#caretaker!ot7

Jungkook stands in front of the camera with Jimin and Taehyung. They're wearing leather jackets with other layers and it feels heavy. What Jungkook hasn't mentioned is that he's been in tiring pain all day. The last few days, actually. He's had an extra busy month of work and travel - and that can be a bit stressful. Sometimes he gets stomach pain that happens randomly and he blames it on just that; stress.

After the third wardrobe change, Jungkook feels over it. But they still have to do their solo takes. Jungkook goes first so he can get it done with and sit down after. The maknae normally isn't one to slack, but this dull ache is weighing on him. He keeps almost holding his stomach - but then remembers the camera's still going and keeps his hand back. He has to stay posed as instructed. It hurts to move but Jungkook tries to keep a relaxed face and stay in character. When finally done, he finds a chair and tries to make sense of this weird pain. It's like a 'gnawing' feeling. His stomach churns but there's not much food in it.

Jimin and Taehyung do their solo shots but can't help noticing the youngest acting a bit weird. Jungkook feels their questioning faces. He straightens up and fakes a smile, hoping they'll buy it. But of course they ask him about it after. The maknae shrugs it off "I'm okay guys, I think it was just the japchae I had earlier."

****

Next day:

"Jungkookie, come get breakfast!" Jimin's voice calls. Jungkook groans quietly, messing with the blanket. He doesn't feel that much better and the pain messed with his sleep. He can smell waffles being made. Usually he's hungry in the morning, but this ache is dulling his appetite. But they have a long day of traveling and he needs energy so the maknae makes himself eat.

✈️

Jungkook felt some relief after breakfast. He boarded okay and sat with Yoongi and the older let him have the window. Jungkook was relaxed and enjoying the view, but it didn't last long. 30 minutes in, his belly starts to hurt again. Jungkook looks down confused. He palms his middle and it feels tender. The gnawing feeling is back. This time it can't be something he ate - they all had the same thing. What is this?? The pain steadily gets worse. He's starting to feel a burning sensation now too. Jungkook shifts anxiously in his chair. He's feeling sick as well as sore. He looks around and Yoongi's beside him reading. Hoseok and Taehyung are asleep. Jungkook is envious of that. He wishes he could nap but his stomach won't let him. He almost wants to tell Yoongi or Jimin nearby but even then, what can they do? They're thousands of feet in the air.

Jungkook just sits there with a straight face staring off, trying to ignore his stomach. The burning feeling persists and he clenches his jaw, then gulps nervously. He puts his seat back but it doesn't help much. Jungkook sighs and sinks down, holding his tummy. Yoongi looks at him "Kook, are you getting motion sickness?"

"Mm.. no.." It's more like reflux - but the pain is more severe and it's making him nauseas. Jungkook looks over at the bathroom. If he must throw up, he'd rather do it in private. He tries to get up but a sharp pain hit and forced him back down. "Agh, fuck!" JK hisses, clutching his stomach.

"Kook? Hey, Jungkookie, what's up??" Yoongi worries.

"Ughh, I don't feel good.. it hurts.." The younger moans, cringing hard. The feeling rises and saliva pools in his mouth, preparing for the inevitable.

"Maybe some water can help settle your stomach" Jimin tries passing him a bottle.

But Jungkook refuses shaking his head. Yoongi senses that he needs a bag - and he's right. Jungkook grabs it and vomits instantly, his stomach churning up something awful. He gasps and coughs as he heaves up his breakfast.

Jin and Namjoon hear from two seats down. "What's going on? Who's getting sick??"

"It's Jungkookie" Jimin answers, trying to comfort the youngest. Jungkook retches louder and it wakes Taehyung and Hoseok. "..Huh?"  "What was that??"

Jungkook doesn't know why it hurts so much. His stomach contracts and he coughs up more watery vomit. The bitter taste makes him feel sicker. Jimin noticed the bag's half full. "Um, we're gonna need another over here!" he calls.

Seokjin comes to the rescue. Jimin opens it and Jungkook hurls again. He can't think of a worse place to be sick right now. "Ughh, h-hyung--" Jungkook musters before vomit takes over his mouth again. He upchucks a few more times and it worries his members. Jimin looks at him pitifully as he holds the bag. "Poor Kookie.. It's ok, let it out.."

Jungkook retches but not much else comes out. Now he's just left with stomach pain. It's even worse now from all that heaving. "Ughh, fuck.." His eyes tear up as he whimpers.

"Finished?" Yoongi murmurs, looking at the tired younger.

"Yeah, I think so" Jungkook's face feels all sticky and messy. He can't stand it.

Yoongi gently dabs his face with napkins. "Do you want to see a doctor?"

Jungkook sighs, rubbing his conflicted stomach. "I'll be fine hyung. Think I just need to sleep it off"

Yoongi sighs, not surprised at the younger's answer. He does look pretty exhausted so Yoongi gestures to lay with him. Jungkook melts at his hyung's offer. He pulls his hoodie over and they both huddle and drift to sleep. The members find it cute and Hobi gives them the blanket he had earlier.

****

Jungkook thought that was a one time thing but he was wrong. He's been in pain all week. He can't quite describe it, but it feels like he has a 'sore spot' in the middle of his stomach. He's never had anything like it before. He got sick again last night after having a couple drinks. The alcohol irritated his stomach and the night ended with a painful episode of retching in the yard.

Now Jungkook is texting Namjoon, still insisting he's fine and doesn't need a doctor. Suddenly JK puts his phone down. He gets that feeling again and his stomach churns. It's likely hunger, he hasn't eaten in awhile. But that icky feeling throws him off. He did find antacids to be a good quick fix. Maybe he should eat? But then what if he gets sick again? But he's not doing himself any favors staying empty.. Jungkook sits there thinking about it and then his stomach grumbles. "Ugh.." Jungkook moans in discomfort holding it. He doesn't know how to address this. All he knows is he's starving and ended up having a burger. He eats it ravenously, taking large bites. Within minutes Jungkook is satisfied and the pain fades away. He noticed it gets better when eating a meal.

But it doesn't last. His stomach tries to digest but it feels so heavy. Jungkook shifts uneasily, feeling bloated as well. Maybe he ate too fast? Then the burning comes back with a vengeance. His stomach churns with more acid building up, splashing against the sore spot inside. "Ahh!.." Jungkook winces, both hands clung to his middle. He's getting nauseas again but doesn't want to puke. He hates that his stomach is so sensitive lately.

Jungkook thinks more antacid tablets can help. But he burps into his hand and that made his stomach want to do more. He goes from the cabinet to the toilet to lose his dinner. Jungkook feels a lump in his throat and gags up a slew of mushy chunks in the bowl. The acid burns his esophagus rising up. "Ughh, fuck!" Jungkook wails. He brings up another and his retches fill the room. He's glad no one's around right now. But he lowkey wants some comfort. Most of all, he wants to figure out what the hell is causing this.

"Ugh, what's wrong with you stomach?" Jungkook looks down frowning. He sighs flushing his dinner. Maybe it's his eating habits? He has been having a lot of fast food lately.

****

Jungkook can't keep going like this. He still gets tummy pain and it disrupts his work. He's been taking antacids with every meal now; when he's able to eat. But he can't seem to handle a lot of foods, much to his annoyance. Today he settled for a protein shake at breakfast. His members question his odd choice and he just hopes he won't throw it up.

The maknae is visibly struggling at dance. He was afraid of getting sick there and ended up missing lunch. Now he regrets that as his stomach churns with vigorous hunger pangs that hurt even more.

The members notice JK's strained face and posture. "Jungkookie, you missed that part twice now" Hoseok points out. "Is everything ok?"

"I'm.. good hyung" Jungkook smiles like his stomach isn't tearing him apart inside. He shouldn't have left it empty this long, especially doing heavy activity. But he continues the choreo, trying to forget the anguish he's in. Then finally they call it at 6:00.

Jungkook feels weary from not eating for hours. Another pang hits and his stomach growls at him, twisting with hunger. JK tenses up and winces again. He palms it, hoping no one heard. It definitely feels worse when empty. His stomach has this weird acidic feeling and the bitter fluids stir inside, adding the nausea. He just wants to go home. "Don't worry Kook, we'll eat soon" Namjoon pats his arm walking by. Jungkook flushes inside. Great, so they did hear. He hopes dinner won't be too complicated.

"Kook, what's wrong? Does your tummy hurt?" Jin asks him. Jungkook just groans in response. The spice is aggravating his stomach, and in turn fueling more acid.

Everyone's eating and chatting and Jungkook just sits there looking somber. His poor stomach seems to hurt no matter what he does - and the antacids don't even help anymore. Jungkok stares blankly at the meal in front of him. It's kimchi fried rice and he can tell it's spicy by the smell. But he desperately wants to ease that hollow pain and eats fast. His stomach squelches as it tries to handle the rush of food. Then the reflux kicks back in. "Ahh.." JK stops and holds it.

Jungkook gags loudly and unleashed a firey wave, filling the bowl. "Ahh!" He moans in agony, his stomach flares up with spicy acidic contents pouring out. He lurches violently and then feels Namjoon's strong hand gently on his back. "it's ok Kook, it's ok.."

