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Jihoon always bragged about never getting sick. No matter the weather outside, their usually packed schedule he always stayed perfectly healthy. Yeah, he did get exhausted at times but never sick or in pain.
He'd be the first to greet his hyungs in the morning, always with a smile and with some excited little jumps. The members, especially the hyung line (Youngjae), found it incredibly cute every time.
They asked him for advice on how not to get sick. His roommate, Dohoon, could just be in a brief touch with cold weather and lay in bed sick for the next 4 days.
His one and only dongseang, Kyungmin, would have sore throat more often than not.
Other members would get injured but Jihoon, it was like he was made out of pure steel. Always dancing, always smiling, always on top of his performance, never complaining.
Everyone got used to it, and while sometimes, his overflowing energy could be overwhelming, it helped in many more ways than just one. He felt comfort in knowing he could always be the person his precious members relied on when their energy was low. It brought him immense strength.
…
His clock rang way too early and brought him out of dreamland. His phone said 7am but outside it already felt like the day started in full motion. Cars were heard, streets were buzzing with chatter even at this hour.
Before Jihoon could even open his eyes properly he felt it.
A sharp pang beneath his chest that felt like all the air just got sucked out of his lungs. Ow fuck he thought as he tried to sit up but unfortunately for him, sitting up just made it 10 times worse.
Without any strength left he just plopped down on his bed again, clutching the place below his chest. It was the kind of pain that it constantly reminded you of it. It was present, not wavering even a little as time passed.
His sleep was ruined, his thoughts ran wild and his body hurt. This was one of their rare days off and his body just had to hurt now. It was really cruel. The members wanted to go on an outing together but it felt like Jihoon will have to sit out of it.
The members usually woke up around now, he debated whether he should go greet them but the pain was too much to handle. He stayed in his bed, barely moving.
A few minutes passed and he felt Dohoon waking up. His red hair going up in every direction as he got up and just stared at him.
His expression was sleepy, yet under it was hidden concern. Jihoon never stays in his bed for long, even when he wakes up, he immediately starts dancing, or doing whatever shit is that he does.
“Jihoon” Dohoon said, his voice still raspy from sleep.
“Yeah hyung” Jihoon said through pain that was getting worse as time passed.
Dohoon rubbed his eyes a few times then continued “are you okay?”
His expression gave it all away, the pain around his chest worsened so much that he couldn't even speak properly. He shaked his head a few times signaling a no, hoping Dohoon could understand.
Dohoon gave him a sympathetic look and went to the bathroom. Jihoom stayed there laying on his bed as he felt the pain widen around his whole torso. It felt suffocating.
Someone, who Jihoon couldn't see, walked in. His steps were soft, deliberate and Jihoon couldn't stop the smile on his face from forming despite the unbearable pain he felt.
“Jihoonie?” His voice, always soft and honey like called out to him.
“Hyung” he said weakly.
Youngjae, his favourite hyung, crouched near his bed and looked Jihoon directly in the eyes.
“Are you okay? Usually you'd greet me with your beautiful smile but today you weren't there so i decided to check up on you.”
Jihoon couldn't help but blush at that.
“Hyung, it hurts” he said, gesturing to the place beneath his chest.
Youngjae's expression immediately changed, instead of his usual soft and gentle expression, on his face was on worry. His brows furrowed as he scooted closer.
He didn't say anything just took Jihoon's hand in his and traced slow circles on his knuckles.
“Does it hurt a lot?” Youngjae asked softly, the worry never leaving his face.
Jihoon just nodded, he couldn't even form words. For two different reasons, first obviously because of the pain and the second because Youngjae was so close to him his brain couldn't function properly.
Youngjae sighed and got up muttering something to himself.
When Youngjae entered their dorm kitchen Shinyu immediately start questioning him.
“Youngjae, you look worried, is everything alright?” His expression mirroring Youngjae's perfectly.
“Jihoonie seems to be in a lot of pain hyung.” Youngjae said, face falling with every word said out loud.
Shinyu got a knowing expression and a sly grin appeared on his face. Youngjae looked at him like he'd grown a second head.
“Hyung?”
“You stay with Jihoon today.” He said, using his leader voice. Youngjae immediately knew what meant, his decision was final. Only one person could contest it, but it didn't involve him so he doubted Dohoon would get involved.
Youngjae returned to Jihoon with a glass of water and pastry they had lying around.
Jihoon heard footsteps approaching, he opened his eyes and the sight in front of him took all his breath away.
Youngjae was smiling softly with a glass of water and a heated up pastry.
“I brought over some painkillers but first you'll need to eat something since these ones are stronger.”
