Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Unlimited money, designer clothes, expensive cars, properties all over Korea, and being on the front cover of a famous Korean magazine, these were all once Wonwoo's childhood dreams. But all of those dreams vanished, crumbling into dust when he made one reckless mistake that turned his life completely upside down. He knew it was his fault for being careless, yet he couldn't explain why he was so angry. The frustration consumed him to the point where he even considered ending his life, seeing no reason to keep going if he could never achieve what he had once longed for.

Wonwoo sat silently on his bed, glaring at his baby bump. Months had passed since they first discovered the pregnancy, and just as many months had gone by since he and Soonyoung were forced into marriage at their parents’ insistence. Yes—pregnant. He was pregnant. It had become a normal thing in recent years, after an experiment and all the complicated scientific explanations that followed. The world was striving to increase the younger generation’s population after the devastating losses caused by the deadly pandemic a decade ago. And yet, of all people, Wonwoo had to be part of the small percentage of men capable of conceiving children. He hated it.

Soonyoung knew their relationship was falling apart ever since they were forced to marry. He never truly opposed the idea, but it was clear Wonwoo did. Lately, Wonwoo had been full of resentment, and Soonyoung couldn't shake the feeling that he had lost him because of it. He blamed himself for everything. He remembered the night they had sex without protection, their first time together. He had tried to stop, but Wonwoo had insisted it would be fine. And yet, here they were.

Soonyoung sighed. He should have suggested they get checked beforehand, but as the saying goes, regret always comes too late. There was no point in blaming each other now. All they could do was face the consequences.

"Babe?" Soonyoung called out as he stepped into the quiet hallway of their home. The house, once owned by his grandparents, had been passed down to him before they died. It was a small comfort, at least they had a place to stay, something to hold onto in this situation.

Carefully pushing open the bedroom door, Soonyoung found Wonwoo sitting on the bed, absentmindedly caressing his baby bump. The sight made him smile, if only for a moment.
"I bought everything you’ve been craving," he said softly, setting the paper bag down on the bed. His now-free hands absentmindedly reached for Wonwoo’s belly, fingers brushing over it gently before he leaned down to press a delicate kiss against it.

"How’s school?" Wonwoo asked, rummaging through the paper bag before pulling out a pint of mint chocolate ice cream. "I heard you're planning to stop?"

Soonyoung looked up at him and nodded. "I applied for a part-time job at a coffee shop nearby. I’ll look for other jobs too, so I won’t have time to attend school anymore. Now that we’re having a baby, I think you and my parents were right… Dancing won’t get me anywhere," he admitted, the tone in his voice was steady but laced with resignation. His fingers continued to trace small circles over Wonwoo’s bump, a familiar, gentle smile forming on his lips, the same smile that had made Wonwoo fall so deeply in love with him in the first place.

"I'll work hard," Soonyoung promised. "And after you give birth, I’ll help support you in school. Once you graduate, that’s when I’ll go back to my studies."

But it was clear that Wonwoo was not pleased with the plan at all. Without warning, he shot up from the bed, his glare the iciest Soonyoung had ever seen. Frustration burned in his eyes as he threw the ice cream onto the mattress, his voice was sharp.

"Soonyoung, what about our dreams together? You know what—we should abort the child while we still can."

Soonyoung froze, staring at Wonwoo in pure shock. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Worse, Wonwoo didn’t even look remorseful as he said it.

"Wonwoo, are you hearing yourself?" Soonyoung's voice wavered, a mixture of disbelief and pain tightening his chest. "It's OUR child. A life we made together! How can you even stomach the thought of killing our own baby? We can still chase our dreams after the baby is born—it's possible!"

“But Soonyoung, I don’t want this!" Wonwoo cried out, his legs giving in as he sank to the floor. He covered his tear-filled eyes, his small sobs filling the quiet room. "We're not even financially stable yet! What are we going to feed the baby? Our parents refused to help us after the wedding!"

"We’ll make it through! I’ll find a way!" Soonyoung knelt down, grasping both of Wonwoo’s trembling hands, his thumbs gently rubbing over the tear-covered skin. He lifted them to his lips, pressing a tender kiss against them before looking at Wonwoo again, and his gaze was filled with unwavering determination.

"You won’t earn enough money if you’re not a college graduate," Wonwoo muttered, avoiding Soonyoung’s eyes. "And what about the hospital bills when I give birth…?"

"Our parents already said they’d cover them," Soonyoung reassured him. Then, more desperately, he added, "Wonwoo, I can’t. I just can’t. I can't abort this child. My child." His grip on Wonwoo’s hands tightened slightly, his plea filled with all the willpower he had left.

Wonwoo bit his lower lip, his mind clouded with overwhelming emotions. "I don’t know how to feel… carrying an unwanted child inside me."

Soonyoung’s heart ached at those words. To him, their baby was a blessing. But to Wonwoo, it was nothing but a burden. And that realization terrified him. What if, one day, Wonwoo left them?

"Can't you… can't you try to love him?" Soonyoung’s voice was barely above a whisper, his vulnerability laid bare.

"M-Maybe..." Wonwoo stammered, letting out a deep sigh. He wiped at his tears before looking back at Soonyoung, his expression was weary but you know it's sincere. "I’m sorry, babe. I just… I can’t stop thinking about the future. You won’t leave us, right?"

Without hesitation, Soonyoung pulled him into a tight embrace. He kissed Wonwoo’s forehead, then leaned down to place another soft kiss on his baby bump.

"I’ll do everything for our family, Won. Anything."

"I love you," Wonwoo whispered, his voice softer now, a small, fragile smile forming on his lips.

Soonyoung felt his own lips curl into a smile at the sight. "I love you too, Won. So much."
Wonwoo let himself relax into Soonyoung’s arms, burying his face into his husband's chest. He took in his scent, letting it calm the storm inside him even just for a fleeting moment.

————

Soonyoung and Wonwoo’s relationship had gotten better, at least before Wonho was born. For a while, things felt stable, almost like they were truly building a life together. But as the months passed, Wonwoo started to change.

What hurt Soonyoung the most wasn’t the way Wonwoo became distant, nor the growing silence between them. It was the fact that, despite being the one who carried and gave birth to Wonho, Wonwoo seemed to have no compassion for their child.

They had named him Wonho, a blend of Wonwoo’s name and Soonyoung’s nickname, "Hoshi." It was actually Wonwoo who suggested it, and Soonyoung had found it beautiful the moment he heard it. It felt like a promise, a symbol of their connection, of the family they were building together. But now, that promise felt like it was slowly slipping away.

Right after Wonho was born, Wonwoo went back to college just as they had planned. That left Soonyoung to juggle taking care of their son while working at the coffee shop, picking up side jobs whenever he could to make sure Wonwoo and Wonho had everything they needed.

But Wonwoo... he didn’t know how to deal with his own child. It wasn’t that he didn’t love him, he just felt indifferent. Detached. As if Wonho wasn’t a part of him at all.

And on top of that, Wonwoo had started questioning his love for Soonyoung, too. Some nights, he lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering if this was all his life would ever be. The thought of simply accepting this life—being content with Soonyoung, with the family they had built—felt suffocating. Like a slow descent into despair. Sometimes, guilt eats him for even thinking that way. But he couldn’t stop himself. He needed to get out. Out of this miserable life.

As usual, Soonyoung was the first to wake up. He moved quietly through the kitchen, preparing breakfast for Wonwoo before heading upstairs.

He gently tapped his husband’s shoulder, his voice soft as he tried to wake him. "Won, wake up. You have class at eight, right?"

Wonwoo stirred, blinking sleepily as he slowly sat up. "Wonho?"

"Still asleep. Don’t worry, I’ll bring him with me to work today," Soonyoung reassured him. "I already made you breakfast. If you don’t get up now, you’ll be late. You told me yesterday you were meeting up with your thesis mate… what was his name again? Mingyu?"

Wonwoo suddenly froze for a moment, a shiver running up his spine at the mere mention of Mingyu’s name. He quickly masked his reaction, clearing his throat as he reached for a brown envelope sitting on their nightstand.

"Ah, yeah… um, by the way, Soonyoung, I already found money to pay the water and electricity bills," he said, holding out the envelope.

Soonyoung stared at it for a few seconds, his fingers hesitating before finally accepting it. His brows furrowed slightly. "Huh? Where did you get this? I already told you, it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about the bills—I’ll always find a way to cover everything we need."

Wonwoo scratched the back of his head, avoiding Soonyoung’s gaze. "I earned it by doing some of my juniors’ assignments and requirements. Just take it, Soonyoung. I won’t be doing it often, only once in a while."

Soonyoung let out a deep sigh, studying Wonwoo carefully. There was something… off. Something about the way he spoke, the way he carried himself. It unsettled him, but he chose to push the feeling aside.

"Are you sure you don’t need this money?" Soonyoung asked, concern laced in his voice. "You have tons of projects, and you still have that miscellaneous fee to pay, right? I managed to pick up an extra gig as a choreographer at a dance studio near the university, so you can keep this."

Wonwoo stood up from the bed and wrapped his arms around Soonyoung, resting his chin on his shoulder. "No need," he murmured.

He pulled back slightly, locking eyes with Soonyoung as his fingers gently caressed his husband’s cheek. He leaned in, pressing a soft peck against his lips in the process. "I still have extra money," he reassured him.

Soonyoung smiled at him, warmth spreading through his chest. "Okay, babe. If you say so."

He leaned in again, capturing Wonwoo’s lips in a deeper kiss, which the younger reciprocated. They stayed like that for a moment, just the two of them, lost in the rare tenderness between them, before finally pulling away.

"I should take a bath now," Wonwoo mumbled, his voice a little breathless.

Soonyoung nodded, watching as Wonwoo disappeared into the bathroom before he made his way downstairs to Wonho’s room. He sighed, savoring the brief moment of peace before his day truly began. He only had an hour before he had to wake Wonho up and head straight to work.

————

Wonwoo arrived at the university earlier than expected, sighing deeply as Soonyoung’s words from earlier echoed in his mind. Mingyu. If only Soonyoung knew who Mingyu really was.
Before he could get lost in his thoughts, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind, and a familiar face nuzzled into his neck.

"Hi, baby. Missed me?"

Wonwoo’s breath hitched as he instinctively pushed the person away. His heart pounded for a second before he turned around and blinked, only to see Mingyu standing there, grinning at him.

"Sorry," Wonwoo muttered, exhaling sharply. "I thought you were some pervert trying to grope me."
Mingyu rolled his eyes before immediately beaming again. "Let’s go on a date later! You’re free, right? I just… missed you."

He pulled Wonwoo closer, but the older stiffened slightly, something clearly weighing on his mind. Mingyu noticed the change in his expression and raised a brow. "What’s wrong?"

"Gyu…" Wonwoo hesitated before lowering his voice. "My husband knows you."

Mingyu’s expression shifted slightly, his curiosity piqued. "He already knows about the true nature of our relationship?"

Wonwoo’s eyes widened, and he quickly covered Mingyu’s mouth, scanning their surroundings to make sure no one was listening. "Can you please keep quiet?! Someone might hear us!"

Mingyu only chuckled, prying Wonwoo’s hands away. "So he knows. Have you talked to him about the divorce? Wonu-hyung, I can’t wait for you to come home to me. We’ll achieve everything together."

Meanwhile, Jeonghan, an education student who happened to be Wonwoo’s blockmate, walked past the scene. He was deep in conversation with his best friend, Jihoon, when he suddenly caught sight of Wonwoo wrapped in the embrace of a man who was definitely not his husband.

Jeonghan came to an abrupt stop, eyes narrowing as he observed the interaction. Jihoon, noticing that his friend had stopped walking, followed his gaze and frowned.

"Huh? Isn’t Wonwoo married?" Jeonghan muttered under his breath.

Jihoon sighed, already sensing where this was going. He grabbed Jeonghan’s wrist, pulling him forward. "Hyung, let’s go. It’s none of our business what they’re doing. We’ll be late for our next class."
"But Jihoon, there’s tea here! We can use this for future references," Jeonghan protested, struggling to break free from Jihoon’s grip.

Jihoon let out a long, exasperated sigh. "I don’t care. Now move." He tightened his grip and dragged Jeonghan along, ignoring all of his dramatic whining.

Back to Wonwoo and Mingyu—

"Can you please wait? I need to find the right chance," Wonwoo frowned, staring at the ground. His mind drifted to Wonho, his sweet little baby. "I need to bring Wonho with me, you know. Nothing good will happen if he stays with his father."

Mingyu clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes slightly. "Hyung, we can always have another kid in the future! It’s not like you even love the child. Didn’t you literally call me yesterday complaining about how annoying he was because he wouldn’t stop crying?" He scoffed. "You’re too young to be a father. We’re too young to be parents."

Wonwoo lifted his head, his resolve wavering. "I-I… You’re right," he mumbled. "Just give me time, okay? I’m just waiting for the right opportunity to break it off with him."

Mingyu’s face lit up, his signature toothy grin stretching across his lips. "Okay, hyung!"

Wonwoo stood on his toes, wrapping his arms around Mingyu’s neck before leaning in to kiss him deeply. He pushed all of his thoughts, all of his worries, to the back of his mind. Just for now.

Soonyoung felt absolutely drained. He barely had any sleep last night because Wonho wouldn’t stop crying, and today at the café, a string of difficult customers had tested his patience. Luckily, Wonho seemed to be in a peaceful mood, spending the day eating and sleeping without fussing. That gave Soonyoung a bit of breathing room while teaching his dance students.

Now on a short break, he watched the kids playing with Wonho in the practice room, smiling softly despite his exhaustion. That’s when his phone rang. He blinked at the name on the screen, Junhui. It was unusual for Jun to call at this hour.

"Hey, Junhui. What’s up?" Soonyoung answered, adjusting his grip on the phone.

On the other end, Jun was walking through campus, his phone pressed to his ear. He was excited—he had found a job opportunity for Soonyoung that would pay well, and he couldn’t wait to tell him. Seeing Soonyoung constantly looking like a sleep-deprived zombie was starting to bother him, and he wanted to help however he could.

"Soonyoung, I found a great job for you! This will definitely help you earn a lot of money for your—"

Jun abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

From the corner of his eye, he spotted someone familiar. His head turned instinctively, and his heart dropped.

Wonwoo.

But he wasn’t alone.

Jun stood frozen in place, unable to move or even speak as he took in the scene before him, Wonwoo, his friend, was kissing another man.

Not just any man.

It wasn’t his husband.

Jun felt his grip on his phone tighten, his mind racing. This was bad.

"Jun?" Soonyoung’s voice came through the phone, confused.

Jun snapped back to reality, his mind scrambling. "Ah, erm! Sorry, Soonyoung, I have to take care of something—I’ll call you back later."

"What? Wait, Jun! I need the money—"

"BYE!" Jun blurted out, quickly ending the call before Soonyoung could say anything else.

He swallowed hard, eyes still locked onto Wonwoo and the stranger. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of disbelief and anger swirling inside him.

What the hell is Wonwoo doing?

Mingyu pulled away from the kiss, his lips still hovering close to Wonwoo’s as he whispered, "I'll make all of your dreams come true, hyung. We'll have the perfect family you've always dreamed of."

Guilt was eating Wonwoo up, but he couldn’t stop his heart from racing for Mingyu. In the end, he decided to give in completely to the temptation, choosing Mingyu over Soonyoung, the man he had married. Besides, he knew Mingyu could fulfill all his ambitions in life.

Suddenly, a voice screamed Wonwoo’s name at the top of its lungs, making both of them jump apart. Their heads whipped toward the source of the voice, only to see a furious brunette storming toward them.

"Fuck, Wonwoo! What did I just see?!"

Mingyu crossed his arms, eyeing the man up and down. "Who are you? Is this your husband, babe?"

"What? Excuse me?" Jun shot a disgusted look at Mingyu before turning his attention back to Wonwoo. "Babe? Are you serious? As far as I know, Soonyoung is the only man who has the right to call you that. I need a fucking explanation!"

Wonwoo’s face paled as he looked at Jun with wide, fearful eyes. "Jun, please."

"What?! I don't understand, Wonwoo! How could you do this to my best friend?" Jun shouted, his voice trembling with rage. "He's done nothing but work himself to the bone to provide for you and your child! He's out there, compromising his own health and happiness for you, and this, this is what you're doing behind his back?!"

"Can you not raise your voice at him?!" Mingyu shot back, stepping in front of Wonwoo as if shielding him. "It’s not like Wonwoo hyung wanted to get married! It’s not like he wanted a child! It wasn’t his choice, so if you’re not his husband, shut up and leave."

Jun let out a mocking laugh, clapping his hands sarcastically. "And who the fuck are you again? A side hoe? You have no say in this." He then turned his sharp glare back to Wonwoo. "FYI, I’ve been friends with this guy since elementary school, so I do have the right to call him out when he's doing something this fucked up! So if anyone should shut up and leave, it’s you, homewrecker!"

Mingyu glared, but Jun ignored him, seething. "And what the fuck are you talking about, saying Wonwoo’s pregnancy wasn’t his choice? Why are you making it sound like Soonyoung forced him into it?"

Jun was about to grab Mingyu’s collar when he suddenly felt Wonwoo’s hands clasp tightly around his wrists.

"Jun! Please! Just go!" Wonwoo begged, his voice shaking.

Jun stared at him in disbelief before scoffing. "Wow, Wonwoo. Sure, I’ll leave." He took a step back, his voice dropping into something cold and cutting. "But expect that I’ll tell Soonyoung about this. Right now."

He pulled out his phone, tilting the screen just enough for them to see, a picture of Wonwoo and Mingyu kissing. "Also, I have fucking proof, assholes."

"And? So what? I can just take Wonwoo hyung away for all I care!" Mingyu barked at Jun, his voice laced with defiance.

Jun merely rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. He found it pointless to argue any further, so he turned his back on them and walked away without another word.

As Jun disappeared into the distance, Wonwoo exhaled shakily before wrapping his arms around Mingyu, stopping him from advancing any further. His grip trembled slightly as he whispered, his eyes still fixed on Jun’s retreating figure, "I-I'm scared that he might tell Soonyoung..."

Mingyu sighed, gently rubbing Wonwoo's back. "Hyung, you’re planning to divorce him. He’s going to find out one way or another. What are you scared of? After this, you can just forget everything and start anew with me. Be a new person, finally achieve your dreams without any hindrance. And I’ll be with you every step of the way."

"I-I just..." Wonwoo trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. He hesitated before giving Mingyu a sad smile. "Y-you’re right. We can finish college together and get married."

His gaze drifted down to his left hand, where his wedding ring glimmered under the sunlight. He stared at it, eyes filled with conflicting emotions.

Mingyu reached out, covering Wonwoo’s hand with his own. His grip was firm, reassuring. "I can give you a better ring. With a better life, hyung. You have nothing to lose. You have me and the world."

————

Jun angrily parked his car in front of the dance studio where Soonyoung worked. He had just left the university, not that it mattered since he only had classes in the morning. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly before he slammed a fist against it in frustration. He was furious.

Furious at Wonwoo.

An inner battle waged in his mind. Should he tell Soonyoung the truth? He didn’t want to add to his friend’s burdens. Soonyoung was already drowning in work, stress, and exhaustion but at the same time, Jun knew Soonyoung deserved to know. Hiding it would eat him alive. There was no way he could look his best friend in the eyes and pretend everything was fine.

His thoughts were interrupted when he spotted Soonyoung stepping out of the studio, cradling a sleeping Wonho in his arms. Jun hadn’t informed him that he would be stopping by, but it seemed he had arrived at just the right time.

Soonyoung looked beyond exhausted, but there was no rest in sight for him. He still had to drop Wonho off at his parents’ house before heading straight to his third job, a bartending shift at a local bar owned by Jun’s boyfriend, Minghao. His body was screaming for rest, and he knew he was pushing his limits, but there was no choice. Wonwoo’s school fees, Wonho’s milk and diapers, their household expenses, everything relied on him.

So he sucked it up and kept moving.

He almost walked right past Jun’s car if his friend hadn’t stopped him.

“Uh, Jun? Why are you here? Ah! Is this about the job you were talking about earlier?”

Jun averted his gaze, suddenly hesitant. “Yeah… and something else.”

“Can we talk in your car? I don’t want to be late for my third job, and I still need to drop by my parents’ house.”

Jun forced a small smile as he opened the car door for Soonyoung. “Get in.”

Once Soonyoung was seated, Jun took a deep breath before speaking again. “Rest today. I already talked to Hao, and he’s giving you the night off. Paid leave.”

Soonyoung frowned, confused. “Why? I can still manage.”

Jun sighed, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “Soonyoung… you know Mingyu, right?”

Soonyoung nodded. “Yeah. Won’s classmate. Why? What about him—”

“I saw him kissing Wonwoo.”

Jun’s voice was firm, cutting off Soonyoung mid-sentence.

Silence filled the car.

Jun studied his friend's reaction through the car’s rearview mirror. Soonyoung stared blankly at him, his expression unreadable.

Truthfully, Soonyoung didn’t know how to react.

He knew Wonwoo had been changing. He knew Wonwoo wasn’t happy with how things turned out between them. But cheating? Betrayal? That was something Soonyoung couldn’t grasp.

They had been together since high school. Then college happened—college parties, one reckless night, and boom—a baby. And suddenly, Wonwoo became cold, distant, different. But no matter how much he changed, Soonyoung still saw him as the same Wonwoo he loved.

On the other hand, there was Jun.

He had known Jun since middle school, when he moved from China. Jun had been their best friend, their third piece. Despite coming from a wealthy family, he fit right in with them. Jun was crazy, reckless, and always up to something dangerous. But Jun would never joke about something like this. Not when he knew how much Soonyoung’s family meant to him.

“Okay,” Soonyoung said, his voice void of any emotion.

Jun frowned. “Okay? Soonyoung, please talk to Wonwoo.” He shifted in his seat to face Soonyoung more directly. “Please fix this with him. If you need someone to beat the shit out of that Mingyu, Cheol hyung and I are here for you.”

Soonyoung let out a low chuckle, but it sounded empty. “Talk? About what? He’s cheating. That’s it. End of the story. Are we done talking? If your boyfriend won’t let me work today, may you excuse me? I want to sleep.”

Jun inhaled deeply, concern evident in his eyes. “Well… okay. You deserve that.”

Soonyoung nodded, stepping out of the car and tightening his hold on Wonho, cradling him like he was the only thing he had left in the world.

As expected, the house was empty when he got home.

Empty and messy.

It always was.

Wonwoo woke up late and came home late, which meant he never had time, or chose not to make time, to help with the house.

Soonyoung sighed. He carefully placed Wonho in his room, tucking him in before heading back out. Without a second thought, he turned off his phone, grabbed the vacuum, and started cleaning.

If he focused on the mess, maybe he wouldn’t have to think about the one in his heart.

————

Wonwoo got home late, a stupid smile lingering on his lips as he replayed the moments of his little date with Mingyu. As he passed by the full-body mirror near the entrance, he paused to check his reflection, adjusting his clothes absentmindedly, until reality hit him.

Jun.

Soonyoung.

His breath hitched as fear settled in his chest. Was Soonyoung aware by now? Did Jun tell him? His fingers twitched as he hesitated by the doorway before carefully stepping inside their shared bedroom. He let out a quiet sigh of relief when he found it empty.

Soonyoung, on the other hand, remained in Wonho’s room.

He didn’t know how to face Wonwoo.

Their relationship had been strained ever since Wonwoo got pregnant, but this? Cheating? That was something he couldn't comprehend. He had sacrificed so much, endured so much because they had a child. For goodness’ sake, they had a child. That had to mean something.

Right?

————

Wonwoo stirred awake in the middle of the night, instinctively reaching for the warmth beside him, only to be met with cold, empty sheets.

His brows furrowed.

By this hour, Soonyoung was always beside him, holding him tight. But tonight, the absence was palpable.

He got up and padded quietly to their child’s room, stopping at the doorway when he saw Soonyoung.

The older man was curled up in a chair, fast asleep, exhaustion evident in the way his shoulders slumped.

Wonwoo’s chest ached at the sight, tears pooling in his eyes as he slowly approached. He squatted down in front of Soonyoung, watching him for a moment before whispering, his voice trembling, "I-I'm sorry... I did love you, but... I'm sorry, Soonyoung... I already fell out of love."

A long silence stretched between them.

Then, in a calm, low voice, Soonyoung, who had merely closed his eyes but hadn’t been sleeping, because how could he?—finally spoke.

"Five years in. And you fell out of love. Okay."

Wonwoo’s breath hitched. "N-Nyong—"

"Hmm?" Soonyoung hummed, cracking his eyes open. His gaze was sharp yet eerily composed. "Can you please tone down your voice? I don’t want Wonho’s peaceful sleep to be disturbed."

Wonwoo flinched. The way Soonyoung looked at him, straight into his eyes, void of any warmth sent a shiver down his spine. He reached out hesitantly to touch Soonyoung’s face, but the older man turned away.

"I’m sorry... I am so sorry..." Wonwoo choked out, his voice barely above a whisper.

Soonyoung let out a deep sigh and stood up, gently guiding Wonwoo out of the room before closing the door behind them.

"Sorry for what?" His voice was still soft, but the weight behind it was crushing. "Sorry for not wanting to marry me in the first place? Sorry because you just can’t love our child? Or are you sorry because you can’t be content with this kind of life?" He exhaled sharply before continuing, his tone still eerily controlled. "Don’t tell me you’re sorry for cheating, because we both know you’re not. So which one is it?"

Wonwoo trembled, his head hanging low as his lips quivered. "F-For being a shitty husband to you, Soonyoung..." His voice cracked, sobs escaping his lips. "Y-Yes, I can’t be content with this kind of life. I can’t go on like this forever..."

Soonyoung nodded. No anger, no heartbreak just emptiness. "I’ve packed your bags."

Wonwoo's breath caught in his throat.

For a moment, he could only stare at Soonyoung, stunned.

Then, after a few seconds, he swallowed hard and nodded.

"I... I understand."

Wonwoo turned his back on Soonyoung, pulling out his phone to dial Mingyu’s number.

Soonyoung sat motionless on the couch, his gaze blank as he watched Wonwoo speak with Mingyu for three full minutes before the call finally ended.

A heavy silence settled between them.

Then, Soonyoung spoke again,"is he that good for you to leave our child behind?"

Wonwoo hesitated for a second before answering, "I love him."

Soonyoung nodded, his expression unreadable. He was obviously trying to suppress the pain punching him straight to his chest. He had loved no one but Wonwoo, ever since. He had been faithful, loyal even back in high school, when he was still popular, when countless people had a crush on him.

But in the end, none of that mattered.

"Does he love you as much?"

"Yeah... and he's the one paying for my other school fees."

Soonyoung let out a hollow chuckle, nodding again. "That's good then," he said, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "You can finally achieve your dreams. Congratulations. Be happy." He took a deep breath, his next words firm. "And don’t come back."

Wonwoo looked back at him, his gaze filled with something unreadable, regret, maybe, or hesitation but it wasn’t enough.

"I won’t."

A sudden knock echoed through the room.

Before Wonwoo could move, Soonyoung was already at the door. He opened it, meeting Mingyu’s expectant eyes.

"Kim Mingyu?" Soonyoung said, his voice calm, almost unnervingly so. "My husband is ready for you. Please take care of him. He can’t eat seafood and hates too much garlic in his food. He can only eat mildly spicy things, and he can play video games for hours on end. He also has asthma. I think you already know all of this. But yeah, good luck with your life together. Be happy, I guess."

Mingyu blinked, momentarily thrown off by Soonyoung’s words, but quickly shrugged it off and stepped inside to help Wonwoo carry his bags to the car.

Just as Wonwoo was about to step out of the house for the last time, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Slowly, he turned back.

Reaching for Soonyoung’s right hand, he opened his palm and placed their wedding ring onto it.

Then, in a hushed whisper, he said, "Sorry... bye, Soonyoung."

Soonyoung didn’t move. Didn’t react.

"Just go."

And Wonwoo did.

He climbed into Mingyu’s car, giving Soonyoung one last glance, one last moment, before the door shut, and he disappeared down the street.

Gone.

Soonyoung watched the car disappear into the distance before turning on his heel and heading to Wonho’s room. Carefully, so as not to wake his sleeping child, he slipped a beanie over Wonho’s head and bundled him up in a warm jacket. Then, he dressed himself in something similar.

Without a second thought, he hailed a taxi.

The ride was silent, the city lights blurring past him. He barely registered when the vehicle pulled up in front of a luxurious apartment complex, one he had spent countless nights in before, drunk and crashing after long shifts.

It was almost 2 a.m. when he rang the doorbell.

Jun, looking disheveled in his sleeping robe, answered the door with a groggy expression. His tired eyes widened in surprise. "Oh—Soonyoung?"

Minghao appeared behind him, equally disheveled. He was ready to curse out whoever had disturbed him and Jun from their activities, until he saw Soonyoung standing there.

The moment their eyes met, the fight drained out of him.

Soonyoung looked broken. Defeated. His eyes were already glassy with unshed tears, his arms barely holding onto the small child nestled against his chest.

"Umm… hi?" Minghao hesitated.

And then, finally, Soonyoung broke.

A shuddering sob escaped his lips, his whole body trembling as he struggled to keep his cries contained, afraid of waking Wonho.

Jun and Minghao exchanged a glance before Minghao stepped forward, arms outstretched. "Here, let me take him."

Soonyoung hesitated for only a second before carefully handing Wonho over to Minghao.

The moment his arms were empty, his body gave out.

He collapsed onto the floor, right there at Jun and Minghao’s doorway.

"Soonyoung!" Jun was at his side in an instant, crouching down, his voice laced with panic. "What happened? Tell us."

Minghao, now cradling a still-sleeping Wonho, quietly excused himself to settle the baby in their bedroom.

Meanwhile, Jun wasted no time pulling Soonyoung up from the floor, guiding him toward the couch.

Soonyoung let himself be pushed down, his entire frame shaking. Then, finally, the words came.

"He’s gone, Jun…" His voice was small, breaking apart like fragile glass.

Jun swallowed hard, waiting.

"I told him to leave," Soonyoung whispered. "And… and…" His fingers clenched into the fabric of the couch, knuckles turning white. His breath hitched as another sob wracked through his body. "He didn’t even hesitate to go."

Jun’s jaw tensed. His grip on Soonyoung’s shoulder tightened as his anger flared.

"What the fuck is wrong with Wonwoo?" he spat, barely able to contain his rage. "Don’t—don’t let him see you like this, Soonyoung. Don’t fall to pieces because of him. Get your shit together and fix your life." His tone softened, but the conviction in his voice remained strong. "Now that he’s gone, you have one less burden on your shoulders. Good riddance."

Soonyoung didn’t respond, just buried his face in his hands.

Jun exhaled sharply, running a frustrated hand through his hair. He had always known Wonwoo was ambitious but never, never did he think he’d throw away the people who should’ve been his most valuable treasures just to chase his selfish dreams.

Jun had never felt such disappointment before.

But no matter what, he would make sure Soonyoung and Wonho would be okay.
Soonyoung buries his face in his hands, trying to hide how utterly pathetic he must look right now. "Isn't that what I've been doing?" he bursts out, his voice shaking. "I was the one who kept fixing our mistake! I told him, multiple times, I stopped him, even. And I gave up everything! For him! For our child! I took up job after job just so he could study, just so I could feed him decent food, just so Wonho had everything he needed. In what way do I still lack? What did I do wrong? Why am I still not enough?"

Tears won’t stop flowing, streaming down his face like an unstoppable river. His head starts to throb from all the crying, and he clutches it, trying to keep himself together.

Jun reaches out, rubbing soothing circles on Soonyoung’s back, hoping to ease even a fraction of his pain. "I'm sorry," he murmurs. "But I don’t know the answer myself, Soons."

Soonyoung lets out a hollow, broken laugh. "You know what, Jun? You know what makes it even more painful?" He looks up, eyes glassy with exhaustion. "I badly want to rest already. I'm so tired and done with all of this shit, but I can't. Because I still have Wonho. And I won't let him grow up looking for Wonwoo. I'll do anything to give him what he needs—to make him feel the love he deserves." His voice trembles, but his resolve is firm. "He's all that I have, and I'm all that he has."

Jun hesitates before speaking. "The job I’m offering you... It pays a lot, but..." He trails off.

"I'll take it. I don't care what it is, I'll take it," Soonyoung declares without hesitation.

Jun swallows, still uncertain. "But you have to fly to Beijing, Soonyoung... What will your parents say? And are you bringing Wonho with you?"

Soonyoung nods without a second thought. "I'm not going to leave him, Jun. Wonwoo already left him. I won't ever do the same. I love Wonho. He's my world now. As for my parents... they'll understand."

Jun exhales sharply. "But who will take care of Wonho there? And also, you’ll need to learn how to speak Mandarin."

"I know a little. I learned Chinese because of you two, remember?" Soonyoung manages a small smile. "I worked three jobs here while taking care of Wonho. I can do it again and again."

Jun lets out a deep sigh, finally giving in. "Okay then. I'll talk to my friend there. But for now, please get some sleep. Leave Wonho to us."

Soonyoung’s shoulders sag, relief and exhaustion hitting him all at once. "Thanks, Jun... I'm... I'm sorry."

Jun doesn’t let him finish. He just pulls him into a firm, reassuring hug, a small smile on his lips.

Soonyoung can’t put into words how lucky he is to have a friend like Jun. Someone he can run to, rely on—someone who won’t ever leave.

————

Jihoon stares at the night sky, tracing invisible lines between the stars with his index finger, forming shapes and letters. It’s a habit he’s had since childhood, something he used to do with his parents when they were still alive.

"I wonder how he’s doing," he whispers under his breath.

The quietness of his room is suddenly disrupted by his ringtone. He glances at the caller ID before answering.

"Jihoonie! What was that tweet about earlier!? Where are you going?" Jeonghan’s voice instantly fills the room.

"Chill, hyung. I’m not going anywhere until we graduate," Jihoon reassures him, rolling his eyes at Jeonghan’s overreaction.

"So you are going somewhere!?" Jeonghan practically yells through the phone.

Jihoon sighs. "Hyung, my aunt has been pleading with me to move there. She needs someone to help take care of Grandma, and besides, an old friend offered me a job there with a great salary." He walks back to his window, staring at the beautiful night sky again. These days, he rarely gets to appreciate a sight like this, always too busy with schoolwork.

"You’re really leaving us? After everything I’ve done for you? Just kidding!" Jeonghan teases. "Good for you, though. Who knows? You might meet your soulmate there."

Jihoon rolls his eyes for the second time that night. Sometimes, he genuinely wonders why he’s best friends with Jeonghan.

"Hyung, let me remind you—I’m going there for my family and for work, not to find my soulmate or whatever bullshit you’re thinking of."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. But I’ll be laughing my ass off when you come back here with two kids in tow," Jeonghan cackles.

"Fuck you. I’m not like you, I’m not a whore."

Jeonghan bursts into even louder laughter. To an outsider, their conversation might sound harsh, but between the two of them, these insults are meaningless, just another way they banter.

"Sure, Ji, whatever you say. Anyway, speaking of whores," Jeonghan says, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "I have this blockmate who literally left his husband for another man. Like, damn, was his husband that horrible? Then again, he’s super young, probably around your age, actually."

Jihoon raises an eyebrow. "Why are you always so invested in gossip? Do I look like I give a shit about other people’s drama?"

"It’s big tea, okay?" Jeonghan insists. "Remember the guy I pointed out last week? The one we saw hugging someone else? That’s Kwon Wonwoo. And apparently, he dumped his husband for none other than golden heir Kim Mingyu. Sounds grand, right? What a perfect soap opera plot."

Jihoon freezes when he hears the name. He hadn’t been paying much attention last week when Jeonghan first mentioned it, too preoccupied with his own panic at the time. But now that he’s actually processing it, Kwon Wonwoo, isn’t that the same Wonwoo he knows? He just saw them last month, still acting all lovey-dovey. It’s hard to believe they ended up like this.

Jihoon bites his lower lip. "Still, I feel bad for his husband. I saw them a month ago, still all over each other."

"Wait—you’ve seen Wonwoo’s husband? Is he ugly? Someone easy to replace?" Jeonghan asks, far too interested. For some reason, the question irritates Jihoon.

"Huh? What are you talking about? He’s very good-looking, actually. He’s well-built, and he’s so kind," Jihoon sighs dreamily without realizing it.

There’s a brief pause before Jeonghan raises an eyebrow from the other end. He considers teasing Jihoon about his sudden tone of voice but decides to let it slide for now. "Maybe Wonwoo’s just really a gold digger, then. Wow, I cannot believe this. I mean, he does look like a bitch most of the time, but to cheat like that? Unless... what if his husband was abusive?"

"He is not like that!" Jihoon snaps, voice louder than intended, catching Jeonghan off guard.

"Uh, Jihoon? Why are you getting mad?" Jeonghan asks, confused.

"I mean it! He’s so sweet to Wonwoo, and if I were in his place, you wouldn’t hear any complaints from me."

Jeonghan smirks. "Look at you. You were acting all righteous a second ago, and now you’re fantasizing about my blockmate’s husband." He scoffs. "And hello? You don’t even know the guy! He got Wonwoo pregnant at a super young age, probably super irresponsible. You really shouldn’t be daydreaming about that kind of guy."

"JUDGMENTAL!" Jihoon gasps dramatically. "Actually, I do know Soonyoung... a little," he admits, his voice quieter. "He’s cute and kind… He even helped me out with a school project once. I doubt he remembers me, though. We went to the same high school. Him, me, and Wonwoo."

"Wait." Jeonghan processes that information for a second before his eyes widen. "So you mean you didn’t just see him, you actually know him? Wow… okay, spill. What’s the tea? Did they actually love each other, or was it just a one-night stand? Is that why it was so easy for Wonwoo to leave him and their baby? Because, honestly? Cheaters are trash, Jihoon."

"They loved each other. If you only knew how many times I caught them making out all over campus," Jihoon mutters, slightly frowning as the memories resurface.

"So Wonwoo really is trash." Jeonghan clicks his tongue. "And Jihoon, for someone who doesn’t give a shit, you sure know a lot. Tell me—" his voice turns teasing, "you had a crush on Wonwoo’s husband back then, didn’t you?"

Even though Jihoon can’t see him, he knows Jeonghan has that annoying smirk on his face, the one he always wears when he’s teasing him.

Jihoon freezes, his whole face flushing as red as a tomato. "What?! Of course not!" he denies vehemently, but Jeonghan just bursts into laughter, which only pisses him off more.

"Knew it! You totally had a crush on him. Here I am, talking about Wonwoo, and meanwhile, you’ve been fantasizing about his husband this whole time. The audacity," Jeonghan cackles, nearly out of breath from laughing so hard.

Jihoon rolls his eyes. "Whatever. Do you have any news about Soonyoung? Wonwoo looks way too carefree and thriving for someone who has a husband and a child."

"I don’t know, to be honest, hyung. I haven’t really heard much about them until you brought this up. Maybe ask Cheol hyung? He’s friends with Soonyoung, after all."

"WHAT?! SEUNGCHEOL?! MY BOYFRIEND SEUNGCHEOL?!" Jeonghan screeches so loudly that Jihoon has to pull his phone away from his ear.

"Yeah."

"HANG UP. I’M TALKING TO MY BOYFRIEND."

Then the call ends just like that.

Jihoon shakes his head, sighing, before turning to close the large window in his room. He needs to get some sleep, there are still requirements to finish in the morning. He’s already preparing for bed when his gaze lands on a lone bracelet resting on top of his dresser.

————

Thirteen-year-old Jihoon had recently moved from Busan to Seoul after his father found a new job in the capital. Adjusting to a new school was already tough, but what made it worse was that his classmates took an unusual interest in bullying him. He never quite understood why, was it because of his aloof nature? His obsession with anime and video games? Whatever the reason, he never told his teachers or parents about it. He believed he could handle it on his own.

And Jihoon was a fighter. He never backed down without throwing a punch of his own. Today was no exception, his payback plan had worked perfectly. The bullies had planned to dump a bucket of paint on him, but instead, they ended up drenched in it themselves.

For the first time in a long while, Jihoon felt victorious. Finally, he got the revenge he had always wanted.

But his happiness was short-lived.

On his way home, he spotted the bullies waiting for him on the school grounds. His stomach twisted uneasily as they circled around him, their faces twisted into menacing smirks.

Jihoon swallowed hard, his legs trembling, but he refused to let them see his fear. He kept his expression sharp, determined to hold his ground.

"What the fuck do you want?" he snapped, ready to run.

Before he could, one of them grabbed his arm, yanking him back. No matter how much he struggled and screamed, they dragged him inside the boys' restroom and locked the door behind them.

The tallest of the group stepped forward, grabbing Jihoon by the collar of his uniform. Another boy leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching with an amused smirk.

"Oh, Jihoon. You really thought you’d get away with that?" the taller boy mocked, gripping a handful of Jihoon's hair and yanking his head back to force him to look at him.

Instead of answering, Jihoon spat in his face.

The bully’s expression twisted in rage.

"You little shit!" He smacked Jihoon's head, making him wince.

Jihoon squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for what was coming next. He knew the drill, they’d beat him up until he could barely walk home.

But the next blow never came.

Instead, the sound of scuffling feet filled the restroom. When Jihoon cautiously opened his eyes, he found the bullies scrambling away, their faces pale with fear.

And standing in front of him was a boy he had never seen before, one with the most beautiful eyes he had ever laid eyes on.

The stranger extended a hand toward him. "No need to be scared. They’re gone now." He smiled. "I'm Kwon Soonyoung. And you?"

Jihoon hesitated before taking his hand. "...Lee Jihoon."

Chapter Text

It's the first day of the new school year, and Jihoon has never been this excited before. He’s finally getting his own class advisory, meaning he’ll have a whole group of kids he can call his children, at least in school, since he can’t have kids of his own yet. Being a kindergarten teacher for almost five years has completely changed his life. He never imagined he would have such a talent for handling children, especially considering how grumpy and aloof he used to be. Back in his school days, even his classmates and schoolmates didn’t want to interact with him much.

This first day is already shaping up to be a good one. Everything is going smoothly, and he’s already growing fond of his new students. They actively participated in the activities he planned, and not to mention they were all so cute.

Now, it’s lunchtime. Jihoon has just returned from the cafeteria, carrying a tray of food. He’s starving since he only had a single piece of toast and an egg for breakfast. Standing in front of his desk, he takes a moment to observe his students. The kids are happily enjoying the meals their parents prepared, chatting and mingling with each other.

But then, he notices a boy sitting alone at one of the tables, poking at his food with a blank expression. He looks completely uninterested in eating. Jihoon’s heart tugs at the sight, and without hesitation, he walks over and carefully places his tray on the yellow table.

"Hi!" Jihoon greets with a smile.

The boy startles a little before turning his attention to the teacher. "Oh, hello, Teacher Fairy," he responds with a forced smile, one that Jihoon immediately picks up on.

Jihoon knows that feeling all too well, the loneliness of having no one to talk to at school. He can relate to the little boy on so many levels. Gently, he rubs the kid’s back.

"Teacher Fairy?" Jihoon tilts his head, curious. It’s the first time someone has called him such a cute nickname, and he finds it incredibly endearing.

The little boy takes a bite of his tiny sausages before replying, "Because you look like a fairy."

Jihoon blushes slightly but nods in understanding. He leans in a little to get a better look at the child. "Is it okay if I sit here with you?"

The boy simply shrugs, which Jihoon takes as a ‘yes.’

"So, why are you sitting here alone? Don’t you want to spend lunch with your new classmates?" Jihoon asks as he pours gravy over his rice. Finally, he takes a bite of his burger steak. He’s so hungry he swears he could eat an entire cow right now.

The kid blinks at the sudden question but eventually answers, "While we were doing the activity earlier, they made fun of me for only having a dad."

Jihoon frowns, reaching out to gently tap the boy’s head. "What's your name?"

"Kwon Wonho," the boy replies, a small smile now forming on his face.

Now that the child has fully turned to him, Jihoon can’t help but notice his eyes. They remind him so much of someone, someone very special in his life. Without even realizing it, he returns the boy’s smile.

"And I am Jihoon. If your classmates tease you again, you can tell them I’m your papa instead. That should make them stop."

Wonho’s little eyes grow wide, an obvious twinkle in them as he nods enthusiastically. His face is now adorned with a wide, innocent smile, making Jihoon ruffle his hair.

"Finish your food before it gets cold."

---

Five years in China, and Soonyoung had finally found his footing in life. He wouldn't lie, adjusting to a life without Wonwoo had been difficult, but he never lost hope because of his son. Wonho became his inspiration. He worked hard, studied, and raised his son all at the same time. Now, he was a successful choreographer in China with a high salary. He choreographed most of the performances for many Chinese artists, making his dance studio famous across the country.

On top of that, he was also a business partner with Junhui and Minghao in their midnight club ventures, both in China and Korea. His life had changed drastically, but one thing would always remain the same his priority. And his priority would always be Wonho.

Speaking of his child, Soonyoung had breakfast ready, like always. He prepared Wonho’s favorite outfit. A pastel sweater, jumper, small Timberlands, and a beanie—before proceeding to wake him up by playing his favorite song: Moonlight Angel OST.

Wonho yawned, stretching his tiny arms as he sat up in bed, adjusting to the brightness of the room. "Daddy, am I going to school again? Am I going to see Teacher Fairy again?"

Soonyoung blinked at his son. It seemed like Wonho had taken a great liking to his teacher. A smile tugged at his lips as he ruffled the boy’s hair.

"Wow, it’s only been a week since you started school, and I’ve already been replaced on your favorite person list," Soonyoung pouted playfully.

Wonho giggled at his father’s antics. "It's not like that," he explained, mirroring his dad’s pout. "It’s just that Teacher Fairy is super, and he’s super duper nice, and—" Wonho suddenly paused, looking up at his father with sparkling eyes.

Soonyoung tilted his head. "And?"

"He has no boyfriend yet!" Wonho announced with excitement.

Soonyoung immediately dove for his son, peppering him with kisses. "So, are you saying you want him to be your boyfriend? Baby, you’re still too young to have crushes~"

Wonho gave his father a confused look. His dad clearly didn’t understand what he was trying to say. With a small sigh, the boy clarified, "I want him to be my papa. That’s possible, right? Since you said my papa is up in heaven already."

Soonyoung almost choked on his son’s words but quickly recovered. He playfully tapped Wonho’s nose, making the kid whine.

"At your age, you shouldn’t be thinking about things like that," Soonyoung chuckled. 

"Come on now, Uncle Channie’s arriving soon! He’ll turn into a dinosaur if you make him wait." He even imitated a dinosaur, something he had been doing ever since Wonho started learning how to interact with him.

Sometimes, he couldn't help but wonder, would things have been different if Wonwoo had chosen to stay by their side? But there was no use dwelling on the past. Like the elders always said, the past is the past. What mattered now was the present.

Apparently, that was effective. Wonho hastily threw the covers off his body and jumped out of bed. Soonyoung giggled a little before effortlessly lifting Wonho onto his shoulders, carrying him down to the kitchen.

After they had breakfast and both were dressed, the doorbell rang, echoing through the house. Chan had finally arrived. Soonyoung rushed to the door, letting the younger enter.

"Good morning, hyung! Need help bringing Wonho to school?" Chan asked, glancing around the house in search of the little boy.

Soonyoung nodded. "I already fixed my schedule, so starting tomorrow, you’ll only have to take him on Mondays and Thursdays. I’ll handle the rest of the days." He paused for a moment before flashing Chan a sincere smile. "Thanks, Chan. It means a lot."

Chan waved his hand dismissively, the other scratching the back of his head as he grinned sheepishly. "It’s nothing, hyung. It’s not like I’m that busy either."

Before Chan could say more, he suddenly felt a small pair of arms wrap around his legs. Looking down, he found Wonho clinging to him, making him coo in fondness. He crouched down and playfully pinched the child’s cheeks, earning a wide grin from him.

"You are so cute!" Chan gushed.

"Uncle Channie!!! Go! Go! Go!" Wonho exclaimed excitedly, grabbing Chan’s hand and bouncing on his feet. But just as they were about to leave, he suddenly remembered something. He turned back to his father, eyes wide, and shouted, "DADDY KISS!!!"

Soonyoung chuckled at his son’s cuteness before peppering kisses all over his face. Only then did he let Wonho hold onto Chan again.

"Take care!"

"Bye, hyung! We’re going now!"

————————————

Wonho giggled the whole time, giddy to see his fairy teacher again. As soon as they arrived, he immediately let go of Chan’s hand and ran ahead. Not caring about his babysitter, he automatically latched onto his new favorite person’s leg.

"Teacher Hoonie! Teacher Hoonie!" he cheered.

Jihoon let out a small yelp of surprise, but as soon as he turned around, it was replaced by a series of giggles that mirrored Wonho’s.

"Oh, hi! Wonho, good morning~" Jihoon greeted, picking him up and carrying him into the classroom. He gave Chan a nod, which the younger understood, waving goodbye. But the kid didn’t seem to notice, he was too focused on Jihoon.

"Uncle Channie wants to say goodbye," Jihoon whispered.

Wonho turned his head and gasped when he saw Chan pouting. He laughed and quickly raised his small hand to wave goodbye. Then, he turned his attention back to his teacher.

"Look! My daddy dressed me in pink! Because you said you like pink! So I wore pink!" Wonho beamed, clearly proud of his clothes. He leaned back a little, making hand gestures to emphasize his outfit so his teacher could get a better view.

Jihoon beamed back, ruffling the kid’s hair like he always did. "You really love me, don’t you? Your daddy might get jealous."

Wonho gasped, clinging to his teacher’s neck as if a light bulb had just gone off in his head.

"I heard! Daddy said he’ll... he’ll pick me up sometime this week! You’ll meet Daddy! He’s supeeeer handsome, Teacher Hoonie! Just like me!"

Jihoon laughed again. Wonho sounded like a real matchmaker, but then again, he was just a kid, so Jihoon didn’t take his words too seriously.

"Why do you want me to meet your daddy? Do you think we’ll be good friends? Hmm… w-where is your mama or papa?"

Wonho’s smile suddenly faded, and he shook his head. "Daddy said… Papa’s already an angel."

Jihoon’s expression fell. When Wonho first mentioned a week ago that he lived with only his daddy, Jihoon had assumed his parents were separated. He hadn’t thought that Wonho’s papa had already passed away. Giving the boy an apologetic look, he softly said, "I’m sorry, Wonho."

"It’s okay! Daddy said I was still small when he left, so I don’t really know much about him," Wonho reassured him with a smile before giggling again. "BESIDES! You can be my papa!"

"I can be, but only at school, okay?"

"YAAAAY! I love you, Papa!" Wonho cheered.

Jihoon swore his heart had never swelled with this much happiness before. For some reason, he felt a deep connection with Wonho, despite knowing they weren’t related in any way. But did that even matter when it came to being so fond of someone? Maybe the kid just possessed the traits Jihoon hoped his future child would have.

"Daddy is kind! And super handsome! And he's a great dancer!" Wonho mused, his words accompanied by animated hand gestures. "And I want you to do something, Papa, please."

Jihoon simply hummed, letting the kid talk nonstop.

"Be my daddy’s boyfriend! Like Uncle Hao and Uncle Jun! They’re boyfriends! Daddy has no boyfriend, so I want you to be his!" Wonho pleaded, looking at Jihoon with big, puppy-like eyes.

Jihoon simply couldn’t say no to that but this was a wish he couldn’t grant. In fact, he was a bit surprised by Wonho’s words, but then again, he was talking to a child. The kid still didn’t understand a lot about the world, and as his teacher, it was Jihoon’s responsibility to help him learn.

"Um, Wonho-ssi, it’s not that easy. Your daddy and I need to be in love with each other," Jihoon explained, choosing his words carefully to avoid upsetting the little boy.

Wonho pouted at him, his small, slit eyes drooping sadly. "But—"

Jihoon immediately cut him off, making eye contact as he gently lifted Wonho’s chin with his free hand. "Baby, there are a lot of things you don’t understand yet. You’re still young. But who knows? I might like your daddy." He added the last part to make it sound a bit better for Wonho.

Still, Wonho looked upset. His eyes, however, were now filled with determination as he tried his best to convince Jihoon. "I’m sure you’ll like my daddy! Everyone likes my daddy!"

Jihoon felt his heart breaking at the sad look Wonho was giving him. "Baby, don’t be sad, please. I’ll be sad too."

That immediately alarmed Wonho, he never wanted his Teacher Fairy to be sad. "Hug???"

"Okay, hug then," Jihoon said with a smile.

Wonho returned it generously, immediately launching his small body into his fairy teacher’s arms.

————————

As usual, Wonho enjoyed his time at school. This time, he was able to mingle and interact with his classmates more. Teacher Hoonie made them play with paint, read them a story, and even played the piano for them.

At the end of the class, all the students had already been picked up by their parents, but his Uncle Channie was still nowhere in sight. Not even his shadow. This made Wonho sulk.

Jihoon approached Wonho, who was sitting in front of the classroom, hugging his legs in a fetal position as he waited patiently. He sat beside the boy and gave his back a comforting rub. "Don't worry, I'll stay here with you until he picks you up, okay?"

Wonho whispered into his knees, "I wish Daddy would be here. Uncle Chan is funny, but I like it more when Daddy picks me up. But he has work. Because I'm still a baby, and he said babies need a lot of toys. But I don't want toys."

A frown formed on Jihoon's lips. His parents had been very busy with work too, and just like Wonho, he hadn't wanted toys back then. All he had wanted was to spend time with them. Unfortunately, that never happened. They never got the opportunity to make it up to him. After an accident, he lost both of them in an instant.

"I wish your daddy could pick you up so you wouldn’t be sad," Jihoon said softly.

A bright idea suddenly popped into Jihoon’s head, making him smile. He picked Wonho up from the floor and carried him over to the bench in front of the piano inside their classroom. "I'll teach you piano while we wait."

Music had always been a major part of Jihoon's life. It was one of the few things that comforted him whenever he had a really bad day. He had even dreamed of becoming a musician once. Unfortunately, his family hadn’t had enough money for him to pursue music in college. The money his parents had left behind wasn’t even enough to cover all four years, forcing him to work part-time while studying. That was where he met his best friend, Jeonghan, the son of the coffee shop owner where he worked as a barista.

But despite everything, he never stopped loving music. These days, whenever he had the opportunity, he taught his students how to play musical instruments for free. He wanted them to see the beauty of music and how it had helped him get through life.

Jihoon studied Wonho’s face. The little boy looked genuinely interested. The frown and sadness that had clouded his face just moments ago had completely disappeared. Jihoon smiled, feeling proud of himself for finding a way to distract the boy and lift his spirits.

---

Chan was supposed to pick up Wonho, but because of his university schedule, he couldn’t make it. This left Soonyoung rushing to the school. He expected to find Wonho sulking, maybe even cryingz since this was the very first time they were late picking him up.

What he didn’t expect was to see his son sitting side by side with a pretty guy. He didn’t interrupt. Instead, he stayed at the back of the room and watched the scene unfold. Unconsciously, he smiled, pulling his phone from his pocket and starting to film the moment in front of him.

Jihoon held the child's hand and smiled, still completely unaware of the pair of eyes watching them from just a few feet away. "So, you know the basics now? If you want, you can come to my house on weekends, and I'll teach you more. But we need to ask for your daddy’s permission first."

Hearing this, Soonyoung cleared his throat to get their attention. "Won’t that be a bother to you… uh… stranger? Hi, my little cub."

Jihoon quickly whipped his head toward the newcomer’s voice. It sounded really familiar, which he found odd. It wasn’t someone from the people he had been interacting with in China for the past five years.

His eyes finally landed on the man he had been hopelessly in love with back in high school. Still as handsome and dashing as ever.

Wonho squealed and ran toward the man, but Jihoon remained frozen in place, his feet seemingly glued to the floor, his mouth slightly open.

It was starting to sink in now, why Wonho’s gestures reminded him so much of Soonyoung. And not to mention the uncanny resemblance between the two. He could even see a hint of Wonwoo in the child.

Speaking of Wonwoo… a flood of questions suddenly filled his mind, but he decided to push them aside for now.

"Soonyoung?!" Jihoon finally spoke, his eyes still wide with shock.

Soonyoung tilted his head in confusion, staring at the man, trying to remember if he knew him. But before he could even process anything, his son came barreling into his legs, making him momentarily forget about the stranger as he greeted Wonho with kisses all over his face.

"Surprise, baby!"

"Um… yeah…" Jihoon’s face fell. Of course. He had only spent a small amount of time with Soonyoung back then, how could he remember a nobody like him? Besides, he looked completely different now. He used to be a slightly chubby boy with a terrible haircut.

"I guess you’ve forgotten about me," Jihoon said with a small, forced smile. "By the way, I’m Wonho’s homeroom teacher."

Soonyoung nodded in understanding. "The fairy teacher. Wonho seems to like you a lot. Like a whooooole lot, don’t you, baby?" He picked Wonho up, and the kid beamed at him.

Jihoon immediately blushed. "He told you that?"

"You’re a fairy, Teacher Hoonie!" Wonho screamed excitedly.

Soonyoung chuckled, amused at how red Wonho’s teacher had turned.

Jihoon smiled a little, his face still tinged with pink. "I don’t mind teaching him piano. I love your kid." He finally answered Soonyoung’s earlier question. Though at the back of his mind, he wanted to scream, And I love you too. I still love you!

"He’s just so adorable, isn’t he? My little tiger… rawr!"

Soonyoung and Wonho growled at the same time before bursting into laughter. Jihoon’s smile grew larger at the sight, watching father and son interact so naturally. Without thinking, he let a comment slip out of his mouth.

"He looks like a mixture of you and… forget about it."

"Huh?" Soonyoung tilted his head in confusion but then shook it off. "Oh! By the way, I’m Kwon Soonyoung, Wonho’s father. And you’re…? Sorry, I only know you as Teacher Fairy."

