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It’s not a big deal, Taehyung tells himself. He’s just being sensitive. Really, it isn’t a big deal.
He knows he buys his members gifts quite often but he didn’t think he’d be outright ignored by them all. A simple gesture to let him know they actually liked it would be nice, but it’s not necessary, he knows. He doesn’t place gifts in the other’s rooms to be praised but...lately...he might be feeling a bit slighted. He’d gone on a shopping trip for himself and ended up purchasing quite a pile of goods for the others, placing their gifts in their respective rooms, only to not hear a peep from anyone—in their group chat, in person or otherwise. Taehyung doesn’t do it for the thanks—he genuinely loves gifting his loved ones things they’ll enjoy, but... he’s feeling down lately.
Perhaps it’s the way his good morning and goodnight texts have been ignored lately, or perhaps it’s the way no one seemed to care about his excitement in discovering a new artist on his music app, or maybe it was the way he’d asked everyone in the chat if they wanted to see a certain new film he was really excited to watch with him, only to be let down with a series of “no thanks”.
Taehyung admits he’s a little needy sometimes—okay, a lot. But he thrives off affection. Sure, he loves his alone time, needs it as much as the next person, but he loves his members. He misses them constantly. He just wishes maybe they’d miss him too.
He’s a little downcast days before their vacation starts, only talking when spoken to as they prepare for their big performance before their break. Namjoon questions if he’s feeling alright multiple times, and Taehyung nods yes, puts on a smile and assures the older that he’s fine. Because he is . He’s just a little sulky. Especially when he sees Seokjin wearing the new shirt he bought him without even the slightest mention of where it came from. Taehyung pouts.
Yoongi sits beside him, at the other end of the couch, as they wait for orders to come out for rehearsal. Hoseok and Jungkook are practicing a few dance moves, and Seokjin, Jimin, and Namjoon are stretching.
“Does anyone want to get food after this?” He questions, looking around to the other members. “I’ll pay?” He offers again, eyes sweeping over the others as they continue their tasks. Nobody spares him a glance. And yes , Taehyung knows logically they’re focused on other things, more important things, and they probably didn’t even hear him, but he still feels a little bit wounded at being ignored.
Taehyung slumps into the sofa and fights the urge to cry, frowning in annoyance at his own emotions. He’s being silly. Still, he doesn’t see Yoongi glance his way, a furrow to his brow as he notices his trembling lip. Scoffing to himself, Taehyung brings his phone up and types out a message to a couple friends on staff, asking if they maybe wanted to join him instead afterward. Despite their immediate rounds of yes!, sure!, Taehyung’s chest still feels tight.
“Let’s focus on practice first.” Yoongi finally speaks up calmly, getting Taehyung’s attention. “We can get food afterward, hm? Hyung’s treat.”
If it were any other day, Taehyung would be over the moon at Yoongi’s offer. It’s not uncommon for him and the elder to go out just the two of them, but Taehyung admits it’s not something that happens frequently. Today however…today Taehyung is feeling hurt and moody. He stares back down at his phone and clenches his jaw, keeping his voice neutral as he responds, a bit snappishly, “Forget I asked. Ji hyung and Yejoon hyung said they’d come.”
Yoongi’s frown deepens at the younger’s tone, but he refrains from pointing out the disrespect, knowing there’s obviously something deeper here that needs to be resolved. “Okay... We can all go—“
“No.” Taehyung interrupts before apologizing and speaking more quietly as he shakes his head and stares at his phone. “Don’t worry about it. I know you guys are busy.”
Yoongi opens his mouth to reply, but the words are cut off as they’re called for on stage.
When rehearsal is over much later in the day, Taehyung doesn’t say a word to anyone as he leaves. Yoongi looks around for him, asking about his whereabouts before being informed the younger has left the building. He thinks of Taehyung’s face earlier in the day, looking close to tears, and a protective feeling stirs in his gut, an alarm going off in his head. Taehyung has definitely been more open as of late with his emotions, but he rarely cries in front of them—aside from Jimin. He can’t help but to wonder what is troubling the younger. On their way home, in a car with Hoseok and Jimin, Yoongi asks if they know what’s going on.
Jimin frowns concernedly, alarmed that it must be serious if Yoongi is bringing Taehyung’s well-being to attention. Not that Yoongi isn’t normally attentive, but Jimin believes himself to be the best at reading the second youngest. “Why? What happened?”
“Nothing too alarming, just…” Yoongi scratches his ear, feeling exhausted as he slumps in his seat and shrugs. “He asked us all a question and I don’t think anyone else heard him. I think his feelings may have gotten hurt. He looked like he was about to cry.”
Hoseok tilts his head, looking thoughtful. “Taehyungie is sensitive but I highly doubt he’d cry over something like that.”
Yoongi shrugs. “I’m just telling you what I saw.”
In the seat in front of him, Jimin is already typing away on his phone, lips pursed as it vibrates with response. He slouches and clicks his tongue. “He’s definitely upset about something.”
