CHAPTER NINETEEN :
4 Years Later...
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It was a typical Wednesday morning in the Kim household. Their small van became a brand new one; more sophisticated and sleek than the beaten-up car the father used to have. The door opens and a small group of children start to file near the vehicle, the driver nowhere to be seen. Jin stomped at the older brothers' room, almost slamming the door open as he eyes the eldest brother dozing off (even from the alarm) for the 2nd time this week.
"Joon!" Jin sighed frustratingly as he grabs the sheets covering the male, throwing it off to the floor as the adolescent male groaned from the icy wind tickling his skin. "Hmgh..." Namjoon flopped to his side, an eye opening to look at his weary father with hands on his sides. "Your brothers are waiting for you, and look at you—"
"Oh shi—"
"LANGUAGE! AND HURRY UP!" Jin gritted, almost slapping Namjoon's arm while the child dashes towards the bathroom, forgetting his clothes and slamming the door shut. Jin moaned and scratched his head, almost pulling every strand of his hair from his follicles because of Namjoon's frustrating behavior.
It has been 4 years since Jin and the other children have distanced away from each other, a transition that will never be forgotten by the family. Jin knew the kids have grown up with a wall slowly being built between them, and he couldn't do anything to stop it. He even tried to convince the kids to tell him what they want, but of course, they insisted that they don't really want to do anything. They really didn't want to pursue their own dreams, despite their father's persistence. They thought that their father would just be disappointed with what they would want to be in the future, so they put on a shell that made them be separated from each other.
They really are stubborn, but Jin was used to it, although sometimes he regrets his big mouth and expressive emotions showing on his (handsome) face that made the kids just look away. Whenever he tries to smile or say something, they would look down and away, just showing their ears that they're listening.
It has been like that for 4 years, and he felt like his 6 kids hate him.
"Buckle up." Jin sighs as he slams the car door closed after Namjoon finally rushed inside, buckling his own seatbelt and looked at the overview mirror. He could see almost all the kids looking away, except for Jimin and Taehyung who are quietly bickering on the back. Jungkook stay seated on the passenger side, a frown on his lips. Jin put the car on reverse, and went to their school with a small smile. Now that 5 of his kids are in elementary, while the eldest is in junior high school, he felt ease that they are quite mature now. He didn't need to buy lots of toys for them, and instead bargain them with yummy food that Jin can either cook or buy. They love love food, which is why its easier to talk to them with their lowered guard when he offers food.
"Have fun!" He shouts before the door shuts, Jungkook giving a small smile and wave to his father while the others quietly went inside. Only Jungkook has a soft side for his father, because of what happened a year ago. This made him understand his father more and have a different perspective from his brothers.
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Jungkook (aged 7) had a very awful nightmare, and he couldn't sleep at 2 am in the early morning. He thought this was bad, since he has a quiz on that day in Mathematics, his most hated subject of all. Sure, he likes Science and maybe English, but Mathematics is a no-no for Kookie.
He shook his head and plopped his feet on the floor, quietly walking towards the only room where he can sleep peacefully like before. He saw the door not closed, so he opened the door slightly and took a quick peek. He knew the consequence of him sneaking into his father's room, but sleep is more important than Jin's nagging in the morning. When Jungkook opened the door and peeked his head in, his heart dropped to his stomach.
Jin was holding a framed picture, his eyes wet with tears as he silently cried while sitting on his bed. Elbows resting on his knees with his hands shaking while clutching the picture, Jungkook couldn't help but open the door wide and run to his father. "A-appa..." He sniffled, making Jin almost snap his neck and with his teary eyes wide. "Jungkook..."
Jin hurriedly wiped his tears away and gave a small smile to Jungkook, until he realized what time it was and frowned. "Why aren't you sleeping? It's late." Jin scolded, putting away the picture frame that the youngest couldn't help but look. A picture of the seven of them, Jungkook sitting on Jin's lap with a cheeky smile while the others were obediently sitting on their seats with a huge smile. Taehyung, being a rebel, made a peace sign underneath his eye, while Jimin's eyes almost disappeared while smiling.
Jungkook looked back at his father, whose eyes remained on the picture with his eyes becoming teary once again. Jin's sad expression made the youngest silently cry, making a split-second decision to comfort his father and sit on his lap. "Yah Kim Jungkook—"
"Appa..." Jungkook trailed off while silently sniffling, his hands clutching Jin's pajama top tightly and burying his face on Jin's chest. The father couldn't help but let a tear escape, his hands slowly patting the youngest's back and comforting him. "You had a nightmare, huh?" Jin hummed, putting his legs on the bed and carrying Jungkook on his lap still. "Aigoo, my little baby." Jin sighed, leaning his back on the bed frame and wiped his tears away.
