Work Text:
Martin knew he was fucked the second he picked up his phone and saw 2 missed calls and 5 text messages from his boyfriend. The time of the messages and calls showed around 7:10 pm and it was now almost 8 pm. He immediately picks up his jacket from the couch in his cramped studio and storms out.
He tries calling the elder twice before James picks it up and only says one word: dorm. Martin takes the hint and asks the manager to drive back to their dorm faster. The manager sent him glares and questioning looks throughout the whole ride which Martin deliberately ignored. And once the car was parked, Martin sprints out. James and him have been living together for almost a year now after moving out of the shared dorm with their other members. Their apartment was in the same building but on different floors.
As soon as Martin pressed in the code and opened the main door he found James already standing by the dining platform, sipping on some water. His black tail was thrashing in the air clearly showing his anger directed towards Martin and it made Martin's puppy ears droop in an instant, his tail lowered in pure anxious acceptance.
With slow steps, he walked closer to the other, almost scared to approach the already angered cat. “Hyung,” he whimpered out. James gave him one glance and hissed at him.
“Finally free from work, Mr busy man?”
The taunt was clear in his voice and Martin tried not to be too upset about it, it was definitely on him this time. He could not have fucked it twice in just one week. Martin still does not dare to look the other in the eye.
“Sorry, hyun—”
“Save it.” James said with finality and brushed past Martin. No harsh words or loud accusations thrown in the air, just that, ‘save it,’ as if James has truly lost his faith in Martin's words this time. And Martin for once did not know if he liked the latter's silence for the matter or not. He wanted the other to yell at him, maybe even threaten him with his claws or something– something, but not this, not silence and definitely not leaving mid argument, if you can even call it that.
But Martin this time did not know how to stop the other from leaving. The last time he lost track of time while working, which was 3 days back, he had consoled the other and promised to make up for it by taking him out for dinner today only to repeat the same mistake again. And he knew James hated that. Not the broken promise, but at being stood up not just once but twice in a row. Martin so badly wished to turn back the time right now, but all he could do was sit on the couch in the middle of the living room and replay the scene of James walking away from him, his back turned to Martin and shoulders scrunched. This time he felt the hurt radiating off of James’ rather than seeing it and he did not know how to fix it immediately.
James for one has always been understanding so he would've understood if Martin had texted him a few minutes prior at the very least about the cancellation of the date. James would always want Martin to prioritize his work before him and though Martin usually disagreed, this time he might've proved himself wrong. Just imagining James waiting outside or inside the restaurant for more than half an hour sitting in the cold and just waiting and waiting for Martin to never show up made Martin want to crawl on his knees right then and there and beg for forgiveness. And knowing James, he knows the latter will give in and forgive him easily once his anger cools down, but this time he does not feel so deserving of it.
He wants to make it right for his most loving boyfriend. He wants to spoil the other rotten until James thinks he has had enough of Martin's puppy ass around him and kicks him out of the house to get his very needed me time. Martin secretly wishes James wouldn't kick him out though, because even if he is moody 24/7 just being close to James always feels nice. James only comes to him when he is bored and realizes he has a 6’4 sized puppy he can cling to and makes full use of his powers and then hisses at Martin for staying for too long, but never complains. And the more time Martin gets to spend his time cuddling with James the better. So the plan is set.
He knows exactly what would fix James’ mood and his guilty conscience. Now all he has to do is wait until James’s is back.
—————
The second the code pressed in, Martin jerked up and sat straight on the couch, almost not daring to reach James in the eye. Puffing out a few heavy breaths, he finally stood up and walked towards the entrance where James was busy removing his shoes.
“Hyung,” he whispered out without wasting a second. James threw him a glance before looking back down at the chore in his hand. “Um, let's shower together..” Martin said, voice hesitant. At this James stilled, finally looking at Martin properly, a brow raised and expression stiff.
James sighed. “Martin, I'm tired and I have no energy for whateve—” Martin cuts in. “Not in that way!” Words stumbled out of his lips hurriedly. “Not in that way, just normal showering, relaxing and all that,” He paused. “I even prepared your favourite scented bubble bath and candles..” Martin's confidence was wavering but he was still determined. If James denies then Martin will be left with no choice but to pick him up and—
“Okay.”
Wait, what.
James agreed. He agreed, so Martin will not have to force him– uhm okay, well, a small smile bloomed at the younger's face as James rushed to their room. He was still clearly ignoring Martin, but there was progress this time. Martin bites back a chuckle to himself.
