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comeback time was the most exciting but also the most exhausting and anxiety inducing time for all of them. on the one hand they could present and perform their new music, on the other hand they had to work hard and there was always this nagging voice in the back of their heads that told them that this comeback wouldn't be successful that they would finally fall and not get up again.
and their scheduled during comeback time was the most horrible. by now they were used to the long, inhuman hours and they were used to pre recordings until 4am but it doesn't mean they liked it.
having to pre record the same demanding choreography three times in a row is exhausting and after the third time jimin's thighs hurt and his lungs burned painfully. hes tired, unbearably so and he can see how his other members feel the same. he had heard hoseok's voice crack multiple times, had seen how jungkook's moves were not as sharp as before, could see how namjoon had become slower. they all were exhausted and he bets their fans are to, having to wait and cheer them in for 6 hours now.
quite frankly jimin hates mnet and the fact that every comeback they have to pre record in the middle of the night. during trainee days it had been worse due to them having less support and more mental health problems.
he wants to go home and cuddle someone until he falls asleep. he feels dead on his feet and hazy in his head.
from the corner of his eyes jimin can see hoseok approaching one of their staff members. he gestures to his throat and jimin knows he must be explaining how his throat hurts. jimin walks over with shaky legs and puts a comforting hand on hoseok's shoulder. he desperately hopes they don't have to perform one more time.
“can we make hobi-hyung a hot tea? it would help with his throat.” jimin asks the staff member. she nods and sends someone backstage to prepare something. jimin hopes it'll help soothe hoseok's voice, even just a bit.
“are you okay hoseok?” comes namjoons voice from hoseok's other side. he also looks worried and guides hoseok to an empty chair away from the fans and cameras. hobi nods his head but it's clear by the pain on his face that he isn't.
“its my voice. i dont know whats wrong with it but i can't sing correctly.” he explains. he sounds apologetic which jimin can't fathom since hoseok has absolutely nothing to be sorry for.
“don't apologize. it happens and it's not your fault.” jimin explains.
hoseok collapses in one of the chairs, “i should have taken more care of it.” he murmurs. namjoon says something back to him, trying to reassure him while jimin stares at his two members. he prays that they don't have to record another time, they are all way too exhausted to go through one more pre recording. in that moment jimin wished he could be more openly affectionate with his members, he wished he could kiss his lovers gently, wished he could touch them like lovers do but they are in public with cameras rolling the entire time and people that don't belong to them running around. it's too dangerous for them. it hurts jimin more often than he wants to admit how they have to always keep up their professional facade. he wishes that he could kiss all his lovers all the time no matter when and where.
“jiminie hyung!” jungkook's voice comes from behind him. jimin turns around spotting jungkook entering the room and closing the door quickly behind him. he also looks worried seeing hoseok collapsed on the chair, “is hyung okay?”
jimin shrugs with his shoulders not sure what to say, “his throat hurts. we asked the staff for some hot soothing tea but i guess he just has to take care of his voice.” jimin takes jungkook's hand into his, needing physical contact for reassurance, “are you okay jungkookie? you looked exhausted.”
“im fine, i guess. we all could be better.” and jungkook’s right. none of them are fine or okay, all exhausted and tired but it also could be worse. jimin doesn't want to remember other times where they all almost collapsed and fainted.
jimin looks back at hoseok who has his face buried in namjoons neck and namjoon gently running his hand over hoseok's back. jimin grabs jungkooks hand a bit tighter and pulls the younger out of the room, “let's give hoseokie some space, yeah?” jungkook nods and silently follows jimin back to where the others are. yoongi was sitting on a chair swarmed by his makeup artist reapplying his makeup. jin and taehyung were nowhere to be seen.
yoongi looks up to them when they approach, “jin-hyung and tae are talking to the directors, trying to figure out if our performance is finally acceptable enough for them.” yoongi's voice holds a sarcastic edge which jimin feels way to much.