"Is this about Mr. Green Monster stealing your brothers?" Jin almost couldn't help but chuckle at his question, since he found it ironic that Jungkook's imagination was really... broad. Jungkook shook his head, however, which made Jin tilt his head slightly. "Mr. Green Monster did what then?"
"He took appa away..." Jungkook wept, making Jin's heart swell and his thick lips protrude out into a sad pout. "...and that hurt even more."
Jin couldn't help but sigh to make his chest feel lighter for him, but he felt suffocated. Jungkook being sad that Jin was taken away from him? It must have hurt to think about that for Jungkook, but for Jin, it was a father's duty to make sure he put himself first before his children.
"Baby no." Jin hushed, trying to comfort Jungkook in any way he can, like a baby he still is, but Jin's eyes began to swell tears. Jungkook sniffled and snuggled himself into Jin's chest. "Appa won't disappear, okay?" Jin reassured, cooing and kissing Jungkook's head and tried to get the youngest to sleep on his lap.
After a few moments, he could hear Jungkook's cries get softer, and then there were snores. Jin chuckled and wiped the tears from his son's cheeks, not even bothering to wipe his own and tucked Jungkook to bed. "My baby." Jin breathed out, his eyes remaining on the boy's figure on the bed and Jin's eyes closed. The picture of the other five smiling boys flashed in his mind, a small smile curling his lips. "My boys."
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After a long day of trying to survive school, the six boys met up at the entrance of the middle school. Jungkook was the first to arrive, since he was dismissed earlier than his older brothers and he patiently waited for the others to come. He swung his legs in the air as he sat on a concrete bench outside, his eyes remaining on the floor while listening to other students chattering away on the background.
"Kookie!" He heard one of his brothers' voice call him by his nickname, a smile spreading on his lips when he realized Jimin, his favorite brother, was the one calling him. "Wah!" Jungkook squealed as he was wrapped into a hug, the familiar frame of Jimin on top of his while he saw Taehyung approaching them with a small frown. "Kookie! How was your day, hmm?" Jimin almost tried to smooch Jungkook's cheek, and the maknae tried to flinch away from his brother's ministrations and ran towards Taehyung.
The other twin groaned as he was grabbed by the shoulders by the youngest, Jungkook trying to hide from Jimin who gave Taehyung a menacing grin. Taehyung just rolled his eyes and remained unfazed. "Yah, cut it out." Taehyung cooly said while watching Jimin giggle at their youngest brother. Taehyung is one of the brothers who changed drastically, becoming more stern and cool-headed, unlike the playful and childish Taehyung before. Jimin haven't changed one bit, even though he was the oldest twin.
Basically, Jimin and Taehyung switched roles, mentally.
"Hyung~" Jungkook whined while obviously getting disturbed by Jimin's hugs and tickles in the middle of the hallway. Jimin froze and chuckled, seeing Jungkook pout beneath him. "Okay, okay. Let's wait for our other—"
"We're here."
Jimin jumped with a scream when he heard Yoongi's voice on his ear, almost bumping heads as he dropped to the floor with wide eyes. Namjoon snorted and helped his dongsaeng up, glaring at Jungkook silently who was cracking up a storm. "J-jiminie-hyung." Jungkook almost howled in laughter, before flinching as he got smacked on the head by Hoseok.
"Shut. Let's wait for appa quietly." Hoseok almost hissed, making it obvious he wasn't in the mood for fun and games and Yoongi knew the reason why. "Practice in our room, Hobi." Yoongi sighed, crossing his thin arms while leaning on the wall. "Me and Joon-hyung will just study in the living room."
"But—"
"Hyung." Yoongi grounded out, giving his hyung a look that made the eldest shut up and understand. Namjoon gave Hoseok a look of empathy, which he appreciated at least. At least the eldest brother knows how to be empathetic, unlike before. "Thanks." Hoseok whispered, slumping to the bench and trying not to cry at what happened hours ago.
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AGES:
Namjoon- 12 years old (Grade 7)
Yoongi- 11 years old (Grade 6)
Hoseok- 10 years old (Grade 5)
Jimin and Taehyung- 9 years old (Grade 4)
Jungkook- 8 years old (Grade 3)