Cohen Phillips pushed Baldur Morgan's hand away.
After this bout of activity, his body really couldn't take much more.
"I want to sleep."
"Sleep then."
Baldur Morgan held him close and kissed his forehead.
"I'll stay with you."
"Mhm."
He found a comfortable position in Baldur Morgan's arms, closed his eyes, and soon his breathing evened out.
Once sure Cohen was deeply asleep, Baldur Morgan quietly got out of bed and went downstairs.
Last night, busy with... 'proper matters', he'd completely forgotten about the New Year's gift.
"Young Master."
Kewa Morgan was holding a shopping basket, ready to go out.
"I'm going to buy some ingredients to make more soup for Young Master Cohen tonight."
Baldur Morgan nodded.
"Understood."
"Your driver brought in your box just now. There, on the living room carpet."
He walked over, looked at the large, flat box on the floor, and found a pair of scissors.
Kewa Morgan was curious and leaned closer.
"Such a large, flat box. What is it?"
He carefully cut the tape, a hint of barely perceptible pride in his voice.
"Cohen's New Year's gift for me."
"Wow."
Kewa Morgan marveled as he pulled out a half-length portrait.
"Did Young Master Cohen paint this? It's exactly like you!"
Baldur Morgan couldn't help but smile, utterly enchanted by it.
"He's very skilled at painting."
"So Young Master Cohen is a great painter!"
"Mhm."
"And where are you planning to hang it?"
"I won't hang it. I'll keep it safe."
"Hahaha, Young Master Cohen is really talented."
Kewa Morgan praised cheerfully, then hesitated.
"Young Master... are the two of you together now? Last time I went back, I mentioned it to Old Mr. Morgan..."
The joy between Baldur Morgan's brows faded slightly.
"We are together. I told him."
"Mhm... Will Old Mr. Morgan accept it? And Madam..."
"This is my own business."
He interrupted in a low voice.
Kewa Morgan hurriedly stopped herself.
"I spoke out of turn. I'll leave you to it. I'm off to do the shopping..."
Baldur Morgan took the painting back to his study to store it properly, then returned to the bedroom.
Seeing the slightly raised blanket, the faint chill in his eyes dissipated.
He lay back down, and Cohen Phillips rolled into his arms, his face flushed from sleep, still unconscious, subconsciously seeking closeness.
Baldur Morgan held Cohen Phillips tightly, lowered his head, and kissed the lips he had already kissed until they were slightly swollen.
"Mmm..."
Cohen Phillips frowned and let out a small whimper.
Baldur closed his eyes and restrained himself.
"Sleep. I won't bother you."
"Mhm..."
He slept until evening.
When Cohen Phillips opened his eyes and moved his limbs, he felt his body and spirit had recovered quite well.
He pried the large hand off his waist and crawled out of the warm embrace.
Just as he reached to turn on the bedside lamp, he was dragged back under the covers.
Baldur Morgan, who had had a very comfortable nap, lazily nuzzled his nose, his voice low and enticing.
"Baby... does your back still hurt?"
Cohen Phillips grabbed his arm.
"No, it doesn't. Don't you dare act like a ruffian!"
Baldur feigned innocence.
"I'm just concerned about you. Where's the ruffian behavior?"
Cohen Phillips cocooned himself in the blanket and glared at him.
"Beast!"
A smile touched Baldur Morgan's lips.
He flipped over, trapping Cohen Phillips, blanket and all, beneath him.
He pinched his chin and kissed him.
"Mmph!"
Cohen Phillips had trapped his own hands and feet.
His beautiful eyes glared until soon they were tearful and blurry from the kiss.
Baldur Morgan pulled back slightly, touched his face, and unwrapped him from the blanket, holding him.
"Hungry? Wash your face. Let's go down for dinner. Are you staying tonight?"
"I'm not staying."
The words tumbled out of Cohen Phillips's mouth.
Not wanting to appear too timid, he added softly, "I need to work on my draft..."
Baldur Morgan carried him into the bathroom, used a warm towel to wipe his face until it was rosy, and couldn't resist pinching his cheek.
"Scared?"
He buried his face in Baldur Morgan's chest, continuing to be stubborn.
"I need to work on the draft. Otherwise, I won't finish it."
"Alright. I'll take you back after dinner."
"Mhm..."
Hand in hand, they went downstairs.
Kewa Morgan, who had dinner ready, took the dishes out of the warmer.
"Young Master, Young Master Cohen, dinner is served."
As soon as Cohen Phillips sat down, a bowl of soup emitting a medicinal aroma was placed in front of him.
Kewa Morgan smiled kindly.
"This is a traditional Chinese medicinal soup I made specially for you. It nourishes the blood. The taste is a bit strong; see if you can get used to it."
"Thank you."
Cohen Phillips's eyes curved.
"We also have a dietary therapist at home. I drink this kind of soup often."
"Is that so? Then you should be able to drink it. It's good to nourish yourself. You two eat up..."
Beside him, Baldur Morgan watched Cohen Phillips drink the bowl of soup that didn't look very appetizing without changing his expression.
He leaned over, held his wrist, and took a sip from his spoon.
He frowned.
The medicinal taste was too strong.
Cohen Phillips smiled and tilted his head.
"Want me to get you a bowl too?"
He pressed his lips together.
"Next time, tell her to make a tastier one."
"It's quite good."
Accustomed to the taste of traditional medicine, Cohen Phillips found it quite nice and could probably have another bowl later.
Baldur Morgan took note.
His baby needed to be nourished better, and he'd find a way.
After dinner, sitting on the living room sofa to let the meal settle, Cohen Phillips remembered to ask, "Is the painting I gave you still in the car?"
Baldur Morgan played with his palm.
"I put it away this afternoon."
"Did you open it? Do you like it?"
"I like it."
Baldur Morgan kissed the back of his hand.
"I like the painting, and I like the you who gave me the painting."
A bright smile filled his sparkling eyes.
He knelt up, cupped Baldur Morgan's face, and pressed against his thin lips, happily rubbing his nose against Baldur's.
"I really like you so much too."
Baldur Morgan steadied his waist.
"Then another kiss."
Cohen Phillips gave another firm kiss, a loud mwah sound, then wrapped his arms around Baldur Morgan's neck, swaying slightly from side to side.
"Baldur Morgan, I like you. I really, really do."