Caregiver: Jungkook Little: Taehyung Others: Jimin (caregiver), Yoongi (Little)
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Taehyung awoke, a familiar ache of loneliness already settling in his chest. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, but his side of the bed was cool, empty. Jungkook wasn’t beside him. He’d slipped into little space sometime during the night, and now, with a small, hiccuping sob, he decided he needed to find his Daddy.
He struggled with the buttons on his pajamas, finally managing to wriggle into a comfortable oversized sweater and shorts. Then, padding down the stairs, he found Jungkook in the kitchen, carefully spoon-feeding Yoongi breakfast.
“Morning, baby,” Jungkook greeted, his voice warm, but his attention was wholly focused on Yoongi. “What do you want for your breakfast?”
“Can TaeTae have cereal?” Taehyung asked, his voice small and hopeful.
Jungkook nodded. “I’ll feed Yoongi first, then get your breakfast ready, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy,” Taehyung murmured, turning away. He walked into the living room, sighing quietly, and sank onto the sofa, switching on the cartoon channel. He watched, but the bright colors didn't chase away the feeling of being left out. He waited, fingers tracing the worn fabric of the sofa, until Jungkook called him back.
“TaeTae, breakfast is ready!”
He ran to the kitchen, anticipation bubbling, and waited patiently as Jungkook prepared his cereal. He expected to be fed, to feel Daddy’s warm hands holding the spoon, but instead, Jungkook simply placed the bowl in front of him.
“I’m going to be in the living room with Yoongi,” Jungkook said, a touch distractedly. “You can feed yourself today, can’t you, baby?”
Taehyung nodded, but the joy drained from his face. He ate only a few bites of his cereal, the sweetness tasting like ash in his mouth. It wasn’t the same without Jungkook’s gentle guidance. He wandered back to the living room, finding Jungkook and Yoongi curled up together, watching cartoons.
“Can Daddy play with TaeTae?” Taehyung asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Jungkook glanced at him, then back at Yoongi. “Yoongi wants to watch cartoons. Many later, Taehyung.” His tone was dismissive, his eyes not meeting Taehyung’s.
Tears welled up, and Taehyung turned and fled back to their bedroom, shutting the door softly behind him. He slumped against it, letting the tears spill down his cheeks.
“Daddy doesn’t love TaeTae anymore,” he sobbed, clutching his fists. “Daddy loves Yoonie instead of TaeTae.”
Hours drifted by, each one filled with mounting despair. Taehyung returned downstairs several times, each attempt to catch Jungkook’s attention met with the same indifference. Finally, he saw Jungkook cuddling Yoongi, their faces pressed together. He couldn't bear it anymore.
Without thinking, he slipped out the front door, which Jungkook had carelessly left unlocked. He ran down the street, tears blurring his vision, not knowing where he was going, driven by a desperate need to escape the pain.
An hour later, Yoongi had finally fallen asleep against Jungkook’s chest. Jungkook smiled, carefully laying Yoongi on the sofa. He stretched, a sigh escaping his lips. He realized he hadn’t checked on Taehyung in hours. A wave of guilt washed over him. He went to find his little, to play with him since Yoongi was asleep.
He found their bedroom empty. Panic seized him. He searched the house frantically, calling Taehyung’s name, but found no trace of him. Then, he saw the front door slightly ajar, a cool breeze drifting in. His heart lurched. He grabbed his phone, calling Taehyung, but it went straight to voicemail. Then he called Jimin.
“Hello—”
“Taehyung’s left the house, and I don’t know where he is! Can you pick up Yoongi?” Jungkook blurted, his voice raw with fear.
Jimin arrived half an hour later, scooping up Yoongi’s sleeping form. Jungkook paced restlessly, a knot of dread tightening in his stomach. Where could Taehyung be? Had something happened?
He grabbed his keys and ran down the street, searching frantically. The park, the video game store, every place Taehyung loved. No one had seen him. He was losing hope.
Then, he heard voices coming from an alleyway.
“Ew, a little. Disgusting, you know that.”
“Look at how ugly and fat he is. God, no wonder he hasn’t got a caregiver.”
“Maybe we should take him with us and show him how disgusting he really is.”
A hand grabbed Taehyung’s arm, yanking him roughly. Taehyung was sobbing uncontrollably, his face streaked with tears.
“GET OFF HIM!” Jungkook roared, charging into the alleyway.
He shoved the tormentors away, tearing their grip from Taehyung’s arm. He scooped Taehyung into his arms, ignoring their taunts, and fled, running until they were safely back home.
By the time they reached the house, Taehyung was a trembling mess. Jungkook locked the door, then settled onto the sofa, pulling Taehyung onto his lap. He held him tight, burying his face in Taehyung’s hair.
“Baby, why did you leave the house?” Jungkook asked softly, once Taehyung had calmed down enough to speak.
“Daddy loves Yoonie more than TaeTae, so TaeTae left. When TaeTae stopped running, those people cornered TaeTae in the alleyway,” Taehyung sobbed, clinging to Jungkook.
“Baby, I love you more than life itself. Jimin said Yoongi was having a hard time and needed extra attention. Daddy didn’t mean to make you feel unloved. I’m so sorry. I love you so much, baby.” Jungkook kissed Taehyung’s head, holding him closer.
“You love TaeTae even though he’s small?” Taehyung asked, his voice thick with tears.
“Baby, who said that?! You are not fat, ugly, or disgusting! You are the most perfect, handsome, and adorable person ever!” Jungkook’s voice was laced with sternness.
“They said TaeTae was fat and ugly. They said littles are disgusting.” Taehyung looked up at Jungkook with glossy eyes.
“Don’t listen to them, baby. You aren’t! I love you so much, so don’t ever think you are any of those things, okay?” Jungkook kissed Taehyung’s face repeatedly.
“Okay, Daddy,” Taehyung whispered, burying his face in Jungkook’s chest.
For the rest of the night, they stayed curled together on the sofa, Jungkook showering Taehyung with kisses until it was time for bed. He held Taehyung close, whispering reassurances until his little finally drifted off to sleep, safe and loved.
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Uploaded: 19/11/2018 Edited: 15/09/2019