[ reki looks just as relieved, but for a different reason. he can hardly scramble back into bed fast enough, carefully setting the tray next to qi fang, which has been piled high with eggs and softly-toasted bread and the miso soup from the night before. once his hands are free, they pass over qi fang's throat, then his forehead, sliding over one cheek as reki presses a kiss to the other. ]
Mm. Typical breakfast. Sorry I didn't give you a heads-up about having company. Ma just kind of does what she wants.
[ qi fang wraps a loose hand around reki's wrist, holding him steady as he turns his head to steal a quick kiss from those lips. ]
Better. Medicine still tastes like shit, but better.
[ he had been able to send off a quick text to his own mom before reki arrived, but he hadn't glanced back at his phone since then to see how big the blowout would be. all things to worry about for later. ]
[ that kiss leaves him with a smile, bright and warm. ]
Oh, my bad. I'll remember to get the gourmet shit next time.
[ anyway. as if it's totally necessary, reki busies himself stacking up the eggs and toast, cutting them into smaller pieces. qi fang could probably do it himself, but qi fang also probably doesn't have all this nervous energy to spend, so. ]
[ qi fang could definitely do it himself, but where's the fun in that? he has a very, very strong feeling that his free time is going to get cut short very soon, so he's kind of eager to take advantage of the time they do have while they still have it.
he looks up from watching reki's hands work with an absent smile on his face, blinking. ]
...Yeah?
[ a pause, and then a sigh as he reluctantly slips his phone out from his pocket. he scans the first few preview messages, wincing. ]
Mostly. Mom's pissed I disappeared on them, but. It'll be okay.
[ reki knows enough, at least, to know what that kind of thing means for normal families. the kind his is trying its hardest to be suddenly. he sighs, lifting a forkful of diced breakfast to qi fang's lips. ]
So we're both in the doghouse. Great.
[ he's glad for the chance to fuss. it gives him something to do with his hands while he ruminates on the bigger issue that's looming over their heads. ]
Sorry, I should'a made sure you were square before I let you fall asleep. Maybe Ma can call and smooth shit over?
Nah, I was the one that snuck out without telling them.
[ it's ridiculous, really, given how many times he's done it before under their noses. he waves a hand in the air before leaning in to take that forkful, speaking around toast and eggs. ]
Every now and then they remember they're still parents and try to do something about it, but then they remember they've got other things to do so it'll probably smooth over on its own anyway.
[ he slips a hand over to reki's leg, giving the knee a squeeze. ]
[ he puts together another breakfast kabob on the fork and carefully feeds that to him too, reaching out to brush away spare crumbs with a telling fondness. it's such a pretty face, this one; hard not to look completely gone over it. ]
Ma's just stressed out right now. The asshole's coming home tomorrow and if everything isn't perfect... y'know.
[ he reaches for qi fang's cup, but takes a suspicious sip before he passes it over, wrinkling his nose. ]
I told her not to put honey. I'll make you another one, babe, sorry.
[ with every little bite and gesture qi fang is finding he's getting far too used to the doting; it'll be a shame to be without it for a while... but he hopes it won't be for too long. ]
It's fine — the honey's good for my throat, like you said.
[ he keeps that hand along reki's leg, smoothing it up a little high on his thigh. he feels guilty dropping in like this when his mom's already stressed, but he isn't sure how to make things any better now that he's already here. ]
[ reki is definitely indulging here, but that's the difference: he knows that until everything is back to normal and their home is back down to its usual cast and crew, this won't be an option anymore. ]
Get better? She's worried about you, too.
[ reki casts a look at him out of the corner of his eyes as he gathers up the next bite, wondering. ]
She loves you, like. Don't think me being an idiot changes that.
[ qi fang catches that look and offers a small, reassuring smile. even though he feels like that isn't nearly enough, especially if just his presence has put the whole clan into something of a tizzy. it's probably best for him to leave as soon as possible... he promises himself he will, after breakfast. ]
[ now that everything's all nice and dissected down to shreds, reki can afford to snuggle in against qi fang's shoulder and continue feeding him from there. he shoots him a drowsy smile. ]
Literally don't have anything to ask for.
[ except for maybe a nap, but that's not an option right now. ]
[ qi fang's more than ready to welcome reki back into the circle of his arms, missing their closeness just as much. he tucks him in close, already thinking past the breakfast now that he's got more than that burning medicine in his stomach. but he still takes each proffered bite, working on autopilot. ]
I'm sorry I left.
[ it seems like wasted time now, but he knows it's useless to dwell on it. ]
Call or text me anytime you need, okay? I'm gonna be around.
[ if he was anyone besides himself, he would have screamed at qi fang to run too. even now, it's hard to reconcile the idea that he even had the capacity to treat him that way. the guilt is there in his furrowed brow, but he doesn't want it to consume this moment, so that's where it stays for now. ]
You're so good to me.
