Chapter Text
I had to escape, the city was sticky and cruel
It was close to midnight on 8 August. The soon-to-be birthday boy was still slogging away at his government’s office. The entire floor devoid of humans and silent, except for the sounds of rustling papers and keyboard typing.
Singa sighed as he took a sip from his cup of lukewarm milo. The paperwork was grueling. It did not help that his bosses expected things to be done within an illogical deadline, dropping work bombs on him just a day before his birthday.
He could not catch a break.
“This crazy work culture has to be addressed sooner or later.” he muttered under his breath while typing away on his laptop.
“Work will always be there, but your health will not! Please take care of yourself, sayang. Take a break to rest.”
During stressful times like these, Mal’s reminder will ring true in his head, always accompanied by eyes directed at him, full of worry and concern.
I wish I could afford to rest like you, Abang. Sadly the expectations are very different over here.
Singa was shook out of his thoughts when his phone started chiming non-stop as the birthday well-wishes poured in after midnight. He smiled as he scrolled through the lovely messages from his SEA friends and close working partners like AusZea, Miss Taiwan, Mr HK. Even his former guardian Mr Kirkland wished him a splendid day with a reminder to call him once in a while.
However, one stood out among the rest (which also gave him a shock of his life) when he opened the pre-recorded video message of his boyfriend dressed in a ridiculous lion onesie, singing (more like screeching?) Happy Birthday at the top of his lungs. It was sang so off-key, Singa was thankful he was alone in his office so nobody else’s ears had to suffer along with his.
After the song came a minute-long intense declaration of his undying love for Singa, which had the island nation cringe-laughing at the cheesiness of it all.
“Sorry I can’t be there with you today but MY HEART IS WITH YOU wherever you go, because it has always been yours. Selamat Hari Jadi! I LOVE YOU FOREVER, SAYANG!!!” Mal declared in his usual dramatic fashion and ugly cried, before ending the video.
“Why is he always like this.” Singa mused fondly with an eyeroll. Only that romantic idiot of a boyfriend would simp this hard for him.
“I love you too, idiot Abang.” Singa replied to his phone screen, said idiot Abang on his screen holding a big heart pose with a teary expression.
As he stared at the screen, it hit him hard just how much he missed his boyfriend. Missed his warmth, his hugs, his kisses.
He wanted to drop everything to be with him on this special day.
Work was too overwhelming and stifling. He wanted to get away from here.
Wait a minute. He could?
Maybe I should have called you first
But I was dying to get to you
With new-found determination, Singa quickly changed out of his work uniform into a more comfortable oversized sweater and pants (he always kept civilian clothes in his office, some might belong to Mal who knows) before grabbing his car keys, hurrying out of the workplace.
Wait, what about work?
Screw work, that can wait but I can’t.
I need to see him. I need him.
“Business or Pleasure?” asked the causeway customs officer.
“Pleasure.” replied Singa. Oh so much pleasure.
“Enjoy your stay, Sir.”
I was dreaming while I drove
The long straight road ahead
Uh-huh, Yeah
This was his first time driving through the night. The highways were dark, with the occasional lamp illuminating his path.
His destination was his person. To hold him and to be held by him.
To lie in his arms and forget the world for a moment.
But of course, he did not want just his company, he also wanted
To be one with him.
Could taste your sweet kisses, your arms open wide
This fever for you was just burning me up inside
As he drove, his mind was only filled with images of his lover, the way he looked to the side, the light catching his sharp jawline, the glistening of his bare chest. He way his eyes bore into his, gaze full of lust and love, like a predator stalking his prey. His pressure of his lips on his, his sensual caresses, his member sliding into him- Singa felt his pulse quicken as he breathed deeply to calm himself down.
He cannot lose control now, he still had a few hours to go.
Eyes on the road.
I’m coming home, Abang.
What in this world keeps us from falling apart?
No matter where I go
I hear the beating of our one heart
He reminisced about the early stages of their renewed relationship. Not often do you get back with your ex after a nasty breakup. There were tons of miscommunication, tears and anguish but he was thankful they both wanted to make it work again.
Mal pursued him tirelessly until he finally gave in to his own feelings for the other. Since they got back together, his Abang has been showering him with many a romantic gesture, taking care of him at every opportunity and he has never felt so loved and appreciated all his life.
He could be himself around Mal without judgement. He did not have to put on any facade around him. Sometimes he felt like Mal knew him better than he knew himself.
I think about you when the night is cold and dark
Uh-huh, yeah
It was in busy and stressful times like these he missed his other half. Mal was always his biggest fan and cheerleader, the one to reassure him not to worry/take it easy “Everything will be okay because Abang is here for you!” While it may not be practical/helpful, it comforts him somewhat. Sometimes he envies Mal's outlook and carefree attitude.
He has pieces of Mal around his home and office (discreetly) to remind him, like the vase of hibiscus flowers at his work desk and their many photos together with the SEA gang, on display at his HDB flat.
