•••

jungkook's steps speed up on locating haewon sitting on the bench in the hallway while jake and clay are standing nearby, as clay offers her some water. jungkook makes his way closer, raking a hand through his hair and nods subtly when the boys notice his presence, giving him subtle smiles.

"noona," haewon looks up at the voice, standing up quickly and steps forward, giving jungkook a hug right away, making him a bit a hesitant of fear for he remembers haewon's concerned voice telling him that kevin has got into an accident and aera's in a bad condition. he wraps his arm around her, glancing at the younger males with a questioning look.

"kevin's in icu," clay says.

"and aera? how is she?"

haewon pulls away, looking at jungkook with glassy eyes, "he cheated on her," she hushes out, massaging her temples, "she looked so hurt, jungkook. so broken... i can't even imagine what— what she must be going through. all this just happened in one day. she was drinking when she came to know about the accident," haewon says, looking down and jungkook's brows pinch together, expression instantly twisting into a worried one.

"he did— he cheated on... how do you know that?" he asks in a shaky voice.

"she told us," haewon admits, "she came to know just yesterday, and he got into an accident at night,"

"is that why they fought?" jake frowns, grasping his hair in frustration as he turns to his friend, "i should've gone to him right then! he wouldn't have gotten into an accident and i could've shown him how much he fucked up," he grits out, getting a sigh from clay as he mutters to him to stay quiet.

jungkook closes his eyes, taking a deep breath before he asks them where aera is. haewon leads him inside the room where they see aera sleeping now, while jimin is slowly getting up, resting her head on the pillow instead of his lap. jungkook doesn't stop himself from going near the bed, his eyes moving from his sister's sleeping figure to the elder brother. "is she okay?" jungkook asks in a soft voice, "i heard about what kev... kevin," he glances at aera, shaking his head, nibbling on his lip as he leans closer to her to stroke her hair gently, "good for him he's already hurt and admitted here. or else i'd have to do it," he mutters in anger, "he doesn't get to hurt my aera,"

jimin looks down, nodding his head subtly as aera's words replay in his head and he pats jungkook's arm, gesturing for him to come outside. jungkook follows the elder, closing the door behind him and watches jimin struggle for a while, "what is it?" he asks jimin.

"uhm nothing," jimin shakes his head, glancing at his wife as though virtual asking if what he was doing is right. but haewon looks just as unsure as him, yet she gives a subtle nod and that's enough for jimin to know that it would be better for jungkook to not know what aera thinks of him right now. "i didn't know you'd make it so soon,"

"of course i would," jungkook frowns at the awkwardness from his brother and glances back at the room, "you know i'd come when you guys need me. when aera needs me, hyung,"

"yeah, no, that's not what i meant," jimin curses at himself, "anyway, she just fell asleep. so let's her give her some rest. i told her to go home with me and haewon for a few days. it'll be better for her,"

"uhm yeah, i guess," jungkook nods, rubbing the back of his neck, "but i think, now that i'm here. you can just let her go with me...? it'll be just us there. jake and clay can visit her whenever they want like this. you don't have to worry, i'll let you know wha—"

"i know that, kook. it's not about that," jimin licks his lips nervously, patting the younger's shoulder, "you have work and you recently started dating. focus on that, i'm here for aera. haewon is here too,"

"what are you saying?" jungkook pulls away, sparing haewon a glance as well, for he fails to understand whatever the elder couple is trying to do, "you sound weird, hyung. it seems like i'm not allowed near, aera. what is all of this about?"

"nothing, kook. we just think you should take care of your relationsh—"

"yeah right, i should carry on with my life like nothing wrong is going on with my sister? is that what you want? give me one reason why," he stares at jimin, watching him struggle again. the thick atmosphere makes haewon sigh as she steps near her husband, giving him an assuring look before turning to jungkook.

jimin tries to stop her but when the younger presses more, claiming that he was going to see aera and ask her himself, haewon stops him, holding his arm in her gentle hold, "i'll tell you. but please know that she's just disturbed with all this, okay?" she says softly, getting a confused look from jungkook, "she talked to kevin and they had an argument after she came to know that he cheated on her. kevin told her that she had no right to accuse him of cheating when her own brother is..." haewon breathes out, nibbling on her lip, opening her mouth to complete the sentence but can't bring herself to do it.

jungkook stares at her, too stunned with that, although he reacts eventually, features hardening with anger, "her brother is what? a cheater? so that gives him the right to fucking cheat on aera?!"

