⊱┊ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀʏ ༊*·˚

A new tattoo. A new addition to the collection on his arm. The tattoo gun buzzes on his skin and beneath the studio's standard bulb. Pain rushes through his body, and he hisses briefly. Jungkook admits despite him being barely 19, he may have a few more tattoos on his arm than others his age, decorating the skin. Be it the shape of an arrow or just a motive that reminds him of something from his life.

Nowadays, it's almost common to see people on the street with tattoos, although they may not always be visible to the naked eye and there may always be those who cast derogatory glances, but Jungkook shrugs them off. It's not like he has that many and he often wears clothing that exposes too much skin when he goes out. As a result, he could care less about other people's looks and views.

Another issue is that Jungkook frequently misses classes, which has a substantial influence on his grades. Just like today, he should be at school and study for a high school diploma. Instead, he spends the time getting a fresh design tattooed onto his skin. He assures himself, "It's not like someone will say anything."

Jungkook shakes his head and brushes the thoughts off. For the remaining time, he lets his gaze roam over the individual motives on the wall before settling on one in particular. The tattoo artist then informs him that he is finished with his job and covers his arm with foil.

After paying, he exhales slowly and stands in front of the studio, his unfocused gaze falling onto the concrete. Jungkook grips the jacket tight in his palm as he continues to stroll along the street. When he turns right onto another street, a gust of wind sweeps across his dark hair. The male appears unbothered by it, and keeps on walking with his thoughts about a certain little boy who has been on his mind for the past few days.

What did the kindergarten teacher mean by he doesn't talk?

Minjun can't be mute, can he? The kindergarten teacher said he rarely talks so, therefore there must be another explanation, mustn't it?

A wave of unease washes over him at the thought. Jungkook can't put his finger on it but he has been wondering ever since he engaged with him about the boy and why he's so quiet. He was the first child who tentatively but steadily made a step towards him and was going to show him his painting. Jungkook keeps thinking of him and why he's so quiet. Jungkook, himself, can't acknowledge that there's a feeling in him for the boy, called consternation. Simply because he doesn't know Minjun, doesn't like children, doesn't like how noisy they are, and yet there's something about him that sets him apart from the other kids.

With a sigh that leaves Jungkook's mouth, he pushes open the kindergarten entrance and tightens his grip on the backpack strap, pulling open the glass door. Shoes scarcely squeaking over the pristine floor. Through a window, Jungkook observes staff cleaning and putting away dishes in the kitchen. Meaning they must be done with lunch.

Turning around the corner to his left he peers into the first room and then into the second, noting that everyone appears to be outdoors. He returns to the front entrance and turns around the corner to his right, not wanting to step outdoors. Jungkook puts his bag into the first group room and takes a look around. The few children there appear to be very occupied and do not seem to require assistance. Just when he turns around the brown-haired male beholds the figure of one of the kindergarten teachers in the connecting room, playing with one of the children.

The said kindergarten teacher, Sanghee, Jungkook recently learned has pulled her red coloured hair into a bun, leaving a few strands escaping on the scalp. He learned that Sanghee has been working here the longest, for a total of 21 years. A total of years where Jungkook wasn't even born when she started working here.

The red hair is, among other things, what drew his attention the day he began working off his community service hours. He didn't think anything bad of it, in fact, it was only because the red colour stood out and she had been outdoors in the garden at the time. Jungkook was surprised that the kindergarten permitted it. But then again, it's nothing more than a hair colour and not analogous to tattoos.

Jungkook watches how she stretches herself in the daylight that filters through the large glass windows. Her focus is drawn to the tiny table in front of her as she speaks calmly to the girl while holding a colourful wooden didactic toy.

Unwillingly Jungkook clears his throat which catches her attention and prompts her to send him an amiable and polite smile. The other simply nods and prepares to ask if he should stay here but she beats him to it.

