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"Is everyone here?", Manager Sejin looked around, counting the seven boys and the fellow HYBE staff in the room. All of them sitting on the floor. "Great, let's begin". And the briefing for their next concert, in less than three days, started. "Any questions or suggestions?", the older man asked, once the briefing was done. A phone started vibrating, all eyes on Taehyung, who was reaching inside his pocket.
"I'm so sorry!", Taehyung rushed. "I thought I had set it on 'silent mode' before we started!". The caller ID read: MOM , before he declined the call.
"It's alright, Tae", another manager reassured. "So... Does anyone wanna say anything?"
"I'd suggest we be careful with the water canons", Jimin raised his hand.
"Yeah, ARMYs will be much closer to the stage. We need to adjust the pressure", Jungkook agreed.
"And the duration", Hoseok piped up. "It's slightly chilly and ARMYs shouldn't get soaked for over 2 hours, they'll catch a cold". The other boys nodded in agreement, as Manager Sejin's phone began ringing.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to put it on silent", Sejin rushed to press the power button on the side, muting the ringtone. "It's your mom", his eyes went to Taehyung.
"I'll call her as soon as we're done, hyung", Taehyung replied, Sejin nodding and putting his phone away. Taehyung's phone started buzzing again.
"Excuse me", Taehyung sighed, accepting the call. "Mom, I can't talk right n-", he froze. "M-Mom, you're s-scaring me! What h-happened, why are you crying-". His eyes welled up as he was staring blankly ahead of him, his hand almost letting go of his phone. Yoongi snatched the younger's phone, greeting Taehyung's mom, as they couldn't make sense of the situation based on the boy's reaction.
"Tae?", Namjoon called, but Taehyung didn't hear him. Everyone's eyes went from one Daegu to another, until Taehyung's mom ended the call and Yoongi lowered Taehyung's phone from his ear. Taehyung's tears started rolling down, his hands gripping his phone, which Yoongi had returned to him, tightly.
"Yoongi?", Jin called. "What's wrong?"
"Taehyung's mom said that...", Yoongi sighed, stealing a glance at Taehyung, before looking at the others again. "She said that his grandma passed away". The other boys' eyes widened, as Taehyung's body was wrecked by a sob. The boy was between Yoongi and Jimin, and the latter coiled his limbs around his fellow '95 liner and squeezed tightly.
"Oh, Taehyung", Namjoon sighed, as the other boys joined in on the hug. "We're so sorry for your loss". Taehyung was in no position to speak, he just held onto whomever he could.
"Taehyung, our sincerest condolences", manager Sejin spoke on behalf of the HYBE staff. Taehyung managed to notice the staff lowering their heads. "What do you want to do? We can cancel the concert and give full refunds, we can send you home on the first plane, anything..."
"I a-appreciate it", Taehyung sniffled. The boys loosened their hug a bit. He took a few shaky breaths in an attempt to be somewhat calm when he spoke again. "But, no. We can proceed with the concert"
"Hyung", Jungkook called.
"Even if I took the first plane home, I still wouldn't make it in time for the funeral", Taehyung's eyes were glued on his lap. "Besides, grandma ...", he slightly choked on the word, "would want me to stay here and perform as planned"
"That's what his mom said", Yoongi confirmed.
"As you wish", Sejin was heard.
"Thank you", Taehyung lowered his head in appreciation. "Should we go back to practice now?"
"Tae, shouldn't you take it slow?", came from Hoseok.
"I'm okay-", Taehyung began. "I... want to practice". The others looked at him, until he nodded persistently.
"Okay", Jin sighed. All boys got up and headed to the big room that had been appointed as their dance practice room for their Philippines' concert.
Practice went as okay as it could go, considering Taehyung was grieving, but he couldn't be with his family. When the staff brought them some food, Taehyung mumbled that he wasn't hungry, he'd just shower and sleep. The boys were not okay with that, but they gave him some space, yet keeping a close eye on him. While in the shower, Taehyung broke down for the second time, scrubbing angrily at his skin, to the point of getting red but not bleeding. After freshening up, he went to bed, staring, through blurry vision, at a picture of his grandma on his phone, before he brought the device to his chest. He cried himself to sleep before his brothers were back.
"Is he sleeping?", Jungkook whispered, as Yoongi was tiptoeing back to them, exiting Taehyung's room. Yoongi nodded.
"This sucks", Yoongi sighed. "It sucks so much...". The others nodded in agreement.
