#🧚🏻‍♀️ | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fairyniceyeah · 5 days ago

Text

💎🐢 I need you

Title from Two Minus One (SEVENTEEN)

Summary: It's Seokmin's and Vernon's birthday - a day for celebration. Instead Vernon spends it feeling miserable, throwing up with the stomach flu.

CW: emeto

Sickie: Vernon/Hansol Caretakers: S.Coups/Seungcheol + Joshua + Seokmin/DK

“Wake up, Hansollie”, a voice sang into his ear. “Happy Birthday!”

Vernon blinked his eyes open just in time for a heavy weight to land itself on him, cuddling him tightly. Seokmin - his mind supplied. Ever since they had found out about their birthdays being on the same day a year apart, Seokmin had been so excited for that day to come around every year.

It was tradition now for Seokmin to come into his room early in the morning to cuddle Vernon - who really hated getting up directly after waking up - awake and into getting up. All the while the rest of the room’s occupants - Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Minghao and Dino - would leave to prepare things. Seokmin seldom was successful though and it always ended up with the rest of the members streaming into the room, carrying cake and singing. Vernon didn’t mind at all - it was really sweet of them.

“Happy Birthday, hyung”, he whispered to Seokmin, wrapping his arms around the older and closing his eyes again. He was still so tired - apparently he had even slept through the other members leaving the room earlier. It was no wonder really though. Their schedules had picked up a lot after debuting and Vernon had been struggling all day yesterday already, sleepy and ready to be in dreamland for a full night straight.

Sadly the ten hours he must have gotten at least didn’t stop the tiredness and lethargy. If anything, he felt worse. There was a slight pain in his head and his stomach felt … weird. Unsettled.

Well, he hadn’t eaten in a long time - it was probably just that.

“Don’t fall back asleep, kiddo”, Seokmin said with a small laugh, peppering Vernon’s face with kisses. “The others are …”

It was then that the door opened and as Vernon tried to adjust his eyes to the bright light that was suddenly flooding the room. All the members were wearing party hats with turtles on them, smiling brightly and singing ‘Happy Birthday’ on top of their lungs which sounded pretty bad considering they were all idols. Hoshi and Woozi were both carrying a cake each.

Once the awkwardness of listening to the others' singing (which was only made better by Seokmin holding him tightly) had passed, Seungcheol sat down on the bed beside them. “Happy Birthday, you two”, he said, wrapping both of them into his strong arms.

Vernon sighed and rested his head against the leader’s shoulder. He appreciated what the others did for them a lot, he truly did, but all he wanted to do was fall back asleep. Now that he was a bit more awake Vernon realized that his stomach really was angry. It was rolling inside him and there was the uncomfortable heat of nausea all over his body. It was hard to swallow and his throat felt weird.

Oh, God, please, no. Vernon did not want to be sick on his birthday. Not on his eighteenth birthday.

Remembering back to all the coming of age birthdays Vernon was sure the members had something special planned and he did not want it to go to waste.

So he pretended. Normally he was the first one to speak up about feeling unwell, hating sickness with a passion and wanting a hyung by his side, but he couldn’t do that now. He didn’t want to be sick, not on his birthday. The day was supposed to be special and filled with happiness and laughter.

But all Vernon felt was sick.

He endured all members hugging and cuddling him, some ruffling his hair or kissing his forehead.

It was then that Seungcheol dropped the bomb: “I negotiated with the managers. We all have a free day except for your birthday v-lives.”

Cheers broke out, members falling into each other's arms and Hoshi even nearly dropping the cake when he tried to hug Seungkwan in happiness only to get scolded by Woozi. Vernon felt relief flood his body. He wouldn’t have to work today - except for the half-hour v-live. It did not get better than this.

Unceremoniously, Vernon let himself fall backwards into his bedsheets. Seokmin giggled, tickling Vernon’s stomach. “Don’t sleep when we have a whole day just for us”, he complained, laughing.

Vernon couldn’t help but laugh as well. He was incredibly ticklish which the rest of the members found very cute and loved to take advantage of. Right now though? It was the worst thing that could happen to him. His stomach contracted as he laughed causing his stomach contents, unhappy with staying inside of him, to rise up his throat.

