Eerie music built ominously in the background, and Jin readied himself for-
The grotesque mutated beast bled from the shadows behind 'blond, buxom and stupid' and roared, saliva dripping from its fangs as it lumbered toward its victim.
Beside him, Hobi shrieked and upended his bowl of popcorn.
Jin sighed and began to brush the kernels from his lap, before fishing for one of the prickly menaces that had somehow found its way into his pajama top.
Across the room, Jungkook exploded with laughter, and Jin looked up to find the maknae perched on the arm of the opposite sofa, cell phone held aloft to capture his poor hyung's terror induced shrieking and subsequent popcorn explosion.
Jin doubted it would be very clear footage given how Jungkook was near convulsing with unrestrained mirth, but this thought either didn't occur to Hoseok, or he just wasn't particularly comforted by it, if the way he was huffing maligned complaints under his breath as he swept up the spilled snack was any indication.
Jin prepared himself to mediate the attempted retaliation; Kookie might have brought whatever vengeance Hoseok deemed suitable on his foolish self, but Jin wasn't in the mood to deal with tears if a stray elbow happened to find an eye in the battle for supremacy. He relaxed though when Hoseok seemed to resign himself to just glaring at the little monster.
Jin hadn't been too concerned (they were talking about sunshine Hobi), but their fractious maknae had already required 'saving' from revenge-seeking hyungs twice, and they weren't even an hour into the movie.
The volley of popcorn sailed across his vision in the maknaes direction, scoring a perfect hit as they showered down around the youngest. Jungkook of course, somehow managed to catch not one, but two kernels in his mouth which only prompted him to louder braying.
Because everything was apparently hilarious. Jin snorted, because picking popcorn kernels out of carpet is so hilarious. Not. "Yah! I vacuumed yesterday, enough with the popcorn-" Jin scolded, dropping his gaze to the-
Popcorn strewn floor. The fluffy kernels dotted the carpet liberally at their feet, appearing to spread as far as the corridor that lead to the kitchen and out into the open foyer.
"Never mind," he sighed; sometimes being the mom sucked.
At least Hoseok had the good grace to look apologetic as he replied, "Sorry hyung- I'll clean it up." which was fair enough; the dancer was undoubtedly responsible for the majority of the mess.
Although Jin was very tempted to assign the task to the hyena who was still giggling where he'd flopped over to sprawl across his other (oh so helpful) hyungs.
By other hyungs, Jin meant the ones with any preteens of actual consistent authority. I.e., Not Sunshine, ChimChim or Taeflower; all 99% pushover when it came to one Jeon Jungkook.
Not that Jin was much better most of the time, like now. He was unable to help the ridiculous smile that stretched across his face as he watched Jungkook full-body-wriggle his way to being stretched out fully, punting his way over Yoongi's lap, ignorant of any protests. (How Yoongi could think the maknae line took him seriously at all, when he grumbled with such indulgence, Jin did not know.) Finally succeeding in his goal; head propped up on his elbow in Namjoon' lap, torso sprawled across Yoongi and his legs dangling over the arm of the couch, Jungkook wiggled a little more. Just out of spite, Jin was sure.
And then Yoongi groused, "Aish, have you got worms or something!?" and shoved the boy off his drawn-up arm. Jungkook slumped down with a startled yelp, cut off by Namjoon bringing his open book down to cover his face.
Retribution was sweet, Jin thought, turning back to the movie.
It was some new supernatural horror flick that Jungkook and Tae had desperately wanted to watch. Really. So damn excited. Their enthusiasm and eagerness had been equal parts scary and adorable. The two had been begging and dropping (not at all subtle) hints. Half planning evenings when they thought that just maybe everyone might not be too busy or exhausted to gather up that had inevitably all fallen through because everyone had been too busy or exhausted to do anything other than eat and sleep during their 'free' (ha!) time.
The fact that Jin knew that most of their eagerness was really about the 'all gather up' thing, the (godawful) B-grade werewolf slasher flick only a legitimate excuse for such, made their efforts only 10000% times more endearing. It was also why Jin had suggested they use one of their precious free evenings (one of only two!) to watch the grisly 'blood and claws' fest that about 70% of their group couldn't care less about.
Not that it was any particular hardship; spending a couple of hours relaxing, while watching his dongsaengs enjoy themselves. And each other. Jin wasn't going to lie; seeing the way Jimin was practically Hoseok's shadow, melded to his side on the couch (and really; who thought it was a clever idea for those two to sit together during a horror movie?). And how Namjoon's fingers would card into Tae's hair on their way to the popcorn bowl (Jin shuddered just a little, for Tae's freshly washed hair, but Taehyung didn't seem to mind).
Jin knew his heart was more than a little soft for these idiots. And he didn't particularly see a problem with this; regardless of having to watch terrible horror movies as a consequence.
It wasn't that Jin disliked horror movies per se, it was just that he didn't like them. Most of the time he could find something redeeming in the quality or content of the show to justify sitting through it. The real entertainment, Jin had discovered, was to be found by watching the watchers.
