Chapter 90

Jin opened the door of Jungkook’s room and glanced at the dark space. He turned on the lights, and there he saw his brothers, Tae holding Jungkook in his arms, Jungkook fully wrapped in Tae’s embrace and covered by the duvet. He looked so comfortable. Jin smiled brightly at the sight.

He switched the lights off again, leaving only the soft glow of the lamp. Walking quietly to the bed, he smiled warmly at the duo. Taking out his phone, he snapped a picture of them.

His eyes softened as he looked at Jungkook’s peaceful face. Jin gently caressed his hair and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, then on Tae’s. “You both should always smile, so I can smile every day,” Jin whispered.

He sat there for a while, watching his brothers with a soft smile. After some time, he also lay down, settling beside Jungkook. His mind wandered deep into thoughts, and after a hour and some minutes, he finally drifted to sleep.

There they were, three brothers sleeping together, their rest a little more peaceful than usual.

Time skips at 2.53 am

The three brothers were sleeping peacefully. But it wasn’t the same for one of them. And it was Jungkook again. Jungkook’s breaths were a little shallow, he was sweating slightly. He was clearly in distress.

“Appa… a..appa… appa.” Suddenly, he flinched and woke up. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling quickly as he looked around. He saw Jin and Tae beside him, and he was warmly nestled between them.

He looked terrified but calmed down a little when he saw his hyungs around him. He felt safe. He didn’t want to disturb them, so he just stared at the ceiling. His breathing slowly steadied. A lonely tear slipped from his eyes. It kept falling; he didn’t sob or cry hard, he just let the tears flow.

He looked at Jin with his teary doe eyes, then at Tae. “I… I don’t deserve your love and care…” he thought.

He kept staring at them while the tears flowed constantly. Eventually, they slowed, but left visible tear stains. Jin shifted in his sleep, turning to face Jungkook. He was stirred awake by the faint sound of sniffles.

His eyes opened halfway, still  halfasleep but his drowsiness vanished instantly when he saw his brother’s tear-stained face.

Jin frowned and called Jungkook softly, careful not to disturb Tae. “Kook?” His voice was hoarse and groggy.

Jungkook looked at him, his eyes, nose, and face red, it was clear he had been crying. Jin’s frown deepened. “You didn’t sleep?” he asked, still groggy.

Jungkook shook his head and whispered softly, “N-Not sleepy……” he mumbled.

Jin stared at him with gentle eyes, then sighed and pulled Jungkook into his embrace. Jungkook was startled at first, but quickly calmed down. Jin adjusted the duvet, wrapping it securely around them, his arms protectively holding Jungkook close.

“Sleep, Kook,” Jin murmured softly. “I’m here. You aren’t alone. Don’t think about anything, just listen to my heartbeat.”

Jungkook didn’t reply. He just stayed closer, listening to Jin’s steady heartbeat. He felt his hyung’s hand softly patting his back. That rhythm, along with the sound of Jin’s heart, comforted him more than anything else. His eyelids grew heavier.

“Hyung…” he mumbled sleepily. Jin hummed in response. “I’m sorry…” Jungkook whispered, his voice faint with drowsiness. Jin blinked, confusion flickering across his face. “W…why?” he asked gently.

“For everything…” Jungkook mumbled sleepily before his eyes closed, and without realizing it, he drifted off to sleep again in his hyung’s arms.

But Jin couldn’t fall back asleep. He was confused by Jungkook’s words. Why would he apologize out of nowhere? His eyes lingered on Jungkook’s sleeping face, peaceful yet still having traces of tears. Jin gently stroked Jungkook’s hair, lost in thought.

How many secrets are still hidden? That was the only thought circling in his mind.

Hours passed, and eventually, Jin drifted off to sleep unknowingly, still holding Jungkook protectively in his arms.

Time skips

It was the next morning, 7 a.m. The three brothers were still sleeping. Jungkook was nestled in Jin’s arms, Tae clutched his pillow tightly, and Jin remained in the same position, one hand behind his head, the other wrapped protectively around Jungkook.

Jin stirred awake when he heard the sound of a phone ringing. He opened his eyes, quickly reached for his phone, and put it on silent. His gaze immediately shifted to Jungkook. He saw him sleeping so peacefully, no distress, no sweat, nothing but calmness.