"Let's get some sleep", Jin suggested. "Anyone going with Taehyung?"
"I was gonna go, but I don't wanna wake him up", Jimin raised his hand. Taehyung is not a light sleeper, but being oversensitive now...
"Yeah... Let's all sleep in our beds", Namjoon nodded. The boys greeted each other goodnight and went to their rooms.
When they saw Taehyung the next morning, they tried not to show their surprise. Taehyung had cried so much, that his eyes were so red and swollen, they could barely see his irises. He greeted them with a sad smile, his voice groggy.
"Is your throat sore?", Hoseok wondered, stroking the younger's crown.
"No", Taehyung croaked. He cleared his throat, accepting the glass of water Jungkook handed him with gratitude. "I haven't talked since yesterday..."
"What do you feel like eating?", Jin gave a kind smile.
"I'm not really hungry, but thank you, hyung! I'll just go for a walk", Taehyung pointed over his shoulder. "I'll see you at practice". He left before the others could even say anything.
"He hasn't eaten since lunch yesterday", Jimin recalled.
"I'll ask the kitchen if we can pack some away and take it with us", Jin reassured. Taehyung walked to the venue, which was about half an hour from the hotel they were staying, with a cap and a mask concealing his identity from the people he passed by.
"Tae?", Namjoon called in concern. They were all panting, taking a break from dance practice, and Taehyung was looking out of it . The younger was spacing out, his eyes glued to the floor, his breaths short and fast, but that was normal... They were all experiencing shortness of breath, since they had been practicing. Right ...?
"Taehyungie hyung?", Jungkook called. They all approached and crouched around Taehyung. Taehyung who didn't hear any of them. Taehyung who didn't see them. Taehyung who, now, was choking on his sobs.
"I-It's my fault", Taehyung's words barely came out of his mouth. "I was too l-late! I-I'm so sorry, g-grandma-", he cried out, his chest heaving, but he hugged his knees to his chest and started rocking himself.
"Taehyung", Jimin's lower lip was quivering. Their hearts broke. He reached towards Taehyung, but was taken aback when the latter tried to move away from it, trying to slide away.
"Heyyyy", Yoongi said gently. Taehyung was heaving and crying, and hugging his knees was making things worse.
"I s-should have worked h-harder! W-We would have m-made it faster if I h-had just w-worked harder a-and I would h-have made g-grandma proud", Taehyung muttered. Taehyung wanted his grandma to see him on TV, and now he missed his chance. He was (almost) 2 months late. He was too late . "I-I failed her!", he cried out. Jimin reached towards him again, and Taehyung still evaded his touch, despite the fact that, deep down, he wanted them to drown him in their embrace, get crushed and feel all the air leave his lungs. Well , for that, his lungs needed to be filled with air in the first place. They need to get him to breathe. But Taehyung, a shaking, crying and heaving mess, doesn't seem like he'd let them touch him.
"We need to get Taehyung to breathe again", Hoseok spoke in a low voice, to not startle the younger.
"I got it", Jin took the initiative. In a matter of seconds, and before Taehyung could react, Jin had unlocked Taehyung's hands from around his knees, and had pulled him against him. Taehyung tried to pull away, gasping, but that only made Jin hold onto him tighter, his arms firm around the younger's upper and lower back, while his palms gently patted him for comfort. "Tae, shhhhhh... You're okay... It's okay...", his voice was calm and low. Taehyung's shaky hands were mid-air, under Jin's armpits. "Take a few breaths for me, okay? Can you do that for me?". Taehyung was lost and petrified, he shook his head violently, and once again tried to move away. "Tae, I know you can... Just follow me, okay? I'll help you". He hadn't stopped patting the younger in a comforting rhythm. Namjoon got up to get some water for Taehyung, for once he had calmed down. "In... Out...", the oldest instructed. Taehyung could feel Jin's lungs and diaphragm expanding, and his steady heartbeat, while Jin could feel Taehyung's thumping heart, but the older's soothing pats, calm voice and mannerism, helped ground Taehyung, and the younger began to follow along. After a few shaky breaths, Taehyung's also shaky hands grabbed onto Jin's sweat-soaked sweater, as he properly broke down.
"H-Hyung, I-", Taehyung tried to speak.
"Shhhhh, calm down, you're okay", Jin cut him off, his voice calm, kind, and his pats gentle. "Keep breathing... take your time...". It took a few minutes, until Taehyung's breathing was under control but he wouldn't /couldn't stop crying.
