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World tours are always a time of intense preparation and focus...
Even more so for the group leader, who is determined to keep up on tour preparations whilst trying to release a come-back album.
It’s no wonder Chan didn’t have any time left on his hands.
It’s an even bigger wonder how he’s still standing upright after reviewing the choreography for what seems like the tenth time that day, his muscles straining to keep himself from collapsing to the practice room floor.
“Excellent work Chan-ssi, feel free to head off for today.” His dance instructor praises, patting his shoulder which throbs after an intense workout with his resident gym enthusiast; Changbin.
“Thank you, Seosang-nim.” Chan replied back, polite as ever; even if his body strained to do a full bow before he left the scene.
Only then, does the leader notice the message from Minho as he walks over to the studio.
Minho: Chan-hyung, I need to get a date for your appointment?
Chan sighed, rubbing his thrumming forehead with his two fingers.
Chan: I’m busy all week…do you really have to see me before the tour?
Minho replied almost instantaneously.
Minho: Well I won’t be able to see you for a while from then and it’ll definitely be past your scheduled window for a bi-annual appointment. How about after your schedule tomorrow? I can open the clinic late?
Chan felt his headache build, the last thing he wanted was to become a burden…
Chan: No it’s fine Minho-ah, don’t worry I’ll let you know sometime this week when we can do it.
Minho: Alright hyung, just don’t forget okay?
Chan: I won’t Minho-ah.
————————
Past Chan should’ve set a reminder…at least he could have saved himself from the deadly glare being shot from his dentist on the last day before they started the tour.
“I told you that you’d forget hyung.” Minho admonishes, hands folded as his gaze even made the eldest feel small in comparison.
“I’m sorry Minho-yah, stuff comes up; you know how it is before the tours and the comebacks.” Chan apologises, a stray yawn breaking past his lips.
Minho shakes his head in concern, “You took on way too much this time hyung. I’m sure the fans aren’t going to mind waiting longer for the comeback whilst we’re going around for tours.”
“We don’t know that, plus it would be a nice surprise to get the solo songs out there to help boost the popularity of the tour.” Chan explains, defending his very unhealthy schedule like he was put on gun-point.
Minho couldn’t argue with that, leaving him with his past goal, “Well you have tonight or I can try my best to fit you in during the early morning before we leave. Otherwise, you won’t get a check-up for another three months; that being a year since your last appointment.” Minho confirms, flicking through the phone schedule of the tour dates outlined.
Chan rubs his nape. Sure, he could’ve had a check-up now and gotten the insistent dentist off his already weighted back of agendas…
But Chan’s fully air-conditioned bedroom was calling to him like a songbird on a lake. He would rather suffer through Minho’s displeasure that he hasn’t been able to stick to an appointment, than refuse it’s beckoning call to his exhausted body once again.
“I’ll come early tomorrow Minho-ah, I’ll make sure of it.”
Future Chan is already screaming at him by this point.
Minho is skeptical but he just offers a registered nod, whilst he let Chan ruffle his hair before going back to his own dorm as he knocks out before the tour the next day.
——————————————
Chan-hyung, why’s Minho-hyung glaring at you like you forgot the names of his cats?” Felix asks as they walk on the tarmac.
Chan glances over to find the boy in question, sending him unamused glares as they approach the plane taking them to their first stop.
“It’s fine Lixie-ah, make sure you take your motion-sickness pills before we take off okay?
The boy’s eyes widens as he fiddles with the zip of his bag to find the stowed pill bottle, unscrewing the cap and popping two pills in his mouth with water.
Chan smiles, happy that he still remembers most things.
Dental appointments are just…unimportant uses of time, something which Chan didn’t have in the midst of preparing for the tours and comeback.
Though, he just couldn’t voice that exact thought to Minho, at least if he wanted to still have his sanity intact for the tour and comeback he still has yet to finalise.
Doesn’t mean the leader wasn’t going to grovel in apology to win over the miffed dentist…
“Minho-ahhhh-“ Chan began, receiving an icy glare in response as he sat down in his plane seat next to him.
“Yes hyung.” Minho said, polite though the annoyance in his tone is apparent.
