Chapter Text
Taehyung raked his long fingers through Jungkook's tangled hair, watching as his body stopped shaking with heavy sobs. He was still tense and the grip on yoongi's shirt was still as tight as when they had come in. Taehyung noticed how bloody they were and he frowned as he took in how dirty the rest of the maknae was. 'Baby, let's go get you cleaned up.' Taehyung said gently, squeezing the omega's shoulder but apparently it was the wrong thing to say because jungkook shouted out a desperate, 'No!' and scuttled close to Yoongi, the alpha jumping and coughing a little as Jungkook's shoulder hit his throat. Taehyung pulled his hand away and held it up in shock but before he could try to calm him down, the door opened and Jin stumbled in, his hair sticking out in different directions.
He froze as soon as he took in the state of everyone. Jungkook stared at Jin over Yoongi's shoulder, different emotions flashing through his eyes. Yoongi tucked jungkook in closer and shot Jin a strained smile and Tae saw how the beta's eyes switched between the three on the couch and to Jimin, who was still sleeping. He was clearly contemplating who to go to first. Taehyung brushed through Jungkook's hair again before slipping his finger into Jungkook's collar, tugging at it so that jungkook would move back. He waved at jin, silently telling him to go to Jimin before turning back to his shaken up omega. 'I've got you.' He whispered softly as he dragged jungkook towards him, wrapping an arm around the maknae's quivering shoulders as he leaned into his side.
Yoongi sat back on his heels, looking up worriedly at his two maknaes. Jungkook smelled awful. It wasn't just the sharp metal smell attatched to the blood, but it was also the strong ginger and petrol smell, indicating how scared and upset he was. Taehyung turned his head to kiss the maknae's side temple, obviously just as unsettled and worried as Yoongi. The elder alpha reached up to place his hand on Jungkook's knee but seemed to think better of it due to all the blood. He took to scratching his thigh instead, speaking in the softest tone he could muster, 'Everything's okay now. Hyung's right here if you need us.'
There was a sudden groaning sound and all three boys perked up, looking over at Jimin. Seokjin stood next to him, reaching a hand up to cradle the younger beta's cheek. 'Jiminie?'
The dancer stirred a bit more and taehyung nudged Yoongi's knee with his foot. He mouthed a 'Go' and waves him off subtly when he looked hesitantly at Jungkook. The elder stood up slowly, watching for any signs of distress. Like Taehyung, he wanted to check up on Jimin and maybe even share a conversation with him but it was clear Jungkook needed their attention too.
Jungkook looked up at Yoongi when he stood up, hands coming up to grab at his hyung's jacket. The alpha cradled Jungkook's head between his hands, one thumb playing with Jungkook's left ear as Taehyung reached up to wrap his long fingers around Jungkook's wrists, tugging them gently until the image eventually let go. He hooked one of his legs on the sofa and leaned back so that he was awkwardly lying down, pulling jungkook with him so that he was lying against his chest. He kissed the top of Jungkook's head, brushing his omega's hair off his face while simultaneously rubbing his ribs. Jungkook was still tense but at every soothing touch, his eyes fluttered slightly. Exhaustion was inked into every line on his face and his lips were chapped from how much he had been biting on them. Taehyung could tell the omega was trying to fight off sleep, his eyes still locked into Jimin.
'Baby.' He called, the pads of his fingers tracing small shapes on Jungkook's cheeks. 'Jimin isn't going to disappear. Sejin hyung-nim said you haven't slept or ate since the accident-'
'-I'm fine-'
'-You haven't ate in 15 hours. I'm pretty sure you've not slept in over 26 hours or something You're not fine.'
Jin glanced at them, concerned but he didn't step away from Jimin's side. Jungkook had shifted uncomfortably at Tae's words.
'It's been fifteen hours? That's it?' Tae scratched his head soothingly. 'Feels like days....'
'I know honey. It's probably feeling much longer because you haven't eaten in so long.'
Jungkook murmured something that was muffled but sounded somewhat like, 'Couldn't leave Jiminie....'
'Well, we're here now. We'll take care of you and Jimin.'
Jungkook fisted Tae's shirt unconsciously, still looking scared. The alpha continued to pat his head and his ribs, speaking in a soft but stern tone he rarely ever used 'You're going to go to sleep right now. You're going to close you eyes-'
'-Hyung-'
'-and try to fall asleep. We're going to stay here till you're able to. When you wake up, you and I are going to clean up and get rid of that yucky blood off you. That or we're going to eat first-'
'-hyung-'
'-Jungkook, it's not polite to interrupt your hyungs.'
The gentle chastising seemed to calm jungkook down rather then upset him and some tension seem to leak out of him as he tucked himself into Tae's shoulder with an apologetic, 'I'm sorry hyung-nim.'
Taehyung smiled and he saw Jin smile fondly, glad to see jungkook acting somewhat like himself again. The maknae was now trying to snuggle in as closely as he could to Tae, nosing around somewhat frantically around his scent glands. Taehyung's hand slipped down so that he could pat Jungkook's bottom. 'Sleepy time.' He whispered, dragging his other hand through Jungkook's dirty hair. He couldn't remember the last time his omega had been so openly vulnerable and needy. Maybe during the immediate first days of his presentation but that was different. All wolves were vulnerable in different ways when they presented.
The elder traced the stress lines on Jungkook's forehead, letting his finger then dip down so that it gently stroked his nose, from the bridge to the tip. He continued the movement as Jungkook went lax, breaths getting deeper and slower. He continued to whisper soft lullabies and reassurances.
'My pup...Just close your eyes and count sheep if you need to....I'm so proud of you-'
Jin finally pulled away from Jimin, having giving up on the younger properly waking up. He strode over to his two youngests cuddling on the couch and crouched down. He stroked Jungkook's cheek before leaning forward to kiss his cheek and then surprising Taehyung by giving him a kiss on his forehead as well.
The youngest alpha smiled at him as he continued to pat his youngest to sleep. 'What was that for hyung?'
Jin stroked Tae's hair and leaned forward to kiss him again. 'No reason. Just glad you two are okay at least.'
He nosed around Tae's neck as well, leaving a gentle kiss on his shoulder. 'Pup. My pups. I love you both so much.'
It was not Taehyung who replied but jungkook, who mumbled a sleepy,' Love you too hyung' and Jin laughed softly and tickled the omega's chin, adding a somewhat strict, 'Sleepy time, peanut.'
~~
Jungkook didn't want to leave Jimin and his room. All his hyungs except for Hoseok were back and jungkook almost felt guilty for admitting to himself that he was enjoying their doting. Having four of his hyungs back, they had divided themselves perfectly between doting on Jimin (who was becoming more aware but was still very confused) and doting on jungkook, who was still very clingy and still very much scared.
The one hyung who jungkook had latched onto like a leech was Taehyung and the older had slipped into the hyung role perfectly, something he usually didn't feel the need to do. Jungkook and Taehyung were inseparable and often acted more like friends than hyung and doegsang. Having five other hyungs and pack mates who were more than happy to act as caretakers. But sometimes, Taehyung realised that his maknae needed him to take up the same role as the others. Like when he stepped too out of line and needed discipline or when he felt vulnerable and scared and desperately needed someone to care for him and lead him.
Like right now.
'No, no. I don't wanna leave-'
'We're just going to the bathroom Jungkook. It's just down the hallway and we'll be back before you know it-'
'Jimin....'
'....will be okay.' Taehyung said firmly, massaging the back of Jungkook's nape, fingers brushing over his collar, 'The others will take care of him while we're gone.' He pulled jungkook out of the room without saying anything else, ignoring Jungkook's weak protests. 'You've done enough for Jimin now but you don't have to burden the responsibility for looking after him alone anymore. You have to look after yourself too.' Taehyung pulled jungkook down the hallway, holding onto his wrist now and holding a duffel bag in his other arm. Light filtered through the windows and made the hospital look a lot less cold. Course, that could also be because his hyungs were there now.
Taehyung shouldered the door of the bathroom open, which was thank fully empty. He pulled jungkook to the very last cubicle and jungkook was shocked to see that it had a shower. Taehyung chuckled at Jungkook's surprised face and he tugged the omega in and closed the door before locked it. He dropped the duffel bag and unzipped it, pulling out two small bottles, one shampoo and one soap. Jungkook stood near the door and watched his hyung, not moving until Tae beckoned for him to come close. The alpha reached around jungkook to turn the shower head on, testing the water's temperature. 'Come on Kook, let's do this quickly so we can get back to the others, yeah?'
Taehyung took a hold of the hem of Jungkook's dirty shirt and slowly pulled it up and off, crumbling it up and tossing it to the side. He let jungkook pull his own pants down and waited until he had stepped underneath the stream of shower before deciding to step out of the bathroom to give the boy some privacy. But before he could, jungkook's hand leaps forward to grip on to tae's shoulder. Taehyung turned around in surprise, shocked at how quickly Jungkook's scent changed bitter. 'Where are you going?' the maknae asks, eyes wide in fear.
