raspberries and mocha | heejake

41

TW: Sudden Attack (?)

The atmosphere in Heeseung's living room was filled with laughter and playful banter as he, Jay, and Riki sat around the coffee table, engrossed in another heated game of Uno. Riki, with his usual cheeky grin, had just laid down a Draw Four card, making Heeseung groan dramatically.

"Seriously? How do you always manage to win?" Jay complained, shuffling the cards in his hand with a mix of frustration and admiration.

Riki shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "It's just skill, Hyung! You guys need to step up your game!"

Heeseung chuckled, shaking his head as he picked up four cards, his mind racing to figure out a way to counter Riki's play. "Alright, alright, just wait until I get my turn. I'm going to wipe that smug smile off your face."

As they continued to play, Heeseung felt a wave of nausea wash over him, a sudden and unsettling feeling that made his stomach churn. He tried to shake it off, focusing on the game, but the nausea intensified, tightening his gut in a vice-like grip.

"Come on, Heeseung! It's your turn!" Riki urged, bouncing slightly in his seat, his excitement palpable.

Heeseung forced a smile, but the effort felt strained. "Yeah, just a second—"

The moment his gaze shifted to the colorful cards in front of him, a violent wave of nausea crashed over him again. He could feel the heat rising to his face, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He set his cards down, the urge to vomit rising like a tidal wave.

"G-Guys..." he managed to say, his voice trembling slightly.

Before he could even finish his sentence, he felt his stomach lurch violently. He jumped up, clutching his abdomen, and rushed toward the bathroom.

"Hyung, are you okay?" Jay called out, a hint of concern creeping into his voice as Heeseung stumbled through the hallway.

He barely had time to respond before he was in the bathroom, dropping to his knees just in time. He barely managed to reach the toilet before the contents of his stomach erupted violently.

"Fuck—oh god!" Heeseung groaned, gripping the edges of the toilet bowl as he doubled over. The heaving was relentless, each convulsion forcing more and more of the unsettling mix of food and bile out of his system.

"Hang on, Heeseung!" Jay yelled, rushing in behind him, his face a mask of worry. Riki followed closely, his previous enthusiasm replaced by concern.

"Heeseung!" Riki cried, peering over Jay's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Heeseung didn't have the energy to respond; instead, he was focused entirely on the nauseating sensation that had taken over his body. Each wave of sickness felt like it was tearing him apart. "I—can't...I can't stop!" he gasped between heaves, the taste in his mouth bitter and acidic.

Jay knelt beside him, placing a steadying hand on his back. "Breathe, Heeseung. Just breathe. You're going to be okay."

Heeseung could hear the concern in Jay's voice, but it felt distant as he continued to empty his stomach. Just when he thought he was done, another wave hit him, forcing him to retch again. He hated this feeling of helplessness, the vulnerability that came with being so unwell.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of retching, Heeseung's stomach seemed to settle, and he leaned back against the cool tile floor, panting heavily. The world around him was still spinning, but the immediate pressure in his gut had lessened.

"Dad, are you alright?" Riki asked, kneeling on the floor next to him, his eyes wide with worry.

Heeseung opened his mouth to respond, but all that came out was a rough cough, deep and rattling. He pressed a hand to his mouth, feeling another wave of nausea rise, and tried to catch his breath. The room began to spin, and before he knew it, the world blurred around him.

"Heeseung!" Jay exclaimed, noticing the sudden change in Heeseung's demeanor. He reached out, but Heeseung was already starting to slump to the side, the last of his strength giving way as darkness crept into the edges of his vision.

"Jay..." he murmured weakly, his voice barely a whisper before everything went black.

Jay reacted instinctively, catching Heeseung just before he hit the floor. "No, no, no! Heeseung!" Panic surged through Jay as he laid Heeseung down gently on the bathroom floor, checking to see if he was breathing. The shallow rise and fall of Heeseung's chest brought a wave of relief, but the sight of his friend's pale face filled Jay with dread.

"Riki, I need your help!" Jay called, urgency lacing his tone. Riki, still wide-eyed with concern, rushed to Jay's side.

"Is he okay?" Riki asked, glancing between Heeseung and Jay, his voice trembling slightly.

"I don't know," Jay replied, his heart racing. "We need to get him to the bed."

With Riki's help, Jay carefully lifted Heeseung, managing to get him onto the bed in the nearby bedroom. As they settled Heeseung onto the mattress, Jay couldn't shake the feeling of dread curling in his stomach. Heeseung's migraines had been worsening, and Jay knew the stress from the wedding planning and the extra workload due to Sunghoon's absence was taking a toll on him.

This is too much for him, Jay thought, glancing at Heeseung's pale face. Heeseung had always been the one to carry the weight of their responsibilities, managing everything from work to personal issues with an air of confidence. But now, it was clear that all of it was too overwhelming. Jay had seen Heeseung's smile falter too many times lately, and he realized that beneath that brave facade, his best friend was struggling to cope with the pressure.

"Will he be okay?" Riki asked, standing at the edge of the bed, worry etched on his young face.

Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "He will be...for your sake," he answered, trying to sound reassuring despite the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.

Riki nodded but looked unconvinced. As they watched Heeseung lying there, his brow furrowed in discomfort, the silence felt heavy, almost suffocating.

Finally, Riki took a deep breath. "I'm going to grab a glass of water," he said quietly, turning to leave.

"Thanks, Riki," Jay said, though his eyes remained fixed on Heeseung, worry deepening with each passing moment.

As Riki closed the door behind him, Jay's smile faded. He reached out, brushing a hand across Heeseung's forehead, checking for fever. His heart ached at the sight of Heeseung looking so fragile and worn. "Please be okay, Heeseung," he whispered, his voice barely audible, filled with hope and fear intertwined.

He knew he had to stay strong for Riki, but as he looked at his friend, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. Heeseung needed to rest, needed to heal, but the mounting pressure of everything weighing down on him felt insurmountable.

Jay took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and settled into the chair beside the bed, ready to wait. He wouldn't leave Heeseung's side, not now. He had to believe that his friend would pull through this, no matter how dire things seemed.