“Look I’m sorry okay…I just completely forgot about the appointment-“ Chan says, trying to explain himself.
“Hyung you always forget!” Minho interjects, exasperation and worry filling the boy’s eyes.
“I know, I’m sorry…how about when we get a free day you can play dentist on me then hmm?” Chan negotiates.
Minho sighs in defeat, fiddling with the seat buckle, “The second I see you doing nothing; I’m dragging you to have your teeth checked, understand?”
Chan offers a salute, “Yes Dr Lee, loud and clear!” The gesture coaxes a smile out of the dentist since they took off.
They sit in silence for a bit, though Minho says something just barely audible except to the boy next to him.
“I just worry about you hyung, I just want to make sure you are also healthy.” Minho mumbles, fighting to keep his eyes awake.
Chan internally coos, “I know bunny, you’re doing a really good job of it, hyung’s really proud of you.”
Minho rests his head against his shoulders, a smile gracing his lips, “hyung’s proud of me?”
Chan ruffles the boy’s hair as they both nod off, “So proud Minho-ah.”
————————————
The drive to the hotel is short, the city is covered in string lights as people filter off the streets to their homes in search of warm food and a meal.
Chan’s belly growls in anticipation, waiting to get home and get some food before going to work on his songs.
“Alright.” The manager announces, passing on a thin key-card to one of each person’s dorm mates, “you guys can feel free to explore tomorrow but make sure those who are assigned for skz-talker; take their camera when they go out.”
Felix and Seungmin nod in agreement, holding the small camera as they walk off to their rooms, others following suit.
“Night hyung.” Jeongin says, just before knocking out on the plush bed closest to the bathroom.
Chan sighs but manages to get him ready for bed and in the covers without even a stir as he places a gentle kiss to his forehead, “Night Jeongin-ah.”
Chan takes it upon himself to make his way to the bathroom, wetting his toothbrush and sticking it in his mouth as he circles each tooth respectively.
If Chan notices a throb coming from his jaw after the routine, he ignores it completely as he went to bed, the ache gradually reduces into annoyance before he succumbs to sleep.
———————————
Okay maybe it’s time Chan decides not to ignore the toothache.
He woke up with a start the next day, hands flying straight to his cheek as he prods the skin lightly which only intensifies the pain.
The leader takes the opportunity to scrub down his teeth before downing two painkillers, soon providing bouts of relief to his flaring gums as he got ready for sightseeing for the day.
————————————
Now that was odd.
Chan has been through toothaches before, starting like this and ending when he finally got in the dreaded dental chair to be lectured on oral hygiene before his tooth is healed in a span of an hour.
At least that’s how the old dentist had done it.
Chan thinks Minho will definitely take better care of him than that guy, though he assumes the lecture might be a lot more insistent, yet encouraging than the mind-numbing drawl that their old dentist previously provides before the shrill whirs of the drill filled the silence.
But before all this, painkillers were his saving grace. At least they have been useful enough to last the day with any simple toothaches he’d come across.
But this one is just not leaving him alone. Each movement insinuates a sharp prod from under his gums, tongue rubbing the area persistently; to soothe the pain in his mouth.
It was truly odd indeed.
Then a voice snapped him out of his thoughts
“Hyung you good?” Minho asks, tilting his head to observe the leader’s hidden expression of pain.
“I’m fine Minho-ah, have you been through equipment-check yet?” Chan enquires as he took a long sip from the coffee on the table which dulls the throbs momentarily.
Minho nods, settling down beside the leader. “Yep.” The boy says, popping the ‘p’ as he hums the tune to his solo song.
Chan nods as he avoids turning the left side of his face to Minho as he’s afraid of any indication the dentist may have of his hammering toothache.
“Chan-ah, you’re on in a minute!” The performance director calls.
The leader leaps off the couch, checking his outfit.
“Go get ‘em Channie-hyung!” Minho says from the couch.
Chan offers a tight-lipped smile…the less Minho sees his mouth the better…
——————————
Although that’s all Chan is focused on as his make-up is removed, the powder revealing the swelling hidden underneath.
“Hyung that doesn’t look right.” Seungmin says from the chair adjacent to him.
