They were sitting around the table in their sitting room, eating food bought for Yoongi’s birthday and Jimin was wondering why the atmosphere was so tense. Hoseok and Taehyung were acting like their usual cheerful selves but everyone else was acting kind of weird.

Namjoon, for one, was being uncharacteristically short with everyone and seemed to be avoiding talking to Jin. Jin was avoiding looking at Namjoon but he kept glancing over at Jungkook, a concerned frown on his face. Every time Namjoon gave Jin a short answer Yoongi would shoot their leader a glare. And Jungkook was being far too quiet, studying the food on his plate intently so he didn’t have to meet anyone’s eye but not eating any of it.

Jimin didn’t know what was going on between Namjoon, Yoongi and Jin and being younger than them he was reluctant to ask. It was Jungkook he was most worried about. He knew he hadn’t been feeling great for a while now. He was tired all the time and his appetite over the last couple of weeks had been pretty much nonexistent. He’d thought about saying something but he’d noticed Jin hovering and had assumed he had it covered. He was hovering now too, pushing Jungkook’s water closer to him every so often, encouraging him to drink even if he wasn’t going to eat. 

But while the lack of appetite was nothing new Jungkook being so quiet was. It was weird and Jimin didn’t like it. 

And then dinner was over and Jungkook was hastily excusing himself from the table. Jimin was about to follow him and check on him but before he could Hoseok was talking. “Where are you going?” He asked.

“Uh… to bed?” Jungkook ventured, startled by the question.

“No you’re not, not until the dishes are done.” Hoseok said cheerfully. “It’s you and me, remember?”

“Oh, yeah.” Jungkook said, remembering the game of rock, paper, scissors they’d played earlier and looking embarrassed. “Sorry Hyung.” And he started walking back to the table.

Jin though was quick to grab his elbow. “If he’s tired he should get some sleep.” He said. “I’ll help with the dishes if you want.”

“Stop babying him.” Hoseok told him, taking Jungkook’s other elbow and tugging him towards the kitchen. “He’s tired, he’s not dying. He can handle washing a few plates.”

“I said I’d do it.” Jin said, and expression steely he stepped between Hoseok and Jungkook. “And I’m not babying him. I’m doing him a favour because he’s tired and he isn’t feeling well. I’d do the same for anyone.”

“Hyung, I feel fine.” Jungkook said quietly, clearly uncomfortable at being caught in the middle. “I’ll help.”

“Don’t argue with me.” Jin told him firmly. “Go to bed.”

“He said he’s fine.”Said a confused sounding Hoseok, doing the arguing for him. “If he wants to help…”

But Hoseok didn’t get to finish. “I said I’ll clean up.”Jin said, cutting him off and turning to Jungkook. “You’re tired and you need to sleep, go to bed.”

“Okay.” Jungkook said, tone reluctant as he shot an apologetic look at Hoseok. “I’m going to bed, but I’ll help next time, okay Hyung?”

“Sure.” Hoseok said gently, picking up on the guilt in his voice.

Then Jungkook was heading for his room, Jin and Hoseok we’re heading for the kitchen, Hoseok still looking confused and Jin tense and everyone else was left standing awkwardly around the table.

Yoongi was the first one to break the silence. “I think I’m going to head to the studio, get some work done.” He said gruffly and he was gone.

“It’s his birthday…” Taehyung said, turning to Jimin with raised eyebrows.

Jimin shrugged. “He likes working.” He reasoned. 

“I do too.” Taehyun