Work Text:
Dongsik
"Are you really alright?" Dongsik pressed his right hand onto his lover's forehead.
Hmm, not warm.
"I already told you." Inwoo gave a smirk in return as he took Dongsik's hand and placed it onto his chest. He then leaned down to kiss Dongsik on the lips.
It was a quick peck but still had Dongsik flustered to the point that his he became a mumbling mess. Inwoo let out a low chuckle.
"You- Stop thinking you can get away with anything by kissing me!" Dongsik finally managed to let out and he stepped backwards a little. Inwoo raised his eyebrow, "Is that an opening for a challenge?" His hands grasped Dongsik's hair and he began moving a few strands away from his face.
"Fluffy."
Dongsik huffed in return but made no move to step away again. Once Inwoo was done playing with Dongsik's hair, he walked over to the kitchen table to grab his keys.
"Okay, fine, I'll let you go just this once." Dongsik said as he went over to Inwoo and hugged him from behind. "But feel anything odd and you call me, okay?" It was muffled due to Dongsik leaning onto Inwoo but the other understood it nevertheless.
"Yes, I will." Inwoo turned around and placed a kiss on Dongsik's head.
Both of them knew that they wanted to stay in that position longer than needed. But Inwoo has an early appointment today and contrary to their plan, didn't wake Dongsik up for him to drive to work together. (Dropping off Dongsik at a nearby bus station to not make their relationship obvious)
Inwoo reasoned that Dongsik's resting face was too peaceful to wake up. Dongsik gave him an annoyed yet amused look.
Back to the present, Dongsik was the one to first let go. Inwoo already longed to be in the other's touch but of course he showed no visible sign of that.
One final peck and Inwoo was out the door.
---
"Inwoo!" Dongsik exclaimed as he ran over to Inwoo's desk and managed to catch him before the other fell onto the ground.
Damnit, I knew I should have been more insistent.
Dongsik saw that even though Inwoo was having trouble standing, there was still strength that made him able to support himself, even just a little bit.
"I can drive you back to your apartment. You're able to stand, right?" Inwoo gave an almost nonexistent nod. "Okay, sit down here and wait for me. I'll have the car prepared."
Dongsik helped Inwoo walk over to the sofa in the office and let him be positioned in a comfortable position. His body was so warm.
"No, already... had car p-prepared." Inwoo's voice was hoarse and pained. Dongsik flinched and once again berated himself for not insisting that Inwoo take the day off.
No, now's not that time for that.
"Okay, let's get you home then." Dongsik went outside and told Inwoo's secretary of her boss' condition. She seemed concerned and was about to call for a doctor and other staff so that he may be transferred to a hospital.
"It's not to that point. And In-," He bit his lip. "D-Director Seo would much prefer to be treated at home rather than a hospital. I doubt his father would be pleased to see him in this condition anyways."
Secretary Jo regarded him for a moment and seemed to hesitate when he heard Inwoo's voice,
"It's okay. He'll take me home. We have other unfinished business to attend to anyways." Dongsik immediately ran up to his side to support him. He had wanted to scold him for not following what he said but bit his tongue back.
Secretary Jo answered in an affirmative and let them know that there was already a path that has been made for the director to go to his vehicle without much fuss.
---
The ride was quiet. Dongsik checking up on Inwoo every now and then through the rearview mirror.
Inwoo was asleep leaning onto the leather cover of the car. His eyebrows frowned a little then relaxed again.
Dongsik sighed. He knew he should've convinced him more.
"Stop thinking so much, I can hear you all the way from here." He heard Inwoo mutter. If it weren't just the two of them in the car, Dongsik would've barely perceived the voice as Inwoo's.
"Just rest for now, don't push yourself. We're almost there."
---
Dongsik supported Inwoo as they walked towards his bed. He felt his arm starting to hurt but he didn't mind. Inwoo was ill, that was the priority here.
He gently guided Inwoo to his bed and laid him down, remembering to give some support to the other's back. Aside from the tense position Inwoo had for the rest of the ride, he also heard sniffles from him, he must be having trouble breathing.
"Lay down here for a bit. I'm going to draw you a warm bath." Dongsik hurriedly went to the bathroom and did the necessary preparations. He wanted to act quickly so that Inwoo's condition wouldn't further worsen.