'I'm just going outside Jungkook. I'll be waiting right outside, okay?' when jungkook doesn't relish his hold on Taehyung's shirt, the alpha adds, 'Unless you want me to say....?'
Jungkook nodded gratefully, but didn't let go of Tae until the man had stepped back into the cubicle and closed the door. He gently unfurled Jungkook's fingers and held his hands reassuringly as he ducked them beneath the water. He held one hand up and carefully scrubbed the blood away, grateful when the scarlet colour dripped away to reveal white skin. Jungkook stood quietly as he watched his hand get cleaned, looking dazed and with a far away look in his eyes. He looked somewhat more alert when Taehyung kissed his hand before letting it drop and reaching for the other hand.
'Jungkook-ah, why don't you clean your knees and shoulders, hmm? The blood's no longer dry and it won't take long to wash it off.' The maknae snapped to reality slowly and sluggishly reached up to brush his fingers against his right shoulder, looking surprised when it came back with some red speckles. He used his free hand to rub both his shoulders and when he pulled his hand away to let the water wash away the blood. He averted his eyes so as not to look at it, looking down and scared. Taehyung felt a pang in his heart, seeing jungkook looking so terrified of blood , something which he had never exactly had a problem with before. He scrubbed the soap off Jungkook's hand and then reached his still soapy hands up to carefully nudge jungkook out of the shower, running his soapy hands over Jungkook's body. The omega merely stood still, making no efforts to clean himself nor showing any shyness. It should have been sweet, knowing that jungkook trusted him so much and was so comfortable with them, but it worried him. It wasn't the first time they'd bathed jungkook, the maknae not having been shy around time for a while. But even now, jungkook would usually put up some sort of fight when they bathed him, letting out unconvincing protests and embarrassed whines for the sake of show, even as he would lean in close to his hyungs and stay lax as they cleaned him up. The only time he was quiet and not showing any protests was when he was in a negative head space or not quite feeling....okay.
Taehyung had to do something.
'You know I'm very proud of you right?' He began gently, not noticing the maknae tense up. 'All of us are proud of you. Me, Jimin, Yoongi....we're all so proud of you-'
'-WHY?'
Taehyung jumped. His feet hit a wet patch and his legs slid around in different directions before he managed to straighten up and looked at jungkook in shock. 'What?'
'Why are you proud of me? That's all you guys tell me but I haven't done anything to make you proud. I've-'
'You've done loads. You took care of Jimin by yourself-'
'No I didn't. All I did was cry and worry everyone else. Even now, everyone's doting on me and I'm not even injured. Jimin is. The manager is hurt. Someone died. I don't have any right to cry and be such a.... BABY! '
Taegyung looked taken aback and confused. He was usually very good at comforting jungkook, but he usually took over when Jungkook's tantrums and breakdowns had been soothed. Usually, he'd tuck jungkook against his chest and assure him about how much he loved him and kissing his cheek and lulling him to sleep. He'd barely ever actually had to be there for jungkook during the breakdown. The hyungs usually took care of that.
Nevertheless, he had a duty to do. And he was empathic and skilled enough to comfort jungkook.
'You're hurt-' He began gently only to be cut off again.
'-not-'
' '-emotionally hurt! You need care too. There's no shame in needing comfort.'
'Come off it. I know what you all probably think. That I'm a baby that can't handle anything. Needing to be comforted every second-'
'Seems that's more of your thinking then ours.' The elder said firmly as he unscrewed the cap of the shampoo bottle and poured a generous amount onto his hand. He rubbed it into foam as he continued. 'None of us would ever think of you like that jungkook. But I'm sure there's more to that insecurity then you just said. Why don't we talk about it? Tell hyung what's been eating you up for so long.'
Jungkook hesitated, his eyes fluttering a little as the alpha massaged the shampoo into his scalp but he snapped himself out of it, seemingly determined to not enjoy Tae's coddling. He seemed to struggle to find his words until he finally managed to talk, voice shaky. 'I never realised.....how dependant I was on all of you to keep me sane. To protect me. I always knew I was.....coddled but I thought I'd be able to handle any situation without feeling so helpless if it ever arose. I had no idea what to do with Jimin or who to ask or any of the informations on the forms. I was utterly useless.'
