Baby, hold my hair now...
What was supposed to be fun duo trip quickly unravels into a trial of friendship and quick thinking. Hyunjin feels woefully underqualified while Jisung falls apart at the seams, but through it all... he stays.
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Sickie: Han
Caretaker/s: Hyunjin ____________________________________________
For this week’s SKZ Code, things were shaken up. Stray Kids had set up base in Busan for two whole weeks, but instead of their usual group chaos, the show decided to introduce a new twist: duo missions.
None of them had been warned about the change beforehand, and the surprise drew mixed reactions. Especially from Chan.
He wasn’t sure he liked the thought of not being able to keep an eye on all his kids for a full day, to have them all scattered across without supervision— but the others had assured him it would be fine.
It was only one day, after all. How bad could it be?
The duos themselves were preordained; Jeongin and Changbin, Felix and Minho, Chan and Seungmin, and Hyunjin and Jisung. It was a perfectly orderly disordered lineup.
Each of the pairs were assigned different geographic checkpoints scattered across the Gyeongsang province, and Hyunjin and Jisung (in their own humble opinion), had won the golden buzzer.
Two members, one camera, and a full day to explore the seaside towns of Namhae. No managers, not even a staff van trailing behind telling them what or what not to do.
Just the two of them, a cozy vlog, and a list of “hidden local favourites” that the staff had handed over like a treasure map.
It sounded easy enough. Drive around, film some chaotic commentary, capture some nature shots, and head back before sunset.
Simple.
Except, simplicity wasn’t exactly their strong suit.
By the time the car merged onto the highway that morning, the air between them didn’t exactly feel like vacation energy. At least not yet.
Hyunjin was singing along to the radio, one hand on the wheel and the other occasionally lifting to gesture dramatically at the lyrics, but Jisung… Jisung seemed awfully enervated from the get go.
Even though he pushed himself to smile and sing along every now and then, something about the latter felt… off.
Hyunjin just hoped the early start was to blame.
An hour into the drive, Jisung still sat quieter than usual, fingers fiddling with the corner of his hoodie sleeve. He blamed the winding roads making him drowsy when Hyunjin teased him about still being half-asleep, but the pale tint to his cheeks didn’t have much to do with sleep.
The cup holders between them held two iced americanos; Hyunjin’s almost finished and Jisungs hardly touched.
“Can you believe they trusted us to do this alone?” Hyunjin mused as he grabbed for his coffee, swerving the car around a dip in the road.
“Nope— but I’m excited about it.” Jisung replied, breath catching a little at the sudden motion, but a shaky smile pulling on his lips shortly thereafter. “We’re either gonna bond or die trying, right?” he muttered, and Hyunjin laughed.
“Right...” The dancer hummed contentedly, squinting through dark sunglasses at a road sign rapidly approaching. “Oh! This is the first stop.” He announced, eagerly pulling off the highway.
The road narrowed, flanked by low stone walls and the occasional scattering of flowers bending in the morning breeze.
It was beautiful— breathtaking, even.
The landscape stretched vast and lush before them, verdant and vibrant with both plants and animals hidden in between the leaves.
Hyunjin gasped softly, his eyes scanning over the scenery with an almost disbelieving look. He was in heaven. “Wow, Jisung-ah, it’s so pretty…”
Jisung huffed amusedly, straightening up in his seat with a sly grin and a witty glint in his eye. “You’re prettier~” he sing-songed, earning a jab in the thigh that was hard enough to make him yelp.
They parked near a wide stretch of rolling fields, where tall grasses swayed gently in the breeze and wildflowers dotted the landscape in splashes of yellow and purple.
The air outside smelled faintly of earth and morning dew, and somewhere in the distance, birds called out to each other in a cheerful chorus. It was the epitome of peace.
Hyunjin jumped out the car first, camera in hand, scanning the area for the perfect shot. He looked like a kid set loose in a candy store, and the sight of him made Jisung’s lips quirk up.
“You should paint this..” Jisung remarked thoughtfully, easing himself out of the passenger seat like an old man whose back had locked up mid-ride.
Hyunjin didn’t seem to notice his clumsy, stiff movements; he was already captivated by the bends in the landscape, jaw slack and eyes shimmering as he lost himself in the view.
“You took the words from my mouth…” he said breathlessly, smiling as he finally panned the camera over in Jisung's direction. “Now, look cute~ say hi to stay!”
They filmed a few quick clips there; Hyunjin running his hand over the flowers, Jisung pointing at a bug that had landed on a nearby bloom with the intrigue of a 5 year old, the camera panning over the rolling fields and distant hills.
It wasn’t a long shoot, just a few shots for their vlog, but it felt like a small pocket of beauty in their usually hectic week.
But even amid the beauty of the flowers and the serenity of the meadow, something sinister was brewing.
A dull twist in Jisung’s stomach reminded him that not everything was as tranquil as the view before them.