Jihoon’s heart clenched slightly, but he forced a small smile. "It’s nice seeing you again, Soonyoung. But it’s fine. It’s not like our interaction lasted more than a few weeks." He took a small pause before adding, "You helped me finish a choreography for the music week back in high school. You know, the one Wonho’s papa really despised back then…"

Jihoon didn’t want to bring up Wonwoo in the conversation. He knew it was a sensitive topic for Soonyoung, but it was the only way to make him remember.

Soonyoung froze, staring at Jihoon as if he had seen a ghost. Ever since he left Korea and moved to China, no one had ever mentioned Wonwoo again. Everyone around him acted like Wonwoo had never existed.

But now, this man, someone oddly familiar yet unrecognizable, knew about his past.

Soonyoung cleared his throat. "Choreo, you said? Uh… was this in high school?"

Jihoon nodded. "Yes. I was the music club’s president."

Soonyoung racked his brain for memories. And then, it clicked. His smile grew as he recalled the guy everyone had been so afraid of in high school. The one he had somehow befriended only for a short while, though, because Wonwoo had gotten too jealous.

"Lee Jihoon?"

Jihoon smiled, relieved that Soonyoung finally remembered him. "Y-yeah, small world, isn’t it? Didn’t expect we’d meet again, though. You’re practically all over the news in China. Looks like you’re a big-time man now." He pointed at Soonyoung’s expensive-looking watch with his lips.

Soonyoung laughed. "Yeah, wow. Small world. How long has it been? I think the last time we talked was junior year. You look… wow. Different. Remember how your music club members used to call you ‘Grumpy Gremlin’? And now my child calls you ‘Teacher Fairy.’"

Jihoon chuckled. "The kids changed me. I can still be a bit like the old Jihoon outside of school, though."

"Kids, huh…" Soonyoung glanced at Wonho, who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. "Hey, I gotta go. Looks like my baby’s exhausted. But uh… are you serious about teaching him piano?"

"Yes, it’s for free," Jihoon said with a smile, dimples showing.

Soonyoung found it cute but decided not to comment on it. "Okay then~ Take care!"

"Wait… uh, since you’re my son’s homeroom teacher, let me add you on WeChat? That way, I can call you, and we can talk about Wonho’s piano lessons. He seems to be really fond of music."

"Oh, sure." Jihoon grabbed his phone and showed Soonyoung his WeChat account. "There you go."

Soonyoung smiled as he saved the contact. "Thanks, Jihoon. Nice meeting you again. Looks like we’ll be seeing each other more often now~"

"That’s nice," Jihoon replied before checking the time. "But I have to go. Still got loads of lesson plans to finish."

Soonyoung nodded, leaving his old friend behind and carrying Wonho to his car. After securing his son in the car seat, he immediately called Junhui. He wasn’t sure why, but the urge to talk to his best friend was unusually strong right now. After three rings, someone finally picked up.

"What is it, Kwon?!" Jun asked, sounding annoyed. In the background, Soonyoung could hear Minghao groaning and complaining. Talk about great timing.

"Hao, wait!"

Soonyoung’s face twisted in disgust. As much as he loved his friends, the last thing he wanted to hear was them getting on with it. He was about to hang up when Jun finally asked, "What is it?"

"You two trying to have a baby again?"

Jun groaned, and Soonyoung chuckled. "Anyway, remember Lee Jihoon?"

"Oh? The cute president of the music club back in high school?" Jun snickered. He had a fair share of good memories with Jihoon too.

"He’s here! In China! And he’s even Wonho’s teacher!" Soonyoung said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. He wasn’t sure why, but there were times he just couldn’t understand himself.

"Wait, what? Isn’t that the same dude your cheater ex-husband was insanely jealous of?"

Soonyoung grimaced and glanced at his son to check if he was still asleep. "Yeah… I remember once Jihoon gave me a bottle of water because I was super thirsty, and Won, I mean, he was so mad about it. I ended up cutting off my friendship with Jihoon because he threatened to break up with me."

"Well, Jihoon is basically your type, so no wonder he was jealous." Jun’s tone was casual, as if stating an obvious fact.

Soonyoung spluttered. "W-what?! What do you mean, my type?! We were just friends!" He paused before sighing. "You know how crazy I was for Wonwoo back then."

"I know," Jun drawled, rolling his eyes. Soonyoung couldn’t see it, but he just knew the Chinese man was rolling his eyes right now. "You two were practically making out in front of me every day."

"Hmm… Anyway, that’s the only reason I called. You can get back to your session with Hao. Wonho’s been wanting playmates, so good luck with that."

"Good luck to you too," Jun replied, amusement in his tone. "Who knows? You and Jihoon might end up together."

Soonyoung rolled his eyes this time. "Not happening. Bye."

As soon as he put his phone down, he spent a good two minutes spacing out, lost in memories of Jihoon from high school. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t find Jihoon cute back then and if anything, he was even cuter now, if that was possible. He had always been fond of him, too, but being the loyal, lovestruck boyfriend he was, he had cut ties with Jihoon just to keep Wonwoo from leaving.

Soonyoung sighed, this time with a hint of contentment. At least now, there was a chance for them to be friends again. Fate could really be playful sometimes, huh?

Chapter Text

Birds chirped outside the window as the sun rose, casting its warm rays over the east. Soonyoung woke up to the feeling of small hands squishing his face. Blinking away the sleep, he saw his son giggling while sitting on his chest.

Soonyoung whined childishly, hoping his son would fall for his act. "Babyyy, it's Saturday. Let's sleep a little more."

Despite his father's protests, Wonho remained in place, still squishing Soonyoung’s face. "Daddy! It's my piano lesson today!"

It had been weeks since Wonho started attending piano lessons at Jihoon's house every weekend. However, today was special, this would be the first time he was going with Soonyoung. His excitement was evident. The past few weekends, Soonyoung had been too busy with a sudden choreography job for a Chinese program. The offer had been too good to pass up, a great opportunity to add more to the savings account he had set up for Wonho just months ago.

Soonyoung groaned, pulling Wonho onto the bed and wrapping his arms around him, trapping him in a warm embrace. "I'm sure your uncle Jihoon won't mind if we're late. We'll just bring him sweets."

He yawned, showing no signs of getting up anytime soon, which made Wonho wriggle in protest. "No! No! I wanna go see my papa!" the kid yelled.

Soonyoung froze.

Papa?

He quickly sat up, eyes wide as he looked at his son questioningly. "P...Papa? What? Wonho!"

Wonho raised an eyebrow, mirroring his father’s confusion. "Papa Hoonie?"

Soonyoung adjusted his position, pulling Wonho onto his lap and gently placing his hands on either side of the boy’s face, making sure their gazes were locked. "Baby... Jihoon is uncle, okay? He’s not your papa. Your papa... he’s gone, okay? But that's okay because Daddy is here! And Uncle Jun, Uncle Minghao, Uncle Chan... even Uncle Seungcheol. There are so many people who love you so much. You don’t need a papa, okay?"

Wonho didn’t look pleased with the explanation. He pouted, murmuring in a small voice, "I... I want him to be my papa."

Soonyoung sighed, almost in defeat. It looked like convincing Wonho otherwise wouldn’t be easy. "But baby, Uncle Jihoon has his own life. What if he has his own baby and his own family?"

"B-but—" Wonho started, but his words faltered as small sobs escaped him.

Soonyoung’s heart shattered at the sight. In an instant, he pulled his son into a hug, holding him tightly. He could feel it creeping in again, that feeling of not being enough. The fear that he couldn’t raise Wonho alone.

"Please don’t cry," Soonyoung whispered, rubbing comforting circles on his son's back. "Come on, we’ll buy your favorite snacks, and you can even wear your Groot sweater! Would you like that, baby?"

Normally, that would make Wonho smile in a heartbeat. But instead of the usual excitement, all Soonyoung got was a frown.

"I-I just want to see Papa Hoonie."

Soonyoung sighed again. "Uncle Jihoonie, baby. Uncle, okay? Say it with me Uncle Jihoonie."

Wonho stared at his father blankly before quietly climbing off his lap. Without another word, he stood up from the bed and made his way toward the bathroom.

"I'll take a shower, Daddy," he mumbled, ignoring Soonyoung’s attempts to correct him.

Soonyoung let Wonho walk away, his heart growing heavier with each step his son took. Wonho rarely got mad, he would sulk, sure, but he was always easy to cheer up. But when he was truly upset, he grew quiet and withdrawn. Those were the moments that broke Soonyoung the most. The moments that made him want to crumble, to cry, to shut out the world.

He had been so young when he had Wonho. And the last time he had allowed himself to break was when Wonwoo left them.

Shaking the thoughts away, Soonyoung got to work preparing for the day. He laid out Wonho’s favorite clothes and shoes, then went to the kitchen to cook his favorite meal, even making sure to include Jihoon in the portions.

By the time he finished, Wonho had already emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed. He had become quite independent, knowing how to wash and dress himself now. Time moved so fast, it felt like just yesterday Soonyoung was holding his little hands, helping him take his first steps.

That was his cue to take a quick shower. He rushed through it, not wanting to keep Wonho waiting any longer and risk upsetting him further.

When he stepped out, he spotted his son placing his dirty plate in the sink, likely having already eaten the breakfast Soonyoung had prepared. Without saying anything, he went into his room to quickly comb his hair and gather the last of their things.

By the time he returned to the living room, Wonho was already waiting for him.

"Wonho-yah, let's go, baby," Soonyoung said cheerfully, hoping their earlier conversation had already faded from his son's mind.

But Wonho simply looked up at him with sad eyes before taking slow steps toward him, mumbling something under his breath.

Soonyoung crouched down to his level. "What is it, baby? Daddy didn't hear you."

"Spend the day with us, please," Wonho whispered.

Soonyoung stared at him, taking in the sadness in his expression, the heaviness in his small voice. He wanted to wipe it all away. He forced a smile, but even he could tell it was more pained than happy.

"Whatever my baby wants."

He held out his arms, waiting for Wonho to take them. Thankfully, his son reciprocated, wrapping his small arms around him. He lifted him up, holding him close, but Wonho turned his head away, still sulking.

Soonyoung sighed.

They walked to Jihoon's house in silence, apparently the teacher’s house is surprisingly not far away from their own.

Soonyoung soon found himself standing in front of a cute bungalow-style house. A small garden decorated the front yard, and the gate and fences were painted a soft shade of pink.

Cute, Soonyoung thought to himself as he rang the doorbell, waiting patiently with his still-angry son in his arms.

After a minute or two, Jihoon finally appeared. His face immediately lit up upon seeing who was at the gate. He was wearing a light blue top with frills and ruffles around the neckline, a small navy-blue ribbon adorning the center.

"Oh! Good morning, you two!" Jihoon chirped, quickly running to the gate and opening it to let them in.

Wonho whipped his head toward Jihoon, and an instant smile spread across his face. "Papa!"

Soonyoung bit his lip before setting Wonho down, watching as his son ran straight into Jihoon’s arms. His chest ached at the way Wonho clung to Jihoon, calling him Papa so effortlessly. He could feel the sting of tears threatening to form at the corners of his eyes, but he took a deep breath and forced a smile.

"Hi, Jihoon. I brought lunch. Sorry we're a bit late, but Wonho was really excited to see you."

Jihoon immediately noticed the shift in Soonyoung’s demeanor. As he adjusted Wonho in his arms, he reached out with his free hand to rub Soonyoung’s arm gently, his expression laced with concern.

"It’s okay... but hey, are you alright? Do you need someone to talk to?" Jihoon asked softly, offering a warm smile.

Soonyoung was taken aback. How did Jihoon know he was feeling down? Was he really that easy to read?

"I'm okay," he muttered, avoiding Jihoon's gaze. "Wonho and I just had a... fight. You mind if I stay?"

"Not at all. I live alone, so feel free to make yourself at home," Jihoon said with a small laugh. Then, suddenly, a tinge of pink dusted his cheeks. "By the way... I wanted to say sorry. I was the one who suggested Wonho call me Papa. I mean, I don’t really mind, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll talk to him about it."

Soonyoung stared at Jihoon, shocked. His self-loathing began to creep in again, wrapping around him like a familiar burden.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "He wouldn’t be calling you that if... if I were enough as his parent. If you’re okay with it, then it’s fine by me. But… what about your boyfriend? Or girlfriend? What if they think you already have a child? I don’t want Wonho to be a burden to you."

Jihoon giggled, playfully smacking Soonyoung’s back.

"A boyfriend? Seriously?" He shook his head, amused. 

Soonyoung really thinks I have a boyfriend? Ridiculous. How could I even start a relationship with someone when I’m still head over heels for him?

If only Jihoon's thoughts can be heard out loud.

"Soonyoung, I’m single. And I’ve never seen Wonho as a burden. Who told you you’re not enough?" Jihoon's voice softened as he looked at Soonyoung with quiet sincerity. "Kids go through phases like this, it’s natural. It’s not something you should blame yourself for."

His words were gentle, and for the first time that day, Soonyoung felt like he could breathe again. The heaviness pressing on his shoulders just moments ago seemed to lift.

"Never doubt yourself, Soonyoung," Jihoon continued. "You’re more than enough for your child. Trust me."

Meanwhile, Wonho, who had been momentarily forgotten, started whining, "Papa! Let's go inside now!"

Jihoon chuckled before turning back to Soonyoung, giving him a comforting look. "Yes, we're going inside now~"

Soonyoung nodded at Jihoon's words, blushing slightly, but followed them silently. He sat down on the couch opposite the grand piano, watching as his son eagerly pulled Jihoon toward it.

Jihoon sat beside Wonho, watching as the child played a piece he had taught him the day before at school while they were waiting for Soonyoung to pick him up. For his age, playing it so perfectly was unusual, there was no doubt that Wonho was a prodigy. Jihoon smiled proudly and clapped his hands in admiration.

"You've got a gifted son, Soonyoung," Jihoon said, turning slightly to make eye contact with Soonyoung, who was sitting comfortably on the couch, doing nothing but admiring them from his spot.

Soonyoung smiled fondly at his son, who was focused on the piano. "He is. He's basically perfect. He's smart and calm, just like his... like him. I think Wonho has more of him than me."

As he spoke, memories of Wonwoo resurfaced. He had always admired how effortlessly Wonwoo aced almost all their subjects, barely needing to try. Jihoon flinched slightly at the mention. He knew exactly who Soonyoung was talking about, and he couldn't help but feel a painful tug in his heart. Reality hit him once again.

He will never be him. He will never be Wonwoo. He will never love him.

A mantra he had long buried suddenly resurfaced the moment he saw Soonyoung again.

Trying to shake off his thoughts, Jihoon stood up and walked toward Soonyoung with his arms akimbo. "Do you still love him? If you don't mind me asking."

Soonyoung glanced at Wonho, ensuring he couldn’t hear, especially since he had lied to the child about the truth of his papa Wonwoo.

"No. I don’t think I know how to love anymore. Except for my child." He paused, then pointed at his head and his heart, his expression turning serious. "Wonho is the only one inside here. And here. Everything I do, it's all for Wonho. All of me belongs to my child."

Jihoon wasn’t convinced, though. He had seen how madly in love Soonyoung was with Wonwoo back then. It was heartbreaking how things had ended between them.

"You’re a great father," Jihoon said, giving Soonyoung a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You raised him well."

"Papa? Daddy? Did I do well?" Wonho asked excitedly, jumping from his seat. His smile was so bright it could light up the entire room, he was clearly proud of his performance.

Jihoon turned around and gave him a thumbs-up, while Soonyoung stood up, clapping his hands together.

"You... you're amazing, baby! Come here," Soonyoung said, opening his arms wide, hoping his son was no longer upset with him.

Fortunately, Wonho hopped off the chair and into his father's arms. Then, looking at Jihoon again, he beamed, "I wanna learn violin too, Papa!"

Jihoon walked toward them and gently combed his fingers through Wonho’s hair. "You can learn any instrument you want! But you have to master the piano first!"

"You heard what your papa said? You should master the piano first, okay?"

Wonho nodded eagerly. "Yes, Daddy!"

Jihoon looked up to check the wall clock hanging above the couch where Soonyoung and Wonho were sitting. "It's almost lunchtime. Have you guys eaten already?"

"Ahhh... I brought lunch. I cooked Wonho's favorite food, if you don't mind. I already included you in the head count. Since you don’t accept payments, I might as well just feed you," Soonyoung said, picking up the thermal food container he had packed earlier while Wonho was taking a bath.

Jihoon chuckled and shrugged. "Well, do I look like I have a choice? To be honest, I did cook something, but it's okay, I can just—"

Before Jihoon could finish, Wonho quickly butted in. "Or we can just eat everything! Daddy eats a lot anyway! And you're a good cook, Papa!" he suggested, his eyes twinkling like stars in the night sky.

Soonyoung laughed at his son, playfully pinching his nose. "As far as I know, you're the one who eats a lot, baby, not me."

Lifting Wonho onto his shoulders, Soonyoung let the boy play with his hair as if it were a steering wheel while they walked to the kitchen, both giggling. Jihoon rolled his eyes at them. "I think it's both of you who eat a lot."

Soonyoung smirked at Jihoon. "At least I know my son inherited something from me."

He placed Wonho down on a chair and began unpacking the lunch he had brought, arranging the table as if it were his own home, as if they were just a normal family sitting down for a meal. And maybe, to Wonho, they were.

Meanwhile, Jihoon placed the kimchi fried rice and beef & broccoli he had cooked on the table, smiling at Wonho, who clapped his hands excitedly.

"Do you already have chopsticks?" Jihoon asked as he checked his kitchen utensils.

Soonyoung raised his right hand, just like a student answering a teacher. "Me, I need one. Wonho has his own." He chuckled, handing Wonho his Pororo chopsticks, which made the child clap even more. Jihoon handed a pair to Soonyoung. "Let's dig in then~"

Soonyoung smiled, of course letting Wonho eat first. He carefully sliced the pork katsudon into smaller pieces so his son could enjoy it, placing everything Wonho wanted on his plate, including some of the food Jihoon had cooked. He was used to eating only after Wonho was almost done, making sure his son was full before taking his own first bite. To him, it wasn’t a big deal.

Jihoon, already eating, notices Soonyoung’s hesitation. He watches him for a moment before finally speaking. "You should eat now too, Soonyoung."

"Huh?" Soonyoung asks, not even realizing the habit he has developed of letting Wonho eat first. That makes Jihoon place some food and rice onto Soonyoung's plate. Soonyoung blinks at the action, but Jihoon just gives him a sly grin.

"Eat now, Daddy, please~" Jihoon sings in a childish voice, mimicking Wonho but in a teasing manner. Then, he bursts into laughter, making Wonho laugh along with him.

Different hues of red cover Soonyoung’s entire face after what Jihoon just said, but he ultimately gives in and starts eating. Though, rather than focusing on his own food, his attention remains on Wonho.

"I'm done eating. You can focus on your lunch now, Soon. Leave Wonho to me."

Soonyoung scratches his head. "Sorry, just got used to it."

"I know, but that kind of behavior is not allowed in my household. Eat properly," Jihoon says sternly, just like how he scolds his naughty students. Then, he turns back to Wonho, his sweet persona returning instantly. "What do you want, Wonho-ssi? This one?"

Soonyoung laughs at how Jihoon scolded him. He really is sitting in front of a teacher right now. "Yes, Papa… Hey, Ji. Thank you."

"Nah, I’ve been doing this since high school for yo— For my friends! Yes, for my friends!" Jihoon mentally slaps himself for almost letting a secret slip out. He laughs nervously. Thank heavens Soonyoung doesn’t seem to notice.

"Still. I know you have your own life, and you're busy, but you still find time to play with and take care of my child. These days, Junhui is starting to get jealous because he's getting replaced as the best uncle," Soonyoung says with a grin, studying Jihoon's reaction, the way his nose scrunches slightly and how his dimples appear when he smiles. He really is attractive.

"You remember Junhui?"

"Oh yeah… Your friend who tried to convince me to date him back in high school." Jihoon shudders at the memory, recalling how the Chinese boy used to chase after him, pleading for a chance. Don’t get him wrong, he thinks Jun is a nice guy, but he never saw him as more than a friend. "And Soonyoung, I don’t mind. It’s not like anyone’s interested in me anyway, you know?" Jihoon jokes before adding, more sincerely, "I’m happy with this. I feel less lonely."

"Wait, Junhui tried to convince you to date him?!" Soonyoung asked, flabbergasted. He leaned back in his chair, recalling the times when Jun wouldn’t stop talking about a cute guy he was trying to win over. That was back when Jun and Hao weren’t in a relationship yet.

"Yeah," Jihoon cringes, especially when the memory of Jun serenading him inside the music room flashes through the movie theater of his mind.

"Oh my god! That's hilarious!" Soonyoung bursts into laughter, holding his stomach as he struggles to breathe. "But how can you say no one is interested in you? You're pretty, smart, talented, patient, and great with kids. Whoever you marry someday will be so lucky to have you."

"I-I love someone else," Jihoon admits with a sad smile, his eyes drifting to the floor as he absentmindedly plays with his chopsticks and empty plate.

Soonyoung blinks. "Are they stupid? Why won’t they make a move on you? Or better yet, why don’t you make a move?"

Jihoon sighs, shifting his gaze back to Soonyoung. "It's just too impossible, Soonyoung. Just let it be. I'm content with this life."

"Hmmm, that's good to hear then. As for me, as long as Wonho is happy and he loves me, I'm okay," Soonyoung says with a fond smile, watching his son munch noisily on his food, his chubby cheeks smeared with ketchup.

Jihoon gasps and, as if by instinct, immediately wipes Wonho's face with a napkin. "Why do you look like this, my baby?"

"What did you just call me?" Wonho’s eyes light up with excitement.

"I-I mean, Wonho-ssi," Jihoon stammers, feeling embarrassed and trying to take it back. But then, a small hand rests gently on top of his own.

"I don't mind you calling me ‘baby,’ Papa," Wonho says sweetly.

Soonyoung blinks, his heart warming at the sight but aching at the same time, knowing that this is the life Wonwoo abandoned. "What the baby wants, the baby gets, Jihoonie," he says with a soft smile.

Jihoon blushes slightly, meeting Soonyoung's gaze. "Y-you don't mind, do you?"

Soonyoung shakes his head. "At first, I thought you didn’t really want it and just went along with it because a child asked you to. That’s why Wonho and I had a little quarrel earlier. But if it makes you happy, who am I to stop it? You’re happy, he’s happy, so why not?"

Seeing no trace of displeasure on Soonyoung's face, Jihoon lets out a relieved sigh. "Okay then," he murmurs, still blushing as he continues wiping the remaining ketchup off Wonho’s face.

"So, until what time does Wonho usually stay here? Is he really staying until dinner, or is Minghao just using that excuse to go on a solo date with him every time they come here? Because honestly, he’s like my child’s number one kidnapper," Soonyoung asks, popping another piece of broccoli into his mouth.

"They really stay here till dinner," Jihoon replies. "One time, Wonho threw a tantrum when Minghao picked him up early." Jihoon inhales deeply before smirking playfully at Soonyoung. "Wonho loves me that much."

"What did you make my son eat for all of us to be replaced in the number one spot?" Soonyoung jokes. He already knows the answer, watching how Jihoon has taken care of Wonho today.

"I don't know, maybe I'm just really cuter than all of you," Jihoon teases before kissing Wonho’s cheek. The child immediately giggles and kisses Jihoon back.

"Baby, me too," Soonyoung pouts before leaning in and covering Wonho’s face with kisses. "My little tiger, are we okay now?"

Wonho nods happily. "As long as I can call Papa Hoonie ‘papa.’ I don’t want anyone else to be my papa but Papa Hoonie!" He beams widely before adding, "And of course, you, Daddy! THE BEST DADDY!" he screams, throwing his arms up dramatically.

Soonyoung immediately sweeps Wonho off the chair, tossing him slightly in the air before catching him. The child squeals with laughter as Soonyoung continues the playful tosses. "And you are our best boy, right? The bestest boy. I love you, little tiger," Soonyoung says, pressing a kiss to Wonho’s forehead before his hands find their way to his waist, tickling him.

Jihoon watches the heartwarming scene in awe, but then bites his lower lip, remembering that Wonwoo let all of this slip away, his dream man and his dream family.

"Papa too! I love Papa too!" Wonho suddenly screams, making grabby hands at Jihoon. Soonyoung willingly hands him over, and the little boy immediately clings to Jihoon, showering him with kisses just like his daddy always does. Jihoon laughs, feeling ticklish from the child’s affection, before hugging him tightly and returning the kisses.

Soonyoung watches them fondly, a possibility forming in his mind, but he quickly pushes it away. He had trusted once and was left broken, with a child he didn’t even know how to take care of. He’s not going to make the same mistake.

After lunch, Jihoon continues teaching Wonho a new set of pieces for the upcoming piano contest next month. Meanwhile, Soonyoung remains on the couch, and without realizing it, exhaustion creeps up on him, making him fall asleep.

It’s past six in the evening when Jihoon and Wonho finally finish their lessons. Only then does Jihoon notice Soonyoung sleeping. He smiles at the sight, staring for a moment as memories of high school resurface, of the times he secretly watched Soonyoung dance in the practice room.

Realizing he’s been watching him sleep for a little too long, Jihoon decides it’s creepy and gently taps Soonyoung’s face to wake him up.

"Soonyoung... Soonyoung?" Jihoon calls, gently shaking the elder to wake him up.

"Hmmm, Wonho," Soonyoung mumbles, reaching out for something to hug but grasping nothing. "A bit more..."

He shifts into a more comfortable position while Jihoon tries to suppress his laughter at Soonyoung’s unconscious actions.

"It’s me, Jihoon. It’s already 6 PM, Soonyoung."

Soonyoung immediately sits up, realizing he isn’t at home. He quickly scans the room before his eyes land on Jihoon’s face. "Oh god, Jihoon. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep."

"It’s okay. I didn’t really want to wake you up, you know? But I didn’t want you guys going home too late. Who knows, you might have somewhere to go on a Sunday night. I already packed your things along with Wonho’s." Jihoon places the bag on the armrest of the couch, which Soonyoung immediately grabs.

"Hmmm, I have nothing planned. Sunday is nap time." He stretches before looking back at Jihoon. "But thanks, Jihoon. What about dinner? Have you eaten yet? Or do you want to come with us? I was planning to get seafood since Wonho has been pestering me since yesterday to eat crabs and shrimp." Soonyoung suggests, wiggling his eyebrows.

Jihoon gives him a small, sad smile. As much as he loves spending time with Soonyoung and Wonho, he knows how to respect their privacy. "I don’t want to ruin your family bonding."

Soonyoung shakes his head, about to respond, but before he can say anything, Wonho, who has just come out of the bathroom, wraps his arms around Jihoon’s legs, looking up at him with a pleading expression. It seems he overheard their conversation.

"Papa, come? Daddy, want Papa!"

"Well, if that’s what you want, baby." Jihoon sighs, touched by the look on Wonho’s face.

Wonho squeals in delight, letting go of Jihoon and making grabby hands at Soonyoung. Soonyoung immediately lifts him up. "We’ll wait for you. Go change into something warm."

Jihoon nods and quickly heads to his room, not wanting to waste time. He changes into a black turtleneck and his Burberry coat. It’s getting colder these days, with autumn fast approaching. Grabbing his house keys and phone, he returns to the living room.

"I’m ready to go!"

Soonyoung smiled at him while Wonho wriggled in his arms, trying to get to Jihoon.

"Baby, no. Daddy will carry you this time. Papa Hoonie’s been holding you since this morning—he might be exhausted already."

"To be honest, I’m not really tired yet," Jihoon says, then smirks teasingly. "But you might be jealous already." He nudges Soonyoung’s elbow lightly.

"You got me there! Just a bit, though!" Soonyoung admits with a playful pout.

"Can I have our son now?" Jihoon asks, opening his arms, waiting for Soonyoung to pass Wonho to him.

Soonyoung feels a strange warmth spread inside him at Jihoon’s words, but he chooses to ignore it. Instead, he hands the excited little boy over. Without hesitation, he quickly snaps a picture, wanting to capture this beautiful moment.

"Hey! What was that?!" Jihoon yelps, startled by the sudden flash and the clicking sound of the phone camera.

"Want me to send it to you?" Soonyoung grins, waving his phone and showing the picture he just took.

"Go ahead! We follow each other on Weibo anyway~" Jihoon says as he leans in to check the photo.

Soonyoung nods and continues taking more pictures, this time, no longer candid. Jihoon and Wonho strike cute and silly poses together, making Soonyoung smile fondly. If no one knew better, Jihoon could easily pass as Wonho’s real father.

"You two really look like a real father and son," Soonyoung chuckles. "And I’m just here… your servant."

Jihoon rolls his eyes. "I wonder if there’s a servant who wears a Rolex," he says sarcastically, glancing at the expensive wristwatch on Soonyoung’s wrist, different from the one he saw when they first met again.

Soonyoung looks down at his watch and shrugs. "It was a good idea to invest in Hao’s business. Who knew it would take off?"

"Who would’ve known, right?" Jihoon grins cheekily. "The shabby and dirty-looking Soonyoung I knew is now a rich guy. A true rags-to-riches story." He playfully pinches Soonyoung’s cheek with his free hand, making Wonho clap his little hands in amusement.

"Daddy? Dirty?" Wonho giggles.

"Yes, baby! You should’ve seen him!" Jihoon says animatedly, making the little boy laugh even more.

"Hey! Not true! There were plenty of our schoolmates who were head over heels for me!" Soonyoung protests, crossing his arms.

"So full of yourself!" Jihoon sticks his tongue out at him.

Soonyoung bursts into laughter.

---

Without them noticing, they had finally arrived at the restaurant. Some of the staff immediately recognized Soonyoung and Wonho, as they were regulars. They were led to Wonho's favorite table, and the little boy wasted no time climbing onto Soonyoung’s lap.

"Order whatever you want, my treat," Soonyoung said, handing Jihoon a menu.

Jihoon flipped through the menu, scanning for something to order, but if he was being honest, he was overwhelmed by the prices. He had never been one to spend much on himself. Most of his earnings were going toward saving for the dream school he wanted to build. On top of that, he was still paying off the house he had moved into after his grandmother passed away two years ago. That was where he currently lived.

Closing the menu, Jihoon looked up at Soonyoung. "I'll just have whatever you and Wonho are ordering. I’m not really a picky eater, as long as there's tons of rice and Coke!"

Soonyoung chuckled and beckoned a waiter over someone he was friendly with. The waiter, upon seeing him, immediately looked surprised to see a new face at their table.

"Hey, SinB," Soonyoung greeted.

In no time, a tall, pretty girl stood in front of them.

"Sir—" She quickly corrected herself when Soonyoung raised an eyebrow. "I mean, Soonyoung. Looks like you've got company today... Hi, baby!"

"Jiejie! Jiejie! Papa Hoonie! Meet my Papa Hoonie!" Wonho greeted excitedly, hugging Jihoon while talking to SinB.

(Note: Jiejie means 'older sister' in Mandarin.)

"Ohh, so this is Wonho’s papa?" SinB asked, curious. She had never seen Wonho’s other parent before, though she had been dying to ask Soonyoung about it. Unfortunately, she never had the chance, given that they rarely spoke outside of her shifts.

"Uh, I’m not really the one who gave birth to Wonho," Jihoon explained awkwardly. "But he loves calling me 'Papa,' and I’m his teacher." He subtly glanced at Soonyoung for help, but the older man didn’t seem to notice.

Before Jihoon could say anything else, SinB suddenly gasped, her eyes widening like saucers. "OH MY GOD, SOONYOUNG—IS HE YOUR BOYFRIEND?!" she practically screamed, jumping excitedly as if she had just won the lottery.

The entire restaurant turned to look at them. Soonyoung’s face flushed a deep red from embarrassment.

"SinB! Your mouth! Everyone's staring at us!" he hissed.

"So he is really your boyfriend? Oh my god, I’m so proud of you—"

Before SinB could finish her sentence, Soonyoung quickly cut her off.

"Uhhhh... no."

Jihoon’s whole face was flushed red, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Meanwhile, Wonho simply blinked at the adults, completely clueless about their conversation.

SinB looked back and forth between the three of them, smiling to herself. "Whatever you say. Anyway, the usual?"

"With lots of rice and Coke for Jihoon, please. Ah—Jihoon, this is SinB. SinB, meet Jihoon—Wonho's teacher and his new favorite person. Hence, the 'Papa,'" Soonyoung explained.

SinB nodded, murmuring to herself while jotting down their order. "Hmmm, you two look good together, though. What a happy family," she remarked.

Jihoon, still flustered, gave a small bow as a polite gesture. "Nice to meet you, SinB-ssi."

SinB returned the bow with a bright smile. "Nice to meet you too, Jihoon-ssi! What are your favorites? I should take note since it looks like you'll be a regular here from now on." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, but Jihoon chose to ignore the implication.

"If the waiters here were as beautiful as you, I would be a regular," Jihoon replied lightly. "I don’t have a particular favorite… but maybe baked scallops?"

SinB rolled her eyes before laughing. "Unfortunately for you, I have a girlfriend. BUT! I do know someone who needs a boyfriend." She shot a pointed look at Soonyoung, who was too busy listening to Wonho babble about what he had missed while his daddy was asleep.

Jihoon blushed again and gave SinB an almost pleading look. "Shut up, please."

SinB grinned knowingly. "Knew it. Your orders will be right up! Enjoy your family date!" she teased before walking away.

Soonyoung watched her go, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "What's with her today?"

Jihoon, now nervously sitting in his chair, shrugged, pretending not to understand what SinB had been implying. "Dunno… Have you brought anyone else here aside from me?" he asked, quickly changing the topic.

Soonyoung shook his head. "No, actually. Most of the time, it's just Wonho and me. If I’m not available and Wonho wants to eat here, Hao and Jun take him instead."

"Oh... Thanks for bringing me here," Jihoon chuckled. He felt warm inside. He didn’t have many close friends in China, so he rarely got invited to things like this.

"You’re special to Wonho. And Wonho doesn’t lie," Soonyoung said, leaning back against his chair.

"Can Papa come every time?" Wonho asked, looking up at Jihoon with hopeful eyes.

"If Papa wants to," Soonyoung said, turning to Jihoon and waiting for his answer.

"I want to," Jihoon replied without hesitation before hugging Wonho and placing a soft kiss on the top of his head.

"Papa! We also have ice cream dates! Oh! And the playground too! And—"

"Baby, let Papa breathe. He has a personal life and friends he spends time with. We don’t own him," Soonyoung gently cut his son off, knowing Jihoon had other things to do. He was still single, without the huge responsibility of raising a child.

"It’s okay, Soonyoung," Jihoon assured, reaching over and giving Soonyoung’s shoulder a small rub. "As long as I don’t have an important appointment, I can join you both."

"Yaaay!" Wonho cheered, nearly standing up on his chair, but Soonyoung quickly stopped him.

"I'll take note of that," Soonyoung said, smiling.

---

Thankfully, it only took ten minutes for SinB to return with the assortment of food they had ordered. "Do you want me to take a photo of the three of you before you start eating?" she suggested, mimicking the gesture of holding a camera.

"Um… Soonyoung?" Jihoon sent a questioning look toward him.

"Sure. Here, SinB," Soonyoung said, handing over his iPhone, which had a tiger-themed case.

SinB eagerly took the phone from him, snapping a lot of photos of the three of them. Once satisfied, she handed the phone back and grinned. "Before I go, I just want to say—Wonho, you have a really great Papa and Daddy! Bye!"

With that, she left, leaving the three of them to eat.

"So… let's eat? And Soonyoung, enjoy your meal. Leave Wonho to me, okay?" Jihoon said warmly.

Soonyoung, who had already been caught mid-action disabling a crab, froze. "Uhh… shouldn’t you be the one enjoying?"

"Nah, I want to give you some time for yourself. You always work hard for Wonho. Leave this to me, okay? I love doing this—I love feeding our baby," Jihoon said, cupping Wonho's chubby cheeks.

Wonho giggled and hugged Jihoon tightly, while Soonyoung blushed, not used to this kind of attention. He also wasn’t used to prioritizing himself. For two years, his entire world had revolved around Wonwoo and Wonho. And then, for the five years after that, it had been Wonho alone. He felt lost. He didn’t know how to function if it didn’t involve taking care of his son.

Suddenly, Jihoon placed his hand on top of Soonyoung's, giving it a soft caress. "Let me take care of you," he said instinctively before realizing what he had just done and said.

Quickly, he averted his gaze, flustered. "I mean—start eating now! Or I'll feed you myself!" He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to hide his reddening face.

Soonyoung smiled shyly at Jihoon. "Thank you, Ji."

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered, what if he had pursued his friendship with Jihoon all those years ago? Would his life have turned out differently?

But then his eyes landed on Wonho. And just like that, he crushed the thought.

His life had been hard, yes. But he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

He wouldn’t trade Wonho for anything.

Not even for his own happiness.

"Whatever, just eat," Jihoon muttered, focusing back on peeling several buttered shrimp for Wonho, the same ones the kid had eagerly pointed out earlier.

"Finish everything, okay?" Jihoon added, placing a plate in front of Wonho. "You should eat a lot. Just tell me if you want more."

Soonyoung looked at both of them and thought to himself: This is something Wonwoo could never do.

Without thinking, he discreetly took a photo and sent it to Junhui.

Junhui: Wow, husband duties? 🤣😜

Soonyoung: Fuck you. Also, did you know Wonho calls him Papa?

Junhui: Wow, even your kid likes Jihoon. I mean, who wouldn’t like Jihoon? When I first saw him, I also fell head over heels for him. DON’T TELL HAO PLS.

Soonyoung: Dude, I know. He told me you tried to date him, and he was disgusted. LMAO 😂😂😂.

Junhui: What?! Wow, he was disgusted? By this handsome face? I only stopped when he said he liked someone else. I don’t even know who that guy is. Lucky bastard. Psh.

Soonyoung: I’m telling Hao.

Before Junhui could reply, Wonho called out to Soonyoung, pulling his attention back.

"Daddy? Eat?"

Jihoon also looked up and frowned when he saw Soonyoung on his phone. Letting out a cough, he scolded, "Soonyoung, put your cellphone down. You're setting a bad example for Wonho."

Junhui: Fuck you! I love Hao. Besides, Jihoon is yours now~

Soonyoung smiled sheepishly, quickly putting his phone away after sending his last reply to Jun. He picked at his food, but eating didn’t come naturally to him. He wasn’t used to focusing on his meal without making sure Wonho was done first. There was always this lingering anxiety, he had to be ready whenever Wonho needed something, so he often paused whatever he was doing for his son.

"Good," Jihoon said, eyeing him. "If I see you using your phone again, I’ll confiscate it."

Soonyoung raised both hands in defeat, making Jihoon playfully glare at him before turning his attention back to Wonho, who was tugging at his shirt and pointing at the crab.

"You want crab, baby? Here you go~" Jihoon cooed, placing a perfectly cracked crab leg on Wonho’s plate.

Soonyoung’s heart melted. Watching Jihoon enjoy taking care of his son made him wonder—Am I like that too?

"You’ll be a good father someday," Soonyoung said out of nowhere, his voice softer than usual. He knew how lucky Jihoon’s future husband and kids would be. They’d have someone who would undoubtedly love and care for them.

Jihoon stopped what he was doing to look at Soonyoung. "It’s not like I’ll have my own," he muttered, biting his lower lip bitterly.

"Why not?" Soonyoung asked, confused. Is he sterile or something?

"I don’t know," Jihoon admitted. "I don’t feel like settling down, to be honest. I just… I can’t seem to open my heart to anyone. If I ever settle down, get married, and have kids, I want it to be him. But it seems like he still loves his ex."

He continued peeling more shrimp for Wonho and himself, as if his words didn’t carry so much meaning.

Soonyoung furrowed his brows. "How can you say he still loves his ex?" he challenged, casually eating the spicy oysters on his plate.

Jihoon let out a small, almost bitter laugh. "Nevermind," he said dismissively. "You don’t know him, so yeah."

Soonyoung frowned. He couldn’t imagine someone hurting Jihoon. How could anyone hurt someone as perfect as him?

"You know... whoever he is, he's a complete idiot. If someone like you loved me, why would I ever let go, right? But yeah, in my case, I fell in love with the wrong person... but that’s okay. I got a blessing."

Soonyoung glanced at Wonho fondly, watching as his son focused on demolishing a big shrimp.

Jihoon shook his head. "If only you knew."

"Huh?" Soonyoung gave him a questioning look.

"Nothing. I said I’m cute," Jihoon replied quickly. It was a good thing Soonyoung hadn’t heard him properly, otherwise, he’d probably pester him about the meaning behind his words.

"True," Soonyoung agreed easily. "Anyway, move on. You have Wonho. He can be your little star too."

"Right." Jihoon ruffled Wonho’s hair as the kid continued eating. "I’m so stupid, aren’t I? I’ve been hopelessly in love with that person for over a decade now. Do you really think it’s time to let go?" he asked solemnly.

"A decade?!" Soonyoung nearly choked. "How great and handsome is this person? I got over my ex-husband already! And you—a decade?! Why? What does he have?" He was flabbergasted. If he had been drinking something, he was sure he would have spat it out all over Jihoon and Wonho.

Jihoon laughed at Soonyoung’s reaction. "And he has a child already."

Soonyoung stared at him in disbelief. "Okay, hold up. He has a child? No offense, but why are you still smitten with him? If someone ignored you, someone who could literally have anyone he wanted, I’d seriously start to wonder if he hit his head somewhere."

Jihoon looked mildly offended. "Well, back in high school, he was my source of motivation and happiness. We weren’t exactly close, but I enjoyed watching him from afar. Seeing him smile made me smile too. Call me crazy, but I really, really, really liked him."

"High school?!" Soonyoung perked up. "Jihoon, we went to the same high school! Did he perform? Sing? Dance? Play an instrument?" He was way too interested now. He had to know who the lucky bastard was.

Jihoon blushed and looked away. "Secret."

Soonyoung pouted but nodded. "So... you’ve been in love with him for more than ten years. He has a kid. Is he married?"

"Yeah..." Jihoon hesitated. "I didn’t see or talk to him much in college. And when I thought I’d finally moved on, I got the chance to interact with him again and I realized I still love him..." His voice trailed off, his eyes flickering away from Soonyoung, trying to hide the truth. "As for whether he’s married... I’m not really sure."

"If he’s not married, then why not just... go for it?" Soonyoung suggested. "If it doesn’t work out, then fine. Move on. At least you won’t spend the rest of your life wondering about the what-ifs. You know, I thought it was impossible to move on too. My whole world fell apart. But hey, look at me and Wonho now. It’s hard, yeah, but we’re really happy. So, pain? Pain is okay. I say, try it."

Jihoon stared at the table, eyes dark with emotion.

Then, he looked up at Soonyoung, his expression pained. "...I’ll think about it."

Before he could dwell on it further, Wonho tugged at the hem of his shirt again, pointing eagerly at another large tiger shrimp.

"What is it, baby? You want more?" Jihoon asked, reaching for the shrimp. Then, he turned to Soonyoung with an exasperated look. "By the way, your child eats a lot. Just like you."

"Told you, you should’ve just left the responsibility to me," Soonyoung said, shaking his head. But despite his words, he was smiling. It felt odd to let someone else take care of Wonho when he was right there but it also felt... light.

"Shut up," Jihoon shot back before turning back to Wonho with a soft smile. "Is this enough?"

Wonho continued eating, he was already on his third bowl of rice. He really did eat a lot for his age.

"Soonyoung, do you really have no plans to fall in love again and give Wonho a real papa?" Jihoon asked, wanting to prolong their conversation.

"To be honest... I don’t have time for it. My entire life revolves around work and Wonho. I want to give him all the time and attention he needs. And besides, who would fall for me? I had a kid at 19. These days, it’s hard to find someone who would accept my child too. We’re a package deal, Jihoon. If you want me, you have to want my child too. And my child has to want you too."

Soonyoung exhaled deeply, his expression serious but tinged with pain. "Like I said before, Wonho is the only reason I’m living now. Everything I do is for him. I don’t see how my love life would benefit him. What if the person I fall for hurts him? Or what if his family doesn’t accept Wonho? Just imagining my son going through that… No. I’d rather raise him alone. I have Jun and you guys to help me anyway."

Jihoon felt his throat go dry. He hated seeing Soonyoung like this. If he had the power to turn back time, he would have dusted a magic powder of loyalty onto Wonwoo, just so Soonyoung wouldn’t have to go through this pain. That’s how much Jihoon loved him, it was enough for him to see Soonyoung happy, even if it meant sacrificing his own feelings.

But this was reality. And though everything supposedly happened for a reason, Jihoon still couldn’t fathom why Soonyoung had to endure all of this.

"I see..." Jihoon swallowed hard before speaking again. "What if it was me?"

A few seconds of silence passed.

"Just kidding!" Jihoon quickly added.

"Huh? What if it was you?" Soonyoung raised an eyebrow.

"I said I was just kidding!" Jihoon deflected.

Soonyoung laughed. "You? Liking someone like me?" He laughed even harder. "Impossible."

Jihoon burst into laughter as well, shaking his head. "Why? Why would that be impossible?"

"Because!" Soonyoung gestured at him. "Jihoon, you’re like... wow. You’re pretty, smart, talented. You have everything. You’re practically perfect! Dude, you could get any man you want. Why would you settle for someone like me? I’m nothing special."

Jihoon suddenly reached out, his finger making its way to Soonyoung’s face before lightly booping his nose.

"Because you’re cute," Jihoon said simply. Then, his index finger trailed along Soonyoung’s biceps. "And... I think you’re hot." He smirked.

That made Soonyoung blush tremendously, his entire face painted in every possible shade of red from a painter’s palette.

"Hot? A single dad? Hot?" Soonyoung sputtered. "Are you okay?"

Jihoon leaned back against his chair, shamelessly checking Soonyoung out. "I mean, look at that body. You know what they say about dancers..." He leaned in closer, voice dropping to a whisper near Soonyoung’s ear.

"They say they’re great in bed."

Soonyoung’s eyes widened as heat exploded across his face.

Jihoon, meanwhile, let out a loud laugh, only to be interrupted by Wonho tugging at his shirt again.

"Oh, baby, are you finished already?" Jihoon cooed, instantly shifting back into his soft voice for Wonho. "Let’s go wash your hands! Wait for us, Daddy, we’re just going to wash up," he added teasingly before walking off with Wonho, still chuckling.

Soonyoung was left sitting there, mouth slightly agape. His heart pounded hard in his ribcage for some unknown reason. He placed a hand over his chest, confused by the unfamiliar feeling settling over him, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Jihoon returned a few minutes later, carrying a drowsy Wonho in his arms.

"Wonho’s already sleepy," he noted before pulling out his phone with his free hand. "Have you paid the bill yet? I’ll split it with you." He opened his Alipay app, ready to transfer his share.

"Done. Don't worry about it. Little cub, you sleepy?" Soonyoung waved his hand dismissively at Jihoon, gesturing for him not to worry about the bill.

Wonho mumbled something incoherent before immediately reaching for Soonyoung, wrapping his small arms around his neck. Within seconds, he was fast asleep on his shoulder.

"Oh, okay," Jihoon quickly understood, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Let's go, it's getting late." He carefully placed a beanie over Wonho’s head, smiling fondly when he heard the little boy let out a tiny snore.

Soonyoung nodded, and they walked out of the restaurant together. Just as they stepped outside, Soonyoung lightly grabbed Jihoon’s arm, flashing him a sincere smile.

"Ji, thank you again. For everything. For your time, and for your love for Wonho. Really, thank you."

"Nah, you don’t have to thank me~!" Jihoon grinned. "Anyway, I should get going. I’m already sleepy too. And thanks for the treat tonight! It’s nice bonding with fellow Koreans here in Beijing. I’m so tired of speaking Chinese all the time," he added with a laugh.

"Actually, same. Whenever I talk with Jun and Hao, we always speak Chinese too—psh." Soonyoung shook his head playfully. "Anyway, take care! Send me a message on WeChat when you get home."

"Yeah, yeah. Night, Nyong. Bye!" Jihoon waved.

But just as he was about to turn away, Soonyoung grabbed his arm again—this time, a little more forcefully.

"Wait!"

"Hmm?" Jihoon blinked at him.

Soonyoung carefully removed his scarf using only one hand, then wrapped it around Jihoon's neck. "It’s late, and it’s cold. You’re just gonna walk home. Here. Take care."

Jihoon blushed furiously. "Th-Thank you... Bye, Nyong."

Without another word, he quickly turned away, hiding his extremely red face from Soonyoung.

Soonyoung watched Jihoon’s form disappear into the distance. And just then, an unexplainable wave of joy washed over him. A huge smile spread across his lips before he even realized it.

It had been a long time since he had smiled like this.

For a moment, he felt like he was back in high school, a boy who had just gone on his first date with his longtime crush.

But reality hit just as quickly. He was no longer that boy.

Soonyoung shook his head, snapping himself out of it. He adjusted Wonho in his arms and glanced down at his son, who was still sleeping soundly.

"Your Papa Jihoon is really something, baby," he thought to himself before turning around and starting his walk home.

Maybe... befriending Jihoon wouldn’t be so bad. Right?

Chapter Text

It was just another school day for Jihoon. He had just finished his last subject before lunch break, and he was starving. He hadn't eaten breakfast yet, and his stomach grumbled in protest. But instead of heading to the cafeteria like a normal student, he made his way to his usual lunch spot, the legendary rooftop where he could eat in peace.

Much to his surprise, someone was already lying down in his usual spot. And it wasn’t just anyone. It was Kwon fucking Soonyoung.

Jihoon froze. His first instinct was to turn around and leave before the older boy could notice him. He didn’t want to interact with him. Not when Soonyoung had always been the object of his admiration. But just as he was about to make his escape, it was already too late.

"Hey, Ji!" Soonyoung called out cheerfully.

Jihoon exhaled sharply. There was no use running now, he had been spotted. With no other choice, he turned on his heel and finally faced him. Now that he had a better view, Jihoon's eyes widened at the sight of the bruises scattered across Soonyoung’s face.

A gasp escaped his lips, and before he even realized what he was doing, his feet carried him toward the older boy. He set his lunchbox aside and immediately started rummaging through his bag, completely ignoring the gnawing hunger in his stomach.

Soonyoung watched him in amusement. Jihoon looked tense.

"What happened to you?" Jihoon demanded, his voice laced with concern as he continued searching through his bag.

"Nothing. Just an accident," Soonyoung shrugged.

Jihoon shot him a deadpan look. "You're lying."

Soonyoung sighed in defeat. "Fine. Got into a fight. Wonwoo's mad at me, so I decided to come up here for some alone time, you know?" He leaned back against the railing, gazing at the sky as the clouds shifted into different shapes.

Jihoon finally found what he was looking for. He pulled out a small first-aid kit and waved it in front of Soonyoung. "Let’s clean your wounds, shall we?"

Soonyoung blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before whispering a small, "Okay," and letting Jihoon tend to his injuries.

"It’s a good thing my parents always insist I carry this around," Jihoon said with a coy smile as he carefully dabbed alocohol on a cut.

Soonyoung found himself staring. If he were being honest, he had always thought Jihoon was beautiful. If it weren’t for the fact that he was taken and madly in love with Wonwoo, he was sure he would have been completely smitten with the younger boy.

"It's crazy how everyone in school calls you a little gremlin when you're nothing but an angel to me," Soonyoung said with a grin. "Seriously, Ji, you're heaven-sent."

Jihoon froze. His eyes widened, and in an instant, all the blood in his body seemed to rush to his face, turning him into a human-sized tomato.

Soonyoung raised an eyebrow. "Is there something wrong?"

"A-Ah! Nothing!" Jihoon stammered, quickly placing the last bandage on the bridge of Soonyoung’s nose. It was a bright yellow Pororo band-aid. Jihoon hesitated before holding up a small mirror. "Uh, sorry… I ran out of normal band-aids—"

"It's cute! Nothing to worry about," Soonyoung cut him off immediately, flashing a reassuring smile.

Jihoon let out a small laugh as he started packing up his first-aid kit. As he did, he stole a glance at Soonyoung, his usual bright energy now calm, a contented smile resting on his lips.

"So, I guess you're gonna eat your lunch now. Do you want me to leave, or…?"

"Stay with me, please," Jihoon whispered, just loud enough for Soonyoung to hear.

"Well, okay."

A deep silence followed. Jihoon quietly enjoyed his lunch while Soonyoung busied himself staring at the sky. They didn’t exchange any words, at least not until Jihoon offered him an onigiri he had made himself.

Of course, Soonyoung gladly accepted it. He was hungry, too. He just hadn’t been in the mood to buy food from the cafeteria after everything that had happened today.

"Why is Wonwoo mad at you, if you don’t mind me asking?" Jihoon finally spoke again, breaking the silence as he took another bite of his rice ball.

"Well… he’s really the jealous type." Soonyoung let out a small sigh. "I don’t know, Ji, if I should even be telling you this, but… he’s really jealous of you." His voice carried a hint of sadness as he turned his head to observe Jihoon’s reaction.

Jihoon stiffened slightly but quickly masked it. He lowered his gaze, biting his lower lip as if trying to suppress something. "If that’s the case, then… we should stop seeing each other. You’re done helping me with the choreo, after all." His voice was quiet, controlled. "I don’t want to be the reason you two are fighting."

"But Jihoon, you’re a friend," Soonyoung insisted, his eyes never leaving Jihoon’s face.

Jihoon forced a small smile. "Well… anyway, I have to go, Soonyoung." He sat up properly and reached for something inside his bag before handing it to Soonyoung.

The older boy hastily opened it, and his face immediately lit up. Inside was a serving of Omu Kimchi Fried Rice, the same dish Jihoon had made for him last week, the one he had absolutely loved.

"I made you one again," Jihoon said, voice softer now. "As a token of gratitude for helping me out."

"Thank you, Ji!" Soonyoung beamed, his excitement bubbling over as he threw his arms around Jihoon, pulling him into a tight hug.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood by the rooftop entrance, watching. Teeth gritted. Fists clenched. Eyes burning with anger.

---------

"Papa! PAPA! Yoohooo!" Wonho screamed at the top of his lungs, trying to catch Jihoon's attention.

It worked. Jihoon shook his head before shifting his focus back to the child, who was busy playing with a milk puzzle, a gift from Jun and Hao.

"I'm missing this part," Wonho groaned, pointing to an empty space where a puzzle piece should have been.

Jihoon glanced around, scanning the floor. "Did you drop it somewhere? The puzzle won’t be complete without it."

Wonho shook his head, but a mischievous smile spread across his face. "You know what, Papa? Daddy told me something about this."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Huh?"

"He said that if I lose a piece, the puzzle will be incomplete. Just like Uncle Jun and Uncle Hao, if they lose each other, they won’t be whole," Wonho explained. "And you know what I think?" He grinned widely before shouting with all his might, "My daddy is missing a puzzle piece in his life, and that piece is… YOU!"

Jihoon flushed slightly. Wonho had been playing matchmaker between him and Soonyoung for a while now, but of course, things weren’t as simple as buying a cup of noodles from the convenience store. He let out a small sigh and knelt to reach Wonho’s level, gently patting the boy’s head.

"I hope so, Wonho. I hope so."

Words meant only to reassure the child because deep down, Jihoon didn’t believe in the 0.01% chance of it ever happening.

And as if on cue, Soonyoung finally emerged from the bathroom.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?" he asked, rubbing his damp hands against his jeans.

"Nothing," Jihoon replied quickly. He stood up and dusted off his pants before continuing, "We’re done with today’s lesson, Soonyoung. I have somewhere to be."

Soonyoung smiled softly. "I see… Are you going on a date?"

"Uh, yeah," Jihoon admitted, eyes flickering to Wonho, who was now engrossed in his PS Vita, probably playing Final Fantasy X or Kingdom Hearts again. "My friend’s been pestering me to give this one a shot, so… yeah."

Soonyoung's expression remained neutral, but his next words struck Jihoon like a dagger.

"Are you ready to finally let go of your old feelings for that lucky guy?"

Jihoon's chest tightened, but he quickly masked his emotions. He couldn’t let Soonyoung see through him.

But before he could come up with a response, Soonyoung's eyes landed, almost absentmindedly, on Jihoon's wrist.

On the bracelet he still wore.

"Where did you get that?" Soonyoung asked out of nowhere.

Jihoon blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Huh?"

Soonyoung pointed to the bracelet on Jihoon's left wrist.

"Oh, this?" Jihoon rolled up the sleeves of his pink sweater, giving Soonyoung a better look. "It’s from a childhood friend."

"Why do you ask?"

"It's just... it looks oddly familiar," Soonyoung murmured, his gaze still fixed on the bracelet, brows slightly furrowed as if trying to recall something.

Before Jihoon could respond, a loud cheer interrupted them.

"Papa! Daddy! Look! I finally got Ifrit as a summon!" Wonho exclaimed, raising his PS Vita in the air, proudly showing off his achievement in the game.

---

Soonyoung hadn’t been feeling well for days. It started with a headache, then body aches, until it eventually turned into a full-blown flu. But even with his fever and exhaustion, he still had responsibilities, one of which was picking up Wonho from school.

Chan was in Korea, Jun was away on a business trip in Shanghai, and Hao was in New York. In short, he had no one to rely on today. Normally, whenever he was sick, he could count on Wonho’s uncles to take care of him. But today, that wasn’t an option.

Soonyoung groaned, slumping against the driver’s seat. He was already parked in front of Wonho’s school, but he felt too weak to even step out of the car.

---

Jihoon walked out of the school gate with a bright smile, having just received Soonyoung’s message on WeChat that he was waiting outside. Wonho clung tightly to his right hand while Jihoon carried his school bag in his left.

Spotting Soonyoung’s car nearby, Jihoon immediately made his way over with Wonho in tow. Stopping in front of the driver’s side, he knocked on the tinted window.

Soonyoung forced his heavy eyelids open and saw both Jihoon and his son standing outside. With a sigh, he gathered what little energy he had left and stepped out of the car.

