Archive of Our Own ^beta

Hoseok was laying in Yoongi’s arms as the moon rose in the sky. 

“Good morning, my darling.” Yoongi kissed his forehead once he’d felt Hoseok stir in his arms, his morning routine. 

Hoseok yawned, smiling as he snuggled closer into Yoongi’s chest, “Good morning, hyungie.” 

“You’re smiling.” Yoongi stated, running a hand through Hoseok’s hair as he hummed, “Did you have a good dream, my love?” 

“I did.” Hoseok started, drawing circles onto Yoongi’s bare chest with his finger, “I dreamt of this old, cold house. But in my dream, it was warmer. The sun was shining, and there were three of us—”

“Hoseok.” Yoongi sighed, knowing exactly where this was going. 

“It was a little boy, this time.” Hoseok continued softly anyway, “He was sitting in my lap and he was just giggling up a storm because you kept making these silly faces and he just thought that was the funniest thing.” Hoseok giggled a little as he remembered. 

Yoongi didn’t say anything to that, he just continued to brush his hand through Hoseok’s hair, continued to hold the man in his arms. 

“They would love you, you know.” Hoseok started quietly, gently, “If we adopted one, they would adore you. You would be the best appa, I know it.” 

“You know how I feel about it, Seok-ah.” Yoongi responded, his voice always gentle with Hoseok. 

Hoseok moved so that he could meet Yoongi’s gaze, “I know, and I know I can’t give you any children. But we could adopt. We could raise—”

“Am I not enough, Seok-ah?” Yoongi asked, cupping one of Hoseok’s cheeks in the palm of his hand, he knew it was a low blow, he knew the answer before even he asked the question. But he hated whenever Hoseok would bring the topic up, whenever he’d look so crestfallen by the end of their conversations. 

“No it’s— it’s not that.” Hoseok rushed to explain, shaking his head, “You are more than enough hyungie. I would be happy spending eternity with you and only you. I am happy spending eternity with you. Having a little one around won’t change any of that. You know that. You’ve known my love for you, for centuries hyungie.” 

“I know.” Yoongi sighed, his thumb brushing Hoseok’s cheek gently, “I know. It was a stupid question. But— you know , my Seok-ah, you know why I keep us isolated in this house in the woods. Away from the rest of civilization.” 

“I do. I know.” Hoseok nodded, leaning into Yoongi’s touch, “But...is it really so wrong for me to want to have a family? To have that with you, hyungie?” 

“No.” Yoongi whispered, he wished he could relent, he wished that he could give in and give Hoseok everything that his pure and good heart desired. But Yoongi couldn’t. Not with this. “It is not wrong for you to wish for such a thing. It...it is the world that is wrong for cursing us with such a fate.” 

“I don’t see getting to spend eternity with you as a curse though.” Hoseok pouted, “You want to keep us away from the rest of the world because...because it is dangerous. And that is true, it is dangerous if people were to find out that we’re vampires. Not everyone is accepting of our kind.” 

“That. And the fact that I don’t want you or I to get attached to any human that we will outlive.” Yoongi reminded, pulling Hoseok in closer, holding him close, “When your friend died a few centuries back, what was his name? Sejin?” 

“Sejin.” Hoseok’s heart fell at the mention, his arms snaking around Yoongi’s torso, “I miss him. I hate that humans grow old. I hate that they have to die eventually. I hate it.” 

“I don’t want you to go through that pain again. You were inconsolable for so long, darling. I didn’t know what to do.” 

“Just because it hurt at the end, doesn’t mean that I would go back in time and change anything .” Hoseok argued, “Sejin will always be my best friend, and it is better to have loved him as my friend and lost him then to have never had him as a friend to begin with.” 

“Seok-ah—”

“Do you remember how we met, hyungie? How you saved me?” 

Yoongi smiled despite himself, “Of course I remember. You made me break my golden rule.” 

“What? The golden rule to not turn any human into a vampire? Or the golden rule to isolate and not make yourself known?” Hoseok teased. 

“Let me rephrase that.” Yoongi started, “You made me break both of my golden rules.” 

Hoseok giggled, “You noticed me on the side of the river. I was sick and casted out of my village for fear of infecting the others there. I didn’t have anyone, no family, no friends who could come and help me. I thought for sure that I would die like that.” 

“I would have wiped that village clean of all life for doing such a thing to you. I would have done it if you would have let me. If you would have said the word, I would have done it.” Yoongi, still full of so much distaste and anger in his heart for the cruel fate the humans casted onto Hoseok. Onto his love. 

“I know.” Hoseok whispered, “But I’m glad you didn’t. I needed you, especially for that first century, I needed you there with me. They were just trying to protect themselves. It’s okay, but hyungie, you didn’t have to save me back then. You found me, but you could have easily continued on with your day. But instead, you stopped, you asked for my name, you helped me, you healed me.” 

“I turned you.” Yoongi tightened his hold on Hoseok, “Do not think otherwise, my beautiful boy. I...I didn’t know what to do. I was losing you and I had just found you.” Yoongi sighed into Hoseok’s hair, “I loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. At the time I thought you were just a beautiful boy. The most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Looking back now, it was selfish of me to condemn you to this life only to keep you alive. Only so that I could keep gazing upon your pretty face.” 

