Leeteuk struggled to keep his eyes open as he counted the members into the car. Just as Ryeowook was settling into his seat, the world went black.

 

"Leeteuk? Leeteuk?!"

The leader opened his eyes, and saw Eunhyuk's frightened face. "I'm fine Hyuk, really I'm fine..."

"No you're not, come and sleep in the car." Looking at the cut on the leader's arm from where he had collapsed onto the ground, Kangin picked up the boy and lifted him into his seat. Putting his seatbelt on, he sat next to him and hugged him to comfort him.

 

"Try and sleep on my shoulder hyung, soon we'll be home and you can go to bed."

"B-but I need to make sure that everyo-"

"I'll look after everyone. You just go to sleep."

Leeteuk cried from exhaustion and gratefulness, resting his head on the boy's shoulder and falling asleep almost immediately.

 

"Is he going to be alright Kangin?"

"He'll be fine Hae, he's just tired. We'll be quiet and let him rest."

"Did he hurt himself when he fell? It was scary.."

"Don't be scared, he just collapsed. He's hurt his arm a little, but I'll clean it when we get home."

 

"Kangin hyung?"

"Yes Wookie?"

"What if I have a nightmare again?"

"You can come and sleep with me. No one is to bother Leeteuk tonight. If you want something, you can come to me."

 

Back at the dorm, Kangin carried Leeteuk into the hall. As he moved him, he saw the blood coming from the back of his head, and he started to worry. Phoning for an ambulance, he gently cradled the leader until it arrived.

When the sirens wailed outside, Kangin motioned for Heechul to go with the leader to the hospital, and he felt Donghae cling to his hand.

"Will Teukie die?..."

"No, he'll be fine" the paramedic said with a soft smile. "We need to monitor him for a few days, but I'm sure it's nothing serious. It's just a small trauma wound."

 

As they left, Kangin sat down on the sofa and began to soothe Donghae. "Don't cry Hae, he'll be alright. As soon as they know how severe it is, Heechul will phone and tell us."

Eunhyuk came to nuzzle into his other side. "I love Teukie hyung.."

"I know you do, he's not dying. He'll be perfectly fine, he just needs a few days of monitoring."

"Who'll be in charge until then?"

Kangin nodded decisively. "I will."

 

Seeing how scared all of the members were, he made them each a hot chocolate before tucking them into bed. 

"Good night Wookie, sleep well."

"Will you sleep with me hyung?"

"Sorry Wookie, I have to check on all the others. But I'm sure that someone else will sleep with you."

Seeing Yesung come through the door, he gently touched his arm. "Will you sleep next to Ryeowook for tonight?"

"Of course. Wookie, you can cuddle with me."

Both sipping their hot chocolate, Kangin tucked them in together and went to leave the room.

"Hyung, aren't you going to kiss us goodnight?"

Going to both of the boys, Kangin gently kissed their foreheads, their hair softly.

"Goodnight you two."

 

Settling everyone down to sleep, and kissing them all gently, Kangin answered the phone.

"Heechul? Is he okay?"

"He's fine hyung, it's nothing serious. He's still asleep and they were really worried, but I told them that he was just tired and now they're not concerned about him. They just want to keep him here to make sure that there isn't any damage to his memory."

"Okay, as long as he's safe."

"Kangin, in the rush, there was no time to get anything. Can you drive over with our toothbrushes and some clothes and pajamas? Because we'll be here for a few days and we don't have anything.."

"I'll drive over now."

 

Grabbing some clothes for Heechul, Kangin headed into Leeteuk's room and gasped. There was a small figure lying in the bed, and Kangin could hear the small sobs coming from the boy.

"Donghae?"

"Y-yes hyung?"

"Don't cry.. Why are you in Teukie's bed?" Kangin sat down on the edge of the bed, and gently squeezed the boy's shoulder.

"Because he's not here.. I like to sleep in people's beds when they aren't here, it helps when I'm missing them." He looked up at Kangin. "I slept in your bed for three years.."