Taehyung listened quietly as he rubbed the shampoo off his hands into Jungkook's dirty hair before he finally washed it out of his hands. 'You were not useless. You provided Jimin with a silent comfort. That's the best any of us could do in the situation. And before you blame yourself again and state that the others would know what to do, let me remind you that everyone we came to the hospital, the hyungs never really let you or me worry about the background work. Both of us are untrained for all the.....responsibility stuff.'
'Why....'
'Why? Well, because you're the baby. So am I, I guess. They usually take the lead and don't tell us a lot of things that go around. You more then me.'
'Why coddle me so much? I could have helped Jimin more if I was allowed to know more about what was happening.'
'I doubt it would have helped you with anything more then knowing some more information to put on a measly form. Believe me, Jungkook. You did good. And if you had a breakdown near the end, who cares? Who cares if you needed your hyungs to comfort you? If I had witnessed one of my best friends getting severely injured, I'd be a bigger mess then anyone can imagine. So please stop beating yourself over not being able to operate on Jimin yourself.' He reached around jungkook to close the shower tap as he handed Jungkook two towels. 'Is that the only reason your scent has been stung with guilt or is something else bothering you?'
Jungkook dragged the towel through his wet hair and wrapped the other around his hips. He looked wary of admitting anything else, as if scared his fears would be confirmed. Taehyung puffed out his scent to comfort jungkook, keeping it nice and clean so as to assure his youngest that he would never doubt him. Slowly, jungkook relaxed until he finally managed out in a small, 'I should have gotten in that car instead of Jimin hyu-'
'Oh no' Taehyung interrupted loudly, refusing to let jungkook continue or interject. 'You are not finding a way to blame yourself for this. This was pure luck and fate and the only way, no, you listen to me Jeon Jungkook, the only way I will blame you is if you pushed Jimin's head into the glass. Did you do that?'
'But I-'
'Did you?'
'No hyung.'
'Than this is not your fault. You cannot blame yourself for this, baby. This whole accident was a pure fate abd coincidence.' Taehyung dragged Jungkook's hand away from his arm into which he was pushing his nails into and instead held his wrist as he pulled his arm above his head. He dragged a shirt over his head and pulled it down before holding Jungkook's pants out to him, giving him either a choice to take it or let Taehyung help pull them on. Jungkook numbly stared at it and didn't make any move to take it and Taehyung took the hint. He helped jungkook pull the pants on, feeling worried as jungkook looked a little fuzzy. It looked like jungkook was entering his 'omega' head space, something which was a common and welcome procedure during his heat but on normal days, jungkook usually slipped into his head space if he was feeling run down and desperately in need of being cared for. Taehyung was more then willing to do just that but it was always concerning when jungkook slipped into omega head space.
'Alright bunny.' He cooed as he pulled the duffel bag over his shoulder and dragged jungkook into his other side, now clean and smelling of just roses with a hint of ginger. Jungkook was looking fuzzy and he leaned heavily on his alpha, trusting him to lead him back to their pack. As Taehyung nudged the door open, a figure blew past him and threw himself at jungkook and the youngest alpha let out a growl, angry and possessive over his omega in his current state. A hand settled on the back of his neck and squeezed and the angry haze in his mind cleared up and he saw the blurry shape had been none other then Hoseok, who was now furiously scenting the pup. Jungkook smiled fuzzily, baring his neck for his last alpha to scent him.
Namjoon stepped next to Taehyung, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion and worry as he watched his omega. He turned to Taehyung with an expression that clearly asked, 'Is he okay?'
Taehyung shrugged.
Not sure
~~
Jungkook watched his hyungs silently, observing how peaceful they looked. The day had turned out much more stressful once Jimin had developed a fever. The doctors decided to keep an eye on him and hold him back in the hospital once more. It had caused everyone to go into a frenzy as they had an idea that they would be able to leave tonight.
The stress had slipped away now and Yoongi, Taehyung and Jin had left for home to get some rest. They had tried to take jungkook with them but jungkook had thrown a horrible fit, desperate to not leave his hyung. They'd finally given up and left, Yoongi whispering to Hoseok to get the boy to eat.
The door opened just then and Hoseok walked in, holding a tray laden with different types of food. Jungkook whined in protest but the alpha merely shushed him, nodding towards the sleeping leader and dancer. 'You have to eat something.' He whispered as he placed the tray on the small table and sat down next to jungkook on the couch. 'You've stayed hungry long enough. There is no excuse for you to put off eating anymore.'
'I'm not hungry.'
