Chapter One: First Day at Playcare!
(6,600 words.)
♡ Fandoms: BTS, Stray Kids!
REQUESTS OPEN :)
RULES IN END NOTES!
♡ Characters:
Little!Reader
CG Jungkook
CG Taehyung
Playcare Owner Hoseok
EA Felix
EA Hyunjin
Little Jimin, IN, Seungmin
Everyone else is Teachers!
♡ Genre: SFW Littlespace, Fluff, Non Idol AU!
After moving from the rural city of Geochang to the bustling city of Seoul, your parents Jungkook and Taehyung decide to start you in a new Playcare Centre. Life is about to be so much different!
Time to be brave!
Notes: Welcome! ʕ•◡•ʔっ♡!
This is a very fluffy, very relaxed series that hopefully you can immerse yourself in!
There will be some angst but mostly fluff!
In this universe, Littlespace is permanent. If you don't know much about Littlespace, please research the topic elsewhere, since this story doesn't reflect how Littlespace functions in real life! Thank you!
The car's tyres grind against the tarmac as Jungkook pulls into the Little Sunshine Playcare's car park, a single storey building coming into view. It's made of caramel colored wood and black metal, a big welcome sign at the front that has a smiling cartoon sun attached to it. Arts and crafts are stuck to insides of the windows, so many colorful handprints reaching out to you as if giving you high-fives.
You tuck your chin into the soft collar of your pink sweater, peering at them nervously through your lashes.
As Jungkook chooses a parking space and turns off the engine, Taehyung twists around in his seat.
A kind smile graces his face. "Are you ready for your first day, sweetness?"
"Umm-..."
You glance back outside.
There's a man holding the hand of a colourfully dressed woman walking up to the front safety gate. He pulls the little knob and guides her through to the door, stopping to poke some buttons on a square thingy on the wall before heading inside.
"I dunno, Papa," You mumble as they leave your sight.
What if they don't wanna play with you? What if your teachers are meanies, and not nice like your Daddy and Papa?
"You don't know?" He sing-songs, pouting and reaching out to pinch your knee playfully. "Are you a little bit scared?"
Hang on.
You didn't say that!
Jungkook turns just in time to see you gasp, giggling to himself.
"I'm not scared!" You protest. "I'm not scared of anything, Papa!"
"Aww. I know."
Jungkook is sceptical. "No? Not even Lord Tirek?"
You think back to last night, when the big, scary monster appeared on the screen and you just had to hide in your Papa's arms.
You admit, "Maybe I'm scared of some things."
Taehyung smacks your Daddy on the shoulder, eyes wide behind his black glasses. "Luckily there's no Lord Tirek here then, right?"
"Right, Jagi," He agrees guiltily.
"Come on. It's time to get out now, sweetness."
You hug your teddy bear to your chest as they both exit the car.
Taehyung appears at your window, pulling your door open and leaning over you. He takes the big, red car seat buckle laying on your belly in his hands and clicks the two halves apart. The straps fall over your shoulders as he slots his hands under your armpits.
"Let's not forget your present," He reminds you, lifting you out of the seat and onto the ground.
As Jungkook rounds the car, he catches you chewing on your teddy's ear.
"Ah-ah," He chides, his tattooed hand coming up to pull it from your lips. "That's yucky. Be nice to Mr Bear, okay?"
"Sorry, Mr Bear."
"And?"
"Sorry, Daddy."
"Thank you."
"Here it is." Taehyung pulls out the bakery carry-box, slamming the door closed and carefully passing it to you. "Gentle hands."
"Good job." Jungkook praises. "It's not too heavy?"
"S'fine, Daddy."
Walking through the car park together, Taehyung strokes his hand through your hair, fixing the few fly-aways that have slipped from your piggy tails he very lovingly styled you in this morning. Your Papa is great at doing hair. Oh, and at picking outfits.
He's wearing a beige knitted vest over a plain white shirt, baggy pants, big shoes, and a beret.
The hairdresser's he works at lets him wear whatever he wants!
Jungkook, though; He has to wear a suit every day.
"Wooooow. Is that right?" Your taller parent exclaims. "You must be very strong?"
"Yes, I am, Daddy." You agree, plodding along.
For some reason, as he opens the gate and lets you through, both of them break out in chuckles above you. You don't know what's so funny about saying that! When you carried that heavy bag of rice at the shops yesterday, Daddy only had to help a little.
The door makes a clicking sound as the code is punched in, Jungkook pushing it open gentlemanly.
As you step into the foyer, you're suddenly hit with the feeling of being lost in a new place. You got lost in the supermarket once and it was so scary. Even scarier than Lord Tirek. You were about to be lost forever and ever until your Daddy finally found you.
You don't want to be alone again. No, no, no! A sad moan leaving your throat, you drop the bakery box onto the floor and wrap your arms around Jungkook's waist, smooshing your face into his breast through the black fabric. You're never letting go!
