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Third POV
Jungkook wasn't one to brag. He wasn't prideful nor was he one to talk and talk about himself. He was quite quiet. He kept to himself and liked to listen and observe rather than be the center of attention. It's what made him more mature than some other people in his year. Despite what his hyungs might think, Jungkook noticed things. Actually, a lot of things.
How Namjoon always hid behind his leadership role when he was struggling. How Jin tended to joke around to hide his hurt or declining mental health. How Yoongi liked to overwork when he wasn't feeling the best mentally. How Hoseok felt the pressure to be sunshine even when the company did him dirty. How Jimin tended to stuff his feelings down to not burden people. How Taehyung got a lot of hate but always acted like it didn't bother him. There were many other habits like this he noticed. That's not to mention how much JK noticed what ARMYs- well, fake fans- said about him and his hyungs.
The maknae was a(n) very socially, mentally, physically, and emotionally aware person. He's had to be ever since he joined the industry; however, he liked to play dumb as ARMYs have this preconceived notion and perception of him being "innocent," but he also didn't want his hyungs worrying about him. He knew the members sometimes tried to hide certain things from him as he was the youngest. Jungkook was sometimes grateful, but it was practically pointless. He always was able to read between the lines. He knew what they were hiding more often than not, and when he didn't know, he found out himself.
Based on this information, it was more than fair to say Jungkook was a good observer. He often noticed what the hyungs didn't, sometimes even seeing things before they did. So, it wasn't a surprise to the maknae when he was the first who noticed Jimin wasn't himself, way before the oldest maknae even started showing obvious signs.
It first started with some weird shifts in behavior. Instead of being clingy, he became reserved. Where Jimin loved physical touch, he stopped asking for it. Despite loving to bug and tease the members, he stopped. No one thought anything of it as everyone was busy getting their new album recorded and set. No one but Jungkook. The youngest realized the stress everyone was under, but he found it strange for Jimin. Usually, when Jimin was stressed, he'd ask for more physical touch or affection. He'd become clingier. JK knew this from experience as he was often the source of this support for Jimin. Not that he minded, of course.
The second red flag came from the fact Jimin would work extra hard on the choreographies. He stayed hours late after the group practices were over. He sometimes spent most of the night at the studio. Even Hobi- the dance leader- couldn't compare to the amount of studio time Jimin would spend- and everyone knew Hoseok was a perfectionist when it came to dancing. No one noticed the oldest maknae, though, as he snuck out after everyone was asleep or lied about how much time he spent. Jungkook noticed because he stayed up late and would hear the door open. He also knew Jimin's lie tells. He worried most nights about the possible reasons why Jimin felt the need to practice so much.
The last instance came from the fact Jimin stopped eating meals with the group. Sometimes even blatantly refusing. Even before the blatant refusal, Jungkook saw it coming. With all the different changes... it was impossible not to. He just didn't know what to do.
The last instance is when the hyungs finally noticed something was going on. They began having quiet meetings, trying to figure out what to do, but Jimin often avoided them when they brought the topic up.
Meanwhile, Jungkook would offer silent support way before the eating habits changed. He did this by cuddling Jimin in between practices (even though he'd say he didn't like it... Jungkook knew better) or offering him some company to the studio (which would often be refused). Even then, he couldn't do anything more because Jimin hadn't admitted or revealed anything. Once Jimin showed obvious signs and the hyungs began noticing, Jungkook knew it was serious.
Jungkook stayed quiet most of the time in those meetings. The reason he didn't say anything before was that he wasn't even sure if he was right. Even with the members knowing, the younger wasn't even sure there was anything he knew the members didn't know now. He knew it had something to do with the hate. Jimin always had a lot of haters for whatever reason. Jungkook had read threads and threads of hate on Jimin and it angered him. None of the hyungs deserve that type of hate and especially not Jimin- the kindest, the Angel on earth person he had ever met. No matter how much his hyung tried to hide it, the younger knew he read the hate, and it affected him more than he'd like to lead on.
So Jungkook decided he wanted to figure this situation out. There were just a few puzzle pieces missing from the bigger picture, though. He knew some things but not everything.
One night, Jungkook was up late, getting some water when he heard crying in the bathroom. He looked at the bathroom in alarm and went to the door. He tried to open the door but it was locked.
"Damn..." the maknae muttered to himself.
He listened closely and could tell by the sniffles it was Jimin.