"Ugh, ok, maybe a little.." Jungkook palms his middle, trying to rub where he really feels it. But it doesn't do much from the outside. His stomach hurts with searing pain and he's off to the bathroom.

Jungkook loses his dinner, one awful retch after another. He coughs and sputters as it pours from his lips. This is horrendous.

"Ughh, it hurts hyung" he whimpers. It feels like his stomach is turning inside out. Jungkook brings up a few more before he finally feels empty.

Namjoon and Jimin try to help him up but Jungkook gags again and sinks back down. But he has nothing else to bring and his stomach feels wrung out. "Kook?" Jimin looks at his dazed face.

Jungkook gives one last scratchy retch and his stomach and throat feel scathed. "Ahh!! Fuck!.." Jungkook curls up on the floor. His appearance is worrisome to them.

"Ok, we're going to the doctor now" Namjoon says soft but firm. Jungkook doesn't argue. He's in so much pain that the leader carries him to the car.

****

Jungkook finally gets an answer. That 'sore spot' in his stomach is actually a peptic ulcer. His doctor prescribes medication to reduce stomach acid. He also has to follow a special diet plan while he recovers. No spicy food or anything fried. Alcohol is out too.

Jungkook eases his stomach back into it. His appetite still isn't great but he knows light food will help with that empty nauseas feeling.

Something seizes inside your chest. That’s the only word your sluggish brain can muster to describe it: something, foreign yet familiar at the same time.

After so many days—days? hours? weeks?—of feeling nothing but drowned sensations, it feels like a sledgehammer to the gut.

The sheer force of it wrenches a choked gasp from your lips, and it’s the loudest sound you’ve heard in a long while. One hand reaches up to clutch at your heart, the other gripping your forehead where a violent throbbing pounds at your skull.

The intensity makes you scramble along the stone floor until your back hits the wall, the only other thing in the room that can be used to ground you.

This...thing, it grips you harder than the cold, tighter than the hunger in the pit of your stomach.

Stinging tears brim in your eyes. Even though you’re alone in the room, something else, a deep something, tells you to choke them back before someone sees. Before the pain that always follows when you let them fall past your lids.

The thing feels like hope, desperate and burning white-hot. It feels like warmth and a sigh of relief.

It feels like something he would punish you for. Because things like you aren’t meant to feel things this good.

What sounds like an explosion reverberates through the thick concrete walls. The floor trembles. You can hear people screaming, guards shouting orders over the pound of footsteps.

The sensation in your chest continues to build, unbearably so, until the tendons in your lungs feel close to tearing.

The sound of shouting and fast footfalls begins to fade, moments later replaced by ones much louder, heavier, faster.

Gunshots in the distance, one after the other. Then a deafening roar. A nonhuman roar.

It’s all so loud. The noise presses against you from all angles, closing in until you can almost feel its weight.

You cup your hands around your ears, squeeze your eyes shut, curl into a pathetic ball but it still thuds in your head. Sharp and bruising and loud loud loud.

Not that you realize it, but you’ve been without light and sound for six days.

Your brain is slow to process what’s happening, struggling to make sense of the impossible.

Because he always said that no one knew they were there, that the wards were impenetrable. Even if someone got through the wards, who would be stupid enough to attack them at their own home base?

No one is coming for you, his voice slices through your thoughts. Why would anyone ever come looking for you? You are nothing.

The heavy footsteps draw closer, along with the sound of doors banging open.

You curl further into yourself, trying to block it all out. One of those disgusting creatures from the outside must have gotten in. It’s in their nature to seek blood and destruction, after all.

Maybe you’ll be lucky enough for a quick death. But...you’re not sure you deserve it.

You are nothing.

With a horrible creak of bending metal, the door is ripped off its hinges.

The sudden flood of light makes you flinch back and shield your face. The feeling in your chest thuds against your rib cage, like your heart is trying to escape your body.

You don’t move, can’t move. Not until a deep growl puts the fear of god in your bones.

It makes you peek through your fingers just enough to see what has caused the sudden flood of light.

The shape in the doorway is anything but human. Massive and powerful, it’s too big to be fully visible through the doorway. All you can see is four muscle-corded legs that end in clawed feet, trailing red behind them. The thing’s fur is matted with something dark and wet.

The creature bends down to peer into the room, exposing a skeletal head and sharp, dripping antlers.

You meet it’s black eyes, and something akin to recognition glints in the glassy surface. Your heart thuds almost painfully.

The creature tips it’s head back and howls, flashing several rows of wolf-like teeth.

It’s much too big to fit through the door, but it rams it’s head into it anyway. Distressed whimpers fall from it’s mouth as it bucks and charges at the wall. It dents the metal, desperate in it’s attempt to get to you.

Frozen. All you can do is shrink further into the corner of the room, closing your eyes and awaiting the inevitable. Hoping it’s quick, hoping that whatever happens afterwards is better than staying here.

The metal groans, beginning to warp and buckle under the force of the creature’s antlers as it slams into it harder and harder.

A beat of silence.

You open your eyes to find the creature stepping back as much as the hallway allows. It stomps it’s feet, flexing it’s hind legs.

Huffing out a grunt, it lunges forward to charge with all it’s might.

The metal finally gives out, tearing in jagged shards so the doorway is now a giant hole.

Your stomach drops as the creature lunges straight for you, too terrified to even close your eyes for the end of it all.

But the creature doesn’t rip you to shreds with it’s teeth, or maim you with it’s claws, or impale you with it’s antlers.

It nuzzles into the crook of your shoulder, a soft whine leaving it’s panting mouth. You feel it’s wet nose nudging you all over, sniffing like it’s searching for something.

Wet against your cheek. You realize that the thing is licking your face like a dog that’s been reunited with it’s owner.

Frozen, still. You can’t make your limbs move an inch, icy fear still stiff in your veins.

The creature retreats from poking and prodding you, still panting and mewling like an excited puppy. It hops a little on it’s strong legs, nodding it’s head at you expectantly.

You...have no idea what’s going on.

You should be dead by now. The beasts from the outside are supposed to kill anything and everything that crosses their path. They’re not supposed to yip playfully and nestle their huge forehead against yours.

The creature perks it’s great head like it senses something.

You assume that it must’ve realized that you’re prey, an enemy. Pinching your eyes shut, again, you wait for the end. Hopefully it’s a merciful one.

A moment later, you feel cold hands cradling your face.

Your eyes pop open.

You can’t decide if the man leaning over you is a corpse or a god. At the same time, wondering how beauty and death can exist in the same face.

A god, from the way his brown hair is pushed back from his forehead, the way his eyes are slanted so prettily. A god because he’s tall and demands respect with his presence, those broad shoulders and sharp jawline.

A corpse, from the was his full mouth drips with blood, running down his chin and neck. Two sets of yellowed fangs peek over the plush flesh of his lips. Dark purple veins peek through his almost translucent skin, showing the shadow of his skeleton underneath.

You feel his thumbs stroking your cheeks. Tears pool in his red, bloodshot eyes.

“Oh baby,” he says sadly, looking down at your flimsy clothing, at the fresh wounds covering your body.

It makes something burn in your heart, something like pain and healing at the same time.

The corpse-like man draws you closer, hugging you to his chest as he whispers out soft hushes and sweet nothings that sound like cotton in your dull ears.

And the more he touches you, the more the feeling flares. It’s close to unbearable, stealing away your breath, vision swimming.

The other creature shifts to the ground, curling around you in a way that’s almost...protective?

A name you don’t recognize falls from the man’s mouth, and just like that, your consciousness winks out like a flickering candle flame.

They found you. Months of desperate searching, following any and every lead, no matter how small or fleeting. Days at a time without sleeping, without eating. 

Weeks of Yoongi locking himself in his room, tearing apart his grimoires, carving runes into his skin, trying every locator spell he knew to get even a whiff of your location.

After months of feeling empty, feeling like a piece of them was dead, they finally found you.

Once Yoongi broke through the wards, storming the facility wasn’t difficult. They may have technology, firearms and sheer numbers, but they don’t have primal fury.

Because their person, their final piece, was stolen from them.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, they felt it. A sudden pain in their chest, sharp and heart-wrenching.

She’s here, and she’s hurt.

They tore through the place in a feral rage, cutting down anyone that tried to obscure their path, because they did this. They’re the ones that kept you from them.

Jungkook plowed through the outer gates, the inner gates, the front doors. No one tried to hold him back as he sprinted through the storm of bullets.

Namjoon’s smoke shielded him, not that he needed it. The frenzy of finally being close to his mate after all this time would’ve made a few bullets feel like pinpricks.

He must’ve caught your scent, because the next moment he’s rearing his head back and roaring like he’s just been struck by an arrow.

Hoseok, Jimin, and Taehyung all hear it, shifted into their full forms throughout the facility.

The human part of them, the animal part of them, aches with the urge to seek you out themselves. But they have to take care of the ones who did this to you, because they’ll do it again if given the chance.

Jungkook will find you, he has the best nose out of all of them.

Bounding through the halls with renewed urgency, all that fills Jungkook’s head is she’s close she’s close where is she oh god where is she?

He can smell you, or he can smell your panic, and all he can think is don’t worry, I’m coming. Just hold on a little longer.

