Mark lay buried underneath his blankets, refusing to leave his bed. Mark wasn't the impulsive type and he needed to think things through. So he thought about the situation with Yugyeom first.

He liked Yugyeom. He was kind and funny. But Mark didn't feel about him anything beyond a friend. It hadn't even crossed his mind.

Mark dreaded telling the boy that he didn't think of him that way.

But Mark thought of Jackson that way. The only problem was he didn't know how Jackson felt. And unfortunately, all signs pointed to BamBam. Even if Jackson didn't like BamBam, the younger boy seemed to like Jackson. Mark was BamBam's friend, and he couldn't attempt a relationship with Jackson if it would hurt BamBam. The Thai boy was the whole reason Mark was even here in the first place.

Mark buried himself further under the covers and tried to think of things other than BamBam and Jackson. He heard a knock on his door and Mark ignored it. He knew it was JB -- he had been trying to get Mark to come out the past three hours, even trying to tempt him with food.

But it wasn't JB. Mark felt the covers ripped off of him and found himself face to face with Junior.

"Give that back!"

"No."

"Jinyoung..."

"Stop pouting, Tuan. I'm not having it right now. You are being ridiculous and you are getting out of this room right now!"

Mark sat up and glared. "I'm not being ridiculous! I needed to think things through!"

"That may be true, but you are mostly hiding. Get your out of bed, shower, and then you are sitting down to eat some food that JB and I slaved to make for you to make you feel better."

"I can't..."

"Look, Yugyeom isn't here, and Jackson left for fencing practice. It's just JB and I. Get your out here before I drag you out by your ankle!"

"Why would I care about Ja..."

"Please. You're totally in love with him and only an idiot like Jackson wouldn't see it."

"I...I...I'm not in love with him!" Mark stammered.

"Fine. You really, really like him in a more-than-a-friend way. Happy? Now MOVE."

Junior started kicking him out of his bed, and Mark had no choice but to run to the shower. He did not want foot shaped bruises on his body. His heart hurt enough for the rest of him.

---------------------------

Jackson was especially vicious in practice that day. He was praised by his coach, but Jackson didn't really hear it. He was dripping twice as much sweat as usual and breathing hard. He was trying to wear himself out so he couldn't really think, but it wasn't really working. He still had Mark and Yugyeom kissing branded on his mind.

He hadn't seen Yugyeom or BamBam since the night before, and Jackson guessed BamBam was keeping him away. He didn't really remember any of last night except that kiss.

Jackson wanted to see Mark, but at the same time he didn't want to know just yet if Mark accepted Yugyeom's feelings or not. He felt irritable and sad and restless, and since he felt like seeing Mark would be awkward, he decided to go find some other friends to hang out with for a while.

He purposefully didn't return to the dorm until midnight. He did the same thing the following day, avoiding his friends (particularly Mark) and staying in his room when he was there. He did manage to catch a glare from Junior and a sigh from JB, but he ignored them.

The next day was Monday, so he had to go to class. A lot of his classes were with Mark -- Jackson worried over what he was going to say and do. But when he came out of his room to leave with the others, Mark was nowhere in sight.

"Mark said he was leaving early to talk to Youngjae about something. He'll meet us in class." JB spoke to him -- it seemed as though Junior was giving him the cold shoulder.

Jackson settled into his seat in the classroom, anxiously going over what he was going to say to Mark, when the teacher came in and class began. Jackson shot JB a worried glance which JB returned. Where was Mark?

By lunch, it was clear Mark was ditching. He wasn't in any of his classes, even his class with Youngjae. Now Jackson was concerned. Mark had no reason to avoid them, unless he was embarrassed about the kiss. Why was he hiding? 

Jackson blanched at his next thought -- what if he ditched to go be with Yugyeom? He dismissed the thought, though -- Mark wouldn't risk his teachers' wrath for a silly date. The thought still ate at him though.

Once class was over, JB and Junior quickly went to search for the redhead. Jackson needed to get to practice, but he took the time to check along the way to the gym. No Mark.

Jackson was too distracted at practice, his coach screaming at him by the end. But Jackson just sprinted away once practiced ended when he saw JB and Junior waiting for him by the doors. That wasn't a good sign.

"We can't find him." Junior was wringing his hands worriedly.

