Here We Go

"Have Courage and Be Kind" - Kpop (and Anime) Sickfic Writer - '95

[darl-ingfics]

Hello!

Welcome! Happy to see you 😊

This side-blog had been a many-years-in-the-making sort of things for me; I've been a sickfic and hurt/comfort fan for years, yet everything I wrote was always just for my eyes only, or rarely/heavily edited when published. But the more I've begun to explore this genre, the idea of making this blog a reality became, well, a reality. And here we are.

What to Know About Me:

She/her

Born in '95

Literature nerd, avid dancer, and certified Disney adult

I've been a Kpop fan since 2018! I am currently an incredibly proud Carat, EXO-L, and Shawol.

Masterlist

Requests are: OPEN

Current Requests (to be fulfilled in any order, as the muse decides):

SVT - Vernon, allergic reaction

SHINee - Chuseok 'someone has to stay home' fic

ATEEZ - Mingi, carsickness

Ongoing Series: None right now...

My Current Fics in the Works:

Couch Sickie Scenarios (feat. Taemin, and Hoshi/The8)

I have... two SHINee ideas forming... just FYI

Groups I Stan and Will Write For: Seventeen (Joshua bias), EXO (Xiumin bias), SHINee (Onew bias), BTS (Jungkook bias), ATEEZ (Seonghwa bias)

Groups in my Stan Orbit: none at this time

Groups I Enjoy Listening to, but Probably Won't Write For: Stray Kids (Han bias), Red Velvet (Seulgi bias), Mamamoo (Moonbyul bias), f(x) (Luna bias), Monsta X (Kihyun bias), NCT (Doyoung bias)

Groups I Casually Listen to: Girls Generation, Aespa, Blackpink, (G)I-dle, Got7

Chances are good I'll throw in some anime pieces too, cause I have A TON of those in the back logs. You will primarily see content for Haikyuu and Attack on Titan for those pieces.

What I Will Write: General illness; snz (to a degree, we’re figuring it out); hurt/comfort; some emeto

What I Won’t Write: allergy snz (not it for me, folks); graphic emeto; scat; major illness or character d/eath; non-con anything; NSFW sexy times; age regression

A Reminder: All writings published on this blog in any Kpop fandom are strictly based on my perceptions of the personas presented by the idols. These are real people, and absolutely nothing on here is a true representation of these artists as individuals. These fics are manifestations of my enjoyment of these artists in a medium that I find creatively rewarding, but the maintenance of the line between fiction and fact is a necessary part of these creations.

Feel free to pop in my asks anytime! Thanks for reading!

(Follows and Likes as pretty-eyes-jaeger)

[darl-ingfics]

Oh these prompts are so peak. I really love:

“staying up at night with with worry, holding their sick lover to their chest and watching over them”

I’ve been craving sickie San lately (you know me 😭) and maybe either Hongjoong Yeosang or Seonghwa as the caretaker? Or multiple?

If you’re not feeling those members for this prompt though anyone in Ateez would be fine! Or just ignore this all together if it’s not sparking anything 💜

-Tilly

Think Your Flu Shot's Gonna Hold Up?

Fandom: ATEEZ

Sickie: San (flu)

Caregiver(s): Seonghwa & Mingi

Word Count: 1,080

Notes: @tilly-poppies, I literally sat down and wrote this in an hour, and I didn't even realize that much time had passed because I had a BALL! Maybe not as serious as the prompt called for... but I had fun. Thank you, friend!

Seonghwa pushed open the door to San’s room as quietly as he could. Blinking a few times to adjust to the darkness, blackout curtains drawn against even the nighttime street lights, the room lit only by the bedside lamp, his eyes immediately flew to the bed, where Mingi waved at him. “How’s it going?” Seonghwa asked quietly, leaning in the doorway. 

“He’s like… a little creature? A little goblin creature?” Mingi said, voice at normal volume as he gestured down to the entire Choi San slumped against his chest. San certainly sounded like a goblin-esque creature, snoring deeply around the congestion in his head. 

“Please don’t ever tell Wooyoung that, he will either kill you for it or never let Sannie live it down,” Seonghwa replied, stepping further into the room. He placed two fresh water bottles on the nightstand, and offered a soda to Mingi, who took it with pure joy in his eyes. “You wanna swap out?” 

“Nah, we’re good.” Mingi frowned down at the pre-opened pop can. “Very smart, hyung. You’re always thinking. But we would’ve survived a little tsssk. I mean, we’re talking full volume right now.”

“Better to be safe than sorry.” Seonghwa shrugged. He knelt next to the bed, pushing San’s hair away from his sweaty forehead. “How is he, though? For real this time?” He pressed his fingers more deliberately against San’s skin. “Temp feels lower.”

“Yes, I think his fever finally broke. He’s been very snuggly and also rather sweaty. Also snotty,” Mingi answered with a long suffering sigh. “I am very glad this hoodie is thick, and fear I may have to burn it after today.” 

Seonghwa grimaced as he nodded in sympathy. “Thank you for your service. Still think your flu shot’s gonna hold up?”

“Oh, totally.” Mingi’s eyes glanced downward as he readjusted his arms while San shifted slightly in his hold. “Really though, he’s been asleep for most of the time I’ve been in here, which I think is a good sign given the past few days.”

“Seriously.” Seonghwa shook his head, turning a soft smile to the sleeping man before him. “You don’t do anything by halves, do you Sannie?”

San had given them quite the scare earlier that wake, waking up in the middle of the night with a high fever and losing his balance on his way to the kitchen, hitting his head on the counter in the process. While one late night ER visit later left him with a flu diagnosis, he mercifully didn’t have a concussion on top of it, just a headache and a gnarly bruise. But it terrified Seonghwa and Mingi regardless. They refused to leave their third roommate alone for even a second until his temperature returned to normal. Management had been cooperative, giving them some time off to be with San, but they drew the line at other members stepping in to play babysitter, scared of the virus spreading farther than it had to. Seonghwa and Mingi were considered potentially unavoidable collateral damage, but had thus far proved resist to the bug. Which was honestly a miracle given San’s seeming inability to cover his mouth. 

“Are you sure you don’t wanna swap out?” Seonghwa asked, gazing back up at Mingi. 

The rapper shook his head. “We are a-okay, hyung.”

“Huh?” San’s head pulled back from Mingi’s chest, his hair smushed up to the side as he blinked heavy eyelids. He took in Seonghwa’s face then swung his neck around to look at Mingi. “Hey, it’s you guys.” He sniffled wetly, a sound that had only just stopped making his roommate’s cringe about 24 hours ago.

“It’s us,” Mingi replied with a small laugh. 

“Who else?” Seonghwa added, rubbing a hand over San’s hip, exposed from the blankets that he’d seemingly kicked down. 

“Dun know. Thought maybe Woo would be here. Or Yeosang. Hongjoong.” San yawned wide, sniffling agin as he pawed at his nose with the sleeve of his pajamas.

Mingi clicked his tongue. “Yuyu and Jongho are gonna be pissed,” he stage whispered over to Seonghwa. San poked his cheek, sending Mingi cackling at a reasonable, indoor level. 

“Everyone wants to come see you, babe, but management said not while you’re still contagious,” Seonghwa answered. 

“That’s dumb,” San declared, pouting. 

“Is it?” Mingi asked coyly. “Cause I feel like you’re a…”

Without warning, San lurched forward, sneezing almost directly on Seonghwa’s face. As the older man fell back in shock, Mingi swung his own sweatshirt covered arm around just in time to catch a second sneeze. 

“A walking health code violation,” Mingi finished his earlier sentence with a dramatic shake of his sleeve. 

“Oh my GOD! I’M SO SORRY!” San cried, actual tears brimming in his eyes as Seonghwa rocked towards them again.

“It’s… it is what it is.” Seonghwa grabbed a few tissue from the box on the nightstand, handing them to San before taking a few more to wipe at his own face. 

“Hyung, I’m so sorry…” San whined guiltily. 

“Nope. We’re not feeling bad,” Seonghwa interrupted with an exaggerated shake of his head. 

“Hyung…”

“And you know what? I’ve had worse.” Seonghwa pointed up at Mingi. “That one’s thrown up on me before.”

“Hey, it was just on your shoes, and it wasn’t nearly as bad as that time Yeosang…”

Seonghwa held up a hand to cut Mingi off. “I do not wish to go back there.” The rapper nodded in understanding. “Case in point, I’m not mad, Sannie. Please don’t cry.”

“But please blow your nose, you’re dripping,” Mingi said, voice light and joking yet simultaneously serious. Swiping at his eyes once to clear the tears, San pushed away from Mingi before pressing the tissues to his face and blowing his nose. He coughed after, deep in his chest. 

“Did you…” San paused, sniffling, before he peeked over his shoulder at Mingi, “call me a goblin earlier?”

“Sure did.”

San shrugged. “Cool. It fits.”

“Okay.” Seonghwa pushed to his feet. “I’m gonna go wash my face quick. Then, since Sannie’s up, maybe we think about dinner?”

“Okay. I’m still sorry, hyung,” San whimpered, smashing his face back against Mingi’s chest. 

“Still think your flu shot’s still gonna hold up?” Mingi asked Seonghwa as the elder turned to go. Seonghwa glared back at the rapper’s barely contained, shit-eating grin. 

“If I fall, I’m taking you with me,” he threatened, not waiting for a reaction before he walked out of the room. 

[darl-ingfics]

Hello there~

Thank you so much for being so kind in your replies to me (reading them always makes me smile super wide! And you calling me friend agh💘) and for letting me send you another request 💝

I do have an idea, and it's about Suho (no surprise there hahah) and Seonghwa from ATEEZ. There was quite a lot of content featuring them some time ago (dance challenges, mentions in radio shows, tags on instagram) and I found their budding friendship super cute 😣💗 The story itself could be about anything really, but maybe one of them gets sick right before a scheduled dance challenge or something? Since you already wrote a fic where Suho takes care of Hongjoong&Yunho, maybe Seonghwa could be the one doing a check up on Junmyeon? The latter did give him his number after all 💖 Maybe the other ATEEZ members could comment on it too? I came across a post where someone said that the ateez members were collecting exo members like pokémon or something (San&Kai, Baekhyun&Jongho, Xiumin&Yunho/Seonghwa etc.), maybe something along those lines? 😅

This became pretty long hahah but please feel free to write what you want - I know I'll love it and I look forward to it already❣️

Have a nice day! ✨

Someone Call the Doctor

Fandom: EXO/ATEEZ

Sickie: Suho (alcohol/medicine reaction)

Caregiver(s): Seonghwa & Yunho

Word Count: 2,311

Notes: Title comes from EXO's "Overdose," as that is kind of what happens in this fic, except not in a dangerous way, more of a 'oh no, i mixed these two things and now i'm dizzy' kinda way. This literally came together all in a rush, and I'm sharing it before I overthink it (scheduled yesterday for today!) @miramizar I sincerely hope you enjoy!!!!

There was nothing quite like an Inkigayo afterparty. They didn’t happen all the time; there was no way anyone’s liver could have survived such an occurrence. But about once every two months or so, a senior group would organize an afterparty at a restaurant close to the studio for any idols who participated in the show that week. Inkigayo made the most sense: it was the Sunday show, the last at the end of a grueling week of promotional performances, and therefore gave them a bit of time to recover if the night got away from them. Which it usually did. Because of said prior marathon of a work week. 

So naturally, when Seventeen arranged for an Inkigayo afterparty on a cold Sunday night in late February, ATEEZ happily found themselves there. Because there were some parties you simply could not miss, and a Seventeen party was one of them. 

Seonghwa was watching the chaos contentedly from a booth, beer in hand. He’d tweaked his ankle on stage that night, not even a real injury, thank God, but enough that he didn’t have it in him to get up and dance with the others. He’d normally be tearing up the floor, but figured it was better to sit this one out and simply laugh at the chaos of Dino’s Pi Cheolin character dancing poorly with Seulgi and Momo, both of whom seemed to be completely in on the bit. 

