Just Not My Day
About Me: I absolutely fail at computers. I'm still getting used to LJ so be nice to me if I can't do something right. Thanks.
Title: Just Not My Day
Pairings: JaeMin, YooSu
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: FLUFF!! sick Changmin
Genre: fluff, romance
A/N: I know more about Japan than I do about Korea v_v so I decided to make this fic take place in Japan but I figured that DBSK would switch to speaking in Korean if they were just talking amongst themselves. However if I’m wrong about any cultural thing please let me know so I can fix it. Thanks. :)
Summary: Changmin is sick and just doesn't know when to quit.
Just Not My Day
“Changmin-ah, get up already we have to be at the photo shoot in an hour. I’m not making any excuses to your stylist this time,” Jaejoong frowned. Changmin was usually up and ready to go before the rest of them but for some reason he was lagging today. If they didn’t leave within a half an hour they really would be late.
“Changmin! Did you hear me?” Jaejoong rapped on the door again.
Changmin groaned and rolled over in his bed, pulling the covers over his head. It wasn’t everyday he woke up with a splitting headache. He wished he had the strength to throw something at whoever was knocking at the door, but his arms felt like lead and it just wasn’t worth the effort.
“I heard you hyung. I promise I’ll be ready in time.” He hoped was more like it. He didn’t think he could move at all. His arms and legs felt like they had been replaced with lead replicas.
Jaejoong shook his head and left for the kitchen. At this rate Changmin would never be done getting ready and probably wouldn’t have any time to eat until tonight.
Changmin dragged himself to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. He scowled. Junsu had steamed up the bathroom again. He didn’t understand. Why couldn’t he just turn on the fan like any other normal person? Changmin flipped the switch.
He washed his face and looked at his hands. They were trembling. Damn! He didn’t have time to get sick now. There was too much to do. Today alone was full of photo shoots, interviews, rehearsal and what not. He couldn’t remember everything on the schedule, but that’s what his hyungs were for, right?
His head was still pounding. He searched in the cabinet behind the mirror but he didn’t find any aspirin. He looked at his face in the mirror again and sighed. He needed to get ready quickly; they had a lot to do today. Besides, he really didn’t want to face an angry stylist. She would pull his hair if he was late and man would it hurt. Why couldn’t he have a gentle stylist like Yoochun? It wasn’t fair.
He took a quick shower in hopes of waking up his body, and towel dried his hair. He wished he had time to brush out the knots himself but he was already running short on time.
He went to the kitchen and started searching the cabinets for some aspirin or ibuprofen, anything to relax this killer headache of his. The others had already eaten; he could see the dishes in the sink. But his stomach lurched at the smell of the food. He gave a quiet moan.
“What are you looking for?”
Changmin turned his head, “Hn?” It was Jaejoong. “uh, nothing.” Telling Jaejoong that he had a headache would just make him fuss all day. He didn’t need him or the others to worry about him over a little headache.
“If you’re looking for food, I packed yours so you can eat in the car,” Jaejoong said, grinning. “The others are waiting-so come on.”
“Really? Thanks! Alright then, let’s go.” He gave Jaejoong a fake smile and made for the doorway. He really hoped his headache would go away soon.
---
The car ride to the photo shoot was taking forever. The others were too loud for Changmin’s sensitive head, the sun was too bright and the road was so bumpy it had brought on a stomachache that could rival his headache. The car turned and Changmin’s stomach lurched again. He hadn’t even touched the food Jaejoong had packed for him. He rested his head against the coolness of the window and closed his eyes.
“You didn’t eat?” asked Junsu who had noticed Changmin’s full tupperware.
“Not really hungry right now,” he replied eyes still closed.
Yoochun, who looked like he had passed out on Junsu’s shoulder with his arm around Junsu’s waist, sat up at that. “Since when is Changmin not hungry?”
“You didn’t eat yet?” Jaejoong looked thoroughly put out.
Yunho turned in his seat. “Did I just hear that our Tensai Changmin is not hungry and is refusing to eat Jaejoong’s breakfast? Are you feeling alright Changmin?”
