7 Days a Week

by peachywritings

Summary:

After years apart, Rome finally reunites with Mok—the love he never stopped waiting for.

But Mok’s joy is overshadowed by the insecurities instilled to him by time and change. With only seven precious days off granted by Thee, Rome is determined to show Mok that nothing about him has ever been unlovable.

Or where, Rome has seven days to make Mok realize how nothing ever changed in the years they weren't together.

Notes:

Take Note: This might be based from the novel but I changed a lot of things, you may think of this as the re-imagined version and in this case, its based on my brain.

anws, happy reading!! hope you enjoy it! <33 and if there are typos or grammatical errors, please, go easy on me, no matter how many times i try to go over, there's just something i always miss

(x: peachywritings)

MONDAY (10:32 PM) — MOK

"Khun Kris, seven days is too much. Khun Thee will never—"

"Mok, seven days is just a week. It's not that long, I think it's just right. Also, call me Rome."

Mok sighed a bit and walked behind Rome, the younger Arseni, the younger brother of Khun Thee, and the heir of the family. For Rome, seven days might be short, but for Khun Thee who just started the company a year ago—a secretary of the CEO taking a week off is not the safest route for the business nor his boss who does questionable things from time to time. 

"Still, Khun Kris—"

"Rome."

"—Khun Rome, I still need to manage the business with Khun Thee—"

"P'Kian agreed."

Mok looked at the younger Arseni in disbelief as his own feet stopped moving to their own accord. On the other hand, the younger might have felt the disappearance of his presence and stopped only three steps farther from him. 

"Don't look at me like that, if you want to make sure, go to him and ask. I told you, he gave me permission," Rome said and walked closer to him before stopping close enough until they were almost chest to chest. "Also, do you not trust me that much that you don't believe my words anymore? Did years of not being with me did this?"

What? 

No. 

Mok's life, loyalty, and everything forever lies on the Arseni family. But most importantly, his life forever lied on Rome's.

"Pardon, Khun Kris—"

"Rome. Rome. ROME. Call me Rome. I'm not Kris, I'm Rome."

His mouth turns dry when he heard the tone of annoyance lacing the words, but then remembered the years of living with Rome. This Rome, was the Rome that he remembered a lot. Before he left to be Khun Thee's secretary, before he told the family that he liked Rome and decided to spend his years away from the younger. 

To be better. 

To be worthy.

To be enough if not more than enough.

"I apologize Khun Rome. I tend to use that name to address you when I'm at work, it somehow ended up that way and now it's hard to—"

"Well, you're not working right now. So, please, get rid of that Kris and call me the way you used to call me. Rome. It's Rome for you."

".....Alright, Khun Rome."

And then they walked and walked, and walked, and walked, until Rome broke the ice. 

"P'Kian really said yes, if that's what you're worried about."

Ah, that. 

"Understood, Khun Rome."

It's better to not argue. He should just check it in later as Rome settles in his room, it's already late after all.

And when the door opened and clicked not long after, it didn't take a second before Mok felt the presence on his back, and then a strong pound in his chest before the younger was hugging him tight from the back.

A hug so close that Rome's face was left resting on his shoulder; a hug so close that it almost knocked his breath away. 

"Did you always talked to me this way, Mok?"

"....."

Mok didn't answered, he didn't know what to say. Change. Rome sounded like he hated the idea of change, and it scared him. The idea scared him to his bones. It scared him in ways guns never did.

"I missed you," The younger whispered to his ears, the warm breath tickling his skin. 

And despite the raging thought, he leaned in. He let himself melt in Rome's arms, he let his head lean on Rome's neck, and he let his heart and worries rest even just for a moment. 

A moment that he will cherish for the rest of his life. 

"I missed you so much, Mok." 

He closed his eyes and etched the sound and the feeling in his head—surely, no one would fault him for giving in. After all, almost three years of not seeing each other with nothing but a silly kiss and messages to keep them connected, surely, no one will say anything. 

Even if anyone did, he'd willingly turn deaf ears on them. 

"I missed you too.....I missed you too."

In that confession, Rome did not let another second pass. It wasn't too long before Mok felt the end of his turtle neck being pulled down. 

A brush of lips that made him let out a sound. 

A tight grip on his waist that made him squirm uncontrollably. 

And a sucking sound that felt dizzying, it almost made him lose balance. 

Rome ignored every single act of protest, the younger's kisses only deepened and spread more. Then, Rome's lips was already on his jaw before he knew it, on his cheeks—their cheeks brushing against each other, and their noses hitting softly on the tips. 

"Were we always like this, Mok?" Rome asked as their breaths mixed on the small space left in between. 

"....H-huh?" He asked, a little dazed. 

Rome then spun him enough, exactly enough until they were face to face. 

"Have you always talked this distant to me?"

Rome looked at him in the eyes, the only barrier left is the glasses that he was wearing. 

"We haven't seen each other for two years and eight months—" 

Rome kissed the corner of his lips and then his forehead. 

"—is it so bad that I want to have you for a week that you're reacting like this?"

And for others this might look like Rome was just luring him to his trap, but to Mok, it didn't matter if the younger was. What mattered was that, Rome was here, and he was at the same place, or rather in the arms of the person he loved the most. Even if he thinks that he didn't deserved any of it, or him. 

"It's not."

"Then stop acting like this."

"Acting like what?"

