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Youngkwang had been coughing a lot since the past 3 days. He wasn’t feeling well and was having a sore throat due to the back to back schedule since Trigger promotion started—he had not properly rested ever since. Another upcoming drama and movie of his were also going to be promoted soon. It was indeed a hell of a prosperous year for him, with his health at stakes.
As for today, he was scheduled to film Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, also known as Chef and My Fridge together with his new co-star.
Kakao!
A message pinged while he was getting ready to depart to the filming studio.
Youngkwang strode a few steps to the coffee table and glanced at the lit screen. A faint line painted at the corner of his lips. Gil hyung.
<Are you busy? Can I call? Can you talk now?>
The smile line across his face became more salient. He didn’t hesitate and dialled the number without replying. Instantly picked up.
“Hyung-i~ Why? Do you miss me?”, he asked cheerfully while settling his buttocks on the wooden chair.
“Of course I do. But there’s something else more important to discuss about”, the voice from the other side didn’t sound as happy as usual. He was pacing across his bedroom on the other side.
“What’s this hyung? Why do you kinda sound upset? Did I do something wrong?”, Youngkwang was confused because the older was always bubbly whenever he called.
“Eo. You did. And I’m very pissed about it”, Namgil’s voice came off too serious, almost like a punishment towards Youngkwang.
Youngkwang suddenly got nervous, his body tautened. “Why? What did I do?”, his voice panicked.
“Are you still going to shooting today?”, he asked lazily.
“Yes I am. I’m all dressed up now waiting for the manager to pick me up”, a cough escaped his throat.
“Yah Kim Youngkwang. What did I tell you about declining the invitation if you’re not feeling good? You’re still coughing for God’s sake. Ah you’re really stubborn”, his voice clearly irritated but swathed with genuine concern.
“Ah. So it’s about that. I thought it was something serious”, he exhaled a huge relief and relaxed his body.
“Yah, what do you mean not serious? Are you kidding me? Are you saying your health is not important now?”, his voice raised.
“Ah hyung jinjja. You don’t have to worry it’s not bad at all! Just light cough occasionally, it’s not like I’m coughing non-stop. I’m really fine it’s nothing serious for real. I’ve taken cough syrups I’m pretty sure it’ll go away soon”, Youngkwang’s voice slightly pouty.
The older continued nagging as if he was rapping, “Sigh. You care about your health too much but refused to take a break for a while to fully recuperate. So what if you gulped down 10 bottles of cough syrups? If you don’t stay still it still won’t get any better. And it’s not like they can’t wait for another day if you had told them to postpone it earlier. But of course you didn’t”.
“I couldn’t bear to postpone let alone decline their invitation. Hyung, you know it too I appeared on the program once before and everyone was kind, and they’re hopeful for me to accept it again. So how could I possibly say no? They’d think badly of me if I did”, the younger explained, trying to make the perturbed old man understand.
“Of course, of course I’m aware of that but don’t you think they’d also be concerned if you start coughing during filming? Don’t you think they’d also feel bad? Make it makes sense Young-i and stop being too much of a people’s pleaser”
“I promise hyung I’ll be fine. It’s just a half day today. Then I’ll come home and rest before I do anything else, I promise! Besides, they already took my fridge yesterday”, Youngkwang pursed his lips after reasoning with the old man. Not that the older could see though.
Namgil just let out a heavy and long sigh on the line. He was tousling his growing shoulder length hair with angry eyes that couldn’t reach Youngkwang.
DING!
The doorbell rang a clear single chime that diverted Youngkwang’s attention.
“Ah hyung. The manager is here I gotta go now. I promise you okay I’ll be fine, stop worrying and I’ll call you again after I came home. Later hyung. Saranghae”, Youngkwang’s words flowed urgently and he ended the call before Namgil could say anything further. His last sentence whispered in an extremely low voice, as if the world would end if someone else heard it.
Back at Namgil’s house, the older just sighed and slammed his body against the bean bag in his room. He stared at the high ceiling, feeling defeated.
“Nado saranghae”, he muttered by himself, with no one else to hear—not even Youngkwang.
Youngkwang was pleased to reunite with familiar faces from 10 years ago although he couldn’t fully immerse himself in their conversation due to the discomfort in his pharynx.
However, it came as a shock to the hosts and chefs present when some of Youngkwang’s refrigerator habits hadn’t changed since the last 10 years—buying things in bulks that he didn’t need much at a time, hoarding food, keeping a whole drawer of various expired unopened cheese, falling for marketing tricks; buy 1 free 1, and easily influenced by people to buy food with alleged health benefits.
There was something, or two things though that seemed a bit unusual about Youngkwang. Two bowls of untouched, freshly made, homemade beef bone soup and a bunch of store bought natto.
