Work Text:
Outside the windowpane, faint traces of moonlight, streetlights, and light spilling from the windows of apartments in the opposite building lingered. "It's still early," Choi San thought, drifting back to sleep until the first light of dawn painted the sky blue. The alarm began to ring, and Choi San reached over to turn it off, intending to sleep a few more minutes before starting the day. But this time, sleep wouldn't come; he was too awake.
He shifted onto his back, blinking a few times before rubbing his eyes to make sure he was truly awake. Reaching for his phone on the nightstand, he realized it was later than he'd thought. It was 7:45 AM, later than usual. He sat up abruptly and headed straight to the bathroom. After his morning routine, he got dressed, planning to go downstairs to find something for breakfast before getting back to work.
With this in mind, Choi San grabbed his phone from the nightstand and saw a message from Hongjoong-hyung: "Could you check on Mingi for me? He seems to be sick. If you don't mind, could you take care of him?"
"Mingi is sick?!" The words hit Choi San like a jolt, making his feet stumble. "Calm down, calm down", he told himself. "It's probably just a common cold". Thankfully, Mingi's room was only two doors away. Choi San quickly locked his door and hurried over to his friend's room, knocking.
"Mingi, it's me, Choi San. Please, open up"
There was no reply from Mingi, but after about five minutes, the door slowly opened. Inside, it was quite bright, naturally, since it was morning. Choi San was met with Mingi's listless, pale face. He was wrapped in a blanket, looking cold despite the summer heat. Choi San was so caught up in looking that he forgot to ask how Mingi was. Mingi spoke first.
"Is there something you need? Sorry, I'm sick right now, so if you just want to hang out, feel free, but please let me sleep"
Mingi opened the door wider, inviting Choi San in, then turned back to his bedroom and lay down, reminding Choi San to close and lock the door before coming into the living room. Choi San stood there, processing the situation. "Right, I came to check on him because he's sick". He stepped into the room, locking the door and placing his shoes neatly in the shoe cabinet. He walked towards Mingi's bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed beside him. Mingi was curled up in the warm comforter.
"Mingi-ah, I'm here to see how you're doing, not just to hang out"
"I'm fine..." Mingi's voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.
That's a blatant lie, Choi San thought.
Choi San placed a hand on Mingi's forehead. The heat radiating from it was intense, making his hand feel like it was burning. Mingi had a high fever, and Choi San started to worry.
"With a fever this high, and you say you're fine?!"
Mingi waved him off, insisting he was okay, despite his flushed face, rapid breathing, and burning skin. Wrapped tightly in the thick blanket, Mingi buried his face, trying to find some warmth. His eyelids began to droop, ready to fall asleep.
"Mingi-ah, you're not fine at all. Should I go buy you some medicine?"
It was a polite offer, but Choi San was already anxious to rush down from the 24th floor to get medicine for Mingi.
"...No need. I already took some earlier"
"Earlier was a while ago, and you're still burning up. That medicine isn't working. Let me get you something more effective"
Mingi was silent for a moment, then lowered the blanket slightly, his eyes meeting Choi San's.
Hongjoong-hyung: "I hope he gets better soon. Take good care of him, Sannie"
Seonghwa-hyung: "We'll visit him after we're done with our schedules. Thanks for looking after him, San"
Choi San actually had some studio work to do that day, but he decided to put it aside to care for Mingi. It could wait until tomorrow. The elevator doors opened, reminding him that he'd reached the garage. Choi San hurried out and went to his Mercedes-Maybach Exelero. Choi San drove out of the apartment complex and into the busy city streets, filled with cars and bustling crowds. The red traffic lights seemed to drag on, and he grumbled about the unusually heavy traffic.
After a few stops at traffic lights, Choi San finally reached the pharmacy. He quickly parked and went inside to buy Mingi's medicine. A few words about Mingi's symptoms were enough for the pharmacist to gather some medicine. It wasn't too expensive, pretty affordable for Choi San. First task was completed. Now he needed to buy food, something suitable for someone be sick like Mingi. Choi San pondered what people usually eat when they were sick. He rarely got sick himself, so he'd never really thought about it.
So, he texted Seonghwa-hyung: "Hyung, what do people usually eat when they're sick?"
In less than a minute, Seonghwa replied almost instantly: "Hmm, probably chicken soup. Mingi doesn't like porridge, so get him chicken soup."
"Okay."
Chicken soup it is, Choi San thought, eager to buy some for his big baby Mingi!
;;
"Mingi, open the door please"
Choi San waited for about two minutes before realizing he had the keycard. "I hope Mingi didn't hear that. I don't want to bother him", Choi San chided himself. "I'm such an idiot"
But before Choi San could use the card, the door opened, and Mingi stood before him. Choi San noticed Mingi's slight frown, which was understandable; he was sick and exhausted, and Choi San kept making him get up.
