As Jungkook drowns in stress from a looming project, Jimin's attempt to comfort him spirals into a heart-stopping panic attack. With Jungkook gasping for air and Jimin's fear mounting, Yoongi's sudden arrival becomes their only hope for bringing him back from the edge.

~~~

Jungkook sat hunched over his laptop, his fingers flying across the keyboard as if trying to outrun the creeping tide of stress that enveloped him. The clock ticked away in the background, each second echoing louder in his mind. The project he was working on was a mountain, and he felt as if he were climbing it with no end in sight. His eyes darted across the screen, but his mind was a tangled mess of anxiety and exhaustion.

Jimin stood in the doorway, watching Jungkook with concern. The usually composed and cheerful Jungkook looked like a shell of himself, consumed by the pressure of his workload. Jimin's heart ached seeing him like this. He approached quietly, his footsteps barely making a sound, and placed a gentle hand on Jungkook's shoulder.

"That's enough. You'll kill yourself like this," Jimin said softly but firmly. "Take a break."

"I can't. I have no time..." Jungkook's voice was strained, barely more than a whisper, as he remained glued to the screen, fingers still typing away.

"Nope, that's enough," Jimin insisted, his voice brooking no argument. He reached over and shut the laptop with a decisive click. Without waiting for a response, he gently pulled Jungkook away from the desk.

"Jimin, I-" Jungkook started, his voice breaking as he looked up at Jimin, his eyes wide with a mix of frustration and desperation.

"Shh, cuddle with me. Just for a few minutes. Okay? Just a small break. You need this, bun," Jimin said, his tone tender and reassuring. He guided Jungkook towards the bed, pulling him under the covers with him. The warmth of Jimin’s embrace was meant to be comforting, a sanctuary from the chaos of Jungkook's thoughts.

As Jimin held him close, Jungkook tried to settle into the embrace, but the anxiety gnawing at him was relentless. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t shake the tightening in his chest. His throat felt constricted, and every breath seemed like it was being squeezed from him. His mind raced with the tasks he still had to complete, the deadline looming like a dark cloud.

Jungkook’s breaths came shallow and rapid, his mouth opening slightly as if to inhale more air, but it felt like he was suffocating. He subtly placed a hand on his throat, his fingers trembling as if trying to force the air in. The cozy confines of Jimin’s arms felt more like a cage, trapping him in his own spiraling panic.

Jimin noticed the sudden change in Jungkook’s demeanor. He looked down, his brow furrowing in concern. "Baby?" he said softly, but there was an edge of worry in his voice. He could see the distress etched on Jungkook's face, the struggle evident in his eyes.

"Leave me...let go," Jungkook choked out, his voice barely coherent as he desperately tried to free himself from Jimin’s hold.

Jimin's heart sank at Jungkook's words, and he immediately released his grip, confusion and fear flooding his mind. Jungkook staggered off the bed, collapsing onto his knees on the floor. He gasped for air, his breaths coming out in ragged, panicked bursts.

Jimin's panic surged. He had never seen Jungkook in such a state before, and it was overwhelming. He dropped to his knees beside Jungkook, trying to reach out to him, but the sounds of Jungkook’s gasps and the urgency in the room seemed to drown out everything else.

“Jungkook! Jungkook, baby!” Jimin's voice cracked, filled with terror and helplessness.

He shouted for Yoongi, the only hyung who was in the dorms at the time. “Yoongi! Yoongi, help!”

Jimin knelt beside Jungkook, his heart breaking at the sight of Jungkook’s uncontrollable sobs and labored breathing. The stress had twisted Jungkook’s usually calm demeanor into one of raw, desperate panic. The room was filled with the sounds of Jungkook gasping for air, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Jimin’s tears fell freely, mingling with the fear and helplessness he felt. “Baby, Jungkook. You need to calm down, love,” he pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. He reached out to gently stroke Jungkook’s hair, trying to offer comfort, but his own distress made it hard to stay steady.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Yoongi burst into the room. His eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene before him. “What’s going on—” he started, but then his gaze landed on Jungkook. “What happened?”

Without waiting for an explanation, Yoongi moved swiftly. He dropped to his knees beside Jungkook and carefully pulled him into his lap, his arms wrapping securely around the back of Jungkook’s neck. Yoongi’s face was a mask of concern, his normally composed demeanor giving way to a fierce protectiveness.

“He… he was stressed,” Jimin choked out, his voice trembling as he tried to explain through his tears. “I asked him to take a break and cuddle, and then… I don’t know what happened. He just… he became like this…”

“Jungkook. Jungkook, baby. Baby, I need you to come back to us,” Yoongi said softly, his voice soothing but filled with urgency. “Can you do that for hyungs? Shh, hyungs are here. You’re safe. You’re okay. Everything is okay.”

Jungkook slumped heavily in Yoongi’s arms, his eyes fluttering and rolling back. The sight made Jimin’s heart leap with fear. “Jungkook!” he cried out, panic and desperation coloring his voice.

“Hey, hey. Hey, don’t pass out on us, kid. Come on, bunny,” Yoongi said, his voice firm but gentle as he struggled to keep Jungkook with him. He took Jungkook’s trembling hand and placed it on his chest. “You feel that, don’t you? Copy me, bunny.”

Yoongi began to take slow, deliberate breaths, his chest rising and falling steadily. It was a slow, torturous process, but Yoongi’s calm presence began to work its magic. Jungkook’s breathing gradually started to sync with Yoongi’s. The deep, slow breaths helped Jungkook find his rhythm again, though the process was far from smooth.

Finally, Jungkook broke down, the tight knot of stress and fear unraveling into loud, ragged sobs. “Hyung, hyung…” he cried, clutching Yoongi’s shirt with the desperation of a child seeking comfort.

Yoongi held him tightly, his voice a comforting murmur. “Shh, it’s okay, bun. I know it’s really stressful—your college work, school work, everything. But it’s not worth losing your mental health over.”

Jimin shuffled closer, his own tears streaming down his face. He pressed frantic, loving kisses to Jungkook’s forehead, each touch meant to reassure. “Hyungs are here, bun. We will help you in whatever way we can. Okay… you’re not alone. You don’t have to face anything alone. We’re here.”

Jungkook clung to Yoongi, his sobs gradually subsiding as the comforting presence of both Yoongi and Jimin helped him find a sliver of calm.

~ The end ~