#exo sick

“Care to elaborate?” Seonghwa asked, openly grinning at Yunho’s frustrated little pout. 

“You KNOW what happens when San drinks, hyung!” Yunho whined, falling back against the booth. Seonghwa noted a flush on the dancer’s cheeks, speaking volumes about his own state of sobriety that made the motion all the more adorable. “He can’t handle it! And Mingi can’t either, and he’s gonna wanna cuddle tonight, and I wanna go to bed and I DON’T wanna cuddle, and-“ He was abruptly cut off by Seokmin shrieking at Jungkook and BamBam for ‘crashing the party they weren’t even invited to’ and BamBam shrieking something back before the whole trio melted into a jumping hug. 

“And what, Yuyu?”

“And… I don’t even know anymore.” Yunho’s cheeks puffed slightly as he picked at the label on Seonghwa’s bottle. “I’m just tired, hyung.” 

Seonghwa chuckled as his fingers carded through Yunho’s hair. While Yunho was usually the life of the party, after promotional weeks where the choreography was particularly strenuous, the exhaustion and overwhelm hit him harder, and he became overstimulated rather quickly. “Wanna go home, then?”

“No…” 

As Seonghwa’s mouth opened on a not-so-nice reply about Yunho acting like a child, a yelled, “Hey, Seonghwa-sshi!” caught both of their attention. And both sat up straighter seeing 

EXO’s Chanyeol approaching them.

“Chanyeol-hyung!” Seonghwa greeted, immediately noting the worried look on the rapper’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen Suho? He’s been missing for about half an hour.”

“And it’s not like a ‘he’s somewhere talking to someone’ missing.” D.O. appeared at Chanyeol’s side, having been a few steps behind him. “We genuinely have no idea where he is.”

“No, I haven’t seen him.” Seonghwa turned to Yunho who silently shook his head, understanding the unspoken question. “I assume you’ve tried calling him?”

“Yes, but we were hoping maybe you could try?” Chanyeol asked. “Cause you’re a junior idol, and he cares more about how he treats you.” D.O. snorted next to him and Chanyeol threw his arms out to his sides. “What? It’s true! We live with him, there’s nothing left to prove to us!”

Seonghwa pulled his phone from his pocket. “No, I get it. Role model pressure versus older brother responsibility. Give me a sec.” He scrolled through his contacts while the conversation continued between Chanyeol and D.O., Yunho offering his own two cents while the phone rang against Seonghwa’s ear. 

It rang twice before he heard a click and a whispered, “If my members are there, pretend you got voicemail.” 

Without hesitation, Seonghwa played along. “Hey, Suho-hyung, this is ATEEZ’s Seonghwa.” The performer made a point of sharing eye contact with Chanyeol and D.O. as he continued. “I guess, I mean you probably already know that cause of the caller ID, but…” He paused, mouthed what should I say?

In the pause, Suho said, “I’m downstairs. Second door on the left.” 

“Ask where the hell he is!” Chanyeol replied, the fire in his voice for his leader and not the messenger. 

“Chanyeol and D.O. hyungs are worried about where you are,” Seonghwa repeated. “So, if you get this message, call them please. Thank you!”

“Thank you,” Suho whispered back before Seonghwa hung up. 

“Sorry, hyungs.” Seonghwa shrugged, sliding his phone back into his pocket. 

“Hey, it’s not your fault. Thanks for trying,” D.O. said, shaking his head as he looked back out at the sea of people. “I just hope he’s okay.”

“Find us if you find him, yeah?” Chanyeol said, meeting both Seonghwa and Yunho’s eyes.

“Of course, hyung,” Seonghwa replied as Yunho gave a small salute. 

As the two older men walked away, Yunho narrowed his eyes at Seonghwa. “I heard that, you know.”

“You heard nothing.” Seonghwa waved a hand in front of Yunho’s eyes in a poor attempt at hypnosis. The dancer’s eyes remained narrowed, his lips turning into a sour, little pout. “Listen, Yuyu. Sometimes, as the oldest, you don’t…”

“You lied to them,” Yunho interrupted, his voice a dramatic whisper. 

“I lie to you all the time,” Seonghwa replied, matching Yunho’s quieter tone.

“That’s different. You lied to EXO-sunbaenim.”

“How is that different?”

“They’re our SENIORS!” Yunho exclaimed, still dramatically quiet. It suddenly hit Seonghwa how drunk the dancer truly was, and it almost made him want to laugh. 

“I lied to them FOR THEIR LEADER! The most sunbae of the sunbaes!” Seonghwa shot back, fighting a smile. “Now, as you know, I’m gonna go see Suho-hyung, and you are going to go find Hongjoong or Jongho and whine to them.”

“No. I’m coming with you.” 

Seonghwa stared hard at Yunho, silently warring with their eyes, before the elder man gave up. As cooperative as he usually was, Yunho could be damn stubborn, and a drunk Yunho was the damned stubbornest. So with a heavy sign, Seonghwa relented and motioned for Yunho to follow him. 

They meandered through the crowd as casually as possible and escaped into the mercifully quiet stairwell, Yunho not so sneakily watching for any EXO members tailing them. Satisfied that they’d gone undetected, the duo hurried down the steps to the lower level. The hallway they entered first had several doors on either side, each adorned with the tell tale stick figure signs that signaled ‘Restroom.’

“Second on the left,” Seonghwa muttered as they approached the correct door. he knocked, decisive but careful, not wanting to startle his friend. “Suho hyung? It’s Seonghwa.”

A muffled “You can come in” came from the other side of the door.

“I’m sorry, but I had to bring a velcro dongsaeng along,” Seonghwa explained through the door with a peek back at Yunho. “It’s Yunho.”

“That’s okay.”