Or those not watching, in Namjoon's case. Their leader wasn't a fan of most of what the horror movie genre had to offer, finding the scares and gore to be stereotypical and too overdone to be truly effective. Only on the rare occasion that something they were watching broke away from the mold, would Namjoon put down whatever book he was devouring in favor of the on-screen entertainment. For the most part though, Joon didn't join them so much to watch as just to enjoy the company (or the comedy that usually ensued most nights). Something Jin was also soft about.
Jin glanced at tonight's chosen tome of literature. (Or it could just be Twilight. Joon was a bit of a non-discriminative sponge when it came to anything in novel format. He'd scathingly dismantled Fifty Shades, but the point was that he'd read it.) Whatever it was, it was something thick enough that the spine was leaving an indent on Kookie's cheek now that Namjoon had pinned him down long enough to use and abuse him.
The little devil deserved it, Jin thought, watching as Kookie surreptitiously (or so he thought) filled one of the leaders abandoned slippers with popcorn kernels. Jin thought about warning Namjoon, but he just looked so engrossed with his book (and just maybe the origin of a little of Kookie's mischievousness wasn't exactly a mystery).
The maknaes wriggling efforts to scrounge kernels from the floor must have finally triggered Min-Yoongi if the fingers he dug into Jungkook's ribs (sending the slipper flying toward the kitchen, Jin noticed) were any indication.
The resulting hiccupping giggles were much less controlled as Kookie gleefully begged for mercy (likely hoping he wouldn't get it quite yet, enjoying Yoongi's undivided attention). Although how the resulting squirming and struggling was supposed to be any better, Jin didn't know. (He suspected Yoongi relished the playfulness just as much. If grudgingly).
Min Yoongi didn't so much enjoy their horror movie nights as he enjoyed being present to mock and scathingly commentate the unrealistic and usually quite ridiculous plot elements that were present throughout the majority of films the youngest two chose on a regular occurrence. It was wickedly funny for the most part. Unless Jin happened to be actually enjoying the movie, in which case Yoongi became 'that friend.' Jin usually discouraged him from talking. By feeding him. Or sicking the maknaes on him. Whatever was easiest.
In absolute worst instances, when nothing seemed to work, Jin would move from preventive measures to retribution, and manipulate the seating arrangements, so Hoseok was sitting beside him.
Hoseok hated horror movies. With a passion rivaling Yoongi's love of sleep.
Not that any of them particularly cared. Hoseok being reluctant to do something scary wasn't exactly a new experience. The fact that Jin let Tae and Kookie make Jimin guilt-trip the older into joining them for every horror movie session was something Jin was both a little ashamed of and brazenly unapologetic about.
Jin wasn't too worried.
(He'd point blank asked Hoseok once, years ago, if he'd prefer they not watch horror movies at all on movie nights. (He'd never suggest Hoseok just not come when they watched something scary. Jin was a good hyung). Hobi had, as always, impressed Jin with his – well, his heart. "It's okay Hyung. Tae and Kookie adore scary movies, and they like it when I'm there, so I don't mind. And Jiminie…"
Hoseok had trailed off, but Jin had understood what he'd meant.
Jimin (with all his manipulative wiles- so like, none) would typically wrap himself around Hoseok and beg him to stay and watch the movie, so he wasn't the only one scared. The fact that it was the truth was why it worked every time.
Tonight, for example, Jimin was still plastered down Hobi's far side; Jin could just make out the top of his messy pink hair where he was curled in against Hoseok's chest.
Jimin thought he liked scary movies. No one else was fooled. Jiminie would spend 90% of the movie watching between his fingers, and when confronted with a scene that might actually be considered frightening, he'd bury his entire face in the nearest pillow, blanket or person.
No one pressed him on the matter because, in all honesty, it was pretty freaking cute.
As if timed by Jin's attention, Jimin suddenly squeaked with fright at the sudden revelation of one of the characters gorily mutilated body on screen, tugging on the corner of the pillow Hoseok was using to shield his eyes until the older loosened his white-knuckled grasp and allowed him to share.
Jungkook giggled again, pulling the edges of Namjoon's book down backward to cover his face, unsuccessfully muffling his laughter and completely insincere apologies in response to Jimin's fiery glare.
Namjoon tugged the book free before gently thwapping Kookie on the head with it, scolding lightly "Stop that, you brat. Annoy TaeTae or something-"
Jin felt his pulse jump, and was quick to interrupt, "No. Leave Taehyung alone; he's busy enjoying the movie and behaving himself-" He pointedly tried to clue Namjoon into the possibly chaotic potential of his ill-considered suggestion.
Overexcited Kookie was enough by himself; adding a knowingly encouraged Taehyung to the mix was like- hugging a barrel of dynamite and asking someone to light the fuse.
Namjoon was seemingly too absorbed in whatever drama was unfolding in his novel to appreciate the chaos he'd potentially instigated in their living room.
