*Worrisome

The coughs wouldn’t stop. The intervals between the coughs were getting shorter, despite the medicine pills his mother had given him. His body heat was rising dangerously and he knew his fever was worsening by the minute. His eyelids felt so heavy and his head was dizzy. Being on the soccer team and all, he was used to playing soccer under harsh conditions, or suffering through hardcore training and suicides and running in cold or bad weather, so why was his body reacting up all the sudden? It’s not like this was the first time he had a game under the rain…

          A set of coughs came in out of nowhere. He groaned as he shifted to his side weakly. His chest felt tight and it wasn’t easy to breathe. His whole room felt stuffy, and, because of the rain, his mother didn’t let the window open. Gosh, could spring weather get any worse than this? It was almost summer! Sure, the sun wasn’t out as it would be later in July, but the days were getting longer. He had so many important upcoming games and matches, and he was sick in bed. The team needed every single member working their fullest, and here he was, the team captain, lying on his bed, sick. How pathetic was that?

          His bedroom door creaked open, letting outside light come in. Although his back was facing the door, he could feel a weight being pressed on the other side of his bed. “Luhan, honey, how are you feeling?” his mother asked quietly and worriedly, gently his arm.

          “Not very good,” he replied truthfully, hoarsely. His voice was low and croaky, and very unlike his regular bright and cheery one.

          His mother put a hand to his forehead and sighed at the heat. “You’re not going to school today either. I hope your phone is turned off, young man,” she said warningly as she reached over to check if his phone was off.

          “I can’t text anyone, I’m sick. And they’re in class,” Luhan said.

          “I know you high school students text in class. I was once a high school student too, you know, and this –” Luhan heard his phone play the little tune it does before it shuts down “–needs to be off. It’ll be the best for your girlfriend too…and you. Get some real rest, okay?”

          Luhan groaned, but he had no energy to argue against his mom. He wanted his phone – he wanted to know if anything important happens – but with his mother’s hawk eyes, it was impossible. She always knew when he was lying. Well, almost always.

          Then he felt the weight lessen, and he knew his mother was leaving. “Mom?” he croaked. His mother stopped at the door, his door creaking a bit. That needed to be fixed. “Can you tell Yuhee I’m okay? Say that you’re giving me a load of homework or something. She’s probably worried sick about –” he began violently coughing again, and his mother rushed back to pat his back helplessly. The doctor said that it would take some time for the medicine to kick in, but she saw no change in her son’s condition. “– me,” Luhan finished. His throat felt awfully sore. “And I know Sehun’s coming today, with Baekhyun and Kai. They’ll try bringing Yuhee but if she gets sick too –” another set built up in his lungs and he choked out coughs.

          His mother shook his head. “You’re too sick for anything. I don’t think I’ll even let the boys in with your state like this.”

          Luhan moaned. “No, bring them please…I need some social contact…”

          She laughed. “You’ll let your friends catch a cold but not your girlfriend?”

          “They’ll feel better suffering the same pain with me. After all, I suffer through their pain too.” He tried laughing, but it turned into a row of coughs again. His mother soothingly made circles on his back with her palm. It felt comforting and motherly. “Yuhee needs all her energy on studying,” Luhan went on. “She needs to study hard…she never studies…gets good grades anyway but still…she’s probably sending me another dozen texts…”

          His mother raised her eyebrows at her son’s last sentence. “So you have been looking at your phone and texting?”

          Luhan would’ve gulped guiltily, but he was too tired and worn out to think of an excuse, or move more than what was necessary. His mother chuckled. She got off the bed and he let out a displeased sigh. His mother hadn’t given him a direct answer. It bugged Luhan. But, just as the door closed, he heard his phone play a light tune, and turn on. He smiled – at least he could see Yuhee’s panicked texts after he had some rest…

“He’s not picking up!” Yuhee complained, hearing Luhan’s voicemail. She heard it too many times. Hi! You reached Xi Luhan’s voicemail. Sorry I can’t pick up now. Just leave a text, or call me back later! Unless I call you – “–first,” Yuhee mimicked Luhan’s tone as she spoke in sync with Luhan’s recorded voice. “‘Sorry again, thanks for contacting me! Don’t miss me too much~’ Stupid idiot, what’s wrong with you?!” She slammed her phone down and her friends winced. It was an old phone anyway, she didn’t care, but her friends felt uneasy with Yuhee at a fragile and temperamental state like this one. “Aish, that idiot…what if he’s knocked out? What if he’s at the emergency hospital right now? What if –”

          “Calm down, it’s just a cold,” Chanyeol said. He jerked his chin at Sehun, “You’re visiting him later, right? Take the basically-his-second-mom with you.”

