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Tae couldn’t remember the last time the maknae line was left alone in the dorms by themselves. Usually, one of their older hyungs was around to make sure they wouldn’t get in any trouble, but more specially to make sure Tae was safe. It had been over a month since his last seizure. He was getting better at remembering to take his medicine on his own and their workload has been easing up. Because of this, the older boys decided it was safe to leave the dorms for a day, leaving the younger boys to do what they want. The only rule was that they had to stay in.
Tae smiled as he rolled onto his back in bed. He finally was able to sleep in, allowing his body to wake up on its own. It had been a few weeks since they’ve had a day off and their bodies were feeling it. Tae yawned, stretching his arms and legs out. He reached over and picked up his phone from the night table. Tae mindlessly scrolled through youtube, choosing to watch videos from their debut years. A smile on his face, looking at how far they’ve come.
A soft knock on the door broke Tae’s gaze away from his phone. The door cracked open, Jimin sticking his head into the room. “I wasn’t sure if you were up yet,” he said, padding over to the bed. Tae shifted over, making room for Jimin to lay down next to him. “What are you watching?” Jimin asked, resting his head on Tae’s shoulder.
Tae tilted his phone screen, showing him the Bangtan Bomb video he was currently watching. “Jungkook was obsessed with that Linkin Park song,” Tae said, smiling as he watched himself and the young maknae lip-synching to “Given Up”.
He still remembers that day vividly. The members knew about his epilepsy, but they hadn’t fully understood it. They knew he had seizures, but they were all still learning. The video was taken before things changed. Even though they assured him that they wouldn’t treat him any differently, he could see the small changes. Making sure he was never left alone, someone always watching what he was doing. He knew they were just trying to keep him safe, but he hated feeling like he was being treated any differently.
“Is Jimin in here?” Jungkook asked, peeking his head into Tae’s room. His eyes grew wide, seeing the two boys. “You said you would ask Tae if he wanted to watch a movie, but you never came back.” Jungkook walked over to the bed, climbing over onto the other side of Tae, “What are you guys watching?”
“Just some old videos of us,” Tae responded, moving the phone so the younger maknae could watch. The three of them laid in silence, watching yet another video.
“What movie were you going to watch?” Tae asked, remembering what Jungkook said.
“Jimin agreed to watch the Iron Man movies with me,” Jungkook replied, “He was supposed to ask you if you wanted to watch them too.”
“I know where Jin hyung hides the good snacks,” Jimin said, propping himself up on his elbows.
“Let me just wash up first,” Tae quickly said, realizing he hadn’t brushed his teeth or washed his face since waking up. The other two boys got up, exiting the room while Tae walked into his bathroom. It didn’t take him long to get ready. He swapped his pajamas out for a pair of grey sweatpants and a white long sleeve shirt.
Tae walked into the living room, seeing Jungkook on the couch with a bunch of blankets. Jimin walked in behind him, holding an assortment of chips. “I wasn’t sure what everyone wanted, so I grabbed a few,” he said, placing the bags down on the table. Tae followed, grabbing a blanket, and taking a seat at the end of the couch, Jimin sitting in the middle with Jungkook on the other side.
The younger boys sat in silence, watching the movie while munching on chips. They all knew Jin wouldn’t approve of their choice of breakfast/lunch, but they all swore to keep it a secret. Once the first movie ended Jungkook suggested watching the second Iron Man movie. The other two agreed, happy that they could just sit around all day.
As the second movie started Tae laid down, placing his head in Jimin’s lap. He let out a sigh as Jimin combed his fingers through his hair. It was a small gesture, but one that always calmed Tae down, regardless of how he was feeling.
The boys were about halfway through the movie when Tae felt a small tingle running down his arm. He shifted slightly, stretching his arm out. It was probably his arm’s way of telling him to move. Tae went back to watching the movie, not thinking twice about the tingle. About five minutes later another tingle ran down his arm, slightly stronger than the first. It was enough to get Tae’s attention.