"We checked with Bam and Yugyeom and they haven't seen him either. He didn't meet with Youngjae this morning like he said he was going to, either." JB's eyebrows were furrowed in what Jackson feared was permanent concern.

"They are helping us look. We've all called him and gotten no answer, but at least it seems his phone isn't off."

Jackson left them to look some more and took off on his own. He quickly took off his gear but took no time to shower, rushing outside. He was met with cold rain pouring down. He hadn't realized it was supposed to rain, and he didn't have an umbrella, but finding Mark was more important. Jackson's fear had been steadily building and to stop to get an umbrella seemed silly right now. He raced to every place he could think of, heart in his throat. Was Mark hiding because Jackson had been ignoring him? Didn't Jackson promise to make things good for Mark? This was all Jackson's fault.

What if Mark had left? Jackson stopped abruptly as the pain at that thought tore through his body. Mark couldn't leave. He wouldn't. Right?

Jackson found his feet leading him to the lake. He couldn't imagine Mark being out here in this downpour, but he had looked everywhere else. 

A huge wave of relief flooded Jackson when he saw red hair huddled underneath a tree. Jackson stopped and leaned on his knees to catch his breath, so thankful to have found Mark. He sent a quick text to the others letting them know.

He walked over to where the boy had buried his head in his arms. The tree was mostly keeping the rain off him, so he wasn't too wet.

"Mark."

Mark's head shot up, surprised. When he saw Jackson, he stood up immediately, almost tripping in his haste. As soon as he was standing, Jackson pulled him into a tight hug, one arm around his back and the other around his head. "Thank goodness you're still here."

"J-Jackson. What are you doing here? What's wrong?" Mark wrapped his arms around him. "Jackson, you're shaking. Are you okay?"

"We couldn't find you. We were so worried. I was running everywhere to find you!" Jackson pulled away to glare at Mark, angry now. "How could you make us worry like that? Why didn't you answer our calls?!"

The realization of what Jackson was saying made Mark go pale. "I left my phone in my room on accident. I didn't mean to make you all worry. I was just trying to gather my thoughts, and I lost track of time, and then it started to rain so I was going to wait it out. I'm so sorry, Jackson!"

Jackson sighed, anger making way for relief once more. "It doesn't matter now. Let's get back, yeah?"

Mark nodded and Jackson grabbed his hand. "Just in case you decide to take off again." Mark dipped his head in remorse, before bringing it back up again. "Your hand is so cold! Jackson! Were you running around in this rain with no coat or umbrella?! We need to get you inside!"

Mark began to drag him back to the dorm quicker than Jackson had been moving. He wanted to use this time to say something to Mark, without the others around, but Mark was determined to rush back. Everyone else was there, including Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom -- and they all immediately began alternating between yelling at Mark and hugging him. Jackson was so tired and didn't have the energy for dealing with the noise, despite his desire to kick Yugyeom as he passed. He had a mounting headache and he knew he smelled from practice. He slipped away to shower and change, and ended up falling asleep as soon as he sat on his bed. He briefly thought about going to find Mark before he passed out.

---------------------------------------

Mark felt horrible. He hadn't thought at all how his disappearance would worry his friends. He was so caught up in his own mind he didn't even think of it. He was going to make it up to all of them, somehow.

He wanted to talk to Jackson, to thank him, but Jackson slipped out right away. After that night, Mark knew Jackson deserved a good rest, so he let him be. The next morning, however, Mark knocked on his door. Jackson was normally up by now, but Mark couldn't hear any movement from inside.

"Jackson?" Mark asked quietly, opening the door a crack to peek inside. Jackson was still asleep in bed. Strange.

"Jackson?" Mark asked again, a little louder. Jackson stirred a little, but didn't move much. Mark crept closer and saw sweat beading Jackson's forehead. Putting his hand to Jackson's head, Mark jumped back, shocked.

"You're burning up!"

Mark ran out of the room, yelling for Junior and JB, all while gathering blankets, water, and medicine.

"Whoa, Mark, where's the fire?" JB asked.

"Jackson's sick! Jinyoung, go make some soup, please. JB, I can't find the medicine for a fever. Do you know where it is?" Mark asked frantically.

