Kim Taehyung has been hiding his struggles for years. Ever since a painful time in his life, he's been dealing with panic attacks-moments where his mind shuts down, and fear takes over. But he's always kept it a secret, even from his bandmates.
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The deafening cheers of thousands of fans still echoed in Kim Taehyung’s ears as he stepped off the massive stage. The concert had been a success—another sold-out stadium, another night of performing with his members, another unforgettable experience. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, mixing with the exhaustion that weighed heavily on his body. His white oversized shirt clung to his skin, damp with sweat, as he followed his brothers backstage.
Jungkook: “Damn, that was insane!” Jungkook exclaimed, throwing a towel over his head as he grinned widely. His voice was still hoarse from all the high notes and fan chants.
Jimin: “Seriously,” Jimin nodded, his hands resting on his knees as he caught his breath. “They were louder than ever tonight.”
Hobi: “Did you see that ocean of lights? Gave me chills,” Hoseok said, still bouncing slightly despite the tiredness in his limbs. His energy was endless, as always.
Namjoon wiped his face with a towel before taking a deep breath.
Namjoon: “Let’s get to the waiting room first. We’ll do the post-concert talk and then head back to the hotel.”
Jin stretched his arms with a sigh.
Jin: “But first, water. I need water.”
Laughter filled the air as they made their way toward the stairway leading down to the backstage waiting room. Taehyung remained quiet, though his lips curled into a small smile at his members' playful bickering. He was tired, yes, but something else was gnawing at him—something that had been lingering at the back of his mind for years.
Panic attacks.
He had them often, though no one ever knew. Not his members, not the staff, and certainly not the fans.
He had mastered the art of hiding it. The feeling would creep in slowly—his chest tightening, his vision blurring, his breath hitching. His mind would go blank, and he would be lost in the abyss of his own thoughts. But he always fought it off before anyone could notice.
Until tonight.
Just as he reached the first step of the stairway, a touch—unexpected, cold, and wrong—sent a jolt of panic through his body. A hand, pressing against the bare skin of his waist, under his loose shirt. Fingers lingering too long. A whisper, too close to his ear.
"You're so beautiful up close…"
Taehyung didn’t hear the rest. He didn’t see the face.
His brain shut down.
Everything blurred.
The stairway beneath his feet disappeared.
The voices of his members faded into the background, distorted and distant.
His breath hitched, his chest caving in. His body refused to move. The tremors started from his fingertips, spreading rapidly. His muscles locked, a suffocating weight pinning him down. His vision darkened at the edges.
