Chapter Text
Chi Cheng, a man who exudes power—no matter what room he's in.
Chi Cheng, someone who can make a person drop to their knees with the slightest curl of a finger.
Chi cheng, a man who never succumbs.
Well... Very few things make him falter.
One thing being Wu Suowei, and another, is falling sick.
He often prides himself in his strong immune system, but when the rare time occurs. It hits him. Hard. The common cold many endure throughout the fluctuating seasons slams him across the face like a tonne of bricks. A slight fever feels like the depths of hell is bubbling under every inch of his skin while—his body is counteracting by producing barrels of cold sweat that drenches the sheets. Headaches pounding beneath his skull making him wonder if he managed to sustain a concussion while being completely still. Joints aching from the slightest movements. Throat coated with sand from the Sahara while his nose struggles to decide on whether to make him stop breathing completely or to play a game of "how many tissue boxes can you go through in an hour".
Cheng Yu would revel in whenever Chi Cheng was in this state, never straying away from opportunities to prod fun at his "man cold".
This was the day where Chi Cheng succumbed.
It was nearing one in the afternoon when he was woken up by the blaring sound of his ringtone accompanied with the constant buzzing of his phone left on his bedside table. The sound was tearing through his eardrums and rattling his brain as he scrunched his face— maneuvering himself further into his pillow to muffle that dreadful noise when suddenly the wave hits.
A flood of heat washes through his body. He's coated in a layer of sweat. His tongue reaches out to wet his dry lips as he swallows, his throat contracting with what feels like sandpaper lining surrounding it.
You can not be fucking serious right now.
Chi Cheng croaks out an exasperated laugh and drags a hand down his face, pulling down his eyes as he stares up into the ceiling.
What could he have possibly done to deserve this.
Well— we won't focus on that right now.
With the remaining ounce of strength left in his withering body, Chi Cheng manages to outstretch his arm to grab for his phone. His ears are pulsing and his vision is blurry, he doesn't even bother in trying to read the name as he haphazardly accepts the call.
"Chi Cheng?? Dude where are you, your dad has been pestering me nonst-"
"Figure it out."
He ends the call, dropping the phone beside him and letting out a heavy breath. His eyelids hang low as his body threatens to fall back asleep— probably for the rest of the day. Chi Cheng's head began ticking back into his pillow before he jolts up.
Da Bao .
Before his brain could even register it, he was on his phone in his and Wu Souwei's chats. A small smirk catching on the corner of his lip at the stupid gif Suowei last sent him.
Da Bao.
• Chi Cheng.
Chi Cheng huffs out a laugh, resting his head on his arm.
Come over
• I'm helping at the clinic right now
Come over
He pauses for a second, his thumbs hovering over the keyboard.
please
He holds his breath, biting his lip as he watches the three dots dance within the chat bubble.
• I'll be there in 30.
Chi Cheng heaves a deep sigh of relief that leads to a coughing fit.
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Gravel crunches beneath a pair of trainers as Suowei steps out his car, giving it a pat before closing the door. A plastic bag clutch in his grip containing various nutritious snacks and vitamin drinks that him and Xiao Shuai were handing out at the clinic. He checks his phone, surprised that Chi Cheng hasn't sent any follow up message.
That's unusual..
His eyebrows pinch together at the screen but he shakes it off, making his way to the front of Chi cheng's house. He raises his hand, giving three courtesy knocks.
"IM HERE"
Suowei yells out, albeit a bit too loud. He clears his throat and pats his chest, furrowing his brows at the lack of response. He dials in the code, unlocking the door and pushing it open.
"Chi Cheng?..."
Still no response. He kicks off his shoes, slipping on the slides Chi Cheng bought for him left by the door. He closes the door behind him and pads into the house. There's dishes left in the sink from the other night. The kitchen would usually be spotless, he'd always clean after he cooks.
"Did he die or something why does this feel so ominous.." He mumbles to himself, making his way to Chi Cheng's bedroom.
His fingers hesitate as he reaches for the handle. He slowly opens the door, squinting incase for the worst. He peers in the room and-
Oh
Oh wow. Chi Cheng is disheveled, and not in a way he's used to.
