(1)
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. 📖 sat at his desk, setting up for today's stream. He glanced at the clock it was nearly time for ❔ to arrive.
A sound at the front door.
📖 knew it was him. He quickly tied his long hair into a low ponytail and hurried to the entrance.
"Morning." ❔ stood at the door with a bag full of food, smiling warmly. It hadn't even been twelve hours since they last saw each other, but 📖 couldn't stop himself from throwing his arms around him.
"Morning…" he murmured, cheek pressed against ❔'s shoulder, drinking in the warmth of his embrace.
❔ cradled the back of his head with one hand, drawing him just close enough to place a soft kiss on his forehead.
"You haven't slept since yesterday, have you?"
📖 didn’t answer. Instead, he closed the space between them, brushing his lips lightly against ❔’s.
"I brought your favorites. And hot soup." ❔ took 📖's hand and led him to the kitchen. "I'm guessing you haven't eaten properly again."
📖 laughed awkwardly. "You know me too well."
They sat at the small dining table while ❔ carefully laid out the food. Just then, ❔ suddenly doubled over in a fit of coughing, face flushing red.
"❔!" 📖 stood up in alarm, patting his back with concern. "Your cough's gotten worse again…"
"I'm fine…don't worry…" ❔ tried to brush it off, but another harsh cough cut him off.
📖 frowned, rushing to the kitchen. He filled ❔'s purple mug the one he always used with warm water and handed it over. "Drink."
❔ took the familiar mug and felt warmth bloom in his chest.
"Thanks." He sipped the water. The coughing eased.
"You really okay?" 📖 asked, worry still in his eyes.
“I’m fine. Probably just been running around too much.” ❔ gave his hand a quick squeeze, then added with a small grin, “Don’t stress.”
After breakfast, they curled up on the couch together. There was still time before 📖's stream, so they stayed like that, enjoying the rare moment of peace.
"Still busy?" 📖 asked, voice feather-light against ❔'s shoulder.
"Yeah, still some things to handle." ❔ gently rubbed 📖's palm, occasionally giving it a light squeeze. "But I'll make time for you."
"You have to rest too…" 📖 murmured, still concerned.
❔ kissed his temple softly. "I will."
📖 looked up, eyes full of quiet longing. Their faces inched closer until their lips met again.