Kaelix usually wakes up a lot earlier than Zeal. He usually just lies quietly next to Zeal and plays with the man’s soft black hair, twirling the dark green tips with his finger. As the tips curled around his finger, they seemed to look like little snakes. Zeal has a sleeping face of an angel, very different to the sly expression he has on a daily basis. Perhaps that gap moe was what drew Kaelix to him in the first place. Hair in hand, Kaelix tickled Zeal’s face for a reaction.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ878oFwdsn1
“Stop… it tickles…” Zeal muttered, voice deeper than usual, almost a purr.
“Morning.” Kaelix said softly.
“Eugh...” Zeal drifts back into sleep, he was never much of a morning person.
Kaelix smiled at the reaction and tucked Zeal in. As he was about to get up, a hand pulled him back onto the bedsheets, into an embrace.
“Don’t go… stay with me…” Zeal muttered.
It was only at times like this would Zeal show his more fragile side, times when Zeal wasn’t fully awake. Kaelix thought as he drifted back into sleep in Zeal’s embrace.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeerK3WiJ7t
Zeal woke up earlier than Kaelix, he turned to look at the sleeping person next to him. Kaelix’s expression was relaxed, with a soft smile playing across his lips, must be a nice dream that he’s having. Sunlight peeked from the curtains and shone on Kaelix’s head, making the white hair seem brighter. Zeal gently ruffled the white-haired man, and even in sleep, he responded by nuzzling himself even closer, as if intuition. The reaction warmed Zeal’s heart. Perhaps the morning sun was a little too bright, as Kaelix stirred and woke from his sleep.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RsYvR2XpT
“Morning…” Kaelix said, voice groggy with sleep.
“Good morning.”
“Could you pinch me for a sec? Or even slap me in the face?” Zeal was confused at the absurd request from Kaelix.
“Why?”
“I can’t tell if I’m dreaming or not. Being married to you feels so… surreal.”
Instead of doing that, Zeal kisses him on the lips. Soft, gentle, and warm. As how could he bring himself to hurt the love of his life?
“Does this still feel like a dream now, my darling husband?”
“I don’t know, my dreams are pretty vivid. Maybe I need a little more to make sure.” Kaelix asked affectionately. And more did Zeal shower him with.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVs7q1TUU8
Nothing was visibly different in their lives, they still did the same things, lived the same lives. The only noticeable changes were how they’re now legally bound to each other, and the wedding rings on their ring fingers. But something did change, something subtle. It could be how their bonds are now deeper, stronger. Although they couldn’t grasp what it was, it was a good change overall.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qJ0fxhX6M
Other than the tax benefits, the ring did save him trouble, a lot of trouble. As some people were trying to shoot their shot, flirt with him. Usually he’d decline them nicely, but some were persistent, even when he brought up that he was taken.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WSya1sulC
“Oh, but then you could just break up with that guy.”
”Hmm, I don’t see anything concrete here.”
Some things in life truly were tests. Especially these rude idiots.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGiid5puVg
Now, all Kaelix needs to do is to flash his wedding ring. Saves him the talk, irritation, and emotionally draining conversations. Sometimes, he would even add to that.
“See that mysterious, handsome, and sexy bartender over there? Don’t even bother, he’s mine.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbNpEdG500
Not that Zeal wasn’t keeping adequate distance, quite the opposite, he was great at doing that. Perhaps it’s what comes with bartending, as they’ve seen and heard many things, regardless of should or shouldn’t have been shown. Zeal was nice, he draws a clear line of boundaries without being distant. It was something Kaelix had experienced firsthand when he had met Zeal for the first time. He couldn’t help but wonder what if he could go back in time, to tell young Kaelix that he’d be married to his coworker one day. He could imagine the younger him dropping his jaw in disbelief. Kaelix chucked at the thought, which caught Zeal’s attention.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUVhaUvh0r
“What’s so amusing?”
“I was taking a stroll down memory lane, you used to be so distant and mysterious when we first met.”
“Isn’t that normal? Since we weren’t as close as we are now.”
“If I told the Kaelix back then that he’d be married to his coworker in the future, he’d tell me I’m crazy.”
“Come on, it can’t be that bad.”
“Unknown things, especially the ones you can’t see through, do bring out a bit of fear.”
“Touché.”
“How about me? What are your first impressions?”
“The arpricity. Not too bright, not too hot. A warmth just right and comfortable as the winter sun.”
The exact sun Zeal needed in his winter world.
“Kaelix.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for being here in my life.”
“And thank you for letting me be a part of it.” Kaelix kissed Zeal’s cheek along with his response.
The couple leaned their bodies into each other, life would be just as sweet for the years to come.
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