There was something going on. Jungkook peered at his two bandmates sitting on the sofa across from him. Taehyung was sitting cross legged at one side of the sofa scrolling on his phone and Jimin was on the other end reading a manga. This wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary. They often sat in the living just doing their own thing, without speaking a word to each other. What was unusual, though, was the silent tear gliding down Taehyung’s cheek. Jungkook looked at him in silence. Then a second tear appeared. Taehyung kept his gaze to his phone. Jungkook looked around to see whether anyone noticed anything. Jimin was still focused on his book. Jungkook looked behind him, but Yoongi who was sitting there had already gone to his room. Jungkook’s shifting caused Jimin to look up at him. Jungkook’s eyes widened. Jimin raised his eyebrows quizzically. Jungkook silently nodded his head hoping he would not look at Taehyung. Jungkook pretended to look at his phone again, only to see Jimin turn his head towards Taehyung. From the angle Jimin was looking at, he was not able to see the state Taehyung was in, since Taehyung had his hood up. He shrugged his shoulders and continued reading.

The three of them sat in silence once again. After a while Jimin announced that he was going to bed. ‘Goodnight, hyung”, Jungkook said. Jimin looked at Taehyung. Taehyung had fallen asleep. Before Jimin could say anything, Jungkook said “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him”. Jimin nodded and went upstairs. Jungkook carefully sat down next to Taehyung. The tears on his face had dried and were not that visible in the dark. The dipping of the sofa caused Taehyung’s eyes to flutter open.

Jungkook looked at his hands and slowly met his eyes. He did not say anything. Taehyung fully opened his eyes and sat up and looked at him questioningly. ‘Hyung’, Jungkook started. Taehyung immediately understood that the younger must have seen what he was going through. Taehyung looked away, avoiding the younger’s gaze and sighed. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Jungkook asked softly. ‘I don’t know what to say’, Taehyung said, his voice slightly wavering. Jungkook did not know what to do, so he took Taehyung’s hand in his and softly stroked his hand with his thumb. ‘Hyung, I don’t like to see you hurting.’. Taehyung still avoided his gaze and just stared in front of him. ‘I am going to go to bed, Jungkook’, I am exhausted’. He gave Jungkook’s hand a squeeze, never meeting his eyes and headed upstairs. Jungkook sighed and followed suit.

Jungkook felt concerned. His youngest hyung has always been a bit on the sensitive side. He would often feel hurt by the smallest actions or words, even when they were not meant to be harsh or to be taken as anything other than a lighthearted joke. Jungkook and the others were aware of this and took care of Taehyung well. Taehyung could not hide his hurt well, when it came to small things, like light teasing. His face was often an open book, in those cases. If someone made a joke that he took personally, he would be sulking the rest of the day. The others would notice and smother him in love and attention and he would be back to his usual bubbly self, the joke forgiven and forgotten. But when it came to bigger issues, there was no telling what was on his mind. He had a tendency to bottle up his true feelings.

The one who could always get through to him, was Jimin. Jimin, Taehyung’s soulmate. Undoubtedly, anyone could see that their bond was something special. Jimin, who is always there for Taehyung, who takes care of Taehyung, who is happy when Taehyung is happy, is sad when Taehyung is sad. He laughs with him, he cries with him, he is always there, like a guardian angel. Jimin usually notices right away when something is up with Taehyung. Yesterday he didn’t notice it, because he was so exhausted himself. Jungkook understood, they had had a long day with a fully booked schedule. Jimin was really busy these days, he was practicing for his solo stage and was often in the practice room, even in his free time.

Jungkook brought his thoughts back to Taehyung. What could be the matter? Taehyung could have simply felt tired. But he wouldn’t have looked this vulnerable, he would not have shed tears. Was he hurt? No, Taehyung wasn’t one to keep his physical pain a secret and did not shy away from asking help. They all knew that it was in the important for themselves, but also for the group to be in good health. Jungkook could not think of anything else that might be weighing heavy on his youngest hyung’s heart. He decided to let it go for now and tried to fall asleep.

The next morning they were on their way to the venue where they would film Run BTS!. Jungkook took the car in which Taehyung, Hobi and Jin were seated. Taehyung seemed fine today, the vulnerability that he showed in his eyes last night, nowhere to be seen. He was joking around with Jin and leaned on Hobi’s shoulder, looking relaxed. Jungkook felt relieved and shot him a smile when they locked eyes. Taehyung wide smile diminished a bit, but he gave small nod to Jungkook, as if to let him know that he is ok.

