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"I'm back", Taehyung's voice was barely audible as he shuffled to take his shoes off right past the door.
"Welcome back", Yoongi greeted him. Taehyung yawned as he removed his coat and hang it on the coatrack.
"You were supposed to be home an hour ago", Jimin almost scolded him. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine", Taehyung replied. "It's just... Shooting dragged longer, we had trouble with one scene but we got it eventually"
"Oh, I see... Well, today's schedule is done. Come and eat, now", Jin motioned for Taehyung to follow him to the kitchen.
"Hyung, I'm sorry but I don't feel like eating", Taehyung looked at the oldest with sad eyes. "I'm just tired. All I want is to shower and sleep". He felt bad because the oldest made the effort to cook, despite all of them being exhausted from their schedule.
"Even though I'm not comfortable with you going to bed on an empty stomach, I'm not gonna push you", Jin approached and ruffled the younger's hair. Taehyung leaned forward slightly, almost hugging Jin, but he was just enjoying the gesture.
"Rest well", Taehyung eyed his brothers. "Good night"
"Good night, hyung", came from Jungkook. "See you tomorrow". Taehyung nodded tiredly at the youngest before he disappeared down the hallway.
"This is the 5th night in a row that he goes to bed without eating", Hoseok whispered.
"Maybe we should try pushing back the album. If we are struggling, I can't imagine how hard it is for Taehyung", Namjoon suggested.
"Yeah, but Taehyung is not gonna be happy when he hears this", Jimin sighed.
"True...", Jin nodded in agreement. "He'll say it's fine and he can push through"
"Let's see how tomorrow goes", Yoongi offered. The others nodded, greeted each other good night and went to bed.
"Good morning", Jimin was the last one to walk in the kitchen. "Tae's not here?", he squinted. The others shook their heads. "He already left for practice?". The others nodded this time.
"Because he has to leave for the shooting later, he's trying to make up for the practice time he's missing out on", Hoseok gave a sad smile. They all acknowledged that Taehyung was working hard, not wanting to disappoint anyone. They all ate their breakfast before leaving the dorm.
"Hello", Taehyung panted when he saw his brothers entering the dance practice room. They went to the corner to drop off their things just as Taehyung was chugging a bottle of water.
"How long have you been here?", Jin asked.
"About 3 hours", Taehyung replied, shooting the empty bottle towards the bin and successfully dropping it in.
"Have you eaten anything?", Namjoon asked.
"Grabbed a quick bite on the way", Taehyung nodded reassuringly. "I have taken a break, too", he added, sensing the incoming question. "I needed to look at my script anyway"
"Take a breather", Hoseok said.
"I can't afford to, hyung", Taehyung shook his head. "I have to leave in...", he paused to look at the clock on the wall, "2 hours". Despite the others' protests, Taehyung was stubborn and insisted that he could keep up. They practiced together for the next 2 hours, before Taehyung had to leave.
"How long will he keep this up?", Jungkook mumbled.
"That's a good question", Yoongi reached to rub the nape of the youngest's neck. "He won't last long like this"
Yoongi was right. Taehyung was progressively looking more and more tired. He had to keep up with his intense idol schedule -recording, dance practice, jacket shoots, promotions- and the kdrama he was participating in -rehearsal, fittings, shooting, monitoring, reshooting, interviews, promotions-... Things were hectic and he was exhausted.
"Taehyung, we've been over this!", Hoseok raised his voice. Taehyung lowered his head in shame. He had made the same mistake 3 times in a row. No matter how many times they corrected him, his brain didn't seem like it could catch up.
"I'm sorry", Taehyung sounded whiny from the exhaustion.
"Again!", Hoseok yelled. They tried the sequence again, and thankfully Taehyung got it right this time.
"Hyung?", Jungkook called.
"I have to go, I'll be late for the shoot", Taehyung walked away with his head down. The others sighed as the door closed behind him.
"Taehyung, are you kidding right now?", Yoongi exclaimed.
"We've practiced the choreo countless times, we can do it in our sleep and backwards!", Jungkook piped up.
"How come you keep making mistakes, even though you seem to get it right the day before?", Jin wondered.
"Like, how does this keep happening?", Namjoon raised his hands in disbelief.
"I'm sorry!", Taehyung rushed. "I don't know why"
"You've reassured us that you're okay, so get it together!", Hoseok requested, his tone harsh. They were all looking at Taehyung with such accussing looks, saying Taehyung was hurt would be an understatement.
