Chapter 74

Jungkook was sitting in the living room, staring at his trembling hands. They were still shaking. He was stressed. To make things worse, his head throbbed painfully. He held his head in his hands, trying to soothe the pain. He was still in his school uniform, as Jin had asked him to wait here, so he did.

Soon, Jin returned, only to see Jungkook rubbing his head in discomfort.

“Kook,” Jin called gently. Jungkook looked up at him. Jin quickly sat beside him.

“What happened? Is your head hurting, Kook?” Jin asked worriedly, brushing Jungkook’s hair away from his forehead.

Jungkook didn’t say anything. He just gave a small shook as no, but the pain was clear in his eyes.

“Don’t lie,” Jin said softly. “After you eat, take your medicine and get some rest, hmm? Or should I call the doctor?”

Jungkook shook his head again and mumbled, “I’m fine.”

Jin sighed, observing him closely. “Why are you sweating so much? Do you feel dizzy or uneasy?” he asked, concern growing in his voice.

Jungkook simply shook his head again. His silence frustrated Jin, he wished Jungkook would speak properly to him, let him know what he was feeling, what he wanted,.

Jin picked up a tissue and gently held Jungkook’s chin, making the younger boy look at him. He noticed the dry blood on his lips and the faint fingerprints on his cheeks, jin’s heart sank at the sight. Jin cursed Junwoo under his breath.

He started to carefully wipe the sweat off from Jungkook’s face. Jungkook just looked at Jin with his soft, innocent, doe-like eyes.

Once Jin finished, he ruffled Jungkook’s hair gently and said, “Let’s treat your cuts.”

Jungkook didn’t say a word. Just stared at him.

Jin grabbed the first-aid box which he brought with him. Taking out antiseptic gel and a cotton bud, he said, “It’ll sting a little,” then he began treating the cut with gentle care and softness.

Jungkook hissed softly at the initial sting. Jin immediately stopped and asked “is it stinging a lot?” He asked voice worried and concerned. Jungkook shook his head as no. Jin nodded and continued with extremely careful with his gestures.

He stared at Jin, watching the way he handled everything so gently. He felt something stir inside, something like warmth. Protection. Care. Love. Safety.

Once Jin was done, he applied some cooling gel on the red mark where the fingerprint was still faintly visible and over the small wound.

“Is it okay?” Jin asked softly. Jungkook just nodded.

Jin then gently took Jungkook’s hand, noticing the faint trail of blood along his knuckles and palm, there was a small cut in his palm.

“See? It’s bleeding too. And… why are your hands so cold and trembling?” Jin murmured with a concerned tone as he gently held them.

Jungkook didn’t answer. He simply looked away, his eyes dull and distant.

“Is it hurting a lot?” Jin asked gently.

“Ani…” Jungkook replied in a faint, low voice.

Jin sighed quietly and started cleaning the small wound. Once he finished, he carefully placed a bandage over it. His movements were slow and soft, like he was afraid Jungkook would shatter if touched too harshly.

But he didn’t know that his little brother was already shattered into pieces and no one had ever tried to fix that shattered piece.

Afterward, Jin raised his hand and gently ran his fingers through Jungkook’s hair.

“What happened, Kook? Are you still thinking about their words?” he asked softly.

Jungkook stayed silent. He didn’t know what to say, or maybe he just didn’t want to. The pain inside was too tangled, too heavy.

Jin held his hand tightly, grounding him with warmth. “They spoke nonsense. We should never take such things to heart. There is no fault in you. You have us, Kook. You always have us,” Jin said sincerely with pure love and care.

But Jungkook didn’t respond. The silence between them felt too loud.

Then, after a long pause, Jungkook finally spoke.

“Is it true… that I was the reason for Yoona-ssi’s death?” he asked quietly, looking up into Jin’s eyes with uncertainty, as though bracing himself for the truth.

Jin’s eyes widened at the question. His heart clenched at the sight of his brother’s slight teary eyes.

“No, no, no, Kook!” Jin shook his head instantly, his voice laced with panic. “It’s just a rumor. It was just… spread by haters. It’s not true. You are not the reason. Don’t think like that, please. It’s no one’s fault.”

