Chapter Text
It was a good day. They'd practiced till their legs ached and tomorrow was a free day. They could relax and sleep all day if they wanted. Go shopping, meet with friends, see family since the weekend followed their day off. Jeongguk had planned to catch up on his sleep while his Hyung's where out but the night completely messed up his plans for the next day.
He woke up shaking in the middle of the night, little whimpers leaving his quivering lips as he tried to hold back a sob. Jin was asleep on the other side snoring soundly. He didn't want to wake his Hyung's up. They deserved a good night's sleep. So instead, he followed his first instinct and forced himself to sleep ignoring the looming memories of the awful nightmare.
Jeongguk groaned a little as he uncurled his aching body. Somewhere in his sleep, he'd curled up into a tight ball. The memories of the nightmare rushed over him again and suddenly it made sense why he'd been curled up. Even thinking about it got him shaking. He glanced over to Jin's bed but the oldest was gone. Off to make breakfast he guessed or....what time even was it? Searching around for his phone he finally picked it up eyes widening a little when he realized it was almost 3 a.m. Why the hell was he awake? No more importantly was why was Jin out of bed? Certainly, he couldn't be making breakfast so early?
Suddenly he heard footsteps and quickly curled up into a position he'd woken up in. Peeking through the covers he realized his Hyung had only gone to the bathroom. Nothing bad had happened. His heartbeat slowly calmed down as Jin crawled back into bed and was sleeping once again. But Jeongguk couldn't find himself drifting again. Instead, he annoyingly laid wide awake counting sheep as Jin usually told him to but it wasn't working. The memories from the nightmare haunted him. Even the sheep looking scary in his head.
But he quickly grew bored of laying there doing nothing. Slowly he crawled out of his bed. It was still dark out but it shouldn't be too hard to navigate through the hallways. After all, this was their home. Nope cross that their home wasn't nice or comforting anymore. As soon as he'd stepped foot out of his bedroom he regretted it. The hallway was dark no light from any of the rooms. Not even the bathroom. His heart instantly started racing fear wracking through his body. He felt so small and helpless. But no this was stupid. Monsters didn't exist certainly not for grown men. Forcing his body to fight the fear he took a few more steps from the door before freezing. Suddenly very aware of the noises around him.
Creaking floors, strong wind from how the rain was pouring outside, the whole apartment making weird noises. It was kinda like a scary orchestra. A very bad one too. He swore he saw something at the end of the hall. A figure with bright red eyes and those eyes stared at back at him. The youngest couldn't help but let a little cry escape but it was too little for anyone to actually come help him. He was going to die. Die right in his own hallway with his Hyung's so close. Tears pricked in his eyes as the figure stepped closer and closer.
He didn't know when he started screaming but he felt a loss of breath and his ears were ringing. He could make out faint shuffling of feet and doors swinging open before his eyes shut and he fell to the ground sobbing and begging the creature to go away. Batting his hands at whatever tried to touch him. He fought all the hands and figures away until he'd lost energy. Sobbings fading as his throat grew sore. Slowly he opened his eyes. Visions a bit blurry as he tried to look around but clear enough to make out six worried Hyung's. They looked so shaken up and was Jimin crying? What had be been thinking screaming and crying?! He'd hurt his Hyung's.
"Gukkie...?" he heard a soft voice ask instantly recognizing it as Jin's voice. He turned his head a little to meet the concerned eldest eyes. The eldest didn't look upset with him. That was a good sign. Right? He swallowed thickly whimpering whenever someone touched him. Slowly everyone's faces were clearing up. Hoseok Hyung on his other side. Jimin in front of him and their leader along with Taehyung where standing near them. He'd been wrong. There wasn't six. Only five. Yoongi was missing. Fear wracked through him again as a sob left him. Of course, he wouldn't be here. He'd disturbed his sleeping. Yoongi must hate him.
"No.No.No Jeonggukkie why are you crying?" a gentle voice asking still careful with touching him but all Jeongguk wanted was comfort. Reassurance no one hated him. A sob left his shaking body as he fell into Hoseok's arms "H-Hyung" he cried out into his shirt clinging tightly. The rapper shot worried looks at the rest of the members. Everyone stood up slowly careful not to jostle Jeongguk too much Hoseok did as well holding the crying maknae close.
They brought him back to his bedroom but as soon as Hoseok went to set him down on the bed Jeongguk cried out like he'd been burned clinging to Hoseok mumbling things about needing to get away.
"His bed. He's scared" Jimin whispered softly leading the two over to Jin's bed. Jeongguk instantly quieted down a little letting the rapper put him down but kept his hand fisted in his shirt pulling him along. Hoseok, of course, didn't fight cuddling the youngest like he wanted.
"Taehyung can you grab some water?" Jin asked sitting down on the bed while Namjoon sat on the free side gently petting Jeongguk's head. The younger had calmed down/ Only whimpering every now and then but that was probably from all the knots their leader had found in his hair. Taehyung returned quickly holding the glass.
Now to coax him out. "Gukkie?" Jin spoke softly still not wanting to startle him anymore. They didn't even want to question why Jeongguk was so scared. For now, just some water and they'd let him sleep. "C'mon Gukk just a little bit of water. You don't want a sore throat now. Do you?" the eldest asking brushing the tear stained cheek with his thumb.
Jeongguk hid closer to Hoseok mumbling inaudible words. He frowned looking up "He said he doesn't want it."
They all sighed a little. Not from frustration. Mainly from worry. "Gukkie please?" Jimin asked quietly and for some reason that seemed to do the trick. The youngest hated to hear Jimin in so much pain so he reluctantly pulled away from Hoseok looking at the rest of the member with red eyes easing his way up to sitting as Taehyung handed him the glass and ruffled his hair "Thank you."
Jeongguk didn't smile or respond only nodded before giving the cup back after a few sips. Jin frowned but didn't push it letting Jimin set it down on the side table. Jeongguk seemed to want to explain himself but before he had the chance Namjoon broke in "You don't have to talk right now. Rest. We'll talk properly when we aren't half asleep. Okay?" he asked.
The youngest couldn't do anything but agree. "Joonie's right. Catch some sleep alright sweetheart?" Jin quickly agreed. Jeongguk practically felt his heart swell at the pet name. The other three seemed to agree as well but Jeongguk fisted Hoseok's shirt before he could leave and looked at everyone else too "S-Stay?" he asked in a broken voice.
Whoever could've said no to that was a monster. They wanted their youngest to feel safe and if this did it. Then that was it.
The five Hyung's passed out cold with a very satisfied and warm maknae in the middle of the mess.