[ just for a second, he abandons the fork to really appreciate qi fang with his smoothing hands, fingers that trace his cheek and slip into his hair. ]
[ were anyone to walk in on them now, they'd probably feel like retching. how two people can look so obviously and completely in love without ever having said the actual words to each other (that they know of...) is anyone's guess, but here the two of them are, staring deep into each other's eyes like they're the last two people left on earth.
it's sickening, really. ]
All that I have to get through is loneliness.
[ he scoffs lightly, knowing his "punishment" won't be more than your typical grounding. ]
I'll still have my phone, so just bear with all my needy texts.
[ that makes one of them. reki did his part. it's not his fault qi fang wasn't conscious enough to hear it.
as if it's not obvious, the way his eyes follow every motion qi fang makes, the way his spirits seem to drop just at the mention of having to settle for texting. ]
Is it bad? [ he asks, his gaze finally finding cause to wander. there's still food, still tea, still plenty to fidget with while he mulls this shit over. except he's doing it out loud this time, because that seems like the next level thing to do. ] I wanna be with you all the time.
[ he's fairly certain they can sneak in phonecalls but... well. he's not entirely sure what to expect with reki's dad coming home; he doesn't really want to risk fucking things up. texts seem the safest route for now. ]
I hope it isn't, [ he admits in turn, tightening his arms around reki more, ] cuz I feel the same way.
[ he quiets for a moment, glancing around the room. his eyes fall on that window, rampless for now. ]
[ it's so comforting to hear qi fang admit to the same that he has to sigh, soft and smiling. at least now he has this to shove in his own face whenever he starts to torture himself with what ifs.
that smile disappears, though, at the thought of what's coming. ]
Who fuckin' knows. It's a week that gets cut short by some business shit, or it's a weekend that turns into a freaking month. One time he stayed at a hotel downtown the whole time and we never even saw him. It's fucking stupid.
[ he's aware he's preaching to the choir, shooting qi fang an apologetic look. ]
It doesn't matter. Once I'm sure Ma is fine, I'll go back to doing whatever the hell I want.
[ qi fang can't help but feel a little apprehensive, recalling suddenly what koyomi had said before... you two are so obvious. dad's going to yell at you again. he clutches around reki a little tighter, protectively so. ]
There's no rush. I don't want you getting in more trouble when your mom's already stressed...
[ the arms around him squeeze even tighter, and reki gives up on everything else but just being held. his eyes slip shut and he leans his face against qi fang's chest, breathing him in with slow, deep breaths. ]
Let me worry about that. I mean...
[ his fingers stroke idly, rubbing the fabric of his shirt for comfort. ]
I like that you think about my family. I really like that you're a part of things. But this is different.
[ qi fang shakes his head slowly, which has the added benefit of nuzzle his cheek a little deeper into reku's hair. as much as he likes reki's family, he's the first to admit his worry is 100% selfish. ]
I just don't wanna make things difficult for you... Family stuff — that shit's tough. I get it.
[ qi fang's sensing they're not really going to get anywhere with this, but at least this time it's because they're both genuinely caring for each other's well being... not that the other times hadn't been, but it's definitely different.
no use wasting their last few moments with depressing thoughts. he squeezes some more, dipping his head down to start pressing lazy kisses all along whatever skin he can reach. ]
[ without a thought, reki's head tilts to bask in the sensation of qi fang's lips. he's smiling and sighing before any brain function returns to him, and then he realizes: ]
Uh, hey? You're sick. You...
[ hmm. fuck. he's got nothing. it's not like he's ever googled what effect messing around has on a cold. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Mm. Typical breakfast. Sorry I didn't give you a heads-up about having company. Ma just kind of does what she wants.
[ a wonder where he gets it from. ]
How you feeling?
no subject
Better. Medicine still tastes like shit, but better.
[ he had been able to send off a quick text to his own mom before reki arrived, but he hadn't glanced back at his phone since then to see how big the blowout would be. all things to worry about for later. ]
Breakfast smells real good.
no subject
Oh, my bad. I'll remember to get the gourmet shit next time.
[ anyway. as if it's totally necessary, reki busies himself stacking up the eggs and toast, cutting them into smaller pieces. qi fang could probably do it himself, but qi fang also probably doesn't have all this nervous energy to spend, so. ]
Other than that... everything's okay?
no subject
he looks up from watching reki's hands work with an absent smile on his face, blinking. ]
...Yeah?
[ a pause, and then a sigh as he reluctantly slips his phone out from his pocket. he scans the first few preview messages, wincing. ]
Mostly. Mom's pissed I disappeared on them, but. It'll be okay.
no subject
So we're both in the doghouse. Great.
