Heat Waves

The First Crack

Chapter Eleven - 

Seungmin grunted at the sudden weight on his chest. He didn't have to guess what it was because Jisung was cackling loudly, flailing until an elbow landed in his ribs.

"Get off!" he complained, shoving the giggling body to the side, his head popping out from the covers. "I'm sleeping."

"I never thought I'd see the day the great Seungmin slept in," Han teased, crawling back toward him with a mischievous grin. "We're going to be late." His secretary sighed, turning on his side and pulling the blankets up to his chin. 

Yesterday evening he had begun to feel dizzy, his eyes blurring while he studied. They had remained at the estate longer than either of them liked and by the time he got home he was running a fever of 102. Seungmin's immune system was usually strong, and he rarely became sick. He blamed it on Han for his sudden deterioration. Instead of focusing on schoolwork he was dedicated to finding a loophole to renegotiate the contract as Jisung asked. Furthermore, his mind was preoccupied with the fact San was now mixed up in the shit show of his life. When he didn't respond Han's humor faded. 

"Are you okay?" he asked, watching the other anxiously.

"Just a cold, nothing to worry about." Jisung leaned forward resting his palm against Seungmin's forehead jerking back at the heat.

"You're burning up!"

"Don't you have class?"

"And leave you like this?!" he retorted dramatically. "What if you're dying?"

"Han, please," Seungmin moaned head beginning to hurt. "You being here will make things worse."

"Rude."

"By the time you get home, I'll be fine."

"How do I know that?" He could hear the slight edge to his friend's tone realizing that despite Han's antics he was nervous. Seungmin shifted so he could sit against the headboard Jisung moving to assist. He kept his eyes closed but lifted an arm gesturing for Han to get closer. Hesitantly he obeyed and Seungmin crushed him against his side. "Wait, what?!" he panicked at the skinship unused to affection from his secretary. The last time they had shared a hug had been when they were much younger before the blank spots in Han's memory.

"You'll be fine without me for one day." his voice was calming and his fingers brushed gently along his arm. "I know you can do it."

"Who said I couldn't?"

"The staff can bring me medicine. I'll be okay by the time we have to go to the estate." Jisung allowed himself to settle into the hug taking comfort in the beta's scent. Seungmin always smelled like clean cotton no matter his mood, but today there was a hint of burning sage and espresso likely from his fever.

"Alright, call me if anything happens, or if you need to go to the hospital. I will come straight back," Han lectured, finally pulling away to help Seungmin beneath the duvet. "Stay hydrated and make sure you eat. I'll tell the staff."

"Okay, I got it, just go. Responsibility isn't a good look on you." Jisung tsked pretending as if he would hit him. Seungmin was already fading by the time he exited his bedroom. 

Han would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't scared. It was one thing to experience the world with Seungmin, a trusted friend, but a whole other to do it alone. He realized how much he relied on the boy and wondered briefly if he was the reason his secretary was sick. Determined to ease Seungmin's discomfort he made sure the housekeeper would remain until his return, ordering her to provide anything his friend needed no matter the cost. He left one of his cards behind and phone number checking on him one last time to calm his nerves. Seungmin was asleep, light snores reaching the threshold. He gently shut the door and decided he had lingered too long cutting it close to being late for his morning class. Considering it was the intro class he figured it would be better to make a good impression and hurried from the apartment.