Work Text:
---
The fabric of Jungkook's shirt feels rough against his skin, the material seems too tight, too close. He's warm, too warm, a sticky clamminess beneath his clothes that has him shifting uncomfortably in his seat. It's odd, a weird feeling beneath his skin, like it's suddenly too small and restrictive. Running a hand through his hair, Jungkook tries to refocus on his work, but the database seems to blur on the screen.
He pauses, hands poised above his keyboard, when he hears footsteps coming toward his little corner of the office. Bracing himself, Jungkook prepares for a stern word from his boss. This project has been overwhelming and while he's not necessarily behind schedule, he's not ahead of it either. This isn't what he needs right now. Right now he needs -
Yoongi.
When Jungkook turns his head, it's not his boss closing the distance, it's Yoongi. Yoongi who is carrying a tote bag and smiling. He gives a small wave and then he's beside him.
"Hyung? What are you doing here?"
Yoongi leans in and presses a quick kiss to his cheek, soft and warm, it makes butterflies swoop low in his belly. "I brought you lunch."
Jungkook can feel himself blushing. The fact that Yoongi took his own lunch break to come and bring Jungkook a homemade meal makes him feel even warmer. Yoongi works from home, so it’s not like he can’t mostly make his own schedule, but he took time out of his day just to make him feel a little loved. After nearly a year, Jungkook thinks that things like this shouldn't affect him so much.
"You didn't have to do that, hyung. I could have gotten takeout."
"I wanted to, baby," he assures him. "I missed you."
Willing the blush from his cheeks, Jungkook decides to tease instead of melting completely on the spot. "You'll see me tonight for date night, hyung. That's in just a few hours."
"Eight, right?" He grins, cocking his hip against the corner of Jungkook's desk. "I think Joonie has a timer set, he can't wait to see you, we can't. We both miss you."
The guilt shouldn't come, but it does, just a little. Jungkook has been busy lately with work, this project making him feel a little manic. He's had much less time to see his boyfriends than he'd like. Sometimes he feels a little envious, they already live together and he lives alone. They can see each other every day, spend time together and fall asleep wrapped in each other's arms. They always ask him to spend the night, want him to stay over and cuddle. Sometimes he stays, but he declines more than he'd really like to. He just can’t help but feel - a little weird about it. Feeling a little flighty if Yoongi brings up him moving in, feeling a little anxious spending the night. It's hard for him, especially when they -
"You okay baby?" Yoongi's voice, gentle with concern, breaks him from his thoughts. "You look a little flushed."
Clearing his throat, Jungkook nods and smiles, though he's not sure how real it looks. "I'm just a little warm."
Yoongi studies him for a moment but seems to accept it. "Do you have time to sit for a bit?"
"Yeah, we can eat in the breakroom." A treat, to take a little time to sit together and eat, Yoongi smiling as Jungkook eats.
They sit together at the little table in the breakroom of Jungkook's office. They're across from each other but Yoongi is leaning forward, as if he needs to get closer. His legs are crossed and the foot of his crossed leg is pressed to Jungkook's calf, feeling the comfort of his presence. Yoongi's talking about a new project he's working on for a client, how demanding they're being about edits.
"They don't know what they're talking about, Kook-ah," Yoongi declares, shaking his head mournfully. "They'll ruin everything if they're not careful."
Jungkook smiles at his hyung's sour expression. "I'm sure you can steer them in the right direction, Yoongi hyung."
"How's your project going, baby?"
Shrugging, Jungkook pushes his noodles around with his chopsticks. "It's a lot of work, but it's coming along." Slowly but surely, just not fast enough for his boss' liking. "I'm ready for it to be over."
Yoongi makes a sympathetic sound and nods. They talk for a few more minutes, Yoongi reducing Jungkook to giggles with a story about Namjoon losing his glasses on his head. "It's becoming a weekly occurrence, I swear. He wanted to call you, Kook-ah," Yoongi shares, as if imparting a secret.
"Me?" Jungkook asks in disbelief. "Why me?"