"Hey, Ji. Hi, little cub!" he greeted, his voice hoarse.

Wonho was about to give him a kiss, but Soonyoung quickly stopped him. "Baby, Daddy is sick. I don’t want you catching my germs."

Hearing that, Jihoon immediately frowned. Without needing any further explanation, he placed his palm on Soonyoung’s forehead.

"You’re burning up."

Soonyoung hummed weakly, but upon looking at Jihoon, an idea suddenly struck him. "Ji… can I ask you a huge favor?"

But before he could even say what it was, Jihoon cut him off as if he had read his mind.

"You want me to take care of Wonho and leave you behind? Not happening. We’re going home, to your house. Let me drive. I have a license, and I’ll take care of both of you."

Soonyoung blinked at him, caught off guard. "No, no, no. I’m fine. I’ll just sleep this off for a few days, and I’ll be good. But Wonho—"

"NO!" Jihoon snapped, his glare sharp enough to silence any argument. "GIVE. ME. THE. DRIVER’S. SEAT. NOW."

Soonyoung, too tired to fight back, let out a defeated sigh and handed Jihoon the keys. He wanted to hold Wonho, but he didn’t want his son to get sick, so he reluctantly let Jihoon take care of securing his seatbelt instead.

They arrived at the Kwon household in no time. Jihoon immediately instructed Soonyoung to get changed while he helped Wonho change as well.

"I'll come back for you later, okay? Please let me use your kitchen—I’ll make lunch for Wonho and soup for you," Jihoon stated as he tied a Totoro-printed kitchen apron around his body.

Soonyoung simply nodded before dragging himself to his room. But instead of changing, he collapsed onto his bed. Now that he knew Wonho was in good hands, his body finally gave in to exhaustion. He curled up into a ball, not even bothering to take off his shoes.

---

After preparing lunch for Wonho, Jihoon sat down with him, making sure he understood that his daddy was sick and needed to rest. "If you need anything, just call me, okay?" he reassured him.

Wonho, ever the obedient child, nodded eagerly. Jihoon smiled and kissed his forehead before heading toward Soonyoung's room, carrying a bowl of freshly made mushroom soup.

However, upon entering, he found Soonyoung still in the same clothes, lying on the bed exactly as he had left him.

Jihoon placed the soup on the bedside table and crossed his arms, staring at the unmoving figure. "Kwon Soonyoung, what did I tell you?"

Soonyoung heard Jihoon, but his body refused to cooperate. He wanted to open his eyes, to move, but he felt too drained. Instead, all he could manage was a low hum—one that quickly turned into a nasty cough.

"Ji…" He paused, coughing again. "You and Wonho might get sick too. You should go… Just leave me here alone."

Jihoon let out a heavy sigh. "I won't."

He observed Soonyoung’s condition. He could barely move. Jihoon debated for a moment before ultimately deciding to help him change. His face instantly turned crimson at the thought.

"Let me do this," he huffed, moving toward Soonyoung's closet. After a quick search, he found a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a loose t-shirt.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he hesitantly began unbuttoning Soonyoung’s top. "I’m not trying to touch you or anything, okay?" he mumbled, even though Soonyoung hadn't said a word. His voice sounded more like he was convincing himself rather than the sick man in front of him.

His hands worked quickly, though he averted his gaze, his face still burning.

Soonyoung managed a faint smile but let Jihoon manhandle him without protest. He was simply too weak to care. Once Jihoon finished unbuttoning his shirt, Soonyoung rolled away, enjoying the cool air against his feverish skin. He had no intention of putting on another shirt.

Jihoon groaned in frustration. "Soonyoung, please wear this. And change into these shorts too," he pleaded, holding up the clothes.

Then, despite himself, he resorted to using an aegyo-infused voice—a voice he absolutely despised using. "Pretty please?"

Soonyoung would’ve teased him if he had the energy, but all he could do was let out a small chuckle.

Without opening his eyes, Soonyoung sluggishly removed his pants, leaving himself in only his boxers. But instead of putting on the clothes Jihoon had handed him, he simply pulled the blanket over his body.

"Soonie, please wear everything," Jihoon tried again, using the sweetest tone he could muster, desperate times called for desperate measures. "I even picked them out just for you," he added, hoping to convince him.

Soonyoung pouted but made no effort to dress himself. Instead, he simply raised his arms. "Can’t. Tired."

Jihoon took a deep breath, exhaling slowly before giving in. Despite feeling awkward about the whole situation, he helped Soonyoung into the clothes. Once done, he let out a relieved sigh.

"Soonyoung, you need to eat so you can take your medicine," Jihoon coaxed, his voice softer now. "Please listen to me. Wonho would be sad if you don’t recover quickly."

Soonyoung sighed in defeat, forcing himself to sit up even though his entire body protested against it.

"That’s it," Jihoon encouraged, smiling just a little. "I know it hurts, but this is for the best."

His left hand gently caressed Soonyoung’s feverish face before reaching for the soup bowl. He carefully scooped up a spoonful, blowing it a little and held it in front of Soonyoung’s mouth.

Soonyoung instinctively leaned into Jihoon's touch, letting the warmth soothe him. He opened his mouth, allowing Jihoon to feed him easily. "Sorry," he murmured. "I know I’m wasting your time."

Jihoon shook his head. "Let me. It’s not like I’m doing this for free."

Soonyoung let out a weak grin. "Hmm? What’s the payment?"

"Take me to that seafood restaurant again, the three of us," Jihoon said, his voice softening as he saw the small smile on Soonyoung’s face. He returned it, offering him another spoonful of soup.

"That’s it?" Soonyoung asked faintly.

His body still felt incredibly weak, but he knew he needed to eat. Without warning, he let his head drop onto Jihoon’s shoulder.

"Sorry. My head is heavy."

Jihoon froze for a second before relaxing. "That’s all. I’m happy just being with you and Wonho. Always," he admitted quietly. "By the way, after this, take your medicine, okay?"

Soonyoung gave a slow nod, unconsciously snuggling closer to Jihoon's side. Jihoon didn’t push him away.

After a few minutes, Soonyoung managed to finish the entire bowl of soup. Jihoon reached for the medicine and a glass of water, then handed them to him.

"Do you need help?" he asked, watching Soonyoung carefully.

Soonyoung tried to hold the glass, but his hands were too weak, and it almost slipped from his grasp. Thankfully, Jihoon was still holding onto it.

"I think... I can't, Hoonie," Soonyoung admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Okay, let me help you," Jihoon said gently. He carefully guided the glass to Soonyoung’s lips, helping him drink a decent amount of water before placing it back on the side table beside the empty bowl. Then, he helped Soonyoung lie down again, adjusting the blanket over him.

Jihoon absentmindedly ran his fingers through Soonyoung’s hair, brushing it back softly as he smiled.

"Rest now. I'll come back later to check on you," Jihoon reassured him. "I'll just go check on our son, okay?" He chuckled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Soonyoung’s ear.

Soonyoung’s tired eyes followed Jihoon as he picked up the empty bowl and glass, heading toward the door.

"Our... son," Soonyoung whispered, watching as Jihoon disappeared outside his room.

When Soonyoung woke up, he knew he was still feverish. Everything ached even worse than before, a ringing in his ears refused to go away, and his skull throbbed painfully. Still, he forced his eyes open. Seeing how late it was, he gasped, suddenly remembering his son. He tried to stand up but failed, collapsing onto the floor.

Meanwhile, Jihoon was already making his way to Soonyoung's room after tucking Wonho into bed. As soon as he opened the door, panic flooded his system at the sight of Soonyoung lying on the floor.

"Nyong! What happened?!" Jihoon exclaimed, rushing to Soonyoung's side. He quickly helped the older man up and guided him back onto the bed.

Soonyoung muttered weakly, his voice barely audible. "Won...ho. Ba...by."

"He's already in bed, don’t worry. He even drank his glass of milk," Jihoon reassured him, cupping Soonyoung's cheeks with both hands. "You need to rest. I’m not going home. I have to take care of both of you."

Soonyoung tried to shake his head, but the motion only worsened his headache. "N...no. Si...ck. You..."

He groaned, his body too exhausted to hold itself up any longer. Without warning, he slumped back down onto the floor, not even caring about his position.

Jihoon let out a frustrated sigh. "Soonyoung, let's get you back to bed."

"C...can't...move...hurts," Soonyoung whined softly.

Jihoon gathered all his strength to lift Soonyoung. Though he managed to carry him, he lost his balance, causing both of them to fall onto the bed. Jihoon landing directly on top of Soonyoung.

Jihoon froze. He could feel Soonyoung’s warm breath against his skin, and goosebumps crept along his arms. This was the closest they had ever been.

Soonyoung blinked his fever-hazed eyes open, staring at Jihoon before a small, sleepy smile appeared on his lips. "Pretty," he murmured.

Jihoon’s face flushed crimson. He was still paralyzed in place, unable to do anything except stare into Soonyoung’s hazy, half-lidded gaze.

"You've always been pretty," Soonyoung continued, his voice soft and unfocused. "Pretty Jihoonie... my Jihoonie..."

Their faces slowly, unknowingly, drifted closer.

"Nyong, what are you—" Jihoon started, but before he could finish, he felt Soonyoung’s lips press against his.

He stiffened in shock. For a moment, it didn't feel real, like a dream he had imagined a thousand times before. But when he felt the warmth of Soonyoung’s lips moving against his, his eyes fluttered shut, and he kissed back.

Soonyoung, despite his heavy breathing, continued to kiss Jihoon. His weak, aching hand found Jihoon's waist, gripping lightly as if afraid he would disappear.

Jihoon was about to deepen the kiss, but reality struck him hard. His eyes flew open as he abruptly pulled away, his heart racing in panic.

"I'm sorry, Soonyoung! Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Jihoon blurted out, scrambling backward.

Soonyoung looked at him dazedly, confusion clouding his fevered expression. He reached out weakly, but Jihoon slipped from his grasp.

"Ji...hoonie?" Soonyoung mumbled, his brows furrowing as Jihoon moved further away. A deep frown settled on his lips. "I know... my husband left. You wouldn't, right?"

Pain flashed across Soonyoung’s face as the warmth of Jihoon’s presence faded. His body curled into itself again, and he whimpered. "Hurts..."

Jihoon swallowed hard, his chest tightening at Soonyoung’s broken state. Slowly, he climbed back onto the bed, settling beside him. His voice dropped to a whisper.

"I won’t leave you. I’ll stay, even if you don’t return my feelings. Being your friend is enough, as long as I have you and Wonho..."

With that, Jihoon wrapped his arms around Soonyoung from behind, holding him close.

Before he knew it, he, too, drifted into a deep slumber, his warmth intertwined with Soonyoung’s, their breaths falling into sync.

When Soonyoung woke up the next day, he felt much lighter. Sure, there was still some fatigue and a dull headache, but it was manageable. What he didn’t expect was to find Jihoon in his bed.

His heart pounded wildly at the sight of the man peacefully sleeping beside him.

It had been nearly a year since Jihoon became a part of his and Wonho’s life. A constant presence in their little family. And for the past few weeks, Soonyoung had been struggling to push away the possibilities, the hopes creeping into his mind. The "what ifs" that refused to be ignored.

He stared at Jihoon and wondered, What if you really are Wonho's papa? What if you're the man I was meant to marry and spend forever with?

Jihoon stirred in his sleep, his face scrunching slightly as he adjusted to the bright morning light. He groaned softly, still exhausted from the previous night. Slowly, he sat up, still not fully awake, completely unaware that Soonyoung was already watching him.

Soonyoung observed every little movement. The way Jihoon’s nose scrunched, the fluttering of his eyelashes, the way his hair stuck up in different directions. His fingers twitched with the urge to reach out, to trace those delicate features and commit them to memory.

God, I'm so attracted to Ji—

Soonyoung gasped as the sudden realization hit him like a truck.

Abruptly sitting up, he shook his head in denial.

No, no, no. I can’t do this. I can’t have feelings for him!

Still unaware of his inner turmoil, Soonyoung forced a smile and cleared his throat, knowing Jihoon is already awake. "Good morning, Ji! I’m really sorry for all the trouble I caused you… It’s just that I had no other choice. Everyone’s out of the country."

Jihoon blinked as he processed Soonyoung’s words. He scoffed lightly. "How many times do I have to remind you that I love doing this? I never see you or Wonho as a burden or some shit like that." He stretched and stood up. "Anyway, I need to take a bath. No worries, I’ll be back. What do you want for breakfast?"

Soonyoung let out a small yawn. "Nothing, but Wonho—"

Before he could finish, they suddenly heard loud sobbing from the other room.

“D-Daddy!” Wonho’s cries filled the house.

Soonyoung immediately tried to get up, but Jihoon stopped him. "Oh—oh! Don’t stand up! Let me handle it!"

Jihoon rushed to Wonho’s room, and within three minutes, he was back, carrying the still-crying child in his arms.

"Oh, baby..." Soonyoung’s face fell as he opened his arms wide. Wonho immediately climbed onto his lap, still sobbing.

"Papa, is Daddy still sick?" Wonho whimpered, clutching onto Soonyoung’s neck tightly.

"Your dad’s fine now," Jihoon reassured him, placing a gentle hand on Soonyoung’s forehead to check his temperature. "His fever is gone. Don’t worry, Daddy took his medicine, so he’ll be completely better soon."

Jihoon then smiled at the little boy. "How about you, baby? What do you want for breakfast? Papa will cook it for you. You need to eat so you won’t get sick too."

"Nooo… Don’t wanna leave Daddy," Wonho cried again, hugging his father even tighter.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby. You're just gonna eat in the kitchen with Papa... Didn’t you say Papa’s cooking is great?" Soonyoung coaxed gently, wiping the tears off his son's face.

Wonho sniffled but still wouldn't let go. "Soup. Want soup. Daddy too."

Jihoon chuckled softly. "Alright then, I’ll just bring the soup here, okay? Wait for me, both of you."

Both Soonyoung and Wonho nodded, making Jihoon's heart race. He quickly left for the kitchen, and after half an hour, he returned with a wooden tray holding two steaming bowls of crab and corn soup. Alongside them, he had prepared Wonho’s milk, Soonyoung’s medicine, and a plate of freshly peeled and cut fruits. Dark circles were visible under Jihoon’s eyes, but he still wore a warm smile as he set everything down.

"Baby, come here. I'll feed you. Eat first before I go home to take a bath. I smell bad already," Jihoon joked, sniffing himself dramatically. "Let's cancel our violin lesson today, too. We need to take care of your Daddy Soonie first."

"Where are you going, Papa?" Wonho asked, still teary-eyed as he crawled into Jihoon’s lap.

Soonyoung ruffled Wonho’s hair. "Papa needs to rest too, little cub."

Jihoon cupped Wonho’s face, gently pinching his chubby cheeks. "I'm just going to take a bath, baby. I’ll come back, I promise. But first, you have to eat, okay?"

Wonho sniffled but nodded. Jihoon handed Soonyoung his bowl. "Here’s yours, Nyong."

Soonyoung took the bowl with a small nod. "Thanks, Ji. I’ll make it up to you once I’m fully recovered."

Jihoon let out a small laugh. "How many times do I have to tell you, Nyong? It’s really okay."

As Wonho sipped his soup, he looked up at Jihoon with big eyes. "Can I come with you, Papa?"

Before Jihoon could respond, Soonyoung spoke firmly. "Baby, no. Jihoon, no. I can manage. I don’t want to trouble you more. Little cub, stay here. We don’t want to bother Papa."

Jihoon sighed, shaking his head. "Nyong, I don’t mind. I’ve told you before—I don’t see you or Wonho as a burden. Besides, Wonho is my son too."

The sincerity in Jihoon’s voice made Soonyoung’s heart clench. How did he get so lucky to meet someone who could love his son so unconditionally? Jihoon was a blessing, an angel sent into their lives.

"You're right... He is," Soonyoung murmured, smiling at the way Wonho beamed at Jihoon.

How I wish it was really you.
Wait—no. You deserve better than this.

"Finish your food, son, so Papa can finally take a bath," Soonyoung said, shaking off his thoughts.

Wonho eagerly finished his soup before scrambling out of Jihoon’s lap. He ran to his room, only to return moments later, holding up a baby blue pair of pants and a matching sweater. "I wanna wear this!"

Soonyoung chuckled, helping his son change into the outfit. Meanwhile, Jihoon started stacking the dishes, but Soonyoung stopped him. "Leave the dishes to me, Ji. Please take a rest too."

Jihoon hesitated. "Are you sure? I mean, I’m worried about you."

Soonyoung felt warmth spread through his chest at Jihoon’s concern. "Don’t worry about me. I managed before, remember? Just take your time and rest, okay?"

Jihoon sighed but couldn’t hide the small smile forming on his lips. Without thinking, he leaned in and hugged Soonyoung tightly before lifting Wonho into his arms.

Soonyoung froze slightly at the embrace, his heart pounding wildly again.

I’m in so much trouble.

Soonyoung nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment as Jihoon pulled away. He wanted the hug to last longer. Once Jihoon and Wonho left, he glanced at the state of his bed and was about to fix it when the memory of last night hit him like a truck.

His eyes widened.

HE AND JIHOON KISSED—NO. HE KISSED JIHOON.

Soonyoung’s entire body froze before he abruptly sat down on the floor, his hands trembling as he grabbed his phone. There was only one person he could call at a time like this—Junhui.

The moment the call connected, Jun’s voice came through, lighthearted as always. "Oh hey, what’s up, bro? This is the first time you’ve called me when Hao and I aren’t doing something freaky—should I be honored?"

Soonyoung barely took a breath before blurting out, "I kissed Jihoon."

Silence.

Then—

"WAIT, WHAT?! WHAAAATTT?! DID I HEAR THAT RIGHT?!" Jun shrieked so loudly that Soonyoung had to pull the phone away from his ear.

Soonyoung groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "I kissed him, Junhui. Fuck. I was the one who initiated it!"

Jun let out an exaggerated gasp, followed by a dramatic cough. "Soonyoung… do you—perhaps—like Jihoon? Please, for once, be honest. I want a straight, honest answer."

Soonyoung exhaled sharply. "Does it even matter?"

"OF COURSE IT MATTERS! You don’t just go around kissing people randomly! The only other person you’ve ever kissed was Wonwoo, and that was your husband. Now, suddenly, Jihoon?" Jun pointed out, his voice laced with suspicion. "I’ve known you for years, Soonyoung, and you don’t do this kind of thing for no reason."

Soonyoung clenched his jaw. He hated how right Jun always was.

Jun hummed thoughtfully. "Actually… I think Jihoon likes you back. When we visited you last month, I saw the way he looks at you."

"Stop, Jun." Soonyoung's voice turned defensive. "It’s not meant to be. I already have a child, and Jihoon has a whole damn future ahead of him. Why would he settle for someone like me? Even Wonwoo left me and he’s worse than Jihoon. I refuse to tie Jihoon down to this situation. He needs someone better. Someone who isn’t me."

The words felt like knives in his chest, but Soonyoung forced them out.

Jun scoffed loudly. "Soonyoung, don’t be so harsh on yourself! Give it a damn chance! Jihoon’s a jackpot, and not just because he clearly adores you, he also loves your son. Can you imagine how happy Wonho would be if you two actually ended up together?"

Soonyoung's breath hitched, his throat tightening. "But what if I’m not enough?" His voice was barely above a whisper. "What if it doesn’t work out? Wonho would be affected, too. He just experienced what it’s like to have a second father. I… I can’t take that away from him."

Jun’s dramatic tone faded, replaced by something softer. "Nyong…"

"You said it yourself, Jihoon is a jackpot," Soonyoung continued, his voice trembling. "But what about me? Even my own husband regretted loving me. Jihoon deserves someone who can give him a perfect life. Someone who isn’t broken. Someone who isn’t me."

Silence stretched between them.

Jun sighed heavily. "Soonyoung… maybe Jihoon doesn’t want ‘perfect.’ Maybe he just wants you."

Soonyoung reasoned with himself. Jihoon deserved someone who was single, someone who could give him a perfect life.

"I don't think Jihoon could ever do what Wonwoo did to you," Jun said, licking his dry lips. "But tell me this, would you be okay with Jihoon marrying another guy?"

Soonyoung stared down at the floor, absentmindedly picking at the carpet fibers. "Why not? If that’s what makes him happy… Besides, he’s in love with someone else." His voice was barely above a mumble.

Jun scoffed. "And that someone is you."

Soonyoung shook his head. "Nope. Not true." He exhaled sharply, rubbing his face. "Okay, I’m done. I need to stop these feelings, for Wonho’s sake. Besides, Jihoon’s gonna start dating someone soon. That’s it. I’m hanging up. I need to clean up."

"Wait, Soonyoung, listen up!" Jun cut in quickly. "Think about the hints he’s been dropping. And remember how I told you I was trying to date him before? Well, I actually caught him sneaking around the practice room once. At first, I thought he was looking for me, but then I saw him leaving a disposable Tupperware behind. Weird, right?"

Soonyoung felt his breath hitch. "Disposable Tupperware?"

A strange feeling stirred in his chest, something almost familiar, like a memory trying to surface.

"What? Did that jog something in your memory?" Jun pressed. "Because I clearly remember how you used to flex that Wonwoo made you those well-prepared packed lunches. But Cheol-hyung and I never believed it. We knew Wonwoo, Nyong. That wasn’t him."

Soonyoung’s breath caught. His mind reeled back to all those times when a Tupperware had magically appeared in their practice room, always accompanied by a sticky note with his name and a sweet message cheering him on. His teammates had even teased him for having such a thoughtful boyfriend who always found time to leave him food. He finds it odd as well that Wonwoo’s handwriting look different on those notes.

"It… it can’t be, right? It’s impossible that it was Jihoon."

"It was Jihoon," Jun confirmed without hesitation. "He loves cooking, doesn’t he? And let’s be real, who else would have had the patience to do that? No one but him."

Soonyoung didn’t reply.

"Anyway, I gotta go," Jun added casually.

Still, Soonyoung said nothing. Instead, he quietly ended the call, lowering his phone to the floor as he stared at it, his heart pounding in his chest.

[Flashback]

Soonyoung spotted a Tupperware beside his bag, a lone blue sticky note attached to it with the words "Fighting, Soonyoungie!" written neatly. Figuring it must have been from his boyfriend, he ate the meal without a second thought and returned the favor by buying Wonwoo his favorite cookies.

"Thank you for the lunch, babe," Soonyoung said with a bright smile, brushing aside a few wild strands of Wonwoo’s hair. He leaned in, placing a quick peck on his lips.

Wonwoo blinked, clearly confused. "Huh? Lunch? We weren’t even together during lunch break."

"I know, but you still took the time," Soonyoung replied, capturing both of Wonwoo's hands and kissing them affectionately.

Wonwoo’s brows furrowed. "Took the time?"

"To cook! It's sweet!"

Soonyoung handed him the empty Tupperware along with the note.

Wonwoo clenched his jaw as realization hit. Somebody was out there trying to steal his boyfriend’s heart. And instead of correcting him, he did the first thing that came to mind,  he took the credit.

"Of course," Wonwoo said smoothly, forcing a smile. "Anything for you, Soonie."

[Present]

A sudden notification pulled Soonyoung from his daydream. His phone screen lit up with a new message.

Jun: I hope you figure it out soon. Don't be stupid.

Soonyoung stood up, deciding to start cleaning instead of drowning in his thoughts. So what if that was Jihoon? So what if Jihoon liked him before? That was all in the past, back when he was young, outgoing, popular, and actually had direction in his life. Back when he was still a boy full of confidence and love for the world.

Now? He was just Soonyoung. Broken. Worthless. The only thing he cared about was his child.

So what if he likes Jihoon? Nothing has to change. Jihoon can just stay for his child. That’s all.

As if on cue, Jihoon walked in, freshly showered, with Wonho clinging to his legs. They were back earlier than expected.

"Soonyoung, I'm sorry, but I couldn’t help worrying about you," Jihoon said, glancing at him before running a hand through Wonho’s damp hair. "I’ll rest here, I can take the sofa and sleep there."

Soonyoung stared at him, feeling the urge to confront him, but ultimately decided against it. He might not confess his feelings, but he sure as hell wouldn’t do anything to push Jihoon away.

"Sleep on my bed," Soonyoung said instead. "I already changed the sheets, don’t worry." He crouched down to his son's eye level, ruffling his hair. "Little cub?"

"Soonyoung, that's your room, and I'm a visitor here. I’ll take the sofa," Jihoon argued, crossing his arms.

Soonyoung ignored him, focusing on Wonho instead. He kept patting his son’s head before pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Why don’t you take a nap with Papa on the big bed? Go take him with you."

Jihoon rolled his eyes, immediately catching on to what Soonyoung was trying to do. This guy... he's using Wonho so he can’t refuse.

Wonho, however, had no clue about his dad's scheming and simply nodded. "Are you really feeling well, Daddy?"

"Of course, baby. But Papa is tired. And both of you have school tomorrow, so make sure Papa rests and sleeps, okay?"

Wonho nodded enthusiastically before turning to Jihoon with wide eyes and yelling, "Papa! Paaaappaaaa!"

The little boy launched into full persuasion mode, using every bit of cuteness he had to convince Jihoon to sleep with him in his dad's room.

Jihoon sighed in defeat, watching the little one bounce excitedly, singing nonsense songs as he practically dragged him away.

Damn it. I really can't say no to him.

With a final look at Soonyoung one that was both suspicious and fond, Jihoon let himself be pulled into the bedroom, Wonho giggling all the way.

Wonho climbed onto his daddy's bed first, patting the empty space beside him eagerly. "Papa, cuddle!"

Jihoon chuckled but didn’t hesitate to lie down beside him, wrapping his arms around the little boy. "Papa is really sleepy, Wonho," he murmured, his exhaustion catching up to him.

Wonho reached up with his small hand, gently patting his papa’s head, just like how his daddy did whenever he was sleepy. "Okay, Papa. Sleep now," he said sweetly before pressing a soft kiss to Jihoon's cheek.

Jihoon smiled tiredly, his eyes fluttering shut. He needed the rest, tomorrow was another long day at school. "I love you, baby," he whispered, pouting his lips slightly, silently asking for another kiss.

"I love you too, Papa!" Wonho giggled before planting a kiss on Jihoon’s lips.

Jihoon let out a content sigh, pulling Wonho closer. Within moments, he finally drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.

-----

Jihoon checked his wristwatch. Again. He had lost count of how many times he had done it by now, but the man who was supposed to be his date was still nowhere to be found. He had already been waiting for an hour, far past their scheduled meet-up time. The last reply he got on WeChat was from two hours ago, and as each minute passed, his worry started morphing into something worse. The nagging thought that he had been abandoned clawed at his mind, sinking deeper with every second of silence. Odd because the last time they went out he was on time

And the worst part? He had carefully planned this date to fall on his birthday. A day that should have felt special, something he hoped to spend with someone who might help him move forward, someone who could help him heal the scars on his heart.

This wasn’t just some blind date with a stranger. Jihoon had spoken to the guy before. He found him at least attractive and interesting enough to consider dating—otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed. They had met through Kihyun, who had set them up, assuring Jihoon that the guy was a decent match for him. And for once, Jihoon had allowed himself a bit of hope.

Out of boredom, and maybe as a last attempt to keep himself from spiraling, he sent a message to Jeonghan on Twitter DMs.

Jeonghan had always been the one he talked to about everything. Despite moving to China, their friendship had remained as strong as ever. It was almost funny how Jeonghan somehow managed to stay unbelievably updated on Jihoon’s life, even more than some of their friends who were still in Korea. And of course, Jeonghan knew about this date.

- Hyung, it’s been two hours. I’m going nuts.

He stared at the screen, waiting. Usually, Jeonghan replied as fast as lightning, but tonight, there was nothing. No read receipt. No response. Just silence.

Two more hours passed. The restaurant was closing soon.

Jihoon had already lost his appetite a long time ago, but now, as he sat there alone in the nearly empty restaurant, reality finally sank in. He had been stood up.

A waiter eventually approached him, offering an apologetic smile. "Sir, we're closing now. I’m really sorry, but we need to clean up."

Jihoon nodded stiffly, swallowing down the bitter lump in his throat. He wanted to scream. To curse. To break something. But none of this was the restaurant’s fault. If anything, it was his own for believing, just for a moment, that someone would choose him.

As soon as he stepped outside, droplets of rain started falling.

"Great," he muttered under his breath, sarcasm laced in his tone.

Not only had he been abandoned on his own birthday, but now he had to deal with the rain too. And of course, he had no umbrella.

The taxi unloading and loading area was across the street, under a small shed, but he made no move to rush toward it. Instead, he stood still, staring up at the dark, starless sky. The cold November wind bit at his skin as raindrops soaked into the soft fabric of his old-rose-colored top. He could already feel the material clinging to his body, but he barely noticed.

All he could think about was how this moment, the loneliness, the heartbreak, the endless disappointments, felt so familiar.

He had spent years watching people walk away. He should have been used to it by now.

Jihoon exhaled sharply, trying to hold himself together, but the frustration, the loneliness, the feeling of yet another rejection, it was too much. A single tear escaped before he could stop it, and suddenly, he was breaking.

He squatted down, burying his face in his hands as silent sobs wracked his body. The cold seeped through his clothes, his skin, his bones, but he didn’t care.

Then, suddenly, the rain stopped.

At first, he thought maybe it had finally let up, but no the sound of raindrops was still there, still hitting the pavement around him. Confused, he slowly looked up.

His breath hitched.

Soonyoung stood before him, holding an umbrella over his head, shielding him from the downpour.

Jihoon gasped, his eyes widening. "S-Soonyoung!" he yelped, scrambling to his feet in surprise.

And for the first time that night, he wasn't alone.

Soonyoung gave him a small smile as he removed his coat and gently wrapped it around Jihoon with one hand. He let out a soft chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he took in Jihoon's confused expression.

"Sorry I'm late."

"Wait, what?" Jihoon blinked, still processing the situation.

Soonyoung chuckled again. "Jeonghan-hyung informed Seungcheol-hyung about the Twitter DM you sent him two hours ago. They got really worried, and here I am."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're connected with that jerk—"

"Relax, Jihoon." Soonyoung sighed, shaking his head. "I have nothing to do with that douchebag, okay? I was late because I had some stuff to take care of before coming here."

Jihoon narrowed his eyes. "Wonho?"

"He's waiting for us. C'mon, we're going home."

Before Jihoon could ask anything else, Soonyoung reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers with a natural ease. The warmth of Soonyoung’s touch sent a rush of heat to Jihoon’s face, and thankfully, the darkness of the night concealed his blush. How was he supposed to move on when the guy he loved kept doing things like this?

"Home? Where?" Jihoon asked, but Soonyoung didn’t answer. Instead, he gently pulled Jihoon toward his car.

The car ride was silent, neither of them speaking. The only sound that filled the space was the muffled patter of rain against the windows. Jihoon stole a glance at Soonyoung, who kept his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable.

Before long, the car came to a halt in front of Soonyoung’s house. Jihoon noticed that all the lights were off and the older pressed the doorbell as well, making him raise an eyebrow in suspicion. Still, he followed Soonyoung inside without question. 

The moment they stepped through the door, the lights flickered on automatically.

"SURPRISE!"

Jihoon’s eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. Chan and Wonho standing in the middle of the living room, holding up a cake.

"Happy birthday, Papa!" Wonho greeted excitedly, his chubby cheeks bunched up in the biggest smile. If it weren’t for the cake in his hands, Jihoon was sure the little boy would have been bouncing up and down with excitement.

"Happy birthday, Jihoon-hyung," Chan added, grinning.

Jihoon felt his chest tighten with emotion. He knelt down, cupping Wonho’s soft cheeks in his hands. "Thank you, baby," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper before peppering the little boy’s face with kisses. An affectionate habit he had picked up from being around the two so often. “Thank you too you Chan,” he added.

Behind him, Soonyoung spoke, his voice softer this time. "It was Wonho’s idea. When I told him about what happened to you, as soon as we got the message from his uncle Seungcheol, he insisted on celebrating your birthday properly. I hope it's not too late… I ordered a full Korean dinner for us."

Jihoon remained kneeling, his hands still on Wonho’s cheeks. His heart felt too full, his emotions too overwhelming.

"Thank you, Soonyoung," he finally said, his back still turned to him.

"But before we do that, get changed first. We don’t want you to get sick, do we?" Soonyoung said as he took the cake from Wonho’s hands and placed it in the center of the dinner table. "You can change into the clothes I left on my bed. Don’t worry, they’re all unused."

Jihoon obliged without argument, quickly making his way to Soonyoung’s room. He changed out of his soaked clothes into the fresh ones Soonyoung had prepared, then washed off his ruined makeup. He knew he must have looked terrible after everything that had happened, and he wasn’t about to sit through dinner looking like a mess. The whole process took him only five minutes.

When he returned to the kitchen, he was now wearing Soonyoung’s oversized shirt, which practically swallowed his frame. The fabric reached his mid-thigh, and Soonyoung couldn't help but find the sight adorable.

"Comfortable?" Soonyoung asked, his lips twitching into an amused smile.

"Yeah, comfortable." Jihoon smiled shyly before settling into the chair beside Wonho.

"So, should we sing Happy Birthday now?" Chan suggested, grinning.

"Yes!" Wonho cheered, clapping his small hands together in excitement.

The three of them started singing Happy Birthday in Korean, their voices filling the kitchen with warmth. Jihoon felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. When was the last time he had a birthday like this? Since he was five years old? He honestly couldn’t remember. But none of that mattered now. What mattered was this moment.

Soonyoung lit the candle and gently pushed the cake closer to Jihoon.

"Make a wish, Papa!" Wonho urged, practically bouncing in his seat.

Jihoon clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, making a silent wish before blowing out the lone candle on the strawberry shortcake.

"Let’s dig in~!" Chan sang, and the room erupted in laughter before they all started eating.

The entire dinner was filled with laughter, teasing, and warmth. Jihoon swore this was one of the happiest, most unforgettable birthdays he had ever had, despite everything that had happened earlier in the day.

After dinner, once Chan had bid his goodbyes, Jihoon found himself standing alone on the veranda.

Soonyoung had insisted on doing the dishes, refusing to let Jihoon lift a finger since it was his birthday. And after a brief attempt to argue, Jihoon ultimately gave up, Soonyoung was too stubborn.

Wonho, on the other hand, had gotten so sleepy after dinner that he barely made it through brushing his teeth before Jihoon and Soonyoung tucked him into bed. Now, with the house quieter, Jihoon allowed himself a moment to breathe, the cool night air brushing against his skin as he gazed up at the dark sky.

Surprisingly, the heavy rain had stopped. The stars had returned to the sky, twinkling softly above him. Jihoon leaned against the railing, letting the chilly wind brush against his skin, a small smile forming on his lips. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Soonyoung approaching until he felt a strong arm wrap around his shoulder.

"Wanna talk?"

Jihoon sighed, leaning into the older’s touch. "Soonyoung, thanks again."

"I'm just returning your kindness to us, Jihoon. Happy birthday," Soonyoung said with a warm smile.

Jihoon giggled and playfully hit his chest. "I don’t know what’s wrong with that jerk that he decided to stand you up just like that. I even gave way and stopped my original birthday surprise for you when I found out you had a date with him today. But anyway, what matters is that we still got to celebrate," Soonyoung said, gently pulling Jihoon to face him.

Their eyes met, and Soonyoung’s hand instinctively cupped Jihoon’s cheek, his thumb softly caressing the smooth skin. Without a second thought, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Jihoon's forehead. "You're important to me. If you'd let me, I'd beat the shit out of that guy for doing this to you."

A faint pink dusted Jihoon's cheeks. "I— It’s not worth it. But thanks, Soonyoung."

Jihoon smiled at him, and in that moment, his smile shone brighter than the stars scattered across the night sky. Maybe even brighter than the moon or the sun that would rise tomorrow morning.

All Soonyoung knew was that he never wanted to see Jihoon break down and cry like that ever again. He would do his best to make him happy and protect him from everything.

Chapter Text

Soonyoung got out of his car, rolling his sleeves up to his forearms and tugging at his necktie. He had just come from a business meeting with Minghao and Jun, working hard to wrap up all their pending tasks before their upcoming trip to Korea for an important event. They all had to file for leave from the company for a while.

In one hand, he carried an iced Americano from Starbucks, the coffee he always bought for Jihoon. With a tired sigh, he trudged toward the younger man's classroom.

Soonyoung let out a small "phew," wiping the sweat forming on his forehead with his left arm. It was unbearably hot today, as if someone had angered the sun god or something. He knew it was summer, but still this heat was something else.

Despite the weather, Wonho had insisted on staying with his papa while Jihoon taught summer classes. Now, with class having ended about twenty minutes ago, Jihoon was jotting something down in his journal while Wonho sat beside him, playing some random game on his phone. They were simply killing time, waiting for Soonyoung to pick them up.

The little boy finally looked up from his screen. “Papa, have you received a WeChat message from Daddy yet?”

Jihoon set his pen down and reached for his bag, pulling out a calculator. He needed to tally up his expenses for the day. Ever since starting his job, he had been doing his best to save money. His dream was to open his own school someday. It was wishful thinking, but nothing was impossible.

After placing the calculator beside his pen, he turned to Wonho. “Not yet, baby. Maybe he’s on his way, though.”

And speaking of the devil, Soonyoung appeared in the doorway, slightly sweaty but sighing in relief as the cool air from the fully air-conditioned room washed over him. He smiled upon hearing Jihoon’s words.

“On the way? Are you sure about that, Ji?”

Both Jihoon and Wonho immediately whipped their heads toward the sound of his voice. Soonyoung wasted no time making his way over, handing Jihoon his coffee before peppering Wonho’s face with kisses.

Jihoon took a sip of his drink, a small habit Soonyoung had developed ever since they grew closer after Jihoon’s birthday. He smirked playfully. “I’m dying. How can I earn tons of money? Teach me your ways, senpai.” He paused before chuckling. “Or maybe I should just apply to be your sugar baby, Soons?”

Soonyoung grinned. He was happy Jihoon could joke around with him like this now. They really had grown more comfortable with each other. Lowkey, he was grateful that the guy who was supposed to date Jihoon turned out to be a huge douchebag.

“It’d be easier to just be my sugar baby, you know. I support.” Soonyoung laughed along with Jihoon before adding, “Oh, by the way, have you received the invitation?”

“Uh, yeah… I’m Jeonghan-hyung’s best man.”

Soonyoung picked up his son and took over the chair, placing Wonho on his lap afterward. The kid remained unbothered, fully immersed in the game he was playing on his phone.

“Have you booked a flight yet?”

Jihoon shook his head, his eyes now glued back to his notes. “Not yet. I’ll do it later. How about you?”

A bright idea suddenly popped into Soonyoung’s head. He’d make Jihoon stay with him and Wonho at least that way, he could spend time with the younger man during his free moments. Grab the opportunity when you can, as some people say.

“I’ll book it later. If you want, I can book your flight too. Do you have a place to stay in Korea... or do you want to stay with us? I’m planning to book a family hotel room if you’ll be with us,” Soonyoung suggested.

“Papa! Go with us, please!!!” Wonho screamed as he jumped off his dad’s lap and ran to Jihoon’s side.

Jihoon looked between Wonho and Soonyoung, back and forth, before sighing. “Well, looks like Wonho isn’t giving me a choice, so I guess I have to say yes.”

Soonyoung and Wonho shared a high-five, laughing together.

“Perfect! Are you available this weekend? We can fly out Friday night and arrive before Saturday morning. That’ll give us at least three days to enjoy Korea,” Soonyoung said excitedly.

Jihoon nodded. “Looks like you’re pretty excited.”

“I want Wonho to see Korea. We left when he was just a few months old.” Soonyoung’s smile faltered slightly, a hint of bittersweet nostalgia in his voice.

“He’s even more comfortable speaking Mandarin than Korean,” Jihoon added, running his fingers through Wonho’s black locks. The kid was still hugging his waist, rubbing his cheek against Jihoon’s lap.

“He’s even more fluent in English than Korean! Unbelievable. The only reason he even learned our mother tongue is because of Hao,” Soonyoung sighed, leaning back in the chair as he scratched his head.

“Jeonghan-hyung and Seungcheol-hyung only speak Korean, though. That’ll leave him no choice but to use it,” Jihoon chuckled, ruffling Wonho’s hair.

Suddenly, Wonho’s eyes sparkled with excitement, something that always happened whenever he had something thrilling to say.

“Daddy said we’re going to a piano concert!”

Soonyoung gasped in surprise. He had planned that surprise thoroughly ever since he found out the date of Seungcheol’s wedding.

“Wonho-yah! Didn’t Daddy tell you it was a secret?” he exclaimed.

Jihoon looked at Soonyoung in confusion, raising an eyebrow and completely stopping what he was doing. “What’s that?”

Soonyoung sighed in defeat. There was no point in hiding it now.

“Well, I saw that there’s going to be a classical music and orchestra concert while we’re in Korea, so I thought... why not? You and Wonho both love that kind of thing.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal.

A warm smile tugged at Jihoon’s lips, his heart swelling at Soonyoung’s thoughtfulness.

“Thank you, sugar daddy.”

Soonyoung laughed loudly at Jihoon's joke, wrapping his arms around the younger’s shoulders.

“Anything for my other baby. C’mon now, I’ll send you home.”

Jihoon nodded, quickly packing up his things for the day. As he zipped up his bag and slung his laptop bag over his shoulder, Wonho tugged at the hem of his shirt, looking up at him curiously.

“Where are you going home, Papa?”

“To my house, baby.”

“Not ours?”

Jihoon turned to face him. “Baby, Papa still has a house of his own.”

Hearing that, Wonho started to sulk. If he had a choice, he would stay by Jihoon’s side 24/7. Soonyoung, noticing this, gently rubbed his son's back to comfort him.

“Baby, Papa is going to be with us this weekend, so no need to worry.”

Jihoon crouched down to Wonho’s level, pressing a kiss to the child’s forehead before pulling him into a hug.

“That’s right, baby. Papa will have tons of time for you in Korea.”

Wonho nodded in understanding, giggling a little when Jihoon playfully booped his small nose before hugging him tightly once again.

------

The day of their flight to Korea had finally arrived. Jihoon carried a very sleepy Wonho in his arms, the child was still awake but completely immobile while Soonyoung handled all their luggage. He had already checked in most of their bags, so now he was only carrying their hand-carry items. Their flight was at 8 PM, and it was currently 6:30 PM, they had arrived just in time.

“Are you sure you’re okay carrying even my stuff?” Jihoon asked, still rubbing Wonho’s back.

“What you’re carrying is heavier, though.” Soonyoung chuckled, glancing at Wonho fondly as he led them to the first-class waiting lounge, where Junhui, Minghao, and Chan were already waiting.

“He’s still my baby,” Jihoon said, then jokingly sniffed Wonho’s armpit. “Look, he still smells like a baby!”

Soonyoung laughed at Jihoon’s antics. “Are you sure he isn’t heavy?”

“He’s heavy, but I love this baby so much,” Jihoon cooed, noticing Wonho pouting at him, clearly not pleased with being called heavy.

Soonyoung smiled and leaned down to kiss Wonho’s forehead. From an onlooker’s perspective, it almost looked like he was kissing Jihoon instead.

Junhui, who had been watching the entire time, rolled his eyes before letting out a loud howl. “Get a room, you two!”

Jihoon tilted his head and looked at Jun as if the older man had grown two heads. “Why’s that? He was only kissing Wonho.”

Chan elbowed Jun slightly, earning a groan and complaint from the older, but he just snickered in response. Jihoon raised an eyebrow at them before turning to Soonyoung. “Let’s go, Nyong.”

Soonyoung rolled his eyes at Jun and pulled Jihoon closer with his free hand. “I kinda regret taking this flight with you guys.”

“Leave it be, Nyong. Let’s just wait for boarding now, I want Wonho to sleep comfortably.”

Soonyoung hummed, and as they boarded the plane. He immediately adjusted the middle seat, reclining it into a flat position to form a bed. Soonyoung, Chan and the two Wen husbands booked a business class for all of them after all.

“Ji, you can place Wonho down now,” he said.

Jihoon obliged, carefully laying Wonho down and smiling softly at the sight. “Are you comfortable, baby? Tell me if it’s not okay.”

Minghao, who was sitting in the row in front of them, peeked over his seat and snickered. “You two look like a married couple.”

Soonyoung instantly turned red, glaring at Minghao. His friends knew full well how he felt about Jihoon, and they never missed an opportunity to tease him about it.

“Can you please go away?” he grumbled.

Minghao, instead of being insulted, looked completely satisfied with Soonyoung’s reaction. He sneered before turning back around. “Whatever. Enjoy, Kwon family~”

Soonyoung sighed and turned to Jihoon, who was giving Minghao a questioning look.

“Just ignore them, Ji. Please rest now, Wonho’s already asleep.”

Jihoon smiled slightly. “It’s okay.” He reached out and took Soonyoung’s hand in his. “Let’s sleep.”

Soonyoung hummed in response, letting Jihoon hold his hand. Deep down, he was smiling to himself. Months ago, he had made up his mind. He wouldn’t make any moves. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t welcome any from Jihoon’s side.

Throughout the flight, Soonyoung stayed awake, watching over Jihoon and Wonho. The child tossed and turned in his sleep until Jihoon, still half-asleep, instinctively reached out, soothing the restless baby. Soonyoung kept a careful eye on them, adjusting their blankets whenever they slipped down and making sure they were comfortable.

Two hours later, they finally landed in Seoul. Jihoon was still fast asleep, holding Wonho in his arms, mumbling something incoherent in his dreams—completely unaware that they had returned to their motherland.

Soonyoung gently tapped Jihoon first, not wanting to wake Wonho just yet. He planned to carry the child outside himself.

“Jihoon, we’ve landed in Korea. Wake up.”

Jihoon stirred slightly but only mumbled, “Soonyoung, why do you have rainbow-colored underwear?”

Soonyoung frowned, shaking him a little harder. “Jihoonie, you’re probably dreaming something weird.”

Jihoon finally blinked awake, rubbing his eyes with his arm as he adjusted to the airplane’s bright lights. He looked up at Soonyoung, still groggy. “Soonyoung? Where are we?”

“Korea,” Soonyoung answered with a small smile, carefully taking Wonho from his arms and securing him against his chest. He helped Jihoon sit up.

Jihoon yawned, stretched his arms, then quickly gestured for Wonho. “Lemme~”

“No, you’re tired. Just lean on me,” Soonyoung said firmly. “Chan can take care of the luggage. He has to go to the conveyor for his own bags anyway.”

Across from them, Chan yawned. “W-why me?” he whined.

Soonyoung gave him a pleading look. “Please?”

Chan sighed. “Fine. Just because the three of you look cute like that.”

Jihoon pouted as he stood up from his seat. “You always treat me like a baby too. I have muscles, you know.”

Soonyoung hummed for the third time that day. “Still a baby. Let’s go.”

Soonyoung held Wonho in his left arm while placing his right hand on Jihoon’s back as they exited the plane and made their way through the airport. Jihoon looked extremely sleepy, so Soonyoung excused his behavior by saying Jihoon just needed some help.

“Soons… are we going straight to our hotel room?” Jihoon mumbled.

“Yeah, we all need some rest besides it’s still late.”

“Well… Jun said they booked a room in the same hotel,” Jihoon added.

Soonyoung nodded. “Chan is going home to his parents. They still live here.”

He left out the fact that the house he used to live in was still available, not on the market, still under his and his husband's names. He also left out that his parents were still alive but that he hadn’t been on good terms with them ever since the whole fiasco about getting Wonwoo pregnant.

“Let’s go. I wanna sleep,” Jihoon whined.

“Slowpokes! The cab has been waiting for us for ages now,” Jun complained, arms crossed and foot tapping against the floor dramatically, while his husband chuckled in the background.

Soonyoung just rolled his eyes at his best friend before pulling Jihoon toward the very back of the large taxi they were sharing. Chan had left earlier after helping load their luggage into the cab’s compartment.

Soonyoung gently pulled Jihoon closer. “Lean on me.”

Jihoon smiled a little. “Okay,” he murmured softly, wrapping himself around Soonyoung’s arm before resting his head comfortably on his shoulder.

Jun, who had been watching the two, leaned in close to his best friend and whispered, “Are you sure you’re not lovers? Or at least fucking each other?”

Soonyoung frowned and responded in Japanese, a language he and Jun both understood but Jihoon didn’t, since he only spoke Mandarin and Korean. “Are you going to shut your mouth, or are you and Hao never having a baby?”

“Harsh! I was just joking!” Jun whined, pouting before grinning. “But seriously, you two look so cute together.” He playfully smacked Soonyoung’s arm just as the cab pulled up in front of their hotel. “Oh, we’re finally here!”

Soonyoung rolled his eyes but gently patted Jihoon’s head to wake him up again. “Ji, we’re here.”

Jihoon yawned, rubbing his eyes. “Hmm… what about Wonho? I’ll carry him.”

Soonyoung wanted to argue, but then he remembered they still had bags and luggage to deal with. Reluctantly, he handed the still-sleeping Wonho over to Jihoon.

“You can go to the front desk. The room is booked under my name,” Soonyoung said while pulling their luggage out of the cab’s compartment.

“Okay~” Jihoon replied before heading to the front desk to check in.

However, the receptionist seemed to be having trouble finding their reservation.

“Sir, are you sure that Mr. Kwon booked a suite with three bedrooms?” The receptionist hesitated, looking unsure. Before she could finish her sentence, Soonyoung appeared beside Jihoon, surprised to see them still standing at the front desk.

“What’s happening?” he asked.

Jihoon shrugged. "Um… I don’t know. But based on her computer screen, it says a suite with two bedrooms—one master bedroom for a couple and their kid." Jihoon turned undeniably red after explaining the problem to Soonyoung.

The receptionist immediately chimed in, "It’s perfect for you!"

Soonyoung frowned at her, clearly not pleased. "That’s impossible. I even double-checked last night. It was supposed to be a family suite with two adult bedrooms and one for a child. Two bathrooms and a kitchenette. I spent hours talking to your staff just to get this bullshit!" He was exhausted. He normally wouldn’t speak like this, but right now, he just wanted to rest—not deal with more problems.

Jihoon tensed, immediately concerned. Thankfully, Wonho was still asleep. "Um, Soonie…" He rubbed Soonyoung’s back in an attempt to calm him down. "It’s okay. We’ll just take the available suite now." Then he turned to the receptionist, bowing slightly. "He’s just really tired. I’m sorry."

Facing Soonyoung again, Jihoon smiled reassuringly. "We can sleep on the bed together. I mean, I think it’s a really big bed!" he suggested.

Soonyoung sighed, still irritated to his core. He’d had a sleepless flight, okay? He just wanted to fucking rest. "But Ji, this was supposed to be relaxing for you. I even saved the biggest room for you because I thought you’d like the extra space. And Wonho could run around freely."

"It’s okay," Jihoon said with a warm smile. "Being near you is more relaxing anyway." His eyes darted away, avoiding Soonyoung’s gaze.

Before the moment could get any more awkward, Wonho stirred slightly in his sleep. Jihoon immediately used it as an excuse to change the subject. "We’re here, baby. We’ll go inside our room now."

Soonyoung let out another sigh. "Are you sure? This is really okay with you?"

"I told you, it’s fine. So don’t make such a big fuss about it," Jihoon reassured him. "What you should be doing right now is carrying the luggage, okay? My baby needs to sleep." He kissed Wonho’s cheek gently.

Soonyoung nodded, reluctantly giving in. He took the key from the receptionist (still pissed, because come on—he rarely did something to impress Jihoon, and it turned into a mess) and followed Jihoon to their room. Thankfully, even though the suite only had two bedrooms, it still had a kitchenette and a living room. So Soonyoung counted that as a small win.

Jihoon glanced around the suite, nodding in approval. "This looks pretty good. Not bad."

Soonyoung opened the door to the smaller bedroom. "Huh… well, at least the bed is nice. Wonho should be able to sleep well. You can put him down now, Jihoon. Your arms must be tired from carrying him."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "My arms hurting? Are you underestimating me?" He carefully placed Wonho on the bed before turning to Soonyoung, flexing his arms again. "Look! I’ve got big muscles—see?"

Soonyoung chuckled softly at Jihoon before carefully arranging the pillows around Wonho. His son was like a little puppy when he slept. He always wanted to be surrounded by plushies and pillows. Once everything was set, Soonyoung leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Wonho’s forehead. "Goodnight, little tiger. I love you."

Turning to Jihoon, he motioned toward their room. "Let’s go, Ji. Let’s rest."

Jihoon kissed Wonho’s cheeks—one on each side—before clinging onto Soonyoung’s arm. "Let’s go~"

Soonyoung nodded, too tired to resist, and instinctively wrapped an arm around Jihoon as they walked. He only let go when he needed to pick up their luggage and carry it into their room.

Raising an eyebrow at the bed, Soonyoung took a moment to assess it. It was big, more than enough space for them both. (Although, a tiny part of him kind of wished it was smaller.) Not finding anything to be annoyed about, he turned to Jihoon. "Do you want to use the bathroom first?"

"Uh, yeah, if that’s okay with you."

Soonyoung nodded and handed Jihoon his luggage before placing his own things in the wardrobe. "I’ll take out your clothes while you shower, so leave your bag open."

"You know my passcode." It wasn’t a question, just a simple statement.

Jihoon disappeared into the bathroom, eager to wash off the sticky, grimy feeling from traveling. As soon as he stepped under the warm spray of water, he smiled to himself. He was going to sleep next to Soonyoung tonight. The thought made him feel oddly giddy.

Meanwhile, Soonyoung busied himself unpacking their things. He placed Jihoon’s belongings neatly beside his own, carefully organizing everything in order. After Wonwoo had left him alone to raise Wonho, Soonyoung had developed mild OCD. It irritated some people, but Jihoon never minded. In fact, Jihoon even helped him keep things tidy. For that, Soonyoung was deeply grateful.

A few minutes later, Jihoon stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his head and a pink oversized sweater draping over his frame. His shorts, barely more than cycling shorts left half his legs exposed. Luckily, Soonyoung was already used to seeing him like this.

"Go take a shower, Nyong. I’m done."

Soonyoung glanced up from what he was doing and immediately frowned. "Why are you only wearing shorts? It’s cold!" He scolded before turning back to their wardrobe. Smart enough to have packed an extra pair of sweatpants, he pulled them out and tossed them onto the bed. "Put those on. And you better be asleep by the time I finish my shower. No late working, remember?"

Jihoon pouted. "I don’t want to! I’m comfortable like this!"

"No. Wear them. I don’t want you getting sick."

Jihoon stuck his tongue out playfully. "I won’t!"

"Fine," Soonyoung sighed, shaking his head. "Get on the bed."

Instead of heading to the bathroom, he walked over to the bedside table and picked up the telephone. "Hi, housekeeping? Yeah, can we get extra blankets in our room? ASAP. Thanks."

Jihoon, already lying on the bed, watched Soonyoung from where he was. "Just be honest, you’re distracted by my legs, aren’t you? I didn’t know you had weird fantasies about me, Soonyoung. I’m flattered~" he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Soonyoung let out a laugh. "You got me there. How could I possibly sleep now? Go under the covers already. I’m taking a bath."

"Whatever."

Shaking his head, Soonyoung headed to the bathroom, taking what was probably the fastest shower of his life. He was beyond exhausted. When he emerged, now dressed in fluffy pajamas, he immediately frowned at Jihoon, who was still glued to his phone.

"I thought you were tired?"

"Wait! I’m about to kill the big boss!" Jihoon protested, eyes locked onto the screen.

Soonyoung rolled his eyes and climbed onto the bed, right next to Jihoon, even though there was plenty of space. "Jihoonie."

Jihoon giggled, finally closing the game and looking up at him.

Soonyoung, without hesitation, opened his arms for a cuddle. It wasn’t like this was new to them. At first, he thought it would be complicated, having feelings for Jihoon and all but over the past year, it had turned out fine. As long as he wasn’t the one initiating things, he reasoned, there was no harm in it. Tonight, though… he decided to make an exception to his own rule.

"Come here. Turn that phone off," he murmured.

Jihoon stared at him for a moment before finally placing his phone on the bedside table. Then, with a soft smile, he dove into Soonyoung’s arms. "I’m sleeping with a handsome guy tonight," he joked though part of him wanted to gag at himself for saying it. But Jokes were always half-meant, right?

Soonyoung hummed. "Really handsome, huh?" He smirked. "Look at you, saying you don’t want me to baby you, but…" He trailed off, simply shaking his head with a fond smile as he wrapped his arms around Jihoon.

"Not in front of Wonho!" Jihoon whined.

"Why not? You and Wonho are both my babies."

Jihoon groaned. "That’s embarrassing! And what, are you seriously considering me your baby for real? Soonyoung Kwon~" He laughed before launching an attack, tickling Soonyoung’s side.

"Hey! I thought you were going to sleep!" Soonyoung huffed, quickly grabbing Jihoon and flipping him over so he was facing the other way. Wrapping himself around Jihoon’s back, he grumbled, "I’m going to tie you up in bed if you don’t behave. Now sleep."

Jihoon burst out laughing, immediately latching onto the perfect comeback. "You’re tying me up? I like that. Kinky."

Soonyoung groaned. "Jihoon, I swear to God, just sleep!" He tightened his hold around Jihoon’s waist, pulling him flush against his chest and burying his face into Jihoon’s neck.

Jihoon grinned. "You’re so cute. Fine, let’s sleep. Labyuuu, Soonie!" he cooed in an exaggerated, childish voice.

Soonyoung, matching his energy, mumbled sleepily against his skin, "Hmm… labyu too."

---

As usual, Soonyoung woke up early. What surprised him, though, was that he wasn’t holding Jihoon anymore. Instead, Wonho was nestled between them, Jihoon’s arms wrapped protectively around the child, while Wonho clung to him, wide awake.

Noticing his father stirring, Wonho whispered, "Hi, Daddy. Good morning!"

