Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut at the way Yoongi's shoulders slump, and at the clear shift in the balance of his weight. He's pretty sure that these moments are even worse than directly dealing with the blows. Coping with the physical pain is easy, most of it washing away in mere minutes. But knowing the emotional pain that Jungkook inflicts every time Yoongi sees his bruises twists him up inside in a different way — one that lingers and sinks in the pit of his stomach.

When Yoongi asks if Jungkook wants to discuss what happened, he's not sure what the right answer is. It's easy enough to know what Jungkook himself wants — to avoid the topic, to brush it under the rug. But would it help Yoongi to know more?

Or would that just be adding a burden they have no way of relieving?

"I don't think so," Jungkook sighs, brushing his hands up and down the line of Yoongi's back, reassuring and rhythmic. "It's just from the fight with my hyung. Nothing much worth mentioning; I'm fine now."