Chapter Text
The moment Jungkook’s eyes fluttered open that morning, he knew something was terribly wrong.
His legs twinged and ached as he wobbled toward the bathroom. His throat felt raw, like someone had scraped it with sandpaper and set it aflame. Not to mention, the headache that had set in during yesterday’s dance practice was still pounding steadily behind his swollen eyes.
Needless to say, Jungkook had definitely seen better days.
Sheer willpower kept him upright on his feet under the harsh bathroom light. The past few weeks had been especially rough on the maknae, what with the seemingly never-ending dance practices and persistent vocal training.
The schedule would have been exhausting for anyone. For someone like Jungkook, who refused to do anything halfway, it was even worse. It’s no wonder the burnout has begun to manifest itself on his body.
He has been opting to sleep in his own bedroom, alone, for the last few weeks so as not to disturb anyone when he creeps into bed late at night. And because of this, he’s grateful that his exhausted behaviour has gone mostly unnoticed by his hyungs. Often being able to excuse any questions of his tiredness by claiming late night gaming sessions or texting his friends through the night.
And while the rest of the group finds moments to take breaks and step back, it seems that Jungkook has been unable to regulate himself in the same way. As the youngest in the group, he feels pressure to supersede the expectations of his band mates, management, and ARMY, in every way possible. And if that means drilling dance routines until three in the morning and skipping meals in favour of extra writing sessions, then… so be it. By the time, he makes his way to bed he often is asleep before his head hits the pillow.
The body aches have been one thing, but now with the headaches and feverish heat that flushes his cheeks, Jungkook can’t help but rest his heavy head on his hands as he stands at the bathroom sink.
He is so lost in his head that he doesn’t even notice someone calling him from the bedroom, until they’re right behind him, leaned against the bathroom door frame.
“Jungkookie-ah!” Taehyung chirps as he saunters into the bathroom. “You’re up late today, aren’t you? Bang PD is already on his way with the car and—“
It’s at that moment that the older boy pauses, squinting at Jungkook’s disheveled appearance.
Taehyung’s hand settles on Jungkook’s shoulder.
Jungkook jolts out of his daze, the touch startling him out of his fog. He blinks slowly at the older boy.
“Hm..? What’s the matter, hyung?”
“I should be asking you that question.” He murmured. “Kook,” he brushes his fingers against the hair strewn across the maknae’s forehead, “You sure you’re okay?”
His face twists into a grimace as he takes in the maknae’s flushed cheeks and glazed eyes. But before he has the chance to continue he’s cut off by the younger boy.
“Just tell me I look terrible next time. Thanks a lot, hyung.” Jungkook rolls his eyes at the older boy, quickly pulling on the clothes he had haphazardly selected and brought to the bathroom.
“Did you just come to wake me? I know we have extra practice today. I’ll be ready and downstairs soon.”
He waves Taehyung off, flashing him what he seems to believe is a rather convincing smile.
Taehyung doesn’t look so convinced.
xxxxxx
The car ride to the studio is quiet.
Jungkook sits by the window, resting his head against the cool glass. The motion of the car makes his eyes throb even harder so he keeps them shut tight.
Maybe if he sleeps a little—
“You’re really pale, Kookie.”
He cracks an eye open. Jimin has his brow raised at the maknae.
“I’m always pale,” Jungkook mutters.
“That’s not—“
Jungkook turns his head away.
“I’m fine, hyung.”
Jimin shares a look with Taehyung. He doesn’t argue back, but he doesn’t stop watching the maknae either.
xxxxxx
Practice starts like normal.
Music blares through the speakers, the bass vibrating through the wooden floor.
Jungkook’s body moves on autopilot. Years of muscle memory carrying him through each routine. But by the time the group begins the second run of choreography, his vision begins to blur.
The light overhead drills into his skull and the loose t-shirt and shorts suddenly feel like they are suffocating him. Breathless, he misses his spot in the routine.
Namjoon notices immediately.
“Again, from the top,” the leader calls out.
Jungkook nods quickly.
“Got it, sorry guys.”
The music starts again.
The breathless feeling is back. His chest beginning to burn as his legs feel as heavy as lead.
Breathing suddenly feels much, much, harder than it should. Jungkook blinks hard, his feet glued to the floor. He’s almost through the routine, just one more push. Just a little more. Frustration catches in his throat.
He turns—
And the floor shifts beneath him.
The music screeches to a halt.
“Koo?”
Hoseok’s voice cuts through the room.
Jungkook tries to respond, but the panic rippling through his body leaves him tongue tied. Everything has gone all wrong. He wasn’t supposed to let his hyungs know how ill he has been feeling. Frustration claws through his chest and he attempts to heave out a reply.
“I’m—“
The floor suddenly seems a lot closer than it was before.
Strong hands catch his arm before he can hit the wood panel.
Namjoon.