Yoongi chuckles, nose scrunching and shoulders lifting, Jungkook smiles as he watches him wiggle a little. "He thought he must have left them at your apartment."
Their smiles slip and a faintly uncomfortable silence washes over them at the mention of Jungkook's apartment. Yoongi doesn't push, doesn't pressure, but he's made it clear how he feels about Jungkook not wanting to move in. Yoongi gets that look on his face, that look that means he feels bad for bringing it up in a roundabout way. But it also says I wish you would just give in. But he won't say it. And Yoongi is quick to push it away, shake himself off, and smile again.
"Do you want to sleep over later?" he asks hopefully, changing the subject.
Jungkook hedges. He does, he would like to sleep over. He loves curling up on soft sheets with his boyfriends, pressed between them or with Yoongi in the middle, nuzzled into his chest while Namjoon holds both of them. But... but he doesn't feel like himself. He's not sure what it is, but he feels warm and itchy and kind of strangely tingly. The amazing lunch Yoongi packed him tastes like sand in his mouth, each bite a lead weight in his stomach. He feels a little queasy.
"Maybe," he says finally, ignoring the way Yoongi's smile dips at the corners. "I may have to be up early, might have to come into the office."
"Of course," Yoongi says easily, though Jungkook can hear the hurt in his voice, see it in his face. "Just don't work too hard, baby." He stands and makes his way around the table, dropping a kiss to the crown of Jungkook's head and squeezing his shoulder. "I have a phone meeting so I need to get back. See you tonight?"
Jungkook nods, fighting down a wave of nausea. "Yeah, of course, hyung." Yoongi looks a little hesitant, like he wants to say something else, so Jungkook lifts a hand, squeezes Yoongi's fingers on his shoulder. "I love you."
The furrow between Yoongi's brows smooths and he smiles, sweet and toothy. "I love you too. Namjoon and I both do."
Jungkook watches him leave, watches Yoongi's retreating figure as he heads for the bank of elevators along the wall outside the breakroom. His stomach roils and he pushes away the container of food in front of him. As the elevator doors close and Yoongi disappears from view, Jungkook's head begins to pound.
---
"Stop pouting," Namjoon says softly, reaching up to tap Yoongi's jutting bottom lip with his index finger. "I'm disappointed too but you can't change it by pouting."
Huffing, Yoongi leans into his side on the couch, dropping his head onto Namjoon's shoulder. "He said he was coming."
Namjoon sighs and leans his head against Yoongi's, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "I know, hyung, I miss him too. We could go over there, maybe surprise him?"
Jungkook had texted a little after seven, saying something had come up with work and he wouldn't be able to come over. Date night cancelled, Namjoon and Yoongi left alone. Which was fine, of course, they're happy together, but it's not as good without Jungkook next to them. They've been moping ever since, Yoongi packing away the dinner he had cooked to eat ice cream straight from the container while Namjoon watched, accepting bites from his spoon.
"We have to respect his boundaries," Yoongi murmurs. Jungkook has been clear with them, and even though it hurts when it feels like he’s sometimes keeping them at arm’s length, they try to be good about it. They've tried to talk about it before, tried to puzzle out what makes Jungkook clam up, but it's never gone well.
Namjoon studies him. "You're acting weird as well. Did something happen today?"
"He's just been so busy lately and -" Yoongi cuts off and fists his hands in his lap.
"And what?" Namjoon prompts, sitting up a little straighter and turning so he can see Yoongi's face in profile, see his unhappy expression.
Yoongi nibbles on his bottom lip before responding, eyes fixed on his lap. "Do you think he's avoiding us?"
"Why would he do that?" Namjoon squints at him.
Yoongi shrugs. "He seemed a little out of it and a little flushed, maybe he’s stressed. He has a big project he’s working on..." he trails off and Namjoon knows there's more.
"Did something happen?" he repeats.
With a defeated sigh, Yoongi tips his head back against the couch. "I fucked up," he says plainly. "I did the thing again. I wasn't even trying to, it wasn't supposed to -” He cuts off, runs a hand through his blonde hair. "The apartment thing, it wasn't even about it but it - it got awkward. He got that look again, Joon-ah."
