Beneath the Surface

Part 29

The morning light poured in through the half-open curtains, painting warm lines across the messy bed. The air smelled faintly of fresh toast and coffee—Longtai had woken early, too wired to sleep in despite the comfort of Yok's arms.

Now, Longtai stood by the edge of the bed, towel drying his slightly messy hair, holding a plate in one hand.

“Yok...” he called, gentle. “Wake up... breakfast’s ready.”

Yok groaned into the pillow, messy hair falling into his eyes. He was tangled half in the sheets, one arm lazily flopping toward Longtai as if trying to pull him back into bed without even opening his eyes.

“Five more minutes,” Yok mumbled, voice hoarse from sleep.

Longtai bit back a smile. He shook his head and set the plate down carefully on the nightstand. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Yok’s forehead.
“You said you wanted to eat with me,” he reminded him sweetly. “And I made your favorite.”

At that, Yok peeked one eye open.

“My favorite?” he repeated, a lazy grin already tugging at his mouth.

“Yes. French toast and strawberries,” Longtai said, crossing his arms. “If you don’t get up soon, it’ll get cold.”

Yok let out a long, exaggerated sigh. “You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Perfect.”

Instead of sitting up, though, he grabbed Longtai’s wrist in one smooth motion and yanked him down onto the bed.

Longtai yelped, landing right on top of Yok’s chest.

“Yok!” he scolded, but he was laughing, his hands landing flat on Yok's shoulders.

“You made my favorite breakfast,” Yok said, voice still sleep-rough but filled with playful affection. “Means you gotta pay a tax.”

Longtai tilted his head. "A... tax?"

Yok grinned up at him. “Snuggle tax.”

Longtai flushed instantly, but he didn't pull away. Yok’s arms wrapped tightly around him, trapping him in place, burying his face in Longtai's shoulder with a satisfied sigh.

The bed dipped and creaked under them as Longtai adjusted, laying his weight more comfortably against Yok.

"You’re such a kid sometimes," Longtai whispered, voice soft and fond.

"Only for you," Yok murmured, tightening his arms for a second.

Longtai smiled against his neck, heart feeling so full he thought it might burst. The warmth of Yok’s body under him, the slow beat of his heart against his ear—it was safer than any locked door, any barricade, any hiding place.

Maybe breakfast could wait just a few more minutes.

Because right now, Longtai was exactly where he wanted to be.

★☆

Yok stood by the doorway, pulling on his worn black hoodie, his bag slung casually over one shoulder. His hair was still a little messy from their snuggle war earlier, but there was a fresh, lazy smile on his face—one he only seemed to wear around Longtai.

Longtai, still in his comfy home clothes, followed him to the door, holding onto the frame as he leaned against it, looking up at him.

“My class starts early today,” Yok said, adjusting the strap of his bag, “but I’ll come pick you up later, okay?”

Longtai blinked up at him, his heart doing that embarrassing soft flutter it always did when Yok said things like that so easily.

So... naturally.