"I will, I promise", Taehyung said in a low voice, not looking them in the eyes. He was close to tears and he couldn't bear looking at them right now, because he would definitely burst out crying if he did. His phone started vibrating, moving to the corner where he had dropped his bag. "Hello, sir", he picked up. "Right now? Um...", he glanced at the others who didn't look back at him because they were angry. "I understand. Yes, I'll be right there as soon as I can". The person on the other end of the line hang up, and Taehyung lowered his phone from his ear. He hesitantly sneaked a peek at the others. "The director asked me to go to set earlier today. The crew hopes to wrap up sooner than expected, so they could go ahead with editing and post production...", his voice trailed off. "I'll get going, then", he added, his tone uncertain as he bowed, before grabbing his bag and running out the door. He didn't hear the six heavy sighs as soon as the door closed behind him.
"I can't let this happen again", Taehyung yawned in the car, on his way to the dorm. Shooting finished hours ago, but he dropped by the dance practice studio to practice (the others had already left for the day, so he was alone). Now, it was past 2am, as he was reading some lines in the backseat. "I'll have to practice harder. I can't fathom disappointing them again! They're right! Get it together, Kim Taehyung!", he scolded himself. By the time he reached the dorm, thanking Sejin for dropping him off and wishing him a good night, and took a shower, it was almost 3am. He hadn't eaten in hours, but he was so tired, he couldn't be bothered to grab a few bites. He headed to bed, after making sure he had set his alarm for 5:30am. I have to make it up to them , was his last thought before he fell asleep.
The boys were not surprised to find Taehyung was not there, when they woke up the next morning. They had gotten used to seeing him at the practice studio, practice together until it was time for him to leave for the set. They started eating breakfast in silence.
"Did anyone hear him return last night?", Jimin asked. The boys exchanged glances, before he received five headshakes.
"And now I remember how we went off on him because he made mistakes", Yoongi sighed.
"You're right", Jin mumbed. "We were all frustrated and tired, but we didn't even consider...", his voice trailed off. That Taehyung is probably more exhausted than us , he wanted to add.
"Let's talk with hyung when we get there", Jungkook offered, his present hyungs nodding in agreement. They, in fact, didn't get to talk with Taehyung, as Taehyung had to leave practice earlier again and he wanted to make the most out of his time with the boys.
This went on for days. Taehyung would go to the practice studio as soon as shooting wrapped, then return to the dorm after everyone had gone to bed, sleeping for about 2 hours, leaving for practice before anyone woke up, practice with them for a few hours, and then leave for the set again, snacking on the way while practicing his lines... He was trying so hard to keep up at practice, praying he doesn't make mistakes, and they saw that. Their concern steadily increased, as Taehyung looked worse than the day before...
"Taehyung, why don't you rest for a bit?", Hoseok suggested.
"I can't, hyung. I have to get to set", Taehyung smiled tiredly, as he rushed out the door. It took such effort to walk, let alone practice... Every inch of his body hurt...
"Taehyung doesn't look good", Namjoon's shoulders slumped. Seeing that he and the others could do nothing for Taehyung, it wasn't easy for them. The look the six exchanged was saying the same thing: we have to do something ...
"Hello?", Taehyung panted, picking up the phone. "Hello, sir!", he bowed, even though the director couldn't see him. "I-I'm fine, I'm at dance practice that's why I sound breathy", he explained. "R-Really? Is everything okay?". Pause, as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. The whole time, the boys' eyes were on him. He wasn't okay: He looked awfully pale today, the dark circles contrasting, his usually lively brown eyes now dull. "I understand, thank you for letting me know, sir! Yes, see you in a few days! Have a good day, sir!", Taehyung bowed again. The man hang up.
"What happened?", Jin asked.
"The director said that he's granting the cast and crew a break. He feels bad for overworking us just so he could finish sooner... I don't have to get to set for a week", Taehyung replied. "More time for me to practice with you", he smiled, although because of the exhaustion, it looked more like a grimace. "Okay, my call is done. Let's get back to practice"
"Hyung", Jungkook called.
"I'm fine, Kook", Taehyung reached towards his only dongsaeng, stroking the nape of his neck. Jungkook felt how weak Taehyung's touch was, and got an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He tried to let the others know, but Taehyung was already walking to the center of the practice room, and they reluctantly followed. Something didn't feel right ... They resumed practice, with everyone shooting worried glances at Taehyung, who didn't notice. He was too focused on dancing, and he could barely keep it together. He wobbled to get a water bottle from the cooler, wobbling his way back to the others, too.
"Taehyung, why don't you sit out for a bit?", Jin suggested, pretending to be chill and not looking at Taehyung as he spoke.
"No need, hyung", Taehyung shook his head. "I'm fine". He was, in fact, not fine . The boys' hearts dropped to their stomachs when they saw his eyes shutting and his body going limp.
"Oh my God!", Jungkook exclaimed as they all rushed towards him. Namjoon reached and managed to prevent Taehyung's head from banging on the floor, letting out a brief sigh of relief. The bottle rolled away from Taehyung's hand.
"Tae?", Yoongi called, patting Taehyung's cheeks gently. Taehyung remained unresponsive. "Let's get him home"
"Practice is canceled", Jin declared.
