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Taehyung was laying across the couch, head resting on Jeongguk’s chest, with one arm thrown haphazardly over the youngest’s stomach. They had been in that position or similar since they’d finished breakfast earlier that morning. They'd been binge-watching a new anime in the lounge when they heard the front door open.
Seokjin entered, closing the door behind him and toeing off his shoes. His eyes immediately found the two youngest cuddled up on the couch. “My god, my poor fragile heart can’t handle this sweetness!” Seokjin held his chest at the sight as he took the few steps over to them.
“Hi my babies.” He said, leaning over to kiss each of them on the cheek. “I’m back.”
“Hi Hyung” both boys chorused without taking their eyes off the screen, craning their necks to watch the anime around Seokjin’s broad frame.
“Hey! Such disrespect! Even after I bought you lunch.”
“Lunch?” Jeongguk moved to sit up, pushing Taehyung off him.
“We love you Hyung! Welcome home!” Taehyung flashed his biggest grin as Seokjin dumped a bag onto the coffee table. Both boys descended at once, pulling out plastic containers of jajangmyeon and disposable utensils.
Seokjin snatched the containers back, “Nope! Not on my couch. Take it to the table please.” He definitely preferred not having to attempt to clean black bean sauce stains off the upholstery.
“But it’s just getting to the good bit!” Taehyung argued.
“I don’t care baby. You will eat at the table or you won’t eat it at all.”
“Hyung! You would let me go hungry?!” Taehyung cried in mock disbelief.
“Ahh, you caught me! You know me too well sweetheart, I could never!” Seokjin said, reaching for the remote control. “I would however, cancel the Netflix subscription…” He casually threatened.
“Okay, okay, let’s not do anything rash.” Taehyung said, as both boys finally stood from the couch, each reaching for the containers in Seokjin’s hands.
“What do you say?”
“Thank you Hyung.” Jeongguk chimed obediently.
“Thanks Eomma!” Taehyung smiled mischievously, taking his container.
“Brat!” Seokjin laughed, swatting him on the bottom as he walked by.
Seokjin noticed Jeongguk falter slightly at Taehyung’s joke and decided to follow the two of them into the kitchen. As the two youngest sat down and began eating, Seokjin went to the fridge to get drinks for them.
He returned to the table, placing the drinks down, before taking a seat beside Jeongguk and draping his arm over the back of the boy’s chair. “Good?” He asked, and both boys nodded gratefully with cheeks full like hamsters. Seokjin smiled. He loved nothing more than seeing his boys eat well.
“Where are the others?”
“Yoongi-hyung is at the studio and Hobi-hyung and Jimin went shopping. But Joonie-hyung’s in his room.” Taehyung replied through his mouthful.
“I think he’s angry.” Jeongguk looked up, a spot of sauce stuck to the corner of his mouth. Seokjin instinctively reached over and wiped it away with his thumb.
“Why? What did you two do?” Seokjin asked suspiciously.
Jeongguk’s eyebrows furrowed. “I didn’t do anything. Tae did.”
Seokjin watched Taehyung’s mouth fall open in disbelief.
“Taehyung, what happened?” Seokjin zoned in on him.
“Nothing!” He cried defensively.
“He ate Namjoon-hyung’s cinnamon chips.” Jeongguk piped up. Taehyung was left speechless, staring at the youngest like a fish out of water.
That was definitely new. Seokjin did not like where it was going. His two youngest were thick as thieves. Completely inseparable. If one did something, the other would never tattle. He knew both boys would each take a punishment rather than rat out the other. And yet here Jeongguk was, throwing Tae under the bus. Seokjin would expect Jimin to snitch on Taehyung, but never Jeongguk. He resolved to get to the bottom of this development later, first he had to deal with this Namjoon situation.
“Tae, did you eat Namjoon’s chips?” Seokjin asked.
“I – yeah but –” Taehyung scrambled for an excuse.
“Even though you knew he was saving them?”
“But I was hungry Hyung.”
“Kim Taehyung! Honestly! Did you at least apologize?”
“…No.”
Seokjin stood from his seat. “I was going to later. I swear!” Taehyung justified.
“C’mon, up. Now.” He grabbed Taehyung by the upper arm as he dropped his chopsticks onto the table. Seokjin dragged him out of the chair and out of the room. All the while Taehyung glared at Jeongguk with betrayal.
