Jungkook Hurtfics / BTS

He was real

This story includes trigger warnings like Eating Disorder !

Short chap.

The sun had barely risen over the bustling city of Seoul, but the BTS dorm was already humming with activity. The members were in various states of wakefulness, each preparing for another hectic day filled with schedules, rehearsals, and interviews. In the midst of it all, Jungkook sat quietly at the kitchen table, his eyes fixed on the steaming cup of black coffee in front of him.

"Morning, Kookie," Jimin greeted, rubbing sleep from his eyes as he shuffled into the kitchen. "You want something to eat?"

Jungkook shook his head, forcing a smile. "I'm good, hyung. Just coffee for now."

Jimin frowned slightly but didn't press the issue. He'd noticed Jungkook's changing eating habits over the past few weeks, but with their packed schedules, it was easy to dismiss as stress or exhaustion. Still, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something wasn't quite right.

Throughout the day, the members couldn't help but notice Jungkook's odd behavior. He was usually the first to dive into meals, enjoying the camaraderie that came with shared food, but lately, he was always absent during mealtimes, either citing a busy schedule or an upset stomach. When he did join, he barely touched his food, pushing it around his plate before excusing himself early.

"Is Jungkook okay?" Taehyung asked during a break in rehearsal, glancing over at the youngest member who was sitting alone, scrolling through his phone. "He's been acting weird lately."

"I don't know," Namjoon replied, concern etched on his face. "We should keep an eye on him, just in case."

As the weeks went by, the signs became harder to ignore. Jungkook's face grew thinner, his clothes hung loosely on his once muscular frame, and the light in his eyes seemed to dim. The members were growing increasingly worried, but Jungkook brushed off their concerns with reassuring words and forced smiles.

---

One evening, Jin returned to the dormitory later than usual, having just completed a solo schedule. The building was unusually quiet, with most of the members already in their rooms, settling in for the night. As he walked past the bathroom, however, a disturbing sound halted him in his tracks.

The sound of desperate gagging came from within, instantly catapulting Jin into a state of high alert. He paused, retracing his steps to confirm that he hadn't imagined the noise. Within seconds, it became clear he hadn't—it was all too real.

With a growing sense of dread, Jin slowly pushed open the unlocked door.

Inside, he found Jungkook, his baby maknae , bent over the toilet. The scene before him was heartbreaking: Jungkook was gagging, a toothbrush forced down his throat, tears streaming down his face. Shock wiped Jin's mind blank.

Rushing forward, Jin gripped Jungkook's wrist firmly and pulled the toothbrush away. "No, no, Jungkook, stop!" he urged.

But Jungkook resisted, sobbing as he tried to reclaim the toothbrush. "No! Please, hyung, give it back, I need it!" His voice was raw, choked with sobs and punctuated by hiccups.

Jin, overwhelmed and horrified, couldn't believe he hadn't noticed Jungkook's struggles earlier. "Jungkook, stop," he said firmly, discarding the toothbrush and dropping to his knees to pull Jungkook into a tight embrace. He wanted nothing more than to shield him from the world's harsh realities, to protect him from any harm. As he held Jungkook close, Jin resolved to help his friend through whatever pain had driven him to such distress.

---

 The revelation hit Jin like a cold wave, the numbness spreading through his body as he clutched at empty air, where he thought he had been holding Jungkook. His sobs echoed off the bathroom walls, a stark reminder of the silence that actually filled the room.

Namjoon stood in the doorway, his own face a mask of sorrow mixed with a painful understanding. "Hyung," he said softly, stepping into the bathroom to place a gentle hand on Jin's shoulder. "It's happening again. You need to come back to us."

Jin's eyes, red and swollen from crying, met Namjoon's with a haunted look. "He was right here, Joon. I was helping him—how could it not be real?" The pain in his voice was palpable, his heart breaking anew with the realization that his mind had deceived him once more.

Namjoon helped Jin to his feet, leading him out of the bathroom and into the living area where the rest of the members were waiting, expressions of concern and grief mingling on their faces. They had all been through this before, the collective memory of Jungkook's struggles and untimely death a constant shadow that loomed over their tight-knit group.

"Hyung, we miss him too," Taehyung said, his voice thick with unshed tears. "It feels like he should just walk through that door any second, laughing and telling us it was all a joke."

"But we have to remember he's not suffering anymore," Hoseok added, trying to offer a sliver of comfort. "He's at peace now, and we need to be too. For him, and for each other."

They gathered around Jin, each member embracing him in turn, their collective strength forming a cradle of support. That night, they talked about Jungkook, each sharing favorite memories, recounting days of laughter, challenges they had overcome together, and the indelible mark he had left on their lives.

As dawn approached, with the first light filtering through the curtains, Jin felt a quiet sense of resolution settling in his heart. He knew the road ahead would still have moments of grief and illusion, but the presence of his brothers around him made it bearable.

"We'll keep remembering him together," Jin finally spoke, his voice steady despite the tears that lingered. "And we'll keep living, for him and because of him. We owe him that much."

As the sun rose fully over Seoul, casting a golden glow over the city, the members of BTS faced a new day with a somber yet resolute spirit, their bonds fortified through shared sorrow and shared love. In their hearts, Jungkook's spirit danced in the light, a forever young and beloved member of their family, guiding them on with each step they took.