Single Father • Namjoon + BTS!Kids

cxxii.

A nurse stepped into the room several minutes after Yoongi had returned and Jin had left. The three were locked in quiet conversation, light jokes, small apologies about things that didn't matter in order to really apologize for the things that did; quick, meaningless touches were exchanged, a pat on the arm, a squeezing of the hand, to assure each other that they were there for each other no matter what.

"Kim Hoseok?"

Hobi looked up at the nurse, giving her a weak smile. "Are you here for my autograph?"

The nurse couldn't help but smile at the thin, bedridden boy. "I wish. I just wanted to let you know that your parents or guardians have been contacted, and they should be here soon."

Hobi's smile faltered as he looked over at Yoongi questioningly, who read his confusion and turned to the nurse. "Who is listed as our guardian?" he asked bluntly, and the nurse's eyes widened. Before she could ask questions that would pain any of them, Yoongi interjected, "Our parents split up a few years ago, and we're living with our mom and her husband. So did you contact them? Or our dad?"

The nurse paused as she flipped through the sheets on her clipboard. "I'm sorry, it looks like your information hasn't been updated at this hospital. Currently, it looks like your guardians are listed as your mom and a Kim Namjoon. Is that your dad or your step-dad?"

Yoongi exhaled slowly, already imagining how bad this was going to be. "That's our dad."

"Oh." The nurse frowned as she took in the state of the three boys. She wished she could help them somehow, but there wasn't anything she could do except make sure Hoseok was comfortable while they waited. "I'm sorry. When your guardians get here, I'll have them fill out a few forms that should clarify things for the future about who to contact. Not-" she said, giving Hobi a pointed look. "-that we want to see you back here, okay? Be healthy!"

Hobi gave another shaky smile, and then the nurse left to go check on another patient.

"Shit," Yoongi said.

"Shit," Hobi said.

"S-s-shoot," Jimin said.

***

Their mom got there first, husband in tow, talking agitatedly on his phone to some business associate.

"Oh, honey," she said as soon as she stepped in, her heart swelling painfully at the sight of Hobi hooked up to an IV. She went to sit next to him, but Yoongi didn't move to give her space, and he shot Jimin a look across the bed that if he moved, Yoongi would be pissed. So Yoongi stayed, and Jimin stayed, and their mom was forced to hover out of reach of Hobi's hand.

"I'm so sorry," she said, pulling her bottom lip inward with her teeth.

"Why are you sorry?" Hobi asked skeptically, and she blew out a breath, her brows furrowed.

"Because you're my son and it's my job to take care of you. No, that came out wrong..." she mumbled before looking back up at Hobi. "I love you, and I want what's best for you. I want you to be happy and healthy and strong."

"How convenient," Yoongi muttered, low but not low enough for it to go unheard. "That you care now. What did you want for us ten years ago, hm? Was leaving us behind the best for-"

"Yoongi," she said, her tone slightly harsh but pained. "I know that you haven't forgiven me, and I know that you probably won't ever forgive me. And I know-" Her voice cracked slightly, "I know that you won't believe me, but I do love you, and I want you all to be happy. I know I made a mistake, and I know I haven't done a good job of protecting your happiness, but I'm your mother, and you're my children, whether you hate that fact or not, so please just let me love you, all right?"