Work Text:
Today is NCT WISH's free day.
Today he already planned shopping with Sakuya. However, Ryo feels his limbs being heavier than usual. He was also sweating despite the air conditioning and his breathing slightly rapid. Suddenly a large cool palm meets his hot forehead making Ryo melt in the touch and his eyes slowly open.
"Ryo sht you're burning up,” is what he first heard from a worried Sakuya. Ryo who seemed confused at first finally realized he has a fever, exactly on his damned free day.
'We will not be able to go today and it's because of me'
Ryo thought sadly, suddenly feeling quite emotional at the thought which is unusual for the always calm and collected Ryo.
Sakuya who was checking up on Ryo's temperature was surprise seeing his best friend suddenly tearing up. The smaller boy's face was already reddened due to him burning up and now he is crying, it got worst. Sakuya panicked, he muttered a series of 'why why why' as he wipe Ryo's tears with his thumbs and comb the messy fluff hair of the smaller boy.
"Why are you crying? Does it hurt anywhere?" Sakuya asked worriedly. Ryo who was holding onto Sakuya's forearm sniffed and shook his head. The younger tilt his head, "Did you have a nightmare?" Another no from Ryo. "Then why?" Sakuya continued to ask with a soft voice.
"I-i ruined our plans for today, we were suppose to go out but then I got sick and n-now... I'm sorry" Ryo once again can't contain his emotions he cried again, even he himself is confused why he is so emotional right now.
After hearing the reason why he is crying, Sakuya tried to hide his expression from bursting out. He wanted to laugh and shout how cute this Ryo was, this is a rare sight of his best friend and it is new to him.
'Should I thank the fever?'
Sakuya nag himself for what he just thought, Ryo is sincerely sad about their outing and here he is gagging about how freaking cute his best friend was.
Sakuya sat on Ryo's bed as he pulled Ryo in the space between his legs and back hug the smaller boy. Ryo let himself melt into Sakuya's embrace and he look up 'quite cutely' (according to Sakuya), "w-why?" The crying boy suddenly ask.
"Did you think I'll get mad for you being sick? It's okay, it's not your fault, we can always go next time. Maybe this is a sign that we should just rest for today." Sakuya comforted his best friend. Ryo nodded, his crying already stopped as he turn around and buried his face into Sakuya's chest. He is smaller than Sakuya in size but he looks much smaller today and… cuddly. Sakuya smiled and secretly kiss Ryo's crown.
Sakuya pulled out his phone from his pink hoodie and texted his hyungs in their group chat, telling them that Ryo has a fever and if someone could get them food and medicine. The hyungs immediately grew worried and ask a few questions in regard to the other maknae's sickness and ended the convo with 'we will be there in few minutes'.
Sakuya stared at the back of Ryo's head, he can't help it but pat him. Ryo surprised by the sudden act unhide his face from Sakuya's chest and pouted at the maknae. He is not used to the youngest being like this towards him, he is supposed to be the one babying Sakuya, oh how the tables turned now. Sakuya can't hide his feelings anymore as he grab Ryo's face with both hands and proceed squishing the older boy's cheeks making him look like a cute pufferfish.
Ryo whined but didn't resist as Sakuya continue with his signature 'heeeheeehheee'. The door then suddenly open revealing the five hyungs with foods in their hands. Sion is the first one who reacted with the maknaes cuddles, he has his signature teasing smile, "Hohohoo what a sight." Sakuya only smiled at them and caress Ryo's hair. The smaller boy didn't seemed to mind being petted and instead look so cuddly.
"We brought food and medicine." Yushi said as he sat beside Ryo. He put a palm on the younger's forehead, checking his temperature. The younger one close his eyes at the cool sensation and lean on Yushi's hand, "you're burning up so bad Ryo-chan how are you feeling?"
Ryo sat properly facing his hyungs, "I feel dizzy and hot, my limbs also feel heavy.." He look down and the five members suddenly heard sniffles. Their eyes widened as they synchronized leaning down to Ryo's face, only seeing the maltese boy crying again.
Sakuya once again back hug him and put him on his lap, "Why are you crying again?" Sakuya asked worriedly.
"Again? Is he crying earlier too?" Sion is quite surprised by the sudden news. Ryo rarely cries.
"He cried earlier because he felt bad about our plan for today," Sakuya explained. The hyungs stare at Ryo adoringly.
Riku is the first one to react, of course he very much adore and find his favorite kouhai cute. "Aigoo our Ryo-chan, you are so cute," Riku then pinched Ryo's red cheeks after wiping his tears.
Yushi rake his fingers into Ryo's soft locks with a smile on his face too. "Why is our Ryo-chan sad? Who made you cry? Tell us, we will beat them up," Yushi said, this made Ryo smile while his tears still flowing down. The others laugh at Yushi's silly remarks as they encircled the two youngest.
"Ryo tell us why are you crying? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Jaehee asked worriedly as he played with Ryo's small hand.
Ryo sniffled, his crying stopped. "No, I don't really know either. I just felt like crying, I suddenly feel so emotional and it's confusing me and that's the reason why I'm crying. I'm scared." Ryo confessed. Sakuya who was hugging him from behind tightened his grip on the smaller boy, the other maknae rub his chin on Ryo's shoulder, comforting him.
"Ah Ryo jinja, you are so cute." Sion muttered under his breath. He rub Ryo's hair, "It's okay, don't be scared we are here. You can always come to us you know? You are not alone. It's just the fever making you feel like that. So in order for our maltese to get better how about we all eat together and you can drink medicine? Hmm?" Sion said and look at his members who gave him their nods of approval.
The hyungs prepare the breakfast while Sakuya and Ryo fixed the bed so that they can all eat properly. Sakuya stayed by his best friend side who was now clinging onto him quietly. Sakuya can't help it but also adore this kind of Ryo just like his hyungs. The youngest rest his head on top of the sick maltese. He then grab the other boy's much smaller hand than his and intertwined their fingers.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you today so get better quickly. Okay?" Sakuya said and Ryo look up at him. With the other's face still red and eyes being glassy from his cryings, Ryo nodded with his signature maltese smile and suddenly kiss Sakuya on his cheeks and go back to clinging with Sakuya's arms.
Sakuya's cheeks felt hot. He can still feel the soft lips on his cheeks and can't help it but let out a big smile.
'Sick Ryo is my second favorite now'
End.