Chapter Text
The gentle stir of the overhead trees swaying echoed an almost inaudible whisper through the valley, the twilight symphony drawing to its close for the evening, the occasional lone insect chirping a last lingering melody.
Long dry grass noiselessly bent as they brushed through, only the quiet crunch of dead leaves and forest debris underfoot broke the stifling silence that shrouded their little procession.
Someone sniggered.
A half snorted, half-suppressed guffaw followed almost immediately, likely a consequence of accidental eye contact.
To his credit, Jin fought valiantly against the mirth bubbling up in his chest, but a sudden bout of uncontrollable giggling from ahead broke him; his squeaky chuckles soon mingled with Jimin's tinkling laughter and Hobi's chortling, reverberating within the forest.
Light bit through the semi-darkness; Namjoon (procession guide and torch bearer) turning, most likely to investigate the apparent hilarity unfolding behind him.
The light illuminated what shadow had hidden before, and Jin's laughter devolved into 'approaching painful' as he noticed Yoongi's shoulders quivering in front of him. The hand pressed to the rapper's lips didn't do much to stifle his sniggering, and a stolen glance toward Jin revealed eyes watering with sparkling amusement.
Movement suddenly dragged Jin's attention to the front of the group. Half-concealed in Namjoon's shadow, Kookie doubled over, one arm wrapped around his waist and the other reaching toward Namjoon for support as he tottered, unbalanced on his feet.
The maknae's wheezy breaths and streaming eyes worried Jin slightly, but he figured the kid couldn't be too badly off if he was managing to cackle so maniacally.
One arm supporting Kookie, a bemused smile gracing his face, Namjoon passed the beam of light down the line, illuminating the entire group in varying states of convulsive mirth.
His torch finally landed on the victim of their amusement.
"It's not funny!" Taehyung declared, sulky voice muffled by Hoseok's quivering shoulder muscles. At their continued laughter he wiggled with disquiet, arms tightening as he demanded sulkily, "Tell them, Hobi-hyung! It's not funny!"
"Ah, TaeTae, you're barking up the wrong Tree," Hobi chortled, continuing, "I think it's hilarious!"
Jin couldn't help himself; he had to- just had to, "Really Tae. The root of the problem is that you can't see the forest for the trees! It's funny if you go out on a limb and look at the big picture! "
Tae stifled a moan of frustrated despair "Yah! Leave me alone!"
Yoongi, ever the sympathizer when the others took things too far, leaned forward and rested a hand on Tae's shoulder, gently squeezing as he said, "Come on guys, that's enough. 'Leaf' Tae be. He really got the short end of the stick today. "
From his baby-koala position on Hoseok's back Taehyung thumped his head forward with a pitiful whimper, his rosy cheeks hidden between Hobi's shoulder blades.
Closing the door behind himself with a soft 'shnick' Jin toed off his boots and allowed Jimin to take and hang his jacket beside his own on the wall hooks. Around him, the others progressed through similar stages of shedding outer layers, before turning one by one to wait for Namjoon's instructions.
Namjoon (shoes off, coat still on, visible 'Leader-Joon' mode engaged) glanced over the assembled team, eyeing Taehyung in particular.
Their second youngest had slid down from his piggyback ride but was still leaning against Hobi, half tucked up under the older's arm, face pressed against Hoseok's bicep.
Jin felt his inherent amusement at the ridiculousness of the situation begin to fade as realization dawned. He'd shared his own breakfast with Taehyung that morning (i.e., at Jin's insistence, Tae had taken a piece of toast off his plate as the younger had scampered out the front door to 'explore'). He likely hadn't eaten since. That had been 7 am; some 12 or 13 hours ago.
Taehyung was also filthy; caked in thick mud from his bare toes (Aish. Keeping shoes on this kid...) to halfway up his jean swathed calves, with extra streaks splattered haphazardly upward across his chest just for good measure. His tangled hair looked to contain at least half the forest. Jin shook his head in bemusement; Taehyung's 'exploring' must have been quite the adventure.
It was the way that the younger was still clinging to Hoseok though, that was causing Jin the most concern (and likely Namjoon).
Taehyung wasn't afraid of heights, but to have been stuck up there all day with nothing but his wild imagination? Jin didn't think it would have been in any way pleasant; the constant threat of falling, the uncomfortable sensation of a too full bladder, the gravitational unbalance.
Calling for help, but no one answering.
Tae's eyes were dry but half-lidded, appearing a little glassy beneath clumpy lashes, and even taking into consideration the contrast of the mud, Jin wasn't comfortable with the washed-out greyness of his cheeks.
Seemingly equally stumped by the dilemma (Food? Bath? Hugs?), Namjoon swiveled his hopeful gaze to Jin.
