Can I make a New Yearâs request? Maybe something like Beomgyu getting sick with a fever right before New Yearâs even though they had plans but they hyungs agree to home to take care of him so heâs not alone
(because i am not korean, i cannot accurately describe their new years traditions. so for the sake of the fic and the other new years fics to come, they will celebrate with american traditions.)
December 31,  aka New Yearâs eve. A day filled with celebrations and champagne. But this year, it will be celebrated with sleep and tylenol, because Beomgyu is running a fever. Heâs sure of it. From the moment he woke up to turn down the temperature on the thermostat to find it was already at 70 degrees, he knew he was sick. Bummer. And on New Yearâs Eve? How lame. He contemplated telling his members. On the one hand, they donât have work anyway. But also, the group had been looking forward to attending the companyâs New Yearâs eve party. He decided they didnât have to know. Besides, his fever is probably not even that high. If he can ignore the chills, hot flashes, fatigue, sweat dripping down his forehead and aches through his whole body, heâll be fine. No biggy.
He popped a slice of toast into the toaster. He debated just going back to bed, but he didnât want to be suspicious. Heâs usually the early riser of the group, and now that the rest of the members are stumbling into the kitchen, itâs too late to go back.Â
Taehyun took one look at Beomgyu, and knew he was sick. The paleness of his face streaked with hot pink cheeks made it oh so apparent the he had quite a fever.Â
âSoobin, can you come here?â He hollered through the halls. Soobin, still rubbing sleep from his eyes followed the voice to the kitchen, stopping in the doorframe, âWhat is it-â,
âShit Gyu, are you sick?âhe interrupted himself upon the sight of his obviously sick dongsaeng.
âI- Uh..wellâŚâ he murmured, shocked that his members had been able to tell so easily. He felt a strong hand pressing on his forehead.
âOh my god Beomgyu, youâre on fire! Not that Iâm surprised, you look like you just ran a marathon!â Soobin exclaimed as he removed his hand which was now ever so slightly moist with forehead sweat. He turned to grab the thermometer only for Taehyun to shove it into his hands having already grabbed it. He poked it into Beongyuâs ears, and waited for the beep.Â
Soobinâs eyes widened when the beep finally came, the thermometer read 102.9 degrees.  âYup, thatâs definitely a fever. Go back to bed, Iâll bring in some water and some medicine.âÂ
Beomgyu didnât hesitate to get back under the warmth of his comforter.
By now, Yeonjun and Huening Kai had woken up too, and filled in on the situation. Meanwhile, Beomgyu was sound asleep in his bed room. After hours of him sleeping, Yeonjun went in to check on him. Upon entering the room, he was hit by the unmistakable stench of sweat. He tried not to let it show on his face as he tried not to breathe through his nose.Â
âGyu, can you wake up for just a minute so I can take your temperature again?â
Beomgyu made a noise of approval, and without opening his eyes even a crack, he turned over to let Yeonjun insert the thermometer. When the beep came this time, it was found that his temperature had only climbed to 103.3. âOh god Beomgyu, if this gets any higher it could be dangerous. And it doesnât seem like the medicine is working much.â
Beomgyu groaned, still refusing to peel open his eye lids. Yeonjun left the room, and Beomgyu hoped that he would stop pestering him about it, but returned moments later with a wet washcloth. He felt the cold relief on hushed forehead. The cool didnât last that long as the heat radiating of his face easily warmed the washcloth.Â
âOkay. Iâm gonna come back in to check again in an hour alright?â
Beomgyu was practically asleep already before Yeonjun even finished his sentence.
When Yeonjun came back, he felt bad waking the sleeping boy once again, especially when he looked so adorable when sleeping. He tried to wiggle the thermometer into the boys ears without waking him, barely making it in. In the process, he was disgusted when he felt how the sheets were almost completely soaked in sweat. The thermometer beeped and read 103.7. Yeonjun was flabbergasted at the feverâs ability to continue to grow.
âBeomgyu? Do you think you can take a cool bath or something? Your fever is still rising and we have to get it down.â
He said to the still half asleep Beomgyu.
âBut Iâm already so cold..â He whined.
âThe thermometer says other wise. Sorry. Unless you have a better idea? And while youâre in there Iâll wash your sheets, theyâre getting kindaâŚ.gross.â
Beomgyu sighed, finally sitting up in his bed. His body ached, longing to lay back down, but he knew it was for the best. He glanced at the clock next tom him on his bed side table, reading the time. âShouldnât you be getting ready for the party??â
âOh- nah. I donât think weâre going.â
âIs it because of me? I donât want to ruin New Yearâsâ Yeonjun could see Beomgyuâs expression become ridden with guilt.
âMaybe a little. But itâs okay really. Itâs the same party every year anyway, nothing we havenât seen before.â
âAre you sure? You guys can go, I can hold my own.â
âNot like this you canât. Your fever is crazy. Besides, it will be nice spending New Years in a more relaxed fashion this year.â
Beomgyu accepted that his members would stay to take care of him, and stood to head off to take his bath. He immediately had to sit back down as dizziness washed over him. Yeonjun looked at him with a great deal of concern.
Yeonjun held his hand to hoist him back up and helped him off to the bathroom. Once we was settled in the bath for a bit, Yeonjun went off to throw Beomgyuâs bedding into the wash.Â
By the time Beomgyu was done in the bath, the sheets were only just switching to the dryer.
âHow bout you bring your pillow and grab one of those christmas blankets and lay on the couch for a bit, while your bedding is in the dryer atleast.â
Beomgyu didnât care wear he was sleeping as long as he was sleeping. He wrapped himself in a blanket and hobbled to the couch. Kai was already sitting there, scrolling on instagram. He looked up and smiled at the boy burrito in front of him, scooting over to make a place for him. He gratefully layed down across the cushions, his feet hanging off the edge ever so slightly. Kai scooted Beomgyuâs head into his lap and ran his fingers through his wet hair. They stayed like that for the next couple of hours, waiting to bring in the new year. The rest of the group started to file into the room as the clock ticked closer to midnight. They didnât have any champagne laying around so they poured some ginger ale, close enough. They tried to stay as quiet as they could as to not wake the sleeping Beomgyu beside them.
âten⌠nineâŚ. eightâŚ. sevenâŚ.âThey whispered, âsixâŚ. fiveâŚ. fourâŚ. threeâŚ. twoâŚ. one.â
âHAPPY NEW YEARS!!â they said, maybe a bit too loudly.
âShhhh!â Soobin hissed.
They go quiet. But itâs still not silent, as fireworks have started to burst outside the window. Beomgyu started to stir, his hands instinctively moving to his ears. Kai, being the closest person to Beomgyu, noticed tears rolling down his face, probably the fever messing with his emotions.
âGuy, whatâs the matter?â
âThe fireworks hurt my head.â
âAw, Iâm sorry. Iâm sure theyâll be over soon?â he tried. But it was not helpful to calm the crying boy.
Taehyun shot up from his seat, dashing to his room, returning with his soundproof headphones in hand. He swiftly maneuvered them over Beomgyuâs ears.
âGuess they must be working.âYeonjun giggled.
âWell, thatâs one way to start off the new year.â Taehyun teased.