As Sung leaned in, his face just inches from Kei’s—

Kei erupted into a loud, unceremonious coughing fit.

Sung froze mid-motion, eyes wide.

Kei wheezed, voice scratchy. “Romantic timing, ten out of ten.”

Sung chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Can I issue you an IOU?”

“Water,” he murmured, holding the glass steady. Kei accepted it wordlessly, lips barely brushing the rim as he drank. When he handed it back, their fingers grazed. Kei didn’t pull away.

“You should go home,” Kei rasped.

“Not until you’re asleep.”

Kei blinked at him. “You’re persistent.”

“Only with a certain stubborn someone.”

Sung didn’t try kissing him again. Instead, he settled closer, helped Kei with the rest of his medicine, and gently laid a cool compress on his forehead.

He stayed, holding Kei’s hand, caring for him like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kei closed his eyes. His body still ached, but a quiet warmth now rested beside him. A careful, unspoken presence that asked for nothing.

And Kei, for once, didn’t resist. It didn’t feel strange.

He drifted into sleep slowly, dizzily aware of the thumb brushing lightly over his knuckles.

Just as Sung reached for his phone to text Finnian that he wouldn’t be returning to the dorm tonight, the screen lit up.

Unknown number: Oppa, I saw you today. You looked so concerned about him. But you should know… no one else can have you.

Sung frowned.