"jungkook, please they were just mad. it was said in the middle of an argument," jimin says, grabbing the younger by his arm, "listen, relax. aera's just stressed out about everything. she—"

"does she think that too? i... i just— i don't know what to tell you. but i swear to god, me and my past relationships have nothing to do with aera. what does that guy think of himself?! he can't just go hurting my sister like this, using my name to make her shut up!"

"sir, please keep it low. there are patients around," a nurse says, stopping by, getting a quick nod from jimin as he mumbles out a sorry to her.

"i know what you're thinking, okay? i'm not blaming for you anything. we know it's not your fault," jimin assures him, making him sit and takes a seat beside him, "aera told me this, crying, jungkook. i couldn't see her like that
and i bet you can't stand seeing her hurting so bad either. she asked me if it really happened because of how you were so causal about your relationships, but i told her no. this is only why i think she needs some time to understand that what kevin did is his own fault, not anybody else's. let her go with me for a few days, alright?"

jungkook groans under his breath, leaning on his knees as he buries his head in his palms, "god... i feel like shit," he mutters in a shaky voice, "i don't want aera to hate me, hyung. i know i've been an asshole to half of the people who ever were a part of my life, but i really love her. nothing is more important for me than my sister, you know it right? an-and if she tells me to break up with sana, i'll do that too. i don't give a fuck about what anyone else thinks, i just—"

"you know what's your problem?" jimin says with a sigh, "you're always ready to give up eveything for your sister. and in the process you forget that you might be hurting someone else's sister, or daughter. you care for your sister, and not about anyone else's. do you think that's gonna get you anywhere?"

jungkook stares at jimin, questioning his words back while jimin shakes his head, "i know you never meant to hurt anyone and all of this is not your fault. but think about it, kook, you've done everything that kevin did to hurt our sister. you hurted someone too and didn't even realise it, until now— and that too because this time it's your own sister,"

"is that aera?" jake mumbles in between as everyone falls silent until they hear her voice again. he looks at jimin as though virtually asking for his permission if they can go to her for a while. when jimin nods assuringly, both the boys head inside the room only to be met by aera, laying on her side, wide awake.

"i thought you slept," clay says, sitting on the edge of her bed while jake takes the seat on the stool.

"i can't. the headache is too bad," aera replies, moving her place and sits up.

"it'll get better," he assures, holding her hand in his, caressing the back slowly, "we came to know about kevin..." aera nods at his words, sighing at that as she leans back into a more comfortable space, waiting for him to continue.

but when he doesn't, she looks up to meet their eyes, asking her own concern, "how's he?"

"he's shifted to the icu," jake says, "you shouldn't have stopped me last night,"

"it doesn't matter anymore," aera fiddles with her hands, "it's still hard for me to take in eveything. i... i don't know what to think of this... i genuinely thought he loved me. like actually, he always made me feel loved. now i wonder if that was just a show..."

"he's an asshole for doing this," jake says, as clay hugs her gently, "and trust me, i'm going to deal to with him as soon as he's out of this place. he doesn't get to have all the sympathy and play the victim here after hurting you,"

aera sighs, closing her eyes as she lets clay hold her, not saying anything after that, but scoots over to her side and nods for jake to join them as well. the boy sighs, giving her a smile and cuddles her from the side, kissing her cheek, "what a dick that he couldn't love you," aera rubs her eyes, nestling herself between her best friends, feeling thankful for them rather than her own husband.

her eyes look up at jake, touching the fabric of his jacket, "can i have it for now?" she hushes to him, making him instantly take it off, draping it off her shoulders, looking oversized and swallowing her petite figure, but it feels nice to aera for she nuzzles back in the bed, being tucked by the boys.

