____
"do you want more meat, mr. baek?" aera muffles with a full mouth, looking at mr. baek with eyes shining against the bonfire. the old man remains silent, but nods for the little girl, liking the bond they've formed in the few days aera has been here.
aera stands up from her cushion, wiping her hands in a napkin roughly as she never understood how some people eat without making a mess when she couldn't even manage to get through one meal without dropping some of the food on her shirt— the reson jimin preferred keeping napkins within reach in the dining table and something to cover her shirt.
she sighs to herself, folding up her sleeves and pushes the bowl of stew aside carefully, shifting towards the pan with the sizzling hot steak. smiling at the deliciously cooked meat, aera takes the chopsticks, not having a knife and fork here, and picks up the biggest steak, determined to serve it to mr. baek at once, without dropping anything.
although it didn't seem like a good idea, because the moment aera decided to pull it off, the meat slipped from the grip of her chopsticks, falling back into the pan, causing the leftover oil to splatter out. aera winces in pain, feeling the oil hot enough to make her cry and push the pan away, accidently hitting her bowl of stew, spilling the hot liquid over her arm.
"aera!" mr. baek gasps, getting up from his place, cursing at his joints for not being as fast as he wants them to be. yet when he reaches aera, grabbing some wipes for the girl and cleaning her arm, checking if there's anywhere she's hurt, aera's already busy crying.
tears stream down her face as she holds her right arm, which appears reddish, "ouch... it hurts," aera sobs, "oppa..."
mr. baek glances at her, sad that this little angel got hurt, but also happy that she still loves her brother. he helps her up, taking her to the kitchen and brings her arm under running water. between aera's sobs and mr. baek trying to console her, the sound of doorbell goes off a couple of times together, making mr. baek sigh as he leaves aera by herself for sometime, giving her the ointment to put on her arm while he takes the door.
•••
jimin stares at the miserable condition of the house in front of which he's standing with the police and his hyungs. fear takes over him, imagining a filthy old man probably taking advantage of his innocent little sister. he glares at the police officers, muttering under his breath, "and you wanted to leave her at this place. consider yourself lucky that i'm not dragging your ass to your higher authorities,"
"we're sorry, mr. jeon," the officer bows instantly, "please don't do that. we're really sorry for our carelessness,"
jimin ignores the man, walking to the front door of the house, pressing the doorbell while the policemen have his back, standing alert for any mishappening. it takes the house owner a bit longer to answer the door, but when he does, jimin notices that it's an old man indeed, probably in his seventies or even older because his hands shake lightly as he holds the door open.
"yes?" mr. baek looking up at the tall men towering over his bent figure.
"where is my sister?" jimin grits out.
"jimin," jin clears his throat, stepping ahead and gives the old man a tight smile, "he's jeon jimin, aera's brother. the child you're hiding with you,"
mr. baek freezes for a second, nodding slowly as he opens the door wider and lets the men in, "please don't bring the police with you," mr. baek requests, "she doesn't want to go home anyway, and if you bring the police with you, she might get more scared,"
jimin's jaw clenches at the man, "who are you?" he glares at him, "is it fun doing all this at your age? taking advantage of kids like my aera? she left home because of some misunderstanding and you just decided that she could be someone you can use?!"
"sir, i'm sorry, i neve—"
"mr. baek?" aera's voice calls from the kitchen, "who's it? please help me with this... my arm hurts..."
jimin gasps at the voice, rushing in the direction where he believes aera is and ends up in the kitchen, "aera... my child," he whispers, tears filling his eyes on seeing the girl sitting on the chair, sniffling softly, wiping her tears in the sleeve of her shirt occasionally while also putting something on her arm.
"aera," yoongi sighs in relief, almost taking a step towards the girl, but stops on seeing that she's hurt. jimin and jin frown as well, glaring at the old man for hurting their princess.
"mr. baek, this—" aera looks back, falling quiet as soon as her eyes land on jimin, yoongi and jin. she frowns in confusion, moving back and looks around to find mr. baek, "mr. baek? where are you?"