After the shooting, Jungkook went to his room to call his older brother. It has been a while since he had spoken him, but it was his brother’s birthday today. He spoke a bit with him and then his brother asked for Seokjin. Seokjin and his brother were close to each other. Jungkook left his room and went to the living room where Taehyung and Jin were sitting. “Hyung, it’s my brother”, he said and he handed Seokjin the phone. “Oh, it’s his birthday today, right?”, Jin asked. “Yeah, here”. Jungkook replied and he went to sit on the sofa. Jin took the phone and left the room to talk. Jungkook glanced at Taehyung. Taehyung was staring in front of him, a bit glassy eyed. Jungkook decided not to say anything. Taehyung silently stood up and left the room. Jungkook was slightly startled. There might really be something up with Taehyung. He really wanted to know what, but he did not want to pry.

They all had separate rooms now and Jungkook did not visit the others in their room as much as they used to do back when they had shared rooms. His room and Taehyung’s were only separated by a thick curtain. He and Taehyung were considerate neighbours and tried not to bother each other. They liked their living situation. Taehyung could hear Jungkook softly humming to himself whenever he was editing GCFs. He could hear him groaning while he was doing 50 push-ups every morning. He could hear him diligently practicing English every other night. He could hear him softly sniffling to himself, whenever he was watching sappy romantic movies and animes. Taehyung never said anything about the last thing to Jungkook, but Jungkook was pretty sure he could hear him. Jungkook could hear Taehyung cursing under his breath whenever he was playing video games late at night. He could hear him listening to all kinds of genres of music he found on Youtube. He could hear him softly laughing whenever he was reading funny webtoons. He could hear him facetiming Jimin, even when they were both in the same apartment. He could hear Taehyung play the violin every other night. Even if it was very off tune, since Taehyung was still a beginner, Jungkook never complained.

This night it was Taehyung’s soft sniffling that Jungkook could hear from his room. This was not the first time he heard this. Usually he left Taehyung alone. They all needed a good cry from time to time. It was a good relief of stress. Taehyung had once even told him in confidence, that when he was in distress once, in the middle of the night, listening to Jungkook’s languid breathing on the other side of the wall, had helped calm him down. Jungkook had not known how to reply and had given him a shy smile.

Jungkook decided to check up on Taehyung. He gently knocked on the door and gave Taehyung some time to recover. He heard some rustling of covers and then Taehyung’s deep voice. “What is it?”. His voice sounded gravelly. “It’s me, hyung.”. “Come in”, Taehyung responded. Jungkook slowly opened the door. Taehyung was under the covers looking at the door. Jungkook wasn’t sure whether Taehyung would want to talk today, but he wanted to be a comfort to his hyung. “My bed is feeling a bit cold today, I was wondering if I could sleep here tonight, with you?”, he asked tentatively. He made up this excuse quickly. Everyone knows Taehyung is a very affectionate person and loves cuddling. It was bound to cheer him up a little. Taehyung gave him a warm smile and lifted his covers while shifting to the side of the bed to make room for his younger friend. “Of course, Kook, you are always welcome here”. Jungkook settled down next to him. He was usually not the one who initiated the skinship whenever they were lying next to each other. He simply didn't have to. It was usually Taehyung who would throw his limbs all over Jungkook and hug him tight like an octopus before Jungkook could even lift a finger. This time Taehyung just faced the ceiling and had already closed his eyes without another word. Jungkook took in his features. His eyes were a bit puffy, that is all he could make up in the dark.

Jungkook carefully shuffled closer and put his arm around Taehyung’s torso under the covers. In the past he had been shy about touching his hyungs, but as the years had gone by and the group had gotten closer, he felt comfortable with them. He knew exactly what they needed. When Taehyung didn’t move, he put his leg around Taehyung as well. Taehyung slowly opened his eyes to look at him. Jungkook smiled mischievously at him. This made Taehyung break into a smile as well. “Are you ok, Kook?”, Taehyung whispered. Jungkook should be asking him that. Instead Jungkook answered “Yeah, I was just feeling a little lonely tonight, I wanted some cuddles.’. Taehyung laughed. “You are so cute”. Taehyung turned to his side and put his arms and leg over Jungkook as well.