💎

It was his last resolve crumbling.

“Hyung, stop, I’m going to …”, he said, hoping that Seokmin would get the message. Before Seokmin even had a chance to react, Vernon gagged harshly and twisted to his side.

His nausea boiled over and hot vomit sprayed from Vernon’s mouth, splattering on the floor in front of Seungcheol’s feet. At the disgusting sound of his wretching and the brown liquid hitting the floor, the room seemed to freeze.

Vernon was vaguely aware of Seokmin scooting away but all he could really focus on was the next torrent of sick that forced its way out of his mouth and into the rapidly growing puddle by his bedside. A hand came to rest on his shoulder, another combing his sweat soaked hair from his face, and Vernon threw up again and again.

It seemed like hours later that he was finally able to stop turning himself inside out. Opening his eyes, having closed them when the sight of vomit became too much, Vernon found the room empty. Only two figures were still with him, sitting on the bed in such a position that Vernon at first wasn’t sure who it was.

Tears spilled over his hot cheeks as Vernon realized what had happened. He had thrown up - not only onto the floor but also with all his members watching. It was so embarrassing and he still felt awful.

“Oh, Nonie”, a voice cooed and then Vernon was wrapped in a warm hug, comforting strong arms holding him against the chest of the person. Vernon sobbed, his emotion too big for him at the moment - something Jun always said when Vernon was overwhelmed. The person was holding Vernon tightly and another was rubbing his back in comforting circles until the young raper managed to calm down.

Breathing deeply, Vernon only then realized that the person holding him was his leader, Seungcheol’s familiar perfume penetrating his muddled senses and comforting him. He nuzzled his head under Seungcheol’s chin, happy to stay where he was. He felt unwell, his stomach upset in a way he knew he would need to be sick again at one point and his whole body wrecked with chills. But being safe in Seungcheol’s arms was drowning out the uncomfortableness.

“Are you feeling better now that you got that out?”, Joshua asked behind him, voice gentle and unassuming. Vernon was glad to have the other American with him, his connection to his Shua-hyung very special and comforting. He always wanted Joshua with him when sick.

With a slight whimper, Vernon shook his head.

He just felt awful.

Why did it have to be today? There were 364 other days in the year and he had to wake up puking on this one?

“I’m sorry, hyungs”, he mumbled, his stomach twisting as he looked at the mess below him. Vomit was pooling on the floor, soaking into his bed sheets and, gross, some was even on his sleep shirt.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, baby”, Seungcheol said, brushing back his sweat-soaked hair, “you’re sick. It happens. It just sucks it’s today.”

Joshua lifted his hand to Vernon’s forehead and he nuzzled into it. It soothed his hot skin.

“You’re burning up”, Joshua mumbled, “we need to get …”

💎

But Vernon couldn’t listen anymore. Another wave of nausea crashed over him.

"Hyung", he gasped out, bringing a hand to his mouth, struggling to get up.

"Can you make it to the bathroom?", Joshua asked, radiating his usual calmness. Vernon nodded. He wasn't sure, but he sure as hell was gonna try. So he let Joshua help him up and hurry him to the door across the hall.

Vernon mentally thanked every deity he knew that the bathroom was so close. However, the toilet was way too far, he realized, and pulled Joshua towards the sink with him. The second they reached it, he was throwing up again. He saw the half digested noodles from dinner coming up, splattering into the porcelaine, and he had to close his eyes. Joshua just opened the tap and let the water wash away the sick. The man was a heaven-sent. He held his dongsaeng’s hair away from his eyes and rubbed his stomach, while pressing Vernon's back against his front to keep him upright. Between his heaving and sobbing Vernon was able to hear his hyung whisper soothing nothingness in his ear.

Once he was done, he sunk back against Joshua, trusting the other to keep him upright. Gently Joshua pulled him over to sit down on the closed toilet lid. Vernon leaned forward, wrapping his arms around his hurting stomach. Joshua moved away and before he was aware of it, Vernon let out a whining sound. Joshua chuckled lightly. "I'll be back soon, okay?", he promised, "I'll just get a wet flannel and some new clothing. Cheollie is getting your room cleaned up. We thought you might get too overwhelmed with all of us fussing over you." Vernon nodded, thankful.

