bloom

Your teeth. His teeth. Clashing against one another. Tongues slipping out. Drool everywhere

Your teeth. Biting down. His shoulder. Your arm. Anywhere. Just to stifle your sounds. As he works you from the inside out

He has to blink himself back to reality when he hears your sweet, sweet voice, "Binnie? Do you want anymore?" You ask, a plump, ripe strawberry in hand

He parts his lips in response, allowing you to drop the strawberry in his mouth

Except he moves forward so that he nips your fingers, gentle but hard enough for you to half-yelp, half-moan, not in pain but shock, as you drop what's left of it

He catches your wrist before you can move and presses a gentle kiss to your palm before licking up the trail of strawberry juice, nice and slow, never once breaking eye contact with you

You gasp at the eventual loss of contact

But it doesn't last long because he's picking up another strawberry and motioning you over with a finger, "your turn, bun,"

"Ah ah," he smushes your chin between his fingers and leans back, amusement tugging at his features, "now where's the fun in that, hmm?"

Next thing you know, the strawberry is between his teeth, cockiness glinting in his eyes, almost daring you

And who are you to back down from a challenge

You dart forward, grabbing a fistful of his shirt to pull him in, and place your mouth against his in the messiest clash of tongue and teeth

Strawberry juices mix with drools of saliva spilling off your lips, hanging off your tongues, dripping down your chin

"Bin-ah" you gasp, head rolling back, nails digging into his muscles when he sits you firmly in his lap with ease, rocking you against him, and his mouth places open wet kisses along your jawline

There's only so much you can take when your buttons are open, sleeves pooled around your elbows, skin exposed to the sun's glare, and his lips, his hands, tour everywhere but the one place you need

"Stop playing around," you huff in frustration

He raises his brow at you, and with a mocking saccharine, "awh, this isn't doing it for you? I should've know," his hands drop lifeless against your thighs as he coaxes "tell me what you want, baby. Go on."

Any person less wise would've mistaken his tone for sympathy, but you could hear the taunting sharp beneath the softness of his voice

And you're only proven right when his pouting lips twist crooked into a smirk, "or better yet... Take. It."

Keeps the space around you tidy so that you can relax

Makes sure to cook foods that will be easy on your stomach (even if you don't have any GI issues)

Makes sure you're properly tucked in, hums soft tunes when you're struggling to sleep/relax

Would not be surprised if he set up the baby monitor that you'd use whenever the two of you babysat your niece/nephew

Very attuned to your sounds so he's able to pick up instantly when something's off/different, and tend to it as appropriate - e.g.: if your breathing is slightly heavier, your sniffles more frequent, etc.

Somehow perfects the balance of giving you space to rest and also being by your side

~♡~

Lee Know (~203 words)

Gentle nagging, silent touches, quiet acts - that's how he cares for you.

Might tease you a little when you get sick but would relent the second you pout your lips at him

He's strict but gentle with you

For the most part, he takes care of you quietly - small things that may go unnoticed but make all the difference to your comfort, as well as the bigger and more obvious gestures like preparing meals for you to take

However, if you're being difficult, my goodness - it's nag after nag, nonstop scolding, incessant lectures until you're cooperative once more

He's the type to give into your requests, even if you take advantage of the situation and act the part of a brat

Might use the same soft tone on you that he reserves for cats

If he has to be out of the house, he's the type to video call to check up on you because he knows full well if it were left to you, you'd let yourself waste away in the throes of whatever cold you have

He genuinely likes being able to take care of you

Because even though he knows you can take care of yourself, it's knowing that you trust him to let him care for you when you're vulnerable

~♡~

Seo Changbin (~197 words)

Tender, he's oh so tender. Like he's afraid you'll break under his touch if he's not careful.

HE IS THE SWEETEST MOST ADORABLE BALL OF FLUFF EVER OKAY?! (Sorry, he just gives me a lot of cuteness aggression)

When you first get sick, he's full of so much worry and concern for you

Ponders over how you could've gotten sick

Shuts down any argument you may have with a simple, "save it for when you're better"

He's by your side with a compress, gently wiping away the sweats of your fever

You need to move? Fear not, he'll be right at your side, helping you with every movement

You feel like you're about to puke? He's holding your hair back and rubbing soothing circles on your back

He fully is the type to help you shower too if you're aching too much

The type to look up "best recipes for [insert your symptoms]" and carefully make them for you, trying his best to make it palatable because there's no reason you shouldn't be able to enjoy food whilst you're sick (in fact if you ask him to remake one of those recipes when you're better, just know his heart's exploding)

