Work Text:
There were few things Jeongguk hated more than being sick.
It was such a helpless feeling to not be able to do anything on his own. Not even able to get up and walk his dog.
It wasn’t the smartest idea to go out for a run in the rain the other day. Taehyung told him as much, and now Jeongguk is paying the price with non-stop sniffling and sneezing.
“Bam, come here,” he calls his big puppy, who does as he’s told, nudging his nose against Jeongguk’s palm. “I’m sorry, buddy,” he sighs, but the puppy’s attention suddenly shifts, turning toward the door and wiggling his tail, barking. “What is it?” He asks before he hears the beeping of the lock of his door.
Of course, Bam heard it first.
He rushes out of Jeongguk’s room and heads to the front door.
There’s only one person that knows his code, but as if he needed confirming, the loud, squeaky barks from Yeontan are enough to do so.
“Shh, Tannie, I know you’re happy to see Bam, but Jeongguk might be asleep,” he hears Taehyung’s voice, making him smile.
“I’m not,” he says loud enough, which ends up making him cough.
Quick paw noises make their way to his room and he sees the small Pomeranian followed by his own Doberman.
“Hey there,” Jeongguk chuckles when Yeontan tries to get on his bed. Of course, he’s so small that he can’t unless he’s picked up.
And both dogs know that they’re not allowed in bed, but Jeongguk thinks he might make an exception, just for today.
“Alright, come here,” he says, picking Yeontan up and signaling for Bam to also jump in the bed. They both try to give him a million kisses, which makes him chuckle.
“Looks like you’ve got enough company over there, huh?” Taehyung says, leaning against the doorframe with a soft smile spread across his lips.
“There’s always room for one more, hyung,” Jeongguk smiles back at him while trying to contain both puppies. “Alright, alright, yes, I love you, too,” he says to them.
“How are you feeling?” Taehyung asks, walking his way and picking up Yeontan to give him a bit of a break. Bam lays down next to Jeongguk, calmer.
“Like utter shit,” Jeongguk admits, sighing. “Thanks for coming, though.” Taehyung just smiles and bends down to press a kiss on Jeongguk’s forehead.
“Well, at least it doesn’t look like you have a fever,” he points out.
“Hmh, I might need something else, though,” he tilts his head up to pout at Taehyung, who chuckles when Yeontan licks his lips instead.
“Maybe later,” Taehyung chuckles. “Come on, Bammie, let’s go out for a walk,” he says, and at the mention of the w word, both dogs get excited again. “Yes, yes, come on,” he chuckles. “I’ll be right back, yeah?”
“Thanks, hyung,” he reaches over and holds his hand, leaving a quick kiss on his knuckles.
“Of course, baby. You’d do the same for me,” he flicks Jeongguk’s chin.
And, although it’s true, Jeongguk still feels extremely touched by the elder’s actions.
He heads out and Jeongguk hears as the three of them leave for their walk.
Once he’s alone, he decides to try and get up to at least shower, because he feels like, although Taehyung said he didn’t have a fever, he must’ve had it through the night because he woke up soaked in sweat.
He heads to the bathroom and turns the shower on, putting his hair up in a bun to avoid it getting wet. He should probably wash it too, but he has no strength right now. Maybe he can ask Taehyung to help him later if he feels strong enough.
He gets dressed back in his trusty comfy clothes and heads back to bed, waiting for Taehyung and the puppies to come back.
His stomach growls then, but he can’t be bothered to get up, so he picks up his phone and starts browsing through delivery apps to see if he can maybe order something.
He’s halfway through the second one when he hears the door again.
“We’re back!” Taehyung announces, and after a few seconds, he appears through the door again. “Still here?”
“I managed to shower at least,” he tells him. “Are they both passed out now after the walk?”
“They’re eating,” Taehyung chuckles, laying in bed next to Jeongguk and pulling him close. “What are you up to?”
“I was checking what I should order for lunch,” he says, snuggling close to his boyfriend and scrolling down.
“Oh, hell no!” Taehyung snaps the phone off his hands. “I’m making food for you! I mean, I know I’m not the best cook, but I already brought some ingredients on the way here earlier,” he pouts, and Jeongguk never was good at denying him anything when he does.
