#waykimforever

Tired and Sleepy (1)

Kim was seriously lacking sleep. 

As the school's only poster boy, his responsibilities only kept piling up, on top of maintaining his perfect academic record.

It's a particularly busy period as Kim is in the middle of preparing for three separate Olympiads.

And as if that wasn't enough, Khet has also fallen sick, so Kim has to look after him as well. 

For the past two days, Kim has decided to forgo rest and focus on his work through the night. More importantly, it was easier for him to get up and go check on Khet every once in awhile.

Way can tell by how Kim's eyebags have gotten significantly more obvious that he has been neglecting sleep yet again. Kim has a bad habit of treating sleep as a non-essential.

In class, Kim tried his best to stay awake. But the mundaneness of the class and warmth of the afternoon sun made it difficult. The fatigue soon overcame him and he dozed off for a minute.

Way sees Kim sleeping peacefully and his the corners of his lips lift up into a small smile. He's glad that Kim can finally get some much-needed rest.

Way then looks up to make sure the teacher isn't looking in their direction, picks up the Biology textbook and covers Kim's face with it. 

However, the teacher still notices and walks up to Kim, knocking on his desk twice.

"Don't think you can sleep in class just because you're smart." He remarks strictly.

Kim jolts awake. He realizes everyone is staring at him and quickly apologizes, excusing himself to go wash his face.

"Sir, he's not feeling well today." Way instinctively defends Kim.

Way feels an urge to tell the teacher that he's being unfair, that he can't expect Kim to function perfectly like a robot all the time, that he needs to rest just like anyone else. But Way knows those words will only fall on deaf ears.

Still, he hates it when people push their unrealistic expectations on Kim just because Kim seems like he can handle it. 

Kim returns after a little while but the tiredness does not fade. 

He tries his best to fight the heaviness of his eyelids by pinching his thighs continuously, hoping that the stinging pain will replace his lethargy.

Way notices this and his heart aches for Kim.

Without thinking, he grabs Kim's hand firmly and stops Kim from inflicting pain on himself any further.

He doesn't say anything, just silently holds on to Kim's hand.

Kim's eyes widen as he looks at Way. The other boy keeps his eyes at the front of the class. 

Kim's heart is racing by now, and sleep is the last thing on his mind.

Like that, they stay till the school bell rings.

Finally, it's time to go home. Kim thought he would have a heart attack soon if that continued any longer. 

He starts to pack his bag, but the many extra books he's brought for the Olympiads don't fit and he has to carry them by hand. Kim hugs them close to his chest to balance the stack of books and prevent them from falling.

Seeing this, Way decides to help Kim with the books. He grabs all of them except the bottom one, just so Kim doesn't complain and argue that he can do it himself. 

They walk to the school gates, where their motorcycles are parked. 

Kim raises his leg to get on his motorcycle, but Way stops him halfway. 

"Don't drive when you're sleep deprived." 

"I'm fine, I can manage."

"I know you can, but it's still not safe. I'm not going to let anything happen to you while I'm here."

Kim is briefly touched but he's bent on insisting that he can get home by himself.

"It's not the first time I've done this."

Finally, Way sighs and uses his last resort.

"Come with me or you're not getting your books back." 

"..."

Kim shoots an angry glare at Way, but gets on Way's motorcycle anyway. 

"Hold tight."

This reminds Kim of the time Way sent him home when he was sick. He blushes slightly and is glad that Way can't turn around to see his red face.