The morning sun, a soft caress through half-closed curtains, bathes the cluttered apartment in a golden hue, revealing the aftermath of their tangled night. The room, adorned with scattered clothes and remnants of a wild evening, remains cocooned in a serene quietude, shielding them from the bustling city beyond.
Kai blinks, his mind sluggish as it struggles to piece together the fragmented memories of last night's alcohol-laden escapade. His mouth, parched and tasting of regret mixed with something acrid, prompts a groan as he slowly sits up. A dull ache pounds in his temples, a relentless reminder of the excesses of the night before. His body protests with every movement; his muscles ache from passionate exertion, while a tender soreness throbbing out from his tailbone reminds him of the fervour that had taken hold in their intoxicated state.
"Ugh." He grumbles, his voice hoarse with disuse. His stomach twists uneasily, protesting the previous night's indulgences, yet simultaneously growling with hunger.
Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, Kai plants his feet on the cool floor, the sensation grounding him amidst the swirling remnants of his hangover.
His bare feet pad quietly across the cool floor as he makes his way to the kitchen, a slight sway in his step betraying the lingering effects of the hangover. Despite the discomfort, Kai is on a mission– he wants food.
The spacious expanse of Haneul and Daewon's apartment is a maze to Kai, yet he navigates it with a quiet determination. He procures chilled bottles of water from the refrigerator, the coolness soothing against his parched throat. His quest for sustenance leads him to unearth instant ramen and crackers from the depths of the cabinets, essentials to ease the hunger pangs that gnaw persistently.
Meanwhile, in the stillness of their shared sanctuary, Haneul and Daewon stir from slumber, drawn by the savoury scent of boiling noodles They exchange glances at the empty expanse of bed between them where Kai's presence had lingered mere moments ago.
Soon, curiosity lures them into the living room, where Kai orchestrates a makeshift breakfast on the coffee table amidst scattered remnants of last night's merriment.
"Morning, sunshine," Haneul drawls, his voice a husky murmur tinged with lingering sleep. He pops open a bottle of water with a casual flick of his wrist, the cap spinning lightly against the counter.
"Hi." Kai says, his voice roughened like gravel underfoot.
"You sound like shit." Haneul remarks, his tone brimming with mischief as he takes a casual swig from the bottle.
Daewon, ever the steadfast presence, appears behind Kai with a quiet grace, his tall frame enveloping Kai in a comforting embrace. His muscled arms encircle Kai, the warmth and strength of his body seeping into him, grounding him. His voice, low and resonant, carries genuine worry as he nuzzles against Kai's neck, seeking solace in the familiar scent of their shared intimacy.
"Are you okay?" Daewon murmurs softly, his breath warm against Kai's skin, a stark contrast to the cool morning air that filters through the open windows.
"No." Kai replies bluntly. "I feel like I'm dying."
Haneul and Daewon move around the kitchen, their movements fluid as they assist Kai in preparing their breakfast of instant ramen.
Seated around the short coffee table, the trio eats in subdued silence, punctuated only by the occasional clink of chopsticks against bowls. Kai, despite the nourishment, still feels the lingering discomfort of his hangover.
The events of the previous night hang palpably in the air, a vivid tapestry of laughter and music.
And the hot sex.
Yet, beneath the surface, Kai senses a stirring discomfort, an unsettling realisation dawning in the sober light of day.
"About last night." Haneul starts, his voice hesitant. "You, uh, threw up on the floor."
Kai frowns, a flush of embarrassment sweeping across his face. He exhales heavily, his head still throbbing with the remnants of a punishing hangover.
"I'm sorry." He mutters, his voice muffled against the cool surface of the coffee table where he rests his head in an attempt to cool the relentless ache. "I didn't mean to."
"It's okay." Daewon quickly interjects. "We cleaned it up. Maybe just go easy on the drinks next time?"
Managing a nod, Kai swallows back another surge of nausea, willing himself to regain composure.
The day unfolds slowly around them, a languid procession of muted activities. They drift between the living room and the kitchen, the TV offering background noise to their intermittent conversations.
Sunday morning dawns with an oppressive weight upon Kai's slender shoulders, a lingering aftermath of their reckless night. The muted morning light filtering through the apartment's windows casts a pallid glow over the scene, where Kai stirs uneasily in the bed. His features, usually animated with a charismatic flair, are now contorted in discomfort.
As the nausea grips him with renewed intensity, Kai's body protests violently, forcing him into a harried sprint towards the bathroom. His footsteps echo hollowly on the cool tiles, each stride a desperate attempt to outrun the churning tumult within. The retching sounds reverberate through the small space, punctuating the stillness of the morning like an unsettling cadence.
