The Arrangement | Taejin ✔️

Thirty-Four

For Seokjin, the day had been exhausting on all fronts—mentally, emotionally, and physically. It was the first time in his life that he had gotten as many calls in a single day as he did that day, which resulted in him shutting off his phone and disconnecting the house phone that he had no idea existed until that very moment.

He didn't want to interact with anyone, including his mother, Taehyung's parents, Hoseok, Namjoon, Yoongi, or Taehyung. Except for his children, he needed isolation from everyone and everything else. He alternated between playing music and having the television on throughout the day to keep the children engaged. At the same time, he kept himself busy by engaging in activities with his two oldest.

It was the first time he had ever been alone with all of the kids, and while it was challenging for him, he was able to get through it. Jimin and Jungkook were shown to be highly resourceful, particularly when they were offered their preferred snack. Jimin was there to assist him whenever he needed it, bringing diapers to him and carrying his siblings' bottles for them. As items fell to the ground, Jungkook scooped up the ones he could grasp and handed them to Jin, who was grateful for his thoughtfulness.

However, when the day drew to a close, and he attempted to get the kids to bed, he struggled with Jungkook. Jungkook had been used to Taehyung putting him to bed most nights, so it was troublesome for Jin to put him to sleep when he attempted to do so.

"Dada!" Jungkook pushed away his bunny teddy bear and cried as Jin tried to put him to bed.

"Jungkook, dada is not here. Please go to sleep." Jin tried as he wiped away Jungkook's tears. It broke his heart to see his son cry.

"No. Dada!"

"Kookie, sleep now," Jimin commanded as he stood at Jin's side with his blanket. He had been waiting with bated breath to go to bed with his Appa, and he was becoming more impatient.

Jin looked at him, "let me talk to your brother, okay?"

"He won't listen," Jimin added with a pout.

Jin smiled, "he is related to you."

"What do you say?"

"Can you bring Appa's phone?" Jin questioned with a chuckle since he was not prepared to go down that path with his son, who questioned everything as a judge would.

"Jimin gets cookies?"

"Yes, Jimin." After responding, Jin sighed as he saw his son sprint out of the room. He had no idea why Jimin enjoyed cookies to the extent that he did, nor did he understand how he distinguished between his brother, whom he referred to as Kookie, and the cookies that he enjoyed eating so much.

While Jimin went to get his phone, Jin looked at Jungkook, who was crying and chewing on his fingers. He then dragged his saliva-covered fingers along his thighs. Jin took a deep breath and walked away to get wet wipes.

"Dada, dada, dada!" Chanting while slapping his hands on his thighs, Jungkook repeatedly acted as if he was performing a ritual as he did this.

Jin was greeted with a headache as he returned to him and began to clean him. "Calm down; I will call Taehyung."

"Dada?" Jungkook's eyes widened at the sound of Taehyung's name.

Jin nodded, "yes. Dada. Appa will call him." He had no choice; as much as he didn't want to talk to Taehyung then, he knew he had to. His children came first, and he couldn't punish his son because of what was happening. Jungkook was a baby and innocent, he had no understanding of the issues around him, and it wasn't his place to.

"Appa, phone." Jimin returned and pushed the phone toward Jin.

"Thank you, baby!" Jin gave him a warm smile and leaned down to plant a peck on the cheek before saying, "you are very smart!"