Taehyung’s arm was finally released once they were stood outside Namjoon’s bedroom door. The younger rubbed his arm, jutting out his bottom lip.
“That did not hurt. Stop pouting.” Seokjin said, knocking on Namjoon’s door. He opened the door once he heard a mumble from inside.
“Hey Joon, Taehyung has something he’d like to say.”
Namjoon, who was reclined on his bed, looked up from the laptop on his lap to see Taehyung standing slightly shielded behind Seokjin. Seokjin placed his hand on Taehyung’s lower back, ushering the boy forward.
“Sorry Hyung.” Taehyung said sheepishly.
Namjoon sighed. “Tae you know I’d share anything with you guys. But you gotta ask first.”
“I promise I won’t do it again.”
“And stop making promises you don’t intend to keep!” Namjoon cried out in exasperation.
Taehyung looked at his feet and fidgeted with his fingers. “I’m sorry.”
“Okay. Fine. Thank you.” Namjoon accepted with a sigh.
Seokjin nodded at him before guiding Taehyung back out of the room and closing the door. “Go finish your lunch okay?”
“I’m not hungry Hyung.”
“You were hungry enough to steal snacks so you can be hungry enough to finish what I bought for you. Go on.” Seokjin followed him back to the kitchen where he ate the rest of his meal in silence.
Once both boys were finished, Jeongguk stood up awkwardly. “Wanna finish that episode?”
“I don’t want to watch anymore.” Taehyung said, before pushing his chair back harshly and leaving the room alone.
After their eventful lunch, both boys had gone their separate ways for the rest of the day. No longer occupied with each other, they had each been pestering all of their hyungs throughout the afternoon.
After dinner was their weekly family movie night. Everyone was settled in the lounge; most already clad in their pajamas. It was Namjoon’s choice this week and he’d selected some foreign art-house film. No one else was super enthused for it, but fair’s fair, it was his turn.
Seokjin carried the last two blankets into the lounge. He placed one down on the side of the armchair before draping the other over Jimin, who was curled up on the couch with his head in Namjoon’s lap. Seokjin smiled down at him– there was absolutely no chance of the boy staying awake for the entire film and someone would have to carry him to bed later. On the other end of the couch, Yoongi had an arm around Taehyung’s shoulders. Taehyung had plastered himself to Yoongi’s side as soon as the older had sat down. Hoseok and Jeongguk had made themselves comfortable in a blanket and pillow pile on the carpet, leaving the armchair free for Seokjin.
Seokjin took his seat and reached for the remote control. “Everyone ready?”
He watched as Jeongguk snatched the white chocolate cookie Pepero from the coffee table as soon as Taehyung reached for it. Taehyung’s brow furrowed.
“Hyung” Taehyung said softly, addressing Yoongi but gaining everyone’s attention. He fiddled with the hem of his boxer shorts as he spoke. “Jeongguk didn’t do the laundry.”
“What?!” Yoongi sat up straighter, abandoning his hold on Taehyung as he zeroed in on the maknae. “Jeongguk I literally told you seven times to finish that laundry. What the hell?”
“But I – ” Jeongguk scrambled.
Yoongi stood out of his seat, grabbing the youngest by his pajama sleeve and pulling him to his feet. “No way. No excuses kid. You’re finishing it now.”
Dragging him towards the exit, Yoongi turned back to the others. “Sorry guys, you can start without us. It looks like we need to have yet another discussion about someone failing to do their chores.”
Once they left the room, Seokjin shook his head, but pressed play on the remote anyway.
As the movie started, Taehyung seemingly began to regret his actions when he realized that he’d lost his Yoongi-shaped pillow. He crawled off the couch and grabbed the abandoned Pepero before climbing onto the armchair and seating himself on Seokjin’s lap, back pressed against Seokjin’s chest. Seokjin gently caressed the boy’s bare thigh as the younger made himself comfortable and opened the snack.
“That wasn’t very nice baby.” Seokjin whispered into the boy’s ear.
“He started it!” Taehyung cried out.
“Shhh!” Hoseok scolded from the floor.
Seokjin pursed his lips together but ultimately unfurled the last blanket over Taehyung and himself. They could deal with this later.
Seokjin awoke early the next morning to an armful of sleeping Jeongguk. He had hoped whatever silly feud was going on between the two youngest would have sorted itself out by now, but evidently not.