He blinked and Joshua was already back, holding a fresh t-shirt and boxers in one hand, a flannel in the other. Gently he wiped the flannel across Vernon's face. He relished the cool sensation against his hot skin. He opened his eyes, which he hadn't noticed had slipped shut, when he felt a slight tugging on his hair.

"Sorry", Joshua whispered and smiled at him, "you have a bit of sick in your hair. I'm just cleaning it off."

Vernon nodded, trying to ignore how vomit had gotten even there. He shivered. Damn fever. "Arms up", Joshua commanded and helped him change his shirt. Then he lifted Vernon to his feet and held him steady as he put on the new pair of boxers. He did feel better now, that he was cleaner and not completely soaked in sweat.

"Let me take your temperature?", Joshua asked, though in a voice that didn't give him a choice. How he suddenly had a thermometer, Vernon wasn't sure. He might be losing some time. He opened his mouth and Joshua put the cool metal inside. But Vernon had to pull away as soon as it touched his tongue, gagging.

"Fuck", he mumbled, tears again in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, baby, but I need to know your temperature", Joshua said. In the end it took them five tries and Joshua had to hold Vernon' hand to keep him from pulling away. "38.9°C, that’s, uh, 102.0°F", Joshua read. "No wonder you feel so shitty. Do you think you can try to keep down some medicine?"

"'m not even sure I could keep down water."

"Okay, you don't have to."

"You wanna go back to bed?", Joshua asked after a moment. "Everything is clean again, I just went to check with Cheollie"

"Huh?", Vernon asked, bemused.

"Oh, love", Joshua said, stroking his back. "You didn't notice that I was gone just now, did you?"

Vernon shook his head. Fevers more often than not hit him hard and he often forgot things due to them, so he wasn't particularly worried.

"So, you wanna go back to bed?"

Vernon took stock of his body. On one hand he felt tired and shaky, the bright light of the bathroom aggravating his eyes. But on the other, more pressing hand, he still felt nauseous enough to want to be close to a toilet.

"Stay", he decided. Joshua nodded. "Let me get us some stuff, okay?"

💎

In the end, Joshua had to make two trips to bring all the stuff he thought they would need. One blanket to sit upon, one to make a maknae-burrito, multiple pillows to get comfy, some water and their phones.

First of all he finally put out the bright light, just switched on the small night light above the sink. They had bought it some time ago specifically for Woozi’s migraines, when he needed darkness, but his caretakers still needed to see. Due to the warm light the producer was able to tolerate it.

Next the singer spread out the first blanket and helped Vernon sit down on it, then wrapped the second one around him. He put the water and their phones on the ground and arranged the pillows, so that he himself had one to soften the wall he was leaning against and another one on his lap, so Vernon could lay down.

He curled into himself on Joshua’s lap, his hyung’s hand resting on his aching stomach, some of the warmth and the familiar feeling helping the tension.

They stayed that way for some time, Joshua just stroking Vernon' back, softly humming a song or talking quietly. Vernon still had to throw up a few more times, and it was as awful as always. But he was glad for the privacy, no prying if worried eyes from his members.

A few minutes later Seungcheol stuck his head into the bathroom, smiling softly at the scene in front of him. Joshua lifted his index finger to his lips in a gesture of shushing him.

Seungcheol quietly walked inside and knelt down next to them. "How is he?", he whispered. "Pretty sick. He’s been throwing up so often but he’s finally getting some rest", Joshua reported, equally quiet. Seungcheol stroked Vernon's face gently and the maknae unconsciously leaned into the touch of his leader.

"Hey, hyung", Vernon mumbled sleepingly from his position on Joshua’s lap, blinking up owlishly at Seungcheol.

"Hey, yourself", Seungcheol answered smiling. "How about we get you to bed? I already put a bucket close by and, I am really sorry, but we kinda need this bathroom. Hoshi has been denying he needs to pee for the past twenty minutes and Woozi looks ready to hit him."

