[2:33 AM] You wake up when someone slips your mug out of your hands. You stir for a moment, eyelids fluttering.
“I think it’s time for bed,” your favorite voice in the world murmurs.
A smile slowly forms on your lips. “‘M awake,” you say, voice slurry with sleep, stretching your limbs.
“Not awake enough not to spill all your tea.”
You frown, blinking your eyes open slowly. Youngjo is kneeling next to where you’ve curled up on the couch, gently pressing a swath of paper towels into the rug right in front of you.
“Shit,” you say, sitting further upright.
“It’s okay, I’ve already gotten most of it,” he says, smiling up at you for a moment before returning to the rug. “May need to wash the rug tomorrow.”
You slump back again. “Good thing I got the washable one.”
Youngjo nods, and you lift a hand to his head, fingers combing gently through his hair, fingertips scratching softly at his scalp. You smile when he relaxes against the contact.
“Was waiting up for you,” you say, swallowing to try and make your voice sound less drunk.
“I told you you don’t have to do that,” he says, frowning.
You shake your head. “Wanted to. Lonely back there without you.”
Youngjo’s lips twitch, a fond smile crinkling in the corners of his eyes. You watch him fight this smile as you continue to stroke his hair, as he continues to press methodically at the tea in the rug.
“Time is it?” You ask finally.
“Half past two,” he says, gathering the damp paper towels up and rising to his feet.
You suddenly remember. “Hey, I made you a—”
Youngjo lifts a mug you’d left on the coffee table and nods, smiling. “Thanks, drank it. It was still warm when I got here.”
“It’s that heating coaster,” you say, standing and getting your bearings. “Sorry about the tea, I could’ve gotten it.”
“It’s okay, just watch your step so your socks don’t get damp,” he says from the kitchen.
You take care to step around the damp spot and shuffle towards the back hallway, legs not used to being awake and useful.
Youngjo catches up with you and guides you gently by the shoulders, keeping you from stumbling against the wall.
“‘S late,” you mumble as you make it to the room. “Everything go okay?”
“Yeah, not bad,” Youngjo says, squeezing your shoulders and breaking away to dig through the dresser for comfy clothes.
You trudge to the bed and sit down hard, rubbing sleep out of your right eye.
“You can lie down, it’s okay,” Youngjo laughs when you stay sitting up, watching him change.
You shake your head. “Waiting for you.”
“I’m right here,” he says, grinning, and you can tell he knows he won’t change your mind. You shake your head resolutely, and he finishes changing and tossing his clothes in the hamper.
“Hi,” you murmur, smiling big when Youngjo comes over and scoops you into a hug.
He just laughs, muffled against your shoulder, and shuffles you both around to lie down.
“Will you finally go to sleep now, love?” He asks, his fingertips drawing soothing, sleepy circles against your back.
Your eyes are already drooping shut, and you smile sleepily. “Mhm. Comfy. Have you.”
You feel the brief warm, soft pressure of his lips on your forehead. “Good.”
“Love you,” you mumble, needing to say it before you completely drift off.
You feel his lips curl softly against your forehead, feel him relax his arm securely over you.
“Love you, too,” you hear him whisper before sleep claims you once again.
