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Ni-ki is rarely sick. He is a healthy boy and have a good immune system since young. But when he is, once in awhile, it get really bad, his body not accustomed to feeling this weak, and his brain not understanding the pain and how to go over it.
Since his debut in Enhypen, he only falls sick once just after their first promotion. He was 15 years old and it was his first time being ill far away from his mom taking care of him. It really scared him, and he passed his time crying from pain and sadness.
Fortunately, his hyungs always took good care of him and he was grateful to have them playing his parents' parts to comfort him.
One of his hyung was the one who had the most calming effect on him. In contrary of him, this hyung always had a poor health to the point where it goes really bad one year before I-land.
Now he is better, taking good care of his body and being careful, but he still often catch easily virus and cold here and there.
Ni-ki saw Sunoo sick for the first time during the survival show. He was so worried to see him in such a bad state when they still had to practice all day and night intensely. He did his best to keep an eye on his hyung, staying by his side, making him eat, drink, take medicaments and always pat his head to reassure him.
When Sunoo got better, he thanked the Japanese with his brightest smile, telling him his wish to always have someone like him when he falls sick. In Ni-ki's head, the words resonated and he silently promised he would stay the one to have that role.
But when he first got ill, Sunoo exchanged the role, staying the whole time by his side and sleeping with him knowing the maknae homesickness was intensified by the situation.
Riki felt so much more well in the arms of his favorite hyung (don't tell the others), but when Sunoo start to feel dizzy 3 days after him, he felt immensely guilty. The older tried to reassure him, saying he was not as sick as him, that his body was so accustomate that it will recover quicker, but the maknae still keep feeling bad for days.
After that, the young dancer stayed healthy while he keeps taking care of Sunoo's health. Their relationship was always good, teasing a lot but with a lot of love and even if they were opposite, they find themselves being complimentary. They were basically best friends, sleeping buddies because Ni-ki can't sleep alone. They had some fights but always quick to make up.
****
Things kinda fall apart after their 'Paradoxx Invasion' promo. People on the internet kept accusing Enhypen to left Sunoo apart and particularly send hate to the maknae, saying his teasing was bullying. Ni-ki felt so bad sawing all of that on the social media, he didn't know how to react.
All of them had a members meeting to talk about it. Sunoo said that he never felt excluded, that he loved all of them and didn't feel bullied at all. But he also said he would take this occasion to ask them to stop their jokes about his body, he knew that it was all innocent teasing but it could feel a little touched by them sometime when he feels less confident.
All of the members apologies profoundly, feeling stupid, some crying and hugging was done and seeing Sunoo being so considerate make them cry further.
The next day, there was a meeting with their management team. It was all serious, explanations on how they should all act in front of camera were said. When they asked for Sunoo and Ni-ki to stay apart for a while in front of the camera because the public didn't respond well to their relationship, something broke inside of both of them.
****
The duo never really talk about it after that.Well...they kinda didn't talk at all after that... A weird tension installed between them, they always kept an eyes on each others but from far away, turning their heads when their about to meet eyes.
The others tried to talk about it to them, but nothing evolved from it. Sunoo only saying that he doesn't want to bother the maknae with all of that so it's more simple to stay away and Ni-ki stuttering some nonsenses. Jay had a big convo with him, asking if he was ignoring him because he still felt bad about the comments that somewhat hurt Sunoo but he answered :
"Yeah they're a bit of that, but also a lot of others things are in my mind since all of this happened... I feel totally lost hyung. I don't want to hurt him and I feel like me near him is not good... You saw what everyone say on Twitter and I know most of them are pure hate but others things kinda made sense... I don't know. I also feel weird to not act close to him in front of cam if it's to act normal when it's off. Nothings feel normal anymore. And on top of that, I'm growing up and it scares me a lot, how everything change in my body, mental and feelings...all of it is too much..."
He had started sobbing mild monologue, breath shaking and hands agitated. Jay could feel the distress in his dongsaeng so he hugged him and comforted him all night.
****
But Sunoo kept on falling sick and Ni-ki was not there anymore to take care of him. Well... not exactly... He was still making sure to give the correct instructions to the others members so Sunoo continued taking the right vitamins and medocs but also how to give him comfort. He prepared himself, his hyung's favorite tea when the older caught a bad cold, only to give it to Jake.
"Ki... you should give it to him yourself. I saw how he look at the doors earlier expecting you would enter..."
"Please hyung... I can't, really...Make sure he drink that but don't tell him it's from me. And place the humidificator near his bed please, his essential oil is in his bedside drawers." Jake sighed, he didn't mind taking care of Sunoo at all but he knew how badly they need each others.