This couldn’t be happening, not now. His heartbeat increased. Usually one of his older hyungs were around. Tae would just go to them if he felt a seizure coming. But they were all gone for the day. He knew the younger boys have seen his seizures before, but could they handle it? Part of him wanted to get up and get back to his room, shielding the others from what was coming, but he knew how dangerous that could be.
Another strong tingling sensation shot its way down his arm. Tae grimaced. “Are you ok?” Jimin asked, feeling Tae curl into himself. Tae shook his head, trying to take a deep breath in.
Jungkook paused the movie, seeing Tae curled up. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“My arm is tingling,” Tae managed to get out, squeezing his eyes shut.
“Were you laying on it?” Jungkook asked.
Jimin’s eyes grew wide, finally realizing what could possibly be happening. He reached down, turning Tae’s face towards his. “Tae, do you think you are going to have a seizure?” he asked softly.
Tae nodded his head, letting out a soft whimper. Jimin and Jungkook looked at each other. They had never dealt with one of his seizures alone. Usually the older boys took charge. Jungkook grabbed his phone off the table, quickly calling the first person he could think of, Namjoon. The phone rang, with no one answering. He ended the call, his panic increasing. He wasn’t sure how much more time they had. He called Jin’s phone, again with no answer. Why was no one answering their phones? In a third attempt, he called Yoongi.
“Aye, who burned the dorm down?” Yoongi asked, answering his phone after a few rings.
“Tae thinks he’s going to have a seizure,” Jungkook blurted out, not attempting to defend themselves against Yoongi’s accusation.
“Shit…” Yoongi said, the atmosphere becoming more serious, “We are like 15 minutes away. How long has he been feeling his symptoms?”
“Umm…like 5 minutes or so,” Jimin said, trying to calm the boy down.
“Ok, he may have some time, but here is what you need to do. Get him laying down somewhere where he can’t hurt himself, like the couch or a bed,” Yoongi explained.
“He’s already on the couch with Jimin,” Jungkook said as he pushed the coffee table away from the couch.
“That’s good,” Yoongi said calmly, “One of you set a timer on your phone for 5 minutes. If he’s still seizing when the timer goes off, call 119. Don’t try to hold him, just make sure he’s safe. He’ll be a little confused when it’s over. Keep him calm. You guys will be ok, we are driving as quick as we can. I’m going to hang up so you can use your phone to call the emergency number just in case.”
Jungkook nodded, forgetting that Yoongi couldn’t see him.
“Oh, and one more thing. Jimin…don’t have his head in your lap. It won’t be too pleasant for you if you know what I mean.” With that, Yoongi hung up the phone.
Jimin helped Tae get situated on the couch, continuing to comb his fingers through the boy’s hair. Jungkook grabbed Jimin’s phone, setting a timer for 5 minutes.
“How are you doing Tae?” Jimin asked softly.
Tae grimaced again, another electric current shooting down his arms. He hated these pre-seizure symptoms. As much as he hated the seizure itself, he wished it would just come already. Tae was about to answer when his vision started going black.
Jungkook gasped as Tae’s eyes rolled back, his body began convulsing. “Start the timer,” Jimin quickly said, remembering what Yoongi told him. The timer started, Jungkook and Jimin not taking their eyes off Tae.
Jungkook backed up until he felt the wall behind him, slowly sliding down and sitting on the floor. All he could do was sit and watch. He was scared and wished the older hyungs were here to help. Jimin continued to sit by Tae, his eyes glued to him. He wasn’t sure how long the seizure had been going on for. It seemed like forever.
“Kookie…” Jimin called out, wanting to know what the timer said. He could see the fear in the youngest maknae’s eyes. “KOOKIE”
That was enough to snap the young boy’s attention back to the current situation. “What does the timer say?” Jimin asked.
Jungkook looked down in his hand, realizing he had been holding both phones. “Ummm…almost 4 minutes.” He could feel the tears forming in his eyes. He took a shaky breath in, trying to remain strong.
It wasn’t long before Tae’s body stopped shaking. Jimin started combing his fingers through his hair, waiting for Tae to wake up. Tae groaned, his eyes squeezing shut. “You’re ok,” Jimin said softly, “I got you.”
