Zerobaseone Sickfics [REQUESTS CLOSED]

《Ricky : Cold Day》

Written on: Tuesday, 5.11.2024

Words: 1408

Requested by: Shilatmor2 (Sorry for the delay)

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Ricky woke up to the sound of the wind whistling through the cracks of the window. The cold bit through the thin blanket wrapped around him, and every breath felt like fire scraping his throat. He tried to sit up but fell back, overwhelmed by dizziness. His head throbbed, and he shivered despite the sweat clinging to his skin. He barely noticed when the door creaked open. Hao stepped into the room, his face creased with concern. His brows knitted as he saw Ricky lying pale and motionless on the bed. He moved to Ricky's side, voice soft and filled with worry. "瑞奇，你感觉不舒服吗 ?(Ricky, Do you feel sick?)" Hao asked in Chinese, his hand reaching out to touch Ricky's forehead. It was burning hot."我不知道，好哥哥。我的头好痛 (I don't know, hao gēgē. My head hurts too much.)" He whispered, his voice sounded weak.  "别担心，我会陪着你. 放松一点, 不要着急去练习 (Don't worry, I'll be with you. Relax a little, don't rush to practice.)" He murmured, his tone calm and reassuring.

The quiet conversation in Chinese had caught the attention of the other members. Jiwoong, Hanbin, Matthew, Taerae, Gyuvin, Gunwook, and Yujin had gathered outside the room, each of them looking concerned as they noticed Ricky's absence from their usual morning routine. When they peered inside, they saw Hao sitting close to Ricky on the bed, whispering softly in Chinese, his hand still on Ricky's forehead. Hanbin glanced at the others, confusion on his face. "Does anyone know what they're saying?" He asked, scratching his head. "Not a clue. But they look serious." Gyuvin shrugged. 

Jiwoong, the eldest of the group, took a step forward. "Hao, is everything okay? We heard you talking, but... we don't understand what's going on." He called out, stepping into the room. Hao looked up, giving them a small, reassuring smile. "Ricky's feeling really unwell, Jiwoong hyung. He's got a headache and fever." He translated in Korean. "I think hao hyung should stay with Ricky hyung today. They're both Chinese, so it'll be easier for Ricky hyung to communicate with him, especially since he's not feeling well." Gunwook suggests as others nodded in agreement. "Yes, and Ricky always needs Hao hyung the most when he's sick." Hanbin added further. "Besides, we have practice today. Hao hyung and Ricky can catch up on choreography later." Matthew added with a smile.

"你不必留下来，好哥哥 (You didn't have to stay, hao gēgē.)" Ricky murmured, his voice barely a whisper. Hao shook his head, a comforting smile on his face. " 我知道。但我想去。你这样的时候总是需要我，记得吗? (I know. But I want to. You always need me when you're like this, remember?)" Hao said, his voice was like a balm, making ricky's body relax a little. "谢谢，好哥哥，你来我真开心 (Thanks, hao gēgē. I'm really glad you're here.)"  Ricky says, closing his eyes as he exhaled a shaky breath. 

The day dragged on, each hour marked by Hao's patient care—placing a cold compress on Ricky's forehead, offering him sips of water, and humming softly in Chinese songs that spoke of warmth and comfort. The light outside shifted from the cold, harsh glow of morning to the golden hues of the evening sun. Occasionally, Ricky would wake up with a low groan, and Hao would be right there. "别担心，到早上你会感觉好些 (Don't worry, you'll better by morning.)" Hao would whisper some comforting words. 

When the others returned from practice, it was already past 9. They brought some food from takeout, knowing none of them have energy to cook right now. Their footsteps were louder as they approached the room, the exhaustion of a long day showing in their gait. But as they pushed open the door, a heartwarming scene met their eyes. Hao was seated beside Ricky on the bed, his head tilted back and resting against the headboard, eyes closed, asleep. One of his hands was still holding Ricky's, their fingers loosely intertwined. Ricky was asleep too, his breathing deeper and more even than it had been in the morning. "Look at them, hanbin hyung. Hao hyung must've been there the whole day." Gyuvin says as he slightly nudged Hanbin. "Hao hyung is really ricky's comfort place, isn't he?"  Hanbin whispered to gyuvin, his eyes softened. "You know Ricky hyung leans on hao hyung the most, especially when he's not feeling well." Yujin says, trying not to disturb them. 

"Let's give them some more time. We can talk when they wake up." Matthew says, keeping his voice low. Hao, being a light sleeper, woke up. "When did you guys came?" Hao asked, rubbing his eyes. "Just 10 minutes ago, hao hyung. By the way, how is ricky feeling now?" Taerae asked him. "He still feverish but much better than morning." Hao replied as he kept his hand on ricky's forehead. "We brought some food since we are too tired to cook anything. You should come down to eat, hao hyung." Matthew suggested. "I will join you guys later." He says, re-wetting the towel and keeping it on ricky's forehead. "Okay then, we will be waiting for you." Jiwoong says, as all of them left his room and went towards their respective rooms to freshen up. Ricky's eyes fluttered open just then, catching Hao's expression."你现在感觉怎么样? (How are you feeling now?)" Hao asked him, caressing his head. "更好的, 好哥哥 (Better, hao gēgē.)" Ricky replied, his voice still a bit hoarse. "既然你从早上到现在还没吃东西，我就给你做我生病的时候奶奶常做的汤吧 (Since you haven't eaten anything since morning, i will make the soup which my grandma used to make when i was sick.)" Hao says, as he got up and adjusted his blanket before leaving the room.

When other members came downstairs, the dining room was filled with aroma of food. They saw hao in the kitchen making something. They settled on dining table, taking the food out of plastic bag and serving on plates. "Hao hyung, what are you making ?" Matthew asked as he entered the kitchen, drinking a glass of water. "Just some making some chicken soup which my grandma used to make when i was sick." Hao replied as he stirred the soup. He poured the soup in a bowl and kept it on tray with glass of water. "I will take this to ricky, you can started eating without me." Hao says, before making his way towards ricky's room. 

He entered the room and saw ricky sitting up. "Here, drink this soup." Hao says, handing the bowl to ricky. "Thanks hao hyung, for taking care of me." Ricky says, feeling grateful for his care. "Don't thank me. I'm your hyung, ricky. It's my job to take care of you." Hao replies, ruffling ricky's hair affectionately. After finishing the soup, hao gave him some medicine. "Now, sleep well. If you need anything, just call me." Hao says, as he adjusted the blanket around him. He kept a glass of water on bedside table before leaving the room. 

As he came downstairs but saw food was untouched. "You didn't have to wait for me." Hao says as he sat down. "Because we always eat together, right?" Jiwoong says placing a comforting hand on hao's shoulder. They started to eat, laughter spread across the table. After finishing dinner, members went towards their respective rooms. "I'll do dishes tonight, hao hyung. You should also rest now." Gyuvin says, as he made his way towards kitchen. "Thanks, gyuvin." Hao says, feeling grateful for his help. Hao took one last look at ricky, before going to his room. 

By morning, Ricky was feeling much better. He was able to join others for breakfast. "Good morning, Ricky." Hanbin greeted him with smile. "Good Morning, hyung." Ricky greeted back, taking his seat beside Hao. "Feeling better?" Hao asked as he scanned his face. "I'm feeling better, hao hyung." Ricky replies with smile. "It's good you're feeling better because we have a long day ahead." Matthew says as he grinned, looking at his best friend. The table was filled with laughter as gyuvin cracked some jokes.