A/N: wrote this in about 30 minutes lol but I can’t stop looking at that cutie jikook picture 🤭
Jungkook doesn’t waste any time getting comfortable on the plane. He’s sleepy, and almost sad about the fact that the flight is only two and a half hours long. He could use a much, much longer nap, but he’ll settle for two and a half hours.
There’s a heavy weight to his limbs that makes him feel like he’s glued to the chair. Jungkook had reclined it as soon as the plane took off, but now he’s just kind of stuck like that, staring up at the plane’s ceiling as he starts to drift off to sleep, but not quite fully there yet. He’s never actually regretted staying up too late before, but this might be the closest he’s come to that– he’s too tired to even reach for his phone, which means he can't turn on his music, and that’s kind of a bummer.
As he reaches a state of almost-slumber, someone crawls into his lap.
Jimin.
Jungkook can recognize his scent and his weight, even in a state of partial consciousness.
Jimin is quiet. And warm. Too warm, Jungkook decides as Jimin lies down on top of him, face nuzzling into the crook of Jungkook’s neck.
But still, Jungkook isn’t going to move. Nor can he. He’s too heavy, and now Jimin is a heavy, warm weight on top of him.
Somewhere nearby, he can hear Hoseok’s cooing voice: Look at those two, I have to take a picture!
Jungkook is too sleepy to comprehend what Hoseok is talking about.
At least Jimin smells nice. It’s the last thing Jungkook is aware of as he finally falls asleep.
*
“...we’re going to land soon.”
Jungkook blinks awake to the sound of Seokjin’s voice. “Huh?”
“Jungkookie? You awake? We’re going to land soon.”
Sniffling, Jungkook tries to make his eyes focus on Seokjin’s face. He’s hot all over, thanks to Jimn’s body covering every inch of him. It’s comfortable, but in a too-hot sort of way.
“Too hot,” he croaks out, knowing Seokjin will understand.
Seokjin does not understand. “We’re going to land soon, Jungkookie,” he repeats, carding his fingers through Jungkook’s hair. “You guys need to sit upright.”
Raising an eyebrow, Seokjin tilts his head to one side. “What?”
“Jimin-hyung is…too hot.”
Jungkook isn’t sure why his tongue feels too big in his mouth. He needs water, probably, and about ten more hours of sleep.
“Jimin is too hot?” Seokjin echoes, moving his hands down to Jimin’s face. When his palm slides across Jimin’s forehead, he freezes. “Oh.”
Jungkook sniffles. In the next breath, he feels a sneeze sneak up on him, and turns his head to the side to let it out.
“Oh,” Seokjin says.
“Bless you,” Hoseok calls out from his seat.
Jimin, startled awake by Jungkook’s sneeze, groans softly and sits up halfway. “Kookie?”
“Hey.” Seokjin crouches down and takes Jimin’s flushed face in his hands. “You’re awake.” He speaks softly, even though they’re all awake now. “How are you feeling?”
At first, Jimin seems to hear him, but then his brows furrow and he tries to lie back down, face seeking out the crook of Jungkook’s neck again.
“Ohh, nope.” Seokjin stops him with a hand on his shoulder. “It’s time to get up. You need to sit in your own chair for landing.”
Jimin groans again.
Seokjin clears his throat. “Joon-ah?”
Namjoon is at his side in an instant. “What’s wrong?”
“I think these two decided to get sick on us,” Seokjin chuckles, like he’s telling Namjoon a funny story instead of bad news.
At that, Jimin’s head lifts up. “Wha’?”
“I think you’re running a fever, Jimi–”
“Kookie is sick?” Jimin asks, turning to look at Jungkook’s face.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Seokjin sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Namjoon, I think we’re going to need med check-ups for them both after we land. They’re both really warm and Jungkook is–”
Jungkook sneezes, this time into Jimin’s chest.
There’s a moment of silence. Jungkook breaks it by sniffling wetly into Jimin’s shirt.
“That. Jungkook is doing that,” Seokjin finishes. “If you could just inform the staff, I’ll get them ready for landing.”
Namjoon nods, silent as he walks toward the front of the plane.
Seokjin tugs on Jimin’s shoulder until he sits up. “Come on, Jiminie. You need to sit down in your seat and buckle up. We’re going to be landing soon.”
At Jimin’s hesitation, Seokjin tries another tactic.
“Will you help Jungkook sit up and make sure he’s buckled in?”
Finally, Jimin springs into action– albeit clumsy, stumbling action, weighted down by fever and exhaustion as he uses an extremely hands-on approach to get Jungkook’s seat upright. Seokjin isn’t sure if Jimin is clinging so much to Jungkook because he’s not feeling well, or if it’s because he now knows Jungkook isn’t feeling well, but either way it's a struggle to separate them and get Jimin back in his own seat.
Once he’s there, Seokjin hands him a bottle of water. He brings one to Jungkook, too, uncapping it for him so he can drink.
“Hyung.”
Seokjin turns around. Yoongi is watching him from across the plane.
“Time to buckle in for landing,” Yoongi tells him.
Seokjin smiles. He takes his seat next to Yoongi and buckles his seatbelt. “They both have fevers, I think.”
Frowning, Yoongi looks at Jimin, then at Jungkook. “Well, that sucks. Do they need medicine? I have–”
“A whole pharmacy in your carry-on,” Seokjin finishes for him, reaching over to pat Yoongi’s thigh. “We can figure that out after we land.”
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Summary: Namjoon has been feeling extra protective of Yoongi ever since they got to L.A. Honestly, ever since the day Yoongi finished his service and they were all officially deemed free men, Namjoon has had this inexplicable urge to shield Yoongi from the world. It’s an almost possessive feeling that fills his chest whenever he’s in the same room as Yoongi, or whenever he’s not in the same room as Yoongi. And it’s because Namjoon won’t let him out of his sight that he notices right away what even Yoongi doesn’t– that Yoongi is getting sick.
A/N: When I first opened commissions last August, I did not think anyone would actually commission a fic from me. Imagine my surprise when MORE THAN ONE person did??? I’m still in disbelief. I am still so, so fucking grateful. I wrote my first commission, Malibu Nights, in like 3 days because I was so excited. Even though it’s good (😁) and I would definitely never say anything bad about it (😁), I do think it has room for improvement! So, I decided to combine it with my sicktember fic in the same universe, “You’re too sick to go swimming.” and expand it a little bit for funsies. Please excuse any inconsistencies this expansion created in the fic, and the POV changes, and the typos/grammatical errors. Thank you.
“It’s really something else, isn’t it?” Namjoon ponders as he looks out across the horizon, at the pinks and oranges and purples of the sunset. “Being famous in L.A.?”
Next to him, Jungkook presses up against him, their arms touching. Namjoon can feel his gaze before he even looks over, and he smiles in anticipation as he turns his head, heart already warming at the thought of being on the receiving end of Jungkook’s unending attention.
Sure enough, Jungkook is looking right at him. He’s looking in the kind of way no one else really looks at him: With too much adoration. Too much trust. Too much interest, like he thinks what Namjoon has to say is the most profound thing he’s ever heard– but it’s Jungkook, and his too-much is always just enough.
Sometimes he wonders what he did in a previous life to exist in the same timeline as Jeon Jungkook, to get to have someone so genuinely willing to listen to his every word.
“Like, we’re celebrities– but here, there are so many celebrities,” Namjoon continues, reaching over to rub Jungkook’s back. “So really, we’re a little less celebrity here. In L.A., that is.”
Jungkook is nodding along, his eyes wide and his lips pouty-thoughtful.
“I can’t decide if that’s a really deep though, or a really corny thought,” Hoseok chuckles. “Maybe a little of both.”
Seokjin pats Namjoon on the back. "Someone's had a bit too much whiskey, I think,” he laughs.
“Sometimes it still feels weird to think of myself as a celebrity,” Jungkook says softly.
On Jungkook’s other side, Jimin snorts. “You’re probably the only celebrity who can say that without being cringy, Jungkookie.”
“We’re not from L.A., so it doesn’t really matter,” Taehyung chirps from where he’s lounging in the sand below. “And we’re super famous. Super stars. ‘Specially you, Golden-Boy-Global-Popstar.” He gestures in Jungkook’s direction.
“Aish,” Namjoon mutters, wrapping his arm around Jungkook’s shoulders when the younger man huffs out a soft breath at Taehyung’s words. “I just meant it’s different here than at home.”
Namjoon glances over at Yoongi, who’s leaning on the railing watching the sun. He’s been quiet all evening. He’s been quiet all week. Tonight, there’s a little more to it though– something imperceptible, to anyone outside of their group, but to someone who’s lived with Yoongi for over a decade it’s noticeable enough.
Seokjin had noticed the homesickness first. They’d all been a little bit homesick at different points, especially Taehyung, but once Seokjin gently pointed it out and Taehyung spent an entire weekend on the phone with his family, things seemed to improve quite a bit.
Yoongi had looked so sad that night, though, when Seokjin wanted them all to talk about it. Not just him– there had been a few tears from more than one of them. It brought something out in Namjoon, made him feel extra protective of them all, but maybe especially of Yoongi.
But Namjoon has been feeling extra protective of Yoongi ever since they got to L.A. anyway.
Honestly, ever since the day Yoongi finished his service and they were all officially deemed free men, Namjoon has had this inexplicable urge to shield Yoongi from the world. It’s an almost possessive feeling that fills his chest whenever he’s in the same room as Yoongi, or whenever he’s not in the same room as Yoongi, which is definitely something he’s going to have to address at some point.
For tonight, he watches Yoongi’s expression carefully. It’s not that he’s unhappy, exactly– in fact, he seems to always have a smile on his face these days.
He smiles when he’s watching Taehyung and Jungkook roughhouse.
When he’s making food with Seokjin.
When he’s playing guitar for Jimin.
When he goes shopping with Hoseok.
When he has Namjoon’s arm around him as they walk down the beach at sunset nearly every evening.
He’s been constantly teasing Namjoon about the increased physical affection, mostly because everyone else teases them both about it, about how Namjoon is glued to their sides these days.
Namjoon doesn’t mind. He knows he feels at peace by his member’s sides. He’ll never take it for granted again. And he knows he’s latching onto Yoongi more than usual lately.
He always has to be careful how he shows it, especially when they’re on camera, but Namjoon feels like he’s bursting sometimes with the need to show Yoongi, and the other members, physical affection.
He’s lucky they accept it as eagerly as he gives it.
“Missing home?” Namjoon asks after the others start walking down towards the water, and it’s just him and Yoongi left standing at the railing.
Yoongi leans further forward, until his chin is resting on his arm. “Yeah. A little…” He clears his throat. “Feels like I shouldn’t, ‘cause I’m really happy we’re all together.”
“You don’t have to choose only one of those emotions,” Namjoon reminds him.
They stand there without speaking for a while. It’s quiet, save for the sound of the ocean and the distant shouts of Taehyung and Seokjin goofing off in the water. It’s darker now, the sun a sliver of light on the horizon.
“I’m really happy we’re all together,” Yoongi says after several minutes. “And I’m missing home a lot tonight.”
Namjoon nods in understanding. He slides his arm across Yoongi’s shoulders and gives him a comforting squeeze.
When the others get back up to the deck, Namjoon longs to gather all of them up into his arms and hold them tight and herd them back inside the house for the rest of the night.
He settles for smiling as he listens to Hoseok and Seokjin complain about getting wet in their clothes, and for wrapping his other arm around Jungkook when he returns to his spot against Namjoon’s side, and for watching Yoongi sit down in a deck chair only for Jimin and Taehyung to both worm their way into his lap.
As he tries to fall asleep much later that night, his mind racing with thoughts, Namjoon realizes he also doesn’t have to choose between being a little homesick for Korea and being so heart-burstingly happy that he’s already with the people he considers his home.
*
In the few days that follow, Yoongi doesn’t leave Namjoon’s side.
It’s not all too different, only in that Yoongi is the one who’s initiating the closeness.
But Yoongi is still quieter than usual. Still a bit more emotional, like there’s an unease lurking just under the surface of his smile. Namjoon thinks he must be a little fatigued, or at least that’s how whatever’s going on is manifesting itself, because Yoongi starts to look tired and starts sleeping more than usual.
Not that Namjoon’s keeping track of how much everyone is sleeping.
He is keeping track, though, if he has to admit it to himself. He’s just grateful that everyone is getting more sleep than he is, since he can’t seem to sleep at all these days.
Yoongi looks tired all day on Monday. And then all day on Tuesday.
And then, on Wednesday, he sleeps in when one of his meetings is cancelled, and when Namjoon spots him emerging from his room just before lunchtime, he looks even more tired.
“Did you sleep okay, hyung?” He hears Jimin ask him. Clearly, Namjoon isn’t the only one who’s worried.
Sitting at their giant dining room table in their mansion-sized dining room, both of his hands cupped around a mug of coffee, Yoongi gives a noncommittal hum in response.
“Are you feeling okay?” Namjoon asks him, probing further.
“Tell me I look like shit without telling me I look like shit, jeez,” Yoongi pouts.
“You look tired,” Hoseok says bluntly, having just walked into the room during their exchange. He pours himself a coffee and sits down next to Yoongi. “I’m serious, hyung. You look like you haven’t been sleeping well.”
Yoongi sniffles indignantly. “I’ve been sleeping just fine.”
Seokjin shuffles in then with a grinning Jungkook attached to his back. “I’ve got a hungry kiddo here,” he announces.
Jungkook’s grin disappears. “I’m not a kiddo.”
“Okay, kiddo.” Patting Jungkook’s arm where it’s draped across his chest, Seokjin continues, “We’re going out in search of fish tacos. Would anyone like to join us for lunch?”
Yoongi sniffles again. Namjoon looks over just in time to see him swiping a finger under his nose. “I just woke up,” he says. “So I’m gonna pass. Thanks for the invite, though.”
“Yeah, I just ate breakfast like an hour ago,” Hoseok says. “Enjoy your tacos!”
Jimin smiles. “You two have fun. Tae and I are meeting with PD-nim at noon, otherwise I would join.”
Seokjin looks over at Namjoon. “Joon? Fish tacos? They’re delicious and nutritious!”
“He doesn’t like seafood,” Jungkook whispers loudly in his ear.
Namjoon laughs. “Thanks for thinking to include me, but I am going to have to politely decline. I’m just gonna grab some food from the kitchen today.”
Jungkook suddenly releases Seokjin from his back hug and darts off in the direction of the kitchen, calling out, “Speaking of the kitchen, I’m gonna go grab a Twinkie before we head out!”
A mixture of endeared and amused laughter erupts throughout the dining room. Jungkook stops and backtracks a few steps just to grin at them all– pink-cheeked, all proud of himself for making his hyungs laugh– before he continues on in his pursuit of creme-filled snack cakes.
The rest of their day is filled with meetings and recordings and more meetings. Seokjin and Jungkook leave for lunch. Jimin and Taehyung leave soon after. In the late afternoon, Namjoon, Yoongi and Hoseok ride to a meeting together at one of the office buildings in L.A.
Yoongi is quiet on the car ride there. He’s sitting in the backseat next to Namjoon. For part of the ride, he leans over and rests his head on Namjoon’s shoulder, listening intently to a story that Hoseok is telling from the front seat. It might be a strange thing to admit, but Namjoon has always loved to watch Yoongi listen to people. He’s a natural listener, despite also being a natural talker, always able to adjust to whoever he’s with at the moment.
As Hoseok talks, Yoongi is still listening intently even though he looks tired. After a little while, he starts to yawn, and when he realizes that he’s starting to feel sleepy he sits upright and shakes his head back and forth as if to wake himself up, rubbing his eyes.
“You okay?” Namjoon can’t help but whisper.
Yoongi nods. He sniffles a few times and pulls a tissue out of his pocket, which he uses to wipe his nose, and then he rubs his eyes again. He’s a little more alert and a little more talkative after that.
“Feels great to be working on music again,” Yoongi says, quiet but happy.
Namjoon is really excited about the album they’re working on. Each meeting is one more step closer to releasing it, each song one more step closer to touring and seeing ARMYs and experiencing the whirlwind that is a comeback. It’s an exhilarating feeling, one he never wants to take for granted.
In their meeting, Yoongi is quiet again. Namjoon sees him pull another tissue from one of his pockets to dab at his nose with, and hopes he’s not bothered by the A/C that’s on full blast in the building. He has a jacket on, so it’s not bothering him at all. He sees Hoseok shiver once and sees that there are goosebumps on his arm, but Hoseok rolls his sleeves down and then seems to be fine after that.
Yoongi’s increasingly frequent, soft sniffles aren’t super noticeable until Namjoon starts paying attention to them, which happens after Yoongi turns around in his chair to sneeze a couple of times.
“Bless you,” Namjoon whispers, and Yoongi gives a small nod in return.
Quietly, so he doesn’t draw attention to himself, Namjoon unzips his sweater and pulls it off so he can drape it over Yoongi’s shoulders.
Yoongi keeps his sweater on for the remainder of the day, but his tissues go back into his pockets and stay there.
*
Since they’ve been in Malibu, they usually try to eat at least one meal together, but it realistically only happens about three or four times a week for dinner. Namjoon is eternally grateful for the private chef they have living with them, because she makes them Korean food often and her cooking is amazing.
On Wednesdays, though, they all usually eat out or just grab snacks. Tonight they’re all getting back late anyway, so it’s just Namjoon and Hoseok sitting and chatting in the living room when Namjoon’s stomach starts to growl.
“Is that hunger or digestion?” Hoseok laughs, reaching over to pat Namjoon’s stomach.
“I’m hungry.”
“I was thinking of driving to In-N-Out. Want to come?”
“Hell yeah.” Namjoon practically jumps off the sofa.
Before they leave, he and Hoseok check in with the other members, to see if they want to come with or place an order for them to bring back. Jungkook and Jimin are getting ready to head to the gym, so they give their orders. Taehyung has an evening photoshoot and won’t return until much later, and Seokjin and Yoongi decide to eat at the house.
The sun is shining beautifully outside as they step out. Hoseok drives them in one of their rented cars and they roll down the windows to soak up the warmth.
They go through the drive-thru. Hoseok orders in English, and Namjoon listens proudly.
“We’re all gonna be so good at speaking English by the time we go back to Korea,” Hoseok says confidently as he pulls forward.
“That’s what you guys always say any time we're here for more than a week,” Namjoon laughs. “And I don’t think it’s ever been true.”
“I’ll prove you wrong this time,” Hoseok grins.
They drive to a nearby park and eat their burgers and fries and milkshakes in the car. It’s nice to hang out, just the two of them, listening to music and chatting. Namjoon only spills a little bit of ketchup on his shirt, and Hoseok drinks his vanilla milkshake so fast that he gets a brain freeze.
After they’re done eating, Hosoek looks at the two big remaining bags of food. “Jimin and Kookie are probably gonna be hungry soon,” he says, looking at his watch. “Guess we should head back now.”
Back at the house, Hoseok goes to find Jimin and Jungkook to give them their food. Namjoon feels like he needs a shower to wash the fast food grease off, so he heads upstairs to his room. He hears a sneeze as he’s walking up the stairs. The place is a maze that he’s still getting used to, so the only reason he knows where it's coming from is because there’s only one person who’s been sneezing and sniffling all day already.
Namjoon makes his way down the hallway and knocks softly on Yoongi’s door.
“Come in.”
Opening the door, Namjoon is greeted with the sight of Yoongi sitting on his bed, holding a tissue halfway up to his face.
“Hey! What’s uhh–?” Yoongi pauses a beat, blinks, and then sneezes into his tissue before wiping his nose. “Excuse me.”
“Just wanted to see if you’re up for a walk tonight.”
“Yeah, of course.” Yoongi looks a little confused that he’s asking. “How was In-N-Out?”
“Delicious. But greasy. I’m gonna go take an antacid and a quick shower.”
Yoongi chuckles, and then sneezes twice more and scrambles for another tissues. “Excuse me. Okay, come get me when you want to head down to the beach?”
“Will do!”
As Namjoon walks the rest of the way down the hall, he feels pretty certain that he’s right about a suspicion that’s been forming in his mind ever since this morning– Yoongi is getting sick.
Yoongi has always gotten pretty quiet when he’s not feeling well.
He’s also sometimes more emotional when he’s sick.
And the sniffling and sneezing? It’s just not normal for Yoongi, who doesn’t have any allergies.
When they go on their walk later, Namjoon keeps a close eye on Yoongi. It’s just the two of them tonight. They don’t go very far, and they keep their pace slow, stopping at a piece of driftwood when the sun starts to set so they can sit and watch.
But beyond a few sniffles and the fact that he looks exhausted, nothing seems to be wrong, and Yoongi doesn’t mention anything so Namjoon doesn’t either.
He keeps it in the back of his mind though. He knows he’s not wrong.
*
On Thursday morning, after yet another nearly-sleepless night, Namjoon skips the gym and goes for a morning run on the beach with Hoseok.
When they get back to the house, they find Seokjin, Jimin and Taehyung at the table eating breakfast.
“How was your run?” Jimin asks them.
“Refreshing,” Hoseok says.
“Sweaty,” Namjoon adds.
“Gross,” Seokjin scoffs. “I’m trying to eat.”
“World Wide Handsome doesn’t ever sweat, apparently,” Taehyung jokes, earning him a sharp glare from Seokjin that only makes him laugh gleefully.
Namjoon practically inhales his breakfast and then goes to take a shower. He has to leave the house in an hour, so he decides to do some reading before then, and takes his book down to the first floor.
He hears soft voices coming from the wing of the house opposite the living room. Yoongi and Jungkook are in one of the rooms on the first floor they’ve designated as an office. They’re sitting side by side on the sofa, looking at something on Yoongi’s laptop, and Namjoon stops to watch them from the doorway.
“Hey,” Yoongi greets him, glancing up briefly with a small smile.
“Morning, Namjoon-hyung,” Jungkook says. His eyes are still glued to the screen. He sniffles and reaches for a tissue.
Because of his rhinitis, Jungkook is always a little extra sniffly in the mornings. It’s not something that Namjoon notices anymore. Only this morning, he does notice, because he’s not the only one who’s sniffling and reaching for tissues.
“Here, hyung,” Jungkook murmurs, not looking up from the computer as he pushes the box of tissues towards Yoongi after he stops mid-sentence to clear his throat and sniffle.
Namjoon can tell Jungkook doesn't notice anything strange about it. He can also tell that Yoongi probably isn’t even aware of how much he’s sniffling, too caught up in what he’s working on.
But now that Jungkook and Yoongi are sniffling in surround sound, it’s all that Namjoon can hear.
“Okay,” he says after about two minutes of sniffling has passed. “Kook, did you take your allergy meds this morning?”
“Huh? Yeah, I did. I’m fine, hyung. It’s just my rhinitis.”
Namjoon waits until Yoongi looks right at him before gesturing to the tissue box. “Okay. And you, Yoongs? You’re sniffling an awful lot this morning. You feeling okay?”
Yoongi’s brows furrow.
Namjoon narrows his eyes.
He sees the moment that Yoongi realizes that Namjoon is onto him. Yoongi’s eyes widen slightly, and his face flushes, and he clears his throat.
So Yoongi is aware that he’s under the weather.
Suddenly, Yoongi looks very pissed off. “Are you just gonna stand there and watch us work? Or even weirder, comment on my tissue use? Or did you need something?”
Namjoon inhales sharply and takes a step back. He holds up both hands. “Whoa. Okay. I’ll get out of your way.” He swallows against a wave of hurt, backing up a little more. He hates how much his voice trembles when he continues, “I’m heading over to the studio soon, so I’ll see you both later.”
And then, Namjoon turns on his heel and hurries away, his mind reeling from the interaction.
Immediately, he starts to replay everything back in his mind. Had he said something wrong? Something to offend Yoongi? Did he really need to stay there and watch them work, or should he have left right away and given them space? He’s not sure why he felt the need to comment on anything at all– it’s not like he’s Jungkook nor Yoongi’s appa, which…fuck, he’s already been down that road before in therapy. The amount of hours he’s spent discussing the way his leadership role affects his relationship with the members…his tendency to micromanage…his overprotective urges…
He doesn’t even realize where his feet are taking him until he blinks and sees that he’s out in the back courtyard that leads to the pool.
Jimin is out there swimming. When he spots Namjoon, he swims over to the edge of the pool, resting his arms on the side. “You okay, hyung?”
Namjoon sighs and rubs his eyes. He really doesn’t want to cry right now. Kicking off his sandals, he sits down on the edge and lets his feet dangle in the water. Jimin rests his cheek against his forearm, looking up at Namjoon patiently.
“I think someone was just unkind to me for no reason,” Namjoon says eventually. “And my brain is trying to fill in a reason.
“Oh, hyung,” Jimin says softly. “That sucks. Who’s being mean to you? Do I need to come talk to someone?”
“Maybe it wasn’t totally unwarranted,” Namjoon murmurs, almost to himself.
Jimin frowns. “Being unkind is never warranted, hyung.”
That brings tears to Namjoon’s eyes. “When did you get so wise?” He chuckles, swiping at his eyes again.
They hear a door open, and then footsteps against the concrete.
“Joon? There you are.”
Namjoon doesn’t turn to look as the footsteps approach.
Jimin’s mouth drops open as Yoongi approaches. “You made hyung cry?”
Namjoon crosses his arms. “I’m not crying.”
“But your feelings were hurt.”
Yoongi comes to a stop next to Namjoon. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” he says quietly. “I came to apologize.”
“I can leave,” Jimin offers.
“You can stay,” Yoongi says. He sits down next to Namjoon, but crosses his legs so he doesn’t get wet. “If you want.”
Jimin nods and pushes himself off the wall with a little splash. “I don’t need to listen,” he says, floating on his back. “But I’ll be here if you need a mediator."
Yoongi turns to look at Namjoon. He sighs, and after a moment, says, “I’m sorry, Joon. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.”
“I’m trying to figure out what I did wrong.”
“Nothing,” Yoongi replies quickly, shaking his head. “I was being an asshole. I was feeling defensive about…”
“About being sick?”
Yoongi covers his face with his hands. “Yeah. Guess so.”
Namjoon reaches over to rub up and down Yoongi’s back.
“Yoongi-hyung is sick?” Jimin swims closer, his eyes wide.
“I thought you weren’t gonna listen,” Namjoon snorts.
Yoongi sniffles. “It’s just a cold. But, yeah. I guess I should probably not get too close to you guys.”
“We don’t care about that.”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow. “Our managers will definitely care if I get you all sick.”
“You won’t get us sick. We’ll be fine.” Jimin tilts his head to one side. “Wait. So you were embarrassed about being sick, and you snapped at Namjoon hyung even though all he was probably doing was worrying about you?”
“Hey! I’m trying to apologize to Namjoon. I already said I was in the wrong! Go swim away or I will get you sick!”
Jimin laughs but turns and swims down toward the other end of the pool.
Yoongi sniffles and wipes his nose with his wrist. “How am I thirty-two years old and embarrassed that I have a cold? And honestly, I think I was embarrassed not that you knew, but that Jungkook might find out.” He looks at Namjoon, his expression a mixture of guilt and embarrassment. “That’s ridiculous, I know. And what’s even worse is I talked to you like that in front of him.”
“Yeah. All of that is pretty shity.”
“I’m so sorry, Joon.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you coming to apologize right away, because that was definitely going to eat me up all day if you hadn’t.”
Namjoon’s phone rings then, startling them both.
“Shit, my car is here. I gotta get going.” He stands and looks down at his wet legs. “Make sure to take it easy today, okay?”
Yoongi stands up and grabs Jimin’s towel. “Here, use this,” he says, glancing over at the pool with a smirk. “And yeah. I’ll take it easy. I promise.”
*
“Can’t believe you were being an asshole to Namjoon-hyung today.”
Jimin is sitting on Yoongi’s bed, scrolling through something on his phone while Yoongi tunes his acoustic guitar. He’s mostly here to keep an eye on him, but also because he likes listening to Yoongi play. Tonight, though, Yoongi has been fiddling with his guitar for ten minutes now without actually playing anything, and Jimin suspects his ears must be plugged up because he doesn’t seem happy with how it sounds and keeps leaning all the way down close to the instrument in an attempt to better hear the notes coming out.
Belatedly, Yoongi looks up at Jimin’s teasing words. He gets up to put his guitar away and then flops down onto his bed with a congested groan.
“I’ll be an asshole to you too if you don’t get your sweaty ass off my bed,” Yoongi grumbles. He presses his socked foot against Jimin’s back and tries to push him forward, but Jimin doesn’t budge an inch.
“I’m not that sweaty,” Jimin argues, even though he’s very sweaty, having recently returned from a workout.
“Go sit on your own bed.”
“Actually, I’m going to wash up now. Want to join me?” Jimin pockets his phone and leans sideways until his head is resting against Yoongi’s hip.
“No.”
“No?” Jimin lifts his head up.
“No.”
“You’re not going to wash up at all tonight?”
“Nope.” Yoongi’s eyes are closed now. “Gonna stay right here and fall asleep. Soon as someone gets their sweaty ass off my bed.”
“Hyung,” Jimin warns. “You’ll feel terrible tomorrow if you don’t wash up tonight.”
“I’ll feel terrible tomorrow no matter what.”
“Aww.” Jimin stands and reaches out to brush Yoongi’s hair back from his forehead. “I’ll wash your hair for you.”
Yoongi doesn’t respond.
“It’ll be good for your stuffy nose,” Jimin tries. “Help clear you right up. Won’t it be easier to sleep?”
Still, Yoongi remains silent.
Jimin squeezes Yoongi’s shoulder. “I’m going to go start the shower. I’ll get everything ready and laid out. All you’ll have to do is walk to the bathroom and back. Okay?”
Without waiting for an answer he knows he won’t get anyway, Jimin leaves Yoongi’s room. He turns on the shower in the bathroom down the hall, then lays out Yoongi’s toothbrush and a few products for a simplified skincare routine. He readies the towels and fetches his own pajamas, then goes to find Yoongi again.
Yoongi is in the exact same position on his bed. Jimin grabs a pair of his pajamas and hooks his arm through Yoongi’s elbow. “C’mon, hyung,” he encourages, pulling Yoongi until he’s about to fall off the bed.
Yoongi groans loudly, but stands before he’s in danger of actually falling, glaring at Jimin through sleep-heavy eyelids.
“Don’t curse at me,” Jimin cuts him off preemptively. “Let’s go.”
Jimin pulls Yoongi along behind him, but finds that he comes willingly after a few steps. He guides him into the bathroom and closes the door behind them, then tugs at the hem of Yoongi’s shirt.
“Clothes off.”
While Yoongi undresses, Jimin checks the temperature of the water and then takes his own clothes off.
The shower spray is gloriously hot and exactly the right pressure. Yoongi melts under the water, shivering once before his shoulders slump. He leans half of his weight against Jimin.
“Feels nice, right?” Jimin asks, triumphant.
As promised, Jimin washes Yoongi’s hair for him. Yoongi’s nose starts running after just a couple of minutes, and he spends most of the time wiping his runny nose and sniffling.
“Want a washcloth or something for your nose?” Jimin offers, looking around as if one might just appear.
Yoongi shrugs. He doesn’t seem too bothered by it, so Jimin decides to hurry and finish so he can get Yoongi out of the shower and dried off so he can properly use a tissue instead.
Once Yoongi is clean and dry, wearing his warm pajamas and sniffling into a handful of tissues, Jimin makes him sit on the counter. They brush their teeth together, and then Jimin lets Yoongi choose what he wants applied on his face– toner, serum, and moisturizer, which he ends up putting on himself instead, being careful around his nose. He yawns through it, going twice as slow as Jimin, and then just sits there waiting for his next instructions.
“Time for bed,” Jimin says softly once he has straightened up everything in the bathroom. “Hop down.”
Yoongi shuffles down the hallway to his room slowly. Jimin gets there ahead of him and turns on his bedside lamp, pulling the covers back and making sure there’s a box of tissues and water on his nightstand.
“Do you want to take some medicine?”
“We don’t have any here,” Yoongi says. “I already texted Manager-nim and he’s going to pick something up in the morning.”
“Okay.” Jimin nods. “You sure you’ll be able to sleep okay?”
Yoongi shrugs and climbs under the covers.
“You’re so stubborn,” Jimin sighs.
“You’re so bossy,” Yoongi retorts, but it’s cut short by a yawn.
On Friday morning, Namjoon wakes up with the overwhelming feeling again. The one that makes him want to have eyes on the other members.
Especially Yoongi.
He goes straight to Yoongi’s room. He pauses outside of the door, aware that it’s actually pretty early and Yoongi is likely still asleep, but then he hears a soft sneeze from inside the room and he decides to knock.
Yoongi, still in bed, squints up at him as he comes into the room.
“Morning,” he croaks. His nose is all stuffed up and his eyes are red, and there are a dozen crumpled up tissues scattered across his comforter.
“Oh no,” Namjoon groans. “You sound a lot worse.”
Nodding, Yoongi yawns and rolls onto his side.
“Do you need me to get you anything? I wanted to check on you–”
A soft knock on the door interrupts. Namjoon goes over to open it.
Seokjin is standing on the other side holding a grocery bag. “Good morning to both of you.” He carries that bag over to Yoongi’s bed.
“You either have a cold, or you’re planning on opening your own pharmacy,” he jokes, holding up the bag. “Manager-nim asked me to bring this to you?”
Yoongi sighs. “Yeah, I’ve got a bit of a cold, I guess.”
“Oh, you poor thing. I can hear it. Do you want hyung to make you some tea?”
“Oh, this is actually fine,” Yoongi chuckles tiredly, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll take this over being sick during a tour or rehearsals or something any day.”
Namjoon frowns a little, because he’ll take Yoongi not being sick at all, but he understands the sentiment.
“You better not be planning on working today,” Namjoon frowns.
“Just remotely,” Yoongi sniffles. “Otherwise I'll be staying in my room. Sleeping, probably. I feel pretty gross.”
“Yeah, I bet. I’ll go make you some tea and get you something to eat so you can take medicine.”
“Thank you, hyung,” Yoongi whispers. “Will you bring me a mask, too? If you guys are going to be coming in here I want to at least pretend like we care about germs.”
“Sure thing,” Seokjin says, patting Yoongi’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ve got a really busy day today,” Namjoon says, sitting down on the edge of Yoongi’s bed. “But just text me if you need anything. Text any of us, okay?”
Yoongi agrees. Namjoon knows he probably won’t get a text, though. Still, he reiterates to Yoongi that he can call or text and he doesn’t even care when Yoongi teases him for “acting like a mother hen”, and he only sends a record-low of two check-up texts throughout the day that both go unanswered, but read.
*
“Are we waiting for Yoongi-hyung?” Jimin asks as he sets the table for dinner that night.
“Yeah, Yoongi will probably join. He’s feeling under the weather, though.”
“Yoongi is sick?” Taehyung asks, looking up sharply. “What’s wrong? Why did no one tell me?”
“Just a cold,” Namjoon replies quickly. “He already got some meds. We should all be a little more careful with our handwashing and make sure we’re drinking lots of water and getting enough rest.”
“Has he been sick all day?” Taehyung asks.
“Since this morning, yeah,” Namjoon replies, even though he knows it’s actually been a little longer than that.
A few minutes later, Yoongi shuffles in wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. His hair is fluffy as if it’s been recently washed and blow-dried.
“Hyung,” Taehyung pouts. “You didn’t say you were feeling sick.”
Scrunching up his face, Yoongi holds up a finger, then turns to the side to sneeze into his elbow. The sound is much harsher, more sick sounding than before, and when he speaks his voice is noticeably hoarser.
“It’s just a cold,” he tells Taehyung. “Sorry, I meant to text the group chat but I was pretty much sleeping all day.”
Taehyung wraps his arms around Yoongi in a quick, sweet side hug. “Okay. I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, hyung.’
Dinner is a quiet, cozy affair. They eat an amazing homemade sundubu-jjigae, along with rice and egg rolls and kimchi and a whole spread of banchan. Namjoon is pleased to see Yoongi eating well– he may have mentioned Yoongi’s condition earlier to the chef and helped pick out the menu.
After dinner, Jungkook and Hoseok go out. The rest of them stay back for a quiet night in.
Namjoon grabs his book and settles in the living room where Seokjin, Jimin and Taehyung are playing video games.
He assumes Yoongi is in his room getting some sleep until he hears a rustling behind him. He glances over his shoulder and sees Yoongi in the dining room sorting through the bag of medicines the staff had bought for him.
“What’cha doing?” He asks out of curiosity.
Yoongi looks up, staring at Namjoon like a deer caught in the headlights. “I, uh…I need a fever reducer, I think,” he says. His voice cracks partway through his sentence. “I don’t know for sure because there’s no thermometer, but I’ve been shivering and it won’t stop and I’m starting to feel a little achey…”
“Oh?” Namjoon stands and hurries over to the table, but it’s Seokjin who beats him to Yoongi’s side.
“You’ve got a fever?” Seokjin frets, peering at Yoongi’s face. He feels the back of Yoongi’s neck, then his cheek. “You do feel pretty warm. Does the cold medicine you’re already taking have acetaminophen in it already?”
“Uh. I’m not sure. I can go check.”
“Where is it? I can go grab it for you,” Jimin offers.
“In my room.”
Jimin nods and goes to get the medicine. When he returns, they all gather around to check the bottle for a list of active ingredients.
Seokjin pokes around in the bag until he finds a combination cold and flu medicine that covers just about all of Yoongi’s symptoms.
“We’ll keep an eye on that fever,” Seokjin says as he peels the protective seal off the bottle. “I can ask the staff if they can pick up a thermometer tomorrow.”
“I think it’s fine,” Yoongi mumbles as Seokjin pours him a dose. “It’s like, a low-grade fever, maybe. I just feel kind of…” He trails off, unsure of how to put it into words, or maybe unwilling.
“You don’t have to justify taking this,” Seokjin says gently when he sees the look on Yoongi’s face, the tears that have started to gather in his eyes. “If you’re not feeling well, this can help you.”
Namjoon’s heart clenches as he watches Yoongi blink against his sudden tears. He reaches over and rubs his back gently, and Taehyung does the same from his other side– a mirror of Namjoon that he probably isn’t consciously aware of.
“This will make you feel better, hyung,” Taehyung tells him, his voice sweet and soft. “It’s the kind I always take when I’m sick. It tastes kinda gross, though. I’ll get you some water to drink with it.”
“Thanks, Tae,” Yoongi sniffles.
Yoongi waits for Taehyung to return before he drinks down the medicine. Jimin giggles at the face he makes, and just like that the tension is broken and Yoongi is smiling again– even if it doesn’t quite reach his tired eyes.
*
Namjoon stands in the doorway and watches Yoongi get dressed for bed. Because of the fever, Yoongi’s eyes are red and watery in a way that looks like he’s crying.
For some reason, it makes Namjoon think back to the night in June, after Yoongi’s last day of military service. The seven of them spent it together, trying to celebrate what felt almost wrong to celebrate– something they’d been waiting so long for, but still seemed completely surreal.
When they had all parted ways, Namjoon had gone home with Yoongi to make sure he got home okay, because the feeling of protectiveness had already started at that point and he felt an almost panicked urgency at the thought of making sure Yoongi got home safely.
All seven of them were a bit extra emotional anyway that day, but as he got ready to leave, Namjoon remembers seeing in Yoongi’s eyes that something was wrong, and a second later Yoongi had broken down crying.
Relief. Stress. Fear, of the future, and of the unknown. Namjoon had felt it all too, but he could only hug Yoongi and hold him and whisper that it was all going to be okay. It had been a promise. One that he would never forget making, one that he would do anything to keep.
Currently, Namjoon is thinking about that night, lost in his thoughts when Yoongi’s voice brings him back to reality.
“...Joon?”
Namjoon inhales sharply. He focuses on Yoongi’s face, just inches in front of him. Without thinking, he wraps his arms around Yoongi and draws him close.
“Are you okay?” Yoongi asks hesitantly, his mouth pressed against Namjoon’s chest.
“I’m sorry,” Namjoon responds. “I think I’m like…stressed out about you being sick. I don’t like seeing you look so sad.”
Yoongi is quiet. After a moment, he relaxes into Namjoon’s embrace, turning his head to one side. He lets out a long, stuffy sigh and wraps his arms around Namjoon’s waist.
“Is that why you haven’t been sleeping?” he asks quietly.
“Stop worrying about me. I’m worrying about you right now.”
Yoongi chuckles, and it turns into a cough. He turns his head, but ends up coughing into Namjoon’s shoulder, mostly.
“Shit. I’m coughing on you. They’re going to give me so much shit if I get our leader sick,” he murmurs, only half joking.
“I never get sick,” Namjoon reminds him.
“Neither do I.”
“You’re sick now,” Namjoon snorts. “You got sick on your solo tour. You were sick maybe three times already in the past eighteen months.”
“Only you would keep track of that.”
Namjoon doesn’t have a reply to that.
“Well, the medicine is definitely working,” Yoongi announces around a yawn. “I’m not shivering for no reason any more. Also, I feel really sleepy. And kinda warm, but in a not terrible way.”
“Okay, that’s all good.”
“I wish I could breathe through my nose though.” Yoongi sniffles.
Namjoon leans back. “I can see if I can find some nasal spray or something? Do we have a humidifier anywhere in this house?”
“No, it’s okay. I’m just gonna head to bed now anyway.”
“Okay.” Namjoon slides his hands down to Yoongi’s biceps, giving a gentle squeeze before he lets go. “That’s probably a good idea. You need lots of rest so you can kick this cold’s ass.”
“Sure do,” Yoongi replies, fighting back a smile.
Namjoon waits in Yoongi’s room while he goes to wash up and brush his teeth. He makes sure there are plenty of tissues and a bottle of water on his bedside table, and then pulls the covers back for him and fluffs his pillows for good measure. He barely resists the urge to tuck Yoongi in after he returns and climbs into bed, and instead settles for watching him get comfortable from the doorway.
“The kids are going down to the beach tomorrow,” Namjoon tells him before he leaves the room. “I know we already have it off, but it would be the perfect time to get some rest. Some peace and quiet.”
“You going with them?” Yoongi asks, his voice sleepy.
“No. I’ll be around.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Rest well, hyung. Hopefully you’ll be feeling better tomorrow.”
*
Namjoon spends a lazy morning reading, curled up on the sectional sofa. He eats a light breakfast, and then spends a lazy late morning reading by the pool.
He checks on Yoongi about three times before lunchtime. The first two times, Yoongi is sound asleep, snoring softly from beneath the covers.
The third time, Yoongi squints up at him, sneezes once, and then pulls the covers back over his head, muttering something unintelligible.
After Namjoon eats lunch and spends another hour reading, he heads to the kitchen. He grabs two bottles of water and a bottle of green tea from the fridge, and then fills a bowl with tangerines.
He carries the cold drinks and fruit upstairs to Yoongi’s room. Yoongi is still in bed, still asleep. Namjoon sets everything down on the bedside table and takes stock of Yoongi’s tissue supply. The little wastebasket next to his bed is already overflowing with tissues again, even though he’d emptied it for him in the morning.
When he returns from emptying it again, Yoongi is in a different position, though his eyes are still closed.
“Hey,” Namjoon whispers. “I brought you some water and a small snack. I think it’s time for you to take some more medicine?” He sits on the edge of the bed and reaches for a tangerine, peeling it while he waits for Yoongi’s reply.
Yoongi covers his face with his hoodie sleeves and coughs. “Don’t wanna.”
‘Well.” Namjoon sets the peeled tangerine down on the napkin. “Okay. You don’t have to.”
There’s a soft, raspy whine. Namjoon reaches for one of the water bottles and twists the cap off.
“Here, drink some water at least.”
Yoongi shakes his head. A few seconds later, he opens his eyes and peers up at Namjoon.
“Okay.”
“Okay! You wanna sit up?”
Yoongi’s eyes slip back shut. Namjoon puts his hand on his forehead, and is relieved to feel he’s nowhere near as warm as he had been last night.
“Yoongs. Hey. Just a little bit of water. You’ll feel so much better.”
Yoongi whines again. Namjoon slides a hand under his shoulder blade and helps him sit up.
With his eyes closed, Yoongi drinks about half of one of the water bottles. He doesn’t eat anything, so Namjoon peels a couple more of the tangerines and leaves them there while Yoongi very slowly shuffles to the bathroom and back.
He pours Yoongi a dose of medicine, which Yoongi reluctantly sips at, glaring sleepily ahead the whole time.
He lies down immediately after and is asleep again by the time Namjoon closes the door behind him.
*
Namjoon decides to go for a swim while he has the pool to himself.
He first lathers himself up with sunscreen, and then grabs his sunglasses, towel and book before heading outside.
Shortly after he gets in, the door to the courtyard opens and Yoongi shuffles out. Looking over in surprise, Namjoon smiles and swims to the side of the pool.
“Hey. How are you feeling?”
Yoongi shrugs, but then gives him a thumbs up. He’s still in his pajama pants and a hoodie. He sits down in a pool chair and grabs Namjoon’s towel to cover himself, using it like a blanket.
After swimming a couple of laps, Namjoon goes back to the edge to check on Yoongi and notices that he’s also stolen his sunglasses. Even though he can’t see his eyes, he can tell Yoongi is asleep– or at least close to it– because his mouth is open and his head is lolling to one side, the towel half draped over his shoulders and half bunched up under his cheek.
He doubts Yoongi remembered to apply sunscreen, so he hops out of the pool about twenty minutes later and drags one of the umbrellas over to where he’s sitting. Once he’s fully in the shade, Namjoon sinks down into the pool chair next to him. He grabs his book and reads until Yoongi wakes himself up snoring an hour later.
*
At dinner that evening, they eat Korean food and work on a few details for their new album.
Yoongi is quiet again. He doesn’t eat much– mostly just pushes food around in his bowl with his chopsticks– but Namjoon can tell he’s feeling better by the way he eagerly adds his input on the project they’ve been working on. All of his whiny, almost grumpy attitude he’d had with Namjoon earlier in the day is gone.
When Yoongi produces his notebook with lyrics he’s been working on, Namjoon smiles to himself, thinking about how productive Yoongi has been here in L.A. Even when he’s been sick, he hasn’t stopped writing.
It’s been really good for all of them, actually. Namjoon’s amazed not only with the things he’s been able to accomplish here, but also by all of his members. They don’t even have to agree on every single little detail to have success– in fact, Namjoon loves that they’re not agreeing on everything. He loves that they’re challenging each other.
For a while, after he’s done eating, Namjoon sits back and just watches. He watches Yoongi, quiet but engaged, keeping a box of tissues close by but smiling at everyone’s antics. He watches Seokjin and Jungkook mess with each other in every way humanly possible, until Jungkook hides Seokjin’s shoes in a planter somewhere and Seokjin pins Jungkook to the bench and just sits on him.
He watches Jimin and Taehyung take turns sitting in each other’s laps and convince Yoongi to help them write a song about the ocean. He watches Hoseok dance in the middle of the kitchen, choreographing an entire chorus of a song they’ve already approved as a track.
It’s glorious. It’s healing.
It’s also surprisingly exhausting.
Around 9 p.m., Namjoon is surprised to find himself yawning. It’s as if a sudden wave of sleepiness has started to wash over him, creeping in unexpectedly but moving quickly. When he yawns a second time, Yoongi looks over at him with raised brows.
“I’m tired, I guess” Namjoon chuckles, dragging a hand down his face.
“Go to bed now, then,” Yoongi advises. “When your body is telling you to. Might help?”
Though he’s sure almost nothing could help him fall asleep anymore these days, Namjoon nods. He can at least give it a try.
“Are you staying up?” He asks Yoongi.
“Yeah, for a little bit longer.”
“I’m going to go work out,” Jungkook announces before flipping Seokjin off of him with ease.
“I’m heading to bed too,” Hoseok says. He yawns too, and stretches his arms above his head.
“Me too,” Jimin says.
“Me three,” Seokjin chimes in.
“Hobi-hyung and I are going to watch a show,” Taehyung says to Yoongi. “Want to watch with us, hyung?”
Yoongi nods and grabs his tissues, following Taheyung into the living room.
Namjoon stays for just a moment longer, watching Yoongi settle on the couch with Hoseok and Taehyung. He’s so glad that they can just have this, now. That they’re with each other.
“Good night,” he calls out softly.
Seokjin, Yoongi and Taehyung all look at him.
“Night, hyung!” Taehyung waves, flashing him an adorable smile. “We love you!”
Namjoon presses a hand to his chest, suddenly emotional, and smiles back.
“I love you guys too.”
*
Yoongi opens his eyes in the morning to bright, cheerful sunshine streaming through the window.
It’s warm, but he can hear the hum of the A/C working to cool the house down. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, Yoongi groans, wishing he was still asleep. His nose is completely stuffed up and his throat aches, not as sharp of a pain as it has been in the past couple of days but still sore enough to be annoying.
It’s his sinuses that are the biggest problem. All night, he had tossed and turned, alternating between not being able to breathe through his nose and shoving tissues up his nostrils to stop it from running constantly– a gross but effective trick he had learned from Taehyung.
For about a half an hour, Yoongi drifts back in and out of sleep. He’s not comfortable at all. He can also feel the uncomfortable heat of a fever creeping back in, his skin prickling and hot but chilled at the same time.
When he starts shivering under the blankets, he decides it’s time to get up and find some medicine.
He takes his medicine with water, and then sticks a fever patch on his forehead. The cool relief is almost too cold, and he starts shivering again until he puts on a hoodie and climbs back into bed. Everyone else is out of the house except for him, and although he has a weird longing in his chest for the other members, it is nice to get some quiet time alone.
If only he was feeling well enough to take advantage of it. He tries to work on a song for all of five minutes before he gives up– he keeps having to pause to sneeze or blow his nose or take a sip of water, and it’s way too many interruptions. Even though it pains him to skip out on writing, he decides it will be best if he’s able to get some more rest first.
Setting his laptop and notebook aside, he slides down in bed and tugs the blanket up to his chin. Immediately, he’s uncomfortable again, but with the sound of his own congested breathing as a lullaby, Yoongi starts to fall back asleep.
*
“I wanna go swimming, swimming, swimming!”
Yoongi opens his eyes. He’s been half-asleep for a half hour, waiting for the fever reducers to kick in and knock out the ache that’s lingering in the back of his throat and the throbbing in his temples. As far as he’s aware, he’s all alone in the house for the next four hours.
But unless he’s already asleep and having some strange fever-dream about Jungkook singing, he might not actually be alone.
“Swim swim swiiiim. Swiiiiim-iiiiiing!”
Yeah, that’s definitely Jungkook. Yoongi has to hand it to him– he sounds like a damn superstar even when he’s singing a silly made-up song about swimming.
If only he’d be a little quieter about it.
“I really really, really really, really wanna go swimming!”
He can hear Jungkook getting closer and closer, louder and louder.
“Jungkook!” Yoongi barks out hoarsely, wincing at the sting in his throat.
The singing stops. There are footsteps, and then Jungkook opens the door and peeks in.
“Sorry, hyung,” he whispers. “I thought I was alone.”
“I thought I was alone,” Yoongi croaks. “Uh, you don’t have to stop, but could you just keep it down a little?”
Nodding, Jungkook shuffles halfway past the doorway, like he wants to come into the room but is trying to hold himself back. Yoongi sees that he’s just wearing his swim shorts and his skin is glistening with sunscreen.
“I’m gonna go swimming.”
Yoongi smiles. “Have fun.”
“Hyung, you should come swim in the pool with me.”
“Oh.” Yoongi drags his hand down his face. “Uh. I’m still not feeling well, so…”
“I know. That’s why you should come!”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Mm hmm. The water is nice and cool and it’s all shaded back there right now. You can get fresh air, and exercise, and it’ll be really nice.”
“Well.” Yoongi reluctantly sits up. His head starts pounding at the change in position. “I don’t have swim shorts.”
“Okay.”
Without another word, Jungkook turns and strides out of the room. Less than a minute later, he returns holding a pair of pink swim shorts.
“These are Jin-hyung’s, but you can borrow them.”
“I dunno, Kook. I think I have a bit of a fever right now and the medicine hasn’t kicked in yet, and–”
“Okay.”
Once again, Jungkook turns on his heel and bounds away. This time, when he comes back into the room, he’s holding a small zippered pouch. The pink swim shorts are still over his arm, and he sets them on the bed before reaching into his pouch to pull out, to Yoongi’s immense surprise, a thermometer.
“Where did you get a thermometer?”
“I brought it,” Jungkook replies, climbing onto the bed with him.
“It’s…yours? Like from home? Why did you bring it?”
“It’s always in my travel bag. Okay, look this way, I think I have to…” Jungkook trails off, squinting down at the thermometer. “It’s like, digital, and you put this part…” Looking back up at Yoongi, he frowns. “Well, I’m not actually sure how to use this.”
Yoongi snorts in amusement. “That part goes under my tongue,” he explains, reaching over to click the button to turn it on.
“Yeah,” Jungkook nods. “Right. So, just put this under your tongue…”
Yoongi fights back a smile and opens his mouth, and Jungkook very gently slides the tip of the thermometer past his lips and under his tongue, his face scrunched up in concentration.
They wait in silence until the thermometer beeps. Yoongi desperately wishes he could sleep now, but there’s also a small part of him that’s happy to have Jungkook’s company. He always enjoys spending time with their youngest, even when he’s feeling like shit.
“You were right,” Jungkook says after he takes the thermometer out of Yoongi’s mouth. “You have a fever. Right?” He checks, tipping the display screen so that Yoongi can see it.
“Yep.”
“But you already took medicine?”
“I did. Why don’t you go put that away and wash your hands?”
Jungkook nods and takes the thermometer back to his room.
Yoongi doesn’t lie back down just yet. He eyes the pink swim shorts and sighs, massaging the bridge of his nose.
When Jungkook returns, he’s typing away on his phone.
“What’s up?” Yoongi asks when he comes straight back over to the bed and sits down.
“I’m searching to see if it’s bad to go swimming with a fever. Or maybe I should text Namjoonie-hyungie?”
“No!” Yoongi yelps, holding up his hand. “Don’t text Joon. Please.”
Jungkook nods and types some more.
Yoongi waits, and tries to gauge whether his headache is going away soon or not.
“Ahhh,” Jungkook murmurs after a minute of scrolling on his phone, sounding disappointed. “Okay, hyung. I guess you should, um, get some rest.” He turns his phone off and stands, lips pushing out into a pout.
Yoongi clears his throat. “Does the internet say it's bad to go swimming with a fever?” He guesses.
Jungkook nods sadly. “That’s okay. I don’t mind swimming alone.”
He turns to leave, slowly grabbing the pink swim shorts off the bed.
“Wait,” Yoongi says before he can get too far. “What does it say about just sitting on the edge of the pool and putting my feet in? That can’t be too bad, right?”
“Right!” Jungkook exclaims. “I mean, I can look it up, if you want–”
“No, it’s okay,” Yoongi laughs hoarsely. “I’ll come out for a little bit with you. Just go easy on hyung, okay?”
“Okay!”
Jungkook goes off to grab towels and water bottles while Yoongi changes into the swim shorts. He also changes from his t-shirt and hoodie into a long sleeved t-shirt, and then grabs his hat and sunglasses.
Before he heads out, he grabs a tissue to blow his nose. The skin beneath his nostrils is raw and slightly chapped, and the tissue stings as he presses it against his face, but it still beats having his nose running sporadically like it’s been doing all day when he doesn’t blow his nose often enough.
Thankfully, Jungkook is right about the shade. It feels nice in the courtyard despite how hot it is outside. Yoongi lowers himself down and sits at the edge of the pool, letting his feet submerge in the cool water. Shivering slightly at the temperature, he turns his hat backwards and leans back on his hands, watching Jungkook jump into the pool with a splash.
He sits there in silence while Jungkook paddles around the pool like an overexcited puppy. Each time he does something impressive, like swim a particularly fast lap or do a handstand underwater, he looks over to make sure Yoongi is watching.
And Yoongi is. He’s watching every move with a dumbass grin on his face, his cheeks hurting from smiling. He feels like a proud appa.
“Did you see that cannonball, hyung?” Jungkook asks, swimming right up to Yoongi and slotting himself between his legs.
“Mm hmm. You splashed me all the way over here,” he replies, feigning annoyance.
Jungkook scrunches up his nose. “Should I do a backflip into the pool?”
“Is that safe?”
“It is if I do it in the deep end. I do it all the time,” Jungkook assures him, but he’s still peering up at Yoongi like he’s asking permission.
“Okay. Sure.”
Jungkook turns around, dives under the water, and swims all the way down to the other end of the pool. When he gets out, he stands with his toes on the edge and gives Yoongi a thumbs up.
Yoongi tenses up as he watches Jungkook turn around and crouch down. Now that he’s thinking about it, he’s already seen Jungkook do a backflip into the pool, but there’s still something about watching him now that makes him feel nervous.
Without hesitation, Jungkook throws himself backward, executing a perfect backflip and entering the water with a splash. Yoongi’s stomach clenches as he waits for him to come back up– which he does right away, but he’s spluttering and coughing.
“Oww,” he yelps in between coughs, his eyes squeezed shut and arms flailing.
“Shit.” Yoongi gets up way too fast. A wave of dizziness hits him but he pushes through it so he can jog around the side of the pool. Somehow, he doesn’t slip and fall, and he makes it over to where Jungkook is now clinging to the side.
“Jungkook! What happened?”
“Ahhgggh,” Jungkook wails, one hand held over his face.
“Jungkook, fuck. Are you hurt? Can you get out?”
Yoongi reaches for the hem of his shirt, wondering if he’ll need to jump in or if he can haul Jungkook up from here.
“I got water up my nose,” Jungkook cries out.
Yoongi has his shirt halfway off before he registers his words.
“Water up–? Shit, I thought you got hurt,” he breathes out, pressing a hand to his chest. He sits down heavily, closing his eyes as another wave of dizziness hits.
“I am hurt!” Jungkook argues. He moans, and then lets out a dramatically loud, wet-sounding sneeze.
Taking off his hat and sunglasses, Yoongi runs his fingers through his hair. Now that he’s sitting, he feels a lot better, but his heart is still thundering in his chest.
Jungkook pinches the bridge of his nose and hoists himself out of the pool with one arm. He hurries over to where their towels are, grabbing one and burying his face into it. Yoongi sighs, then pushes himself back up and follows him over– there’s something weird in his chest that’s making him not want to be too far away from Jungkook. As soon as he’s there, he sinks into a lounge chair.
“Owww.”
“Must have been a lot of water,” Yoongi comments, biting his lip. “You gonna be okay?”
“Just sneeze a couple more times, you’ll be good,” Yoongi advises, torn between worry and laughter as Jungkook blinks rapidly and paws at his nose.
Snorting into the towel, Jungkook peeks at him over the fabric. He stills, closing his eyes and tilting his head back, and Yoongi does actually laugh when he realizes that Jungkook looks like he’s actually trying to will himself to sneeze.
It doesn’t happen right away, but after a moment Jungkook begins to pace back and forth, and then he abruptly bends at the waist and sneezes three times in a row. He straightens up again, sniffles, whines, and then finishes it all off by blowing his nose straight into the towel.
“Gross. Feel better?”
Jungkook sniffs. Snorts again. He tosses the towel on to the ground.
“Ugh,” he groans, sounding slightly congested but in much better spirits. “Yeah, that’s a lot better now.”
“You scared me so bad,” Yoongi says weakly, covering his eyes with his forearms.
“I’m sorry, hyung. But did you see my backflip?”
“Mm hmm. Very impressive.”
Sniffling wetly, Jungkook plops down onto the lounge chair next to Yoongi.
“Go get some tissues,” Yoongi murmurs as he listens to the sound of Jungkook rubbing his nose.
The chair squeaks as Jungkook leaps up, and his feet slap against the concrete. He returns quickly, and Yoongi startles when he feels something being set onto his stomach. Cracking open one eye, he sees Jungkook standing directly above him, grinning down at him.
“Tissues!”
“I meant for you. Blow your nose properly,” Yoongi huffs, plucking a tissue from the box and holding it out to him.
Jungkook takes the tissue and lifts it to his face.
Well, since the tissues are out here now…Yoongi grabs a couple of them from the box for himself, blowing his nose softly. The pressure sends a pulsing wave of pain throughout his head, but as soon as he’s done it dulls again. He shoves the used tissues into the pocket of Jin’s swim shorts and closes his eyes again, resting his arm over his eyes once more.
There’s a beat of silence. “You feeling okay, hyung? Want to go back inside?”
Yoongi feels a cold, wet hand against his forehead. He moves his arm away from his face but doesn’t open his eyes.
“Whatever you want to do,” he murmurs.
Jungkook removes his hand. Yoongi hears him sniffle. “Okay.”
About three seconds later, there’s a splashing noise and Yoongi opens his eyes to see that Jungkook is back in the pool.
“This kid,” he mutters, his voice gravelly.
Yoongi leans over and grabs a water bottle. He twists the cap off and drinks half of it down. The cold water feels amazing on his throat, and he remembers that he hasn’t had nearly enough water yet today, so he finishes off the rest of the bottle.