He comes to a hallway that reeks of pain and sorrow. It’s lined with bolted doors all the way down, each filled with prisoners that stink with lingering wounds.

Tearing the doors away one by one, peering into each room, he doesn’t stop until he reaches the end of the hall.

When he looks into this room, he sees a lone figure huddled in the darkness. A wave of fear floods his nose, then the stench of infection.

He howls. A bitter, provoked howl. The sound of a creature who’s mate is in danger.

Adrenaline pumps through his veins, fur bristling as he rears and charges at the doorway with all his might.

It takes several tries, but eventually he breaks through.

He doesn’t understand why wave after wave of fear is radiating off of you. He expected you to be relieved, to jump into his arms the second you saw him.

You’ve been their mate for years. Why are you shying away like you’re afraid of him? 

When he finally breaks through the walls, you shrink so far into yourself that it looks like you might disappear.

Jungkook crowds you, sniffing you all over, searching for injuries.

He finds too many. Before he can let out another pained howl, he catches a whiff of another one of his mates.

Jin crashes into the room, looking furious and determined.

The same pleasant pain surges in the taller man’s own chest, stronger than it’s burned in months. The bite mark on his left wrist burns with it.

Jin drops to his knees in front of you, breathing in your scent for the first time in months.

Filth is smeared all over your skin. Your hair is shorter, much shorter. It looks as if it’s been cut with a blunt knife.

He too smells the infection. And the blood, of course he smells the blood.

“Oh baby,” he breathes out. “I’m so sorry. We came as soon as Yoongi found you.”

You’re staring up at him with wide, terrified eyes. And it looks like there’s nothing behind them. No relief, no recognition. Just confusion and panic.

“Baby?” Jin whispers, giving your shoulders and gentle shake, but you look as if you didn’t even hear it.

What the fuck did they do to you?

He hugs you close, your body feeling cold and weak in his hold.

He mumbles out apology after apology. I’m so sorry it took so long. I’m so sorry for what they did to you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to stop them. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.

Something flutters in his lungs. When he looks down, he sees you take a sharp inhale.

He hangs onto that breath, waiting for you to say something, do something, anything other than sitting there shivering like you’re too scared to even flinch.

He calls your name, and you collapse in his arms.

next part →

a/n: thanks for reading!! thoughts??

Hoseok prides himself on being the healthiest member in BTS. Illnessses just don’t hit him as badly as they do the other members - colds take him down for a day, maybe two, before he’s back on his feet leading dance practice as usual. Coughs are easily remedied with a few doses of medicine and lozenges, fevers are bested with a cold pack and some painkillers. He was just born with a stronger immune system than most, and Hoseok is always grateful to his parents for that.

But that also means that when he actually gets sick, it takes the entire of BTS to make him accept that fact.

~~~~

Yoongi is the first to notice that Hoseok was sniffling more than usual one day. “Hoba, you alright?” He asks the younger rapper, as he’s standing in the kitchen pouring himself coffee. Hoseok is sitting at the kitchen table, scrolling through videos on his phone, punctuated by the occasional sniffle and rubbing at his nose with his sleeve.

“Sorry, hyung - what did you say?” Hoseok looks up from his phone distractedly, and Yoongi frowns when he notices the bags under the other’s eyes. They don’t get much sleep on a regular basis, but coupled with the way Hoseok’s sniffling, Yoongi suspects another reason for why Hoseok looks so tired.

“I asked if you were feeling alright.” Yoongi says with a shrug. “You seem kind of sniffly.”

Hoseok laughs. “Hyung, I don’t get sick, you know that! It’s probably just allergies or something.”

“Hmm.” Yoongi doesn’t say anything more, deciding to observe.

A day later and Hoseok’s sniffles don’t seem to have subsided; instead they’ve increased in frequency, and interspersed with the occasional sneeze. He was still stubbornly insisting that he wasn’t sick, though, so Yoongi brings his concerns to his only hyung.

“You’re right, I noticed that he’s been sniffling a lot too.” Seokjin says thoughtfully, after Yoongi explains Hoseok’s symptoms the day before. “I think he might be getting the flu, but knowing Hoseok…”

“He’s too stubborn to admit when he’s sick?” Jimin pokes his head into Seokjin’s room. When the two older members look over at him curiously, Jimin grins sheepishly. “Sorry. I heard you two talking, and I remembered seeing Hobi hyung hiding his sniffles behind a tissue a few times this morning. I’m pretty sure he’s falling sick, too.”

Seokjin sighs. “He’s definitely not going to listen if we tell him to take it easy. We have a difficult week next week and he needs to be resting as soon as possible to recover. I hate doing this, but the fastest method should be to do it that way.” Yoongi and Jimin nod in agreement.

”I’ll tell Tae and Jungkook,” Jimin offers. Seokjin nods.

“I’ll tell Namjoon. Between the six of us, we’ll hopefully have Hoseok in bed and properly resting by tomorrow afternoon.”

~~~~

Jimin approaches Hoseok that afternoon, when the morning song recording was over and they had free time until dance practice in the evening. Hoseok had sounded fine during the recording session, but everyone noticed the darkening circles under his eyes and the way he was a lot quieter than his usual energetic self.

”Hobi hyung, I want to go through the choreography for next week’s rehearsal. Can you do it with me so I get the timing right?”

Hoseok was surprised at the request, since Jimin seemed very familiar with the choreography already, but he readily agrees anyway. “Of course,” Hoseok says, getting to his feet with some difficulty. Sniff. He rubs irritably at his nose when a sniffle cuts him off. “Wait here, I’ll get the music started.”

As expected, Jimin seemed to do perfectly fine - except for one thing. After the fifth repeat, Hoseok stops the music, and glares at Jimin. “Jimin -” sniff, “- can you please stop bumping into me? Your timing is fine, but why do you -” sniff, “- keep messing up your positioning? You’re usually better than this.” Hoseok feels he’s being harsher than usual, but sweat is dripping from his bangs into his eyes, more than what he usually sweats after a short few rounds of dancing, and he feels more easily irritable today. His nose’s constant sniffling and running was annoying him to no end, and while Hoseok knows it’s unfair to take it out on Jimin, right now he was too bothered to think it through rationally.

Jimin is staring at him weirdly, however. “Hyung… I’ve been in the same position the whole time.” The singer points out. “You’re the one who keeps bumping into me.”

That - wasn’t possible. Was it? Hoseok was pretty sure he knew the choreography inside out, but honestly, he had been too distracted by the constant need to sniffle that he hadn’t really been paying attention to his own positioning. He frowns a little, trying to recall.

”Hyung, if you’d like to have a break, maybe we should…” Jimin starts to say, but Hoseok holds a hand up to stop him.

“No, it’s fine.” He says. Hoseok can’t recall whether he had been out of position or not earlier, but doing it a few more times will certainly clear things up. Sniff sniff. He swipes his sleeve roughly across his nose again, then gestures at Jimin to get back into starting position. “We can just do it again. Start the music, please.”

~~~~

Dance practice later that evening was gruelling, even by Hoseok’s usual standards. They're all sweaty and aching near the end of it, made infinitely harder for Hoseok by his nose's constant irritation. His nose is running frequently now too, despite the mild flu medicine he took earlier today. He sniffs a few more times, dabbing at his nose with his sleeve. He wore a long sleeved shirt to practice today for this specific purpose, but he feels gross and overheated from the way the fabric sticks to his skin with sweat.

“I think we've made good progress today.” The choreographer says, sounding pleased. “We can stop here for the day, or we can keep going if you guys want to learn a little more. I'll leave it up to you.”

The members look at each other. No one looks at Hoseok, because everyone knows that he'll be the last to suggest ending dance practice early. But a selfish little part of Hoseok hopes that someone will speak up to end the practice, so that he can stop bullying his aching body into moving. And to finally find himself some tissues instead of sniffling into his sleeve all the time.

“I'm good to continue.” Of all people, it's Namjoon who speaks up first, glancing towards the rest of them. “That's okay, right?”

Everyone nods, and Hoseok blinks stupidly at their leader. But Namjoon hates dance practice, a foggy little part of his brain supplies.

“Hobi? You're awfully quiet. I thought you'd be crying happy tears at us volunteering to continue dance practice,” Seokjin jokes, tearing Hoseok's attention away from Namjoon.

“I - Huh? No, I'm just in shock that Joonie's the one who suggested to continue.” Hoseok tries to play it off with a laugh, but it sounds weak even to his ears. His entire body is just screaming at him in protest of having to dance again today. His nose itches, and he sniffs a couple of times.

“Hyung, if you aren't feeling up to it, we don't have to continue.” Jungkook offers, in that usual soft, quiet way of his.

Hoseok waves him off, as he scrubs a hand across his nose, and sniffles once quietly into his sleeve. He's Captain Jung, he can't be calling off dance practice when no one else is, right? “I'm fine, Kookie!” Hoseok says with forced cheerfulness. “It's no problem at all.”

~~~~

Between dancing with single-minded focus and keeping his sniffles under control, Hoseok doesn't notice when his vision starts to grey out until he's falling - but several pairs of hands catch him and lower him gently to the ground, his head supported in someone's lap.

