Seokjin fondly ruffles the youngest member's hair as he walks past him in the bathroom. He doesn't understand the other's fascination with doing laundry but he's not about to complain. If anything, he has one chore less on his head.

It's their day off. They rarely get days like these and boy, do they long for them. He enters their living space to see Yoongi seated on the couch, legs propped up on the teapoy, newspaper spread out in front of him.

"The others are up?" he questioned.

"Namjoon's taken Bam for a run, Hoseok's on the porch swing again. I'm telling you he's addicted to that."

Seokjin rolled his eyes at that.

"Jimin and Taehyung?"

"Asleep."

Seokjin glanced at his wristwatch.

"I would have let them sleep in a little longer but it's late and they haven't eaten anything."

Yoongi grunted in response as if to agree with the older. Seokjin sighed and made his way upstairs. He pushed open Jimin's door first and peeked in.

"Jimin-ah. Wake up."

The younger raised his head and through sleep swollen eyes, he peered at his hyung.

"Good morning," he grumbled and allowed his head to fall back onto the pillow.

"Yah, wake up," Seokjin laughed, amused.

"Five minutes," Jimin mumbled into the pillow.

"Fine. I'll wake Taehyung-ah till then. Five minutes and your ass needs to be off this bed."

"Yesh hyung."

Seokjin shook his head in amusement and shut the door behind him. When he reached Taehyung's door, he reached up a hand to twist the door knob. As the door swung open, he was surprised — no, shocked — to see the younger seated in bed, ipad in hand, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Taehyung?" Seokjin called softly.

Despite his soft tone, the younger startled. He shoved the ipad away from him and hastily wiped away his tears.

"Ah hyung. Good morning," he responded in fake cheerfulness.

Seokjin crossed the room and slid onto the bed beside Taehyung.

"Tell hyung what happened," he gently urged.

"Nothing's wrong," Taehyung tried to laugh it off but the waver in his voice was a major giveaway of the opposite.

Taehyung met Seokjin's warm brown eyes that radiated with concern and fresh tears spilled down his cheeks.

"Hyung is here," the older vowed as he gently cradled Taehyung's head against his shoulder.

"They're s-so m-mean," Taehyung whispered, voice cracking under the strain of sadness.

"Who?" Seokjin asked, trying to keep the little anger he felt out of his voice.

"Fans. They say I h-have nothing to offer this group. They say I'm a f-flaw in the group. Talentless and— I'm s-sorry. I'll t-try harder. I w-want to be g-good for the band."

Taehyung's tears soaked Seokjin's shirt but he didn't pay any mind to it.

"Tae, those aren't fans. Those aren't army. Army would never say that about you. You offer so much to this group. Your talent is beyond this world. You have an amazing voice. Don't get me started on your looks. Army's go crazy over your smiles and your hairstyles and practically every little thing about you. BTS won't be BTS without you. You're more than enough, Tae. I don't want you doubting that. If you do, I'll be here to remind you. Time and again if I have to."

Taehyung sniffled, a small smile on his face.

"I'm sorry," he wiped his eyes, "I can be such a baby sometimes."

Seokjin cupped his face.

"You're never too old to cry."

And somehow that was exactly what Taehyung needed to hear. He felt his eyes sting and he leaned into Seokjin's touch.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Seokjin kissed the top of his head.

After a long pause,

"Jimin's still asleep. Want to scare the living daylights out of him?"

"You bet," Taehyung chuckled.

To be continued
21 February, 2023