Jin didn't want to be dealing with calls from neighbors at 2 am about hooligans in the hallways again.
'Tae-Guk.'
They even had a name for the entity that replaced Tae and Kookie on occasions such as this. The two-bodied fiend could possess the youngest pair for hours; their energy and natural high feeding each other until they inevitably crashed.
It was never pretty. Seriously. The last time this had happened (The energy drink debacle) Jin had chased them back to bed six times in one night. Twice from on the fire escape, once from halfway up the corridor hallway (Jin meant up, as in vertically having been climbing up the corridor walls), from under the kitchen table not ten minutes later, and three times from Yoongi's room (where they'd discover the next morning that the pair had been tying all Yoongi's shoe's laces in strange and intricate knots).
Something that Yoongi apparently remembered as well (it had taken nearly an hour to untie all the shoes); his godsend of an eldest dongsaeng immediately starting damage control, asking "Actually, Kook-ah, do you mind getting some more drinks? I've finished mine, and so has Jin-hyung."
Jin hadn't finished his drink, but removing Taehyung from the sight of his mischievous dongsaeng for a few minutes seemed worth the small white lie.
Kookie, of course, being the darling that he was, immediately nodded his agreement, rolling off the couch to flop on the carpet on all fours, smoothly loping away into the darkened hallway toward the kitchen.
Jin's gaze flickered to Taehyung to confirm that the potential crisis had been successfully diverted from all imaginable directions. He needn't have worried on that front, Tae was in the exact same position he'd been in from the outset of the evening. That is, sprawled on his stomach, chest down disappearing beneath Namjoon and Yoongi's couch. Why he was lying like that, Jin had no idea, but he'd found it best not to ask sometimes. (Jin had also vacuumed under there last week, so he wasn't unduly worried about dust mites eating his second youngest alive).
Taehyung had somehow managed to manipulate Namjoon's legs as the leader had sat earlier, so that one was behind his head, (Tae using his foot as a pillow), the other Taehyung had tugged to his chest, hugging it with one arm.
It was so very, very odd. And so very Taehyung. Jin had been trying to avoid looking at him too much because it made him ridiculously indulgent, and a little sappy.
Jimin had taken photos. Jin needed one of those.
Jin also hoped Namjoon didn't need a bathroom break before the movie was over because he likely wasn't going anywhere. Taehyung was so engrossed in the movie that Jin doubted the younger was aware of anything that had transpired in the past hour.
Tae adored horror movies. The spine-tingling fear; the jump scares that left him breathless; the suspense and build of anxiety as the story unfolded- he loved the thrill of the fright.
But only monster movies; things with absolutely no basis in reality.
As a rule, Bangtan never watched reality-based horror flicks at movie night. (Tae had woken terrified and in tears from vicious nightmares for weeks after watching Wolf Creek, and again after his seat-neighbor on a flight had been watching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.)
Jin knew though that at least Kookie often watched and enjoyed all manner of the genre on his laptop during lazy nights when they all turned in early and did their own thing.
Jungkook was their resident horror movie buff (and movie buff in general); he didn't scare easily (Jin could only think of one or two very well-done horrors that had even Jungkook sitting tensely with anticipation of the next jump or twist in the story). He seemed to just find them hilarious for the most part (or maybe he just found Jimin and Hobi hilarious?).
Which, okay, Jin could see the appeal-
Jimin suddenly squealed piercingly, startling everyone (because nothing even remotely scary was happening on the screen), but most noticeably scaring Hobi. (And there went more popcorn. Jin sighed). Jimin shot to his feet, hands up warningly as he panted, eyes wide with fright as he whirled to face the back of the room-
Kookie was doubled over hysterically laughing as he gestured to Jimin and mimicked the sudden shriek of fright, "You- you should have to see how high you jumped! Ha- I barely even touched you!"
Jimin wrapped his arms around his shoulders, hands covering his neck protectively (the targeted area, Jin surmised) as he stared at Jungkook with betrayal. Jin caught the dancer around the waist just as he attempted to launch himself over the back of the couch. (Sure recipe for an elbow in an eye).
Dumping Jimin back into Hoseok's lap, Jin rounded on Jungkook- who was nowhere to be seen.
Jin could still hear him, though.
Kneeling up on the couch, he leaned forward and peered over the backrest to the darkness of the shadowed floor, where Jungkook had slumped bonelessly, his laughter muffled by the way he'd smooshed his face into the carpet.
Jin was tempted to leave him there to die of asphyxiation, but he didn't want to deal with the clean-up. Rounding the couch, he dragged Jungkook to his knees, unable to stop a grin from breaking free when Kookies' arms immediately wrapped around his waist, swaying where he knelt with the force of his uncontrollable giggles.
"I think someone has had enough sugar," Jin remarked, pulling Kookie all the way to his feet, attempting to maneuver him across the room, back to his chosen spot by Yoongi and Namjoon.
Jungkook instead sunk to the floor beside Taehyung, sprawling out and wrapping his arms around Taehyung's chest, burying his face against the others shoulder. Still giggling.