Hoseok reads over his shoulder at the messages and looks confused. “He literally just put that he’s ‘good’ .”
“Yeah, that’s the point.” Jimin rolls his eyes. “When has Taehyungie ever answered with a single word? Especially to me? Something’s off.”
“Normally I would disagree, but now I’m not so sure.” Yoongi sighs. To be honest, he feels a little thrown off at Taehyung’s blatant refusal to his offer. Taehyung has never once refused to spend time with him, not if he can help it anyway. He’d been planning on heading straight to bed after their practice, but now Yoongi feels troubled. He hates when any of his dongsaengs are feeling bad. To put his mind at ease, Yoongi sends a message to the younger, a simple, Enjoy your meal , before hesitantly adding a heart emoji. Yoongi isn’t big on emojis but he knows Taehyung loves them. Constantly using them and stickers in their group chat for expressive responses.
thanks, the reply reads.
Unsettled, Yoongi slouches in his seat and stays silent for the rest of the drive home, letting Jimin and Hoseok’s voices soothe him into a light slumber.
————
Taehyung arrives back at the dorm close to 4am. It’s irresponsible, he knows. They have a big performance in two days, and eating unhealthy and sleeping little isn’t the best idea, but he can’t help it. Being around his friends had helped a bit, clinging onto them and getting affection where he was feeling the gap. He’s only slightly surprised to see Jungkook in his bed, sound asleep. Despite feeling childishly petty as of late, Taehyung can’t help but coo softly at the maknae. He runs his hand through the younger’s hair and murmurs under his breath, cute, before changing for bed. Luckily, he doesn’t have to be up too early, so he’s got a few hours for rest.
When he crawls into bed, Taehyung lets go of his hurt and snuggles close to the younger, unintentionally waking him up. “Go back to sleep, Kook-ah.”
“You okay?” Jungkook slurs, squinting at him.
“Yeah.” Taehyung’s brows furrow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You didn’t text anyone.” The younger replies. “We were worried.”
“Didn’t think you’d all even notice.” Taehyung doesn’t mean to slip a bit of edge into his words, but the tone seems to wake Jungkook just a bit more. His eyebrows raise.
“Hyung, you always send a goodnight text. Then you didn’t even reply to Jin hyung’s text until—“ he peeks at his phone, gauging the time. “two hours ago. Jesus, Tae, its nearly four! Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” Taehyung grumbles, feeling an odd sensation in his chest over the fact the others were worried. He won’t say he’s happy they had spent the evening worrying over him, but it’s nice to be reminded they care enough to. “Just needed time out.”
“But Yoongi hyung said you wanted us all to go out after practice?” Jungkook’s frown deepens.
Surprised Yoongi even mentioned him at all, Taehyung blinks and feels his ears heat up. “Yeah, well...I don’t know. I’m just feeling a little sad lately, that’s all. Nothing serious, okay?”
Jungkook holds him tighter, and Taehyung sighs happily. “Hyung was really worried.”
“Jin hyung?”
“ Yoongi hyung.”
“Oh.” Taehyung blinks.
“You know you can talk to us about anything right?” Jungkook adds, no doubt feeling troubled by Taehyung’s admission. His heart is so big. Taehyung rubs his back and wiggles his toes onto the younger’s bare calf.
“I know.” Taehyung answers. “Don’t worry about hyung okay? I’m fine.”
And for the first time in a couple days, he actually means it.
————
“There he is!” Hoseok’s volume is too loud, but Taehyung practically melts into his embrace as the older sweeps him into a hug. Sejin is already at the dorm, having brought breakfast for them all, and Taehyung eats contentedly. Yoongi is beside him, stealing glances that Taehyung interprets as interest for his food, offering his chopsticks out to feed the older.
Yoongi eats silently, somewhat relieved at Taehyung’s brighter mood today but still affected by his refusal from the day prior. He leans over to Taehyung and speaks softly, noticing the younger is still bleary eyed and waking up. “Taehyung-ah, how about we get lunch today, hm? Just you and me?”
Taehyung’s chewing slows and to Yoongi’s surprise, his cheeks turn a delicate pink. His features shift into a mix of guilt and bashfulness. He picks at his food, avoiding Yoongi’s thoughtful gaze. “Actually, um...I’m sorry about yesterday, hyung. I was rude to you when you were just trying to be supportive. That was wrong of me. Please accept my apology.”
The frown on Yoongi’s face deepens as he scoots his chair closer, squeezing Taehyung’s neck. “Thank you, Tae. But, you don’t have to apologize. I know something is up, so spill. Is everything okay?”
At this, Taehyung’s cheeks darken and he sags into his chair, shoulders hunched inward. “Yes, it’s just—it’s stupid. Honestly, don’t worry about taking me out, hyung. We have too many things to do today for you to buy me a pity lunch.”
“Yah!” Yoongi leans back, offended his genuine offer has been watered down to something as impersonal as pity. “Taehyung, do I ever do things I don’t want to do?”
