cute

• t e n •

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

The afternoon had started off relatively well. The two boys were enjoying their time at the park, playing a game of tag where Hoseok let Jungkook easily catch up to him because despite his equally his equally as long legs, Jungkook was just a very slow runner. They then enjoyed some snacks (banana chips) while gently swaying back and forth on the swing set, the younger talking about his most recent play date with his friends. Hoseok was shocked to have found out that Yoongi now knew the secret they had all been keeping from him and made a mental note to talk to the man later.

But as time passed, a particular someone began to grow impatient. With his impatience came a sour mood and eventually he stopped listening to Hoseok.

"Come on Kookie, we're going," Hoseok crossed his arms over his chest, watching the boy that sat at the top of the slide. If he tried to go up to him, he'd go down the slide, then run back up if Hoseok walked around to the bottom of the slide. He was acting stubborn, claiming he'd only move when Taehyung was back.

"Fine, you can stay here," Hoseok turned on his heel and jumped off the playground. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jumper and began walking back across the grass and away from the park. Just as he got back to the pathway by the road, he heard running footsteps behind him. Glancing once over his shoulder, he found Jungkook angrily stomping behind him.

Of the three, Jungkook was the most difficult to look after. He liked getting what he wanted and considering how Taehyung indulged him with all the (usually dirty) things he asked for, it was difficult for Hoseok to find some leverage over him. It's not like he could threaten 'no blowjobs' – something he knew Tae had done a few times before.

Thankfully, Jimin and Jin weren't as short tempered as Jungkook. Jin was patient and rarely threw tantrums. The most Jimin gets upset about is if he doesn't get to play with his toys and eat snacks whenever. At least, this was what Hoseok had encountered as their babysitter.

Eventually, the pair arrived back home. As soon as the front door was open, Jungkook pushed past Hoseok and was about to march to his room when the older male stopped him.

"Kookie, you know you're not supposed to push."

"I don't care," Jungkook turned around to glare at the boy, no longer excited to have him around. He made them leave the park early, what a meanie.

"Come on bud, TaeTae will be here soon. We can watch cartoons until then," Hoseok tried to coax him towards the couch. The longer Jungkook's attention was stuck on something, the less time he'd spend whining about his caregiver not being here.

"No," the boy stomped his foot on the ground, "I want TaeTae now."

Hoseok sighed and pushed his hair out of his face, "well, you'll just have to wait."

"You're so mean!" Jungkook whined out, "just call him."

"No."

"Please?" He pushed out his bottom lip in an attempt to try and convince him.

"No."

". . . I hate you."

It was unfortunate timing on Jungkook's behalf. During the exchange, neither male had noticed the car pulling into the driveway. Taehyung had just arrived home after finishing his photo shoot. Initially, he had been excited to come home but upon stepping through the front door he realised things hadn't gone as smoothly as hoped. He heard Jungkook say those three words to Hoseok and felt disappointment strike him. The boy knew he wasn't allowed to say that, he knew it hurt people's feelings because damn did Jungkook get worked up about those very words.

"Apologise," Taehyung demanded as he stepped into view of Jungkook. Hoseok turned to look at him, shooting an apologetic gaze for not being able to keep the boy happy.

Jungkook was silent. He had finally gotten what he wanted, for TaeTae to come home, and look at what he'd done - told Hobi that he hated him. He knew what this meant.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook looked down to his mis-matched shoes – one blue and the other red.

"Look up," Taehyung's voice was stern and held a hint of anger. Jungkook wanted to burst into guilty tears on the spot.

He looked up to Hoseok, "I'm sorry Hobi. I don't hate you. You're my favourite Hobi."

Hearing the genuine apology from the boy, Hoseok sweetly smiled towards him.

"It's alright buddy."

As Taehyung and Hobi talked about the events of the afternoon, Jungkook had to hold himself back from hugging his caregiver. It was all he wanted to do this entire time and now he had been bad and couldn't do it anymore. The boy sulked over to the couch, falling face first against it with a disappointed sigh.

The inevitable came after Hoseok left. Jungkook tried to avoid it by pretending he had fallen asleep but Taehyung could easily see through the façade. He called for the boy before walking down the hallway, pushing open their bedroom door.

Moving slowly to savour his time in freedom, Jungkook rolled off the couch and stood up. He dragged his feet across the floor as he made his way over, dramatically pouting and sadly looking to the ground. He stepped into the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed, shooting a pleading look towards Taehyung. It did nothing.

"Ten minutes."

Then, the door was pulled shut.

Jungkook fell back on the bed with a heavy sigh.