More than enough sugar.
Jin sighed, his mind fleetingly recounting his worry of earlier (Jin suppressed a shudder. Tae-Guk.) but then - Tae hadn't even dragged his gaze from the tv, his hand seemingly automatically coming up to pat Jungkook's cheek as he shushed him.
He left them to it.
Jin sank back down onto the couch and glanced at the screen. He realized he had no idea what was happening in the movie. Had no idea what the plot even was.
He sighed. Oh well, his monsters were more fun to watch anyway.
Especially considering the movie ended, quite literally, ten seconds later, with a massive plot twist when the monster suddenly appeared and massacred everyone, the screen going black on a visage of gore and shock.
Jimin screamed. Hobi screamed. Taehyung clapped delightedly (Jin worried about that kid sometimes) and Jungkook of course, cracked back up, rolling onto his back to mimic Hoseok's high pitched yelp and flailing hands.
"What the hell? Seriously, though - what the hell do you call that!? Did they run out of money and were just like- let's just end it. Kill everyone. What bullshit!" Yoongi groused, and Jin couldn't help but agree, it was a pretty shitty move, but as far as shock value went, it had probably done what was intended.
Namely, delight Tae, offend Yoongi and scare the living daylights out of Hoseok and Jimin. Namjoon seemed indifferent to the whole situation, engrossed in the last few pages of his book.
Jin got up to flick on the lights, "Okay, okay - I'm going to make everyone hot chocolate before bed. Hobi, I want every piece of popcorn off this floor before you come to the kitchen for yours."
Jungkook crowed mockingly as Hobi nodded with resignation and Namjoon finally dropped his book to the couch to do leaderly things (where had he been for the past hour and ten minutes, Jin wondered). "And you can help him Kookie," Namjoon ordered, amused, but not joking.
Jungkook's gaze dropped to the liberally strewn floor with disbelief, and he whined, looking at Namjoon beseechingly. And then when Namjoon proved stronger than expected against the puppy-eyes his liquid pleading gaze swiveled to Jin.
Jin had no pity. "Hop to it, bunny. You're at least 70% responsible for the mess anyway- scaring poor Hope- "
Jungkook grinned with reminiscent glee, the little shit, and Jin was glad he hadn't wavered in the face of such duplicity. "But it's not my fault he such a fraidy cat - I didn't-"
"Hot chocolate?" Jin reminded, and Kookie shut up, knelt down and began to sweep the white puffs into a small pile.
Jin rinsed his mug briefly and dropped it gently into the sink for their morning dishwasher load, before sighing and proceeding to rinse Yoongi's. And Taehyung's. Jimin materialized at his shoulder and beamed an innocent grin at him. Jin took his mug and rinsed that as well.
Namjoon's arm snaked over his other shoulder, dripping his own mug beneath the running water and then dropping it into the sink with an only slightly ominous thud, calling over his shoulder as he left the room "Goodnight, hyung."
"Namjoon-hyung, wait! I'm going with you! Night, Jin-hyung!" Jimin called, hurrying across the room to get to Namjoon's side. Not that there was any need to worry, the rapper was waiting patiently. Jimin had already called dibs on hijacking their leader's bed for the night, not at all keen on sleeping alone after the gore and fright festival he'd just sat through.
"Night Joon-ah, Jiminie- sweet dreams" Jin replied, before turning back to the table, where only Jungkook and Hobi remained to cradle their hot drinks, although as he watched, Hoseok drained the last of his.
"Thanks, Jin-hyung. Night night, Kook-ah, thank you for your help with the popcorn. I'm off to steal me a Tae-bear." Hoseok rinsed his mug, effusing natural sunshine as he left.
And then it was just Jungkook at the table, slowly savoring his hot chocolate, sip by sip. Jin smiled gently, moving back to the table and flopping down in the closest chair, "How's that chocolate, Kookie?"
Jungkook beamed at him, ignoring the froth and chocolate decorating his upper lips as he replied, "The best, hyung. Like always. "
"Naturally" Jin deadpanned and winked at Jungkook's answering huff of laughter. Noticing that the younger was basically just licking the foam from the lip of the empty cup, Jin got back to his feet, pulling Kookie up after him, "Come onbrat, rinse your cup, then to bed with you."
Jungkook curled his toes against the coolness of his sheets, waiting for them to warm with his body heat, the soft plumpness of his pillow more than enough distraction from the chill that bit at his skin after stripping off his dressing gown and slippers.
He yawned tiredly, Jin's hot chocolate having done wonders at soothing his hyper mood into the gentle lull that spoke of approaching drowsiness (likely Jin's exact intention).
He licked his lips, the taste of creamy chocolate still lingering, despite having brushed his teeth. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking.
The screen of his phone dimmed in his hand from lack of attention, and he yawned again, turning slightly on his side to fumble for his charger cable where it dangled beside his bed. The soft ding that informed him of the receiving charge sounded and his thumb found the screen lock button, plunging the room into smooth darkness.
