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rwicky: mashu hasn’t come out of his room for the whole day.
rwicky: i think he’s sick.
Hanbin has never bolted out of his bed so fast in his entire life. He has been cooped up in their dorm since their break started, which was three days ago. Promotions and other schedules took a toll on the group and with an upcoming comeback happening in two months, they need all the rest they can to get enough energy once break is over.
Rushing out of the dorm with two different shoes—one that is probably Gyuvin’s due to its massive size—Hanbin went straight to the drug store to get every medicine possible. Should he have checked on Matthew first before impulsively buying copious amounts of tablets, pills, and syrups? Yes, but his Mashu instincts could never go wrong.
His feet instantly led him back to the dorms, rushing to the floor where Matthew and Ricky reside. The door was unlocked, making it easy for Hanbin to drop the bags of (unnecessary amount) of medicine on the couch where Ricky is.
Ricky stands up and signals his leave. “I’ll go stay with Gyuvin for now. He didn’t open the door for me no matter how many times I’ve called out to him. Take care of Mashu, Hanbing hyung.”
Hanbin stands in front of Matthew’s door for a solid 5 seconds before knocking softly. “Mashu?”
He knocks twice. “Hyung is here.”
Thrice. “Seokmae.”
He hears the knob from the other side of the door twist, slowly creaking and revealing a disheveled Matthew with a thick blanket hovering his head and whole body—his face the only thing visible.
It was clear that he had been sick for a while given the sunken dark circles under his eyes, his unnaturally pale complexion, and dull energy; Hanbin takes note of the absence of Matthew’s signature sunshine smile causing a pinch in his heart.
“Ah, Mashu,” Hanbin says, coming out as a whine of pity, “Let’s go back to bed.” Matthew weakly whimpers in response, clearly out of energy for words as he let Hanbin lead him back to the comfort of his bed.
“This must be all the pent up sickness you’ve been keeping to yourself,” Hanbin sighs, “Don’t push yourself too much, baby.” Matthew groaned but still had the slightest energy to chuckle. “You should… say that to—yourself, hyong.”
Hanbin just shakes his head before heading to the bathroom to soak a towel in warm water. Squeezing out the excess water, he folded it and made his way back to Matthew laying in bed with a pained expression. The younger was breathing heavily, a crease forming in his forehead from his eyebrows meeting together in a scrunch but once Hanbin rested the warm towel on his forehead, his breathing came to a calm and his face relaxed.
Hanbin remains seated beside Matthew on the bed as he gazes at the younger with an expression of both adoration and worry. It has been a long time since he has encountered Matthew in a state like this.
As the other trainees bid their goodbyes, Hanbin waved his hand back. He turns to find Matthew doing another run of his dance routine for the nth time.
The instructor scolded Matthew over a few sloppy moves and errors in his dancing as he was being evaluated for the monthly evaluation. Hanbin knows how hard Matthew is on himself when facing criticism. Despite believing in the younger’s abilities—encouraging him with praise and compliments—it doesn’t falter the strictness Matthew has towards himself.
“Seokmae-ya,” Hanbin calls out, “It’s getting late. Let’s go now.” He turned off the music from Matthew’s phone connected to the speaker but the younger remained unfazed, counting the beat under his breath as he worked his body to move in accordance to the dance.
Hanbin frowns, his forehead creasing in concern of his friend. He strides towards Matthew, holding him by the wrist before immediately letting go of him. “Seokmae, you’re burning!”
“I-I’m fine, hyong. I’ll catch up with you later. Just let me finish–” Matthew’s words were cut off as he fainted, Hanbin fortunately catching him in his arms.
Hanbin’s eyes widened as it slowly waters with tears and panic, his hands shakingly holding Matthew who was heavily breathing. He was sweaty and scorching hot. Hanbin snapped out of his trance and instantly carried the younger to their dorm with all his might.
And in those next long hours, Hanbin took care of Matthew—tucking his shivering state in the thickest blankets he could find, patching him up with a fever patch, wiping his sweat, helping him drink medicine and timing it, and looked after him without a wink of sleep.
Hanbin could only sigh as he reminisced about the old days, except this time it was almost still the same. His hand brushed Matthew’s hair away from his forehead, Matthew nuzzling to the touch. His eyes remained at Matthew, watching with intent as if he’s afraid of something bad happening with a single movement of his.
His gaze broke off when something plopped up in between them—a cat. Hanbin abruptly recognized it; Gia, a cat Matthew mentioned he got a long time ago. The feline walked towards and on Matthew, making Hanbin internally panic, but Gia stopped to lay down on Matthew’s stomach in a loaf position.
He remembers Matthew’s stories about Gia’s shenanigans. How he would always get scratches and bite marks all over his hands and arms—sometimes even on his face—because he would always use it to play with Gia, which Matthew admitted was his fault for tolerating it. Matthew would laugh about the memory of Gia climbing over his wall of collections and knocking down a few figurines, having zoomies at 2AM, biting the wifi router only when he’s live on plus chat, and even biting his hair when Gia sleeps above his head. And despite all of the fiasco he just told Hanbin, Matthew had a sparkle in his eyes talking about his cat.
