Fluffy SKZ Oneshots EP.2🧸

Late night talks🌡

Sickie: Hyunjin

Caregiver: Changbin

No one's POV.:

Hyunjin knew that the flu was serious. The rational part of his brain knew, at least. Still after being sidelined for almost two weeks, he couldn't wait to get back to work. Sure, he still felt weak and sore, two weeks of just lying around, not moving further than between couch and bed did that to anyone but overall, he felt better. His fever had broken three days ago and the pounding headache had vanished along with it. The lingering cough was to be expected, so Hyunjin didn't mind it too much. It was mainly annoying, not shredding his throat anymore like it had a week ago and while his friends kept shooting him worried glances whenever his breath caught in his throat, Hyunjin brushed them off. He was fine now.

Changbin had strongly objected his friend returning to work already and was glad that Chan had his back on that too but their dongsaeng was an adult and he didn't have a fever anymore, so there was little they could do to stop Hyunjin and the company from having him return. While all of Stray Kids knew that the flu would result in a slow recovery time, only Changbin knew how affected Hyunjin still was. He may have been able to hide it while at work but Changbin witnessed the nightly coughing fits echoing through their shared apartment that kept both of them up for most of the night.

Though Minho masked it quickly, Changbin caught the frown when the dancer noticed Hyunjin's red eyes. "Don't you think a full evening of dancing is a bit to early?", Felix hummed, pointing out what his hyungs were thinking, "You only just got over your fever a couple days ago and honestly, you still look sick." Ruffling the Aussie's hair, Hyunjin smiled: "I feel fine and maybe just getting my blood pumping again is just what I need to look like myself again. Besides my individual schedules today have been chill and I haven't strained myself at all, so I got some energy to spare." Minho and Changbin exchanged a look at that, the rapper discreetly shaking his head. "He barely slept, please keep an eye on him, hyung", Changbin whispered for only Minho to hear. The second oldest giving a faint nod, trying to disperse his friend's worries because he knew the rapper wouldn't be able to focus on his work if he worried about Huynjin.

Everything seemed to go well for the first hour or so, mainly because Minho and Felix made sure to ease into their practice session gently, taking longer to warm up and stretch properly. Still as soon as they started to increase the intensity, Hyunjin started to lose his breath immediately. "Sit!", Minho ordered, hands on his dongsaeng's shoulders as the younger coughed, the sounds still wet and painful. Plopping down next to Hyunjin, Felix handed the other his water bottle, a worried pout on his lips. As he watched the older struggle to catch his breath enough, so he'd be able to take a sip, the Aussie mumbled: "You're not ready to dance again yet, hyung." – "Agreed, you'll make yourself a whole lot worse if you start pushing yourself too early", Minho noted, relieved that the cough finally tapered off once Hyunjin had managed to drink some water.

Draping the boy's hoodie around his shoulders, Minho offered: "Do you want me to call Changbin to take you home? You will not continue to dance under my watch, so that's that." The tense crease on Felix forehead melted away at that announcement, the Aussie gently rubbing Hyunjin's back. He could see the shock in his friend's eyes but was grateful for Minho speaking a word of power. "I-I can continue", Hyunjin argued though there was barely any fight left in his red eyes, "Jus' -jus' let me try again." – "No!", Minho and Felix denied in unison, the older already reaching for his phone.

Tears pricked at Hyunjin's eyes as Minho disappeared to call Changbin. Draping an arm around his friend's shoulders, Felix smiled: "A couple more days, yeah? You'll be fine to dance again soon but if you push yourself too early, you'll get sidelined much longer." – "I-I know.... Jus' it's been so-so long already", Hyunjin sniffled, voice wavering a little. Gently nudging the water bottle in his hand, Felix wordlessly encouraged the older to have some more water. It was impressive really how much he had sweat already, so the Aussie wouldn't let hi leave before finishing the remainder of his water.