Pretty | Yoonmin (DISCONTINUED)

eight

"He won't eat."

"Wow, not even a hello?" Tae teased from the other end, his smooth voice instantly easing the stiffness that had knotted itself into Jimin's muscles. He sighed, leaning back against the wall of his bedroom, his gaze fixing on one of his posters-Troye Sivan, Blue Neighborhood-the aesthetically painted details jumping out at him in soothing waves.

"Taehyung..."

Tae shuffled around, rustles of bed sheets filling his ears, and Jimin could assume he was asserting himself. He knew immediately from Jimin's worried, anxious tone that this was serious.

"Won't eat?" He questioned, more softly now. "Like, not at all?"

Jimin shook his head, even though he knew Tae couldn't see him, combing his hand through his hair. "No. He eats a little. But he won't leave his bedroom, and nothing I say coaxes him out. I just leave his food outside the door, and he returns it to me barely eaten."

"Is it good food?"

Jimin frowned.

"Yes!" He cried defensively, voice raising in pitch, and he heard Tae giggle softly. "He always leaves a note saying it was good and thanking me for the food..."

He sighed again, his shoulders slumping, and made his way over to his bed, sinking into the mattress. He twisted the thick blankets between his fingers as he spoke. "It said in his files...it said that he might have difficulty eating. Depending on his mood and who he was with and how safe he felt. But I don't think he's ready to trust me yet. We've hardly spoken. And I know this isn't healthy for him, his meds won't even work properly if he isn't eating, he can't live off of that. I just...I'm so worried and I don't know what to do..."

Tae was silent for a few seconds, allowing Jimin to even his breathing. As his best friend, he was all too accustomed to Jimin's compassion. His heart was so big, and he was so loving, so eager to make others feel happy and loved, that sometimes he hurt himself in the process. Worried himself sick, and worked himself up into a panic attack at times. He gave so much of himself to others, and left himself with nothing. Being unable to help someone killed him and Tae knew it. It made him an excellent care taker and friend, and a wonderful human being. But it could also be a flaw.

"Calm down Jiminie," He hummed gently, listening to him suck in breaths on the other end. Jimin closed his eyes. "It's okay. You're doing great. Do you know why he's struggling so much with eating?"

Jimin shrugged, again a gesture that went unseen by Taehyung. "I mean...I assume it has something to do with his past. But I can't ask. It's only been four days. Why?"

"If you knew, it might be easier to help him. You know, sometimes it's hard to eat in front of people. If he doesn't feel safe with you yet, maybe you can leave, and let him eat on his own."

"Do you think that will work?" Jimin asked, brows pinching. "I haven't seen him eat for the past few days and he's still barely eaten."

"Yeah, but for this, you're giving him a choice," Tae elaborated. "So, he knows he has the option. He can eat as much as he wants, and you don't have to be there. Not if he doesn't want you there. Try that, and if it doesn't work, call me, and we'll work something out. Once Hoseok gets back from visiting his sister, he can probably be of more use to you-"

"No," Jimin interrupted, smiling fondly. "You did just fine Tae. Thank you."

"You're welcome..." He drawled, smacking his lips loudly in a kiss. "I love you. Call me back soon!"

Jimin laughed, the gorgeous sound warming and fluttering in the air. "I will Tae. I love you too. Mwah!" He blew him a big kiss in return, holding up a finger heart.