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“It’s a dream. That’s all it is. Just a dream,” is what Hoseok would say as he wiped sweat from the younger male’s brow. “Make it your mantra.” His other hand would always find Jimin’s knee and his touch alone would cease the shaking. This had become routine. The tendency to overwork himself is what sent Jimin’s stress levels higher.
With these increases came the nightmares. They weren’t logical, as dreams are often not, but sometimes they were almost too real. On countless occasions Jimin had woken either screaming or in tears.
Hoseok’s room was right next to Jimin’s and although he could normally sleep through a hurricane, his ears had become very sensitive to the cries of his closest brother. Somehow he always knew.
Tonight although Jimin had woken with a start he didn’t cry out and was thus able to sneak past his Hyung’s room without detection. With shoes in one hand and a sweater in the other he made his way to his second favourite room in the building. He welcomed the cool temperature of the wood flooring against the bottoms of his feet as it helped to bring him back to reality. He was home with his Hyungs. His family. It was a dream. It was just a dream.
Aided only by the light of the stereo’s display and the exterior lights that sent a faint glow through the rear window, he began to move his body the beat. The music that usually rang loudly throughout the practice room, mingling with the laughter of his brothers, hummed softer this time. The vibrations in the floor were hardly noticeable. The moves were almost as easy as breathing now, yet Jimin still worried a time would come that he’d forget how.
When Hoseok’s verse drifted through the speakers and found waiting ears Jimin’s eyes fell instinctively shut as he took in the sound of his Hyung’s voice and let it carry him momentarily away from the prepared choreography. He knew this room like the back of his hand and he held strong confidence that Hoseok’s voice would not to lead him to danger.
As Jimin danced, a figure watched from the hallway in silence. Pride set fire to the smile on his face and it grew along with the swell of affection in his big heart. The pair were a lot alike in that their passions would often bring them to the brink of exhaustion if they weren’t careful. This was actually the case for most things, but it was especially so with music and dancing. Working into the wee hours trying to perfect a new move; staying in the recording studio until everyone else had retired and sleep was fighting to take charge. Its important to give your all but not at the expense of your health. Sometimes this was forgotten.
“Jiminie?”
The younger male’s eyes flew open and he spun around to find Hoseok standing at the entrance to the practice room, his golden-rust hair a mess. The old tank he wore to sleep had fallen off one of his shoulders, and Jimin found his gaze lingering on the massive, mysterious hole in the left side. None of the members —including Hoseok— could determine how it got there, and it seemed to grow bigger every time he saw it. Hoseok didn’t seem to care because for whatever reason he still wore it.
“Jiminie,” Hoseok repeated groggily, trudging into the room. Even in the darkness the slightly red blush to Jimins cheeks was visible. He’d stumbled over a move earlier while Hoseok had been watching which the older male had elected to ignore for the sake of his dongsaengs pride and because weariness often made moves sloppy. He’d watched Jimin run through the routine on numerous occasions and every time it took his breath away.
“Aishh, Hyung! You scared me!”
Hoseok rubbed the remaining sleep from his eyes. “You haven’t slept yet?”
Jimin slowly ran his fingers through his hair as he shook his head from side to side. “Just a few…,” fatigue escaped in a silent yawn he hadn’t quite managed to turn around fast enough to hide from the older man. “Just a few more minutes.”
“No dongsaeng. Your body needs rest.”
Jimin spun around with his mouth agape about to protest but then thought against it. He nodded as he gently bit at his full bottom lip, then plodded towards the stereo to stop the track that had begun anew and lifted the entire device up onto the table. They’d need it in the morning anyway so there was no point in putting it away. When he turned to face Hoseok had already snatched up the discarded sweater from the floor and was walking out the door with it. Jimin jogged after him, following him back up the hallway to where the rooms were located. He stifled his laughter at the sound of snoring coming from behind one of the doors and kept walking.
