Jeon's family is a happy family, despite having only one son named Jeon Jungkook. They were content with their biological son, who was a good boy and respected both of his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Jeon knew their son was lonely at home and needed frien...
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Jimin groaned as he tried to shove away Jungkook's camera, which kept snapping pictures of him. He had said he wanted to capture their memories in photos, but he hadn't meant like this-definitely not while he was working, and especially not just of him.
Jungkook grinned, undeterred. "But you're too cute. I can't handle it."
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The camera clicked away relentlessly, the sound of each shutter making Jimin roll his eyes.
"Hyung, stop," Jimin mumbled, though a small smile played at his lips. He was used to Jungkook's playful antics, but sometimes his brother took it too far.
Jungkook lowered the camera just enough to peek over it. "Did you eat breakfast?"
"Ahh... Y-yes?" Jimin replied, his tone hesitant.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a question, not an answer. Did you, Jeon Jimin?"
Jimin shifted uncomfortably. "Hyung, I just lost my appetite, okay?"
"Why?" Jungkook's playful expression faded, replaced with concern.
"I don't know."
Jimin shrugged, avoiding Jungkook's eyes. It wasn't entirely true. He knew something was wrong-he'd been losing his appetite for weeks now. But he wasn't ready to talk about the real reason, not yet. He hadn't even fully processed it himself.
Jungkook's gaze softened, but his concern only deepened. He reached out to feel Jimin's forehead, his palm resting there for a moment. "Are you sick?"
"No, hyung. I'm fine," Jimin said, gently pulling away. But the truth weighed heavily on his chest.
"You're not fine, Mochi," Jungkook pressed. "You look pale, you've lost weight, and now you're saying you've lost your appetite. This isn't the first time either. Are you hiding something from me?"
Jimin froze, his heart skipping a beat. Of course Jungkook noticed the changes in him-Jungkook always noticed everything about him.
But Jimin couldn't face it yet. He wasn't ready to tell Jungkook about the diagnosis, the doctor's words still ringing in his ears: early-stage cancer... treatable... follow the procedure. He swallowed hard, trying to push the thoughts away.
"Hyung, why don't you trust me?" Jimin said, his voice quieter now. He turned his back to Jungkook, trying to distance himself from the inevitable questions.
Jungkook's heart ached seeing Jimin like this. He immediately wrapped his arms around Jimin from behind, pulling him close and planting a soft kiss on the top of his head. "Baby..."
Jimin didn't respond. Instead, his shoulders began to tremble, and before Jungkook knew it, he felt wet tears soaking through his shirt. He gently turned Jimin around to face him, cradling him against his chest as his little brother sobbed.
"Why are you crying, Mochi?" Jungkook asked, his voice tender as he stroked Jimin's back.
Jimin's sobs only grew harder. Lately, everything seemed to trigger his tears. It was as if all the emotions he'd bottled up were spilling out in uncontrollable waves.
"Are you crying because I didn't believe you?" Jungkook asked softly.
Jimin nodded silently, burying his face deeper into Jungkook's chest.
"I'm sorry, Mochi. I didn't mean to upset you," Jungkook said, pressing another kiss to Jimin's head. "I'm just worried about you. It's not that I don't trust you-I just care so much."
Jungkook began to gently sway their bodies back and forth, a soothing motion that calmed Jimin's trembling. He held him tighter, as if holding all of Jimin's fears and worries in his embrace.
"Will you forgive me?" Jungkook asked, his voice soft and teasing.
Jimin shook his head, pouting slightly. "N-no..."
"Whyyyyy?" Jungkook whined, dragging out the word. "Baby..."
Jimin shook his head again, stubbornly this time, though a hint of a smile crept onto his tear-streaked face.
"Vanilla strawberry cake?" Jungkook offered, raising an eyebrow.
At the mention of cake, Jimin's eyes lit up, and he blinked up at Jungkook cutely. His head nodded eagerly, the sadness from moments ago forgotten.
Jungkook chuckled, wiping away Jimin's remaining tears with his thumbs. Then, with a playful grin, he ruffled Jimin's hair, making his soft locks stick up in all directions.
"Hyung!" Jimin whined, slapping Jungkook's hand away.
Jungkook laughed, a deep, warm sound that filled the room. "Alright, alright. Let's finish up here, and I'll take you to get your cake."
Jimin huffed but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. He sat back at his desk, still sniffling a little, but now there was a warmth in his heart. Even with all the fears he was hiding, he knew one thing for sure-Jungkook was always there for him, no matter what.
And for now, that was enough.
Jungkook leaned back, watching Jimin as he worked. There was a small, contented smile on Jimin's face, and Jungkook's heart swelled with love.
'He's okay,' Jungkook thought, reassured for the moment. And whatever was really going on, he promised himself he'd be there to face it with Jimin-together.