JB went to find the medicine while Junior put a hand on Mark's arm to stop him. "Mark, calm down. It's just a fever, probably from running around in the rain last night to find you." Mark immediately drooped from the immense feeling of guilt. "It's not your fault, Mark," Junior continued. "We'll get Jackson comfortable, go to class, and I'll come back at lunch to make him some soup. He won't be eating anything until his fever breaks anyway."

"I'm staying."

"What?"

"I'm staying with Jackson. I want to make sure he's okay. Cover for us in class, okay?" Mark asked pleadingly. Junior nodded as JB returned and handed Mark the medicine.

After JB and Junior went to class, Mark pulled Jackson's desk chair over to Jackson's bed and spent the morning cooling his forehead with a wet cloth, feeding Jackson tiny sips of water, and readjusting the pile of blankets covering the boy, making sure he was well tucked in. Junior came back at lunch as promised, and JB brought more medicine. Mark didn't leave Jackson's side all day and night, caring for him all the while and dozing only in small fits, constantly waking for fear that Jackson had gotten worse.

The next morning, Jackson wasn't much better. Mark worried and fretted, hands fluttering around Jackson's prone form, unable to heal the poor boy. Junior tried to pull Mark out of the room, but Mark refused. "Jackson has to get better! He has a big tournament coming up! He can't miss it, can't miss practice, just because of me!"

JB and Junior tried to tell him it wasn't his fault for the millionth time, but it fell on deaf ears.

Three days like this passed, and Junior and JB were worried about Mark. They were concerned about Jackson too, getting ready to call the school nurse, but Mark wasn't sleeping, wasn't eating, and wouldn't leave Jackson's side. Junior even brought food to Mark, but it was always left untouched. They were secretly plotting a way to knock Mark out with sedatives, or to physically knock him out, so that he could rest.

Thankfully, in the night of the fourth morning, Jackson's fever broke.

Mark awoke with a start, having not really been asleep in the first place. Something felt different, but Mark wasn't sure what it was until he saw Jackson's eyes staring back at him from the bed.

"Jackson!" Mark exclaimed, his face lighting up with a smile. Jackson had woken up here and there before, but the haze of sickness didn't tinge his eyes this time. He rushed over to feel Jackson's forehead and was relieved to finally feel it a normal temperature. "Your fever broke! Thank goodness. How are you feeling? Are you okay? Do you want water? Food? Maybe another cool washcloth would be good..."

"Mark." Jackson's voice was weak and raspy, but it stopped Mark in his tracks.

"Yes, Jackson?" Concern radiated out of Mark's every pore.

"You look like hell."

Mark's jaw dropped. Leave it to even a sick Jackson to say something unexpected.

"How I look isn't important. How you feel is what's important," Mark said quietly, running his hand through Jackson's hair in a gentle manner.

"It matters to me."

Jackson's eyes were so serious, but Mark just smiled indulgently. "Sure, sure. Let's get you some water and then you can sleep again. I bet the next time you wake up, you'll be ready to sit up and eat some food!" Mark fed Jackson some water, but when he turned to leave Jackson's hand grabbed his softly.

"I'm not going anywhere, Jackson. Don't worry. I'll be right here," Mark said, pointing to Jackson's chair.

"Cuddle with me? It's what my mom would do for me when I was sick." Jackson gave his best puppy dog look. Mark couldn't help but smile. Yes, Jackson was definitely getting better. It was such a relief that Mark felt like singing.

Mark nodded and silently slid in next to Jackson, wrapping his arms around Jackson's body, one hand resting on the back of Jackson's neck to the area where his hair started, gently massaging Jackson's scalp. Jackson instantly curled into Mark, and Mark could tell when Jackson slipped into dreams in the way his hot breath evened out on Mark's neck.

That morning, Mark was too deeply asleep to hear Junior and JB peek in or see the knowing smirk they shared as they quietly shut the door, leaving the sleeping pair to rest and recuperate.

Mark awoke a couple hours later, limbs still heavy with sleep and his body wonderfully warm from Jackson's body heat. Mark carefully checked Jackson's forehead again, happy to find it still cool. He got out of bed and went into the kitchen to heat up some of Junior's soup for Jackson and to get some fresh, cold water for both of them. When Mark returned to the room, he found Jackson awake, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"Good, you're awake! Eat some of this soup. You'll need to regain your strength." Mark carefully began feeding Jackson tiny spoonfuls, and the latter quietly ate it, watching Mark carefully. It made Mark self-conscious, knowing he hadn't showered or anything for as long as Jackson had been sick, but he ignored Jackson's stare as best he could (and the fluttering in his stomach).

