A WEEK LATER

"C'mon Jimin, I'm getting bored when are you coming back?" She said, almost whining like a kid.

"I'll be late, I have some work." Jimin answered, keeping his attention on the road, "I'll hang up now."

"But what about me?" Alexa said. Jimin didn't reply and hung up. He turned the steering wheel aggressively and slammed the breaks. It was almost 9 and dark outside. Jimin was returning back from the company to the apartment where he's been living with his girlfriend for a few months now.

He stepped out of the car and went inside the bar, "Tequila please." He ordered and sat on the stool near the counter. The bartender nodded and started preparing his drink.

Jimin had switched off his phone and left it in the car. His mind was repeating Jungkook's words over and over again.

She's manipulative and controlling you

Recall the number of fights we had in the last few months

Remember the last time you spent time with Aera

I don't want Aera to get used to you not being around

He slammed his hand on the counter top and took the shots that the bartender just placed there for him. He was now realizing how true Jungkook's every word was. She was just using him for her own entertainment. She made him push his brother and sister away. She had him wrapped around her little finger. She used him for his money and looks; and guess what? He couldn't even blame her because he knew he had fallen in deep.

With a dry chuckle that left his plumped lips, Jimin ordered another tray of shots and then one more, then one more until he was totally wasted.

"I hate you Lexi- no...not- not Lexi, Alexa." He slurred and wiped the side of his mouth, "I don't even know if you- if you ever loved me or... or not."

"Sir, you should stop now." The bartender said, "You've had enough drinks now."

"Shut Up!" Jimin shouted, "You're no one to tell me- *hiccup* what to- what to do! Where's the manager? Call him, I wanna talk to your manager!" He said.

"Sir please, sit down." He said.

"I said fucking call the manager!" Jimin yelled again, while his body swayed and he saw the place spinning before his eyes. Soon the manager showed up, and realized it was Jeon Jimin. With the fear of having his bar closed down, he gulped and decided to talk calmly.

"I'm so sorry Mr Jeon, Please calm down." The manager said.

"This man" Jimin pointed at the bartender, "He's no' good. Fire him!"

"Ye- Yes sir, Mathew go from here." He said. The bartender stared at him with wide eyes. The manager nodded assuringly and told him to go out of Jimin's sight for a while and call Jeon Jungkook.

____

"Where are you going?" Aera asked, watching Jungkook rushing to grab his jacket and keys.

"To pick Jiminie up, stay here I'll be back real quick okay? And don't be scared." He said.

"Can I go with you?" She asked following behind him.

"No, stay at home. I'll be back in fifteen or twenty minutes. You can watch TV till then. Oh and, don't open the door for anyone except me and don't turn on the stove."

Once Aera nodded, he patted her head and left the house quickly heading to the drive. He took his car and drove to the said location of the bar. Right now his biggest fear was that he had to bring Jimin home with him. Jimin was drunk. And his sister was still very young to see her eldest brother in that state. What will he tell her when she asks what happened to Jiminie?

He spotted Jimin's car and headed inside the bar, the bartender and other staff workers bowed to him once they recognized him and lead the way to a quieter place. Jungkook sighed deeply on seeing Jimin almost passed out on the couch, mumbling something to himself. He thanked the manager and helped his brother stand up, taking him outside.

"What have you done to yourself hyung?" He whispered while seating Jimin in the backseat of the car. Even Jungkook could feel his arms trembling on seeing his elder brother -who has always been his role model- like this.

"Kook?" Jimin mumbled squinting his eyes at Jungkook.

"Yeah, we're going home." He nodded and hopped on the driver's seat. There was silence for a while, before Jimin decided to break it.

"I'm... I'm sorry Jungkook-ah" he slurred his words together, "...y'know that- that girl, Lex- Alexa, she's such a bitch... You were right. I was too blind to- to see it" he laughed at himself.

"I ruined everything, didn't I? Aera's birthday...and- and her badminton match before that. I wanted to come, I swear I did. But I don't know... as you said Alexa is manipulative. Jungkook, I- I loved her and fuck! I couldn't even bring myself to blame her for what she did to me- to us... She never cared about how I felt..."

Jungkook stopped the car and turned back, "Hyung, its okay, its not your fault. I understand what happened is not good. But please hold yourself together..." He said.

