Mine (Jikook/Kookmin)- Complete

5

“Chicken Soup!” Jae's voice cut through Jimin's daydream, pulling him back to the present. He blinked in surprise as Jungkook stood in the doorway, holding a bag and wearing his usual easy smile.

“Can I…?” Jungkook began to ask, gesturing inside.

“Oh, yeah. Please come in,” Jimin quickly responded, stepping aside to let him in. He hadn’t expected Jungkook today, and the suddenness of his visit left Jimin feeling slightly flustered.

As Jungkook entered the cozy living room, he looked around, taking in the space. It was simple, but comfortable—everything had its place, and though it wasn’t filled with extravagant things, it was a home. Jimin had inherited it from his brother, and while the place wasn’t filled with luxuries, it was filled with love, especially for Jae, who was at the center of Jimin’s world.

"Umm, hyung?" Jimin's voice broke Jungkook's train of thought.

"Aaah, yeah?" Jungkook replied, realizing he had been staring.

“Take a seat first. I’ll get you a drink,” Jimin said, leaving the room with a quick glance back at Jungkook.

In the kitchen, Tae and Hobi looked up curiously. "Who's here?" Tae asked.

"My neighbor," Jimin replied, a bit distracted.

“Oh, the muscular one?” Tae teased, raising an eyebrow.

"His name is Jungkook," Jimin corrected, but there was no denying the small smile tugging at his lips.

“Aaah, the handsome boy,” Hobi joined in, both of them knowing full well about Jimin’s not-so-secret crush on his neighbor. Though Jimin would only ever admit to having a slight crush, they all knew it was a little more than that.

Jimin rolled his eyes at their teasing and gestured toward the living room. “Let’s go. He’s probably waiting.”

Back in the living room, Jae had already made himself comfortable on Jungkook’s lap, enthusiastically showing him his new toys. Jungkook, ever the good sport, was leaning in, deeply engaged in the conversation with the four-year-old.

“Did you know that this car can transform into a robot?” Jae asked, his eyes wide with excitement.

“Oh, really? I didn’t know that,” Jungkook replied, mirroring the child’s excitement.

Jae proudly demonstrated how his toy transformed, and Jungkook’s face lit up with genuine amazement. “Whoa, it’s cool. I should buy one.”

“Yes! Then we can play together,” Jae exclaimed. “I will ask appa permission to go to your house.”

In the corner of the room, Jimin couldn’t help but smile. Watching Jungkook interact so effortlessly with Jae warmed his heart. He could feel Tae and Hobi’s amused glances, both of them silently acknowledging the bond forming between Jungkook and Jae.

“This is my favorite, Poli,” Jae announced, holding up another toy.

“Why’s that your favorite?” Jungkook asked, leaning in closer to get a better look.

“I don’t know. I just like it,” Jae shrugged, then added with surprising thoughtfulness, “I have three of these. Appa buys them for me. And... I want to buy appa nice clothes and buy him a lot of food!”

Jimin froze, his heart skipping a beat. He hadn’t expected those words from his son. Jae, at just four years old, had somehow noticed how rarely Jimin treated himself, always prioritizing his son’s needs over his own. The fact that Jae understood that, even at his young age, made Jimin’s throat tighten with emotion.

“I believe you can do it, one day,” Jungkook said, his voice warm and sincere. “You’re a good boy, Jae.”

Jae’s face lit up at the praise, and without hesitation, he slid off Jungkook’s lap and clambered onto Jimin’s. His small arms wrapped tightly around his father’s waist, hugging him close.

“Appa, don’t worry. Jae will buy you many, many new clothes. Jae will buy you nice food.”

Jimin felt a lump form in his throat. Tears threatened to spill, but he swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. The weight of Jae’s simple, heartfelt promise was almost too much for him to bear.

“I know, Jae,” Jimin managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re my knight in shining armor.”

Jae looked up at him, confused. “What does that mean? I don’t understand.”

“It means that Jae is appa’s protector,” Jungkook chimed in, offering the explanation with a soft smile. “You’re kind and thoughtful, Jae. Jiminie appa will always be happy if you’re with him.”

The tenderness in Jungkook’s words touched everyone in the room. Tae and Hobi exchanged quiet glances, sensing the depth of emotion between Jimin and his son. They knew Jimin was struggling, that he was holding on by a thread, but they also knew that this little boy gave him all the strength he needed.

Jae, oblivious to the tears in his father’s eyes, simply tightened his grip around Jimin’s waist and whispered, “I love you, appa.”

That was it. Jimin couldn’t hold back any longer. He hugged his son tightly, the warmth of Jae’s small body grounding him. In that moment, all the worries, all the struggles seemed to fade into the background. All that mattered was this embrace, this pure and unconditional love.

“I love you more, Jae,” Jimin whispered back, his voice breaking ever so slightly.

In Jae’s small arms, Jimin found his strength. His knight in shining armor wasn’t someone who would come to save him from the world—it was the love he already had, wrapped up in the form of his little boy.