Forever 3 || Namkook

9. Always here for You

"I'm home!", Jungkook shouts as he enters the house, sighing due to how tired he is. "Welcome back", Namjoon says, coming up to him with a small smile. Jungkook places his shoes neatly on the rack and smiles up at him, pecking him on the lips.

"Long day?", Namjoon asks, taking his backpack from him and setting it on the couch. Jungkook sighs heavily and leans his head on Namjoon's shoulder, wrapping his arms around his waist. "You don't wanna know", he mumbles.

Namjoon gently rubs his back. "It's going to be even longer", he says sympathetically. Jungkook looks up at him. "Huh?", he breathes out. Namjoon sighs. "We need to talk to Jimin", he tells him.

Jungkook's eyes widen momentarily before he relaxes back against Namjoon. "I totally forgot about that. Does that make me a bad dad?", he asks, only half-serious. Namjoon kisses his hair. "It doesn't. I can talk to him myself if you're that tired", he offers.

"No, it's fine. Talking to him together would be better. He's at a phase where he'll over think everything and we, as parents, should never give him the chance to do so. Let's go", he pulls Namjoon along with him and knocks on Jimin's door.

Jimin opens the door after what feels like two excruciating hours when it's probably less than two minutes. "Honey, can we talk?", Jungkook starts gently, not wanting to scare the teenager away.

Jimin looks uncertain. "You can say no. We'll wait until you're ready", he adds quickly. Jimin seems to contemplate it for a moment before he's shaking his head and inviting them in, probably deciding it's better to be translucent (you read that right) now than regret later.

"So...", Namjoon starts awkwardly. Jungkook elbows him out of Jimin's sight. "Can you tell us what exactly happened in school today?", he starts by asking directly. Jimin gulps. "Nothing happened, Dad. We were just playing and a friend-", he cringes, "-got hit. The librarian thought we were fighting so he took us to the principal. That's all".

Jungkook and Namjoon share a look before Namjoon is speaking. "What game involves punching your friend in the face, Minie?", he asks, keeping his calm. Jimin looks down, fidgeting with his fingers.

Jungkook gets up from the couch and sits beside Jimin on his bed instead. "Champ, what's wrong? You know you can tell us anything, right?", he prompts gently, giving Jimin a reassuring smile.

Jimin almost cries. Almost. Because then he remembers Ravi and his friends' threat. He doesn't want them to hurt Taehyung. Technically, Jimin is old enough to know it doesn't work like that but he can't help the fear that grips around his neck so tight, he can barely breathe.

"It's really nothing, Dad. I'm sorry I punched him so hard. I just got worked up", he says half-honestly. Well, at least he's not being completely dishonest.

Namjoon makes eye contact with Jungkook who nods reassuringly, closing his eyes for better measure. Namjoon sighs but manages to give him a shaky smile. "Mimi, don't you think I've forgotten about what you said this morning", Jungkook starts softly.

Jimin visibly flinches, eyes wide. Namjoon's heart rate picks up. What the hell is going on? "Jimin", Jungkook says, voice stern. "I just couldn't get along with some kids, Dad, Appa. Don't worry about it. I'm happy now! See?", Jimin says enthusiastically, smiling widely while cringing from inside.

Jungkook gives him a worried look, clearly not believing him. "Alright. But if I hear one more complaint, Mimi, especially about you being violent, I'm going to get your Appa and talk to your principal directly about what's going on with you, got it?"

There's no threat in his tone but he sounds firm enough to let Jimin know that he's being serious. Namjoon doesn't doubt him one bit. Seems like Jimin doesn't either, if the way he shivers is any indication.

"And that's not because we think you've done something wrong", Namjoon rushes to elaborate. "That's only because we're worried about you, Chim. You know it as well as us that violence is not something you're capable of, at least under normal circumstances".

Jungkook nods his head. He then puts his arm around Jimin's shoulders and pulls him close. "Baby, we love you so much. Whatever it is, you can tell us. Even if you did do something wrong, let us know so we can be there for you and help you fix it", he days gently.

Jimin lays his head on Jungkook's shoulder, feeling more and more guilty as his parents continue talking. He should just spit it out. He really should. But he doesn't know why it's so hard, why his mouth feels dry as though he has swallowed sand.

"And we trust you to always tell us the truth. We know you'll never lie to us. Whatever it is this time, we can forget and move on if that's what you want but if there's any trouble, even if it might seem small, come to us. We'll help you get through it. That's what we're here for, Minie", Namjoon adds.

Jimin just nods, still not able to encourage himself into telling the truth. "We're here for you", Jungkook whispers, kissing his dark mop of hair and that would've been enough for Jimin to start crying if it wasn't for Taehyung suddenly barging into his room.

"How come y'all have family time together and don't include me?", he asks, pouting. Despite being not that younger than Jimin, Taehyung definitely likes to be babied. And his cuteness is too endearing to resist.

"We were just discussing something important with Minie. Come here", Namjoon tells him, beckoning him close. Taehyung rushes to sit on Namjoon's lap, which is kind of uncomfortable since Taehyung isn't the size of a bean anymore. He's more like a baby bear now. Jimin, too.

He's too whipped to deny him, though.

"Yeah, family time isn't complete without our Tiger", Jungkook coos, tickling his stomach. Taehyung jerks away, laughing loudly and almost hitting Namjoon straight on the chin with his elbow.

"Anyway, you guys have fun. Or do your homework if you haven't already. Appa and I are going to make dinner now", Jungkook announces. Taehyung huffs sadly but lets Namjoon walk him to his room.

Jungkook waits for them to disappear into the hallway before turning back to Jimin.

"Will you be okay?"

Jimin's heart swells up with the intensity of the love he feels for his father. He cares so much it hurts sometimes. He gets up from the bed and gestures Jungkook to bend. When he does, Jimin gets on his tip toes and kisses his cheek, smiling widely when he pulls back.

"Of course, Daddy. I have you".

💓

Ah this is going to be angstier than i had originally planned. I can feel it in my left nipple.