“did you had some water and a light snack?” yoongi asks, worry painting his voice. jimin smiles gently and nods, “yeah i had a smoothie” jimin then turns to jungkook wondering if he had something to keep up his energy. a whole meal was to heavy before dancing but a light snack was always good.
jungkook smiles sheepishly and runs a hand down his neck, jimin narrows his eyes in disapproval, “jungkook you didn't eat something did you?”
“i was worried about hobi-hyung.” jungkook defended himself.
jimin grabs jungkook's hand and pulls him away again, “yeah you have to keep your energy up jungkookie.” jimin said maybe a bit to harshly. he instantly feels bad hearing the tone in his voice, “i know you feel nauseous eating to much but a light drink or protein bar will do you good. we've been dancing for hours.” jimin comes to a stop and looks at jungkook again. he knows jungkook can take care of himself and knows his body best but jimin can't help but worry.
jimin gently cups jungkook cheeks which are still slightly red from all their dancing, “im sorry jungkook. i shouldn't push you around. what do you want? do you feel like eating something?”
jungkook laughs and shakes jimin's hands off in a playful manner, “you honestly worry to much. im very much capable of telling you off.” jungkook smirks and instead takes jimin's hand into his. the two walk towards their place where all their food and drinks are. some staff members sit around and give them a tired smile which both of them reciprocate, “and yeah i guess i'm a bit hungry. a small snack wouldn't hurt me.” jungkook winks at jimin and jimin giggles slightly. jungkook grabs a water bottle and an energy bar while jimin drinks some more. they sit in silence basking in the quiet and peaceful minutes.
that is until taehyung burst through the door. jimin quickly looks up and instantly sees that something must be wrong judging from taes expression.
“they want to do another recording.” taehyung announces. his voice is angry and snippish which reflects jimin's mood to well. jungkook lets out a groan and sinks against the chair, “what is their problem? do they really think our performance is going to be better after hours?”
“seijin and jin are talking to the directors but it doesn't look good.” taehyung explains.
jimin rolls his eyes, “of course they won't change their minds, it's always like this.” jimin stands up, “whatever let's just get it over with so we can go home.”
on their way they meet jin who looks collected but jimin knows his hyung well enough to see that he's beyond pissed off. his jaw is tight and his posture rigid. “fucking mnet. i swear they never let us live.” jin mutters. jimin wishes he could comfort all his lovers, take away their pain and frustration but its not possible. sometimes you just have to let people be angry. maybe itll help them have more energy at their next performance.
yoongi is waiting for them with a shy smile. their makeup artist have already left, leaving yoongi with remade makeup behind. jimin once again gets blown away by how beautiful his hyung is, his delicate features, cute nose and soft hair (also jimin gets some sort of validation from being taller then yoongi with his thick insoles which is nice, though yoongi would argue that he's still 0.5cm naturally taller). the intense urge to give yoongi a wet, playful kiss consumes his whole body but he suppresses it quickly.
“ready for one more performance.” jimin asks yoongi. yoongi rolls his eyes clearly already have heard the news.
“you know my answer to that.” jimin decides to lean against yoongi's shoulder while they wait for hobi and namjoon to return. it doesn't take long until namjoon, hobi in his arm, come back on stage. namjoon gives them a silent look not to ask any questions which they all respect. hobi doesn't like being pitied or in the spotlight when it come to such situations. instead encouraging and supporting touches get shared between them.
before they go back on stage namjoon gathers them in a tight circle, “okay so,” namjoon begins, “its 4:13 and we all want to go sleep. so let's do our absolute best, not collapse and then head home.” all of them nod, give each other reassuring squeezes and walk towards the stage.
despite being tired themselves their fans cheer them on and they manage to perform the whole song without incidents. thankfully none of their voices crack and jimin is pretty sure this was their last performance. quickly their manager gives them the ok sign after speaking to the directors and they pack up their things and walk to their cars.