The beef bone soup, he claimed to be sent by his CEO. Apparently, his CEO often visited his place to check on him. It was a lie. An obvious lie that the company’s CEO was willing to be blamed for. And a lie that was successfully bought by everyone there.
It wasn’t sent by the company’s CEO. In a matter of fact, it was sent by another CEO. The CEO of his heart—Kim Namgil. Well, Namgil’s eomae specifically. Namgil delivered it to him 2 days ago after Namgil told eomae that Youngkwang wasn’t feeling well. Beef bone soup was good to reduce cough and fever.
There were two bowls because they were supposed to eat it together but something urgent came up so Namgil had to leave in a hurry. And Youngkwang obviously forgot to eat it by himself.
Ah no. I should’ve taken that out before they transported my fridge here. But it would’ve gone bad if I did? I don’t want it to go to waste… This was what Youngkwang thought when they reached the bowls. Eyes widened, feeling guilty for lying. A usually honest Youngkwang, had to make up an impromptu lie that day.
Then, came the natto. An abnormal amount of natto. Seven, eight packets of natto that he said to have been influenced by Namgil due to its health benefits. Successfully bought by everyone, again.
And no. It wasn’t because he bought it for himself. It wasn’t because he was influenced by Namgil to eat it. He was in a matter of fact, didn’t like the taste of natto. He had that extraordinary packets of natto because it was prepared for Namgil whenever he visited him.
I’m so screwed today… I totally forgot about hyung’s natto as well. I don’t even eat natto... Hopefully this is the last lie I had to concoct today. Youngkwang thought to himself as he was awkwardly explaining the uncanny existence of natto in his crowded fridge.
The whole filming took almost 9 hours for 2 separate episodes and it was truly a long, draining day for Youngkwang given his condition. But he still managed to wrap everything up professionally without letting his physical constraints interfere his work.
After a long day, Youngkwang was finally home. As soon as he stepped inside his house, he was greeted by a warm aroma of cinnamon and honey tea. The blend of comforting sweet honey and woody spice that filled the air-conditioned space cuddled him like this cosy autumn.
Youngkwang aspirated the fragrant air and smiled knowing whose handiwork was it. He tiptoed to the kitchen to find the bosom figure slightly shorter than him standing at the counter top crossed leg, stirring the hot tea in a ceramic pot.
He snuck a hug attack behind the man.
“Hyung-i~”, Youngkwang shouted playfully and stretched the nickname a little longer than necessary. His arms wrapped around the man while swinging their glued bodies left and right.
“Welcome home”, the older acknowledged his presence, unfazed.
“Mwoya? That’s such a boring reaction. At least act surprised a little bit hyung”, Youngkwang stopped swinging and tilted his head forward to pout at Namgil.
Namgil pulled a light smirk and turned his body around. Youngkwang’s hands rested around his waist. Namgil immediately put his hand on Youngkwang’s forehead. Warmer than usual, he thought to himself.
“Mwoya hyung? Are you checking if I’m having a fever? Told you I just have a minor sore throat”, Youngkwang was still pouting, his raspy cheeky voice never left the sulky tone.
“How was filming today? It was long hours after all”, Namgil asked without answering Youngkwang.
“Well, everything went well. Everyone made me comfortable and they didn’t seem to bother much with my occasional coughing. I couldn’t say much because of my throat constraint but the food were delicious though I wished I could’ve eaten more. There were too little to share with others. And I think, me and Young Ae-ssi wrapped the show well though we did have different food preferences. Just like me and you hyung”, Youngkwang blithely recalled his day to Namgil and chuckled within his last sentence.
Namgil smiled and cupped his face, “Good work today Young-i. You did very well”. Youngkwang grinned like a fool.
Out of the blue, the doorbell rang. Youngkwang and Namgil looked at each other, dazed.
“My fridge. They’re returning my fridge!”, Youngkwang shouted in a whisper.
“Aish. Why did they have to return it so fast? They could’ve waited til tomorrow morning or something. Aren’t they tired?”, Namgil said frustratingly. Being bothered in their intimate moments was one of the top 5 things Namgil disliked. It was his pet peeve.
Youngkwang panicked, “Hyung, go inside the bedroom. I’ll make it quick okay? Sorry”. He shoved Namgil to the bedroom and shut the door behind.
As Youngkwang approached the door entrance to hide Namgil’s shoes, Namgil sat on the bedside. Hah. What the hell am I? I really feel like a secret mistress having an affair right now. They better make it quick.
And yes, they did make it quick. As soon as they returned Youngkwang’s refrigerator at its place, they bid their farewell.
Namgil walked out once he heard the noises faded into oblivion.
Youngkwang swiftly got back to Namgil’s side. “I promise no one else would come anymore. Anyway hyung, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the gathering?”, Youngkwang asked the obvious. Sometimes, Youngkwang could be more gullible than anyone would’ve expected it.
