Chapter Text
“Mom c’mon! Today’s the big day, I don’t wanna be late!” Jungkook called from where he was impatiently milling about by the door to the house, a large duffle bag in his hand and an even larger smile on his face. “We’re coming Kookie, we’re not as young as we used to be.” Seokjin said with a chuckle as he and Namjoon made their way down to stairs to meet their son in the foyer. “Speak for yourself.” Namjoon mumbled under his breath playfully, making his husband elbow him lightly in the side.
Today might be the most special day yet in the Kim household, it’s baby Jungkook’s first day of college.
Seokjin has spent countless days and nights trying to come to accept the fact that their youngest is leaving the house, is going off to pursue his dreams and live his own life, just like his other brothers. Seokjin has been subconsciously preparing himself for this day even before Jungkook could walk, a crushing weight that this moment is finally here and his baby is all grown up feeling like a pound of bricks was dropped on his chest.
Seokjin will never forget the day Yoongi went off to college, the first of their sons, to study his passion of criminal justice. The other boys couldn’t hold back tears as Yoongi left for the last time, Seokjin full out bawling the entire day, but Yoongi assured them he would come home every few weeks since his college was only an hour away.
Now, Yoongi is the top detective in the country, using his mind reading abilities to help interrogate criminals and get information in a way that has never been seen before. And Seokjin is extremely proud to say the crime rate in the country has gone down more than fifty percent since Yoongi’s instillation in the force. While none of the boys became full-on “superheroes”, Namjoon always jokes that Yoongi is the closest one to carry on the hero name, as he now goes by the name “GLOSS” since he joined the police, for anonymity. Although if you asked Yoongi, he’d say he uses the name because it makes him feel like a real hero, just like his dad.
Hoseok was next to leave, going off to study sports medicine, specifically for runners. He’s now one of the best track coaches around, and works at the one of the best high schools in the area, using his super speed to help push the kids to work harder and run faster, as well as his almost just as supernatural positivity to lift everyone’s spirits after a hard day training. The kids all agree he’s the best coach anyone could ask for, affectionately calling him “coach hope”.
The twins chose not to go to college just yet, instead moving out together to live in the country a few hours away. They did always joke that the only people they ever needed besides their other family members were each other. But they always make a point to pop (quite literally) into their parents’ house for a visit, their hands clasped together and blinding smiles on their faces when they poof in the living room, albeit almost giving Seokjin a heart attack on multiple occasions.
Seokjin is so immensely proud of all his sons, for everything they’ve done and are yet to do, and now it’s finally Jungkook’s turn to spread his wings and fly away.
“You ready to go, kiddo?” Namjoon said with a smile, the years of countless smiles giving him paper thin laugh lines around his eyes, reaching a hand up to ruffle Jungkook’s hair. Their youngest just nodded his head eagerly in response, his large eyes sparkling like little galaxies. As Seokjin gazed at their son, he was suddenly overcome with so many emotions he couldn’t even begin to name them all. He’ll never forget the day Jungkook was so terrified during his first day of kindergarten he became invisible, causing his teacher to call Seokjin and Namjoon over to coax him out. Now, Jungkook is bright and outgoing, only using his invisibility to play pranks on his brothers and parents. Seokjin’s heart gave a powerful pound as he looked at how happy Jungkook is, how he grew up to be so handsome and special and everything Seokjin knew he would become. Seokjin couldn’t put into words how proud of him he is.
Of course Seokjin and Namjoon were overjoyed for Jungkook since he got into his top school, as they were for the other boys when they left the house for good, but this time it’s different. Jungkook was always their constant, was always there when one of the other boys weren’t, always there with his bunny smiles and wide, curious eyes. When Jungkook leaves now, it’ll be it. No more pattering feet of little boys running around the house, no more light voices from playing kids floating in the air, no more mischievous giggling, no more anything.
Of course he promises to visit, since he’s going to the same college as Yoongi, but the fact that Seokjin and Namjoon are officially empty-nesters is hitting him like a freight train.
“My Kookie, I’ll miss you so much.” Seokjin whispered, a lump suddenly forming a road block in his throat as he reached to engulf his son in a powerful hug. The years have aged Seokjin beautifully, the fine lines of his face now making him as striking as ever as his eyes glazed over in his intense emotion. Namjoon put a comforting hand on Seokjin’s shoulder as light sobs started racking his broad shoulders, Jungkook’s eyes now glossing over at his mom’s suddenly flood of emotion. “M-mom, don’t cry, I’ll visit every week! Just like Yoongi!” Jungkook reassured hopefully, trying to keep his voice steady as he rapidly blinked away the line of tears in his eyes. At the mention of his other son Seokjin’s sobs grew in intensity, his grip on Jungkook’s shoulders tightening to the point where he was afraid it would leave bruises. Seokjin didn’t even know why he was so emotional; maybe because he was so proud of Jungkook, maybe because he was so distraught about not having any kids around, maybe because he doesn’t know why all the years up until this moment went so fast. But he does know one thing, he has to pull it together, for Jungkook’s sake.
Taking a final shaky breath, Seokjin pulled away from his son’s shoulder, slightly embarrassed at the wet patches left on his white t-shirt, nodding his head at Jungkook’s words and desperately trying to get his composure. “Of course I know that, I’m just,” Seokjin said softly, voice trembling, “I’ll miss you so much.” He said as his voice gave a powerful quake, jumping back to wrap his son in other bone crushing hug.
