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Minghao couldn’t sleep. He’d felt weird and bloated since dinner, but now that he was trying to sleep, the feeling had turned into more of a dull ache. Which then morphed into this almost paralyzing Nausea.
Minghao was scared. He’d only been in Korea for about a month, could barely understand or speak much Korean, and he surely could not explain to any of them that he felt sick. He knew he could talk to Junhui but his bed was hard to reach. Jeonghan would probably be okay, but they didn’t speak the same language.
Minghao couldn’t dwell on it any longer as suddenly his stomach lurched. He quickly scampered across the dorm to the bathroom, one hand clamped over his mouth as he tried to get to the toilet in time. He barely managed to close the door and collapse in front of the toilet before a wave of his meager dinner launched up his throat and splashed into the toilet.
He leaned against the wall and stared wide eyed at the toilet. There was a little bit of light coming from an embedded night light, and it was enough for him to see that the water had turned murky. He couldn't deny why just happened, and his stomach still churned beneath his palm.
It didn't help that he was terrified. Not because he was sick, but of the other's reactions. None of them had been sick since he joined the company and he didn't know what to do.
Silent tears ran down his cheeks as he felt utterly alone. None of the other twelve members heard him or went to check on him. They were all fast asleep... like he should be... but instead he was trying not throw up again.
All he could do was sit there miserably, burping up occasionally mouthfuls of sick. It burned his throat and was so gross. The worst part of it all was there was no one there to run his back or whisper in his ear like his parents used to. He was still one of thirteen, but there was no one.
He was sick. And alone.. in a foreign country. One he’d only been in for a few weeks.
He felt awful and so alone. Maybe if he could just get his Jeonghan Hyung it wouldn’t be so bad. He just felt so sick and so so so alone. He was scared, yes. Especially of their reactions, but he couldn’t figure out what to say.
Before he could talk himself out of it, he stood up and made his way to Jeonghan’s bed, crying quietly. Once he got there he tapped him on the shoulder, trying to be as quiet as possible. Jeonghan hummed sleepily, blinking his eyes open.
“Hyungie.” Minghao whispered.
“What’s~~~~~baby?” Jeonghan asked, looking over at him.
“Hurts.” Minghao said, sniffling, holding his stomach.
“What hurts?” Jeonghan asked softly, brushing his hair out of his face
Minghao took his hand and placed it on his aching tummy.
“Oh Hao.” Jeonghan said sadly, probably feeling it rumble beneath his fingertips.
“I need bathroom.” Minghao said as the nausea rode again, tugging at Jeonghan’s sleeve.
Seungkwan stirred as Jeonghan sat up as they had fallen asleep cuddling. Jeonghan pat his leg and mumbled something in Korean, something about Minghao, Jun and Bathroom. Seungkwan seemed to agree and Jeonghan led Minghao back into the bathroom.
Minghao immediately kneeled in front of the toilet again, the smell from his earlier session making him gag. Jeonghan stood beside him, rubbing his back and murmuring things in Korean. He felt safe.
Minghao gagged and retched fitfully, unable to get anything up. He knew there was more in him, but nothing seemed to come up. Until it did. A gush of sick splattered loudly against the toilet water. It was only then that the embarrassment hit. Tearing up, he hid his face in his hands, not caring to wipe his lips off.
“Come here, baby.” Jeonghan said softly, sitting beside him.
Minghao dove into his arms, his tears turning into sobs. Jeonghan wrapped his arms around him, one hand on his back while the other massaged his neck. Jeonghan murmured phrases in Korean that he couldn’t quite decipher. But they were still comforting.
Minghao could hear the door open again, and someone flushing the toilet. There was another hand on his back and Minghao could hear Jun speaking softly.
“What’s wrong, Hao?” Jun asked in Chinese.
“My stomach hurts… I couldn’t stop throwing up. I was scared, so I got Jeonghan.” Minghao admitted.
“Oh HaoHao.” Jun cooed, feeling his forehead, as he still sat in Jeonghan’s lap.
“You’re warm.” Jun frowned, before turning to Jeonghan and speaking in Korean.
“My ~~~~ baby.” Jeonghan cooed, pressing a kiss to his temple, before saying something else Minghao couldn’t decipher.
“Ge assumed it was something like that. Do you need anything in particular?” Jun asked.
“What’s sick in Korean?” Minghao asked, looking at Jun, who told him.
“Don’t like being sick.” Minghao said sadly, looking at Jeonghan who cooed and wiped his tears.
“How long have you been up?” Junhui asked him.
“I don’t know. A few hours maybe? I don’t know. I felt really lonely.”
“It’s okay to not know.” Junhui said before translating.
Jeonghan chuckled, and murmured something about cuddles before going back and forth with Junhui for a bit.
“Ge. I’m feeling sick again..” Minghao warned Jun, his voice wavering.
