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"Hey, Tae, what's wrong? Your text seemed urgent."

Taehyung sighed a breath in relief at the younger picking up. But the exhausted lilt to his voice made his heart sink. "Gguk...why are you coming out with an album?"

"Because I'm an idol? That's what I do, Tae," he chuckled as if it were a silly question. Taehyung didn't find it funny.

"I mean," he enunciated, "Why are you coming out with one right now? So soon? You just got back from break. How are you already almost done with an album?"

Taehyung heard the younger sigh on the other line, his somewhat happy facade fading. "To be honest, Tae, since that's all I ever try to be with you, I'm exhausted. My company is pushing this album out within the span of five weeks. It's like they suddenly got a grudge on me. I don't know what it is but I haven't rested in days."

"Jeongguk...does this have anything to do with me?"

"No! No, gosh no. I don't think my company even knows about you...I guess they're just starting to get greedy. They want to make more money or something..."

"But you make them plenty of money!" He's exasperated. "Tell them to release new merch! Maybe a single! Not a whole entire freaking album!"

"Tae, baby calm down, please? It's fine. I promise I'm fine. It'll be over soon. I just need to hold out for a couple more weeks."

"Jeongguk it's only five o'clock and you already sound like you're about to pass out at any minute...I'm worried about you." And Jeongguk could tell, even in his sleepy state, from the tone of his voice that he really was worried. Scared even. But all he could do is give him false reassurance. But it's not like he's lying...he believes he'll be alright. He knows he will. So he tells what he believes to be true.

"I just didn't get enough sleep last night." True. "As soon as this is over we can all get together, yeah? Have a celebration party." He yawned as the end of the sentence dragged on, the words starting to slur together.

"I know you're trying to be tough," Tae started, "But if you ever need to crash, or just let everything out, I'm here. You're always there for me, I promise to be there for you, okay?"

"Mhmm," he mumbled. Taehyung could imagine his cheek against his hand as his elbow props against his desk. Maybe he was with Namjoon hyung in his studio? He doesn't know. But he could imagine.

"Be careful. Take care of yourself."

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I promise this won't be a very angsty story. Very light. Just bare with it for a while