Stay Strong Seventeen

Vernon

"Oh come here, you're shivering"
Joshua opened his arms to hug Vernon, the younger immediately leaned into the older's warmth taking in his comfortable embrace and enjoying the little pats on his back.

"You did well today Ver, it really was a long day, let's get you warm and cozy"

Vernon nodded,

Vernon isn't usually a touchy or a snuggly guy but tonight was a little rough and he could use some warmth.
He flopped on the sofa and thanked Joshua who hurried to cover him up tightly with the first duvet he could find while Vernon was still shivering.

It was freezing cold outside and the younger had to go for back to back shootings in the woods and in the water, it was just exhausting not to mention so damn cold.

He let himself sink into the sofa not able to move, he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow and couldn't pick himself up ever since.

"Vernon?" He heard his name being called and tried to wake up "Nonnie, maybe you should go and sleep inside you'll get a sore back later"

Jeonghan tried to wake him up but the younger didn't seem to have it in him to move.

"Come on Kiddo wake up" Jeonghan shook him, gently riffling his hair "You're warm Vernon are you okay? I won't blame you if you get sick after today honestly" Jeonghan got a little worried now that Vernon wasn't responding to him.

"Hey" Jeonghan continued to brush Vernon's cheeks for a bit, scanning him carefully, "I don't think you're okay buddy" he muttered to himself before looking around to find Joshua.

There wasn't many people around, Seungkwan and Woozi were inside their shared bedrooms and the others had different schedules planned. The apartment was warm and quiet, Joshua was cooking in the kitchen and it smelled nice but Jeonghan was a little concerned.

"Shua I don't think Vernon is okay"

Jeonghan mentioned the moment the other walked out of the kitchen. Joshua put the tray down on the table and joined Jeonghan kneeling down in front of Vernon who was still sleeping. He pressed his palm against the younger's forehead and felt the heat that's already radiating from him indicating nothing but a long night ahead.

Vernon shifted, but still was unable to wake up. He opened his eyes to glance at Joshua for the moment and the older looked a little concerned

"Are you okay? How are you feeling?"

"Everything hurts" Vernon mumbled

"It might hurt more if you stay here, how about we take you inside so you can lay down on your bed? Get you some painkillers? I Stay with you for the night"

Vernon nodded and tried to sit up with Joshua and Jeonghan's help. He slowly made it to his bed feeling nothing but sore and tired. He finally laid down properly and immediately sunk into the mattress, his muscles felt like rocks and his head was fuzzy not able to listen to what the older two were trying to tell him.

He closed his eyes and felt his heart beating in his ears ... it all just felt so weird.

"I'll get you some dinner" Joshua said softly covering Vernon tight with his blanket and Jeonghan sat by his side until Joshua came back. Vernon didn't have the energy to eat, he couldn't wait to just hit the pillow again and just to go to sleep. He gratefully took the painkillers Jeonghan offered him and immediately surrendered to the uncontrollable blackout that took over him.

Jeonghan stayed for a while with him, but Vernon simply seemed to be sleeping, he didn't seem to be showing any greater symptoms so he left a while later to let him get some rest.