"Call me by my name." Rome said and drowned him with a consuming kiss, biting and sucking at the same time before pulling off. "Call me, look at me, get close to me. Mok, please."

And Mok did. 

He let himself believe, he let himself get lost in the heat and familiarity that he missed for years. He turned his head and kissed back. He let Rome hold him down until he was rendered trembling on the younger's arms.

That did nothing to make things easier for him in anyway, but that did everything to make him see everything clearer. That even with his thoughts, even with his hesitations, Rome and his long-standing decisions remains still in the storm of his fears. 

That's why Mok forced the words out even if it was hard. He didn't want to hurt Rome in any way.

"You're the only one for me, no one else. Just you." 

He said before he connected his lips with Rome again and everything moved just the way he wanted it to. And as if his words had torn something open for the both of them, every single defense held for years crumbled down easily. Rome's hands tightened on his waist and Mok's body gave away. 

And heat easily flooded his senses, overwhelming and sharp at dissolving the hesitation that he clung on ever since the younger Arseni spoke a word to him. To add up to that, Rome kissed him until he was scraped at the bottom, it felt like a hunger that bordered on desperation and years of waiting, yearning, and unspoken promises that was only sealed by a kiss of two young boys. 

But now, now that they had each other, it wasn't that case anymore. 

So, Mok responded the exact way his brain told him and before doubt could present itself on his line of consciousness. 

He angled his head enough to meet Rome's tilt perfectly, he kissed with the same intensity and vigor, and he let the younger invade his mouth until their tongues were fighting for dominance that he gladly lost to. Then, Rome's hand slipped easily on the his nape.

At first, his body tensed up but when he realized that it was there to guide him deeper into the kiss, to coax him closer until their bodies were together in the most uncomfortable and familiar way possible....Mok let it happen. 

The kiss turned fiercer;

slow enough to savor everything;

but deep enough to make him tremble from pleasure and emotion. 

"I love you, Mok. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you."

Rome parted his lips again, this time, they weren't fighting anymore, they just gave in as their ends blend to one another. And when the younger bit his lips ever so slightly, Mok shuddered, his fingers gripping the other's shirt and pulling him in more, making the other let a low sound out from the kiss. 

And then pulling away. 

"I love you so much, Mok."

I love you too, Rome.

Without giving a chance for him to regain his thoughts again, Rome pulled him strong. The younger sat on the edge of the bed, inched a hand behind his thighs and guided him forward, until Mok was sitting and settled on his lap. 

For a few heartbeats, the closeness was.....not uncomfortable, it was like a familiar feeling that got lost in the middle of growing up, and now, somehow, its like feeling it all over again. Like relearning everything.

"K-Khun R—"

But Rome only extended his hands on both his hips, thumbs drawing small circles on his skin before catching his lips to kiss again. And Mok couldn't help but answer to it, even if the fear in his head and chest was torturing him to no ends, kissing Rome in such position only heated everything more than it should.

Hence, all the rational thoughts and irrational fear weakening. 

But never disappearing. 

Their mouths moved, met again and again, and both sunk deeper each second they were connected. Until Rome's hands started snaking on his sides, and until it was in front of his chest. The younger's fingers tracing his suit, up to his neck, until it nudged the first button and reached to take it off. 

Only then did Mok caught Rome's wrist. 

Although not harsh, it was enough to stop the younger from whatever he was doing. 

And in a messy rhythm of breathing, Mok asked. 

"...What...are you doing?"

In that voice, even him knew that the sound of fear was impossible to hide from his own voice. That Rome almost literally froze under him. The younger's eyes were the same but he could see the flash of hurt and confusion through the orbs. 

"Did I—did I do....something wrong?"

And Mok wanted to say no. 

That Rome didn't do anything wrong. 

That Rome was perfect. 

That Rome did everything he should have. 

And that nothing was wrong. 

But Mok could only shake his head as words became scarce on his mouth. 

Then the words that he wished he didn't had to hear from Rome.....came out.

"Did...something changed? Was I mistaken?"

Rome asked as his hands fell on the bed, not touching Mok anymore.

"Did you stop wanting me—was it because of the distance? The time?" 

Still, he couldn't say anything as his eyes ended up looking everywhere except Rome's. 

"Did you found someone else—did you found someone?"

Mok's hands turned into fists, he so desperately want to say no. That he didn't have anyone else. That it was only Rome and no one else. But, the words, they won't come out. 

"Did you stop wanting me.....did....did I do something wrong? Or is it because I took too long to come here?"

"...." No, you did not do anything wrong.

"Did your feelings changed? Did it changed because I was too busy?"

"...." No, it didn't. It never will. 

And then nothing. 

Just the sound of the clock on the wall. 

The sound of random footsteps passing by the hallway. 

The sound of the air conditioning machine. 

And the sound of his own heartbeat pounding on his ear. 

".....Mok, do you still love me?"

That wasn't up for debate. How could—how could Rome ask him that? How could Rome ask him if he still love—how could he ask him that?

"Yes," Mok whispered, as fast as he could, almost choking on his own words. This was a give, of course. "Yes, Rome. I love you."

And he waited for a bit before looking up. 

When he did, he saw nothing but relief washed through the younger that it almost hurt to watch. Rome must have felt hurt by his words if that was his reaction. 

And to his surprise too, Rome didn't pushed him away, instead, the younger leaned closer until their forehands were brushing his. 