And yeah. Jin hadn't turned down that face since the first onion incident. And he never would again.
"Hoseok and I will take TaeTae into the bathroom to get cleaned up. Joon-ah? Find him something that is warm and comfortable to wear. Yoongi, can you organize food and supervise Kookie and Jimin turning the lounge room into a nest? I want soft-fluffy everywhere."
The others scrambled to do his bidding, as was only proper, and Jin turned toward Hobi and their charge, returning Tae's little half smile when their eyes met.
The only bathroom on the property was in all honesty, far too small for seven guests (but then, the cottage was technically only a two bedroom). It had been grounds for much bargaining, whining and gleeful execution of age privilege over the past few days, but it was workable. Likewise, the modest shower, vanity, and toilet would fulfill their needs for tonight.
"Well, mud-monster, how about we get you in the shower, get some of this ick off?" Jin asked, allowing the sound of his voice to fill the small room as he helped Hoseok guide Taehyung, twisting slightly to avoid the sink.
"Do- Do I have to, hyung? I'm- I don't- Can I just lie down?" Tae faltered, tentative and unsure.
Jin frowned slightly and turned from fiddling with the shower taps to look more closely. Taehyung was faintly trembling (which a warm shower would help with), but-
Even now, Tae still had one hand wrapped around Hobi's forearm, and he had pressed himself against the dancer's side.
A concerned noise escaped Jin's lips, but Hobi beat him to the punch, voice quiet in the small room, "Our poor TaeTae. We got you down pretty fast; you've probably got a bit of vertigo. "
Hoseok was soft and sweet and so, so caring; gentle in a way Jin had never heard from anyone else. Nurturing, without being patronizing.
Taehyung responded to it, as always, so beautifully; dropping his head back to Hobi's shoulder, his eyes dipping closed as he nodded slightly, relaxing.
Jin realized that Taehyung hadn't been out of contact with at least one of them since Jin himself had swept the younger up from the base of the tree.
Vertigo. Oh, probably not actual vertigo in the medical sense of the word, but an apt description for the dizzying feeling of lightheaded clingy relief Taehyung was experiencing right now.
So even though Tae smelled like sweat and fear and worry (or perhaps because of it) Jin was willing to yield to a quick sponge bath and some clean, dry clothes.
"How about a quick wipe over with a damp cloth to get that mud off? " Jin suggested, turning to run warm water in the sink, saturating two white cotton cloths he'd found hanging beneath the mirror.
Taehyung nodded slowly, and Hobi flicked the toilet lid down, maneuvering the younger carefully to sit.
Jin handed one of the wash-cloths to Hoseok and kept the other for himself, " We'll get your hands last because they're the worst. Hoba will look for your feet first, beneath this swamp you've brought home, and I'll try to find your pretty face."
Tae rewarded him with a small giggle and a slightly more spirited answer as he replied, "As pretty as yours, hyung?"
Tilting Taehyung's face up with his free hand, Jin pursed his lips as if thinking about it, slipping his palm around to cradle from the base of his skull.
"Well. At least as pretty as Hobi." he quipped, chuckling at Tae's breathy overwrought sigh of "...impossible! I wouldn't dream of aiming that high!"
Jin nudge-kicked Hobi's backside in response to his braying laughter.
Swiping the damp cloth gently across the left side of Tae's face, Jin wiped away the last few lingering mud droplets and splatters, careful of the raw blotchy skin and red-rimmed eyes. A smile still tugging at the corner of his lips, Taehyung blinked owlishly up at him throughout the process.
The brat was going to crash on them, soon.
About time too.
Jin wondered if Yoongi had brought any drops with him for soothing irritated or dry eyes. If any of them had, it would be their resident night-owl. He made a note to ask later. A gentle swipe over the right side left Tae's pale upturned face clean, and Jin dropped the cloth back under the still-running faucet to rinse out.
Taehyung's eyes had closed to allow the material to pass over them and didn't seem overly bothered to reopen. The weight of his head was relying entirely on Jin's strength, lolling back trustingly in his hand.
Beneath the fading blotchiness, Jin suspected that Tae was starting to flush high across his cheekbones, the pinkening of the tip of his nose an early warning sign of an encroaching fever. Pressing his wrist against the youngers forehead, Jin frowned at the slight heat that sat unnaturally beneath his skin.
He'd have to keep an eye on that.
"How are you going down there Hobe?" Jin asked, looking down to where Hobi was wiping the last of the mud off Tae's right ankle.
"All done, hyung- I have discovered vast regions of pristine habitat," he answered, standing slowly to wash his cloth, grinning when Taehyung muttered "Vast?"
Smiling, Jin nodded, squeezing his cloth out, "Okay, you get his left hand. I'll do his right-" Hoseok nodded, and Jin turned back to Tae.
