Archive of Our Own

Jin

Getting adopted at the age of sixteen is uncommon. Jin’s a hundred percent sure he’d be in the streets the moment he hit his eighteenth birthday. But, something unexpected happened –a couple adopted him. Along with his makeshift brothers. He understands why they would adopt Jeongguk –he’s still eleven. He understands why they would adopt Taehyung and Jimin –they’re adorable together. He understands why they would adopt Namjoon even if he’s just fourteen –the kid’s a genius. But him, he really wonders.

Yoongi –Dad, he chided his self, placed the math book on top of the dining table. The man’s eye bags spoke of the late night he had. Still, he would help Jin with his math problems. He frowned. “I’m sixteen,” he said. “I can do this on my own.” He can –but it’ll take him hours with errors that’ll make him look stupid.

“I know,” Yoongi sat down beside him. “Doesn’t mean I can’t help.”

The man opened the book and turned to the page of the chapter that Jin is having a hard time on. He thought that Yoongi would just help him with his assignment, but then his Dad started explaining how he should deal with the problem. Even offering some secrets in solving the equations –some type of shortened version of the formula. Jin found it easier to use the shortened one.

He’s honestly wondering why his Dad decided to become a musician when he can easily be a mathematician. He’s also wondering why Dad spends time with him when he can have some sort of theorem debate with Namjoon.

He pressed his lips in a thin line. He swore he wouldn’t get overly emotional about anything, but he feels like he needs an answer. “Why did you adopted me?”

The question clearly startled Yoongi. He went wide eyed for a second. “I’m –we…” Then he bit his lips.

It was probably unfair to spring that up on the man. Between Yoongi and Hoseok, Yoongi have always had difficulty expressing himself without the aid of any music. Even with them as his kids, Yoongi’s still a bit aloof –shy.

“Don’t you want to be our kid?” Yoongi asked in a small voice.

Jin should have really foreseen that. Hoseok had told them that Yoongi has confidence issues, same as Yoongi telling them that Hoseok has cleanliness issues. “No!” He denied quickly. “I love being your kid. You give us rooms of our own, clothes that fit, a house that’s warm and feed us delicious food. Not to mention all of the support you give us. I mean, most parents let their kids deal with their own math problems, but here you are. You obviously got home late from work last night –still, you’re making time to help me. With math…”

Yoongi was quiet for a few seconds. “…Do you need help in other subjects?”

Jin let out a frustrated noise. “What I’m meaning to ask is, why did you bother with adopting a sixteen year old kid who has trouble reading?”

“Oh,” Yoongi murmured. “Well, you’ve been taking care of the others while you were still at the orphanage. No one told you to, but you did. Some of the matrons even told us that you refused to get adopted because you’ll be separated from them.” Yoongi fidgeted, “We don’t want that. Besides, you deserve to be taken care of, too.”

Jin doesn’t really know what to say.

Yoongi cringed. “Yeah, I’m not good with words and stuff –but, you can also talk to Hoseok. He’s better at this parenting stuff.”

Jin cleared his throat. “You’re a good dad –great, even.”

Yoongi gave him one of his rare smiles. “You’re a good, kid.”

Namjoon

Namjoon wouldn’t lie. He never thought he’d ever get adopted. His mind turns most parents off and his stuttering mouth is just a nail on the coffin. He tried not to mind the teasing, with the help of his brothers –he’s starting not to mind the bullying. But there are times when he wishes he didn’t have a speech problem.

Like, now.

“Look, Namjoon…” Jisoo looked apologetic already. “You’re smart –like, really smart. But this is Decathlon…we…” She hesitated –a bit torn. “Still need affluent speakers. I’m sorry –I really am.”

He could only bite the insides of his cheek, nodding at her.

“You should try other teams that doesn’t require…that’s more physical,” she tried to smile at him.

He has two left feet and he’s too thin for any sport –not to mention he’s pretty uncoordinated. There’s a reason why he stick his nose between book pages and not spent afternoons in the playground. “I-It –It’s alri –al –right,” he forced the words out. “T –T –Thank you st –still.”

He didn’t wait for her reply. He turned around and headed for the school parking lot. Hoseok –Pops, he reminded his self, would be waiting for him already.

