Chapter Text
As expected, the seven members were having a very hectic week. They were trying to learn a new choreography. Which meant they were spending a minimum of 10-12 hours in the studio each day, trying to get a grasp around the new steps and sequences. Jimin and Jungkook were practically sleeping in the studio, hardly taking proper breaks, earning an earful from the hyungs every now and then.
Things were getting a little out of hand on the eighth day of their practice though. Hobi was on edge the whole time, losing his temper at the smallest of imperfections, which weren't visible to the others. When Hobi had called out a "start over - from the top now guys... " for the tenth time since morning, Yoongi just walked out of the studio - bluntly saying he needed a break - Namjoon behind him, looking on the verge of collapse himself.
"Okay. We will take a 15 minute break then... " Said an exasperated Hobi, throwing his hands up and promptly going to the back of the room to sulk.
Jin tsked and sighed, lying down on the spot he was standing just moments ago - feeling fully drained. He looked over at the maknaes to see both Jimin and Tae lying spread eagled on the floor, looking not much better than himself. However, Kookie was at the back, sitting near Hobi, sporting a kicked puppy expression on his face. Hobi was animatedly talking about something and Kookie seemed to be getting sadder by the second.
"Jungkook-ah. Come here for a moment.. " Called out Jin, wanting to break whatever conversation they were having. He saw Jungkook letting out a sigh, as he got up and walked over to Jin, his expression not changing.
"What is it... Why do you look upset? " Asked Jin, concerned. "It's nothing hyung. I just can't get it right, the left hook step we added. Hobi hyung says I keep messing the timing. I felt I was a bit off too. "
"It's okay Kookie. You will soon be doing it with your eyes closed - showing off!... It's just new to all of us... " Jin said, patting his maknae's back reassuringly. "Relax now... " He said pulling Jungkook's arm to make him lie next to Jin.
Jin turned his head towards Hobi next, wanting to send a warning glare his way. They were all already being extra hard on themselves learning most of the new routine in a week's time. They were actually doing well today and Jin couldn't let an upset Hobi ruin it. Hobi caught the glare square on and cringed slightly. But nodded after a moment, in understanding.
Jungkook did look like he was beating himself up for the latest comment Hobi made. He got up from his spot and walked over to where Jin and Jungkook were lying, and took a seat next to Jungkook.
"Kook-ah... I'm thinking of changing that hook step's positioning. Come help me... " Hobi said, hoping the maknae would forget about being upset. Jungkook obliged, quickly sitting up and nodding. However something still looked off.
"Are you changing it because I can't get it right? "
Hobi did a facepalm. Of course the maknae thought that. How will he make this right now? He took a side glance at Jin for help, but all he got was an angry, 'you clear this mess right now' look from his hyung.
"Jungkook-ah... That's not why. I just thought it would be better to pull that step when the beat dropped. Stop thinking of what I said earlier. I was joking. We are all doing well today... I'm not changing it if you don't want to..." He tried shrugging.
Jungkook nodded and got up, murmuring something that sounded like, 'you sure didn't sound like you were joking.. ', and walked away stretching his arms. Jin and Hobi exchanged an exasperated sigh.
Their maknae wasn't getting out of the hole anytime soon. This was not the first time one of the members took way too much pressure on themselves. And Jungkook, took it way too much to heart. He was always afraid of weighing down the effort of others and disappointing his hyungs.
Soon enough they resumed their practice, Hobi, this time being gentler and actually looking semi-satisfied by the time they finished for the day. He even went as far as treating all of them to dinner at the restaurant located across the street of their studio, celebrating that they cracked the new choreography in record time.
They all had fun, even Jungkook, who for the time being forgot his woes as he dug into his favourite food. After dinner however, Jungkook was seen begging a very stern Jin about spending a couple more hours in the studio before returning to their dorms.
Jin wanted the maknae to get some rest. He was already worn out and tired. But he couldn't resist the puppy eyes Jungkook was throwing his way. If that helped the kid finally get himself satisfied, then he thought maybe letting him be for the moment would be the best course of action.
"Two hours. I want you home at 10pm sharp. You get me?" Jin said, relenting at last. Jungkook did a quick jump of joy, hugged Jin and nodded earnestly.
Back at home, they all got showered, and sat in the living room, sipping on Hobi's famous tea, chit-chatting. Jimin and Tae, however, fell fast asleep ten minutes into the conversation, their heads resting on Namjoon's lap, and mouths half open. They were all tired, their bodies begging them to get some rest.
"Why did you let Jungkook stay back? " Yoongi asked, looking not particularly pleased that Jin did that. Jungkook has been looking way too tired, for the last two days and Jin himself was the one who suggested they wind up early that day so that he could get enough rest.
"I didn't want to Yoongiyah. He is convinced that he isn't doing well. And Hobi here made things worse by telling him something about his timing being off... "
Glares were sent at a guilt-ridden Hobi, from all directions at this point.
"If I didn't let him practice, the kid probably wouldn't sleep well tonight... I had no choice." Jin sighed as he finished.
"Hey, it's 11 already. Why isn't he here yet? " Asked Hobi, who had gotten up to get his phone.