[ he's glad for the chance to fuss. it gives him something to do with his hands while he ruminates on the bigger issue that's looming over their heads. ]
Sorry, I should'a made sure you were square before I let you fall asleep. Maybe Ma can call and smooth shit over?
no subject
[ it's ridiculous, really, given how many times he's done it before under their noses. he waves a hand in the air before leaning in to take that forkful, speaking around toast and eggs. ]
Every now and then they remember they're still parents and try to do something about it, but then they remember they've got other things to do so it'll probably smooth over on its own anyway.
[ he slips a hand over to reki's leg, giving the knee a squeeze. ]
How much shit are you in?
no subject
[ he puts together another breakfast kabob on the fork and carefully feeds that to him too, reaching out to brush away spare crumbs with a telling fondness. it's such a pretty face, this one; hard not to look completely gone over it. ]
Ma's just stressed out right now. The asshole's coming home tomorrow and if everything isn't perfect... y'know.
[ he reaches for qi fang's cup, but takes a suspicious sip before he passes it over, wrinkling his nose. ]
I told her not to put honey. I'll make you another one, babe, sorry.
no subject
It's fine — the honey's good for my throat, like you said.
[ he keeps that hand along reki's leg, smoothing it up a little high on his thigh. he feels guilty dropping in like this when his mom's already stressed, but he isn't sure how to make things any better now that he's already here. ]
Can I do anything for you guys?
no subject
Get better? She's worried about you, too.
[ reki casts a look at him out of the corner of his eyes as he gathers up the next bite, wondering. ]
She loves you, like. Don't think me being an idiot changes that.
no subject
I'm working on it. I've got a pretty great nurse.
[ he gives that thigh another squeeze. ]
What about you? Can I do anything for you?
no subject
Literally don't have anything to ask for.
[ except for maybe a nap, but that's not an option right now. ]
I'm just happy you're here.
no subject
I'm sorry I left.
[ it seems like wasted time now, but he knows it's useless to dwell on it. ]
Call or text me anytime you need, okay? I'm gonna be around.
no subject
[ if he was anyone besides himself, he would have screamed at qi fang to run too. even now, it's hard to reconcile the idea that he even had the capacity to treat him that way. the guilt is there in his furrowed brow, but he doesn't want it to consume this moment, so that's where it stays for now. ]
You're so good to me.
[ just for a second, he abandons the fork to really appreciate qi fang with his smoothing hands, fingers that trace his cheek and slip into his hair. ]
I'll be here for anything you need too, y'know.
no subject
it's sickening, really. ]
All that I have to get through is loneliness.
[ he scoffs lightly, knowing his "punishment" won't be more than your typical grounding. ]
I'll still have my phone, so just bear with all my needy texts.
no subject
as if it's not obvious, the way his eyes follow every motion qi fang makes, the way his spirits seem to drop just at the mention of having to settle for texting. ]
Is it bad? [ he asks, his gaze finally finding cause to wander. there's still food, still tea, still plenty to fidget with while he mulls this shit over. except he's doing it out loud this time, because that seems like the next level thing to do. ] I wanna be with you all the time.
no subject
I hope it isn't, [ he admits in turn, tightening his arms around reki more, ] cuz I feel the same way.
[ he quiets for a moment, glancing around the room. his eyes fall on that window, rampless for now. ]
How long will he be here for?
no subject
that smile disappears, though, at the thought of what's coming. ]
Who fuckin' knows. It's a week that gets cut short by some business shit, or it's a weekend that turns into a freaking month. One time he stayed at a hotel downtown the whole time and we never even saw him. It's fucking stupid.
[ he's aware he's preaching to the choir, shooting qi fang an apologetic look. ]
It doesn't matter. Once I'm sure Ma is fine, I'll go back to doing whatever the hell I want.
no subject
There's no rush. I don't want you getting in more trouble when your mom's already stressed...
no subject
Let me worry about that. I mean...
[ his fingers stroke idly, rubbing the fabric of his shirt for comfort. ]
I like that you think about my family. I really like that you're a part of things. But this is different.
no subject
I just don't wanna make things difficult for you... Family stuff — that shit's tough. I get it.
no subject
[ it's his turn to squeeze, his fingers fanning over qi fang's chest to take up more space. ]
You make things easier, not more difficult.
no subject
no use wasting their last few moments with depressing thoughts. he squeezes some more, dipping his head down to start pressing lazy kisses all along whatever skin he can reach. ]
I don't mind if I make some things hard...
no subject
Uh, hey? You're sick. You...
[ hmm. fuck. he's got nothing. it's not like he's ever googled what effect messing around has on a cold. ]
... should be resting.
no subject
You aren't though...
no subject
... Babe...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)