Vernon giggled, able to perfectly imagine the scene in his mind - surely with Hoshi being a dancer even his potty dance would be impressive. With a glance at Joshua, Seungcheol swept up Vernon into his arms. Carefully he laid down their dongsaeng on his bed and a second later, Joshua was sitting next to his bed. "Go back to sleep", Joshua whispered and Vernon did.

"I'll clean up the bathroom", Joshua said, turning to Seungcheol, "you already had the worst of it. Stay with him." Seungcheol grimaced but nodded, already halfway in bed with his hip-hop maknae.

💎

The room was dark and the blinds closed when Vernon woke up again. He was shivering and he knew he still was feverish, but he was also thirsty. He was surprised there was nobody by his side but he also wasn’t sure what time it was. For all he knew it could be the middle of the night.

He quickly pulled on a pair of sweats and a thick pair of socks and grabbed a hoodie which he knew belonged to Jun. Then he slipped out of the room.

Seungcheol, Joshua, Wonwoo and Seokmin were sitting at the kitchen island, talking quietly.

Wonwoo saw him first and greeted him with a low: "Hey Nonie." The others all turned around and waved at him. Vernon had the whole hyung-cuddle-menue in front of him but now all he could focus on was one in particular. Stumbling forward Vernon let himself be wrapped into an embrace by Seokmin and buried his face in his neck.

"Hyung", he said or rather tried to say. Nothing much came out, except for a hoarse whisper that caused him to cough. Fantastic, apparently spending the whole morning vomiting might leave you with no voice. "Aw, love", Seokmin said, though chuckling a bit. Vernon pouted.

"Sit down", Seungcheol said gently, "you still look a bit wobbly. How are you feeling?" Vernon paused for a moment and then decided he didn't give a fuck, he was still ill so sue him, and plopped down sideways on Seokmin’s lap. He hadn’t gotten to finish cuddling him this morning and now he craved his Seokmin-hyung’s hugs. Seokmin ust laughed softly and wrapped his arms around him. Seungcheol smiled fondly at them, then raised his eyebrow, waiting for an answer.

"Cold. Bit queasy, but not nauseous anymore. Head hurts", Vernon whispered. That way one could at least understand him. "You're still a bit warm, Hansollie", Joshua mumbled, reaching out to feel his forehead, "Do you feel up to eating?"

Vernon contemplated his answer. He didn't think he was going to throw up again, but his stomach was still not happy with him. "I'll try", he finally decided, "maybe some rice?"

Wonwoo immediately got up and searched for the requested food. "At your service, kiddo. Do you want tea as well?", he asked, without turning around. Vernon nodded and nudged Seokmin. "Yes, he does. With honey?" Vernon nodded again. "With honey."

Soon Wonwoo put down a plate and Vernon's favorite mug down in front of him. Vernon grabbed the mug and cradled it in his hands, savoring the warmth.

"Let me get the thermometer just in case", Seungcheol said and disappeared into the hall.

A few minutes of Vernon half-heartedly spooning some rice to his mouth, he appeared again and handed Vernon the thermometer, who put it in his mouth. When it beeped he handed it to the nearest hyung who happened to be Wonwoo. "38.2°C”, the rapper read. "Still a bit raised, but it's a low fever."

Seungcheol handed Vernon a pill, who swallowed it without complaint.

"So, Doctor Seungcheol, what do you prescribe?", Seokmin asked, clearly only half-joking and actually hoping for their leader’s advice.

"Lots of fluids. If he behaves he may stay on the couch and watch some TV."

"I'm still here, you know", Vernon protested, rolling his eyes.

Half an hour later Seokmin (who had refused to let go of the sick maknae) and Vernon were cuddled up on the couch together. Seungcheol was sitting on the armchair and Wonwoo and Joshua were on the second couch.

After a long discussion of what to watch - it was pretty pointless, really, they all would do everything to make Vernon happy at this time so he easily won - they settled under the blankets, a bucket by Vernon’s feet just in case.

💎

"Happy birthday, kiddo", Seokmin mumbled, "we'll truly celebrate when you feel better again."

Vernon sighed and snuggled up even closer to him. But before he could even enjoy the movie, Vernon was fast asleep again.

