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“Are you sure about this?”
Jungkook grins, nodding. Nayeon is sprinting around the living room in circles, shouting I get to go trick and treating with uncle Koo!!! Even though he’s tried to correct her on the trick or treating thing, he still can’t help but fondly watch his niece look so ecstatic.
“Yeah. I already told you last week when I mentioned it and asked.” His brother still looks a bit skeptical, so Jungkook isn’t above pulling out the big guns. And by big guns, he means low blow tactics. “Plus, my neighbourhood has all the bigger, cooler houses that will give out the best candy, isn’t that right Yeonie?”
Nayeon, at hearing her name and candy in one sentence, screams at a pitch that’s probably on par with a banshee, before high tailing it back over to where they’re standing near the front door. “Yes! Yesyesyesyes. Daddy! Daddy! I sawed a house that was full of zombees. It was so cool!”
Jungkook smiles. “See? We got candy and zombees.”
His brother looks seconds away from hysterical laughter, but either way he nods and heads back into the house to gather whatever supplies Jungkook may need for the night. Nayeon goes back to running in circles, her dress fluttering behind her like some princess from a story book. Except, she’s not a princess, but a pirate queen, considering the foam sword attached to her belt and the fancy hat with the feather.
“Okay.” His brother appears again, a small backpack in one hand and an even smaller pumpkin pail for candy in the other. “Since it’s not a school night there’s no real reason for you to have her back by a certain time. But her bedtime is at 9:30 so she might get a little sluggish around then.”
Jungkook shrugs. The backpack strap is tight over his shoulder but light and easy to ignore. “That’s fine. I’ll drive back around 10ish? We’re just gonna trick or treat for a while and then maybe go see if the middle school nearby has anything going on for the night.”
He had it all planned out. His street wasn’t large, but the houses were nice and he knew most of his neighbours (some more than others, ahem) and had seen a few posters up for possible events happening at the school. It would’ve been weird if he went alone to something like that though, and figured his brother and his wife could use a nicer, slightly quieter night with their newborn.
Plus he really wanted an excuse to talk to Yoongi. Two birds with one stone and all that.
With one final check (mostly just his brother double and triple checking that Nayeon’s booster seat was secured correctly in Jungkook’s car, then double checking to make sure Nayeon was buckled in correctly) Jungkook was pulling away from the small house. The drive to his place was filled with Halloween music and Nayeon’s excited chatter, her foam sword swinging this way and that. They stop for secret McDonald’s, and Jungkook has Nayeon pinky swear not to tell her parents that he didn’t cook a real meal for her like he said he would.
Once at his house though, Nayeon is at an eleven and almost rips her dress in a haste to get going as soon as possible c’mon uncle Koo! There is candy waiting! So he pockets his keys, double checks his phone and the bag on his shoulder, then takes Nayeon’s hand and leads her down the driveway to the sidewalk.
Evening is setting in, the sun casting dark shadows over all the trees and houses. The street lights are just turning on as they begin their journey. The first house has Jungkook’s neighbour Seokjin sitting on the porch with a huge bowl piled high with normal sized chocolate bars.
“Hello!” Nayeon greets when they get to the steps, waving her empty pail around. “Are you here to give me candy?”
Jungkook snorts. “Yeonie, you know the rules. Manners.”
Nayeon pouts.
Seokjin smiles, shaking his head fondly. “Now now Kook, that is by no way how you talk to royalty. Isn’t that right, Miss Pirate Princess?”
Nayeon lights up. “Queen! I’m a Queen!”
Seokjin gasps, one hand on his chest in mock horror. “Apologies my dearest, I was unaware. Please forgive my misunderstanding, your highness.” His voice is raised and pitchy, a clear mocking undertone to it, but Nayeon is eating it up and enjoying the attention, if the fiendish grin on her face is anything to go by.
Jungkook bites his lip to avoid laughing at the two of them. He knew Seokjin would get along with Nayeon without a hitch, but even he didn’t expect this level of friendship so quickly. “Nayeon, manners. Your dad won’t let you come stay with me anymore if I take you back and you’re being bratty.”
“Okay.” Nayeon kicks the toes of her boots into the ground. “‘M sorry Mr Pumpkin sir.”
Jungkook sighs. Technically Seokjin has makeup on his face that resembles a pumpkin. So his niece isn’t wrong, but still. “His name is Seokjin, Yeonie.”
Seokjin clicks his tongue, waving a hand. “That’s far too formal for a Queen to be calling a mere peasant pumpkin, isn’t that right sweetheart?”