Seonghwa pushed open the door. Suho was sitting against the wall on a small stool, one provided for children to be able to reach the sink. Sitting was also a relative term. The older man was more slumped against the wall, as if he were a rag doll thrown into a seated position. His face was pale, sweat beading at his hairline. Suho offered a lackluster wave. “Hey.”

“Hyung!” Seonghwa stepped forward, pulling Yunho with him until the door closed behind them. "Are you okay?”

With a terse shake of his head, Suho answered, “No.” 

“Did you throw up?” Yunho asked, incredibly earnest. 

“Yes.” Suho nodded

Yunho’s eyes widened. “Did Wooyoung make you take shots?” he asked, genuinely worried about the prospect. That got a single laugh and a momentary flash of a smile out of Suho. 

“Please forgive him, he’s drunk,” Seonghwa explained in a rush, feeling his own cheeks flushing from Yunho’s lack of boundaries. 

“No, no, he’s fine. And it was not Wooyoungie, Yunho-sshi. Not shots either. I…” He swallowed thickly. “I shouldn’t have been drinking at all. I took a Dayquil less than two hours ago, but it felt wrong not to have something in my hand, and…”

“Hyung, that’s dangerous!” Seonghwa exclaimed before he could stop himself. He fell to his knees in front of the older idol. “How are you feeling now?”

“Still dizzy, still nauseous, head pounding. Gets worse if I try to stand up.”

“Wait, what’s…?”

“Cold medicine and alcohol don’t mix well, Yu,” Seonghwa explained quickly to the younger man anxiously looming over his shoulder. “They’re both depressants, suppress your nervous system. Taking both risks overdose effects.”

“Hyung, how do you know that?” Yunho asked, astounded, while Suho gave a proud whistle. 

“I once watched Hongjoong try to put aluminum foil in the microwave,” Seonghwa answered. “I have to know a lot of random science shit, otherwise you’d all die of your own ignorance.”

“But how’d you know…?”

“Yeosang’s taken both before, and immediately freaked out and asked, so we Googled it. I also really wanted to slam a bottle of wine on that one trip with the volleyball, but Hongjoong got me really sick so I couldn’t.”

“Oh yeah! I forgot about that…” Yunho trailed off, lost in his memories.  

“So relatable.” Suho smiled to himself. “We actually had…” He paused, weighing whether or not to continue, and decided to go for it. “We had nights where Onew, Victoria, Irene, and I would each bring a bottle and just drink straight from the bottle. I’ll always remember that first time… The Suju members were fighting and trying to bring us into it. When Leeteuk started calling me, I watched Onew put the glasses in his hands back and just grab two bottles, handed me one…” His smile was far away. “Good times, man.” He raised his eyes to meet Seonghwa’s. “Guess things really don’t change that much, huh?” 

“Nope. There will always be someone to get on your nerves and make you want alcohol,” Seonghwa agreed. Suho grinned back at him. “But…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Suho cut him off, voice gentle as he squeezed the space between his eyes. “I know I messed up. I didn’t even feel that bad just the like…” His fingers danced in the air, trying to find the words. “That pre-sickness feeling?” Both Seonghwa and Yunho nodded in understanding. “I just wanted that to stop too fast, I wasn’t patient, I… I won’t make excuses, but I would like to ask your help getting back upstairs.” 

  “Of course!” Seonghwa pushed up to his feet and held out his hands. “We can go as slow as you need. Yunho, pick a side!” 

As Suho grasped Seonghwa’s hands, the younger man felt how badly he was shaking. With a steadying breath, closing his eyes, Suho shifted his weight forward and started to stand at a snail’s pace. Seonghwa watched as his expression pinched with pain the higher he got. “You good, hyung?” “Yeah, just…” Suho’s knees gave way, and he would have fallen right back down if Yunho hadn’t been right there, flanking his right side. The dancer caught him effortlessly, wrapping a hand beneath Suho’s shoulders. “Thanks, Yu.”

“Anytime,” Yunho said softly, biting his lip anxiously when the older man’s face stayed taut with pain. “Don’t throw up again, hyung.”

“Yes, that’s what we’re trying to avoid, Yu. That and passing out,” Seonghwa replied as he slid around to Suho’s left side, copying Yunho’s posture to help keep their senior upright. 

“This is humiliating…” Suho whispered, seemingly to himself. 

“Nothing humiliating about asking for help every once in a while,” Seonghwa replied. 

Suho cracked one eye open towards him. “And how often do you ask for help, huh?”

Seonghwa shrugged, a guilty blush blooming on his cheeks. “Got me there. But still, we’re happy we’re here to help you now.”

“Just tell us when you’re ready to walk, and we’re off!” Yunho exclaimed. 

It was incredibly slow going from the bathroom, down the hall, and up the stairs. The worst part was the dizziness. After the first three steps, Suho said as much: he knew he was at the point where he wasn’t going to be sick again, but he felt like he was having an out of body experience, hardly able to see straight or command his own limbs. Several times, Yunho asked about calling EMS. Suho and Seonghwa consistently shot him down; Suho knew his body wasn’t in that bad of a condition, and Seonghwa knew Suho didn’t want the extra attention. Thus, with determination and a whole lot of breaks, the trio finally crested the top of the stairs, finding the famous ’97 line in the middle of a rousing game of rock, paper, scissors that came to a dramatic halt at their appearance. They rolled into action immediately. 

“Thank you, Hwa,” Suho whispered amidst the chaos. “I just… couldn’t tell my members. They…”

“They worry too much.” Suho beamed up at him, nodding once, very slowly. “I get it, hyung. Thank you for asking for help. Text me tomorrow, yeah? We’re gonna wanna know you’re okay.” Yunho gave the older man an encouraging squeeze from the other side. 

“Deal. But after all your help, I owe you more than just a text.”

“Well that’s kinda mean.”

