Chapter Text
Yoongi knows his friends like the back of his hands. They’ve been through thick and thin, against the cold slaps of reality and constant reminder of failure, failure, failure. No one makes it out unscathed in this world, and his friends aren’t exceptions.
Seokjin, sweet, gentle Seokjin, isn’t the same boy he used to be. Hell, he isn’t even a boy anymore. Kim Seokjin is a tired and battered soul, his smile fake and threatening to fall apart any second. But he still tries, and Yoongi appreciates him for it.
Hoseok, on the other hand, doesn’t bother trying anymore. The previously happy boy has been swapped for an empty shell of a man who’s no longer there. His pathetic attempts at humor have all gone astray and Yoongi winces everytime he hears what comes out of the boy’s mouth now - the constant snarky slurs, curses and shouts, and bitter snippets - it’s far too painful to pay attention to.
Namjoon is rarely there anymore. He hides in his own shadow and when he does bother showing his face to the rest of the group, he looks like he’s in physical pain. He cringes and doubles over, not being able to meet anyone’s eyes. Seokjin has long given up trying to make the boy stay, and Yoongi blames neither of them.
And Jimin, god Jimin, the poor kid. Flinching everytime anyone glances in his direction, lashing out when feeling threatened, which is escalating to nearly once a day. Yoongi just wants to hug the boy, let him know everything will be alright, but he knows he doesn’t have the right anymore.
Their youngest was the latest to change, but when he started to Yoongi can’t even begin to describe how terrified he was. Jungkook was always the strongest one out of all of them - he was supposed to be their savior, the one who made things right. But Jeon Jungkook stopped caring altogether, and Yoongi can’t stand to look at him any longer.
Finally, there’s Kim Taehyung.
Unlike everyone’s preconception, it isn’t Namjoon who breaks everything he touches. That honor goes to Kim Taehyung, who with his manic eyes and permanently stretched lips, can’t hold onto something without breaking it into pieces. The boy without a care for the world plays with fire and knives, leaving the rest to deal with the consequences. He’s a reckless and foolish kid.
Yoongi sees the world fall apart in front of his eyes, and he doesn’t do anything to stop it.