"Then what's stopping you? What's wrong?"

"...."

No matter how many times Mok thinks of it, there's just no way telling everything to Rome was appropriate. 

"Mok? Is there something bothering you?"

"...."

But if he continues this, Rome would overthink. And the last thing he wanted was for the man he love the most to think of the worst. 

"Do I need to know something?"

So, this time, he didn't hide anymore even if his voice came out small and bare. Far from the usual strict working voice he used with almost everyone. 

"I'm not the same anymore," He said. "Not the same skinny boy you knew and grew up with. I'm....not attractive anymore. I'm not the same—I'm not like before."

But he couldn't say everything. 

He didn’t say I don’t want you to be disappointed.

He didn’t say I’m scared you’ll regret wanting me.

He didn’t say You left a boy and came back to a man you won't recognize anymore.

In the silence of his head, he kept everything hidden. None of it made it out.

I don’t want you to see the parts of me I hate.

I don’t want you to notice what I can’t hide anymore.

I don’t want to ruin the version of me you’ve been waiting for.

But Rome heard it all anyway.

Rome did not move at first, he didn't said anything, he didn't argue. He didn't insisted on anything but simply stared at Mok as he shrunk away. Then, as if a side of the paper was flipped over, Rome brought a hand to hold his cheek and fingers curling behind his ear, their lips met. This time, there was no room to retreat and the only option Mok had was to kiss back. 

But it was different; it was careful. 

And he let Rome's mouth invade his senses, his body, his mind, his heart. 

Rome kissed him again and again until they were catching for breath, until oxygen was no more in their system, until they were left with nothing but themselves. 

When they finally pulled apart, Rome whispered. 

"Mok, look at me."

It took effort, but Mok did. He tired, at least. And he was glad he did, because Rome held his gaze lovingly. 

"Do you trust me?"

His hands tightened on Rome's shirt. But even with hesitation, he nodded. Because there was no use of lying to Rome when he knew everything. 

That's also when he saw the younger's expression softened into something. 

Devotion, maybe?

Love, hopefully?

Want, probably.

"Then let me prove it," Rome said and kissed the line of his jaw. "Let me love you, let me show you that you're worth it. That you're everything that I have ever wanted and nothing more."

Rome's hands moved down to his hips, pulled him closer on his lap until their bodies aligned just enough. 

For the first time since Rome walked back into his life, Mok felt the possibility—scary and overwhelming—that maybe he didn't have to hide it all. 

And even if he did, Rome would always be right there, just outside his hiding place and ready to pull him out every time. 

---

He doesn't know how they came to this point, but here he was, laid out flat in bed like it was no one else's business but Rome's. 

"There you are," The heir whispered as the last bits of clothing from his body were peeled off.

And Mok, in instinct, with all the thoughts running wild in his head, tried to cover his body as much as he could. He wasn't sure why he let it go this far. But at this point, he was left with no choice. It's either let Rome see every single thing while his brain degrades him or he could try and save even just a bit of his pride. 

However, Mok didn't expected what happened next. 

Because instead of disgust from seeing him, Rome looked at him with an almost twinkling eyes if nothing worse as the younger pulled his hands and pinned it above his head.

"You look so fucking beautiful, Mok."

A moan left Mok's mouth as Rome bit his left pec, eyes staring at him. And of course, he cannot ignore the fact that the younger's member rested deeply and snugly inside of him. 

Yes, inside of him.

"So beautiful," Rome said, again, and pulled away. 

"Breath-taking," Pushed in.

"Gorgeous," Pulled out slightly.

"Strong," Pushed in, deeper.

"Handsome," Pulled out, almost completely. 

And then, pushing in deeper and harder "My one and only—ahhh."

His back curved in the most uncomfortable stretch he has ever felt in his life. Although, it might have been uncomfortable, everything else, he didn't mind. 

"Did you heard all that? That's you, Mok. In my eyes, that's all you."

But he was far from believing all of that. Those words—beautiful, breath-taking, gorgeous, strong, and handsome—those are words that will never fit with him no matter how hard he tries to think about it. It was only Rome who could ever think of that, maybe because he was kind, or maybe he was blinded. He wasn't sure what of the two. 

"I can see your head gears moving. Stop thinking too much." Rome suddenly said and then Mok held back a groan when the younger moved again. He could hardly believe this was even happening. Just a few weeks ago, Rome wasn't even in the same country as him, but here they were, personal spaces rendered useless. 

"I'm not blind and I'm not a liar." Rome pulled both his legs closer until the low of his back was no longer touching the fabric of the bed. Then, the younger pushed in deep, "Do you think I'm lying?" Then, Rome  smothered him with another drowning kiss.

Truth be told, the physical stimulations were already overwhelming to begin with. 

But to do all this with another person, not to mention, with the person that he loves, it was a different kind of experience in comparison to doing everything on his own. 

And so when Rome started to buck his hips forward, Mok found himself screaming and his body almost folded in half and lost on the heir's alluring eyes. 

"Do you think I'm blind that I don't know what I'm talking about?" 

He couldn't say anything but let out sounds. That could be the reason why Rome pressed hot and open-mouthed kisses on his neck, licking from back of his ears, until it was on the column, until the deep of his collarbone.

And Mok, let himself be lost on everything. 

He let Rome do everything he wanted. 

Twist his arm around, move his hips, lower, higher, pull his legs, kiss every part of his skin that he could. 