"Oh!" Taehyung exclaims, picking the small box back up. "Whoopsies."
"Whoopsies," Jungkook croons.
"Good morning," The lady at the desk greets, before her eyes widen. "Would you like some help?"
"We've got it." Your Papa assures her. "We're here to sign in Jeon-Kim Haen, please."
"Of course. Just a moment."
"I'm scared," You muffle.
"It's okay, baby." Jungkook soothes, rubbing your back. "Remember what you said before?"
I'm not scared of anything!
"I lieeeed." You complain. "I'm sc- scared of Lord Tirek and the air frier and scorpions and getting lost!"
Taehyung plucks a tissue from the reception desk box, bending to mop the yellow frosting off the floor.
Jungkook tsks sadly. "Maybe. But you're still very brave, Haen-ie."
"I'm b'ave?"
"Of course you are. Can you say, 'I'm Daddy and Papa's strong, brave girl'?"
"I'm- I'm Daddy and Papa's strong, b'ave girl."
"Good morning!" A new voice comes lilting into the room. You squeeze Jungkook even tighter, turning your head ever so slightly to get a look at the newcomer. A man as tall as your Daddy is approaching the three of you, dressed in an orange hoodie and looking like he swallowed the sun and all the stars for breakfast, the light trying to escape through his face. "Did we have a little accident?"
"We did," Tae laughs, throwing the used tissue and squished cupcake into a nearby bin.
"Don't worry. No harm done!"
His black hair is tousled neatly over his forehead, a rainbow lanyard laying against his chest.
"She's nervous about her first day." Jungkook explains, stroking your cheek. "Had a bit of a scare coming in."
The man smiles, his eyes turning into crescent moons. "You must be Haen-ie. I'm Hoseok-seonsangnim. It's nice to meet you!"
"Hello, Hoseok-seonsangnim." You murmur politely. "Are the cupcakes okay?"
Taehyung chuckles. "They're for her classmates."
"Wow, that's very nice of you." Hoseok gasps, looking through the little plastic windows. "Ooooh, yummy. They look perfect."
You let him know, "You can have one, too."
The three of them burst into soft laughter.
"Awww. Thank you, Haen-ie. You're a very kind girl. How about we go share them with everyone? Would you like to do that?"
You pause, thinking about it for a moment. "Okay."
"Awesome! Good idea." He praises, even though the idea was his, taking the box. "You'll have so much fun today!"
"You hear that? Come say goodbye to Papa-bear, sweetness."
You let go of your Daddy to fall into Taehyung's embrace, trying not to feel too scared as he wraps you up safely in his arms, rocking you gently from side to side and growling like a big, happy bear. When he pulls back, he kisses your forehead and passes you off to Jungkook, who gives you a quicker, lighter hug and reminds you not to chew on Mr Bear because he likes his ears to be clean.
"I won't, Daddy." You promise, earning another kiss to the forehead.
"Good girl. Daddy and Papa will come and pick you up later, okay?"
"Okay."
One last kiss. "We love you."
"Love you," Tae smiles.
"Love you, Daddy, Papa."
Hoseok offers his hand to you. "Come on, Haen-ie. Let's go share these yummy cupcakes, huh?"
Taking his hand in yours, you bravely let him guide you away.
"What flavor are the cupcakes, Haen-ie?"
"They're chocolate," You tell him, remembering what Papa asked the baker-lady for this morning.
"Oooh. I loooove chocolate." Your teacher gushes, giving your hand a bit of a squeeze as you walk side by side down the bright corridor. Splodgy paintings and crayon drawings hang from little wooden pegs along the wall, all the cats and dogs and dragons and two headed shark-giraffe hybrids all grinning down at you with silly faces and glittery decorations. "Is chocolate your favorite, too?"
"Uh-huh." You sheepishly nod. "I like it- I like it even betterer than vanilla, but Papa likes strawberry."
"He likes strawberry, does he? What about Daddy?"
"Daddy likes chocolate, too. He goes to the gym a lot, but he says it's healthy so we can eat lots!"
He laughs at that. "Well, I don't know about 'healthy', but it sure is delicious. Oh, look! Here's our classroom!"
You come to a stop in front of a door with a sticker on it that says, 'A2.'
Glancing back down the corridor, you notice the foyer is suddenly very empty. No Daddy, no Papa. Hoseok distracted you. You face forward again, taking a deep breath and telling yourself, I'm Daddy and Papa's brave girl, as he knocks on the door.
It opens. A man with long, wavy hair smiles sweetly at the both of you, moving to let you inside.
"Good morning!" He greets, closing the door behind you. "This must be our new friend, Haen-ie."
The classroom is bustling, filled with squealing laughter as Baby Shark plays loudly from somewhere.
"We're doing some dancing right now. It helps shake out all those early-morning jitters." He explains. "My name is Hyunjin-ie. It's so exciting to meet you! I'm one of the EAs in this room, so I'll be helping you get settled in today! Does that sound good?"
