24H | SEVENTEEN

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"Noona?" Rumi looked up, her vision hazy barely holding herself up. "Wonwoo-ssi..." She slipped off the wall, thankfully Wonwoo caught her. "Noona!" Wonwoo's arms wrapped around her just in time, catching her limp body before she hit the floor. Her skin was burning hot under his touch, her breath shallow and uneven.

"Noona, you are burning up!" He said panic rising his chest as he helped her inside. "How did you get here?" He asked worried. She was in no condition to have made her way here by herself. "Show-shower...Help to bathroom." She breathed. "We need to get you to hospital! Your fever will get worse if you shower." Wonwoo exclaimed. Rumi shook her head. "No-it's not...fever." She replied. "Just help me to shower." She didn't not look good. Youngjae had went out for some errand he didn't know what to do. Hesitating for a moved, he decided to do as she asked. Tightening his hold around her, one arm under her knees, the other supporting her back, and lifted her with ease. "Stay awake." He urged, "We are almost there." He reached the bathroom and set her down inside the shower. Rumi slumped against the cool tiles, her breath ragged, eyes glassy. "Turn...on..." she mumbled barely coherent, hands fumbling in search of facet. Wonwoo pushed the tap, cold water her skin like sharp needles, but she didn't flinch only gasped softly as the chill hit her burning skin. Rumi leaned into it, holding on whatever her hand could reach for support as her pulse pounded like war drums in her ear.

Wonwoo stood beside her arm supporting her up. His shirt was already soaked, but all he cared right now was Rumi who was shaking under the cold water, "Just breathe," he said softly, "You're okay. I've got you."

"The burning...it's not stopping." Her lips trembled with every word. She grabbed her end of her t-shirt and tried to pull it over her head but got stuck due to wetness. "Let me." His fingers were gentle, careful not to rush or startle her. The soaked fabric clung to her like second skin, and for a moment he hesitated but when he heard her groan he quickly pulled it over her head and tossed it aside. Rumi let out a hum of somewhat relief. Wonwoo hitched a breath, she was standing soaked in her bra shivering, vulnerable, and clearly in pain. But even then, there was something so fiercely Rumi about the way she held herself up, refusing to fall apart. He swallowed hard, keeping his eyes respectfully averted, "It's not helping. What the fuck it is..." Wonwoo heard her mumbled. "Maybe we should get you to a hospital..." He started, trailed off when he felt her gaze. That look, a very familiar one. "Noona?"

Rumi turned towards him, her eyes glassy, burning. "Only you can help me out of this now, Wonwoo-ya..." Before Wonwoo could register her words. her fingers gripped his collar and then she kissed him. Hard. Fierce like a storm that been waiting for the right moment. Her lips were cold and trembling, but the kiss was anything but weak. It was messy, desperate like a plea wrapped in heat and unspoken words.

Wonwoo gasped when he felt his back colliding against the cold wall. "Noona." He breathe as Rumi buried her head in his neck placing kissed on exposed part. Her hand under his wet shirt, crawling up against his torso. "Noona...wait..." Rumi didn't respond. She was breathing hard, erratic. Her insides were burning and needed to something to- "More." She said pulling back and grabbing right between his shirt and splitting it open, buttons popping and scattering on the floor. Before Wonwoo could reacted she was already on him, kissing hard, desperate like she was trying to draw out of him she couldn't name. His hands hovered at her waist, unsure whether to pull her in or push her back. Her grip was tight, her breath hot and uneven against his lips, and he felt the thin thread of restraint he'd been clinging to start to snap. Her fingers crawling against his torso slowly dipped into his pants.

That's it.

It finally snapped. Wonwoo's restraint broke the moment her breath hitched against his neck as she grabbed onto him. He slid his hands under her thighs and picked her up. She didn't hesitate, wrapping her limps around him like she'd been waiting for this moment all along. Guided by instinct more than thought, he carried them out into the bedroom, the weight of everything unspoken pressing in every step.