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“He’s not in right now, you’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
Namjoon groaned, ceasing his pacing and sending a pleading look to Bang PD’s harried looking secretary. This was the fourth day in the row he had been sent unceremoniously from PD-hyungnim’s eight floor office. Every day he sat in the dim Bang hallway, listening to the tinny Christmas music piping through the ceiling speakers, and every day he received no answer. He was beginning to think the man was avoiding him.
“Please Mrs. Garfunkel! I need to see him! Is there any way he can fit me in today? Even five minutes would be enough!”
Mrs. Garfunkel looked up at him pityingly through her narrow tortoiseshell glasses.
“I can see this means a lot to you young man. I’ll try to buzz him again.”
Namjoon whooped in joy, grasping the old woman’s hand and shaking it wantonly until she let out a small yelp. She took a handkerchief out of her purse and wiped her hand with a disdained expression.
“Your hands are very sweaty, boy. You should probably get that looked at.”
Namjoon laughed. “Yeah Jin actually tells me that all the time! He loves to tease-”
Mrs Garfunkel held up a hand, effectively silencing him.
“I don’t care about this. I’m going to buzz Mr. PD and then you can leave.”
Namjoon nodded, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he watched Mrs. Garfunkel picks up her office telephone and presses the button marked “big boss”.
She held the phone primly to her ear, still watching Namjoon out of the corner of her eye.
“I’m afraid he’s here again, Hitman. No he won’t leave. Yes I think he’ll come back tomorrow if you don’t see him now. The Bang Bot? Oh sure I’ll set up a conference right away. Thank you Bang Sir. Yes yes, same to you. Yeah I’ll see you at the Dan world clam bake. Yep. Ok. Yes I’ll take the orange slices. Ok. Bye Now.”
Mrs Garfunkel set the phone down primly and turned to Namjoon with a tight smile.
“PD is currently out of office but he has permitted you a ten minute meeting with the Bang Bot, his mobile conference device.”
Before Namjoon could even nod his assent. Bang PD hyungnim’s office door flew open and out wheeled the most curious contraption he had ever seen.
Bang PD was an Ipad on wheels! Namjoon gawking, did not even notice as robot PD-nim sailed by him towards the elevator until he barked back an order at him.
“Come along boy, I’m pencilling you into my coffee break. Let's go.
Namjoon gulped and hurried after him.
*******
After making the trip down to the BigHit cafe and securing two ice coffees. (Courtesy of Namjoon as PD-NIM doesn’t have any pockets.) Namjoon finally sat opposite the only ipad that could possibly help him. The Bang Bot regarded him with a steely gaze as he flipped through a stack of papers.
“I assume this has something to do with the fifteen emails you sent regarding Jhope’s recent adoption.”
Namjoon nodded grimly.
“Yes Bang Bot hyung.”
Bang Bot sighed.
“Sir is fine, Namjoon.”
“Ok sir, I’m just very confused as to why a child is allowed to live in the dorms with us, and why he has been given my room, and full writing credits for Butter.”
Bang PD raised an eyebrow at him, and then glanced back at his papers again.
“A child? It says here that Hoseok adopted a seven year old cat named Young Thursday.”
Namjoon gawked at him, disbelieving.
“No Sir! A seven year old BOY named Young Thursday. A seven year old HUMAN CHILD.”
Bang PD sighed, taking off his glasses momentarily in thought before sliding them onto his face again.
“Well, whether he has taken in an old white cat with one eye as I am aware of or he has in fact legally adopted a human child-”
“It’s a child he has adopted, a child.”
Bang clicked his tongue at him, irritated.
“Whether or not he has Namjoon, I don’t really see how it’s any of your business.”
Namjoon clenched his fingers around his coffee, condensation bleeding down his fingers.
“ANY OF MY BUSINESS? HE LIVES IN MY HOUSE. HE SLEEPS IN MY ROOM. I HAD TO MAKE FLYERS FOR HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY LAST WEEK AND THEN JHOPE THREW MY TV OFF THE ROOF BECAUSE I USED PHOTOPEA INSTEAD OF PHOTOSHOP FOR THE INVITATION WHICH APPARENTLY RUINED YOUNG THURSDAY’S WHOLE DAY BECAUSE HE HATES CHEAP AESTHETIC TRICKERY.”
Bang PD sighed, wheeling towards Namjoon sympathetically.
“An Adobe Creative Cloud subscription is very possible in your financial sphere my son. You really mustn’t be cheap. It’s not an attractive quality for the ladies.”
Namjoon opened his mouth to protest, but the Bang Bot raised a wheel to silence him.
“I’m surprised at you Namjoon. You’re being very uncharitable to your bandmate. He has opened his home to a wayward son of the lord, and you are nothing but scornful. Don’t you remember the truest form of art?”
