A Boy Named Kookie

Something Real

"Look at my little boy!" I coo at Jungkook as he plays with a llama plush while sitting in my lap. I have barely set him down since we bid farewell to Soo-min, not that he will let me. I think the sling has well proved its money worth seeing as how long Jungkook spends wrapped in it. I don't mind though, his comfortable weight and tiny cuddles warm my heart. It reminds me of the choices made that led me to these precious moments. Deciding that we have been sitting far too long I scoop up the small boy and we twirl our way to the kitchen for a well-deserved snack. Banana milk for the baby and ramyeon for me.

As the water begins to boil and Jungkook sucks away, the chimes of the doorbell ring throughout the apartment. "Who has come to visit us, Kookie? Is it Yoongi-ya?" The only response I get is little doe eyes crinkling in mirth. Once again we gleefully cross the living room, this time the door being our destination. I do not even bother to look through the peephole because Yoongi said he will come stay the night after his midterm. I swing open the door only to be stunned by the sight of a weighed down Namjoon and sulky Yoongi.

"Oh, Namjoon! I thought you had to finish a lecture before visiting. Yoongi? How did you two come about ending up together?" This causes Yoongi to blush, but Namjoon seems to be balancing coffees and several bags so I save the questions for later. "Come in, come in. Please make yourselves comfortable. I can make dinner if you boys are hungry." I help usher them through the doorway and into the living room grabbing what looks like Yoongi's bag from Namjoon's shoulder. Finally displacing all that was carted in Yoongi runs up to give me his now customary hug, or a squeeze really.

"Hyung, I have missed you lots! Or should I say, Eomma?" Letting my waist go he cuddles up to Jungkook like the little kitten he is making the child giggle endlessly. "Yoonie loves Kookie so much. It hurt lots when he was gone. Now we can live lots of happy." Unsurprising Jungkook twists in my grip so that he can be held by Yoongi. The two boys always did get along, even when Yoongi switched from himself to Yoonie and vice versa. Children, I believe, can see the goodness of heart without the judgmental eyes we seem to hide behind as we age. Yoongi gives me questioning eyes and I nod letting him take the wriggly boy from my grasp. I watch as they make their way to the large playpen mat and sit. Yoongi having climbed in with Jungkook, the baby nestled in his lap, plays with him softly. I look on fondly but remember my second guest when I hear a rustle behind me. I turn to see him just as touched by the scene, his dimples on show.

He moves his gaze to mine while his smile brightens and I find myself mesmerized. "Hyung, please don't let me be of inconvenience. No need to make yourself busy with cooking. I wanted to give you something and brought coffee for you and Yoongi. I in no way want to impose myself as your company." The teacher like persona the young man uses when he is anxious seems to have made its reappearance. Do I make him that nervous?

"Oh Namjoonie, you could never be an inconvenience." I sidle up beside him and put my hand on his shoulder. "I would like nothing more than to make dinner for you, it's no hassle for me. I can express my gratitude and you get to partake in culinary genius." Giving the younger a wink I pull him along with me to the kitchen. He settles down at the table as I survey the kitchen when a thought comes to mind. "Just what brings you here Namjoonie? I was surprised that you accompanied Yoongi and brought up all his things." This perks him up as he uproots a wrapped package from the table to rest in his lap.

"When my lecture ended early I stopped by the little diner not too far from the school to pick up coffee when I ran into Yoongi and Hoseok. They seemed to have just finished their date and I offered to bring him home since I was headed here anyway. As for the real reason I wanted to see you is that I visited a friend of mine and stopped in at Lotte to pass some time. When I was there I came across something that I thought you would like. Now I know that it may seem excessive, but you'll see..." By now he has piqued my interest so all thoughts of jajangmyeon flee as my eyes land on the cream colored paper.