Jungkook shook his head weakly, his voice trembling. “But… everyone says it’s my—–”

He was abruptly cut off when Jin pulled him into a tight hug.

Jungkook flinched at first from the sudden closeness, but Jin’s arms only tightened around him.

“It’s not your fault, Kook… Don’t ever think that way,” Jin whispered near his ear, voice thick with emotion. “Forget what they said. Don’t think about that, forget that.”

Jungkook didn’t respond. Slowly, he pulled back and broke the hug.

Then he looked at Jin with teary, questioning eyes. “Why are you so protective over me?”

Jin smiled faintly and cupped his cheek. “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re my little brother, after all.”

Jungkook just stared at him silently.

“ you are my brother, Kook, my little brother” Jin said gently. “I care about you deeply. I’ll always be protective of you. I’ll always trust you. I’ll always be here, showering you with all the love and care you deserve. Cuz you are my brother, kookie”

He ran his fingers through Jungkook’s hair again with comforting strokes.

Jungkook hesitated, then asked in a soft, almost broken voice, “You trust me?”

Jin nodded firmly. “Of course I do.”

“Even if…” Jungkook’s voice trembled, “even if someone says… I killed someone?”

Jin blinked, shocked by the question. “Mwo? What kind of question is that, Kook?”

His tone grew firm. “If anyone dares say something like that about you, I’ll come and ask you first,” Jin said with conviction.

Jungkook looked at him with the same innocent gaze and asked, “What if I say that… I killed someone? Will you still love me, care for me, trust me, and… treat me like your brother still?”

Jin took a breath, stunned by the weight of the question. His heart ached at the thought of Jungkook carrying.

But then, with clarity and certainty, he replied.

“Of course I will,” Jin said. “If you come and tell me that… I still wouldn’t believe it. Because I know my Jungkook. I know you would never do something like that intentionally. Never. And even if the whole world turns against you, I won’t. My love, care, and trust for you will never fade. In fact, it’ll only grow stronger.”

Jungkook stared at him, lips slightly parted, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.

In that moment, he felt something he hadn’t felt in years, something he had been silently begging for deep inside his wounded soul.

He felt real love. Real care. Unshakable trust. Protection. Warmth.

All pouring from his brother’s words like a blanket wrapping around his broken heart.

He finally realized how much his brothers truly loved him. How deeply Jin cared. How unconditionally he was being held, not just in a hold, but in love.

The way Jin had said he would still love him even if he killed someone, made something in Jungkook’s shattered heart begin to heal, just a little.

He finally felt secure.

He finally felt like… a person again today. And for the first time in years… he wasn’t completely alone.

After a quiet moment, Jungkook spoke, still looking down at his hands.

“Thanks…” he whispered.

Then, after a pause, he looked up at Jin, eyes soft and hesitant.

“…Hyung,” he said, barely audible, but loud enough for Jin to hear.

Jin froze.

For a second, he couldn’t even process what he had just heard. He blinked in disbelief, his breath catching.

“You… You called me hyung?” Jin asked, voice trembling with shock.

Jungkook gave a tiny nod, his lips forming the faintest smile.

Jin sat there, wonderstruck. His hand flew up to cover his mouth, his eyes widening in disbelief and emotion.

Then, without another word, he pulled Jungkook into a tight hug, so tight, so full of emotion, it felt like he was trying to mend all the broken pieces between them in one embrace.

“Ahhh, you don’t even know… how much I missed that word,” Jin choked out, his voice cracking. “Ahh, Kookie… my baby…”

Jungkook let out a small chuckle at Jin’s reaction, but deep down, he felt it too. He could feel what Jin was feeling. The love. The longing. The years of quiet heartbreak.

He finally understood just how much they had missed him, not just his presence, but his words, smile, his voice and everything.

Jin couldn’t even find the right words. For over a decade, he hadn’t heard Jungkook calling him hyung. Not even once. And Jin had missed it every single day.

The word which was used to be so casual, so warm, so full of love, and then, it disappeared.

