12:07am

Jungkook PoV

I scrunch my face up from the sound of crying, my vision blurred as I look over to the corner of the room.

"She woke up again." Y/n says whilst softly bouncing with Lia. "Can you run downstairs and get me a bottle for her?"

Despite my heavy tiredness, I pull myself out of bed and head downstairs. This is the third time Lia has woken up crying tonight and I'm starting to think sleep isn't gonna happen for any of us at this point.

When I return upstairs, I hand Y/n the bottle which she proceeds to feed Lia with. Her crying stops, only soft sniffles coming out now which I actually find kinda cute. Those big eyes that were once full of tears are falling heavy with sleep again. She's almost like a cartoon character.

"Do you mind if I get back into bed?" I ask, and Y/n shakes her head before smiling down at Lia. See. If that was me, I wouldn't have even thought to try a bottle of milk. I just don't have those instincts like Y/n.

I pull the cover back over me, but I can't seem to drift off again. Having Lia is almost like the equivalent of having an alarm you constantly hit the snooze button on.

When I feel the weight of Y/n behind me, I turn. Greeted by her back I pull her up against me, to which she hums contently.

"Thank you for being an amazing mother." I say. She strokes up and down my forearm, her way of telling me "that's okay"

12 minutes later

Jungkook PoV

I'm still awake, and already Lia has started to cry again.

A part of me hesitates for a second, but just as I go to get up Y/n beats me to it. She sits up to rub her eyes, a tired yawn escaping her mouth as she lazily walks towards the crib. "It's okay baby girl I'm coming."

"Aren't you working an early shift today?" I ask.

"Yeah the manager wants me in to clean the club."

Hearing those words is like a wave of guilt washing over me. She's gonna be exhausted at this rate. And what am I doing about it? Nothing.

"Let me try." I get out of bed and walk towards the crib. When Y/n turns Lia to me, her cry's become even louder, and at this rate I'm worried Jin and Jimin will wake up.

"We can't give her another bottle or she'll be sick." Y/n runs her hands down her face in frustration. "Maybe we could walk her around the block? We can borrow Nini's stroller."

"It's raining outside though." I say, and I can see the disappointment all over Y/n's face. She's tired. Worried. And restless. And I don't seem to be making it any easier for her which is literally what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm the dad. It's my job to help Y/n raise our child and right now I can't even stop her from crying.

"Here give her to me." She says and I watch as she holds her up to her chest, her hand rubbing soft circles on Lia's back as she shushes her. "It's alright my darling it's alright."

I wonder why she can't sleep well.

Could it be..

That she suffers from nightmares just like us?

Is she afraid? The night she was born was a night of pure terror. Her first experience of sound were screams and gun shots. Maybe she's still yet to feel the comfort of safety.

2:06am

Jungkook PoV

I've been sat up for over half an hour now. Y/n is asleep again, myself finding less ease.

I'm waiting for it. The crying.

I wait a few moments more, my ears picking up on the soft sniffled tears.

Immediately I head over to the crib and lift Lia out. "It's alright kid. I get nightmares too sometimes."

God I'd forgotten just how tiny she is. Those big glossy eyes almost look to take over her whole face.

She begins to cry, so I switch my hold and bring her close to my bare chest, one hand behind her head whilst I cup her little round butt with the other.

I remember so many nights at the orphanage where I'd wake up from a nightmare. All the other kids would be asleep, and the care workers wouldn't be around. I was alone. And it was scary.

I cried for my mother one night. A woman I didn't even know yet I longed for the love of. I just felt like it would of helped me, having someone to make me feel protected and cared for.

I wanted a parent. I needed a parent. I deserved a parent.

"You're alright Lia." I take a seat on the stool near the dressing table. "I'm here now. Im not going to let anything happen to you."

"And I'm sorry I've not been that present recently. This is scary for me too."

To my surprise, the crying quietens before fading into those little soft sniffles I find to be adorable.

Y/n PoV

Despite there being no tears, I wake up. Think my body has just become used to the 20 minute slots of sleep.

I furrow my brows at the empty space on the bed before turning to look towards the crib.

And my heart completely melts over the sight of Jungkook and Lia. We lock eyes, himself continuing to gently rock back and forth whilst hugging her close to his naked chest.

I choke up over the scene. Tears actually well up in my eyes and I can't help but cry.

"What's wrong?" Jungkook whispers confused. Shaking my head I wipe my eyes. "Nothing Kooks. I'm just really happy."

"But you're crying."

"Yeah tears can mean joy too Kooks." I laugh. If there was ever a moment I could possibly fall more for Jungkook. It's now.

"Do you want me to take over—." Before I can finish he shakes his head. "I'm good. She seems to like the sound of my voice."

"Makes two of us then." I say, and he smiles at me. God I could just jump on him right now if he wasn't holding our daughter.