Lots of cuddles but he's so careful because he doesn't want to hurt you

~♡~

Hwang Hyunjin (~207 words)

Who says being sick has to be the most soul crushing experience of your life? Certainly not Hyunjin

He is at your side with your favourite snacks, an array of activity books (mainly simple colouring books), pens/pencils, and your favourite film on DVD

Makes sure you're wrapped up in enough layers

Fakes disgust (or maybe it's real) when you sneeze but immediately embraces you in an apology when you glare at him

The type to press the back of his hand to your forehead to take your temperature even when you insist on the thermometer

Would probably massage your shoulders to relieve some tension (he's absolutely shocked at how tight they are at the start)

It's either no phones at all: he knows how easily it gives you a headache, so he'd have both your phones put aside as you share secrets, reminisce on unfound memories, or answer ridiculous questions

Or you'd both scroll through whatever social media together on one phone between the two of you

The type to read a book to you when everything else feels too loud

Would try to make you your favourite dish - but it does take 30 mins longer than usual because he's running back and forth between you and the food

If it takes too long, would ask Minho to bring something over or would order

~♡~

He knows you hate the sense of loneliness that inevitably creeps in when you're sick

So, he tells you little stories about work, the boys, just anything as he massages your head, feeds you and he will catch the food-if any of it spills/dribbles-before it can hit your clothes or the blankets you're wrapped in

Definitely binge watching some random show

Not-so-secretly-but-secretly will call the hyungs on occassion for advice and reassurance because he truly just wants to make sure he's doing all he can for you

On days that he can't be with you due to work/obligations, he'll send you sweet little texts and reminders to eat, drink water, and rest - will even send little selfies of him doing the same as "motivation"

Will also order your favourite foods with a note saying "send proof that you ATE! (Love you x)"

"I know being sick can make your brain foggy so to make sure you don't forget me whilst I'm out," sets the frame with a photo of the both of you right next to your bed and tucks han quokka into your arms

~♡~

Lee Felix (~244 words)

Hello Mr. Sunshine in a bottle

Sad at the thought of you being sick but he also knows this ain't about him

He would dote on you so much - might struggle at times between giving you space and tending to you but it's only because he hates to see you like this

Speaks in hushed, soothing tones to you - tries to make everything a little more gentle for you

"You must be in so much pain, what can I do for you, baby?"; "Your temperature's running a little high, love. Let's try a little bit of soup, yeah?"

Frantic eyes when you try to do pretty much anything, "hey, I got this. Just get some rest, darling"

Honestly, he's the type to call his mum for advice and home remedies because why wouldn't he try to make sure you're as cared for as you can be?

Probably a bit excessive in his care (not in a bad way just in the sense that you really don't have to worry about being dehydrated with him taking care of you)

Would bake little treats for you

Handwritten notes with your meals/treats (x10 if he has to be out)

Frowns if you try to send him away to the dorms (to avoid being infected), "Now why would I do that?" "In sickness and in health, remember?"; "That must be the fever talking," and tucks you back into bed

Will sleep on the sofa though so you don't have to worry about him

~♡~

Kim Seungmin (~247 words)

Overbearing ball of sarcasm and love - he's a mixture of the hyung line (especially LK)

100% the type to scold you

He's just so worried about you but it shows in the form of sarcasm and lectures ESPECIALLY if you dont tell him that you're sick

No, but seriously, even through the little sarcastic bites he takes, he's actually so soft

He's quietly taking care of the space around you so that you can be comfortable

E.g.: changing the sheets whilst you shower because he knows you hate how gross you feel in sick sheets

Brings you medication without question, makes sure you've always got water by your side, as well as your favourite tidbits for comfort

"Okay snotty, let's get some food in you," - would even feed you if that's what it takes

"Come on, love, just one more bite please. It'll help you feel better."

Head pats - and lots of them

Rubs soothing circles into your back whilst humming lullabies to help you sleep

The type to stay up by your side during the worst of it (or would wake up regularly to check on you) - would quietly wipe away your sweat, place compresses to your head and change them regularly in the night, soothe you back to comfort if you're having a particularly bad dream with hushed whispers and gentle touches

And here's the thing, he probably wouldn't even tell you about it until later because he doesn't want you to feel bad

Long kisses to your hand because you don't let him kiss your lips (which, fair enough)

~♡~

Yang Jeongin (~247 words)

Sweet but a little stern

Might tease you a little but let's up very quickly

Genuinely think he'd be really good at taking care of you

He's checking in on you, getting you top ups of water

You think you're gonna throw up? He's holding your hair back and rubbing your back

