– Next day –

Monday, February 12th, 2024.

7:10 am.

Y/N staying in the kitchen as my dad left the house, I leave Minjun at the table and head to her, my steps quiet but deliberate.

A whole weekend away from her felt like forever. Too long.

Without a word, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close from behind. She stiffens for a split second before relaxing into me. I press a kiss to the curve of her neck, my lips brushing her warm skin.

"I missed you," I murmur, my voice low and quiet.

She turns her head slightly, offering me a soft smile. "I missed you too."

Her words soothe something restless in me, but not completely. Breathing in her familiar scent, I hold her tighter, the need to feel her overwhelming. My hands slide to her waist, and I press myself against her. "How was your weekend?"

"It was fine," she replies, her voice light but tired.

That word sticks in my head like a warning. My brow furrows. "Just fine?" I ask, my concern slipping through. "I'm not used to spending three days with the same family," she admits. "I could barely sleep, so I'm a little tired."

Her honesty makes my chest ache. "I'm sorry," I whisper, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You can relax today. You don't have to do anything. Just rest."

She turns around in my arms, and I catch the exhaustion in her eyes even as she smiles at me. It's a smile filled with love, but something about it feels distant. "No, it's okay. Did you finish your meal?"

I hesitate, caught between wanting to keep her here and doing as she asks. "Not yet," I tell the truth, my hands falling reluctantly from her waist.

"Then go and eat. We'll leave soon," she says, her tone gentle but firm. She places a hand on my stomach for a fleeting moment before stepping away.

I watch her walk toward the bathroom, her shoulders heavy with something unspoken. My chest tightens as I stare after her, a pang of sadness settling deep inside.

Is she upset? Has she gotten tired of me already?

•••

7:40 am.

"Y/n..." Minjun's soft voice pulls our attention as she drives us to his school. "Yes?" she takes a peek at him through the rearview mirror.

"I feel like throwing up...I don't feel good," he mumbles, his small hands clutching his stomach.

I turn around to check on him, unbuckling my seatbelt. His cheeks are flushed, and his lip trembles like he's trying not to cry.

"I'm stopping the car, honey," she says as she pulls over to the side of the road. Her voice is calm, but I can tell she's worried.

"Is it your stomach? Does it hurt a lot?" I move and slide into the backseat, trying to sound steady as I take his beanie off.

He nods and sniffles. "I don't like this...my tummy hurts."

As y/n opens the door beside him, letting in a cool breeze, I hurry to grab a bottle of water in my bag.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Did you eat too much at breakfast?" she asks, pushing his hair out of his eyes.

"Yes," Minjun murmurs, taking a deep gulp of water. When he gives me back the bottle, I grab it and watch him lean into her. She rubs small circles on his back and presses a comforting kiss on his forehead.

"I don't want to go to school today," he says in a whisper, his voice wobbling. "You won't. Don't be worried about this. I'll warn your professor about it."

Minjun's eyes begin to droop, his breathing evening out as y/n continues to rub his back. "Do you need to step out a little bit?" she asks.

He shakes his head, keeping it buried against her. "Can you close the door, please? I'm cold."

"Yeah. Wait, let me go back in my seat. You can sit in my lap if you want," she slightly pulls away, and he agrees to it. She moves back and closes the door, walking back to the driver's side. When she enters the vehicle again, Minjun makes his way to her and wraps his arm around her waist.

His head on her chest, he wipes his tears away and curls up into a ball, seeking comfort in her embrace.

Does he really feel sick? Or is he just smart enough to know how to have her attention?

The thought makes me feel guilty. He's just a kid, but this would not be right if he is pretending to be sick.

"You're warm now, aren't you?" she murmurs, her hand running gently over his back. He hums in response, clinging to her.

As I go back to my seat, I watch him snuggle deeper into her embrace, his face buried against her chest. There's no sign of the discomfort he had earlier—no clutching his stomach, no tears or pain. Just a kid who doesn't want to let her go.

My jaw tightens, and I look away. Calling him out now would only upset her. For now, I let it go, but I'll need to talk to him later. He can't keep doing this to her.

He is worrying her for no reason.

Y/n giving him exactly what he needs and wants, his breathing slows down, his small form completely relaxed in her arms. She leans back, resting her head against the seat, and for a moment, the car feels almost too quiet.

I could try and test whether he is faking it or not.

I clear my throat, ready to speak. "Can I stay home too? I'll take care of him while you're taking a day off."

