Mingi squinted his eyes when he saw Yunho stumbled slightly on the stage and huffed, leaning back against the sofa while crossing his arms over his chest. He had come back to the dorm 2 weeks ago yet he is still resting and doesn't have a lot of schedules so all he does is watch his members' performances on live stages whenever he is stuck in the dorm alone.

More precisely, he's watching his bub.

The other members had told him that Yunho hadn't been taking good care of himself since Mingi went back home to rest properly with his family as usually Mingi would be the one to watch over the big baby because he's the only one who knew something is wrong with Yunho with the slightest move.

Yunho, once he knew that Mingi was struggling with his mental health, had beating himself up over and over again because he felt guilty that he never realized something was wrong with Mingi and when Mingi was told to rest at his house, Yunho had been the first one to agree though deep inside, he felt even guiltier while feeling like he had disappoint Mingi because it seems like he himself couldn't help with whatever Mingi was struggling with.

I was supposed to be the anchor and strength yet I still fail to help Min.. Was what Yunho always thought every night, losing sleep because he didn't know what to do to help his boyfriend. Yunho then had thrown himself into work because he didn't want to worry the others with what he had in mind. All he knows is that, I'm the energizer of the group, the vitamin of the group so I can't let them see me break down like this. I must not make them worry about me. I can't let the group down. We are already missing 1 member, we can't have more. I can't do that to Ateez or KQ.

So, whenever Yunho was feeling down or not feeling well, he lied to his members, never telling them what's wrong and forcing himself to be his bubbly self. He started to sleep and eat less because of it, feeling like he was not good enough, throwing himself into his work and practices as much as he could.

At first, the members thought that Yunho was sulking because Mingi was not there with him, so they let him be, wishing that Yunho would come through in a nick of time like he usually did, but when they saw how Yunho didn't improve, they started to worry about the big puppy and becoming even more worried when they saw Yunho's eyes started to dull and his body started getting thinner.

"I'm telling you that Yunho is being stupid right now, Mingi! You have to do something about it!"

"Can't you guys push him into telling the truth? I can't do anything right now! They won't let me go back there until the therapist says that I'm good enough to work again! Not to mention that Yunho blatantly ignores me or changes the subject whenever I ask him what's going on.. He keeps saying to just rest properly and not to worry about him!"

"That's what he said to all of us too Mingi! We don't know what to do and you're the only one that can break the puppy into telling the truth! Even the managers had tough times because he kept on asking them to fill in his schedules to the point that he has no break time!"

"Okay okay. I'll try again but for now, keep an eye on him and tell me whenever he acts weird! I'll try my best to end my therapy quickly! He might be able to avoid me because I'm not with him right now but once I can see him in flesh, he won't be able to run away. Remember Woo! Tell me everything!"

"I will Mingi, have a good rest! I miss you!"

"I miss you too! I'll be back soon! I promise!"

MIngi huffed again at the conversation he had with Wooyoung 3 weeks ago and vowed to himself that he will make Yunho tell him the truth tonight. Yunho was still avoiding him whenever he asked to tell him what's wrong and Mingi had let his bub be but he had seen how bad Yunho is right now and he couldn't let it be anymore.

"From what I see, he's having a fever, something is wrong with his right ankle and the eyebags? Yeah, you're not getting away from me tonight, bub." Mingi mumbled and stood up from the couch, "Better set whatever I need before they come back. I'm sure once I'm able to break Yunho's wall, he won't let me go anywhere." Mingi shook his head while chucking and began to ready the things that he needs for Yunho as he calls his manager.

"Hello? Is everything okay, Mingi?"

"Hey hyung, everything's fine. Can you get me some chicken porridge?"

"Hm? Porridge? Are you not feeling well? Do you want me to bring you to the hospital??"

Mingi chuckled at his manager, walking to the laundry room to fetch some small towels. "I'm fine, hyung. It's for Yunho." Mingi sighed softly when he heard his manager's voice panicking, picking up the towels that he needed before calming his manager down.

"YUNHO? WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM??"

"Calm down, hyung. I don't exactly know yet but I do know that he's sick and overwork right now."

"Ahh.. Yes.. He's definitely overwork but he kept on forcing us to give him schedules and begging us to the point of whining until we gave him some schedules.. We couldn't reject him when he gave us those wide puppy eyes of his.."

