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It was nearing the end of summer.
We had Japanese food from this new place that was near home.
By the time dinner was winding down...
I don't think anyone at the table could've eaten another bite.
Changbin leaned back in his chair with a dramatic sigh.
"I think I've peaked."
Chris looked up from his drink.
"...Peaked?"
"My life."
He rested a hand over his stomach.
"It doesn't get better than this."
Felix laughed.
"You say that every time we order food."
"Because every time feels like a new peak."
"I admire the commitment."
"I admire the food."
I smiled to myself, reaching for my drink.
The table was a mess.
Empty plates.
Half-finished drinks.
A ridiculous number of napkins.
Someone, probably Changbin, had somehow managed to spill sauce across the middle of the table.
"...Who did that?"
Chris asked.
Changbin looked around innocently.
"...No idea."
"You've still got the sauce on your sleeve."
He looked down.
"...That's circumstantial evidence."
Hyunjin laughed so hard he had to put his chopsticks down.
Élise shook her head with a smile.
"I don't think that's how evidence works."
Changbin pointed at her.
"I like you."
"I know."
"You never judge me."
"I absolutely judge you."
"...Fair."
Jeongin laughed beside her.
"I warned you."
"You did."
She smiled.
"I just chose not to listen."
Minho quietly stole another piece of chicken from my plate.
I looked at him.
"...Really?"
He blinked.
"What?"
"That's mine."
"I thought we were sharing."
"We weren't."
"We are now."
I sighed dramatically.
"...You're lucky I like you."
"I know."
He grinned before eating the last bite.
"...Worth it."
I nudged his knee beneath the table.
He nudged mine back.
Across from us, Felix caught Hyunjin reaching for his fries.
Without even looking up, Felix slid the plate closer.
Hyunjin smiled to himself.
"...Thanks."
"Mhm."
It was such a tiny thing.
But somehow...
I noticed those things more now.
The little habits.
The quiet ways everyone took care of each other without thinking.
Chris stood first, gathering empty plates.
"Okay."
"Whose turn is it to clean?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Nobody moved.
Chris looked around the table.
"...Seriously?"
Changbin suddenly became fascinated by the ceiling.
Jeongin inspected his empty glass like it contained the meaning of life.
Felix looked at Hyunjin.
Hyunjin looked at Felix.
Minho leaned toward me.
"...Don't make eye contact."
"I'm trying not to."
Chris sighed.
"I live with children."
"We're adults."
Changbin protested.
Chris raised an eyebrow.
"You tried to convince the waiter that buying dessert counted as eating vegetables."
"...He almost believed me."
"No, he didn't."
"...We'll never know."
Laughter echoed through the dining room.
The kind that filled every corner of the house.
I looked around the table.
Chris.
Changbin.
Hyunjin.
Felix.
Seungmin.
Jeongin.
Élise.
Minho.
It hit me how different everything felt now.
A few months ago...
I would've been sitting here wondering if I deserved any of this.
Now...
I was just wondering who was going to lose the argument about doing the dishes.
And honestly...
I liked that a lot better.
"Rock, paper, scissors."
Chris announced.
"The losers clean."
Changbin immediately stood up.
"I suddenly remembered I have somewhere to be."
Chris pointed toward the sink.
"Oh no you don't."
"I have... an appointment."
"At nine o'clock?"
"...Yes."
"Doing what?"
"...Living my truth."
Felix burst out laughing.
Hyunjin covered his face with one hand.
"I can't believe we're friends with him."
"You love me."
"I tolerate you."
"Same thing."
The room erupted into laughter again.
In the end...
Chris lost.
So did Changbin.
And somehow...
Seungmin.
"I wasn't even playing."
Seungmin frowned as he carried a stack of plates toward the sink.
Chris shrugged.
"You made eye contact."
"That's not how rock, paper, scissors works."
"It does in this house."
"...I hate this house."
"No, you don't."
"...You're right."
Changbin grinned.
"You'd miss us."
"I'd miss the peace."
"You don't know what peace is."
"I do."
He looked directly at Changbin.
"I just never experience it."
Felix laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink.
Hyunjin reached over automatically, steadying the glass before it tipped over.
"...Careful."
"I'm okay."
"I know."
I caught myself smiling again.
The little things.
I was always noticing the little things now.
Minho bumped my shoulder gently.
"What?"
"You've got that look again."
"...What look?"
"The thinking one."
"I don't have a thinking look."
"You absolutely do."
I rolled my eyes.
"...Maybe I do."
"I knew it."
We carried our plates into the kitchen while Chris and Changbin continued arguing over whose turn it really was to wash them.
"It was your idea!"
"So?"
"So you should clean!"
"I provided the entertainment."
"You provided the mess."
"...Also true."
Élise quietly slipped beside Jeongin, drying the dishes almost before Chris had a chance to ask for help.
Jeongin looked at her.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
She smiled.
"But I want to."
He smiled back.
"...Okay."
Across the kitchen, Felix nudged Hyunjin with his elbow.
"You drying?"
Hyunjin looked down at the towel in his hand.
"...I thought I was supervising."
"No."
"...Worth a try."
I laughed quietly.
The kitchen slowly emptied as everyone wandered off.
Chris stretched his arms over his head.
"I'm going to shower."
Changbin yawned.
"I'm going straight to bed."
"...You always go straight to bed."
"Because I'm smart."
Seungmin walked past him.
"No."
"You're old."
"I am one year older than you."
