Stranger | Jikook/Kookmin

25 | Best Hugs

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There are many things that can surprise a man, leave him speechless, make him gasp slightly. But there is that one thing that will bring his world to a standstill, no matter where he is, no matter what he is doing.

It is of course, hard for Jungkook to process everything at once, too.

He knew that his income was steadily falling with the lack of new videos on his channel. The original plan was to compensate for any backtracking through the mascot series, but that went out of the window when the student presidency deal came into the picture. Postponing the reveal brought a wave of uncertainty to Jungkook's self-sustainment, leaving him barely paying the rent through the adsense from existing videos.

It's not working that well anymore.

He has been on the breadline.

He did try to gather ideas for filming some new pranks but... sigh. He can't bring himself to. It's as if this huge hippopotamus sat on the road to his YouTube success and he can't find a way to get over him. Like he is stranded by a challenge he can't even recognize, something not on his level of dealing.

He realizes, too, that he's not only bad with money nowadays but also with being a son because man... It's been three weeks since he had a proper phone conversation with his parents. 

This is taking all of his life energy. 

He had tried calling the previous night but hadn't been able to. He tried earlier in the morning but the alarm clock for his class went off so he had to postpone the call. Now that it's 5 p.m. late afternoon, now that he has eaten, showered, cleaned, done his assignments and failed to focus on video games, there is nothing standing on his way from making that call.

He huffs uncomfortably, leaning back on the balcony wall, phone clutched in his hand tightly.

Is it too hot today?

His eyes wonder.

There's that same man painting his rooftop.

Two high school girls giggle while licking their ice bars, skipping down the street.

A dog barks at absolutely nothing.

Life is going on and everybody else but him seems to be doing fine.

The reminder tugs at his heart, guilt buzzing somewhere deep inside him, as if saying there is no running away from this. 

Of course... it's not like he won't call his parents for another week because he didn't call them for the past three. It's a pity he is so cautious towards them even though they have been the most loving and supportive people towards Jungkook.

They love you. They'll be understanding. Call them.

He lets out a final big breath, pushing himself away from the wall by the back of his foot. He'll take the chance while there is a bit of courage sparking inside of him. 

He unlocks the phone, bringing his mom's contact information to the screen. 

Eomma.

He bites his lips nervously, tries to tame his beating heart and presses the call button all at once.

It starts ringing.

Fuck.

The lip biting is getting more intense by the beat, his hands sweating furiously as he zones in on the roof man while waiting.

She picks up four to five beats later.

Jungkook sprints. 

"E-eomma?"