Chapter 15
Winning Hearts
“You shouldn’t have stayed in the sun for so long,” Kyuhyun sighed, squirting Aloe Vera into the palm of his hand and tossing the bottle aside. Rubbing the cooling gel, he pressed hands down on Ryeowook’s burnt back, soothing the swollen redness carefully.
“Shut up…,” he moped, turning his head to one side and sighing, “I was distracted and fell asleep reading the new company policy report.”
“Of all the things, at least it was something boring that put you to sleep,” he mused.
“Oh hush,” Ryeowook bit back, gritting his teeth when the man sitting beside him ran his fingers over a particularly sensitive patch of skin. “It wasn’t boring, I was just tired.”
Kyuhyun snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure that was it.” Looking up, he checked the clock. “We have half an hour before we have to be in the lobby prepared to leave.” He was ready to push Ryeowook back down when the man undoubtedly shot up. “Ah, ah, ah, I’m not done yet.”
“But we have to hurry!” he whined, fidgeting.
“I don’t think so,” Kyuhyun drawled, leaning over and kissing the male’s cheek. “You’re still not completely protected and if I let you up right now you’re going to be in pain the entire flight back.”
Ryeowook was quiet after that, staring off into space.
Kyuhyun hummed a sweet song, deep voice lulling Ryeowook into a drowsy state. The latter silently closed his eyes, asking in a gentle, distracted voice, “Why are you so kind to me?”
“…because there’s no one else I’ve ever wanted to be kind to,” he answered simply, massaging the man’s pained backside.
“You haven’t met everyone you’ll ever meet,” Ryeowook whispered, “besides, that’s not an answer.”
“I like how you’re focused,” Kyuhyun answered sincerely. The muscles underneath his fingers tensed and he couldn’t help but smile. “I also fell for your effortless cuteness, like those times when you wake up Sunday mornings and hug me, or when you give me knowing smiles, or when you’re just sitting in the studio, watching me record.” He ran his thumbs across the middle of Ryeowook’s back. “As much as I love to bully you, I want you to know that you’re never alone. I’m watching out for you.”
This time, Ryeowook truly didn’t say anything in return. He couldn’t think of anything to say. When he turned his head away, there was Hyungsik again – standing by the balcony doors, fading in and out of sunlight. He smiled, tilting his head. Don’t give him up. Got it?
…Are you leaving me?
Hyungsik shook his head. Never.
***
Kyuhyun sent their bags up with the housemaid. She bowed and took them. Bending back down, he reached into the taxi, helping Ryeowook out and onto his back. “Are you okay, yeobo?” he teased.
“Not in the mood,” he growled, half groaning in pain. He awkwardly wrapped his arms around Kyuhyun’s neck, shoulders stinging.
“What? Impossible,” he retorted playfully, “how can you ever not be in the mood for affection?”
“I’m not in the mood for it when you ditch business lunches,” Ryeowook remarked, “and I don’t enjoy it when I’m in excruciating pain.”
“I told you that you should’ve let me rub your back for longer.”
“You weren’t even rubbing my back by the end!” he exclaimed, immediately regretting it and collapsing against Kyuhyun’s neck and shoulders.
“Hardly the point,” he grinned, stepping into the elevator.
Ryeowook leaned his head over, quietly pecking Kyuhyun’s cheek. The taller male blinked, surprise running across his features. “Thank you,” Ryeowook mumbled near his ear, “…I’d be lost without you here.”
Kyuhyun hid a smile, closing his eyes and chuckling. “But I am here. I’ll be your anchor.” The door opened to their floor and he slowly made his way towards their home. “Wherever you float, I’ll be waiting on the ground, holding your safety line, my sweet little balloon.”
“Was that supposed to be a compliment?” Ryeowook laughed, nuzzling his face into the male’s neck.
“You don’t want to be a balloon?” Kyuhyun mock gasped.
“Do you want to be a rock?”
“Well, if my rock is attached to your balloon, I don’t think I mind that much.”
Ryeowook muffled another laugh, kissing Kyuhyun again. “I guess if you’re my rock, I won’t be worried about drifting away anymore. You’ll come save me, isn’t that right?”
“Always,” he responded, setting Ryeowook down on their bed. Neither of them had noticed by the time they were inside the apartment. Kyuhyun pressed their lips together, smiling into it.
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