NCT Oneshots {ot23} | open

String Lights: DoTae

▹prompt: string lights
▹word count: 1770
▹genre: fluff
▹warnings: n/a

ˑ༄ؘ ۪۪۫۫ ▹❀◃ ۪۪۫۫ ༄ؘ ˑ

"Doie!" Taeyong squeals when he opens the door, then launches himself at his boyfriend with all the enthusiasm of a toddler on a sugar high.

Doyoung has been out all day at a solo photoshoot, meaning they couldn't even text each other, and Taeyong wallowed in self-pity for seven whole hours while the other members kept out of his way. They all know better than to interrupt his angsty mood. But now his boyfriend is back home and Taeyong channels his excitement into a rushed kiss. Doyoung tastes sweet from his lip gloss, and the elder melts into the contact, head swimming in so many 'I love yous', and he soon has to pull away for a breather. The younger takes the opportunity to peck Taeyong's cheek.

"Hello, love." Doyoung finally closes the door, and removes his coat and shoes.

"Can we cuddle?" Taeyong asks, suddenly shy because Johnny saunters past and mocks a kiss with puckered lips.

"Go away, Johnny." Doyoung rolls his eyes, and the American smirks before continuing through into the kitchen. "Of course we can cuddle, Tae. But let me take off my makeup first."

"Don't you usually take it off at the photoshoot?" Taeyong's eyebrows crease into a confused frown. Soft, pink eyeshadow still decorates his boyfriend's eyes. It shimmers as Doyoung leans forward to embrace him, and from up close Taeyong can admire the delicate flicks of eyeliner.

"Yes, but I couldn't wait to come home and see you." Doyoung lets the older nuzzle into his neck, then takes a hold of his hand to guide him to his bedroom. Taeyong immediately buries his face in the sheets and inhales his boyfriend's scent whilst the other gets to work. He hears the bathroom lights click on, the gush of running water, and after too many slow minutes Doyoung reappears, now barefaced. Taeyong's heart leaps at the sight of his boyfriend's natural beauty. He's so lucky to have him.

"I think you look prettier without makeup. You don't need it." Taeyong compliments Doyoung as he wraps his arms around his torso. Doyoung kisses his forehead with a giggle.

"Really?" Taeyong nods fiercely. "Thank you, Tae, sweetheart."

They bask in each other's comfort for a while. The soft aroma of Doyoung's diffusers mix with his subtle perfume and relax Taeyong right through to the bones. The sound of other members clattering about fades to the distance as it barely break through their bubble of warmth. Such moments of tranquillity are always the highlight of any day. There's nothing better than dozing off in each other's arms after hours of dance practice or filming.

"Doie?" Taeyong's small voice suddenly speaks, and the younger hums to show he's listening. "Can we make another blanket fort?"

Doyoung's lips brighten to an enormous grin. He traces his fingers over Taeyong's back and uses his other hand to scratch at the nape of his neck.

"Yes, I would love to." He agrees easily. Taeyong claps his hands in excitement and sits up, startling Doyoung.

"Come on!"

They retrieve the two blankets from Doyoung's drawers, then find four more in Taeyong's wardrobe.

"Can we use your string lights?" Taeyong requests. He bats his eyelids, and Doyoung can't resist the sparkle of his pupils. He smiles with a fond shake of his head, but still unhooks the lights from his bedroom wall and winds them up to avoid any tangles.

The living room is plenty big enough for the task once they shift the coffee table to one side. After that, they just need to arrange the blankets in the same way as always, hooking some over the side of the clothes airer and then the sofa, attaching them with pegs and securing another in place using the table legs. Taeyong dashes out under the cascading purple blanket and disappears into his bedroom, returning swiftly with five pillows squeezed between his arms. He throws them down for Doyoung to rearrange over the floor, then he eagerly sets to work with the lights. He unwinds them all, but falters when he realises that he isn't sure how to hang them up.