Notes: Happy Birthday to DK and Vernon!!!

Masterlist links: Fairy's Full Masterlist Fairy's Masterlist - SEVENTEEN

38 notes · View notes

fairyniceyeah · 20 days ago

Text

⌛🧸You are my Starlight

Title from Light (ATEEZ)

Summary: Wooyoung's emetophobia flares up when Jongho is sick.

CW: emeto

Sickie: Jongho Whumpee: Wooyoung Caretakers: Seonghwa + Hongjoong + Yeosang + San

“If you don’t play you lose. Kawibawibo!”, Wooyoung shouted in excitement which was swiftly turned into disappointment as he and Seonghwa both ended up losing out on first shower privileges. San giggled in joy and danced around happily, having won the game and therefore able to shower first. They had just returned to the dorms after a long dance practice and all of them were hoping to wash off the sweat as soon as possible. As San tried to get closer to Seonghwa, who looked less than impressed, the oldest shoved him off gently.

“Sannie”, he groaned, “just go take your shower.”

“Yes, hyung”, San replied, still grinning and sticking his tongue out at him as he was out of reach. He even walked backwards to make sure his oldest hyung saw it.

Teasing Seonghwa was fun. As he made his way to the bathroom San heard him complain to Hongjoong who was less than sympathetic, having wanted to go back to the studio as well.

“I wanted to take a short shower and sleep”, the oldest muttered, but it seemed like he had resigned himself to his fate. “As if you have ever taken a short shower in your entire life”, Hongjoong teased.

Once done with his shower and feeling much refreshed, San stuck his head in the room he shared with Yunho, informing him that it was now his turn. His hyung thanked him and gathered his stuff up from the bed leaving quickly. Not quite knowing what to do with his free time, San wandered into the kitchen, where he found Wooyoung preparing dinner.

“Need any help?”, he asked. Wooyoung turned around and mustered him up and down. “Sure. You’re not Yunho”, he jabbed. San grinned and took the knife he was given.

Sometimes he wondered why anybody in ATEEZ allowed Wooyoung of all people to hold sharp objects but at least Wooyoung wasn’t a hazard in the kitchen unlike San’s roommate.

San had always been a deep sleeper, never really waking up in the night and it was difficult to get him to wake up in the morning. He always told his members that the only reason was the comfort his plushies provided and how would he abandon his warm bed and Shiber for a cold morning? The members always teased him for it but for some reason if anybody ended up sharing San’s bed with him they never wanted to get up too.

Well, back to Yunho’s kitchen adventure. San had woken up from deep slumber a not so long time ago to the sound of the fire alarm blaring, Mingi’s panicked yelling and Hongjoong’s angry yelling. From what he had gathered in his sleepy daze Yunho had tried to make himself and Mingi late night ramen and for some obscure reason the pot had caught on fire. San had pitied his captain who had just returned from a late producing session to find the dorm nearly burning down. But in the end Hongjoong had helped them hide the damage before Seonghwa had returned from visiting his parents in the morning. Even Hongjoong was afraid of what Seonghwa would do to them if he found out what had happened. Now Seonghwa still couldn’t solve the mystery of where his favourite pot had gone. Since everybody faked innocence he till now hadn’t found out but not for lack of trying.

Slowly the meal took form and it was Wooyoung’s turn to shower, leaving San with strict instructions.

Hongjoong joined San to keep him company. Though he soon regretted it when Wooyoung returned dripping wet and shaking his wet hair over poor Hongjoong who just got dry, all the while cackling loudly. Hongjoong rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Wooyoung, why don’t you wake up Jongho-yah? It’s his turn to shower after you. He fell asleep on the couch and we all know he always needs a little time to wake up.”

“Sir, yes, sir”, Wooyoung replied, offering a two finger military salute, and crossed into the living room to wake up the older man.

San rolled his eyes as he heard Wooyoung sing “Get up” by Na Sangdo on top of his lungs. He had just gotten that song unstuck from his head after performing it with Yunho during the Salary Lupin episode.

What he didn’t expect was the sudden scream from Wooyoung and then silence. Hongjoong also turned around from the stove at the sound and they both looked at each other in confusion before Hongjoong turned off the stove and they both ran to the living room.