They both know the look, where Jungkook's eyes widen and then shutter, his entire face closing in, going carefully blank.
"I know I messed up," Yoongi continues. "I honestly wasn't trying to do anything, I was telling him about your glasses and I mentioned how you thought you left them there."
Namjoon hums and squeezes Yoongi's shoulder gently. "I'm sure he knew it was just part of the story. Why do you think he was upset?"
"I asked him to stay over tonight and he seemed like he didn't want to..."
"Did he actually say he didn't want to?"
Yoongi huffs. "Stop poking holes in everything I say, he said he might have to work."
"You didn't do anything wrong," Namjoon insists, pressing a kiss to Yoongi’s temple. "You know Jungkook is busy and he's slow to open up about how he's feeling. Give him some space to get his project done."
Maybe he's pushing Jungkook too hard, pushing his boundaries when he doesn't mean to. Yoongi is sure it's his fault that Jungkook cancelled. Namjoon is right, Jungkook has always been slower to open up about his feelings. He's shy and quiet, never wanting to burden anyone with how he's feeling. They’ve been dating him for almost a year, Namjoon and Yoongi having been together for two years prior to that. The getting together had been tricky, Jungkook not believing that they were both interested in him when they already had each other.
Namjoon had met him first, the two of them randomly striking up a conversation at their shared gym. Yoongi had been surprised and a little wary when Namjoon had gotten home that day and told him about his new friend. The way Namjoon had spoken about him, with pink cheeks and wide, sparkling eyes, had made Yoongi feel a little jealous. Did Namjoon talk about him like that? Did whoever this guy was that Namjoon seemed so smitten with know he had a boyfriend?
It got worse from there, Namjoon coming home each day to tell Yoongi little stories. Oh, Jungkookie hit a new personal best today! Jungkook-ah and I got smoothies and he paid for both of us. Jungkook and I had such a nice time. Jungkook this and Jungkook that, all compliments and praise and moon eyes until Yoongi was a little sick.
But then he met him, and he understood.
Yoongi joined them for smoothies after one of their gym sessions. When he entered the café, Yoongi saw Namjoon immediately, the back of his head with his shaggy hair that really needed a trim, hands waving as he talked. And then when he made his way to the table, picking his way through chairs and other customers, he spotted the man across from him.
He was smiling, nose scrunched up and big front teeth on display as he laughed at something Namjoon was saying. His dark hair fell in soft waves across his forehead and his cheeks were pink and bunched up. He was cute. Then he stopped laughing and looked up as Yoongi approached. Their eyes met and Yoongi felt it then, a pull or maybe a tug, as Jungkook's sparkly eyes met his and that smile was directed straight at him.
He understood then what Namjoon had seen, what he was experiencing. And he wanted it too. They had talked about it that night, curled up in bed after some extremely passionate sex. Not to say that it wasn't always good, but there had been a new layer to things that made Yoongi's head spin. And maybe Yoongi, embarrassingly, couldn't stop thinking about Jungkook's strong arms and bright eyes. He had confessed it, feeling horrible, and Namjoon had only laughed, said he got off thinking about how Yoongi would look beneath Jungkook instead of himself.
They hadn't talked about adding a third to their relationship before, but neither of them were against it. And as they got to know Jungkook more, began fitting him into their lives, it started to feel right. Jungkook was a part of them that they needed, slotted into place with a click that Yoongi and Namjoon heard loud and clear. And they could tell Jungkook liked them as well, see it in the glances, the way he spoke. But Jungkook didn't believe anything would come of it, even when they broached the subject.
But they managed to convince him, mostly through kisses when their words weren't having the effect they wanted. And things took off from there, Jungkook's wide eyes fluttering closed and his arms coming up to cling and hold as Yoongi had captured him in a kiss. And now they have Jungkook with them, to fill days with sunshine and make things just a little brighter. Namjoon had described it well, when they talked about how it felt to meet him. It was like everything was seen through thin, gauzy curtains before, mostly sheer, but with an added layer that made things a little fuzzy. And now, the curtains are open and the windows are thrown wide. Jungkook is the sunlight they needed.