"you should've told us if you were cold," clay says, glancing down at his own hoodie, and then at jake who's now standing in a normal grey t-shirt.

"i'm not cold. he smells nice," the girl mumbles, keeping her hands under the sleeves, while jake chuckles, unfolding the fabric to cover her properly. he leans forward, securing the press-buttons on the sleeves and zipping up the jacket to engulf aera's body inside.

"better?"

"yeah," she nods, "are you both leaving now?"

"not yet. but yeah, once you're ready to go," clay answers.

"i'm hungry, now that i think about it," jake mumbles, rubbing the back of his neck. aera turns to the side, grabbing the box of curry rice and hands it to jake getting a smile from him. "and what about you?"

"i couldn't eat it all," she says, "fuck, i can't sleep right now," she whines, sitting up again and takes a deep breath, "hey, uhm i thought about jimin oppa's offer. he wants me to go home with him. but i think... i think, it'll be better if i can stay alone for some time. i know he wants the best for me and is worried about me, but really i can't stand his and unnie's worried eyes on me all the time... i don't know how to tell him this..."

"well, i understand what you're saying. you don't wanna be reminded of what happened and your brother's worried state is doing that. i get it can be a bit bothering, but then again, staying alone wouldn't be helpful either, aera. we don't want you to be alone while you actually need someone,"

"i don't need any— okay, fine. yeah, i get it. even i'm scared to be alone... i think i might do something, and i don't want that to happen," she nods, glancing at clay, "do you think i can stay with one of you for a few days? i don't wanna have those pity stares and helpless eyes on me... i'll be fine, i just need time,"

"you can always crash at my place," jake puts forth, mouth stuffed with the rice then he offers a bite to clay as well for he hasn't eaten anything since last night either.

"same, my apartment is always available too,"

"aren't you dating?" aera rubs her forehead, "i think jake is a better option,"

"cool," the boys nod, making her smile softly as she knows it too that staying with her friends will help her heal faster because they won't be treating her like a baby who needs someone to always take care of her, rather their subtle tactics to make her forget things and act casual like life didn't pose crashing a tragedy on her, would be better.

the door opens and jimin, jungkook and haewon enter, while the boys are busy eating. jake feeds clay frequently and also makes aera have a few more bites until it's all finished and he opens another box of the same content, praising himself for getting extra.

"hm," jake hands the box to clay, taking himself some water as he stands up, offering his place for haewon to sit.

"oh, when did you arrive?" aera asks, staring at jungkook who sends her a subtle smile.

"just a few minutes ago. how are you?" he asks, going closer for a hug and kisses the side of her head, "i'm sorry for what happened,"

she sighs at that, nodding her head slowly, glancing down at her lap. jungkook sits on the bed where clay was earlier and strokes her hair, "i know what you might be thinking. hyung told me about it. it's—"

"i get it," she nods quietly, "you don't have to explain anything, oppa. i won't understand your point anyway... uhm you and your- your girlfriend— did she come with you?" jungkook feels bad, listening how forced their conversation sounds, nowhere like what it always used to be. his gaze falls down with guilt, shaking his head for an answer. "you're still dating her right?"

"yeah, but you—"

"good. please don't hurt her, okay?" aera hushes out, tears blurring her eyes, "it hurts. you have no idea," with that said, she rubs her eyes, pushing the sheets away and slips down from the bed, nodding for her friends that she's ready.

"aera?" jimin calls and aera gives him a sad smile.

"i'm sorry, oppa. i know you want me to go home. but just for a few days, i wanna stay by myself. i'm sorry, i love you okay? please don't think that i'm mad at you or anything... it's just that i- i can't handle these sorrowful looks from everyone. it suffocates me... i'll be staying at jake's for a while. i'll come to you when i'm okay, i promise," she says, giving him a hug and kisses his cheek, dropping a tear from her eye, "don't stop me, please,"

"fine," jimin rubs her back, "if that helps you feel better. but make sure to call me once in a while, yeah?" when she nods, he kisses her forehead and pats her back, looking at jake, "take care of her,"

"of course," jake nods.

as they head out, aera glances back at jungkook, finding him staring at the floor, still where she left him and a line of tears flowing down from his cheek. she nibbles on her lip, turning around with a heavy heart and follows her friends out, taking a few deep breaths so that she won't end up crying right now.