Jihoon mumbled sleepily, "What about me, baby?"

Wonho gasped dramatically, turning to check on Jihoon. "Papa, you’re awake?!"

Jihoon lazily nodded. "Haven’t brushed my teeth yet, but Papa wants a kiss." He puckered his lips expectantly.

Without hesitation, Wonho climbed onto Jihoon’s chest, pressing kisses all over his face. Soonyoung chuckled, cupping Wonho’s small body and peppering the baby with kisses too, making him burst into a fit of giggles.

Jihoon stretched slightly before asking, "What’s the plan for today?"

Soonyoung, still half-drowsy, leaned in to place a soft kiss on Jihoon’s forehead. "Hmm… Movie marathon in the morning, then the concert later. We can grab dinner after that."

"Sounds good. I just need to call Jeonghan hyung and let him know we’ve arrived."

"Right. They need to know," Soonyoung agreed. Then, with a playful grin, he added, "Breakfast in bed, my babies?"

Jihoon’s face instantly turned red, his cheeks puffing up in annoyance, resembling a Jigglypuff. "What did I tell you about that?!"

Soonyoung just grinned wider and reached for the telephone to order their breakfast. "Why don’t you call hyung now while we wait? And wake me up when breakfast arrives."

With that, Soonyoung lay back down, pulling Wonho onto his chest, only for the little traitor to wriggle out immediately and crawl onto Jihoon’s lap instead. Jihoon had moved to sit near the large window, an earshot away from Soonyoung.

Soonyoung huffed dramatically. "My own child, betraying me."

"Excuse me? He’s my child too!" Jihoon shot back.

Soonyoung just laughed as Jihoon turned his attention to his phone, dialing Jeonghan’s number.

The call barely rang once before Jeonghan picked up. "Well, well, look who’s finally alive. Hello to you too, demon child."

"Be grateful I can’t cuss right now because my child is in my lap," Jihoon deadpanned. "Anyway, we’re here already."

There was a pause. Then Jeonghan’s voice rose in shock. "Wait, what? You’re in Korea? And Wonho is in your lap? WHAT HAPPENED TO STAYING WITH ME?"

Jihoon winced at the volume. "Sorry, hyung…" Then, lowering his voice so Wonho wouldn’t hear, he confessed, "I slept beside Soonie the whole night! And we’re having another family date later!"

From the other end of the call came an ear-piercing shriek. "OH MY GOD, YOU SLUT—"

In the background, Seungcheol’s exasperated voice cut in. "Babe, it’s too early for the cursing."

"Sorry, honey. BUT WHAT THE F—JIHOON!" Jeonghan practically screeched. "You slept in the same bed? Why?! So you're not coming home here? Are you staying with them the whole time you're in Korea?"

Jihoon chuckled at his hyung’s dramatic reaction. "You bet I am. Don’t worry, hyung. I might visit you tomorrow. I'll even bring Wonho along if Soonyoung allows me to."

"Oh, he’ll let you. After all, they have a ‘boys’ night out’ or whatever that is. Like, do we look like we have a pussy? But anyway, yes. Bring the boy over. I haven’t even seen the kid in the flesh," Jeonghan complained.

Jihoon laughed. "More like ‘the daddies’ night out.’ And be prepared, hyung, Wonho looks like Wonwoo… with a bit of Soonyoung."

"You can’t see me, but I’m raising my eyebrows so high right now. Who does he take after more? Wonwoo or Soonyoung? I still can’t believe what that bitch did to him. All this time, I thought Wonwoo was married to some super asshole who cheated on him. God, I’m gonna castrate that man."

Jihoon sighed but smiled as he combed his fingers through Wonho’s soft hair. "Wonho is definitely Wonwoo’s, you can’t deny that. But the kid loves me so much, hyung," he said fondly. "And I love him so much too."

"Of course you do. You are his papa, after all. I still can’t believe that after, what, five years? You randomly met them in China, and boom you’re part of their little family."

"I can’t believe it either," Jihoon admitted softly. "I’ve been watching Soonyoung from afar for years… Everything that happened these past few months still feels surreal."

Just then, the doorbell rang, making Soonyoung stir awake. He groggily turned toward Jihoon, who was still busy on the phone. "Still talking? Hi, hyung!" he called out before getting up to answer the door.

Jeonghan rolled his eyes. "We’ll continue this talk tomorrow. Also, send me a list of your child's food preferences what he eats and what he doesn’t."

"Will do~ See you, hyung!" Jihoon replied before ending the call.

When he looked down, Wonho was still snuggled up against him, looking unbelievably cute. Jihoon couldn’t help but coo and giggle, rubbing the little boy’s back affectionately.

Just then, Soonyoung returned with a tray full of food, and the moment Wonho saw it, he immediately jumped out of Jihoon’s arms, clapping his hands excitedly.

"I see my baby's hungry," Soonyoung chuckled as he set the tray down.

Jihoon followed Wonho to check out the food. "What did you order?"

"Rice, kimchi, omelet, spam, steamed egg, bacon… There's also toast with a few spreads, and pancakes for Wonho," Soonyoung replied, arranging the food a bit on the tray.

Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot. You planning to make me fat?"

Soonyoung scoffed. "Hoonie, we go to the gym together. You're not gonna get fat. Eat."

As usual, Soonyoung was already cutting up Wonho’s pancakes into bite-sized pieces while the little boy happily sipped his chocolate drink. Jihoon pouted but started eating anyway. "Can I bring Wonho with me tomorrow? I’m going to Jeonghan hyung’s place."

"Can I join you guys?" Soonyoung asked, pouting this time. Then he quickly turned his attention to Wonho. "Baby, chew, don’t just swallow it! You’re gonna kill yourself!"

Wonho only giggled at his daddy before obeying, making Soonyoung sigh in relief.

"I think Cheol hyung’s bringing you out tomorrow. Boys’ night," Jihoon rolled his eyes. "Or more like ‘daddies’ night out.’"

Soonyoung gasped, immediately covering Wonho’s ears, though the little boy was too focused on his food to care. "Jihoon! Not in front of our child! And boys’ night out? What am I supposed to do there?"

Jihoon snorted. "What? I didn’t say anything bad! I don’t know, Cheol hyung probably just misses you."

Soonyoung groaned. "Fine. Only because I’m more scared of his soon-to-be husband. But are you sure Wonho won’t be a bother to you two?"

Jihoon shot him a look. "How many times do I have to remind you that I never see our child as a bother, Soonyoung?"

"Not to you, but what about Jeonghan hyung? I don’t know what you—" Soonyoung paused, covering Wonho’s ears again. "—you guys do in your spare time. What if you want to talk about adult stuff or… whatever it is you do?"

Jihoon turned red. "What?! What do you think we’re gonna talk about?" He squinted at Soonyoung suspiciously before shaking his head. "For your information, Hannie hyung wants to meet Wonho."

Soonyoung nodded. "Okay, if you say so. But call me if you need anything at all, okay? I’ll be there."

Jihoon smiled. "Okay. I’m done eating, I’ll bathe Wonho now."

"Jihoon, you’re Wonho’s papa, not his babysitter. Let me do it ins—"

Before Soonyoung could even finish, Wonho screamed, latching onto Jihoon's neck. "Nooooo! I wanna take a bath with Papa!"

Jihoon chuckled. "Well, anything else you want to say, Soonyoung?"

Soonyoung sighed in defeat. "I’ll join too—joke!" He ruffled Wonho’s hair. "What can I do? Wonho-ya, you're so spoiled by your papa."

"I love Papa!" Wonho declared.

Jihoon grinned, sending a smirk Soonyoung’s way before pinching Wonho’s cheek. "And I love you more, baby!"

Soonyoung rolled his eyes, cheeks tinged red. "Shut up and just take a bath already."

"Sure~ Let’s go, baby~" Jihoon winked at Soonyoung before carrying the excited little boy into the bathroom, leaving Soonyoung groaning behind them.

—

Soonyoung stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his crisp white button-up shirt, neatly tucked into his slacks. Beside him, Wonho was similarly dressed in a kiddie suit, looking absolutely adorable.

"You’re so cute, baby," Soonyoung cooed, pressing a flurry of kisses onto Wonho’s cheeks as they waited for Jihoon.

Moments later, Jihoon shyly stepped out of the room, clad in a black Chinese-collared polo shirt paired with slightly fitted black pants. He fidgeted with his sleeves before muttering, his long black hair brushed up, "I look like shit, but let’s go."

Soonyoung's jaw nearly dropped, and he immediately scrambled for words. "Wow… I mean—no! I mean, you look good!" he stuttered, his face heating up in an unmistakable shade of red. He’d be lying if he said Jihoon didn’t look incredibly handsome tonight.

"Papa, you’re pretty!" Wonho exclaimed, clapping his hands and bouncing excitedly.

Jihoon chuckled, patting Wonho’s head before flashing a small smile at Soonyoung. "So? Let’s go?"

Without hesitation, Soonyoung extended his hand, and Jihoon took it. Hand in hand, they stepped out of the room, only to run into Jun and Hao in the hallway.

Hao let out a low whistle. "Wow, family night out?"

Jihoon immediately flushed, quickly burying his face against Soonyoung’s back to hide his embarrassment.

"Yep, family date," Soonyoung replied proudly, squeezing Jihoon’s hand. "How about you two?"

"Husbands’ date," Jun answered with a shrug. "We don’t have a Wonho yet."

Jihoon smirked. "Make one soon."

Hao rolled his eyes. "Blame Jun. Seems like he doesn’t know how to make one, even though I can bear a child."

Jun gasped in immediate horror. "HAOHAO!"

Soonyoung burst out laughing before pulling Jihoon along. "We don’t wanna be late, so we have to get going!"

----

Attending musical orchestra concerts had always been a part of Wonwoo and Mingyu’s dates during the past five years of their relationship, an elegant tradition that Wonwoo had never once experienced with Soonyoung. Not because he hadn’t wanted to, but because it had always been too expensive.

Now, as he stood in the corner of the concert hall, adjusting the sleeves of his tuxedo, his mind drifted against his will to thoughts of his ex-husband and the son he abandoned.

Five years. Not a single word.

Not from Soonyoung. Not from Wonho.

Not that he expected one.

Still, an ache settled deep in his chest, an emptiness he had long forced himself to ignore. If he wanted to know how they were doing, he had no way of finding out. Jun had cut ties with him completely. Even Seungcheol had distanced himself, disappointed beyond words by what he had done. Without them, he had no connection to the two people he once called family.

A sharp sigh left his lips as he straightened his posture.

Mingyu was still on a phone call nearby, discussing something with a client. Wonwoo glanced at him briefly before looking away.

The music would start soon.

---

Soonyoung walked into the venue with a bouncing Wonho, whose excitement was practically contagious. The little boy’s eyes sparkled with awe, taking in the grand concert hall like it was the most magical place in the world. If it weren’t for Jihoon firmly holding his hand, Soonyoung was sure Wonho would already be running around, exploring every corner.

“I got us seats right in the front,” Soonyoung said, glancing fondly at his son. 

“Figured you two would enjoy a closer look at the instruments.”

Jihoon smiled, warmth spreading in his chest. “Thank you, Soonyoung.”

Before he could even think about it, he tiptoed and pressed a small, grateful kiss to Soonyoung’s cheek.

Wonho gasped, then immediately giggled, clapping his hands in delight. “Are you boyfriends already? Daddy? Papa?”

Soonyoung instantly turned red. Flustered, he crouched down to Wonho’s level, ruffling his soft hair. “Baby, you don’t even know what ‘boyfriends’ means yet.”

Still, his heart clenched at the innocent question.

No, they weren’t boyfriends.

And they never would be.

Jihoon deserved better. Someone who could give him stability, the kind of love he didn’t have to second-guess. One day, the right man would come along, someone who would give Jihoon everything Soonyoung never could.

And Soonyoung would have to accept it.

---

From across the hall, Wonwoo’s world tilted on its axis.

He had been walking in as per Mingyu’s instructions, distracted but indifferent, until his gaze landed on two painfully familiar figures. No, not two. Three.

His heart stuttered. His breath caught in his throat.

Soonyoung.

Jihoon.

Wonho.

A cyclone of emotions crashed over him, drowning him in disbelief, shock, and something dangerously close to rage. His child, his son was right there, laughing and clinging to them. To him. To Soonyoung. To Lee Jihoon.

Wonwoo’s fists clenched, nails digging into his palms as he stared, unblinking. How dare he?

Jihoon had no right. No right to stand so close, to hold his son, to act as if he was part of their family.

It made him sick.

Meanwhile, Jihoon crouched down to Wonho, mirroring Soonyoung’s posture. “Why, baby? Do you want me to be your daddy’s boyfriend?”

“Yes!” Wonho replied eagerly, clapping his hands in excitement.

Soonyoung groaned, shaking his head. “Baby, Papa is too pretty for Daddy.”

Jihoon giggled, eyes twinkling as he teased, “Soon, baby, soon~ Daddy’s just playing hard to get.”

Soonyoung rolled his eyes but grinned despite himself. He reached out, playfully pushing Jihoon’s shoulder, but the moment a group of people walked past them, his instincts kicked in. Without thinking, he pulled Jihoon closer, his hand resting at the small of Jihoon’s back.

That was the last straw.

Wonwoo’s vision blurred with anger, and before he even realized what he was doing, he took a step forward, seething, “Lee Jihoon… how dare you—”

But before he could get any further, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

“Baby?” Mingyu’s voice was gentle, confused. “Where are you going?”

Wonwoo stiffened.

“Uh—yeah?” He cleared his throat. “You’re done with your call?”

Mingyu nodded, his expression still puzzled. “Yeah. The show’s about to start. Our seats are on the balcony, like usual. Where were you headed?”

Wonwoo hesitated, stealing one last burning glare at the trio below.

“…Nothing,” he muttered. “I thought I saw someone familiar.”

Mingyu hummed, brushing it off as he led them upstairs.

From the balcony, their usual spot, Wonwoo had a perfect view of the front row.

Perfect enough to watch every little moment unfold between his ex-husband, his son… and the man he hated most.

Mingyu, completely unaware of the storm brewing, oblivious to the fact that Soonyoung was even back in Korea.

---

Jihoon’s voice dripped with teasing. “Let’s sit now, my love~”

He patted his lap, inviting Wonho to settle in. The little boy happily climbed onto him without hesitation.

Soonyoung rolled his eyes at Jihoon’s antics but played along, slipping into the seat beside them. “Anything for you, you big baby.”

Jihoon smirked. “Maybe you want me to sit on your lap instead?” He winked.

“Nah,” Soonyoung deadpanned. “Don’t want my son to get jealous. He’s already made your lap his permanent seat.”

Jihoon giggled but didn’t argue. Instead, he leaned his head against Soonyoung’s shoulder.

Soonyoung, ever the natural at this, adjusted his posture, letting Jihoon get more comfortable against him. Wonho, still nestled on Jihoon’s lap, reached for Soonyoung’s free hand, small fingers pressing against his palm like he was playing an imaginary piano. Jihoon caught on quickly, joining in, the two of them tapping silent melodies while Wonho giggled.

---

Upstairs, Wonwoo is still gritting his teeth, forcing himself to exhale slowly. He had to calm down. He had to. Mingyu who has gotten worried keeps on asking if he's doing okay.

He squeezed Mingyu’s hand, using the contact as an anchor. “Nothing,” he muttered. “I just don’t feel well. Yesterday’s workload was a lot.”

Mingyu frowned. “This is exactly why I told you we need a vacation. China, maybe? Who knows, we might finally have a baby there.”

Wonwoo mustered a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Maybe after this week… I do want to fulfill your wish for us to have a baby together.”

He sighed heavily. It had been frustrating no matter how many times they tried, he just couldn’t get pregnant again. Something inside him nagged that maybe… maybe his first pregnancy had taken a toll on his body. Or maybe he was just too stressed.

Mingyu, ever the optimist, squeezed his hand reassuringly. “I think we’re just overworked. We can visit a doctor and ask for the fastest way to make it happen. On top of, you know—” he grinned mischievously, “having daily sex.”

Wonwoo scoffed, swatting his arm. “You perv. The show is starting.”

Mingyu only chuckled, leaning in to steal a quick peck before wrapping an arm around Wonwoo’s waist. Completely unaware of the storm raging inside him.

---

Jihoon sighed, nudging Soonyoung slightly. “The show’s about to start.”

Soonyoung hummed in response, then whispered to their son, “Baby, look! They’re dimming the lights!”

Wonho gasped softly, his eyes wide with excitement.

Soonyoung chuckled. “Take note of the pieces they play, okay? We’ll try them at home.”

Wonho nodded eagerly, momentarily forgetting his parents as he focused on the stage.

Soonyoung watched him, shaking his head in amazement. “Wow… I never thought he’d love this so much.”

Jihoon watched as Wonho continued to tap his fingers in rhythm on his arm, eyes still glued to the stage. He smiled fondly. “He loves music so much. Honestly, if no one knew any better, they’d think Wonho was our child.”

Soonyoung hummed in agreement. “Mmm, true. It’s crazy. He’s only been with you for a year, but he already acts so much like you. Even started liking rice because of you.” He shook his head in amused disbelief. “Do you know how hard it was to get him to eat rice before?”

Jihoon beamed. “Well, I am a blessing, Soonyoung.”

Soonyoung scoffed, but there was a soft fondness in his voice. “Blessing? No. You’re a miracle, Jihoon.”

Before Jihoon could respond, a tiny but deadly glare was thrown their way.

“Shh!” Wonho hushed them, his face serious as the lights dimmed.

Jihoon and Soonyoung bit back their laughter, trying not to disturb the little one’s full concentration on the show. Soonyoung leaned in, whispering right against Jihoon’s ear, “See? He’s turning into a little gremlin, just like you.”

Jihoon elbowed him lightly but grinned.

---

Up in the balcony, Wonwoo forced himself to look anywhere but the front row. But his eyes betrayed him, flicking back down to the trio every few seconds.

Why the hell is Soonyoung here?

There’s no way he could afford tickets like these. Did he win a giveaway or something? Or did Jihoon pay for him? The thought made Wonwoo’s blood boil even more.

He exhaled sharply, gripping the armrest of his chair. Just focus on the show.

---

Jihoon stifled a laugh, lowering his voice. “He’s my child. My biological child, even though I’m a virgin. I’m the new Virgin Mary.”

Soonyoung blinked, caught off guard. “You’re a virgin?!”

Before Jihoon could respond, a whiny voice cut in.

“Daddy! Papa! I’ll leave you!” Wonho pouted, arms crossed in frustration.

Jihoon immediately shushed Soonyoung, his own face flushing. He mouthed, "Yes, I am", before turning to soothe Wonho. “Sorry, baby. We’ll be quiet now.”

Soonyoung didn’t say anything after that, but he found himself stealing glances at Jihoon for the rest of the show. He wasn’t even paying attention to the performance anymore, just watching Jihoon and Wonho’s expressions, the way their eyes shined, the way Jihoon instinctively swayed along with the music, the way Wonho clapped his hands in excitement.

And Soonyoung realized this was the best view of the night.

If it meant seeing them this happy, he would spend thousands again and again just for this moment.

---

As the concert ended, Jihoon stretched his arms with a satisfied sigh. “Did you enjoy that, baby?”

Wonho, still bouncing in excitement, launched into a rapid, barely understandable babble, his words tumbling over each other in his rush to describe every single thing he loved about the performance.

Jihoon and Soonyoung exchanged amused looks. It was so much like how Soonyoung used to get when he was excited, it was uncanny.

Soonyoung laughed, pressing a kiss to Wonho’s forehead before standing up and effortlessly lifting him onto one arm. “Baby, breathe. Papa and I aren’t going anywhere.”

Still grinning, he held out his free hand for Jihoon to take. Jihoon didn’t hesitate, slipping his fingers into Soonyoung’s.

Just then, a strange sensation crawled up Jihoon’s spine like someone was watching him.

His instincts kicked in, and he turned his head.

Wonwoo.

Jihoon stilled for half a second. The other man was glaring daggers at him from the balcony, his expression twisted with barely concealed rage. Jihoon’s lips curled into a smirk.

He knew exactly how much Wonwoo hated him ever since high school, since everything. So he did what he did best.

He made it worse.

Jihoon shifted even closer to Soonyoung, his grip tightening around his hand as he leaned just a little more into his side.

Soonyoung, oblivious to the silent battle, gently pulled Jihoon toward him. “Ji? You forgot something?”

Jihoon turned back, forcing his smirk to soften into a smile. “Nothing. Just double-checking something.”

Soonyoung nodded, sliding his arm around Jihoon’s shoulders as they made their way through the crowd.

Jihoon relaxed into his warmth, sneaking one last glance toward the balcony.

Wonwoo was still watching. Still glaring.

Jihoon smirked again.

---

Rain poured endlessly, drumming against the leaves and the muddy ground beneath their feet. The two little boys huddled together under a large tree, their small hands clasped in an attempt to keep warm. The air smelled of damp earth and fresh rain, but neither of them cared about getting wet, what mattered was that they were together, even for just a little longer.

The shorter of the two sat cross-legged, absentmindedly tracing the beads of the bracelet adorning his wrist. A tiny puzzle piece charm dangled at the center, glistening under the gray sky. His lips curled into a small, bittersweet smile. “Are you really going back to Seoul tomorrow?”

The taller boy nodded, his lips pressed into a tight line. “Yes,” he said softly, shifting in place before pointing at the bracelet. “That’s your remembrance. I put a puzzle piece there from one of my favorite toys. We can play with it together and place the piece on the puzzle once we see each other again.”

The shorter one beamed, dimples appearing at the sides of his lips. He clutched the bracelet as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

“Promise me we’ll see each other again,” he said, raising his pinky finger.

The taller boy didn’t hesitate, hooking their fingers together tightly.

“I’ll see you again, Woozi. I promise.”

“I’ll wait for you then, Hoshi.”

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, memorizing every detail, the way their noses were pink from the cold, the raindrops clinging to their lashes, the way their hands fit perfectly together despite the slight difference in size.

Then, with a mischievous grin, Hoshi shrugged off his denim jacket and lifted it over both of their heads. “Ready?”

Woozi nodded, giggling.

Hand in hand, they dashed through the rain, their laughter echoing through the empty streets. The cold droplets soaked their clothes, but it didn’t matter. Not when their hearts felt this warm.

It was, despite everything, the happiest day of their lives.

Chapter Text

Both Jihoon and Soonyoung decided to go to Seungcheol and Jeonghan's place together. Soonyoung originally planned to stay there all day, wanting to be by Jihoon and his son's side. However, as soon as they set foot in the residence, Seungcheol practically dragged the dancer away to go somewhere with the others, leaving Jihoon and Wonho alone with Jeonghan much to the eldest’s delight.

Jeonghan's eyes twinkled as he watched the little boy move around the living room. He had always been fond of kids, which was the main reason he pursued education in college. However, due to inheriting the family business, he was never able to follow through with his teaching career. Wonho, meanwhile, was happily munching on the cookies Jeonghan had baked for him, his eyes glued to the television, watching cartoons, probably that British pig. What was her name again? Oh, right. Peppa.

Jihoon and Jeonghan sat at the kitchen bar, catching up on things. It had been years since they last saw each other in person; their interactions were mostly limited to video calls. Seeing his best friend face to face again felt refreshing.

"Okay, da—dash—" Jeonghan almost cursed but managed to stop himself just in time. He knew Jihoon would kill him if he swore in front of the kid. "He really does look like Wonwoo. But still, he's so cute! He looks like a mini Soonyoung too!"

Jihoon twisted his body slightly to check on Wonho, who was still focused on the TV, dancing and singing along while stuffing cookies into his mouth. "He eats a lot, just like Soonyoung, and he gets giddy at times, just like him too. I kinda wish I could see Soonyoung like that again but..." Jihoon paused, inhaling deeply. "I understand why he changed. But regardless, I still love him so much," he chuckled, though the pain was evident in his voice. He remembered how Soonyoung used to be so bright and full of life. He had always admired those traits.

Jeonghan frowned. He hated seeing Jihoon in pain. Over the years, Jihoon had become like a real brother to him, though he would never admit it out loud. He treasured him deeply. "Yah, I've heard. Cheol told me everything. Like, wow, did you know? Back when they were still together, Soonyoung worked three jobs. On top of that, he cleaned the house and took care of Wonho. Meanwhile, Wonwoo was out there at our university—fu—dating another guy." Jeonghan sighed dramatically, placing a hand on his head and massaging his temple.

"It hurts me too. Even now, he's still suffering because of what Wonwoo did. If I had known things would turn out like this, I probably would have stolen him from Wonwoo already. Just kidding, though! We wouldn’t have Wonho if it weren’t for Wonwoo," Jihoon said before taking a sip of the strawberry milkshake Jeonghan had made along with the cookies earlier.

"You should have. I would've supported you. A hundred percent," Jeonghan said firmly. "Cheol told me Soonyoung didn’t talk for months. He drowned himself in work. I even remember a time when Cheol had to fly out of the country. Back then, I didn’t even know he was going to see Soonyoung. Apparently, at that time, Soonyoung had been hospitalized. He sacrificed so much, Jihoon. I swear, if Wonwoo ever comes back, I’ll murder him," he added, his tone void of any humor. Even though he wasn’t directly involved in the whole Wonwoo-Soonyoung situation, he was furious. He despised cheaters, a hatred that stemmed from his own parents’ history.

"Hyung... I want to take care of him and Wonho for the rest of my life," Jihoon murmured, biting his lower lip as he stared into his mug, watching the remnants of his strawberry milkshake swirl inside. "But I'm scared."

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. "Scared of what? You and Soonyoung are inseparable, and if you hadn't told me yourselves that you're not in a relationship, I wouldn't believe it. Cheol literally had to drag him away from you and Wonho! At this point, all we need is a wedding!" he pointed out.

From his observations earlier, it was clear as day, Soonyoung and Jihoon acted like a couple. Jeonghan wasn’t a body language expert, but he could see through them easily. They were madly in love with each other, even before they realized it themselves.

"I-I don't know... Should I?" Jihoon hesitated, gripping his mug. "I think he needs to know a lot of things, especially the fact that I’m the one leaving those lunch boxes for him." His mind drifted to all the times he carefully made bento boxes for Soonyoung, hoping to cheer him up even just a little.

"Knew it. You've been gay for him ever since," Jeonghan said with a dramatic sigh. "You're so slow, though. Honestly, it would've been better if you made him eat you out instead of making him packed lunch," he added, slapping his own cheeks lightly before resting his elbows on the bar, rolling his eyes at Jihoon.

"Hyung!" Jihoon exclaimed, his face heating up. "He was with Wonwoo at that time, and he was so in love with him," he reasoned. Jihoon thought, there was no way he could have competed with Wonwoo back then. Besides, he had no intention of stealing Soonyoung away. Seeing him happy was enough, and he respected their relationship.

"I think you have a chance now, though," Jeonghan said, tilting his head. "Wonwoo’s probably never coming back, and even if he did, I doubt Soonyoung would take him back. So why not try? You two already act like a couple, so why not make it real?" He grabbed both of Jihoon’s hands, enclosing them in his own and shaking them excitedly, clearly delighted by the idea.

Jihoon pulled his hands away, pointing at his own face jokingly. "Let’s see, hyung… I mean, I am more attractive than Wonwoo, what do you say?"

Jeonghan just shrugged, a smirk forming on his lips. "I don’t raise ugly bitches, Jihoon. You know this."

Jihoon chuckled but then sighed. "I don’t even know how to confess to him, though."

"Easy, duh," Jeonghan said, waving a hand. "Leave Wonho with someone, not me, I’m going on my honeymoon. Maybe Hao. And then, use your ass."

Jihoon's eyes widened as he pushed his stool back slightly, the legs creaking against the floor. "The fuck, hyung? Do you want us to take it to bed immediately?!"

Jeonghan burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "So Wonho can finally have a playmate," he teased, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively before turning to the little boy. "Munchkin, do you want Papa Hoonie to have a baby? So you can have a baby sibling?"

Jihoon gasped in horror, immediately smacking Jeonghan’s arm. "HYUNG!"

"Baby sibling? Playmate?" Wonho tilted his head in curiosity. Completely abandoning the cartoons he had been watching, he walked over to Jeonghan.

Jeonghan nodded eagerly. "Yes! Someone who looks like your Daddy Soonie and Papa Hoonie! Would you like that?"

Wonho’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the idea of having a playmate who looked like a mix of his daddy and papa. "Yes! Where can we get them?"

Jihoon, meanwhile, was facepalming, resisting the urge to strangle Jeonghan for putting such ideas into the kid’s head. Wonho didn’t even understand how babies were made yet!

"Why not ask your daddy?" Jeonghan suggested mischievously. "Here’s what you do, munchkin, act cute, flutter your eyes like this," he demonstrated dramatically, batting his eyelashes. Wonho immediately copied him, making Jeonghan clutch his chest. "And then say, ‘Daddy, I want you and Papa Hoonie to give me a sibling.’"

"Oh! Like this?" Wonho imitated him perfectly, his big eyes blinking adorably. "Daddy, I want you and Papa Hoonie to give me a sibling."

Jeonghan let out an excited squeal. "Oh my god, Jihoon, did you see that?! How can anyone say no to that? Damn, their combined genes are no joke. Just imagine if it were your genes with Soonyoung’s!"

"You say that like making a baby is easy!" Jihoon snapped, shooting Jeonghan a deadly glare. The elder, however, looked completely unfazed.

"Papa, how do you make a baby?"

Jihoon froze.

Jeonghan, on the other hand, practically fell off his seat laughing. "Holy shit, I love having a kid around. Kudos to Soonyoung for raising such an entertaining child!"

"B-Baby, it’s… it’s just difficult! Daddy will get tired!" Jihoon stammered, struggling to find an answer.

Wonho tilted his head again, his expression an exact copy of Soonyoung’s questioning look. "Tired? Is it that hard?" He pouted before crawling into Jihoon's lap, clinging onto him.

Jeonghan, completely melting at the sight, sighed dreamily. "God, Jihoon. He could totally pass as your child too."

"Shut up, hyung. He is my child. He’s my eldest child," Jihoon muttered, his fingers gently brushing through Wonho’s soft hair as the little boy nestled against him.

"Aww, speaking of Soonyoung, assholes didn't even think to call or send a message on KakaoTalk," Jeonghan grumbled, staring at his phone screen, waiting for a notification from his soon-to-be husband.

Joke’s on him, though, because Soonyoung was currently spamming Jihoon instead, pestering the younger to reply. Jihoon, however, was the type to keep his phone on silent whenever he was out with friends, one of the main reasons he hadn't noticed the barrage of missed calls and messages Soonyoung had sent.

As Jihoon finally checked his phone, Wonho jumped off his lap, returning to his cartoons. The younger's eyes widened at the sheer number of notifications. "Uhm… Nyong sent me several messages and called me a lot of times too."

"What? Let me see!" Jeonghan snatched Jihoon's phone before he could even react, eager to see what Soonyoung had texted.

Jihoonie, don’t ignore me 😭😭😭 I’m bored.

Oh shit, that’s a fuckton of alcohol! Help! I think Cheol-hyung wants us to die!!!

Jihoonie, how’s our baby???

Omg, Jun is drunk 😂😂😂

JIHOOOONIEEEEE!!!!

I’m pissed. A chick just kissed me. I’m gonna throw hands, then throw up. Can I punch her?

Okay, I didn’t punch her, but I did report her tho! And she’s forever banned from this club! Sucks to be you, hoe.

Jihoonie, please reply 😭😭😭 they’re all drunk now 😭

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "So… you’re not in a relationship with that?"

"Nope," Jihoon replied, snatching his phone back. "Anyway, excuse me, hyung, I’ll call Soonyoung." He quickly dialed the dancer’s number.

Meanwhile, Soonyoung sat in the club, staring at his dumbass friends who were already passed out. He was still pissed about the girl who had kissed him without his consent, but the frustration quickly melted away when he saw Jihoon’s name pop up on his screen. Immediately, he excused himself and stepped outside to find a quieter spot.

"Hey, Ji… How’s Wonho? How are you?"

Jihoon glanced at the little boy, who was once again dancing and singing along to the cartoon on TV. "Um, well, he’s busy eating cookies and watching cartoons. I’m doing good—sorry, I just saw your messages. My phone was on silent," he explained.

Soonyoung sighed. "That’s okay, I know you two are having fun over there. What if I just go home and leave these idiots here?"

"Aww, poor baby," Jihoon teased, wishing he could see Soonyoung’s expression right now.

"Now I know why Cheol-hyung dragged me to this shithole. He knew I wouldn’t be drinking, and they needed a chaperone. Miss me, my ass. Can you please ask Jeonghan-hyung if he’s really sure about marrying this guy?" Soonyoung hissed, still wondering why he even agreed to come in the first place.

Jihoon chuckled. "You’re on speaker, and I’m sitting right next to him."

Jeonghan, who had been listening with amusement, finally joined in the fun. "Are you still alive, Soonyoung? And more importantly who the hell kissed you?" he shouted.

Soonyoung groaned in frustration. Honestly, this was one of the main reasons he hated going to bars, too many people mistook him for a single man. Well, technically, he was single, but still. "I have no fucking idea who it was," he grumbled. 

"One moment, I was at the bar asking for water for your asshole soon-to-be husband—dump him, by the way—and the next, someone just grabbed me and started sucking on my mouth. Ugh, yuck. I was this close to throwing hands. Seriously."

Jihoon was dying of laughter. He could hear the sheer annoyance in Soonyoung’s voice, which only made him laugh harder.

"Hey! You're not supposed to be laughing at me!" Soonyoung whined, feeling betrayed.

"What do you want, Soonie? For me to kiss you too, so the disgust will go away?" Jihoon teased.

"...Would you?"

"Oh god, don’t flirt right in front of my salad," Jeonghan groaned, looking utterly done. "And Soonyoung, your child is right here!" He swore to God, he desperately wanted to tie these two together until they finally realized they were madly in love. It was painfully obvious to everyone but them.

"Oh!" Jihoon was still laughing, clearly enjoying the teasing. "But he has headphones on! So… do you want to take me up on my offer? I’m willing~"

Soonyoung rolled his eyes, about to fire back with a retort, when his body suddenly froze.

His breath caught in his throat.

Across the club, Kim Mingyu had just walked in with a group of people.

His entire body stiffened, his pulse ringing in his ears.

"Soonie? You still there?" Jihoon’s voice cut through his panic, laced with concern. He must've noticed something was wrong.

But Soonyoung couldn't respond. His grip on his phone tightened as he instinctively backed away, pressing himself into a corner, his entire body trembling.

He didn’t even know why he was so afraid. But before he could process it, the shaking worsened.

Chan, who was tipsy but not yet completely drunk, suddenly appeared, his brows furrowing when he saw Soonyoung’s state. "Hyung, I’ve been looking for—wait, are you okay??"

Noticing the phone still in Soonyoung’s hand, Chan quickly grabbed it, relieved to see Jihoon’s name on the screen. "Hello?! Jihoon-hyung?! Oh my god, help!"

Jihoon immediately straightened. "Wait—what happened?!" His voice was sharp with panic.

Jeonghan shot him a questioning look, but Jihoon raised a hand, signaling for him to wait as he focused entirely on the phone call.

"I don’t know!" Chan sounded distressed. "But Soonyoung-hyung is shaking! And he’s not… hyung, he’s not responding to me!"

Chan reached out to touch Soonyoung’s arm, but the older flinched violently, retreating further against the wall. Then, barely above a whisper, he began mumbling to himself.

"No, no, no… They can’t take Wonho away… no, no, no…"

Chan’s eyes widened in alarm. "Hyung!" He turned back to the phone. "He’s talking about Wonho leaving! Can you come pick him up? Please! Cheol-hyung and the others are already drunk!"

"Oh shit! Wait for me there!" Jihoon said urgently, quickly grabbing his coat from the shelf. "Jeonghan-hyung, listen—" he turned to the older man, his voice serious, "I’ll go pick up Soonyoung. Please take care of Wonho for me."

Jeonghan had no idea what the hell was going on, but the urgency in Jihoon’s tone was enough to make him nod without question. He watched as Jihoon rushed out the door, then sighed, turning his attention to the little boy.

Wonho, thankfully, hadn’t noticed anything amiss. He was still watching his cartoons, giggling at something on the screen. Jeonghan exhaled, kneeling beside him. He didn’t know what exactly was happening, but he figured he should at least try to explain something, even if he himself didn’t fully understand.

---

Jihoon hailed a cab the second he stepped outside, giving the driver the address Chan had sent him. His heart pounded against his ribs, a mixture of anxiety and frustration settling deep in his stomach.

It didn’t take long to reach the club. As soon as he arrived, his eyes scanned the crowded room until they landed on Chan and Soonyoung.

There.

Soonyoung was curled up in a corner, trembling. Chan knelt beside him, looking helpless.

Jihoon wasted no time. He strode over, immediately wrapping his arms around the older man, holding him tightly. "Shh, Nyong... I’m here. No one’s going to take Wonho from us."

Soonyoung gasped against his shoulder, his body wracking with sobs. "He’s here. He’s here. I can’t lose my son, no…"

Jihoon’s grip tightened. "No one is going to take Wonho away," he murmured firmly, cupping Soonyoung’s face and tilting it up. "Look at me, Soonie."

Soonyoung’s teary eyes met Jihoon’s. His breathing was still ragged, panic flickering behind his gaze. He didn’t even know why he was so terrified, only that seeing Kim Mingyu in the flesh had thrown him into complete disarray.

It reminded him of everything he left behind in Korea.

Everything he ran from.

The truth he had spent years forcing himself to forget.

Wonwoo was alive.

Wonwoo could take Wonho anytime.

They weren’t even divorced.

For so long, Soonyoung had convinced himself that his own lies were real. That Wonwoo was gone. That he and Wonho were safe.

But now? Now, reality had come crashing down, and he had no idea what to do.

"You have me," Jihoon whispered, his thumb brushing softly against Soonyoung’s cheek. "I won’t let anyone take our child away. You’re not alone, Soonie. So please... breathe."

Soonyoung whimpered, his fingers clutching desperately at Jihoon’s sleeves. "B-but… he… he’s here. And… and I brought Wonho." His voice cracked. "We shouldn’t have come back. We need to leave, Jihoon. We have to leave. He can’t see our baby—he can’t."

Jihoon’s chest tightened at the sheer desperation in Soonyoung’s voice. Before he could respond, Chan spoke up.

"Hyung, I’ll call a taxi for you both, okay? I’ll take care of Cheol-hyung and the others," Chan offered, his voice steady but concerned. "You just need to get Soonyoung home."

Jihoon nodded in thanks before turning back to Soonyoung, keeping his voice as gentle as possible. "Who’s here, Soonie? Tell me."

Soonyoung frantically shook his head. He couldn’t say it. Wouldn’t say it. Some irrational fear told him that if he spoke his name, he’d appear right in front of them.

So instead, he just cried harder, his fingers gripping Jihoon like a lifeline. "We need to leave. Please. Let’s just go back to China. We have to protect Wonho."

Jihoon sighed, rubbing Soonyoung’s back in slow, soothing motions. "We’ll go home, okay? No one is going to take Wonho from us. I promise you that."

Chan returned just then, jerking his thumb toward the exit. "Hyung, the taxi’s here."

Jihoon nodded, standing up and gently pulling Soonyoung with him.

"Soonyoung-hyung," Chan added, offering a reassuring smile. "We’ll go home to China with Wonho, okay? Jihoon-hyung, please take care of him."

Jihoon swallowed past the lump in his throat and tightened his grip on Soonyoung’s trembling hand. "I will."

"I got him," Jihoon smiled at Chan, mouthing a small thank you. It’s a good thing the young dancer isn’t drunk yet, he’s indeed very reliable.

Soonyoung sobbed and struggled to breathe the entire car ride. Thankfully, their hotel was close by. Jihoon had to practically carry him all the way to their room, making it all the more difficult for himself. When they finally got inside, he helped Soonyoung sit down on the bed.

"Do you want a glass of water?" Jihoon offered, removing his coat and tossing it aside, too preoccupied to care where it landed, especially since Soonyoung still hadn’t let go of him.

Soonyoung shook his head, his grip tightening. "Wonho, where's Wonho? Jihoon, where's our son!?" he sobbed frantically.

"He’s with Hannie hyung. H-he’s safe there. Do you want me to pick him up?" Jihoon asked softly. He was exhausted, but if bringing Wonho back would ease Soonyoung’s distress, he was willing to go out again.

Soonyoung didn’t know what to do. He wanted to grab his child, book the next flight back to China, and never return. But at the same time, he just wanted to curl up in a corner until all the panic and fear left his body.

Jihoon didn’t know what to do either, until he did.

Without thinking, he crashed his lips against Soonyoung’s, pouring everything he felt into the kiss. Soonyoung froze. His mind went blank, his thoughts screeching to a halt. Jihoon moved his lips, his arms wrapping around Soonyoung’s neck, his eyes closing as he pressed closer.

Soonyoung eventually let himself relax, allowing his heart to take over his frantic mind. He clung to Jihoon, kissing him back. The moment felt oddly reminiscent of what happened a year ago, back when he had been delirious with a fever. Only now, he was losing his mind for an entirely different reason.

He almost wanted to laugh at how Jihoon always seemed to kiss him at the strangest times.

After a minute or two, Jihoon pulled away, gasping for air. He looked straight into Soonyoung’s eyes, his heart pounding. He swallowed nervously. It’s now or never.

"Soonyoung, I love you. I always have since high school."

Soonyoung tried to process what Jihoon had just said. Their past conversations about the man Jihoon was in love with resurfaced in his mind.

"...Me? You mean me?"

Jihoon nodded. "Yes. It’s always been you. I was really upset when you cut ties with me, but you know what? That’s okay because despite everything, we have Wonho. Everything that happened led us here."

Soonyoung stood up abruptly, putting distance between them. "Why me, Jihoon? I’m not... I’m nothing, okay? You can’t be in love with me! I’m stupid and irresponsible! You deserve better than someone like me!"

Jihoon looked hurt for a brief moment, but it didn’t shake his resolve. "You don’t get to tell me who to love!" he argued. "I love you because you gave me so much hope and happiness. I love you because you’re you, Soonyoung, and I think you’re a beautiful person." He stepped forward, reaching out to hug him.

Soonyoung whispered, "But you deserve someone better, Jihoon. Someone who isn’t... broken. Not me. I... I love you too much to just stand by and watch you throw your life away on someone like me."

"I can’t love someone else, Soonyoung. If I could, I wouldn’t be here, still loving you after all these years," Jihoon admitted, his voice trembling. "P-please, give me a chance to take care of you and Wonho forever. I won’t leave you. I promise."

Soonyoung looked at him, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I’m not even afraid of you leaving, I know you won’t. I’m afraid I’ll be the one to make you leave. I... I’m messed up, okay?" He pointed to his head. "I’m scared that one day, I’ll do something wrong, and you’ll end up hating me. And I... I can’t do that to Wonho. He loves you so much, Jihoon. I can’t take you away from him."

"Even if you make mistakes, I’ll still stay," Jihoon said firmly. "I don’t want anyone else, I just want you. Even if you run away... even if it’s to hell... I’ll chase after you."

A deep silence filled the room. Then Jihoon spoke again, softer this time. "Do you trust me?"

Soonyoung let out a shaky breath. "I trusted Wonho completely with you, Jihoon. Of course, I trust you. I just... don’t trust myself. Wonho’s father left me because I wasn’t enough. And you... you’re perfect. I’m not worthy of your love."

Jihoon sighed. "I understand what you’ve been through. But I’m not him. And to me, you are enough. I’ll give you time to adjust, but Soonyoung, I want you to know this, I’m going to prove to you why I deserve to be your boyfriend." His expression was determined.

Soonyoung inhaled sharply. "I... you... Do you really mean that?"

"Yes." Jihoon smiled, unwavering. "I promise you."

Then he pulled Soonyoung into a warm embrace.

"Are you feeling a little better now?"

Soonyoung hugged Jihoon tighter, his head resting against Jihoon’s neck as he inhaled his scent. "Wonwoo... he won’t take Wonho, right? Our son, Jihoon..."

Jihoon gently combed his fingers through Soonyoung’s hair. "He won’t. I won’t let him."

Soonyoung nodded against Jihoon’s shoulder. "Let’s go home as soon as the wedding is over... I... I don’t want him near Wonho. Jihoon, I don’t want him to see our son. He doesn’t deserve that."

Jihoon cupped Soonyoung’s cheek, his thumb brushing against his skin. "I understand. We will. Don’t worry."

Soonyoung sighed in relief. "I’m sorry you had to see me like this. I even ruined you and Jeonghan hyung’s night."

"Hush, you big baby," Jihoon cooed.

Soonyoung let out a small smile before tugging Jihoon toward the bed. He climbed in first, curling up into a small ball. For the first time, he allowed himself to feel small. "Let’s sleep. I want to get Wonho tomorrow."

Jihoon pulled away from Soonyoung’s grasp and stood at the end of the bed, arms akimbo. He smiled at the sight before him. "Yes, but please change your clothes first. And at least let me change, too."

Soonyoung stubbornly pulled the blanket over his head. "No. I’m tired. I’m sleeping."

"One... two!" Jihoon counted in a serious voice. He could be very domineering at times. Soonyoung had nothing against it, though. In fact, he loved it.

Soonyoung sighed, sitting up and pouting sadly at Jihoon. "Jihoonie," he whined like a child, mirroring his son's expression whenever he begged for something. Like father, like son, indeed.

"Do you want me to undress you?" Jihoon asked, his tone completely devoid of teasing.

Soonyoung blushed furiously, like a flustered schoolgirl caught in an embarrassing situation. Jihoon smirked at his reaction.

"You already did before!" Soonyoung blurted out, his face heating up even more.

Jihoon sneered, inching closer. "I mean tonight you aren’t sick."

Soonyoung bit his lip, looking away. "Okay..."

Jihoon sat in front of Soonyoung and shamelessly started unbuttoning his top. "Why are you so shy when we both know that someday soon, we’ll be undressing each other? Then you’ll be fucking me until I can’t walk the next day."

"J-Jihoonie!" Soonyoung shrieked, his face now a deep shade of red from embarrassment. But he still let Jihoon undress him, going completely boneless and relaxed on the bed, now only in his boxers.

Jihoon chuckled at Soonyoung’s flustered state before stripping down to his own boxers, though he threw on an oversized T-shirt.

"Let’s sleep?" Jihoon suggested.

Soonyoung nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

"Why won’t you look at me?" Jihoon asked, amused.

"I’m... shy? I guess." Soonyoung laughed awkwardly at himself before sneaking a peek at Jihoon, who stood in front of him wearing a black shirt.

"You have a kid, but you're the shy one? Tell me, who’s the real virgin here? And I’m literally wearing a shirt."

Soonyoung pouted but ultimately sank into the bed, opening his arms and waiting for Jihoon. "I was young, reckless, and stupid, okay? I have manners now."

Jihoon laughed. "The kid’s cute anyway, so that’s okay. Mind helping me make another one in the future?" He wiggled his eyebrows before diving into Soonyoung’s arms, getting comfortable with his head resting on Soonyoung’s chest.

"In the future," Soonyoung murmured, wrapping his arms tightly around Jihoon. Visions of them raising more children together, an older version of Wonho running around, their home filled with laughter flashed in his mind. What a beautiful sight. He wanted it to come true someday.

He looked down at Jihoon, who was busy drawing invisible heart shapes on his chest with his index finger.

"Jihoon...?"

"...I'm in love with you too... but I'm still technically married."

Jihoon looked up at Soonyoung, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. His feelings were reciprocated, that alone was enough to make him want to do somersaults out of pure happiness. Of course, he decided against that. Instead, he grinned and said, "Then I'll be your side bitch—"

But the moment he saw Soonyoung’s expression, he quickly backtracked. "Joke! Kidding aside... do you not want to get a divorce? We can hire a lawyer."

"You’re more than just the other man, Jihoon. I could never do that to you," Soonyoung murmured. His grip tightened around Jihoon, pulling him even closer as if he was afraid the younger would slip away. "And... can we really do that? Can I get a divorce without ever letting him meet Wonho? I just don’t want him anywhere near our son."

Jihoon resumed drawing lazy heart shapes on Soonyoung’s bare chest. "Yes, it’s possible. And I know he’ll agree to it. I mean, he has another man, how can he marry him if he won’t sign the divorce papers? You also have plenty of evidence to prove why Wonho’s custody should be yours."

Soonyoung nodded, a wave of relief washing over him. He snuggled even closer to Jihoon, breathing in his warmth. "Once it’s done... I’m gonna take you out on a date and officially ask you to be my boyfriend."

"I’d love that," Jihoon whispered, his smile turning wobbly as his eyes grew misty with happiness.

Soonyoung sighed contentedly. "Good... Now, let’s sleep. We should focus on Cheol hyung’s wedding first, and after that, I’ll start processing the divorce."

"You’ve been through a lot today. Sleep now, love," Jihoon murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Soonyoung’s lips. "I love you so much."

Soonyoung smiled and returned the kiss, a gentle peck before resting his forehead against Jihoon’s.

As Jihoon closed his eyes, Soonyoung watched him, his heart swelling. I love you too, he wanted to say. But he would wait. He wanted to say it when he was truly free, when he was no longer Wonwoo’s husband.

---

Mingyu and Wonwoo sat in stunned silence, neither knowing who should speak first. They had just returned home from the hospital, still trying to process what they had learned. The reason Wonwoo hadn’t been able to get pregnant over the past five years was now clear—Mingyu was sterile.

Wonwoo gently squeezed Mingyu’s hand, trying to offer comfort. He gave him a weak smile. "I’ll find a way."

"How?" Mingyu’s voice was barely above a whisper, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I wanted a child with you, hyung. Yours. And I failed that." His shoulders trembled slightly. It felt like his entire world had collapsed. What would his parents say? He needed an heir to take over the company one day. His little sister had made it clear long ago that she wanted nothing to do with it.

Wonwoo bit his lower lip, caressing Mingyu’s face tenderly. He wasn’t sure how the younger would react to his idea, but he swallowed hard and decided to say it anyway. "I already have a child, Gyu. I’ll bring him back. I gave birth to Wonho, he’s ours."

Mingyu’s face lit up at the thought, and Wonwoo felt a wave of relief wash over him. "We can fight for custody of your kid and finally get rid of your ex. Then, you and I can get married."

"But, Gyu..." Wonwoo hesitated, lowering his gaze. "Will you really be able to accept Wonho? I mean... he's my child with Soonyoung." He hated even mentioning his ex, but after seeing Wonho again at the orchestra concert, something inside him had stirred. No matter what, the boy was still his flesh and blood. Blood is thicker than water, after all.

Mingyu stepped forward and pulled Wonwoo into a tight embrace. "Of course, hyung. I want a child with you. Wonho is a part of you, and I’ll love him like my own."

A small smile formed on Wonwoo’s lips. "Thank you... Don’t worry, I’ll do everything I can to make our family complete. Besides, Soonyoung can always make a new baby with his leech."

Mingyu frowned, confused. "Leech?"

"Lee Jihoon," Wonwoo scoffed. "But forget him. It’s not like you know him."

Mingyu’s expression darkened. "Wait... you're saying your ex-husband is here in Korea?"

Wonwoo stiffened slightly before nodding. "I saw them at the concert." His voice wavered. "I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to ruin your night."

Mingyu's eyes widened. "At the orchestra? And he had Wonho with him?" That would explain why Wonwoo had seemed so tense the entire evening.

"He did," Wonwoo muttered, his jaw clenching. "And he was with his bitch."

Mingyu merely shrugged. "Good for him. That’ll make your divorce easier. And it'll make it easier for us to get the kid. I’m sure we can give Wonho a much better life than he can."

Wonwoo exhaled slowly, determination settling in his chest. "Yes, we can." He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Mingyu’s lips. "I’ll bring Wonho back. I love you."

Mingyu smiled against his lips. "I love you too."

---

The Jeonghan-Seungcheol wedding had just ended yesterday. It had been an emotional and romantic event, yet undeniably fun. Jihoon couldn't be happier for his best friend. He had been a witness to their entire journey, how their love story began, how their relationship blossomed from shy exchanges to something more meaningful.

Thinking about it now, he found himself hoping for a happy ending with Soonyoung, too. The memory of guests teasing them at the reception resurfaced, saying they should be the next to get married and give Wonho a complete family. Jihoon had laughed it off at the time, but a part of him entertained the idea.

Shaking his head with a small smile, he refocused on his task.

Jihoon was busy cooking lunch in their hotel suite's kitchen while Soonyoung and Wonho played Just Dance in the living room. Their suite had an Xbox, and the father and son had been going at it for the past hour, their laughter filling the space.

Out of nowhere, the doorbell rang. The sudden sound made all of them pause.

Soonyoung, mid-dance, turned toward the kitchen. "Ji, did you order something?"

Wonho briefly glanced at his parents before shrugging and resuming his game.

Jihoon placed a freshly fried korokke on a plate and wiped his hands with a kitchen towel. "Nah, I'm cooking. Maybe Jun?"

Soonyoung chuckled, suddenly remembering he hadn’t told Jihoon yet. "They already went home. Minghao and Jun had to leave early for business stuff."

Still laughing, he walked over and nonchalantly opened the door, only for his entire body to freeze.

His breath hitched. His mind blanked.

Standing in front of him was someone he had forced himself to forget.

Wonwoo.

"Miss me, my dear husband?" Wonwoo smirked, voice laced with something sinister.

Soonyoung’s grip on the doorknob tightened as his whole body tensed. Then, without hesitation, he slammed the door shut, his hands trembling.

Jihoon, who had been watching from the kitchen, raised an eyebrow. "Soonyoung? Who was that?"

Soonyoung’s eyes remained locked on the door. His breathing was uneven. His skin had gone pale. "W… wrong room." His voice cracked.

Jihoon didn’t buy it. He narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "Are you sure? Do you want me to open it again?"

Soonyoung's reaction was instant. "NO!" he yelled, panic evident in his voice as he reached out to stop Jihoon.

Before Jihoon could question him further, a voice rang out from the other side of the door.

"Soonyoung, open the goddamn door! Let's talk!"

Even muffled, Jihoon recognized the voice. His eyes darkened in realization.

Wonwoo.

He shot Soonyoung a pointed look. "I thought it was the wrong room?"

Soonyoung remained silent, eyes darting between Jihoon and the door, looking like he had seen a ghost.

Jihoon let out a sharp breath, his tone turning firm. "Soonyoung, take Wonho into our room."

Soonyoung’s head snapped toward him, lips parting slightly in protest.

"Now," Jihoon added, his voice unwavering. "Let me handle this."

Soonyoung hesitated, glancing back at the door one last time before nodding stiffly. He turned toward Wonho, who was still immersed in his game, oblivious to the storm brewing around him.

Jihoon, meanwhile, took a deep breath and prepared himself to face the man who had once shattered Soonyoung’s life.

Soonyoung didn’t argue. He immediately swooped Wonho into his arms despite the child's protests, carrying him toward the bedroom.

“DADDY! I was playing!” Wonho whined, squirming in his hold.

Soonyoung locked the door behind them, pressing his forehead against it as he tried to calm his racing heart. He forced a smile, crouching down to meet Wonho's confused eyes. “Baby, there's… there's a stranger outside. So we can't go out for now, okay?”

Wonho’s small face scrunched in worry. “What about Papa?”

“Papa will handle it,” Soonyoung reassured, though his voice wavered slightly. He reached for his laptop from its bag, placing it on the bed. “Here, you can play with this in the meantime.”

Wonho nodded hesitantly, but it did nothing to ease the dread in Soonyoung’s chest. His hands trembled as he ruffled his son’s hair. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to run, to take Wonho and disappear before it was too late.

Outside the bedroom

Jihoon opened the door with a bright, almost too-cheerful smile. “Jeon Wonwoo! Wow, it’s been a while~ What brings you here, visiting my family all of a sudden?”

Wonwoo’s expression immediately darkened. He gritted his teeth, his hands clenching into fists. “As far as I know, Soonyoung and I are still married. My family. And I have every right to visit them.” His voice was sharp, cold. “Now move. Let me talk to my husband.”

Jihoon, however, didn’t budge. Instead, he placed a finger on his lower lip, tilting his head as if deep in thought. “Oh? That’s interesting. Because last time I checked, you replaced him with a rich dude. And now you suddenly remember you’re married?” He let out a mocking laugh. “Nope. Nope, honey, stay right there,” he warned when Wonwoo took a step forward, throwing a hand out in front of him.

Wonwoo’s patience snapped. His eyes blazed as he sneered, “And what’s your role here, huh? You’ve always wanted to steal Soonyoung away. Guess what? You finally got your chance. But at the end of the day, you're just the side bitch—so move.”

Before Jihoon could react, Wonwoo shoved him hard, forcing his way inside. “Kwon Soonyoung!” he shouted.

But Jihoon wasn’t one to take things lying down. Fueled by rage, he grabbed a fistful of Wonwoo’s hair and yanked him backward with full force. Wonwoo let out a pained grunt as he stumbled.

“Are you leaving, or should I call the cops?” Jihoon hissed, eyes blazing with fury. “You left Soonyoung. So what the hell are you doing here now?”

Wonwoo fought back, yanking Jihoon’s hair in retaliation before shoving him away with force. Jihoon stumbled but quickly regained his footing.

“You can have Soonyoung for all I care,” Wonwoo spat, adjusting his disheveled shirt. “He’s nothing compared to Mingyu anyway. I’m just here to take back my child. Soonyoung stole him from me, and I have every right to get him back!”

Jihoon’s eyes burned with fury as he grabbed Wonwoo by the collar, using all his strength to drag him toward the door. “You won’t ever get your hands on our child.”

A bitter laugh escaped Wonwoo’s lips at the way Jihoon claimed Wonho as his own. His blood boiled. Using his height and strength, he shoved Jihoon hard, sending him crashing to the floor. Jihoon’s head hit the surface with a dull thud, making him momentarily dizzy. Wonwoo lifted his hand, ready to strike—

“PAPA!”

