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Jungkook needed a break . They had been practicing this choreo for hours and this was only one of several days that they had to practice. The music video shoot was coming up and everything had to be perfect. He wasn’t hitting his marks; and he knew that this was highly unusual. Jimin shot him a look out of the corner of his eye, brows furrowed. Jungkook couldn’t tell if the look was annoyance or concern. He was panting, so out of breath for something that should have been easy . He was sweating in his black tunic, but felt like someone had kicked on the air conditioning. He gave a strangled pant, pushing back his bangs, which had begun clinging to his forehead, and turned to try and get his placement right. Hoseok jumped down off the platform, the loud, hollow sound of his shoes hitting the floor startling Jungkook, who looked momentarily dazed. He leaned the wrong way in the opening sequence and subsequently got yelled at by the choreographer to pull it together.

They tried the opener over again, this time the choreo clean and Jungkook lined up around Hoseok with Tae and Jimin to do their sequence. As soon as Hoseok started his rap, Kook tripped over his shoes, those damn clunky combat boots, and his hands slammed against the floor. The music cut abruptly and Hoseok was pulling him up off the floor with a worried look, Jungkook muttering that he was fine. He fell over Jimin’s leg during the third take, and bumped into Jin during the fifth. He thought their choreographer was going to kill him. When asked if he needed a break, Jungkook dusted his flubs off as nerves for the upcoming shoot and said he wanted to keep going.

He made it through the next sequence cleanly, all the way to Suga’s part. He started to feel dizzy when he was up on the platform opposite Jimin, but blinked it away. He moved into the group bit, Tae in front of him blurring in and out. They switched positions and Jungkook could swear he could hear his heart beating a million miles a minute in his ears. He was moving through the steps, his eyes unfocused. “Whatcha think ‘bout that? Bet it…” He swayed slightly. “Bet it got my haters hella s-” Jungkook fell out of line, not hearing the production team sighing. The room was spinning. He swallowed thickly, feeling bile rising in the back of his throat. He was so hot yet so cold. “S-sick.” He blinked lazily, eyes shut for too long. He could hear Namjoon’s voice ringing in his ears far away somewhere, not realizing the floor was coming up to meet him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

“Kook-ah. Kook-ah.” Jungkook’s eyes opened slowly, taking a while to focus before he saw his group of hyungs around him, Jin kneeling on the floor next to him, the rest of them standing worriedly. Yoongi was rubbing his thumb nervously against the fabric covering his arm, Tae fiddling with the straps on his jacket. Jungkook was wondering how exactly he had ended up on the floor and tried to push himself up when his head pounded and his stomach rolled.

“Ah, my head…”

Jin looked at him with extra worry, and Jungkook could tell he had his eomma goggles on. “You’re burning up, Kookie. You need to go home, you’re sick.”

“‘M not sick,”

Jungkook started, pushing against Jin’s arm for support as he tried to prop himself up. His stomach felt like it was doing backflips. Something that felt suspiciously like a burp tickled the back of his throat and he was jerking forward, the back of his hand pressed to his lips to try and stop it. Jin had moved in an instant, his hand now resting on the middle of Jungkook’s back, giving orders as if he was a commander in the army. Jimin had brought the small rubbish bin from the corner over, crouching next to Jungkook, rubbing his back as well. “Here, bunny.” His voice was soft, laced with concern. Jungkook pushed his arm away weakly, insisting that he wasn’t sick. Hoseok offered him his Evian, Jungkook’s fingers shaking as he took the bottle. No more had a sip of water passed his lips and been swallowed down was Jungkook’s back arching violently, hands grappling for the rubbish bin before he was coughing and retching into the receptacle. Jin was rubbing his back soothingly, slow, long strokes from between his shoulder blades down to the small of his back.

“We need to get you home, Kook-ah.” He could only nod as another wave of nausea overtook him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Tears were burning at the corners of his eyes on the way back to the dorm as he tried not to puke in the van. His head was between his knees, Jin’s hand still on his back. His stomach was spasming violently, and every roll of the organ had him whimpering like a kicked dog. Jin kept shushing him softly, telling him that they’d be home soon and that it wasn’t much longer. Jungkook wasn’t sure how this had happened. He had been fine this morning, eating two whole bowls of ramen and rice for breakfast, feeling great up until a few hours ago where his knees had started to hurt and he got cold sweats. Another wave of nausea wracked his frame and he was retching violently, back arching like a cat, his tongue coming out from between his lips as he gagged. Tae was twisted in his seat, telling the driver to pull over, but Jungkook told him no, pressing his fist against his mouth. The next roll of his gut was so painful he bit down into the flesh covering the joint of his knuckle until he tasted copper. His hair was sticking to his forehead, yet he was shivering as if it were twenty below out. He rested his forehead against the window of the van, which offered minimal relief. His eyelids felt especially heavy, weighed down as if some invisible force kept pushing them down. He could hear the muffled voices of his hyungs surrounding him before his eyes shut completely and he nodded off.

Jin was hurrying them up the stairs leading to the dorm, his grip on Jungkook’s arms tight but not painful. And he kept repeating “it’s ok, it’s ok” over and over again. Jungkook thought he was going to throw up in the van, then again outside the building. He turned his eyes to Jin’s, whining pathetically at the older boy. Jin gave him a thin smile, fumbling with the keys for the lock before barking at Namjoon to do it. Jungkook was leaning heavily against the wall, his stomach rolling hotly again. He tugged fervently on Jin’s sleeve.

“Hyung…”

He pressed a hand over his mouth, swallowing against his better judgement. The moment seemed to pass and Jungkook took a relieved breath. Then he was retching again. “I think I’m going to be sick!” His hand collided with the door as it flew open and he was scampering down the hallway, not even having enough time to take his shoes off. Jin was running after him, trying to herd Jungkook into the bathroom before he threw up in the hallway.

