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Jaehee rarely got sick. Alphas were known for their strong immune systems, and Jaehee prided himself on being reliable and healthy, always ready to take care of Yushi at a moment’s notice. But when he did fall ill, it was as if the world had turned upside down.
Yushi stood in the doorway to Jaehee’s room, arms crossed, lips twitching as he fought back laughter. There was Jaehee, lying in bed with a blanket pulled up to his chin, his nose red, his cheeks flushed, and a pitiful pout plastered on his face.
“Yushi,” Jaehee rasped, his voice hoarse and cracking, “I think I’m dying.”
Yushi couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing. “Dying? You’ve got a cold, Jaehee, not the plague!”
Jaehee sniffled miserably, his puppy-dog eyes narrowing. “It’s not just a cold. My head hurts, my throat hurts, and my heart hurts because you’re making fun of me.”
Yushi rolled his eyes, stepping into the room. “Oh, please. You’re being dramatic.”
Jaehee’s lip wobbled. “I take care of you when you’re not feeling well,” he muttered, his voice soft and wounded. “And you’re just laughing at me.”
The omega sighed, shaking his head as he walked over to the bed. “Alright, alright. I’m sorry for laughing. What do you want me to do? Make you soup? Fluff your pillows?”
Jaehee brightened slightly at that, his eyes lighting up with hope. “Really? You’ll take care of me?”
Yushi smirked. “Don’t push it, baby alpha.”
At first, it was amusing to see Jaehee, usually so strong and steady, reduced to a whining, clingy mess. But as the day dragged on, Yushi’s patience began to wear thin.
“Yushi,” Jaehee called weakly from the bed.
“What now?” Yushi replied, balancing a tray of soup and tea in one hand while setting a bottle of medicine on the nightstand.
“Can you sit with me?”
“I’m already here.”
“No, I mean, like... really sit. On the bed.”
Yushi huffed but obliged, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Happy now?”
Jaehee’s hand crept out from beneath the blankets, tugging at Yushi’s sleeve. “Closer.”
“Jaehee, I swear—”
“Please?” Jaehee’s voice cracked, and when Yushi looked down, he saw the pathetic, almost teary expression on the alpha’s face.
Yushi groaned but moved closer, letting Jaehee rest his head on his lap. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” he muttered, running his fingers through Jaehee’s hair.
By the time night fell, Yushi was exhausted. Jaehee had been a needy, demanding mess all day, and the omega was at his wit’s end. But when he walked back into the room after fetching a fresh glass of water, he froze.
Jaehee was curled up under the blankets, his shoulders shaking. At first, Yushi thought he might just be cold, but then he heard the soft, broken sniffles.
“Jaehee?” Yushi set the glass down and climbed onto the bed. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Jaehee wiped at his face with the blanket, his voice muffled. “I’m sorry I’m so annoying when I’m sick,” he mumbled. “I know you think I’m being stupid. I just... I feel so useless right now.”
Yushi’s heart clenched. He sighed, leaning down to nuzzle Jaehee’s temple. “You’re not useless, idiot. You’re sick. Everyone gets like this sometimes.”
Jaehee sniffled again, turning to bury his face in Yushi’s chest. “But you’re always so strong when you’re sick. And I’m... I’m just a mess.”
Yushi rolled his eyes, though his tone was soft as he spoke. “First of all, I am not strong when I’m sick. I’m mean and grumpy and probably worse than you. Second, you’re allowed to be a mess. It doesn’t make you any less of an alpha.”
Jaehee peeked up at him, his eyes watery but hopeful. “You mean it?”
Yushi cupped his cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Of course, I mean it. I’d tell you to shut up and go to sleep, but you’d probably cry again.”
That earned him a weak laugh, and Jaehee relaxed a little, his head settling against Yushi’s chest. “Thanks, Yushi,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.
“Yeah, yeah,” Yushi replied, wrapping his arms around Jaehee and pulling the blanket up over them both. “Just don’t make this a habit, okay? You’re exhausting.”
Jaehee let out a contented hum, already drifting off to sleep. And despite his earlier annoyance, Yushi couldn’t help but smile as he held the pitiful alpha close, stroking his hair until they both succumbed to the quiet comfort of the night.
Even when Jaehee was at his weakest, he somehow managed to worm his way deeper into Yushi’s heart—much to the omega’s begrudging affection.