"I messed up Jungkook... I messed up a big time" Jimin trailed off.

"No hyung, it'll be fine. Don't worry." Jungkook assured, taking his brother's hands in his. "I'm here."

Jimin closed his eyes gulping down the heavy lump forming in his throat. Jungkook blinked away his tears and went back to driving. As the distance to their house decreased, the anxiousness increased inside Jungkook's body. Soon he pressed his foot on the breaks and the car stopped. He glanced at Jimin who was just sprawled on the seat in an uncomfortable position with his eyes closed. Maybe he passed out?

Jungkook stepped out and opened the back door, bending forward to help Jimin out, accidentally waking him up in the process.

"Can you walk?" Jungkook asked, holding Jimin's hand to prevent him from trying to stand up on his own. The older nodded and lifted his arm up a bit, a gesture for Jungkook to just give him a support from the side. The younger brother positioned his shoulder under Jimin's arm while keeping his right arm around the elder's waist to help him reach inside the house.

"No wait" Jimin said, "Ae-Aera is here... I can't go in like this"

"Its okay hyung, I'll watch over her." Jungkook replied, "You need rest right now. Let's go in."

Jimin nodded hesitantly and walked inside, Jungkook's head turned towards the stairs. He decided it wasn't a good idea to take Jimin up there in this condition, so he lead him to the guest room downstairs.

"Sit here, I'll get some water." Jungkook said and left the room, coming back with a glass of water and an extra bottle. "Aera is in my room, she probably won't come here. You can get changed, or I'll help if you want and please get some rest."

Jimin nodded and drank the water in one go. He tried standing up but failed as his vision still appeared rotating around him. Although he made an effort again and fastened his motions when he felt his insides churning in a weird fashion. His hand covered his mouth and the other one grabbed Jungkook's hands. The younger boy understood what was happening and instantly helped Jimin to the toilet. He knelt down rubbing Jimin's back while he threw up almost as if his lungs would come due to all the forces acting on his body right now.

Jimin panted for air and leaned back once he was done. Jungkook flushed the toilet and wiped his brother's mouth after helping him rinse it thoroughly.

"I'll get some clothes for you" Jungkook said and stood up, leaving Jimin there for a bit. He walked out of the bathroom and saw a small head peeping in.

"What is happening?" The little girl asked and looked around.

"Nothing much, go to your room." He said, "You should be upstairs right?"

Aera nodded and went near him, "Where's Jiminie Oppa? You said you were going to pick him up." Jungkook nodded hesitantly and was about say something when both of them heard a coughing noise from the bathroom.

"He's in there?" She asked, pointing her thumb towards the bathroom door. Jungkook rushed to the back inside not bothering to answer Aera's question. She frowned in confusion, why is everything so weird?

She peeked in the bathroom and gasped on seeing Jimin leaning on the toilet throwing his guts up, "Oppa..." She whispered involuntarily, Jungkook rubbed Jimin's back while supporting his weight so the elder won't collapse.

Jimin nodded subtly when Jungkook whispered something to him, which Aera couldn't understand as she was too consumed on seeing their brother sick. Is he going to die? She had never seen anyone so ill, and unfortunately when she saw it, it happened to be her own brother.

"Riri," Jungkook looked at her, "Can you bring one of Oppa's clothes from his room?" He said. Aera nodded slowly and ran upstairs to Jimin's room. Grabbing whatever clothes she found on the lower rack. She came back and gave them to Jungkook. By this time, Jimin looked a bit more fine than when she left. He was sitting by himself while Jungkook was cleaning up. Aera kept standing on the doorway staring at him with worried eyes.

"Oppa" She said in a small voice.

"Hmm?" Jungkook turned to her, "You're still here? Go to your room, I'll come in a bit."

She shook her head and pointed at Jimin. Jungkook sighed and stared at her with soft eyes, he stepped forward and brought her closer to himself, "Is he going to die?" Aera asked in a scared voice.

"No, he'll be fine by tomorrow morning" Jungkook said, "He ate something bad, so I think he's got an upset tummy. Don't worry it'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" She said looking up at Jungkook then at Jimin, "It- it looks bad... I don't want my Oppa to die."

