Chapter Text
Maybe the seat, the table and the furniture of the office cabin were somewhat uncomfortable to be sleeping in. But the sleep Donghyuck was having been more, like a lot more than just comfortable or peaceful.
It was already around eight in the morning yet the said sun kissed man was still sleeping soundly at his office, inside his cabin. Probably because of the relief from all the negative thoughts and events he was having. Even though it was just a temporary relief, it still offered him a good long slumber. Which did not last for so long as his phone started buzzing which made him startle on his desk, where he had his head down as if he was keeping the silence in some elementary school.
He wiped the drool from the side of his mouth as he got up a little and grabbed his phone from the desk. He received the call without looking at the caller ID. He was probably still in a sleepy haze.
“Donghyuck! Oh my why! Finally you picked. Where are you? Where were you? Have you not been at home last night? Taeil told me he tried numerous times to contact you but you did not respond to any of his calls or texts.” An entire statement was already quoted on the other side of the line while Donghyuck was still yawning. But as soon as his mind processed the words and especially the name of his lover, his consciousness took over.
“Well, good morning to you too Woo-ah. And, did Taeil really tell you that?”
“Of course. He’s your husband after all you punk.”
Donghyuck chuckles at his friend’s comment on his husband. Yes, he was his husband after all. “Anyways…” Donghyuck hears the elder continuing on the other line. “Did you really stay at the workplace the entire night? Did you really sleep at the office?”
“I just dozed off.”
Donghyuck could imagine Jungwoo scoffing on the other side at his lame excuse. “But your yawning sounds as if you have been on a long ass slumber.”
“Well, I did drift off to the slumber after dozing so that makes sense. Gosh… Can you just stop with your tricky questions?”
“My tricky questions? You better ask yourself as to who is tricky here Mr. Trickster. I literally don’t understand… Just what the hell is wrong with you-” Jungwoo could not complete his concerned and parental statement as Donghyuck disconnects the line lazily. Though, he knew he was going to be killed by his giant friend when he’d arrive.
He then went to the phone log and yes, there were quite a few pings from Taeil. He hesitated a bit before opening the messages but surprisingly, there was nothing to be hesitated or to even worry. Those were just the usual, fluffy texts telling him that he misses Donghyuck or where he was, how he was and all. Maybe things were just normal. Maybe he really needed a good ass slumber.
Donghyuck texts back to his lover saying that he’d be back at night after work. He hits send and places his phone back on his desk. He then once again yawns but this time with more freshness.
He was having a good feeling that the day was going to be great today. Or at least, he hoped.
______
As informed, Donghyuck did return to home after work that day and even though it freaked him out, it still felt really warm, really good at home.
“Finally remembered that you had a home, as well as a husband at the said place?”
The sarcasm was mocky and mild at the same time and Donghyuck actually wanted to respond with just a sassy answer as that but since he had no energy nor sass in his ass, all he could speak was, “Hey.”
The latter approached Donghyuck by the entrance and tipped onto his toes a little so he could reach and kiss the tired man softly on the forehead. “Aww sweetie… You look really stressed. No matter how much I ask you to not over work you keep just doing it more and more.” The man then rests his hand on Donghyuck's cheek and caresses as the other man leans to his touch.
“I'm sorry, Taeil.” The younger murmurs while taking his husband's hand in his hand from his cheek and then kisses on his knuckles.
Taeil shook his and an apologetic expression appeared on his face. “No, no. Don't be. I should be sorry, Hyuck. I should have been considering and should have understood that all this frustration must be getting you heavy on yourself. So I'm sorry, Hyuckie.” He finishes while showing his sad smile. Donghyuck cupped his face and pulled him into a soft kiss. Donghyuck then was about to tell and assure him that it was both of their mistake and everything was fine but the other cut him already. “Anyways, now that you're back and we're together, there's no need of having any pointless conversation. Just refresh yourself while I prepare the warm, healthy homemade dinner for you.” And with that, the shorter man left without even giving the other male a chance you revert.
Well, that was really quick. Like, real quick as if nothing had happened at all. But that also makes sense since it was Donghyuck with whom the things were happening, not Taeil. As Taeil was somewhat the one who was causing those things to happen. As if… He was the one so he just wanted to put it down.
And once again, Donghyuck started having uneasy and disturbing thoughts when he just reached home after gaining the guts very hardly, hence, he should better just let all of… Whatever those things were, aside.
Besides, it wasn't really even a concern for Taeil if his husband slept at the workplace for a night. But it would be a hazard if it was Yerim to be sleeping or even just staying late at any place which was not home.