Changmin wanted to smack his palm to his face; that really was a careless thing for him to say. Instead he just grinned at them, “I’ll eat it later. If it spills in the car then I have that much less to eat. I want every bite!”
The others laughed. That was more like the Changmin they knew. Changmin went back to napping against the car window.
---
When they got to the site Changmin rushed to find his stylist. They were late, albeit only by a few minutes, but it’s not like his stylist would care.
“You’re late!” a sharp voiced called from behind him.
Changmin stopped dead in his tracks and winced. He turned to face the shorter girl armed with a blow dryer and a hair brush.
“Ami-san, I wasn’t my fault! There was an accident and the traffic was backed up! Besides we’re only ten minutes late!”
“Do you know how much I can do in ten minutes?” she tapped her foot, “Come. Sit. Now.”
Changmin didn’t have the energy to complain today so he obeyed.
By the time Ami was nearly done with his hair, Changmin had already begun praying to himself for his torture to end. It hadn’t helped when Jaejoong had come by and started playing with his hair while Ami was working. Normally he wouldn’t mind so much but today he just wanted to go back to bed. And having a distracted Ami wasn’t helping. Why couldn’t Jaejoong go bother someone else today?
“Changmin-san, you look pale. Are you feeling ok?”
“I do? I feel fine, but thank you for asking,” he replied politely.
“If you say so. But don’t go getting yourself sick. I won’t have anything to do if you’re at home sleeping all day”, she teased.
Changmin gave her a smile and nodded. As rough as she was while doing her job, Ami was still very sweet and kindhearted.
“Alright now you’re all done,” she said, “I think the manager wants you by that tree over there so you should go.”
“Alright thanks,” Changmin got up and immediately regretted his decision to stand up so quickly. His head started spinning and he nearly stumbled. But he straightened himself and forced his lead heavy legs to walk towards his tree. Today would be such a long day.
---
After the photo shoot they barely had time to eat anything; not that Changmin even touched the food. If he ate his stomach would reject it and things would go downhill from there. It was better not to take the risk.
It wasn’t long before their manager came with a van and told them to get ready for their interview with some show that Changmin couldn’t remember the name of no matter how many times he tried. He wasn’t too worried though because Yunho would take care of all the formalities. All he had to do was smile and greet and introduce himself. It shouldn’t be too bad. He hoped.
Unfortunately the interview was probably worse than the photo shoot. During the shoot Changmin had to take twice as many pictures as the others since every time his expression or pose wouldn’t be up to par. And then, during the interview, he had forgotten the hostess’s name and he didn’t hear half the questions directed at him. If it weren’t for Mickey poking and elbowing him half the time he probably would have been zoned out for the whole show. He was sure he had a good sized bruise on his side now but really he could only blame himself.
Now they were on their way to the recording studio and again Changmin rested his head against the coolness of the car window hoping for some relief for his burning skin. Unfortunately he was jolted awake by none other than Jaejoong who had just punched his shoulder asking for attention.
“Changmin-ah, do you remember what I said last night at rehearsal?”
Changmin didn’t respond and was promptly punched again. He winced and rubbed his shoulder,” What? Can’t you bother someone else?”
“What’s with you today? You’ve been so out of it.” Jaejoong frowned.
“Yeah! I was talking to him earlier and in the middle of what I was saying he just turned and left!” Junsu piped up and turned to face them.
Jaejoong turned back to Changmin, “Is something bothering you? What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine. Just sleepy.”
Jaejoong looked skeptical but said, “Fine then. Take a nap. You’re gonna need energy for rehearsal tonight.”
“Mm.”
It didn’t take long for Changmin to fall asleep.
“He’s been out of it all day today,” commented Mickey when he was sure Changmin was asleep.
“I noticed,” said Yunho, “I don’t think he’s ever made so many mistakes at an interview before. I had to keep apologizing to Inoue-san for his behavior. Jaejoong, do you know what happened? He seemed fine yesterday.
Jaejoong shook his head, “He woke up really late this morning and I don’t think he ate anything at all today. And earlier when I was playing with Ami-san he didn’t even say anything. Usually he would at least curse at me or throw something at me, but I got no reaction at all. “
“Yeah. That’s exactly how he was when I was talking to him. He was nodding his head like he was listening but he didn’t respond at all. I don’t think he’s ever been this quiet before,” said Junsu as he put his head on Mickey’s shoulder again.