“It’s nothing…I just fell asleep late yesterday, no big deal.” Chan diverts, his phone offering a distraction from the gaze of the group’s dentist.
Minho narrowed his eyes, unconvinced by the response but lets it go in favour to get back to the dorms sooner.
They filed to their rooms respectively, Han looking to Minho as they enter their room with the keycard in hand.
Although, the elder boy seemed particularly distracted in finding something encased in his bag.
Han lets him be, flicking the TV to some unrelated sport show as he watches Minho mutter incomprehensibly in search of the mystery item.
“Aha found it.” Minho says triumphantly, holding the exam pack in his hand.
Han’s face shifts in worry, “I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet hyung, don’t you go sticking your tools in my mouth.” The rapper whines in annoyance.
Minho shakes his head, “They’re not for you silly, it’s for Chan-hyung.”
That catches Han’s attention, “Chan-hyung? Why? Is he hurt?”
Minho shrugs, “I can’t tell, his face is puffy and it doesn’t seem too normal, nothing a quick check won’t rule out.”
Han sighs in disapproval, “Maybe you’re overthinking it? He did say he didn’t get sleep last night, it could just be from that.”
Minho stops gathering more items, taking in Han’s words, “You know, you could be right…we’re all tired anyway so I could just ask him tomorrow…”
A smirk plays on Han’s lips, “Exactly! Now come and cuddle with me.” The boy beckons, tapping the spot next to him with a warm smile.
Minho sighs contentedly, he could never refuse that.
———————
Chan felt like a sleep-walking zombie.
The poor leader had faced yet another night of relentless pressure from his jaws, tossing and turning more than when his insomnia began.
He powers through the day as per usual but during this particular group meeting, he wanted nothing more than to seek relief from the person sitting next to him.
He knew Minho would look after him well but being so far away from the clinic meant he was going to have to go out of his way to get the problem fixed.
Which is the last thing Chan wants to do as he would officially become a burden to everyone when it happens.
“Hyung?” Minho questioned, patting his cheek lightly, “Chan-hyung?”
Chan wakes up with a startle, “Huh what? Lino-ah?”
“You dozed off.” Minho said simply, placing his hand to his forehead, “Hmm you’re kind of warm.” The boy says, placing his hand around his face to check for a fever.
Then he places his hand on top of Chan’s swollen cheek, his brows furrow as he feels the unexpected swelling from the area….but Chan moved his face away just as quickly.
‘Now that’s definitely not normal’ Minho thought, his gaze subtly fixed on the leader’s cheek whilst Chan’s attention went back to the meeting.
Time to investigate further.
————————————
Chan’s solo performance goes without a hitch…for anyone else watching.
But for Minho, something was definitely going on with the leader.
On the outside, his vocals, his attitude, right up until the fall underneath the platform had the fans screaming well up until he leaves the stage.
But Minho became focused on something else entirely.
It was such a subtle gesture but Minho has a inkling of why it happened during the performance…a squint of the eyebrows as the leader belted out lyrics when he could usually do without a care...
It was such a small observation, but alongside everything else which he’s noticed since they started the tour, Minho knows something is definitely going on.
His mind flicks through possible scenarios as he makes a plan to ask the leader about it after the concert. However, he is unaware of Chan walking straight to him, his eyes pained and his voice broken and pleading.
“Minho-yah, look I-I’m really sorry I didn’t come to a check-up b-but I just have this bad toothache and I just can’t take it anymore-“ Chan rambled, desperate for help.
“Toothache?” Minho questioned, then the symptoms all clicked into place.
He puts a hand to his cheek and Chan shies away, hesitant and wary of Minho’s thumb on his cheek.
“How long has the pain been there hyung?” Minho questioned gently, placing his thumb back and manipulating the area.
“It started as we went on tour but it just keep getting worse…” Chan explained, “I’m sorry Minho-yah I should have gone to an appointment sooner.”
Minho doesn’t answer him then, too focused on Chan’s jaw to give a response, “Let’s get back to the hotel and I’ll have a look there.”
Chan nods, letting Minho guide him to the car as they are driven back to the hotel with the group.
