Donghae went through all the expired medicine. To see what it is. Learn what he should get. He found a thermometer. But it wasn't working.

He tried to speak to Hyukjae. To tell him that he'll be back. Hyukjae didn't open his eyes. He only let out a short mmm.

So Donghae strictly reminded Kyuhyun. Once more. Of what he can and can't do. Then he left.

He now hurries out of the closest pharmacy. A bag's in his hand. He's got everything. Well, everything the pharmacist said is okay. He got a new thermometer, too.

The pharmacist seemed to find him weird. He'd raised an eyebrow. At each of Donghae's questions.

It annoyed Donghae. Because he was just making sure. That seventeen year olds can take something that says twelve and up. Besides, what if it was a big twelve year old? Hyukjae's a skinny seventeen year old. Does he take one tablet or two? How many hours apart? How long does he wait? When does he know the pills don't work?

Donghae's a couple minutes from the apartment--

He's forced to halt suddenly.

Donghae feels... dread. In his stomach. There's a tightening in his chest. He gulps.

There's that... other feeling too. From the morning. A faint weakness. It's stronger if Donghae reaches deeper. It's because of Hyukjae's health. He's understood that...

So what's the fear from--?

.

Kyuhyun.

Donghae sprints.

Barely a minute later... he bursts through the door. He drops the bag. Runs to the bedroom. Slams that door open. It bangs off the wall. 

"Hyukjae!"

The boy's in the corner of his room. He's hugging his knees. The lamp's fallen off the night table. Hyukjae sees him. His eyes widen. He extends his arms out to Donghae. There's red on Hyukjae's hand. Donghae rushes to him.

"What the happened?" Donghae says. 

Hyukjae clings to him. Breaks into quiet tears. He's burning. Quivering. Donghae holds him carefully. Tries to check his hand. It's got cuts. They must be from the broken glass of the light bulb.

Donghae curses. Looks over his shoulder. Kyuhyun's standing against the wall. He's on the other side of the room. Opposite of the bed. 

"You scumbag!" Donghae shouts. "What the did you do?"

"Nothing." His brother snickers. Shrugs. "I just stood here. He saw me and tried to run and fell."

"I told you he's sick!" Donghae lifts the boy. Who whimpers. Donghae drops him on the bed. "And I've told you not to be scared of him! He can't do anything to you!" 

Hyukjae lets go. Freezes. He's white. Donghae turns to Kyuhyun.

"Get lost now."

His voice comes out deep. Reverberating. Kyuhyun's smile is wiped from his face. He nods. Vanishes. 

Donghae looks at Hyukjae. The boy's holding his lip. Tightly. He's trembling. With reddened eyes. Donghae's too irritated. Even if his voice just now... would've scared Hyukjae further.

"And I can't hurt you!" Donghae reminds. He grabs the boy's hand. Makes Hyukjae gasp. Donghae holds it. Examines it. "Wait here. I'll clean it up. Could have some shards."

Hyukjae doesn't utter a word.

He remains sitting tightly. Tries not to shake. But he does what he's told. Donghae wraps up his hand. Checks if he's cut a