♡ Part ~ 15 ♡

The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air as Seokjin stirred the soup in the kitchen. The soft bubbling sound and the warmth from the stove made the space feel comforting.

Just as he was about to taste the broth, the doorbell rang.

Frowning slightly, he turned off the stove and wiped his hands on his apron before making his way to the door.

When he opened it, he saw his son, Taehyung, standing there with someone else. A boy—petite, beautiful, with soft features and large, expressive eyes.

Seokjin blinked, his brows knitting in confusion. He had never seen this boy before, yet something about him felt familiar.

"Taehyung, who is this cute boy with you?" Jin asked, tilting his head slightly.

Taehyung grinned. "Appa, I’ll explain everything, but first, let us come in."

Jin stepped aside, allowing them to enter. He watched as Taehyung guided the boy inside, placing a protective hand on his back.

They settled on the couch while Jin went to fetch water for them. When he returned, he handed them the glasses before sitting in front of them, eyes filled with curiosity.

"Now, tell me. Who is he, and why is he here?" Jin asked, studying the boy carefully.

Taehyung chuckled. "Appa, you really don’t recognize him? He’s our Chim. You remember Chim, right?"

Jin's eyes widened. His breath hitched as the words sank in.

"Chim… you mean Jimin?" He asked in disbelief.

The moment Jimin shyly nodded, Jin gasped, covering his mouth with his hands. Tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn’t believe it. The little boy he had adored like his own son, the one who had suddenly disappeared all those years ago—he was here.

Jin’s emotions overwhelmed him, and without thinking, he reached forward and pulled Jimin into a tight embrace.

"Oh, my baby Chim," Jin muttered, his voice trembling.

Jimin hugged him back just as tightly, his own eyes brimming with tears. He had missed this warmth, this love. Jin and Namjoon had always treated him like family, and being in Jin’s arms again made all the pain he had endured feel just a little lighter.

Both of them sobbed quietly, lost in the moment.

Taehyung smiled fondly at the scene. He knew how much his parents had loved Jimin, and seeing them reunite after so many years warmed his heart.

After a while, Jin pulled away, cupping Jimin’s face gently.

"How are you, baby? Where have you been all these years? And Tae, how did you meet him?" Jin asked, his voice thick with emotion.

Jimin wiped his tears and smiled softly. "I’m fine, Appa."

Taehyung took it from there, narrating the entire story—from how they reconnected at the bus stop to the real reason why Jimin had been about to leave.

Jin listened carefully, his expression shifting from surprise to concern to anger. By the time Taehyung finished, Jin sighed and reached for Jimin’s hands.

"Oh, my baby, don’t worry about anything. From now on, you will live here with us, okay?" Jin said firmly, squeezing Jimin’s hands.

Jimin’s eyes widened. "But… Uncle—"

Jin frowned. "Uncle? No. You are like my Tae. You are also my son. Call me Appa, okay?"

Jimin’s heart swelled with warmth. He bit his lip before nodding. "Okay… Appa."

Jin smiled brightly before pulling him into another hug.

"Good boy."

After a moment, Jin clapped his hands. "Alright, Taehyung, take him to his room and help him settle in."

Taehyung beamed. "Got it!"

He took Jimin’s hand and led him upstairs. Once they reached the room, Taehyung pushed the door open.

"This is your room, Chim!" He happily announced it.

Jimin stepped inside, his eyes widening in awe. The room was spacious, with soft lighting, a neatly made bed, and a large window that overlooked the garden.

"Wow, this room is so beautiful," Jimin exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.

Taehyung chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Yeah, but not as beautiful as my Chim."

Jimin blushed slightly, giggling as Taehyung pulled him into a quick hug.

After placing Jimin’s luggage in the corner, they both sat on the edge of the bed.

Taehyung turned serious. "Chim, now that you’re here, you don’t have to work in that bar anymore. I’ll find you a better job, okay?"

Jimin hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Okay, Taetae."

Taehyung smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Now, freshen up and come downstairs. We’re having lunch together today!"

Jimin giggled. "Okay, Tae. I’ll come soon. You go ahead."

With that, Taehyung left the room while Jimin went into the bathroom.

—

A little while later, the front door opened, and Namjoon stepped inside, sighing as he removed his coat.

Before he could take another step, Jin suddenly appeared and threw his arms around him.

Namjoon blinked, startled.

"Baby, is there some good news? But I don’t remember doing anything." He teased, a playful smirk on his lips.

Jin rolled his eyes, smacking Namjoon’s chest lightly. "Ah, shut up!"

Namjoon chuckled but then noticed how happy Jin looked. His eyes were practically glowing.

"You seem really happy today. What happened?"

Jin’s smile widened. "You know who has come to our house today?"

Namjoon frowned. "Who?"

Jin grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the living room.

"Wait, I’ll call him. Let’s see if you recognize him."

He turned toward the stairs and shouted. "Tae, bring him here!"

A few moments later, Taehyung and Jimin appeared in the living room.

Namjoon’s eyes landed on Jimin, and his brows furrowed.

He studied the boy, feeling a strange sense of familiarity but unable to place it.