Usually, it would be their Dad picking them up after classes –but it looks like something came up in the company he’s working at. Hoseok could have easily sent his secretary at the law firm, but their adopted fathers wanted to be involved with them as much as possible. And boy, did his Pops wanted to be involved. Most of the time, he would be glad. At the moment, he’d rather have Dad’s silent encouragement than Pops’ over the top ‘fighting!’ attitude.

“So, how did it go?”

He shook his head from side to side –refusing to answer properly. He’s praying that his brothers hurry up already.  Hoseok’s frown is going to crack him. The man can easily stir emotions inside him.

“Joonie,” Hoseok’s trying to coax him. “Your therapist advised you to talk as often as you can –to hasten the progress of your therapy. Humor me?”

“W –W –What yo –you want m –me to s –s –s-“he let out a frustrated noise. He can’t even finish a sentence. He pulled out his phone, opened his messaging app and started typing profusely. Hoseok stopped him by covering the screen of the phone with his palm.

“We’re talking,” Hoseok said firmly. “I don’t care if you have to yell the words at me, Joonie. We’re talking.”

“Broken!” He yelled, tears gathering at the corner of his eyes, “I –I –I’m –m bro –broke –broken, Too  -oo –ca –clam –clums –sy fo –or phy –phy –phy –ah! Physical! Act –vities. Bu –Bu –But ca –can’t use ma –my br –brain c –cause –e o –of m –m –my m –mmmmmouth.”

“No child of mine is broken,” Hoseok told him in a calm voice.

“Sos –So –Social Phob –Phobia, Ang –er man –age –ment is –is –issue, co –cross d –dressong, s –s –speech imp –imp –air –m –m –ent.” Namjoon listed down his and his brother’s problems. “Ji –Jin’s th’ –m –most norm –al, he –he’s s –s –still g –got Dys –Dys –lex –l –xia. Dyslexia!” He let out another frustrated noise.

“Yoongi has anxiety, I have OCD and we’re both gay.” Hoseok said in a nonchalant manner. “News flash, Joonie, we’re not exactly the poster kids of normal.” The taller man rested both of his hands on Namjoon’s shoulders. “Normal is a social construct. What’s normal in India is not normal in Rome. Not being normal doesn’t equate to being broken –no matter how you look at the word abnormal. We have disadvantages –facets in ourselves that we need to work on. Our normal is working hard –everyday, to improve ourselves. And I’m telling you, that’s the best normal that there is.” Hoseok wiped off the tears from his eyes. “Now, banish the thoughts of inadequacies.”

He nodded and sniffled. “I’m sorry.”

Pops smiled brightly at him.

He realized his didn’t stuttered.

Jimin

There are two emotions Jimin is very familiar with –anger and confusion. He admits that when it comes to him, the two are closely intertwined. When he is confused, he would become angry. When’s he’s angry, he would be confused why –and the cycle continues on.

The school counselor told him and his adopted parents that he has anger management issues. It dawned onto him that it’s not normal to be angry all the time. Okay, maybe not all the time –most of the time, yes. He can clearly remember the moments when he was happy; five of them getting adopted by the same couple. When he was relieved; they didn’t treat him any differently because of his said issues. When he was at peace; his family accepted his flaws and all.

But, that doesn’t mean his Dad and Pops wouldn’t search for ways to help him improve his temper.

They signed him up to be a member of a gym and got him into boxing. The coach thought they were turning him into some kind of boxing protégé –which was kind of stupid; Yoongi has a very gentle soul and Hoseok is all sunshine, butterflies, and rainbow and world peace. So, no. They weren’t thinking of turning him into some kind of boxing protégé. The only reason they enrolled him in boxing lessons is that the counselor suggested it. ‘An outlet’, she said.

‘Bullshit’, is what Jimin thought.

Boxing made him angrier. His coach’s voice is grating. He would only continue hurting people by sparring. Inside his mind, the sport doesn’t make any sense. Why would two people get inside a stupid ring just to beat the ever living crap outta each other?

Then one day, when he was just by his self –trying to shadow box, he heard music coming from one of the dance studios of the gym. He’s familiar with the song because it’s his Dad who composed it. He stood by the door and watched as kids around his age dance to the music his Dad made.

