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Cheong Myeong had never allowed him in his nest. In all these months they'd been traveling together, he had never even let Tang Bo catch a glimpse of it.
Tang Bo knows all of this is difficult for him, being open and vulnerable like this. Cheong Myeong would rather suffer through a stab wound than let Tang Bo see he's bleeding, and this is a step further.
Still, Tang Bo provides as best as he can, given that the two of them are deep in the forest, halfway up the side of a mountain. He's never been one for hunting - Cheong Myeong usually took care of that when they traveled together - but the prospect of bringing a good catch back to their camp for his omega made some base, animal part of him purr with pride. And since Cheong Myeong can't exactly go bounding off into the woods while he's suffering through his heat, Tang Bo may as well take the opportunity to satisfy his ever-growing craving to coddle and care for his hyung-nim.
He'd managed two pheasants this time. One, he would roast quickly over the fire tonight and pair it with rice, and their last few pieces candied ginger. The other he could salt cure while they were laid out here, and then when they set out again, he could ply Cheong Myeong with dried pheasant on their journey up the mountain.
Feeling pleased with himself, Tang Bo settles himself in front of their fire pit and tries valiantly to ignore the sweet scent wafting out from Cheong Myeong's tent. There is only one thing on his mind as he watches his hand-caught pheasant roast in their pan: that maybe, this time, it will be enough. Maybe, this time, Cheong Myeong will see how worthy he is, how much he could provide for him. Maybe, this time, he'll let Tang Bo in his nest. Even if it's just to lay there, just to hold him as he shivers and writhes through his heat.
Tang Bo takes a steadying breath, his eyes sliding shut as that cloying sweet plum scent hits him once more, headier than before. When he opens his eyes again, the pheasant has a nice, even char. Perfect.
"Hyung-nim," Tang Bo calls, just outside Cheong Myeong's tent. "I've caught dinner for you."
There's a quiet rustle, and Cheong Myeong's hand peeks through the slit in the tent. Tang Bo lingers longer than he should as he places the bowl in Cheong Myeong's hand, fingertips brushing over fever-hot skin. For a moment, he thinks he hears a quiet, restrained purring coming from the depths of the tent, and then Cheong Myeong is gone, the tent sealed shut behind him.
Logically, Tang Bo knows he should likely start readying his own tent before it grows too dark, but there's still a small sliver of hope in him that Cheong Myeong might reach out, might pull him in, finally. And so he waits, close and unmoving, so that if Cheong Myeong reaches for him, he'll be ready.
Time passes, the sun sets, and the forest comes alive around him. Tang Bo waits, still, until the fire burns down to faint glowing embers. Not tonight, then. He'll have to try harder tomorrow.
Resigned, he moves to stand, only to be caught halfway by a warm hand clutching at his arm. Tang Bo stills, his gaze darting to the tent opening, but all he can see is the yawning dark.
"Hyung-nim?" He calls, and he feels those fingers tighten around him. Silence lingers for a long moment, and Tang Bo tries again. "Myeong-ah?" He whispers.
Nails dig into his skin, and Tang Bo shivers, delighted, as he's pulled forward into the tent.
Cheong Myeong gives him little time to adjust before he's pushed down, settled into a soft silk bed of robes that smell so sweet that he feels like he can taste it in the air. He spots a few of his spare robes nested around him, entwined with Cheong Myeong's own. The sight of it makes him feel almost lightheaded, and he has to ground himself for a moment.
Above him, he can see the glint of Cheong Myeong's eyes, watching him, assessing.
"Will you be joining me?" Tang Bo asks, his tone teasing. He can't quite help himself, now that he finally has Cheong Myeong's attention.
Cheong Myeong bares his teeth. "Leech," he says, "Be quiet or I'll throw you back out."
Tang Bo grins, "As you wish."
With a huff, Cheong Myeong settles in the space next to him, burrowing into Tang Bo's chest. Warm breath bleeds through his robe, and Tang Bo wraps his arms around Cheong Myeong's waist, pulling him closer, until soft, disgruntled purring fills what little space is left between them.
Outside, the night moves on around them, the steady buzz of summer cicadas echoing through the trees as Tang Bo finally finds himself content, curled around his omega, safe and warm.