“Jin, it’ll be fine, we should let him go now.” Namjoon softly whispered in Seokjin’s ear, putting his free hand on Jungkook’s shoulder, rubbing comforting circles on his husband’s back with the other. Seokjin didn’t wanna let go, he wanted to keep Jungkook around the house forever, but a nagging voice in the back of his head told him “you let the other boys go, so you can let him go too.” So he reluctantly let go of his son’s broad shoulders, coming to look into his damp eyes, a smile blooming on his lips as he looked into his mom’s tear filled eyes.
“I guess this is goodbye? For a little while?” Jungkook said with a small sigh, like it was the final period of a drawn out sentence. “I’ll miss you kiddo, but I know you’ll do amazing things, just like your brothers. We’re so proud of you.” Namjoon said with a wide, dazzling smile coming to his lips, now taking his turn to wrap his arms around Jungkook’s frame. “D-dad, super strength, breaking my ribs.” Jungkook wheezed out in Namjoon’s hold, his hands clutching his dad’s shirt turning white knuckle from the sudden assault. “O-oops, sorry Kookie, guess I forget I still got it even though I’m an old geezer now.” Namjoon said with a playful chuckle, a similar laugh melodically flowing from Jungkook’s lips at the comment.
“Kook, just go now, before I start sobbing again and permanently bar all the doors.” Seokjin said quickly, looking off distractedly and blinking rapidly to ward off another round of tears. “Alright mom,” Jungkook said with a good natured laugh, opening the door and picking his duffle bag back off the floor. “I’ll see you guys soon ok? Maybe all of us can go out somewhere, I’ll call Yoongi and Hoseok and see how busy they are.” Jungkook said with a blinding smile, the very same bunny smile Seokjin saw grow up on his face from a timid little boy to a strong young man making a painful pound rack his heart. “That sounds great, good luck Kookie, we love you.” Namjoon said lovingly as he gave his son one final once over, before Jungkook opened the door of the house and made his way to his car, his parents watching wistfully from the doorway.
And then just like that, with Jungkook giving a final wave from the open window of his car, he was gone. Seokjin heaved a forlorn sigh, Namjoon then wrapping him in a comforting back hug and leaning his chin on his husband’s shoulder comfortingly. “He’s gone Namjoon, they’re all gone.” Seokjin said softly, sniffling lightly as looked through the glass of the door at the empty spot Jungkook’s car was moments before.
“Yeah, but it’s only temporary Jin, you know that,” Namjoon whispered in his husbands ear, tightening his hold around Seokjin’s waist. “He’s not gone forever, he’s gonna go and find his passion and have fun living his own life like we did, like the other boys did.” He continued, voice soft but each word carrying a powerful undertone that eased the pain in Seokjin’s heart. Turning around in Namjoon’s hold, Seokjin spun so he was now facing his husband, looking into his warm eyes. “Yeah Joonie, you’re right, thank you.” He said with a small smile, reaching up to place a kiss on Namjoon’s cheek.
“So, now what?” Seokjin asked, voice slightly less melancholy, once the two parted and both men were now staring blankly at the empty living room that seems like a cold, lunar landscape, devoid of all life. “Well, what did we do before we had kids?” Namjoon asked with a shrug, running a hand through his hair. “Namjoon,” Seokjin said, that tone of sassiness Seokjin reserves only for his husband coming out in full force as he turned to the other man, raising an eyebrow at his suggestion. “We’re old enough that all our kids left the house already, do you really think we can do what we did before we had kids?” Seokjin asked skeptically, a smile still blooming on his pink lips as he fondly looked at his husband none the less. “Ok then, why don’t you come up with an idea then.” Namjoon said with mock-haughtiness, crossing his arms over his chest and raising his nose at his husband.
Seokjin thought quietly for a few seconds, before his expression exploded into one of such extreme happiness, Namjoon doesn’t understand how he was so distraught over Jungkook leaving only a few minutes ago. “Wanna adopt more kids?” Seokjin asked with a huge smile, his eyes sparkling like Jungkook’s before, sparkling with hope, with love. Namjoon just rolled his eyes at his husband, a smile now coming to his lips at the look of Seokjin so instantly enamored with the thought of more kids. “You literally just said we’re too old to do what we did before we had kids, so I highly doubt having more kids is the answer to our problem.” Namjoon said with a good natured shake of his head, Seokjin pouting at Namjoon’s words, jutting his lip out like a he was a child himself.
“Guess you’re right,” Seokjin said sadly, before instantly brightening at what Namjoon can only assume is another idea. “Wanna get a dog?” Seokjin asked without missing a beat, raising his eyebrows in question. Namjoon thought for a few seconds, eyebrows scrunched together, before saying “Now that is a better idea, let’s go to the shelter tomorrow.” Seokjin couldn’t help jumping slightly at the suggestion, squealing in joy at Namjoon compliance.
“Anyways, I guess I’m gonna go wallow in memories and look at some baby pictures of the boys, if you need me I’ll be crying.” Seokjin said after a few seconds of comfortable silence, with yet another wistful sigh, trudging over to the bookshelf in the living room to pull out one of their many photo albums of their kids. “Don’t worry babe, I’m coming too.” Namjoon said with a loving smile as he plopped down on the floor next to Seokjin, reminiscing at the pictures of their sons.
Seokjin’s sons may be out of the house, but they’re off doing incredible things, and he knows they aren’t gone for good, that they’ll come back. Plus he knows he has Namjoon everyday no matter what, acting as a lighthouse in the stormy sea that is Seokjin’s mind. And with that thought, Seokjin’s melancholy frown slowly turned to a smile, a hopeful warmth blanketing his heart and all the heaviness previously weighing it down melting off like the clouds were dissipating over a choppy ocean, the rough waves smoothing out into a calm pool.