"I can handle a few kids on my own. However, if you could carry those boxes two rooms further, I would be grateful." Sanghee gestures in a gentle manner towards two boxes in the corner of the room. Sighing to himself, Jungkook goes to the boxes to lift one of them up and carry it out. On his way there, he notices Minjun standing relatively far back in the corridor, rooted to the spot in front of a closed door. He observes him for a while, but then shrugs and puts one box down to get the other.

Only after the man has exited the room and has just placed the second box away does he raise his eyebrows. Minjun is still standing there, fingers fumbling with the hem of his yellow-white striped top that is tucked into blue dungarees. The boy stares at the floor with softness and something Jungkook can't decipher. Jungkook is perplexed as to why he is standing precisely where he is and refusing to move.

Peering at the door now, Jungkook has never truly questioned what type of room he is looking at. Without really taking notice Jungkook takes one stride after the other and is just a metre away from Minjun in seconds.

Jungkook quirks a wry smile, "Hey. What are you doing here, hm? Shouldn't you be with the other kids?"

Minjun only now takes notice of his presence and steps back with big brown owlish eyes. Jungkook watches him carefully and crouches down to Minjun's height, after ensuring that the latter is not scared.

Jungkook waits but no response comes, exactly as the kindergarten teacher predicted. Minjun's facial expression holds various emotions as he continues to scrutinise him with owlish eyes. Jungkook gnaws at his bottom lip and frowns, ruminating on a probable reason for being here. His head turns by the sound of small feet against the clean floor, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"I'm not sure if you remember but my name is Jungkook..." the said male continues, once his focus is back on the smaller. Not really knowing how to proceed from there Jungkook says the first thing that comes to his mind. "That teddy bear you hold in your hands is cute. What's his name?"

"B-Bubbles," Minjun responds in a soft and aloof voice. Jungkook's taken aback. He notices his hostile behaviour, nonetheless, he can sense pride growing in his chest. He got Minjun to talk, not to anyone but to him.

"Would you mind telling me how old you are?"

It doesn't happen right away but Jungkook can feel himself cracking a little smile as soon as Minjun lifts his hand. He's communicating with him.

"2? That's so young!" Jungkook exhales, astonished, and shakes his head. The brown-haired male assumed Minjun was at least three years old. "And you already appear to be rather tall for your age. Wow."

Returning to his initial query, Jungkook has devised a new strategy to approach the question. Minjun may not respond verbally, but he may respond through gestures.

"Is there a playroom behind the door?" he asks, eventually receiving a hesitant no from Minjun as he shakes his head slowly. An eccentric warmth diffuses in Jungkook's chest. "Do you know what's behind the door?"

A nod.

"Do you want me to open the door for you?" Jungkook has no idea what's hidden behind there, nor does he know if it's permissible for him to open. Observing Minjun's height and then the doorknob, he's certain that not being able to reach it is one of the reasons he merely stands there. Anticipation engulfs Jungkook and he grabs for the door handle, rather cautiously.

"It's probably some playroom anyw-"

But all words die in Jungkook's throat upon the sight he's met with.

There, right in the middle of the room is a grand piano. Jungkook would be a moron if he didn't notice the noise-cancelling panels on the walls. When he cogitates about it, he realises the room was left open by accident. They would never, ever leave such a valuable musical instrument unguarded in a room where everyone has access to it. It must have been a mistake.

How risky and irresponsible would he be if he entered the room right now and sat down at the piano?

Jungkook takes a sidelong peek towards Minjun before looking back to see whether anyone is in the corridor. His attention returns to Minjun, who continues to stare at him with huge brown eyes and a pout on his lips.

So this is the room Minjun wanted to visit? Has he been in that room before? Did he know there was a grand piano in here?

The older boy approaches the piano with gentle steps, running his fingers down the edge of the piano and eventually over the keyboard cover, which he lifts with interest.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jungkook notices Minjun approaching him cautiously and shyly. Jungkook's a little taken aback by how quickly he approaches and doesn't mind his presence despite the fact that he appears to have been scared previously. However, the taller one can't help smiling slightly as he stops in front of the piano bench.

"Do you want to sit too, little one?"

______________