“Take off the make-up first and I’ll meet you in the room in a minute.” Minho instructs as the lift alerts them of their arrival to the floor.
Chan does just that, using a milk-based cleanser to rub the splotches of make-up still trapped to his skin. Though now, the swelling was definitely more apparent. Chan palpates the skin, wincing at the hot touch.
“Ready Chan-hyung?” Minho questions as he peers from the doorway, Jeongin looking at him from above Minho’s fluffy hair.
The leader nods, following them both to the bed where Minho had set up his make-shift exam room.
The dentist leans against the headrest, “Come lay down hyung.” Chan complies, taking a breath as Minho is situated above him.
He distracts himself by flicking his eyes to their youngest, then he remembers how much the younger member didn’t like dental work.
“Jeongin-ie, you can go outside here or you can go to Minho’s dorm while he checks me up.” Chan beckons.
“No it’s alright hyung-“ the youngest said, the mattress dipping as he climbs up to be on the side of the eldest, “it isn’t that scary for me anymore.”
Minho offers Jeongin a fond smile, grateful for Jeonghan’s input in his confidence. He slips his gloves on comfortably, bringing a mirror and explorer to Chan’s face, but stops as he notices the leader shaking.
“Woah hyung hey what’s wrong?” Minho asks, setting his tools down.
Chan took a breath, though it is useless against the nerves, “Nothing it’s nothing-“
“Hyung-“ Minho starts, “That’s what you’ve said all this time. C’mon it’s just me, just Minho-yah.” The dentist coaxes, getting the leader to budge.
“I’m just nervous.” Chan blurts, “It’s never hurt this bad before Minho-yah, I just- I don’t know what’s happening and it hurts so badly-“
“Aw Chan-hyung-“ Minho says, his voice becoming purposefully more gentle, “I get it hyung, it’s worse when it’s hurting like this.” The dentist says, hand gently stroking Chan’s cheek like he’s cradling something fragile.
“Mm…” Chan replies, “I’m sorry I can’t just let you get to it.” The leader mumbles, eyes avoiding Minho; who is determined to show the leader he shouldn’t apologise for that.
“Yah hyung-ah!” Minho admonishes which causes Chan to look up quickly in surprise, “I don’t care if it takes us all night or we have to put out a sick notice for all I care-“ The dentist prods his un-swollen cheek, voice still gentle yet firm, “The only thing that matters is YOU, hyung! Nothing else.”
This causes Chan to offer a smile, “Thanks Dr Lee-ah.”
Minho calms back down enough to reciprocate the gesture after getting his point across, “You’re one of the first people to use the phrase.” The dentist says, unable to hide the expression of glee with the way Chan chose to addresses him.
“Woah hyung, I’ve never seen you smile so much!” Jeongin admits with a laugh as he prods the dentist teasingly, “You like the title huh-“
Chan relaxes after seeing Minho’s ears turn red in embarrassment, “M-maybe, it sounds good that’s all.”
Jeongin doesn’t prod him further but curses himself for not having his phone on him to capture the moment, the others would never believe him when he says Minho has a thing about being called ‘Doctor’…
“Alright hyung, we’ll go as slow as you need okay, don’t worry if you need a break.” Minho says, picking his tools up once more as he gets approval from the elder.
Chan hums, letting Minho’s voice wash over him like the Australian waves of his hometown.
Minho uses the newfound calm of his patient to get to work, pushing Chan’s jaw down as he peers into his mouth.
But he was met with darkness.
“Oh wait I forgot the light-“ Minho said, causing Jeongin to angle Minho’s phone flashlight to the leader’s mouth.
“Thanks Jeongin-ah.” Minho says, receiving a thumbs up from the youngest as they focus back on Chan. The maknae had really grown from before.
Minho saw the problem almost immediately, his brows unable to hide the concern from his face. It really wasn’t good.
‘Impacted wisdom tooth.’ Minho thought as he checked the area. He performed multiple types of tests but it definitely lined up with the leader’s extreme symptoms.
But now the real challenge lies in treatment…considering they were on tour and away from home.
“Ah ouch.” Chan yelps after Minho comforts him enough to take a quick prod of the inflamed gum with his finger. The dentist removes his hands from Chan’s mouth instantly; after the yelp.