“Here, here, here,”

Jin was muttering, shushing Jungkook’s whimpers as he helped him into the bathroom, the first wave merging into the second, Jungkook clutching his middle as he retched, doubling over, a thick gush of liquid escaping him, spattering over the lip of the toilet and onto the floor. His fingers were coated with vomit from where he had tried to stop himself. He was crying, he knew it. Jin was shushing him, moving carefully around the two larger puddles of vomit, kneeling beside him, rubbing circles into his back. “It’s ok bunny, it’s ok. Let it out, you’ll feel better.” Jungkook waited for a moment, praying that that wave was the only one before he was lurching forward, his toes curling painfully as he felt another wave of nausea hit him and his hands were gripping the edges of the toilet as he felt his breakfast fighting its way up. Again and again he vomited, his throat burning, face stinging with humiliation. He saw Jin waving his hand angrily out of the corner of his eye, as if the elder was shooing someone outside the door.

“No more...I can’t do it anymore…”

He felt like a pathetic child whining to his mother. But Jin just moved back his bangs, using a cool washcloth to wipe some vomit off his cheek. “It’ll be over soon baby, I promise.” Jungkook could only nod weakly before another bout of nausea hit him and he was gagging over the bowl, shutting his eyes to try and block out the disgusting splattering noises.

He was shaking by the time he was done with another round, his legs trembling on the cold tile floor. Jin was looking at him, trying very hard to hide his worry. He had kept rubbing Jungkook’s back through each bout, murmuring sweet words in his ear. “C’mon bunny, we should get you into bed.” Jin was trying to coax him away from the fixture, but Jungkook remained firmly rooted. “Baby,” Jin started again when Jungkook was rearing under his touch, retching. Only a stream of clear fluid came up, dangling off Jungkook’s lower lip. Jin was cooing at him, trying to get him to stand, which was much like getting a newborn giraffe to stand. As soon as he was up, Jungkook felt the world spinning, his stomach still churning hotly.

“Hyung,”

 He muttered quietly, holding onto the front of Jin’s shirt. The elder boy hoisted him up, gripping behind Jungkook’s thighs as he carried the maknae out of the bathroom. Five nervously white faces were staring at him from the lounge, eyes fixed on the quivering, moaning boy that used to be their golden maknae clinging to Jin’s shoulder like his life depended on it.

Jin set Jungkook down on the bed, going to root through the wardrobe for some clean clothes. When he returned, Yoongi and Taehyung were seated on opposite sides of their maknae, Jungkook’s head resting on Tae’s shoulder. The boy was coloured with fever, his eyes barely open. He padded over to the bed, kneeling in front of Jungkook, gently lifting the hem of his tunic, “can you lift your arms for me, bunny?” Jungkook barely moved from where he was curled into Taehyung’s side. Jin, with assistance from Yoongi, lifted away Jungkook’s tunic, stained here and there with rivulets of vomit. His stomach looked swollen, bloated out over the waist of his track pants. His skin was covered in a sheen of sweat and was flushed pink, the colour of newly-bloomed cherry blossoms. Jin tossed the tunic towards the hamper in the corner of the room, sliding a white tee shirt over Jungkook’s head. It was a cute one that Jimin had bought him as a present, with a pair of rabbit ears and whiskers peeking out of the pocket, curling letters proclaiming some bunny loves you! Jin had to practically pry his dongsaengs away, telling them that “Kookie needs his rest. You can check back later.” There was some grumbling and groaning from the pair of them, but they left eventually under threat of Jin’s wrath. Tae lingered bravely in the threshold, hand on the jamb before Jin shot him a look and the second-youngest scampered off down the hall. He was tucking Jungkook into the bed, laying the sheets over him when he heard a voice behind him.

“You think he’s gonna be ok, Jinnie?”

Namjoon was idling outside the door, clearly not wanting to set the eldest off. And he hardly ever called Jin Jinnie unless he was sick or worried. Jin let out a sigh, unfolding a Star Wars blanket before carefully draping it over the maknae. He stepped back slightly, turning dark eyes to Namjoon’s. “I don’t know. I know that’s not what you want to hear right now, but he’s gotten really bad all at once.” Namjoon had shuffled into the room sometime when Jin had his back turned. He was looking at the floor, rubbing at his arm as if it were sore. “Joonie, the most we can do is let him rest and hope it passes. If things get worse, we’ll go from there. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Namjoon only nodded sullenly. Jin turned back to the sleeping maknae, brows knit together in sleep. He brushed a hand against Jungkook’s forehead, sweeping away his bangs. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier, it’s just-”

“We’re all worried about him, Jinnie. You don’t have to apologize. Kook’s our maknae, and we’re always gonna see him as our little baby, no matter how old he gets.”

That had Jin smiling a little before he was slinging an arm over Namjoon’s shoulders, leading him out of the room, the door closing quietly behind them.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It hadn't even been an hour yet. Jin was in the kitchen working on some kimchi for dinner, watching his dongsaengs carefully out of the corner of his eye, chiding anyone who tried to sneak off and bother Kookie. He was sorting through the cabinets looking for the sesame seed oil, Jimin behind him, chin on one broad shoulder, arms laced around his waist. They often sought out contact when they were stressed, scared, worried or sick. Jimin was humming softly next to Jin’s ear, something that resembled a new track they were working on for their Japanese release of Love yourself - Her . A stark wail echoed through the otherwise soundless dorm. Jin immediately dropped the spatula he had in his hand, breaking free from Jimin’s grip, the other boy staring after him, eyes round and glassy with shock. Jin was sprinting down the hallway, his blood rushing in his ears. Jungkook’s voice was high-pitched; frightened . Over and over again he called for Jin.

“Jin-hyung! Jin-hyung!”