"Oh, Jimin-ssi..." he said quietly before knocking on the door and saying, "Jimin-ssi?"
The crying stopped with a sniff.
"Go away, Jungkook," Jimin snapped, crying evident in his voice. "Leave me alone."
Jungkook could hear- no- feel the hurt in his hyung's voice, and it killed him inside. He really wanted to help his hyung, but he couldn't do anything if he didn't know what was wrong. He knew Jimin pushing people away was his cry for help.
So, instead of leaving, JK put his back against the door as he slid down it. He pulled his knees to his chest. He gave it a few minutes before talking again.
"You know," the younger started as if having a normal conversation, "remember when I came back from the US? I said I wanted to dance... maybe give up on my dream to become an idol, but you were the one to convince me to stay. You've always been a comfort to me, Jimin-ssi. You've always been someone I could confide in. I want you to know you can confide in me too."
Jimin stayed silent. He didn't know what to think or feel. His mind had been so muddled lately. It never shut up making him want to scream his lungs out most days. His mind made him make decisions he regretted, but he couldn't help himself. Jimin didn't know how to stop it. His mind was like its own entity.
You deserve it... that's why Jimin.
Shut up. Please.
I'm always with you.
Just leave me alone!
Where's the fun in that?
"I know how you like to pretend nothing is wrong," Jungkook continued quietly, breaking Jimin from his thoughts, "but I can see through you, Jimin. I can see it in your eyes. I know you. Please, just let me in..."
Jimin could hear the underlying beg in his maknae's voice. He felt a little bad. Jimin was putting baggage on the maknae because of his own problems...
There's nothing Jungkook can do, you idiot.
Maybe talking to him-
Jimin! Idiot. He can't do anything to help you.
I just-
You just want someone to hear you? Jungkook will never understand. Why would he listen to someone like you?
I-
You're an idiot. Stupid.
"Go away!" Jimin suddenly whispered-shouted as he put his hands to his ears as if he didn't want to hear the noise.
Jimin didn't know if he was saying that to Jungkook or the voice in his head.
His shout was loud enough for JK to hear. Jungkook's heart broke. He could tell Jimin wasn't in the best state of mind. The shout had been almost distant like he wasn't talking to the maknae. Someone else.
Jungkook put a hand on the door as he faced it, "Jimin... please... I know you aren't yourself. You haven't been for a long time. Please, please, let me help you... I'm begging you..."
Jimin silently cried. The voices were not shut up no matter how much he tried to just focus on Jungkook. His crying was starting to pick up, and he tried to be quiet but failed. He began to hiccup a little.
Tears made their way to the maknae's eyes. God, the pain he felt hearing his hyung cry and not being able to help. His hyungs being in pain was worse than any other pain in the world. He just wanted to slam the door down and hold Jimin, but alas... the door was locked and everyone else was asleep.
"I-I don't... don't know what to d-do," Jimin cried just loud enough for Jungkook to hear. "Th-they won't shut up..."
Jungkook sighed quietly in relief. He got him to talk.
"Who won't shut up?" Jungkook asked gently, wiping his tears.
"The-the v-voices! Th-they just keep t-talking!"
Jimin was on the verge of sobbing so he put a fist in his mouth to muffle his sobs.
Jungkook had a feeling his hyung was trying to muffle his sobs. He was going crazy. He wanted to help him but the fucking door was in the way.
"Jimin..." he began slowly and gently.
Jimin's hiccups were silenced for a second and Jungkook took that as a good sign.
"Jimin," Jungkook repeated, "please... open the door. Let me help you. Please..."
Don't you do it. He's not gonna do anything. He's not going to fix you. He'll only judge you. Make you feel worse about yourself.
Almost as if he could read Jimin's mind, JK said, "I promise, you're not in trouble or under judgment. I just want to give you support. Hyung... please..."
That's when Jimin caved. Jungkook never called him Hyung. Jimin crawled to the door and unlocked it.
Jungkook heard the unlocking of the door and bolted up, immediately opening it.
"Jimin-ssi," he gasped as he saw the state Jimin was in.
Jimin was curled up on the floor, practically shaking as tears rolled down his cheeks. Once the older saw Jungkook, he launched into Jungkook's arms and the other immediately wrapped them around his hyung as he sat down on the floor as well.
The oldest maknae sobbed until he was practically hyperventilating into Jungkook's chest. The feeling of real, physical arms wrapping around him as he cried felt a lot different than crying into his own arms or pillow.