Brings you your favourite snacks

He'd resort to babysitting tricks to get you to take your medication, "I swear, it will only taste bad for 3 seconds and then it'll be gone" or "I'll give you a hug if you take it" or even "please. It makes me sad to see you like this." (The last one always works)

If he's unsure, or you're exhibiting unfamiliar symptoms, the internet will be his friend for about ten seconds, and then he's calling reinforcements - whether it be the hyungs or his family - he's checking what the best course of action will be

Might still insist on you seeing a doctor if he's really unsure about how to tend to it

Extremely careful in the kitchen when making you food - will probably make some foods purposefully blander (despite your insistence that you can handle more than that) because he doesn't want to upset your stomach

He also tries to make being sick a little less miserable for you

Whether it be with matching pyjamas, or binge watching your favourite childhood shows (even thought you've seen them 14 times already)

He still finds ways to make you smile

"Look, you're already getting better. You must've had a great doctor."

~♡~

What if you'd done it on purpose? To tease him, tempt him, test his patience? To see what kind of pervert your boyfriend really is? To invite him into your space?

That thought is immediately shut down when you turn and jump at the sight of him: "fuck, Chan! Make some noise, will you!"

Somehow that makes it worse - his sweet, innocent baby, blissfully unaware about how you drive him to insanity, simply trying to undo a zip

And here he is attaching filth to your actions

He can hardly bring his eyes away from your mouth, the brief glimpse of your teeth, how depraved he must be because all he can think about is how good they would feel sinking into his skin

"Channie?" You breathe a gentle laugh, causing him to close the distance between you, pulling you in by your belt loop, "you okay?"

"Hmm. Better than okay," he mumbles as his fingers tickle your waist, lips attaching themselves to the nape of your neck, "you make me so crazy"

Your eyes flutter shut as your fingers find purchase in his hair, back arching slightly as you let him manoeuvre you whichever way he wants, "need to... n-need to leave soon-uhh, Chris"

He hums in response but doesn't really stop until you repeat, "C-Chris," the shake in your voice betrays the firmness

"Fine," he nips against your skin making you hiss softly, "but first," he brings his head up to meet your gaze, his lips ghosting your own

He's so close. Dangerously close

"Bite me. Leave your pretty little marks all over me." Each word a dare, a challenge, an invitation

"Want to feel your teeth on me even when you're not here"

And when you chase his lips as he pulls his face back, when your eyes trail down to the survey the expanse of his neck with soft intrigue, when he catches a glint of your teeth as you draw in a shaky breath, he knows he's got you right where he wants you

~♡~

You're both sat. In the corner of the sofa. Lights dim. He has one arm around around your waist, holding you to him as your head listens to the steady beat of his heart, your eyes half-closed. His other hand in your hair, petting gently as if you were a wounded kitten. The soft hum of the TV in the background as some silly little rom-com plays.

You don't realise when his attention shifts to you. To your tired smile, to your tense shoulders which have finally relaxed just a little, to the way your droopy eyes fight the sleep that wants to take over so bad.

You don't notice how his eyes beam with such love, and pride through his own tiredness, at the thought that you're his. That he can see you in this rare moment.

"It's okay. You can rest," his voice is low, lazy-almost, a clear indication of how relaxed he is.

"Hmm?" But then the realisation hits and you're blinking your eyes awake rapidly before you can stop yourself.

He stops you from lifting yourself out of his grasp, bringing you back into his chest, his grip more firm and yet still barely there as he runs his hand through the strands of your hair. "No, don't move."

"Ju-"

"Shh, you're always so stressed. So anxious. You're safe here, darling. Always safe with me," he presses his lips to your forehead just barely, "I never get to see you really relaxed. You're always on standby."

You frown, at a loss for what to say. Slowly catching on to all the things you didn't see. The things you didn't know he noticed. And suddenly you feel sick. The fear that you could be worth any less if you needed a little more releasing its tendrils, knotting around your stomach. What do you say? How do you fix this?

Panic buds in your throat, and you try to swallow through it but you can't. "I'm sorry," you manage in a broken whisper.

"No. Oh, my love, no." He pries you back, shifting your weight onto his lap so that you're looking down at him, "why would you be sorry? You haven't done anything wrong." He ghosts over your cheek, hesitant when he sees the way you look at him. As though you're afraid you might shatter under his touch. But something switches in him, some kind of urgency flashes through him, and he does it anyways.

And it burns.

But you lean into the heat. Eyes squeezing closed. Salty dew thickening your lashes.

But still you stay.