"What's an EA, Hyunjin-ie?"
"It means, 'Educational Assistant'. That means my job is to be your best friend and help you with your work!"
When you giggle, Hoseok adds, "We've got some delicious chocolate cupcakes here for everyone, too."
"Ohh! Cupcakes? I knew today was going to be a great day."
"Excuse me, friends!" Hoseok calls out over the song, getting everyone's attention. "I know we're all having fun dancing, but we have a new classmate here joining us today and she's very kindly brought us some delicious cupcakes to eat together!"
Exclamations break out across the room. "Cupcakes!!"
As the kids come running over, Hoseok sets the box down on the nearest activity table. "Everyone, say thank you to Haen-ie!"
"Thank you, Haen-ie!"
"Thank you, Haen-ie!"
"I love you, Haen-ie!"
A shy smile makes its way onto your face, realizing that nobody here is mean like you thought they would be.
Your classmates jump up and down like pieces of popcorn as Hoseok hands a small cupcake to you first, then sharing the rest of them to the gathered crowd, reminding them all to be patient and thanking them for their nice manners.
Peeling back your cupcake's paper liner, you take a big, big bite.
Mmm. Chocolate with sweet, yellow frosting and a tiny, bear-shaped cookie sticking out of it.
"Thank you, Heun-ie!" A boy exclaims, his chin smeared with frosting. "Dis is soooo yummy!"
You smile, "My Papa buyed them."
"I love your Papa."
"I love my Papa, too."
"Nice manners, Jimin-ie." Hoseok praises him, handing the last of the cupcakes to EA Hyunjin and two other men who must be teachers. "Haen-ie, you've already met Hyunjin, but this here is EA Yeongbok-ie and Teacher Yoongi-seonsangnim."
The first man, Yeongbok; he has blonde hair, the color of vanilla cookies, and a wonky, toothy smile sweeter than every cookie in the world. He gives you an enthusiastic wave, his voice deeper than even your Papa's. "Hi! Nice to meet you!"
The second man, Yoongi, looks a bit like a sleepy, smiley cat. "Hello, Haen-ie."
"Hello," You wave back.
"We can meet the rest of your teachers later, but Yeongbok here is our second EA, and Yoongi is our very talented music teacher."
The man snorts. "I play recorders, Hoseok."
"All the same."
"Do you like music, Haen-ie?" Yeongbok asks as he pulls out a wooden seat for you, sitting in the one next to it.
"Okay, everyone! Sit down to eat, please!"
As everyone gets settled, you sit down next to Yeongbok and Hyunjin while Yoongi walks off with his cupcake.
"I like to sing with my Daddy and Papa," You tell the friendly EAs, your two new best friends.
"You guys just moved here from Geochang, didn't you?"
"Yeah," The mention of your old home sends a pang through your heart. It was a lot different than here. The streets were lined with wild grass and old, proud houses, always a breathtaking view of the mountains sitting on the horizon. "We got here two days ago."
"Well, we're very happy to have you here." Hyunjin smiles like a pretty prince. "What do you like about Seoul so far?"
Oh, um... You've never thought about that up until now.
"I like Han River," You guess, popping the biscuit in your mouth. "And we're going to Teseum Teddy Bear museum this weekend."
"Uwaaah," Yeongbok exclaims, "That sounds exciting?"
You nod, chewing, the wet crumbs falling from your lips and into your lap. "Bea'ws are my fav'ite animal."
"Oooh, careful," He warns, taking the handkerchief out of his pants' pocket and using it to clean you up.
"Oh! Sorryyyy."
"Don't worry." He brushes the crumbs off your sweater, and then your bear's fat, brown nose. "Look. It's as if nothing ever happened!"
"Daddy doesn't like it when I get my things dirty," You babble, giving the teddy a kiss as an apology, "Or chew on Mr Bear's ears."
"Aaah," Hyunjin hums understandingly, "So you're going to be one of the messy ones."
"You're going to love art class."
"I love art class!" A nearby boy butts in. "I made a painting for my Mommy yesterday!"
"Yes, and you used yourself as the canvas, didn't you?" He jokes, pinning him with an cool, sassy look.
The boy does nothing but giggle, his teeth covered in bits of chocolate cake, before running off to join his friends again.
"That's Jeongin-ie."
As you bite and swallow the last chunk of your cupcake, Yeongbok stands from the small seat, leaving his own cupcake on the table and offering his hand to you. "All done? Let's go put your bag away in the cubby before class starts, okay?"
"Okay, Yeongbok-ie." You agree, grabbing his pale hand and following him.
He takes you over to the wall besides the classroom door, where the cubby shelves are all stuffed with the other Little's backpacks, books, spare clothes, and water bottles. Coloured strips of paper are velcroed above each one, their names printed on them.