"aera, baby, are you okay? what happened to your arm?" jimin blurts out, rubbing the tears away from his eyes and goes to aera, hugging her tightly, "god, why'd you leave us princess? you had me dying for you," he whispers into her hair, stroking her back only to be pushed away with aera whining against him.
"no! you're lying!" she retrieves back, "you don't love me— you don't even like me! i'll go away. i don't wanna go with you!"
"it's no—"
"mr. baek, why did you let them in?" aera breaks into a sob, running to the old man, who sighs softly, sending apologetic glances at the guests, "i told you i don't wanna go back..." she cries.
"they're your family, aera," mr. baek says, gesturing towards jimin who's on the verge of breaking down, "look at him. do you reall think your brother doesn't love you? he's literally ready to fight anyone for you, got the whole police department looking for you. why would he do all that if he didn't love you?"
"no..." aera shakes her head, crouching down as she glances at jimin, "you said you're sick of me... riri's only bad and she don't do anything good... you said it didn't you? and you wanted a break, you kept scolding koo an-and fighting taetae and then me that day... i was so scared... koo got hurt because of me too... i won't go back... go away..."
"no," jimin gulps the lump in his throat, kneeling down in front of aera and reaches out to hold her hand, "do you really think i don't love you, kiddo? i'm sorry— i'm really sorry losing control that day, i shouldn't have let that happen. but i swear on my life, ri, you're the most important person in my life. nobody compares to you, i love you the most and i will never hurt you in any way, baby. you're my only little girl aren't you?" he strokes her head, tears dropping from his eyes too as he speaks to her.
"i really hate myself for being the reason you took such a big step, for making you think that nobody loves you. it's not true, aera, none of that is true... i know what i did was wrong and you have the right to he mad at me, princess... but please... don't punish me like this. i just— i just want my baby back... we all missed you so much... i missed you so much, aera. let's go home, please,"
jin rubs his eyes, nodding with jimin's words and crouches down near them, "yes, i promise me and your appa will scold everyone who's being mean to our princess, even if it's jimin himself. but please, aera, don't leave us like this. we can never forgive ourselves knowing that we're the responsible for this," yoongi stays silent, just watching aera with eyes blurred with tears while she's crying as well.
"but you said—"
"i'm sorry for what i said," jimin says, "i was tired and just said all of that out of anger. i didn't mean it, aera. when i said i need a break, it wasn't meant for you. i needed a break from work, from stress, and just— i don't know how to explain it to you. but i promise, aera, oppa loves you way more than you can even imagine,"
"i don't wanna bother you but... or anyone..." she mumbles, rubbing her eyes and jimin sighs, shifting near her. he brings her hand down from her face, pulling her to his chest and kisses her head.
"you're never a bother, my love," he assures her, "if anything, you're a blessing from the angels. i told you that story remember?" aera hums softly, nodding her head and jimin glances down at her face, "you're my little princess, i love you. you're all the good things in my life, kiddo. don't ever leave me again, i might die..." he nibbles his lip, holding aera tightly as he takes the moment to reassure himself that eveything's fine and his sister is in his arms.
aera stays quiet, her head resting on his chest where she can feel his heart beating like crazy with all the crying and heavy breathings. she glances up at jimin's face and wraps her arms around him gently, hoping that would calm his heart down a little.
"i'm sorry," jimin mumbles to her, "i'm really sorry for what happened,"
"oppa..." aera gulps, still hesitant with her movements for she had never seen jimin in such a vulnerable state. his heart won't calm down and he just wouldn't let go of the hug, as if he was scared to let go. "i... i'm sorry..." she hushes out, "please don't cry..."
"jimin," jin pats the younger's shoulder, wiping the tears from his face and helps him gain himself back, "everything's okay, relax," he assures, and jimin nods, throwing his head back as he takes a few deep breathes.
"don't worry, i'm fine," he says, glancing at aera and cups her face, kissing her cheek once again, "how did you get hurt? show me, is it hurting too much? should we go to a doctor?"
aera looks at her arm, wincing as it looks worse than before and she nods, noticing now that it's actually hurting, "it hurts..." she mumbles, "but i don't wanna go to the hospital. let's go home,"
"are you sure? it looks bad?" jin asks.