Seonghwa was so lost in thought, he didn’t notice Yunho approach until he slumped into the booth next to him with a deep sigh. “Wooyoung is fully responsible for San tonight. Mingi too. He’s being a bad influence.”

“Care to elaborate?” Seonghwa asked, openly grinning at Yunho’s frustrated little pout. 

“You KNOW what happens when San drinks, hyung!” Yunho whined, falling back against the booth. Seonghwa noted a flush on the dancer’s cheeks, speaking volumes about his own state of sobriety that made the motion all the more adorable. “He can’t handle it! And Mingi can’t either, and he’s gonna wanna cuddle tonight, and I wanna go to bed and I DON’T wanna cuddle, and-“ He was abruptly cut off by Seokmin shrieking at Jungkook and BamBam for ‘crashing the party they weren’t even invited to’ and BamBam shrieking something back before the whole trio melted into a jumping hug. 

“And what, Yuyu?”

“And… I don’t even know anymore.” Yunho’s cheeks puffed slightly as he picked at the label on Seonghwa’s bottle. “I’m just tired, hyung.” 

Seonghwa chuckled as his fingers carded through Yunho’s hair. While Yunho was usually the life of the party, after promotional weeks where the choreography was particularly strenuous, the exhaustion and overwhelm hit him harder, and he became overstimulated rather quickly. “Wanna go home, then?”

“No…” 

As Seonghwa’s mouth opened on a not-so-nice reply about Yunho acting like a child, a yelled, “Hey, Seonghwa-sshi!” caught both of their attention. And both sat up straighter seeing 

EXO’s Chanyeol approaching them.

“Chanyeol-hyung!” Seonghwa greeted, immediately noting the worried look on the rapper’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen Suho? He’s been missing for about half an hour.”

“And it’s not like a ‘he’s somewhere talking to someone’ missing.” D.O. appeared at Chanyeol’s side, having been a few steps behind him. “We genuinely have no idea where he is.”

“No, I haven’t seen him.” Seonghwa turned to Yunho who silently shook his head, understanding the unspoken question. “I assume you’ve tried calling him?”

“Yes, but we were hoping maybe you could try?” Chanyeol asked. “Cause you’re a junior idol, and he cares more about how he treats you.” D.O. snorted next to him and Chanyeol threw his arms out to his sides. “What? It’s true! We live with him, there’s nothing left to prove to us!”

Seonghwa pulled his phone from his pocket. “No, I get it. Role model pressure versus older brother responsibility. Give me a sec.” He scrolled through his contacts while the conversation continued between Chanyeol and D.O., Yunho offering his own two cents while the phone rang against Seonghwa’s ear. 

It rang twice before he heard a click and a whispered, “If my members are there, pretend you got voicemail.” 

Without hesitation, Seonghwa played along. “Hey, Suho-hyung, this is ATEEZ’s Seonghwa.” The performer made a point of sharing eye contact with Chanyeol and D.O. as he continued. “I guess, I mean you probably already know that cause of the caller ID, but…” He paused, mouthed what should I say?

In the pause, Suho said, “I’m downstairs. Second door on the left.” 

“Ask where the hell he is!” Chanyeol replied, the fire in his voice for his leader and not the messenger. 

“Chanyeol and D.O. hyungs are worried about where you are,” Seonghwa repeated. “So, if you get this message, call them please. Thank you!”

“Thank you,” Suho whispered back before Seonghwa hung up. 

“Sorry, hyungs.” Seonghwa shrugged, sliding his phone back into his pocket. 

“Hey, it’s not your fault. Thanks for trying,” D.O. said, shaking his head as he looked back out at the sea of people. “I just hope he’s okay.”

“Find us if you find him, yeah?” Chanyeol said, meeting both Seonghwa and Yunho’s eyes.

“Of course, hyung,” Seonghwa replied as Yunho gave a small salute. 

As the two older men walked away, Yunho narrowed his eyes at Seonghwa. “I heard that, you know.”

“You heard nothing.” Seonghwa waved a hand in front of Yunho’s eyes in a poor attempt at hypnosis. The dancer’s eyes remained narrowed, his lips turning into a sour, little pout. “Listen, Yuyu. Sometimes, as the oldest, you don’t…”

“You lied to them,” Yunho interrupted, his voice a dramatic whisper. 

“I lie to you all the time,” Seonghwa replied, matching Yunho’s quieter tone.

“That’s different. You lied to EXO-sunbaenim.”

“How is that different?”

“They’re our SENIORS!” Yunho exclaimed, still dramatically quiet. It suddenly hit Seonghwa how drunk the dancer truly was, and it almost made him want to laugh. 

“I lied to them FOR THEIR LEADER! The most sunbae of the sunbaes!” Seonghwa shot back, fighting a smile. “Now, as you know, I’m gonna go see Suho-hyung, and you are going to go find Hongjoong or Jongho and whine to them.”

“No. I’m coming with you.” 

Seonghwa stared hard at Yunho, silently warring with their eyes, before the elder man gave up. As cooperative as he usually was, Yunho could be damn stubborn, and a drunk Yunho was the damned stubbornest. So with a heavy sign, Seonghwa relented and motioned for Yunho to follow him. 

They meandered through the crowd as casually as possible and escaped into the mercifully quiet stairwell, Yunho not so sneakily watching for any EXO members tailing them. Satisfied that they’d gone undetected, the duo hurried down the steps to the lower level. The hallway they entered first had several doors on either side, each adorned with the tell tale stick figure signs that signaled ‘Restroom.’

“Second on the left,” Seonghwa muttered as they approached the correct door. he knocked, decisive but careful, not wanting to startle his friend. “Suho hyung? It’s Seonghwa.”

A muffled “You can come in” came from the other side of the door.

“I’m sorry, but I had to bring a velcro dongsaeng along,” Seonghwa explained through the door with a peek back at Yunho. “It’s Yunho.”

“That’s okay.”

Seonghwa pushed open the door. Suho was sitting against the wall on a small stool, one provided for children to be able to reach the sink. Sitting was also a relative term. The older man was more slumped against the wall, as if he were a rag doll thrown into a seated position. His face was pale, sweat beading at his hairline. Suho offered a lackluster wave. “Hey.”

“Hyung!” Seonghwa stepped forward, pulling Yunho with him until the door closed behind them. "Are you okay?”

With a terse shake of his head, Suho answered, “No.” 

“Did you throw up?” Yunho asked, incredibly earnest. 

“Yes.” Suho nodded

Yunho’s eyes widened. “Did Wooyoung make you take shots?” he asked, genuinely worried about the prospect. That got a single laugh and a momentary flash of a smile out of Suho. 

“Please forgive him, he’s drunk,” Seonghwa explained in a rush, feeling his own cheeks flushing from Yunho’s lack of boundaries. 

“No, no, he’s fine. And it was not Wooyoungie, Yunho-sshi. Not shots either. I…” He swallowed thickly. “I shouldn’t have been drinking at all. I took a Dayquil less than two hours ago, but it felt wrong not to have something in my hand, and…”

“Hyung, that’s dangerous!” Seonghwa exclaimed before he could stop himself. He fell to his knees in front of the older idol. “How are you feeling now?”

“Still dizzy, still nauseous, head pounding. Gets worse if I try to stand up.”

“Wait, what’s…?”

“Cold medicine and alcohol don’t mix well, Yu,” Seonghwa explained quickly to the younger man anxiously looming over his shoulder. “They’re both depressants, suppress your nervous system. Taking both risks overdose effects.”

“Hyung, how do you know that?” Yunho asked, astounded, while Suho gave a proud whistle. 

“I once watched Hongjoong try to put aluminum foil in the microwave,” Seonghwa answered. “I have to know a lot of random science shit, otherwise you’d all die of your own ignorance.”

“But how’d you know…?”

“Yeosang’s taken both before, and immediately freaked out and asked, so we Googled it. I also really wanted to slam a bottle of wine on that one trip with the volleyball, but Hongjoong got me really sick so I couldn’t.”

“Oh yeah! I forgot about that…” Yunho trailed off, lost in his memories.  

“So relatable.” Suho smiled to himself. “We actually had…” He paused, weighing whether or not to continue, and decided to go for it. “We had nights where Onew, Victoria, Irene, and I would each bring a bottle and just drink straight from the bottle. I’ll always remember that first time… The Suju members were fighting and trying to bring us into it. When Leeteuk started calling me, I watched Onew put the glasses in his hands back and just grab two bottles, handed me one…” His smile was far away. “Good times, man.” He raised his eyes to meet Seonghwa’s. “Guess things really don’t change that much, huh?” 

“Nope. There will always be someone to get on your nerves and make you want alcohol,” Seonghwa agreed. Suho grinned back at him. “But…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Suho cut him off, voice gentle as he squeezed the space between his eyes. “I know I messed up. I didn’t even feel that bad just the like…” His fingers danced in the air, trying to find the words. “That pre-sickness feeling?” Both Seonghwa and Yunho nodded in understanding. “I just wanted that to stop too fast, I wasn’t patient, I… I won’t make excuses, but I would like to ask your help getting back upstairs.” 

  “Of course!” Seonghwa pushed up to his feet and held out his hands. “We can go as slow as you need. Yunho, pick a side!” 

As Suho grasped Seonghwa’s hands, the younger man felt how badly he was shaking. With a steadying breath, closing his eyes, Suho shifted his weight forward and started to stand at a snail’s pace. Seonghwa watched as his expression pinched with pain the higher he got. “You good, hyung?” “Yeah, just…” Suho’s knees gave way, and he would have fallen right back down if Yunho hadn’t been right there, flanking his right side. The dancer caught him effortlessly, wrapping a hand beneath Suho’s shoulders. “Thanks, Yu.”

“Anytime,” Yunho said softly, biting his lip anxiously when the older man’s face stayed taut with pain. “Don’t throw up again, hyung.”

“Yes, that’s what we’re trying to avoid, Yu. That and passing out,” Seonghwa replied as he slid around to Suho’s left side, copying Yunho’s posture to help keep their senior upright. 

“This is humiliating…” Suho whispered, seemingly to himself. 

“Nothing humiliating about asking for help every once in a while,” Seonghwa replied. 

Suho cracked one eye open towards him. “And how often do you ask for help, huh?”

Seonghwa shrugged, a guilty blush blooming on his cheeks. “Got me there. But still, we’re happy we’re here to help you now.”

“Just tell us when you’re ready to walk, and we’re off!” Yunho exclaimed. 

It was incredibly slow going from the bathroom, down the hall, and up the stairs. The worst part was the dizziness. After the first three steps, Suho said as much: he knew he was at the point where he wasn’t going to be sick again, but he felt like he was having an out of body experience, hardly able to see straight or command his own limbs. Several times, Yunho asked about calling EMS. Suho and Seonghwa consistently shot him down; Suho knew his body wasn’t in that bad of a condition, and Seonghwa knew Suho didn’t want the extra attention. Thus, with determination and a whole lot of breaks, the trio finally crested the top of the stairs, finding the famous ’97 line in the middle of a rousing game of rock, paper, scissors that came to a dramatic halt at their appearance. They rolled into action immediately. 

“Thank you, Hwa,” Suho whispered amidst the chaos. “I just… couldn’t tell my members. They…”

“They worry too much.” Suho beamed up at him, nodding once, very slowly. “I get it, hyung. Thank you for asking for help. Text me tomorrow, yeah? We’re gonna wanna know you’re okay.” Yunho gave the older man an encouraging squeeze from the other side. 

“Deal. But after all your help, I owe you more than just a text.”

“We can discuss it later,” Seonghwa said, nodding towards the door as Chanyeol and Kai appeared behind Mingyu. “I think someone else wants your attention right now.”

[darl-ingfics]

hii can you do a hurt fic about seungkwan's hurt knee and it getting worse/hard to manage so the members take care of him (taking place during the gose episode or concert)

do you could make it long as well?