Yet, even now, a year of happiness later, Jungkook still seems so shy and closed off sometimes. Like he is still not entirely sure that he fits, like he doesn't believe that Namjoon and Yoongi are completely gone for him. They don’t want to pry, to force him, but Yoongi worries Jungkook doesn’t always trust them, doesn't trust that they love him. Yoongi can't help but worry he's doing something wrong, pushing too hard and asking for more than Jungkook is ready to give.
---
Objectively, Jungkook can admit that he is not doing okay. He is not well and he can acknowledge that his entire body feels like it’s on fire while simultaneously feeling ice cold. He aches all over and he can’t stop coughing and sniffling. Objectively, he can admit these things. But he is definitely not sick. He doesn’t get sick. He works out, eats healthy, and takes a bunch of vitamins. Jeon Jungkook doesn’t get sick. It just doesn’t happen.
He sneezes, loud and messy, and whines pitifully when it makes his head ache more, his throat burn. Okay, maybe he's a little sick.
Jungkook can’t even get out of bed to get himself water, he whimpers every time he rolls over. The sheets feel sticky and scratchy against the bare skin of his torso, like rough sandpaper along his oversensitive nerves. He had gotten home from work the previous night and managed to text his boyfriends before he fell into bed. Sleep took him immediately, dragging him under on a crushing wave.
Everything aches and he doesn't really know what to do. The sun streaming in through his blinds is harsh, way too bright against his eyelids as he ducks under his blankets, tries to block it out. He feels so foggy that he can't seem to form a logical plan for how to help himself. Help, yeah, he could use some help. He could call his hyungs, ask them to come over, but he doesn't want to bother them. Yoongi and Namjoon are probably busy and he doesn't need to interrupt.
His phone lays beside him, message indicator light blinking. Namjoon has texted him a few times, so maybe Jungkook wouldn't really be bothering them. But he doesn't really know what he wants. He can barely find the energy to read the messages, let alone respond, so he hadn't really looked at them. Jungkook just feels so tired and sore, he just wants it to stop. And maybe he'd like some cuddles too...
He's shuffling around, trying to untangle himself from his damp sheets so he can get to the bathroom, when his phone rings. He hisses as the ringtone assaults his ears, curling in on himself as he bats at the covers, trying to grab the device. He's all twisted in the blankets and his phone has gotten buried somewhere, it takes him three rings just to fish it out. Blinking blearily at the screen, he reads the caller ID, Yoongi hyung. Biting into his lip, Jungkook takes a deep, wheezing breath, and answers the phone.
---
Namjoon is hovering in the doorway to Yoongi's home office, watching his boyfriend working at his computer. Yoongi’s not looking at him, probably hasn't even noticed Namjoon is there. The sun streaming through the windows illuminates his blonde hair like golden honey, making him look angelic. Namjoon takes a moment to appraise him, the strong curve of his jaw, his button nose and pouty lips, his tongue poking into his cheek as he works.
"I know you're staring at me," Yoongi says finally, not turning around.
Stiffening and nearly dropping his mug of coffee, Namjoon lets out a small, embarrassing squeak. "Sorry," Namjoon murmurs lamely. "You look cute."
Yoongi snorts and turns to look at him then, smiling softly. "You don't have to apologize for telling me I'm cute." Yoongi pauses and considers him. "What's wrong?"
"Why do you think something's wrong?"
Swiveling his chair around, Yoongi crosses his arms over his chest and leans back. "You're doing the thing."
Namjoon scowls. "What thing?"
"You know." Yoongi waves a hand. "With your face."
"I don't do a thing with my face."
"You do," Yoongi insists. "Your face is all pinched."
"It isn't."
"It is, you look like you just sucked on a lemon." Namjoon frowns at him, bringing up his hand to sip from his mug to hide his expression. Yoongi softens and reaches out a hand. "Come here."