Because it felt warm. 

Because it was warm.

And because it was Rome. 

When he felt the younger's tightening fingers on his hips dug more, the movement only stuttered more. But nothing was really different, it was as deep, strong, and as fast as it was earlier....or maybe a bit more. 

So Mok was perplexed when he heard Rome uttered a word while thrusting like that. 

"You look—" 

Rome was supposed to be breathless like him, not talking with a smirk on his face like everything they were doing was nothing. 

And he had a hunch of what he was about to say, so he cut him in already.

"I don't believe you."

But—

"—mine. You're mine."

Oh. 

Oh. 

Then Rome started thrusting harder and harder, until Mok can feel his legs shaking, his heart beating fast, and the sweat forming on his back against the bed sheets.

"R-Rome—"

"Shit, you're driving me crazy."

Somehow, in the midst of that, Rome's hands ended up on the side of his face again and before he could let out another moan, the younger's lips were on his. Taking every sound he's making, and marking him in ways that cannot be undone.

Rome let's out a hiss when he pulled away from Mok's mouth, "Feel me." The heir whispered on his ear. "Do you think I will do all this to someone I don't want? To someone I won't be spending my life with?"

He tried to say something, sure he did. 

"I'm not that type of person, Mok."

With Rome's impatience, another particularly deep thrust ended up pushing a shout out of him instead of words. 

"AHHH!"

Mok wanted to hit Rome for once, if he was being honest. How was he expected to say something when the man was thrusting into him like there is no tomorrow. 

"You make me lose my mind—fuck—is it good?" 

And he was left with a blabber of gibberish and 'yes.'

"Y-yes, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!"

"Ever since you sat on my lap, I can't think straight—God—to see you from that angle. I'm sorry but you looked—you're so—beautiful."

Mok trembled more as Rome thrusted in harder making the bed hit the wall this time. He wasn't sure how that happened, but one thing he was sure about was the fact that four trained people of Arseni are needed to move a single bed from one place to another. 

"Do you hear me, gorgeous?"

Mok shade his head and tried to brush the thoughts off, it wasn't hard. Not when Rome's hands were now pinching his nipples.

"Then I'll say it again." He whispered and guided Mok's chin up with his fingers. "Listen carefully, gorgeous."

Rome left a peck on his lips before thrusting once. 

"You're beautiful,"

Another thrust.

"You're breath-taking,"

And another.

"You're strong,"

And then another. 

"You're handsome,"

Another.

"You're perfect." 

Mok felt his while body convulse in pleasure. 

"You're everything that I have ever wanted,"

And the toes of his feet curling inwards. 

"You always were, and you always will be."

And then Rome kissed him again, fuller this time, until the back of Mok's eyes were burning, until his body wasn't only reacting to the pleasure anymore but from how his insecurity seemed to lose from Rome's words. 

But Mok's climax was already overtaking his senses. 

"You—you're clenching on me."

With one specific push, he was releasing and Rome was spilling into his body as the thrusts became completely erratic. And they rode out their climaxes as the younger gripped the back of his legs, pushing deeper to him. breathing in the air like they were suffocating and as they shake from the aftershocks of their actions.

And Mok, well, Mok was spent. There was no denying that, and there was no running away from the fact that he would be sore tomorrow.

That's all he could think of. 

His thighs were burning, his heart was beating too fast, and the air-conditioning was too low. It was too cold.

And his brain barely worked as it did when the words left his mouth without thinking. 

"Why do you keep saying that, Khun Rome?"

Rome's head that was slumped on the side of his face by the pillow did not move, but he heard the breathing evened out, a sign of the younger trying to gain himself back to speak.

"Saying what?"

"Those words—no.....never mind."

And then silence. 

But not for too long. 

"Because no one else ever said it enough and I want to rewrite that," Rome whispered. "Every time you doubt yourself, every time you hesitate, every time you look at me with those scared eyes, I'll tell you. Over and over again."

Then Rome pressed their foreheads together again. 

"You're everything that I have ever wanted, Mok."

He swallowed down the tears, hardly. 

"And if it takes a hundred nights, a thousand touches, and a million kisses to make you learn all of that, then believe me when I tell you that I will gladly teach you until your mind knows it better than I do."

Mok lets a tear out. A tear from the many ones that will follow as he choked out a breath. And the younger, Rome, only kissed him again, until he was calm and softly laying down on the bed. 

"My gorgeous boy," 

Mok basked in it, he savored the words, the tone, the feeling, the sound. 

"Let me keep telling you. Let me love you loudly until the silence inside you stops hurting. Okay? Let me do everything for you, let me make up for every nights you slept thinking you're not who I want."

And this time Mok didn't speak again but he didn't pull away as well. And as Rome moved away from him, the younger smiled sweetly before preparing himself for another round of praising and caring. 

Not that Mok had any complains, but he would appreciate a rest.

---

TUESDAY (00:35 AM) — ROME

"Ahhh! Fuck—keep going, please, please, please!"

"Anything for you, gorgeous."

Rome thrusted faster and harder as he pushed the older on the bed, his face on sideways and flat on the pillows. As he pulled Mok's hands from the back, he pushed the bodyguard's back lower so he can move better. 

It wasn't hard to know when Mok was nearing his climax. At some point, Rome learned after a few rounds that Mok always, and would always curl his finger toes and clench around him when he was near. It was telling and years of not being together wasn't hard to fill in at times like this. 