"Tae? Taehyung? Tae-baby? You need to stay awake for a minute more; I need both hands for a moment- that's it. It'll just take a minute, and we'll get you into some clean clothes, and you can have a nap, okay?"
Tae groaned his disagreement but pulled his head slowly upright.
Jin scrubbed carefully at little streaks of dark mud splattered halfway up the back of Tae's wrist before he went to work on the filthy palm of his hand-
Only, three or four swipes in, and Taehyung jackknifed upright like he'd been struck by lightning, a yelp of pain falling unchecked from his lips as he dragged his hand from Jin's grasp, cradling it to his chest.
"Tae!" Jin exclaimed, dropping the cloth and reaching for the younger, "TaeTae, are you hurt?"
Tae blinked up at him, and then glanced back down at his hands. "I don't know... I slipped?-"
Slipped? As in fell out of the tree? Or at least nearly so?
Jin shuddered. He didn't want even to imagine what could have happened. Dropping all the way to his knees beside Hoseok, he coaxed carefully, "Can I see your hand again, Tae? - I'll be gentler, I promise."
Jin watched as Taehyung worried his bottom lip for a moment, leaning into Hobi's supportive, stable warmth at his side, before the younger tentatively set his hand back in Jin's open palms.
"Thank you, TaeTae; I'll be careful, 'kay?" Looking more closely, Jin could see hints of raw red flesh, torn and frayed at the edges of the mud. The other hand was the same.
"Hoseok-ah, can you see if there is a bowl or a container in the kitchen or if one of the others has anything? Fill it with hot water and put plenty of salt in it. Bring it into the lounge. We're going to have to soak TaeTae's hands to get the mud off, and the cuts underneath cleaned out."
As Hobi nodded and pressed to his feet, striding out of the bathroom with purpose, Tae winced, pulling his hands away from Jin's gentle grasp.
Jin let go, allowing Taehyung to draw his hands back to his chest as he spoke, "I know, TaeTae, but we don't want them to get infected, do we? Come on, let's get you out of these dirty clothes", Jin comforted as he helped Taehyung strip down to his boxers again.
"Did you hurt anything else when you fell?" he asked, eyes raking over Tae's side, noting the thin scratch on his upper arm and what looked like the faintly raised red scratching scattered over his ribs.
Tae shook his head, "My side a little, but it's okay, just a bit achy.".
Jin nodded, maneuvering around Tae carefully to sit on the edge of the bathtub. He carefully drew the younger between his spread legs, using his thighs for stability when Tae dropped his entire weight into his lap.
"Heya." He greeted the younger when Tae drew his eyes upward. Tae matched his smile with a small, tired version of his own, replying "Hi?"
Jin's grin grew more extensive, and he nudged Tae slightly, tipping him to the side to reveal his flank to the overhead light, "Can I see this side of yours for a second? I just want to check these scratches."
Tae shrugged noncommittally but didn't protest when Jin's long fingers prodded at his side gently, beyond a slight shiver. Jin frowned, "Cold, Tae-baby?"
Tae glanced up at him, with a fraction of his usual cheek, and Jin waited for it- "-Your fingers are," the younger complained.
Jin scoffed, dragging his hands over Taehyung's bare stomach in retaliation before he pulled them both upright. He was sure there was some antiseptic cream in their first aid kit that would be suitable for the light grazes.
"Come on, let's go find what's keeping Joonie-hyung with those clothes," he said, lifting Tae, smiling when the younger immediately relaxed into him, wrapping an arm around Jin's neck to help negate his weigh; content just to let his hyung do the rest.
It seemed something had distracted the entire rest of the team, including Hobi, who was draped over the back of the sofa, balancing an empty plastic bowl on Kookie's head as they leaned into each other to be able to see whatever was on the phone in Jimin's hand. Yoongi was on the couch to Jimin's right, Joonie his left. Namjoon had a bundle of dark material rolled up in his arms, but was also distracted by the screen.
All five of them were sniggering and giggling.
"What's going on?" Jin asked, crossing the room slowly with his charge, raising an eyebrow as Jimin immediately disappeared the phone into a pocket, grabbed the bowl from Hobi with one hand, Jungkook's shirtsleeve with the other and dashed for the kitchen, shouting over his shoulder, "Getting some salt, hyung!"
Namjoon twitched, glancing from the clothes in his lap to the half-naked Koala-Tae that Jin carefully lowered onto the couch at his side-
"Dress him- gently. He's a bit battered. Hands and side." Jin ordered, squeezing the back of Tae's neck as he relinquished his charge, hiding a grin as Namjoon carefully sized up his momentous task.
Yoongi, who was leaning over the back of the couch to brush the tangled hair away from Taehyung's upturned face, frowned with concern, "You're hurt, TaeTae?"
