I decided to write a story because I'm in the mood for some actual Taemaerin in couple mode (cause every Taemaerin written so far, they have never reached couple yet stage yet). I didn't make a thread for it because, just look at how short it is. Maybe I'll add it as an epilogue for a 26DOTA, and if you don't know what that is, you should by link right HERE. I would have considered this a spoiler but seeing the contest its been entered in, there's no such thing as a spoiled ending. We all know its gon' be fluffed up.

Revel in the rarity of Taemaerin couple mode. I always imagine these scenes in my head but Taemaerin never reached couple stage in any story ; u ; I feel like it may be too aggressive for Taemaerin to some people, but that's literally just because nobody has ever seen Taemaerin couple mode except for my brain cells.

Love, mae (pun intended) :'3

Maerin curled up tighter in her blanket, snuggling even closer to her lover. That is if it were even possible to get any closer. With Maerin being so bundled up and snug against him, Taemin didn't need too many layers of clothing that winter evening, unlike usual. She snuggled her face into his neck which he already knew was a sign that she wanted a tighter hug. So Taemin wrapped both his arms around his sick girlfriend, who was bundled up in her blanket, to bring her in for a cozier hug. He placed a loving kiss on her warm temple and another kiss on her ear and another on the top of her head. Maerin looked up at him with a little pout and Taemin didn't hesitate to lean down for another chaste kiss on her pouty lips, which she returned before putting her head back in the crook of his neck.

"Oppa, I hate being sick," Maerin closed her eyes as she felt Taemin rest his head on hers with the corner of his lips touching her head too.

He placed another kiss where his lips were, "I know, that's at least the 15th time you've said that in the last hour, sweety."

Maerin had to be the most pampered when she was sick. She sighed with a little sobbing sound, "Can you make me some soup?"

Taemin smiled, which Maerin felt on the top of her head, "Of course I can."

He stood up from his seat and helped Maerin up so they could go to the kitchen, knowing she couldn't be separated from him when she was feeling unwell. She hugged him around his waist, wrapping him up with her blanket in the process before they waddled to the kitchen together. He sat her down on one of the chairs at the counter and placed a hand on her forehead to check her temperature. It was reducing thanks to the medicine, but still pretty high. She closed her eyes at his touch, feeling too dizzy to open them again even when he retracted his hand to get to cooking.

She leaned on the counter, making sure her body wouldn't touch the cold marble surface because it would just ruin her mood entirely. Her eyes were open just a crack to watch as her boyfriend busied himself with chopping up ingredients.

"You feel like having chicken or beef today?"

"Beeeee-," Maerin's attempt at pulling her word ended up in a cough and Taemin instantly reacted by getting her a glass of water and patting her back lightly.

He helped her sit up slowly so she wouldn't get dizzy or lightheaded and fed her the water. She sipped little by little so she wouldn't choke or cough all of a sudden. That would be disastrous. She hummed a little as a sign that she had enough water and Taemin wiped off any drips from her lips with his thumb.

"Alright, beef for my wife," he used his favourite endearment for her. It was her favourite too.

Taemin sang for Maerin as he cooked and randomly talked about their friends and going on holidays to get her mind off the horrible feeling of being sick. He could hear that, with each conversation, her voice started getting softer. She was falling asleep already but she tried to stay up for him and her soup.

30 minutes later, Taemin's beef soup was ready. And by then Maerin was almost entirely asleep with her head laid down on the counter, her thick blanket protecting her skin from the cold surface. Her eyes were closed and her lips were slightly agape. Taemin put an arm on the table and put his face down next to Maerin's, facing her. He could feel her warm breath just barely hitting his chin as her breaths got slightly deeper each time, showing that she was falling asleep.

Taemin very gently combed his fingers through her hair and inched his face closer to place his lips on hers. She surprised him a little by reciprocating the kiss sweetly. He broke the short kiss but their lips still grazed against each other's, "Your soup is ready."

"Thank you," she said and very slowly and carefully sat up straight. Ready to enjoy her soup and the rest of her day with her man.