"Oh—God." Mok gasped as he bucked his hips deeper at a particular angle. 

"I heard," Rome pulled Mok's arms harder. "I heard, this spot feels particularly good. Is it?"

But Mok looked like he already too under the water to respond to that. "Rome! Rome! Rome—!" Mok shouted and squirmed under his eyes but did nothing to stop him. "Please—it's—I need it! Rome!"

"I know, gorgeous," Rome lets his arms go and draped his whole body on Mok's back to leave a kiss on the side of his head. 

He knew not to let Mok go long without his body heat comforting the older, after all, Mok always hated the cold. Be it the weather or immense air-conditioning, Mok never really liked it. So, from time to time, he made sure to cage the older on his arms, just to make sure it wasn't too cold for comfort. 

And those whines, they always sound so cute. 

"Rome—"

"I know, I know." 

Rome held the other's hands on top of the bed and angled both their hips into a more comfortable position. But before he continued, he made sure to make his point. 

"I love you, Mok." And then he moved, but it felt incomplete. "Tell me Mok, I need to hear it."

Then he thrusted more until he felt the familiar burn on the back of his legs and the low of his stomach. Instead of an answer from the older, all he heard were their ragged breaths and skin slapping, even the bed creaking from time to time. 

"I—I love—I love you!"

Mok shouted as Rome pushed deeper when he felt his own release approaching. 

"My name, Mok, my name. Say it,"

"Rome. Rome. I'm clo—I love you! I'm close! I'm cl—Ahhhh!"

Rome bit his lip in attempt to stay quiet before plunging himself deep on Mok's inside. And sure, did it felt good. The older held him tight inside, not letting go, far from letting go. 

And the silence filled the room for a long time as the two of them stayed right where they are. 

But soon enough, when being inside was already uncomfortable enough, he pulled out slowly. 

"Hnghh.....R-Rome," Mok whined as he moved away slowly. 

"I'm sorry, gorgeous. Bear with me."

And then, again, nothing but silence. 

He let minutes pass by. Letting Mok rest by the bed, even wiping the sweat off his body so he won't catch a cold. But honestly, almost three years of not seeing Mok, it was hell in so many ways that he didn't expected. But seeing Mok here, in his bed, naked and breathing calmly as he try to restrain himself was another personal hell that was on the top of his list. 

So, he did his thing and started leaving kisses on the older's back. 

Until Mok was moaning again. 

Until Mok's hands were around his shoulders. 

And until the heat of their body can't deny the desire any longer. 

"Do you want more?" 

He asked, because despite how enticing and tempting Mok looked and sounded, it was always still his top priority to remain respectful and careful. 

"But we just finis—"

"That's not an answer to my question, do you want more?"

Mok looked at him with his clear eyes and nodded. Before he knew it, his hands were sliding on Mok's waist and turning him on the side. 

He reached for a packet of condom on the side table and ripped the foil by his teeth. 

"K-Khun Rome, we just finished, are you not tire—"

"No, I missed you too much to even think of getting tired. Ready?"

Hesitantly, the bodyguard nodded. And that was all the answer he was waiting for. He wore the condom and rubbed himself on the tight heat before pushing in slowly. 

"R-Rome! W-wai—ahhh."

"I'll go slow," 

Rome whispered as Mok gave in again, body softening and fingers digging on the skin of his shoulders. And in the four corners of the room, he guided the older into everything as if years of not being with each other never existed. 

---

WEDNESDAY (7:35 AM) — MOK

After the two past days blended too well he didn't noticed when Monday ended and Tuesday started, he woke up on the third day with an empty bed. Which was not he expected. 

At first, panic flared through him as the thoughts of Rome disappearing in the morning felt like the days of waking up alone in his own bed. 

But when he sat up, he smelled something. Something like food, but a little burnt. And something that definitely did not belong in the kitchens of the household he was in when Arseni's professional private chefs are the ones cooking. 

And so he padded his way through the suite where Rome and he were staying, only to see the younger cooking. 

As he rounded to the corner and found Rome standing in front of the stove, hair a little messy from sleep and sleeves rolled up at a minimum, Mok looked at the scene with a bit of confusion. 

"Khun Rome?"

Rome wasn't even shocked by his presence. "Hey, gorgeous, you're awake." 

"I am, yes. But also, at that rate, you're going to set this place on fire."

Rome lets out a huff and a laugh before turning around to smile at him; and if Mok's heart did some things, it was better to not think about it. His main mission at that moment was to keep the suite from burning. 

"You don't cook, Khun Rome." Mok reminded him. 

"For you, I can try. I came here prepared."

Then, Rome walked to him, and proceeded to guide him to the small kitchen table and chair to seat. Then, the heir placed a plate in front of him a minute later. To Mok's eyes, it could definitely be better. The egg's edge were a little burnt, it was uneven, a little overcooked on one side, and soft on the other. 

It was imperfect but the idea of the breakfast being made exclusively for him, it was already perfect. And Mok didn't had words to say.

He just stared at it.

"Try it," Rome said, watching him closely. 

He took a bite, along with the buttered bread on the side. It wasn't bad, and it wasn't great either. But the fact that it was Rome's effort, Rome's intention, Rome's hands, and Rome's hard work that did it for him. In the back of his mind, he could live with this forever. Definitely. 

He would love to wake up with this in the mornings.