The kids moved fluidly and in sync. Their bodies creating lines that go from rigid to soft. Their faces showed the emotions that the singer of the song carried in his deep baritone voice. When the music ended, the kids’ faces morphed into smiles. And Jimin thought, he kinda wants to smile, too.

“Hey!”

Jimin was startled when one of them called out to him.

“You’re from the boxing team, right?”

He’s still had tape wrapped around his knuckles. He nodded.

The boy smiled at him. “What’d you think about the dance?”

“I –I don’t know much about dance,” he started. “I’m not sure if I’m the one you should be asking.”

“You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy dancing,” the boy said. “As long as you’re enjoying it, then you’re doing it right.” The boy must have noticed something in his face, because he added; “Are you interested in dance?”

There’s one rule his adopted parents told him and that is to never lie. So he said, “Yes.”

Slowly, his interest turned into passion. He traded his boxing gloves for comfortable shoes that he can dance on. Instead of going for the punching bags whenever he was at the gym, he headed straight for the dance studio. He had forgotten about the ‘one-twos’ and drowned his self in the rhythm of the music. He was having so much fun that he had forgotten about one small detail; his coach.

“Your coach called us this morning,” his Pops started.

Jimin’s eyes widen in fear

Hoseok kept his voice light and soft. “He said you haven’t been attending your training sessions for the past two weeks. How could that be? Your Dad drops you off and picks you up after every training sessions.”

Jimin stole a glance at his Dad, Yoongi was playing with the rings in his hands. It’s one of the signs that Yoongi’s anxiety is acting up. His adopted Dad must be thinking it’s his fault though it’s far from it.

Hoseok must have misinterpreted his silence. His Pops starts talking again. “We’re not angry –it’s far from it. We’re concerned, and since we didn’t want to jump into any conclusions –nor try and trail you around the city, we thought it best to talk to you about it.”

Jimin’s eyes snap back to his Pops, understanding their worries. “I don’t leave the gym –I swear!”

“Okay, that’s good.” Hoseok said. “But, we’re going to need a little more detail than that. Like, what have you been doing?”

Jimin shifted on his seat, feeling guilty. His adopted parents had given him everything and more. He knows that because of their job, they would never have to worry about money. But, a boxing coach is still expensive. How ungrateful can he be? He had decided. “I’m sorry, I’ll go back to training.”

“Jimin,” his Dad called out to him. “Do you really want to?”

“Of course! You guys paid for the-“

“Oh, Jimin, sweetie…” Hoseok stopped him. “You don’t have to continue on just because we’ve paid for it. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to continue training. Don’t think about the money, we just want to know what you’ve been up to while you were at the gym.”

His eyes moved from his Pops to his Dad, the later giving him encouraging looks. Jimin swallowed hard before continuing, “There’s this dance crew that practices in the gym.”

“A dance crew?” There was something in his Pops’ voice that he can’t quite name.

“Yeah,” he answered sheepishly. “I’m not officially part of the crew, but they let me dance with them.” Jimin noticed the tears starting to pool at the corners of Hoseok’s eyes. He’s starting to feel panic rise at the pit of his stomach. “I’ll stop if you want me to!” He saw his Pops move quickly and fear got him shutting up. But then he felt long limbs wrapped around him in a tight embrace. He opened his eyes and saw his Pops hugging him, he looked at his Dad.

As his Pops hug him and cry on his shoulder, his Dad spoke up. “Jimin, do whatever makes you happy. We’ll support you no matter what.”

The way his parents were acting got him feeling confused. Thankfully a trip to their aunt Dawon cleared it up. “Your Pops love dancing,” she explained with a sad smile. “But, our father wanted him to be a lawyer so he’s be the one to run the firm in the future. It’s only natural that he’d support you in dancing.”

Taehyung

Dr. Jessi is one of the prettiest girls Taehyung has ever seen. She has a very kind smile and gentle voice –she’s also silly. Like, his Pops!

“Now, Taehyung…” Dr. Jessi called for his attention as he put some colors on the drawing she had him made. “Can you tell me why you like wearing hair pins and girl clothes?”

He nodded then answered, “I like them. They’re pretty.”

She smiled at him. “They sure are,” Taehyung smiled at her and looked down at the pink knee high skirt he was wearing today. On his head, he has a ladybug hair pin. “Do you think you’re a girl?”