After the movie last night, with both boys continuing to be stubborn, Seokjin had tucked them each into their own individual beds. Normally, even if he hadn’t originally fallen asleep there, Jeongguk would find his way into Taehyung’s bed before the night was through. The youngest was unable to sleep alone and Taehyung, being a koala, always preferred to hold onto something in his sleep. It was a perfect match and the two had been sharing a bed on and off for years. But now here Jeongguk was, sprawled out next to Seokjin. As much as Seokjin absolutely adored maknae cuddles, he knew he was only being used as a substitute Taehyung.
Seokjin lay on his side, supported by his elbow as he reached over and rubbed gentle circles into Jeongguk’s exposed tummy where his pajama shirt had ridden up during the night. Jeongguk stretched his arms above his head and yawned, slowly blinking open his eyes and focusing on Seokjin.
“Hi baby, sleep well?” Seokjin couldn’t help but smile at those adorable puffy cheeks and fluffy hair.
“Mmhmm” Jeongguk hummed.
“Didn’t want to sleep with Tae?”
Seokjin watched as the boy shrank in on himself. “I’m sorry Hyung, I thought this was okay, I’ll go.” Jeongguk rolled to get out of the bed.
Seokjin huffed and quickly grabbed the back of Jeongguk’s shirt. He dragged the boy backwards until he had one arm wrapped securely over Jeongguk, hand pressed firmly against the boy’s chest, holding him close to Seokjin’s own body.
“Honey of course it’s okay that you came to me. You can sleep with me anytime, you know that! It’s just normally you sleep in Taehyung’s bed.”
“I wanted to spend the night with you Hyung.”
“Uh-huh, as much as I love your sweet-talk little one, I know that’s not true. What happened with Tae?”
Jeongguk used both hands to play with Seokjin’s fingers on his chest. “Don’t wanna talk about it.”
Seokjin sighed. “Okay sweetheart. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. But I would like you two to sort out whatever this is. I hate seeing you kids upset.”
Jeongguk nodded silently. A few minutes passed in silence.
“Still tired? Want to sleep a bit longer?” Seokjin whispered.
He nodded again.
“Okay bun, close your eyes. Hyung’s here.”
Just after breakfast, once the dishes were taken care of and the kitchen was cleaned, Seokjin had decided to make the most of the peace and quiet of the abandoned lounge room, and laid back on the couch to read his book. He’d only managed a handful of pages before Taehyung wandered into the room.
The younger looked a little lost, plonking himself down in the armchair and flicking through a magazine Jimin had left on the coffee table. He let out an audible sigh before tossing the magazine aside and making his way over to Seokjin on the couch. With all the grace of an elephant, he wordlessly climbed across Seokjin’s reclined body to wedge himself between Seokjin and the back of the couch. Seokjin automatically lifted one arm so the boy could snuggle in closer, head now resting on Jin’s chest.
Seokjin went back to reading his book as Taehyung’s fingers twisted themselves into Seokjin’s t-shirt. Finishing the chapter, Seokjin went to turn the page.
“Wait! I didn’t finish yet.” Taehyung piped up.
Seokjin didn’t say a word, just paused for a moment, until he heard a tiny, “Okay.”
He turned the page and continued reading, until it happened again.
“Wait! Hyung!”
“Taehyungie baby, if you want to read the book you can wait until after I’m finished with it.”
“But I wanna read it with you.”
Seokjin snorted. “No you don’t! You’re just bored. Why don’t you go see what Jeonggukie’s doing?”
He felt the boy flinch ever so slightly. “Nah, it’s okay. I’ll just stay here with you.”
Seokjin closed the book, reaching down to place it on the floor beside him. He wrapped both arms around the younger before bending slightly to place a kiss on the top of his head.
“Honey, what’s going on with you two?” Seokjin asked. He’d already failed to get any information out of one of them, may as well try the other.
“I dunno. Nothing.”
“Don’t tell me it’s nothing. You two have had it in for each other since yesterday. What happened?”
“I don’t – nothing happened!”
“Baby?”
“Ask him!” Taehyung argued.
“Alright sweet boy, it’s okay.” Seokjin conceded, not wanting to upset him further.
Seokjin cuddled him a while longer until he noticed Namjoon enter the room with Jeongguk hot on his heels. He watched Jeongguk pause in the doorway and turn to leave when he noticed Taehyung.
“Ah Jeonggukie. Glad you’re here sweetheart.” Seokjin said, moving to sit up with Taehyung still laying on him. He watched Jeongguk squirm, obviously wanting to avoid confrontation.