Tae half shrugged, tilting his face into Yoongi's palm, eyes drooping and body limp, seemingly unconcerned despite Namjoon's struggle to get the sweatpant leg to stop catching on his toes.
Jin pitched his voice a little lower, answering in Tae's stead, "His hands are all scratched up, and he's tender down one side, maybe some bruising across his ribs. We'll have to keep an eye on him for a few hours. I mean- it's probably nothing but-"
Yoongi nodded, straightening as he replied, "But we don't take chances with stuff like that. I'll see what we have in the way of first-aid supplies- then I'll see about organizing something edible. Give me a shout if you need help. "
Jin was thankful that at least one of his dongsaeng was pretending to be a responsible, competent adult (They were all children. All. Children.) He glanced to his side; Taehyung was still shirtless, but Namjoon had managed to wrestle him into the track pants, so their leader was also doing very well.
Only peripherally focused on Joon-ah fussing at Tae to his left, ("Come on terror, give me your arm. Your other arm. Your- Tae. You only have two arms, Tae.") Jin swept his gaze over the lounge.
It looked like Jimin and Kookie had raided every single bed, lounge, closet, cupboard, and wardrobe in the entire cottage. Entire bedding assemblies sprawled across the floor (blankets, pillows, cushions, and sheets. Even a mattress or two and Jin could see the tattered brown fur of Jimin's stuffed dog peeking out of the mess). Strewn across it was what Jin approximated to be every article of warm clothing each of them had brought, sweaters, coats, track pants, and a towel or two. Yoongi's beloved dressing gown and a stray slipper topped the haphazard pile.
Somehow, Jin didn't think Yoongi had supervised anything, but the room was very soft and fluffy; the babies had done an excellent job. Jin approved. He wasn't so sure his admiration would last through the inevitable clean-up, but for now, it was perfect.
Thinking of the little devils apparently summoned them back from the depths of purgatory, aka, the kitchen. Jimin was carefully carrying the bowl, now three parts filled with what Jin could only assume (hope) was warm salty water, while Jungkook trailed behind, arms laden down with the salt dispenser and toweling. Hoseok brought up the rear, a glass of milk in hand- Jin smiled his approval; Tae desperately needed something in his stomach, and milk would be perfect.
Turning to assess his soon-to-be patient, Jin noted that Namjoon had finally managed to get his charge appropriately clothed (the shirt was back-to-front, but Jin wasn't going to be the one to say something).
He watched as Hoseok held the glass of milk out to Taehyung, noticing the small white painkillers that accompanied the liquid meal; hopefully, they'd help take the edge off. Apparently deciding he didn't trust that the milk would make it from cup to mouth, Hobi kept a firm grasp on the glass. Watching as Tae wavered all over the couch, Jin deemed it good instincts on Hoseok's behalf. The dancer tilted the glass steadily, chuckling when Taehyung tried to balance the drink between both wrists, taking deep gulping mouthfuls of half air/half milk until it was all gone, all the while peering through the bubbled glass at Hobi with huge brown eyes.
Easily relinquishing the empty glass, Tae snuggled down beside Namjoon, eyes half-lidded and relaxed.
Jin wanted to tuck him into Yoongi's dressing gown and pet his hair until he fell asleep.
Those hands though, curled protectively against Taehyung's chest, needed to be cleaned and doctored before they had a chance to fester.
"TaeTae? Let's get those hands cleaned." Jin called quietly, straightening slightly and beckoning with an outstretched hand.
Blinking at the sound of his name, Taehyung lifted his gaze to focus on Jin, before it immediately dropped to the bowl of water on the table in front of the older.
Jin wasn't in any way prepared for the sudden onslaught of doleful brown eyes peering up at him through messy lashes, the side of Tae's bottom lip disappearing between tiny white teeth in a trembling half pout.
Jin had seen it before, many-a-time, but tonight's example easily placed in the top-ten instances to date.
Aigoo. This damn kid.
Jin sighed with relief as Namjoon, praise his dearest soul, jumped to his rescue, pulling Tae gently to his feet as he spoke, "Come on TaeTae, don't be like that. Jinnie-hyung already feels bad enough that-"
Taehyung tensed; his perfectly constructed 'sad baby animal' eyes morphing into his 'TaeTae is bad?' face so fast that Jin could have hit their darling leader with a mackerel.
Namjoon's caught his pointed glare, and Jin assumed that he managed to adequately portray his sudden overwhelming desire to violently brain the younger with seafood because Namjoon (bless his abundant brain cells) changed tack without skipping a beat"-bad enough that you're hurt. If your hands get infected, all his hair will go grey and fall out, and then I'll have to be Mr. Worldwide Handsome and TaeTae? I just don't think the world is ready for that."