⌛

Nothing could have prepared San for the view he was greeted with. Wooyoung was standing frozen in the middle of the living room, mouth open in shock and whole body shaking. Jongho was still lying on the couch, though hanging his head over the edge and there was a disgusting, chunky, yellowish puddle of vomit coating the floor. And Wooyoung’s socks and lower pants.

Shit. This was not ideal.

“Jongho-yah, you could have told us that you felt sick before”, Hongjoong said weakly, probably mentally trying to prepare himself for the next hours. His voice dripped with sympathy for their youngest, clearly worried.

“Wooyoungie?”, San whispered, reaching out to his best friend. He felt bad about leaving the sick youngest to Hongjoong alone but he needed to get Wooyoung out of the situation ASAP.

“Wooyoungie?”, San tried again as he got no answer. Cautiously he stepped forward, turned Wooyoung away from looking at Jongho and knelt down next to his friend, trying to assess the damage. He definitely didn’t want to touch their makneas’s puke with his bare hands, so he slipped off his own socks to use them as a barrier.

He helped Wooyoung stay steady as he gently pulled down his right sock and helped Wooyoung balance as he got the shaken but obedient man to lift his foot. Then his left sock was off and San tossed them as well as his own to the side. He got up and said: “Your trousers?”

Wooyoung showed no reaction, silent tears flowing down his cheeks. San heard a whimper behind them, not sure if that meant Jongho was about to be sick again but wanting to avoid that in Wooyoung’s presence. He grabbed Wooyoung’s hands and pulled him to the door.

Miraculously - and very unhelpfully - none of the other members had been alerted by the commotion.

“Hongjoong-hyung, I’m taking Wooyoungie to the bathroom”, he called out to his captain-hyung, getting a nod in approval. Hongjoong was talking quietly to Jongho who was still really pale and swallowing visibly, having pulled a trash can close. San ignored them in favour of yelling for Yeosang, knowing he needed the other man to help with the shaken youngest of their trio.

Yeosang stuck his head out of the door of his room and gasped. Immediately Seonghwa appeared behind him, both of them looking like comic characters with just their heads showing at different heights. San would have laughed if the situation wasn’t so dire. Wooyoung was clutching his hand with all his might, eyes clenched shut and still trembling like he was going to fall apart.

“Wooyoungie is sick?”, Yeosang asked and ran over to check on their friend. San shuddered – that would be a nightmare. It had happened once that Wooyoung got the stomach flu despite all their precautions and none of them really wanted to remember how much he had suffered under the illness and the constant panic. He shook his head as they led Wooyoung into the bathroom. “Jjongie is sick.”

“Oh”, Yeosang frowned, then turned his attention to Wooyoung. He didn’t even spare a glance at Seonghwa now, who told them he was going to check on Jongho. “Let’s sit you down on the toilet seat, okay? We can take off your trousers and then we can take a shower, okay?”

Wooyoung showed no reaction, so Yeosang just unbuttoned his pants and slid them down, before helping their unsteady friend to sit. Carefully they tucked the soiled garments over his feet and as San continued to hold Wooyoung’s hand, Yeosang started to strip out of his own clothes. There was no way they would let Wooyoung shower alone right now.

Carefully Yeosang and Wooyoung stepped into the shower, their youngest compliant in their hands until San tried to pull away. Panickily he clutched San’s hand tighter, not wanting to give up the little comfort it provided. San shushed the little whimpers he let out. It was the first sound Wooyoung had made since the scream and it broke their hearts to see their always happy friend reduced to tears due to his phobia.

Yeosang started the shower; the new, comforting input was enough to calm Wooyoung down so that San could step away to throw the clothes into the trash can to dispose of them later. There was no way Wooyoung would ever want to wear them again.

San took off his own shirt, not wanting it to get wet when he helped Wooyoung in the shower. But before that he quickly washed his hands, knowing he hadn’t touched the dirty parts of the clothes but wanting to give Wooyoung (and himself) a little relief. Maybe it was more for his own benefit - he wasn’t sure if Wooyoung was even aware enough of his movements. Still, he wanted to return to Wooyoung’s side as soon as possible.