Carefully balancing the phone on the little gap between his mattress and the bed frame (for easy access if needed during the night) Jungkook folded his arms beneath his head and lay back again, staring up at inky nothingness.
Tae's old-fashioned analog bedside clock ticked its lonely beat into the silence, the tiny noise seeming amplified, echoing hollowly throughout the room.
It was too quiet without Jimin's gentle puffs of breath, or the rustle of bedsheets as Taehyung moved about restlessly, trying to get comfortable. Jimin had absconded off to Namjoon and Jin's room, and Hobi had stolen Tae away to his and Yoongi's, neither one comfortable sleeping alone, while still plagued with thoughts and fresh fright from the horror movie.
Jungkook wished at least one of them had stayed.
Not that he was scared or anything.
Somewhere outside, an indecipherable distance away, a dog barked, and Jungkook startled when the wind suddenly picked up, gusts coming out of nowhere, howling down the narrow gap at the rear of the apartment.
Pulling his arms from behind his head, Kookie rubbed them slightly before tugging them beneath the covers to curl around himself.
It was just the unpredictable early winter wind, he told himself, grinning at his sudden unease.
The loose window frame rattled slightly.
"Just the wind" he muttered, ignoring the prickle of unease that crawled down his spine, "Just go to sleep."
He shut his eyes, curling in tighter around the pillow half clutched in his arms. A rustle and something moved, a slight weight thumping against his hip and dragging up and over his blanket covered side.
He threw himself upright, a gasp of fear escaping his lips as he scrabbled for his phone- dim light illuminating the room as he swiveled on his knees. Nothing in his bedroom should be moving.
The curtain puffed out with the soft surge of fabric, the little weight on the end of the tie-back cord dragging across the bedspread.
Kookie broke into slightly anxious titters, quickly leaning over to shut the tiny gap in the window, stopping the draft of air from disturbing the curtains.
He sat back on his heels, staring at the half-parted curtains, before reaching out and tugging them closed with finality. He didn't want to think about someone being able to see into his room while he slept.
Common sense said that whoever had shut the window last time just hadn't been vigilant enough in checking that it was all the way closed. Probably Taehyung; running late to whatever schedule they were supposed to be at 10 minutes ago.
That didn't stop the shiver of unease setting goosebumps upon the bare skin of his arms, and Kookie curled back into the inviting warmth of his blankets, room going dark as his phone dropped back into hibernation.
He took a deep, calming breath. He was fine. The surprise of something moving in the dark had just startled him. He was fine.
Just above his head, something scraped on the glass of the window, and Jungkook froze-
"It's just the tree. It's just a branch of the tree in the wind-"
It sounded like an old bicycle with spokes that squealed at each press of the pedal. Or claws on glass.
The scraping continued, and Jungkook pressed his hands over his ears, trying to block it out- what if something was out there and they opened the window again, and he didn't hear because-
Jungkook's hands flew to clench in his covers, and he held himself rigid. He wanted Jin-hyung.
"You're being stupid. You're not Hobi or Jimin. You're not afraid. You're not. It's just the wind. You know it's just the wind-"
The window frame rattled again. Violently.
Jungkook choked on the gasp of breath he'd been holding, and lunged for his phone again, needing to see what he already knew. That nothing was there, and he was being an idiot-
The familiarity of the cold glass and metal beneath his fingers and the reassurance of light in the next instant calmed him slightly, and Jungkook's thumb swept over the home button- the screen illuminating-
For 2.6 seconds before the phone went black, the battery dead flat, leaving behind only the flash of shadows and darkness in his visual memory, sinister coiling shapes splashed over walls in inky grey.
He didn't care how stupid he'd look. How much Hobi and Jimin would tease him- He needed Jin.
"There's no one in your room. There is no one in your room. There is no one-"
He repeated the mantra, forcing himself to move, to slide his feet toward the edge and over the abyss of monsters that lay below-
A solid thump sounded as something heavy hit the floor at the end of his bed, and a scuffling scratching noise followed, creeping underneath the bed, drawing closer to the top-
Jin poked at his reflection in the mirror, grinning at his stupid smile (was he really smiling because he was smiling? What even? He needed sleep.) before turning on the tap and washing his hands.
He left the light on as he pulled the bathroom door closed behind him, leaving only a sliver of glowing light to beckon any wayward dongsaengs making a midnight bladder run (that one-time Namjoon had tripped down the stairs in the darkness was one time too many as far as Jin was concerned).
An ill-timed alert from his own bladder was the reason for Jin's current night-time wanderings; he'd just settled down, blankets snug and pillows perfectly positioned when he'd realized that his hot chocolate must have taken the express through his system.
But no matter, he was now relieved and on his way back to his warm bed.
Tiptoeing down the hallway (figuratively- no one in this house would wake from his mere footsteps) Jin started to push his bedroom door open when he heard a distinct thud from the room next door-
The maknae line's room-
It wasn't odd, precisely, for it to sound like the apocalypse might be beginning next door, but it was nearing 10 pm, and the only one who should be in there tonight was Jungkook.