“Yeah!”
“Exactly. Please just call me Jin. Jin the Pumpkin!” Seokjin tips his head to the side and closes his eyes, and Jungkook has to give it to him, that makeup is quite detailed. He really does look like a pumpkin. It’s almost eerie.
“Hello Jin!” Nayeon beams. She seems to remember why they’re out tonight and thrusts her little pumpkin pail at Seokjin with bright eyes and a loud call of, “Trick and treat Mr Jin the Pumpkin!”
Jungkook sighs. Seokjin simply grins wider and reaches for the forgotten bowl of candy.
“Why yes! What would you like, your highness? Pick any two!”
“Seokjin. ”
Seokjin waves him off, still smiling down at Nayeon, who looks absolutely floored at the idea that she gets not just one, but two large chocolate bars. Thank god he was taking her home later, because he did not want to deal with that type of sugar rush.
After Nayeon had picked her candy (and giggled as Seokjin acted out a formal salutation that even involved getting down on one knee, one hand over his heart) they wave goodbye and then they were back down on the sidewalk and heading to the next house.
Jungkook had gone around last week and mapped out which houses had decorations up so he knew a route to take Nayeon on that would keep her hyperactive mind interested and excited.
He may have also mapped the route so they end up at Yoongi’s place last, so they had an excuse to stay (if) Yoongi offered.
(He was hoping Yoongi would offer, but his boyfriend can be a little oblivious to Jungkook’s patented looks. )
They continued down the road, going to all the houses that had decorations and their lights on. Nayeon was charming every single person, all cooing over her cute costume or pretty dress or cool sword. Though Jungkook attempted to correct her a few more times, it garnered quite a few chuckles when his niece would shout “Trick and treat!” at every door.
Eventually they make it to the school, and Jungkook is both pleasantly surprised and a little in awe at the sight of a full fledged corn maze set up in the parking lot. It’s not large by any means, and he can see the cardboard between the stalks to make it look more full and impossible to see through, but it’s really well done. There are children running around, giggling and squealing and trying not to trip over their own feet. Nayeon looks on excitedly, but with a tiny bit of trepidation that he knows is because she’s a stranger to these kids.
“Hey.” Kneeling on one knee, Jungkook reaches out to fix Nayeon’s hat. “What’s on your mind?”
Nayeon chews on her lip, glancing over to a group of girls, all dressed like disney princesses. “What if they don’t like me?”
“What makes you think they won’t like you?”
Nayeon doesn’t respond right away. Instead, Jungkook watches as she fiddles with her foam sword, ruffles her skirt, reaches up and messes with her bangs. The entire time she’s watching the group of girls laugh and joke around, their giggles filling the air with joyous enjoyment.
“Daddy says I can be, um… too bear?” Nayeon pouts, clearly upset that she forgot the word.
Jungkook chuckles, shaking his head. “Y’know, your dad used to say the same thing about me.”
“Really?”
He nods, tucking a few strands of hair behind Nayone’s ear. “Really. I used to be so annoying to him, would bother him—and really, anybody, lets be real—and wouldn’t stop till he yelled at me to go away.”
“But you and dad are brothers!” Nayeon has wide eyes.
Jungkook snorts. “Yes, we are. But that doesn’t mean we don’t usually bother one another.” He grins, poking her in the chest, right over her heart. “But I’ll let you in on a secret. Just because he says that, doesn't mean he loves you any less.”
Nayeon still looks skeptical though, so Jungkook pulls out the big guns. “Lemme tell you something funny, okay Yeonie?” He waits till she nods before beginning. “When I was just moving here, I didn’t know anyone here. I was nervous, and scared and probably feeling exactly like you do right now, right?” Nayeon nods, fingers tangled with his own as she listens closely. “I know it’s not quite the same, considering you’re just here for tonight, but I’ll let you know something.” He gets a little closer, whispering slightly. “The people here are very welcoming. They adore meeting new people, and there’s nothing you can ever do that will make them dislike you. Okay?”
Nayeon chews on her lip. “Are you sure Uncle Koo?”
“I am so sure! So insanely sure!” Glancing around, Jungkook notices there’s a short line for the corn maze now, and low and behold, the group of girls are at the very end. “Hey look.” Nayeon turns so quickly she almost tips over, but her gasp is quiet. “Why don’t you go introduce yourself and ask if you can join them in the maze?”