⌛

Once the water had washed off all traces of sickness Yeosang and San helped Wooyoung sit down on the shower floor. Yeosang took out his own precious body wash, pushing out a generous amount and started to lather Wooyoung’s body in bubbles. San stayed close, one hand holding Wooyoung’s ankle to ground him.

They stayed in the water for as long as Wooyoung needed to feel clean again, knowing that while it wasn’t rational and he was already clean, it helped him to calm down to stay for longer. They wouldn’t take it away from him.

“I wanna sleep”, Wooyoung mumbled, nearly fifteen minutes later. He had rested his head against Yeosang’s shoulder and the tension in his body had slowly subsided.

“Alright”, San whispered and while Yeosang shut off the water he got a fluffy towel to make a Wooyoung-burrito. As he said it aloud, encouraging Wooyoung to step out into the real world again, the younger one even giggled a bit. It was far from his normal laugh that everybody loved but it was a start. San hugged Wooyoung close all the while rubbing him dry, as Yeosang got himself dried up.

“What do we do?”, Yeosang asked quietly. “We can’t have them share the dorm like this. The walls aren’t really soundproof - if Jjongie … well, we’ll all be able to hear. Wooyoungie can’t handle that.”

“What if we take him to the managers’ dorm?”, San suggested. While most of their managers had family, there were always at least one or two managers staying the night in the apartment across from theirs to be available to the group. It had been quite useful in the past.

Yeosang tilted his head in contemplation. “Yeah, that might work. Will you call Hyunseok-hyung?”

San nodded, already pulling his phone out to call their manager who was scheduled to stay the night. Yeosang turned back to comfort Wooyoung, while San stepped out into the hall.

“Hi, Sannie. What can I do for you?”, Manager Hyunseok asked as the call went through.

“Jongho threw up”, San said, sparing no time for formalities, “we were wondering if we could take Wooyoung to your apartment so we can keep him separated from Jongho? He already had a panic attack once.”

“Yes, yes of course”, the manager agreed. They all knew about Wooyoung’s phobia - it wasn’t the first time a member was sick after all. “Do you need anything? Should I come over to help with something?”

“No, it’s okay, thank you. We’ll be over soon,” San said before hanging up hurriedly. They needed to get Wooyoung to safety and free the bathroom for their sick youngest swiftly.

So San stepped back into the bathroom and lifted the exhausted Wooyoung, still wrapped in the towel, into his arms. Wooyoung gave a content sigh and cuddled closely, resting his head on San’s shoulder. Yeosang wrapped his own towel around his waist and peaked outside the bathroom, giving a thumbs up. San, holding on tightly, followed him to the room the other two shared and set down Wooyoung on Yeosang’s lower bunk.

“Let’s get you into comfy clothes”, San suggested and moved around to find him a new set of pyjamas to wear, as well as a new shirt for himself as he had abandoned his old one in the bathroom. Wooyoung whined a bit at the loss of contact but as it was the norm for him so San wasn’t as worried as before. Yeosang meanwhile also changed into pajamas so they could go over to the manager’s dorm quickly.

Once Hyunseok let them in, they spread out on the big couch in the living room, cuddling close to each other. Yeosang would probably fall off the couch in the middle of the night, not quite as fast as San to claim the backrest side. Well, that would be Yeosang’s problem - for now they could rest.

⌛

Seonghwa rushed to the living room as soon as he heard that their youngest was sick. He was a bit confused about what had transpired but the state of Wooyoung was enough evidence that he knew something bad was up. He found Hongjoong kneeling on the floor at one end of the sofa, one of the older blankets they had meant to donate sooner or later thrown over an obvious puddle of sick on the floor. Jongho was lying on the couch, a trash bin by his head and he looked positively awful. Pale, sweaty and incredibly nauseous.

Seonghwa took a moment to observe Hongjoong and Jongho without being noticed, smiling to himself at how far they both had come. Hongjoong was brushing back Jongho’s red hair in obvious worry, gently shushing the now mostly silently crying maknae. Listening closely he could make out the phrases ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘Wooyoungie-hyung’. Seonghwa felt bad for the poor maknae, always trying to be so strong and who had now very unintentionally without being at fault at all hurt his beloved hyung in one of the worst possible ways.