 

Kangin hugged the boy. "I'm sorry Hae.. I won't leave again." He looked at the boy's red eyes, his trembling lip, and he gently helped him to stand. "I have to give Leeteuk and Heechul some clothes. Do you want to come with me? You can come and see him."

Nodding gently, Hae put on some shoes and went to the door.

As he walked out, he looked a little nervous, and his hand kept moving a little at his side. Walking beside Kangin, he kept brushing his hand against the older boy's, but Kangin remained oblivious to the silent plea.

 

Eventually, Donghae slid his hand into Kangin's and squeezed gently, worrying about how the boy would react. Kangin was caring, and he loved the members dearly, but he wasn't soft like Leeteuk. He wouldn't come and cuddle them, talking about their day and soothing away their worries. He was the strong member.

But Donghae didn't need his strength, he wanted affection.

 

Feeling the small hand slip into his, Kangin looked at the tearful boy next to him.

"Don't cry Hae, he's fine I promise." Giving a gentle squeeze to the fingers, he smiled at the boy.

When they arrived at the hospital, Kangin handed the bag of clothes to Heechul, and went to see Leeteuk. Donghae was already at his side, holding his hand and talking to him.

"And I slept in your bed because I was scared an-"

Leeteuk was exhausted, but still nodding gently with what Hae was saying, reaching up with his fingers to the boy's hair and gently pull him down for a kiss.

"Don't worry about me Hae, I'm just tired. Don't be scared, Kangin will look after you."

The boy looked a little hesitant, and looked over at Kangin who was chatting with Heechul.

"Kangin doesn't really like snuggling though..."

 

Leeteuk sighed weakly. He knew that Kangin wasn't snuggly, and that Donghae was nervous to go and hug into him, for fear of the boy pushing him away. For fear of rejection. Donghae needed to be held, to be cared for. With his father's death not long ago, the boy was still emotionally weak, and needed gentle care. Wishing that he could come home to the members, Leeteuk hugged Donghae close. "I'll speak to Kangin."

 

Heechul was talking to the boy, gently whispering, but his expression was frustrated.

"Really Kangin?! This shirt! I hate this shirt.."

"I just grabbed some shirts Heechul, if you hate it then you should have thrown it out."

"It was in a pile of shirts I hate! I was going to go tomorrow.. Oh my god you've just grabbed the pile! I hate you Kangin.."

To break up the argument, Leeteuk asked Donghae to bring him some water, and motioned for Kangin to come to him.

"Hyung, you need to rest."

"Kangin, can I ask you a favour?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"I want you to be me. Please. Just hug everyone and ask about their day. I know that you don't really like to snuggle, but Hae needs you right now. Could you sleep with him? And normally Ryeowook comes in too. Please help them when they come in with problems, and try not to get irritated. You're the leader now Kangin, and they need your help."

The boy nodded. He wasn't huggy, he much preferred a handshake, but he had to be like Leeteuk. He had to be a soft person. And although it would be hard, he would try his best.

 

"Hyung, how much hugging is too much hugging?"

"For Donghae, there's never too much hugging. Or Eunhyuk either. Now, don't tease them Kangin, and make sure that they're eating well, and make sure that they're sleeping happily. Let them know that they can come to you."

"Hyung, everything will be fine. Don't worry about a thing. You just rest and concentrate on getting better."

As both boys gave the leader a final hug, and Hae placed the water next to his bed, they turned to leave. Leeteuk smiled to see Kangin reach for Hae's hand.

 

Giving a warm squeeze as they walked down the corridor, Hae smiled.

"Hae, you can come to me with anything, you know that right? If you have any problems, or you just want a hug, then I'll be happy to listen and help you."

Donghae blushed, and looked at the ground. "Really?"

Seeing how nervous the boy was made Kangin feel bad. His personality had made the members nervous to hug him, and it shouldn't have.

Stopping, he looked Hae deeply in the eyes.

"Donghae, you're welcome to come and snuggle with me whenever you like. And not just because I'm being Leeteuk for a few days, you can come and hug me any day. Donghae, I'm here to help you, and I love you. I don't want to be an unapproachable hyung, I want to be someone you can rely on. Hae, I'm sorry if I made you feel hesitant to hug me in the past, it's just my personality.. But I like hugs, so you can come and cuddle whenever you want."

