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Seokjin and Jungkook sat silently at the table as they ate. The older watched his brother in amusement because of how he was eating slightly more than usual that night.
"Kookie, you're eating well tonight. Should I make this dish more often?"
Glancing up at the surprise of being spoken to, Jungkook forcefully swallowed down the large bite in his mouth. "Whatever you make is good, Hyung. I'm just kinda more hungry than usual right now."
Nodding in understanding the man went back to his food, "so did you have a good day today then?"
After a few moments of silence Seokjin looked up to see the child staring down at his plate as he visibly fought an internal battle within himself. Giving him time to gather his thoughts Seokjin turned half of his attention back to his food, taking the silence to prepare himself for whatever was to come next.
"Jin Hyung?" Jungkook blurted, "Jimin was sick."
"Oh?" He blinked, concerned for the their friend. "He's better now? Should I prepare some nice food for him?"
"No... Not that kind, Hyung. He was...ya know, he had an...eating problem." Jungkook quietly said, suddenly shy. He never knew of anyone before to have such a serious disorder and now he learned earlier that one of his best friends had it, and Jungkook hadn't even known.
Seokjin reached over the table to grasp onto the child's hand reassuringly, worried about him. "When did you find out, Kookie?"
"This evening, after dance practice." Jungkook finally looked up into his eyes. "He told me he had an eating disorder.
The older cringed in pain as he was reminded of when he'd been forced to silently watch the struggle young Jimin had unfairly gone through while he sat in the sidelines. Seokjin remembers contacting Yoongi in fear that the younger was going to hurt himself to the point of no return, only to be reassured that the rapper had it handled. And it turned out he did.
"But he's okay now, right Jungkookie? It's obvious how he's grown stronger and taller, Jiminie's eating well now."
"But he hadn't been and I hadn't known." He whined, "I feel like a bad friend."
"Jungkook, you were so young, you're still so young. This is very heavy stuff and the fact that Jimin went through it at his age must be traumatic for him, but thankfully he has a very caring brother and best friends to support him. Children your ages shouldn't have to know about these type of things." Seokjin tried to explain, running his thumb over the back of Jungkook's hand.
He nodded in understanding, "he made me promise to not do that, he made me promise to eat healthy and that eating and exercising is how to become a manly man." He noticed the older frowning in confusion so Jungkook clarified, "I was kinda jealous of him so asked for tips on dieting to lose my baby fat, then he told me how when he dieted and over exercised he had actually been sick."
A sharp intake of breath echoed the room and Seokjin's hand tightened over the younger's. "Jungkook, Kookie, no you're only thirteen-"
"Jiminie Hyung told me, Hyung. He said I'll lose it when I grow older and that dance practice is enough exercise. He made me promise not to do what he did, remember?" Jungkook smiled in an attempt to reassure the older. "He just told me that I should tell you."
Seokjin continued to stare at the younger, his heart rate had increased significantly and he couldn't find it within him to loosen the grip on his brother's hand. He couldn't lose Jungkook to a disease like this, a disorder so deadly. Maybe it was a mistake to allow the younger to pursue in a career in the entertainment industry. What if the pressure got to the child? What if he let himself believe the harsh and unnecessary criticism from people who called themselves fans? What if-
"Hyung." Jungkook interrupted his internal rant, turning over his hand that Seokjin still clutched in order to hold onto the older. "I already promised Jimin I would stay off that road. I can promise you too of you'd like? I promise, Jin Hyung."
Biting his lip, Seokjin nodded uneasily, aware that it was not as simple as a promise since mental disorders are tricky and don't stay away just because you want them too. But now that he knows that this is a possibility, even a small one, he can keep his eye out for his brother.
Later on in the night, when Jungkook's in bed, Seokjin's mind wonders back to the conversation they'd had. Jungkook seemed to put a lot of trust in Jimin and Seokjin was currently very grateful to the boy for being so caring towards Jungkook. In fact, Seokjin was grateful to all their friends for looking out for Jungkook ever since they entered the Kim family's lives. They were always looking out for the Maknae of the little group they had.
Unlocking his phone, Seokjin ran through his contacts. He was relieved that Jungkook had gone to Jimin for this kind of advice due to how the experienced boy handled his brother with care. He'd been very smart and the promise was a good start for Jungkook in understanding himself in this area of his life.
To Jiminie~
Thank you.
From Jinnie Hyung