Beomgyu’s POV:

As we were eating, I couldn’t help but notice Yeonjun eating my favorite omelette. A slight pout tugged at my lips, but I quickly tried to mask it. To my surprise, Yeonjun noticed and let out a soft chuckle.

“Do you want it?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, his voice teasing yet warm.

I shook my head hurriedly. “N-no,” I stammered.

Soobin-hyung, ever observant, smirked and added, “It’s your favorite, Beomgyu.”

I stayed quiet, fiddling with my chopsticks.

Before I could respond, Yeonjun held out a piece of the omelette with his chopsticks and said, “Say ah.”

I blinked, startled. My hesitation must have been obvious, but after a moment, I opened my mouth. He fed me the bite, and I couldn’t help the small, satisfied smile as I chewed. Quickly returning to my own food, I focused on eating to avoid looking at him.

A/N’s POV:

Little did Beomgyu know, that simple gesture made Yeonjun’s heart race.

After finishing their meal, the group returned home, collapsing onto the couch in a heap of exhaustion. Beomgyu yawned softly, stretching as he announced, “I’m going to take a nap.”

Soobin was quick to remind him, “Don’t forget we have song rehearsals in a couple of hours.”

The group groaned collectively.

“Is Manager Lee trying to kill us?” Taehyun muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.

Kai chuckled, leaning back against the cushions. “That’s what it feels like.”

Soobin sighed tiredly but managed a small smile. “It’s not like this is our first time. We’ll get through it. And don’t forget, we still have to do a live after rehearsals.”

Yeonjun, too tired to argue, rested his head on Beomgyu’s shoulder with a soft sigh. “I’m done. I don’t even have the energy to talk,” he murmured.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, giving him a playful shove. “You’re acting like you’re the only one who’s exhausted.”

Yeonjun turned to him, a faint frown creasing his brows. “When did I say that?”

Taehyun snickered from across the couch. “Wow, you two still have enough energy to bicker?”

Soobin facepalmed with a small laugh. “Okay, let’s not waste time fighting. You all have two hours before rehearsals. Take a nap. I’ll wake you up when it’s time.”

Kai raised a brow at Soobin. “And what about you, hyung? Aren’t you tired too?”

Soobin chuckled knowingly. “Of course I am, but if I don’t wake you guys up, none of you will ever get out of bed.”

Yeonjun smiled faintly, his exhaustion showing in his eyes. “True. You know us too well.”

Just then, Chaeyon walked into the room, balancing a tray of fresh milk. “You guys must be tired,” she said, her voice gentle. “Here, drink this. It’ll help.”

She placed the tray on the table, and Taehyun offered her a grateful smile. “Thanks, Chaeyon.”

The others reached for their cups one by one, but Beomgyu hesitated. His fingers hovered over the glass as doubt flickered across his face.

Both Chaeyon and Yeonjun noticed immediately. Yeonjun met Beomgyu’s eyes and gave him a small, reassuring nod.

With a quiet breath, Beomgyu reached for the cup and mumbled a soft, “Thanks.”

Chaeyon smiled warmly at him, and for a moment, everything felt just a little easier.

Chaeyon’s POV:

Chaeyon noticed Beomgyu’s hesitant glance and smiled warmly at him. Beomgyu, who was sipping his milk, caught her expression from the corner of his eye and offered a faint, almost shy smile in return.

The moment passed quickly as everyone finished their drinks. Soon, the group headed to their respective rooms, collapsing onto their beds for a much-needed nap.

Time skip

Soobin’s POV:

I moved through the dorm, waking up the members one by one. When I entered Beomgyu’s room, I found him curled up tightly under his blanket. Approaching him, I reached out to gently shake him awake.

As soon as I touched his arm, I froze. His skin felt unnaturally warm.

“Beomgyu,” I called softly, shaking him lightly.

His eyelids fluttered open, and he groaned, his voice weak and barely audible. “Hyung… my head hurts.”

I frowned, concern tightening in my chest. “I think you have a fever,” I said, immediately heading out to grab the thermometer.

When I returned, I knelt beside him. “Open your mouth,” I instructed gently, holding the thermometer up. He complied without protest, too tired to argue.

After a minute, I checked the reading. His temperature was 100°F, not dangerously high, but enough to worry me, especially knowing how Beomgyu’s fevers usually lasted for days.

I stood quickly, heading out of his room to inform the others. As I turned the corner, I bumped into Yeonjun, who was walking towards me.

“Hyung, why are you rushing around?” Yeonjun asked, his expression curious but quickly shifting to concern when he saw my face.

“It’s Beomgyu,” I said urgently. “He’s sick.”

“What?” Yeonjun’s voice sharpened, his worry evident.

The commotion attracted the other members, who quickly gathered in the hallway.

Yeonjun’s POV:

The moment Soobin-hyung mentioned Beomgyu was sick, I felt a wave of worry crash over me. Beomgyu rarely got sick, but when he did, it was serious. Without wasting a second, I rushed into his room.

There he was, lying motionless on his bed, his face pale and his eyes shut tight. My chest tightened as I walked closer, sitting beside him. Gently, I placed a hand on his forehead, feeling the warmth radiating from his skin.

“Oh, Beomgyu,” I murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair away from his face.

Moments later, Soobin-hyung returned with the others in tow. Taehyun looked at Beomgyu with visible concern and quickly suggested, “We should call a doctor.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Kai moved to grab his phone while Soobin-hyung knelt next to me, looking just as worried. I stayed by Beomgyu’s side, watching over him as the others made arrangements. He looked so small and fragile in that moment, and all I could think about was how we needed to do everything to make sure he was okay.