Hello, Hello (Tell Me What You Want Right Now)

Jeongguk VI

Jeongguk has been awake for a little while now. He still seems so tired, Hoseok can tell by the bags under his eyes and the downward turn of his lips, but the younger refuses to go back to sleep.

So Hoseok makes him drink water, makes him eat some instant ramen (of which he actually eats two servings of because his body has burned so much energy). Jeongguk is still too weak to stand in the shower, so Hoseok wipes him down with another damp cloth. But Jeongguk keeps complaining about his stomach. He's not nauseous he says, but there's a deep pain isolated there that doesn't go away with pills, hot packs, ice packs, or massages. Hoseok has his suspicions but keeps them to himself. There's no use in speculating.

He still hasn't started producing a scent but that's not completely unusual. From his experiences in the past Hoseok knows that most people don't until the last day of their change, and then it fully develops in the week or so after that.

They're sitting side by side on Hoseok's bed, Jeongguk resting his head on the Beta's shoulder. Hoseok has been scrolling through Twitter mindlessly, Jeongguk just kind of staring into middle distance, too tired and weak to focus on anything. The younger suddenly groans and Hoseok looks down on him in question.

"Why is this taking so long?" Jeongguk whines.

Hoseok laughs. "Ggukie, it hasn't even been a full day. You've got another couple ahead of you, at least."

He sees Jeongguk start to pout a little. "What about all those days I wasn't feeling well, and when I got those headaches? I've waited so long for this. I just want it to happen."

"It is happening." Hoseok stresses but Jeongguk is still upset. Hoseok locks his phone and sets it down, thinking about how to cheer poor Jeongguk up. He suddenly gets an idea. "Hey, you wanna go over to Tae's bed? His scent will still be there. You can see what your best friend smells like."

Jeongguk perks up immediately, trying to haul himself off the bed on shaky muscles. Hoseok steadies him, standing up with him and wrapping an arm around his waist to make sure he doesn't topple over. They make it Taehyung's bed and plop down, but Jeongguk doesn't seem sure on what to do. So Hoseok grabs the Omega's pillow, fluffing it a little before handing it to Jeongguk. Jeongguk holds it softly, staring at it, before looking at Hoseok again. Hoseok gives him an encouraging smile.

Jeongguk lifts the pillow to his nose and sniffs lightly. He makes a curious noise before shoving his face into it. Hoseok bites back a laugh. Jeongguk hums, scenting deeply. "What do you smell?" Hoseok asks.

"You already know what Tae smells like." Jeongguk says, voice muffled.

"Yeah, I know. Still want to hear you say it."

Jeongguk ponders for a moment. "It's really sweet." He says. "Like...like those caramel candies, but warmer. And...and like vanilla beans."

Hoseok makes an approving noise, smiling even though Jeongguk can't see it. He places a hand on Jeongguk's shoulder. "You wanna see what the others smell like?"

Jeongguk's head pops up. "Y-yeah...yeah, but I don't think I can make it to their rooms." He looks so sad.

Hoseok starts to stand. "Wait here. I'll be right back." Jeongguk nods and Hoseok leaves the room. He goes to Jimin and Yoongi's room across the hall first, quickly grabbing their pillows before leaving again. He does the same in Jin and Namjoon's room. He comes back, arms full of four fluffy pillows. He sits down with them and hands Jeongguk Jimin's pillow first. "This is Jiminie's." He explains.

Jeongguk sets Tae's pillow to the side, almost reluctantly. He lifts Jimin's pillow to his nose. "Blueberries." he murmurs after a moment. "And strawberries and...Goji, maybe?" He sniffs deeper. "There's something else there, too."