"No. You have to go to school," she replies as Minjun reopened his eyes. "What if something happens-"

"I'm feeling a little better," he says quickly, his voice soft but firm. He shifts slightly in her arms, his hold on her tightening just enough to make his point. "You can go to school, it's okay."

"Oh, so you're okay now?" I cannot help pointing out, noticing the sudden shift in his behavior. "Not really," he replies, his eyes avoiding mine.

"Hm," I swallow and keep quiet, knowing this is best for us.

•••

1 pm.

'YOUR P.O.V'

"Y/n?" Minjun calls my name, pulling me out of my thoughts as I finish cleaning the dishes after lunch. "What's wrong?" I glance down at him.

He wraps his small arms around my hips, pressing his head against my waist. "Can you build my Lego cat with me, please?"

"You have a Lego cat?" I ask, surprise evident in my voice as I turn off the faucet. "Yes," he smiles at me, nodding his head eagerly.

I smile at his excitement. "Okay, you can set everything up on the table. I'll join you once I'm done."

Minjun practically bounces as he runs upstairs to grab the box. His energy is contagious, and I can't help but smile.

While I wait, I go back to drying the dishes, but my attention shifts when my phone buzzes with a new notification. It's from Jungkook.

< is Minjun ok? ]

[ Yes, he ate well for lunch and hasn't complained about any pain since we got home >

< ok ]

< don't you think he faked it? Last time he got sick, he didn't act that way ]

[ I kinda suspected it, but I don't think he would. He probably had some cramps, he got worried, and he thought he was sick >

< idk ]

< he'd be capable of faking it just to get your attention ]

[ Don't think like that. You know he's just a baby >

< yeah he is. A baby who knows exactly how to get your attention, especially when he sees you focusing more on me lately ]

[ Whatever, I'll talk about it with him if needed >

I end the conversation, part of me agreeing with him, but I remind myself not to be too harsh. Even if this is the case and that Minjun did lie to have my attention, I would not be able to feel upset or angry. I know why he needs that attention, so this would only break my heart.

Minjun comes back, setting the Lego box down on the table with a triumphant grin. I walk over to him and sit down, ready to dive into his little world of Legos.

"Here," he says, grabbing a small book and flipping through the pages before climbing into my lap. "It has to look like this. I only built the paws for now."

"Okay," I say, leaning in to take a closer look, curious about how long this might take to finish. "I waited because I wanted to build it with you," he says with a soft smile, his eyes glowing with love and excitement.

"Aw, that's sweet of you, sweetheart," I reply, pressing a tender kiss to his forehead. "We'll build it all together. I promise. It will look amazing."

"I'm happy you're not annoyed," he says, his words striking a chord in me. The raw honesty in his voice makes my heart ache. "I'd never be annoyed about doing something with you. I love spending time with you."

"I love spending time with you too," he tells me, his voice full of sincerity. Then, turning toward the Lego pieces, he starts sorting through them to find the right ones for the cat.

40 minutes later...

Minjun places the last piece to complete the second leg. He rotates it carefully, then brings it closer to me, beaming with pride. "Look," he says, eager to show me the result while I've been focused on assembling the head.

"You did an amazing job, honey. I'm so proud of you," I say, my heart swelling with affection as I kiss him on the cheek—knowing just how much he loves those little gestures.

As I click two pieces of Lego together, I feel him stare at me. I look at him, his smile not reaching his eyes anymore. I run my fingers through his hair and realize that something is wrong.

"Are you not building anymore?" I ask as he turns to the side on my lap. His eyes remain low for a moment, before he finally looks up and meets my gaze. "Y/n," he says, his voice quiet, almost hesitant. "Do you know Jungkook loves you?"

"I do," I confirm, nodding. He pauses for a short minute before continuing, "And does he love you more than I do?"

Startled, I look into his doe eyes, unsure of how to respond at first. I know Minjun is a sensitive child, but his question shows a level of depth I did not anticipate.

My heart tightens as I look at him, his eyes staring up at me with a mix of confusion and vulnerability.

"Minjun..." I begin, trying to find the right words. "No, sweetheart, Jungkook loves me in a different way. His love is...well, it's a kind of love that adults feel for each other. A romantic love." I smile softly, hoping to ease his worries. "But your love for me is just as important."

"He said that to me, but I don't understand," his little hands pause, and I can see him thinking it through. He looks down at the Lego pieces, his expression unsure. "His love is...more? Because he's bigger, and he's older, and...because he's a man?"

