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When a knock sounds at the door of his hotel room, Theo is tucked in bed.
He's already taken a hot shower, slipped into an oversized tee and sweats, and hopped between his blankets. Curled up on his side and wrapped snugly in the sheets, he's been watching sad cat rescue videos on his phone to try to distract himself from the fact that he had nearly kissed his bandmate on stage earlier and all of Shanghai probably knew.
Theo had acted so confident, beckoning Intak towards him with a nonchalance that went against every cell in his body when it came to the younger man. They'd nearly touched lips the first time, and when Intak had come in for seconds, that damn potato chip in his mouth and a confident smirk on his lips, Theo knew he had to put a stop to it immediately or he was going to eat both the chip and Intak right then and there up on that stage.
For a moment, he considers pretending he isn't awake until a fit of coughing racks his entire body. Damn this stupid sickness.
The voice beyond the door is muffled but distinct.
Intak.
"Hyung, I know you're there! Open up. Please."
Theo sighs and drops his phone on the bed, dragging his aching body out of bed, limb by limb, before shuffling to the door. Goosebumps rise on his forearms from the chill in the air.
Intak is standing in the hallway in a hoodie and joggers, cradling a brown paper bag in his arms. When he sees Theo, the smile on his face flattens into a line of worry.
"Are you okay?"
Theo's mouth is dry, and he wets his lips before speaking. The words come out more tired than he expects. "I'm alright, Intak-ah. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out with the other guys?"
The younger man twiddles his thumbs on the bag. "Well, I did! Go with them, I mean. I just got this and told them I had to come back."
Theo eyes the bag.
"Can I come in?"
"I don't want to get you sick."
There's a desperate edge in Intak's voice now, and his eyebrows are knit. "I'll stay on the other side of the room."
They both know that isn't true, but Theo also doesn't want Intak to go and leave him with only depressing cat videos as company. Really, he wants to kiss Intak and fall asleep in his arms, preferably without playing a game of contagion with his boyfriend.
"Okay." He moves out of the doorframe to let Intak in.
As soon as the door shuts, Intak materializes in front of Theo, who nearly stumbles backwards with a yelp. Intak wraps an arm around his waist, pulling them taut against each other, his other hand moving up to swipe a thumb over the corners of Theo's eyes.
Theo huffs, placing his palm on the back of Intak's hand. "This isn't the other side of the room, silly."
Brows furrowed, Intak looks into Theo's eyes. "Why were you crying?" The concern overflows from his gaze.
"Crying?"
"Your eyes are wet."
"Barely." Theo reaches his fingers up to rub the tears dry as another cough finds him, and he turns away from Intak, who pats at the dip of his spine. "I think it was—oh, this is so stupid—I was watching sad videos before you showed up, and I guess they affected me more than I thought they would…"
Intak bursts into laughter. "You're so cute, Taeyangie." He drops a kiss onto each of Theo's eyelids, and the physical sensation of the hum in his voice tugs at Theo's lips.
"Come on. This is going to get cold."
Taking Theo's hand, he leads the older man into one of the armchairs in the corner of the room.
"What did you bring?"
"You're sick, so I thought I should get you something warm." Steam emerges from the container as Intak sets the lid aside, and Theo's stomach grumbles. He hasn't eaten much of anything today.
Theo wonders how many good deeds he must have done in his past life to deserve someone like Intak in this one. This life, in which most people write him off as uncaring and aloof, simply because he doesn't know how to say and express it well—how much he feels, how much he cares, and the depth of his love.
"Hyung! Why are you crying again?" Kneeling between his legs, Intak looks up at Theo, his eyes wet and glistening. Theo isn't sure when or how he even got there.
It's just congee, and Theo is crying over it. Choi Taeyang, who rarely cries in front of other people and saves his tears for his private moments. He takes a shaky breath, patting Intak's hair, and laughs. "I just- I'm- thank you, Intakkie. For the porridge. And…"
For worrying about me when I'm sick. For loving me even though I'm not easy to love. For everything.
He doesn't say all that, but he thinks Intak understands.
"You know we all love you, right?" Intak pushes himself up to his feet, picking up the bowl of congee and a spoon. "A lot."
When Theo doesn't answer, Intak continues. "I mean, it's a little different for me. How I feel about you. But don't you ever forget. Here, eat some."
Intak blows on a spoonful of congee before bringing it to Theo's lips.
Theo nearly swats at it, nearly opens his mouth to protest, but lets Intak feed him anyway, spoonful by spoonful. Instantly, he feels better, grounded by food in his stomach and his boyfriend's presence before him.
"Scoot."
There really isn't much space on this chair for more than one and a half people, but Theo obliges, moving over so that Intak can plop down onto the seat before pulling the older man into his lap and setting the half-empty bowl aside.
"You have something here." Intak vaguely gestures at his own mouth.
Frowning, Theo wipes at his mouth. "Is it still there?"
Intak knits his brows in concentration. "Hmmm, I think there's still a litle here."
