"Appa, why isn't Kookie appa coming?" Jae's innocent voice pierced through the quiet room, his eyes wide with confusion as he looked up at Jimin, waiting for an answer.
It had been a week since the fire, a week since everything between Jimin and Jungkook had changed. Jungkook knew now that Jimin wasn’t responsible for the blaze that destroyed his gallery. The investigators had found security footage from a nearby store that clearly showed the culprit—a woman whose figure was distinct and different from Jimin’s. And yet, despite knowing the truth, Jungkook hadn’t come home. He hadn’t reached out.
Jimin hadn’t tried to contact him either. He couldn't. The pain still stung too deeply. How could he reach out when Jungkook had doubted him so easily? His heart still ached from the realization that, in that moment, his word had meant nothing to Jungkook.
But Jae didn’t understand any of that. All he knew was that his beloved Kookie appa wasn’t around, and his little heart missed him terribly. Jimin didn’t know how to explain the complexity of the situation to his young son.
"Kookie appa is busy," Jimin said softly, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He tried to hide the sadness that was weighing him down.
"Oh, can we go to Kookie appa’s gallery?" Jae asked, his face lighting up with excitement at the mention of the place he loved so much. He had been looking forward to Jungkook’s second exhibition for weeks. Jae had been working on a special painting, one that neither Jimin nor Jungkook had been allowed to see. It was supposed to be a surprise for them both.
Jimin’s heart sank. How could he explain to Jae that the gallery was gone? That everything inside it had been destroyed in the fire? Jae didn’t know about the fire, and Jimin wasn’t sure how to tell him. How could he break his son’s heart like that? Jae would be devastated to know that all of Jungkook’s hard work was gone, reduced to ashes.
"How about you and me spend our holiday in bed instead?" Jimin suggested, pulling Jae into his arms and smothering him with playful kisses. He needed to keep Jae distracted, to keep him from asking any more questions about Jungkook.
Jae giggled, squirming in his appa’s embrace, but he made no real effort to pull away. His laughter filled the room, a brief respite from the heavy silence that had lingered for days.
"Appa, let's go meet Kookie appa. I miss him," Jae said suddenly, his voice soft but insistent.
Jimin’s heart clenched. He wanted nothing more than to pick Jae up, rush down the stairs, and drive to Jungkook’s house. But his pride—his wounded pride—held him back. It wasn’t his fault that the fire had happened, but Jungkook had blamed him. He had doubted him. How could Jimin go to him now, after everything?
"How about we go get your favorite gummy worms instead?" Jimin offered quickly, desperate to change the subject. "Appa will buy you maaaaany gummy worms!"
Jae’s eyes lit up at the mention of gummy worms, and he grinned, his crooked teeth on full display. "Many?"
"As many as you want," Jimin promised, relieved to see Jae's bright smile return. It was a temporary solution, a distraction from the questions about Jungkook that Jimin wasn’t ready to answer.
Jae leaped into his appa’s arms, wrapping his small arms around Jimin’s neck. "Yay! Gummy worms!"
Jimin held his son close, his heart heavy but full of love. For now, he could only focus on keeping Jae happy. The questions about Jungkook, the pain of their separation—it would have to wait. Jae’s smile, as bright as ever, was the only thing keeping Jimin going.
************
"Park Jaehun, I said gummy worm only."
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Jimin sighed as he watched his son, Jae, wander further into the toy aisle, his small hands already reaching for one thing after another.
This scene had become a regular occurrence every time Jimin took Jae to the supermarket. Jae was easily captivated by anything colorful or mechanical, especially toys. Even though he never insisted on having them, Jimin could tell from the longing look in Jae's eyes just how much he wanted them. It always tugged at Jimin’s heart.
"Appa, this thing can move," Jae said excitedly, holding up a soldier toy that came with tiny wheels. His wide eyes sparkled, but then he placed it back carefully and continued browsing.
Moments later, he picked up a toy police car. "This needs a battery to move." Jae examined it thoughtfully before setting it back on the shelf as well, his little hands carefully choosing and putting things back, one after another.
Jimin stood a few feet away, observing with a soft smile. Jae didn’t throw tantrums or beg, but his silent fascination with the toys made it hard for Jimin to deny him anything. His son’s innocence and wonder tugged at his heart.
"Wooaah, this one," Jae gasped in amazement, now sitting cross-legged on the floor with a massive green helicopter in his arms. He turned it over in his hands, checking every part, inspecting the propellers with his tiny fingers. Jimin couldn’t help but chuckle at how serious Jae looked.
Approaching slowly, Jimin crouched beside his son. "You want this?" he asked gently, expecting Jae to shake his head like he usually did. But this time, Jimin noticed something different.
When Jae looked up at him, his eyes were filled with tears, and his lips were trembling. Jimin’s heart sank.
"Hey, little Jae, why are you crying?" Jimin's voice softened as he patted Jae's head, gently running his fingers through his son's hair. It wasn’t like Jae to cry over toys, so seeing him like this caught Jimin by surprise.
"You want this?" Jimin asked again, his tone full of warmth and concern.
Jae didn’t speak, but he gave a tiny nod, his bottom lip quivering. His eyes were fixed on the helicopter, unable to mask his desire for it.
"Aish, Jae, don’t cry. Appa will buy this for you, okay?" Jimin said softly, chuckling at how easily his son’s emotions overwhelmed him. He reached down and lifted Jae into his arms, cradling him against his chest.
As he wiped away Jae's tears, he placed a soft kiss on his son's wet cheek. "T-thank you, Appa..." Jae murmured between sobs, clinging to Jimin’s neck.
"You’re welcome, my soft-hearted boy," Jimin whispered with a fond smile, holding Jae close as they stood there in the aisle.
Suddenly, Jae’s eyes brightened again. "Kookie Appa!" he exclaimed, his voice full of surprise and excitement.
Jimin froze, turning around quickly. Standing just a few feet away was Jungkook, staring at them with an unreadable expression on his face. His eyes flickered between Jimin and Jae, a mix of emotions passing over his features.
"J-jimin..." Jungkook whispered, his voice hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure what to say.
Jimin’s heart raced as he met Jungkook’s gaze. It was the first time they had seen each other since the fire, since everything had fallen apart. The air between them felt heavy with all the unsaid words, but in that moment, Jae was the only thing that seemed to matter.
"Kookie Appa!" Jae repeated, his arms stretching out towards Jungkook, completely unaware of the tension between his parents.
Jungkook took a hesitant step forward, his eyes softening as he looked at Jae. "Hey, buddy..." he whispered, his voice full of emotion.
Jimin stood still, holding his son, unsure of what to say or do. The weight of everything between them hung in the air, but Jae’s innocent smile cut through the tension, reminding them of the bond they still shared.