'Jimin', 'Jeongin', 'Maru', 'Nathan', and even your name! You point it out to Yeongbok, who chuckles in that delicate, tinkling way of his that makes it sound like he's a magical xylophone. He takes off your purple backpack and places it in the cubby below your tag.
Returning to the sitting area together, you spot Hyunjin and Yoongi helping tidy the aftermath.
"This one was yours," Yoongi nods toward an empty liner, wiping down the table with a cloth. "Go put it in the trash, please."
Hyunjin adds, "You too, Jeongin."
"Okayyyy." The boy sing-songs. "Fine."
Scooping up your trash and dumping it in the nearby bin, everybody works hard to clean up before settling down in their assigned seats at the activity tables strewn across the room. You're unsure where to go, awkwardly hugging Mr Bear, but sweet EA Yeongbok is there to help you again, taking your hand and guiding you to a table near the toy boxes. Jeongin and Jimin are sitting there, too.
"Ooh, Haen-ie. Look." The man points at the back of the chair. "What's that?"
You follow his finger.
Wow! It's another tag with your name on it!
"My name!" You exclaim proudly as you sit down. "This is my chair, Yeongbok-ie!"
"You're right. It is your chair," The man praises this genius discovery, as he drags another chair over and sits next to you.
Hyunjin and Yoongi are both sitting at other tables, joking with the kids around them.
"Hi! I'm Jimin!" The boy in front of you cheers.
"I'm Jeongin!"
"These are your table-mates, Haen-ie. Say hello?"
"Hello," You greet, using Mr Bear's fluffy arm to wave to them. "It's my first day today!"
"Why is it your first day?"
"We moved here." You explain, "And my old playcentre is too far away to visit, now."
"Awwww," Jimin pouts.
"That's so sad!"
"It is a little bit sad," Yeongbok validates, his tone comforting, "But she's going to make lots of new friends here, isn't she?"
Jeongin nods so fast you think his head might fall off. "I'll be your friend, Haen-ie!"
"Me, too! Do you like dinosaurs?"
Glancing at the T-Rex printed on his blue sweater, you shrug. "Um... A little."
"Oh." He deflates, perking right back up again afterwards. "It's okay! I'll still be your friend!"
"Yeah! He's friends with me, and I like sharks, but he doesn't like sharks, and we're still friends."
"Okay, guys," Yeongbok interrupts, placing a finger over his lips, "Sh, sh, sh. Let's listen to Hoseok-seonsangnim, okay?"
"Okay."
"Okay!"
"Okay!"
"It's time for our first class of the day, friends." You turn your attention to the front of the classroom, peering over Jimin's shoulder as Hoseok drags the wheelie whiteboard into view, uncapping an orange marker and smiling brightly at his class. "Now, Yoongi-seonsangnim and I were nice enough to let you guys have some cupcakes before class this morning, weren't we?"
"Yeah!" You all reply at once.
"Yeah! Fun, right? So do you think you'll all be able to put your learning caps on, now?"
As he mimes putting on a big hat, you all copy him.
Even Yoongi, Hyunjin, and Yeongbok, too!
"Perfect!" He lowers his hands. "Does anyone know what we're going to be learning today?"
The whole class starts giggling hysterically as he glances at the laminated chart on the wall, which very obviously reads, Monday, 1. Music, 2. Arts and Crafts, 3. Snack Break, 4. Math, 5. Nap Time, 6. Lunch Break, 7. Reading, in bubble letters.
Everyone shouts out, "Music!"
"It's Music!"
"Music, Hoseok!"
"It's what?" Your teacher squints, cupping his ear. "We're learning what?"
You join in the chaos, shouting, "Music!!"
"Aaaaah. Music! Why didn't you say that the first time?"
Silly Hoseok-seonsangnim. You guys did say that!
"Let's start with our word of the day first, and then we get out the instruments." Turning and writing, Word of the Day, at the top of the whiteboard, he faces forward and looks directly at you. "How about you choose today's word, Haen-ie?"
Oh! You?!
"There's no wrong answers," Yeongbok encourages you when he notices your apprehension. "What about Bear?"
You give a quick nod. "You say, please?"
He happily reports back to your teacher, "The word of the day is Bear!"
"Oooh. Good choice. Let's all use the letters at our tables and have a go spelling Bear!"
"Oh! I know, I know!" Jimin exclaims, wiggling impatiently as your EA reaches into the middle of the table and pulls out a velcro board and a cup of felt letters from the basket of supplies, splaying them out. "Let me do it! I know!"
He grabs the pile of letters, pulling out a flimsy G character and sticking it to the board.
"Good job, Jimin-ie." Yeongbok slides the letters in front of you. "Haen-ie's turn, now. We have to work as a team!"
Humming thoughtfully, you sound out the word Bear in your head. There's a Guh, and then an Ohhhhh. Must be O.
You stick the O character below the G.
