The dorm was quiet that morning. 

Jungkook lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His body felt impossibly heavy, like he was sinking into the mattress. His limbs wouldn’t move, no matter how much his mind screamed at him to get up. 

He knew he had to. 

Practice. Schedules. The others waiting. 

But he couldn’t. 

It had been like this for days. The exhaustion wasn’t just physical—it ran deeper, curling into his chest, pressing down on his ribs. It made breathing feel like a chore. 

He wasn’t even sure when it started. Maybe it had been building up for weeks, months even, and now it had swallowed him whole. 

A sharp knock on his door made him squeeze his eyes shut. 

Then— 

"Jungkook." Namjoon’s voice was firm. "Are you seriously still in bed?"

Jungkook swallowed but didn’t answer. 

The door creaked open. Footsteps. 

"Come on, we were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago." Namjoon sounded annoyed now. "This isn’t like you, Jungkook."

Jungkook still didn’t move. 

Namjoon sighed. "Look, I get it, you’re tired. But we all are. You can’t just lie around all day and expect the rest of us to pick up the slack."

Lazy. 

The word wasn’t said out loud, but Jungkook heard it anyway. 

Namjoon’s footsteps retreated, the door clicking shut behind him. 

Jungkook exhaled shakily, blinking up at the ceiling as his vision blurred. 

Was that what the others thought? 

That he was just… lazy? 

Maybe they were right. 

Maybe he was just making excuses, letting everyone down. 

A lump formed in his throat, and he curled up, pulling the blanket over his head. 

Maybe it would be better if he just— 

Another knock. Softer this time. 

"Kook?" 

Jimin. 

Jungkook didn’t answer, hoping Jimin would just go away. 

But the door opened anyway, and then there was warmth—a quiet presence settling on the edge of his bed. 

"Hey," Jimin whispered. "Can I sit here?"

Jungkook stayed silent, but Jimin took that as a yes. 

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. 

Then— 

"It’s bad this time, isn’t it?" 

Jungkook’s fingers tightened around the blanket. His throat ached. 

Jimin exhaled softly, then shifted closer, reaching out. Gentle fingers brushed through Jungkook’s hair, stroking slowly, soothingly. 

"You’re not lazy, Kook," Jimin murmured. "I know it feels like that. Like you’re stuck. But I see you."

Jungkook swallowed, a tear slipping down his temple. 

Jimin continued, voice steady, warm. "You don’t have to explain anything. You don’t have to move until you’re ready. I’ll stay right here."

Jungkook’s chest tightened. "Hyung…" His voice broke. 

Jimin’s hand didn’t stop moving, fingers threading gently through his hair. 

"I got you."

Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut. 

And for the first time in days, he didn’t feel alone.