Namjoon nodded sadly, head hanging. “Emotional Connectivity.”
The Bang Bot turned in a circle for emphasis.
“That is right my rap son. So connect with that j-cat or j-boy or whatever it is. It’s almost Christmas, get into the holiday spirit.”
Namjoon bit his lip, deep in thought. He supposed Bang PD was right. He was being uncharitable. It was a very kind thing for Jhope to take in that orphan. As a boy, he had always taken for granted the love and support of his parents. Sure, Young Thursday was a strange urchin, but maybe he was just goddamn lost without guiding hands to lead him. If Jhope could find it in his heart to welcome this boy in, couldn’t he too embrace one extra little soul into his Rap Monster heart?
“You are right Bang PD!” Namjoon agreed. “Not only will I allow this boy to stay, I’m going to help make his Christmas sparkle!”
Bang PD smiled kindly. “Wonderful Namjoon. That is great news! I’m afraid my battery is low so you are going to need to carry the Bang Bot back upstairs for me.”
With that the Bang Bot’s screen went black and the device unceremoniously toppled over. Namjoon laughed heartily and hefted it over one shoulder.
“This Chingu really!”
******
After depositing the digital manifestation of his boss back in his office, Namjoon ventured boldly out onto the streets of Seoul, a new pep in his step. Soon enough, he found himself staring out at the Han River. Namjoon took this time to settle on a bench, collecting his thoughts and watching the falling snow kiss the icy water.
“Now how can I make a child’s dream come true?” He wondered out loud. Namjoon thought back to Christmas’ past and tried to think of what made his own winter days special. After all, every man has a child within.
What was last Christmas like? Namjoon tried to recall the gifts he had received.
There was the Amazon gift card from Yoongi, the handknitted friendship sweater from Jackson, the Amazon gift card from Bang PD, the Lush gift card from Jimin, the Amazon gift card from P-Dogg, the scented candle from Tae that had “To Jennie” written on the label, the Amazon gift card from Jungkook, the cursed gold doubloon from J-Hope that gave him whooping cough and the Amazon gift card from Megan Thee Stallion, but none of those gifts seemed like something a kid would like.
Wait, he was forgetting someone wasn't he? Jin!
___________
FLASHBACK
INT. BTS DORM- 25 DECEMBER 2021 6:07 PM
“Wow guys! This is no typical trainee Christmas! Thank you!”
Namjoon gazed happily at his pile of presents from his closest buddies. The rest of BTS murmured vague platitudes in assent as they put on their winter coats and hats, ready to leave for the annual HYBE carol singing benefit for scabies.
Namjoon moved to join them, still chattering happily.
“I hope you all liked your presents!”
Yoongi patted him on the arm kindly.
“Oh yeah man, great job again this year dude.”
(Namjoon got them all those types of inspirational quote books that my mom keeps in her bathroom, or maybe milk and honey or that gabbi hannah poetry book. Up to you!)
As they all filed out the door, Namjoon paused and tapped Jin on the elbow, stopping him in his tracks.
“Hey buddy! Can I get a word?”
Jin took a sharp breath in through his nose, pausing as he put on his mittens and pasting on a bright smile.
“Sure Namjoon! What’s up?”
Namjoon looked down at his shoes bashfully, fidgeting a little.
“Oh nothing! I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to my best bud!”
Jin smiled tightly, eyes wide.
“Great, same to you Namjoon! Ready to go?”
Namjoon’s eyes widened.
“Yes- I mean, No! I mean, did you like my presents though Jin?”
Jin nodded.
“Oh the book! Yeah I loved it. Very Inspiring Namjoon.”
“No not that one-”
“The rolex? Oh yeah no that was great too!”
“No not that one either”
Jin grimaced slightly.
“The fruit basket?”
“No..”
“The best friend walkie talkies?”
“..”
“The 8 Mile on ice tickets?”
Namjoon ran a hand through his hair, laughing sheepishly.
“You know what nevermind Jin. It’s just- Well..”
Jin raised an eyebrow.
“What is it?”
Namjoon murmured something inaudibly into his collar, body turned away from Jin.
“You’re going to have to speak up Namjoon.”
Namjoon coughed weakly, shy.
“Did you get me anything?”
Jin laughed nervously, tugging at his shirt collar. Suddenly he was looking everywhere but at Namjoon.
“Oh wow, uh.”
Namjoon sighed, downtrodden.
“Oh, ok then.”
Jin shrugged his shoulders.
“I mean I don’t really celebrate christmas bro, it’s just a thing you are really into for some reason and- Oh shit are you crying?”
Namjoon was in fact crying a little.
“No Jin god! It’s just hay fever!”