“Do we always have to push you this far before you admit you're unwell?” A loud sigh from above him that he recognises as Seokjin's, and the owner of the lap he's currently lying on.

“Hobi hyung is always stubborn like that.” Taehyung says, as Hoseok dimly registers his hand being taken and rubbed at. The members gathered around him looking nothing more than grey silhouettes, their voices reaching him muffled as if they were speaking underwater. And his nose was still itchy. He sniffs again, wishing he could rub his nose, but his head feels foggy and he can't remember if his arms are attached to him or not.

Something soft is suddenly pressed to his nose. Jimin's face swims into view. “Here, hyung. You can blow.”

Oh, thank god for tissues. Hoseok blows his nose, and the relief is so great that it clears the congestion in his head enough that he can hear the conversation happening around him loud and clear again. Namjoon's speaking to the choreographer in the background, Taehyung's humming quietly as he continues to rub Hoseok's palm and fingers, and Yoongi is cracking open a bottle of water.

“...Hey.” Hoseok manages. His nose starts leaking again immediately; but he ignores that for now, sniffling impatiently as he asks, “why am I on the floor?”

“Because, you're an idiot who can't admit he's sick until you literally collapse from it.” Seokjin huffs, the lap under Hoseok's head shifting from the movement.

Hoseok frowns, still taking a while to comprehend the words. “But I don't…”

“Get sick? Are you kidding me right now?” Namjoon comes over and squats beside them, poking Hoseok in the cheek. “You've had the sniffles for days, which is clearly becoming the flu - I nearly had a heart attack when you agreed to continue dancing!”

“The flu… oh.” So that explains the sniffles, and why the usual cold medicine hadn't worked the way it usually does.

Seokjin pats Hoseok lightly on the cheek to get his attention, leaning down over him when Hoseok tilts his head up. “Do hyung a favour and take care of yourself better, okay?” Seokjin says. “And that means listening to us more when we ask you to rest, even when you have something as small as a case of the sniffles. I don't want to resort to pushing you past your limits again just to get you to take a break.”

Hoseok's really too exhausted to argue, even if he wanted to. “Okay. Sorry, Jin hyung.” He murmurs, eyes already closing. Now that he finally acknowledged the fact that he's sick, it's like his body wants to shut down all at once. He'll just take a nap here, in the middle of the practice room.

Cold. Taehyung was so so cold. And... where are his hyungs? One second they were right there, and now it's all dark? They were with him before he got sucked into dreamland? But now he feels freezing and so... alone. "Hyungs?" Taehyung wants to reach out but his arms feel like lead and won't cooperate.

Shadows were growing around him and his brothers were becoming distant, his cheeks are wet with tears and he wants to yell for them to come back but the sounds don't make it past his throat. Did they really leave him?

"Taehyungie!"

He woke up with a sharp gasp, almost instantly dissolving into tears that wrack his frame. Yoongi is quick to pull him into an embrace, cradling his head into his chest. Despite the younger being taller than he is, Taehyung looks so small in the rapper's arms. "You're burning up, Taetae." Yoongi says, feeling warmth radiating off of the younger's skin.

"I'm c-cold... w-wh-where are the others?" Taehyung's head perks up, eyes wide and scared. The dream felt so vivid. "Hyungie, are they gone?" Taehyung suddenly tries to stand up, pulling away from Yoongi's grasp.

"Woah, careful." Yoongi rushes to help Taehyung and sits him back down with little effort needed. "They're okay, Taehyungie." He comforts, rubbing his back in circles. "I-I need to see them, h-hyung—" Taehyung cries, gripping onto Yoongi like a lifeline.

"Shh, okay. Let me get Jinnie and the others." Yoongi takes out his phone, frantically spamming Seokjin's number. All of Taehyung's weight is up against Yoongi and the flow of tears has him biting his lip in worry. "Yoongi-ah?" Seokjin sheepishly walks into the room, rubbing his eyes and taking a split second to register Taehyung.

"Oh, Taehyungie, baby." Seokjin rushes over, petting and soothing over his hair as Taehyung instinctively reaches for the eldest. "H-hyung... I thought you left me." Taehyung mumbles, breaking out in tremors and moving to wrap an arm around his stomach.

"Of course not, baby. Gosh, you're so warm. Yoongi, what happened?" Seokjin turns to the rapper. "He was dreaming, kept calling out for us and now he's got a fever." Yoongi explains. They both look at Taehyung with pity, thinking on what to do. "We have to give him some medicine, he's way too hot." Seokjin concludes.

"No—I need to see Jiminie a-and Namjoon-hyung—" Taehyung sniffles, hiccuping between words. Yoongi sadly rubs his back, turning to Seokjin. "Aw Taehyungie... how about we go to the living room and I'll get the others?" Seokjin offers, using his thumb to wipe away the tears. Taehyung nods approvingly, somewhat calming down.

They go on either side of the younger, helping him to the lounge. Yoongi flicks on a couple lights, putting them on the dimmest setting. Taehyung reaches for Yoongi and he gladly holds him on the couch. Seokjin starts off at the closest bedroom. Jimin and Hoseok's.

"Hoseokie? Jiminie?" He calls into the dark room, walking in to find the two curled in each other's embrace, both their beds pushed together. They start to stir after a few taps. "Sorry guys, Taehyungie is sick and a bit emotional. Can you both comfort him in the living room?" Seokjin explains in a hushed voice. It wakes them up and Jimin's eyes are already glistening with worry. "Of course, hyung." Hoseok replies. Onto the next bedroom.

"Namjoon-ah?" Seokjin hears the snoring cut off. "Hmmg..? Hyung?" The leader groans. "Can you go to the living room, please? Taehyungie has a fever." He says, gaining a hum as Namjoon swings his legs out of bed. And now, the maknae.

"Kookie?" Seokjin moves straight to the bed, gently rubbing over Jungkook's thigh. "Jungkook-ah." He tries again, making the lump roll over. "Taehyung needs you, Bunny." And that finally wakes him up. "Huh..? Is he okay?" Jungkook rubs his eyes, making a move to get up. "Fever, bad dream." Seokjin summarises, letting the youngest follow him back to the living room.

Taehyung is still next to Yoongi but Jimin is giving him a kiss on the cheek, Hoseok tying back his hair and Namjoon is standing nearby, not wanting to crowd the boy. "Taehyungie-hyung?" Jungkook says when he catches sight of the second youngest. He looks up from the couch and is visibly relieved. "You g-guys didn't leave?" Taehyung's lip quivers. The six of them butt in to reassure Taehyung, telling him they love each other way too much to even fathom the idea.

"Taetae, do you feel well enough to take some medicine?" Yoongi asks, all too aware of the sticky heat coming from the singer. He's still so out of it. "Mm.. I don't know." Taehyung pouts, "does anything hurt? Your ears, throat, head, stomach?" Jimin asks, kneeling down in front of Taehyung. "Tummy.. and my head feels dizzy." Taehyung concludes, just now picking up on the nausea washing over him in waves.

He shivers and curls up to Yoongi. "Hyung... I think I'm gonna throw up." Taehyung whines, face squashed into Yoongi's shoulder. "Aish–right now?" Yoongi looks to Hoseok for help, "I'll get a bag—" Hoseok dashes off, right as Taehyung moans in discomfort, chills going up and down his spine. Seokjin leaves to grab some towels and medicine. Namjoon and Jungkook take a seat on the other couch, talking to each other worriedly.

Hoseok comes back with a puke bag, quickly handing it to Taehyung who grips it shakily. "You're okay, Taehyung-ah." Yoongi starts rubbing up and down his back, sympathising when he feels his muscles clench and a dry gag escapes. Taehyung feels like he's on a merry-go-round, he's not enjoying it. Before he was cold and lonely, now he's covered in sweat, about to heave up his dinner. What a night.

He looks up from the bag, noticing Seokjin returning and all his brother's concerned faces. It makes him think back to his fever dream and a tear slips before a nasty heave takes over. It leads to a string of drool and acidic taste in his throat. Jimin uses his small hand to wipe away the tears, moving to sit next to Taehyung. "Let it up, Tae." Yoongi slips into daegu satoori, hoping to comfort the younger some.

Taehyung sucks in a deep, shaky breath before bringing up a mouthful of sick. It gets the momentum going and before he can relax, another bout exits him. "We're right beside you, Taetae. You're doing great." Hoseok comforts, looking away from the puke bag but also trying to support his dongsaeng.

Taehyung retches, spine curling over as he vomits. He feels so hot and sticky, tshirt plastered to his back. Seokjin uses a damp cloth to wipe Taehyung's forehead, holding it on as he coughs into the bag. "Namjoon-ah, can you get the thermometer please?" Seokjin asks, tone filled with concern.

"Sure, hyung." Namjoon responds quickly. "Ughh—my tummy doesn't feel good.." Taehyung whimpers, fingers still clutching the bag. Jungkook watches with sympathy. "Poor baby, Taehyungie. You'll feel better soon." Jimin rubs the 95's knee, Yoongi tracing along his back.

Taehyung doesn't feel like he'll ever get better. He would make another statement that he's dying, but a painfully dry heave cuts him off. It highlights just how empty Taehyung now is. But his stomach sets him off anyways, into endless (about 3) empty gags. "Tae-yah it sounds like you're finished. Wanna try relax a little?" Yoongi points out, slowly easing the younger's grip on the bag.