“Alright lay it on me Dr Lee.” Chan says, getting up to face the dentist from the spot he had laid down.
Minho sighs worriedly, his un-gloved hands now raking through his hair, “It’s a big issue Chan-hyung. You’re going to need surgery.”
Chan’s eyes widened and Jeongin’s followed suit, “Su-Surgery? What’s the-“
“It’s your wisdom tooth.” Minho diagnoses, “It’s in the midst of an infection underneath the gum socket. That’s what causing you this pain.” The dentist explains.
“But we’re on tour hyung, how’s Chan-hyung going to get surgery before it gets worse?” Jeongin asks out of worry.
Minho thinks for a minute; then says, “Well I have a friend from a dental conference who could offer us a clinical space to do your surgical procedure myself, though I can always ask the company to book a dental surgeon from here-“
“No.” Chan said, voice level. “I can’t trust anyone else; especially not from home.” The leader states, the outburst leaving his jaw even more sore.
“Don’t worry hyung, I’ll ask my friend if he can lend me a favour and borrow his clinic so that I can be the one to do it for you.” Minho replies back, easing the leader’s hesitation considerably.
Chan nods, the guilt of missing the appointments still lingering over him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the appointments Minho-yah. We could have probably avoided all this had I showed up.”
Minho slips his gloves off as he speaks, “Well I can’t deny that hyung, I would have been able to forsee the issue within an x-ray and resolved it before we left.
Chan avoids the dentist’s eyes, ashamed and afraid of what’s to come.
But Minho puts a comforting hand to his shoulder, “But it’s all going to be okay hyung.” The dentist reminds gently, “We’ll get through this together.”
————————————
The trip to the dental clinic was a relatively short one, Minho sat right next to Chan; his hand firmly on his own as they walk into the medical complex.
Minho flicks through his phone to find the clinic building passcode his friend sent him to open the clinic area.
Both boys meet with a fresh wave of antiseptic as Minho guides Chan over to one of the surgical-focused, clinical rooms.
“Have a seat hyung, I just need to get myself and the room ready.”
Chan nods, eyes darting around the space he found himself. The chair was a impersonal touch compared to the gentle warmth from where Minho was examining him yesterday, though he stays still; afraid of becoming even more of a burden to the younger dentist.
“Alright I’m back.” Minho says but Chan’s eyes widen upon seeing him.
Minho had exchanged his soft shirt and jeans for scrub tops and bottoms alongside a thin, protective outer-apron to cover the outfit. Clear, lab-practical glasses covered his eyes as a mask was placed over his nose as he came up to the eldest.
However, only one thought was going through Chan’s mind as he saw him.
Crap.
“Sorry for the new-get up, it’s a requirement that we use extensive PPE for major work, like extractions.” Minho explained, temporarily unaware of just how much the leader had become affected by the situation. Though he very quickly found out when he looked up from the tray he was setting up.
“Oh Channie-hyung.” Minho notices, taking in the elder boy’s widened eyes and shallow breaths, “I know it doesn’t look like it but it’s just me under all this.” The dentist reminds, even more gentle than usual. “Just your Minho-yah.” The dentist says, tugging his mask downwards so the leader could see his face and lessen his anxiety.
Chan blinks in a panic, taking in the words as he repeated them like a mantra. “Just Minho-yah, Just Minho-yah-“
Minho brings him out of it gently, “Hey, it’s okay. How about we take a few deep breaths hmm?”
Chan nods, letting Minho take the lead. “Alright inhale- exhale- Very good! Now again, inhale- exhale- That’s it, there you go! One more- Inhale- and exhale.”
Minho watches Chan protectively as he encourages him through the process, a soft smile or words of encouragement helping the eldest come back to a state of calmness.
“Feeling better?” Minho asked gently.
Chan nods in approval, letting Minho’s gentle hand anchor him in the moment.
“Alright, before we start getting ready for the extraction, I want to take some x-rays so I can plan my approach and I also want to conduct a full exam so if you do have any other underlying issues, I’ll try and take care of anything while you’re under.” Minho explained, setting things up for the x-ray.