“Is it?” Jongin asked. And, as Baekhyun’s full time group mate, he was allowed. He was, after all, the most well acquainted with just how irritatingly whiny Baekhyun could be when he wanted. 

A lesson the other SuperM boys had gotten the chance to learn this week (minus Taemin, who, as Jongin’s best friend, had already had the pleasure.) Their eldest had been plagued with the most mild of cold symptoms since last Saturday, and had chosen to make it everyone’s problem. Extra sensitive about jokes, extra sensitive to room temperatures, extra sensitive to loud noises and certain foods… the sheer amount of whining would have had anyone questioning who the real youngest was in the group. And it was clear that his members had had it with Baekhyun’s neediness, leaving him alone for majority of their rest day. 

“It’s no meaner than us locking Haechan and Jisung in their room that one time they had the flu,” Taeyong remarked, to which Mark shrugged in acquiescence. 

“What?!” Jongin exclaimed, pausing the game to look around at the collected NCT members. “Okay, that’s so much worse.”

Taemin shrugged. “Nah. That was a normal day with Kibum and Minho…”

“Okay, but the SHINee dorm was a completely different, lawless realm of chaos,” Jongin replied. Taemin nodded. “It’s shocking that the NCT dorm…”

“Wasn’t even more lawless and chaotic given that there are fifty of us?” Taeyong shot back with a knowing smirk. “It’s a great day if we can make it without something breaking.”

“Or someone breaking,” Lucas said. 

“Or even just a moment of silence,” Ten added. 

That’s when it hit Jongin like a bolt of lightning. Spine straightening instantly, the dancer vaulted off the couch, staring ominously towards the hallway. 

“What is it?” Mark’s gaze followed Jongin’s. 

“Silence,” Jongin repeated, voice blank. “The whining stopped.”

The rest of the group exchanged glances “Yeah? And?” Taeyong asked, skeptical. 

“The whining stopped!” Jongin repeated, moving quickly towards the hall, toe catching on the couch. He only stumbled slightly, laser focused on his mission. Jongin nearly wiped out again, his socked feet sliding on the tile floor as he skidded to a halt in front of Baekhyun’s room, where he threw open the door. The lump of vocalist hidden beneath a nest of blankets on the bed didn’t move. Not even when Jongin threw on the overhead lights. 

“Hyung?” Jongin rushed to the bed, roughly digging through the blankets until he uncovered a squinting, pouting Baekhyun. “Hyung?! What’s wrong?”

“Don’ feel so good,” Baekhyun slurred, twisting away from the light. The last word caught in his throat, and he bent in half with a wracking cough. Jongin’s heart dropped.

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” 

Jongin jumped at Taemin’s voice directly to his right. He hadn’t heard the other guys come in, but, looking around, he saw that Taeyong was right behind Taemin, and the other three were crowded in the doorway. 

Baekhyun shrugged at Taemin’s question. “Happened too fast…” He paused, pulling in a rattling breath. “…didn’t want to…” Another shaking inhale. “…be a bother.” Another hacking cough. Jongin lunged forward, angling himself behind Baekhyun and hosting him up so he had a better chance of not choking to death on what gunk had been building up in his chest.  

“He always does this,” Jongin muttered, slapping a hand against Baekhyun’s sweaty forehead. He sighed. “Someone call a manager. Please.”

“On it!” Ten ducked out of the room, already tapping away on his phone. 

“Always does this?” Taemin sat on the bed, near Baekhyun’s stomach, where he slowly began to pull the blanket nest apart, quilt by quilt. Baekhyun whined when his legs were finally exposed. “I know, hyung, I’m sorry. But it’s clear you have a fever, and too many blankets are dangerous for that.”

“What can we do?” Mark asked, taking a tentative step forward. His eyes were wide, his hands shaking slightly. Lucas looked equally lost as he followed one step after Mark. 

“Ummm.” Jongin met Taemin’s eyes, at a loss. His best friend shrugged. 

“Hey, how about we give hyungs some space?” Taeyong suggested, stepping forward and wrapping an arm around both Mark and Lucas. He nodded back to the trio on the bed as he shepherded them away. 

“God bless leader instincts,” Taemin murmured to Jongin’s enthusiastic nod as Ten’s head popped back in the doorway. 

“Manager’s on his way! Ten minutes out.” He shot a thumbs up at Jongin and Taemin before following after Taeyong, clearly clued in by the rapper of the need for space. 

“Always does this?” Taemin repeated, prompting an answer. 

Jongin sighed, readjusting his hold on the seemingly asleep Baekhyun so the vocalist’s head rested against his shoulder and Jongin had the freedom to use his hands. “Yeah. Hyung’s got a bad habit of making a big deal about nothing, but staying silent when he’s really in pain. He’ll complain for hours about a paper cut or a slight headache, but then says nothing when it’s a 40 degree fever, or at the start of a hypothyroid flair up.” Jongin rubbed at Baekhyun’s arm as a shiver coursed through the vocalist’s body. “Or, ya know, he’ll be a whiny shit about a cold, until it becomes pneumonia, and then he shuts us all out…”

“Hey.” Jongin didn’t even realize he was crying until Taemin’s hand cradled his cheek, thumb brushing away an escaped tear. “It’s not your fault…” “But I should KNOW this by now,” Jongin whimpered. “I should’ve noticed. Should’ve seen through the whining…”

“Nini, you did know!” Taemin insisted. “You just put two and two together, and now manager-nim’s on the way to get Baekhyunnie the medical attention he needs. YOU did that.”

“I guess…”

Taemin shook his head. “No guesses. You rock. And Baekhyun will agree when he’s lucid again.”

“I agree.” Both heads snapped down Baekhyun. His eyes were still closed, but his hand bunched in Jongin’s sweater, trying to hold onto him. “Thank you, Nini. You…” Another one of those heart shattering, rattling breaths. “…you grew up so well.”

