✨Beneath The Mask ✨

Lectures and Hugs ( 2 )

“I am your pediatric patient,” Taehyung insisted, peeking out from behind the pillow. “Your favorite one. And you wouldn’t hurt your favorite, right?”

Jungkook softened, letting his hand linger on Taehyung’s head. “You are my favorite. That’s why I’m making sure you don’t end up in the hospital with a kidney infection.”

Taehyung sighed loudly, tilting his head until it rested against Jungkook’s shoulder. “Why do you have to mix love with pain?”

“Because that’s what big brothers do,” Jungkook said quietly, the teasing fading into something steadier. “We nag. We protect. We even stab when we have to.”

Taehyung gave a pitiful groan, but didn’t move away. Instead, he shifted closer, cheek pressed against Jungkook’s arm like a sulky cat. “You’re impossible, hyung. I should be filing a complaint with… with… the Universe.”

“The Universe would tell you to take your medicine,” Jungkook replied, smiling faintly. He wrapped an arm around Taehyung’s shoulders, pulling him in until they were both leaning into the couch’s corner. “And maybe it would remind you that you scared me last week.”

That last sentence landed softly, but Taehyung heard the weight beneath it. He peeked up, guilt flickering through the dramatic pout. “…Sorry,” he murmured.

Jungkook gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Just promise you’ll let me finish the treatment. Two more shots. Then we’re done.”

Taehyung groaned again, burying his face against Jungkook’s sleeve. “Fine. But if my butt falls off, I’m haunting you.”

Jungkook laughed, low and warm. “Deal. I’ll buy extra ice cream to appease your ghost.”

Taehyung peeked up with a reluctant smile. “Three scoops again?”

“Four,” Jungkook said, matching the smile. “Because you’re braver than you think.”

____________________

Later That Night , ...

Jungkook set a small tray on the coffee table: antiseptic swabs, a sealed vial, fresh gloves. He moved with the same calm efficiency Taehyung had seen a hundred times at the hospital.
But this time, the patient was him—and that made everything feel ten times worse.

Taehyung sat cross-legged on the couch, clutching a throw blanket like a shield. “I can still feel yesterday’s shot, hyung. I swear the cushion has a dent shaped like my pain.”

Jungkook hid a smile behind a dry, “You survived it. You’ll survive this one too.”

Taehyung shook his head violently, hair flopping. “No, no, no. My poor backside deserves a week-long vacation. Minimum.”

“Your kidneys deserve a lifetime of health,” Jungkook countered, pulling on a pair of gloves with a snap that made Taehyung flinch. “Two more doses and we’re finished. You promised.”

“I promised under duress!” Taehyung flopped backward so dramatically the blanket nearly slid to the floor. “That contract is invalid.”

Jungkook leaned over the armrest, voice softening. “Tae. Look at me.”

Reluctantly, Taehyung peeked from beneath the blanket. Jungkook’s expression wasn’t stern, just steady—doctor and brother in one.

“I don’t like hurting you,” Jungkook said quietly. “But I like the idea of you getting sicker even less. Let me take care of you, okay?”