          Yuhee punched Chanyeol, whose eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. His hand flew to the area she had punched him, where it was burning in pain and he yelped out to express it without shame. Her punches hurt.

          “Damn it…”

          The bell rang.

          “And the bell has the nerve to ring at this time?!” Yuhee cried.

          Sehun patted her back. “Yuhee, don’t worry. Let’s go visit him right after school, ‘kay? Don’t fret so much. If you get too worried, Luhan’s going to kill us all. He hates having you feeling anything other than happy. You know that.”

          “I don’t care! He expects me to be all smiles and rainbow and sunshine when he’s ‘sick’ for four days? He’s soccer team captain what is that kid doing! Damn it! Idiot, stupid, jerk, idiot, , stupid, idiot – damn it!” She slammed her fist down on the table.

          Inhae smiled weakly at Yuhee. “Come on, let’s go to class. Just two more blocks and you can visit him.”

          Yuhee groaned. She quickly sent one more text to Luhan: Stupid deer don’t you dare be unconscious when I go. With that, she pocketed her phone and set it to vibrate, in case he answered. He did occasionally, but not today. He called her a few days ago, but he sounded terrible so she let him rest without even talking for five minutes. He tried to stay on the line but she threatened to take her SIM card out, so he consented. But today? Nothing. Reluctantly, Yuhee headed back to her next class with Inhae. It was the most boring subject ever – math – but she was sure she wouldn’t fall asleep this time – not when she was feeling this restless.

The school bell rang and as soon as it did Yuhee got up and bolted out. She had to find Sehun, Baekhyun, and Kai under a minute so they could go to Luhan’s immediately. Luckily, Sehun was already at her classroom door. “If you’re waiting for Inhae meet the rest of us at the school’s entrance under thirty seconds – you hear?”

          “She’s walking with Hyoeun today,” Sehun said as he hurried to keep up with Yuhee’s pace. He smiled at her. She must be really worried about Luhan. You got a keeper, Lu.

          Yuhee shook her head in frustration and clenched her fists. “Damn it, that stupid, deer, idiot, jerk, …” Yuhee muttered more insults. She felt so anxious. Was he okay? It may just be a cold, and he might just be teasing her by not replying…but he hadn’t replied to anyone. Not only that, Luhan’s pride would keep him from acting weak. He had his soccer. If his condition wasn’t tremendously dire, he’d be at school. Just how sick was he? “YAH BYUN BAEKHYUN!” Yuhee shouted across the hallway. Heads turned to stare at her but she didn’t care. “WHERE’S THAT IDIOT KAI?”

          Baekhyun swallowed hard. He pointed a shaking finger towards the door. “O-Outside –”

          “Then why are you inside? Naeun’s in the library, so don’t you dare lie to me,” Yuhee threatened.

          “I – I wasn’t going to lie!” Baekhyun stammered. “I forgot my books, and –”

          “Come on, let’s go! Please!” Yuhee grabbed the back of Baekhyun’s collar and dragged him out. Baekhyun stumbled, but Yuhee didn’t care, as long as they were outside. Sehun sighed, Yuhee sure was strong…and aggressive.

          Suddenly, Sehun received a text. It was from Luhan. His eyes widened as he quickly opened the text: Mom’s out. Come soon. But don’t bring Yuhee – she’ll get sick. Sehun looked up and saw Yuhee grab Kai’s shirt sleeve violently and drag both him and Baekhyun down the street. Sehun sighed again. There was no way he could keep Yuhee from coming.

Luhan heard his doorbell ring and he couldn’t help but smile. His friends were here. He hoped that Yuhee was too, but he shook that selfish thought away. He couldn’t think like that. He wanted Yuhee to remain healthy. But now that his mom went for work – he didn’t mind – his friends could be as loud as they wanted and even swear. His mom was quite strict about who his friends were, or how they behaved, and luckily, his friends respected that. His mom didn’t like Chanyeol too much – not with his arrogance and loud voice.