Wonwoo’s body froze.

His gaze snapped toward the small figure standing a few feet away, trembling, eyes wide with fear. For the first time, Wonwoo saw his son up close. His heart clenched.

But before he could take a step forward, Wonho sprinted past him, throwing himself into Jihoon’s arms.

“Papa!” The child sobbed, clinging to Jihoon tightly. “Who are you?! Why are you hurting my papa?!”

Wonho’s voice was sharp, accusing. His small face twisted in anger, an expression that mirrored Wonwoo’s own when he was furious. Wonwoo flinched, caught off guard by the raw hostility in his son’s eyes.

Jihoon, still feeling the dizziness from the impact, slowly sat up. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around Wonho, holding him close and peppering his hair with kisses. “Baby… why did you come out?” he whispered, trying to soothe him. “Papa’s okay, see? I’m fine. Don’t cry, sweetheart. Go back inside for me, okay?”

Soonyoung watched the scene unfold in silence, his heart twisting painfully.

The moment Wonho had heard the shouting, fear had gripped him. Before he even knew it, his tiny hands had pushed open the door, his feet moving on their own toward Jihoon.

Now, his little body shook with sobs as he clung onto Jihoon like a lifeline. “No!” Wonho wailed, his voice cracking. “You’re a bad man! A bad man! Go away!”

Wonwoo recoiled as if struck. The words cut through him like a blade, sharp and unforgiving. His son, his own flesh and blood, was terrified of him.

His throat tightened.

Soonyoung, who had been watching everything unfold, finally met Wonwoo’s gaze. It was the first time in years. Once, those eyes had held nothing but love for him. But now, all Soonyoung could see was cold, empty hatred.

A slow, burning rage lit up inside him as he looked at Jihoon still sitting on the floor, his lip slightly busted, his hands trembling as he continued to comfort their son.

Soonyoung’s jaw tightened.

“Wonwoo. Leave.”

Wonwoo flinched at the iciness in Soonyoung’s tone. “Soonyoung—”

“I’ll talk to you,” Soonyoung cut him off, his voice unwavering. “But not in front of my child.” His arms instinctively tightened around Jihoon and Wonho, pulling them closer to him. “Go. Please.”

Wonho hiccuped, still sniffling as he clung onto Jihoon, his tiny hands balled into fists in Jihoon’s shirt. His sobs filled the room.

Soonyoung looked down at them, his heart breaking.

Wonwoo wasn’t just hurting him anymore. He was hurting his family.

And that… that was unforgivable.

Jihoon decided that Wonho had had enough. He gently wriggled out of Soonyoung’s hold, his voice soft yet firm. “I’ll take Wonho inside.”

Soonyoung nodded, watching as Jihoon carried their crying child back into the bedroom. He only looked away once the door clicked shut.

Now, with only Wonwoo standing in front of him, the warmth in Soonyoung’s gaze vanished. His expression turned ice-cold.

“Five years,” he began, his tone eerily calm. “Five years of nothing. No calls. No letters. No checking in. After you walked out without hesitation. After you abandoned your own son.” His lips curled into a bitter smile. “And now, all of a sudden, you want to take him from me?”

Wonwoo scoffed. “That’s exactly the point, Soonyoung. I gave birth to him. I am his parent. And you let your slut make him call him ‘papa’? For what? So you can play house?”

Soonyoung let out a dry, humorless laugh. “A slut?” His voice dripped with venom. “You have the nerve to call someone that, when you were the one fucking another man while we were married?”

Wonwoo’s jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists. “You’re changing the topic.” His voice shook with rage. “Why are you letting our child call your other man his father? What kind of father are you, Soonyoung? You’re lying to him! You’re fooling him!”

That was it.

Something inside Soonyoung snapped.

“How dare you question how I raised my child?!” His voice thundered through the room. “Yes, you gave birth to him but did you ever care for him? Did you ever hold him when he cried at night? Did you ever show up when he needed you? No. You were too busy fucking another man.” His breathing was ragged, his entire body trembling with fury.

“And let me make something very clear,” Soonyoung continued, his eyes blazing. “Jihoon is not what you think he is. Because guess what? I’m not like you.”

Wonwoo’s breath hitched.

“I never cheated on you.” Soonyoung’s voice was firm. “Jihoon, he loved and accepted Wonho as if he were his own child. He did everything you were supposed to do. He is the father Wonho never got to have because of you.”

Soonyoung took a step forward, looking Wonwoo straight in the eyes.

“And if it’s up to me?” he whispered. “It will always be Jihoon.”

For the first time, Wonwoo faltered.

But he refused to let Soonyoung see his weakness. Instead, he clenched his jaw and scoffed. “That leaves me no choice, then,” he said coldly. “If you won’t give me my child, I’ll take this to court.”

Soonyoung didn’t even flinch.

“Do it.” His voice was laced with finality. “I’ll see you in court.”

Wonwoo glared at Soonyoung one last time before finally storming out of their hotel room.

The moment the door slammed shut, Soonyoung let out a shaky breath and slumped down onto the floor. His hands trembled as he touched his busted lip, wincing slightly at the sting. His body ached, the dull throb of fresh bruises making it hard to ignore what had just happened. But it wasn’t the physical pain that hurt the most, it was everything else. The fear, the anger, the helplessness.

Jihoon stepped out of the bedroom, concern etched on his face as he noticed Wonwoo was gone. “Soonie?” His voice was soft. “Wonho’s asleep already. Are you okay?”

Soonyoung swallowed hard, his fingers ghosting over his split lip again. “I… I’m sorry,” he whispered, almost like a mantra. “I’m so sorry, Jihoon. I’m so sorry.”

Jihoon frowned, kneeling beside him. “Why are you saying sorry? It’s okay, hush.” He opened his arms, offering warmth and comfort. “Come here.”

Soonyoung didn’t hesitate. He fell into Jihoon’s embrace, his body wracked with silent sobs. Five years. Five years of raising Wonho alone, of fighting to be the best father he could be. And now, after all that time, Wonwoo had the audacity to show up and think he could just take their child away.

“I don’t understand, Ji…” Soonyoung’s voice was thick with emotion. “He never loved Wonho. He never even wanted him. Why now? Why does he suddenly want to take him?”

“There might be a reason,” Jihoon murmured, gently guiding Soonyoung’s head to rest on his shoulder. His hands moved in slow, soothing circles against the older’s back. “But Soonie, I just want you to know that you're not alone now. I'm here, and I'll be with you on this fight."

Jihoon pressed a kiss to the top of Soonyoung’s head, his voice barely above a whisper. "God, I love the both of you so much."

Soonyoung nodded weakly, tightening his hold on Jihoon. "He's our child together, Ji. We'll fight for him. He's our baby."

Jihoon smiled softly, never stopping the comforting strokes on Soonyoung’s back. He knew this was only the beginning. Wonwoo wasn’t going to back down so easily.

Chapter Text

That night, Soonyoung couldn't sleep. He had talked to Junhui about what had happened, asking for help to reach Wonwoo. Being the good friend he is, Junhui tried his best to get in touch with the former friend. Soonyoung badly wanted to go back to China, where Wonwoo wouldn't be able to get to Wonho. But at the same time, he knew he needed to end things with his ex-husband now.

Soonyoung glanced over his shoulder, watching Jihoon play the clarinet he had brought with them. "Ji?"

Jihoon halted, placing his clarinet back in its case before joining Soonyoung on the bed. "Hmm, yes? What is it, love?"

Soonyoung knew Jihoon would disapprove of his suggestion, but he decided to try anyway. "What do you think about going back to China with Wonho, without me?"

Jihoon’s reaction shifted, and that’s when Soonyoung realized the younger man didn’t like the sound of it, just as he had expected. "Why? Are you asking us to leave you here alone?"

Soonyoung bit his lip. "I’ll just finalize the divorce and then go home afterward. I just really want Wonho away from Wonwoo. If Wonho is in China, Wonwoo won’t be able to get to him. And I seriously doubt he’d travel that far for a kid he doesn’t even love."

Jihoon’s eyes dropped to the floor. "But you’ll always be haunted by it if you don’t end it now."

Soonyoung’s hand found Jihoon’s, seeking comfort in the warmth of the younger man's touch. "Ji, I don’t even know how to tell Wonho. All this time, I’ve made him believe that Wonwoo is already dead. The reason he’s so eager to call you ‘papa’? What if he chooses Wonwoo?"

Jihoon looked at their connected hands, offering a comforting smile. "He won’t. Wonho loves you so much. Besides, he’s smart. He’ll understand. Soonyoung, he deserves to know the truth. But whatever decision you make, I’ll respect it. Just... if you’re asking me, that’s my suggestion."

Soonyoung fidgeted, anxiety creeping back in. "But what if he gets mad at me? Wonwoo’s right. I took Wonho away from him, but I did it to protect him. I don’t want Wonho to feel betrayed by the person who’s supposed to love him unconditionally."

Jihoon gently pulled one of his hands away from Soonyoung’s to caress his cheek, locking eyes with him. "He won’t, trust me on this, Nyong."

Soonyoung nodded, pulling Jihoon into a hug and sighing, grateful to have the younger man by his side. "I... I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I’ll speak to Wonho first, before Wonwoo can do anything to force him into talking to him."

"That’s it. I’m proud of you. Just always remember, I’ll be here for you whenever you need me," Jihoon said softly, snuggling closer to Soonyoung and resting his head on his chest.

Soonyoung nodded, gazing up at the ceiling with a small smile on his lips. "I know. Thank you for staying, Ji."

"You don’t have to thank me," Jihoon replied, looking up at Soonyoung. "I’m doing this because I love you and Wonho, and both of you are my happiness."

Soonyoung looked down, their gazes locking once again, filled with love. "When all of this is over, Jihoon... one day, I’ll be able to tell you I love you too, without anything stopping me."

Jihoon smiled. "I know, but for now, let’s focus on this problem first, okay? Don’t worry. We’ll get through this together."

Soonyoung nodded, falling asleep with Jihoon wrapped around him. His heart was heavy, and he knew the next few weeks would be difficult. But as long as he had his family, Jihoon and Wonho, by his side, he would keep fighting.

The next day, Soonyoung sat Wonho down, telling him that he needed to say something important.

"What's that, daddy?" Wonho giggled, getting excited about what Soonyoung was about to say. "Are you and Papa getting married already? Uncle Jun and Uncle Hao said you should get married already." Wonho looked at his father innocently, his lips curving up into a smile, expecting Soonyoung to say 'yes.'

Soonyoung smiled sadly at Wonho, caressing his hair. "Not yet, baby. It's not the right time yet. Baby, do you remember what I told you about your papa? Your other papa, not Papa Jihoon?"

Wonho tilted his head, looking puzzled by the sudden change in topic. "Yes, he's in heaven already."

Soonyoung sighed. "Baby, the thing is... Daddy lied. Your... your real papa isn't in heaven. When you were still a baby, your papa and I... we had to separate because of adult things. Papa couldn't stay, so you were left with me."

Wonho blinked, looking even more confused. "Where's my real papa then?"

Soonyoung gulped nervously. He was about to tell his son the truth, and he couldn't help but feel worried about the outcome. "Remember the man from yesterday? His name is Jeon Wonwoo. He's Daddy's... husband. But because of things, your papa had to go. Now, baby, your papa... he wants to see you."

Wonho's eyes suddenly welled with tears, and he shook his head, refusing to accept the truth. "The bad guy yesterday? Daddy, NO! Nooo! He's not my papa!" The child started to wail. "He hurt Papa Hoonie! He's a bad man!"

Soonyoung quickly pulled the crying child into his arms, panicking a little. "Baby, listen to me. Your papa... I won’t let him hurt you, okay? But he only did that because he was... mad at Daddy. Because I took you away from him. He hurt Papa Hoonie because he was... jealous that he never got the chance to be with you."

Soonyoung could easily tell Wonho awful things about Wonwoo, but he didn’t want to. Wonwoo was still the one who gave birth to Wonho, and Soonyoung didn’t want to ruin his image in his child’s eyes.

"I don't want to see him! Papa Hoonie is my only papa!" the child shouted, tears flowing from his eyes. Soonyoung almost wanted to cry at the sight, but he knew he couldn’t. "Okay, baby, okay. Stop crying. It’s okay."

"I don’t want to see him, daddy. I don’t want him. I hate him!"

Soonyoung bit his lip, caressing the back of his child to calm him down. "Okay, baby. I won't let him see you, okay? Stop crying now."

Wonho looked up at his father, still letting out small sobs. "Where’s papa? Not that monster... Papa Hoonie..."

"He’s outside, baby. You want to go to him?"

Wonho nodded slightly. Soonyoung carefully picked up Wonho and walked out to the balcony where Jihoon was. The moment Wonho saw Jihoon, he immediately wailed loudly, reaching out his arms toward him.

Jihoon, who had been writing in his journal, stopped as soon as he saw the child covered in tears and snot. Soonyoung handed Wonho over to Jihoon, wiping Wonho's face with his hand in the process. "Aw, my poor baby, papa's here. Shhh," Jihoon soothed, looking up at Soonyoung. "How was it?"

Soonyoung sighed, taking a seat across from Jihoon. "He got mad. He said he doesn’t want to see Wonwoo." For some unknown reason, a smile spread across Soonyoung’s face as he added, "He also said that you’re his only papa."

Wonho continued crying on Jihoon’s shoulder, repeatedly saying "Papa Hoonie" over and over.

"That’s actually quite touching," Jihoon said softly. "But I feel bad for Wonwoo, even though he’s always treated us so badly."

"I’m going to talk to him later. Minghao’s right about... him still having rights over Wonho. If he wants to finally be a father to the child he left, then it’s okay. But I won’t let him take the child away from us. I’m fine sharing custody, as long as it’s for Wonho’s benefit. But if it starts to negatively affect him, I won’t hesitate to cut him off again. This time, for good." Soonyoung explained, his eyes meeting Jihoon’s as Jihoon stood up and started rocking the crying baby in his arms.

"That’s good then... Do you still plan to go through with the divorce?" Jihoon suddenly looked very bothered. A wave of "what-ifs" rose within him, and insecurity began to eat at him.

Soonyoung stepped closer to Jihoon, gently cupping his face with one hand and caressing his cheek. "Of course. I’m doing this for Wonho. But as for me? He’s nothing but the man from the past."

Jihoon averted Soonyoung’s gaze. "Are you sure you don’t have any feelings for him anymore?"

"Soonyoung softly said, "Jihoon, look at me."

Jihoon hesitated but finally met Soonyoung's gaze. His eyes quickly connected with Soonyoung's, clearly filled with love. "When Wonwoo left, it was hard. Not because I wanted him back, but because I didn’t want my child to grow up in a broken family. The moment he walked out that door, my feelings started to fade until, eventually, they were gone. Jihoon, when I met you, he had already been dead to me. And then you came... Jihoon, you don’t know how happy I am that you entered our life."

Jihoon blushed, mumbling, "Please, Wonho’s here."

Soonyoung chuckled, kissing Wonho’s forehead. The kid had calmed down and was now hiding against Jihoon’s neck. He leaned in to kiss Jihoon’s forehead as well. "I want you, Ji. I want you to be my future kids' father, Wonho's father, and my husband."

Jihoon gently pushed Soonyoung away, his face turning even redder than before. "Yeah, whatever, stop."

That earned a chuckle from Soonyoung. Wonho turned his head when he felt the closeness between his daddy and papa. "Papa? Daddy? Are you kissing?"

Jihoon’s eyes widened. "W-what? No! Where did you learn that?"

"Uncle Junnie!"

Soonyoung laughed out loud. "Baby, you’re learning a lot of things from Uncle Junnie." He pinched his son’s cheek playfully. "Are you not mad, baby?"

"N-no, why would I be? But liars still go to hell, daddy."

Jihoon chuckled. "Told you so..."

"I know, baby. That’s why Daddy is very sorry." Soonyoung kissed Wonho on the cheek, making the kid smile, his eyes still swollen from crying earlier.

"You also gave me papa." Wonho hugged Jihoon tighter. "So I’m happy."

"That’s good, baby. Papa and I just want our little tiger to be happy."

Jihoon hummed in agreement, continuing to rub the baby’s back. "So… Nyong, when do you plan to talk to Wonwoo again? Do you need me there, or do you want to go out shopping with Wonho?"

"Leave it to me. I don’t want him to hurt you again. I’m just waiting for Jun’s signal since he’s the one communicating with Wonwoo."

Jihoon nodded. "Jun's really a reliable friend, even though he can be a huge goofball at times."

"He was the one who found out about Wonwoo cheating on me. He’s also the first one who helped me get away and start a new life with Wonho. I don’t know what else to give in return, but they never fail to help me and love me."

Jihoon laughed. "Anyways, it’s lunchtime now. Do you want me to cook, or should we eat outside?"

"Outside. Let’s have a date?"

"Fine," Jihoon pouted. "You don’t want my homemade meals now?"

"It’s just Daddy, Papa! I always love your cooking!"

Jihoon let out a little chuckle, which made Soonyoung ruffle his son's hair and laugh along with him. "I don't want you to get tired, my lov—Jihoonie. We came to Korea because I want to go on dates with you and Wonho. I want us to take him to the places where we grew up."

Soonyoung's eyes locked with Jihoon’s, staring at him lovingly. Upon noticing it, Jihoon stopped laughing, his face turning various shades of red again. "Whatever, let’s go. I’ll just grab my coat. Wonho, baby, go to Daddy first, Papa needs to get his coat."

Wonho nodded, climbing into Soonyoung’s arms and kissing his face. Soonyoung smiled in relief, reassured that his son wasn’t angry with him for telling the truth. Jihoon grabbed his coat and beret from behind their room’s door, hastily putting them on before returning to the two without checking himself in the mirror. "Let’s go~ Do you want to go back into Papa’s arms, baby?"

Wonho shook his head. "Nooo... I wanna walk! I wanna hold both of your hands!"

Soonyoung put Wonho down, and the kid immediately grabbed his favorite shoes before running back to the two men, eagerly pulling their hands. "Come on! Come on!"

Jihoon smiled and held Wonho’s left hand tightly. "Here, baby. Don’t run!"

They headed out to a traditional Korean restaurant, as, even though Jihoon cooked several Korean dishes in China, Wonho hadn’t tried many of them. They wanted to expose Wonho to Korean culture too. They picked a seat near the glass walls so they could enjoy the view outside, and the spot had a nice ambiance.

A waiter approached them shortly, a big smile on his face. "Oh, your child is so cute!"

Jihoon grinned at the compliment. "Who do you think he looks more like, the two of us?" he asked, pointing to himself and Soonyoung. He knew he wasn’t Wonho’s biological father, so there was no way he looked like him, but he was curious to hear an opinion from someone who didn’t know their life story.

The waiter tapped his lips thoughtfully, a playful gesture. "Hmmm, he looks a lot more like sir," he said, pointing at Soonyoung, "but he’s just as cute as you."

That immediately earned a cough from Soonyoung, who wasn’t too fond of the way the waiter was looking at Jihoon. He wasn’t subtle with his flirting, especially right in front of his salad. "That is my husband," Soonyoung said, voice laced with irritation.

Jihoon’s mouth dropped open, his face turning warm. "A-aah, he hasn’t had his breakfast yet! Uh, can I have the menu, please?"

The waiter handed the menu to Jihoon carefully, eyes lingering a little too long on him. Soonyoung’s annoyance grew, and he couldn’t help but stare at the waiter with a glare. What was wrong with this guy? Couldn’t he see they were a family? Okay, they weren’t officially married yet, but they definitely looked like one. Why wouldn’t he back off? Soonyoung slid his hand around Jihoon’s waist, pulling him close and leaning his chin on his shoulder to look over the menu. "You choose whatever you and Wonho like."

Jihoon pushed Soonyoung away slightly, clearly shy. "Soonie," he groaned before turning to the waiter. "W-well, we’ll have to decide first. We’ll just call you again once we’re done."

The waiter nodded, looking a bit crestfallen after Soonyoung’s public display of affection. Soonyoung pouted when Jihoon pushed him away, and Jihoon turned to him with a frown. "What was that for?!"

Soonyoung pouted, looking confused. "What?"

"Your sudden clinginess."

Soonyoung gave him a sad look. "Don’t you like it? Is it not okay with you?"

"It’s not that," Jihoon muttered, looking anywhere but Soonyoung’s eyes. "I’m just not used to it."

Soonyoung sighed. "Sorry I made you uncomfortable... I was just... jealous, I guess. Sorry, I won’t do it again."

"No, it’s okay," Jihoon said, his voice softening. "It’s kind of cute, I guess. It’s just... I’m not used to it because I’ve never had a boyfriend before or anything."

"So... the guy you love is an idiot for loving the wrong person when you're right in front of him... right in front of me." Soonyoung smiled widely at Jihoon, and Jihoon couldn’t help but smile back.

"But we wouldn’t have Wonho if it weren’t for Wonwoo, so yeah... everything happens for a reason. Fate still found a way," Jihoon replied softly.

"Right," Soonyoung agreed with a smile.

Wonho, who had been staring at the menu for what felt like forever, groaned in annoyance. "Daddy? Papa? Are we going to order now?"

Soonyoung chuckled and pinched Wonho's cheeks. "Sorry, baby. We'll order now."

He called over a waiter, feeling relieved when it was someone new and not the one who had been ogling Jihoon earlier. He let Jihoon handle the ordering, content to watch as Wonho's eyes lit up with excitement as dish after dish arrived at their table. Jihoon pulled Wonho closer, pointing at the food. "What do you want to eat first, baby? Papa will put it on your plate."

Soonyoung smiled as he watched the two of them, shaking his head. "Spoiled baby."

Wonho stuck his tongue out at Soonyoung, making him chuckle before adding food to Jihoon’s plate. If Jihoon insisted on taking care of Wonho, then it was only fair for him to take care of Jihoon in return, right? Jihoon was a little surprised by Soonyoung’s actions, but he smiled. "Thanks."

Jihoon then leaned in and stole a quick kiss from Soonyoung when Wonho wasn’t looking. Soonyoung grinned at the gesture, but it seemed like Wonho wasn’t as oblivious as they thought. The moment Jihoon pulled back, Wonho asked, "Papa, is daddy your boyfriend already? Are you gonna get married?"

Soonyoung paused, his eyes widening slightly. "Umm, baby, not yet. Your daddy still needs to do something first."

"What are you gonna do, daddy? Why can't you marry papa yet?"

"It's not that easy, baby. It will happen, okay? Just not right now."

"You'll understand when you grow up," Jihoon added, patting Wonho’s head. "Come on, let’s eat now."

They were in the middle of eating, chatting happily, with Wonho seemingly having forgotten the earlier incident and looking as cheerful as ever when Soonyoung received Jun’s message. It instructed him to go to a certain café where he would meet Wonwoo.

"So..."

"Yes, Soonie?" Jihoon whipped his head toward him, busy putting kimchi on Wonho’s rice.

"I... need to leave."

Soonyoung showed Jihoon Jun's message, and Jihoon nodded. "Leave Wonho to me. Everything will be okay," he reassured him.

Soonyoung turned to Wonho. "Baby, daddy needs to go somewhere. Papa will go on dates with you."

He kissed Wonho’s cheek, then leaned over to kiss Jihoon on his forehead. "Take care. I’ll see you both later."

"You too," Jihoon replied, giving him a soft smile.

Wonho waved his hand excitedly. "Bye, daddy!"

Soonyoung nodded at them, paying the bill on his way out. He knew Jihoon would scold him later about spending too much money, but Soonyoung didn’t mind. Jihoon deserved it. Besides, he had money to spend, who better to spend it on than Wonho and Jihoon?

He arrived at the café faster than he had expected. He thought he’d be the first to arrive since he was a bit early, but he was surprised to see Wonwoo already sitting at a table in the corner. Without greeting him, Soonyoung sat down opposite Wonwoo.

Wonwoo looked at Soonyoung without any emotion in his eyes. He sipped his coffee, leaning back in his chair for comfort, and crossed his arms. "So, what is it, my dear husband? Why do you want to see me?"

Soonyoung didn’t waste time. He went straight to the point. "I told Wonho who you are. And he refused to see you."

Wonwoo couldn't explain why, but hearing that hurt more than he expected. His face remained stoic, though, and he let out a dark chuckle. "Maybe because you and your bitch fed him lies."

Soonyoung’s eyes narrowed, his voice hardening. "I'll repeat it again: Jihoon is not my bitch. He deserves so much more than that. Unlike you. Wonho didn’t even know you existed until he saw you hurting his papa yesterday. For all he cares, you're dead. You should be thankful I was even honest with him. If it were up to me, I’d never let you near him again. After all, you chose money over him."

The venom in Soonyoung's voice startled even him. His high school self would never have imagined speaking to Wonwoo like this. Yet here he was, laying it all out.

Wonwoo’s face twisted in frustration. He gritted his teeth, feeling his anger rise. Then, as if his hand had a mind of its own, it landed sharply on Soonyoung’s right cheek. The impact stung, but before Soonyoung could react, Wonwoo’s eyes welled with tears. "I did that for the best," he choked out, his voice breaking. "Your love would lead me nowhere."

Soonyoung sat in stunned silence, his cheek still tingling from the slap. He didn’t respond right away. The man in front of him, once someone he thought he knew, was so different now. It made him wonder if Wonwoo had ever truly understood the meaning of love, or if he was just too blinded by his own desires.

Soonyoung laughed bitterly, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Wonwoo. "Right. It doesn’t matter to me. You don’t matter to me. You fucking left Wonho without hesitation. You just gave birth to him, but not once did you ever act like a father to him. While I was busy taking care of him and making sure you were studying, you were out fucking another man. You didn’t even wait for him to turn one! So tell me, why do you suddenly want him now? You don’t even love him. Remember how you kept saying how badly you wanted to abort him? What’s with you now?"

Wonwoo bit his lip, his eyes flickering with guilt, but he refused to admit the truth. "I just realized I miss my baby."

"Baby? You didn’t even want to carry him back then, and now you consider him your baby?" Soonyoung's voice dripped with disdain. "Amazing. I'm not stupid. Why? Tell me why!"

For a long moment, Wonwoo didn’t respond, guilt written all over his face. Finally, he sighed deeply, wiping away the tears that had started to fall. "Mingyu and I can't have a child." His voice faltered as he spoke, and he stared at his hands, inhaling deeply.

Soonyoung blinked in disbelief, then snapped, his palm slamming against the table, making heads turn in the café. "Fuck you! So now you think you can just waltz back in after five years, take Wonho, and play house with your other man? Well, news flash, Jeon—yes, Jeon, not Kwon—that’s not happening."

Wonwoo shot him a glare. "I still have rights with Wonho. He’s not of legal age, so custody should be mine. I gave birth to him!"

"Wonwoo..." Soonyoung’s voice dropped to a low, venomous tone. "Have you forgotten? You cheated. I can file a case for adultery, and you wouldn’t even be able to see him. So what custody are you fighting for? Money?" Soonyoung sneered. "I can feed my son, for your information."

"Why can’t you just let me be with my child?" Wonwoo’s voice shook with frustration. "You and Jihoon can make a new baby for all I care."

"Because I know you can’t take care of him the way he deserves!" Soonyoung barked, leaning forward. "You don’t know a single fucking thing about being selfless, and now you’re talking about taking care of a child?"

Wonwoo glared at him, the anger in his eyes colder than before. "I don’t give a shit about what you’re saying. I want my child. I should have never come here in the first place if you didn’t want to deal with me."

Soonyoung stood up, his voice was fierce. "I never came here for a deal. I’m warning you, Wonwoo. My child has already refused to see you. If you do anything that upsets him or traumatizes him, I’m going to destroy you. And one more thing, expect the divorce papers in your mail this week. I have a man I want to marry, and he doesn’t deserve to be just the other man. He’s not Mingyu, who’s okay with leftovers. I’m leaving now."

He turned to go, but Wonwoo’s voice stopped him cold.

"What’s your purpose?" Wonwoo barked. "Is this just about the divorce? What about Wonho? I won’t sign the papers if I don’t get him. You and Jihoon should suffer!"

Soonyoung turned back, his expression unreadable. "You don’t get to dictate terms anymore, Wonwoo. I’m done. You had your chance and you blew it." His voice was ice-cold as he walked out, leaving Wonwoo fuming behind him.

Soonyoung’s grin was smug, his eyes gleaming with a victorious spark. "I’m taking custody of my child. I have every right. I raised him all by myself. And again, ding ding ding, you cheated. That’s a big NO in court. Have fun explaining that to the judge." He leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Also, Jihoon and I can wait, but Kim Mingyu?" He couldn't help but smirk even wider at the reaction his words were pulling from Wonwoo.

Wonwoo’s grip on the coffee cup tightened so much that his knuckles turned white. The coffee was nearly gone, but Soonyoung could tell he was seconds away from doing something impulsive. "Fuck you," Wonwoo spat, his voice venomous.

"So funny, you already did—literally and figuratively. But hey, I’m up and happy with my family. Good luck finding a kid, Jeon," Soonyoung shot back with one last mocking grin before turning on his heel.

As Soonyoung walked away, he couldn’t help but feel a rush of satisfaction. That small victory felt good, and he had gotten the last word in. He needed it. But the moment he stepped out of the café, the weight of his nerves came crashing back. The earlier conversation with Wonwoo had left him unsettled, especially when it came to the part about Wonwoo not wanting to sign the divorce papers. Soonyoung groaned quietly to himself.

He wanted to be Jihoon’s boyfriend, no doubt. He wanted the world to know, but a small part of him worried if they should wait just a little longer. Just a little bit longer, he told himself. But the thought of making it official, of finally being able to call Jihoon his, made him ache with anticipation.

Jihoon was busy in the kitchen, focused on baking while Wonho happily decorated his cupcakes with sprinkles, icing, and the other edible toppings they had bought earlier. The kid had enjoyed shopping for ingredients with him, and Jihoon had already sent Soonyoung a message letting him know that they had decided to go home and bake some sweets.

Soonyoung came home, still sulking over his conversation with Wonwoo. But the moment he stepped inside and saw his two boys in the kitchen, covered in flour, surrounded by bright colors, and laughing, his mood completely shifted. Wonho looked focused as he carefully decorated the cupcakes, while Jihoon kept an eye on the oven, occasionally assisting him. The sight made Soonyoung’s heart melt. His annoyance was instantly replaced by something warm and fluttering.

Without thinking, he pulled out his phone, wanting to capture the moment.

Jihoon, of course, noticed right away. He raised an eyebrow as he caught Soonyoung taking a sneaky photo. "What are you doing, Mr. Kwon?"

Soonyoung simply shrugged, immediately tossing his phone aside without a care for where it landed. He strode over to Jihoon and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Just appreciating your makeover."

He reached up, wiping a bit of icing from Jihoon's cheek, and then licked it off his finger with a smirk.

Jihoon narrowed his eyes. "You're being flirty and clingy today. What happened? What did you eat?"

"Your love~" Soonyoung teased.

Before Jihoon could retort, a little voice cut in.

"Hello, Daddy and Papa! You look so cute!" Wonho exclaimed, forming a heart shape with his tiny hands.

Soonyoung hummed in response, pressing a kiss to Jihoon's cheek before turning his attention to their son. He scooped Wonho up and covered his face in playful kisses, making him giggle. "That's because we have a very cute baby too!"

Jihoon shook his head with a fond smile. "Nyong, let’s talk later. I’m still baking with Wonho, you know. Sorry, but I have my priorities set~" He winked, watching the two giggle together.

"Yes, Daddy, shoo!" Wonho chimed in, waving him away. "Let Papa and me bake now! Just sit back and relax—you’ll get to taste it later when we’re done!"

Soonyoung pouted dramatically, but he let himself be pushed aside, watching them with pure adoration in his eyes.

Soonyoung laughed. "What am I supposed to do while the two of you bake?" He reached over and swiped a cupcake Wonho had been decorating, popping it into his mouth in one go.

Wonho’s eyes widened in disbelief before he let out a dramatic whine, puffing his cheeks. "DADDY! Who said you could eat already? Just watch, okay?"

Jihoon chuckled at their interaction. "If you want something to do, help me put icing on these finished cupcakes." He placed a new batch of freshly baked cupcakes on the kitchen counter.

"Roger that, sir! Sorry, baby!" Soonyoung grinned, tapping a bit of icing onto Wonho’s nose before making his way to Jihoon’s side. Wonho whined again before refocusing on his decorations.

"Make sure they all look good!" Wonho instructed with a pout.

Soonyoung chuckled, stealing another quick kiss on Jihoon's cheek before getting to work. He forgot all about Wonwoo, about his earlier frustrations, and just enjoyed his time with his family. His icing work, however, turned out terrible.

After an hour, they were finally done baking. Wonho was now curled up in front of the TV, watching his favorite cartoons while munching on the cupcakes—specifically, the ones he had decorated himself. Jihoon and Soonyoung sat nearby, watching him fondly.

Then Jihoon suddenly remembered.

"Soonyoung? Can we talk now?"

Soonyoung tensed. He had been dreading this conversation, but he knew Jihoon deserved the truth. He nodded anyway.

"What happened?"

Soonyoung sighed. "Apparently, he and Mingyu can't have a baby, so now he wants to take Wonho."

Jihoon nodded in understanding. "Oh… that's sad… but that doesn’t give him the right to take Wonho from you. From us. So I guess you’ll be seeing each other in court?"

"I won’t let him take our child, Ji. You’re his papa. This is my family. And if Wonwoo insists, I’ll fight."

Jihoon exhaled, rubbing his thumb over Soonyoung’s knuckles. "Knowing Wonwoo since high school… he’s persistent. He won’t stop until he gets what he wants. So I’m guessing he also refused to sign the divorce papers?"

Soonyoung looked at Jihoon with wide eyes. "H-How did you—?" He sighed and shook his head. "Yeah... He told me he won't let us be happy together unless we give Wonho to him."

Jihoon scoffed. "Well, he’s acting like I can’t wait. I mean, I’ve been wanting to jump on you for years now, but hey, I can wait."

Soonyoung burst into laughter at Jihoon’s unexpected comment. He patted his lap, gesturing for Jihoon to come sit on him.

Jihoon wrinkled his nose. "I don’t want to. I might feel something different there."

That only made Soonyoung laugh harder. Instead of insisting, he shifted, crawling over to Jihoon’s side and resting his head on Jihoon’s lap instead. "To be honest, I’m more excited to be your boyfriend... No, actually, Wonho is the most excited." He intertwined their fingers. "It’s like almost every day he asks me about it, and I so badly want to just tell him yes, I’m with you. Because that would also reassure him that you won’t leave."

Jihoon gently combed his fingers through Soonyoung’s hair. "Yesterday, he was telling me he wanted to wear a white tux at our wedding. Something similar to what he wore at Hannie hyung and Cheol hyung’s wedding."

Soonyoung smiled. "And I want that to happen, Jihoon. I want to see you walking down that aisle. I want to put a ring on your finger. I want a child with you. Jihoon, I want a family with you and Wonho." His voice softened as he let out a frustrated sigh. "But— Fuck it. Why can’t he and Mingyu just adopt? Why do they have to take our child?"

Jihoon exhaled, his fingers still threading through Soonyoung’s hair. "Maybe… they want someone who really came from Wonwoo’s tummy, you know? That’s what I’m trying to understand."

Silence settled between them for a moment before Jihoon spoke again. "Hmm… if I were sterile, what would you do, Soonyoung? Let’s say we didn’t have Wonho?"

Soonyoung immediately squeezed Jihoon’s hand. "I would still love you. Like I said, there’s always adoption. And if you didn’t want that, we could just fill our house with puppies and cats instead. But… sucks for Wonwoo because we do have Wonho. And I’m not giving up our child. Over my dead body."

Jihoon gazed down at Soonyoung, his expression soft and full of warmth. His heart swelled at Soonyoung’s words. "Looks like we’ll be staying in Korea longer than expected, then. Chanyeol might just remove me from my job at this rate."

"I told you, you can always go back first with Wonho. I'd be more relieved knowing he's in good hands with you, and Wonwoo won't be able to reach him."

"I don't want to leave you here. If I lose my job, then so be it," Jihoon stated firmly, his tone serious.

"I'm rich enough to support you... Just kidding," Soonyoung said with a chuckle before shrugging. "But maybe we can stay in Korea a bit longer. Talk to Chanyeol about our situation and see if we can find work here first. Or, like I said, I can just support us. The dance studio can run with Chan as my substitute, and Jun and Hao are already taking care of our business. So I can afford some time while still earning money..." He trailed off before groaning. "Ugh, I sounded so conceited just now, didn't I?"

Jihoon laughed out loud, teasing him, "You sound like a sugar daddy."

"My sugar daddy~" Jihoon added playfully.

Soonyoung wiggled his eyebrows at Jihoon. "Do I pass as your sugar daddy now?"

"Well, financially, yes," Jihoon smirked, giving Soonyoung a knowing look. "But performance-wise... I have yet to know. Are you great?"

Soonyoung burst into laughter. "Let's stop this. I don't want Wonho to be a big brother anytime soon. And you, little kid, you're eating way too many sweets!"

Jihoon rolled his eyes. "It's obvious that you want that too."

"Hush, Daddy! Shut up! I'm watching!" Wonho whined, focused on his cartoon.

Soonyoung leaned in and whispered to Jihoon, "I want you so badly. Isn't that obvious? If only I weren’t still........married..." Then, turning back to Wonho, he clapped his hands. "Baby, that's enough. Let's sleep!"

Jihoon shuddered slightly at Soonyoung's words but decided to ignore them. He moved closer to Wonho and pouted. "Baby, let's continue watching tomorrow. Listen to Papa."

Wonho pouted in return but obediently turned off the TV, doing as he was told. "Can I sleep with you and Daddy tonight?”

Soonyoung stood up from the floor, stretching his limbs before picking up Wonho and placing him on his shoulders as usual. "Feeling lonely in your big bed already? You're a big boy now, though."

Jihoon stood up as well, gathering the dishes from the center table. "Nyong, bring Wonho to the bedroom already. I'll just wash these."

"Or we can do that tomorrow. Come on, Ji, let's sleep now, please?" Soonyoung and Wonho both turned to Jihoon, identical puppy eyes and pouty lips on display.

Jihoon sighed, shaking his head. "Fine... only because both of you gave me that look."

Soonyoung and Wonho cheered in victory. Once inside the bedroom, Soonyoung helped Wonho change into his pajamas, letting him get comfortable on the bed before getting himself ready for bed too. By the time he came out of the bathroom, Jihoon had already changed into his pajamas and was lying in bed, arms wide open. "Come here, baby. Hug Papa," Jihoon called.

Wonho giggled and dived into Jihoon's embrace.

Soonyoung smiled at the sight before joining them without hesitation. Jihoon snuggled up against his side while Wonho climbed onto his chest, settling in comfortably. Soonyoung chuckled, wrapping his arms around both of them. "My baby... I love you."

"I love you too, Daddy! Let's sleep! Night!" Wonho mumbled sleepily.

Soonyoung turned his head slightly, looking at Jihoon, who was snuggling closer. "Good night, Jihoonie."

"Good night, Nyong."

Finally, with his family in his arms, Soonyoung couldn't wish for anything more. If only they could stay like this forever.

Chapter Text

Soonyoung woke up to the sound of relentless knocking on their hotel room door. Who the hell would knock like a madman at 8 a.m.? He badly wanted to scream every curse word in his vocabulary as he let out a groan. He had been having the time of his life watching Jihoon and Wonho’s peaceful sleeping faces, they both looked so cute, only to be rudely interrupted.

With no other choice, he carefully got up, gently placing Wonho on Jihoon's side. He brushed the child's hair lightly before finally heading to the door to face whoever was disrupting his peace.

Outside, Wonwoo was still furiously pressing the doorbell over and over, tapping his foot impatiently on the floor, tempted to kick the door open. "KWON SOONYOUNG!" he shouted, trying to get the older's attention. He hoped someone would finally appear and let him in.

Soonyoung frowned upon hearing the familiar voice. Apparently, the unwanted visitor was Wonwoo. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm, making sure Jihoon and Wonho were still asleep before opening the door. The moment he saw his ex, he didn’t hesitate to snap, "Jeon Wonwoo, what the fuck do you want at 8 in the morning?!"

"My child," Wonwoo said bluntly, getting straight to the point. "I want to see my child."

Soonyoung ran a frustrated hand through his hair before glaring at Wonwoo. "MY child is still fast asleep. Seriously, Wonwoo, I don’t want to deal with your bullshit this early in the morning."

Wonwoo mellowed slightly, knowing that if he pleaded and used a softer tone, he might get his way. He knew Soonyoung too well. "Soonyoung, please. Can you at least let me see him?"

Soonyoung sighed, giving him a deadpan stare. "The moment you insult Jihoon, I’m fucking dragging you out of this room. If Wonho cries, gets upset, or asks you to leave, you fucking leave. Understood?"

Wonwoo clenched his jaw, holding back the urge to glare or say something rude. He wanted to see Wonho too much to risk getting kicked out. He still hated the idea of being in the same room as Jihoon without insulting him, but he swallowed his pride and simply nodded. "Okay."

"Then come in," Soonyoung said, stepping aside. "Sit your ass in the living room and wait there."

Without waiting to see if Wonwoo followed, Soonyoung immediately returned to the bedroom. He knelt beside Jihoon and gently rubbed his side to wake him up. "Jihoonie… Ji, we have a huge problem."

Jihoon mumbled sleepily, pulling a pillow over his face. "Soonie, five more minutes. I'm still sleepy."

Soonyoung gulped. "Wonwoo’s in the living room…"

Jihoon shot up straight at that, tossing the comforter onto the floor. "Wait, what?"

Soonyoung sighed heavily. "He's demanding to see Wonho… You should go and get ready. And uhh, in case this goes wrong, can you prepare Wonho's favorite cookies?"

Jihoon quickly grabbed a brush from the dresser, running it through his hair. "Uh, sure. Just give me a minute, I need to take a shower. I don't wanna look ugly in front of your ex."

Soonyoung wrapped his arms around Jihoon's waist, pressing a small kiss to the younger’s neck. "You don’t look awful even when you just wake up… I actually like this look on you," he murmured, shamelessly letting his gaze trail down to Jihoon's legs, which were bare except for his tiny shorts.

Jihoon blushed when he caught Soonyoung staring. Following the older’s line of sight, he gasped. "You pervert!" He pushed Soonyoung away, flustered. "I’m taking a shower now!"

Soonyoung chuckled, watching Jihoon rush into the bathroom before turning his attention to the sleeping child beside him. He carefully scooped Wonho into his arms, holding him close as he tried to wake him. "Baby?"

Wonho was usually an early riser, waking up even before Soonyoung most days. But when he didn’t get enough sleep, he could throw quite the tantrum.

The little boy stirred, lazily opening his eyes. He yawned cutely, stretching his small arms. "Good morning, Daddy."

Soonyoung placed a gentle kiss on the child's head. "Good morning, sleepyhead. Hi, my little tiger… Did you sleep well?"

Wonho gave a drowsy smile. "Happy, because I slept beside Daddy and Papa."

"That’s good then, baby…" Soonyoung hesitated for a moment before carefully choosing his words. "Hmm… Baby, we have a visitor. He wants to play with you. Would you like that?" He was nervous about how Wonho would react. He already had a good idea of the outcome, but he still held onto a sliver of hope.

Wonho’s eyes lit up with excitement. "A visitor?"

Soonyoung bit his lip. This wasn’t going to be pretty. "Let’s go take a look, okay?"

Wonho eagerly nodded, excited to meet the visitor his daddy was talking about. But as soon as they stepped into the living room, his smile disappeared. His little body stiffened when he saw the bad man, the one who had hurt his Papa Hoonie the other day. His lips quivered, his eyes welled up with tears, and his small hands clenched onto Soonyoung’s shirt.

Wonwoo’s eyes immediately locked onto his child. An unfamiliar, overwhelming urge washed over him, to pull Wonho into his arms and call him my child. But he stopped himself when he saw the boy’s reaction.

Wonho whimpered before suddenly burying his face in Soonyoung’s neck. Then, in a broken, terrified voice, he screamed, "No! No! No! Go away! He’s a bad man, Daddy! Bad!"

"Baby, wait—calm down. Baby, listen to Daddy—"

Before Soonyoung could finish, Wonho thrashed in his arms, desperate to escape. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he cried out for help. "PAPA! PAPA! PAPA!"

Jihoon, now fully dressed, rushed out of the room the moment he heard Wonho’s distressed screams. Without hesitation, he scooped the crying child from Soonyoung’s arms, holding him close. "Baby, shhh… I’m here."

Wonho sobbed into Jihoon’s neck, his tiny hands clutching tightly onto him as he continued to scream for the man on their couch to leave.

Soonyoung bit his lip, feeling conflicted. He did feel bad seeing Wonho reject Wonwoo so harshly, but at the same time, Wonwoo had done this to himself. He had hurt Wonho’s favorite person—of course, the child wouldn’t welcome him with open arms. Sighing, Soonyoung placed a hand on his waist and looked at Wonwoo. "What did I tell you? You didn’t believe me? Now you’ve seen it for yourself."

"Nyong, wait," Jihoon murmured, placing a hand on Soonyoung’s shoulder before shifting his attention back to Wonho.

He gently rubbed the boy’s back. "Shhh, baby, listen. Papa Wonwoo wants to talk with you. Can you let him do that? I’ll be right here with you the whole time."

Wonho lifted his tear-streaked face, looking up at Jihoon with distress evident in his big, watery eyes. "B-but… but he’s bad," the child hiccuped between sobs. "He’s not my papa! You’re my papa! And he hurt you—he’s a bad man!" His tiny body trembled as fresh tears poured down his cheeks, his crying growing louder once again.

Jihoon’s heart clenched painfully at the sight. He wanted nothing more than to shield Wonho from anything that upset him. But at the same time, he didn’t want his child to grow up hating his biological father. Despite everything, Wonwoo was the one who had brought Wonho into this world.

"He’s not hurting Papa now," Jihoon whispered, kissing away the tears on Wonho’s cheeks. "Can you do this for Papa? I won’t leave your side, I promise."

Wonwoo sat in silence, watching the scene unfold before him. Every fiber of his being burned with frustration. He wanted to shout at Jihoon, to tell him he had no right to speak as if he were the real parent. That’s my son. I should be the one holding him like that. He clenched his fists, making a silent vow, once he had Wonho back, he would never let Jihoon near the child again.

Wonho didn’t answer, but his screams subsided into quiet sniffles. His small shoulders still shook as tears continued to roll down his face, though now in silence.

Soonyoung let out a deep breath before stepping closer, wrapping an arm around Jihoon’s shoulders and using his free hand to gently wipe Wonho’s remaining tears away.

"Can you go to Papa Wonwoo now?" Jihoon asked softly. He carefully set the child down, giving him the choice to walk toward Wonwoo.

Wonho hesitated. His red, puffy eyes flickered toward Wonwoo before glancing back at Jihoon, as if seeking reassurance. Jihoon gave him a small nod.

Slowly, with small, hesitant steps, Wonho approached Wonwoo, his tiny hands clenched into fists at his sides. Jihoon remained standing behind him, a silent promise that he wasn’t going anywhere.

Wonwoo watched his son with unreadable eyes. He had grown so much. It felt like just yesterday that he had been a tiny baby nestled in his arms, and now he was walking toward him, cautious and afraid. A sharp pang of regret stabbed through his chest. He had missed so much.

"Hi, Wonho…" Wonwoo started, his voice slightly unsteady. "My name is Wonwoo… You got the first three letters of your name from me. I-I'm your papa too."

He stuttered a little, struggling to keep his emotions in check. He wanted to cry, the child in front of him was the perfect blend of him and Soonyoung, a living reminder of the love they once shared.

Wonho barely reacted. He mouthed a small "hi" but avoided eye contact, his eyes flickering toward Jihoon as if checking to make sure he was still there before looking back at Wonwoo.

Wonwoo clenched his jaw. It was painfully obvious how close Wonho was to Jihoon, and it frustrated him more than he wanted to admit.

Trying to shift the mood, he quickly pulled out a paper bag filled with toys he had bought the day before in preparation for this meeting. "Uhmm… Look, Wonho. I bought a lot of toys for you. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I just got… uh, cars? And here—remote control planes."

Wonho glanced at the paper bag before mumbling, "I have all of those, but… thank you, I guess…"

Wonwoo blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the response. His eyes darted to Soonyoung and Jihoon before returning to Wonho.

A sudden wave of irritation washed over him. So Jihoon can afford all of this now? He had heard rumors about Jihoon’s family business struggling, possibly even going bankrupt. He never believed Soonyoung could have made it big either. Back when they were together, Soonyoung had been reckless, irresponsible, and too caught up in having fun to think seriously about the future.

His grip on the paper bag tightened. "Uh… What toys do you want? Something you don’t have yet? I can buy it for you, just name it."

"None," Wonho answered simply. "I barely play with my toys anymore. Papa Jihoon and I mostly play musical instruments together, or sometimes we play video games." He glanced back again, checking for Jihoon’s presence as if seeking silent reassurance.

Wonwoo didn’t even realize he was glaring at Jihoon. Hard.

"Well, Papa can buy you instruments too," Wonwoo said, forcing a smile. "What do you like to play, baby? If you have time, maybe you can play something for Papa? I want to see how great my son is."

Jihoon noticed it, how Wonwoo kept emphasizing that Wonho was his son. But he chose to ignore it.

"Um… I like playing the piano and violin," Wonho answered hesitantly. "Papa and Daddy gave them to me as a birthday gift last year."

Wonwoo swallowed down his growing frustration. Great. Jihoon has already given him everything. How the hell he is supposed to win his son back now?

His jaw tensed before he forced himself to take a deep breath. "Then… what can I do to make it up to you? I want to know you, baby."

Wonho looked his father straight in the eyes. "Say sorry to MY PAPA."

Wonwoo’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Look, Wonho, I don’t know what kind of lies you’ve been told about me, but I swear they’re not true. And… baby, Jihoon isn’t even your real—"

Soonyoung immediately stepped in, sensing where this was going. "Don’t you dare finish that sentence," he warned, his voice low and sharp.

But Wonwoo ignored him. "Jihoon is not your real papa, okay? I am your papa. I had things I needed to take care of, so I had to go away. But I’m here now."

Wonho’s glare was fierce, eerily similar to Wonwoo’s own. The boy’s small fists clenched as he stared his father down, his voice unwavering. "The only papa I know is Papa Hoonie. So can you please say sorry to MY PAPA, or I’ll ask Daddy to drag you out of here."

Wonwoo’s frustration boiled over, and he turned his glare to Soonyoung. "Is this how you raised him? To be rude? How dare you turn my son against me?! I am still his father, Soonyoung!"

Soonyoung flinched at the accusation. Everyone knew his biggest fear was failing as a father to Wonho. The mere suggestion that he had done something wrong, especially in raising Wonho hit him where it hurt the most.

Jihoon noticed how Soonyoung reacted, and before the self-doubt could creep in, he stepped forward. "Excuse me, Wonwoo," Jihoon said firmly. "We gave you the chance to talk to Wonho because we felt bad for you. But if you’re going to be here, at least respect us. You’re on our turf, and you don’t get to question how Soonyoung raised his son. You contributed nothing."

Wonwoo shot up from the couch. "Excuse me, Lee Jihoon? Your turf?! Have you forgotten that my son and my husband are standing right there? You should know your place, considering you’re just Soonyoung’s bitch. He’s obviously just using you to live a better life!"

Jihoon’s jaw clenched, but he refused to back down. "No bad words in front of my child, please. And for your information, I’m just a humble kindergarten teacher. In fact, all the money I spend now comes from Soonyoung. But newsflash? I don’t love him for his money. You of all people should know that I’ve always loved him."

Wonwoo stared at them blankly before letting out a bitter laugh. "I’ll say it again—he’s my child. Not yours! You’re just Soonyoung’s bitch, so shut up! And yeah, I remember how you tried to seduce my husband, you wh—"

"STOP!" Soonyoung’s voice rang through the room, cutting Wonwoo off mid-sentence. His face was pale, his fists clenched. "Can’t you see? Wonho’s getting scared."

Jihoon let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. "You’re hopeless."

"Wonwoo, can you please just leave if you're only here to hurt and fight with my PAPA?" Wonho said angrily, his small body still trembling in fear as he clung tightly to Jihoon’s leg.

Wonwoo wanted to slap Jihoon. But more than anything, he wanted to hurt Soonyoung. How could he just erase him from their child’s life? How could he replace him so easily? He swallowed down his anger, forcing himself to focus. He wouldn’t let them be happy. Wonho is his. One way or another, he’s going to get him back.

Crouching down, Wonwoo met his son’s tear-filled eyes. "I’m sorry, baby… I’ll leave for now, but I will come back, okay?"

Then, he stood up, locking eyes with Soonyoung. "I stand by my decision—I won’t sign the papers."

Soonyoung let out a frustrated breath. "Please leave. We’ll talk when my son isn’t shaking in fear."

Wonho sniffled and started climbing up Jihoon’s legs. "P-Papa Hoonie… let’s eat breakfast already."

Jihoon smiled gently, nodding before scooping Wonho into his arms. "Let’s go, baby."

Soonyoung watched them head to the kitchen before turning back to Wonwoo. His patience was wearing thin. "That’s your cue to leave. The door is wide open. And just a reminder, if you don’t let me go, you won’t be able to marry Mingyu either. You love him, don’t you? Stop being difficult."

Wonwoo shot him a glare before storming out of the hotel room without another word.

A few moments later, Jihoon returned to the living room after making sure Wonho was settled with a bowl of cookies and a glass of milk. He found Soonyoung standing there, finally shutting the door with an exhausted sigh.

Jihoon exhaled, shaking his head. "He was about to call me a whore. I know it." He let out a dry chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "It’s funny, considering you haven’t even touched me yet, you know, sexually. And I’ve never been with anyone else either."

Soonyoung sighed, immediately pulling Jihoon into a warm hug. "I’m sorry, Ji. You don’t deserve that. I should’ve known he’d say things like that. I thought… maybe having Wonho there would stop him from saying awful things."

Jihoon leaned into the embrace, closing his eyes for a moment. "I’m used to it. He’s done worse." He hesitated, then murmured, "I remember something he did back in high school… never told you because I didn’t want you two to fight. And… I knew how much you loved him back then."

"Wait, what? What did he do?!" Soonyoung exploded, even though Jihoon hadn’t even finished speaking yet.

Jihoon sighed. "He just dragged me from the music club room to the boys' restroom in Building A, threatened to have some guys beat me up if I met up with you again. And, well... I still did. That was the last time I saw you before you cut off our friendship. I just got a few scratches and minor injuries, though. Jun even visited me in the hospital. Well, Hannie hyung and I weren’t friends yet back then. But no big deal, it was years ago already."

Soonyoung stared at him in shock before exploding like a pent-up volcano. "I’m gonna kill him. WHY DIDN’T JUN TELL ME?! WHAT THE HELL? WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?! I mean—God, I knew Wonwoo could be mean, but to that extent?! Jihoon, ‘no big deal’? I can’t believe this. I am not giving my child to that psycho. No way. Damn it, my child’s father is crazy."

"Nyong, stop overreacting. He’s not," Jihoon said, rolling his eyes. "Also, I told Jun not to tell you because, like I said, it wasn’t a big deal. I had a fault too. He probably got triggered by everything I said to him. You know how I was in high school, I never knew when to shut up."

Soonyoung groaned, running a hand through his hair. "He’ll never hurt you again. I swear to God. I’m ready to spend money just to put a TRO on him for you and Wonho. Like, why can’t they just adopt a kid? Mingyu’s rich as hell."

"Like I told you, they probably want a child from Wonwoo’s own flesh and blood."

Soonyoung turned toward their child, who was happily munching on his favorite cookies and sipping his milk, completely oblivious to the storm of emotions surrounding him. His heart clenched. "Ji... I can’t lose Wonho. He can’t. He’s our child."

"You won’t," Jihoon assured him, rubbing his arm in comfort. "You have to believe that."

Soonyoung turned back to Jihoon, eyes softening. He wanted to kiss him. He wanted to tell him he loved him. But he’s still married, and he didn’t want Jihoon to feel like he was just a replacement, the way Mingyu might with Wonwoo. Even if his marriage had been dead for a long time, he wanted to end things properly before starting something real with Jihoon.

"What do you want to do today? Something to relieve stress? Hmm? Tell me, we’ll do that," Jihoon murmured, cupping Soonyoung’s cheek and gently caressing it.

Soonyoung leaned into the touch. "Cuddle? There’s just been a lot going on, and I just… want to relax or something," he admitted, placing his hand over Jihoon’s.

"Cuddle, then. Let’s watch a movie together."

"Definitely."

Without warning, Soonyoung suddenly grabbed Jihoon by the waist and hoisted him up like a sack of rice. Jihoon shrieked in surprise, kicking his feet.

"Nyong, put me down, you idiot!"

Soonyoung just laughed, carrying him over to the couch before plopping him down and immediately snuggling against him. Jihoon huffed, still flustered, but soon sighed in defeat, wrapping his arms around Soonyoung.

"What the hell was that for?! And Wonho's not even done eating breakfast!" Jihoon scolded, squirming in Soonyoung’s arms, but the older one just grinned cheekily.

"Nothing! You’re just so cute! BABY! SNUGGLE TIME! COME HERE—OOOMPFFF—"

Soonyoung didn’t even get to finish his sentence before Wonho came barreling toward them, diving straight into their cuddle pile.

"Both of you are so heavy!" Jihoon whined, but he was laughing too.

Soonyoung chuckled, easily shifting Jihoon so that he was lying comfortably on top of him while Wonho settled into his arms. "Look, we all fit on the couch!"

Jihoon rolled his eyes before booping both of their noses. "What movie do you two wanna watch?"

"Hmmm... Avengers! I wanna see Groot!"

Soonyoung groaned. Jihoon and Wonho are  massive Marvel fans, and he couldn’t even count how many times they’d already watched each movie.