“Aw Namjoon don’t cry I mean-”
Jin was abruptly cut off by the door swinging open and all five other members of BTS toppling in. (The door had finally succumbed to the weight of the five eavesdroppers leaning against it.)
Yoongi was the first to recover, leaping to his feet and rushing to Jin’s side, clapping him hard on the shoulder. His eyes were wide and his mouth was stretched in a grin just short of manic.
“Wow Jin you are too much!” He said, exploding into raucous laughter.
Jin and Namjoon stared at him, equally perplexed, before Jimin jumped in.
“Yeah Jin quit the pranks and give Namjoon your gift! He interjected, enunciating each word loudly and extremely slowly as if Jin were elderly or perhaps hard of hearing.
Taehyung and Jungkook began to clap and chant “Jin! Jin! Jin!”
Jin remained completely motionless, his only indicator of life a steadily reddening face. His mouth opened and closed like a fish, eyes moving between each member as he desperately tried to come up with something- anything to say.
Suddenly, Jhope, who up until this point had been examining his cuticles in vague disinterest, whipped his head up to face Jin, flashing him a wolfish grin. He snapped his fingers, silencing Jungkook and Taehyung, before motioning to Jin.
“Go on then, sing!”
Jin gaped at him, before a sharp nudge in his ribs from Yoong brought him back to his senses.
“Right uh, Namjoon- I was just kidding about the whole anti-Christmas stuff!” Jin said brightly, flashing two thumbs up at Namjoon before continuing.
“So get ready for my present. Which I prepared in advance.. for you..!”
—----------------------
PRESENT DAY
“Eureka!”
Namjoon leapt up from his bench. Jin’s perfect gift for him would be the perfect gift for Young Thursday! Jin sent christmas spirit to him, and now he would send it back round to the boy.
Namjoon whipped out his phone and immediately paged the group chat.
Soon Namjoon was seated at the head of the table, waiting as each member of his singing team filed in. Jin and Yoongi, who had been eating breakfast, were already there when he arrived, regarding him with sleepy yet attentive eyes. A very grumpy and sleep-ruffled Jungkook arrived soon after with considerably more chipper Tae.
Then, after a trepidatious thirty minute waiting period, the boy of the hour arrived, born on the shoulders of his father, giggling as he was placed down.
Young Thursday gave him a shy wave before hiding behind J-hope who was regarding Namjoon with a rather discourteous expression.
Namjoon elected to ignore that for the time being and stood up to speak.
“Ladies and Gentlemen..”
“Just Gentleman.”
Namjoon took a centering breath before continuing.
“It has been brought to my attention by Mr Bang PD that I have been very unfair to our new guest.”
Jhope coughed under his breath, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like: “Narc”
Namjoon turned towards him.
“Oh I’m sorry Jhope do you have something to say?”
Jhope raised his hands innocently.
“Oh no, nothing please continue!”
Namjoon nodded, righting himself again before he heard another,
“Narc!”
Jin and Taehyung burst into giggles, and Yoongi buried his head into his coffee cup rather suspiciously. Only Jungkook gave the situation the severity it deserved, and Namjoon wasn’t entirely sure he was even awake.
Namjoon slapped a hand to his head, indignant.
“Jhope! Can you please not call me a narc when I’m trying to make a point!”
“I mean you did snitch on a six year old.” interjected Yoongi helpfully, which caused the whole room to nod and murmur things like “yes” and “mhmm” and “you did do that namjoon”
From the top of the table Namjoon simply spluttered, vainly attempting to regain control of the room.
Young Thursday raised a polite hand to tug at the sleeve of his Father’s Hugh Hefner robe.
“Father, what is a narc?”
Jhope put a finger to his chin and then tapped his head, an exaggerated pantomime of someone consumed in thought.
“That is a great question Thursday! Thank you for asking! Let me see…”
He raised a slow hand to gesture to Namjoon, pointing him out to the boy, his voice taking on a deep and spooky affectation.
“A Narc is an evil, strangely proportioned type of monster. A monster that tells all sorts of tall tales about little boys to get them in trouble, and even…”
Jhope slapped two hands to his cheeks in a grotesque scream.
“To take them from their beds and send them far far away!”
Young Thursday gasped, shivering in fear.
“B-back to the factory Father?”
His father nodded gravely. “Yes my boy, back to the factory. That’s where that awful rap monster wanted to send you.” He said glaring daggers at Namjoon.
Young Thursday trembled, horrified, before Jhope put a hand on the top of his head protectively.
“Don’t worry Thursday. That will never happen while I’m here.” he said, still staring at Namjoon, who was becoming a little frightened.
Taehyung stared at him with wide eyes. “Promise?”
Jhope turned to Tae, bemused.
“I mean this was kind of a me and my son thing.. But uh, you too I guess.”