"it'll be fine," aera shrugs, standing up and hugs jin too, "i'm sorry for running away and making you all worried. maybe i'm trouble... i couldn't even get one thing right,"
"i'm so glad you didn't get this right," jimin heaves out, patting aera's head, leaning down to kiss her head. she hugs him back, mumbling out a sorry, then looks at yoongi who has never ever been so quiet, especially after something happened with aera.
"appa," she hushes out, opening her arms for him, "i'm sorry. i've been a bad girl... i shouldn't leave like that. please don't be mad, i'm really sorry,"
yoongi sighs softly, opening his mouth to say something, but falls silent and just lowers down to get on his one knee, staring up at aera's face with his head tilted slightly, "i'm sorry," his whispers out, dropping a tear on his cheek, "we don't deserve you. i can't believe we, seven grown men couldn't understand you... i'm really sorry for that, baby. but— but i promise... your appa promises, kiddo, that he's gonna make sure you're treated right and loved the way you deserve to be instead of being dragged into the elders' mess. appa's sorry for what happened, love,"
aera hugs him quickly, lowering her head on his shoulder and pecks the nape of his neck softly, "i love you, appa. don't be sad, i'm okay. i should've listened to you instead of thinking stupid things..."
"my child," yoongi breathes out in relief, kissing the side of her head and rubs her back, "we missed you so much, you have no idea,"
"i missed you too," she pulls away, glancing at jin and jimin as well, "i kept thinking of you and home all the time. ask mr. baek,"
the old man smiles, nodding at her words, "she kept saying that she doesn't need you if you don't need her. but whenever she broke into tears, your name was the first thing she ever said, mr. jeon," mr baek says, "i'm sorry for keeping her with me just like that. i have no right to do that and it was certainly not the best decision either. but i didn't want her to run away from here too. i didn't know the truth about her family until today when the police officers came by earlier during the day. i'm sorry,"
jimin nods hesitantly, glancing at yoongi and jin to do the talking as he couldn't understand what to say to the old man after practically insulting him and accusing him of being some kind of nasty minded old freak, most probably linking him to be a pedophile.
"it's alright, mr. baek," jin says, "in fact thank you for taking care of aera while she needed someone. we're really grateful to you for that,"
"yes," yoongi agrees, "thank you. and uhm i don't know how to say this, i would like to offer any kind of help if you want— i mean whatever expenses you had during our kid's stay with you,"
"no no, what are you saying?" mr. baek shakes his hand dismissively, "eveything in this house is free, young man. it's all what nature let's me have. i don't want anything from you and your brothers, i'm just happy that i could help aera,"
the three boys smile at him, nodding at his words with respect growing in their hearts for him. jimin bows to him, taking a deep breath, "i'm sorry for everything i said earlier. i was just too worried about my sister and thought you were hurting her. i'm really sorry, mr. baek,"
"it's alright, young man. i understand what you were going through,"
jimin stands up straight, staring at the old man with a soft smile, "thank you, sir. it's been a long time since we met someone like you. it's a pleasure," he says and glances at aera, patting her head, "say bye to mr. baek, we'll get going now,"
aera nods, looking at mr. baek and steps forward to give him a hug, "thank you for taking care of me, mr. baek. you're really a sweet man. i really hope your son would visit you soon, and if not, you can always call me okay? i'd love to have you over— or maybe i can visit you?"