“Sounds alright.” Chan says, twiddling his thumbs and doing everything Minho asks of him without complaint.
This leaves Minho with two images which he takes to Chan to explain the situation.
“Okay these are the X-rays-“ Minho says, gesturing to the images with a finger, voice still soft as ever, “What I’m seeing is that your bottom wisdom teeth-“ The dentist points, “have developed a major infection which is normally associated with these teeth as they don’t have enough room to erupt correctly, resulting in infection and pain.” The dentist concludes.
Chan tries to soak the information but it goes over his head as Minho uses dental lingo to explain what’s going on. However, he always went back and explained it like a normal person with the same gentle voice and soft smile.
Soon, they have finished everything; leaving only one thing left to do.
“Alright Chan-hyung, once I put the IV in you’ll start to feel nice and sleepy. Just let yourself rest and I’ll be there when you wake up.”
Chan nods back, taking deep breaths as Minho brings the tray with the IV to the chair.
“Still wary of needles hyung?” Minho asks, his voice carrying a teasing lit as he gently wiped the crook of Chan’s arm with an alcohol wipe.
“I can take them.” Chan said, though he winced when the alcohol wipe had touched his skin.
Minho hummed, “Mhm, I’m sure you can but you wanna try something for me?”
Chan nods quickly, taking any distraction from the poke that he could.
How about you look at that poster there and wiggle your toes…I heard it’s meant to make you fall asleep faster.” Minho mentions, watching Chan follow the instructions.
Chan stares at the poster, an animated picture of a tooth holding a toothbrush as words such as “cavity prevention” and “brushing twice a day” distracted his senses from the tough poke on his skin.
“And done-“ Minho says, moving away from the leader’s side after administering the IV with anaesthesia, coming back to face him on his stool, “Not so bad right?“
Chan tries to speak but his eyelids suddenly feel like bricks, “No, n-not-“ The eldest attempts, but fails in the midst of a yawn and fluttering eyelids.
“Ssh, that’s okay Channie-hyung, just rest and it’ll be all over soon.” Minho replies, his voice becoming weird fuzzy in Chan’s hazy mind.
Till, he gives into the darkness…Minho’s warm eyes are his last memory as he drifts off into unconsciousness.
—————————————
“Woah woah- hyung take it easy.” Minho says, watching Chan blink into consciousness with a startle.
The elder boy rubs his eyes with his fists, “Huh, wha- where am I?” Chan asks as his mind still succumbs to the effects of the sedation.
Minho replies easily, “Well you’re in the recovery room now, just-“ The dentist checks his wristwatch, “20 minutes past when we finished.”
“-Inish wha-“ Chan asks but failing against the still heavy medication and numbing to his mouth.
“Your surgery.” Minho replied simply, “The extraction-“
“WHA- TRACTION??!!?!“ Chan yelled, eyes widened from shock. “NO I DO WAN-“
“Hey hey, relax Channie-hyung.” Minho interrupted gently. “The sutures are still fresh so-“
“I don’t care!” Chan grumbles, “I wan my te- no my tea, my teefs! I want my teefs back.” The leader demands, the numbing leaving him unable to say words normally; which Minho finds unbearably cute.
Minho chuckles gently, unable to hold himself back, “I can’t give them back hyung. You’ll be better off without them anyway.”
Chan scrunches his nose in disbelief, “No! I need them! I want my teefs!” The leader complains, huffing and turning his head from Minho.
Minho sighs in amusement, yet prepared for Chan’s dazed outburst from the start.
“Hey hyung, how about we go and have some cold yogurt to eat hmm? Minho tempts, “We can go as soon aa I change your gauze-“
“G-gauze?” Chan questions, his head tilting in an adorable manner.
“Mhm, they’re like little tissues for your gums but I think they’re probably a little dirty now.” Minho explains, using child-friendly language to not to frighten the vulnerable leader any further.
He holds a gloved finger to Chan’s lip, “How about you close your eyes and when I’m done I’ll tell you when to open them?”
Chan nods quickly, way too cute for Minho’s liking, “Alright one- twwwwwwoooo- aaannd- three!” The dentist counts as he briefly checks the leader’s stitching and places fresh gauze pads and removes the soiled ones to chuck them in the waste bin, paper towel covering the evidence.