“Obviously I’m here to take care of you since you wouldn’t do it yourself”, Namgil said smugly while looking at Youngkwang up and down.
“I AM taking care of myself! I’ve eaten my medicines, you’re just way too worried for nothing, hyung”, Youngkwang complained.
“Ah yes yes sure you take about 20 supplements per day. Cough syrups in addition sure sure of course you’ll be better soon”, Namgil threw a brick of sarcastic tone to Youngkwang before resuming, “Yah Kim Young Kwang. This is why sometimes you always get under my skin. Tell me, what’s the point if you’re taking a bunch of overpriced supplements and fell victim to the pharmaceutical companies if you’re not doing the fundamentals? Eating properly, and resting when you need them. You’re not well and still had the audacity to work, your body temp is definitely higher than usual and you insist not having a fever. Your itchy throat is probably getting worse now, anhi, definitely getting worse I can tell. Wah you really…”.
Namgil’s lecture went smoothly without a hitch and Youngkwang couldn’t even interject. He just listened, eyes widened, huge inhaled before exhaling when Namgil finished.
“Whoa hyung-i… Even my mom has never lectured me that lengthy at once. You’re really amazing”, Youngkwang held a thumbs up, annoying the old man more.
“Yah! Stop kidding around I am so serious right now. Haa. I bet you didn’t even eat the beef bone soup eomae made?”, Namgil raised his brow, feeling helpless at the younger.
It was really weird. The younger always seemed to care about his health a lot; buying and consuming a lot of supplements, ginseng, energy drinks and superfoods that he forced himself to swallow even when he didn’t even like greens. However, when it came to actually looking after himself by not overworking and resting when necessary, he seemed to fail in every aspect of it. Namgil, sometimes even the company’s staff, always had to interfere.
Namgil didn’t bother waiting for his reply, he went straight to the refrigerator and found the soups there. He let out a huge sigh and looked back at Youngkwang, “Are you fucking kidding me Kim Youngkwang?”.
“Ah hyung! Stop calling my full name. How many times already in a day? I don’t like that. It seemed like you’re truly angry with me”, Youngkwang whined.
“Yah of course I am angry! So frustrating. Tchhh”, Namgil took out one of the soups bowls, slammed the refrigerator door, and ignored the young man, ready to heat it up. His eyes were definitely not pleased with Youngkwang and he was no longer smiling, brows frowning.
Oh my God. I am so done. He’s really pissed now. Youngkwang gulped down his throat and he could feel the bruising in his pharyngeal area.
Youngkwang took a couple of strides to reach for another bowl in the fridge and treaded towards Namgil. “Ah hyung-i. I didn’t eat it because I wanted to eat it with you. We should’ve eaten it together right? But you left due to the emergency the other day. That’s why I haven’t eaten them, it’s not like I forgot or anything”. Lies. He totally forgot.
Namgil didn’t say anything. He just worked around the saucepan, completely ignoring the giant next to him.
“Ah hyung! Are you really gonna be sulking now? I got it I got it! I’ll eat everything you tell me now. And I’ll totally rest later, tomorrow. I won’t do anything else until I’ve completely recovered!”, Youngkwang tried to coax Namgil.
He really hated when Namgil was angry. His fury was like no other. The silent treatment was scary. It made Youngkwang felt like he was abandoned. And he hated that more than anything. Being abandoned by Namgil was something straight out of a nightmare.
“Hyung-i…”, his deep voice mellowed, puppy eyes secured, fingers softly tugging Namgil’s shirt to get his attention. Namgil stayed silent and snatched the other bowl from Youngkwang’s hand.
He transferred the hot soup from the saucepan to a ceramic bowl and walked to the dining table. There, he poured the cinnamon honey tea from before into a teacup and looked at Youngkwang, “Sit here”. Short and sharp command.
Youngkwang didn’t waste any more time to seat himself there. At least Namgil said something instead of just staying completely silent. “Drink this while I heat up mine”. Namgil shoved the cup and left Youngkwang behind. Only the clinging pots and pans filled the space.
“Hyung-i…”. Youngkwang called out to him but Namgil didn’t say anything until he was finally seated too next to Youngkwang. The air around them suddenly became melancholic.
“You know Young-i. I know you don’t like me nagging like the old man I am but, I really don’t want you to fall sick again. It hurts me too when you don’t properly take care of yourself other than taking supplements. Rest is mandatory for people like us who don’t have a fixed schedule and are always running on deadlines. You’ll get worse if you don’t take it”, Namgil’s voice softened but he didn’t look at Youngkwang. Probably recalling the memories from 2018 when Youngkwang fell really sick after pushing himself too hard on Laws of the Jungle and Room No. 9.