He shook his head, “No. I’m a boy, like my brothers –like my Dad and Pops.”

“Do you want to be a girl?”

“No, I like being a boy.”

“But you also like wearing girls’ clothes.”

“Yeah,” he went back to his coloring.

“You know that boys shouldn’t be wearing girls’ clothes, right?” She probe gently.

“I know,” he said. This time a little bit sadder. “I get teased a lot –even in the orphanage. But, I like them –and I’m not hurting anybody. So, why should I stop?”

Dr. Jessi sighed. “You don’t have to –in fact, you shouldn’t have to. But you have to know that not everyone is going to be okay with that, even if you don’t hurt them.”

“I know…But –they don’t really matter to me. Those who do like my dresses and hair pins, too. I don’t think there’s any problem.”

“Me, too, kiddo.”

He had always known that he’s different. He also knows the meaning of the names some kids throw at him. But, he doesn’t really care. Dresses make him feel happy, so does the hair pins. He doesn’t need to pay any attention to anyone else.

Dr. Jessi collected his drawings and called his parents inside the room. His Dad’s nervous while his Pops avoided touching and sitting on anything. They told Dr. Jessi that they have this people problem thing and cleanliness problem thing. Dr. Jessi was very understanding –she didn’t asked annoying questions like other people do. Taehyung decided that he likes Dr. Jessi very much.

“I don’t really see anything wrong with Taehyung,” Dr. Jessi said. “He knows he’s a boy and his wearing of girls’ clothes are just a preference. Right now, I don’t see any underlying problems that could have caused this. I still gave him some tests. I’ll get in touch as soon as I have finalized the results. But, I’m telling you now that I might not find anything.” She smiled kindly at them.

“You said it’s just a preference,” his Dad spoke up. “Do you think he’ll outgrow it?”

“There’s a possibility,” she answered.

His Dad and Pops thank Dr. Jessi, and he did the same. As they walk to the car, he asked his Dad. “Do you want me to stop wearing girl clothes?”

“What? No!” His Dad stopped walking and the way his Dad was acting got his Pops calming him down. “I just worry…I’m worried.”

“About the mean things people say?”

“Yes,” his Dad said.

“Because they say mean things about you and Pops. You don’t want them saying mean things about me, too, right?” He didn’t noticed the shocked expressions on Yoongi and Hoseok’s faces. They never really realize that the kids notices it. They know that Jin and Namjoon does, but not the kids.

“Of course not, baby.” His Pops got on his knees in front of him. “We know how hard it is, to hear mean words from other people just because of what makes us happy. We…We don’t want you to feel pain, but we also want you to be happy.”

“If I’m happy all the time then it would lose its meaning, won’t it?” He asked. “We can’t be happy all the time –same way as Jimin shouldn’t be angry all the time! It’s okay if other people make me sad. I know you’ll always be there to make me happy. Besides, if you and Dad can handle the mean words then I can, too!”

“You’re very brave, Taehyungie…” His Dad said to him.

“And very smart,” his Pops placed a kiss on his forehead.

Jeongguk

The other kids always tease them. At first it was about them being an orphan. They would say mean things to them. Like, their real parents never really wanted them. And they don’t really care, because now they got parents who wants them and cares for them. That’s enough for them.

But then, they started calling his Jin-hyung stupid because he couldn’t read right. And started calling Namjoon-hyung retard because he couldn’t speak right. Jin-hyung and Namjoon-hyung will always tell them to just let it go –to not pay attention. He can tell that Jimin hates it just as much as he does from the number of pencils Jimin has broken. Taehyung’s the one who stops Jimin from hurting the other kids.

He doesn’t get teased as much. He mostly keeps to his self. He knows most kids his age think he’s weird because he’s quiet all the time. He doesn’t really know what to do about it. Dr. Jessi gives him this small tasks that he needs to do every week. Like, participating in class, talk to at least one person and other stuff that gets his heart beating really fast in his chest that it makes it hard to breath. He hasn’t done the second task. He hasn’t talk to anyone yet.

He was waiting for his hyungs by the school fountain. They asked their parents if they can come with Jimin-hyung to his dance practice. Their Pops thought it was a good idea since he doesn’t really go out. Jeongguk noticed a group of kids ganging on someone. He craned his neck to see who it was. His eyes widen when he saw that it was his Taehyungie-hyung.