Coming down off his adrenaline rush is making him feel sleepy, but drinking water makes him feel slightly less shitty overall. Slowly, Yoongi stands again. He grabs the second bottle of water and goes back to his spot by the shallow end and sits down.
For the next thirty minutes or so, Jungkook swims around in the shallow end, like he’s purposefully sticking close to Yoongi. He spends ten of those minutes hanging onto the edge of the pool and yapping while Yoongi lazily kicks his feet up and down, making tiny splashes.
“Hey!” A voice suddenly rings out, made sharper by the echo in the courtyard.
Both Yoongi and Jungkook startle slightly. They turn to see Namjoon striding across the courtyard. Goosebumps immediately break out all over Yoongi’s skin at Namjoon’s tone.
“You’re too sick to be out here swimming.”
“He’s not swimming,” Jungkook pouts defensively. “He’s just sitting there. We researched if it’s okay.”
“You researched if what’s okay?” Namjoon asks, his hands on his hips as he comes to a stop in front of Yoongi.
“If it’s okay to swim with a fever,” Jungkook replies. “And it’s not, so hyung is only putting his feet in the water.”
Namjoon crouches down and presses the back of his hand to Yoongi’s forehead. “You have a fever again?” He asks quietly, expression softening.
“Had a fever. Barely. I took a fever reducer. And that’s why I’m not actually swimming. So you can stop that worrying right now, Joon.”
Jungkook giggles. “Yeah, right. He won’t.”
“Are you wearing Jin-hyung’s swim shorts?” Namjoon asks, eyeing the pink fabric.
“Yep. I don’t have any of my own.” Yoongi reaches for his bottle of water, which he’s been sipping on, and takes a long drink.
Jungkook pushes off the wall, floating on his back. “Hey, Namjoonie-hyungie!” He shouts. “Wanna see me do a backflip into the pool?”
“Can you tell him no?” Yoongi hisses under his breath. “My heart can’t handle that again.”
Namjoon raises an eyebrow. “What happened?”
“Nothing bad,” Yoongi quickly replies, letting out a long sigh. “Just…we should probably head inside. We’ve been out here for a while.”
“Hey, Kookie!” Namjoon calls out. “You hungry?”
Immediately, Jungkook changes direction, ducking underwater to swim back towards them.
“Here.” Yoongi tosses Jungkook the extra towel after he gets out, pointing to the one on the ground behind where Namjoon is standing. “You gotta carry that one, too.”
Namjoon turns and starts to bend down to pick it up, but Yoongi and Jungkook simultaneously shout, “Wait!”
“Don’t touch that towel,” Yoongi warns.
Jungkook scrambles over to scoop the towel up into his arms while Namjoon looks between them both in confusion.
“You don’t want to know,” Yoongi chuckles. “Trust me.”
“Okay…”
The three of them head toward the kitchen together, with Jungkook eagerly leading the way.
“You sure you’re doing okay?” Namjoon asks quietly, sliding an arm around Yoongi’s shoulder. “I thought you’d just be sleeping all day.”
“Yeah. It was nice to get some fresh air. I’m definitely going to go take a nap in like ten minutes though.”
“Go now,” Namjoon says as they reach the dining room. “I can bring you something to eat.”
Yoongi agrees, only because he’s feeling even more sleepy now and he’d really like to change back into his pajama pants as soon as possible. He pulls his hoodie back on too, and then sits down on the edge of the bed, swallowing back a yawn.
To Yoongi’s surprise, it’s not Namjoon who brings him a snack, but Jungkook.
“Here, hyung. Namjoonie-hyungie had to take a phone call.” Jungkook sets a bowl filled with tangerine segments, a cold bottle of water, and a Twinkie down on his bedside table.
“Thanks,” Yoongi smiles.
“Did you know Namjoonie-hyungie came home early because he was worried about you?” Jungkook tells him with a smirk. He sits down on the edge of the bed next to Yoongi.
Rolling his eyes, Yoongi picks up a piece of tangerine and pops it into his mouth. “What’s new?”
There’s a soft knock on the door. Namjoon pokes his head into the room.
“Hey. Sorry, I had to take a call. You need anything else?”
Yoongi shakes his head and reaches for a tissue. He’s starting to get congested again now that they’re back inside. He blows his nose and grabs another tangerine segment.
Namjoon glances at the bedside table. “You’re eating a Twinkie?”
“Oh. That’s for me.” Jungkook grabs the Twinkie and starts to unwrap it. “Thanks for swimming with me, hyung. Rest well!” He jumps up from the bed and leaves, already shoving half of the Twinkie into his mouth.
“I fuckin’ love that kid,” Yoongi mutters around another yawn.
“He’s pretty special,” Namjoon agrees.
“Okay. You don’t have an audience anymore. Do your fussing so I can go to sleep.”
Huffing out a breath in protest, Namjoon crosses his arms. “Sorry that I’m worried about you when you’re sick with a fever.” He uncrosses his arms and reaches for the blanket. “Scoot over. I could use a nap, too.”
Yoongi rolls over to the far side of the bed, sliding one arm under his pillow. Namjoon climbs in next to him, curling up against his back. He’s warm, and Yoongi falls asleep within minutes, drifting off to the steady sound of Namjoon’s breathing.
*
Namjoon wakes to Yoongi’s arm over his chest. For a moment, he has absolutely no clue where he is, but then he turns his head and looks at Yoongi’s sleeping face and realizes he must have fallen asleep shortly after he’d gotten into bed with him for a nap.
Slowly, he presses his hand to Yoongi’s forehead. It’s warm, but not worryingly hot, so Namjoon doesn’t worry about him being feverish.
Untangling himself from Yoongi’s hold, Namjoon slides out of the bed. He feels almost refreshed after sleeping, and while he knows that napping is exactly what he’s not supposed to do when he’s been struggling with insomnia, he’s too grateful that he was actually able to sleep.
The rest of the house is quiet. Namjoon heads towards the kitchen so he can grab some water. As soon as he reaches the dining room, though, a sudden tickle in his sinuses takes him completely by surprise and stops him in his tracks. It’s almost like something is physically in his nose– a fluttery, itchy sensation. For a horrifying, brief moment, he wonders if there’s a tiny bug or something up his nose, but then he sneezes, barely cupping his hands over his mouth and nose in time to catch it.
Behind him, someone gasps. “Did you just sneeze?”
Namjoon turns around. Seokjin and Hoseok are standing there, staring at him.
“Um.” Namjoon discreetly checks his hands– no bug, thankfully– and wipes his palms on his shorts. “No. I mean, yes, but–”
Seokjin and Hoseok exchange a glance.
“What? I’m not allowed to sneeze?”
“Are you getting sick?” Hoseok asks, staying where he is while Seokjin takes a step forward.
“Why does your voice sound so deep?” Seokjin is eyeing him suspiciously.
“I just woke up,” Namjoon explains, feeling defensive. “I was taking a nap with Yoongi–”
“A nap? With Yoongi?” Hoseok practically screeches, equally suspicious. To Seokjin, Hoseok says, “They’ve been way too touchy with each other. No wonder he’s catching whatever Yoongi has.”
Namjoon’s jaw drops. He feels as if he’s being scolded by his parents.
“I’m not catching anything!” he protests. “And I haven’t been too touchy with anyone!”
“You’ve been touchy with everyone,” Seokjin chuckles, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder.
From somewhere else nearby, Jimin sneezes three times in a row, the sound quiet but distinct as it echoes throughout the house.
“Aww,” Hoseok coos. He calls out, “Bless you, Jiminie!”
Namjoon scoffs. “What? Are you serious? Aren’t you going to go ask Jimin if he’s sick?”
Hoseok shakes his head. “Jimin is allowed to sneeze randomly. You? You don’t sneeze randomly.”
“Well, it was random. I’m not sick. I’m not getting sick.”
Seokjin and Hoseok stare at him for a minute. Then, Seokjin points a finger in Namjoon’s face, his eyes narrowing.
“I’m keeping my eye on you, Kim Namjoon. One more sneeze and you’re getting checked out.”
“How many more sneezes is Jimin allowed?” Namjoon mutters, but Seokjin and Hoseok have already moved on, continuing on their way without another glance behind them.
*
“I found a place by the beach,” Jimin says, holding out his phone. “They have outdoor seating, and no reservations needed.”
“Let me check out the menu.” Namjoon pulls up the restaurant on his own phone, tilting his screen so Jungkook and Hoseok can see too.
“I think we’re all free tonight,” Hosoek says. “We should definitely go here. Should I check with Yoongi?”
“Check with me about wh–?”
“Ahh!” Hoseok yelps, spinning around to see Yoongi standing behind him, holding a tissue to his nose.
“Sorry.” Yoongi gives a sheepish smile and tucks the tissue into his pocket. His nose is a little pink and his voice is hoarse, and Namjoon is pretty sure by the way his hair is sticking out on one side that he just woke up from his nap.
“We’re trying to figure out dinner tonight. How are you feeling?”
“I’m…feeling pretty good, all things considered,” Yoongi responds. He sniffles. “I’m ready to be over this cold, honestly.”
“Yeah, I bet,” Seokjin coos. Without even seeming to realize it, he’s stepped closer and is carding his fingers through Yoongi’s disheveled hair.
“We found a restaurant, hyung,” Jimin tells Yoongi. “Right on the beach, and it’s outdoor seating. I’ll text you the menu.”
Yoongi grabs his phone and they all move into the living room. Namjoon likes it in there because it’s so massive they can all spread out, but currently they all pile around Yoongi on the sectional and watch him scroll through the menu.
“This looks great,” he murmurs.
“Hyung is only looking at the dessert menu,” Jungkook giggles as he looks over Yoongi’s shoulder.
“I looked at the soup menu first,” Yoongi smiles.
“Are you sure you’re feeling up to it?” Namjoon asks. “We can still go here together another time.”
“I’m sure. I’ve been sleeping all day. And no more fever.”
Seokjin’s hands go to his hips. “How can you be sure, though? With no thermometer to check?”
“I have a thermometer!” Jungkook says. “Should I go grab it?”
“You– what?” Seokjin turns to Jungkook, his eyebrows shooting up. “Since when?”
“No, Kook. Don’t need it,” Yoongi interrupts. “And I just know. I can tell. Last night, I could feel that I had a fever without needing a thermometer to check the number.”
“It probably wasn’t even above a fever-level anyway,” Namjoon muses.
“Exactly. Just had a slightly elevated body temperature last night,” Yoongi shrugs. “It’s just a cold, I’m really fine.”
“You’ve never gotten a fever with a cold before,” Taehyung points out.
“He did that one time,” Jimin interjects. “When he and Jungkook and Hoseok were in bed for like three days straight? But we thought Yoongi-hyung was gonna have to go to the hospital.”
“That was the flu, not a cold,” Hoseok reminds him. “But yeah, that sucked.”
“Okay.” Yoongi sniffles. “Well, if we’re done discussing my body temperature, and if I’m still invited to dinner…”
“Of course you are,” Hoseok insists.
“I should probably take a quick shower first though. I’ll be back down in twenty minutes?"
Namjoon rubs Yoongi’s shoulder. “Take your time, we’re not in any rush.”
Yoongi nods and heads back upstairs. They all disperse to get ready for dinner. Namjoon doesn’t bother changing, since the restaurant is casual attire. He makes sure his phone is charged and grabs his sunglasses and wallet and a hat for later on– it’s been getting chilly when the sun goes down.
As he’s getting his stuff, Seokjin sidles up to him. “How are you feeling?” He asks, his voice soft.
“I’m fine,” Namjoon huffs. When he looks over at Seokjin, he sees the concern all over his face.
“Hyung, really. I feel fine.”
Seokjin tilts his head to one side. “You’ll let us know if that changes?”
“Yes, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay. Good. Thank you, Joonie.” He smiles. “Well, I better go change for dinner.”
They all gather by the front door a half hour later. The restaurant is only a kilometer or so away from the house so they decide to walk there.
“C’mon. Let’s go!” Hoseok hooks his arm through Yoongi’s and they start walking, trailed closely behind by the other five.
The spot that Jimin has picked for dinner is just down the beach from their usual hang out spot. They’re seated right away and served water in their glasses along with two extra pitchers of ice water.
Yoongi drinks down his entire first glass before they even order food. Namjoon isn’t sure if it’s because he’s genuinely that thirsty, or because he already knows Seokjin will nag him to stay hydrated.
“Here, let me pour you some more water,” Hoseok says, reaching for the pitcher of water and Yoongi’s glass to refill it.
“I have tissues if you need any, hyung,” Jungkook says, reaching into his hoodie pocket to pull out a small travel-size pack.
“If anyone gets cold, you can borrow my sweatshirt.” Taehyung, wearing just a tank top, pats the sweatshirt that’s draped over the back of his chair with a pointed look in Yoongi’s direction.
“You just want to show off your biceps,” Yoongi snorts.
“He’ll be shirtless after dinner, just wait,” Jimin teases, reaching over to playfully pinch Taehyung’s arm.
It takes almost no time for them to decide what to order– and they order a lot. Far too much for seven people, but they’ll end up finishing it all without a problem.
Dinner is amazing. The food is great, and they spend a couple of hours chatting and laughing. Namjoon’s cheeks hurt from how much he’s smiling. Sure enough, they finish all of the food and end up ordering dessert too.
“That was so good.” Jungkook rubs his belly. “I want to come back here.”
“I’m never getting over the sunset here,” Jimin sighs, staring out at the ocean. “It’s so pretty.”
“How long have we been here? The sun is already going down?” Namjoon checks his watch, then turns to Yoongi. “Are you still warm enough?”
Yoongi nods, smirking at the question because it’s been hot all day.
“Ah, sorry,” Namjoon chuckles. Yoongi is already wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a hat. “But later, if you’re not, let me know?”
“How are you feeling, Yoongs?” Seokjin asks as they stand to leave. “Should we head straight home?”
“No, I’m doing great,” Yoongi responds.
His voice sounds terrible– he’s clearly very congested, and he’s probably on his way to losing his voice– but Namjoon believes him because his smile is back and he’s staring at the sunset with the same dreamy expression that Jimin has and he’s been keeping up with conversation the whole meal.
“Let’s go down on the beach then,” Namjoon suggests. He leads everyone down the sidewalk to the beach access.
“Hey, Kook,” Yoongi says to Jungkook. “Can I get one of those tissues now, please?”
Jungkook hands him the whole pack. “Of course, hyung, they’re all yours! Let me know if you need more!”
Taehyung bursts into laughter. “How many more do you have on you?” He asks, reaching for Jungkook’s pockets to pat him down. “Why did you bring so many?”
Jungkook dodges him and pouts. “They’re for Yoongi-hyung!”
Yoongi, who’s already blowing his nose, watches the two of them bicker with a fond smile.
Namjoon wraps his arm around Yoongi’s shoulder. He has to– he hasn’t been nearly close enough for the past few hours. He keeps his arm there as they meander down the beach, steering them closer to the wet sand. Seokjin, Hoseok and Jimin take off their shoes and walk where the water meets the shore to dip their toes in.
Taehyung and Jungkook are still messing around, chasing after each other and laughing loudly.
“Come back here, Jungkookie!”
“No! You have to catch me first!”
“He sure loves to be chased,” Namjoon laughs fondly.
“And Taehyungie loves to chase him.”
It doesn’t take long for Taehyung and Jungkook to rope the other three into their shenanigans. They shed their shoes and their jackets into a pile in the sand and race towards the water. Seokjin runs back to add his and Hoseok’s phones to the pile so they don’t get wet, cackling all the way back to the water.
Yoongi nudges Namjoon in the direction of the ocean.
“Go,” he says softly. “I know you want to.”
“Nah. The water is probably freezing.”
They listen to Seokjin shrieking as Taehyung climbs into his back. Jimin has lost his shirt at some point.
Namjoon is grinning wide, watching them, happiness fluttering in his chest.
“Go,” Yoongi repeats.
They watch the sun setting. Yoongi pulls another tissue from his pocket and blows his nose again.
“Go play.” Yoongi’s hand is between his shoulder blades, urging him forward.
So, Namjoon kicks off his shoes and runs down the sand to join the others. His feet burn when they hit the cold water and he jogs backward a few steps with a gasp.
“Watch out, hyung!” Jungkook yells from somewhere to his right.
Namjoon turns just in time to see Taehyung barrelling towards him with a huge grin on his face. He turns his back, and Taehyung jumps onto him, arms clinging around his neck.
“Run, hyung! Run!”
Namjoon doesn’t question it. He just runs. Taehyung is heavy on his back, but the sound of him laughing hysterically in his ear spurs Namjoon on. He slows to a jog after a couple of seconds, until he turns his head to see Jungkook has caught up and is sprinting parallel to them.
“Fuck, he’s fast!”
“Faster! You have to go faster than him!” Taehyung yells.
Namjoon veers to his right– and ends up calf-deep in the water within a few seconds. A wave crashes against his legs and he loses his footing, and both he and Taehyung go down.
There’s a huge splash as they land in the ocean. Namjoon is grateful that Taehyung releases his grip at the last minute and jumps so he’s not landing on top of Namjoon– the last thing they need is to get injured playing around like this.
Taehyung is laughing hard, kneeling in the water. Each time a wave comes in it almost drags him sideways, and he ends up laughing even harder.
“Me next, hyung!” Jungkook hollers before Namjoon can really recover.
Tomorrow, Namjoon is going to be so sore. So sore. His back is already aching from the impromptu piggy-back ride.
But tonight, he doesn’t give a shit. Not when he has Jungkook digging his heels into his side, prodding him to go faster, and Taehyung hot on their heels. Not when Hoseok and Jimin are falling over each other laughing as they watch. Not with Seokjin standing with his hands on his hips, yelling at them to be careful.
Yoongi is still standing farther up the beach. When Namjoon turns to look, he sees Yoongi watching, his arms crossed over his chest. His shoulders are moving up and down in soft laughter.
Eventually, his body starts to give up. He hears Jungkook screeching his protests in his ears as he slows down, and then comes to a stop, panting hard.
Jungkook slides off his back and flops onto the sand, giggling maniacally. With a loud groan, Namjoon sinks to the ground next to him, still trying to catch his breath.
Surprisingly, Yoongi reaches them first. Then comes Seokjin, carrying the pile of sweatshirts and sandals.
Taehyung pulls Jungkook up off the ground and latches onto his back. Both of them are soaking wet.
When Jimin and Hoseok come over, the six of them stand around Namjoon like a circle of bodyguards. They’re all in varying states of wetness, save for Yoongi, and half of them are covered in sand.
“Do you want help getting up?” Yoongi asks, staring down at Namjoon.
He shakes his head. “Nah. I’m staying down here for a while.”
“You’re not hurt, right?” Seokjin worries.
“I’m fine.” Namjoon waves a hand dismissively. “Just trying to catch my breath. Did you see how much I just ran?”
“I think you ran like, twenty meters,” Jimin giggles. “It wasn’t that far.”
“I was carrying those two on my back!” Namjoon protests weakly.
“I’ll carry you back, if you need me to,” Jungkook offers generously. “Even though you’re way heavier than me.”
Namjoon huffs out a weak laugh. He looks up at the circle of faces surrounding him, backlit by the sunset. It’s not the most comfortable place, lying here in the wet sand, but damn if he doesn’t want to stay here for just a few more minutes, to soak it all in.
“Let’s take a selca before we leave,” Hoseok suggests.
Taehyung and Jungkook help Namjoon up off the ground.
They find a good spot, where there aren’t any other beachgoers. Jungkook pulls out his phone and gets them all into frame.
It’s not just one picture. It’s probably at least twenty.
“Jungkook-ah, turn the camera so the sun isn’t right behind us.”
“Wait, my hair isn’t right!”
“Hey, you’re blocking my head, Tae!”
They try different angles, different poses. One of them will be picture-perfect for Hoseok’s social media. One of them always is.
Namjoon likes the one where he’s in the back with his arms stretched out wide, three members tucked under his right arm and the other three tucked under his left.
Yoongi sniffles congestedly and tells him he looks like a pimp from behind a tissue.
Taehyung tells him he looks like a proud appa.
Namjoon knows he’ll look back at the picture and remember fondly their time here in Malibu, and that he’ll never forget the scent of the salty air and the constant sound of the crashing waves, and the way they spent their nights together watching the setting sun.
Summary: The group is traveling in Argentina’s northern Patagonia region filming a winter season of Bon Voyage. One by one, they all succumb to the same cold. At first, they continue to do all of their planned activities despite feeling unwell, but they end up cancelling everything at the end of their trip so they can relax and recover in their cozy cabin.
A/N: Commission fic (3/3) for mi amigaaa <3
A/N 2: This was originally going to be posted in December so just imagine the winter vibes 😁
A/N 3: Taehyung is learning and speaking Spanish (Argentine) in this fic; errors in grammar/vocabulary are intentional.
Living with six other people means that certain spaces get naturally divided up; preferred spots on the sofa are claimed, bathroom drawers allocated equally, and everyone has a designated seat at the dining room table.
Currently, Jimin is sitting in Yoongi’s chair at the table instead of his own. It doesn’t feel right, but it’s the only seat that gives him the perfect view of the front door– or more accurately, the pile of suitcases next to the front door.
They’re set to leave for South America in the very early hours of the next morning, so Jimin is keeping track of whose suitcases have made it to the door already and whose they’re still waiting on. The reason he’s doing it isn’t because he’s in charge of them, but because he has an ongoing bet with Taehyung on who will be the last to bring their suitcase out.
Jimin has, in his opinion, a pretty safe pick for the bet. After living with all of the members for as long as he has, he has a good read on how everyone prepares for a trip. Jungkook, for example, is a huge procrastinator when it comes to packing, so Jungkook was his immediate choice for their bet. Taehyung, on the other hand, had seemingly randomly picked Namjoon, which had made Jimin cackle until he realized Taehyung was completely serious; by that point, Taehyung had already started pouting and didn’t talk to Jimin for the next two hours after that.
Even though he and Taehyung easily made up, Jimin is certain he’s going to win. Jungkook is a procrastinator through and through. Jimin knows he can count on that. And, Jimin also knows it’s their fault Jungkook is like this– them being the group and the staff– because Jungkook’s never had any actual, real pressure to pack fully for himself within a certain timeframe.
Jimin is certainly not looking to change that.
What Jimin will inevitably do, however, is end up helping the maknae of the group pack when they’ve only got a few hours left before they have to leave for the airport. He’ll happily remind Jungkook of what to bring, and just as happily lend him anything he forgets on their trip. All of the members enable Jungkook, but Jimin especially loves enabling their precious maknae.
And also, he wins the bet if Jungkook is the last to bring his suitcase to the front door.
Really, it’s a win-win, for both himself and for Jungkook. And a loss for Taehyung, but Jimin’s been dealing with Taehyung-losses for a decade now and is well versed in the art of consoling his sweet, loser soulmate.
*
Jimin doesn’t expect Jungkook’s procrastination to get to this point, however.
He’s been sitting at the dining room table– in Yoongi’s chair– for quite some time when he realizes he hasn’t even seen Jungkook in several hours.
Jungkook had barely made an appearance at dinner earlier, looking sleepy and completely swamped in a hoodie three sizes too big. Since then, he’s been hiding away in his room, and Jimin hasn’t dared moving from his lookout spot to check in on him.
After Seokjin wheels his suitcase out, Jimin realizes there’s only one suitcase missing. With a happy little wiggle, he stands from his chair and practically skips down the hall toward Jungkook’s room.
“Jungkookie?” Jimin knocks on the door, then twists the doorknob when there’s no answer.
To his surprise, the room is dark inside. A second later, he sees why– Jungkook is in bed, sound asleep. Furthermore, there’s no suitcase in sight.
“Kookie,” Jimin whispers, gently shaking Jungkook by the shoulder. “Kookie? Wake up.”
It takes a moment before the motion wakes Jungkook. As soon as his eyes flutter open, he starts coughing, stuttering little expulsions that make Jimin jerk back in surprise.
“Whoa,” he murmurs, looking on Jungkook’s nightstand for water. He grabs the water bottle there and holds it out, his free hand carding through Jungkook’s hair. “Hey, drink some water.”
Jungkook sits up just enough to sip from the bottle, then flops back down. Jimin turns the lamp next to his bed on and sits on the edge of his bed, resuming carding his fingers through Jungkook’s hair until Jungkook sniffles and opens both eyes fully.
Jimin has to fight the urge to coo at his adorably sleepy expression. “Sorry,” he apologizes. “But we’re leaving for the airport in like six hours, and you need to pack for the trip still. You can go right back to sleep after, I promise.”
Jungkook coughs again and clears his throat afterward. His voice is raspy when he says, “I think I’m kinda sick.”
Jimin’s eyes widen in alarm. “What? What do you mean, kinda sick?!”
Jungkook rubs his face with both hands before looking back up at Jimin. “Like a cold or something,” he shrugs, his voice hoarse.
“Oh no,” Jimin gasps. He pulls his phone from his pocket and taps out a frantic text, which results in Taehyung appearing in the doorway less than a minute later.
“What’s the emergency?” Taehyung asks, looking back and forth between Jimin and Jungkook.
“Go tell Namjoonie-hyung that Jungkook is getting a cold,” Jimin instructs, panic seeping into his voice.
Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. He obeys instantly, running out of the room to go tell their leader the news.
“It’s just a scratchy throat, hyung,” Jungkook mumbles. “I’m fine. But, I didn’t pack my suitcase yet.”
Jimin is already pulling out Jungkook’s suitcase from the closet. “Hyung will pack for you.”
Sitting up in the middle of his bed and wrapping his entire comforter around his shoulders, Jungkook sniffles and nods. “Okay.”
A moment later, Taehyung returns, but he has Yoongi with him instead of Namjoon.
“Hey,” Yoongi greets them, coming into the room with his hands on his hips. “What’s going on?”
“Jungkook is sick, hyung,” Taehyung blurts out. “Sick! We’re supposed to start filming tomorrow!”
Yoongi’s brow furrows. “Well. That’s…hmm. Jungkookie, you’re sick? What’s going on?” He walks over to Jungkook and feels his forehead with the back of his hand.
“I think I’m getting a cold,” Jungkook mumbles, rubbing his nose. “It’s just a scratchy throat, really.”
Sighing, Yoongi brushes his fingers against Jungkook’s cheek, his expression contemplative. “I guess I’ll go get you some medicine. Why aren’t you all sleeping right now?”
“I was,” Jungkook replies with a pout. “But I forgot to pack my suitcase, so Jimin-hyung is helping me.”
Yoongi holds a hand out toward Taehyung. “Come on, Tae. I’m going to get Jungkook some medicine. Will you text the group chat to let everyone know Jungkook has a cold? No need to wake anyone else up, they can read it in the morning. And then go right to sleep, okay?”
Taehyung nods and clings to Yoongi’s hand, letting him pull him out of the room.
While they wait for Yoongi to return with medicine, Jimin continues packing. He carefully folds shirts and makes room for all of the pairs of shoes Jungkook wants to bring. Jungkook, for the most part, is quiet, nodding his head when asked questions and pointing in the direction of his closet while he sniffles into a tissue.
The medicine Yoongi gives Jungkook makes him sleepy– or maybe, it’s Yoongi’s soft command for him to go to bed soon– and he eventually lies down on his side, hands tucked under his cheeks as he struggles to keep his eyes open.
The rest of the house is dark and quiet by the time Jimin is done packing Jungkook’s suitcase. Everyone else is asleep– including Jungkook, who had started to drift off while Jimin packed toiletries. Jimin maneuvers him into a more comfortable position and tucks him in, leaning down to press a kiss to the maknae’s forehead with a fond smile.
Jimin lugs Jungkook’s bags to the front door, moving quietly through the living room. He lines Jungkook’s suitcase up next to the others and sets his carry-on on top of it, and then starts counting bags.
One, two, three, four, five, six…
For some reason, there’s only six suitcases and six carry-ons by the front door. Jimin counts, then double checks, and then goes through them one by one. Namjoon-hyung, check. Jin-hyung, check. Yoongi-hyung, check. Hobi-hyung, check. TaeTae, check. Jungkookie, check.
It takes entirely too long for Jimin to process the information sitting right in front of him.
There’s only one suitcase missing, and it’s– his?
Somehow, he had completely forgotten to bring his own suitcase out.
Jimin runs to his room faster than he’s ever ran in his life. His bare feet thump loudly against the floor but he doesn’t care that it might wake someone up– not when he’s in a hurry.
His suitcase is sitting right at the foot of his bed where he’d left it earlier. He grabs it and wheels it out through the living room, being slightly more mindful of making noise. He then rearranges the suitcases– shoving Seokjin’s aside so he can slot his in next to Hoseok’s where it would have been– and makes sure Jungkook’s suitcase is obviously last, sticking out at the end of the row.
When he’s done, he steps back, counting one final time. Seven suitcases and seven carry-ons. Jimin sighs, suddenly drained of all energy, and uses his sleeve to dab at the sweat on his brow as he quietly shuffles back through the dark living room so he can get a few hours of sleep.
Taehyung will be none the wiser.
*
The trip from Korea to Argentina is very, very, very long. Jimin doesn’t even know what day it is by the time they arrive in Buenos Aires, where they board their last flight headed south to their final destination. He’s almost certain it’s been over twenty-four hours since they left their dorm in Seoul.
By the time they finally step foot out of the airport, it’s dark outside and snow is falling. There’s a rush to get to the van waiting for them, and they all huddle together in the seats, faces stinging from the transition to the warmth inside.
“Is this the only coat you brought?” Seokjin asks Jungkook, tugging on the maknae’s hood. “We need to buy you something warmer.”
Hoseok perks up from the back seat. “Let’s go shopping!”
“It’s 3 a.m. local time, Hoseok-ssi,” their manager says from the driver’s seat. “We’ll head to the hotel now.”
“It’s 3 p.m. at home then,” Yoongi says around a yawn, eyes closed like he’s ready to fall asleep at any moment.
Taehyung, who has taken up learning Spanish in the few weeks before the trip, reads road signs out loud as they pass by and attempts to translate. “La-go Na-hu-el Hu-a-pi– that’s a lake. Pla-ya Bo-ni-ta– that’s a…beach? Ho-tel Fla-min-go– that’s a hotel.”
“Look at that tree!” Hoseok points out, pressing his face against the window. “All of those trees have yarn wrapped around them.”
“Cute,” Jungkook echoes, before coughing roughly beneath his face mask.
“You need a scarf too,” Seokjin tells him, patting his back. “And a hat, and a warmer jacket, and some mittens…”
Namjoon, in the middle of a conversation about tomorrow’s plans with their manager in the front seat, turns around to check on Jungkook when he sneezes loudly. “Bless you, Kook. Feeling okay back there?”
Jungkook nods and dodges Seokjin’s attempt to zip up his coat for him. “M’fine, hyungs.”
“A cold can’t bring our Jungkookie down,” Hoseok quips from the back, reaching up to ruffle Jungkook’s hair, and Jungkook nods vehemently in agreement.
The hotel is a quaint, quiet little place. They pile out of the van and shuffle into the lobby, flopping tiredly onto couches while Namjoon, Taehyung, and their manager check them all in at the front desk.
“¡Muchas gracias!” Taehyung’s voice rings out, a bit too loud for the middle of the night, but no one has the heart nor the energy to scold him.
“Everyone get some sleep,” Namjoon says, handing out room keys. “We’ll check out the town square and do some shopping and sightseeing tomorrow. First thing, bright and early,” he adds.
Jimin stops Jungkook before he goes into his shared room with Namjoon and Hoseok to say goodnight. “Be sure to take some medicine so you can sleep well tonight,” he instructs, hugging the maknae tightly against his chest. “Tae and I will be right next door if you need anything. Good night!”
“Night, hyung,” Jungkook sniffles into Jimin’s shirt, leaning into his warmth for a long minute.
Seokjin and Yoongi have already disappeared into their room across the hall. Jimin gives Jungkook one last squeeze and then releases him, waiting until the hallway is quiet before retreating to his own room to get some much needed sleep.
*
In the morning, the snow has stopped falling and the sun reflects brightly on the layer left behind the night before. Jimin groans when there’s a knock on the door, opening his eyes to a too-bright glare coming through the crack in the flimsy hotel curtains.
“Nooo,” he whines when the knock comes again, and Namjoon’s voice drifts through the door.
“Breakfast in fifteen minutes!”
Jimin and Taehyung manage to make it down to the lobby in seventeen minutes. They’re the first ones there, after Namjoon, who looks physically exhausted but still bright and alert.
“How’s Jungkook doing today?” Jimin asks him, sitting down on a plush armchair.
“He snored all night long,” Namjoon relays. “Hoseok is…a little grumpy about it this morning.”
“Put him with us tonight,” Taehyung offers, but Namjoon shakes his head immediately.
“We don’t need you two getting sick also.”
Jimin doesn’t bother pointing out that anyone rooming with Jungkook has an equal chance at getting sick, and only just a little more so than the rest of them by spending the day with him.
While they wait for the others, the three of them read brochures about the city and all of the different activities.
“Known for its Swiss alpine-style architecture and chocolate…ooh, there’s skiing! And horseback riding. This looks fun,” Namjoon taps a picture of a pair of kayakers. “Look, there’s hiking, too…and all of these restaurants are right here in town.”
By the time all seven of them have finally convened, Namjoon has ten different brochures spread out in front of him.
“I’m sure we’ll be doing just about all of these things,” Seokjin murmurs, looking over the pictures. “Director-nim always plans well.”
Yoongi, stretching his arms up over his head, glances around at everyone. “What are we doing first? Breakfast, or should we check out the–?”
“Coffee,” Hoseok barks out. “Please. Coffee.”
“Breakfast, please,” Jungkook croaks, rubbing his stomach. He’s congested and sleepy looking, his eyelids drooping after every blink. “I’m hungry.”
“There’s coffee at breakfast,” Jimin says before Hoseok can do more than glare in Jungkook’s direction.
They stop at a café on their walk to breakfast. Hoseok gets the largest sized iced Americano and finishes it before Jungkook is done looking at the pastry case.
“Let’s just grab something to eat here,” Yoongi suggests, since only half of them are actually hungry for breakfast.
Jungkook is in charge of picking out pastries. He points at each one in the case, until he has silently ordered a whole bagful that Yoongi pays for out of their shared daily allowance.
They find benches at a nearby park just down the street. Seokjin hands one pastry to each member and gives the remaining ones to Jungkook, who is already halfway through both a croissant and a cheese danish.
“What is everyone here drinking?” Namjoon wonders, looking around at the locals passing around a rounded cup with a metal straw amongst their groups.
“Mate,” Taehyung explains wisely. “Like tea. But different? The South American ARMYs left it as a suggestion but said to be careful because it’s bitter.”
“I didn’t see it on the menu,” Jimin says, tilting his head. “Everyone shares the same drink?”
“It’s not on the menu,” Taehyung replies. “It’s a cultural thing. You share it with friends or family.”
“Cool,” Hoseok murmurs, his mood finally sweetened after consuming caffeine.
Suddenly, Jungkook sneezes wetly, ducking his head at the last minute to aim it into his sleeve.
“No communal mate for us,” Namjoon laughs, passing Jungkook a napkin. “Bless you.”
Seokjin gathers up all of the garbage and tosses it into a conveniently located trash can on the sidewalk. Loaded up with carbs and coffee and fresh air, they continue on their walk toward the town square.
“¡Bienvenido to the Centro Cívico!” Taehyung exclaims in Spanish as they arrive, spinning in a complete circle with his arms stretched out. “The Civic Center.”
“Wow, this place is so cute,” Namjoon says, looking around the square. “It reminds me of Switzerland.”
“Cute,” Jungkook echoes hoarsely from where he’s practically glued to Namjoon’s side.
Namjoon grins and wraps his arm around Jungkook. Jimin has noticed how much the two of them have been sticking together this morning and is willing to bet Namjoon is feeling a bit extra protective over their maknae.
Souvenir shopping comes next.
“Window shopping for now,” their director tells them. “We’ll give you souvenir money on the last day. You have your remaining allowance for a meal later.”
“I’m going to buy a coat for Jungkook with my own money,” Seokjin decides. “Come on, Jungkookie, follow hyung.”
They split up into groups, planning to meet later on to eat. Namjoon goes with Jungkook and Seokjin, Jimin and Yoongi go to look at shoes, and Hoseok and Taehyung head towards the nearest chocolate shop.
In the afternoon, they gather in front of an Argentine restaurant and show off their personal purchases, which is mostly new clothing. Jungkook doesn’t have a new coat but is sporting a cozy-looking knitted wool earflap beanie.
“Feeling okay?” Jimin asks him, tugging on the sides to pull it farther down over Jungkook's head. “You look so cute.”
“Soooo cute,” Taehyung adds with a grin.
“I’m fine,” Jungkook sniffles, his voice muffled by his mask and thick congestion. “Hungry.”
“You’re always hungry,” Jimin chuckles. “You sound so stuffy.”
“Yeah,” Jungkook confirms.
Inside the restaurant, they’re seated at a large table by the window.
“We have to try a recommendation from ARMYs,” Taehyung declares, scanning the menu before pointing to an entrée. “Milanesa con papas fritas.”
“Okay, and what’s that?”
“Milanesa. It's thinly cut meat, breaded and fried. It comes with fries and you can choose a fried egg on top.”
They take count of who wants eggs and who doesn’t, and Taehyung orders in Spanglish: “Three milanesa, no egg. Four milanesa, yes egg. Seven cervezas, por favor. Gracias.”
“Good job,” Jimin praises him as they wait for their food, patting Taehyung’s back.
“I forgot how to count all of a sudden,” Taehyung blushes, ducking his head to hide his pleased smile.
“Well, you still did great.”
For dessert, Taehyung insists they all try flan with dulce de leche– another ARMY recommendation. To everyone’s surprise, however, Jungkook doesn’t eat a single bite of dessert, too sleepy to lift his head from his arms once he’s eaten half of his milanesa. Taehyung and Jimin split his untouched beer.
“Since we have an active day tomorrow, we’ll head back to the hotel for free time. Please rest a lot,” their director instructs. “The day will start at 7 a.m. tomorrow.”
“I’m gonna sleep until one minute before 7 a.m. tomorrow, then,” Jungkook mumbles into his sleeve. “Joonie-hyung, can you carry me back?”
Luckily, there’s a van for them, and Namjoon is saved from having to carry Jungkook to the hotel, but he does indulge Jungkook in a short piggyback ride from the lobby to their room.
Jimin follows them inside and helps Namjoon tuck Jungkook into bed. He presses a kiss to Jungkook’s forehead, and Jungkook is fast asleep before Jimin even leaves the room, snoring away like a chainsaw.
*
Jungkook sleeps past 7 a.m. the next morning. In fact, he, Namjoon and Hoseok are all missing from the hotel lobby at 7:15 a.m., which is when everyone else makes it down. Their director is waiting with news; now, Namjoon and Hoseok are both sick too.
“They’re all getting checked out quickly before we leave. Our activity might be a bit vigorous, and we will be outdoors all day.”
“But they’re okay?” Yoongi asks, his expression of concern mirroring Seokjin’s next to him.
Just then, Jungkook, Namjoon and Hoseok step off the elevator. All three of them are wearing masks and bundled up in coats and hats.
“Director-nim says you’re sick?” Jimin says, rushing to their sides.
Namjoon sighs heavily. “Yeah. Hobi and I have sore throats. Caught Jungkookie’s cold, I guess.” He turns to Jungkook and holds up a finger. “Which he does not need to apologize for,” he reminds Jungkook.
“I’m still sorry,” Jungkook whispers sadly under his breath.
Jimin loops an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder. “Aw, Jungkookie. Do you want to choose a breakfast spot this morning?”
Predictably, Jungkook chooses pastries again. They stop at one of the many cafés near their hotel and get coffee and food, taking it to-go so they can head to their destination about an hour away. Though Namjoon and Hoseok only choose to have hot tea for breakfast, they’re both in good spirits as everyone climbs into the van, squeezing in on either side of Jungkook and watching fondly as he eats a sugar-glazed croissant with gusto.
“Aigo,” Hoseok coos hoarsely, reaching over to pinch Jungkook’s cheek between his fingers. “Did you get enough to eat?”
Jungkook nods, cheeks stuffed. “Mm-hmm.”
“Good.” Hoseok laughs and wipes a crumb from the corner of Jungkook’s mouth. “Not even a cold can ruin our Kookie’s appetite.”
“What are we going to be doing today that’s outdoors?” Jimin wonders, peering out the van window.
“Judging by Director-nim’s expression, one of those things is right,” Yoongi chuckles, peering up at their director in the passenger seat.
Shortly after he finishes his breakfast, Jungkook falls asleep with his head resting on Namjoon’s shoulder. When they arrive, he’s slow to wake, grumbling and sniffling until Taehyung hoists him out of the van by his underarms.
“Wake up,” Taehyung sings, poking Jungkook’s tummy. “Time to be active!”
Despite feeling sleepy, Jungkook is thrilled about their activity for the day.
“I love kayaking!” He exclaims, stifling a yawn against the palm of his hand.
“You’ve never even been kayaking before,” Seokjin snorts, looping an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder.
Jungkook sniffs indignantly. And then sniffs again, pulling a tissue from his pocket. “I still love it.”
They’re given quick kayaking lessons, safety instructions, and water shoes to change into. Jungkook volunteers to go solo, while the others pair up: Jimin with Namjoon, Yoongi with Hoseok, and Seokjin with Taehyung. As they climb into their kayaks, Jungkook’s tips so far to one side that both Namjoon and Jimin yell out in alarm, leaning until their own kayak almost tips over.
“Don’t fall in!” Jimin shouts at Jungkook, waving his paddle around. “You can’t get wet when you’re sick, Jungkookie!”
Jungkook, having recovered from his near mishap quickly, giggles at Jimin’s frantic motions. Something in his expression says he wouldn’t mind falling into the water. He starts to paddle until he catches up to the guide, looking over his shoulder to watch the other six struggle to get moving with a huge grin on his face.
The lake before them is expansive and surrounded by snow-covered mountains, the sky dotted with white clouds above blue-green water.
“Lago Moreno,” Taehyung shouts, holding his paddle up above his head. “¡Muy bonita!”
“Keep going, Tae!” Seokjin shouts back, leaning forward to poke the back of Taehyung’s neck. “Let’s get ahead of Jungkook.”
The next hour is a blur of laughter and splashing water and stunning sights; Seokjin and Taehyung race Jungkook– who, despite paddling alone and being sick, pulls ahead of them easily. Yoongi and Hoseok lag much farther behind the others, slow but steady. Jimin spends most of his time looking around at the mountains instead of paddling, pointing out scenery and wildlife, while Namjoon does all the work for both of them.
At some point, Jimin sees Namjoon shiver and leans forward to wrap his arms around him from behind. “Are you cold, hyung?”
Namjoon stops paddling for a moment, looking back over his shoulder. “I’m okay, Jiminie. This is really a workout, huh?”
Picking up his paddle quickly, Jimin nods. “Yes! Very tiring. My arms are going to be so sore tomorrow.”
“He’s not even paddling,” Yoongi tattles as he and Hoseok pull up alongside them.
“Are you guys cold, too?” Hoseok asks, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
“Namjoon-hyung is,” Jimin replies. He turns to Yoongi. “Hyung, we should give them our scarves, since they’re sick.”
Yoongi nods, and he and Jimin take their scarves off, wrapping them around Hoseok and Namjoon’s necks, respectively. Jimin pulls Namjoon’s hat further down over his ears for good measure, while Yoongi leans forward until he can reach Hoseok’s arms, rubbing up and down to create friction.
“Should we turn back?” Yoongi asks Hoseok quietly, after Namjoon and Jimin have started paddling again.
Hoseok hesitates, sniffling. “We’re almost to the halfway point…” He sneezes once, muffling it into the crook of his arm.
“Exactly,” Yoongi replies. “Might as well turn around now and get a head start. We’re the slowest ones anyway, they’ll catch up in no time.”
With another sneeze and a series of sniffles, Hoseok nods in agreement. “Okay. Let’s turn back now.”
It doesn’t take long for the others to reach the halfway point and start heading back. They catch up to Yoongi and Hoseok quickly, with Jungkook perpetually in the lead.
“My arms are going to fall off,” Yoongi groans, but he keeps paddling, encouraged by Jungkook’s joyful laughter up ahead after passing them.
When they finally make it back to the shore, all of them are tired and pink-cheeked, caught between the sweaty warmth of exertion and sniffling against runny noses brought on by the cold air. Fortunately, even with a near-slip when Hoseok is stepping out of his kayak, no one ends up falling into the water.
“I’m so hungry,” Jungkook complains, patting his stomach. “Is there a Korean restaurant around here?”
“I could go for something spicy,” Jimin agrees. “Everything here is…whatever the opposite of spicy is.”
“No picante, por favor,” Taehyung pouts. “I want to try more Argentine food.”
Jungkook pouts right back. “I need to clear my sinuses out. I’m soooo stuffed up.”
Taehyung crosses his arms, but concedes. “Fine. For Jungkook’s sinuses, we can get mucho picante. But someone else gets to choose tomorrow.”
“I have the opposite problem,” Hoseok sniffles. “I really need a tissue.”
“We have tissues in the van,” Jungkook tells him. “I’ll run ahead and get you some.”
Back at the van, their manager is waiting with paper cups of hot chocolate, blankets, and the promised tissues. The members pile into the seats, slumping tiredly against each other as they chat about their kayaking excursion.
It takes a while for them to find a Korean restaurant nearby, but eventually they’re navigating to town in search of it. Completely spent of all his energy, Jungkook falls asleep again, this time with his head leaning against the window.
“I haven’t had a workout like that in a long time,” Hoseok sighs hoarsely from the back seat before sneezing twice into his wad of tissues.
Jimin nods. “It was a lot of fun. It’s so pretty out there.”
“Muy divertido,” Taehyung agrees, grinning as he looks around at everyone. “Very fun.”
*
Seokjin-hyung is sick, Yoongi texts the group chat early the next morning. Who has the medicine?
Taehyungie is sick too. medicine is with Jungkook, Jimin reports two minutes later.
Everyone gathers in Namjoon, Hoseok and Jungkook’s room shortly after that. With five of them sick now, staff arranges a short visit with the medical team to ensure that everyone is cleared to keep filming and continue on with their vacation.
“Poor TaeTae,” Jimin says, combing his fingers through Taehyung’s hair while he gets his temperature checked.
Taehyung nuzzles into the touch with a sleepy hum. “Don’t worry too much,” he murmurs, clearing his throat softly. “I just hope you and Yoongi-hyung don’t catch it, too.”
“We won’t.”
Jimin can tell the staff are worried about everyone, but after each member insists that they want to keep going, they decide to take the rest of the trip day by day instead of canceling activities ahead of time.
Today, they take another van ride two hours south, to the bottom of a large mountain covered in green trees. The ride is long and filled with coughs and sniffles, and Taehyung practices Spanish out loud until his voice starts cracking and Jimin makes him stop and drink water instead.
“Okay,” Namjoon says once they’ve all gathered in a circle in the parking lot of their destination. “Let’s play rock, paper, scissors to choose teams.”
They play, and end up with three teams: Seokjin and Hoseok are together, Namjoon and Taehyung next, and finally, Jungkook, Jimin and Yoongi.
Their director hands them money and explains the rules. “Each group gets $1.000 pesos per person. You can spend it at the tea house at the top of the hill. It is a thirty minute hike up, but it is very steep,” he warns them. “There is also a chairlift. It’s free to ride it down, but to ride it up the mountain you have to pay.”
Taehyung checks out the sign for the chairlift. “Aerosilla,” he reads, his voice thick with congestion. “Looks kinda…high up, doesn’t it?”
Jimin laughs and wraps an arm around his shoulders. “Does that mean you’re hiking, then?”
Jungkook is the first to decide, “I think we should hike up!”
Jimin nods in agreement, but Yoongi doesn’t look as sure.
The other teams come to a consensus quickly, with Seokjin and Hoseok choosing to ride the chairlift and Namjoon and Taehyung choosing to hike.
“You sure you’ll be okay to hike, Tae?” Seokjin asks, handing Taehyung a tissue before taking one for himself. “Hoseok and I are taking the easy way up if you want to switch teams.”
“I’ll be okay!” Taehyung insists, coughing as soon as he speaks, but he’s grinning wide.
Yoongi shuffles over, eyes on the ground. Before he can say anything, Seokjin and Hoseok exchange a look.
“Actually,” Seokjin says, “Yoongi is going to switch teams. He’s carrying our medicine for us.”
“And our tissues,” Hoseok adds, reaching over to stuff a pack of tissues into Yoongi’s pocket.
Yoongi crosses his arms. “I can hike,” he insists, but it’s obvious he’d be more than happy not to.
“It’s okay, hyung,” Jungkook says sweetly. “You can switch teams if you need to. Jimin-hyung and I will get going now. See you at the top!”
“He seems a little too eager to be rid of me,” Yoongi snorts, but he’s smiling as he watches Jimin and Jungkook start up the steep hill without him.
Seokjin, Yoongi and Hoseok head for the chairlift. Namjoon and Taehyung follow after Jimin and Jungkook, going at a much more reasonable pace. Taehyung stops frequently to take photos of the sights and Namjoon, who has been pretty tired all morning, is grateful for the breaks.
“It’s so pretty here,” he comments, posing briefly in front of a tree for Taehyung. “Don’t post that picture, I probably look terrible.”
Taehyung stands next to him, pressing his cheek to Namjoon’s so he can snap a quick selca of the both of them. “Impossible, hyung. You look so cute in that hat.” He shows the selca to Namjoon. “See?”
Namjoon laughs as they continue up the path. “I’m out of breath and my face is puffy and red. That’s not cute.”
Panting loudly through his mouth, Taehyung nods. “Actually, I’m out of breath, too. Should we take a break soon?”
There aren’t any benches nearby, and the steep slope makes it hard to stand in one place for too long. Still, they find a wide tree on the edge of the path to lean up against. Taehyung sneezes loudly and the sound echoes throughout the trees, startling birds and an approaching hiker.
“Salud,” the hiker says, giving Namjoon and Taehyung a wide berth as they pass by.
Taehyung beams and wipes his nose with a tissue. “¡Gracias!”
“Kook and Jimin are probably already at the top by now,” Namjoon says when they start walking again. “How much longer do you think it will take us?”
“No idea,” Taehyung chirps, pulling ahead with a renewed burst of energy. “Let’s find out!”
*
When Jimin and Jungkook reach the summit, they’re rewarded with one of the most breathtaking views they’ve ever seen.
“This is amazing,” Jungkook whispers in awe, his eyes nearly popping out of his head as he looks around at the 360-degree view of the surrounding lakes and the Andes Mountains.
“It’s beautiful,” Jimin whispers back, pressed up against Jungkook’s side. “Wow.”
For several minutes they just look, taking in the sight. They snap a few pictures and then decide to track down the other group.
They go inside the tea house and spot Seokjin, Yoongi and Hoseok at a table in the corner. Yoongi and Hoseok are sipping from teacups while Seokjin is turned away in his seat, his shoulders hunched as he muffles sneezes into a wad of tissues.
“Oh no, hyung,” Jimin coos, sitting down next to Seokjin. “Bless you!”
“He’s been like this for five minutes now,” Yoongi relays. His hand is resting on Seokjin’s back in a silent gesture of comfort.
Jungkook giggles when Seokjin turns around to protest and ends up sneezing again instead.
“Bless you.” Jimin pulls a new pack of tissues that he’d been saving for Jungkook out of his pocket. “Here, blow your nose.”
“Don’t mess with me,” Seokjin whines when Jungkook steals the tissue pack before Seokjin can take them. “I’m sick.”
“I’m just helping,” Jungkook says, squeezing himself onto Seokjin’s chair with him and wrapping an arm around his waist so neither of them falls off. He pulls a tissue out of the stolen pack and dangles it in front of Seokjin’s face, grinning until Jimin gently takes it back and tucks it into Seokjin’s hand.
“Be nice to your hyung, Kookie,” Jimin scolds, covering his mouth with his hand to hide the fact that he’s holding back a laugh.
Jungkook wraps his other arm around Seokjin and nuzzles into the older man’s shoulder. “I’m always nice to hyung,” he says, voice muffled by Seokjin’s coat.
Seokjin immediately tries to wiggle out of Jungkook’s strong grip. “Stop wiping your runny nose on me!”
Across the table, Hoseok watches the two of them bicker with a look that’s half amusement and half disapproval. “Those two are so childish sometimes,” he croaks.
Ten more minutes pass by before Namjoon and Taehyung arrive. By that point, Jimin and Jungkook have gotten themselves tea to drink and there’s an alarmingly tall pile of crumpled tissues in the middle of the table.
“Gross,” Taehyung says when he sees it. He plops himself down in Jimin’s lap and sniffles loudly.
“Did you guys buy food already?” Namjoon asks, settling between Yoongi and Hoseok.
“We didn’t eat anything yet,” Hoseok tells them. “We only had enough for tea.”
“There’s food?” Jungkook asks, perking up from where he’s resting his head on Seokjin’s shoulder. “Jimin-hyung, do we have money for food?”
Jimin laughs and nods his head. “Yeah, we have all of our money still.”
Taehyung sneaks a glance at the production team sitting at the next table over, then leans forward, lowering his voice. “If my team and Jimin’s team pool our money together, we can buy some snacks for all of us to share.”
“And maybe some more tea for hyung?” Jimin adds, watching Seokjin sniffle miserably into a tissue.
“At least he’s stopped sneezing,” Yoongi teases.
Jimin and Taehyung gather up all of the remaining money and buy snacks and more tea for everybody. Jungkook eats his allotted portion of food and then slides into his own chair so he can rest his head on his arms instead, crossing them on top of the table.
“That was the steepest hike I’ve ever done,” Namjoon admits, sipping tea. “I’d love to come back and do it again sometime when I’m at full lung capacity.”
Jimin cards his fingers through Jungkook’s hair, smoothing it back from his forehead until his eyelids grow heavy and his mouth falls open. He coughs once, uncovered, and then turns his head so his face is hidden between his arms. Jimin can tell he’s close to falling asleep, so he keeps up the motion even though his arm is growing tired.
“The view up here is amazing,” Yoongi murmurs softly, staring out the window.
“Yeah. I’m really glad we got to do this.”
Jimin looks out the window too, but then he also looks around the table, feeling grateful he gets to do things like this with his group. Even with five of them sniffling, today has been so much fun. He likes that their trips always feel like actual vacations– maybe, it’s because they’ve had cameras on them for so many years it's easy to ignore them– but mostly, because they get to experience things together.
“I can’t get over how high up we are,” Taehyung says, leaning against Jimin’s side.
“I can’t get over how blue the lakes look,” Yoongi replies.
Seokjin, stuffy but happy, meets Jimin’s eyes across the table. “I’m glad we did this.”
“It’s seriously such an amazing view,” Hoseok gushes.
Namjoon leans back in his chair and checks the time on his phone. “I’m glad we get to ride the chairlift back down.” He laughs. “For the views, of course.”
Before they leave the tea house, their manager gives Namjoon cold medicine to pass out to everyone. Jimin gently wakes Jungkook so he can take his, handing him napkins so he can clean the drool from his chin and wipe his runny nose. They seem to have run out of tissues, but they’re promised more when they get back to the bottom of the hill.
“I’m taking these,” Jungkook mumbles drowsily, gathering up what’s left of the snacks on the table. “Is there water?”
Six hyungs look around to find Jungkook a water bottle, and he’s handed one faster than he expects, brows scrunching in confusion and then lifting in surprise.
The air is surprisingly cold as they step outside, and the slight drop in temperature has them all pulling their hats on and zipping up their coats. Taehyung buries his nose in his scarf with a sniffle while Jungkook sleepily shuffles along, clutching the leftover snacks to his chest like precious cargo. He sips from his water bottle and follows the group to the chairlift.
They’re all quiet on the way down, silently taking in the view that’s somehow even more breathtaking now. At the bottom, they turn and look up the hill, cheeks pink and stretched wide with smiles.
“Adiós, Aerosilla,” Taehyung salutes, looking up at the chairlift. “Gracias for bringing us down safely.”
“Gracias,” Jungkook echoes quietly, and then they start making their way back to the van.
On the walk through the parking lot, they discuss where to eat lunch. Taehyung and Yoongi choose a restaurant together, picking out a quaint-looking local spot nearby.
At the restaurant, they eat beef empanadas, but pass on the long list of red wines since most of them are sick and don’t want to mix their meds with alcohol. Instead, they drink soda and water, and look through their photos while they wait for food to arrive, laughing over Taehyung’s series of twenty or so close-up selcas he’d taken right before he and Namjoon had reached the top of the hill, his tongue sticking out and his red nose nearly pressed up against the camera lens.
As they’re finishing up their empanadas, Jimin looks around the table and quietly assesses everyone’s conditions. Seokjin looks tired and congested, breathing heavily through his mouth and scrunching up his nose often. Yoongi still looks well, and he’s watching Hoseok intently, one hand on his back and one hand pushing a glass towards Hoseok as he coughs into a fist. Namjoon is leaning his face in one hand and scrolling through his phone. His face is flushed and Jimin makes a mental note to check on his temperature when they get back to the hotel later. Same with Taehyung, who’s currently wiping his nose with a tissue and panting through his mouth, his nose just as stuffed up as Seokjin’s and his face just as flushed as Namjoon’s. Jungkook just looks sleepy. He’s always like that when he’s sick, tired and snuggly. Jimin hides a smile behind his hand and watches them all, his heart aching to take them all back to the hotel and tuck them into beds early tonight.
However, they’ll be sleeping somewhere else tonight– a cabin, where they’ll be staying for the second half of the trip. Late in the afternoon, they check out of their hotel and drive to the cabin, which is a little farther away from town. It starts snowing again on the way there, and when they step out of the van they all shiver from the biting cold, their breath visible in the air.
For dinner, they cook together, but they’re all pretty worn out from the day and opt for a simple meal of pasta and steak. Jimin and Yoongi usher the five sickies out of the kitchen once they’re halfway through, instructing them to go drink water and rest until dinner is ready.
The cabin has two rooms with four bunk beds each. After dinner, Seokjin finds a piece of paper so they can play sadaritagi to choose rooms. They end up with Seokjin, Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon in one room, while Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook have the other.
“Maknae room!” Taehyung exclaims, hooking his arms through Jimin’s and Jungkook’s.
“Room Kim Seokjin!” Seokjin chants in response, putting his hand out and waiting expectantly until Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon join in.
“Yay,” Yoongi murmurs around a yawn.
“Okay,” Jimin says, clapping his hands together. “Time for bed, everyone. We need to make sure we get plenty of rest tonight.”
There’s a chorus of murmured agreements and a loud sneeze from Taehyung, and then it’s chaos as everyone scrambles to grab their suitcase and get in line for the bathroom.
Jimin lines up cups of water with doses of cold medicine on the counter. He checks the rooms and makes sure everyone has ample tissues, and then carries extra blankets from the linen closet to each bed, spreading them out so everyone will stay warm enough. One by one, he guides the members to take their medicine and drink water once they’ve washed up and changed into their pajamas, and then checks their temperatures with the thermometer left for them by the medical team.
Namjoon’s temperature is a bit elevated, but not officially a fever. Still, Jimin is immediately worried, but Namjoon sees his expression and holds up a hand before he can speak.
“Quit that,” he says, part-embarrassed by the way Jimin is trying to fuss over that. “I’ll let Director-nim know. Did everyone else pass the temperature check?”
When Jimin nods, Namjoon sighs and rubs his eyes. “Okay. Really, please don’t worry about me, Jiminie. I’m fine and it’s not a fever and I’m heading straight to bed.” He picks up his cup, drinks down the rest of the water, and wipes the back of his hand across his mouth.
“Good. Sleep well, hyung,” Jimin replies, nudging Namjoon towards his room.
“You too, Jiminie.”
Jungkook and Taehyung are fast asleep by the time Jimin is ready for bed. He checks on them both, tucking them in under their extra blankets and pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads before climbing into his own bunk.
*
The next morning, Jimin wakes slowly, disoriented for a moment before remembering they’re in a different place. He rolls onto his stomach, groaning softly when he swallows and realizes his throat is sore.
Well. It was only a matter of time.
Jimin lies there for a few minutes longer, almost falling back asleep, until he hears Jungkook sneeze in the bunk above him.
“Bless you,” he says, getting out of bed. He stands on the first rung of the ladder to peek at Jungkook. “You awake?”
There’s no answer. Jimin turns to the other bunk and sees that Taehyung is still sleeping, buried under his blankets.
Quietly, he grabs his clothes and pads out of the room, stopping by the bathroom to change and brush his teeth. When he makes it out to the living room, Yoongi is sitting in front of the fireplace with a mug of coffee in hand.
“Morning,” he greets Jimin, his voice gruff. “Coffee?”
Jimin shakes his head and sinks down onto the rug in front of the fireplace. What he really needs is some water, but he’s feeling too lazy to go get himself some.