Mingi chuckled as he heard his manager sighed, "Say, hyung. Can you cancel all of Yunho's schedule for the week? He really needs to rest. I don't want him to end up in the hospital." Mingi said as he put the towels in his room and went into the kitchen, grabbing 2 bowls after he had put his phone on his shoulder and tilting his head to make sure that his phone won't fall down.

"I can do that, but if the pup whines at us, I'll have your head." The manager said lightly, making Mingi laugh as he brought the bowls into his room after filling one of it with lukewarm water.

"Don't worry, hyung. I'll make sure of that."

"Hm okay then. I'll bring the porridge in half an hour."

Mingi ended the call and went to the kitchen again, rummaging through their medicines cabinet before sighing softly. "I knew it.. He didn't even touch any of his medicines.. This bub..." Mingi shook his head, grabbing Yunho's medicines and a bottle of water, putting them in his room. Mingi then settled down on the couch in the living room while waiting for his members to come back.

--

Fuck.. I can't think straight.. The performance was the last one today right..? I wanna sleep... Yunho thought as he stumbled again while walking with the others into their waiting room. Yeosang saw this and quickly grabbed Yunho's arm, preventing him from falling to the ground. "Easy pup." Yeosang said as Yunho quickly tried his best to stand up straight, not wanting his members to know how exhausted he was.

"S-sorry. Lost my footing. Thanks Sangie." Yunho said as he tried to get his arm out of Yeosang's grip. Yeosang frowned and gripped Yunho's arm tighter while huffing, "Cut this out pup. Just stop whatever you're trying to do right now and just confess that you're not fine." Yunho widened his eyes and gaped at Yeosang as the others looked over to them when they heard Yeosang say those words to Yunho.

"W-wha? I'm n-not! I'm totally f-fine!" Yunho lied again before his visions started blurring and the waiting room started spinning. Jongho quickly helped Yeosang to hold Yunho up as he could see Yunho started to fall down again.

"You have to stop whatever you're doing pup. This is not healthy. Just tell us the truth. What's going on with you? Why won't you stop and take a break when your body demands for it?" Hongjoong softly said as Yeosang and Jongho put Yunho down on one of the couches in the waiting room. Yunho breathed heavily before pursing his lips when he registered what his leader had told him.

"I'm f-fine!"

"No, you're not. Stop lying. Stop this."

And that last word was the last straw for Yunho as he scrunched up his face, his hands fisting his stage costume and tears pooling in his eyes, looking up at Hongjoong and his members.

"I r-refused.." Yunho stuttered out as the tears in his eyes escaped to his cheeks. He wiped his tears away shakily as the others looked at him with wide eyes, panicking and worrying over the big crying puppy.

"Why?" Hongjoong asked, having his arms crossed over his chest as he sternly looked at Yunho. Don't get him wrong, Hongjoong is worried sick but he had enough with Yunho's antic and he just want his pup to be his bubbly self again, not this.. moody and sickly-looking person.

Yunho, in his delirious hazy mind, blurted out, "Cuz I was supposed to be the vitamin in this group. I c-can't show my pain.. I'm supposed to be the anchor and s-strength.."

Everyone was shocked when Yunho explained before Seonghwa went closer to him and thread his fingers along Yunho's hair. "Pup, you don't have to be strong all the time for us.. It's fine to show that you're tired or sick.. We won't be angry at you because of it.."

Yunho shook his head as he cried again, "B-but.. I feel like I've let all of you dowm.. Especially Min.."

Wooyoung raised an eyebrow while he went to sit beside Yunho, running his hand in a circular motion on Yunho's back and frowned when he could feel the unusual warmth seeping through Yunho's stage costume. "And why do you think that? About Mingi I mean." Wooyoung asked softly, not wanting to stress the already stress sick puppy.

"I didn't even realize that something w-was wrong with him.. Not until he t-told all of us.. What kind of b-boyfriend I am when I couldn't even see that he w-was struggling, Woo..? I'm a b-bad boyfriend.. Why is Min s-still with me..?" Yunho sobbed and Seonghwa pulled his head towards his chest and Yunho just cried out loud, fisting Seonghwa's shirt tightly as Wooyoung sighed softly.

"Is that why you pushed yourself into work and all of these shenanigans until you looked like a zombie, pup? Like a punishment to yourself because you think that you have let all of us down? Let Mingi down?" Wooyoung asked and Yunho nodded his head while still crying in Seonghwa's chest.

