June 2001

"No running up the steps, Champ!"

"Keep up old man!"

I giggle as I run up the steps to our apartment. The simple, two bedroom apartment has been home to us for as long as I can remember.

"Boy, stop running!" My father yells from behind as he carries the groceries.

I turn to blow my dad a raspberry before ignoring what he said by continuing my running. I'm a big boy; I won't hurt myself. He needs to chillax as he would say. It's just a few more steps until I'm at the top.

My tiny legs continue to push forward, step by step. Tiny giggles escape my lips. It's amazing how simple things can keep us entertained as kids. Alas, I'm near the top step. One leg moves in front of the other when...

... I fall flat on my face.

I slowly get up with my bruised palms; there's a scrape on my shin. And there's blood! There's blood coming out of my leg! I feel tears forming in my eyes that I try to hold back because big boys don't cry. Big boys also shouldn't run up the steps.

My hands move to cover my face in embarrassment when I feel the wetness. I quickly jerk my hands away and realize there's blood on one of my hands.

"I'm bleeving from my face!" I cry out.

My father, whose watching with amusement, places the groceries on the ground before scooping me up. He uses his thumb to wipe away some of the blood from my cheek.

"It's bleed-" he looks into my crying eyes, "Not the time from a grammar lesson. Right." He sighs softly. "You'll be okay son. You just have a few boo boos on your cheek and shin, but it's nothing a big boy like you can't handle."

I continue to cry into his arms as he prepares to carry me and the groceries into our home. I sniffle into his shoulder as he opens the door, sets the groceries down, and totes me to the bathroom. He places the lid down on the toilet, sets me on top of it, and washes his hands.

"You didn't warm me of a boo boo!" I squeal as he takes out the peroxide to clean my wound.

Dad kneels in front of me with a gentle smile. "You should trust me when I tell you not to do certain things."

I defiantly cross my arms over my chest, still sniffling from my cries. I'm a big boy and I'm mad, dang it.

"I don't tell you things to control you. I tell you things to protect you." He ruffles my hair before placing a kiss on my shin; I giggle. "Daddy is sorry for not properly warning you. Do you forgive me?"

"Only if you make me chocolate cupcakes."

"Fine then Birdie Jr." We both laugh. "Better yet, how about I finally teach you our family's chocolate cupcake secret recipe?" I immediately jump off the toilet, grabbing his arm to drag him towards the kitchen.

"Family's secret recipe so strong, it instantly cures ouchies," he jokes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

February 2002

"Oh Jungwookie?"

"Jaehyunie!"

I run and embrace the younger. His father, Jinyoung, whose home today, is throwing Jaehyun a birthday party. His mother isn't present. She's at some spiritual convention. I overheard my mom saying that Jaehyun's mother didn't believe his birthday was to be celebrated; something about him not being the chosen one or number one... something weird like that.

My father and Jinyoung are in the den setting up decorations. Jaehyun pulls my arm, leading us away from the den and into the kitchen where my mom and another male, who I recognize as Jinyoung's older brother, reside. My father always speaks highly of Jinyoung's brother; he thinks of them both as family.

"Try this boys!"

Jinyoung's older brother, Jaebum, hands us each a spoon full of homemade frosting. He volunteered to make the cake because he wanted to be apart of his nephew's, Jaehyun, big day. This is my first time meeting Jaebum but he is really cool! His hair, which is a little longer on the top, is in a messily styled undercut. He has two silver hoop earrings in each ear. His eyes are more feline like than mine, but are so warming. He looks like a bad boy, but he's not because he makes cake!

"Yummy in my tummy!" Jaehyun exclaims as he licks his spoon.

My eyes widen in amazement as I put my spoon into my mouth. The smooth taste of vanilla coats my taste buds.

"Not too bad, eh?" Jaebum chuckles.

"Dewicious!"

"Agreed!"

Jaebum and my mother giggle at our cuteness. The remaining bowl of leftover frosting is handed to us.

"I see your baking is giving my husband a run for his money," my mother jokes. Jaebum looks down at Jaehyun and I before raising an eyebrow at my mother. "I guess you can now tell your husband that he's not touching me when it comes down to it."

It's at that moment that my father and Jinyoung step into the kitchen. My father gazes between Jaebum, my mother, and I before stepping forward.

"What the hell did you say to my wife?"

