It had been two weeks since Kookie's surgery and he was recuperating well but slowly. Every time he would get close to being himself, he would play too rough and make it sore again. Trying to keep him calm all the time in headspace was getting near impossible, and frustrating for both of us.

"Kookie, the boys are coming to visit today. Do you think you can keep from playing too rough and be gentle?" I asked, running my hand over his hair. He sighed and looked up at me from his position, with his head on my lap.

"I try, Mommy." He said, giving me a sad smile.

"Thank you. That's my good boy." I replied, leaning over and kissing his forehead. This recovery had been pretty tough on him, and I know he had been trying very hard, but he was stubborn. Even out of headspace, he would try to do too much, despite my attempts to get him to take it easy. Usually watching a movie together would keep him occupied and still for a little bit, and thankfully right now, he was relaxed. That was incredibly short lived as we heard the doorbell ring, announcing the arrival of his friends. He jumped up from the couch and opened the door before I could even stand. The other littles started to swarm him but stopped quickly at a small bark from Namjoon.

"What did we all just talk about?" He asked as their head dropped.

"We has to be careful with Kookie cause he still getting better." Tae said softly.

"That's right, baby. You can have fun, just be gentle." Hobi replied. They all nodded before walking up the stairs giggling.

"So how have things been going on that end?" Yoongi asked, sitting on the couch.

"Rough. He gets so frustrated being restricted, in and out of headspace." I sighed.

"I'm sure. He's always very active so, I'm sure that can be a pain." Namjoon replied. I was glad I had these three to talk to, because it felt like a release in some ways. I was frustrated too but I didn't want to ever take it out on him. We sat around and talked for a while before we heard banging around upstairs.

"Be right back." I sighed, getting up from the couch. As I made my way upstairs and peeked into Kookie's room, I saw all 4 of them wrestling around, making me want to groan in frustration.

"Kookie..." I called from the doorway. They all stopped quickly as he looked up at me.

"What did we say about this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I not doing anything, Mommy." He said in a slightly whiny voice.

"Are you going to lie to me now?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

"I not lying! You embarrassing me." He said, his face turning red as he dropped his eyes.

"Baby, I just watched you wrestling around." I replied with a sigh.

"I not doing anything wrong!!" He said loudly.

"So now that's twice you have lied to me and now you are yelling at me?" I asked, raising my voice slightly.

"No!" He shouted. The other littles looked nervously back and forth between us.

"Baby you are leaving me no choice. When everyone leaves, we will have to discuss a punishment." I said, trying to stay firm in my resolve.

"No!!!!! Ughhhhh I hate you." He growled. I felt a sharp pain in my chest as I stood there in shock at his words.

"Kookie! That not nice! We not apposed to say hate." Jiminie said softly. Kookie just looked away and huffed, crossing his arms.

"Ok then." I said softly, turning and walking out the door. I knew he didn't mean it, little kids say that stuff when their upset at their parents and they never really mean it. Although the rational part of my brain knew that, a lasting ache took a firm hold in my chest. I slowly walked downstairs sat down on the couch without a word.

"What's wrong?" Namjoon asked.

"I know he didn't mean it and I know he's just frustrated....but Kookie just said he hated me." I said softly, drawing my knees up to my chest.

"Shit. That never feels good." Hobi said, chewing his lip.

"Yeah, Jiminie only said that to me one time, but I'm not gonna lie...it stung pretty bad." Yoongi replied, sighing.

"I woulda whooped his butt for saying that, but I can understand why you didn't." Namjoon added.

"I'm just so tired of fighting with him over this. I don't really have much fight left in me, so if he wants to hate me, I guess I will let him." I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat.

"Hang in there, Noona." Hobi said, patting my back.

"Thanks guys." I replied, offering a smile, though internally I felt more pained than I let on.

***

It was evening by time everyone left and time for Kookie's bath. I got it ready for him and walked to his room.

"Kookie, your bath is ready." I said softly. He looked up from his toys and gave me a small smile.

"Ok, I coming." He replied, standing up. I went into the bathroom and sat on the closed lid of the toilet, waiting for him to come in. He eventually came in and stood there with a small smile, undressing himself and getting in the tub. He played with a few of his toys, eventually giggling at some joke he made up. I gave him a half hearted smile and moved to start washing his hair. I washed his hair and his body in silence, only humming answers to his questions. He got a little quiet, observing me as I finished cleaning him up and drying him off. He got dressed in his pajamas and ran and climbed in my bed, bringing along two of his stuffies.

"Mommy, can we watch a movie?" he asked, looking at me with a stuffie under each arm. I nodded and handed him the remote as I got changed into my pjs and did my nightly routine. I climbed into bed beside him as he giggled at whatever cartoon was on t.v.

"Mommy, he looks funny." he giggled again, looking over at me. I nodded and again gave him a small smile as I laid there. His smile lessened a little as he looked at me, his eyes scanning my face. He scooted closer to me and tucked his new stuffie that he got that day in my arm, before resting his chin on my chest.

"You ok?" he asked, his voice soft as he looked at me sincerely.

"Yeah, I'm ok." I said, trying to give him a bit of a smile, but quite honestly, I didn't much feel like it at the moment.

"You not happy. Why you not happy, Mommy?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I'm sad, Kookie, but I will be ok." I said, letting out a soft sigh. His forehead wrinkled slightly as he scooted even closer.

"Why you sad, Mommy? " he asked, resting his cheek against my chest, still looking up at me. I really didn't want to tell him, but he did do something wrong, and he did deserve to be punished.

"I'm sad because you didn't listen to me earlier when I was just looking out for your safety. I wasn't trying to ruin fun with your friends, I just worry about you and don't want to see you hurt." I started. He looked down and let out a little sigh, starting to chew on his lip.

"I'm sad because you lied to me and yelled at me, even though I didn't want to have to fuss at you because you have been through so much these past few weeks." I continued, watching his face turn into a bit of a frown.

"And I think I am the saddest about the fact that you said something that really hurt my feelings. I know you probably didn't mean it, but it still didn't feel good to hear you say that you hate me." I said softly. He let out a little gasp before squeezing tightly to me, shaking his head fast. He stifled a sob, scooting up to rest his forehead on mine.

"I not hate you, I love you Mommy." he whimpered.

"I know you do. I just never thought I would hear you say that to me." I responded, running my hand over his head. He kissed me softly, pecking me over and over again, moving all over my face.

"Why are you kissing me so much?" I asked, putting my hands on his cheeks to hold him still and search his face.

"I tryin to kiss it better. I not mean to hurt you." he said with a sad voice.

"I know baby, I know. You are a good boy normally and this has just been a really hard time on you. I will have to still punish you for lying to me and yelling at me, but I know you don't hate me." I said, patting his head. He finally broke down in sobs clinging onto me tightly.

"I sorryyyyyyyy. I never say that again. I love you forever and ever, please be happy!" he cried, still placing wet kisses on my cheeks.

"As long as you still love me, baby boy, then I am happy. Just remember I will always love you." I replied softly. He kissed me softly, rushing in to my lips, placing a quick, wet kiss over my lips before nuzzling into me wrapping his arms around me tightly.

"Mommy need to give me spanks." He mumbled.

"We will talk about that later, baby. Right now, I just want you to rest and cuddle with me." I replied, snuggling as close to him as I could get. He hummed in contentment, still gingerly placing soft kisses on my neck. I started rubbing his back and humming softly to him, making his body relax and his breathing get a little heavier.

"Night night, Mommy. " he almost whispered as he became completely relaxed.

"Goodnight my prince. Sweet dreams. " I replied, quickly losing consciousness as the stress of the day took it's toll.

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