Jihoon wanted to get up but before he could do anything, Youngjae took a piece of the pastry and slowly fed Jihoon. Helping him sit up just a little bit so he doesn't eat while laying down.
“Don't force yourself so much, if you can't eat, at least swallow this.” Youngjae said, patting him on the back as he helped him lay down again.
“Does it hurt more when you're sitting or laying down?”
“Sitting” Jihoon's voice was weak, he felt fragile.
“Okay, I'll be right back.”
After some minutes Youngjae came back with a fruit smoothie. “The members are almost on their way, Shinyu hyung told me to stay with you today.” He said as he was helping Jihoon drink the smoothie.
Youngjae hyung’s gonna stay with me the whole day? Despite his pain, the thought of that was pretty exciting. But still, he couldn't help but feel sorry.
“No, hyung, go i can take care of my–” his thoughts were shushed by Youngjae who put a finger over his mouth.
“Jihoon, I don't mind, your wellbeing is the priority.”
Jihoon's face changed 5 shades of red, pink and purple in less than a second. Youngjae's face filled with concern as he put a hand over Jihoon's forehead, then, as if feeling Youngjae's hand wasn't enough, Youngjae leaned in and pressed his lips to Jihoon's forehead to get a better feel.
“You're a bit warm.”
That certainly wasn't because of Youngjae kissing his forehead.
The members wished Jihoon a speedy recovery and left for whatever they had to do, leaving only Youngjae and him in their dorm.
“Go sleep a little bit Jihoonie, I'll be on Dohoonie’s bed if you need anything.”
Jihoonie, jihoonie. Jihoon clutched his chest dramatically half because of the pain and half because his Youngjae hyung called him Jihoonie.
He didn't even know what hour it was when he woke up. His body hurt a little less and he finally felt like he was able to properly breathe.
“Hyung” he called out to Youngjae. Not even a second later, he heard hurried footsteps approaching.
“Jihoonie” Youngjae's smile was as wide as always. “You're awake. Is it better?”
“It hurts a little less, thanks hyung.” Jihoom replied, feeling his cheeks get hotter and hotter as he continued staring in Youngjae's eyes.
Youngjae put one of his hands on Jihoon's back and the other on his chest helping him sit up.
“How does it feel?” Youngjae asked expectantly. The smile never leaving his face.
“It, feels less suffocating.”
Youngjae's expression lit up for a moment as he hurried off to the kitchen. He came back a bowl of noodles and a pair off chopsticks.
“Eat Jihoonie”
Being taken care of by Youngjae was honestly so enjoyable. Man i could get used to this forever.
“Anything on your mind Jihoonie?”
“Umm n-nothing…” jihoon replied as he scratched the back of his neck.
“If you're feeling better, shall we go on a walk.” Even if he wasn't feeling his best, a walk with Youngjae could never be missed.
He barely got up from his bed but with the help of Youngjae he did it.
“You don't look your best Jihoonie, maybe it'll be better for you to rest a more.” Youngjae looked unsure.
“Hyung, shhh.”
“Okay.” Youngjae chuckled as he helped Jihoon pick an outfit.
“I can pick my own outfit.” Jihoon said playfully. But Youngjae didn't budge, he still rummaged through Jihoon's clothes.
Youngjae was always like that, always a little more affectionate towards Jihoon, always taking extra care of him. And Jihoon, thrived in the attention he was getting from his favourite hyung.
After some playful banter they were finally walking outside.
Jihoon still wasn't his usual self but he liked walking with Youngjae, usually talking about everything and nothing, taking a path down the memory lane.
He also took this opportunity to properly thank Youngjae for taking care of him today.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for today, I'm sorry you missed out on the fun with the other members. But still thank you for making sure i didn't spend my only day off in pain.”
The expression on Youngjae's face softened even more, if that was possible, as he talked.
“Jihoonie, it was my and Shinyu hyung’s decision for me to stay and make sure you're alright. I'd miss out on 100 hangouts if it meant that I'm going to take care of you. Your well being is the most important thing Jihoonie, don't feel sorry. I actually enjoyed it.”
Jihoon watched Youngjae's cheeks flush pink after he said the last sentence out loud.
“You're always extra affectionate and caring towards me, thank you hyung so much.”
“I mean, i have to shower my favourite person with extra love, don't i?”
Jihoon stopped walking, his expression frozen in place. Favourite person? What in the hell?
“I'm your favourite?” Jihoon started jumping up and down despite the pain he was feeling.
“Yeah.”
“I love you hyung!” Shit! Jihoon realised he had said it so casually. Who even says this shit so casually? He's gonna hate me now? Han Jihoon get yourself together.
“I love you too sunshine.”
What the fuck?
The sunshine was bright and hot, just like Jihoon's cheeks. Safe to say, he was fucked.