When it's Jeongin's turn, he sticks down an M character, completing the simple Hangul symbol.
"Is everybody ready? Show us your boards!"
Chatter fills the room again as Yeongbok holds up the board for you.
Hoseok glances from table to table, nodding, "Correct! Yep, correct! Well done! Yeongbok's table, correct!"
Your EA gives you a high-five.
Yay!
"Hyunjin's table," He sucks in a breath at the last group, "I'm afraid that's not quite right."
Everyone at the table groans in defeat and starts throwing accusations around.
"I told you it was just one M!"
"Hyunjinnnnn!"
"You didn't listen!"
Yoongi's laughing behind his hand, shoulders shaking.
The kids keep heckling him as he grumpily throws down the letter in his hand.
Yeongbok laughs, "Maybe you need to move to the baby's room, Hyung? What do you guys think?"
"Baby's room!" The girl next to Hyunjin chants. "Baby's room!"
Hyunjin sticks his tongue out at her.
"Okay. Okay," Hoseok chuckles, taking back control of the room as Yoongi stands up. "Time for music, now."
When Namjoon checks his watch, he announces, "Snack break, everyone!"
Jumping up from your seat and pulling your bucket hat on, you can't wait to eat!
You file out into the play yard with everyone else, finding a spot at one of the picnic tables. Hoseok and Namjoon-seonsangnim wheel out two carts of food, approaching each table and handing out the small bowls. Namjoon; You met him during Arts and Crafts. He's tall and muscly like a sports teacher, but he actually teaches art and English, his face round like a toffee candy, both cheeks dimpled.
"Hello, everyone." He greets, placing a plastic bowl and spoon in front of you. "Did you have fun in art today?"
"Thank you," You remember your manners, licking your lips at the sight of the sliced fruit and yoghurt.
"You're welcome, Haen-ie."
As you stick your spoon in, Seungmin exclaims, "Yeah! I maked a rainbow! It was really pretty."
"'Made'." Hoseok calls out.
The boy corrects himself. "I made a rainbow."
"Yes, I saw. It was pretty."
Gulping down the dollop of yoghurt and crunchy apple pieces, you gaze out at the patch of sunlight nearby. Your class's art creations are drying in the sun, the pieces of paper swaying in the breeze, wrinkled from all the glue and pom poms on them.
"I made a dinosaur with Jimin," You garble as Namjoon walks away with the cart, your mouth full.
The boy nods. "It was a brontosaurus. Brontosauruses are the ones with the-!"
"The long necks," The girl across from him rolls her eyes. "We know."
Your dinosaur's neck was five pompoms long!
He gasps. "You like dinosaurs, too, Ahyun?!"
"No. You just talk about them all the time." She glances up from her bowl. "Haen, you have glue on your elbow."
You do? Shrugging a shoulder, you peer down at the side of your arm and scratch the dried flake off.
"And paint on your shoulder."
Oh, she's right. There's a pink splat on your sweater. You hope your Daddy won't be too upset.
"And on your hand."
... Oh.
"She got really messy," The girl beside her giggles. "She's like my baby brother, and he's only one!"
"I think she's messier," She jokes, making your cheeks go hot.
"Are you one, Haen-ie?"
"No. I'm nineteen," You mumble uncomfortably, hiding your paint-covered hand under the table. "And four on the inside."
"You should go sit somewhere else," Ahyun chirps. "I don't want you to get me dirty!"
"She won't," Jimin frowns.
"Yes, she will!"
Whatever. You don't want to sit with Ahyun, either. You pick up your bowl and stand from the wooden bench, storming over to the playground and ducking under one of the platforms. You hide away in a dark corner to finish eating your snack in peace.
Tears start burning at the edges of your eyes when you catch a second glimpse at your ruined sweater.
"Haen-ie? Sweetie?"
Sniffling, you watch Hyunjin as he searches the playground, coming to a sudden stop when he sees you. He looks like he's about to explain that you're not allowed to eat in the playground, but something in his expression changes and he crouches down.
"Haen-ie, sweetie, what are you doing all the way over here?" He asks. "What's the matter?"
Glancing behind him, you catch the other teachers watching the two of you, before they go back to what they were doing.
Hyunjin crawls in and sits beside you, long hair framing his face as he tilts his head at you.
"Haen-ie?"
You pout, "I don't wanna sit at the tables."
"No?"
You shake your head, poking sadly at your yoghurt.
"You don't want to sit with your friends? Jimin and Jeongin?" He tries, only to be met with silence. "Me and Yeongbok-ie?"
You admit, "I don't wanna sit with Ahyun."
He pauses. "Did Ahyun say something a little bit mean?"
You nod. "Her friend said I'm like her baby brother because I'm messy. And then Ahyun said I'm even messier than him because I got paint and glue on my clothes in art class, and then she said I can't sit with them, so I came over here to hide."