"....It's good," Mok said. 

And then a grin met his face, Rome's grin to be exact. "Good, I'm going to cook again tomorrow."

Mok almost choked on the next bite, "Khun Rome, you don't have to—" Since when did the young masters cook for their bodyguards?

"I want to." Rome said and stood behind him now, one hand resting on his shoulders. "You take care of everyone, what's wrong with me taking care of you?"

Mok looked down at the plate and the glass of red juice on the side of his plate. It wasn't that he hated it, he loved—gosh—he loved this. But save for the fact that he was a bodyguard, the idea of losing this after a week, somehow, it just doesn't sit right with him. 

He didn't said anything after that anymore even if the thought lingered. Instead, he focused on his breakfast and the idea that he and Rome will be going out later.

And when they left that afternoon and went out, Mok walked slightly behind, a habit carved from years of being with Khun Thee. Every single time, Rome slowed beside him, adjusting his pace to match his. To walk side by side.

Not leading, or not even following him. Just beside him, existing. And it was disarming in every way he thought it to be. To add up to that, halfway through the walk, Mok caught the sight of his own reflection at the storefront window.

Broad shoulders, muscled physique, and face sharper than before. 

He looked away like it stung. 

But of course, Rome—Rome never missed it. 

Rome hardly missed anything. 

They stopped walking and Rome touched his hands before pointing at the same placed he just looked a second ago, "Look."

Rome didn't asked him to focus on anything though. He simply pointed at the glass where their reflections stood side by side as it stared right back at them. 

"That's my partner, that's the man I've been waiting to come home to, for years."

Mok felt his chest burn again. This time, he wasn't sure what he was feeling. Resistance? Fear? The instinct to run and pull away? He wasn't sure what it was but it was there.

When he looked at the reflection, he wasn't sure where to look at. To look at himself, to look at Rome whose thumb silently held the skin of his hand, or somewhere else. 

"You don't have to see what I'm seeing right now, Mok. All I want you to do is to stand here, beside me. That, alone, is enough for me."

And the younger never pushed in for more again.

Instead, at dinner, Rome insisted that Mok choose the food. And yes, he knew, it was a simple thing, but the words behind the action wasn't. It was far heavy than Mok wanted it to be, and Rome knows that he's aware of it. That's why when the food was served and they were in the middle of eating, he wasn't surprised when the younger randomly spoke about it.

"You always did your best to adjust to other people. Today, I want you to choose. Today's for you, Mok. This week is for you and no one else's."

He nodded. 

This time, little to no hesitation in line.

For once, he didn't argue, he didn't said anything back. Because if Rome wanted this night and the rest of the week to be for him, for them, then he will let it happen. 

He will let himself believe it, even if its only just for a week.

---

THURSDAY (11:28 AM) — ROME

The next day, Rome woke up earlier to leave Mok's breakfast beside the bed with a note on the side to go down after eating. Then, he left and made his way to the gym on the ground floor. 

He was pretty sure Mok was familiar to this place, this was his second home, the training place. But today wasn't about sparring, it wasn't about discipline or even tactics. 

Today was about Mok. 

It wasn't long before the said bodyguard stood a few feet away, rolling his shoulders in absent preparation. To Rome, it was familiar, old habits never die that easy. But it was quite funny, Mok didn't even know what they were doing here. Yet, but he was already stretching. 

Even then, to him, Mok looked beautiful like this. Unguarded and a little out of everything, probably still sleepy and tired.

Last night must have been too tiring, well, not the dinner. Something else. 

"Khun Rome, what are we doing here?"

Rome walked closer, "Turn around."

Mok blinked at him but complied. And Rome stepped close enough until the warmth of his breath was brushing at the older's nape. He then placed his hands on Mok's shoulders. 

"You're too tense," He said, but Mok stiffened more. He tried to calm the man down for a few minutes but nothing really worked and he didn't wanted to rush him, so, he resorted to a different way.

"Sit with me." 

He guided the two of them on the mat. Mok sat beside him with legs crossed with a straight back and perfect posture. And Rome followed the second after, kneeling behind him, specifically, knees bracketing Mok's hips and hands hovering on Mok's arms. 

"Mok, calm down."

A muscle twitched on the older's back and Rome ignored it. 

He slid his palms down Mok's arms, caring and slowly. "This—" He brushed an old scar on Mok's arms. "—is strength."

Mok swallowed and their eyes met on the mirror as he traced another. 

"And this....is courage."

His hands then swept to Mok's waist, fingers feeling the curve of it. 

"And here is the years of hard work, this is you. And I want every single bit of it, because it's real and it's you."

Then he walked and knelt in front of Mok. Rome, of course, remembered that kneeling was one thing he hated. He never knelt for anyone, but for Mok, always. 

"Mok, look at me."

He gripped the older's thighs tighter until their eyes were tied on each other's. And there, he saw it. The fear Mok tried so hard to hide. The fear that he was seeing someone different. The fear that all the changes were something that he would be thinking of when all those years, all he wanted was to have Mok in his arms. 

He needed those thoughts to go away. 

Rome reached up and brushed his thumb under Mok's eyes. 

"You think you're less than before, but all I see is a version of you that I am delighted to know more."

He brushed Mok's stray hairs away. 

"You carried burdens alone for years, you protected P'Kian for years in hopes of proving your worth, to stand beside me, but did you ever asked me what I thought of you even before you left home?"