"Thought you have the keycard, San?"
"Mingi-ah, I'm sorry, I forgot about that. I was about to use it. Go back to bed, and I'll get your food and medicine ready"
Choi San saw Mingi's expression soften as he returned to his bed. "You haven't eaten anything since this morning, have you? I'll make it quick"
"Okay, thank you, San", Mingi's deep voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible.
Choi San felt that strange sensation again, his heart skipping a beat. He couldn't quite place the feeling. He felt his cheeks flush and grow warm. Choi San was blushing?! Impossible! Lost in thought, Choi San forgot to pour the soup into a bowl and bring Mingi his medicine.
This earned him some soft, "cute" complaints from Mingi's room. "What are you doing, San? Hurry up and come take care of me"
Choi San chuckled at Mingi's words; they sounded like... he was pouting. "Alright, alright, I'm coming"
;;
When Choi San entered Mingi's room, the first thing he saw was Mingi lying down and scrolling through his phone. So, Choi San adopted an older brotherly tone and told Mingi to put his phone away.
"If you're sick, you should rest, Mingi. Put your phone aside"
Mingi didn't have the energy to argue, so he obediently placed his phone on the nightstand and lazily relaxed back onto the bed, waiting for Choi San's next instruction, like a puppy. Choi San seemed to understand and chuckled softly. "Is it that hard to sit up by yourself, Mingi?"
"Help me up"
Mingi wasn't asking, he was telling. And of course, Choi San didn't refuse. He placed the bowl of chicken soup on the table, along with the medicine Mingi would have to take after eating. Choi San put an arm around Mingi's shoulder and gently helped him sit up. Once Mingi was fully upright, Choi San sat down beside him, turned back to grab the soup, scooped up a spoonful, and blew on it to cool it down. Then he held it out to Mingi's lips.
"Say 'ah'"
Mingi frowned slightly, as if to say, "I'm not a baby". But since Choi San was helping him, Mingi politely opened his mouth and swallowed the spoonful of soup.
"Delicious", seeing Mingi eat obediently, Choi San felt relieved that he liked it.
Choi San rarely cared for sick people, so Mingi was practically the first in many years. Usually, taking care of someone with a fever was difficult, but with Mingi, Choi San felt very comfortable. Perhaps no one else felt as relaxed as Choi San when caring for a sick person, but it was because of Mingi. No discomfort, nothing. Taking care of Mingi was like taking care of a newborn puppy—not easy, but not stressful, very comfortable. And Choi San liked that feeling, a lot.
The sky was starting to darken slightly from its earlier blue. Choi San guessed it was almost one in the afternoon. The bowl in Choi San's hands was empty; Mingi had eaten everything, Choi San praised Mingi for being so good, placed his hand behind Mingi's neck, pulled him closer, and kissed his forehead. Choi San liked showing affection to others, but with Mingi, he liked to show it even more. So, he didn't stop at the forehead; Choi San also kissed Mingi's cheeks, the tip of his nose, and then paused. After that, he got Mingi his medicine and told him to take it. Mingi didn't resist; he obediently swallowed the pills, even though he hated taking them because they were bitter. Realizing everything was done, Choi San gently helped Mingi lie back down and tucked him in. He didn't forget to give him another light kiss on the forehead. Then Choi San left the room and went to the kitchen to wash the bowl.
Washing just one bowl took Choi San nearly fifteen minutes because he was lost in thought, thinking about kissing Mingi earlier. If he hadn't stopped himself, he probably would have kissed Mingi's lips. Honestly, Mingi had very beautiful lips; anyone, male or female, would be drawn to them. Choi San was no exception. Choi San often kissed the other members of the group, but it was just a way of showing brotherly affection, so he didn't think much of it. But kissing Mingi felt different. Choi San couldn't stop thinking about it. It left him with an indescribable feeling. All he knew was that it made his heart race uncontrollably. That's why Choi San ended up using a lot of Mingi's water in those fifteen minutes.
;;
By the time Seonghwa returned to the group's dorm, it was already dusk. He was exhausted, but he still decided to stop by Mingi's room to check on him.
"Hopefully, his fever has gone down", he thought.
With that, Seonghwa took the elevator to the 24th floor. As soon as the doors opened, Seonghwa quickly went to Mingi's room. As the oldest member of the group and a close friend of Hongjoong, Seonghwa was like a manager to them, so he had spare keys to all the members' rooms. Naturally, opening Mingi's door was easy.
"Mingi, it's me. I came to see you", Seonghwa spoke at a moderate volume, loud enough for anyone in the room to hear.