"He's not dying, baby. Oppa's just a little sick. I promise he'll be okay by tomorrow." He said and patted her head, "Now stop worrying about him and go to bed, its already pretty late."

"But-"

"No buts, go and sleep. Everything is okay."

Aera sighed and nodded. Jungkook smiled softly and kissed her head, seeing her leave the room after glancing at Jimin one last time.

"Alright, hyung let's get you changed now." He said rolling up his sleeves as he turned around. Jimin groaned a bit, his right hand reaching up for his head.

"Man it hurts so bad" Jimin said while breathing through his mouth the whole time. Jungkook nodded, knowing the alcohol was gradually lessening its effect on his brother and letting him proceed towards soberness.

"Can you do it on your own or...?" Jungkook motioned his hands to and fro Jimin's clothes and Jimin. The older and stood up, taking support from the wall. He got cleaned up and changed which felt exhausting than ever. But one thing, taking a quick shower was actually kinda relaxing. Jungkook saw Jimin coming out of the bathroom and stood up from the bed.

"How are you feeling now?" He asked.

"Stupid" Jimin said, "I'm literally so stupid to let all of this happen. I'm sorry Jungkook, I don't know what had gotten into me..."

"You don't need to apologize hyung, its not even your fault." The younger said.

"It is, I made Aera sad on her birthday. And many other times that I can't even count when she wanted me to stay but I had to leave. She's so young, she should've held my hand and cry to stop me but she never uttered a word. Isntead, she always smiled. You might think that I don't know when she does that for me, but I do know, and it really breaks my heart, seeing my sister sacrificing her wishes for someone else. Even you Jungkook, you must've had a hard time. I'm... I don't deserve both of you. I'm so sorry for hurting you and Aera."

Jungkook smiled a little while looking down, "Aera...yes she was upset. She even cried, every time you left. But do you know what she says? Don't tell Jiminie Oppa, he'll be sad. I felt very bad on hearing those words from her. She used to ask if Alexa can stay alone for a while so that you can come here and spend time with her. In the very beginning when you moved out, Aera called you everyday, but it slowly stopped. You know why? Alexa didn't like it, she told Aera to stop calling you so much and annoy you.

"Aera told me about it, and I wanted to talk to you but there wasn't much use of it back then. So I told Aera that its okay. Every time, Alexa did something, and I had to console Aera with 'Its alright, you are a good girl'. And..." Jungkook chuckled to himself remembering each and every incident, "And she understood. But it just kept getting intense. There was a point, where is she asked if Alexa is now your favorite and not her."

Jimin was staring at his lap the whole time, listening how bad he messed up. He took a deep breath and wiped the tear that had just left his eye. Their heads soon turned to the side to look at door on hearing a faint creeking sound and saw a shadow moving from the bottom of the door. Jungkook sighed and shook his head.

"I know you're there, Aera."

The girl didn't reply, Jungkook knew this trick. So he opened the door without a warning a caught her standing beside the wall, gasping and quickly turning around to leave.

"I was just passing by" She said.

"Yeah? What did you came her for?" He asked crossing his arms on his chest.

"Uhm water..." She mumbled.

"Stop lying" Jungkook said, "Only bad kids lie, are you one of them?"

She shook her head and looked down at her feet, "Speak Aera."

"...no"

"What did I tell you to do?"

"...to go and sleep."

"Exactly, but you're roaming here, for what reason?"

"I- I wanted to see Jimin Oppa, he's not well. So I thought if he cuddles me he will feel better... Like you do when I'm sick. I just wanted to help, look I even got my pillow." She said and ran to the couch in the living room where she had kept it. Jungkook tried hard not to smile at that but failed quite miserably.

"You wanna help him by cuddling?" He asked, impressed by their sister. Jimin who was listening all this, felt bad for what he did all this time because he was so bound with Alexa.

"Mm-hmm" Aera nodded hugging her pillow. "But wait, he's staying right?" She asked.

"Yes he is." Jungkook and nodded stepped aside letting her in the room.

"Really?" She asked.

"Yes" Jimin nodded and smiled, "Come." He said and opened his arms for her. She smiled but the confusion in her face wasn't yet hidden. "What's wrong?"

"What about Lexi?" She said, "She must be alone..."

