There are days the dawn proceeds as if it were not ready to come, yet schedule demands an entrance, and so the sun rises as a canopy of gold, bright amid the blue, bidding the stars to take their nightly rest. As darkness surrenders, every colour changes from tinges of charcoal to a vibrancy.

One would stop and stare, breathe in the view, but your thoughts were scrambled as your feet paced on the disinfectant marble floors.

Nowhere is the chronic underfunding more evident than in the hallways. They are for the most part crammed with patients on trolleys, some tended by strained relatives and some alone. Each of them lies on their back, strapped in- eyes toward the naked fluorescent tubes that flicker as though they are on their last legs.

In the brief gaps between these unfortunates who cannot afford the exorbitant private fees, the pale blue walls are deeply scored by the metal framed trollies, the drywall showing though like white scars. The cheap prints on the walls are insipid, so lacking in vibrancy that they appear sun-bleached in the windowless strip. The confined space magnifies the groans and wails to no avail, the nurses have seen it all before and are immune, hardened by repeat exposure and over-work.

It was around 4 AM when your phone had started to buzz. Peaking at the unknown number, you had cut it a few times in order to not disrupt your peaceful sleep. But when it became uncontrollable, you had furiously accepted the call and were ready to scream but before you could, the voice of a lady reached your ears. Confused, you glanced at a half awake Azalea as you cooperated with the lady, only for your world to crash down the moment her soft voice spoke the main sentence, burning your heart into ashes.

'Mr. Min Yoongi is admitted in the ICU due to a severe brain injury and multiple broken bones.'

"Aera, please!" You couldn't hear any sounds, even Jungkook's as he tried to catch up with you except for the loud pleas repeatedly playing like a broken tape recorder in your head from the time you heard the dreadful news.

'Please hold on, please hold on, please...'

Your eyes raked every single door trying to find the words 'ICU Ward 5' as you sprinted like a madman, blinking your eyes several times to keep them at bay and not blur them, atleast not before you see him. Taking a sharp turn, you finally noticed the letters written in bold red at the very end of the dull corridor. They had told they found him at the brink of death, a little more delay and.....NO, you didn't even want to consider thinking about the latter.

You burst open the door, the loud bang reverberating in the silence of the dimly lit room, but you didn't care. You couldn't care because your eyes finally found him. You froze in your steps, your eyes solely focused on him and just him. Hands limp by your side and breath heavy, you gazed your eyes across your precious brother's entire body that lay there almost lifeless.

His head was wrapped in a bandage like a thick bundle of books stacked together. His left hand was in a cast and his legs. You covered your mouth as a sob broke past your lips. Both his legs were supported by a cast hung up to the ceiling. The fog forming in the oxygen mask around his mouth and the audible beep sounds from the heart rate monitor were the only objects which assured you he was alive and breathing. Not being able to take it anymore, you started stepping backwards but before your legs gave up on you, a strong arm wrapped itself around your waist, steadying you.

In a haste, you had forgotten about Jungkook who was standing in silence behind you the entire time. You turned around in his arms and looked up at him. His eyes were filled with tears as he averted his stare from Yoongi and onto you. "J-Jung-kook...." You tightly clutched his shirt, pointing your finger where your brother lay peacefully as your face contorted in pain, almost as if you could feel what he was going through.

Clutching the back of your head, Jungkook wasted no time in pulling you in a tight hug, burying your head in his neck as heart-wrenching cries left you, your body shaking violently. He clasped his remaining arm around your entire body, trapping you in a warm burrow as you weeped in his chest, hands desperately scrunching his shirt in your tiny fists.

"It's okay, it's gonna be okay..." He kept whispering assuring words in your ear trying to comfort you, silent tears grazing his cheek and falling down his chin as well.

✡ ✡ ✡ ✦ ✡ ✡ ✡

Eyes blankly staring at the whitewashed wall ahead, Jungkook softly stroked your hair as you peacefully lay in his arms. After your cries had died down, you immediately dozed off into his neck as the exhaustion coursed through your veins due to lack of sleep. He had softly kissed your forehead before plopping himself in the waiting room seat outside with you curled up in his lap.

Jungkook snapped out of his daze when you suddenly stirred in his arms, burying your neck furthur into the warmth of his neck. "Yoongs..." You sleepily mumbled and slowly opened your eyes, only to be hit with the reality as images flashed in your head. Gasping, you removed your face out of Jungkook's neck and looked here and there. "Yoongi, where is Yoongi??" You panicked.

"Hey hey." Hearing a melodic voice close to your ear, you craned your head towards Jungkook, leaning back when your nose bumped with his due to the close proximity. "Yoongi is undergoing a surgery in the ICU right now." He spoke as softly as he could to not startle you. You blinked rapidly, tears slowly forming in your eyes. "W-What hap- happened?"

He sighed. "The doctor said that he has a minor concussion on the back of his head, sprained left arm and-and both his legs are fractured. It seems the culprit's main focus was on breaking his legs only due to multiple bruises on the area." You released a shaky breath and looked down as a tear left your eye. Someone had tried to purposely hurt your brother.