Sideline Sadness

Fandom: Seventeen

Sickie: Seungkwan (knee injury)

Caregiver(s): S.Coups

Word Count: 851

Notes: Not the longest fic in the world, and it took me a few months to get it done, but I hope you enjoy, anon!!!

The game was simple. It was a glorified game of freeze tag in which the taggers had water guns. You got hit? You had to freeze until another player tagged you free. Two taggers, eleven players. 

Well… nine players. 

Because even that simple premise was deemed ‘too physically strenuous’ for Seungkwan. 

And he was trying very hard not to be a brat about it. At least while the cameras were on. 

“Alright, to your starting positions!” Soonyoung exclaimed, raising his water gun excitedly (Jun would later describe it as ‘menacingly’) in the air before shooting a casual finger gun at Seungkwan, who was sitting on a camp chair positioned at the side of the park where they were filming. “Except you and your broken knee, loser!” Seungkwan shot back a double middle finger. Soonyoung gasped. “Kwannie! We’re on camera!”

“They’ll blur it, they love me.” With a wink at the camera, Seungkwan’s energy seemed to have come back. The camera man threw back a thumbs up, not even trying to hide a smile at the exchange. The manager next to him shared a similar smile, shaking her head; the exchange was just another in a long list of ‘only Seventeen’ things they fans would melt over.

But as they watched the rest of the group race off to participate in the game, Seungkwan’s good mood dipped instantly, his smile fading back to a neutral expression. Not openly upset, but a red flag for those that knew him well. Seungcheol, also sitting out on account of his own healing knee injury, wrapped an arm around the vocalist. “It’s really not that bad, ya know? Taking time to sit and watch.”

“I know. I’m just still learning how to be still.” Seungkwan sighed, looking down at his leg. He risked a gentle smack against his braced up knee. “Stupid ligament!”

“Actually, your knee is a joint,” Seungcheol corrected with a goofy grin that was supposed to make Seungkwan laugh. It sort of worked. “There’s also some bones and cartilage in there.” He paused, looking up at the sky. “I guess ligaments too, now that I think about it.”

“Well, you’d know best, hyung.” Seungkwan elbowed Seungcheol’s side before leaning his head against the leader’s shoulder. “But they said I have three torn ligaments.”

“Partially torn,” Seungcheol corrected gently. “Meaning they will heal on their own. With rest, ice, and time.”

“This still sucks.”

“I know, Boo.” Seungcheol rested his head on top of his dongsaeng’s as his hand searched for the younger’s fingers. As they made contact, he said, “But this too shall pass.”

Seungkwan heaved a sigh. “This too shall pass.”

It sure hadn’t felt like that two days ago, when Seungkwan felt his knee do… something in the middle of a workout. He’d been at the gym with Mingyu and Seokmin, having a hell of a good time despite the torture that was weight training. Muscles straining with life, sweat streaming down his face, Seungkwan’s cheeks hurt from non-stop smiling due to his members’ antics. 

But then they’d started jogging, a quick cardio set. Seungkwan couldn’t even pinpoint what he’d done. One minute, he was falling into stride next to Mingyu. The next, his knee lit up with a pain unlike he’d ever experienced. The third, he was on the floor, screaming. Seungkwan hadn’t even realized he’d been screaming until much, much later, when Mingyu admitted that the intensity of Seungkwan’s cries had nearly paralyzed him with fear. But in the moment, he was too focused on the agonizing pain pulsing around his knee. 

The gym called the ambulance. 

The doctor ran only a handful of tests before declaring a minor knee dislocation. Minor felt like an understatement to Seungkwan, and he had said as much, albeit rather politely. The doctor took it in stride, explaining that Seungkwan was lucky: the dislocated patella had put itself back in place, and had only partially torn his ligaments, rather than severely damaged them. 

Still. No weight on his leg for at least a week. And it stung watching his brothers romp around the field without him. He wanted to be in there: watching Seokmin ninja roll to the ground in real time, pleading alongside Mingyu for mercy from the taggers, using Chan as a human shield with Jeonghan. Seungkwan was an entertainer at heart. How was he supposed to entertain from the sidelines? 

“Hey.”

Seungkwan and Seungcheol both craned their heads around at the soft call. Jihoon stood behind them, two water guns in hand. 

“Woozi, don’t you dare….” Seungcheol began to threaten. But the producer shook his head. 

“They’re for you,” Jihoon clarified, handing the guns handle first to the pair. “After the game is over, we’re going to gather everyone over here. I want you to drench Hoshi and Vernon into next year.” He quickly scampered away after making sure the duo hid their contraband weapons from view. 

Seungcheol elbowed Seungkwan. “See? We still get to play along. They never leave us out.”

“Yeah,” Seungkwan agreed with a reluctant smile. “Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.”

Seungkwan’s smile turned genuine. “Improve. Adapt. Overcome.”

[writersisland]

Flu/Cold Prompts

“You look terrible.” “I don’t care if I’m sick, I will throw shit at you.”

carrying them back to bed and tucking them in

“You try to get up again and I swear by everything that is holy, I will tie you down.” “Kinky.” “Sleep!”

holding them through a coughing fit, wiping sweat and hair out of their face

“How am I supposed to say no to that cute face?” “… Can you bring me my laptop—” “No. Now sleep.”

head scratches, curled into their lap

“I’m making you my mom’s home remedy. I remember about 80% of the recipe, the rest is a freestyle, but it’s the thought that counts, no?” “Give me the number for posion control.”

testing their temperature not with a thermometer or their hand, but with kisses

“I’m sick, I’m allowed to be whiny.” “Hm. Fine, just this once.”

feeding soup even when the other protests that they can eat by themselves

“Why are you here?” “I heard you’re sick. Didn’t want our petty grievances getting in the way of keeping your ass alive.”

gently feeding them broth, soup and teah

“This is humiliating.” “Nothing humiliating about asking for help every once in a while.”

bringing medication to their bedside and trying to decipher the doctor’s scribbles instructions

“You’re hot.” “Thank you, love, but I don’t think right now is the time to—“ “You’re burning up. You have a fever.” “Oh.”

the bedroom slowly getting more cluttered as medication, bowls, books, games, tissues, and other stuff piles up

“Did you manage to sleep a bit?” “Mhm. Weird dreams though.”

staying up at night with with worry, holding their sick lover to their chest and watching over them

“We’re having movie night and I get to pick the movie, because I’m sick and require pampering.” “You’re pushing it.” “You know you love it.”

once they have recovered… the other gets sick, and the roles are reversed

[darl-ingfics]

Hi how are you doing

I just finished read day 8 & 9 for sicktember and they are so cute

I have had this idea for a while but could never find anyone that wrote about it

So my idea is seungcheol anxiety is so high that day but the member seem to be going wild and don’t really listen to him even the quite kids are acting up that leads to cheol having a really bad anxiety attack in front of them and while trying to comfort him they find out he is also running a bad fever

I know you do amazing in writing this but if you don’t want to that is okay

I hope you have the bestest of days

~ @haifa8796

Overwhelmed

Fandom: Seventeen

Sickie: S.Coups (fever, anxiety)

Caregiver(s): Hoshi, Woozi

Word Count: 1,492

Notes: I am SO SORRY this took me SO LONG! But I hope this is still appreciated, even though it's late (and it's a little different from the request, this is what the brain created!)

It would be a lie to say that being the leader of a thirteen member boy group was ever easy. But some days were harder than others. Like today. 

Seungcheol had overslept, and was jolted awake by the sound of a loud thump and Chan’s ringing laughter. That sound usually brought so much joy to Seungcheol’s life, but today, as his rather late alarm clock, the leader has to quell an impulse to punch the maknae in the face the next time he saw him. 

Despite the exhaustion that continued to weigh on him, Seungcheol shot out of bed when he saw the time on his phone screen. Was he waking up too late? Not by a long shot. On a normal work day, his alarm usually went off at minimum one and a half hours before go time, and it was currently just under an hour until then. But Seungcheol’s internal schedule was thrown off, and that was chaotic in a way he didn’t have the mental acuity to process while still shaking off sleep. 

The getting ready circus was well under way when Seungcheol was thrown into it. Everyone seemed to have an opinion today. The source of the earlier thump had been Mingyu tripping over his own shoes, and the rapper was still arguing about it with Wonwoo, (and their bickering had probably started prior to the fall, given Chan’s amusement.) Jihoon couldn’t find his favorite practice shirt. Seungkwan had accidentally cut Seokmin in line to brush his teeth, and even though that was solved very quickly, it had involved the loudest member being, well, loud. Jeonghan was in a mood because his hair was in that difficult growing out stage where he couldn’t get it to look ‘right,’ no matter what he did, and sometimes that was too much for him to deal with. Because of that, he’d said something (Seungcheol had yet to figure out what) that had upset Jun, so now Jun was sulking and Minghao was on the warpath. 

Seungcheol felt every single word rattling like marbles in his head as he finally pushed his door closed to get changed. He inhaled, long and slow, and held onto the breath. He was off balance, and that needed to change. Fast. 

While Seungcheol was pulling on his sneakers, he heard a gentle tap at the door before it opened. “Hyung, have you seen my shoes?” Hansol appeared in the doorway. 

“Which ones, Sol?” Seungcheol asked, not looking up as he was nearly done tying his own. 

“My dance sneakers.”

Lips quirked to the side, Seungcheol sat up to address his dongsaeng. The sudden movement made the world spin a bit, and the leader blinked to clear his vision, caught off guard but brushing it off as moving too fast for his neck to catch up. Seungcheol exhaled, hands landing on his hips. “I don’t think I’ve seen them, bud. When’s the last time you had them?”

“Yesterday. I wore them home.” Hansol mimicked his hyung, hands finding his hips as he looked off into the distance. “I’m gonna keep looking. Thanks, hyung.” Hansol shot him a thumbs up before disappearing back into the hallway. Seungcheol shook his head as he opened his phone to review the day’s schedule. 

And it was a doozy. 

Three hours of dance practice in the morning. Two hours of broken up meetings and three more of dance in the afternoon. Solo voice lessons scattered throughout. Multiple members had solo or duo engagements throughout the day. 

Yeah. It was going to be a rough one. 

*

Seungcheol hadn’t realized how rough the day would be until an hour in. Today’s dance practice felt… off. As the track on the stereo came to a dramatic end, with sweat dripping down his entire body, clothes stuck to his skin in a way that made every inch prickle, the leader waited all of three seconds in his final pose before deflating with a gasping breath. His heartbeat echoed in his ears. 

But not loud enough to drown out the immediate chatter of his team. 

Seungcheol didn’t usually notice the overlapping noise, not like this. Soonyoung doling out corrections and critiques, members asking clarification questions, some members breaking off and reviewing choreo separately, some members goofing around for the hell of it. And quite loudly at that. Everyone talking all at once, mixed with the sounds of shoes squeaking and music playing from multiple devices, all of it echoing right back from the walls. It was… too much.

Unable to handle it today, Seungcheol removed himself from the situation. No one said a word as the leader walked to the door of the practice room and disappeared into the hallway.  It was normal enough for a member to step out for a phone call, or run to the bathroom, or even just take a breather in a new space. But it wasn’t usual, Seungcheol realized, for his ears to still be ringing this badly. Or for his vision to… waver like this. It was making him dizzy, the noise and the blur and the lights and the… all of it. Back pressed against the wall, Seungcheol pressed trembling fingers against his forehead, suddenly assaulted with a throbbing pain throughout his head. 

Seungcheol’s heart began to pound in his chest. What was this? What was happening to him? Even with his eyes closed, the room still felt like it was tilting dangerously from one side to the other. His ears wouldn’t stop ringing. His skin was beginning to feel too tight. He…

“Cheollie?!” 

Seungcheol’s eyes flew open. He was, somehow, on the floor, back abasing the wall and knees pulled to his chest. Soonyoung was kneeling before him, face inches away from the leader’s. Jihoon stood behind him, watching attentively. “What’s wrong, Coups?” the producer asked. 