Jin burst into the bedroom, skidding across the floor in just his socks. Perhaps it was lucky that Jungkook had won that game of rock paper scissors and had the room all to himself, otherwise there was the likelihood Jin would have crashed into something and hurt himself. “I’m here baby, I’m here.” The boy was deathly pale as Jin approached the bed, the only indication of colour were fever splotches breaking out across his skin. He was heaving, sat forward in the bed. A squelching, wet sound escaped him, and Jungkook was clapping a hand over his mouth, retching behind it. “Ok sweetheart, ok, let’s get you up.” Jin had no more than moved back the covers, going to manoeuvre the maknae out of the bed when Jungkook let out another strained, gagging sound. There was discoloured yellow liquid seeping between his fingers. Jin moved swiftly, pulling Jungkook into his arms, knowing the boy would only stumble down the hall to the bathroom, and probably wouldn’t make it. Jungkook was breathing heavily next to his ear, a hand clamped down on his shoulder, staining the black material with sticky tendrils of bile. Thankfully it was a short haul to the bathroom, and Jin resisted the urge to strip off his tee shirt seeing as Jungkook had thrown up over his shoulder only moments ago, and he could feel the scalding liquid trickling down his back. He ignored it though, rushing to his maknae’s side, rubbing his back, Jungkook’s spine a prominent line under his hand. Jungkook was heaving, his arms braced above his head to create a rest for his forehead. The distressed sound had attracted Taehyung’s attention, who stopped cold in the door, seeing Jin covered in trails of vomit. He moved closer, offering to change places with Jin while the elder got cleaned up.

Tae’s hair was in the stages of transitioning from being dyed grey to brown, and it fell in his eyes as he crouched down next to his maknae. Jungkook’s face wasn’t even visible, he had himself buried in the bowl. Tae moved his hand to support Jungkook’s forehead so he didn’t fall face-first into the bowl. His hand must have been cold, Jungkook sighing slightly as he leaned into his hyung’s touch. Tae gently rubbed circles into the maknae’s side, working him through each heave, cooing softly at him. “It’s ok, bunny, it’s ok.” When Jungkook finally stopped, he was sallow, leaning his head onto his forearm, eyelids drooping. His lips moved, whispering something. Tae leaned forward to try and hear him better, the maknae’s breath hot and sour smelling.

“Eomma...where’s eomma?”

Tae was surprised when he heard the word. Jungkook couldn’t possibly mean his own mother , so it must have been a delirium-induced thought. Through half-lidded eyes, Jungkook was looking around the bathroom. He tried to prop himself up, nearly toppling over if Tae wasn’t there to catch him, a palm against his ribs. “Eomma! Eomma!” He cried, voice increasing in volume slightly, rough and crackling from all of the abuse to his throat. Tae tried to comfort him, but Jungkook fussed as if he was a child, tears shimmering at the corners of his reddened eyes. Tae could feel his heart beating faster as he vicariously felt Jungkook’s anxiety. He licked his lips, turning to yell over his shoulder.

“Jin-hyung!”

The eldest appeared not a minute later, pulling the hem of a pink sweatshirt down over his sharp hip bones, moving swiftly. “What’s wrong?” Tae was shrugging, unsure.

“He kept calling for...you.”

The dongsaeng hesitated on the last word for fear of offending his hyung. Jin’s expression changed instantly as if he was realizing all at once what Taehyung meant. Jungkook had moved closer to Jin the moment he had crouched down, rubbing against his chest. Taehyung quickly wiped Jungkook’s mouth off with the sleeve of his shirt, still wearing his costume from choreo run throughs. Jungkook was muttering, nosing against Jin’s chest and neck like a puppy. The eldest was stroking his hair, murmuring to him like he used to when the maknae was very young. “Quiet baby, you're ok.” His voice was quiet as he dipped his neck to plant his lips on Jungkook’s scalp. The maknae looked content, his eyes closed, cuddled against Jin, smacking his lips. Taehyung was looking at them with big, dark eyes, sitting back so that his legs pushed out in front of him. Tae reached out his fingers to brush against a sliver of exposed skin on the small of Jungkook’s back, his eyes locking with Jin’s. The eldest was nodding, his voice hushed as he whispered.

“I know.”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

There was silence at the dinner table that night, only the hollow sounds of chopsticks scraping against plates and the occasional swallow. Jimin had his chin propped up on his hand, elbow on the table. Normally Jin would have chided him on the behaviour, but tonight, he kept his mouth shut. He was chewing on his lip, chopsticks hovering over his plate, food barely touched. Jungkook had finally gone to sleep, and the last few hours had been quiet. However, the boys were so concerned about their maknae that they kept leaving the lounge or the table to peek into his room and check on him. Hobi stood up to leave the table when Jin gently took the sleeve of his camo tunic. “Hope-ah, Yoongi just looked in on bunny a few minutes ago, I’m sure he’s still fine.” Hoseok offered the eldest a small smile before sitting back down, absently stirring his kimchi. Taehyung had pushed his plate away a while ago, his face covered with his hands. In the silence, a small, bubbling sob could be heard from the second-youngest. All eyes turned to Tae, and Jimin moved from his seat to rub his arm.

“Taehyungie, what’s the matter?”

Tae’s voice was shaking as he spoke. “I-I’m ju-just so worried ab-about Kook-ah.” There were resounding murmurs of agreement from everyone at the table. Jin leaned back in his chair, sighing. He scrubbed his face with his hands before setting them down on the tabletop.

“If Jungkook is no better tomorrow, if he’s still throwing up and still has his fever, I’ll call Sejin-nim and ask what to do.” Worried eyes turned to him, Jimin’s voice wobbling as he spoke up.

“But we’re Kookie’s family. We can take care of him.”

That started a dull roar of bickering at the table which Jin silenced with a stern “stop fighting!” The voices stopped as their eldest sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Jimin-ah, I understand that you’re worried about Kookie, we’re all worried about him. We are his family, but there are some things that we can’t provide him with here. If he keeps getting sicker he might have to go to hospital. That’s why I want Sejin-nim’s advice.”

“It’s not fair!”

Jimin whined, Jin about to tell him off, exhausted at this point, when Namjoon beat him to it. “Jimin-ah, we can’t be selfish right now. We all want to take care of Jungkookie. He’s our maknae, and he will always be our maknae. Going to hospital won’t change that. Hospital can give him things that he needs, like medicine.” Jimin’s lower lip was wobbling, and Hobi coaxed him over, holding his arms open.