He felt his heart jump to his throat. He’s afraid of approaching them because there were so many kids –and –and he can’t get too close to too many kids. It –it makes him nervous like his Dad! But, his hyung needs help. He forced his feet to get close to them. He can hear the kids calling his hyung names –mean names that were also directed to his Dad and Pops.

Before he could even announced his presence, Jimin came towards the other kids –running. Jimin didn’t hesitate in punching one of the kids. Jimin didn’t hesitate in punching all of them to their faces.

They all heard a loud whistle that got them turning to the direction of the school’s entrance. The security guard caught all of them and took them to the principal’s office, while the guidance counselor call their parents.

Their Dad arrived with the parents of the three other kids. They were berating his Dad because of Jimin’s anger management issue. Jeongguk found that unfair since Jimin was just protecting Taehyung, but the counselor or principal wouldn’t listen to Jimin or Taehyung because they weren’t right in the head –as others say.

“They should be expelled from this school!” One of the parents said. “They should be going to a special school anyway –what with their head problems.”

“They do not need to go attend Special Ed classes,” his Dad told them. “Their tests says-“

“Clearly they need to take another one!”

The door of the office swung open. Jeongguk ran towards his Pops who immediately carried him. “They’re yelling,” he whispered. “They’re yelling at us.” His Jin-hyung and Namjoon-hyung were there, too. Both looking worried, though Jin-hyung looked angry, too.

“About time you get here,” one of the mothers huffed at Hoseok. “There’s a reason why people like you shouldn’t be parents. You can’t even teach your kids what clothing attire they should wear!”

His Pops didn’t pay attention to the woman, he turned to Jimin and Taehyung. “I won’t ask if you guys are okay, you’re clearly not. Did the school doctor already looked at your injuries?” He used his free hand to check on Taehyung’s bruise cheek. Jimin let him assess his bruised knuckles and bleeding lips. When his Pops turned to the principal he asked; “What happened?”

A mother scoffed. “Well, you deviant son-“

“I’m not talking to you,” his Pops snapped at the woman before turning back to the principal.

The principal cleared his throat before answering. “School teasing that escalated to a backyard fight. The boys over here,” pointing towards the three boys. “Said that it was Jimin who talked them first.”

“They’re liars!” Jimin said.

“Jimin,” his Pops warned and Jimin closed his mouth.

The principal continued. “I’m gonna have to suspend your kids for three weeks.”

“They should be expelled!” A father said. “That type of violence shouldn’t be tolerated in this school.”

“What happened?” His Pops asked Taehyung.

It took a few seconds before Taehyung answered. “We have a Korean Language exam,” Taehyung started. “And I was feeling really nervous –I just wanted a little bit of comfort. So during lunch I –I went to the bathroom and put my hair pin on. I was planning on taking it off after five minutes but then they went in and they saw me. They called me –called me names-“

“What names?” His Pops demanded.

“Hoseok…” Their Dad was trying to calm their Pops down.

“I need to hear the full story Yoongi.”

“They called me fag and gay. They said it was the reason why my real parents left me and why you’re my parents, because we’re the same.” Taehyung’s crying now, and Jeongguk didn’t like it when his hyungie cries. “I took off the pin and went back to class. I thought that that was it –that they would just call me names. But they waited for me after school. I –I tried to run away, I swear!”

“Were they the first ones to hit you?”

“Yes,” Taehyung admitted and the other parents started yelling that they’re liars. Jeongguk couldn’t keep his self from hugging his Pops tighter.

“Cameras!” Namjoon said, “We c –check th’ sc –school cams.”

“Good thinking, Joonie.” Their Pops gave Namjoon a tight smile. “Security footages, pull them up and let’s all see what really happened.”

They all watched the footages and saw how Taehyung tried to run away from them, and how Jimin knocked two out of three boys on their asses. Jeongguk can see his self hesitating in moving on the screen. He felt ashamed of his self.

Still, even with the footage, the other parents were still yelling at them. Jeongguk couldn’t take it anymore, he started crying. His Pops rubbed his back, and tried to tell him that everything’s going to be fine.

“You should stop yelling,” he heard his Dad said. “It’s not helping Jeongguk to calm down.”