Sympathy washes over his face. He muses, "That wasn't very nice of her, was it?"
"No, it wasn't," You agree.
"Did it make you sad?"
"Uh-huh." It did make you sad. "I didn't get messy on purpose, Hyunjin-ie. It was an a'sident."
"Awww, Hyunjin-ie knows it was an accident, sweetie. And you know what?"
"What?"
"Art class is all about getting messy, little friend. Wouldn't it be boring if the paint only got on the paper?"
"My Daddy doesn't like it when I get dirty. He likes it when things are perfect and nice and clean."
Your Papa calls him a 'Perfectionist'.
"You're already perfect and nice," He argues. "And Yeongbok and I are going to make sure you're clean, too."
"You are?"
"Yeah. Yeongbok is new, too, you know. He's only been here a week. And he says I should be in the baby's room. Pssh. After art class ended, I had to teach him where to find the extra wet wipes, but you went outside to eat before we could clean you up!"
Ohhh. You remember now! After class ended, Yeongbok told you to wait, but you forgot and ran outside!
"I was too excited to eat!"
"Yes, you were." He chuckles, taking your hand. "Come on. Let's go get clean!"
"Okay!"
He helps you crawl back out from the playground, leaving your bowl at the table and stepping inside the empty classroom.
It's much quieter in here. The aircon hums above you, tables all clean and glossy. You see Yeongbok standing behind the partition of the exposed bathroom area, peeling open a package of wet wipes and digging through your purple backpack.
Both of you approaching him, Yeongbok gasps dramatically with a big, sunny smile. "Haen-ie!"
Hyunjin squeezes your hand.
"I'm sorry I didn't wait for you, Yeongbok-ie," You apologize sweetly. "I got distracted and forgot to wait for you!"
"Aw. That's okay." He says, pulling out a spare shirt with a big strawberry on it. "Let's get you into some clean clothes."
The two nice men work together to remove your paint-covered sweater and stuff it back into your backpack, wiping down your fingers and palms with the wet wipes afterwards. Yeongbok quickly dresses you in the green shirt and adjusts your bucket hat.
"There we go," He celebrates, zipping your backpack up. "That was nice and easy, wasn't it!"
"Thank you, Yeongbok-ie and Hyunjin-ie!"
"See? Nothing bad about getting messy." The older EA holds his hand out to you. "Come on. Let's go finish eating, little friend."
Uh oh.
"Do I have to?"
Yeongbok makes a confused face. "I thought you were excited to eat?"
"I am, but," You twist your shoe into the floor. "Ahyun was mean to me."
He frowns. "Oh, no."
"Hyunjin-ie will make sure Hoseok-seonsangnim tells Ahyun's parents she was being mean to one of our friends," Hyunjin promises. "And you can sit with me, if you like, or we can ask Jimin and Jeongin if they want to move tables with you?"
You wanna sit with all of them!
"Let's all sit together!"
"Okay, sweet friend." He praises as you take his hand. "Let's go. Your yoghurt is waiting for you!"
You giggle. "I'm coming, yoghurt!"
Hyunjin guides you back into the play yard, approaching the picnic table.
"Excuse me, guys," The man politely interrupts, pointing to a nearby empty table. "I'm going to take my friend Haen-ie over to the kind-friends table over there, and we want to know who else is going to join us."
"Ooooh," Ahyun's friend exclaims. "I do!"
Not wanting to be left out, Ahyun agrees and raises her hand. "Me too, Hyunjin!"
"Sorry, Jenna and Ahyun. This table is only for kind friends. You weren't being a very kind friend to Haen-ie today, were you?"
She gawks. "Wh-?!"
"Maybe when you're feeling a little bit kinder," He suggests, "You can come and join us later."
As she scoffs angrily, Jimin raises his hand. "Can I come, Haen-ie?"
"What about me?" Jeongin adds. "I wanna sit with you!"
"Me, too!" Seungmin agrees. "I'm a kind friend!"
You go pink under all the attention. "Okay!"
"Yay!"
"Let's go!"
"Kind-friends table!"
The four of you grab your bowls and go sit at the other, better table together. Hyunjin offers his lap to you since you might still be a little sad. Even though you're feeling better now, you still climb up onto his thigh, while the three boys sit around you.
"There you go," Hyunjin cooes, bouncing you up and down a little. "Ooooh. Apple? What else did you get?"
"I got banana," Seungmin answers, pointing at his friend's bowl. "Jimin got some, too!"
Jeongin pouts, "I got grapes."
"He hates grapes," The boy beside him explains helpfully.
You ask, "Do you like apple?"
When he nods, you hold your bowl over his, using your spoon to flick the apple into it.
"Thanks, Haen-ie!" He gasps, before giving you his grapes. "You can have mine!"
"Thanks, Jeongin-ie."
"Woooow," Hyunjin exclaims, "Nice sharing, you guys."