“I thought we might all play a video game, what do you think Joon?”
“Sounds good Hyung. Tae, you can be on my team.” Namjoon played along. They both knew whatever this was would never be resolved if the boys kept avoiding each other.
They’d opted to play ‘Rocket League’ on the Playstation in the lounge room. It had been about an hour and Seokjin could tell Taehyung was definitely getting a little frustrated – he was used to having Jeongguk as a teammate and the duo together were unbeatable. Namjoon, on the other hand, didn’t often play games with them and wasn’t exactly the most formidable opponent. The few matches they had won had been dumb luck.
When Namjoon’s phone rang, he put down his controller and went into the kitchen to take the call. Seokjin too, backed out under the guise of getting a glass of water. He stood in the doorway for a second, watching to make sure his two youngest sitting on the floor were playing peacefully together, before leaving the room and entering the kitchen.
Seokjin fetched a glass of water and drank it while leaning against the counter, watching on while Namjoon sat at the table talking on the phone. The phone call ended quickly and Namjoon put his phone down.
“So, do you know what’s going on with them yet?” Namjoon asked.
Seokjin shook his head. “I’m convinced something happened yesterday.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen them argue before!”
“I know. I don’t like it at all.”
“WHAT THE HELL TAE?”
Seokjin slammed his glass down on the counter and ran back to the lounge at the sound of shouting. But it was already too late, with the younger boys physically fighting on the carpet.
“My god! Joon!” Seokjin yelled, running into the lounge.
Namjoon flew out of his chair to follow close behind. “Oh shit!”
“Joon get Kook!”
Seokjin had already managed to grab Taehyung around the waist, but not before the younger smashed his head on the corner of the coffee table.
“Ow!”
Seokjin pulled Taehyung to his feet and firmly held onto him, the boy now gripping his forehead. Namjoon in the meantime had wrapped both arms tightly around Jeongguk, preventing the wrestling from escalating as the youngest went to throw a punch. Namjoon managed to pull the youngest to his feet also, holding him back tightly against his chest.
“WHAT IN THE WORLD DO YOU TWO THINK YOU’RE DOING?!” Seokjin roared and both boys jumped at the sound of their Hyung, who barely ever raised his voice. “SIT! NOW!” Seokjin pointed to the couch and the two boys were quick to obey.
Seokjin left Namjoon to supervise while he stormed back into the kitchen, taking a couple deep breaths to calm himself before retrieving an ice-pack from the freezer. He returned to the lounge, walking over to stop in front of Taehyung. The boy recoiled as Seokjin reached out and lifted the hair off Taehyung’s forehead, revealing a fast-blooming bruise.
Seokjin sighed. “Seriously guys? Violence? Honestly!” Seokjin shook his head in exasperation as he took a seat beside Taehyung, pulling the younger sideways onto his lap and holding the ice-pack to his injured head. Taehyung tried to flinch away from the cold but Seokjin did not relent.
At the opposite end of the couch, Namjoon swore under his breath as he quickly examined any of Jeongguk’s exposed skin for injury before taking a seat beside him. Namjoon also pulled the distressed boy onto his own lap as a grounding support. Jeongguk fought to get free, but Namjoon’s hold was unyielding and the youngest eventually accepted the comfort, relaxing back against him.
“Now,” Seokjin started calmly, “will someone care to tell me what is going on here?”
“He kept demo-ing me!”
“It was an accident!”
“HEY!’ Seokjin interrupted another argument and both boys froze. “I COULD NOT CARE LESS ABOUT THE DAMN VIDEO GAME!” Seokjin took a deep breath. “But someone, and I don’t care who, but one of you will tell me right now what’s happened between you that could have possibly led to my babies physically hurting each other.”
Neither of the boys spoke, instead they sat glaring at each other.
“I swear if I don’t get an answer in the next five seconds you will both be going over my knee like the children you’re behaving like!” Seokjin threatened.
“He tattled on me!” Taehyung argued.
“You told on me!”
“You did it first!”
“Coz you teased me!” Jeongguk cried.
“I did not!”
“You did!”
“Okay, enough!” Seokjin interjected. “Jeonggukie, when did Taehyung tease you?”
“Yesterday!”
“I never did!” Taehyung defended.
“Tae, let him finish.” Seokjin refereed. Taehyung shut his mouth and leaned back in a huff against Seokjin, who still held the ice-pack to his forehead.