"Yoongi's right, Taehyungie. I'm sure Jungkook's happy to give you some company on the couch?" Seokjin smiles, and Taehyung swallows down a retch before weakly nodding. Yoongi manages to take the bag, making note to keep it away from Hoseok's general direction before disposing of it.

Seokjin and Jimin wipe down Taehyung's face, just as Namjoon comes back with the thermometer, holding it out. "Ah, thanks Joonie." Seokjin says, grabbing the device and hovering it over the second youngest's forehead. It beeps and reads, "39.1° (102.4°)" Seokjin says out loud, "shit. Taehyungie, you're really warm, how about we take your shirt off?" The eldest adds.

Taehyung nods, face blank and zoned out. "Arms up," Jimin helps take off the top, leaving Taehyung exposed on the couch. "Can I lay down with Jungkookie?" Taehyung looks up at Jin, then glances at the youngest. "Of course, Kookie? Is that okay?" Seokjin turns to Jungkook, who responds with a reassuring nod. Jungkook motions for Taehyung to come closer. With Hoseok's and Jimin's aid, Taehyung gets nestled on Jungkook's chest, both of them long ways on the couch. Jungkook has an arm tucked around Taehyung securely, while he listens to the soothing rhythm of Jungkook's heartbeat.

"Promise not to be sick on me?" Jungkook jokes, retracting the statement when Taehyung frowns sadly. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well, hyungie. You can throw up on me, that's fine." Jungkook kisses Taehyung's temple, ruffling his hair at the same time. At least that gets Taehyung to whimper-laugh, his body still isn't happy with him.

Before Taehyung lets himself drift off, he opens his eyes and scans the room. He sees five pairs of eyes staring back lovingly, the elder members smiling at the fondness between the two youngests. "Don't worry, Taehyung-ah. We'll be right here when you wake up." Yoongi hums, beginning to settle on one of their armchairs, letting out a huff when Jimin sits on his lap, but not making him move either. Fully reclining the other couch, Hoseok is comfortably squished between the leader and Seokjin.

"Okay, I love you, hyungs." Taehyung murmurs softly. He surrendered to the warmth of Jungkook's embrace, the presence of his brothers soothing him to not worry about any more dreams.

Hours passed and they slept semi-comfortably. Seven people in one living room was a lot. Slowly, Taehyung stirred awake, greeted by the gentle caress of Jungkook's hand on his head. Blinking away the sleep, he found himself still tucked up to Jungkook. "Hey there, sleeping beauty." Jungkook whispered.

Taehyung grinned weakly, "did I throw up on you?" He asked, voice raspy but amused. "Not this time, hyung." Jungkook chuckled. The lounge room was bathed in a morning glow, Taehyung noticed his other hyungs, still there and their expressions more relaxed. The worry he felt during his fever-induced dream was replaced by comfort, yes he was still uneasy but he now had some support.

Getting to your daddies office was normally quick, easy, and not overwhelming. Today was the opposite. You had opted out of taking a taxi, thinking you would enjoy the walk. You did not. Walking along city streets was torture for your autistic traits. The cars whizzing by felt like a drill being jammed into your ears, the heat of the sun bouncing off the concrete stung your skin, and the scratchy feeling of your new sweater was sandpaper being used like a pumice stone on the calloused foot that was now your back. 

Your meltdowns weren't as common anymore, now that you had boyfriends that took care of your sensory issues more than even you did, but they were never any less extreme. They always felt like an all consuming agony that ate away at you until the stimuli was completely gone. 

Now, Jimin was coaxing your hands away from your ears to slip on your headphones and planting firm kisses across your cheeks. The firmness of his touch in moments like these was grounding, reminding you of the stimuli that was present and safe. You nodded when he asked if that was better, closing your eyes as he removed the last of the torturous wool touch. 

“There you go, pumpkin.” He muttered, balling up the sweater and throwing it into the corner of his office. He made a mental reminder to check the tag. He’d need to add it to the running list of your texture aversions filling a certain file on his desktop. Your breathing steadied as he slipped one of his gym shirts over your form, fingers dancing happily across the satisfying fabric. God, he loved you in his clothes. He’s loved it since the first time he saw you curled up in his hoodie after a long date together, but it meant even more after you shared your diagnosis with him and his brothers. 

Even though it was coincidence, the fact that none of his clothes textures seemed to bother you made him cocky. It was as if that small alignment meant you were made for each other, or at least he was made to take care of you. Which he would happily do until his last day. He sat down next to you, his eyes still glued to your satisfied expression. 

“Thank you, daddy.” 

His train of thought left him abandoned at the station as he looked over to you. Your eyes were fluttering across his features, with a calm smile spread across your face. Your eyes were no longer red, and the puffiness was decreasing quickly as you finally settled comfortably into the couch. Your hands made small adjustments, twitching and twirling in your lap. It was a calm stim he had come to recognize in the beginning of your relationship. 

He smiled down at you. “Of course, pumpkin.” 

You faced front again and continued your stims. Jimin watched, his chin in the palm of his hand and his lips quirked in a smile as he zoned out to the methodical twitch of your fingers. Your voice brought him back to attention. 

“Can I tell you about the stegosaurus?” 

He laughed, leaning his head back. You were perfect. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jungkook's been fighting a cold for three days. It’s a brutal battle; there are empty blister packs and crumpled up tissues strewn about as evidence that Jungkook’s holding his own. But when he wakes on day four, it seems the cold is coming out on top. The combined efforts of cold medicine and nasal spray prove useless. He can't breathe at all though his nose, and he's hacking merciless coughs that tear through his chest. In these minutes of misery, he believes being mauled by a bear would hurt less. 

He stands in the bathroom white knuckling the edge of the sink. After a round of wet coughs, he spits the phlegmy remains down the drain and sniffles harshly. But nothing moves in his sinuses. It's an impenetrable wall of snot. He tries forcing air in, he tries forcing air out. It's all ineffective. He whimpers pitifully, splashing warm water over his face hoping that might help. Still, nothing changes. He momentarily contemplates using that neti pot that Namjoon swears by. 

The six members can hear Jungkook hitching and sniffling heavily from the bathroom. But they give him space. Jungkook was adamant from day one that "it's not a big deal" and “It’s just a small cold” and the ever so mature "I can take care of myself." So they wait. They agreed to let Jungkook come to them, when he needs it. They try not to coddle him too much, unless that's what he wants. So they are seated around the table, breakfast served, listening to Jungkook lose another battle with his nose. 

It goes on for a while and Jungkook's not coming down to eat. Seokjin cracks and stands from the table. Hoseok immediately interjects, "He said he doesn't want any help." 

"And I'm not going to help him," the elder answers nonchalantly, "I'm just feeling a little warm." He casually goes over to the home thermostat and lowers the temperature a few degrees. There’s a mischievous look in his eyes as he presses the down arrow repeatedly. The other members seem to understand what their hyung is up to. They nod collectively around the table, Seokjin retaking his seat. They don't need to speak about it, everyone already knows there’s a plan. 

There's another round of painful sounding coughs followed by throat clearing and spitting. Then they finally hear footsteps walking toward the staircase. Seconds later, Jungkook joins them at the table. His food has already gone cold. 

"Bornin, hyunds" Jungkook greets, pushing the plate aside and resting his head on the table. Maybe if he hits his head hard enough against the table, the snot clogging his sinuses will finally shift. It's a fleeting thought, and he ultimately decides not to act on it. Instead, he just sniffles thickly again. 

"Still got that cold, JK?" Jimin asks, hoping maybe Jungkook would admit that he's feeling bad. They don't have anything to do today, so what's the harm in seeking a little attention? 

"Yeah," he sniffles thickly as if to prove his point. "I dink id's gettig wordse. Id anyone else cold?" His teeth are chattering as he wraps his arms around his upper body. 

Sure, they know Seokjin lowered the temperature a few degrees in the dorms. But Jungkook makes it seem like he's sitting in a winter storm without a coat. There's several replies around the table that all convince Jungkook he's alone in feeling cold. He kind of suspected that was the case. 

Hoseok leans over uninvited and presses a hand to the maknae's forehead. Surprisingly Jungkook doesn't pull away; instead, he leans further into Hoseok's touch basking in the memory of what warmth feels like. 

"Aigoo, you feel a bit warm, bun." The dancer announces to the table. Jungkook groans in response to the news. Instead of pulling his hand away, Hoseok uses it to stroke gently down Jungkook's cheek as a comforting gesture. 

Jungkook melts at the touch. It's just the simple comfort he's been denying himself for the past three days. The same comfort he's been craving, but has been too ashamed to ask for. But now he's feverish and stuffy and miserable. And he just wants to be cuddled. 

"Hyunds," the maknae's eyes begin to water as he looks at them. He can sense their pity. He knows they won't be mad. "I deally don'd beel good." 

Jimin stands from his seat and wraps his arms around the sick maknae, pressing a long kiss to the crown of his head. No one else moves, they don't want to smother him. Besides, Jimin is the best when it comes to physical comfort. "That's okay, Jungkookie. Hyungs are here to take care of you." He reassures, wiping fallen tears off his fellow vocalist's flushed cheeks. 

