Today had been a whirlwind of laughter and chaos. They'd started at the museum, Taehyung getting scolded for trying to "improve" a sculpture, and Jungkook secretly filming the whole thing. Then came the arcade, where Suga surprisingly dominated at the racing games, a stoic expression plastered on his face even as he crushed the competition. The all-you-can-eat buffet was a strategic feeding frenzy, each member vying to consume the most in a hilarious, unspoken contest. Back at the house, they lost themselves in the frenetic energy of Just Dance, their synchronized moves dissolving into fits of giggles and clumsy stumbles.
The grand finale was the sleepover fort. A monumental structure erected in the living room, fashioned from blankets, pillows, and anything else they could get their hands on. They squeezed inside, a tangle of limbs and whispered jokes, the air thick with the comforting familiarity of their brotherhood. Eventually, one by one, they drifted off to sleep, lulled by the quiet hum of the house and the comforting presence of each other.
But the peace was shattered in the dead of night.
Jimin shot up from his sleeping bag, a strangled cry escaping his lips. The remnants of a nightmare clung to him, a suffocating weight on his chest. He scrambled out of the fort, his heart pounding in his ears, the cool night air doing little to dispel the rising panic. He fled to the balcony, seeking refuge in the darkness, curling into a tight ball in the corner, his body wracked with sobs.
For months, these attacks had been plaguing him, shadows lurking in the corners of his mind, ready to pounce when he was most vulnerable. There was no rhyme or reason to them, no specific trigger. Just a crushing wave of anxiety that threatened to drown him. He, the sunshine of the group, the one always ready with a smile and a reassuring word, was slowly being consumed by an invisible darkness.
He tried to quiet his breathing, to regain control, but the panic was a relentless tide, pulling him under. Shame washed over him. He was ruining their precious break, disrupting their peaceful night. He should be stronger, he told himself, more resilient. But the thoughts only fueled the anxiety, tightening its grip.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Jin and Namjoon were still awake. They'd found themselves caught in a late-night conversation, reminiscing about their early days, the challenges they'd overcome, and the dreams they still held. A quiet, comfortable intimacy had settled between them, punctuated by soft laughter and shared glances. They were discussing the next day's potential activities – a hike maybe, or perhaps a trip to the beach – when they saw a figure dart across the living room, disappearing onto the balcony.
They recognized Jimin's slumped figure instantly. The familiar tremor of his shoulders. They exchanged a knowing look. The panic attacks had become more frequent, more intense, a silent burden he carried alone.
Without a word, they rose and went to him.
The balcony was dimly lit by the soft glow of the moon. Jimin was a small, trembling figure huddled in the corner, his face buried in his hands. His sobs were muffled, but the raw pain in them was unmistakable.
Jin knelt beside him, his hand gently resting on Jimin's back. Namjoon sat on the other side, offering a silent, reassuring presence.
"Jimin-ah," Jin said softly, his voice filled with concern. "What's wrong?"
Jimin flinched at the sound of his voice. He looked up, his eyes red and swollen, filled with a mixture of fear and embarrassment. He mumbled apologies, his voice barely a whisper.
"Hyungs, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
Jin squeezed his shoulder. "Don't apologize, Jimin. It's okay. We were already awake."
Namjoon nodded in agreement. "It's alright, Jimin-ah. Tell us what happened."
Jimin hesitated, struggling to find the words. "I… I had a nightmare," he finally managed to say, his voice cracking. "And then… I just… I couldn't breathe."
The tears started to flow again, faster and harder this time. The dam had broken, releasing the pent-up fear and anxiety that had been building inside him.
Jin wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close. "It's okay, Jimin. It's okay. We're here."
Namjoon gently stroked his hair, offering silent comfort. "Just breathe, Jimin. Breathe with us."
They stayed with him, their presence a calming anchor in the storm raging inside him. Jin whispered soothing words, reminding him he was safe, he was loved, he was strong. Namjoon guided him through breathing exercises, helping him to regulate his racing heart. Slowly, gradually, the panic began to subside, the suffocating weight on his chest began to lift.
After what felt like an eternity, Jimin's breathing returned to normal, the tremors in his body lessened. He leaned against Jin, exhausted and drained, utterly spent.
"Thank you, hyungs," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"We're always here for you, Jimin," Jin said softly, tightening his embrace. "Never forget that."
Namjoon ruffled his hair. "You're one of us, Jimin. We take care of each other."
They sat with him in silence for a while, letting him gather his strength. Eventually, Jimin managed a weak smile.
"I'm sorry for ruining the night," he said, his voice still shaky.
"You didn't ruin anything, Jimin," Jin reassured him. "We're just glad we could be here for you."
They helped him back inside, carefully tucking him back into his sleeping bag in the fort. He drifted off to sleep almost immediately, his face finally relaxed, the shadows gone from his eyes.
Jin and Namjoon watched him for a moment, their hearts filled with a mixture of love and concern. They knew this was more than just a bad dream. Jimin was struggling, and they needed to find a way to help him.
They retreated back to the balcony, the quiet night air a stark contrast to the turmoil they had just witnessed.
"We need to do something," Namjoon said, his voice heavy with worry. "This is getting worse."
Jin nodded in agreement. "I know. I've been noticing it too. He tries to hide it, but I can see it in his eyes. He's not sleeping well, he's losing weight, and he's constantly on edge."
"Maybe we should talk to the company," Namjoon suggested. "Perhaps they can get him some professional help."
Jin hesitated. "I don't know, Joon. Jimin is so private. He might not want us to tell anyone."
"We have to do what's best for him, Jin," Namjoon insisted. "Even if he doesn't like it. He needs help, and we can't just stand by and watch him suffer."
They talked for hours, weighing the pros and cons, trying to figure out the best course of action. They knew they had to tread carefully, to respect Jimin's feelings while also ensuring his well-being.
As the first rays of dawn began to paint the sky, they finally reached a decision. They would talk to Jimin first, let him know their concerns, and offer him their support. They would assure him that he was not alone, that they would be by his side every step of the way. And if he was open to it, they would approach the company together and seek professional help.
The weight of their responsibility settled heavily on their shoulders, but they were ready to bear it, for Jimin, for each other, for the family they had created.
As the night faded, a soft, comfortable silence settled between them. Jin leaned into Namjoon, resting his head on his shoulder. The shared intimacy, the unspoken understanding, was a balm to their troubled hearts.
Namjoon gently tilted Jin's chin up, meeting his gaze. The love in his eyes was deep and profound, a silent promise of unwavering support. He leaned in and kissed him softly, a tender gesture of affection and reassurance.
They snuggled together for a while, finding solace in each other's arms. As the sun began to rise, casting its golden rays across the sleeping house, they knew they had a long day ahead of them. But they were ready to face it together, united by their love for Jimin and their unwavering commitment to each other. They knew that this week off, this supposed spring break, would be different than they had anticipated. But it would be a time for healing, for strengthening their bonds, and for reminding each other that even in the darkest of nights, they would always have each other to lean on. Because that was what families did. They supported each other, loved each other, and faced the challenges together, always.