"Let's get him sitting up", Hoseok offered. He and Jimin did just that. "Wait a minute... Does he feel thinner to you, too?", he eyed Jimin in concern. Jimin shot a questioning frown at Hoseok, before he patted his fellow '95 liner over his clothes. His eyes were wide, nodding in terror.
"What-", Jin mumbled, patting the youngest Kim on the abdomen. His free hand covered his mouth in shock.
"I'll take Taehyungie hyung", Jungkook said, reaching under Taehyung's knees and around his back, picking him up and standing up. Namjoon stood up, wincing as he pulled his hand back.
"Did you hurt your hand, hyung?", Jimin noticed. Come to think of it, Taehyung's hand would have crashed against the floor, if Namjoon's hand didn't 'get in the way'. Taehyung's head was going down with momentum...
"It's fine", Namjoon tried to brush the younger off. "At least, the worst was prevented. If I can even say that...". The worst being Taehyung hitting his head, although him overworking himself and collapsing on them wasn't great, either. He clenched and unclenched his fist, but it was evident that the motion was painful. "I'll wrap it up and I'll be fine, that's not what's important right now". With Jungkook's hands full, everyone else rushed to grab all of their things, Hoseok grabbing a bandage for Namjoon because he'd definitely forget, turned the lights off, and left the building.
"I'll lay hyung on his bed", Jungkook reached Taehyung's room and did just that.
"Is he feverish?", came Yoongi's voice from the bathroom. Jungkook gently touched Taehyung's sweat-soaked forehead.
"No, hyung", Jungkook replied. "Temperature is normal"
"I'll make something up", Jin pointed over his shoulder towards the kitchen. Hoseok and Jimin followed to help him. Yoongi came back with towels, to pat Taehyung dry.
"Should we take him to the hospital? Or call for a doctor?", Namjoon asked, Hoseok having wrapped his right hand while they were on the way home.
"He's passed out asleep", Yoongi eyed Taehyung carefully. The younger Daegu was breathing okay, his heartrate was normal, there were no visible injuries... He was just so exhausted that he was peacefully sleeping, not even stirring. "Let's let him sleep, he probably needs it". That 'probably' was more like 'definitely'. "If he doesn't wake up in the next couple of hours, I'll be the first out the door, carrying him to the car and then the hospital"
"Has he woken up?", Hoseok sneaked a peek from the doorframe.
"Not yet", Namjoon shook his head. Hoseok nodded in understanding before retreating to the kitchen again. Taehyung didn't wake up even when the others sat him up to get him changed, he was knocked out cold .
"Go freshen up and get changed", Jin entered Taehyung's room in his PJs.
"Food is done. We'll stay with him", Jimin followed behind, also having changed. Yoongi, Namjoon and Jungkook got up and left. Hoseok was the last one from the cooking trio to get into his loungewear, coming back with the other two rappers and the youngest. After they all came in Taehyung's room, they sat on the floor and waiting for Taehyung to wake up.
Taehyung groaned, squeezing his eyes shut, before he opened them slowly. He squinted in confusion, noticing his brothers waiting. All of them moved closer when they saw his eyes opening.
"What happened?", Taehyung mumbled.
"You collapsed, hyung", Jungkook replied. "You passed out during practice"
"How long have I been out?", Taehyung wondered.
"About 4 hours", Yoongi checked his watch.
"That's too much...", Taehyung sighed. "I should practice-"
"Uh uh", Jin pinned him down gently by the shoulders. "No practice for you until tomorrow, at least"
"Hyung", Taehyung whined.
"And what do you mean by 'that's too much' ?", Jimin wondered.
"I'm... not used to... sleeping... that much", Taehyung avoided eye contact.
"4 hours is considered much ?", Namjoon was appalled. "How long have you been sleeping for every day?"
"Between 3-5:30am", Taehyung glued his gaze to the end of the bed.
"You've also lost weight", Yoongi pointed out. "You haven't been eating properly, have you?"
"I wasn't eating as much as I should, to begin with", Taehyung admitted. "But I wanted to make more time to practice, so I just snacked on the way to set"
"Snacked ", Jimin repeated, with Taehyung nodding and bitting the inside of his cheek.
"Why would you do this to yourself?", Jin asked.
"Because I don't wanna be treated like that ever again. You getting mad at me for messing up, I hated it...", Taehyung froze, realizing what he had said. "I mean, I don't want to disappoint you ever again... I should have practiced harder instead of making mistakes... You didn't deserve a half-hearted effort...", he stammered. He had another word in mind instead of 'half-hearted' but he didn't wanna curse. "I'm so sorry"
"Tae", Yoongi frowned. "No"
"It's us who should apologize", Jin reached to stroke Taehyung's crown. Taehyung barely managed to look at his brothers in surprise, before tears started streaming down his cheeks.