In Jin's expert opinion, judging by the relaxing of tense shoulders and the small lift of one corner of his mouth, Taehyung was wavering...but Namjoon would have to sweeten the deal.
He did so literally.
"How about ice-cream for breakfast as a reward? Triple-chocolate of course. "
Taehyung glanced at Jin, likely checking that Namjoon wasn't making promises he couldn't keep. Everyone knew who the real authority was on the team. It wasn't Namjoon.
Jin grinned his acceptance. Ice cream for breakfast was a small price to pay for easy smiles.
Taehyung cracked a small grin and reluctantly allowed Namjoon to gently drawn him across the room. It was an acceptable save, so Jin met Namjoon's wincing glance up at him with an indulgent eye roll.
Only Namjoon.
Leaning back on the couch, Jin carefully pulled Tae down into the spread vee of his legs, waiting until the younger settled, back flush against his chest, before leaning them both forward so they could reach the bowl on the table.
"Do you want me to help you?" he asked, patting Tae's thigh pointedly when the younger just stared at the bowl hatefully, making no move to put his hands anywhere near it.
Taehyung sighed, glancing over his shoulder to ask pleadingly, "Do I have to, hyung?"
Jin supposed it had already worked once today, why not try again? But there was a considerable difference between a shower for comfort and convenience sake, and something that affected his health. Jin nodded, "Sorry TaeTae, you do. Come on; I'll help you, the sooner we start, the sooner it'll be over."
Thankfully, the bowl was big enough for both hands at the same time; Jin was glad they wouldn't have to prolong it any more than necessary. Tae hovered over the water for a second, hands splayed, hesitating and reluctant, but he didn't pull away when Jin wrapped long fingers around his wrists and firmly guided them down into the warm salty water.
The reaction was time delayed by two whole seconds as the water ate through mud and found exposed nerve endings and raw, broken flesh.
Taehyung bit down on a startled gasp of pain, which steadily morphed into a keening whine, and he tugged against Jin's hold, desperation tumbling from his lips in near begging, "-hyung, l-let go- pl-please-"
Jin's heart quivered, but his hands held steady. He was grateful when Jimin reached out to keep the bowl firmly in place, their third youngest fully embracing his less utilized role of 'protective older brother' (as opposed to his general position as one equal third of the terrible trio).
Still smiling gratefully to Jimin, Jin crooned reassurance into Tae's ear, "Shh, I know- just hold on, it'll fade in a minute. Just give the salt time to work- I know. I know- "
At a particularly heartbreaking keen, Hoseok blew out a shaky breath and shot to his feet from where he was kneeling beside Namjoon, "I'm- dinner. I'll- Dinner.", The dancer fled the room, slowing only briefly to squeeze Taehyung's shoulder reassuringly.
Jin didn't resent their resident sunshine's weakness; a dongsaeng in pain would always top any good hyung's 'can't endure' list.
Hoseok was a fantastic hyung.
Jin startled slightly when Joon's hands wrapped resolutely around Taehyung's wrists just above his own, but he relished being able to let go and wrap his arms around Taehyung instead.
Rigid against his chest, Taehyung was whimpering beneath his breath, teeth clenched against anything more obvious; Jin could feel Tae physically resisting the urge to fight against them. He let his voice devolve into a repetitive, mindless litany of murmured comfort, "Shh- that's it, Good boy. Not much longer, Tae-"
The oldest physically felt when the pain began to recede, Taehyung slumping against him, a low, shaky breath escaping.
"Well. Did that suck for you as much as it sucked for me?" Namjoon quipped as he began to ever-so-gently clean the mud away from the fingers on Tae's left hand, abandoning his right to rest lax in the cloudy water.
Taehyung turned his face into Jin's throat with a breathy giggle, nodding as Jin brushed locks of damp hair back of his forehead, pressing a kiss to his temple. (Yuck - he was setting Jimin or Kookie on Tae's hair in the morning. Whichever one misbeha- Kookie then.)
"Can- Can I help? I can do the other one?"
Jungkook's voice was almost tentative, a little afraid- worried. Jin's gaze jumped to the maknae; their youngest was kneeling slightly to his left, just beyond Jin's peripheral vision. His round dark eyes were wide; knuckles white where his hands folded over each other in his lap.
Jin hadn't realized Kookie was there.
Listening to Taehyung flinch and whimper had been bad enough with something necessary, something helpful to occupy his hands.
Jimin had held the bowl, Namjoon had held Tae's hands, and Jin had held Tae.
Kookie had sat and just watched.
Loosening one arm from Taehyung's chest, Jin beckoned the maknae closer with an encouraging smile, "Of course Kookie- that would be very helpful...the sooner, the better, isn't that right, TaeTae? "
Tae, ever watchful of his only dongsaeng, was eyeing Jungkook's quiet, almost timid approach with eyes that were thoughtful, despite the pinch of lingering pain that drew his face tight. Jin grinned when he suddenly yanked his dripping hand out of the water, flinging it in Jungkook's direction, droplets of muddied water spraying everywhere as he enthusiastically declared, " Your patient awaits, Doctor!"
Jungkook giggled, the agitation fading from his body language as he shuffled across the carpet on his knees; which had no doubt been the intended outcome.
Kookie reached to carefully cradle Taehyung's hand between his own, glancing at Namjoon's grasp on Tae's other hand as he checked, "Just wash the mud off?"
Namjoon smiled, very carefully trickling water across the palm of his captive hand, watching loosened filth drip into the bowl as he answered, "Try not to touch too much- use the water, and be very gentle."
Jin couldn't help the grin that curled his lips as their rambunctious Jungkookie set about proving just how gentle he could be when the need arose, poking very gingerly at a considerable speck of mud near the base of Taehyung's wrist.
At this rate, he'd spend the rest of their vacation cleaning Tae's hand.
Mercifully, Jungkook grew bolder without prompting, although not sacrificing gentleness for speed. Between the two of them, he and Namjoon made quick work of washing away the layer of wet mud.
Without having to be asked, Jimin whisked away the bowl of dirty water, disappearing out the cottage door only to return seconds later, bowl empty. He padded into the kitchen and Jin heard the sink tap turn on, and the sound of water splashing.
Jiminie was such a godsend of a dongsaeng. Washing the bowl was now one less thing that Jin had to remember to take care of at the end of this long, unfortunate evening.
The bowl of water cleared away and Taehyung's hands being pat (very gently) dry by a paper-towel wielding Jungkook, Namjoon stood from his crouch, stretching his aching muscles from his extended hunched position.
He pulled his phone out, catching as the black numeral's ticked over to 8:34 pm; a quick glance at the nearest window showed only the moonlit darkness of the forest outside. Where had their evening gone? It seemed the last four hours had just disappeared after realizing Taehyung hadn't come home. The subsequent search and rising panic had been short-lived thankfully; they'd found him he'd barely been out of sight of the cottage-
Namjoon stifled a yawn; there was still one task left to do, yet.
Rounding the small coffee table, he perched on the edge of it, meeting Jin's warm eyes and tired smile from where the older had hooked his chin over Taehyung's shoulder, his arms still curved loosely around the younger's waist, no longer actively seeking to comfort...just present.
Jin was undoubtedly the warm-iron backbone of their group; soft and yielding unless given reason to harden. It was the eldest who was most often on the front lines of mopping fevered brows, preparing tea to soothe scratchy throats, pressing painkillers or prescribed antibiotics onto recipients, regardless of if they were willing or less-so. It was his nature to do so. Being the 'mum' of the group wasn't exactly a title he protested; he didn't identify with the femininity of the moniker, but the stereotypical 'caregiving' and 'nurturing' attributes of the role?
Jin was the Mum.
If it went beyond a band-aid to a scraped knee though?
As a whole, the group seemed to defer to Namjoon for any of their less significant first-aid needs.
Whether it was his designation as group leader, or just because he had the most experience dressing and tending small day-to-day worries (it paid to know how to clean a wound or wrap a bandage when one was so ridiculously accident prone), Namjoon was more than willing to assume this responsibility.
Dragging the small pile of supplies that he vaguely remembered Yoongi leaving on the edge of the table toward himself, Namjoon quickly selected an antibacterial salve, some non-stick dressings and a couple of small bandages.
Enough for the evening, and possibly the morning, but they'd need to stock up if they were going to be re-dressing Tae's hands for the rest of the week they had at the cottage.
Tae, seeming a lot calmer now that the salt-induced pain had faded, and a lot more awake due to the adrenaline, was pushing his torn and battered hands into poor Jiminie's line of view, making what only could be described as vocal squelching noises to accompany the taunting movements.
Jimin, squeamish at the best of times, seemed torn between disgust and laughter, his voice pitched high and demanding "-Taehyung! Get those things away from me- That's just... Jin-hyung, help!"
Noticing Kookie gearing up to get involved, and knowing that the smile and laughter would evaporate quickly if one of those hands got bumped, Namjoon interrupted, flourishing and extending his palm like some dandy gentleman from a Jane Austin adaption, proposing, "May I have this dance, handsome sir?"
Taehyung giggled, dramatically slumping backward against Jin in a coquettish faint, one hand coming up to cover his coy, flirty smile as he slipped his other hand into Namjoon's.
Namjoon snorted.
#RiseActorTaehyung indeed.
