APPA

39

"What are you doing here, baby?" Taehyung sits beside Jungkook.

"Nothing, hyung." He wipes his eyes.

"Kooki..." Tae hugs him. "Don't cry, baby. Jooni already forgave you."

"I know. He always forgives me. Papa scolded me a lot today. He didn't treat me like someone else's son. I think I am very lucky, isn't it? Appa, papa, Jimin, grandparents..." He looks at Tae. "Then you. I am really lucky."

"Kooki..." Tae kisses his ear. "I am too lucky to have you."

"Say thanks to Jimin. He is the reason."

"One of the reasons. But I really like you."

"Then don't call him bride." Jungkook looks straight.

"Why?" Tae asks. "He will get angry then. So cute, like babies."

Jungkook removes Tae's hand. "Then I don't like that," he says.

"Jealous?" Tae stares at him.

"Yes, I am." He shrugs. "I don't like that. Now it's me who is your bride."

"Oh..." Taehyung smiles. "Then my little bride, give me a kiss. I'm craving one."

"Hyung, someone will see us." Jungkook looks around.

"No one. Come, just here." Tae shows his cheeks.

Jungkook smiles. He pecks his cheeks. "Love you, hyung," he says.

"Love you too, baby." Tae kisses Jungkook's hand. "My bride..."

************

"Appa, let me check your pulse," Jimin said. "Oh, it's beating beautifully," he smiles.

"What? Namjoon nods his head. "Are you really a medical student?"

"Appa, if I say this to a common man, he'll feel happy. Psychological move, isn't it, hyungii?" He looks at Jungkook.

"Yes, of course."

"Your brother will support you for everything, but not me. Be serious, Jimin." Jin scolds him.

"What? I'm a top student."

"Yes, from the bottom," Jin says again.

"I am leaving this medical profession," he pouted.

"Don't make fun of him. He's fourth-ranked," Jungkook sits beside his father with a bowl of soup.

"Only four students in class, or from the bottom?" Joon asked.

"Hyungi," Jimin shouted.

"Appa, Jungkook glares at Joon. Just kidding, buddy. I know my child is bright."

"Open your mouth," Jungkook took a spoonful of soup.

"I will do it, Kooki," Joon said.

"No, you didn't eat anything yesterday. Open your mouth," Jungkook scolds him.

"Okay, my lord."

"Appa, Uncle Min and his wife are coming to see you today," Jimin informed.

"Did Yoongi come back?" Jin inquired.

"No, after three days. Then he'll come here to see everyone."

"Everyone or you?" Joon looks at Jimin.

"Everyone and me. Oh, why are you guys always after me? Your elder son was kissing hyungi yesterday."

"No," Jungkook said. "He is lying, Appa. I promise," he looks at Jin too.

"Me, I saw it with my eyes."

"Both of them are just like their father," Jin said.

"Okay, guys. Now listen. In two weeks, my plaster will be removed, and Jimin's exam will finish, so he'll have a semester break. I was planning a trip. Just the four of us, no lovers. Okay?"

"Did you hear that? You are not allowed," Jimin said to Jin.

"He means your lovers, not his," Jin glares at him.

"But I don't have leave, Appa," Jungkook pouted... I already took my 1 week leave.

"Give a kiss to Taehyung hyungi. He will give you leave," Jimin winks at him. "And where are we going to go? Asian countries, European countries, or African... or..."

"No," Jin said. "We are going to stay a week in Jungkook's village. That amusement park is all set for inauguration. Before that, we four of us will stay there for a week."

"No," Jimin said.

"We should go somewhere else, Appa, like he said, foreign countries and all. What is in my village?"

"We can go there, but two days maximum. Then we can go to another country. Hmm?" Jin asked.

Joon took a deep breath. "Once I promised Hoseok we would live in that house like a King and Queen with our prince. Even before we fall in love, I want to keep my promise." He looks at three of them. "Please."

"We will go," Jin said.

"Okay," Jimin gives a thumbs up.

"What about you, Kooki?" Joon asked.

23 years,   Appa. Do you still remember my momma?" He stares at him.

"I don't have a day without thinking of hi., Kooki. Only Jin knows how much I am longing for my lost one." He leans on the cupboard and closes his eyes like he trying to recall something.