"Sorry, Nyong, we love Marvel!" Jihoon stuck out his tongue playfully.

Soonyoung clutched his chest dramatically. "I swear, you two make me feel adopted into this family."

Jihoon snorted. "C’mon, Wonho, let’s play the movie. Leave your daddy be."

Wonho giggled, peppering kisses all over Soonyoung’s face before jumping off the couch to start the movie. But before Jihoon could follow, Soonyoung tightened his grip around his waist, effectively trapping him.

"Oh no! Papa is stuck with me now!"

"Wonho, baby, save me!" Jihoon cried, fake-struggling against Soonyoung’s hold.

Wonho gasped. "The prince is coming to save you, Papa! CHAAAARGE!"

He launched himself at Soonyoung, tiny fingers mercilessly tickling his sides. Soonyoung gasped between laughter, squirming under the attack before grabbing Wonho and hoisting him into the air. Jihoon burst into laughter at the chaos, watching the two wrestle like kids.

Soonyoung finally collapsed against the couch, panting. "Okay, okay, I surrender! Let's watch the movie together!"

Jihoon chuckled, wrapping both Soonyoung and Wonho into a hug. Wonho, now completely squished between his papa and daddy, giggled nonstop.

"I love you, Daddy! I love you, Papa!" he said excitedly. "I can't wait for you two to get married like Uncle Cheollie! I'm gonna be a flower boy again!"

Jihoon smiled. "You’re gonna be our ring bearer," he corrected, gently pinching Wonho’s cheek. "You’ll bring Papa and Daddy’s rings down the aisle. Do you want that?"

"YES! YES! YES!" Wonho cheered. Then his eyes widened in excitement. "Wait—does that mean it’s happening?! Are you and Daddy, like, in a relationship already? Daddy, don’t let go of Papa, okay?" Wonho gave Soonyoung a hopeful look.

Soonyoung looked down at his son before pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "Not yet, baby," he admitted. "But! Daddy’s doing his best to fix everything so Papa can come home to us, okay? And I promise I will never let go of him."

Jihoon smiled, ruffling both of their hair. "I have no plans of leaving you two, anyway. Who else is gonna cook your food when I’m gone?"

"I can cook too!" Soonyoung pouted. "You're just better at it."

"Papa is best at everything!" Wonho declared dramatically, throwing his hands in the air.

Soonyoung gasped before tackling him into another tight hug, showering his giggling son with kisses. "And you're the bestest, baby. We love you so much!"

Wonho laughed, snuggling closer between them. "I love you too, Daddy! I love you, Papa!"

Jihoon’s heart swelled at the sight. Their little family, tangled together in warmth and love.

---

The house was silent when Wonwoo arrived. He didn’t greet Mingyu, didn’t even acknowledge his presence, just stormed past him, his whole body tense, his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. Without a word, he locked himself in his home office.

Mingyu watched the closed door, confusion creeping up his spine. Wonwoo was always affectionate when he came home, pressing kisses to Mingyu’s temple, asking about his day. But today? He was ice-cold. And Mingyu had no idea why.

Inside the office, Wonwoo yanked his laptop open, fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. The first thing he did was pull up Weibo. He already knew what he would find, but that didn’t stop the sharp sting in his chest when he saw it.

Soonyoung’s latest posts.

All of them were about Wonho and Jihoon.

And the most recent one made his blood boil.

It was a picture of Jihoon, smiling, holding a bouquet. The caption read:

"Told you, you would pass your master’s exam! You are one of the greatest people I have ever met. Thank you for being the best papa to Wonho! We are so thankful for having you, we love you! We are proud of you!"

Wonwoo gritted his teeth, scrolling down furiously.

Another post. Another picture. Jihoon again, this time a candid shot of him laughing. And Soonyoung, being the absolute sap he was, had written something even more nauseating.

"There is no one like you, Ji. I’m so lucky to have you by my side."

Wonwoo wanted to punch the screen.

It wasn’t just frustration, it was something more venomous, uglier. Maybe it was their long, ugly history. Maybe it was the fact that Jihoon had taken the place he was supposed to have. Maybe it was because Soonyoung actually meant every word he posted about Jihoon.

His chest felt tight. His hands curled into fists. He needed proof that this was all for show. That Soonyoung wasn’t doing as well as the world thought he was.

With a few more clicks, he pulled up search results.

Kwon Soonyoung, rising business.

Kwon Soonyoung’s dance studio expands overseas.

How Kwon Soonyoung turned passion into profit—an exclusive interview.

Wonwoo stared.

Soonyoung wasn’t just getting by. He was thriving.

And he had Jihoon right next to him through all of it.

Wonwoo slammed his laptop shut, his breathing uneven.

When he finally left the office for a shower, Mingyu quietly slipped inside.

He had expected to find work emails or a frustrating business deal. Not this.

The laptop was still open, the tabs glaring back at him. Soonyoung’s social media. News articles. Business reports.

Mingyu felt his stomach sink.

---

Soonyoung and Jihoon visited the Choi household again. But this time, Jihoon had plans, he was heading out with Jeonghan and Wonho to check out the newly built mall nearby, leaving Soonyoung alone with Seungcheol.

It wasn’t long before the two found themselves in the garden, a bottle of soju between them, drinking at three in the afternoon like it was the most natural thing in the world.

A comfortable silence settled as they sipped, the occasional chirp from Seungcheol’s pet parrot filling the air.

Then, out of nowhere, Soonyoung blurted, "Hyung, I love him so much."

Seungcheol blinked, turning to look at the younger man. Soonyoung was staring at the parrot’s cage, his expression unreadable.

"I know," Seungcheol said simply, pouring another round of soju into their glasses. "It’s obvious. No need to state the obvious."

Soonyoung let out a small, breathy laugh before taking another shot. "Hyung, I’m still not officially divorced. Technically, I’m still married. I don’t want anyone calling Jihoon a homewrecker when all he’s ever done is love me and Wonho unconditionally."

Seungcheol raised an eyebrow. "Soonyoung, let’s be real. No one considers you and Wonwoo husbands anymore except for the papers. The divorce can be done easily. If I were you, I’d make it official with Jihoon already. Who cares what people say? You know the truth. He knows the truth. That’s all that matters."

Soonyoung didn’t respond immediately. He let the words sink in, staring down at the table.

Then, Seungcheol quietly placed something in front of him. A familiar bracelet. And next to it, a puzzle piece pendant, its chain broken, detached from where it used to belong.

Soonyoung froze. His eyes widened.

"H-hyung… That’s—That’s Wonwoo’s. Where did you—?"

Seungcheol exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "He gave it to me while you were in China. We met up to talk." He looked at Soonyoung meaningfully. "He’s still my friend, after all."

Soonyoung swallowed, hesitantly reaching out to touch the bracelet. The leather was worn, the metal of the pendant slightly dulled with time.

"So he gave it back, huh?" he muttered, voice quieter now. "I gave this to him when we were younger."

His fingers lingered over the broken chain.

A piece that no longer fit where it used to.

Seungcheol watched as Soonyoung turned the bracelet over in his hands, fingers tracing the worn leather and the detached puzzle piece. His expression was unreadable, but the slight tremble in his grip gave him away.

"Wonwoo said it wasn’t him," Seungcheol started, voice steady but careful. "That you mistook him for that 'Woozi' kid because you saw him holding the bracelet. He just went along with the fake childhood identity back then because…" He trailed off before smirking. "Well, because he genuinely liked you."

Soonyoung let out a quiet exhale, his thumb running over the faded metal of the pendant. "I kinda knew that," he admitted softly. "But I loved Wonwoo back then, too… so I brushed it off."

Seungcheol leaned forward slightly, eyes locked onto Soonyoung’s face. "Do you know who originally owned that bracelet?"

Soonyoung’s ears perked up. He lifted his gaze, eyes searching Seungcheol’s as curiosity flickered through them.

"It’s none other than your beloved Jihoon."

For a moment, Soonyoung didn’t move.

Then his breath hitched. His grip tightened on the bracelet as his chest filled with something warm and overwhelming. His heart pounded so hard he swore Seungcheol could hear it.

Memories flooded his mind in an instant, laughter echoing through a childhood long forgotten, tiny hands clasping his own, the sound of his own voice making a promise. Jihoon’s voice, Woozi’s voice ringing in his ears.

He swallowed thickly, licking his lips as he forced himself to speak. "Hyung… c-can I—"

"Can you leave Wonho to us?" Seungcheol cut him off before he could even finish. A knowing smile played on his lips as he patted Soonyoung’s shoulder. "So you can finally ask Jihoon on a date?"

Soonyoung let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "You saw that coming, huh?"

"I’m your hyung. Of course, I did."

Soonyoung exhaled, lifting the bracelet into the air, staring at it as though seeing it for the first time.

"I won’t tell him about this yet," he murmured. "Maybe once we’re back in China. I want to return it to him myself." A small, fond smile formed on his lips. "Now that I think about it… seems like he made a replica because he lost the original one."

His chest tightened due to happiness. Jihoon cherished it. He cherished their memories.

"It makes me happy," Soonyoung admitted, voice thick with emotion. "That he really valued me, my gift, and my promise."

He let out a small laugh, shaking his head as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.

"I can’t believe it, hyung," he whispered. "Fate really brought us together three times."

"It's funny how the tables have turned," Seungcheol mused, shaking the now-empty soju bottle with a slight pout. "You saved him from almost falling into a well when you were kids, and then you saved him from his bullies in high school. But now? He became your saving grace."

Soonyoung let out a breathy chuckle, rubbing a hand over his face. "Yeah… I guess he did."

What stuck with him, though, was something else entirely. His fingers absentmindedly traced the bracelet as a thought nagged at the back of his mind.

"What bothers me the most," he murmured, more to himself than to Seungcheol, "is why Wonwoo had this. Why was it with him? What's their connection?"

Seungcheol leaned back, crossing his arms. "I heard Jihoon's dad and Wonwoo's dad were best friends and business partners. That's all I know. Didn't Wonwoo ever tell you anything?"

Soonyoung frowned, racking his brain. Had Wonwoo ever talked about his family?

Other than mentioning that his father had passed and his mother was seriously ill, there wasn’t much. But Soonyoung did remember how his own parents had pitied Wonwoo, treating him like a second son when he introduced him as his boyfriend.

Now that he thought about it, he barely knew anything about Wonwoo beyond the surface level. He had met him through Jun during their school orientation, since Jun and Wonwoo had been classmates since primary school. That was it. That was all.

Yet, his young and reckless heart had fallen fast and hard. Maybe it was the way Wonwoo carried himself, or maybe it was because of that bracelet, the one he now knew was never his to begin with.

Soonyoung swallowed, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. He had been so stupid. His heart had also pounded when he saw Jihoon again in seventh grade, back when he unknowingly saved him from those bullies. And yet, he had convinced himself it was nothing. Brushed it off for Wonwoo's sake.

Because back then, Wonwoo was the one who owned his heart.

So why?

Why had Wonwoo been able to throw him away so easily?

"You thinking about something deep?" Seungcheol’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Soonyoung shook his head. "Nah… Just about Wonwoo."

Seungcheol hummed knowingly but didn’t push. Instead, he placed the empty bottle aside and clapped a hand on Soonyoung’s shoulder.

"Well, set a date for our plan."

Soonyoung blinked before a small smile tugged at his lips.

A date.

It really did feel like high school all over again, planning to confess to the one who had unknowingly held his heart all along.

---

Even though it was against what Soonyoung wanted, they had no choice but to stay in Korea for a lot longer. Jun handed over the Korean side of their business to Soonyoung, while Jihoon filed for an indefinite leave to find a temporary job in Korea. Soonyoung also bought a small house for them. He had wanted a bigger one, but Jihoon insisted there was no need, and Wonho had fallen in love with the unit the moment he saw that it was close to a playground.

Jihoon wandered around their new place, taking everything in. It slightly reminded him of the house he grew up in. As he continued his little tour, he entered the master bedroom and turned to Soonyoung with a knowing look. "Seems like you’ve gotten used to sharing a bed with me. You only bought a house with two bedrooms."

Soonyoung narrowed his eyes at Jihoon before striding over to him and wrapping his arms around Jihoon’s waist. "Why? You don’t want it?"

"Of course, I do. It's just... it's hard to restrain myself when you sleep beside me half-naked."

Soonyoung grinned mischievously. "What if I told you I was doing that intentionally?"

Jihoon immediately squinted at him in suspicion, making Soonyoung raise his hands in surrender. "Just kidding, of course," he said with a chuckle. Then, his expression softened. "By the way, Ji. Free yourself tonight, okay?"

Jihoon unwrapped himself from Soonyoung’s arms and walked over to sit on the bed, looking up at him.

Soonyoung simply smiled. "I’m asking you out on a date, Ji. And if you're worried about Wonho... Cheol hyung and Hannie hyung said they want to practice taking care of kids, so..." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Just the two of us?"

"Since when have I ever made a move without telling your son?"

"And he really let that happen?"

Soonyoung grinned, remembering how he had told Wonho about his plan, only for the kid to be even more excited than him. "Of course. He probably misses Hannie hyung. That kid is getting spoiled by everyone since he's the only baby around... Do you want us to make another baby and give Wonho a sibling?"

Jihoon choked on his own breath, staring at Soonyoung in disbelief. "What?!"

Jihoon lightly smacked Soonyoung’s arm. "Idiot. I doubt we’re only going to have one baby, considering your pole has been left unused for years now."

Soonyoung instantly turned red. "H-Hey! I’m not just after sex!"

Jihoon let out a small laugh before wrapping his arms around Soonyoung’s neck, pulling him in just close enough that their lips were barely a breath apart but not quite touching. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he whispered, "I don’t mind... Just be gentle, daddy. It’s my first time~" His voice was sickeningly sweet, and the little pout on his lips only added to the teasing.

Soonyoung froze, his brain short-circuiting.

Then, just as quickly, Jihoon unwrapped himself and stepped back, laughing loudly as he strolled out of the room like nothing happened.

Soonyoung groaned and dropped his face against the nearest wall. ‘I’m gonna die at this rate.’

---

Just as planned, Soonyoung waited patiently on the couch while Jihoon took his time getting ready for their night out. Cheol had already picked up Wonho, so now it was just a matter of waiting.

Jihoon twirled in front of the mirror, checking himself from every angle. He had picked his best outfit for tonight, even though he knew full well that even if he showed up in a potato sack, Soonyoung wouldn’t care he’d still find him adorable. But still, Jihoon wanted to impress him.

After an hour of meticulously fixing his clothes and adjusting his hair, he finally stepped out of the room. He wore a soft pink, long-sleeved top with delicate ruffles running down the center, a neatly tied ribbon resting at the collar. The shirt was tucked into a pair of slightly fitted white pants that subtly showcased his toned frame. His hair was neatly parted, his face enhanced by just the slightest touch of makeup.

Walking up to Soonyoung, he tapped his shoulder lightly. Soonyoung, who had been busy typing something on Weibo, looked up. Jihoon played with his fingers, avoiding eye contact, already feeling self-conscious.

Soonyoung's eyes widened, and he found himself staring longer than necessary. He coughed to compose himself. "You look... amazing."

Jihoon smiled, flustered. "You’re not bad yourself. Shall we go?"

Soonyoung nodded, leading them to his car—the very one he had begged Jun to ship to Korea. Jihoon still had no clue where they were headed. That was until they pulled up in front of a five-star restaurant.

Jihoon’s eyes went wide. "Soonyoung, this is expensive—"

His protest was immediately silenced by Soonyoung pressing a finger to his lips.

Intertwining their fingers, Soonyoung gazed at him. "You're worth it, Ji. Honestly, this isn't even enough. If I weren’t so caught up with the company transition, I’d—"

Jihoon squeezed his hand reassuringly. "That’s fine. You know I always understand you."

Soonyoung nodded and led Jihoon inside. The moment they sat down, a waiter arrived with Jihoon’s favorite champagne, just as Soonyoung had instructed.

"I already ordered everything beforehand, by the way. I hope that’s okay, baby."

Jihoon’s eyes widened, his face instantly turning crimson. "W-What did you just call me?"

Soonyoung smiled, his voice softer this time. "Have you forgotten? You’re my baby too, right?"

Jihoon fumbled for words, his blush deepening. "W-Well…" He cleared his throat, clearly flustered. "T-Thank you for this, N-Nyong," he stuttered.

Soonyoung chuckled, watching him with nothing but pure affection in his eyes.

"You don't have to thank me, Ji. Actually, I should be the one apologizing to you."

Jihoon frowned slightly. "Why?"

Soonyoung took Jihoon's hand across the table, intertwining their fingers. "Because... these past few months have been nothing but cruel to you. I know you understand my situation. I know you don’t hold anything against me. But still, I know it hurts you." He took a deep breath. "That’s why... I talked with Cheol hyung."

Jihoon looked at him in confusion, waiting for him to continue.

"The only reason we’re not together yet is because I didn’t want people to think you were just some other man, that you were a homewrecker when in reality, you completed our family." His voice softened. "Hyung told me that my marriage has been void for a long time now. Even Hannie hyung said the same. It’s just a matter of paperwork." He squeezed Jihoon’s hand. "And I’m doing my best to end it... So why shouldn’t I make us official? Wonwoo can take as long as he wants, but it won’t change the fact that you are the one I love."

Soonyoung took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Jihoon's. "So, Lee Jihoon... will you have me? Officially? As your boyfriend?"

Jihoon's eyes welled up with tears. He covered his mouth with his free hand, nodding continuously. He had waited years for this, to have his fairytale become reality. "Y-Yes! And I don’t care what other people say."

Soonyoung smiled, squeezing Jihoon's hand. "Then I’m yours. For as long as you’ll have me, love."

"I love you too, Soonyoung."

Soonyoung grinned, leaning in to wipe Jihoon’s tears away. "I love you. I love you. I love you so much. God, Jihoon, you don’t know how badly I’ve wanted to say that."

Jihoon sniffled, chuckling softly. "At least now I’m relieved... you’re finally mine."

Soonyoung nodded. "Yours, Ji. I know you still feel uneasy about Wonwoo, but I swear, if it weren’t for Wonho, I wouldn’t even talk to him. He’s my past, Jihoon. And you… you’re my present. Hopefully, my future too."

Jihoon nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can’t believe this is happening… Is this a dream?"

Soonyoung smiled, bringing Jihoon’s hand to his lips. "No, love. I’m yours, and you’re mine."

Jihoon wiped his tears away, laughing at himself. "Can we please eat now? I don’t want to cry all night."

Soonyoung chuckled and gestured for the waiter to bring their food. For the rest of the night, he never let go of Jihoon's hand.

Jihoon felt like he was living in a dream, everything felt surreal. Soonyoung was being incredibly sweet tonight, and it made his heart race like never before. He was finally his boyfriend. He wanted to scream and roll on the floor from happiness. But instead, he just squeezed Soonyoung’s hand tighter, basking in the warmth of the moment.

Even as they drove home, Soonyoung never let go of Jihoon’s hand. Only when they arrived did he finally pull away, just to say screw it and scoop Jihoon up in a bridal carry.

Jihoon yelped in surprise, instinctively wrapping his arms around Soonyoung’s neck. His face pressed into the older’s shoulder, taking in his familiar scent.

Soonyoung carried him inside with ease, gently laying Jihoon down on the bed, just like a husband would on their first night after a wedding. He hovered over him, his gaze soft yet intense. That’s when it hit him, he hadn’t kissed Jihoon tonight.

Jihoon stared up at him lovingly, his fingers reaching up to trace Soonyoung’s features until they brushed against his lips.

"C-can you…" Jihoon looked away, cheeks dusted pink. "Kiss me?"

Soonyoung leaned down, his lips hovering just over Jihoon's. "I would move too."

Their lips met in a simple, innocent peck at first, just a soft press of warmth. But then Soonyoung moved, his lips molding against Jihoon’s in a slow, open-mouthed kiss. Jihoon’s eyes fluttered shut, letting Soonyoung lead. His hands found their way to the older’s back, gripping onto the fabric of the black coat he wore tonight.

Soonyoung pulled away briefly, just enough for them to catch their breath, before he tilted his head and captured Jihoon's lips again, this time, nipping and sucking at his lower lip, silently asking for more.

Jihoon didn’t hesitate. He parted his lips, allowing Soonyoung in, his tongue shyly meeting the older’s. Soonyoung groaned softly, deepening the kiss as his hands started to roam over Jihoon’s body, sending shivers down the younger’s spine.

Jihoon sighed into the kiss, completely surrendering himself to Soonyoung, his boyfriend. Finally.

The dancer finally slipped his tongue into Jihoon's mouth, drawing a soft moan from him. Jihoon met his movements, their tongues tangling as they fought for dominance, but he eventually surrendered to Soonyoung’s lead. The older man deepened the kiss, completely losing himself in Jihoon’s taste. His arms wrapped tightly around Jihoon’s waist, pulling him flush against his body. A deep, satisfied moan rumbled from Soonyoung’s chest as the last bit of space between them disappeared.

Jihoon's fingers found their way into Soonyoung’s black locks, tugging at them, a touch Soonyoung adored. It made him groan, pressing even closer, kissing Jihoon as if he wanted to consume him entirely. The kiss was slow, deep, and passionate, sending waves of pleasure through Jihoon's entire body. He felt like he was floating, like he had reached nirvana. It was intoxicating, the first time he had ever experienced something like this.

"I love you so much, baby," Soonyoung murmured huskily, barely pulling away.

Jihoon barely had a moment to respond before Soonyoung started peppering kisses along his jaw, trailing down to his neck. His lips left behind soft, blooming marks, a trail of reds and pinks on Jihoon's pale skin, like flowers blooming in the warmth of spring.

Jihoon opened his mouth to say I love you too, but his words melted into a gasp as Soonyoung suddenly nipped at his neck. The sharp sting made him yelp, but Soonyoung was quick to soothe the spot with soft kisses and gentle licks. Jihoon’s body trembled under his touch as Soonyoung continued searching for his weak spots, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. His small mouth fell open, unable to form words, only soft, breathy moans spilled from his lips.

Soonyoung didn’t stop, his mouth exploring, savoring, leaving no part of Jihoon untouched. His hands slowly traveled to Jihoon’s top, tugging at the delicate ribbon and undoing the buttons one by one. When the fabric fell open, revealing Jihoon's toned body, his chest already rising and falling with anticipation, Soonyoung's breath hitched.

His gaze flickered down to Jihoon’s already slightly erect pink nipples, hardened from arousal. His throat ran dry.

Without thinking, he sat up slightly, gently parting Jihoon’s legs and settling between them, his hands resting on Jihoon’s warm skin. His fingers ghosted over his ribs, taking in every inch of him. Jihoon’s flushed cheeks, his half-lidded gaze, the way his chest moved with each shaky breath, it was enough to make Soonyoung lose his mind.

"You're so beautiful, Jihoonie. I can't believe this… Look at your body. You're so perfect… I’m a one lucky bastard."

Jihoon’s already flushed face deepened into a darker shade of red at Soonyoung's words. He averted his gaze, instinctively bringing his arms up to cover his bare chest. "Shut up! Stop staring at me," he mumbled, embarrassed.

Soonyoung gently took Jihoon's hands, pulling them away to reveal his body again. "It's true, baby," he murmured, his voice laced with awe.

His fingers trailed over Jihoon’s toned chest, carefully avoiding his sensitive nipples before tracing along the defined ridges of his abs. His hand moved lower, inching toward the waistband of Jihoon's pants, teasingly tugging at it. He met Jihoon’s gaze, his expression soft yet questioning.

"May I?" Soonyoung asked, seeking permission.

Jihoon nodded shyly, his face still dusted with pink. The reality of what was about to happen finally dawned on him, making him let out a nervous gasp. "N-Nyong… are we really going to… you know?"

Soonyoung cupped Jihoon’s cheek, his thumb stroking the smooth skin reassuringly. "Not if you don’t want to. We can just cuddle and kiss all night. I don’t care either way. I just want you—naked or not."

Jihoon swallowed hard, his heart racing. "I-I mean… it’s okay… b-but it’s my first time."

Soonyoung leaned in, pressing a slow, tender kiss against Jihoon’s lips before pulling back just enough to whisper, "Be honest with me, baby. Do you want this? I can wait if you’re not ready yet… But if you do, I promise I’ll be gentle with you." His voice was warm, full of love and patience, as his hand caressed Jihoon's face.

Jihoon hesitated for only a second before nodding. "I want to… Please take me, I’m ready."

Soonyoung’s breath hitched, but he quickly captured Jihoon’s lips in another deep kiss, full of unspoken promises and devotion. As they kissed, he guided Jihoon's hands to the hem of his own shirt.

"Take it off for me?" Soonyoung asked softly.

Jihoon inhaled sharply, his fingers trembling slightly as he carefully lifted Soonyoung’s shirt. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen Soonyoung half-naked before, but somehow, this moment felt different. More intimate. More real.

As the fabric slipped off, exposing Soonyoung’s well-defined muscles, Jihoon’s breath caught in his throat. His eyes shamelessly roamed over the older’s toned body, taking in every sculpted inch.

Even after all these years, seeing Soonyoung like this still felt like the first time. Every time, it left him utterly breathless.

Jihoon handed Soonyoung the shirt which the older threw anywhere insignificant inside the room, it'll eventually land on the floor. He placed a kiss on both of Jihoon's shoulders before carefully opening the buttons on Jihoon's pants, brushing his hands on his hard on before slowly pulling the zipper down.

"A-ah Soonyoung!"

He pulled Jihoon's pants off of him, throwing it away, adding it up on the pile of clothes on the floor, leaving Jihoon only in his boxers and his heart pounded as the man lay almost completely naked in front of him.

Jihoon’s breath hitched as Soonyoung hovered over him, warmth radiating between their bodies. His fingers trembled slightly as they brushed against the hem of Soonyoung’s pants, his mind caught between anticipation and hesitation. He swallowed hard, barely able to meet Soonyoung’s gaze.

“C-can I…?” Jihoon’s voice was barely above a whisper, his fingers curling against the waistband.

Soonyoung smirked but softened instantly at Jihoon’s shyness. He reached down, guiding Jihoon’s hands with his own. “Of course, baby,” he murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to Jihoon’s temple.

With slow, and shy movements, Jihoon unzipped Soonyoung’s pants, hands slightly shaky as he tugged them down. His breath caught in his throat when he saw the prominent outline pressing against the fabric of Soonyoung’s boxers, straining with need. Almost unconsciously, his fingers ghosted over it, tracing the heat through the thin material.

A sharp inhale escaped Soonyoung’s lips, his grip tightening around Jihoon’s wrist. “You want that baby?”

Jihoon nodded, pink dusting his cheeks as he shyly glanced up at him. “C-can I put my hand inside?”

Soonyoung let out a breathy chuckle, his voice laced with affection. “Of course, baby. Take your time.”  

Jihoon hesitated for only a second. Soonyoung cooed, guiding Jihoon's hand, slipping it past the band till it was fully inside. The younger gasped as his hand finally took a grasp of the older's dick. His eyes widened slightly at the sheer size, feeling the way it pulsed in his hold. He swallowed hard, slowly running his hand along the shaft, pumping it, mesmerized by the way Soonyoung groaned at his touch.

Encouraged by Soonyoung’s reaction, Jihoon grew bolder. His other hand tugged at the waistband, finally freeing him. His breath hitched again, eyes fixated on the sight before him, Soonyoung's dick sprung free—angry, tall, thick, and flushed at the tip, a bead of precum glistening under the dim lighting. 

“I-it’s… so big..so huge,” Jihoon croaked, barely able to form the words.

"Stop boosting my ego baby," Soonyoung replied as he crawled towards Jihoon again. Kissing his way up from his ankle to his knees, and when he arrived on his thighs, he started to suck and nip again. Painting hickies left and right, making sure that the skin would be covered with stars, a masterpiece he can proudly say that he created.

Jihoon felt paralyzed again with Soonyoung's kisses, his body unmoving except his mouth which continuously produces moans and screams of pleasure. He had his eyes shut and he continuously chant Soonyoung's name as if it was a magic spell.

Soonyoung's lips hovered over Jihoon hard on, his breath hovered on it. Jihoon shuddered at the sensation and without taking his eyes off of Jihoon's face, he started to mouth on his still covered cock. Soonyoung felt the way Jihoon's legs tensed, his abs clenching, and his cock twitching from the sudden stimulation. Jihoon threw his head in pleasure. An unexplainable rush of euphoria covered his whole being, experiencing heaven on earth.

Soonyoung hummed, abandoning his current focus and instead kissed his way up again. Until his lips are back on Jihoon. This time the kiss was a lot hungrier and sloppier. Lust and love mixed together as their teeth clashed to one another and tongue danced to the flames of passion. Soonyoung gripped both of Jihoon's thighs, pulling them upwards as he grinds down. His naked erection against the younger's still clothed one, creating a delicious friction. Jihoon's body arched on the mattress as his hands had now moved from the older's hair to the older's back, leaving scratches and bruises that would surely go unnoticed tomorrow when it's uncovered. They broke apart from the kiss, their gazes still lingering to one another when Jihoon blurted out something, "Soonyoung, I want you please.."

"I need you to relax, baby, okay? This is gonna hurt, but only for a bit."

Soonyoung gave Jihoon one last kiss before standing up. Taking a bottle of unopened lube from their drawer, and kneeling in between Jihoon's legs again. He kissed Jihoon's belly as he removed the only clothing that's hiding Jihoon's modesty. Soonyoung swallowed and licked his lips as he stared at Jihoon's fully naked body. Jihoon is so perfect, he can't believe how lucky he is for having someone so ethereal to love him. He must be a hero or some saint in his past life for heavens to bestow him a Lee Jihoon.

"You’re so perfect," Soonyoung murmured, eyes filled with reverence. "I can’t believe you’re mine."

"What are you staring at? Stop it, I'm shy!" Jihoon complained.

"Why would you be a shy baby? You're so pretty."

Soonyoung leaned down again, kissing Jihoon fully on the lips, and when he felt Jihoon relax, he uncupped the lube and poured it on his fingers. Jihoon gasped when he felt Soonyoung's index finger probing on his puckered hole. Circling on it but not entering him making him whine and writhe below the taller.

"Soonie! S-stop teasing me!" Jihoon complained impatiently.

Soonyoung chuckled at how cute Jihoon is before finally pushing the first finger in. Jihoon gasped again but it's sharper this time. It felt weird, it stings a little but it's nothing he can't handle. He felt Soonyoung's finger start pumping in and out of him, producing squelching filthy noises, triggering him to start moaning again.

Soonyoung ghosted his lips over Jihoon's ears, slightly nibbling on his earlobe, "you're doing good baby....relax for me, I promise it'll feel good soon. you're such a good boy, a good boy for me."

Jihoon moaned louder, liking the praises the older's threw at him. Soonyoung smirks a little, confirming that the other has a praise kink, he can use that knowledge for later.

Soonyoung hummed, and then kissed his neck down until his lips found one of his pink little nipples. His tongue licking it wet before fully sucking and nipping on it as he continues on fucking Jihoon with one finger. Jihoon started moaning loudly because of that, he felt like he's high on drugs or something. With Soonyoung sucking his sensitive nipples, he didn't notice that the older one already added another finger scissoring him open. His legs also unconciously opens wider than it was before, allowing the older to finger fuck him more easily.

"Oh yes Soonie! Suck it more please!"

Soonyoung slowly stretched Jihoon. Distracting him from the pain by assaulting his nipples. Alternating from left to right, Jihoon moaning and gasping as Soonyoung keeps on pumping his fingers in and out. Only pulling out a bit to pour more lube, and adding a third finger.

Soonyoung hummed again, making sure that Jihoon is open enough for him, "baby, this is going to hurt okay?"

Soonyoung pulled his fingers out. Smiling down at Jihoon, kissing him deeply before he can even whine.

Jihoon nodded, spreading his legs even wider if that is even possible. Panting and sweating, his hands made their way to his two nether globes, pulling each other apart shamelessly, giving the older a great view of his pink little virgin hole waiting for Soonyoung to finally enter it. Soonyoung groaned upon looking at it, clenching and unclenching into nothing but air, begging for his dick to penetrate and destroy it. "Soonyoung I saved this hole for you for a long time. No one ever got to fuck it," Jihoon says with with a sultry tone, looking at Soonyoung with hazy eyes, "Deflower me please." 

"I am indeed a one lucky bastard." He reconnected his lips with Jihoon, sliding his shaft between the two mounds, nudging its head to the younger's rim but not putting it inside, teasing the younger.

When he had decided Jihoon had enough, he poured lube on his aching hard cock, moaning between Jihoon's lips while pumping his cock a few times. He lined himself up on Jihoon's entrance, feeling the man tensed up as the tip nudged at it. Jihoon stared right into Soonyoung's eyes, he found nothing but love and adoration. He gulped as his arms wrapped around Soonyoung's neck.

"I'm ready Soonyoung, put it in, don't worry, I am ready to give my all to you," Jihoon said, almost breathless.

"And I'm ready to protect all of you."

Soonyoung kissed him, sweetly, before pushing himself inside Jihoon. Slowly, as not to hurt the man. And stopping only when he bottomed out. Staying still to let his lover relax and adjust. Jiihoon squeezed his eyes shut due to the pain. He felt like he was being torned apart for having such a huge shaft penetrate him, he is so thankful that Soonyoung gave him time to adjust to his size.Soonyoung's

"P-please kiss me."

Soonyoung obeyed immediately, capturing Jihoon's lips in a slow, loving kiss. Their breaths mingled, hearts pounding in sync. Soonyoung took his time, ensuring Jihoon was comfortable, whispering words of encouragement between each kiss.

Minutes passed before Jihoon finally exhaled, his body relaxing into  touch. He looked up with trusting, half-lidded eyes. "S-Soonyoung… you can move now."

Soonyoung smiled, pressing his forehead against Jihoon. "Okay, baby. Just hold onto me. This might hurt a little."

Soonyoung moved with care, guiding Jihoon through the unfamiliar sensation. Their fingers intertwined, Jihoon holding onto him tightly as their bodies connected in a way they never had before. A sharp gasp left Jihoon's lips, his breath hitching as he adjusted to the fullness of Soonyoung's cock.

Soonyoung pressed soft kisses against Jihoon’s temple, whispering reassurances as he stroked his sides soothingly. "I've got you, baby," he murmured. "Just focus on me. I'm right here."

Jihoon exhaled shakily, his grip on Soonyoung tightening. "I-I trust you…" he whispered, voice laced with vulnerability.

Soonyoung nodded, kissing his way down to Jihoon's neck, starting to move his hips slowly. Pulling out a little bit, before going back in slowly so as to not hurt Jihoon. He can feel Jihoon trembling beneath him. And he's doing his best to control his movements even though all he wants to do is devour and wreck Jihoon. But that seems to annoy the younger.

"C'mon soonyoung harder and faster! I'm not fragile!"

"But baby, I don't want to hurt you .."

"You won't hurt me I swear."

Soonyoung nodded, kissing Jihoon one last time before kneeling up. Gripping Jihoon's thighs and wrapped them around his waist. He started to pull out all the way, and then pushing in suddenly. Groaning at the feeling of Jihoon around him. It has been so long and he feels like it won't take long before he cums. Jihoon is just damn irresistible. Jihoon screamed as the older hit a particular bundle of nerves inside of him, the pain finally subsided and was replaced by pleasure. His walls cleanched around Soonyoung's dick, "ahh fuck! Ah! Soonyoung! There! Hit me again there!"

Soonyoung started to piston his hips, maintaining a pace that has both him and Jihoon moaning. He started to rotate his hips, finding that spot again where he knew Jihoon would see stars. 

“You feel good baby?”

“Y-yes! So big, so good!”

Jihoon screamed again, louder this time, he never felt this good in his whole entire life till today. Plus the fact that the one who's making him feel good right now is the one who he loves the most doubles the pleasure. He continues to tighten his walls around Soonyoung's length as it continues abusing his prostate, "Soonie, please please cum inside me

“Baby, you’re so tight.. you make me feel so good.” Soonyoung groans, gripping Jihoon’s waist as he finally sets a brutal pace, thrusting up into him. “Taking me so well, baby.”

Jihoon sobs in pleasure, his cock leaking untouched between his thighs. His body arching against Soonyoung, each thrust hitting deep, making him see stars.  Soonyoung doesn’t stop, pounding into Jihoon’s heat, feeling him clench tighter, his walls fluttering as his orgasm builds. He reaches around, stroking Jihoon’s cock in time with his thrusts. He continued aiming for Jihoon's prostate, making the man scream out his name.

“Cum for me, Jihoonie,” he growls against the younger’s ear, biting his shoulder possessively. “Make a mess while I fuck you full.”

And cum, Jihoon did. He spurted out ribbons of white, painting his tummy and Sooyoung's hand. He threw his head back with eyes shut close screaming out Soonyoung's name from the top of his lungs. Soonyoung felt arousal shot down his spine as he watched Jihoon climax. Hearing his name repeatedly from Jihoon's lips is like a praise, but hearing him scream his name felt like a whole new other level. Urging him to move faster, as he thrusts inside Jihoon faster, and deeper. Chasing his own pleasure. Jihoon whined a little due to sensitivity, still clenching his walls though to help Soonyoung reach his own climax.

"Fuck, Jihoon!"

Soonyoung groaned as he felt his orgasm reach its peak. The clenching around Soonyoung’s cock sends him over the edge and with a final deep thrust, he emptied himself inside, filling Jihoon up just like he promised. Painting Jihoon's walls with his own cum as he sees stars of pleasure, his mind going blank for a minute before he dropped his body on Jihoon gently, covering his body with his own even though there's cum and sweat between them.

Soonyoung groaned softly as waves of pleasure washed over him, his body melting into Jihoon's warmth. Breathless, he buried his face in Jihoon’s neck, pressing gentle kisses there as they both basked in the afterglow. Their bodies were tangled together, hearts racing in sync, and Soonyoung held Jihoon even closer, as if grounding himself in the reality of the moment. “That was the best sex I had.”

Jihoon let out a breathy chuckle despite his exhaustion. “You know… I really was saving this moment for you. Hoping, somehow, that you'd like me back. And thank heavens you did.”

Soonyoung lifted his head, his eyes soft and full of emotion. He cupped Jihoon’s cheek, stroking his skin with his thumb. “I’m sorry you had to wait so long, baby. But I’m here now. Thank you for waiting for me.” He leaned in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to Jihoon's lips. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Jihoon’s voice was barely above a whisper, but the depth of his feelings was undeniable. He nuzzled into Soonyoung’s chest, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on the dancer’s back.

Soonyoung smiled as he intertwined their fingers, bringing Jihoon's hand to his lips and kissing his knuckles. “You’ve given me so much. You and Wonho… you’re my home now. I’ll never let you go.”

Jihoon’s lips curled into a shy smile. “Maybe one day, we’ll add to our little family,” he murmured, cheeks flushing. “I’d love to have a baby with you someday.”

Soonyoung felt his heart skip a beat at the thought. “That will happen, Ji. I want to marry you. I want you to be Wonho’s father officially, and I want us to have a whole life together—kids and all.”

Jihoon giggled, poking Soonyoung’s side. “Kids? How many are we talking about here? Because I think one is enough to be Wonho’s playmate.”

Soonyoung grinned. “Something tells me Wonho won’t settle for just one sibling.”

Jihoon rolled his eyes fondly before shifting slightly, wincing. “Ugh… I think I need a bath.”

Soonyoung propped himself up on his elbow, concern flickering in his gaze. “I’ll carry you?”

Jihoon nodded, biting his lip. “Yeah… and, um…” He looked away, fidgeting with the bedsheet—a clear sign that whatever he was about to say embarrassed him.

“What is it, baby?” Soonyoung coaxed, brushing his fingers along Jihoon’s flushed cheek. He pecked Jihoon's lips before sitting up. Pulling out of Jihoon slowly, getting mesmerized at the way his cum flowed out of Jihoon’s now gaping hole, it's like a mark of posession. Soonyoung wants to pump Jihoon full of his cum, but he knew that starting now, they need to use a condom or pills. He doesn't want Jihoon pregnant when Wonwoo is still being difficult.

"I want to suck you off."

Soonyoung inhaled sharply, "anything you want baby. But bath first."

Soonyoung carried Jihoon gently to the bathroom. Opening the shower as he put Jihoon down on his feet but not letting go of Jihoon's waist.

"Are you sure you want me to take a bath first~?" Jihoon asked in a very teasing voice. Soonyoung chuckled, kissing Jihoon deeply as he walked them under the shower. Jihoon kissed back passionately. Rubbing his body against Soonyoung.

Soonyoung groaned, pulling Jihoon closer so there's no space in between them, water still pouring over them.

Jihoon broke away from the kiss to breath, "stop—you're making me excited again."

Soonyoung hummed, "that's the point, baby."

Soonyoung turned Jihoon so his back is pressed against his chest. He reached out for the soap, and started rubbing them on Jihoon's body, massaging his muscles.

"Do you want a round two?"

"Can you handle it, baby?"

Jihoon nodded giving Soonyoung a playful smile, "and you want it don't you?"

"Very much...Why don't you go on your knees, baby?"

Jihoon obediently kneeled down, facing Soonyoung's slightly erect cock, the younger looked up, "do you want me to?"

Soonyoung nodded, smiling softly at Jihoon, "didn't you say you want to?"

Jihoon blushed, he wrapped his hand from its base, giving the head a soft kiss before giving it kitten licks. Soonyoung watched Jihoon intently, mesmerized at how beautiful he is, looking so innocent when he's doing anything but that. Jihoon then put the head in his mouth, sucking on it lightly as his hand was pumping the shaft.

Soonyoung groaned, wanting to close his eyes because of pleasure but doesn't want to miss anything. Jihoon's mouth felt so amazing on his cock, his lips puckered and swollen. It's so beautiful that his cock was hard again just a mere minute of Jihoon sucking his head. After a minute, Jihoon has now engulfed the whole length hitting the back of his throat, making him gag a little. He got over it soon anyways, he started bobbing his head up and down, giving Soonyoung a cute look as he does that.

"Fuck, baby. You look so pretty like that. You're so good at this, baby."

It's almost unbelievable that one who's giving him a head currently is pretty much inexperienced because Jihoon's doing really great for an amateur. Soonyoung moaned, trying hard not to move his hips but it's so difficult when Jihoon's mouth feels so amazing on his cock. He put his hands on Jihoon's hair, gripping it lightly.

Jihoon let go of Soonyoung's dick with a pop so that he can speak, "do you want to fuck my mouth? Feel free to."

Soonyoung groaned, "no. It's your first time, baby. The control is all yours."

Jihoon tilted his head, "are you sure?"

"Yes, baby," Soonyoung gave him a mischievous smirk, "trust me, I would have a lot of chances to play with your mouth later."

Jihoon blushed due to that and moaned at the thoughts of possible things Soonyoung can do with his mouth in the future. He continued with his ministration, engulfing Soonyoung's length in one go again. Sucking on it so hard. Soonyoung moaned out loud. Enjoying it way too much. His cock throbbing inside Jihoon's mouth.

Jihoon's hand sneaked in to Soonyoung's balls too, to play with it to heighten up the pleasure as he continuously suck on Soonyoung's dick, pumping his head up and down.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck. Baby, I'm gonna cum!"

With that Jihoon bobbed his head faster than he could. Motivated with Soonyoung's words. Soonyoung tried to hold out but Jihoon feels too good on his cock, and without a prompt, his orgasm hits him. Cumming inside of Jihoon's mouth. Jihoon greedily swallowed everything. Sucking every bit of Soonyoung's cum as if it's favourite food.

Soonyoung immediately pulled Jihoon up, kissing him hard as he tasted himself on his mouth, backing Jihoon up on the wall as he gripped his waist. Jihoon smiled on the kiss before breaking the kiss again to breathe.

"How did I get so lucky to be your boyfriend?"

"If there's a lucky one of the two of us, it would be me baby."

He leaned down and kissed Jihoon again. Slotting his thighs in between Jihoon's leg until his sensitive cock is pressed on his legs.

Jihoon moaned, "what are you doing?"

"It's not fair that I'm the only one who gets to cum, baby."

Soonyoung's hands went down on his nipples, rubbing them and pinching them as he urged Jihoon to move against his leg.

Jihoon moaned loudly, "hnng Ah! Soonie! Keep on doing that!"

Jihoon then started riding Soonyoung's thighs, his hands gripping on Soonyoung's shoulder for support. Soonyoung leaned down to mouth on Jihoon's jaw, as Jihoon continued to ride his thighs.

"Fuck, I won't be able to get this out of my mind baby."

"Did you—Did you enjoy it?" Jihoon choked out a moan.

Jihoon's pace increases, moving his hips very fast as his mouth is wide open and his face flushed, totally drunk through the pleasure spreading out to his body.

Soonyoung whispered breathily, "so much, baby. So so much. Come on, let me see you cum again. Cum for me, love."

With that Jihoon came again for the second time that day, his nails digging on Soonyoung's skin. After spurting out everything, he trembled so hard, if it weren't for Soonyoung holding him he would fall down instantly into the floor already.

"Fuck that was so hot.”

Soonyoung kissed him again, this time fully supporting Jihoon as he pulled them under the shower water once more, quickly cleaning them up. Afterward, he carried Jihoon bridal style to the small couch in their bedroom, both still completely bare.

"Baby, wear this first. I'll fix the bed and change the sheets, okay?" Soonyoung handed Jihoon a shirt and a pair of boxers before turning to strip the bed, not bothering to dress himself just yet.

Jihoon put on the clothes obediently, watching Soonyoung as he moved around the room. He sat comfortably on the couch, quietly admiring the view of his boyfriend’s naked figure.

Grinning, Jihoon muttered, "My ass still fucking hurts, but well... it was worth it."

Soonyoung laughed out loud. "Sorry, I tried to be gentle, but… well, I guess it's really big."

Jihoon rolled his eyes at that but still responded, "I should get used to it then. Looks like this activity will be a regular thing from now on."

Smirking, Soonyoung walked over to Jihoon, scooping him up again and gently placing him on the freshly made bed before grabbing a pair of boxers for himself. He pouted slightly when he noticed how the shirt covered all the marks he had left on Jihoon’s skin, but his gaze lingered on Jihoon’s legs, decorated with hickeys of various sizes and shapes.

"Right, we need to talk about that, baby," Soonyoung said, his tone turning more serious.

"Hmm? About what?" Jihoon asked, looking at him curiously as they lay down together, instinctively nestling against Soonyoung’s chest.

"We can't… do it bare. Not now, at least. I don't want you to get pregnant without us planning for it first, especially since Wonwoo is still being a real pain in the ass," Soonyoung explained. He would love to have children with Jihoon someday, just not yet. There were still too many things he needed to take care of.

"I see. You don’t want me to take pills?" Jihoon asked.

"Would you prefer that over condoms? I… uh, don’t really know how that works. Does it have any side effects?" Soonyoung admitted, scratching the back of his head.

"I don't know… If you want, can we visit a doctor? I like that better than condoms, but if you don't want it, that's fine too," Jihoon suggested. Speaking of doctors, he had just gotten himself checked before they returned to Korea. He had been ecstatic to discover that he could conceive.

"It's your decision, baby. The only thing I want is for you to be comfortable and safe. It's your body, after all," Soonyoung replied, wrapping his arms around Jihoon and pulling him closer, wanting to feel his warmth.

"I like pills better because I always want to feel you inside me," Jihoon murmured, running his index finger along Soonyoung's face, tracing his features with a small smile.

Soonyoung groaned, tightening his hold on Jihoon and pulling him even closer. "I… would like that too. Like, so much. Damn, Ji, just thinking about it alone—" he groaned again, voice thick with emotion.

Jihoon lightly smacked Soonyoung’s chest. "You're so horny, you idiot."

Soonyoung burst out laughing. "You're the one who suggested it, baby!"

Jihoon chuckled under his breath, rubbing his head against Soonyoung’s chest. After a moment, he spoke again. "Soonie, just curious since when did you start liking me?"

Soonyoung bit his lip, torn between telling Jihoon the truth, that he'd been attracted to him since childhood or keeping the surprise he was planning under wraps. Luckily, he thought of a response. "Remember when we saw each other again? Jun kept teasing me about you, saying stuff like maybe it was time for me to love someone again. But I kind of pushed the thought away… up until you stayed and accepted Wonho as if he were your own. And then… uh, I kissed you when I was sick. I don't know if you remember that?"

"You remember?" Jihoon asked in surprise, his small eyes widening slightly.

"Right after I woke up, yeah. I panicked a bit too much. Good thing you and Wonho weren't around."

Jihoon blinked. "That was my first kiss."

"I know…" Soonyoung said softly. "I'm sorry for that, by the way."

"No, it's okay. As long as you're my first kiss, I’m happy," Jihoon giggled, snuggling closer to Soonyoung, his free hand traveling across the older’s body.

"That was the moment I realized I’d fallen for you," Soonyoung admitted. "I called Jun in a panic, and he was absolutely useless."

Jihoon chirped, "You're really cute!"

"Me? I think it's you, my love," Soonyoung pointed to himself, cringing slightly.

"Not me, then Wonho!" Jihoon teased.

"Speaking of, Wonho is going to be so happy tomorrow," Soonyoung mused.

Jihoon's smile softened. "You know what? I'm really happy that Wonho treats me as his papa. I just wish I were the one who gave birth to him. But… well, just from his name, you can easily tell who his real papa is." His smile wavered, turning melancholic. If only there were a way to change reality.

Soonyoung cupped Jihoon’s face gently. "That doesn’t matter. Wonho loves you so much, Ji. You may not have given birth to him, but he acts more like you every day. Everyone keeps telling me he’s a mini you."

"Really?" Jihoon asked, eyes brightening.

"Really," Soonyoung assured him. "Wonho is our child, love. He’s your child. Wonwoo can say whatever he wants, but I’m not giving him away. Our son is not a toy."

Jihoon smiled softly at Soonyoung. "What’s your plan, though? It doesn’t seem like he has any intention of leaving us alone. I even feel like he has plans to get back together with you."

Soonyoung laughed. "That’s never happening, love. I’m already yours. I’m pushing for the divorce. I’m pretty sure he’ll give up—I doubt he can make his lover wait forever."

"It’s his fault too," Jihoon murmured. "If only he hadn’t left you…"

"If he hadn’t left us, you wouldn’t be here by my side," Soonyoung pointed out. "So, in a way, I’m thankful for that. The only thing I regret is what he did to Wonho. If he truly abandoned someone, it wasn’t me, it was our son."

Jihoon sighed. "The thought itself makes me sad… but do you have any regrets about letting him go so easily after you found out about his relationship with Mingyu?"

Soonyoung shook his head. "None. I think… I saw it coming. When he was still pregnant with Wonho, he didn’t want him, you know? He was miserable. He wanted… Ji, God, he wanted to abort Wonho."

"W-what? Why?" Jihoon’s breath hitched, eyes wide in shock.

"Ji, Wonwoo has always been… ambitious, I guess? He had big dreams. Bigger dreams than I ever did. I think he fell in love with me because I was the only thing in his life that didn’t remind him of responsibilities—like a breath of fresh air, they say. But then Wonho came… and he wasn’t ready for it. I wasn’t either. I was reckless, immature, selfish. But I had to change because I had a kid coming. Wonwoo didn’t," Soonyoung explained, his voice laced with nostalgia. He tried to recall those moments with Wonwoo, but they were nothing more than a distant past now, memories that no longer held any meaning in his heart.

"That really sounds so like him," Jihoon scoffed. "But you know what, Nyong? The ball of sunshine you were back in high school… that’s what really drew me to you."

"Are you disappointed?" Soonyoung asked curiously, turning to face Jihoon. "When you saw me again and realized how much I’d changed?"

Jihoon shook his head. "No. In fact, I admire you even more. Being a single father is hard, and you raised Wonho so well."

"I had a lot of help from everyone around me. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have known a single thing about raising Wonho. Did you know that… I almost failed?"

"Hmm? Why?" Jihoon asked, tilting his head.

Soonyoung exhaled, rubbing his face. "I was too afraid, I guess? Afraid of failing, of not being a good father. When I first moved to China, I was alone. Jun and Hao only came back home when… when I was at my breaking point. I became so obsessed with taking care of my son that I smothered him. I was too paranoid, too overbearing… I only realized what I was doing when I ended up in the hospital, and Cheol-hyung had to fly over just to scold me."

Jihoon sighed, looking up, their gazes naturally locking. "But from now on, you're not alone. I'm here. I'll help you raise Wonho. I don’t care if Wonwoo calls me your bitch, your slut, or whatever else."

"He was the one who destroyed the marriage," Soonyoung muttered. "And in the first place… he never really wanted to get married. So he has no right to insult you."

"I know, Nyong. And you know what? I really don’t mind. I'm not affected," Jihoon said with unwavering confidence, making Soonyoung smile widely. "I know you love me."

Soonyoung couldn't help but beam at Jihoon. "I love you, Ji," he said unconsciously, the words slipping out effortlessly because, at that moment, it was the absolute truth, it felt so right.

Jihoon playfully pinched Soonyoung's nose. "I love you more, Nyong. Let's sleep?"

Soonyoung nodded, pressing a warm kiss to Jihoon’s forehead, then to his nose, and finally to his waiting lips. He pulled the duvet over their entwined bodies, wrapping them in warmth and comfort.

Tonight was special. They had finally united as one, temporarily setting aside the obstacles they would have to face in the days ahead. For now, it was just them lost in a night full of love and passion. And this was only the beginning of their long journey together.

Chapter Text

Wonho was, in fact, the happiest when he found out about their relationship. The kid had been babbling non-stop about what he would wear and what he would do on Soonyoung and Jihoon's wedding day in the near future. He had turned into their little self-proclaimed wedding organizer, and the two couldn't be fonder of him.

Jihoon went home to China for a few weeks to take care of some paperwork, and Wonho cried all the time even though they saw each other every day via video calls. That was why, when Jihoon returned to South Korea, Wonho refused to leave his side. It was adorable. Soonyoung really couldn't ask for more... besides the divorce, of course.

He couldn't understand Wonwoo either, couldn't figure out what was going on inside his mind. It seemed like the man had no plans of leaving them alone anytime soon. The only silver lining was that Wonho was slowly starting to open up to him. He had learned not to be rude anymore, solely because Jihoon had told him not to.

Soonyoung had been awake for an hour now, just lying in bed, soaking in Jihoon's warmth. He had missed him too, and last night had made that clear. Their love-making had been intense and rough, lasting until dawn, in every position imaginable.

He gazed at Jihoon's sleeping face, resisting the urge to trace his features with his index finger. Jihoon's visuals were no joke, it was as if God had spent an extra amount of time creating him. Sometimes, Soonyoung couldn't believe he was a mortal; he could easily pass as an angel. A small smile tugged at his lips as he thought about how lucky he was to have Jihoon as his boyfriend.

Within a few minutes, Jihoon stirred from his sleep, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the blinding light. He stretched his arms wide.

"Good morning, love," Soonyoung greeted.

Jihoon turned his head toward the taller man and flashed a lazy grin, still feeling sore from the night before. He sat up in bed, pulling the blanket over his naked body. "Good morning to you too."

"Love, Wonwoo sent me a text message. He said he wanted to see Wonho today," Soonyoung blurted out of nowhere, remembering it as he checked the time on his phone.

Jihoon shifted on the bed, scooting closer to Soonyoung, unwilling to get up just yet. "Well, I don't have the right to stop him from seeing Wonho."

Soonyoung groaned, flopping onto the bed. Wonho was still fast asleep, and he just wanted to stay in bed with Jihoon for a few more hours. "I don’t wanna be with him, but I also don’t want to leave him alone with Wonho. I can't ask Hao for a favor either. He wants to break Wonwoo's bones, you know?"

Jihoon laughed at Soonyoung, watching him groan and whine like a child. "It’s funny how you complain about being around Wonwoo now when you were practically attached to his hip back in high school."

"I know he can be harsh and mean, and I liked that about him. I mean, I love bold guys," Soonyoung said, throwing Jihoon a look, hinting that it was one of the reasons he had fallen for him so quickly. "But now, it’s gotten worse. It’s too toxic. I just don’t want to hear any more of his bullshit, for Pete’s sake."

Jihoon, however, was too busy staring at the older’s face to pay attention to his complaints. He lifted a finger, gently tracing Soonyoung’s features. "How about me? What do you like about me? Besides the fact that I have a pretty decent performance in bed."

"For your information, I already liked you even before the night we made love." Soonyoung smirked before tilting his head in thought. "But hmm… what do I like about you? Let me think… besides the fact that you’re absolutely perfect." He made a dramatic thinking gesture, grinning playfully at his boyfriend.

Jihoon rolled his eyes before giving Soonyoung a playful shove, though his face had already turned red. "Stop flattering me. I know that’s not true."

Without waiting for a response, he got out of bed, revealing his naked body still covered in Soonyoung’s love marks from the night before. He quickly grabbed his discarded boxers from the floor.

Soonyoung got up as well and wrapped his arms around Jihoon from behind, pulling him into a back hug. "But it is true. You’re beautiful. You’re smart, talented, understanding, accepting, feisty, soft, and everything wonderful in this world. It feels like even the entire dictionary doesn’t have enough adjectives to describe you. Jihoon, I could write a ten-page essay on everything I love about you."

Jihoon puffed his cheeks, trying, and failing, to hide his blush. "Whatever. Let’s get ready before Wonwoo arrives."

Soonyoung whined, stomping his feet like a child. "No, I refuse! Why did you have to remind me?" He buried his face in Jihoon’s neck, wishing he could stay there forever.

Jihoon rolled his eyes at Soonyoung’s childishness. At times like this, the old Soonyoung resurfaced, and Jihoon found it both cute and annoying. "Duh, that’s what’s happening today whether you like it or not. You pretty much don’t have a choice."

Soonyoung pouted at Jihoon, about to lean in for a kiss when the doorbell rang. He groaned, "Fuck it."

Jihoon giggled. "Soonyoung, open the door~"

Soonyoung raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward his body with a sweep of his hand. "Looking like this?"