It was silent for a while and all that could be heard was their soft breathing. Jungkook wasn’t sure whether Taehyung had already fallen asleep. “You smell nice”. Taehyung broke the silence. “Yeah?”, Jungkook asked. “You smell like lavender. It’s that shampoo you use, isn’t it? The smell makes me feel drowsy. “. Jungkook is very particular about smell and always makes sure to use either unscented or good smelling shampoos, soaps and perfumes. His hyungs found it very endearing how meticulous he was, even carefully chosing his laundry detergent. Taehyung dug his nose into Jungkook shirt and took an exaggerated sniff. “Aaahhhh”, he sighed. Jungkook giggled at Taehyung’s antics. “I feel like I am back on the farm, back home”, Taehyung said after a pause. Jungkook waited for him to continue. But nothing came. Taehyung was still facing his chest. His breathing sounded laboured. Jungkook moved his hand upwards, from Taehyung’s back to his hair. He started softly stroking the longer hairs at the back of his head and pressed Taehyung to his chest softly. They stayed like that for a few minutes.

He suddenly felt a certain coldness on the t-shirt he was wearing. He realized it was wet. It didn’t take him long to figure out that it was caused by Taehyung’s tears soaking through his clothes. Taehyung didn’t make a sound. Jungkook slowly stopped stroking Taehyung’s hair. Taehyung tensed up. “I-I am s-sorry, Kook”, Taehyung’s voice sounded small, like he could hardly breathe. Taehyung tried to slip from Jungkook’s embrace without meeting his eyes. Jungkook held him in his place by firmly placing his hand on Taehyung’s back. “What’s wrong, hyung?”, Jungkook asked, ignoring his apology. “I’m sorry, northing's wrong, let’s just go back to sleep, I am sorry about your shirt, you know, allergies….”, Taehyung babbled. Jungkook started softly stroking his back and gently shushed him. That seemed to calm down Taehyung. “Hyung, I know you are hurting. Please tell me what is wrong. I want to help you. I can’t stand seeing you sad.”. Taehyung took a deep breath. “Please, hyung?”, Jungkook pleaded once more. “O-okay”, the older said, voice wavering. “I-I, had a fight. W-with my brother.”

Jungkook spoke with Taehyung the entire night. Taehyung told him about the fight he had had with his brother over the phone. He does not even remember what the fight was about. All he remembers from the phone call where the last words his brother had uttered to him. His brother had told him that Taehyung is a terrible older brother and that he only thinks about himself. That it often felt like he had no older brother at all. Taehyung knew realistically that his brother had not meant it, he was mad at him at that moment, but the words still stung. Taehyung is someone who is very family oriented. He dearly loves his parents, his grandparents and also all his siblings. This fight with his brother had bothered him a lot. He had not seen his brother for months and when he finally got to call him, things turned sour. The words his brother said to him made him think about his relationship with his hyungs. He was closer with his hyungs than he ever was with his siblings. Taehyung confessed to Jungkook that he feels like he is always on the receiving end of these relationships. His brother might have had a good point. Jungkook wanted to protest, but he let Taehyung tell his story. Taehyung said he especially felt sorry towards Jungkook and Jimin. Especially Jimin. Jimin did everything for him and he could not take care of Jimin. Meanwhile, Jungkook is younger than he is, yet here he is helping him. Jungkook felt pained hearing his hyung speak like that about himself, but he still waited patiently for Taehyung to finish.

Taehyung explained why he was crying on the sofa that day. Jimin and he were in the practice room that day. Taehyung had fallen down and Jimin had helped patch him up and taken care of him. While Jimin was bandaging his arm, Taehyung noticed a huge blue area on Jimin’s ankle. He knew that Jimin had been practicing before he had joined him and apparently Jimin had sprained his ankle before. Yet he had continued the dance practice. Taehyung felt so insanely guilty towards Jimin that he had avoided his gaze the entire day after that. On the sofa, sitting with Jungkook, Jimin and Yoongi, he was so overcome with guilt, he had let his tears fall from his face. He really was like a big baby, just a burden to everyone.

The day after that, when Jungkook had handed Jin the phone to let him speak to his brother, Taehyung had walked away, because he could not bear to hear the word ‘brother’, Jungkook realized that now. Taehyung had stopped speaking. He took a deep breath. “I am so sorry for being like this, Jungkook”.