“Come here baby. It’s ok, love.”

They all sat there in silence for a long time, Jimin wound around Hobi on his lap, Yoongi’s arm wrapped protectively around Taehyung’s shoulders. Jin broke the silence with another long sigh. He pushed back from the table. “It’s getting late. You should all get ready for bed.” He started to clear the table, picking up the barely-eaten kimchi. As his dongsaengs dispersed, moving off towards their rooms, Jin couldn’t help the ache in his chest. He took a piece of Tupperware off one of the top shelves to store the leftover kimchi and threw the container angrily. He braced his hands on either side of his sink, his shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, tipping his neck back to look at the ceiling. “Kook-ah...we need you.”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was closing in on eleven o’clock, the sky outside inky with a curtain of darkness, a smattering of nearby lights glowing like floating orbs. Jin had just finished a shower, his hair still damp and disheveled. He stretched out his sore back muscles as he padded down the halway. The door to Namjoon and Taehyung’s room was closed, so he carefully opened it, seeing both boys asleep, curled up under mountains of blankets. Jimin and J-Hope’s door was open a crack, Jin peeking around the corner. Hobi was asleep, but Jin could see Jimin’s eyes shining in the low orange light of the lamp on the side table. Jimin murmured, twisting in his bed to see Jin. “Hyung?” Jin moved into the room, sidestepping some rubbish on the floor so that he didn’t fall and twist his ankle. Jimin sat up some in the bed, his eyes puffy.

 “Are you ok?” Jimin only shrugged, his eyes fixed on Hobi’s sleeping form. Jin sat down on the corner of the bed, careful to not squash the dongsaeng’s legs. “You can talk to me, I won’t be mad. At dinner, I was just stressed about Kookie. I didn’t mean to be cross with you. You know that I love you, right Jimin-ah?” The younger boy turned to look up at his hyung, the corner of his mouth twisting up in a smile.

“Is Kook-ah going to be ok?”

Jin inclined his head a small bit. “He’s strong. I’m sure he’ll be fine. I’ll check on him before going to bed.” Jimin’s smile widened. “You should get to sleep now, it’s been a long day. We don’t need you getting sick too.” Jimin moved to settle back under the covers, Jin adjusting them as he stood. The lamp gave off a small click as Jin turned it off, extunighsing the soft glow. He was headed to the door when he heard Jimin’s voice from under the pile of blankets, soft and thick, as if he was falling asleep.

“Love you hyung.”

“Love you too.” The door closed quietly behind the eldest, who leaned back a bit and sighed. Sometimes it was exhausting being an eomma to six dongsaengs. The light in the kitchen was still on, so Jin turned that one off, making sure the front door was locked before turning off the two lights in the lounge, familiar with the layout of the dorm that he could move about in the dark and not break anything, and that included himself. He carefully opened Jungkook’s door, a warm white light coming from the nightlight in the corner. The maknae was sleeping, Jin could hear his slightly laboured breaths. Carefully walking closer, Jin gently brushed his hand over Jungkook’s forehead, leaning to press his lips against the skin. He frowned a little; Jungkook’s fever still hadn’t broken. Sighing softly, Jin adjusted a few blankets before turning. “Sleep well Kook-ah.” The eldest had turned to leave when he felt a weak grip around his arm.

“Don’t go.”

Turning to look, Jin saw Jungkook’s heavy-lidded eyes fixed on him, his features set in a desperate expression. “Please, hyung. Don’t leave me alone.” Jungkook’s voice was raspy from all his vomiting, but nonetheless he sounded so small and innocent. Jin moved closer.

“Of course I’ll stay with you, bunny.” He moved back the blankets, Jungkook moving slowly to give the elder room. It looked like the maknae had on pajamas from an episode of Run!BTS but Jin couldn’t be absolutely sure in the dark. Jungkook moved closer to his hyung, reaching his hand out before retracting it, unsure.

“Can I snuggle?”

Jin opened up his arms, tucking one behind the maknae, Jungkook snuggling up against his chest, inhaling the scent of the elder boy, who always smelled of musk and cedar. He felt Jungkook’s hands settle, one on his chest, and one on his waist. He could feel the younger boy’s hand, cold on the exposed skin where his Rolling Stones tee shirt had ridden up. The younger’s fingers bumped over his jutting hip bone, the waist of his sweats and boxers having slipped down a bit. Jin ran his fingers through Jungkook’s hair, stroking his scalp, picking up tufts occasionally before letting the strands fall from between his fingers. “How are you feeling Kook-ah?” Jungkook made a disgruntled noise, burying his nose against Jin’s sternum.

“My tummy still hurts, and I’m cold.”

Jin hummed in response, removing his hand from Jungkook’s hair to wrap it securely around his waist. “You want me to make you some dakjuk tomorrow?” Jin had thought the maknae had fallen asleep before getting a response when Jungkook slowly nodded his head against Jin’s chest, the arm across the elder’s waist tightening. “There’s a good boy. Maybe some food in you will make you feel better.”

“You’re...a good eomma, Jin-hyung…”

Jin laughed lightly at the remark, carding his fingers through the maknae’s hair. He laid there for a while stroking the younger boy’s hair before Jungkook’s breaths even out, deepening, indicating he had fallen asleep. Jin smiled, adjusting slightly under Jungkook’s weight. “Goodnight Kookie.”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Jin woke up to his shoulder being urgently shaken. “Hyung...hyung wake up...c'mon...please…” Jin woke quickly, seeing Jungkook perched on his chest, fists balled around the fabric covering the elder’s chest.

“Kook-ah, what’s the matter?” Jin pushed himself up, rubbing sleep from his eyes, vision slightly blurred as he read the clock. 4:30 AM He noticed Jungkook nervously twisting, feeling the grip on his shirt tighten. “Can you stand up?” The maknae nodded slowly, Jin helping him out of bed, Jungkook moaning, holding an arm across his stomach. It felt like someone was squeezing his insides. Jin hurried him down the hallway, switching on the light in the bathroom. “Do you need to throw up again?” He was rubbing between Jungkook’s shoulder blades, seeing the boy’s eyes narrow in embarrassment.