****
Enhypen had just finished the 'Dark Blood' promotions, they were all tired because their schedule was really full. Ni-ki had given all of him during this comeback, he even participated in the choreography of the title track. He was so caught up in his mental and his work that he kinda left his health aside. And what had to happen, happened.
Ni-ki woke up early one morning before practice, he was feeling way too hot and was curled up in his bed clutching at his stomach who was hurting him badly. He tried to go up to go to the bathroom but couldn't from dizziness. He waited until the leader woke up from his alarm, to his habit he start waking up the members starting from Sunoo and Sunghoon who were also in the same room.
Then, he approached the maknae's bed and when he heard the loud breathing and the little whines, he quickly understood something was wrong.
" Ki, what's going on? Are you sick??"
" Yes... Won-hy-hyung ... it hurt."
"Where does it hurt baby?" the leader asked, sitting near Riki on the bed, putting his hand on the younger's forehead to take the temperature.
" Everywhere... it's hot ,too hot and it turns ..." The sick boy tried to explain with difficulty.
" You seem to have a big fever, I'm going to call the manager so he calls a doctor. Obviously you will rest today, but I'll go talk with the others to see how we organized. Wait a little, I'm coming back." The leader said with his soft voice before giving Ni-ki a little peck on his warm forehead.
When Jungwon went outside the room, Ni-ki heard him talk to someone in front of the door, caughing a bit of the conversation.
"Don't you want to go see him?? He's really bad right now..."
"I really want too Won, but he probably don't want me near him and I don't want to make him uncomfortable..." Ni-ki recognized Sunoo's voice and his heart clenched, something more hurting him in his body.
****
The Doctor came quickly after that, he auscultated him and gave some medicaments instructrions to Heesung who was the one in the room in the moment.
After the Doctor left, their manager went to Jungwon to rescheduled the practice and meeting they should have had this day, leaving them their day off.
The members tried their best to gave their maknae comfort, but he would refuse to eat and keept on saying everything hurt. His hyungs knew it was nothing severe but they felt so useless and Sunoo who was the only one who didn't entered the room, was curling in the sofa crying of worriness. The dorm's mood was really off, everybody feeling sad seeing both of the young members so bad.
****
Ni-ki falls asleep in the afternoon and woke up in the start of the afternoon, screaming and crying at the pain who returned. All members ran in front of the room when they heard, Jake and Heesung being the ones who came to the maknae because the others didn't want to overwhelemed the sick boy.
Sunoo outside was starting to panic, even Jay couldn't calm him, he wanted so bad to go near the Japanese but something in his head blocked him.
The two hinges who were with Ni-ki tried their best to appease him, gave him his medicine and putting a wet cloth on his forehead. Unfortunately nothing seemed to calm him either, he was still crying, sweating like crazy and clutching desperately at the sheets from the pain.
After some minutes, he couldn't think hold back anymore and asked for what he wanting badly.
" Sunoo... Sun-Sunoo hyun-g ... please..."
Heesung and Jake gave a look at each others and the older nod at Jake who went outside the room.
"Sun ... He's asking for you." The Australian said cautiously putting a hand on the younger shoulder. The latter opened his teary eyes wide and immediately stopped crying.
His hyung gave him a smile of encouragment. So he started walking slowly in the room, meeting Heesung mild way who whispered some supports and comforting words in his ears before he went outside and closed the door.
" Sunoo hyung ? " Ni-ki asked with his little voice.
"Y-yes Ki ... I'm here." He went to the bed and squat at Ni-ki's level.
"Do you need something?" He asked hesitantly. At that, the younger grabbed his hyung's hand and pulled on it with no force because he was too weak but Sunoo understood right away and climbbed onto the bed.
"Closer..." Ni-ki almost begged and Sunoo execute gulping a little.
"Don't you feel too hot? I feel you're skin burning" He asked whispering.
"Hmm...Your hands ... Please" and Sunoo understood immediatly once again. The maknae always used to ask for his hands when he was feeling too hot because he tends to have cold extremities and his touches have the power to cool him.
" Where baby?" He asked softly.
"...Neck. "
So Sunoo put the back of his right hand on the crook of the younger neck, feeling a big sigh of relief from the youngest. He waited for the other two asked for his other hand but feeling Ni-ki hesitation he brushed his nose on the other's cheeks and said, his lips caressing his skin.
"It's okay angel, tell me what you need."
" ... S-stomach" Ni-ki answered gulping of shyness.
