Present Day
22-Years-Old

Yoongi raced to the apartment, running as fast as he could. The bus had been moving so slow, he had almost wished he'd just ran home all the way from work. But, in the end, he knew the bus was faster.

When he reached the door, he turned his key in the lock, then threw it open. Aera was standing there, in the middle of the living room, as if she'd been waiting for him to get there.

"A – "

"I know."

Yoongi raced over to her and pulled her into his arms. Then he kissed her before she could say anything else.

"I know what you're going to say," he said when they broke apart. "But you can't think like that. Let's not think negatively until we have an answer."

Aera nodded, but she didn't look convinced. "We have to take him to Mrs. Kang first."

"Okay," Yoongi said. "Let's be sure to pack a bag for him."

"But that's like giving up!" Aera exclaimed. "That's like saying he'll never come back here!"

"A, do you remember when they took him from the daycare? You said if you had known they were going to do that, you would've packed a bag for him. You would've done that whether you knew you were going to get him back or not. So, let's do it now. I'm not giving up," he continued as she opened her mouth to argue. "It's just... Whatever happens, you'll regret not having packed that bag."

Aera thought it over for a moment, then nodded as she sighed. "I guess you're right."

Yoongi ran his fingers through her hair. "It's going to be okay. We'll be okay, no matter what." Then he leaned down and kissed her again.

They both headed to Jungkook's room. He wasn't home; Yoongi and Aera had both come home early when they'd heard the news, and so Aera hadn't picked him up from daycare yet.

All of the people vying to adopt Jungkook had received a phone call that day. The court had come to a decision, and they were to report to the courthouse at 4 PM. It was now 1 PM, and they began going through Jungkook's things, trying to decide which plushies and clothing he liked best, so they could pack a bag that they may never see again.

As much as Yoongi didn't want her to, Aera couldn't help but think negatively. She had been on the verge of tears ever since she'd gotten the phone call, scared to death she and Yoongi weren't the ones that had been chosen. It wasn't until she went into the bathroom and picked up Jungkook's toothbrush that she finally lost it. The toothbrush brought back memories of when she'd taught him how to use one at his aunt and uncle's house, of how Jungkook was always so proud of his "cwean teef", of how it was one of the first things she'd wished she'd been able to pack when he'd been taken away from her.

Yoongi came running into the bathroom just as Aera's sobbing form sank to the floor. He saw the toothbrush in her hand and immediately knew that anything else he could say about trying to keep a positive attitude would fall on deaf ears. And so he simply sat down beside her, pulled her into his arms, and didn't say anything at all.

They sat like that for a good half hour before Aera decided they needed to pick up Jungkook from daycare. At this point, they had less than two hours left with him before going to the courthouse. Neither wanted to waste any more time that could be spent with Jungkook.

They headed out of the apartment, got on a bus, and nervously headed to the daycare. Yoongi hadn't let go of Aera's hand once. He kept squeezing it gently to try to keep her calm. Aera laid her head on Yoongi's shoulder, and Yoongi kissed the top of her head.

By the time they made it to the daycare, Aera had almost completely calmed down. But then, as they walked in the doors, she couldn't help but think that this might be the last time she'd ever set foot in the building. Tears filled her eyes again, but they didn't fall until she heard, "Mommy! Daddy!"

And once again, she couldn't hold her tears back. Jungkook came running directly to her, and she crouched down to his level to let him run into her arms – just like she did every day when she'd pick him up. Jungkook pulled back from the hug and looked at her, perplexed.

"Mommy, why you cryin'?"

Aera couldn't pull herself together enough to answer him, so he continued.

"Do you have owies? I can kiss dem."

At this point tears began running down Yoongi's cheeks as well. "Mommy's just a little sad right now, Jungkook-ah," he said. "But I know that your hug is making her feel better."

"Daddy cryin', too. Why?"

"Well, I need a hug, too, don't I?"

"Yea!" Jungkook raced over to Yoongi, who copied Aera's stance and pulled him into his arms. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aera stand as she watched them.

"C'mon," Yoongi said, lifting Jungkook up off the floor as he himself stood up. He then took Aera's hand. "Let's go home."

-

They all just sat on the couch, cuddling, until it was time to head to the courthouse. Jungkook sat on Aera's lap on the bus, and Yoongi could tell Aera was still struggling. It was on a bus that they'd first met Jungkook, and Yoongi knew she was thinking about that.

Once they'd made it, Aera held Jungkook's hand and helped him off of the bus. Then, as the courthouse came into view, she picked him up and carried him the rest of the way, clinging to him as much as he was to her.

"Hello, Ms. Seong. Hello, Mr. Min." Mrs. Kang was waiting for them when they entered the hall where her office was.

"H-Hello," Aera whispered.

"I'll give you three a moment," she said as she walked back into her office.

Aera refused to put Jungkook down as she spoke to him. "Jungkookie, you know I love you very much."

"Yea, and I yove you, too!"

Aera looked into his deep, enthusiastic eyes. "Thank you, Jungkookie. You make me so happy. The happiest I've ever been. Isn't that a lot?"

"Yea!" Jungkook answered with a proud smile.

"I will always love you, no matter what, okay? Never forget that mommy loves you."

"Mommy, why you sad?"

Aera realized tears were running down her cheeks again. "I'm not sad, Jungkookie. I'm so very happy whenever I'm with you."

Jungkook smiled proudly again. Yoongi suddenly placed his hand on Aera's shoulder and she handed Jungkook over to him.

"You are a very strong and wonderful little boy," Yoongi said as he looked into Jungkook's eyes. "Daddy loves you, too, okay? Never forget that."

Jungkook nodded. "I yove you, too!"

Yoongi smiled as he handed Jungkook back to Aera. Yoongi knew she needed and deserved more time with him. As soon as he was in her arms, Area wrapped him in a hug.

"Don't forget me, okay, Jungkookie? I'll never forget you."

Jungkook cocked his head. "Never," he repeated back to her. "I won't." She wasn't entirely sure he understood what she'd said, but she prayed that he did.

"Excuse me," Mrs. Kang said as she reappeared. "It's time." Aera enveloped Jungkook in a tight hug one last time before setting him down and passing his hand to Mrs. Kang. Yoongi handed Jungkook's bag to her. She looked at it strangely.

"It's some of his essentials and favorite things," Yoongi explained. "Just in case."

Mrs. Kang nodded in understanding.

"I don't know what's going to happen in there," she said. "But I'm hoping it goes in your favor."

"Thank you," Aera whispered. Then she looked at Jungkook for what might be the last time.

"I love you so much, Jungkookie."

Then she turned and walked away before she broke down again in front of him. Yoongi hurried after her. They turned a corner and she turned to Yoongi only to throw herself into his embrace and bury her face in his chest. He held her like that for as long as he could before they needed to get to the courtroom.

"C'mon, love," he said quietly. "Let's go get our boy back."