He's propped up against the headboard, asleep. He's adorned in black shirt and shorts, the shirt being extremely stretched out at the collar as a result of constant uncomfortable tugging.
His skin is flushed a light pink and is covered in a slight sheen. His hair is all messy and tousled over his forehead. Lips parted, letting out heavy breaths. It seems like he had fallen asleep waiting for him.
Suowei makes his way over to the bed, catching a glimpse of stubble starting to peak through on Chi Cheng's face. He reaches over him, giving a light tug at the back of his hair— causing the other to startle awake.
Suowei is met with wide and glassy eyes and a croaky voice.
"Wei Wei"
An endearing smile spreads over Suowei's lips at the sight infront of him. Chi Cheng looks absolutely pathetic right now, and he loves it.
He runs his hand over the man's cheek, surprised at the amount of heat radiating from it.
"You should've told me you were sick, I could've brought you something from the clinic"
"All I need is you, Da Bao"
His voice is thick, gravelly, laced with desperation.
Suowei places a hand over his mouth, trying to contain the smirk crawling on his lips. He's enjoying this far too much. The way that he's looking up at him, pressing his face against the palm of his hand with flushed cheeks. Being on the receiving end of this stare heats something up bubbling inside him.
Suowei closes his eyes and nods. Definitely will need to unpack this later.
His thoughts get interrupted by a sniff, Chi Cheng still staring at him with those glossy eyes.
"You get comfortable here and I'll make you some tea for your throat and I'll call Xiao Shuai to bring medicine over here for you, okay?"
He places his hands on the man's shoulders, pushing him down on the bed. Fluffing the pillow beneath his head.
"Get some rest, I'll be in the kitchen."
He plants a kiss on his head, leaving the plastic bag on the bedside table before leaving the room.
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The sound of running water comes to a halt once Suowei rinsed off the last plate. Placing it in the dish rack. He takes a step back admiring his work. Clean kitchen, no dishes in the sink, a cup of tea steeping on the counter top sat beside various syrups and pills which help fight against cold symptoms.
"God, I'm such a good boyfriend. He's so lucky to have me"
He laughs, shaking his head. His phone buzzes with multiple texts from Chi Cheng.
• Wei Wei
I'm awake
I miss you
"This guy."
He grins to himself, picking up the cup of tea alongside the medicine— making his way to the bedroom.
"Knock knock I've come baring gifts."
Suowei sits on the edge of the bed, placing everything on the desk while Chi cheng greets him with a hum. Suowei reaches out, pushing the man's hair out of his face.
"The tea should help with your throat. I've got a bunch of pain meds that'd help with any joint pain and headaches, cough syrups,, uhhh something that'd help with your fever... I'm not sure if you have to take these at certain times, I'll have to check hold on-"
Suowei rises off the bed only to be stopped by a hand wrapped around his wrist, pulling him into the bed.
"Hey Chi Cheng!!-"
"Yes Da Bao"
The prickle of Chi Cheng's stubble scratches against his neck with Suowei curling his lip in distaste, pushing his face away.
"You need to shave"
"What, do you not like it Da Bao?" Chi Cheng smirks, absentmindedly grazing his fingers over his chin.
"It makes you look like a loser" Suowei bares his teeth, squishing Chi Cheng's face together in an act of cuteness aggression.
"Just a big loser with your stubble and your messy hair and your hobo clothes." Chi Cheng just tilts his head to the side.
"Do you like me being a loser?" Words slightly muffled through his squished lips.
"I love it, I love your loser aura"
Suowei smiles, letting go of his face.
He catches the switch in his boyfriend's expression, his eyes growing darker as they focus down on his lips.
Chi cheng's fingers trailing up to tug on the collar of his shirt.
Suowei just manages to catch him before he leans in by tugging on the back of his hair.
Chi Cheng let's out a pained gasp, Suowei just tugs on it again.
"I know that look. You're sick, you need to rest, we can't be doing that.."
He pauses.
"Also I'm not catching whatever supernatural cold that has you acting like this."
He receives a pouty face equivalent to the expression of a kicked puppy.
"Be in bed with me atleast"
"I will once you've had your tea and meds you big baby. I cleaned your whole kitchen too by the way. Just to let you know."
"Thank you, Da Bao"