Work Text:
Alberu didn’t dislike silence.
In fact, he preferred it. In the quietness of his own spacious office, he would usually tap away in peace and work functionally unless someone was to knock and disrupt his peace. Not that he minded; it was work, after all. (His subordinates were awfully too participative.)
There are mostly the chimes of Alberu’s miscellaneous notifications and the mechanical, never-ending sound of tapping keys.
There are very few things that can disrupt his momentum on his usual fit of silence. A very few things you could count them in one hand:
Firstly, his mother’s side of the family. He owes so much to his Aunt, Tasha, Alberu basically grew up under her care after his mother died in an accident.
Secondly, his adopted foster kids. Work be damned, he won’t be like his rock of a father. Not stubborn, strict, demanding, nor a dick. What kind of dad would he be if he didn’t make time for his children?
Thirdly, Cale. Yes, Cale Henituse. That one infuriating, headache inducing, scheme plotting, troublemaking bastard of a co-parent. But he is a good dad, that is one irreversible fact. He makes time for their children whenever Alberu can’t. He’s surprisingly perceptive, and just like him, Cale has a glib tongue Alberu just wants to tape his mouth shut sometimes.
But still, he’s definitely a good companion. He knows when to listen and as infuriating as it is, he’s good at getting what he wants.
And, well, he looks like a Greek god gatekept.
But well.
That’s just extra points.
Anyways.
Last, but definitely not the least; the combination of the three of them. It’s hardly a question when his family matters so much to him. Even if Cale and his kids are not bound by blood, he still values and treasures them as much as his mother’s side of the family, if not more.
His phone rings faintly, his screen lighting up Tasha’s name. She was still busy with a few papers to settle at home, and she hardly calls at this hour. Alberu picks the call up in mild confusion.
“Hello, Aunt?” Alberu was greeted with silence, the mic barely picking up voices in the background. It sounds faintly like his youngest.
“...ale… ppa.. appa…”
Alberu had never heard Raon with a voice that little. It sounded like the boy was exhausted from crying.
“Raon-ya? Aunt, are you there?”
“Alberu, you picked up!” The blonde felt like something was wrong. “Aunt Tasha, what’s going on?”
At this point, he has already settled the documents, set aside the ones for later, and cleared his table. His intuition was screaming.
Something was up.
“Raon-ah knocked on my door, crying. Said that something happened to Cale,” Alberu stiffened.
“Cale?”
“Yeah, the boy practically dragged me in. Cale is burning up, you don’t have medicine at home, and I can’t leave the kids by themselves either.”
Shuffling could be heard on the other side, along with quiet occasional groans. “Wait for me, I’ll grab medicine on the way.”
That was definitely Cale.
He packs his things with haste, ready to head out after sending a quick message to HR that he’ll be clocking out early due to a family emergency. There was urgency in his steps, his shoes clacking against the parking lot.
‘Please be alright.’
Cale could’ve sworn he fell asleep with all his shades shut. Right after he finished all his essays due this week and a book analysis meant to be passed by the next, he immediately crashed on the couch to take a power nap. Not forgetting to close the windows and any source of sunlight, though.
He knew his alarm was still set to greet the kids, so he could wake up at the perfect time. And his head was aching a bit, so he just needed a little… sleep…
…
So why was the sun blinding him right now?
“..ale. You’re awake?” Oh, see, it was even calling out to him in a sweet voice. Was this Personification in the literal way?
The sun smiled down at him, cradled him lovingly, and—
What?
Oh, it’s just Alberu.
…
Didn’t he have work?
Okay. Maybe he drank too much coffee, after all. His head pounded. Was it possible to get a hangover from too much caffeine? Or maybe he caught a fever again. Everything burned, felt hot, and his muscles were asleep.
God, what luck. Just when he had time for his kids.
Cale jolted when Alberu guided his back to lay on the pillow much more comfortably. How did he even get a fever in winter? Everything felt hot.
Alberu’s touch was cool and feather-light. The blonde’s hand draped over his drenched forehead as Cale’s breathing eventually evened out.
“You feeling better?” The gentle voice lulls him.
“Better than ever…” Cale croaked, muttering out a sarcastic answer even as his whole body burned. This earns him an amused huff.
“I guess it’s a good sign you’re still yourself even when you’re sick.” Cale couldn’t open his eyes to figure out what he was doing as his vision was a blur anyways, but he could hear water and cloth. Soon, a damp, ice cold towel was placed on his forehead.
Wow. That felt amazing.
“I’ll go get your medicine in a moment.”
Cale’s about to do something stupid.
“... nnno, stay.” Wow, that was so stupid.
Very stupid. He’s never gonna hear the end of this once he wakes up feeling better.
Stupidly, Alberu froze too. Why did he have to react so awkwardly? Stupid, stupid.
“Just, mm, tell Tasha…”
“... Aunt’s asleep. It’s twelve.”
“Ugh…” He couldn’t help the groan, turning his body to the side to hug Alberu’s waist, face on his torso.
Cold. Alberu felt cold and it felt so nice.
…
“Hahaha, what are you doing, dongsaeng?”
He could hear Alberu chuckle quietly. ‘I could fall asleep to that.’
“Mmn…” Cale clung tighter, earning an exasperated yet endeared laugh from the latter. There was no escaping the redhead’s grasp.
Or maybe Alberu just didn’t want to escape. But well, that’s not the matter at hand.
One of Alberu’s hands snaked under his arms, the other under his knee. Cale felt himself getting picked up; this makes him realize that he’s long surrendered to the latter’s touch.
Alberu must’ve realized that as well because Cale could practically smell the smile even when his face is buried in the crook of the blonde’s neck.
Not that he cared. He was sick and deserving.
“Cale-ah, dongsaeng,” He heard him say softly. There was a dangerous amount of fondness laced in his voice. “Don’t fall asleep just yet.”
And what an annoying request. Cale could just melt in a puddle, right here, right now.
He grumbles, displaying his dissatisfaction, but it came out more as a whine than a groan. Instead of laughing, Alberu softly woos him by caressing his back all whilst they travel to Alberu’s room.
Wait, why?
“... your room?” His voice was hoarse and muffled while his face remained buried on the crook of Alberu’s neck. Who needs a bed when you have an Alberu Crossman at home?
“Yes, my room. Your bed is drenched in sweat, my dear dongsaeng.”
That did something to his heart. Did he have arrhythmia? Was he that weak?
“Now, let’s get you to bed…”
“Don’t leave me, bank account…”
“Yes, yes, I won’t.”
“There we go…” Alberu mumbled underneath his breath, particularly to no one; careful not to wake the sleeping beauty. Seems like his earlier request went unfulfilled, with Cale being fast asleep the second Alberu’s hand started its gentle combing on Cale’s hair.
“Aigoo, you’re such a headache, dongsaeng.”
With a smile, he tucked the latter in, and softly gazed at how Cale’s hair fell and how his face was illuminated by the moonlight betrayed by the window. His face had a quiet fatigue in it, evident by how much he’s worked hard recently.
If only the redhead would take better care of himself. So much fuss over living a slacker life but he does his absolute best anyways.
Alberu smiles. Perhaps at the thought of the irony behind Cale’s actions. Or perhaps at himself, for falling this deep to such a person like Cale Henituse.
Such a person like Cale Henituse… Good decision, Alberu. And, also, good luck.
Alberu did not dislike the silence.