Fragments of fragile heart

Taehyung sat comfortably in the living room, his strong arms securely wrapped around Taegukie, who sat on his lap, sniffling dramatically. The little boy clung to his father as if he had just been through the toughest ordeal of his life. Across from them, Jungkook, Mr. Kim, and Mrs. Kim sat, watching the father and son duo with amused smiles.

"Appa, it's not fair!" Taegukie whined, his small hands fisting Taehyung’s shirt. "The teacher gave us so much homework today! I thought school was supposed to be fun, but it's just writing, writing, writing! My hands are going to fall off!" He lifted his tiny fingers, wiggling them pitifully.

Taehyung bit back a chuckle, trying to maintain a sympathetic expression. "Oh no! My poor baby’s hands are hurting?" he cooed, gently taking Taegukie’s small hands in his own and kissing each of his fingers dramatically. "What kind of cruel teacher makes my baby suffer like this?"

Taegukie sniffled and nodded, leaning dramatically against his father's chest. "Right?! That’s what I’ve been saying! She gave us five pages of writing and two whole math problems! TWO! Do you know how hard math is, Appa? It's like a villain in a superhero movie!"

Jungkook stifled a laugh, while Mrs. Kim whispered to Mr. Kim, "He's so much like Taehyung when he was little."

"I know, right? The dramatics are identical," Mr. Kim whispered back.

Taehyung feigned deep sorrow, hugging Taegukie tighter. "This is unacceptable! How dare she do this to my son? You should just tell your teacher that you're too handsome to be doing homework."

Taegukie gasped. "Appa! That’s brilliant! Do you think she’ll believe me?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes, playfully smacking Taehyung’s arm. "Yah, don’t teach him things like that! He needs to do his homework."

Taehyung pouted. "But look at him, baby. He's suffering! His hands are in pain!"

Taegukie nodded aggressively. "Yes, eomma! My hands feel like they're going to break off! Maybe I need a doctor!"

Mrs. Kim giggled. "Come here, Taegukie, let grandma see."

Taegukie scrambled off Taehyung’s lap and dramatically stretched out his hand to Mrs. Kim, who gently took them in hers. "Oh my, such tiny fingers. But you know what? You just need some extra love."

She kissed both of his hands, making Taegukie giggle. "That actually feels a little better, halmeoni."

Taehyung gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "Wait! So when I kissed your hands, you were still in pain, but when halmeoni kissed them, you magically felt better? My own son is betraying me!"

Taegukie covered his mouth with his small hands, giggling mischievously. "Well, halmeoni’s kisses have grandma magic! Yours are just Appa kisses."

Jungkook burst out laughing, while Taehyung pretended to be offended. "I see how it is. No one loves Appa anymore."

Taegukie immediately climbed back onto his father’s lap, cupping Taehyung’s face with his tiny hands. "I love you the most, Appa! But school is just really hard, and I don’t like it."

Taehyung sighed dramatically, pulling his son back into a hug. "I know, baby. School can be tough, but you're so smart, and I know you can do it. You just have to take it one step at a time. And if you ever get stuck, Appa will always be here to help you."

Taegukie blinked up at him. "Really? Even with the villain math?"

Taehyung nodded, ruffling his son’s hair. "Even with the villain math. But only if you promise to work hard and not give up."