Chapter 41 - The Morning After

The next morning felt like a new experience. It was Zeng who woke up first. While he had already woken up to Yul many times before since they shared the same bed, but he had never been this intimate with him. However, it was different now and he savoured the warmth that he shared with Yul, laying under the soft blankets in the early morning cold. Seeing the boy holding him as a body pillow managed to put a smile on Zeng's face. He could just spend all day looking at him like that and hugging him to his chest.

However, as much as he didn't want to get up, he had to. It may be his day off but Yul still had a working day.

"Yul?" He shook him, "Wake up."

Yul groaned and barely half-opened one eye. He looked like he was questioning his life in the morning hours with no orientation of time and space. "You have early morning duty," Zeng informed softly, not wanting to disturb the leave that they had.

Yul's brain took a few seconds to process the words. He was highly lacking in sleep.

"Don't wanna go," he said in a pout once he understood and hugged Zeng's waist. Sleepy Yul was always so cute. Zeng couldn't help but kiss his cheek and then was quite tempted to bite the bulging, soft skin but decided against it because that would be inappropriate. Hence, he settled on just pinching it.

"You have to. It's your job. Now, get up Officer Wang," he tried again.

Yul groaned again but didn't bother to push Zeng's hands away from abusing his cheeks. His eyes felt too heavy and his body too tired.

Zeng noticed that his eyes were puffed, probably from last night's crying and lack of sleep. He felt sorry for having to wake him up but he knew Yul would regret not going later even if he was reluctant now. He knew Yul would want to witness the court's hearing for his first major case. He knew his boyfriend was that dedicated to his work.

Zeng smiled and kissed Yul's eyes, making Yul sigh in his half-asleep state.

"Wang Yul, wake up," he said softly. "You have to present the suspect in the court, Officer Wang." Zeng kept teasing him, pinching his nose and cheeks. Yul groaned again but sat up, rubbing his eyes. Zeng made sure he reached the bathroom as he walked like a piggy with his head heavy with sleep. They brushed together, during which Yul kept smiling at Zeng instead of focusing on the task. The doctor had to scold him for that, hitting his arm to ask him to focus on the task ahead.

After successfully brushing their teeth, Yul went for a shower and Zeng went to the kitchen. Breakfast was mostly Zeng's responsibility. If it was not possible for him due to some reason, then they would eat out or order something. But today, he wanted to make a nice breakfast because he was in a good mood. He cooked whatever Yul liked in addition to the regular boiled eggs. Yul was all too pleased to see the delicious morning meal when he came out wearing his uniform and saw Zeng arranging the plates.

"Oh, Zeng ge, you are the best!" He said making his way over to his boyfriend and hugging him around the waist. He pecked Zeng's lips and then went back to take his seat. Zeng was taken by surprise with the kiss but blushed once Yul wasn't looking at him but the food served.

Was this going to be their morning routine from now on? Just thinking that made the doctor feel giddy. He sat opposite Yul and watched as the tough-looking officer looked like a baby when he chewed on the food, his cheeks bulging out and mouth forming a pout as he took large chunks of his breakfast. The food made Yul happy and that in turn made Zeng happy.

Maybe, Zeng thought, he really didn't mind seeing the cheeky smile and getting lovely kisses every morning.

He saw Yul's eyes as he ate. Wrinkles at the adjacent pinkish skin, like he was smiling even while eating and the dull redness from yesterday's lack of sleep. He winced and mentally took a note to never make him cry again.

"Make sure to take a nap whenever possible. You didn't get much sleep and your eyes are red," he said, giving Yul one more serving.

"Hm," Yul nodded, smiling at the end. "I like it when you are concerned about me." He looked awfully happy so early in the morning.

"Idiot," Zeng glared as he blushed. "Don't make me worry. I would hate it if you fall sick because of me. So take care of yourself while on duty."

"Roger." Yul saluted before going back to eating.

Breakfast was over and now the officer again looked reluctant to go. "Can't I take a leave?" He asked Zeng, knowing the answer well.

"No," came an expected reply and Yul huffed. He grabbed his bag and helmet, ready to leave before Zeng stopped him. The doctor came from the kitchen with a tiffin bag.

"I made your lunch today," he said, stretching his hands out to offer the lunchbox.

Yul had a huge smile on his face at the sight of the tiffin, obviously pleased with the treatment he was receiving. "I could have eaten at the canteen, you know," he said just to be modest.

"Okay, then eat at the canteen." Zeng deadpanned, snatching the lunchbox away.

Yul whined and took it back, "Come on! I was kidding." He held the tiffin close to his chest, hugging it like something precious, making Zeng chuckle. It was his first lunchbox made by Zeng. So of course it was precious. The other days when Zeng had a sleepover at his place, he would wake up late on his holidays and would only make breakfast the other days. But he never made him lunch. Hence, this was special and Yul really felt happy about it. It strangely felt domestic. Not that he would tell Zeng.

"I am off to work," he said, adjusting the bags on his shoulders. Zeng stepped forward and Yul leaned to share a sweet, lingering kiss.

"See you later. Take care," Zeng said, touching his cheek.

"Yup," Yul gave a nod and went off to work with a huge smile on his face.