The bond that stick us together: A BTS Brotherly AU

[29]

Jin opened his eyes, gaze flickering to the door. For a moment, he considered ignoring it. He had made it clear—he didn't want to be disturbed.

But then again...

Knock...Knock...

It was hesitant, barely there—nothing like the forceful raps of Namjoon or Yoongi when they had something to say. Nothing like Jimin or Taehyung when they just peek in without knocking or Hoseok when he just nearly barges in.

Jungkook.

Jin closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose. He should tell him to go back to bed. Should tell him that he wasn't in the mood for company. But when had he ever been able to deny Jungkook?

"...Come in," he said, voice quieter than usual.

The door opened just a fraction, and Jungkook peeked in, looking oddly small despite his frame. His doe eyes scanned the room before landing on Jin, lingering on the glass in his hand.

"I...I know you said not to d-disturb you but I—uh—" Jungkook hesitated before mumbling, "I couldn't sleep, Hyung."

Jin sighed, setting his drink aside. "Nightmares again?"

Jungkook didn't answer immediately. Instead, he shuffled inside, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click, looking almost like the little boy he used to be—eyes wide, shoulders slightly hunched, hesitant but hopeful.

His voice was soft when he finally spoke. "Can I sleep with you tonight? Please Hyung-ie?"

Jin studied him for a long moment, noting the way his fingers fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, the way his shoulders curled inward like a child seeking comfort. The same way he had done when he was younger, climbing into Jin's bed after a rough day.

Jin's chest ached at the request.

This was all so familiar. Jungkook standing at his door in the middle of the night after a nightmare, specially the nights after he meets their father, looking for comfort in his hyungs, just like when he was younger. Jin always had been his safe place, his mother bird.

Without a word, Jin went near his bed and shifted to the side of his large bed, pulling back the covers in silent invitation.

Jungkook didn't wait a second. He quickly crawled in, tucking himself close, resting his head against Jin's chest like he used to when he was small.

"Can I hug you ,Hyung?" Jungkook said meekly, "I mean like really tightly...?"

Jin amusedly shook his head with a small, tired but fond smile, "Since when you ask permissions, huh?" He reached out, pulling Jungkook into a hug, feeling the way the younger melted into him almost instantly.

"You never have to ask, you know that," Jin murmured, rubbing Jungkook's back gently.

Jungkook nodded against his chest, fingers curling into Jin's shirt. "I know... but you looked like you needed space."

Jin sighed, resting his chin on top of Jungkook's head. "I did. But you needed me more."

Jungkook didn't say anything, just tightened his grip.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jin's hand found its way into Jungkook's hair, running through the soft strands in slow, soothing strokes.

Jungkook sighed, physically melting into him. "You used to do this all the time."

Jin hummed. "You used to demand it all the time."

Jungkook chuckled, the sound barely above a whisper. "It was the only way I could sleep."

Jin's hand stilled for a brief moment before resuming. "You can sleep now."

"You always smelled like fresh laundry and vanilla back then." Jungkook murmured.

Jin chuckled. "And now?"

Jungkook hummed. "Now you smell like expensive cologne and wine."

Jin smirked. "Guess I'm a refined man now."

"You always have been...a man I mean." Jungkook let out a small, tired laugh before falling silent.

A few minutes passed in comfortable quiet, Jin continuing to card his fingers through his hair.

Jungkook didn't speak again right away. He hesitated, then whispered, "H-hyung...?"

"Hmm?"

"W-what is the secret that none of you aren't telling me?"

Jin stiffened. There it is.

Of course, Jungkook is growing up, so he is noticing all the cracks. And he was always a sharp intelligent boy of his age. And as Yoongi said, he is curious too! It is no wonder that he will soon start to pick up the pieces. But, Jin can't let him know it. Not yet!

His protective arms tightened around Jungkook unknowingly.

Jungkook must have felt it, because he shifted slightly, tilting his head up to look at him. "You and the other hyungs... you always look at me like I'm fragile. Like I'll break if I hear something...u-unpredictable...?"

Jin inhaled slowly, willing his voice to remain steady. "You don't need to worry about that."

"But I do." Jungkook's grip on Jin's shirt tightened. "I can feel it, hyung. There's something about me that I'm not aware of, and it—it scares me." His voice dropped lower, almost childlike. "But what scares me more is that you won't tell me...Hyung why? Y-you always answered all my doubts, even if it was the silliest! Then why not this one, Hyung?!"

Jin closed his eyes.

This was exactly what his father wanted.

To plant doubt. To make Jungkook question him.

But Jin wouldn't let him win.

Never.

He pressed a kiss to Jungkook's forehead, like he used to when they were younger. "Sleep, Kookie."

Something was in his calm voice that made Jungkook stop.  So, Jungkook didn't argue this time. He just sighed, burrowing closer. "You are so stubborn, Hyung...But promise me, whatever it is... you won't leave me all alone? Ever?"

Jin's heart clenched, he whispered, "I promise. I'm here. I'll always be here for you."

And he meant it.

For as long as he could, he would keep that promise.

Jin pulled Jungkook closer to his chest, breathing on his soft shampooed hair contently. With a tired sigh he closed his eyes, locking the weight of his father's those words in the back of his brain, where they belonged.

For now.