And then finally, "I don't know how to do this..." your voice is hoarse, tender, worn-through; thorns of doubt, fear, want clawed into each word.

He says nothing at first. Just swipes at stray tears before you can taste them on your lips. And he sits, patiently.

"Then we'll figure it out together."

Finally, you look back at him through your tear-shone eyes. "What if... what if I'm too broken?"

"Then I'll be careful," he intertwines your fingers together before squeezing, "I won't run. I'll be here. Always."

"What if something happens? Something bad always happens. I can't relax-" you hushed words getting more frantic until he cuts you off.

"Then it's not your fault. And we'll handle it together. Or I'll deal with it. But you're not alone, darling. You don't have to do things on your own. Not now, not ever."

His forehead leans against yours, alighting more flames along your skin. And you have to force yourself gaze downwards to hold onto whatever thread of control remains.

"I'm scared. I'm so scared."

"Hey now, darling, look at me," you do - albeit reluctantly, "when you get scared, you tell me. And I'll be brave for both of us. And then we'll be brave together. But you don't get to run or suffer alone, okay? You're safe with me," another squeeze of your hand, "you can let your defences down. And just exist with me, okay?"

When you don't respond, he repeats, "okay?" And you nod once before letting yourself crash into his embrace. Your body shakes as everything pours out at once - every sob you muffled, every tear you fought back, every call for help you swallowed.

You let yourself be carried for once.

And the burning is no longer there. In his arms, it's just sweet relief. As if the heavens opened up for this moment. For you.

And after a while, when all the tears have dried up, and your stomach is free from the weeds of worry, you let his heartbeat lull you to a peaceful sleep. And as always, he watches.

He realises. He notices. He sees.

For the first time in a long while, there's little tension gripping your shoulders as you let yourself rest in the safety of him. And through all his concern and his worry for you, he smiles. You, and this moment, are his to keep safe.

Lee Juyeon

Lowkey: Jacob Bae, Kevin Moon, and Ju Haknyeon

Also: Bang Chan (skz), Lee Know (skz), Lee Jaehyun (NCT) Choi San (atz), Jung Wooyoung (atz)

Let me know if anyone else fits!

Divider: @/saradika-graphics

Post-script: Thank you for taking time to read this. As always, I really appreciate it! I hope no one has to feel this way. But I know that's simply not the case. So, I hope that, if you're familiar with these feelings, that you feel better soon and you find a support system because you are worth so much more than you know, even if you feel otherwise. This one is actually very personal to me - I wrote it after having a bit of a stress breakdown and I just needed to get it out of my system. So, it was very therapeutic for me. The two songs listed at the top came to mind after I'd finished writing it, but I think they fit with this fic very well. Random TMI: I had about five names for this piece which I'll list separately but I went with "standbyme" because it felt like a really good play on words where it could either mean: 1. "stand by me" as in stay by my (y/n's) side or 2. "standby me" as in the one on standby is "me" (y/n) Anyways, that's all from me. Take care! Bloom xx

You don't realise you're chasing his thumb until he's gripping your chin, silently guiding you onto your knees the plastic of the card cool against your warm skin

"Minnie," you're breathless, "please"

You lean up, silently begging for his lips, hands. Something, anything. Just him

And you think he's going to indulge you when you feel fingertips trace a map from your neck, to your shoulder blade, and down down down your arm to your wrist where light circles drew on the inside before slipping into your hand and-

It's gone

You blink in surprise to see Seungmin with your phone in hand, an innocent smile plastered on his face, "let's see what my baby wanted to buy. See if there's anything good"

In that moment, your frustrations run wild

You want nothing more than to pull him against you, to beg him to ruin you, to take what you want and go

But instead you shuffle on your knees, letting his your shirt reveal more unexplored terrains of your body and plead, "Minnie, please"

He hums, barely glancing your way as he taps on your phone screen, slipping a thumb lazily between your lips which you accept graciously

Your teeth graze the skin of his thumb, tongue presses flat against it before sucking eagerly, as though it would bring you to salvation

Your moans vibrate around his thumb when he finally drops your phone and the card onto the bed, and reaches into your hair, petting gently, "so good, baby, so good"

He slowly weans you off his thumb, entranced by the spit trail that hangs off him, connecting you to him

"I think it's time for that lesson I mentioned"

As he pulls you flush into him, you catch a glimpse of the order confirmation on your screen out of the corner of your eye, Seungmin's details bright in the billing section before the screen turns black

And you tangle yourself in Seungmin's love and attention, trailing little bite marks all over him, just one expression of your gratitude

