A Dark Star

Chapter 35

Taehyung's point of view:

Jimin came into the room and just lied down on the bed. I know he must have been sad after hearing about Erica. He looks spent. I look at the door sensing some movement and see noona leaning on it, her arms folded against her chest. She gestures towards him with her eyes.

"Jiminie can I get you anything to make you comfortable?"

"No Tae. I'll be fine. Thank you....for everything I mean"

"Hey it's fine. Even I've stayed over at yours so many times..." I trail off when noona clears her throat looking at him.

"I mean for being there for me"

"Its fine, Jimin. Take care of yourself" noona speaks up. Jimin nods.

"I'll bring you dinner"

"No. I'm not so hungry. Thanks" I am about to object but noona stops me with a shake of her head, gesturing me to go out. I step out of the room soon after noona leaves.

"Close the door behind you, please. I'm going to sleep early" comes the voice from behind me.

"Sure. Night"

"Night, Tae" his voice is weak when the light shuts off in the room.

I walk downstairs. Noona is sitting curled up on her chair, her phone in hand.

"Why did you not let me force him to eat? It's not healthy for him" my voice slightly raised. I could see mom and dad trying to step in to calm me but noona shakes her head to them. They head to their bedroom, retiring for the day.

"How would you feel if you're the one in place of him? How would you feel if it was someone else who forces you to do something that you don't like when I'm lying on the hospital bed, fighting for my life? Would you like that?" I look down at my feet, shaking my head.

"Come here, Tae. You know I'm not mad at you. Just let him be for a while. He needs some lone time" I immediately take over the offer, nodding in her shoulder once I'm comfortable.

"You really should stop going to the gym with Jungkook. You've grown so heavy and all muscly. I'm crushed, get off me" she breaks the silence, pushing me off of her.

"I'm just worried about him. I didn't mean to shout at you, sorry"

"It's okay Tae. I know"

"I'm going to sleep" she nods, picking up her phone again.

"Who're you texting?"

"Hoseok. He's worried about you and Jimin"

"And you" I add, my lips curving up into a smirk.

"Shut up and go to sleep kid"

"Ouch. I'm not a kid anymore"

"Yeah. You're a grown up panda" she says, squishing my cheeks together.

"Oof" I huff out, finally succeeding in wriggling out of her grip, heading to my bedroom.

"Good night" she calls out.

"Good night Bambi" I respond back and see her shaking her head.

I can hear sniffles and sobs as I pass by the guest room. My heart clenches at hearing his broken sobs and muffled whimpers. I want to go in and comfort him but noona is right. He needs to get this out. I don't think he would welcome me inside, he would probably shut me out. I continue on my way, falling in a dreamless sleep.

I wake up in the morning, going to check on Jimin first thing after getting refreshed. He is lying awake on his bed, staring at the ceiling blankly, eyes puffy, nose and cheeks red. I knock on the door.