pairing: N/A
genre: fluff, oneshot, dad!AU (tiny bit of angst, brief mention of death)
music: To Build a Home - The Cinematic Orchestra
word count: 1k
Min Yoongi was a quiet man. He was the kind of man who read people very well whilst remaining a closed book himself. Some may describe him as brooding. Some may describe him as cold or closed off - especially after the death of his wife who had died in childbirth. In fact these opinions were true of most people who had met Min Yoongi. But not everyone.
Min Hye would describe Min Yoongi as loving.
She would describe Min Yoongi as brave. Affectionate. Calm. Joyful. But most of all Min Hye would describe Min Yoongi as her role model. Min Hye wanted nothing more in life then to grow up and be just like her father. And she would say all of this, if she had any idea of what others thought about her father. As Min Hye was only 3 years old.
A loud squeal erupted from Hye as Yoongi hoisted up away from her dolls and into the air, twirling her around.
“Are we ready for Bathtime sweetheart?” Yoongi asked. Hye’s vocabulary was somewhat limited at this young age but Yoongi knew how important it was for her continuing development to hold conversations with her regardless and so he had gotten into the habit - since her birth, of narrating anything he was doing and asking her questions about everything.
Hye’s sweet giggle made it difficult to respond but Yoongi was able to make out her soft ‘yes daddy!’. Even when Hye spoke many found it difficult to understand her... but never Yoongi. He understood every word his daughter spoke and even understood what she often left unspoken - what she was still unable to articulate.
He rested Hye against his hip and made his way upstairs to the bath he had drawn for her.
“What is it going to be today Hye? Rubber Duckie or your Battleship?” Yoongi spoke with deep reverence. This was a very important decision... to the two of them at least.
Hye tapped her chin as she made her decision, something she had picked up from her father - Yoongi smiled, seeing this. When he first caught sight of his daughter copying his behaviour & actions Yoongi became hyper aware of everything he did and said in front of Hye. No more arguing. No more swearing. No more negative energy. And even though he had never faltered in his resolve, Yoongi was constantly worrying about what he was subconsciously teaching his daughter.
“Duckie will fight the ship!!” Hye exclaimed.
Yoongi’s eyes widened exaggeratedly.
“Really?!” he repeated “And why, my love, would Duckie be fighting a Battleship?”
Hye rolled her eyes dramatically, something she had picked up from Namjoon, her god father.
“To see who is the King of the tub!” She spoke as if it were the most obvious conclusion in the world.
“Ahh but of course!!” Yoongi poked Hye’s sides, after setting her down on the bath mat, triggering another eruption of giggles as she tried to squirm away from her playful father.
Few people had the privilege of seeing Yoongi in this state, as he was so serious outside of his family home. It came as a shock to everyone, after Min Hye was born, seeing a new side to Yoongi emerging.
Yoongi, who had possessed a stead fast composure his whole life, melted at the first sight of his child. His little girl.
He was sure, holding his daughter for the first time, that it was impossible to love anything, anyone, as much as he loved her in that moment. He was wrong of course. Yoongis love for his daughter grew every waking day they spent together. Min Hye quickly became Yoongis only solace, living in a world without his wife. Min Hye gave him the courage to heal. They were best friends and he wasn’t afraid to admit this to anyone.
Bathtime was an event. It was a ritual. Every night before bed for three years.
Yoongi hadn’t missed a single bathtime and he planned to keep it that way.
“Come on you!” he groaned exaggeratedly as he hoisted Hye into the tub, earning another delighted giggle which, in turn, was met with a genuine smile from Yoongi.
Immediately Min Hye reached for the toy battleship, something which did not come as a surprise to Yoongi - bathtime always meant playtime.
“Come onnnn daddy! You’re gon’ be on Duckies team” Hye explained, shoving the rubber duck into Yoongis hands.
“Now, Hye, theres only one rule for bathtime... do you remember what it is?”
Hye pouted in response before replying, begrudgingly.
“Wash first, play after”
“Thats right” Yoongi nodded, happily, and set the duck aside - grabbing the shampoo and lathering it up between his hands before massaging it into his daughters soft black hair.
Smiling contently, Yoongi enjoyed the routine nature of bathtime.
Shampooing Hyes hair, making it stick up - mohawk style, both finding it just as funny as the first time he had done it. Hye shutting her eyes tightly to avoid getting the shampoo in her eyes while Yoongi washed it from her hair, a protective hand on her forehead, his own way of making sure it didn’t go into her eyes.
The minute the washing phase of bathtime was done, Hye reached for her battleship once more... and the war began. Water spilled over the bath, soaking into Yoongis jeans as he knelt over the tub, the determined look on his face despite the fact he knew that Hye would win. He would always let her win, if thats what would bring a smile to her face and laughter into the air.
If Min Yoongi had been taught anything it was that life is fleeting. And bathtime was precious.