It seems to have done the trick, because within seconds Nayeon is off. Jungkook stands to the side, watching as she is quickly and effectively welcomed into the group. The girls are loud with squeals and shouts as they make their way through the maze, hands held together in a line and giggles echoing from within the stalks.
Jungkook takes a video on his phone, sending it to his brother, Seokjin, and even Yoongi. Though he knows Yoongi is probably really busy with all the kids trick or treating tonight, so he suspects his boyfriend won’t get to see it right away.
“She’s a real cutie.” Mrs. Campbell says, startling Jungkook slightly.
Whipping around, he smiles and nods. “Yeah! She is! I really wanted her to have a good time tonight, so when I heard about the school doing activities I figured, why not? Y’know?”
Mrs. Campbell nods, smiling at the girls as they wave over at their teacher. “It was a good idea. I’m sure Chloe and the others are enjoying her company.”
Even though Jungkook doesn’t work at the school, he’s become a bit of a common visitor because he a menudo walks with Yoongi and Channie, sometimes even picking up the 7 year old little boy when Yoongi is busy with his writing sprees.
“Well, it was good to see you this evening, Jungkook! I was surprised that Chan and Mr. Min didn’t show up though.”
Jungkook chuckles, rubbing the back of his head, cheeks heating slightly. “Yeah. Yoongi really wanted to have an all out sorta night. So he and Channie had set up the house to be all decked out and they both dressed up for the night. They should be going for a while now, so if any of the kids are still a little hyper after this place shuts down for the night feel free to send them over there.” He offers a little placating but mostly to get more attention to Yoongi’s hard work.
Mrs. Campbell appears happy with that tidbit of knowledge, easily agreeing and heading off to do whatever she was doing before coming up to him. Jungkook breathes a sigh of relief and waits patiently for Nayeon to be done with her little excursion through the maze, the little pumpkin pail plastic handle digging into his fingers slightly.
“Uncle Koo!” Nayeon’s voice grabs his attention easily. “Did you see me? I got through the whole maze! Without getting lost!”
“Wow!” He gasps, one hand over his chest. “That’s impressive! Did you have fun?”
Nayeon is nodding so fast Jungkook is a little concerned for her neck, but the smile on her face is blinding and her pirate hat is a little lopsided, a clear, earnest picture of unfiltered joy. Jungkook’s heart warms at the sight.
“I did! Chloe and Erin and Tisha and Mariana were all so nice and friendly! It was like you said Uncle Koo! They liked me right away!” Nayeon talks a mile a minute as they begin to head back out of the parking lot, going in the direction of Yoongi’s house.
“I’m so glad they were nice! I told you that you had nothing to worry about, didn’t i?” He holds out his hand for Nayeon to grab as they walk down the sidewalk. There are children still running around and shouting, all heading in the same general direction and Jungkook feels pride at the attention Yoongi’s hard work will get soon. “So are you ready? There’s a surprise I have to show you!”
Nayeon is effectively intrigued, eyes wide as they make their way down the road. They stop at a few more houses, her little pumpkin pail filling up steadily. Jungkook pretends to ignore it as she sneaks a few pieces (he’s double checked what was in her pail beforehand and made sure everything was safe).
"Uncle Koo!! Look! Look! This house has a ghostie!" Nayeon screeches, arm flailing in the general direction of the house she's just spotted.
Jungkook can't help but smile at her, chest filling with warmth at her excitement. "It does! Shall we go say hello?"
Nayeon, in all her 8 year old excitable glory, nods emphatically and all but sprints up the walkway to the house.
The house in question is, in all honesty, quite a sight. There are silky fake cobwebs clinging to the gutters and window panes in artful designs. A couple foam tombstones are placed haphazardly in a line, a makeshift graveyard near a large maple tree that's (also) covered in more willowy cobwebs. The graveyard is fenced in, probably for good measure considering the sheer amount of children running amuck within the vicinity.
Nayeon is squealing over by the ghost, which, as Jungkook steps closer, is simply just an old sheet and some empty plastic jugs tied to a tree branch. But it moves with the wind and has little LEDs that flash near the head that has all the children in an excited jumble.
Overall the house is immaculate and Jungkook feels himself grin. Leave it to Yoongi to go all out. "Should we see if anyone's home?"
Nayeon, who has been chatting away with what looks like a fairy (or maybe a princess? Maybe a fairy princess? He can't tell honestly) swings her attention back to him and nods. "Yes! Candy! Let's go letsgoletsgoletsgo —"
Jungkook snorts, but holds out his hand for Nayeon to grasp and they make their way up to the decorated door.