Despite Jimin’s soft tones and gentle touches, Jungkook breaks down into hysterical sobs. He knows he’s been a jerk to his hyung for days and they didn’t say anything to him about it. He feels bad, physically and emotionally. And he can’t help but think that maybe if he would have let his hyungs help days ago, he wouldn’t be feeling so badly now. “Hyunds, I’b dorry. I’b do dorry.” He repeats through broken, hiccuping sobs. 

Jimin repositions so he’s sitting on Jungkook’s lap. He pulls the maknae in and buries his face into his own shoulder, petting his damp hair slightly. He doesn’t care about the mess it will make. He just wants for Jungkook to calm down. It hurts his heart to hear Jungkook wail like this. Jimin’s whispering sweet nothing and reassurances into Jungkook’s ears so quietly not even Hoseok, who is seated beside them, can hear. 

As Jungkook starts to finally calm down, Jimin makes subtle gestures to the other members. He’s got Jungkook for now. But they’re going to need a team effort if they want Jungkook to be effectively taken care of. So the table disperses to various areas of the house. Jungkook doesn’t even hear them leave. 

When he looks up, Jimin’s holding a napkin toward him encouraging him to blow his nose. Jimin doesn’t let go of the napkin, and when Jungkook turns away Jimin’s hand follows. Eventually, Jimin just cups the napkin around Jungkook’s nose and squeezes. The napkin fills, now sticky and wet against Jimin’s fingertips. But there’s room for more. And from the sound of Jungkook’s sniffling, there’s definitely more. “Good, now blow for real this time,” Jimin commands in a low assertive voice. It’s eerily close to Yoongi’s tone. Jungkook doesn’t mess around when Jimin deepens his voice. He knows it means he’s serious. Jungkook blows hard, relieved that crying had loosened his sinuses. He files it away as a quick fix should he feel stuffed up again. 

Jimin pulls the napkin away, wiping at any left over on or around Jungkook’s nose. He puts the napkin on Jungkook’s untouched plate of food and goes back to coddling. Jungkook’s on Jimin’s shoulder again, the one that’s not soiled with tears and snot, and Jimin’s rocking them from side to side. It’s a peaceful few minutes of comfort. Then Jungkook’s breath hitches and he scrunches up his nose. “Hhe- EHet-” He anticipates a sneeze and points his face away from Jimin. But he loses it as soon as it snuck up on him. “Ghuh” He sniffles and shakes his head, trying to will the sneeze back. The need is still there. Less urgent, but it will happen sooner or later. He prefers sooner. 

Jimin chuckles at the disappointed and determined look on Jungkook’s face. He knows how annoying it can be to feel a sneeze that’s not ready to come out yet. “Ah, Kook-ah, let hyung help you.” Jimin pulls Jungkook’s face back, brushing longer strands of hair against the edged of Jungkook’s nostrils. The thin strands tickle at Jungkook’s nose. And the residual chemical smell of hair dye from Jimin’s new color is strong enough for Jungkook to sense. The combination does wonders for Jungkook’s stuck sneeze. 

It’s a matter of seconds before Jungkook’s hitching and pitching with a flurry of sneezes. “Eh-NgtCHI, Heh-PFTIchu, HEI-gnxtch” He tried to turn away, but Jimin kept him tucked in. The sneezes sprayed against Jimin’s neck, some of the dampness getting in the short vocalist's hair. But Jimin doesn’t flinch or cringe. He doesn’t pull away. 

Jimin waits patiently for the fit to end and then looks at Jungkook’s face. His eyes are red rimmed, nose dripping with fresh snot that he tries to sniffle back. There’s a small pout on his lips. And the maknae’s breathing is labored, like the force of the sneezing took his breath away. He smooths over Jungkook’s hair. “Feel better?” he asks softly, reaching around the table for an unused napkin. He wishes they were closer to a box of tissues. 

“A biddle,” Jungkook replies, already wiping the drippage on the back of his sleeve in the interest of time. “I wadda sleeb,” he admits.

Jimin chuckles. “Okay, baby. The couch should be all set up for you now.” He leaps off Jimin’s lap and offers the maknae a hand. Jungkook accepts the hand and allows Jimin to guide him to the living room. Like Jimin alluded to, his personal bedding is set up on the couch. It’s clear now Jimin’s affections were meant to bide time. 

Jungkook makes himself comfortable on the pillow that’s leaned up against Hoseok’s lap. He knows Hoseok is a bit of a germaphobe, but he can’t resist getting as close to the dancer as possible. He assumes it’s okay when Hoseok coos and starts rubbing Jungkook’s arms over the blanket. 

Before he gets too comfortable, Seokjin and Yoongi emerge from the kitchen. Seokjin’s holding a steaming bowl and Yoongi’s got a small pharmacy in his arms. “You’ve gotta eat something before sleeping, JK.” Seokjin advises, “And take some medicine.” 

“Bill you feed be?” Jungkook asks in a small voice as he sits himself up. He continues to lean against Hoseok. Seokjin isn’t going to say no to such a precious request. He sits on the floor in front of Jungkook and spoon feeds him. Jungkook eats half the bowl before he says he’s full. Jungkook’s not usually the type to get full, especially on less than one serving; but Seokjin doesn’t argue it. When Seokjin steps away, Yoongi approaches with blister packs of cold medicine. 

“Do you want daytime or nighttime?” Yoongi asks before he opens anything. 

“Night,” Jungkook pleads. He just wants to be asleep. Yoongi pops the pills and hands them to Jungkook. While the maknae works to dry swallow those, he’s pouring a dose of cough medicine which Jungkook takes with only a few complaints. “Cab I dleeb now?” He’s still making a sour face from the taste of cough syrup. Yoongi smooths a fever patch into his forehead. 

Yoongi nods and settles nearby. One by one all the members come to rest around the couch. There’s a movie playing in the background but no one can give it much attention. With Jungkook’s constant thick sniffling and wet coughing, everyone’s attention is on the sick maknae. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to try the neti pot?” Namjoon offers, as is standard everytime one of the members has a cold. The answer is always a resounding no, but he’ll make the suggestion until the day he dies. In line with the tradition, Jungkook cringes at the mention. He’s terrified that he’d drown or his brain would fill with water. It’s not logical, but neither is pouring water up your nose. 

“What if we make you sneeze?” Taehyung suggests mischievously. There’s a silence among the members. Taehyung feels judged for even suggesting it, so he elaborates, “If you sneeze, you might clear up your sinuses. And finally be able to sleep.” 

Jungkook’s entranced by the idea of sleep. He’s beyond drowsy and sapped of energy since he took the night med. He’d be asleep if it weren’t for the heaviness in his chest and head. His only reservation is that he doesn’t think he has the stamina to sneeze. Each one rips out of him with such force. He doesn’t have the energy for that. But he’s willing to try. “Led’s try id.” He admits. 

Taehyung’s up and out of the room at light speed. He doesn’t tell anyone what he’s planning. The other members look around and try to come up with ways to make Jungkook sneeze. Jimin stays silent. He’d already been sneezed on today, he feels it’s someone else’s turn. Seokjin makes the first move. He blows in Jungkook’s face, a slow stream of air directed toward the top of Jungkook’s nose. It makes the maknae’s nose twitch. He hitches once. But nothing productive. 

Namjoon instructs Jungkook to look at the light, hoping that might trigger something. But the cool lighting of the dorm isn’t bright enough to trigger a reaction. Still his nose itches and he scrubs at it. Hoseok grabs a candle sitting on the side table. But when he looks at it, he notices it’s unscented. Of course all the candles are unscented. Scented candles make Jungkook sneeze. So they don’t keep them in the dorm. Yoongi shrugs and jams a finger under Jungkook’s nose.  

“Hyung, that’s how you stop a sneeze,” Jimin remarks with a chuckle. 

Yoongi stutters embarrassed, “Ya, maybe it works both ways. You never know.” Jimin raises his hands in surrender. Yoongi’s finger doesn’t have any effect on Jungkook’s stuck sneezes. He hitches again gasping for air, desperate to relieve the tickle in his nose. 

Taehyung runs back into the room with a shaggy throw pillow in hand. He shoves the pillow against Jungkook’s face. The surrounding members can clearly smell the strong cologne that Taehyung wears to award ceremonies. It smells as though he dipped the whole pillow into the bottle. 

Jungkook inhales a heavy dose of the cologne and is immediately thrown into a sneezing fit. “hep’tehCHU, hmf’NXTchi, he-eh'HXTt, HA’tichu, hpti’atCHI, HXTngt, Hi’TISHuu” He sneezes relentlessly into what he knows if Taehyung’s favorite snuggle pillow. Each sneeze is louder and messier than the next. They are hard on his throat and they hurt in his nose, but it’s working. He can feel mucus shift with each sneeze. He can tell just from the stickiness alone that the pillow is now covered in his snot. 

He wants to pull it away. The heavy scent of the cologne is still attacking his nose. But he doesn’t want the others to see the mess he’s made. After 13 harsh sneezes, Namjoon rips the pillow away and tosses it onto the reclining chair in the corner. “Alright, Jungkook. I think that’s enough.” He tries to keep it lighthearted, but he’s seriously concerned about Jungkook’s vocal cords after all the sneezing. 

