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“I’m gonna go to bed Hyung.”
Seokjin looked up from where he was hunched over the coffee table, monthly bills and random paperwork spread out before him, to see Jimin in the doorway, clad in an oversized t-shirt and boxers. Seokjin smiled up at him, putting down his pen and reaching out with both hands towards the younger. Jimin happily obliged, heading over and taking a seat in Jin’s lap. Seokjin wrapped both arms tightly around him and kissed his cheek, before reclining back against the couch, taking the younger man with him.
“You doing okay my angel?” Seokjin asked. He felt like he didn’t always get to spend enough time with Jimin, considering the younger two demanded so much of his attention. He was forever grateful to have the other guys around for support when his hands were full. Still, it was nice to have these quiet moments to check in with his Jiminie.
“I’m good Hyung.” Jimin replied, nuzzling into Jin’s neck. Seokjin squeezed him and rocked him gently for a moment, as if he were a real baby, before allowing Jimin to get back to his feet.
“Okay sweetheart, off to bed.” Seokjin tapped his bottom to send him on his way as raised voices shot down from the hall. Jimin jumped, obviously startled, looking back silently at Jin for guidance.
“No! I don’t want to hear it Tae!”
That was definitely Yoongi. Seokjin furrowed his brow in concern. He knew Yoongi had sent both younger boys to bed early, after their rough-housing led to coffee being spilled all over Yoongi’s phone, but that was two hours ago. They should be well asleep by now.
Seokjin knew Yoongi could handle whatever was going on, but decided to investigate anyway. He got up and placed an arm around Jimin’s shoulders, safely delivering him to the first room on the right with a kiss to the forehead, before heading further up the hall towards the ruckus. He found Yoongi dragging Jeongguk out of Taehyung’s room by his sleeve.
“Hyung!” Jeongguk broke free, running to Seokjin, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist and ducking his head in order to smush his face into Seokjin’s chest. Seokjin instinctively hugged the boy back.
“What’s going on?” He asked in confusion.
“I sent these two to bed in their own rooms, next thing I know they’re both in Tae’s playing games.”
“Really baby?” Seokjin asked in surprise, prying the boy’s arms from around his waist. “You know better than to ignore a punishment. Go to bed right now!”
Jeongguk froze on the spot, mouth falling open like he wanted to say something.
“Move it!” Yoongi said through clenched teeth, obviously furious. He grabbed Jeongguk’s hand and led him back to his own room.
Seokjin took a deep breath before heading to Taehyung’s open doorway. The second-youngest sat on the floor, packing up his game controllers.
“Tae.” Taehyung looked up at him, face flushed, close to tears. ‘Come on, into bed.”
Taehyung dropped the controllers, quick to comply, diving onto his mattress. Seokjin moved to the bed, fluffing the blankets over him.
“You know you have to listen to your hyungs, baby.”
“But Kookie always sleeps in here.”
“Not tonight he won’t be.”
“But...”
“Keep it up and I’ll ban him from your room altogether. Now go to sleep.” Seokjin headed to the door, turning the lights off before closing it behind him.
Seokjin stood outside Taehyung’s room and clawed his fingers down his face. These kids, seriously! He took a calming breath before realizing he should probably console Jimin. He bypassed Jeongguk’s closed door before reaching Jimin and Hoseok’s room. Hoseok and Namjoon were out late tonight, catching up with old friends from school, which left himself and Yoongi home with the kids.
He opened the door, finding Jimin lying in bed scrolling through his phone. Jin went in and sat down beside him.
“Everything okay?” Jimin asked, looking up at him with trepidation.
“Yeah it’s all fine sweetheart, nothing you need to worry about.”
Jimin nodded, reaching over to put his phone and glasses on his bedside table. Seokjin pulled the blankets up under his chin before heading to the door. “Sleep well baby. I love you.”
Seokjin returned to the lounge, finding Yoongi sat on the couch, turning over his now coffee-stained phone in his hands.
“I think it’s cactus. Won’t even turn on.” Yoongi said, dropping the phone on the couch cushion as Seokjin returned to his seat in front of the coffee table.
Seokjin sighed. “I don’t even want to think about how much we’ve spent replacing technology those two have broken.” Seokjin almost wanted to cry, eyeing the credit-card bill sat in front of him.
“Yah – just this year there’s been Joon’s iPad, Hobi’s speaker, three phones for Tae!” Yoongi counted off on his fingers. “Now this.”
Seokjin put a hand over his eyes, nodding silently. He could feel a headache coming on. “I think I’m gonna take a bath.”
