Seokjin followed Jimin's gaze to see Jungkook standing in the corner. Although Jungkook's face stayed clear of any distress, Seokjin saw the signs of anxiety in the younger male. He noticed the way Jungkook picked at his skin subtly, the way his fingers trembled and the beads of sweat that formed at his forehead.

He waited till Namjoon had finished giving them instructions. They had a concert in a couple of hours and Jin guessed it was the source of the maknae's anxiety. He tugged the younger away to a different room and his sharp ears caught the maknae's erratic breathing.

"Kookie," Seokjin spoke gently.

"C— can I have a hug, hyung?" Jungkook asked and Seokjin replied by wrapping his arms around the younger male. Jungkook wasn't the kind of person to seek comfort, not wanting to burden anyone with the way he felt. The fact that he asked for a hug showed Seokjin just how much the younger was hurting.

"Are you anxious?"

"Very," Jungkook replied shakily, tears silently sliding down his cheeks.

Seokjin nodded and rubbed his back.

"Is it because of the concert?"

"I don't— I don't know. I guess. I—" Jungkook whimpered, "Hyung!"

"Shh, calm down. Hyung is here. It's okay. Breathe with me."

"Hyu— hurts."

"It's okay. Calm down."

Jimin stepped in the room and his eyes widened at the sight of their crying maknae struggling to breathe.

"I feel—overwhelmed. Bad overwhelmed," Jungkook struggled to explain.

"You don't have to explain. Just let it out. Don't hold back your tears," Jin whispered, just as Namjoon appeared at the door. He took one look at the situation and tugged at Jimin's sleeve.

"Don't crowd him. Seokjin will take care of him," said the leader and Jimin reluctantly followed him out of the room.

Jungkook's tears hit the fabric of Seokjin's shirt, soaking the material. They stayed like that for a while, Seokjin humming out a soft tune as he rubbed the younger's back.

Jungkook pulled away after a while and wiped away his tears, mumbling a soft sorry.

"Why are you sorry?"

"I should be used to this by now. I just had to cry like some newborn child."

Seokjin brushed the stray strands of hair off his forehead.

"You're never too old to cry. No matter how many years you've spent in the industry, you're human and there are times you are bound to break down. It's only natural. Are you feeling better?"

Jungkook's eyes welled up.

"Can I...stay a little longer?"

"You don't have to ask. Hyung is always here for you," Seokjin assured and held the younger against him. He pressed a kiss to his temple and felt Jungkook relax in his hold.

27 February, 2023
Please excuse me if there are any spelling errors or grammatical errors here. Experiencing anxiety currently qnd typing with trembling fingers is hard. So yeah. ♡