Chapter Text
The practice room was quiet save for the sound of sneakers sliding on the polished floor, the occasional grunt of exertion, and the faint bass beat of the track playing on repeat. It was nearing the end of a long day, and the air was thick with heat, sweat, and tiredness.
Yeonjun stood by the mirrored wall, stretching out his arms. His hoodie clung to him damply, and his face was paler than usual under the harsh fluorescent lights. His eyes drooped slightly, his lashes fluttering every few seconds as if he were blinking away fog.
“Hyung, are you good?” Hueningkai asked, lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe his face, peeking over.
Yeonjun straightened up quickly. “Yeah. Just tired.”
Soobin shot him a subtle glance in the mirror from behind, but didn’t say anything. He had noticed too. Yeonjun had been unusually quiet since morning. Not grumpy. Not playful. Just… subdued.
Taehyun was the next to speak, stepping closer with a bottle of water in hand. “You’re not usually this pale. Did you eat today?”
Yeonjun took the bottle wordlessly, sipped, and forced a grin. “Don’t I always look this good?”
The joke fell flat. His voice was too hoarse, too low.
Beomgyu frowned and came over. “You’re sweating too much, even for practice. Are you—”
“I said I’m fine, okay?” Yeonjun snapped, and all four of them paused, surprised.
Immediately, guilt flashed across Yeonjun’s face.
“I didn’t mean to snap. I just… I’m good. Let’s finish the set.”
And before anyone could stop him, the music started again.
But five minutes into the next run-through, it happened.
Yeonjun’s steps lagged. His limbs didn’t move in time with the others. He turned the wrong way, stumbled, and—
Thud.
He dropped to the floor.
“Yeonjun-hyung!” Beomgyu was the first to reach him, skidding on his knees, grabbing Yeonjun’s shoulders. “Hey—hey! What happened?”
Yeonjun didn’t respond. His eyes were half-lidded, lips parted slightly as his head lolled.
“He’s burning up,” Taehyun muttered, touching his forehead, his jaw tightening.
“Call the manager-hyung,” Soobin said firmly, crouched by Yeonjun’s side. “And get a towel. He needs to cool down—now.”
⸻
They got him back to the dorm somehow.
Yeonjun had regained semi-consciousness on the ride home, mumbling something incoherent before dozing off again. His body was still hot to the touch, and even under the blankets in his bed, he trembled.
“He’s definitely got a fever,” Soobin said, pacing beside the bed with the thermometer in hand. “Almost 39 degrees. Why didn’t he say anything?”
“Because he’s Yeonjun,” Taehyun said softly, sitting on the edge of the bed and brushing Yeonjun’s damp bangs back. “He always tries to handle everything himself.”
“I thought he just didn’t sleep well last night,” Beomgyu murmured, chewing at his nail. “But he was pale even at breakfast…”
“We all missed it,” Hueningkai said, hugging a hot water bottle to his chest. “We should’ve made him rest.”
“No,” Soobin said quietly, voice steady. “He should’ve told us. But right now, that doesn’t matter. We just need to be here for him.”
⸻
They took turns that night.
Beomgyu brought cool compresses, changing them out every hour. Hueningkai stayed by the bed with a humidifier and a tray of soup he made himself (with some supervision). Taehyun made sure Yeonjun stayed hydrated, gently coaxing him to sip water in his half-asleep state. Soobin handled the meds, tucking him in and whispering soft reassurances.
Around midnight, Yeonjun stirred.
His eyes fluttered open and for a second, he looked disoriented. Then he saw Soobin dozing in the chair beside him, arms folded, face tired.
“…Hyung?”
Soobin’s eyes opened instantly. “Hey. You’re awake.”
Yeonjun winced, his throat dry. “Did I… faint?”
“You scared the crap out of us,” Soobin said softly, his voice full of concern rather than anger. “Why didn’t you say anything, Yeonjun?”
Yeonjun looked away, the guilt washing over him. “I didn’t want to worry anyone. Practice was important. I thought I could push through.”
“You always think that,” Soobin said gently. “But you don’t have to do it alone. We’re your team. We’re your family.”
The room was quiet for a beat before Yeonjun whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Soobin got up and sat on the edge of the bed. “Just… promise you’ll tell us next time. Even if it’s small. We’d rather miss a practice than see you collapse.”
Yeonjun gave a faint nod.
A moment later, Beomgyu poked his head in. “Is he awake?!”
Yeonjun winced. “Not so loud…”
“Sorry,” Beomgyu said, darting in with a blanket and a small plushie. “Kai said hugging this might make you feel better.”
He dropped the soft bear onto Yeonjun’s chest and smiled softly. “You scared me, you idiot.”
Yeonjun let out a hoarse laugh. “Sorry, Gyu.”
Taehyun followed behind, holding a fresh cup of warm tea. “Drink this. It’ll help your throat.”
“Thanks…”
Hueningkai was the last to enter, with a tub of porridge that smelled surprisingly decent.
“I made you something!” he said brightly, then added, “But you don’t have to eat it right now. Just… whenever you’re ready.”
Yeonjun looked at each of them, eyes glossy. “I don’t deserve you guys.”
“You’re right,” Beomgyu joked. “But you’re stuck with us.”
“Forever,” Taehyun added.
Soobin placed a hand on Yeonjun’s forehead one last time before tucking the blanket tighter. “Sleep. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
And with that, the room settled into a warm silence. The boys stayed close, whispering softly among themselves, watching over their hyung like a protective little pack.
Yeonjun fell asleep with a tiny smile on his lips, heart finally feeling a little lighter. He wasn’t alone. He never had been.