“I… I don’t know,” Seungcheol began, tone very matter of fact. He swallowed, searching for the words to describe what he was feeling. “After the last run I just felt… overstimulated, and I needed some air, but when I came out here, it just got… worse.”

Soonyoung frowned as Jihoon asked, “Overstimulated how? Noise? Light? Touch?”

“All of it? I think mostly noise, but I’ve also got a bit of that ‘I want to claw my skin off’ feeling.” 

Soonyoung nodded sympathetically as he reached both hands forward, gently brushing Seungcheol’s bangs away from his face. As soon as he’d completed the motion, though, the performance leader immediately paused, his face screwing up into an expression of confusion. He grabbed Seungcheol’s face in both of his hands, not enough to hurt, but not gentle either. 

“Hyung, I think you have a fever.” 

“Huh?”

“Jihoonie?” Soonyoung peeked over his shoulder. The vocal leader stepped forward and pressed a hand against Seungcheol’s forehead. 

“Yeah, that feels elevated. And not in the dance practice kinda way,” Jihoon confirmed, reaching for his phone. “Did this really just start now, hyung?”

“I mean… yes,” Seungcheol said around a laugh of disbelief. “And I…” He paused, considering. “I feel fine otherwise. No other clear symptoms. Except…” he placed a hand to his chest, “my heart’s beating real hard right now.” 

Soonyoung’s hand moved to rest over Seungcheol’s chest. “Yeah it is.” He pursed his lips. “Maybe it’s stress, then? Maybe your anxiety’s working overtime?” 

Seungcheol shrugged. “Why would it, though? I’d get it if we were on a comeback crunch or tour schedule, but a stress fever in the middle of regular times? Feels off to me.”

“Hey, the human body’s a finicky fucking thing,” Jihoon replied, voice soft despite the language. “And we’re not the easiest group to manage, even on a regular day.” He offered both hands out to Seungcheol. “How about I talk to management and see if we can cut your schedule short today? You don’t have to come home, but maybe being somewhere else might help?”

“Somewhere less… member-y,” Soonyoung added as Seungcheol stood with Jihoon’s help. 

“Well, that’s not entirely the problem…” They heard a screech through the closed door, followed by cackling laughter. “Okay, maybe part of the problem.” 

“It’s okay, hyung, you can admit that we’re the worst sometimes.” Soonyoung clapped Seungcheol on the shoulder with a contrite look on his face. “I know I am usually the ringleader of the problem. I accept this about myself. And, to make up for it, I will personally take responsibility for getting those hooligans back in line today.”

Jihoon snorted. “That’s big of you.”

Seungcheol smiled. “Thanks, guys. I owe you one.”

Jihoon shook his head. “Nah, you cover for us all the time. It’s the least we can do. Now, go somewhere quiet and chill out before your body explodes.” Seungcheol’s smile refused to fade as he watched the practice room door close behind his fellow leaders. Sure, some days were rough. But as long as he had this team by his side, Seungcheol knew nothing could ever be better.  

[darl-ingfics]

Hey! Just wanted to drop in and say I’m loving all your recent fics, including the Feveruary woosan you wrote for me. 💖💖💖

-Tilly ❤️

TILLY!!! HEY!!! Thank you so much!!! This means a lot!!!! 🥹🩷

[darl-ingfics]

Hello! I’ve always really loved your stories! I have an idea for Feveruary Prompt 1: Unlikely Caretaker .

The story could be set during ATEEZ’s first European tour in 2019, when Seonghwa and Yeosang were roommates. At first, Yeosang comes down with the flu, and Seonghwa naturally takes care of him. However, later on, Seonghwa gets infected as well, and Yeosang—who hasn’t fully recovered himself—has to learn how to take care of Seonghwa instead.

There could be some memorable moments, such as: Seonghwa lying in bed exhausted with a fever, while Yeosang frantically searches everywhere for medicine to give him, but can’t find any and ends up waking Seonghwa. Half-conscious from being woken up, Seonghwa can only respond to this younger member with helpless fondness, telling him it’s okay because he’s set an alarm to take his medicine himself.

Or when Seonghwa keeps coughing nonstop, Yeosang panics and doesn’t know whether he should pat Seonghwa’s back first, get him some water, or find throat lozenges. Or on a rest day, Seonghwa sleeps almost the entire day, and Yeosang keeps hovering over him—checking if he’s still breathing by feeling near his nose and mouth, or using an ear thermometer to see if the fever has gotten worse—only to accidentally wake Seonghwa up.

As Seonghwa’s fever gradually goes down, Yeosang also seems to slowly get better at caring for a sick person through days of practice. Even though Seonghwa’s coughing remains severe, Yeosang knows to decisively grab water first before patting his back, and on mornings with schedules, he can get ready himself first and wake Seonghwa a little later.

The Best I Can Do

Fandom: ATEEZ

Sickie: Seonghwa (flu)

Caregiver(s): Yeosang (+ some Hongjoong and Yunho)

Word Count: 3,003

Notes: Dear anon, this was SO FUN to write! It may not hit EVERY suggestion, but the main idea is there. Hope you enjoy!

Yeosang woke to coughing. His immediate response was a bone-deep sigh. He was so sick of coughing. His body had almost kicked this stupid flu with the exception of the congestion in his lungs. The continual coughing ensured that his muscles were still achingly sore even though the fever was gone. It was torture. 

But then, a realization struck him. 

The coughing that had woken Yeosang wasn’t coming from him.

Yeosang shot up from his bed, slapping on the side table lamp. The same congested, choking sound that had come from Yeosang not a day or two ago was now coming from Seonghwa. Immediately flooded with guilt, Yeosang sprang from his blankets, hands out to… what? What was he even supposed to do in this situation? Yeosang was once again smacked in the face with another realization: he’d never had to be a lone caretaker for another person before. 

Yeosang decided to run to the bathroom for water. Flicking on the light, Yeosang winced as he rushed to the sink, filling one of the hotel glasses to the top. When he hurried back into the room, albeit a bit slower so as not to spill, Seonghwa was bent over the side of the bed, elbows on his knees and hands pressed into his eyes as he gasped in air. 

“Hyung?” Yeosang asked, voice shaking as he approached. Seonghwa turned towards him, looking pale and sweaty and so, so tired. Yeosang felt his lips begin to tremble. “I’m so sorry…”

Seonghwa shook his head. “Not your fault. We did everything we could.” His voice already sounded rough. Yeosang held out the water and Seonghwa accepted it with a grateful nod, taking a few slow sips. 

“You… didn’t say anything last night,” Yeosang said. 

“I just felt overtired. I didn’t realize it…” Seonghwa sighed, rubbing at his throat. “Damn, this sucks.”

“You’re telling me.” Yeosang offered a tiny smile that Seonghwa attempted to return. 

“I don’t think you complained nearly enough if this is day one,” the older man said.

Yeosang simply shrugged. “What can I… what can I do for you?”

“Can you grab the thermometer?”

“Of course!” Yesoang scampered to the bathroom, the light still obscenely bright in the sleek white room, as he scanned the vanity for the requested item. Instead, his eyes caught the nearly empty bottle of Theraflu. A lightbulb flashing in his brain, Yeosang flipped the bottle over, taking a second to watch the tiny amount of remaining liquid began to float to the top. It looked like there was just enough left for a single dose. Pleased with himself, Yeosang located the thermometer and ran back into the bedroom. 

“Hey!” Yeosang chirped. Seonghwa had been staring off into space, and blinked a few times to focus on him. “We have one capful of Theraflu left. You want it?” 

“Sure… Wait, Sang!” 

But Yeosang had already run back to the bathroom for the medicine. When he slid to a halt in front of Seonghwa again, he held up the bottle with a bright smile. “What’s your temp?”

Seonghwa’s smile was small but fond. “I don’t know, love, you took the thermometer with you.”

Eyes wide, Yeosang’s attention turned to his left hand where he, indeed, still had the thermometer clutched tight between his fingers. His cheeks flushed crimson. “Oh. Sorry,” he muttered repentantly as he handed the device over. 

“You’re fine,” Seonghwa mumbled as he turned the device towards his forehead. Yeosang watched nervously as the thermometer beeped and Seonghwa frowned down at the screen. “Shit.” Yeosang leaned forward and Seonghwa turned the screen towards him: 38.3. 

“Shit,” Yeosang repeated. His chest ached with guilt. “I’m so fucking sorry…”

“Sang, we’re not going to keep doing this, okay?” Seonghwa replied. “I accept your apology. There’s nothing more we could have done; it is what it is. Can you open that bottle for me?” He nodded to the Theraflu on the table. Yeosang nodded, happy to be of use, and poured up the last capful. “We’ll just get some more of this tomorrow, huh?”

“Of course, hyung,” Yeosang agreed as he offered over the cap. Seonghwa shot it back instantly, not even grimacing, but reaching for his water immediately. After the older man drank down the last few sips in the glass, he reached for the water bottle on the nightstand, finding it empty. “Here, I got it!” Yeosang snatched the water bottle perhaps too enthusiastically and raced to refill it in the bathroom. 

When he returned, Seonghwa’s lips curved into an affectionate smile. “You know I would’ve just handed it to you, right?” His tone was gentle, joking, but Yeosang’s cheeks still lit up like a Christmas tree. 

“I’m so sorry, Hwa! I just wanted to…”

“Sangie, please, no more sorry’s,” Seonghwa cut him off, grasping Yeosang’s free hand. “It’s alright. Don’t worry about me so much. If I need something, I’ll tell you, okay? Team work.”

Yeosang nodded. “Team work. Got it.” After placing the water bottle on the night stand, Yeosang reached for the extra pillows from his own bed, propping them behind Seonghwa’s as the older man settled back under the covers. “Get some rest, Hwa.”

“I’ll try my best. Sweet dreams, Sang.”

“Sweet dreams.” Yeosang’s voice was quiet. He hoped Seonghwa would assume it had to do with the late hour instead of the guilt clawing its way through Yeosang’s chest. As he turned off the light and lay awake listening to his hyung’s labored breathing and restless shifting until the Theraflu kicked in, a litany of ‘how can I fix this?” began to echo through his brain. Because he, Kang Yeosang, had to fix this. It was his fault, after all. 

So he’d have to keep Seonghwa alive. No matter what. 

~

Yeosang, unsure when he’d actually drifted off to sleep, woke to the sound of whispering. He rolled over, seeing Hongjoong perched on Seonghwa’s bed opposite the eldest, staring intensely at their current invalid. 

“I mean, I don’t think we need to waste the time,” Seonghwa was saying, voice sounding even more ragged than last night. In the pale light of the window, his skin looked far paler than the night before too. “It’s definitely the flu. I don’t need a doctor to tell me that.”

“But a doctor can medicate you faster,” Hongjoong  pointed out. He wasn’t arguing yet, meaning that the two were genuinely trying to figure out options. 

“An IV’s only going to get us so far, Joong.” Seonghwa paused, coughing into his sleeve. Hongjoong’s lips pressed into a straight line, his entire body taut with what? Concern? Tension? Frustration? Yeosang couldn’t read him. 

“Hwa, I can’t have you…” “Sangie never sat out.” Seonghwa’s tone had a harder edge to it now. 

Hongjooong’s right eyebrow twitched. “Well, Sangie didn’t hit 39 in his first 24 hours.” 

Yeosang couldn’t help sitting up at that. “39, hyung?!” Seonghwa’s face somehow drained of even more color as his eyes snapped to his roommate’s, Hongjoong’s following. “I thought it was just 38.3.”

“It was,” Seonghwa replied, nodding slowly, sadly. “But…”

“It’s higher now,” Hongjoong cut him off. “And I think we need to consider that moving forward to today’s activities.” The captain’s eyes flicked to Yeosang, softening considerably. “Also, I know Hwa said this last night, but no guilt wallowing, Sangie. This isn’t your fault, yeah? Immune systems are, as much as it sucks, out of our control.”