It never hurt to check.
Going past his own room, Jin wandered the few more steps up the hall and gently rapped on the closed door, calling softly "Kook-ah? Are you awake?"
There was no answer, and Jin shrugged, turning to head back to his own bed when some indescribable sound caught his ear. A high pitched whistling sound, barely discernible from the hall.
Curiosity piqued, Jin pushed the door open-
The noise jumped several decibels, and Jin winced, realizing that it was the wind - howling and screeching outside the window. Jin had never heard it do that before; it must be coming from an extremely atypical direction.
Jin wouldn't have been able to sleep with such a cacophony, and he wondered why Jungkook hadn't come to tell them that his room sounded like an airport landing strip. But then, Jungkook was notorious for his ability to sleep through just about anything, and the pitch black room implied a dead to the world maknae.
Shaking his head, Jin started to back out of the room.
He wasn't sure if it was the slight change of the angle of his body, or perhaps a draft opened the bathroom door slightly more down the hall- but in that instant a beam of hazy light illuminated the few inches to Jin's right, creeping across the floor into the maknaes room.
Jin glanced at the bed, hoping to see a tuft of hair or the curve of a cheek-
Jungkook wasn't visible at all, his entire body cocooned in his blanket, pulled up over his head. Much more worryingly, he was sitting upright in the center of the bed, and the entire mess of fabric was trembling violently.
"Kookie!? Jungkook-ah!" Jin hit the room light, washing every tendril and shadow of darkness away with stark reality. He dashed across the room, his knees hitting the floor beside the bed before he even registered moving-
He tugged on the blankets, and even over the howl of the wind, Jin heard Jungkook scream.
"Kook-ah! Kookie, baby?! It's just hyung- it's me- " Jin tried to reassure, to question, but Jungkook fought against him, holding fast to his fabric barrier, and Jin had to get him -
He managed to work a hand under the blanket, set it firm against Jungkook's chest, and not denying his strength, he yanked-
The blanket ripped free of Jungkook's hold, and Jin dropped it-
Jungkook froze at the sudden light, staring up with an indecipherable expression. And then he burst into tears, and Jin suddenly found himself with an armful of upset dongsaeng.
"Hey- shh, baby. You're alright-" Jin soothed, trying to work out what was going on- a nightmare? It would be unusual, but not completely out of the realms of possibility, although Jin doubted that the younger had even had enough to time fall into proper sleep.
It took a few moments of nonsensical murmuring for Jin to realize that Kookie probably couldn't even hear what he was saying, the wind so ridiculously piercing. It didn't seem to matter though; perhaps it was the rumble of his chest or the timbre of what Kookie could hear, maybe the hand sweeping up and down his back-but the younger took a few deep, steadying breaths and curled in tighter.
Jin needed to talk to him though, and he obviously couldn't with the wind howling like that. Which it definitely shouldn't be.
Maybe there was a crack in the wall or a small hole near the ceiling; the wind seemed to be channeling through something, bottlenecking to make that awful piercing ringing sound.
Jin glanced at the window. Hmm. That would be the simplest explanation and the easiest fix. His gaze darted down to Jungkook again. The maknae was very still, and it made the slight tremble easy to discern, especially in the one hand he had clench around Jin's wrist. The other was fisted in Jin's nightshirt, Kookie's arm wrapped around him as he pressed in close, face hidden against damp cotton.
There was no way Kookie was ready for Jin to let go long enough to look at the window, but maybe if he-
Moving slowly, with sure, calm moves, Jin maneuvered them, so Kookie was on the bed beside him rather than in his lap. Keeping one arm around Kookie's shoulders, he twisted slightly, and Kookie immediately wrapped both arms around his waist, sliding down a little to press his face against Jin's stomach rather than his chest.
Perfect.
Jin used his extra reach to kneel up slightly, one hand carding through Jungkook's hair as the other pushed the curtains aside and-
Deftly slid the window fully closed.
The noise abruptly cut back to a manageable level, and Jin sighed with relief; glad to be able to hear himself think. Collapsing back onto the bed beside Jungkook, Jin swept him back onto a proper cuddle, speaking now that he knew Jungkook could hear him, "Are you okay, baby? What's wrong? What happened?"
It was late, and neither he nor Kookie were the type to beat around the bush.
To his surprise though, Jungkook groaned theatrically and buried his face in the pillow tucked between them, butting his head gently against Jin's stomach as he whined, "Uh…Nothing?" It was said in his most hopeful tone, like he was sure Jin wouldn't just accept it, but dammed if he wasn't going to try anyway.
Jin didn't accept it. He was very, very glad that whatever had happened, whatever had frightened the younger to tears seemed to have been alleviated so quickly; that Jungkook biggest concern now seemed to be his blossoming embarrassment, but Jin wasn't accepting it. "Uh huh. Wanna try that again?"
