FOOLS

Epilogue

Namjoon never thought he would say this, but he was getting jealous of his brother. Not of his wealth, knowledge, or handsome good looks that, of course, can't be compared to Seokjin, but with how his mother was treating him. Namjoon watched in pout as his mother pinched Jungkook's cheek while feeding him the dumpling she spent all night making.

"Eat as much as you want, Jungkookie. I'll bring some more tomorrow." she cheered.

"Thank you eomma," he said with a bunny smile and chipmunk cheeks. Namjoon rolled his eyes but he was glad that their relationship is going well. Really well, actually. Jungkook asked if she was only being nice to him because he saved Namjoon.

"No," she had answered. "Because you're a person who deserves to be loved." When he asked her if he could call her eomma, she agreed instantly because of the amount of love she has in her heart. Namjoon pushed himself off the back wall that he had been watching them from.

"Eomma, let the boy rest now. We've been bothering him all morning" Namjoon chuckled. "I'll drive you home."

"Are you staying home?" she asked, finally looking at him since arriving in the room.

He shook his head sadly. "No, I have to go back to the office to finish some paperwork."

"Is it for..." she trailed off, staring down at her wrists. It was as if they were still covered in blood and rust. It was still hard for her to sleep at night. Every time she closes her eyes, she saw him, she felt his hands on her and the pain all came back. Namjoon would sleep on the floor next to her bed.

"Yes, eomma. You won't have to worry about that man anymore." he answered, kissing her forehead gently. Her shoulders stood up a little taller and she put on her bright face.

"Okay, we'll let you rest. I'll go home to cook some more things to welcome you home." she told Jungkook and gave him a tight hug.

"I'll be back tonight, buddy. Don't get into too much trouble, alright?" Namjoon teased.

"Can't make any promises, hyung." Jungkook said back with a grin. The door closed and he let out a sigh. He was alone again. Since having Namjoon's mother, or now his mother, around, he was getting used to being a part of a loving family and he craved every second of it. He was glad that the doctors will let him go home today, but in the meantime, he'll play some games on his phone to kill time.

Just then, his phone rang, interrupting his current battle. He groaned in annoyance and ignored it. Then it kept calling. He only answered to yell at whoever it was. But the voice made him go cold. "How did you get my number?" Jungkook asked.

"That's not important." the man answered.

"Of course it's fucken important." Jungkook yelled, the monitor reflecting his anger. "Why did you call me?"

"Relax, I'm still in jail so unfortunately, I won't be able to finish the job." he said bitterly, yet quietly since the officer was right behind him. And as much as he would like to curse out at the people responsible for his imprisonment, he couldn't.

"I hope you rot in your cell for what you did to my mother and to Namjoon hyung." Jungkook warned. He hadn't gotten over the sight of bloody Namjoon lying on the ground. He didn't hesitate one second to jump in and he will never regret that.

The CEO laughed, it sent chills down Jungkook's spine. "And I hope you find your place in the world."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You think you finally found a home, right? You think you finally have a real family who will love you for who you are? They don't know about your past, and they will never truly accept you."

"Shut up," Jungkook said through gritted teeth. His throat was burning. "Shut up, you don't know anything!"

"But I do know that you're just a bastard. Namjoon and his mother, they'll have each other, they'll lean on each other, but they will never let you into their lives. They don't love you."

"You're lying. I am his brother and I am her son."

"Only in the meantime, only because you helped them. They're only being nice to you because you were of some value to you. Once they can't find another use for you, they'll toss you out, exactly like your mother did."

Jungkook felt the tears. He saw the blood, her white dress, her long hair. It was haunting and invasive. He shook his head. "Because you made her. I will not listen to your bullshit lies. My family loves me and I know that for a fact. You can try to manipulate me or pin me against my brother as much as you want, but you will never succeed. Don't ever call me again." He threw his phone to the floor, hearing it thud loudly. Of course he didn't believe the words of the monster, he couldn't. But he couldn't help his brain replaying the words over and over again. They don't love you. You're a bastard. They don't love you. Bastard, bastard, bastard.

The negativity didn't leave his thoughts, not even as he began packing, or when he got into the cab, or when he stood in front of Namjoon's apartment door. He had memorized the code by heart when Namjoon told him. There were noises inside, coming from the kitchen. Slowly peeking in, he saw Namjoon and his mother. She was stir-frying something while he cuts some carrots. He seemed clumsy, and she slapped him for holding the knife incorrectly. He whined a little and she pinched his cheek. They laughed. It was a wholesome sight, what a family should be.

Jungkook felt himself shrinking, maybe he really doesn't belong, they seem already so complete without him. His foot inched backward to leave. "It'll be fun when Jungkook gets here, right?" he heard his mother asking. "Finally I'll have someone who will appreciate my cooking. He eats well."

"Eomma, I've always appreciated your cooking." Namjoon argued. "But you're right. I'll have someone to play chess with, and water the garden with me, and..."

"And he can finally get you to work out again, you've been slacking off, my son."

"I'll have you know, I have my own fan club at the station." Namjoon answered with full offense.

"I think Jungkook will have just as many fans if he joins your team."

"Wow, he really is your favorite, isn't he?" Namjoon scoffed. "I haven't asked him yet, but I do want him to be on the team. I think for now I should let him enjoy his youth a big longer." As he glanced up, he noticed the small figure by the door. "Jungkook? What are you doing here? I was supposed to pick you in an hour."

Jungkook hid his tears through a smile. "I couldn't wait to get home."

"Aigoo, come here." his mother called out and he hugged her tightly. "You must be hungry, let's eat."

"No, let's stay like this for a big longer." The man was wrong. He does belong here, with them. It doesn't matter that he's not fully related, family isn't through blood or time, it's through bond and love and Jungkook is sure he has that right here.