Bang Yongguk left to see his mother while Daehyun was still fast asleep. Not looking forward to setting aside their differences, he just hoped that a conversation with the wonderful, kind woman who raised him could clear his head. Once he stepped out of the door to his shared floor, he realized he hadn’t actually known where to find his mother to begin with.

“Hey.” Catching the arm of a servant headed through the stairway, he sighed, not accustomed to asking for help. “Do you happen to know where Mrs. Bang happens to be?”

“I might.” Looking him over, the servant seemed to judge everything about him. “She’s on the first floor, the room beside the library has been converted into her hospital room.” Pulling his arm away, the man gave him one more, distasteful look before heading on his way. Groaning, Yongguk continued on his way, finding himself only more frustrated at the attitude of the help. These were the people he had left his mother with, all bad attitudes and horrible personalities. How could he have abandoned his mother is such a cold world?

Glancing around as he walked, it was almost eerie to see how little had changed since he was last inside those walls. The same paintings, same figurines, same expensive vases, decorated every wall and surface. Only the walls and floors seemed to be updated, the upholstery refurbished to look brand new and yet still exactly the same. Like walking into a world where time stood still, he found it unsettling to say the least.

As he found the right door, he knocked lightly, waiting for an answer. It took only a moment before a familiar voice told him he could enter. Once he had the permission he had sought, Yongguk barreled into the room and went directly to his mother’s side, His face lighting up the moment he saw her smile.

“Mom!” Going to her side, he leaned down to hug her gently. “Sorry I didn’t come earlier. I was exhausted when I got here and just sort of fell asleep.”

“It’s okay, honey. I know how you travel. I assumed you would need some sleep.” Hugging him back, his mother’s embrace made dealing with Daehyun very worth it. How had he gone so long without seeing her? Allowing his feelings for Daehyun to drive him entirely out of the country... Yongguk had been corrupted, selfish and hadn’t even realized it.

“It’s okay, Mom. I’ll get a job and save up for a place and we can get out of this place as soon as possible.” Busying himself with checking his mother’s medications and equipment, he was confused when she seemed disappointed in his suggestion.

“I can’t leave here, Yongguk. I’m needed.” Voice hallow, when Yongguk turned to face her, she gave him a sad smile.

“No you aren’t, Mom.” Shaking his head, he crossed his arms over his chest. “You shouldn’t be working in your condition.”

“It isn’t work, Yongguk.” Pointing at the chair beside her bed, his mother gave him a silent order to sit and he quickly obeyed. “Have you seen Daehyun since you’ve been back?”

“I... Yes...” Looking away from his mother, he didn’t want to elaborate on their conflict.

“Then you know why I have to stay.” Her reasoning sent a wave of annoyance through him, displeasing Yongguk with his insistence to see the best in someone who didn’t even deserve it. “He needs me, Yongguk.”

“But Mom! He doesn’t need anything. He has everything he could possibly want!” Glaring at the ceiling, his hands were balled into firsts and the chair’s arm rests. “All he has to do is pull out his damn wallet...”

“Yongguk...” Disappointment filled her voice and he couldn’t help but wince at the tone. “You know better than anyone that Daehyun isn’t like that.”

“Isn’t he?” Turning his gaze back to his mother, he crossed his arms over his chest, annoyed.

“No. He isn’t.” His mother’s voice was just as tense as his own, his mother never being one to hold back when she thought her son was in the wrong. “You used to know that.”

“Maybe you don’t know him as well as you thought, Mom.” Leaning forward in his chair, he sighed and rubbed his temples, feeling a stress headache coming on.

“Maybe you don’t, son.” Her reply was distant but she reached over to rub Yongguk’s head gently. “Now go on, I have doctors coming to give me a treatments soon.”

“Mom...” Almost desperate, he caught her hand in his own, not wanting to leave with his mother angry at him.

“Go, Yongguk. And if you ever tell him he’s fat again, I will be furious with you.” Voice like venom, she made it obvious that there would be consequences. “Can you not see what he’s done to himself?”

“He told you I said that?” Realizing that he hadn’t mentioned his harsh words himself, he could only assume that Daehyun had been in a rush to attempt to sabotage his relationship with his mother. “That little-”

“No, Yongguk. He told me someone did, but unlike the child I raised, Daehyun would never want to hurt another person.” Shaking her head, his mother looked suddenly very tired. “And he would hate making me angry with you.”

“Mom.” Standing, he took a step toward her bed.

“Go, Yongguk.” She gave him a pleading look and he exhaled sharply, angry with himself.

“Alright. I’m sorry.” Turning toward the door, he couldn’t handle facing the shame he had caused his mother to feel. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too.” Her voice was soft, warm despite how upset she was with him. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay? After my appointments I’ll be too exhausted for visitors.” Nodding, Yongguk left the room, angry with himself and with Daehyun. As he turned to shut the door behind him, he noticed the plate beside his mother’s bed, piled high with muffins, the same muffins Daehyun had said he was giving to his own mother. Great. Daehyun was even trying to lay claim to his mom.

