Work Text:
hanbin can never truly admit it to zhang hao but he can tell when he comes home from work happy, sad, disappointed and anything in between. it's not like hao shows his emotions so easily, he's someone who doesn't show them so openly– wearing the same expression for almost every emotion. it's always the same blank face. it's not that hanbin has a problem with it– not at all. he's the opposite of hao, wearing his expressions so openly that anyone and everyone can tell his thoughts the second they even glance at him. anyway, like hanbin was saying– hao's not someone who's very expressive, so it's definitely strange for hao to come home one day with a sigh and exhaustion written all over his face.
he walks into their shared apartment sluggishly, his movements so messy and so awkward that hanbin almost thinks he's drunk. he bumps into the door as he shuts it close. rubbing his eyes as he slowly locks it, almost seeming to be in slow motion. he slips his work shoes off at the door, yawning softly as he places them aside and begins to nearly undress at the door.
hanbin stares at hao from the couch– his eyes glued to hao's messy movements as hao drops his bag haphazardly and stumbles into hanbin's arms where he lay. hanbin pauses momentarily as he feels hao snuggle into the crook of his neck, resting his chin on his shoulder. hanbin instinctively wraps an arm around hao’s waist and threads his fingers into hao’s dark strands as all he can do is wait for hao to speak or leave him and never address this action ever again.
it takes hanbin only a few seconds to realize that hao is waiting for hanbin to speak first. hao sighs as he rubs his face against hanbin's sweater, the cotton threads comforting his face.
“how was work?”
“exhausting.” hao mumbles into his sweater, his fingers playing with a loose thread. he twirls the thread around his pointer finger as he thinks. the single word is all hao says for a while, with no continuation or even expansion of his one word descriptor.
“it wasn't hard or anything.” he finally says after what feels like an eternity, “just really tiring. i could barely focus on anything.”
“do you need to rest?” hanbin asks and hao shakes his head.
“it won't help.” he says, knowingly. “i think.”
it's not like hao is unfamiliar to this weird condition of his– so tired all the time and yet every time he even attempts to rest, his body cannot seem to get a second of sleep. it's hell.
“okay.” hanbin says as he runs his hand up and down hao’s dress shirt, already readying himself for the incessant whines tomorrow from hao about how he had wrinkled it. hanbin knows hao really doesn't care about it, though.
“it really hurts, though.” hao murmurs. he shifts his body slightly and hanbin hears a soft pop from his joints.
hanbin makes a displeased noise as he moves his hand from hao's soft strokes to rub at his knee, “where?”
hao almost laughs at the question. an easier question would be where doesn't it hurt? but he doesn't want to concern hanbin. it's something he doesn't need to worry about, not now, at least.
hao points to his legs anyway. hanbin sighs as he massages hao’s thigh. the heel of his hand presses into hao’s muscle as he kneads at it, akin to a kitten. hao winces as hanbin runs over a part of his thigh, he doesn't know how hanbin knows his body so well.
“sorry,” hanbin apologizes with a gasp, “are you okay?”
hanbin is so sweet he wants to cry. hao wouldn't do that because to put it simply: crying over his boyfriend giving him a massage is… well, it's odd. but the sentiment is there and it still counts.
hao nods as he winces, “i’m okay, don't worry.” and even though he says those words hanbin's round eyes still stare at him full of concern as if the man in front of him was the only thing that mattered in this very moment.
“really?” hanbin asks, his hands still on hao's slacks.
“yeah.” hao nods, “i’m fine.” he doesn't want to admit that this is the only thing that makes him feel better. he's tried everything to soothe his pain but the only solution has been this. he wouldn't ever tell hanbin, though. knowing hanbin, he would want to massage hao until his hands were sore if it meant hao felt slightly better.
“you're sure?” hanbin asks again and hao can't help but laugh. hao nods as he giggles and hanbin can't help but be confused as he watches hao laugh into the crook of his neck, filling the air with his squeaky laughter.
“don't worry so much.” hao says as he cradles hanbin's face within his fingers, his cold rings pressing against hanbin's cheek.
“but i was scared for you!” hanbin whines as he watches hao grin at his worryful expression.
“i know,” hao grins as he stretches out his words, watching how hanbin pouts at his words, “so don't worry too much, hanbin. i’m fine.”
“i don't know how to do that.” hanbin pouts, “i always worry about you.”
“so do i.” hao says so softly that it's nearly a whisper, his fingers brushing at hanbin's flaxen strands. hanbin grins at hao's confession of love as if he didn't know they were mutually obsessed with each other.
“but, really.” hao says, “don't worry. i can take more than you think.” hao presses a soft kiss to hanbin's, leaving remnants of his mint chapstick on hanbin's lips.
hao removes his hands from hanbin's face as he slides his legs over hanbin's to hop off of his lap.
“where are you going?” hanbin asks as he watches hao stretch with his arms above his head, the way a cat would. his joints popping as he lifts his arm above his head.
“bedroom,” hao groans as he begins to walk away, “i want a full body massage!”