#abdominalpain

When Namjoon woke up the second time, he knew why.  The nausea was unbearable, and he couldn’t suppress a moan and a small whimper.  He gagged once again, but nothing came up.  He could feel himself tearing up and he whimpered again.  He heard a knock at the bathroom door.  “C-come in..” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.  It was Jungkook.

“What happened, hyung?” Jungkook asked, kneeling down next to Namjoon.

Namjoon hiccuped.  “I feel s-so sick, Jungkook..” Jungkook cooed in sympathy and wrapped his arm around Namjoon.

“Have you thrown up yet?”  Namjoon shook his head.

“I keep trying…” he hissed in a breath as his stomach cramped, and finished his sentence.  “Nothing will come up.”

Jungkook petted Namjoon’s hair.  “How can I help you?”

Namjoon groaned as the cramp released.  “I don’t know…”

“Can I try something?” Jungkook asked, and Namjoon nodded.  “Can you open your mouth for me?” Jungkook asked, and Namjoon nodded.  “I’m just gonna put my finger down your throat really quickly.  I promise it won’t hurt.”  Namjoon nodded slightly, and Jungkook eased his fingers down to Namjoon’s gag reflex, pushing it gently.  Namjoon heaved loudly, enough to empty his entire stomach, but nothing came up.  He whined and shook with a quiet sob.  “Sh..it’s ok hyung.  Why don’t you try to drink some water?”  Namjoon nodded, and Jungkook filled a glass with water.  Namjoon put his lips and started drinking slowly.  Jungkook frowned.  He needed to catch Namjoon by surprise, but he felt terrible.  Quietly, he reached over and tilted the glass so all the water went down Namjoon’s throat in a huge gulp.  This time, it worked, and Namjoon started gagging so violently that he was shaking.  And so much came up this time.  Jungkook grimaced.  It sounded so painful.  He stroked Namjoon’s back gently.  “Shh, it’s ok hyung, you’re doing great.”  At least a minute had passed, and Namjoon was still gagging.  Jungkook felt that there wasn’t possibly anything more to come up.  Namjoon was reduced to dry heaving again.  Jungkook rubbed Namjoon’s back comfortingly.  “There’s nothing more to come up, hyung.”

“N-n-no, there’s more,” Namjoon rasped out.  Jungkook looked down at Namjoon’s stomach.  Sure enough, it was still horribly bloated.  There was more.  Jungkook sighed.

“Namjoon..I’m really sorry if I scared you with that water.”

“It’s f-fine.  I needed it.”

“Why don’t you try to get some sleep now?  We have an interview tomorrow at noon.  I’m sure you can feel better by then, right?  But you need to sleep.”  Namjoon nodded silently.  “Let’s go back to bed, then.”  Namjoon nodded again.  He was sweating, and the color started to return to his face.  Jungkook sighed.  Maybe this was going to get better.  Maybe Namjoon’s stomach would be less upset in the morning.

It was 6 am when Namjoon woke up again, this time gagging again.  Jungkook sat up as fast as he could and tried to scramble for the trash can, but Namjoon had already thrown up on the bed.  Namjoon gagged again, pushing on his stomach, and another vomit came up.  It landed on the bed sheets.  “Damn it, Namjoonie,” Jungkook said.  Namjoon was breathing heavily, almost panicking.  “It’s ok.  You’re ok.  Do you need to move to the bathroom?”

Namjoon shook his head.  “I’m done.”

Jungkook sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.  “Good, then.  Why don’t we move to..” Jungkook thought for a moment.  “Why don’t we move to Jinnie-hyung’s room?”  Namjoon nodded in agreement.  “I’ll help you there, and while you’re in there, I’ll clean this up.  Ok?”  Namjoon nodded again.  Jungkook got out of bed and walked to the other side, putting his hand in his hyung’s and gently pulling him up.  They walked slowly, hand in hand, to Jin’s room and Jungkook knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Jin said.  The lights were on in his room.  Jin liked to wake up early a lot.  Jungkook and Namjoon walked into the room, and Jin looked away from his laptop and stood up.  “What’s wrong?  Namjoonie?  You look…”

“He’s sick, hyung.  He threw up on the bed.  Can he rest here with you until everyone wakes up?”  Jin looked at his pale dongsaeng.  

“Yeah, of course.  Namjoonie, do you want to lay down?”  Namjoon nodded, and Jungkook guided him to the bed and helped him lay on his side.  Namjoon whined as another cramp hit him,  And Jin rushed over.  “What’s wrong?”

“My stomach hurts..s-so bad..” Namjoon breathed out, curling in on himself and wrapping an arm around it.  Jin sat on the bed, and Jungkook left the room.

