Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

The Fever Beneath the Surface (Mingyu)

The dorm was unusually quiet that evening. Wonwoo sat at his desk, headphones on, engrossed in a personal project. His fingers tapped steadily at the keyboard, the faint glow of his monitor illuminating his tired but focused face. It had been a long day for all of them, but Wonwoo had been particularly immersed in his work, skipping meals to meet his self-imposed deadline. Across the hall, Mingyu lay on his bed, his body tense and fevered.

He hadn't felt right all day. At first, it had been a dull ache behind his eyes and a sluggishness in his limbs that he'd attributed to overwork. But as the hours passed, the ache deepened into a throbbing headache, and the warmth in his skin turned into an unbearable heat. He hadn't eaten dinner, his stomach too queasy to handle anything more than a sip of water.

But instead of seeking help, Mingyu had convinced himself he could handle it. "It's just a fever," he whispered to himself, clutching the edge of his blanket. "I'll sleep it off."

He hadn't wanted to disturb Wonwoo. His hyung had been glued to his desk all day, working tirelessly on something that clearly mattered to him. The last thing Mingyu wanted was to be a burden. So, he stayed quiet, tossing and turning as the fever gripped him tighter.

By the time the clock struck 3:00 a.m., Mingyu was in bad shape. His fever had spiked dangerously high, leaving him delirious and disoriented. His shirt clung to his damp skin, soaked through with sweat, and his breathing had become shallow and uneven.

The faint sounds of Mingyu's restless movements carried across the hall, barely audible over the quiet hum of Wonwoo's headphones. At first, Wonwoo ignored it, assuming it was just Mingyu shifting in his sleep. But as the noises grew louder—groans and the unmistakable sound of a low whimper—Wonwoo paused his work, pulling off his headphones.

"Mingyu?" he called out, his voice carrying into the hallway. Silence.

Wonwoo frowned. Something didn't feel right. He pushed back his chair and made his way to Mingyu's room, knocking softly on the door before stepping inside.

What he saw made his stomach drop.

Mingyu was sprawled across his bed, his face flushed a deep red, his hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His body trembled violently beneath the blankets, his lips moving as if to speak but no coherent words coming out.

"Mingyu!" Wonwoo rushed to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. The heat radiating from Mingyu's skin was startling, a blazing heat that made Wonwoo's chest tighten with worry.

Mingyu's eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused. "Hyung...?" he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's me," Wonwoo said, his tone calm despite the panic rising within him. "You're burning up. Why didn't you tell me?"

Mingyu's head lolled to the side, his eyelids heavy. "Didn't... want to bother you," he mumbled before slipping back into a semi-conscious state.

Wonwoo didn't waste a second. He sprinted to the bathroom, grabbing a towel and soaking it in cold water. Back in Mingyu's room, he gently wiped down Mingyu's face and neck, his movements steady but urgent.

"You idiot," Wonwoo muttered under his breath, his worry making his words sharper than intended. "How long have you been like this?"

His eyes scanned the room, piecing together the evidence of Mingyu's stubbornness. A bowl of untouched soup sat on the desk, its surface congealed from hours of neglect. Beside it lay an empty packet of fever reducers and a discarded thermometer. Picking up the thermometer, Wonwoo checked the last recorded temperature: 39.8°C (103.6°F).

"You've been hiding this all day, haven't you?" Wonwoo muttered, his voice thick with frustration.

He pulled out his phone and quickly searched for ways to manage a high fever at home. Following the instructions, he placed a cold compress on Mingyu's forehead and fetched a basin of water to keep swapping out the towel as it warmed.

"Mingyu," Wonwoo said softly, sitting down beside the bed. "You have to let me know if you feel worse, okay? Don't try to be a hero."

Mingyu stirred slightly, a faint groan his only response.

Wonwoo stayed by Mingyu's side, determined not to let him out of his sight. Every few minutes, he checked the compress on Mingyu's forehead, swapping it out for a fresh one. He adjusted the blankets to keep Mingyu from getting too hot or too cold, his hands working with quiet precision.

Around 4:30 a.m., Mingyu's fever spiked again. He began thrashing weakly, his hands clutching at the blankets as if trying to escape the heat consuming him.

"Hyung..." Mingyu whimpered, his voice filled with confusion and fear.

Wonwoo grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm here, Mingyu. You're okay. I've got you."

Mingyu's breathing slowed at the sound of Wonwoo's voice, though his body continued to tremble. Wonwoo stayed close, his presence steady and reassuring.

As dawn broke, the fever began to subside. Mingyu's breathing evened out, and the unnatural flush on his cheeks faded to a healthier color. Wonwoo finally allowed himself a moment of relief, leaning back against the chair he'd dragged to Mingyu's bedside.

When Mingyu's eyes fluttered open, they were clearer than they had been the night before. He blinked slowly, taking in his surroundings before his gaze landed on Wonwoo.

"Hyung?" Mingyu croaked, his voice hoarse.

Wonwoo leaned forward, relief evident in his expression. "You're awake. How do you feel?"

"Like I got hit by a truck," Mingyu muttered, his lips curving into a faint smile.

Wonwoo huffed out a laugh, though the worry in his eyes hadn't fully disappeared. "You scared me, Mingyu. Why didn't you tell me you were feeling this bad?"

Mingyu looked away, guilt flashing across his face. "You were busy," he murmured. "I didn't want to bother you."

Wonwoo's expression softened. "Mingyu, you're my family. You're never a bother to me. Next time, just tell me, okay?"

Mingyu nodded slowly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Okay."

Over the next few days, Wonwoo took it upon himself to nurse Mingyu back to health. He made sure Mingyu drank plenty of fluids, prepared light meals to help him regain his strength, and kept a close eye on his temperature.

As Mingyu recovered, he couldn't help but notice the little ways Wonwoo cared for him. The way he refilled Mingyu's water bottle without being asked. The way he adjusted the curtains to let in just enough light without it being too harsh. The way he always seemed to know exactly what Mingyu needed, even before Mingyu himself did.

One afternoon, as Wonwoo handed him a freshly made bowl of porridge, Mingyu finally spoke up.

"Hyung," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "Thank you. For... everything. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

Wonwoo sat down beside him, his expression soft. "You don't have to thank me, Mingyu. Just promise me you won't keep something like this to yourself again."

"I promise," Mingyu said, his tone filled with sincerity.

A few days later, Mingyu stumbled upon a note left on his desk. It was written in Wonwoo's neat handwriting and read:

Mingyu, you always try to carry everything on your own, but you don't have to. Lean on me. That's what I'm here for.

Mingyu folded the note carefully, tucking it into his wallet as a reminder. From then on, he vowed to be more open—to let Wonwoo in, even when it felt easier to shoulder things alone.

And as he returned to his usual, vibrant self, Mingyu carried with him the quiet reassurance that no matter how tough things got, Wonwoo would always have his back.