•••

a few days later

jungkook sits in the balcony of his room, alone in the house where he grew up with his siblings. it's usually never this quiet here because whenever he actually comes to this house is when aera, jimin and rest of the guys have a planned get-together. the house, being too huge for only one person, haunted jungkook down with ghosts of memories at every corner. he still reminisces all the nights and days when aera would be here with him, either sitting on his lap while pointing at the birds in the tree of their backyard or fascinated by the rain falling from above.

he stares at the night sky, wondering if his sister is doing the same as it's beautiful tonight. a lovely crescent moon with only a few clouds and more stars twinkling far away from them. considering her love for the sky, he's sure that aera must be watching it too right now. he rubs his eyes, heaving out a breath and pours himself a drink from the second bottle of whiskey since the last few minutes.

he came to know last week that kevin has been recovering well, while aera has been planning on getting divorced, saying that she didn't want to live with someone who cheated on her while she tried to hold their relationship together and believed that they could fix it. she felt betrayed and kevin couldn't do anything to change it then. jimin and haewon supported her in the decision and so did her friends. she stayed at jake's place only for the initial two and a half weeks, then moved to her own apartment in the same building as jimin, saying that she didn't want to bother anyone.

jake protested to make her stay longer, while jimin tried to convince her to stay with him so she won't feel lonely. which is why aera ended up deciding to stay in close vicinity to her brother, so that he can have peace and make sure she's doing fine. she was actually doing fine, fortunately as she did realise that what kevin did was his responsibility and not hers. with some more pep talks from haewon, jimin and her own friends, she promised that she was doing better with the passing weeks.

although jungkook never once got to talk to her during all this, it's been almost six weeks since the day aera walked out of the room from the hospital. he didn't try to approach her either, scared that he might just end up ruining more things between him and his sister, but that didn't mean he wasn't thinking about ways to fix this every minute of the day. 

and today that he's not in his apartment but came home with this heavy feeling inside his chest, looking around the house where he had spent most of his life, watching aera growing up here, her giggles residing at her favourite spots, dreams colored on the walls, and her voice as fresh as ever, lingered everywhere with a scent of her innocent childhood and her brother's love for her. now this house mostly stays shut, alone and devoid of those happy days ever since aera moved out.

jimin left first, then aera went to sydney and jungkook couldn't bring himself to live in the big house without the two people who made this place meaningful for him. he moved to his apartment soon, two bedrooms, hall and a kitchen, which everyone thought it was too small considering how jungkook fancies space and modernism. but he dismissed their doubts, wanting himself just a place to stay where he won't feel lonely. fortunately, the apartment did the job.

it's almost after six months that jungkook is here, up in his old room, in the balcony and wondering how things changed so fast. just yesterday he held aera for the first time, saw her smile for the first, held her hand and taught her to walk. she took his name and eventually started speaking all the big sentences to communicate. she had her first day of school, saw her parents leave them frequently, jimin's high school, college, office, jungkook's high school, college and then his sturggle for the studio. aera's school, her mischievous tactics, punishment corners, mid night snacking, tickle monster, and a lot of more stuff.

this house has seen eveything from aera's birth, the parents' death, sadness, happiness, friendships, fights, love. eveything. jungkook can't explain how much all of this means to him, if he could possibly have control over how things went, he wouldn't ever want to leave this house. or would have to leave a piece of his heart here to watch over the sweet memories, make sure they're safe and cherished every now and then.

his eyes warm up with tears as he leans back on the swing, cracking his neck slowly, staring at the same set of stars and moon for the last half and hour. the clouds are gone now, leaving it clear, and the silence of the night somehow calming his mind. although it doesn't linger for he spots a car entering the main gate as the guard lets the person in. jungkook stands up with a frown, not expecting anyone here for everyone knew that jeon mansion is not where the jeons live anymore, all three siblings having their own different places in seoul.

the car is familiar to the point where it makes his heart do a flip inside, watching it pull over in front of the entrance. then he sees aera getting out from the driver's seat. she's holding something in her hand, which jungkook can tell is some sort of documents. she never looks up and heads inside right away, making him sigh as he doesn't move from his place, not even knowing if she's actually here to see him or just dropped by because she missed the past like jungkook did.

the silence persists for a few seconds until a pair of footsteps come to a halt behind him, a few feet away. jungkook turns with an unsure gaze, however it doesn't quiver the fact that her mere presence made him smile, "aera, how are you here?" he asks, taking back his place on the swing, watching the sister hesitate before him, "what happened?"

