A Boy Named Kookie

Pacified Impressions

The trill shrieking of Jungkook echoes throughout the apartment and I am beginning to feel like joining in. The atmosphere has been that of somber attitude since Jin came home Saturday. We ended up drinking away the night and sleeping altogether in Jin's bed with Jungkook nestled between us knowing that moments like those were soon to end. He couldn't tell me the whole story that night, but as we fumbled towards the kitchen hungover and hungry he finally opened up as the coffee steamed between us. Tomorrow our little guest would be making his leave, the Jeon grandparents are taking custody of the six-month-old. I have had a hard time dealing with the news, little Yoongi chipping away at my conscious. However, Jin is taking it harder than anyone, his eyes lack their usual mirth and his shoulders sag in defeat.

I try to keep Jungkook distracted as he continues to try to get away from my arms in an attempt to find Jin. "Jungkook, Jinnie will be back in a minute." That brings me back to the current issue, every time Jungkook is even a foot away from Jin he begins this sorrowful wail and only calms down once Jin has him in his embrace. I believe that Jungkook can sense the impending separation and is coping in is own way just as we are. Finally, the bathroom door opens, Jin steps out freshly showered and the baby's wails simmer down to a gentle cry. "See, Kookie! Jinnie is back now." The aforementioned man steps close and relieves my tired arms of the reaching child.

"Thank you, Yoongi. I feel better now. I am off today and have to finish packing..." His voice cracks and this is the first time I see the older man begin to crumble. He has always been this pillar of strength in times when I break easily, it hurts me to see him so torn up about separating our mismatched family. Clearing his throat he blinks his eyes back to mine, "Yoongi-ya you have practice today right? I don't want you behind, you know Hoseok won't take too kindly to you missing practice again." I try to open my mouth to argue but he simply pushes on my shoulder turning me towards my room. "Aish, I am not taking no for an answer. I have plenty to do here so you get your self in gear or else Yoongi-ya." The little part of me immediately took action, but the big part wanted to tell him that he has no jurisdiction over me, however, given present circumstances I go change into my sweats.

With the weather getting warmer I simply don a short sleeve and a pair of joggers. Jin has put Jungkook in the pink sling and attempts to pull the clothing from the chest of drawers where we folded all of the baby's things neatly. I guess he was right, I can't bear to watch the apartment slowly morph back into the simple home it was before it softened with Jungkook's belongings. My bag is by the entry hall and I slip the backpack onto my thin shoulders heading towards Jin to say goodbye.

"Eomma, I mean Hyung? I am leaving for practice and will probably be back before dark. You are going to be okay here, right?" The tall man straightens up and brings me in for a hug, no words pass between us because I know he won't really be okay but sometimes being alone helps the pain. I stretch up on my tippy toes and kiss his cheek, then lower to kiss Jungkook's forehead. Before I fully cross the threshold I turn and call, "Yoonie love you guys." Parting smiles decorate our faces probably the last time for a while.

The late afternoon sun lights my way as I walk from the bus stop towards the dance studio. Hoseok had asked me to attend practice yesterday and today before the midterm check-in takes place next week. I purposely missed yesterday as I couldn't get big Yoongi to take control and attend the mandatory practice. I know Hoseok won't understand, but having Jungkook taken away so soon after we got into a steady routine makes me remember the days of my youth. Ones I have buried beneath the surface so that I can forget what shaped the need for little Yoongi.

"Min Yoongi, you have finally decided to grace us with your presence." A sneer greets me from the blonde boy standing at the front of the room before I can even take my backpack from my shoulders.