“I-I need the toilet.” When Jin moved a foot forward, Jungkook’s face seemed to tinge a little darker. “C-can you just wait out here?” The eldest nodded stepping back, moving to lean against the opposite wall, tiredly rubbing his eyes. There was a loud noise outside, and he moved to check it, wondering if it was just some alley cats. He tripped over a shoe that was thrown near the front door. Upon closer inspection, he discovered it belonged to Yoongi and made a mental note to scold the boy for it in the morning. Jungkook had been in the bathroom for a while, Jin walking up and down the hallway, yawning. He heard a whimper from inside and moved to the door, knocking softly.

“Jungkookie? You ok?” There was a long pause before Jungkook responded.

“Ne.”

The maknae appeared a few moments later, backlit by the vanity lights, holding his stomach. Jin cupped his face with one hand, fingers sliding behind his ear. “Do you need some medicine?” Jungkook looked down at the floor, wiggling his socked feet. He looked back up, and Jin could tell he was embarrassed before he nodded. Jin gave him a small smile, understanding, opening the medicine cabinet, getting a pill out of a small box. He brought it to Jungkook with a glass of water.

“I don’t think I can drink that.”

“Can you try bunny? For me?” Jungkook’s tongue moved out between his lips before he nodded, taking the water and pill, swallowing the least amount possible. He gagged a little, covering his mouth. “It’s ok, it’s ok. Take a deep breath baby.” The maknae was doubled over, his hand clamped over his mouth, dreadful heaving sounds still escaping him. “Shh, shh, it’s ok sweetheart. Just breathe, breathe baby.”Jungkook was dropping onto his hands and knees on the floor, keening. “Shh, bunny, shh, it’s ok.” Jin heard a door down the hall open, but paid it no attention as he continued to rub the maknae’s back, trying to offer him some comfort. Jungkook was gagging, streams of liquid passing through his fingers. “Ok, ok, you’re ok.” A sputtering sound escaped the boy, his hand moving out of the way completely as he retched, bringing up nothing more than some bile and water. Footsteps were approaching, and in the light from the bathroom, Jin could see Yoongi’s usually expressionless face coloured with concern. He was kneeling down beside Jungkook, his fingers shaking slightly as he reached out and touched the maknae’s shoulder. Jungkook turned, rubbing at his mouth with his arm, eyes shining glassy with tears, his lips turned down in a sour frown. He leaned against Yoongi’s chest, his soiled hand dropping between his legs, the other clutching at the collar of the second oldest’s sleepshirt. Yoongi’s light brows drew together as Jungkook moved into his lap.

“You're ok, shh,” Yoongi whispered, stroking Jungkook’s hair. He kept his voice hushed as he looked up at Jin, the eldest boy leaning heavily against the wall, dark rings under his eyes. “Have you been with him the whole time?” Jin nodded slowly, his eyes nearly shut. Jungkook whimpered slightly in Yoongi’s arms, the elder boy shushing him, rubbing his hair. “He’s on fire…” Jin nodded again, rubbing a hand down his face. Yoongi stood slowly, Jungkook’s long limbs wrapping around him, supported with Yoongi’s forearms under his rear. He started back towards the maknae’s room, Jin following when Yoongi turned, “go get some sleep, hyung. You’re exhausted.”

“No, no I should stay.” Jin’s voice was thick and tired-sounding, and he leaned heavily against the doorframe.

“You’ll be no good to anyone if you get run down too. Go sleep, I’ll stay with Ggukie.” Jin muttered his thanks to his dongsaeng, kissing him lightly on the temple before stumbling down the hall. Yoongi heard the door close and moved Jungkook over to his bed, carefully undoing the buttons on the maknae’s shirt, throwing it towards the hamper. Jungkook was whimpering, Yoongi shushing him, carding fingers through the youngest’s dark hair. Yoongi fetched a fresh shirt, working Jungkook’s long arms through it, shifting the maknae’s legs into the bed. He covered the younger boy up, leaving the room for a minute to clean the floor in the hallway and turn off the bathroom light. He walked right into the wall outside Jungkook’s room, less accustomed to the dorm’s floor plan in the dark, cursing under his breath. He was rubbing his forehead with the flat of his hand as he closed the door behind him, settling next to Jungkook in the bed, the mattress dipping with his added weight. Jungkook turned over, snuggling closer to Yoongi.

“Eomma…”

He whispered weakly. “Shh,” the elder whispered, scooching forward until his knee bumped into Jungkook’s thigh. “It’s ok baby, it’s ok.” Yoongi whispered again, pulling the maknae against his chest. He cooed to him, rubbing Jungkook’s hair until the youngest fell asleep, and Yoongi laid awake for a while wondering if Jungkook was really going to be ok.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

“Heum,” Jin mumbled into the phone propped against his shoulder as he added some scallions to the pot on the stove. “I’m not sure, he just got sick all of a sudden during practice yesterday. Mm. He’s been throwing up all night. Poor thing just can’t keep anything down.” A shrill beeping echoed through the kitchen, Jin trying to get the boiling pot of dakjuk off the stove. “Eomma? Eomma? Hang on a minute, I’ve gotta put you on speaker.” Jin transferred the phone off his shoulder onto the counter, pressing the speaker button, his mother’s tranquil voice filling the small kitchen. “Right, right,” Jin answered her, reaching up to grab a bowl out of one of the cupboards. “No, I made him some dakjuk. I hope his stomach can handle it. I went easy on the spices.”

“Well, we all know how you love your sesame seed oil.” A sarcastic voice floated into the kitchen. Jin turned to see Taehyung in the door, hair slightly damp from a shower. He came up behind Jin, fingers lacing around his waist, chin on his shoulder.