He leans in, swiping a tongue over part of Theo's lower lip, a dazed expression on his face when he gets what he wants.
"Yah!" Theo throws a leg over Intak, straddling him and holding his face in both hands. "Taking advantage of a sick man. I thought you were better than that, Hwang Intak…"
Why does Intak look so giddy? He's downright giggling.
Theo pulls Intak in, biting down on his bottom lip, earning him a hiss from the younger man.
Intak doesn't let him go, arms tightening around Theo's waist and lips pressing into Theo's.
Really, he wants to pull away, to slap Intak on the wrist and tell him to go drink five immune supplements right now, but goddammit he's been thinking about doing this all day since that chip game. His tongue soothes over the redness his teeth left on Intak's lip, and the younger man takes it as an invitation to press deeper, lips hungry but soft.
Theo isn't even aware that he's rolling his hips into Intak's until Intak makes a strained noise against his mouth and grabs lower on Theo's back.
Of course, the coughs choose to show up at the most inopportune time, and Theo backs up and off of Intak's lap with lightning speed, burying his face in his elbow.
Intak is with him in an instant, patting on his back to ease his hacking.
"I'm so sorry, hyung! Are you okay?"
Theo takes a moment to collect himself, the coughing fit mostly subsided by now, and pushes Intak away from him.
"What am I supposed to do when you get sick now?"
"Me? I'll be fine. I have a great immune system." Theo's eyes can't help but roll at the smug look on Intak's face.
"Intak…"
"Taeyangie. I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself. I've been thinking about it all day. Ever since you cut me off the second time…you know…the game…with the chip…"
Oh. So this was about the chip game, too. Theo snorts, a sound he makes so rarely that even Intak is taken aback.
"Well, I guess we're even then. Don't blame me when you wake up sick tomorrow."
Intak pulls Theo into him. "I'm okay being sick if it's with you." He says it quietly, but the words are loud in Theo's brain.
They stand there like that for a moment, melting into each other's embrace. Intak breaks the silence. "We should go for a walk."
"Now?" It's embarrassing how much Theo wants them to continue where they left off, but he does feel a little too tired for that.
Intak nods, expression bright and expectant. Theo can't say no to that face, so he sighs dramatically and grabs a nondescript light jacket and his baseball cap instead. "Fiiiine. I guess some fresh air would be good."
Their hotel is situated right on The Bund. A collection of colors reflects off the water from the futuristic skyline across the river before them, and behind them sits a row of majestic European-style buildings as they stand between past and future. It's extra dazzling tonight to Theo even though he saw this same view last night. Maybe it's because he's sharing it with Intak today. Or maybe he's just a little feverish; the air is warmer than he had expected.
"It's beautiful."
"It is…"
It should make Theo laugh at how cliched it is that Intak is looking at him right now instead of the scenery, but Intak really is beautiful right now, too, and Theo needs to let him know.
Theo fusses with the cuff of his jacket, not quite sure what to do with himself. "You, too. I meant the scenery at first but also-"
Intak breaks into a smile, linking his fingers with Theo's and placing their intertwined hands into the pocket of his hoodie.
"Well, I meant you, Taeyangie."
Before Theo can respond properly, Intak leaves a light peck on his lips, so light and fleeting it's gone before Theo even realizes it was ever there, and guides him down the path along the river.
Side-by-side, Theo leans into Intak as they walk. "Wait, Intak-ah, what if someone sees us?"
It's surprisingly quiet at this hour for Shanghai, but that doesn't mean there aren't tourists and delivery drivers and couples on their own walks all around them.
"Hyung, we'll be okay. Without the makeup and stage outfits on, we just look like two normal guys." It doesn't escape Theo that Intak still pulls his hood down a little further over his brow. They're utterly insane for not bringing masks out with them.
"Plus, look, everyone's minding their own business."
Theo squeezes Intak's hand, pulling him even closer to his side. "I might look like a normal guy, but they'll definitely look at you, Intakkie."
It isn't that he wants anyone to look at him, really. Theo doesn't want the eyes of prying people to be on his boyfriend. Which is an irrational thought to have, he knows, considering their entire job revolves around people looking and consuming.
Intak's brows furrow, looking so cute and confused Theo wants to kiss him all over his face. In front of everyone here, too, so they know he's taken. But that would be absolutely disastrous.
"Because you're handsome," Theo continues.
Intak suddenly stops in his tracks, anchoring Theo to the ground, turning the older man to face himself. "Intak?"
"Taeyangie-hyung, are you…pouting?"
Huh? Theo schools his lips back into a straight line, facial expression as neutral as he can muster.
"No."
"You were!" Intak's laughing so hard he's doubled over, chin resting on Theo's shoulder.
He looks up at Theo through his lashes, a sly grin on his face, and all thoughts of protesting leave Theo's brain. "Are you jealous, Taeyangie?" He drags the last vowel.
"Why would I be jealous? You're mine…" Theo utters the last part as a whisper, something for only the two of them.