"Heyyyy", Hoseok featherly wiped Taehyung's tears with his fingers, proceeding to rest his hands on the younger's cheeks.
"If we're struggling, we can't imagine how hard it must be for you", Namjoon patted Taehyung on the leg over the covers.
"I wondered what was I thinking", Taehyung sniffled. "Booking an acting job when we're so busy... But I wanted to act, and I really wanted to do this drama! Acting alongside Seojun hyung and Hyungsik hyung, I'm so honored, as they're great actors who I can also call friends! But the timing couldn't have been worse... Right as we're preparing for Wings? I must have lost my mind...", he tried to lower his head, but Hoseok was keeping it up, so he just lowered his gaze instead.
"Hyung", Jungkook called.
"You certainly didn't deserve us snapping at you! Especially knowing how hardworking you are!", Jin exclaimed. "Jeopardizing your well-being because we were out of line? Instead of setting us straight?"
"I couldn't , hyung", Taehyung mumbled, returning the boys' eye contact. "I didn't even think about it, as I was afraid I might come off as weak... or childish... or disrespectful"
"You should have!", Jin argued, the other boys nodding in agreement.
"Seeing you collapse on us... It was a wake-up call", Yoongi exhaled.
"We should have been more understanding", Jimin piped up. "It won't happen again". Taehyung, who seemed to have stopped crying, was wrecked by a sob.
"Tae", the oldest frowned. "Shhhhh, it's okay", he reached forward, all boys following and kinda forming a pile over Taehyung.
"Come on, stop crying", Hoseok gently rubbed his thumbs against Taehyung's cheekbones, after they had pulled back. "You're already exhausted as it is. Crying won't help"
"I know", Taehyung sniffled, trying to regain control.
"How about some nice and warm food, instead?", Jin suggested. "Well, it will be warm again when I reheat it"
"No need, hyung", Taehyung shook his head. Jin opened his mouth to protest, thinking that the younger was refusing to eat, but Taehyung caught up. "You don't have to heat it up. I don't mind eating it as it is", he smiled.
"Okay then", Jin exited Taehyung's room to bring the food, Yoongi and Jungkook getting up to help. Taehyung shimmied his way to a sit-up position, Namjoon adjusting the pillow between Taehyung and the headboard. "Alriiiiight", he exhaled, coming through the door with the food, Yoongi and Jungkook right behind him. They were ready to sit on the floor but Taehyung pulled his legs up to create more space on his bed, so they ended up sitting there. "Eat a lot"
"It was delicious as always", Taehyung lowered his head in appreciation, after eating a decent amount. "I've missed this...", he sighed.
"No more skipping meals or leaving on your own, okay?", Jin pretended to glare at Taehyung, but his eyes were soft.
"Okay", Taehyung smiled.
"We can push the album back, take things slower...", Namjoon offered.
"No", Taehyung argued. "Hyung", he added immediately, minding his tone, too.
"Hyung-", Jungkook began.
"I can push through", Taehyung interrupted him. "After all the hard work already put into this album, we're not pushing it back because of me. ARMYs have waited enough... Besides, I don't have to get to set for a week. There's plenty of time for me to practice, get things done... And take it easy- easier ", he sensed the incoming comment from Jin.
"Are you sure?", Namjoon asked.
"Yes, hyung", Taehyung said sternly.
"Okay, now", Jin clapped his hands once. "Time to brush your teeth, I'll handle the dishes"
"Hyung, I'll do the dishes-", Namjoon started.
"Nope, I'll do it", Jin was not having it. "Up up, come on", he gestured for them to get up. He tried to hide the smirk that bloomed on his face, seeing the others getting up one by one to freshen up. The power of the oldest hyung is kinda nice , he thought to himself, as he picked up the empty dishes and chopsticks and headed to the kitchen. Once all the dishes had been washed, and the boys were done, he went to brush his teeth too.
"Good night", Taehyung wished, seeing them enter his room again.
"What, you thought that was it?", Yoongi scoffed.
"What do you mean, hyung?", Taehyung asked, confused.
"Make room", Jimin sat on Taehyung's bed. "You're not sleeping alone tonight"
"Non negotiable", Namjoon crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Y-You don't have to, I-I'm fine", Taehyung stuttered, as he was gently getting pushed to make space.
"First of all, you're not fine", Jin raised a finger.
"Secondly, we want to", Hoseok smiled. Before Taehyung could pretend to argue his way out of a sleepover, which didn't sound bad at all, all the boys had got comfortable in his bed.
"Alright, now it is 'good night' time", Jin said, cuddled up between Taehyung and Jungkook.
"Good night", Taehyung chuckled, tucked in between Jin and Hoseok.
"Good night", the other six replied unanimously, and one by one drifted off to dreamland, waking up in the exact same position 8 hours later.