Under The Weather

“Shua hyung, I’ve been tasked with waking you up. I’ll poke back in a few minutes to make sure you’re getting up.” The8 said, poking his head into the room.

Joshua groaned. Everything hurt. He didn’t want to be awake, the tell tale sign of a migraine pulsating under his right eye. Thankfully Minghao hadn’t turned on the lights or he’d be in a worse position.

It seemed like only seconds later when the lights were flicked on. Joshua tried to open his eyes but was blinded by the sudden brightness. He couldn’t help but groan in pain

“I’m so sorry but we need to leave in half an hour.”Minghao’s voice was apologetic.

Joshua only got migraines maybe once or twice a year. He couldn’t find a definitive cause nor were they often enough for him to be given medication for it. Doesn’t mean they weren’t miserable and absolutely debilitating.

“Are you okay Hyung? This isn’t normal.” Minghao said some time later.

“Get Cheol…too bright…feel sick” Joshua mumbled, nausea now settling in the back of his throat.

“Migraine?” Minghao asked as he turned off the lights, Joshua humming in reply.

“Cheol Hyung is at PT but Wonwoo just got out of the shower. I can call someone else too.” Minghao sounded apologetic.

“He’s fine. Just hurry.”

Joshua’s stomach rolled as his head continued to throb. As much as he didn’t want to move he knew he had to before he ended up with a puddle of stomach contents for someone to clean up. He got up with a groan, actively holding back a wave of sick. He was so dizzy and it felt like he was being continuously smacked in the head with a hammer. On his way out of the room he ran into the doorframe. The sudden jolt caused him to lose control of his stomach and he promptly vomited on the floor, probably the wall too.

Joshua finished making his way to the bathroom on autopilot. He crashed to the floor and promptly vomited for a second time that morning.

A hand appeared on his back and Joshua could hear soft Murmurs from Wonwoo. The exact words were hard to hear around the pounding of blood in his ears.

“The schedule… we’re supposed to…” Joshua said before vomiting again.

“Don’t even think about schedules. You look awful and if the puking was any indication, you must feel miserable. You’re not going anywhere. Hao’s taking care of it.” Wonwoo said softly, “Have you been up sick or did you wake up like this?”

“Woke up like this. I slept fine.. Until I woke up feeling like death that is.” Joshua said, sighing with relief as Wonwoo felt his forehead. It felt like it was the only thing holding his brain in place.

“You don’t feel warm. Obviously it’s still enough for you to stay home if you are puking like this.”

“Think it’s a migraine. I’m dizzy and my head hurts so bad.” Joshua mumbled.

“I know the feeling.” Wonwoo said softly, getting up.

“Is this better?” Wonwoo asked, turning off the lights.

“Mhmm.” Joshua hummed.

“Do you need me or can I go clean up your floor. I don’t want the smell to linger. Trust me it makes it ten times worse.”

“I’m sorry.” Joshua mumbled.

“Not your fault. I know you tried.” Wonwoo said gently.

“Hyung, you and Coups will change out early this afternoon. Shua Hyung probably needs someone to keep him out of trouble. You’ve been sent the whole updated plan.” Minghao poked his head in the door.

Crying made everything hurt worse but Joshua couldn’t help it. He’s letting everyone down and he feels so miserable. Minghao squeezed between Joshua and Wonwoo, holding Joshua’s head against his shoulder. He could feel his tears dampening the fabric of his shirt.

“Oh hyung. It’s okay. It happens to us all.” Minghao cooed.

Joshua was so tired that the tears didn’t last long. He felt like he was in a haze. Minghao held him in his arms for a while, gently rocking him back and forth.

“You’re free to go back to bed. I would let the room air out a bit first. It’s up to you though.” Wonwoo entered the room.

“I’m sorry you had to clean that up. I know it was a huge mess.”

“It wasn’t as bad as you think. Plus I don’t mind. It’s not your fault.”

Minghao pressed another kiss to his hairline before loosening his grip. Joshua wriggled out of his arms and sat on the floor again. His head felt so heavy and unbalanced now that he had to hold it up again.

“Hao, why don’t you get ready to go. I’ve got this from here.” Wonwoo said.

“My head feels heavy.” Joshua mumbled as Wonwoo scooted over to sit beside him.

Wonwoo gently guided his head onto his broad shoulders. He normally wasn’t the biggest fan of being used as a pillow. Although this changed when a member was having a hard time.

“Hyung, between you and me, I could use the time off. You’re giving me an excuse to be lazy.” Wonwoo said after a pause.

“It’s not lazy if you need it. I just wish I could enjoy it.”

“I know hyung. You’ll feel a bit better in a few hours.”

“Need to stop puking first.” Joshua grumbled, “hurts too much to try anything.”

“Your room should be okay by now. Would you like to lie down?” Wonwoo asked.

“Yes please.” Joshua nodded.

“Come on. The quicker you get there, the less you’ll suffer.” Wonwoo stood up and reached out his hand to help him up.

“Always the optimist.” Joshua muttered, pulling himself up.

“That’s what I’m here for.” Wonwoo said softly behind him, a hand on his back steadying him as he stood over the sink.

The change in posture made everything worse. From his throbbing head to his tingling fingers to his stomach… oh his stomach.

Joshua whimpered involuntarily as he fought back a wave of sick. He didn’t want to puke in the sink. Or move over the toilet and have to stand back up again.

“Let it out Hyung. It needs to be cleaned anyway. Holding it in hurts more.” Wonwoo said from behind him, taking a hairbrush out of the sink and turning it on.

Joshua couldn’t take it anymore and threw up a wave of what felt like pure stomach acid into the sink.

“There you go.” Wonwoo said.

“I don’t want to brush my teeth yet.. but it’s so gross.” Joshua sighed staring at his toothbrush, he knew he should wait a few minutes after throwing up to brush. Plus he’d probably still taste it.

Wonwoo held out a small cup of mouthwash. Joshua had probably zoned out without realizing it, as he hadn’t noticed him moving.

He rinsed his mouth out. The mouthwash did not help the nausea but fortunately for him, his stomach was empty. He spit it out into the sink and let himself be lead back to his room.

Joshua could still faintly smell the cleaner Wonwoo had used to clean up his mess. He couldn’t smell the vomit, which was an improvement. He was likely just blind to it after being in the bathroom.

There was a bin beside his bed along with a towel underneath it to catch any spills. Normally Joshua was pretty good at making it… migraines did seem to make that a bit harder.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes, yell if you need anything. Theres a cool cloth for you if you want it. I know you don’t like ice.”

“I’m sorry.” Joshua whispered, tears forming in his eyes.