Jin gently stroked his hair, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Then he looked at Tae, who was still hugging his pillow. The sight made him smile even more.

Turning back to Jungkook, Jin brushed his hair again and slowly removed his arm from his chest.

Carefully, he adjusted Jungkook so he could sleep comfortably on his own. Jungkook whimpered softly at the loss of warmth, his tiny fist curled near his face like a baby. Jin’s heart softened, and he smiled at the sight. He then tucked the duvet properly around them, making sure they were warm.

Taking his phone, Jin quietly left the room. He dialed the number back.it was Hobi. “Hey, hyung!” Hobi’s bright and cheerful voice came through, as charming as always.

“Nae, Hoba?” Jin asked as he walked to the balcony. “Ahhhh, hyung… what happened? Yoongi-hyung said Jungkook found out that we knew?” Hobi’s voice carried concern.

“Hmm… yeah, he knew,” Jin replied, and then explained everything that had happened the previous day. “Panic attack again?” Hoseok asked, his tone now heavy with worry.

Jin hummed softly. “It was from anxiety… I think.” “D-did he seem terrified when it happened? Was he not in his senses?” Hobi pressed, his voice serious.

“He…. h-he was in his senses. But he looked terrified. He was so scared,” Jin admitted, his own voice trembling. Hobi let out a sigh from the other side. “It’s an anxiety attack, hyung.”

“A-anxiety? But why would he get that?” Jin asked, his worry deepening. “Maybe he was really scared of something, and he must have been overthinking about that fear. That’s usually why……” Hobi explained gently.

Jin stayed silent, still processing his words. Then he asked again, hesitantly, “B…but why should he get that? Is it serious?”

“He might have gotten it because of fear. And… yes, sometimes it can be serious. That’s why we need to take care of him. But he should be fine,” Hobi said, voice gentle and assuring.

“I-it can be because of the past too, right?” Jin asked quietly, almost hesitant to hear the answer. Hobi hummed softly. “Mm… it can be. But don’t worry, hyung. We’re here. He’ll be fine. By the way, how is he now?”

“He’s fine… sleeping,” Jin answered. “Then don’t worry, hyungie. He’s going to be fine. After all, he has us. Especially you, hyung. He’ll be okay,” Hobi said warmly. Jin couldn’t help but smile faintly at Hobi’s assurance.

“Nae, nae, you’re there after all! By the way, get your work done before noon, we’ll be going today!” Jin said.

“Ahhh, hyung, this is the 10th time you’re saying that. Joonie already packed everything, you know! We’ll finish our work and come there, hyung. You better speak with Kook today!” Hobi replied.

Jin chuckled. “Nae, nae, okay! I’ll speak with him today.” “Okay then, hyung! Bye bye,” Hobi said and hung up the call.

Jin lowered the phone from his ear and let out a soft sigh. He turned toward the peaceful morning view outside the window. His expression grew serious as he mumbled, almost to himself, “What happened to you, Kook-ah? So many things must’ve happened, right?”

Time skip

It was 10 a.m. Jin was in the kitchen, and after preparing breakfast, he went to wake his brothers. He quietly opened the door and found them still fast asleep. Tae’s hand rested gently on Jungkook’s chest, while Jungkook remained in the same position, his head tilted toward Tae.

Jin chuckled softly at the sight and sat beside Tae. He caressed Tae’s hair and spoke gently, “Taehyung-ah…… wake up.”

Tae stirred in his sleep and groggily opened his eyes, his voice hoarse as he mumbled, “Good morning…” Jin chuckled again. “Wake up, bear. It’s already 10 in the morning,” he said warmly.

Tae rubbed his eyes and glanced at Jungkook, who was still sleeping peacefully. Carefully, he lifted his hand away from Jungkook’s chest and sat up. Stretching his arms, he asked,
“You didn’t go to the office, hyung?”

Jin shook his head. “No. I’m not going. We need to speak with him today.”

At that, Tae’s expression grew serious. “Hyung… he asked me not to tell Appa about us knowing. He made me promise. He…. he looked so scared,” Tae said softly, his gaze lingering on Jungkook’s face.