“Okay.” Yeosang didn’t even convince himself when he said it, but Hongjoong nodded nonetheless, and returned his attention to bargaining with his most stubborn member. 

In the end, Hongjoong lost. Seonghwa was given the green light to participate fully in group activities, hopped up on the medically recommended limit of Theraflu and Ibuprofen, and properly masked up with the only exception during their concert that night. Yeosang was thoroughly awed by Seonghwa’s sheer willpower to push through five different interviews, soundcheck, and a full concert with the bare minimum of complaints, which really only happened because someone asked how he was feeling. He was almost convinced that the eldest was, in fact, not completely human. 

That all faded, though, when the concert came to an end. As the members walked off stage after their encore, the moment the audience couldn’t see them anymore, Seonghwa practically melted into Yunho’s side, the dancer only able to catch him because, the eagle-eyed performer he was, he’d noticed the older man shaking and swaying during their final song. Yunho was the epitome of calm and collected as he carefully maneuvered Seonghwa to the floor, holding the eldest’s head in his lap while the staff swarmed. Unable to keep his eyes open, unable to draw a true deep breath, Seonghwa’s facade had fully collapsed, and all Yeosang could do was watch pitifully from the sidelines while Hongjoong took orders from the staff and Yunho played with Seonghwa’s hair to keep him conscious. 

Management forced Seonghwa to the hospital, where he’d been hooked up to an IV for two hours. Yeosang was still awake, a ball of anxiety, when Seonghwa arrived back in their room, physically escorted by a manager. Yeosang hopped from his bed, taking up Seonghwa’s other side and helping him to the bed. 

“No…” Seonghwa whispered when Yeosang pulled back the covers. Despite the weakness of his body, Seonghwa resisted the manager’s gentle push towards the bed. 

“What is it, kid?” the manager asked, rubbing at his back as Seonghwa, face screwed up with pain, fought for the right words to explain what he needed. 

“Nooo.” Seonghwa’s trembling fingers tugged feebly at his shirt. The manager looked at Yeosang with a shrug of confusion. 

It took the performer a few seconds for things to click. “Oh! Outside clothes!” Yeosang chirped, snapping his fingers. He dashed away from the pair towards Seonghwa’s suitcase, digging around for pajamas, which were neatly folded in a corner of the bag. “Ta da!” Seonghwa’s face relaxed instantly, and Yeosang’s heart skipped a beat at being correct. 

After helping Seonghwa peel away his hospital clothes and don the fresh pajamas, the manager filled Yeosang in on the details from the hospital. Nothing terribly crazy had happened but still, Yeosang hated that this was happening. Hated the way that Seonghwa curled in on himself once in bed, looking so much younger and weaker than he truly was. 

“Look out for him tomorrow, yeah?” the manager asked, his eyes pleading. 

Yeosang nodded. “Of course. I… You can count on me.”

~

That promise led Yeosang to his current predicament. He’d let Wooyoung talk him into going from breakfast. When he’d left, Seonghwa was fast asleep, on his left side, left hand tucked under his cheek and right arm hanging nearly over the side of the bed. When Yeosang came back from breakfast, Seonghwa was in the exact same position. San and Mingi had convinced Yeosang to join them for a walk. When he returned, Seonghwa still had not moved. Even after Yeosang got out of the shower, where he’d intentionally tried to make some light noise, Seonghwa was still in the same damn position. 

Panic bloomed in Yeosang’s chest. Was Seonghwa still… breathing? Had he choked in his sleep while Yeosang was out and…? 

Anxiety high, Yeosang moved none-too-quietly to the bed, kneeling next to his hyung. He reached a hand forward, pressing his palm against Seonghwa’s chest to check for movement. The motion, however, was not nearly as gentle as Yeosang intended, and ended up physically pushing Seonghwa backwards. Seonghwa’s eyes flew open in shock with a startled gasp. Yeosang yelped, flinching back from his own shock as Seonghwa attempting to edge backwards, away from Yeosang, clearly unaware of whose face was centimeters from his own, but ended up coughing instead. Coughing that seemed unable to stop. 

“Aaah!” Yeosang, utterly panicked, scrambled to his feet. He threw out a hand for the water bottle on the night stand, unceremoniously knocking it over with a loud clang. “Shit!” His fingers felt slippery as he reached for the bottle again, making contact and finding it nearly empty. Another distressed noise, a refilled water bottle, and a stubbed toe later, Yeosang stumbled back to the bed just as Seonghwa pulled in a ragged yet true breath, body still heaving from the force of the coughing fit. 

Yeosang thrust the water bottle forward, and Seonghwa accepted it with a grateful nod and a hoarse, “Yeosang…” 

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” the younger man cut him off, falling to his knees next to the bed to be eye level with his hyung. “You were just sleeping so much, and you hadn’t moved, and I was worried, and I…”

Seonghwa’s hand, warm and trembling, cupped Yeosang’s cheek, effectively silencing his babbling. “Sang-ah. It’s okay. I’m not mad at you. I was just startled.” 

Yeosang took Seonghwa’s hand in his own, folding their fingers together. “I’m… I’m scared, hyung. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“You’re doing your best.”

“But you’re… you’re not getting better…”

“Cause it’s been two days, Sang-ah.” Seonghwa laughed softly, his smile not quite reaching his eyes, his body too wrung out for that. “You gotta give me more time.” A congested rasp bubbled through the last few words, prompting another harsh round of coughs. 

Yeosang squeezed Seonghwa’s hand. “Do you need more medicine?”

Eyes pinched shut from the effort and pain, Seonghwa shook his head. “No, I’ve got an alarm set on my phone.” 

“Are you sure?” Yeosang frowned. “Cause I know you just said it’s still early, but… I don’t know. Shouldn’t you not be coughing like this if you’re medicated?”

Seonghwa shrugged. “I don’t know, Sang. But I’m still,” he checked his phone, “about an hour and a half away from medicine time, and I’m not risking taking too much at once.”

“Okay. I trust you. But I’m… please tell me if you need me.” 

“I will, love. Thank you.”

Yeosang nodded and stood up as Seonghwa curled up under his blankets again, eyes slipping closed. He had to trust his hyung. He had to trust the one with more experience. 

~

Yeosang’s trust in Seonghwa lasted exactly 36 more hours. After that whole day of sleeping, and another full day of medicine, Seonghwa was no where near feeling better. Of course, yesterday’s performance hadn’t helped matters; terrified to disappoint the fans, Seonghwa had gone on, danced his muscles past their limit and sang his voice raw. He hadn’t collapsed back stage this time, but the weight of his exhaustion was obvious the second he was out of ATINY’s view. Usually he could hide it better. Now he didn’t even have the energy to care. 

But the worst of it was that damned cough. When Yeosang had been sick, coughing had been his main symptom as well, but it wasn’t like this. Persistent medication, water, and cough drops had sufficed to get him through the worst of it. That hadn’t been working at all for Seonghwa, though. Despite all of his best efforts, Seonghwa was continually coughing, sometimes able to swallow down a fit before it got going, but more often wracked with the scary type of chest rattling, choking-on-something-gross fits that wrung him out for minutes at a time. He physically winced each time, sometimes even gasped aloud after, clutching at his side. 

It hurt every single member to see their eldest in so much pain. 

So by one the next morning, as he listened to Seonghwa cough and gasp and toss and turn restlessly in his bed, unable to breathe or sleep, Yeosang had had enough. 

Throwing back his covers, Yeosang stomped the few steps between beds. “Hyung,” he said, voice soft yet firm, as Seonghwa’s was so frequently with him. “Sit up for a sec.” All he got in response was a pitiful sniffle. “I’m sorry,” Seonghwa whimpered. Yeosang turned on the bedside lamp. Seonghwa, tears running down his face, simply lay there, staring helplessly up at Yeosang. 

Nodding to himself, Yeosang cast away one of Seonghwa’s pillows and, placing his hands gently on the elder’s back, pushed his body forward just enough for Yeosang to slide in behind him. Despite trying his best not to, (Yeosang could tell), Seonghwa gasped in pain at the movement. “I know, hyung, I’m so sorry,” Yeosang whispered. “Just a bit more,” he added as he maneuvered Seonghwa back into his arms, the elder’s head cradled against Yeosang’s chest. 

“I’m sorry…”

“Please, don’t be.” Yeosang began to card his fingers through Seonghwa’s hair, establishing a rhythm, gentle and grounding, just as his hyung had done for him a thousand times before. He could feel the fever burning through Seonghwa’s skin, sweat beading at his hairline. He felt hotter than earlier. Yeosang felt a bud of hope; maybe this was it, maybe this was the fever breaking. “Sleep, Hwa.”

“I can’t…”

“You can. You will.” Yeosang slowed his own breathing, hoping to lull Seonghwa into a more peaceful state. “I think being horizontal might help you breathe easier.”

“It hurts so bad, Sang,” Seonghwa whispered, writhing a bit in Yeosang’s grasp. 

“What hurts, hyung?”

“Everything.” Seonghwa swallowed thickly, the motion clearly agonizing. But he didn’t start coughing again. That was a start. “I’m keeping you up…”

“No you’re not. I was playing games until a few minutes ago,” Yeosang said, genuinely telling the truth. If he were completely honest, he’d been playing games to keep an eye on Seonghwa until he fell asleep, but Seonghwa didn’t need to know that right now. “But I want you to rest, so I’m happy I was still awake so I can hold you now.” Seonghwa didn’t reply, simply letting his head rest fully against Yeosang’s chest, eyes slipping closed again. With a soft, satisfied smile, Yeosang began to hum, a little melody that filled the space between them. 

“Thank you, Sang. For being here.”

“Of course, hyung. It’s…” Yeosang paused, then his smile widened. “It’s the best I can do, cause I learned from the best.”

[darl-ingfics]

Hi! I hope you're doing alright 💕 I've been meaning to send you this ask for quite some time and I'm finally doing it now so here goes... did you see Junmyeon's Coachella updates? Especially the photos featuring him and Taemin? Well, they made me think of you and that lovely fic you wrote for me and it made me smile a whole lot 💗 That's it, that's the ask hahah 😖❣️ Anyways, I wish you all the best and as always I look forward to reading more of your works (I'll be off reblogging some of them now!) ✨

Ahh! Hi, friend! I did see the Coachella update, but moreso Taemin's performance which was INSANE! I am so honored that you loved that fic so much 🥹 And it is always SO LOVELY to read your reblog tags - literally makes my day!!!!!!!!

[darl-ingfics]

To the angel anon that just sent me a sicknario... I hear you, I see you, I am OBSESSED...... do you have a group in mind?? Cause I will RUN in any direction unless you have something you really want, cause you deserve whatever you want.

[darl-ingfics]

Get Em', Tiger

Fandom: Seventeen

Sickie: Hoshi (chest cold)

Caregiver(s): Performance Unit, with help from others

Word Count: 1,021

“Hyung, are you sure you want to do this?” 

Soonyoung did his best not to take offense to the disgusted grimace on Minghao’s face as the elder dancer collapsed back into his seat after another coughing fit. Panting raggedly, Soonyoung shrugged. “We don’t have a choice, Hao.” He paused, attempting a deep breath. It didn’t get very far. Soonyoung scowled. “We’re on a deadline.”

“Yeah, but we could cover for you today,” Jun insisted for at least the tenth time since the performance team had gotten in the car. The four of them had gotten a late start time for practice that day, one everyone was pretending had nothing to do with the terrible chest cold their dance captain was struggling to fight off. It had been nearly a week with no sign of improvement, and it was impossible to keep Soonyoung still for any longer. Thus, the managers had finagled a few extra hours rest disguised as unit responsibilities. “We know the choreo just as well. Let us demonstrate, and you can just give corrections…”

Soonyoung held up a hand to silence him. “Junnie, I recognize what you’re trying to do. All of you. I’m grateful you’re looking out for me. But you need to let me do this, okay?” His eyes moved slowly around the car, freezing on each member until they nodded their assent. “I’m going to be alright.”