Hesitantly, Namjoon makes his way over, sinking into a crouch beside Yoongi's desk chair and resting his cheek on his knee. Yoongi's fingers come up automatically to card through his hair. "Maybe you were right."
"Of course I was right," Yoongi says immediately. "Wait, about what?"
Namjoon sighs and sets his mug on the floor so he can wrap both arms around Yoongi's legs. "I think Kookie is avoiding us."
Yoongi's fingers freeze in his hair and he goes very still. "Namjoon-ah," he begins, voice careful, "why do you think that?"
"I've been texting him this morning," Namjoon admits, "and he hasn't responded. It says he read some of them, but..." he trails off and his arms tighten around Yoongi's knees.
He hears Yoongi take a breath. "I'm sure he's just busy, Joon, he said he might have to go into the office, remember?" Usually Jungkook would have texted them good morning though, at least said hi. He hadn't even texted goodnight, they hadn't heard anything from him since he cancelled. Yoongi's been trying not to worry about it, and he's going to try to help Namjoon not worry.
"You said he was acting weird though, right? Weird how?"
Yoongi thinks back on their interaction. "He wasn't talking much and he just seemed kind of off. He wasn't acting like himself. But I'm sure everything is fine." He doesn't sound very sure.
"You didn't do anything wrong," Namjoon quickly adds, not wanting Yoongi to keep blaming himself.
The hand in Namjoon's hair begins moving again and he leans into the touch. "You know, he did look a bit flushed and he seemed a little warm. Maybe he's not feeling well."
Namjoon curls his fingers in the fabric of Yoongi's sweatpants. "We could go over there," he says carefully, "just to check on him. Make sure he's okay?"
Yoongi clicks his tongue, fingers tapping against Namjoon's scalp. "He might not like it if we just show up." Yoongi doesn't know if that's true or not, he feels like, ordinarily, that is something Jungkook would like. He gave them his door code for a reason. But he's acting a bit strange and Yoongi never wants to overstep.
"We can just stop over. I wanted to go to the bookstore near his place anyway and I still have his headphones. I was going to give them back when he came over last night, this way I can return them." He knows his ideas are very flimsy and Yoongi will see right through them, but he just wants to make sure Jungkook is okay, that they're okay.
"We can go over," Yoongi says finally, and Namjoon perks up. "But we have to call him first." Namjoon deflates again. "We're not just going to show up, plus he might not even be there."
"Fine," Namjoon grumbles, leaning harder into Yoongi's legs. "But we go over if he doesn't answer."
Yoongi nods, picking up his cell phone and dialing Jungkook's number. The phone rings three times before Jungkook picks up. And he - well, he doesn't sound like himself.
There's a sound like a cough and then a raspy, hoarse, "Hello?" Yoongi is immediately on alert.
"Baby? Are you okay?"
"Oh." Jungkook clears his throat, it sounds wet and painful. "I just woke up."
Yoongi gives Namjoon a concerned look and glances at the clock on his computer. "Baby, it's almost noon. What's wrong?"
"Yeah, oh...um." There's a pause and then a sneeze, barely muffled. It's followed by a soft whine.
Yoongi rubs at his eyes. "Kook-ah, love, are you sick?" He feels Namjoon tense against him. This must be why Jungkook seemed so off yesterday, why he hasn't been responding. In the year or so that they've known him, Yoongi doesn't think they've even seen Jungkook with more than a mild hangover. They've definitely never seen him with a cold or the flu.
"No, hyung, I'm fine."
"Don't lie to your hyung."
A pause. "Hyung, I -"
"Don't lie to your boyfriend," Yoongi interrupts.
The small whine comes again, pitiful and sad, Yoongi's heart aches. "It's just a cold," Jungkook murmurs.
"Namjoon and I are coming over."
"Hyung!" Jungkook's voice is a little stronger. "You don't have to do that, I don't want to put you out. You're probably busy and -"
"We're never too busy for you," Yoongi interrupts again. "No arguing, we'll be over shortly. We'll let ourselves in, you stay put."