Tae grinned, high fiving the boy.
Jin clasped his hands together, moving to stand.
“Well this seems like it’s been wrapped up now that Namjoon’s stopped threatening children! Yoongi lets-”
Namjoon leapt out of his seat.
“No! SIT DOWN. I’M NOT THREATENING ANY CHILDREN.” He yelled before noticing the kid had his hands over his ears and lowering his voice significantly.
“As I have been TRYING to say this whole time. I feel BAD for trying to get Young Thursday evicted and I want to make AMENDS. Now can everyone just be QUIET and listen to me!” He pleaded.
Everyone in the room nodded and Jin wearily sat back down again.
Jhope mimed drawing a finger over his lips and handed the imaginary key to Young Thursday who pocketed it dutifully. Young Thursday then mimed the same motion and handed his own imaginary key to Taehyung, who said “Thanks little dude.” and swallowed it.
Namjoon took a deep breath. “A wise man once told me that the true meaning of art is emotional connectivity.”
“Who the fuck said that?”
“Confucius I think.”
“Oh yeah”
Namjoon pressed on, motioning to the boy of the hour who was still eyeing him warily.
“Young Thursday, I have not tried to connect with you, but I will, by taking a leaf out of the book of my dearest friend.”
Jungkook raised his head up from the table. “Oh shit! Jackson’s here?”
“NO! WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP SAYING THAT.” Namjoon almost screamed in frustration.
“JIN! MY BEST FRIEND JIN!”
Taehyung cocked his head. “BTS JIN? Or like.. The guy from XO Kitty?”
Jin sighed wearily. “ No, I'm pretty sure he means me.”
Namjoon nodded sagely. “Point being, the greatest gift I’ve ever received was from Jin last year, when he carefully cultivated his own rendition of Feliz Navidad just for me and sang to me in front of a jury of our peers. Now I will do the same for J-Hope's chosen kin.”
Jin groaned into Yoongi’s shoulder, who was unhelpfully shaking with silent laughter. Namjoon chose to pay him no mind.
“So for you Young Thursday,” he said pointing to the pale silent boy staring fearfully at him. “Without further ado, my rendition of…”
Pause for impact.
“Santa Clause is Coming to Town!” Namjoon bellowed. “Welcome to the family!
With that, Namjoon began to sing his little heart out, completely earnest and extremely loudly, while the rest of the room simply stared, baffled, (Except for Jin who had mentally tapped out at “you better not cry” and was now just staring blankly into space.)
They exchange horrified looks, Jungkook and Tae giggling nervously as they actively avoid eye contact in the vain hope it might make it stop. It does not.
This did not matter to Namjoon though, as he was only occupied with the reaction of one little boy. Young Thursday, for his part, was watching silently, expression curious and only a little frightened.
As Namjoon reached the chorus he noticed the boy's mouth uptick in what looked like the hint of a smile. I’m doing it! He thought jubilantly. I’m making this boy's dream come true! Even Jhope looked slightly impressed!
Finally, flying high, Namjoon broke into the ending of the song. His famous adlib in the silly Santa voice that Jimin has always assured him drives ARMY wild.
He walked towards Young Thursday, leaning close and shouting jollily in his best Santa impression. (This is verbatim sorry.)
“Ho Ho HO! Hey kid! What do you wish for this Christmas! This year… it’s BTS!”
That was when disaster struck.
Young Thursday, who had been smiling, recoiled in fear from Namjoon and burst into tears, cowering behind his father.
Namjoon balked in confusion. “Why are you crying? That was magical!”
Jhope leapt out of his seat, reaching dramatically into his pocket and unzipping his lips before shrieking at Namjoon like a wild animal, shielding the boy behind him.
“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” He screamed, squaring up to Namjoon and poking him in the chest.
Namjoon gulped. “I-”
“WHY WOULD YOU SCARE HIM WITH THAT HORRIBLE VOICE? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING.”
“I was just trying to brighten his day!” Namjoon pleaded emphatically.
“Look at him!” Jhope shook his head, aghast, and pointed at his son. “Does his day look brightened?”
The boy was cowering in the corner, clutching his paper boy hat to his chest in fear as Taehyung, Jin and Yoongi hovered around him, murmuring words of comfort.
Jhope’s words came out as a scoff.
“I can’t even look at you right now. Get out!”
Namjoon desperately looked around at the other BTS members for support, but they all gazed at him with similar disdain.
Jin in particular looked very disappointed as he regarded Namjoon.
“Wow Namjoon.” He said scornfully, “Way to do you.”
Namjoon turned tail and ran.
—------
Sitting in his room, shaking and crying, Namjoon had never felt more ashamed. Why did everything he tried seem to fail? He sniffed pityingly, he truly was the god of destruction!