“Alright, hyung,” he chuckles. “How are you, though?” He looks up to find Taehyung already looking at him.
“Stressed with projects, you know, the usual,” he sighs. “And missing you, too. You had to get sick for me to come and see you, huh? A bit desperate on your part, baby.”
“Shut up,” Jeongguk chuckles. “I missed you, too. I would rather not feel like shit, though.”
“I know,” he hugs him tighter. Looks like the puppies are done eating because soon enough, they join them in the room. Bam goes into his house and Yeontan joins him, too.
“I think it’s funny how opposite they are,” Taehyung points out. “On the walk, Tan acted like a big dog that’s actually tiny, and Bam like a tiny dog that’s actually big,” he chuckles.
“Yeah, he always forgets he’s a big pup,” Jeongguk smiles, looking at his dog. He remembers when he was as small as Yeontan was.
“He’s just like you,” Taehyung chuckles, making Jeongguk look back at him again.
“I’m not small, though,” he frowns.
“But you’re a baby,” Taehyung smiles, leaning forward and pecking his lips quickly. “My baby.”
“Yours,” Jeongguk whispers on his lips. “Ugh, I wanna kiss you properly,” Jeongguk whines.
“I mean, you can, only if you promise to take care of me if I catch whatever it is you have later,” Taehyung chuckles
“I think I can do that, yeah,” he smiles and leans in to kiss Taehyung properly, hand on his neck. Taehyung smiles against his lips before he kisses him back.
It seems like Yeontan doesn’t think it’s wise, so he barks, starting both of them into stopping.
“Oh, he really is a guard dog,” Jeongguk says and Taehyung chuckles, hiding his face on Jeongguk’s neck.
“Alright, I’m gonna go make you lunch, okay?” Taehyung says, kissing his cheek instead.
“But to do that you have to leave me,” he pouts again. Not holding Taehyung feels worse than his cold.
“I mean, you can come to the kitchen with me,” Taehyung chuckles. Bring your duvet with you if you’re cold.”
After that, he gets up from bed and leaves the room. Jeongguk sighs and does as he’s told, carrying the duvet around his shoulders and dragging it across the floor.
Seems like the dogs got too tired from the walk to join them in the kitchen, so Jeongguk sits on one of the stools and watches as Taehyung prepares the ingredients.
“If it tastes like shit, I’m sorry,” Taehyung chuckles, cutting the vegetables and adding them to the pot. It seems like he’s going to be making Jeongguk’s comfort food, which warms his heart so much.
“It won’t, hyung, don’t worry,” Jeongguk smiles at him. “I appreciate you for doing it, either way.”
“You’re such a sweet talker, baby,” Taehyung chuckles. “Do you have any kimchi in the fridge?”
“I think I still have some from the last time your mom gave me some,” Jeongguk says, standing up and going to check. “Yup, here it is.” He hands it to him.
“I can’t believe she gave you that many,” Taehyung chuckles.
“What can I say? She loves me,” Jeongguk chuckles, wrapping his arms around Taehyung while he continues to prepare their lunch.
“Of course, she does,” he chuckles, leaning his head against Jeongguk. “You can go to the couch if you want, all that’s left now is to stir it.”
“I’m good here, actually,” Jeongguk admits, nudging his nose against the elder’s neck, breathing him in. He’s wearing Jeongguk’s favorite cologne, and he kisses him there, too. Taehyung hums when he does, stirring the pot.
“I really missed you, hyung. You should come here to do your essays,” Jeongguk mumbles, kissing his skin again.
“As if that would work,” Taehyung chuckles. “I miss you too, but you and I both know there’s no way I’d get any work done if I came here,” he turns to kiss his cheek quickly.
He has a point, Jeongguk has a habit of being very distracting to the eldest.
“I can’t wait for the term to be over,” he groans, then, and throws the duvet around Taehyung’s shoulders as well.
“Me too, darling,” Taehyung sighs. “Are we still going to Busan for the break?”
“If you want to! Mom’s been telling me to come down so they can finally meet Bam, too, since we couldn’t drive down last year.”
“I can’t wait to go on night walks on the beach with you again.”
Jeongguk smiles, thinking about it.
“Wanna relive the day I confessed to you, hyung?”
