e u p h o r i a

"Hey, they're here!"

Jungkook watched from afar where a big black truck drove its way onto the sand, making its way toward Jungkook and Seokjin. Jungkook couldn't help but smile as the truck drove closer and finally stopped a few feet away from the two bodies.

His smile only grew larger when he saw each of his friends step out one by one, running over to greet him. "Jungkook!" Jimin yelled while running over to him and having the rest of his friends follow behind him. Jimin threw his arm around the younger boy as the rest of the boys gathered around them, huge smiles and light emphasized on their faces.

"It's about time you called us!" Taehyung said to him while patting his shoulder. "We were relieved when Seokjin told us you went to the arcade."

"We were more than relieved," Hoseok added. "We were happy just to hear you wanted to get out of the house!" All of the boys laughed together and did their best to show their affection towards Jungkook. The six boys were overjoyed to hear that their youngest was finally starting to want to go out more and wanted to be around them again. They felt relief that Jungkook wasn't pushing them away anymore.

Jungkook stared at each of the boys that stared right back at him, gazing at him with soft and gentle eyes that showed love and acceptance. He didn't realize it as first but, the boys who were like brothers to him, they each taught him something new.

Jungkook stared at Jimin who chuckled at him and ruffled his hair, just like the night where Jungkook had cried in front of him. Jimin had taught him that it was okay to cry and be vulnerable because in order to feel genuine relief and happiness, you need to express your pain.

~~~

"I really mean it when I say I'm here for you, Jungkook. We've known each other long enough for me to say that I care a lot about you," Jimin said. "All I ask is for you not to push me away."

That made Jungkook turn over to his side, once again facing away from Jimin. He suddenly began to tremble and shake while shifting into a fetus-like position, squeezing his eyes closed harder.

He felt the bed shift on the other side and heard footsteps walking toward his side around the bed. "It's okay," Jimin whispered. He caressed Jungkook's hair lovingly and softly as he crouched down on the ground to meet his level on the bed.

Jungkook began to whimper and sniffle, hiding his face in his hands. He didn't want Jimin to witness him like this, although he already knew it was too late.

Jimin's eyes softened to his crying friend. He didn't judge him when he covered his face since he knew that Jungkook wasn't very expressive with his emotions. He continued to caress the younger ones head and ran his fingers through his hair to comfort him.

Jungkook felt Jimin's hand caressing his head which made him cry harder. He bit his lip to control his sobs but his body continued to shake and tremble under Jimin's touch.

~

Jungkook had always thought of concealing his pain to himself because he thought no one cared, when really there were people who cared more than he had thought. He then stared at Hoseok who grinned widely, his lips curving into a heart-shaped smile while he leaned in to pinch Jungkook's cheek.