“Damn you, hyung!” Jongin cursed around a laugh. “Still cracking jokes when you’re literally on your deathbed.” The ghost of a grin crested on Baekhyun’s lips, fading far too fast as he fell back into whatever half consciousness he’d been in previously. Jongin shook his head, meeting Taemin’s eyes. “I’m never upgrading from maknae status, am I?”

Chanyeol was right, of course. Junmyeon knew he looked like shit. He knew his voice was a wreck. He knew his attitude had been ridiculously terrible throughout the MV shoot. Junmyeon knew he was quickly losing the battle to some sort of bug; if the night spent up coughing wasn’t enough, he could already feel the start of fever in his joints. But he also didn’t really care because they were on a time crunch to finish shooting this MV and he had to be fine. 

“Well, that’s your opinion,” Junmyeon retorted. Chanyeol groaned, dropping his head back against the door frame. 

“What’s the matter with you?” Kyungsoo appeared in the hall behind the rapper. 

“Hyung’s being difficult.” Chanyeol thrust his arm towards Junmyeon by way of explanation. Kyungsoo peered into the dressing room at his leader curled up on the couch, huddled under his winter coat. 

“Yeollie’s being a nag,” Junmyeon said when Kyungsoo met his gaze. 

“No, I’m being logical cause you’re sick and refuse to admit it,” Chanyeol replied. 

Kyungsoo looked back and forth between them. The leader couldn’t fully read the younger man’s gaze, unsure where Kyungsoo’s allegiance would fall in this. 

The vocalist simply cocked his head to the side. “What’s with the coat?” he asked plainly. 

Junmyeon shrugged. “It’s freezing in here.” 

Kyungsoo’s lips pursed together. “I mean, yeah, it is.” Chanyeol’s eyes widened in exasperated disbelief, but Kyungsoo shook his head. “No, I’ve thought that all day.” He took a step forward. 

Junmyeon’s eyes narrowed. “What’re you…?”

“If you’re cold, then take my coat too.” Kyungsoo grabbed his own coat from the chair, turning back to the leader with innocently wide eyes. “Or, maybe I could…” He took three definitive steps towards the couch. 

“WAIT!” Junmyeon sat up abruptly holding out a hand. “Don’t get too close!” 

“Why not?” Kyungsoo’s head cocked to the side again.

“Because I…” Junmyeon paused, squeezing his lips together. He felt a fist close in his stomach as he realized he’d been walked right into a trap. 

“Hyung.” Chanyeol was failing to hide a victorious smirk. “Just say it.” 

Junmyeon glared up at him. That made Chanyeol grin harder. 

Kyungsoo crossed the final steps towards the couch, tossing his coat on top of Junmyeon’s lap before sitting down next to him. As the leader attempted to squirm away, Kyungsoo pulled a mask from his pocket, pulling it over his face. Then he reached towards Junmyeon, forcing his leader’s head into his lap.

“You don’t have to say it,” Kyungsoo said, fingers playing in Junmyeon’s hair. “Just rest, hyung.”

“How did you…?”

“Give me some credit here. I’ve known you for years, Myeonie. I know your ‘I don’t feel well’ bad mood from your regular bad mood.”

Junmyeon pouted. “I’m not in a bad mood…” Chanyeol snorted, and Junmyeon glared at him again. 

“Sure, hyung,” Kyungsoo replied cheerily. “Now close your eyes. They’re gonna be busy with Nini for at least another hour, maybe two. Let’s try to keep that fever at bay, yeah?”

“You’re scarily good at this,” Chanyeol commented, thoroughly impressed. 

“I am.” Kyungsoo nodded. “And now I’m gonna have to ask you to leave, Yeol.” The rapper’s brow furrowed. “You are the current subject of the bad mood sooo….”

“I’m not in a bad mood!” Junmyeon attempted to exclaim, but he was already losing to the pull of sleep thanks to Kyungsoo’s continued caresses against his scalp. 

After confirming that the dancer hadn’t meandered to his own space, Junmyeon was forced to confront the reality he already knew in his heart: another member had moved Jongin. Which means another member had put himself at risk of contagion. Great. 

As the leader made his way down the stairs to the den, his heart sunk lower and lower with the knowledge that this was going to become a thing. No matter how hard he tried, it ALWAYS became thing. It was impossible for one person to get sick around here; someone else ALWAYS had to join in, usually from their own stupid chivalry. He hadn’t expected ‘we are one’ to be taken so damn literally. 

Sure enough, when he entered the den, Junmyeon’s lips pressed into a thin line at the sight of Chanyeol sitting on the couch with a lapful of sleeping Jongin. Nary a mask in sight. 

"I don't think that's exactly hygienic.”

“I don’t think I much care.” Chanyeol lifted his eyes from his Switch, staring blankly at the leader. “You want him to keep crying all night?”

Junmyeon inhaled sharply, weighing the thought. “I mean… no, but…”

“Then this is the only way.” Chanyeol’s voice was firm, emotionless, as if he were making a true sacrifice in battle. The leader sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know I have a stronger stomach than most.”

“Yeah, but I also know Baekhyun will velcro himself to you, and then we’ll all catch this.”

“It’s inevitable, hyung. If Nini’s first, we’re all doomed. ’Tis the way of things.”

Junmyeon shook his head. “Don’t prophecy speak at me. I’m not in the mood.”

Chanyeol gingerly shrugged one shoulder. “You gotta laugh so you don’t cry, hyung.”