Which amazes Hanbin that Gia is seemingly calm compared to what he’s heard about the feline. Hanbin breaks out into a smile at the thought, his head tilting as he looks over Gia. “You must be worried about your dad, no, Gia?”
Gia looked back at him with wide eyes before blinking and returning his gaze to his sick owner. Hanbin just chuckles, reaching to pet the purring cat.
“I used to hear about cats bringing luck and possessing healing powers. Do you mind taking away Matthew’s sickness?” Hanbin asks, “Well, not to the extent of your life, you know?”
The cat just blinked at him before shifting in his position to comfortably sleep above Matthew’s stomach. Hanbin breaks into an endearing smile watching Matthew’s beloved cat stay by his side. Slowly, he as well drifts into slumber with his hand remaining on Matthew’s head.
Hanbin groaned as he felt a heavy weight on his stomach. As he squints and rubs at his eyes, he sees Gia pawing at him trying to grab his attention.
“Alright, alright, I’ll feed you.” Hanbin says until he remembers Matthew who is snoring soundly beside him. He immediately draped his palm over his forehead, heaving a sigh of relief when he had recovered from his fever—not feeling any scorching heat from his skin nor heavy and uncomfortable breathing.
Hanbin brushed Matthew’s hair one last time before heading outside the room to the kitchen, calling out to Gia. Opening the cabinets, he finds the kibble and wet food, shaking it to urge Gia to come closer.
“Because you’ve been a very good kitty healer, I will make you the best breakfast of your life.” Hanbin proudly says as he places the bowl of food down to where the patient feline awaits, which Gia gobbled up straight away.
Hanbin then went straight to the fridge to rummage through ingredients for Matthew’s breakfast, settling for a simple chicken noodle soup. Each vegetable is finely chopped, chicken and noodles ready to boil, and spices lined up to mix with the broth.
He stirred the pot after putting the chicken and noodles, humming to a song so casually until he felt arms snake around his waist. He looks back to see Matthew nosing at his nape—his arms tightening around Hanbin.
“Seokmae, you’re awake. How are you, my love?” The pet name slips so naturally and yet the realization burns in Hanbin’s ears, staining it red.
“M’good.” Matthew just grumbled against his shoulder before lifting his head to meet Hanbin’s eyes. “Thanks for taking care of me, hyong. Wouldn’t have survived without you.”
Hanbin breaks into a smile, turning to face Matthew and squish his cheeks against his palms. “Of course I’d take care of you. You’re my baby.” Hanbin coos.
Matthew makes a pouty expression that sends Hanbin’s heart into space from how cute he looks. “I’m 23!” Hanbin laughs and pinches his cheek. “Still my baby.”
“But seriously hyong, I feel bad for taking away your rest from everything before the comeback. I feel like I have to make up for your stolen time a gazillion times.” Matthew sadly states, playing with the hem of Hanbin’s shirt.
Hanbin hums then makes a lightbulb moment expression. “You can make up for hyung,” Hanbin’s hand finds its way to Matthew’s chin, “Give me a kiss.” Hanbin stares at him immensely before breaking out into a joking fit of kissing sounds.
“I’m just kidding, Mashu!” Hanbin laughed, turning back from Matthew to pay attention to the soup he’s cooking. “Go take a seat and I’ll serve yo–” Hands flung him to turn back, lips smashing against his.
Hanbin’s eyes go wide as he registers the warmth of Matthew’s mouth merging with his, nipping lightly at his bottom lip while his hands hold tightly around his hips. They part and Matthew’s eyes dilate at the realization of kissing Hanbin.
“H-hyong, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have–I just recovered but–and I–”
“I don’t care about getting sick.” Hanbin breathes out before slowly bringing his lips towards Matthew’s. Matthew stilled for a moment, processing the view of Hanbin’s eyes closed while passionately kissing him, before reciprocating with much passion.
Hanbin caresses Matthew’s cheek with such tender touch, his thumb grazing at the soft skin while his other hand holds Matthew to his waist with strength that mirrors desire of wanting the moment to last forever.
Matthew sighs with every movement of their lips, breathing out a whine every time a sliver of Hanbin’s tongue touches his—wanting to be devoured whole and not teasingly. Hanbin smiles in between their kiss, giving in and making their tongues languidly battle.
Hanbin squeezes Matthew’s waist before breaking their kiss with a peck. Their foreheads rest against each other as they both catch their breath, abruptly breaking into fits of laughter.
“Ah, Seok Matthew, you don’t know what you do to me.”
“So do you, Sung Hanbin.”
As they reach for another kiss, Gia meows—interrupting their love bubble and making them aware of the burning smell of smoke and the intense bubbling of overflowing boiling soup, making Hanbin jump in a panic to turn off the stove.
Hanbin took off the lid to see the condition of the soup, stirring it with a ladle before giving Matthew a thumbs up. “Gia saved the soup.” Matthew giggled, skipping through the drawers for the bowls.
As they sat at the table with shy smiles and edible soup for breakfast, Hanbin’s face distorted.
“A-AACHOO!”
Hanbin now acquires the luck of not only making out with Matthew but the chance of getting taken care of him too.