Jeongguk played with the toggles of his hoodie, obviously uncomfortable. He looked back at Namjoon for reassurance. “Tell us what happened Kookie.” Namjoon prompted softly.
Jeongguk nodded once before turning back to Seokjin. “The night before we were talking in bed and I told Tae about what happened that time during my nightmare when I accidentally called you Eomma.” Jeongguk blushed bright red, hating to admit it again. “Then yesterday before lunch Tae called you Eomma just to embarrass me!” Seokjin watched the tears well up in the youngest’s eyes.
Finally, the pieces came together and Seokjin understood. Taehyung squirmed on his lap wanting to speak up, but Seokjin silenced him with a hand on his thigh. Seokjin turned back to Jeongguk.
“Baby, Taehyungie wasn’t teasing you.”
“He wasn’t?” Jeongguk asked confused. Namjoon gently rubbed Jeongguk’s back to soothe him.
“Oh sweetheart no. Taehyung – the brat –” Seokjin playfully poked the boy on his lap in the rib. “He was teasing me. He’s been calling me Eomma for ages because I spoil you kids so much.”
“Really?”
“Yeah really.” Seokjin replied and Namjoon nodded in confirmation. Seokjin was surprised Jeongguk had never noticed before, but he supposed it was only recently that the boy had become sensitive about the word.
“I’d never tease you Kookie.” Taehyung finally spoke, in his smallest voice. “I swear!”
Tears now spilled over from both of them.
“My silly boys. Hurting each other over a misunderstanding!” Seokjin watched their jaws drop in realization and shame. He kissed Taehyung’s temple and gestured Jeongguk closer. Namjoon released his hold and the youngest scrambled over until he was sitting flush against Seokjin. Seokjin held Jeongguk’s face close with his free hand and pressed a kiss to his cheek, before wiping away a stray tear with his thumb.
“M’really sorry Tae.” Jeongguk looked up sheepishly at the other.
“Me too Kookie.” Taehyung wiped his eye before wrapping both arms around Jeongguk’s neck. Taehyung fell forward onto him, so both boys tumbled backwards onto the couch.
“Careful!” Seokjin called after them, ice-pack still in hand.
After the dinner dishes were cleaned and put away, Seokjin left the kitchen and entered the lounge. Yoongi was in the armchair sipping from a mug of coffee, while his two youngest were sat together on the couch. Jeongguk was watching over Taehyung’s shoulder while he played a game on his Nintendo Switch.
“You’re both washed up?” Seokjin asked.
Jeongguk looked up. “Yes Hyung.”
“Teeth brushed?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay! Bed time!” Seokjin declared.
Jeongguk laughed. “Hyung, it’s eight-thirty.”
“That’s right. If you two are going to fight like children, you’ll go to bed like children. So let’s go.”
“What?” Taehyung asked, finally looking up from his game.
“You heard me. Bed.”
Yoongi smirked behind his coffee mug.
“Hyung!” Jeongguk cried out, but he took one look at Seokjin’s face and knew he wasn’t joking. Both boys shared a look with each other before hesitantly standing from the couch and beginning down the hallway.
“The game stays here Tae.”
“Aw c’mon Hyung!”
“Hey, do you really want to argue with me right now? After what you two did today?” Seokjin asked, hand on his hip. Taehyung paused for a fraction of a second before placing the game on the coffee table.
“Thank you. Now let’s go.”
Seokjin marched the two down the end of the hall and into Taehyung’s room. He pulled the duvet back and both boys begrudgingly climbed into the bed.
“It’s still light outside!” Taehyung whined, looking at the window and Seokjin pulled the blind closed. The room barely got any darker.
Seokjin returned to the bed and fluffed the covers up underneath their chins before examining the dark bruise on Taehyung’s forehead one last time.
“I love you both so, so much my babies. But if you ever fight like that and hurt each other again, so help me, you won’t be able to sit right for a week! Understand?” Seokjin warned.
“Yes Hyung.”
“Sorry Hyung.”
Seokjin shook his head before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “Then again, maybe I won’t even spank you. Maybe I’ll just separate you both until the end of time.” Seokjin pondered playfully.
“Hyung! You can’t!” Jeongguk laughed.
“No! He’s my Jeonggukie!” Taehyung smiled, throwing a protective arm over the younger.
Seokjin leaned over to shower both their faces in kisses. “Nope, sorry baby. You're both mine.”