Seulong glanced up, dark brown eyes watching the clock with a hint of sadness in them. A soft sigh was released from the young man’s lips as he stood up; placing the book he had been reading on the side table of the small apartment he was staying in. His lover, Kim Hyunjoong, had said he’d try to be home tonight before Seu went to bed but obviously it wasn’t happening.
Seulong’s eyelids were drooping slowly as he stood quietly, leaving the lamp in the living room on so Hyunjoong would be able to find his way in the apartment, even after Seulong went to bed. The lamp light lit the room dimly, highlighting the pale cream sofa they had bought together and the dark cherry wood side tables and coffee table to match in the middle of the room. The bookcases framing the entertainment systems were of the same color as the tables, offsetting the white walls, carpet and ceiling.
Seulong silently padded into the kitchen from the living room. The kitchen was decorated in a similar manner to the living room, off-white walls accented by sleek black cabinets and utilities and a dark cherry table setup. Seulong rubbed his eyes blearily, clearing the table and putting the food away before washing his dishes and placing them in the dishwasher. He wrote a small note to Hyunjoong and placed it on the fridge to remind him that his dinner was being kept warm in the oven. The oven beeped loudly, the too sharp, too high note rang through the apartment, startling Seulong from his half-asleep state to find his body leaning heavily against the fridge door, apparently trying to sleep standing up again.
He placed the food in the oven and managed to close the door as he heard the apartment door open and his lover mutter a soft
“damn, I had hoped I would be home earlier…I hate never being around more often….he deserves that at least.”
“Hyunie, its fine, I was just getting ready to go to bed anyways. I can stay up for a little while longer” Seulong leaned against the entryway to the kitchen, soft smile playing across his tan face, no longer all sharp angles and painful edges, but instead graceful, arching places that only Hyunjoong knew the secrets to unlocking.
“Seu! Are you sure, Baby? You’re not tired?” Hyunjoong stood just a few centimeters shorter than his lover, the difference was never noticeable though, even when they stood next to each other. His voice was soft and filled with concern as he padded across the living room to stand in front of Seulong. Chocolate brown eyes shone with nothing but love as Hyunjoong reached out a tan long fingered pianists hand to cup his lovers face gently, nothing but love clear as day in his actions.
“I’m a little sleepy but really Hyunie…I don’t mind waiting for you at all. And yes. I’m sure.” Seulong tips his head gently into the soft touch, nothing but smiles and kindness clinging to the slightly younger man, bringing his own tanned hand to cover that of his lovers. Hyunjoong was shocked at how few people tried to take advantage of the young man shining brightly in front of him through the inky black of the apartment, broken only by the blue glow of the clock on the oven.
“As long as you’re sure yeobo…I don’t want you to be too tired in the morning though…” Hyunjoong smiled his own soft brand of careful recklessness fading into the person he was at home, nothing but kind words and soft, caring motions. Hyunjoong tilted his head just so and the two lovers, star crossed or not it didn’t matter to them, kissed softly, lovingly as fireworks exploded behind Seulong’s eyelids and as they pulled apart the rare smile graced his face, lighting it up even farther.
“Dinner’s in the oven…I’m going to go change into pajamas okay?” Seulong couldn’t help it as the sleeplessness from the past few days of constant working to seep into his voice, soft and whispered, not wanting to break the beautiful spell they’d created. He watched as Hyunjoong took one step back and nodded his assent, slipping past him into the kitchen to eat, probably for the first time since they had managed to steal a chance to eat breakfast together this morning.
Seulong slipped quietly into the bedroom, the walls here were a pale blue, accented with a pale green trim and the bed was, again, a cherry wood with green silk sheets and a blue comforter. They had gone to great length to find a combination of colors that would relax and sooth them as they slept after a long day of schedules. He slipped out of the jeans and polo he’d been wearing since he got home and pulled on the overused sweats, gray and soft from years of use and the once cream tank top that clung to his form. Hyunjoong leaned against the doorframe of the bedroom, watching his lover, who was framed in the golden light of the lamp next to the bed, truly looking like the angel Hyunjoong was sure he was, pull back the covers and smiled softly, opening his mouth to speak one last time before he got ready for bed and they cuddled, talking about their days, as was their ritual.
“Hey…dinner was delicious as always, I put the dishes away and rand the washer too so let’s just gets ready for bed okay?” Hyunjoong’s light tenor filled the room with its warmth and love, startling Seulong slightly but not nearly as bad as the beep from the oven had nearly twenty minutes ago.
“You didn’t have to do that…I could have! But yeah…that sounds like a very good idea right now. I’m sleepy…” Seulong rubbed his eyes and brought his hand up to cover his mouth, yawning widely.
“I know yeobo, but I did so deal with it. If you’re not in bed by the time I get out of the bathroom I’m tying you to the bed for the night.” Hyunjoong teased softly, gathering his own pajamas from the dresser and slipping into the bathroom to wash the makeup away. Both boys band mates were always so confused by their relationship, they teased, kissed, smiled and danced around each other but never had sex, never crossed that line into the physical. They could cuddle and fall asleep wrapped around each other, hold each other close and draw comfort from one another as the day wore on into night but never once in their nearly 2 year relationship had they had sex, it wasn’t necessary for them. The bond they shared was so much more than just a physical bond, it was warmth and love and hopeful and youthful in its simplicity, anything more could complicate it too much.
Only five minutes later Hyunjoong stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in sweats and a tanktop, not in the same worn condition of Seulong’s but close enough, and saw his lover in the bed they shared, black hair nearly blending into the headboard as he read through a script.
“Yah! Put the script down, Seu. Its bedtime” Hyunjoong smiled softly and crawled into the bed, gently pulling the script from Seulong’s hands, kissing his cheek as he carelessly tossed the script somewhere on the floor.
“fiiine…only for you Hyunie..only for you.” Seulong smiled softly, laying down and pulled the other man close, wrapping long and lean legs around the slightly shorter and smaller man.
“Good boy.” Hyunjoong teased, one hand playing with the silky soft dark strands of Seulong’s hair, listening as his lover purred softly under the attention and his other hand curling into the back of Seulong’s tank top.
“mhmm….sleep well yeobo” Seulong murmured into Hyunjoong’s neck, eyes shut and yawn hidden by the cloth covered shoulder.
“I will. I always do when I have you here with me” Hyunjoong smiled softly, understanding that tonight there would be no ritual discussion of daily life, they were both so tired that only cuddling was on the agenda, sleep was more important and there was always tomorrow for them to talk their lives away. Hyunjoong pressed a soft kiss to Seulong’s forehead, his angel among the men and the missing half of his heart, forever content wrapped up in his arms, as the man slept for probably the first time in nearly a day. Hyunjoong soon followed the other man into that dark and gentle embrace, watching and smiling and laughing as they met once again in their dreams that night.