          “XI STUPID DEER HAN!”

          Luhan swallowed. Yuhee?

          His door swung open and this time, he was facing the door. He recoiled at the sudden brightness and narrowed his eyes at it. He couldn’t shield his face from it for he had no energy. He was right – it was his girlfriend, Yuhee. Behind her were his panting friends, Baekhyun, Kai, and Sehun. Wait – they brought Yuhee?! He had texted Sehun to not bring Yuhee… Sehun shrugged somewhat apologetically, but Luhan knew he wasn’t sorry at all.

          “You stupid deer!” Yuhee shouted and then groaned. “Just how sick are you?!” She quickly came forward and before Luhan could protest, she held her hand to his forehead and gasped. “What the – you’re so hot!”

          Luhan grinned cheekily, weakly. “I know,” he said, taking her hand off his forehead and held it gently as he sat up, leaning against the back of his bed. He made circles on the back of her hand as he said, “I’m very attractive.”

          “You – you – you have the nerve to joke?!” Yuhee cried, jerking her hand away from him incredulously.

          “Stop screaming, my head hurts,” Luhan moaned as he reached for her hand again.

          Yuhee growled, but she let her arm fall down on his bed and he took a hold of it again, rubbing circles once more. “Damn it, what the hell did you do?” Her voice had softened.

          “Yeah, you don’t simply get this sick every day,” Baekhyun mumbled. His three friends were in his room now. “Especially not Team Captain.”

          “Damn, I can hardly breathe in this room,” Kai complained. “You okay, man?”

          Luhan smirked, but it was weak. Yuhee hated it. “Yeah,” Luhan said. Lies. “Sorry, I know it’s stuffy in here. You can open the window – Ma wouldn’t let me because of the rain.”

          Kai hurried over and opened the window and exhaled in ecstasy. “Fresh air,” he murmured.

          Yuhee stomped over to the window and smacked the back of Kai’s head harshly without hesitation. “Aren’t you worried about your friend you idiot?” she hissed, aware of her volume now.

          “What? I asked him if he was okay, didn’t I?”

          “He’s clearly not okay! What are you, stupid? Just look at him! Damn it,” she frowned at Luhan, “you stupid deer – I told you that running in stupid rain is a stupid idea”

          Luhan chuckled. “You used ‘stupid’ more than once. That’s not using proper vocabulary. Repetitive adjectives are improper and unappealing, right?” he said, recalling an English session with Yuhee. She tutored him English weekly.

          Yuhee narrowed her eyes at him fiercely. “Don’t get smart with me.”

          Baekhyun laughed and ruffled Yuhee’s hair and Luhan tried glaring at him, but he was too weak for Baekhyun to notice. “Don’t worry too much – he’s Xi Luhan, he’ll recover soon,” he told Yuhee. When Yuhee didn’t say anything, Baekhyun rubbed the corner of Yuhee’s forehead back and forth. “He didn’t even want you to come because he thought you’d be worried – right, Sehun?”

          Yuhee glared at Luhan.

          “Because he didn’t want you to be worried,” Sehun repeated, stressing on the last word. Misunderstandings were a pain in general, but it would become even more troublesome with Luhan’s current sick state and Yuhee’s agitated one. “You know he just wants you to be happy.”

          “Right, because being sick is totally helping me become happy,” Yuhee grumbled.

          Baekhyun laughed and poked Yuhee’s shoulder. “You’re such a nagger.

          “Stop touching my girlfriend, you jerk,” Luhan said half-jokingly. Baekhyun always liked skinship. With everyone, but that didn’t stop Luhan from being a bit jealous.

          Baekhyun smirked deviously as he messed up Yuhee’s hair again.

          “You’re sick in bed and you have the nerve to be –” Yuhee sighed. Getting angry wouldn’t do anything. She fixed her hair. “Are you tired?” she asked quietly, even though she already knew the answer.

          Luhan shook his head. Lies. He beckoned Yuhee over and she came over to him, not fearing of catching his cold the least bit. He opened his arms and she walked right into them, a knee on his bed and he held her in a warm embrace – too warm. He was hot all over. “Don’t leave,” he mumbled.