“You could just say you fell in love with me at first sight.” Hoseok smiled. 

“Yeah, I guess I could just say that, couldn't I?” Yoongi chuckled. 

“But I’m not mad. I’m so blessed that you found me, that you sired me and took care of me. I would never change anything that happened that day. Because everything led me to you hyungie.” Hoseok confessed, “But my point is, that if you would have stuck to your golden rules, I wouldn’t be here right now. We would have never met.” 

“Seok-ah, my love, our meeting and you wanting to bring a child into this is very different.” Yoongi was firm, “I wouldn’t survive it if I saw you so heartbroken when the child's time would inevitably come and yet you wouldn’t age a day. Seok-ah, I don’t want you to know such a heartbreak.” 

“It’s...it’s worth it Hyungie.” Hoseok was firm in his beliefs too. “The end is not all that there is to a story. I will love the child no matter the ending.” Hoseok spoke, moving to get up. Creating distance between them.

It was quiet for a moment as Hoseok sat at the edge of the bed, taking his time to slip his slippers on. 

“Hey, darling.” Yoongi called out softly, a gentle hand resting on hoseok’s arm. 

Hoseok paused, looking back towards Yoongi, his gaze softening, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to start our morning off like that. Did you have any dreams last night, hyungie?” 

Yoongi smiled a little as he moved to sit up, pulling Hoseok back a little bit, practically in Yoongi’s lap as the older vampire nosed along his neck with his lips, his teeth, fengs. Hoseok leaned his head to the side, giving Yoongi more access, “I had a good dream too, my pretty Seok-ah. Dreamt of you in my arms, bouncing in my lap, my feng's right, here.” Yoongi spoke gently against Hoseok’s skin, teasing with a light bite that caused Hoseok to moan, falling into Yoongi’s arms easily. 

Their morning started later than usual, but neither complained. 

Later in the late hours of the night, Hoseok went out with Seokjin into town to collect blood bags. Seokjin and Namjoon owned a blood donation business, which was how Hoseok and Yoongi stocked their blood now. Hoseok always preferred that method over Yoongi going out to hunt for their evening blood. He never liked the thought of Yoongi in harm's way, even if Yoongi was a more than capable vampire. 

Which left Yoongi alone to water Hoseok’s extensive garden of vegetables and flowers. Yoongi smiled a little as he watered the strawberries. They were vampires, while they could still taste and enjoy human foods, they didn’t need it to survive. And yet, Hoseok had insisted that they have a vegetable garden. 

One of the strawberries looked almost ripe, almost there. 

Yoongi’s phone ringing broke him from his thoughts. 

“Hello?” 

“Hyung!” Namjoon called, frantic, “Hyung where are you? Are you with Hoseok?” 

If Yoongi’s heart was beating, it would have stopped. He dropped the watering can to the ground and rushed back inside the house, “No? Why? He went into town with Jin hyung? Joon why do you sound like that? What’s Seok-ah?!” 

“Hyung calm down, it’s okay.” Namjoon tried, but his own voice betrayed him. “Something happened tonight in town—”

“ Where is he ?!” Yoongi was yelling now, running once he’d found his car keys. 

“Jin called me and he doesn’t know.” Namjoon rushed to explain, “There was...an accident. Some drunk driver, I think? I don’t know. I—”

“ Is he okay ?!” Yoongi couldn't breathe, yelling, tears welling in his eyes as he ran outside to the car, “My Hoseok. My Hoseok . Tell me he’s okay !” 

“Hyung stay at home!” Namjoon yelled once the front door slammed shut, “What if Hobi comes back—”

Yoongi dropped his phone to the ground when he saw Hoseok jogging up the dirt, wooded path to their home. He was crying, limping, holding tightly onto something but he was alive. He was okay . 

Namjoon was trying to gain Yoongi’s attention from the fallen phone, but that was the farthest thing from his mind as Yoongi started running, sprinting , to Hoseok’s side. “ Hoseok !” Yoongi yelled, relief flooding through him like a broken dam. “ Hoseok! ” 

“Hyung!” Hoseok cried back, there were wet tears on his cheeks as he fell into Yoongi’s open and ready arms the moment they were together again. “Hyungie…” Hoseok whimpered, trembled, “Hyungie I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” 

Yoongi held him, hushed him, rocked them both, “It’s alright. You’re okay. Hyung is here now, hyung’s got you. I’ll protect you. You did so good Seok-ah, my beautiful Seok-ah, you came back to me.” Yoongi spoke through his own tears. It had been decades since he’d had a scare of losing Hoseok. 

And every time Yoongi felt himself know what true hell was like. Being an older, practically invincible vampire left Yoongi with little worry for his safety. But the idea of losing Hoseok...a relatively younger vampire— the heart in Yoongi’s chest may have stopped beating, but Hoseok had found a way to show him life without a heartbeat.

Eternity for Yoongi didn’t exist without Hoseok. 

“What happened, Seok-ah? You’re limping...are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?” Yoongi asked, a little frantic when he leaned back, cupping Hoseok’s cheeks in his palms. 