______
The couple then had dinner together with conversing random topics and it actually felt way too normal to be even normal. Not that Donghyuck minded, but he sure felt as if he was blinded, by a portrayed scene. Though, he didn't still ask anything related to those things neither did he think too much.
The thing he needed the most at that very moment was some peace and good ass sleep. Yes, he did have a good slumber on his office chair but his back was literally cursing him by aching hard.
Yet, he was still in the living room, on the couch with his laptop not bearing to the bed anytime soon.
“Hyuck-ah, it's getting late yet you're still not leaving the work. You again brought it at home. You're gonna get stressed again babe.”
“Don't worry Taeillie. Just a little more and I'll be done.”
“Okay then I'm also gonna stay here until you're done so that we can go to bed together.” Taeil exclaims as he takes a seat next to Donghyuck on the couch.
“Then none of us are going to get to the bed tonight and both of us aren't going to put on this couch either.”
Taeil looks at Donghyuck perplexedly. “So you're going to sleep on the couch tonight?” He asks to which the younger just smiles. “You're kidding right?” Again, Donghyuck just smiled in response. “Babe, why?”
“Whoa, Illie… It's nothing serious. It's just, it feels a little more open and light here than the bedroom and I can even check on my work in between whenever I'd wake in the middle of night without bothering you.” Donghyuck explains.
“But Hyuckie, you know-”
“Yes, I know you'd say that you're not bothered and all but still, and I literally don't have any more energy for this Q and A session so please, can we already sleep for tonight?”
Taeil seemed to be pursing his lips and saying something, however, he just sighs and then smiles in a concerned way at his husband. “Alright. But please, if you feel uncomfortable or if your back hurts or if anything happens that makes you uneasy here, just come to me straight away. Okay?”
“Okay your highness. Anything else?”
“Yes, take care and good night.” Taeil playfully says and then kisses his husband's cheek. The latter pulls the elder for a lip to lip kiss.
They pull apart after a few moments and Taeil lovingly caresses Donghyuck's cheek. “I love you.”
“Same.” Donghyuck replied and the elder stood and started leaving.
Donghyuck lays on the couch and takes a deep breath, relaxing himself. His laptop blinks and he quickly shuts that down. He really needed just rest at that very moment and it felt extremely comfy at home, whether on the couch, it still felt so relaxing that he didn't even realize his eyes getting closed and his mind shifting to dreamland.
______
Since Donghyuck felt extremely fresh and relaxed the next day, he made sleeping on the couch a habit. Taeil asked numerous times as to why he was sleeping there regularly and not with him. Donghyuck always just turned him down and the latter never seemed much bothered which was good and odd at the same time for Donghyuck.
Well, not as off and weird as before. Things now somewhat seemed to be going back to normal. Donghyuck didn't have any strange marks, nightmares or anxiety attacks any more. He was getting proper sleep and days were going just fine.
Until one day…
“Taeil, where's my backup project files? You had kept them safely right? And I've told you to keep them ready as I need them for today's meeting.” Donghyuck asks while fixing his shirt sleeves.
“Oh yeah. I've kept them on the nightstand in the bedroom. Wait, I'll bring them.”
“Don't worry. I'll get them myself.” Donghyuck says while standing from the dining table and making his way to his and Taeil's shared bedroom.
He entered the room and went to the nightstand. He grabbed the files and was about to exit but something under Taeil's pillow caught his eyes.
Though, he didn't mind much and just shrugged off while continuing on his way.
“You'd regret it.”
Donghyuck felt his breath hitching at that strange voice which came from the direction of the bed. He gulped and turned quickly only to find the empty bed with blankets, duvets and that under his husband's pillow.
He started reaching for the bed and lifted the pillow to slide out that thing which actually made him regret checking on it. His breath started stomping and sweat started covering his temples as he frighteningly looked at his picture.
Yes, it should sound so romantic that his lover was keeping a picture of him with himself while sleeping. As if Taeil was missing Donghyuck next to him a lot so he settled a photo of Donghyuck right next to him.
But, it was nothing like that. At least not for Donghyuck after he witnesses horrifying scratches onto his picture. It seemed as if someone had teared onto it with a needle and knife. Donghyuck's eyes, nose, lips, jaw and neck were remorselessly scraped. As if someone was actually trying to brutal him, but it just happened to be a picture at that moment.
“Hyuck, Jungwoo is calling. You're getting late babe.” Taeil's voice came from the living room and Donghyuck started wiping his sweat and panicked state.
He didn't know why but something just made him put that terribly scratched picture into his file instead of throwing it away. Maybe because he knew he'd regret it if he wouldn't. Or he'd regret either way.