"sure," mr. baek chuckles, cupping the young girl's cheek and speaks in a tender voice, "your family loves you, aera. your bond with your brothers is too precious to be broken over some misunderstandings. so never do this kind of mistake again and try to talk it out with them? you're always gonna be their sister and they'll always be your brother, it's you who has to make it worth it,"
"i'll remember that," aera nods, "thank you, mr. baek." she smiles, stepping aside and glances out of the window, gasping as something strikes her mind. she jogs out to the backyard, calling for the dog she named candy and brings him to the elders. she pets his head, kneeling down in front of the dog, "i'm leaving now, candy. but you stay here okay? stay with mr. baek and be his friend. you're good at being friends and loving people," she hushes out, breaking into a giggle when candy licks her cheek a few times, "yeah, i love you too and i'll miss you. i'll come here sometimes to play with you okay? and don't worry, i won't forget you,"
aera looks up at mr. baek and smiles, "candy will stay with you so you won't be alone, mr. baek," she smiles, proud of her idea while the old man feels tears in his eyes, for never in his life had he expected someone— especially a kid as young as aera— to care for him so much when his own son didn't bother.
"thank you," he nods slowly, clearing his throat and gestures his hand to the door, "now go home and treat that burn on your arm. it's time for me to sleep,"
"oh... yeah," aera scrunches up her face, "wait! give me your number, mr. baek,"
"i don't have a phone, aera,"
"oh... yeah... right... how are we gonna stay in touch then?" she pouts.
"you can come here whenever you want. the doors are always open for good people," mr baek assures her, "now get going. it's getting late. goodbye, little one,"
"okay, bye-bye mr. baek! bye-bye candy! i'll miss you!" aera waves at them, holding jimin's hand as they head out and she hears candy barking behind her, following her like he did the very first night they met. aera smiles at him, petting his head and mouths him, 'thanks candy,' the dog miraculously stops barking, standing calmly as she gets in her brother's car, waving at the dog and mr. baek. "bye candy! bye mr. baek! take care!"
her eyes follow candy's figure until it disappears in the darkness and she sighs deeply, leaning back on her seat, closing her eyes. jimin wraps his arm around aera, pulling her closer in his embrace and kisses the top of her head, "you're missing that dog?" he asks, getting a nod from her.
"his name is candy," she mumbles, "i named him. he was very agressive when i first met him that night after i ran away from home. i thought he would bite me, but then i offered him a cookie and he started following me. he never left me alone since then... i was so scared before that, walking alone at night. but when candy was with me, i felt fine. i think he knew i was scared and he was scared too, and we both just needed someone,"
jin, yoongi and jimin exchange glances, registering the deep words from their young kid's mouth, feeling proud and also worried at the same time as they wonder what all aera might have seen and experienced in these five days she was away. aera turns to face them, looking hesitant as she fiddles with her hands, pouting subtly, "is everyone mad at me? is koo mad at me...?" she asks softly, scared to know the answer and jimin smiles, shaking his head.
"nobody is mad. they were all worried for you and just wanted you to come back home all fine. they all missed you just like we did, princess,"
"koo must be sad,"
"he... well, yeah he was. but he'll be fine now that you're back,"
"hm," aera nods, glancing outside the window and watches jin pull the car in front of a clinic. she sighs glancing at her arm, not protesting about it and lets the brother guide her inside. the police car that has been with them along now departs after talking to jimin, jin and yoongi, confirming that they don't want to file any case against mr. baek.
the doctor treats aera's burn, dressing it up with a clean sterilized bandage and prescribes some antibiotics and pain relievers just in case it hurts her too much. by the time they reach home, it's already midnight and aera yawns in her seat, feeling too tired to even get out of the car.
"hey," jimin calls her softly, "c'mon, let's go in. it's cold here,"
"i'm sleepy," aera mumbles, "and tired,"
jimin sighs softly, stroking her hair out of her face. he understands the last few days must've been tiring for her considering that she was in a completely new place without any technology to help herself and probably had to help mr. baek with everything he did in his daily life. also as she got hurt today and then cried for a good amount of time, first due to pain, then talking to the boys, it must've drained her both emotionally and physically all for one day. after all she's still just a child.
so he doesn't say anything when he sees her snuggling into her dreamland, too sleepy to care about being home after five days, and that's enough for jimin to know that she's actually tired, because there's no way this girl would ever miss meeting jungkook especially after eveything that happened. jimin smiles softly, gesturing the elders to go ahead as he carries aera in his arms, following after them and enters the house.