“Maybe I’ll talk to him after the recording and see if he’s all right,” decided Yunho.
“That might be a good idea,” said Jaejoong as he ran his fingers through a sleeping Changmin’s hair, “What’s wrong with him? I don’t like it when our little Changmin is upset.”
“Little?” laughed Junsu, “Don’t let him hear you say that. He’ll punch the daylights outta you.”
Jaejoong grinned, “I know.”
---
Changmin was about to sit down when a bun was shoved into his face.
“Here, eat this,” Jaejoong had been bent on feeding him something before the recording started.
“I don’t want to eat right now.”
“You haven’t eaten all day! You need to eat! It’s not good for you this way,” said Jaejoong.
“But I’m really not hungry right now. Can’t I please eat later?”
“I don’t believe you. You’re never not hungry.”
“Well I’m not. Now- hey no! Jaejoong get off!” Changmin shoved at Jaejoong. But Jaejoong just grinned as he planted himself firmly and securely onto Changmin’s lap.
“I’m not getting off ‘til you eat this.” He grinned, eyes twinkling with mischief.
“I’m not eating it, so you can get off now,” Changmin growled at him. But Jaejoong just broke off a bite sized piece of the bun and held it up to Changmin’s lips. Changmin turned his head away from the food.
“Come on Changmin, open wide.”
Changmin glared at Jaejoong. “I’m gonna kill you,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Lookin’ forward to it. Now say ‘Ahh’. “
Changmin gave in, knowing that it would probably be the only way Jaejoong would get off him. When Mickey and Junsu passed by laughing, he swore to them that they would pay, but they only laughed harder.
Eating the bun was making him feel even worse. He really didn’t want to eat it. It was filled with curry or something that making his stomach turn and Jaejoong wasn’t helping.
Changmin finished off the last bite and Jaejoong ran his fingers through Changmin’s hair, fixing it since it had gotten a little mussed up in the car.
“Will you get off of me now? You’re gonna make me throw up.”
Jaejoong grinned. “No. I quite like it here. You’re comfy.”
“Jaejoong, please get up!”
Yunho came over laughing. “Jaejoong get off Changmin; they need all of us to warm up. The goal is to record at least the first two minutes of the song today.”
Changmin threw a very thankful look to Yunho once Jaejoong had gotten off. Changmin winced as he got up and clutched his stomach. It had just made a very uncomfortable rumbling sound followed by some sharp pain. This was all Jaejoong’s fault. If he threw up, he would have to make sure it was all over him. He caught up to the others as they walked into the recording room.
---
As it turned out Changmin did throw up. He was just lucky that it wasn’t in the middle of recording. The manager had called for a break since he didn’t want their voices tired out. Changmin also suspected that it was because he had messed up nearly half the lines and forced them to start over more times than he could remember. And if it wasn’t that, then either his voice would waiver or he would completely miss his cue. Changmin shook his head. Today was really going badly.
Changmin washed his face in the sink and rinsed his mouth. He hoped no one heard him heaving into the toilet. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to fuss over him. He didn’t want that at all. His skin was burning up and he probably had a fever but the day would soon be over and he would be allowed to sleep. Just a few more hours left. He could keep going. He had to keep going. The thing about being in a group is that if one of the members falls behind, they all fall behind and Changmin didn’t want to throw off everyone’s schedules because of a little cold.
He looked into the mirror and washed his face with cold water one more time. They would record those first two minutes even if he killed him. He was determined.
---
The second half of rehearsal didn’t go as well as Changmin would have liked. The first minute of the song had been recorded but it took more effort than it should have. He could tell it was taking a lot of energy from this band mates not to lash out at him for making so many mistakes.
“Hey Changmin, you got a minute?” Yunho called him over.
Changmin wasn’t surprised. He had been screwing up all day today. It was only a matter of time before the leader said anything.
“Ahh, I know what you’re gonna say hyung. I’ve been a screw up today. I know and I’m sorry. I’ll work harder, okay?”
