Hoseok was the last one to return to the dorm that night. Unfortunately.

Pulling in to the driveway, he noticed that the van was parked along the curb of the sidewalk, not in the driveway. It was empty, and it made him wonder why it wasn't there. He had only stayed an hour after Namjoon, as far as he knew.

When Hoseok walked in, all of the lights were off. “Guys?” He asked. It was eight fourteen, all six couldn't have gone to bed in an hour, right? “Maybe they were really tired…” He thought out loud. He set his bag down on a table next to the door, removed his shoes and jacket, and started the journey to his room. Maybe after a shower he'd grab something from the kitchen, but he wanted to change his attire first. When he went down the hall, light was seeping under the door to the shared room he had with Jungkook. The younger one was awake.

Hoseok passed Yoongi's shared room, and didn't see anyone sleeping. He went into Namjoon's, and it was empty as well. Hoseok knocked on his bedroom door, then creaked it open.

All six were in the room, crowded around Jungkook. Namjoon and Yoongi were beside him on his bed, Jimin behind Yoongi, and the remaining three sat comfortably on the floor. Jin's head was on Namjoon's lower leg.

“Hey…” Hoseok said, and four of them turned quickly. “What's going on?” He asked, his voice now soft. There were papers in Yoongi's hands, but Hoseok couldn't see what they were for, or who they were from. Jungkook remained still, hiding his face so Hoseok wasn't able to see the tear streaks, runny nose, or blood-rushed cheeks. With one look from Taehyung to Yoongi, the second youngest rose from the floor silently and took Hoseok into the hall. His heart skipped beats. Something big was wrong.

“So,” Taehyung closed the bedroom door and rubbed the back of his neck. “Jungkookie got a call today, from one of his doctors -” “Shit.” Hoseok instantly panicked. If something, anything was wrong with Jungkook, he was going to lose it. “It was some sort of behavioral specialist, or something. They told him some stuff and then he hung up and started crying, so I went over and he just got up and left. I assumed he was upset, but I didn't think he was this upset about it.” Taehyung was nervous as he spoke. “He came back with Namjoon hyung and some papers from the doctors office. We don't know how long he knew about it, but he showed us the papers. It's nothing physical, technically, and-” He quieted his voice before continuing, “It's not a big deal, really, he's just really overwhelmed by it. The behavior specialist said that he needs to take medication, and he really doesn't want to - we both know how much he hates taking medicine when he's sick, even with allergies.” Taehyung continued.

“Taehyung-ah, I love you, but fucking tell me what's going on.” Hoseok spoke quickly. He wasn't angry, or upset, he was desperate. “Jungkook-ah's autistic, and he doesn't like the label the doctors put on it. They said mid-functioning based on this long test he took, but from what I know, that doesn't seem like him at all. We all think that, actually. And really, there shouldn't be such a label because even people who are nonverbal can do everyday things too, even if they're limited, so really, we're upset with the label the doctors put on him, and he's really upset too.” Taehyung broke the news, finally. It was not at all what Hoseok was expecting. It took a moment for Hoseok to retrace what Taehyung drew. “We understand you're shocked, we are too, and that's why we were all together because in a way, it kinda impacts all of us. We got so caught up in calming him down that we didn't even think about calling you here sooner, so I had to fill you in.” Taehyung crossed his arms lightly, readjusting his position.

“Tae, you made it seem like so much more than that. You really scared me there.” Hoseok finally found words to say. “I'm sorry.” Taehyung apologized. “I mean…wow. I knew diagnosis’ were hard on people but I never really knew it could go to this degree. I-I don't want to invalidate Jeongguk-ssi, but, I know he's capable of so much that it shouldn't impact too many things, right?” Hoseok spoke out loud. “Yeah, that's what we were talking about once he showed us. We were texting. The papers are steps the doctors said he should take, but we all know he won't want to. Plus, he most likely won't tell Bang-PD-Nim. You know how people in this country view people who are different, not to mention sexualities.” “Yeah, it makes total sense. I get it.” Hoseok nodded. It was a lot to take in for him, that he could only imagine what it was that Jungkook was feeling.

“Do his parents know yet?” Hoseok found himself asking. “I don't know. I remember him saying something a while ago about his mother making him go to the doctors, but I don't know if it's about this or not. We're sort of just comforting him at the moment. Namjoon hyung tried to tell him that it wouldn't change anything, but Jungkook covered his ears, he didn't want to listen. I don't know if he'll listen to you.” Taehyung explained quietly. “Do you think I should cook something? Have you eaten?” Hoseok proposed. “Not yet. It would be really nice, and maybe once he's more calmed down you'll be able to talk with him.” Taehyung nodded. “Okay. That's what I'll do to help, then. Let him know I'm here?” Hoseok told him. Taehyung agreed and went back into the room with the others.

Meanwhile, Hoseok changed into softer clothes and cooked for a while, mostly stalling until someone came out to say something to him. He didn't feel very excluded, and a part of him was fine with not being in the room at the moment, because he himself didn't want to be surrounded by six people for long periods of time like they were. An hour later, he heard a door open. He heard Yoongi's faint voice talking with someone else, and the hallway filled with soft footsteps. Hoseok turned, and Jin and Jimin entered the kitchen. “Taehyung-ah said you would be cooking. It smells amazing.” Jimin encouraged. “Where are the others?” Hoseok asked, turning down the heat on the stove. “They're helping Jungkook change into nicer clothes and things. They'll be out soon.” Jin explained. Hoseok nodded and the three waited quietly.

Just a few moments later, Namjoon and Taehyung gathered in the living room. The three in the kitchen set the table, waiting on Yoongi and Jungkook. “They'll be out soon?” Jimin asked once all five were seated. Namjoon nodded, and they all waited to eat. After a while, Jungkook sat next to Yoongi and Hoseok at the table, hugging a bunny stuffed animal, the one most important to him. After confirming things were alright, they ate together, only speaking occasionally. Jungkook finished his plate after Hoseok, which was a good sign. Then, he laid his head on Hoseok's shoulder and looked down at his stuffed animal, playing with its ears.

Hoseok still felt something was wrong. Maybe it was only himself who felt awkward, or worried. Was he to speak?

"I didn't mean to be so dramatic." Jungkook spoke softly. He made sure to stay close with his stuffed bunny. "I'm sorry." He added on. However, it was clear that he was still upset, and was only speaking to fill the silence. "Hey, don't be sorry." Yoongi reached up and carefully placed his right hand in Jungkook's soft hair. "You didn't overreact. We understand as much as we can how it could have made you feel. Do you feel as though the doctors may be right?" He asked. Jimin was wondering what kind of question that was, of course he didn't believe the doctors, or he would not have had a meltdown.

"Probably; my mom agrees, too. I just feel so... small, I guess - I don't know how to word it." Jungkook told Yoongi. He closed his eyes and leaned in to Yoongi and Hoseok's touches. Hoseok was now holding his hand. "You don't have to word it. We love you." Yoongi tried to cheer the younger one up by giving a little ruffle to his brown hair. Jungkook smiled, and Yoongi knew it was working. He was glad he made Jungkook smile.

"Yeah, hyung's right. We love you." Taehyung agreed. "Thanks... I think I'm okay now." Jungkook sat up, no longer leaning on Hoseok's shoulder. "I love you guys, too." Hoseok gave a light squeeze to Jungkook's hand, then let go after Jungkook's hand loosened. Jungkook spoke once more, "And thanks for coming to my rescue."