“There was an accident,” Hoseok’s voice wavered, “Jin hyung was driving. There was a drunk driver who came and hit us head on. There was...there was fire and I was so scared I didn’t— I didn’t know what to do but—”

The small little thing swaddled in Hoseok’s arms cried out. 

Yoongi’s heart dropped. 

“Shh, it’s okay. It’s okay I’m here little one. I’ve got you.” Hoseok whispered sweetly to the little thing in his arms, rocking the baby gently. 

“Hoseok—”

“Not now Yoongi.” Hoseok’s voice returned back to it’s tremble filled flow, he started to move again towards the house. His limp, ever apparent, “Let’s go inside, the sun will be up soon.” 

“Hoseok.” Yoongi’s eyes watered again, watching Hoseok limp, there was not another moment that passed before Yoongi had Hoseok up in his arms, an arm under Hoseok’s legs and the other under his back as Yoongi walked the three of them back up to the house. 

Hoseok soothed the baby who had started to cry as Yoongi brought them into the house, setting Hoseok down onto the couch and fluffing up the pillows around him. Hoseok was gently bouncing the baby in his arms, soothing the small child with a gentle voice filled with sweet nothings. 

Yoongi’s heart constricted painfully. 

The image of Hoseok holding a child, calming them, it felt so right . 

But it was also incredibly dangerous. 

Yoongi moved to his knees, propping Hoseok’s wounded leg up onto the coffee table to take a look. Once the baby had calmed, Hoseok winced in pain when Yoongi ripped the fabric of his pants to view the damage. 

“Careful hyung. It still hurts.” Hoseok whispered through his teeth as Yoongi started to wrap the ripped cloth around Hoseok’s ankle tightly. 

“Darling.” Yoongi’s heart was breaking as he moved to sit next to Hoseok, brushing his bangs back, holding his waist, “Your ankle is broken.” 

“I know.” Hoseok nodded, his voice was gentle, his gaze on the now sleeping child in his arms. “It was a bad break. Probably won’t heal until tomorrow night since I’ve been walking on it.” 

“What happened?” Yoongi whispered. 

“It was a car accident.” Hoseok spoke again, “Nobody is usually out on the roads at this hour. But...apparently there was— there was a family on the road.” Hoseok’s voice was growing more and more tremble filled, a sob etching at the back of his throat. 

Yoongi held him steady. Kissing Hoseok's forehead, his cheek, “You’re okay. You’re okay darling. You’re here with me now. You’re okay.” 

“Yoongi.” A sob escaped Hoseok’s throat, “They hit us head on. They— if Seokjin hadn't been as quick as he was, we— the baby—” Hoseok was trying to stifle his sobs as to not disturb the now resting child. 

Yoongi brought Hoseok closer, allowing him to rest his head against Yoongi’s shoulder. “You’re okay. The baby is okay. Jin hyung is a strong vampire, older than even me. He would not have allowed you to be harm's way. I know that. He loves you, Jin hyung loves you and he will protect you. I know that.” 

“I know.” Hoseok whimpered quietly, “But hyung it’s not that that’s bothering me it’s…” Hoseok took a trembling breath, “The collision happened and Jin hyung and I got out right away to try and help the family. To try and save them. But the crash caused a fire and it was catching onto everything. I tried to help Jin hyung save the parents but they were already gone and they— hyung they reeked of alcohol. They were both drunk.” Hoseok cried, holding the child protectively, close. 

“So...the parents were drinking and driving...with their child in the backseat.” Yoongi put two and two together. His eyes grew wide with realization, “Oh, Seok-ah…” 

“Jin hyung and I tried to save them from the fire but it was already too late. And the fire was starting to catch onto the trees by the road.” Hoseok was struggling to keep his breath even, “Jin hyung left to stop the fire from spreading even more. I was so scared I didn’t know what to do and that’s when I heard this little one in the backseat.” Hoseok started, fixing the child's blankets. 

“So you went in to rescue the baby.” Yoongi concluded, running a comforting hand up and down Hoseok’s back. 

“It was hard. I got my foot caught in some kind of melted metal from the car and messed up my ankle trying to get it out but as soon as I had the baby in my arms I ran back home. I didn’t know where Jin hyung was and I...I just knew that I needed to come back home. Back here to you. I needed to see you.” Hoseok confessed quietly, gently. 

“Thank you for coming home. Thank you for coming back to me Seok-ah. My darling.” Yoongi whispered, kissing Hoseok everywhere he could reach. “I should have gone with you. Protected you.” 

“I’m okay.” Hoseok shook his head, “I’m okay it’s just…” Hoseok sighed, the tears still falling heavy down his cheeks, “It’s just this little one here…” 

Yoongi squared his jaw. “We can drop the child off at an orphanage. We can have Jin hyung do it next time he goes into town on business to not seem suspicious.” 

“But what will happen to the baby?” Hoseok asked quietly, his voice was trembling less, he sounded tired. “What if he’s adopted by a family who won’t love him well? What if he’s not adopted at all?” 

“Seok-ah…” Yoongi tried, “My darling, we can not save them all. We are already in danger by having this child here.” 

