In Tune: A WinTeam Story

Chapter Twenty One: Semicolons

A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry it took longer than expected to crank this chapter out. The holidays were busier than expected, and my anxiety hasn't been too kind the  past week. I hope this chapter makes you guys really happy despite the angst. I already know where the next one is going to pick up, so please stay tuned. I hope you are looking forward to it.

PS: I posted this super late last night, but reread it when I was more awake. It needed quite a bit of editing so I just unpublished it and then reposted lol. 

~Mimi <3

Songs Used:
Vampire - Olivia Rodrigo
Somebody - Jung Kook
Lost - BTS
Traveler - eaJ

C/W: mentions of alcohol and drug use, verbal fighting/swearing, roofie usage, physical altercations, implication of sexual harassment and predatory behavior, brief mentions of suicidal concerns and ideations, brief vomiting

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Jimin opens his door to a distraught Team, the kid's rounded, rosy face drenched in tears. The older purses his lips, his shoulder's sinking. "JK! Can you get some tea started? Team's here!" Jimin turns his body back toward his old friend, embracing him. "I thought you were in Bangkok, Teerayu. What're you doing back already? Did you visit your parents?" Team curled his fingers into Jimin's shirt, taking a deep breath against his petite shoulder. Jungkook appears, resting a hand on the young man's back, rubbing in smooth circles between his shoulder blades. Team always turns up at their home when shit hits the fan, so it's second nature to become a caregiver for the younger musician when he appears. The couple have since gotten married, now home more often when they aren't working. 

"Whatever happened, you know we're right here, Team-o. You don't have to talk about it, but if you want to, we'll listen.", Jungkook adds, smoothing their little brother's hair. "Come on, have a seat with the puppies. Jimin, want to come help me make something for him?" Jimin kisses Team's temple, nodding toward the empty couch.

"Lay on the couch for a minute, darling. We'll be right back." Jimin follows his spouse to the kitchen, watching Team lay down and curl into a fetal position. "I'm worried about him, babe. He's spiraling. His behavior reminds me of myself when I was his age. He's what... Twenty-three now? It's that... Damned five-year mark." Jungkook rests his hand over Jimin's on the counter, comforting him with a single squeeze of life.

"Seems to be that way. You know, for a while now, I've been seeing you when I look at him. I see the pressure becoming too much more every day, and it... It's giving me flashbacks. I see the weight he's lost, I see the dark circles, I see the hangovers and the tears... It's breaking my heart. I recognized exactly what's happening as soon as it started, because of the times I saw you suffering. I guess it doesn't help that he looks similar to you.", he admits with a sad chuckle, draping an arm around Jimin to hug him close. "I wish I could just take all of the pain away, you know? I understand he's an adult, but he shouldn't be left on his own. I'm afraid of what could happen next." Jimin tucks his head into the crook of the black-haired male's neck, chest rising and falling with a huff. 

"Mhmm. I understand why you feel this way, Jungkookie. It must be harder when it reminds you of me. Things got very... Scary for me and our members a year before you and I got together." Jimin alters his gaze, shifting away from Jungkook's neck to properly look at him. "This isn't about me, but... I think it makes it harder not to jump in and save Team instead of letting him figure this out. When I see him in pain, it's like seeing my reflection, or... A ghost. I wonder if it's less of the fame itself that's destroying him, and more the way... The fame is being handled?"