Promises

15

Seokjin woke up and he already felt tired. His head was aching mildly and he knew why. He sighed and went to the bathroom to freshen up. As he stood in front of the mirror, his reflection made him chuckle. He was a lot paler and thinner. There were faint dark circles under his eyes and his eyes looked swollen. He sighed and started brushing his teeth. The face that once radiated confidence is now showing doubts. Doubts about himself and about his person. He came out wearing a light t-shirt and sweatpants.

When he went out, he saw Yoongi making something in the kitchen and Hoseok helping him. Namjoon sat at the dining table doing something on his laptop. He went to the kitchen and filled himself with a glass of water.

"Oh, you are awake?" Hoseok smiled, "Good, Yoongi hyung is making his famous stakes." Seokjin just nodded and sat at the dining table.

He looked at the clock on the wall and gasped. 12 in the noon. He stood up abruptly, "Shit! I am late."

Hoseok stopped him from moving, "Hyung, I mailed your students that you would be on leave."

"I can't waste my holidays like this." Seokjin started walking towards the room.

"You have plenty of leaves, hyung." Hoseok stopped him again, "I asked Lisa about it. So don't worry."

"Who?" Seokjin asked?

"Huh?" Hoseok widened his eyes.

Seokjin turned back and his eyes had anger in them, "Who told you to do that? Who told you to ask for a leave on my behalf?" Hoseok was shocked. He didn't expect this from his hyung. He tried to speak but Seokjin stopped him, "I don't want you controlling my life as well."

"Seokjin!" Everyone looked at the kitchen door. Yoongi stood there wearing an apron and hands folded on his chest. "No one is trying to control your life. We are trying to help you."

"I didn't ask for it." Seokjin rolled his eyes.

"Then ask for it, hyung," Namjoon said, softly. "It's okay to ask for help, it is okay to be on the stage where you need other people to lift you up. It doesn't mean you are weak or anything. When Yoongi hyung and I were trainees under Bang Pdnim, we weren't taken seriously and it affected our minds and work. We had to take professional help. Hyung, we are willing to help you out with this. You just have to believe in yourself."

Seokjin closed his eyes and clenched his jaws. He knew they were right. He knew he needed other people to hold him, take care of him. But a part of him wanted to just jump into the deep abyss and never come out. He was about to go into the room when he felt someone engulfing him. His breath hitched and he opened his eyes. Hoseok was hugging him tightly and patting his back softly.

"It is okay, hyung. It will be better than before. Just trust yourself and us." Hoseok whispered in his ears and he hugged Hoseok back. He nodded in the hug, closing his eyes. Feeling the warmth Hoseok was radiating.

Namjoon looked at Yoongi and nodded. Yoongi sighed and rolled his eyes. He went to Seokjin and hugged him from behind, sandwiching Seokjin between himself and Hoseok. Namjoon was next. He engulfed all three of them in his arms. Seokjin wondered just how broad was Namjoon to do that. He felt safe. He felt a little peaceful.

When the hug dissolved, Seokjin looked at Hoseok, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Hoseok smiled widely and shook his head, "It is okay."

Yoongi chuckled, "Are you going to eat lunch?"

Seokjin nodded, "I am really hungry!"

As they were having lunch, Namjoon's phone rang. He looked at the caller and sighed, "Excuse me." He went to the balcony and picked up the call. "What happened?" He waited for the person to speak. "But Yoongi hyung and I can't come." He clicked his tongue, "What do you mean, they-" "They are trained for this." "We discussed the concept." He sighed and looked at the group. He looked at Seokjin and smirked, "Fine. I will be there with help."

He went to the dining table and sat sighing, "We will have to go to the company. The kids are having trouble."

Yoongi nodded and kept eating.

Namjoon looked at Seokjin and Hoseok, "You guys don't have anything to do, right?" Hoseok shook his head, "Great! Why don't you come to the company with me and hyung?"

Yoongi choked on his food and started coughing. Hoseok offered him a glass of water and started patting his back, "Are you alright?" Yoongi nodded and calmed down.

Hoseok looked at Namjoon and nodded, "That is a good idea, actually." He looked at Seokjin, "Hyung, what do you say? It would be fun."

Seokjin shrugged, "If you want to, sure."

Namjoon smiled at Seokjin and celebrated internally. He was going to bring out Seokjin he knew four years ago.