“We can not save them all and yet you saved me.” 

“Seok-ah, please. Look at me.” Yoongi whispered, waiting for Hoseok’s gaze to finally, finally meet his own. Yoongi looked into Hoseok’s dark brown, red rimmed eyes. And he wanted to explain his point, he wanted to prove how dangerous this was but all he could say when their gazes met was, 

“ I love you .” He spoke so quietly, so gently and relieved. So fond. “I love you Seok-ah. Thank you for coming back to me. Always come back to me.” Yoongi leaned his forehead against Hoseok’s own, “Promise that you will always come back home to me my darling.” 

Hoseok closed his eyes, “I promise.” He whispered, “I love you too, Yoongi. I love you so much. I’ll always come back to you.” 

Yoongi leaned in to kiss Hoseok gently. Hoseok sighed into the lip lock embrace, going lax in Yoongi’s arms as Yoongi hummed. He kissed Hoseok in the way that the stars kiss the night sky. 

“I’ll have you drink from my vein tonight, darling.” Yoongi spoke when they parted, “Help you heal that ankle quicker with some of my older blood.” 

Hoseok nodded, a grateful smile on his lips, “Okay, hyungie. But first, I should go see if we have any more milk left for this little guy.” Hoseok’s attention returned to the baby in his arms as he moved to get up. 

“Here, let me help you. You have to take it easy on your ankle for it to heal faster, you’re still a relatively young vampire sweetheart. We have to be patient.” Yoongi started, helping to hold Hoseok up by his waist as he led them to the kitchen. 

“You worry too much hyungie.” Hoseok giggled, the sound like a balm to Yoongi’s shaken heart. 

“Considering I almost lost you just a few moments ago, I would beg to differ.” 

“I’m a vampire , a car crash can’t hurt me.” Hoseok spoke, wincing a little as he stepped on his hurt leg. 

Yoongi sighed when they entered the kitchen, “A young vampire might I remind you. With an older vampire like Jin hyung, it’s going to take a lot more than a car crash to take him out. But with you, and even Namjoon, we have to be careful. Give it a few more centuries darling and you’ll get stronger in time.” Yoongi kissed Hoseok’s cheek, his nose, his forehead, anything he could reach until Hoseok’s pout was melting into a smile again. 

“Good thing I’ve got you then, huh?” Hoseok teased sweetly, “Oh, can you call Jinnie hyung? I think he might be looking for me.” 

“Ah, that’s a good idea. Namjoon called me before you—” Yoongi started but was cut off by the ringing of the doorbell. “Speaking of him.” Yoongi chuckled. The only ones who ever came to the house were Seokjin and Namjoon. 

“You go get the door, I’ll get the baby some milk.” Hoseok spoke gently, looking down towards the sleeping child. 

Yoongi gave Hoseok one last kiss on his cheek before leaving to open the front door. 

And as expected, Namjoon and Seokjin came barreling in, Namjoon pressing Yoongi’s phone to his hand, “Hyung!” Namjoon started, “Next time you decide to disappear, at least let me know that you found Hobi.” 

“Is he alright?” Seokjin asked, frantic, rushing into the house past Yoongi and taking less than a second to slip his shoes off. 

“He’s okay. He’s in the kitchen. He’s safe .” Yoongi spoke through an exhale, closing the door behind him and bowing low towards Seokjin. “Thank you for saving him, Jin hyung. I owe you everything.” 

“Oh hush.” Seokjin waved off Yoongi’s grand display, “All I did was swerve out of the way as much as I could before that car hit us. Hobi-ah is my friend too, I would do anything to protect him.” 

“Is he injured at all? Jin hyung said that he disappeared after the accident?” Namjoon asked then, concern in his voice and gaze. 

“Broken ankle.” Yoongi looked down, hating that Hoseok was hurt at all. “Should be healed in a few hours after I have him feed from me.” 

“That’s a good idea. Drinking from his sire—from you —will comfort him too, it was...it was a rough scene today. I’ve been in worse, and I know that the two of you have been through worse too. But you know how Hobi is…” Seokjin trailed off. 

“He’s got more heart then he does blood in him.” Yoongi smiled, proud. “That’s my Seok-ah. Here, you guys take a seat in the living room and I’ll bring out some fresh blood. Seok-ah he... brought home something that we’re going to need to figure out a solution for.” Yoongi spoke, venturing off into the kitchen when Seokjin and Namjoon left for the living room. 

Yoongi was at the kitchen doorway, about to call out for Hoseok when he paused. 

Yoongi froze in his place when he witnessed the scene before him. 

The kitchen seemed so much warmer with the cool hue of moonlight trickling in through the window. Hoseok stood by the counter in front of the window, softly humming and rocking the baby in his arms. The smile that Hoseok was painting for the child...it was one that Yoongi had seldom seen. 

It was a smile that had Yoongi’s heart constraining painfully, had him wishing to wrap his arms around his darling, his Hoseok. To watch Hoseok fondly gaze at the child in the moonlight. 

How natural Hoseok was with the child, how he bloomed with the little one in his arms and how easily Yoongi could imagine himself fitting into that warmth. It scared him. 

