Don't Call Me Angel || VMIN

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The hushed sound of a phone ringing somewhere in the other room seeped out from under the door, lasting only two tones before it was swiftly cut off, evidently having been answered. Jimin couldn't make out what was being said and he could tell the call had distracted Taehyung. Previously lax, his stance had gone rigid and his eyes had narrowed slightly. That meant it must be about something important, something more important than standing here in the corridor with him, at least. It probably had something to do with Ryung, he realised, shutting down the guilt before it could work its way into his mind again. If he broke down again, Taehyung wouldn't be able to answer whoever needed to get in touch with him and that would only mess everything up, so he desperately needed to hold himself together.

He watched the elder's fingers twitch towards the door handle, understanding that he needed to be inside even though he didn't want him to leave. He didn't want to be alone again. The same dilemma seemed to be playing out in the other's mind and his hand stilled, having chosen to remain where he was.

Before the younger could speak up and try to convince him he ought to go, footsteps approached and a moment later, Yoongi stood in the doorway, a phone clutched in his hand with an expectant look on his face. His gaze darted between the two a few times, finally settling on the brunette as he handed over the device.

Attention directed at the screen, Jimin picked up on the name printed across the top, indicating who was on the other end of the line, and his body tensed. Whether or not it was a good thing that that particular person was calling, he didn't know and he crossed his fingers behind his back, braying that it was.

"Jungkook called with the report, you might want to hear it yourself."

That didn't sound good and no one else seemed to think so either. Nothing else could be gauged about the situation from the elder's expert poker face and monotone voice, which made it all the more unsettling, and the dancer felt the pit return to his stomach. If anyone else had been injured -

No, he wasn't going to let himself spiral, not again. Jeongguk and Namjoon both knew what they were doing, they were fine, they had to be. He was determined not to let anything happen to them, although it wasn't like he had that kind of power, let alone the physical strength.

The brunette had taken the phone, but instead of answering it, the device was now turning in his grip. He looked towards the younger.

"If you don't mind hearing what he has to say," he started, ceasing the fidgeting of his fingers and stilling the phone, "you can come and sit in the room again. You should probably get some rest as well, although I know that isn't as easy as I'm making it sound."

He paused briefly, signalling to the mint-haired man that he would be in momentarily.

"It's fine if you would prefer to go somewhere else, I can take you -"

"No," Jimin pressed, not wanting to leave his side if he could help it, no matter how pathetic it made him look, "I'll be okay sitting in the armchair."

"Are you sure you don't mind hearing what Jungkook has to say, I can't guarantee it'll be pleasant?"

Hesitating, the nod that followed lacked any ounce of conviction and Taehyung hung back. He was waiting to receive a response less half-hearted, clearly unconvinced by the younger. Tucking his hands into the sleeves of his hoodie, kidding himself for even thinking it would offer him some sort of protection from what he was about to hear, the ravenette nodded again, staring pointedly into the other's eyes afterwards to confirm it. The brunette sighed but gave in and, with one final glance, he walked into the office.

Jimin kept a couple of metres back when he followed him in, stepping over the threshold with a knot in his chest. Standing behind the desk were Seokjin and his boyfriend and he didn't miss the agitation peering around the edge of the eldest's stoic expression. He gulped, hastening over to the leather chair and lowering himself into it, trying to get out of the way and not pay too much attention to the others. Distraction was key and he stared at the loose thread near the ankle of his leggings, attempting not to overhear the conversation being held several metres away. Although, it was to no avail, seeing as it was about as easy as trying to ignore an elephant trampling about beside you.