There's silence for a moment and then the shuffling of blankets. "Okay, hyung," Jungkook whispers, voice small and vulnerable. "Hurry?"
"Of course, baby." Yoongi hangs up and looks down, Namjoon is staring up at him. "The baby is sick, let's go."
---
The mattress shifts, the bed dipping and quiet whispering around him pull Jungkook from another round of fitful sleep. He grumbles and opens his eyes, groggy and confused, as the blankets are gently pulled from over his head.
Yoongi is there, hovering above him and smiling gently, eyes soft with concern. He can see Namjoon over his shoulder, giving him a small, sad smile. Jungkook suddenly wants to cry.
"Hi baby," Yoongi whispers.
"Hey bun," Namjoon adds, "how are you doing?"
"I -" Jungkook hesitates and then decides he should be honest, he should let himself need help, need them. His face crumples and he curls his fingers around the edge of his blanket. "Not good."
"Baby," Yoongi breathes, leaning in and brushing his bangs from his forehead. Clicking his tongue, Yoongi presses the back of his hand to Jungkook's skin. His hand is cool and so soft against his aching skin, he can't help but lean into the touch, nearly moaning from how good it feels. "He's warm," Yoongi says to Namjoon, "definitely a fever."
Namjoon steps forward, his fingers brushing over Jungkook's temple. "How long have you felt like this, bun?"
Jungkook closes his eyes under the combined touch of their hands. "Started yesterday," he mumbles, feeling suddenly tired again.
Callused fingers push his bangs off his forehead again, Yoongi's cool fingers smoothing them away. "I could tell something was wrong yesterday. Poor baby, I'm going to make you some dakjuk and some tea."
"You don't have to -"
"Jungkook-ah," Namjoon cuts in, voice stern. "Let us take care of you. We want to."
"No need to worry, baby," Yoongi murmurs, leaning in to press a kiss to his sweaty skin. "We’re here now."
They are. They're here and Jungkook feels vulnerable and a little pathetic. Yoongi turns to go and Jungkook looks up in Namjoon's face, seeing the concern there. He steps back from the bed and Jungkook whines, he can't help it, he doesn't want them to go.
Namjoon immediately steps closer again. "It's okay, bun, I'll be back in just a minute."
The urge to reach out and grab Namjoon's wrist, make him stay, is strong. But Jungkook resists it, mostly because it feels like his limbs are made of jelly. But he doesn't want to seem that desperate. He does pout though, curling in on himself. His eyes slip closed again, a sigh leaving his lips. He feels so weak, like his body is too light and too heavy at once, everything is floaty and off.
Something cool and damp presses against his cheek and Jungkook startles, eyes flying open. He blinks, trying to focus, and Namjoon is back. He's kneeling beside the bed, holding a washcloth that he's running gently over Jungkook's sweaty face.
"Just me, bun," he whispers, smoothing the cloth over Jungkook's forehead. It feels so good, the cool fabric easing some of the ache, removing some of the griminess he feels.
"I missed you." The words slip out before Jungkook can stop them.
There's a pause, the cloth stilling for just a moment, then it resumes and Namjoon speaks, gentle and fond. "I missed you too, Kook. I wish you would have told us you were sick." The fingers of Namjoon's other hand card through his hair as he talks quietly. "We want to help you, you shouldn't be alone. Let us take care of you, let us make sure you're okay."
Jungkook doesn't respond, doesn't know what to say. There's a lump in his throat that doesn't have anything to do with how sore his throat is. He tries to swallow it down, feeling his eyes water.
"We love you," Namjoon adds, and Jungkook bites the inside of his cheek.
Yoongi returns just then, carrying a tray with rice porridge and a mug of tea. Jungkook tries to sit up, falling back to the bed with a huff when his weak limbs won't support him.
"I've got you," Namjoon assures. He climbs onto the bed, sitting against the headboard and pulls Jungkook between his legs, helping him sit up between his legs. "Hyung's got you." His arm snakes around Jungkook's middle and his lips press to his temple.