“Darling.” Yoongi started softly, gently. 

“Yoonie, look.” Hoseok whispered, swaying a little closer to Yoongi’s direction, “I think he likes me.” 

Yoongi walked into the kitchen, a hand resting on Hoseok’s hip as he noticed the child's small, small hand wrapped around Hoseok’s whole pinky finger, looking up towards Hoseok with big, dark eyes. “Of course he likes you, beautiful. You saved him.” 

Just as Yoongi spoke, the child's eyes moved from Hoseok to him, and Yoongi felt something spark in his chest when the baby's innocent eyes were peering up towards him. 

“I think he likes you too, hyungie.” Hoseok smiled, helping the baby bottle full of milk back up towards the babies lips, helping the child to drink. 

Yoongi narrowed his eyes in confusion, the baby was still looking up towards him, “Seok-ah, where did you get that baby bottle?” 

“Huh? Oh, this?” Hoseok asked, and Yoongi knew before Hoseok even answered. “It was a— uh...a gift! Yeah, something someone sent to the house as a free gift of sorts. Nothing big. Anyway—”

“When did you buy a baby bottle, Seok-ah?” Yoongi asked gently. He wasn’t mad, he could never be mad with Hoseok. 

Hoseok's eyes stayed glued to the little one in his arms, his cheeks tinting with a light blush, “Just...a few years ago. Recent. I just...I know you said over and over again that you didn’t want any kids but I just...I thought that maybe just in case one day….” 

“It’s okay, hyung is not mad.” Yoongi leaned forward to press a kiss to Hoseok’s forehead, “It came in handy today, didn’t it? You don’t have to hide things like that from me darling. All I want is for you to be happy. But I just need you to be safe first.” 

“I know.” Hoseok sighed, a little relieved, a little tired. 

“Come on, let’s head into the living room. Jin hyung and Namjoon-ah are here.” Yoongi helped Hoseok move. 

“Jin hyung? He’s okay? Where—”

“Hobi!” Seokjin was up and yelling the moment Hoseok made it into the living room. Sekojin rushed over to pull Hoseok into a warm embrace, “Oh Hobi you had me so worried !” 

“Careful hyung!” Hoseok tried to give Seokjin as reassuring of an embrace back while also protecting the little one in his arms from being squished. “Don’t want to hurt him.” He spoke gently, the child now looking up towards Seokjin with wide eyes. “Look!” Hoseok whisper yelled, “He’s looking at you!” 

“He is.” Seokjin sighed, smiling down towards the child, “So you’re the reason why our little Hobi ran off, hm?” Seokjin spoke gently. 

“Here, come sit down darling. Don’t want you standing on your leg too much.” Yoongi led Hoseok down onto the couch where he was before, helping to prop his leg up onto the coffee table again. Hoseok’s attention was on the little one in his arms before turning towards Seokjin who had taken a seat next to Namjoon, “I’m glad you’re okay, Jin hyung. I...I found this little one but then you went off to put out the fire that was catching on the trees and in all the commotion I lost you…” 

Seokjin shook his head, “Don’t apologize Hobi, you are safe and that is what matters. I was able to put out the fires, I was just worried when I couldn’t find you anywhere.” 

“We’re just glad you made it home to Yoongi hyung safe.” Namjoon added, smiling, relieved towards his friend. “But...we probably should discuss...that…” Namjoon’s gaze fell down to the child in Hoseok’s arms. 

Yoongi, who had taken a seat beside Hoseok, and arm looped around Hoseok’s waist, felt the younger vampire's arms tighten protectively around the child. Could hear Hoseok growing emotional as he spoke, “What about him? I had to save him, I know it’s dangerous to bring a human into a vampire's household but— but I was scared and I needed Yoongi hyung so I brought the child here.” Hoseok looked down towards the child, “Besides, he’s so little, he’s so defenseless how could this little child ever be any threat to us?” 

Seokjin leaned forward to rest a hand on Hoseok’s knee, “Hobi, nobody here thinks you made the wrong choice. Nobody is going to take the baby away from you.” 

Yoongi was drawing soothing circles along Hoseok’s arm as Namjoon spoke, “I...I did some research on the way over here.” He spoke, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.  

“Research…?” Hoseok echoed, tetitive. 

“You know how good my Joonie is with researching things, he found everything on the family that was in the accident today.” Seokjin clarified. 

Hoseok’s eyes grew wide, “Really? Wait— so that means you know the baby's name, right?” 

Namjoon nodded, “Yes. The babys name is Jungkook, he’s just shy of six months old.” 

Hoseok’s smile illuminated as he looked down, whispering softly, “Jungkookie, that’s your name, isn’t it? Little Jungkookie?” 

Yoongi’s heart warmed at the sight, but it came with a bittersweet feeling. He kissed Hoseok’s shoulder, he didn’t want to take something away from Hoseok that caused him so much joy. But he was afraid that he would have no choice. 

“There was…” Namjoon bit his lip, waiting for Seokjin to nod in reassurance before continuing, “There was evidence...to support the fact that Jungkooks parents were... unfit to have a child under their care, to say the least.” 

“What do you mean, unfit?” Hoseok asked. 