"are you guys back? how's aera? where is she?" hoseok rushes up the jin in the front, scanning around until his eyes land on jimin, holding the girl, "gosh! what happened to our riri?! why are you—"
"she's just sleeping, hobi," jin answers, "she's fine. she was tired and fell asleep on the way, that's all. you don't have to worry,"
"what's that on her arm?" he asks.
"it's a long story, we'll tell everything together," jimin says, heading inside and jungkook rushes up to him with taehyung and namjoon behind.
"aera," the boy reaches out, not caring that she's sleeping or anything and just takes her down. aera stands in front of him with her eyelids dropping close frequently, while jungkook hugs her tightly, kissing her face over and over again, "god... you scared the life out of me, aera," he whispers to her, pulling away and holds her hand, "ri? are you alright?" his eyes scan her body from head to toe, spotting the bandage on her arm and looks over at jimin, "what happened? why's she not hugging me back?"
"she's just sleepy," jimin says, patting aera's head, "you can sleep later, honey. look, kookie is here. he missed you, baby,"
aera hums, hugging jungkook slowly and nuzzles her head in his t-shirt, "koo, on your lap,"
jungkook does that without a second thought, holding her in his arms and takes a seat on the couch, bringing her on his lap, "is this okay?" he asks, getting nod from the sister, "sleep later, aera. just look at me for now, give me a tight hug and promise me that you'll never leave me like this ever again..." he face her face, tears blurring his eyes as aera looks at him, less sleepy than before.
"i'm sorry," she says, kissing his cheek, "i will never leave you,"
"please don't," jungkook nods, lowering his head as tears now stream down his face, holding her small hand in his large one, "i felt like i'd die. i actually mean it, aera, when i- when i say that you have my heart with you, when i say that i love you the most, and when i say that my little sister is my eveything. i'm never lying to you, sweetheart... you just left us here... left me— and i felt like you took a piece of me with you. i could barely breath here. please don't ever leave me again okay?
"if anything bothers you, if someone hurts you or whatever it is, aera, i swear on my life, i can fight anybody if it means i get to have you with me. trust me on that. i've never loved anyone more and i don't plan on loving anyone more than you. so please... okay?" he looks at aera with begging eyes, then presses his lips on her forehead for a good number of seconds while he takes the time to convince himself that his aera is fine and back in his embrace. "i love you, kiddo,"
"i love you, koo," aera wraps her arms around his neck, wincing as she forgot about her arm and ended up hurting it. jungkook pulls away, wiping his tears and brings down her wounded arm to have a look.
"how did you get hurt? did someone do this to you? tell me and don't be scared, they'll pay for hurting you,"
"no, no, koo relax," she sits up straight, glancing at the rest of her oppas and smiles, "hi, i missed you all. i'm sorry for making you all worried. i'm silly, but forgive me please?"
"we missed you," hoseok says, leaning closer to her and kisses her forehead, "glad that you're back. this house felt weird without you. you bring life to eveything, aera, you're our little sunshine," he smiles.
"and you're my sunshine, hobi oppa," she smiles, hugging him briefly, still from jungkook's lap.
then taehyung hugs her and gives her a fake angry look, "do you have any idea how worried we were? you're actually silly to think we don't love you," he says and aera pouts at him, making him chuckle, bumping his forehead against hers gently, "you're our angel, aera. i'm sorry this happened. but we really, truly love you, princess,"
"i love you too," aera nods, "i was strong like you, tiger,"
"you're stronger than me, tiger," taehyung nuzzles his nose against her cheek, smiling at her when she giggles, hugging him tightly.
"joonie oppa, hug quickly," aera opens her arms for namjoon allmost instantly once taehyung pulls away and kisses his cheek, "i remembered eveything you taught me and i was being a big girl when i was alone. but i like being your little girl more, so i'm not going away again," she shrugs.
"you'll always be your oppas' little girl, riri. always," he promises, ruffling her hair and pecks the tip of her nose. he takes the seat beside jungkook while the rest of them settle down as well, silence taking over as they decide it's time for more important discussion.
"first tell me how did you get hurt?" jungkook asks.
