Chapter 22: How could I not be okay?

“Mn….”

Frowning even in his sleep, he shifted on the bed slightly, blocked someone on the back side to completely turn and lay on his back. Unable to sleep anymore due to the heavy, roiling nausea in his stomach—only growing worse, crawling up his throat until it was unbearable—he opened his eyes. Rian was asleep right in front of him, curled close, soft breaths brushing against Cheon Areum’s arm. One of Rian’s hands was wrapped around him, fingers lax but still in a secure grip even in sleep. Behind him, unmistakably warm and solid, was Yoon Seoyul—close enough that Cheon Areum could feel every slow rise and fall of his breathing against his back. Cheon Areum clenched his jaw, then abruptly wrenched himself free, carefully prying Rian’s hand off his arm before either of them could wake. He swung his legs off the bed and bolted. He barely made it to the bathroom before hunching over the sink, clutching the edge of the countertop as he gagged violently.

After one harsh fit of vomiting, Cheon Areum stayed hunched over the sink, shoulders trembling. His head hung low as he stared down. Blood streaked through the otherwise clear vomit, thin and unmistakable against the porcelain. He heard footsteps approaching. Reacting instantly, he turned on the tap and plunged his hands into the stream, splashing water into the sink until the red diluted, swirled, and disappeared down the drain. By the time the footsteps reached the doorway, there was nothing left but running water and the sound of his uneven breathing.

Cheon Areum caught sight of Yoon Seoyul in the mirror just as another wave hit him. He lurched forward again, gagging, his grip tightening on the sink as his body convulsed. Yoon Seoyul didn’t say a word. He stepped in close behind him and gently gathered Cheon Areum’s hair, holding it back from both sides so it wouldn’t fall into his face.

“Are you okay?”

When Cheon Areum finally finished, exhausted, he just stood there. Yoon Seoyul’s hand moved to his back, rubbing slowly. Then he stepped around to his side, cupping water and gently washing Cheon Areum’s lower face, careful not to be rough. Cheon Areum gurgled the water Yoon Seoyul offered, spitting it back into the sink. Turning off the tap afterward, Yoon Seoyul reached for a small white towel, patting Cheon Areum’s face dry.

“Are you okay?”

Yoon Seoyul repeated his earlier question, fingers brushing Cheon Areum’s hair back from his forehead. Cheon Areum only nodded. His throat burned too much to form words. When they stepped out of the bathroom, Cheon Areum didn’t make it far. He sank down onto the carpeted floor, back resting against the side of the bed, knees drawn slightly inward. He blinked once, slow and heavy-lidded, trying to steady the lingering dizziness. Behind him, the mattress shifted. Rian, now awake, sat up on the bed, looking down at Cheon Areum with sleep-clouded eyes that quickly sharpened with concern.

“Hyung, are you okay?”

Hearing the same question he had heard from Yoon Seoyul, he simply smiled at Rian, tilting his head back.

“Yes, you don’t have to worry.”

His voice had come out a bit too weak. Still looking down with eyes full of care, Rian asked,

“Want me to tie up your hair? It’s getting too long.”

He had meant to get a haircut for the past two months, and now his hair was longer than it had ever been—heavy, unruly, falling into his face more than usual. Rian reached for the butterfly hair tie on the bedside table and, without a word, leaned forward. His hands moved quickly but gently, gathering Cheon Areum’s hair and tying it half up. He even loosened a few strands on purpose, making sure it wasn’t too tight, careful in a way that came from familiarity rather than thought. Cheon Areum sat ramrod straight while Rian worked, compliant and quiet. When Rian finished, Cheon Areum lifted his gaze to Yoon Seoyul, who was seated in front of him, watching closely.

“Do you want water or anything to eat?”

“Water, maybe…”

Drinking half a glass of water, he handed the glass back to Yoon Seoyul. Rian, who had run off to get something for Cheon Areum, came running back though it was way too quick to make a trip back to his room downstairs. Cheon Areum’s eyes narrowed just a fraction suspiciously. He wanted to check again if Rian was detectable with his energy, but he stopped himself. Right now, it would be reckless. A backlash was the last thing he needed. He pushed the thought aside, deciding to revisit it another day. He had already hidden too much as it was. Fifty energy boosters—an amount that would have crippled or killed anyone under S-Class. Even for him, someone who usually didn’t react the way others did, there were consequences. For once, Cheon Areum made a firm decision. Until he felt better, he wasn’t going to use his energy at all.

“I know you don’t like flowers since they wither away easily, so I got you a Lego flower bouquet. They will stay with you for as long as you want!”

Rian placed a huge LEGO box down in front of him and explained briefly as he sat cross-legged on the floor. He opened it, pulling out one inner box after another and emptying them neatly. Cheon Areum watched, intrigued. He hadn’t even known this was an option. Pack after pack appeared, the colorful pieces spilling out in orderly piles. Rian handed the instructions booklet to him.

“Pick which one you want to build. I was going to build it for you, but this is a great way to keep yourself distracted.”

Thinking it would be better to keep Cheon Areum’s mind occupied—away from the lingering nausea—Rian quietly gave him something to focus on, sliding the pieces closer. Feeling Yoon Seoyul’s stare on him, he decided it was best to avoid it by selecting a flower to build.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep