Read on Twitter
So... we're doing this as a tweet thing because maybe I want to.
credit to @jinkookfilth for the original idea although i'm pretty sure she's neither the first nor the last to encourage such a pretty little concept to come to life.
credit to @jinkookfilth for the original idea although i'm pretty sure she's neither the first nor the last to encourage such a pretty little concept to come to life.
Jungkook's been carrying it around for *days*. Hidden in his backpack, underneath the book he's supposed to be reading (he hasn't even cracked the cover once), next to his water bottle, and the toothbrush and toothpaste he always carries with him, just in case.
He's not thinking about it as he's climbing into yet another van to go to yet another place to do yet another interview or a performance or a photoshoot or to just stand around, waiting.
He's not thinking about it when he's in the airport, exhausted, tired, hot, cold, *bored*,
He's not thinking about it when he's in the airport, exhausted, tired, hot, cold, *bored*,
and feeling lost in the crowds of people.
He's not thinking about it when everybody presses too close, too much, too loud in confined spaces, everybody calling his name, cameras flashing.
He's not thinking about it then.
He's lying.
So it's half past something o'clock
He's not thinking about it when everybody presses too close, too much, too loud in confined spaces, everybody calling his name, cameras flashing.
He's not thinking about it then.
He's lying.
So it's half past something o'clock
when he sees it in his back, the little blue paci case - plain, innocous, could be anything - in his backpack while they're waiting to get in the van, and he... he can't help it. He's so tired, and so ready to stop, and it's *right there*, right in front of him.
His paci.
His paci.
And he just takes his bag, goes to the bathroom, slips into a stall and, oh god, he's really doing this, isn't he?
only, it doesn't feel scary to slip his paci in, even though he's only ever used it private before. it feels right.
he's got a mask - a thick black one - that he
only, it doesn't feel scary to slip his paci in, even though he's only ever used it private before. it feels right.
he's got a mask - a thick black one - that he
bought specially and he knows his little blue paci won't show (not that he tested it out at home in the mirror, checking and rechecking because maybe, maybe he's been wanting this for a little while) and when he loops the mask over his ears, nothing looks different.
It feels
It feels
different though.
It feels warm. And safe. It feels like stepping into a warm bath after a long day, and even after a few *seconds*, he can feel the difference it makes.
He slips out of the stall, washes his hands, checks his reflection one more time in the mirror.
It feels warm. And safe. It feels like stepping into a warm bath after a long day, and even after a few *seconds*, he can feel the difference it makes.
He slips out of the stall, washes his hands, checks his reflection one more time in the mirror.
Hoseok POV:
He can hear the pacifier.
It's quiet - so quiet, nobody else would pick it up outside of their group, but he's used to the sound, the suckling in the background, because he's heard it for so long.
They all know.
Jungkook sits in his chair in the waiting area
He can hear the pacifier.
It's quiet - so quiet, nobody else would pick it up outside of their group, but he's used to the sound, the suckling in the background, because he's heard it for so long.
They all know.
Jungkook sits in his chair in the waiting area
as they wait for their van to arrive, the crush of the crowd looming through the frosted glass screens, the noise muffled but still present.
Jungkook was on edge, brittle to the point of shattering, overwhelmed by everything, but now... he's changed.
And Hoseok *knows*
Jungkook was on edge, brittle to the point of shattering, overwhelmed by everything, but now... he's changed.
And Hoseok *knows*
it's the pacifier.
When they get the call from the van, told it's time to move, Jungkook hesitates, looking at the hoards of people waiting for them outside.
Hobi reaches out, holds Jungkookie's hand. He doesn't say anything, but he squeezes it tight, refuses to let go.
When they get the call from the van, told it's time to move, Jungkook hesitates, looking at the hoards of people waiting for them outside.
Hobi reaches out, holds Jungkookie's hand. He doesn't say anything, but he squeezes it tight, refuses to let go.
And Jungkook lets him. He holds his hand, good as gold all the way down the stairs, pressing close against Hobi, step for step.
When they get outside, they have to cross the road to get to the van, and that's at the point where Hoseok knows Jungkook is *deep*. He doesn't even
When they get outside, they have to cross the road to get to the van, and that's at the point where Hoseok knows Jungkook is *deep*. He doesn't even
look both ways before stepping out into the road.
Hoseok pulls him back, doesn't relinquish his grip. When Jungkook turns to look at him.
He doesn't say anything, but he looks at Hoseok with big, doe eyes, searching his face for something - reassurance maybe - and Hobi can
Hoseok pulls him back, doesn't relinquish his grip. When Jungkook turns to look at him.
He doesn't say anything, but he looks at Hoseok with big, doe eyes, searching his face for something - reassurance maybe - and Hobi can
hear the paci, he can hear jungkook nursing at it, even out there, the crowd thirty feet away, calling out for them.
On Jungkook's other side, Jin takes his hand, and between the two of them, they take Jungkook across the road, to the van.
Fifteen minutes later, they're on
On Jungkook's other side, Jin takes his hand, and between the two of them, they take Jungkook across the road, to the van.
Fifteen minutes later, they're on
the way, the curtains in the van drawn, and the shield between the driver and the cabin raised. The silence is like balm to Hobi's ears, after the plane flight, and the constant barrage of noise from the fans.
And in the silence, they can *all* hear Jungkook's paci.
And in the silence, they can *all* hear Jungkook's paci.
[Will add more in the morning because I *like* this]
This is always open for people who wanna ask questions or just talk to me. https://curiouscat.qa/caramelgrind
Hobi lets Jungkook rest his head on his shoulder, keeps on holding his hand. When Jungkook is small like this, he likes to hold hands, likes to feel connected to others. On the other side, Jin pulls his coat out from where he bundled it up on the floor, spreads it across Jungkook
to keep him warm.
Outside, the rain is steady, the hum of traffic around them as familiar to them as any other.
It’s lulling Jungkook to sleep but not fast enough.
“You sleepy, Kookie?” Hobi brushes Jungkook’s hair out of his eyes. He’s so close to sleep now, his gaze
Outside, the rain is steady, the hum of traffic around them as familiar to them as any other.
It’s lulling Jungkook to sleep but not fast enough.
“You sleepy, Kookie?” Hobi brushes Jungkook’s hair out of his eyes. He’s so close to sleep now, his gaze
unfocused, his paci going in and out under the mask, soft suckling so much louder in the quietness of the van. “Hmm?”
He murmurs something - an agreement, maybe, or an objection at Hobi’s audacity to suggest he might be tired, it’s always hard to tell which one it’ll be - but
He murmurs something - an agreement, maybe, or an objection at Hobi’s audacity to suggest he might be tired, it’s always hard to tell which one it’ll be - but
Hobi shushes him, strokes his hair again under the hoodie.
“I know, I know…” He says, softly and Jungkook tucks in closer.
In the seat in front, Jimin turns around, ripping open a disposable handwarmer. “Don’t let him get cold,” he says, and it’s not scolding. Jimin doesn’t
“I know, I know…” He says, softly and Jungkook tucks in closer.
In the seat in front, Jimin turns around, ripping open a disposable handwarmer. “Don’t let him get cold,” he says, and it’s not scolding. Jimin doesn’t
scold Jungkook when he’s like this.
his Jungkook is too brittle for scolding words, rebukes and reprimands driving him to the edge, to tears and sad smiles. It’s just Jimin being worried. He even rubs the floral patterned warmer between his hands first, making sure to kickstart
his Jungkook is too brittle for scolding words, rebukes and reprimands driving him to the edge, to tears and sad smiles. It’s just Jimin being worried. He even rubs the floral patterned warmer between his hands first, making sure to kickstart
reaction properly so it’s nice and hot for Jungkook.
“Thank you.” Seokjin says, and he takes it, slips it under Jungkook’s back, working it under the layers of hoodies, t-shirts, vest to press it against bare skin, sticking it to the inside of his shirt. The cool air creeps in
“Thank you.” Seokjin says, and he takes it, slips it under Jungkook’s back, working it under the layers of hoodies, t-shirts, vest to press it against bare skin, sticking it to the inside of his shirt. The cool air creeps in
with his hand, and Jungkook doesn’t like that.
Another moan, less happy than the first, and he presses his face into Hobi’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” Hobi says, and Jin apologises, draws down the shirts to cover Jungkook up again. He whines again, and Jin rubs his hand over
Another moan, less happy than the first, and he presses his face into Hobi’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” Hobi says, and Jin apologises, draws down the shirts to cover Jungkook up again. He whines again, and Jin rubs his hand over
over Jungkook’s side, soothing his momentary unhappiness away. Within a minute or two, the heater starts to work it’s magic. Jimin passes another one back, for Hobi, and a third for Jin. They’re always so cold these days, travelling from place to place, so Jimin packed extras.
Jungkook nurses on the paci, slowing down, but he’s still so reluctant to fall asleep. He keeps blinking, big doe eyes too sleepy to stay open for long, but he fights it. He always fights it.
“You’re okay,” Seokjin says from beside him, slipping one hand behind Jungkook’s neck,
“You’re okay,” Seokjin says from beside him, slipping one hand behind Jungkook’s neck,
massaging it there. Jungkook is carried through life with touch. He thrives with physical reassurance, lives for it most days. “It’s okay, Jungkookie.”
Another whine, but smaller, quieter, and his eyes are closing for longer now. He’s fighting but he’s losing.
Jimin is still
Another whine, but smaller, quieter, and his eyes are closing for longer now. He’s fighting but he’s losing.
Jimin is still
turned around in his seat, looking at the three of them in the last row. “Go to sleep, Kookie,” he says, softly. “We’ll wake you up when we get to the hotel.”
“We’re here.” Jin says, and he doesn’t let go of Jungkook at all.
Hobi holds his hand, kisses the top of Jungkook’s
“We’re here.” Jin says, and he doesn’t let go of Jungkook at all.
Hobi holds his hand, kisses the top of Jungkook’s
head absently. He always likes the happy sigh he gets in return and today is no different.
Jungkook drifts.
Jungkook drifts.
Jungkook sleeps the entire way to the hotel; it’s ninety minutes, in stop start traffic and torrential rain. They could probably have walked faster but Hobi is grateful, nevertheless. Jungkook needs the rest. He’s not surprised. Jungkook’s been so worked up, so anxious recently,
that it all had to come out in some way.
He also wasn’t surprised at the pacifier, either.
Jungkook’s not as subtle as he likes to think he is.
He also wasn’t surprised at the pacifier, either.
Jungkook’s not as subtle as he likes to think he is.
Hobi found the pacifier two weeks ago, tucked into Jungkook’s backpack as he was looking for spare toothpaste. Inside the little box, there it was, plain as day. He had said nothing at the time, didn’t let Jungkook know he was in there, pretended like nothing out of the ordinary
pretended like nothing out of the ordinary had been found.
He did let the others know, whispering it in their ears as they milled about in the first class lounge at the airport in yet another country they don’t remember the name of.
Ever since, they’ve been waiting.
He did let the others know, whispering it in their ears as they milled about in the first class lounge at the airport in yet another country they don’t remember the name of.
Ever since, they’ve been waiting.
And Jungkook has dropped hard today. Crashed is closer to the word that Hobi is looking for. He’s not completely under but he’s… he’s soft. And he’s definitely not big.
When they reach the hotel, they drive around the back of the complex, end up waiting around the service area
When they reach the hotel, they drive around the back of the complex, end up waiting around the service area
at the entrance to the kitchens. Their manager gets out, goes to check them in the hotel properly, but the band stays inside the van, sheltering from the rain. They’ve managed to keep this one on the downlow - there’s no fans waiting for them, this time, which is a blessing.
They love their fans, love them dearly, would not exchange them *for the world* but they’re exhausted, spent of their energy, and the thought of more screaming, more calling of their names… even Hobi is drained.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, even if it is snuggling in the back of the van.
Jungkook doesn’t like leaving the van.
He doesn’t like standing around outside, waiting for them to be let in.
He doesn’t like the wind, the rain, the fingers of cold
Jungkook doesn’t like leaving the van.
He doesn’t like standing around outside, waiting for them to be let in.
He doesn’t like the wind, the rain, the fingers of cold
sneaking underneath his clothes, down his neck.
He whines, cold, brittle again, his eyes wide, and he tucks his hands up inside his hoodie sleeves, making himself look so very very small, and sweet.
He whines, cold, brittle again, his eyes wide, and he tucks his hands up inside his hoodie sleeves, making himself look so very very small, and sweet.
“I know,” Hobi says, but it’s Seokjin that Jungkook crowds close to, pressing his face into the crook of his neck, sheltering from the wind. He winds sly fingers into Jin’s pockets, holds him close, and Jin sways in response as he wraps his arms around Jungkook, soothing him
without thinking about it.
They all do it. It’s an instinctive reaction now.
Namjoon and Taehyung stand in front of them, blocking out any telephoto lenses. It’s unlikely but they never assume. They're too big now to risk it.
They all do it. It’s an instinctive reaction now.
Namjoon and Taehyung stand in front of them, blocking out any telephoto lenses. It’s unlikely but they never assume. They're too big now to risk it.
It takes fifteen minutes to get them checked in, and the manager finally appears to shepherd them through the lower levels of the hotel.
Jungkook doesn’t like the noise of the kitchens, the calls of "behind! Hot apps on the rack!" and a waitress yelling
Jungkook doesn’t like the noise of the kitchens, the calls of "behind! Hot apps on the rack!" and a waitress yelling
"give me some slaw! I need slaw for table twenty!" ringing out along with metal on metal and the sound of frying food.
Even as they pass through, it doesn’t stop, though there is a noticeable dip as the size of their entourage becomes evident. So Bangtan doesn’t travel light.
Even as they pass through, it doesn’t stop, though there is a noticeable dip as the size of their entourage becomes evident. So Bangtan doesn’t travel light.
Hobi meets their gaze head on.
Jin holds Jungkook’s hand, guides him through the barrage of sound, the gazes that always follow them these days, and Hobi follows close behind, one hand in the small of Jungkook’s back, watching as his head bows down.
Jin holds Jungkook’s hand, guides him through the barrage of sound, the gazes that always follow them these days, and Hobi follows close behind, one hand in the small of Jungkook’s back, watching as his head bows down.
They take a service elevator up to their floor. Jungkook shifts from foot to foot as they wait to reach the 17th floor as he wraps his arms around himself and Hobi reaches out, lifts his hair out of his eyes again.
They have their own rooms today - not that it matters at all
They have their own rooms today - not that it matters at all
because Bangtan lives and dies by the saying what’s yours is mine and what’s mine is yours - and there’s a sudden hush when the manager goes off again.
Glances are exchanged, hands held out for Jungkook’s card, but it’s Jin who plucks it out of Namjoon’s hand.
Glances are exchanged, hands held out for Jungkook’s card, but it’s Jin who plucks it out of Namjoon’s hand.
He’ll take Jungkook for tonight.
An hour later, room service has been ordered, and they’re in Jin’s room - the largest of the seven they’ve been assigned, with one giant double bed and a dining table, with stolen chairs from all their rooms pushed around it.
They don't want
An hour later, room service has been ordered, and they’re in Jin’s room - the largest of the seven they’ve been assigned, with one giant double bed and a dining table, with stolen chairs from all their rooms pushed around it.
They don't want
to be alone tonight - none of them.
Jungkook is tired, and soft, sitting on the end of the bed as the world moves around him. He’s been there since they walked in, and they’ve left him, but they keep running their fingers through his hair, touching his cheek as they dart in and
Jungkook is tired, and soft, sitting on the end of the bed as the world moves around him. He’s been there since they walked in, and they’ve left him, but they keep running their fingers through his hair, touching his cheek as they dart in and
out, setting up for later.
They don’t ask him what he wants for dinner. Jin orders for him - simple, easy foods that they know he likes - and that’s that.
They don’t ask him what he wants for dinner. Jin orders for him - simple, easy foods that they know he likes - and that’s that.
Once it’s delivered, and the door safely closed (and locked, despite what management want), Jin leads Jungkook to the table, puts him in between Jimin and himself, opposite Namjoon and Hobi. Jungkook doesn’t object when Jin slips his mask off.
He pulls the paci out, too,
He pulls the paci out, too,
eaves it on a clean napkin for later. That does get an objection, a tiny moue of disappointment but Jungkook doesn’t fight Jin on it. He does protest a little; a whine, a disappointed sigh.
“It’s okay,” Jin says, softly, cradling Jungkook’s cheek. “I know.”
“It’s okay,” Jin says, softly, cradling Jungkook’s cheek. “I know.”
Conversation flows around the table, as they eat, devouring the plates of food, swapping dishes around because Yoongi wants some of Jimin’s steak and Namjoon gives up half his fries for Taehyung’s noodles. But Jungkook is silent.
He nods when he’s asked a question but other
He nods when he’s asked a question but other
that, he focuses on his food. It’s clear he’s not really here.
He leaves half his plate empty, leans his head on his hand, his eyes far away. He needs to eat more though, needs to keep up his strength. He slept through the meal on the flight.
They cast eyes around,
He leaves half his plate empty, leans his head on his hand, his eyes far away. He needs to eat more though, needs to keep up his strength. He slept through the meal on the flight.
They cast eyes around,
communicating silently again, waiting for the first person to make a move.
“Open up,” Jin says, and he feeds Jungkook another bite of noodles.
“Try this?” Jimin says, and he offers up a bite of his steak.
That’s how it goes. That’s how it always goes when Jungkook is like
“Open up,” Jin says, and he feeds Jungkook another bite of noodles.
“Try this?” Jimin says, and he offers up a bite of his steak.
That’s how it goes. That’s how it always goes when Jungkook is like
his. He floats, and they keep him tethered to earth. Yoongi holds up his glass with a new straw in it for Jungkook, Taehyung leans over, wipes the sauce off his cheek, Namjoon feeds jungkook a few bites of his chocolate brownie dessert, and Hobi gives the ripe, fat cherry off the
top of his own dessert.
Jungkook yields to it, without complaint.
He leans his head on Jin’s shoulder, sighs, his eyes slipping closed.
Jimin picks up the paci, slips it back in Jungkook’s mouth.
It’s time.
Jungkook yields to it, without complaint.
He leans his head on Jin’s shoulder, sighs, his eyes slipping closed.
Jimin picks up the paci, slips it back in Jungkook’s mouth.
It’s time.
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Jin POV:
Jungkook is definitely deep, definitely somewhere far below where he would normally be. It’s not normal for him to be like this. He accepts the paci, the suckling rhythm that they’re all so familiar with starting up again within seconds. He nurses so easily on it, but
Jungkook is definitely deep, definitely somewhere far below where he would normally be. It’s not normal for him to be like this. He accepts the paci, the suckling rhythm that they’re all so familiar with starting up again within seconds. He nurses so easily on it, but
his eyes are far away. He sighs, deep and slow, his hair so soft under Jin’s cheek.
“You’ll be okay with him?” Hobi asks, already piling up the plates and stacking them on the room service cart. He hates mess.
Jin nods.
This won’t be the first time, and it won’t be the last
“You’ll be okay with him?” Hobi asks, already piling up the plates and stacking them on the room service cart. He hates mess.
Jin nods.
This won’t be the first time, and it won’t be the last
that he’s taken care of Jungkook when he’s in this space. He’s not upset about it (he’s the furthest from upset that he could be), and he knows that this will be just like all the other times.
Jungkook takes his hand, winding their fingers together, and Jin knows they’re
Jungkook takes his hand, winding their fingers together, and Jin knows they’re
reaching the end. Jungkook’s gone, gone somewhere way down within himself, and he’s not coming up anytime soon. Jin doesn’t mind.
Jungkook will come back when he’s ready.
“One more bite?” Taehyung takes over Jimin’s chair, lifts another strawberry to Jungkook’s mouth, but the
Jungkook will come back when he’s ready.
“One more bite?” Taehyung takes over Jimin’s chair, lifts another strawberry to Jungkook’s mouth, but the
pale blue plastic shield is in the way, and Jungkook doesn’t understand. The paci bobs in place, and he whines. Jin knows that whine - he’s overtired and too fragile for Tae to play with like normal.
Taehyung laughs, puts the strawberry down on the plate. Jungkook huffs, a
Taehyung laughs, puts the strawberry down on the plate. Jungkook huffs, a
little too small to really understand what he was being given, only knowing that it was taken away. Jin wraps an arm around him, kisses the crown of his head, and Jungkook subsides into silence again.
“Don’t tease him, Tae-ah,” Jin says, and Taehyung shrugs. Jungkook is too
“Don’t tease him, Tae-ah,” Jin says, and Taehyung shrugs. Jungkook is too
to tease when he’s like this but he apologises anyway, presses a second kiss to the top of Jungkook’s head, strokes behind his ear.
“Sorry, Kookie,” he says, and Jungkook forgives with a sigh and a headbutt forward, catching him in the chest.
“Sorry, Kookie,” he says, and Jungkook forgives with a sigh and a headbutt forward, catching him in the chest.
“I’ll order fresh fruit for the morning,” Hoseok says, already opening the breakfast menu that has Jungkook’s name on it. Hoseok likes to be organised, and Jin lets him do it. It’s easier to decide for Jungkook when he’s like this, give him what they know he likes rather than
suggesting something new or asking him what he wants. They won’t get an answer anyway.
It takes time for the room to settle, but it moves around Jin and Jungkook, sitting on their chairs at the table.
The others return the rest of the seats to their rightful rooms, piling up
It takes time for the room to settle, but it moves around Jin and Jungkook, sitting on their chairs at the table.
The others return the rest of the seats to their rightful rooms, piling up
the plates and cups and bowls and pushing the trolleys out of the room. Namjoon even lays out the suitcases for Jin, and Yoongi wheels in Jungkook’s. The staff placed it neatly in his room, the one that will sit empty and unused for tonight, and he opens it, too. It’s such a
waste of a room but Jungkook won’t need it.
Jin will take care of him, instead.
All too soon, it’s time for them to say goodnight. As the others file out, they hug Jungkook, pressing sly kisses to the top of his head, stroking his cheeks. They’d all care for him -
Jin will take care of him, instead.
All too soon, it’s time for them to say goodnight. As the others file out, they hug Jungkook, pressing sly kisses to the top of his head, stroking his cheeks. They’d all care for him -
- none of them would object to doing what Jin will do - and it pains them to leave him when he’s so very small.
Jin catches both Taehyung and Hobi eyeing his bed, as if to judge if they could all fit into it, and he raises an eyebrow. Wouldn’t be the first time…
Jin catches both Taehyung and Hobi eyeing his bed, as if to judge if they could all fit into it, and he raises an eyebrow. Wouldn’t be the first time…
Jimin kisses Jungkook’s cheeks, several times, holds his face in his hands to look into his eyes. “I’ll do the morning with you,” he says, firmly. Jimin has always loved Jungkook, in all his ways and he plays no favourites, but when he’s small like this…
There’s just something
There’s just something
about him.
Jimin will do it, too. As much as he hates early mornings, as much as he refuses to engage with the world before lunchtime when they’re on tour unless absolutely required, Jimin will do it for Jungkook.
ungkook says nothing, but he stares up into Jimin’s eyes, his
Jimin will do it, too. As much as he hates early mornings, as much as he refuses to engage with the world before lunchtime when they’re on tour unless absolutely required, Jimin will do it for Jungkook.
ungkook says nothing, but he stares up into Jimin’s eyes, his
paci still going, and Jin watches Jimin softens like ice cream in the sun for their littlest one. Nothing can withstand those eyes for long.
Jimin is the last to leave, and when the door closes behind him, they’re alone.
Jimin is the last to leave, and when the door closes behind him, they’re alone.
“You want a bath?” he says, softly, squeezes Jungkook’s hand.
Jungkook huffs, but that’s enough of an answer.
“Shower it is, then.” Jin decides for him.
Fifteen minutes later, Jungkook is sitting on the closed toilet in the bathroom. Tired hands pull his hoodie off,
Jungkook huffs, but that’s enough of an answer.
“Shower it is, then.” Jin decides for him.
Fifteen minutes later, Jungkook is sitting on the closed toilet in the bathroom. Tired hands pull his hoodie off,
revealing his plain white t-shirt underneath, leaving it crumpled on the floor. Jin is laying out his skincare - Jungkook’s pride (and their noonas) will never let him skip a day.
“That’s it, baby,” Jin praises him, steals the hoodie from underneath Jungkook’s nose to fold it
“That’s it, baby,” Jin praises him, steals the hoodie from underneath Jungkook’s nose to fold it
and lay it on the counter, too. Jungkook murmurs something. It gets muffled behind his paci, and then stolen away by the yawn that follows it. Getting undressed never feels good when he’s this tired, even though Jin has turned the little heater on and it’s valiantly pushing back
the cool air from the bedroom.
He slips down his sweatpants and underwear in one, steps out of them as Jin reaches into the shower, figures out the space age configuration of it.
It’s so complicated there are *instructions* and a diagram to follow along with.
He slips down his sweatpants and underwear in one, steps out of them as Jin reaches into the shower, figures out the space age configuration of it.
It’s so complicated there are *instructions* and a diagram to follow along with.
Even Jin has to pause, read the english twice. Jin is glad Jungkook isn’t in his own room for this. It wouldn’t be the first time they had a meltdown when he’s like this because he can’t get it, and it upsets him so.
As Jungkook leans past him, ready to step into the shower
As Jungkook leans past him, ready to step into the shower
enclosure, Jin stops him, one hand on his shoulder. “Paci,” he says, one finger hooked into the ring in front.
A little resistance, a little sad sigh when he pulls it out, just like at dinner.
“You know the rules, baby,” Jin says, as he cradles Jungkook’s cheek.
A little resistance, a little sad sigh when he pulls it out, just like at dinner.
“You know the rules, baby,” Jin says, as he cradles Jungkook’s cheek.
“I’ll get you a new paci afterwards, okay?”
As Jungkook showers (without his pacifier, much to his disgust), Jin puts the plain blue one in the plastic case, sterilising it for later. He’s done it for a long time, and it’s the work of a moment to measure out the milky fluid,
As Jungkook showers (without his pacifier, much to his disgust), Jin puts the plain blue one in the plastic case, sterilising it for later. He’s done it for a long time, and it’s the work of a moment to measure out the milky fluid,
mix it with warm water, and shake well for two minutes. That essential task being done, Jin retrieves Jungkook’s pyjamas from his case. A long white t-shirt and a pair of thin checked pants, grey and black tartan because Jungkook is a traditionalist. The t-shirt seems familiar to
Jin, though, and he checks the label.
He laughs when he reads his own name back to himself.
He’s lost more t-shirts to Jungkook than he cares to count, (Jimin is a close second, but he will never admit it), and he shakes his head as he carries both items and a new pair of
He laughs when he reads his own name back to himself.
He’s lost more t-shirts to Jungkook than he cares to count, (Jimin is a close second, but he will never admit it), and he shakes his head as he carries both items and a new pair of
underwear to the bathroom. Some day, when they move house again, he’ll get them all back, neatly laid on his bed, without a note to say so much as a thanks for letting me borrow these for five years.
All thirty or so of them.
All thirty or so of them.
Jungkook gets out of the shower, dries himself all on his own, but Jin sees him getting more and more close to his own internal limits. He stumbles as he tries to put his boxers on, nearly going headfirst into the sink before Jin catches him. When he’s like this, he turns all
ike he doesn’t understand his own body, forgets where he begins and ends from head to toe, and Jin knows that upsets him all the more.
“Okay, okay, baby, I’ve got you,” he says, soothing down the frustration and the tears before it can truly manifest into a disaster. With Jungkook so small at the moment, that would be all too easy. He leans down, holds open the boxers for him, waits for Jungkook to step into
them instead, expecting for the hand on his shoulder that he needs for balance.
As he pulls them up, does the same thing with the pants, and then t-shirt, he knows that Jungkook absolutely trusts him. He wouldn’t let anybody else do this - it took years to get to this point,
As he pulls them up, does the same thing with the pants, and then t-shirt, he knows that Jungkook absolutely trusts him. He wouldn’t let anybody else do this - it took years to get to this point,
ormally, he’d be doing it himself, freely joking, pushing Jin out of the way of the wall to wall mirror, slapping at invading hands and laughing. Jungkook has always been fiercely independent, right from the beginning, but now, he just… just isn’t.
As Jin runs his hands along
As Jin runs his hands along
the waistband of Jungkook’s pants, ties the strings neatly in a bow, he doesn’t resist. He curls into Jin’s shoulder, presses his nose to the crook of Jin’s neck, sighing with exhausted relief at just stopping.
Jin sits him down on the closed toilet again, combs product with
Jin sits him down on the closed toilet again, combs product with
with his fingers through unruly locks that are already threatening to curl, smoothes moisturiser and eye serums across puffy cheeks, and closed eyelids. Their noonas won’t scold them tomorrow, he tells Jungkook softly and Jungkook hums a response that could mean anything. He
hands Jungkook a toothbrush already loaded with toothpaste, and Jungkook slowly obliges as Jin turns to his own face in the mirror.
His routine is short - he’ll shower in the morning, once Jimin takes over for him, and he already changed into his own pyjamas (he doesn’t know
His routine is short - he’ll shower in the morning, once Jimin takes over for him, and he already changed into his own pyjamas (he doesn’t know
for sure, but he’s pretty sure that he’ll find this t-shirt gone within the week) but he still takes the time to apply his moisturiser and his lip scrub, make sure that every trace of the airport and the van and the dinner is completely gone.
Jungkook wraps his arms around Jin’s waist, rests his head on his hip, refuses to let go. He even laces his fingers together, just to keep Jin locked in, keep him safe. JIn shakes his head, lets him do it, doesn’t even call him a needy little one, like he wants to.
Finally, all is finished, and it’s time for the final act of the night.
He doesn’t carry Jungkook from the bathroom, but he does… he does hold his hand, and he guides him from the room to the bed, flips back the overly tight covers to reveal the pristine white sheets within.
He doesn’t carry Jungkook from the bathroom, but he does… he does hold his hand, and he guides him from the room to the bed, flips back the overly tight covers to reveal the pristine white sheets within.
God, even he thinks that bed looks like the best thing he’s seen for weeks - soft mattress, too many pillows, covers for days.
Jungkook crawls in, curls up small in the centre, eyes already drifting closed. He shoves the pillow out from under his head, snuggles down into the
Jungkook crawls in, curls up small in the centre, eyes already drifting closed. He shoves the pillow out from under his head, snuggles down into the
bare mattress, curling up smaller than he has any right to be. He’s so easy to put to bed now - Jin still vividly remembers the days of having to work through the pains of the day, fighting Jungkook because he wanted one more episode, one more chapter, one more anything to delay
to sleep.
“You want pink or blue?” He asks as he reaches into the little tupperware box from his suitcase. He doesn’t get a response, just dark eyes blinking at him slowly, glazed with sleep. “Blue paci it is, then,” he decides, picking one at random.
“You want pink or blue?” He asks as he reaches into the little tupperware box from his suitcase. He doesn’t get a response, just dark eyes blinking at him slowly, glazed with sleep. “Blue paci it is, then,” he decides, picking one at random.
Jimin has a thing for the pink paci, anyway. Thinks Jungkook looks extra cute with it. No doubt he’ll be delighted to find his turn with Jungkook will be complemented by the paci he thinks suits Jungkook the best.
The chosen blue paci (with bunnies and bees on it, because Jin is partial to cute even he doesn’t go as far as Jimin) goes in, good as gold, and he climbs into bed next to Jungkook.
Immediately, predictably, and perhaps even delightfully, Jungkook snuggles close, holds Jin as
Immediately, predictably, and perhaps even delightfully, Jungkook snuggles close, holds Jin as
though he’ll leave as soon as he falls asleep. Not a chance - Jin is exhausted too, and he is more than happy to let Jungkook use him to perfect his best octopus impression.
It doesn’t take long.
Before Jin has even switched off the lights, leaving only the bathroom side light to illuminate a crack under the door, Jungkook is drifting, the paci slowing, his breathing deep and even.
Jin brushes his hand through Jungkook’s hair, soothing him down.
Before Jin has even switched off the lights, leaving only the bathroom side light to illuminate a crack under the door, Jungkook is drifting, the paci slowing, his breathing deep and even.
Jin brushes his hand through Jungkook’s hair, soothing him down.
Tomorrow awaits them both.
And Jin does not look forward to it. At all.
And Jin does not look forward to it. At all.
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