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It was a quiet evening at the dorm. The usual sounds of laughter, conversation, and the occasional clink of spoons against bowls filled the air. The members were winding down from a long practice, some sitting in the living room, some in the kitchen. However, Younghoon had withdrawn to a corner of the room, his body slouched into the couch, wrapped in a blanket. His body had been nagging him all day. He’d been tired, achy, and unable to concentrate fully during practice. But he’d brushed it off—he couldn’t afford to let his personal discomfort show when the group had so much on their plate. After all, they were preparing for a comeback, and the members needed all the energy they could get. But now, with the lights dimmed and everyone else more relaxed, Younghoon realized that he could barely keep his eyes open. “Hyung, are you feeling okay?” Juyeon’s voice broke through his thoughts. His eyes were full of concern as he watched Younghoon huddled on the couch. Unlike the other members, Juyeon was always the first to notice when something was off with Younghoon, whether it was a physical issue or an emotional one. Younghoon gave him a weak smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m fine. Just tired, I guess.” Kevin, who was sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow, noticing how pale Younghoon looked. “You don’t look fine. You’re not even smiling properly, hyung.” Younghoon’s hand went to his forehead. It was warm to the touch, and he grimaced. Maybe he had pushed himself too hard today. “I’m fine,” he repeated, but the words felt empty even to himself. Sangyeon, who had been quietly observing from the kitchen, walked over after hearing the conversation. The oldest member of the group, he carried himself with a calm authority, always the one to keep things in balance. His eyes scanned Younghoon’s face, and he could tell instantly that something was off. “Younghoon,” Sangyeon said in a gentle tone, his voice never harsh but always firm when it came to his members’ health. “You’ve got a fever. You need to rest.” Younghoon tried to protest, but his body betrayed him. As he tried to sit up straighter, his legs wobbled and his vision swam. He barely caught himself before he collapsed back against the couch. His chest felt heavy, and even the simple act of breathing seemed to require too much effort. “Hyung, don’t push yourself,” Changmin said from the doorway, his usual upbeat tone replaced with concern. He quickly walked over, placing a hand on Younghoon’s shoulder to steady him. “You need to rest.” Younghoon felt a little embarrassed. He hated being seen as weak, especially by his younger members. But his body didn’t care about his pride right now. His fever was escalating, and the chill in his bones was impossible to ignore. He was too exhausted to argue. “Let’s get your temperature checked,” Eric said, already reaching for the thermometer on the coffee table. He placed it under Younghoon’s tongue, watching him carefully. After a few moments, he pulled it away and sighed. “You’ve definitely got a fever, hyung. You need to rest and hydrate.” Younghoon mumbled something, but it was hard to focus. “I didn’t want to worry anyone…” he murmured, voice thick with exhaustion. “You don’t have to do everything on your own,” Hyunjae said from across the room. He walked over and crouched down next to Younghoon, giving him a warm smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “We’re a team. You’ve always been there for us, so let us take care of you now.” The sincerity in Hyunjae’s words hit Younghoon harder than he expected. His heart warmed at the thought of his members’ care, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt. He hated that they had to step in when he wasn’t at his best. “Sorry for being a bother…” “You’re not a bother, hyung,” Haknyeon said gently, his usual playful tone softened by concern. “You’re our leader. We need you to be healthy so you can take care of us too.” A small smile tugged at Younghoon’s lips. “I’m not the leader, though. Sangyeon is.” Sangyeon walked over and sat beside him, patting his shoulder reassuringly. “You may not be the oldest, but you always lead with your heart. That’s enough for us.” Younghoon swallowed, trying to keep the tears at bay. The support from his members meant more than he could put into words. He wasn’t the one who usually needed help, and the idea of leaning on others felt strange. But tonight, surrounded by the people who had become his family, it was easier to let go. “Let’s get you something to help with the fever,” Kevin suggested, moving toward the kitchen. “I’ll make some ginger tea,” Chanhee added, already taking out the ingredients. “It’ll help with the chills and help settle your stomach.” Younghoon nodded weakly. He appreciated how they were all so prepared to look after him without question. “Thank you…” “You’re welcome, hyung,” Jacob said with a soft chuckle as he carefully adjusted the blanket around Younghoon. “Just relax. We’ll take care of everything.” For the next few minutes, the dorm was filled with a sense of calm as the members took action, ensuring that Younghoon was as comfortable as possible. Kevin returned with some fever-reducing medicine, which he handed to Younghoon along with a glass of water. Younghoon took it gratefully, his hands shaking slightly as he did so. “Take small sips,” Eric instructed. “You need to stay hydrated, and you should rest now.” While Younghoon drank, the others busied themselves making sure the living room was quiet and peaceful. Changmin turned off the TV, and Hyunjae dimmed the lights so that the atmosphere felt more soothing. Haknyeon grabbed a fan to make sure Younghoon wasn’t overheating under the blanket. “I’ll be fine,” Younghoon muttered, but the words were no longer convincing. His body felt like it had given up, and all he wanted was to sleep. “Hyung, just sleep,” Juyeon said softly, leaning down to kiss the top of Younghoon’s head. “We’ve got you.” It was a gesture that made Younghoon’s heart swell with gratitude. He closed his eyes, the warmth of the tea and the gentle care of his members slowly easing him into a peaceful slumber. As the members quietly took care of him, they continued to chat among themselves, making sure the atmosphere was light so Younghoon could rest. Every so often, someone would check on him, but mostly, they allowed him the peace he needed to recover. It was hours later, and Younghoon woke up to the smell of food wafting through the air. His fever had broken, and his body felt lighter. He blinked, taking in the sight of his members gathered around, laughing and chatting as they prepared dinner. “Feeling better, hyung?” Chanhee asked with a smile. “The fever’s gone.” “Yeah,” Younghoon replied, voice hoarse but stronger now. He sat up slowly, his body feeling more like his own again. “Thanks to all of you.” Sangyeon was the first to respond, walking over and sitting next to him. He placed a hand on Younghoon’s back, rubbing it gently. “We’re family, hyung. No need to thank us. Just rest and stay healthy for the next round. We need you.” Younghoon smiled, his heart warm. He was still recovering, but in that moment, surrounded by the people who truly cared for him, he felt like he was home.