Namgil realised that Youngkwang was extremely hardworking because of his past and how much he wanted to provide the best life for his single mother who had sacrificed a lot raising him. But he wished Youngkwang would take everything easier and not exceeding his limits. He was already amazing in Namgil’s eyes.
Youngkwang softly grabbed Namgil’s hand and intertwined it with his. “Mian, hyung-i. I was reckless. Should’ve known better. I promise I’ll rest until I fully recuperated”.
Namgil finally lifted his head and met Youngkwang’s eyes. “When is the Zzanbro scheduled for filming?”, he asked concerned.
“3 days from now. I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine by then! I promise hyung, I won’t do anything else until the filming day. I won’t even workout or go out at all!”, Youngkwang was desperate to convince Namgil.
Namgil finally drew a lopsided smile on his face. “Fine. I got it”.
Youngkwang grinned wider, relieved that Namgil’s fury was gone.
“Eat it up slowly. The broth will help clear out your throat. Drink all of the tea too”.
“Yes, hyung-i!”, replied the younger cheerfully.
Namgil continued to tease Youngkwang, “I guess it does take my anger to finally make you obey. Maybe I should get angry more from now on?”.
“Ah hyung! Hajima. Jinjja hajima. I don’t like it when you get angry. It’s scary and it makes me feel like you don’t love me anymore even though you meant good”. There was distinct sadness in his eyes while uttering those words.
Namgil raised his brow, “Then you should’ve taken care of yourself better and listen to me”.
“I will hyung-i!”, he smiled and tilted his head to rest on Namgil’s shoulder for a while. Namgil lightly patted his head.
“Now let’s eat. I’ll eat with you so you better finish everything up”.
As soon as Youngkwang put the warm soup in his mouth, he hissed on reflex.
“What’s wrong? Is it still hot?”, Namgil checked his soup and it was already nice to drink. Not hot enough to burn his tongue.
“Let me see your tongue”. Youngkwang obediently protruded his tongue.
“What’s this? Huh?”, Namgil pressed his unusually reddish papillae and tiny blisters and bumps could be seen and felt. “Your tongue is burnt?! But the soup isn’t hot enough to do this”, Namgil asked shockingly.
“It must’ve been at the filming. I swallowed a hot cheesy broccoli”, Youngkwang said casually, smiling.
“Yah! You should’ve told me. Ah jinjja. So reckless”. Namgil got up from his seat and reached for some ice cubes. He didn’t nag anymore.
“Stick out your tongue. Let’s dull the pain first”. And so Youngkwang let Namgil cared for his burnt tongue however he wanted. After that, Namgil made Youngkwang drank half pot of the honey tea before they started sipping the soup while talking about what happened at the filming set today.
Once they had cleared out everything, Namgil shooed Youngkwang to the shower while he cleaned the dishes. After that, he played with Moonnie and Baekkie that just woke up from their long sleep for a while.
“I’m done hyung”, Youngkwang walked out to the living room with his pyjama on.
“Then go to sleep now. Rest well and don’t do anything else. I already fed Moonnie and Baekkie”, Namgil said as he stood up from the couch, releasing Baekkie from his lap.
“You’re not staying the night?”, Youngkwang asked, hopeful.
Namgil paused for a while looking at Youngkwang from a distance.
“Hyung-i?”.
“Do you want me to stay?”.
Youngkwang didn’t answer. He just blinked his eyes rapidly, mouth refraining from forming a smile.
Namgil smirked, “Arasso. I’ll stay the night. Let me take a shower first”.
Youngkwang’s broke a grin exposing all his white teeth and waddled to the couch. “Okay! I’ll wait for you here”, he said mirthfully after slumping against the black leather couch, legs wagging happily.
Namgil just smiled and went to the bedroom by himself.
Maybe the day was too exhausting and since he wasn’t in his best condition as well, it didn’t take long for Youngkwang to doze off on the couch, accompanied by Moonnie and Baekkie behind him. When Namgil was finally out in Youngkwang’s shirt that looked a bit oversized for Namgil and a shorts, the young man was already drifting away peacefully.
He’s finally asleep huh? That’s good to see. I don’t have to make him sleep. I guess the honey tea helps. Lights out, Namgil nestled Youngkwang under the quilt he took from the bedroom and settled next to Youngkwang. He slid a soft small pillow under Youngkwang’s head and anchored his own with his arm on the side.
In the quiescence of the night, shrouded by reverent longing, he took his sweet time admiring the beautiful, gorgeous specimen in front of him.
The older and wiser gently caressed the younger’s short hair and pressed his lips on the temple. I guess, I spoiled you a little bit too much right, Young-i? He pondered before drifting off as well. The night was adorned with the purring sounds of both furry and human cats, snuggling together on the couch.