“Are you going to puke?” Junhui replied.
Minghao nodded, a shiver going down his spine as his mouth started to water.
“What’s going on?” Jeonghan asked, getting a reply from Jun.
Jeonghan unwrapped his arms, and let Minghao escape. He said something that Minghao couldn’t understand but it seemed to be directed at Jun anyway. He got over the toilet just in time to let out a watery stream of sick.
His eyes watered again as Jeonghan gently rubbed his back, gently murmuring more words he couldn’t decipher, but sounded comforting. He threw up again, gripping the toilet seat as it continued to burn his throat.
He sunk into Jeonghan’s waiting arms, completely spent. Jeonghan wiped his face off with a damp cloth. He had no idea where it came from but he didn’t care. It felt nice.
“How do you feel now?” Jeonghan asked
“Sick.” Minghao responded.
Jeonghan pressed a kiss to the top of his head, pulling him back into a hug. His stomach felt slightly more settled, and the exhaustion was starting to take over.
“I think I’m ready to go back to bed.” Minghao told Jun, who translated.
“How’s Hao Hyungie?” Seungkwan asked, peering into the bathroom.
“He’s pretty sick. But he’ll be okay.” Jun said, glancing at him.
“Can I hug him too? He looks so sad.” Seungkwan pouted.
“If he agrees.” Jun responded.
“Hyungie? Can I give you a hug?” Seungkwan asked.
Minghao was mildly surprised that he understood the exchange. He nodded and opened his arms for Seungkwan. Seungkwan ran towards him and gave him a big hug.
“You understood?!” Seungkwan said with an excited squeal.
Minghao hummed in reply, as the vocalist almost vibrated with delight.
“Thanks Kwannie. Yes I understood.” Minghao said, as Seungkwan pulled alway.
“Hao’s getting better at Korean!” Seungkwan said, a bit too excited considering the time and circumstances but it made him smile.
“Vernon is in your bed by the way, Hyung. I kicked him off the couch.” Seungkwan told Jeonghan and Jun automatically translated.
Vernon didn’t exactly have a bunk. When Minghao joined, there were only bunks for twelve so someone had to sleep on a mattress on the floor. Minghao wasn’t quite sure how Vernon became the displaced one. But he was. Maybe because he was the most easy going, or the fact that he could and would just sleep anywhere and it wouldn't affect him. Although he had a mattress, he was often found asleep on the couch or someone else's bed if it was empty.
“Here’s some water to rinse your mouth.” Jun said handing him a cup.
Minghao took it from him and thoroughly rinsed his mouth, handing the cup back to Jun before flushing again.
“Which toothbrush is yours?” Jun asked.
“The blue one.” Minghao responded
“Hao, there’s four blue ones.” Jun sighed
“The light blue one.” Minghao replied
“That narrows it down to three.” Jun said, holding them up.
“The one on the left. It has a Chinese brand name on it.”
“Oh. Huh. Just remind me to never buy a blue toothbrush.” Jun mumbled, putting toothpaste on it and handing it to Minghao.
“Whose is this?” Jun said in Korean pulled out a new-looking pink and purple toothbrush that had butterflies on it.
“Mine. So I know it’s mine.” Jeonghan shrugged.
Minghao stood up to spit the excess in the sink, rinsing again before tossing the toothbrush back in the drawer.
“Ready for bed?” Jun asked softly, ruffling his hair.
“Will Hyung stay with me?” Minghao asked quietly, pouting as he looked at Jeonghan.
“Of course, love. Pretty sure Vernon’s on my bed anyway.” Jeonghan replied.
Jeonghan led him to the couch, Seungkwan seemed to have already thought ahead and took off the top cushions, and laying a blanket down. He’d taken Minghao’s pillow and placed on one side, and his blanket as well. Seungkwan came back in with a small bucket and placed it beside the bed.
“Hug?” Minghao asked.
Seungkwan’s tired face lit up as he pulled him into a gentle hug.
“Thank you Kwannie.” Minghao pulled away.
“Always. I love you Minghao.” Seungkwan replied, helping him under his covers.
“I love you too.” Minghao responded, squeezing his hand.
It was a tight squeeze with him and Jeonghan on the couch, but Minghao didn’t mind. Jun turned out the light and headed to his own bed, Seungkwan trailing behind him. Jeonghan started to rub his belly, allowing Minghao to sink into his embrace.
Although it had only been about a month since he met these people, he knew they’d have a strong connection. He hoped… no he knew they’d be something one day. But for now he was contempt laying in Jeonghan’s arms with his belly being rubbed. He had so much to say but not enough words.
“Hyungie?” Minghao asked hesitantly, breaking the silence.
“Yes, baby?” Jeonghan replied.
“I love you.” Minghao responded.
“I love you too. Get some sleep.” Jeonghan nuzzled his hair.