“Oh, what do you know, that completely reassured me,” Minghao scoffed. “Hyung, I can barely hear you and we’re sitting three feet away from each other, if that.”

“Well…” Soonyoung winced at the sound of his own voice. He knew it was a wreck, raw from coughing, croaky and grating from the lingering congestion. Still… Soonyoung snapped his fingers. “How about your job today is to keep everyone quiet so my voice doesn’t get worse then, huh?” he shot back. Minghao exchanged a wide-eyed look with Chan, then Jun, genuinely heartened by the performance leader’s quick quip. He’d been lacking that sense of wit the past few days. Maybe… no. They couldn’t let him off that easy. 

“You are insufferable, hyung,” Chan commented, shaking his head as he settled back into his seat just as the car turned into the company building’s parking garage. 

“Idiotic is more like it,” Minghao replied gravely. 

“I would say idealistic,” Jun countered. 

“Let’s hope I’m all those things, and invincible too.” Soonyoung grinned a mile wide behind his mask as the car came to a stop. 

*

Much to his chagrin, Soonyoung was not as invincible as he’d hoped. It took only half an hour for things to go downhill. The medicine he’d taken that morning seemed to wear off hours before its time. The overhead fluorescent lights and echoing acoustics swiftly began to hurt his head, the constant up and down out of his chair transformed into aching joints and muscles and bones before he knew it, and the urge to cough went from every few minutes to every few breaths. Try as he might, Soonyoung couldn’t escape the reality that he’d pushed himself back too soon. But, stubborn as he was, the performance captain wasn’t going to admit defeat. He was Kwon Fucking Soonyoung, Hoshi of Seventeen, a fearsome tiger, and he wasn’t about to bend to a stupid cold. 

It was, however, hard to command the room without a voice. 

“Guys!” Soonyoung’s voice was little more than a rasp at this point, and did nothing to quell the wave of noise coming from the members. Mingyu was asking Chan about the fast footwork, with Minghao chiming in. Jun was walking Seungcheol and Jihoon through the pattern of a trick and lift section that had both of the other leaders skeptical. Seungkwan and Wonwoo were working through a section together, while Joshua and Hansol ran a completely different section, and, although both groups were relatively quiet, their voices added to the cacophony. Seokmin was arguing, loudly, with Jeonghan about God knew what.

“Hey!” Soonyoung tried again, but his voice came out even weaker than before. He attempted to clear his throat, but just that simple action spawned a coughing fit that had him bent at the waist, gasping. On a shaky exhale that brought him back to standing, Soonyoung noticed that all eyes were on him. “Huh. That’s all I had to do for your attention?” His voice was little more than a frog’s croak. 

“Oh, baby…” 

Soonyoung held up a hand to stop Jeonghan from pulling him into a hug. “Please, hyung. I’m working right now.” He leveled a glare around the room, trying to regain a semblance of authority. “And to do that, I really need silence.” 

“Got it!” Seokmin yelled, performing a perfect salute that Mingyu mimicked. It did, admittedly, make Soonyoung smile. 

“Agreed. I know everyone’s just trying to be helpful, but how about we focus on Hoshi’s teaching now, and ask clarifying questions later,” Seungcheol instructed, leader mode activated. “That way we can get him home faster.”

“Wait…”

“Oh, you didn’t hear?” Jihoon asked, a devilish glint in his eyes. Soonyoung glared back at him. “We,” the producer gestured to himself and the other eleven members, “have an extra two hours of rehearsal tonight to solidify this choreo in our muscle memory. And you get to go home and sleep an extra two hours. Isn’t that fun?” The cheeky smirk on Jihoon’s face did not scream ‘fun’ to Soonyoung, but he didn’t have the voice to waste on saying that. He settled for a harsh glare instead. 

“It’s for your own good, Youngie,” Jun chimed in. Something about his face calmed Soonyoung’s rage at the other leaders’ machinations. “Just think. Hao, Channie, and I will make sure everything is squeaky clean, while you get to go home, shower, and spend enough quality time with a humidifier to hopefully kick this bug’s ass. Win, win for everyone!”  

Looking into Jun’s bright eyes, Soonyoung sighed, defeated. “Alright, whatever. But you all better buckle up for the next hour cause I’m not going easy on you, voice or no voice.” “We’d expect nothing less.” Seungchoel beamed. “Get em’, tiger.”

[darl-ingfics]

So Stupid

Fandom: ATEEZ

Sickie: Yeosang (general illness); mentioned Mingi, Yunho, and Seonghwa; and I GUESS San and Wooyoung are hopelessly drunk but nothing comes of that.

Caregiver(s): Mingi (because, honestly, the others are truly no help)

Word Count: 1,622

Note: Remember months ago when I was obsessed with the idea of sickie on the couch? Just chilling, and life happens around them? This is one of the results of that. It's kinda messy, but I'm just gonna full send it. Additionally, the kissing scene was born out of a drunken college escapade, and does not signify shipping of the idols!

“Hey, hey, you know what would be so stupid?” Wooyoung asked, voice only slurring the tiniest bit as he and San drunkenly dragged themselves up the stairs to the dorm at 2:47 in the morning. 

“What?” San’s reply was significantly more slurred.

“If we all dyed our hair pink, but we don’t feel Joong and Jongho!” 

San laughed way harder than was warranted, Wooyoung cackling along with him. They’d been playing the ‘wouldn’t this be stupid?’ game for majority of their ride (now walk) home, and it had become, unbeknownst to them, significantly less funny as time wore on. Their poor manager had not been amused. 

“Wait, shh, shhh, shhhh!” San pressed a finger against Wooyoung’s lips as they finally approached the door of the dorm. “People are SLEEPING!” He immediately stepped into the wall, found it comforting, and slid down into a seated slump, cheek smushed.

“Comfy?” Wooyoung asked as he began to rifle through his bag for their house keys. He knew for a fact San didn’t have his, as they both knew San would be too drunk to be of any use when they got home. 

As evidenced by the silly smile on his face, cheek still smashed against the wall. “Yeah!” Wooyoung grinned, unable to stop a rush of affection for his best friend. 

It wasn’t supposed to just be the two of them going out tonight. The original plan was for everyone to go bar hopping except for Hongjoong, who was on a pre-planned trip with his brother (he had been an avid supporter of the plans, though, and even offered to cover drinks at one of the bars). But then Jongho had been called home for a family emergency. And then Mingi had gotten sick, and, against his best efforts, took Yunho, Yeosang, and Seonghwa down with him. It was rather shocking, to both the drunken pair and everyone else, that San and Wooyoung, the two most tactile, ‘I don’t care about germs, let me hug you’ members, were the last men standing. Which was part of the reason they’d still gone out drinking tonight: the other four were jealous of their health and annoyed by their energy, and wanted some peace and quiet without them. 

Which, Wooyoung was starting to realize, may be even longer than anticipated… 

“Good, glad you’re comfy, cause I can’t find my keys…” Wooyoung pouted down at the bag as if that would produce the missing keys. 

“You know what would be so stupid?” San asked, shifting so the back of his head was now against the wall. 

“What?”

“If we just slept out here. Sleep over!”

Wooyoung snorted. “No, you goof. Hwa-hyung will have a literal meltdown if we aren’t in our beds in the morning,” Wooyoung argued back as he continued fumbling through his bag. 

“I think…  I think… yeah, you’re right. Hwa-hyung’s already melting down enough.” San peeked up at Wooyoung, gesturing absently to his hairline. “You know, fever and shit.”

“Maybe. A-HA!” With a lucky glint of the light, Wooyoung snatched his keys from the father’s corner of his bag, holding them triumphantly in the air. San cheered, and immediately slapped both hands over his mouth when Wooyoung shushed him. Both immediately started giggling, Wooyoung suddenly starting to feel overly tipsy again now that the key crisis had been averted. 

Wooyoung unlocked and pushed open the door as San scrambled to his feet, somehow managing not to fall. They continued to giggle spontaneously as they both struggled through the process of taking shoes off (it took Wooyoung until halfway through his first shoe to turn on the light,) and were leaning heavily into each other as they stumbled from the entryway into the living room. The dorm was dead quiet, but the duo barely noticed. 

Wooyoung pulled up short behind one of the couches, pulling San to a sudden halt. “You know what would be so stupid?” he asked, head lolling to the side, eyes sparkling more than just the alcohol. 

“What?” San asked back, leaning forward as his lips curled into a smile that promised to accept whatever challenge his friend had in mind. 

“If we kissed right now,” Wooyoung said with a rebellious lift of his eyebrows. 

“Oh my gosh, that would be so stupid,” San agreed, instinctively leaning a little closer. 

“So stupid,” Wooyoung parroted back, leaning in himself. 

“So incredibly stupid.” San shook his head. 

Before either could get another word out, Wooyoung’s hands were clasped around the back of San’s head, lips were pressed none-too-gently against his. San’s arms instinctively wrapped around Wooyoung’s waist, pulling them even closer into each other. 

It was unclear who pushed or pulled whom, but somehow the pair successfully navigated around the couch with the smallest pause possible. They did pull apart, however, terribly ungracefully and yelling none-too-quietly, when they fell onto human legs rather than the couch. 

“HOLY SHIT!” Wooyoung cried, as the shape on the couch groaned, the noise quickly transforming into a thick cough. San scrambled for the lamp. The sudden burst of light made all three wince. “YEOSANG? What the hell are you doing out here?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” Yeosang croaked, rubbing at his deeply shadowed eyes with a sweatshirt-covered hand. 

“YEOSANG!” San exclaimed, falling to his knees by his friend’s stomach and hugging the performer’s midsection. “Are you okay? Did we smush you?!”

Yeosang looked overwhelmed. “No, I…” He swallowed, turned as far away from San as possible as he coughed again. “I’m fine. Why did you fall on the couch any… wait.” Though drooping dangerously, Yeosang’s eyes squinted suspiciously between them. “What… what time is it?” “It’s uh…” Wooyoung consulted his watch. “It’s like three…” 

Yeosang’s entire expression widened with shock. “Did you just get home?”

“Ummm….”

“Yes,” San answered confidently. Yeosang turned his attention back to Wooyoung, a mix of astonishment and admonishment. 

Wooyoung threw his arms out to the side. “Hey! We had to drink for all of you!”

“Yeah!” San agreed. 

“And he didn’t help all that much cause he’s been drunk since midnight!” Wooyoung pointed accusingly at the red-faced San currently rubbing his head against Yeosang’s stomach like a cat.

“Yeah!” San agreed again, unaware of the insult. 

“So he’s going to be hungover as shit tomorrow, huh?” Yeosang asked, meeting Wooyoung’s eyes. He didn’t seem thrilled to be touched, but he also wasn’t forcibly removing San yet. 

“Probably.” Wooyoung shrugged. "Me as well.” Yeosang sighed a congested rasp of a sigh. “What’re you doing down here, anyway?”

“Woke up in the middle of the night, and someone was snoring too loud, so I came out here.” 

“Oooooooh,” San cooed sympathetically. “Poor Sangie.”

“Sounds like we’re all getting a bad night’s sleep, then,” Wooyoung said. He pumped a fist in the air. “Team no sleep, unite!”

“Hey.” Wooyoung physically recoiled as he whirled around at not only the intimidatingly deep voice, but the flash of light from the overheads in the kitchen. An unimpressed Mingi glared at them. “Why the hell are you yelling at three in the morning?”

“That’s… actually not out of character for me.” Wooyoung shrugged, attempting charm he knew was unlikely to sway the rapper. 

“MANGI!” San cried, releasing one of his arms from clutching Yeosang and waving it enthusiastically. 

Wooyoung pointed back at him. “I don’t speak for him.” Mingi’s glare did not let up, but he sighed, seemingly resigned to the fact that logic was futile against his two drunken friends. “Also, I have it on good authority that someone’s snoring too loud, so maybe waking everyone up is good so we can all fall asleep at zero again.”