It wasn’t often that Seokjin was able to indulge like this. Sharing the main bathroom with three other members of the household meant it was rare to even get the space to himself without someone else barging in. Not to mention this was the only bathroom that had a (highly sought-after) tub. And Taehyung had decided somewhere along the line that someone being sat in the tub meant it was the perfect time for a chat. Needless to say, the room was always occupied.
But right now, Seokjin was taking full advantage of the solitude. The house was quiet with the kids in bed and Yoongi no doubt with his headphones on. He was able to just lay back, relax and soak his worries away. But it was getting very late and he had turned full prune, so it was probably time to finish up.
Seokjin reluctantly drained the bath and reached for his towel, drying off before throwing on his pajama pants. He brushed his teeth and moisturized his face before leaving the confines of the bathroom, running the towel through his damp hair.
“No… NO!”
Seokjin stopped dead in the dark hallway when he heard the cries. His stomach tightened as he hastily tried to figure out where the sobs were coming from. When another howl ripped through the quiet hallway, Seokjin quickly zoned in on Jeongguk’s room.
He threw open the door as the cries continued from the boy in the bed.
“Jeonggukkie?” Seokjin called out in a panic.
The sobbing didn’t stop, the youngest’s body thrashing around on the bed. Seokjin soon realized the boy was still asleep, caught in a nightmare.
“Jeongukkie, baby, wake up.” Seokjin said softly, not wanting to startle the boy. He moved over to the bed, but Jeongguk seemed to be too deep in his dream. Seokjin pulled back the covers, climbing in the bed alongside him. Leaning against the headboard, he gently rubbed Jeongguk’s shoulder.
“Shhh honey.”
“Nonono” Jeongguk tossed his unconscious body back and forth.
“Sweetheart, it’s okay.” Seokjin was trying not to panic, but would do anything at this point to get the boy to settle down.
“Eomma! … Eomma.”
Seokjin’s heart broke. “It’s okay baby, I’m here.” He sighed. “Eomma’s here.”
Jeongguk rolled over again, cheek finally coming into contact with Seokjin’s warm chest. Seokjin managed to wrap his arms around the boy, stilling him in a firm embrace. Fortunately, Jeongguk seemed to slowly come around with the skin contact and tight hold.
“Eomma.” He said again in a small voice, finally relaxing. Jeongguk’s hand came up trying to grip something but only found Seokjin’s bare chest. Jin took the hand in his own, pressing soft kisses to the boy’s knuckles.
“You’re okay my baby.” Seokjin comforted.
Jeongguk opened his eyes and jerked at the sound of his Hyung’s voice.
“Hyung?”
“It’s okay sweetheart, you had a nightmare. But you’re okay. You’re safe.” Seokjin brushed the sweaty bangs out of the boy’s eyes. “I’ve got you, baby.”
Jeongguk closed his eyes again, resting his head back down on Seokjin’s chest, the steady heart beat lulling him back to sleep.
“Just relax now honey. I’m here.” Seokjin comforted. He felt the tension slowly drain away from the youngest’s body as he fell back into a now peaceful slumber.
As the adrenaline wore off, Seokjin felt his own lethargy creeping up on him. He yawned, lowering himself into the bed while managing to carefully maneuver Jeongguk with him so his head was still cradled on his chest.
Seokjin closed his eyes and drifted off to the quiet sounds of his baby’s breaths.
When Seokjin woke early the next morning it took a second to decipher where he actually was. Then he remembered the terrifying late-night cries. He was in Jeongguk’s bed. But Jeongguk was not. Seokjin got up and left the room, crossing the hall to his own room to throw on a shirt. Seokjin headed towards the kitchen for a much-needed coffee.
He found his youngest scoffing a bowl of cereal over the kitchen sink.
“Hi sweetheart, how are you feeling?” Seokjin asked tenderly, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. Jeongguk put the now-empty bowl in the sink and shrugged off the touch.
“I’m fine. Hoseok-hyung and I are going to the gym.” He replied, quickly leaving the room.
“Okay hon, have fun.” Seokjin responded, a little confused by the cold-shoulder, but deciding the boy wasn't a morning person and must still feel a little tired after his interrupted sleep.
Seokjin continued to make his coffee, hearing the front door close, before moving to the lounge. He propped his feet on the coffee table and flicked on the television to catch the news headlines, lowering the volume so not to wake the rest of the house.
It wasn’t too much later when Taehyung entered the room, draped in his blanket. Seokjin was incredibly surprised to see him up so early without reason. Taehyung would sleep past midday if given the chance. The boy crawled onto the edge of the couch, far from Jin. Seokjin could see him fidgeting with a corner of the blanket in his peripheral vision.