Your eyes widen in shock and you freeze He taps his index gently against your skin, a silent command, 'open', and it works instantly, the cap falling into his own hand

Eyes never leaving the road, he tips your jaw closed with the same index before it finds rest on your seat

It's quiet, the tension, barely perceptible. But it's there, and it's building. Fast. And Hyunjin knows you feel it

He doesn't need to look to see the way you force yourself to blink your way back down to earth

He hears the way your breath hitches as he rolls the cap back and forth against your thigh

He feels the shudder you try to hold back as the tips of his fingers threaten to make contact but never quite do, the heat radiating from them merely a breath against the air's chill

"Didn't you want to top up?" His voice is so steady, so even, so controlled - a stark contrast to his racing mind

"What?" He taps the cap against your thigh almost mindlessly but you know it's anything but

It's a reminder. Whether it's of your initial goal or the fact that this started with you, you're not entirely sure

Either way, a breathy laugh escapes as you try to gather yourself to complete the menial task - shouldn't be too hard, right?

Wrong. You can barely think straight as he rolls the cap upwards, can hardly hold yourself back from pressing him to your wet core

You've never had to focus so hard before, but here you are, shaky hands, thighs clenching around air, wishing you'd pulled the mirror down beforehand

And when Hyunjin finally pulls into the car park, he tilts your head to inspect - there's no precision in these effortful smears, red edges shaky

"Hmm," you're so focused on his sharp gaze and the feeling of his touch as he moves you left and right that you don't notice he's swiped the lipstick from you until the cap clicks closed

"Not bad," he assesses you like a piece you'd find in the Louvre

"Tried to tease me, but look at you now. So pretty for me. Tryna hide it but I can see, you know." His breath warms your ear but only for a brief second, "so needy. All mine"

His thumb grazes your lip, "I can think of a few other uses for that mouth" and, as if in a trance, you take him in immediately

What if you'd done it on purpose? To tease him, tempt him, test his patience? To see what kind of pervert your boyfriend really is? To invite him into your space?

That thought is immediately shut down when you turn and jump at the sight of him: "fuck, Chan! Make some noise, will you!"

Somehow that makes it worse - his sweet, innocent baby, blissfully unaware about how you drive him to insanity, simply trying to undo a zip

And here he is attaching filth to your actions

He can hardly bring his eyes away from your mouth, the brief glimpse of your teeth, how depraved he must be because all he can think about is how good they would feel sinking into his skin

"Channie?" You breathe a gentle laugh, causing him to close the distance between you, pulling you in by your belt loop, "you okay?"

"Hmm. Better than okay," he mumbles as his fingers tickle your waist, lips attaching themselves to the nape of your neck, "you make me so crazy"

Your eyes flutter shut as your fingers find purchase in his hair, back arching slightly as you let him manoeuvre you whichever way he wants, "need to... n-need to leave soon-uhh, Chris"

He hums in response but doesn't really stop until you repeat, "C-Chris," the shake in your voice betrays the firmness

"Fine," he nips against your skin making you hiss softly, "but first," he brings his head up to meet your gaze, his lips ghosting your own

He's so close. Dangerously close

"Bite me. Leave your pretty little marks all over me." Each word a dare, a challenge, an invitation

"Want to feel your teeth on me even when you're not here"

And when you chase his lips as he pulls his face back, when your eyes trail down to the survey the expanse of his neck with soft intrigue, when he catches a glint of your teeth as you draw in a shaky breath, he knows he's got you right where he wants you

His eyes widen, his whole body freezes, maybe he misheard?

And then again, "oh shi-!" Nope. Didn't mishear. Even with the slight hitch on the t, it was clear what she was saying

He replaces the basket in his hand with your daughter as he brings a finger to his lips, "shh, no baby, we don't say that."

She stares at him with wide eyes, before clapping again and repeating, "shi-!" Oh shi-!"

"No no, baby. Say with appa, sheeeep. Come on baby. Sheeeeep."

"Oh shi-"

"Ah, eomma's gonna kill me" he sighs

You get home 20 minutes later, to find Sangyeon hanging the rest of the laundry up whilst balancing your baby girl on his side, "I see you forgot," you laugh as you take your daughter from him.

"Hi baby." You press a kiss to her cheek, "did you help appa today?"

It's all fun and giggles until, "oh shi-!"

Your jaw drops as you turn to your guilty husband, who has moved as far away as possible, "Lee Sangyeon!"

"I'm sorry!"

And then a perfectly timed giggle and clap, "oh shi-!"

Oh shit, indeed.

~♡~

MASTERLIST / TBZ / l.sy