Chapter Text
Jungkook looked at his watch and groaned, annoyed. He’d been waiting outside the principle’s office for thirty minutes, and still, no one would tell him why he was there. He stood up, grunting and tried to discreetly stretch. The chairs were tiny, more suited to the children than their parents. A disapproving hum made him look up and he grinned playfully at the old secretary, who was glaring at him.
“Sorry ma’am!” He said, sitting back down, trying to keep from laughing, remembering his days in school. He’d seen his fair share of principle’s offices, but thankfully, his son was different, more mindful of authority.
He looked at his watch again, fuck… he was late. He had an important client waiting and he couldn’t afford to miss the meeting. He started to ask how long it would take, when a loud bang made him jump and curse under his breath.
“Ow! Fuck! I mean, F-Fudge!” A deep voice called out, and Jungkook snorted, unable to control his laughter anymore. The door opened with another loud bang, this time making the secretary cringe. Jungkook couldn’t help it, he looked over curiously and gaped at the figure leaning against the door frame, his laughter dying instantly. The man was panting loudly, the sound of his breathing echoing in the small waiting area, making Jungkook fidget in his chair as he imagined more naughty reasons for being out of breath. Jungkook looked at him more closely. He was young, looking around Jungkook’s age, maybe a few years older, and he was rubbing at his elbow, wincing, his other hand curled into a fist against his chest as he tried to catch his breath. His hair was the colour of honey, windswept, and falling to the side revealing perfectly shaped eyebrows, and his clothes were dishevelled, paint stains covering patches of his shirt and pants. Still, Jungkook couldn’t help but swallow nervously. The man was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen.
“Mr. Kim! This is a school! Your language is inappropriate!” The secretary scolded, scandalised.
“I’m so sorry Mrs. Jung! I tripped! It won’t happen again!” He said, brown eyes widening, contrite. He bowed, an embarrassed flush colouring his cheeks. “Minjun! I got a call about Minjun! Is he okay?” the man asked worriedly, breaking out of his reverie.
“Yes Mr. Kim, he’s fine. Please, have a seat. The principle will be with you shortly”. The man nodded, walking over to the seats next to Jungkook, and plopping down loudly, making Mrs. Jung scowl at him. He mumbled apologetically, and set his bag down.
Jungkook groaned internally, the man was even more attractive up close. His brown eyes large, mischievous, and his lips forming a warm smile that made Jungkook’s stomach clench. He turned to look at Jungkook, as though sensing the other staring, and smiled wider.
“Hello! I’m Taehyung!” He said cheerily, reaching a hand out.
“Jungkook” Jungkook mumbled, ignoring the other’s hand.
“What are you here for Jungkook?” Taehyung asked, pulling his hand back and frowning.
“Don’t know yet, still waiting to see the principle”. Jungkook said, cursing his nerves.
“Mr. Jeon, Mr. Kim, the Principle will see you now.” Mrs. Jung interrupted, pointing the door. They both stood up, walking towards the principle’s office with a sense of foreboding.
“Oh good! You’re both here” The principle said, nodding for them to sit. Jungkook sat down, looking over at Taehyung, who was fidgeting nervously, clearly not used to being in the principle’s office. He rolled his eyes and pursed his lips.
“What’s this about?” He asked, needing to cut to the chase.
“Well. Your boys have been caught fighting” The principle said, making both Jungkook’s and Taehyung’s jaws drop.
“Excuse me? I don’t think I heard correctly. Did you say fighting?” Jungkook asked, stunned. “My son? Jinyoung?”
“Yes Mr. Jeon, I’m afraid you heard me correctly.” The principle said gravely, “Now, I know you both know that this school has a zero tolerance policy for violence, but both Minjun and Jinyoung-”
“No, wait” Taehyung interrupted suddenly. “Minjun? My Minjun? Surely there’s a mistake?”
“No mistake. Kim Minjun, six, in Ms. Park’s homeroom class” the principle deadpanned.
“But-That’s impossible! Minjun is a good kid, he would never!”
“Hold up. Are you implying that this is Jinyoung’s fault?” Jungkook interrupted, outraged, turning and glaring angrily at Taehyung.
“No, I’m just saying - I know Minjun. He would never fight!” Taehyung glared back.
“And I know my son, and he would never start a fight either! This must be your kid’s fault! I mean, you couldn’t even show up on time!” Jungkook hissed.
“Excuse me?!” Taehyung screeched, standing up and staring down Jungkook. “Firstly, I came as soon as I got the call. It’s not my fault I don’t have a car and had to bike all the way over! If I had known that I would be needed at school, I’d have made arrangements earlier! And secondly, how do we know it’s not your son’s fault! Minjun has never been in trouble! Ever!”
“Neither has Jinyoung!” Jungkook snarled, also getting up and moving into Taehyung’s space, until they were chest to chest.
“GENTLEMEN!” The principle interrupted. “Please! Will you both calm down!” Both flushed, chastised, and sat down, embarrassed. “Now, as I way saying. We have a zero tolerance policy for violence. However, I have spoken to both Minjun and Jinyoung, and they both seem genuinely sorry. So I won’t be expelling them.” Both Taehyung and Jungkook sighed in relief. “But - they will be suspended, three days each.” Jungkook snuck a look at Taehyung, who buried his face in his palm at that, and groaned.