          “Funny coming from you, who didn’t even want me here in the first place,” Yuhee retorted, but she never planned on leaving him.

          Luhan eyed his friends and they understood. They gave him a good nod before leaving the room. Yuhee noticed. She got off the bed and took a few steps towards the door, where the three boys were, despite the fact that Luhan reached for her again. “You guys are leaving already?” she asked.

          Sehun gave her a small smile. “Inhae. We’re going somewhere. Baekhyun’s got Naeun to deal with, and Kai…well, he hates being ed. He probably doesn’t want to you guys either, or he’d be a hypocrite.” Sehun winked at them. The lights were off so he couldn’t see Yuhee’s slight blush. “See you tomorrow, Yuhee. Hey, Lu, heal soon, alright? The soccer team needs you.”

          Luhan chuckled. “Expect me soon.”

          “I will, Team Captain.” Sehun grinned as he closed the door.

          “Come here,” Luhan said to Yuhee as soon as the door closed.

          Yuhee did as he said. He lifted the blanket, inviting her in. She sighed again as she slipped under his covers. It was warm, much too warm. He pulled her in a hug. “Now you can’t blame me if you catch my cold.”

          She snorted. “My immune system is like steel, I won’t catch your cold.”

          “You’d better not, or I’ll never forgive myself.”

          “You shouldn’t forgive yourself either way because you made me worried sick for the past few days,” Yuhee said. She wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. “Damn it, you’re too reckless. Who runs when it’s pouring rain outside?”

          Luhan laughed softly. “You’d probably do it for any of your teams, right?”

          She scoffed. “I wouldn’t be this sick.”

          He held her closer and ran his fingers through her brown hair which he loved so much. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before he laid his chin on the top of her head, rubbing the back of her head as he did. She had one hand on his chest, the other on his back, her slender arm around his waist. His temperature was dangerously hot. She rubbed her thumb on his chest back and forth slowly, but she couldn’t resist the question. It was inevitable. “What’s your temperature?” she asked.

          Luhan shrugged, and hugged her tighter. “Don’t go.”

          She sighed as she lightly pushed him away. If Luhan didn’t tell her, then it must be really bad. He groaned, and she fought back a punch. She couldn’t hit her boyfriend when he was this sick. Idiot deer. “Where’s your temperature checker thingy?”

          He turned his back to her, “angry” at her. She rolled her eyes at his childishness. She opened his nightstand drawers to check, and she found it. Just as she was about to reach for it, she heard Luhan mumble, “First drawer.”

          “I already found it, you idiot.”

          She took the small device out of its case and turned it on. There was a big button on the back. That must be the activator. She tapped his shoulder, “Hey, turn over.” He didn’t. Stupid stubborn deer. “I’m going to take your temperature, come on. I’ll get back in after this.”

          “Lies.”

          “I will!”

          “You’re probably going to go all drama-girlfriend on me and get a wet towel to put on my forehead and be the violent princess you are and have the drenched ice water towel all over my body so I can cool down when in reality you just want to torture me because you’re hiding your sadistic personality underneath that pretty face of yours.” He said that all in one breath, Yuhee was slightly taken aback. When she registered it all, she didn’t know whether to frown and be insulted or laugh at his immatureness. She chose the latter.

          Hearing her laughter at a time like this surprised Luhan, but not too much. His girlfriend had a kind heart, and was compassionate. She genuinely cared for her and words could not express his gratitude for her sincere worries.

          “Let me take your temperature you stupid deer,” Yuhee said, putting a hand on his shoulder. That tone of hers – she must be smiling.

          Luhan finally turned over and saw her smiling face. He couldn’t have asked for a better remedy. He let her shove the device into his ear and he heard the familiar beep. Yuhee’s eyes widened and he knew it wasn’t a good sign. He tried telling her it was okay, but she shook her head. “You’re 43 degrees Celsius. Are you crazy? How are you even talking? Crap…” She thought of what she should do, what the best decision would be. “I’m going to take your advice and do everything you said with a cold, wet towel.”

