A few days past by and Nat was starting to get better, but on a sunny Sunday afternoon as he was in the backyard playing playing with Mali he suddenly collapsed to the floor.
Mali froze, her eyes widening in panic. "P'Nat!" she cried, rushing to his side. Nat lay on the grass, unconscious, his face pale and clammy.
Tears welled up in Mali's eyes as she shook his shoulders frantically. "P'Nat, wake up! Please!"
Hearing the commotion, Ran and P'Sang sprinted out of the house. Ran's heart dropped at the sight of Nat sprawled on the ground, unmoving.
"Mali, step back," Ran instructed gently, scooping her into P'Sang's arms. "Take her inside."
P'Sang nodded, holding the sobbing girl tightly as he carried her away.
Ran knelt beside Nat, his hands trembling as he checked his pulse—thankfully, it was still there, but faint. "Nat… come on, please."
He carefully lifted Nat into his arms, struggling slightly under his weight but determined not to let go. "You're not leaving me," Ran whispered, voice cracking.
He rushed back toward the house, shouting, "Call the doctor! Now!"
Minutes later, Nat was laid on the couch, his breathing shallow as Ran sat by his side, gripping his hand tightly. P'Sang returned, worry etched into his usually stoic face.
"The doctor's on the way," he reported.
Ran nodded, his eyes never leaving Nat's face. His fingers brushed against Nat's damp hair. "Why won't you let me help you…?" he whispered, voice breaking.
Just then, Nat stirred slightly, letting out a weak groan. His eyelids fluttered open for a brief second before shutting again, as though even consciousness was too much.
Ran held his breath, refusing to let go. "Stay with me… please."
The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the faint sound of Nat's strained breathing. Ran's grip on his hand tightened as if sheer willpower alone could keep him anchored to consciousness.
Moments later,doctor Han rushed in with her medical bag, followed closely by Mae, her face pale and stricken with worry. "What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"He collapsed while playing outside," Ran explained, his voice hoarse. "He's been pushing himself too hard… again."
doctor Han knelt beside Nat, quickly checking his pulse and inspecting his breathing. After a few tense moments, she injected something into Nat's arm and gently placed an oxygen mask over his face.
"He's severely dehydrated and physically exhausted," the doctor said gravely. "His body's been under too much strain."
"Also all of this might be happening because his been restraining his rut, it looks like his been over taking his sappersants which has been blocking out his pheromones and rut."
Ran felt guilt wash over him, even though he was around Nat all the time he never noticed that he was struggling so much internally, Nat had helped him through his heat but he never once thought about Nat's Rut. He was being selfish and only cared about his need that he forgot to help the person who was there for him.
"So what's going to happen?" Mae asked,
Doctor Han adjusted the oxygen mask and checked Nat's vitals again. "The suppressants have taken a toll on his system, weakening his immune response and causing hormonal imbalance. We need to flush them out carefully and stabilize his condition. He'll likely experience a delayed rut soon—one much more intense due to how long he's suppressed it."
Ran gently squeezed Nat's hand, guilt gnawing at him. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Dr. Han nodded, "yes, you will need to be by his side 24/7. Because his rut could be triggered at any time once he wakes up, but I'll advise you to be careful cause anything can happen while his not in the right state of mind."
Ran nodded, determination burning in his eyes despite the anxiety twisting in his chest. "I'll be here… whatever he needs."
Mae hesitated, worry etched into every line of her face. "Are you sure, Ran? You don't have to—"
"I want to," Ran interrupted firmly. "He's always been there for me… It's my turn to be there for him."
Doctor Han offered a small, approving nod. "Stay close, monitor his temperature, and watch for signs of the rut setting in—fever, sensitivity to touch, restlessness. If it becomes too overwhelming for either of you, call me immediately."
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After a few more examinations, Doctor Han gave her final instructions before leaving. Mae and P'Sang helped carry Nat upstairs to Ran's private room in the art studio—a secluded space that only Ran ever used. It was quiet, peaceful, and far from the commotion of the main house, making it the perfect place for Nat to rest without interruptions.
Ran carefully guided Nat to the bed, his heart aching at how weak Nat looked. His normally strong and stubborn alpha was reduced to a trembling figure, struggling against the overpowering effects of his suppressed rut.
"Thank you, Mae… P'Sang," Ran said quietly as he tucked Nat under the thick blankets.
