Our Love (J.JK x M.MN)

I'll Be Here

M I N A

It was a quiet Saturday morning and Jungkook and I were up early to take Junsu to the Incheon area where his brother is currently staying.

When we got there, we had to check in and we were escorted into the facility by a staff member. We saw another couple there looking around the place. The staff member we were with explained that they were here looking into adopting. They asked us how we stumbled upon Junsu, since we took him in even though he was never under any of the child care programs. We explained and they understood right away. Apparently, stuff like this happens often, except not many people choose to stay with the child like we did. That's how many of them end up in these children centers.

The facility was divided by age group. There were a few workers in each area looking after the kids. There were a lot more young kids, like toddlers, than older kids. They told us the oldest kid they had there was thirteen and he had been staying here since he was seven.

Junsu's brother was among the older kids. Their designated area resembled a classroom which was much quieter than the other areas we walked by.

"Junseok, you have some visitors." The staff member calls him out of the room. He was the smallest of the older kids, sitting alone and reading quietly.

He got up, timidly, going with the staff member and approaching us slowly.

Jungkook kneeled down to talk to him.

"Hi, Junseok. My name's Jungkook and this is Mina. It's nice to meet you."

I don't think they told the boy what was going on.

"We've been looking after your little brother here for the past few months and we wanted you to meet him."

Junseok finally spoke up. His voice was small, but we heard him clearly.

"I have a little brother?" He asks.

The staff member that was with us tried to help him understand.

"He was with your mother until she had to leave with your father. She left him with these nice people here. You've never met him because he was born after your father had to leave."

The boy's expression remained glum.

"Do you want to see him?" Jungkook asks.

Junseok nods reluctantly, finally coming out from hiding behind the staff member.

Junsu had been asleep in his carrier almost the entire time. I brought the carrier close to the floor for his brother to see. He became curious all of a sudden. We watched as he looked over his brother. They looked so much alike. It was like I was looking at an older version of Junsu.

"But why is he here?" Junseok asks, "Is he gonna stay here too?"

Jungkook and I both look to the staff member who had been showing us around.

"Your brother just wanted to visit you." She tells him, "He can't stay here though. We're already taking care of so many babies, there's not enough room for him here."

Those words didn't look like they phazed him.

"It's okay." He says, "But can he still come to visit? I want to see him when he's big and he can talk and we can play together."

"Is that alright with you?" The staff member asks us.

I look to Jungkook and he nods.

"Of course. We'll make sure you see him again, Junseok. You're a very patient boy, aren't you?"

Junseok nods, becoming shy again.

"Oh, here." Jungkook pulls out the box from his bag and hands it to him, "Sorry it's a little late, but this is a Christmas gift just for you."

He held the box in his hands like it was a treasure and he hadn't even opened it yet.

"Thank you." The staff member says, "We can't afford to get them all gifts every year so I know he'll appreciate this. What do you say, Junseok?"

"Thank you so much." He couldn't contain his smile.

After we had to say goodbye, we were escorted back out of the facility. In the way there the staff member spoke with us.

"I hope you'll keep him in mind if you two ever decide you want another child." She says, "He's a sweetheart and such a smart boy and he never complains about anything. The truth is though, the older kids here don't get adopted often."

"Why's that?" Jungkook asks.

"I guess people feel bad for the babies and the toddlers even though most of the older kids have been here for years."

Jungkook and I exchange glances. I knew what he was thinking.

We called a cab to get us to the metro station.

"What do you think? You think you'd ever want another kid?" He asks.

I shrug, "I don't know. Maybe if we had more space and more time I might think about it. Maybe I'll change my mind in the future though, who knows? What about you?"

"I'm not too sure either." He says, "I didn't even think I'd have one kid at this age. But you're right. Our minds change over time so who knows what I might want later." He pauses, "You wouldn't wanna have...your own kids?"

"You mean like give birth? I know it's kind of expected that I have my own kid someday, but if we have Junsu, I think I'll pass on that, as much as I'd love to carry a baby around for nine months." I end on a sarcastic note.

He chuckles, "Yeah...I think I'm happy with what we have now."

He kept his gaze on Junsu who was sitting quietly in his carrier. I didn't even realize he had woken up until now.

"This one's gonna keep us busy anyways." Jungkook says quietly.

He sat there watching Junsu for a moment, the two of them just staring back at each other.

"Hey." Jungkook says, "We still haven't been on a real date yet."

"Oh, you're right."

"We should do that soon. With just the two of us, but we'll have to find someone to look after this guy."

I nod, "No rush though. Not when I get to see you all the time anyways."

"True." He leans back in his seat, "But when was the last time you went out on your own just to have fun?"

I had to think about it. It's been a while.

"I can't even remember." I admit.

"See? We gotta change that."

"Okay, then I'll be waiting for that date, mister."

"Oh, so it's official now?" He asks.

"I guess it is."

"Sounds good to me. I've been waiting so long for this. I can't wait."

He smiles to himself just thinking about it.

We've been dating for a few months but we've never been on a date. Imagine that.

I was nervous about our "first date", but I had no reason to be.

I guess being nervous just shows that I care.