Flipping Tae's hand palm-up, and wiggling himself closer to the table's edge, Namjoon carefully inspected the raised jagged furrows. He frowned, the rooms natural shadow making it difficult to see-
Light suddenly illuminated the circle within his arm span, and Namjoon glanced up, only to come eye to eye with Jimin beaming over the top of his makeshift cellphone flashlight.
"I knew there was a reason you were my favorite, Jiminie," Namjoon teased, only to be interrupted by Jin's scandalized, "Yah! Joon-ah, it's before the 16th. Kook is still your favorite."
Namjoon grinned, twisting Taehyung's hand a little to get a closer look. A few of the more ragged cuts were a bit deeper, but it was just severe gravel rash for the most part; painful, but relatively mild if taken care of properly. Nothing a few days of babying wouldn't heal. Pausing he looked up, thoughtful- "It's the 15th though. I thought I switched to Jiminie on the 15th each month?"
Jin shook his head, explaining "The 16th, because of the months with 31 days. "
Jimin was giggling delightedly, while Kookie looked like he was trying to work out if he had more days than Jimin or the other way around, muttering under his breath, "September has 31, October only 30, so then-"
Tae, not looking overly concerned at the lack of favoritism still predictably asked, "And me?"
Jin sniggered, squeezing Tae harder, whispering loudly, "You're my only favor- Hey, hey! You're okay-"
Taehyung had suddenly twisted upright in his arms with a sharp gasp, nearly toppling them both off the couch with Jin's resulting scramble to adjust his hold-
Taehyung relaxed as suddenly as he'd tensed, giggles escaping as he sank back against Jin again, apologizing- "Sorry, sorry - it was just cold, some warning next time, hyung!"
Namjoon put down the tube of salve and made deft work of winding a stark white bandage over a non-stick dressing, teasing, "Well, if you'd been paying attention to your favorite hyung-"
Taehyung pouted cheekily, "...but I was!"
"Oh, I see, it's like that is it? Other hand." Namjoon returned, Jin's grin infectious over the laughter of the three monsters that made up their ridiculous maknae line.
Taehyung dropped his neatly bandaged hand into his lap, extending its partner for the same treatment, curling into Jin in a classic example of blatant gloating as he replied "Mhmm. Exactly like that-"
This time, Jungkook beat Jimin to provide the lighting assistance, although Namjoon noted that the youngest had stolen Jimin's phone to do so.
Smiling his thanks at their maknae's thoughtful thievery, Namjoon looked down at the hand cradled between his own-
His smile faded.
Jin, ever attuned to the slightest shift of moods and nuance straightened slightly, "Joon-ah?"
"It's not clean." Namjoon gently tugged the phone from Kookie's fingers, manipulating the light and Tae's hand himself to see better.
One of the cuts was a lot more jagged, the skin ripped and torn quite nastily and already reddening at the edges. It was a lot deeper than any of the surrounding injuries like it had been cut open on a branch, rather than the surface bark-rash that covered the rest of Tae's palm.
Namjoon could see stubborn particles of mud and filth, and what looked like tiny splinters of bark caught in the wound. "I'm going to have to have a second go at cleaning this one; I'll need to be a bit more thorough. Jiminie, can you refill the bowl with salty water, please- and bring the paper towel. Kookie, find a pair of tweezers for me, and some cotton ti-"
"No. No-" Taehyung pulled his hand out of Namjoon's grasp, tucking it protectively into the curve of his body. Ignoring Jimin and Kookie disappearing into the kitchen behind him, Namjoon looked up to meet sheer unadulterated 'stubborn-Taehyung' glaring back at him with something akin to betrayal.
Namjoon almost sighed. This Taehyung, this rare mutant piece of his otherwise very agreeable dongsaengs personality was an absolute terror. Tae was generally delightfully placid, if a little overly energetic, and would quite happily submit to any of his hyungs requests or corrections with an easy grace. That was probably at least partially why the few encounters he'd had with this aspect of Taehyung was so off-putting.
Obstinate, defiant and defensive, Namjoon had never had any luck reasoning with, bargaining with, bribing, persuading, threatening, coaxing or forcing Taehyung into a more reasonable frame of mind. If anything, attempts to do so had only escalated the situation.
Namjoon could count on one hand the number of times he'd butted heads with this particular quality in Tae. He didn't even need hands to count how many times he'd walked away with what he'd call a favorable outcome.
Taehyung crying himself to sleep, and then ignoring Namjoon for a week wasn't favorable. Nor was the younger landing himself across Namjoon's knee for a somewhat extended visit to Lapland.
But that hand had to be cleaned. Who knew what filth and germs were in the dirt and grime Tae had picked up in the open cut- if it festered, the chances of a severe infection taking him down was far too risky.
"TaeTae-"
Taehyung cut him off; his absolute refusal couldn't have been more explicit, "No! I won't! Just put the ointment on- It's fine. It's clean."
