"What's going on?"

    "Nothing's going on."

Taehyung narrows his eyes at Yoongi, waiting for him to tell him the truth.

    "What? Nothing's going on, I'm serious." The older stresses. "You didn't come here just to pry did you?"

    "I'm not prying," Taehyung laughs as he follows Yoongi in. "You sounded weird when we talked yesterday."

    "I don't know why." Yoongi says leading him to the living room before taking a seat on the couch.

    "Hey, Taehyung," Hoseok says walking into the living room with Minseok on his hip.

    "Hey," Taehyung smiles when he sees them. "Are you working today?"

    "Everyday," Hoseok chuckles as he sits Minseok down. "I'm leaving now actually."

    "Oh, well have a good night." Taehyung says.

    "Thanks, baby, see you." The older says grabbing his keys and walking out of the house as he looks down at his phone.

Taehyung looks back to Yoongi after Hoseok is gone, finding his gaze focused on Minseok as the toddler busies himself on his LeapPad.

    "Are you sure you're okay, hyung?" Taehyung asks again. "I'm asking because I'm worried about you."

    "There's nothing to worry about." Yoongi says. "We have this conversation every time we talk, Taehyung. I'm sick of talking about it all the time."

Taehyung nods, falling silent. "Sorry."

    "It's fine," Yoongi shrugs. "Have you told the kids?"

    "Not yet," Taehyung sighs. "I still don't feel like I'm completely out of the woods."

    "You'll never be completely out of the woods, not as a male carrier." Yoongi says looking at Taehyung. "That's what they told me when I was pregnant with Minseok."

    "I know, it's just so early still." The brunette says. "I'm not showing much so I still have time to wait."

    "Okay," Yoongi nods. "I'm sure they'll be excited."

    "Yeah," Taehyung chuckles. "This is gonna be my last pregnancy, it's kind of bittersweet."

    "I can't believe you're going to have four kids." Yoongi says. "I never thought either of us would have kids."

    "I know, it's insane." Taehyung smiles, trailing off a little as he thinks about everything that's happened in his life that led him here.

    "How's Jeongguk?" Yoongi asks. "I haven't heard from him in a while."

    "He's good." Taehyung nods. "He's just been working and going to see Saebin lately."

    "Saebin's coming along?"

    "Jeongguk says he's making progress."

Yoongi nods. "Its crazy how young kids are these days dealing with mental illnesses."

    "I know. It's hard for them to know how to ask for help when they don't even understand what it is they're feeling." Taehyung sighs. "I'm glad Seokjin and Namjoon are helping him."

    "Yeah, it'll be good for him." Yoongi says, his gaze traveling back to Minseok.

Taehyung sighs, falling silent as he watches Yoongi's expression change. A lot has happened between Yoongi and Hoseok over the last few years. They argue more than they ever have over the smallest things. When they weren't arguing they were ignoring each other all together. But the two of them insisted on staying together and making things work for Minseok's sake.

'We get along sometimes,' Yoongi had said when Taehyung first learned about their constant fighting. 'Things could be ten times worse.'

Taehyung knew that Yoongi loved Hoseok, and vice versa. So it was hard watching the two of them try so hard to hold on to something that was obviously falling apart.

He just hopes that the two of them could work through their differences, whatever they may be, and come to a decision that was best for them and for Minseok.

Even if that meant separating...

~

"Thank you, I'll check in soon...sure thing. Thanks."

Taehyung walks into the bedroom as Jeongguk is ending his phone call.

"Hey, Tae." He says tossing the phone on the bed beside him.

"Who was that?" Taehyung asks.

"No one," Jeongguk shrugs, his eyes focused on his laptop. "Did you see Yoongi and Hoseok?"

"Yeah," Taehyung says as he steps out of his shoes. "They're still not talking I guess."

"That's unfortunate." Jeongguk says without looking away from his laptop.

"Yeah, it is." Taehyung says throwing his jacket on the bed before walking out of the room.

"Dada?" Hanjae says from his and Jae's room as Taehyung walks by.

"Yes, baby?" Taehyung asks stopping by the door and finding Hanjae in the room alone. "Where's Jaehyung?"

"He went outside. But I need you talk to you~"

"What?" Taehyung asks. "I didn't see him when I pulled in. Who did he go outside with?"

"I don't know~"

"Why didn't you go with him?" Taehyung asks already walking away. "Jeongguk!"

"What?" Jeongguk asks when Taehyung gets to the door, still focused on his work.

"Who did Jaehyung go outside with?" The brunette asks, his demeanor becoming panicked.

"He went to Sungho's house to play soccer, Taehyung~"

    "I didn't see him in Sungho's yard when I got here." Taehyung says before rushing out of the room and down the stairs.

    "Wait for me, Taehyung," Jeongguk says following him down.

    "You should've made Hanjae go with him." Taehyung says as he rushes out of the house. "I told you, they have to stay together."

    "Calm down, Taehyung." Jeongguk tries as he follows him to Sungho's parents house.

Taehyung rings the doorbell before knocking immediately after. "Mrs. Park?"

    "Taehyung~"

    "Don't."

Jeongguk sighs but he falls silent as Mrs. Park opens the front door. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Park~" he starts when he sees the woman.

"Is my son here?" Taehyung asks, looking into the house past the woman.

"Dad?" Jaehyung says appearing at the front door with Sungho.

"Jaehyung, get out here. Now." Taehyung says waving him out of the house. "Who gave you permission to go inside someone's house?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kim, the boys were playing outside for a while so I invited him in for a drink." Mrs. Park says. "It's my fault, I didn't think it'd be a problem."