"My Papa says it makes our friends sad when we don't share," You tell him. "And I don't like it when people are sad, Hyunjin-ie."
The man suddenly clutches his heart through his baggy shirt, wincing like he's in pain. "Dawww."
You giggle at his outburst. "What, Hyunjin-ie?"
He makes a Grrrrrr sound as he mimes grabbing your cheeks. "You're adorable, that's what!"
You push his hands away. "Silly Hyunjin!"
Yeongbok comes into view as you all laugh together, setting his bowl on the table. "Hey! Don't have all the fun without me!"
"How are you guys going over here?"
As Hoseok approaches your table, you pout your lips around the pencil in your mouth.
Not good. Math is hard!
He takes notice just like all good teachers do. "Needing some help there, Haen-ie?"
You mumble, "Yes, p'ease."
Yeongbok gently pulls your hand away. "We don't chew on pencils, little friend. There you go."
As he goes back to helping Jeongin, Hoseok takes a seat next to you. "Tell Hoseok-seonsangnim what you need help with."
"Yeongbok-ie is busy with Jeongin and there's-! There's too many steps!"
"Ahhh, I see. Don't worry. Let's break them down together, shall we? Can you read the question to me?"
You look down at your paper, making sure to ignore the cartoon gardener at the bottom because he's annoying you. "Taeyun buys some-... some flower seeds. He plants five seeds in normal soil, and five seeds in special mulch. The seeds in the... in the special mulch grow double the flowers than the seeds in the regular soil grow. How many flowers will he have when they're done growing?"
See?! That's super hard.
Taehyun should ask somebody else about his flowers, because you have no idea.
"That was great reading," Hoseok praises you, before grabbing a blank piece of paper and some crayons from the supply box. "I've got an idea. You know what helps me when I can't figure out a question? Drawing it out!"
Your eyes widen. "There's questions you can't figure out?"
A laugh escapes him. "Yes, there are. Even teachers need help, sometimes."
"But you're super smart?"
"The only way to get smart is to be wrong a lot of times first." He explains, drawing some dots on the page. "Let's draw what we need to know. First, I'll draw the seeds... Five normal seeds on the left and five special seeds on the right."
When he's finished, he hands you a green crayon.
"Now let's draw the flowers coming out of the seeds."
"Okay. I'll try!"
"That's what I like to hear, friend. You should draw two flowers coming out of each special seed, remember?"
Nodding, you get to work drawing the stems.
After that, you add a yellow ball and colorful petals to each one.
"Let's add some ladybugs!" You suggest, reaching for the red crayon.
"Hang on. We don't need any ladybugs right now." He reminds you. "Maybe you can draw some in art class tomorrow, okay?"
Awwww. "Okay."
"Let's count the flowers instead. Ready?"
"Uh-huh. One, two, three," You concentrate hard and count every flower. "Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen!"
"Fifteen. Well done!" Hoseok exclaims with a big, excited grin, giving you a double high five. "You did it!"
"I did it!"
"Go ahead and write the answer down and we'll have a go at the next one."
"Okay! Thank you, Hoseok-seonsangnim."
"You're very welcome, sunshine."
By the time you've filled out the math booklet, you're in serious need of a nap. Being smart is lots of effort. How does he do it?
Luckily, it's nap time.
You grab Mr Bear and head into the toy area, where the EAs have moved the furniture out of the way and set up sleeping mats on the floor. Your Papa packed your softest, pinkest bedding today. You kneel on the cotton fabric, yawning and laying your head on your pillow as Hyunjin pulls the curtains over the windows. Hundreds of stars light up the walls when Yeongbok switches on the lamp.
"Who needs a little extra help getting to sleep today?" He asks quietly, switching on the speaker next.
The sound of somebody playing the piano graces your ears.
A couple of kids raise their hands, including you. No matter how tired you are, it's still scary falling asleep in a new place.
Hyunjin comes over to you.
"Close your eyes, sweetie," He whispers, settling beside your mat.
With him slowly stroking your hair, you're drifting off into dreamland before you even realize it.
At the end of the day, while you're all sitting on the rug, Hoseok asks, "Who here had a good day today?"
"Me!" You all shout.
"Let's share three things we're grateful for today," He says, gesturing to a student. "Let's start with you, Jihyun."
She tilts her head. "Ummm... Art class, Yeongbok helping me find my pencil when I lost it, and... Oh! Haen's cupcakes!"
"Oooh. They were yummy, weren't they? Jimin?"
He's got his answer right away. "Meeting my new friend Haen-ie!!"
Jeongin's got his, too! "Haen-ie sharing her fruit with me!!"
"Aw, those are great answers. I'm grateful for our new friend, too."
When it's your turn, you shyly stare back at the class. It's difficult to choose only three things! You're grateful for the EAs, who made your first day as easy as possible for you, Yoongi for making you laugh as he taught you how to hold the recorder, Namjoon for opening the glue pot for you when it was stuck, and Hoseok for being such a great teacher, even if he's bad at drawing flowers.
