you’re burning up and still asking for kisses?
Description: KK pushes herself until she can’t. Kayleigh is the one who catches her before she hits the ground—and doesn’t leave her side after.
KK knows she’s sick.
She just ignores it.
It starts as something small she thinks she can play through. A headache that lingers too long. Her body feeling heavier than usual. A weird chill that doesn’t match how hot the gym feels.
So she doesn’t say anything.
Because she’s fine.
Because she can handle it.
Practice proves her wrong.
Everything feels off. The lights are too bright, the sounds too loud, her body just a step behind where it should be. She wipes her face with her shirt, trying to shake it off.
“you’re slow today,” someone calls out.
KK rolls her eyes automatically. “you’re annoying.”
But even she can hear it.
It doesn’t land the same.
Across the gym, Kayleigh notices.
She’s mid-count when she sees it. The slight delay in KK’s movement. The way she pauses longer than usual. The way she’s not talking as much.
Kayleigh misses half a beat.
“…focus,” she mutters under her breath.
But her eyes keep going back.
KK pushes through another drill.
Then another.
Her vision starts to blur at the edges, just enough to be unsettling. She inhales slowly, trying to steady herself.
She’s fine.
She’s—
Everything tilts.
The sound hits first.
Voices.
Shoes.
Someone saying her name too loud.
Then nothing.
Kayleigh is already moving.
She doesn’t think about it. Doesn’t ask. She’s just there, pushing through the small crowd forming.
KK is slumped slightly, someone trying to keep her upright.
Kayleigh drops down in front of her immediately.
“hey… hey, look at me.”
KK blinks slowly, trying to focus.
Kayleigh is the first thing that clears.
“…you good?” Kayleigh asks, but her voice is already softer than that.
KK tries to nod. It barely happens.
“I’m fine.”
Kayleigh doesn’t even respond to that.
She presses her hand to KK’s forehead and immediately pulls back slightly.
“…you’re not fine.”
Coach is there a second later.
“What happened?”
“She’s burning up,” Kayleigh says quickly.
KK lets out a weak breath. “I’m good, I can—”
“No, you can’t,” Kayleigh cuts in, firm now.
Coach looks between them, then nods toward the door.
“take her to the trainer. Now.”
Kayleigh doesn’t hesitate.
She helps KK up, steadying her when she sways again.
The walk there is slow.
KK leans into her without even realizing it, her weight heavier than usual. Kayleigh adjusts her hold every time she slips, keeping her upright.
“…you’re dramatic,” KK mumbles.
Kayleigh tightens her grip just a little.
“walk.”
At the trainer’s room, they sit KK down on the table. The trainer checks her temperature, shakes her head slightly.
“fever’s high. She shouldn’t have been practicing.”
Kayleigh gives KK a look.
KK avoids it.
“She needs to go home,” the trainer continues. “rest, fluids, keep an eye on her.”
Coach nods when they step back out.
“take the rest of the day,” she tells Kayleigh. “make sure she’s okay.”
Kayleigh doesn’t even question it.
“okay.”
Getting back to the dorm is quieter.
KK barely talks now. She leans her head against Kayleigh’s shoulder, eyes half closed, letting herself be guided the whole way.
By the time they get inside, she’s exhausted.
Kayleigh helps her sit down on the bed.
“stay,” she says softly.
KK nods faintly.
Kayleigh moves around the room quickly, grabbing what she needs, then comes back.
“you need to get cleaned up.”
KK groans. “don’t wanna.”
“I know. Still doing it.”
Kayleigh helps her up again, slower this time, more careful. She keeps a steady hand on her arm, guiding her through everything without rushing.
When they’re done, she brings her back to the bed, pulling the blanket up around her.
KK immediately curls into it.
Kayleigh disappears into the small kitchen space for a few minutes, then comes back with a bowl.
“sit up a little.”
KK opens one eye. “…what is that.”
“soup.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“you’re eating anyway.”
KK sighs, but she lets Kayleigh help her sit up.
Kayleigh blows on a spoonful before holding it out.
KK takes it reluctantly.
Then another.
Not much, just enough.
Kayleigh doesn’t push it after that.
“okay. that’s fine.”
She sets it aside, then sits back down next to her.
KK shifts slightly, wincing.
“…what.”
“my braids,” KK mutters. “they hurt.”
Kayleigh pauses.
Then nods.
“okay. come here.”
KK leans back against her, eyes closing again as Kayleigh carefully starts undoing them, slow and gentle so it doesn’t pull.
Her fingers move patiently, taking her time.
KK relaxes more with each one.
“…that’s better,” she mumbles.
“yeah?”
“mhm.”
When she’s done, Kayleigh sets everything aside and helps her lay back down properly.
KK doesn’t even hesitate this time.
She reaches for her sleeve, holding onto it lightly.
“stay.”
“I’m here.”
Kayleigh lays down next to her, pulling the blanket up around both of them.
KK shifts closer immediately, resting her head against Kayleigh’s shoulder.
There’s a quiet moment.
Then—
“…kiss me.”
Kayleigh sighs softly.
“you’re sick.”
“so?”
“So I’m not trying to get sick too.”
KK tilts her head up slightly, still half asleep but stubborn anyway.
“please.”
Kayleigh looks down at her.
“…no.”
“pleaseeeee.”
Kayleigh shakes her head, but there’s no real weight behind it.
“You’re actually impossible.”
“just one.”
Kayleigh exhales.
“…you’re so annoying.”
“you like it.”
Kayleigh leans down anyway.
Just quick.
Just soft.
A small kiss.
KK smiles immediately.
Even like this.
“again.”
“No.”
“please.”
Kayleigh gives in one more time, softer this time.
Then she pulls back.
“That’s it.”
KK doesn’t argue.
She just curls closer, holding onto her hoodie.
Kayleigh’s hand moves up to her hair, brushing it back gently.
“go to sleep.”
“only if you stay.”
Kayleigh nods slightly.
“I’m staying.”
“promise.”
“promise.”
KK’s breathing starts to even out, her grip loosening as she drifts.
Kayleigh stays still, letting her settle.
Then she looks at her.
Really looks.
KK looks softer like this.
Quieter.
All the tension gone, replaced with something calm, something gentle Kayleigh doesn’t see when she’s awake.
Kayleigh’s fingers trace lightly along her arm, careful not to wake her.
“…you’re gonna get me sick,” she whispers, but there’s no real complaint in it.
KK shifts slightly closer in her sleep.
Kayleigh pulls her in just a little more.
And for a second, she just watches her.
Like she’s trying to memorize everything.
“…I love you,” she murmurs softly.
KK doesn’t hear it.
She’s already asleep.
But Kayleigh stays.
Just like she promised.