He was shirtless, his skin marked with Jihoon’s love bites from the night before. Jihoon stepped back slightly, admiring his masterpiece with a smirk. "Well, yes. Why not? Let him know that you’re mine."

Soonyoung chuckled. "I love when you’re like this."

Before he could say more, Wonwoo began knocking repeatedly and pressing the doorbell non-stop, torturing the poor thing, just like he always did when visiting Wonho. Sighing deeply, Soonyoung searched for a shirt and sweatpants. "You staying here, love?"

"Yes. My ass still hurts like a fucking bitch. You were so rough last night."

Soonyoung pouted. "Sorry, love."

He pushed Jihoon back onto the bed, kissing him hard, only pulling away when they heard a loud screech.

Standing at the doorway, hands covering his eyes, was Wonho. "DADDY! PAPA! I WANT MY MORNING KISSES TOO!" he yelled with boundless energy. He was indeed a little ball of sunshine.

Jihoon gasped before reaching his arms out. "Come here. Papa will give you your good morning kiss."

Wonho immediately ran to Jihoon, climbing onto his chest. Soonyoung pressed a kiss to his son's cheeks and forehead before standing up. "I’ll go open the door."

"Okay, I’ll just comb Wonho’s hair. Then you can take him outside."

Soonyoung nodded, sighing deeply before opening the door. "Good morning to you, Jeon. We just woke up, so you’re gonna have to wait."

Wonwoo raised an eyebrow, his face contorting into an expression that was both annoyed and baffled. "Why do you always greet me like this? I’m not even starting a fight."

Soonyoung just shrugged, ignoring his question. "Have you signed the papers?"

"Why would I sign the papers?" Wonwoo snapped, crossing his arms as he stepped closer. "Soonyoung, we have a child together, for Pete’s sake. Why are you rushing things? Are you that thirsty for your bitch?"

Soonyoung’s expression hardened. "Yes, I’m so thirsty for Jihoon. Do you have a problem with that? And how many times do I have to tell you stop calling him that?!"

"Whatever," Wonwoo exhaled in frustration before glancing around the apartment, searching for any sign of Wonho. "Where’s our son? I want to see him."

Soonyoung sighed but stepped aside, allowing him in. "He’s still with his papa."

From the living room, Wonho’s loud laughter and shrieks echoed through the space. Wonwoo gritted his teeth at the sound, but his jaw clenched even tighter when he heard Soonyoung refer to Jihoon as papa. He hated that. Silently fuming, he sat impatiently on the couch, waiting for Wonho to come out.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Wonho clung tightly to Jihoon, hugging him like a baby koala refusing to let go of its mother. "Papa, let’s eat breakfast together!"

Jihoon chuckled softly, brushing his fingers through the child’s hair. "Hmm, Papa will prepare breakfast, but Papa Won is here to visit you. Is it okay if you go and play with him for a bit? I’ll make pancakes for you and Papa Won." He cupped Wonho’s chubby cheeks, looking into the small eyes that were unmistakably inherited from Soonyoung.

Wonho tilted his head in confusion. "But where will you eat? We can all eat together with Daddy and Wonwoo Ajusshi," he said, still unable to call Wonwoo Papa. It was too difficult for him.

Jihoon caressed Wonho’s cheek, pressing his lips together as he thought of an answer. "If that’s okay with your Papa Won," he said gently. "I’ll make it up to you, baby. Papa Won just wants to spend time with you today."

Wonho frowned. "But Papa, I don’t wanna. I just wanna stay here by your side," he mumbled before snuggling deeper into Jihoon’s chest.

"Wonho, please," Jihoon said, his tone firmer. "Can you do this for Papa? I promise I’ll make it up to you tomorrow." He wanted to teach Wonho discipline, too.

Tears welled up in Wonho’s eyes, and without warning, he burst into loud wails.

Hearing the sudden cries, Soonyoung jumped up from the couch and sprinted to their bedroom, only to find Wonho sobbing against Jihoon’s bare chest.

Soonyoung immediately scooped Wonho into his arms. "Love, what happened? Baby, why are you crying?"

Jihoon panicked, quickly getting up from the bed to rub soothing circles on Wonho’s back. "I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean it like that. I just wanted you to eat breakfast with Papa Won, but… if you really don’t want to, then—" He trailed off, lowering his gaze.

Wonho sniffled and looked up at Jihoon. "Wanna eat with Papa Hoonie?"

Soonyoung let out a relieved sigh. "I thought something bad happened. Don’t scare me like that." He kissed the top of Wonho’s head. "Alright, let’s go eat, love. If that’s what our little prince wants. But first, put some clothes on."

Jihoon exhaled in relief, letting out a small "phew" as he grabbed a shirt and put it on. He then sat on the couch in their bedroom, running a hand through his hair to fix it. "Where’s Wonwoo? Is he waiting outside?"

Soonyoung nodded, adjusting Wonho in his arms. "Yeah, I’ll bring him out. Are you going to cook breakfast, or should I just call for delivery? Wonwoo can either eat with us or wait, his choice."

Jihoon smiled, smoothing his hair. "I’ll cook pancakes. They’re Wonho’s favorite."

Soonyoung smirked, eyes raking over Jihoon from head to toe. "And you’re my favorite."

Jihoon exhaled, giving Soonyoung a light push. "Please, our son is right here, Soonyoung."

Soonyoung burst into laughter as he carried Wonho out of the bedroom. The little boy, now feeling better knowing his Papa Hoonie wasn’t leaving, clung to Soonyoung’s neck with a small smile.

"Wonho, say good morning to Papa Wonwoo," Soonyoung encouraged.

Wonwoo’s face lit up the moment he saw his son. Watching Wonho yawn with his tiny mouth made his expression soften even more. He opened his arms slightly, welcoming him. "Good morning, baby."

Wonho hesitated, glancing at Soonyoung, who gave him an encouraging nod. Then, he peeked at the bedroom door where Jihoon was before lowering his gaze to the floor, still feeling a bit uncomfortable around Wonwoo.

"Good morning…" he mumbled softly.

Soonyoung stepped closer to Wonwoo and gently placed Wonho down on the floor. "Go hug him, baby," he encouraged softly. But Wonho didn’t move, only gripping Soonyoung’s leg tightly.

Wonwoo stretched out his hand, coaxing the child. "Come on, baby, give Papa a hug~"

When Wonho still didn’t react, Soonyoung let out a small sigh and carefully nudged him forward. Wonho wasn’t resisting, but his reluctance was clear.

"Hug him, baby, just like how you hug Papa Hoonie," Soonyoung tried again. "You like hugs, right?"

Wonwoo softened his voice, making it sound warmer than usual. "Baby, please… I came all this way just to see you."

Wonho hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Soonyoung one last time before finally stepping into Wonwoo’s arms. He allowed the man to embrace him, though he didn’t return the hug.

Wonwoo kissed the top of Wonho’s head and wrapped his arms around him tightly. "I missed you so much, baby. How are you? Tell Papa some stories, I’ll listen."

Satisfied that Wonho was at least with Wonwoo, Soonyoung left them alone. He wasn’t too worried since they were inside his house, there was no way Wonwoo could take Wonho and run.

He made his way to Jihoon, calling out as he entered their bedroom. "Love? Still not coming out yet?"

Jihoon’s voice rang out from the bathroom. "Coming! I just washed my face!"

A moment later, Jihoon stepped out, towel in hand, wiping his face dry before heading straight to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast for their family and their visitor.

Soonyoung, of course, trailed after him, draping himself over Jihoon’s back like an overgrown child.

Jihoon sighed but didn’t push him away. Instead, he handed Soonyoung a stainless mixing bowl and a beater. "Soonyoung, help me beat the eggs."

Then, realizing exactly the kind of joke his boyfriend would make, he quickly added, "The edible kind, okay?"

Soonyoung leaned in close to Jihoon’s ear, his breath warm as he whispered with a chuckle, “Why? Aren’t your eggs edible too?”

Jihoon knew it. He sighed, already regretting setting up that joke, and smacked Soonyoung lightly. A dusting of red spread across his cheeks. “Fucking pervert.”

“Ouch, love, that hurts!” Soonyoung pouted dramatically before flashing a cheeky grin. “But hey, I’m just telling the truth.” He stole a quick peck on Jihoon’s lips before he could get hit again.

Jihoon shoved the kitchen tools into Soonyoung’s hands, scowling at him. “Enough talking. Just start beating the eggs, will you?”

“I was about to say something else, but I don’t want our son to starve,” Soonyoung teased, laughing before finally getting to work.

Jihoon rolled his eyes as he opened a large packet of flour and poured it into his mixing bowl. “One more perverted remark, and I swear I’ll beat you with the rolling pin.”

Soonyoung raised his hands in surrender. “Geez, calm down, baby. I’m starting now.” He cracked the eggs into the bowl, grinning to himself.

Jihoon shook his head but didn’t push him away. He focused on preparing breakfast, and with Soonyoung’s (moderate) help, they managed to finish cooking within a few minutes.

As soon as they were done, Soonyoung draped himself over Jihoon’s back again, resting his chin on his shoulder. “So, let’s eat? I’ll call them.”

---

Meanwhile, in the living room, Wonho was still sitting quietly in Wonwoo’s arms, barely moving.

Then, in a small mumble, he said, “I wanna go back to China.”

Wonwoo’s brows furrowed as he leaned in, looking at his son with concern. “Why?”

Wonho fiddled with his fingers before responding. “I miss Uncle Junnie and Uncle Hao. Daddy said Uncle Hao has a baby now—I wanna see the baby!”

The moment he said it, his face lit up in excitement. He waved his tiny hands in exaggerated gestures, showing just how eager he was.

Wonwoo chuckled, watching his son’s energy finally pick up. “You really love your uncles, don’t you?”

Wonho nodded, still avoiding Wonwoo’s gaze, though his smile grew larger as he talked. “They help Daddy, and they love me and take care of me! They promised I’d have a playmate soon and they kept their promise!”

Hearing that was enough to make Wonwoo smile fondly at his son. “I’m happy that you’re happy, baby.” He placed another kiss on Wonho’s forehead and pulled him tighter into his embrace.

Regret gnawed at him. He had let precious time slip away the chance to raise Wonho, to watch him grow. But dwelling on the past wouldn’t change anything. He couldn’t turn back time. What mattered now was finding a way to be with his son again.

But then, Wonho, who had been avoiding his gaze all this time, suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with innocence and curiosity. “Then why are you mad at Papa Hoonie? He makes me happy.”

The unexpected question caught Wonwoo off guard. He hadn’t anticipated this, hadn’t prepared for it. “…The truth is, I should be the one in your Papa Hoonie’s place. Not him.”

Wonho frowned. He was still young, too young to fully understand the complexities of adult relationships, but he was also smart, he was his son, after all. And from what he could understand, one thing was clear: Wonwoo had left them. That’s why Daddy had met Papa Hoonie.

“But you were the one who left,” Wonho argued, brows furrowed in frustration. “Papa Hoonie won’t leave me. He promised!”

Wonwoo stiffened at that.

“But I’m your real Papa, Wonho,” he said firmly. “If only your Daddy weren’t so stubborn, we could be a whole family again. I could give you more playmates.”

Wonho’s frown deepened. His small hands curled into fists against Wonwoo’s chest, confusion and frustration evident on his face. “But I don’t want more playmates. I just want Papa Hoonie and Daddy!”

Wonwoo looked at Soonyoung, "and now what?"

Soonyoung smirked, leaning lazily against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed. “Oh, nothing,” he said in a sing-song tone, watching as Wonho clung to Jihoon like a koala. “I just find it funny how our son just put you in your place.”

Wonwoo clenched his jaw, his patience wearing thin. “He’s my son too,” he snapped, voice lower, eyes narrowing at Soonyoung.

“Yeah? Then maybe you should start acting like it.” Soonyoung’s smirk faded as he stared back at Wonwoo, his usual playful tone replaced with something sharper. “Instead of trying to convince a kid that his family isn’t real just because you regret leaving.”

Jihoon shot Soonyoung a warning glance, but the damage was done. Wonwoo’s hands curled into tight fists, his nails digging into his palms. He inhaled sharply, forcing himself to take a step back, physically and mentally.

Meanwhile, Wonho had successfully climbed into Jihoon’s arms, completely unaware of the tension between the adults. “Papa Hoonie, I’m so hungry!” he whined, nuzzling into Jihoon’s neck. “Let’s eat!”

Jihoon kissed the top of Wonho’s head and nodded. “Alright, baby. Let’s get you your pancakes.” He looked at Wonwoo, his expression neutral. “You can eat with us if you want. But if you’re here to pick a fight, Wonwoo, I’d rather you leave.”

Wonwoo exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging as he forced himself to calm down. “…I’ll stay,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t come here to fight. I just… I just wanted to see Wonho.”

“Then sit down and eat,” Jihoon said simply, turning towards the table with Wonho still in his arms.

Soonyoung, of course, couldn’t resist getting in one last jab. As he passed by Wonwoo, he whispered just loud enough for him to hear, “Hope you like the taste of regret, ‘cause that’s all you’re getting here.”

Jihoon elbowed Soonyoung in the ribs, making him yelp. “Ow—baby!”

“Shut up and eat.”

With a pout, Soonyoung finally sat down, while Wonho clapped excitedly as Jihoon placed a plate of pancakes in front of him. Wonwoo, though still seething, took a deep breath and sat down as well.

For now, at least, there was peace at the breakfast table.

Wonho shook his head, giving Wonwoo a determined look, unwilling to lose the argument with his father. “Daddy and Papa Hoonie are like Uncle Junnie and Uncle Hao! They love each other very, very, very much. And they both love Wonho very, very, very much too! I don’t want Papa Hoonie to leave!”

Wonwoo let out a loud sigh, pressing a hand to his forehead and massaging it. “But I’m married to your daddy, baby. And you are our son.”

“But I want Daddy to marry Papa Hoonie!” Wonho protested, his little brows furrowing into a glare. “Papa Hoonie promised that I’ll be their ring bearer!”

“Baby, your daddy is already married. You have to understand that.”

Wonho scowled, stomping his small foot against the floor. “No! You have a family too! Just like Papa Hoonie and Daddy! You have someone too!”

Wonwoo froze. If either Soonyoung or Jihoon had told Wonho about that, he was going to lose it. His expression hardened as he looked down at his son. “Where did you hear that?”

“I saw you kiss him at the playground!” Wonho answered without hesitation.

Wonwoo was about to say something to counter Wonho’s words, but before he could, Soonyoung’s loud voice rang out from the kitchen.

“Baby? Breakfast? Wonwoo, are you going to eat?” Soonyoung coughed, still lazily draped over Jihoon like he had no care in the world.

Wonwoo immediately seized the opportunity to change the subject. “Are you going to eat breakfast, baby?” he asked Wonho, forcing his voice into a softer tone.

Still scowling, Wonho wriggled out of Wonwoo’s arms and sprinted toward Jihoon, his small hands reaching for him. “Pancakes, Papa?” he asked eagerly. “Wonwoo Ajusshi, Papa Hoonie makes the beeeeeest pancakes! You should try them!”

Meanwhile, Soonyoung couldn't hold back his snicker.

Wonwoo clenched his fists, irritation bubbling inside him at the way Soonyoung was acting. As he walked past him, he shot him a sharp glare. “What are you so happy about, Soonyoung?”

Soonyoung grinned widely at Wonwoo, throwing his hands up in mock innocence. “What? I can’t be happy? So, are you gonna eat or not? Decide fast—Wonho is hungry. Aren’t you, baby?”

Wonho nodded, his small brows furrowing when Jihoon didn’t pick him up immediately. “Papa, up!”

Jihoon chuckled, having just finished setting the table. Now free, he scooped Wonho into his arms. “Are you sure you want to sit on my lap for the whole breakfast?”

Wonho nodded enthusiastically before turning to his biological father. “Wonwoo Ajusshi? Papa said breakfast should be eaten warm! Are you going to eat with us?”

Wonwoo’s heart softened at the way Wonho was starting to welcome him little by little. Smiling, he nodded. “I will, but only if you sit beside me, baby.”

Soonyoung let out a loud laugh. “You sure about that? That means you’ll be sitting next to Jihoon. Wonho usually sits on Jihoon’s lap during breakfast. If that’s what you want, well, I’ve got nothing against it.” He shrugged, still laughing.

Wonwoo frowned at Soonyoung but then, after a brief pause, an idea popped into his head. Smirking, he turned to Wonho. “Okay, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll sit beside your daddy then, baby. I’ll sit beside my husband,” he said, emphasizing the last word, making sure Jihoon could hear it.

Jihoon, however, remained unbothered, much to Wonwoo’s frustration.

Soonyoung, on the other hand, scowled at Wonwoo before abruptly switching gears. “Okay, change of plans. Wonho, you’re not sitting on your papa’s lap today. Jihoon, you’re sitting on my lap. Capisce? Let’s eat.”

Without waiting for any objections, Soonyoung gently dragged Jihoon to the dining table, not even bothering to check if Wonwoo was following. He gestured for Jihoon to set Wonho down in a chair.

“A-Ah! Soonie! What are you doing?” Jihoon yelped, his face turning pink.

“What?” Soonyoung asked smugly, pulling Jihoon onto his lap.

Wonho, watching his parents, pouted. “What about me?”

He was about to whine further but stopped himself when he saw how sweet his daddy and papa looked together. He loved seeing them like that, so instead, he quietly sat in the vacant chair beside Wonwoo, who had already taken the seat adjacent to Soonyoung.

Jihoon, his face still red as a tomato, leaned in and whispered, “Soonyoung, what are we doing? This is embarrassing.”

Soonyoung whispered back, “I don’t wanna sit next to him, okay! Who knows what he might do to me?”

Wonwoo shot them both a sharp glare before turning to Wonho. “Sit beside me, baby. What do you want to eat? I’ll put it on your plate.”

“Papa Hoonie’s pancakes!” Wonho cheered, pointing eagerly at the stack in the middle of the table, then at the syrup bottle he wanted.

Jihoon, still seated on Soonyoung’s lap, wrapped his arms around his boyfriend’s neck and sighed. “He can’t do anything to you, though. Duh, I’m right here.”

Wonwoo tried his best to ignore the couple being all sweet and cuddly in front of him, acting like newlyweds. It was awkward, painfully so. Instead of commenting, he focused on Wonho. “These pancakes?” he asked, pointing at the platter full of them before glancing back at his son.

Soonyoung, completely unbothered, shrugged and wrapped an arm around Jihoon’s waist while using the other to put food on their shared plate. “I just don’t want to be near him, period,” he muttered.

Wonho nodded eagerly at Wonwoo, then giggled at his parents' affectionate display. He even clapped in amusement.

Jihoon chuckled at Soonyoung’s whispered complaint and leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips. Smiling, he opened his mouth wide. “Feed me then~”

Meanwhile, Wonwoo placed pancakes on Wonho’s plate, drizzling them with chocolate syrup, his son’s choice.

Soonyoung grinned at Jihoon before turning to Wonho. “Baby, remember what Daddy taught you? Slice them into small pieces first, and chew properly, okay?”

Wonho nodded, but then pouted. “Are you going to feed Papa? What about Wonho? I want to be fed too!”

“I’ll do that,” Wonwoo interjected, cutting a small piece of pancake, piercing it with a fork, and holding it up for Wonho. The child quickly opened his mouth, taking the bite happily.

But then Wonwoo shot an exasperated look at Jihoon and Soonyoung. “Can you two stop flirting in front of me?” He was completely fed up.

Soonyoung rolled his eyes. “You’re in our house. What do you expect us to do? Also, mind your tone.”

Wonwoo, now focused on cutting Wonho’s pancakes into even smaller pieces, scoffed. “At least be decent. You’re in front of the kid.”

Soonyoung huffed, rolling his eyes again. “Wonho isn’t bothered. You’re the only one complaining.”

As if to prove his point, Soonyoung raised a forkful of food to Jihoon’s lips. Jihoon, face tinged pink, opened his mouth and took the bite, still completely indifferent to Wonwoo’s irritation. “Love, you should eat too,” he murmured between bites.

Wonwoo rolled his eyes again, this time directing most of his frustration at Soonyoung. “Whatever,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Soonyoung simply nodded at Jihoon and continued taking bites of his own food while feeding Jihoon as well. Wonho seemed perfectly content being fed by Wonwoo.

But when he was finally full, he suddenly whined. “Papa,” he called out, making grabby hands toward Jihoon.

Jihoon’s attention immediately shifted. “Yes, baby?”

“Hug!” Wonho demanded, his arms stretched out.

Soonyoung smiled, rubbing Jihoon’s back. “Love, I’ll get Wonho.”

Soonyoung sighed, gently pulling Jihoon off his lap before lifting Wonho from his chair and carrying him over to Jihoon. “Wonho, do you want to do anything today?”

Wonho shook his head. Soonyoung then turned to Wonwoo. “How about you? Do you have any plans with Wonho today?”

“I want to take him to a nearby mall and buy him a new violin. He told me last time that his old one broke.”

Soonyoung blinked, caught off guard. “You… don’t know anything about instruments, though.” He hesitated, scratching the back of his head. He was still uncomfortable leaving Wonho alone with Wonwoo. But at the same time, he knew he couldn’t put Jihoon through the emotional torture of dealing with his ex.

Wonwoo, noticing Soonyoung’s reluctance, added, “I think Wonho knows what he wants to buy, though.”

Soonyoung turned to Jihoon. He couldn’t go with them, he had work, but the idea of Wonho being alone with Wonwoo made him uneasy. Who knew what Wonwoo was capable of? What if he ran away with their son?

Jihoon smiled, shifting a bit as he rocked Wonho in his arms. He immediately picked up on Soonyoung’s distress and stepped in to ease his worries. “I’ll go with them. I’ll be able to help Wonho pick the perfect violin.”

Soonyoung gripped Jihoon’s hand tightly, concern evident in his eyes. “Would… you be okay? I doubt Wonho would even go without either of us.”

“Yes, don’t worry,” Jihoon reassured him with a soft smile.

That, however, made Wonwoo scowl. “Why do you act like I’d kill your bit—your man?!” He caught himself before finishing the insult, but the hostility was clear.

Soonyoung simply shrugged. “I just don’t trust you.” His voice was cold, unwavering. Then, he turned to Wonho with a much gentler tone. “Wonho, baby, you’re going out with Papa Hoonie and… Papa Won, okay?”

“Okay!” Wonho chirped excitedly.

“Please excuse us,” Jihoon said, adjusting Wonho in his arms. “We’ll just take a bath and get ready.”

Soonyoung watched as Jihoon carried a babbling Wonho away, leaving just him and Wonwoo in the kitchen. He didn’t say a word, simply rolling up his sleeves and beginning to clear the table.

The silence between them was suffocating, thick enough to cut with a knife. It was Wonwoo who broke it first. His voice was sharp, bitter. “You love shoving it in my face that you’re so happy with your bitch, huh?”

Soonyoung didn’t even look up from what he was doing. He simply continued stacking plates, wiping the crumbs from the table. His tone was even but firm. “I’m not showing off. But I’m not going to hide Jihoon away either.” He finally glanced at Wonwoo, expression unreadable. “Yes, I’m happy. Wonho’s happy. Jihoon’s happy. We’re happy.” He placed the last plate on the counter and turned fully to face the man he once considered his friend. “You’re the only one forcing yourself here, Wonwoo.”

Wonwoo scoffed, pushing his chair back under the table. “Have you forgotten that I still share the same surname with you and Wonho? So how can you say that?”

Soonyoung let out a sharp laugh. “The only reason we still share the same surname is that I thought you’d at least have the decency to remove it on your own.” His voice was dripping with disdain. “You’re the one who left, right? You’re the one who fooled me. And now you have the audacity to say this bullshit?” He placed his hands on his hips, shaking his head. “FYI, you lost the right to my surname the moment you whored yourself to Kim Mingyu.”

Wonwoo clenched his jaw. “I only did that because I had to. Staying with you back then would’ve led me nowhere.” His voice was quieter now, but the bitterness still lingered. “I never loved him the way I loved you.”

Soonyoung froze. His hands, which had been wiping the table, stilled as he processed Wonwoo’s words. A part of him felt bad for Mingyu. Despite their differences, Soonyoung knew the pain of betrayal, and he wouldn’t wish that on anyone. With a deep sigh, he turned to face Wonwoo fully. “So what are you saying? That you loved me, but I wasn’t rich enough for you? That I was too miserable, so you left? And now that I have money, you suddenly love me again?”

“Soonyoung, can’t you understand how hard it was for me before?” Wonwoo argued, voice rising with frustration. “It’s just unfair! It’s so unfair how Jihoon gets everything!”

Soonyoung rolled his eyes, unimpressed. “No, I can’t understand. If anyone here had it hard, it was me. I was the one taking care of everything while you chased your dreams and fucked another man.” He slammed the rag down on the table. “And don’t bring Jihoon into this. He doesn’t care about my money or my status. What he wants is our family, me and Wonho. Unlike you.”

Wonwoo scoffed, eyes narrowing. “What makes you think Jihoon isn’t after your money?” His tone was challenging.

Soonyoung smirked, shaking his head. “Because he never asks for anything except to be with me and Wonho.” His voice was firm, unwavering. “We fight about money, but not like us. He argues because I like spending money on him, and he hates that. He gets mad when I use money excessively. He teaches me how to manage it properly. He’s not you.”

Wonwoo gritted his teeth at that. “I’m not signing the divorce papers.”

Soonyoung let out a dry chuckle. “And I’m not taking you back. Joke’s on you I love him, Wonwoo. I love Jihoon so much.” He turned back to his chores, completely done with this conversation.

Wonwoo’s fists clenched. “Well then, I’m not going to give you a happy ending.”

Soonyoung smirked, not even sparing him a glance. “Oh really? Because the fact that Jihoon is the one with me, and Wonho loves him just as much? That sounds like a happy ending to me.” He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “Keep doing what you’re doing, Wonwoo. At this rate, you might just lose Mingyu too.”

Wonwoo smirked, crossing his arms. “Well, the fact that you’re still technically married and in a relationship with someone else makes him just another man.”

Soonyoung’s jaw tightened, fists clenching at his sides. His glare was sharp enough to cut through steel. “This just proves how selfish you are. You don’t deserve to be Wonho’s father. You don’t deserve to be anyone’s husband.”

“I’m not selfish. I’m fighting for my rights. Especially as Wonho’s father.”

“Rights?” Soonyoung scoffed, stepping forward. “You threw those away the moment you ran into Mingyu’s arms. Stop acting like I robbed you of anything. Stop acting like you’re the victim here. You chose Mingyu. You willingly walked away. You willingly bent over for him.”

Wonwoo’s hands curled into fists, his eyes darkening. “You didn’t even stop me from leaving the house.”

Soonyoung let out a bitter laugh. “As if you would’ve let me. And honestly? I didn’t want to stop you. I loved you back then, Wonwoo, but I’m not stupid. And most of all, I’m not a saint who would still accept you after you fucked another man.” He took a step back, inhaling deeply to steady his anger. “I know my worth, Jeon Wonwoo. And I deserved better than how you treated me.”

If only he had his Bose speakers, Soonyoung would’ve blasted We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together at max volume, just to rub it in Wonwoo’s face.

They were moments away from lunging at each other when Jihoon’s voice rang through the kitchen, interrupting the tension.

“Love, I’m done with Wonho. I’ll go take a bath now.”

Soonyoung immediately turned to Jihoon, his expression softening in an instant. Smiling, he walked past Wonwoo to take Wonho’s hand. “Go ahead, love.”

Jihoon returned the smile before leaving the room.

Wonwoo, of course, glared. And as expected, Soonyoung shot him a challenging look, daring him to say anything in front of Wonho.

“Daddy?” Wonho’s small voice broke through the tension. “Why do you look mad?”

Soonyoung blinked, taking a deep breath before sighing. He crouched down to Wonho’s level, smoothing out the boy’s hair with a gentle hand. “Nothing, baby. Are you ready to go out with your papa?”

Wonho nodded eagerly, already launching into an excited ramble about instruments. Soonyoung let himself focus on his son's voice, using it as a leverage, because he was this close to throwing a punch at Wonwoo.

"Baby, you can buy anything you want later," Wonwoo offered with a smile. "Papa will buy it for you."

Wonho blinked at him, then turned to Soonyoung. "But I already have everything I need… I don’t know what to buy."

"Just anything you want, baby. Aside from the violin."

Wonho hesitated before shyly playing with Soonyoung's fingers. "But Daddy and Papa say not to buy too many things I don't need…"

Wonwoo knelt slightly to match Wonho’s height. "But it’s my treat for you, baby. Papa’s apology gift for being away for years."

Soonyoung rolled his eyes so hard he nearly saw the back of his skull. He wanted to tell Wonwoo that no amount of material things could replace years of absence, but for Wonho’s sake, he bit his tongue.

Before he could say anything, Jihoon emerged from the bedroom, adjusting the collar of his light blue polo shirt. "I'm done, love. I laid out your clothes in the room, too. Sorry, I can't fix your necktie for you today."

Soonyoung pouted instantly, making his way over to wrap his arms around Jihoon's waist. "I love you. Take care, okay?"

Jihoon giggled, placing a quick kiss on Soonyoung’s cheek. "We'll only be gone for a few hours. I love you too."

Wonwoo, clearly impatient, scoffed. "Can we go now?"

Soonyoung shot him yet another eye roll, wondering how many times they'd done this already. "Baby, kiss Daddy before you go."

Wonho perked up, bouncing on his heels. He giggled as Soonyoung lifted him up, the two sharing their little ritual of kissing each other’s faces multiple times.

Kissing Soonyoung one last time, Wonho hopped down onto the floor and grabbed Jihoon's hand. "Papa! You haven't kissed Daddy yet!"

Soonyoung laughed, pointing to himself. "You heard your kid, Ji. Kiss me."

Jihoon blushed but stood on his toes, pressing quick kisses to Soonyoung's cheek. "That'll do."

Soonyoung, however, caught Jihoon's wrist before he could pull away. "That's all?" He tapped his lips expectantly.

Jihoon groaned but leaned in to press a kiss to Soonyoung's lips. "Is that enough already?"

Soonyoung grinned widely, finally letting go of both his lover and child. "Go. I'll leave for work later."

Wonwoo, on the other hand, turned his head to the side, refusing to watch their interaction. "Let's go," he muttered.

Without waiting, he walked out of the apartment first. Jihoon adjusted Wonho in his arms and followed, catching up with Wonwoo, who seemed to be in a hurry. "Wait, Wonwoo—are we taking a taxi?"

Wonwoo sighed and, for what felt like the hundredth time that morning, rolled his eyes. "I have a car, Lee."

Jihoon grinned, his smile far too wide for Wonwoo’s liking. "Oh, I see, Jeon."

Wonwoo glared at Jihoon, ready to snap back with something sharp, but then he saw Wonho hopping excitedly while holding onto Jihoon's hand. It wasn’t fair.

So when they stepped into the elevator, he decided to be blunt. "Full offense, Lee Jihoon. I wanted today to be a day out with my son alone. I only agreed to this setup in front of Soonyoung because I knew he wouldn't let Wonho go with me alone. But you understand, right? Since you're so insistent on acting like his father, you should understand that I want some time alone with him."

"I'm sorry, but that's not happening. You might take my son away," Jihoon replied flatly, his tone firm and unwavering, making it clear his decision was final.

"My son. Not yours," Wonwoo snapped, emphasizing the word. "And I'm not going to take my son away. I have every right to fix my family. Just leave Wonho to me."

"Fix what? Your relationship with Soonyoung?" Jihoon scoffed, smirking. "Can't you see how much he loves me?"

Wonwoo laughed, the sound mocking. "And how sure are you about that? Soonyoung was head over heels for me before, that’s why Wonho exists. He loved me enough to start a family with me. I can make him fall for me again."

Jihoon stiffened. The thought unsettled him, but he refused to let it show. He wasn’t about to expose any weakness to his enemy, doing so meant losing. Instead, he lifted his chin and arched a brow.

"Oh? And is that why he’s so desperate to divorce you? So he can marry me?" Jihoon scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You really think Soonyoung would want you back after you let another man use you for I don’t know how many times now? Please. Soonyoung doesn’t want secondhand goods."

Wonwoo’s eyes darkened, and before he could think, his hand lifted, poised to slap Jihoon across the face.

"NO! DON'T HURT MY PAPA!"

Wonho’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, his little body trembling, eyes brimming with tears.

"I'm your papa, baby! That man is just your daddy's... other man! I should be the one with the two of you!" Wonwoo nearly shouted at Wonho.

Jihoon immediately stepped in. "I'm sorry, Wonwoo, but we're canceling this day if you're just going to make our baby cry."

Wonwoo inhaled sharply, glaring at Jihoon. But then he quickly composed himself, schooling his expression into something softer. He crouched down to meet Wonho’s eyes, but the boy was already hiding behind Jihoon’s legs.

"Baby? Papa is sorry, okay?" Wonwoo said, forcing his tone to be gentle. "I just... don’t get along well with..." He gritted his teeth before continuing. "Your papa Hoonie. But I swear, I won’t hurt him, okay? I won’t hurt you. I don’t want you to be mad at me. I’m your papa too."

Wonho sniffled and looked away. "O-okay..." he stuttered, still avoiding Wonwoo’s gaze.

Jihoon sighed. "So, Wonwoo, are we still going?"

Ignoring Jihoon, Wonwoo turned back to Wonho. "Can you at least give me a hug, baby?"

Wonho hesitated, glancing at Jihoon for reassurance. When Jihoon nodded, he gave Wonwoo a small, awkward hug.

"Thank you, baby," Wonwoo murmured before standing up. "Now, let’s go."

Wonho nodded and climbed into Wonwoo’s car with Jihoon’s help.

Throughout the ride, Wonwoo tried to make small talk with his son, genuinely wanting to know more about him. But the boy only nodded in response or answered in short, monosyllabic words. It irritated Wonwoo, especially because Jihoon was the one holding his child.

Jihoon, on the other hand, hummed softly before asking, "What do you want to eat later for dinner, baby?"

Wonwoo quickly jumped in. "Do you want to go to a restaurant, baby?"

Wonho bit his lip, hesitating before speaking. "Can we... Can we pick Daddy up from work? We can bring him dinner." He then turned to look at Jihoon.

Jihoon shifted slightly in his seat. "Is that what you want?"

Wonho nodded repeatedly, his eyes lighting up. "Daddy said he gets lonely at work when we're not with him. We can surprise him! And bring him gifts!" He suddenly gasped, clapping his hands excitedly before turning to Wonwoo. "Wonwoo-ajusshi! I know what I want to buy today!"

"What is it, baby? Papa will buy it for you," Wonwoo said.

"I wanna buy gifts for Daddy! Lots of gifts! Because he always gives me gifts!"

Jihoon smiled, patting Wonho's head. "What kind of gifts do you want to buy for Daddy?"

"Hmm... ne... neltie? Tie? Papa, the one you put on his neck before you kiss him! He likes those! And jackets! Because Daddy gets cold a lot! Oh! And dancing shoes!"

Wonwoo kept his eyes on the road but asked another question. "But what about you, baby? Daddy can buy all of those himself."

Jihoon answered for Wonho, gently combing the boy’s hair with his fingers. "I think the violin is enough. Wonho isn’t a materialistic kid."

"But my son deserves more than that," Wonwoo argued. "He deserves to buy whatever he wants."

"He can buy whatever he wants, but he chooses not to," Jihoon countered. "Wonho loves playing instruments more than playing with toys. Well... unless it's video games." Jihoon chuckled, glancing at Wonho. "We play video games together a lot."

Wonwoo shot Jihoon a glare but ultimately chose not to answer. He didn't want to upset Wonho again.

After a few moments, he spoke up again, this time with a lighter tone. "Baby? Papa likes playing games too. And I have a whole room just for video games. Would you like to come to Papa’s house one time? Even just for one overnight stay, baby? I'll even ask your daddy."

Wonho hesitated, then nodded. "Um... that would be fun... but it depends on what Daddy decides."

"Okay then! I'll talk to your daddy!" Wonwoo said excitedly. He wanted to spend time with his son without Jihoon around so he could enjoy it fully. He decided he’d give Soonyoung a call about it later.

Wonho hopped happily into the building, humming as he carried several shopping bags,ones far bigger than him. Jihoon reached out to take them, but the kid was stubborn, insisting on delivering them to his daddy himself.

"Baby, be careful!" Jihoon warned, watching as Wonho marched determinedly toward Soonyoung's office.

When they arrived, Soonyoung was buried in paperwork, brows furrowed in concentration. Wonho beamed and called out, "Daddy! Surprise!"

Soonyoung looked up at the familiar voice, and the moment his eyes landed on his son, he burst into laughter. "Baby, what are you doing? Why are you carrying so much stuff, half of which is bigger than you?!" He immediately stood up, taking the bags from Wonho's small hands before scooping him up off the floor.

Jihoon shook his head with a fond sigh. "He's so stubborn. He wouldn't let me help. Anyway, we're here because he wanted to surprise you."

Soonyoung laughed again, eyes crinkling with joy. "Consider me very surprised, love." He showered Wonho's face with kisses, making the little boy giggle uncontrollably. Then, turning his attention to Jihoon, he wrapped an arm around his waist, the one not holding Wonho and pulled him close. "Hi, love."

Jihoon smirked. "Hello there. You want a kiss, I guess?"

"As usual," Soonyoung grinned before leaning in to press a soft kiss to Jihoon’s lips.

Wonho clapped his hands excitedly, giggling at the display of affection. "Yay! Daddy and Papa love each other so much!"

Soonyoung chuckled, giving Jihoon's waist a gentle squeeze before turning back to his son. "So, how was your day with Papa Wonwoo? Did you guys have fun?"

Jihoon forced a smile, nodding. "Well, yeah. Wonho enjoyed it."

But Soonyoung immediately saw through the act. He placed Wonho down in his office chair, watching as the kid happily busied himself going through the knick knacks on his desk. Once he was sure Wonho was occupied, Soonyoung turned back to Jihoon with a serious expression. "What happened? What did he do this time? He didn’t hurt you, did he? Because if he did, I swear I’m ready to throw hands."

"No, nothing happened. Maybe I'm just really tired," Jihoon said in a reassuring tone, rubbing his arms soothingly.

Soonyoung pulled Jihoon closer by the waist, his hand gently caressing Jihoon's cheek. "Are you sure, love?"

Jihoon nodded before giving Soonyoung a long kiss on the lips. "You won't leave me, will you?"

Soonyoung blinked at him, surprised. "Never, love. I love you, and I’d be stupid to let you go. What's with the sudden... Wait—what did Wonwoo say this time?!" As if something clicked in his head, he knew Wonwoo had something to do with Jihoon's strange behavior.

Jihoon couldn't help himself, he started tearing up. "Nothing, I swear... I just really missed you!"

Soonyoung frowned as he saw the tears forming in Jihoon's eyes. He immediately cupped his face, holding him dearly. "I'm here, baby. I'm here..."

He pressed a soft kiss to Jihoon's forehead before pulling him into a hug. "What are you scared of?"

Jihoon clutched Soonyoung’s shirt tightly. "Of you leaving me. You and Wonho leaving me... Wonwoo’s right. You were madly in love with him before, so it wouldn’t be impossible for—"

"NO. Stop, love. Look at me." Soonyoung wiped Jihoon's tears away with his thumb, his voice firm but gentle.

Wonho, who had just noticed his papa was crying, looked up in alarm. "Is Papa crying? Why is Papa crying?"

His little feet scrambled down from Soonyoung’s chair, and he immediately ran to latch onto Jihoon's legs, hugging him tightly.

Jihoon looked at Soonyoung, their gazes locking instantly. Soonyoung's eyes held nothing but love and adoration for him.

"I love you. Wonho loves you. You are our family," Soonyoung said firmly. "I don't know what Wonwoo told you, but listen to me—I will always choose you. Once everything is over, we're going back to China, getting married, and living with Wonho's siblings."

Wonho nodded along, even though he didn’t understand half of what his daddy was saying. He just didn’t want his papa to cry.

“P-promise?” Jihoon stammered.

“With all my heart,” Soonyoung assured him.

He pulled Wonho up, and the child immediately latched onto Jihoon's neck, his small face wet with tears. Soonyoung wrapped his arms around them both in a protective embrace.

“I-I'm sorry. I don’t know why I’ve been so dramatic these days,” Jihoon muttered, shaking his head.

Soonyoung sighed, rubbing circles on his back. “It’s probably because of Wonwoo. I really need to push him to sign the divorce papers. I just want to go home to China already.”

"China!!!" Wonho perked up. "Uncle Jun and Uncle Hao said they're having a baby soon! Papa, Daddy! Can we have a baby too?"

Jihoon’s eyes widened. “Wonho… Daddy and Papa can’t have a baby yet.”

"But why?" Wonho pouted. "Papa and Daddy can have a baby, then we’ll live happily ever after!" His face lit up at the idea, thinking it was the perfect solution to everything.

“Baby… there are a lot of things going on right now,” Jihoon explained gently. 

"But... don’t you want a baby with Daddy? Like me?" Wonho asked, tilting his head. "I’ll help take care of them! I’ll be a good big brother! I won’t make them cry! I’ll love them like how Papa Hoonie loves me!"

His small hands balled into fists with excitement as he started imagining himself helping make milk for his baby sibling, his mind already filled with all the ways he could be the best big brother ever.

"I-I want to... but—" Jihoon looked at Soonyoung for help.

Soonyoung smiled at both Jihoon and Wonho. "We will, baby. We'll give you a brother or a sister. I promise. Just not right now, because Daddy is still fixing something. That's why we can't go home to China yet."

"But you'll have one?"

"Yes, we'll have one," Jihoon reassured, patting Wonho's head.

Wonho's face lit up, his smile stretching wide. "That means we won't leave you, Papa! And Papa won't leave us! We'll be a family forever!" He turned to Soonyoung, tugging at his sleeve. "Daddy! Daddy! We need to go home now! I have a gift for Papa too!"

"Hmm? What is it, baby?" Soonyoung asked, amused.

"It's a surprise! Come on! Come on!"

Soonyoung, a little bewildered, chuckled but followed his son's excited lead. Jihoon picked Wonho up while Soonyoung grabbed the paper bags, carrying them along as their son giggled and clapped the whole way.

Jihoon felt a wave of relief wash over him at both Soonyoung's and Wonho’s words. He still couldn't explain why he had been feeling so emotional the past few days, but he decided to brush it off. There was no time to dwell on it now.

When they arrived home, Wonho immediately wiggled out of Jihoon's arms and bolted toward his bedroom.

Jihoon and Soonyoung exchanged puzzled looks before choosing to settle on the couch.

Soonyoung wasted no time pulling Jihoon onto his lap.

"You really love it when I sit in your lap, huh?" Jihoon whispered, raising an eyebrow.

"Yep," Soonyoung grinned. "I love having my hands on you, love." He leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to Jihoon's lips, only pulling away when they heard the patter of tiny feet rushing toward them.

Wonho ran out of his room, clutching what looked like a big sketchpad.

"What is that, baby?" Jihoon asked curiously.

Beaming, Wonho handed it to them. The front cover was decorated with colorful drawings, and in the center, a big handwritten title read "MY FAMILY." Below it, three stick figures were labeled Daddy Soonie, Papa Hoonie, and Baby Wonho.

Jihoon flipped through the pages, his heart melting at the collection inside, photos of the three of them together, candid snapshots of Jihoon alone, moments of him with Soonyoung, and plenty of pictures with Wonho. Each page was carefully designed with stickers and doodles, making it clear just how much effort their little one had put into it.

"Uncle Hannie and Uncle Cheol helped me make it," Wonho added proudly, bouncing on his feet.

Jihoon’s eyes welled up as he took in the heartfelt gift. "I-It’s so beautiful, baby," he whispered, running his fingers over the pages.

Soonyoung was equally overwhelmed, his eyes misty as he smiled at their son. "You don’t have to be sad, Papa, okay? I love you!"

Jihoon set the sketchpad aside, making a mental note to tuck it away in his box of keepsakes later. He had always been sentimental like that. "Can I have a hug, baby? Papa needs to give you lots of kisses. Come here."

Wonho giggled and immediately jumped into Jihoon's arms. Jihoon chuckled, peppering kisses all over his son's face the same way he and Soonyoung always did. "I love you so much, baby."

"I love you too, Papa! I love you too, Daddy!" Wonho declared, his tiny arms wrapping around Jihoon’s neck tightly.

Soonyoung joined in, wrapping both Jihoon and Wonho in a warm embrace. He chuckled softly, looking at Jihoon with so much fondness. "Guess we’re not going anywhere without you, love."

Jihoon smiled, feeling lighter than before. "Thank you."

For the first time that day, he felt at peace.

---

It was a rest day for Soonyoung, and the three of them had been invited to spend time with Cheol and Hannie. Jeonghan had insisted that he missed both Jihoon and Wonho. Meanwhile, Cheol and Soonyoung were busy trying to teach Wonho a game on Seungcheol's PlayStation 4, while Jeonghan and Jihoon prepared lunch.

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. "How do you feel about it?"

"I feel okay. He's Wonho's real father, and I can't do anything about that. What I don't really get is... why is he so angry at me? Maybe it's still because of... never mind."

Jeonghan gave Jihoon a questioning look, but the younger remained silent, his lips pressed into a tight line. Sensing Jihoon's reluctance to talk, Jeonghan decided not to push further.

"Cheol mentioned that he still hasn't signed the divorce papers yet. Is he crazy or just delusional? Does he really think Soonyoung will take him back?"

Jihoon gasped sharply, his insecurities rushing back as he recalled what Wonwoo had told him in the elevator. "Do you think I'm enough for Soonyoung and Wonho, hyung? I just feel so insecure these days... I mean, Wonwoo is really good-looking compared to me," Jihoon murmured, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor.

Jeonghan frowned as he placed the food in the center of the table. "Have you ever, like, looked at the way Soonyoung looks at you?"

Jihoon shook his head. "Umm... I'm also busy staring at him."

Jeonghan burst out laughing. "Both of you are so whipped for each other. Jihoon, he looks at you with literal hearts in his eyes. Like... the sun shines out of your ass or something."

Jihoon let out a hearty laugh. Jeonghan always knew how to make him feel better in moments like this, and he couldn't be more grateful to have such an amazing older brother—though not by blood. "Well, he does love my ass."

Jeonghan rolled his eyes. "I have a feeling that if Wonho wasn't glued to your side 24/7, Soonyoung wouldn’t keep his hands off you. I mean, you do have a nice ass, so... it's valid, I guess."

Jihoon laughed even louder. "Well... I won't share any more details about our sex life—especially the graphic ones. Might gross you out."

Jeonghan smacked Jihoon lightly on the arm. "Slut! But seriously though, Soonyoung loves you so much. I highly doubt he'd ever go back to his good-for-nothing husband."

Jihoon sighed. "What Wonwoo keeps insisting is that they have a child together."

Jeonghan scowled. If he ever heard Wonwoo spewing that kind of nonsense to Jihoon's face again, he wouldn't hesitate to put him in his place. "Wonho is your child too. What has it been? Two years? Almost three? That’s already more than Wonwoo has ever been in Wonho’s life. Wonho sees you as his father. Wonwoo just gave birth to him, then ran off and whored himself out to another man. Oh, please, I swear to God, I want to strangle him!" Jeonghan ranted, miming wringing someone's neck in the air.

Jihoon smiled at Jeonghan’s furious expression and exaggerated gestures. "Hyung, calm down. You're angrier than I am."

"Because he's so stupid!" Jeonghan huffed. "He's coming back now, thinking he has a chance, when it’s obvious that Soonyoung has no plans of taking him back. And seriously, I don’t even know what Soonyoung was thinking when he fell in love with Wonwoo in the first place!"

"Well, Wonwoo is very attractive, so I guess..." Jihoon muttered, lowering his gaze to the floor again.

Jeonghan groaned in frustration. "Oh my God, Jihoon. They were kids! High school? College? Soonyoung has said it himself. He was immature and reckless. He’s a responsible adult now who knows his worth. And his worth is you. So stop doubting yourself, get your head out of your ass, and slap that reality right into Wonwoo’s face!"

Jihoon let out a soft chuckle, a small but warm smile forming on his lips. "Thanks, hyung. You're always here whenever I start feeling insecure." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't even know why I've been so emotional these past few days. I’ve also been feeling really dizzy..."

He glanced at the clock, it was only eleven, still early, but they were all hungry, so they decided to have lunch already.

Jeonghan, totally joking, pointedly eyed Jihoon’s stomach. "Maybe because..."

"Impossible. I take pills, hyung," Jihoon deadpanned.

Jeonghan burst out laughing. "Who knows? You and Soonyoung might have been at it every day, and the pills just gave up! Just kidding." He snickered, then added, "Though Wonho does seem very excited about the idea of a baby sibling."

"I won't deny that," Jihoon admitted. "But, hyung, it’s just not the right time."

"Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Tsk. I still wanna wring Wonwoo’s neck." Jeonghan rolled his shoulders before yelling, "BOYS! LUNCH TIME!"

The first to come running was Wonho, who immediately hugged Jihoon’s legs, giggling. "Papa! Daddy sucks at games!"

Jihoon ruffled Wonho’s hair as he took a seat. "And I’m guessing you teamed up with Uncle Cheol against your dad again, hmm?"

Wonho giggled as Soonyoung walked in, pouting, with Seungcheol's arm slung around his shoulders.

"I've been betrayed by my own son," Soonyoung grumbled dramatically.

Jihoon chuckled, watching as Soonyoung and Seungcheol sat beside each other. "Because you do suck at games. Anyway, let’s eat?"

Soonyoung nodded and pulled Wonho into his lap. Just as he was about to take a bite, Wonho suddenly shouted excitedly, "This is why I need a baby brother!"

Both Seungcheol and Jeonghan, who had just taken a sip of water, choked at the same time.

Jihoon let out a nervous laugh at the sudden awkward atmosphere and quickly focused on placing food on Wonho’s plate. "Um... baby..."

Wonho blinked up at them, his expression completely innocent. "Papa, we can teach him to play games! And then all of us can defeat Daddy!"

Soonyoung protested instantly. "Why me?!"

Jihoon turned to him, smirking. "Because it's fun to bully you." Then he sighed and faced Wonho. "But like we told you before, baby, it's not the right time yet."

Wonho munched on his food thoughtfully. "Hmmm... but Uncle Cheol said it'll take looooooong for the baby to come out! So you can make one now, and it'll arrive later!"

Jeonghan nearly fell out of his chair laughing, clutching Jihoon's arm for support. "That’s—that’s hilarious. Oh my God!"

Jihoon shot a glare at Seungcheol, his cheeks puffing up as he angrily chewed on his food, making him look like an annoyed chubby rabbit. "Cheol hyung!"

"What?! I was just telling the truth!" Seungcheol raised both hands in defense, stopping himself mid-motion from grabbing a tonkatsu.

Soonyoung groaned, rubbing his temple. "Baby, don't listen to Uncle Cheol!"

Wonho's face fell instantly, his lower lip trembling. "Does that mean... we’re not having a baby?" His eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Jihoon started to panic again. "N-no, baby, it's just... not now... not yet... maybe next year. I promise, Papa will give you a baby sister or baby brother."

Jeonghan was still laughing his ass off. "Who knows, Wonho might be right. All you need is a baby for Wonwoo to leave you alone."

Jihoon groaned. "But I have a feeling that’ll just piss him off more. That means he’ll get even more persistent."

Soonyoung, sensing Jihoon's unease, reached for his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Someone really needs to talk to Wonwoo," Seungcheol chimed in.

Wonho, who had been listening quietly, suddenly asked, "Is... Wonwoo ajusshi bad?"

Jihoon hesitated, "Ah, baby, he’s not bad... he’s just really..." He faltered, struggling to find the right words. "Mad... at me."

Wonho tilted his head in confusion. "But why? I love you! If he loves me, he should love you too!"

"Baby, that's not how things work..." Soonyoung attempted to explain, but he was at a loss for words.

Luckily, Wonho didn't press the issue further. Instead, he grinned at them. "Okay! As long as I’ll have a baby sibling!"

Jihoon smiled, relieved that the conversation had shifted. The meal continued in peace, with Jeonghan steering the discussion toward a lighter topic. Everything seemed fine until Jihoon suddenly felt a wave of nausea wash over him. His stomach churned, and a cold sweat formed on his forehead.

"Love, are you sick?" Soonyoung asked, immediately turning to Wonho. "Baby, eat. I'll just go check on Papa."

Jihoon barely made it to the bathroom before he was hunched over the toilet, vomiting everything he had eaten. It wasn’t even noon yet, and he already felt awful, just like yesterday, and the day before that.

Soonyoung rushed to his side, rubbing soothing circles on his back. "Baby, do you want to go to the hospital?"

Jihoon shook his head weakly, gripping the sink for support. "I'm fine... I just need to rest."

Soonyoung bit his lip. "Wonwoo wants to take Wonho this weekend. Maybe... you'll get some rest then? I'll take a few days off too so I can take care of you."

Jihoon nodded but frowned. "You don't have to do that. I can handle myself."

"As if I can focus on work knowing Wonho’s with Wonwoo," Soonyoung muttered. "I’d feel better being with you, love."

Jihoon smiled a little. "Can you help me with this?"

Soonyoung nodded without hesitation, assisting Jihoon in cleaning up before carefully guiding him back to the kitchen.

As soon as they walked in, Wonho whipped his head toward them. "Is Papa sick?"

"No, I’m alright, baby," Jihoon quickly reassured him, not wanting the child to worry.

But Wonho wasn’t convinced. He immediately climbed off his chair and straddled Jihoon’s lap, wrapping his small arms around his neck. "I don’t wanna go to Wonwoo ajusshi anymore. I’ll take care of you, Papa."

"I’m not sick, baby. I’m fine," Jihoon insisted gently.

"But if you don’t wanna go... that’s absolutely fine with—" Soonyoung started, but before he could finish, Jeonghan and Seungcheol spoke up at the same time.

"Soonyoung," they warned.

Soonyoung sighed, rubbing his temple. "Right, sorry." He turned back to Wonho. "Baby, you promised Papa Wonwoo that you’d play with him."

Wonho pouted. "But we have all those games at home. I can just play with Papa Hoonie instead."

"But your Papa Wonwoo misses you too, baby. Can you play with him, please? For my sake?" Jihoon pleaded softly.

Wonho sighed dramatically but eventually nodded. "Okay... for you. But Papa Hoonie loves me the most, right?"

Jihoon smiled. "Of course, baby."

Wonho turned to Soonyoung. "And Daddy? You love Daddy the most?"

Soonyoung chuckled, ruffling his son’s hair. "With all my heart, baby."

Soonyoung smiled, pressing a kiss to both Jihoon and Wonho’s cheeks.

Jeonghan let out a small "aww" and giggled at the sight. "Cheol, if our child doesn’t turn out to be this sweet, I’m leaving you."

Seungcheol scoffed. "Then you better move too when we do it!"

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me to get tired?!"

Seungcheol immediately started sweating. "N-no! It’s not like that! B-but I need your help, you know…"

Jihoon, half-listening to their bickering, suddenly remembered something. He turned to Soonyoung. "What time are we going home, love?"

Soonyoung sighed. "Wonwoo’s picking up Wonho here later. Let’s just wait for him, and after that, we can finally go home and rest."

Jeonghan’s ears perked up at that. He rubbed his hands together with a mischievous grin. "Cheol, I think you should get my knives ready. We have an uninvited guest," he said in an eerily cheerful tone before leaning closer to whisper, "I’m riding you tonight, so shut up."

Seungcheol nearly choked on air. "Babe, calm down! I don’t want any bloodshed to happen!"

Soonyoung went home with Jihoon alone. He wasn’t sure why he had let Wonho stay the night with Wonwoo, but at least this way, he could focus on Jihoon. "Are you sure you're not sick? You really don’t want to go to the hospital?"

"Nah, I actually feel better," Jihoon said, placing aside the book he had been reading. "It just happens every morning, though."

Soonyoung frowned, pacing back and forth inside their room. "Aren’t you like… really stressed? Maybe it’s because of Wonwoo. Or maybe you’re just exhausted from taking care of Wonho. Our baby is growing up so fast, after all."

"Nah," Jihoon said dismissively, then opened his arms invitingly. "We’re alone, just the two of us. Do you wanna do something?"

Soonyoung smiled softly. "Baby, not when you’re sick."

"I am not sick," Jihoon pouted. "Don’t you want this?"

With that, Jihoon untied the ribbon on his silk robe, exposing his bare skin. He ran his hands teasingly over his body, biting his lower lip as he locked eyes with Soonyoung.

Soonyoung groaned, quickly pulling Jihoon into a hug, fixing the robe in the process. "Baby, don’t… Don’t be like that. You need rest, okay? Hmm? Let’s save that for next time."

Jihoon huffed but didn’t protest. "Well, if you say so… Can I at least get a kiss instead?" He pouted his lips, clearly asking for one.

Soonyoung chuckled. "Of course, baby."

He leaned down, pressing a long, passionate kiss against Jihoon’s lips. The kiss was intense, deep, and neither pulled away for a whole minute. When they finally did, a thin string of saliva connected their lips.

Jihoon suddenly burst into laughter.

Soonyoung raised a questioning brow at the sudden shift in atmosphere. "What’s so funny?"

Jihoon giggled, shaking his head. "I’m laughing because I’m acting like a pregnant man, but I know that’s impossible since I take my pills."

"Maybe it's just the stress, baby. Let's sleep, okay?"

"Okay."

Jihoon slowly drifted into sleep.

---

Everything was black. Silent. Then suddenly, he was floating. It felt weightless, almost peaceful, until he realized he was in a completely unfamiliar place. A strange, cold unease settled in his chest.

Distant laughter echoed from a nearby room. Jihoon's heart clenched. He knew that sound—Wonho’s laughter, Soonyoung’s voice blending in.

His feet moved on their own, following the warmth of those familiar voices. But when he stepped into the room, what he saw made his breath hitch.

