Something about being the oldest in the band triggers Jin's protective instincts and he unloads upon himself the responsibility of caring for the others. It's not forced. It's just something that comes naturally being around the boys and growing up alongside them. He's goofy around them, lightens the mood, behaves as the maknae rather than as the oldest, but when it's required he never hesitates to be the responsible adult.

Maybe sometimes he does so to the point of forgetting that he himself is young and that he himself requires a shoulder to cry on. He shoves that aside when the others seek his comfort, making himself available to them and give them a listening ear and a comforting pat on the back.

Maybe sometimes he feels like he's the oldest and that he needs to be strong for the rest of them, so he neglects himself, always putting the others before himself.

It's late, almost 3 am, when there's a knock at his door. Seokjin startles and drags the bedsheets closer because who the fuck would knock on his bedroom door at three in the damn morning? A ghost perhaps.

Or it could be one of the members, his mind supplies.

There's a knock again, softer and more hesitant. Seokjin slides the covers off himself and swings his legs off the bed.

"The door's open. Come in."

The wood creaks slightly as the door swings open and Jungkook steps in.

"Were you asleep?"

Normally, Jin would have joked about it and replied with sarcasm because Jungkook, their dear maknae, is known for sliding into one of the hyungs beds at night. But the nervousness seeping through the cracks in Jungkook's steady voice doesn't go unnoticed by Seokjin and he decides against it.

He pats the bed beside him, inviting the younger to slide in and Jungkook takes it.

"What's the matter?" Seokjin asks.

"Just wanted to sleep with hyung," is Jungkook's response and that might be partially true.

"Since when do you knock?" Jin asks instead, taking a light tone as a smile graces his lips.

Jungkook remains quiet, like he isn't sure what to say or where to start and Seokjin realises that through the conflicted expression on his face.

"Hey, take your time. Hyung isn't going anywhere."

Jungkook takes a shaky breath and bites his lower lip hard, like he's struggling to put his thoughts into words. So instead he leans toward Seokjin and buries his face in the other's chest, feeling the tears he's kept at bay for so long, trickle down.

Seokjin wraps an arm around the boy and his heart aches for him. It really does. Their maknae is young, having left home at such a young age to join their band and begin life in a whole different environment than the one at home. Regardless of how old he grows, to Jin he'll always remain that doe-eyed teen he once was, the young boy Jin has always been protective of.

"Hyung's here. Hyung's got you," Seokjin whispers as he rubs soothing circles onto Jungkook's back.

"Are you feeling homesick?" Seokjin asks, kissing the top of his head.

A slight nod.

"Oh baby."

"Miss home," comes a muffled response.

It's easy to forget just how young Jungkook is sometimes, with the cheeky maknae that he is and the muscles he's gained. Now that Seokjin thinks about it, their maknae seemed off the entire day, quieter than usual and now he knows why.

He runs his fingers through the younger's hair.

"I know. I know," Seokjin assures, "you've hardly had time to call home and speak, hmm?"

Jungkook sobs and buries himself further in Seokjin's chest.

"There's no need to feel embarrassed. It's okay. Tell you what, I'm going to make sure we get time out of our schedule so you can video call your parents back home. Alright?"

"You know we can't do that," Jungkook whispers, "our schedule is packed."

He sounds miserable and Seokjin doesn't like it one bit. He prefers the cheerful, cheeky, loud maknae any day.

"Hyung will pull a few strings," Seokjin says, pulling Jungkook away from his chest and giving him a wink, "you know that, don't you? No one would dare to argue with the great Kim Seokjin."

There's a slight smile that graces Jungkook's lips and well, that's a good start. Seokjin smiles fondly at the younger, "don't you worry. Hyung's got you. I'll make sure you get at least an hour or two for a video call."

"Thank you," Jungkook whispers as Jin thumbs away his tears.

"Don't mention it. Let's get some sleep, yeah? Hyung will cuddle with you."

14 June, 2023