“Hey,” Taehyung says quickly, gripping his shoulders. “Hey, Kook—“
“I’m fine,” Jungkook insists immediately. He tries to wriggle out of his grip but finds himself too exhausted to even move. His voice shakes, and quick breaths escape his mouth as his eyes well up.
Namjoon pulls him tight to his chest. He sits down on the floor, pulling the smaller boy into his lap. He is surrounded by his members, all sporting concerned expressions between themselves and back at the younger boy.
Yoongi looks down at him, eyes narrowed.
“You’re clearly not fine, kid.”
Jin crouches down next to Namjoon on the floor, turning the boy’s face away from where he’s pressed it firmly into Namjoon’s shoulder, and towards himself instead.
“Jungkook,” he says gently. “Look at me, baby.”
Jungkook lifts his lashes up at him. His eyes are glassy and red-rimmed.
Jin coos at the younger boy’s expression. Finally getting a good look at his face.
“You’re burning up, Kookie,” Jin says.
Jungkook shakes his head stubbornly, even as his lip begins to pout and his breathing becomes unstable.
“No, ‘m not.”
Jimin bends down next to Jin, pressing a hand to the younger boys forehead.
His frown deepens.
“Yeah. You are.” He swipes a thumb along his dongsaeng’s cheek.
“C’mon Koo, don’t lie to hyung. Where’s our good maknae? Tell hyung what’s the matter now, hm?”
For a moment, Jungkook just stares up at him through his lashes.
Then his face crumples.
He falls limp against the leader’s broad chest. Hands clenching up fists of Namjoon’s hoodie.
It happens so suddenly that no one moves at first.
Tears spill down his cheeks before he can stop them.
Jungkook scrubs furiously at his face with the sleeve of his shirt, embarrassed by the sudden loss of control.
“I didn’t—” he chokes out, voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to—”
Namjoon’s arm tightens around him immediately.
“Hey, hey,” he murmurs softly.
Jungkook shakes his head, trying to push himself upright again.
“I’m fine,” he insists weakly, even as another tear slips free. “I just got dizzy, that’s all.”
Yoongi snorts quietly from where he’s crouched beside them.
“Kid,” he says, voice dry, “you’re crying in Namjoon’s lap and you’re burning up like a furnace.”
Jungkook lets out a small, frustrated sound.
“I didn’t want to slow everyone down,” he mutters hoarsely.
Jin’s expression softens instantly.
“Oh, baby,” he sighs.
He reaches forward, brushing damp hair away from Jungkook’s forehead.
“You’re sick.”
Jungkook shakes his head again stubbornly.
“I can finish practice.”
“No you can’t,” Hoseok says gently.
Jungkook tries to sit up again.
The moment his weight shifts away from Namjoon, the room tilts violently.
He sways.
Taehyung grabs him immediately.
“Whoa—”
Jungkook whimpers softly when he’s pulled back against Namjoon’s chest.
That’s when everyone really freezes.
Jungkook has never whimpered like that before.
Jimin’s voice softens.
“Kookie…”
Jungkook presses his face into Namjoon’s hoodie again.
“I feel really bad,” he admits quietly.
Tears begin rolling down Jungkook’s face freely, darkening a wet patch on Namjoon’s hoodie.
Somewhere in the background he hears Hoseok talking hurriedly on the phone and the others moving around the room, but it all feels distant.
He can’t bring himself to care.
The sobs come harder now, wracking through his whole body as weeks of exhaustion and frustration finally spill over.
Namjoon hushes him softly, one large hand moving slowly up and down Jungkook’s back. His other hand slips beneath the hem of Jungkook’s shirt, rubbing gentle circles against overheated skin.
“It’s okay, Kookie-ah,” he murmurs. “You’re okay.”
Taehyung crouches beside them a moment later.
“Let me take him,” he says quietly. “Hoseok needs help explaining the situation to management. We’ll definitely need to take tomorrow off.”
Namjoon nods in agreement.
He presses a quick kiss to Jungkook’s temple before carefully shifting him forward, guiding the smaller boy into Taehyung’s waiting arms.
Jungkook curls instinctively against him, clutching weakly at Taehyung’s shirt. His limbs tuck inward, making him seem even smaller and frailer than he already is.
The tears haven’t stopped, but they come quieter now between hitched breaths.
“Shh,” Taehyung murmurs, tightening his hold. “We’re going home soon, okay? No more practice today.”
Jungkook nods faintly against his chest.
“Knew you were feeling sick the second I saw you this morning,” he says softly, pressing his lips gently along Jungkook’s hairline.
“My cute little workaholic,” he punctuates the words with a gentle kiss against Jungkook’s temple, “relax now, hyungs are here. We’ll take care of you.”
At that, exhaustion crashes over the maknae all at once, heavy and unavoidable.
By the time Taehyung stands, Jungkook’s eyes have already slipped shut, his face tucked against the warm crook of Taehyung’s neck.
It’s time to go home.