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The moment Seungkwan got a call from Seungcheol's brother he knew something was not right. He quickly drove off to their shared apartment and bought some groceries on the way. His brother also let him know that he won't be back until the next day due to a sudden business trip to the nearby city so it'd be just him and Seungcheol. (His brother dropped their dog at their family home not wanting to overwhelm Seungcheol in his state.)
Seungkwan was stirring the broth soup when a door opens, he looks over his shoulder to see Seungcheol standing frozen in the doorway surprised to see his sudden presence.
He motions the other to join him in the kitchen with a soft smile. Seungcheol mirrors his smile, his hands automatically reaching around Seungkwan's waist as he joins the younger in the kitchen.
"Do you need help?" Seungcheol asks him as he buries his face on his shoulder.
Seungkwan hums, "You can take the plates and utensils to the living room."
Seungcheol complies to do what he was told but he stops for a moment and turns to the other.
"Can I get a hug before that?" His voice bordering on a soft whisper, if Seungkwan's senses were not sharp he's sure he wouldn't have heard the older.
Seungkwan nods and wordlessly positions himself with arms spread wide for him as Seungcheol crashes into his embrace with a sigh. He pats and rubs his back soothingly as the other basks in his warmth.
He gives Seungcheol one last good tight squeeze of a hug and releases him with a pat on his shoulder.
"Let's eat first."
Seungcheol nods reluctantly with a sigh, he hears a chuckle from Seungkwan as he pouts and the latter kisses it away.
They comfortably settled on the sofa and began to dig in their meal silently while watching some old drama on the screen.
No words were exchanged between them, Seungcheol was more than thankful for that. It's not exactly he's mad or upset for being closed off to begin with— heck he didn't get into a fight with others or anything but it's just that he's completely drained physically, mentally and emotionally to the point he's disassociating and staring off into space for hours. And it's no good when he doesn't have the motivation and spark of energy left in his body all turned into a void of numbness and cold. He's now at the edge of breaking point where he finds it hard to breathe. To survive. To live.
Seungcheol snaps out of his deep thoughts when a kiss lands on his temple, he faces the younger with his eyes wide who looks at him with full of love and understanding.
Ah, this is.. enough.
For now.
Everything's gonna be fine.
He can try fighting his battles tomorrow.
Seungkwan gathers all the empty dishes as Seungcheol's watchful gaze follows his movements until the latter is in the kitchen washing the dishes. He stares at the younger for a few seconds before he assists Seungkwan with the cleaning all while leaning next to his side. Seungkwan didn't complain about the weight, instead, he shifted on his feet to stand steady for him to lean on him more comfortably.
"Rough day?"
Seungcheol doesn't reply— he doesn't feel the need to talk about it yet, just thinking about his day makes him more exhausted —he nods.
Soon after, Seungkwan holds his hand and leads them towards his bedroom, and Seungcheol just can't help but look at their intertwined fingers and the back of Seungkwan's figure.
He sits at the edge of his bed— waiting for him while Seungkwan does his night routine in the bathroom, getting ready for bed, even if they're not going to sleep.
(Seungcheol stood motionless as Seungkwan entered inside his bathroom to do his night routine before bed, hesitating whether he should do his as well, although to him even the smallest task seemed like a mountain to move.
Yet again, his thoughts came to halt when Seungkwan calls him, his head peeking from inside.
"You don't have to force yourself to clean up, it's alright."
Seungcheol's retort gets cut off, and the latter's voice speaks over him in a soft gentle tone.
"I can understand you."
He wants to protest that it's not hygienic to sleep without brushing, although his chest flutters, warming up at those words.
"If it bothers you so much, you can use mouthwash," Seungkwan offers kindly. "It works too."
He can do that.)
Seungkwan brings Seungcheol closer to him, head against his shoulder as they snuggled under the covers. He nearly purrs when Seungkwan's fingers card through his hair and plays with them.
"Thank you." He whispered, hands tightening around his waist.
Seungkwan mumbles a 'you're welcome' against his forehead with a loving kiss and stays there, Seungcheol relished the warmth of the pillowy lips, eyes closed.
Maybe it was a rough day, maybe it was just another day fighting with his inner demons but it did not entirely determine how he ended his day with, definitely not alone in his cold apartment. Rather, he got a soul to rely on. That is next to him.
"I love you."
"Hmm?"
Seungcheol realizes he said it out loud. He nearly panics. When,
"I love you too."
Just like that, both of them drift off to dreamland in each other's arms.