"Cute," Yoongi coos, sitting on the edge of the bed with the tray. "Hungry, baby?"
"A little," Jungkook admits. "I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday."
Yoongi frowns and shakes his head. "We can't have that, you need to keep up your strength. How else are you going to deadlift more than Namjoonie?"
Namjoon's laughter reverberates through Jungkook's body, vibrating inside his bones. It feels nice. But then he tries to pick up the spoon and his clumsy fingers fumble, nearly upending the bowl.
"Hyung will help," Yoongi says immediately, taking the spoon and adjusting the tray.
Jungkook's eyes widen and nearly cross, following the movement of the spoon as Yoongi brings it to his lips. He's not a child, he can feed himself, he shouldn't be so pathetic. But he finds himself parting his lips, allowing Yoongi to pop the spoon into his mouth. He chews and swallows. Warmth floods through him, but not the aching heat from before, this is soft and fond and full of love.
"This is embarrassing," Jungkook grumbles.
"We all need to be taken care of sometimes," Namjoon says simply.
Trying to relax, Jungkook leans back into Namjoon's chest. Namjoon gently rubs his palm over his belly and presses kisses to his temple, the back of his neck as Jungkook melts. Yoongi feeds him the porridge and lifts the mug to his lips between bites, urging him to drink the warm tea.
A part of Jungkook is certain this can't be real. There's no way this can really be happening, his hyungs here doting on him, whispering sweet words and touching him with gentle hands. It's not that they wouldn't do these things, of course they would. But Jungkook would never ask for them. Maybe he's just delirious with fever.
The porridge is gone before Jungkook realizes he's eaten all of it. He feels a little better, with the food in his belly and his boyfriends fussing over him. If this is a delusion or some sort of dream, he hopes he doesn't wake up.
"Okay, baby," Yoongi begins, standing up with the tray. "Time for a shower. I'll pick up a little and change your sheets."
Jungkook pouts but obeys, letting Namjoon help him off the bed and down the hall. His legs feel like jelly and he leans heavily into Namjoon's side, allowing his boyfriend to support him with a strong arm around his waist. When the shower is on and Jungkook stands shivering in his underwear, Namjoon kisses his forehead and tells him to call if he needs anything.
He considers asking Namjoon to stay, but he thinks that might be too much.
The shower feels good though, he can feel the layers of sweat washing off of him, some of the sickness flooding away. The hot water brings some clarity, cuts through some of the fog, helps him think. Though maybe that isn't the best thing. As wonderful as it is to have Yoongi and Namjoon here, Jungkook still feels confused about it.
He joined the relationship when it was already in progress, he knows he's still insecure sometimes. He doesn’t want to be a burden, be too much. He doesn’t want to be too needy. He's afraid that they won’t like him anymore if it’s too much work. If he's too much work. Their relationship already worked before him, they were already happy, why would they want him? They obviously don’t need him to be happy.
Jungkook blames the fever and the sickness for his eyes getting teary and his chest feeling tight.
When he steps out of the shower and returns to the bedroom, it's to a different scene. There's another mug of tea and a glass of water on his bedside table with some cold medicine. His bed is neatly made with fresh sheet, blankets pulled back invitingly. And there's a set of comfortable pajamas laid out. Yoongi appears in front of him suddenly and pulls Jungkook into his arms.
"Hi baby, feel any better?"
Jungkook returns the hug and shrugs, resting his forehead against Yoongi's shoulder. He doesn't trust himself to speak, doesn't know what he'd say. He allows Yoongi and Namjoon to dress him in his pajamas and towel dry his hair before they get him settled and tucked into bed. He expects them to leave then, having done what they came to do, but they don't.
He's surprised when they both slide into the bed, one on either side of him and snuggle around him. Namjoon pulls him against his chest, curling around Jungkook's back and nuzzling into his neck. Yoongi is in front of him, gently stroking his hair as he presses his other palm to Jungkook's chest. Close, warm, comforted.
"It's okay, bun," Namjoon whispers.