Jin quite clearly felt Jungkook physically gathering himself, and heard the muttered: "Just kill me now." And felt the last of his own panic seep away into a lingering need to hug, which he easily indulged.
It seemed that the embarrassment wasn't exactly blossoming, but rather running at full tilt. But Jin could deal with an embarrassed Jungkook. He actually found it quite funny on occasion (depending on the type of embarrassment and the cause). Much, much better than a crying, fearful Jungkook.
"Kook-ah?" Jin questioned, tugging gently at the dark locks of hair.
Obviously hearing something in Jin's voice, the maknae slowly pulled the pillow down slightly, so his eyes were visible over pink flushed cheekbones-
Jungkook did not handle perceived weakness or lack of independence well, by anyone's definition, but he usually accepted comfort gracefully.
His eyes were pleading as he peered up at Jin over the soft blue cotton, voice muffled by the pillow as he spoke, "Any chance you could just- forget anything even happened, hyung?" he all but begged.
Jin felt his heart constrict; damn this kid for being so adorable.
Instead of having to answer, Jin raised the silent eyebrow of 'What do you think?'.
Jungkook crumpled; his blush burning brighter as he bit out a very disjointed explanation that included bicycles, something scraping on his window and monsters under the bed.
Jin had tried his best not to laugh.
Honestly, he had - Jungkook had been legitimately terrified, and Jin was not a fan of that at all...but it was just so- ridiculously unlike his golden maknae that Jin couldn't help it-
"Hyyyunng!" Kookie whined, and Jin sniggered again, but Jungkook was giggling too (much how Jin preferred him) so he figured it was okay.
He pressed a kiss to blanket ruffled hair, apologizing "I'm sorry, baby. Really - I'm sorry you got yourself all worked up. It's easy to scare yourself silly when your mind refuses to listen to simple logic. It's just so unlike you-"
"I knoow-" the younger moaned, smooshing his face into Jin's chest- "I told myself I was being stupid, but I just- ."
Jungkook trailed off, blushing again and Jin couldn't help but press his cool fingers to the pink flushed skin, flaming beneath his fingers as he cooed, "Aigoo, my Jungkookie is so embarrassed. It's okay, baby. It happens to nearly everyone" Jin leaned in close as if sharing a special secret, voice lowering, "Just last week Yoongi-ah scared himself silly walking home from the studio late. He nearly ran the last two blocks he was so creeped out."
Yoongi probably wouldn't appreciate Jin ratting him out, but the way Kookie brightened slightly as if his tough Yoongi- hyung having also been afraid made it all somehow okay, was frankly the sweetest thing ever.
If Yoongi were too pissed, Jin would just tell him about his dongsaeng's adorable reaction.
"Yoongi-hyung?" Jungkook breathed as if just to check they were talking about the same person.
Adorable.
"Yoongi-hyung," Jin confirmed, covering a yawn with one hand as he dragged the blanket up to tuck around Jungkook's shoulders.
Visibly steeling himself, nodding firmly as he pulled back, Jungkook reached for his pillow, "I'm okay now, hyung- thankyou. You should go back to bed."
Jin squeezed tighter once more before pulling back slightly to look down with searching eyes, "Are you sure? You can come to my room if you want-"
Kookie looked hesitant for a moment, clearly wavering, before he made up his mind, answering, "No thank you, hyung. I'm not scared anymore- my brain was just being silly. I'll stay here- Namjoon-hyung snores. "
Which was very true. And Kookie knew he always had an open invitation to any of his hyungs attention whenever he needed it. In the past, Jin might have worried that his youngest dongsaeng would be reluctant to cause anyone else any discomfort, at the expanse of his own happiness and health.
Now though, Jin was confident that Kookie was sure enough of their affection and love for him that he knew they'd be more upset if he didn't come to them should he need them.
It still didn't hurt to remind him gently though, now and then, "Remember you can come to me anytime. For anything. Even if you're just scared because your-" Jin glanced down to where the maknaes mostly full water bottle (that Jin had left on the bottom of the bed earlier) was peeking out from under the bed between their feet, continuing "-water bottle falls of and rolls under your bed and your brain turns it into a monster-"
"Hyuuung" Kookie whined again, shoving at Jin's arm, and Jin knows his work here is done.
Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to Kookies tousled hair, ruffling as he stood again, tugging at the blankets that were askew, straightening them to cover the maknae as he spoke, "Okay, okay- No more teasing. I promise. Gets some sleep, baby. " Jungkook nodded, eyes already starting to droop sleepily, and Jin was glad that the adrenaline rush of earlier hadn't lasted too long.
He paused at the door turning back to check, "Light on or off, Kook-ah?" He had to smile when Kookie just looked at him weirdly, something very akin to 'I'm going to sleep, hyung. Duh.' Jin sniggered, replying to the unspoken answer, "Off it is" and he hit the switch, plunging the room back into darkness.
"All good?" Jin checked, unable to see.
Kookie answered immediately, "I'm fine, hyung. Good night, hyung."