He put his hand in the tub to feel the warmth and once satisfied, he nodded and went back to the bedroom. Inwoo was watching him with droopy eyes.
"I know you're tired but I promise you'll feel much better after a bath." Dongsik gave a small smile. Inwoo looked so fragile and pale right now, it was as if he would disappear. He felt his heart strain.
"I'll take off your clothes," Inwoo let out an amused chuckle at that and was about to say something when Dongsik interrupted him,
"No, this is not the time." Dongsik had a neutral gaze, he wanted to not show off much concern nor annoyance right now.
His feelings should be kept aside for now and any other distractions at that. He was in the middle of removing Inwoo's tie when he saw Inwoo was about to say something, something inaproppriate again he was sure.
"Nope, don't talk. Your voice is already mucb worse than I though. Rest your voice." When he saw Inwoo's unamused face, he sighed and continued with the rest of the clothing.
"Please."
Inwoo seemed to quiet at that and let the other do the actions. Dongsik guided his lover to the bathroom and helped him go into the tub.
"I can do this myself." Inwoo muttered and grabbed Dongsik's hand when he began to wash him.
So stubborn...
Dongsik stood up and gave a look around when his eyes set on a rubber duck (a gift he gave Inwoo back in December) that was placed on the corner of the tub. It was so out of place but also so perfect.
"If you need any help or you're struggling, squeeze this duck, alright?" Dongsik leaned and squatted down so that he would be at eye level with Inwoo. Inwoo let out a small huff before taking the duck from his hand. Satisfied, Dongsik let him be.
He left the bathroom door open on purpose for it to be easier to hear the rubber duck noises if ever. He walked over to Inwoo's bed and took the soiled clothes and placed them on the laundry basket by the bathroom door.
He sneaked a glance on Inwoo who was now slowly washing himself.
Once again focused on the task at hand, he went into the kitchen and gathered the items necessary. He was already familiar with the area, it being his home every other day.
After a few minutes or so, he finally had the soup prepared and ready to go. He went into the bedroom to place it and some medication for the fever on Inwoo's bedside table.
He also took the container with water and a towel from Inwoo's closet to be used to cool him down.
Once it was all set, he grabbed the clothing he prepared as the soup was cooking and went inside the bathroom in which Inwoo was now watching the rubber duck glide along water.
Dongsik resisted the urge to take a photo.
"Are you finished?" Inwoo nodded, his eyes drooping more by the second. Dongsik helped him up and took Inwoo's towel from the rack beside the tub. Inwoo grabbed the towel from his hand and gave Dongsik a unamused look that could be translated as :
"I can do this myself."
Inwoo began sloppily drying himself. Dongsik sighed and grabbed Inwoo's face, "Let me help you. Please."
An expression of hesitance flashed across Inwoo's face and before the other could be stubborn and resist again, Dongsik took the towel from him and began to dry him.
---
After a long series of Inwoo's stubborness and resistance, Dongsik finally managed to let Inwoo sleep and rest. He glanced at the soup on the bedside table, it wasn't finished all the way but at least he managed to it a little. The medication was already taken and Dongsik was sure Inwoo would be fast asleep for some time.
He placed the cool towel on Inwoo and was about to take the used plates to the kitchen when Inwoo grabbed a hold of his coat. Dongsik tried not to wince with how weak the hold was.
"M-Mom.." he heard Inwoo whisper. Dongsik felt his chest tighten. Inwoo's chest was heaving up and down and there was a frown starting to form on his face. Seeing Inwoo like this, so vulnerable and pained was a drastic change with the usual demeanor he had.
Dongsik sat back down, now directly beside Inwoo. He slowly caressed the other's face and he felt Inwoo lean in to the touch.
Dongsik didn't know how long he was there beside Inwoo assuring him and comforting him when the other's condition would worsen. Finally, the frown went out fully and his breathing evened.
Dongsik brushed some hair off of Inwoo's face and kissed the top of his head gently as not to wake up the other.
---
Inwoo
Inwoo felt something cold on his forehead. He also sensed a soothing scent in the air, most likely the incense Dongsik had bought him the previous week for no appparent reason. Just wanted to 'give a gift'.
From his ability to remember if not all, most things that occur (whether he was in a good state or not), he tracked down the events which ultimately led him here.