"I'm grateful for my friends and my teachers and the EAs... and nap time, and brontosauruses."
That might've been five things... But Hoseok doesn't mind. "Aww. I'm so glad, friend."
Hyunjin does that thing again where he looks like he's going to die.
Yeongbok chuckles, petting his shoulder in support.
Parents start gathering in the corridor outside the classroom as the rest of the kids share their three things. You keep an eye out for your Daddy and Papa, your legs squirming and your heart racing like it's trying to break out of you and go find them.
The last time you glance through the window, they're both there!
When they spot you, their faces light up like they always do when they spot you in school assemblies and sport events.
They wave to you.
"Daddy, Papa," You cheer under your breath, trying to keep your hand in your lap. "Daddy, Papa are here."
"Okay, my friends." Hoseok eventually concludes. "I'll see you all tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!!"
"Bye, Hoseok!!"
"It's home time!!"
As soon as he opens the door, you jump up and run over to the big group of parents, straight into your Papa's open arms.
"There you are!" Taehyung gasps happily, holding you tight. "There's our sweet girl!"
"Papa!!"
"Did you have a good day?" He asks you, kissing your hair and letting you hug Jungkook next. "You didn't miss us too much?"
"I missed you so much," You muffle into Jungkook's button shirt. "But I had a good day at the same time!"
"We missed you, too," Your Daddy chuckles.
As Hyunjin approaches the three of you, handing your backpack and artwork to Jungkook, you pull away slightly.
"Here are Haen's things," He smiles.
He thanks the man. "Wow. Is this a dinosaur, baby?"
"I made it with my new friend, Jimin! He said I could keep it because he has a lot of dinosaur drawings at his home already."
"It's so cute."
Taehyung adds, "I love it."
"She had a good day," The EA smiles. Yeongbok and Hoseok are talking to some other parents behind him, handing more backpacks and artworks out. As Jungkook gives your dinosaur craft to his husband and unzips your bag, making sure everything is in there, Hyunjin explains, "We did have a little hiccup this morning, though. You'll find her sweater in there. It just has some paint on it."
Guilt squeezes you as you watch Jungkook turn the fabric over in his hand. "Sorry, Daddy."
"It's okay, Haen-ie." He shakes his head, zipping it up. "Daddy just wanted you to have fun today, okay? We can wash it out."
"I also got crumbs on Mr Bear," You admit.
He laughs at your sudden burst of honesty, slinging your bag over his shoulder. "We can wash him, too."
"He'll love it," Tae agrees. "It'll be like a spa day."
Some people might think your Daddy is the stricter parent, but he actually breaks more of his own rules than you do, and it's him who's always spoiling you with new toys, treats, and clothes! He's a big softie!
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then, Haen-ie!" Hyunjin says. "High-five!"
"Buh-bye, Hyunjin-ie!"
After you smack hands, Taehyung and Jungkook thank him again and they each take one of your hands, leading you out of the Playcentre. They listen intently as you babble about every detail of your day all the way to the car, where Tae lifts you in.
"Did everyone enjoy the cupcakes?" He asks, helping you thread your arms through the straps.
"Oh! Yeah! They were really yummy, Papa."
"No dessert tonight, then, I guess." He pouts, clicking the buckle together, before grinning cheekily at you. "Just kidding."
You stick your tongue out at him.
"Hey," Your Daddy chuckles, watching you in the rear-view mirror. "Save that little tongue for your ice cream tonight."
"We're having ice cream?!"
Tae closes your door and settles into the passenger seat as the car starts. "Didn't we tell you? Brave girls get ice cream, baby bear."
"Yay! Thank you!"
Cupcakes, new friends, a good nap, and ice cream?
You wish every day could be your first day at Playcare!
When you get a whole bowl's worth of chocolate ice cream all over your pyjamas that night, Jungkook just fondly smiles at you and sneaks you a second scoop while Tae isn't looking. He taught you that chocolate is healthy when you want it to be, after all!
Notes:
Please share your thoughts and leave some suggestions for future chapters! ʕ•◡•ʔっ♡!
Things I won't write.
- Smut.
- Self-harm.
- Intense angst.
- Anything unrelated to Haen or Littlespace.
Everything else goes!
Current roles.
- Taehyung: Parent Caregiver.
- Jungkook: Parent Caregiver.
- Jin: ???
- Namjoon: Art / English Teacher.
- Hoseok: Homeroom Teacher / Playcare Owner.
- Yoongi: Music Teacher.
- Jimin: Little.
- Bangchan: ???
- Lee Know: ???
- Han: ???
- Changbin: Sports Teacher.
- Hyunjin: EA / Art Teacher.
- Felix: EA.
- Seungmin: Little.
- Jeongin: Little.
I encourage you to be friendly and patient with me! ^◡^
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