The way Jungkook called him hyung changed into something so formal, bycold distance. And every time Jungkook addressed him so formally, Jin smiled on the outside, but inside, it shattered him.

“Every day… I wanted to hear you say it, kook, I missed that.” Jin whispered into the hug.

Jungkook didn’t respond with words. He simply leaned into the hug, his eyes beginning to sting. He understood now.

“My baby, i missed that so much, kook” jij said again his voice filled with raw emotion

“Ahh, Jin-ssi, don’t call me baby,” Jungkook teased softly, trying to lighten the moment.

Jin broke the hug, looking at Jungkook with an exaggerated deadpan expression. “Are you serious right now?”

Jungkook chuckled at his brother’s expression, and Jin couldn’t help but laugh along.

“I’m just… happy you’re finally getting comfortable with us again,” Jin said, voice full of fondness. “I’m totally going to brag about this to Tae. He’s going to sulk for a whole day, maybe even a month.”

Jungkook laughed softly, a real, genuine laugh. It was light. It was free. It was healing.

But just as quickly as the laughter came, it faded.

A sharp, sudden jolt of pain pierced through Jungkook’s head. He winced, letting out a soft hiss as he quickly reached up and held his temple.

“Hey… hey, what happened, Kook? Is it hurting a lot?” Jin asked immediately, panic rising in his voice as he scooted closer.

Jungkook let out a shaky breath as the pain slowly faded.

“I’m fine,” he said softly, shaking his head.

Jin’s worry only grew. “You sure?” he asked. “Nae,” Jungkook said lowly his voice was tired.

“Go freshen up and come back, hmm? I’ll prepare lunch,” Jin said softly.

Jungkook shook his head and replied in a low voice, “I don’t have an appetite.”

“You barely ate in the morning too, so no tantrums,” Jin said gently but firmly.

Jungkook sighed and got up, dragging his tired body toward his room.

Jin watched him go with worried eyes. “Please be okay, Kook…” he mumbled under his breath. But then…. He smiled, he was happy that Jungkook is getting comfortable with them. He was truly soo happy for that.

He then headed to his own room and changed into some comfy clothes.

Meanwhile with Jungkook

He entered the room and quietly closed the door behind him, his heart heavier.

He collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted, his body splaying out like a starfish. He didn’t move. He just lay there, staring at the ceiling.

A single tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

“Eomma…” he whispered, his voice broken and barely audible.

“Do I… really deserve all this care from them?” he murmured, his voice cracking. “He… he said he trusts me. Even if I said I killed someone… he said he’ll still care for me, still be there for me…”

His bottom lip trembled.

“But… but what if they gets hurt because of me, just like you did? What if anyone dies because of me? Or what if Kim… tells me to kill him, or Tae hyung, just like he told me to do with Suho hyungie?”

His voice dropped into a whisper, barely clinging to itself.

“What… what will they do if they find out that Kim made me kill Suho hyungie? Will they… will they still love me? Will they still care for me?”

His chest heaved as more tears escaped.

“I’m scared for them. I’m so scared. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. I… I don’t want to carry that guilt again….it’s still haunting me. Every single day. I can’t escape it.”

His voice turned even more fragile, like a child lost in the dark.

“I just want peace. I want to be happy, Eomma. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. If I can’t have that… then just let me die…”

His voice broke entirely.

“I don’t want this pain. I don’t want this burden. I just wanted peace… and happiness, Eomma…” And then the wall broke.

Jungkook started crying. Not just quiet sobs, but hear wrecking cries. The kind of cries that only come from someone completely overwhelmed. Someone who had been holding too much, for too long.

He cried like a child, curled up on the bed, his small body shaking with each sobt.

His heart was in pain. His head was in pain. His soul was screaming.

Everything today had been too much.

Too much love he didn’t feel he deserved.

Too much guilt he still carried.

Too many memories he wished he could erase.

And as he cried, completely alone in that dim room, one thing became painfully clear. Jungkook wasn’t just tired. He was done enough.

Not with life, not really.

