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At first, Kim Rok Soo says he's fine and that it'll pass eventually. Even before the cataclysm, he was used to pushing through the pain. He had made the mistake of mentioning it to his uncle once and only got a beating for it, so he learned to shut his mouth and suck it up.
The indifferent manner in which Kim Rok Soo brushes it off is a little worrying, and both Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo quickly figure out how Kim Rok Soo usually deals with the headaches.
(He doesn't. They don't like that.)
"You're supposed to tell us these things, Rok Soo," Lee Soo Hyuk chides exasperatedly as Choi Jung Soo leads Kim Rok Soo by the wrist to the couch.
Kim Rok Soo doesn't look at Lee Soo Hyuk, instead using his other hand to wipe the sweat off his face with the towel Lee Soo Hyuk gave him.
"Yeah, well. 'These things' are normal, it's nothing I can't handle. You've already seen me heat up like this, what's the difference?"
Choi Jung Soo huffs and snorts. "It's normal, he says! Aigoo, you really... we didn't even know headaches came with your overheating!"
"You were strained enough today that we actually noticed your head was hurting," Lee Soo Hyuk is smiling brightly, his voice is calm, but there's that cool edge present that Kim Rok Soo knows can be even more dangerous if he says the wrong thing. "Now what does that say about you, hm? Rok Soo?"
It sends a shiver down his spine, getting a chuckle out of Lee Soo Hyuk. Lee Soo Hyuk merely gives him a pat on the back.
Kim Rok Soo finds that he doesn't have the words to reply back to Lee Soo Hyuk or Choi Jung Soo.
Because what can he say? What can he possibly answer to these people worried about him over something he has long grown used to ignoring? How long has it been since such concern was directed at him?
He feels a lump form in his throat and just barely manages to squash down the complicated feelings rising, lest he ends up doing something embarrassing. Choi Jung Soo would never let him live it down.
Said complicated feelings are set aside into a little compartment somewhere in his mind. Maybe... maybe later, when he is alone, he'll allow himself to revisit these feelings and stew in it, to relish in the warm truths that will come out of it.
(Oh, god. Kim Rok Soo has people he considers precious, and these people consider him precious too.)
But that's for later. At the moment, he is with Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo, who care for him (later, you fool, later), so he supposes he'll let them do what they will with him.
Kim Rok Soo is snapped out of his thoughts when he feels himself being pushed down on the shoulder and plopped onto the couch. A surprised "Oomph" escapes him from how sudden it is, which Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo take as a sign of him being quite out of it.
Lee Soo Hyuk sighs while Choi Jung Soo takes a seat beside Kim Rok Soo, dramatically crying out, "See? See?! You're destroying yourself! Oh, what will I do if you dieeeeee? You—"
"Shut it, Jung Soo, you're making it worse," Kim Rok Soo snaps without any real heat, but Choi Jung Soo grins and ceases his theatrics.
Choi Jung Soo then scoots a bit farther from Kim Rok Soo, brings his feet up, sits cross-legged, grabs a throw pillow, places it on his thighs, and pats the pillow expectantly.
Grinning wider, Choi Jung Soo beckons, "Come, come! I'm offering you my services, don't you think it will help? My hands do magic, I'm telling you."
Kim Rok Soo raises his eyebrow skeptically, but honestly he really wouldn't mind getting a massage from Choi Jung Soo at this point. His head was killing him.
Lee Soo Hyuk could probably tell too. He ruffles Kim Rok Soo's hair lightly, careful not to move his head and says, "Rest, Rok Soo. you did well today, but don't make overdoing it a habit."
Lee Soo Hyuk gives Choi Jung Soo a nod, an unsaid "I'm leaving him to you," to which Choi Jung Soo smiles and nods back.
"I've got him, hyung. Now go do things team leaders do," Choi Jung Soo shoos Lee Soo Hyuk away and when he's gone, pats the pillow once more. "As for you! C'mon, hurry up, I know you want it."
Kim Rok Soo does, so he lies down without a word and sets his head on the pillow.
Kim Rok Soo closes his eyes, letting out a relieved breath, but receives an ear flick from Choi Jung Soo.
