Best of Me

Chapter 35: Papa

"Daddy, I scared," Minjun mumbled, fat tears beginning to roll down his cheeks as he stared at the pool water that was below him. His brown eyes were large, tiny body trembling in his little bathing suit. Jeongguk was kneeling on the stairs, bottom submerged except for his collarbones and chest.

Yoongi watched from where he was sitting against the edge, feet kicking the water lightly, as Taehyung and Jin played in the deep end- going underwater all the way to the bottom and holding their breathe. Hoseok was lounging with Namjoon, who was reading while Hoseok was on his phone.

The pool was outside and large, but no one was really there except for them and for that Yoongi was grateful. The sun was beginning to set and the beach was crowded with people and none of them were up for the waves, so they stuck to the pool.

"Sweetheart, it's okay, see? Daddy is in the water and daddy promises to make sure nothing happens to you. See? TaeTae and Uncle Jinie are playing," he said, then pointed to the two as they ducked back into the water. Minjun's lip trembled, another wave of tears sliding down his cheeks. "Oh baby."

Jeongguk stood, water dripping down his toned chest as he moved to grab Minjun but the toddler stumbled away, more tears running down his face as he rushed to Yoongi and buried his face in his arm.

Yoongi startled, but softened as he grabbed the baby and pulled him into his lap. "Papa, daddy wet! I scared," he sobbed quietly, tiny hands clutching his shirt. Yoongi froze, his mouth falling open in shock at the word Minjun had just used.

Jeongguk froze too from getting out of the pool, a audible gasp leaving his lips as his eyes jerked towards his son that was still crying into Yoongi's shoulder. Everything in Yoongi froze, his entire body feeling as if someone ducked him in water.

"What... what did you just call me?" he rasped out, pulling the toddler away so he could see his face. The baby hiccuped and sniffled loudly, wiping his snot with his hand as his big eyes stared back at Yoongi.

"Papa?" he hiccuped out then he looked away. "Yoonie?"

"No, baby, call me Papa. Please," Yoongi murmured, eyes beginning to sting with tears. He hugged Minjun close to his chest, a single tear running down his face. Minjun considered him his other father.

His second to his family.

Jeongguk was suddenly there, openly crying as he threw his arms around both of them. They didn't move a moment before Yoongi gathered himself and scrunched his nose. He let out a loud whine as he playfully pushed Jeongguk.

"Brat! You got me wet," he whined. Jeongguk pulled away, the same playful grin on his face. Minjun clambered out of Yoongi's lap, waddling towards Namjoon with curiosity.

"Oh? Did I?" he asked sweetly and Yoongi frowned. Jeongguk was a lot of things, but innocent was not in that list. Before Yoongi could even ask, he was suddenly hoisted up like some bride and then tossed into the water with a shout.

Warm water assaulted Yoongi as he rose back to the top with a swear on the tip of his tongue when he heard Jeongguk's cackling laughter echoing through the air. Shoving his bangs out of his eyes, he glared towards his boyfriend.

"Aww, did the kitten get wet?" he teased.

"Oh, it's fricking on, Jeon Jeongguk," Yoongi snarled. Jeongguk winked before he glanced down and saw that Minjun was grabbing the hem of his bathing suit bottoms. He pointed to Yoongi.

"I swim with daddy and papa?" he asked, though there was a tremor in his voice. Jeongguk nodded before taking his hand and leading him to the pool. Yoongi banished his hate of water and all things wet and approached the stairs with his arms out to take Minjun.

First, Jeongguk put the little floaties back on his arms, making sure they were on right before helping him on the first time. The toddler squealed at the water and wiggled his toes. Yoongi smiled, walking closer.

Jeongguk lowered himself into the water, still holding Minjun's hand from the top step and cooing him to step further in but the toddler trembled and shook his head. He stared at the water like ti was going to eat him.

Yoongi pushed himself closer, taking his other hand. Minjun raised his sparkling eyes, glistening with tears. He smiled sweetly. "Come on, Baby Bun. We got you," he promised firmly. Minjun inhaled before he launched himself into the water with a squeal.

There was a moment when the toddler squealed and flailed, only to see the floats on his arms held him up. Yoongi burst into laughter- yep, that is definitely Jeongguk's son. No other toddler would launch themselves into their fears like that.

Yoongi grabbed his arm and pulled him back over before he grinned as the toddler clung to his arm, but was slowly getting use to the water. It was cute to see the way his smile slowly spread over his baby cheeks and he slapped the water with a tiny hand.

Jeongguk started dragging him all over the pool, his laughter rebounding, and it was long till Taehyung was in on the fun. Seokjin had long ago climbed out and was now napping on the chair with Namjoon, whose fingers were tangled in Seokjin's damp hair.

Yoongi stayed in the pool- but only because Minjun begged him too and he can't deny that child anything even when he was exhausted.

It felt so good to be there like a family. His family.