Better Than Tears (sweeter than sleep)

This is my fate

Taehyung insisted on holding hands on the walk to Jimin's apartment. He insisted on swinging their arms back and forth and singing about frogs as well. Jungkook didn't sing about frogs. He just giggled softly as Taehyung made absolutely no sense and didn't care at all. Actually, Jungkook was fairly certain Taehyung kept singing only because it made him laugh. Which was fine with him. It felt nice to laugh.

When Jimin opened the door, Taehyung was trying to get Jungkook to pose dramatically for the end of his song. After failing completely, he dropped Jungkook's hand and pretended to sulk.

"Hey, Jungkook, Tae, what are you doing? Whatever you're fake upset about, give it up and come inside. Did you tell Jungkook about the developments?" Jimin looked tired, with droopy eyes and a softer, wearier smile than usual.

Jungkook looked sideways at Taehyung who was standing stock still, blinking several times and staring at nothing.

Jimin sighed, leaning against the door as he gestured for the two of them to come in. "That'd be a no."

Taehyung perked up and grabbed Jungkook's hands. "Jungkookie! I hope you don't mind that Jimin brought someone home last night. Of course, I got kicked out because I kept talking, but it's safe to come in now."

This speech was followed by awkward silence in which Jungkook did his best to remember that Taehyung often spoke in code.

"Taehyung, you're going to traumatize the kid," said an unfamiliar voice, causing Jungkook to swing around. The stranger blinked up at him. "Translation: I came home with Jimin last night after fighting with my parents-"

"Again," Jimin chimed in, rather unhelpfully, Jungkook thought.

"Again," the stranger added tiredly, "and we kicked Taehyung out so that I could swear and get myself sorted and now Taehyung is what, being dramatic about it?"

"As usual," Jimin mentioned.

"As usual," Taehyung acknowledged cheerfully.

"As usual," Jungkook murmured fondly, affectionate despite his surprised and slightly anxious state.

"Yoongi-hyung, this is Jungkook-" Jimin began.

"Your newest adoption," Yoongi finished, looking Jungkook up and down. "He's cute."

"Isn't he?" Jimin beamed, the smile lighting up his face and making Jungkook smile in response.

"Of course he is, he's our cute Jungkookie," Taehyung groused, suddenly sulky again. "Jimin, I'm hungry."

And that ended the introductions as they all trooped into the kitchen and Jimin opened the fridge.

Jungkook took a deep breath, dropped his backpack on the couch and followed the rest of them.

"So, Jungkook," Yoongi started, leaning against the doorframe. "What were the circumstances of your rescue?"

"Huh?" Jungkook glanced between Yoongi and Jimin.

"When Jimin rescued you," Yoongi repeated. "How did it go down?"

"I-I met Jimin-hyung f-five weeks ago w-when there was still snow. Um, he gave me his coat."

Taehyung jumped in with, "Jungkook just needed a friend and I visited the next day so it was perfect! We got a new friend!"

Jimin placed a hand on Taehyung's arm briefly. "Yoongi-hyung is very blunt, Jungkook-ah. You don't have to answer anything you don't want to. Don't feel pressured."

Jungkook didn't want this Yoongi-hyung to think that he was weird, though, so he shook his head. "I have problems," he said firmly. The words were very quiet and the other three leaned in to hear him. "Jimin-hyung and Taehyung-hyung are helping me." Swallowing to wet his dry throat, Jungkook clasped his hands tightly in his lap.