Work Text:
Hoseok’s eyes scanned over the crowd in front of him. His forehead glistened with sweat, breathing ragged. He saw thousands of their fans. Some were in tears, some in complete awe, some screaming really hard, and some were standing on the balls of their feet, clutching their gadgets, trying to take as much photos as possible. Hoseok looked around him, the other members were still in their places, hands on their chins, the ending pose of Blood Sweat and Tears.
They were all smiling, oblivious to sweat running down their faces. But one person caught Hoseok’s eye. Taehyung was looking at his feet, trying to catch his breath, his face red. But he regained his composure quickly, flashing his signature boxy smile.
After bowing down at least twice and thanked their fans, they made their way backstage.
They quickly changed out of their sweaty outfits into more comfy ones. Jin and Jungkook were already raiding the table full of snacks in their dressing room.
They had just barely caught their breath when Manajer Sejin walked in, “Guys, we have to go quickly if you want to go home sooner.. You guys have a dance practice right after this,” He said while ushering Jin and Jungkook away from the table, but not before the youngest succeed snatching a banana from the buffet.
“Ugh… okay. Guys let’s go!” Namjoon grunted. He knew he still had a long night ahead, he has to go to the studio with Yoongi after dance practice and work on their new songs. With the comeback just around the corner, they were really busy these days.
They walked quickly towards the awaiting van, Jimin and Jungkook fighting over who’s sitting in the passenger seat. Yoongi took care of that, swiftly walking past them and opening the door, sitting on the front seat.
The two younger sulked and got in the car quietly. With Namjoon, Jimin and Jungkook on the very back row, Hoseok shared the middle row with Seokjin and Taehyung in between them both.
Taehyung was uncharacteristically quiet. He’s folding his hands in front of him, trying to sleep.
“Tae, are you okay? You’re being quiet,” Hoseok whispered in his ear.
Apparently Jin overheard Hoseok, because he asked, “Yeah, are you sick? You don’t look too good.”
Taehyung just shook his head, “No, hyung I’m fine. Just a little tired that’s all.”
“That’s what you get for playing games until 2AM when we have a schedule that day,” Jin sassed in his voice that reminded Hoseok of his mother. He tried not to laugh.
“Ahhh hyunggg.. I didn’t realize it’s already that late.. Me and Kookie were having the most epic battle of all time!” Taehyung groaned and clenched his eyes shut.
He looked like he might be in pain. Hoseok felt bad for him.
“Here, Tae.. There’s traffic in front of us. You can sleep,” Hoseok said while gently moving Tae’s head to his shoulder. The other hummed in delight and started snuggling into Hoseok’s neck.
“Thank you, hyung.”
“Your welcome, taetae”
———————
Taehyung felt like shit. His head was pounding and his throat felt scratchy. He just wants to snuggle in his bed. But they have a dance practice. Right now, they’re on their fourth run of the new dance. The others seemed to have picked up the routine. Especially Hoseok. He looked like he’s ready to perform it right then.
But Taehyung’s struggling. He winced as he felt like something was drilling his head. He always missed a step or not in sync with the others. As he, once again, lose his footing, he groaned. His eyes started getting glossy. He hated this so much. He also felt like burdening the others. Because of him, they had to do it over and over again.
“Okay, guys. That’s it for today. You guys should go home and rest. Good work everyone!” Their choreographer said.
Namjoon let out an over exaggerated groan. Collapsing on the dance room floor.
“I think I’m going to pass out,” He breathed through his nose.
“Uuh.. please don’t. No one would carry you back to the dorm,” Yoongi said while leaning on the mirror.
Jimin got up, fanning his sweatshirt, “Let’s hurry back! I want to shower.. I’m so sweaty.. ugh”
Jin nodded. “Yeah, i have to make dinner as well”
They all stood up and started walking towards the door. Except Taehyung and Hobi.
“Tae? Hyung? You’re not coming?” Jungkook asked.
“No, I want to practice some more. I still can’t get the steps,” Taehyung said.