“See you have done so well hyung!” Minho praises, helping the boy out of the recovery room, “You can have as much yogurt as you want-“
“C-can I have a sticker too?” The boy asks, his voice timid and unsure like a shy child.
Minho couldn’t help but coo, “Of course you can!” The dentist says, grabbing a sticker for the eldest to stick proudly on his shirt, “For being so brave today.”
Chan grins, left with no complaints as Minho guides him to the car which drove them all the way back home as the leader takes a well-earnt nap on Minho’s shoulder; groggy but happy.
————————————-
Recovery was a challenge Chan expected, though he didn’t realise half the challenge was getting a naggy, helicopter-parent dentist to let him work.
“Chan-hyung, if you don’t get away from your laptop right now, I’m gonna throw it in the crowd at the next concert.” Minho scolded from the kitchen.
The leader sighs but shuts his laptop in favour of adhering to the care plan Minho is laying out for him.
A bowl of lukewarm porridge awaited him, complete with a fresh glass of pineapple juice which Minho specifically recommended he have to lessen his swelling significantly.
The younger boy set down the food and juice on the dining room table, complete with two pills to help reduce the pain.
“Take these with food and let me know when you’re done so I can take a look at your gauze and stitches.” The dentist mentions as he goes to wash the dishes quietly.
Chan doesn’t shy from Minho’s demands, having learnt his lesson when he eventually sought the dentist’s help with his predicament.
“I’m done, thank you Minho-yah.” Chan said, rinsing his dishes to put in the sink.
“Uh uh not so fast, come sit here.” Minho says as Chan tried to sneak out from the room.
“How do you always know-“ Chan complains but does as he’s told.
“Because I’m your dentist hyung.” Minho teases. “Now say ah for me-“ holding Chan’s jaw with a hand softly, the other gloved.
Chan mutters something in annoyance, though he opens his mouth as directed. This allows Minho to thoroughly examine the extraction sites and remove and apply the old and new gauze pieces.
“Your sites are healing quite well from when I last saw them hyung! Your love for pineapple juice is definitely contributing to that.” Minho mentions as he tilts the boy’s jaw close.
“At least one of my habits is contributing well to my health.” Chan reminisces, thinking back to the crazy schedule he still faces once he fully recovers.
“You know I really admire your work ethic hyung.” Minho starts, “However, even you have to admit that schedule was way too much if you didn’t even have time to look after your health.”
Chan wants to refuse but deep down he knows that’s true and he knew Minho understands that as well, “It was definitely tough…” Chan replies after a bit.
Minho hums, “You know, being the eldest doesn’t mean you can’t ask for breaks when you need them Channie-hyung, if anything, it just proves how strong you really are that you know what your limits are which helps the younger ones to follow that example.”
Chan blinks in surprise, he never thought of it that way…
“Huh, I never thought of it that way before.” Chan says, a little in awe of Minho’s ability to see different sides of the situation.
Minho chuckles awkwardly, rubbing his nape, “Hyung, you good?”
Chan blinks out of his admiration, “Oh what- sorry!” Chan says, back in the moment.
Minho looks on, curious but unable to hide the fond smirk on his face.
“You looked a little dazed there…did you take the sedatives instead of the pain meds I gave you?” Minho says with a laugh.
Now it was Chan’s turn to feel embarrassed, hand threading through his curly, brown hair, “Mm- no I didn’t I promise.” Chan says with a smile, a yawn breaking through.
“Ah, here’s an opportunity now, I’ll let you get some rest, I’ll come back to check on you in a bit-“ Minho says, lifting himself off the couch.
But a hand grasps Minho’s own, brown eyes filled with plea looking at him, “Can you…stay with me till I fall asleep?” Chan whispers, afraid of being heard.
Minho chuckles but sets himself back down, letting the elder boy find refuge on his lap.
“Always hyung-” Minho says gently, unconsciously playing with Chan’s hair as the leader becomes lulled to sleep.
“I’ll always be here for you.” Minho whispers.
And even in his sleep-dazed mind…
Chan knows that too.