"Night Kook-ah. Don't let the bedbugs-" Jin replied.
"Hyung. Please." Kookies voice was dry and unimpressed, although Jin could hear the smile.
"Sorry baby. Couldn't resist. Love y- oh. I forgot to tell you- your window was open a bit. That's why the wind was so loud when I came in- I closed it for you, but please remember and remind Jiminie and TaeT-"
"H-Hyung-"
It was quite startling how the word that Kookie had used so many times in the last sixty seconds could sound so different.
Fear. Bubbling and rising and threating to explode again.
Jin's hand smashed at the switch, and he was halfway across the room before the light bathed across them.
Kookie was still curled up where Jin had tucked him in only minutes ago; on his side facing the door, blanket burritoed around him, only his face peeking out.
His face seemed to have gone ghastly white in seconds, all color draining away, leaving only his lips and eyes as splashes of vibrancy.
"Kookie, baby? What is it? Kook-ah?" Jin sunk down onto the edge of the bed, reaching out. As if the sudden return of light and Jin's voice mingled was enough to unparalysed him, Jungkook sat up very slowly.
"Hyung. I already closed the window tonight." He breathed, and he sounded so completely, honestly, terrified that Jin immediately opened his arms, dragging Kookie closer when he collapsed willingly into the offered hug.
Jin glanced at the window and noted that Kookie very studiously kept his gaze forward. If Jin had known that his words, his very gentle reminder, was going to have that kind of effect, he wouldn't have bothered.
"Are you sure, baby? Maybe you didn't-" Jin started, but Kookie cut him off, voice adamant "I'm sure. I'm Sure. Someone opened the-.'
Okay. Okay. This wouldn't do at all.
"Jungkook. Sweetheart. We're on the second floor. It was the wind. The latch is probably broken or loose, and it was the wind. I promise." Jin reassured, already able to tell by Jungkook's eyes that the younger wasn't overly convinced.
But he tried. "I'm being silly again, aren't I.?" he whispered, loosening his hold on Jin slightly. Jin tightened it again for him, replying, "Yeah, a little. But that's okay. How about we get out of here? We can have Yoongi-ah check the window latch in the morning?"
Jungkook was silent for a moment more, deliberating. And despite everything Jin had thought about earlier regarding Kookie being confident in their love, sure that the younger would admit it if he needed help, Jin had forgotten Kookie's sheer stubbornness.
Thankfully though, it seemed even innate stubbornness took a back seat to possible monster climbing in his second story window, and Jungkook murmured his accent, leaning more fully into Jin, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and-
Oh-
Jin smiled.
It had been quite some time since he'd had a reason (or excuse- Kookie caught up in proving his independence and maturity) to sweep Jungkook up into his arms, and here the maknae was asking.
Namjoon-ah was going to be so jealous.
Jin found his solid weight familiar if a little heavier than he remembered. He was still manageable though, made more so by the fact that he younger immediately moved his free arm around Jin's neck (the other still clutching his pillow to his chest) and buried his face against Jin's shoulder.
Jin still wasn't sure why Kookie did that. Curling in, and pressing his face against the chest of whoever's arms he was in. Initially, when Jungkook had been a debilitatingly shy 14-year-old Jin had assumed it was because he was embarrassed to be carried, but even as they'd all grown older and surer, more confident, Kookies habit had never faded.
(Jin didn't know. But he suspected it was to do with embarrassment. Not of actually being carried, but because Kookie liked it so much. ) Jin would never share his thoughts on the matter; It was way too sweet to risk the maknae stopping.
Flipping the light back off, he maneuvered them down the hall and into his and Namjoon's shared room, a quick glance assuring him that both the leader and his own maknae leech were accounted for and appeared deeply asleep.
"Right then," he whispered, gently settling them down onto his bed, wincing at the cold sheets that greeted him. No matter, they'd warm back up soon. He slid Kookie over against the wall and curled in behind him, Jungkook instinctively knowing where to curve and press to tuck in against him perfectly on the single bed. Jin tugged the blankets tighter as he asked, "Better?"
"Mhmm. Much. Thank you, hyung-" Jungkook murmured, shifting slightly to get comfortable.
Jin smiled, squeezing with the arm thrown of Jungkook's middle section, "You're welcome, baby, but you don't have to thank me. You were scared, and I'll always be there when you're scared- even if it is a bit silly."
Jungkook hummed sleepily, replying, "Still, I'll never tease Jiminie or Hobi-hyung ever again-"
Jin would believe it if it never happened, but the sentiment was nice. The fact that Kookie realized that being afraid of things outside of his control, even when he (and others) thought it was silly wasn't always pleasant-
His kind, compassionate baby-
"-if you promise not to tell them..." Jungkook added, equal parts optimistic and devious and Jin squashed an inappropriate snigger.
His kind, compassionate (entirely self-preserving) baby.
"I won't tell them if you don't." He agreed instead, knowing full well that Jiminie would wake well before Kookie come morning and…. That would be more than enough.
Jin would just let them work it out from there.
