Daughter's question

Chapter 4

The afternoon sun filtered through the large windows of their living room, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Jungkook was sprawled on the couch, finally getting a moment of peace with a book in hand, while Taehyung was in the kitchen, humming softly as he prepared a snack. Aerina, however, was nowhere to be seen—an unusual but brief blessing.

Or so they thought.

Out of nowhere, Aerina popped up behind the couch, her little head appearing just above Jungkook’s shoulder. “Eomma,” she began, startling Jungkook out of his peaceful reading.

“Oh my god, Aerina!” Jungkook exclaimed, holding a hand to his chest. “Where did you come from?”

Aerina giggled, climbing onto the couch beside him. “I was playing in my room, but I have another question!”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, already bracing himself for the inevitable awkwardness. “Alright, go ahead,” he sighed, putting his book down. “What’s the question this time?”

Aerina tilted her head, looking at him curiously. “Why does Appa always hold your waist when you’re standing? I saw him do it in the kitchen earlier.”

Jungkook froze for a moment, feeling his face heat up. Of course, Aerina would notice that. "Uh, well… sometimes grown-ups hold each other because it makes them feel close and safe," he explained, trying to keep it simple.

Aerina blinked. “But you’re already close, right? You live together.”

Taehyung entered the room just in time, carrying a tray of fruit, his expression amused as he overheard the conversation. “Living together is one thing, but sometimes it’s nice to hold someone you love, even if you’re already close.”

Aerina seemed to think about that for a moment before nodding slowly. “Oh, so it’s like when I hold my bunny when I sleep! It makes me feel safe.”

Jungkook let out a small sigh of relief. “Yes, exactly! Just like that.”

Taehyung sat beside Jungkook, grinning as he handed him a plate of fruit. “See? Easy question, Eomma,” he teased, winking.

Aerina, however, was far from done. “But then… why do you hold Eomma's hand when you're watching TV? Is it the same reason?”

Jungkook felt the heat rise to his cheeks again. “Um, yes. It’s just something people do when they love each other,” he said, trying not to look at Taehyung, who was clearly enjoying his discomfort.

Taehyung chuckled, ruffling Aerina’s hair. “You’re a very observant princess, aren’t you?”

Aerina nodded proudly. “I see everything, Appa!”

Jungkook sighed, knowing that was probably more true than he wanted to admit.

But Aerina wasn’t quite finished. “Appa, why do you always laugh when Eomma gets mad? Shouldn’t you say sorry instead of laughing?”

Jungkook turned to Taehyung with wide eyes, silently asking for help, but Taehyung only laughed again. “Well, sometimes Eomma gets mad over little things, like when I leave my clothes on the floor, and it’s funny because he’s so cute when he’s angry.”

Aerina looked at Jungkook with wide eyes. “Eomma, you’re cute when you’re mad?”

Jungkook covered his face with his hands. “Oh my god…”

Taehyung leaned over, placing a kiss on Jungkook’s cheek. “The cutest,” he said, grinning.

Aerina giggled. “But, Appa, if you keep laughing, won’t Eomma get madder?”

Jungkook peeked at Aerina through his fingers. “Yes, he does get madder, but your Appa thinks it’s funny.”

Taehyung grinned, leaning back on the couch. “I can’t help it. It’s just too cute.”

Aerina nodded, apparently satisfied with that explanation for now. But of course, she had one more question.

“But Appa,” Aerina began again, her eyes narrowing with curiosity, “why do you always tickle Eomma’s neck when he’s trying to sleep?”

Jungkook’s face turned beet red as he threw a pillow at Taehyung. “*Tae!*”

Taehyung burst into laughter, catching the pillow with ease. “Hey, you can’t blame me for that! It’s not my fault you’re so ticklish.”

“Why do you tickle Eomma, though?” Aerina persisted. “Is it because you want him to wake up?”

Taehyung, still laughing, shook his head. “No, princess, it’s just something fun we do. Grown-ups like to tease each other sometimes.”

Aerina blinked in confusion. “But you could just say good morning instead.”

Jungkook groaned, hiding his face in his hands. “I think I’m done with questions today.”

Taehyung winked at Aerina, clearly enjoying the situation. “How about we get you some fruit instead of asking more questions?”

Aerina giggled, picking up a piece of fruit. “Okay, but I still have more questions later!”

Jungkook sighed deeply. “Of course you do.”

As the afternoon wore on, the three of them settled into a comfortable routine, but Jungkook knew it was only a matter of time before Aerina’s next round of curiosity hit. And when it did, he hoped he’d be more prepared.

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