"i uh... i came to apologise," she says, facing him with her whole body, "i wanted to see you since yesterday. but you weren't in your apartment... then i got to know that you came here,"

"yeah," jungkook nods lightly, glancing back inside with a subtle smile, "it's nice here. calming,"

aera nods, placing the file in her hands on the table and steps near the swing, "can i sit?"

"sure, you don't have to ask, kiddo," he chuckles, patting the space next to him and also puts the bottle whiskey aside, heaving out a deep sigh, "so? how have you been?"

"the divorce is done," she hushes out, nodding towards the papers, "i'm not crying over kevin anymore. i have a few offers from different law firms, a few cases, dyed my hair with unnie. so i guess i'm doing okay," she says, getting a smile from jungkook as he nods, looking genuinely relieved on hearing that aera's fine. "but there's one that keeps bugging me,"

he looks straight ahead, head tilted slightly upwards as he smiles knowingly, but waits for her to confirm it, "i know what i said to you that day must've hurt you... and i just left after that, didn't contact you or anything. i... i'm sorry for that. i shouldn't have done that. i shouldn't have let kevin's words affect me that much. i had no right to hurt you, but i still did. and i feel terrible about it. because trust me, oppa, i know how much you love me and hearing something like that from me must've broken you inside..." she says, taking a shaky breath to keep herself from sobbing as she continues.

"i should've reached out to you before, but i just couldn't. i'm really sorry for that. i understand if you're upset with me, i don't blame you and i don't expect you to forgive me so fast. it's up to you and i'm willing to do whatever that makes it easier for you to believe that i do love you," aera gulps, wiping her tears and sniffles softly, "you always said you'd do anything for— for me, how much you love me and how i'll always be your favourite girl... i never did anything for you. never made an effort for you, and— and i just—"

jungkook lets out an airy chuckle, closing his eyes as tears flow down his cheeks as well, "it's okay," is all he says, taking a moment to rub his eyes and glance at his sobbing sister. he wraps his arm around her, rubbing her side gently, "your existence itself is more than a gift for me, aera,"

aera hugs him tightly, crying on his chest while mumbling frequent sorries to him between sobs and heavy breathings. jungkook rubs her back, humming softly for her to calm down and stop crying. "i'm not mad at you," he assures her when she goes on with the apologies, also calling herself a bad sister for hurting him like this. "hey, shh. it's okay, champ,"

aera shakes her head, pulling away from his chest and opens her mouth to say something, but fails as her sobs are more stronger, making her eyes shut and lean back on the swing, bringing up her legs to her chest, hugging herself. jungkook blinks his own tears away, shifting closer to her and hugs her tightly, "it's okay, aera. don't cry, i'm not mad at you okay?" he assures her, patting her back, "c'mon, breathe with me," he says softly, inhaling so she can hear him and do the same and encourage her to go with him, "inhale. then exhale," he says, releasing the breath out and breathes in again, stroking the hair out of aera's face, giving her a smile as she tries to follow him, "yes, good job, sweetheart. again, okay?"

aera nods, following his actions until she felt herself caling down slowly, yet the tears still remain and she looks down, "i was so scared..." she mumbles, leaning onto jungkook's side, "i thought we won't talk again. i thought i messed our relationship... and lost my koo forever. i was so scared," she sniffles, hugging his chest tightly.

"i'm right here. always. i've always told you that," he says.

"but this time was different. i saw you crying that day while i left..."