“‘Fall asleep at zero?’” Yeosang whispered to himself, squeezing at his forehead to stem the headache blooming there from the noise and the lights. 

Mingi was not amused. “First, I know you and San will literally fall asleep the second you lay down, no matter where that is.” Wooyoung huffed, insulted, but Mingi was not deterred. “Two, the yelling’s going to stop, now, because you will not be waking up Hwa or Yunho. And three… yes, it’s actually both of them who are snoring quite badly, but neither one has really slept much the past two days so we’re gonna let it slide.” Yeosang whined from the couch. “Sang, you can stay on the couch if it’s bothering you.”

“They fell on me, though…” Yeosang whined, gesturing weakly to San and Wooyoung. San gasped at the betrayal, retracting his hug for all of three seconds. 

“It was an accident,” Wooyoung shot back in the vein of a vexed younger sibling. “And he’s not even hurt! San and I just thought it would be stupid if…”

“Okay.” Mingi cut Wooyoung off. “Sangie, these two are going to their own beds now, so that won’t happen again,” Mingi replied, surprisingly gentle now that his attention was on Yeosang. “You can sleep out here, alright?” “Okay.” Yeosang now pushed San’s arms away as he settled back against the couch, eyes slipping closed. 

“Come on, drunkards.”

“That is a stupid word,” Wooyoung mumbled as he switched off the living room light. San stood from the floor, planted a sloppy kiss on Yeosang’s head, then stumbled over to Wooyoung, who also got a kiss on the cheek. 

“Hey, you know what would be so stupid?” San’s grin was far too wide for the circumstances. 

“Oh, we’re not going down that road again,” Mingi interrupted, moving behind the pair and pushing them forward towards their actual beds. “We all know how that game ended last time.”

“Ended that way earlier, too.” Wooyoung waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “How do you think we fell into Sangie?”

Mingi was, unsurprisingly, unimpressed. 

[coolmomdean]

blows my mind that i have little online friends who mildly care about me. it’s really nice

[coolmomdean]

anyway hi little online friends i care about you too 🍄

[darl-ingfics]

How They Act When Sick - Seventeen Vocal Unit

Woozi/Jihoon

Please, for the love of all things good, do NOT mention Jihoon's illness to him. He WILL get upset, and will either bite your head off OR start sobbing uncontrollably. Both are incredibly unsettling.

Gets very emotional when he has a fever because it makes him feel unsettled. Jihoon is a very steady person, so when things feel wrong, he is easily overwhelmed by even the smallest of things. He hides this incredibly well if he has to perform while under the weather, but his members know to be a little extra caring.

The most stubborn member when it comes to rest, and the one who relapses most often; the SECOND that thermometer reads normal again, he's back to business as usual, which usually leads him back to illness again in the blink of an eye. Jihoon needs his phone AND laptop confiscated. The studio has been forcibly locked to keep him from sneaking to work.

The king of humidifiers and vocal steamers.

Does not like to be touched unless it is his idea (because an emotional, feverish Jihoon craves being held by one of his members). If he isn't the one seeking out the physicality, the member know not to try for their own safety. But if a weepy Jihoon appears at their door? You best believe they're ready to have their own personal heater attached to them for the duration of the producer's fever-induced hibernation cuddle.

Jeonghan

One of the weaker immune systems in the group, and catches a lot of the bugs the others drag in. OR he's Patient Zero. Mingyu often gets a bad rep for this, and while he IS responsible for a lot of group illnesses, Jeonghan is often the SECRET starter of these things.

If he's minorly ill, Jeonghan is the whiniest man in existence. He will be incredibly dramatic over a cold or headache or stomachache, to the point that the other members do usually get annoyed with him. But if he's actually really, very sick or injured? This man will try to downplay his symptoms, and it is SO frustrating!

Colds tend to linger in his chest for a while after he's technically 'better.' He HATES it.

Craves affection and attention. Do not leave a sick Jeonghan alone or the sad thoughts will claim him.

Very picky about what he puts in his body. Particular about flavors and methods of medicine (some pills are fine, while others are not; don’t even TRY the cherry cough syrup), as well as flavors/textures of food.

Joshua

Doesn't get sick all that often, but gets wiped out whenever he does. Joshua goes down HARD, usually for just a day or two, but he suffers through them even if his immune system can get through a bug relatively quickly.

When he has a fever, serious headache, or is really congested, Joshua loses his Korean language skills. He reverts to English except for the most basic things, and gets VERY upset when he KNOWS that he SHOULD know the words being said to him, but his brain just can't get there... also tends to babble in English when he's deliriously feverish, which often scares the other members who don't know what he's talking about (which is, usually, nothing of consequence cause, you know, fever babbling.)

Tries SO hard not to complain or sit out. Joshua believes himself to be one of the weaker members of the group, and therefore pushes himself no matter how bad he feels, constantly striving to work harder and be better than the day before. This often leads him to downplay his symptoms, even to himself, and push his body beyond its limits.

The absolute best at keeping his germs to himself. The best at covering, and always masked up in public, and will often get upset if another member comes to his room to check on him without masking up. Gets weird about being touched for contagion purposes unless the other member had the antibodies, it's his idea, OR he's really out of it.

Extra sleepy, and just wants to be laying down. Loves to have someone playing with his hair.

DK/Seokmin

The saddest sickie in history. Seokmin still tries to put on a smile, but even the slightest bug dulls his natural energy. Fatigue and malaise are his tell-tale symptoms that something’s up. And he usually gets pouty or teary when he can’t perform or be with his members because he is terrified of missing out or letting anyone down.

Often ends up fighting a persistent cough after he’s recovered from a cold/respiratory infection, and he HATES IT. Similarly prone to migraines when congested.

Sleepwalks and sleep-talks whenever he has a fever. The members know that Seokmin CANNOT be left alone when he has even a slightly elevated temperature or he WILL cause chaos, and potentially, accidentally hurt himself.

Unfortunately VERY bad at reading his body. No warning when he's about to be sick, and has accidentally caused several problems for his group this way. Has also accidentally sneezed his way into a minor concussion by hitting his head on the wall of the shower (not the first time he hit his head, not the last he’s slipped in the shower.)

Shivery and wants to be both held and burritoed in blankets. Loves to steal other members’ clothes.

Seungkwan

One of the strongest immune systems in the group, so Seungkwan feels extra upset when he does get sick because how dare?

1000% the one who plays healthy because he does not want to inconvenience anyone. He’s the mood maker, the face of the group, the main vocal… he NEEDS to be on his A game, even when his body has other ideas. Needs several hugs when forced to relax.

Does not fight taking medicine or going to the doctor because he just wants this to be over with. Tries all of the members’ tricks and crazy remedies he reads about on the internet because it doesn’t take long for him to be absolutely done with whatever symptoms befall him.

Humidifier warrior, second only to Woozi. Cannot STAND the feeling of being congested or having a dry throat, and is overly irritated if either prevents him from sleeping (which still happens a bit, even with the humidifier.)

Gets very disoriented from a fever. Foggy short term memory, easily overwhelmed, extra snuggly… cheeks get very flushed, and it is unfortunately adorable.

[darl-ingfics]

Feveruary Day 28: "Your boss called…"

Fandom: SHINee

Sickie: Onew (stress)

Caregiver(s): SHINee & TVXQ's U-Know

Note: LISTEN. The fic isn't doing the thing in the way I wanted, SO we're going to do something different. Here's the bullet points for the intended fic for this prompt. I need to cross off Feveruary before my brain will write anything else. So here goes:

Takes place a little around 2010-ish.

The SM leaders meeting runs over time. They usually do; the company has so many expectations, and often incites competition between the groups. It's exhausting.

As the meeting drags on, U-Know (Yunho) notices a worrying pattern appearing in Onew (Jinki). The usually cheerful, peace-keeping leader has gone silent, overly critical of himself, more easily overwhelmed.

Yunho fears the Two Year Curse is striking again. Two years into his tenure as leader, Yunho broke down from the stress. It wasn't pretty, but he ultimately emerged stronger for it. However, he hates that this appears to be a pattern in his dongsaengs, and has made it his mission to catch it early in others.

So, as a manager drives the two of them home, Yunho attempts to push the issue, but Jinki simply smiles him off (something Yunho, unfortunately, expected. He had, after all, been here before.)

Yunho then pretends to have left something important back at the company building, something that can't wait overnight, but asks the manager to drop Jinki off first, since they are close to the dorms. Jinki says he doesn't mind going back with Yunho, but the elder refuses.

Once Jinki is out of the car, Yunho asks the manager for a favor.

Jinki arrives back at the dorm and is received with joy from his members, that he acknowledges but quickly retreats from as he disappears into the shower.

After, this scene happens:

A few minutes after he’d heard the door close, Jonghyun stood from the couch and knocked on the door. “Hyung?” He got no response, so he pushed the door open slowly. Jinki was fast asleep on his bed, a small towel on the pillow under his wet hair. Jonghyun stepped forward, sitting down gingerly on the edge of the bed. Jinki didn’t move. “Jinki-ya?” Jonghyun rubbed the older boy’s shoulder until his eyes cracked open. “Hey hyung. You okay?” Jinki nodded, pulling in a deep breath. “Yeah. Just tired.” “Did you eat at the meeting?” “No.” “Then you should eat now.” “I’m okay. Just wanna sleep.” “Fine. I’m gonna make up a plate, though, so you can have it if you change your mind in the middle of the night.” “Okay. Thank you, Jjong.” ~ When Jonghyun came back, water bottle and granola bar in hand, Jinki was asleep again. Jonghyun bit his lip, depositing his supplies on the bedside table. He ran a hand through the leader’s hair, fingers lingering on his forehead. He didn’t feel a definite fever, but still… something was off. 

That night, Yunho texts Jonghyun, informing him about his scheme, which is to get Jinki a few days off to reset before a full breakdown can occur.

In the morning, Jonghyun gets the group ready to go while attempting to not wake up their leader. That, of course, doesn't work, and when Jinki asks what's going on, Jonghyun tells him, every so gently, that 'the boss called' and he's off today.

To which Jinki immediately tears up and asks "why? what did I do wrong?"

Cue a SHINee group hug, and somehow Yunho and Changmin get there, and Yunho explains that his is normal. It happened to him, and Leeteuk, and Taeyeon, and would happen to Victoria and every other leader after them.

Cue the wholesome ending!

[darl-ingfics]

Feveruary Day 22: Ear Infection

Fandom: BTS

Sickie: J-Hope (ear infection, of course)

Caregiver(s): BTS (basically all)

Word Count: 1,483

Note: @sickonthedancefloor I hope I did you prompt justice, friend!!!

“Hey! Look who it is!” Taehyung exclaimed, arms thrown out in welcome as the door closed behind Hoseok. The dancer paused, holding up a peace sign before shuffling to the front of the room. “Look who finally decided to show up!” 

“Ha ha, so funny.” Hoseok rolled his eyes over dramatically, his statement punctuated by a sharp sniffle that had Seokjin practically shoving him into the folding chair at the front of the practice room. “Hyung, I know what I agreed to!”

Jin’s eyes alone spoke volumes. “One incident today, Hobi, JUST ONE!” He held up a finger for emphasis, “and I’m sending you back home.”

“Relax, hyung.” Namjoon clapped Jin on the shoulder with a raise of his eye brows. “Hoseok-ah’s an adult. He knows his limits.” The leader’s eyes flicked warningly towards the dancer. “Right?”

Hoseok shot them both an enthusiastic, two-handed thumbs up. “Right-o! Cough’s been gone for about 24 hours, so I am cleared to return to work.” Another sniffle punctuated his statement. “I am still a little stuffed up, but it’s out of my lungs, and that was the deal.” 

Seokjin narrowed his eyes at Namjoon, as the leader had agreed to the deal that Hoseok could return to work as soon as his cough settled. It was, after all, just a cold, albeit the scary kind that settled in his chest. Clearly, though, Hoseok hadn’t developed bronchitis (or, don’t even think it, pneumonia,) so the leader really couldn’t move the goal post now. 