As he contemplated which of his Nas albums he could play to possibly lift his spirits, his phone buzzed. A message from the group chat! Maybe he was forgiven, or even better, receiving an apology! (Privately Namjoon did think the group overreacted, he didn’t mean to make the boy cry after all!)
He opened his Phone and glanced at the messages.
“Wow! My favourite youtuber Sugarmyy has posted a new video!” He shrieked in delight. Namjoon quickly flicked to the youtube app and searched it up. But what he saw made his heart sink in dread.
It was his performance from earlier! Someone had sent it to Sugarmyy! Oh god, Namjoon thought. He was a laughing stock!
Namjoon wept long and endlessly. Now the whole ARMY knew that he had embarrassed himself in front of Jin!
“And whose fault is that?” A little voice in his head whispered. Namjoon nodded to himself. It was true, this was all because of that little boy. Namjoon had given him a heartfelt gift and what had the boy given him in return?
He clenched his fists, that boy has sent him nothing but scorn and tears ever since he arrived.
Namjoon had been nothing but courteous to him and still that little urchin had turned everyone against him! Well no more.
“Sorry Bang PD hyung.” He whispered devilishly.
“That boy has got to go!”
—-------------
Namjoon knocked lightly on Young Thursday’s door, pasting on a kind smile.
“Enter!” His polite little voice sounded from within.
Namjoon entered the room, holding his hands up in a peaceful gesture to subdue the boy’s fear at seeing him.
“Hello boy!” He said, all teeth.
“Hello Namjoon..” Young Thursday whispered, looking down at his shoes.
Namjoon came to a squat so he could level with the boy.
“Thursday I just came to say, I am so sorry for scaring you!” Namjoon said sweetly. “Could you ever forgive me?”
Young Thursday nodded shyly.
“It's ok, father says that everyone is scary sometimes. I don’t mind.”
Namjoon beamed.
“I’m so happy to hear that! And just to show you how sorry I am. I brought you a present!”
Young Thursday perked up at that, smiling a little.
“A present?”
Namjoon took a hand from behind his back, revealing a 2 pound bag of raisins.
“Yes, and not just any present Thursday! Raisins! Your favourite!”
“Oh gee golly wow!” Young Thursday said gleefully for the raisins before his smile faded slightly and he shook his head.
“No I can’t.” He whispered “Father says you can’t have sugar on the weekends.”
Namjoon shook his head sadly. “Well I’m sorry to tell you this Thursday, but your father is a liar.”
The boy gasped. “No he isn’t!”
“Oh yes he is!” Namjoon pressed. “I saw him eat an entire tub of black liquorice before practice yesterday! And then he said, "Wow, I love to eat sugar.””
This revelation seemed to shock Young Thursday to his core, and he hung his head, dejected.
Sensing victory near, Namjoon pressed on. “Do you know what else Jhope lied about?”
Young Thursday shook his head fearfully, and Namjoon pounced on his rapt attention.
“He lied that he wants you here!”
“No!” Young Thursday cried.
“Yes!” yelled Namjoon “I heard him tell Yoongi that you’re boring and annoying, and not even that good at dancing!”
“But Father loves my dancing!”
“He was lying I’m afraid, he said that your dancing was embarrassing and that it would be better for everyone if you just went back to the factory.”
“You’re lying!”
Namjoon shook his head. “Legally I’m not allowed to lie, because I’m the leader.”
Young Thursday supposed that made sense. He took Namjoon's hands pleadingly.
“Rap Monster, what should I do?”
Namjoon shrugged. “I don’t know about you kid, but if my father said those things about me, I’d take my raisins and leave for greener pastures.”
The boy's eyes widened. “Leave? But where would I go?”
Namjoon winked at him before getting up to leave. “I heard the factory was hiring.”
—-------
That night, Namjoon woke to screaming in the kitchen and rushed to the source of the noise. On the floor sat a wailing Jhope, flanked on either side by a baffled Yoongi and Jimin.
“He’s GONE,” Jhope cried. “My boy is GONE.”
Yoongi put up his hands in confusion. “Thursday? What do you mean gone?”
Hoseok wailed and thrust a crumpled and tear stained note into Yoongi’s hand. “SEE FOR YOURSELF.”
Jimin patted Hoseok, consoling. “He might come back Jhope! Don’t worry.”
Jhope wailed again, grabbing Jimin's shirt and blowing his nose into it miserably.
“No. He took his bindle and everything. My son is gone.” He muttered weakly, then his hollow eyes flicked up to meet Namjoon’s.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing!” Namjoon squeaked out, heat rushing to his face, before careening out of the room.
He tried to ignore the cold, creeping feeling of guilt that settled into his stomach as he got back into bed.