Jin sighed, placing a reassuring hand on Tae’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We won’t say anything to Dad. Let’s just talk to him and assure him, hmm? He’ll be fine.”

Tae nodded, still watching over Jungkook with concern in his eyes. “Go and freshen up, hmm? I made your favorites. We should get ready before 3,” Jin said.

Tae smiled brightly. “I’m so excited!” he said enthusiastically, already looking forward to their trip to their grandparents’ town. Jin smiled softly at him.

Tae got up and went to his room to freshen up. Jin’s gaze shifted to Jungkook, who was still sleeping. He gently caressed his hair and spoke in a tender voice, “Kook-ah, wake up, baby.” Still, there was no response.

“Jungkookie! Bun, wake up, come on,” Jin coaxed again. Jungkook groaned lightly before opening his eyes. His gaze landed on Jin, then drifted around the room. Realizing he was still in bed, he quickly sat up, his eyes widening.

“Hey, hey, calm down, Kook. What happened?” Jin asked, concerned. Jungkook looked at him and asked quietly, “Time?”

“It’s 10. Why?” Jin answered. Jungkook spoke lowly “I…I’m sorry. I overslept.” Jin frowned at him and said “It’s okay You didn’t sleep well last night anyway,” he said gently.

Jungkook just stared at him silently, his expression unreadable. “Go freshen up and then come down, hmm?” Jin encouraged softly.

Jungkook only nodded quickly before hurrying into the restroom. Jin let out a quiet sigh at his younger brother’s behavior. He then made the bed neatly before stepping out of the room.

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Right now, everyone was sitting at the dining table, eating together. Jin and Tae had made the atmosphere cozy. They didn’t ask Jungkook anything, nor did they make him feel uncomfortable, they just let him be, letting him stay in his own space.

“Kook! We’re going to Busan today. Our grandparents live there. It’s sooo peaceful, you’ll love it a lot, bun!” Tae said brightly, smiling at him.

Jungkook looked up at him and asked softly, “Grandparents?” Tae nodded eagerly. “Our mom’s parents! They really miss you sooo much. You’ll love them,” he said with his usual enthusiasm.

Jungkook glanced at Jin, who was already watching him with a fond smile. Jungkook just lowered his gaze again and nodded quietly, focusing back on his plate.

Jin and Tae exchanged a glance, and Jin gave Tae a subtle nod of reassurance. After they finished eating, Jungkook stood up. He froze when he heard Jin’s voice. “Kook, wait in the living room.”

Jungkook hesitated but nodded, confusion flickering in his eyes. With slow steps, he walked to the living room and sat down beside Tae.

A moment later, Jin joined them and sat beside Jungkook. His voice was gentle when he asked, “Are you still angry at us, bun?”

Jungkook blinked at him in confusion. “No…. W-why?” he asked softly, his tone hesitant.

Jin sighed softly and said, “We’re sorry, Kook… we’re sorry for… everything.” Jungkook looked at him with confusion, his doe eyes searching for answer.

Jin gently reached out and held Jungkook’s hand. His voice trembled as he spoke. “I’m sorry for not being there with you, Kook. I’m really sorry. I…. I failed to protect you from that monste—-” he stopped himself, sighing heavily before correcting, “I mean…. from Dad. I’m so sorry. I left you all alone in there. It must have been so tough, right?”

Jungkook just kept staring at him with his soft eyes, silent. Tae too remained quiet, his gaze fixed on his younger brother.

“I know you’re suffering, Kook,” Jin continued, his voice breaking. “You can speak to me. You have us, baby. You aren’t alone anymore. I’m sorry… for leaving you alone with Dad. A-and…. and he pushed you into that hell while I wasn’t there to protect you. I’m so angry at myself, and I regret it every single day. I’m sorry, bun….” Jin’s eyes began to grow teary as his voice faltered.

“You suffered all alone there, didn’t you?” Jin asked softly. Jungkook stared at him in silence, his expression blank, his eyes void of emotion. After a long pause, he shook his head slowly and whispered, “I wasn’t a-alone. It’s not your fault.” he tried to assure them that he was doing good there but his eyes betrayed him.

