Fine {DoTae} | complete

Two

"Love?"

Doyoung shoves his face into the pillow, head too heavy to lift as he's woken from such a deep sleep.

"It's time to get up," Taeyong says. The bed dips when he sits, and Doyoung rolls over to reach out for a hug. "I'm sorry, sleepyhead." His laugh is pretty. Doyoung doesn't need to open his eyes to see the fond smile on his lips.

"Don't wanna get up," Doyoung mumbles.

"I've made breakfast," Taeyong says. He strokes Doyoung's hair, causing him to hum again, out of satisfaction this time. "Pancakes. I bought Nutella, too. Don't you want some?"

Half frustrated that his weaknesses have been taken advantage of, Doyoung finally opens his eyes. He squints until his vision floats into clarity and meets Taeyong's smile with his own. Taeyong is already dressed in loose jeans and a faded t-shirt, although his hair looks unbrushed.

"There you are," Taeyong says, tender. "Good morning."

"Morning," Doyoung replies. He stretches until his body trembles, and Taeyong pokes his stomach when his pyjama shirt lifts up. He whines and pouts, pulling his shirt back down to cover himself from the cold, although he's unable to ignore the tingle that dances up his spine.

"How did you sleep?" Taeyong asks as he gets up to open the curtains.

Doyoung yawns and shakes his head when Taeyong looks back. "Not great. I'm okay, though."

"I'm sorry," Taeyong apologises. Doyoung opens his arms to beckon him over. His eyes slip shut once Taeyong is on his lap and his head naturally drops onto his shoulder as he pulls Taeyong close, chests pressed together, breaths filling the air between them. Taeyong is warm, and Doyoung is happy. "It's an easy morning today."

Doyoung doesn't want to move and makes that clear by curling his fingers into Taeyong's hoodie when he tries to get up. But he lets Taeyong go anyway, watching him disappear into the kitchen before he rubs his eyes and stretches again, making the most of the residual warmth in the bed. His thoughts stalk to the back of his mind and rummage around, until he's thinking that he doesn't have the energy to get up at all. It's another day. And he's tired, right through to his bones. Head drooping, he wills himself to his feet.

Taeyong's humming feeds him the courage to venture into the kitchen. Two plates are already set down on the table, next to the promised jar of chocolate spread, and Doyoung slips into a chair and helps himself to a mug of apple juice. It's colder than anticipated so he shivers, but at least it helps him wake up. The clatter of cutlery on the floor definitely has him fully awake, and he spins round to see Taeyong clutching the kitchen counter.

"You scared me! I didn't hear you enter the room. I turned around and you'd appeared," Taeyong exclaims. He snatches up the knife and washes it under the sink before slicing the rest of an apple.

Doyoung's heartbeat slows back to its normal tempo. His feet tap on the floor in time with his rocking, and his thoughts fizzle down to happiness when Taeyong presents the plate of sliced fruits.

"I hope this makes up for yesterday," Taeyong says, then leans down to kiss Doyoung on the way to his own seat.

Doyoung pops a strawberry into his mouth. "It's not your fault. Yesterday was a good day. It was exciting, with your first tour concert and all."

There's a tiny shadow that eats through the façade, angry and ready to run rampage as soon as it's given the chance, but Doyoung doesn't let it fester. He ignores it. He grins at Taeyong instead, grateful for everything Taeyong gives him and does for him.

Gratitude. He learnt that in therapy. Easier said than done, but it does the world of good. It doesn't always come naturally, not quite yet, but Doyoung is getting better with each moment he takes for himself to close his eyes and focus. He focuses on the moment, on Taeyong's words, on the sweet pancakes in his mouth and the warmth of his boyfriend's hand in his own when Taeyong reaches across the table and wishes him a happy birthday over and over again.