“They were both on the track to losing the rights to their child. History of drinking and driving as you saw today, and...and I won’t share the details of the rest.” Namjoon shook his head, “I will spare you the horrors. But, just know that in some ways it is good that the child ended up here and not with them. They showed no signs of changing their ways, even after Jungkook was born.” 

“How could...how could someone... two people do such horrible things and lose the rights to such a beautiful child.” Hoseok was tearing up, and Yoongi wished that he could do more to comfort the younger vampire, “I do not wish to think about it. Little Jungkookie is safe and he is alive and he is here. That is what matters.” 

“Hobi.” Seokjin squeezed his knee reassuringly. 

“Hyung, we don’t have to do this right away, but the next time Seokjin and I head into town on business, we can drop Jungkookie off at the local orphanage. We will do so at night so as to not seem suspicious.” Namjoon spoke, gentle, “But...we all know that this is something you’ve wanted, Hobi hyung. We don’t have to do so right away.” 

“Why must I give him up at all? Isn’t it fate that I found Jungkook?” Hoseok asked, tears welling in his eyes as he looked back towards Yoongi, asking, pleading, for support. For reassurance. 

It broke Yoongi. Denying Hoseok anything broke him. But denying him this, something that he knew personally that Hoseok had wanted for so long, it hurt more than he thought it ever would. “Seok-ah,” He started off gently, “What would happen when Jungkook starts to grow older?”

“What do you mean? He would go to school, he would make friends and play with them.” Hoseok looked down towards Jungkook, “Maybe he’ll take piano lessons, or maybe he’ll like soccer. He would be a good boy.” 

“And Seok-ah, how will you send Jungkook to school? How will you meet his teachers? His friends? The other parents?” Yoongi asked, “How will you go to his piano recitals or soccer games without giving it away that you are an unaging, accent vampire?” 

“Hyung.” Hoseok looked towards Yoongi then, frustrated tears welling in his eyes, “We can rearrange our sleeping patterns. We can stand out in the sun for short periods of time, so we’ll get some umbrellas and sunscreen. I’ll take him to school and we can keep our distance from the other parents.” Hoseok reasoned, “Why can’t you just...why can’t you just let me have this? Why don’t you want a family with me Yoongi?” 

“I do want that with you sweetheart.” Yoongi rushed to explain, “If we were human—”

“There hasn’t been any vampire sightings for decades! Not everyone takes kindly to our kind, but they are not as suspicious of us as they once were! We can do this...we can have this.” Hoseok’s voice trembled at the edges, “ I can have this. I just...I want you there too. It only works if you’re there with me hyung.” 

“Seok-ah…”

“Hobi.” Seokjin started then, gently, “Yoongi has a point. It is dangerous. And you are still young in vampire years, give it a few centuries and then I’m sure it will be much safer to raise a family like you want.” 

Hoseok looked towards Seokjin, then Namjoon. 

Namjoon nodded, “It’s true, Hobi. If Jungkook were to tell anyone that his parents are vampires, then that would be the end.” 

Hoseok looked down, defeated. Jungkook had finished his bottle of milk, staring up towards Hoseok and reaching towards him with his small arms. Hoseok broke. A broken sob escaped his lips, as he shook his head, “You need to take him now then.” 

“Hobi…”

“If I hold him any longer, I won’t give him up. I won’t.” Hoseok cried, holding Jungkook even closer to his chest, kissing the little one's forehead before handing him to Seokjin’s open arms. 

Jungkook started to cry immediately. 

Yoongi pulled Hoseok quickly into his arms. Whispering sweet nothings as Seokjin and Namjoon moved to stand up, Yoongi nodded towards them. Giving them the cue to leave. 

Once the door had shut and Jungkook’s cries could no longer be heard, Hoseok’s cries took over, he was clutching onto Yoongi, shaking his head. Yoongi knew that Hoseok had a hundred things that he wanted to say, but nothing came out. And that was okay, because Yoongi was there. Yoongi would always hold him together. Keep him afloat. 

Except Yoongi wanted to cry too. 

And maybe he was. 

“Hyung we...we have to keep tabs on Jungkookie. We have to make sure he’s adopted by a good family. Please? Promise me. Please.” Hoseok was begging, “If I let him go then you have to promise me this at least. Please hyung.” 

“I…” Yoongi started, a lump growing in his throat. 

He had vowed, centuries ago, to make Hoseok the happiest man in the world. To protect him, to love him. 

And now, the man he loved the most was crying in his arms. 

When Hoseok cried in his arms over his best friend passing, Yoongi cursed the world for making him so powerless to stop Hoseok’s pain. For causing Hoseok such heartbreak. 

And now, Hoseok cried in his arms over a child taken from his arms. 

A child that was still very much so alive. 

Yoongi leaned back, moving to stand up. 

“Hyung...hyung where are you going? What are you doing?” Hoseok’s eyes grew wide when Yoongi moved away from him. 

“I’ll be right back, darling. I promise. I just— I’ll be right back.” Yoongi started, before dashing for the door. Moving as quickly as possible, wanting to return to sooth Hoseok’s cries as fast as he could.