Jimin took a deep breath and shook his head, "She can manage. My baby princess needs me more." He said with a smile and there her face displayed a genuine happy smile. Aera quickly climbed on the bed next to him and hugged him tightly. Jimin wrapped his arms around her small figure and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm sorry" he whispered.

"What?" She looked up at him. He shook his head and gestured her to lay down.

"I missed you Oppa" She said.

"I missed you more." Jimin said and rubbed her back, blinking away his tears as he felt happy and relieved to be able to hold his sister without any other concern.

"Why are you crying Oppa?" Aera asked in a concerned voice, "Is your tummy hurting? Do you need anything? I'll get you some water for you." She said hastily and started getting up, but he held her back.

"I'm okay," Jimin said, "But I guess I'll feel better if Riri stays here and cuddles with Oppa." She giggled and nodded.

Jungkook smiled watching the two fondly, he patted Aera's head and said, "I'll leave you two alone, please sleep now. And Aera don't bother him too much, let him rest okay?"

"Okayy!" She nodded and saluted him, "I'll take care of Oppa. If he needs anything I will get it for him."

"Yeah okay, that's good." Jungkook chuckled and left the room.

"Let's sleep hmm?" Jimin said, Aera nodded hesitantly and closed her eyes for a while but not wanting to sleep. She knew Jimin won't be beside her when she wakes up in the morning, so she decided to stay awake and not let him go this time.

With that thought, Aera was determined to not fall asleep, which Jimin noticed and smiled before he started humming to one of her favorite songs for her.

In the next five minutes, she was sleeping peacefully in her eldest brother's arms. Jimin kissed her forehead and whispered a soft "Oppa loves you Princess."

____

"Oppa?" The eleven year-old called knocking on the bathroom door and soon realized Jimin wasn't there either. She sighed and her eyes became teary. She walked out of the room and saw Jungkook in the kitchen.

"Good morni- Hey what happened? Why are you crying?" He asked worriedly when Aera hugged him suddenly and started sobbing. Her hand pointed towards the room where she slept with Jimin last night.

"Yeah what about it? Did you fall from the bed?" He asked stroking the back of her head.

"There's no Jiminie" She said between sobs, "Why is Lexi always more important than me? If- If I start being stubborn like her, then Oppa will stay with me?"

"My baby, its not like that" Jungkook said and made her sit on one of the stools, "Jiminie is here. He didn't leave."

"He did" Aera sniffed, "He's not here. He went back to Lexi. He don't- He don't love me now."

"No baby, he loves you, and he's-"

"And I didn't leave." Jimin completed his brothers words. Jungkook smiled and shrugged.

"Look he's right here."

Jimin walked over to them and Aera sobbed even more, "Did you really think I don't love you?" He asked softly, with a little hurt evident in his voice.

"Sorry" She mumbled after calming down a bit, "I just thought you left again..."

"I'm not leaving you okay?" He said, "And I love you, I love you very much Princess. Alexa or nobody can ever compare to you, you're the most important person to me Aera. You're my favourite girl no matter what."

I love you very much Princess

You're my favorite girl no matter what

Aera hugged him tightly and wiped her tears, "I'm sorry I said that, I... I should've listened to Kookie."

"Its alright, and to be honest I am sorry for leaving you all this time. But guess what, I'm not going anywhere now. We'll stay together like before and have a lot of fun here." Jimin said glancing at Jungkook who nodded.

"Yes, and we'll go to the amusement park again. This time with Jiminie, and we'll show him how brave our Princess is right?" Jungkook said bending forward to match with their sister's height as he booped the tip of her nose, making her smile.

"Really? We can go?" She asked.

"Of course." Jimin said, smiling at her but she seemed to be thinking of something else, "And there won't be any Alexa disturbing us from now on."

"Yes!" Aera cheered and jumped up and down on her spot happily, "So I'll have my Oppas with me all the time! Kookie and ChimChim Oppa Yayyy!"

"Yes" Jimin and Jungkook chuckled as she hugged both of them together.

______

Ah this was long, and took me a while to write. I couldn't think of a nice plot that fits with part 1 of this. But guess its done now 😁

Please vote and comment to let me know what you think.

Also, requests are open (I'll try my best to write them, really.)

See you soon <3
Stay safe, stay healthy.
Fighting! ✊

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Word Count: 3.4K