Jung Daehyun groaned, burying his face in the pillow as he heard noises in the next room. The bed beside him was empty and the loss of Jongup’s warmth left him feeling lonely. On a good day, the other man was all that held him together, but with Yongguk back, tearing him apart with his words... He wasn’t sure he would survive without Jongup.

“Your looks huge today.” A voice from the doorway made him cringe, his heart dropping at the cold words.

“Thanks...” Pulling the blanket over himself, embarrassed and disgusted with his own body, Daehyun didn’t even bother looking at his intruder. “What do you want, Youngjae?”

“You could use a little less attitude, Daehyun.” The harsh laugh made him feel sick. “I’m on laundry duty today so where’s your sticky, clothes?”

“You know... I think you and Yongguk will get along just fun...” Mumbling, Daehyun forced himself to sit up, kneeling on his bed, dizzy. Gesturing toward his dirty clothes bin with a shaky hand, it took all his effort not collapse back onto the bed and by the time Jongup emerged from the bathroom and came to his rescue, Daehyun had already broken out in a cold sweat.

“Get the clothes and get out of here before I black your eye.” The edge in Jongup’s voice sent a shiver through Daehyun, though, to be honest, the sensation could have very well just be due to the fact that Daehyun was freezing.

“Whatever.” Gathering the basket, Youngjae left the room with nothing more than a a final eye roll aimed in Daehyun’s direction. Wobbling slightly, Daehyun felt arms wrap around him before he could fall back onto his mattress. Everything hurt and really he just wanted to curl up under the warm blankets and go back to sleep.

“Dae... Baby... You’re shaking.” Jongup sounded worried but Daehyun couldn’t be bothered to see where the supposed cause for it was. “Lay down.”

“Gladly...” Helping Jongup lay him down to the best of Daehyun’s own abilities outside of simply going limp, Daehyun closed his eyes. Somehow, the simple act to remain seated for the mere moments he had seemed to have left him winded, more tired than he had ever remembered being before.

“...” A soft, cool hand pressed against his forehead and Jongup only seemed to sound more agitated. “Dae... You’re burning up.” Jongup’s other hand moved to his wrist and Daehyun couldn’t bring himself to question why. “Your pulse is jumpy... When was the last time you ate? I mean, a real meal...”

“A while.” Shrugging, he couldn’t get his mind to focus enough to answer with a real number. He really, really just wanted to go back to sleep.

“Damn it... I should have been paying better attention...” The hurt in Jongup’s voice made him open his eyes and Daehyun was shocked to see tears begin to slide down Jongup’s cheeks. “Damn it all. I’m so sorry, Daehyun.”

“Why are you sorry?” Confused, he tried to sit back up, wanting desperately to comfort the man who was always doing the same for him. “I just need to sleep it off. I’m fine.”

“No you’re not, Daehyun. You’re burning up.” Seeming to sense Daehyun’s intent to reach him, Jongup effortlessly held him down with one hand, fishing his phone off the nightstand with the other. “I’m calling for an ambulance...”

“Jongup, that’s unnecessary...” Blushing and agitated by the fuss being made over him, Daehyun looked Jongup over, taking in his desperation before giving in. “Okay... Only this once though...”

“This once is all I need, Dae.” Jongup’s hand ran through his hair and caressed his cheek, causing Daehyun to close his eyes again. “Because after this... I’m going to make sure you get more than enough to eat, Jung Daehyun.”

“I’m fine, Uppie...” Yawning, he struggled a moment, but managed to finally place his hand on Jongup’s. “It’s probably just the flu. Or stress. Maybe I’m just stressed.”

“Maybe it’s both. Maybe not eating has made it impossible for you to fight against that stuff.” Jongup shot back as he made his phone call to cut off any argument Daehyun could possibly come up with. “The ambulance will be here in a few minutes.”

“Cool. I’m gonna take a nap, okay?” Shifting slightly, Daehyun wrapping his arms around Jongup’s and began to drift off, far too exhausted to stay away.

“No. No you’re not, beautiful. You’re going to stay away and talk to me, okay?” Jongup’s insistence annoyed him but it wasn’t like Daehyun could just deny his request when he sounded so scared, could he?

“But I’m really sleepy.” He argued feebly, whining at how uncomfortable his stiff pants were beginning to feel on his aching body. “Uppie...”

“What’s wrong? What do you need?” Jongup sprang into action as soon as Daehyun let out his initial whimper. It was unnecessary to open his eyes to know that Jongup was moving quickly through his room.

“Pajamas...” He felt breathless as he talked, sitting up ever so slightly, wanting to get up and do something on his own.

“Lay back down, baby. I’ve got this.” In a matter of moments, Jongup was beside him again, helping him dress into something much more comfortable and warm.

“You’re the best.” Smiling slightly, Daehyun sighed happily when Jongup’s lips met his. “Stop worrying so much though, I’m sure I’ll be alright.”

“Dae. I love you, but I’ll believe that when a professional has told me so.” Holding his hand tightly, Daehyun began to drift off again as the distant sound of sirens began to grow closer.