Chapter Text
Dong-ju’s breathing was shallow. The world tilted again, nausea rising in his throat as a sharp pulse of pain stabbed behind his right eye.
He staggered, catching himself against the wall, only for his knees to betray him next. The hallway swam in shades of gray. His head felt like it was packed with gravel, his ears ringing from the distant echo of that final punch — the one he’d barely dodged two nights ago.
“Hyung...” he muttered, barely audible.
Jong-hyeon heard it anyway.
He was at Dong-ju’s side in seconds, catching him just as his legs gave out.
“Dong-ju-yah! Hey, stay with me.” Jong-hyeon’s voice was steady but urgent. He wrapped an arm around his waist, lifting him effortlessly. Dong-ju could barely keep his eyes open now — his vision was split down the center, two blurry halves of Jong-hyeon merging into one. His head lolled forward against his hyung’s shoulder.
“Drunk punch syndrome my ass,” Jong hyeon muttered as he laid him gently on the couch. “You shouldn’t even be standing.”
Dong-ju managed a weak smile. “I’m fine, hyung. Just... dizzy.”
“You collapsed.”
He didn’t argue again.
That Night
Dong-ju lay in bed, muscles trembling. He had cold sweats, his limbs were jelly, and his head pounded like a drumline. Jong-hyeon had forced him into a T-shirt after sponging him down, fed him porridge one spoon at a time, even helped him to the bathroom and back.
Embarrassing, but... comforting.
“You’ve done more than enough, hyung,” Dong-ju whispered, eyes fluttering closed. “I can’t let you baby me forever.”
“Not forever,” Jong hyeon said with a small smile as he pulled the blanket over him. “Just until you stop looking like you’re about to face-plant into the floor.”
Dong-ju chuckled hoarsely.
Jong-hyeon stayed at his side. All night.
Next Morning
“You smell like sweat and fever,” Joon-hyeon said, arms crossed. “You need a shower.”
Dong-ju groaned. “I don’t want to. What if I fall in the shower.”
“Maybe that’s exactly why I should be coming in with you.”
Dong-ju blinked. “...What.”
“Not like that, idiot.” Jong-hyeon flushed faintly. “You’ll sit on the stool, I’ll help rinse your hair and back. If you faint again, I’m there.”
So they did.
The bathroom was full of steam, the air warm and thick. Dong-ju sat on the low stool, shivering a little despite the heat. His cheeks were red, and not just from the fever.
Jong-hyeon’s hands were gentle as he washed Dong-ju’s hair, careful around the bruised temple. The water ran down strong shoulders, down his back, muscles flexing subtly with every movement. Dong-ju tried not to stare, but his face burned.
Jong-hyeon noticed. “You okay? You look overheated.”
“Just dizzy,” Dong-ju lied quickly, averting his gaze. His eyes caught on the shine of water running down his hyung’s chest and he looked away faster. “You’re, uh... really muscular.”
Jong hyeon raised a brow. “Thanks?”
“Never mind.”
They dried off in the bedroom, towels wrapped loosely around their waists. Dong-ju rubbed at his damp hair halfheartedly, but Joon-hyeon snatched the towel from him.
“You’ll just pass out if you keep pushing. Sit.” He toweled Dong-ju’s hair, patient and thorough. “Why are you pouting?”
“I’m not.”
“You are. Like a grumpy little puppy.”
Dong-ju scowled more. “Stop calling me that.”
“But you are.” Jong hyeon chuckled. “Especially with this wet hair and those eyes.”
“Hyung!” Dong-ju’s face flamed. “You’re so annoying.”
Jong hyeon winked. “You’re welcome.”
He grabbed a clean shirt and stepped forward to help Dong-ju dress.
“Arms up,” he said softly.
Dong-ju obeyed, still red-faced. His muscles were sluggish, so Joon-hyeon guided each arm through the sleeves, adjusting the fabric gently over his shoulders. Dong-ju was thinking about how warm his hands were when the dizziness returned — sudden and sharp.
The world spun.
“Hyung—!”
He stumbled, crashing forward. Jong-hyeon grabbed him instinctively, but his balance tipped too — they fell, limbs tangled.
Onto the bed.
Dong-ju landed on his back. Jong hyeon landed on top of him.
Dong-ju’s eyes widened. His breath caught.
Because somehow — somehow — in the chaos, Jong-hyeon’s face had landed low on his chest.
His lips had brushed against Dong-ju’s nipple.
There was a two-second silence.
Then three.
Longer, almost.
Dong-ju gasped sharply, his whole body tensing under the weight. A tremor ran through him — not entirely unpleasant. In fact, the sensation left him dazed.
He moaned softly. Barely a sound. But it was there.
Then mortification hit him like a truck.
His hands flew to cover his face. “Oh my god—Hyung—I didn’t—I mean—it was an accident—!”
Jong-hyeon’s breath was warm against his skin. He lifted his head, just slightly, to look down at Dong-ju.
There was a smirk tugging at his lips.
“That... was unexpected,” he said, voice husky.
Dong-ju was bright red. “Hyung!!”
But Jong-hyeon didn’t move away immediately.
Instead, he caught both of Dong-ju’s wrists in one strong hand, pinning them gently above his head.
“Don’t cover your face,” he murmured, leaning closer. “You’re cute when you blush like that.”
Dong-ju swallowed hard. His heart was hammering now. He could smell the clean scent of Jong-hyeon’s skin — feel the warmth of his chest still against his own.
“Hyung... what are you doing?”
“I don’t know,” Jong-hyeon whispered. “But I want to.”
Their eyes met — something unspoken crackling between them.
Then slowly, carefully, Jong-hyeon leaned down and kissed him.
It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t wild. It was warm and slow and full of everything neither of them had dared say aloud.
Dong-ju melted into it. The tension eased from his shoulders. His fingers curled in Jong-hyeon’s hand, and his other hand drifted to touch his arm — tracing the damp skin, the strong muscles he’d been too shy to admire before.
When they parted, Dong-ju was breathless. “That... was new.”
Jong-hyeon laughed softly. “Yeah.”
Dong-ju looked at him, eyes still dazed but soft now. “Can we stay like this for a bit?”
Jong-hyeon nodded, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “As long as you want. I’m not going anywhere.”
Later That Day
Jong hyeon helped him sit up again, guiding him with firm hands.
“Let’s get you under the blankets properly. I’ll bring water and your meds.”
“Hyung?”
“Yeah?”
Dong-ju hesitated, then smiled shyly. “Thanks. For everything.”
Jong-hyeon ruffled his hair gently. “Next time, don’t collapse first. Just ask for help.”
Dong-ju chuckled. “Deal.”
And maybe — just maybe — he wasn’t the only one who felt dizzy anymore.