'Then you've got gas in your stomach from staying hungry for so long.' Hoseok said sternly, tone making it clear that jungkook was not going to get out of eating. He nudged the tray closer to jungkook, indicating to all the dishes he has bought. 'Come on, there's got to be something you want to eat. I waited in line for twenty minutes, you gotta eat something.' Hoseok whined as he picked up three small cups of green jello. 'Eat two at least.'
Jungkook reluctantly took one and peeled the cap off. He picked up a small plastic spoon and scooped some of it up, reluctantly nibbling at it. Hoseok's concerned expression broke away into a happy one and jungkook felt his stomach churn in guilt at having worried his hyungs. He still didn't want to eat but he knew his 'hunger strike' was worrying them and they didn't need anymore trouble from another doegsang.
That didn't mean he would eat happily. He would eat. Just enough to make them happy....
He tried to slide one of the cups beneath the sofa but Hoseok immediately slapped his thigh, making the omega jump. When he looked up at his hyung, the alpha was no longer looking at him gently. He looked stern and upset. 'Hyung told you to eat two cups. It's not respectful to try to deceive me and try to hide the cups.'
'It's not respectful to keep pushing and forcing food down someone's throat.' Jungkook shot back brattily, as he sulkily placed the spare cup back on the tray. Hoseok raised an eyebrow at the shot back but he couldn't help but smile, glad to see jungkook returning back to his normal self. He rubbed Jungkook's scent glands before sliding his hand to grip the back of the omega's neck and pulled him close so that he could plant a kiss on his left scent gland.
'I want you to eat at least half of one of the sandwiches I bought.' He added and squeezed the back of his nape when jungkook looked ready to argue. Jungkook grumbled as he got back to eating his jello. Hoseok moved to pull out his phone but was interrupted with a weak 'Hyung?'
Their heads snapped up to the bed, where Jimin was looking around, a loose end of his bandage scraping against the pillow. Hoseok was at his side in a second, taking the beta's hand in his. He looked over his shoulder and sharply called out, 'Jungkook, no moving until you've finished the jello and half of a sandwich.'
The maknae's jaw dropped open at the unfair open as he let out an indignant puff of breath and began to walk anyway. Hoseok turned around and glared at his disobedient omega, 'Jeon Jungkook, you are not to leave that couch until you've finished your food. Don't make me bend you over my knee.'
'But.....Jimin-'
'-will still be here when you finish your food. You can come over here when you've finished. You need to eat. Right Jimin?' He turned to his beta who blinked hazily and mumbled a, 'Yeah....'
Jungkook looked between Hoseok, Jimin and the asleep Namjoon, desperate to get one of them on his side. When none of them responded (in Namjoon case; continued to sleep on) , he turned back to Hoseok pleadingly, but the man looked back impassively. He groaned and dropped down on to the couch and furiously began shovelling food inside his mouth. He ignored Hoseok's scolding, 'Slow down, you'll choke', as he quickly ate, wolfing down the three cups of jello before pulling the Styrofoam of the sandwich. He glared at his hyung as he wolfed down the sandwich and for good measures, decided to eat the other half too.
When he was done, he wiped his mouth with a tissue and jumped to his feet. He rushed to Jimin's side, purposely shoving Hoseok a little. Jimin pulled his hand out of Hobi's grasp and used it to run it through the youngest's hair. 'We just want to keep you healthy, pup. Why are you mad at us?'
Jungkook shrugged and hooked his foot into the vacant chair behind him and pulled it forward so that he could sit down. He crossed his arms on the free space on the bed, perching his chin on them. Jimin continued to gently ruffle his hair as Hoseok pulled a chair next to him. They fell into a light chatter which was only interrupted by a knock on the door. Sejin walked in carrying a tray of food, which was laden with food much like Hoseok's had been and with his face settled inti a strict expression.
'Jungkook, it's time to eat something.'
'I already did!' He whined and Hoseok nodded to confirm his statement. He jabbed a thumb in the direction of the discarded tray and Sejin froze.
'You guys should write a book.' He said finally.
'Uh....on what?'
'How to take care of that brat.' Sejin said indignantly as he pointed at the maknae. 'I've been trying to get him to eat for hours and you've managed to get him eat in mere seconds. How do you do that?'
Hoseok shrugged as he pinched the omega's cheek. 'Years of practice I suppose.'
'Years of blackmail you mean.' Jungkook grumbled and Jimin giggled. He dropped his hand to rub Jungkook's ears between his thumb and forefinger. 'Whatever it takes to keep you healthy, pup.'
'Not a pup.'
'Always a pup.' Jimin said firmly. 'Always.'