“Fine. Where’ my son?” Jungkook asked, not wanting to argue further. He’d get details from his son later, for now, he had to meet his client.
“He’s at the nurse’s office, we’ll ask her to bring him now” The principle said. Taehyung paled, gasping in surprise and pressing a palm against his lips to keep silent.
“Nurse’s office? Is he hurt?” Jungkook asked, shooting up again, brows furrowed in concern. “If your son has hurt my son, I’m going to sue you for everything you own! Which, judging by your outfit isn’t very much!” Jungkook said disdainfully. Taehyung ignored Jungkook, “Is Minjun ok?” He whispered, eyes wide.
“He’s also fine, trust me, it’s just a precaution. You’ll see for yourselves soon” Jungkook sat down again, sneering at Taehyung. Now that he had calmed down slightly, he could see that the other was tense, shoulders drawn in, colour drained from his face. He bit his lips and looked like he was trying to discreetly take deep breaths, while clutching his elbow tightly.
He wanted to apologise for his outburst, but was interrupted by loud squealing from the waiting area. Suddenly, the door swung open and he saw his son hop in, smiling. “Daddy!!” He called out, Jungkook smiled widely, getting off the chair and bending on one knee, holding out his arms for his son. Jinyoung ran to him, hugging him tightly, peppering his cheeks with kisses. He was a bright boy, cheeks round and pink. He had his father’s eyes and lips, looking like a mini version of him.
Jungkook pulled him off him, trying to examine him for wounds, but he looked fine aside from a slight discolouration on his cheek. Jungkook was sure that would bruise, but Jinyoung didn’t seem too bothered. Jungkook looked up, at Taehyung, who had gotten up at some point, and was staring at them worriedly.
“Tae-daddy!” A child’s voice called out. Jungkook’s brow furrowed, confused that the child would use such an odd nickname, then saw a young boy run into the room. Taehyung hunched over, picking up the child and swinging him around, wincing slightly, until he finally hugged him tightly, kissing him sloppily on his cheeks, making the other squeal in delight. “Hey biscuit! I missed you!” Jungkook rolled his eyes at the nickname, thinking how weirdness must run in the family. He finally got up, his knees cracking, making Jinyoung giggle.
He looked more closely at the other boy, and while he had some of Taehyung’s features, he didn’t resemble him very closely. His eyes were rounder, lips thinner, and his skin a little paler than Taehyung’s. He too had a small bruise on his cheek.
“I heard you got into a fight biscuit. What happened? You never fight!” Taehyung said frowning dramatically and wiping a non-existent tear from his cheek, making the little boy held against him giggle and swat his cheek playfully.
“Sorry Tae-Daddy! I didn’t mean to! I promise!” Minjun said contrite. Taehyung looked down at Jinyoung and smiled at him. “Hi! Jinyoung, right? You’re not hurt are you?” Taehyung asked, reaching out a hand for Jinyoung. Jinyoung looked at his father, who nodded once. Jinyoung reached out his hand and shook Taehyung’s shyly.
“I’m not hurt” Jinyoung said.
“That’s good! I was worried!” Taehyung said, “Biscuit, did you apologise to Jinyoung?” Taehyung asked.
“No…” Minjun mumbled, burying his face against the crook of Taehyung’s neck. Taehyung sighed, and set the other down. “Minjun, you need to apologise!” He scolded lightly.
“But, he didn’t either!” Minjun whined.
“What did we say biscuit?”
“We should do things that make us good people, not do things like other people” Minjun parroted. Jungkook frowned, wanting to interrupt, but Taehyung spoke first.
“Close enough, so, what does that mean?”
“I should say sorry?” Minjun asked, hugging Taehyung’s leg.
“You should say sorry, come on!”
“I’m sorry for hitting you” Minjun said awkwardly.
“Me too” Jinyoung responded, looking at his dad.
“Good, now. We’ll talk about why you fought and your punishment at home. Say thank you to the principle!” Taehyung said. Minjun mumbled a quick thanks, then reached his short arms up. Taehyung huffed, then bent over, picking the other up.
“Is that all Principle Kim?” He asked, “Yes, that’s all. He can come back to school next week” The principle said. Taehyung hummed in acknowledgement, nodding quickly to Jungkook, “give me your hand” Taehyung said, reaching out to Jungkook. Jungkook frowned, but did as he was told. Taehyung quickly grabbed his palm, pulling out a pen from his pocket and writing out his phone number across Jungkook’s palm. “In case there are any issues.” Taehyung said in annoyance, like he already regretted giving Jungkook his phone number. Jungkook just stared at the ink on his palm in disbelief, opening his mouth to shout at Taehyung, but the other waved him off. “Bye Jinyoung! Nice meeting you!” Taehyung called out, waving as he left the office.
“Come on buttercup. Let’s go too.” Jungkook said, sighing, still staring at Taehyung’s number. He grabbed Jinyoung’s hand, leading him out. “Are we going home?” Jinyoung asked quietly.
“No, I won’t be able to find someone to watch you this late. You want to come to the office with daddy?” Jungkook responded.
“YAAAYYYY!!!” Jinyoung squealed. Jungkook laughed throatily at that and nodded.
“You have to promise to behave! Daddy has an important meeting now! So you’re going to have to colour or something on your own. Think you can do that for me?”
“Yes daddy!!” Jinyoung said excitedly, jumping into the car and bouncing on the seat.