, Suho keeping up a constant stream of chatter if only to make sure that Sieun didn't faceplant into his soup.
When Sieun's chin slipped from his hand the third time, Suho took over, ignoring his boyfriend’s mumbled protests.
He could do this his entire life— it struck him suddenly as he watched Sieun sleepily chew on a piece of meat. He could live in this moment, handfeeding the love of his life forever, and die happy.
Overwhelmed, he pressed a kiss to Sieun's palm, keeping it there for a moment.
“Suho-yah?” Sieun asked, blinking awake.
“Nothing Sieunnie,” He sniffed, clearing his throat. “Nothing. I just love you.”
“Oh.” Sieun's whole body softened, with that look in his eyes only reserved for Suho. “I love you too,” He breathed. “And I'm sorry I called you mean. I didn't mean it.” He continued, a contrite look on his face.
“I know, baby.” Suho pressed another kiss to Sieun's palm. “All forgiven.”
A small smile broke on Sieun's face then, making Suho's heart almost jump out of his chest. Tired, sleep-rumpled and with a bit of soup on the corner of his mouth, he'd never looked more breathtaking.
Suho's heart would probably give out one day because of that smile.
But it was worth it, he thought, leaning forward to feed Sieun another bite– anything for that smile was worth it.