“i wanna sit with jiminie,” taehyung pouts when they decide who goes in which car and grabs jimin's arm, “he's the best to cuddle with.”
yoongi turns towards them, “oh really? funny, yesterday you said the same to me.” his tone is playful despite their fatigue. taehyung lets out a smile, “well today it's jimin.”
once in the car jimin pulls taehyung up against his side while making sure he's buckled in and safe, “do you want to sleep together tonight taetae?” jimin asks quietly. taehyung nods as an answer. taehyung has his head against jimin's shoulder and jimin wraps his arm around taehyung's midsection. it's not comfortable, it never is in the car but jimin takes any physical contact he can get.
the good thing with taehyung is is that he loves physical contact and cuddling just as much as jimin. jimin and taehyung fit well together in that way knowing they can always get a hug out of the other.
“i wanna kiss yoongi.” jimin suddenly says out of nowhere. taehyung laughs, “you're not the only one.”
“maybe we should ask him if he wants to sleep with us tonight.” jimin muses. he knows hoseok would rather sleep alone with a sore throat, to anxious with the idea that he might accidentally have a cold and pass it on.
“sure.” taehyung nods, “i would like that.”
###
despite it being late jimin makes it his personal mission to tell everyone of his member goodnight and press a kiss against their cheek. he knows they are all tired and nerves about to explode but he wouldn't feel good if he didn't do it. he just needs to be reassured that his members are okay. he starts with namjoon whos in the kitchen getting a class of water before collapsing in bed.
“goodnight hyung,” jimin whispers and goes on his tiptoes to press a kiss against namjoons soft cheek. namjoon looks at him surprised but fondly. jimin already pulls away when namjoon suddenly grabs his waist and pulls him back close. he leans down and kisses jimin on the mouth. his lips are soft and warm, maybe a bit cracked from dryness but jimin doesn't mind. namjoons body is warm and solid before him, his arm around jimin waist grounding and jimin falls a bit more in love. he kisses back passionately despite fatigue tearing down his whole body and mind.
namjoon steps away after a couple moments, “sorry but i needed that.”
jimins smiles, “its fine. i love kissing you.”
namjoon stares at him and then turns back around to his glass of water, “sleep well and long jimin-ah.”
“you to.” jimin whispers abc and then turns away to walk to jungkooks room. when jimin enters the room all lights are off and he can make out a sleeping figure in the bed. jungkook must have instantly collapsed and fallen asleep as soon as they got home. jimin doesn't want to disturb their youngest so he quickly presses a kiss to jungkook's forehead, whispers goodnight and then walks out again. in the hallway he meets jin who brightens up when he sees jimin.
“i was looking for you.” jin says and come to a stop in front of jimin.
“you were?” jimin asks.
“yeah. i just brought hope-ah to bed. i think he might be sick. he's sleeping now so it's best if you don't disturb him.” jin says and jimin nods despite feeling a bit bad for not saying goodnight to hobi, “also i wanted to make sure you are okay.” jin continues.
“i'm fine. i think we all are just exhausted.” jimin explains, “go to bed jin-byung, you also need sleep.” jin gods and they both wish each other goodnight before jimin heads to taehyung's room where he knows tae and yoongi are already waiting for him. it's almost completely dark only a small lamp in the corner giving off a warm glow. yoongi and taehyung are already in bed, taehyung curled around yoongi's small body, cuddled tight against their hyung.
jimin quickly grabs a large shirt from taehyung's wardrobe, takes of his pants and socks and then crawls into bed with yoongi and taehyung. taehyung is already fast asleep which doesn't surprise jimin at all. yoongi watches him with a tired gaze and sends him one last smile, “good, now that you're here i can sleep.” he says after jimin lies down.
“shouldn't have waited for me hyung.” jimin replies fondness creeping through his voice knowing yoongi waited for him.
yoongi jawns, “i was worried about you.”
jimin gives him a smile, “i really want to make out with you but im too tired.” jimin explains. yoongi's eyes open at the statement and he stares at jimin.
“everyone seems to be really clingy with me. lately.” he says gesturing to taehyung who holds him tightly against his chest.
jimin smiles while closing his eyes sleep pulling at his consciousness, “it's your charm.”
jimin snuggles up against yoongi whos being tightly cuddled by taehyung from the other side. yoongi throws an arm around jimin's midsection and jimin, feeling safe and loved finally falls asleep.