Yoongi clears his throat and leans back against the sofa cushions, taking a sip of his coffee. Jimin is almost certain that Yoongi must be feeling the same as him, his throat bothering him due to the beginnings of a cold, since he clears his throat a second time and he’s wincing when he swallows his coffee.
“I have a bit of scratchy throat this morning,” Jimin tells him. He waits for Yoongi to reply and admit the same, but he remains quiet, his gaze fixed on the flames in the hearth like he’s lost in thought.
At 9 a.m., they go to wake the others up.
Seokjin, Hoseok and Namjoon shuffle after them into the Maknae Room to check on everyone; Jungkook reports that he’s feeling better, but his voice is half-gone and he looks exhausted, yawning every few minutes and not moving from the comforter-cocoon on the top bunk.
Seokjin and Taehyung are feeling the worst, symptom-wise, both of them on day two of their colds. Hoseok and Namjoon are still sick too– faring a little better but still not feeling well– though it’s clear that sleeping has helped all of them.
“We have two things scheduled for today,” Namjoon announces. “We’re going to the chocolate museum first, and then after lunch we’re supposed to do another hike by the lake.”
“Is it…an easy hike?” Taehyung asks hopefully, climbing up to sit on the top bunk next to Jungkook.
“Well, that’s the thing,” Namjoon replies. “I talked with Director-nim last night, and apparently it’s a pretty strenuous hike. Not only is the medical team going to hesitate letting most of us do that in the state we’re in, but also– we’re probably going to have a tough time, physically. There’s a little bit of rock climbing involved, and it’s at a higher elevation than what we did yesterday.”
“We can split up in the afternoon, then,” Hoseok suggests. “Everyone who wants to hike and gets cleared by the medics can go hiking, while everyone else stays back and rests.”
Namjoon nods. “Raise your hand if you want to go on the hike,” he says.
Only Jungkook raises his hand, his eyes still closed. When he cracks one eye open, he sees that everyone else is standing there staring at him in amusement.
“Oh.” He sniffles and closes his eyes again. “I don’t want to go by myself.”
“Can we have a spa day instead?” Seokjin asks. “We can still film something for ARMYs that way, but not push our health.”
“Great idea, hyung.”
“Okay. Everyone who wants to go to the chocolate museum before lunch, raise your hand.”
This time, seven hands are raised in the air.
Jungkook opens both eyes this time to check, smiling sleepily when he sees he’s not the only one.
“Should we, like, consider not going to the museum?” Jimin asks. “So we don’t get other people sick?”
“We have a private tour time scheduled,” Namjoon replies. “Self-guided. If we wear our masks, it should be fine.”
A loud sound fills the room– Jungkook’s stomach, grumbling with hunger. He sheds his blanket and peers down at his hyungs, covering his mouth to yawn. “What’s for breakfast today? Croissants?”
Fond laughter erupts throughout the room. It’s followed by a bout of coughing from Taehyung, and then the sound of Seokjin blowing his nose.
“Anything you want, Jungkookie,” Jimin promises, standing on the bottom bunk so he can reach up and ruffle the maknae’s messy hair.
*
“Cho-co-la-te,” Taehyung says in Spanish, enunciating each syllable. “Muy rico.”
“Rich?” Jungkook asks, tilting his head to one side.
“It means delicious.”
The chocolate museum is small, and offers not only an extensive explanation on how chocolate is made in general, but also the history of chocolate making all over the world.
“I thought we might get to eat chocolate,” Jungkook pouts longingly as they peer through a large glass window to watch employees stirring large vats of liquid chocolate.
“That’s the next part,” Namjoon chuckles.
“That’s the best part,” Jungkook corrects, perking up at the promise of chocolate.
“You can have my chocolate, Jungkookie,” Seokjin offers. “I don’t think I’ll be able to taste it, anyway.”
“That’s tragic, yet exciting.”
Later, when they’re browsing the gift shop and eating their chocolate samples, Jungkook eats half of Seokjin’s but then makes him try the rest. Seokjin does, walking around with Jungkook clinging tightly to his back like a sleepy, chocolate-sated koala, and pretends like it’s the most delicious thing he’s ever eaten.
*
They eat empanadas packed in paper bags from a food stall near the museum on the van ride home, so no one is hungry for lunch when they get back to the cabin a couple of hours later. Seokjin and Jimin go to the kitchen to make everyone hot beverages and prepare a few light snacks instead, and they carry everything out to the back deck on wooden trays.
The cabin they’re staying at is rustic and cozy, and the surrounding trees make it feel more isolated than it truly is. There are big wooden Adirondack chairs lined up along one side, with a beautiful view of a nearby lake and the Andes in the distance.
Jimin pulls a small table out and arranges a teapot of chamomile tea, a thermos of hot chocolate, and a mug of coffee for Yoongi. There’s also snacks, including a bowl of tangerines and one of the many boxes of chocolates they’d brought home from the museum’s gift shop.
Jimin passes out blankets once everyone chooses their chair and has a warm drink in hand, making sure that each member is sufficiently bundled up. He has to make three trips back inside before he can sit down himself– once for more tissues, once for more blankets, and once for cough drops and even more tissues.
“Thank you, hyung,” Jungkook says, popping a cough drop into his mouth even though they’d been intended for Taehyung and Hoseok. He’s cradling a box of tissues in one hand and holding his hot chocolate in the other, piled under three blankets and looking like he could fall asleep right there on the deck.
They chat amongst themselves, discussing what they might do for their “spa day”, but in the end none of them actually feel like doing much in the way of self-care and beauty treatments.
“We can do a spa day tomorrow.” Seokjin sighs, sipping on his tea. “Right?”
There’s a soft murmur of agreement from everyone, and with the rest of the day’s responsibilities off the table, Jungkook closes his eyes and snuggles deeper into his blankets for a proper nap.
“We shouldn’t stay outside for too long,” Yoongi murmurs, reaching over to take the empty mug from Jungkook’s loose grip and pull one of the blankets up to cover more of his shoulders. “It’s getting chilly.”
That seems to be the cue for everyone to get up. Hoseok, Taehyung and Seokjin go inside to nap in their bunks. Namjoon, Yoongi and Jimin clean up all of the empty mugs and carry blankets back inside, moving quietly around Jungkook until the last minute.
“Hey.” Namjoon squats in front of Jungkook and reaches out to cup the side of his face. “Kookie, wake up.”
“Nn-uh.”
“Yes,” Namjoon chuckles, pinching Jungkook’s cheek between his fingers. “Time to go inside.”
“Mpfhh.”
“We can cuddle on the sofa. Yoongi’s getting the fire going. It’s nice and warm and–”
Big, sleep-hazy eyes blink up at Namjoon.
“Warm,” Namjoon emphasises, turning his head to cough and clear his throat before looking back at Jungkook. “Cozy. Comfy. We can cuddle in front of the fire under a nice warm blanket.”
“Your voice is lulling him back to sleep,” Yoongi notes, amused as he hovers behind Namjoon.
Sure enough, Jungkook’s eyes are closed again, his face slack.
Namjoon sighs and stands. “Okay. I guess I’ll go get him a hat and another blanket, then.”
A few minutes later, Namjoon has one of the deck chairs pulled in front of Jungkook’s chair, facing him. He tugs Jungkook’s new wool beanie over his head, wraps another blanket around his shoulders, and then settles in the chair with a book and another mug of tea and a content smile on his face.
*
In the early evening before it’s time to start making dinner, Jimin makes ssanghwa-cha for everyone, something his eomma always used to do for him and his brother when they got sick when they were little kids. The medical staff had luckily been able to find everything he needed, including honey– which his eomma always added to make the drink less bitter. He mixes ssanghwa-cha packets into hot water, stirring in the honey and letting it cool for a bit before bringing the mugs into the living room where everyone is gathered.
“Cold medicine?” He offers, holding out a mug to Seokjin first.
“Thank you, Jiminie,” Seokjin thanks him hoarsely.
“Here’s some medicine, hyung.” Jimin hands a mug to Namjoon next, and then carries two out for Hoseok and Taehyung.
He brings one for Yoongi, too, even though Yoongi hasn’t quite admitted to being sick yet.
Yoongi, who had previously been existing grumpily on the sofa, is now decidedly less grumpy, but only after Jungkook had carried an armful of blankets into the living room and snuggled up next to him.
“Here, Jungkookie. Drink this.” Jimin hands Jungkook a mug, and then another to Yoongi.
Jungkook peers into his mug and then into Yoongi’s before obediently sipping on the drink. “Thank you, hyung,” he says, smiling up at Jimin.
Yoongi mirrors him, bringing the mug up to his lips to drink and giving Jimin a nod of thanks.
Jimin, satisfied that everyone is drinking their cold medicine, returns to the kitchen to grab his own mug before heading back out. The ssanghwa-cha tastes a little too medicinal to be good, but it soothes his throat and makes Jimin think about his childhood in a sudden rush of memories that make his chest feel strangely tight.
“My mom used to make this for me when I had a cold,” he says out loud, sniffling softly. “Makes me feel like I should be watching cartoons.”
Taehyung reaches over and rubs his back. “We can watch cartoons, if you want.”
Instead of watching cartoons, they decide to watch some of the footage from their first day of the trip instead. They gather around one of the staff member’s laptops, watching themselves explore the town and shop.
“Jungkook looks sooo cute in that hat,” Jimin coos, leaning closer towards the screen to see better.
“Oof. I look tired,” Hoseok grimaces.
“We all were pretty jet lagged that day, huh?”
“Why are Jimin and Taehyung holding hands the entire time?”
“Namjoon-hyung, why are you walking so bouncy?”
After they’re done watching, there’s a moment where they consider just eating chocolate and ramen for dinner, but when Jungkook starts looking a little too eager to actually do that, Seokjin rallies and drags Jimin and Hoseok into the kitchen with him to make food for everyone.
“It’ll be easy,” he says, washing his hands and rolling up his sleeves before gathering all of the ingredients from the fridge to make pasta and meat and potatoes– a feast of what is supposed to be Argentine inspired cuisine, but Seokjin decides to Korean-ify instead.
“I can’t really taste or smell much today,” he explains, lining up spice jars on the counter. “But I know how to season Korean food by heart.”
They end up making a few Korean-Argentine fusion dishes: grilled steak with gochujang-chimichurri, potatoes roasted with honey and soy sauce, and a large pot of creamy, garlicky pasta seasoned with gochugaru and plenty of parmesan. Jimin makes rice, too, and Seokjin whips up a side of baechu-geotjeori to round everything out while the table is being set.
After combining an afternoon of rest, well-timed doses of cold medicine plus Jimin’s ssanghwa-cha, and the promise of a hearty meal, the atmosphere at dinner is lively and chaotic. Seokjin has to excuse himself from the table for nearly five minutes when he starts sneezing mid-meal, and Taehyung’s nose is running like a faucet the second he eats his first bite of food, and the tissues pile up until Hoseok brings over the trash can and makes everyone throw them away instead of leaving them on the table.
A game of rock, paper, scissors determines that Seokjin, Jimin and Hoseok are on clean-up duty. Namjoon, Yoongi, Taehyung and Jungkook have all changed into their pajamas and are playing cards around the table by the time they’re done. After all seven of them play cards for an hour or so, Jimin rounds everyone up again and herds them to get ready for bed.
Tonight, as he’s setting out doses of cold medicine like a line of shots, Namjoon joins him to help.
“How are you feeling?” Namjoon asks softly, filling water cups.
“Mostly just a sore throat today. How about you, hyung?”
Namjoon seems to consider his answer for a moment before speaking. “I feel pretty bad, honestly. But more than that, I’m just worried about everyone. I know we’re all pushing ourselves a little more because of filming. Not resting as much as we should be…” He trails off, face twisting in thought. “I’m not sure we should try to do any more activities this week.”
Jimin nods in agreement. “Why not just make the rest of our trip relaxing and stay inside? Content-wise, the directors can figure everything out. But we can make a cabin getaway just as entertaining as kayaking or hiking. As long as we are actually focusing on our health, too, I think that would be for the best.”
“Agreed. We’ll meet as a team to discuss in the morning. Maybe we’ll all be feeling a lot better then.”
Jimin kind of doubts that, and he can tell that Namjoon doesn’t quite believe it either, but he still smiles hopefully.
Yoongi shuffles into the kitchen last, sitting down on a stool and leaning forward so Jimin can take his temperature.
“How are you feeling?” He asks, handing Yoongi water and medicine.
The closest thing to an answer Jimin gets is that Yoongi doesn’t refuse, drinking down the cold medicine and then the water in turn. He’s quiet though, intentionally not answering Jimin’s question directly.
“Do you have enough blankets?” Jimin asks, taking his own medicine dose. The taste is unpleasant and he quickly washes it down with water.
Yoongi nods and gives Jimin a small yet tired smile. “Mm-hmm. Thanks.”
“Okay, then. Sleep well, hyung. See you in the morning.”
*
Jimin isn’t the first to wake the next morning.
In fact, he’s the last, and when he opens his eyes he can hear voices in the distance, muffled by a fuzzy feeling in his head and in his ears.
He’s freezing cold. After forcing his eyes open, he sees why– all of his blankets are bunched up around his feet, leaving him uncovered and shivering on his bunk. Sitting up to grab the blankets makes it painfully apparent that he is sick sick, suffering full-on now from the same cold that’s been steadily passed between the members; his throat hurts, his face hurts, and his nose isn’t working properly.
Groaning softly, Jimin manages to tug a blanket over himself as he flops back down. He’s not sure what time it is or where everyone else is, but for the first time during their trip he just can’t bring himself to care about anything other than lying completely still.
For a while, he drifts in and out of a restless sleep, waking himself up with his own stuffy snores. Then, he manages to roll onto his side, which helps with the snoring but somehow makes his throat feel worse.
Eventually, Jimin pushes himself upright and pulls a blanket around his shoulders. He spots a box of tissues on the floor and practically dives for it, trying to blow his nose for several seconds before giving up when nothing in his sinuses budges. Then, he stumbles out to the living room in search of the others.
“Jiminie,” Taehyung croons, sprawled out on the couch with his head in Yoongi’s lap. “Look at you!”
That makes everyone else look at Jimin. He must look as bad as he feels, because there’s a mixture of concern and pity among the six faces staring at him.
“How did you sleep?” Namjoon asks, reaching over to rub his back. “We tried to wake you, but…”
Jimin frowns. He looks around for his phone, his brain taking a long moment to remember that it’s probably still back in the room. Then he squints at the walls, hoping to spot a clock, but doesn’t get any luck there.
“It’s almost noon,” Namjoon tells him, picking up on his confusion.
“How do you feel?” Taehyung asks, opening his arms and motioning for Jimin to come over.
Jimin stays where he is, unable to make his feet move.
“I’m…” He sniffles wetly, but it does nothing to clear the congestion packing his sinuses. “I’m all stuffed up,” he whines, reaching up to massage the bridge of his nose. There’s an awful feeling there, something that’s prickly and throbbing. He wants to sneeze, but at the same time hopes he won’t because his head is killing him.
“Ohh, you sound it,” Seokjin murmurs, taking Jimin’s arm and gently tugging him towards the couch.
Taehyung sits up and pulls Jimin down next to him, adjusting the blanket around his shoulders. Swallowing thickly, Jimin groans and lets himself list sideways until he’s leaning heavily against Taehyung’s side, too heavy and weak to keep himself upright.
Jungkook hands him a tissue box, but it’s Taehyung who takes it for him and pulls a few tissues out.
“Blow your nose,” he instructs.
Jimin attempts a weak nose blow, but again, there’s no movement– just a pitiful, congested squeak that comes out.
Namjoon settles on the armrest of the couch and resumes rubbing his back. “We discussed what to do for the rest of the trip,” he says. “Everyone is in agreement that we’ll do more of a stay-cation style of filming from here on out.”
Clearing his throat, Jimin nods. “Were they able to cancel everything?” He croaks, suddenly worried about plans and deposits.
“Mostly,” Namjoon chuckles hoarsely. “The filming crew is being treated to a boat tour as we speak.”
Hoseok emerges from the kitchen and sets a steaming mug down on the coffee table in front of Jimin. He’s holding something else too– a small plastic cup that takes Jimin several seconds to realize contains cold medicine.
“Thank you,” Jimin says, sipping down the medicine and then picking up the mug.
Immediately, he has to set it back down when the tickle in his nose finally pushes him towards a sneeze. He cups a hand over his nose, sneezes again, and then feels a tissue being tucked into his free hand.
“Thank you,” he manages to get out before sneezing once more– not into his hand and not into the tissue, but rather into the space in between the two. “Oops.”
He hears Taehyung laugh as he reaches over and dabs at Jimin’s nose with a tissue. “Bless you. Poor Minnie.”
Jimin’s face feels warm. He slumps back against Taehyung with a whine, rubbing his nostrils to try to calm his nose. It works, for the time being, but it leaves him feeling somehow more congested than before, which doesn’t even seem possible.
Around him, the others are chatting, but Jimin can’t keep up with a single conversation. He dozes on the couch instead. He can feel Taehyung’s arm around him, holding him snugly. After a while, he’s vaguely aware of more movement, and then he’s lying on his side with head resting on something soft. He doesn’t even bother to open his eyes, too drowsy and too miserable, and soon falls back asleep.
He sleeps through a lot. Once, when he wakes up, all of the members are still there in the living room, gathered around the coffee table inspecting a variety of items that Jimin is pretty sure hadn’t been there before– a large basket of beauty products, a variety of snacks and tea, and something that looks like a paint set.
He hears Jungkook talking about video games, and Namjoon discussing a model airplane with Hoseok that, apparently, Hoseok is already constructing in front of the fireplace. There’s a stack of books too, which is the last thing Jimin sees before closing his eyes again.
The next time he wakes up, no one is in the living room. At least, no one in his line of sight. There’s someone coughing somewhat nearby, but Jimin falls back asleep before he can find out who it is.
Jimin is the one coughing when he opens his eyes next. His throat is dry and he’s grateful to see his mug is still sitting on the coffee table where he’d left it. He sits up and grabs the mug, drinking now-cooled tea in long, greedy gulps until his coughing subsides.
When the tea is gone, Jimin is still thirsty, and still feels like he’s on the verge of another cough. He stands up slowly, rolling his stiff shoulders and neck, and then wanders through the cabin until he ends up in the kitchen.
Namjoon is sitting at the counter reading a book.
“Hi,” Jimin croaks, coughing immediately after.
“Hey.” Namjoon hurries to grab him a glass of water to drink, guiding Jimin to sit down. “How are you feeling?”
“Weird,” Jimin answers after his throat stops protesting. “Hate being sick.”
“Aw, I know,” Namjoon murmurs, rubbing his back.
Jimin sits there for a while, sipping more water while Namjoon resumes reading. He feels all fuzzy, and his nose and throat hurt a lot. He vaguely wonders where everyone else is– and Namjoon, seemingly reading his mind, turns to him then.
“Kook and Jin-hyung are playing video games. Everyone else is out on the back deck, I think,” he says. “It’s pretty cold out there, though, so bundle up if you go outside.”
Jimin considers it for a moment. There’s a part of him that wants to go check on everyone, to make sure they’re feeling okay and are properly bundled up. Namjoon, he can tell, is feeling much better now.
Eventually, he makes his decision and stands up, refilling his water glass before grabbing his coat and hat. He finds Hoseok and Taehyung sitting in the Adirondack chairs playing a card game. Jimin joins them for a bit, just watching them play, watching their faces as they laugh and sniffle and shout at each other. He has no clue what game they’re playing, but they both seem to be in high spirits and that’s all Jimin needs to know.
After a while, he goes inside and finds Seokjin and Jungkook hovering over a Nintendo Switch in the living room. They’re sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace– had they been there the entire time? Jimin isn’t sure how he missed them there, or how he slept through their competitive bickering earlier. Neither of them notice as he sinks down onto the couch and watches them giggling and shoving each other’s shoulders like fighting siblings, a tissue box between them.
Jimin heads back to the kitchen when he runs out of water in his glass. Namjoon is still there, so Jimin sits down next to him again and keeps him company for a while. He wonders where Yoongi is, and guesses he must be sleeping.
After Jimin finishes another glass of water, he leans his head against Namjoon’s shoulder. Namjoon is still deeply immersed in his book, but he puts one arm around Jimin and strokes his thumb up and down Jimin’s bicep, and Jimin can hear both Namjoon’s and his own congested breathing in the near-silence of the kitchen.
*
Before dinner, Jimin decides to take a proper nap. Hoseok and Jungkook have taken over the couch and are both napping too, while the others are doing various activities around the cabin or on the back deck.
Jimin is tired. He feels like it’s too hard to keep his eyes open, and his throat can only take so much coughing and sniffling and sneezing before he’s going to need to take drastic measures.
On his way to Room Maknae, he hears a soft cough coming from the other room and pauses just outside the door.
“Permission to enter Room Kim Seokjin?” He asks, knocking on the doorframe when he notices Yoongi is sitting on one of the bottom bunks in there.
Yoongi sniffles, his back partly turned to Jimin, and scrubs a hand over his face. “Okay,” he responds gruffly, his voice cracking slightly.
Jimin shuffles in and stands in front of Yoongi, ready to ask his hyung if he wants to join him for a nap when he catches sight of Yoongi’s face. Yoongi’s brow is furrowed, his chin quivering and his eyes red and watery, as if he’s been crying.
Yoongi looks so sad that Jimin feels tears welling up in his own eyes.
“Oh, hyung,” he murmurs, sitting down next to Yoongi on the bed. “What’s wrong?”
Yoongi swallows. Swallows again, like he’s physically trying to prepare his voice to answer. He opens his mouth, closes it, and then closes his eyes before saying, “I want to go home.”
It’s so quiet that Jimin almost can’t hear it. But he does, and he wraps his arms around Yoongi and holds him against his chest. “Oh, hyung.”
Yoongi is tense in his arms, his body trembling, and Jimin can tell he’s intentionally holding himself there, on the edge of breaking down. Jimin reaches up one hand to stroke Yoongi’s hair and waits, knowing Yoongi will likely compose himself before letting himself show more vulnerability that he’s already showing, but preparing to comfort him all the same.
Sure enough, after five minutes have passed, Yoongi takes a long, shuddering breath and pulls away a little, turning his face away to swipe at his eyes with his sleeve.
“Sorry,” he whispers hoarsely, sniffling.
“Hyung, I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well,” Jimin says, reaching out to gently cup Yoongi’s chin and turn his head back. “And it’s totally understandable that you’d want to be home when you’re sick.”
Yoongi blinks, and a single tear rolls down his face. Jimin swipes a thumb across his cheek to catch it.
“This is ridiculous,” Yoongi mutters, embarrassed. “I’m just…fuck, I don’t know why I’m feeling so...”
“Homesick?” Jimin says softly, his heart clenching.
Yoongi sniffles into his sleeve, nodding. “Yeah, I guess.”
“I get homesick sometimes,” Jimin admits softly. “Mostly when we go on tour. But especially when we were younger. God knows how many times Taehyung has seen me crying for my eomma and appa,” he chuckles. “Look, it might feel a little embarrassing, or like it’s childish, but I promise it’s not. Everyone can get homesick, hyung. It’s not an embarrassing thing.”
Rolling his eyes, Yoongi turns his head away again with a soft huff, but he looks back after a moment. “Thank you.”
“You know what always makes me feel better when I’m homesick?” Jimin asks with a smile. “Korean food.”
“Yeah?” Yoongi sniffles again and reaches for a tissue when Jimin hands him the box.
“Yeah. We’ll order a ton. So much Korean food.”
“Good,” Yoongi laughs, the sound shaky and wet. “Because I can’t eat another empanada.”
Jimin bursts into laughter, falling onto his back on the bed. He half-pulls Yoongi with him, and Yoongi coughs in surprise, curling sideways until his head is resting on Jimin’s stomach.
“Man,” Yoongi says shakily after a minute, sitting up and reaching for another tissue. “I was hoping so hard I wouldn’t get sick.”
Jimin sits up too. “I don’t think we’ve ever managed to not share our colds before.”
“True.”
Yawning, Jimin looks around the room. “Hey. Want to take a nap?”
Yoongi looks around too, then tilts his head. “On the same bed?” He asks, one corner of his mouth twitching up.
Jimin shrugs and smiles. “Why not?”
Though it’s a tight fit, they both slide under the blankets together, Yoongi with his back up against the wall and Jimin pressed against his chest.
“Thank you,” Yoongi says again, his voice fading and his arm wrapped around Jimin’s waist– and then he’s asleep, a soft snuffling noise coming from his nose as his breathing evens out.
*
After a late dinner that evening, all of the members gather in the living room to paint.
Jimin is feeling a little more clear-headed than he had been earlier in the day. He sits next to Yoongi on the floor and drapes a blanket across both of their laps.
Since they’re filming themselves, they try to clean up the area as much as possible of all of the tissues and cough drop wrappers and empty water bottles, and instead spread out sets of paints and brushes and pads of paper. Jungkook gets to work right away, choosing one of the canvases and propping it up in front of him with a look of determined concentration.
Tugging two sets of watercolors closer, Jimin helps himself to a sheet of watercolor paper and sets one in front of Yoongi. He decides he’s going to try to paint the view they have from the back deck of the cabin. Yoongi doesn’t paint anything specific, but goes for a more abstract look, swirling strokes of greens and blues and purples together on the page.
On Jimin’s other side, Hoseok is doing something similar, brightly colored splashes of acrylic paint on a canvas that remind Jimin of fireworks.
Seokjin gives up on painting halfway through. He puts his painting on the coffee table– something that looks like a bright pink dog in the middle of the page– and settles on the couch with the basket of spa products from earlier. After convincing Namjoon to abandon his painting too and join him, the two of them put on face masks. They crack themselves up when Seokjin sneezes harshly and his mask slides down his face and into his lap, which causes Namjoon to fall forward with laughter until his face mask falls off too.
Taehyung, who has chosen to forgo a paintbrush, is fingerpainting on a square piece of paper. He absently picks up a tissue and wipes his nose, then holds it there for a bit, sniffling into it. With his hand not holding the tissue, he resumes his painting, only to have to pause a moment later and reach for another tissue. The first tissue gets pulled away to reveal Taehyung’s nose smudged with red and blue paint, which then gets wiped onto his upper lip by the second tissue.
By the time Taehyung has stopped sniffling and wiping his nose and has crumpled up both used tissues in his fist, Hoseok is cackling at him, pointing at his painted nose.
A laugh bursts out of Jimin when he looks over and sees what Hoseok is pointing at.
“Aigo, Tae,” he says, standing up to grab a washcloth from the bathroom.
Jimin squats down in front of Taehyung and cleans the paint from his nose. Taehyung scrunches up his face, still trying to concentrate on his painting until Jimin pinches the washcloth around his nostrils.
“Blow,” he murmurs, and Taehyung obeys, letting Jimin clean him up without a second thought.
Hoseok’s face has dipped into a slight frown when Jimin looks over at him.
“What?” Jimin asks defensively, carefully folding up the cloth and standing. “He was getting paint everywhere.”
After Jimin disposes of the washcloth in the dirty towels pile, he takes a detour through the kitchen, deciding to make everyone mugs of ssanghwa-cha to drink while they’re painting. He leans against the counter as he’s waiting for the hot water to boil, massaging the space between his brows where a headache is forming. Somehow, he still feels so tired this evening even after sleeping for most of the day already, and he’s starting to dread their journey home, which starts tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, he and everyone else will be able to sleep on the plane.
Jimin carries mugs out to everyone, then settles back down beside Yoongi. He doesn’t quite feel like working on his painting anymore, so he sips his medicine and watches everyone else work instead. Jungkook’s painting is a masterpiece per usual, but the other paintings are no less beautiful; each member has their own unique style that makes Jimin smile.
One by one, they line their pictures up on either side of the hearth, and then join Seokjin and Namjoon on the couch to apply face masks. They only stay for about ten minutes longer, since half of them are yawning and almost all of them are sniffling or coughing. After washing up, taking cold medicine, and cleaning up all of the painting supplies, they head to their bunks for their last night in the cabin, curling up under blankets and creating a symphony of congested snores as they fall asleep.
*
Jimin sets his alarm and wakes up early the next morning. He blearily drags himself through getting dressed and brushing his teeth and taking cold medicine, then pops a cough drop into his mouth and starts packing up his suitcase. Jungkook and Taehyung sleep through it all, both so deeply asleep that they’re snoring louder than Jimin has ever heard before.
After he’s done with his own suitcase, he packs up Taehyung’s stuff, and then Jungkook’s. Then, he goes to the kitchen to prepare medicine, water, and tea for everyone. It’s nice and peaceful in the cabin as he helps one of the staff clean up around the place, making sure they won’t leave anything behind.
Next, Jimin goes into the kitchen and starts making eggs and rice for breakfast. He has to stop so many times to blow his nose and then wash his hands that he almost gives up, but when he hears movement from down the hall he’s motivated to finish.
“Breakfast is ready,” he announces, sticking his head into Room Kim Seokjin first. Yoongi and Namjoon are up, but Seokjin and Hoseok are still in their bunks.
“Noo,” Seokjin groans, but he sits up and rubs his eyes, looking unfairly handsome for having just woken up.
Hoseok takes a little more coaxing to open his eyes. Jimin leaves Yoongi to do that, and heads to Room Maknae to get Taehyung and Jungkook up.
First, he climbs up onto the top bunk and pulls the covers off of Jungkook. He’s very tempted to lie down and go back to sleep with the maknae, but instead he uses his fingertip to tickle under Jungkook’s chin until he starts to stir.
“Wake uuup,” he sings, lightly pinching the tip of Jungkook’s nose until his face scrunches up and he tries to turn away. “Jungkookieee. Wake up!”
For another minute, Jimin bothers Jungkook, poking his cheeks and pulling up his sleep shirt to expose his tummy, and Jungkook fights him for every second of that minute until he finally opens his eyes to glare up at Jimin.
“Wake up,” Jimin grins. “There’s food.”
That finally gets Jungkook going, although grudgingly, and Jimin climbs back down to bother Taehyung next.
Taehyung wakes up with less prompting, but more coughing. He slings an arm across his face and coughs against his skin, then groans and blinks up at Jimin with watery eyes.
“C’mon, there’s water and food if you follow me,” Jimin tells him, tugging him up.
Taehyung and Jungkook shuffle after Jimin sleepily, sniffling and yawning loudly. They take their medicine, and then carry the water, mug of tea, and plate of food Jimin gives each of them to the table.
Seokjin, Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon all come out a few minutes later, lining up to get their medicine and breakfast. The seven of them eat around the table, still wearing their pajamas, the only sounds the clink of chopsticks against bowls and the occasional cough or sleepy sniffle.
Halfway through breakfast, Jungkook almost falls back asleep, his chin falling to his chest in between bites. He just as quickly jerks back upright with a half-snore, blinking around at everyone in confusion until the table dissolves into soft laughter.
Jimin watches everyone eat, cupping his mug in both hands. Despite the dull ache in his head and the congestion still clogging his sinuses, he doesn’t feel nearly as bad as he expected. They all still look a bit miserable, red noses and pale faces, but everyone also looks happy, smiles lighting up their features.
Once breakfast is finished, they slowly begin getting ready for the day, layering sweatshirts and scarves while staff packs equipment and loads suitcases into the van outside.
For the last activity of the trip, they make the short trek down to the lake outside their cabin. They bundle up and follow the dirt path that leads down to the water. Fresh snow crunches beneath their shoes and the cold air turns their cheeks pink almost instantly.
The lake is quiet when they arrive, smooth as glass beneath the cloudy sky, with the Andes rising in the distance behind it.
“It looks fake,” Jungkook murmurs, staring out across the water in awe. His voice is still rough from his cold, but stronger than it had been yesterday. “Almost like a painting.”
Taehyung wanders ahead of the group, stepping out onto a small wooden dock while Hoseok trails after him and warns him to be careful.
“I won’t fall in. But if I do,” Taehyung declares dramatically, “tell ARMY I lived a beautiful life.”
“I’ll tell them you died with tissues stuffed in both nostrils,” Yoongi calls back dryly, to which Jungkook laughs so hard that Hoseok actually grabs onto his arm and pulls him back from the shore a bit.
They spend a while there doing nothing much at all. Namjoon skips stones across the lake with limited success while Seokjin attempts to teach Jungkook how to do it properly, only for Jungkook to throw one so hard it disappears straight into the water with a loud splash. Jimin ends up being the best one at skipping stones, so Taehyung pulls out his phone and makes Jimin do it again so he can take a video.
Hoseok pulls out his phone, too, and takes photos of everyone bundled up together, with the lake in the background. It’s cold enough that all of their noses are running, so the picture likely isn’t going to make it to Weverse, but it still makes Jimin smile when he looks at it.
Eventually, they make their way back toward the cabin. Halfway up the trail, Jungkook stops and turns around one last time to look at the lake.
“We should come back someday,” he says softly.
“Next time, when none of us are sick,” Seokjin agrees. “It’s so pretty here.”
A chorus of agreement rises through the group. Someday, they’ll come back together and see more of this beautiful place.
*
They don’t really talk about it much, but ever since their early days when they started traveling a lot, the members had been thoroughly coached on how to survive long flights and the inevitable jetlag that comes with crossing timezones frequently. In some of their busiest days, they’d been offered sleep aids for the flights, and it’s still the case that most of them still take something when they’re going to be on a plane for an especially long time.
For this trip, however, they’re all taking nighttime cold medicine. Their medical team has doses prepared for them to take on the way to the airport, so by the time they board they’re all tired and drowsy enough to fall asleep.
Jimin is grateful that he’s always been able to sleep fairly well when traveling. He’s the most worried about Namjoon, but they put Jungkook in the seat next to him, because it’s a well known fact that it’s almost impossible not to sleep with a warm, snuggly maknae at your side.
After settling into his seat, Jimin pulls out his eye mask and checks the time on his phone. It’ll be a long trip, but the flight home always seems to go more quickly. As the plane starts taxiing on the runway, he takes a quick look around at the others, and silently hopes that they’ll be able to sleep comfortably for the journey.
Then, before the plane even takes off, Jimin closes his eyes and falls asleep.
*
The wait for their luggage seems unbearably long. It’s always the worst part of traveling– waiting at baggage claim after a long flight, before finally getting to travel the final stretch home.
Jimin isn’t paying attention to anything but the section of conveyor belt in front of him, his gaze focused but not, he realizes after what must be five or ten minutes, actually seeing anything.
“So,” Taehyung says, sidling up to Jimin and throwing an arm around his shoulder. “When are you going to pay up?”
Jimin’s jaw cracks with a yawn. “Hmm? Pay up for what?”
“The bet.”
Jimin freezes, suddenly alert. “What? What do you mean?” His voice goes suspiciously high at the end, but there’s no way that Taehyung knows–
“Jungkook’s suitcase wasn’t the last one out, was it?”
Shit. Taehyung definitely knows.
“Neither was Namjoon-hyung’s!” Jimin sputters, trying to deflect.
“So? You cheated. I think you should pay up.”
“I didn’t cheat!” Jimin protests. “Jungkook was the last to pack!”
“But he wasn’t the last to bring his suitcase out. That was you. And what was our bet again, hmm?”
Walking past the crowd and sinking into a chair, Jimin puts his head in his hands. “I can’t believe you knew and didn’t say anything.”
“I can’t believe you were trying to pull one over on me!”
Jimin slumps down in his chair. There’s only one course of action now.
Sniffling, he looks over at Taehyung with his best impression of a sad puppy. “Can you forgive me?” He sniffles again for good measure, swiping a finger under his nose and adding in a weak cough at the end.
It works like a charm, and Taehyung reaches out to take Jimin’s face in both hands. “Of course I can,” he insists, leaning forward until their foreheads touch. “I was just teasing! We can call it a tie.”
“Okay,” Jimin nods, his nose brushing against Taehyung’s. “Thank you. I promise I’ll never lie to you ever again.”
“Pinky swear?” Taehyung leans back and holds out his pinky, and Jimin hooks his pinky around it.
“Let’s take one last selca,” Jimin suggests, quickly changing the subject. “For the end of our trip.”
Taehyung nods and pulls his phone out, grinning at the screen.
“Say, “¡Buen viaje!””
Jimin smiles and starts to repeat the phrase, but right as he does and Taehyung’s finger pushes the button to take the picture, Taehyung sneezes.
It’s loud. So loud, in fact, that nearly everyone in the vicinity turns to look at them.
“Oh no,” Taehyung sniffles sadly. “That’s not gonna be a very good selca.”
“Bless you,” Jimin sighs, pulling a crumpled but clean tissue from his hoodie pocket. “Here.”
“There you two are!” Seokjin calls out, leading Namjoon and Jungkook behind him. “We’ve been waiting for you for fifteen minutes now!”
Yoongi and Hoseok aren’t far behind. They have Jimin and Taehyung’s suitcase with them.
“Sorry,” Taehyung says, not sounding very apologetic. “Hey, before we go home, how about one last picture together in the airport? To end our trip properly?”
Even though everyone is tired, they gather together, squishing in close to humor Taehyung.
“Okay, on the count of three, everyone say, “¡Buen viaje!” One…two…three…”
“¡Buen viaje!”
When Taehyung tilts the phone towards them for review, there’s a beat of silence. Then, Yoongi clears his throat.
“Well,” he says as they look at the seven haggard faces staring up at them from the screen. “Maybe this one stays in the group chat.”
“Speak for yourself,” Seokjin scoffs, but everyone else is nodding frantically in agreement. Namjoon throws an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder. “Let’s go home,” he says, and that sets everyone into motion, grabbing suitcases and making their way through the airport together as a group, ready to head home after a long but fun week of filming together for one of their most eventful seasons of Bon Voyage– or, Buen Viaje– yet.
Summary: Seven members all living together under one roof means everything is multiplied; there are seven schedules to manage, seven people to split chores and cook meals, seven times the chaos, and seven sets of helping hands.
Unfortunately, it also means seven chances to catch the same cold that turns one sick day into an entire sick week.
A/N: This fic is commission #2/3 for my very wonderful, very lovely, very patient friend. (next one coming soon?!?)
This time is no different. Jungkook spends one full weekend doing photoshoots and attending a movie premiere and having back-to-back dinners with his friends. He comes home late in the morning on Sunday and he’s exhausted– from socializing, from working, from not sleeping in his own bed for two nights in a row.
Seokjin clocks it right away, within thirty minutes of him stepping through the front door.
“You didn’t sleep,” he says, a statement rather than a question, cupping Jungkook’s cheek with a frown when he shuffles into the kitchen for a snack. “You’re gonna get sick, if you’re not already.”
“I’m not already sick,” Jungkook mumbles around a yawn. “Just tired.”
“I’ll make you something warm.”
Jungkook sniffs. “I was gonna make myself some ramen…”
“I’ll make you ramen, then. Go change into something comfy.”
Something comfy, to Seokjin, means pajamas.
To Jungkook, it’s his biggest sweatshirt and a pair of baggy sweatpants.
Seokjin eyes Jungkook’s bottom drawer of his dresser, full of unworn pajama sets, with a pout as he sets a bowl of ramen down on the nightstand.
“Take it easy today, Jungkookie. You’ve worked hard this weekend. Call hyung if you need anything, okay?”
“Thank you, Hyung.”
With a fond smile, Seokjin kisses the top of Jungkook’s head and leaves him to rest.
Monday
After sleeping for a good chunk of the day on Sunday, Jungkook goes to bed at 8:30 p.m. with a sore throat, sleeps all the way until 9:17 a.m. the next morning, and wakes up with a full-blown cold.
He drags himself to the bathroom, standing in front of the sink in a daze for a few minutes before he works up the will to rummage around in the medicine cabinet for a box of DayQuil. It takes him entirely too long– another couple of minutes, maybe– to punch the two pills out from their blister pack and swallow them down with a mouthful of water from the sink. His hands are shaky and he feels too slow, too sleepy.
“Hey,” Seokjin says from outside of the half-open door while Jungkook uses the bathroom and washes his hands. “You up for the day? Or going back to sleep?”
It takes a moment for Jungkook to reply. He dries his hands in a hurry and then scrambles for the tissue box on the counter, sniffling against a suddenly runny nose.
“Think I slept too long,” he finally croaks out from behind his tissue. “I feel gross.”
Seokjin eyes the box of medicine on the counter. “You probably need more sleep,” he counters. “You are sick, then?”
Jungkook nods sadly and pulls out another handful of tissues.
“Just take the whole box if you need it,” Seokjin snorts. “Go back to bed. I’ll bring you something to eat in a bit.”
By the time Seokjin appears in Jungkook’s bedroom doorway with a plate of toast and a mug of tea, Jungkook is asleep again, flat on his stomach with his face buried in his pillow.
“He’s going to get us all sick,” Seokjin mutters to himself, leaving the food and retreating with a sigh and a plan to go shopping at the pharmacy later.
Seokjin stops in front of the dry-erase calendar hanging in the kitchen next. He’s the self-designated keeper of their schedules and he likes to keep track of everything in one place. Luckily, this week isn’t the busiest they’ve ever had, but with Jungkook sick today he’ll have to cancel a meeting that’s scheduled for the afternoon.
Erasing the meeting from the calendar, Seokjin also notices that Jungkook has added his little gym magnets to every day this week. He gathers them up and returns them to their allotted whiteboard-parking-spot along with the others. Then, he grabs the blue marker– blue for chores– and adds grocery shopping to today.
“Huh?” Taehyung’s voice is whiney as he appears out of nowhere and presses himself against Seokjin’s back. “I don’t wanna go grocery shopping today, I just went!”
“I’ll do this trip,” Seokjin chuckles, capping the dry-erase marker and returning it to its basket. “Jungkook has a cold so I need to pick up a few things.”
“Jungkookie has a cold?” Jimin gasps, never far from Taehyung’s side. He shuffles up behind Seokjin and surveys the calendar. “I should go check on him and see if he needs anything.”
Seokjin hooks an arm around Jimin’s waist before he can get far. “He’s resting. You can come with me to the store.”
Taehyung starts backing away. “Well, I better get started on those emails…”
He’s gone before Seokjin can turn around.
Jimin, however, looks more than eager to join Seokjin on a shopping trip. “Did you already make a list, Hyung?”
Seokjin pulls out his phone and shows Jimin his running notes, currently at eleven items and counting. “I always have a list, Jiminie.”
*
“I brought you another blanket,” Jimin whispers from the doorway, trying to determine if Jungkook is awake.
It’s late afternoon, and though the sun is bright outside, Jungkook’s room is cloaked in darkness, courtesy of his blackout curtains.
Jungkook coughs a few times and shifts restlessly in his bed. “Min?”
Jimin is across the room in a second, spreading the blanket out over Jungkook. He tucks it around his shoulders, then untucks it so he can climb into bed next to him.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, smoothing his palm across Jungkook’s forehead.
Though he’s clearly feeling miserable, Jungkook doesn’t complain. He just turns onto his side and presses his face into Jimin’s shoulder, coughing softly into his shirt.
The door creaks the rest of the way open, and Seokjin appears holding another blanket. “Oh,” he murmurs in surprise when he sees Jimin and Jungkook already cuddling in the bed. “Does Jungkookie need a blanket?”
Jimin shakes his head and answers for Jungkook. “No, I just brought him one.”
Seokjin carries the blanket over anyway, folding it up and draping it over the back of Jungkook’s desk chair. Then, he cleans up the small mess of used tissues and empty water bottles and prepares Jungkook’s next dose of medicine.
“I can make sure he takes that,” Jimin offers. “What time?”
Jimin has been Seokjin’s shadow all day, helping him care for Jungkook and only leaving his side to cuddle with the sick maknae. It makes Seokjin smile to see how attentive Jimin has been to Jungkook’s needs. As he watches, Jimin tugs the blanket higher over Jungkook’s shoulders and leans over to kiss his temple; Jungkook, having already drifted back to sleep, doesn’t even stir.
“He can take it any time now,” Seokjin finally replies after checking the time. “Whenever he wakes up next.”
“Got it, Hyung!” Jimin whispers.
Seokjin finishes cleaning up. He retrieves two new bottles of water to set on the nightstand for both Jimin and Jungkook, then presses kisses to the tops of their heads before leaving and closing the door quietly behind him.
*
In the evening, Seokjin makes a full family dinner and starts laying it out on the table in front of a half-family of only three.
“Where are they all?” he mutters to himself, already starting down the hall.
He finds Jimin and Taehyung both in bed with Jungkook, curled around either side of him. Both of them are sleeping, but Jungkook is awake. He sneezes once– uncovered, unbothered– and then gives a soupy sniffle as he looks over at Seokjin.
It takes him clearing his throat three times before he can speak. “Hi.”
“Hi. How are you feeling?” Seokjin asks, hands on his hips. “Did you run out of tissues?”
Jungkook sneezes again and shrugs one shoulder.
Seokjin spots the box of tissues on the floor. It’s one of eight new boxes that he and Jimin picked up at the store earlier in the day. Still completely full.
As Seokjin sighs and bends to pick it up, Jimin shifts, his face moving closer to Jungkook’s until he’s only centimeters away from the germ zone.
Before Seokjin can act, two things happen at once: Jungkook inhales sharply, gearing up for another sneeze, and Jimin’s hand flies up, somehow already armed with a tissue that he cups over Jungkook’s mouth and nose just in time.
“Bless’ya, Kookie,” Jimin murmurs, still appearing to be half-asleep.
Jungkook sniffles and nuzzles into the tissue. “Thanks.”
“This isn’t going to end well for any of us,” Seokjin mutters under his breath.
There’s nothing that can be done about it now, though. Seokjin has already rescheduled tomorrow’s recording session for Jungkook; he might as well do the same for Jimin and Taehyung.
In his sleep, Taehyung coughs once, then rolls over onto his back, and Seokjin finds himself sighing yet again.
“I’ll bring you three dinner in a moment. You can eat in here.”
“M’kay, Hyung,” Jungkook croaks. “Thanks.”
*
Neither Jimin nor Taehyung are willing to leave Jungkook’s bed after they eat. Jungkook seems content to have the company, so Seokjin doesn’t push it too hard, though he does remind them that they’re setting themselves up for quite a few sick days.
“M’not gonna get sick, Hyung,” Taehyung grumbles in response, uncharacteristically prickly. His voice is already walking the line of hoarseness.
Seokjin is sure to leave extra water for the three of them while he waits for the kettle to heat up in the kitchen.
“At least try to take care of your voices,” he urges, turning on Jungkook’s humidifier. “I’ll bring you tea in a minute. Any other requests?”
Taehyung shakes his head with a frown, Jimin blinks sleepily up at him and doesn’t seem to realize he’s being asked a question, and Jungkook requests a long list of snacks and items that has Seokjin regretting asking.
“No problem, Kookie,” he says anyway, plastering a smile on his face. “You just stay here and rest. Be right back.”
Tuesday
Sure enough, both Jimin and Taehyung wake up on Tuesday morning with sore throats.
Somehow, a cold is never a simple thing in their house– and certainly not when three of them have colds all at the same time.
“My poor sick babies,” Seokjin tuts as he doles out doses of medicine to Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook.
“You’re all sick?” Namjoon asks from the doorway, getting the update in real time. “Wasn’t it just Kook yesterday?”
“They’re sharing,” Seokjin sighs.
Namjoon takes a step back. “How generous.”
Seokjin does a quick hand-gauged temperature check on the three sick maknaes’ foreheads, then starts gathering used tissues and cough drop wrappers and empty water bottles into a trash can.
“Yoongi is making breakfast. Do you three want to eat in bed or come out to the living room?”
Jungkook, silent until now, presses his face against the side of Taehyung’s neck with a soft groan. “Don’t wanna eat,” he whines, voice thick with congestion.
“That’s not a good sign,” Namjoon mutters from the doorway.
Jimin gently pats Jungkook on the chest, making eye contact with Taehyung for a moment before he turns to Seokjin.
“We’ll eat in the living room.”
Namjoon goes ahead of them to prepare the living room, gathering up blankets and moving tissue boxes before he turns on the TV.
They settle on the couch, with Jungkook in the middle, tucking themselves under blankets. Yoongi brings three bowls of egg juk and three glasses of orange juice on a tray.
“Thank you, Hyung,” Taehyung says, sipping on his orange juice.
“Thank you, Hyung,” Jimin echoes, cradling his bowl to his chest.
Jungkook scrunches up his nose, still not feeling hungry. “Thank you, Hyung,” he pouts, trying to remain polite. “Wish I could smell it.”
“It smells really good,” Taehyung confirms, grinning up at Yoongi.
Hoseok appears a moment later carrying three steaming mugs. “Honey only for Tae,” he says, setting the first one down on the coffee table. “Lemon only for Jiminie. And, honey with lemon for Kookie.”
“Thank you, Hyung,” Taehyung says hoarsely. “You’re the best.”
“Thank you, Hyung,” Jimin echoes.
Jungkook frowns at the mug– he hates tea– but picks it up regardless. “Thank you, Hyung.”
“Enjoy your breakfast,” Hoseok grins. “Let hyungs know if you need anything.”
After receiving three nods of confirmation, the four eldest move to the kitchen table to eat.
“Looks like I’m taking a few more sick days,” Seokjin comments, eyeing the calendar. He’ll need to erase a few things, reschedule a few more things.
“I can’t believe all three babies are sick at the same time,” Hoseok says, glancing toward the living room.
“I can,” Yoongi snorts. “It’s only a matter of time before–”
“Don’t say it,” Namjoon stops him.
They all know it’s true, though; it’s not a matter of if, but when, the rest of them will come down with the same cold that’s currently plaguing their three youngest.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning brings rain, and an atmosphere inside the house that’s nearly as gloomy as the weather.
Seokjin wakes to the distant sound of coughing. And sneezing. Lots of it, from multiple people. A whole house full of sick people. For a moment, he doesn’t want to get out of bed, but after a few more minutes he forces himself to get up, sluggishly shoving his covers aside.
He catches Hoseok coming out of the shower, coughing into his fist as his wet hair drips onto his shoulders.
“That was you coughing?” Seokjin asks, his stomach sinking.
“Huh?” Hoseok frowns. “No, I was just clearing my throat.”
Seokjin fixes him with a look, but Hoseok dodges him and calls over his shoulder, “Dance practice is in thirty minutes, Hyung! Better hurry and get dressed.”
Dance practice. Seokjin makes a U-turn and heads to the kitchen so he can check the calendar. Sure enough, there’s a dance practice scheduled for today, but he’s been all mixed up with all of the cancellations on their calendar and forgot about it.
By the time Seokjin gets ready for practice, it’s just about time to leave. Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon are already waiting by the front door, but Seokjin takes one more minute to stop by Jungkook’s room. The three maknaes are still asleep in Jungkook’s bed, same as they had been before Seokjin got dressed, but he can’t help needing to see with his own eyes that they’re resting peacefully and not in immediate need of anything.
“How are they doing?” Yoongi asks him when he finally makes it back out to put his shoes on.
“Resting. They’re on the mend, hopefully. I’m sure by the time we’re back from practice, the three of them will be up and messing around with their usual energy.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Hoseok agrees, squeezing Seokjin’s shoulder. “Now, let’s go dance your worries away!”
Curled up on the couch in front of him, Taehyung sniffles pitifully. “But I feel really cold.”
Pressing the back of his hand to Taehyung’s forehead, Seokjin calls over his shoulder, “Yoon?”
Yoongi appears just moments later, coming to stand behind Seokjin with a questioning hum.
“Does Tae feel hot to you?” Seokjin guides Yoongi’s hand to Taehyung’s forehead, eyes wide with renewed worry.
Yoongi feels Taehyung’s flushed face, sliding his hand first to his cheek and then to the back of his neck.
“He still has what Jungkook and Jimin have,” Yoongi replies calmly. “Just a cold. And he might have a low-grade fever. Nothing to worry about.”
“I’ll get the thermometer,” Seokjin says anyway, hurrying off to the bathroom. “What if it’s the flu?”
“Is it bad?” Taehyung asks quietly, looking up at Yoongi with watery eyes.
Yoongi chuckles. “No, baby. Don’t let Seokjin-hyung worry you. You always get a bit of fever when you’re sick, hmm?”
Taehyung nods, though he still looks a bit unsure.
When Seokjin returns with a thermometer, Hoseok is with him, concerned eyes zeroing in on Taehyung’s shivering form.
“How are you feeling, TaeTae?” Hoseok asks, dropping down onto the couch next to him while Seokjin crouches back in front of Taehyung.
“I feel gross.” Taehyung clears his throat and swipes at the sweat on his forehead. “Need a shower…w-wait, I need a tissue first.” He curls forward, eyes squeezing shut, and lets out a thunderous sneeze into his hoodie sleeve.
Hoseok grabs the box of tissues from the coffee table for him. “Bless you! Let hyung take your temperature real quick and then you can take a nice warm shower.”
Seokjin waits for Taehyung to blow his nose and then slides the thermometer under his tongue.
“Joon is at the art exhibition,” Hoseok murmurs to Yoongi as they watch Seokjin fret. “He’s stopping back by the company afterward to update them on our sickies. We’ll have to do tomorrow’s dance practice without them too.”
“I figured as much,” Yoongi sighs. “We’re lucky those three already have the choreo down so well.”
“Let’s take it one more time, just to be sure,” Seokjin says, squinting at the thermometer reading.
“It’s not even 38°C, Hyung,” Yoongi interrupts before he can put the thermometer back into Taehyung’s mouth. “Looks like he’ll be fine with a little Ibuprofen.”
Seokjin looks at Yoongi, then at Hoseok, and then back at Taehyung. “Okay. Right. Fine.”
Yoongi pulls Seokjin up off the floor, his hands gentle on his back. “I made lunch,” he says, softly, as if he’s trying not to startle his hyung. “Go get a drink of water and sit down at the table.”
There’s a moment of hesitation, and Yoongi just waits patiently, his expression neutral and his hand moving to Seokjin’s elbow. Then, Seokjin nods, and he lets Yoongi guide him away from the couch, both of them pretending like they can’t hear Hoseok coughing as they leave the room.
*
Taehyung makes it halfway through his shower before Seokjin finds himself outside the bathroom door, hand raised to knock.
“Come in,” Taehyung croaks out, barely audible over the sound of running water, but Seokjin is already turning the knob anyway.
“Doing okay in there?” Seokjin asks. “You’re not dizzy or anything, right?”
A weak cough sputters out from behind the shower curtain, and then Taehyung pushes it aside a few inches. “Nope. Doing great!”
Seokjin opens his mouth to reply, but Taehyung is already stepping back under the spray.
“I can wash your hair if you want,” he offers after a minute, inching closer to the shower.
“Hyung,” Taehyung sniffles from behind the curtain, “I like it when you help me. But I just want to take a quick shower. Don’t need help for that.”
“...Okay. If you’re sure.” Seokjin takes a step back, then another. Taehyung just sniffles again, and Seokjin can hear him squeezing shampoo out of what sounds like a nearly empty bottle. “I’ll, um…I’ll go, then.”
Seokjin’s shoulders sag as he turns around. He knows that Taehyung is right, and that he’ll be completely fine showering on his own– he’s worrying way too much about a low-grade fever. It’s silly, but Seokjin still can’t quite shake the feeling in the pit of his stomach, even–
“Hyung?” Taehyung calls out hoarsely just as Seokjin is about to open the door to leave.
Seokjin whips around so fast he almost turns a full circle, wobbling in place for a second before he rights himself and steps towards the shower.
Taehyung is peeking back out past the shower curtain, looking half like he’s about to sneeze and half like he’s about to laugh. “Wanna come in?” he offers softly, extending a wet hand. “I guess I do need some help rinsing my hair.”
*
Later in the evening, after a hearty home-cooked meal and a round of cold medicine, Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin get tucked into bed together once more. Seokjin takes their temperatures as everyone converges in Jungkook’s bedroom; Namjoon bringing two new boxes of tissues, and Yoongi cleaning up used tissues and gathering empty cups.
Hoseok comes in carrying an armful of blankets, warmed up in the dryer. He doesn’t look well as he drapes them over the bed– a little pale, a little sniffly– but no one seems to notice how unnervingly quiet and subdued he is.
No one except for Seokjin, that is.
“Looks like you brought one too many blankets,” Seokjin says softly, draping one over Hoseok’s shoulders. “Good thinking, warming them up first. The babies will be so much warmer now.”
Hoseok melts beneath the warmth of the blanket, his eyelashes fluttering closed for a long moment before he blinks around the room.
“Hyung?” Jimin’s small, raspy voice draws Seokjin to his side in an instant.
“What do you need, Jiminie?”
Jimin cups his sleeve-covered hand over his face and sneezes twice in a row before answering. “Tissues?”
Seokjin bites back a smile and grabs the tissue box that’s just an arm’s reach away on the nightstand. Jimin has been so quiet the past couple of days, but he’s never hesitated to ask for help. Seokjin can tell he’s fighting to stay awake as he dabs at his reddened nose with a tissue.
“What else?” He urges gently.
“Thirsty,” Jimin whispers. “And Kookie needs water too, please.”
“On it,” Yoongi says, leaving to fetch more water.
By the time Yoongi returns with water, Seokjin has herded Hoseok and Namjoon toward their own rooms to get some sleep, and both Jimin and Taehyung are sleeping. Yoongi sets water bottles on the nightstand and uncaps one for Jungkook.
“Thank you, hyungs,” Jungkook smiles.
He’s looking sleepy now, but restless between Jimin and Taehyung in the bed. Yoongi waits for him to drink and then takes the water back, setting it on the nightstand next to the others. He then hands Jungkook a tissue so he can blow his nose.
“Try to get some sleep,” Seokjin says, tugging the warmed blankets up once Jungkook settles on his back.
Jungkook nods, eyelids drooping. Taehyung coughs in his sleep and Jimin is snoring softly, curled up small against Jungkook’s side. Seokjin stands there watching them fondly until Yoongi takes his elbow and tugs him out of the room.
“You’re hovering,” Yoongi whispers, almost laughing. “Let them sleep.”
Seokjin closes the door and wraps his arm around Yoongi’s waist. “Hoseokie wasn’t looking too good earlier. I should go check on him.”
Yoongi guides Seokjin to his room, shaking his head. “I’ll check on him. You can start washing up. I’ll check on Joon too, before you get any thoughts in your head about doing anything other than getting ready for bed right now.”
Yawning, Seokjin stretches his arms above his head. “Okay, fine. But only because I’m tired. They really wore me out today.”
“Wore yourself out,” Yoongi mutters under his breath in response. “Rest well, Hyung.”
“You too, Yoon. Good night.”
Thursday
Early on Thursday morning, Seokjin appears in the doorway of Jungkook’s room, yawning and rubbing sleep from his eyes.
The bed is a mess of tangled limbs and rumpled sheets and used tissues. Seokjin is pleased to see that Jungkook is already awake, sitting up against the headboard right in the middle of the bed between Jimin and Taehyung, and looking much better than he had the day before.
“How are you feeling?” Seokjin asks softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed and reaching up to feel Taehyung’s forehead with the back of his hand. He’s happy to feel only sleep-warmth and not the heat of fever he’d felt there yesterday.
“Pretty good,” Jungkook replies, looking up from his phone. He still sounds a little congested, but his face is back to a normal, healthy flush.
Seokjin smiles. “That’s great–”
Taehyung coughs himself awake then, whining hoarsely as he curls up under the blanket. The movement jostles the whole bed and Jimin stirs with a liquidy sniffle.
“Huh?”
Jungkook drops his phone into his lap. His hands move to Jimin’s and Taehyung’s shoulders like he’s trying to soothe them back to sleep, but Seokjin thinks this is a perfect opportunity for a transition.
“Jungkook, why don’t you go take a shower?” he suggests, standing so he can hand Taehyung a bottle of water from the nightstand. He grabs the box of tissues and goes around to the other side of the bed, where Jimin is snuffling into his sleeve. “I’ll get your bedding changed. You can rest on the couch when you’re done, okay?”
“I wanted to go to the gym,” Jungkook replies over the sound of Jimin blowing his nose.
“Funny,” Seokjin deadpans. “You can go to the gym in a few days when you’re fully recovered.”
Jungkook frowns and crosses his arms over his chest. He looks so adorably petulant that Seokjin almost reconsiders.
“Go take a shower,” Seokjin chuckles. “Tae, Jimin, come with me.” He pulls back the blankets. “We’re doing a transfer.”
Taehyung and Jimin are sleepy but compliant. They crawl out of bed, shuffling after Seokjin as he leads them across the hall to Hoseok’s room. Jungkook is right behind them, brows furrowed in confusion until Seokjin opens the door and Hoseok greets them with a pitiful cough-sneeze combo.
“Hoseokie is sick now too,” Seokjin announces, as if they can’t hear that for themselves.
“Oh no, Hyung,” Jimin murmurs, already climbing into the bed. He wraps his arms around Hoseok’s waist. “Sorry we got you sick.”
Hoseok waves a hand dismissively. He tries to speak, but his voice cracks. After clearing his throat, he gets out a “don’t apologize” that’s immediately followed by a loud cough.
“So sorry,” Jimin whispers, resting his head on Hoseok’s chest.