Hoseok handed off the sweater and a small smile along with it. Jimin responded with one of his own and turned his back to his Hyung to open his door. Something stopped him. The sudden realization that since Hoseok had been pouring all his time and energy into his upcoming mixtape release, this was the first time Jimin had actually seen him in days. Sometimes he didn’t realize how much he enjoyed their time together until was forced to go without the opportunity. “You get sulky when, Hyungs not here.” “I do not!” he’d shout back. That was a lie. He did.
“Hey, Hyung,” he said, still clutching the door knob, “Could I sleep in your room? Just for tonight?”
When Jimin turned he was met with the sight Hoseok’s tall and slender frame there in the open doorway. He was leaning against the frame and straddling the divide between the hallway and the bedroom. It wasn’t a particularly large room, and the bed was hardly sufficient enough for one body let alone two, but the way Jimin was looking at him at that moment was impossible to refuse. With a smirk he gave an upward nod and gestured inside.
Jimin smelt of toothpaste and night cream when he finally climbed into bed next to Hoseok, and he fell asleep no sooner had he closed his eyes. However, it couldn’t have been more than 3 hours, maybe 4 before he was pulled back into consciousness panting. The startling visuals that had frightened him so had already begun to fade but the anxiety remained.
It was a dream. It was just a dream.
It took a few moments before Jimin recognized the warmth against his back and the side of his throat as his Hyungs arms pillowing his neck and his other wrapped around him using his hand to rub soothing circles into his spine. While it was a well known fact that Hosoek enjoyed the feel of fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp —as he slept and pretty much whenever he was feeling under the weather— Jimin responded best to back rubs. (Though few actually knew this.)
“I woke you, didn’t I?”
Hoseok nodded and made a sound of affirmation. “Hm. But it’s okay. Are you alright?” He wiped a stray tear from the younger male’s face that Jimin hadn’t realized had fallen.
“I’m okay.” Jimin wrapped his arms tightly around his Hyung and closed his eyes.
—
Instead of knocking a third time Jimin just opened the door. He didn’t think that his Hyung would be asleep yet, nor did he think that he would simply ignore him. As expected the room was empty. The covers were pulled back but there was no one there. The water had been running in the bathroom when he had tiptoed down the hall earlier. He must be preparing washing up.
Determined to reach his destination undetected Jimin hurried into the room and dove into the bed assured that if he made himself comfortable that Hoseok would be less likely to shoo him out when he found his room had taken on an extra occupant.
Jimin had only enough time to pull the blankets up over himself before Hoseok found his way back to the room. His hair was damp and adorably curly, and a towel hung over his shoulders. He looked to the intruder making himself comfortable in his bed and while he didn’t utter a sound his eyes seemed to say, “What are you doing?”
Hoseok was met with a smile and his face immediately softened. When Jimin smiles his whole face lights up. When Jimin smiles it melts hearts and even the toughest resolve.
“Just for tonight.”
“Thank you, Hyung.”
Just for tonight. It’s what he always said. It’s what he’d been saying for the past week. The best part about Hoseok is that he’s always there when you need him. And as long as Jimin needs him they both knew there would be a spot for him here.
—
“Tomorrow I’m locking the door.” After yet another bad dream Jimin found himself again in his Hyung’s arms. His expression was harder than usual, and his voice sounded serious this time but as the younger male cuddled up to his Hyung, like a kitten seeking warmth he could feel Hoseok entire body soften and he knew the man was lying.
“I wish these dreams didn’t torment you so much,” Hoseok whispered whilst lovingly brushing his fingers against the other males cheek. Its a gesture he had taken to doing a lot since Jimin had been seeking refuge here and while Jimin was unclear whether or not Hoseok was even aware he was doing it he didn’t dare ask for fear that he might drop the habit.
“I wish I could take them away, but…” he paused and let out a breathy laugh, “then what reason would there be for you to keep coming here?” he brushed hair off Jimin’s forehead pressed his lips against the skin there. The younger man squirmed a little but his heart wasn’t in it. He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t a comfort he’d grown fond of. This wasn’t a luxury that the other members were privy to that Jimin knew of, and that made him glad.
“Hyung, I would find another excuse to come here.”
This earned Jimin one of Hoseok’s famous grins.
“Yeah. I know.”