"That you're not touching me?"

My father's hands reach out to grab Jaebum's shirt, pushing him against the counter. I drop the frosting bowl in shock. Jinyoung immediately rushes between the two to create space.

"What the heck, Daesung!"

"You should be asking yourself that!" My father fusses over Jinyoung's shoulder. "You're my so called brother whose making inappropriate comments to my wife in front of our child! You flirty bastard!"

Jaehyun grabs my arm, moving to stand behind me. His bottom lip trembles, tears are forming in his eyes. He's afraid, I can tell. I'm afraid too. We're also confused by the lone laugh coming from my mother. Her eyes are squeezed shut in glee, her head is tossed back.

"My stupid, attractive idiot of a husband."

"Not now, Birdie," my father snaps.

Jinyoung slightly steps back, releasing his hold on my father. He points a finger at him. "Now is the time." He walks over to Jaehyun and I, picking Jaehyun up, and grabbing my hand. "You three are going to sort out whatever this shi- mess is because you are not going to ruin my son's birthday. Jungkook please grab that bowl." I do as I'm told and grab the bowl of leftover frosting.

"Now the boys and I are going to do birthday festivities and you three are going to be adults and talk things out. Am I understood?"

My father looks away as if Jinyoung is not speaking. My mother drums her finger against the counter irritably. Jaebum crosses his arms across his chest challenging his younger brother's authority.

"I said am. I. Understood." Jinyoung repeats with a stern voice.

"Yes Jinyoungie." They all say in unison.

"Good." Jinyoung leads us out of the kitchen and into Jaehyun's bedroom. It's bigger than mine. We all head to the corner nearest to the bookshelf. "Jaehyun's Adventure Time" is painted on the wall above us. Jinyoung always reads to us when he's around.

"I'm sorry for ruining your birthday," I whisper to Jaehyun as we both cuddle on Jinyoung's side. Jinyoung holds the frosting bowl as Jaehyun scoops his small hand into the bowl.

"You didn't wuin my birthday," Jaehyun responds in confusion.

Jinyoung's delicately ruffles my hair as I lean into him. "Nobody ruined the day, Kookie. It was just a misunderstanding."

"A what?"

"A misunderstanding," Jinyoung repeats. He reaches a finger into the bowl before putting a dab of frosting on my nose. "Sometimes people tend to... get angry, or mad, at each other because they did not understand someone or something. Daesung acted out because he misunderstood the situation."

"Will I act like my Dad when I misunderstand things?"

"No, I don't believe so," Jinyoung answers in a comforting voice. "You saw the consequences, or the result, of acting out when misunderstanding a situation. I think you'll do the opposite and try to analyze the situation before you react. You may look a little creepy but at least you won't make an idiotic decision." I give a small laugh before asking my next question.

"But will my Dad and Jaebum ever be friends again?"

Jaehyun looks to his father curiously. Jinyoung chuckles in amusement at us both. "Let me tell you both a life secret." His voice drops to a whisper. "Loved ones are always able to talk and make up, even if it takes time. Trust me."

Jaehyun and I basically eat the frosting bowl clean as Jinyoung reads us Jaehyun's favorite tale, the story of Anpanman. We walk into the den minutes later to find my father, mother, and Jaebum playing Twister. We spend the rest of the night playing games, like Hide N Seek, and eating cake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

November 2003

Jaehyun's mother and Jinyoung are no longer together. She had divorce papers issued to him while he was away on military duty. Apparently he and her had been on the rocks for a while due to different beliefs. She met a friend who told her on some greater being and the sacrifices that must be made for that being.

She then took Jaehyun, in the middle of the night, and left town. The house was mostly clear, except for Jinyoung's belongings. The only trace of Jaehyun being left behind was the Anpanman book. He didn't get to tell anyone goodbye; not even his own father. They've been gone for five months now.

The military granted Jinyoung emergency leave to give himself time to gather his thoughts. He stayed with us for a week. He helped my parents out around the house. He would even help me with homework and tuck me in at night. I remember overhearing him crying one night and my parents comforted him. They spoke of God, and how he's the Alpha and Omega. They told him to keep believing in God's plan, and to pray.

"Find solace in my situation, Champ," Jinyoung said as he tucked me in on his last night staying with us. "Each trial in life will make you stronger, physically or mentally. Sometimes both. This situation is just a battle to make Jaehyun and I stronger. But trust and believe, your loved ones and you will always find a way back to each other. Jaehyun will be brought back to this family."

