Quality Time
Tempting fate. I can’t keep myself from writing anymore. I might hate myself later, but whatever. Request fulfillment for @moonjoonlanding , I’m so sorry that it took this long. Fever and sore throat with fireside cuddles and cider. Seokjin needs to channel his inner maknae and learn to accept a little TLC from Jimin.
Quality Time:
Seokjin sniffled for the hundredth time that day, despite the scolding hint of a sore throat that warned him to simply blow his nose and get it over with. He fought the urge to give in to his exhausted body. He knew deep down that he was getting sick, but he had too much to do. He couldn’t just keep putting things off. With a soft sigh, he pulled into the grocery store’s parking lot.
The wind was whipping around him as he got out of the car, pushing him off balance in strong gusts. He shuddered,
“Ugh… it’s freezing out here!” He hurried into the store. Inside it didn’t feel much warmer but at least the wind was held at bay. He spent about an hour trying to piece together simple ingredients for quick meals. Even if he couldn’t cook because he didn’t want the others getting sick, none of the younger members would starve in the meantime.
He finally passed by the checkout area when he saw liter-sized jugs of apple cider on a display. Seokjin debated internally for a moment before adding it to his filled cart. He felt his nose twitch and he sighed, “N-not ahhhgain…” he sniffled, trying to quell the tickle that flooded his nose in mucus. His breath caught in his throat and he bit back a groan of discomfort as the pain flared up once more. His eyes slammed shut as he pitched to one side, releasing a wet sneeze into his sweater sleeve. “hh-Phsshhhuuh!” Seokjin cringed as he looked at the wet spot on his sweater.
“Ugh, now my head hurts.” he said to himself. The sudden sneeze made him feel unsteady and the persistent ache in his throat felt like it was slowly sucking the remaining energy from his body. He quickly paid for the groceries and headed outside. He shivered as the cold air swirled around him and hurried to load the groceries into the car.
About 20 minutes later, Seokjin opened the front door and stumbled inside carrying several bags. Jimin had been relaxing on the couch and jumped to his feet. A warm fire popped and crackled in the fireplace, giving the living room warmth and a comfortable glow.
“Hyung?!? What the heck?! Did you buy the whole store? Let me help you!” Seokjin shook his head and tried to warn Jimin away. His nose was itching again, he couldn’t use his hands or arms to catch the sneeze that was coming and Jimin was standing directly in the line of fire.
“Jihh-bminah… W-wait, I... Hih’TSSHUH! Pshhuh!” Seokjin turned his head but, it was a bit too late. Jimin’s hoodie was misted with the aftermath of the sudden explosive double. Jimin paid no attention to his clothes, instead his sympathetic eyes looked up into the older man’s face.
“Hyung, those didn’t sound good.” the shorter man frowned, concern etched into his forehead and mouth.
“I’b… I’b alright. Don't worry so mbuch…” Seokjin flushed with embarrassment, “I’b sorry for sdneezing on you.” he sniffled wetly and tried to push past Jimin and into the kitchen.
Jimin put his small hands on the taller man’s chest, keeping him in place. “Let me help you, I said! Sheesh! You are so stubborn sometimes.” Jimin tugged at the bags in Seokjin’s hands until he relented and gave them up.
Jimin smiled, seeing that he had won this contest of willpower. He brought the groceries into the kitchen and began unpacking the bags. Seokjin followed, feeling like he should be doing something other than simply standing there. He began to fill the fridge with meat and vegetables as Jimin put away the rice and snacks. He shivered in his sweater and sniffled again. Jimin kept glancing over with each sniffle, becoming more and more concerned.
Seokjin was still putting the food away, crouching in front of the fridge, when a delicate pale, hand pushed aside his bangs and gently pressed against his forehead. The older man heard the Jimin gasp in surprise.
“Oh, Hyung… You’ve got a fever.”
“Wh-what? Dno! I…I’mb just tired.” The older vocalist protested. Jimin smacked him lightly on the shoulder.
“Don’t be so stubborn, Hyungie… Let me take care of the rest of this. You should go sit down in the living room. I’ll follow you in a few minutes. Go warm up by the fire, you’re shaking like a leaf.”
Seokjin stood with a sigh, sniffling and rubbing his nose on his cuff. “I don’t mind helping though, I can...!” He winced, as his throat stung brutally, cutting off his words.
Jimin flinched out of sympathy. “Please! Go sit down. I will make you something hot to drink.”
Seokjin, feeling burnt out, obeyed. He sat on the loveseat beside the fire and held his cold hands out towards the cheery fire, soaking up the warmth.
True to his word, Jimin came from the kitchen holding two steaming mugs shortly afterwards. He smiled at Seokjin and passed him a cup. The older man shivered as the heat from the cup and the fire as it slowly broke through the chill in his body. He couldn’t smell what the cup held, but the mug felt so good to hold.
Jimin giggled softly. Seokjin was always so composed and independent that he never really allowed the other members to coddle him. This version of Seokjin was sweet, pathetic, and adorably rumpled. His hair was sticking to his damp forehead, his already pink nose was scrunching up with every sniffle, and his lips were slightly pouty.
“Ohhh~ Cute~!” Jimin breathed, feeling soft and wanting to cuddle his eldest Hyung. He blushed as Seokjin frowned and looked at him defiantly,
“What’s cute?! Where?” The older man stuck out his chin mulishly. Jimin sputtered, unable to hold back his giggles,
“Pfft… Hyung, you’re too cute this way! I can’t take it.” Jimin took a sherpa throw blanket off of the nearby ottoman and wrapped it around Seokjin. “There. Feeling warmer now?”
Seokjin sipped at the contents of his mug. Jimin had warmed the apple cider he had bought and added a little spice. Seokjin felt his lips curve into a pleased smile and nodded in response. Jimin sat beside him and they sat in comfortable silence, watching the logs crackle and pop in the orange flames.
Soon, Jimin was easing the cup from Seokjin’s fingers and setting it aside. The older man had fallen asleep in the loveseat. Jimin wrapped the throw more snugly around the older member and guided Seokjin's head to gently rest on his shoulder. He sat peacefully, content to enjoy quality time with his sniffly Hyung.
