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This is bad.
Too many people...too crowded.
The airport was swarming with excited paparazzi.
Jungkook craned his neck trying to get a better look at Tae. The black mask on his face hid most of his features but not his body. His posture and gait were worrisome.
"It's my fault." Jungkook whispered.
"It's not your fault." Jimin said, trying to comfort him. But Jungkook wouldn't have it. Tae was like this because of him. If only they had been careful last night, his hyung wouldn't be suffering so much.
Jimin pushed him in Tae's direction. "Go to him."
"But -" Jungkook glanced at the cameraman and the focus on their conversation.
"I will distract them." Jimin assured him.
They knew to keep Jungkook and Tae's interaction to the minimum when on camera. But at times like this, Jungkook regretted not being able to freely express themselves. He and Tae could never be free or out in public...not yet.
"What's wrong?" Jin appeared on Jungkook's right and tapped his arm. "What happened?"
"He's worried about Tae." Jimin said, and the three looked at Tae.
His head was down, the black hoodie covering side face. Jungkook couldn't see his expression, but he could guess what it would be. Tae woke up with a terrible throat infection in the morning, and now he could barely get the words past his aching throat.
What made matters worse, was Tae's cold had yet to recover. The cold and the infection together, had made Tae extremely weak and he leaned heavily on the arm of the security guard.
"Go and take care of him." Jin said, repeating Jimin's words.
Jungkook glanced at the camera again. "What if they broadcast it?"
"It doesn't matter." Jin said. "You're just taking care of the sick band member. They can't write anything else about this." Jungkook felt a sense of relief. The eldest of the group always had a way with words.
They called him the mom of their band for a reason.
"Tae needs you now. Go to him."
"Go." Both his hyungs pushed at his back and Jungkook ducked behind two security guards. The cameraman didn't notice his sudden disappearance until he popped up near Tae. By that time, he was too far away for them to be photographed.
Of course, the photographers went crazy seeing Jungkook near Tae. Recently tumors were circulating about them being a couple.
K-pop idols in a relationship was a strict no-no in the industry. According to their manager, it reduced their popularity and their market value. It was a sacrifice all the trainees made when they decided to pursue the dream to become famous idols.
Jungkook was aware of this, but on some days it was hard. It was tough loving someone and not able to express it to them even for a minute.
The media had long speculated about their bond, about Tae and Jungkook being together more often the with other band members. But the band was forbidden to disclose anything to the reporters.
Their relationship was a secret guarded by all. The staff knew and the members knew, but that's where it all ended.
"Tae?" Jungkook tapped on his shoulder. There was no response.
"Hey Tae? Are you okay?" Jungkook nodded at the guard, and he stepped back, providing him with just enough space to squeeze beside Tae.
They were almost at the doors now.
"Kookie?" Tae's voice was feeble and shook towards the end.
It broke him to see Tae like this. "I am sorry." Jungkook whispered and wrapped an arm around Tae's shoulder.
"Why are you sorry?" Tae turned his head. Underneath the hoodie and his mask, Jungkook could just make out his eyes. Surprise was evident in them. "What are you sorry for?"
"You're sick because of me."
"Of course not." Tae was quick to reply. "It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself."
He patted Jungkook's hand and leaned into him.
A knot in Jungkook's stomach loosened. Tae wasn't upset about being sick, at least not as much as Kookie had imagined. He seemed to be taking it well.
It was a blessing that they didn't have any shows for the next two weeks.
The company had arranged a mini vacation for them.
Everybody planned to visit their hometowns this time.
Suga and Rapmon had left last night. Jin, Jimin and Tae were accompanying Jungkook on this trip.
On the last vacation they had hangout with Jin and Jimin's families. So this time, they were going to meet Tae's parents and Jungkook's brother and parents.
It was the first time the others were meeting his family.
He wanted everything to be perfect and memorable. He had planned the outings and hoped the others would enjoy.
While on tour, they hardly ever had personal time or hangout when there wasn't a camera. In a way it was draining on all of them. Tae was used to the attention and so we're others, but not Jungkook. He had tried and failed being comfortable on camera. Literally everything they did was filmed.
Sometimes the line between reel and reality blurred for him. It was a dangerous feeling. But the hyungs helped him a lot.
Tae coughed beside him. "Tae? Did you forget to take your medicine?"
"Don't worry. I took it in the morning." Tae said. His eyes were half closed.
Was he sleepy because of the medicine?
They entered the airport, and the doors closed behind them, taking the sounds of shutterbugs, shouts and media with them.
A silence fell upon them.
"Ah..." Tae sighed and pulled Jungkook to one of the benches. They sat down.
"I feel a bit better now. It was too...-"
"Suffocating?" Jungkook guessed.
"Yes. I felt more under-the-weather when we were entering."
"Right now, it's much better."
"Here." Jimin appeared before them, and handed Tae a bottle of water and a bag of chips.
"Thanks." Tae gave him a grateful smile.
Jungkook stared Jimin and the water bottle, and wished he had done the same. Instead of sitting with Tae, he should have bought something to eat for him.
The medication they had for Tae was strong. He was bound to get hungry sooner or later.
Jin patted his thigh, trying to get his attention. "What are you thinking about?" Jungkook hesitated. "I am not good at taking care of people". He said after a moment's pause.
Jin nodded. "I know. But that's alright." He gestured to Tae. "He doesn't mind it. And you shouldn't either."
"We took care of you, since you're our maknae." Jin explained. "You never had the chance to take care of us." He swiped a strand of hair with the back of his hand. It was a Jimin-like move and Jungkook smiled.
They had lived together for so many years, somehow they had picked up small habits of other members.
"Don't beat yourself up for not being a good care taker. Tae just wants you by his side. Comfort him, and everything will be fine." Jin said and stood up. He went to stand beside Jimin who was checking their boarding passes.
Their flight boarding time was in the next half an hour.
"Tae?" Jungkook crouched down in front of Tae. He was in the middle of eating chips from the bag, and stopped midway.
"Do you want anything else to eat?"
Tae shook his head and then gave a nervous laugh. "Stop being my mother. Just sit here beside me." He patted the space on the bench beside him. "I am not used to you taking care of me."
This made Jungkook laugh as well. Jin was right.
Tae needed him to be himself, be the maknae he was, and not anyone else.
He needed Jungkook's love and nothing else.
End