Park Chaeyoung had barely gotten any sleep.

Usually, her son Dongsun would come into her room late at night after having a bad dream but instead, it is her that walks to his room at 3AM in the morning, slipping under the sheets behind him and hugging him close.

She'd never admit it out loud, but she's scared of losing him.

Not to say that she believes that Jeon Jungkook would be a bad father, but more so—it had only ever been her and him for so long, a part of her fears about what it's like to have her son taken away.

What if Dongsun loved him more than her?

"Mommy, are you okay?"

Park Chaeyoung can't help but have tears in her eyes as she cuddles him closer to her, whispering, "... mommy is fine, she's just tired."

Clearly, she was not. Dongsun obviously picked up on it too, giving her a kiss on the nose.

"I love you mommy, don't be sad," he tells her gently, "... I'll always look after you, remember? We pinky promised."

"Your right, I'm sorry. Mommy is being silly," she responds.

"It's okay to cry, mommy always says that even warriors need to cry sometimes right?" He recites, probably thinking about the times where his mother ran to his aid after a fall or fight, "... don't be sad, tomorrow mommy's friend is coming to play with us, right?"

Park Chaeyoung sighs.

"Okay, that's enough. Let's sleep, we have a busy day ahead tomorrow."

Even so, Park Chaeyoung can't help but wonder if she's making a mistake, letting him into her life after all these years.

-

Jeon Jungkook stands in front of the door at the address that was given to him. He actually had to double check the address three times, wondering whether it was really the correct one.

When they were teenagers and in love, they used to always imagine settling down in the heart of Seoul and she'd always wanted to stay in somewhere more modern—a penthouse or condominium. But there he was in a small residential town, looking at a three floor house by the water. It was breathtaking and modern, don't get him wrong, but it was also quiet and somewhat secluded.

A minute passes and there's no answer, and he takes out his phone and is just about to dial for her number to see if he'd gotten the correct address when the door opens, revealing her in a messy and low bun, a white shirt and blue skinny jeans and an apron around her waist.

"Hi," her voice is breathy, making him aware that she probably had been running to answer the door, "... sorry I was in the back preparing the grill."

There's a look of confusion on her face as she slowly looks at him from head to toe.

He feels insecure.

Was he underdressed or something? Did he have something on his face?

"What's all this?" She points to the various gift bags he was holding—a small bouquet of flowers, a bottle of her favourite wine (from what he learned from Alice) and a few toys for Dongsun (a lego set and action figure toys).

"I brought a few things for you and Dongsun," he informs her holding out the bag to her, "... sorry it's not much I didn't have much time to prepare..."

Was he meant to bring more?

"Oh, I see," she tells him, "... I don't really like for Dongsun to have a lot of toys, I'd prefer if he spent his time studying, or playing outside and socialising rather than behind a screen or having a new toy every day for entertainment—but I guess it's fine for today, he'll really like it. He's been asking for lego for a while."

Ah, she was a strict mother.

Somehow, Jeon Jungkook almost couldn't believe it, imagining someone as sweet as her being stern and uncompromising.

"I'm sorry, I will be more mindful next time," he tells her, "... but I guess it's just something small, since I've probably missed out on all his other milestones."

She nods, slowly taking the things from him, "... are you hungry? I was just going to get the grill ready with burgers, on Saturdays we like to have burger and chips by the pool."

"Let me help you with the grill," he acknowledges, following her as she leads him inside.

She quickly puts the flowers in a vase, as Dongsun emerges from one of the rooms, wearing his rash shirt and swim shorts.

"Mommy, is this uncle Jungkook?" He rushes over and hugs her leg, noticing her putting the flowers away, "... did you get flowers?"

Jeon Jungkook can't help but feel a smile adorning across his lips as she bends down and picks him up, sitting him on the kitchen counter so that he can get a better view of the flowers.

"Yes, aren't they beautiful? Uncle Jungkook got them for you," she informs him.

"And they're red—mommy, aren't red roses your favourite?"

She nods, "... uncle Jungkook bought you a new toy, why don't you greet him too?"

He feels his heart beating as the young boy turns to him, waving at him.

"Hi uncle Jungkook, are you mommy's friend? Mommy said you're her special friend and want to go swimming with us today," he speaks matter-of-factly.

He nods as he holds out the bag of toys he'd gotten and gave them to him, "... I wanted to get you some toys for us to play with."

The young boy gasps in excitement clapping as he turns to his mother, "... please mommy?"

She nods, "... of course, but as always lets open and play with them after we have lunch. Why don't you show Uncle Jungkook to the backyard? He hasn't seen our pool yet."

Park Chaeyoung begins to carry him down, watching as he effortlessly holds onto his hand, tugging at him.

He follows, hearing Park Chaeyoung follow behind them as Dongsun starts explaining every single detail­—such as how his mother designed the deck herself, how they like to have lunch outside when it's not raining and how she bought the house when he was still in her tummy because it had a big and spacious pool.

From afar, he can see Park Chaeyoung watching them as she grills the burger patties.

"Uncle Jungkook, did you know my mommy is a very famous singer? She's the most beautiful singer in Korea!" He reports excitedly, "... at my birthday party she held a mini concert for me and my friends right here!"

Jeon Jungkook smiles, "... really? Yes, your mother is indeed a beautiful singer, and the best one ever. Are you proud of her?"

Dongsun nods, "... I love mommy so much she's the best mom ever."

From afar, he can see Park Chaeyoung watching them as she grills the burger patties.

As much as he hates to admit it, he really wishes that he knew things earlier rather than later.

-

Jeon Jungkook walks around the living room as she goes to Dongsun's bedroom to put him down for a nap, looking at the various photos around the room. Some were of her and the other girls, and there were a few family portraits too but for the most part, it was pictures of Dongsun and her.

"He looks exactly like you, don't you think?"

Her voice makes him jump, and somehow he feels shy at the fact that she caught him looking at the pictures. Somehow, he felt as though he were intruding.

"He has your nose," he speaks out loud, "... and your intelligence. I haven't heard a four year old speak so fluently and energetically."

She chuckles, shaking her head, "... well he's completely knocked out but I'm not surprised since you guys were swimming for at least two hours. He had a really good time, thank you for coming today."

Jeon Jungkook turns to face her, seeing her hair still slightly damp (probably from taking a shower post-swim) with a smile on her face. There was no hostility between them and he's genuinely glad.

"No, thank you—for giving me a chance. I know I still need to earn your trust, but I'd like to be involved any way possible," he informs her, "... please give me the opportunity, Chaeyoung."

Park Chaeyoung doesn't answer him, she simply smiles and points to one of the photos, "... when he was around two, he looked exactly like some baby photos I'd seen of you."

Jeon Jungkook turns his attention, seeing the resemblance, "... I guess the genetics are strong."

She laughs, "... I suppose you're right. Do you have activities after this?"

He looks to his watch.

Actually, he'd promised to have dinner and drinks with the other boys since it had been a while since they'd all had a weekend off. He had cancelled it time and time again due to conflicting schedules and promised he'd come.

"If not, maybe you can stay for a bit," she continues, "... I don't drink as much as I used to, so if I don't share the wine you bought, it'll probably sit in my fridge for the rest of the year. Maybe we can catch ourselves up about the last five years."

"I'd like that a lot."