Fluffy SKZ oneshots🧸

Cotton Candy🌡️❄️

Sickie: Changbin

Caregivers: Stray Kids

No one's POV.:

Over the course of the past weeks, Stray Kids had been buried knee-deep in work, trying to get as much done as possible before being off for the holidays. Most of the time, the subunits had separate schedules, not seeing each other till late at night at their dorm. Which was also why most members were entirely oblivious to the cold Changbin had been coming down with over the course of a week. Chan and Jisung didn't really notice it either because it had been progressing so slowly in front of their eyes that the change almost seemed invisible. Sure, their friend was a bit sniffly but he had been sniffly for a while and still seemed okay. Changbin himself hadn't considered his cold as too bad either. Yeah, he was a bit stuffed up and his nose running constantly but that was it, well, aside from the headache and fatigue. He wasn't sure whether he was running a fever at all but also didn't bother to check. What difference would it make anyway? Surely, he would be fine if he just made small changes to his lifestyle, like getting himself a cup of tea when the trio went out to get coffee. Changbin wore a scarf pretty much the entire time, brushing it off as part of his outfit, when in reality, his throat felt swollen and dry. It was just a cold though and pass in time, he just had to take extra care of himself.

While the changes had been too slow for Chan and Jisung to notice, the contrast was a lot stronger to the members who hadn't witnessed his cold progressing. The group had a day of recording and for once, all of them were reunited at work. Felix was the first to notice how tiredly the older melted into his hug but didn't comment on it. Changbin was a lot more withdrawn than he usually would be, not reacting to any of the teasing he was subjected to, which was a major red flag to most of his friends. When he ended up speaking, his voice was quieter than normal and though it didn't sound as scratchy as it felt to Changbin himself, it did sound reluctant, like he was choosing exactly what to say, so he wouldn't end up talking more than he really had to. While most of the members had taken a seat on the couch and 3racha in the producer seats, Felix made himself comfortable on Changbin's lap. The older was more than grateful for the extra warmth as he had felt a bit chilled the past few days. Sitting so close to his hyung, the young Aussie could hear every tiny sniffle, getting more concerned as the hours passed.

When Chan gave Seungmin instructions for his recording, Felix whispered: "You feeling alright, Binnie-hyung?" He didn't look at Changbin's face, instead focusing on his scarf as he worked to tuck it in properly, so that not even the smallest spots of his neck were exposed. "Caught a bit of a runny nose recently, nothing serious though", the rapper hummed, closing his eyes as he rested his forehead against his dongsaeng's shoulder. "Does that mean extra cuddles?", Felix pouted, petting the other's head. The soft action brought a smile to Changbin's face and he chuckled: "I really don't want to give you my cold but I'd love to have some cuddles." The younger didn't answer him verbally but instead cuddled back into his chest, watching Seungmin get ready to record.

As the day progressed, Changbin felt progressively worse. Soon he wasn't able to breathe through his nose in the slightest, his hearing muffled by the thick congestion. Which was also when all of the members caught on. They often had to call Changbin's name multiple times to get his attention, his voice quiet and nasal-sounding. He could see Chan open his mouth to say something to him but closed it again to wait as his dongsaeng turned away to cough into the crook of his arm. "You feeling alright, mate? How did I just notice now, how awful you look", the leader tried again, when the other looked back at him. Clearing his throat, Changbin sniffled: "I'b okay, jus' stuffy." With a sympathetic wince, Chan brushed his fingers against his donsaeng's forehead, humming: "Not feverish but certainly warmer than you should be." - 'Welp, that at least explains the headache', Changbin thought to himself. Rubbing his face, he tried to bring his focus back to his work but every sense felt dulled. He didn't even notice how a few of the members left to get coffee for everyone. The only thing the rapper did notice, was that Felix was gone from his lap and with him the soothing warmth that had gotten Changbin through the morning.