“Jin hyung!” Yoongi yelled the moment he saw them outside. Seokjin held the child who was still crying loudly as Namjoon made room in the car for them. “Joon!” Yoongi called, his chest heaving. 

“Yoongi?” Seokjin turned around, confused, guilty, “Is everything alright? I’m sorry about all this...I know how much this means to Hobi—”

“You’re not taking the baby.” Yoongi regained his voice, holding his arms out for the child who was now reaching for Yoongi. 

“Hyung. I know that Hobi wants this but you have to think about—” Namjoon tried to argue, but Yoongi shook his head, cutting him off. 

“I’ll protect Hoseok. I’ve kept him safe through far worse.” Yoongi spoke, his voice growing softer as Seokjin hesitantly shifted Jungkook from his arms to Yoongi’s own. “My Seok-ah wants this. And I’ll give this to him, I’ll keep him safe. Keep them both safe.” Yoongi spoke, looking down towards the child who’s cries had quieted. Still there, yet, softer. 

Yoongi’s heart tugged at the thought that he was the balm that soothed the child's distress. 

“You’re sure about this?” Seokjin asked, unsure, “You know what this means if you take the child in as your own. You know how much you and Hobi’s life will have to change to accommodate Jungkook and his human needs. How dangerous this could be for the both of you.” 

“Something tells me that Hobi has been planning for this for a very, very long time.” Namjoon started from beside Seokjin, resting a hand across Seokjin’s waist, “ If anyone is suited to raise a human child, it’s the two of you.” He gestured back towards the house, “Call us if you need anything hyung, go give Hobi his baby back.” 

Yoongi nodded, grateful, towards the two men before rushing back into the house. Jungkook's arms were outstretched, as he whimpered, babbling. The moment Yoongi stepped foot back into the house, Hoseok turned to find him. 

Them.

“ Jungkook !” Hoseok cried, he was up in a matter of seconds, rushing over to the door where Yoongi stood. 

Yoongi realized then, that Jungkook’s arms were outstretched, reaching for Hoseok . 

“Jungkookie.” Hoseok cried again, relief and worry in his voice as he took the child easily back into his arms, holding him close and bouncing him gently, “Jungkookie it’s okay, I’m here. I’m here baby.” 

“Darling, your ankle.” Yoongi spoke gently as he closed the door behind him, worried as Hoseok stood there on his wounded leg. 

“Did they...are they letting us keep him?” Hoseok looked up towards Yoongi, more tears welling in his eyes, an anxious look on his features. 

Yoongi realized then, that Jungkook had stopped crying. His small hands fisted into the soft fabric of Hoseok’s shirt. 

“He’s ours.” Yoongi confessed through an exhale, quiet, before repeating again, a little louder, “He’s ours, Seok-ah. He’s our boy.” Yoongi spoke, moving to wrap his arm around Hoseok from behind, his other arm coming to help hold the child, “He’s our Jungkookie.” 

Hoseok choked on a quiet cry as he leaned back into Yoongi, looking down towards Jungkook with the fondest of gazes, “Did you hear that, Jungkookie?” Hoseok whispered, “You’re home baby, you’re home. We’re going to take such good care of you. You’re going to grow up to be so good, our little Jungkookie.” Hoseok spoke, pressing a kiss to Jungkook’s forehead. 

“He stopped crying the moment you held him, darling.” Yoongi commented, hooking his chin over Hoseok’s shoulder. 

“I think he likes us.” Hoseok beamed, “You like your appa’s baby? Hm?” Hoseok spoke sweetly to the little one, “Hyung, is everything okay? Is it really okay?” 

“Everything is okay, my beautiful Seok-ah.” Yoongi pressed a kiss to the side of Hoseok’s neck, his shoulder, “Trust hyung. I’ll take care of everything. No matter what happens I will protect you. I will protect us . Our family.” 

“Our family.” Hoseok whispered, watching Jungkook’s eyes on the both of them. 

Our family .

Three Months Later. 

Hoseok woke up to the gentle shades of sunlight trickling into the room. The sun felt warm against his skin, inviting, much warmer than the cool shades of moonlight that would normally greet his mornings. 

Fluttering his eyes open, Hoseok found an empty bed with the lingering warmth of his lover. “Hyungie?” Hoseok yawned quietly, turning to find Yoongi standing by the window, bouncing Jungkook softly in his arms. Humming something sweet and gentle to the little one. 

Hoseok laid there, watching with a fond smile as Yoongi rocked their baby. Over the past few months, Hoseok had watched Yoongi grow more and more fond of Jungkook. Yoongi, who was always so strong and yet caring, would become so gentle in quiet moments like this. 

The sight caused Hoseok’s heart to bloom with affection. 

It didn’t take long for Yoongi to notice Hoseok had woken up, smiling fondly towards the vampire as he walked over to press a kiss to Hoseok’s forehead, “Good morning, my darling.” 

“Good morning hyungie.” Hoseok smiled, looking up towards Yoongi, asking for a kiss with his gaze, something in which Yoongi was happy to oblige before Hoseok was moving to sit up, holding out his arms for Jungkook. 