“Can I rub it for you?” Jin asked, and Namjoon nodded, taking his hand off his stomach.  Jin reached down and placed his hand over it, it was bloated and rock hard from cramps.  He massaged as best he could, feeling the muscles relax just a bit, but only for them to contract again, ten times harder than before.  Namjoon would moan whenever it cramped, and Jin could do nothing but shush him gently.  “Aigoo, Joonie, you’re really sick,” he said sympathetically.  “Do you want some painkillers?”  Namjoon nodded.

Jin reached over to his side table and grabbed the bottle, pouring out two.  He always kept chewable tablets in his side table specifically for Namjoon, when his migraines were so bad that swallowing pills could make him puke.  He handed them to Namjoon, who started chewing.  “Those should work in 20 minutes.  I’ll just rub your belly until then, ok?”  Jin asked, and Namjoon nodded.  The next 20 minutes went the same, Namjoon making sounds of discomfort as Jin felt his stomach cramp up, and sounds of relief when it got slightly softer.  Namjoon’s stomach was so hard that Jin felt helpless in providing comfort, but eventually the painkillers kicked in and Namjoon fell asleep.

When he woke up again, it was 8 am and everyone was awake.  This time, Namjoon didn’t feel all that much pain.  It was just the nausea again.  He groaned, and Jin, still in bed, turned to look at him.  “Cramps?”

“No, nausea,” Namjoon whimpered helplessly.  Jin sighed in sympathy.  

“Should we move to the bathroom?” he asked.  Namjoon shook his head.

“Not now.  It’s just bad, b-but I don’t need to throw up right now,” Namjoon said.

“Maybe some food would help, then?” Jin offered, and Namjoon nodded.  “I’ll help you to the kitchen.”  Just as Jungkook did, Jin moved around to the other side of the bed and took Namjoon’s hands in his.  Namjoon was shaking, almost violently now, but Jin convinced himself it was just the hunger.  Namjoon doubled over suddenly as he felt his stomach churn harshly, and Jin helped him straighten back up.  “It’s ok, Joon-ah, just a few steps.”  Namjoon nodded.  It felt like his stomach was a volcano, brewing and ready to erupt.  But he bravely walked to the kitchen, holding hands with his hyung until he could sit down on the barstools at the counter.  Jimin, Hoseok, and Taehyung were already in the kitchen, and all their eyes turned to Namjoon.

“What’s wrong with him?” Hoseok asked.

“He’s sick.  We’re going to try and feed him,” Jin said, and Hoseok nodded.

“We’ve just made some plain rice.  Is that good?”

Namjoon nodded.  “That’s okay.”  Jimin scooped up a bowl of rice, and brought it to Namjoon with some chopsticks.  Reluctantly, Namjoon grabbed the chopsticks and took a bite.  It tasted good, but it landed in his stomach harshly, making it churn and gurgle loudly.  All eyes in the kitchen were watching him as he grimaced.

Taehyung approached him.  “That didn’t sound so good, hyung, are you ok?”

Namjoon shook his head.  “F-feel so sick…” he whined, but he took another bite.  Again, his stomach grumbled loudly, and he was so embarrassed that he looked down.

“Hey, it’s ok, hyung.  You don’t need to be embarrassed.  You’re just sick.  It’s ok,” Jimin approached Namjoon and rubbed his back.  “Take another bite.”

Namjoon nodded, not seeing as Yoongi walked in, and gingerly took another bite.  This time, his stomach let out such an uncomfortable and gutteral sound that he pushed the rice away and his cheeks turned red.  “What happened?” Yoongi asked.  “He’s sick,” Taehyung explained.  “We’re trying to get him to eat some rice, but…” Namjoon’s stomach grumbled again, and he put his head in his hands.  “He’s embarrassed.”

Yoongi frowned and walked over to Namjoon.  “It’s ok, Namjoonie.  Eat a little more.”  Namjoon shook his head.  

“Not hungry.”  Yoongi grabbed a bit of rice and tried to put it in Namjoon’s mouth, but he pushed it away.  “Not hungry,” he said again.  Namjoon wrapped his arm around his middle.

“How about some water, then?” Yoongi offered, and Namjoon just shook his head.  “Not even a little bit?”  Namjoon shook his head.

“Not thirsty either.”

Yoongi sighed, putting his hand on Namjoon’s back.  Suddenly, he felt Namjoon jolt with a violent hiccup, and he knew what was coming.  “Grab a bowl,” he instructed, and Hoseok grabbed a large bowl from the cabinet.  Taehyung held it steady as Namjoon started to vomit up the tiny three bites of rice he’d been able to eat, and even more of whatever was left in his stomach.  There was a collective sigh in the kitchen.  Their leader was so, so sick.  Jungkook walked in, grimacing at the sight.  Yoongi tucked Namjoon’s hair behind his ear, whispering, “It’s ok, Namjoon, just let it out.”  Namjoon did let it out, vomiting harshly, and then just dry heaves came up.  Nothing more.”

“There’s nothing left, Namjoonie,” Hoseok said.  Namjoon shook his head.

“I feel bloated…there’s more…” he mumbled, just like when Jungkook had told him the same thing.