My small hands reach out to touch Jinyoung's. "What if he doesn't?" I whisper. I don't want to be negative, but I'm just afraid of never being able to see my best friend again.

Jinyoung pauses for a moment before giving me a tired, gentle smile. "Here's another life secret, Kookie. Sometimes you just have to believe in things until they come true. It's called having hope."

Uncle Jinyoung stays by my bedside until I drift off to dreamland.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

August 2004

It's the day before my birthday. Jinyoung had a bike delivered to me as a birthday present; I love it! My parents and I took a family bike ride around the city earlier to test out my new bike.

Now we're in the dance having a family dance session as my cake bakes. Dad decided to bake my cake a day early to get the birthday festivities rolling. They also decided to give me my birthday gift early since Jinyoung's gift arrived early. They bought me a PlayStation 2 and was even able to get an early copy of the game Tekken 5!

"Keep up!" my mom taunts as she does some dance with her hands on her knees as her butt moves. My dad who's doing some flappy bird looking dance laughs.  

"You dance like an old man," I giggle into my hands.

My dad's nose wrinkles in disgust. "Excuse you, Sir Rudeness. I'm not even thirty yet."

"You're my dad so you're automatically fifty bajillion years older than me."

My mom snickers at our argument.

"Watch it, Birdie! You're only two years younger than fifty bajillion."

My mom's smile drops. "Heyyyy!" Her lips form into a pout. "We had you young, Jungkook. Give us some youth points."

I roll my eyes as I move to cut down the radio. "What's young in your book? I thought you both were alive to see the dinosaurs."

"First of all, I was nineteen when I married your father, and twenty when I gave birth to you. You're welcome you rude deer." My mother crosses her arms over her chest. My father moves to stand behind her. "You tell him, Birdie!"

My mother smirks in achievement. "Most importantly, your father here was twenty one when we married, and twenty two when you were born. He's the twenty nine year old dinosaur. I'm a young, twenty seven year old spring chicken."

"You're a lame, traitorous chicken alright," my father mumbles under his breath as he moves to sit on the couch. I immediately run to sit near him. "So how old is Uncle Jinyoung and Jaebum?"

"Jinyoung turns twenty eight in a few weeks, Jaebum is thirty."

"Wow!" My mouth forms an "o" shape. "You guys are all ancient history." My father playfully sticks his tongue out at me, blowing a raspberry. My mother goes to turn off the oven before joining us on the couch with a blanket. Dad, who sits in the middle, wraps his arms around us both.

"My little family," my mother cooes as she lays on my father's shoulder.

"Our amazing, golden little family," my father says with a small smile.  They're right: we are a little family. It's always mostly been my father, mother, and I. Uncle Jinyoung comes around when he's not busy with military work. I've never seen Aunt Wendy but I heard of her. I've also never met my grandparents, which is odd.

"Mommy? Dad?"

"Hmm?" My father responds as he and my mother both look to me.

"Why is our family little? Why don't I have grandparents like my classmates?"

A pained expression briefly passes over my father's face as he briefly contemplates how to answer; my mother bites her bottom lip. Maybe I shouldn't have asked this question. My father sighs before he begins to talk.

"Your paternal grandparents, meaning my parents, died when a few hours before you were born. They were on the way to the hospital to see you when... they were ran off the road by a drunk driver." My father's tongue rolls against the inside of his cheek as my mother gives comforting strokes over his stomach urging him to continue. I lift a tiny hand to run my fingers through my father's hair. This is something that I know he usually does when he's nervous or uncomfortable.

"My mom was the one to teach me how to bake. She always told me the way to someone's heart would be her secret chocolate cupcake recipe." My mother nods in agreement to my father's statement. "It's true, son. That's how your crazy dad has kept me sprung for so many years." We all chuckle at her use of the word sprung. It's good that the mood is slightly lifting again. I don't like seeing either of my parents sad.

"My dad would always sit with me and teach me how to perfect my drawing skills while we waited on those delicious treats. I taught you that same recipe, Champ," my father continues. "I hope that you use it to bake for someone special to you." His bright smile beams down at me; it's contagious because I smile back just as brightly. I wish I could've met my paternal grandparents; they seemed like nice people.