Seokjin presses the back of his hand to Taehyung’s forehead again, lingering for just a moment before nudging him forward. “Go get some sleep with Hoseokie,” he instructs, then turns to Jungkook. “Shower time, Kook.”
As soon as Hoseok, Jimin and Taehyung are cuddled up together in bed, and Jungkook is in the bathroom, Seokjin sighs and heads back to his own bedroom. He flops down face-first onto his bed and closes his eyes, only then registering the slight headache that’s forming behind his eyes.
“Great,” he groans out loud. It’s probably because he hasn’t had any water yet this morning. And coffee– he’s definitely going to need several cups of coffee. And maybe some breakfast.
Deciding he’ll wait until he hears Jungkook get out of the shower before he gets up, Seokjin keeps his eyes closed and starts running through a mental list of everything they currently have in the fridge, and wonders what he should make for breakfast.
*
Seokjin doesn’t mean to take a nap, but he ends up falling asleep and wakes two hours later feeling like his tongue is too big for his mouth. There’s drool on his chin and he clumsily wipes it away in disgust, stumbling towards the bathroom so he can brush his teeth and wash his face immediately.
It takes him far too long to feel like he’s fully awake. Even after he splashes cold water on his face, there’s still a heaviness in his body when he moves that makes him want to crawl right back into his bed, and the only thing that stops him from doing just that is his desperate need for a drink of water.
There’s a half-empty bottle of water on his nightstand. He doesn’t even care that it’s room temperature and at least a day old as he chugs the rest of it down greedily. It quenches his thirst just enough that he can focus on the task he’d promised to do next– wash Jungkook’s bedding.
Seokjin’s heart sinks when he steps into Jungkook’s room and sees that his bedding has already been stripped off, and only then does the sound of the washing machine running just down the hall register. He nearly curses under his breath, but bites his tongue and drags a hand down his face instead.
“Did you have a good nap, Hyung?”
Seokjin yelps and turns around to see Jungkook standing in the doorway.
“I didn’t nap!” He blurts out, even though he very obviously did.
Jungkook scrunches up his face. “...Okay, Hyung. Do you want to come to the gym with me?”
Seokjin’s brain doesn’t quite process Jungkook’s words fast enough, so he starts nodding before he realizes what he’s doing. “Wait– what? No, absolutely not–”
“You can’t stop me from working out,” Jungkook says, with far too much amusement in his tone for Seokjin’s liking. “I’m not even sick anymore.”
Seokjin’s hands fly to his hips. “Jungkook, you still sound sick. You should be resting, not working out.”
“I don’t need my voice to lift weights,” Jungkook giggles, infuriatingly nonchalant. “I feel good, I’m only a tiny bit congested still– but I’ll wear a mask. And I’ll make it to practice in time, promise.”
Closing his eyes, Seokjin takes a deep breath through his nose, then exhales slowly. He opens his eyes to look at Jungkook, who’s pulling on a hoodie. He’s already dressed in his gym clothes and Seokjin feels his sense of control rush out of him, like he’s trying to catch something that’s slipping right past his fingers.
No, he thinks, but he can’t get his mouth to say it. No, you can’t–
Then, Jungkook is standing right in front of him. “You doing okay, Jin-hyung?” he asks quietly, one hand coming up to hover somewhere near Seokjin’s shoulder.
Instead, Seokjin ducks away and stalks towards the door. “I’m fine, Kook,” he lies, not looking back. “Be safe at the gym. Please–” He swallows thickly, suddenly extremely thirsty again. “Please don’t overdo it, okay?”
He leaves before he can hear Jungkook’s response, and before he spirals further out of control.
*
“Thank you, Hyung.” Hoseok has the blanket pulled up to his chin. His face is pale, sleep-warm beneath Seokjin’s palm. But not fever-warm– Seokjin has checked twice already in the past ten minutes.
“Of course, Hoseokie. Anything you need, you just call Hyung, okay?”
Hoseok nods and closes his eyes, already close to falling back to sleep. Seokjin sits on the edge of the bed for just a moment longer, watching over him as his breathing evens out. On Hoseok’s other side, Jimin and Taehyung are sleeping face to face, their congested breaths mixing together.
Slowly, Seokjin stands and backs out of Hoseok’s room, pulling the door shut softly. He’s feeling tired again after a long day of caring for his sick dongsaengs and a gruelling dance practice– and, annoyingly, very thirsty again.
Before he gets a drink of water from the kitchen sink, Seokjin stops in front of the calendar. Today, there had only been dance practice, which Hosoek, Jimin and Taehyung had skipped out on. Tomorrow– Friday– there’s only a meeting on the calendar for Namjoon and Yoongi, plus a recording session for Jungkook that Seokjin is almost certain he’ll have to postpone until his voice is back in shape.
And then, it will be the weekend. Seokjin has never looked forward to a weekend more. He sees a couple of social events on Saturday that he briefly considers erasing, but decides to leave just in case. He reaches out to touch the eraser anyway, his fingers hovering for a moment.
Behind him, whoever is sitting in the dining room sniffles loudly– loud enough to remind Seokjin that he had been on a mission to get water. He drops his hand just as there’s another sniffle.
It sounds like Namjoon.
Sure enough, he turns around just in time to see Namjoon swipe at his nose with his sleeve, sniffling yet again.
Suspicious.
Seokjin sighs and makes his way to the kitchen, deciding he’ll make some tea for both himself and Namjoon. He fills the electric kettle with water and finds two mugs and the tea, leaning on the counter and staring absently at the backsplash until the kettle starts to whistle.
When he brings everything out to the table, Namjoon is writing in his notebook. Seokjin sets a mug of tea down in front of him and sits down in the chair across from him. Up close, he can clearly see that Namjoon is exhausted, dark circles under his eyes that stand out against his too-pale face.
“Didn’t sleep well last night?” Seokjin asks, instantly regretting it when he sees the offended look that crosses Namjoon’s face. “Sorry, maybe it’s just me. Felt like I was waking up every two hours.”
Namjoon deflates a little, leaning back in his chair with a small sniffle. “Yeah, guess I didn’t sleep very much either.”
That’s all Namjoon gives him verbally, though. Seokjin stares down at his mug of tea. Namjoon’s a little more sensitive than the others when it comes to illnesses. While Seokjin understands all too well the pressure Namjoon feels to appear strong in front of the other members, he still wishes their leader wouldn’t be so stubborn about getting sick.
He clears his throat, keeping his eyes down as he asks, “You feeling okay?”
“Yep.”
Seokjin nearly smiles. He glances over to see Namjoon watching him with narrowed eyes.
“And what about you?” Namjoon asks pointedly. “Jungkook texted me earlier and said you were acting weird, whatever he means by that.”
“I was just being a little overprotective, that’s all,” Seokjin scoffs. “I still don’t think he should have gone to the gym when he’s recovering. I don’t like how pale he was looking at dance practice, either.”
Namjoon, having successfully deflected from his own health, looks almost smug as he responds, “We were all looking pale by the end of that choreo run Sungdeuk-hyung put us through. Imagine how it’ll go when Hoseok is feeling better.”
Seokjin shudders and takes a sip of his tea. “Yeah. Just imagine.”
Friday
On Friday, Seokjin has to finally admit that Jungkook isn’t really sick anymore. Even Jimin and Taehyung are clearly on the mend, feeling much better, their symptoms nearly gone.
Namjoon, on the other hand, can’t say the same.
“Just because you’re saying you’re fine doesn’t make it true,” Yoongi says dryly as he watches Namjoon struggle through making himself breakfast while trying to stifle a cough. “Go to bed, Joon.”
“Better yet,” Seokjin adds, “Go to Hoseok’s room. Jimin has already vacated so there’s a spot for you.”
“Don’t need to go to the sick room,” Namjoon mutters under his breath, sniffing sharply. “I need to get ready for my meeting.”
“We’re sending Jimin and Jungkook in your place, actually,” Seokjin informs him, bracing himself for their leader’s response. “You can’t deny that they’ll have wonderful ideas for the marketing team, and you’ll be able to add your input next week when you’re no longer dripping from your nose.”
Namjoon flushes pink and takes the tissue that Seokjin hands him without a word.
Ten minutes later, after Namjoon has struggled stubbornly through a bowl of cereal and accumulated a pile of used tissues, Yoongi and Seokjin are able to convince him to rest with Hoseok and Taehyung.
Reluctantly, Namjoon joins Hoseok in his bed, grumbling under his breath but rapidly losing steam. Taehyung is in the shower, and when he gets out he heads to his own bedroom instead, claiming that his hyungs will sleep better with more room in the bed.
“I’ll still rest today, Hyung. I promise,” he grins before Seokjin can protest. “I just have a few things I need to work on. I won’t even leave my bed.”
“I’ll be keeping you to that,” Seokjin replies, reaching up to feel Taehyung’s forehead. “There will be frequent checks. Now, go drink that water I gave you this morning that you’ve barely even touched yet.”
“How did the three of them recover so quickly?” Yoongi murmurs after Taehyung leaves the room. “If I end up catching this, I’m going to be stuck in bed for a week.”
In response, Hoseok lets out a hacking cough, Namjoon sneezes loudly, and Seokjin sighs.
“They’re young,” Seokjin says.
“You’re only five years older than Jungkook,” Yoongi points out.
“Is that all?” Seokjin muses, dragging a hand down his face. “Feels more like ten, sometimes.”
A loud snore interrupts, and Seokjin and Yoongi look over in surprise to see that Namjoon has already fallen asleep, his mouth open and his hands bunched up into fists in front of his face. Hoseok, yawning, turns to face him, his eyelids drooping.
“Poor thing has been more tired than he was letting on,” Seokjin tuts, pulling the blanket up over Namjoon and Hoseok and tucking it in around their shoulders. “So stubborn.”
“Yeah. Well, you should get some rest too, Hyung,” Yoongi murmurs. “You’re doing a lot to take care of everyone.”
Seokjin hums noncommittally, but he knows Yoongi is right.
They leave Namjoon and Hoseok to sleep. Seokjin peers through the door for a moment before he closes it the rest of the way, a tired yet fond smile crossing his face when Namjoon lets out a loud, stuttering snore.
“Kook and Jimin and I are going to head out now,” Yoongi says. “Text me if you need anything.”
“I need this cold virus to stop attacking my members,” Seokjin chuckles wryly, leaning against the wall to watch Yoongi pack his work bag. His gaze flits to Jimin and Jungkook pulling their shoes on by the front door. “Keep an eye on them for me?”
The corners of Yoongi’s mouth turn up. “Only if you promise to get some rest while we're gone,” he negotiates.
Seokjin waves a hand in dismissal. “Yeah, yeah. Of course.”
*
Instead of resting, Seokjin decides to use the time to catch up on laundry.
The chores have fallen a bit behind over the past few days; Seokjin is almost certain that they’ll be doing laundry for a week straight until they’ll be able to catch up. He gets a few loads out of the way, at least, lugging piles of clothes and laundry baskets throughout the various rooms of the house.
He stops by Hoseok’s room after he finally gets the towels sorted and folded. A nap has left Namjoon more congested and no less stubborn than before. He’s sitting up in bed with his laptop in front of him, a tissue clutched against his nose.
“How are you feeling?” Seokjin asks, whispering since Hoseok is still sleeping. “You’re not working, are you?”
“I have a lot to catch up on already,” Namjoon replies, blowing his nose one-handed. “I saw you canceled both of my meetings on Monday.”
His tone clearly implies his dissatisfaction with the schedule change, but Seokjin isn’t too worried about that.
“Oh no, you sound stuffy. I’ll bring you some medicine with lunch.”
Namjoon sniffles, frowning and scrunching up his nose in discomfort at the resulting shift of congestion in his sinuses. He plucks another tissue from the box and swipes at his nose. “I’m not hungry. And I’ll be fine to work on Monday.”
“I admire your optimism,” Seokjin chuckles, checking Namjoon and Hoseok’s water bottles. “Drink some of that water, please.”
Seokjin pretends not to see Namjoon rolling his eyes as he leaves to go check on Taehyung, knowing he’s probably much more miserable than he’s currently letting on.
Taehyung is in his room, sitting in his bed similarly to Namjoon, with his laptop propped up in front of him. He’s watching an anime, but pauses it and smiles up at Seokjin when he comes in.
“How are you feeling?” Seokjin asks, sitting down next to him and cupping the side of his face. “You’re sounding a lot better.”
“Feel a lot better,” Taehyung says. “No more fever. No stuffy nose. I think tomorrow I’ll be–”
“Nope,” Seokjin cuts him off. “Tomorrow, you can rest.”
Taehyung crosses his arms over his chest. “You let Jimin and Jungkook go to work today,” he protests.
“Jimin and Jungkook didn’t have fevers just yesterday,” Seokjin counters. “And that meeting couldn’t really be postponed. Trust me, those two aren’t going anywhere tomorrow, either.”
Whining, Taehyung rolls away from Seokjin. “I’m just going to see my friends, Hyung. They don’t care if I’m sick.”
“Then they shouldn’t mind if you take one more day to recover. Wouldn’t want to get them sick too, would we?” He pats Taehyung’s hip. “Now, I’m going to go get started on lunch. Drink some more water, please.”
*
When Yoongi, Jimin and Jungkook return from their meeting, Seokjin herds them all to the table and serves them steaming bowls of samgyetang.
“How was the meeting?”
“Productive!” Jungkook chirps, and Jimin nods in agreement.
“Boring,” Yoongi mutters around a yawn. He pulls his bowl closer and starts eating enthusiastically.
“Thank you for lunch, Hyung,” Jimin says. “It’s really good.”
Seokjin lingers a moment longer, watching the three of them eat with a smile on his face, before he takes lunch to Hoseok, Namjoon and Taehyung in their rooms.
After everyone is done and Seokjin has cleaned up all of the dishes and the kitchen, he feels tired enough to nap. Instead, he decides to do one more load of laundry for the day. As he passes through the living room, he sees that Yoongi is sleeping on the couch, curled up under a blanket. He stops to feel his forehead, checking his temperature and only moving on when he’s satisfied it’s normal, though he pulls the blanket up a little high over Yoongi’s shoulders first.
Saturday
Yoongi holds out for as long as he can. He eats tangerines by the bagful until he’s undeniably fortified with vitamin C. He hauls around the disinfectant wipes with him everywhere he goes. But after a week of living in the same house as sick people, he is inevitably bound to get sick sooner or later.
He just wishes it would have been later, and not when Hoseok and Namjoon are still sick. Not when Seokjin is likely on the verge of getting sick too, but too focused on taking care of everyone else to even take care of himself.
He wakes up on Saturday morning and can’t even pretend he’s not sick– not that he ever would. He’s not stubborn like Namjoon and Seokjin. But he’s also not looking forward to letting everyone know that he’s finally caught this cold, and instead waits until Jimin walks into the kitchen while he’s getting himself some water to quietly admit that he has a sore throat and a runny nose.
“Oh no,” Jimin gasps, wrapping his arms around Yoongi. “I’m so sorry, Hyung.”
“Nothing to apologize for,” Yoongi shrugs.
“What do you need? Medicine? Should I make you some tea?”
The corners of Yoongi’s mouth twitch up. “You’ve been spending too much time with Jin-hyung, huh?”
Jimin huffs, feigning offense.
“He doesn’t know yet, by the way,” Yoongi sighs. “I’ll tell him later, but for now I’m going back to bed.”
“Want me to cuddle with you?” Jimin offers, and Yoongi shakes his head, aiming a cough into the crook of his arm.
“Thanks for the offer, but maybe later.”
Jimin follows him down the hall anyway, stopping by Jungkook’s room to grab a spare box of tissues. He hovers as Yoongi climbs into bed– his fussing eerily similar to Seokjin’s– and only leaves after he’s sure Yoongi is comfortable.
*
In the afternoon, the whole house is quiet.
Yoongi is napping in his own room, and Hoseok and Namjoon are napping in Hoseok’s room.
Seokjin seems to be missing until Jungkook checks his room and sees that he’s asleep in his bed, sprawled out like he flopped down and was too tired to move. Jungkook can hear that his breathing is labored and stuffy, and his chest tightens with concern. It’s all because of him, after all, that everyone in the house ended up getting sick.
“I’m sorry, Hyung,” Jungkook whispers as he tugs a blanket over Seokjin’s sleeping form.
Sun is shining through the windows, bright and cheery, when Jungkook goes back out to the living room to find Jimin and Taehyung.
“Jin-hyung is sleeping,” he tells them. “And I’m pretty sure he’s sick now.”
“Well, I guess it’s up to us now to take care of the hyungs,” Taehyung says. “They took care of us. Really sucks that all of us got this cold, but I guess that’s kinda how it always goes, huh?”
“Sharing is caring?” Jungkook grins sheepishly, holding out his hands until Jimin and Taehyung laugh and roll their eyes.
They spend the rest of the afternoon quietly taking care of their sick hyungs and playing video games, and the day passes with surprising calmness. None of the four sickies are feeling well enough to do much other than nap, and the fact that it's a weekend seems to help with any lingering guilt about missing out on work after a week of so much missed already.
Jimin checks in on Seokjin twice, each time finding him more deeply asleep than before.
The second time, he presses his palm to Seokjin’s forehead the same way Seokjin always does for them, frowning at the slight warmth there. He pulls the blanket a little higher over his shoulders, sets a fresh bottle of water on the nightstand, and tiptoes back out.
“He’s definitely sick,” he reports when he rejoins Taehyung and Jungkook in the living room.
Jungkook frowns, feeling guilty all over again, but Taehyung pats his knee.
“Hey,” he says softly. “No blaming yourself. It’s not like we tried to avoid cuddling with each other. This was basically inevitable.”
Still, Jungkook frowns and buries his face into Taehyung’s shoulder. “I just hate that I really stressed hyung out this week,” he says.
“I think hyung would be stressed if he knew that you’re feeling guilty about that,” Jimin says gently, rubbing Jungkook’s back. “As long as you give him lots of cuddles when he’s suffering, he’ll be just fine.”
A couple of hours later, Jungkook has made a run to the pharmacy for a restock, Taehyung has picked up a few extra neglected chores, and Jimin has offered his cuddling services to all four sick hyungs, and the house falls quiet again by the time the sun starts to set.
*
“What should we make for dinner?” Jimin asks Taehyung and Jungkook. “Any ideas?”
“I think,” Taehyung replies, “that we should order takeout for dinner.”
Jungkook nods. “Not a bad idea.”
Jimin laughs, relieved he doesn’t have to cook. “Takeout it is. I’ll place an order now.”
They decide on a restaurant and order more than enough food for the seven of them. When the food arrives, they plate it up and arrange it on trays with water and tea and orange juice before carrying it to their sick hyungs.
Hoseok, Namjoon and Yoongi have all taken over Seokjin’s bed, but Seokjin is nowhere to be found. Once they’ve delivered food and make sure their three hyungs have everything they need, they go in search of their eldest hyung.
They find Seokjin in Namjoon’s bed– which makes sense, since his room is a bit crowded.
Seokjin is clearly not feeling well, but they decide not to address it just yet.
“We brought you dinner,” Jimin says, climbing into bed next to Seokjin. “Everyone else has already eaten.”
Seokjin sniffles wetly, taking a moment to respond. He looks like he’s still in the process of waking up after a long sleep, his eyes puffy and his face slack. Jungkook props a pillow between his back and the headboard and Taehyung arranges a variety of drinks on the nightstand within Seokjin’s reach.
“Thank you,” Seokjin finally says, his voice cracking. “You’re sure everyone else has already eaten? What about–?”
“Yes, Hyung,” Jimin interrupts. “Everyone else ate. We just ordered food, so it’s nothing special, but hopefully there’s something here that looks good?” He hands Seokjin a pair of chopsticks and nudges a bowl of rice closer on the tray.
Seokjin picks at the food, sniffling frequently. Taehyung hands him a tissue and Seokjin doesn’t even seem to realize that all three of them are watching him as he wipes his nose with it.
“Do you want some tea, Hyung?” Jimin asks, reaching out to brush Seokjin’s hair back from his forehead. His palm lingers for a moment before sliding down to the side of his face, his thumb brushing back and forth across the apple of Seokjin’s cheek.
In the end, Seokjin only has a few sips of tea and less than half of his food before he declares he’s done, but eating seems to give him a boost of energy.
“I should go check on the others,” he says, surprising them. He grabs the tray and starts gathering everything up, too fast for any of them to help before he’s carrying it out of the room.
“We already checked on everyone,” Jimin calls out after him, but he knows it’s pointless to try and stop him now.
He trails out after Seokjin, with Taehyung and Jungkook right behind him. Seokjin sets the tray on the kitchen counter before going to find Yoongi, Namjoon and Hoseok in the living room, where they’re watching a movie together.
“How are you all feeling?” He asks them, eyeing the crumpled tissues and half-empty mugs on the coffee table in front of them. “Did you all eat already?”
Namjoon pauses the movie and nods. “Yep. The maknaes took care of ordering dinner tonight, so we’ve already had food.”
While Seokjin interrogates, Taehyung grabs Jungkook’s hand and pulls him to the kitchen.
“We have to clean everything up before Jin-hyung tries to do it,” he whispers. “Let’s hurry.”
In record time, Taehyung and Jungkook clean up the kitchen, box up the leftover food for the fridge, and wipe down the counters until they’re sparkling. They manage to sneak back out to the living room just in time to hear Jimin convince Seokjin to head back to his room to rest, claiming that he and Taehyung and Jungkook are going to do the same.
“Good idea,” Taehyung nods, throwing his arm around Jimin’s shoulder. “We can all turn in early tonight.”
“We’re going to bed as soon as this movie is done,” Yoongi promises, smiling up at Seokjin.
“That’s good,” Seokjin murmurs absently, rubbing at his nose. “Okay, then. Get some rest, everyone.”
All six of them are left shocked when that’s all they get from Seokjin– no more fussing, no protest. He just turns and heads back to his room, moving sluggishly and sniffling the whole way.
“He’s sick, isn’t he?” Hoseok asks once they hear his bedroom door close. “Think he’ll be okay?”
“Of course,” Jimin replies confidently. “He’ll probably just need a little…encouragement to rest once he accepts it tomorrow.”
Namjoon reaches for a tissue and blows his nose. “Want to watch the rest of this movie with us?” he offers, looking at Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook over his tissue.
“Sure,” Jungkook responds, watching as Hoseok grabs a tissue next. “But first, I think we better get a few more boxes of tissues out here.”
Sunday
Seokjin finally succumbs to the unavoidable shared cold just when the weekend is reaching its end.
Truthfully, he’s been fighting off the cold for much longer, but it’s on Sunday afternoon as he’s sitting on the edge of his bed checking his emails on his phone when he feels it all hitting him at once– a sore throat, a runny nose, the sense of dread he feels at having to cancel yet more meetings and practices and events.
“Shit,” he whimpers to himself, allowing himself to curse. Allowing himself to wallow for just a moment in self-pity, because, shit. This really sucks.
“Fuck,” Seokjin adds, wincing at how hoarse his voice already is.
He presses both hands against his face, groaning softly and preparing himself for what lies ahead. He’ll need to let the others know. He should take some medicine, to lessen the symptoms. He’ll definitely have to call the company to discuss schedules and rearrange some things on the calendar.
What Seokjin wants, though, is to curl up in his bed and pull the blankets over his head and pretend like he’s not sick. Maybe he can just sleep it off. Maybe he can keep fighting it for just a little–
A harsh sneeze rips its way out of him, painful and wet. Uncomfortable. The thought of his poor dongsaengs, all six of them, having to go through this is more than Seokjin’s heart can handle at the moment, and he feels his eyes welling up with tears as he lifts his blanket and curls up on his bed and squeezes his eyes shut.
Just a little sleep. Just a little longer.
*
“How long has your throat been bothering you, Hyung?” Jimin asks, startling Seokjin as he sips on a glass of water at the kitchen table that evening, wincing with every swallow.
“Probably since Thursday, when Hobi-hyung said his throat hurt and Jin-hyung whispered “same”,” Jungkook shrugs. “Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping an eye on him.” He wraps a blanket around Seokjin’s shoulder and then wraps his arms around him from behind so he can’t shrug it off.
“You’re mishearing things,” Seokjin huffs, wiggling around weakly in Jungkook’s hold.
Taehyung sets a mug of tea down in front of Seokjin. “Drink this, Hyung. It’ll help your throat a lot.”
“You can go back to bed, Hyung,” Jungkook murmurs. “We’ll take care of everything.”
“I haven’t even started making dinner yet,” Seokjin huffs. The thought of standing and even just walking to the kitchen makes his legs feel shaky.
“Tae is already on it,” Jimin tells him. “Do you want to go to your room, or to the couch?”
Seokjin doesn’t even reply. He just stands and lets Jungkook guide him down the hallway. It doesn’t feel right to have the youngest members taking care of him, the eldest member– but it feels necessary, considering how exhausted he is currently.
Yoongi, Namjoon and Hoseok are already sleeping in Seokjin’s bed, each of them snoring away. It’s a tight fit, but Seokjin crawls in next to Namjoon and curls around him easily, face buried in Namjoon’s shoulder. Jimin tucks him in alongside the other three, smoothing the blankets over them until Seokjin settles into sleep, his breathing evening out into soft snores that are drowned out by the congested breathing of the others.
“They sound so miserable,” Jimin frowns sadly.
“Are the four of them really going to snore like this all night? How are they not waking each other up?” Taehyung asks.
“They need a humidifier,” Jungkook decides. “I’ll go get mine and bring it in here. Turn them so they’re lying on their sides instead of their backs.”
When Jungkook returns with his humidifier, he finds that his four sick hyungs have been maneuvered to face each other– now Namjoon and Seokjin are chest to chest, while Yoongi and Hoseok are curled around each other, Yoongi’s head tucked under Hoseok’s chin.
“They’re still snoring,” Taehyung whines.
“That’s just Joonie-hyung. He might not stop.”
Jimin checks his phone. “I’m setting a timer for their next dose of medicine. We can wake them up for food, give them meds, and then put them back to bed.”
Jungkook’s hand settles on Seokjin’s forehead. “Poor Hyung,” he whispers. “He took really good care of all of us.”
Jimin gives a small smile. “And we’ll take good care of him, too.”
*
“What are we doing this week?” Jimin asks, staring at the calendar in confusion.
It’s nearly midnight and the three youngest members of the household are gathered in the kitchen before bed.
“I don’t know,” Taehyung replies, equally perplexed. “Jin-hyung usually does the calendar, but he erased everything for the rest of the month. How long did he think we were all gonna be sick?”
“Don’t you two ever look at the other calendar?” Jungkook asks, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
Jimin and Taehyung turn to face him. “What other calendar?”
“The shared one. Everyone puts their stuff in it?” Jungkook spins his phone around to show the screen. “All of our meetings and other work stuff, plus practices and lessons and everything? How do you not know about it?”
Jimin grabs the phone, eyes going wide. “How long has this existed?”
“I just found out about it like a year ago,” Jungkook says. “But probably since debut. How do you think hyung keeps track of everything? He just likes to write it out so we can see it easier.”
Taehyung gulps. “Uh, that’s a shared calendar? Like, with the whole company?”
Jungkook smirks. “Yes, Hyung. Everyone knows about your Friday night anime marathons and your online book club.”
“There’s a lot of stuff on this calendar for tomorrow morning,” Jimin says, still looking at Jungkook’s phone.
“Guess we should head to bed, then,” Jungkook replies, hiding a yawn behind a fist. “It’s getting late.”
“Or we could stay up and watch something on TV?” Taehyung suggests.
“I mean…” Jimin looks between Taehyung and Jungkook. “We might as well call in sick tomorrow too, right? Someone needs to be here to take care of the hyungs.”
Jungkook nods. “Good idea. Maybe Tuesday, too.”
“It won’t be hard to catch up on stuff,” Taehyung adds. “We’ll be back to work in a few days.”
Their decision made, the three maknaes head to the living room, piling onto the couch and pulling blankets into their laps.
That’s where they all fall asleep a few hours later, and that’s where Hoseok finds them on Monday morning when he shuffles out of Seokjin’s room in a half-awake daze.
For a moment, he just stares blearily at them, rubbing at his eyes and yawning. Then, he shuffles into Jimin’s room and pulls the comforter off his bed, dragging it back out to drape it over the three of them, tucking it gently around their sleeping forms.
With a smile on his face, Hoseok goes back down the hall, slipping quietly into Seokjin’s room. Seokjin, Namjoon and Yoongi are all still fast asleep. Hoseok crawls into bed with them, snuggling against Seokjin’s warm body and closing his eyes so he can catch a few more blissful hours of sleep.
A/N: previously a shorter drabble but I wanted to edit/expand a tiny bit :)
Hey! How’s work? Are you stopping by today?
Squinting at the unread message on his phone, Yoongi’s fingers hover over the screen. It’s late, and he hasn’t seen his boyfriend yet today. In fact, Jungkook has been suspiciously quiet since he’d last seen him the afternoon before. Yoongi knows he’s been busy and is probably in the middle of working on something right now, but he still can’t help but feel a little worried about the lack of messages.
Come work on music with me? Need my pretty songbird to help me out with a melody :)
To his relief, Yoongi doesn’t have to wait much longer after that for Jungkook’s reply to light up his phone screen.
can’t, hyung. throat isn’t in good condition
Yoongi frowns, typing out a response: No problem! You don’t have to sing today, we can do that tomorrow maybe?
After that, his phone is quiet again. Yoongi sets it down on his desk and turns back to his laptop, absently biting the inside of his cheek. His studio is chilly and dimly lit inside; the atmosphere may or may not be influenced by a certain Jeon Jungkook, who just so happens to hate being hot and bright lights. It’s a little colder than Yoongi would usually choose, but he’s been hoping to see Jungkook so he prepared it in advance.
Jungkook doesn’t confirm that he’s actually coming by until about ten minutes later, and it’s followed soon after by a knock on the door.
“Hey,” Yoongi greets him eagerly when he opens the door to see Jungkook standing there with two to-go cups of coffee in hand.
Jungkook smiles shyly at him from within the depths of his hood, pulled so far over his head it creates a shadow across his whole face.
“Hi.” Jungkook hands one of the coffees over, and Yoongi takes a grateful sip.
“You’re a lifesaver,” Yoongi gushes. “Thank you.”
Jungkook fiddles with the plastic lid on his own cup. He’s extra quiet today, maybe sleepy. Yoongi reaches over and rubs his back through his hoodie.
“Want to sit down?”
Yoongi gestures at the couch, then sits in his chair at his desk.
Instead of the couch, Jungkook finds a closer seat– Yoongi’s lap.
“Hey!” Yoongi’s breath punches out, but his arms wrap around Jungkook’s waist automatically. “Well, hello,” he chuckles. “Missed you today.”
Jungkook is still silent. He leans back against Yoongi’s chest, his head ducked down so his face is hidden. Yoongi reaches around him to start the song on his laptop, and then settles back in his chair as the first few notes begin to play, arms tightening around Jungkook again.
He hears Jungkook gasp softly at the chorus, and then again at the bridge, his back expanding against Yoongi’s chest. The rest of the time, he’s still– almost uncharacteristically so, given that they’re listening to music and that usually gets Jungkook swaying back and forth at the very least.
As the song nears its end, Yoongi feels Jungkook start to shake against him. His right hand, resting on Jungkook’s stomach, is jostled with the movement. At first, he’s confused, but the moment he cranes his neck to get a look at Jungkook’s face he realizes what’s going on.
“Oh, baby– don’t cry,” he murmurs, reaching up to brush the tears from Jungkook’s cheek. “What’s wrong?”
Jungkook hunches forward and brings his sleeves up to his face, sniffling. “It’s beautiful,” he whispers hoarsely.
It takes Yoongi a second to realize he’s talking about a song, and a surprised laugh bursts out of him before he can stop it.
“Sorry,” he cuts himself off. “I guess it is kind of a moving song, isn’t it?”
Yoongi reaches up and tugs Jungkook’s hood back to get a better look at his face. Jungkook is still sniffling wetly into his sleeves, but he lowers his hands when Yoongi starts carding his fingers through his hair.
“Whoa,” Yoongi pauses, his hand against Jungkook’s forehead. “You’re really warm, baby.”
Jungkook nods. His eyes are glistening with more tears. When he sniffles again, Yoongi’s eyes are drawn to his nose, which is an alarmingly bright shade of pink.
“I really liked it, Hyung,” Jungkook croaks out, and Yoongi once again doesn’t clock that he’s talking about the song for a moment.
“Why…why does your voice sound like that?” He asks, maneuvering Jungkook sideways in his lap. “Baby, are you sick?”
“Mm hmm.”
“Oh no, my pretty songbird lost his voice.” He takes in Jungkook’s pale face, pink nose, mussed hair. He presses his hand to Jungkook’s forehead again, then the side of the face, then the side of his neck. “I think you have a fever, baby.”
“Yeah.” Jungkook nods sadly, his voice crackling weakly. “But I took medicine and I’m drinking tea,” he adds, holding up his paper cup. “Well, it tastes kind of gross, actually…”
“Jungkook-ie, why didn’t you say so?”
Jungkook’s expression crumples into something slightly annoyed. “I did.” He leans over, tucking his face into the crook of Yoongi’s neck.
“You said that your throat isn’t in good condition,” Yoongi retorts, but Jungkook doesn’t respond. He just presses his nose against Yoongi’s skin and sniffles softly.
Jungkook clutches his cup of tea to his chest. He lets out a long, tired-sounding sigh, his breath tickling Yoongi’s neck.
“It really was a beautiful song,” Jungkook whispers after a minute, and then he’s crying again, wet sniffles and hot tears and shaking shoulders.
“Shh,” Yoongi soothes, taking his cup to set it on the desk. “Oh, baby.”
He wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist again and rocks him gently back and forth as he cries. “Shh, you’re okay.”
It should be offputting, the amount of wetness that’s coming out of Jungkook’s face and dampening Yoongi’s throat and the collar of his shirt, but he can’t quite bring himself to care when Jungkook sounds so pitiful. Jungkook muffles his sniffling and crying against Yoongi’s shirt and Yoongi can feel the worrying heat seeping off of him too well.
It’s not long before Jungkook’s tears begin to slow, his breath hitching softly. He wipes his face with his sleeve and Yoongi kisses his temple, cradling the side of his face with one hand.
“I can’t tell if you’re more emotional because of the song, or the fever,” Yoongi murmurs. “How long ago did you take medicine?”
Jungkook sniffles. “Hour ago.”
“Okay. I’m going to take you home so you can rest, okay? Try saving your voice, baby.”
Jungkook leans away so he can meet Yoongi’s eyes. “Your home?”
Yoongi chuckles and pulls Jungkook back against his chest. “Okay, baby. I’ll bring you home with me. No more talking though. You poor thing.”
After a moment of silence, Jungkook shivers against him. “Cold in here,” he whispers hoarsely.
“Because of you,” Yoongi snorts. “You’re always melting when it gets over twenty degrees.”
He absolutely does not expect for Jungkook to react the way he does– burying his face into his sleeves again before bursting into tears.
“Shit,” Yoongi hisses, his stomach dropping.
His poor, sweet songbird– so sensitive, emotional from the fever, and miserably sick– is never going to stop crying at this point unless Yoongi can get him home and tucked into bed.
“I’ll turn up the heat,” he rushes to say, gently guiding Jungkook off his lap so he can stand up. He leads Jungkook to the couch and waits for Jungkook to sit before wrapping a throw blanket around his shoulders.
Jungkook’s nose is running faster than a faucet. Yoongi grabs the tissue box from his desk and settles it in Jungkook’s lap, plucking a handful of tissues from the box and tucking them into Jungkook’s hands.
“Wipe your nose, baby,” Yoongi encourages. He has half the mind to do it for Jungkook as he watches him clumsily swipe at his nose with the tissues.
Jungkook pouts up at him, his big eyes watery and filled with emotions Yoongi couldn’t possibly name with a single word. His chin wobbles and his pink nostrils flare wide– Yoongi can tell he’s once again on the verge of tears.
“I know,” Yoongi coos, bending down and cupping Jungkook’s face in his hands. “Baby, we’re going home very soon, I promise. Just give me one more minute to get all of my stuff.”
He presses a kiss to Jungkook’s forehead, then rushes around to shut everything down and gather all of his belongings. When he turns back to Jungkook, he sees his boyfriend sniffling into a wad of tissues.
“Let’s bring that with us,” Yoongi suggests, picking up the tissue box and tucking it under his arm.
He helps Jungkook stand up. It’s not terribly cold outside, but Yoongi peels off his jacket and wraps it around Jungkook’s shoulders instead, smiling when Jungkook hums happily at the warmth.
“So nice,” Jungkook whispers, fresh tears welling up in his eyes.
Yoongi hands Jungkook the box of tissues and tugs him towards the door. “Alright, baby. Time to go home.”
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Heeeeeyyyy good luck with your big and scary thing! I believe in you!
I have zero imagination for prompts, but so many thoughts after the last few days (could be for any au):
Jimin is everyone's emotional support, but what happens when he gets sick?
Seokjin getting chilled after a little too long in the snow
Shivery Yoongi who didn't dress warm enough and is trying to hide that he's getting sick
Don't forget, future's gonna be okay, friend 💜
thank you friend 💜
I wrote about shivery Yoongi for you! will most likely be writing the Jimin one too, and at least a short drabble for snow Seokjin. these are all amazing prompts!
Title: Keeping Warm
Word Count: 963
Sickie: Yoongi
Caretaker: Seokjin, lil bit of Jungkook
“Are you cold, Hyung?”
Yoongi startles mid-shiver, spinning around to face Jimin with what he hopes is a neutral expression. “No,” he answers, his breath puffing out visibly in front of his face. “You?”
Jimin answers– something about his jacket keeping him warm enough– but Yoongi barely hears him as he tries to discreetly press his sleeve to his suddenly dripping nose. He sniffles softly, flinching internally at the wet spot he can now feel on his sleeve, and drops his hand after a moment when Jimin’s eyes aren’t watching him anymore.
Earlier that morning, Yoongi had woken to an unfortunate ache in his throat, and the longer they stand outside in the cold, the worse it feels. Now that his nose is running on top of everything, he’s really regretting not dressing in another layer or two. When they start practicing in a bit, he’ll be able to count on the movement to warm him up a little, but until then– well, it’s only a matter of time before his symptoms get to the point of being noticeable, and Yoongi is not about to let that happen.
“Hi, Hyung,” a warm voice murmurs softly in his ear, and Yoongi almost falls over sideways.
“Jesus,” he hisses, grabbing onto something that turns out to be someone’s arm.
“Jungkook, actually,” the arm’s owner giggles. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I was just going to ask if you’re okay. You’re shivering really hard, Hyung.”
Jungkook is speaking quietly, his voice still waking up from the early call time. He looks warm and snug in a hooded jacket and gloves, only the tip of his nose pink from the cold air.
“I’m fine,” Yoongi replies belatedly, clenching his jaw. He’s not sure if he can physically stop himself from shivering, but he’s sure going to try now. “It’s fine.”
“Your nose is pink,” Jungkook comments before yawning widely.
“So is yours,” Yoongi mumbles back. “Hyung is fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“‘Kay.”
Jungkook rests his chin on Yoongi’s shoulder. His breath puffs out warm against Yoongi’s cheek, and Yoongi has to fight the urge to lean into the warmth, choosing instead to shrug his shoulder and dislodge Jungkook completely.
“Mmph!” Jungkook complains sleepily, though he doesn’t look too upset about it.
“I’m gonna go get hand warmers,” he tells Yoongi, reaching for his hand. “Oh, you need some too! Yikes, your hands are freezing, Hyung!”
“I’m fine,” Yoongi protests stubbornly, but Jungkook is already walking away.
It’s not until he sees Jungkook stop right in front of Seokjin that his stomach drops; Jungkook gestures in his direction and fuck, Yoongi’s symptoms are going to be noticed whether he likes it or not.
He hastily wipes his nose and clears his throat and shakes his numb fingers out, but it’s already too late– Seokjin is coming over, and he’s already got a look on his face.
“You’re shivering,” Seokjin notes as he approaches, brow furrowed in concern.
“It’s cold outside,” Yoongi replies defensively.
Seokjin tilts his head to one side, considering.
Yoongi’s heart is pounding wildly in his chest.
“You sound weird.”
“You sound weird,” Yoongi retorts under his breath– but even he can hear how hoarse his voice is already.
Yoongi can see it in Seokjin’s eyes– for a moment, he clearly wants to interrogate Yoongi, or maybe scold him– but instead, he turns on his heel and leaves abruptly.
He’s not gone for long, When he returns, he’s holding a puffy coat, which he wraps around Yoongi’s shoulders. Then, he holds out a little travel-sized pack of tissues and a throat lozenge in his palm, and Yoongi takes it with a mumbled “thanks”, his cheeks warm.
Seokjin pokes Yoongi’s cheek after he unwraps the lozenge and pops it into his mouth. “You look like a strawberry popsicle.”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow, unamused.
“Because you’re pink and frozen,” Seokjin continues, and Yoongi can’t help the snort that bursts out of him.
It’s a bad move when his nose is already running. Turning red, Yoongi sniffles wetly and presses a sleeve under his nose, his free hand fumbling with the tissue pack even though it’s impossible to open one-handed.
Seokjin gently takes the tissues back from him so he can open the plastic seal. He pulls one tissue out, unfolds it, and offers it to Yoongi.
“Now,” he says as Yoongi blushes and wipes his nose with the tissue. “Tell Hyung why you’re over here suffering. You didn’t dress properly for the cold? Or are you getting sick on me?”
Yoongi doesn’t reply, and Seokjin nods knowingly.
“Or both,” he adds– not a question, but a statement.
Yoongi sniffles and keeps his eyes on the ground, feeling like a child.
“Keep that jacket on,” Seokjin instructs, reaching out to guide Yoongi’s arms into the sleeves. He zips it up to Yoongi’s chin and taps him under the chin. “Tell Hyung if you start feeling unwell, okay?”
Nodding, Yoongi knows he will absolutely not be doing that– not until they’re done with rehearsal, at least– but he hopes his acquiescence is believable enough.
“Found the hand warmers!” Jungkook chirps, approaching from somewhere behind Seokjin.
“Thank you, Jungkookie,” Seokjin grins, guiding Jungkook physically to stand next to Yoongi’s side. “Now, stay here and make sure your Yoongi-hyung keeps a hold of those, will you? His fingers might fall off otherwise.”
With a wink, Seokjin pats Jungkook on the shoulder, then leaves the two of them huddled next to each other, Yoongi rolling his eyes and Jungkook giggling softly as he cups Yoongi’s hands in his.
“I’ll keep you warm, Hyung,” he declares proudly, and Yoongi lets him, because it’s a hell of a lot better than keeping his poor hands exposed to the cold for a second longer.
Hi!! All the best for your scary hard work! fighting! 💜
Here is a prompt:
Could you write something on Tae getting sick during the meeting and being unable to attend (as shown in the docu) . Later the members check on him maybe?
Sending loveee 💜
thank youuu 💜
Title: Meeting Adjourned
Word Count: 1,308
Sickie: Taehyung (cold)
Caretaker: OT7
“Where’s Tae?” Namjoon scans the conference room, eyes narrowed, counting heads twice before reaching for his phone to call the missing member.
“He’s sick,” Jimin replies without looking up from his own phone. “He’s gonna join us virtually.”
Namjoon frowns at that. “What? Since when?”
“He doesn’t need to join us if he’s sick,” Seokjin says, mirroring Namjoon’s frown.
“He wants to.” Jimin sighs. “Trust me, I already tried. He was going to walk here when I canceled his ride.”
“How long has he been sick? Why didn’t he say something?” There’s a steady tapping sound as Namjoon types something frantically on his phone, but Jimin reaches over to squeeze his arm gently.
“Not worth trying, hyung. Trust me.”
Just then, a chiming sound comes from the front of the room, and they all turn to see Taehyung’s face appear on the TV screen mounted on the wall.
Taehyung sighs– a muffled, staticky sound. “Yep. But I’m here! How long is the meeting?”
Hoseok checks his watch. “It’s supposed to be an hou–”
“Twenty minutes,” Yoongi cuts Hoseok off sharply. “Nice and short.”
On the screen, Taehyung swipes at his nose with a tissue and pulls his comforter up to his chin. “‘Kay.”
Namjoon claps his hands together, trying not to stare too hard at Taehyung’s red nose and sleep-mussed hair; he tamps down his concern as best he can so they can get their “twenty minute” meeting done as soon as possible.
“Let’s get started,” he says, wincing when Taehyung coughs loudly next to the speaker in reply.
*
“Why did he give you the code to his house?” Seokjin whines, arms crossed. “Why will no one give me their passcode?”
Jimin ignores him, pushing the door open slowly. Taehyung’s house is dark inside, the air hot and stuffy. While Seokjin and Namjoon carry the bags to the kitchen, Jimin leads the way down the long hallway towards Taehyung’s bedroom.
“TaeTae?” He calls out softly, turning the doorknob when he doesn’t get a response. “It’s me.”
Taehyung’s room is even darker and warmer than the rest of the house, the heater turned up high. Jimin leaves the door wide open and looks over his shoulder at Hosoek.
“Will you turn the heat off?” He whispers, and Hoseok nods and goes back down the hall to find the thermostat.
When Jimin turns back, Jungkook has already squeezed past him and is crawling into Taehyung’s bed. Taehyung makes a small, congested sound, squeezing his pillow tighter against his chest, brows furrowed.
“Hyungie,” Jungkook murmurs, wrapping his arm around Taehyung’s waist. He nuzzles against the back of Taehyung’s neck, settling in as if he’s ready to take a nap right along with him.
“He’s asleep,” Yoongi says hesitantly from the doorway. “That’s good.”
Jimin crouches down next to the bed and presses the inside of his wrist to Taehyung’s forehead. “Ooh, he’s a bit warm,” he worried, sliding his hand down to cup Taehyung’s cheek.
Yoongi is instantly by his side, his own hand joining Jimin’s. “Hmm. Do you think he has a thermometer?”
“He’s always warm when he’s sleeping,” Jungkook mumbles from the other side of the bed.
“I want to be sure,” Yoongi insists. “I’ll check his medicine cabinet.”
As Yoongi leaves, Seokjin, Hoseok and Namjoon appear in the doorway, filing one by one into Taehyung’s room.
“How’s he feel– oh. He’s asleep?” Hoseok perches on the side of the bed. “Poor Taehyungie.”
“Is Jungkookie asleep too?” Seokjin peers over Taehyung’s sleeping form to squint at the maknae.
“Yep,” Jungkook whispers in reply, arm tightening around Taehyung’s waist.
Yoongi returns with the thermometer then. He kneels next to Jimin and pulls the plastic cap off the tip, then slowly slides it past Taehyung’s parted lips, maneuvering it under his tongue.
As soon as the thermometer is in his mouth, Taehyung’s nose scrunches up with a sniffle. He whines low in his throat, his tongue poking clumsily at the intrusion. Jimin cards his fingers through his hair and shushes him, catching his wrist when he brings it up to his mouth with another sleepy whine.
“Shh, TaeTae. Go back to sleep, we’re just checking your temperature. Oh–! Okay, never mind–”
Yoongi catches the thermometer when Taehyung pushes it out of his mouth with his tongue, lips smacking together in irritation.
“Should we just wake him up?” Namjoon suggests, shuffling closer. “So we can take his temperature properly and make sure he’s taken some meds?”
Seokjin shakes his head. “No, let him sleep.”
But Taehyung is already stirring, his eyelashes fluttering rapidly. His sniffling increases, a frantic snuffling sound that makes Jimin’s eyes widen in realization–
“Wait–” Jimin leans back, but he keeps his arm outstretched, quickly tugging his sleeve down over his hand to cup it over Taehyung’s mouth and nose just in time to cover the forceful sneeze that explodes out of him.
“Aigo,” Jimin coos, as if he hasn’t just used his own sleeve as a tissue for someone else. “Bless you.”
“Nice catch,” Hoseok says, though his nauseated expression at the sight doesn’t quite match his cheerful tone.
Yoongi, still kneeling on the floor but hunched sideways in an attempt to avoid the sneeze-germs, stands up and reaches for the tissue box on the nightstand. He plucks out a couple and hands them to Jimin, watching as Taehyung blinks awake with a startled, congested snort.
“Wha’?”
“Hey,” Jimin whispers, wiping under Taehyung’s nose with a tissue. “How are you feel–?”
“Doing here?” Taehyung asks gruffly, cutting Jimin off. His face is still scrunched up, cheeks flushed and eyes puffy with sleep.
“Just checking on you,” Jimin replies softly, brushing Taehyung’s hair back from his forehead. “Everyone was worried about you.”
It’s then that Taehyung realizes that it’s not just Jimin, but all of them, standing in his room.
“No,” he croaks out, jerking back from Jimin’s touch.
Behind him, Jungkook grunts as he’s jostled backwards, which makes Taehyung yelp in surprise. He twists around and his elbow bumps into Jungkook’s chest.
“Who the– Jungkookie?” Taehyung glares at the maknae. “Get out of my bed,” he pouts hoarsely.
“We brought medicine,” Jimin tells Taehyung, trying to redirect the sick man’s attention. “Don’t be grumpy with Kook, please.”
“Told you I didn’t want anyone coming here,” Taehyung huffs, turning his red-rimmed eyes on Jimin instead. “I’m gross. And contagious.”
Taehyung’s protests are ignored. Jungkook snuggles back against him and Yoongi holds up the thermometer.
“Fever check,” Yoongi announces. “Then meds. Have you eaten anything today?”
“I’ll go heat up a bowl of soup,” Seokjin says.
Jimin cups Taehyung’s cheek. “We’re here, and we’re not leaving. Open up!”
Yoongi slides the thermometer under Taehyung’s tongue when he opens his mouth to argue. Taehyung scrunches up his face and tries to pull away, but Jimin cups the back of his head to hold him in place.
“You’re the worst,” Taehyung mutters after his temperature is taken and Jimin releases his head, but this time it’s not as heated– there isn’t much fight in him now that exhaustion is catching back up to him.
“No need to be cranky with me,” Jimin chuckles, smoothing Taehyung’s hair down.
Taehyung coughs into a fist and then rubs at his eyes until Jimin tugs his hand away. He tries to glare at everyone, but he’s too sleepy, and his eyelashes flutter in slow blinks. Soon, his face evens out into a slack expression, his mouth falling open with a hearty snore.
“Guess we’ll give him medicine when he wakes up again,” Namjoon whispers.
“Let him rest for now,” Seokjin says, waving everyone out of the room. “I got enough soup for everyone to eat.”
They all shuffle out, except for Jungkook, who is snoring softly right alongside Taehyung, still nestled against the warmth of his back.
Summary: Jungkook has a cold while filming a season of In The Soop with the members. No one notices because he hides it well when he’s on camera. It’s only when he ends up in Yoongi’s trailer that he lets his guard down and allows his hyungs to fuss over him.
A/N: This is fic #1/3 for a commission, for another actual saint if is WAY too patient with me. My endless thanks for both your patience and your trust in my existing ideas 💜
The title is from the In the Soop theme song (I know there are different translations of the line but I liked this one!)
“Uh-uh, it’s a cricket! How do you think that sounds like a frog?!”
Yoongi rolls his eyes as he listens to Jimin and Taehyung bicker over the sounds of nocturnal wildlife, feeling mildly annoyed. They’ve been at it for ten minutes now and they’re showing no signs of stopping any time soon. Typical, but Yoongi is tired, and he has no clue how they have so much energy after an entire day of filming.
Next to him, Jungkook has the opposite reaction, giggling softly when Jimin does his best imitation of a cricket and Taehyung responds with a loud croak that’s supposed to be frog-like. Sweet, calm Jungkook– at least he’s quiet, despite having more energy than Jimin and Taehyung combined. He looks as sleepy as Yoongi feels, but Yoongi knows he’ll be up until dawn playing video games and still kick all of their asses at whatever activity they end up doing tomorrow.
“You need to go back to grade school,” Jimin teases Taehyung. “Next you’ll try to tell me that the bird flying around up by those trees is a bat and not an owl.”
Taehyung sputters, waving his arms wildly. “That’s literally a bat, Jimin! It’s making bat sounds!”
Even Namjoon looks amused by their antics, which is how Yoongi knows it’s probably his bedtime. He stretches his arms up above his head and announces as much to the group.
“I’m going to bed,” he says, looking directly into the camera set up on a tripod just over Seokjin’s shoulder. “For the record, you’re hearing crickets and bats. You’re both wrong.”
“Or we’re both right,” Taehyung counters to Yoongi’s retreating back.
Shifting in his camping chair, Jungkook suddenly grunts softly and then cups his sleeve-covered hands over his mouth and nose, pitching forward with a sneeze that echoes in the night air.
“Bless you,” Hoseok coos from across the fire.
Jungkook doesn’t respond, already laughing cutely again at whatever Jimin and Taehyung have moved onto arguing about next. Yoongi hears him sneeze again as he walks towards his small trailer across the yard.
“They better not be too noisy for me to sleep,” he grumbles to himself, but he can’t help the smile that spreads across his face when he hears Hoseok start rapping about owls in the distance.
In the trailer, Yoongi plugs in his mic to charge and starts getting ready for bed. He closes the curtains on all of the windows– not enough to keep out any actual light, but enough for privacy– and brushes his teeth in the tiny bathroom. The only reason he’d chosen to sleep in here is because there aren’t cameras set up unless he wants one. It’s not a bad place to sleep, all things considered.
Luckily, as soon as he’s settled in bed, it doesn’t matter if he can hear the others or not; he’s so tired that he finds himself drifting right off to sleep right away. His last thought is that they absolutely need to do more of these trips to the forest, if only so Jimin and Taehyung can learn how to distinguish nocturnal animal sounds, and then he’s out like a light.
*
The next morning, Yoongi is the first one up.
It’s a chilly morning. He’s sure everyone else is a little warmer in the houses, but it’s a small price to pay for privacy.
He sits down at the little table in his trailer to check his emails first thing. In the distance, he can hear birds chirping their dawn chorus. For fifteen minutes, Yoongi relaxes and stares at his computer screen and listens to birdsong, but then the desire for coffee pulls him up out of his seat and into the cool morning air.
After making himself coffee in the kitchen in the main house, Yoongi sits on the back deck and watches the sun finish rising. He doesn’t have to look when the door opens behind him and someone steps outside with him.
“Morning, Hyung,” he greets Seokjin. “There’s coffee in the pot.”
“Yes, thank you,” Seokjin says, holding up his mug as he sits down next to Yoongi. “Did you sleep well?”
Yoongi nods, and smiles when Seokjin bumps his nose against his cheek before resting his head on his shoulder.
“Hyung didn’t sleep well,” he complains softly, which makes Yoongi frown.
“No?”
“It’ll be fine tomorrow night. It was too noisy outside. I’m not used to being in nature.”
Rolling his eyes, Yoongi shrugs his shoulder to lightly jostle Seokjin’s head. “You were still in a house. At least you weren’t in a camping trailer.”
“The walls are thin.” Seokjin sits up straight and takes a long drink of his coffee.
Surprisingly, the third member to wake up is Jungkook. Across the lawn, Yoongi and Seokjin watch as the door to the house he’s staying in opens and Bam comes bounding out, followed soon by a stumbling, yawning Jungkook. Jungkook doesn’t look in their direction, too sleepy and focused on his dog. He coughs loudly into the silent morning and then laughs when Bam rushes to his side, on high alert.
“Such a protective pup,” Seokjin chuckles, sipping on his coffee.
“He’s a great match for Jungkook’s energy,” Yoongi says, watching as Jungkook takes off running and Bam bounds after him in slightly uneven, puppy-clumsy strides.
They can hear Jungkook laughing again as Bam chases him and then he chases Bam around on the grass. It makes Yoongi smile behind his coffee mug to hear the adorable, bright sound ringing out.
“Look at you,” Seokjin laughs, poking him in the side. “You get the cutest smile on your face when you watch him.”
Yoongi blushes but doesn’t deny it. “He’s fucking cute, okay? Still a little brat, though.”
“Mm hmm.”
In the distance, Jungkook stops jogging and turns in their direction. Seokjin waves, but Jungkook doesn’t seem to see them. A few seconds later, he snaps forward with a hearty sneeze that echoes off the trees.
“Aigo, he is a little too cute for his own good,” Seokjin says, watching fondly as Jungkook very un-cutely wipes his nose on his sleeve.
Seokjin stands, and together he and Yoongi head inside to start making breakfast for everyone.
Hoseok is the next to shuffle into the house, wide awake and chipper. “Good morning!”
“Morning, sunshine,” Yoongi grins. “Coffee?”
“Only if it’s on ice,” Hoseok replies, fetching himself a tall glass from the cabinets.
While Hoseok makes himself an iced coffee, Jimin comes through the door. He gives out a round of sleepy good morning hugs, then joins Hoseok at the kitchen counter and steals a sip of his coffee, dodging Hoseok’s playful swat before going to get his own.
Namjoon and Taehyung arrive at the same time; Namjoon comes from upstairs as Taehyung shuffles in, looking sleep-rumpled and hungry for breakfast.
Jungkook is the last to arrive, with Bam trailing behind him. He finds Seokjin and immediately clings to his back, shuffling along behind him as he moves about the kitchen.
Seokjin feeds Jungkook small pieces of food over his shoulder like he’s a baby bird, complaining about the strain on his back even though he’s smiling the entire time.
“You make the best food, Hyung,” Jungkook praises, batting his eyelashes even though Seokjin can’t see his face.
“Shh, don’t let Yoongi hear you say that. Now, help Hyung carry everything to the table.”
*
Jimin, Taehyung, Namjoon and Hoseok make use of the pool after breakfast. They change into their swimsuits before gathering on the deck, fighting over pool floats and jumping into the water with big splashes.
Jungkook joins them but doesn’t get in, just dangles his legs in the water and plays fetch with Bam from the side.
“It’s too cold to swim,” Yoongi frowns, watching them from a safe distance. “I don’t get them sometimes.”
“It’s not that cold,” Seokjin chuckles beside him, patting him on the back. “The sun is out and it’s a perfect morning for a swim.”
“You’re going to join them, then?”
“Oh, no. Absolutely not. I thought we were going on a hike?”
On camera, they’re calling it a hike, but it’s little more than a stroll through the forest; neither Seokjin nor Yoongi are even wearing proper footwear for a hike, but it feels more like an adventure that way.
“The staff found binoculars,” Seokjin tells Yoongi, holding up said binoculars with a grin. “We can do some birdwatching.”
They walk down towards the treeline, following the path until the trees become more dense and the atmosphere is significantly more forest-like. There are plenty of birds around, and Seokjin names each of them as they’re spotted; Yoongi has absolutely no clue if Seokjin is bullshitting him or not, but he can’t help but wonder if the names he’s coming up with are real.
The farther they go, the farther away the laughter and splashing gets, until they’re surrounded by a peaceful quiet. Seokjin is humming softly under his breath, and Yoongi thinks he might not even realize he’s doing it.
Suddenly, Seokjin stops walking. “Oh!” He lifts his binoculars. “Is that a–? Oh, never mind. It’s a leaf.”
Yoongi snorts out a laugh and looks up. “That doesn’t even look remotely like a bird.”
“It was flapping around,” Seokjin protests, pouting.
They continue on. Despite his teasing, Yoongi could listen to Seokjin geek out about birds for hours– especially when he’s not actually expected to care much about seeing or naming the birds himself.
“Shall we head back?” Seokjin asks when they get tired of walking.
Yoongi nods. There’s only so much wandering through the forest he can do before it becomes a bit boring. Besides, he’s only here for Seokjin’s company and the fresh air, which he can easily get back at the house.
They turn around and head back down the same path they came on. As they near the house, they can hear screeching in the distance, and when they emerge from the trees at the edge of the property they can see water spraying through the air like a sprinkler.
“Well, I’m glad they’re having fun,” Seokjin laughs. “Maybe I’ll get my swimsuit now.”
Yoongi makes his way to the upper deck where he can sit and watch without getting in the way of the water fight.
Jungkook is standing a good distance away from the pool with a towel over his head, soaking wet and giggling nonstop while Bam runs in circles around him. When he spots Yoongi, he jogs over.
“My nose is running,” he complains, sniffing. “Do you have a tissue, Hyung?”
“I’ll go grab some.”
Yoongi goes inside to find a box of tissues. When he returns, Jungkook is sitting on the steps with the towel around his shoulders, Bam glued to his side. He shivers under his towel and then pulls one corner of it up to wipe his nose.
“Yah!” Yoongi grimaces. “You couldn’t have waited a few more seconds?”
Jungkook looks over his shoulder, sheepish. “Uhh…” He takes the box of tissues from Yoongi and wipes his nose with one. “Thanks.”
Shaking his head, Yoongi sits down on the step next to him. “Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun in the pool.”
Jungkook rests his chin on his knees and yawns. “Mm hmm.”
“If it gets warmer this afternoon, maybe I’ll go for a swim.”
“You should.” Yawning again, Jungkook reaches over and adjusts Bam’s collar. “I’m going to go get changed and take Bam on a walk,” he announces, standing up.