"I’ve never seen him before… but I feel like I know him." Namjoon muttered.

Jin and Taehyung grinned.

"He’s our Chim!" They said in unison.

Namjoon’s eyes widened, his mouth falling open.

"What?! Chim? Our Chim? Is this true?"

Jimin nodded, smiling shyly. "Yes, Uncle, I’m your Chim."

Jin scoffed. "No ‘Uncle.’ Call us Appa and Dad!"

Jimin bit his lip. "Oh… sorry. Dad."

Namjoon’s heart swelled with emotion. He opened his arms. "Come here, son."

Jimin stepped forward, and Namjoon pulled him into a warm hug. His eyes stung with tears as he held Jimin tightly.

"God, I missed you so much, son."

Jimin sniffled. "I missed you too, Dad."

After a moment, Jin clapped his hands. "Alright, Joonie, go freshen up. I’m setting the table for lunch. Jimin is living with us now, so you can talk to him all you want."

Namjoon smiled and nodded. "Got it."

As he went to his room, Jimin and Taehyung sat on the couch, chatting happily.

Soon, Namjoon returned, and they all gathered around the dining table.

As they ate, Jin told Namjoon everything about Jimin’s struggles. Namjoon listened carefully, his expression darkening with guilt and anger.

By the end of it, he placed a reassuring hand on Jimin’s head.

"From now on, son, you’re not alone. We’ll take care of you, always."

Jimin’s heart swelled with love and gratitude.

For the first time in a long time… he felt like he truly had a home.

After dinner, the atmosphere in the Kim mansion was warm and comforting. Jimin sat between Taehyung and Jin, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn’t felt in years. Namjoon occasionally ruffled his hair while Taehyung kept piling food onto his plate, making sure he ate well.

"Tae, stop! My stomach is going to burst," Jimin whined, pouting as he tried to push away the extra serving of rice Taehyung had just given him.

Taehyung smirked. "Nope. You’ve been starving yourself, Chim. You need to eat properly!"

Jin chuckled. "Tae’s right. You’ve lost so much weight, baby. Eat as much as you want. If you need anything, just tell Appa, okay?"

Jimin’s heart warmed at how much they cared for him. He nodded and took another bite, feeling grateful beyond words.

After finishing dinner, they all moved to the living room. Namjoon sat with a book in hand, Jin curled up beside him, while Taehyung and Jimin sat together on the floor with a bowl of fruit between them.

Jin suddenly gasped. "Oh my god! I almost forgot!"

Everyone turned to look at him.

"What happened, baby?" Namjoon asked, amused at his husband's sudden outburst.

Jin clapped his hands. "We should celebrate! Chim is back home, and that calls for a special dessert!"

Jimin’s eyes widened. "No, no, Appa, you don’t have to—"

Jin scoffed. "Shh! You think I’m going to let my baby boy return home after years and not make something special for him?!"

Jimin giggled as Jin hurried to the kitchen.

Taehyung leaned closer to Jimin. "You better be ready, Chim. When Appa says special, he means it. You’ll probably get a whole feast of desserts."

Jimin chuckled. "I don’t mind. It feels nice… like a real family."

Taehyung’s smile softened. He reached out and gently squeezed Jimin’s hand.

"That’s because you are family."

Jimin’s eyes stung with unshed tears. He squeezed Taehyung’s hand back, silently thanking him for always being there.

—

Later That Night

After devouring Jin’s special strawberry cheesecake and sharing stories, everyone decided to head to bed.

Jimin stood in his new room, looking around. It still felt surreal that he was here, in a warm and loving home, after everything he had been through.

As he was lost in thought, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Jimin said softly.

The door creaked open, and Taehyung stepped inside, already dressed in his pajamas.

"Hey, Chim. I just wanted to check if you’re okay."

Jimin smiled and nodded. "I’m okay, Tae. More than okay, actually. Thank you for bringing me here."

Taehyung grinned and ruffled Jimin’s hair. "Of course! Where else would my Chim go?"

Jimin bit his lip before hesitating. "Tae… can I ask you something?"

Taehyung sat down beside him on the bed. "Of course. Anything."

Jimin fidgeted with his fingers before looking up. "Why do you and your parents care about me so much? I mean… I disappeared for years. I thought you would have forgotten about me."

Taehyung’s smile faded, replaced by something more serious. He reached out and cupped Jimin’s face gently.

"Because you’re my best friend, Chim. You always have been, and you always will be. My parents love you like their own son, and so do I. You’re not alone anymore. So don’t ever think that way, okay?"

Jimin swallowed hard, his throat tightening with emotion.

"Okay, Taetae," he whispered.

Taehyung smiled and hugged him tightly. "Now, go to sleep, Chim. You need rest. Tomorrow, we’ll go out and have some fun!"

Jimin giggled. "Goodnight, Taetae."

"Goodnight, Chim."

As Taehyung left the room, Jimin lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with a small smile on his face.

For the first time in a long time, he felt safe.

He had a home.

He had a family.

And maybe, just maybe… he was finally where he was meant to be.

{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇{◇