Echoes of Care

Morning Visits and Familiar Warmth

The morning light filtered softly into Jin and Taehyung’s apartment as Jin busied himself in the kitchen, skillfully whisking eggs to make the perfect omelette. He moved with practiced ease, adding a touch of salt here, a sprinkle of pepper there, as the rich aroma of breakfast filled the space.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Jin, a bit surprised at the early visit, set the pan aside and walked to the door, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. When he opened the door, he found Jungkook standing there, holding an empty lunch container — the same one Taehyung had brought to Jimin and Yoongi the night before.

Jungkook gave a slight, polite bow. “Good morning, Jin hyung. Jimin asked me to drop this off since he’s still getting ready. He’ll be a bit late to work.”

Jin smiled warmly, reaching for the container. “Good morning, Jungkook. Thanks for bringing it over.”

Jungkook nodded, looking as though he was about to leave, but Jin tilted his head, eyeing him thoughtfully. “Are you in a rush? Why don’t you stay for breakfast?”

“Oh, no, hyung, I don’t want to intrude—” Jungkook started, but Jin raised an eyebrow, silencing him with a single, no-nonsense finger.

“No excuses. Sit down and have a proper meal,” Jin insisted firmly, a small, playful smile tugging at his lips. There was a warmth in his voice that made it impossible to refuse.

With a reluctant but amused smile, Jungkook agreed and stepped inside, settling at the dining table. Jin turned back to the kitchen, and in minutes, he’d prepared a full spread — omelettes, crispy toast, bacon, and a glass of fresh strawberry juice. Jungkook’s eyes widened slightly at the sight, and he quietly thanked Jin as he served him.

As they ate, Jin glanced over at Jungkook, his face soft with affection. “So, how have you been, Jungkook? You’re always working so hard; I hardly get a chance to ask.”

Jungkook shrugged, chewing thoughtfully. “I’ve been good, hyung. Busy, but I’m managing. How about you?”

Jin smiled, though it didn’t fully reach his eyes. “I’m fine. Just the usual,” he said, brushing it off.

But Jungkook wasn’t satisfied with the vague response. He hesitated before speaking, noticing how Jin seemed different lately — quieter, more reserved. “Hyung… are you really okay? You seem… different.”

Jin looked at him for a moment, his eyes flickering with something unspoken. “You already know why, Jungkook. Things aren’t the same, but I’m trying. I’m just… adjusting.”

He was about to say more when, suddenly, they both heard the soft shuffle of footsteps. Taehyung appeared in the doorway, rubbing his eyes sleepily, dressed in a loose t-shirt and shorts with a cute, fluffy headband holding his hair back. He looked barely awake as he padded into the room.

“Jin hyung, do you know where I put the face wash?” Taehyung mumbled, not yet noticing Jungkook. His voice was thick with sleep, his expression adorably dazed.

Jungkook’s eyes widened, utterly captivated by the sight. Taehyung’s sleep-tousled hair, his oversized t-shirt, his slightly pouty lips — he looked nothing like the composed doctor Jungkook usually saw at the hospital. Instead, he looked soft, warm, and, for a moment, entirely unaware of the world around him.

Jin sighed, clearly exasperated yet amused. “Taehyung, I’ve told you a hundred times to get your own. Stop using my stuff.”

Taehyung gave a sleepy whine, still barely looking up. “Just one day, hyung, please.”

But as he blinked and finally looked up, his gaze met Jungkook’s, who was watching him with an amused smile. Taehyung froze, his eyes widening in surprise as all traces of sleep immediately vanished. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he quickly greeted Jungkook, stammering a hasty “good morning” before practically sprinting back into his bedroom.

Jungkook bit back a chuckle, and Jin just shook his head, watching the whole exchange with an amused smile. “He’s always like that,” Jin said, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. “You’d think he’d be a little more put together for his age, but no, he’s still the same Tae.”

Jungkook smiled, a warm feeling blooming in his chest as he glanced down at his plate, finishing the last bites of his breakfast. He could feel a sense of nostalgia, a reminder of the days when they were all closer, when Jin’s apartment was a second home for everyone.

As he finished, Jungkook rose from his seat, gathering his plate and bringing it to the sink. Jin watched, a little surprised, as Jungkook washed his own dish and then turned to him, drying his hands.

“Thank you for breakfast, hyung. It was really good. Just… like old times,” Jungkook said softly, his voice warm with genuine affection.

Before Jin could respond, Jungkook took a small step closer, his expression uncharacteristically tender. Reaching up slightly, Jungkook leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Jin’s forehead, a simple gesture of gratitude that held a world of meaning.

Jin froze, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked up at Jungkook, who gave him a soft, almost shy smile. “I missed you, hyung.”

And with that, Jungkook turned and left, a quiet “bye” lingering in the air as he slipped out the door, heading to the hospital.

Jin stood there, dumbfounded, his hand slowly lifting to touch the spot where Jungkook had kissed him. A slow, almost incredulous smile spread across his face as he let out a small laugh, feeling his heart warm in a way it hadn’t in a long time.

In that moment, Jin realized that maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.