I feel a pang in my chest. It's hard to explain things like this to a child, especially when emotions are so raw and complex. "No, honey. His love is just a different kind of love. You're right that he's older, but that doesn't mean his love is better or more important than yours. The way you love me is special too."

He looks at me, his eyes wide, still not quite understanding. "So, if he loves you, does that mean I can't love you as much?"

My heart breaks at the thought, but I hold him close. His small body fits perfectly against me as I press a kiss to the top of his head. "No," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "You can love me as much as you want, and I love you just the same."

He clings to me a little tighter, and I feel the weight of his worry still lingering. He's still too young to fully understand what's in his heart, and maybe that's part of the reason why he feels so uncertain.

"I don't like it when other people love you like that," he murmurs, his voice small and fragile. "I don't want you to go away."

I feel a lump in my throat. I know this is hard for him. The fear of losing me, of someone else taking my attention away, is something he doesn't fully understand yet. His brother struggles with the same fears, and despite his age, he still has a hard time working through it as well.

"I'm not going anywhere, honey," I say softly, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. "You're my little baby. No one can replace that. I promise you, I'll always love you just like this."

He nods slowly, his expression still uncertain, but his arms tighten around me. "So you don't love him more, right?"

The question tugs at my heart, his small voice carrying so much weight for someone so young. I reach up and brush his hair back, cupping his cheek gently. "I don't love him more, sweetheart. Love isn't something that works like that. My love for you and Jungkook is different because you're both so special to me in your own ways."

His brows knit slightly as he processes my words. "Does that mean his love isn't stronger because he's bigger and older?"

"Oh, baby," I whisper, holding his face in both hands now, my heart breaking a little at his confusion. "Being bigger or older doesn't make love stronger. What makes love strong is how much it means to you. And your love, Minjun, is the strongest thing I've ever felt. Do you know why?"

He tilts his head slightly, a spark of curiosity breaking through his doubt. "Why?"

"Because it's yours," I say firmly. "No one else can love me the way you do. Your love is special because it's you. And that's what makes it just as important as anyone else's. Nothing can ever change that."

His small arms loop tighter around me, his head burying in the crook of my neck. "Okay," he murmurs. "I just don't want you to love anyone more than me."

"I don't, sweetheart," I assure him, my voice steady but soft. "You'll always have a special place in my heart that no one else can touch. I promise."

•••

6 pm.

Minjun's small frame nestled near mine, his laughter rings out as we speed through yet another race in Mario Kart. He's leaning forward, fully engrossed, his little hands gripping the controller with a focus that makes me smile.

Every so often, he glances up at me to see my reaction to his latest victory, his eyes bright with joy.

"You're too good at this," I tell him warmly, ruffling his soft hair. "I don't think I can ever beat you at this game."

"I told you I'm a pro," he declares with a triumphant grin, the kind that only comes from the invincibility of childhood.

The sound of heavy footsteps pulls my attention away from the screen just as the race ends. Jungkook joins us in the living room, his hands stuffed in his sweatpants pockets. His hair is messy, he looks tired, his usual effortless energy dimmed by what must have been a tiring day at school.

He gazes at us for a moment while coming closer. I notice his expression shift—subtle, but unmistakable.

He sits down right at my feet, and for a moment, he doesn't move. He watches the screen showing the other players race through the last seconds.

He has been studying since we had dinner and even stayed in his bedroom before that to work, so I believe he must need a break.

As I notice him run one hand through his hair to slide it down his neck, he thrusts his hips up and leans back. His eyes flutter shut, and he turns his head towards me to make eye contact.

"Another race?" Minjun's voice pulls my attention back. He leans closer to me, placing his hand over mine to catch my focus. "Yes," I reply with a small smile,

Then, as if shaking off whatever thought had crossed his mind, Jungkook crawls up to me and lays down between my legs, resting his head on my chest.

Before I can say anything, he drapes his arms lazily around my waist and nuzzles his face in my neck. His warm breath tickles my skin, and his weight is grounding.

I take a look at the screen to make sure the race hasn't started and hug him back.

"Can we play until you leave?" Minjun asks, his eyes pleading. I smile and nod in agreement as I feel Jungkook press a kiss on my neck.

Noticing something is happening, I ask, "What's going on?" while brushing his hair back from his forehead.

"Just tired," he mutters, his voice muffled. "My back's been killing me all day."

