Nanny Needed

Twelve

12. Distance

"Kookie?" Mister Kim questions. He sounds unsure of himself. It has been a rocky two weeks for both of them. Their communication had been kept to a minimum or when needed to— on Jungkook's part.

It felt like before when Jungkook would try to avoid him. Jin wasn't sure of how far he could take it. He still didn't want to lose Jungkook as a nanny but their argument shifted their relationship. Two weeks ago they were mingling on the "married life" and now Jungkook acts as if Jin is nothing more than his employer. Like it should've been from the beginning but that's not how he wants it.

They crossed a line somewhere along the way and Jungkook was going to make sure they both didn't cross it again. Jin was threading on water here and he wasn't sure how long he could keep up. It felt like at any moment he would suffocate without Jungkook.

"Yes, Mister Kim?" Jungkook didn't look up. He continued to chop the vegetables.

Jin could see that Jungkook was even avoiding eye contact. Was Jin so bad? He regrets what he did that night weeks ago. He screamed at Jungkook out of jealousy and Jungkook told him off. At the time, Jin was screaming at Jungkook when he had no right. Jin understood why Kookie didn't stay quiet. Jin was dating too or trying because he thought it was time. Also, wasn't it something personal? Not work related...

SeokJin had everything laid out for him. There wasn't anything in particular missing in his life. He was stupid to think otherwise. SeokJin can't recall what made him think that he needed a familiar touch at home or anywhere. He had Kookie who gave a new light and airy touch in their home. Jungkook was doing wonderful and he didn't want him to leave.

Being with someone meant Kookie would be getting ready to leave. Jungkook's words, now, replaying in his mind. He understood why Jungkook said it but Jin didn't see himself or his family without him. They loved Kookie and he...he wasn't sure but his heart beat would beat at a different pace. Maybe the same steady beat as his?

"Can we talk?" He asked softly to voice his regret.

"We are talking." Jungkook wasn't going to accept easily. His voice was distant and cold.

"When are you going to stop with this bullshit? You've been ignoring me for two weeks." He shouldn't talk to Jungkook this way but he was getting frustrated and Jungkook's attitude didn't help. He was getting desperate. He wanted that little banter that they had, those cheeky smiles he gave Kookie which made the younger blush.

"That's no way of talking to me. I don't think you treat any of your other employees like this or speak to them like this. Do I have someone I could speak to about this? I'm sure somewhere I can file a complaint." Jungkook looked up at him angry. The knife set down as Jungkook's hands gripped the kitchen island.

"I've been waiting patiently for you to stop with this childish act. What's wrong with you?" SeokJin looked at him. Both of them staring each other down.

"Nothing's my problem. My problem is you. You'd make my job easier if you didn't exist." Jungkook was angry but he also wanted to cry. Kookie didn't want to feel like he was being attacked or whatever this was.

Jin didn't make it easy for Jungkook to ignore him. Why couldn't Jin pretend not to notice? Pretend that he was nothing but an employee. That's all Jungkook was and nothing more. Yet, here they quarrel like a married couple.

"I'm your problem? You wouldn't have a job if I didn't make those kids that you take care of. They're my children." Emphasizing that they were his.

"I don't need this, right now. I'm taking the kids. When you're ready to talk call me." Jungkook turns off the kitchen appliances.

"What? You can't do that." SeokJin was taken back. He wasn't expecting this. What he wanted was for Jungkook to scream at him too. At least, SeokJin would know Jungkook knew of his existence.

"Like you said you're paying me to take care of your children. I'm not going to have them here listening to you screaming at me. So, we'll see you later."

Jungkook left him in the kitchen. Kookie ran up the steps telling the girls to get ready to go out. Meanwhile, he got the baby ready.

"Jungkook, don't do that." He called him by his name. One of the very few and rare occasions he did.

"I think, you need some time to think. Whatever it is that's stressing you out—just breathe. We're coming back." Jungkook looks at him more calm. His voice sounded trusting at this moment. Kookie felt like Jin was scared and he, himself, needed to breathe too.

Needed some distance. Lately, both of them were in the same room. Jin wanted to talk to him and Jungkook wanted nothing but disappear when he was near. Jin didn't give space which Jungkook needed now. Jungkook—he needed it desperately.

"I can think when they're here. When you're here." Jin's hands passed his own lips, playing with them.

"I know but today you need time. There's something that's stressing you. I'm giving you a few hours. I'll bring pizza or something." It was hard for Jungkook to hold his shoulder in an encouraging way. Jungkook wanted more than just a small touch. Jungkook wanted familiarity with all of Jin's touches.

"You're just putting distance between us. Why? I don't understand why you continue to want distance." SeokJin tried to understand. Stating at him intently as if it would reveal the answers.

"Distance isn't going to do anything," Kookie whispered not looking at him. He, instead, looked at the small boy in front of him.

"We need to reevaluate those boundaries. We've crossed some and it's putting strain on us. When I come back with the kids," Jungkook paused looking at the doorway.

"Ready!" Rose smiled.

"Okay, go with Jisoo and wait for me downstairs please?" Rose nodded and ran down the hall.

"We can talk once I put the kids asleep. No yelling or screaming." Jungkook picked up Tae and half smiled as he walked out.

SeokJin walked behind him. He wanted to see them off. It wasn't going to be easy. He never experienced this but he hoped it wouldn't ever happen again. SeokJin was starting to feel miserable and lonely; they hadn't left, yet.

His little girls were waiting by the doorway. He smiles at them. Mister Kim carried both in his arms going out with them. He understood why Kookie did it. Not to scare him but understand that he was a family man and needed to think like one.

"Bye, papa," both his girls said at once. Both kissing his cheeks.

"Bye," he bid his girls, his family. He kissed his girls, his boy, and then he made the bold move to kiss Kookie lightly on the lips.

"I'll be waiting," he said to Jungkook. The younger was left speechless but nodded. The girls giggling as they saw the occurrence.

"Be safe," SeokJin said once they were in the car ready to leave. His hand combing through his hair. Stepping away to let them drive off.

Jin knew he would see them again. No distance was going to change how he felt about them and how they felt about him. Love was love and that's what his heart held for his precious children and Kookie.

{a/n}
March 12, 2018

I'll try to adapt another chapter to post today. Maybe in a few hours. Because I get sidetracked...whoops

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