Mae brushed her hand gently over Nat's hair, tears glistening in her eyes. "Please… take care of him."
"I will," Ran promised firmly, determination lacing his voice.
After they left, the room fell into a calm, almost sacred silence. Ran sat beside Nat, gently wiping the sweat from his face with a damp cloth. Nat stirred slightly, murmuring incoherently as he fought against the fever burning through him.
.....
outside the art studio Mali is crying none stop, "NO! I WANT TO SEE P'NAT!" She cried, Sang cuddled her in his arms but she was hitting him with her little hands and arms fitting back his hold.
"P' Nat is okay, he just needs a little rest when he wakes up you will see him okay." Mae said trying to calm her down, "I WANT TO SEE HIM NOW!" She bawled even louder.
"Look, it if you keep crying P' Nat is not going to get better, you're a big girl right?" Sang said, Mali sniffled as she nodded. "Then you have to show that you are a big girl, so when P'Nat wakes up he doesn't have to worry."
Mali sniffled, her small fists still clenched as she tried to stop crying. "B-But… what if he doesn't wake up?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
Mae knelt down, gently cupping Mali's tear-streaked face. "Sweetheart, P'Nat is strong… stronger than anyone I know. He's just really tired right now, but he'll wake up soon."
Sang gently wiped her cheeks with his sleeve. "Remember how P'Nat always comes back for you? No matter what?"
Mali nodded hesitantly, recalling the countless times her brother had kept his promises, no matter how difficult things got.
"Then trust him," Mae encouraged softly. "He's fighting really hard so he can see you again."
Mali sniffled again but managed a small, shaky nod. "O-Okay… I'll be brave… f-for P'Nat."
Mae pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "That's my strong girl."
Sang smiled gently, ruffling Mali's hair. "How about we draw him some pictures for when he wakes up? He'll love that."
Mali's eyes lit up, a hint of hope returning. "C-Can we make him a card too?"
"Of course," Sang said warmly. "Let's get started."
As they headed toward the living room, Mae cast one last glance at the closed door of the art studio, silently praying that Nat would return to them soon.
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Later that evening at the dinner table:
"So how bad are things?" Mrs. Tharaporn asked.
Akara let out a sigh, "really bad, ever since they took him up to the art studio Ran hasn't came down."
"Will he be okay being stuck up there with an alpha who is about to go into his rut?" Arisa asked concerned, "can't we just find a different omega to take care of him, why does it have to be our brother?"
"First, because Ran is stubborn to listen, second Ran wouldn't want some omega taking care of his alpha while in his rut." Akara explained.
"Their not even together, so why should he care." Arisa added. Akara just shrugged his shoulders in response.
"I think we should leave it alone and let Ran do what he wants, after all he is a grown adult." Their mother said.
"Where's the woman and the little girl?" Mr. Tharaporn asked Sang, "they preferred having their dinner in the guest house sir." Sang replied.
"Go bring them In, from now on they are required to eat with us."
Sang nodded respectfully and left the dining room. Moments later, he returned with Mae and Mali in tow. Mae looked nervous, clutching Mali's hand tightly as they entered the grand dining hall. Mali, though still a bit shy, stared wide-eyed at the elegant room, dazzled by the shimmering chandelier and the long, polished table filled with delicious food.
"Good evening," Mae greeted politely, bowing slightly. "I hope we're not intruding."
Mrs. Tharaporn offered a gracious smile. "Not at all. Please, have a seat."
Mae hesitated but gently guided Mali toward the two empty seats near the end of the table. Mr. Tharaporn watched them quietly, his expression unreadable.
As they settled in, Akara offered Mali a friendly smile. "Mali, do you like fried chicken? We have some right here."
Mali's eyes lit up, but she glanced at her mother first for approval. Mae nodded softly. "You can have some, sweetheart."
Akara helped pile a small plate with food and passed it to Mali, who whispered a quiet, "Thank you."
Arisa, still skeptical, leaned closer to Akara and whispered, "Why are they even here? Do we really have to play babysitters now?"
Before Akara could respond, Mr. Tharaporn spoke firmly, "They are guests under this roof. Treat them with respect."
Arisa pressed her lips together, silently fuming but saying nothing further.
The dinner continued in tense silence, the silence only beginning broken by Mali's pop up questions.
TBC