there’s something ritually freeing about the showers following the hell of the day–- on purgatory’s DOORS had he knocked and fled back into own realms , steam gotten giant glass surrounding shower foggy as he combs back wet hair , other’s voice clear , a pleasant ringing left in his ears as he slips into fresh clothes underneath a rather luxurious looking robe . soft mumble as if he was answering jicheol , drops of cologne he spreads on neck before checking a rather TIRED appearance of himself in the mirror and shortly after does he already step out , steam following quietly , spilling until evaporated as he walks over wooden floors barefoot––- the smell of fresh food hitting him like a trail he was following . stood at door frame for a small second , spotting jicheol right at his usual place with what looked like a meal for seven instead of two . playfully subtle a hint of amusement , flickering before he walks over and crawls next to other , curious to eye the choices in food other had made ultimately nodding lightly . “ that looks like A LOT . you sure that’s all gonna fit in your little stomach ? it’s honestly been a while since i had GOOD ramen . “ , chopsticks ready in his hand , though ultimately does gaze fall back on other next to him , FROZEN in time frame that he wishes he COULD HOLD for a while , just for a little longer––… . .. not yet wanting it to be GONE , like a polaroid in his pocket–– own eyelashes flutter , he blinks and he feels moment SLIPPING , about to be gone , about to curse himself . and all that follows , a hand that glides over soft fabric of other’s pyjamas , merely ghosting “ you look so cute in these . “ lowly , a hum that hits base-like strings–- SOFT CONFESSION of the mere surface of what thoughts had circled around . too early to let go , too early for anything other than casual and stoically does tony stay true to his gut , deems it fully unnecessary to allow for anything else to happen .
“ i came like five times on stream today , you KNOW i get hungry after . ” there’s a playful smile on his features —- words falling so effortlessly from lips as though it’s a perfectly normal statement to make . which , for jicheol , it is - it’s his job , after all . small hand reaches for his own chopsticks ( pink , naturally ) and a bowl , piling up more and more noodles until he’s not sure there’s any room left in the dish for more . end of noodle is still poking out from plump lips when he feels other’s fingers brush ever so gently across his pyjamas —- goosebumps forming on light skin . “ you think so ? ” voice comes accompanied by a giggle , cheeks painted a light shade of pink as hand comes to offer a gentle squeeze to tony’s thigh by way of thanks for the compliment . this is so . . . domestic . and part of jicheol doesn’t know how to deal with it . he LIKES domestic bliss with tony , whatever the nature of their relationship might be , but he can’t help the way it sits strangely on his chest . he isn’t used to it , and he knows their arrangement is likely nothing more than convenient for sexual purposes —- he’s a sugar baby , isn’t he ? a live in prostitute , so to speak . and he knows this , he KNOWS there’s an exchange going on here —- he gets expensive dinner dates and a whole ass mansion to live in , while tony gets arguably the best sex he’s ever had —- so why does it make his stomach knot to think about ? sigh slips lips as he puts down now empty bowl , glancing over at the other . “ you look exhausted . do you wanna sleep on your own tonight , or . . . ”