Winter In My Heart (Jikook/Kookmin)

2

"Mochi, wait inside. It's too cold out here," Jungkook gently urged his little brother, concerned about the chilly weather. He was preparing to build a snowman, but the last thing he wanted was for Jimin to catch a cold.

"Hyung, I want to stay with you! I want to watch you build the snowman," Jimin protested, his eyes wide with excitement. He didn't want to miss a single moment of watching his brother bring the snowman to life.

Jungkook sighed with a soft smile. "You're so stubborn," he said, shaking his head affectionately. "At least go inside and put on some thicker clothes."

"Okay!" Jimin exclaimed, eager to comply. He dashed to his room and came back down a few minutes later, bundled up in three layers of sweaters. A bright red scarf was snugly wrapped around his neck, a fluffy beanie covered his head, and his hands were now protected by cozy gloves.

Jungkook chuckled at the sight of his little brother, now looking like a cute ball of warmth. "Now you're ready," he said, ruffling Jimin's beanie-covered head before turning back to the snowman.

Jungkook glanced over at his younger brother, who was watching him with bright, eager eyes. The wide smile on Jimin's face was so endearing it warmed Jungkook's heart, even in the cold. Jimin was clearly thrilled to see the snowman growing bigger and bigger as Jungkook worked on it.

"Kookie Hyung, can I put the arms on the snowman?" Jimin asked, his voice filled with excitement.

Without waiting for a reply, Jimin's eyes darted around, scanning the ground for twigs to use as the snowman's arms. After a few moments, he found two perfect branches and rushed back to the snowman. Carefully, with a proud smile, he placed the twigs into the sides of the snowman's body.

"There! Now he has arms!" Jimin exclaimed, stepping back to admire their creation.

"Kookie Hyung, this snowman is so cute! Just like me!" Jimin squealed with delight, clapping his hands as he ran excitedly around the snowman that Jungkook had built.

With a big grin, Jimin untied the scarf around his neck and carefully wrapped it around the snowman's neck. "Don't catch a cold," he said sweetly, patting the snowman's head as if it were a living thing.

Jungkook couldn't help but smile at his little brother's adorable antics. "Thanks, Hyung!" Jimin added with a bright smile, radiating happiness.

Jungkook chuckled softly and opened his arms wide. "Come here, Mochi. Give your Hyung a hug."

Jimin didn't hesitate for a second. He rushed into Jungkook’s embrace, wrapping his small arms around him tightly. Jungkook rocked them gently from side to side, feeling a surge of warmth and pride. He had fulfilled his promise to make Jimin a snowman, and seeing his brother so happy made everything worth it.

"Do you like it?" Jungkook asked, though he already knew the answer.

Jimin beamed up at him, his eyes twinkling. "I love it! This is the best Christmas present I've ever gotten!"

Jungkook smirked mischievously. "Nope. I’ve got an even better gift for you."

Jimin’s eyes widened in surprise. "What? What is it? Tell me, Hyung!"

Curiosity sparkled in Jimin's gaze, and his excitement was almost too much to contain. He adored surprises from Jungkook, who always had a knack for making everything special.

Jungkook shook his head teasingly. "Nope, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow."

Jimin pouted, trying to look as cute as possible. "Hyung, pleeease tell me," he pleaded, using his charm to try and coax the secret out of his brother.

Jungkook pinched Jimin's nose gently, laughing as he dashed away, trying to escape Jimin’s persistence. "You'll find out soon enough!" he called over his shoulder, running toward the house.

"Hyung! Wait!" Jimin shouted, giggling as he chased after Jungkook, determined to uncover the surprise. All day, Jimin was like a little puppy, following his brother around, asking question after question.

Despite being weak to his brother's puppy eyes and pouty lips, Jungkook stood firm. "Tomorrow, okay?" he said softly, patting Jimin’s head.

Defeated but still smiling, Jimin kissed Jungkook’s cheek. "Good night, Kookie Hyung. I love you."

Jungkook returned the gesture, planting a soft kiss on Jimin's forehead. "Good night, Mochi. I love you too."

---

The next morning...

The peaceful morning was abruptly shattered by angry voices coming from the living room. "Are you out of your mind? You can’t take him from us!" Mrs. Jeon’s voice trembled with anger.

"We had an agreement!" Ms. Park's voice countered sharply. "He’s my son. I have the right to take him back."

"Adopted! He’s mine—he’s a Park, not a Jeon!" Ms. Park shouted, her voice breaking.

Jungkook woke up, disturbed by the loud argument. He rubbed his eyes and reached for Jimin, who was still half-asleep, holding his hand as they walked downstairs to see what was happening. Jimin yawned, barely awake, and unaware of the brewing storm.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Mrs. Jeon immediately noticed them. "Jungkookie, take Mochi back to his room," she ordered firmly, not wanting Jimin to hear the heated conversation.

But Jimin, always polite, bowed respectfully to the unfamiliar woman standing in the living room. "Annyeonghaseyo," he said sweetly, smiling at the stranger.

Ms. Park’s eyes welled up with tears as she stepped closer to Jimin. "Jimin? Are you...my Jimin?"

Her trembling hands reached out to caress Jimin’s cheek, disbelief and sorrow in her eyes. Years ago, she had given him up because she couldn’t care for him. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "You’re my son."

Jimin was confused, his smile fading as he stepped back. "Kookie Hyung...who is this lady?"

"Don’t touch my brother," Jungkook said protectively, stepping between Ms. Park and Jimin. He shielded Jimin, pulling him behind his back. Jungkook had always known that Jimin wasn’t his biological brother, but that didn’t matter. Jimin had been part of his life since he was seven, and that bond was unbreakable.

Ms. Park looked at Jungkook with desperation. "I’m his mother!" she insisted.

"No, you’re not. My mother is there," Jimin replied quietly, pointing toward Mrs. Jeon, who was sobbing uncontrollably in Mr. Jeon’s arms. She had known this day might come, but she hadn’t been prepared for it to happen so soon.

Ms. Park tried to reach out for Jimin again, but Jungkook slapped her hand away. "You don’t get to touch him," he growled.

Jimin clung to Jungkook, his body trembling. "K-Kookie Hyung..." Jimin stammered, his voice shaking with fear and confusion.

Suddenly, Jimin’s eyes rolled back, and his small body went limp, collapsing onto the floor. He had fainted.

"Mochi!" Jungkook cried, panic rising in his chest as he knelt beside Jimin, cradling his unconscious brother in his arms.