“Good morning, my little prince.” Hoseok smiled down towards the little one, smiling brighter with Jungkook’s small hand clutching in the fabric of Hoseok’s shirt. Hoseok looked up towards Yoongi, “How long have you been standing in the sun?” 

“Not very long.” Yoongi shrugged, “I don’t mind, Jungkookie likes it.” 

“Jungkookie just likes being held and sang to by his appa, doesn’t he?” Hoseok cooed down towards the little one who giggled in response. 

“Hyungie?” 

“Hm?” Yoongi moved to fit himself behind Hoseok, allowing the younger vampire to lean back against his chest with Jungkook cradled in his arms. 

“I want another one.” 

Yoongi paused his breathing for a moment, eyes wide, “You want another one?!” 

“Mm.” Hoseok nodded, playing with Jungkook to make him giggle again, “Jinnie hyung and Namjoonie adopted Taehyungie and Jiminie last month, and they get along so well. They’re hardly two years old yet. Jungkookie would want a little brother to play with like that when he gets older, wouldn't he?” 

“Seok-ah...I think Jungkookie is already happy. Besides, Jimin and Taehyung are over here all the time, once Jungkook is old enough to start playing with them, it’ll be like they’re brothers already.” Yoongi kissed the top of Hoseok’s head. 

Hoseok hummed, “I guess you’re right.” He spoke gently down towards Jungkook, “You already have two older brothers, don’t you little prince?” He asked, the question making Jungkook giggle and babble. 

But...his babbling this time was different from his usual babbling. 

Hoseok gasped, his eyes growing wide, “Hyung! Hyung he’s trying to say something!” Hoseok was swatting his hand behind him to gain Yoongi’s attention. “Yeah? What is it Jungkookie? You want to say appa?” Hoseok asked gently, sweetly. 

Jungkook continued to struggle with his babbling, until the sounds came together, and the baby in Hoseok’s arms was happily chirping, “ Eomma !” 

Hoseok sucked in a breath, eyes wide as Jungkook looked towards him, chanting his new word, proudly, excitedly, “Eomma! Eomma!” The baby giggled, “Eomma!” 

“Eomma….?” Hoseok echoed, pointing towards himself, tears welling in his eyes, “Eomma, baby? Eomma?” 

“Eomma!” Jungkook wiggled in Hoseok’s arms now, growing excited with all the attention. 

Yoongi was overcome with emotion as well, pulling Hoseok close to him, hooking his chin over Hoseok’s shoulder as he spoke emotionally, “Shit. Darling, you’re Jungkookies eomma. You’re his eomma.”  

“ Sheet !” Jungkook echoed then, and this time Hoseok gasped for a different reason. Jungkook giggled more as Hoseok swatted Yoongi behind him, “Min Yoongi! Do not use that language in front of Jungkook!” 

“Sorry, sorry!” Yoongi couldn't contain his own laughter that harmonized with Jungkook's own. 

“Ap— pa!” Jungkookie pointed towards Yoongi then, repeating again, “Appa!” 

“Yoongi.” Hoseok whispered, he was crying, “Yoongi. You’re his appa, you’re our babies appa. Yoongi .” 

“Appa!” Jungkook clapped his hands together, giggling as Yoongi felt his chest expand, as Yoongi felt his world become his family. His family . 

“Appa is here, Jungkookie.” Yoongi’s voice grew emotional, helping Hoseok to hold Jungkook, “Appa is here, appa will always be here.” 

“Eomma and appa love you so very much, our little prince.” Hoseok whispered down towards the child. 

Jungkook squealed in delight, “Eomma! Appa! Sheet!” 

“No, no.” Hoseok giggled, sniffing as he used a free hand to wipe away his tears, “Eomma and Appa. Just Eomma and Appa.” Hoseok’s words only caused Jungkook to giggle more. 

“Seok-ah.” Yoongi started after wiping away his own tears, pressing a kiss to Hoseok’s neck, “You are such a good eomma for Jungkookie. You were right, back then.” 

“What do you mean? I’m always right.” Hoseok giggled, giddy. 

“That it was fate that I found you by that river. That it was fate that you found Jungkook. You were right.” Yoongi spoke, his voice emotional. “I love you darling.” 

“Yeah,” Hoseok looked back up towards Yoongi, “It was fate, wasn’t it? It was love and, and just a little bit of fate.” He giggled, “And also,” Hoseok leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Yoongi’s lips, gentle and sweet, “I love you too.” 

Jungkooks happy squeals painted the air and Hoseok turned back towards him, his voice just like his kiss, gentle and sweet, “Your eomma loves your appa just like eomma loves our little Jungkookie.” He sang to the baby. 

Yoongi wrapped his arms around his family, around his world, “Eomma and appa will always love you, Jungkookie. You are so loved. You will always be so loved, our Jungkookie. Even as you grow old, don’t ever forget how loved you are.” 

“Our Jungkookie.” Hoseok echoed softly. 

Yoongi watched Hoseok gaze down towards their child, their world, and the fear that he had once harbord, the uncertainty that the child brought with it had diminished to warmth and love. Because they were together, the three of them.

Call it love, and just a little bit of fate, that Yoongi and Hoseok had finally found their family, in eternity.