That garnered a pained groan from the older man, the figure shifting slightly, as if Sehun had activated an ‘on’ switch. “W-who’s that?” The voice, though significantly more feeble and disoriented than usual, was Minseok’s. Which sent Sehun’s heart rate skyrocketing as his mind replayed a scene from earlier: 

During their first break of the afternoon, Sehun collapsed onto the couch, cradling his water bottle like a beloved child. His eyes scanned the room, noting each of his members’ whereabouts. Energy had been high today, since they were performing at the GAON Chart Kpop Awards the next day. Jongin was breaking down a complicated move for Junmyeon. Baekhyun was bothering Kyungsoo, who looked about thirty seconds away from smacking him. Lay, Chanyeol, and Jongdae had stepped out for whatever reason (bathroom, phone call, who knew - Sehun hadn’t been listening.) Minseok was approaching Sehun currently, and the maknae smiled as his oldest brother joined him on the couch. 

“Avoiding the chaos?” Sehun asked. 

“Just trying to be as far away from Baekhyun when the shrieking starts,” Minseok joked as he watched Baekhyun with wary eyes. Sehun smirked, following his hyung’s gaze. “You look really cool doing that turn part, by the way.”

Sehun felt his face go hot, and he averted his eyes, playing with the hem of his shirt. “I’ve barely got it down.”

“Don’t be modest on me, now.” As Minseok raised his water bottle and took a sip, Sehun paused, forehead furrowing as he watched the simple action. 

“Hyung, are you shivering?” Sehun asked. Minseok shook his head, lips pursed, trying to look casual. But he was definitely trembling. Sehun’s eyes roved up and down the older man. Minseok had been dancing less today; Sehun could hardly even describe what that meant, but he’d instinctively noticed that something was different in the eldest’s energy. He also looked vaguely paler than usual, but they were in a different practice room today… Puzzle pieces connecting in the maknae’s brain. “Hyung, are you getting sick?”

Minseok shook his head again, more vehement than before. “I’m fine, Hunnie.”

Sehun pouted his lips. That wasn’t a ‘no.’ He reached his hand forward towards Minseok’s cheek, pout deepening. “You feel a little warm.”

“That’s cause we’re dancing, bud.” Minseok smiled softly. 

“I don’t buy it.”

Chuckling at the maknae’s pout, Minseok cuffed his cheek gently. “Sehun-ah, please don’t worry about me. We have a big performance tomorrow. Take care of yourself, and nail that turn. I’ll be fine. I always am.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Sehun couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong.

And here it was: Minseok was so far from okay, Sehun could cry. 

But he couldn’t actually cry. Because here was his eldest hyung, clearly in need of his help on the stairs in the middle of the night. 

“It’s Hunnie, hyung.” The maknae squeezed Minseok’s trembling hands in his own. “What’re you doing out here?”

“I…” The outline of Minseok’s head shifted, looking around, as if he didn’t know exactly where they were. “I’m not… are we on the stairs?”

Sehun frowned. “Yeah. I found you here.”

“Oh.” Minseok’s hands wound tighter around Sehun’s. “Hunnie, I feel… not good.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I…” Sehun heard Minseok take a shuddering breath, as if even trying to put words together was exhausting. “I feel dizzy and shaky. Really shaky.” Sehun could, in fact, feel Minseok’s body trembling, shaking harder with each second they sat there. Without thinking, Sehun pulled both of Minseok’s hands in one of his so he could reach forward, carefully finding the older man’s forehead. Sure enough, Minseok’s skin was on fire. 

“Hyung! You’re burning up,” Sehun gasped, panic blooming in his chest. What was he supposed to do?! But, just as quick at the fear spiked, Sehun swallowed it down. It was the middle of the night. No one could help him. He had to do this. He would do this. Because Minseok would do it for him. “Come on.” Sehun maneuvered onto the same step as Minseok, wrapping a supportive arm around his lower back. “Put your arm around my shoulder.” Before receiving an answer, he guided Minseok’s arm where it needed to be, grasping the elder’s hand to keep it secure. “We’re gonna stand on three, okay? One. Two. Three.”

Slowly, carefully, oh so carefully, aware of the darkness and the very possible reality that Minseok’s body could just give out on them, the duo stood up. Minseok’s legs, though shaking terribly, didn’t fail them. But the elder audibly gasped in pain once up. 

“What’s wrong?” Sehun asked, immediately worried and cursing the fact that he could barely see. 

“Nothing, I just…” Minseok sucked in another breath that escaped as a choked gasp. “Everything hurts, Hunnie.”

Sehun felt his heart break and race simultaneously. “Let’s take you back upstairs, okay? We’ll get you back in bed, and we can figure out what’s wrong.” Minseok simply nodded, the task of standing up sapping his little remaining energy. With the gentle care of someone handling something fragile and priceless, Sehun helped his hyung up the few stairs between them and a nice, warm, safe bed. The task seemed to take all the air out of Minseok, whose knees gave up once they reached the landing, as if he’d quite literally just held it together. He gasped as his knees collided with the floor, the sound so pained and obviously ill. Sehun didn’t even think twice about gathering the older man into his arms and carrying him the rest of the way back to his room. 

The maknae set the eldest down on his bed before turning to the lamp. As Sehun clicked on the light, Minseok winced at the sudden change in brightness and Sehun winced at the sight of his hyung. His skin was ghostly pale except for a violent scarlet flush slashed across his cheeks, fresh tear tracks streaking from sunken shadows under his eyes. Said eyes were worryingly glassy, and not just with tears that still lurked in the corners. Face drawn with discomfort, body rigid with weakness, hair tousled from restlessness, Minseok looked nothing like the steady hyung Sehun was used to.

Minseok was the silent pillar holding the group together. He was the strong, stable presence watching over his dongsaengs. Yes, he was quiet and often shied away from the spotlight, but he was a consistent source of energy or comfort whenever he was needed. 

He also had the best immune system in the group. And now Sehun was kicking himself for not pushing harder yesterday, for not trusting his gut that something was wrong. Minseok himself wouldn’t have given up so easily if the roles had been reversed. How had Sehun let it come to this?

