My Lifeline - Jaywon Shortstories

Fever

Jay was laying on Niki's bed, sweating.
Since the day before, he had been so sick he hadn't got up much.
The members had seen his pale face and and decided to switch his room with the maknae's one, because it was the closest to the bathroom. They had tried taking care of him, but really there wasn't much to do. Jay had to take medicine and rest to let his immune system fight the sickness.

Jungwon had shared his room during the night and didn't get much sleep either. Jay couldn't sleep because of his condition and often moaned from pain and discomfort, which broke Jungwon's heart.

The leader spent the night wondering if he could go hug Jay, but he knew it wouldn't mean the same for Jay as it would for him. Jungwon didn't like the idea of taking advantage of Jay's sickness to cuddle him, so he just laid on his own bed, praying every god that might exist to help Jay feel better soon.

The morning slowly came, and both young men had dark circles under their eyes. Jungwon tried convincing Jay to eat something, but the latter refused.

"Jay please, your body needs you to eat something to help you get better, and you know this medicine can't be taken on an empty stomach" said Jungwon with a calm and sweet voice.
"But Wonie, I don't want to" replied Jay.

The patient looked at his nurse and finally gave him. Jungwon fed him a bit of rice and tucked Jay in.

"Look, I have to go work with the rest of the members. You stay here and rest, okay?" asked Jungwon. "If there is anything, you call me."

Jay nodded and Jungwon put his hand on Jay's forehead.
The temperature is normal I think. I'll check again tonight.

Jungwon left the room, heartbroken.
He didn't want to leave Jay like that. He had made sure Jay had his phone nearby to call him, but he still wasn't reassured. The other members were all worried, but none of them had the same reasons as the leader.

The rest of the morning went fast. Jungwon had decided to focus 90 percent of his brain to the training and keep 10 percent focused on his loved one back at home. In reality it went the other way around, but no one seemed to notice.

They were almost done with practice when Jungwon's phone rang.

"Hey Jay, how are you feeling?" He asked.
"Jungwonie!" said Jay. "Can you come pick me up ? I have a meeting with the president soon, but still haven't found my socks."
"What?" replied Jungwon, confused.

Jay repeated what he had said once again, leaving Jungwon puzzled.

"Are you feeling cold?" he asked his patient.
"I'm cold and hot at the same time, I don't understand it" explained Jay in a tiny voice.

I think he has a fever now, that's why he talked none sense about the president.

"I'm coming home okay?" said Jungwon.
"Are you going to take care of me?" asked Jay with the tiniest voice."
"Of course" replied the leader.
"Come quickly, I need you" he simply replied, hanging up right after.

He needs me?

Jungwon was in shock.

It's his fever, he doesn't know what he's saying. That must be it.

Jungwon walked to the other members and explained the situation. He didn't let them time to answer and announced he was going back to take care of Jay. He didn't want anyone else to come. He knew how selfish he sounded, but his heart was obsessed with Jay's last words.

The others accepted and Jungwon called a car.

~

"Jay Hyung" whispered Jungwon as he entered the bedroom. "I'm home."

Jay didn't respond. He was asleep.
Jungwon got closer and saw Jay on his side, eyes closed. He grabbed the thermometer and waited. He couldn't wake Jay up, but at the same time he needed to check his body temperature.

At the same time Jay sleeps so profoundly, maybe I can measure the temperature without waking him up.

So he put the thermometer in Jay's right ear, hoping he wouldn't move and it worked. Jungwon was right, Jay had a fever, nothing extremely high, but enough to be very uncomfortable.

My poor Jay... I hate to see you like that. It's always difficult not being able to express how I feel about you, but I hadn't imagined how hard it would be seeing you sick.

At this moment Jay turned himself, opening one eye.
"I'm cold" he said, looking at Jungwon with imploring eyes.
Jungwon laid next to Jay who instantly grabbed him tight.
"You're so soft and warm" said Jay, gently rubbing his head on Jungwon's shoulder.

I am WHAT?

"Jay, you have a fever, did you know?" asked Jungwon softly.
"I got a fever for you, you mean" replied Jay automatically.

Jungwon froze.
He doesn't know what he's saying.

Jay started humming a song, that Jungwon knew, but couldn't remember. Then it hit him.

"My body is burning up because of you
My heart thirsts because of you
Like a fever, fever, fever, fever"

It was one of their own songs.

Jungwon stop imagining things okay? He's sick.

"Jay, you should try to rest, okay" gently said Jungwon.
"What's the point? If I get better again, you won't take care of me like that anymore" replied Jay, pouting.

"I'll always take care of you" whispered Jungwon, more for himself than for Jay.

"Promise?" asked Jay, looking at him.
"Promise" said Jungwon.