“If you follow that path down there it will take you into the forest a bit,” Yoongi tells him, pointing to the path. “It’s really nice down there.”
Jungkook’s eyes light up. He grabs another tissue and hands the box back to Yoongi. “I’ll do that. Thanks, Hyung!”
*
After a late lunch, Yoongi heads to the trailer to work on some music. He’s in the middle of reworking a particularly stubborn verse when the door creaks open, and Jungkook pops his head inside.
“Come in,” Yoongi murmurs.
The second the door closes behind him, Jungkook sighs his way into a whiny-sounding sneeze. A second sneeze follows, aimed into the crook of his elbow, and it’s punctuated by a full thirty seconds of nonstop sniffling. When he’s done, he looks up, shaking his head and blinking rapidly.
Jungkook is still standing right in front of the door, rubbing one finger under his nose with a faraway look in his eyes. After a minute, he shakes his head and shuffles closer with another sniffle, this one disgustingly wet.
“Blow your nose,” Yoongi instructs, looking around until he spots a box of tissues sitting near the tiny window.
When Jungkook doesn’t move to take a tissue, though, Yoongi stands to get the tissues himself, tugging Jungkook toward the little table to sit down. He hands the tissue box to Jungkook, who accepts it with a grateful nod before plucking one out and blowing his nose.
Turning back to his music, Yoongi checks his to-do list to see if there’s anything Jungkook can help him with while he’s here. Jungkook is quiet as he sits on the bench across from him, his shoulders slumped and his phone in hand.
“You allergic to something in here?” Yoongi asks, glancing up again at Jungkook after he sneezes yet again.
Jungkook doesn’t respond, too busy rubbing his nose and staring down at his phone.
“Jungkookie?”
“Huh?” Jungkook looks up, brow raised in an adorable confused expression.
“Are your allergies bothering you?” Yoongi asks again.
“Oh. No, I’m not.”
That’s all he gets before Jungkook looks back down at his phone.
Yoongi also picks up his phone, checking the time and sneaking another glance at the maknae across from him. Jungkook never lies about his allergies, because if he’s allergic to something they all need to know, and he likes to take meds so he’s not suffering. Still, Yoongi feels like something might be off even if he can’t quite place his finger on it, and Jungkook isn’t giving him much to go off.
If Jungkook wants quiet, though, Yoongi is more than happy to sit in silence. It’s a little easier now that Jungkook isn’t sniffling every five seconds like he had been when he first arrived. He simply makes sure that the tissues are within reach, grabs his headphones, and starts prepping a guide track.
An hour passes before Yoongi knows it. He stretches his arms over his head, wishing he had an iced Americano, and freezes mid-stretch when he notices that Jungkook is asleep sitting up. He wonders exactly how late Jungkook had stayed up last night.
Just as he’s about to shake Jungkook awake so they can go join the others, Jungkook twitches in his sleep, whimpering softly. Ducking his head to get a good look at Jungkook’s face, Yoongi sees that his face is pinched into something uncomfortable, his brow furrowed. He takes one look at the flush on Jungkook’s cheeks and his visibly runny nose and it suddenly clicks– Jungkook is sick.
“Well, shit,” Yoongi sighs, wondering how he didn't notice sooner. Or why Jungkook didn’t say anything earlier.
Pulling out his phone, he texts Seokjin to see if he or anyone else knows. He’s not surprised by the concerned texts he gets back from Seokjin, nor by the response that no one knows.
Quietly, Yoongi gathers up a few things– a bottle of water, cold medicine and lozenges from his toiletries bag, and a couple of the tangerines from the bowl he’d snuck with him from the kitchen.
“Kook,” he whispers, reaching out to gently shake Jungkook’s shoulder.
Jungkook wakes slowly, lips smacking together wetly. His eyelashes flutter and Yoongi can tell he’s fighting it. It takes Jungkook a few minutes to actually wake up all of the way. He drags the back of his hand under his chin, wiping away drool, and blinks dazedly up at Yoongi.
“Take these,” Yoongi instructs, tipping pills into Jungkook’s palm and handing him a bottle of water. “I have throat lozenges if you need them.”
Jungkook looks confused, but accepts the medicine and complies. He drinks the entire bottle of water, pausing only halfway through to blow his nose into a tissue.
“Have you had anything to eat recently?” Yoongi asks, setting the tangerines in front of him. “It’s best if you don’t take that on an empty stomach.”
“Okay.” Jungkook reaches for a tangerine.
Yoongi grabs the other and peels it for him, handing it over once Jungkook has eaten the first. After he’s done, Yoongi sits down next to him, and immediately, Jungkook leans against him, resting his cheek on Yoongi’s shoulder. Yoongi automatically turns and presses a kiss to the top of his head.
“I already let the others know you’re sick. We’re going to meet before we do any more filming.”
“Okay,” Jungkook says, his voice already slightly hoarse.
Yoongi nods. “Okay. Now, why were you hiding this?”
Jungkook sits upright. His face scrunches up, his expression filled with indignation. “I wasn’t.”
“You didn’t tell any of us you were sick.”
Jungkook’s nostrils flare like he’s mad, but he’s giving more of a cute pout than anything actually angry.
“It didn’t come up. I wasn’t hiding it, really. I’m just kind of used to keeping it contained when we’re being filmed.”
“Right. Sorry. I don’t know why I’m interrogating you like this.” Yoongi drags a hand down his face, and Jungkook smirks.
“Because you’re worried,” he says. Then, “You don’t have to be worried. I’m fine.”
“Tell that to your runny nose,” Yoongi quips back, handing Jungkook a tissue that he takes with an embarrassed huff.
*
After the others learn that Jungkook is sick, they flock to the trailer.
Jungkook sits on the trailer steps as they approach, his arms wrapped around his legs and his chin resting on his knees. He’s been coughing a little since waking up from his nap, and Yoongi slips a lozenge into his hand even though he had turned one down earlier.
“This is embarrassing,” he mutters, only loud enough for Yoongi to hear. “They’re gonna fuss over me.”
It makes Yoongi feel a little special that Jungkook wasn’t worried about him fussing, and maybe even welcomed it.
Watching everyone crowd around Jungkook, though, he does get Jungkook’s point. Hoseok, Seokjin, and Jimin all tend to get a little overbearing whenever someone isn’t feeling well, and on top of that they’ve got an entire production crew that will now be focused on Jungkook’s wellbeing too.
“I’m okay,” Jungkook says to the group, his voice thick with congestion. “I just have a cold. I already took medicine. Yes, I want to keep filming. Yes, I already texted Sejin-hyung to let him know.” He glances up at Yoongi. “I know you probably already did, too.”
“We just don’t want you to push yourself too hard,” Jimin says, smoothing Jungkook’s hair back from his forehead. “You already do that on a regular basis.”
“We can reschedule filming,” Seokjin adds, his hands on his hips.
“No,” Jungkook whines. “I don’t want to make everyone reschedule. We can keep filming.”
Seokjin quirks an eyebrow. “And you’ll rest when you need to?”
Jungkook nods adamantly. And then yawns, his jaw cracking audibly.
“Tired?” Yoongi asks him quietly.
“Yeah. I don’t know why, I just took a nap,” he whines, scrubbing at his eyes with a fist.
“It’s okay. You need extra rest and there’s nothing wrong with that. Go inside and take a nap and I’ll come update you with a plan in a little bit.”
“Don’t worry about things and just rest,” Hoseok adds.
After Jungkook goes back into the trailer and closes the door behind him, Yoongi turns to Namjoon, who answers exactly what Yoongi’s about to ask him.
“Jin-hyung and I can talk with the managers and figure out what needs to be changed, if anything, filming-wise. Not rescheduling or leaving Kook out, but just the logistics. It’ll still be his choice when to participate but I doubt he’s gonna want a lot of attention on himself.”
“Jimin, Tae, would you two mind taking care of Bam?” Yoongi asks.
“Happily,” Jimin replies, and Taehyung nods too.
Hoseok tilts his head to one side. “Poor Kookie. At least he can rest and relax as much as he needs this week.”
“I just wish he could’ve done that without being sick,” Yoongi sighs, and the other members nod in agreement.
*
After the others head back up the hill, Yoongi quietly slips inside the trailer. He finds Jungkook slumped across the bed sideways. Jungkook props himself up on one elbow when he comes in, and Yoongi sits down, grabbing a pillow for his lap and patting it. Jungkook immediately crawls closer to rest his head on the pillow. He’s stuffed up, his breathing noisy as he lies there with his mouth open and his eyes closed, and Yoongi cards his fingers through his hair and listens to him fall asleep.
If Yoongi stops to think about it, the signs were all there before they got to the shooting location. Even before the filming crew started setting up cameras in the cars at the company where they would depart for their “vacation”, Jungkook was…off. Quieter than usual. Obviously tired.
Now, it’s clear as day. Yoongi looks down at Jungkook, asleep with his head nestled in Yoongi’s lap, and sighs. He slowly reaches down and presses the inside of his wrist to the younger man’s forehead, soft enough not to wake Jungkook, but he keeps his hand there for a few moments so he can gauge his temperature. Jungkook is warm, his temperature potentially elevated if the heat coming off his skin is anything to go by, but it’s not a terribly worrisome kind of heat. Just like Namjoon, Jungkook is always prone to fevers when he’s sick, even if it’s just a cold, so he reminds himself to keep an eye on it.
Yoongi takes in Jungkook’s dry and chapped lips, his reddened nose that’s running even as he sleeps, the way his congested breathing is coming out in restless snores. It’s been a while since he’s seen Jungkook sick. It’s been a while since any of them have been sick, really. Yoongi hates that it’s Jungkook, though. There’s something especially heartbreaking about seeing their youngest in such a miserable state, even if said youngest is already twenty-four years old. He would take this stupid cold from Jungkook in a heartbeat if he could.
Trying to stuff down his racing thoughts, Yoongi gently runs his fingers through Jungkook’s hair and sighs again. Even though his brain is trying to worry about next steps, he tries instead to focus on Jungkook, and on providing him a quiet, comfortable place to sleep. Namjoon and Seokjin and the managers can worry about next steps, which is exactly what they’re doing out by the basketball court.
Jungkook sleeps for longer than Yoongi expected, stirring awake with a stuffy, sleepy whine an hour later.
“You can go back to sleep,” Yoongi tells him, but Jungkook is stretching out his arms and legs wide like a starfish.
“Thirsty.”
Yoongi gets up to grab him a water bottle. “How are you feeling otherwise?”
Blinking down at the water bottle that’s now in his hand, Jungkook sniffles a few times and shrugs. “Just thirsty.”
“That’s all?” Yoongi chuckles. “Okay.”
Jungkook gulps down the entire bottle of water. He cracks his knuckles and rolls his head from side to side, then stands up with a little shiver. He peers out the window, and Yoongi follows his gaze to see Namjoon and Seokjin returning with Sejin and their director, Junsoo.
Jungkook hurries out of the trailer to greet them. He doesn’t seem to want anyone to come into the trailer, and Yoongi knows then and there he’ll do anything he can to protect the safe space for him.
“Jungkook-ah,” Sejin says, wrapping an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder and squeezing lightly. “I’m so sorry to hear you’re not feeling well.”
“I’m okay, Hyung,” Jungkook blushes. “It’s just a little cold.”
“Either way, your health is the top priority. That goes for all of you.” Sejin looks at each of them before looking back at Jungkook. “All of you planned the activities for this week together, and it’s very flexible. You can participate or not, it’s up to you, but it certainly won’t be expected.”
“I just don’t want to look gross on camera. I can still participate in everything. Uh– after I get a lot of rest, of course,” Jungkook adds when Seokjin and Namjoon both raise their eyebrows.
“It really is flexible, Jungkook-ssi,” Junsoo tells him. “Excuse yourself as much as needed. Feel free to skip the selfie-cams, too, if you’re not comfortable with close-ups.”
“Thank you.” Jungkook rubs his nose. “What about Yoongi-hyung’s trailer? There still won’t be cameras in there, right?”
“Correct. Still no cameras in there, per Yoongi-ssi’s earlier request. We won’t have the cameras in your room anymore either,” Junsoo says. “Feel free to spend as much time in there as you need.”
Jungkook suddenly gasps, which makes him cough a few times. “Bam,” he croaks out as soon as he catches his breath. “He’s in his house in my room– he needs to be let out, I don’t know how long he’s been–”
“Jimin already took care of Bam. He’s in the main house with everyone. Jimin and Taehyung are on Bam duty now, okay?” Yoongi tells him, rubbing his back.
Sniffling, Jungkook slumps in relief. “Right. Okay. Is he okay?”
Yoongi’s face scrunches with a soft, fond smile. “Yes, baby. Bammie is okay. He’s having the time of his life.”
Jungkook’s eyes dart to Sejin and then Junsoo, his cheeks heating at Yoongi calling him “baby” in front of everyone– but neither of them bat an eye.
“Is it alright if the medic comes down to do a quick check-up on you, Jungkook-ah?” Sejin asks.
“I can go up there,” Jungkook replies. “Is it Jiyu-noona?”
Sejin nods. “Yes, and she’s set up in the main house.”
Jungkook abruptly twists away, sneezing harshly four times into his sleeve. When he turns back, he’s sniffling and teary-eyed. “Ugh.”
“Our poor maknae sounds so stuffy,” Seokjin tuts, taking Jungkook by the elbow. “Come, I’ll walk with you to see Noona. She always has the good stuff. You’ll have cleared sinuses in no time.”
Jungkook follows, and Yoongi can’t help but walk with them too, his desire to keep an eye on Jungkook too strong to let him out of his sight just yet.
*
Their on-site medic, Jiyu, has been with them since debut.
Any time one of them has been sick or injured– even just a small scrape– Jiyu is there like a shadow, calm and quick with a bandage or a paper cup of painkillers. She’s six years older than Seokjin, and she has cared for them and most of their staff over the years. Now, even though she’s married and has kids of her own, Yoongi still hears her call the members “the kids” every once in a while like she did in the beginning.
Jiyu is already wearing a mask and pulling on a pair of gloves when they arrive. All of her stuff is set up in one of the rooms off the living room like a makeshift first aid station.
“There’s our patient,” she says, greeting Jungkook with a smile. “How are you feeling? Go ahead and sit down.”
She pulls out a chair for him to sit on, and Jungkook tugs his sweatshirt off before sitting down. He lays his sweatshirt over his lap like a blanket and rolls his sleeve up for her.
Jungkook doesn’t seem to know how to answer her question. He opens his mouth, but doesn’t say anything, looking both confused and like he’s on the verge of a sneeze.
After a moment, Jiyu grabs a thermometer and her stethoscope and answers for him, “Not feeling well, huh? I’m sorry to hear it. Now, I’ll give it a few minutes before I take your blood pressure. Let’s take your temperature first. Open, please?”
Jiyu slides the thermometer under Jungkook’s tongue. Once she gets the reading– 37.2°C– she asks him to list his symptoms.
“I’m really congested,” Jungkook says. “And my nose is also running like crazy. It’s so annoying,” he pouts.
“Is your throat sore?” She asks, gently feeling his lymph nodes under his jaw.
“A little,” he admits, after swallowing to test. “It’s not as bad as it was yesterday.”
Jiyu listens to his lungs with the stethoscope. “Have you been having any coughing?”
“I’ve been coughing a little, but just when my throat is irritated. Mostly it’s just a lot of sneezing and a runny nose. And I’m extra tired.”
“I’ve got medicine for your symptoms,” Jiyu says. “We can also go to a clinic nearby to do an IV any time. I want you to make sure you stay hydrated and drink warm drinks.”
“I’ll go turn the kettle on for tea,” Seokjin offers, making his way to the kitchen.
Jungkook clears his throat. “Yoongi-hyung gave me some medicine a little while ago.”
“Cold medicine,” Yoongi clarifies. “I always bring it with me, just in case.”
Jiyu takes Jungkook’s blood pressure next. It’s a little high– she tells him that’s to be expected. Then, she lets Jungkook put his sweatshirt back on and gives him a hug.
“Take care of yourself,” she says cheerfully, sending Jungkook on his way. “Drink that tea Seokjinnie is making you. And come see me any time.”
“Thank you, Noona,” Jungkook says, cupping a hand over his mouth to cover a yawn.
“Feel better, Jungkookie!”
*
All of the members end up gathering in the living room a little later, after Jimin texts everyone excitedly to let them know that the Olympics are on. Yoongi has been looking forward to watching the archery event all week.
Jungkook is excited too, looking considerably more awake and alert as he walks back up to the main house with Yoongi. In fact, as he cuddles up next to Taehyung on the couch, Jungkook seems almost completely fine, laughing and cheering along with everyone else. One might not even notice he’s sick, if they’re not looking for it– but Yoongi is definitely looking, and he can tell the others are, too.
Jimin tosses a blanket over his lap even though it’s not cold. Seokjin sets the box of tissues on the coffee table right in front of Jungkook, pushing a plate of snacks aside that he then has to push back when Jungkook frowns at the loss. Taehyung is clingy, keeping his arm around Jungkook and glancing at him every few minutes.
Despite the extra attention, Jungkook really does seem to be feeling better. Yoongi almost forgets that he’s even sick as they watch Korea win a gold medal, on the edge of their seats the entire time.
But none of them notice that Jungkook slips away at some point, except for Bam, who goes from member to member in search of his appa before sniffing his way out to the lounge. It catches Yoongi’s attention, so after they hug each other in celebration of the victory, he wanders into the lounge.
He finds Jungkook napping in there, lying on his stomach on the floor with his head pillowed by his balled-up sweatshirt. His hands are in fists in front of his face and he jerks slightly at the sound of Hoseok laughing in the other room, but his eyes stay closed. Bam, lying next to him, opens one eye to watch Yoongi but doesn’t get up.
“Hey,” Yoongi murmurs, sitting down next to Jungkook and leaning up against the wall.
Jungkook scratches the side of his nose with his thumb, not moving any other parts of his body.
“Might be better if you slept in a bed,” Yoongi suggests, but Jungkook just snuffles into his sweatshirt and then goes still.
Leaning down to press a kiss to his temple, Yoongi lingers just a moment to make sure he’s not running hot, and then stands back up. Bam lifts his head, but Yoongi signals for him to stay with a smile. He can’t help but pull out his phone to snap a quick picture when Bam lays his head protectively on Jungkook’s legs, still watching Yoongi.
“Jungkook is asleep in the other room,” he tells the others when he joins them in the kitchen.
At first, everyone gets a little quieter, but soon they’re back to their usual chaotically loud noise level, dividing up cooking duties and cracking jokes that have Jimin falling to the ground in laughter. Dinner prep is always a noisy occasion when they’re all together.
They hear a few sneezes from the lounge, but Jungkook hasn’t joined them by the time Taehyung and Seokjin start carrying food to the table. When they’re just about ready to eat, Namjoon goes to fetch Jungkook. He returns with a sleepy maknae and clingy puppy in tow. Jimin giggles at the sight, guiding Jungkook to sit in a chair and smoothing down his mussed hair. He cups Jungkook’s face and Yoongi can tell he’s feeling his flushed face for fever.
“Time for meds?” Yoongi asks Jungkook softly as he sets a glass of water down in front of him.
Jungkook nods. He yawns, cupping a hand over his mouth and eyeing the staff filming them.
Yoongi frowns. “Sorry. I should have thought about it earlier.”
Clearing his throat, Jungkook looks up at Yoongi like he’s waiting to be told what to do; Yoongi does not hesitate to do just that, gesturing for Jungkook to stay in his chair.
“I’ll grab them,” he tells Jungkook quietly.
When Yoongi returns to the table, food is being served and Namjoon is opening beers to pass around the table.
“Family dinner,” Jungkook murmurs, sounding audibly congested but fully content. “My favorite meal of the day.”
Yoongi is glad to see him happy, considering he’s not eating at all. He takes the pills Yoongi gives him and sips on his water, but the food on his plate goes mostly untouched until Seokjin wordlessly disappears in the kitchen and returns with a bowl of sliced fruit for him.
Jungkook’s still a little hesitant to eat, poking at a cube of watermelon with his chopsticks for a few minutes before he actually eats any of it.
They play a rousing game of Mafia after they’re done eating and everything from dinner is cleaned up. Jungkook is sent into a coughing fit more than once by how hard he laughs at everyone’s antics, and surprises the fuck out of everyone when he ends up being the mafia for the very first round.
By the time they’re three games in, however, Jungkook is falling asleep sitting up. Hoseok cups the back of his head and tugs him against his shoulder, and Jungkook goes willingly, eyelashes fluttering rapidly as he tries to keep his eyes open a little longer.
“Sleepy maknae,” Seokjin coos from his other side, reaching over to tuck Jungkook’s hair behind his ear.
Namjoon looks adorably worried from across the table. “You should head to bed, Kook. It’s getting pretty late anyway.”
Jungkook’s brow furrows. He doesn’t move, nestling comfortably against Hoseok’s side.
“Well, I’m going to head to bed now,” Yoongi says, standing and stretching his arms above his head.
“Goodnight, Hyung,” Jimin replies sweetly.
The staff has already set up their tripods to capture the remainder of the night and retreated to their own rooms. Yoongi helps straighten up a few things, though Jimin and Taehyung are already dealing cards for the next game, and grabs a couple of bottles of water from the fridge to bring to his trailer.
Tonight, although technically Yoongi is the first to head to bed, he has a puppy and a puppy-eyed man following right after him.
“Can I sleep in here with you tonight, Hyung?” Jungkook asks, crouching down to pet Bam as Yoongi turns on the trailer’s lights and opens the door.
Yoongi pauses, surprised.
“I’m gonna go put Bammie to bed first,” Jungkook adds quickly.
“Of course you can, baby,” Yoongi smiles. “Want me to put him to bed for you?”
“No, that’s okay. I can do it.”
He takes off running towards his room and Bam trots after him. Yoongi stands outside and watches them go, listening as Jungkook coughs the entire time he’s jogging up the hill.
*
Yoongi works on music while he waits for Jungkook to return. He’s been unexpectedly productive in the time they’ve been here for filming, and he wants to take advantage of the momentum.
Jungkook’s eyelids are drooping by the time he appears at the trailer door, changed into his pajamas and wearing a hoodie and a coat.
“Fuck me, you look so cute when you’re sleepy,” Yoongi chuckles, wrapping his arms around Jungkook and tugging him into a tight hug. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well today.”
“I’m not cute,” Jungkook mumbles belatedly into Yoongi’s chest. Then, “Hyung, you’re squishing me.”
Yoongi reluctantly lets go.
“Did you brush your teeth?”
Jungkook nods.
“Good. I set out your medicine on the table. Take it and get into bed.”
Jungkook nods again. It takes him a moment to actually follow Yoongi’s instructions, shuffling over to the table with a yawn. He takes his medicine, drinks some water, and then peels his coat off and drapes it over the bench. With his hoodie still on, he crawls into the bed and moves over to the far side, stealing one of Yoongi’s pillows and burrowing under the blanket. He’s sniffling, so Yoongi tosses a pack of tissues onto the bed and reminds him to blow his nose.
Yoongi is glad he thought to grab two extra blankets earlier. He unfolds them both and drapes one over Jungkook, then leaves the other in his spot before getting himself ready.
Jungkook is snoring by the time he gets into bed, but the second he’s jostled by the movement he snorts awake and rolls over, aiming a sleepy sneeze into his sleeve.
“Wanna cuddle,” he murmurs, attaching himself to Yoongi’s back.
“Of course.”
Yoongi allows himself to be manhandled until Jungkook is still again, his breathing evening out into a softer snore this time. He pulls the extra blanket over himself slowly, trying not to move too much, and then closes his eyes and lets Jungkook’s snoring lull him to sleep.
It must be morning when he feels Jungkook climbing over him to get up and blow his nose. Yoongi squints his eyes open and sees the now-empty pack of tissues, surrounded by an alarmingly large pile of used tissues, sitting right between his and Jungkook’s pillows.
Well. At least he has a visual of why his throat is now sore. Which isn’t at all surprising, given that he had Jungkook breathing in his face the entire night. It had been nice to be treated like Jungkook’s teddy bear, held warm and snug against his chest, but he’s definitely paying for it today.
“Hyung,” Jungkook suddenly rasps right in his ear. “We’re out of tissues.”
Yoongi rolls onto his back. Above him, Jungkook’s face comes into view, his expression pouty and his nose pink.
“Can you–” Yoongi clears his throat, struggling to get words out. “Can you hand me my phone? I’ll text Sejin-hyung.”
Jungkook disappears and returns with the phone in seconds. Then, he climbs back into bed, careful as he maneuvers to his spot, and burrows back under the covers. Yoongi feels him nuzzle against his ribs as he pulls up their manager's contact on his phone.
“Did I get you sick?” Jungkook asks after a moment, voice timid, and Yoongi realizes that his hiding under the blanket has nothing to do with trying to go back to sleep.
“Think so.” Yoongi sighs. “Not surprising.”
There’s a series of tiny, pitiful sniffles against his side. Yoongi lifts the blanket up and peers into the darkness until he’s met with big, watery eyes.
“M’sorry, Hyung,” Jungkook sniffles, voice trembling. “I d-didn’t mean to get you sick.”
Never once has Jungkook apologized like this for getting anyone sick. And he is, more often than not, the one that always gets them all sick.
“C’mere,” Yoongi orders hoarsely, lifting the blanket higher until Jungkook wiggles up to poke his head out.
Yoongi presses the back of his hand to Jungkook’s forehead. Jungkook closes his eyes and a tear trickles down his cheek.
“You’ve got a fever. You’re staying in bed today.”
Jungkook’s arm snakes around Yoongi’s waist. “Stay with me,” he murmurs, burying his face against Yoongi’s shoulder.
Resigning himself to being stuck in bed a little longer, Yoongi grabs his phone again and dials a number.
“Hey,” he says when Hoseok answers. “Jungkook is running a fever. He’s going to stay in bed and rest.”
He pauses, listening as Hoseok relays the news to someone else before speaking again.
“What about you, Hyung? You sound terrible. Are you sick too?”
“Ah, yeah. Just a little. I’ll be up once I get some meds and take a shower.”
“Are you sure? You can rest, too.”
“I’m fine for now. I am going to stay with Jungkook for a bit and make sure he’s settled first.”
“Okay. Let us know if either of you need anything.”
“Can you ask Tae and Jimin to take care of Bam again?”
“Will do. See you in a bit.”
Jungkook, now dozing with his head on Yoongi’s chest, snores himself awake when Yoongi sets his phone down.
“Bammie?”
“Yeah, baby, he’s being taken care of. You can go back to sleep.”
And without hesitation, Jungkook does.
*
Jungkook is still sound asleep when there’s a knock on the trailer door. Sejin drops off medicine, schedules a quick check-in for both of them with Jiyu for when Jungkook wakes up, and goes through the day’s plan with Yoongi.
“Thanks, Hyung,” Yoongi smiles. “I’ll text you when he’s up.”
After Sejin leaves, Yoongi adjusts the blanket around himself and Jungkook and tries to fall back asleep. He doesn’t think he’ll be able to, but then the medicine starts to kick in and he feels himself growing drowsy enough to close his eyes and mostly ignore the pain in his throat.
When he wakes again, it’s to Jungkook climbing over him once more. He listens to Jungkook stumble to the tiny bathroom and back, opening his eyes when he senses him standing next to the bed but not getting back in.
To his surprise, Jungkook is pinching his nose, grimacing like he’s in pain before snapping forward with a stifled sneeze that’s almost soundless.
“Don’t hold in your sneeze,” Yoongi scolds, and Jungkook jumps back a foot, startled.
“Shit, Hyung,” Jungkook pants. “Thought you were asleep.”
Sitting up, Yoongi drags a hand down his face and clears his dry throat. “Sejin brought meds and more tissues. How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” Jungkook replies immediately. And then he yawns.
Yoongi ushers him back into bed and prepares medicine and a fever patch for him. Jungkook watches him with one eye open, trying not to fall back asleep until he has taken the medicine and drunk enough water to be deemed adequately hydrated.
“Sleep well,” Yoongi whispers to an already-sleeping maknae.
Before he leaves, he sets Jungkook’s phone and a new pack of tissues next to him on the bed, and then grabs a mask for himself.
In the main house, Yoongi is met with the chaos of five members and fifteen staff preparing for breakfast and the morning’s activities. He spots Namjoon in the upstairs loft reading and Seokjin in the kitchen stirring something on the stove. Hoseok is serving coffee to Jimin and Taehyung at the table.
“Coffee?” Hoseok asks Yoongi with a glance in his direction.
“Please.”
In the corner behind Jimin and Taehyung, Bam is lying on his dog bed. He gets up when he spots Yoongi, bounding over for head pats.
“I’ll take you down to see your appa later,” Yoongi promises as Bam sniffs him all over.
“How’s Jungkookie feeling?” Seokjin asks from the kitchen.
“He’s asleep now. He had a bit of a fever when he woke up this morning. We all better be extra careful about handwashing and sharing drinks today.”
Taehyung, who’s in the middle of taking a sip from his and Jimin’s shared drink, gulps. “For sure. Good idea. Careful is my middle name, Hyung.”
Seokjin snorts, still looking at Yoongi. “How about you? Hobi said you aren’t feeling well now?”
For some reason, talking about it in front of everyone isn’t as easy as talking on the phone with Hoseok had been. Yoongi’s face flushes, and he ducks his head.
“I’m fine. Same thing, just a little cold.”
Seokjin watches him for a moment longer, and then nods. “Well, breakfast is just about ready. Someone get Namjoon, please.”
“I’m coming!” Namjoon calls down from the loft.
A staff member hands Yoongi a mic– he’d forgotten his in the trailer, apparently– and he clips it onto his shirt.
“Sit, Hyung. Food is almost ready.” Hoseok gestures towards a chair and Yoongi smiles under his mask.
“Namjoonie, please take this down to Jungkook,” Seokjin instructs, handing Namjoon a foil-covered plate. “You can leave it if he’s sleeping.”
Namjoon looks longingly at the food already arranged on the table, but he takes the food and slips on his shoes.
While Namjoon delivers food to Jungkook, Hoseok makes everyone iced Americanos and Seokjin finishes cooking eggs. The rest of them sit at the table and start digging into the food– a spread of rice, rolled eggs, cereal and fruit.
Now that Yoongi has food in front of him, he realizes that he has absolutely no appetite. His throat hurts too much to think about swallowing anything that’s not a liquid. As he picks at his breakfast, he tunes out the conversation around him easily. Outwardly, he tries to at least look at whoever is talking at the moment, but his temples are starting to pulse with a headache and his mind feels a bit fuzzy.
It’s been just a little too busy and too loud of a morning, it seems, because it all hits him at once– the headache, an irritated mood, and a very strong desire to be back in the trailer where he can cuddle with Jungkook.
“All done eating, Hyung?” Jimin asks, his hand suddenly on his shoulder, and Yoongi jerks away with a grunt, half-shrugging him off before he can think about his actions.
“Oh!” Jimin pulls his hand back. He sets Yoongi’s plate, which he’d been picking up, back onto the table.
“Sorry,” Yoongi croaks, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Uh, yeah, thanks. All done.” He clears his throat. “Sorry.”
Jimin hesitates a moment before he picks the plate up again. His other hand slides tentatively across the back of Yoongi’s neck, a gentle acceptance of the apology.
Taehyung joins Jimin in carrying plates back to the kitchen while Seokjin puts food away. Hoseok and Namjoon do dishes. Because he’s sick, Yoongi offers to wipe down the table.
After he’s done, he sits back down, scrolling mindlessly through his phone despite how much the screen is making his eyes hurt.
“Can we make hwachae this afternoon?” Taehyung asks Seokjin, eating a post-breakfast snack of strawberries at the kitchen counter.
“Sure. Here, peel a few of these for Yoongi, please.”
Seokjin hands Taehyung a bag of tangerines, which Taehyung dutifully carries over to the table to start peeling. He grins at Yoongi, handing him the first peeled tangerine like it’s a precious gift.
“Thank you,” Yoongi chuckles, internally rolling his eyes in Seokjin’s direction. “You don’t have to peel any more. This is enough.”
Taehyung ignores him, peeling an entire bowl of tangerines until the bag is empty. He offers it to Yoongi, who reluctantly takes two more, and then carries it around to each of his hyungs until all of the tangerines are claimed.
Yoongi manages to eat his three tangerines without much difficulty. He knows he needs something in his stomach other than coffee and cold medicine. Unsurprisingly, he feels a little better after eating.
“Are you going to rest?” Hoseok asks him pointedly when he’s done. He hugs Yoongi from behind, clinging to his back for a moment.
“Not yet.” Yoongi clears his throat. “I’d like to spend some time outside first. It’s a nice day.”
“Just take it easy,” Hoseok replies, squeezing his shoulders before he heads off to the lounge to build a model airplane with Namjoon.
After he leaves, Yoongi really does consider if he’d rather rest instead. He massages his sinuses, sniffling when it makes his nose start to run, and looks around frantically for a tissue. He has to grab a napkin instead, pressing it to his nose just in time.
He can only imagine the disgusting noises that will be picked up by his mic throughout the day. Thank fuck their editing team is excellent at their jobs.
With a sigh and another swipe at his nose with the napkin, Yoongi stands and shuffles over to find his shoes. Hopefully, some fresh air will help ease his headache.
*
In the afternoon, Yoongi joins Seokjin on the dock while he goes fishing.
He’s one hour post medicine dose, which is the sweet spot for actually feeling any relief from his cold symptoms. Still, he feels generally gross, all stuffy and tired and sluggish.
There’s a reason he’s out here with Seokjin instead of playing volleyball with Jimin and Taehyung, or painting with Hoseok and Namjoon. For one, he doesn’t have to do anything. Seokjin doesn’t even hand him a fishing pole, and Yoongi certainly doesn’t mind not having to focus on the task. He’s content to sit in a folding chair and stare out across the lake in silence.
But more importantly, Seokjin is more than happy to talk without expecting Yoongi to add to the conversation. In fact, sometimes Yoongi thinks Seokjin prefers it that way.
“Do you see that bird over there in the water, Yoongi?” He asks, pointing in the direction of what Yoongi assumes to be a duck. “Do you know what that is?”
Yoongi blinks, waiting expectantly.
“That’s a Common Merganser,” Seokjin answers himself. “And that yellow guy over there?” This time, Seokjin is pointing towards a nearby tree. “Yellow-throated Bunting.”
He only spots the yellow bird after Seokjin has moved on, pointing back towards the water.
“I saw a Great Crested Grebe out here yesterday.”
“Hmm.”
“I think I’ll catch a fish this afternoon, Yoongi. Feels like the perfect conditions today.”
Yoongi fishes around in his hoodie pocket for a tissue and blows his nose.
“Jungkookie!” They hear Hoseok suddenly squeal from somewhere in the direction of the main house.
Craning his neck, Yoongi sees Jungkook, Hoseok and Namjoon standing on the deck, Hoseok’s arms wrapped around Jungkook until Namjoon tugs them apart.
“Glad to see Jungkook is up and about,” Seokjin comments, reeling in his line.
For a moment, Yoongi considers getting up so he can go check on Jungkook, but he decides against it, sinking deeper in his chair. His headache is starting to return, and he feels like he could take a nap out here on the dock while Seokjin fishes and yaps about birds.
Yoongi almost does fall asleep. Seokjin is quiet for a bit, and then Yoongi hears him sit down in the chair next to him, apparently taking a break from fishing.
“Feeling okay?” Seokjin asks softly.
“Mm-hmm.”
“The fish don’t want to be caught today. I’ll have better luck in the morning, I think.”
They sit together in silence, looking out across the lake. Five minutes later, they see a canoe come into view from the direction of the boat dock.
Yoongi chuckles sleepily when he sees that Namjoon is in the front rowing solo, and Jimin is sitting in the back with a wide-brimmed hat on his head and a pleased smile on his face.
“Go, Namjoonie-hyung, go!” Jimin instructs, gesturing across the lake.
“So bossy,” Seokjin comments with a fond grin.
“Eh, Namjoon loves it.”
Yoongi’s statement is confirmed by the happy smile on Namjoon’s face as he rows by.
“C’mon,” Seokjin says once they’re across the lake. He pats Yoongi’s leg. “Let’s go up and see what the others are up to.”
*
“We’re gonna play basketball,” Jungkook announces to Yoongi and Seokjin as they walk up to the basketball court.
Yoongi is glad to see he’s looking a little more lively this afternoon. He sounds ridiculous, though, his nose completely stuffed up– not that he can really judge, since his own voice is fading fast.
Somehow, Namjoon and Jimin have beaten them there after a short, speedy canoe trip.
“How do we split up? Three on four?” Hoseok asks, looking around.
“I call Yoongi for my team,” Namjoon says, looping his arm through Yoongi’s.
“I’m sick,” Yoongi snorts. “I might not be on top of my game.”
“I call Jungkookie for mine,” Taehyung echoes, tugging the maknae closer by the back of his shirt. “He’ll beat you even though he’s sick.”
Jungkook puffs up his chest and grins.
“How about free throws instead?” Jimin decides, holding up the basketball. “But you have to make it one-handed. If you make it, you can go inside. If you don’t, you have to stay out here and keep trying.”
“Easy,” Taehyung decides, grabbing the ball from Jimin. He takes his place on the free throw line and lobs the ball one-handed at the basket. It goes sailing clear over the top, and Jimin falls to the ground in laughter, clutching his sides.
“You’re gonna be out here forever,” Jungkook laughs hoarsely, patting Taehyung on the shoulder and taking the ball from him.
“Oldest to youngest, Jungkookie,” Seokjin tuts, taking the ball right out of Jungkook’s hands. “Get in line, everyone.”
Jungkook smacks Seokjin playfully on the arm but heads to the back of the line. Soon, they’re all attempting to make the shot one-handed with varying levels of success.
To no one’s surprise, Yoongi makes it first. He waits off to the side, and Bam comes running over to greet him. Yoongi squats down, patting Bam’s back.
“He’s never gonna make that shot,” he whispers to the dog as he watches Taehyung fling the ball harder than necessary.
Sure enough, the ball ends up missing the hoop by a couple of meters. Yoongi laughs out loud. He has to swallow it down when Taehyung spins around to look at him, betrayed.
“Sorry,” Yoongi calls out, coughing when the words irritate his throat. He turns away, ducking into his sleeve as the tickle in his throat climbs up towards his sinuses and makes him sneeze partway through another cough.
“Bless you!” Hoseok chirps from the court.
“C’mon, Yoon,” Seokjin says, grinning wide after his own free throw victory. “Let’s go inside. This is gonna take a while.”
Yoongi watches Namjoon miss his shot and nods in agreement. “Okay.”
They’re only halfway to the house when a loud, ecstatic whooping makes them turn around. Hoseok is sprinting towards them, hands flailing in the air as he cackles joyously.
“Cute,” Yoongi whispers.
“How come you never call me cute?” Seokjin grumbles, crossing his arms.
The three of them don’t have to wait long inside the house before Namjoon joins them, a bewildered smile on his face.
“Let’s have a drink,” Hoseok suggests. “It’s not often that all of the maknaes come last in a competition!”
Yoongi declines a beer when Namjoon grabs them from the fridge, and decides to make himself a cup of tea instead. He grabs two mugs from the cabinet and finds the tea bags, preparing one for Jungkook too. Then, they sit on the sofa in the living room and celebrate being, as Seokjin declares, the “winners of life” while they wait for Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook.
Jimin arrives first, skipping into the house and plopping himself down into Hoseok’s lap. “It’s way easier without all of you guys watching,” he says, glancing at Yoongi pointedly. “I made it right away after you left!”
Taehyung comes bursting through the door less than five minutes later, just as it starts to rain out of nowhere– the skies darkening and the windows rattling from the wind.
“Jiminie,” he groans, sinking to the floor. “Why did you pick such a hard game?”
“It wasn’t that hard,” Seokjin teases. “I made it easily.”
Namjoon laughs. “I think I got lucky.”
Jimin gets up to grab beers for himself and Taehyung. “Did you have fun?” He asks his soulmate when he returns from the kitchen, plopping down next to him on the floor.
“Yes,” Taehyung admits.
“If you had fun, you won!” Jimin cheers, poking Taehyung’s belly.
“I didn’t win,” Taehyung pouts, swatting his hand away. “But at least I beat Jungkookie.”
Hoseok frowns. “Wait, where is Jungkook?”
“He’s…” Jimin’s eyes go wide. “He’s still playing basketball.”
“Wait,” Yoongi gasps and jogs over to the back door, squinting past the heavy rain. “He’s still out there?”
“He couldn’t make the shot,” Taehyung says, standing and joining Yoongi at the door. “He was…it was like he couldn’t get his arm to work right.”
“Is no one out there with him?” Yoongi asks, surprised to see no staff filming.
“Wait, isn’t that Junsoo?” Namjoon asks, pointing at a figure carefully making their way down the hill with an umbrella.
They all crowd around the door to watch their director reach Jungkook and usher him under the umbrella. Jungkook doesn’t go right away– he’s still standing on the free throw line, one arm behind his back. Though it’s hard to see clearly, they can see him shoot the ball and then jump into the air excitedly.
“He’s going to be drenched,” Jimin frowns.
Junsoo and Jungkook finally start heading toward the house, huddled together beneath the umbrella with Bam running ahead of them.
Seokjin races to the nearest bathroom to grab towels, and as soon as Junsoo and Jungkook reach the deck he pulls the doors open to meet them.
“I need a towel for Bam, too,” Jungkook calls out as he approaches, his teeth chattering.
Seokjin looks down at the two towels in his hands, then sighs and hands them over. “I’ll grab you another one.”
Junsoo wraps the towel meant for him around Jungkook’s shoulder and then rescues his camera from a chair on the deck.
“That rain came out of nowhere,” Junsoo pants, peeling off his wet jacket as he inspects his thankfully weather-proof camera. “And someone,” he tilts his head towards Jungkook, “was being a bit stubborn about coming inside.”
“At least I finally got my free throw,” Jungkook croaks before wrenching to the side with a sneeze.
“Why didn’t you just cheat and come inside early?” Yoongi groans, wrapping another towel around Jungkook’s shoulders.
“I’m not a cheater, Hyung,” Jungkook replies earnestly.
He’s shivering violently now, hands trembling as he attempts to take off his wet clothes.
“We’ll get you some dry clothes to change into,” Seokjin promises, helping Jungkook remove his wet shoes and socks while Jungkook shivers and looks hopefully in Namjoon’s direction.
“Sure, you can borrow my clothes,” Namjoon chuckles, already heading towards the stairs.
Conveniently, he’s the only one sleeping in the main house, so his clothes are the only ones accessible without walking through the rain. He returns with a pair of sweatpants, a shirt, two pairs of socks and a hoodie.
Jungkook makes his way to the bathroom to change, sniffling and shivering. The entire time he’s changing, they can hear loud, wet sneezes echoing in the bathroom.
“Well, this isn’t great,” Yoongi worries.
“He’ll be okay, Hyung,” Namjoon reassures him, rubbing between Yoongi’s shoulder blades.
Hoseok and Jimin hover just outside the bathroom door. When Jungkook emerges he’s clutching a handful of toilet paper to his nose, and Jimin hurries to get him proper tissues to replace it.
“Let’s dry your hair,” Hoseok says, wrapping his arm around a still-shaking Jungkook.
“C-Can I have a blanket?” Jungkook asks, his jaw clenched and his brow furrowed.
They set him up on the sofa, wrapped up in two blankets while Hoseok uses a hair dryer to dry his hair for him. Yoongi brings him a steaming hot mug of tea and Jungkook just holds it in his hands, cradled against his chest.
Jungkook is yawning by the time Hoseok is done, still shivering every few minutes but warmed up.
“I think I want to go take a nap,” Jungkook whispers hoarsely. “Is it time for more medicine yet?”
“Of course,” Yoongi says. “I’ll check on the meds.”
He realizes he hasn’t even kept track of when he and Jungkook both last took medicine, but luckily Jiyu knows.
She gives Yoongi two doses– one for him and one for Jungkook.
“If possible, I’d like to check on him and take his temperature before he sleeps,” Jiyu tells him. “The medicine has acetaminophen, but since his temp was up this morning I want to keep an eye on it.”
“Thank you, Noona. I’ll go get him.”
Jungkook almost falls asleep while Jiyu takes his temperature. She sends him off to rest, and Yoongi fights down the urge he has to carry Jungkook to bed despite the fact that he literally cannot carry Jungkook to bed.
“You can rest in my room,” Namjoon offers Jungkook, pulling the maknae against his chest. “You too, Yoongi.”
“I’m fine,” Yoongi replies. “I won’t sleep well tonight if I nap now.”
But Jungkook looks at him with tired, pleading eyes, and he finds himself going upstairs anyway.
*
Yoongi doesn’t expect to fall asleep. He and Jungkook are crammed into Namjoon’s bed, and Jungkook is snoring loudly, having fallen asleep almost immediately with his head on Yoongi’s chest. Downstairs, he can hear the chatter of everyone’s voices, and it mixes with the sound of the pouring rain outside in a way that’s just a little too noisy.
Despite all that, he finds himself waking sometime later to sweltering heat, inches away from falling off the bed and his pillow missing from beneath his head.
Jungkook is the source of the heat. He’s buried under the blanket, Yoongi’s pillow squished between him and the wall. Yoongi lifts the blanket a little to make sure he’s still breathing in his overheated cocoon.
He’s certain he must have a fever now. His cheeks are flushed and his skin is hot. Knowing that he’s already taken medicine, and is now sleeping– which will be the best thing for him– Yoongi tries not to worry too much.
He carefully extracts himself and stands next to the bed, dragging a hand down his face. A nap maybe wasn’t the best idea, because now he feels groggy and his throat is unbearably dry. There’s one bottle of water on the nightstand but he wants to save that for Jungkook.
Downstairs, Yoongi finds water for himself and chugs it down before checking in with Jiyu. He sets a timer on his phone for when Jungkook is able to take more medicine. Then he finds Taehyung and Namjoon, who are watching something on TV in the living room, and curls up on one end of the couch.
“You can have my blanket, Hyung,” Taehyung offers sweetly, getting up to drape it over Yoongi’s lap.
“Doing okay?” Namjoon asks, to which Yoongi nods.
He yawns his way through the anime episode they’re watching until he finally feels a bit more awake. He’d love to sip on some coffee right about now. Instead, he makes himself some hot tea.
“Where is everyone?” He asks, suddenly realizing how quiet the rest of the house is.
“Grocery shopping for dinner,” Namjoon replies. “Tae and I won the bottle flip game so we got to stay behind.”
“Ahh, I see. Congrats.”
Yoongi is terrible at that game. At least being sick has one perk.
Taehyung sits up, eyes gleaming. “We should play again! Just us three. Loser has to do all of the dishes by themselves.”
Yoongi groans inwardly. He reaches for his water bottle, already half empty, and tosses it up with a flick of his wrist.
It lands upright on the table, wobbling only slightly before going still.
“Well, looks like I’m out of dishes-duty,” he grins, grabbing his mug of tea and leaning back against the couch. “Good luck.”
Taehyung and Namjoon look at each other.
“You’re going down, Hyung!”
“We’ll see about that,” Namjoon retorts, eyes narrowing as he reaches for his own bottle of water from the coffee table and hands it to Taehyung. “After you.”
*
The rain finally clears after Seokjin, Hoseok, and Jimin return from the grocery store.
“Director-nim gave us a budget,” Jimin complains to Taehyung, still holding a GoPro. “It’s way harder when you have to math and shop at the same time!”
In the kitchen, Seokjin and Hoseok are unloading the groceries and preparing dinner. Yoongi gets out of cooking duty again, since he’s still contagious and apparently looks a little worse for wear after his nap. He decides to take Bam with him to go check on Jungkook. Bam sprints upstairs, but sits obediently at the side of the bed, sniffing the air curiously and not jumping up to find Jungkook like Yoongi assumed he would.
“Good boy,” he murmurs, patting the dog’s head.
Jungkook is snoring loudly. Yoongi almost doesn’t wake him, but he wants to check on him and get him to drink some water, at the very least.
“Juuung-kook-iiie?” He calls softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Jungkook inhales, eyelashes fluttering. “Hngh?”
Yoongi feels his forehead with the inside of his wrist. He’s very warm, but Yoongi is pretty sure the fever is down now. Jungkook’s face scrunches up cutely and he squints one eye open.
“Hey, baby,” Yoongi whispers, carding his fingers through Jungkook’s hair. “Did you sleep well?”
Jungkook rolls onto his side. He presses his face into Yoongi’s thigh. “Mmh.”
“You up for family dinner? That is not a filming question, by the way,” Yoongi adds. “It doesn’t matter if you join or not. I’m just checking if you’re feeling well enough to get up, and if you’re hungry and want to eat.”
“Too many words,” Jungkook mumbles sleepily. “Yeah. Hungry.”
Chuckling, Yoongi strokes Jungkook’s flushed cheek. “Food here in bed? Or food with everyone else, on camera?”
“Everyone else. Don’t wanna worry ARMY.”
“Jungkook–”
“You know that makes me feel worse than feeling sick, Hyung,” Jungkook whines congestedly, cutting him off. He coughs into a fist and pushes himself up on one elbow. “I need hair and makeup though. Wait, no–”
Coughing again, Jungkook slumps back down, covering his face with his sleeve until the fit has passed. Yoongi grabs his water bottle and uncaps it for him.
Jungkook drinks, then sits up again, looking forlorn. “Don’t wanna get any of the staff sick. Will you help me with my hair and makeup?”
That gets a surprised laugh out of Yoongi. “Kook, your fever must be worse than I thought. None of us have really been doing makeup. Except maybe Jin-hyung,” he chuckles. “But especially not for family dinner, okay?”
Instead of replying, Jungkook sneezes. Bam’s ears perk up at the sound. He stands and nudges his nose against Yoongi’s thigh.
“Ah, I brought a visitor,” Yoongi remembers, reaching out to scratch behind Bam’s ear. “He’s being a very patient boy.”
“Bammie?!” Jungkook exclaims hoarsely, throwing himself across Yoongi’s lap to reach Bam. “Hi, baby. Are you being a good boy for everyone?”
“He’s being very well-behaved,” Yoongi tells him, not mentioning that Bam has already had two accidents in the house and chewed up one of Namjoon’s slides.
It takes a while for Jungkook to get going. He lazily pets Bam, almost falling asleep again until Yoongi nudges him back awake. After blowing his nose a handful of times, he drinks the rest of his water and finally stands up. He’s dressed in shorts and a t-shirt now, and Yoongi guesses he had overheated during his feverish nap.
They go downstairs together. Bam stays right on Jungkook’s heel, looking up at Jungkook every few steps.
“Our cute maknae is awake,” Jimin gushes, pulling Jungkook into a hug as soon as they reach the dining room. “How are you feeling?”
Bam pushes his way between them, wagging his tail, and Jimin laughs and crouches down.
“You were missing your appa, huh?”
“Taehyungie, can you please grab bowls and help Hobi? Seven of them, now,” Seokjin calls from the kitchen.
“Oh!” Hoseok says when he comes through the back door and sees that Jungkook is awake. “I didn’t know Kookie was joining us. I’m setting the table outside.”
“That’s okay,” Jungkook responds, his voice deep and hoarse. “I don’t mind.”
“You should put on some pants, then,” Namjoon instructs. “It’s cold outside.”
Jungkook frowns, but trudges back upstairs to change into something warmer. They can hear him coughing upstairs, but he’s quiet again when he returns.
Out on the back deck, there are cameras set up around the long picnic table. Jimin and Namjoon supervise Yoongi and Jungkook as they pull their coats on, making sure they dress warmly enough. Yoongi wears a hat, too, but Jungkook doesn’t even want to zip up his coat.
It’s not satisfactory for Seokjin.
“You need a warmer coat, it’s cold outside!”
“I’m fine,” Jungkook mumbles, but Seokjin is already in the process of taking his own coat off to wrap around the maknae’s shoulders.
Yoongi can tell that Jungkook is torn between disliking the fact that they’re babying him and basking in the attention– he’s almost certain which side would win out, if not for the cameras around.
After a lot of chaos carrying food to the table and making multiple trips for drinks, and then a close call involving Bam and a plate of meat sitting too close to the edge, they’re finally all sitting around the table to eat. For the entire meal, Bam is glued to Jungkook’s side, sitting with his entire body pressed up against his legs– either scolded, or protective, or maybe both. Jungkook hardly eats, but he at least does eat some food.
Now that the sun is down, a light breeze has picked up. Yoongi doesn’t feel all that cold– he’s properly bundled up– but his throat is hurting and his nose is runny again. For most of the meal, he spends it with a tissue pressed under his nose to keep it from dripping. He supposes he has the cool air to thank for that.
Jungkook, however, is not only sniffling similarly, but starting to shiver a little.
“I’m cold,” he complains quietly.
All conversation stops, and six pairs of worried eyes turn to look at him. Before anyone can act, however, Jungkook stands and shuffles over to stand behind Seokjin. He hugs him from behind, wrapping his arms around Seokjin’s chest, and nuzzles into the back of his shoulder.
Seokjin chuckles, leaning his head to one side so Jungkook can rest his chin on his shoulder.
“Warm enough back there?”
“Mmm.”
Conversation resumes, and Jungkook ends up sitting on the bench again, squished between Seokjin and Taehyung. Jimin gets a hat and tugs it over Jungkook’s head, and one of the staff members finds a portable heater to set up behind him.
Jungkook doesn’t seem to care much about being cold anymore. He’s content between his hyungs, smiling sleepily and not expected to do anything other than sit there. He puts a mask on and Hoseok can’t help cooing over how adorable he looks with just his sleepy eyes visible.
“M’not cute,” Jungkook whines, after he sneezes and his hat falls halfway off.
Seokjin scoffs. “And I’m not handsome.”
“Yes you are, Hyung,” Jungkook sniffles. “Very handsome. Most handsome.”
“Worldwide Handsome, some might say,” Seokjin grins.
Jungkook nods in agreement. Two minutes later, he falls asleep, drooling a wet patch on his mask.
“Time for bed,” Yoongi decides, for both himself and Jungkook.
Jungkook doesn’t want to be woken up, but he’s pliant as Yoongi helps him stand and starts leading him through the house.
“Can I sleep in your bed again tonight?” He asks.
“Of course,” Yoongi replies. You can sleep in my bed every night, he wants to say, but that’s a little too sappy even for him.
Jungkook wants to take Bam for a short walk first, but Jimin convinces him to let him do it. Jungkook still insists on supervising, sitting on the steps out front and watching. Yoongi waits for him inside so they can walk down to the trailer together.
“Take these with you,” Seokjin says, pushing two blankets and two water bottles into Yoongi’s arms. “Are you sure you two will be warm enough in the trailer?”
Yoongi quirks an eyebrow. “Have you ever slept next to Jungkook? Kid’s a furnace even without a fever.”
Jungkook tries to skip brushing his teeth and changing into pajamas. Yoongi is almost right there with him, but he musters up enough responsibility to get them both to do it anyway.
Once they’re under the covers, Jungkook sighs loudly and wraps an arm around Yoongi’s waist.
“Good night, Hyung.”
“Night, baby.”
“Tomorrow…”
Yoongi waits. Jungkook is silent.
“Tomorrow…?” He prompts, but Jungkook is asleep, his breathing congested but evening out.
He smiles. “Tomorrow,” he whispers, knowing that whatever Jungkook has in mind will surely involve a lot of tissues, if his snoring is anything to go by.
When Namjoon finally sat down at the table in the dorm’s kitchen, a tidal wave of exhaustion instantly overwhelmed his body, and he collapsed forwards, forehead pillowed on his arms. The day had been… long, to put it mildly.
Namjoon usually didn’t mind his role as leader, but today was one of the ones he wished Big Hit gave the job to someone else. He’d woken to a vague headache threatening in his temples, but tamped it down with three Advil. He’d left the dorm early for a meeting with some HYBE and brand execs that ran insanely over the scheduled time. The amount of yelling that had taken place was honestly embarrassing, and it took everything in Namjoon to remain level-headed, to bring everyone together, to be a leader even among his superiors when they proved unable to. The whole thing brought his headache back, full force, and no amount of added Advil had helped this time.
Then, because of the late meeting, Namjoon missed had missed all but fifteen minutes of dance practice, and a choreography learning day no less. In those few moments, Nmajoon couldn’t get a hang of the moves; he knew dance wasn’t his strongest suit, but tried anyway, desperate to release some of the pent up tension from the disaster meeting. So he skipped half of lunch to catch up with the choreographer, who insisted it wasn’t necessary, that Namjoon would easily learn it later, but it had been Namjoon’s choice. He didn’t like the idea of letting his team down, no matter the circumstances. Besides, he wasn’t all that hungry anyway.
Last, but certainly not least, there had been content to film, a task Namjoon usually thoroughly enjoyed. He loved goofing off with his members, getting to reveal their silly side to ARMY, just being together. But today? Every time Seokjin laughed it felt like a spear striking through Namjoon’s brain. Hoseok’s consistent touches (grabbing his hands, squeezing his shoulders, lightly smacking his arm or leg when he laughed) that usually made Namjoon’s heart sing instead made his skin feel too tight. Each playful argument between Jimin and Taehyung, their voices raising higher with each teasing insult, made Namjoon want to bolt from the room. The very air around him felt closer and warmer and more uncomfortable the longer that little red light blinked on the camera before them.
So the second the camera shut off and the director declared they had enough content, Namjoon rose from his chair, ignoring all of the chatter around him, and methodically gathered his belongings. He spilled his headphones into his ears as he slid into the car, first one in, and closed his eyes as he waited for the others to join. No one questioned the leader’s silence. They’d long since come to an understanding that, sometimes, a member would feel overstimulated after long days like this and just need a quiet moment to himself in the car. The headphones were a sign to let him be; to let him recalibrate. Unfortunately, in this moment, recalibrating for Namjoon meant acknowledging all the new aches and pains he’d picked up throughout the marathon of the day, including a rather severe pain in his throat. Well, that couldn’t be good.
Upon arriving home, as the rest of the members disappeared to their own tasks and plans and spaces, Namjoon collapsed into a chair at the kitchen table, catching him up to the present after his review of the busy day.
Namjoon startled at a hand on his back. Jerking up, he made eye contact with Yoongi.
“What’s wrong?” the older man asked. His eyes were firm, serious. There was no use arguing with him.
Namjoon sighed. “I don’t feel well.”
“Yeah, no shit, Sherlock,” Yoongi huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Tell me more.” Namjoon tapped his throat. “Hm. Fever?”
“Maybe?”
Yoongi reached a hand forward, planting it against Namjoon’s forehead, then moving it to his cheek and neck. “That feels like a mild fever to me.” Yoongi’s cool fingers danced over Namjoon’s throat, lingering right below his ears. “You feel swollen too. Might be strep, or tonsillitis.”
Namjoon’s brow furrowed. “I thought that only happened to kids?”
Yoongi snorted a single laugh. “Wow, you really must be sick.” Namjoon met that statement with an unamused glare. “But really. You taking anything?”
The leader shook his head. “Took Advil for the headache throughout the day, but everything else just kinda…” He brought his hands together, fingers interlacing dramatically, “hit since we got in the car.”
Yoongi nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, Hobi clocked something off with you on the ride home. Kook noticed it too.” Namjoon’s lips pressed together and resisted the urge to run a hand through his hair, a stress tell he knew Yoongi would call him on. “Jin and I, of course, noticed the minute you walked into dance practice.” Now Namjoon huffed, rolling his eyes as his arms crossed. “And I’m sure Jimin and Tae can feel our concern through the hive mind so… let’s stop ignoring it, yeah?”
“I’ll get a doctor’s appointment first thing tomorrow,” Namjoon replied, trying to sound annoyed.
Yoongi ruffled his hair, angel soft. “Good man. You want ginger, lemon, or chamomile tea?”
“Surprise me, cause I know you’re going to drown whatever it is in honey anyway.”
thinking about a character who hates having their injuries or illnesses being obvious to others, but also, very deep down, longing for that gentle affection and tenderness and care when they’re feeling terrible
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Hey it’s ace week and you’re local ace has something to say! I’ve been out as ace for 3 years now and it’s still a big part of my identity that I’m proud of so here’s a lil something for those who need it!
Summary: Kim Seokjin is the most annoying person on the entire planet. Yoongi certainly doesn’t care about him, not even when he shows up to work miserably sick one day.
This fic is a commission~ I hope you enjoy friend, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to expand on my first enemies to lovers fic 💜
A/N: You may recognize the first part of this story from this sicktember fic!
Kim Seokjin is the most annoying person on the entire planet.
Yoongi isn’t going to pretend like he thinks otherwise. He can’t stand Seokjin. He can’t stand a single thing about the man– which is very unfortunate considering they’re coworkers.
In a perfect world, Yoongi would simply avoid Seokjin at work. But perfection is unattainable, and fate is unavoidable, and now they’re partnered together on a project all because Seokjin couldn’t keep his mouth shut about how funny it would be if he and Yoongi worked together.
Ugh.
Yoongi is fucking over Kim Seokjin.