"yeah, that. i was scared things might change as well... that you might hate me after all of this happened,"

"i'm sorry," aera rubs her eyes and straightens herself to kiss jungkook's cheek, "i'm really sorry, oppa. i missed you so much. i've cried to jimin oppa, and jake and clay and even unnie so many times, because i didn't know what to do,"

"you know i'd always be here. i couldn't reach out to you, because honestly i had no idea whether or not you wanted to see me at all. and also probably because i'm shit at making things better,"

"don't say that," aera mumbles, "you do make things a lot better. if you were here from the starting, i think i would've told you about kevin being weird. or at least threaten him with your name,"

"yeah, that jerk needed that. but i'm happy that you're free from him now,"

"yeah, i guess" she nods, pulling herself straight and looks at him, maintaining the eye contact, "i feel so guilty, there's possibly no way that i can make it change. i'm just very very sorry, oppa. i love you, and you matter to me way more than i can ever put in words. you and jimin oppa are literally my everything and i'd never want anything to happen to us... i want us to stay like we have always been. things change i know, but what i mean is that please don't ever think that i forgot us okay? i will never. you'll always have your little riri with you and i hope i can have my oppa with me as well,"

"you have us always," jungkook whispers, wiping his tears and hugs her tightly, kissing the side of her head, "always," he promises.

aera smiles at that, using his shirt to wipe her tears which makes jungkook chuckle as he pulls away slowly once she's done, "so," she starts, "when am i meeting your girlfriend?"

"sana... uh, whenever you want?"

"tomorrow?" aera asks.

"sure," jungkook smiles, "i have a feeling you'll like her,"

"i hope so. i'll have another unnie soon," she smiles, "wouldn't it be nice? me, haewon unnie and sana unnie, hanging out together and like— having girls' night?"

"of course," jungkook nods, "ah there's another thing,"

"yes?" aera nods.

"don't tell anyone. i'm just telling you. i'll have the rest coming over soon and break the news to them,"

the sister stares at him with suspecting eyes, then gasps loudly, pulling her back straight, "she's pregnant, isn't she?!" jungkook nibbles on his lip, nodding gradually as he rubs the back of his neck, "oh my god! congratulations! how long has it been?"

"we came to know like— two weeks ago. it hasn't been a month," jungkook admits, "which is also why she's moving in with me soon,"

"wow, oh my god! i can't believe this. are you both like— planning to get married?"

"yeah, pretty soon," he nods, "and you have to help me prepare everything,"

"of course i will! my brother is getting married and also going to be a dad. i'm emotional,"

"you've cried enough for today," jungkook chuckles, sitting with aera in silence until another soft chuckle rolls out of his lips, "i wonder if it's a boy or a girl,"

"what do you want?" aera asks.

"either is fine. i haven't thought much, but yeah i just think that i'd love to have a daughter like you. this one, or later. i want a girl,"

"then what about me?"

"you'll babysit my kids, obviously," jungkook jokes and aera mocks at him, standing up from the swing and stretches her back, "tired?"

"yeah, i've been out since six o'clock in the morning,"

"and it's around eleven right now. you have to be crazy to be working that much,"

"it's in the blood," aera giggles, taking his hand and pulls him up, "come with me. i'll cook for us and—"

"i think we should save the plan for later. it's already too late. you should go home and rest,"

"well, okay. but let's meet tomorrow and surprise jimin oppa and unnie with our patch up,"

"sure. i'll call sana as well?"

"ah yes! please do. i have to meet her, i'm the only one left," aera huffs.

"alright, let's go now. i'll drive you home,"

"i have my car, oppa. i'll go alone,"

"no, i'll drive you. leave your car here. i'll ask one of the drivers to get it to your place tomorrow,"

"okay, if you say so," she shrugs, picking up her file and follows jungkook back inside the house, only to feel more at ease now, less guilty and happy that she's in good terms with her brother.

______

HAPPYY NEW YEARRR❤️✨

a/n--- ahhh what do you think about this series? what was the most emotional and memorable part from this series?

for me it was sad that the jeon mansion is empty now and the siblings are living at different places separately. i'm too attached to this 😭

okay so now jungkook will be getting married as you all wanted and aera will be focusing on her job like a pro. 💪😤

___

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