Cai Xukun Imagines

4. Cold Days

Winter was being harsh, it had been since the very first day it stepped in the city.

On the other side of the window, the naked trees swung side to side to the unsteady rhythm of the strong currents of wind, their withered leaves flying free, lost in the air. The bright ball of sunshine hardly stood out in the grey sky above, this being covered by the deformed clouds moving slowly in one direction. People was barely seen in the streets, and the few ones spotted fought against the wild air hitting on their faces, restraining them from continuing their way properly.

Even the usually chirpy birds didn't light up the day singing anymore, they just chose to stay inside their nests, warming each other to avoid the cruel climate.

Xukun woke up to the feeling of Ash's tight grip around his torso, her hands finding each other on the middle of his chest. She was clinging to him in search for any hint of warmness, her body outside the heavy duvet used to isolate themselves from the cold room.

Times were being genuinely hard, apart from going through the hardest winter up to the moment, they didn't count on the so necessary heating system, as It was broken down. Their best allies on those moments were warm pyjamas, soft sleeping gowns and covers, lots of covers.

Ash was shaking, her tanned colour replaced by a pale look. In the moment he touched her freezing skin he didn't waste any second in placing back the warm material over her "Gosh baobao, you're gonna get a cold" he whispered concerned, before planting a peck on the tip of her red nose. He knew she was fast asleep, and that his warn wouldn't have any use at all, but he couldn't help his paternal side from showing up every now and then.

The grey-eyed boy stepped out of the bed, his entire body shivered at the sudden contact of his warm feet with the cold wooden floor. As he searched for his flabby kitten slippers under the bed, he heard his girlfriend cough a few times. He made sure she was well covered before making his way out of the room.

With the sound of Xukun cooking breakfast as a background, Ash slowly woke up, feeling weak as ever. She tried to prop herself up, regretting the movement immediately, as she felt a painful pressure on her temple. Hacking coughs left out of her mouth nonstop, and although she tried to contain them, it was useless. She reached out for the glass of water on the nightstand, thanking God Xukun didn't drink all of it. After some sips, which felt like glory, her coughing attack calmed down, but, when everything seemed to get better, the headache gained prominence, making her feel dizzy at any sharp movement given.

Softly, she buried in the covers, groaning in annoyance.

Xukun wasn't yet aware about her flu, nevertheless, he had a feeling, judging by the look she had early that morning, so when he got into the room to a coughing Ash it was no surprise. He slipped in the bed silently and hugged her from behind, making her be the little spoon "Hey, beautiful. How are you feeling?" "Like if a lorry had run all over me" her answer was followed by another attempt of attack, but this time Xukun was quick to hand her the glass "Don't worry, I'll take care of you today, okay?" he said while moving away some locks of hair off her face and pecking the area where her jawline and ear met. The intense warmness there made him softly flip her and cup her cheeks gently, joining his forehead with hers "Have you taken your temperature?" she shook her head, eyes closed "I figured. That's why I brought this, sit up and lift your arm" She obliged, slowly sitting. Xukun caressed her warm cheek after placing the thermometer on her mouth. "Now wait, I'm gonna bring you some breakfast" "Hmm, I'm not hungry, really" "Ash, I know at moments like this you're not in the mood of eating a big breakfast, but you need it before taking painkillers, remember?" Ash pouted, trying to convince him not to bring any food. Of course Xukun knew that game, she usually did it when wanting to get away with something, and it worked, she knew that extremely well. "Okay, how about drinking the tea I've made specially for you and one of those cupcakes we baked yesterday? Not gonna give you any other option anyways" Ash smiled, nodding. Could she ask for a better boyfriend? he was so caring and sweet, her heart would melt of fondness any time. Before he left the room, she blew him a kiss which he caught between his hands and brought to his chest.

Ash ate her breakfast peacefully, waiting for Xukun to come back after finding the painkillers. A loud hit was heard, followed by the light browned-haired boy lowly cursing. She shook her head, sure he had hit with the doorknob, like he always did, as the clumsy boy he was "Is everything okay Kun?" "Yeah baobei, everything's alright!" He walked to the room rubbing the left side of his hip "Found them. Hasn't the therm-" he didn't get to finish the sentence when the high beep of the device cut him "Okay, let's see... Damn Ash you're really hot!" his comment was quickly followed by a subtle snickle "What's so funny?" "You're-really-hot... get it?" she puffed "Only you, Cai Xukun, could make that terrible joke" she tried to fight against the little smile that formed in her face, but the light curvature on the corner of her lips gave her away "I'm just trying to cheer you up, and by that cute smile I can tell I'm succeeding"

Ash's head rested on top of Xukun's chest, lifting up and down slowly at sync with his calm breathings. Her eyes felt heavier and heavier with every brush of his fingertips on her hair, in his unsuccessful attempt of braiding some locks of it. She could feel the buzz his low vocal chords sent out while humming to the unknown melody which covered the calm silence of the room "Get some rest baobei, you'll wake up feeling much better" Those were the last words she heard before falling in a deep sleep.

After three good hours, the characteristic smell of chicken soup slipped through the air Ash breathed in. Her stomach groaned out loud at the scent and she knew Xukun was right about his previous last words. The headache had almost gone away and the high temperature disappeared without leaving any print behind.

Ash got out of the four walls she had been in all day and walked to where her boyfriend found. His singing stopped her from getting in the kitchen, hiding behind the doorframe to watch a long-legged boy swinging his hips to the rhythm of 'Energetic by Wanna One'. He must had been having a great time because at one point of the song he wiggled his ass, which made her giggle, revealing her spying "Hey baobao! I see you much better" "Yeah Kun, thanks for taking care of me" she walked arms wide open to hug him tightly, in an attempt to thank him "It's nothing, that's what you'd have done for me anyways" she pecked his cheek, as he fully wrapped his arms around her figure "I have something prepared for you" he took her hand and carried her to the bathroom, where a full warm tub awaited "I figured this would do great for your fully recovery so..." "You didn't have to, really. This is too much" He put a finger on her lips "Stop saying that, I want you to be as comfortable as possible, and that's just what I'm doing"

Ash waited for Xukun to leave, but he just stared at her without pronouncing a word "Kun?" "Oh yeah... do you want me to help you?" he let out a smirk as he grabbed the hem of her jumper, lifting it teasingly. She picked his hands and placed them behind his back "Why don't you go and finish what you were doing?" realisation hit him as he shouted "The soup!" before flying out of the room, Ash mumbled a "Kawaii" and he answered back saying "Heard you!"

After having eaten, the couple ended what was left of the day laying on the sofa, each of them on one end of it, feet touching. Xukun ran his fingers all the way through Ash's sole making her tremble at the sensation "Stop, it tickles!" they began a feet fight, which wasn't new between them, and, as always, he won.

"By the way, I saw that wiggle game before... you did it quite good" Xukun lifted his head from the journal he was writing in, a frown in his face "What?" "In the kitchen, you were dancing and did it, it was pretty funny" A smirk appeared on his face, sign of an idea crossing his mind "I could teach you but, what would you give me in advance?" Ash gave him a thoughtful stare, before suggesting "I could teach you how to braid properly" Xukun smiled nodding, as if he had been hoping she said that "Like that treat. Now come here, you're too far, I want to cuddle" she moved next to him, and let him rest his light browned-haired head on her chest, as he nuzzled in search for more contact.

"Thanks for taking care of me today Kun"

"I'll always will Baobao."

~~~~Tada! Three updates in a row! Hope you enjoy and if u like my imagines then hit the vote button ^^ Xiexie!~~~~