"Exactly."
"...Rude."
I leaned against the counter while Minho filled two glasses of water.
He handed one to me.
"...Drink."
I took a sip.
"You've become very bossy."
"I've become hydrated."
"That's not the same thing."
"It's close enough."
I smiled, finishing the glass anyway.
As we headed upstairs, I noticed Chris pause halfway up the staircase.
He rubbed at the back of his neck before continuing.
"You okay?"
I asked.
He looked back over his shoulder.
"...Yeah."
He rolled one shoulder absentmindedly.
"Think I slept funny last night."
"Makes sense."
He nodded once.
"...Night, guys."
"Night."
A few minutes later, Jeongin appeared outside his room.
"...Hey."
Élise looked up from beside him.
"Hm?"
"You don't have to go home tonight if you don't want to."
She blinked.
"What?"
"It's late."
"And..."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"I just thought..."
"You could stay."
A smile slowly spread across her face.
"...Are you sure?"
He nodded.
"Chris won't mind."
Chris poked his head out of his room farther down the hallway.
"I heard my name."
Jeongin immediately froze.
Chris looked between the two of them.
Then smiled.
"...She's welcome anytime."
Élise laughed.
"Thank you."
Changbin opened his bedroom door.
"...Wait."
"So does that mean Chris, Seungmin and I are roommates now?"
Chris sighed dramatically.
"I've lost my privacy."
"You never had privacy."
"...Good point."
Seungmin walked past all of us toward the bathroom.
"...Just don't snore."
Changbin looked offended.
"I don't snore."
Three different voices answered at once.
"You do."
He looked around.
"...Traitors."
Laughter echoed down the hallway.
Minho's hand found mine as we walked into our room.
He closed the door behind us with a quiet click.
"...Long day."
"Mhm."
I changed into an oversized T-shirt while he disappeared into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
When he came back, he immediately frowned.
"What?"
He rubbed lightly at one of his temples.
"...I've got a bit of a headache."
I looked at him.
"Maybe you need more water."
"Probably."
He finished the second glass without complaining.
"Better?"
"...A little."
I climbed into bed beside him.
"You?"
He asked.
I thought about it.
"...My stomach feels kind of weird."
He looked over immediately.
"Weird how?"
I shrugged.
"I don't know."
"Probably just ate too much."
He laughed quietly.
"We all did."
"...True."
Neither of us thought anything of it.
Outside, the house slowly fell silent.
The bedroom doors closed one by one.
The lights in the hallway clicked off.
Within half an hour...
The mansion was asleep.
Peaceful.
Quiet.
Completely unaware...
That before the sun came up...
Almost everyone in the house would be awake again.
—
Something wasn't right.
I didn't know what had woken me at first.
The room was dark.
The clock beside the bed glowed faintly.
3:17 a.m.
I frowned.
My stomach twisted uncomfortably.
"...Mm."
I shifted beneath the blankets, hoping it would pass.
It didn't.
Another cramp rolled through my stomach.
Stronger this time.
I sat up slowly, pressing a hand against my abdomen.
Maybe I'd just eaten too much.
Yeah.
That had to be it.
Beside me, Minho stirred.
"...Sung?"
His voice was thick with sleep.
"You okay?"
"I think so."
Even to my own ears...
I didn't sound convinced.
Another wave of discomfort hit.
I closed my eyes.
"...Maybe not."
Minho pushed himself upright almost immediately.
"You sick?"
"I..."
Before I could answer, another cramp doubled me over slightly.
"...I think."
He frowned.
"You look pale."
"...Thanks."
"I don't think that was a compliment."
I managed a weak smile.
"I figured."
The room fell quiet again.
Then...
A door opened somewhere down the hallway.
A few hurried footsteps echoed across the floorboards.
A bathroom door shut.
Minho and I looked at each other.
"...Did you hear that?"
I nodded.
"...Yeah."
Neither of us thought much of it.
Until another bedroom door opened.
Then another.
"...Chris?"
Someone called quietly from down the hall.
It sounded like Changbin.
No answer.
A few seconds later, another voice drifted through the hallway.
"...Is someone in the bathroom?"
Hyunjin.
"...Yeah."
Chris answered weakly.
"Give me a minute."
Minho blinked.
"...Why is everyone awake?"
As if on cue...
A groan echoed from another room.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me..."
Seungmin.
I slowly climbed out of bed.
"I should go see if everyone's okay."
The moment I stood...
The room tilted slightly.
I grabbed the edge of the dresser to steady myself.
Minho was beside me instantly.
"Whoa."
"I'm okay."
"You almost walked into the wall."
"...The wall moved."
He gave me a look.
"The wall definitely didn't move."
"...I know."
Another cramp rolled through my stomach.
I winced.
"...Okay."
"The wall stayed exactly where it was."
Before either of us could say anything else...
Someone knocked on our bedroom door.
Three slow knocks.
Minho opened it.
Chris stood on the other side.
He looked...
Awful.
His hair was sticking up in every direction.
His face was pale.
One hand rested against the wall like he was using it to stay upright.
"...Please tell me..."
He paused, rubbing his forehead.
"...One of you feels terrible too."
Minho and I looked at each other.
"...Yeah."
Chris let out a long sigh.
"...Good."
I frowned.
"...Good?"
"I mean..."
He closed his eyes for a second.
"...Not good."
"But I was starting to think it was just me."
Before anyone could answer...
Another bedroom door opened.
Hyunjin stepped into the hallway.