The ache had been there ever since they started driving, but even now— out of the car and surrounded by fresh air— it lingered like a bad omen.
Unsurprisingly, getting back on the road didn’t help him one bit; in fact, the motion only ramped up the issue exponentially.
Jisung bit his lip and willed himself to focus on the map in his hands as the drove up the dirt roads, repeating the stops in order; national park, rice fields, beach…
The car rumbled along yet another narrow road, the sea glinting dimly through morning mist to their right. Hyunjin slowed them to their second stop, letting the tires crunch softly over gravel as he stole a glance at Jisung, who now sat pale and hunched over the map with a pinched expression.
Hyunjin frowned.
“Hey, you okay?” He asked, keeping his voice light but with just enough edge to show his concern.
“Yeah… yeah, ’m fine.” Jisung replied, though the words lacked conviction. He shifted, pressing his hand to his stomach for a moment before shaking his head. “Just… a little car sick, I think?”
Truthfully, Jisung didn’t know whether it was the drive, something he’d eaten, or if a pesky pathogen had invaded his system.
All he knew was that he felt undeniably queasy, and his stomach ached in that pressing, heavy way that made him feel faint and clammy.
Hyunjin didn’t miss the subtle tension in Jisung’s posture or the faint sheen of sweat along his hairline, but he decided not to comment on it.
Motion sickness seemed plausible enough after cruising through the serpentine dirt roads.
“Good thing we’re taking another break again so quickly then,” he said instead, trying to keep their spirits high despite the worry tugging at his chest.
Hyunjin reached out, resting a hand lightly on Jisung’s back and giving it a couple of reassuring pats. “Come on, babes~ let’s go touch some sand.”
Jisung nodded, offering a lopsided grin. “Yeah, let’s.. I just need a moment— I’m sure I’ll feel better soon.”
The words sounded more like a wish than certainty.
Jisung shuffled out the car, leaning slightly on the door for balance— and to give his stomach a chance to settle. Not that it did, by any means, but it was better to stand still than to keep jostling it around.
They lingered by the beachside for a few minutes; Hyunjin filming scenic shots, speeding down to the beach and back again, and Jisung leaning against the car, pretending to do something other than swallow down bile.
The wind tugged at his hair and made him shiver, but for the longest of moments, Jisung insistently tried to convince himself it was “refreshing.”
It really wasn’t. It just made him more dizzy.
And the moment Jisung tried to take a step toward the edge of the guardrail, to approach the actual beach rather than stay in the side park, a sharp retch suddenly stole the words from his mouth.
His body suddenly jerked forward with a guttural sound, and Hyunjin spun around just in time to catch him, the camera dropping against his chest with a soft thud.
“Han-ah?! Shit, lean forward-!” Hyunjin’s hands were on Jisung’s shoulders in an instant, steadying him so he wouldn’t fall face first into the bushes.
With a harsh heave, the younger man’s breakfast made a revolting reappearance across (yes, across— he didn’t quite get the time to aim) the guardrail, splattering against steel with a sickening noise.
Jisung was mortified. He gagged again, shaking his head weakly and blinking rapidly against the moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes. “I… shit I-I didn’t think—“
“You didn’t think you’d get sick? yeah— it’s-it’s fine. I got you.” Hyunjin interrupted firmly, his voice low and urgent now. He rubbed Jisung’s back, trying to anchor him while his own mind raced through every stupid little thing they probably should’ve packed, but didn’t think to.
Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, ginger candies…
They had packed their motion sickness medication, sure, but something told Hyunjin that wouldn’t suffice… not this time.
He started to ask if Jisung thought he was done, but the question died in his throat when his body lurched again. The harsh sound of retching tore through the air, followed by the splash of sick into the roadside bush— thankfully missing the guardrail this time.
Hyunjin flinched, then shut his mouth and stayed put, murmuring quiet reassurances over the rush of the waves and the hum of the wind.
“It’s okay,” he said softly, over and over, unsure whether he was saying it for Jisung or for himself.
By the time Jisung’s stomach finally settled enough for them to get back in the car, Hyunjin allowed himself a quiet breath of relief as he watched the younger rapper fall into place in the passenger seat. He started the engine slowly and eased back onto the highway, praying the roads would be kind.
And for a fleeting moment, it seemed like maybe the worst had passed, that maybe Jisung had managed to fall asleep after the ordeal… but the day wasn’t done with them just yet.
Not even ten minutes into the drive, Hyunjin had no choice but to pull over again— because Jisung was gripping the seat so hard his knuckles turned white, and his face looked downright green.
“Hyunjin—“ he whined shakily, a sharp intake of breath warning them of what was inevitably coming.
The passenger door barely had time to open before the poor guy was stumbling outside and retching into a trash bin outside a small, nearly empty gas station.