The oldest watched the tender moment between captain and youngest play out before stepping forward.

“Wooyoungie is going to be fine, makdoongie”, Seonghwa said, knowing that he was in good hands with Yeosang and San. “Sannie and Yeosangie are taking care of him.”

Jongho didn’t reply, still shaking, but from the way some tension left his shoulders he seemed to have heard him.

“What happened?”, Seonghwa asked, curious but also wanting to understand. “Have you been feeling sick for longer, baby?”

“When Jjongie woke up from his nap he immediately got sick”, Hongjoong explained in Jongho’s stead, not mentioning Wooyoung at all to keep the maknae calm. Seonghwa could put the pieces together anyways.

“Do you know what is wrong?”, he instead asked. Hongjoong opened his mouth to answer but was shoved aside as Jongho lunged for the bucket.

The maknae’s face had a slight green hue to it and he was gagging dryly, the sound of it terrible. He coughed and then another wave of stomach contents fell from his mouth, landing in the receptacle with a disgusting splat. Hongjoong sighed and rubbed the maknae’s back. From the fullness of the bucket Seonghwa guessed it wasn’t the first time that Jongho had been sick after the disaster on the floor.

“I have no idea”, Hongjoong said with another sigh, “he just can’t stop throwing up. I was hoping it had stopped for now but… I … could you get some cleaning supplies and maybe his bed covers? A thermometer? Anything to make him more comfortable?”

Seonghwa nodded and walked into the kitchen to grab some cleaning stuff. But before he could make it to the cabinet, Mingi and Yunho appeared in the doorway with the same looks of confusion.

“Shouldn’t dinner…?”, Mingi started, but Seonghwainterrupted him. “Maknae threw up. On Wooyoungie. Dinner is cancelled unless you make it yourself.”

Yunho grimaced at the explanation. “Shit. Okay. What’s the plan?”

“I’m gonna get some cleaning supplies and a fresh bucket. Could you go and find the thermometer and medications and bring his comforter and pillow?”, Seonghwa asked. Both nodded and left.

With a sigh, Seonghwa took out the cleaning supplies and a new bucket - the actual designated puke bucket, not the living room trash bin that was now a casualty of war. With gloved hands he returned to the living room where Hongjoong was softly talking to Jongho, a soft hand on his upset stomach. Jongho had his face buried in his captain’s shoulder, clearly still not feeling great.

Seonghwa replaced the disgustingly full bucket, puke sloshing around and handed it to the very unhappy Yunho who had returned with Jongho’s blanket at just the right - or in Yunho’s case the wrong moment. Hongjoong spread out the comforter over their maknae, patting his back.

With his thumb and index finger Seonghwa lifted the towel from the floor and, wincing, stuffed it into a trash bag, setting it aside to be thrown away later. Then he went over to mopping the floor and disinfecting it.

Meanwhile Mingi had returned with medications and the thermometer, giving both to Hongjoong. “You’ve got a bit of a fever, Jjongie”, Seonghwa heard Hongjoong mumble. “Do you want to take … no? Okay, just rest for now.”

⌛

Once everything was cleaned, Seonghwa joined Hongjoong in sitting on the floor by Jongho’s side. The maknae had his eyes closed now, head resting on the pillow. He looked incredibly young that way, much younger than he actually was.

“Hyungs? I feel awful”, the maknae whispered, his voice rough from all the vomiting.

“I know, baby”, Seonghwa mumbled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Jongho’s ear and kissing his forehead. “I know. But we’ll be here with you, okay? Even if it’s all night. Even if it’s tomorrow too. Even if it’s forever, hm? We’ll take care of you.”

And so they rested. Until the sound of the fire alarm broke the silence...

Notes: This is a rewrite + finally finishing one of my first ATEEZ fanfics from over a year ago. I think it shines through in the writing style but I still hope you like it!

Masterlist links: Fairy's Full Masterlist Fairy's Masterlist - ATEEZ

41 notes · View notes