Sunoo did not hesitate one beat but went slowly when he put his left hand under the younger's
T-shirt, slidding it to the middle of his stomach.
" Does that help?"
" Umm... a lot hyung..."
Sunoo started carressing his belly with his thumbs and whispered "You can go to sleep, we'll try to make you eat after a good rest."
Riki did not answered but grabbed the older left arms with his two hands, Sunoo could feel his body tensed.
" Hyung is staying by your side, I'm not moving baby."
So Ni-ki relaxed and closed his eyes, slowly falling asleep from exhaustion but also in a better state now that he was in his hyung's arms.
Sunoo observed the maknae for awhile, many things rushing in his head until he start to also fall asleep.
****
Ni-ki woke up about 2h after, he turned a little to face properly his hyung and watched him sleeping.
"I missed you so much" he whispered not excepcting the other to woke up, but when he saw his eyes opened, he quickly turned his head to avoid his hyung's eyes.
"Ki? You're awake? How do you feel?" Sunoo hurried to ask.
"I- I feel a little bit better, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore... you helped a lot, thank you." He said blushing.
"I'm glad... let's try to eat. I will take your temperature and you should take a little bath too, I know it will appease you." He smiled softly, sitting up.
Sunoo helped the sick boy, to stand up and they headed to the bathroom. He placed him on a little stool and went to run a bath at the perfect temperature, making sure to add the little bath bomb he knew Riki likes because it makes bubbles and the water turns into a pretty lavender.
"Can you take off your clothes and climb onto the bath alone? I'll go ask Jay to prepare some soup and rice for you and I'll bring new pajamas so you feel better in fresh clothes."
Ni-ki only nod at his hyung and immediately grab the end of his shirt, taking it off. At the sight, Sunoo turn around to leave, his cheeks turning pink.
A moment after, the Japanese was in the bath, eyes closed, feeling relaxed. Sunoo entered leaving the new clothes on the sink while he approached the other boy, kneeling to be at his level and putting a hand on his shoulder, shaking it softly.
"Ki, don't fall asleep in the bath please, it could be dangerous."
"Mmm... m'not sleeping hyung ... Don't worry..." He answered opening his eyes to lock his eyes with Sunoo, staring at each others for long secondes.
"I'll always worried when it comes to you..." The older said so quietly he didn't even know if he actually said it since the other didn't answered. He started to stand up to leave the boy alone during his bath time but the latter grabbed his hand, looking at him with puppy eyes.
"Stay please... I need you... for umm ... my hair." He said pleading. Sunoo immediatly nods and gave him a soft smiled. He took his time to wash the younger hair gently, humming a little song at the same time.
Riki tried his best to contains his tears because of the overwhelming feelings of love and care his hyung was still giving him without hesitation after he ignored him for so long.
When Sunoo finished, he gave the others a big towel so he could enveloped himself into while he turns around to give him intimacy while he dressed up. When he heard the maknae sitting on the stool, he turns to him and took a little towel he brings to Riki's wet hair. He once again proceeded so gently to dry his hair.
Ni-ki look up to watch his hyung lovely face and couldn't help his next moves. He put his arms around the other waist and hugged him, Sunoo gasped, surprised at the move but giggled a little and asked while continuing what he was doing.
"What are you doing ?"
"Recharging..." Riki answered, his voice muffled because his face into Sunoo's front.
" We just slept together Kiki" Sunoo said with a teasing voice. But he was left speechless when the maknae said "Need more of you" while pushing their bodies more closer. The oldest was wondering if Ni-ki was aware of the meaning of his words and actions as he could felt his face flushing hard.
A little after, they heard Jungwon knocking on the door, opening slightly and saying "Jay hyung said the food was ready for both of you." Sunoo answered that they were coming, rolling his eyes at the look his bestfriend was giving him after seeing they're position.
After a good meal, Sunoo was rassured to see that the maknae had eat pretty well and had been capable to keep conversations with the others members who was worried for him and asking him questions on how he felt. His face reddened entirely when Heesung joked about how Sunoo had probably healing power on their maknae.
****
When they finished eating, they headed back to the room because it was already late at night and Ni-ki was still exhausted despite feeling better.
"Hyung? You're staying with me right?" The Japanese asked with a small tired voice.
"If you want me too, of course baby." Sunoo grabbed the other's hand and pulled him near his own bed. " But let's sleep in my bed, your sheets are probably full of sweat and germs from you're fever." he continued laughing a little while putting them to sit in the bed.
That's when Riki realized something that got him immediatly worried.
