#changbin reader insert

“Yeah, I am,” he exhaled gradually, glancing back at the knots in his hands, “totally ok.”

Your eyebrows creased in concern, but you couldn’t really hide your amusement. “How did all of that happen?”

“I guess the person who left it in the attic last didn’t take much care with these lights,” he remarked, picking at a particularly tight knot.

You giggled softly. “Well, do you need any help?”

“No!” he cried, just a bit too quickly. He lost the urgency as he continued, “No, it’s ok. I’ve got this. Is the tea ready?”

You hummed as a yes. “Do you want it now? It’s still a bit too hot for your taste I’d say but...”

“Yes please.”

Nodding, you slipped away from the chair and headed back to the kitchen. As you went, he called after you, “Oh, babe?”

“Yeah?” You popped your head back round the door frame.

“Do you mind fetching the other boxes of decorations from the attic? I think they’re right at the back though.”

“Sure, don’t see why not.”

Bringing him his tea, you rested it on the windowsill above where he was sat. “Don’t get scared!” he teased as you passed back.

You shot him a grin. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t. Wouldn’t want to entertain you that much.” 

He scoffed at that, as you went up the stairs. Taking each step as slowly as you could, you kept your eyes on him until the last second, watching him as he tentatively reached up to take the mug into his hand. As he whispered an ‘ouchie’ when the hot liquid met his tongue, you couldn’t help but snort, “Told you so.” Though you immediately bounded up the rest of the staircase so he couldn’t retort back.

.

.

As you brought the boxes down into the living room, you were confronted with Changbin at a different stage in his decoration process each time.

Untangling the lights. Picking up pine needles that had molted from their branches. Beginning to wrap the christmas lights round the tree. Catching the tree as it fell because he pulled the lights round a little too hard.

As you placed the last box on the sofa, you found him with his arms stretched, pivoted on one foot and waving his spread fingers, engaged in an epic battle with the fir.  He was trying to wrap the lights around the topmost rung of the christmas tree. Though, his short stature, which was rarely a problem, had reared its head as a nuisance in this avenue. 

It wasn’t always easy being taller than your boyfriend. But it was times like these where your extra height became a very handy bonus.

“Bin, let me do this part,” you asserted gently, taking the final line of red and gold from his hands. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

His lips parted to protest but being confronted with you effortlessly swinging the lights and securing them at the back first try really didn’t aid any proposed arguments. “Thanks love,” he sighed, finding relief in that it was done.

“It’s no problem, I’m just glad my height can be nice, even if it is only rarely,” you admitted, returning to the decoration boxes and shifting their lids off to the side.

Changbin’s eyes softened as he noticed the tone in your voice. 

That subject had some up many times in conversation, and he was well aware how uncomfortable you were about it sometimes. He wished the world didn’t have to be so cruel: as he always said, it wasn’t your fault, nor was it his—even if he sometimes joked that it was—and that it was only because others had decided their narrative. And just because the two of you didn’t fit that narrative, didn’t mean you were wrong, or had to shy away.

He just wished you didn’t have to take the brunt of it.

He enjoyed the difference though, as deep down he enjoyed being coddled and kept warm and safe with someone bigger. And so what, it was personality that mattered anymore anyway—the way that you gave him inspiration by literally doing so little, the way you teased him and offered him advice, the way you picked him up when he was down. Just because you could also do that literally didn’t mean you were any less. In fact, to him, it made you ten times better.

He wished he knew how to convey that to you.

“Love, your height is more useful than you could ever imagine,” he managed, coming behind you and leaning against your back, arms snaking round your waist. “And I know you don’t see it yet, but just remember that I would be screwed if I didn’t have you here with me. Because you help me reach new heights all the time. Physical and metaphorical.”

You chuckled, twisting your body and shifting his weight so he was now on your front, and you could hold in him return. You revelled in his warmth, something you never understood—how could such a small ball be so warm?—and took in the sight of a contented Changbin, his whole body relaxed, and eyes closed.

You took the opportunity as you saw it, retrieving a finger and booping his nose, which startled him, eyes flicking open. “Hm? What?”

You exhaled blissfully, rubbing shapes on his shoulder as they came into your head, trying to recall what you had aimed to say. “I... yes, do you want to start with the decorations now?”

He shook his head dozily against your chest. It seemed your presence was almost too comforting for him to keep awake.

Pressing your lips gently to his forehead, you tried to usher some energy into his suddenly sleepy state, while also relishing in the hum that it garnered from him.

“Will I get more kisses if I get the tree done now?” he mumbled, eyes slowly opening, blinking to chase away some tiredness as best he could.

You nodded firmly. “Of course, Binnie!”

“Well, then,” he managed to shrug himself off from you, stretching his back as he went, “we’d definitely better get started as soon as possible then.”

You couldn’t help but laugh softly at that. “Sure thing, Bin. Let’s go.” 

~~~

AN: Welp, I hope this isn’t shockingly bad. I wrote it while a bit tired tho so idk skskks