"Calm down, pup. Just so you know, you didn't let us down. Any of us. Including Mingi. We're worried, pup.. Please stop doing this to yourself.." Seonghwa said as he hugged the still crying pup. Yunho then stopped crying after a while and pulled himself away from Seonghwa and the others looked at him worriedly when Yunho had turned even paler.

"I didn't let you guys d-down..?" Yunho asked softly before putting his head on Seonghwa's shoulder as he felt the exhaustion coursing throughout his body. "No, you didn't. You won't ever let us down if you're not feeling well or tired because of your schedules, pup. Remember that, okay? You deserve to show us that you're in pain or tired. You deserve to demand us to take care of you when you need it. You don't have to be strong all the time." Hongjoong said softly, ruffling Yunho's hair and wiped his tears away gently.

"I can d-do that?"

Hongjoong smiled softly, nodding his head as he cupped Yunho's cheeks gently before kissing his forehead. "Yes pup. Anytime when you need it." Yunho smiled, nodding his head and closing his eyes tightly when he felt his head throbbing again, making Hongjoong frown.

"Let's go home, pup. You need to rest."

--

"We're back."

Mingi perked up and quickly went to the door as he watched his members taking off their shoes and searched for his bub. He widened his eyes when he saw Yunho was on one of their manager's back and quickly went over to them.

"The fuck happened to my bub??" Mingi then picked Yunho up easily from the manager's back and frowned in worry when Yunho only sighed and buried his face in the crook of Mingi's neck while having both of his eyes closed.

"Finally telling us the truth." Yeosang huffed as Jongho chuckled for a bit, shaking his head.

"Not before breaking down and crying his heart out though.." San sighed softly, patting Yunho's head gently while at it.

"Let me guess.. He told you guys that he let everyone down, didn't he?" Mingi said as all of them moved to the living room.

"How did you know??" Wooyoung gawked at Mingi which the latter only chuckled before shushing Yunho down softly when the pup whined in his neck. "I observed him of course. Since he didn't want to tell me so I had to do it in another way. The way that he had pushed himself right after I told you guys about my problem just connected all the dots. I was going to let him be and wait for him to tell me the truth but when I saw him stumbling on the stage tonight, I can't keep quiet any longer. I was about to give him a handful tonight but.." Mingi said and stopped for a bit, looking down at the feverish bub before continuing, "I guess I don't need to do it anymore." Mingi smiled and the others nodded their head knowingly.

"I'm going to take care of him now. You guys get some rest" Mingi said and brought Yunho to his room.

"Hey, Mingi? The doctor will arrive in about half an hour." The manager said and Mingi gave him a thumbs up while fussing over Yunho who he had put down on his bed. Yunho had curled up into a ball once Mingi put him down on his bed and Mingi had a little bit of trouble to uncurl his bub so he could change Yunho out from his stage costume.

"Bub.. Let me get you out of your costume please.." Mingi said while still trying to uncurl Yunho but the latter whined weakly, pushing on Mingi's hands as he tried to bury himself deeper on the bed.

"No... M'cold.. Don't wanna..." Yunho whined, making Mingi huffed softly before getting on top of Yunho, which made the latter yelped before opening his eyes weakly and stared at Mingi's face with a slight pout. "What're you doing, Min..?" Yunho asked weakly and Mingi didn't say anything, only getting closer to Yunho's face and kissed his forehead. Yunho closed his eyes and hummed softly, wrapping his arms around Mingi's waist.

"Are you finally out of your delusion tortured mind, bub?" Mingi asked softly and Yunho frowned and pouted, his lips quivered, making Mingi widened his eyes before softly kissing Yunho's lips. After they broke away from the kiss, Yunho cried, burying his face in Mingi's neck and tightening his hold on Mingi's waist, albeit weakly with his fever state.

"I'm s-sorry Min.. I'm a b-bad boyfriend.."

"What? Why in the world would you say that??" Mingi said, perplexed by Yunho's words and tried to push Yunho away so he could look at his face. Yunho refused to do so and kept burying his head in Mingi's neck deeper, crying while at it that his shoulders shook on how hard he's crying. "I n-never realized you w-were struggling and couldn't do a-anything about it.. I'm the w-worst boyfriend e-ever.." Yunho blabbered in his crying making Mingi had to concentrate on the words.

