RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 169 — A Fever Dream II

Eun Ha's POV:

Behind Eun Ha's tightly shut eyelids, the world blinked in and out of focus.

Her frame felt as heavy as lead, trapped against the bed, with every twitch of her limbs demanding immense effort.

Awareness first hit her alongside a welcome chill on her burning brow. The dampness eased her skin. Peeking through barely parted lids, she spotted him—Jae-il, her boy, hovering above with a wet cloth clutched in his grasp.

"You shouldn't..." Her attempt at words failed as her parched throat rebelled, turning into a harsh, dry cough.

Either he ignored her or didn't catch it. He kept dabbing her forehead tenderly, meticulously. So attentive. So... improper. Why was her own son there instead of her husband, tending to her needs?

A sour chuckle resounded in the fever-muddled depths of her thoughts.

She slipped away once more, reality melting into waves of warmth and faint noises. Upon resurfacing, Jae-il cradled a hot bowl, the hearty aroma of soybean paste stew—crafted by her daughters together—filling her nostrils. A spoon rested ready.

"Mom, you need to eat something." Jae-il urged softly. "Just a few bites, at least."

Eun Ha longed to decline, to hide her face in the cushion. Yet her frail, hungry form betrayed her. She permitted him to prop her up with pillows against her sore back. A wince escaped at the abrupt shift.

Like caring for the helpless, Jae-il steered the spoon to her lips with utmost gentleness. Bite by bite, those striking purple eyes scanned her features. Meeting his gaze pained her. Eun Ha dropped her eyes, munching wordlessly. Swallowing felt like forcing down rocks.

Memories flooded of spoon-feeding him in his youth; he'd hated it back then, insisting on self-reliance so young. Now roles had flipped. The cruel twist soured more than her illness.

"Good?"

A mere nod from Eun Ha. Avoiding his eyes, she fixed on the vapor curling from the bowl. Thoughts of his charming smile or those nimble long fingers on the spoon were forbidden. He ladled stew, pursed his lips to blow it cool.

"......"

Gently, he pressed the spoon to her mouth once more.

The warm, briny flavor spread on her tongue. Slowly, Jae-il withdrew the spoon. Eun Ha chewed and gulped it down.

Raising her eyes under his steady gaze, she peeked at the bowl.

"How are you feeling?" His question came as he cooled another spoonful. Dutifully, her mouth opened and sealed around it.

"Better..."

"Mom, be honest with me."

A tremor raced over her flesh from his tone and the light touch of his fingers on her cheek. "I'm... I'm feeling... much..."

Much, much worse. In delirium, she nearly blurted her frailty.

"Just... a little weak, and stuffy, and sore... but I'll get better soon."

The broth eased her voice to make it somewhat believable.

"Well, at least your voice sounds less scratchy, but you're pretty warm still." His palm slid from forehead to cheek anew. "I'm afraid you might be out of commission for a bit."

"......"

Jae-il kept feeding her steadily.

At half the bowl gone, she shook her head faintly. "That's enough." Throat still ached. As he pulled back, her gaze rose. "Thank you." Coughs erupted suddenly.

From the side, she watched him rise. "Don't mention it, mom. You know you can always count on me to take care of you."

"......"

With a sigh, Eun Ha slumped into the pillows, strength ebbing away. Eyes burned. She squeezed them shut hard.

"I'll come check on you later." He nodded, then halted, locking eyes once more.

Eun Ha's breath hitched. Silence held her.

"Try and rest more. You need it. We'll keep your dinner for you." Bowl placed on the dresser, spoon beside. "Sweet dreams."

Sleep claimed her fully now, hauling her reluctant thoughts under.

...

Soon after waking again, Jae-il sat bedside, observing. Her pulse hammered wildly. What dream had gripped her? Fragments of fever, her son's purple gaze, a door barred under red glows.

"You woke up just in time." He toyed with the pill's foil. "You need to take the next dose."

A soft groan escaped as Eun Ha struggled upright. Limbs dragged like leaden burdens, vitality drained by sickness and... all the rest.

"I don't like it." She scowled at the tablet pinched between his fingers, lips pursing. "Why is it so big anyway? It's hard to swallow..."

"I'll ask around." Jae-il replied flatly. "Unless you'd prefer an IV bag?"

"I'd prefer nothing." Lower lip jutted out sulkily. "Go away..."

"Stop whining." His command brooked no debate. "Now open your mouth."

"......"

Eyes flicked to the firmly closed door.

"I'll make you." A sly smirk tugged his mouth.

Heat flushed her cheeks unrelated to fever. Her foggy mind tripped on his phrase.

Should mothers react this way to sons enforcing medicine?

A feeble glower emerged, harmless as a kitten's mew. "You wouldn't dare." More plea than defiance. What could he do? Force her jaws apart and—

Oh no.

Blush intensified amid her squirm.

"Fine!" She grabbed the pill swiftly, shoved it in, and gulped with martyr's resolve. "There."

"Good girl."

His laugh shook his head in amusement.

The phrase reverberated through her fevered mind, igniting a warmth utterly distinct from illness.

Intended affectionately, yet it stirred the reverse in her. A peculiar, troubling knot twisted in her gut as she gazed up, heart stuffed yet hollow.

Jae-il placed the water glass nearby. "Finish the whole thing, will you?"

"Mn."

Eyes averted, she guzzled it down in hasty swallows, graceless but quenching throat's fire and eye's prickles.

The stomach flutters. Worst of all.

Forearm wiped her lips. "Good?"

Around him, she felt younger by fifteen years, body and spirit regressing.

"."

His look, oddly, deepened her flush, dizzying her anew.

Unaware of her turmoil, he said, "Try and get some more rest." Rising once more. "I'll be back shortly with some fruits and juices. In the meantime, here's the TV remote."

She must have nodded; a quick smile flashed as he passed the remote and departed.

…

Sleep evaded her now, body lethargic yet mind alert. Idly, TV droned unseen. A known knock sounded; she tensed, swallowed. "Come in..."

Door creaked open gradually.

Jae-il entered with a tray bearing orange juice glass and sliced melon plate, his smile far more captivating than screen fare. Tray down on nightstand, he perched bed's edge, dipping the mattress.

"How are you feeling?" Quietly asked, tray already placed.

A frail shrug from Eun Ha. "As... as well as can be expected."

"I thought you might be hungry." Fork speared melon chunk.

Her stare lingered on his graceful hold, juice-dripping fruit.

"Open up."

Lips parted on reflex. Cool sweetness melted in; slow chews brought instant comfort. Eyes shut, relishing chill on heated tongue.

Eyes reopened to his quiet, proud watch, as if her bites were triumphs.

"Don't look at me like that." Mumbled, neck warming.

"Like what?"

"Like I'm... I'm a child." Words failed. "I'm not a baby, Jae-il."

A soft laugh.

"I can see that."

Next melon piece, then another.

"You don't have to..." Voice faded as fruit neared again.

"I want to." Simple, unyielding tone.

Thus, she accepted feeding. Bit by bit till plate cleared. He aided her upright for juice, arm supportive around shoulders, nearness intimate.

"D-Dear... you shouldn't sit so close to me..." Stuttered faintly, shifting futilely in weakness. "You might catch..."

Words faltered.

"Catch what, mom?"

"... germs." Lame finish.

"I'll take the risk." Jae-il murmured kindly.

Exciting update! New poll live for a possible gender swap (no bender) harem tale. Cast your vote! -> Poll

Discord -> .gg/Eyqxhg8RGS

Support on Patreon for 30+ chapters ahead, art, and gifs! :)

Or grab me a Monster Energy ->