"Oh my god hyung... I-I've been so careless, insisting on you staying near me while you could fall sick from me...I'm so sorry, you – you should probably not sleep with me and maybe take some vitamins or -" The panic in his voice was intensifying.
" Hey hey, shhh it's okay love" Sunoo cut his nervous rant while cupping with cheeks and make him locked his eyes with him.
The youngest immediately calmed at the sight of his hyung's captivating sparkling eyes. The oldest started to inhale and exhale in exaggeration with an encouraging nod so he could follow his breathing patterns.
When they stopped, Sunoo lied down bringing the maknae to do the same. They faced each others as the older put a hand on the other waist, caressing him.
"I'm just worried hyung, remember what happen the first time? I felt so guilty..." Riki said, pouting.
"I know but you know how I am, it never was your fault, I just have a shitty immune system but nothing to worry about, I promise." Sunoo said chuckling.
"Yeah ... Hyung... I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise to always take care of you when you were sick during the past few months..."
"Stop with your nonsense Riki." He said quite firmly.
"Do you think I don't know how you've continued to take care of me? Even when you weren't by my side. I know it's you who told the other to go check on me when I would hide my state. I know you told them to keep guards on my treatments, to give me my favorites pyjamas and blankets to appease me. I know you prepared my tea and soup each time I fell ill. The others didn't even have to tell me Riki, I know you did all this and even more just because you're the only one who could have thought about all that, because you're the only one who knows me like that."
They were now both crying. Sunoo came closer and lift his hands to the other's face, gently caressing his skin to dry his tears.
"I wanted so bad to be near you, to hold you like you're doing right now, I just couldn't bring myself to do it because I'm a coward... I was so afraid of what was happening and so scared to confront you, afraid of what you'll say, afraid of the others would say, afraid of rejection and afraid I'll lose you even more..."
"You'll never lose me. No matter how far away you looked, I was still there too Ki. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to pressure you. This industry can be so toxic and you're still so young... I felt sorry that all the hate you received was because of me and our relationship in the first place."
Ni-ki approached to put their foreheads together, closing his eyes he murmured.
"At this point I think it hurt me more to be far away from you, please hyung tell me now if you don't want me anywhere close to you so I could deal with the pain right away..."
"I will never want that, please let's talk it out from now on, let's be honest with even when it could hurt because it will still be better than avoiding each other, it hurt us too much...and I missed you too, so much my love..." He whispered the last words, responding to the one the younger said earlier thinking he was asleep. At that Riki breath loudly, cheeks flushing bright and heart beating fast.
A tense but comfortable silence has installed. Both of them were staring into each other soul for minutes until Sunoo part away his shiny lips making the younger look at them, flustered at the temptation that was giving him. And when he looks up, Sunoo's eyes was giving him his consent.
So Ni-ki decided he didn't want to hesitate anymore and went to press their lips together. Their hands immediately moved at the same time as their mouths, the younger cupping a cheek of the other while the others hands went to his hairs, pushing desperately for them to be the closest possible. Sunoo's right hand was clenched firmly at his collar while the other was on Riki's back, also grabbing his t-shirt before sliding under it. The sensation of Sunoo cold hand on the younger's back makes him gasp in the kiss, letting the occasion for the older to put his tongue in the other's mouth, slowly exploring. The bold move made Ni-ki moan and the sound surprising both of them they pulled away. The latter feeling shy at what he just did, he hide his face in the other's neck making Sunoo laugh.
" Aww the baby is feeling shy! It's okay Riki... look at me please" So Riki obeyed, looking at his hyung who was smiling brightly and so gently at him.
" I love you Hyung!" Ni-ki blurted out, widening his eyes at his own words that escaped his mouth due to all his feelings he had contains for too long.
Sunoo made a surprised face and quickly press his mouth longly to the younger one more time before breaking apart and murmuring against his lips while smiling.
" I love you too, you're my everything Nishimura Riki and I love you so much."
Both of them couldn't feel happier at this moment, they cuddled, kissed and murmured soft words to each others. And when Jungwon enter the room scolding them because Ni-ki was still not sleeping, they laughed a good time before properly hugged to fall asleep more peaceful than ever.
****
The next morning their members couldn't help but felt relieved at the sight of the two holding each other in their sleep with appeased expression and smile. They took pictures of the soft scenes, cooing, before jumping on and around the bed to wake them and tease them lovely.
Everything was feeling at the right place and even if some talks still have to be done, they just shrugged it off to enjoy the day all together, filled with laugh and love. The two new lovers didn't separate for the whole day neither the days and days after.