“Hyung, what can I do?” Sehun asked, voice gentle. As Minseok began to shake his head, mouth opening to respond, Sehun cut him off, shaking his own head harder. “You know what? No. I got this.”

Before Minseok could protest, Sehun hurried out of the room. He sprinted down the stairs two at a time. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, paused, then snagged a second to prevent a repeat of the stairs incident (he wasn’t sure if that’s what Minseok had wanted in the first place, but it made sense.) He ran back upstairs and stopped in the bathroom, fiddling through the drawers and cabinets until he had everything he needed. 

When he rounded the corner back into the room, Sehun felt determined. While he’d been gone, Minseok had seemingly collapsed sideways, body still on top of the blankets, knees curled up to his chest. His eyes were still half open, though, and cracked open further as Sehun drew closer. He blinked up at Sehun, awaiting direction. 

The maknae held out the thermometer. “I couldn’t find the gun one.” Minseok nodded, reaching a shuddering hand out and slipping the instrument under his tongue. As they waited, Sehun deposited his treasures onto the nightstand: the two water bottles, ibuprofen, and a fever patch, since it seemed quicker than the cloth and bowl of water method. When the thermometer beeped, Minseok simply handed it over, not even looking at the reading. Sehun squinted at the screen. 40 degrees flat. 

“Okay. I’ll be… I’ll be right back.”

Sehun dropped the thermometer on the side table before he dipped out of the room, racing across the hall. He was through the door and at Junmyeon’s bedside in less than three seconds. 

“Myeonie?” The leader didn’t budge. Sehun reached forward and shook his shoulder gently. “Junmyeonie?” A small sigh and shift from the older man, but not enough. “Junmyeon-hyung?” 

An eye cracked open. Junmyeon frowned. “S-Sehun-ah?” He rolled over, rubbing at his eyes with one hand. “Wha’s wrong?”

Sehun pressed his lips together. “It’s Minseok-hyung. He needs help.”

~

“Listen. There’s a real possibility that we might have to perform without Minseokie tonight,” Junmyeon announced as he entered the kitchen the next morning. All of the prior motion stopped, the other members stunned into silence. Only Sehun knew the full gravity of the situation, and his heart sank at the leader’s words. “So first thing we’re doing today is plan out who’s covering where, and then we’re going to run through it that way. We aren’t assuming anything right now, but we’d rather be over prepared…”

“What’s wrong?” Baekhyun interrupted, standing abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. 

Junmyeon’s tight frown gave away his worry. “He’s really sick, guys. A manager’s going to take him to the hospital after we leave, but if they can’t get his fever down…” Junmyeon shook his head. “He’s not coming to the show.”

As chaos erupted around him, Sehun simply closed his eyes. Please, take care of Minseok-hyung. But please don’t let him perform. Don’t make him push himself too much. Let him rest. Please, let him be okay, and let him rest. 

A hand resting on his shoulder jolted Sehun out of his prayer. He looked up into Junmyeon’s eyes. The leader looked proud. “You did great, Hun,” he whispered, smile adoring. “Minnie kept talking about you last night. Said you saved his life.”

A ghost of a smile crept up Sehun’s lips. “I might’ve prevented him falling down the stairs.”

“You did more than that, bud. And we both appreciate you so much for that.” 

Sehun beamed. “Just happy I was there.” Junmyeon gave his shoulder a squeeze before he started walking away. “And…” The leader turned back, eyebrows arched expectantly. Sehun lowered his voice below a whisper: “I hope they say he can’t perform tonight.”

Junmyeon is already not the most organized person, and his room/house becomes an active war zone when he’s sick because he cannot be bothered to deal with it.

Xiumin/Minseok

One of the stronger immune systems in the group, and the most germ conscious member, making him the second least likely to get sick (after Sehun). So the members naturally lose their chill when Minseok goes down.

Will deny being sick if asked, but everyone knows Minseok will speak up when he needs help. Everyone also knows, though, that the minute his voice starts wavering or his eyes look a little glassy, he’s under the weather. He also sneezes so rarely on a regular basis, that even one sounds the alarm for the rest of the group that their eldest might not be well.

Prone to being weak, achy, and chilled, even with a low-grade fever. Will just sit down in the middle of a task from lack of energy, and has terrified his members when they've found him on the stairs in the middle of the night because he was too exhausted to make it all the way to the kitchen for water.

Totally fine if someone else is throwing up, but if it's him?! That's a panic attack right there.

Likes to be around people when he's not feeling well, but off to the side by himself to prevent germ transmission. As much as Minseok tells his members to stay away, it’s just because he feels like that’s the responsible thing to do; he absolutely adores watching them bicker and mess around from the couch, and finds it easier to fall asleep if there's company around.

Lay/Yixing

Will not deny that he is sick and will take copious measures to care for himself, but also will not stop working if he doesn't have to. Sure, he'll sit out more during dance practices or not sing higher parts to protect his throat, but he'll still jump in and mark movements/his lines to keep things moving. He participates safely.

Headache is usually his first symptom, and Yixing is the most prone to migraines in the group. Always has ibuprofen on him just in case.

Zones out easily, especially when congested. Feels like he's underwater, and it takes effort for him to be present, which can sometimes put him in a 'bad' mood, (which is, of course, hardly what can be considered a truly bad mood cause Yixing is too genuinely kind to ever be unpleasant.)

The sleepiest sickie. Both fevers AND medicine make Yixing feel tired instantly, and all he wants to do is curl up next to one of his members and pass out for a while. Can often be found sleeping in very odd places when under the weather.

Loves to be doted on but will not ask for attention. If it comes to him naturally, he is the happiest boy in the world!