Hoseok stood up . “I’m not coming too, I want to make some choreo.”
“Okay then, but don’t stay too long! You guys have to get some rest!” There’s Jin again with his mom voice.
“Okay, okay, hyung..” They both said.
—————————————
An hour later, Taehyung was still repeating the dance moves in front of the mirror. He’s so frustrated he can’t get it right. Tears threaten to escape his eyes.
“Hey, hey tae! What’s wrong?”
Taehyung didn’t even realized Hoseok walking across the room.
“No, It’s just.. I still can’t get it right hyung..”
Hoseok started running his hand up and down Tae’s back, calming him.
“Heey.. it’s alright. We still have plenty of time!” He cupped the younger ones’ cheeks. The warmth of the skin surprised him.
“Wait, Tae. You’re burning up!” He moved his hand to Tae’s forehead, and sure enough, the skin felt warm underneath his palm.
“Huh? Really? No wonder why my head hurts like hell..”
Hoseok smacked Taehyung’s head. “Yah! You’re sick and you didn’t tell any of us? What were you thinking?”
“I’m sorry hyung, I thought I’d sleep it off in the car, but it just got worst.”
Hoseok looked at his face. Taehyung’s cheeks had the faintest tint of red, a sign that he’s burning up. He’s smiling but it looked more like a grimace.
He pulled the younger towards the coat rack and grabbed his coat.
“Tae, let’s go. We have to go home so you can get your medicine.”
Taehyung just nodded, feeling ill. “Okay, hyung.”
The walk back to the dorm is too cold. Both of the young men’s breath visible in front of them every time they exhale. The streets were not that crowded. Most of the people already home and probably getting ready to sleep.
Hoseok was already imagining his warm bed, the thought of sleeping underneath the soft and warm covers so inviting that he didn’t realize Taehyung stopped walking a couple steps behind him.
Taehyung was holding his head. Body hunched over like he’s trying to curl into himself right there on the sidewalk. Hoseok hurriedly ran over to him.
“Hyung, my head hurts so much,” Tae looked up, his eyes glassy.
Hoseok panicked. It’s obvious the younger had gotten sicker, probably because of the cold.
He quickly took off his coat and draped it over Taehyung’s shoulder.
Hoseok kneeled down on the concrete. Motioning for Tae to get on his back.
“Hyung, what the hell? I’m heavy and our dorm is still quite far”
Hoseok sighed, “Tae, just do it. You’ll pass out if you keep walking”
The younger had no choice but to comply. He softly put his arms around Hobi’s neck, resting his cheek on his hyung’s shoulder. Hoseok grabbed his thighs and stood up. It’s colder now without his coat, but Tae’s fever made it feel like he’s wearing a heat pack all over his back. He huffed, he can already imagine Jin’s speech about getting sick near comeback.
“H-hyung, just tell me if you’re tired… I can walk by myself,” Taehyung mumbled.
The elder just agreed. Taehyung would fall asleep any minutes now, tho. His slurred talking convinced him so. “Alright, just try to sleep, okay? It’ll help with your headache,”
“Okay hyung…” He said while nuzzling his head between Hoseok’s shoulder and neck.
Just a couple minutes later, Hoseok heard Taehyung’s breath getting slower and his arms falling from around his neck. “He finally passed out…” Hoseok thought.
He saw the dorm building getting closer and closer. Hoseok quickly running to the lobby. The warm air from the heater developed them both. He sighed in content. He pushed the elevator button and walked in. From the mirror, Taehyung looked like a little boy. Slumped against his shoulder, his cheek squished while his bangs covered his eyes.
They arrived in front of their door. “Oh shit, i can’t even get my keys..” Hoseok mumbled to himself. He repeatedly pressed the bell with his knuckles. He hoped someone was still awake in this hour.
The door handle jiggled and Jin’s messy hair appeared in front of them. “Yah! I told you two not to stay until late!,” His expression changed when he saw Taehyung. “What happened?”
“I think he’s sick, hyung. His head hurts and he’s burning up.” Hoseok said while walking in.