Jin’s chest tightened as he looked at his brother, who now kept his gaze lowered. “No… it was my fault, Kook. I… I should have been there with you. You were suffering, and I was foolishly believing you were doing fine. I failed to protect you. I failed you, Kook.”

Jungkook shook his head firmly, though his voice was soft. “It’s not your fault. I… I was doing good there. He took g-good care of me…” His words faltered, the strain in his voice betraying him. He tried his best not to break down, not to shatter, but the cracks in his strength were already showing.

Jin shook his head firmly. “I will not be convinced, Kook. I know what he can do. I’ve faced him. You don’t need to lie and assure me…. you’re not doing good!” Jin said, his voice rose little at the end.

Then he continued looking straight at jungkook’s eyes. “Do you think I don’t have eyes? It’s been almost 7 months already since you came back, and still, you get nightmares. You don’t eat well. You don’t talk to anyone. You’re always silent, always scared. Sometimes you burst out in anger or get angry for no reason, but even then, you try to hide it. You always prefer the goddamn dark instead of the light. You don’t sleep well, you get those fucking nightmares every single night. You’re restless. You don’t take care of yourself. Kook….. you are fucking suffering alone!” His voice remained calm, but every word cut deeply, weighted with restrained pain.

Jungkook just stared at him, eyes wide, almost stunned. “If I was wrong at any point, then tell me, Kook,” Jin said, locking eyes with him.

Jungkook’s hands began to tremble slightly. His chest rose and fell unevenly. His eyes filled with tears. Not a single word Jin spoke was wrong. Every bit of it was the truth he had been trying so hard to bury.

Jungkook parted his lips to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. Before he could utter a word, Tae’s calm voice filled the silence.

“And we know one thing for sure, Kook,” Tae said softly, “though you love Dad…. you hate him too, don’t you? He wasn’t taking care of you properly, right?”

Jungkook’s teary eyes darted to Tae. He shook his head desperately, his whole frame trembling, “I-it’s not l-like t-that, hyung,” he stammered, his voice cracking, trembling with fear. His eyes were poring tears. He was at the point of getting another panic attack.

The next moment, he was pulled into Tae’s arms. Tae hugged him tightly, one hand gently rubbing his hair, the other soothing his back. His voice was tender, comforting. “It’s okay, Kook. It’s okay….. we’re here.” Jin looked at them with deep worry.

“I-I’m s-sorry…” Jungkook whispered, still trembling in tae’s embrace, his voice soft, broken, barely holding together.

“Why are you sorry? We’re the ones who should be sorry!” Tae said his voice trembling as tears streamed down his face. “We’re so sorry for not protecting you, Kook. But hyungie is with you now. You’re not alone anymore. We won’t ever leave you alone again. We’re sorry, baby… we’re really, really sorry!”

“It’s not your fault,” he said quietly, almost pleading. “It’s our—-” Tae began, but was cut off when
Jungkook’s voice suddenly rose, shaky but firm. “I said it’s not your fault!”

Tae let out a shaky sigh, tightening his arms around him. He gently patted Jungkook’s back and hair, his own tears falling freely. “You suffered a lot, right, Kook? I’m sorry…… hyungie is so sorry for not being there with you. But I promise you, I will never leave you alone again. You’re going to be okay. No more tears…. not anymore.”

With that, Tae slowly pulled away from the hug. He genlty wiped away Jungkook’s tears, his touch soft, tender, full of love. Jungkook stared at him through blurred, tear-filled eyes as more tears continued to pour.

Jin had been watching them silently, his own face wet with tears. A fond, broken smile played on his lips as he reached forward, caressing Jungkook’s hair with trembling hands.

“Trust him, Kook,” Jin said gently. “When he promises, he means it. We’re here with you,always. We’re going to cherish you forever. And no matter what….. we’ll protect you, Kook.”

Jungkook looked at them with teary eyes. They waited patiently for him to speak. After a few minutes, his tiny, trembling voice broke the silence.

“h-hyungs….” “Yeah, Kook?” Tae immediately leaned closer, concern flooding his tone. “W…will you ask Kim about this?” Jungkook’s voice was so small, almost afraid.

Jin’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Why? You don’t want us to ask him?” Jungkook hesitated, then gave a small nod..“Why, Kook?” Jin asked softly.

