Winter In My Heart (Jikook/Kookmin)

3

Mrs. Jeon lay beside her son, gently brushing her fingers through his hair. Tears welled up in her eyes, a constant reminder that her time with Jimin was running out. The thought of losing her seven-year-old son weighed heavily on her heart, and she couldn't bear the idea of him being taken away.

"Mom..." Jimin's voice was soft, barely above a whisper, as he slowly woke up.

"Hey, baby. You're awake," Mrs. Jeon said, quickly wiping away her tears and offering him two fever-reducing pills. She had been by his side ever since he fainted with a high fever, not willing to leave him alone for even a moment.

Jimin hesitated for a second, his eyes searching her face. "Mom, am I really your son?"

The question hit Mrs. Jeon like a punch to the gut. She gasped, and fresh tears began to fall, uncontrollable now. Without thinking, she pulled Jimin into a tight embrace, holding him as though the sheer force of her love could prevent the inevitable.

"Will she take me away from you?" Jimin's voice trembled, and his small body shook with fear.

Mrs. Jeon kissed his forehead over and over, her tears mingling with his. "Oh God... I'm so sorry, baby. Please, forgive me..." Her voice cracked, and she struggled to get the words out.

Jimin sobbed into her chest, his tiny hands clutching her shirt. He had seen enough to understand that the woman who had visited earlier was his biological mother, and that she might take him far away from the only family he had ever known.

"I don’t want to go," Jimin cried, his voice broken. "Please, make me stay. I don’t want to leave you, Mom."

Mrs. Jeon's heart shattered as she held him close, her own tears spilling freely. "I’m so sorry... I’m so, so sorry..."

The room was filled with the sound of Jimin's sobs as he clung to her, seeking comfort in the only place that had ever felt like home. For the Jeon family, Jimin had always been their son, ever since the day he arrived in their lives as a baby. They had never treated him any differently from Jungkook, and their love for him was as deep and genuine as if he were their biological child.

Jimin couldn’t sleep. His mind raced, and he tossed and turned, feeling lost and frightened. Finally, he slipped out of bed and padded down the hallway, his feet instinctively leading him to his brother’s room. The moment he opened the door and saw Jungkook asleep, he climbed into bed beside him, wrapping his arms around him.

"Mochi?" Jungkook’s sleepy voice broke the silence as he stirred.

"K-Kookie Hyung..." Jimin whimpered, his tears starting again. "She’s going to take me. She’s going to take me away from you."

Jungkook immediately hugged him tighter, his protective instinct kicking in. He had been restless ever since Jimin’s biological mother showed up, the thought of losing his little brother filling him with dread. But now, more than ever, he needed to stay strong—for Jimin.

"No one is going to take you away from me. I won’t let it happen," Jungkook whispered firmly, his arms wrapped securely around Jimin.

"But... she said she’s my real mom. She’ll take me away from here," Jimin sobbed, his face buried in Jungkook’s chest.

"No, Mochi. I promise you, that won’t happen," Jungkook reassured him, his voice filled with determination. "You’re my brother, and you belong here. With Mom, Dad, and me. This is your home, and no one can take that away from us. You’ll stay here, forever."

Jungkook held Jimin close, trying to comfort him as best as he could. He could feel his own heart aching, but he knew he had to stay strong. He couldn’t let Jimin see how scared he was too. After a while, he loosened his hold and reached into his drawer, pulling out a small box.