“Hello ma'am,” he singsonged over Jin’s shoulder before swiping some broth on his finger, licking the digit. Jin swatted his hand, giving the younger boy a sharp look out of the corner of his eye before Tae grinned and gave him a thumbs-up, indicating that the broth tasted good. Jin was barely listening to his mother as he spooned the porridge into the bowl he had on the counter, rooting through one of the drawers for a spoon.

“Eomma? I have to go.” Jin leaned closer to the phone, listening to his mother babble a little longer before she told him that she hoped Jungkook got better, that he was such a nice boy, and to call her again if he needed anything. “Right, ok, love you mum.” He clicked the end call button and sighed, Taehyung still idling next to him. Jin swatted his arm when the younger grinned at him. He sighed again, still exhausted, waving his hand at Tae, “have some. But save some for your brothers.”

When Jin opened Jungkook’s door, he saw Yoongi coaching the youngest through a coughing fit, offering him sips of water. “Just a little, bunny. Just a little. There you go, baby.” He was wiping Jungkook’s chin off with his sleeve as the boy sputtered. He looked up to see Jin.

“Brought bunny some breakfast.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, Yoongi moving his feet out of the way under the covers. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Jungkook murmured incoherently, looking deathly miserable. Jin’s lips twisted down in a frown as he patted Yoongi’s thigh, telling him to go eat. The second eldest stumbled out of bed, looking worriedly at Jungkook before he left the room, scrubbing his hand through his matted seafoam-green hair. Jungkook twisted himself up in the blankets, unmoving. “Don’t you want to try at least a little, sweetie?” The maknae shook his head, bottom lip jutting out. “Please, bunny? Please? Maybe your tummy will feel better.” Jungkook looked at his hyung for a good few minutes before opening his mouth stubbornly. “Sit up honey, I don’t want you to choke.” He helped position one of the pillows behind Jungkook’s back. He offered Jungkook a spoonful of dakjuk, tipping the spoon up to get the broth down his throat. Jungkook was sputtering a bit, Jin rubbing his shoulder. “You ok, Ggukie?” The boy nodded. “You want more?” Jungkook opened his mouth, Jin giving him another spoonful.

“It’s good Jin-hyung…” Jungkook rasped, trying to smile at Jin before his face fell, grabbing his throat, leaning over the side of the bed, spitting up the porridge Jin had just gotten in him. When he looked back up at Jin, he had streams of tears down his face. He was sniffing.

“Oh Ggukie, baby, it’s ok, it’s ok. Don’t cry. Shh, it’s ok.” The elder used the back of his hand to wipe tears off the maknae’s face, ruffling his hair. “Here, here baby, have some water.” Jungkook took the glass with shaky hands, Jin helping to tip it to his lips. “Shh, there you go, there you go,” Jin cooed, petting down the back of the maknae’s neck. “Do you want to try again?” Despite having little energy, Jungkook shook his head fiercely. “Please Ggukie, you need a little something in you.”

“He’s not eating?” Came a voice at the door. Jin turned to see Jimin leaning against the doorframe, watching nervously. Jin beckoned the third-youngest into the room, handing him the bowl, asking him to try while he went and got supplies to clean the floor. Jungkook looked stubbornly at Jimin when the older boy offered him a spoonful of broth. Jimin set his jaw, adopting a pout. “You’ve gotta eat, baby. You need your strength.” Jungkook still resisted, Jimin sighing. “At this rate, we’ll never get the music video filmed. Think of all the disappointed ARMYs out there.” Jungkook’s brows furrowed sadly and he opened his mouth to say something in response when Jimin seized the opportunity and slipped the spoon between the maknae’s lips. Jungkook gave him a look, Jimin grinning. “Gotcha.” He got Jungkook to swallow a few more spoonfuls before Jin came in.

“Got him to eat, huh?” Jin questioned, looking at the bowl that was a third empty sitting on the side table.

“Heum!” Jimin smiled proudly, his smile vanishing when Jungkook started sputtering, holding his chest, grabbing Jimin’s shoulder. Jin hurried forward with the rubbish bin he had brought along, crouching in front of the makane, slipping the receptacle into his hands, shushing him with soft words. Jimin was horrified by the sounds coming out of the younger boy, but stayed nonetheless, rubbing between the boy's shoulder blades.

“Sorry, I’m sorry!” Jungkook sputtered between heaves, Jin shushing him.

“None of that baby. You don’t need to apologize.” Jin hushed.

“I thought he was gonna keep it down this time,” Jimin said, his nervous eyes finding his hyung’s. Jin told him to keep an eye on Jungkook, telling the third-youngest that it was time to call Sejin-nim. Jin stood, leaving the bedroom, finding Taehyung and Hobi standing outside the door, fidgeting. Tae rushed right past Jin, despite his protests, and knelt in front of the maknae, rubbing his knee. Jin sighed, rubbing at the crease in his forehead.

“Hobi, can you grab one of those electrolyte drinks from the fridge for Kookie? I don’t want him getting any more dehydrated.” J-Hope nodded, sliding past the eldest to get a bottle of blue liquid from the kitchen, slipping into the room. Jin removed his phone from his back pocket, scrolling through his contact list until he found their manager’s number. There were several dial tones before he heard the man pick up, Jin’s fingers shaking around the phone, using his other hand to hold it steady. “Sir, I need to ask your advice. Jungkook is really sick, he’s been sick since yesterday’s practice. He can’t keep anything down and he has a fever.” Jin was listening to their manager’s words, gripping the phone tighter to his ear to block out the noise in the background.

“Jin-hyung! Jin-hyung!”