Jin bounced the younger slightly, joltingly, "Yah! Don't talk to your hyung like that. Namjoon-ah is just looking after you." and Taehyung startled somewhat; Namjoon was sure he'd forgotten that he was sitting on Jin's lap.
Taehyung seemed to realize that he was in what could be a precarious position if he didn't watch his mouth, but rather than curb his behavior, he jerked himself away from Jin. Crab-scuttling to the far end of the couch, he tucked himself into the corner, with his knees drawn up, hands tucked between his torso and his legs.
Namjoon tried. "Your hand has still got filthy mud and sand in it, Taehyung. Look yourself; it's not clean. If that gets infected, and infections can set in overnight, Tae- It could make you sick. Your hand won't just be sore; it could make you violently ill. It's unlikely, and we'd never let it get that far, but it could even kill you. Which is why you're going to let me clean your hand again."
Reasonable, mature, rational and calm.
Never mind that it was nearing 9 p.m. and no one had showered or eaten yet. Disregard the fact that they'd spent an hour looking for Taehyung in the forest late that afternoon, worried that he was hurt or had gotten lost. Forget the fact that Namjoon had been forced to climb 20 meters up a tree to rescue his errant dongsaeng.
Taehyung took a deep breath, but any short-lived hope that it was a reasonable calming effort faded when Taehyung started to shout, "No! No-no-no and NO! My hands already fucking hurt! "
Namjoon chose to ignore that as well because Taehyung hadn't eaten since 7 am and had spent the majority of the day clinging to a swaying tree limb some 20 meters in the air, alone, afraid, and hurt.
"I let you scrub them bloody once-"
"That's enough, Kim Taehyung. You didn't let Namjoon-ah do anything! He's going to help you by cleaning up your hands, which you injured through your own foolishness. If you don't calm down and apologize immediately, we'll be having a brief 'discussion' about attitude adjustment, and I can assure you, you won't like it one bit."
Silence reigned throughout the cottage. Even the background hum of chopping and the low buzz of chatter from the kitchen having died in the wake of Jin's no-nonsense rebuke.
He hadn't even had to raise his voice; disappointed Jin was enough to hollow out even Namjoon's innocent bystander stomach.
But, as far as Namjoon was aware, Jin had never had the pleasure of dealing with Taehyung in this particular mood.
And sure enough, instead of breaking, and backing down with a litany of apologies and the rise of tears as was expected when Jin had cause to interfere in this manner, Taehyung just flushed an angry red, embarrassment mottling across his blotchy skin, turning the tips of his ears pink. Namjoon watched as the younger set his jaw, swallowing thickly, eyes skittering away to fixate somewhere above their heads to the left.
Namjoon guessed he had roughly 30 seconds before the proverbial shit hit the fan.
He couldn't handle this tonight.
"Right. Bottom line Tae. Your hand will be getting cleaned and dressed tonight. If you don't let me do it, I'll drive you to the hospital; they can give you a sedative and deal with it there. No arguments, you choose. " Namjoon laid out the final option. He was serious; it was non-negotiable- he'd carry Taehyung to the car if he had to.
Jin shifted, his voice unquestioning, but concerned as he reminded, "Joon, its nearly seven hours back to the city. By the time you get there, wait to be seen, get his hand tended, have a night's sleep and drive back, you'll lose most of the last days of our break."
Namjoon shrugged, "What's losing a few days break compared to him potentially losing his hand-"
"We'll all go then." Jin added with a sense of finality, continuing, "You deserve this break as much as any of us Joon-ah. You both do- it wouldn't be fair for you to have to miss out on the break when everyone else is relaxing-".
Namjoon interrupted, "Hyung, it would be just as unfair to expect everyone to give up their break as well. I'm not blaming Tae, and I'm not- he's not in trouble- just, that hand needs to be cleaned up properly. Isn't it kind of stupid for everyone to give up their breaks-"
"We can rest just as well back at the dorms as out here-" except it wasn't true. The dorms were fine, they were great - they were home.
But located as they were in the city, with the hustle and bustle and buzz of traffic noise, of aircraft and trains, horns honking and the general din of a true city that never sleeps- it wasn't exactly conducive to sleeping until 11 am and lounging into the afternoon if desired.
Nor was the knowledge that every moment could potentially be being observed by fans or paparazzi, and that real privacy was very limited.
The call of the studio was also a constant whisper in certain members ears, be it the dance studio or the music production rooms on the floor above.
Namjoon shrugged, bringing them back to the crux of the matter with a pointed sigh, "It hardly matters to be arguing about this yet anyway. It's pointless deliberating until Taehyung decides which he'd prefer-"
He turned back to Taehyung-
Taehyung, who had curled himself into a tiny ball in the corner of the sofa, asleep.