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Jungkook jolts awake when two hands clamp down onto his shoulders, his eyes springing open in alarm as he tries to blink his vision back into focus. His gaze—still blurry—drifts towards the owner of the hands, fear sending an icy cold shiver down his spine when he can see the faint outline of the Shopkeeper's mask. Only, as he continues to blink, the mask melts away into a face that he had been so desperate to see.

"Jimin," he breathlessly gasps, throwing himself into the confused looking boy's arms, his own shaking ones wrapping firmly around the older's torso. Jungkook buries his face into the side of Jimin's neck, breathing in his familiar scent of home as his tears dampen Jimin's shirt. Jimin hugs him back, pressing a kiss to the top of his head as he holds Jungkook close to him.

Whimpering, he lifts his head off of Jimin's shoulder to see the rest of his brothers slowly beginning to crouch down, their arms wrapping around both him and Jimin to create a group hug. He somehow manages to swivel around during this process and tackle Taehyung into a hug,  practically trembling when Taehyung worriedly hugs back, smoothing down parts of Jungkook's hair affectionately.

Leaving Taehyung, he crawls into Hoseok's embrace, bottom lip quivering as the older chuckles fondly, kissing Jungkook's forehead before he makes his way towards Yoongi, the usually reserved boy looking nervous for Jungkook's hug. The younger simply presses himself against Yoongi gently, snaking his arms around his hyung's tiny waist as the older takes a few seconds to figure out what to do. Eventually, he resorts to draping his arms over Jungkook's shoulders, sighing heavily as Jungkook cuddles into him more.

The younger, still with tears trickling down his cheeks, turns himself towards Namjoon, the leader bringing Jungkook in for a hug before the young boy can even make his move. Namjoon mutters sweet nothings as Jungkook begins to sob loudly, his hands gripping onto the loose material of his hyung's shirt. Namjoon is stunned to silence as he continues to rock back and forth in an attempt to comfort him.

"Kookie, c'mere," Jin beckons, his voice as gentle as it was just before the building he was in collapsed. Jungkook sniffles before bringing himself to hug Jin, his shaking slowing to a stop when the oldest begins to play with his hair, his other hand rubbing his back in slow circles.

While the group falls into a comfortable silence, Jungkook's mind is a battle field of thoughts and questions. How did it all happen? Was it just a dream? Am I dead?

"What happened?" He asks fearfully, desperately wanting to know the answer to how all six of his supposedly dead brothers are sitting around him while simultaneously trying to ignore the painful croak of his voice. Taehyung smiles sheepishly, his eyes glistening with concern as he goes to answer the question.

"We sent you in about an hour ago so when you didn't come back out, we got worried and broke the rule to come and look for you. Luckily for us, you were just asleep on the floor. But why you were sleeping on the floor is what I want to know," he explains, narrowing his eyes at Jungkook when he reaches the last part of his spiel.

Jungkook shakes his head dismissively towards Taehyung's curiosity and instead motions for everyone to come back in for a group hug, promising himself that he'll never tell them about the horrors that the Magic Shop showed him.

All they should know is that he loves them so much more than he loves himself and he's going to make an effort to prove it.

Eventually, they leave the Magic Shop, all huddled up together for warmth as Jungkook constantly looks around to do a head count, sighing in relief each time he counts seven. Jin makes a sound of disapproval and tugs Jungkook into his side, lovingly planting a kiss on his head.

"Jungkook, you're safe now. Everything is fine, we promise."

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

Jungkook chuckles heartily at Jin's latest joke, watching with joy filled eyes as the rest of his members finally understand the joke, their laughter blending in with one another to create a symphony of happiness. Shaking his head fondly, he continues to walk with them, feeling protected in their company.

Most people would leave the sight of this young man and his friends to the professionals but there are some that choose to question it; "Why is that kid talking to himself?"

FIN

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