“Hyung?” Taehyung finally spoke up.
“Yeah?”
“Are you still mad at me?” He asked meekly.
Seokjin looked over at Taehyung’s hopeful eyes. His heart melted into a puddle. “No, I’m not mad at you sweetheart.” He saw the boy exhale the breath he’d been holding. “Come here little one.”
Taehyung quickly scurried over, blanket burrito and all, plastering himself to Seokjin’s side. Seokjin put an arm around him and Taehyung immediately leaned in to snuggle against his neck.
“Hyung?”
“Yeah baby?”
“Is Jeongukkie okay?”
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s just… I heard him crying again last night.”
“He just had a nightmare, but he’s okay now.”
“I wanted to go check on him but I didn’t want to get in trouble again.”
“My sweetest boy.” Seokjin kissed the top of his head. “Wait, honey, what do you mean crying again?”
“Jeongukkie has nightmares sometimes when he sleeps by himself. That’s why he usually sleeps with me.”
“Oh sweetheart, you should have told me.”
“I tried to! Last night! I tried to tell Yoongi-hyung too but I think he was too mad at me. Kook had a bad dream when Yoongi-hyung sent him to bed, so he came in to me. But he was too scared to go back to sleep yet so we played games instead.”
Seokjin sat agape, absolutely kicking himself that he failed his babies so badly. “Oh my god Tae! Oh my angel! I’m so, so sorry baby. I’ve been such a terrible hyung.”
Seokjin squeezed him tighter and kissed wherever he could reach. Taehyung hated seeing the tears in his Hyung’s eyes, but gladly accepted all the affection.
“It’s okay Hyung.”
“No, it’s not baby. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. I’ll do better I promise.”
Taehyung nodded, bringing his legs up onto the couch and laying his head in Seokjin’s lap. Seokjin instantly began to stroke his hair, it was like a reflex at this point. It didn’t take long before the boy’s eyes drooped closed again.
And while Taehyung napped contentedly, drooling on Jin’s pant-leg, Seokjin panicked internally. He desperately needed to speak to his youngest. No wonder he was given the cold shoulder earlier! The poor boy must be so upset with him, being punished when all he’d been looking for was some comfort. Seokjin began mentally mapping out all the ways to make it up to him. Perhaps they could even order pizza for dinner? A little bribery never hurt anyone.
After a few hours spent at the gym, Hoseok and Jeongguk returned home. Seokjin had immediately tried to get a moment alone to talk to the youngest. But Jeongguk dodged him, using the excuse that he was sweaty and needed to shower. Hoseok chose the different post-workout route of sprawling on the couch with his phone until he fell asleep.
Seokjin tried again later on, inviting the boy grocery shopping with him. It was an activity they usually did together, ever since Jeongguk realized it was the easiest way to ensure his own personal selection of snacks and breakfast cereals were purchased. But instead the boy opted to stay home and hang out with Jimin.
Jeongguk seemed to be doing absolutely anything in order to avoid being alone with Seokjin and speaking to him only when necessary. Seokjin was getting desperate, even considering Taehyung’s method of confronting him when he was stuck in the bathtub. It had been a while since he’d given his youngest a bath. But ultimately, he decided against the idea because as much as it killed Seokjin, Jeongguk obviously wasn’t comfortable around him at the moment.
Instead, Seokjin decided to back off and wait it out. He continued as normal. Keeping the house in order, providing comfort for whoever happened to need him (Taehyung) and making meals for the family. If a few extra of Jeongguk’s favorite foods snuck in there, well, no one said a word. Seokjin also continued to tuck his babies in bed at night. No one could ever stop him from doing that. Jeongguk was now a perpetual addition to Taehyung’s bed. Seokjin had made sure to word up the others to guarantee no future punishment included separate sleeping arrangements. Seokjin just tried to act as normal as possible around Jeongguk, while Jeongguk continued to avoid Seokjin. Hopefully the boy would come to him when he was ready. Seokjin just prayed he wouldn’t take too much longer.
It was a few nights later and Seokjin couldn’t take it anymore. He was drowning in guilt and he missed his baby. So, he’d allowed the three youngest to stay up later than normal in order to watch a movie together, all four of them dressed in their pajamas, snuggling up on Seokjin’s large bed. Jimin and Taehyung were immediately on board with the idea, Jeongguk agreeing soon after a quick pep talk from Tae.
