Work Text:
Knock knock
"Haru, are you ready? We're leaving in 10 minutes."
Haru jolted awake from his sleep, head spinning as he got up too quickly. He heard Hyun knocking on his door. His eyes sleepily looking at the clock on his nightstand. 3.50 A.M.
"Shit, i'm going to be late."
Hurriedly, he ran to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. Then, he scrambled around the room, trying his best to gather his things and outfit for the day. He had forgotten to pack them last night since he went straight to sleep after arriving home. Yesterday's schedule was crazy. The group had a fanmeeting from afternoon till evening, then they went straight to the hair salon once it was finished to retouch their hair. They arrived home at midnight, and now was already on their way out for a new schedule.
"Is he ready yet?" Haru could hear Wumuti's voice behind the door. He was talking to Hyun. "I don't know. I think he's getting ready now."
At 4 A.M., Haru finally got out of his room, greeting Wumuti and Hyun who were waiting for him.
"Sorry for the wait." Haru croaked, voice hoarse.
"Hey, are you okay? Your voice ...." Hyun's eyebrows were raised in concern.
"Ah? Yeah, I think I'm okay. Just a little flu, I guess."
"That's not good." Wumuti inspected his condition. "Your eyes are bloodshot red. You should sit next to me in the car and try to get some sleep. Let's go."
"Yes, Mama." Haru nodded and followed Wumuti and Hyun, walking to the car with both arms linked to theirs. It was going to be a long day for XLOV—going to the beauty salon, then the fanmeeting venue, rehearsing the performance, and meeting their fans.
"Haru? Haru! You okay?"
Rui was sitting at the corner of the backstage when he saw Haru walk out of the stage stumbling. They had just finished the signing session with EVOLs and were now waiting for the photo session. Hyun and Wumuti were going to go first for the next session, so Haru took the chance to have a quick break.
"I feel a little sick, to be honest. Could you please pass me the water?"
Haru sat down beside Rui, taking a bottle of water that he passed to him. Rui pulled Haru closer and reached his arms out to massage his temple.
"It must be really hard for you to come down with the flu. We're really busy these days."
"It is. I feel bad for our fans. They've come all the way here, but I can't talk to them properly since I have to wear a mask." Haru sighed deeply. He was so down from not being able to perform with full energy.
"Don't worry about it too much. I believe they understand your condition and are glad to see you today." Rui ran his fingers through Haru's hair and massaged his scalp lightly. Haru leaned in to Rui, enjoying the little treatment he gave him. To be frank, he felt his head was about to explode just now. The tension around his eyebrows and nose bridge made it even worse. He was grateful that his hyungs were always helping him feel better whenever they had the chance to.
"Rui, Haru, it's your turn to take photos. Let's go!" The manager peeped his head out from the backstage curtain. With heavy steps, Haru dragged himself into the stage again with Rui in tow.
"Haru~ can you look this way, please?"
"OMG, you're so cute!"
"My baby Haru, you're so good~ so talented!"
Blitz were flashing here and there along with the clicking sounds that pierced through Haru's ear. The lights from the flash were attacking his retina and making his headache worse. His ears were ringing. He felt like he was floating and he sensed his consciousness started drifting away. Wumuti who noticed that Haru might collapse anytime soon immediately pulled him into a hug.
"WAAAAHHHH!! MY UHARUZ!!"
Wumuti's hands were pressing against Haru's back, palm moving up and down gently. "Do you want to get off the stage now?" Wumuti whispered.
Haru shook his head. "Just hug me a little longer. I want to finish the show together."
Wumuti nodded in agreement. "Okay. It'll be over soon, so hang in there, okay?"
The time went by really slowly for Haru, but at least, he knew he was safe in his hyung's embrace. He stayed in Wumuti's arms for god knows how long. After that, he could no longer remember what happened and how he managed to finish his schedule.
Haru opened his eyes and was met with a dim light at the corner of the room. The rest of the room was dark and he could feel someone's presence next to him. It was Wumuti. He reached his now cold and clammy hand out to stroke Wumuti's head which was resting on the edge of his bed.
"Hyung, you should go to sleep. You'll hurt your neck if you stay like that."
Wumuti shifted in his sleep before his eyes fluttered open. "Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling now, Haru?" He touched Haru's forehead and neck, trying to check his body temperature.
"I feel better now, but my body is so sticky." Haru chuckled, face grimaced a little when his laugh sent a pang right to his head.
Wumuti grinned. He was relieved that Haru seemed to have gained some energy now. "You had a high fever on the way home. We were so worried because you were a little delirious. Manager hyung took you to the hospital to get checked, but they said you can just rest at home today. They sent you home after giving you a shot."
Haru smiled with teary eyes. "Thank you for taking care of me, Hyung. I might die without you."
"Don't be silly." Wumuti rolled his eyes dramatically. "Hyun and Rui initially wanted to stay the night here with you but I told them to go back to their room. I can't afford having all of my babies sick at the same time."
Wumuti rose from his sitting position to fetch a glass of water from the nightstand on the other side of the bed. "Here, drink this."
"Thank you." Haru sipped quietly. The water was exceptionally chilly on his throat. Maybe it was the flu. They sat without saying anything for a moment.
"Hyung, will you sleep next to me tonight? I don't want to be alone," said Haru, eyes looking straight into Wumuti's half-lidded pairs. Hearing this, Wumuti smiled at him endearingly.
"Of course, love. But before that, you need to change your pajamas first. I'll help wipe your body."
Wumuti helped Haru remove his damp pajamas and wiped his body with warm water. The touch of wet washcloth on his skin made Haru shiver a little. After cleaning up, Haru wore a new set of pajamas that Wumuti had prepared. All cozy and warm, they climbed back to bed to lie down.
"Aren't you hungry? Do you want me to prepare something for you?" Wumuti asked while brushing Haru's hair with his fingers.
"Um... I'm a little hungry, but I don't feel like eating right now. I don't want to brush my teeth again." Haru replied, smiling sheepishly at Wumuti. His answer granted him a gentle flick on his forehead.
"What kind of reason is that?" Wumuti pretended to be annoyed. "A sick person should eat a lot so they can recover faster."
Haru shrugged. "Okay, okay. Maybe after this. Let's cuddle first for now."
Haru inched his body closer to Wumuti's, chest to chest under his soft summer blanket. Wumuti's body felt a little hot to his touch, but it was not uncomfortable. It was the perfect amount of warmth that he needed.
Wumuti's hand was circling clockwise on Haru's back. He did that with the intention to make Haru feel relaxed, but turned out it made him feel sleepy too. It seemed like his fatigue was catching up to him. His motion was slowing down before it stopped completely.
"Hyung, are you asleep?" Haru's question was met with silence. He smiled and tucked Wumuti's hair behind his ear ever so gently. "You must be really tired. Sleep well, Muti Hyung. I love you."
Haru buried his face on Wumuti's neck, feeling his chest raised and fell on his own. He always loved small moments like this where he could feel the very presence of someone dear to him. Wumuti's gentle rhythm of breath put Haru to sleep, lulling him into a deep, deep sleep.