Broken |Vminkook|

Chapter 9

Later, near midnight, the celebration wound down. Streamers clung to walls, gift wrappers lay scattered, and half-eaten cake remained on plates. Jimin had dozed off on Taehyung's shoulder, clutching a soft bear plush tightly to his chest—the gift Taehyung had given him just an hour earlier.

"I'll name him Mr. Bear," Jimin had whispered before drifting off, his tiny fingers curled around the toy's arm. He looked peaceful, his cheek resting against Taehyung's arm.

Mr. and Mrs. Kim exchanged a look of pure love as they stood watching their sons—two sleeping babies, as they'd always call them. Jimin was small enough to carry, so Mr. Kim gently lifted him in his arms while Mrs. Kim collected their belongings. But Taehyung, now 19, was too big to carry, and so, they gently shook his shoulder, whispering:

"Tae, sweetheart, wake up... Let's go home."

But what they didn't notice... was that Jimin had accidentally dropped his newly gifted stuffed toy—Mr. Bear—on the office couch before they left.

The ride back home was quiet and calm. The city lights blinked lazily through the car window as Mr. Kim drove, Mrs. Kim humming softly to herself while gently brushing Jimin's hair from his forehead. Taehyung leaned against the window, still half-asleep, headphones in his ears, not fully awake but alert enough to sense the peace around him.

Once home, Mr. Kim carried Jimin to his room. Mrs. Kim helped change the little boy out of his party clothes into a soft pajama set. As they were laying him down on the bed, Jimin's eyes fluttered open.

"Taetae hyungie...?" he mumbled groggily, still half-dreaming.

"Shhh, he's here, sweetheart," Mrs. Kim whispered gently, brushing his forehead.

But Jimin sat up suddenly, rubbing his eyes. He looked around, confused. "Where's Mr. Bear?" he asked in a small voice, his eyes scanning the bed.

Taehyung, now wide awake, stepped in through the doorway, having changed into his own clothes. He heard the words and paused.

Jimin's lower lip began to tremble as he sat up straighter, his tiny hands tugging at the blanket. "Taetae hyungie... I-I'm sorry. I think I lost Mr. Bear," he whispered, voice breaking as tears welled in his eyes.

"Hey, hey... it's okay," Taehyung knelt beside the bed, holding Jimin's shoulders gently. "We'll find him, okay? Don't cry, Minnie."

But Jimin had already started sniffling, wiping his tears with the back of his sleeve. "You gave it to me... and I lost it... I'm sorry, Taetae... I didn't mean to..."

"Shhh," Taehyung whispered, pulling the little boy into his arms. "Don't say sorry, it's just a toy. We'll find him."

Mr. Kim peeked in through the doorway, having heard the commotion. "Maybe it fell in the car? Or maybe you left it at the office," he offered gently.

"We'll get it tomorrow morning, Jiminie," Mrs. Kim added softly. "It's very late now."

But Jimin shook his head violently, now sobbing. "No! I want Mr. Bear now!" he cried, clinging tighter to Taehyung. "He'll be scared alone there..."

The room fell silent for a moment. Mr. Kim exchanged a glance with Mrs. Kim. With a tired sigh, he nodded.

"Alright... let's go get Mr. Bear," he said.

"I'll come with you," Taehyung started, but Mrs. Kim gently stopped him.

"No, baby. Stay here with your brother. He needs you more. We'll be back soon," she said with a tired smile, brushing Taehyung's hair.

They tucked Jimin into Taehyung's arms, the boy still hiccuping softly, tear-stained cheeks pressed against his hyung's chest.

Mr. and Mrs. Kim took their coats and quietly left the house. Jimin's eyes followed them from the window, his small hand waving sleepily. Taehyung sat behind him, arms wrapped protectively around his little brother.