Jungkook's eyes landed on one sheet of paper, then another, then another. His eyes quickly scanned the words on the sheet, hunting... searching for the ones he needed.

A minute gone by.

A minute wasted.

Sweat beads formed over his forehead.

He wasted a minute.

Frantically he went through the papers around him.

Too many papers.

Too much writing.

Too many words.

Another minute gone.

Fuck...

Why couldn't the time slow down a bit? Why couldn't it have some mercy on him?

Fuck...

His vision was blurry.

No...no, not the time He can't cry. He'll lose time. Desperately he blinked away tears. He choked on his breath, a familiar ache in his chest.

Notnownotnownotnow

"Jungkook-ah?" Jin called, peeking in to check on their maknae and found him seated in the middle of the bed, surrounded by sheets all around, body trembling, eyes red-rimmed and unfocused.

"Kookie? Hey...hey, bun," his voice took a concerned turn as he approached the younger.

"Hyung," Jungkook sobbed, reaching out for Jin, gripping him by the shirt, "nothing's happening. Nothing's happening. I'm wasting time. I'm wasting time."

"Wha- Jungkook? What happened?" Came Yoongi's voice as he appeared at the doorway.

[To be continued . . .]

25 Nov, 2023