Felix was right behind him.
"...You look horrible."
Felix said immediately.
"...Thanks."
Hyunjin replied weakly.
"I feel horrible."
Chris looked between all of us.
"...Hang on."
He counted silently.
"You."
He pointed at me.
"Sick."
"Minho?"
"...Yeah."
"Me."
"Mhm."
"Hyunjin?"
"I think my body hates me."
Chris sighed.
"...That's four."
Almost on cue...
Jeongin's bedroom door opened.
Élise stepped out first.
She looked completely awake.
"...Why is everyone standing in the hallway?"
Behind her, Jeongin leaned against the doorframe.
"...Because..."
He paused to press a hand against his stomach.
"...I think we're dying."
Élise immediately rolled her eyes.
"No."
"You have food poisoning."
"...Same thing."
Chris stared at her.
"...You're not sick?"
She shook her head.
"No."
Felix blinked.
"...Wait."
"I'm not either."
Everyone turned toward him.
"...Seriously?"
He nodded.
"I feel fine."
Changbin suddenly appeared from the end of the hallway, looking surprisingly energetic.
"...Why is everyone awake?"
Chris looked at him.
"...Are you sick?"
Changbin frowned.
"...No?"
Silence.
Chris slowly looked around the hallway.
Then pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
Out of the nine of us...
Only three people were standing there looking perfectly healthy.
Élise.
Felix.
Changbin.
Everyone else looked like they wanted to crawl straight back into bed.
Chris sighed.
"...I think..."
He rubbed his temples.
"...We're never eating from that restaurant again."
Nobody argued.
Because nobody had the energy to.
The hallway fell quiet.
Minho frowned.
"...I'm gonna sue—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His face changed almost instantly.
The tiny bit of color he still had disappeared.
I looked at him.
"...Min?"
He swallowed hard.
"...Hang on."
His hand flew over his mouth.
"...Minho?"
He didn't answer.
His eyes widened.
Then—
He turned and bolted toward the bathroom.
"Minho!"
I hurried after him without thinking.
The bathroom door barely made it open before he disappeared inside.
I reached it a second later, stopping in the doorway.
"...Hey."
He didn't answer.
He was kneeling on the floor, one hand gripping the edge of the sink as he tried to catch his breath afterward.
My chest tightened.
I quietly knelt beside him.
"...I'm here."
He nodded weakly.
"I know."
His voice was hoarse.
I reached over, gently rubbing slow circles across the middle of his back.
"...That was awful."
He let out the weakest laugh I'd ever heard.
"...I was literally about to threaten legal action."
Despite everything...
A tiny laugh escaped me.
"...You almost made it."
"I almost had a very convincing argument."
Another cough interrupted him.
He closed his eyes for a moment before leaning back against the cabinet.
"...I don't think I'm suing anyone anymore."
"You sure?"
"Mhm."
"I don't have the energy."
I smiled faintly.
"...Probably for the best."
He rested his head against the cabinet door with a quiet groan.
"My head hurts."
"I know."
"My stomach hurts."
"I know."
"...Everything hurts."
"I know."
For a little while...
Neither of us spoke.
The bathroom was strangely quiet compared to the hallway outside.
I reached up and turned on the faucet just enough to wet a washcloth.
"...Here."
He accepted it with a quiet, grateful nod, pressing the cool cloth against the back of his neck.
"...Thanks."
"Any time."
He looked over at me.
"You should probably go."
I frowned.
"What?"
"If this is food poisoning..."
He gave me a tired smile.
"...You don't want to be stuck in here with me."
I couldn't help smiling back.
"You chased after me during a panic attack."
I gently bumped his shoulder with mine.
"I think I can sit with you through food poisoning."
His expression softened.
"...Fair."
I rested my shoulder lightly against his.
Neither of us said much after that.
We were both too exhausted.
A few minutes later, a soft knock came from the other side of the door.
"...You guys alive?"
Changbin's voice.
"Barely."
Minho called back weakly.
The door opened just enough for Changbin to peek his head inside.
He looked between us before holding up two bottles.
"I come bearing electrolyte drinks."
I stared at him.
"...You look suspiciously healthy."
"I know."
He sounded almost guilty.
"I feel bad."
Minho accepted one of the bottles with a dramatic sigh.
"...If you never let me forget this..."
Changbin grinned.
"Oh, don't worry."
"I fully intend to remind everyone that I survived."
Minho pointed weakly toward the door.
"...Get out."
Changbin laughed as he backed into the hallway.
"...Love you too."
The door clicked shut again.
I looked over at Minho.
"...Feeling any better?"
He thought for a second.
"...Emotionally?"
"...No."
I laughed quietly.
"...Physically?"
"...Also no."
I leaned my head against his shoulder.
"...At least we're miserable together."
A tired smile appeared on his face.
"...Wouldn't want to be miserable with anyone else.”
We eventually made our way back to our room.
I had barely sat down on the bed when I heard hurried footsteps racing down the hallway.
I turned just in time to see Seungmin sprint past our open bedroom door, one hand clamped firmly over his mouth as he disappeared into the bathroom.
"...Poor Seungmin."
Minho looked over at me.
"Why?"
"He has emetophobia."
"...Emeto-what?"
"The fear of throwing up."
"Oh."
He blinked.
"That explains a lot."
"What?"
"Every time someone even mentions throwing up, he threatens to bake our ashes into a pie."
I snorted.
"...You're not wrong."