"yeah, i wanna know too," hoseok nods.
"i was getting steak for mr baek, but i ended up getting the hot oil on me and then i spilled the stew too... so i got a burn on my arm," aera sighs, pointing at the bandage.
"mr. baek? who is that? and why the hell was he making you work?" jungkook squints in confusion, ready to jump into action and hunt the man down who dared to hurt his sister.
"mr baek is seventy years old. he helped me and let me stay with him. but he's old, so i used to help do all the work. his hands shook sometimes and he would drop the bowl," she says, "so i said i'd do it. he took care of me, koo. he's a nice man,"
"really?" he arches up a brow, turning to jin, yoongi and jimin, "sounds like a freak to me or a pedo?"
"no, kook. he's actually nice. he did help aera out during all this," jin says and aera nods to confirm his words.
"well, at least he was a good man," namjoon smiles.
"yeah, he's lonely because his son is selfish and lives in london. he didn't even come back when mr. baek had a lung infection and almost died. i felt bad for mr. baek. he's so nice but his son doesn't see that,"
the boys nod at that slowly, "that happens. some people don't realise the worth of others in time. and by the time they do, it's already too late," jimin says. aera remains quiet, nodding her head hesitantly at his words, making him chuckle as he pats her cheek gently, "you'll know what i'm saying in a few years maybe. for now, you should get changed and probably head to bed. you were sleepy weren't you?"
"mm-hmm," aera nods, "i wanna sleep with you... and koo...?"
jungkook clears his throat, glancing at jimin and then back at aera, smiling for her as he nods right away, "whatever you say," he agrees, but jimin senses the hesitation in his voice, making him sigh. although he forces up a smile as well, following youngers to aera's room once she's done bidding goodbyes to all of her oppas and kissed them goodnight.
aera's in the bathroom, taking a shower when jungkook gets some time alone with the elder brother. not looking at him directly, jungkook still decides it's the right time to talk, "i'm sorry," he starts with, "i shouldn't've been a jerk to you. i shouldn't've blamed you for everything... it wasn't your fault. and if it was, then i was in it with you. i messed it up too. maybe if i didn't mould your words like that, aera wouldn't have taken out the wrong meaning from it and all of this wouldn't have happened. i'm sorry, hyung,"
jimin looks at jungkook, smiling a little and nods, "i know what you were thinking and where all that came from. but i won't lie to you, kook, you deserve to know the truth," he sighs, "i don't blame you for anything, but it doesn't mean what you did was right. it did hurt me pretty bad— all of your words, like it was my fault, i don't love her, if i loved her she wouldn't have left, and stuff like that. you made it look like i didn't care about our sister, jungkook and that is a big deal... for me it is,"
jungkook stares at his feet quietly, now having the brain and capability to think straight and understand what his brother had to say. jimin rubs his eyes, taking away the tears that only reflected pain of the wound jungkook's words left on him, "maybe you forgot that i raised both you and aera, but i remembered— and still remember every moment of it. i never forgot that i have younger siblings— kids if you wanna put it like that. whatever i have done in my life till now has been only and only keeping you and aera in my mind, because i don't want you guys to face the consequences of my poor decisions. and what you just did while aera was gone, kook... it really hurted me in the ways you cannot imagine. but y'know what matters more?"
jungkook looks up from his feet, seeing jimin smiling softly at him, and he shakes his head waiting for jimin to answer himself, "that i have both of you back. i'm happy i could being aera back, and also that i could talk this out with you, kook," he says, "i did my part of job. now it's your turn, buddy. make a good decision, hyung's watching you always,"
jungkook lowers his head, nibbling on his lip as he steps forward, hugging jimin tightly and cries on his shoulder, "i'm sorry..." he repeats endlessly, choking in his attempts to keep his voice as low as possible, hoping aera won't hear them.
