It was a late November night and Jieun was busy making dinner for Wonho and herself. Wonho’s favorite fried rice was getting ready in a pan and the kimchi jigae and kimbap were almost ready. Yeah, she cooked that many just for him. Although she didn’t know whether he would come home for dinner or not, she made food ready because she was somehow sure he would.

Jieun knew how chaotic their schedules had become, they were preparing for a new album which meant going through hours of practices, recording songs, photoshoots and making of the music video but the thing that made their schedule more unbearable was preparing for the end year performances. The special stages of music shows were something necessary to attend. Although it was an honor to perform there along with other artists but preparing for them was draining out all their energy since both fans and media expected some extraordinary powerful performances from monsters of Kpop.

Jieun was packing the kimbaps in containers for later when she heard the door opening. A wide smile curled up corners of her lips. He is home!

Jieun was waiting for Wonho to come to the kitchen and give her a hug or kiss like any other days but after minutes when there was no sign of him, Jieun felt something was off. She turned off the stove and tracked him in the living room.

Wonho had spread himself on the couch, still in his heavy jacket and a beanie. His head was leaned back to the top of the couch and his eyes were closed.

“Hoseok ah…” Jieun called him softly. “Are you okay?”

Wonho opened his weary red eyes one after another and glanced at her with a straight face. Then he sighed devastated and shook his head.

“What’s wrong?” Jieun asked immediately. He looked tired and sick and it made Jieun concerned. Wonho pointed at his throat.

“Are you in pain?” Jieun asked frightened and he nodded.

“Did you visit a doctor?” Jieun sat beside him. He nodded again while taking off his beanie and shaking his head to fix his bangs.

Jieun eyed his pale face and the crinkles that were showing themselves when he started coughing dryly.

They are humans… they need rest too… when others going to understand this… Jieun growled inwardly. Well, he wasn’t exactly in his bubbly mood when he left this morning, he only said a few words, hugged her slightly before leaving, not any sweet pecks or kisses but Jieun tried to understand. His mind and body were both exhausted because of their hectic schedules. They were all overworking themselves to provide the best but this was just too much. He was looking like he would faint in any second and the sight broke her heart.

“Shouldn’t they take you to the hospital? You look really sick… and your throat needs a proper rest…”

Wonho pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket and handed it to Jieun after typing few words in it.

‘It’s not a big deal. If I don’t talk tonight, it’ll get better tomorrow.’

Jieun read it and couldn’t be more displeased with his plan.

“You’re in pain! Why are you so careless when it comes to your health…” Jieun started but Wonho couldn’t take her nagging. He was exhausted and already fed up with himself and just wanted to rest. Her voice was ringing in his ears so he stood up to head to the bedroom but he only took few steps when he felt dizzy and was about to fall down to the floor.

“Omg… Hoseok!” Jieun was quick and held him by his arms preventing him from collapsing. Wonho leaned on her grabbing her waist, his feet couldn’t take his weight anymore. He held onto his head and rubbed his forehead. He used all his remained energy to reach home, now he was out of it.

“Help me to bed… please…” He said with his last drop of energy. His throat hurt with every word. The wind that entered his mouth made his throat more painful.

Jieun nodded and tried to keep her shocked expression unseen from him. His croaky voice sounded awful, just like his throat was completely torn apart. But he was Wonho, stubborn. Jieun couldn’t force him to do things he didn’t want to, so she decided to keep quiet and took care of him as much as he let her.

Jieun helped him sit on the bed then she took off his jacket. He had sweated and when her finger brushed his forehead she felt he was a little warm too.

“You have a fever.” Jieun put away his clothes and placed the blanket on him when he lied in bed without bothering to change. He coughed hard and groaned as the pain again