But with the pain.

And all he wanted, more than anything else, was someone to hold him and say, “You’re safe now, Kook. It’s over. You’re allowed to rest. No more pain just happiness” But no one said it.

So he cried harder.

Time skips

Jungkook walked into the dining hall, his steps slow and heavy. His eyes were tired and red, his nose slightly swollen from all the crying.

He saw Jin plating the food with a gentle smile on his face.

As soon as Jin looked up and saw him, his smile widened.

“Ohh, Kookie, you came! Come, the food is ready,” he said warmly.

Jungkook nodded silently and walked over to sit at the table.

They started eating in quiet. Jin didn’t speak much, he simply watched over Jungkook, making sure he was eating properly, checking every few seconds if he was okay. The boy looked exhausted, so Jin didn’t press him for conversation.

Once they finished their meal, Jin stood up and said softly, “Kook, go to your room, hmm? I’ll bring some warm water.”

Jungkook hummed in response and got up, heading back to his room slowly.

Jin sighed and went into the kitchen. Since he wanted to do everything himself, he asked the maid to go and they left.

He set a kettle of water to boil and picked up his phone as it rang.

“Ahh, hyung! What are you doing?! How many times should I call you, huh?!” a familiar voice yelled from the other side.

It was Yoongi.

Jin sighed and answered, “Nae, nae. Tell me, Yoongs.”

“What happened at the university? Is Jungkook okay?” Yoongi asked, his tone sharp and clearly worried.

“Ahh, that was…” Jin began explaining everything in a low voice, telling Yoongi about what happened earlier.

Yoongi’s tone immediately turned furious. “Aishhh! You should’ve destroyed him right there, hyung. That Junwoo and his parents too” he cursed under his breath.

Jin smiled faintly at yoongi’m protectiveness. “Fine, fine. Jungkook looks really tired. Let me go and help him settle and sleep. You handle things there, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Hyung, just stay there and take care of him,” Yoongi said immediately. “You don’t need to come. Noona and I will handle everything here.”

“It’s okay. I’ll come—-” Jin started, but before he could finish, a sharp voice cut in from the other end.

“You, Seokjin, better stay there! If you dare to step out of his room, you’re gone!” Haein yelled through the phone.

“Aish, Noona, be quiet!” Yoongi’s voice followed quickly in the background.

Jin sighed and asked in a low voice, “So, Mr. Yoongi, who else is there with you?”

“Yo, hyung! Better be there!” came Namjoon’s voice next, slightly muffled but clearly heard.

“Hyung,” Hoseok’s voice joined in, worried and soft, “make sure to massage his head, okay? And yeah, keep a warm pad on his neck or shoulders. It’ll help relax his nerves. Or if it’s a severe headache, use a cool towel on his forehead. Also, make sure the surroundings are peaceful and quiet. Too much noise can make the headache worse.”

“Aishhh, nae nae, I will!” Jin replied with a smile, his heart warming at their concern.

He then added with a playful grin, “By the way, since all of you are here, I’m going to tell you something that’s definitely going to make you all envious.”

“Wae? What?!” all their voices echoed in unison from the other side of the call.

Jin grinned widely, happiness radiating through his voice. “Jungkook called me hyung,” he said, practically glowing with joy.

He heard a collective gasp from the other end of the line.

“Ahhh, really?! Hyung, you did it! You really did it!” Namjoon’s excited voice came through first.

“Ahhh, hyung, you really made it happen!” Hoseok’s voice followed, overwhelmed with happiness. “I’m crying already!”

They were all emotional… too emotional to hide it. The boys had been waiting just as long, hoping Jungkook would open his heart again.

“Yoongs?” Jin called softly, sensing a long silence from Yoongi’s end.

“Ahhh… hyungie, are you crying?” Namjoon asked, teasing but tender.

“Ani… it’s just… just a bit of dust got in my eye. That’s all,” Yoongi replied, his voice tight, clearly holding back tears.

“And hyung… you must be so happy right now. Ahhh… jinja…”

“I really am,” Jin whispered, eyes stinging with his own tears now. “I really, really am.”

