Hyung (Namkook)

As the night changes

⛔️I do not allow copying or translation of my work without permission

Warning: mentions death, trauma,mental health issues , adoption, foster care etc
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Jungkook cried his eyes out again once he saw his parents for the last time; he dropped to the floor crying. He still couldn't believe that they were gone forever and that he wouldn't be able to see them after today. He cried loudly as his friend Taehyung held him close. Taehyung's parents were also standing nearby, his dad slowly rubbing Jungkook's back and comforting him.

"I shouldn't have, Tae... It's my fault," he sobbed.

"What are you saying, Kookie?"

Taehyung's mom, Min-ah, dropped to his level and ran her hand through his hair.

Jungkook and Taehyung had been best friends for the last two years since Jungkook moved to their town and joined his school. They had been inseparable since then. His parents both worked full-time jobs and had been working late for a few weeks. The previous night, Jungkook got really annoyed at them for not giving him time, and he cried on the phone about missing them. That rainy night, they rushed home, and their car crashed into the bridge and went into the water.

"They died because of me, Mom," he mumbled.

They had become so close to each other that they were already calling each other's parents mom and dad. Taehyung's loud and vibrant personality was not everyone's cup of tea; since he came out as gay, no one really wanted to be friends with him. Jungkook, the new kid, was shy and introverted and kept to himself. For some reason or fate, they clicked and became good friends instantly.

"Honey, please don't say stuff like that. It's not your fault," Min-ah tried to console him.

He continued sobbing and hugging Taehyung. Tae's eyes overflowed too. Taehyung's mom and Haneyol, his dad, looked at each other, not knowing how to console the kid who faced one of the biggest sorrows of his life.

...

"So, he is 15... still a minor. So maybe we are looking at foster care until he is 18," the social service worker said.

"Foster home... no..." Min-ah kept her hand on her chest, worried.

"Ma'am, we tried our best to find his family members, but his grandparents are dead. His mom was an only child, and his dad's siblings don't have a stable home. One is an alcoholic who ruined his own family. We tried contacting a few of their old friends, but no responses were positive. We don't have any options; they don't even have a will. And since he is a teenager, the chances of getting adopted are... I'm sorry to say this, but slim."

"But still, foster care... that kid has gone through a lot. Now on top of that," Haneyol sighed.

"What if we try for his custody?" Min-ah suddenly asked.

Haneyol looked at his wife with big eyes. "Sweetheart," he called her softly.

"I'm really sorry... it just came to my mind. I should have asked before."

"Hey, it's okay. I mean, it's not a bad idea," he said, smiling.

"You think so?" she asked, her eyes glassy.

"You both understand what you are doing, right? I'm not discouraging you, but I don't want that kid to have false hope and then end up in the system once again. Getting his custody means you are responsible for him until he is of legal age," the social worker clarified.

"Yeah, we know... the Jeons were not our friends for a long time. But Jungkook and Taehyung are best friends. If there is no family, then we will be his family. I won't let him go to any random home, and if getting his custody gives him a stable home, we will do it," Min-ah said confidently.