A laugh escaped Minho.
I laughed too.
Almost immediately, both of us regretted it.
We clutched our stomachs at the same time.
"...Ow."
"Don't laugh."
"You laughed first."
"I know."
We looked at each other.
Then burst into another fit of laughter.
"...Stop..."
"You stop..."
By the time we managed to calm down, tears had formed in the corners of my eyes.
Whether they were from laughing or from feeling absolutely miserable...
I honestly couldn't tell.
Unfortunately...
The night was far from over.
Neither of us got much sleep.
Every time I thought I'd finally drifted off, another wave of stomach cramps would wake me again.
At one point, I heard Chris quietly apologizing to Changbin from somewhere down the hallway after accidentally waking him up.
A little while later, Jeongin weakly insisted he was "definitely getting better" before Élise immediately told him to lie back down.
Even Hyunjin and Felix's room wasn't completely quiet.
I could faintly hear Felix reminding Hyunjin to drink another sip of water every so often.
The entire mansion had somehow become one very exhausted, very miserable infirmary.
Eventually...
Sometime before sunrise...
I finally fell asleep.
The next time I opened my eyes, pale morning sunlight filtered through the curtains.
For a second, I simply lay there, listening.
Someone groaned downstairs.
Another voice answered with an equally miserable groan.
I smiled faintly.
Looks like nobody was feeling much better.
I reached over to the other side of the bed.
Cold.
I frowned.
"...Min?"
No answer.
I slowly sat up, every muscle in my body protesting the movement.
The room spun just enough to make me close my eyes for a second.
"...Still sick..."
I muttered to myself.
After taking a slow breath, I carefully climbed out of bed and shuffled toward the bedroom door.
If Minho wasn't here...
He was probably downstairs.
And judging by the sounds coming from the first floor...
So was everyone else.
I slowly made my way downstairs, one hand trailing along the wall for balance.
Every step reminded me exactly how miserable I felt.
By the time I reached the bottom...
The living room looked like a disaster relief center.
Blankets were draped over the couches.
Bottles of water covered the coffee table.
Someone had left a thermometer beside the TV remote.
"...Morning."
My voice came out much weaker than I intended.
Six heads turned toward me.
Well...
Almost six.
Chris barely managed to lift his.
"...Hey."
He sounded like he'd lost an argument with a truck.
Minho looked up from the couch.
"There you are."
He patted the empty space beside him.
"C'mere."
I didn't need to be asked twice.
I practically collapsed beside him, immediately leaning against his shoulder.
"...You disappeared."
"I woke up before you."
He gently brushed a few strands of hair away from my face.
"You were finally sleeping."
"I didn't want to wake you."
I hummed quietly.
"...Thanks."
Beside us, Seungmin looked...
Awful.
Not just sick.
Scared.
He sat unusually still, staring down at the mug in his hands like it had personally offended him.
"...You alright?"
I asked.
He nodded once.
"...Mhm."
Nobody believed him.
Not even a little.
Minho frowned.
"You've gone really pale."
"I know."
"...I don't like it."
"I don't like it either."
He swallowed hard.
"...I'm trying really hard not to think about it."
"The stomach?"
Minho asked quietly.
Seungmin nodded.
"...And everything that comes with it."
I immediately knew what he meant.
"...You'll be okay."
"I know."
He let out a shaky breath.
"...I just really, really don't want to throw up."
Minho gave him a sympathetic look.
"...That's fair."
Across the room, Jeongin was wrapped in two blankets despite the fact that it wasn't even cold.
Élise knelt beside the couch, adjusting one of them over his shoulders.
"You should go home."
Jeongin mumbled.
She looked up.
"...No."
"I don't want you getting sick."
"I'll be okay."
"You've already done enough."
She smiled softly.
"And I'm choosing to stay."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
She reached over, gently brushing his messy hair away from his forehead.
"But I want to."
Jeongin sighed.
"...You're stubborn."
"So I've been told."
"...Mostly by you."
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"...Fair."
The kitchen wasn't much quieter.
Felix stood at the stove, carefully pouring hot water into what looked like his seventh mug of tea.
"I swear..."
He muttered.
"...If one more person asks for honey..."
Hyunjin shuffled up behind him without saying a word.
He slowly wrapped both arms around Felix, resting his hands on Felix's shoulders before leaning his forehead against his shoulder.
"...Hi."
Felix smiled immediately.
"Hi."
"You making another one?"
"Mhm."
"For who?"
Felix glanced toward the living room.
"...At this point?"
"Everyone."
Hyunjin let out the tiniest groan.
"...Can I just stay here?"
"You already are."
"I know."
"I like it."
Felix laughed quietly.
"I noticed."
Without turning around, he reached back and gently squeezed one of Hyunjin's hands.
"...You're warm."
"I've got a fever."
"...Still warm."
I smiled to myself.
Even food poisoning couldn't stop them.
At the dining table, Chris had his laptop open.
He stared blankly at the screen for several seconds before slowly typing something.
Then stopping.
Then rubbing his temples.
Then typing another sentence.
"...Chris."
Changbin called from the kitchen.
"You know you can take a day off, right?"
"I have emails."
"You have a fever."
"I have responsibilities."
"You also look like you're about to fall asleep sitting up."
Chris looked over.
"...I probably am."
Changbin walked into the living room carrying a tray loaded with bottles of water, electrolyte drinks, crackers, and small bowls.
He looked suspiciously energetic.
Which somehow made it worse.
