Chapter Text
After nearly a year and half of marriage, Jimin considered himself to be fairly well-versed in Taehyung’s anxiety. While it could hit out of the blue, there were usually signs that it was building. He could pick up on the slightest change in the brunette’s behavior. The way Taehyung’s shoulders would tense, how he would repeat simple actions over and over again, the increased skin contact he would initiate with him or Jungkook. Most of the time, Jimin was able to keep the potential panic attack at bay with a few soft touches and whispered words.
But there were some days when he couldn’t be there for Taehyung right away. Those where the times where he would come home to his husband shaking on the bed, curled in on himself with shiny tear tracks along his cheeks and nails digging harshly into his arms. For days like these, were everything was too overwhelming for Taehyung, Jimin had developed a routine.
Figuring out exactly how far Taehyung was into the attack was his first priority. If it had just started, it was harder than if it was ending. Sometimes, albeit rarely, Taehyung got sensitive to touch. Because of this, Jimin always made sure to ask Taehyung if it was alright to touch him beforehand. Once he had permission, he would pull the younger close, sometimes taking off him and his husband’s shirts. Skin contact was usually the best way to ground Taehyung. They would stay glued together until Jungkook came home.
The two had a special code for when Taehyung had a panic or anxiety attack. Whoever was taking care of Taehyung would the other a simple “Code Purple”. Since Jungkook often came home later, he was usually on the receiving end of the message. He would come home with ice cream or cookies, and would take Jimin’s place in holding Taehyung while the elder ran a bath.
Taehyung was extremely sensitive after an attack. The first few times Jimin dealt with an anxious Taehyung, the younger had managed to send himself another attack simply by thinking about the previous one. Jimin and Jungkook made sure to give him plenty of attention once the worst was over. Pet names and praise seemed to be most effective, as well of reminding him of their love.
Jimin wished he could take all the parts of Taehyung’s mind that made him doubt himself and burn them. He hated seeing his husband so afraid. While he would never leave Taehyung because of something so small, he knew that the younger’s anxiety told him that he would.
The anxiety was sparking like electricity under his skin. Taehyung shook his head, trying is rid himself of the cloud that seemed to be taking over his mind. Jimin had run to the grocery store when the thoughts hit him. “What if he doesn’t come back? What if Jungkook doesn’t come home? What if they both leave you?”
All of his insecurities were bubbling to the surface, and he couldn’t breathe. His hair was standing on end, and he wasn’t sure if he was shivering or shaking. He was frozen, the intrusive thoughts seeming to come out of nowhere. Knees buckling, he dropped onto the couch. He was going to the kitchen to get some water, but he had barely made it a step.
Taehyung wasn’t quite sure where he was. He felt overstimulated, the lights too bright and the noise from the t.v too loud. The adrenaline thrumming through his system makes him want to move, to run, but his body isn’t cooperating. He sobs, heart pounding in his ears. The sound is deafening, so much so that he doesn’t hear the door slamming shut.
It’s the movement out of the corner of his eye which finally springs his body into action. He jolts, the sudden movement making his head spin. He sobs, but it catches in his throat. Whoever is there is coming closer, and Taehyung thinks that they’re speaking to him.
“Tae? Angel, can you hear me?” he can just make out the words over his own pulse.
“W-who?” he croaks, voice weak.
“It’s Jungkookie, Tae-ah. Can I touch you babe?” Taehyung sobs again. Jungkook was here, he wasn’t leaving. He nods hesitantly. Jungkook takes his time, gently grabbing his hand and pressing it onto his own chest. “Breathe with me, Taetae. Can you do that?”
Taehyung isn’t sure that he can, but he nods anyway. Jungkook’s touch is warm, and it gives him something to focus on.
“That’s it, just follow my lead, sweetheart.” He forces all of his attention on the feeling of Jungkook breathing, his own naturally following. The moment he isn’t hyperventilating, Jungkook pulls him closer.
“Can you take these for me, Tae?” Jungkook curls his hand around two pills. He swallows them, and Jungkook praises him. He turns him around, holding Taehyung against his chest. Soft kisses are pressed all over his exposed skin, but it isn’t enough. He’s still on edge, feeling like if Jungkook moves away he’ll start floating.
“Kookie.” It’s comes out as a whine, but Jungkook understands. He doesn’t hesitate to flip them so that Taehyung is trapped underneath him. The pressure slowly brings feeling back into his limbs. He’s able to grip onto the younger now, and Jungkook kisses him. The kiss is firm, and Taehyung presses their lips together with equal force.
The door slams for the second time that day, and this time it has Taehyung wriggling. Jimin drops the grocery bags on the floor, not caring about the mess. Jungkook flips them again, and Taehyung doesn’t get a chance to whine as Jimin weight pushes him down. The elder's hands are everywhere- dragging along his sides, petting his hair, tracing words into the skin of his back.
“Shh honey, I’m right here. No one is leaving, okay?” Taehyung was convinced that Jimin could read his mind. “Me and Jungkook love you so much. My Taehyungie, everything is okay now. Deep breathes, baby.”
With both his husbands back home, the thoughts dissipate. The relief is instant, and while Taehyung still feels like he’s floating, it’s almost comforting now. Jimin and Jungkook are whispering in each of his ears, their hearts backing each and every sweet word and praise. Taehyung keens, overcome with affection. Jimin only moves away to put the groceries on the fridge before they spoil. Jungkook carries him into their bedroom, Jimin joining them with three bowls of strawberry ice cream.
He fights the entire way into the bathroom, exhausted. “Wanna sleep.” The words are slurred, and Jungkook chuckles.
“You’ll feel better after a bath, angel. You’re still all sweaty.” He ends up nodding off in the bath, his husbands cooing. He falls asleep to Jungkook’s humming and Jimin petting his hair.