Right as Martin stepped into the bathroom he stood behind James. The said bathroom was not too big, but also not small and can easily fit a bathtub alongside a single person shower stall. James hovered around, taking in the set up of clean clothes and towels, two or three of his favourite scented candles placed beside the bathtub as bubbles floating inside the bathtub and warm steam clouded the small room. It definitely did feel comforting just standing inside the bathroom after coming back from his long strolls around the complex under the growing cold weather.
“Here hyung, let me,” Martin whispered, not wanting to startle James with the sudden closeness before placing his hand on the tiny waist of the shorter male. He immediately felt the tension leave James body as he gave in to the care, his tail going slack between his legs. Martin tried his best to stop the satisfied wagging of his tail and dedicated his full attention to getting James undressed. James now stood facing him, his cheeks stained pink along with the tip of his ears as the final clothing was scratched off him.
“You too,” James said looking Martin right in the eye and Martin nodded like the obedient puppy that he is. Soon enough they both were inside the bathtub under the warm sensation of water around them, as James pressed back into the comfort of Martin's broad chest which was turning a shade of pink for many reasons.
They sat there in utter silence for almost 5 minutes before, basking in each other's presence, under the soft aroma of the scented candles and their mixed scents filling in. Martin realized how much he had missed this under the constant pressure of their comeback season and by this he meant James the most. Just sitting with his arms wrapped around James’ waist and his face buried in the crook of James’ neck made everything feel right again. But this wasn't enough and he knew that, he still had to give James a proper apology and he would, just maybe after they were out of here. He wanted James to relax for now and enjoy his time before facing the overwhelming thoughts and feelings again.
“Let me help you clean off?” Martin asked. He was greeted with silence for almost 10 seconds before a small hum of acknowledgement filled the space. Martin wasted no time before squeezing out some body wash liquid and started scrubbing at James back in regular easy, but gentle strokes. He heard James sigh and smiled in victory before growing confident with his hand movements. As soon as he was done with his back, he touched James' tail which sat in between them, gently scratching and rubbing at it. It was one of James’ sensitive parts and usually he did not like it being touched, today though, Martin found himself daring to do it.
He was ready to have his hand swatted away, but this time James only leaned forward, his arms wrapping around his knees which were folded upwards, giving more access to Martin with his tail. Martin bit back at the cooing sounds which almost left his lips before pressing a soft kiss to James’ bare shoulder. James shuddered, letting himself loose under the growing warmth. This is it, James is finally feeling relaxed, I'm doing good, keep the pace, Martin thought before James turned around. He was still situated in between Martin's legs, but his body now faced Martin's, their chests only inches apart.
“Hyung, I'm not yet done–” Martin's words were caught between his lips as James locked his arms around Martin's neck, bare chests now fully touching, almost moulding them into one. James, who sat straight, buried his face in Martin's neck, nosing and inhaling him. He was scent marking him, Martin thought and sighed in contentment, almost blushing. This was unexpected, but Martin could sense the desperate need for this it in the latter's scent. It had been the whole day they were apart cause of their solo schedules until Martin went and fucked up by the night, wasting more of their time. Martin sighed, guilt creeping up his spine again.
James must've sensed it in his dulling scent because he pulled back just enough to look at Martin, face flushed but in a bright way & not how he looked an hour ago before he stormed out of the house in silent rage. “James hyung..” Martin said, fuck the right time to apologize, he will just to it now as vulnerable as it maybe. And James was already looking at him with the kind of attentiveness you give to a child who is speaking their mind off.
“I'm sorry..I know my apology can't fix what I've done, but I'll still say it cause I mean it.” He tasted the words on his lips before continuing. “I just– I lost track of time again..I know this sounds like a stupid excuse because this is the second time this week it has happened and I feel so bad, I wanna make it up to you but I don't know how to, this is all I came up with for now but i also feel so scared..” His voice thinned out by the end, eyes dropping low around James neckline.
“I feel scared because I don't want to promise you something I can't fulfil again, just the thought of you having to wait around for me alone breaks my heart and I'm sorry again. I know I can't turn back time, but I'm going to try my best not to let this happen ever again. This time these are not any hollow words I'm saying, I'm gonna prove I mean it to you,” Martin finished his apology in finality. His gaze had travelled back up reaching James in the eye to show his intent with his words.