He cupped Mok's face lightly before smiling. 

"You had nothing to prove to me or the family, Mok. You were already more than worth it to begin with."

Mok's eyes wavered.

"But you see, every change in you," Mok sighed deeply, as if preparing for what he was going to hear. "Every change that I saw ever since I came here is something that I admire."

Mok's lips wanted to say something but he looked like he wasn't confident enough to actually let something out. So, Rome leaned in and let their foreheads rest on each other's again before he continued speaking. 

"And that's because I love you exactly as you are."

A tear slipped free, sliding down Mok’s cheek before he could turn away. Rome caught it with his thumb, just as he had the night before. Then, he pulled the older into his arms. 

"You might not believe me right now because you spent too long believing what your brain wanted to, but that's okay. Because tomorrow, I'll give you another reason to believe me. And I will never get tired of doing so."

---

FRIDAY (8:54 AM) — MOK

On the fifth day, Friday, Mok woke up before Rome, which was already unusual on its own way. 

But he wasn't really all that surprised, after all, Rome did worked hard last night. He remembered staying on the bed very late and it was the younger who did all the work. At some point, he wondered where all the energy was coming from, turns out he exhausted himself too much. Hence, waking up late. 

However, it felt a little weird too.

Rome was always the first one to move, to reach for him, to make the morning feel less heavy as their week approaches to its end. But today, Mok blinked into the muted light and found Rome still asleep beside him, face buried in the pillow, one arm draped across his waist as if it has a throne there. 

Not that he was complaining. 

Although he lay very still and listened to nothing. And then looked, no. Stared at Rome's face. 

Rome’s cheek, soft with the slightest morning puffiness. His hair a mess. His lips parted, breaths stable and even, warm and comforting. The younger's arm heavy around his stomach, as though even in sleep, Rome refused to let go.Mok wanted to remember every single detail of the morning but the unfurling in his chest almost made it impossible. 

He had told himself for years that Rome was a part of a past he didn’t deserve to return to. That Rome deserved someone cleaner, brighter, not someone whose body carried the weight of a lifetime spent protecting others instead of himself.

But here, Rome held him like he was the safest thing in the world.

Like he was the one who needed protection and not the other way around. 

And so when Rome whispered something bare audible, Mok's body froze on the bed. 

"....Mok."

It wasn't really anything special. 

It was probably Rome dreaming about him. 

But the next word after that, that's what made it extremely special.

".....Hmmm....I love....yo...u.....gorgeous."

Mok bit his lips before closing his eyes and sighing deep. He brushed a hand through Rome’s hair, hesitant at first, then steadier when the younger's breath settled softly as if he felt it, even in sleep.

And that's when the realization hit him. 

Maybe, just maybe, maybe Rome wasn't really just trying to sweeten him up for the past few days to make up for the lost years together. 

Maybe Rome just loved him. 

Maybe he just had to believe that more. 

And somehow, that was more terrifying.

---

SATURDAY (2:15 PM) — ROME

Rome was in the kitchen at two of the afternoon when Mok walked in. 

"Mok, come here, give this a taste."

It wasn't supposed to be anything serious because he was just going to ask the older to taste his cooking but he saw that small flinch. It was barely there, or it might have been just his eyes fooling him but he knew better. He saw the movement of Mok's shoulders when they stood side to side. 

Mok even stood two steps before him, not close enough for Rome's liking

He set the pan down. 

"Come here, gorgeous."

Mok's eyes widened. "H-huh?"

"I said, come here, gorgeous."

And then Mok walked over slowly to him until they were both close enough to touch each other, but Rome didn't. He just looked at him in the eyes and the loose shirt that the older wore like an armor. Well, his shirt, from last night.

"Can you try this?" He asked. 

Mok nodded in affirmation, so, Rome took a spoonful and fed Mok. 

".....It's good." 

Then silence and the sizzling of the pan as Mok stood beside him and fiddled the edge of the shirt. Rome couldn't help but laugh. He put down the spatula and reached forward to fix the shirt's imaginary creases.

"You know, you don't have to shrink around me, Mok."

Mok stopped playing with his shirt. 

"You don't have to hide anything with me, most especially, in the comfort of our privacy and space. You don't have to feel lacking just because some things changed. At the end of the day, I want all of you, Mok. Not just the parts you think that are likeable."

Mok’s eyes dropped to the floor, and he lifted the older's face gently. There must be something else, so he asked. "Something's bothering you?" 

A beat. 

And then—

"....It's Saturday."

"Yes, I am aware."

".....It's Sunday tomorrow."

Oh. 

It's Sunday tomorrow and it's the last day of their week. Of course, Rome understood that. It's unfortunate that the week passed fast. But, even then, he liked to believe that it was well-spent.

Adorable. Mok was always this adorable. 

“Alright, look at me.”

Mok did. Rome smiled, soft but sure.

“I’m not disappearing, our week may be approaching its end. But we are not, okay? Let's make the best out of it.”

And that's when Mok finally stepped into his arms. He wrapped him up immediately, holding him like he was something precious—no—holding him because he was precious.

Because to Rome, he was.

---

SUNDAY (10:15 PM) — MOK

Tonight, the room just felt more different. 

They just walked out from the bathroom after taking a shower together. It was a much needed one after they ate out for dinner. But it just felt different tonight.