But there was no response. He went inside. To get to Mingi's room, he had to pass through the living room. There, Seonghwa saw Choi San sleeping soundly, his breathing even. Choi San looked very tired. Seonghwa figured this might be Choi San's first time taking care of a sick person.
Seonghwa looked at Choi San and sighed quietly, feeling affection for his younger member. He took off his coat and draped it over Choi San, as it was getting chilly in the evening. But Seonghwa's purpose wasn't to care for Choi San; he was there to check on Mingi. So, Seonghwa quietly got up and went to Mingi's room. He knocked gently, but there was no answer. He knocked twice more, but still no movement. The door wasn't locked, so Seonghwa carefully pushed it open. Mingi was lying there, breathing steadily.
Mingi's face looked healthier, like he was feeling better. Seonghwa thought Choi San had done a good job. Seonghwa's worry for Mingi's health lessened. If Mingi was recovering, he didn't need to worry as much. But he still wanted to check Mingi's temperature. Seonghwa placed his hand on Mingi's forehead and sighed in relief, a quiet sigh only he could hear. Mingi no longer showed signs of a fever. Seonghwa withdrew his hand and placed a kiss on Mingi's forehead—perhaps out of concern, perhaps out of longing, perhaps out of reassurance, or perhaps out of affection. Seonghwa was greedy. He didn't stop at the forehead but also kissed the bridge of his nose and finally his lips. Feeling that was enough, Seonghwa whispered goodbye to Mingi and quietly left the apartment, returning to his own.
;;
Choi San slept in Mingi's apartment until late at night, around ten o'clock.
"Oh no, I slept for so long! How's Mingi doing? I'm such an idiot, Choi San, going to take care of someone and sleeping more than they are"
Choi San really was an idiot; he tapped his head a few times. Then he hurriedly pushed off the heavy coat that was on top of him.
"Wait, this coat is Seonghwa-hyung's?" After a moment of confusion, Choi San realized that Seonghwa had come by while he was sleeping.
Putting that aside, Choi San quickly went to Mingi's room, opened the door slowly, and went inside. Mingi was still asleep, his face relaxed, the tiredness gone, leaving only the natural rosiness.
Choi San slowly approached Mingi, kneeling down to be face-to-face with him. He could hear Mingi's steady breathing. Seeing Mingi so peaceful, Choi San felt at ease too. He reached out to touch Mingi's neck; it was still warm, but not hot. Mingi's fever had significantly reduced. Choi San felt proud of himself since this was his first time taking care of someone in years.
"You had me so worried, Mingi-ah", Choi San whispered softly, afraid Mingi would hear.
Talking behind his back while afraid of being heard. Choi San didn't understand himself.
His fingers traced Mingi's buzz cut. Why did he decide to cut it so short? His hand moved from his hair to his ear, then stopped on his cheek, stroking it gently. Mingi's sleeping face suddenly made Choi San smile, like an idiot. He probably was an idiot. He placed a kiss on Mingi's forehead, then quickly pulled back. He'd done this earlier when Mingi was awake, but now he felt something different about the kiss. But Choi San couldn't quite understand it; it just felt different, strange.
Choi San wanted to experience that feeling again and kissed Mingi's forehead once more. His heart beat faster; in the quiet room, his heartbeat was louder than their breathing. He lowered his lips to Mingi's eyelids, then gradually moved down towards his lips. Choi San's heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest, and his cheeks turned red, as if they'd become ripe tomatoes.
Isn't this what people call "liking" someone?
"Do I really like you, Mingi?" Choi San asked Mingi but was really asking himself. Could it be true? He'd never considered it before.
He'd noticed the strange feelings he had around Mingi before, but he hadn't thought of them as romantic, just normal friendship. Now, Choi San had probably found the answer for himself.
Choi San gently touched Mingi's slightly open palm, and suddenly Mingi's hand gripped his tightly, so tightly that Choi San couldn't pull away.
Is Mingi awake? Choi San wondered. If Mingi was indeed awake, he'd seen everything Choi San had done. But why did he let him do it?
"Mingi, are you awake?"
There was no reply. Choi San tried shaking Mingi gently, but he didn't open his eyes. Looking at Mingi, Choi San guessed he'd been asleep the whole time. Gripping Choi San's hand was probably an unconscious action.
But looking at the person holding his hand so tightly, Choi San didn't want to go back to his own apartment anymore. Choi San placed his other hand over their intertwined hands. "I guess I'll have to stay here tonight, Mingi. Good night"
He added a goodnight kiss to their hands.
That night, there was another person in Mingi's room. The bright moonlight outside also seemed to wish them both a good night.