James who let his words sink in, processing each word laced with sincerity knew that was all he needed. His fingers grazed Martin's jaw in a slow smooth motion before settling them over it. “I felt so lonely..” James murmured. “I thought I wouldn't have to experience that feeling again after last time, but this time it happened again and it hurt even more. It felt like I wasn't your priority anymore." James' voice sounded vulnerable, a side of him he usually does not like to show. Martin's hold around him tightened immediately, but before he could interject James continued ahead.
“I know that is not true, though, I know. And I myself had always told you to keep your work before me, but i think a simple message of cancelling our plans or rescheduling it would have been better than being stood up on. I think I at least deserved that,” James finished, his scent soured up and a wounded sound slipped past Martin's lips.
“Yes, hyung, oh god, yes. Not just a text, but I should've called to let you know I was running late or anything, I should've fucking set up an alarm just to reach on time and that is on me, I’m sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm taking you out tomorrow and this time I'll make it right, not just tomorrow, but for all of our future plans.” Martin was determined this time.
“That– that would be good, love. I just want you to not forget me...” James whispered. “Your scent is literally mixed with mine, hyung. You are mine. I can never forget you. I know I made you feel like that, but you have always been my priority alongside my work, jjamie. If I'm bad at balancing it together then I'll learn, but you will never have to feel left alone again,” Martin said and James trusted him over it, his scent spiking up sweetly. A sigh left his lips before he pressed his forehead against Martin's.
“I'm holding you to that,” James muttered, his hot breath ghosting over Martin's lips and Martin chuckled. James followed him right behind and they sat giggling under the growing heat of their bodies slotted together. The time ticked down slowly and it felt like they had all the time in the world.
“Thank you, hyung,” Martin said before capturing the shorter male's lips with his. His left hand immediately went up to cradle James' nape to keep him in place, applying more pressure as he kept sucking at James lips, then pulling him even more closer by his waist as James’ back arched down. James hummed in satisfaction and Martin swallowed in every little voice he made. Once out of breath, he pulled back to look at James and fuck—
“Beautiful. You look so beautiful, baby.” Martin whispered, feeling high on James’ lips. And James…he looked perfect. His lips swollen, face flushed, body flushed and dripping wet with water and remnants of body wash all while sitting in between his legs and looking like a fever dream. Martin almost choked on his own saliva. He kept staring at the latter in a daze and James stared right back looking all smug, knowing exactly what effect he held on Martin.
“Wash me up, I feel tired..wanna sleep.” He whined, going slack against the younger one's chest feeling the sound of Martin's chuckle rumbling right against his ears at his antics. “Yes, Princess James, at your service.” Martin replied softly against the top of James’ head, his soft spiky hair tickling Martin's jaw. Martin didn't need to be told twice as he quickly finished washing the other thoroughly before washing himself all while James stayed tucked against him with his black furred tail wrapped around Martin's left leg's shin. It was a bit of a chore but he managed, he would never complain about the weight against him because he loved having James clinging to him.
As soon as he was done, James was already half asleep, feeling drained with the series of events today. He needed his beauty sleep so he did not fight it and let his boyfriend take care of him with no care in the world. Martin cooed at the elder before pecking his cheeks, restraining himself from biting them under the overflowing amount of cuteness aggression he was feeling. He locked James' legs around his waist before gently picking him, settling one palm under James' thigh while the other hand hooked tightly around his waist. Martin placed him on the vanity counter before stepping back to try and grab the clothes, note 'try' as he stumbled right back in place because of the stubborn hold around his neck. “Hyung..”
James grumbled in response and only tightened his hold. Martin sighed at his own misery but he prayed for it, had almost begged the heavens for it so he knew he was suffering in victory at least. With zero complains and much struggle he finished dressing both of them up before carrying James to their bed. Good thing he did not wash their hair today which saved them some time. He walked around the bed and switched off the lights before settling both of them under the covers. James still clung to him, his legs tangled between Martin's as his tail wrapped around their legs in a possessive hold making Martin's tail wag in utter satisfaction.
Martin pressed James flush against him followed with a soft kiss at the top of his head. “Good night, jjamie," Martin said last before closing his eyes, inhaling their mixed scents as his fingers played with James’ short black locks. Eventually his moves slowed down, settling at scratching James’ soft black furred ears before giving into the exhaustion and immense comfort.