Jungkook’s eyes pooled with more tears, his lips trembling. He shook his head slowly, refusing to explain, refusing to let the words out.

The sight broke Jin. Without another word, he pulled Jungkook into his arms. Jungkook immediately buried himself in Jin’s neck, clinging tightly.

“We won’t ask Kim about this, hmm? Don’t be scared. You’re with me. Nothing will happen to you,” Jin whispered, his voice low and full of reassurance.

Jungkook didn’t respond. He just pressed himself closer, his small frame trembling as more tears poured out, soaking Jin’s shirt.

Jin rubbed his back gently, his own heart aching. “We’re here with you, Kook… Cry as much as you want, but in front of us, not behind us. We’re here to give our shoulders for you to lean on. You can whine, cry, get angry, fight with us, be chaotic….. Be you. Not some puppet who just nods and replies.”

Jungkook still didn’t say a word, but his tears continued to fall, his silence speaking louder than anything else.

Jin chuckled lightly, though his tears continued to flow. “You know what? When you were little, you’d turn the whole house upside down. You would keep talking until you fell asleep. And if you, your Tae hyung, and Jimin hyung were together, the whole place would be a complete mess,” Jin said softly, a fragile smile tugging at his lips as he recalled the memories.

Tae smiled faintly through his own tears at the thought. Jungkook didn’t say anything, he just listened quietly, tears still rolling down his cheeks.

Jin continued, his voice trembling with affection. “You were always the enthusiastic bunny. Eomma had to run behind you just to feed you. You always hated the dark. And if someone was sad, you were always there to cheer them up with your silly, cute talks.”

He slowly broke the hug to look at Jungkook’s face. Jungkook was still crying silently. Jin reached up and wiped his tears gently, cupping his face with trembling hands. His own eyes shone with emotion as he whispered, “You were the light of our house…. of our lives. And you still are. Tell me, if the light disappears…. how will we ever continue our path, hmm?”

Jungkook just stared at him, his lips parted but unable to speak.

“You know what?” Jin continued softly, tears streaming. “Everyone loved you so, so much. You were the most pampered of us all. Eomma and Appa always bought you endless toys and chocolates, they showered you with all their love and care. And Taehyung, he never shared his toys with anyone. But for you….. he would give away everything the moment you asked. That’s how precious you are to us, Kook. You are that much special to us. We can’t see you in pain. ”

Jin’s voice broke, but he forced the words out, his thumb gently brushing away the tears that wouldn’t stop falling from Jungkook’s eyes. “We can’t let you break in front of us…… We’ll protect you, always. We won’t let you fall apart.”

Jungkook looked at Jin with teary eyes, his voice trembling as he whispered, “R-really?”

Jin’s heart clenched at the vulnerability in his tone. He let out a small, shaky chuckle through his tears and nodded. “Really, Kook.”

Jungkook sniffled and slowly lifted his little pinky, his hand trembling. Jin’s eyes softened, and despite the tears streaming down his cheeks, he smiled gently. He hooked his own pinky with Jungkook’s and whispered, “I promise.” That single word carried the weight of all his regrets and all his love.

Then, without hesitation, Jin pulled Jungkook into his arms, holding him close as if he would never let go. He looked at Tae and gave him a small gesture. Tae immediately leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Jungkook too. The two of them hugged him tightly, pressing him between their warmth, their love, their protection.

Hey guys! How was the chapter? Was it good?

Okay which was the most fav part of yours?

Mine is when jin said jungkook about his childhood!

What you wanna see in upcoming chapter? I can assure that upcoming chapters are going to be fun!

Anyway why you guys aren’t commenting, I see the votes, its always above 40 and the views to. But comments…. After I stopped keeping the targets no one is commenting.

I am really demotivated! I am such a stubborn ass! Should I be stubborn now? Ahhh just comment na! I am putting all efforts but all you give it just 10 or 12 comments! Isn’t it cruel?

Ahhhh I just ask for some comments! Its not lyk this watty is paying me for the chapters! I write to entertain you all! And you guys don’t comment!

I need a lot and lot of comments! Please…. Ahhh pleaseeeeee!

Let’s see how much I get! I swear guys if you all betray me again….. I will cry 😭😭.