Chapter Text
You had been looking forward to Seokjin’s latest livestream of "EatJin" all day, knowing it would be a brief escape from the world—a window into your best friend’s life, where he could let loose and share his love for food with his fans. You had seen almost every episode since he started, a ritual of sorts, like how you two used to bond over meals during childhood. You could practically hear his voice as soon as you clicked the stream, knowing it would bring a smile to your face, even through a screen.
As the stream went on, it was clear Seokjin was in his element, happily chatting and eating, sharing stories about his day and answering fans’ questions with his usual charm. The light-heartedness was infectious, and you found yourself laughing along with the chat, especially at his dad jokes.
But toward the end of the episode, something shifted. You watched as Seokjin paused mid-sentence, his eyes skimming the live chat, reading something that clearly unsettled him. He blinked a few times, and for a moment, you could see the slight change in his expression—something heavy that wasn't there before. His cheerful demeanor faltered, and he looked down at his lap, the energy of the stream dimming noticeably.
One of the fans had asked about his sugar gliders.
Your breath hitched, knowing what was coming. You had heard about Odeng’s passing a few days ago. Seokjin hadn’t said much about it to the public yet, and you could see that the question had caught him off guard.
“Ah…” Seokjin’s voice dropped, the usual buoyant tone replaced by something much softer, quieter. “Odeng… he… passed away recently.”
He hesitated, swallowing hard. You could see the way his eyes shifted, how his breath became shallow. He was struggling to keep his composure. “He fell from his cage,” Seokjin continued, his voice cracking just a little. “It… it was really sudden.”
He tried to force a smile, as if to lighten the mood. “But, uh… yeah, he’s… in a better place now.”
But you knew that wasn’t how Seokjin really felt. You knew how much he loved Odeng, how much those little creatures meant to him. He had always been so proud to share stories about them, how he took care of them, how they brought him comfort during his busiest days. His heart was breaking, and he was trying to hold it together in front of thousands of fans who couldn’t see the depth of his pain.
“I’m sorry,” Seokjin muttered quickly, blinking away the moisture gathering in his eyes. “I didn’t mean to… I’ll end the stream here, everyone. Thank you for watching. Sorry for becoming discouraged.”
And just like that, the stream cut off, leaving the screen blank.
You sat there for a moment, feeling a heaviness settle in your chest. Seokjin had never been one to show his vulnerable side easily. He was always the one making others laugh, the one who kept spirits high even when he was struggling. But this? This was different.
You knew he needed someone now, someone who could help him shoulder the weight of his grief. Without another thought, you grabbed your coat and keys and headed out the door, making your way to his apartment.
---
When you arrived at Seokjin’s door, you hesitated for a second, unsure if he’d even want company right now. But you knew him better than most. You knew that even when he tried to put on a brave face, he was someone who needed comfort, who needed to know that someone was there for him.
You knocked softly, hoping he’d hear you. After a few moments, you heard the sound of footsteps approaching. The door opened slowly, revealing Seokjin standing in the doorway, his eyes red and swollen from crying.
He didn’t say anything at first, just stared at you, clearly surprised that you were there. You offered him a small, sad smile, and that seemed to be enough to break the silence between you.
“I saw the stream,” you said quietly, stepping closer. “I came as soon as I could.”
Seokjin didn’t respond with words. He didn’t need to. Instead, he stepped back to let you in, and as soon as the door closed behind you, his carefully maintained composure crumbled. His shoulders slumped, his face twisting in a way that showed all the pain he’d been holding back.
Without thinking, you reached out and pulled him into a hug. He resisted for only a second, as if he was still trying to keep some semblance of control, but then he melted into your arms, burying his face in your shoulder.
The sobs that followed were quiet at first, but as you held him, he began to cry in earnest, his body shaking with the weight of it all. His hands gripped your shirt tightly, as if holding on to you was the only thing keeping him grounded.
“I didn’t know… I didn’t know it would hurt this much,” he choked out between sobs, his voice muffled against your shoulder. “I thought… I thought I could handle it, but…”
“Jin,” you whispered, gently running your hand up and down his back. “It’s okay. You don’t have to handle this alone.”
His breath hitched, and he clung to you tighter, his tears soaking into your clothes. He cried for what felt like a long time, all the grief and heartache he had been suppressing pouring out in waves. You didn’t say anything more, just held him, letting him know with your presence that you were there for him, that you weren’t going anywhere.
When his sobs finally began to subside, he pulled back just enough to look at you, his eyes still red and puffy. He sniffled, wiping at his face with the back of his hand. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, his voice hoarse. “I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t apologize,” you interrupted gently, brushing a stray tear from his cheek. “You don’t have to be strong all the time. You loved him, Jin. It’s okay to be heartbroken.”
He nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I didn’t think it would hit me this hard,” he admitted. “I mean, he was just… just a little guy, but…”
“He was your little guy,” you finished for him. “And he meant a lot to you. It’s normal to feel like this.”
Seokjin let out a shaky breath, nodding again. “It’s just… everything feels wrong without him. I keep expecting to hear him, or see him, and when I don’t…”
His voice trailed off, thick with emotion, and you could see the fresh tears welling up in his eyes. You reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here. Always.”
Seokjin looked up at you, his eyes softening. He squeezed your hand back, a silent thank you passing between you. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he whispered.
“You don’t have to find out,” you replied, giving him a small, comforting smile.
You stayed by his side that night, offering him the support he needed, the quiet comfort that only a best friend could give. And as Seokjin slowly found his way through the grief, you knew that you would be there, every step of the way, just as he had always been there for you.