“Maybe. It’s a nice memory,” he chuckles. “I can’t believe how romantic you were. You could’ve confessed at any time during our freshmen year but you waited til we were under the stars to tell me.”
“You know me, babe, I am a romantic,” Jeongguk chuckles.
He remembers being so nervous at the time. Taehyung and he had been friends for a long time, and although they’d always kind of… gravitated toward the other, Jeongguk never dared to dream too much.
Until he couldn’t take it anymore.
And he invited Taehyung to spend a few days in Busan with him and his family in Summer.
They came back to Seoul as a couple and have been together ever since.
“It’s true, my hopeless romantic baby. Did you hear bells when you first saw me?” He turns around in Jeongguk’s arms.
“I hear bells every single day,” Jeongguk chuckles, nudging forward and brushing their noses together before he kisses him again.
“So cheesy,” Taehyung chuckles. Jeongguk then feels a tingling in his nose that warns him that a sneeze is coming. “Oh, no!” Taehyung says, pulling the covers up to cover his face before Jeongguk sneezes, covering his mouth and nose with the pit of his elbow.
“Sorry,” the younger boy sniffles, but Taehyung just laughs.
“How romantic, huh?” He chuckles again. “Come on, go to the couch, this should be done soon.” He pushes him to the couch until he lies down.
“I love you!” Jeongguk says loud enough for Taehyung to hear over the hood of the kitchen.
“And I love you, baby,” he chuckles.
If love is a medicine, Jeongguk figures he’ll be nursed back to health in no time.
After lunch, Jeongguk takes some medicine that Taehyung bought from him on his way and hopes that they will start working soon.
His head is starting to feel foggy, so Taehyung walks back with him to the bedroom and covers him with the duvet once again.
“I’m gonna clean up and I’ll be right back, yeah?” Taehyung lovingly whispers, pushing his bangs off his face, since they’re the only part that he couldn’t reach to tie, shorter now.
“Can’t you leave that for later? I want cuddles,” Jeongguk says, fingers tangled with his.
“And you’ll get cuddles, just let me clean up first, yeah?” Taehyung kisses his knuckles, and Jeongguk knows it’s a lost cause.
There aren’t many things Taehyung is too particular about, but washing dishes and cleaning up after himself is an exception. He always tries to do it as soon as he can to make sure things don’t stick to the utensils. According to him, he has a bit of trauma from that one time he shared a flat a few years ago and his roommates would leave everything messy after they cooked and he was the only one that did something about it.
He sighs and watches him go, but when Taehyung leaves, it seems like the dogs have woken up now because they’re quick to go around Jeongguk’s side of the bed and try to get him to let them climb on the bed again with him.
He just smiles and nods, saying come on up, to Bam and picking Yeontan himself. They make room for themselves around the feet of the bed, as if they were aware that there needed to be some space left for Taehyung.
Jeongguk knows that, once the elder returns, they’ll move around so much that the dogs will have to find another position as well.
He hears the slight hum of Taehyung’s voice as the elder sings along to some music while he cleans up and he smiles, feeling like he might fall asleep even before he returns, but thankfully, he manages to stay awake.
“Oh, is this becoming a habit now?” Taehyung chuckles when he gets back into the room and finds the puppies on the bed.
“The more cuddles, the better,” Jeongguk justifies himself, making the elder laugh more as he lifts the covers and gets under them, Jeongguk gravitating toward his body with ease.
“You’re such a baby, for real,” Taehyung whispers. “Get some sleep, alright? I hope you’ll feel better later,” he presses a kiss to the crown of his head.
“Mhm,” is all Jeongguk says in return, falling asleep not too long after.
He falls asleep remembering their first kiss together, and how far they’ve come since then.
(3 years ago)
The beach is pretty much empty when they get there, but Jeongguk isn’t surprised, considering how the hands on his watch told him it’s almost four in the morning.
Jeongguk promised to bring Taehyung to the beach late at night when it wouldn’t be as busy and when it would just be the two of them against the world.
The sound of the waves crashing against the shore makes Jeongguk smile, memories of his childhood flooding his mind.
For some reason, he feels like this night might become part of his core memories as well, with the sound of the sea meeting the shore mixed with Taehyung’s laugh, which happens to be his favorite sound in the world.