Baekhyun

First symptom is almost always fatigue. Loses a lot of his normal energy, and that's a red flag for the group. But the minute he's medicated, he's back on his bullshit (and if he's not, that means he's really sick)

Very whiny, but it's not annoying? If he's really sick, it's less petulant and more just expressing his general misery, which makes everyone sad. But if he's only a little sick? Then it's annoyting, and his members will ignore him or tell him to shut up without batting an eye.

Cries SO easily when he doesn't feel well, and is also prone to nightmares :(

Very inconsistent at covering his mouth, and is the type of person to cough in his hands and immediately touch something everyone else will touch because he's not thinking about it. If Baekhyun gets sick first, everyone is doomed.

Does not mind being told to stay home UNLESS it's for an event with fans. Baekhyun HATES disappointing their fans, and if he is too sick to perform/attend a fan event, it will destroy him. Catch him apologizing profusely to fans afterwards on Bubble, and obsessively rewatching his members' performance videos.

Chen/Jongdae

The OG Whiner Extraordinaire, and it's sometimes annoying. It's fine when he's just expressing the general 'I don't feel good' kind of complaining, but when he gets petulant about taken care of is when most of the members lose their patience with him.

Colds tend to settle in his chest, which frustrates him to no end because he is prone to losing his voice from coughing so much.

LOVES to use being sick as an excuse to sit out or take it easy during dance practice, but gets very crabby and upset if he isn't allowed to sing.

Wants to snuggle constantly. Whether it’s a pillow, stuffed animal, or a member, Jongdae wants something he can hug against his chest to ground him to the world (he once cuddled one of Minseok’s hoodies for a week when the eldest was away.)

Prone to sleep talking when he has a fever, and it is simultaneously hysterical and terrifying because the members always forget that it happens.

Chanyeol

Physically looks ill. His skin going pale is often one of the first signs that he's getting sick. Cheeks, neck, and even ears go red from fevers, and his face does actually look kind of green if he's sick to his stomach. This makes it incredibly hard for Chanyeol to ever hide being sick.

Runs hot naturally, so he gets overheated very easily when running a temperature. Wants to be in the thinnest clothes possible, and absolutely melts if someone puts a cold cloth over his eyes (Chanyeol never remembers how much comfort this brings him, and acts like his members perform a miracle every time they do it).

Not good at listening to his body. The member who has fainted the most from high fever and/or overexertion. Also the member most guilty of vomiting somewhere he shouldn’t

Like Baekhyun, inconsistent covering, so the other members often blame him for getting them sick. He takes more offense than Baekhyun to the teasing

Constantly thanking people for looking out for him. Genuinely so touched that anyone would go out of their way for him, and he will shower them with adoring comments.

DO/Kyungsoo

The most germaphobic member, and becomes an absolute menace when sick, ESPECIALLY if he caught it from another member. If he's the first one to get sick, he doesn't like to talk about it or be called out for it - bring attention to Kyungsoo's illness, and you run the risk of his full wrath. And if you were the member that got him sick... the grudge will be held steady for many moons.

Sore throat is usually his first symptom, and coughs tend to linger, which frustrates him to no end.

Prone to brain fog, and can often be found staring into space. Is super cute when he's zoning out, which he hates being told.

Will accept cuddles from Minseok, Yixing, or Jongin. That's it. (Will settle for Junmyeon in a pinch.) (Has also been known to cling to the closest member, no matter who it is, if and only if he very suddenly begins to feel worse.)

Loves it when one of the members sings to him. He has NEVER admitted this, but it's a known fact that Kyungsoo will immediately calm down and will usually drift off to sleep if sung to.

Kai/Jongin

The most pitiful sickie you've ever seen in your entire life, and it will break your heart because LOOK AT HIM! HE'S SO SAD!!!

Jongin runs a bit hot naturally, so he tends to spike a fever even with something simple like a cold. Even a low grade fever will make him feel a bit disoriented and untethered, and that will either make him extra affectionate and cute OR confused and teary.

It is next to impossible to make this boy sit down. He WILL keep working until he passes out. He WILL get moody and whiny if he isn't allowed to go to schedules.

Most emetophobic member and will freak out if someone's throwing up. Inconsolable when he's the one vomiting.

Loves cuddles, and needs to be close to someone at all times when he doesn't feel well.

Sehun

One of the stronger immune systems in the group, and gets really grouchy when he DOES get sick because how rude of his body to do that?

Is extra sassy with his hyungs because he knows he can get away with it! Often uses being sick as an excuse for snacks as well.

SOOOOOO picky about what he puts in his body. Will only take certain flavored medicines, drink certain brands of juice/sports drinks, eat specific foods, etc. His members usually roll their eyes and call him dramatic, but they get him the things he wants because they know it's not so much Sehun being a brat, but his sickly brain being particular, and they want him to get better.

Has trouble falling asleep when feverish, nauseous, and/or congested. He will toss and turn for hours just trying to get comfortable. Has cried from the frustration of it several times.

“I am a man of honor!” Chanyeol exclaimed. 

“Sure. And I’m our main rapper,” Kyungsoo added, tipping his water glass towards Chanyeol while the rest of the group snickered. 

Sehun, though, wasn’t amused, still bitter at being shot down. Yes, he’d lost the ladder game, which meant he got last pick of dinner, but the shrimp dish he’d been left with just didn’t look appetizing. And besides, the fans ate it up when he whined during content. So he did. Leaning heavily against Minseok’s shoulder, Sehun turned the puppy dog eyes back on. “Hyung, can we please switch…?”

“FINE!” Sehun jumped as Junmyeon slid his container to Sehun and gestured for the maknae’s. “I’ll switch.” 

“Wait really?” Sehun asked, mechanically pushing his food forward while snagging the leader’s. 

