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"I- what?"
Taehyung stays quiet, rubbing his sleeve under his nose as he sniffles and tries to puff out his cheeks to stop his lips from trembling.
He didn't like crying but he was an angry cryer... so there's fucking that.
"Taehyung, what'd you say?" Namjoon shifts their position so that he is able to pull back and stare at the younger's face properly, his eyes flitting around to examine the younger's wet cheeks and displeased pout. "What did you just say?"
Taehyung sucks in a breath, trying to slow his breathing but he fails miserably. "Why do you h-hate me?"
He peers at Namjoon through his tearing vision and reaches up to wipe at the wetness on his cheeks in frustration. His eyes showed he was unhappy but the pulsing heat in his body from the irritation he felt proved otherwise.
He shoves at Namjoon's chest and tries to swing his legs over the bed with a disappointed scoff. "Whatever, nevermi—"
"No, wait." Namjoon stops Taehyung from attempting to escape his grasp, grabbing his arms on both sides and otherwise unfazed by the blonde-haired male's elbowing. "Just... just wait a second."
Obeying in resign, the younger momentarily pauses his struggling and meets Namjoon's intense gaze.
"Why... do you think I hate you?"
"I-I've been trying to be nice to you but— but you don't care." Taehyung intends for his voice to snap harshly but instead, it comes out as a sad whisper. "Today or even the past week, you never care about my attempts to talk to you except if it were s-someone else."
Namjoon's demanding gaze weakens at those words. He's quiet for a moment before shaking his head slowly. "That's not true. I do care about you guys. A lot."
Taehyung feels more tears slip from his eyes and Namjoon looks at him in alarm, trying to bring him closer but the younger twists his torso to face the wall.
"I'm not talking about everyone." He retorts, feeling embarrassed yet irritated for even having to voice his insecurities so plainly. "I'm talking about me."
The room is quiet. Taehyung chooses to focus his gaze on the rotating fan that was whirring softly, willing for his tears to get sucked back in somehow.
"So you— you're saying I like the other members more than you?" Namjoon asks softly, frowning when the younger still doesn't look at him. "You think I hate you because of that?"
Taehyung then draws himself back, no longer restrained because the tall male's grip had slackened significantly. "Don't act so confused, hyung."
"Tae—"
"The most perfect example is literally right now." He continues, thick brows knit together in discontent. "All you did was ignore me as if I was the problem when all I was doing was trying to start a simple conversation with you."
"Taehyung," Namjoon exhales deeply. "I just... I just don't want to talk about... whatever is bothering me, okay?" He suddenly grimaces and shakes his head dismissively. "No, there is nothing bothering me."
The blonde-haired male scoffs at that. He didn't appreciate the tone the leader was using with him, as though he were simply trying to shrug off an irrelevant matter. As if he wasn't even significant enough to know about whatever the issue was in the first place.
"I know I'm younger than you but that doesn't mean I have the mind of a child. I can help you with any problems just as much as you help me." Taehyung argues after trying to collect his thoughts. "Something is bothering you and I'm willing to listen to you. Do you think you can't trust me? Is that it?"
"It's... No, it's not that." Namjoon sighs after a short pause.
"Then what is it?" He nearly yells back in exasperation. However, he keeps his voice low since the other members were asleep.
Namjoon sits up slowly and Taehyung, who'd been standing, climbs back onto the bed to face the male. They stare at each other, one with a demanding gaze and the other indecisive.
The tall male swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he rubs the nape of his neck with closed eyes, thinking his words through.
"I'm just really stressed, Taehyung-ah." Namjoon finally starts, his voice surprisingly small. "I just— I'm the leader and I know that means I automatically have more responsibility." He waves his hands in the air momentarily. "And I-I'm not complaining. I like being the leader. I like taking care of everyone. I want you guys to rely on me as well. But... but there's just been too much on my plate—"
His voice falters and he swallows thickly, his hands coming up to cover his face. Taehyung feels his chest tighten at the sight, wanting to reach out. However, he keeps still, in fear of inhibiting Namjoon from continuing.
Namjoon looked frustrated with having to admit his vulnerabilities openly as though he didn't want to come to terms with them and Taehyung watches the tall male pinch the bridge of his nose, his eyes squeezed shut tightly.