Jin waved his hand under his arm, trying to indicate that he was busy and to leave him alone when the owner of the voice came rushing up to his side. Taehyung touched Jin’s arm, showing him the thermometer with Jungkook’s most recent temperature. 40°C Jin swallowed harshly. “Sejin-nim, his fever is spiking. No, no I understand, I just think we shouldn’t wait too long.” Jin could feel his stomach churning nervously as he waited on the end of the line, Sejin-nim speaking to someone who must have been in the room with him. Noises from Jungkook’s room were distracting Jin, who turned, seeing Tae and Jimin rubbing Jungkook’s back while the boy vomited, Hobi keeping the rubbish bin in place. When Tae’s eyes met Jin’s again, they were full of fear. Jin had never been so brusque in his life, “Sir, we can’t wait any longer. I’m taking Jungkook to the hospital. I’ll let you know when we’re there.” With that, he ended the call, not caring about the consequences in that moment. He rushed into Jungkook’s room, hurrying about, rifling through things, grabbing Jungkook’s ID and insurance card, running a hand through his hair. He was ordering people about, telling Jimin to get Jungkook’s coat, Hobi to pack clothes, Tae to get a mask.

“What’s going on?” Namjoon asked, seeing the kerfuffle unfolding in the maknae’s room.

“Kookie’s going to the hospital,” Jin answered matter-of-factly, shoving an unmarked duffle underneath his arm. He felt like he was going crazy, running about, grabbing his wallet and the keys to the Suburban kept at the dorm. Five minutes later he had Jungkook, bundled up in three layers of clothes thanks to Jimin with a mask secured over his nose and mouth, leaning heavily on Namjoon for support. It had been decided, despite Jin’s objection, that everyone was going to the hospital with their bunny. “All of us will look suspicious. What if someone recognizes us?”

“We’re his family. He needs us as much as we need him. We’re going, whether you like it or not.” That had been the bold response from Jimin, who was glued to the maknae’s side. He was only too lucky that Jin was exhausted beyond belief to reprimand him for his rude behaviour. Jin had handed off Jungkook’s bag to Namjoon, assigning Yoongi with the responsibility of locking the door as he swept Jungkook into his arms, bridal-style, carrying the boy down the stairs. Jungkook looked so small in his green parka, curling in on himself, clutching Jin’s jacket like a baby might clutch its mother’s necklace. Yoongi was running down the stairs after them to be able to unlock the SUV. Tae slid into the back first, holding his arms open for Jungkook, Jin gently sliding the boy in. He laid down on Tae’s lap, the second-youngest petting his hair lovingly. Jimin and Namjoon slid in next, the third-youngest taking his maknae’s legs onto his lap, rubbing Jungkook’s calves. Namjoon and Hobi were on the opposite side, behind the front seats. Jin was into the driver’s seat, fastening his seatbelt before Yoongi even had the passenger door shut. As he turned the key in the ignition, he heard Jungkook coughing in the backseat, his breathing laboured. Pulling out of the garage, his heart was doing backflips. Jimin’s voice was soft, yet the edges were tainted with worry.

“Just hold on, Kookie. Your hyungs are gonna get you help.”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Checking in was an ordeal. They looked a mess, all in various states of disarray, with mismatched clothing from hurrying, masks hanging half off their faces, Jin murmuring in a low voice for everyone to quit their bickering. He handed Jungkook off to Jimin and Yoongi while he went to the reception desk, telling the woman behind the desk that his brother was sick and needed to be seen by a doctor. The woman asked for ID and insurance, Jin handing her the respective cards. As she slid a clipboard towards him, telling him what to fill out, what boxes to check, and where to initial, his attention was deterred by the sound of Jungkook heaving, Jimin rubbing his back, Taehyung cooing to him, Yoongi at the ready with an empty shopping bag. Jin felt the slightest bit relieved when Jungkook pushed Yoongi’s arm away a little, his mouth covered by his hand, black mask pushed down. Jin came over to his group of dongsaengs, sitting beside Jungkook when Yoongi moved into the next chair, Jimin firmly not giving up his seat. He began to ask Jungkook some of the questions on the form in a hushed voice. The usual; height, weight. Then he went into the symptoms, writing down Jungkook’s pain and temperature, the nausea and vomiting, as well as the diarrhoea. He was on to another question when Jungkook made a noise like a bubble of air was trapped in his throat, leaning over quickly, Jin snatching the shopping bag from where Yoongi was holding it out to him, holding the bag open under the maknae’s mouth. Nothing more than bile and some blue liquid from the drink earlier came up. Jungkook’s face was flushed red, tears running down his face. Jimin had done his best to shield Jungkook with his coat, but he knew the younger boy was still embarrassed beyond belief, looking this weak in front of his brothers. Jin did his best to fill out the forms as quickly as possible, running them back up to the desk. Jungkook leaned heavily against his chest as soon as he sat down, burying his nose in Jin’s tee shirt. “Help me...please…” Jin pulled Jungkook onto his lap, petting his hair.

“Hold on baby, hold on.”

            It was like a godsend when the nurse called Jungkook’s name and Jin picked the maknae up, the boy attaching himself like a sloth as Jin carried him through the door separating the waiting area from the rest of the hospital. The other boys stood, Jin telling them to stay and wait, that he’d let them know when they could see Jungkook.

The nurse had Jin set Jungkook on the bed in the exam room, and he helped get off some of the boy’s clothes so she could get an accurate blood pressure reading and listen to his heart. The doctor appeared a short while later, brushing past Jin, apologizing. They were listening to Jungkook’s heart and lungs, looking in his eyes, feeling his stomach, checking his mouth and throat. Jungkook was heaving again, one of the nurses grabbing a plastic dish off the instruments tray to give to him. Jin licked his lips, his arms crossed tightly as he watched them take Jungkook’s temperature. 40.3°C He could barely watch as they stuck his maknae with needles, drawing blood for analysis, inserting IV’s to give him fluids and medicine to help settle his stomach. The doctor was asking him to go back to the waiting room while they ran some tests. Jin protested, telling them that he’d much rather stay with Jungkook, but the doctor insisted, telling him that Jungkook would be asleep for a while, and that he would come get Jin when he could visit.