—-------------------
Five days later, Yoongi called a group meeting. Jhope was conspicuously absent.
“Something has to be done about this.” Yoongi said, standing up to face the room. “This is not sustainable.”
“Is this about Jhope crying all the time?” Jungkook interjected.
Yoongi rolled his eyes “Yes. Obviously it’s about that. Any ideas.”
“We could get him a new son?”
“No Taehyung.”
“A cat?”
“He already has two I think.”
“Really? I haven’t seen them.”
“Oh that’s because they’re offscreen cats.”
Jin slapped his hand down on the table.
“Enough about the offscreen cats! Taehyung, have you had any luck finding Thursday?”
Tae shook his head sadly. “Nope, I’ve checked all his regular haunts: the shoeshiners, the roller rink, the stables, the stamp emporium, the malt shop, even the dog track! He’s nowhere.”
“Did you try-”
“Yes, I tried the flea circus.”
“Damn.”
Yoongi sighed.
“Well we have to do something to cheer him up then. There has been a storm cloud over the HYBE building for two weeks. Seventeen keep getting struck by lightning.”
“Maybe we could-
The group were interrupted by Jhope floating by in the same ratty Garfield Robe he’d been wearing for two weeks straight. He breezed by them, ignoring them completely in favour of grabbing an open box of weetabix from the counter and shoveling it into his mouth dry.
“Morning Hoseok!” Jimin greeted cheerily. “Would you like an orange?”
This was the wrong thing to say. Jhope’s haunted eyes filled with tears once again and he began to wail.
“That’s what Thursday wanted for Christmas.” He sniffled. “An orange and sixpence.”
Then with a stifled cry he ran out of the room again. The slam of the door triggered another bolt of lightning across the sky and a “YEOUCH” filtered in through the open window.
Taehyung glanced through the blinds.
“Dangit there goes Vernon.”
—------
As the days trickled by to Christmas day, Namjoon tried in vain to avoid his guilt as the rest of the group tried to cheer up Jhope.
Both endeavors worked a little.
Jin and Yoongi took Jhope fishing. He had no real interest in the sport itself, but he enjoyed communing with the worms and splashing his feet in the ocean.
Taehyung played his trumpet for him, which always cheered Jhope up as the brass was always his favourite section of the orchestra.
Jimin had taken to leaving out banana peels for him that at first were ignored but he now slipped and slid on half heartedly.
Jungkook and Jhope began taking long walks, and he made merry chasing squirrels with Bam.
Jhope was not really back to his normal self, but at the very least the dark cloud over Hybe now just rained on everyone instead of its previous lightning and thunder.
This small improvement comforted Namjoon that in the long run, sending the boy away was the right decision even if his conscience didn't really agree.
Finally it was Christmas morning and all of BTS gathered around the tree. Namjoon delighted in watching his friends open their gifts and was thrilled with what he received. Jin got him a gift card!
So it happened that only one small parcel sat under the tree, a little brown paper package tied up with string. Jimin plucked it out delicately and read the label.
“Let’s see who this one is from!” He chirped. “To Jhope! Love.. Oh.-” Jimin trailed off, staring at Jhope bashfully, who was actually smiling today.
Jhope snatched the package from his hand. “To Jhope, love from Young Thursday.” He said, his happy voice trailing into a whisper.
Gently and almost fearfully he unwrapped the package. Inside sat a crude clay pot with “World’s best Dad” slapped on in bright green paint.
Jhope stroked the pot reverently, a single tear rolling down his face. Then he stood up abruptly.
“Sorry guys.” He mumbled quietly. “I’m away to America.”
“Jhope, it's Christmas!” Tae cried incredulously. “You can’t leave.”
Jhope shook his head. “I have been invited to perform at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.” He whispered.
“Iniatially I declined because Thursday-” He choked on his tears a little before continuing. “Thursday wanted to watch the fireworks together. They are his favourite modern inventions!” He said laughing wetly.
“But there’s nothing keeping me here now I suppose.” He clutched the pot to his chest and moved to leave the room.
“Happy Christmas guys.”
Another bolt of lightning cracked across the sky as he left and the entire group groaned.
“Christmas is ruined!” Tae cried, and the rest of the group nodded in agreement. Namjoon from his seat by the fire twitched nervously. He had the uncomfortable feeling that HE had ruined Christmas.
“Poor Jhope.” Jimin sighed. “He’s a shadow of himself without that boy.”
“If only there was a way we could find him.” Jin said. “I really think it would save Christmas.”
Namjoon jerked out of his seat. “I can save Christmas?”
Jin groaned. “No Namjoon, I said finding Young Thursday can save Christmas.”
Namjoon laughed out loud, shaking Jin by the shoulders. “I CAN SAVE CHRISTMAS!”