Junmyeon nodded. “Yeah, if it’ll get you to stop whining.” Baekhyun and Jongdae oooooooOOOOOOO’d dramatically. 

“Thank you, hyungie,” Sehun said with a bright smile, happy he’d won.

But that smile faded 12 hours later, when Junmyeon disappeared in the middle of a dance rehearsal, and hadn’t resurfaced after their water break. Minseok was sent to find him, and he located the leader curled upon the bathroom floor after puking his guts up. The staff medic determined it was food poisoning. And Sehun’s entire body flooded with guilt. 

Junmyeon was sent back to the dorm with Minseok to watch him (which, according to the eldest, was a highly unpleasant experience for all involved. He did not elaborate.) Rehearsal hardly progressed after as all of the members were seriously shaken by the turn of events, Sehun most of all. His hyungs knew it, too. Baekhyun and Jongin kept touching him, patting his back or grabbing his hand. Jongdae shot him meaningful looks, while Chanyeol watched him like he might explode. Kyungsoo straight up said, “It’s not your fault, Hunnie.” 

But Sehun knew it was one hundred percent his fault. 

When they arrived back to the dorm, Minseok had the leader set up on the couch, curled up under a blanket, looking pale and weak and in so much pain. 

“I think we’ll have to take him to the hospital soon,” the eldest said, worried. “He’s dehydrated, and can’t even keep liquids down.”

“Did you call already?” Kyungsoo asked, holding both Jongin and Baekhyun’s arms to keep them from crowding around their ill leader. Minseok nodded. 

“Thank you for being him, hyung,” Chanyeol said. Minseok nodded again. Jongdae moved forward, wrapping his arms around the eldest before gently pulling him away down the hall. Kyungsoo quickly pulled his prisoners away as well, and Chanyeol gave Sehun a pat on the back before disappearing too. 

Now alone, Sehun fell to his knees next to the couch. He watched Junmyeon breathe in and out, in and out. He looked so fragile. Sehun rested his forehead against Junmyeon’s. Please, God, let him recover from this. Please, please, please. It’s my fault. Please help me fix this…

“Hunnie?” Sehun’s eyes snapped open, meeting Junmyeon’s hazy gaze. “What’s wrong?” The elder’s voice was raw, feeble, yet still somehow concerned for Sehun. 

“Hyung, it’s my fault.” Sehun felt his voice crack as his eyes filled with tears. “I made you switch food with me.”

“It’s okay. I’d rather…”

“Don’t you dare say ‘rather me than you,’” Sehun interrupted, feeling his chest constrict with guilt. “That’s not helpful. I’m supposed to be the one comforting you.”

Junmyeon smiled, weak and exhausted. “Will you lay with me?”

Sehun sat up straighter, nodding enthusiastically, delighted to be needed. “Of course!” He held out his hands, ready to help as Junmyeon slowly pushed himself up with shaky arms. As soon as he was up, Sehun slid onto the couch, weaving one leg in behind the leader and leaving the other propped agains the floor. Sehun’s arms wrapped around Junmyeon’s chest, guiding the elder back against the maknae’s chest. 

Junmyeon sighed, his eyes closing again. “You feel safe.”

“And what good are you to him if you’re sick too?” Chanyeol asked, voice sharp. Junmyeon hung his head, the truth squeezing his heart. He knew Chanyeol was right but… what would happen if Jongin woke up and his leader wasn’t there? 

“Myeonie.” Yixing appeared at Junmyeon’s side, kneeling neck to him and grabbing his hands. “Please. You’ve been doing such a good job watching over our baby…”

“He needs me,” Junmyeon whispered. 

“I know. But he’s sleeping right now. You should take this opportunity to rest too,” Yixing replied, voice slow and gentle. 

“Please, hyung.” Junmyeon whirled to his other side where Jongdae had appeared seemingly out of thin air. “Rest. For us. For Nini.” The leader’s attention snapped back to the boy sleeping in the bed before them. 

Yixing squeezed Junmyeon’s hands again, then let go to rub the leader’s shoulders instead. “How long has he been out?”

“Maybe two hours? He woke up a bit ago, mumbled some incoherent ramblings, then fell bask asleep,” Junmyeon answered, finding it hard to keep his eyes open with Yixing’s strong fingers massaging into his muscles. 

“Where’s his temp?” Chanyeol asked from behind the leader’s chair. 

“Hasn’t moved a bit.”

Jongdae sighed, reaching forward and brushing Jongin’s sweaty hair back from his face, whispering, “Come on, sweet boy. Work with us here.”

Junmyeon sighed, the noise coming out closer to a whine. “I don’t know what else to do.” He rubbed at his eyes. 

“Why don’t we start with a snack and a nap?” Chanyeol suggested. 

Junmyeon groaned. “Yeollie, I can’t…”

“We’ll be here with him,” Yixing promised, squeezing Junmyeon’s shoulders meaningfully. 

“Nothing will happen that we can’t handle,” Jongdae added. 

“Come on.” Junmyeon blinked up at Chanyeol, who was offering his hands. The rapper smiled encouragingly, but a flash of worry colored his face. “Your eyes are bloodshot, hyung.” 

“How long have you been awake?” Jongdae asked. 

“I… don’t feel like answering that question.”

“And that’s fine,” Yixing cut in before the younger two could continue hounding the leader. “Let’s get you to bed, hyung.” 

Junmyeon sighed, hanging his head as his eyes slipped closed. The second his eyelids drooped, the weight of exhaustion settled over his entire body. Maybe they were right. Junmyeon grabbed Chanyeol’s hands and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. 

“Please wake me the minute he does,” the leader said. 

Yixing nodded as he slipped into Junmyeon’s chair. “Of course, hyung.”

Junmyeon’s eyes flashed to Jongdae and Chanyeol. “I mean it.”

“So do we.” Jongdae’s smile said otherwise.