Not because the room was quiet after a tiring day but because the end of their week hung in the air like a countdown he doesn't want to end. 

Mok felt it in the way Rome moved. 

The younger may not have made it obvious because of his meltdown over lunch yesterday but he felt the change. Everything was slower, his actions, his words, his stares were longer, as if Rome was trying to memorize every second they had together. 

Even at dinner, they ate in a silence that may have looked weird for others. Rome kept glancing at him every bite, it wasn't because there was tension or anything, it was just....Rome was looking a lot. Like he was trying to map Mok’s face into memory. And he, himself, couldn’t decide whether it warmed him or broke him inside. 

When they slipped under the covers, the silence, thankfully, slipped away after he gained the courage to talk.

"Tomorrow....I thi—"

Rome pulled him closer until his back was pressed on the younger's body. 

"It's not a goodbye, never a goodbye. It doesn't have to be a goodbye," Rome said. 

"But it's still ending, our week." Mok replied. 

Rome rested his head on his shoulders before whispering, "Then let it be an ending we choose, gorgeous, not one that we have to fear."

And that, that made a lot of sense. 

Mok closed his eyes. 

He wanted to believe that, he desperately wanted to. Wanted to believe that even when he steps back into his life, into duty, into the version of himself that had no room for softness, Rome would still be here. That Rome would still be waiting at the same suite, same bed, and same room. 

But that was a wishful thinking. 

The both had responsibilities.

And those responsibilities were not something they could run from. 

“You’re quiet,” 

Mok nodded his head before smiling a bit, even if Rome can't see it. “It’s.....easier than saying what I’m thinking.”

“I want to hear it, if you want to tell me."

Mok turned. The younger man looked at him with that certainty that always left Mok both grounded and undone. Easily, not to mention.

"I don't want it to end, Rome. I don't want to wake up without you on my side again.....is that selfish of me?"

Surprisingly, the words left Mok's mouth before he could stop it. Because everything that was building up from the first day was finally being unleashed as the storm formed fuller inside of his head. But Rome only held his hands under the sheets. 

"It's not selfish, Mok. It's just honest."

"But you have.....the family and the, Arseni's yours, Rome. And I have....Khun Thee to take care of. You run your family's empire, and I....I guard your brother. We're not even in the same city most of the time, no, every time. You're always busy, and I'm always stationed. I don't want to drag you into something like this, someone like me, you—"

"You are not dragging me anywhere, and I most definitely would want someone like you, Mok. The day you came in our home with Mother, I walked into your life with my eyes open. And I'm not walking out soon."

"Rome—"

"Just because time and distance are not being kind to us doesn't mean we have to be the same to ourselves, Mok."

Mok felt his throat thickened. 

"I might be far. And there will be days I can’t show up on the screen of your phone the way I want to. But I’m not disappearing. I won’t let the distance feel like a punishment. I’ll be better. I’ll make sure the quiet days don’t feel so long for you, until we get to meet again."

"Rome—"

"You might wake lonely every morning or some of the days, but you won't have to wake up wondering if I still want you. I'll make sure of that."

Mok laughed and tried to push behind the tears pooling on his eyes. "You're saying everything like it's so....simple"

"It's not, I know," Rome said and pulled him until his head was on the younger's chest. "But loving you isn't hard. The rest? I can handle it. I've handled worse."

Mok, finally, lets out a real laugh this time. "You sound confident."

"And that's because I have a reason to be." 

"....A reason?"

"Yes. A reason," Rome whispered on the crown of his head. "I know what I want and I know who I want it with."

Instantly, Mok moved closer to Rome. Hugging the younger tighter, and pulling him closer. But that didn't stopped Rome from talking. 

"So don’t be afraid to want me close. Even when I’m not in the room. I’ll still be yours. I’ll still show up when I can. Maybe not every morning and not in the most conventional ways....but every time it matters."

Mok didn't say anything after that anymore. But he leaned up until their lips were on each other. The kiss was slow and warm, it wasn't like the other ones that they usually have. This one almost felt like Rome was sealing every fear he had ever carried and setting it down between them where it could no longer hurt as it did in the past. 

When they finally parted, Rome's thumb brushed the stray tear that escaped his eyes. 

“We’ll make this work,” Rome whispered, forehead pressed to his. “No matter how far I am. No matter how long it takes. We'll make this work. Do what you have to do, you don't have to worry about me, because I'll be waiting for you no matter how long it takes.”

And for the last time of that night, Mok believed Rome. 

Because this time it felt it. 

He felt the truth in Rome's steady hands, the love in his warmth, and the sincerity threaded through every words from his mouth. He felt it in the way Rome held him in the last seven days. He felt it in the words that the younger spoke to silence his demons down. 

So, when Rome pulled him into one last kiss that was meant to be remembered—Mok realized that this wasn’t the end of their week.

It was only the beginning of everything they had been waiting for.

And if the road ahead would be rocky and challenging, he wouldn't still be able to imagine choosing anything else to walk on. Because if its Rome’s hand  waiting at the end of it, then Mok couldn’t see a single reason to want it any other way.

Notes:

well, that was that. an attempt to write romemok as i wait patiently (impatiently) for saturday.

i hope you guys enjoy this, and if you have time, i would appreciate your feedbacks below and your kudos. lots of love <333

-inspired by the song 'Seven' by Jungkook

-angge (x: peachywritings)

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 3 of Song Inspired Fics