Namjoon nodded. “That was the deal. As was you taking it easy today. Thus,” he gestured down, “the chair.”

“I know, I know.” Hoseok waved away the leader’s concern. “So go stretch. My eyes’ll be sharper today since I can’t participate fully.” The smile behind his mask was overly sweet, and both Seokjin and Namjoon could sense it, immediately groaning and returning to the dance floor. Hoseok chuckled to himself, rubbing at his neck. While his throat no longer felt sore, a persistent pain was beginning to bug him, crawling from his neck up the right side of his head to his ear. Hoseok sighed; it was probably from all the laying down he’d been doing. Sure, he didn’t have anything more than a stupid cold, but it had knocked him out harder than he’d expected. He’d even spiked a fever three days ago. He’d finally turned the corner two nights ago, the ache in his chest finally easing from rest and medicine. Yet the fact that he was still uncomfortably stuffed up despite the congestion finally loosening its hold on his lungs? Criminal. 

Pulling his water bottle and a box of tissues from his bag and setting it decisively next to his chair, Hoseok’s eyes scanned his members, all in various stage of stretching. It was SO GOOD to be back, to be able to participate, even in a small way. When he called the member together to start running through choreography, he was J-Hope the dance captain once again, all focus and precision. Sure, he winced a few times from the pain crawling up his neck. Sure, he had to pause a few times to ward off the occasional sneeze. But Hoseok was back in his element, and his members were on top of the world having their choreography virtuoso back in action. 

Everything came crashing down an hour before their lunch break. The group moved to a newer song, a dance that hadn’t fully settled into their muscle memory yet. So far, Hoseok had been able to teach from his chair, watching their run throughs and providing verbal feedback with minor hand gestures. But the group was getting worked up. Something about this track… even Jimin and Jungkoook were struggling. 

“Okay.” Hoseok held up his hands and vaulted to his feet. The movement caused a sharper pain in his ear then Hoseok expected, and he stumbled slightly. Six pairs of hands raised, as if nervous he would somehow faint immediately. “I’m fine. Just moved a little too fast.” While every member’s posture relaxed, their eyes did not. Hoseok did his best to ignore that. 

“Sit down, hyung. We can figure it out,” Jungkook insisted, sincere and helpful. 

“It’s okay, Kook, I can walk you through a few moves. I won’t go at tempo, promise.” Hoseok crossed his thumb over his heart, watching the older members out of his periphery. “The movement goes 5, 6, 7…” He began to slowly walk through the steps, breaking it down, hoping to provide clarity where it was needed. And he was highly successful… until the turn. The turn involved a level change - there was a plié and head tilt and, when he did so, Hoseok’s vision tilted. He stumbled again, blinking rapidly to clear the sudden stars swimming before his eyes. 

Steady hands caught his shoulders. “Hoseok, sit.” Yoongi.

“I’m f-fine…” Hoseok attempted to shake his head, but the movement caused another burst of pain and he cried out, holding the right side of his head as he fell onto one knee.

“HYUNG!” The cry echoed around him, but Hoseok couldn’t identify the voice as the volume sent yet another shockwave through his body. What was happening? This hadn’t happened at all since he’d been sick. As the confusion swelled within him, Hoseok felt his heart beat start to race and the room around him began to spin faster and faster. 

“Hoseok?” Yoongi’s voice, deep and soft, right next to his left ear. Warm hands still holding Hoseok like his life depended on it. “What’s wrong, love?”

“I…” Hoseok swallowed thickly, suddenly nauseous. “Dizzy…” he breathed. 

“Jimin, go grab ice, please,” a voice directed from somewhere above Hoseok’s head. “Kook, go with him.” 

Hoseok squeezed his eyes shut, willing the spinning to stop. It didn’t. Neither did the screaming pain in his ear. 

“Jung Hoseok!” A hand against his cheek startled the dancer’s eyes open. He met Seokjin’s worried gaze. “Hobi, can you hear me?”

“Huh?” Hoseok gasped breathlessly. 

“I’ve said your name three times,” Seokjin said gently, his thumb working caressing the rapper’s cheek. “You responded to Yoongi right away, but not me. You don’t seem to have a fever, you’re suddenly dizzy, you…”

“Are pulling on your ear,” Taehyung interrupted. 

“Wha-?” Hoseok didn’t even realize he was doing exactly that until Yoongi grabbed his hand, folding it into his own. “I don’t…”

“Seok-ah, you’re pulling on the ear where Jinnie was,” Taehyung said, eyebrows creased in worry. “Isn’t that… a clear sign of an ear infection?”

Seokjin sat back on his heels, eyebrows furrowing. “Since when are you knowledgeable about that?”

Taehyung shrugged. “I have two younger siblings. When someone pulls on their ear, that usually means ear infection.”

“But I…” Hoseok paused, the world only starting to come back into focus. He sniffled harshly, suddenly aware of his symptoms again. “When was I…?”

“Just now,” Yoongi answered before he could finish. “You lost your balance, then grabbed for your ear. And Jin’s right, you didn’t seem to hear him at all, but heard me just fine. That sounds like infection, Hoba…”

“But… how?” Hoseok asked, meeting his eldest hyung’s gaze.  

Seokjin shrugged. “A lot of ways. Probably your cold moving from your chest up to your head.”

“Yeah, all that snot’s gotta go somewhere,” Taehyung joked. 

“That’s… so rude.”

Taehyung’s face fell. “No, hyung, I didn’t mean…”

“Oh, no, not you, Tae!” Hoseok shook his head, immediately regretting it at the shoot of pain through his ear. After he winced thoroughly, he forced his eyes up to the younger man, squinting against the light. “I mean rude of my body to do that. Your joke was, unfortunately, spot on.”

“Hey, Kookie, can you turn off the first light switch?” Namjoon asked suddenly, his eyes focused beyond the small group. Hoseok assume the ice brigade has returned. “I think the full fluorescents are hurting our dear choreographer.”

“It’s okay, I…”

“Stop.” Yoongi pressed a finger to where he assumed Hoseok’s lips where beneath his mask (he was mostly right.) “You’re allowed to be in pain. Just accept it. And sit back in your chair until we can you to a doctor.”

“So dramatic,” Hoseok muttered as Jimin pressed an ice pack into his hand, which the dancer immediately pressed against his throbbing right ear. “It’s just a cold… and maybe an ear infection.”

“Jeez, hyung, we leave for two seconds and you get sick AGAIN?!” Jungkook exclaimed, shaking his head. “I’m starting to feel left out.”

“Oh trust me, this is something you want to be left out of,” Hoseok replied as Yoongi and Seokjin lifted him from the floor and back to his chair. Did he need the help? No. Was he going to hate the coddling that was sure to come with this new illness development? Yes. But did he love it anyway? 1000 percent. 

[darl-ingfics]

How They Act When Sick - Seventeen Hip Hop Unit

S.Coups/Seungcheol

A ‘push through the pain’ kinda guy, Seungcheol will push himself until he is physically stopped, either by management, his members, or his own body. He is the eldest, the leader… he needs to be strong all the time, right? (Hint: not true)

Easily overwhelmed when he doesn’t feel well. Prone to stress headaches, and has pushed himself to higher fevers by stressing too much about being sick.

Voice gets deeper whenever he’s even slightly congested. He’s been told numerous times it’s actually rather hot, but Seungcheol doesn’t want to hear that when his head feels like it's filled with concrete

Seungcheol prefers to be left alone when he’s sick to avoid spreading germs. But he also won’t refuse cuddles, so… it’s a difficult battle.

Wants to be whiny SO BAD - Cheol’s inner monologue is all “woe is me, this is the worst thing that’s ever befallen anyone,” Victorian child levels of drama. BUT he also can’t bring himself to be outwardly needy, it's just not who he is. So he RARELY actually expresses any of those thoughts. You can catch him pouting into space, but if you ask what he’s thinking about, he’ll snap out it.

Loses his appetite. That’s a major warning to the members that their leader is coming down with something. Has to be reminded to eat, or sometimes force fed, so he gets the nutrients his immune system needs

Wonwoo

One of the weaker immune systems in the group, Wonwoo catches almost anything the members bring into the dorm (unless very strict precautions are taken!) He tends to come down with something once a tour, twice a winter, and after every other plane ride or so. Usually it's just a small cold or something he can work through in a day or two. But it's annoying, and he wishes his immune system was less of a brat and responded to all the preventative vitamins he takes.

The sleepiest sickie, Wonwoo wants nothing more than to be laying down, or at the very least sitting, when he's sick. Fatigue is a main symptom for him, no matter the illness, and it's usually accompanied by severe body aches, even without a fever. The boy just wants to curl into a ball and sleep it off.

Throws on a mask, pops some meds, and soldiers through his schedules. Wonwoo is not one to complain, and will go about his day as normal, just with a little more coughing mixed in. He HATES disrupting others' schedules, and will avoid it whenever possible.

Very easily embarrassed, and does not like attention drawn to his symptoms or his illness at all. Often attempts to stifle sneezes so no one notices - often fails, but the members know to not make 'a deal' out of it. Just wrap him up in a blanket and let him be.

Voice gets even deeper when he's congested, or has a sore throat, and he revels in that more than Seungcheol does. Wonwoo once said he think he looks sexier when he's sick, which he's honestly told himself because he's under the weather so often (comparatively.)

Mingyu

Hello, Patient Zero! Mingyu has been responsible for starting roughly 90% of the full-group epidemics that have swept the Seventeen dorm over the years. This is for three reasons. First, he is hopelessly bad at covering his mouth. Second, he has the world's most effective puppy dog eyes. And third, he needs to be close to people when he isn't feeling well, or his anxiety will spiral. A dangerous combination.

Also... very bad at determining when he's actually sick. Mingyu is the guy who says 'it's just allergies' when he's been sneezing all day, and wakes up with a fever. He's the guy who says 'hm, my stomach is a little unsettled. Probably cause I haven't had enough water,' and then throws up almost immediately after. For someone so fit and physically active, Mingyu is NOT on the same page as his immune system, and it shows.

Very easily upset when he isn't feeling his best. Mingyu will assume the worst, that he's failed and ruined everything, and will cry about it. Even if he doesn't want to cry, he will.

Runs hot naturally, so fevers climb high and take him out very quickly. The kind of sickie to bundle up in all the layers one minute, and violently rip them off the next.

Has to be physically removed from the kitchen. He just loves to cook, it makes him feel normal, but the others physically cannot have such a biohazard in their common space/around their food.

Vernon/Hansol

An unsurprisingly chill, easy patient. Will not hide being sick, will work or sit out depending on what he's told to do, will take medicine without complaint. It’s just a part of life. Unless….

The most emetophobic member - does not do well with others vomiting, and is an absolutely anxious mess when he’s the one doing it. Gets panicky when a member even mentions being remotely nauseous, and suffers panic attacks if he starts to feel off.

Very conscious of germs, and does his best to be as sanitary as possible. It's not that he's a germaphobe, per say, but Hansol's just more dialed into that kinda stuff, and gets grossed out when others aren't. So you can be sure that he always covers his mouth and cleans up any used cups/tissues/etc. Would die of shame if someone else got sick from him being careless (if they cuddle him, Hansol refuses to be held responsible.)

Joshua is his comfort person. Hansol will accept care and cuddles from any member, but he prefers Joshua's presence when he's unwell. Has been known to cry and push anyone but Joshua the few time he's been really sick.

A sick Hansol is either SO HERE for shenanigans or NOT HERE for anyone's bullshit. He is either the silliest boy (inhibitions down) or a miserable, agitated mess (patience completely gone). Either giggling uncontrollably or snapping at nothing. Will cry if it's the latter and he realizes how out of line he is (the members know by now Hansol doesn't mean anything he says when he has a fever, so they've learned to role with it.)