"Tae?", Hoseok called. Taehyung sniffled in response, releasing the death grip he had on Jin.
"I-I'm sorry-", Taehyung hiccupped.
"Hey, no no no!", Namjooon rushed, unscrewing the cup and bringing the bottle to Taehyung's lips. The younger tried to grab it, but Namjoon shook his head with a smile and slightly tilted it up. Taehyung took small sips, thankfully not choking. Noticing him trying to pull away, Namjoon got the signal that he had enough.
"Can we get you anything?", Yoongi asked.
"No, I'm good, thank you", Taehyung shook his head. Define I'm good ... Jimin gently wiped his fellow '95 liner's tear-smeared cheeks.
"Grandma is already proud of you", Jungkook said. "You didn't let her down, hyung"
"It certainly doesn't feel like it", Taehyung lowered his head. The others nodded sadly. "Anyway, let's get back to practice"
"I think that's enough practice for you for today", Hoseok mumbled.
"No, hyung, please!", Taehyung's eyes watered. How he still had tears left to give is a good question. "I need the distraction", he murmured. Hoseok exchanged a glance with the others, before he gave in. They all got back on their feet. I have to practice, I can't let ARMY down , he thought. Now is not the time for me to grieve ...
So practice resumed. They all kept an eye on Taehyung, directly or through the mirror, but the boy was focused and giving it his all. Maybe a bit too much ... It was definitely too much on his body. During the first chorus of 'I NEED U', Taehyung went out as if the puppeteer had cut all the strings attached to Taehyung's limbs and head. Despite being between the two oldest, both Jin and Yoongi were too far away, but all boys made a run for it and managed to at least prevent Taehyung's head from banging on the floor.
"Oh my God, Tae!", Jin exclaimed. Jungkook rushed to turn the music off, grabbing a towel and a water bottle on his way back.
"Tae, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?", Hoseok gently patted him on the cheeks. Taehyung didn't show any sign that he was conscious. They could almost hear his thumping heart, despite them panting, themselves. Yoongi reached and lightly brushed the younger Daegu's bangs from his eyes, grabbing the towel Jungkook was handing him and wiping the sweat off the second youngest's face. Taehyung still wasn't waking up.
"Let me raise his legs up", Namjoon placed his hands on Taehyung's ankles and slightly raised his legs off the ground, hoping to get some bloodflow back to the head. Still , Taehyung did not wake up.
"He hasn't eaten since yesterday", Yoongi reminded. "Plus dance practice..."
"Not to mention grieving...", Jimin added.
"Hobi tried to call it a day, earlier, but it didn't work... Let's get back to the hotel and take care of him", Jin offered.
"I'll let Sejin hyung know", Jungkook said before running out of the room. He'd catch up to them at the parking lot.
"Get him on my back", Yoongi positioned himself.
"Hyung, no", Namjoon shook his head. "With all due respect, not with your shoulder...", his voice trailed off. "I'll take him". The others helped so that Namjoon was piggy-backing Taehyung. It's not that Taehyung was heavy and they all needed to help get him on Namjoon's back, but an unconscious person is a dead weight, much heavier than normal... Taehyung's head was leaning against Namjoon's, the leader could feel the faint breathing on his neck, while the younger's hands just hang down his front. With a secure yet gentle grip on the back of Taehyung's knees, Namjoon started almost jogging to the parking lot, with the others following suit. Jungkook caught up to them, panting out that Sejin wants all of them to rest well and he asked for frequent updates on Taehyung. Getting in the car with Taehyung on his back was a struggle, but Namjoon made it work, hopefully with no heads bumping into things or any other injuries occurring.
Reaching the hotel 10 minutes later, they didn't bother explaining to the receptionist or any of the staff they exchanged eye contact with, why one of them was piggy-backing a full grown adult, as they rushed up the stairs because who could wait for the elevator . Bless them and dance practice for making their legs, as well as their hearts and lungs, strong, because they climbed three flights of stairs with ease, even though they were exhausted. But rest would have to wait, Taehyung was their priority. Reaching Taehyung's room, Jimin used the key to unlock, before pulling back to allow Namjoon to enter first, and all of them going in after.
"Let's get you down on the bed", Namjoon mumbled, gently placing Taehyung on the bed.
"I'll grab a change of clothes", Hoseok went to Taehyung's still packed (none of them had managed to unpack yet) suitcase. Jungkook headed to the bathroom, grabbing a towel and something he found that he could fill with water since he had no access to a bowl.