“How many times has he thrown up?” Yoongi asked.

“Twice.  And one time, he was dry heaving for about ten minutes.  I heard him from the room.”

“And you didn’t help him?” Yoongi snarled.  Jin raised his eyebrows.

“No..” Jungkook said shamefully.

“It’s fine, Jungkook.  He’s feeling better now, right Namjoonie?” Jin’s desperate attempt to make Jungkook feel better was met with a quiet sob from his leader.

“Aish,” Hoseok said, putting his hand on Namjoon’s chest and rubbing it gently.  “Do you think you can get some more sleep?”  Namjoon shook his head.  Hoseok looked up at Jin and Jungkook.  “Do we know why he’s so sick?”

“I don’t think he has a fever.  It seems like food poisoning,” Jungkook said, and Hoseok looked around.

“Does anyone know what he ate last night?”

Taehyung raised his hand.  “We went to dinner together.  A sushi restaurant.”

“But you’re not sick?”

“No.  We didn’t order the same thing.  Namjoon had sashimi, and I had tempura.”

“But…Namjoon doesn’t like seafood,” Hoseok said, one eyebrow raised.

“I-I know,” Taehyung said in shame, “But I thought he might like this.  It’s my fault.”

Yoongi shook his head angrily.  “Damn right it’s your fault,” he said.  “You should–”

“Stop talking,” Jin said.  “It’s not your fault, Taehyung.  You couldn’t have known.  Yoongi, stop being so protective.  It’s nobody’s fault.  It was just bad luck.”

“But–” Yoong started.

“No buts.  Don’t blame this on everyone.  I’m your hyung, and I’m telling you to stop.”  For a second, there was tense silence.  But Namjoon started sobbing loudly, and everyone looked at him.

“P-please, Yoongi-hyung, it’s my fault, it’s not theirs.  I’m sorry.  I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m–”

“Stop it,” Hoseok said, rubbing Namjoon’s back.  “It’s nobody’s fault.”  Yoongi hung his head in shame, as did Taehyung.

“I’m sorry,” they both said at the same time.”

“It’s fine, guys.  Just…don’t stress our leader out anymore than you need to.”  Yoongi and Taehyung nodded.  “We have our interview in…” Jin checked his watch.  “Three and a half hours.”  Why don’t we just put on a movie and sit with Namjoon?”  Everyone in the room nodded.  Namjoon’s sobs started to cease.  “That’s ok, Namjoon?”

“Th-that’s fine.”

—--

Namjoon was able to rest for a full three hours.  But when he woke up, he was already crying.  The painkillers had worn off.  The pain was so bad that by itself, it made him feel nauseous again.  Jimin, whose lap Namjoon was resting his head in, instantly looked down.  “What’s wrong?”

“Hurts…hurts..” Namjoon cried, and Jin ran over to him.

“Where, Joon?”  he asked.  Namjoon pointed to the center of his stomach.  Jin placed his hand there and grimaced.  It almost felt more bloated and even harder than before.  “I’m sorry…I wish I could give you more painkillers,” he said softly, stroking Namjoon’s hair.  Namjoon just cried in pain.  Jungkook teared up a little.

“I need–” Namjoon coughed loudly. 

Jin was already reaching for the newly cleaned bowl on the table and pulling Namjoon up so he was sitting.  Namjoon gagged so loudly that everyone in the room grimaced.  It sounded so much more than painful.  He barely brought up anything.  There was barely anything left, but his stomach was still pushing out more.  Teardrops joined vomit in the bowl, and Namjoon shook with sobs.  Jimin tucked the hair out of Namjoon’s face and behind his ear, and Jin rubbed his shoulder.  The whole room was silent, save for Namjoon’s gagging and sobbing.  Everyone was thinking the same thing: how could this interview be possible?  

Namjoon was finished within a few minutes, and when Yoongi looked at his watch, it told him it was time to go.  He felt terrible, but he had to do it.  “Namjoon, we need to get you dressed.  And we need a little makeup on you.  You’re so pale.”

Jimin shook his head.  “He’s sick, hyung.  He can’t do it.”  Yoongi sighed and nodded.

“I know.  But we need to.  This is really important.  It’s a livestream.  We can’t reschedule it.  And it’s in Japanese..”

“...and Namjoon is the only one who’s fluent, I know.” Jimin finished Yoongi’s sentence.  “Shit.”

Namjoon pulled himself up.  “I can do it,” he rasped out.  “My foundation’s in my bathroom.”  No one else in the group was tan enough for their foundation to fit Namjoon, and even though Namjoon hated foundation, he knew he needed it today.

Taehyung and Jungkook nodded and ran to Namjoon’s bathroom.  “Namjoonie-hyung, why don’t we move you to the dining table?  Is that ok?” Jimin asked, and Namjoon nodded.  Jin took the bowl off his lap and walked to the bathroom to rinse it out.