‘
He turned to everybody, jubilant.
“EVERYBODY I RUINED CHRISTMAS AND NOW I’M GOING TO SAVE IT.” He cheered.
“Namjoon ruined Christmas?”
“Yeah with the singing thing, remember?”
“Oh yeah we all hated that so much!”
Namjoon whipped out of his phone and dialled the only person he knew with a car that wasn’t in this room.
“Jackson, get your butt in gear. We’re going to the factory!”
—--------
Jackson eyed him warily in the driver’s mirror. “Are you sure you don’t want to sit in the front dude?”
Namjoon scoffed, irritated by Jackson’s lack of priorities. “No, Jackson I’m more comfortable here. Now can you PLEASE just take me to the factory?”
Jackson pulled out of the HYBE parking lot look extremely confused. “Like any specific type of factory or..”
“Just THE factory Jackson. Jesus.” Namjoon spat. “I’m trying to save Christmas here. Just put it into Google Maps.”
“I really doubt that the factory is on Goog- Oh wait yeah here it is. The factory! Just down the road from us.”
Namjoon leaned his forehead against the window, staring out at the Han river.
“Great!”
—————
Soon they were pulling into a rickety warehouse in the Hongdae Lumber District.
Outside there were several sad pale children playing games of hopscotch and hoop and stick. Definitely the right place.
Jackson stared around him baffled.
“Dude, why are we at Charles Dicken’s factory right now.”
Namjoon paid him no heed, approaching two girls and a tall skinny boy jumping rope.
“Excuse me children, is Young Thursday Jung around here by chance?”
The children turned silently and raised their fingers in unison to point out a small shed marked “welding.” From within there echoed a loud grinding sound and bright orange sparks flew out of the window every couple of seconds.
Namjoon beckoned for Jackson to follow him and headed in.
Inside, a small child was welding vigorously, ash hair sticking out of his too-large helmet.
“Thursday?” Namjoon enquired politely.
The welder lifted his helmet revealing it was indeed Young Thursday. One of his teeth had fallen out and he was covered in soot and grime but to Namjoon’s relief looked quite healthy.
“Namjoon.” He said in his typical sad, quiet manner. “What are you doing here? And who’s that?”
Jackson waved.
“Hi! Nice to meet you I’m-”
“Not important.” Namjoon interjected. “Thursday I’m here to bring you home.”
The boy shook his head sadly, turning away from them and taking off his welding gloves.
“I’m not wanted there Namjoon. Besides, I still have seventeen hours left on my shift.”
Jackson gasped. “Well that cannot be legal! Namjoon, we need to help these children!”
Namjoon ignored him, completely fixated on Young Thursday.
“No Thursday, you are wanted. I’m sorry for making you think you weren’t.”
“But you said.”
“I LIED.” Confessed Namjoon. “I was mad about the Sugarmyy thing and- oh it doesn’t matter! Thursday you need to come home with me. Your father is beside himself.”
Thursday’s eyes widened.
“Father misses me? He didn’t want me to go?”
Namjoon smiled. “Never kid, sorry for telling you that.”
The boy ripped off the rest of welding his gear right away and practically pounced on Namjoon in his urgency.”
“My Note! He must be so worried. Namjoon, we must go to him right away.”
“My thoughts exactly!” Namjoon interjected before pausing, “Wait, aren't you mad at me for lying?”
Young Thursday shook his head, smiling softly. “No. You have a weak character, it’s not your fault! Besides, my father passes judgement, not me!”
“Ok..” Namjoon supplied slightly nervously. “Whatever, let's just go. Your father is in New York for Dick Clarke's Rockin 'Eve so we need to get to the airport right away. Jackson go and start the car.”
Jackson shook his head.
“Actually dude, I think I’m going to stay and find out what’s going on with these hoop and stick kids. This place does not seem chill with child labour laws at all so I’m going to call a buddy and sleuth it out.”
Namjoon blanched. “What! How are we supposed to get out of here? You’re our ride.”
“Just call an Uber!” Jackson laughed merrily then dabbed up Young Thursday.
“Nice to meet you little dude. You’ve got an old soul. I dig that.”
Young Thursday beamed. “Thanks Jackson! Good luck liberating the children!”
Jackson waved them off nonchalantly before strolling off towards the yard again.
“God he can be such a dick sometimes.” Namjoon muttered darkly.
The boy giggled. “I liked him!”
Namjoon felt his eyes roll of their own accord.
“Of course you did.”
He checked his watch. “Shit we better get to the airport, kid. I know you don’t have a passport so are you fine just chilling in my suitcase?”
Young Thursday gave him two resolute thumbs up and Namjoon grinned.
“Ok boy, let’s go save Christmas.”