"i know you are," jimin pats the younger's head, "i'm not mad at you, buddy. just want you to know that you should really watch your words, because it hurts pretty bad when it comes from someone you love so dearly,"
"i'm sorry, hyung," jungkook hushes out again, "you just prove it every time that i can never compare to you. you make everything alright just by your mere presence. you brought aera back while here i was... wasted and blaming you and fighting everybody about it. you're jimin hyung and i'm just jungkook. that's the biggest difference between you and me,"
"alright enough of all that," jimin says, wiping the tears from jungkook's face, "what happened has happened. just be happy that aera's back and everything is fine now,"
"hm," jungkook nods, hugging jimin again and takes the opportunity to mumble something in the elder's shoulder, "if i ever be a jerk to you again hyung, please hit me hard. you don't deserve all this. and i don't deserve a brother like you,"
"hush, bunny. it's fine, don't think like that, yeah?" jimin pats his back, pulling away and makes him sit, giving him a glass of water. the door of the bathroom opens and aera walks out, heaving a deep sigh as she keeps the towel away and sits on the bed, wearing one of her night t-shirts and briefs.
"i'm so tired, oppa," she mumbles, falling back on the bed.
"dry your hair first or you'll catch a cold," jimin says.
"yeah," jungkook says, clearing his throat after the crying session and pulls aera up, "c'mere it's gonna be quick,"
aera nods, making him sit properly and takes her place in his lap, "koo, i missed you," she says with a smile, "do you know i took one of your shirts with me so i can i hug it when i miss you?"
"really?"
"yes," she nods, glancing at jimin who smiles at her, drying her hair as he sits beside the siblings. "and at night when i cried missing you— i wore it and then it smelled like you. so i thought you were hugging me and it felt like jiminie oppa would come and tell me to sleep on time. i even saw a dream of you both, you said riri, we love you,"
"we love you," jungkook hugs her tightly and kisses her cheeks, "you're my little kookie, aren't you?"
"yes," aera nods, letting out a yawn and rests her head against jungkook's chest.
he leans back slowly on the headboard, stroking aera's side lovingly and cuddles her properly, nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck, "you're everything i have, ri. everyday is my favourite with you," he mumbles, not resisting the urge to kiss her head, watching her eyelids close and lips forming a subtle pout as her cheek is pressed against his firm chest, "sleep well, little one,"
"you should sleep as well," jimin says, putting the dryer back and strokes aera's soft hair with his fingers. he glances at jungkook, "you must be tired too. get some sleep,"
jungkook nods, laying down in his place, never letting go of the little sister from his warm hug. jimin stands up from the bed, breathing a sigh of relief before exiting the room. his eyes fill with tears and lips stretch into a smile like he hadn't seen anything better than his siblings being fine and cuddled together.
"jimin," jin calls, "come, you should eat something. i've made some noodles for now,"
"hyung," jimin breathes out, hugging jin right away and breaks into a sob, "they're fine— i'm... i'm so happy they're both fine. i still can't believe all this happened with my kids... why is it always them? why do they have to go through all the shit and hurt like hell? jungkook has already seen a lot ever since he was young and aera... she's still so young, hyung. what should i do? how do i keep them safe and happy with me...? am i failing hyung?"
"no," jin smiles softly, rubbing jimin's back, "calm down, both aera and jungkook are fine only because you're their brother and you never give up on them. you're the strongest person for them, jimin. and if you ask me, looking at your siblings, i can say it very proudly, buddy that you never failed. never,"
jimin gulps down the lump in his throat, nodding slowly and rubs his eyes clear, "thanks hyung," he hushes out, "everything was too much this time. for a moment i felt like i lost my aera,"
"everything's fine. aera's back at home and you're the one who brought her back," jin assures, heading to the kitchen and makes jimin sit, giving him a glass of water and the noodles he made, "now eat up quickly, then you should get some sleep. you've struggled just as much as kook and aera,"
"i'm fine," jimin smiles to himself, "aera's back, kook is fine, they don't hate me. i'm fine, hyung,"
"they love you, jimin,"
"i know, and i love them way more,"
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a/n- did you like the series? which was your favourite part in this?
i'm so tired today nd now that i'm done uploading this chapter i'm going straight to bed. good night everyone 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 see you soon with another chapter <333
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