"Alright."
He clapped his hands once.
"Breakfast delivery."
Nobody moved.
"...Guys?"
Still nothing.
"...I even put the crackers in bowls."
Minho looked up weakly.
"...You're asking a lot from us."
"I literally carried them to you."
"...That's still a lot."
Changbin sighed dramatically.
"I spend one morning being healthy and suddenly I'm everyone's parent."
"You kind of are."
Felix called from the kitchen.
"I don't remember signing adoption papers."
Chris closed his laptop with a defeated sigh.
"I'll sign them."
"I need an adult."
"You are the adult."
"I know."
"...That's the problem."
A tired laugh escaped almost everyone in the room.
Even Seungmin smiled...
For about three seconds.
Then the smile disappeared.
He swallowed.
Once.
Twice.
His face somehow became even paler.
Minho noticed immediately.
"...Seungmin?"
He didn't answer.
His eyes stayed fixed on the floor.
I frowned.
"...Seungmin?"
Slowly...
He stood up.
Almost immediately, his knees wobbled.
"...Whoa."
Chris started to push himself up from the table.
Before anyone could reach him...
Seungmin's eyes fluttered shut.
"...I don't feel very—"
His sentence never finished.
"...I don't feel very—"
His sentence never finished.
His knees gave out.
"Seungmin!"
Chris was the first one to move.
Which was honestly impressive considering he looked like he was running on about two hours of sleep and half a functioning brain cell.
Unfortunately...
He only made it two steps before wobbling himself.
"...Whoa."
Minho instinctively started to stand beside me.
Immediately regretted it.
"...Nope."
He slowly sat back down.
"My body disagrees."
Thankfully...
Changbin had been closest.
He caught Seungmin before he hit the floor, one arm wrapped firmly around his back while the other steadied his shoulders.
"...Easy."
Seungmin blinked a few times.
"...Did I faint?"
Changbin looked at him.
"...A little."
"...That's embarrassing."
"I don't think anyone here is in a position to judge you."
He gestured around the room.
Chris was clinging to the dining chair.
Hyunjin still hadn't let go of Felix.
Jeongin looked like a burrito made entirely out of blankets.
Minho was leaning so heavily against me that I wasn't entirely convinced he was awake anymore.
"...Fair point."
Seungmin mumbled.
Felix hurried over from the kitchen, setting the tray of tea down on the coffee table.
"Is he okay?"
"I think so."
Changbin answered.
"He just got up way too fast."
Élise was already kneeling beside them.
"Seungmin?"
He looked at her.
"Can you tell me if anything hurts besides your stomach?"
He thought about it.
"...My pride."
Even she laughed.
"...Good."
"That means you're still you."
Chris finally reached them, lowering himself onto the couch with far less dignity than he'd probably intended.
"...Don't scare us like that."
Seungmin frowned.
"...You're one to talk."
Chris blinked.
"You almost walked face-first into the wall twenty minutes ago."
"...That was one time."
"It was this morning."
"...Details."
I couldn't help smiling.
Despite how awful everyone looked...
It somehow still felt...
Normal.
Chaotic.
But normal.
Changbin helped Seungmin sit down on the couch.
"No more standing."
"I wasn't planning on it."
"I mean it."
"I literally just fainted."
"...Good point."
Felix quietly handed Seungmin one of the mugs.
"I made peppermint tea."
"...Thanks."
He accepted it with both hands.
"...If I throw this up—"
"You won't."
Felix interrupted immediately.
"...Don't finish that sentence."
Seungmin gave the smallest nod.
"...Right."
"Sorry."
Hyunjin slowly wandered back over, blanket wrapped around his shoulders like a cape.
He looked at Seungmin.
"...You okay?"
"I've been better."
"...Same."
Hyunjin frowned.
"...Actually..."
He looked at Felix.
"I think my fever's winning."
Felix's eyes widened.
"Sit."
"I am sitting."
"More."
"...How do I sit more?"
Felix gently pushed him back against the couch anyway.
"There."
"...Happy?"
"A little."
Hyunjin smiled tiredly.
"...Bossy."
"You like it."
"...Maybe."
Across the room, Jeongin attempted to stand.
Élise immediately noticed.
"...Where are you going?"
"Bathroom."
"I can help."
"I can walk."
He took exactly one step.
Stopped.
Closed his eyes.
"...Actually..."
He looked at her.
"...Can you help?"
She smiled so softly it almost hurt.
"I was already planning on it."
She slipped an arm around his waist, letting him lean on her as they slowly disappeared down the hallway.
Changbin watched them go before looking back at the rest of us.
He sighed dramatically.
"I leave for five minutes and somebody faints."
Chris looked up.
"...You've been gone thirty seconds."
"It felt like five minutes."
"No."
"It really didn't."
Changbin placed both hands on his hips.
"...I would like everyone to know..."
He looked around the room.
"...That I am accepting applications."
"For what?"
I asked.
He grinned.
"Professional caretaker."
Chris raised an eyebrow.
"...Paid?"
"I was thinking emotional compensation."
"You've lost your mind."
"I've gained six patients."
"We are not your patients."
Changbin pointed toward the couch.
"You literally passed out."
He pointed at Minho.
"You almost collapsed."
He pointed at me.
"You've been using Minho as a pillow for twenty minutes."
"...It's comfortable."
"Exactly."
He pointed at Hyunjin.
"You haven't let go of Felix since sunrise."
Hyunjin looked down at the hand he was still holding.