Jungkook had some tears glistening in his eyes. This pain Jimin was in was almost unbearable.
Jungkook gently shushed his hyung, whispering sweet words into Jimin's ear, successfully saving the older from his tortuous mind.
Jimin thanked the heavens for a wonderful maknae as Jimin began to even out his cries.
"Jungkookie..." Jimin sniffed after calming down. "I-I went on a diet..."
Jungkook knew where this was going, "Not assigned by the company?"
"Not assigned by the company," the older confirmed quietly.
Jungkook sat there quietly, running his hand through Jimin's hair which caused the other to lean into JK more. Jimin didn't realize how much he missed physical touch. He had been refusing it as of late cause the older knew he'd break down if he got any.
"Then I'll join you," Jungkook reasoned carefully. "We'll do it together."
Jungkook knew the diet must be dangerous if Jimin was reacting this way, but he also knew the older ones loved all his members. He felt bad using Jimin's weakness against him, but if it came down to it, the maknae would do anything to save his hyungs. Even if it meant saving them from themselves.
Jimin suddenly sat up, out of JK's arms which the older already missed, "Jungkookie, no... no, no, no! You can't!"
The younger feigned obliviousness, "Why not? We can do it together, and you won't have to do it alone."
Jimin bit his lip, "Be-because... it's dangerous, you shouldn't go or feel the need to be on a diet! You're perfect."
"Then if it's so dangerous, why are you doing it?"
Jimin was silent after that so Jungkook continued.
"Jimin... I know why you're going on a diet... those antis know nothing. You are perfect. You don't need to lose weight! If you don't want me to do the diet, then you shouldn't be doing it to yourself!"
Jimin knew his maknae was right. Hell, his maknae usually was right. He kept his mouth closed, so Jungkook continued.
"I understand if you want to lose weight. I understand if you want to change your appearance, but there are safer ways to do it."
"I know... I know, Jungkookie. You're very much right... I just," Jimin started tearing up again, "I just don't know what to do. I can't stop thinking about the comments or my weight..."
Jungkook pulled him in tighter, "I'm here for you, Jimin. I know I'm the youngest... but you always comfort me, let me comfort you. Let me support you. Let me help you."
Jimin snuggled into Jungkook, "Okay..."
Jungkook let out a sigh of relief. He kissed his hyung's hair. He had much more to discuss with the older, but he could do that when Jimin was in a better frame of mind.
"Jiminie... do you want to go back to your room?"
The younger would rather have him sleep with him, but JK wanted to give Jimin the choice and not force him to do something.
"No... the v-voices get worse at night," Jimin nearly whispered with vulnerability. "Can I...can I sleep with you?"
"Absolutely, baby. Come with me," Jungkook replied quietly.
Jungkook guided Jimin to his room. JK gently pulled the older down as the maknae got into his bed. Jimin immediately began snuggling into Jungkook. The latter turned to face Jimin.
"I think... I think you should talk to the others about this," Jungkook suggested with a whisper. "I understand if you don't want to. You don't have to, but they can help you too. Maybe even more than me especially Jin-Hyung."
"But... but what if it gets worse if I tell them?" Jimin wondered in a whisper, letting his insecurities show. "What if they think of me differently?"
Jungkook massaged the older's hair, "They love you, Jiminie. They'd never think of you any differently."
Jimin sighed in contentment at the feeling.
He's lying, you know it. He definitely thinks of you differently, so they will too.
"I just... can't help but feel like it," Jimin sniffed.
Jungkook was quiet for a second and as if reading Jimin's mind again, "You know, I don't think that... right?"
"... You don't...?"
"Jimin-ssi... you're my best friend, my brother. I could never see you any differently than how I thought of you from when I first saw you."
Jimin's eyes started watering at that. He didn't know how much he needed that until it was said.
He's just saying that...
Shut up.
Jungkook smiled and continued, "You will always be the same caring, kind, selfless mochi you have always been."
"Thank you, Jungkookie..."
"It's only the truth, but it's okay to need extra help and support."
The older subconsciously cuddled more into Jungkook, who put his arms around Jimin's waist. Jimin wrapped himself around Jungkook in response.
Jimin sniffed slightly, "Yeah... you're right. I can't do this on my own..."
The maknae smiled as he hugged the oldest maknae a little tighter.
"No..." JK agreed. "Everyone needs extra help sometimes."
They're all gonna judge you. Despite what he says, Jungkook's judging you right now. Don't let him fool you.
