Jin was in a hurry to get out the door, but he had to run back inside when he realized he had forgotten the most important thing: baked peanut butter treats for Bam. It was that time of year when he baked treats for all the dogs he walked and usually gave them to their owners if they were okay with their dogs having them. He had some clients refuse in the past due to their dogs' diet, but most always accepted and were grateful.

He had hoped that Bam's owner wouldn't have any problems, but he didn't think so because, over the past month, the owner had been quiet and rarely talked to him.

This kind of annoyed Jin. He knew he had turned down the owner, but he thought that if the owner wanted him to keep walking his dog, the least he could do was talk to him and be nice. Instead, Jin was usually ignored, which he hated. But he kept quiet about it, especially around his best friend, who could easily get the wrong idea about why he was annoyed. Also, he liked this kind of attitude better than how the owner had treated him before.

Jin was glad the ride to Bam's house didn't take as long as usual because there wasn't much traffic. He was hoping for a good week because all he did the week before was take exams. But he didn't have school this week because it was the start of his winter break, which he was happy about. He thought it would be colder outside than it was, but he was pleasantly surprised, and he loved it. He knew Bam would agree that it was a great day to walk.

He got along very well with Bam and spent a lot of time teaching Bam tricks while they walked. It was the first time he had a lot of free time with a dog. Even when he brought Bam home later than planned, the owner never asked him about it. The first time it happened, he was sure he would get interrogated about it, but it never came, and he was glad because he and Bam enjoyed their time together.

As usual, when he got to Jungkook's front door, he rang the doorbell and smiled when he heard Bam barking excitedly on the other side. Because of his tests, he hadn't seen Bam in a week, so he knew the dog would be happy to see him.

When the door opened, Bam ran up to him with his tail wagging. Jin bent down and hugged him, saying, "I missed you, Bammie. Did you miss me? You did, didn't you?"

Bam barked at Jin, sniffed him, then rolled over so Jin could scratch his belly. Jin laughed and then did what he knew Bam wanted.

"Such a good boy! Yes, you are-" Jin was cut off when he heard someone clear their throat.

He stopped what he was doing and stood up as he made eye contact with Jungkook, "Hi."

"There is no daycare available for Bam this week. I believe that you have gotten a notification about what is necessary for Bam this week from my assistant, Park Jimin." Jungkook spoke firmly as he looked everywhere except for Jin.

"Yes, I did. I also made treats for the dogs I walk, as I do every time. I made some for Bam if you want to give them to him." Jin said as he handed over the box in his hand to Jungkook.

"Okay." Jungkook took the box from Jin. "Have a nice day, Bam. Please take good care of my dog, Seokjin; I expect you to return him home on time today, and I don't want him to waste the day playing fetch in the park."

Jungkook didn't wait to hear Jin's response as he shut the door. Jin sighed and shook his head as he tried to put Bam's leash on. "How does he know that we play fetch at the park?" he asked after a short pause.

****

Hoseok was about to pee on himself; he could feel it, he had been doing all in his power for it not to happen, but at this point, it was possible.

"Jungkook, can I use the bathroom, and then we resume this conversation?"

"No. You said that Seokjin would be open to the possibility of another chance with me if I accomplished all that you and that therapist suggested. I have done it. I don't understand why he hasn't volunteered to go after this opportunity with me.

Today, you want to know what happened? He brought Bam some tasty snacks. Sweets and treats for Bam. Have you been listening to that? There were no treats for Jungkook. Sweets and treats for Bam. I got nothing! Bam is the only one to whom Seokjin has given attention. You are to blame for this." Jungkook pulled off his jacket and adjusted his tie as he became irritated.

"Please, Jungkook, I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back. I'll make sure Seokjin sees you, I promise. Please let me use the restroom." Before Jungkook could say anything else, Hoseok ran out of the room.

Jungkook used the intercom on his desk to call out to Jimin, "Park, come in here."

In less than 10 seconds, Jimin had made his way inside Jungkook's office. "Yes, sir?"

"Are you interested in trying out for track and field?" While looking at Jimin, who was still holding his lunch in his hand, Jungkook curiously arched one eyebrow.

Jimin looked at Jungkook, confused, "Sir, I am not sure I understand."

"What was the hurry that brought you in here? Do you think that this might be used as a playground?"

"Oh, well, sir... I apologize; I thought it was an emergency, and I misunderstood."

"Don't even bother thinking that way because even if it were an emergency, you wouldn't be the first person I contacted."

Jimin pressed his lips together. "Good to know." He finally let out after repeating some calming words within.

"Keep it in mind. Now, for the purpose why I asked for your presence here. If you were a dog walker and you were preparing treats for a dog, why wouldn't you also prepare some for the dog's owner out of common courtesy?"

Jimin didn't say anything while he looked at Jungkook. In the last month, his job had only become more difficult. He got a big raise in pay, but sometimes he wondered if it was worth it.

"It depends. I would only make treats for dogs if I were making them because I might offend their owners if I offered them treats meant for dogs."

"Why not make it edible for both?"

"I don't know, sir. I am not qualified to answer this question."

"You are right about that. Where did Seokjin take Bam today?"