He hates that he’s even thinking about Seokjin as he goes into work on Monday morning. Monday mornings should be reserved for drinking coffee and mourning the loss of the weekend, but instead he’s dreading walking into the office and seeing Seokjin already sauntering around cracking obnoxious jokes, or laughing obnoxiously at said jokes, or goofing off obnoxiously as he gets his fifth cup of coffee of the day.
Very pointedly, Yoongi ignores the little voice in the back of his mind that supplies another reason why he doesn’t want to see Seokjin, because the little voice is wrong about Seokjin’s annoyingly handsome face, and Seokjin does not always look goddamn perfect.
So, Yoongi walks into the office on Monday morning with dread in the pit of his stomach. But Seokjin isn’t sauntering around the office cracking obnoxious jokes, or laughing obnoxiously at said jokes, or goofing off obnoxiously as he gets his sixth cup of coffee of the day.
No, he’s not doing any of that.
Instead, he’s sitting at his desk. Actually sitting in his desk chair, facing his laptop– except his laptop is closed, and Seokjin’s head is in his hands, his shoulders all hunched over.
Yoongi stops short. Something is not right, and something way too close to worry fills his chest.
Not that he could ever let Seokjin know that.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Seokjin groans loudly and turns around halfway, waving one hand dismissively. “Go away, Yoongi-ssi.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Yoongi repeats, stepping closer instead when Seokjin leans over to rest his cheek on his desk.
“It’s…a really terrible disease. There’s no known cure.”
“He has a cold!” A voice chirps from Yoongi’s left. He looks over to see the intern– Jungho? Jongkook?– peering at him with wide, curious eyes. “So, technically, he’s right that there’s no known cure!”
Seokjin lifts his head and squints. “Scram, Jungkookie!”
“I have your medicine,” Jungkook replies without blinking. “The liquid kind, ‘cause you can’t swallow the big pills–”
“Jungkook!” Seokjin’s voice cracks pathetically. “Just– bring it here, then.”
Yoongi watches in shock as Jungkook carries a huge canvas shopping tote over to Seokjin’s desk and begins emptying it out. There are several bottles of brightly colored liquid medicine, three boxes of tissues, a six-pack of electrolyte drink and a large bag of tangerines.
“Thank you,” Seokjin whispers hoarsely.
Jungkook puts his hand across Seokjin’s forehead. He chews on his bottom lip and he looks about two seconds away from crying or something.
“You’ve got the intern doing your grocery shopping for you?” Yoongi clamps his mouth shut, but the words have already tumbled out.
Jungkook turns and narrows his eyes at Yoongi in what might be a glare. It’s the same exact expression Yoongi’s three-year-old niece gets on her face when her eomma tells her she can’t eat ice cream before supper– including the pink cheeks and pouty lips.
“Easy, Jungkookie,” Seokjin murmurs. “It’s fine.”
Spinning back to face Seokjin, Jungkook drops down into a squat. “You’d be fine if you were at home resting, hyung,” Yoongi hears him say. “I’ll be checking on you in an hour from now.”
Jungkookie. Hyung. Since when have Seokjin and the intern been using such familiar terms with each other?
In a tone so quiet Yoongi is pretty certain he’s not supposed to hear it, Seokjin tells Jungkook, “I’m only here until two. I have an appointment this afternoon. I promise I’ll be fine until then, okay?”
Jungkook nods and takes his now-empty tote bag back. He shoots Yoongi another glare, his nose scrunching up a little too cutely for it to be intimidating, and then turns around and leaves.
After Jungkook is gone, Yoongi doesn’t really know what to do.
He finally makes his way to his desk– right next to Seokjin’s desk, unfortunately– and sits down. He sets his bag down and opens his laptop and starts arranging all of his things just the way he likes them– neat and tidy and organized.
And Seokjin just– sits there. Glassy eyed and red nosed and sad looking.
It’s not right at all.
“Why are you even here?” Yoongi blurts out before he can stop himself.
Seokjin straightens his posture, which visibly takes effort. “Some of us aren’t rich like you, Yoongi-ssi.” He sniffles, the sound thick and congested. “Speaking of,” he mutters as an afterthought, “I don’t know how I’m gonna pay Jungkookie back for all of this stuff.”
It takes Yoongi a moment to realize he’s talking about the tissues and other supplies. He thinks about the stack of 50,000 won bills he currently has in his wallet, and before he even registers what’s happening, he opens his mouth and says, “I’ll pay Jungkook.”
“Holy fuck,” Seokjin spits out. “I think I’m running a fever. I swear I just heard you say…” He shakes his head and then leans forward to put his forehead against the surface of his desk, a trembling exhale puffing out of his mouth. “Fuck…”
Yoongi has never, ever heard Seokjin swear before, so he might actually be right about the fever.
For a moment, both of them are silent. Well, Yoongi is silent. Seokjin is making a strange sound every time he exhales– it’s uncomfortably clear he can’t breathe through his nose.
“I think you should go home,” Yoongi says. “Or literally anywhere else but here. You’re spreading your germs all over the place.”
“Did you miss the part where I said I’m poor?” Seokjin quips back tiredly, reaching for one of the boxes of tissues. “I can’t just afford to not be at work.”
It takes him several attempts to get the box open, and then a full minute to pull one single tissue out. Yoongi shudders at the thought of watching Seokjin use said tissue, so he quickly stands and makes a beeline for the break room so he can get himself a cup of coffee.
When he returns, Seokjin hasn’t moved. He’s still sitting at his desk, looking somehow even more pathetic than before, his cheek resting on his folded arms. There are no less than seven crumpled tissues surrounding him already.
“It’s not like you’re actually going to get any work done anyway,” Yoongi blurts as he sits back down. “Might as well go home and suffer there, where the rest of us don’t have to watch you.”
It occurs to him that Seokjin always arrives before him and leaves after him, so he has absolutely no clue how Seokjin commutes to work. If he drives, there’s no way he’d be able to safely operate a vehicle in his current condition. Maybe he gets a ride from someone. He’s sure Jungkookie knows. Hell, maybe it’s Jungkook who gives him a ride.
“How do you usually get to work?” He asks, because for some reason he hasn’t already learned way too much about Seokjin today.
Seokjin coughs once. Openly. Into the office air. “I take the bus, of course.”
“Of course.” Yoongi sighs.
He drags a hand down his face. He stares down at his mug of coffee, still steaming hot. He listens to Seokjin’s obnoxious, wheezy, sickly breathing.
And then, he stands up and starts gathering his stuff. “I’ll drive you home then.”
Seokjin doesn’t move an inch. He just stays with his head on his arms and his eyes closed, loudly breathing through his mouth.
Yoongi reaches for his wallet. “Actually, wait here. I’ll be right back.”
It takes an embarrassingly long time for Yoongi to find Jungkook, because he has no clue where the interns actually spend their day. He finally spots him sitting in an empty conference room, typing away on his laptop.
He takes a couple of bills out of his wallet and walks into the conference room.
“Uh, here,” he says, holding the bills out to Jungkook. “For Seokjin’s…stuff.”
Jungkook stares at him like he’s grown a second head.
“He was worrying about paying you back,” Yoongi explains. His cheeks are suddenly warm. “It didn’t seem right for him to worry about that when he’s already so pathetic.”
“Keep your rich Daddy’s money,” Jungkook scoffs. “I don’t need it.”
“My Daddy–? Excuse you, but I’ll have you know that this is my hard-earned money! And my appa died when I was a child, you asshole.”
Jungkook shrugs and crosses his arms. “Okay, you’re not special. Both of my parents are dead and you don’t see me complaining about it.”
Yoongi sputters for a second, his arm still outstretched. “You’re…you’re worse than Seokjin! Who the fuck hired you anyway, Intern?”
“Oh? You think you’re better than me, just because I’m an intern?” Jungkook rolls his eyes. “People like you are the reason hell exists.”
Yoongi’s jaw drops open.
“And by the way, my name is Jungkook. Jung. Kook! Not Intern.”
Before Yoongi can respond, an obnoxiously loud sneeze rings through the air no less than a foot away from Yoongi’s right ear, and he jumps a foot in the air.
“Excuse me,” Seokjin sniffles from behind a giant wad of tissues. “Woah, that one was a doozy. I might need to sit down…”
“Hyung!” Jungkook shoves past Yoongi, rushing to Seokjin’s side as he starts to sway back and forth on his feet, and grabs him under one arm. “Here, come sit down.”
Jungkook guides Seokjin into the conference room and helps him into a chair. “Did you take some of the medicine? Maybe I should call the doctor and see if we can move your appointment up?”
“No, no,” Seokjin replies dismissively. “I’m fine. I just need to let this small wave of dizziness pass. As long as I don’t sneeze again, I’ll be totally fine.”
“I really think I should take him home,” Yoongi says from the doorway.
Jungkook looks over sharply, a hint of surprise flashing across his face before it’s replaced with anger.
“Like I would trust you to take him home.”
“Okay. Are you able to take him home then?”
Jungkook frowns. “Well, no, I don’t have a car…”
“Jungkookie,” Seokjin whispers. “It’s okay. Yoongi-ssi can take me home.”
“Hyung, he’s a terrible person. A really, really terrible person!”
“Wow, Yoongi-ssi,” Seokjin says. He chuckles, which makes him cough weakly. “You got someone as sweet as Jungkookie to call you a terrible person. You must have done something pretty bad to get that. I have to say, I’m impressed. Not surprised, though.”
Sweet? Yoongi bites his tongue to hold back a retort as he watches Jungkook put his hands on Seokjin’s shoulders.
“I’m only agreeing to this because you’re really pale. And because you shouldn’t even be here in the first place.” Jungkook then pulls out his phone. “I’m ordering food to be delivered to your house right now. Don’t forget to take the medicine and tissues with you. Those are a gift, by the way,” he adds, shooting Yoongi another withering glance. “Because I know you’d do the same for me.”
“He’s right,” Seokjin sighs wearily, looking up at Yoongi with eyes that are a little too unfocused. “I have to bring him homemade soup and cough syrup every three months or so because his immune system is nonexistent–”
“Hyung!”
“I mean it, Jungkookie. I’ll always be here for you. Whenever you need it. Because you’re a good kid, and you’re precious to me, and you’re the best intern I’ve ever known.”
“That’s the fever talking, hyung,” Jungkook says, a slightly embarrassed yet amused smile on his face.
Yoongi clears his throat. “This is, uh, really heartwarming and all, but I think we should get going now.”
Seokjin nods and stands. Jungkook hovers next to him, eyeing Yoongi distrustfully.
“Text me when you get home,” he says to Seokjin. “After he leaves.”
Seokjin reaches up and pats Jungkook on the top of his head. “Will do. You’re gonna kill it in the meeting today. Good luck.”
Yoongi has no clue what the fuck meeting they’re talking about. He waits for Seokjin to say goodbye to Jungkook and then turns to lead him back towards the offices.
At his desk, Seokjin starts shoving things into his bag, pausing when he gets to the medicine. “Guess I should probably take some of this.”
“Right now?” Yoongi asks, resisting the urge to tap his foot impatiently.
“I guess I could just cough and sneeze all over the inside of your car…”
“Fine. Just take it so we can go.”
Seokjin picks at the sealed bottle of liquid medicine. Yoongi can see that his hands are shaking as he tries, unsuccessfully, to open it.
After watching him attempt to get it open for a minute, Yoongi wordlessly grabs the bottle and peels the plastic seal off, then unscrews the lid. He pours a dose into the little cup and hands it over to Seokjin.
“Bottoms up!” Seokjin says with a surprisingly cheery voice before knocking the medicine back like it’s a shot of alcohol.
He starts coughing immediately after.
Yoongi grabs one of the electrolyte drinks still sitting on Seokjin’s desk and opens the lid.
“Here, drink some of this,” he instructs, placing the bottle into Seokjin’s hand.
Seokjin shoots him a grateful thumbs up and sips the drink until he’s no longer hacking away. He slowly finishes packing up, stopping no less than four times to blow his nose loudly into a tissue.
It’s the worst thing Yoongi’s ever heard in his entire life.
Yoongi washes his hands and puts on a mask before they make their way to the parking garage. Seokjin puts on a mask too, pulling it out from one of his pockets. A crumpled tissue falls out with it.
In the car, Yoongi is so tense his muscles start to ache. Seokjin is completely silent in the passenger seat. Well, except for his loud-ass breathing. Yoongi cringes internally at the congested, crackly sound his lungs are making.
Luckily for both of them, the drive is short. Yoongi is surprised when he pulls up in front of the address Seokjin gives him and sees a fairly nice house with a well-manicured lawn out front.
Seokjin takes his sweet time unbuckling and opening the car door. He gathers up all of his stuff, takes a deep breath, and then gets out of the car, pausing to take another deep breath before he closes the door and starts walking slowly towards his house.
Yoongi almost drives away right then.
Instead, he lets out a long sigh and then turns his car off. Seokjin has only made it halfway to the door by the time Yoongi catches up with him. He doesn’t seem at all surprised when Yoongi walks with him and then takes his keys from his trembling grip to unlock the door for him.
“I’m not letting you pass out and miss more work than you need to. There’s no way I’m doing the entire project by myself,” Yoongi says by way of explanation, even though Seokjin still hasn’t said a single word.
Seokjin’s face is flushed and his coughing has become more frequent despite having taken medicine. He half-walks, half-stumbles into his living room, and Yoongi follows because there’s something that’s making him– some strange kind of feeling in his chest that won’t let him leave until he’s sure Seokjin is going to be okay on his own.
“Hey, Yoongi-ssi?” Seokjin says as he wraps a blanket around himself and plops down onto his couch, still dressed in his work clothes.
“What?”
“I know you hate me, but do you think you could take it easy on my brother?”
“Huh? Your brother?”
“Yeah, Jungkookie? Looks like he’s about fourteen-years-old but he’s actually twenty-four? Dark hair, real self-sacrificing personality? One of our interns? I swear you were just talking with him today but I don’t know if that was a fever dream or what…”
“Jungkook is your brother?”
“I mean, technically he’s my half brother. And before you ask– no, I’m not the reason he got the internship. I had no clue he even applied.”
Now that Yoongi’s thinking about it, he has no idea how he missed that Jungkook is Seokjin’s brother. It makes a lot of sense– they’re both very similar to each other. And both huge pains in his ass.
“I don’t hate you,” he mumbles, watching as Seokjin grabs another blanket to drape over himself.
Seokjin raises an eyebrow. “You spend your entire work day glaring at me or insulting me or trying to avoid me. And that’s totally fine, I can take it. But Jungkook…he’s sensitive. He’s a good kid.”
Yoongi snorts. “Sure he is.”
“Just…promise me you'll take it easy on him?”
He’s not sure why, but Yoongi finds himself nodding. “Fine. Now, do you need anything else before I go?”
“Hm.” Seokjin’s eyes drift shut. He shivers under his blanket, and after a moment, he shakes his head.
“Okay. I’m going to get going then. Don’t forget to text Jungkook, or whatever.”
“Hey, Yoongi-ssi?”
“What?”
“Thanks for bringing me home. I appreciate it. Nice to know you have a soul after all.”
“You’re so obnoxious,” Yoongi mutters, rolling his eyes. Then, softly– like he’s afraid someone other than Seokjin might hear him– he adds, “Feel better soon.”
Racing back towards the front door, Yoongi doesn’t spare a glance back, and Seokjin doesn’t say anything further before he leaves.
Yoongi doesn’t go straight back to work. He gets in his car and rolls down all of the windows to air out all of the germs, and then uses his tiny car bottle of hand sanitizer, smothering his hands in the sharp-smelling liquid.
His heart is racing for some inexplicable reason, hammering away in his chest long after he turns on the ignition and starts driving. He ends up in front of a café that he’s never been to before. It’s around the block from work and as Yoongi parks and steps out, he looks around, on high alert in case anyone from the office decides to also skip out on work and come get coffee.
He doesn’t see anyone he knows. The café is nearly empty, save for some elderly patrons. Yoongi orders an iced Americano to go but then sits down at one of the tables with it, staring out the window as he tries to process everything that’s happened already on this very long, very odd Monday morning.
💻⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆📎 [ Tuesday ] 📎⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆💻
The next morning, Yoongi walks into a very, very quiet office. He’s on time but it seems that several other coworkers are not– including Seokjin.
Not that Yoongi was expecting to see him today. He’s glad Seokjin had enough sense to stay home.
What he’s not happy about is the fact that his mind keeps drifting to Seokjin all morning. Every time he glances up and sees Seokjin’s empty desk, every time he hears a faint cough somewhere in the office, he can’t help but think of how sick and miserable Seokjin had looked the day before.
It’s not that Yoongi is worried. It’s just that it’s…inconvenient. He frowns at his screen and mutters a soft curse under his breath. They have a project they’re supposed to be working on together.
Yoongi briefly considers tracking Jungkook down to ask him about Seokjin’s condition, but he doesn’t see Jungkook for the entire day either, not even when he walks by the conference room he’d been in yesterday.
By the time he’s packing up all of his stuff and shutting his laptop off, Yoongi has hardly gotten a single thing done. He rubs his temples and glances around the empty office, wishing for a distraction, anything to get his mind off of Kim Seokjin. The man is already obnoxious at work– Yoongi doesn’t need him coming home with him too.
As he walks to his car, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and texts his friend Namjoon. Namjoon is the kind of friend who will give Yoongi an hour’s worth of advice if asked, but will otherwise distract Yoongi with interesting conversation and not pry at all, even if he picks up on the fact that Yoongi’s mind is clearly elsewhere.
Namjoon texts him back right away and invites Yoongi over for beers and fried chicken. Yoongi’s shoulders relax at the message, a small smile tugging at his lips. He stops by his house first to change out of his work clothes and then makes his way towards Namjoon’s apartment on foot, hoping the distraction of a few drinks and good company will help him forget about the unwelcome worry that’s still growing in his chest.
☕💼🤒💊💼☕
Yoongi steps into Namjoon’s apartment with a grin on his face. It’s been too long since he’s been able to hang out properly with his best friend. The smell of fried chicken wafts through the air and it makes Yoongi’s stomach grumble loudly.
Namjoon meets him in the kitchen with a beer ready. He eyes the obvious tension in Yoongi’s shoulders. “Rough day?”
Yoongi shrugs, trying to seem casual, but he’s always been bad at hiding his true feelings from Namjoon. “It’s nothing. Just…work stuff.”
Namjoon raises an eyebrow. “Work stuff?” He asks. Not probing, but prompting.
“It’s this guy at work. My coworker, Seokjin. Have I told you about him before?”
Something that looks like amusement flashes across Namjoon’s face. “Yeah, I think you’ve mentioned him a time or two…”
Yoongi exhales heavily. “Well, he’s obnoxious. Obnoxious and annoying. I can’t stand him, Joon. His desk is right across from mine, and we’re partnered on a project together– his idea.”
He follows Namjoon into the living room, where they sit down on the couch together.
“Sounds rough,” Namjoon offers sympathetically.
Yoongi clears his throat a couple of times. He’s not sure why he’s ranting about Seokjin to Namjoon. He came here for a distraction from thinking about Seokjin. Still, he can’t stop the words from spilling out.
“He came into work on Monday sick. Like, really sick. I thought he was gonna pass out or something. I ended up driving him home.”
“That’s nice of you.”
“He wasn’t at work again today.”
“Because he’s still sick?” Namjoon guesses.
“Yeah,” Yoongi nods and takes a long sip of beer. “But it’s just kind of inconvenient, you know? We have this project to work on and I don’t know when he’ll be back. I couldn’t focus today because of him.”
Namjoon leans back, crossing his arms. The corner of his mouth twitches, but Yoongi doesn’t notice.
“Sounds like you might be a little worried about him.”
Yoongi stiffens. “I’m not worried about him.”
“Mm-hmm,” Namjoon says, leaning forward slightly. “Do you perhaps have non-coworkerly feelings for Seokjin?”
Yoongi’s eyes widen, and he chokes on a laugh. “The fuck? No! Absolutely not. Of course not. He’s…he’s impossible, okay? That’s all.”
Namjoon grins knowingly. “Okay.”
Yoongi groans, covering his face with both hands. “Stop looking at me like that. I don’t need this.”
Namjoon chuckles. “Fine, fine. I’ll stop teasing. But you’re clearly stressed. And you clearly have some stuff to get off your chest about him, so feel free to unload if you need to.”
Pressing the back of his hand to his flushed cheek, Yoongi looks away and finishes the rest of his beer.
“Did I tell you I met up with Jung Hoseok last weekend?” Namjoon asks casually, changing the subject.
“Jung Hoseok? That dancer guy you went to grade school with?”
“That’s the one. Apparently he’s living in Seoul now.”
“No shit.” Yoongi turns back to Namjoon just in time to see him trying to school a goofy grin off his face. “No shit, Joon? Did you hook up with him?”
“Not yet,” Namjoon mutters, his face turning bright red. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Jumping off the couch, Namjoon disappears into the kitchen to grab the chicken and two more beers. When he returns, his face is no less red, but he looks happy– happy in a way Yoongi hasn’t seen him in a long time.
“You have to tell me how you reconnected with Hoseok,” Yoongi urges softly, opening another beer. “Did he reach out to you first?”
“Actually, I reached out to him about a month ago,” Namjoon admits around a mouthful of chicken. “I saw him at Jimin’s showcase.”
“Damn. That sounds like fate, Joon.”
“He was beautiful on stage, Yoongi. He’s so graceful, so powerful…” Namjoon trails off, seemingly lost in thought as he recounts the performance.
Yoongi lets out a small, genuine laugh, relaxing into the couch as he takes a sip of his beer.
“Sounds like he’s a great performer,” he says, watching Namjoon carefully. “I’m really happy that you were able to meet up with him again after all this time.
“Me too.”
For the first time all day, Yoongi’s thoughts of Seokjin fade just enough for him to breathe. He grabs another piece of chicken and leans against Namjoon’s side, rolling his eyes as Namjoon gushes about how endearing Hoseok finds his clumsiness, and lets his chest fill with the warmth of alcohol and good company and Namjoon’s hopeful love.
💻⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆📎 [ Wednesday ] 📎⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆💻
Yoongi is only a little late to work on Wednesday morning. He’s miraculously not hungover- likely thanks to Namjoon’s insistence on staying hydrated the night before– but he’s unusually tired as he trudges towards his desk.
Seokjin’s desk is still empty. Yoongi sinks down into his office chair and stares at the empty space for an embarrassingly long few minutes before he opens his laptop and starts unpacking his bag.
The day drags by. Every task Yoongi tries to start doesn’t quite get finished before he’s onto the next, desperate to try to distract his mind. By the time afternoon rolls around he’s feeling fatigued and overcaffeinated thanks to the several cups of coffee he’s consumed.
“Hello, Sunbaenim.”
Startled, Yoongi turns his chair around and sees Jungkook standing there, bowing deeply towards him. As he straightens up, Yoongi notices he has the same canvas tote bag he’d been carrying on Monday. It’s filled with even more items this time, but Yoongi can see that it’s more of the same– multiple boxes of tissues and a big bag of tangerines that are nearly overflowing out the top.
Clearing his throat, Yoongi tears his eyes away from the bag to look at Jungkook’s face and is nearly caught off guard by how innocent and kind Jungkook’s wide eyes are. Any snappy retort dies in his throat.
“Uh, Jungkook-ssi. Hello.”
“Hello,” Jungkook repeats, bowing again. He blinks his big eyes at Yoongi but doesn’t say anything further.
“Um, how can I help you?”
It seems to be the prompt Jungkook is waiting for. “I was wondering if you could please do me a favor?” He asks, bending forward with yet another bow. His politeness is almost startling given their interaction with each other earlier in the week.
But, Yoongi can’t find it in him to remind Jungkook that he’d recently called Yoongi a terrible person, not when he’s standing here looking so sweet and polite.
“Sure, what can I do?” Yoongi asks. He has a feeling he knows what the favor is. “As long as this isn’t some kind of trick,” he adds cautiously, just in case.
“Look,” Jungkook sighs, lowering his voice. “There’s a reason you offered to drive my brother home the other day. I think it’s because you actually do have a heart, despite your…attitude.” He smirks. “Either that, or you wanted to go to his house so you could rob him?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m just looking out for my hyung.”
Yoongi huffs out an exasperated breath. “You’re giving me whiplash, kid.”
Jungkook nods seriously, his expression smoothing out into something decidedly less bratty. “Hyung says I’m like a Sour Patch Kid, ‘cause I’m sour and sweet.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Yoongi mutters.
Jungkook holds the bag out. He still hasn’t outright asked Yoongi to bring it to Seokjin, but Yoongi can imply that’s the favor he’s asking.
“I don’t have a car,” Jungkook continues, batting his eyelashes a few times.
“Okay.”
Jungkook blinks his big eyes a few more times. His eyes remind Yoongi of Seokjin’s eyes. He wonders, briefly, if they have the same eomma or the same appa. And how he missed the fact that they’re related to each other.
“I would greatly appreciate your help, Yoongi-sunbaenim.”
“Do you want me to drive you there so you can deliver it yourself?” Yoongi asks, already anticipating what Jungkook’s answer will be.
“I can’t leave during the day,” Jungkook replies, chewing on his bottom lip and looking worried at the very thought.
“So you want me to drive it over there and leave it on his porch?”
“He’s not doing well,” Jungkook says. “I mean, he texted that he’s totally fine and that I shouldn’t worry, but I know he’s just saying that. Hyung never gets sick.”
Yoongi sighs. “Is that so?”
“If you could just check on him, too?”
Yoongi stands and takes the bag from Jungkook. “I’ll drive it over there and leave it on his porch,” he says. “I’ll make sure he opens the door, but that’s it–”
Suddenly, Jungkook is ducking down and awkwardly wrapping his arms around Yoongi’s waist. “Thank you, Yoongi-sunbaenim. Thank you so much!”
“Oof! Easy kid,” Yoongi mutters, wiggling out of Jungkook’s grasp.
“You’re the best,” Jungkook gushes.
“You’re…confusing,” Yoongi counters, but Jungkook is already walking away, flashing Yoongi a huge smile and a thumbs up until he has to turn to avoid crashing into a wall.
After Jungkook leaves, Yoongi looks through the bag. There’s an entire pharmacy aisle’s worth of medicine in there and entirely too many boxes of tissues. And there’s no way anyone, not even someone as obnoxious as Seokjin, could possibly ever drink this amount of electrolyte drink.
Yoongi glances over at his opened laptop and then down at the bag again. He’s not off for another two hours, but he’s almost certain he won’t be getting any more work done for the day, so he starts packing up early and texts his boss that he’ll be taking the rest of the afternoon off.
☕💼🤒💊💼☕
Yoongi drives straight to Seokjin’s house after he leaves the office.
As soon as he’s parked in front of his house he realizes he has no clue if Seokjin knows he’s coming or not. He can easily imagine Jungkook forgetting to give him a heads up.
He pauses for a moment before knocking on the door. If he’s lucky, Seokjin won’t answer and he can actually leave the bag of supplies on his doorstep.
Yoongi has never really been all that lucky.
The door creaks as it’s opened slowly, hesitantly. Seokjin’s face appears in the crack and Yoongi instantly feels a surge of worry. Seokjin looks pathetically sick, half-asleep, and yet somehow he’s still good-looking– not that Yoongi thinks that Seokjin is good-looking, but, still…he has a conventionally attractive face and even Yoongi can’t deny something like that.
In an attempt to quell such traitorous thoughts, Yoongi blurts out, “You look like shit.”
“What are you doing here, Yoongi-ssi?” Seokjin asks after a moment, his voice half gone.
“I have a delivery from your brother,” Yoongi quickly explains, holding up the bag.
“Huh.” Seokjin’s gaze drifts down to the bag, and then back up to Yoongi’s face. His eyes are red and slightly glazed over, watery like he’s been crying recently.
Yoongi shifts back and forth between his feet, flushing under Seokjin’s gaze. He’s still holding the bag out but Seokjin isn’t making any move to take it from him.
“Okay,” Seokjin finally croaks, turning around and disappearing back into the house and leaving the door wide open behind him.
“...Okay?” Yoongi takes a hesitant step inside. “Do you want to…take this?”
Seokjin doesn’t answer and he doesn’t turn around. He shuffles down the hallway and disappears around a corner. For a moment, Yoongi just stands there, dumbfounded. Then, he steps inside and closes the door behind him, slipping his shoes off in the entryway.
“Your brother is really worried about you,” he says once he rounds the living room and sees Seokjin plopping down onto the couch. “He bought you a lot of stuff.”
When Seokjin doesn’t answer, Yoongi sighs and goes into the kitchen to unpack said stuff. The whole place is a bit of a mess and he has the urge to start cleaning. As he sets everything out onto the counter, he notices that there are now duplicates of most of the bottles of medicine– daytime cold medicine, nighttime cold medicine, cough syrup, fever reducers– and he starts to wonder if Jungkook has ever taken care of a sick person before.
Quietly, Yoongi gathers some of the dishes from the counter and piles them into the sink. He can’t help but give in to his urge to do a little cleaning, and ends up wiping down the counters too, sneaking peeks around the corner to check that Seokjin is still on the couch.
He brings a box of tissues back out to the living room when he’s done. Seokjin is dozing on the couch, his eyes closed and his mouth open. There are more dishes on the coffee table that Yoongi gathers and carries into the kitchen to add to the growing pile in the sink.
Next, Yoongi takes all of the medicine into the bathroom. There’s a door right across the hallway that Yoongi is almost certain is Seokjin’s room. He pauses just outside the door, which is open just a crack, but something stops him from opening it to look inside. It feels too intimate– he doesn’t think he wants to know what Seokjin’s bed looks like, or heaven forbid accidentally conjure up an image of Seokjin in said bed.
As quickly as he can, he shoves the bottles of medicine into the medicine cabinet above the sink and then returns to the living room. Seokjin is still asleep on the couch. He looks really young with his face relaxed in sleep, wearing his pajamas and bundled up in a blanket. He also looks really…not as annoying. And somehow still incredibly handsome, which just isn’t fair, because Yoongi has seen himself in the mirror when he’s sick and he looks disgusting.
Seokjin, however, is the opposite of disgusting. He looks handsome, but also small and vulnerable and Yoongi isn’t exactly sure what to do with all of these sudden thoughts.
“Fuck me,” he whispers under his breath.
Seokjin doesn’t react. He’s completely out now, snoring away softly. Yoongi is about to turn away when he notices Seokjin is shivering a little. Reaching out slowly, he settles his palm on Seokjin’s forehead. He’s warm, but Yoongi isn’t sure if it’s fever-warm or just sleep warm. Yoongi can always tell with himself if he has a fever just by a feeling– it’s easy to know, and easy to confirm with a thermometer. He doesn’t think he’s ever checked anyone else for fever before though.
Turns out, he and Jungkook do have something in common.
Shaking his head with a disbelieving sigh, Yoongi drapes a second blanket from the back of the couch over Seokjin, and then goes back into the kitchen to look for a pot.
☕💼🤒💊💼☕
Yoongi often gets lost when he’s in the kitchen. Not literally– he just tends to let his mind wander without any real direction any time he’s making food. Cooking is something he finds generally relaxing and more often than not, he ends up daydreaming about random things.
It’s why he suddenly finds himself standing over Kim Seokjin’s stove, making him soup and humming along to a song that’s only inside his head.
And why he doesn’t hear Seokjin come up behind him in the kitchen.
Seokjin abruptly sneezes, right behind Yoongi’s left shoulder, just as he’s stirring the soup. Yoongi startles so badly he flings his arms up, spinning around to face the threat that is Seokjin, and ends up basically throwing a wooden spoon at the sick man.
Luckily for him, the spoon goes flying by several inches to his right and lands with a clatter on the ground behind him.
“Fuck,” Yoongi hisses, flinching at the sound. “You scared me.”
Seokjin blinks at him and looks about five seconds away from sneezing again. He doesn’t say anything, just looks back and forth between Yoongi and the stove.
“Why are you here?” he finally croaks, squinting at Yoongi.
“You must be running one hell of a temperature,” Yoongi replies, half joking and half worried. “I brought a bag of supplies from your brother–”
“No. I mean, why are you still here? Why are you…in my kitchen?”
Yoongi doesn’t have an answer. He opens his mouth, and then closes it again. Looking over at the pot of soup simmering on the stove, he wonders why exactly the hell he’s still here, why he’s cleaning up after and trying to play nursemaid to someone he absolutely cannot stand.
“I should get going,” he mutters, face heating with embarrassment. “Your brother was worried about you, so I thought I should make sure you have something to eat before I leave. There’s…” He gestures towards the kitchen. “Soup. It’s hot, so be careful.”
Yoongi bites his tongue before he can ask if Seokjin wants him to serve him a bowl. Sick or not, Seokjin is still a grown ass man.
Instead, he practically runs back towards the front door, jamming his feet into his shoes and rushing outside without so much of a glance behind him.
💻⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆📎 [ Thursday ] 📎⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆💻
The next morning, Yoongi wakes with a headache pounding behind his temples. He shuffles into the kitchen and immediately starts his coffee maker, and then reluctantly grabs a bottle of water from the fridge to gulp down while he waits for caffeine. He massages the bridge of his nose and drags himself through the steps of getting ready for work.
Traffic is awful on his way into the office, and it only seems to make his headache worse. The office feels unnaturally quiet as he approaches his desk. His eyes dart immediately over his own desk to Seokjin’s empty desk.
Seokjin’s chair remains neatly tucked in, untouched since Monday. His absence feels louder than Seokjin’s usual obnoxious laughter. Yoongi sinks into his own chair, the ache in his head momentarily forgotten, replaced by a low thrum of worry and a confusing need for answers to questions he’s not even sure he’d be able to fully form just yet.
He tries to focus on his laptop screen, the words swimming before his eyes. He’s trying not to replay the events of yesterday in his mind, but the harder he resists it the more it flashes behind his eyes, an endless loop of embarrassment of his actions. Yoongi has zero explanation for why he had not only stayed at Seokjin’s house, but cooked soup in Seokjin’s kitchen and tidied up like a worried mother hen.
Why are you still here?
Seokjin’s words echo in his head.
All of this could have been avoided if he had just kept his mouth shut on Monday. He could have sat through Seokjin’s pathetic sniffling and never offered to drive him home, of all things. He could have ignored Jungkook and kept his nose in his own business and gone about his day without getting involved.
At noon, Yoongi’s headache is still lingering despite the painkillers he swallowed shortly after arriving at work. The caffeine and water he’s been chugging since he woke up haven’t done a single thing to help, either. He’s almost certain his boss will be on his ass about how much work he’s been missing– if he even notices, that is– but he can’t bring himself to care when his skull feels like it’s about to explode if he stays one more minute.
Yoongi has driven home from work, the same exact route, for years now.
He has driven from work to Seokjin’s house exactly two times and yet for some inexplicable reason that’s where he finds himself navigating to without a second thought.
“There’s something wrong with me,” he says aloud as he stands outside of his car, staring at the front of Seokjin’s house.
He doesn’t have a reason to be here, only a feeling tugging at something in his chest. He knocks on the door and is about to turn and sprint back to his car when he hears the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching.
Seokjin answers the door looking like a completely different person than he had yesterday. There’s color back in his face and his hair looks freshly washed and dried.
“Yoongi-ssi,” Seokjin greets him, his eyes gleaming with something Yoongi can’t quite place.
“I don’t know why I’m here,” Yoongi huffs out.
Seokjin looks just as confused at that as Yoongi feels. He tilts his head to one side and crosses his arms. “I’m certainly surprised you’re here in the middle of the day on a Thursday, considering you were just here yesterday. Don’t tell me Jungkookie sent you here with more stuff?”
Yoongi holds up his hands. Empty. His hands start to tremble slightly and he shoves them into his pockets, unable to meet Seokjin’s eyes.
“You look a little pale,” Seokjin notes. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m feeling fine,” Yoongi snaps back, his throat suddenly aching and suspiciously raw.
He can see Seokjin’s jaw tighten at his response. Yoongi wants to take it back, to answer in a way that’s not so rude, but he can’t. He turns to leave, regret and guilt making his chest tight.
“Why do you hate me so much?” Seokjin’s question is so quiet that Yoongi thinks he’s imagining it at first.
He spins around, eyes narrowing.
“Because you’re too fucking perfect, okay?” Yoongi spits out, the words surging out of him. “You’re perfect. You’re good at everything, and it’s fucking annoying. And you’re devastatingly handsome, and it’s not fucking fair–”
Yoongi doesn’t see him step forward, but suddenly Seokjin is in his space, leaning in until his beautiful, plush lips are against Yoongi’s. Yoongi gasps into the kiss, his body moving on autopilot. Vaguely, he’s aware of Seokjin’s hand coming up to cup the side of his face. His own hands hover uselessly at Seokjin’s sides, just shy of his waist. Seokjin’s mouth tastes like cherry medicine, a strange combination of sweet and chemical.
Seokjin’s skin is fever-warm but Yoongi feels like it’s him who has a fever, the rush of adrenaline and the intensity of the kiss and guilt all coiling together inside of him.
He doesn’t know how long the kiss lasts. Five or ten seconds, tops, but it feels like it lasts forever.
Seokjin pulls back first. His fingers burn against Yoongi’s cheek until he takes his hand back, twisting it together with his other hand in front of his chest.
“Sorry,” Seokjin whispers, looking dazed and pleased and scared all at once, but not very apologetic. “I have a fever…I wasn’t thinking straight…”
Seokjin gives him a small smile. “I think you should go, Yoongi-ssi. I don’t want you catching what I have,” he says softly, as if he didn’t just directly transfer his germs to Yoongi via his mouth.
But Yoongi just nods, and turns away to walk back to his car in a daze. When he glances over his shoulder, he sees that Seokjin is still standing in his doorway, one hand pressed to his mouth– to his lips that had just been against Yoongi’s lips.
Oh, Yoongi is so, so very fucked.
💻⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆📎 [ Friday ] 📎⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆💻
“This is awfully suspicious, don’t you think?”
“The fuck are you talking about?” Yoongi mutters hoarsely, his face still buried in the crook of his elbow after he’d been wracked by a fit of dry coughs just moments before.
His throat is tickling with the threat of another cough, but that’s the last thing he needs to succumb to with Jungkook suddenly standing right next to him. Grabbing the bottle of water from his desk, Yoongi turns partially away from Jungkook and untwists the cap.
“Why do you have my brother’s cold if you hate him so much?” Jungkook asks, putting his hands on his hips.
“I don’t have your brother’s cold,” Yoongi protests with a glare, his voice wavering as the tickle in his throat worsens and threatens to climb up towards his sinuses.
“You just got sick out of nowhere, then?”
Yoongi rolls his eyes. He refuses to entertain the possibility that Seokjin’s germs might have breached his defenses. Well, he’s in denial about the possibility.
If only he hadn’t gone to Seokjin’s house. Willingly. Multiple times.
If only Seokjin hadn’t kissed him.
As if that isn’t humiliating enough, now Jungkook is suspicious of him, and he’s about to sneeze without a single tissue in sight to use.
Yoongi squints down at his sleeve and slowly sets his still-open bottle of water onto his desk.
“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks.
Yoongi barely hears him through the growing need to sneeze.
“You should probably go home. Half of the people here are out sick today. You need rest to recover if you don’t want to end up like…”
Tuning Jungkook out, Yoongi tries to keep his eyes open. He’s definitely going to sneeze, and it’s probably going to set him off coughing again. He turns the rest of the way around, keeping his back to Jungkook, and tucks his face firmly against his sleeve just in time for the sneeze to burst out of him.
His elbow smacks the desk right next to the water bottle and it wobbles slightly. Yoongi catches the movement in his peripheral and freezes mid-wince, staying still so he doesn’t accidentally knock it over. He sniffles pitifully into his sleeve, embarrassed that someone actually witnessed that explosion of congestion, but when he resurfaces Jungkook is nowhere in sight.
Yoongi looks around for him in confusion, eyes watering and nose running, but a second later Jungkook reappears from his left holding a box of tissues.
“Thank you,” Yoongi says, trying not to grumble as he accepts a tissue from the box.
“You really don’t sound very good,” Jungkook murmurs, chewing on his bottom lip.
“Well, you don’t have to stay here and listen,” Yoongi grumbles through thick congestion. He tries blowing his nose and is only minimally successful.
“That’s definitely what hyung has,” Jungkook continues. “He sounded super stuffed up when I talked with him on the phone last night.”
Yoongi freezes with a tissue cupped around his mouth and nose.
“You…talked to him?”
“I had to check that you actually delivered all of the supplies to him.”
“Right. Well, I did.” Yoongi swallows thickly, biting back a cough. How much does Jungkook know, exactly?
“I know. I told you I knew you had a heart after all.”
Jungkook can’t know. He’d be giving Yoongi so much shit if he did.
“Hyung said he’s feeling a little better now, though.”
“Oh. That’s…good.” Yoongi stares longingly at the box of tissues that Jungkook is still holding.
As if anticipating his needs, Jungkook extends the box towards him once more, and Yoongi reluctantly plucks out a handful of tissues. He turns away to dab at his traitorous, dripping nose. When he turns back around, Jungkook is watching him, eyes soft with worry. He hates the way Jungkook is looking at him, concern mixed with a hint of suspicion that’s making Yoongi nervous.
Finally, with his nose somewhat contained, Yoongi tosses the used tissues into the small trash can under his desk.
“If you need some medicine, I bet my brother–”
“I think you’re right,” Yoongi interrupts. “I’m going home. Don’t want to spread this around the office.”
Jungkook clamps his mouth shut and nods in agreement. He just stands there watching as Yoongi gathers his stuff, and then he straightens up with a cheerful wave when he starts to leave.
I wanted to check in and see how you’re feeling. I also wanted to apologize for my actions on Thursday, because although I do not regret them I am aware that I may have crossed a boundary or made you uncomfortable.
You didn’t make me uncomfortable. You made me sick. I’m going to sleep now so please stop sending me emails.
Reply | Forward | Delete
💻⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆📎 [ Sunday ] 📎⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆💻
A knock at the door pulls Yoongi from his feverish, half-asleep sprawl on the couch. He squints against the Sunday afternoon sunlight that’s streaming through the blinds. Groaning, he drags himself upright, the remnants of a headache pulsing behind his temples.
The knock comes again, this time a little louder. Yoongi stumbles over to the door and tries to remember if he had placed a delivery order before falling asleep earlier, but nothing comes to mind.
He opens the door to see that Kim Seokjin is standing on his doorstep, looking unfairly cheerful, clutching a familiar canvas tote bag slung over his shoulder. Yoongi recognizes it instantly as Jungkook’s.
“Good afternoon, Yoongi-ssi. I brought you some stuff,” Seokjin grins, holding up Jungkook’s familiar tote bag. “I thought it only fair that I repaid the favor.” He sets the bag down at Yoongi’s feet, just inside the door.
Yoongi closes his mouth, which has apparently been hanging wide open. He clears his throat, but he’s not able to make his tongue work to form any words.
“Sorry that I got you sick,” Seokjin chirps, not sounding nearly apologetic enough for Yoongi’s liking.
“Actually I didn’t think it was right to apologize over email,” he says, his words tumbling out in a rush as he redirects the conversation. “And I am really, truly sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” He pauses, eyes dropping to the ground. “When I, uh, kissed you.”
Yoongi inhales sharply as the memory flashes through his mind.
“But…you did kind of kiss me back?” Seokjin says it like a question, a hesitant look on his face.
Yoongi finally gets his mouth to work. “How do you know where I live?”
Seokjin sheepishly rubs his neck, his grin fading slightly. “Oh, don’t worry about that detail. I’ll get out of your hair now. I don’t want to interrupt your weekend any more than I already have.” Seokjin’s hand twitches slightly, as if he’s about to reach out, but his arms stay at his side. “Rest well, Yoongi-ssi. Hang in there. And please text me if you need anything.”
Just as quickly as he had appeared at Yoongi’s door, Seokjin leaves, racing back down the walkway and disappearing from view in under a minute.
Only belatedly does Yoongi remember that Seokjin doesn’t even own a car.
The tote bag sits slumped on his floor by his feet. He nudges it with his foot, then bends down. Inside, nestled beside a box of tissues and a thermos, is a folded piece of paper. He pulls it out. In neat, familiar handwriting, there’s a single line– a phone number.
Yoongi stares at the paper for a moment, and then stares at the direction Seokjin had left in, and then closes his front door quietly. He picks up the tote bag and carries it to his kitchen counter. Inside, beneath the thermos and tissues, he finds several containers of homemade food– still warm to the touch– a large jar of yuja tea, and a full bag of tangerines.
The piece of paper with Seokjin’s phone number feels almost heavy in his hand. He leans against the counter and squeezes his eyes shut. The memory of their kiss floods back again. How many times has he already replayed it in his mind?
The answer to that question is far too embarrassing to face.
Instead, he tucks the paper into his pocket, puts all of the food away, and then shuffles back to his couch so he can bundle up and fall back asleep and pretend all of this is just some kind of strange fever-dream.
💻⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆📎 [ Monday ] 📎⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆💻
Yoongi is used to going into the office even if he’s not feeling 100%. He’s been at work hungover, he’s been there with a stomach bug, and he’s certainly worked through a mild cold or two without much fuss.
What he’s not used to is being watched very intently by his annoying desk neighbor. Who happens to be the very person who got him sick. Because he kissed Yoongi fully on the mouth.
That kiss shouldn’t have meant anything. It had been impulsive, but for some reason, it’s all Yoongi can think about as Seokjin watches him now.
But. Seokjin had also checked on Yoongi afterward. He had brought him tissues and medicine and food. And as much as Yoongi has been trying to convince himself otherwise, he’s totally changed his mind on Kim Seokjin.
Things are weird between them. Of course they are. Yoongi is awkward enough already, and he’s been harboring some pretty harsh feelings towards Seokjin from day one. To turn around and go from enemies to…whatever it is that they are now…is strange, to say the least.
There’s also the creeping doubts that are clouding Yoongi’s already foggy mind. What if Seokjin regrets kissing him? What if he had only checked on Yoongi out of pure guilt?
He’s pretty sure that’s not the case, though, not with the way Seokjin is currently staring him down. Yoongi thinks about Seokjin’s phone number, which he had immediately entered into his phone and then threw the piece of paper away like it was some kind of damning evidence. He pulls out his phone and opens it to Seokjin’s contact, and then opens a new text message.
Stop staring at me like that, he texts.
Seokjin’s eyes widen when he reads it. He looks up and raises an eyebrow at Yoongi, and then squints down at his phone, typing out a response.
Shouldn’t you still be at home? Aren’t you still sick?
Yoongi frowns. I’m fine, he texts back. Stop worrying about me. We need to work on our project.
“You could have just said all that to me,” Seokjin says out loud. “I’m sitting right here.”
Yoongi rolls his eyes. “You’re such a pain in the ass,” he says, but this time there’s no real heat behind his words.
Seokjin stands and rolls his chair around his desk and over to Yoongi’s side. He sits down, close but not too close, and leans his arms on Yoongi’s desk.
“What are you doing?”
“Working on the project,” Seokjin replies. “Are you sure you’re not too sick to be here?”
“Shut up,” Yoongi mutters.
His stomach tightens as Seokjin leans over. Their arms are nearly close enough to touch. Between Seokjin’s proximity and the lingering congestion in his head, Yoongi can barely pay attention to the screen in front of them, but Seokjin continues on with quiet confidence that has him relaxing just enough to focus.
Thirty minutes later, when Yoongi stifles a sneeze into the crook of his arm, Seokjin blesses him softly and wordlessly pushes a box of tissues towards him, a small smile on his face.
“Thanks,” Yoongi whispers.
Seokjin’s eyes linger on him for just a moment longer before he turns back to the laptop, his quiet attention making Yoongi’s face heat up in a way that has nothing to do with his illness.
💻⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆📎 [ Tuesday ] 📎⋆｡˚🤧˚｡⋆💻
Yoongi drums his fingers against his desk, staring at the empty chair across from him.
It’s not like Seokjin to be late. Especially after he had just missed so many days of work due to being sick.
Not that Yoongi is keeping track of Seokjin’s work attendance.
Well, maybe it’s a bit disingenuous to lie about that after the past week. Yoongi is absolutely keeping track of Seokjin’s work attendance, because apparently he has feelings about Seokjin now, and apparently most of those feelings are worry.
Seokjin being absent is just…worrying. He might be sick again, and Yoongi wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy even though one week ago he would have considered Seokjin to be his worst enemy.
His phone buzzes in his pocket and snaps him out of his spiral. He quickly pulls it out and sees a text from Seokjin on the screen.
Can you come over?
Yoongi’s heart flip flops in his chest. For one ridiculous heartbeat, Yoongi thinks Seokjin wants to see him, and his mind immediately races to somewhere it shouldn’t, not in the middle of a work day.
Before he can fully process the question or respond, another text comes in:
Can you stop by the store to pick up a few things on the way?
cold medicine
honey cough drops
menthol cough drops but not the blue kind
red gatorade
tissues
banana milk
Yoongi frowns at the list. That’s a list of things for someone who is sick. Just as he’d feared, Seokjin must have somehow gotten sick again.
He stands abruptly, chair squeaking against the floor. His boss is most certainly going to fire him after this week, but he can’t bring himself to care in the moment. Within minutes he’s in his car, weaving through midday traffic, hands too tight around the steering wheel.
Somewhere between the stoplights, he wonders when exactly he became the kind of person who drops everything for Kim Seokjin, of all people. He supposes getting kissed can change a person pretty drastically.
The pharmacy aisle has everything that Seokjin had asked for, and then some. Yoongi adds a few extra items to his basket just in case. He’s never purchased banana milk before, and he's also never seen Seokjin drink banana milk before, but he grabs a pack of small cartons and tosses it in with the rest of the items.
After he pays for everything, he makes his way to Seokjin’s house. Yoongi tries not to knock too frantically on the door, keeping it to a light double tap instead– firm, but not too loud.
Almost immediately, the door swings open. Seokjin stands there, an easy smile on his face and his hair perfectly styled.
"Took you long enough," he chirps, in a way that Yoongi definitely would have considered obnoxious on any other day.
Yoongi blinks. "You look..."
"Healthy? Yeah." Seokjin waves him inside. "It's Jungkookie."
“Jungkookie– uh, Jungkook?” Yoongi slows, frowning. “What about Jungkook?”
“Poor thing just has the worst immune system. It’s practically–”
“Nonexistent,” Yoongi finishes, remembering Seokjin’s words from last week. “So I’ve heard.”
They round the corner. There, on Seokjin’s living room couch, buried under three blankets, Jungkook sneezes violently into a tissue.
“Bless you,” Seokjin coos.
Jungkook blinks up at him, puppy-eyes on full display. “Thank you, hyung. Oh, hello, Yoongi-sunbaenim.”
Yoongi hopes he doesn’t accidentally roll his eyes or something. He’s filled with relief that Seokjin is okay, but also confusion and slight annoyance.
Seokjin claps him on the shoulder. “You can stay here and keep an eye on him, right? I can’t miss any more work.”
“What?” Yoongi sputters. “Me?”
“Just take care of him in a normal way,” Seokjin tells him, winking in a way that makes Yoongi’s face heat up. “He should be fine on the couch for the day if you make sure he has plenty to eat and drink.”
“But– he’s an adult!” Yoongi glances over at Jungkook. “I think…”
“I really appreciate it,” Seokjin says, talking over him. “I owe you big time.”
Yoongi stares at Seokjin as he makes his way to the front door. This cannot be happening.
“Seokjin, wait,” he tries to protest, but Seokjin is already halfway out the door.
Behind him, Jungkook sneezes and sniffles wetly, loudly.
“Did you get the banana milk I asked for?” Jungkook asks, his voice thick with congestion.
Yoongi grits his teeth and slowly turns around. He bites his tongue as he carries the bag of stuff over to the couch and hands it over. Jungkook coughs and sneezes while he rifles through the bag, pulling out each item to inspect it thoroughly before moving onto the next.
“Do you, uh, need me to get you anything?” Yoongi offers, standing awkwardly across the room.
“The only reason you’re being nice to me is because you want to get in hyung’s pants,” Jungkook pouts at him.
Yoongi’s jaw clenches. “How do you know I haven’t already succeeded in doing that?” He snaps back, feeling like he’s bickering with a child.
“Because you’re way too uptight to have recently had sex,” Jungkook quips back, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
“Disgusting,” Yoongi scoffs, grabbing the box of tissues from the coffee table and chucking it in the direction of Jungkook’s head.
Jungkook easily catches the box. “You are so easy to ragebait, you know that?” He smirks from behind a wad of tissues. His smug expression is immediately ruined by a harsh cough.
Groaning pathetically, Jungkook makes a show of fumbling with the bag of cough drops, slowly tearing both bags open. He unwraps one cherry cough drop and one menthol cough drop and puts both of them in his mouth. At the same time.
“Disgusting,” Yoongi mutters.
Jungkook isn’t entirely wrong. Yoongi supposes he should actually try to get along with him if he has any chance with Seokjin. Which, apparently, is something he wants.
What a strange turn of events.
“I’m going to make some soup,” Yoongi mumbles, turning to go into the kitchen. Jungkook ignores him and starts sucking down a carton of banana milk, despite still sucking on two cough drops, pausing every few seconds to breathe loudly through his mouth.
Yoongi makes the same simple, quick recipe he had made for Seokjin, and then spoons a bowl of the soup and carries it back to the living room. He sets it on the coffee table in front of Jungkook and then opens a bottle of cold medicine to pour out a dose, fearful that Jungkook would try to take more than the recommended dose, or worse– chug it straight from the bottle.
Once Jungkook has eaten and finished his cough drops, he slumps back against the couch cushions, his head lolling to one side. The flush on Jungkook's cheeks looks fever-bright and his eyes aren’t really focused on anything in particular.
Yoongi sighs. "Where does Seokjin keep his thermometer?"
Jungkook points a shaky finger toward the hallway. "Bathroom."
In the bathroom, Yoongi wets a washcloth at the sink and finds the thermometer. When he returns to Jungkook’s side he checks his temperature, inserting it gently into his ear. When the thermometer beeps, it confirms that Jungkook is in fact running a fever– a startlingly high one, at that.
“Damn, kid,” Yoongi sighs. “You and your brother don’t do things halfway, do you?”
Yoongi gestures for Jungkook to lie down, and then pulls the blanket over him. Jungkook shivers when Yoongi presses the cool washcloth to his forehead, but a few minutes later he starts to relax, his eyelids growing heavy.
"Sunbaenim?"
"What?"
"...Thanks."
Yoongi grunts. “You can call me hyung,” he tells Jungkook, somewhat reluctantly. “But only outside of work.”
Jungkook beams up at him. And then immediately sneezes, sending the washcloth sliding down the side of his face.
“Try to sleep for a bit,” Yoongi instructs, fixing the cloth and backing up a good distance. “I’m going to go hang out somewhere else.”
Yoongi ends up in the kitchen, sitting at the small table. He stays where he has a partial view of Jungkook, who fortunately knocks out quickly due to the cold medicine. He starts snoring, loudly, his mouth wide open and his breath rattling in his chest with every inhale.
Yoongi looks around, not quite surprised to see that Seokjin’s house is a mess again. He considers cleaning up a little, but instead pulls out his phone and calls Seokjin’s number.
“Yoongi-ssi? Is everything okay? Is Jungkookie okay?”
Yoongi rolls his eyes. “Yes, Jungkook is fine. When will you be home?” He asks, tucking the phone between his ear and his shoulder.
Yoongi drags a hand down his face and looks over at Jungkook, who’s still snoring away on the couch. There are still several more hours until Seokjin is off work.
“Jungkook and I will come pick you up,” Yoongi tells Seokjin. “We’ll be there at 5 o’clock sharp.”
☕💼🤒💊💼☕
“I don’t wanna get up.”
Yoongi puts his hands on his hips. “It’s not negotiable.”
“But I’m sick,” Jungkook whines.
“Get your ass up, now. We’re leaving in three minutes.”
Reluctantly, with many protests and loud groans, Jungkook hauls himself upright. He wraps his blanket around himself like a cape and shuffles over to the front door where Yoongi is waiting. He looks awful, and Yoongi feels a tiny bit guilty about making him leave the house when he’s clearly so miserable.
Once he’s buckled in the car, Jungkook snaps forward with an uncovered sneeze, directly spraying his germs all over the dashboard of Yoongi’s car.
“You’re right,” Yoongi blurts out, his hands tightening around the steering wheel. “You’re right, okay? I’m only doing all of this because I like Seokjin. But would it fucking kill you to cover your mouth when you sneeze?!”
In the silence that follows his outburst, the only sound is Jungkook’s heavy, raspy breathing.
“Sorry,” Jungkook sniffles after a moment. “Hyung.”
They pull up in front of the office with ten minutes to spare. Yoongi turns up the music, but it’s not enough to drown out the sound of Jungkook’s incessant sniffling.
“Why do you both look so tense?” Seokjin asks when he slides into the backseat.
Jungkook coughs into his blanket. Yoongi pulls away from the curb without waiting to check if Seokjin has buckled his seatbelt yet.
“Well, good news, Yoongi-ssi,” Seokjin says, undeterred by the silence. “I finished the project today.”
Yoongi’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Really?” He asks, glancing in the rearview mirror.
“And we’ve got ourselves a new project to work on starting first thing tomorrow!”
A half-laugh, half-cough bursts out of Jungkook. “Guess you two will be spending a lot more time together,” he croaks.
“None of us are going to be spending any more time together unless we actually start going to work again,” Yoongi replies.
“Oh, that’s a good point,” Seokjin says. “Yoongi-ssi, boss says you’ve used up all of your sick leave and then some, so try not to get sick anymore this year.”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Yoongi grumbles.
“Wait,” Jungkook interrupts. “You didn’t tell him he can call you hyung too?” His eyes bore into the side of Yoongi’s head.
“No,” Yoongi mutters. “He’s older than me.”
“What? I thought you were like, forty.”
Seokjin snorts from the backseat. “Ah, Jungkookie, don’t be rude.”
“I’m thirty,” Yoongi growls. “Just because you’re a child–”
“Yoongi-ssi,” Seokjin says. “Would you like to call me hyung?”
“He does,” Jungkook answers for him. “But only outside of work.”
“Okay,” Yoongi states abruptly as they pull up in front of Seokjin’s house. “Here we go. Feel better, Jungkook. See you at work tomorrow, Seokjin-ssi…Seokjin-hyung.”
Calling Seokjin hyung makes Yoongi’s cheeks burn.
“Aren’t you coming inside?” Seokjin asks, opening the car door.
“No thank you.” Yoongi doesn’t care if he’s being too blunt. “I need to get home now.”
Seokjin helps Jungkook out of the car and nudges him up the walkway. Then he comes around to the driver’s side and waits for Yoongi to roll down the window.
“Thank you for taking care of Jungkookie today. I really appreciate it.”
“I can’t say it was a pleasure,” Yoongi sighs.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Almost in slow motion, Seokjin leans forward, ducking his head through the car window. Yoongi’s breath catches. He closes his eyes and leans in to meet him, his heart thundering in his chest.
Just as Seokjin’s lips press against his, a loud sneeze rings out from the front step, and Seokjin jerks back so quickly he almost smacks his head on the door.
“Sorry!” Jungkook calls out, wiping his nose on his blanket-covered arm, staring blatantly at the two of them.
“Sorry,” Seokjin echoes sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I better get him inside and into bed. Maybe we can hang out sometime? Outside of work?”
“As long as he’s not invited, I’m in.”
A laugh bursts out of Seokjin. “Okay, deal.”
“See you tomorrow,” Yoongi smiles.
Seokjin jogs up the walkway and opens the front door. He pauses in the doorway after Jungkook goes inside, a big grin on his face, and waves at Yoongi as he starts driving away. Yoongi gives a little wave back, and then tries to suppress his own giddy grin until he’s a block away, Seokjin growing smaller and smaller in his rearview mirror but still waving until Yoongi is completely out of his sight.
Sicktember Day 30: “You’re too sick to go swimming.”
Sicktember 2025 Masterlist
Sicktember Prompt: “You’re too sick to go swimming.”
Word Count: 3,015
Sickie: Yoongi (cold/fever)
Caretaker: Jungkook (platonic)
A/N: this is set in the same universe as Malibu Nights
“I wanna go swimming, swimming, swimming!”
Yoongi opens his eyes. He’s been half-asleep for a half hour, waiting for the fever reducers to kick in and knock out the ache that’s lingering in the back of his throat and the throbbing in his temples. As far as he’s aware, he’s all alone in the house for the next four hours.
But unless he’s already asleep and having some strange fever-dream about Jungkook singing, he might not actually be alone.
“Swim swim swiiiim. Swiiiiim-iiiiiing!”
Yeah, that’s definitely Jungkook. Yoongi has to hand it to him– he sounds like a damn superstar even when he’s singing a silly made-up song about swimming.
If only he’d be a little quieter about it.
“I really really, really really, really wanna go swimming!”
He can hear Jungkook getting closer and closer, louder and louder.
“Jungkook!” Yoongi barks out hoarsely, wincing at the sting in his throat.