"It's not your fault, he knows better." Taehyung says taking Jaehyung's hand and leading him away from the house. "Sorry to bother you."

"I'm so sorry." Jeongguk says bowing his head before following Taehyung back across the street.

Taehyung ushers Jaehyung inside before pointing him up the stairs. "Go to your room."

"Wha~ Why?" Jaehyung asks looking up at him in confusion. "I didn't do anything."

"Jaehyung, go to your room. Now." Taehyung says firmly. "Don't come out until I speak to you."

Jaehyung deflates, his shoulders sagging as he goes upstairs to his room with his head down.

Taehyung sighs, pushing his hair away from his face as he tries to catch his breath.

"What was that about, Taehyung?" Jeongguk asks, finally speaking up from where he stands by the door. "You made him think he was in trouble."

"He is in trouble." Taehyung says turning to him. "He knows not to go into anyone's house without our permission."

"He's been playing with Sungho since he was a toddler, I'm sure he thought it was fine." Jeongguk says. "Why are you freaking out?"

"I thought something bad happened." Taehyung says. "Why would you let him go outside without Hanjae? They have to stay together, Jeongguk."

"Hanjae doesn't like going outside, and I don't like forcing him." Jeongguk says. "Either way, how would them being together prevent something bad from happening? It'd just happen to both of them, Taehyung."

Taehyung shakes his head, pressing his palm against his forehead as his headache worsened. "He almost gave me a heart attack."

"You have to relax, Taehyung." Jeongguk says stepping forward, taking the brunette's hands in his. "Jaehyung's fine. Nothing bad happened."

"I know," Taehyung says closing his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I just...you said he was outside and I didn't see him. I-I...I thought someone took him."

"No one took him." Jeongguk says giving his hands an affirming squeeze. "No one's ever going to take him. Not again, I promise."

Taehyung nods, releasing a shaky breath as Jeongguk pulls him into a hug. "I'm sorry~"

"It's okay." Jeongguk promises. "Everything's okay."

    "I should go talk to him." Taehyung says pulling away from the hug.

Jeongguk nods. "Take a moment if you need to."

    "I'm fine." Taehyung says before turning to go upstairs. He finds Jaehyung sitting next to Hanjae on his bed.

    "I'm sorry, dada. I shouldn't have been inside Sungho's house." Jaehyung says glancing at Hanjae for reassurance.

    "Yeah, he won't do it anymore." Hanjae says. "Not without asking, right, hyung?"

    "Yeah, not without asking." Jaehyung nods. "Am I in trouble?"

Taehyung sighs as he shuts the door behind himself, walking over and sitting on the end of the bed. "You aren't in trouble, Jaehyung. Dada's sorry he got excited, I wasn't upset at you, I was panicking."

    "Panicking?" Jaehyung asks in confusion.

    "I got really scared." Taehyung clarifies. "When bubba told me you were outside and I didn't see you I thought something bad happened."

    "Like what?" Hanjae asks with worried eyes.

    "Listen, you guys," Taehyung starts instead of answering. "The world can be a scary place, and people can be really mean. And they can do really mean things. Like take you away from me and Appa."

    "Why?" Jaehyung asks with a frown.

    "I don't know why." Taehyung says. "But, if you guys listen to me and Appa, and trust us, we'll keep you safe. I promise. That being said, please don't go anywhere without asking first. And if you can, please go together."

    "How do we know who's trying to take us away?" Hanjae asks. "W-Was Mrs. Park tryna take Jae away?"

    "No, baby, she wasn't." Taehyung says shaking his head. "You guys know what strangers are right?"

    "Someone we don't know." Jaehyung answers.

     "Right. Mrs. Park isn't a stranger. Appa and I have met and spoken to her numerous times." Taehyung says. "If Appa or I haven't spoken to them first then they're strangers. And you should ignore them and find us immediately if any strangers talk to you. Okay?"

    "Are there nice strangers?" Hanjae asks.

    "Yeah, of course." Taehyung nods. "But it's safer to assume that all strangers are bad. Just to be on the safe side. Okay?"

    "Okay." Hanjae nods.

    "Okay, dada," Jaehyung nods. "I'm sorry I made you panicking."

    "You made him panic, not panicking."

    "Same difference."

Taehyung smiles at the two of them before opening his arms. "Give me hugs please."

The two of them immediately tackle the brunette in a hug, laughing as Taehyung pretends to tumble over.

    "You know if you get us a dog then you don't have to worry about strangers bothering us." Jaehyung says pulling away from the hug a little.

    "I hear you," Taehyung says kissing his cheek. "Now get away from me."

    "German shepherds are the number one guard dogs I think." Hanjae says as Taehyung stands. "Or Dobermans."

    "I'm not taking care of a Doberman, are you crazy?" Taehyung says opening the door to walk out of the room. "Think of something smaller."

    "Chihuahua?"

    "Less aggressive."

    "Pomeranian?"

    "Hmmm...I'll think about it."

Jaehyung's eyes light up. "For real?"

    "For real." Taehyung chuckles as he leaves the room. "I'm checking homework before dinner."

    "I'm going to get Jaein." Jeongguk says as he walks out of their bedroom. "Seokjin took her and Yebin for ice cream so I'm picking her up from his place."

    "Okay." Taehyung says before he's gone. He sighs as he walks back to their room.

He was extremely exhausted and all he wanted to do was sleep. But he had too many too many papers to grade before tomorrow.

He loved his job, but not the part that involved actually grading assignments.