chapter 5

At school~ Jungkook had never wanted friends.

He sat alone. He ate lunch alone. He played alone. He liked it that way. Friends meant talking. Talking was hard.

But after Taehyung~ something changed.

One day at school~ a boy asked Jungkook to play. Normally~ Jungkook would shake his head and walk away.

But this time~ he thought of Taehyung. He thought of how Taehyung had chased him in the backyard. How they had fallen on the grass together. How Taehyung had laughed and called him a bunny.

Jungkook looked at the boy. "Okay~" he said.

It was a small word. But it was a big step.

When he came home that day~ he told Taehyung. "I made a friend today."

Taehyung screamed and jumped on him. "KOOKIE MADE A FRIEND! I'M SO PROUD!"

Jungkook fell to the floor with Taehyung on top of him. They both laughed.

Mrs. Jeon watched from the kitchen. Her eyes were wet.

She looked at her husband. "Taehyung changed him~" she whispered.

Mr. Jeon was watching the boys too. Jungkook was laughing—a loud~ free laugh. His son was laughing.

"Yes~" Mr. Jeon said quietly. "He did."

The week passed like a beautiful dream.

Every day was filled with laughter. Every night~ Taehyung slept in Jungkook's room. They didn't even pretend anymore. After the first night~ Taehyung never slept in the guest room again.

They would lie in bed~ facing each other. Taehyung would talk until his voice became sleepy. Jungkook would listen until his eyes became heavy.

Sometimes~ Taehyung would reach out and hold Jungkook's finger. Just one finger. Like that first night.

Jungkook would hold it back.

And they would fall asleep like that—connected by a single finger~ two small hearts beating in the dark.

But the week was ending.

Friday came too fast.

The morning of the last day~ Taehyung woke up quieter than usual.

He didn't jump on Jungkook's bed. He didn't shout about the sun or the birds. He just lay there~ looking at the ceiling.

Jungkook woke up and saw Taehyung's face. His heart sank.

"What's wrong~?" he asked.

Taehyung turned to him. His eyes were sad. "Mama and Papa are coming today."

Jungkook's stomach twisted. "I know."

"I'm happy~" Taehyung said quickly. "I miss them. I miss Mama's hugs. I miss Papa's clumsy."

He paused. His voice became smaller.

"But I will miss you too. I will miss Auntie. I will miss Uncle. I will miss this house."

Jungkook didn't say anything. He just took Taehyung's hand under the blanket.

They lay there in silence~ holding hands~ watching the morning light creep across the ceiling.

The car arrived at 3 PM.

Kim Namjoon stepped out first. He was tall and handsome~ with deep dimples and kind eyes. His glasses were a little crooked. His shirt was a little wrinkled. He looked exactly like a professor who had just finished a long drive.

Seokjin got out from the passenger side. She was beautiful~ with soft features and warm eyes. She looked fresh and happy~ her skin glowing from the week away with her husband.

She looked at the house and smiled. "Home~" she said softly.

Then she saw the front door open.

Taehyung ran out like a bullet.

"MAMA! PAPA!"

Seokjin knelt down just in time. Taehyung crashed into her arms. She lifted him and spun him around.

"My baby! My TaeTae! Mama missed you so much!"

Taehyung had tears in his eyes. "I missed you too~ Mama! So much! So so much!"

Namjoon came over and wrapped his arms around both of them. His dimple was deep. His eyes were wet.

"Papa missed you~ little bear~" he said~ kissing Taehyung's head.

Taehyung hugged his father's neck. "Papa! Did you break anything at the hotel~?"

Namjoon laughed. "Only one lamp."

"MAMA! He broke a lamp!"

Seokjin sighed but she was smiling. "I know. I was there."

They were laughing when Jinim came out of the house.

"Yah! Kim Seokjin! You come to my house and you don't even say hello to your big sister~?"

Seokjin put Taehyung down and ran to her sister. They hugged tightly~ laughing and patting each other's backs.

"I missed you~" Seokjin said.

"I missed you too~ stupid~" Jinim said~ but her voice was soft.

Namjoon walked to the door. He bowed to Jinim. "Noona~ thank you for taking care of Taehyung. We are very grateful."

Jinim waved her hand. "Don't be silly. He is my nephew. He is always welcome here. Anytime."

She looked behind her. Jungkook was standing in the doorway. He was wearing a simple shirt and jeans. His bunny toy was tucked under his arm. His face was calm~ but his eyes were sad.

Jinim put her hand on his shoulder. "Jungkook-ah~ say hello to your aunt and uncle."

Jungkook bowed quietly. "Hello."

Seokjin knelt down to his level. Her face was soft. "Jungkook~ you have grown so much! You are getting so handsome!"

Jungkook's ears turned pink. He looked at the ground.

Taehyung ran to him and grabbed his hand. "Kookie is the most handsome! He has bunny teeth! And bunny eyes! He is a bunny!"

Seokjin laughed. "Is that so~?"

Taehyung nodded seriously. "Yes. He is my bunny."

Jungkook's face went red. But he didn't let go of Taehyung's hand.

Namjoon walked over and handed Jungkook a small gift bag. "This is for you. Thank you for being Taehyung's friend."

Jungkook took the bag carefully. He opened it. Inside was a set of colored pencils and a drawing book.

His eyes went a little wide. He looked at Namjoon. "Thank you."

Namjoon smiled. His dimple showed. "Taehyung told me you like to draw. So I thought…"

Jungkook looked at the gift again. He held it close to his chest. No one had ever given him something so thoughtful.

Taehyung peeked into the bag. "Oh! Kookie can draw me! Draw me with my bear! And you with your bunny! We can be together in the picture!"

Jungkook looked at Taehyung. For a moment~ his sad eyes became a little brighter. "Okay~" he said softly.

Inside the house~ Jinim was already preparing dinner.

"No~ no~ no~" she said when Seokjin tried to help. "You just came from a long drive. Sit. Rest. I will cook."

"But Jinim—"

"I said SIT."

Seokjin sat.

Jinim looked at her husband. "Jeon Jeun~ you are helping me. You are a chef. Get in the kitchen."

Mr. Jeon nodded. He rolled up his sleeves and followed his wife into the kitchen.

Namjoon watched them go. He looked at Seokjin. "Should I help~?"

Seokjin shook her head quickly. "No. You will break something. Stay here."

Namjoon pouted. His dimple deepened. "I don't break everything."

"Lamp~" Seokjin said.

Namjoon's pout grew. "Just one."

Seokjin laughed and patted his cheek. "Stay~ my clumsy husband. Let the professionals work."

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to be continued.....

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