The singing stops. There are footsteps, and then Jungkook opens the door and peeks in.
“Sorry, hyung,” he whispers. “I thought I was alone.”
“I thought I was alone,” Yoongi croaks. “Uh, you don’t have to stop, but could you just keep it down a little?”
Nodding, Jungkook shuffles halfway past the doorway, like he wants to come into the room but is trying to hold himself back. Yoongi sees that he’s just wearing his swim shorts and his skin is glistening with sunscreen.
“I’m gonna go swimming.”
Yoongi smiles. “Have fun.”
“Hyung, you should come swim in the pool with me.”
“Oh.” Yoongi drags his hand down his face. “Uh. I’m still not feeling well, so…”
“I know. That’s why you should come!”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Mm hmm. The water is nice and cool and it’s all shaded back there right now. You can get fresh air, and exercise, and it’ll be really nice.”
“Well.” Yoongi reluctantly sits up. His head starts pounding at the change in position. “I don’t have swim shorts.”
“Okay.”
Without another word, Jungkook turns and strides out of the room. Less than a minute later, he returns holding a pair of pink swim shorts.
“These are Jin-hyung’s, but you can borrow them.”
“I dunno, Kook. I think I have a bit of a fever right now and the medicine hasn’t kicked in yet, and–”
“Okay.”
Once again, Jungkook turns on his heel and bounds away. This time, when he comes back into the room, he’s holding a small zippered pouch. The pink swim shorts are still over his arm, and he sets them on the bed before reaching into his pouch to pull out, to Yoongi’s immense surprise, a thermometer.
“Where did you get a thermometer?”
“I brought it,” Jungkook replies, climbing onto the bed with him.
“It’s…yours? Like from home? Why did you bring it?”
“It’s always in my travel bag. Okay, look this way, I think I have to…” Jungkook trails off, squinting down at the thermometer. “It’s like, digital, and you put this part…” Looking back up at Yoongi, he frowns. “Well, I’m not actually sure how to use this.”
Yoongi snorts in amusement. “That part goes under my tongue,” he explains, reaching over to click the button to turn it on.
“Yeah,” Jungkook nods. “Right. So, just put this under your tongue…”
Yoongi fights back a smile and opens his mouth, and Jungkook very gently slides the tip of the thermometer past his lips and under his tongue, his face scrunched up in concentration.
They wait in silence until the thermometer beeps. Yoongi desperately wishes he could sleep now, but there’s also a small part of him that’s happy to have Jungkook’s company. He always enjoys spending time with their youngest, even when he’s feeling like shit.
“You were right,” Jungkook says after he takes the thermometer out of Yoongi’s mouth. “You have a fever. Right?” He checks, tipping the display screen so that Yoongi can see it.
“Yep.”
“But you already took medicine?”
“I did. Why don’t you go put that away and wash your hands?”
Jungkook nods and takes the thermometer back to his room.
Yoongi doesn’t lie back down just yet. He eyes the pink swim shorts and sighs, massaging the bridge of his nose.
When Jungkook returns, he’s typing away on his phone.
“What’s up?” Yoongi asks when he comes straight back over to the bed and sits down.
“I’m searching to see if it’s bad to go swimming with a fever. Or maybe I should text Namjoonie-hyungie?”
“No!” Yoongi yelps, holding up his hand. “Don’t text Joon. Please.”
Jungkook nods and types some more.
Yoongi waits, and tries to gauge whether his headache is going away soon or not.
“Ahhh,” Jungkook murmurs after a minute of scrolling on his phone, sounding disappointed. “Okay, hyung. I guess you should, um, get some rest.” He turns his phone off and stands, lips pushing out into a pout.
Yoongi clears his throat. “Does the internet say it's bad to go swimming with a fever?” He guesses.
Jungkook nods sadly. “That’s okay. I don’t mind swimming alone.”
He turns to leave, slowly grabbing the pink swim shorts off the bed.
“Wait,” Yoongi says before he can get too far. “What does it say about just sitting on the edge of the pool and putting my feet in? That can’t be too bad, right?”
“Right!” Jungkook exclaims. “I mean, I can look it up, if you want–”
“No, it’s okay,” Yoongi laughs hoarsely. “I’ll come out for a little bit with you. Just go easy on hyung, okay?”
“Okay!”
Jungkook goes off to grab towels and water bottles while Yoongi changes into the swim shorts. He also changes from his t-shirt and hoodie into a long sleeved t-shirt, and then grabs his hat and sunglasses.
Before he heads out, he grabs a tissue to blow his nose. The skin beneath his nostrils is raw and slightly chapped, and the tissue stings as he presses it against his face, but it still beats having his nose running sporadically like it’s been doing all day when he doesn’t blow his nose often enough.
Thankfully, Jungkook is right about the shade. It feels nice in the courtyard despite how hot it is outside. Yoongi lowers himself down and sits at the edge of the pool, letting his feet submerge in the cool water. Shivering slightly at the temperature, he turns his hat backwards and leans back on his hands, watching Jungkook jump into the pool with a splash.
He sits there in silence while Jungkook paddles around the pool like an overexcited puppy. Each time he does something impressive, like swim a particularly fast lap or do a handstand underwater, he looks over to make sure Yoongi is watching.
And Yoongi is. He’s watching every move with a dumbass grin on his face, his cheeks hurting from smiling. He feels like a proud appa.
“Did you see that cannonball, hyung?” Jungkook asks, swimming right up to Yoongi and slotting himself between his legs.
“Mm hmm. You splashed me all the way over here,” he replies, feigning annoyance.
Jungkook scrunches up his nose. “Should I do a backflip into the pool?”
“Is that safe?”
“It is if I do it in the deep end. I do it all the time,” Jungkook assures him, but he’s still peering up at Yoongi like he’s asking permission.
“Okay. Sure.”
Jungkook turns around, dives under the water, and swims all the way down to the other end of the pool. When he gets out, he stands with his toes on the edge and gives Yoongi a thumbs up.
Yoongi tenses up as he watches Jungkook turn around and crouch down. Now that he’s thinking about it, he’s already seen Jungkook do a backflip into the pool, but there’s still something about watching him now that makes him feel nervous.
Without hesitation, Jungkook throws himself backward, executing a perfect backflip and entering the water with a splash. Yoongi’s stomach clenches as he waits for him to come back up– which he does right away, but he’s spluttering and coughing.
“Oww,” he yelps in between coughs, his eyes squeezed shut and arms flailing.
“Shit.” Yoongi gets up way too fast. A wave of dizziness hits him but he pushes through it so he can jog around the side of the pool. Somehow, he doesn’t slip and fall, and he makes it over to where Jungkook is now clinging to the side.
“Jungkook! What happened?”
“Ahhgggh,” Jungkook wails, one hand held over his face.
“Jungkook, fuck. Are you hurt? Can you get out?”
Yoongi reaches for the hem of his shirt, wondering if he’ll need to jump in or if he can haul Jungkook up from here.
“I got water up my nose,” Jungkook cries out.
Yoongi has his shirt halfway off before he registers his words.
“Water up–? Shit, I thought you got hurt,” he breathes out, pressing a hand to his chest. He sits down heavily, closing his eyes as another wave of dizziness hits.
“I am hurt!” Jungkook argues. He moans, and then lets out a dramatically loud, wet-sounding sneeze.
Taking off his hat and sunglasses, Yoongi runs his fingers through his hair. Now that he’s sitting, he feels a lot better, but his heart is still thundering in his chest.
Jungkook pinches the bridge of his nose and hoists himself out of the pool with one arm. He hurries over to where their towels are, grabbing one and burying his face into it. Yoongi sighs, then pushes himself back up and follows him over– there’s something weird in his chest that’s making him not want to be too far away from Jungkook. As soon as he’s there, he sinks into a lounge chair.
“Owww.”
“Must have been a lot of water,” Yoongi comments, biting his lip. “You gonna be okay?”
“Just sneeze a couple more times, you’ll be good,” Yoongi advises, torn between worry and laughter as Jungkook blinks rapidly and paws at his nose.
Snorting into the towel, Jungkook peeks at him over the fabric. He stills, closing his eyes and tilting his head back, and Yoongi does actually laugh when he realizes that Jungkook looks like he’s actually trying to will himself to sneeze.
It doesn’t happen right away, but after a moment Jungkook begins to pace back and forth, and then he abruptly bends at the waist and sneezes three times in a row. He straightens up again, sniffles, whines, and then finishes it all off by blowing his nose straight into the towel.
“Gross. Feel better?”
Jungkook sniffs. Snorts again. He tosses the towel on to the ground.
“Ugh,” he groans, sounding slightly congested but in much better spirits. “Yeah, that’s a lot better now.”
“You scared me so bad,” Yoongi says weakly, covering his eyes with his forearms.
“I’m sorry, hyung. But did you see my backflip?”
“Mm hmm. Very impressive.”
Sniffling wetly, Jungkook plops down onto the lounge chair next to Yoongi.
“Go get some tissues,” Yoongi murmurs as he listens to the sound of Jungkook rubbing his nose.
The chair squeaks as Jungkook leaps up, and his feet slap against the concrete. He returns quickly, and Yoongi startles when he feels something being set onto his stomach. Cracking open one eye, he sees Jungkook standing directly above him, grinning down at him.
“Tissues!”
“I meant for you. Blow your nose properly,” Yoongi huffs, plucking a tissue from the box and holding it out to him.
Jungkook takes the tissue and lifts it to his face.
Well, since the tissues are out here now…Yoongi grabs a couple of them from the box for himself, blowing his nose softly. The pressure sends a pulsing wave of pain throughout his head, but as soon as he’s done it dulls again. He shoves the used tissues into the pocket of Jin’s swim shorts and closes his eyes again, resting his arm over his eyes once more.
There’s a beat of silence. “You feeling okay, hyung? Want to go back inside?”
Yoongi feels a cold, wet hand against his forehead. He moves his arm away from his face but doesn’t open his eyes.
“Whatever you want to do,” he murmurs.
Jungkook removes his hand. Yoongi hears him sniffle. “Okay.”
About three seconds later, there’s a splashing noise and Yoongi opens his eyes to see that Jungkook is back in the pool.
“This kid,” he mutters, his voice gravelly.
Yoongi leans over and grabs a water bottle. He twists the cap off and drinks half of it down. The cold water feels amazing on his throat, and he remembers that he hasn’t had nearly enough water yet today, so he finishes off the rest of the bottle.
Coming down off his adrenaline rush is making him feel sleepy, but drinking water makes him feel slightly less shitty overall. Slowly, Yoongi stands again. He grabs the second bottle of water and goes back to his spot by the shallow end and sits down.
For the next thirty minutes or so, Jungkook swims around in the shallow end, like he’s purposefully sticking close to Yoongi. He spends ten of those minutes hanging onto the edge of the pool and yapping while Yoongi lazily kicks his feet up and down, making tiny splashes.
“Hey!” A voice suddenly rings out, made sharper by the echo in the courtyard.
Both Yoongi and Jungkook startle slightly. They turn to see Namjoon striding across the courtyard. Goosebumps immediately break out all over Yoongi’s skin at Namjoon’s tone.
“You’re too sick to be out here swimming.”
“He’s not swimming,” Jungkook pouts. “He’s just sitting there. We researched if it’s okay.”
“You researched if what’s okay?” Namjoon asks, his hands on his hips as he comes to a stop in front of Yoongi.
“If it’s okay to swim with a fever,” Jungkook replies. “And it’s not, so hyung is only putting his feet in the water.”
Namjoon crouches down and presses the back of his hand to Yoongi’s forehead. “You have a fever again?” He asks quietly, expression softening.
“Had a fever. Barely. I took a fever reducer. And that’s why I’m not actually swimming. So you can stop that worrying right now, Joon.”
Jungkook giggles. “Yeah, right. He won’t.”
“Are you wearing Jin-hyung’s swim shorts?” Namjoon asks, eyeing the pink fabric.
“Yep. I don’t have any of my own.” Yoongi reaches for his bottle of water, which he’s been sipping on, and takes a long drink.
Jungkook pushes off the wall, floating on his back. “Hey, Namjoonie-hyungie!” He shouts. “Wanna see me do a backflip into the pool?”
“Can you tell him no?” Yoongi hisses under his breath. “My heart can’t handle that again.”
Namjoon raises an eyebrow. “What happened?”
“Nothing bad,” Yoongi quickly replies, letting out a long sigh. “Just…we should probably head inside. We’ve been out here for a while.”
“Hey, Kookie!” Namjoon calls out. “You hungry?”
Immediately, Jungkook changes direction, ducking underwater to swim back towards them.
“Here.” Yoongi tosses Jungkook the extra towel after he gets out, pointing to the one on the ground behind where Namjoon is standing. “You gotta carry that one, too.”
Namjoon turns and starts to bend down to pick it up, but Yoongi and Jungkook simultaneously shout, “Wait!”
“Don’t touch that towel,” Yoongi warns.
Jungkook scrambles over to scoop the towel up into his arms while Namjoon looks between them both in confusion.
“You don’t want to know,” Yoongi chuckles. “Trust me.”
“Okay…”
The three of them head toward the kitchen together, with Jungkook eagerly leading the way.
“You sure you’re doing okay?” Namjoon asks quietly, sliding an arm around Yoongi’s shoulder. “I thought you’d just be sleeping all day.”
“Yeah. It was nice to get some fresh air. I’m definitely going to go take a nap in like ten minutes though.”
“Go now,” Namjoon says as they reach the dining room. “I can bring you something to eat.”
Yoongi agrees, only because he’s feeling even more sleepy now and he’d really like to change back into his pajama pants as soon as possible. He pulls his hoodie back on too, and then sits down on the edge of the bed, swallowing back a yawn.
To Yoongi’s surprise, it’s not Namjoon who brings him a snack, but Jungkook.
“Here, hyung. Namjoonie-hyungie had to take a phone call.” Jungkook sets a bowl filled with tangerine segments, a cold bottle of water, and a Twinkie down on his bedside table.
“Thanks,” Yoongi smiles.
“Did you know Namjoonie-hyungie came home early because he was worried about you?” Jungkook tells him with a smirk. He sits down on the edge of the bed next to Yoongi.
Rolling his eyes, Yoongi picks up a piece of tangerine and pops it into his mouth. “What’s new?”
There’s a soft knock on the door. Namjoon pokes his head into the room.
“Hey. Sorry, I had to take a call. You need anything else?”
Yoongi shakes his head and reaches for a tissue. He’s starting to get congested again now that they’re back inside. He blows his nose and grabs another tangerine segment.
Namjoon glances at the bedside table. “You’re eating a Twinkie?”
“Oh. That’s for me.” Jungkook grabs the Twinkie and starts to unwrap it. “Thanks for swimming with me, hyung. Rest well!” He jumps up from the bed and leaves, already shoving half of the Twinkie into his mouth.
“I fuckin’ love that kid,” Yoongi mutters around another yawn.
“He’s pretty special,” Namjoon agrees.
“Okay. You don’t have an audience anymore. Do your fussing so I can go to sleep.”
Huffing out a breath in protest, Namjoon crosses his arms. “Sorry that I’m worried about you when you’re sick with a fever.” He uncrosses his arms and reaches for the blanket. “Scoot over. I could use a nap, too.”
Yoongi rolls over to the far side of the bed, sliding one arm under his pillow. Namjoon climbs in next to him, curling up against his back. He’s warm, and Yoongi falls asleep within minutes, drifting off to the steady sound of Namjoon’s breathing.
you fill my lungs with sweetness (and you fill my head with you) [commission]
Title: you fill my lungs with sweetness (and you fill my head with you)
Word Count: 11,520
Summary: It’s nearing the end of summer, and Hangawi is fast approaching. The entire population of Bangtan-ma-eul will be gathering for the annual festival that Hoseok and his six partners are throwing, and Hoseok is the one who’s organizing it all. There’s so much to do– food to prepare, stalls to decorate, performances to rehearse. Catching a cold? Why, that would be the worst thing that could happen to Hoseok right now. He doesn’t have time for a cold. And, even more importantly, he doesn’t have a cold, no matter how much his partners are fussing over a few sneezes.
This fic is a commission~ I am so incredibly grateful for the support 💜
A/N: Since I was going for cottage core vibes for this fic, please note that there may be historical inaccuracies, nonsensical practices, or arbitrary details, since I went with a mix of medieval/renaissance faire and Korean culture, and then of course a lot of the setting/traditions/etc. are fictional. Thank you in advance for suspending your disbelief!
ARTWORK: Forget the actual fic, LOOK at this beautiful fanart that @tilly-poppies made for the fic?!! It’s the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen, and I’m so excited that you get to finally see it today! I mean, LOOK AT THIS GORGEOUS ART. AHHH!!! All of the little details are just so pretty and I am in complete awe of her talent. LOOK AT IT!!!
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Hoseok slips out of bed early in the morning, before anyone else is awake, his footsteps light as he dresses and makes his way across the room. As soon as he steps from the rug onto the cold stone floor, he shivers hard and his hand clenches involuntarily around the edge of the bedroom door.
“Ah-aish,” he whispers, his voice still raspy with sleep.
Another shiver runs down his spine as he turns his head to glance over his shoulder, making sure he hasn’t woken any of his partners up.
All six of them are still sleeping peacefully, tucked warmly under quilts and breathing deeply. It’s a beautiful sight– one that Hoseok will never tire of seeing. Feeling almost reluctant, he watches them for just a moment longer before turning and leaving the room.
Hoseok grabs his cloak from its hook by the door and goes outside, closing the front door quietly behind him. It’s still dark out, the sun not yet awake. The chilly morning air smells wonderfully fresh and his bare feet sink into the soft soil that surrounds their cottage. A few birds chirp at him as he walks down to the river to wash up and Hoseok smiles fondly at them, admiring their cheerful enthusiasm at such an early hour.
As soon as he’s kneeling on the bank, he lets out a sudden cough. His throat is dreadfully parched this morning and he had woken up no less than three times in the night because of it. He’s certain it must be the cold air that’s causing it; it’s been a lot cooler the past few days, signaling a change in weather that always accompanies the change in season.
The cold water he splashes on his face makes him feel a bit chilled– he’s already shivering a little, but as soon as he’s wet he’s wracked with fluttery shivers all up and down his spine. Blinking against the water dripping into his eyes, Hoseok presses the sleeve of his tunic to his nose and wrenches forward with a harsh sneeze, and then a second.
“Oh, goodness,” he mutters, sniffling frantically and feeling a bit dazed.
Deciding that he’ll properly wash up later, Hoseok dries his face on the edge of his cloak and stands. Usually the morning chill doesn’t bother him so much, but now the thought of bathing in the river when he’s already shivering sounds less than appealing. He sniffles wetly and uses his sleeve again to dab at his nose, shuddering at the now growing damp spot on the fabric. Thank goodness today is laundry day.
Hoseok stops by the well on his way back up to the cottage. He fills two buckets and carries them to the front door, and then goes around back to get a stack of firewood. Back inside, he stacks the wood next to the hearth, then makes his way to the bedroom.
He peeks through the crack of the door briefly and sees that his lovers are all still asleep. He knows he should go out to the fireplace to start a fire, start getting ready for the morning, but something stops him. Something calls to him. Something like a warm voice, sleepy and content and longing.
Okay, he answers in his head, because he can’t resist the temptation. Sneaking over, he slips back into bed, under the warmth of his favorite quilt. Generally, his favorite spot is on the end nearest the door– afterall, he is the earliest riser, and prefers sleeping somewhere he can easily get in and out without disturbing anyone– but he finds himself slightly envious of Jungkook and Taehyung, who are currently in the very middle of the bed, sandwiched between Seokjin and Namjoon in a nice warm cocoon.
Tucking himself against Jimin’s back, Hoseok sighs and closes his eyes. His throat is dry again, but it’s now overshadowed by a foggy sort of tiredness, one that drags him down towards unconsciousness within minutes.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Hoseok’s eyes burn when he opens them again.
Blinking rapidly in an attempt to clear his blurry vision, he stretches his legs out and rolls over onto his back. His feet, sticking out of the end of the quilt, are freezing cold, as is his left arm, and he shivers slightly.
Jimin is still in bed next to him, but everyone else is up already. As soon as Hoseok sits up, he feels a very insistent prickle in his sinuses that seems to be spreading up from the back of his scratchy throat. Grabbing a handful of quilt and pulling it up to cover his face, he sneezes explosively.
“Blessings, sunflower,” Jimin murmurs sleepily, reaching over to rub his back. “You’re up late this morning.”
Hoseok nuzzles against the quilt, sniffling softly and clearing his throat. “I was already up earlier…”
“Oh? You came back to bed?” Jimin’s hand stills on his back. “How come?”
Suddenly, Hoseok is wide awake, gasping in a sharp breath. Why on earth had he gone back to bed?
“I have so much to do today!” He exclaims, jumping out of bed.
Hoseok needs water. He needs to rid his nose of all this congestion. His stomach is grumbling with hunger. But he brushes all of that off, because there’s a much more pressing matter at hand.
“One week,” he hears Jimin call out behind him as he rushes out of the bedroom. “You have one whole week!”
Hoseok already knows, of course, that he has one week. But that’s practically no time at all– Hangawi is fast approaching. The entire population of Bangtan-ma-eul will be gathering for the annual festival to celebrate the bountiful harvest they’ve had this year, and Hoseok is the one who’s organizing it all.
“Where do you think you’re going so fast?” Seokjin’s voice rings out.
Hoseok stops in his tracks. He turns around and sees Seokjin standing there with his hands on his hips, eyes narrowed.
“You know very well where I’m going–”
“Sit down,” Seokjin orders. “Eat.”
Hoseok sighs. He trudges after Seokjin.
Namjoon and Taehyung are both already sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast. Hoseok sinks down into a chair, his leg bouncing up and down impatiently as Seokjin serves him breakfast. He doesn’t feel much like eating, although he does drink an entire cup of water as soon as Seokjin sets it down on the table in front of him. However, he knows he’ll need the energy for the day he has ahead of him, so he thanks Seokjin and picks up his spoon.
Hoseok is just about to take a bite when a sneeze sneaks up on him. He wrenches to the side, tucking his nose and mouth into the crook of his elbow, and sneezes three times in a row– his nose is apparently out to get him today.
“Bless you, my sweet busy-bee,” Seokjin coos, bending down to kiss the top of his head. “I don’t like the sound of those sneezes.”
Taehyung frowns. “Huh? Hoseokie, are you catching cold?”
“No!” Hoseok yelps, swiping his sleeve beneath his nose. “No, absolutely not. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You sure you’re feeling alright?” Namjoon asks from the opposite end of the table.
“Of course I am,” Hoseok scoffs.
Hoseok tries to ignore the looks his partners are giving him, and focuses instead on a mental checklist of things he still needs to do for the Hangawi festival as he shovels food into his mouth.
There are so many things to do– planning, building, arranging.
Food to prepare.
Stalls to decorate.
Songs to practice.
Performances to rehearse.
Catching a cold? Why, that would be the worst thing that could happen to him right now. He doesn’t have time for a cold.
And, even more importantly, he doesn’t have a cold, no matter how much his partners are fussing over a few sneezes.
“I’m not sick,” he insists, standing from the table and grabbing the bread from his plate to take with him. “And I have work to do, so I'll be going now.”
With that, Hoseok skips out of the house, stopping only to grab his cloak from the wall, and makes his way down to the festival grounds.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Jungkook sings happily as he works, his voice carrying even over the sound of his mallet against wood. Next to him, Yoongi hums along with a smile on his face.
They’ve spent every day in the past couple of weeks here, in this clearing on the edge of the village– where they’ll hold the celebration for Hangawi– preparing the area that Hoseok has deemed the festival fairgrounds.
Today they’re working on the small stage that will be the focal point of the celebration. It’s the same as years before, and most of their wooden pieces are in perfect shape to use again.
Jungkook looks up to see Hoseok approaching from across the clearing, coming down from the cottage with his cloak wrapped around his shoulders. It’s a funny sight, considering Jungkook himself is feeling rather warm. Both he and Yoongi are dressed in light clothes, the sleeves of their tunics rolled up. Jungkook can feel the sweat already dripping down his back and the sides of his neck, and he knows he must be quite the sight– one that Hoseok must not mind all that much, because he stops to admire them working for just a moment before crossing the rest of the distance.
“I’m so happy to see that my little songbirds are hard at work already,” he says when he reaches them.
“Good morning,” Yoongi greets him, wrapping his arms around Hoseok’s waist. “You’re looking radiant as ever today, my beautiful wildflower.”
Hoseok presses his face into the crook of Yoongi’s neck, smiling shyly, but he pulls away after only a moment with a little cough, then claps his hands together.
“How’s that stage coming along? We need to start on the vendor stalls today, too.”
“Stage is nearly done,” Jungkook assures him. He leans in and presses a kiss to Hoseok’s cheek, then touches his cloaked shoulder. “Why are you wearing this?”
“It’s not that warm,” Hoseok argues, drawing his cloak tighter around himself. “You two have been building, so you’ve worked up a sweat.”
“It’s already so hot,” Jungkook whines, squinting up at the sun and wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. “I’m about to start stripping down.”
Hoseok’s eyebrows shoot up. “Jungkook!”
Jungkook ignores Hoseok’s shocked protest and turns to Yoongi. “Should I?”
“I don’t see why not,” Yoongi replies with a smirk, shrugging one shoulder.
Jungkook reaches down and peels his tunic off, revealing his bare, sweat-slicked skin.
“Jeon Jungkook!” Hoseok gasps, glancing frantically around the clearing. “We’re a stone’s throw from the market square– anyone could stroll by and see you right now!”
“Oh, I think that’s exactly what he wants,” a voice behind them says, and they all spin around to see Taehyung standing there as if he’s just appeared out of thin air.
“Aish!” Hoseok gasps, clutching his hand to his chest. “You snuck up on us!”
“Jungkookie earned this physique,” Taehyung grins, reaching out to pat Jungkook’s muscular chest. “He has every right to show himself off.”
Hoseok’s cheeks are bright red. “No, he most certainly does not!” He squawks. “I don’t want anyone else to see my Jungkookie half-naked!”
“Ooh, I like this jealous streak,” Taehyung purrs. “Our sunflower is getting quite worked up about you, bunny,” he laughs, tapping Jungkook on his nose.
Jungkook pushes out his lower lip and slings one arm over Taehyung’s shoulder, flexing his bicep in the process. “You don’t want to see all the hard work I’ve been putting in at Farmer Kim’s?” He pouts, reaching up with his other hand to card it through his hair.
Hoseok fans his face with his hand. “You’re right, it’s entirely too warm outside to be wearing this cloak…”
“Come,” Yoongi chuckles, taking Hoseok by the arm. “Lets start carrying benches over from the market square. Goodness, your face is the color of a wild strawberry…”
“Well, I’m here to help build!” Taehyung says to Jungkook as Hoseok and Yoongi make their way towards the square. “Put me to work!”
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
After lunch, Yoongi Taehyung and Jungkook finish building the stage and begin to erect the stalls.
Jungkook is fitting two panels together when he hears a nearby sneeze, and looks up to see that Hoseok is walking the perimeter, his hair damp with sweat. He’s tucking a piece of cloth into his sleeve. Only a moment later, he pulls it out again and lifts it to his face to sneeze once more.
“He’s been sneezing like that all morning,” Taehyung sighs, coming up beside him.
Jungkook sets his mallet down. “Really?”
“Seokjin is worried he’s been pushing himself too hard already. He’s convinced Hoseok has caught himself a cold.”
Sitting down in a patch of grass, Jungkook frowns. “How terrible,” he mutters, watching Hoseok in the distance. “He should be resting in bed if that’s the case, not out here in the sun.”
Taehyung looks over, eyebrows raised. “You really think he’d rest if he was ill?”
Jungkook lies on his back and closes his eyes. “If Seokjin tells him to, then…well, no. Probably not.”
Suddenly, there’s something wet splashing onto his face, and he opens his eyes to see Taehyung hovering above him.
“You looked a bit thirsty,” Taehyung giggles, tilting a cup of water directly above him.
“You bastard!” Jungkook yelps, leaping to his feet and dragging his arm across his wet face.
Taehyung sprints in the opposite direction, laughing loudly. Jungkook scrambles for his own drinking cup and dips it into the bucket of water, and then runs after him, quickly gaining ground.
They chase after each other for a few minutes, until both of them are dripping wet and panting hard. Taehyung stops a safe distance from Jungkook and strips his tunic off, trying to catch his breath and giggling as he watches Jungkook saunter over to the water bucket again.
“I call for a truce!” Taehyung squeals as Jungkook starts to stalk slowly towards him.
Jungkook ignores his pleas and catches Taehyung by the wrist before he can escape. He playfully pushes him to the ground and climbs on top of him, straddling Taehyung’s bare chest and holding a cup of water just over his face.
“Oh no,” they hear Hoseok mutter under his breath. “This is conflicting.”
Jungkook smirks and lowers the cup even further.
“Should we keep going until he comes over here and scolds us?” Taehyung asks, grinning wide. “That might be fun.”
Flexing his biceps, Jungkook hums. “Hmm, maybe. Oh– no. Nevermind, he’s got that scary look in his eyes. Get back to work, quick!” He stands quickly and brushes off his pants, gulping down the rest of the water in his cup.
Cackling mischievously, Taehyung goes over to scoop one more cupful of water from the bucket, and he pours it over the top of Jungkook’s head before darting away, leaving Jungkook to shake the water out of his eyes and frantically look around for something heavy to lift before Hoseok can actually come over and scold him.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
The next morning, Hoseok is up before the sun again.
He opens his eyes to a pounding headache and stuffed up nose, shivering on the edge of the bed without a single covering over him. Sitting up slowly, he spots his quilt tucked beneath Jimin’s head. Well, at least it’s bringing someone comfort.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Hoseok gets up and makes his way blearily through the cottage. He can hear his own heart beating in his ears like a drum in time with his footsteps, and the rhythm carries him across the ground outside and down to the riverbank.
Down by the river, he stares regretfully at the cold water, both of his arms wrapped tightly around himself.
This can’t be happening to him. Six days before Hangawi, when he still has so much to do, so many things to prepare and oversee– and now his body decides to betray him? But it’s far too real to deny now. He’s caught a cold. One that’s making his head feel like it’s stuffed with cotton and his throat feel like it’s being scraped raw with every swallow.
Hoseok knows he’ll just have to push through it. The festival is too important, the tasks are too many to take a break now, and it’s not like he’s unable to do anything. As long as he can keep his nose from dripping all over the place like it’s currently trying to do, he’ll be fine.
And as long as he can keep his lovers busy enough with festival preparations that they don’t fuss over him, or heaven forbid try to make him rest– well, then there shouldn’t be any problems at all in the next six days.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Yoongi carries a stack of firewood from the forest, his arms heavy. He’s been chopping wood all morning, and now he’s helping Namjoon prepare the fire pits.
Nearby, Jungkook is painting the stalls and Jimin is putting up decorations on the stage.
In the center of the clearing, Hoseok, Seokjin and Taehyung are preparing the community table.
The community table is, in Yoongi’s opinion, one of Hoseok’s most brilliant ideas.
In reality, it’s ten separate tables, but they’re all lined up together to create one long table down the center of the clearing. During the rest of the year, each table is placed in different spots throughout the town square and market for villagers to use for outdoor seating as desired.
Yoongi loves the way the tables look for the festival– one beautiful, cohesive place for the village to gather and share a meal. And he especially loves the way Hoseok decorates the tables for Hangawi, with beautiful dried flowers and his handmade candles.
After stacking his armful of firewood in a neat pile with the rest of it, Yoongi makes his way over. He could watch Hoseok make his flower arrangements for hours and never tire of it. Currently, Hoseok is gathering fresh cut flowers and herbs to dry for the centerpieces, tying each small bouquet with a piece of twine.
Yoongi frowns when he notices Hoseok’s hands are trembling a bit, and as he nears he realizes it’s not just his hands– it’s his entire body.
“Are you cold, love?”
Hoseok startles and twists to look over his shoulder. “Oh!”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Yoongi chuckles. He kisses the crown of Hoseok’s head and repeats, “Are you feeling cold?”
Hoseok glances around, as if to check if anyone else is cold, and then turns back to his flowers with a sniffle. “I’m just fine, thank you.”
Yoongi nods, taking note of the hint of congestion in Hoseok’s voice. “Good. You know, I’m so proud of how hard you’ve been working. I think you’re even a bit ahead of schedule!”
“There’s no way,” Hoseok mumbles under his breath, his fingers wrapping around a sunflower stem. “There’s still so much to do…”
“Say, I think I might go up to the cottage to make myself a cup of tea. I need just a short break after carrying all of that firewood.” Yoongi pauses, wrapping his arms around Hoseok’s shoulders from behind. “Won’t you come up with me?”
In Yoongi’s embrace, Hoseok seems to melt. He tips his head back against Yoongi’s shoulder and looks up at the sky. Yoongi watches his eyelashes flutter, taking in the red flush that spreads across his cheeks and the tip of his nose.
He’s certain that Hoseok will say no.
With a soft sniffle, Hoseok tilts his head back even farther to look up at Yoongi. “Maybe just a short break.”
Inside the cottage, Yoongi guides Hoseok to a chair at the kitchen table. While he waits for the water to come to a boil, he grinds thin slices of yuja with honey and fresh ginger, adding the mixture to a cup and hoping Hoseok won’t be too stubborn to drink it.
Hoseok looks so sleepy when Yoongi brings him a cup of steaming tea, his arms folded on the table. Yoongi sets the tea in front of him and he picks it up automatically, bringing it to his lips with a sniffle.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Yoongi rubs Hoseok’s shoulders while he sips on the tea. Hoseok relaxes under his touch, sitting there in almost a daze.
“I know what you’re trying to do,” he whispers after several moments of silence.
“Then why don’t you let me do it? You need rest, sunflower. If you keep going at this rate then you’ll only make yourself sicker.”
Hoseok lets out a long, tired sigh. But then he straightens, sniffing harshly, his gaze growing more alert. “It’s just a mild cold, Yoongi. I’ll be fine. I need to get back to work.”
Yoongi’s heart breaks at the congestion he hears in Hoseok’s voice, so much worse now even despite the hot tea.
“Okay. We can get back to work. But promise not to push yourself too hard?”
Giving a small nod, Hoseok presses his lips together and leads them back down to the clearing without another word.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Five days before the festival, Namjoon wakes early. It’s still dark outside, and for a moment he wonders why he’s awake at such an early hour– but then, from the opposite side of the bed, he hears a muffled cough.
Poor Hoseok. He’s been coughing intermittently throughout the night. Namjoon has heard Seokjin get up at least twice to fetch him water and make him take a spoonful of honey.
He waits for a moment, listening. There’s a soft groan, and the sound of Hoseok rolling over. After that, it’s quiet for a while again. Namjoon guesses Hoseok has been able to fall back asleep, and he lets out a sigh of relief, deciding that he’ll go back to sleep for a bit too.
He only makes it another hour or so before he’s jostled awake, this time intentionally by Jungkook and Yoongi.
“Sorry,” Yoongi whispers. “We just thought we should head out…before Hoseok wakes?”
“Right.” Namjoon sits up and slips quietly out of bed. “Good idea.”
The three of them tiptoe out of the room, but as they’re about to head out the front door they hear the soft padding of footsteps behind them, followed by a congested snuffling sound.
“Are you going to harvest the fruit? You should have woken me up.”
“We were trying not to wake you up,” Jungkook mutters, a concerned frown on his face.
“Go back to bed, love,” Yoongi urges, trying to turn Hoseok back around, but Hoseok stubbornly plants his feet.
“No. It will go faster if more of us work, and we have a lot to do today.”
“The three of us can pick apples just as quickly,” Jungkook argues. “Wouldn’t it be better if you got a little more rest this morning?”
“It’s not just the apples, Jungkook,” Hoseok frowns, suddenly pushing past him to open the front door.
The three of them hurry after him, surprised by the speed with which Hoseok is striding towards the orchards.
“It’s the apples, and the pears. And then the flowers. And I still need to check on all of the stalls, and I have decorations to make…”
“He’s not going to stop and rest a single minute, is he?”
Namjoon sighs. “No. Not a chance.”
When the four of them reach the orchards, Hoseok goes straight for the barrels lined up along the first row of apple trees and starts rolling one forward, already tying a sack around his waist.
“I don’t think there’s any stopping him,” Yoongi murmurs. He, Namjoon, and Jungkook stand there for a moment, watching as Hoseok places the barrel upright under a tree and begins to climb up, clinging to the trunk with his bare hands and feet as he scurries up like a little squirrel.
“He is our fastest picker,” Namjoon says. “And our best climber.”
“He barely slept last night,” Jungkook worries. “He looks exhausted. Is it even safe for him to be up there?”
Just then, they hear a loud sneeze, and they look over just in time to see Hoseok grab onto a branch after nearly falling off of where he’s perched.
“Holy dragons!” Namjoon curses, his face paling as he runs forward. “Hoseok, are you alright?!”
“I’m fine,” Hoseok calls down, already reaching for the next apple. “Are the three of you going to get to work any time soon?”
Yoongi, standing with one hand pressed against his heart, lets out a long-suffering sigh. “He’s really going to keep at it like this, isn’t he?” He whispers.
“The faster we pick, the faster we get him out of that tree,” Jungkook whispers back. “Let’s split up. Namjoon and I can start on the pears. Yoongi can stay here on the ground with Hoseok and keep an eye on him.”
“Good idea,” Yoongi nods. “Hurry. And be safe.”
“Thank you, love.” Namjoon takes Yoongi’s face in his hands, leaning forward to kiss the tip of his nose. “Let’s work quickly.”
Above them, another sneeze rings out, and an apple plummets to the ground with a loud thump.
“Very quickly.”
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Despite his condition, Hoseok still picks apples nearly as fast as any other day.
By the time he and Yoongi have filled two barrels, Jungkook and Namjoon have also filled their two barrels with pears.
The four of them gather near the edge of the orchard, sipping on water that Taehyung carried over for them mid-morning. Jungkook uses a knife to slice up a few apples up for them to eat, keeping a worried eye on Hoseok the entire time.
Hoseok is resting up against the trunk of an apple tree, his cheeks flushed red and his nose red to match. He pulls a cloth from his waistband and uses it to dab at the sweat along his brow.
“Shall we go back up to the cottage to rest a bit?” Yoongi suggests, but he’s immediately shot down by Hoseok.
“There’s far too much to do to rest now,” he scoffs. “We made quick work this morning, but there’s still so much to do. Hangawi is in five days, Yoongi. Five.” He leans forward, barking out a cough that he catches with the cloth.
“Alright, sunflower,” Yoongi replies softly. He sits down next to Hoseok and wraps an arm around his waist. “I just don’t want you pushing yourself too hard and making yourself worse.”
Hoseok pouts, but doesn’t respond. He crunches on a quarter of an apple and refuses more when Jungkook offers it to him.
“Back to work,” he croaks, standing up. “No time to waste!”
And with that, he’s off again before any of them can stop him, making his way towards the festival grounds with another cough and a determined square of his shoulders.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
As they take turns washing up before supper that evening, Namjoon carries a basket of pears into the kitchen and fills a pot with water.
“What’ve you got there?” Seokjin asks, sidling up beside him.
Namjoon lifts a pear up. “Do we have any honey left? I want to make something.”
“Oh,” Seokjin replies in understanding. “That’s a wonderful idea. Yes, we’ve got plenty of honey in the cupboard, let me go grab it. And– don’t touch that knife, Kim Namjoon. Wait for me to return, please.”
Taehyung comes in as Seokjin is slicing pears in half and Namjoon is measuring out spices.
“Mm, looks delicious,” he says, peering into the pot. Then, after a moment of squinting down at it, he asks, “What is it?”
“Baesuk,” Seokjin replies. “Great for the immune system.”
“Oh.” Taehyung wrinkles his nose. “That spicy stuff you make me drink when I’m down with a cold?”
“Spicy?” Namjoon chuckles. “It’s just a pear with a little cinnamon and peppercorn.”
“Ah, my nose is running just looking at it,” Taehyung shudders. “Can I have some plain? With just honey?”
“Of course, my little prince,” Seokjin smiles, leaning over to kiss Taehyung on the cheek before carrying the pot over to the fireplace. “I’ll steam a plain one just for you.”
After they eat supper, Seokjin removes the pot from the hearth and takes it into the kitchen. Taehyung gets up and helps him carry the small bowls over to the table, each one filled with half a pear in a thick, syrupy liquid.
None of them miss the way Hoseok stares tiredly down at his bowl, sniffling wetly for a good minute before he picks up his spoon.
“Thank you,” he croaks as he slowly eats, looking over at Seokjin with tired eyes. “It’s delicious.”
Seokjin smiles at him. He reaches across the table and sets his hand over Hoseok’s forearm, rubbing his thumb back and forth across his skin. “You’re welcome, sunflower. I’ve saved an extra one for you if you’d like more after that.”
Hoseok returns his smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He barely finishes his serving of baesuk before he starts nodding off sitting up, and he lets himself be led to bed by Jimin and Jungkook without protest.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
“Alright.” Hoseok glances down at his piece of paper and grabs the charcoal pencil from behind his ear. His voice is fading, raspy from his cold, and he has to clear his throat twice before he can continue. “Vendor number one, music.”
“Vendor number one?” Yoongi raises an eyebrow. “Is that my name now, then?”
Hoseok nods absently and scribbles a note down. “You’ll be up on stage,” he says, gesturing towards the stage nearby.
Crossing his arms and holding back an amused grin, Yoongi looks to where Hoseok is pointing. “So…same as last year? And the year before?”
Hoseok nods. “Yes. Exactly.” He looks up at Yoongi. “I’ll swing by later to see if you need any help with setup. Please let Jungkookie know in the meantime if you need any additional benches.”
After Yoongi nods in understanding, Hoseok moves on to the next stall.
“Vendor number two…produce, herbs, and books.” He looks at Namjoon’s stall, surveying the goods that fill the space.
Namjoon has baskets out for all of the produce he’ll have out at the center of his stall– pears, apples, plums, squash, along with some fresh herbs. On the other side, there are two shelves filled with rows of leather-bound books, all handmade by Namjoon, and then a small crate filled with picturebooks he gives out to the children every year.
Namjoon smiles and reaches out to cup Hoseok’s cheek. “How are you feeling?” He asks, sliding his hand up to card through his hair.
Hoseok’s eyelashes flutter closed at the touch. He takes a deep breath and forces his eyes open again.
“I’m okay, thank you. Do you need help with anything? Set up or decorations?”
“No, but–”
“Perfect! Let me know if that changes.”
Pressing his lips together, Namjoon nods and pulls his hand back. “Okay. Thank you, sunflower, I’ll do that.”
“Next up, vendor number three.” Hoseok stops in front of the next stall, where Taehyung is constructing the shelves to hold bottles of his homemade baekseju.
Just in front of his stall, there’s a small firepit. Hoseok stares down at it curiously– he’s almost certain that hadn’t been there the day before.
“That’s where I’ll heat up the apple sujeonggwa,” Taehyung says, getting up and walking over to where Hoseok is standing.
“I thought it would be nice to have a hot drink to share with everyone. I went a little overboard, so there’s more than enough to go around. If you want, I can heat up some now for you to sample? Feels really nice on a scratchy throat,” he adds with a wink.
Hoseok swallows instinctively. And then bites back a wince. His throat is beyond scratchy at this point– not that he’s about to admit that.
“Thank you, darling. I appreciate the offer. But I need to finish my rounds. I’ll try it with the rest of the village?”
Taehyung nods easily. “Okay!”
Taking a deep breath, Hoseok moves on.
“Vendor number four, bread.”
Seokjin looks up from his table, already halfway decorated with a linen tablecloth and beautiful woven baskets of various shapes and sizes.
“How is my busy-bee faring with his stuffy nose? Or are you still denying that you have a stuffy nose and pretending that you’re completely fine?”
Hoseok's stomach churns at Seokjin’s words, but he forces a smile onto his face. “A stuffy nose isn’t such a big deal,” he replies. “You’re all making such a fuss about it, though.”
Sighing, Seokjin shakes his head, looking partially amused and partially exasperated.
“I’ll be starting on food tomorrow,” he says. “The bread loaves will bake the day after.”
Hoseok is always amazed at the amount of baking Seokjin does for his stall– and that’s after the bread he makes for the community meal every year.
“Do you need my help with any of the other stalls?” Seokjin asks.
“No, thank you. As long as everyone stays on track today, we should be good to go…” Hoseok is already looking towards the next stall. He needs to keep moving if he actually wants to stay on track, but the longer he’s on his feet the slower he’s starting to feel.
“Okay. Just let me know!”
Hoseok smiles tiredly and continues on.
“Vendor number five…”
Jungkook smiles. “Vendor number five, at your service!”
Hoseok can’t help but smile back at Jungkook’s enthusiasm. He looks around Jungkook’s stall, impressed at how far along it is already. One one side he has easels set up, where his paintings will be displayed for sale or trade. On the left side of the stall, there are a couple of stools and a low table.
“This is where I’ll be doing face-painting for the children,” Jungkook says proudly. “Look– I’ve already practiced some examples on this parchment.”
Hoseok’s heart flutters as he looks at the small, intricate designs on the square of parchment that Jungkook holds out– a yellow sunflower, a green lizard, a blue butterfly.
“These are beautiful, bunny,” he gushes, pressing his hand to his chest. “I–”
Eyelashes fluttering, Hoseok stumbles backward a step as he’s overtaken by an unexpected sneeze.
“Oh! Bless you!” Jungkook hurries over to his bag and digs around until he finds a folded piece of cloth. “Here, it’s clean– don’t mind the paint stains.”
Hoseok’s face feels warm as he takes the makeshift handkerchief from Jungkook. “Thank you,” he manages to get out before he’s sneezing again.
“Bless you,” Jungkook murmurs.
“I’m okay,” Jungkookie,” Hoseok assures him, sniffling into the cloth in an attempt to get his nose under control. “Your designs are beautiful. The children will love them.”
“Do you want to sit and rest for a moment?” Jungkook asks, but Hoseok shakes his head and turns away.
He tucks the cloth into the waistband of his pants before he reaches Jimin’s stall, not wanting to draw more attention to the matter of his runny nose.
“Vendor number six,” he says, cringing internally at the sound of his own croaky voice. “Jewelry and crystals–”
He can’t even get the full words out before he’s coughing. He bends forward, squeezing his eyes shut, and coughs again, his breath tripping over itself in his chest.
Suddenly, Jimin is at his side, pressing a cup into his hands. “Here’s some water,” he says. “Take a sip, love.”
Hoseok lifts the cup to his lips and drinks. The water feels heavenly going down his throat, and soon his coughing subsides.
“You poor thing," Jimin murmurs, taking the cup back from him and rubbing his back. “You should rest for a bit, really.”
Hoseok huffs out a frustrated breath. He clears his throat and clenches his jaw, determined to keep going despite his body’s betrayal.
“No, I’m alright. Thank you for the water, angel.”
As he looks over Jimin’s stall, Hoseok notices that only half of it is filled with Jimin’s handmade jewelry pieces.
“What will go here?” He asks, gesturing to the empty half of Jimin’s stall.
“Oh…” Jimin rubs the back of his neck and glances off to one side. “Well, I haven’t quite decided yet. But I’m still working on it, so not to worry!”
“Hm.” Hoseok nods. “Okay.”
By the time he reaches his own stall, Hoseok is more exhausted than he’s willing to admit.
“Vendor number seven,” he mutters to himself. “Candles. Soaps.” He coughs a couple of times and sinks down onto a stool that he doesn’t remember placing in his stall.
Looking around, he fights back a yawn and starts making a mental to-do list. All he has to do now is arrange all of the shelves inside his stall, and then decorate everything, and then plan out how his display will look. And then he has to go to the fields to cut more wildflowers. After that, he’ll need to keep working on decorations.
He sets his paper in front of him and continues scribbling down his to-do list: Check in with Yoongi about his performance. Check in with Jimin about his half-empty stall. Help Jungkook carry his paintings over. Namjoon will likely need some help with decorating his stall. He’ll need to figure out how they’re going to get all of Seokjin’s bread loaves transported in a timely manner. Taehyung had mentioned something about finding a ladle for his sujeonggwa– or had that part been only in Hoseok’s head?
Suddenly, his nose starts running again and he feels his sinuses prickling unhappily in response. He quickly grabs the cloth that Jungkook had given him from the waistband of his pants and clamps it over his mouth and nose, snorting at the discomfort.
Oh, how his head is starting to ache. As quietly as possible, Hoseok blows his nose into the cloth, and then tucks it back into his waistband.
“Better get started on this list,” he mumbles, standing up from the stool. “No time to waste.”
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
“Is Jungkook back yet?” Seokjin glances around the table, doing a quick headcount as he sets cups and bowls out.
Before anyone can reply, there’s an excited shout from outside the cottage. Less than a minute later, the door flings open and Jungkook comes running in, skidding to a stop just short of running into a chair.
“No running in the house, bunny,” Seokjin scolds him gently.
“I’m sorry, I was running the whole way here!” Jungkook exclaims, slightly out of breath. He plops down into a chair next to Hoseok.
“Where are you coming from?” Hoseok asks, confused.
“I was at Farmer Kim’s,” Jungkook replies with an equally confused expression on his face. “To check on the bull?”
“Oh, right.” Hoseok tries to remember if he actually knew this information. He’s feeling a bit sleepy, and maybe a bit too warm even though he’s only in an undertunic and pants.
He does know that each year for the Hangawi celebration, Farmer Kim has graciously donated a bull to be won as a prize for the winner of the ssireum tournament. And, he can vaguely recall his conversation with the farmer a few weeks prior, when checking on the bull– which at the time, had weighed slightly less than the bull from the prior year, so Farmer Kim had been worried about it being an ominous sign for the coming harvest.
All of this information is now swirling around in Hoseok’s head and making him feel foggy and confused, and he barely hears the conversation as it continues.
“The bull is nice and fit?” Taehyung asks.
Jungkook’s face breaks out into a wide grin. “Yes, but there’s even more good news!” He exclaims, swaying back and forth in excitement. “Double good news!”
“Does the bull weigh a lot?” Hoseok asks, trying to focus on Jungkook’s face.
“Uh…I’m not sure?” Jungkook replies, his smile faltering slightly.
Over Jungkook’s shoulder, Hoseok catches Taehyung looking over at Namjoon with an odd look on his face, but by the time Hoseok follows his gaze to also look at Namjoon, Jungkook is continuing his story.
“Farmer Kim’s dairy cow gave birth this morning,” he says. “Early! And to twins!”
“And they both lived?” Jimin asks incredulously.
“Both are healthy, beautiful calves!” Jungkook confirms.
“Oh, that is double good news!”
“That’s not even the double good part! Farmer Kim’s heifer is pregnant!”
“Wow,” Seokjin chuckles, throwing his arm around Jungkook’s shoulder. “This is a lot of bovine-related excitement for one day.”
Yoongi laughs, an endeared smile on his face. “You’re just awfully adorable when you get to talking about animals, bunny.”
Jungkook sighs. “I wish I could participate in the ssireum tournament. I know I could win.”
“And what on earth would we do with a bull?” Jimin asks, chuckling. “Can’t you just go visit the calves now? Sounds like there’ll be plenty of them.”
“It’s not the same,” Jungkook mutters, pouting.
“We’ll get you your own cow someday, sweetheart,” Seokjin promises.
Namjoon rolls his eyes at Seokjin’s sweet tone. “You tell him that every year. One day, you’re going to have to follow through on that promise.”
That evening, as Hoseok tries to fall asleep, he realizes he never found out if the bull will weigh enough in time for the festival. Before he can dwell too much on it, he feels a cool hand on his forehead, and drifts off into a restless sleep filled with dreams of baby calves running endlessly through a field of wildflowers.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Seokjin finishes shaping the songpyeon and arranges them in the pot to steam. He adds in a couple of handfuls of fresh pine needles and covers the pot with a cloth to set aside for later.
After checking on his bread dough, he starts gathering ingredients so he can get started on the various other hangwa he wants to make. He’s just about to start sifting the rice flour when he hears a cough behind him.
Seokjin narrows his eyes and spins around. Hoseok looks awful– and Seokjin thinks he’s perfectly justified in thinking that, given the circumstances.
“What are you doing in my kitchen?” He asks warily, already knowing the answer.
Hoseok coughs again and takes a step forward. “I’m here to help–”
“No. Absolutely not. You’ll get the whole village sick if you’re around the food.”
“But–”
“No buts, busy-bee. You go sit by the fireplace and I’ll bring you some tea out there.”
For a moment, Seokjin thinks Hoseok might argue back, but then he turns and shuffles over to the fireplace, his shoulders slumping.
As soon as the water boils, Seokjin pours it over a mixture of honey and yuja pulp. He blows across the hot liquid to cool it a little, and then carries it out to the living area. Hoseok is sitting on a cushion in front of the fireplace, wrapped up in one of the quilts from Jimin’s halmeoni.
Seokjin hands him the tea. “Are you hungry, dear?”
Hoseok shakes his head and holds the steaming cup of tea close to his chest.
“Would you eat something anyway for me? Maybe a bit of broth?”
Glancing up, Hoseok sighs. “If I must.”
Seokjin drops to his knees and takes Hoseok’s face in his hands. “You don’t have to, sunflower. I just want to make sure you’re eating enough. If you refuse to take care of yourself properly and rest when your body is demanding it, then how much further will you be able to push yourself?”
A hint of a smile passes across Hoseok’s lips. “I already agreed to eating your broth. And I’m not refusing to take care of myself. I just have a lot of work to do. You know how important this festival is to me. To the whole village.”
Seokjin lifts his hands slightly, tilting Hoseok’s face up. “I’m just worried about you, wildflower. You’re important, too.”
Hoseok’s gaze drops, and Seokjin releases his hold.
“I’ll make you some broth. Drink that tea up.”
When Seokjin brings the broth over and checks on Hoseok a short while later, he sees that he has fallen asleep on the floor.
He pauses for a moment, debating whether he should let him continue sleeping there in what looks to be a rather uncomfortable position, or wake him to move him to the bed and risk Hoseok deciding to leave instead.
Eventually, Seokjin decides he’d rather let him sleep. He makes sure the cushion is under Hoseok’s head, and lays another quilt over him, bending down to kiss his cheek before he goes back into the kitchen to continue his preparations.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
In the evening, Seokjin pulls his next batch of bread from the hearthstone and sets it on the kitchen counter to cool with the other loaves. From the kitchen table, Hoseok watches him intently, both of his hands wrapped around a cup of tea he’s barely even touched.
“What did I tell you about staying away from my food with those germs?” Seokjin says, but there’s no heat behind his words.
He goes over and puts his hands on Hoseok’s shoulders, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.
“Come. Up. Time for bed.”
They’ve only just finished eating supper, but Seokjin knows Hoseok needs all the rest he can get, and that this is the time it’s easiest to convince him to actually rest. He’s sleepy, and exhausted from his day of running around planning for the festival, and he stands up immediately when Seokjin nudges him.
Hoseok coughs as Seokjin guides him into the very middle of the bed and tucks his quilt around him.
“I don’t like the sound of that cough,” he frowns, smoothing his hand across Hoseok’s forehead. “I’ll have to whip up another round of baesuk tomorrow and see if that helps.” Seokjin grabs a bowl filled with a thick, herbal balm– made with beeswax, peppermint, camphor and lavender– and holds it up for Hoseok to see. “This might help a bit tonight, though.”
Yoongi comes into the room carrying a wet cloth that’s been warming by the fire. He crawls into bed next to Hoseok and lays it over his forehead.
“Are you warm enough?” He asks, adjusting the quilt around Hoseok’s shoulders.
Hoseok nods, his eyelids drooping already.
Seokjin dips the tips of his fingers in the balm and brings his hand to Hoseok’s face. Gently, he spreads it across his cheekbones and down the sides of his nose, gently massaging it into his skin. He puts another dab on his finger and spreads it along the raw, reddened skin beneath Hoseok’s nostrils, laughing softly when Hoseok scrunches up his face.
“Shh, it’s alright,” he soothes, leaning down to kiss the very tip of Hoseok’s nose. “Close your eyes, sunflower.”
Without protest, Hoseok obeys, his eyelashes fluttering a few times before his eyes close completely. Seokjin uses his thumbs to lightly massage Hoseok’s face, paying special attention to his sinuses, stopping when Hoseok’s breathing slows and turns into soft snores.
“There we go,” he whispers.
He reaches out and carefully spreads the balm under Hoseok’s nose more thoroughly, dabbing it along the edges of his nostrils and above his upper lip. Hoseok’s nose twitches slightly, but he doesn’t wake, and Seokjin smiles down at him.
“Rest now, busy-bee,” Seokjin murmurs. He turns to Yoongi and places a kiss on his lips. “You too, lovebug. Keep him warm for me.”
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Jimin leans forward, resting his elbows against his knees. “I’m worried about him.”
Next to him, Seokjin sighs. “I know, little duckling,” he says. “I am too.”
“He won’t rest for even a minute.”
“He looks nearly ready to collapse," Seokjin murmurs. “I don’t like it one bit.”
Jimin kneads at his temples with his fingertips, frowning. “I don’t know what else to do. He’s worrying about every little detail that he’s already worried about twice over! The stress is only making him sicker.”
He turns to Seokjin. “Does he get like this every year? Or does it seem worse?”
“Oh, it’s much worse. He’s never handled being sick very well.”
The two of them sit there, watching as Hoseok tries to hang a banner across the front of the stage. He has to stop to cough so often that Jimin sees him bring the banner up to his face and accidentally cough into it instead of his shirtsleeve.
“I better go check on him and bring him some water,” Seokjin says, sighing again as he stands up. “Oh, what am I going to do with him?”
Throughout the day, Hoseok’s cough worsens. Jimin can tell that he’s flushed with fever from a distance, his cheeks pink and his brow covered in a sheen of sweat. Every few minutes he sneezes into one of the various handkerchiefs he’s keeping on his person, each tucked into one of his sleeves or in the waistband of his pants like he’s trying to hide them away when they’re not in use. Watching him makes Jimin’s heart ache.
He notices that as soon as Hoseok is finished making another round to check on decorations, he goes off alone towards the flower fields with a basket in hand, so Jimin looks around and smiles when he spots Jungkook lying on his back on the stage, singing to himself.
He walks over and stands above him, smiling down. “Hi, bunny,” he greets Jungkook. “Will you please come with me? I’ve got a plan for the other half of my stall, but I need help carrying a few things over.”
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
“Hoseok, please,” Namjoon begs, blocking the door of the bedroom. “Get back into bed. You’ve already checked on the stage. It’s been built for days now, don’t you remember?”
Hoseok drags the sleeve of his tunic under his nose. His face is bright red and his hair is damp with sweat.
“Gotta make the stage decorations, Joon-bug,” he croaks, his voice barely a whisper.
Before Namjoon can reply, Yoongi appears behind him.
“Hey,” he murmurs. “Seokjin is preparing dinner. Do you think he’ll eat?”
Namjoon shrugs. “It’s worth a try, I suppose. We need a redirect.”
Yoongi nods and turns around to return to the kitchen. When he comes back, Jungkook is with him.
“Hi, sunflower,” Jungkook says, smiling brightly as he walks into the room. “I brought you some broth. Come sit down with me?”
The corners of Hoseok’s mouth turn down, his brow wrinkling in confusion, but he lets Jungkook guide him over to the bed and sit him down.
“Here you go.”
Hoseok reaches up and takes the cup of broth, bringing it up to his lips.
“Is it yummy? I helped prepare it,” Jungkook says, his gaze adorably imploring.
“Ooh, he’s good,” Namjoon whispers.
“It’s delicious, bunny. Thank you.” Hoseok drinks down more of the broth. He has to stop every few swallows to breathe through his mouth, but under Jungkook’s watchful gaze he drinks all of it.
Jungkook praises him softly as he hands the cup back over, kissing Hoseok on his fever-flushed cheek.
“Would you like some baesuk for dessert?”
Hoseok frowns.
“You don’t have to,” Jungkook adds quickly. “Only if your tummy is feeling up to it.”
“No thank you,” Hoseok says hoarsely, his eyes darting to Yoongi and Namjoon in the doorway.
“Are you cold?” Jungkook asks, lifting the covers up. “Yoongi has a cool cloth for your forehead since you’ve got a fever, but Taehyungie can bring a hot stone for your feet?”
“Oh.” Hoseok blinks. He looks at Yoongi, and blinks again. “Um.”
Yoongi smiles and walks over, gesturing for Hoseok to lie down. Hoseok does so without protest, slumping back against the bed. Gently, Yoongi places the wet cloth over his forehead, but as soon as it touches his skin Hoseok tenses up.
“I…I’m cold,” Hoseok whimpers, squeezing his eyes shut. He tries to reach up to remove the cloth from his forehead, but Yoongi catches his wrist.
“I’ll go get Tae.” Jungkook rushes out of the room, returning shortly, and he’s followed by Taehyung, Seokjin and Jimin.
Taehyung has a large stone wrapped up, one they’ve been warming by the fire. He tucks it under the quilt by Hoseok’s feet and then adds a second, smaller blanket on top.