          He groaned as he turned so his back was facing her, but she had already gone out of his room and downstairs. His mom loved Yuhee, so Yuhee came over lots, and so she knew where everything was. In no time, she came back with a bowl of water and two small white towels. He couldn’t help but watch his girlfriend do work. She took her school blazer off, rolled up her sleeves, and dipped the towel in the bowl and squeezed water out of it so that it wouldn’t drip all over his bed. Logical and caring. How cute. He loved his girlfriend to death. Silly girl, wasn’t she scared of catching his cold? Even after seeing his temperature? She shot him a dirty look and he grinned at her. She rolled her eyes as she placed the towel on his forehead. She did the same with the other, and dabbed it on his neck. He winced – it felt like ice pricks were stabbing into his skin. He loved his girlfriend to death, but she sure was merciless. Her great pain endurance probably led to that. He didn’t really like that attribute of hers. Sure, it was admirable, but that meant Yuhee would have to suffer for a very long time before accepting help – if she even planned on accepting help. He opened his eyes and looked at her stunning face, one that he never gets tired of staring.

          Concern. That was what her face read. His dear girlfriend was concerned about his health. Selfless and loving. How did he get so lucky?

          “I love you.”

          Yuhee stopped dabbing his neck and collarbone abruptly. Was it too spontaneous? Even if it was dark, Luhan knew Yuhee was blushing. His theory was confirmed when she stammered out, “S-Shut up stupid…” She began dabbing more forcefully. He chuckled. Suddenly, her dabbing slowed down, and finally came to a halt.

          He frowned. “Yu –”

          “I love you, too.”

         Luhan froze. Then his regular disposition came. He smirked weakly, “Took you long enough to say it, no?”

        “You talk a whole lot for a patient – I guess this treatment is working?” she dabbed again and the cold water dripped out, rolling down to his shirt and arms. He shivered at the cold, and the violently started coughing again. His throat burned. Yuhee's eyes widened, “I’m sorry!” he was sick. She shouldn't have been so forceful and careless.

          He gave her a meek smile. “No big deal.”

          “You should sleep. So sleep,” she ordered.

          When she tried getting up he held her wrist. “Yuhee, stay…” he knew it was incredibly selfish of him, but now that she was here, he wanted her to stay. He hadn’t seen her for four days, not even a glimpse. He was banned from calling her because Yuhee forbid it. He couldn’t text because his mom forbid it. He barely had any contact with anyone. Not that he could, really. He was sick.

          She shook her head gently and smiled tenderly at him. He fell for her all over again. “You need your rest.”

          “I can only sleep well when I know you’re safe. With me.” Luhan tugged at her wrist. “Come on, I’m tired.”

          “Y-You’re not asking me to sleep with you, a-are you?”

          Luhan looked at her face. It was priceless, he laughed and then coughed, then patted Yuhee’s shoulder when she suddenly came close and asked him if he was okay. “No, I’m not,” Luhan said. “You’re not ready for that, I know. Don’t worry. But it’s not too bad to sleep next to me, is it? A few hours maybe. Not long…” he coaxed. A glib talker, he was. Yuhee gnawed on her lower lip in consideration. It wasn’t that she doubted Luhan and his words – it was just that sleeping next to a guy sounded weird. It probably feels weird too, Yuhee thought. Just as she was about to decline politely, Luhan whispered huskily, and it sent shivers down Yuhee’s spine, “You trust me, don’t you?” There was a hint of hesitance and cautiousness in his voice, his tone a bit dubious.

          Of course she trusted him. “Yes.”

          And with that, she slipped under the covers. Luhan grinned as he held her shoulders to bring her closer. His hot breath made Yuhee nervous, but his steady breathing made her calmer. She had to admit, after yelling and stomping around the whole day, she was tired. Being with Luhan eased her, relaxed her. He pacified her, and now she could feel exhaustion. “Stop being sick, please,” Yuhee murmured as she wrapped an arm around his middle. “I miss seeing your stupid face at school.”

          He chuckled. “I miss seeing your perfect face, too.”

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SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.

1) sry, i feel like i've neglected AFF in general, and perhaps i did.. sorry guise :(

2) legit almost 4000 words .. effort !!!

hope you guys enjoyed it though~~ sorry again.. ;;

-deardeerhan