Before leaving his maknae, Jin leaned over the rail on the bed, brushing back Jungkook’s bangs to press a kiss to his forehead. He gave the boy’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re gonna be fine baby. You have to be.”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It felt like hours waiting for the doctor to bring any news on Jungkook. The six of them must have looked like the strangest bunch of people to ever enter a hospital. Namjoon couldn’t sit still and was up pacing, Hobi and Yoongi were sharing a pair of earphones, Jimin was leaning against Tae, who was then leaning up against Jin. The eldest sat stoically, his eyes unmoving, thumbs passing over each other endlessly as he fidgeted. Tae looked up from where his head was resting on Jin’s shoulder. “Do you think you should ask someone about bunny?” Jin looked down, dragged from thought, blinking a few times as he stared at Taehyung’s big, beautiful eyes before responding.

“No, no. It’s best not to bother the doctors. They’ll let us know about Kookie when they have news for us. Let’s just let them do their jobs.” Taehyung didn’t seem to like the answer very much, opening his mouth as if to rebut Jin’s statement, but instead clamped his mouth shut, settling back against the eldest’s shoulder.

The wait was killing them all.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

When the doctor finally appeared, Jin shot to his feet like the chair was on fire, leaving Taehyung almost falling on his face after being dislodged so quickly. Jimin helped him right himself, Jin making a note somewhere in the back of his brain to apologize later. Six anxious faces stared at the doctor, awaiting his diagnosis. The doctor started by explaining that Jungkook was doing well and responding to the medicine they were giving him. However, his fever still hadn’t broken. The doctor told them that, after several tests, they had concluded the Jungkook had contracted an aggressive strain of the flu and would be fine in a few days, with plenty of fluids and bedrest. Jin sighed with relief, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and his dongsaengs began chattering excitedly, asking when they could see their precious makane. The doctor, holding up his hands to quell their chattering, explained that only one of them could stay with Jungkook now until he woke up. It was unanimously decided that Jin go sit with him, everyone demanding that Jin tell Kookie how much they loved him, or to pat his head, hold his hand.

“Each of you will need to receive a flu vaccination before visiting your brother, just as a precautionary measure, in case any of you are carriers for the virus. You wouldn’t want him getting sick again, or any of yourselves for that matter.” The doctor guided Jin back into the hospital, his dongsaengs glancing after him anxiously. Directing him to sit in a chair and roll up his sleeve, the doctor was telling the nurse what to do. Jin draped his parka across his lap, rolling his right sleeve up. The nurse, who was very kind and soft spoken, slipped a thermometer under his tongue, telling him it was just a precaution. 37°C Perfectly fine. She told him to take a deep breath and count back from ten. On eight, he felt a sharp sting in his bicep, the nurse smiling as she applied a bandaid.

“You can go in now.”

It was still jarring to see the youngest hooked up to all kinds of tubes and wires, with machinery beeping and the maknae’s heart rate on the screen. Jin was relieved to see a little colour had returned to Jungkook’s face. He was sleeping. Good, he needs the rest. Jin tried to make as little noise as possible, pulling the chair in the corner up next to the bed. “Hi Ggukie.” He gently took the maknae’s hand, adjusting his fingers around the heart monitor. Jin didn’t know if it was the exhaustion or the relief or both that had him covering his mouth with his free hand, a few warm tears slipping down his face. He smoothed back Jungkook’s hair, smiling at the sight of the sleeping boy. He hadn’t even noticed Jungkook’s eyes opening.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

When Jungkook woke up, his eyes opened slowly to bright white light and the smell of antiseptics. Unfamiliar sounds surrounded him and he felt his heart begin to pound with panic. Until he heard a voice.

“There you are baby.”

He turned his head, seeing Jin seated next to the bed, his hand gripped lightly in his hyung’s. Relief washed over him at the sight of his hyung’s kind, yet tired, face. “We’ve been so worried about you, bunny.” He could feel Jin’s fingers in his hair.

“‘M sorry,” Jungkook rasped, his throat still funny.

“Shh, you don’t have to apologize. The important thing is that you’re gonna get better now.”

“W-what’s wrong with me?”

“You got the flu baby, got it real bad. It’s ok though, you’ll be just fine.” Jin was smiling at him, still petting through his hair when they heard a sharp cry of pain not far outside the door and when it opened, saw Yoongi sourly rubbing his left arm. One by one his hyungs filed in with bandages on their arms, rolling down their sleeves. It felt so good to hear their voices, have their hands patting his legs or cupping his face. It felt like home. And it made the experience all the more bearable.

“We missed you, Jungkook.” Jimin’s voice was light and warm, yet his eyes sparkled with tears. Jungkook smiled, leaning into Tae, who was seated next to him on the bed.

“I’ve missed you guys too.”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Two weeks and a day later

The noonas were making their final passes with powder brushes, Jungkook looking up as he eyeliner was touched up. Jimin was fussing with his bucket hat, Yoongi tightening the knot on his bandana. Rolling out his shoulders, Jungkook prepared for the opening sequence. The director cued them in, the music rolling. Hobi’s feet connected with the floor in a hollow slap, the choreography beginning. He could feel his stomach roll with anticipation. The first sequence moved smoothly into the second, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Tae was delivering his lines to the camera, the fiercest Jungkook had ever seen him. They switched places, the choreography they had practiced so hard at now flawless. Jungkook stared into the lens of the camera, determined not to screw this up.

“And whatcha think ‘bout that? Whatcha think ‘bout that? Bet it got my haters hella sick!”

The director was calling cut soon after, the music fizzling out as there was an outbreak of laughter amongst the boys. Jin was howling, Hobi close to tears as he sniggered behind his hand. Tae was on the floor and Namjoon and Yoongi were leaning against each other for support. Jimin looked at Jungkook, the both of them breaking out in laughter at the same time. The director threw up his hand. “Can we bring this back in?” Jungkook held up his hand, smiling, apologizing. They reset, starting from the last mark.

“Bet it got my haters hella si-”

Jungkook broke out in laughter again, his hyungs following until they had all collapsed in a mess of sniggering limbs on the floor. The director sighed, rubbing at his brow.

“Boys! Can we have some focus? What on earth is so funny?”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-