Matching Key (JoongNine AU)

Code XV

Nine

"Come in", he invited me in, but there's no smile on his face. Maybe, he didn't want to see me at all, but since I'd already arrived at his condo, manner that was ingrained in his upper class upbringing, made him received an unwanted guest.

"How are you? You looked a bit pale", I started, because his voice sounded croaky.

"Nothing too serious. Just flu and remaining fever. So, why do you come? Don't waste time, you might be infected with this flu too if you stay around me too long... ", cold, such a cold, direct query. It was understandable. I was a sore thumb through the short time he knew me.

"Have you eaten?", I saw nothing of used cutlery or anything, everything was too polish, clean. He shook his head and laid back down on the sofa, and covered himself with a thick blanket. He must be resting while watching television at this spot."No appetite. Food taste bad anyway, bitter. Sorry, my head spin. So, forgive me if I seemed impolite right now".

I bent down and touched his forehead, this was not a remaining fever, his skin was too hot. I called for food to be delivered, and moved to his room to take a small towel and wash basin. I sat down at the edge of the sofa, asked him to sit up and started to wipe his heated body. He was surprised that I made myself too familiar when this was the first time I was here.

"What are you doing? I said this is nothing...", he said but not pushing my hand away, maybe he didn't have the energy to.

"You're burning, Joong. A rise in temperature more than this, you will be delirious. If you don't want to see a doctor, then, take some fever medication and wipe your body constantly, it helps to lower the heat".

"Too tired...", he whined. I smiled, such a baby, must be, someone had taken care of everything for him, so much, most of his life.

"If you don't eat, then how to gain energy, huh? Sleeping a lot won't revive your health, it makes you feel more lethargic".

"Hmm...now I understood why they said you're a favourite among the newbies. If this is how much you baby everyone, then, must be good to have you around". His words caused me to feel again such guilt, for being good to everyone, except him. I took a deep breath and looked up at Joong.

"Why won't you accept someone else, Joong?. My colleagues are all professional. I have yet to hear the artists complained about any manager. Why are you, so stuck on me?", I said and wiped his neck and shoulders. The sleeveless shirt that he wore made it easier to do it.

"A challenge. Our first meet wasn't the best one, but somehow I was intrigued by you. I never meet someone who suddenly felt such a huge dislike towards me on the get go, more so, I was so confused everytime we talk", he grabbed my hand to stop my movement, and looked at me, eyes darting, "so, if you're here just because you feel bad, then just leave before I think too much. I've made my decision, didn't I? And even said goodbye. But, if you're ready to talk, then stay".

Slowly, I pulled my hand away from his grip, and continued to wipe his face. His lips pouted, because he failed to get the answer that he wanted. I asked him to turn a bit, and wiped his back under the shirt, lucky that he was not ticklish so it went smoothly. Then I asked him to lay down again to wipe his chests and tummy.

"You're blushing...", he said, smirked, and pinched my cheeks softly.

"And you, should just keep that comment in", I knew, I felt the heat too, but I just earnestly wanted to just help cooling him down. He laughed a little. "Sorry, can't help it, it is too cute". I gritted my teeth and Joong kept his mouth shut too. After finishing, I wet the towel again and put them on his forehead, just liked how my mother did whenever I had fever. Whether it worked or not to reduce the heat, I didn't know.

"You're not well. Not that I don't want to talk, but the time is not right. But, let's put aside our issues first. Don't assume, and you might misunderstand, but the reason I came here is because the company wanted you to reconsider".

"Oh...", his eyes looked dim, "the company...not you...then, let me ask you something then...". I looked at him with curious eyes.

"Is it just because of work that you reach out to me right now? If so, then just go, Nine. Thank you for taking care of me. But, I wanted to believe that you're not that cold. So, forget the work, will us be okay?; meaning if my being there will somehow made you feel off, then I won't come back, that's why I don't think it'll be settled even if I am with a different manager. How would you feel? When you have the answer, one that you want, not because of work or the company, then I will come to you without hesitation. The choice is in your hand, alright?".

He was thinking of me, he left because of me, he'll come back because of me too. How come every Joong is making me feel prioritised, and not just following orders. I wanted to smile, and wanted to cry too. I was save from answering him back, when the doorbell rang, the food delivery had arrived.

"Well, let's make sure you eat properly first, before we talk out anything too serious. The faster you get well, then the faster we'll see each other again".

"Wait, what's that supposed to mean...". I hushed him and got up to receive the food. I put everything on the plate and bowl and made myself a cup of hot coffee, since I already had lunch. Only then, I called for him to be up and sit at the dining table.

"Come here, Joong, don't push me to spoon feed you there", I said with a smirk.

"I don't mind...", he said, but still walked wobbly to the table.

"No. You don't want me to do that, I won't be gentle, nor have the patience too. You'll be traumatised".

He ate a scoop and whined, "No taste...urghhhh...".

"Eat!", I stayed by his side to make sure he ate everything. He pouted, but continued eating and didn't complain again. I smiled and sipped my coffee, while reading the news on my phone.