"Mommy?" Kookie called from the entryway of the downstairs bathroom.

"Yes, baby?" I answered back, putting my phone in my pocket.

"I know what I needs to get punished." he said softly, making his way back to me and straddling my lap again.

"And how do you think you should be punished?" I asked, waiting to see what his reply was.

"No sweets. No stuffies, even b-bunny. No cartoons...." he trailed off.

"Alright baby. No sweets for a few days, no stuffies for the rest of the week, but you can have bunny back in a few days. And no cartoons for a few days. And you need to apologize to Uncle Yoongi and Hobi too." I said, putting my hand on his cheek. He nodded and leaned forward, giving me a peck on my lips.

"I'm going to give you one more kiss, and then no kisses for a few days either." I said, looking at his watery eyes.

"What about c-cuddles?" He asked, his breathing getting heavier again.

"Do you think you should get cuddles?" I asked, meeting his worried gaze. He dropped his eyes and jutted out his bottom lip.

"No, but I wants cuddles." He mumbled, tugging at my heart. I put my hands on his cheeks and raised his head to look at me.

"I will still give you cuddles, baby boy." I said softly. He looked a little relieved as I leaned in and placed a soft, lingering kiss on his lips. I felt tears prick the corner of my eyes as I pulled away from the kiss. I looked up toward the ceiling and let out a deep breath, trying not to cry.

"Mommy?" he asked softly. I blinked rapidly to try to get the tears to subside so they wouldn't fall, but to no avail. I quickly wiped my eyes and looked at him, trying to give a slight smile.

"Yes, baby?" I responded, sniffing once. His face twisted in concern.

"Mommy...I maked you sad." he said, his lip quivering. I looked down at my hands, unable to look at his sad face. I knew it would only make it worse.

"I will be ok, Kookie. I just need some time." I said quietly, still looking down. I felt him slip off of my lap as I looked up with watery eyes. His face mimicked what my heart felt at this moment.

"I sorry." he whispered before leaving me and walking up the stairs slowly, hearing a sniffle come from him as he reached the top of the stairs. I held it together long enough to hear his door shut, and that is when I let myself cry. I was so confused. I didn't know if I should be upset, because he technically cheated on me. I didn't know if I should be upset because as a caregiver, Kookie didn't come to me when he needed help. I didn't know if I should shrug it off because when he was in headspace, he really did go into the mindset of a child, so he didn't do this to cheat. I just know I hurt, so I decided to allow myself time to hurt, so I could look at things objectively. I jumped at my phone ringing, breaking my train of thought.

"Hello?" I asked, not even looking to see who it was.

"Hey, I just read all those texts. Are you alright?"

"Oh Joon. I don't know. I am so conflicted right now." I sighed, wiping my eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry. I wish I knew what to say. No one can tell you how to feel about this. You have to decide for yourself how you are going to view this. Just remember this; Kookie and Jungkook both love you very much. I am not excusing what happened, but think long and hard before you decide what you want to do. No one will judge you for what you feel or decide, and know that we are all here for you."

"Thank you. I...I think I needed to hear that. I don't want to leave him. It wouldn't hurt so much if I was just willing to walk away from this. It hurts because I choose to stay. It hurts because I love him. But I know we can get past this. I don't think I will fully be able to put it behind me until I talk to Jungkook out of headspace, but I am not going to do anything to pull him out after he just got back in. But thank you so much for calling, Joon. I appreciate it more than you know." I said, the sorrow lifting off of me just a little bit.

"Not a problem. You know I am here for you, always. I gotta go, but text or call me if you need me."

"I will, thank you again. Give Jinnie a hug for me." I said as I hung up the phone. I sat there for a few more minutes, letting all my anxiety out before realizing that I had to go talk to him again. I couldn't leave him upset like that either. I sighed and stretched, shaking off the stress before starting up the stairs. I walked toward his door but slowed down when I heard him talking to someone. I tiptoed closer to the door and held my ear up against it, straining to hear him.

"Ok bunny, I gots to put you away for a while. I hurted Mommy's feelings...I a really bad boy. I not mean to be, but I am. I gonna miss you but I not forgetted about you. Just sleep and I be back one day. Don't be sad." I heard him saying quietly, broken up by sniffles. I knocked twice and slowly opened the door to see Kookie on his knees next to his closet door. He had already shoved all his stuffies in the closet and he was putting bunny in there as I walked in. He closed the door and stood up, staring down at the floor.

"I putted away my stuffies, and bunny, and I come up here to give you time." he said, his voice soft.

"That was very kind of you, baby. Thank you for listening." I said, giving him a sad smile.

"You not wanna be with me right now?" he asked, playing with his hands. I remembered him saying he didn't want to be alone, and since he got rid of his stuffies now, he really would feel alone if I said yes.

"You don't have to stay away from me, baby boy. I don't want you to be alone." I said, holding out my hand to him. He hesitantly took it and let me lead him out of the bedroom and back downstairs.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, leading him to the entrance of the kitchen. He shook his head no but his stomach's growl quickly betrayed him.

"I not need to eat, Mommy." he said softly.

"Kookie, baby, I don't want you punishing yourself by not eating. If you are hungry, please eat. You will worry Mommy if you don't." I said, cupping his face in my hands. He bit his lip as he nodded slightly.

"I hungry." he said softly.

"Alright, I will get you some lunch together. Do you want to eat in here with me?" I asked, knowing I needed to eat as well. He nodded sat down at the island in the kitchen, still staring at the floor.

"Let's eat something and then we will do something nice together, ok?" I said, getting out some food.

"Ok, Mommy." he said softly, peeking up at me. I looked at him for a minute before getting our food together. I knew deep down I would be able to get past this and things would go back to normal before long. I loved him too much to allow this to drive us apart.

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