"Even when Leeteuk gets back?"

"Yes, I'm always here for you."

Squeezing Kangin's hand tightly, Donghae almost skipped as they walked to the car.

 

As they reached the dorm, they saw Eunhyuk sitting on the sofa in tears. Donghae went to hug him, holding him close as he cried.

"What happened Hyukkie?"

The boy just cried harder, whimpering as he clung to Hae. Snuggled together, Eunhyuk rested his head on Donghae's shoulder and his tears started to slow.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up to see Kangin eyes full of concern.

"Here" he said simply, holding out a mug of tea. As Hyuk took it with shaking hands, Kangin sat next to him, and gently put his arm around the boys.

"Do you want to sleep with me tonight?" he whispered, and smiled when they nodded.

 

Drinking the hot tea, Hyuk walked slowly to Kangin's room, limping a little. Kangin stopped him gently.

"Why are you limping Hyuk?" His mind raced through a thousand possibilities, and finally stopped on the worst one.

"I just fell and twisted my ankle.. Now I won't be able to dance.."

"You'll be alright, just let me get some ice."

Sitting the boy down on the bed, Kangin returned with an ice pack, and held it to the swollen ankle.

"Thank you Kangin" the boy whispered, and Kangin realised how long it had been since he had cared for the members like this.

 

When swelling had gone down, Kangin helped the boy into bed and got in next to him. Donghae climbed over and hugged into Kangin's other side, nuzzling into his chest. Both boys were shy and gentle, and Kangin cared for them softly.

"Goodnight" he whispered, hugging them close.

Eunhyuk shuffled a little. "Hyung, can we have a story?"

Kangin died internally, he was awful at making stories. But he had to be Leeteuk, so he nodded gently. "Okay."

Donghae closed his eyes as the story started, looking even younger.

 

"Once upon a time there were 15 boys who all lived in the same house. They didn't all like the same things, but they all loved each other. One boy was ill one day, and he had to be taken to the hospital. When he was there, another boy was in charge. This boy hadn't been in charge before, and he didn't know what to do, but he tried his best. Everything was a bit mixed up, but it all worked out in the end. Cuddling together, they all slept happily. The end."

Donghae smiled. "That was a nice story Kangin, can you tell us another one?"

"How many does Leeteuk normally tell you?"

"About four."

Kangin sighed internally, and hugged the boys closer as he whispered more stories. There were stories of kings and castles, stories of mice, and stories of adventures.

Just as Kangin finished the last story, and heard the deep breathing from the two sleeping boys, there was a tiny knock on the door.

 

Getting up carefully from the bed, Kangin opened the door to see Ryeowook standing there.

"Hyung.. Yesung had to leave for schedules, can I sleep next to you?"

Nodding wearily, they both got into the bed together.

"Goodnight Wookie."

"Goodnight."

 

The next day, Kangin woke the members up with a kiss on their forehead, just like Leeteuk always did.

"Come on, time for breakfast."

Going to practice, Kangin watched Yesung and Ryeowook cuddle up together in the car, making the most of the time they had together before the military. Smiling, he felt Henry nuzzle into him and fall asleep.

 

At practice, there was a knock on the door, and everyone looked expectantly. When Leeteuk stepped through the door, everyone smiled. Donghae was first to embrace him, hugging him close.

"Careful Hae!" Heechul warned, steadying the leader as he walked.

"Are you back hyung?"

"Yes Wookie, they said I can come home. I can't practice, or do too much exercise, but I can sit and watch."

As they were practicing, Kangin came and sat next to the leader, hugging him softly.

"How was it Kangin? Did everything go well?"

"Yes, I cuddled them like you said."

 

As he was sitting, he felt Henry come and hug him warmly. Nuzzling into Kangin, he rested against his shoulder. Leeteuk smiled, maybe Kangin liked to hug and cuddle more than they had thought. Kangin cradled Henry softly, and held him against his chest.

After just a night of being Leeteuk, he had turned soft.

And, he decided, seeing the love and trust in Henry's eyes, he quite liked it.