“You really weren’t lying, it really is empty,” Taehyung chuckles, taking off his shoes to feel the sand against his bare feet. It’s a bit cold now that the sun isn’t warming it up, but it feels nice. A nice contrast from the heat of summer.
“It’s such a nice night, too. You can even see the stars reflected on the water,” Jeongguk points out, signaling at them. The truth is that you can barely see them, but since the sea seems to be a bit still, the surface of the water serves as a mirror.
“It really is beautiful,” his best friend turns to look at him with the biggest smile. Jeongguk’s heart does two backflips in his ribcage.
“Yeah,” he replies, looking at him instead.
They walk together until their feet are touching the water, giggling when it splashes their pants, resulting in them kicking water at each other, and ending up drenched.
Good thing summer nights aren’t too cold, otherwise, they’d probably get sick.
“Thanks for bringing me here, Gukie,” Taehyung smiles, leaning his head against Jeongguk’s shoulder as they wait for the sun to come up from under the sea.
“Thank you for coming,” Jeongguk finds his hand and holds it, burying them under the sand as if that way, his heart would be safe. “I…” he gulps. He’s been hyping himself up about this for a while, about confessing.
And, who knows, maybe it’s a complete mistake and everything gets fucked up, but somehow, Jeongguk doesn’t think that it will. Even if Taehyung weren’t to feel the same way, he’s pretty sure not much would change between them.
Or at least, he likes to hope so.
“You…?” Taehyung says, teasingly when the younger boy doesn’t continue.
“I always said I’d bring the person I loved here at least once,” he blurts out. “Ever since I was little, I used to think there was nothing more romantic than watching the sun rise or set by the beach. Of course, at the time, I wasn’t old enough to watch it rise, but I just knew it’d be beautiful, and it is,” he smiles, looking ahead, scared of meeting Taehyung’s eyes.
“Did you ever?” Taehyung asks, then. No longer resting his head on Jeongguk’s shoulder but still holding his hand.
Jeongguk isn’t sure if he’s playing dumb or if he’s just teasing him, but he looks at him before he speaks again.
“You’re here, aren’t you?” And Taehyung’s eyes open wide, lips falling naturally in a pout the way they do when he’s very surprised about something.
And maybe Jeongguk hadn’t been as obvious with his affection as he believed if Taehyung didn’t see it coming.
“Wh—” he frowns, letting the words sink in.
“Yeah, I… I kinda love you, hyung. Not platonically,” he’s sure to emphasize because they’ve said I love you before. Every night before bed, they do. “And it’s cool if you don’t—feel the same way, I don’t mind I just… I wanted you to know,” Jeongguk offers him a small smile, trying not to show how fast his heart is racing from just waiting.
“Oh, Guk, how could I not?” Taehyung breathes out, and their first kiss comes with the first light of the day as if the universe was giving them their blessing as well.
And Taehyung’s lips taste salty from the ocean breeze, but feel warm against his own, the way Jeongguk always dreamed they would.
They spend so long making out in the sand that the tide comes in, washing them away and making them giggle before they decide to go back home.
Jeongguk kisses him against his childhood bed and they fall asleep there, even though it’s barely big enough for one of them. They make it work. They always have.
“Jeongguk, baby,” he hears, a soft baritone voice seeping through the fog in his brain, pulling him away from sleep. He just hums and holds Taehyung tighter, making him giggle. “Love, the dogs want to go out.”
He sighs, peeking one eye open.
“You don’t need to leave bed at all,” Taehyung says, running his fingers through his hair. Jeongguk notices that he’s pulled his tie off and it now falls around his face. “I’ll be back before you know it.” But the thing is, Jeongguk feels a bit better now. Still not great, but at least he feels like he can go with him.
He knows Bam is a lot to handle, and to have both dogs at once can’t be easy, so he just lifts himself up enough to be face-to-face with Taehyung and presses a quick kiss on his lips.
“I’ll get changed,” he says. Taehyung makes a fuss about how he should be in bed resting, but Jeongguk shakes his head. “I feel better, hyung, really. Plus, I bet a bit of fresh air will do me good. It won’t be a long walk, anyway,” he says, putting his padded jacket on. It’s not that cold, but he doesn’t want to risk it.