"...Oh."
Felix intertwined their fingers a little tighter.
"...You can keep holding it."
"...Okay."
Changbin looked toward the hallway.
"And Jeongin is currently being escorted to the bathroom."
A pause.
"...I rest my case."
Nobody had enough energy to argue.
Even Chris just sighed.
"...Fine."
"You win."
Changbin smiled proudly.
"I know."
Chris looked at him for a long moment.
Then...
"...Could you get me another bottle of water?"
Changbin's smile immediately softened.
"...Already on it."
Without another word, he disappeared into the kitchen.
I watched him go.
For all the complaining he'd been doing...
He hadn't sat down once.
He'd been checking temperatures.
Making toast.
Refilling water bottles.
Running after medicine.
Helping Seungmin.
Helping Chris.
Helping everyone.
I smiled to myself.
"...You're a good hyung."
I called.
His head peeked back around the kitchen doorway.
"...Don't tell anyone."
"I've got a reputation to protect."
That earned the loudest laugh we'd managed all morning.
Even if...
Halfway through laughing...
Almost everyone grabbed their stomach again.
"...Ow."
"...Worth it."
Changbin laughed.
The laughter slowly faded.
For a little while...
The only sounds in the room were quiet conversations, mugs being set on the coffee table, and Changbin rummaging through the kitchen looking for more crackers.
I rested my head against Minho's shoulder again.
Almost immediately...
Another cramp twisted through my stomach.
Stronger than before.
I shut my eyes.
"...You okay?"
Minho asked quietly.
"Mhm."
The answer came a little too quickly.
I felt him looking at me.
"...You sure?"
I nodded.
"...Just another cramp."
He didn't seem convinced.
But he didn't push.
I appreciated that.
A minute passed.
Then another.
The ache in my stomach kept growing.
Slowly.
Steadily.
Until it became impossible to ignore.
I swallowed hard.
"...Min."
"Hm?"
"I'll be right back."
His hand gently squeezed mine.
"You okay?"
"I think so."
I managed a small smile.
"...Just going to the bathroom."
He studied my face for another second before nodding.
"...Okay."
I stood carefully.
The room tilted for just a moment before settling again.
I waited until I was sure I wasn't going to fall over before walking toward the hallway.
Nobody really paid much attention.
Chris was still staring at his laptop.
Changbin was arguing with Felix about whether dry toast counted as breakfast.
Hyunjin was practically asleep against Felix's shoulder.
The hallway felt strangely quiet compared to the living room.
I stepped into the bathroom and quietly locked the door behind me.
Then I gripped the edge of the sink.
"...Come on..."
I whispered.
"Please just stop."
I closed my eyes.
Maybe if I stayed still...
Maybe it'd pass.
Another cramp answered that thought.
I let out a shaky breath.
"...Seriously?"
I stayed there for what felt like forever.
Just breathing.
Waiting.
Trying to convince myself I was okay enough to leave.
Eventually...
I couldn't pretend anymore.
By the time it was over...
I felt completely drained.
I slowly lowered myself to the floor, resting my back against the cabinet beneath the sink.
The cool wood felt surprisingly nice.
I pulled my knees up toward my chest and rested my forehead against them.
Everything felt heavy.
Even lifting my head sounded like too much work.
I wasn't sure how long I stayed there.
A few minutes.
Maybe longer.
The only thing I could really focus on was the sound of my own breathing.
Then...
A quiet knock.
"...Sung?"
Minho.
I closed my eyes.
I hadn't realized I'd been in here that long.
I wanted to answer.
Instead...
Another deep breath escaped me.
"...Sung?"
His voice was a little closer this time.
"You've been in there a while."
Guilt settled somewhere in my chest.
I didn't mean to worry him.
I swallowed.
"...I'm okay."
The words came out much quieter than I intended.
There was a brief pause.
Then...
"...Can I come in?"
Normally...
I probably would've said no.
I would've insisted I was fine.
That I just needed another minute.
That I could handle it myself.
Instead...
I looked at the bathroom door.
"...Yeah."
I heard the doorknob turn.
A second later...
The door opened.
Minho stepped inside before quietly closing it behind him.
He looked almost as miserable as I felt.
His hair was a mess.
His face was pale.
There were dark circles beneath his eyes.
But the first thing he did...
Was look at me.
Not the room.
Not the sink.
Me.
His expression softened immediately.
"...Hey."
He slowly lowered himself onto the floor beside me, wincing halfway down.
"...Ow."
Despite everything...
A tiny smile escaped me.
"...Your joints are showing your age."
He looked at me with mock offense.
"I'm twenty-two."
"Ancient."
"...You're impossible."
I leaned my head back against the cabinet.
"...Probably."
For a little while...
Neither of us spoke.
We just sat there on the bathroom floor.
Two very miserable people.
Somehow...
It was still comforting that I wasn't sitting there alone.
Neither of us seemed to have the energy to say much.
Minho rested his head against the cabinet behind us, letting out a quiet sigh.
"...This sucks."
I let out a tired laugh.
"...A little."
"A little?"
He looked over at me.
"I think I died three times last night."
"I only counted two."
"...You missed one."
I smiled faintly.
"I must've been asleep."
"Lucky."
The bathroom fell quiet again.
I listened to the soft hum of the extractor fan overhead.
Somewhere downstairs...
I could hear Changbin talking.
Chris answered, though I couldn't make out the words.
The house sounded strangely peaceful considering almost everyone in it was sick.
