This begins with a reworking of the Night of the Six Ramens but Jungkook is of age. Dance rehearsal spaces have showers in the bathroom. Everyone has their own bedroom.
Please be aware that this fic contains disordered eating, low self-esteem, heavy drinking, and angsty conversations. Suicide is not directly referenced but it is implied that Jungkook has had suicidal thoughts. Please safeguard yourselves!
ooo
"Jungkook-ah, you did fine," said Hobi, walking over to the younger, who swayed in the middle of the room, panting. Sweat was dripping down the sides of Jungkook's face. He wiped it away with the hem of his shirt, the rest of the boys dispersing to grab a drink and check their phones.
Jungkook wandered around the dance studio aimlessly, hands on his hips. "I feel like I could have done better today," he said quietly to Hobi.
Hobi approached him and cupped his face. "You danced yourself near to death," he said, smiling up at his maknae. "Come on, I am the most critical about our choreography and if I say it's fine then it was fine."
Jungkook looked at Hobi, then averted his gaze again. "You're just saying that cause you love me, hyung."
Hobi cocked his head and looked softly at Jungkook. "And therefore, isn't it my opinion that matters the most?"
Jungkook gulped, pinching the bridge of his nose as Hobi brought him into his embrace, rubbing his palm up Jungkook's spine to soothe him.
"Stop torturing yourself," Hobi said in Jungkook's ear.
Jungkook still said nothing, stepping back out of Hobi's embrace, walking over to his bag to collect his things. Hobi sighed and turned back to the group, talking animatedly as usual, but still aware of Jungkook's mood lingering near him like a black cloud.
Later that night, back at the shared house, Jungkook thought he was going to be sick. Hunched over the kitchen counter, he shovelled in another mouthful of ramen into his puffy cheeks. He chewed and chewed, the ramen going around his mouth like a washing machine. Finally, he swallowed and pushed the empty cup back, sitting back on the stool.
He took deep breathes, feeling accomplished that he had completed his mission, but regretful at the same time at the way his body was feeling. A wave of loathing washed over him as he looked down at where his stomach was distended, pushing against the restraints of his jeans. Before he could think on it further, the kitchen door opened, and in walked Hobi.
"Jungkook-ah," he said, eyeing the six cups that littered the counter. "What are you doing?"
Jungkook felt the tips of his ears turn pink as he bit his lip. "I was hungry, hyung," he muttered.
"You must be really uncomfortable after eating all of that," Hobi replied, walking over to the sofa, and sitting down.
Jungkook nodded, hanging his head.
"Come here," Hobi cooed, coaxing Jungkook with his fingers to where he was sitting. "Come sit with Hobi hyung."
Jungkook inched off the stool, careful not to fold at the waist too much, and gingerly walked over to the sofa. Hobi took his hand and pulled Jungkook onto his lap. Jungkook sat in the space between the arm of the sofa and Hobi's body, nestling down, groaning slightly as his legs lifted, pressing on his stomach.
"Easy," Hobi whispered, pressing Jungkook's legs down by the knees.
Jungkook relaxed as Hobi wound his arm around Jungkook's shoulders, drawing him in under his armpit. Gently, Hobi's hand snaked up Jungkook's shirt, caressing the swell of his stomach. Jungkook breathed out a small sigh, as Hobi began to rub his belly.
"You mustn't do this to yourself, Jungkook-ah," Hobi said quietly, his face close to Jungkook's. "Your body is important. It carries you through each day. You must be thankful for it."
Jungkook said nothing, only hung his head, clearly embarrassed.
"What did you try to achieve?" Hobi asked.
Jungkook gulped. "I don't know, hyung," he said, quietly.
Hobi inhaled deeply, popping the button on Jungkook's jeans, letting his swollen stomach free. "You punish yourself far too much, Jungkook-ah," he whispered, his lips inching closer to Jungkook's cheek, his hand dipping below the waistband of Jungkook's jeans to massage the skin of his stomach beneath it. "You must take care," Hobi went on. "Treat yourself with love."
"I don't know how," Jungkook replied, sadly.
Hobi ran his fingers along the underside of Jungkook's stomach, kneading slightly firmer. Jungkook's face dropped to Hobi's neck, nuzzling the skin there, either out of embarrassment or comfort, Hobi wasn't sure.
"Hobi hyung will show you," he said, pressing his cheek against Jungkook's temple, holding him there, keeping his face safely nestled away. "I'll show you how to love yourself, Kook-ah."
They sat like that for a while, Hobi gently rubbing the skin until Jungkook's discomfort passed. Eventually, Jungkook rolled his head back against the arm of the sofa, looking at Hobi lazily. Hobi dropped his hand from Jungkook's stomach to run his fingers through Jungkook's hair affectionately. Jungkook's eyes closed, and Hobi inched his head forward, pressing his forehead to Jungkook's, gentle breaths tickling each other's lips. Jungkook didn't stir or move away.
Hobi resumed his position, rubbing Jungkook's stomach through his t-shirt, the hard swell of his stomach starting to soften under the heel of Hobi's palm.
"Don't ever do that again," Hobi whispered, both of them inching their heads back, looking Jungkook dead in the eyes. "Kook-ah, your wellbeing is what's most important."
Jungkook nodded with a gulp, understanding his hyung's words. Hobi realised in that moment how Jungkook was looking at him. He couldn't put a word to it, but as soon as the recognition flooded into his mind, Jungkook's lips parted.
After a beat, he inched his head forward and pressed a kiss to Hobi's lips, delicate and sweet. It dawned on Hobi at that moment, as his dongsang was pressing his lips to his, that Jungkook may have never been taught how to take care of himself or love himself in the right way. His heart panged for a moment, thinking that he and the others had failed him in some way.
Jungkook inched back, his cheeks flushed a rosy red. "Is that okay?" he asked, his voice quiet and meek.
"Kissing hyung? Yes, Jungkook-ah," Hobi breathed, inching forward to press his lips to Jungkook's again. "Kissing hyung is more than okay," said Hobi, cupping Jungkook's cheeks. "What do you need? Hm?" he asked, coming to look at Jungkook again. "Let hyung take care of you."
"Will you stay with me, hyung?" Jungkook asked, biting down on his lip. "I don't want to be alone tonight."
"Of course, Kookie," nodded Hobi.
Jungkook nuzzled further down into Hobi's neck, winding his arms around his hyung's neck, burrowing deep. Hobi held Jungkook close, arms wrapped around his waist.
"Come on," Hobi said after a while, a gentle hand against Jungkook's back. "Let's go upstairs."
Jungkook moved from Hobi's lap and padded his way out of the kitchen, up the stairs to his bedroom, feeling Hobi's body move behind him.
Both of them stripped down to their boxers, eyes averted from each other, crawling into Jungkook's bed. Hobi reached out and arranged the duvet over them, so they were both covered, and then nestled against Jungkook's back, his hands cupping the small swell of Jungkook's stomach. He massaged it gently, Jungkook giving out gentle moans of comfort that soon slid into snores, Hobi following soon after.