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Kai leaned back, pressing his head deeper into the arm of the couch, hoping it could take all his headache away but of course that stupid couch could not. The moonlight seeped through the curtains, casting a ghostly hue on everything. The TV was in front of him, a blur of colours displayed on its screen and lively chatter fading into a buzz by the time it reached Kai’s ears.
He brought his arm to his mouth as he coughed, a tremor rippling throughout his body. Everything hurt. It felt like a million knives were stuck in his throat, a million gunshots to his head, a million reasons keeping him awake even when his body longed for deep slumber.
He managed to hear heavy, thunderous footsteps over the ringing in his ears, and sat upright, eyes scanning around to see who it could be.
“Cole!” He croaked out, a smile tugging at his lips despite everything. “Wait, what are you doing?” He narrowed his eyes, trying to make out Cole’s silhouette. Cole walked over to him, circling the couch before falling next to Kai.
“I was doing business before you interrupted me.” He ruffled his hair, chuckling as the other protested.
“Did that business have something to do with the last slice of cake in the fridge?”
“Maybe…” He chuckled sheepishly and snaked an arm over Kai’s shoulders, “What are you doing up so late?”
“Couldn’t sleep…” Kai muttered, eyes focusing back on the TV. He couldn’t understand a single thing going on. He couldn’t ever understand anything. He picked up the TV remote from the coffee table in front of him and shut it off.
“What’s wrong firework?” Cole’s hands cupped his face, so warm and tender as usual that Kai couldn’t help but lean into the touch. “Damn, you’re hot.”
Kai knew what he meant by that but he still had to crack some sort of joke to lighten the mood, “I know. I always said I provided the team with its looks.” He winked.
“No, like actually hot.” He pulled away, leaving Kai to miss the feeling, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” He managed before erupting into a fit of coughs, his whole body shaking. Of course, his body had to betray him. He looked back up at Cole and could see the concern in his eyes. “I’m fine!” He repeated. “Or I will be eventually.” He added in a low whisper that Cole barely caught.
“You need to go to bed.” Cole grabbed Kai by his arms and tried to help him up but Kai was fixed to his spot, refusing to get up.
“‘m fine.” He waved his hands away and crossed his arms. “I don’t wanna walk.” He whined.
“Okay.”
Had he won? Had Cole finally given up on insisting that Kai is sick?
A hand rested on the backside of his knees, another hand resting on his back as he felt himself being lifted up. He let out an undignified yelp and dug his fingers into Cole’s sweater.
“You said you don’t want to walk so I decided to help you out.” And Kai could just hear his smirk.
He led him to his bedroom, gently nudging the door open with his foot and lying Kai down onto the bed, going back outside and reappearing later with a tablet of ibuprofen and a glass half full. He sat down at the edge of the bed that creaked under his weight. “Here.” He handed the tablet to Kai who opened his mouth and placed it on his tongue, swallowing it down with the aid of the water.
“Thanks..” He rested his back on the pillow, letting its softness caress his head and squeezed his eyes shut, searching for the passageway to his dreams. Cole laid down next to him with a grunt.
Kai opened his eyes and just couldn’t resist the urge to crawl onto Cole, pressing his cheek into his chest, letting his soothing heartbeat overpower the ringing. Cole laughed, a sound so melodious and sweet, and wrapped an arm over the master of fire, stroking his back.
Kai shut his eyes once again. With Cole’s touch and his rhythmic heartbeat under his ears, it was far easier to ignore the ache and lose himself to the much needed sleep.