“Ahhh Hyung I am jealous for sure… I’ll hang up now. Take care of our Kookie, hmm? Bye bye,” Yoongi said quietly and ended the call.

Jin chuckled softly at their behavior. “These boys…” he murmured with a smile.

He then picked up the warm water and the and towel and a bowl of cold water, just as Hobi had recommended, and walked toward Jungkook’s room.

When he entered, his heart immediately dropped.

Jungkook was lying on the bed, curled slightly while holding his head with both hands. It was clear, he was in pain.

“Hey, hey… Kook…” Jin rushed over, panic rising in his voice. He quickly placed the items on the bedside table and sat down beside Jungkook.

“What happened, Kook? Is it hurting a lot?” he asked, brushing back Jungkook’s hair gently.

Jungkook looked up at him with tired eyes and shook his head. “Ani… just hurting a little,” he mumbled weakly.

Jin frowned. “You sure? You look like you’re in so much pain.”

“I’m really fine,” Jungkook whispered, though the strain in his voice betrayed him.

Jin sighed but didn’t push him further. Instead, he reached over to Jungkook’s medicine box.

“Which one is your headache tablet?” he asked softly.

Jungkook lazily pointed at the small blue bottle. Jin picked it up and took out a pill, handing it to him.

“Here. Take this,” he said gently.

Jungkook took the pill and swallowed with the warm water.

“Drink it all,” Jin said, Jungkook nodded and obediently drank the rest.

“Now lie down and rest, hmm? I’ll be right here,” Jin said, helping Jungkook settle back down.

Jungkook gave a small nod and lay on his side.

“This will help,” Jin said, as he dampened a towel with the cold water and carefully placed it on Jungkook’s forehead.

Jungkook looked at him with soft, confused eyes.

“It’s just to soothe the pain a little,” Jin explained, gently brushing Jungkook’s hair away from his face. “Is it helping?”

Jungkook gave a small nod. Jin smiled in relief.

After a few minutes, Jin removed the towel and began massaging Jungkook’s temples with slow, careful fingers. Jungkook’s eyes fluttered closed in relaxation, though he didn’t fall asleep just yet.

After a while, Jin asked softly, “Is it still hurting, Kookie?”

Jungkook shook his head slightly. “No…”

“Okay then, sleep now, hmm?” Jin said, his fingers still combing gently through Jungkook’s hair.

Jungkook stared up at him for a moment, hesitant.

“Want me to stay?” Jin asked softly.

Jungkook hesitated again… then gave a small nod.

Jin chuckled at the silent request. “Alright,” he whispered.

He stood up, turned off the lights, and then laid down beside Jungkook. He pulled the duvet gently over his younger brother, leaving himself uncovered. He began softly patting Jungkook’s chest in a calming rhythm, humming a lullaby under his breath.

Jungkook closed his eyes at the comfort, his breathing slowing.

“…Hyung,” he whispered suddenly.

Jin’s heart swelled at the word again. “Nae, Kook?” he responded gently.

There was a moment of silence before Jungkook spoke again, voice soft and unsure.

“Did I… used to call you ‘Jinnie hyung’ when I was younger? And Tae hyung… as ‘Tae Tae’?”

Jin froze. His hand stopped mid pat. His heart skipped a beat.

That name… that way of calling them… It had been years.

Years since Jungkook had called them like that. And those words Jinnie hyung, Tae Tae were called by jungkook before the accident.

Jin stared at him, speechless, unable to process what he had just heard.

Jungkook… remembered?

He wasn’t supposed to know those names.

And yet… here he was, askig about it which is something buried deep in the past.

Jin’s breath caught. Was Jungkook’s memory returning?

“Who told you that?” Jin asked, his voice cracking slightly.

“A… ani…” Jungkook replied softly. “Just… some flashes came in front of my eyes. It was all foggy. I heard laughing sounds… then I heard those names.”

Jungkook looked directly into Jin’s eyes, searching for answers.

Jin bit his lower lip, trying to keep his emotions steady, then nodded gently. “Nae… you used to call us like that.” he said while caressing jungkook’s hair.