"What about my other grandparents?"

It's my mother's turn to grimace. Maybe I'm opening up old wounds. She stares off into space for a moment while she chooses how to begin her tale. My father begins to runs a hand over my mother's back to calm her.

"Your maternal grandparents, meaning my parents, cut all contact with me when I became pregnant with you." My mouth instantly drops. I feel bad; I'm the reason my mom lost her family. "You're not the reason for their stupidity. Yes, you thought that aloud, Baby."

My mother takes a frustrated sigh before continuing. "They were already upset when your Aunt Wendy married your Uncle Wooyoung because they said she threw her life away for a boy. Wendy dropped out of university and ran away with him. So they were harder on me. Me dating your Dad, a tattoo artist who majored in film, didn't sit too well with them...

"They were upset that I married someone that would have a 'lower societal rank.' They said I 'broke their hearts' when they found out that I was pregn- that the stork was bringing the baby we requested. They were disgusted when I mentioned that your father dropped out up school so that he could work full time to support your upcoming arrival... My parents called us a disgrace and said I was dead to them." Tears are in my eyes by the time she finishes her story.

I can't believe that they gave up on her like that. You aren't supposed to give up on family. I'm so glad that my parents love me enough to not give up on me. At least, I hope so considering I'm the reason that they have no other family to turn to.

Dad's parents died trying to come see a baby me. Mommy's parents disowned her because of me. They could have parents to eat dinner with and bake with. They could have parents to draw with. They could have parents to play Hide N Seek with... But they don't because of me.

"Want to hear a joke, Baby?" I nod my head as my mother wipes my tears that threaten to escape. "I'm a surgical resident meaning that I'm a doctor in training. You and your father are the reason I was able to do it." The corners of my lips start to twitch into a lopsided smile. "Your father is also part owner of a successful tattoo shop. My parents were too blind to see our perfect family soar to new heights."

My hand reaches out to touch my mother's. Our eyes meet as I contemplate on asking my next question.

"Will...will you and D-dad always be there for me?" My father's eyes widen in surprise as my mother gasps.

"Why would you even ask a thing, Champ?"

My voice is barely above a whisper when I answer. "Because I'm the reason you both lost your parents."

My mother pulls me closer to her so that I'm now laying on her. Her gentle fingers run through my hair. I let out a small sob.

" 'M so sowwy," I manage to choke out.

"Baby?" She calls out in an almost hushed tone. "You did nothing wrong." She continues to stroke fingers through my hair to soothe me. "You've been nothing but a blessing to us."

"She's right, Champ. We love you so much."

"We truly do. And because of that, we'll always be there for you."

My dad reaches a hand out; his thumb wipes away my tears. A small smile appears on his face. "We'll never give up on you, Champ. You never give up on your loved ones." My tiny hand moves to hold his. "You promise?" My father positions our hands so that our pinky fingers intertwine.

"Pinky promise, Champ. Now come on so your ol' man can show you why he's the King of the Iron Fist."

We spent the rest of the night playing Tekken 5 and eating cake. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. It should have been the perfect beginning for a perfect birthday.

But that night I couldn't sleep. That night I wasn't excited about my birthday. That night I felt something in my bones that something was wrong.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

August 2018 (while Jungkook, Taehyung, and Namjoon search for Seokjin, Yoongi, and Jimin)

I feel it in my bones that something is amiss.

I shouldn't have let the others separate from us. We should've stayed together as a group to figure out a survival plan. We should've stayed together, period, considering our current situation.

My legs seem to move on their on as I sprint through the woods. They could be anywhere by now but I trust my heart will lead me to Jimin and my other loved ones.

Taehyung and Namjoon swiftly follow. Sweat runs down my forehead; damp hair lays limply on my face. I must get to my fiancé and the others. I must make sure that they're okay.

I must make sure that this gut feeling of mine is wrong.

So we're finally seeing more in regards to how Jungkook was raised. Things will get real next chapter.

You ready?

Which person from Jungkook's past is your favorite? & why?

We're also seeing Jungkook's thoughts leading up to him catching Jimin and Yoongi. Each memory from the past shows/describes why he acts a certain way.

How do you feel knowing he's about to catch the love of his life cheating?

Also, unrelated to the story, are you all dressing up for Halloween?

I am! Let me know if you'd like to see my costume.

I'm The Joker!