No one can move me the way that you do
Nothing erases this feeling between me and you
He finally reached his destination. Opening the front door with the spare key given to him, he quietly made his way up the stairs to the bedroom.
Singa cooed at the adorable sight in front of him when he opened the bedroom door. Mal was asleep facing inward on one side of the bed, cuddling a bolster.
“Why don’t you sleep in the middle of the bed? Were you expecting me?”
Climbing on to his side of the bed quietly, he admired the handsome oyen’s sleeping face. He looked so peaceful.
Then he saw it. Mal was not hugging a bolster but a…giant merlion plushie?
Where did he get that plushie from? Singa has never seen it before, even during the previous times he stayed over. Was it new? I don’t remember releasing this as merch?!
Singa huffed as he pushed his petty jealousy for the inanimate object aside for now.
“Abang. I’m here.” Singa cooed softly, as he laid down on his side, gently prodding Mal’s shoulder. His hand soon cradled the side of his lover’s face, thumb stroking his cheek lovingly.
The sleeping oyen finally stirred, his eyes opening slowly before widening when he finally registered who was in front of him.
“Singa? Is that you? You’re here?!” Mal sat up with a start. “Wait! It’s your birthday! Don’t you have to attend the parade? Or any ceremony? Or--”
“You ask too many questions!” Singa retorted, shutting him up by swinging his leg across the confused Tiger’s lap, straddling him. Mal’s hands automatically held on to Singa’s small waist.
“And what’s this?” He asked, pointing to the merlion which rolled off to the side. “Am I being replaced?” Singa huffed in annoyance.
“Wait, what? No!! Sayang! Never!” Mal panicked a little at being found out. “I only take it out on nights you are not here. Helps me sleep better.” He confessed sheepishly.
“It will never compare to the real thing though.” Mal smiled softly, looking up at the real thing.
“I...” Singa started, looking off to the side as he bit his lip, a tinge embarrassed but happy to hear those words.
“I saw your birthday message.” He paused for a few seconds before continuing “And I drove through the night just to see you.”
He peeked at Mal’s face whose eyes went so wide, he thought the eyeballs would pop out of their sockets.
“Sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming.” Singa blushed, suddenly feeling self-conscious, his gaze now focused on Mal’s chest while mindlessly running his hands over his Abang’s broad shoulders.
“I couldn’t wait. I just...I just wanted to be with you. To spend this special day together.” He finally looked at Mal’s face, whose eyes soften into a fond look, only reserved for him. His heart skipped a beat.
“You do know that this day also marks one of my greatest regrets right?” Mal said quietly, gaze never moving from Singa’s face. His hand moved up to Singa’s cheek, caressing it lovingly.
“Abang, we have been over this.” Singa sighed softly, closing his eyes and leaning into his lover’s gentle touch. He felt a pang of guilt as he remembered what the same day meant to Mal.
“No, it’s not that.” Amusement lining Mal’s voice. “I was just wondering….” He said, sitting up straighter, tightening his hold on Singa’s waist.
“What is my sexy ex-husband doing on my bed, in the middle of the night. Looking this tasty….hmmm?”
Here, Singa thought he was being bold. But as usual, his boyfriend beat him to it.
Mal’s eyes darkened significantly, smirking up at his little lion, tiger fang peeking out the corner of his mouth.
“Abang...ah!” Singa gasped when Mal suddenly pulled him closer by his waist, their chests touching.
“I am sure you didn’t come all the way here just for cuddles ya?...” Mal teased, their lips just an inch away, his breath splaying on Singa’s lips.
“S,s,so what are you going to do about it?” Singa blurted out, caught off guard at their sudden close proximity. Blood rushing to his face and to other parts further south. “Are you going to give me what I came here for?”
“And what is it that you want…Sayang?” Mal asked, his voice low, velvety smooth, hands caressing Singa’s thighs on either side of his legs.
Singa finally broke the tension by crashing their lips together, both groaning at the delicious contact after missing it for so long. The kiss started out desperate but slowly morphed into a familiar pace, moving in sync, tongues slipping in and out of their mouths.
Mal broke their kiss and mouthed along Singa's jaw. The other impatiently whined, tugging at the hem of his Abang’s sleep singlet, wanting it to be off as soon as possible. Mal got the hint and took it off, before their lips reconnected again.
Mal’s hands slipped under Singa’s sweater, feeling up the smooth skin of his sides and back before pulling the sweater off his lover as well.
Singa’s back hit the bed as Mal flipped them over, Mal’s body hovering above his.
“Tell me what you want, Sayang.” Mal said, looking down at his lover under him, taking Singa’s hand and kissing the inside of his wrist and palm.
Looking up with what could be described as alluring, full of his desire, Singa reached up and held on to Mal’s neck tightly, letting his breath fan across the other's lips.
“You.” Singa breathed out, chest heaving. He could not wait any longer. They needed to be one.
"Come inside me, Abang.”
I taste your sweet kisses, your arms open wide
This fever for you was just burning me up inside