Seokjin stopped any bickering before it began by allowing Jimin to pick the movie, so they were watching The Notebook again. Seokjin reclined against the headboard with the back of Jimin’s head resting on his stomach. Taehyung lay at the foot of the bed closest to the screen, where he was also monopolizing the snacks. That left the space to Seokjin’s left free for Jeongguk. The boy appeared nervous at the predicament, but obediently took his seat and soon relaxed once the movie began.
As the movie played on, Seokjin found himself watching his youngest more than the film. Jeongguk was definitely trying hard to stay awake; his subtle yawns becoming a lot more blatant as time passed. In his fatigue he dropped his defenses, even allowing himself to curl up into Jin’s side when Seokjin raised an arm, inviting him in for cuddles. Seokjin watched him slowly start to drift off towards the end of the film, all the while Jin’s left arm made sure to hold the boy close. Seokjin had missed this so much.
Jimin groaned loudly and stretched when the credits rolled. Taehyung sat up, reaching for the remote control. “Can we watch another one?” he asked Seokjin, flicking through other titles on Netflix.
“Not tonight baby, it’s definitely time for bed. Go brush your teeth okay?”
Both boys dragged themselves off the bed and out of the room. The commotion woke up the dozing Jeongguk, eyes blinking open. Seokjin caressed his cheek with his thumb as Jeongguk looked up at him.
“Is it over?” He asked quietly.
“Yeah the movie’s finished sweetheart.”
“Oh. I should go to bed.” Jeongguk said, sitting up. Seokjin decided this was the moment.
“Could I talk to you for a second, little one?” Seokjin asked as casually as possible. He watched the boy instantly tense up anyway, looking down at the hands in his lap.
“I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am.” Seokjin began.
Jeongguk immediately looked up, a flash of confusion on his face.
“What for Hyung?”
Seokjin paused, a little puzzled himself at the reaction. “The other night. Tae told me you get nightmares when you sleep by yourself. If I had known I would never have sent you back to your own room alone.”
“Oh. It’s okay Hyung.” Jeongguk replied, plucking non-existent lint off his pajama pants.
“It’s really not sweetheart. I want you to feel comfortable enough to be able to tell me these things always, no matter what. Even if I’m angry or being thick-headed! If it’s important, I need you to make me listen okay? It kills me that I lost your trust baby.”
“Huh? You didn’t lose my trust Hyung.”
“You’ve barely spoken to me for days honey. I hate it. I hate that I upset you”
Seokjin saw a look of shock wash across the boy’s face.
“No! You didn’t… you didn’t upset me.” Jeongguk struggled. “I’m not upset.” He took a deep breath. “I’m embarrassed.” He muttered, looking down again.
Now Seokjin was really lost.
“Embarrassed? My goodness baby, what did I do?”
“No, you didn’t do anything Hyung! I swear! It was me.” Seokjin placed a comforting hand on Jeongguk’s knee, allowing him to take as much time as needed.
“I had a bad dream. But then you were there. And you hugged me and made it better. But then…” Jeongguk paused, cheeks flushing bright red.
Jeongguk whispered, almost inaudibly. “I called you Eomma.”
‘Oh my baby!” Seokjin laughed, chest teeming with utter fondness for the maknae. He reached out both hands, gripping underneath Jeongguk’s armpits and pulling the squirming boy until he fell against Jin’s chest. Seokjin hugged him tight. “My absolute sweetheart! There is nothing to be embarrassed about! It was just a dream honey!”
Jeongguk blushed more, remaining tight-lipped. He didn’t dare admit that he had in fact woken up at some point. He knew it was Seokjin there, taking care of him, just like he always did. He knew it. But he had said it anyway. Because it’s true.
“Besides, I suppose I am a stand-in Eomma for you kids.” Seokjin chuckled, pinching Jeongguk’s cheek, “Someone needs to keep you in line!”
Jeongguk relaxed as his embarrassment faded, finally wrapping his arms around Seokjin’s neck and hugging him back. “Thank you Hyung.”
Seokjin eased off his tight grip, allowing Jeongguk to rest comfortably against his chest for a moment. “But honey, please don’t hide from me again okay? If there’s a problem, you’ve gotta tell me. I love you and I want to know what you’re feeling. Don’t shut me out baby.”
Jeongguk nodded solemnly. “I’m sorry Hyung.”
Neither spoke for a few minutes, just enjoying being back in each other’s company. Seokjin leaned over and kissed the boy’s cheek. “Let’s get ready for bed yeah?”
“Hyung?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I sleep with you tonight?”
Seokjin smiled affectionately. “Anytime baby.”