The younger would have to be blind to not see the change in Jimin's demeanor. Jimin stiffened suddenly, and the younger pulled back seeing the older had that distant look in his eyes.
In fact... you're so stupid. I can't believe you let him in. Whether you like it or not, JK will tell the hyungs.
No, he won't... he respects me.
Does he though? He forced you to open the door.
No. He didn't, I did it. I let him in.
Did you though? Cause to me you didn't want that.
I did. I wanted him to come.
Right, and how'd that help you? He's telling you to tell other people. Soon the whole world will know.
Please stop...
Like I'll ever. You're so dumb.
"Hey, hey... Jimin, come back to me," Jungkook gently coaxed, touching his face to help ground the older.
It worked. Jimin blinked, meeting his eyes to the younger who smiled gently when the older's eyes focused on him.
"Sorry... The voices... th-they got too loud."
"It's okay, Jimin-ssi," the maknae assured. "I'm right here. You should try to sleep if you can."
JK began massaging the other's neck and ran a hand through his hair. This helped Jimin's mind calm down as he closed his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.
Jungkook cooed at the older and fell asleep with him, making sure to pull him in nice and tight in hopes of comforting the older throughout the rest of the night.
The next morning, the two woke up tangled in each other. Jimin was the first to open his eyes, blinking a few times before adjusting to the light. He felt refreshed for once. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in a few weeks. It was a nice feeling.
Then memories from last night flooded his mind as he looked over at Jungkook, who was still sleeping peacefully. He smiled at his maknae. Jimin had no idea what would've happened if Jungkook didn't find him. He didn't want to even think about it.
"Thank you, Kookie," Jimin said quietly with a gentle smile.
Looking at the time it was only nine-thirty in the morning. He decided to snuggle back into the younger, and fall back asleep.
About four hours later, Jungkook woke up first this time. Yawning, he glanced over at Jimin who was still fast asleep. The younger began running a hand through the older's hair.
JK was glad they had a day off today. Jimin needed it, especially after last night's episode. As he thought about what to do with this situation, Jimin began stirring awake.
"Good afternoon, Jimin-ssi," Jungkook chuckled. "Rested well I hope?"
Jimin smiled tiredly, "Yes, I did. Thank you, Jungkook-ah."
Jungkook hopped out of bed and grabbed a hoodie and some sweats from his drawer for Jimin to change into.
"Why don't you get dressed and ready for the day, then we can talk about things more, yeah?" the younger suggested, handing the clothes to the older.
Jimin nodded, taking the clothes handed to him, "Can I use your bathroom to shower?"
Jungkook raised an eyebrow.
"I promise I just want to shower," Jimin replied sincerely.
"Of course," the maknae nodded, believing his hyung.
About thirty minutes later, Jimin was out of the shower. Jimin found Jungkook on his bed, scrolling through his phone. The older went to the bed and rested his head on JK's shoulder.
"Hey there, Jimin-ssi," the younger smiled, turning to the said person and analyzing him to make sure he was physically okay. "Do you feel refreshed?"
"Yes."
Jungkook hugged Jimin and began the tough conversation, "Have you thought about what I suggested last night? About... you know...? Telling the others?"
The older sighed, "Yeah... I think... I think you're right. I know the members have been suspicious of me for a while."
"Yeah... Jin-Hyung told me he tried talking to you," the younger admitted.
"He did... I brushed him off. I know he was trying to help, but I wasn't in the right mind."
"I understand."
"I-I just... I dunno if I want to tell everyone."
"You don't have to tell everyone. Maybe just one of them?"
Jimin hummed before deciding, "I think I should talk to Jin... he already tried once. It might be good."
"I would have to agree," Jungkook said. "I can call him up right now?"
The other shifted nervously but nodded nevertheless. Jungkook rubbed his back as he called Jin.
"Hey, hyung," the maknae said. "No, no, everything is okay. Jimin and I just have something we wanna talk to you about... okay. See you in a minute, hyung. Bye."
Not even a minute later, Seokjin came bursting through the door.
"No one's hurt, no one's dying?" Jin asked, glancing around almost like checking for a bomb.
"We're okay, hyung," the maknae spoke.
The oldest looks relieved, but raised a brow, "Then what do we need to talk about?"
Jimin looked down as Jungkook nudged him. Jin raised an eyebrow at that.
"Jiminie? Are you okay?"
"Uhm- ye-" Jimin started before being cut off.