“Well, I...um,” Taehyung’s gaze is finally on him, eyes wide and red from his little hours of sleep.
“The answer is no, but you already know this.” Yoongi answers bluntly with a grimace. “You think I would spend time with you out of pity?”
“Well...no one ever wants to do anything with me anymore. No one even responds to me or—or,” Taehyung cuts himself off, embarrassed at his emotions, appetite gone as Yoongi’s words bring forth all the hurt he’d been pleasantly free from this particular morning. Even more embarrassing is the way his eyes start to prickle with tears, and he exhales in frustration.
Yoongi doesn’t mean to chuckle, but he can’t fight the relief in him that Taehyung’s emotional distress is something far less serious than he’d been worried over. Taehyung, however, does not find the same humor in this and immediately puts down his chopsticks, standing up to leave before Yoongi grabs his hand and tugs him into his lap. He grunts at the weight—Taehyung is no small boy anymore, but he wants to indulge the man in the attention he craves. Luckily, the other members are fretting around, still getting ready, so Yoongi isn’t too flustered in showing his affection.
“Aigoo,” He coos, wiping the tears from the younger’s cheeks as they fall from dark lashes. “does Taehyungie need attention?”
Taehyung sits stiffly in his lap, torn between wanting to run away for letting his emotions come to a boil at something so silly, and tempted to just bury his nose in the elder’s neck and let himself be coddled. Taehyung goes for the latter, knowing a coddling Yoongi is a rare one. Despite his teasing tone, Yoongi’s hands are soft as they stroke his hair and shoulders. “You don’t have to be upset, Taehyung-ah. Or afraid to bring up your feelings to us. It’s not healthy to keep this in.”
Taehyung groans. “I know, hyung. I just didn’t want to be a burden.” He admits. “I know it’s silly, but I just wanted to know if you guys liked the gifts I bought you and I guess the fact no one said anything...and then noticing no one ever replies to my text messages, and being ignored...it just spiraled into me feeling sorry for myself.” He sighs. “I know nobody does it on purpose, I guess I’m just a little extra sensitive these days.”
Yoongi hums, nodding as he listens attentively before speaking once the younger is finished. “I guess we have been a little neglectful.”
“You haven't—!” Taehyung argues, looking like a kicked puppy at the prospect of Yoongi feeling bad for his emotions.
“We have.” Yoongi speaks firmly. “You don’t have to feel bad for speaking how you really feel, Tae. Yes, we’ve been busy, but it’s no excuse to ignore you, even if unintentionally. I...truthfully didn’t know that gift basket was from you. I thought Namjoonie bought it for me since I’d been talking about it with him only a couple days prior.”
“Oh.” Taehyung slumps with a pout, but Yoongi grabs his chin and directs his gaze toward him.
“But that doesn’t change the fact that I appreciate it. I loved the bath bombs. Thank you, Taehyungie. Hyung is sorry. I’m sure the others will be too once they know.”
“No,” Taehyung whines, wiggling from Yoongi’s grip as he buries his nose back in his neck. “This is so embarrassing. I didn’t—I don’t buy you guys things so you’ll thank me! Even without saying anything, I know you all appreciate them. I just… I don’t know why it affected me like this this time. Can we please just forget this and not mention it again?”
Despite wanting to push it further, knowing communication is best when being ailed by something, Yoongi believes Taehyung is just having a couple of off days and shows mercy. “Fine. I won’t bring it up. But promise me you’ll come talk to me if you’re feeling down like this again? I may not be the best at advice, but I’m always here for you. You know that, right?”
“I do, hyung.” Taehyung nods. He licks his lips and pulls away, sitting up straight again. “Thank you for listening to me.”
“You're welcome.” Yoongi pats his thigh. “Now get up before my leg is completely numb.”
Taehyung scrambles off his lap with a giggle and gives him a peck on the forehead, but not before Jimin comes into the room, eyebrow raised in question. “Hyung!” He calls out, looking at the older. “how come you never let me sit in your lap?”
Yoongi scoffs from below, his ears turning pink at the kiss and also at Jimin’s witnessing of it. “Oh, don’t even start.”
Jimin clings to Taehyung’s back. “And you! Where’s my kisses, Taetae? I didn’t even get my good morning text from you today! Are you replacing me as your favorite for Yoongi hyung?”
“Yoongi has always been Taehyungie’s favorite.” Seokjin says as he walks into the room, face downward as he searches for something in his bag. “You were dropped a long time ago.”
Jimin makes an affronted noise, Taehyung laughing behind his hand, cheeks a deep rosy color.
Despite being embarrassed, Yoongi caresses Taehyung’s cheek and says quietly, “So, lunch later?”
Taehyung’s beaming smile puts every worry in Yoongi to rest before he answers, “Yes. Just you and me, though.”
“Just you and me.” Yoongi confirms with a smile and a nod. “Hyung’s treat.”