The next twenty minutes were a blur: Jisung crying quietly in the cramped gas station bathroom, apologising between heaves; Hyunjin pacing outside the stall, muttering encouragement and patting his back through the gap of the door.
A lone employee peeked out from behind the counter, eyebrows raised, looking like they were simultaneously concerned and ready to quit mid-shift. "Uh... do you need like.. paper towels? Or…?”
"We’re fine," Hyunjin said quickly, maybe a little too quickly, forcing a tight smile upon his face. He closed the stall door partway, hoping to give Jisung if only a shred of privacy. “Just...uh, just give us a minute."
He didn't take his eyes off the stall door, listening to the retching inside slow into breathless heaves, then eventually quiet.
When Jisung finally emerged, pale and shaky— but miraculously still standing on his own two feet, Hyunjin caught him immediately, sliding a hand under his arm. “Hey….. hey, it's okay. Breathe. Just breathe."
"I... I'm so sorry," Jisung whispered, voice trembling and eyes glistening with unshed tears. He looked so broken Hyunjin could feel his heart tearing at the sight. “I didn't mean to-”
"Shh, shh, none of that.. no apologies." Hyunjin's voice was firm but gentle as he guided him back toward the car, arm looped around his waist. “You didn't mean to get sick, Han-ah… That's all it is. Nothing else matters right now”
With Jisung laid out across the backseats, sick bags within reach, Hyunjin rubbed at his own face, mind reeling. How he was supposed to deal with this was beyond him, but he followed his instincts, wondering; what would Chan do?
Within the next ten minutes, the plan was set.
In a flash, Hyunjin had made the hasty decision to book them a hotel room, and thank the gods he did, because Jisung never would’ve made the drive back to Busan— not like this.
However, he hadn’t realised what kind of room he’d booked until the concierge handed over a key card shaped like a heart with the text, “Congratulations on your honeymoon!”
Hyunjin paused for a moment, but he didn’t have the energy to correct the mistake. Because honestly? it didn’t matter. They just needed somewhere Jisung could lie down and breathe without the additional stress of publicity. Somewhere with a private, regular sized bathroom.
Though he had to admit… the plush bedding, rose petals on the floor, and tiny heart-shaped welcome chocolates scattered on the nightstand felt awfully ironic, to say the least.
If Jisung didn’t feel like death, Hyunjin knew he would’ve been all over the sweet treats. So he’d quietly pocketed a few of the chocolate hearts from the nightstand, slipping them into his bag for later— for whenever Jisung could stomach them.
Which, at the rate things were going, probably wouldn’t be for quite a while..
Jisung was curled up on the bathroom floor of their supposed honeymoon suite, hunched over the toilet as wave after wave of nausea tormented him. Whatever was making him feel so sick showed no signs of letting up any time soon, but at least the bathroom was nice and clean.
Hyunjin hovered nearby, switching between giving him space and crouching by his side, fumbling for the right thing to do. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much he could do, except just be there…
“Whoa, whoa…oh-oh..oh- hurgh…oh-oh-oh….” Jisung spat into the toilet, looking beyond pathetic as Hyunjin scooped the hair out of his face and pinned it back with a Jiniret hair clip. “Haah… ugh, baby, hold my hair now…~”
Hyunjin blinked, taken aback by the puny sing along. Hold my hair. The line was a warped echo of Jisung’s solo song, bitterly adapted to their predicament.
Hyunjin let out a quiet, incredulous laugh. Somehow, even at his lowest, Han Jisung was still making dumb jokes.
“You’re unbelievable..” he muttered, nose wrinkling with part amusement, part disgust, as he rubbed gentle circles between Jisung’s shoulder blades.
Another round of vomiting later and Jisung had found purchase on Hyunjin’s lap, his forehead pressed against the other man’s shoulder, hiccuping like a drunken sailor.
The pit of dread only growing bigger in his stomach, Hyunjin could feel an unnatural warmth ooze off him, seeping into his own skin.
There was no doubt in his mind… Jisung was feverish.
Sighing, Hyunjin pushed his fingers through the dampened hair at the back of his neck, shushing him gently when Jisung whimpered like a kicked puppy.
“This isn’t a very romantic honeymoon, is it..?” The older dancer quipped half-heartedly, tearing off a few squares of toilet paper and wiping Jisung’s lips.
Jisung huffed a weak laugh that melted into another groan, his eyelids fluttering. His voice was raw and shaky as he spoke, reminiscing to their drive just a few hours prior.
“Bond or die trying, right?”
Hyunjin smiled, small and tired, but genuine. “Yeah,” he agreed quietly, tilting his head until his cheek rested on the crown of Jisung’s head. “Bond or die trying.”
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Hello! This fic is definitely a victim of the classic ‘I’ve spontaneously written scenes I really like and then fought for my life to try and tie them together into a smooth story’ 🫡 BUT I hope it’s readable either way 👁️ have a good week! 🙂↕️