Yoongi presses a kiss to the tip of his nose, moving a little closer. "We'll take care of you."
It's all so much, the fever and ache in his bones and the outpouring of love. He suddenly feels so overwhelmed, he doesn’t know why they’re being so nice. The sniffling starts before he can stop it, tears leaking from his eyes as he begins to cry.
"Jungkook-ah, what's the matter?" Namjoon asks, curling his arm tighter around him, lips to his ear. "Bun what's wrong?"
Yoongi's hands cup his cheeks, warm brown eyes looking into his own. "We're right here, baby. We've got you."
"That's the -" he cuts off on a small sob. "Why are you here?"
Yoongi looks confused. "Why wouldn't we be here, Jungkook?"
"I don't know why you're being so nice to me," he mumbles, knowing it sounds stupid. "Why are you burdening yourselves with me?"
"Jungkook," Namjoon's voice is gentle but serious, "you are not a burden."
"We're here because we love you," Yoongi adds. "You're our boyfriend and we want to love you and take care of you. You are never a burden. You're our baby."
It sounds good, feels good, but it's still - "You don't need me," he whispers, voice cracking. "You worked before me, I'm just the addition. You were happy before me."
"Oh, baby," Yoongi says softly, so sadly. "Kook-ah do you really think that? It's been a year, don't you believe us?" Jungkook doesn't respond and Yoongi continues. "That might be true, that we were happy before. But our relationship wasn't complete, not without you in it. This isn't Yoongi and Namjoon plus Jungkook."
"It's Yoongi and Namjoon and Jungkook," Namjoon continues. "The three of us, all equals, all together. I love you just as much as I love Yoongi hyung."
"And I love you as much as I love Namjoon," Yoongi insists. Jungkook can see Yoongi's eyes look a little teary now and it only makes him cry harder when Yoongi goes on. "It was like a puzzle with one piece missing. Maybe an edge, maybe in the middle. It was still pretty but it wasn't complete. Not without you."
Jungkook sniffles, fingers curling in the front of Yoongi's t-shirt. "But why are you taking care of me?"
"What's a little tender love and care?" Namjoon murmurs, lips against Jungkook's ear. "Even plants need water and sunlight to flourish. Let us give you a little sun, like you bring to us."
"Namjoon," Yoongi scolds, "don't compare Jungkook to your bonsai trees."
Namjoon fakes an affronted gasp. "I could never." He nuzzles into Jungkook's hair. "I love Jungkookie more than any of them."
Warmth blooms in Jungkook's chest and he can't fight the smile that curls his lips, a little shaky and watery, but still there.
Cupping his cheek, Yoongi continues. "Things were good before, Jungkook, but now they're great. They're how they should be." He pauses before starting again. "That's why we want you to move in, baby. We always want you around, want you with us. We miss you when you're away."
"Yoongi hyung is like a little lost kitten when you're not around," Namjoon says in an exaggerated stage whisper.
Yoongi glowers at him but doesn't scold again. "We love you, baby. We're serious about this, about you. We want to be with you."
Namjoon's arm tightens around his middle as he murmurs his agreement, his love, into Jungkook's ear. Jungkook's fists tighten in Yoongi's shirt, tugging him closer. He curls into him, tangling their legs together under the covers. "This is - maybe it's the fever talking - but -" He swallows hard, looks up to meet Yoongi's warm eyes, sees the love there. "My lease is almost up. Maybe we could talk about me moving in."
The gummy smile he receives is answer enough for how Yoongi feels about it. But the gentle kiss to his forehead helps as well. "I'd love that so much, baby," Yoongi coos. "But right now, let's focus on getting you better." He boops his nose and kisses his forehead again. Namjoon pulls him closer and peppers kisses along his nape.
With a sigh, Jungkook curls into both of them, tucking his head beneath Yoongi's chin to nuzzle into his neck. His hand is clasped around Yoongi's, pressed between their chests. Atop his stomach, he intertwines the fingers of his other hand with Namjoon's and lets himself relax, smiling as he falls into contented sleep.