Work Text:
It was the end of a particularly rough gym session. Changbin had promised Jeongin that he would, quote, turn his entire lower half into jelly, and he had not fallen short of that promise. Jeongin was sweating profusely, leaving a thin sheen over his clothes and forehead. He was also hurting, a bone-deep ache that only intensified his desire to be tucked back in his bed. Normally, he was the first to suggest a workout. Exercise had been a great way for the pair to bond, and he appreciated any insight from his hyung. But today was different.
Today, Jeongin had had to practically drag himself up to change and meet Changbin in the gym. It wasn't anything in particular: just a general feeling of tiredness and malaise that had clung tightly to him since he opened his eyes. Regardless, you don't bail on your gym buddy. Jeongin muddled through their shared warmup and the series of squats, lunges, and hip thrusts. He convinced Changbin to let him cool down alone, and instead of stretching like he promised, he was now slumped in the corner by the mirror with his water bottle.
Taking in large gulps of water didn't seem to quell his insatiable thirst. Pressing his overheated skin against the cool mirror provided limited relief for the deep warmth in his body. Maybe, just maybe, something was wrong. Something beyond a rough workout.
And Changbin, ever observant, wasn't about to ignore it. He had been slowly and methodically rolling out his tense muscles when he noticed that Jeongin wasn't doing the stretching he had promised. Rather, he was curled in a trembling lump against the glass.
"Iyen-ah!" He calls out, bringing Jeongin back to the present moment. "You need to do those stretches. Promote recovery, increase blood flow, all that."
A pause.
"I will. I just… need a minute. Or two," Jeongin responds, pressing his water bottle to the back of his neck. Changbin rises from his spot on the floor, his mind beginning to swim with worry.
"Innie? Did I push you too hard?" He questions, approaching the lump on the floor with genuine concern.
"No, no, no, I'm fine," Jeongin looks up. "Hyung, don't get too close."
"Why not? You're being ridiculous, let me at least help you up."
"No!"
The yell, uncharacteristically serious and almost frightened, stops Changbin in his tracks. He analyzes Jeongin's sweaty, red complexion and his shaking form, beginning to wonder if his condition is from something other than the grueling workout. In turn, Jeongin stares at the ground. He feels awful, not quite able to pin down exactly why.
"Innie. Why don’t you want me to come by you?" Changbin tries again, his voice uncharacteristically soft. After he gets no response, he continues. "I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong. Are you sore? Dizzy?"
"…I think I'm sick," Jeongin admits reluctantly. Changbin disregards his younger member's warnings and comes to sit next to him, wrapping his arm tightly around the shivering boy.
"Why do you say that? Tell me what's happening," he urges.
"I was just so hot. But… now I feel like I'm freezing," Jeongin starts. "My head is starting to hurt. I just feel bad."
Changbin presses a calloused palm to the maknae's forehead with a sigh.
"You're definitely warm. Not just post-workout heat," he frowns, flipping his hand and then letting it fall to Jeongin's shoulder, gently running his fingers in slow circles. "I think you're coming down with a fever."
After hearing confirmation of his sickened state, Jeongin just frowns and sips again from his water bottle. His eyes are fixed on the rubber mats with a distant, almost teary expression.
"Jeonginnie. What's the matter? Are you feeling that bad? Should I call a manager?" Changbin rapid-fires.
"No," Jeongin sniffles. "No. I… I'm sorry I ruined our morning. I really tried to keep up. I've been feeling off all morning, but I guess I just crashed."
"Hey, hey. You didn't ruin anything," Changbin starts, frowning and wishing he could quell the younger's worries. "I wish you'd have told me you weren't feeling great. I wouldn't have pushed you so hard."
"S'fine."
"Nope. Not fine. So here's what we're going to do. When you're ready, we'll get you back to your dorm, get some meds and water in you. I'll tell Channie-hyung you're not feeling well, and see about getting you off the schedule for the afternoon." Changbin says gently, still rubbing the maknae's shoulder. "Sound okay?"
"Yes. Okay," Jeongin mumbles. "Hyung?"
"Yeah?"
"I might skip out on chest day tomorrow."
Changbin breaks into an understanding smile. "Thought so, Innie. Let's get you home."