“Oh no. Please bring him to your room, seok-ah. I’m going to make tea for him and grab his medicine real quick.” Seokjin already fussed, quickly boiling some water.
Hoseok walked to his shared room with Taehyung and Jimin. The latter was not in his bed. Probably crashing in Jungkook or Yoongi’s room. He placed Taehyung on his bed, taking off his shoes and socks.
The younger hummed in delight as his body finally touched the warm bed. Burying his head into the pillows.
Hoseok tapped his cheek. “Taehyung, wake up for a second. You have to eat your medicine, then you can sleep.” Right in that moment, Jin walked in, carrying a tray filled with a cup of tea and Tae’s medicine.
Hoseok helped Taehyung sit on the bed. He put his hand on Taehyung’s head while the younger cupped the hot tea in his hand and finished it in almost one go. He also helped Jin giving the younger his medicine.
After that, Hoseok helped Taehyung lie down again. Tae already felt a little better. The warm tea helped a lot.
Jin put the covers on top of Tae’s shivering body. “Call me if something happened,” He said while walking out of the room and shutting the door.
Hoseok was about to walk off to his own bed until a hand shot up from under the covers, grabbing his hand.
“Hyung… I can’t sleep. My head still hurts,” Tae croaked out.
Hoseok quietly sighed and walked around the bed. He got under the covers and scooted closer to Taehyung. He started patting the younger’s head softly, fingers buried under the blonde hair. Taehyung hummed in content and sneaked his arm to pull his hyung closer, burrying his face in Hoseok’s neck.
The older hugged him close, rounding his hand around the younger’s head while still patting his head. He dropped a few pecks on the top of his dongsaeng’s head, feeling the warmth under his lips.
Suddenly Taehyung turned his head from Hobi's neck to look at the latter in the eyes. “Thank you, hyung. You carried me so far.. Did your back hurt?” The younger said softly, feeling guilty for making his hyung walk the rest of their trip back home with him on his back.
“No problem, tae tae. It was nothing. I’d carry you to the moon and back if you need me to!” Hoseok said, over exaggerating while pinching Tae’s cheek. Taehyung giggled quietly.
Hoseok went back to caressing his hair. “You should sleep, it’s late.”
The warmth that surrounded him, added by the hand running through his hair only made his eyes felt ten times more heavy. He had no other choice but let sleep take over him.
“Okay… I love you Hoseokie-hyung,” Taehyung said, his big brown eyes looking sleepily at his beloved hyung.
Hoseok’s heart melted at the sight.
“I love you too kiddo.. sleep well..” He said while pulling the younger deeper into his arms. They both fall into deep sleep in seconds.
The next morning, Hoseok woke up because of the harsh sunlight shining down his face. He must’ve forgot to close the curtains. He groaned out loud and tried to stretch but failed because two strong arms holding him in his place.
He looked down. Taehyung that was still sleeping peacefully got startled by the sudden move. His eyes opened, revealing the big brown eyes, glancing sleepily back at Hoseok. He grunted, shoving his head into Hoseok’s chest, not wanting to wake up yet.
But Jimin chose that exact moment to come barging through the door. “Wake up sleepyheads!!! We have lots of things to do today!” He said while banging the door and left as quickly as he arrived to wake up the other members, well, most likely Yoongi.
Hoseok looked down, swiping the bangs that fell over Taehyung’s face. “Are you feeling better?”
Taehyung sat up and stretched, looking back at Hoseok. “Yeah, hyung. A lot better. Thank you so much for taking care of me,” He said while smiling his signature smile at the other boy.
“Ahhh, there it is.” Hoseok thought. His favourite boxy smile. Everyone always say Hoseok is the sunshine of the group, but to him, Taehyung’s smile is the only one that never fails to cheer him up. It’s just contagious. He couldn’t help but smile back.
“We still have 10 minutes left. Let’s go back to sleep!” He said while pulling Taehyung into his arms. Taehyung giggled out loud and snuggled into his chest. I mean, who can say no to cuddles?