"Aish... That brat... " Growled Jin, before grabbing his own phone to call Jungkook. He rang for a full minute. Jungkook wasn't picking.
Fifteen missed calls and a twenty-minute-quick-sprint-in-the-cold later, a very worried Jin and Namjoon were met with a sleeping Jungkook on the cold studio floor. Jin quickly pulled Jungkook onto his back, while Namjoon gathered all of the maknae's belongings and draped his jacket over Jungkook's back. The kid had been lying on the cold floor for God knows how long.
Jin was internally cursing himself for letting this happen. He should have just brought the kid home with them. Once they were home, Jin put Jungkook to sleep on his own bunk, wanting to make sure the kid got proper sleep through the night.
The next morning however, they all woke up to a very sick Jungkook. His skin was burning hot and pale as he curled up against Jin's side, shivering vigorously. Yoongi made him wear atleast two layers of sweaters before bringing some warm soup.
But Jungkook couldn't keep down even a spoonful of food in his system. He kept throwing up and violently retching everytime anything was brought close to his mouth. In a matter of an hour after waking up, his condition worsened, too weak to even open his eyes.
Namjoon made calls to their manager, to report the situation and to cancel their schedules for the day if possible. But they were meeting few producers that day which couldn't be postponed. It was decided that Jin could stay home with the maknae, while the others could be freed by post lunch at most. Their manager also said he would send their doctor-nim to the apartment.
BigHit had an in-house casualty department that tended to any medical emergency that arouse amidst their programmes. The doctor-nim was an elderly man, who had taken care of them multiple times, and was very close to the members.
The members had all come and said reassuring words to the maknae before leaving half-hearted, to the studio. They could never stand to leave when Kookie was so unwell, but had no choice.
"It's okay guys. He will be fine by the time you return. Go now.. " Jin said, trying to reassure himself as well, with the words he said.
The doctor-nim arrived just as the members left. Jin welcomed him with a deep bow, explaining Jungkook's condition as he led the way to their room, where Jungkook laid awake, curled up in blankets, his face flushed. Jungkook knew he was very sick. He had never felt so weak. But he also hated when he had to be checked by doctors. But right now, he was in no state to resist or refuse, slipping in and out of coherence, every now and then.
The doctor-nim smiled warmly at Jungkook. He had seen these kids grow through the years and had always admired the way they worked so hard and cared for each other. He sat at Jungkook's side, laid his bag open on the bedside desk and picked up items from the bag, while Jin slowly pulled the covers down, making Jungkook let out a shivery whimper. After checking for vitals and his temperature, the doctor-nim pulled Jungkook's covers back up and motioned Jin to follow him as he left the room.
"You said he has been throwing up since morning. And he has been running a high fever right? "
"Yes. The kid has nothing in his stomach. He can't even keep soup down. " Jin said sadly.
"Did he have anything unusual? Maybe something he ate isn't sitting well with his system."
"We all had our dinner from a restaurant yesterday. Jungkook had ordered for his favourite dish which none of us had... " Jin answered, trying to remember what he had ordered.
Doctor-nim nodded and continued. "And the fever is probably from being exposed to cold yesterday. Namjoon-ah had mentioned over call that he has been over-exerting recently. Which would explain the tiredness and body pain. His body isn't strong enough to fight the fever, the possible food poisoning and exhaustion at the same time... "
Jin nodded in understanding. His poor maknae was so sick. "I'll give him a shot for reducing his temperature for now. And I'll prescribe medicine for a week. He should be fine with enough rest.. " Doctor-nim patted Jin on the back, watching the boy sigh.
Jungkook was asleep when they walked back in. Jin slowly pulled back the covers and turned Jungkook to the side, being as gentle as possible, not wanting to wake him. Jungkook was one to suffer through the pain of twisted ankles and broken bones in stubborn silence, but somehow always ended up making a huge scene whenever he had to get a shot in his butt. Jungkook being the shy one amongst them, Jin deduced it was more about the embarrassment than pain for Jungkook.
The doctor-nim pulled down a few inches of his pants at the waist, and quickly delivered the shot, Jungkook not even shifting in his sleep. He then pulled out a few strips of medicine from his bag and handed it to Jin.
"These are suppositories. There's one for his fever and one for his upset stomach. I could have given him pills, but since he keeps vomitting, it won't be of any use. Plus these work faster. You need to give him one from each set, that is two suppositories, every four hours, for today and tomorrow. You can start with the first dose in two hours, once the shot wears off. Get him to drink fluids for now. I don't think he will be able to stomach any solid food until tomorrow... "
Jin nodded and bowed, accepting the medicines.
"I'll text the prescription to Namjoon so that he can buy it on his way back. This should be enough for today.... Don't be so worried Jin-ah. He will be up and about by evening. Give me a call if anything comes up. And.....you don't look too well yourself. Please take the day to catch up on your rest as well... " The doctor-nim once again patted Jin on his back before leaving the apartment.
Jin looked down and sighed at the inch-long bullet shaped tablets in his hands. Suppositories.
It's going to be a long day....