𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷

My son?

Jungkook arrives at the hospital with Namjoon awaiting him. The older man guides him to the young child's room.

Silently, they walk down the corridor.

Stopping in front of the room, Namjoon smiles at the younger who's awkwardly standing next to him. He has never seen Jungkook awkward like this before. It feels odd, but it's such a good feeling to see him show other feelings besides being indifferent and angry.

"He's in there." Namjoon points to the door.

Blankly, Jungkook stares at Namjoon who can't seem to stop smiling at him. Like what is he smiling so much for?

Jungkook faces the door, and reluctantly, he turns the doorhandle and steps in.

A dimly lit room.

Quietly, Jungkook closes the door, not taking any more steps.

From a distance, he watches a small, frail child sleeping. His visibly pale-skin and slightly red, round cheeks are smushed on the pillow as he sleeps on his side.

Oddly, Jungkook's heart begins to beat in a weird rhythm as he watches the child.

After a while, he takes a few steps into the room. As he slowly approaches, his shadow overlaps the hospital bed.

The small child must've sensed his presence because he's now gradually opening his eyes.

"Papa... ?" Minkook whispers. His exhausted eyes are half-open, staring up at the man approaching. Bit by bit, Minkook's doe-eyes grow big and round.

". . ." Jungkook doesn't know what to answer. Confusedly, he looks at the small child, only blinking at him. His heart continues to beat weirdly as he takes more steps forward.

Minkook stares with amazement all over his face, his eyes sparkling while his mouth gaping. He gradually moves up to sit on the bed, still can't believe his eyes.

Is he already five years old that he can meet his Papa now? But that can't be possible. Grandpa isn't here anymore.
Or is he bigger now like Jiminie said so he can see his Papa?

Well, he did eat a lot yesterday with the two uncles playing toys with him.

"It's really Papa..." Minkook mumbles to himself. In this moment, his eyes can't leave his Papa at all-so scared that his Papa might fade away.

Standing a few feet from the bed, Jungkook points a finger at himself. "I'm... Papa?"

Minkook then uses his tiny finger to point at his small self. "And I'm Minkook."

The little one stares with a small, shy smile. Gradually, the shy smile turns into a half smile, and then a fully bloomed smile. He's smiling so sweetly, brightly, just like someone Jungkook has been missing.

"Papa looks cooler than before."

Minkook can't stop smiling. He would steal glances at his Papa, then looks away shyly, but ultimately, his eyes go right back to his Papa.

Cooler than before? Hearing that, Jungkook, with his numb face, takes a seat on the bed.

"You saw me before?" he asks in a toneless voice but effortlessly soothing.

To answer, Minkook pushes the thin blanket off his body and stands on his two feet to get his line of sight above his Papa's head. "Minkook always see Papa from here." He speaks with a serious face, his doe-eyes meeting his Papa's similar doe-eyes.

For a moment, Jungkook observes the toddler's adorable, comically serious face. He stays still like a deeply rooted plant, blanked out. Suddenly, a laugh bursts through his lips.