Throughout the day, Kai's battle against his body's revolt leads him in a bleak dance with the bathroom, each visit a quiet testament to his struggle against the relentless churning in his gut. Haneul and Daewon, their usual banter hushed by concern, exchange glances that deepen with each pallid emergence of Kai from the tiled sanctuary, their worry deepening as Kai's condition fails to improve.
Haneul, usually the picture of carefree confidence, leans closer to Daewon.
"Maybe we should take him to the clinic." Daewon suggests quietly, his voice a low murmur that barely disturbs the uneasy air. Kai's complexion, now pale, only serves to deepen their unease.
"Yeah, this isn't normal." Haneul affirms, his voice pitched low, brows furrowed with worry. "Do you think it's alcohol poisoning?"
Approaching Kai with tentative steps, Daewon's touch on the small of his back is a feather-light reassurance amidst the bitter morning. "Hey, Kai, how are you feeling?"
Kai manages a strained smile, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm good."
"We're worried about you," Haneul adds gently, his concern palpable in the soft edges of his voice. "Maybe a visit to the doctor would do you good."
A hesitant pause lingers in the air, a suspended moment where ego grapples with the undeniable need for medical intervention.
Eventually, Kai's resolve wavers.
Swallowing hard against the lingering taste of his pride, he nods reluctantly. "Okay, let's go."
As they prepare to leave, the apartment, once a sanctuary of laughter and desire, now holds an undercurrent of apprehension.
The trip to the clinic unfolds with an air of cautious concern, the bustling corridors and hygienic surroundings amplifying the trio's subdued mood. Kai sits between Haneul and Daewon in the waiting room, his fingers tapping absentmindedly against his thigh as they await their turn.
Haneul's usually vibrant demeanour is muted, his normally lively eyes reflecting a deep-seated worry. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, his fingers drumming a restless rhythm on his knee. His white hair catches the overhead lights, giving him an ethereal glow amidst the sterile medical setting.
Daewon stands tall and stoic, his usual serious expression softened by a faint smile that he reserves solely for Kai. His yellow eyes, often intense and focused, now hold a gentle concern as he watches Kai with unwavering attention.
Kai, leaning back against the uncomfortable plastic chair, exudes an air of casual indifference.
"This is probably just regular alcohol stuff." Kai says with a nonchalant shrug, his voice surprisingly calm despite the circumstances. "I'll be fine once I sleep it off."
Haneul's hand finds its way to Kai's thigh, the touch grounding and warm. "Let's just make sure, okay?"
Daewon nods in agreement, his voice soft but firm. "It's better to be safe."
Kai manages a small grin, appreciating their care even if he feels their concern is unnecessary.
Leaning slightly towards them, he adds with a seductive glint in his eye, "You two worry too much. If I knew all it took was a visit to the doctor to have you both fussing over me like this, I might have gotten into trouble sooner."
Haneul smiles warmly, his gaze soft yet teasing. "Trouble seems to find you quite easily, Kai."
Daewon chuckles softly, his amusement tinged with concern. "You know we're just looking out for you. Even if it means dragging you to the hospital."
When the doctor finally leads them into an examination room, Kai perches casually on the edge of the examination table. He steals a glance at Haneul and Daewon, who stand beside him with matching expressions of concern that both comforts and amuses him.
The doctor, a middle-aged woman with an air of professional warmth, smiles at Kai. Her eyes, kind and perceptive, focus intently on Kai as she begins her assessment.
"So, Mr. Seungli, you've been experiencing nausea and vomiting?" Her voice is gentle yet probing, seeking the details necessary to piece together his symptoms.
Kai nods, his demeanour relaxed yet tinged with a hint of the usual discomfort that's present in the presence of a doctor. "Yeah, and I've been feeling really off since yesterday morning."
"It's possible he has alcohol poisoning." Haneul adds.
Beside him, Daewon nods in agreement, a protective hand unconsciously finding its place on Kai's thigh, a gesture of reassurance and support.
The doctor nods thoughtfully, her fingers tapping notes onto a tablet with practised efficiency. "Let's start with a quick examination and see if we can determine the underlying cause."
After what feels like an eternity of poking and prodding, the doctor finally withdraws, a contemplative air settling over her features. Her mien is both reassuring and enigmatic.
"Well, Mr. Seungli." She begins. "The source of your symptoms is rather surprising, but certainly not uncommon."
Kai's heart skips a beat, a mix of confusion and trepidation swirling within him.
"Unexpected?" His voice trembles slightly, betraying the flurry of thoughts racing through his mind. "What do you mean?"
The doctor's smile is kind, a gentle curve that seems to understand more than she lets on. Her eyes, warm and perceptive, crinkle at the corners as she delivers the revelation.
"You're pregnant."