—-----------
“What are we going to do Namjoon?” Thursday asked him wearily, big eyes staring up at him. Namjoon groaned. They had been in Times Square for five days now, living off whatever pennies the boy could get tap dancing, and they still hadn’t gotten tickets to Dick Clarke’s Rockin 'Eve.
Now it was D-Day, Hoseok was going up to perform in two hours and they still had diddly squat.
“We’re just going to have to muscle our way through the crowd kid.”
This thought seemed to really scare Young Thursday. “I hate crowds Namjoon, it reminds me of the mines,” he said sniffling. “Can I hold your hand?”
Namjoon grimaced at that. “Ew, No. Just stay close, ok?”
After hours of merciless shoving, Namjoon and the boy finally squeezed somewhere close to the front, donned in trademark Dick Clarke Eve Hats in order to blend into the crowd seamlessly. However they were still too far to be seen by Jhope onstage and the legion of hardcore armies at the front would not budge under their pleading.
“Dammit we missed soundcheck.” Namjoon muttered under his breath. Hoseok was going on any minute and Namjoon and the boy weren’t close enough. He gestured frantically to Thursday, attempting to get his attention. “Hey boy come here, get on my shoulders. He might be able to see us that way.” Thursday nodded clambering up.
Suddenly, Ryan Seacrest was there and bringing Jhope on stage. “Now Thursday!” Namjoon yelled. “Wave!”
They waved and screamed and clamoured all through Jhope’s set. But nothing worked. By the time he reached Equal Sign both Namjoon and the Boy were teary eyed. Then Hoseok was gone. They had missed their chance. Christmas was ruined. Also it was raining.
Namjoon set the boy down gently, hanging his head in shame.
“I’m so sorry Thursday. This is all my fault.” He murmured.
Young Thursday smiled weakly. “It’s ok Namjoon. You tried! That’s enough.”
Namjoon sniffled. “But you were so excited to watch the fireworks with your Dad..”
“What’s this I hear about Fireworks?” A mirthful voice interrupted them. It was Liza Koshy, his old flame.
Namjoon jumped in shock. “Liza? What are you doing here?” He said, laughing.
“I’m working!” Liza exclaimed. “Why are you here!”
“We were trying to get Jhope’s attention.” Namjoon admitted sadly, “but he’s gone.”
Liza clapped her hands in delight.
“I know where he is!” She laughed. “He seemed so miserable on his own I invited him to watch the fireworks with my friends. I’ll take you there.”
Namjoon and Young Thursday turned to face each other, screaming in delight and jumping up and down in delight.
“Christmas is SAVED.” They screamed.
Liza cocked her head in confusion. “It’s New Years.”
Young Thursday laughed.
“Small Potatoes."
—------------
Liza motioned to a VIP area just off the stage. “He’s just in there.”
Namjoon and the boy ventured inside, over the moon with excitement. Soon, they saw Jhope’s trademark furry hat, he was deep in conversation with Ryan Seacrest, his back turned to them.
Namjoon ushered Young Thursday forward, giggling. They were now close enough to hear Jhope’s conversation.
“I love Fireworks!” Ryan Seacrest said excitedly. “Are you excited for them Jhope?”
Jhope sighed. “I think fireworks have lost their colour for me now Ryan.” He said dejectedly.
“But they are my favourite modern invention father!”
Jhope froze, slowly turning to the source of this new voice.
“Thursday?” He whispered incredulously.
“Father!” Thursday grinned.
Hoseok’s face split into a grin.
“Thursday!” He shrieked, eyes filling with tears.
He picked the boy up, spinning him in a circle and throwing him up into the air as the boy giggled.
“Thursday! Thursday! Thursday!” He shrieked in delight.
Namjoon had never seen him or the boy so happy. Thursday was beaming so hard it was almost difficult to watch.
“I’m sorry I left Father.” He said sincerely.
Jhope shook his head, pulling him into a hug.
“Don’t be sorry kid, I’m just glad you’re home now.”
The two were so giddy at reuniting it took another ten minutes for Jhope to even notice Namjoon was there. When he finally noticed him, his eyebrows knit together in confusion.
“Namjoon..” He said, perplexed. “What are you doing here?”
“He found me and brought me here Father!” Thursday supplied brightly, and Namjoon ducked his head bashfully.
“I did.” He admitted.
Jhope’s eyes widened in shock, then understanding and then, incredibly, gratitude.
He held out a hand to Namjoon, shellshocked.
“Thanks man, you’re not so bad after all.” He said kindly.
Namjoon accepted it, shaking with excitement. “I did it.” He whispered.
“What?” Jhope muttered distractedly, already turning back to Young Thursday now his disgusting act of gratitude was done.
Namjoon shook his head, smiling cryptically.
“Let’s just watch the Fireworks.”