Once Mingi understood what Yunho was saying, his face became soft and he caressed Yunho's hair softly. "Is this why you didn't take care of yourself well? Giving yourself no rest and just work until your body shuts down like tonight?" Mingi asked and Yunho nodded mutely. Mingi sighed, kissing the top of Yunho's head.

"It's not your fault, bub. You shouldn't have punished yourself like this."

"It's t-totally my fault.. I s-should have seen your s-struggle yet I didn't.. I'm the w-worst boyfriend e-ever.."

Mingi frowned and he pulled Yunho away from his neck with a little bit of force since he knew Yunho couldn't retaliate in his weak self. "Now don't say something so absurd. You're the most wonderful boyfriend ever, bub." Yunho won't have any of it as he shook his head, face scrunching in another cry.

"B-but I didn't realize your struggle when you could easily realize mine!"

Mingi then had enough and put his forehead on Yunho's forehead, speaking softly, "Bub. Even I didn't realize my struggle at first. I only realized it when I needed you so much after our performances and only then I evaluated myself. It's not your fault. You helped me so much in that time."

Yunho blinked.

"I d-did?"

A nod from Mingi.

"H-how? I d-didn't do anything.."

Mingi smiled, kissing Yunho's forehead as he knew that his bub had finally calmed down. "You did, bub. You never refused me whenever I cling on you or whenever I demand for your attention. You helped me greatly and because of that, I realized that something was wrong with me when I couldn't keep still and being a nervous wreck when you're not by my side. I didn't want to go back home at first but the therapist had said that it would do me good so I did. It's not because you didn't do a great job calming me down. You did very well actually and only you could do that."

Yunho pouted, still not really believing everything that Mingi had said before Mingi continued speaking softly. "I refused at first, did you know that? I refused to rest at my house because you won't be there with me but they said I need to do this by myself and only then I could heal completely. I need to know that everything will be alright even if you're not by my side all the time because with our line of work, we sometimes can't be with each other, right? So, I suck it up and go back home. That's all, bub."

"It's n-not because I failed to help y-you?"

Mingi huffed, pinching Yunho's button nose, making the latter yelp and pout. "No it's not! Stop that!" Yunho pouted even more and Mingi rolled his eyes, before kissing Yunho again. Yunho reciprocated the kiss, deepening it even more until Mingi pulled away, eliciting a soft whine from Yunho.

"No... Kiss me again, Min.."

"Nope. Not until you're healthy again. Now.. Let's get you out of this costume." Mingi said and Yunho flopped down onto the bed, whining loudly. He stopped however, when his head thumped loudly, wincing and whimpering while closing his eyes tightly. "See? Stop being such a stubborn puppy, bub." Mingi said and Yunho sighed, letting Mingi help him get out of his stage costume.

Yunho shivered when he was left with only his boxer, grabbing the blanket and buried himself under it while Mingi fetched his clothes in his room.

"Bub, wake up. You can't wear only your boxer." Mingi said softly, threading his hands through Yunho's lock and the latter stirred, opening his eyes slowly. Yunho had fallen asleep while Mingi was fetching his clothes and he shivered again when the cold engulfed his body. Yunho sleepily got out from under the blanket, his body shivers even more and Mingi quickly helped Yunho wear his clothes.

Once they're done, Yunho was too tired to even move, so he put his head on Mingi's shoulder, refusing to move when Mingi softly told him to lie down properly. Mingi shook his head, already giving up on trying to make Yunho lay down on the bed so he picked Yunho up and put him on his lap. Mingi started rocking their body in a slow motion, lulling Yunho softly as the latter buried his face in Mingi's neck.

Yunho was about to fall into a deep sleep when there was a knock on Mingi's door, making Yunho stirred and whined into Mingi's neck.

"Come in." Mingi said as he ran his hand on Yunho's back. The door opened and Hongjoong smiled softly, walking into the room with a doctor in tow. "The doctor is here. How's the pup?" Hongjoong asked and Mingi glanced at Yunho who still had his eyes closed.

"The same. I think his fever went up. He's much warmer than before."

"Let the doctor look at him." Hongjoong said, sitting at the edge of the bed and Mingi tried to put Yunho down but the latter instantly tightened his grip on Mingi, making Mingi sheepishly look at the doctor who gave them a small soft smile.

"It's fine. Can you just