"Hey, he's fine, he will be fine. Don't cry hm." Jungkook lifted your chin up before delicately wiping the tears with his soft fingers. "A police report is filed as well and they're searching for the cctv footages, those bastards will be caught and punished." You nodded.

"Are you hungry? It's time for breakfast anyway." You shook your head, you're sure you won't be able to swallow a single bite with Yoongi in this state. "I know you are, Aera. You have to stay strong for hyung when he wakes up, don't you?" You sighed. He was right so you slowly nodded your head.

"Good. Also, my legs will finally be able to breath in the air of freedom." Brows furrowed in confusion at his statement, you looked down at his legs, but instead were met by the sight of your thighs resting on his. Eyes almost popping out of the sockets, you clumsily scrambled out of his lap and on the ground; cheeks ablaze. "S-Sorry.." You squeaked, embarrased as he stretched his numb legs before yawning and smiling at you, "It's okay."

"RaRa!" You flinch and turn around at the deep voice. Taehyung was running your way and you could see his teary eyes with Jimin and Azalea following closely behind. You jog a bit his way as he instantly crashes you into a bone crushing hug. "Oh my god..." He sighed in relief as you sniffle in his chest. You had asked Lea to come to the hospital along with Taehyung and Jimin after they wake up.

"Shh shh everything will be okay." He gently stroked your hair, coaxing you with his soothing voice. After what seemed like an eternity, he broke the hug and softly cuped your face; wiping at the tears that had unknowingly cascaded down your cheeks. He then looked at Jungkook, silently asking him about Yoongi.

Jungkook sighed. "He's in ICU, undergoing a minor head concussion surgery." He closed his eyes as Yoongi's almost lifeless form on the bed flashed before his eyes. "An-And both his legs are fractured along with a sprained left arm..." You bit your lip to stop a sob from breaking through, your mind going into a flashback as well.

Taehyung pecked your forehead before pulling you into his chest again. You felt Azalea and Jimin hug you from behind, the four of you huddled together; Lea sniffling on your shoulder while Jimin mumbled calming words into your ear.

✡ ✡ ✡ ✦ ✡ ✡ ✡

"Here, have some more." Jin placed a few more pieces of neatly cut gimbap onto your plate.

It was past 12pm in the afternoon. Despite their hungover state, Jin along with Namjoon and Hoseok had showed up the moment they recieved the news. They had rushed into the hospital and enclosed you in tight hugs, sobbing and blaming themselves for sending Yoongi alone at a dark hour; Hoseok crying hysterically upon hearing what state Yoongi was in.

Speaking of Yoongi, his surgery had gotten over 3 hours ago, visiting will be allowed once he wakes up. So now you all were having snacks in the hospital cafeteria; the atmosphere as gloomy as ever.

You sighed, reluctantly placing a piece into your mouth. Jin being the mother of the group he was, kept insisting you in eating some more everytime your plate got empty. It's not like you didn't appreciate his kindness, it's just you were really full, but still kept eating to not upset him. "Are you okay?" You looked to your right upon hearing Taehyung's voice.

Now he was another case. Ever since he arrived here, he hadn't left your side even for a single second; not even when you had to go to the washroom (he was ready to come in as well but stood outside when you scolded him). He kept asking how were you everytime he noticed a slight change in your expression, just like now. To say that you didn't love this adorable human and his generosity would be an understatement.

Lifting your lips into a soft smile, you nodded your head. He smiled back before ruffling your hair in an affectionate manner and going back to eating. You were about to resume eating as well but stopped when you felt someone's gaze on you.

You swept your eyes across the table and met his. Jungkook had his face propped up on his fist as he stared at you. Your breath hitched when he didn't avert his gaze and kept gazing deeply into your orbs despite being caught. You looked away as you felt heat rising up your cheeks, sneaking a glance around to see if anyone had noticed. To your relief, no one did as they were busy filling their stomachs with crestfallen faces.

"Miss Aera?" A masculine, unknown voice broke through the silent cafeteria. All heads diverted up and came face to face with a man somewhat in his early thirties standing near the table with a stoic expression etched onto his face. His uniform was enough to indicate his identity.

"I'm officer Kim Kwon of the Police department of Seoul. I'd like to speak to Min Aera regarding Min Yoongi's case." He spoke with an authoritative tone as he quite intently analysed the individuals seated on the table. You felt Taehyung's hand squeeze yours in assurance before you hesitantly stood up. "I-I'm Min Aera."

You gulped when the officer's diligent eyes met yours. He looked you up and down before stretching his hand forward for a handshake. "Hello Miss Min, I'm officer Kim and I will be the one handling your brother's case. I would appreciate if you cooperate with us and help if can."

You gave him a small smile. "Y-yes, sure."

"Good. I want you to come to the police station with me right now. We might have found some suspects on the case already."

-×-

A/N: so many events took place in the span of two weeks. From NPR, to the UN speech (for which I'm extremely proud of them💜), to the release of the new album dates, to In the SOOP last ep, to the savage love remix + tiktok, to the Jimmy fallon full week of performances, to the many photoshoots and lastly, Billboard No.1 on 7 fucking charts, TRUELY INCREDIBLE AND AMAZING!!!

THIS SHOOT. PERIODT. 😳💦💘