Jungkook’s left with nothing to hide his messy face. There’s snot glistening his skin all the way down to his chin. He hastily rubs the sleeves of his sweater against his face to clean himself. He’s tearing up at the same time, embarrassed. Seokjin’s got a box of tissues in his hands. He grabs three and approaches the maknae. 

“Jungkook-ah. Don’t use your sweater. That’s not clean.” His voice is calm and sweet. “Here, hyung has tissues for you.” 

Jungkook grabs them hastily and finishes cleaning up. He throws the balled up tissues on the same chair as the pillow. He figures they should keep all of his mess together. “More, please.” Jungkook asks, his voice a lot clearer than it has been all day. Seokjin just passes the whole box. 

Jungkook blows his nose loudly three more times before he finally feels empty. Or emptier, at least. He’s now able to breathe better through one nostril and his head feels less heavy. And as expected, the sneezing fit wore him to bits. He finally feels like he can sleep. He nestles back in against Hoseok who accepts him with open arms. 

Taehyung smiles, reclaiming his previous seat. “Sleep well, Jungkookie.” He rubs the maknae’s calf. 

Still no one can focus on the movie over the sounds of Jungkook’s congested snores.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cards laid in front of Taehyung blurred, his voice drawling off as his vision mimicked a camera losing focus and all the golds and glitters in the room blended into the same mesh, “The cards show…”

“They show…” Taehyung shut his eyes to stop the wince forming in his throat along with pinching his brows together for a second hoping to ease the pulse winding up behind them to get through this last reading over. The couple on the opposite end of the table held each other tightly with faces caved with uneasy desperation yet also anticipation and Taehyung could feel an edge of guilt make way between the pain working through his skull. Normally, the fate reader would turn every reading into an experience of wonder. Usually talking with a slower, even deeper voice and twisting his sentences into riddles or poetry to bring the most enchanting experience to his clients, but today he couldn’t even finish a sentence with cards that he already knew what was on them. 

The fate reader wasn’t sure why his little store had been so busy today. While preparing to lock up the familiar pressure and wooziness of over using his abilities had started to make their way now in his temple, telling that if he was to even think about working any more his body would be doing the complete opposite of rewarding him and sealed the warning with a couple of droplets of blood dripping from his nose. Right as he flicked them away, he looked out the window to see two figures  frantically making their way towards the entrance with a powerful enough sense of urgency that Taehyung could feel it himself.

It was a young couple. Begging the fate reader for a reading as they had driven two days after hearing about his perfect accuracy and them needing to know if there is a child in their future. While Taehyung found it hard to listen to them through the small waves of light headedness that were crashing over him the sympathetic side of him began to cloud over the voice telling him he was already having symptoms of overworking him self to step back, but he was taking the woman’s hand to sit down.

“The empress,” A spark of his energy finally returned. “Congratulations, strong fertility is in your future.” 

The couple's face stayed blank for a second before breaking into a shared squeal, leaping for each other. The scene did light something warm in Taehyung’s heart, but the noises also felt like a bullet to the brain if Tae was allowed to indulge in the dramatic tone in the room.

“God thank you, thank you so much.” The man turned to face him and the smile on his face was enough for Taehyung to feel the strain building behind his eyes was worth working past him limits. “While I guess we should try to quickly make it home then, thank you so much again.”

Slumping back into his chair, the fate reader was just greatfull he didn’t have to finish the rest of the reading and come up with an explanation for the rest of the cards sitting on the table. Maybe if had been a different day Tae would have willed the couple to stay, tell them that the cards were rigged and mostly for display (as well as if a bad reading was to happen all the blame fell on the cards or what ever the client wanted him to use in his readings) and the real fortune-telling came from the man himself when he touched the women’s hand when he led her to sit and actually saw a little baby bundle up in the man’s arms while a clear second one was on the way (It would have a priceless moment to see what could have been even more sparkles and joy in their eyes at what he actually saw.) Really he just put the cards with the empress first and hoped when they found out the card was associated with maternal influence that would be enough for them to leave because the idea of slamming his head onto the table to pass out for the rest of the week was getting too tempting. 

Looking into someone’s future for something specific always took way much 

energy than just getting a quick glance into their fortune.

And then it hit Taehyung that he still needed to finish locking up. Taehyung whined to himself, this will take a while. 

(I Did not mean for the intro to be this long, sorry) 

~

“Taetae you’re home!” Jimin was the first to notice Taehyung step into the living room entrance, being greeted by Jimin, Jungkook, Hoseok, a blasting tv and lights on everywhere in the house (pretty much a garage hide out)like it  had known of Taehyung’s carelessness for his limits and also wanted to join in the tournament plaguing his forehead. 

“Tae, it took you longer than usual to get home, is everything okay dear?” He didn’t even notice Hoseok had gotten up or that he was holding his face till the strategist spoke. 

His normal twenty-minute walk home had become a good forty minutes after having to stop every couple of minutes at different bus stops to sit because he felt if he continued on the word would slip away from underneath his feet, not including the five minutes it took for him to finally make up the courage to endure opening the garage door up plus adding another five minutes of him squatting on the floor and holding his head to stop himself from passing out from the throbbing induced from the noises of the door opening. 

Tae tried to gently shake his hands off, “Wanted to go past the river, m’m ok just tired.” He tried to turn away, feeling something start to drip down his nose again, but Hoseok still cupped his cheeks to inspect him.  

“Hey wait, you have a bit of…. oh.” the pad of the strategist’s thumb lightly grazed above Taehyung’s lip, while his expression faltered into serious yet concerned demeanour. Hoseok then brought his hand up to Tae’s temple for him to lean into. “You overused again.” Taehyung made a small whineand nodded to fall deeper into the older's palm with a sigh and closed eyes. He heard a gasp from Jimin and cracked one eye open enough to see Jimin ogle for the remote to turn the tv off while Jungkook swiftly got up to dim the lights.

Hoseok moved his hand away (much to Taehyung’s dismay) muttering a “Oh Taehyungie what are we going to do with you?” and wrapped it around the fate reader's waist to rest it on his stomach, taking Taehyung’s hand with his other one mouthing “Do you want to go to the couch?” stroking his thumb against Tae’s knuckles, who nodded back listlessly. 

“Mmm sorry, it was a young couple ann’d they drove two days to-see me.” Taehyung paused, the small journey was enough to make the room start feeling a little lopsided again. “They really wanted to know if there is children in their future.” 

Hoseok made a sympathetic hum and rubbed at Taehyung’s shoulder, helping him make his way to the last couple steps before the sofa, “Your hearts too big for your good.” Hoseok spoke softly, “Are you nauseous at all, still dizzy?” He whispered, with the news of him having a headache he could expect everyone to be speaking in hushed tones for the time being. 

“Still a little dizzy, I just want the world to stop for a moment.” Tae sat down, bringing his head to rest in his hands, and Jimin wrapped his arm loosely around Taehyung’s upper torso. 

“Do you perhaps want a bath Taehyungie, you know, to wash the dirt and fates of the day away?”  

Taehyung just nodded and felt Jimin’s hold slowly leave him, “Kook come help me.” Jimin whispered and the weight next to him disappeared, but he felt a hand softly pat his hair before the two completely left, “I wish there was more we could do to help you Hyungie.” 

It was true, there wasn’t much that could be down from a headache induced by over using his abilities. Namjoon had once spent hours slaved away try to come up with a remedy for both when Seokjin would get tension headaches after spending hours looking at his computer since no medication was working enough and to aid Taehyung’s overuse ‘migraines’ as no medication could do anything for him. Thankfully the treatment works wonders for Seokjin and even helps the others through their head pains, but to this day still remained as just a funny tasting liquid for Taehyung.

“My poor Taetae.” The weight in the cough was back, but now with Hobi next to him. Taehyung leaned over and rubbed his face into Hosoek’s upper arm like he could physically rub away the awareness of the fibres of his skin (and the room still felt way too bright.) 

“It’ll pass eventually, Hyung thinks you're so strong for going through this for the couple.” His hand was back on Tae’s shoulder, and Taehyung could only sigh in acknowledgement. “Hey don’t fall asleep yet.” To that the fate reader made another tiny whine and settled into the silence,  occasionally being broken by Taehyung shifting positions, Hoseok cooing at him and a “Tae, the bath is ready.”

The first thing the fate reader noticed about the bathroom was how steamy it had become and the natural light that would normally seep through the window above the bath had been sealed behind one of Taehyung’s canvases with it being just the right fit to leave a tiny bit of light to leak over the top of it to have enough lighting to still see through the room. 

The thought the two put in was honestly enough for Taehyung to want to cry and if it had been in a different circumstance Jimin and Jungkook would probably be making a show of their efforts with ‘Tadas,’ and Jazz hands, though a new surge of wooziness was enough for Taehyung to slightly sway and Jungkook had to grab his arm and slowly lead him over to the closed toilet lid to strip down to his boxers. 

