Two Of A Kind || Lee Heeseung

49 ¦ What A Time

In the night I woke up again and again and Heeseung was there every time and took care of me. He would fetch me fresh washcloths for my forehead when I got fever pains again and once he also made me some tea, but I couldn't drink it because I had already fallen asleep again when he came back.

The next time I opened my eyes, Heeseung was awake. We were lying with our faces to each other and he was looking at me from under his thick eyelashes. A smile played around the corner of his mouth and I smiled faintly back.

"How are you?" he whispered. I tried to move, but then I let it be because of the effort. I was sweating again and Heeseung seemed to notice because he pulled the blanket a little lower on my waist. "Still not good." My voice sounded rough and drained.

He nodded in understanding and stroked my hair. "You should go back to sleep." He said softly and I nodded languidly. However, I made no move to close my eyes, instead I let my gaze wander over his face and put a hand to his cheek.

With my thumb, I stroked along his chin. "Aren't your parents worried?" I frowned. "No." His voice sounded occupied. "They know I'm here, or will when they see the message on their phones. Your mom was just there, though."

Concerned, I tried to sit up "Was she scolding you? Because you're here? I'm sure she was pissed." I was softly pushed back into the pillows. "No, she was a little surprised at first, but after she made sure you were okay, she left." He laughed softly "To be honest, she was actually exceptionally nice." "Impossible" I tried to make a joke but couldn't shake all the tension.

"Aren't you going to get sick lying next to me all the time?" "No." My eyelids fluttered as a wave of fatigue seized me again and snatched me away from reality.

After a long pause and just before I drifted off to sleep, I imagined that Heeseung was still murmuring something softly, but I did not grasp the meaning of his words.

***

After that, I only woke up again when the sun fell into the room through the slits of my blinds. Heeseung was no longer lying next to me and the clock told me that it was already 1 p.m.

I had slept so much that I had the feeling that I was already feeling much better after all that sleeping than I had during the night. However, I also attributed my improvement to Heeseung's presence and his care.

I wondered where he was before I remembered that today was Thursday and he had school again. When I glanced at my phone, two messages appeared. One from Jay; he asked why I wasn't in school and if I was okay. I replied with an explanation and asked if we could talk in the following days when I was well.

I wanted to apologize to him and finally get some clarity. I would tell him that I had fallen in love with Heeseung. I didn't know yet how I was going to tell Heeseung myself, but it was a start to at least clear the air for myself.

I climbed out of bed and looked around for my cozy penguin slippers. I spotted them carefully placed in front of the closet and slipped into them. Leaving my room, a note on my desk caught my eye. I paused and recognized Heeseung's messy but unmistakable handwriting. As I read the note, I felt butterflies begin to flutter in my stomach and I automatically smiled.

Made you a pot of soup before I left, hope it tastes good.

Your mom is working late today, I should tell you, but I'll come back after school.

Get well soon!

- L.H.

I spent the rest of the day sleeping and waiting for Heeseung. He came in the afternoon and also the afternoon after. On Saturday he had practice first, but promised to come back afterwards.

I knew he was exhausted from taking care of me the last few nights, even though I had tried to convince him that I could handle it on my own. It was touching how insistent he was on staying with me, and with every minute we spent together, I felt more and more the growing feelings for him inside me.

It was strange how clearly I felt my affection for Heeseung since I had admitted it to myself. And I had absolutely no idea how to deal with it. Heeseung didn't seem to notice my change, because aside from his newfound generosity and caring, he acted like he always did.

Small gestures kept giving me hope to believe that he felt something too, but I wasn't sure if I wasn't imagining it.