He took a breath and placed a hand on Jungkook’s cheek. “But don’t think too much about it now, hmm? It might affect your health. Just sleep.”

With that, Jin carefully scooped Jungkook into his arms, holding him close.

Jungkook didn’t resist. He didn’t say anything more. He just let himself be held, allowing Jin to pat his back softly and rub gentle circles on his temple.

He didn’t question anything anymore. He simply allowed himself to be comforted… to be loved.

Slowly, his tired eyes began to close, and he snuggled closer into Jin’s warmth, resting his head against his brother’s chest. His hand wrapped over jin’s torso.

Soon, sleep overtook him, Jin felt his breathing slow, his body relax. He looked down at his little brother, and gently ran his fingers through his hair.

He placed a soft, featherlight kiss on Jungkook’s forehead. “Be fine, Kook,” Jin whispered. “Hyungie is with you.”

He adjusted the blanket over both of them and wrapped his arm securely around Jungkook, his hand resting protectively on his head.

Eventually, Jin too closed his eyes, his breathing syncing with Jungkook’s.

And just like that, both brothers drifted off to sleep… wrapped in warmth, love, and peace.

Meanwhile, with the others…

Once Yoongi ended the call, the room fell into a quiet silence. Haein and the others looked at him in confusion.

“Why did you hang up, hyung?” Namjoon asked, raising a brow.

“Ahhh… just thinking. I’m so overwhelmed. Finally…” Yoongi mumbled, wiping the corner of his eyes with his sleeve.

“Why?” Haein asked, her voice soft and curious.

“Noona, you don’t even understand how much Jinn hyung and Tae craved for this moment,” Hoseok said, his voice low but emotional. “They were literally missing him every day. Every hour Every minute. Every second.”

Haein nodded slowly, heart tightening at the weight of those words.

“Is this the first time Jungkook has called Jin as hyung?” she asked.

“Nae,” Namjoon replied gently. “Actually, ever since the accident, this is the first time. Before that, we used to hear that word from him like we breathe oxygen. Every day, hyung this, hyung that, his voice used to echo through the house.”

He paused, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “But after the accident, when Jungkook returned… he was so formal with all of us. And hyung hated that. He tried everything he could to make Jungkook feel safe and comfortable again. He never forced him, never pressured him. He just stayed. Today… it finally happened. So Jin hyung must be so, so happy.”

They all fell silent for a moment, the depth of it sinking in.

Then Yoongi spoke quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

“JIn Hyung… he suffered a lot in his life. He gave up everything just to be there for us. For Tae. For Jungkook. For us.  He carried everyone’s burdens but never shared his own. And yet, he never asked for anything back.”

Yoongi blinked slowly, holding back tears. “But hearing Kookie call him hyung… even just once… must have healed something in him. Something that’s been broken for a long, long time.”

Haein listened quietly. Every word they spoke painted Jin in a different light, deeper, stronger, more selfless than she had ever known. The more she learned, the more respect and admiration bloomed in her heart.

And in that moment, she understood something very clearly.

Jin wasn’t just a brother to Jungkook.

He was home.

He was the one Jungkook needed the most.

Hey guys!

I am sad… I am disappointed… I hate this… I am angry… I am not satisfied…

Why don’t you guys leave comments. Did I just write 4k+ words to just get 19 comments from you all. Don’t you all this is cruel.

Wont you all comment? 😭😭.

Tell me if you hate this… If you don’t show your support then I’ll take my decision…

Please comment guys….

Okay fine better leave 30+ comments in last chapter and in this chapter. Or else I won’t update. I am serious.

Btw how was the chapter? Was it good? Was it emotional?

Which part made you sad? Which made you happy or smile soo brightly?

How you felt when Jungkook called Jin as hyung?

What is your request? Any Guess for next chapter.

Okay on SPOILER Eunwoo and Jin are gonna meet! Any guesses??

4491 Words. Better leave some comments guys. I am begging you. I don’t know in what more times should I ask. Should I try in different languages (comments juseyo armyyyyy)