Just then he heard the front door open, multiple pairs of footsteps running in. “How is he?” Jin asked as he and Yoongi ran over to the couch. Yoongi kneeled in front of Tae.
“I don’t know. He won’t open his eyes,” Jimin stammered, the reality of the situation hitting him. “I did everything you told us to do.”
“You did great,” Jin said softly, smiling at the boy.
Hoseok looked at the couch, a frown forming. He only saw two of the three maknae. Namjoon elbowed him softly, tilting his head to the wall behind him. Jungkook was sitting on the ground, his knees pulled up into him. Silent tears running down his face. Hoseok walked over to the youngest maknae, pulling him into a hug. Sobs escaped from the young boy’s mouth, his body shaking. Hoseok rocked the young boy, whispering words of comfort.
Jimin stood up from the couch, allowing Yoongi to sit with Tae. He still hadn’t opened his eyes yet. Namjoon walked over, putting his arm around Jimin for comfort. Tae let out another groan, pushing his head into the couch. His head was pounding and his whole body hurt.
“Come on Tae, open your eyes,” Yoongi said, bringing his hand to the boy’s shoulder.
Tae slowly opened his eyes, quickly shutting them again and groaning. The lights were too bright. Jin noticed the obvious discomfort, walking over and turning the lights off.
“I think maybe we should give him some space,” Jin quietly said to Namjoon before heading back to the couch. Tae was clearly having a hard time coming out of his seizure episode and having everyone around would not help. Namjoon nodded, walking over to Hoseok. They helped Jungkook stand up, ushering the two young maknae into Namjoon’s bedroom.
Jin and Yoongi sat in silence with Tae, his head resting in Yoongi’s lap and his legs resting on Jin’s lap. Namjoon walked into the room holding a glass of water and some pain medicine. He placed it down on the table before walking out of the room. Jin and Yoongi silently thanking him.
After a few minutes, the younger boy’s eyes fluttered open, a whimper escaping from his mouth.
“Hey there,” Jin cooed.
Tae looked at his two older hyungs, confused as to why they were sitting with him on the couch. Last thing he remembered he was watching the first Iron Man movie with Jimin and Jungkook. They weren’t supposed to be home.
“You had a seizure while we were gone,” Yoongi said softly, seeing the confusion on the young boy’s face. “Jungkook and Jimin took care of you.” Tae groaned, bringing his hand up to his face. His head was still pounding, but at least the lights were turned off.
“Do you think you can sit up?” Jin asked, “We have some pain medicine you can take.”
Tae nodded, allowing the two older boys to help him sit up. Yoongi reached over and grabbed the water and medicine, handing them to Tae one at a time. With the medicine consumed Tae leaned over, resting his head on Yoongi’s shoulder.
“I’m going to go check on the others,” Jin whispered to Yoongi who nodded his head.
Jin stood up, making his way into Namjoon’s room. He walked in, noting the four of them sitting on Joon’s bed. Jungkook was curled up against Hoseok, fast asleep, while Jimin was curled up against Jungkook, also asleep.
“How are they doing?” he asked quietly, not wanting to wake them.
“They are ok, just a bit scared,” Namjoon replied, “I think Kookie is more upset that he froze up if anything.” Hoseok nodded in agreement.
“They did a good job,” Jin said, sitting at the edge of the bed, “Though we will have to have a talk about their choice of food tomorrow.” He knew the boys would have tried to hide the evidence of the chips in any other situation.
A creak in the floor brought their attention over to the doorway. Yoongi was standing there, supporting Tae at the waist. “He wanted to be with you guys,” Yoongi stated as they made their way over to Joon’s bed. Namjoon stood up, allowing Tae to lay down on the other side of Hoseok. Both Namjoon and Yoongi took a seat at the end of the bed.
“This is just like old times,” Yoongi said softly to Namjoon, thinking back to their debut years where the seven of them all shared one bedroom. Namjoon smiled, knowing nothing could ever break them apart.