Intak's eyes widen, even though he's well aware of this fact, before he burrows their joined hands further into his pocket, gaze trained on Theo as if he's the only person on the planet.
"I'll only look at you, hyung. Since you're the most handsome."
Placing his free hand on his boyfriend's cheek, Theo stares at Intak as if to say "You're the only one in my eyes." He thinks Intak gets it when a blush rises all the way to the corners of his eyes.
"Don't say things like that…" Theo lightly swats at Intak's jaw, but he knows there's a huge smile on his own face from how much the muscles in his cheeks hurt. He pulls Intak along, and they shuffle further down the road.
The plaza ahead of them is filled with music and people dancing, most of them their parents' or grandparents' age. Intak's eyes light up when he sees the throng, "Hyung, we should go dance!"
Theo is tired and he doesn't particularly like dancing, but he has to admit this looks fun and Intak is watching him expectantly like an excited puppy. It doesn't really take long for him to agree, not when his boyfriend makes those eyes at him.
"Hmmm, okay let's do it." Intak takes no time to pull him into the fray.
Somehow, Theo gets the moves down better than Intak does, and they dance for what feels like hours. They're laughing so much Theo feels like his feet aren't touching the ground as Intak twirls him around and around.
When Theo feels like the adrenaline has worn off and the weariness has set in again, Intak offers to carry him back to the hotel on his back, which Theo accepts more readily than he'd expected of himself. His body must be exhausted.
With Theo's arms around his neck, legs around his waist, and cheek resting on his shoulder, Intak holds Theo tight. Intak is so warm and cozy and Theo's eyelids slip despite themselves.
They pick up some snacks on the way back, because Intak feels Theo's stomach rumbling right through his back—soda and juice, some gummy candies. And chips. Of course. Theo had thrown them into the basket.
Back in the room, Intak deposits Theo gently onto the bed.
"Gimme the bag, Intakkie." Theo reaches out with grabby hands, and Intak passes the bag of snacks to him before pausing to take off his hoodie.
"Hey, don't eat all the gummies without me!"
"I won't, don't worry."
Theo goes straight for the bag of chips instead, opening it and placing one of them in his mouth.
"Intak-ah." He beckons, just like he did hours earlier.
"Eh? Hyung…" But he doesn't hesitate walking over, a dusting of pink over his cheeks, bracketing Theo's body with his own and leaning down to take the other half of the chip into his mouth.
Instead of letting Intak take the chip this time, Theo bites down on the chip and pulls his boyfriend's mouth down to meet his own. Intak makes a noise of surprise as the chip falls from between his lips into Theo's, but melts into the kiss when their mouths meet, tongue immediately seeking entrance.
Theo swallows, pulling away for a moment, a line of saliva keeping them connected. "Do you know how much I wanted to do that on stage earlier?"
"Tell me." Intak's voice is breathy and stilted.
"I'll show you instead."
He pulls Intak down over him so the younger man is spread like a stingray over every square inch of his body. They kiss languidly—sleepy open-mouthed kisses, swallowing each others' breaths—and it's comfortable, it's soft, while also stealing the air from Theo's lungs.
They settle into each other, Theo's hands pressing on the warm skin of Intak's belly under his shirt and Intak's arms wrapped solidly around Theo's waist, anchoring them together.
The kisses become slower as fatigue overtakes both of them, fewer and far between as sleep overtakes them.
"Good night, Intakkie…" Theo manages to whisper, leaving a kiss on Intak's forehead, who responds with a sleepy giggle and nudges his boyfriend's cheek with his nose.
"Mmm…good night…"
It's the last thing Theo remembers before blacking out.
He's awoken in the morning by a harsh cough, ricocheting through his head, which is tucked solidly into Intak's shaking chest.
"Intakkie…?"
"Hyung…" Intak sounds like he has a wad of tissues stuck up both nostrils.
Theo moves to sit up, but Intak pulls him in closer. His own throat feels significantly better than it did the day before.
"Oh my god, Intak, what did I tell you?"
Looking up at Intak through his eyelashes, Theo can't help but laugh. It's a little mean, maybe, but he did warn Intak. And his boyfriend is so adorable right now with his little pout and his cheeks all flushed.
"I'll be fine, hyung." But he's coughing again, and Theo's heart breaks a little.
Theo pulls himself up so his face is levelled with Intak's, their foreheads touching.
"I'll go get you some congee, okay? And medicine."
Intak shakes his head and whines. "Don't leave…"
"Let me take care of you, Intakkie. I'll go quickly." He tucks a loose strand of Intak's hair behind his ear, stroking his cheek.
"Do you feel better now, hyung?" Intak places a hand over Theo's, nuzzling into the touch.
"Mmm, lots, thanks to you." Theo pecks at Intak's lips and sits up. Intak's hands gravitate towards Theo's waist, but he lets the older man go.
"Don't take too long…Please…"
Tucking Intak into bed and shucking on his jacket, Theo can't help but press another kiss to Intak's forehead.
"I'll be back soon, baby. Love you."