Yunho looked a bit taken aback, “A screw up? No Changmin-ah that’s not what I was going to say. I was going to say that if there was something bothering you, you can always talk to me or one of the others. Whoever you’re comfortable with.” Yunho gave him a smile, “Everyone has their off days. Remember Jaejoong at rehearsal last week? How he knocked down two tables and all the food with it?”
Changmin laughed despite himself, “That’s ‘cause Jaejoong has two left feet. And how he made it this far is beyond my level of comprehension.”
Yunho laughed, “Well the point is, don’t be too hard on yourself and talk to us. It’s what we’re here for. Okay?”
“Yes Leader-sshi,” Changmin teased, “Thanks.”
“You were talking about me, weren’t you!” Jaejoong came over with enough energy to make Changmin’s head spin again.
“Maybe. Maybe not. But right now we have to get to rehearsal let’s get into the van,” Yunho said and left to find Yoochun and Junsu.
Changmin was not looking forward to rehearsal at all. Three hours of dancing and remembering new choreography today would be torture. He could hardly walk as it was. His limbs still felt heavier than he could carry and his hands were fisted so that they would stop trembling.
“Changmin-ah? Are you alright?” Jaejoong slipped and arm around him like he usually did, “You look like you’re gonna pass out.”
I feel like it too.
Changmin opened his eyes when he realized that he had them shut tight, “I’m fine. Just a bad day, is all.”
“Do you want another bun?” he asked.
“You try to feed me a bun again and I swear you won’t be able to walk for a week.”
Jaejoong muttered something that Changmin wasn’t able to hear too well.
“What did you say?”
“I said, that’s no way to talk to your hyung! You should learn some respect for your elders Changmin. Now get in the car.” Jaejoong shoved him in to the car.
“That’s not what I heard.”
“Just get in.”
---
Ten minutes into the rehearsal had Changmin realized that he was in trouble. His stomach wouldn’t even hold water. Not while he was dancing at least. All the turning, bending and jumping was making him even more nauseous.
During a water break Changmin thankfully sat down and rested the back of his head against the wall. He hoped to get a small nap in before he had to start dancing again but it wasn’t so.
“Hey do you need help with this step? Or is it still your off day?” asked Jaejoong. Changmin would have given a smart remark back but he felt like shit and really didn’t have that kind of energy. Besides, Jaejoong looked like he was trying to be kind to him for once.
“Thanks but I think I’ll be better tomorrow. I really just want to go home today.”
“Do you want me to talk to Yunho? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if the two of us want to leave early.”
“You want to leave too?”
“Well if you’re leaving, then I’m leaving.”
Changmin shook his head, “As tempting as that offer is, we need to learn this dance for our fans right? The next show is in a few weeks and we need to be ready by then, yeah?”
Jaejoong shook his head, “There you go being more mature than your hyung again. You need to have some fun.” He ruffled Changmin’s hair and stood up, “Come on then, let’s get back.”
Changmin stood up and fought off a dizzy spell before he followed Jaejoong back to the floor. He cursed himself for his own fate too. Jaejoong was right-he needed to do something fun… but later, right now he had to practice.
---
This was bad. Really bad. Changmin was now getting dizzy in the middle of his steps. He had already stumbled into Yunho and even had knocked into Junsu a couple times. His band mates were now steering clear of him and it would have been funny if he didn’t feel so miserable.
He wanted to last until the end of practice but the floor just looked really inviting…
---
When Changmin swayed towards Jaejoong, he immediately brought his arms out to push him back. But instead of getting back to position, Changmin just slumped.
“Ahh Changmin!” Jaejoong caught the falling boy and laid him out on the floor the best he could.
“Changmin!” Yunho quickly came over to help and someone turned the music off.
“Changmin!”
“Someone get some water!”
“Shit! He’s burning up! A fever!”
“Call a doctor and get a thermometer!”
“Doctor we have an emergency here…”
---
When Changmin’s eyes opened, the first thing he realized was that his headache was finally gone. He sighed and ended up giving a hacking cough.
“Changmin-ah? Are you awake?”
“Jaejoong?” his voice felt funny, “How long have I been out?”
“Since rehearsal last night. You had a fever of 103. I hope you know I’m gonna yell at you later.”
