Sicktember Day 7 – “There’s a frog in my throat” Fandom: ATEEZ Sickie: Jongho Caretaker: Mingi Content: fever, sore throat, coughing
The coughing is loud and worrisome. Jongho was staying at their dorm for the week, since the group had a few weeks break, and was borrowing San’s room since Mingi’s roommates had both gone home to visit their parents, and Mingi was a professional at puppy-dog eyes. Mingi had considered going with Yunho to visit his parents and brother, since his own parents were on a well-deserved trip abroad, but listening to the vocalist seem to choke on air, he’s glad he brought him over instead.
Getting up from his own room, he heads to their kitchen to grab a bottle of water, then heads to San’s room and knocks.
“Y-yes?” Jongho croaks. Croaks. He sounds terrible.
Mingi opens the door. “Hey, maknae-ya. I brought you some water.”
“Oh… Thanks, hyung.”
The younger man sits up slowly, hair mussed and eyes half-lidded. He looks so small and young like this. It’s both nostalgic and scary, reminding Mingi that sometimes their strong-willed, independent maknae needs someone to help shoulder the burden too. Mingi turns on San’s bedside light (he’s been in this room so much he knows the layout like the back of his hand) and sits on the bed, opening the bottle for the youngest. When he looks at him, he can see a reddening of Jongho’s cheeks, and…
“You look swollen, Jongho-ya.”
Jongho just sips the water, then leans over to rest his head against Mingi’s shoulder. He really must not be feeling well.
“Feels like… there’s a frog in my throat, to be honest.”
And Mingi has to try and not laugh at the analogy, watching as Jongho moves the water bottle to the side of his neck. Mingi doesn’t have Seonghwa’s skill to tell by touch, but he can already make an educated guess. Jongho is sick, and he’s not sure what caused it, but he wants to help him feel better. Thankfully, given the break, Jongho has at least another week to heal up. Mingi wraps an arm around Jongho’s shoulders and hugs him close. He can feel the heat radiating off of the younger vocalist; that gets Mingi to jump to action.
"Wanna try some meds? I’m sure Seonghwa-hyung has a syrup form if you don’t think you can do tablets…”
Seonghwa tends to keep the cabinet stocked with whatever they need. He just lets Jongho mull over the idea before he nods gingerly, lowering the water bottle. Mingi puts the bottle on the bedside table.
“Aigooo, maknae-ya. Meds, more sleep, and we’ll see how you feel in the morning, okay?”
A plan. Jongho nods again, hand lifting to rub his eyes as he lifts up, letting Mingi go. Mingi ruffles his hair a little before he heads back out to find the medication. He finds a bottle of pancold, just what he needed. One dose administered later, and Mingi finds himself also laying in San’s bed with Jongho curled up against him, pressing a cold compress to his maknae’s neck to help him sleep.
~*~
Jongho, thankfully, is not the biggest opponent of hospitals. When he doesn’t feel marginally better, when his throat still has a raw sensation but even with the burning feeling gone, he doesn’t hesitate to let Mingi contact their manager. There’s no whining, no resisting, no complaints. Just one sad, feverish vocalist bundled in Mingi’s thick puffy coat because it’s warm and soft. Mingi keeps one arm wrapped around Jongho in the backseat of the SUV, letting his maknae nap on him for the ride.
And three hours later, they’re back with a strep diagnosis, medication, and cold snacks. Mingi leans down and helps Jongho slide his feet out of out of San’s crocs, keeping his shoulders squared so Jongho’s shaky hand could keep grip for balance. He then kicks off his own sneakers and helps him out of the jacket.
“Pajamas and bed?” he asks softly.
Jongho just nods. He’s riding on a cocktail of antibiotics and acetaminophen, and his energy is already waning. Mingi smiles, hugging him close.
“Come on, my favorite maknae,” Mingi’s voice has a sing-song lilt to it. Jongho tucks himself against Mingi’s side.
And with the biggest, softest, pleading bear eyes, Jongho croaks: “Stay?”
Nodding, Mingi hugs him closer. “You didn’t even have to ask.”