He slowly opened his eyes, wincing a little when he felt little droplets from the cold towel on his forehead slide on the side of his face.
He carefully moved his body and made it into a sitting position. He noted that the annoying headache he had earlier late morning was now gone.
He also felt a little lighter.
He felt... better, much better.
He noticed that his bedroom was unusually dark, if not for the slightly shifted curtains to let some light from the outside in. It was apparently night.
Once his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Inwoo finally saw him. Dongsik was laying on the sofa that was near his bed.
The sofa that was there is where he would sometimes work or read. Dongsik was curled upon himself and his expression was serene and calm.
Why didn't you just lay beside me?
Inwoo, slowly and carefully, tried to get off the bed while trying not to wake Dongsik up. One second in and he failed, Dongsik suddenly sat up straight and eyes shot open.
He scurried near Inwoo and opened the tiny desklamp on the bedside table. Both their eyes adjusted to the sudden light.
"You're awake," Inwoo saw the tired yet relieved expression on his lover's face. He mentally scolded himself for letting this get too far. "Yes, and as you can see much better than before." Inwoo stood up but was then held back down by Dongsik.
"No, no." Dongsik said with a stern tone. Inwoo recalled this happening a few times before but the visuals of those memories were a little hazy.
"We've gotta make sure you're fully recovered so stay in bed, Director. I'll be the one to be up and about." Dongsik guided Inwoo back to lay down but Inwoo resisted. He grabbed Dongsik's hands and most likely, due to him actually being fully concious this time, surprised Dongsik of the sudden strength.
"I've already recovered, thanks to you. You're the one who needs rest." Inwoo looked up at Dongsik and his eyes filled with a little concern.
Dongsik, ignoring the other's statement, put his hand on Inwoo's forehead. It wasn't that warm anymore. He sighed in relief.
"Your fever's almost gone but you should still rest a bit more." Dongsik let his hands rest on his sides. Inwoo let out a low chuckle and nudged his head to his bedside table where a clock was placed, "I've been resting for the past 9 hours."
Dongsik turned to look at it. He was right, it was already 11 pm. "It's that late, already?"
Dongsik let out a huff. Inwoo chuckled again. "You probably haven't eaten, have you?"
"Wrong. I have. I ate the leftovers we had after you began to drift off." Dongsik gave him a smirk.
"And I also cleaned myself up, I'm capable of taking care of myself, unlike others." Inwoo avoided his gaze and cleared his throat.
Dongsik's smirk faded instanly and suddenly he was beside Inwoo checking up on him. "Does you throat hurt? Wait a second, I'll refill the tea and get you-"
Before Dongsik could stand up, Inwoo grabbed him and directed the both of them to the bed. He took the covers, turned off the night lamp, and patted Dongsik's chest in even beats.
"Rest."
Although Inwoo couldn't see him fully yet, his eyes were still adjusting to the darkness once more, he felt Dongsik move and finally stopped when he found a comfortable position.
That position being his left arm wrapped around Inwoo's body, with his head leaning on Inwoo's chest.
"I was worried you know." Dongsik muttered. Inwoo hummed and played with Dongsik's hair.
So soft
"And I'm okay now, so rest." Inwoo told him again but with a firmer tone. For a few seconds in the silence, he thought Dongsik might resist once more but then he felt soft snores from his lover.
"Goodnight, Dongsik."
(bonus)
Inwoo leaned his back on the kitchen counter and listened to his secretary's report. Fortunately, his fever had chosen to appear before the weekend so there wasn't as much work to do. However, he still needs to be diligent and disciplined. Mistakes are not to be tolerated.
When Secretary Jo finished with her report, Inwoo put his coffee cup on the kitchen counter and said to her, "Schedule a monthly check-up with my personal doctor again. I've been too careless with my health."
Careless to the point that Dongsik had to tire himself out to take care of him.
"Yes Director Seo. Is there anything else I should take note of?"
"None."
And with that, they ended the call. Inwoo, still in his nightwear, went back into his bedroom where Dongsik was still sound asleep.
He checked the time, it was a little past 6 am.
Still early
Inwoo walked towards the bed and laid himself comfortably beside Dongsik who was now showing remnants of conciousness. Inwoo hushed him which made Dongsik fall back to sleep easily.
They laid in bed together for who knows how long but Inwoo loved every moment of it.