"Don't lie, Jimin-ssi," JK scolded lightly.
Said person sighed, "Actually... no."
Jin didn't look surprised but silently nodded for him to continue.
"I- uh- I went on a diet... a very unhealthy diet. I was- uhm... I've been starving myself," the oldest maknae began explaining, tears making their way to his eyes. "Jungkookie caught me crying about it... last-last night, but he h-helped me realize... it wasn't good..."
The oldest sent a grateful look to Jungkook. Something else was in that look, but Jimin couldn't recognize what it was.
"But he also helped me realize I want to and... I should try talking to one of you and-and... getting help. And-and... I know you tried before... so... that's-that's why I chose you."
"Jiminie... Jungkookie... thank you for coming to me about this. I'm honored and grateful you talked to me about this," Jin smiled gently. "Jungkookie, thank you for helping Jimin. If you could leave the room so I can talk to him privately."
The youngest nodded and gave Jimin a hug, wiping his tears away and muttering some sweet words to him in the process with a smile, before walking out. Jin smiled and took Jungkook's place on his bed.
"Jimin-ah," Jin started gently, taking the younger's hands in his own, "I'm glad you talked to Jungkook and came to talk to me. I've been so worried, but I didn't want to push you."
"I know, hyung..." Jimin whispered. "I'm sorry I worried you..."
The older pulled the other in for a tight hug, "Don't you dare apologize. I understand you were struggling. It's okay. Can you tell me why you felt the need to do this?"
Jimin took in a shaky breath, "Hate... and I'm-I'm not satisfied with how I look... or my weight..."
Jin nodded as he pulled away from the hug to look at the younger, "Okay... how about this: I will help you create some meal plans, so you can achieve your goal without killing yourself?"
The younger of the two smiled, "That sounds good to me, hyung."
"I don't want you going to the studio unless one of us members comes with you, and I'm banning you from social media for a while. You don't need to go looking at that hate. Those antis don't know what they're talking about."
"Okay..."
"Do you understand why I'm doing this?"
Jimin nodded slowly, "Yes, hyung."
"Good. Jiminie, I'm so proud of you for coming to me about this. I know it probably wasn't easy. You are so strong, baby."
Jimin was pulled into another hug.
"Alright, I'm going get dinner ready, okay? I want you to join us tonight. You're not going to the studio. I won't allow it," Jin said lightly but seriously.
The other nodded. Jin gave a satisfied smile before walking out of the room.
Jungkook was in the living room and saw Jin come out.
"Did everything go okay?" the youngest asked immediately.
"Yes, it did. Thank you maknae for helping him. It's gonna take some time, but this was great progress," Seokjin explained with a proud smile.
"It was nothing. I would do anything for you all."
The oldest smiled again and made his way to the kitchen while Jungkook went back to his room.
"You okay, Jimin-ssi?" he asked as he walked in.
Jimin looked up with unshed tears in his eyes, "Y-yeah."
"Why are you sad?" Jungkook pouted, taking the older into his arms and cuddling on the bed immediately.
"I'm not... I'm-I'm just overwhelmed. I-I didn't think I could be helped," the older admitted his tears starting to fall. "I th-thought I'd always s-suffer alone."
"Everyone deserves help. You especially. I love you, Jimin-ssi, and I would never let anyone, let alone you, suffer alone."
"You're the best, Jungkookie. Hyung loves you so much," Jimin smiled softly, wiping his tears slightly.
For once in a long time, Jimin thought he'd actually be okay. With the help of Jin and Jungkook- and eventually the others- Jimin could actually see himself getting better.
Little did he know, a few years later, Jimin would find exactly what he was looking for. This experience would inspire him to write two memorable songs: Promise and Lie. These songs would be a stepping stone in his growth as a person and a musician. It would also hit the hearts of many people who found comfort and related to the song. Promise even breaking records on SoundCloud.
He'd eventually grow into the person he was always meant to be, so much so he would be called Korea's IT boy. Around the entire world, he'd be loved for expressing who he was through fashion and music alike. Jimin would be a global icon by ARMYs and locals combined.
But first, he'd have to battle his nasty mind. The older knew the battle would take a while- hell, he may never finish the battle completely- but this was a start. If he had to, he'd continue fighting until the day he died. He was now determined more than ever to recover, and he had their precious maknae to thank for that.
Jimin was a warrior. Sometimes he forgot that, but Jungkook was always there to remind him if he forgot.