“The problem with you sexual deviants is that you don’t know how to raise kids.” One of the fathers told them. “One’s a savage, one’s a faggot, two with disorders and another’s a coward. You should have never become parents.”

“Jeongguk,” his Pops called to him. “I’m gonna have to give you to your Dad, okay? You gotta be brave for me, darling.” He nodded at his Pops neck, he was soon transferred to his Dad who –like him, was sniffling. “I’m going to take a copy of that security footage,” his Pops demanded in his lawyer voice.

“Mr. Jung, there’s no need-“

“There is every need, Mr. Yang. My kid was called names and attacked because of a hair pin, all of you had refused to believe my sons when they were clearly telling the truth, and these parents had caused distress to my other son and insulted my whole family.” His Pops was really scary when he’s mad. “I will take a copy of that security footage, I will see all of them in court, and I will withdraw my kids from this school.”

“You think we don’t have lawyers?” A father huffed a conceited laugh. “We got the best from the Jung Law Firm.”

Jeongguk turned and saw his Pops smile, “It’s settled then.”

“But Pops,” Jeongguk called for his attention. “Isn’t that your firm?” He didn’t noticed how the other parents tensed up at what he said.

“It is, darling. You have nothing to worry about.” His Pops held out a hand to the principal, “Copy of the footage. Now, please.” The principal hurried in giving them a copy in a flash drive. His Pops turned back to the other parents, he gave them a terse nod. “I’ll see you in court.” With that, they all walked out of the principal’s office and to their car.

He sat on his Jin-hyung’s lap even though there’s enough space in the car for all of them. His Jin-hyung would always hold him whenever he’s upset. Their Pops was the one behind the steering wheel. He opened and closed the door four times, checked the mirrors four times, check the door locks four times, the wipers four times and rubbed disinfectant on the steering wheel before taking off his gloves.

They all let him take in deep and calming breaths before speaking. “I’m sorry for wearing the hair pin while at school.” Taehyung hurried in after a minute of silence.

“I’m sorry for bashing their faces in.” Jimin still sounded like the other kids deserve it.

“I’m sorry for not helping right way.” Jeongguk murmured but he knows they all heard him.

“This isn’t the fault of anyone that’s inside this car, but I do appreciate your apologies and accept them.” Their Pops turned towards them. “Taehyung, you shouldn’t have to hide what makes you happy but I know you can understand why you have to hide it –at least for now. Jimin, thank you for defending your brother but we can admit that you used a bit of an excessive force. Jeongguk, I saw what you did when we watched the footage.” Jeongguk’s getting ready to hear the disappointment in his Pops voice. “I’m proud of you. You took a step forward to help your brother even though you were scared, too. I know one day, you’ll be able to defend your brothers. Namjoon, it was quick thinking on your part –thank the heavens for your brains.” That had lessen the tension inside the car. “And Jin, don’t think I didn’t see you glaring at the mothers so they shut up. I am very thankful for that –I would have gone full lawyer on their asses.”

“Bad, Pops…” Taehyung said with his boxy smile.

“I’m sorry, love…”

They all watch as their Dad reach for their Pops hands, a gesture of silent support.

“Just…in the spirit of openness and clarity,” their Pops started. They all know that whatever he would say next it’ll be an awkward topic. Their Pops is silly like that. “Can you guys tell me which gender you’re willing to date?”

“Hoseokie,” their Dad said. “That’s just –Are you sure we should be talking about that now?”

“There’s no perfect time when it comes to talking about gender preferences. Though, let me just say that whichever you prefer, we would support you.”

His Jin-hyung sighed, already used to how their Pops is as a parent. “I’m not in a right spot to date at the moment.”

“I don’t care m –much for g –gender,” his Namjoon-hyung said in contemplation.

“I don’t care much for people,” Jimin said haughtily.

“I just really like dresses and hair pins,” Taehyung said the same way he had said it before.

“I think I’m too young for this discussion,” he said to them. The laugh that came out of their Dad’s mouth got him smiling.

“Okay,” their Pops gave away a decisive nod. “Now, I’m going to tell you about the birds and the bees.”

They all groaned from the back seat.

“It’ll be easy since you’re all here.” Their Pops teased.

They saw from the rearview mirror how their Dad smiled at their Pops. “I can see the merit in that.”