Secret (A Jungkook Fanfic) ✔️

Chapter 21 | Beneath His Tough Exterior, A Father's Fragile Heart

It was an evening around 8:30, and all the members had returned to their dorms. The apartment was quiet, the day's tension melting away as everyone settled in. Jungkook collapsed onto his bed, exhausted, and closed his eyes, letting out a long, relieved breath. He had been unusually quiet throughout practice today, something Yoongi had noticed. It wasn't like him to withdraw so completely, but today, something seemed off.

While the others busied themselves with their own activities, Yoongi stood for a moment, watching Jungkook, before walking over to him. Without a word, he sat beside him on the bed. Jungkook's eyes fluttered open as he felt the presence beside him, and he sat up slowly, offering a tired but warm smile.

Jungkook - You need anything, hyung?

Yoongi shook his head, his expression softening as he studied the younger man.

Yoongi - Are you all right?

Jungkook nodded, but his gaze fell away quickly, not meeting Yoongi's eyes.

Yoongi - But you seem off today.

Jungkook didn't answer right away, his hands fidgeting nervously. He didn't want to admit what he was feeling—not to Yoongi, not to anyone. But deep down, he knew the truth: he wasn't fine. He missed his family, his friends, the life he had before everything changed. But most of all, he missed you—the way things used to be, the comfort of being with you. It hurt more than he cared to admit. Jungkook wanted to say it, to let the words spill out, but they wouldn't come.

So he stayed silent, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him, hoping Yoongi would understand without him having to speak it aloud.

Yoongi wrapped his arm around Jungkook's shoulders, feeling the tension in the younger's body. Tears were threatening to spill from Jungkook's eyes, and Yoongi knew exactly what was going through his mind. The weight of everything he was trying to keep inside, the longing for his family, his home, and you—it was all too much to bear.

Yoongi - Wanna talk to them?

Jungkook looked at him for a moment, his eyes filled with conflict. Then, he shook his head slowly.

Yoongi - Why?

Jungkook stayed quiet, knowing that if he spoke to them now, if he heard their voices, the ache would only grow deeper. He didn't want to miss them more than he already did. He didn't want to face the emptiness he felt by being so far away. Yoongi understood. He always did. Jungkook might be the youngest, their baby, but Yoongi knew just how much he carried inside. Jungkook missed his mother deeply, and you, more than words could express.

Yoongi gently guided Jungkook to lie down on the bed, taking one of his legs and starting to massage it, despite the weariness in his own body. Jungkook reached out, wanting to stop him, but Yoongi stopped him with a soft gesture.

Yoongi - It's fine, you lay back.

Jungkook hesitated, his emotions caught in his chest, but Yoongi gave him a reassuring nod. Slowly, Jungkook allowed himself to settle back, the comfort of Yoongi's touch and the warmth of his presence easing the tension.

A quiet moment passed between them, the kind of silence that spoke volumes. Jungkook really felt it then—how much his members cared for him, how they treated him not just as a fellow member, but as family. They'd always taken special care of him, especially since he was the youngest, but in moments like this, when the weight of everything felt too heavy to bear, he realized just how much they meant to him.

Jungkook closed his eyes, letting Yoongi's gentle touch calm his mind. The silence stretched on, but it wasn't uncomfortable—it was the kind of silence that said everything didn't have to be said aloud. And in that moment, with Yoongi by his side, Jungkook knew he wasn't alone.