"Is Taehyungie hyung running a fever?", Jungkook's head popped from the bathroom. He could grab the thermometer while he's at it...
"No", Jimin used the back of his palm against Taehyung's cheek before he moved it to the latter's forehead. Taehyung wasn't hot, but actually cool to the touch. Jungkook nodded before he made his way back to the others.
"Let's get him upright", Jin suggested. He and Namjoon gently raised Taehyung to a sit-up position. Jungkook let the container filled with water and the towel on the bed, Jimin going behind the Kims and helping keep Taehyung up. "Alright, now we undress him". They were worried that Taehyung wasn't awaken even when they pulled his clothes off and started patting him with the soaked towel to clean him up, since they couldn't get him to shower, not even when they put on his PJs for him (Hoseok figured it'd be better, instead of having to change into the PJs later). They gently layed him back down.
"Shouldn't he have regained consciousness by now?", Jimin wondered.
"He's exhausted, his body is trying to save energy", Namjoon sighed. Taehyung had been unconscious for about 30 minutes now.
"We should probably freshen up, too... But I don't wanna leave", Jin's eyes were on Taehyung.
"Let's not go all together", Yoongi offered. "That way some of us will be here, in case Taehyung wakes up in the next...", he thought about it, "10 minutes"
"Hobi hyung, let's go first", Jungkook eyed their dance leader.
"Yeah, alright", Hoseok nodded, before he and the youngest left. Less than five minutes later, they were back, Yoongi and Jimin stepping out. Once they had returned, Jin and Namjoon were gone, all of them back in Taehyung's room before 10 minutes had passed in total.
"Tae?", Yoongi called, noticing the younger open his eyes slowly. It had been an hour since they were back at the hotel. Taehyung squinted, before he registered his brothers around him.
"What happened?", Taehyung mumbled.
"You collapsed during dance practice", Jin replied. Taehyung let out an annoyed huff. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired", Taehyung admitted.
"Hungry?", Namjoon wondered.
"Not really", Taehyung shook his head. "I don't feel like eating... My stomach hurts"
"It hurts because you haven't eaten in over 30 hours, hyung", Jungkook snaked one hand in Taehyung's left.
"You have to eat, Tae", Yoongi urged, running his hand through Taehyung's hair, knowing the gesture brings the younger comfort.
"I'll go to the hotel kitchen and cook for you myself, if it means you'll eat", Jin declared.
"I don't want you to get in trouble, hyung", Taehyung looked at the eldest with misty eyes.
"Who said I'd get in trouble? They'll cower in fear if they don't want me to unleash my wrath on them", Jin joked. Finally , a hint of a smile on Taehyung's face.
"Okay, I'll eat", Taehyung gave in. "I don't know what's on the menu, but anyone of you can choose for me"
"There you go", Jimin tapped under the other's chin.
"Alright, let's get you up", Hoseok and Jimin helped Taehyung sit up, as Yoongi and Jungkook were going to the door to get their food, thanking the staff for the room service, about 20 minutes later. They all ate, the boys watching Taehyung warily at the beginning, but relaxed seeing that he ate enough (not enough to compensate for skipping 3 meals, not to mention snacks, but it was a good portion for dinner). Once done, they moved the plates away from the bed, before the others took turns heading to their rooms to brush their teeth and coming back. Taehyung was the first one to go, despite ushering the others to go ahead first.
"Did you forget something?", Taehyung asked when they were back.
"What do you mean?", Jimin frowned.
"We already greeted each other goodnight", Taehyung explained.
"Taehyung, we're not leaving you alone", Jin informed. "Except if... you don't want us here...", his voice trailed off.
"No, that's not it, hyung! Of course not!", Taehyung panicked. "But, you need to rest, you need your own beds..."
"We don't mind", Namjoon smiled reassuringly.
"Come on, make room", Yoongi plopped down on the bed, and layed next to the younger. The rest moved to both sides of the bed, trying to fit in, the ones in the middle being Yoongi and Jungkook shuffling closer to the second youngest.
"Thank you, for everything", Taehyung's voice was slightly muffled from Jungkook's shoulder, the youngest trying to move back a bit without hurting Namjoon who was on his other side.
"Heeeeeey", Jin dismissed him.
"Anything", Hoseok reached over Yoongi to caress Taehyung's head, his thumb rubbing his temple.
"I'm so glad you didn't leave me alone tonight", Taehyung whispered after a while, after their breaths evened out.
"So are we", the six mumbled in unison, tightening their hold on each other, as one by one fell asleep.