Jimin sighed, "They went to his favorite cafe on 7th Street and then to the dog park. I don't know where they're going next, but I'm sure they'll have lunch wherever they go."

"Thank you. Let me know where they go for lunch."

"Will do."

"Okay, I am back," Hoseok announced, which made Jimin grateful, and he departed.

Jungkook turned to gaze at Hoseok and said, "When would it be possible for me to ask Seokjin out on another date? I am not the one who should be waiting. The more I wait, the more at ease he becomes dating someone who isn't me, and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to allow that to happen."

Hoseok went up to Jungkook and said, "I've already told you this, you can't just tell Seokjin to date you, and it happens. He needs to see you in a better way than he has before. I'm sure he doesn't understand why you haven't been talking to him well. But I think he has taken it seriously and is thankful for it. Tomorrow, give him the cup of coffee you always bring here for Jimin but never give me. Don't do anything else. Just tell him you brewed an extra cup and want to give it to him. If he takes it with a smile, that's a step forward. Besides that, don't do anything else. After that, we'll talk about what to do next."

"Give him coffee when he only brought treats for Bam?"

"Jungkook! He brought treats for Bam to show he cared. Would you rather him not care for Bam?"

"No. So it's good that Bam got treats and I didn't?"

Hoseok sighed, "yes, in this scenario, yes. It's better Bam gets the treats, specifically, the dog treats, rather than Jungkook getting dog treats."

"Okay, so Bam gets the treats."

"Correct. Remember to give Seokjin a cup of coffee and nothing else tomorrow."

*****

"I nearly strangled your brother today." Hoseok groaned and placed his head on the chest of his husband.

Yoongi ran his fingers through Hoseok's hair and asked, "why?"

"Why? Are you seriously asking me that? What you and your mother have asked of me is insane. I don't know how to help this man. He is frustrating!"

"He has been listening to you though it means you are doing something good."

"I'm not sure. He does listen, but I have to tell him five times before he gets it. One minute, he's a man from the 1800s, and the next minute he's a four-year-old. How can you both be so different? I really don't think it's right to call you brothers. I wouldn't say that in front of your mother, but it's what I really think. I don't know how he got the company instead of you. Well, he is smart, but his mind is a mess otherwise. Sorry to put it this way, Yoongi, but he needs a lot of help."

As Yoongi listened to his husband, he thought strongly before he spoke his next words, "Hoseok, as you are my husband, I will trust you with this, especially since you have been doing so much for Jungkook. My mom and I really appreciate it."

Hoseok sat up, "I know you do, and I am happy to help, but-"

"I wasn't finished. You said something that I can't ignore. Jungkook and I are different, not just because we have different fathers. Jungkook was adopted. My parents adopted him when he was seven."

His wide eyes were fixed on his husband as he asked, "what?"

"You are not allowed to let anybody, even my mother or Jungkook, know that you are aware of this. We do not disclose this information to anyone or discuss the fact that he was adopted. My mother does not consider him an adoptive son; rather, she considers him her biological son. I refer to him as my brother, and my dad raised him as his own kid.

However, we know he is different in some aspects, so my mom always kept him in therapy. Having this information in your possession, I believe, will make it easier for you to feel empathy for him as you continue to interact with him. Before being adopted by my parents, he endured many hardships. I love and trust you, but I can't tell you about any of it."

The surprise was evident on Hoseok's face. Despite being married into the family, he had not known until now that Jungkook was adopted; he always assumed Yoongi was an outsider.

Yoongi leaned over and kissed his husband, "I know it's a lot to process, but I am happy I told you. I think you will understand why we care for him as we do."

"It's a lot to process, but if your parents adopted him, why does he have Jeon as his last name?"

"They never changed his name."

"So, wait, your mom has had only one husband?"

Yoongi nodded, "yeah, my dad. But Jungkook and I have different last names, so we say we have different dads and are half-brothers. It works better and fewer people question it, but now you know the truth."

"I can't believe you never told me this. Are there any other family secrets I should know about?"

"This is more of Jungkook's secret than mine, but since I see how hard you are trying and how confused you are, I trust you with it. Just don't tell him anything about it. It is something that really sets him off."

"I would never. Are his parents alive? His birth parents?"

Yoongi shook his head, "no. Well, I don't know."

"Is that why your parents adopted him? Because they died?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't discuss it with you. I promised my parents I would never repeat it, and it took them a long time to tell me about it."

"I see; well, I won't ask again. I am thankful you share this much with me because it helps, but it also makes me feel bad. Have I been too harsh toward him?"

"No, even though you find him annoying, you have always shown that you care, which is one of the reasons my mother welcomed you into the family. I will tell you honestly that if Jungkook hadn't taken a liking to you, she never would have."

"What?"

"He means that much to her. She is very protective of him, as you know. He had to give his opinion about you before I got married to you."

"You never told me this!"

"There was nothing to tell. You were already good in his eyes before you ever met him. He told me that if I was happy, there was nothing further that could be done about it. I should go ahead and be happy."

"He said that?"

"He did."

"Are you sure?"

Yoongi laughed, "I am sure."