Just like with the front yard, the house is decorated impeccably. The front door looks like it’s something straight out of a Tim Burton movie, painted black and white striped like Beetlejuice. Miscellaneous trinkets hang from the porch ceiling, little cutout bats and origami box flowers with false candles lighting them from the inside. There’s a shadow figure cardboard cutout against the windows, one that looks like a cowboy and another that looks like Predator.
Jungkook is thoroughly impressed, and a little turned on, by Yoongi’s devotion to how much he decorated.
Nayeon is talking a mile a minute about any tiny detail she’s noticed. She’s so excited she’s almost vibrating. “Look! Is that a dinosaur?!”
“Where?” He spins around on his heel, double checking whatever he might’ve missed. Instead, what he finds is a very small velociraptor making very dinosaur-like noises from the other side of the wrap-around porch. “Oh my gosh.”
Chan is dressed up so well it’s almost terrifyingly accurate, even has the feathers and more beak like mouth. He’s growling and cawing and otherwise acting like that of a dinosaur to the best of his ability and Jungkook is in love. This may not be his son, but holy shit does he love this little boy like he was.
“Now, be careful you guys!” A familiar voice calls from behind where Chan is, and Jungkook feels his heart pick up the pace at hearing it. Even though he’s been dating Yoongi for over a year now, he still gets so nervous and excited when he sees him. “This is a dangerous creature from prehistoric times! One that’s known for being in a pack of vicious, carnivores that hunt together! Everyone, meet my baby Blue!”
Jungkook laughs. Leave it to Yoongi to come up with a father/son costume combo that’s fun and cute and involves a lot of creativity.
His laugh catches Yoongi’s attention, who winks when they catch eyes and keeps going on with his speech about how dangerous dinosaurs are and how he managed to tame one. The kids around are all enraptured, Nayeon included, and Chan is having the time of his life acting like a raptor.
Stepping back so he can see the entire scene, he quickly pulls out his phone and starts taking a video of the whole thing. Yoongi goes on for a little longer, talking about how he found Blue when he was just a baby, how he took him in and now he’s basically his son. At that Channie seems to take offense and stops making raptor sounds to pout up at his dad.
“Appa! I am your son!”
Yoongi chuckles, rubbing over Chan’s costume beak fondly. “Of course you are. Blue, however? You may become friends with a beast, but you can never tame one, nor fully be on the same level. Y’know?”
Channie pouts, his eyes just barely visible through the mask. “I guess so.”
Jungkook can’t help but want to squeal at the sight. He loves those two so much. His boys. Shit, he wants to marry Yoongi. The thought is like a punch to the solar plexus, and Jungkook feels his heart begin to stutter and race. He wants to marry Yoongi. He wants to be a parent for Channie. Definitely not a replacement for the one he lost, but an additional one that’s there for him. He wants to watch Chan grow. Wants to see Yoongi’s newest book and hear about his future serieses.
He wants it all.
“Uncle Koo? Why’re you crying?” Nayeon startles him suddenly, and Jungkook almost jumps out of his skin.
“Holy sh—sheesh.” He quickly wipes his face, trying to smile down at his niece. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something.” Clearing his throat, Jungkook catches Yoongi’s questioning gaze and shakes his head, blowing a kiss and smiling when Yoongi’s cheek turn pink. “C’mon, let's go meet Blue and his dad. You ready?”
Nayeon squeals, rushing over to where Yoongi and Chan are standing and talking to a few more people. Yoongi is steadily handing out candy, a large bowl that Jungkook hadn’t spotted before sitting on the porch railing beside him.
Jungkook takes a deep breath, body buzzing with the thoughts running through his mind. He has plans to make now. He just has to make sure they're perfect.
“Are you coming Uncle Koo?” Nayeon calls, one hand waving her sword while the other is swinging her little pail around, the candy precariously tipping closer to the edges.
He takes another second to hang back. To look at his niece, with whom he’s had one of the best nights in a long time with, who looks so happy and excited and sugar high. To look at his boyfriend (hopefully fiance soon, hopefully), who is smiling and nodding and answering any of the barrage of questions, hands deftly handing out candy to anyone who has been waiting for some. To Channie, his unofficial son, his partner in crime, his shining star.
“Yeah, I’m coming.”
(It’s only weeks later that Jungkook calls his brother in tears, telling him that Yoongi said yes, that Nayeon will have a cousin. That he gets to have everything with the man he loves. With the boy who holds his heart. His boys.)