Work Text:
The door closed with a soft click behind Zhengxi, but it may have as well been a hammer to his already aching head.
Jingle. Jangle.
His ridiculous collection of key chains —a tiny kitten curled into a heart, a penguin wearing a scarf, and a smiling dumpling— clinked cheerfully against the hanger, practically mocking Zhengxi’s need for quiet. Each one of them had been a gift from Jian Yi, who had proudly declared “Now you’ll think of me wherever you go!”
Jian Yi’s grand intention of being “unforgettable” was, of course, completely unnecessary. As if Zhengxi could ever escape the way he plagued his thoughts, day and night.
Zhengxi might have shaken his head in exasperated fondness, if not for sharp, electric jolt of pain and exhaustion that shot through him, starting from his pinky toes and zipping up to his temples. His mind demanded rest as he dragged himself further into the apartment, barely aware of his surroundings.
The coolness of the wall against his palm led him to the comfort of his—their—bedroom. The correction felt unnecessary as he spotted his boyfriend sprawled across their bed like a starfish.
Jian Yi was blissfully unaware of Zhengxi’s arrival, one arm flung dramatically over his head, while the other clutched a half-eaten bag of sweets. A faint crunch accompanied his steady breathing, as though even in sleep, he couldn’t quite relinquish his snack. Thank God it wasn’t chips this time—at least he was spared the battle against greasy stains and scattered crumbs.
Zhengxi let out a quiet sigh, somewhere between amusement and defeat.
He lightly shook Jian Yi’s shoulder.
“Jian Yi,” Zhengxi murmured, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. “Scoot over, will you?”
Jian Yi stirred slightly, mumbling something incomprehensible before burrowing deeper into the pillow. The bag of sweets crinkled in his hand, and for a brief moment, Zhengxi debated whether to just let him be and collapse on the couch instead. But the lure of their shared bed—and the warmth of Jian Yi’s familiar presence—was stronger.
“Jian Yi,” Zhengxi tried again, this time with a little more urgency, giving his shoulder another gentle shake. “Move, or you're getting dumped on the floor.”
That did the trick. Jian Yi’s eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep, his face crumpling into an endearingly puzzled expression as he blinked up at Zhengxi, the haze of dreams still lingering in his gaze. “Xixi” he slurred, his voice thick with sleep. “What time is it?”
“Too late for this,” Zhengxi replied, plucking the bag of sweets from Jian Yi’s loose grip and tossing it onto the bedside table. “And too late for you to hog the whole bed. Let me in.”
Jian Yi groaned but complied, rolling onto his side and dragging the blanket with him. Zhengxi kicked off his shoes and slid into the now-freed space, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he felt Jian Yi scoot back toward him, with the goal of pressing his warm back against Zhengxi’s chest.
“You’re home late,” Jian Yi mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Yeah,” Zhengxi replied, his tone softening as he wrapped an arm around Jian Yi’s waist. “Work was hell.”
The silence that followed was blissful, stretching on for a few precious moments, until Jian Yi turned his head slightly, just enough for Zhengxi to catch the faintest hint of a smile. “Missed you,” he said simply. “Now sleep, you overworked zombie. We’ll trash your crappy job all you want tomorrow.”
Zhengxi’s exhaustion seemed to ease just a little at those words. He pressed a light kiss to the back of Jian Yi’s head and allowed his eyes to drift shut. “Yeah.” His voice trailed off as sleep finally claimed him. “Missed you too.”