At the sight of Jeongguk with his jacket, Bam already knows what’s coming, so he starts to excitedly run around him.
“Yes, yes, we’re going,” Jeongguk chuckles, holding his face and kissing the top of the dog’s head.
“We can get some food for later. I know you didn’t say anything but lunch was… not very good,” Taehyung chuckles.
“It was good! A bit bland, but nothing some table salt couldn’t fix!” Jeongguk chuckles. “Don’t worry, when you get sick from spending all day with me, I’ll cook for you, too.”
Taehyung smiles and gets out of bed as well, picking Tannie up and opening the window so the room can breathe a bit while they’re gone.
They put the leashes on the dogs and head out to the city. It’s already dark outside, and Jeongguk wonders how long he slept.
“Wait, let me—” Taehyung says before they step outside and he wraps a scarf around the younger’s neck to make sure he’s warm. “There,” he chuckles and kisses the tip of Jeongguk’s nose, which is red and peeks from the scarf.
“Thanks,” Jeongguk chuckles. One hand holding Bam’s leash and the other holding the love of his life.
They end up ordering some dinner, not because Jeongguk doesn’t want Taehyung to cook for him again, but because he’d rather keep cuddling him on the couch while they watch some Netflix.
Even if he still feels sick, it was a good day. They’re always good days whenever Taehyung is around.
After dinner, and after they finish their movie, Jeongguk asks Taehyung to stay the night, and he agrees.
They put the dogs to bed and head to the bathroom together, Taehyung taking out the toothbrush that Jeongguk keeps there for him.
They’ve talked about moving in together, but Taehyung always argues that it’ll be best to wait until they graduate. Otherwise, it will take both of them more years to finish college. Jeongguk thinks he’s right, but he also wishes he could wake up next to him every day.
“Hyung, can you shower with me and wash my hair?” Jeongguk asks. It’s late at night, and he knows maybe doing this now is stupid because he’ll need to dry it later and they’ll go to bed even later. But, the truth is, Jeongguk isn’t tired.
He’s sure he’s got his nap to blame for that.
“Is that a trick to get me naked, Jeon Jeongguk?” Taehyung chuckles, already heading to the shower to switch it on.
“Mhm, maybe it is,” Jeongguk chuckles. “I did miss you a lot,” he says, all signs of teasing gone then.
“Well, you don’t need no tricks for that, baby,” Taehyung smiles before he pulls him in for a kiss.
Clothes come off and they get under the shower, Jeongguk closing his eyes at how nice it feels to be taken care of, at how nice it is to have Taehyung washing his hair, scratching his scalp, and making sure it’s all nice and clean. “Do you want me to brush and dry it for you, too?” Taehyung asks once they’re out, robes around their bodies, and Taehyung’s arms around Jeongguk’s waist, chin perked on his shoulder.
“Please?” He smiles at Taehyung through the mirror, and the elder boy just chuckles, kissing his cheek.
“Such a baby. Come on, sit down, I’ll get the brush,” he says, opening the drawer and finding Jeongguk’s favorite brush along with his hair dryer.
He closes his eyes as Taehyung makes sure his hair is properly dry, not wanting him to get even sicker due to it.
“There you go, babe,” he says, dropping a kiss on his shoulder before he puts everything down.
“You’re the best, hyung,” Jeongguk says, standing up and hugging him tightly, hearing the elder boy chuckle.
“I really am, huh?” he says, and Jeongguk smiles. “Come on, time to go back to bed, baby. It’s pretty late,” he says, leaving a quick peck on his lip.
They both get dressed and go to bed.
Taehyung is about to switch off the light when he suddenly sneezes.
“Oh, no,” he gasps.
“Whatever shall we do now?” Jeongguk chuckles. “Guess there’s no risk now, huh?” he smirks before he pulls from him and kisses him deeper. Taehyung laughs against his lips, but eventually kisses him back, his touch against Jeongguk’s skin scorching.
Taehyung sneezes again, quick enough to break the kiss and cover his mouth.
“You better take care of me tomorrow,” he points at Jeongguk who just kisses him quickly instead.
“Don’t worry, babe. I got you.”
And, if the next day, they both spend it in bed, only leaving to take the dogs out for walks, then that’s no one else’s business.
At least they’ve got each other, in sickness and in health.