Single Father • Namjoon + BTS!Kids

xcix.

"Just tell them already, Namjoon! It's not that hard!"

"But-"

"It's one word. That's all you have to say."

"But I don't-"

"I'll even help you sound it out, Namjoon. Girlfriend. Not so hard, is it?"

"But they're not ready, Lisa-"

"It's been what, six years since their mom left? Seven? Are you sure it's not just you who aren't ready?"

"I am ready!"

"What happened to giving love a chance, hm?"

"I am! But they haven't seen me date anyone since their mom and I don't want them to feel weird about it."

"I get that, Namjoon, but they aren't five years old. I'm pretty sure they understand what dating is and why you'd want to do it. And besides, how long are you going to make excuses for why I'm here? Officer Lisa is just dropping by to check on Jimin. How long is that going to fly, huh? Not to mention, how long are you going to call your girlfriend Officer Lisa?"

Namjoon sighed and was about to reply when the door to his room swung open unexpectedly, Hobi and the others leaning in. "O-oh, hey kids, Officer Lisa is just here to...you know..."

"Yeah, check on Jimin, we know," Yoongi said, rolling his eyes, and Namjoon couldn't help but wonder if one of his sons had caught on. Yoongi was a lot smarter than he wanted people to think he was.

"We're going to be late though if we don't leave now," Jin said pointedly, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms, and Namjoon couldn't help but wonder if another one of his sons knew something he shouldn't.

"Right, right," Namjoon said, grabbing his wallet from the bedside table. "You guys get in the car, I'll be there in a minute. I just have to give L- Officer Lisa directions to the school."

Namjoon tried to ignore Lisa's hands sitting on her hips as he watched his children file out the door, but after he'd heard the front door shut and the house fall back into silence, he winced, turning his head to look at her, and did she look pissed.

He knew it was bad because all she said was "Officer Lisa," making air quotes with an eyebrow raised dangerous high before clicking her tongue and walking out to her car.

Namjoon just exhaled deeply. He didn't know how long he could confine all the parts of his life to different spheres, but he wasn't ready to shove them all together just yet. That was his excuse, but he knew the promises he'd made to Lisa about not pushing her aside and making her a priority equal to his family were starting to sound empty. He just needed time to figure it all out.

Although it seemed that Yoongi and maybe Jin as well were ahead of him in that regard.

***

Namjoon waved to his son as Hobi detached from their crowd, running off to join his club, and Namjoon lead Lisa and the rest of his kids to a row of seats in the auditorium (although finding seven seats in a row was rather difficult).

As he sat down, Namjoon couldn't help but remember another dance performance of Hobi's, years and years ago, when he'd been dressed as a ladybug. Namjoon couldn't remember much about the dance itself or what the event was about. His wife had still been with him then, as he recalled. Although she hadn't made it to the event. He'd been one of the only dads surrounded by a sea of moms, and while it had been somewhat uncomfortable, he'd been there for his son, just as he was now.

He also recalled possibly leaving Yoongi in the room and forgetting about him until he got out to the car, but he didn't fret the details.

Yoongi turned over to look at him as though he'd read Namjoon's thoughts, and Namjoon quickly turned to look straight at the stage.