The second Taehyung‘s skin touched the water he let out a shaky breath, a hint of tension left around his neck as he melted into the water, eagerly however still slowly leaning his head against the makeshift towel pillow. “Wait, don’t go too far in yet, Hyung.” Jungkook was grabbing an equally steamy flannel from the sink and kneeled down in front of the bath. He cupped Tae’s cheek and with the faintest movement tilted Taehyung’s face ever so slightly towards him and started to gently wipe at the glitters Tae used to cover the scratch running down his eye, continuing onto lightly scrub at the rest of his daily make up finishing by laying the mildly warm flannel onto Taehyung’s eyes. 

Jimin was next to act, sitting on the tiles that connected the bathtub to the wall, with the shower head on a low but pleasant temperature setting. Jimin began at the base of Taehyung’s forehead, massaging it with one hand then carding his fingers through’s Tae’s curls like they made of the most delicate strands of glass and let the water breeze through them before restarting the massage, occasionally muttering something along the lines of “You’re too kind to do that for the couple, let’s stop getting into this position yeah?” or simply humming a simple breathy tune, Jungkook kept leaning over to urge Taehyung to take a sip of a water bottle or to suck on ice chips the two had also brought up for him. Taehyung felt like he could drift off to the sweetness of it all, but as the water grew colder in the pits of his stomach he could start to feel the rise of the little breakfast he had that morning gradually turn into a churning sensation as well as his throat going a tiny bit warm. “Out now?” Tae could guess Jungkook must have taken notice of the small discomfort in Taehyung position from his sudden twisting to ease the fullness starting to present itself in his tummy. 

Taehyung breathed loudly in confirmation, not ready to jolt his stomach just yet, but Jimin’s hands were already finding their way around Taehyung’s torso, joined by Jungkook’s. “On three okay?” Taehyung nodded and put one arm around his stomach and the other into the side of the bath and pushed him up once Jimin whispered ‘3,’ not to his surprise his head buzzed along with the change in height.

Taehyung grimaced as the flannel fell off his eyes, letting the light still occupying the bathroom shock his eyes enough for him to just stagger a little bit and a hand caught him, stroking his back lovingly. “You did good, kookie brought some of his clothes for you to wear.” He must have zoned out so hard during the duration of the bath, he didn’t even notice the youngest leave. They sat him again onto the closed toilet lid. Jimin taking it upon himself to dry the fate reader while Jungkook put his folded clothes onto Taehyung’s lap, “the loosest I have and no scents.” 

‘They are so precious,’ a small smile formed on Taehyung’s lips. 

It felt hopeless for Taehyung to need Jimin and Jungkook to help him make his way to his bedroom, yet the pair still rubbed his head and patted his back through the hallway with no annoyance on their faces, rather concern, telling him with affection in their voices to sit and not lay down when he wanted to finally crash seeing his bed. 

“First this, then off to bed.” Hobi walked through holding a cup of fresh tea still steaming. Hoseok sweetly curled his lips in sympathy when Taehyung turned his head away from the feeling of his tummy becoming even more turby at the thought of adding anything to it’s already sloshing mixture. 

“Mm, nauseous.” The pain still painfully danced behind Taehyung’s eyes, he tried to suppress it by placing a palm to one of them, but it was no advil. Hoseok sat down next to him, sighing, “You didn’t eat much before you left for work, and you said it was a busy day, it’s better than throwing up bile later.” Taehyung hummed, still looking at the tea and imaging it not settling well at all in his stomach. “Plus, maybe it will actually calm down the nausea for once.“ They always made him drink tea as he had yet to not be left nauseated during an episode. 

Taehyung looked down at the tea, really not being able to stomach it, but if it would get him into his bed quicker with the other three to cuddle him, so be it. 

~

Everything was still blurry when he woke again, Taehyung’s eyes shut on instinct with a groan, feeling his head spin despite his eyes been closed again. The fate reader stopped squirming, feeling a hand brush through his hair, “are you up Tae-bear?” 

Seokjin. 

Taehyung felt his stomach flip, and he rolled over, smushing his face into presumably Seokjin’s thighs, the older’s hand still lacing through his hair. He could also hear the barely there sound of piano blend with a complementary rain noise. 

Yoongi. 

While Yoongi knew how to layer his music with frequencies and notes that could induce a number of symptoms into a person, he had yet to master music that could heal Taehyung’s aliments but it no stretch he knows how to sting along a peace that could at least ease Taehyung into a more comfortable feeling. It playing low enough that everyone in the room had to be quite enough to hear.

Opening one eye, he saw the brightness of Yoongi’s laptop lighting one corner of the room including his Hyung’s face and next to him was Namjoon who noticed the ill man’s glance and gave him a small smile. 

It had to be late now as the other three have a preference for working at night, the exchange must have taken place during Taehyung’s nap with enough care that the three men could untangle from Taehyung and swap with Seokjin to not wake him when they could have just left him for the night. 

He felt the need to whisper a small thank you and reached to hold any part of his Hyung he could, though the timing hit right as Taehyung’s stomach and head throbbed at the same time and his hand dipped to abdomen, it feeling sicker being able to feel his heartbeat under his palm. 

“Tae, how is it feeling?” Namjoon got up. Taehyung could only whimper in repose and squeeze the bedding while the room suddenly started to grow hotter and murky.

No, maybe it was just his throat heating, it gaining a taste of his breakfast at the back of it and his stomach was pacing up its thrashing of it’s contents, even tightening around his muscles. Taehyung pushed himself up into a sitting position, wavering when his forehead gained the same tightness.

Taehyung’s heart in his stomach suddenly leaned into his throat and he groaned, dropping his head to sallow down the feeling of wanting to puff his cheeks out from the taste of saliva filling his mouth. 

“Tae do you think you need…” Taehyung cut Seokjin off by shaking his head not meaning to and wanted to cry from the pulse it shot through his forehead, he just wanted to savour the moment before losing it all but his stomach clenched unsympathetically, and he had to wrap one arm around his stomach and placed the other hand into to his mouth wanting to catch the heave that came from him.

“Oh shit where’s the bin, oh shit sorry Tae.” Namjoon spoke loudly before dropping his voice to whisper, but the damage to Taehyung’s temple had been done, wincing from the exposure of his loud voice that he could compare to an explosion in his skull. He heaved as a reflex, only a tiny bit of drool pooled his mouth, but it was enough to trigger the next wet cough. 

“Okay, you’re okay.” The bin was finally pushed in front of Taehyung in time for the sound of vomit to gurgle up his throat and push him to gag a spray of liquid into it. He hated that the cramps forcing the vomit out of him were comparable to the pressure hitting behind his eye and god there was a second round that cut his breathing break off. 

Taehyung had to cling onto the bin if he didn’t want to fall in, and Seokjin reached for it and brought it closer to him. “Can you two go prepare a broth and flannel.” Jin’s free arm snaked around Taehyung’s stomach to keep him place as the next heave doubled him over in a choke. 

Taehyung made a pained noise when the next gag pulled the last of what ever his stomach could find into the bin, leaving him a now empty yet cramping tummy that Jin’s hand shifted slightly to trace circles over. “Done Taehyungie?” He spat the remaining saliva into the bin and nodded and leaned back, the world was starting to go black around his vision. 

“This one has got you bad.” Seokjin grabbed a glass for Taehyung off the counter, then laid him back down onto the bed once he finished taking a small sip. Jin shifted so his palm was still circling his stomach and the other under the younger head. “It’s so bad.” Taehyung squeezed his eyes for what must have been the hundredth time today, wetness making it down his cheeks. “Maybe it will just be a day long one.” Taehyung scoffed through his tears, “I Haven’t had one take only a day since I was a child.“ 

Fingers come to under his eyes, wiping gracefully, “I’m so sorry we can’t do anything to take the pain away-“

Taehyung butted in,“You being here is enough.” He thought back to how all of them spent the day with him and the loving touches, words of encouragement and the consecrated thought behind the way they cared for him despite him bringing this upon him, sure it couldn’t ease the actual pain in his body, but his heartfelt full enough to settle the discomfort of his headache. 

“That’s a sweet thought.” Seokjin’s finger traced the scratch on Taehyung’s eye, “who ever removed the glitter did a shit job.” He brought his hand back and looked at it with a mocked face of disgust, flicking the speck off, and then smiling when a hint of a giggle came from Taehyung.  

“Broth should be done soon.” Yoongi stood at the door, Namjoon poking his head through as well. 

“Then why are you standing there, come here.” Seokjin moved closer to Taehyung, freeing up space for the others. “And leave it to burn?” Yoongi mumbled back but still came to the bed, “You can sleep with us for a couple of minutes.” Yoongi huffed but still moved next to Seokjin and reached over his hand held onto Taehyung’s arm. 

“Here Tae.” Namjoon motioned for Taehyung to lift his head up and placed a wet cloth where the base of his head would be when he returned to a full laying position and draped the other across Taehyung’s eyes, this time the flannel was cold enough for Taehyung to moan as the hot stickiness of the vomiting spell had yet to part with him. The scientist also crawled into the bed, sure the bed was cramped, but Taehyung couldn't care less, it felt right to have them all with him, it felt too perfect. 

“I love you all.” He whispered and smiled to himself, hearing them all say it back, even if his head still felt on fire he felt fatigue take over his main sense. 

It felt okay, it felt like destiny or even fate that he would end up in his Hyung’s embrace. 

And he was more than fine with that.