"...Remember yesterday?"
Minho asked quietly.
"The restaurant?"
"Mhm."
"I said I wanted to go back."
"...You cursed us."
"I did."
"I apologize."
"I don't forgive you."
"...Fair."
I bumped my shoulder against his.
Weakly.
He bumped mine back.
"...You know..."
He murmured.
"If we survive..."
"I'm never eating chicken again."
I turned my head.
"It wasn't chicken."
"...Doesn't matter."
"I don't trust any food anymore."
"I don't trust restaurants."
"I don't trust my own stomach."
"...Valid."
Another small smile tugged at my lips.
It didn't last long.
A familiar ache twisted through my stomach again.
Harder this time.
The smile disappeared.
Minho noticed immediately.
"...Sung?"
I drew in a slow breath.
"...Give me a second."
Another cramp followed before I'd even finished speaking.
I instinctively leaned forward, bracing one hand against the floor.
"...Hey."
Minho was beside me almost instantly.
One hand settled carefully between my shoulder blades.
"...Just breathe."
I nodded weakly.
"I'm trying."
He didn't say anything else.
He just stayed there, his hand rubbing slow, reassuring circles across my back.
Not rushing me.
Not asking questions.
Just...
There.
By the time it finally passed, I felt even more exhausted than before.
I stayed where I was for another minute, catching my breath.
"...Better?"
Minho asked quietly.
I nodded once.
"...Yeah."
My voice came out hoarse.
He reached over, grabbing a cup from beside the sink before filling it with a little water.
"...Here."
I accepted it.
"...Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
After taking a small sip, I rested my head back against the cabinet again.
"...You know..."
I looked over at him.
"Hm?"
"I think we're really bad at being sick."
I laughed quietly.
"...I think we're just bad at existing today."
"...That's probably more accurate."
For another minute...
Neither of us moved.
Eventually, Minho slowly pushed himself to his feet.
He immediately grabbed the counter to steady himself.
"...Whoa."
I looked up.
"...You okay?"
He nodded.
"...Ask me again in five business days."
Despite feeling awful...
I laughed.
He held a hand out toward me.
"...Come on."
"I think Changbin's going to send a search party if we stay in here any longer."
I slipped my hand into his.
He helped me up carefully, making sure I was steady before letting go.
"...Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
We opened the bathroom door.
The hallway was quiet.
As soon as we stepped into the living room...
Every head turned toward us.
Changbin was the first to speak.
"There they are."
He set another bottle of water on the coffee table before crossing his arms.
"I was about five minutes away from checking if one of you had fallen asleep in there."
"I considered it."
I admitted.
"I would've respected that."
Chris muttered from underneath a blanket.
"...As long as you didn't make me come get you."
"I wasn't going to."
"You would've."
"...Probably."
Changbin pointed toward the couch.
"Sit."
Neither of us argued.
The moment Minho and I sat down, I leaned against him again almost automatically.
He rested his head lightly against mine.
Across the room, Felix quietly walked over and handed me another mug.
"Ginger tea."
He smiled.
"...Figured it couldn't hurt."
I accepted it with both hands.
"...Thanks."
Hyunjin looked over from where he was curled up under a blanket.
"...How was the bathroom?"
I stared at him for a second.
"...Not exactly a vacation."
"...Yeah..."
He nodded sympathetically.
"...Mine wasn't either."
For some reason...
That was enough to make everyone laugh again.
Quieter this time.
Gentler.
Just a room full of exhausted people finding something to smile about...
Even on a day like this.
For a while...
Nobody said much.
The house had finally settled into a strange kind of silence.
Not because everyone felt better.
Because nobody had the energy to talk anymore.
Chris was still sitting at the dining table.
His laptop remained open in front of him.
Although...
I wasn't entirely convinced he'd actually read anything on the screen for the last ten minutes.
He pinched the bridge of his nose before slowly closing the laptop.
"...I need water."
His voice was barely above a mumble.
"I'll get it."
Changbin immediately stood.
Chris shook his head.
"...I've got it."
"You sure?"
"Mhm."
He pushed his chair back.
For a second...
Everything looked normal.
Then he stood.
His hand immediately grabbed the edge of the table.
I frowned.
"...Chris?"
He didn't answer.
His eyes stayed fixed on the floor.
His breathing became noticeably slower.
Almost...
Like he was trying to steady himself.
Changbin noticed at the exact same time I did.
"Chris."
Still nothing.
He took one slow step toward the kitchen.
Then another.
On the third...
His knees buckled.
"Chris!"
The room exploded into movement.
Changbin caught him before he hit the floor, one arm wrapped securely around his waist while the other supported his shoulders.
"I've got you."
Chris blinked rapidly.
"...I'm okay."
"No, you're not."
Changbin answered firmly.
"I just got dizzy."
"I know."
"You still almost collapsed."
Felix was already beside them.
He grabbed one of the blankets from the couch and folded it beneath Chris's head as Changbin carefully helped him sit on the floor instead of trying to make him stand again.
Élise hurried over from the kitchen with a bottle of water.
"Here."
Chris reached for it.
His hand shook enough that some of the water splashed onto the floor.
He looked at it for a second.
"...Well."
"I missed."
"It's okay."
Élise said gently.
"I've got it."
Minho shifted beside me.
"You alright?"
I nodded.
"...Yeah."
My heart was beating much faster than it had been a minute ago.
Watching someone nearly collapse...