Hoseok shivers unhappily, but stops trying to remove the wet cloth on his forehead. For the rest of the evening, they take turns sleeping with Hoseok sandwiched between them for warmth, and to make sure he doesn’t try to get up again.
“He’s gotten so much worse,” Yoongi whispers fretfully, when they’re all in bed together for the night.
Seokjin nods, even though the room is dark. He smoothes his palm over Hoseok’s forehead, wondering what the morning will bring.
On Hoseok’s other side, Jimin rubs Hoseok’s back when he groans and tries to roll over. “Shh,” he murmurs, rubbing until Hoseok stills again.
Once Hoseok’s breathing begins to settle, Seokjin lifts his head just enough to peek at him.
“Is he asleep?”
“Yes, finally,” Jimin replies.
“Tomorrow,” Seokjin whispers. “I’m keeping him in this bed. He is not allowed to step foot outside of this cottage.”
There are a few sleepy murmurs of agreement, and then it’s quiet except for the sound of Hoseok’s congested snoring that fills the room.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
“Taehyungie.”
There’s a quiet voice in Taehyung’s ear. The whispering of an angel.
“Taehyung.”
Ah, Taehyung could lie in bed like this forever– cozy and warm, lulled into such a dreamlike state that he never wants to leave it.
“Taehyung, wake up.”
“Hngh?” Taehyung opens his eyes, blinking against the harsh daylight.
“I’m getting up,” Jimin whispers. “I need your help.”
Taehyung squints at him in confusion. “Huh?”
“Hoseok…” Jimin gestures vaguely behind him.
Finally, Taehyung sits up, and sees what the problem is. Hoseok is clinging to Jimin’s back in his sleep, his arms and legs wrapped around him like a baby koala.
“Help,” Jimin whispers.
Taehyung yawns, rubs his eyes, and then reaches over, gently prying Hoseok’s grip off of Jimin. As soon as Jimin moves, Hoseok whines in his sleep and tries to latch on again, but Taehyung moves quickly to fill the space. Hoseok’s breathing becomes more labored, his face contorting in discomfort as he continues to seek out a warm body, and he only stills once he’s able to grab onto the front of Taehyung’s nightshirt.
“Thank you,” Jimin mouths, tucking the quilt over Taehyung and Hoseok before leaving the room.
He returns a short while later with Seokjin and Namjoon in tow.
“He’s feverish,” he explains quietly, pressing his hand to Hoseok’s forehead.
Seokjin and Namjoon do the same, feeling the heat radiating from Hoseok’s skin. As Taehyung carefully maneuvers out of his grip and rolls away, Hoseok’s eyes flutter open.
“Jimin?”
“Shh, I’m right here.” Jimin crouches down next to him and brushes the hair back from his sweaty face. “How are you feeling, sunflower?”
Tears well up in Hoseok’s eyes at the question. He sniffles and swipes at his nose and curls up on his side.
“You poor thing,” Jimin whispers.
Yoongi comes in then, carrying a cool wet cloth. He kneels beside the bed and places it on the back of Hoseok’s neck.
Immediately, he begins to shiver, his jaw clenching and his eyes squeezing shut. Taehyung scoots closer so he can wrap his arms around Hoseok, pulling the quilt tighter around them.
“I’ll stay here with him a little longer,” Taehyung offers. “He should sleep more.”
“You need rest,” Seokjin says firmly. “I’ll bring another cool cloth. We can draw him a cold bath if his fever gets worse within the next couple of hours.”
Hoseok sniffles again and buries his face into Taehyung’s chest. He’s still for a few minutes, until after the others leave the room.
“I need to…” Hoseok trails off, sounding uncertain. He pulls back a little, but he’s too weak to really get very far. “Can’t sleep.”
“You can’t sleep, or you don’t want to sleep?” Taehyung asks. Hoseok doesn’t respond.
The answer turns out to be both. Taehyung can see Hoseok fighting sleep with every ounce of strength he has– but on top of that, his nose won’t seem to stop running. Taehyung doesn’t think that’s such a terrible thing, when the alternative is a stuffed-up nose, but he doesn’t say as much out loud to Hoseok.
Instead, he listens intently to his mumbled complaints, and dabs at Hoseok’s nostrils gently so he doesn’t irritate the already rubbed-raw skin, and presses kisses along Hoseok’s temple as his body is wracked with wet sneezes and hacking coughs and miserable whimpers of discomfort.
Eventually, he does drift off into a restless sleep, snoring loudly against Taehyung’s chest.
When he jerks awake, it’s early afternoon and Taehyung is sore from lying in bed for so much of the day.
“Hey,” he whispers, using the wet cloth from earlier to wipe the drool from Hoseok’s chin. “How are you feeling?”
Hoseok coughs in a response, a pitiful, crackling sound. Soon after, the others file into the room as if they’ve been waiting nearby to come in at the first noise they hear.
“How are you feeling?” Jungkook asks, sitting on the edge of the bed. Jimin sits next to him, and Seokjin and Yoongi reach out to feel Hoseok’s forehead in unison.
“Should we try a bath?” Namjoon asks, biting down on his lower lip as he watches Hoseok try to lift his head.
“Seems like the fever is holding steady,” Yoongi reports. “We need to keep a close eye on it though.”
Hoseok makes a sad sound, and they all lean in.
“What’s wrong, love?”
“One day,” Hoseok croaks. “There’s just one day until the festival.”
“And everything is just about ready,” Seokjin says. “You just need to worry about resting–”
“I need to be out there,” Hoseok cries hoarsely, tears sliding down his flushed cheeks. “I need to help…”
“Let us take care of you,” Yoongi pleads. “And let us finish whatever preparations are left. We’ve done this every year. We know what to do.”
Jimin takes Hoseok’s hand, squeezing gently. “You can help us by staying right here in this bed, sunflower.”
Seokjin nods. “Rest, so you can go to the festival that you’re worked so hard to prepare for.”
There’s a long minute of silence. Hoseok sniffles and covers his face with his hands.
“Okay,” he finally whispers.
Taehyung gives a small smile. “Thank you, baby. We promise you, everything is going to work out.”
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
On the day of the festival, Hoseok wakes up with a start.
He sits up and looks to his left to find Seokjin already awake, watching him.
“Good morning, love,” he whispers. “How are you feeling?”
He reaches out to feel Hoseok’s forehead with the back of his hand. “I think your fever finally broke,” he announces, relief evident in his voice. “But it could come back. Don’t try to push yourself too hard today.”
Hoseok coughs weakly and rubs at his face.
“I feel more like a person than I did yesterday,” he says, clearing his throat. “But…”
“But you’re still not well,” Seokjin finishes softly. “And that’s okay, baby. As long as you take it easy today, the rest of us have got things covered for the festival.”
Hoseok opens his mouth, but Seokjin cuts him off before he can even speak.
“You have worked very hard. You’ve done an incredible job, as always. And don’t worry, you’re still getting credit for preparing such a wonderful celebration for the village. But, I will be taking over from here. I’m in charge today. That means you must listen to me.”
“Power hungry,” Hoseok mutters raspily, but he’s smiling.
“He is a bit bossy, isn’t he?” Jimin asks from the doorway. He leans against the doorframe and smiles at Hoseok. “How are you feeling, sunflower?”
Hoseok sighs. “I’d rather not admit how I’m truly feeling just yet,” he says, sniffling. “But I’ll acquiesce to your requests.”
“Perfect.” Seokjin leans over and kisses Hoseok on the cheek. “First order of business– breakfast and a family meeting.”
Seokjin and Jimin help Hoseok out to the kitchen table, where they all gather to eat. When they’re done, Seokjin gives the floor to Yoongi.
“The Hangawi festival is tonight,” Yoongi says after they’re all seated, smiling at Hoseok. “Hoseok has done so much to organize everything and bring the festival grounds together. Everything is on track, and everything looks beautiful.”
“You’ve done a really great job,” Seokjin adds, reaching over and carding his fingers through Hoseok’s hair. “You should be very proud of yourself.”
Hoseok flushes and wraps his arms around himself, sniffling. “I could have done more…”
“There’s no use in worrying about the could-haves,” Jimin interrupts. “And honestly, I don’t think you could have possibly done more,” he says with a chuckle.
Taehyung leans forward. “You said there are just a few more tasks to complete today, in order to be ready for tonight. What’s the first task?”
“Flower crowns,” Namjoon interjects. He turns to Hoseok. “I’ve laid out all the flowers, just like you asked me to yesterday.”
Hoseok blinks at him in surprise. He doesn’t remember having any discussion about flower crowns with Namjoon yesterday. And he doesn’t remember what other tasks are even left to do.
Before he can say anything, Namjoon leaves and returns shortly carrying a basket filled with freshly picked flowers.
“Jimin and I wove the crowns together yesterday, so all we have left to do is add a few flowers here and there.”
Namjoon starts taking flowers out of the basket and setting them in front of Taehyung.
To Hoseok’s surprise, they’re the exact flowers he had in mind for Taehyung specifically– red roses, blue larkspur, periwinkle blooms.
In front of Seokjin, Namjoon places pink peonies and lavender.
Jimin gets orange daisies mixed with red and yellow carnations.
For Yoongi– baby’s breath and lavender and larkspur.
Purple statice, pink and orange roses and lavender are placed in front of Jungkook.
Namjoon takes some of the periwinkle, and eucalyptus, and yellow carnations for his own flower crown.
Then, the basket is set in front of Hoseok. He looks down to see that it’s filled with all his favorite flowers– orange roses, pink peonies, purple daisies, and several bright yellow sunflowers.
Tears are stinging his eyes before he even realizes what’s happening.
“Did I…did I get it wrong?” Namjoon asks hesitantly.
Hoseok shakes his head and looks up to meet his eyes. “No, it’s perfect.”
Seokjin wraps an arm around his shoulder. “Perfect. Let’s take a short break and then we can keep going.”
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
In the afternoon, they dress in hanbok and line up in front of Hoseok, who puts himself back in charge of adorning each of them with their flower crowns.
“Beautiful,” he beams, looking truly happy when he sees the completed looks. “Just like I imagined.”
Together, they finish getting ready, and then they bundle Hoseok up in his cloak and a quilt and lead him to the festival grounds. Jimin guides him over to his stall and has him sit on a bench near the back.
“Oh,” Hoseok says as he looks around. “You filled your empty half.”
Where Jimin’s stall had been previously empty on one side, there are now shelves filled with Hoseok’s homemade candles and soaps, each one lined up neatly.
“Jungkookie helped me move everything yesterday,” Jimin tells him. “I thought I’d be able to keep an eye on you better in here. And per Seokjin’s orders– no running around today. Not even for a second. Everything is already running smoothly. You don’t need to check on a thing.”
Hoseok pushes out his lower lip, but Jimin reaches out to poke it with a laugh.
“Just sit here and enjoy yourself, sunflower,” he says. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go teach the children.”
Hoseok watches Jimin skip off. He makes his way over to the stage, where many of the children are already gathered. Yoongi is sitting on the edge of the stage with a drum, and when he begins to play a beat Jimin leads the children in learning a traditional dance.
Hoseok nearly drifts off watching them. It’s a struggle to keep his eyes open, but he doesn’t want to miss a thing.
After they’re done dancing, Jimin leads the children over to Namjoon’s stall. There, they all sit down on the ground in a semi-circle, and Namjoon sits on a stool in front of them, holding a book. Hoseok can’t hear him, but he can tell by his animated gestures and the sound of the children’s laughter that he’s reading to them.
A little while later, Yoongi takes the stage to play for the crowd. He starts off with some light music on the hyang-bipa while people mill about and visit each of the stalls, some with money and some with goods to trade.
Jimin returns to the stall and interacts with everyone. Hoseok can tell he’s doing his best to shield Hoseok from having to talk to anyone, which he’s actually grateful for given the fact that he’s exhausted and can barely speak anyway. A part of him is sad he’s not able to interact with the community, but the part of him that’s ill outweighs anything in the moment.
Hoseok’s favorite part is when Yoongi plays his first song on the haegeum. The sound is beautiful, almost melancholy, and it gives Hoseok shivers all over his body that have nothing to do with the fever he’s pretty sure is slowly returning.
Then, Jungkook joins him, and they sing a beautiful song together. The second song they sing is upbeat and many of the villagers dance around to the music. Finally, Yoongi and Jungkook sing a song that’s familiar, one that it takes Hoseok a moment to recognize as one of his favorite songs, from when he was a child.
He wonders when they rehearsed it. He doesn’t recall them singing it before. They sound beautiful and listening to them brings tears to Hoseok’s eyes. He wipes them on his quilt and then blows his nose for good measure, only registering belatedly how unsightly he must be.
After the music is done, the ssireum contest begins and Hoseok does fall asleep. He’s woken up what feels like only a minute later by Jimin telling him it’s time for the community meal.
Everyone is cheerful and loud as they eat the stew and bread and other various dishes prepared by Seokjin. It warms Hoseok’s heart to hear it, to witness it, even if he himself spends the entire meal in a daze.
He picks at his food, but he’s smiling the entire time, tucked warmly between his lovers and surrounded by the happiness of their entire village.
· · ─────── · 🌿 · 🌼 · 🌿 · ─────── · ·
Evening brings a new wave of celebrating, with more music and more food and more drinks.
“He’s running a fever again,” Yoongi says, watching Hoseok walk slowly around the grounds with Jungkook and Taehyung on either side of him.
Seokjin nods. “Hmm. He looks happy, though.”
They both watch Hoseok stop to cough. Jungkook and Taehyung look worried, but as soon as he straightens Hoseok is grinning again like he hasn’t a care in the world. His face is flushed red but his smile is bright.
By the time they circle back around, Hoseok looks considerably more deflated. Yoongi tugs him down onto a bench and adjusts the cloak around his shoulders.
“Are you ready to head home?” He asks.
“Not yet.” Hoseok shakes his head. “I don’t want to go just yet…”
“Of course, sunflower. We’ll stay as long as you’d like.”
Under the full moon, the women in the village gather for a performance of Ganggangsullae, with little children giggling and darting in and out of the circle.
Yoongi glances over and sees the bright moon reflected in Hoseok’s eyes.
“Look at this,” he says to Hoseok, carding his fingers through the hair at his nape. “Look how beautiful everything turned out.”
Hoseok shivers slightly and smiles. “Yeah. I think we all make a pretty great team.” He swallows and looks over, meeting Yoongi’s eyes. “Even when I’m sick and stubborn.”
“You’re very stubborn.”
Then, Yoongi leans forward, and kisses him.
“Yoongi!” Hoseok pulls back with a trembling gasp. “You’ll get sick! What on earth do you think you’re–”
“Shh,” Yoongi laughs, cupping the side of Hoseok’s face. He reaches up with his other hand to adjust the flower crown in Hoseok’s hair. “Don’t worry about that.”
Hoseok’s reddened nostrils flare. His breath whistles in and out of his lungs, and a bead of sweat forms on his brow. But to Yoongi, he’s never been more beautiful.
“I love you, Hoseok.”
“I love you,” Hoseok whispers. “Thank you for everything today.”
“Happy Hangawi,” Yoongi whispers back. “I can’t wait to spend a thousand more harvests with you, my precious, pretty wildflower.”
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Summary: Namjoon has been feeling extra protective of Yoongi ever since they got to L.A. Honestly, ever since the day Yoongi finished his service and they were all officially deemed free men, Namjoon has had this inexplicable urge to shield Yoongi from the world. It’s an almost possessive feeling that fills his chest whenever he’s in the same room as Yoongi, or whenever he’s not in the same room as Yoongi. And it’s because Namjoon won’t let him out of his sight that he notices right away what even Yoongi doesn’t– that Yoongi is getting sick.
This fic is a commission~ I am forever grateful for the support and I hope you enjoy 💜 Also, I don’t think I’ve ever written anything this long this fast before, but I was extra inspired by all the OT7 content lately!
A/N: fic title is from Malibu Nights by LANY simply because the fic is set in Malibu and I was looping the song while writing
“It’s really something else, isn’t it?” Namjoon ponders as he looks out across the horizon, at the pinks and oranges and purples of the sunset. “Being famous in L.A.?”
Next to him, Jungkook presses up against him, their arms touching. Namjoon can feel his gaze before he even looks over and he smiles as he turns his head. Sure enough, Jungkook is looking right at him in the kind of way no one else really looks at him; With too much adoration. Too much trust. Too much interest, like he thinks what Namjoon has to say is the most profound thing he’s ever heard– but it’s Jungkook, and his too-much is just enough.
Sometimes he wonders what he did in a previous life to exist in the same timeline as Jeon Jungkook, to get to have someone so genuinely willing to listen to his every word.
“Like, we’re celebrities, but here there are so many celebrities,” Namjoon continues. “So really we’re a little less celebrity here. In L.A., that is.”
Jungkook is nodding along, his eyes wide and his lips pouty-thoughtful.
“I can’t decide if that’s a really deep though, or a really corny thought,” Hoseok chuckles. “Maybe a little of both.”
Seokjin pats Namjoon on the back. "Someone's had a bit too much whiskey, I think,” he cackles.
“Sometimes it still feels weird to think of myself as a celebrity,” Jungkook says softly.
On Jungkook’s other side, Jimin snorts. “You’re probably the only celebrity who can say that without being cringy, Jungkookie.”
“We’re not from L.A., so it doesn’t really matter,” Taehyung chirps from where he’s lounging in the sand below. “And we’re super famous. Super stars. ‘Specially you, Golden-Boy-Global-Popstar.”
“Aish,” Namjoon mutters, wrapping his arm around Jungkook when the younger man huffs out a soft breath at Taehyung’s words. “I just meant it’s different here than at home.”
Namjoon glances over at Yoongi, who’s leaning on the railing watching the sun. He’s been quiet all evening. He’s been quiet all week. Tonight, there’s a little more to it though– something imperceptible, to anyone outside of their group, but to someone who’s lived with Yoongi for over a decade it’s noticeable enough.
Seokjin had noticed the homesickness first. They’d all been a little bit homesick at different points, especially Taehyung, but once Seokjin pointed it out and Taehyung spent an entire weekend on the phone with his family, things seemed to improve quite a bit.
Yoongi had looked so sad that night, though, when Seokjin wanted them all to talk about it. Not just him– there had been a few tears from more than one of them. It brought something out in Namjoon, made him feel extra protective of them all, but maybe especially of Yoongi.
But Namjoon has been feeling extra protective of Yoongi ever since they got to L.A. anyway. Honestly, ever since the day Yoongi finished his service and they were all officially deemed free men, Namjoon has had this inexplicable urge to shield Yoongi from the world. It’s an almost possessive feeling that fills his chest whenever he’s in the same room as Yoongi, or whenever he’s not in the same room as Yoongi, which is definitely something he’s going to have to address at some point.
For tonight, he watches Yoongi’s expression carefully. It’s not that he’s unhappy, exactly– in fact, he seems to always have a smile on his face these days.
He smiles when he’s watching Taehyung and Jungkook roughhouse.
When he’s making food with Seokjin.
When he’s playing guitar for Jimin.
When he goes shopping with Hoseok.
When he has Namjoon’s arm around him as they walk down the beach at sunset nearly every evening.
He’s been constantly teasing Namjoon about the increased physical affection, mostly because everyone else teases them both about it, about how Namjoon is glued to their sides these days.
Namjoon doesn’t mind. He knows he feels at peace by his member’s sides. He’ll never take it for granted again. And he knows he’s always latching onto Yoongi more than usual lately.
He always has to be careful how he shows it, especially when they’re on camera, but Namjoon feels like he’s bursting sometimes with the need to show Yoongi, and the other members, physical affection.
He’s lucky they accept it as eagerly as he gives it.
“Missing home?” Namjoon asks after the others start walking down towards the water, and it’s just him and Yoongi left standing at the railing.
Yoongi leans further forward, until his chin is resting on his arm. “Yeah. A little…” He clears his throat. “Feels like I shouldn’t, ‘cause I’m really happy we’re all together.”
“You don’t have to choose only one of those emotions,” Namjoon reminds him.
They stand there without speaking for a while. It’s quiet, save for the sound of the ocean and the distant shouts of Taehyung and Seokjin goofing off in the water. It’s darker now, the sun a sliver of light on the horizon.
“I’m really happy we’re all together,” Yoongi says after several minutes. “And I’m missing home a lot tonight.”
Namjoon nods in understanding. He slides his arm across Yoongi’s shoulders and gives him a comforting squeeze.
When the others get back up to the deck, Namjoon longs to gather all of them up into his arms and hold them tight and herd them back inside the house for the rest of the night.
He settles for smiling as he listens to Hoseok and Seokjin complain about getting wet in their clothes, and for wrapping his other arm around Jungkook when he returns to his spot against Namjoon’s side, and for watching Yoongi sit down in a deck chair only for Jimin and Taehyung to both worm their way into his lap.
As he tries to fall asleep much later that night, his mind racing with thoughts, Namjoon realizes he also doesn’t have to choose between being a little homesick for Korea and being so heart-burstingly happy that he’s already with the people he considers his home.
*
In the few days that follow, Yoongi doesn’t leave Namjoon’s side.
It’s not all too different, only in that Yoongi is the one who’s initiating the closeness.
But Yoongi is still quieter than usual. Still a bit more emotional, like there’s an unease lurking just under the surface of his smile. Namjoon thinks he must be a little fatigued, or at least that’s how whatever’s going on is manifesting itself, because Yoongi starts to look tired and starts sleeping a little more than usual.
Not that Namjoon’s keeping track of how much everyone is sleeping.
Yoongi looks tired all day on Monday. And then all day on Tuesday.
And then, on Wednesday, he sleeps in when one of his meetings is cancelled, and when Namjoon spots him emerging from his room just before lunchtime, he looks even more tired.
“Did you sleep okay, hyung?” He hears Jimin ask him. Clearly, Namjoon isn’t the only one who’s worried.
Sitting at their giant dining room table in their mansion-sized dining room, both of his hands cupped around a mug of coffee, Yoongi gives a noncommittal hum in response.
“Are you feeling okay?” Namjoon asks him, probing further.
“Tell me I look like shit without telling me I look like shit, jeez,” Yoongi pouts.
“You look tired,” Hoseok says bluntly, having just walked into the room during their exchange. He pours himself a coffee and sits down next to Yoongi. “I’m serious, hyung. You look like you haven’t been sleeping well.”
Yoongi sniffles indignantly. “I’ve been sleeping just fine.”
Seokjin shuffles in then with a Jungkook attached to his back. “I’ve got a hungry kiddo here,” he announces.
“I’m not a kiddo.”
Patting Jungkook’s arm where it’s draped across his chest, Seokjin continues, “We’re going out in search of fish tacos. Would anyone like to join us for lunch?”
Yoongi sniffles again. Namjoon looks over just in time to see him swiping a finger under his nose. “I just woke up,” he says. “So I’m gonna pass. Thanks for the invite, though.”
“Yeah, I just ate breakfast like an hour ago,” Hoseok says. “Enjoy your tacos!”
Jimin smiles. “You two have fun. Tae and I are meeting with PD-nim at noon, otherwise I would join.”
Seokjin looks over at Namjoon. “Joon? Fish tacos? They’re delicious and nutritious!”
“He doesn’t like seafood,” Jungkook whispers loudly in his ear.
Namjoon laughs. “Thanks for thinking to include me, but I am going to have to politely decline. I’m just gonna grab some food from the kitchen today.”
Jungkook suddenly releases Seokjin from his back hug and darts off in the direction of the kitchen, calling out, “Speaking of the kitchen, I’m gonna go grab a Twinkie before we head out!”
A mixture of endeared and amused laughter erupts throughout the dining room. Jungkook stops and backtracks a few steps just to grin at them all– pink-cheeked, all proud of himself for making his hyungs laugh– before he continues on in his pursuit of creme-filled snack cakes.
The rest of their day is filled with meetings and recordings and more meetings. Seokjin and Jungkook leave for lunch, and then Jimin and Taehyung leave soon after. In the late afternoon, Namjoon, Yoongi and Hoseok ride to a meeting together at one of the office buildings in L.A.
Yoongi is quiet on the car ride there. He’s sitting in the backseat next to Namjoon. For part of the ride, he leans over and rests his head on Namjoon’s shoulder, listening intently to a story that Hoseok is telling from the front seat. It might be a strange thing to admit, but Namjoon has always loved to watch Yoongi listen to people. He’s a natural listener, despite also being a natural talker, always able to adjust to whoever he’s with at the moment.
As Hoseok talks, Yoongi is still listening intently even though he looks tired. After a little while, he starts to yawn, and when he realizes that he’s starting to feel sleepy he sits upright and shakes his head back and forth as if to wake himself up, rubbing his eyes.
“You okay?” Namjoon can’t help but whisper.
Yoongi nods. He sniffles a few times and pulls a tissue out of his pocket, which he uses to wipe his nose, and then he rubs his eyes again. He’s a little more alert and a little more talkative after that.
Namjoon is really excited about the album they’re working on. Each meeting is one more step closer to releasing it, each song one more step closer to touring and seeing ARMYs and experiencing the whirlwind that is a comeback. It’s an exhilarating feeling, one he never wants to take for granted.
In their current meeting, Yoongi is quiet again. Namjoon sees him pull another tissue from one of his pockets to dab at his nose with, and hopes he’s not bothered by the A/C that’s on full blast in the building. He has a jacket on, so it’s not bothering him at all. He sees Hoseok shiver once and sees that there are goosebumps on his arm, but Hoseok rolls his sleeves down and then seems to be fine after that.
Yoongi’s increasingly frequent, soft sniffles aren’t super noticeable until Namjoon starts paying attention to them after Yoongi turns around in his chair to sneeze a couple of times.
“Bless you,” he whispers, and Yoongi gives a small nod.
Quietly, so he doesn’t draw attention to himself, Namjoon unzips his sweater and pulls it off so he can drape it over Yoongi’s shoulders.
Yoongi keeps his sweater on for the remainder of the day, but his tissues go back into his pockets and stay there.
*
Since they’ve been in Malibu, they usually try to eat at least one meal together, but it realistically only happens about three or four times a week for dinner. Namjoon is eternally grateful for the private chef they have living with them, because she makes them Korean food often and her cooking is amazing.
On Wednesdays, though, they all usually eat out or just grab snacks. Tonight they’re all getting back late anyway, so it’s just Namjoon and Hoseok sitting and chatting in the living room when Namjoon’s stomach starts to growl.
“Is that hunger or digestion?” Hoseok laughs, reaching over to pat Namjoon’s stomach.
“I’m hungry.”
“I was thinking of driving to In-N-Out. Want to come?”
“Hell yeah.” Namjoon practically jumps off the sofa.
Before they leave, he and Hoseok check in with the other members, to see if they want to come with or place an order for them to bring back. Jungkook and Jimin are getting ready to head to the gym, so they give their orders. Taehyung has an evening photoshoot and won’t return until much later, and Seokjin and Yoongi decide to eat at the house.
The sun is shining beautifully outside as they step out. Hoseok drives them in one of their rented cars and they roll down the windows to soak up the warmth.
They go through the drive-thru. Hoseok orders in English, and Namjoon listens proudly.
“We’re all gonna be so good at speaking English by the time we go back to Korea,” Hoseok says confidently as he pulls forward.
“That’s what you guys always say any time we're here for more than a week,” Namjoon laughs. “And I don’t think it’s ever been true.”
“I’ll prove you wrong this time,” Hoseok grins.
They drive to a nearby park and eat their burgers and fries and milkshakes in the car. It’s nice to hang out, just the two of them, listening to music and chatting. Namjoon only spills a little bit of ketchup on his shirt, and Hoseok drinks his vanilla milkshake so fast that he gets a brain freeze.
After they’re done eating, Hosoek looks at the two big remaining bags of food. “Jimin and Kookie are probably gonna be hungry soon,” he says, looking at his watch. “Guess we should head back now.”
Back at the house, Hoseok goes to find Jimin and Jungkook to give them their food. Namjoon feels like he needs a shower to wash the fast food grease off, so he heads upstairs to his room. He hears a sneeze as he’s walking up the stairs. The place is a maze that he’s still getting used to, so the only reason he knows where it's coming from is because there’s only one person who’s been sneezing and sniffling all day already.
Namjoon makes his way down the hallway and knocks softly on Yoongi’s door.
“Come in.”
Opening the door, Namjoon is greeted with the sight of Yoongi sitting on his bed, holding a tissue halfway up to his face.
“Hey! What’s up?” Yoongi pauses a beat, blinks, and then sneezes into his tissue before wiping his nose. “Excuse me.”
“Just wanted to see if you’re up for a walk tonight.”
“Yeah, of course.” Yoongi looks a little confused that he’s asking. “How was In-N-Out?”
“Delicious. But greasy. I’m gonna go take an antacid and a quick shower.”
Yoongi chuckles, and then sneezes twice more and scrambles for another tissues. “Excuse me. Okay, come get me when you want to head down to the beach?”
“Will do!”
As Namjoon walks the rest of the way down the hall, he feels pretty certain that he’s right about a suspicion that’s been forming in his mind ever since this morning– Yoongi is getting sick.
Yoongi has always gotten pretty quiet when he’s not feeling well.
He’s also sometimes more emotional when he’s sick.
And the sniffling and sneezing? It’s just not normal for Yoongi, who doesn’t have any allergies.
When they go on their walk later, Namjoon keeps a close eye on Yoongi. It’s just the two of them tonight. They don’t go very far, and they keep their pace slow, stopping at a piece of driftwood when the sun starts to set so they can sit and watch.
But beyond a few sniffles and the fact that he looks exhausted, nothing seems to be wrong, and Yoongi doesn’t mention anything so Namjoon doesn’t either.
He keeps it in the back of his mind though. He knows he’s not wrong.
*
On Thursday morning, Namjoon skips the gym and goes for a morning run on the beach with Hoseok.
When they get back to the house, they find Seokjin, Jimin and Taehyung at the table eating breakfast.
“How was your run?” Jimin asks them.
“Refreshing,” Hoseok says.
“Sweaty,” Namjoon adds.
“Gross,” Seokjin scoffs. “I’m trying to eat.”
“World Wide Handsome doesn’t ever sweat, apparently,” Taehyung jokes, earning him a sharp glare that only makes him laugh gleefully.
Namjoon practically inhales his breakfast and then goes to take a shower. He has to leave the house in an hour, so he decides to do some reading before then, and takes his book down to the first floor.
He hears soft voices coming from the wing of the house opposite the living room. Yoongi and Jungkook are in one of the rooms on the first floor they’ve designated as an office. They’re sitting side by side on the sofa, looking at something on Yoongi’s laptop, and Namjoon stops to watch them from the doorway.
“Hey,” Yoongi greets him, glancing up briefly with a small smile.
“Morning, Namjoon-hyung,” Jungkook says. His eyes are still glued to the screen. He sniffles and reaches for a tissue.
Because of his rhinitis, Jungkook is always a little extra sniffly in the mornings. It’s not something that Namjoon notices anymore. Only this morning, he does notice, because he’s not the only one who’s sniffling and reaching for tissues.
“Here, hyung,” Jungkook murmurs, not looking up from the computer as he pushes the box of tissues towards Yoongi after he stops mid-sentence to clear his throat and sniffle.
Namjoon can tell Jungkook doesn't notice anything strange about it. He can also tell that Yoongi probably isn’t even aware of how much he’s sniffling, too caught up in what he’s working on.
But now that Jungkook and Yoongi are sniffling in surround sound, it’s all that Namjoon can hear.
“Okay,” he says after about two minutes of sniffling has passed. “Kook, did you take your allergy meds this morning?”
“Huh? Yeah, I did. I’m fine, hyung. It’s just my rhinitis.”
Namjoon waits until Yoongi looks right at him before gesturing to the tissue box. “Okay. And you, Yoongs? You’re sniffling an awful lot this morning. You feeling okay?”
Yoongi’s brows furrow.
Namjoon narrows his eyes.
He sees the moment that Yoongi realizes that Namjoon is onto him. Yoongi’s eyes widen slightly, and his face flushes, and he clears his throat.
So Yoongi is aware that he’s under the weather.
Suddenly, Yoongi looks very pissed off. “Are you just gonna stand there and watch us work? Or even weirder, comment on my tissue use? Or did you need something?”
Namjoon inhales sharply and takes a step back. He holds up both hands. “Whoa. Okay. I’ll get out of your way.” He swallows against a wave of hurt, backing up a little more. He hates how much his voice trembles when he continues, “I’m heading over to the studio soon so I’ll see you both later.”
And then, Namjoon turns on his heel and hurries away, his mind reeling from the interaction.
Immediately, he starts to replay everything back in his mind. Had he said something wrong? Something to offend Yoongi? Did he really need to stay there and watch them work, or should he have left right away and given them space? He’s not sure why he felt the need to comment on anything at all– it’s not like he’s Jungkook nor Yoongi’s appa, which…fuck, he’s already been down that road before in therapy. The amount of hours he’s spent discussing the way his leadership role affects his relationship with the members…his tendency to micromanage…his overprotective urges…
He doesn’t even realize where his feet are taking him until he blinks and sees that he’s out in the back courtyard that leads to the pool.
Jimin is out there swimming. When he spots Namjoon, he swims over to the edge of the pool, resting his arms on the side. “You okay, hyung?”
Namjoon sighs and rubs his eyes. He really doesn’t want to cry right now. Kicking off his sandals, he sits down on the edge and lets his feet dangle in the water. Jimin rests his cheek against his forearm, looking up at Namjoon patiently.
“I think someone was just unkind to me for no reason,” Namjoon says eventually. “And my brain is trying to fill in a reason.
“Oh, hyung,” Jimin says softly. “That sucks. Who’s being mean to you? Do I need to come talk to someone?”
“Maybe it wasn’t totally unwarranted,” Namjoon murmurs, almost to himself.
Jimin frowns. “Being unkind is never warranted, hyung.”
That brings tears to Namjoon’s eyes. “When did you get so wise?” He chuckles, swiping at his eyes again.
They hear a door open, and then footsteps against the concrete.
“Joon? There you are.”
Namjoon doesn’t turn to look as the footsteps approach.
Jimin’s mouth drops open as Yoongi approaches. “You made hyung cry?”
Namjoon crosses his arms. “I’m not crying.”
“But your feelings were hurt.”
Yoongi comes to a stop next to Namjoon. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” he says quietly. “I came to apologize.”
“I can leave,” Jimin offers.
“You can stay,” Yoongi says. He sits down next to Namjoon, but crosses his legs so he doesn’t get wet. “If you want.”
Jimin nods and pushes himself off the wall with a little splash. “I don’t need to listen,” he says, floating on his back. “But I’ll be here if you need a mediator."
Yoongi turns to look at Namjoon. “I’m sorry, Joon. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.”
“I’m trying to figure out what I did wrong.”
“Nothing,” Yoongi replies quickly, shaking his head. “I was being an asshole. I was feeling defensive about…”
“About being sick?”
Yoongi covers his face with his hands. “Yeah. Guess so.”
Namjoon reaches over to rub up and down Yoongi’s back.
“Yoongi-hyung is sick?” Jimin swims closer, his eyes wide.
“I thought you weren’t gonna listen,” Namjoon snorts.
Yoongi sniffles. “It’s just a cold. But, yeah. I guess I should probably not get too close to you guys.”
“We don’t care about that.”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow. “Our managers will definitely care if I get you all sick.”
“You won’t get us sick. We’ll be fine.” Jimin tilts his head to one side. “Wait. So you were embarrassed about being sick, and you snapped at Namjoon hyung even though all he was probably doing was worrying about you?”
“Hey! I’m trying to apologize to Namjoon. I already said I was in the wrong! Go swim away or I will get you sick!”
Jimin laughs but turns and swims down toward the other end of the pool.
Yoongi sniffles and wipes his nose with his wrist. “How am I thirty-two years old and embarrassed that I have a cold? And honestly, I think I was embarrassed not that you knew, but that Jungkook might find out.” He looks at Namjoon, his expression a mixture of guilt and embarrassment. “That’s ridiculous, I know. And what’s even worse is I talked to you like that in front of him.”
“Yeah. All of that is pretty shity.”
“I’m so sorry, Joon.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you coming to apologize right away, because that was definitely going to eat me up all day if you hadn’t.”
Namjoon’s phone rings then, startling them both.
“Shit, my car is here. I gotta get going.” He stands and looks down at his wet legs. “Make sure to take it easy today, okay?”
Yoongi stands up and grabs Jimin’s towel. “Here, use this,” he says, glancing over at the pool with a smirk. “And yeah. I’ll take it easy. I promise.”
*
On Friday morning, Namjoon wakes up with the overwhelming feeling again. The one that makes him want to have eyes on the other members.
Especially Yoongi.
He goes straight to Yoongi’s room. He pauses outside of the door, aware that it’s actually pretty early and Yoongi is likely still asleep, but then he hears a soft sneeze from inside the room and he decides to knock.
Yoongi, in his bed, squints up at him as he comes into the room.
“Morning,” he croaks. His nose is all stuffed up and his eyes are red, and there are a dozen crumpled up tissues scattered across his comforter.
“Oh no,” Namjoon groans. “You sound a lot worse.”
Nodding, Yoongi yawns and rolls onto his side.
“Do you need me to get you anything? I wanted to check on you–”
A soft knock on the door interrupts. Namjoon goes over to open it.
Seokjin is standing on the other side holding a grocery bag. “Good morning to both of you.” He carries that bag over to Yoongi’s bed.
“You either have a cold, or you’re planning on opening your own pharmacy,” he jokes, holding up the bag. “Manager-nim asked me to bring this to you?”
Yoongi sighs. “Yeah, I’ve got a bit of a cold, I guess.”
“Oh, you poor thing. I can hear it. Do you want hyung to make you some tea?”
“Oh, this is actually fine,” Yoongi chuckles tiredly, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll take this over being sick during a tour or rehearsals or something any day.”
Namjoon frowns a little, because he’ll take Yoongi not being sick at all, but he understands the sentiment.
“You better not be planning on working today,” Namjoon frowns.
“Just remotely,” Yoongi sniffles. “Otherwise I'll be staying in my room. Sleeping, probably. I feel pretty gross.”
“Yeah, I bet. I’ll go make you some tea and get you something to eat so you can take medicine.”
“Thank you, hyung,” Yoongi whispers. “Will you bring me a mask, too? If you guys are going to be coming in here I want to at least pretend like we care about germs.”
“Sure thing,” Seokjin says, patting Yoongi’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ve got a really busy day today,” Namjoon says, sitting down on the edge of Yoongi’s bed. “But just text me if you need anything. Text any of us, okay?”
Yoongi agrees. Namjoon knows he probably won’t get a text, though. Still, he reiterates to Yoongi that he can call or text and he doesn’t even care when Yoongi teases him for “acting like a mother hen”, and he only sends a record-low of two check-up texts throughout the day that both go unanswered, but read.
*
“Are we waiting for Yoongi-hyung?” Jimin asks as he sets the table for dinner that night.
“Yeah, Yoongi will probably join. He’s feeling under the weather, though.”
“Yoongi is sick?” Taehyung asks, looking up sharply. “What’s wrong? Why did no one tell me?”
“Just a cold,” Namjoon replies quickly. “He already got some meds. We should all be a little more careful with our handwashing and make sure we’re drinking lots of water and getting enough rest.”
“Has he been sick all day?” Taehyung asks.
“Since this morning, yeah,” Namjoon replies, even though he knows it’s actually been a little longer than that.
A few minutes later, Yoongi shuffles in wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. His hair is fluffy as if it’s been recently washed and blow-dried.
“Hyung,” Taehyung pouts. “You didn’t say you were feeling sick.”
Scrunching up his face, Yoongi holds up a finger, then turns to the side to sneeze into his elbow. The sound is much harsher, more sick sounding than before, and when he speaks his voice is noticeably hoarser.
“It’s just a cold,” he tells Taehyung. “Sorry, I meant to text the group chat but I was pretty much sleeping all day.”
Taehyung wraps his arms around Yoongi in a quick, sweet side hug. “Okay. I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, hyung.’
Dinner is a quiet, cozy affair. They eat an amazing homemade sundubu-jjigae, along with rice and egg rolls and kimchi and a whole spread of banchan. Namjoon is pleased to see Yoongi eating well– he may have mentioned Yoongi’s condition earlier to the chef and helped pick out the menu.
After dinner, Jungkook and Hoseok go out. The rest of them stay back for a quiet night in.
Namjoon grabs his book and settles in the living room where Seokjin, Jimin and Taehyung are playing video games.
He assumes Yoongi is in his room getting some sleep until he hears a rustling behind him. He glances over his shoulder and sees Yoongi in the dining room sorting through the bag of medicines the staff had bought for him.
“What’cha doing?” He asks out of curiosity.
Yoongi looks up, staring at Namjoon like a deer caught in the headlights. “I, uh…I need a fever reducer, I think,” he says. His voice cracks partway through his sentence. “I don’t know for sure because there’s no thermometer, but I’ve been shivering and it won’t stop and I’m starting to feel a little achey…”
“Oh?” Namjoon stands and hurries over to the table, but it’s Seokjin who beats him to Yoongi’s side.
“You’ve got a fever?” Seokjin frets, peering at Yoongi’s face. He feels the back of Yoongi’s neck, then his cheek. “You do feel pretty warm. Does the cold medicine you’re already taking have acetaminophen in it already?”
“Uh. I’m not sure. I can go check.”
“Where is it? I can go grab it for you,” Jimin offers.
“In my room.”
Jimin nods and goes to get the medicine. When he returns, they all gather around to check the bottle for a list of active ingredients.
Seokjin pokes around in the bag until he finds a combination cold and flu medicine that covers just about all of Yoongi’s symptoms.
“We’ll keep an eye on that fever,” Seokjin says as he peels the protective seal off the bottle. “I can ask the staff if they can pick up a thermometer tomorrow.”
“I think it’s fine,” Yoongi mumbles as Seokjin pours him a dose. “It’s like, a low-grade fever, maybe. I just feel kind of…” He trails off, unsure of how to put it into words, or maybe unwilling.
“You don’t have to justify taking this,” Seokjin says gently when he sees the look on Yoongi’s face, the tears that have started to gather in his eyes. “If you’re not feeling well, this can help you.”
Namjoon’s heart clenches as he watches Yoongi blink against his sudden tears. He reaches over and rubs his back gently, and Taehyung does the same from his other side– a mirror of Namjoon that he probably isn’t consciously aware of.
“This will make you feel better, hyung,” Taehyung tells him, his voice sweet and soft. “It’s the kind I always take when I’m sick. It tastes kinda gross, though. I’ll get you some water to drink with it.”
“Thanks, Tae,” Yoongi sniffles.
Yoongi waits for Taehyung to return before he drinks down the medicine. Jimin giggles at the face he makes, and just like that the tension is broken and Yoongi is smiling again– even if it doesn’t quite reach his tired eyes.
*
Namjoon stands in the doorway and watches Yoongi get dressed for bed. Because of the fever, Yoongi’s eyes are red and watery in a way that looks like he’s crying.
For some reason, it makes Namjoon think back to the night in June, after Yoongi’s last day of military service. The seven of them spent it together, trying to celebrate what felt almost wrong to celebrate– something they’d been waiting so long for, but still seemed completely surreal.
When they had all parted ways, Namjoon had gone home with Yoongi to make sure he got home okay, because the feeling of protectiveness had already started at that point and he felt an almost panicked urgency at the thought of making sure Yoongi got home safely.
All seven of them were a bit extra emotional anyway that day, but as he got ready to leave, Namjoon remembers seeing in Yoongi’s eyes that something was wrong, and a second later Yoongi had broken down crying.
It had been relief. Stress. Fear, of the future, and of the unknown. Namjoon had felt it all too, but he could only hug Yoongi and hold him and whisper that it was all going to be okay. It had been a promise. One that he would never forget making, one that he would do anything to keep.
Currently, Namjoon is thinking about that night, lost in his thoughts when Yoongi’s voice brings him back to reality.
“...Joon?”
Namjoon inhales sharply. He focuses on Yoongi’s face, just inches in front of him. Without thinking, he wraps his arms around Yoongi and draws him close.
“Are you okay?” Yoongi asks hesitantly, his mouth pressed against Namjoon’s chest.
“I’m sorry,” Namjoon responds. “I think I’m like…stressed out about you being sick. I don’t like seeing you look so sad.”
Yoongi is quiet. After a moment, he relaxes into Namjoon’s embrace, turning his head to one side. He lets out a long, stuffy sigh and wraps his arms around Namjoon’s waist.
“They’re going to give me so much shit if I get our leader sick,” he murmurs, only half joking.
“I never get sick,” Namjoon reminds him.
“Neither do I.”
“You’re sick now,” Namjoon snorts. “You got sick on tour. You were sick maybe three times already in the past eighteen months.”
“Only you would keep track of that.”
Namjoon doesn’t have a reply to that.
“Well, the medicine is definitely working,” Yoongi announces around a yawn. “I’m not shivering for no reason any more. Also, I feel really sleepy. And kinda warm, but in a not terrible way.”
“Okay, that’s all good.”
“I wish I could breathe through my nose though.” Yoongi sniffles.
Namjoon leans back. “I can see if I can find some nasal spray or something? Do we have a humidifier anywhere in this house?”
“No, it’s okay. I’m just gonna head to bed now anyway.”
“Okay.” Namjoon slides his hands down to Yoongi’s biceps, giving a gentle squeeze before he lets go. “That’s probably a good idea. You need lots of rest so you can kick this cold’s ass.”
“Sure do,” Yoongi replies, fighting back a smile.
Namjoon waits in Yoongi’s room while he goes to wash up and brush his teeth. He makes sure there are plenty of tissues and a bottle of water on his bedside table, and then pulls the covers back for him and fluffs his pillows for good measure. He barely resists the urge to tuck Yoongi in after he returns and climbs into bed, and instead settles for watching him get comfortable from the doorway.
“The kids are going down to the beach tomorrow,” Namjoon tells him before he leaves the room. “I know we already have it off, but it would be the perfect time to get some rest. Some peace and quiet.”
“You going with them?” Yoongi asks, his voice sleepy.
“No. I’ll be around.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Rest well, hyung. Hopefully you’ll be feeling better tomorrow.”
*
Namjoon spends a lazy morning reading, curled up on the sectional sofa. He eats a light breakfast, and then spends a lazy late morning reading by the pool.
He checks on Yoongi about three times before lunchtime. The first two times, Yoongi is sound asleep, snoring softly from beneath the covers.
The third time, Yoongi squints up at him, sneezes once, and then pulls the covers back over his head, muttering something unintelligible.
After Namjoon eats lunch and spends another hour reading, he heads to the kitchen. He grabs two bottles of water and a bottle of green tea from the fridge, and then fills a bowl with tangerines.
He carries the cold drinks and fruit upstairs to Yoongi’s room. Yoongi is still in bed, still asleep. Namjoon sets everything down on the bedside table and takes stock of Yoongi’s tissue supply. The little wastebasket next to his bed is already overflowing with tissues again, even though he’d emptied it for him in the morning.
When he returns from emptying it again, Yoongi is in a different position, though his eyes are still closed.
“Hey,” Namjoon whispers. “I brought you some water and a small snack. I think it’s time for you to take some more medicine?” He sits on the edge of the bed and reaches for a tangerine, peeling it while he waits for Yoongi’s reply.
Yoongi covers his face with his hoodie sleeves and coughs. “Don’t wanna.”
‘Well.” Namjoon sets the peeled tangerine down on the napkin. “Okay. You don’t have to.”
There’s a soft, raspy whine. Namjoon reaches for one of the water bottles and twists the cap off.
“Here, drink some water at least.”
Yoongi shakes his head. A few seconds later, he opens his eyes and peers up at Namjoon.
“Okay.”
“Okay! You wanna sit up?”
Yoongi’s eyes slip back shut. Namjoon puts his hand on his forehead, and is relieved to feel he’s nowhere near as warm as he had been last night.
“Yoongs. Hey. Just a little bit of water. You’ll feel so much better.”
Yoongi whines again. Namjoon slides a hand under his shoulder blade and helps him sit up.
With his eyes closed, Yoongi drinks about half of one of the water bottles. He doesn’t eat anything, so Namjoon peels a couple more of the tangerines and leaves them there while Yoongi very slowly shuffles to the bathroom and back.
He pours Yoongi a dose of medicine, which Yoongi reluctantly sips at, glaring sleepily ahead the whole time.
He lies down immediately after and is asleep again by the time Namjoon closes the door behind him.
*
Namjoon decides to go for a swim while he has the pool to himself.
He first lathers himself up in sunscreen, and then grabs his sunglasses, towel and book before heading outside.
Shortly after he gets in, the door to the courtyard opens and Yoongi shuffles out. Looking over in surprise, Namjoon smiles and swims to the side of the pool.
“Hey. How are you feeling?”
Yoongi shrugs, but then gives him a thumbs up. He’s still in his pajama pants and a hoodie. He sits down in a pool chair and grabs Namjoon’s towel to cover himself.
After swimming a couple of laps, Namjoon goes back to the edge to check on Yoongi and notices that he’s also stolen his sunglasses. Even though he can’t see his eyes, he can tell Yoongi is asleep– or at least close to it– because his mouth is open and his head is lolling to one side, the towel half draped over his shoulders and half bunched up under his cheek.
He doubts Yoongi has applied any sunscreen, so he hops out of the pool about twenty minutes later and drags one of the umbrellas over to where he’s sitting. Once he’s fully in the shade, Namjoon sinks down into the pool chair next to him. He grabs his book and reads until Yoongi wakes himself up snoring an hour later.
*
“I found a place by the beach,” Jimin says, holding out his phone. “They have outdoor seating, and no reservations needed.”
“Let me check out the menu.” Namjoon pulls up the restaurant on his own phone, tilting his screen so Jungkook and Hoseok can see too.
“I think we’re all free tonight,” Hosoek says. “We should definitely go here. Should I check with Yoongi?”
“Check with me about wh–?”
“Ahh!” Hoseok yelps, spinning around to see Yoongi standing behind him, holding a tissue to his nose.
“Sorry.” Yoongi gives a sheepish smile and tucks the tissue into his pocket. His nose is a little pink and his voice is hoarse, and Namjoon is pretty sure by the way his hair is sticking out on one side that he just woke up from a nap.
“We’re trying to figure out dinner tonight. How are you feeling?”
“I am…feeling pretty good, all things considered,” Yoongi responds. He sniffles. “I’m ready to be over this cold, honestly.”
“Yeah, I bet,” Seokjin coos. Without even seeming to realize it, he’s stepped closer and is carding his fingers through Yoongi’s disheveled hair.
“We found a restaurant, hyung,” Jimin tells Yoongi. “Right on the beach, and it’s outdoor seating. I’ll text you the menu.”
Yoongi grabs his phone and they all move into the living room. Namjoon likes it in there because it’s so massive they can all spread out, but currently they all pile around Yoongi on the sectional and watch him scroll through the menu.
“This looks great,” he murmurs.
“Hyung is only looking at the dessert menu,” Jungkook giggles as he looks over Yoongi’s shoulder.
“I looked at the soup menu first,” Yoongi smiles.
“Are you sure you’re feeling up to it?” Namjoon asks. “We can still go here together another time.”
“I’m sure. I’ve been sleeping all day. And no more fever.”
Seokjin’s hands go to his hips. “How can you be sure, though? With no thermometer to check?”
Yoongi rolls his eyes. “I just know. I can tell. Last night, I could feel that I had a fever without needing a thermometer to check the number.”
“It probably wasn’t even above a fever-level anyway,” Namjoon muses.
“Exactly. Just had a slightly elevated body temperature last night,” Yoongi shrugs. “It’s just a cold, I’m really fine.”
“You’ve never gotten a fever with a cold before,” Taehyung points out.
“He did that one time,” Jimin interjects. “When he and Jungkook and Hoseok were in bed for like three days straight? But we thought Yoongi-hyung was gonna have to go to the hospital.”
“That was the flu, not a cold,” Hoseok reminds him. “But yeah, that sucked.”
“Okay.” Yoongi sniffles. “Well, if we’re done discussing my body temperature, and if I’m still invited to dinner…”
“Of course you are,” Hoseok insists.
“I should probably take a quick shower first though. I’ll be back down in twenty minutes?"
Namjoon rubs Yoongi’s shoulder. “Take your time, we’re not in any rush.”
Yoongi nods and heads back upstairs. They all disperse to get ready for dinner. Namjoon doesn’t bother changing, since the restaurant is casual attire. He makes sure his phone is charged and grabs his sunglasses and wallet and a hat for later on– it’s been getting chilly when the sun goes down.
They all gather by the front door a half hour later. The restaurant is only a kilometer or so away from the house so they decide to walk there.
“C’mon. Let’s go!” Hoseok hooks his arm through Yoongi’s and they start walking, trailed closely behind by the other five.
The spot that Jimin has picked for dinner is just down the beach from their usual hang out spot. They’re seated right away and served water in their glasses along with two extra pitchers of ice water.
Yoongi drinks down his entire first glass before they even order food. Namjoon isn’t sure if it’s because he’s genuinely that thirsty, or because he already knows Seokjin will nag him to stay hydrated.
“Here, let me pour you some more water,” Hoseok says, reaching for the pitcher of water and Yoongi’s glass to refill it.
“I have tissues if you need any, hyung,” Jungkook says, reaching into his hoodie pocket to pull out a small travel-size pack.
“If anyone gets cold, you can borrow my sweatshirt.” Taehyung, wearing just a tank top, pats the sweatshirt that’s draped over the back of his chair with a pointed look in Yoongi’s direction.
“You just want to show off your biceps,” Yoongi snorts.
“He’ll be shirtless after dinner, just wait,” Jimin teases, reaching over to playfully pinch Taehyung’s arm.
It takes almost no time for them to decide what to order– and they order a lot. Far too much for seven people, but they’ll end up finishing it all without a problem.
Dinner is amazing. The food is great, and they spend a couple of hours chatting and laughing. Namjoon’s cheeks hurt from how much he’s smiling. Sure enough, they finish all of the food and end up ordering dessert too.
“That was so good.” Jungkook rubs his belly. “I want to come back here.”
“I’m never getting over the sunset here,” Jimin sighs, staring out at the ocean. “It’s so pretty.”
“How long have we been here? The sun is already going down?” Namjoon checks his watch, then turns to Yoongi. “Are you still warm enough?”
Yoongi nods, smirking at the question because it’s been hot all day.
“Ah, sorry,” Namjoon chuckles. Yoongi is already wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a hat. “But later, if you’re not, let me know?”
“How are you feeling, Yoongs?” Seokjin asks as they stand to leave. “Should we head straight home?”
“No, I’m doing great,” Yoongi responds.
His voice sounds terrible– he’s clearly very congested, and he’s probably on his way to losing his voice– but Namjoon believes him because his smile is back and he’s staring at the sunset with the same dreamy expression that Jimin has and he’s been keeping up with conversation the whole meal.
“Let’s go down on the beach then,” Namjoon suggests. He leads everyone down the sidewalk to the beach access.
“Hey, Kook,” Yoongi says to Jungkook. “Can I get one of those tissues now, please?”
Jungkook hands him the whole pack. “Of course, hyung, they’re all yours! Let me know if you need more!”
Taehyung bursts into laughter. “How many more do you have on you?” He asks, reaching for Jungkook’s pockets to pat him down. “Why did you bring so many?”
Jungkook dodges him and pouts. “They’re for Yoongi-hyung!”
Yoongi, who’s already blowing his nose, watches the two of them bicker with a fond smile.
Namjoon wraps his arm around Yoongi’s shoulder. He has to– he hasn’t been nearly close enough for the past few hours. He keeps his arm there as they meander down the beach, steering them closer to the wet sand. Seokjin, Hoseok and Jimin take off their shoes and walk where the water meets the shore to dip their toes in.
Taehyung and Jungkook are still messing around, chasing after each other and laughing loudly.
“Come back here, Jungkookie!”
“No! You have to catch me first!”
“He sure loves to be chased,” Namjoon laughs fondly.
“And Taehyungie loves to chase him.”
It doesn’t take long for Taehyung and Jungkook to rope the other three into their shenanigans. They shed their shoes and their jackets into a pile in the sand and race towards the water. Seokjin runs back to add his and Hoseok’s phones to the pile so they don’t get wet, cackling all the way back to the water.
Yoongi nudges Namjoon in the direction of the ocean.
“Go,” he says softly. “I know you want to.”
“Nah. The water is probably freezing.”
They listen to Seokjin shrieking as Taehyung climbs into his back. Jimin has lost his shirt at some point.
Namjoon is grinning wide, watching them, happiness fluttering in his chest.
“Go,” Yoongi repeats.
They watch the sun setting. Yoongi pulls another tissue from his pocket and blows his nose again.
“Go play.” Yoongi’s hand is between his shoulder blades, urging him forward.
So, Namjoon kicks off his shoes and runs down the sand to join the others. His feet burn when they hit the cold water and he jogs backward a few steps with a gasp.
“Watch out, hyung!” Jungkook yells from somewhere to his right.
Namjoon turns just in time to see Taehyung barrelling towards him with a huge grin on his face. He turns his back, and Taehyung jumps onto him, arms clinging around his neck.
“Run, hyung! Run!”
Namjoon doesn’t question it. He just runs. Taehyung is heavy on his back, but the sound of him laughing hysterically in his ear spurs Namjoon on. He slows to a jog after a couple of seconds, until he turns his head to see Jungkook has caught up and is sprinting parallel to them.
“Fuck, he’s fast!”
“Faster! You have to go faster than him!” Taehyung yells.
Namjoon veers to his right– and ends up calf-deep in the water within a few seconds. A wave crashes against his legs and he loses his footing, and both he and Taehyung go down.
There’s a huge splash as they land in the ocean. Namjoon is grateful that Taehyung releases his grip at the last minute and jumps so he’s not landing on top of Namjoon– the last thing they need is to get injured playing around like this.
Taehyung is laughing hard, kneeling in the water. Each time a wave comes in it almost drags him sideways, and he ends up laughing even harder.
“Me next, hyung!” Jungkook hollers before Namjoon can really recover.
Tomorrow, Namjoon is going to be so sore. So sore. His back is already aching from the impromptu piggy-back ride.
But tonight, he doesn’t give a shit. Not when he has Jungkook digging his heels into his side, prodding him to go faster, and Taehyung hot on their heels. Not when Hoseok and Jimin are falling over each other laughing as they watch. Not with Seokjin standing with his hands on his hips, yelling at them to be careful.
Yoongi is still standing farther up the beach. When Namjoon turns to look, he sees Yoongi watching, his arms crossed over his chest. His shoulders are moving up and down in soft laughter.
Eventually, his body starts to give up. He hears Jungkook screeching his protests in his ears as he slows down, and then comes to a stop, panting hard.
Jungkook slides off his back and flops onto the sand, giggling maniacally. With a loud groan, Namjoon sinks to the ground next to him, still trying to catch his breath.
Surprisingly, Yoongi reaches them first. Then comes Seokjin, carrying the pile of sweatshirts and sandals.
Taehyung pulls Jungkook up off the ground and latches onto his back. Both of them are soaking wet.
When Jimin and Hoseok come over, the six of them stand around Namjoon like a circle of bodyguards. They’re all in varying states of wetness, save for Yoongi, and half of them are covered in sand.
“Do you want help getting up?” Yoongi asks, staring down at Namjoon.
He shakes his head. “Nah. I’m staying down here for a while.”
“You’re not hurt, right?” Seokjin worries.
“I’m fine.” Namjoon waves a hand dismissively. “Just trying to catch my breath. Did you see how much I just ran?”
“I think you ran like, twenty meters,” Jimin giggles. “It wasn’t that far.”
“I was carrying those two on my back!” Namjoon protests weakly.
“I’ll carry you back, if you need me to,” Jungkook offers generously. “Even though you’re way heavier than me.”
Namjoon huffs out a weak laugh. He looks up at the circle of faces surrounding him, backlit by the sunset. It’s not the most comfortable place, lying here in the wet sand, but damn if he doesn’t want to stay here for just a few more minutes, to soak it all in.
“Let’s take a selca before we leave,” Hoseok suggests.
Taehyung and Jungkook help Namjoon up off the ground.
They find a good spot, where there aren’t any other beachgoers. Jungkook pulls out his phone and gets them all into frame.
It’s not just one picture. It’s probably at least twenty.
“Jungkook-ah, turn the camera so the sun isn’t right behind us.”
“Wait, my hair isn’t right!”
“Hey, you’re blocking my head, Tae!”
They try different angles, different poses. One of them will be picture-perfect for Hoseok’s social media. One of them always is.
Namjoon likes the one where he’s in the back with his arms stretched out wide, three members tucked under his right arm and the other three tucked under his left.
Yoongi sniffles congestedly and tells him he looks like a pimp from behind a tissue.
Taehyung tells him he looks like a proud appa.
Namjoon knows he’ll look back at the picture and remember fondly their time here in Malibu, and that he’ll never forget the scent of the salty air and the constant sound of the crashing waves, and the way they spent their nights together watching the setting sun.