When Jackson finished, Mark returned the empty bowl and spoon to the kitchen, making sure Jackson was drinking the water while he was up.

"Do you feel up for a shower? I bet it'd make you feel loads better, and then I can wash your sheets and put clean ones on."

"Okay."

Mark stared a Jackson for a beat. He was being awfully docile -- Mark wasn't sure why, but he expected Jackson to be a little more uncooperative. Mark shrugged it off though, making sure Jackson made it to the bathroom okay with clean clothes in hand. He heard the shower running as he freshened up Jackson's bed and room. When Jackson returned, a healthy color back in his face and looking more normal, Mark grinned.

"That's more like it!"

"Now it's your turn."

Mark tilted his head questioningly. "What?"

"I'm pretty sure you never left my side while I was sick. You look like you haven't slept much, except maybe last night. You definitely haven't eaten. You're much too thin -- you'll be hearing a lot about that from me later. For now, you are getting in that shower, putting on some clean clothes, eating some food, brushing your teeth, and then both of us can nap." Jackson said all this with such authority that Mark couldn't help but laugh. "What?" Jackson asked with a frown.

"Who is the sick one here? I'm taking care of you, not the other way around."

"It doesn't work that way if the one taking care of me isn't taking care of himself, too."

"Jackson..." Mark didn't get to finish, however, because Jackson took that moment to shove Mark into the bathroom. Mark didn't think it was fair that even after being sick for four days, Jackson was still ridiculously strong.

Mark did as he was told, and soon the pair was snuggling again on Jackson's bed.

"Why weren't you eating?" Jackson asked quietly, eyes searching Mark's face for answers.

"I just didn't think about it. You were sick, and I knew you had to get better before your tournament, and it was all my fault and..." Jackson stopped Mark from continuing with a finger to his lips.

"It wasn't your fault."

"If you hadn't been running around looking for me in the rain, you wouldn't have gotten sick."

"If I had just stopped for an umbrella, I wouldn't have gotten sick. This wasn't your fault," Jackson scolded, seemingly trying to will that to be the truth with his words. Mark's heart filled with love for this unbelievably kind boy in front of him. Here he was, just days after being terribly sick, trying to console and take care of Mark. Mark's hand moved to caress Jackson's face before he even realized what he was doing, his thumb Jackson's cheek. Before Mark could take his hand away in embarrassment, Jackson's own hand came up to hold Mark's hand in place, grasping his wrist and his face leaning into Mark's hand.

"You're the sick one. Worry about yourself. You have to listen to me because I'm older," Mark said softly, tenderly.

Jackson smirked. "Somebody has to take care of you. I choose me. Deal with it." Mark moved his other arm, aiming to hit Jackson for disrespecting his elder, but Jackson caught Mark's hand and overpowered him. They soon began to wrestle for dominance, but since Jackson had already captured one of Mark's hands, he had the upper hand and was soon looking down at Mark, pinning Mark's arms down on either side of Mark's head.

"I win." Jackson's voice sounded a little raspy again, low and full of some emotion Mark couldn't place. Mark couldn't stop staring into Jackson's intense eyes, his heart beating rapidly. Mark knew he shouldn't have thoughts like this right now, but he couldn't ignore that Jackson was pretty damn y like this.

"Let me go, Jackson," Mark said as he squirmed a little, trying to gain the upper hand again. Mark needed to take care of Jackson until he was 100% better.

Instead, Jackson gripped Mark's hands tighter and used them to pull Mark closer, leaving Mark's hands between their bodies while Jackson encircled Mark's body with his own hands, even going so far as wrapping his legs around Mark.

"Nope. I'm never letting go." Jackson spoke with a note of finality, and Mark smiled into Jackson's neck. He knew the younger boy probably didn't think much of his words, but they made Mark's heart soar. As Mark took his turn in a Jackson cocoon, echoing Mark's embrace from the night before, he fell asleep quickly, content to his core.

A/N: Thank you so much for all the comments and for subscribing! I appreciate it more than you know, so thank you!