Changmin gave a weak nod. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already noon. He had been asleep for awhile.
“But your fever broke a few hours ago. The doctor said that as long as you took the medication he prescribed you should be fine by the end of the week.” Jaejoong picked up the cloth from Changmin’s forehead and rinsed it.
“Yunho went to get the medication and Junsu and Yoochun went to do that radio broadcast.”
“I was supposed to do that with them today wasn’t I?” Changmin could hear the radio turned on softly behind Jaejoong. He must have been listening to the broadcast while waiting for him to wake up.
“Don’t worry about that now.”
Changmin shifted to get more comfortable in the bed. He coughed and Jaejoong helped him sit up and handed him a glass of cool water.
“Sorry about this. I didn’t mean to get sick when we’re so close to a performance.”
Jaejoong gave Changmin an exasperated look, “Will you stop doing that? No one is blaming you. You are sick. You didn’t ask for it either. In fact, you should have told us from the beginning that you weren’t feeling well. And-don’t give me that look. Even Ami-san called me and asked if you were feeling okay. She said you looked pale in the morning but you told her not to worry about it. Why do you do that to yourself? Are we really that intimidating to you?”
Changmin, now feeling completely admonished, “No…I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
Jaejoong nodded his approval as Changmin laid back down, “I-
“…shout out to our little Changmin! CHANGMIN-AH GET WELL SOON! JAEJOONG STAYED UP ALL NIGHT TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER SO HURRY UP AND GET BETTER ALREADY!”
“Junsu you’re too loud! But he’s right Changmin. Get well soon!”
“No I’m not!”
“And everyone remember to visit our website at www dotto jfn…”
Changmin looked at Jaejoong, “You stayed up all night?”
Jaejoong smiled, “They talk too much.”
“Why?”
“In case you needed something.” Jaejoong leaned over and gave Changmin a quick kiss on the cheek, “You had me worried. You had all of us worried.”
Changmin flushed and didn’t respond.
“Now do you want any soup? I made some especially for you, if you think you can stomach it. Also, Yunho should be home soon with the medicine so it’s good to have something in your stomach before you take meds.”
Changmin nodded. This time he really was hungry.
---
When Changmin woke up again it was to two arguing voices.
“…nt me to sit by him? You’ve been sitting here all day Jaejoong,” Yunho and the others had been trying for the past few hours to get Jaejoong to go to bed. Each time their organs had been threatened with a different kitchen utensil.
Changmin turned his head a little so he could hear more but feigned sleep.
“I thought I already said no. I like watching him sleep. He’s cute.” Jaejoong whined at Yunho, “And SHHH! You’ll wake him.”
“Jaejoong, we don’t need two sick people. You need to sleep.” Yunho used his leader voice. He didn’t like using it, they all knew that, but when he did they knew he was being serious.
“But Yunho…”
“Hyung. Yunho hyung is right. If you still haven’t slept then you’re gonna get sick too. I feel fine now.” Changmin decided to speak up.
“See! You woke him up. Leave Yunho.”
“Jaejoongie, you need to sleep.”
“Fine then; I’m sleeping with Changmin.”
“You’re wha-“
Without missing a beat Jaejoong climbed into bed with Changmin and snuggled into him, wrapping an arm around his waist and throwing a leg over one of Changmin’s legs.
Changmin shot Yunho a questioning look but Yunho just shrugged and smiled, “Did you want anything Changmin? Water? Soup?”
“Uh… No thanks…”
“Alright then-go back to bed. I’ll be in the next room so if you need anything just call.”
“I can take care of him.” Jaejoong gave Changmin a small protective squeeze.
“Mmkay then.” Yunho closed the door behind him.
“You sure you’re okay?” Jaejoong asked Changmin seriously as he ran his fingers soothingly through Changmin’s hair.
“I’m fine…really.”
“Good.” Jaejoong gave Changmin’s lips a quick peck and then closed his eyes and rest his head on Changmin’s shoulder.
Changmin smiled and kissed the top of Jaejoong’s head. He closed his eyes and decided to rest up as much as he could. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep, turning so he could hug Jaejoong back.