Was enough to make anyone panic.
Seungmin slowly lowered himself onto the arm of the couch.
"...That scared me."
Nobody disagreed.
Hyunjin quietly knelt beside Changbin.
"Can we get him onto the couch?"
Changbin nodded once.
"I think that's a better idea than the floor."
Together...
Changbin and Hyunjin carefully helped Chris to his feet.
This time...
They didn't let go.
One stayed on each side of him as they slowly walked the few steps to the couch.
Chris didn't protest.
That alone told me how awful he felt.
Normally...
He would've insisted he was fine.
Now...
He just sat down exactly where they guided him.
Felix tucked the blanket around his shoulders.
"You don't have to work today."
Chris gave a tired nod.
"...I know."
"I should've listened earlier."
Changbin crouched in front of him.
"What happened?"
Chris thought for a moment.
"...Everything just..."
He paused.
"...Went black."
"...For a second."
Élise reached over, resting the back of her hand against his forehead.
"You've still got a fever."
Chris let out a slow breath.
"...Apparently."
"No more standing unless someone knows."
Changbin said.
"No more pretending you're fine."
Chris looked at him.
"...Deal."
The room slowly settled again.
Nobody spoke for a while.
The panic had passed.
But...
It left behind something quieter.
A silent understanding between all of us.
None of us were getting through today by pretending we were okay.
Not anymore.
By the time the sun had started to set...
The mansion had gone quiet.
Not because everyone was feeling better.
Quite the opposite.
I think we'd all simply run out of energy.
Chris had finally given up on working.
His laptop had been closed for hours.
Seungmin had spent most of the afternoon curled up under a blanket with a book he'd barely turned a page of.
Jeongin had fallen asleep on the couch at least twice before Élise eventually convinced him to go upstairs and get some proper rest.
Hyunjin hadn't wandered very far from Felix all day.
Not that Felix seemed to mind.
Changbin...
I honestly wasn't convinced he'd sat down once.
Every time I looked up, he was doing something.
Refilling someone's water bottle.
Checking if Chris needed another blanket.
Making another round of toast that nobody really wanted but everyone eventually picked at anyway.
I wasn't sure how he'd managed to keep up with all of us.
"...You should sit down."
I told him as he walked past us for what felt like the hundredth time.
He looked over.
"I will."
"You've been saying that for three hours."
"I know."
"So sit."
He opened his mouth.
Closed it again.
Then sighed dramatically.
"...Fine."
For the first time all day...
He actually listened.
He dropped onto the armchair with an exaggerated groan.
"...Ow."
Chris looked over from beneath his blanket.
"...Congratulations."
"You're finally acting your age."
Changbin looked offended.
"I just turned twenty-two."
"Exactly."
"...You're all so mean to me."
"No."
Chris replied.
"We're honest."
A tired smile spread across my face.
Even now...
They still found ways to tease each other.
Eventually...
Chris glanced around the room.
"I think..."
He paused to yawn.
"...I'm going to bed."
Nobody argued.
One by one...
Everyone slowly stood.
Or...
At least attempted to.
Hyunjin had to use Felix's shoulder to steady himself.
Jeongin leaned against Élise as they walked toward the stairs.
Seungmin looked like he was concentrating on each individual step.
Even Minho let out a quiet groan as he pushed himself off the couch.
"...Everything hurts."
"I know."
I answered.
He looked at me.
"...You too?"
"...Everything."
"...Good."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You being in pain isn't good."
"No."
He smiled tiredly.
"But at least I'm not suffering alone."
"...You're unbelievable."
"I know."
We slowly followed everyone upstairs.
The house was unusually quiet.
No one had the energy for late-night conversations.
No one argued over whose turn it was to turn the lights off.
For once...
Everyone just wanted their bed.
As we reached our room, Minho leaned against the doorframe for a second.
"...Remind me."
"Hm?"
"If I ever suggest that restaurant again..."
"I should say no?"
"You should physically stop me."
"I think I can manage that."
He gave a tired nod.
"...Good."
We didn't even bother changing properly.
I pulled on an oversized T-shirt before practically collapsing onto the bed.
The mattress had never felt so comfortable.
A second later...
The other side dipped as Minho climbed in beside me.
He let out the deepest sigh I'd heard all day.
"...Worst twenty-four hours ever."
I turned my head toward him.
"...Pretty close."
For a while...
Neither of us spoke.
The room was dark.
The only light came from the moon spilling through the gap in the curtains.
I stared at the ceiling.
My stomach still hurt.
My head still ached.
Every part of me felt completely exhausted.
Beside me...
Minho shifted a little closer without saying anything.
His shoulder brushed mine beneath the blanket.
I smiled to myself.
Even when he was half-asleep...
He always somehow ended up closer.
A few seconds later...
I felt something lightly brush against my hand.
His fingers.
Searching.
Without really thinking...
I laced my fingers with his.
His grip tightened just enough for me to notice.
Not enough to keep me awake.
Just enough to remind me he was there.
I closed my eyes.
Today had been awful.
There was really no other way to describe it.
Food poisoning.
Headaches.
Fevers.
Bathroom trips.
Watching Chris almost collapse.
Watching Seungmin faint.
None of us had expected today to go the way it had.
But...
We'd gotten through it.
Together.
And somehow...
That made it feel a little less awful.
I let out one last sleepy breath.
Hopefully...
Tomorrow would hurt a little less.
Before I even had the chance to finish the thought...
Sleep finally found me.