"Your back?" concern colors my tone as I run my fingers lightly along his shoulders. "Gym," he mutters. "I started this weeekend, but didn't lift properly."

"Do you want me to—"

"Yeah," he cuts in before I finish, his lips curling into a faint smile as his eyes close.

I chuckle softly, already moving my hands to massage the tight muscles in his shoulders. He lets out a contented hum, his body relaxing almost immediately.

Minjun shifts near me, adjusting his controller and leaning forward slightly. His laughter from earlier fades, replaced by a tense silence.

When he finally glances back at me, his expression is guarded, his little brows furrowed. "Y/n," he says quietly, his tone careful, "Can we keep playing?"

"Is it okay if you play this one without me so that I can relieve your brother's pain a little?" I ask him, hoping he does not feel jealous. Silently, he nods and looks back at the game, and I sense the change in his demeanor.

Since I have been focused on him all day, I give some attention to Jungkook, knowing that he may be feeling left out too. I put the controller down and start by kneading his shoulder. This simple gesture seems to relax him, his head pressing more firmly into my chest as he lets out a soft groan.

"You need to be careful," I say gently, my fingers moving under his hoodie to knead the knots in his back.

"It's worth it if I get to be taken care of by you," he whispers, smiling and biting his lips as I go a little harder. His brows furrow once I move closer to his shoulder blade, but he lets out a soft groan of relief.

"I won't take care of you next time. That'll be your punishment," I warn him, threatening to not indulge in this type of pampering again if he willingly hurts himself to get it. "Mhm...I'll be careful," he promises.

As I smile and bring my eyes back to the screen, I notice that Minjun is not playing anymore. I look over at him and see him throw his glance away, his arms crossed in front of him, a pained expression on his face.

"Are you not playing anymore, sweetheart?" I pay attention, concern lacing my words.

His lips press into a pout, his eyes flickering up to meet mine before darting away. "Why do you always do that?" he asks, his voice quiet but sharp.

I blink, surprised by the sudden edge in his tone. "Do what, honey?"

"Only care about him when he's here," he says, his eyes darting between Jungkook and me. "We were playing, and now you're just... you're just focused on him instead."

Jungkook opens his eyes at that, his brow raising slightly as he looks at Minjun. There's no malice in his gaze, but there's something there—something defensive. "She's just helping because I need it," Jungkook says simply, his voice calm but firm. "Why are you reacting like that?"

"It's not fair," he mutters, looking down at his lap. "We were having fun, and now you're...you're taking all her attention!"

His words hit me hard, and I realize just how deep his feelings run. "Minjun," I say softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Sweetheart, I didn't mean to make you feel left out. He's not taking all my attention. You both have it, but I'm just taking care of him because he's in pain. I'm still watching you play, though."

He does not seem to understand, staring at the paused game on the screen. "You always take care of him," he mumbles, his voice cracking just slightly.

Jungkook shifts again, propping himself up on one elbow. "You had her all for yourself today. I'm just asking for five minutes in her arms. You know she takes care of you. Don't act like a baby."

Minjun doesn't look at him. His shoulders hunch, and I can see the tears welling up in his eyes even as he tries to hide them. "I'm not a baby," he says quietly, his voice trembling. "I just wanted to play."

My heart breaks a little at his words. I reach down, cupping his cheek gently and tilting his face toward mine. "Sweetheart. You know I care about you as much as I care about him."

Minjun sniffs, his bottom lip trembling. "But you stopped playing with me just for him," he whispers, and the vulnerability in his voice is almost too much to bear.

"I'm sorry, honey. Come here," I say, pulling him into my arms. As soon as he cuddles up against me and cries, I hold him and wipe his tears away. "Listen. I cannot give you equal attention at the same time, I only have one body. Sometimes, I have to shift a part of my attention from one to another, but that doesn't mean I don't care or only pay attention to the other person. You're just as important as Jungkook, and I never want you to feel like you have to fight for my attention. I love you both, and that will never change. Hm?" I rub my thumb over his cheek.

Jungkook watches us silently, his expression unreadable. When Minjun finally settles in my arms, his small body relaxing against mine, I glance over at Jungkook.

I can't help noticing the flicker of something unresolved in his eyes—the same thing I see in Minjun's. Love, jealousy, and the complicated need for reassurance, all tangled together.

I press a kiss on Minjun's forehead and pull Jungkook closer, kissing him the same way. He rests his head back on my chest as I hold them both close, and I realize that loving these two boys will always be a delicate balance.