His eyes open, face scrunching up in annoyance. "The hell?"
"What are you sighing like that for? You act like all your problems are solved when I haven't even started!"
Kim Rok Soo stares up at Choi Jung Soo's upside down face and deadpans, "Maybe I don't need your services."
Choi Jung Soo smirks. "Oh, really?"
Kim Rok Soo regrets it immediately and wisely decides to close his eyes again and keep quiet.
Choi Jung Soo laughs and brings his fingers to Kim Rok Soo's throbbing temples. As he begins to rub firmly in small circular motions, the both of them settle into a comfortable silence.
A soft, quiet groan leaves Kim Rok Soo's lips, the rest of his body gradually loosening with every soothing press.
From his temples, then moving along his hairline, to his scalp, to his forehead. Choi Jung Soo expertly massages Kim Rok Soo's head, and Kim Rok Soo idly thinks that Choi Jung Soo could have been a massage therapist.
When Choi Jung Soo presses his thumbs between Kim Rok Soo's eyebrows, Kim Rok Soo mumbles, "How're you so good at this?"
Kim Rok Soo's eyes remain closed, but Choi Jung Soo's voice is enough for Kim Rok Soo to imagine the softening of his eyes and the little smile on his face.
Fondly, Choi Jung Soo answers, "I had a brother who often had migraines. Whenever they came up, I'd have him lie on my lap to give him massages."
The idea of having to sit on his knees for so long almost makes Kim Rok Soo cringe. The pins and needles, the numb sensation afterward...
"...So uncomfortable."
"You get used to it, it's not that bad." Choi Jung Soo says simply.
Kim Rok Soo is too lazy to, but he wants to glare at Choi Jung Soo. That's exactly what he did! Get used to it!
Before he opens his mouth however, Choi Jung Soo already speaks, scolding, "Oh no, you don't! You can't compare this and that, you punk."
Kim Rok Soo rolls his eyes behind his eyelids.
The shape of Choi Jung Soo's mouth reverts back to his childish grin. "Hehe, admit it though—it feels good, right? I'm amazing, aren't I?"
A beat.
"...It's alright."
One hand leaves Kim Rok Soo's forehead for Choi Jung Soo to flick his ear a second time. "Tsk, you're too stingy with your words!"
Kim Rok Soo ignores him, choosing to focus on Choi Jung Soo's definitely amazing, 5-star rating massage service. The heat in Choi Jung Soo's fingertips seeps all the way into Kim Rok Soo's heart.
It's... nice.
Warm and content, Kim Rok Soo is lulled to sleep, with Choi Jung Soo continuing his ministrations.
Lee Soo Hyuk walks back in to the sight of Kim Rok Soo's head nearly slipping off the pillow on Choi Jung Soo's thighs and Choi Jung Soo leaning his head on his arm, which was on the backrest of the couch.
Haaa, these brats of his.
Chuckling, Lee Soo Hyuk makes his way to them. Maintaining their original position, he slightly adjusts Kim Rok Soo, Choi Jung Soo, and the pillow so that the both of them can sleep more comfortably.
Choi Jung Soo stirs. Blinking, he sleepily greets, "Hi, hyung."
Lee Soo Hyuk takes a blanket from the corner of the couch, covering Choi Jung Soo with it while pushing a part of it aside just enough so that Kim Rok Soo's face isn't covered by it. Squeezing Choi Jung Soo's shoulder, he says softly, "You did well, too. Go back to sleep."
Choi Jung Soo's eyes flutter back shut. "Mm."
Lee Soo Hyuk smiles and pulls back. Moving to the couch opposite to his boys, he flips through the folder of documents he brought over.
He's not quite done with work yet, but perhaps he might be able to finish faster with their company, peaceful for once without any bickering.
Besides, Lee Soo Hyuk gets to watch over them as well.
Lee Soo Hyuk settles himself on the couch and looks over at the sleeping forms of Kim Rok Soo and Choi Jung Soo. His expression softens and with another chuckle, Lee Soo Hyuk gets back to work.