Work Text:
Shotaro was filled with dread just looking at the minibus. RIIZE was going to be spending several hours on the bus on their way to a retreat in the countryside. “Ready hyung?” Sohee asked, walking up behind Shotaro.
“Yeah yeah,” Shotaro agreed.
“Our manager has Dramamine if you need it for the ride,” Eunseok chimed in as he boarded the bus.
“Thanks for letting me know. I already took one but I might need more later in the ride,” Shotaro answered, shifting his bag.
Steeling himself, Shotaro boarded the minibus eyeing the different seats. The first five rows were filled with staff and cameras meaning that RIIZE would be sitting in the back of the minibus. “Hyung come sit here,” Wonbin called, gesturing to the empty window seat next to him.
Shotaro began making his way to the back, settling in next to Wonbin and waiting for their manager to arrive. “Alright boys, The ride should be about three and a half hours. We want to film some content of you guys on the way up. We will try to finish filming in the first hour or so but it may run longer. I really appreciate you guys being a good sport. Also, I know Shotaro gets car sick so if you start not feeling well please let someone know and if you need to vomit we will try to go to a rest stop but depending it might not be possible so I have plastic bags and if needed,” Their manager explained, before sitting down.
A moment later the cameras were on and the bus was pulling out onto the busy road.
Shotaro was trying his best to stay involved and not let his discomfort show. Despite the earlier Dramamine only half an hour in and Shotaro was already nauseous. To make matters worse their camera director said he actually wanted extra footage for bloopers so they would just leave the camera running the whole time. Shotaro closed his eyes hoping that would help the building discomfort. “Hyung, are you okay?” Wonbin asked, looking over at Shotaro in concern.
“I’m getting kind of nauseous,” Shotaro groaned.
“Already?” Wonbin asked in disbelief.
“Yeah,” Shotaro nodded.
“Do you want to sleep?” Wonbin asked.
“No no it’s fine I can push through a little more,” Shotaro insisted, waving off Wonbin’s concern.
“If you’re sure. Let us know if anything changes,” Wonbin said.
“I will,” Shotaro assured.
Shotaro forced a smile back on his face and tried to rejoin the others joking and playing around. Shotaro managed it for another half an hour or so before he had to tap out. “I’m going to take a nap,” Shotaro declared suddenly, interrupting the conversation.
“Is everything good?” Sungchan asked, looking at Shotaro intently.
Not wanting to say he might vomit on camera Shotaro subtly shook his head, bringing a hand to rub his stomach. Luckily the others seemed to understand what he was hinting at and sent him a concerned looks. Noticing this exchange their manager stood up and walked over to Shotaro. “Are you okay?” Their manager asked leaning over the seat to look at Shotaro.
“I’m really nauseous,” Shotaro admitted.
“Do you need us to pull over?” Their manager asked.
“I should be okay. I’m going to try and nap to help with the nausea,” Shotaro said.
“Alright, I’ll have the camera angle changed so you aren’t in it,” Their manager said, giving Shotaro a reassuring smile.
Shotaro closed his eyes, settling further into his seat hoping sleep would come quickly. Despite his nausea, Shotaro was able to drift off to sleep fairly quickly.
Shotaro jolted awake when the bus hit a large pothole. Shotaro’s nausea was much worse now. Knowing he was going to puke, Shotaro turned to Wonbin about to open his mouth and say so when he felt bile rising in his throat. Not wanting to puke on the other he forced himself to swallow, reaching out with his hand and hitting Wonbin. “Hyung?” Wonbin asked, looking at Shotaro expectantly.
Shotaro hit him again trying to communicate he was to vomit. “What?” Wonbin asked, confused.
Hearing the commotion Sungchan turned to look and noticed Shotaro. “Oh shit, I think Taro is going to puke,” Sungchan shouted.
That got the attention of all the members and staff. Their manager scrambled handing a plastic bag to Shotaro. Grabbing the bag, Shotaro brought it up to his mouth immediately vomiting into it. Wonbin flinched watching Shotaro puke, feeling bad as he leaned away. “Hyung-nim can we stop?” Wonbin asked.
Their manager hurried up to the driver leaning down to discuss the best course with him. After a moment they turned to look at everyone on the bus. “It is only 20 minutes to where we are staying and 15 to the nearest rest stop. Shotaro if you are okay with it we are just going to wait for the house,” Their manager explained.
Shotaro groaned but weakly gave a thumbs up wanting to arrive as quickly as possible so he could lie down and sleep. Shotaro tied up the bag Shotaro placed it next to his feet reaching for an empty one.
Noticing Wonbin’s discomfort when Shotaro grabbed another plastic bag to throw up again Sungchan called out, “Wonbin-ah.”
“Yeah hyung,” Wonbin answered.
“Switch with me,” Sungchan instructed, standing up from his seat next to Anton.
Wonbin quickly stood, relieved to move away from the vomit. “Thank you,” Wonbin mouthed as Sungchan slid into the now-empty seat next to Shotaro. Sungchan gave him a reassuring smile before directing his attention back to SHotaro.
Wanting to wash the taste of vomit from his mouth and feeling a little better, Shotaro turned to Sungchan. Noticing Shotaro looking at him, Sungchan reached for another bag asking, “Are you going to puke again?”
Shotaro shook his head opening, “Water pl-” Shotaro started but suddenly cut off bile rising in his throat before he could stop it.
The others watched in horror as Shotaro began to say something before suddenly vomiting on Sungchan’s lap. Everyone was frozen for a moment before their manager jumped back up to help clean up and Shotaro burst into tears. Sungchan grabbed the offered napkins from their manager and began dabbing at his lap.
“Hey it’s okay, don’t cry,” Sungchan tried to comfort the crying Shotaro while also cleaning himself up.
“I'm sorry,” Shotaro sobbed, clutching an empty plastic bag to his chest afraid he would puke again.
“Here have some water,” Eunseok offered, pushing a water bottle between the seats.
“Take small sips,” Sohee added, from next to Eunseok.
Shotaro nodded, grabbed the offered water, and gratefully began taking small sips feeling himself calm down with each sip. Shotaro felt himself zoning out for the last couple of minutes waiting for the bus ride to finally end.
After an eternity the bus pulled to a stop in front of the house they would be staying at. Shotaro immediately stood up and pushed past Sungchan so he could bolt off the bus. Stumbling down the last steps Shotaro doubled over gasping for air. “Are you okay?” Their manager asked, getting off of the bus.
“I need a minute,” Shotaro gasped.
“Come with me and you can lie down while we take care of unpacking and setting up. Also, Sungchan grab your bag and I'll show you the bathroom where you can clean up,” Their manager directed.
Shotaro nodded and followed after the manager with Sungchan following close behind. Their manager quickly unlocked the door to the house leading Shotaro and Sungchan inside. “The bathroom with a shower and bedrooms should all be on the second floor. Just head up the stairs,” Their manager directed, before heading back outside to help the members and staff.
“Hyung Let’s head up,” Sungchan said.
Snapping back to reality, Shotaro saw the noticeable stain on Sungchan's pants and the bottom of his shirt and was filled with guilt “I’m so sorry,” Shotaro apologized, on the verge of tears again.
“It’s okay, You aren’t feeling well. I’ll wash up and you can lie down till you feel all better,” Sungchan assured, giving Shotaro a reassuring smile.
Still feeling nauseous, Shotaro just nodded and shuffled up the stairs ahead of Sungchan. He pushed open the very first door, glad to see a bed in the middle. Shotaro kicked his shoes off and collapsed on the bed.