Wonwoo. Soonyoung. Wonho.

The three of them were seated together at a family table, eating happily. Smiling. Laughing.

Without him.

Jihoon's greatest fear, playing out right in front of him.

His hands trembled, his chest tightened, and hot tears pricked his eyes.

Then, Wonho turned toward him, tilting his head curiously. "Papa Nunu? Who is he? Why is he here?"

Jihoon froze.

His stomach dropped. His body refused to move. His own son, his Wonho didn’t recognize him.

It hurt. It hurt so much that he thought he might crumble right then and there.

But the pain only deepened when Soonyoung looked at Wonho with pure adoration in his eyes… and then turned to Jihoon with nothing. No warmth. No recognition.

"Don't mind him, baby," Soonyoung said dismissively.

Jihoon's breath caught. "Soonyoung? Wonho?" he called, his voice trembling.

Tears spilled freely down his face. His vision blurred.

And then Wonwoo smirked. Smirked at him like he had already won.

Before Jihoon could react, Wonwoo grabbed Soonyoung's hand, intertwining their fingers before pulling him in for a deep kiss.

"What's the matter, babe?" Wonwoo murmured against Soonyoung’s lips. "You seem so sweet today."

Jihoon's entire world shattered.

"Soonyoung!" he screamed. "This is Jihoon! Don't you remember me?!"

Soonyoung blinked at him. For a moment, hope flickered in Jihoon's chest.

But then—

Soonyoung laughed.

Awkward. Distant.

"...Sorry, am I suppose to know you?"

Jihoon’s breathing hitched. "Soonyoung, it’s me!" he pleaded. "You told me you wouldn’t leave me! Wonho—Wonho is our child!"

Wonwoo scoffed, stepping in front of Soonyoung like a shield. "I told you already, leave my boyfriend alone. And now that we’re married, you’re still chasing after him?" Wonwoo’s voice turned sharp, filled with disdain. "How pathetic."

Jihoon gasped, stepping back as if he had been physically struck.

"What? Where's Mingyu?! What will he say if he finds out about this?!" Jihoon demanded, desperation creeping into his voice.

Soonyoung’s brows furrowed in confusion. He turned to Wonwoo, looking for answers. "Mingyu? Babe, who's Mingyu?"

Wonwoo shrugged, his expression blank. "I don’t know either. Just ignore him."

"T-That’s your other man! Your lover!!" Jihoon insisted, voice cracking as he looked between them.

Wonwoo scoffed, shaking his head. "What are you even talking about? I'm happily married to my husband. Why would I cheat on him?" His tone dripped with mockery, as if Jihoon had lost his mind.

Jihoon’s eyes darted to Soonyoung, pleading, searching for something but all he saw was confusion.

Soonyoung smiled softly, pulling Wonwoo into a back hug. His hands slid over Wonwoo’s, their matching wedding rings glinting under the light. "That’s right, babe," Soonyoung murmured, pressing a kiss against Wonwoo’s temple.

Jihoon’s breath hitched. "You’re not even happy with Soonyoung! So can you please stop fooling him?!" he shouted, his voice raw with emotion.

Soonyoung’s face twisted in annoyance. "What is he saying, babe? Who is he?"

Jihoon was about to scream again when he felt small hands pushing at his legs.

"Go away, bad man!"

Jihoon’s entire body locked up.

Wonho.

His Wonho.

His baby was pushing him away, tiny fists pressing against his thighs, tears brimming in his innocent eyes.

"Baby, I'm not a bad man!" Jihoon sobbed, bending down, desperate to hold him, to comfort him to make him remember.

Wonho backed away, running straight into Soonyoung’s arms.

Soonyoung’s face hardened, his eyes filled with nothing but suspicion and disgust. "Baby? Who are you? Why are you calling our son that?" His voice was sharp, biting. "Wonho, please step away from him. He might hurt you!"

"Soonyoung!" Jihoon cried out, his vision blurred with tears. "Wonho is our child!"

Soonyoung scoffed, holding Wonho close. "Wonho is my and Wonwoo’s child! What the hell are you saying?!"

Jihoon’s world shattered.

"You're delusional," Wonwoo sneered, a satisfied smirk curling on his lips.

Jihoon choked on a sob, shaking his head furiously. "No, no, no, no!"

Everything was slipping away, everything he loved, everything he held onto.

"I'm not delusional! Soonyoung, you told me you love me! You promised you wouldn’t leave me!" Jihoon pleaded, tears streaming down his face like a river.

"Wonwoo is the one that I love. I don't even know you!" Soonyoung replied firmly.

"Soonyoung, I love you so much. Please don't do this!"

"Please leave my family alone. I've warned you before, Lee. Stop chasing after my husband!" Wonwoo sneered before shoving Jihoon. Everything went black.

"Soonyoung!!"

Jihoon jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat and tears. His breath came in ragged gasps as he frantically looked around, his heart hammering against his chest. He was still in their bedroom. Thank God, it was only a dream. But even knowing that, he shivered in fear.

Soonyoung stirred beside him, alarmed by Jihoon's sudden outburst. "Love?"

"Soonyoung!" Without hesitation, Jihoon threw himself into Soonyoung’s arms, clutching onto him desperately. "Please don’t leave me... please."

Soonyoung hugged him tightly, panic lacing his voice. "Jihoon, what happened? Why are you crying? Love, I'm not leaving. I'm right here."

Jihoon sobbed, still trembling. "Soonyoung, I dreamt about you and Wonwoo... living happily together..."

Soonyoung's eyes widened in shock. He quickly sat up, pulling Jihoon into his lap and cradling his face between his hands. He looked straight into Jihoon’s tear-filled eyes. "Baby, it was just a dream. Just a dream. I’m here, and I’m yours. I love you, okay?"

Jihoon sniffled, his breathing slowly evening out as he melted into Soonyoung’s embrace. "I love you more," he murmured, finally beginning to calm down in the safety of Soonyoung’s arms.

Soonyoung didn’t let go of Jihoon the entire night. Even after Jihoon finally drifted back into slumber, curled up in his lap, Soonyoung stayed wide awake. His arms remained wrapped securely around Jihoon, as if loosening his grip even slightly would cause him to slip away.

His mind raced with worry. The fear in Jihoon’s voice, the way he clung to him, the way his body trembled even in his sleep, it was all too much.

What if this really was too much for Jihoon?

What if, one day, Jihoon decided he couldn’t handle it anymore?

The mere thought sent a chill down Soonyoung’s spine. If that happened… if Jihoon left, there was no doubt in Soonyoung’s mind. He would lose everything.

----

"It's all because of your father! That's why Daddy died! Why we lost everything!"

A young Wonwoo’s voice echoed with raw anger as he slapped a younger Jihoon, sending him sprawling to the floor. Jihoon winced, his small hands clutching his stinging cheek as tears welled up in his eyes.

"Wonwoo, why are you so angry?" Jihoon’s voice wavered, filled with confusion and hurt. "W-we’re best friends, right? I’m sorry for what my dad did, but I swear, I didn’t know anything about it! S-sorry..."

He looked up at Wonwoo desperately, his heart pounding in fear and sorrow. He and his mother had attended Wonwoo’s father’s wake, but the moment Wonwoo saw them, his expression twisted with pure loathing. He couldn't lash out at Jihoon's mother, so instead, he had dragged Jihoon away to a separate room, locking the door before unleashing all his rage.

"We're no longer best friends!" Wonwoo yelled, his voice shaking with fury.

Jihoon felt his heart drop. His breath caught in his throat as those words hit him harder than the slap. He was losing another friend.

Without warning, Wonwoo grabbed the bracelet around Jihoon’s wrist.

"Hey! Wonwoo, what are you doing?!" Jihoon cried, struggling to pull his arm back. The bracelet was special, it was a precious gift from his childhood friend, the one who had saved his life years ago.

"This looks important to you," Wonwoo sneered, yanking it away. "I’ll take it, so you’ll know what it feels like when someone or something important is taken from you."

Jihoon wanted to protest, to fight back, but as he looked into Wonwoo’s furious yet grief-stricken eyes, his resolve faltered. He swallowed his pain, hoping that one day, Wonwoo would understand. He wasn’t to blame for his father’s sins. So, he let him take the bracelet.

---

Jihoon and Wonwoo had once been inseparable. Their fathers had been best friends, business partners, and because of that, the two boys had grown up side by side in comfort, happiness, and wealth.

But good things never last.

Driven by greed, Jihoon’s father betrayed his own best friend. He embezzled a huge amount of money from their business, slowly draining its funds until it collapsed entirely. Wonwoo’s father, unable to cope with the devastating loss of his company and his closest friend’s betrayal, fell into deep depression.

It wasn’t just about the money, it was about trust, loyalty, and the family he had worked so hard to protect.

And then, just days after the company shut down, Wonwoo’s father was found lifeless, hanging in his own bedroom.

He had taken his own life.

The worst part? It was ten-year-old Wonwoo who found him.

The trauma left a permanent scar on the boy’s heart, but it hit his mother even harder. She was so broken by grief that she had to be institutionalized in a mental asylum. With no one else left, Wonwoo was taken in by his grandmother, an elderly woman who could barely sustain them with her meager pension as a retired teacher.

In one moment, Wonwoo lost everything.

His father. His mother. His home. His future.

And in his eyes, there was only one family to blame: Jihoon’s.

From that day on, Wonwoo swore he would do whatever it took to get his life back. And no matter what, he would never forgive Jihoon.

Wonwoo and Jihoon's fathers had been best friends and business partners, a bond that naturally extended to their sons. Jihoon and Wonwoo grew up side by side, raised in comfortable, wealthy households filled with love and privilege. Their families often spent weekends together, celebrating milestones, and making memories that once seemed unbreakable.

But as the saying goes, good things don’t last.

Jihoon’s father, consumed by greed, betrayed his own best friend. He embezzled a large sum of money from their business, draining its funds little by little until the company became unstable. What had once been a thriving business crumbled, leaving it bankrupt and beyond recovery.

Wonwoo’s father was devastated. The loss of his business was one thing, but the betrayal of a lifelong friend shattered him completely. Depression took hold of him, dragging him deeper into despair with each passing day. He had trusted Jihoon’s father with everything, his livelihood, his dreams, his family’s future only to be stabbed in the back.

Days after the business officially shut down, Wonwoo’s father was found hanging in his bedroom.

It was Wonwoo, just ten years old, who discovered the lifeless body.

The sight of his father’s still form haunted him, etching itself into his memory like a nightmare he could never wake from. The trauma left a deep scar, one that no amount of time or comfort could heal. But as much as it hurt him, it destroyed his mother even more. Overcome with grief and unable to cope with the reality of her husband's death, she had to be institutionalized in a mental asylum.

With both of his parents gone, Wonwoo was left with no one but his grandmother. A retired teacher who could barely sustain them on her modest pension. Life, which had once been so bright and filled with happiness, had become cold, unforgiving, and cruel.

And it was all because of Jihoon’s family.

From that day on, hatred burned within Wonwoo. He blamed Jihoon's father for everything, his father’s death, his mother’s breakdown, the life he had lost. He swore that one day, he would take back everything that had been stolen from him.

---

After his father’s funeral, Wonwoo moved to Seoul with his grandmother. There, he buried himself in his studies, determined to rebuild what had been taken from him. For three years, he did nothing but read, study, and work toward a future where he could reclaim his status and security. He had no time for friends, no time for distractions, no time for the childhood he had been robbed of.

Then, in high school, everything changed.

Through Jun, Wonwoo met Soonyoung. And for the first time in years, he felt something other than pain and resentment.

Soonyoung was a light in his dark world—a carefree, bright presence that made him forget, even just for a little while, the burdens he carried. Around Soonyoung, there were no thoughts of revenge, no reminders of his painful past. Just love, laughter, and a flicker of hope he thought had long been extinguished.

But then, just as he was beginning to move forward, his past came crashing back into his life.

One afternoon, Wonwoo overheard a conversation at school, Jihoon’s family had moved to Seoul. Not only that, but Jihoon had transferred to the same school he was attending.

The news sent a surge of anger through him. After all these years, after all the suffering his family had endured, Jihoon’s family had the audacity to start over as if nothing had happened? To live a happy, comfortable life while his own had been ruined?

The wounds he thought were healing ripped open once more.

No, he wouldn’t let Jihoon live peacefully.

If Jihoon was here, then so be it.

Wonwoo swore he would make his life a living hell.

Chapter Text

The next morning arrived as fast as a bullet train in Japan. The first thing Jihoon did was rush to the toilet to vomit, despite not having eaten breakfast yet. Feeling weak, he sat back on their bed, staring at his reflection in the body-length mirror. Exhaustion weighed on him, even though the day had just begun. His mind was occupied with thoughts, wondering what was causing him to feel sick every morning.

Deep down, he already knew, there was a possibility he was carrying someone inside him. It was the most obvious explanation for his constant morning sickness. He tried to recall if there had been a time when he had forgotten to take his pills. There had to be a reason for all this. After a moment of thinking, realization struck, and he almost wanted to slap himself. He finally remembered, he had forgotten to take them twice in a row due to his hectic schedule, caught up in fixing paperwork.

Fear settled in his chest. He didn’t know what to say or how to react. What if Soonyoung gets angry? What if he leaves me? But then again, it wasn’t confirmed yet. He might just be overthinking. He decided he would make time next week to take a pregnancy test.

Meanwhile, Soonyoung, who had been talking with Jun earlier via Google Meet, closed his laptop. His concern for Jihoon's condition was growing.

"Love, I'm getting scared. Please, let's go see a doctor," he urged.

Jihoon scooted closer before standing up and wrapping his arms around Soonyoung. "This is nothing, I swear. You're leaving for Shanghai today, right? Can you just call Hannie hyung for me? I need him with me."

Soonyoung bit his lip. He had an important business meeting with a very important client today. But at the same time, how could he focus on work when he was this worried about Jihoon?

"Should I cancel my flight to Shanghai? I think Hao and Jun would understand," he asked hesitantly.

Jihoon shook his head, rubbing Soonyoung's sides in an attempt to comfort him. "No, it's important. And like I said, I'm okay."

"But love… how can I just leave? The nightmare you had last night is still bothering me," Soonyoung confessed, trying to convince Jihoon that he needed to stay. Instead, he found himself gazing into Jihoon's serious eyes as the younger cupped his cheeks.

"I'll video call you every day then~" Jihoon reassured with a small smile.

Soonyoung exhaled and pulled him into a hug. "I—I think I can't go... Plus, you said you also want to pick up Wonho today. To be honest, after last night, I kind of want you to stop seeing Wonwoo for a while. I don’t want you to see him. I think he’ll survive if we bring Wonho home to China for a bit."

"Soonyoung, please, I’m fine," Jihoon insisted, trying to convince him.

Soonyoung sighed in defeat. There was no point in arguing, Jihoon always won. With a shake of his head, he stood up, lifting Jihoon bridal style and gently placing him on the bed.

"Rest for now, please. I'll call Hannie hyung," he said softly.

Jihoon just hummed in response. Soonyoung made sure he was comfortable before leaving him on the bed. Grabbing his phone, he headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast while calling Jeonghan. As he rummaged through the refrigerator, he waited for Jeonghan to pick up.

On the fourth ring, Jeonghan's voice came through. "Good morning, Soonyoung. What is it? By the way, Seungcheol's out."

Soonyoung’s eyes landed on a packet of chicken soup, and a small smile tugged at his lips. It was Jihoon's favorite instant soup, quick and easy to prepare, just what he needed.

"You're actually the reason I called, hyung," he said, pulling out the packet.

"Why?"

Soonyoung poured the soup powder into a bowl before adding it to the pot of boiling water. "Hyung, can you come over? I have an emergency flight to Shanghai later, and I have a client meeting tonight. Jihoon is still sick. I told him I wanted to cancel, but he won’t let me. Hyung, I’m getting frustrated."

He could hear Jeonghan sigh on the other end. "Leave Jihoon to me, no worries."

Soonyoung bit his lower lip, watching the soup bubble in the pot. "Hyung, one more favor..."

Jeonghan hummed in acknowledgment.

"He's supposed to pick up Wonho from Wonwoo’s place… but I don’t really want him to see Wonwoo after what happened last night. But knowing Jihoon, he won’t feel at ease if he doesn’t pick up Wonho today."

"So you want me to go with him? That’s completely fine."

Soonyoung sighed in relief. "Sorry, hyung. He had a really bad dream last night. And days before that, he broke down crying, afraid we’d leave him."

Jeonghan clicked his tongue, his tone laced with irritation. "Soonyoung, your ex-husband is really pissing me off."

"I know, hyung. I know. I’m giving him a deadline."

Jeonghan sighed again. "Soonyoung, I have a gut feeling about something…" His voice trailed off for a moment before he abruptly changed his mind. "Never mind."

"Hyung, what is it? Please, I’m scared. He doesn’t want to go to the hospital, and I don’t know what to do if something happens to him," Soonyoung said worriedly, glancing at the bedroom door to make sure Jihoon was still resting.

"I don’t think he’s sick. It’s just—"

"What? What is it, hyung? You’re giving me even more reasons to cancel my appointment," Soonyoung interrupted, his anxiety growing.

"Nothing, Soons. It’s still just a gut feeling. Just leave Jihoon to me today, okay? Don’t you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, hyung, but you can’t just expect me to stop worrying. Jihoon’s my boyfriend."

"Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him."

"Okay, hyung. I’ll wait for you here."

Soonyoung hung up the phone and turned his attention back to the soup. Deciding it was ready, he ladled it into a bowl. Not wanting to disturb Jihoon by making him get up, he carried the food into their room.

As soon as Soonyoung stepped inside, Jihoon sat up in bed, but his expression was unreadable—almost as if he was disgusted. Soonyoung couldn't understand why, but he still offered the soup with a gentle smile.

"Love, you should eat."

Jihoon’s reaction was immediate. He quickly covered his nose as Soonyoung approached. "What the hell is that?"

Soonyoung frowned, glancing at the bowl in confusion. "Baby, it’s just chicken soup."

Jihoon suddenly gagged, his face twisting as if he were about to vomit again. His reaction stunned Soonyoung, this was one of Jihoon’s favorite soups. There was nothing wrong with it.

"It smells gross! Please, put that thing away from me!" Jihoon pleaded, his voice almost desperate.

Despite his confusion, Soonyoung didn’t hesitate. He hurried out of the room, dumping the soup in the sink, his hands trembling slightly. His mind raced, overthinking the possibilities behind Jihoon's strange behavior.

"Fuck… what do I do?" he muttered under his breath.

Just then, Jihoon appeared in the kitchen, still a little dizzy. "Soonie, I want... crab and corn soup. And ice cream. Mango flavored please," he requested, his voice soft and slightly pouty.

Soonyoung nearly melted at the sight, but as the words sank in, he blinked at Jihoon in surprise. There was something oddly familiar about this moment, something tugging at the back of his mind.

He had experienced this before.

He just couldn’t pinpoint when.

But the déjà vu was undeniable.

"Jeonghan hyung’s not here yet, though… Do you want me to buy it now?"

Jihoon nodded, raising two fingers to indicate that he wanted two gallons of mango ice cream. Soonyoung was still confused and dazed, but he quickly grabbed his wallet and car keys from the dining table where he had left them earlier.

"O...okay. I’ll be right back."

Jihoon puckered his lips, and Soonyoung instantly understood. He leaned in, pressing a quick peck to Jihoon’s lips before rushing out of the house to get the food Jihoon wanted.

He arrived at a local convenience store in no time, hoping they had mango ice cream and a crab and corn soup packet in stock.

As he wandered through the aisles, a sinking feeling settled in his chest. The more he thought about Jihoon’s sudden food aversions and cravings, the clearer the answer became. A cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He froze in place, spacing out as fear crept in, consuming him whole.

This can’t be happening.

Everything’s unplanned. Again.

Soonyoung started whispering to himself, his voice shaky, almost desperate.

"He’s on pills. He’s on pills. He’s on pills."

But no matter how many times he repeated it, the nagging fear in his gut refused to go away.

---

Jeonghan had already arrived at the Kwon household, but an uneasy feeling settled deep in his chest. He had a strong suspicion that Jihoon was pregnant. As he stood outside, his eyes lingered on the large brown-painted gates, which suddenly seemed more interesting than before. His mind raced, thinking of ways to keep Jihoon away from stress if his suspicion turned out to be true. He wouldn’t say it out loud, but he often acted like a protective parent to the younger and right now was no exception.

Just a minute or two after Jeonghan’s arrival, Soonyoung pulled into the driveway. The elder remained outside, still lost in thought, until Soonyoung’s voice snapped him back to reality.

"Hyung," Soonyoung exhaled sharply, his voice laced with panic. "I think Jihoon’s pregnant."

Jeonghan’s lips parted slightly before a small smile formed. "It’s good to know that you know."

Soonyoung tried his best to keep his composure, but his body betrayed him. His hands trembled, his breathing grew uneven, and panic was written all over his face. "Shit, hyung. Shit. Wait. Fuck. What if Wonwoo uses this against us!?"

Jeonghan quickly gripped Soonyoung’s shoulders, steadying him. "Get yourself together. Calm down."

Soonyoung forced himself to take deep breaths, nodding as he tried to regulate his breathing. "Right… I need to calm down."

Jeonghan chewed on his bottom lip, debating whether or not to share the plan that had been forming in his mind while he had been spacing out earlier. A brief silence stretched between them before he finally spoke.

"I don’t know if this will help… but what if you and Jihoon separate for now? At least until Wonwoo signs the divorce papers?"

That made Soonyoung snap. His eyes widened as he turned to Jeonghan, his voice firm and unwavering.

"NO. That’s out of the question. I am not letting go of Jihoon. I can fight for us while fighting for my rights to Wonho. I’ve done impossible things before—I can do it again. I am NOT letting him go. Especially if he’s pregnant with my child."

He put heavy emphasis on the words NOT and NO to make it clear that he was completely against Jeonghan’s suggestion. The thought of Jihoon going through pregnancy without him was unimaginable.

Jeonghan sighed, worry now evident on his face. "B-but I’m afraid he’ll get stressed with all of this… It’s bad for the baby."

"I… I’ll bring him home to China! I’ll take him away from here! Away from him!"

At that moment, Jeonghan realized there was no changing Soonyoung’s mind. And thinking about it, Jihoon himself probably wouldn’t agree to any sort of separation either. With a deep breath, he relented.

"Whatever your decision is… for now, just focus on your business appointment in Shanghai first."

Soonyoung gave a small nod before pushing open the door to their house, inviting Jeonghan inside.

The sight that greeted them made Soonyoung freeze.

Jihoon was sitting at the kitchen counter, happily dipping chocolates into soy sauce, a delighted expression on his face. The combination was bizarre, but he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it.

Soonyoung stared at him, bewildered, but he held his tongue. He had been through this before. He wasn’t about to say anything that would upset Jihoon or worse, make him cry.

With a soft chuckle, he walked over. "Hi, baby. I bought you everything you wanted."

Jihoon’s cheeks puffed up as he eagerly watched Soonyoung place the paper bags on the counter. "Two liters?" he asked expectantly.

Soonyoung laughed, pulling out a single 2-liter container of mango-flavored ice cream and holding it up. "Yes, sweetheart."

Jihoon’s face lit up with joy. "Thank youuu!" he cooed, his voice dripping with cuteness as he excitedly rummaged through the bag to find the second container and the packet of crab and corn soup.

Despite the anxiety still gnawing at his chest, Soonyoung couldn’t help but smile. He did want a child with Jihoon. But the timing… it was wrong. Again.

Brushing those thoughts aside, he turned to Jihoon. "Baby, I’m going to get dressed now. Do you want me to pick up Wonho before I head to the airport?"

Jihoon quickly shook his head. "No! Leave it to me."

"Okay, baby, okay. Sure, if that's what you want. But if anything happens, you call me immediately, okay? Whatever it is. I’ll fly back as soon as you say so," Soonyoung said, his voice thick with concern. If it were up to him, he would cancel his flight, his appointment—everything and stay in Seoul with Jihoon for good. But he had an important business matter to handle.

Jihoon simply hummed in response, reaching up to grab a mug from the cupboard. Jeonghan stepped in, moving closer to help him. "Ji, let’s go to the hospital after picking up Wonho, okay? We need to know what’s causing your sickness."

Soonyoung gave Jeonghan a grateful nod before pulling Jihoon into a warm embrace. "I have to go now," he murmured. Then, turning to Jeonghan, he added, "Hyung, please take care of them for me."

Jeonghan flashed a knowing smile.

They were lucky to have friends they could rely on. And Soonyoung was beyond grateful for that. Without them, everything would be so much harder for him and Jihoon.

---
They arrived exactly at 2 in the afternoon, stopping in front of a towering tree near Wonwoo’s house. The house itself was massive, located in one of the wealthiest residential areas of Seoul.

Jihoon insisted that Jeonghan stay in the car. He didn’t want to ruin the older man's day. He knew things could get ugly if Wonwoo and Jeonghan saw each other, especially since Jeonghan was fiercely protective of him.

Now standing at the gate, Jihoon pressed the doorbell, waiting patiently for the other to come out.

When Wonwoo finally opened the door, his expression darkened the moment he saw Jihoon. "Oh, it’s you. As far as I know, Soonyoung was supposed to pick up our son. What are you doing here?"

"Soonyoung had something important to do," Jihoon replied, his tone firm. "So, Wonwoo, please—I’m not in the mood to argue with you today. I just want to get my son."

Wonwoo’s eyes narrowed into slits, throwing Jihoon the dirtiest look imaginable. "How many times do I have to tell you? Wonho is NOT your child. And now that Soonyoung isn’t here to pick up our son, I’m not giving him to you. So, good riddance."

Jihoon frowned. He really wasn’t in the mood for this, but Wonwoo was provoking him. And Jihoon was a fighter, anyone close to him knew that.

"Wonwoo… as far as I know, you already agreed that Wonho would be picked up today. Please stop being difficult. I miss Wonho so much. Please give him back."

Wonwoo let out a snort, shaking his head. If looks could kill, Jihoon would be gone by now.

"Do I look like I care about what you feel? I’m not giving you my child."

Jihoon inhaled deeply, telling himself to extend his patience. He badly wanted to smack the man in front of him, but he held back. Stay calm, stay calm. "Please, we promised that we'd be picking him up today."

Wonwoo shifted slightly, gripping the gate as if ready to slam it in Jihoon's face. "He doesn’t need you. You can go do whatever you want, but as long as Soonyoung isn't the one picking him up, I won’t let him go."

Jihoon let out a loud sigh before gathering all his strength and pushing his way in, shouting, "Wonho, baby! Papa's here!"

Wonwoo's eyes widened at the shorter man's sudden move. He immediately grabbed Jihoon's arm, yanking him back to stop him from going any further. "STOP! I'm calling security! Aside from Soonyoung, you have no proof of ANY relationship with Wonho!"

Inside the house, Wonho heard his stepfather's voice. Even without seeing him, he squealed excitedly, "Is that Papa Hoonie?!"

Wonwoo shot Jihoon a deadly glare, silently warning him to stop. He turned his head slightly and shouted back to his son, "No, baby! Go back to playing!"

And just like that, something inside Jihoon snapped. He had already reached his limit, but Wonwoo had just pushed him right over the edge. The emotions he'd bottled up for so long spilled out, their lid finally ripped open.

"I don't give a shit if you call security—Wonho knows the truth! You know what? I’ve had it with you! I’ve been nothing but understanding because of what my father did, but this? Wonwoo, this is too much!" Jihoon's voice cracked with frustration. "And for your information, even if you turned the world upside down, I am Wonho’s father in his heart and his mind! Because you treated him like trash! What kind of parent are you?! And now you're using him for what? To get back with Soonyoung?! You gold-digging bitch!"

The words poured out of Jihoon like a raging storm, each one laced with venom.

Without hesitation, Wonwoo slapped Jihoon across the face hard. The sound of the impact echoed in the air. His entire body trembled with rage, his voice seething like a dragon’s roar.

"How dare you?! Get the fuck out of here! My kid is mine! My husband is mine! My family is mine! You're nothing but Soonyoung’s cheap bitch! Stop stealing everything away from me!"

Wonho, who had heard Jihoon’s voice again, immediately ran to the door, crying out desperately, “Papa Hoonie!”

Wonwoo’s head snapped toward the door. Fortunately, he had locked it before stepping outside to check the gate. There was no way his son could escape. His voice was sharp and commanding. “Go back to your room!”

Jihoon, still rubbing his stinging cheek with one hand, let his other hand fly, landing a hard slap across Wonwoo’s face in retaliation. His voice was shaking with fury. “You have no right to hurt me! And I am not stealing anything from you! It’s just your fucked-up logic making you think that way! If you’re looking for someone to blame, look in the fucking mirror! Reflect on your actions, and maybe you’ll realize just how pathetic you are—an opportunist, a gold digger!”

Blinded by rage, Wonwoo grabbed a fistful of Jihoon’s hair and forcefully dragged him toward the gate. Meanwhile, inside the house, Wonho was screaming and crying, his small fists pounding against the locked door. He knew exactly what was happening outside, and fear gripped his little heart. He wanted to break out, to protect his Papa Hoonie.

“You’re the opportunist! A big fucking nuisance in my life!” Wonwoo bellowed, his grip tightening. Jihoon struggled, his body writhing as he fought to free himself. His face twisted between pain and anger, nails digging into Wonwoo’s wrist in an attempt to break free.

Meanwhile, Jeonghan glanced at the time on his phone. Ten minutes. It had been nearly ten minutes since Jihoon had stepped out to pick up Wonho, and something didn’t feel right. His gut twisted uneasily.

He drove closer to Wonwoo’s house, expecting to see Jihoon walking out with Wonho clinging to him. But there was no sign of them. Instead, the gate stood wide open.

Jeonghan immediately turned off the car’s engine and music. His heartbeat quickened as he stepped out, his instincts screaming at him. I knew it. It was a bad idea to let Jihoon go alone. Something was wrong.

Back at the house, Jihoon finally yanks himself free from Wonwoo’s grasp. He gripped Wonwoo’s arms tightly, using all his strength to shove him away before turning to run toward the house, to Wonho.

But Wonwoo’s reflexes were faster.

“Get off me, you whore!”

With a sudden, forceful shove, Wonwoo sent Jihoon flying backward. His body slammed against the wall in the lobby before he crumpled onto the floor. Pain shot through his back, but he gritted his teeth, lifting his head despite the throbbing ache.

Jihoon’s voice came out strained but unwavering. “Call me whatever the fuck you want! At least I don’t use people to get what I want. I’m not a selfish monster like you.”

Jihoon pushed himself up from the floor, his legs wobbling beneath him. A sharp pain shot through his abdomen, but he paid it no mind.

Jeonghan appeared in the doorway, his gaze immediately landing on Jihoon. His eyes widened in horror as he took in the sight before him, crimson liquid staining Jihoon’s khaki shorts, trickling down his legs and pooling onto the floor.

Panic surged through him as he rushed forward, placing a firm hand on Jihoon’s chest to stop him from moving any further. “Jihoon, please stop!”

Jihoon turned to Jeonghan weakly, following his gaze downward. That’s when he finally saw it. His voice trembled. “H-hyung… is that blood?”

Jeonghan felt himself spiral into panic. His breathing grew erratic, his hands trembling as he held Jihoon. Even Wonwoo, frozen in place, stared at Jihoon’s legs in shock, watching as the blood continued to seep downward.

Jihoon’s body gave out, and he slumped back onto the floor. Jeonghan let out a strangled cry, hysterical as he pulled Jihoon into his arms. He wanted to lift him, to run to the hospital himself if he had to, but his body refused to move. His mind was malfunctioning at the worst possible moment. Damn it!

He was also terrified of carrying Jihoon the wrong way, of making things worse.

"JIHOON! OH MY GOD! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP US!" Jeonghan’s voice cracked as he screamed, his grip on Jihoon tightening in desperation. Then, his furious eyes snapped to Wonwoo, who still stood there, obviously shocked as well.

"ARE YOU JUST GOING TO FUCKING STAND THERE, JEON WONWOO? CALL AN AMBULANCE, YOU FUCKING DEMON!"

Wonwoo flinched, his entire body shivering as he remained rooted to the spot. His eyes were fixed on the blood, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. His lips parted, voice barely above a whisper.

"Why is… why is there blood?" His hands clenched into fists. "I didn’t… I…"

Jeonghan snapped.

"JEON WONWOO, AMBULANCE, NOW!"

Wonwoo stumbled backward, his hands shaking. For a split second, the thought of slamming the door shut and leaving them outside crossed his mind. But then, frustration tore through him, and with a sharp growl, he yanked out his phone and dialed. His fingers trembled over the screen as his mind spun wildly.

If this is what I think it is… No. He refused to believe it.

Meanwhile, Jihoon reached down with shaky hands, touching the blood streaking his legs. His breathing hitched as he lifted his hand, now coated in deep red. His voice cracked.

"H-hyung… what is this?" Tears welled in his eyes, his entire body trembling in fear.

Jeonghan, tears now streaming down his own face, cupped Jihoon’s cheeks, forcing the younger to look at him.

"Ji," he whispered, voice breaking. "Look at me. I need you to relax, okay? Just breathe. Look at me."

Jihoon hesitantly looked up at Jeonghan, gulping as nervousness settled deep within him. His tear-streaked face twisted with fear and confusion. "H-hyung… what's happening?"

Jeonghan cupped Jihoon’s cheeks, wiping away his tears with trembling hands. His heart shattered seeing his baby brother cry like this. "You're pregnant, Ji," he whispered, voice thick with emotion. "I've been trying to tell you this."

Wonwoo, who had just stepped back outside, froze. Jeonghan's words slammed into him like a truck.

Jihoon’s breath hitched as he clutched his abdomen. His eyes darted back to Jeonghan, filled with shock and desperation. "I have a baby inside me?" His voice broke, his lips trembling. "My baby, hyung… my baby!" Jihoon sobbed harder, his whole body shaking.

Jeonghan turned his sharp gaze toward Wonwoo, his expression venomous. "Jeon, where the fucking ambu—"

"I ALREADY CALLED, GODDAMN IT!" Wonwoo snapped, cutting him off in frustration. His chest heaved, his mind spinning from everything unfolding too fast, too wrong.

Minutes later, the piercing sound of sirens filled the air. Paramedics rushed in, carefully lifting Jihoon onto a stretcher. Jeonghan followed closely, his eyes never leaving Jihoon's frail form. But before stepping into the ambulance, he turned to Wonwoo one last time.

The look in his eyes was pure hatred.

Then they were gone, leaving Wonwoo standing alone in the dimming light, staring down at the pool of blood staining the pavement. His hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as he tried to comprehend what he had just done.

His breath stuttered, panic crawling up his spine. "What did I do?" he muttered, his voice hollow and shaken.

With unsteady steps, he turned back inside, his fingers fumbling as he pushed open the door to Wonho’s room. The little boy sat curled on the floor, his tiny chest heaving, face damp with tears. His sobs had quieted into hiccups, his small hands gripping his shirt tightly.

Wonwoo swallowed hard, guilt clawing at his throat as he stepped forward. "Baby, I'm so sorry—"

Wonho flinched.

Wonho quickly swatted his hands away. "I hate you! Let me go to my papa! You're a monster!"

An hour had passed. Jihoon was now admitted and resting, but Jeonghan still didn’t know the results. He sat anxiously, waiting for the doctor to come out and update him on Jihoon’s condition. Earlier, his only focus was getting Jihoon to the nearest hospital as fast as possible. But now that he was here, the reality of the situation was sinking in, and the silence was unbearable.

Needing some company, he pulled out his phone and dialed Seungcheol. After a few rings, Seungcheol finally picked up.

"Miss me? Why did you call, Hannie?" Seungcheol chuckled.

Jeonghan, in no mood for small talk, went straight to the point. "Get Wonho out of Wonwoo's house right the fuck now, or I'm gonna fucking kill him. Also, call Soonyoung—Jihoon’s in the hospital. With their unborn child."

Silence.

Seungcheol froze for a moment before his voice rose in shock. "What?!"

Jeonghan clenched his jaw, losing patience. "Jihoon's pregnant, Cheol! And Wonwoo attacked him! He was bleeding earlier! Now call Soonyoung and get the kid out of that hell!"

"Roger that, will do!"

Without hesitation, Seungcheol changed directions, speeding toward Wonwoo’s house. He put in his AirPods and immediately dialed Soonyoung.

Soonyoung picked up after just one ring. "Hey, hyung! I just arrived in Taiwan. I was about to call Jihoon. Do you guys already have Wonho?"

Seungcheol swallowed, gripping the wheel tightly. He tried to find a way to break the news gently but ultimately decided to just rip off the bandaid. "Ah, erm… well, you see… something bad happened.

What a great opening to make Soonyoung stop dead in his tracks. "What happened to Jihoon? To Wonho? I'm going back."

Seungcheol sighed. "I'm on my way to Wonwoo's to forcefully get your son. And Jihoon… he was bleeding earlier. Jeonghan said Wonwoo attacked him. He's at the hospital now, though."

Soonyoung inhaled sharply, dropping the bag he was holding. Worry started to consume him. "F-Fuck, what? Hyung, what did you say?!"

"I don't know. It's what Jeonghan told me. To be honest, I'm already shaking with anger right now… It feels like I don't know Wonwoo anymore," Seungcheol replied, staring at the red traffic light.

Right then and there, Soonyoung decided to cancel his flight and appointments. He'd let Minghao and Jun handle things. His family needed him. "I'm gonna hang up. Take my child away. I'll see you in three hours."

Before Seungcheol knew it, he had finally arrived in front of Wonwoo's house, a place he had visited once to try and talk to Wonwoo about what had happened between him and Soonyoung. He stepped out of his car and started pressing the doorbell repeatedly.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Wonwoo was pacing back and forth, his mind racing. Wonho had crawled under the bed in fear, screaming and biting at him whenever he tried to come close. Wonwoo didn’t know what to do.

Hearing the doorbell, he quickly rushed out, thinking it was Mingyu. But the moment he opened the gate, Seungcheol immediately grabbed his collar. "Wonwoo! Are you still the Wonwoo I know? Because it feels like I don’t know you anymore. Where’s my nephew?!"

Wonwoo pushed Seungcheol away, successfully loosening the older man’s grip on his collar. "I'm not doing anything! He was the one who came here and forced himself in! Is it so wrong to protect my son? Why are you all ganging up on me?! Wonho is my child, not Jihoon's!"

Hearing Seungcheol’s voice, Wonho immediately spoke up. "Uncle Cheol? Uncle Cheollie!" he wailed loudly, still under the bed, too scared to come out.

Seungcheol sighed and glared at Wonwoo. "You left Wonho, remember? Isn't it obvious that the kid doesn't even like you to begin with?"

"Because Soonyoung kept our child to himself!" Wonwoo argued. "I was going to get him, but what?! Soonyoung took Wonho with him to China! I have rights too, you know?!"

Wonho, now screaming at the top of his lungs, sobbed, "Uncle Cheollie!"

Seungcheol let out a mocking laugh, unable to believe the words coming out of Wonwoo’s mouth. "If it weren’t for the fact that you and Mingyu can’t have a kid, you wouldn’t even bother with Wonho! I am taking him with me!" He pointed an accusing finger at Wonwoo.

"I'm calling security!" Wonwoo threatened.

Seungcheol didn’t give a shit about Wonwoo’s empty threats. He shoved him out of the way and stormed inside the house, calling out, "Wonho! Come out! You're going with me!"

Wonho only wailed louder in response, too scared to move from under the bed. Hugging himself tightly, he pressed his hands over his ears and sobbed, "Daddy! I want Daddy and Papa! I want to go home!"

Seungcheol quickly found Wonho under the bed. He crouched down and gave him a reassuring smile. "You're safe now. Let's go."

Without hesitation, Wonho crawled into Seungcheol’s arms, clinging tightly to him and burying his tear-streaked face in his uncle’s neck as he cried for his Papa and Daddy.

Just then, Wonwoo rushed inside the house, gasping when he saw Seungcheol holding the child. "Put my son down!"

Seungcheol tightened his hold on Wonho, his glare intensifying as he warned, "Move, or I'll punch you in the face."

Wonwoo's eyes welled up with tears as he reached out desperately for his child. "He's my son! Cheol hyung, please. Don't do this."

Seungcheol scoffed, his voice laced with disappointment. "You better fix yourself first before you even think about being a father to Wonho. I don’t know who you are anymore. And if the unborn baby inside Jihoon doesn't make it… I don’t know if I can ever forgive you."

Wonwoo’s expression shifted instantly, worry and fear flickering across his face. "I didn’t know he was pregnant, okay?! Do you think I would have done that to him if I had known? Hyung, I can’t kill!"

Seungcheol sighed, rubbing Wonho’s back. "I believe that. But sorry, Won—I’m taking Wonho with me. Bye."

"At least let me talk to him. Please, hyung."

Seungcheol hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay, but he stays in my arms."

Wonwoo took a step closer, his voice gentle. "Baby—"

Before he could say anything more, Wonho clutched Seungcheol’s shirt tightly, his tiny fists crumpling the fabric as he screamed and thrashed, "NO! NO! GO AWAY! MONSTER! GO AWAY!"

Seungcheol sighed, adjusting his hold on the sobbing child. "He doesn’t want to talk to you, Wonwoo. I’m sorry, but we really have to go."

Wonwoo stood frozen, helpless, as he watched Seungcheol walk away with Wonho crying in his arms. The child wouldn't even glance back at him.

The moment they left, Wonwoo let out a guttural scream, rage and frustration consuming him. He began throwing everything within reach, sending furniture and glass shattering across the house.

Soonyoung, on the other hand, felt nothing but overwhelming worry for Jihoon and their family, along with pure fury toward Wonwoo. The moment his flight landed back in Korea, he barely contained himself, nearly pushing through the crowd in his haste to get to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Jihoon had just woken up. He blinked rapidly, trying to adjust his vision to the unfamiliar surroundings. As soon as he realized he was wearing a hospital gown, panic set in.

"Hyung! Hyung!" Jihoon sobbed, his voice trembling.

Jeonghan, who had been sitting beside Jihoon's bed, immediately pulled him into a comforting hug. "Shhh… Jihoon, I’m here. You’re okay. Everything’s okay. Shhh…" he soothed, rubbing the younger’s back gently.

At the other side of the room, Wonho was still curled up on Seungcheol’s lap, crying quietly. Hours had passed, yet the child hadn't stopped. They had given him multiple bottles of water to keep him hydrated, especially after he had seen his papa lying in a hospital bed. But despite their efforts, the little boy continued to sob, his tiny frame trembling with distress.

Jihoon looked at Jeonghan, his eyes wide with worry. "Hyung? Is my baby okay?"

Jeonghan gave him a soft smile, brushing his fingers through Jihoon's hair. "Which baby? Because both of them are okay." He paused before continuing, "The one inside your tummy—yes. The doctor said the baby is healthy. A fighter, just like you. But Wonho…"

Jihoon let out a shaky breath of relief, his hand instinctively moving to rub his stomach. "Wonho?"

Jeonghan nodded toward the side of the room, where Seungcheol was still cradling the child, gently patting his back in an attempt to soothe him. But even as Wonho’s hiccups racked his small body, fat tears continued to stream down his cheeks.
Jeonghan sighed, rubbing Jihoon’s shoulder gently. "Seungcheol said he found Wonho hiding under the bed, and the kid hasn’t stopped crying ever since he got him out."

Jihoon blinked, his heart aching at the thought. He wanted nothing more than to scoop Wonho into his arms, but he knew he had to be careful with his movements. "Hyung? Can I? Can you please put Wonho here on the bed?*"

Jeonghan nodded and walked over to where Wonho was curled up on Seungcheol’s lap. He tapped the little boy’s shoulder gently. "Wonho, baby, Papa Hoonie is awake."

At those words, Wonho’s head snapped up. His teary eyes found Jihoon, and fresh sobs racked his small body. Without hesitation, he jumped off Seungcheol’s lap and ran straight to Jihoon’s bedside, latching onto his hand tightly.

"Papa, I’m so sorry! Wonho is sorry!" the child cried, his little voice trembling with guilt. He repeated the apology over and over between his sobs.

Jihoon let out a soft coo, his heart clenching at the sight. He gently lifted Wonho’s chin, tilting the child’s face so they could meet eyes. "Why are you saying sorry, baby? Come here, Papa needs to tell you something."

Jeonghan helped lift Wonho onto the bed, and the boy wasted no time snuggling up beside Jihoon. "I know the monster hurted you because of me," Wonho hiccuped, "You’re sick because of me."

"Of course not," Jihoon quickly reassured him, stroking his small cheek. "It’s not your fault, baby. And Papa has something important to tell you."

Wonho blinked up at Jihoon, his tear-streaked face filled with curiosity and worry. But before Jihoon could say anything, the hospital door burst open.

A very haggard Soonyoung stood at the doorway, panting heavily. He looked like he had sprinted the entire way, his hair disheveled, his eyes wild with panic. He didn’t stop moving until he reached the hospital bed, immediately bending down to wrap both Jihoon and Wonho in a tight embrace.

"Love… baby…" Soonyoung breathed, his voice filled with raw emotion.

Jihoon looked up at his boyfriend, surprised. "Nyong! Why are you here?"

"Not important," Soonyoung dismissed quickly. His eyes darted to Jeonghan. "Hyung, how’s Jihoon? And the baby?"

Before anyone could answer, Wonho let out another loud sob. "Daddy, Wonwoo hurt Papa Hoonie!"

Jeonghan gave Soonyoung a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "The baby's fine."

Soonyoung exhaled deeply, relief washing over his face. "Oh thank God. Oh fuck. Come here, baby."

Wonho immediately crawled into Soonyoung’s arms, clinging to him tightly. Soonyoung sat on the edge of Jihoon’s bed, taking Jihoon’s hand in his own and holding it firmly.

"I’m sorry, love, that this had to happen," Soonyoung said in a comforting tone, bringing Jihoon’s hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss against it. "But I promise you, he’s never going to touch you again. Or Wonho."

Jihoon flashed a small but genuine smile. "It’s okay, Soonyoung. We’re going to have a baby soon... Is it wrong that I’m happy despite everything?"

"No, love. It’s not wrong at all," Soonyoung reassured him, his voice full of warmth. "I love you, and our baby. You hear that, Wonho? Papa Hoonie has a baby inside him now."

Wonho, who had finally stopped crying, perked up at the news. His curiosity replaced his earlier distress. "Really?"

Jihoon nodded, placing a gentle hand over his tummy, "Yes, baby. You’re going to be a big brother soon."

Wonho’s eyes widened in awe. He crawled back toward Jihoon, carefully patting his tummy with his small hands. "Baby?"

Soonyoung leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Jihoon’s forehead while his thumb continued to rub soothing circles over Jihoon’s hand. "I love you so much, Ji. I’ll fix everything, and we’ll go home to China together."

Jihoon smiled softly, his fingers squeezing Soonyoung’s hand. "I love you too." Then, he turned his attention back to Wonho. "Yes, Wonho baby, there's a baby inside Papa’s tummy, but they’re still very small."

Wonho finally grinned, excitement lighting up his tear-streaked face. "A baby! We’re gonna have a baby!" He turned to Jeonghan with sparkling eyes. "Uncle! I’m gonna be a big brother!"

Jeonghan chuckled, ruffling Wonho’s hair. "Yes, you are, baby."

Jihoon reached up, brushing a few stray strands from Wonho’s face. "Do you want a baby sister or a baby brother?"

Wonho rubbed his face against Jihoon's tummy, his excitement bubbling over. "I don’t care! As long as they play with me and love me!"

Soonyoung smiled at his son, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment wash over him. But beneath that, anger simmered, anger at the thought that he had almost lost all of this because of Wonwoo.

An idea crossed his mind. He pressed another gentle kiss to Jihoon’s head. "Ji, why don’t you get some rest? Sleep a little more. You too, baby."

"Hmm? Okay... as long as Wonho stays with me," Jihoon mumbled sleepily.

Wonho nodded eagerly, already snuggling back against Jihoon’s side. "Missed you, Papa. Missed you, Daddy. Please, no more monster. I don’t wanna go back there ever again."

Jihoon sighed, wrapping his arms around his son. "I love you, baby. Papa’s going to sleep first with your baby sibling."

Wonho nodded, pressing a sweet kiss to Jihoon’s cheek before settling in beside him. Soonyoung watched them, holding Jihoon’s hand the entire time. And when they finally drifted off to sleep, he carefully stood up.

He turned to Jeonghan, who had been watching over Jihoon and Wonho with his arms crossed. "One last favor, hyung. Can you look after them again? I need to go somewhere with Cheol hyung to fix some things."

Jeonghan nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Anytime. I love sleep, but I can’t even think about sleeping after everything that happened today."

"I’m sorry, hyung. I should’ve been here," Soonyoung murmured.

"It’s no one’s fault," Jeonghan reassured him. "Go, I’ll take care of them."

Soonyoung gave a firm nod before grabbing Seungcheol’s wrist and pulling him out of the room. Seungcheol let out a small whine, stumbling after him. "Yah! What’s with you?!"

"Drive me to Wonwoo," Soonyoung ordered, his voice cold with barely contained rage. "I’m so fucking angry right now that I don’t trust myself to drive safely."

Seungcheol stared at Soonyoung in disbelief. "Wait, Soonyoung? Are you serious? Don’t you want to rest first? You just arrived!"

Soonyoung sat on one of the benches outside the hospital room, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Hyung, how can I even rest after this? We almost lost our baby, and Wonho. He’s so traumatized that he won’t even call him by his name anymore. He calls him a monster!"

Seungcheol let out a heavy sigh, knowing there was no talking Soonyoung out of it. "Alright, whatever. Let’s go."

The drive to Wonwoo’s house was tense. Soonyoung was silent, but his clenched fists and the way his jaw tightened every few seconds spoke volumes. Seungcheol had half a mind to tell him to breathe, but he figured it wouldn’t help.

The moment they arrived, Soonyoung didn’t even bother with the doorbell. He went straight to banging on the door, his fists slamming against it so loudly that Seungcheol flinched.

"Soonyoung! It’s already late at night!" Seungcheol hissed, glancing around anxiously. "The neighbors will complain!"

But Soonyoung wasn’t listening. His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence of the night. "Jeon Wonwoo! Get the fuck out here!"

A few moments later, Wonwoo yanked the door open, ready to snap at whoever was making all the noise. But the second he saw who it was, his face went pale.

"What—Soonyoung?!"

Before Wonwoo could say anything else, Soonyoung’s hands were around his neck, shoving him hard against the wall. Wonwoo gasped, struggling as Soonyoung’s grip tightened.

"I warned you, didn’t I?!" Soonyoung growled, his voice shaking with fury. "I told you not to fucking touch my family! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!"

Wonwoo clawed at Soonyoung’s hands, his breathing coming in desperate gasps. "S-Soonyoung—c-can’t…breathe…!"

Seungcheol, alarmed, quickly intervened. "SOONYOUNG! STOP!"

With a sharp exhale, Soonyoung finally let go, stepping back as Wonwoo hunched over, coughing violently. But his expression remained cold, completely void of emotion.

"You don’t want to sign the divorce papers?" Soonyoung’s voice was eerily calm. "Fine by me. I’ll make you sign a different paper. You want to bring this to court, right?" He tilted his head, eyes sharp and unforgiving. "Okay. Bring it on. I can’t wait to see how you’ll defend yourself against charges of adultery, physical assault, and child abuse."

Wonwoo collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air as he clutched his throat. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know Jihoon was pregnant!"

Soonyoung let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Oh? Then tell that to the judge." His eyes burned with fury as he took a step closer, looming over Wonwoo. "Ah, and just so you know, I'm filing a TRO. You won’t be able to see Jihoon or Wonho ever again."

Wonwoo swallowed hard, his body shaking, but he still managed to glare at Soonyoung. "F-Fine. I'm signing the divorce papers now."

Just then, Mingyu rushed out of the house, eyes widening at the sight in front of him. He had woken up to find Wonwoo missing from their bed, and now he understood why. His heart pounded as he sprinted toward his lover, pulling him into his arms. "What the hell is going on here?!"

Soonyoung met Mingyu’s eyes, his gaze cold and unyielding. "What do you think?" He then turned back to Wonwoo, his voice dripping with finality. "Send the papers to my lawyers. And from now on, stay the hell away from MY family and OUR son."

Wonwoo’s body wracked with sobs as he clung to Mingyu. "I-I just wanted to be part of Wonho’s life..."

Mingyu tightened his hold on Wonwoo, pressing a kiss to his temple in an attempt to comfort him. "Don’t worry, he’ll sign the papers immediately. I’ll make sure they’re sent as soon as he’s done. Please, just go. We need to rest."

Soonyoung scoffed, his lips curling in disgust. "As if I wanted to stay here." He turned on his heel without another word. "Let’s go, hyung."

Seungcheol lingered for a moment, his expression unreadable as he cast one last glance at Mingyu and Wonwoo. But then he sighed and followed Soonyoung, leaving the two behind in the cold silence of the night.

----

Soonyoung returned to the hospital, exhausted but feeling overwhelmingly positive. Wonwoo was signing the papers, Jihoon is pregnant, and soon, they could finally go back to China. He smiled as he watched Jihoon and Wonho, having stayed awake all night just to keep an eye on them.

Jihoon stirred from his sleep, slowly sitting up in the hospital bed. He adjusted Wonho into a more comfortable position before smiling at his peacefully sleeping son. His gaze wandered around the room until he noticed Soonyoung watching him.

“Love, you’re still awake?”

Soonyoung hummed in response, taking Jihoon’s hands and playing with them before placing one over his still-flat tummy. “Hi, baby,” he whispered.

Jihoon frowned as realization dawned on him—Soonyoung hadn’t slept at all. “You didn’t sleep?”

Soonyoung simply shrugged. “I’m not just tired, love.”

Jihoon sighed before offering him a soft smile. His eyes flickered to where Soonyoung’s hand rested on his tummy. “I’m excited.”

“Me too, love. Oh, by the way, I have good news.”

Jihoon hummed curiously.

“We can finally go back to China. You, me, Wonho, and our soon-to-be baby.”

“Really?” Jihoon’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he even slapped himself lightly as if to check if he was dreaming.

Soonyoung chuckled at his reaction, his smile gentle. “He’s signing the papers. My lawyers will handle everything from here. We don’t even have to stay for the whole process.”

Jihoon’s breath hitched, his heart hammering in his chest as a thought crossed his mind. “A-are we… going to get married?” His cheeks flushed at the idea. He was finally going to marry his longtime crush, something he never imagined would actually happen.

Soonyoung grinned, leaning in closer to him. “Would I ever let that not happen? After everything we’ve been through? I’m going to marry you, Lee Jihoon.”

Jihoon rubbed his belly, warmth flooding his chest. “I’m s-so happy to hear that. I want this baby to have your last name.”

"And you'll have my last name too. Everyone can finally shut up because you'll officially be Wonho’s legal father," Soonyoung said, placing his hand on top of Jihoon's tummy again, rubbing it gently as if to let the baby know he was there.

"K-Kwon Jihoon," Jihoon murmured, smiling as he stared at his left hand, imagining the day he’d finally wear a ring.

Soonyoung smiled back, intertwining their fingers. "As soon as you get enough rest, we’ll head back to China. We can finally start our family together, for real this time."

"When will I be discharged, by the way?" Jihoon asked.

"Tonight, if there are no complications," Soonyoung answered. "Tomorrow, I'll be meeting Wonwoo in court for the divorce, and after that, we're free to leave whenever we want."

Jihoon bit his lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "I just… feel bad for Wonwoo. Even though he treated me badly, I can tell he sincerely wants to be with Wonho. But whatever you decide—whatever you think is best for Wonho—I'll support you."

Soonyoung's jaw tightened, his fingers gripping Jihoon's hand a little firmer. "Ji… Wonho is traumatized. We put so much care into raising him, and then Wonwoo came along, and suddenly, Wonho had to go through all that pain. Wonwoo—he’s not fit to be a father when all he thinks about is himself. And I… I can never forgive him for what he did to you," Soonyoung said through gritted teeth. The anger still burned inside him. If Jihoon had lost the baby because of Wonwoo, he didn’t know what he would’ve done. Thank God, their child had survived.

Jihoon let out a small sigh. "I-It’s just… sad. I still hope he and Mingyu can have a child someday, so they can live happily."

Even after everything, Jihoon still wished for Wonwoo’s happiness. Once upon a time, he had been his best friend. If that incident between their families had never happened, they probably would’ve still been close.

"Don't worry about them, love. I'm sure they'll find a way to make things work. What’s important is that we’re done with that mess, I’m finally yours, and—" Soonyoung wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "—you don’t have a choice."

Jihoon chuckled. "You’re making it sound like I don’t want this. And does it look like I can run away? We literally created a life together."

Soonyoung grinned. "That’s true. But I was wondering… how is it possible that you got pregnant? Does that mean the pills weren’t effective?"

Jihoon suddenly looked away, fidgeting. "Actually… I realized there was a time last month… I forgot to take them, so yeah… um, sorry, Nyong," he stammered.

Soonyoung blinked, then shook his head with a fond smile. "Why are you saying sorry? There’s nothing to apologize for. You gave me a gift, love."

"B-But this was unplanned…"

"And yet, it’s a blessing in disguise," Soonyoung reassured him. "We just have to wait for him to arrive in the world, and then everything will go back to normal for us. If Wonho is our angel, then I think we just got our lucky charm, Jihoonie."

Jihoon’s expression softened. "I think… this one will look like you again."

Soonyoung beamed. "And then we can have another child who looks like you."

Jihoon raised a brow. "Soonyoung, how many kids do you want? I think just one sibling would be fine for Wonho."

"Any number will do, but I want a daughter too!"

Jihoon squinted at him suspiciously. "If this one is a girl, we’re stopping, okay?"

"Eh, but Wonho needs a younger brother!"

Jihoon narrowed his eyes further. "Why do I have a feeling you just want to have tons of children with me?" He pinched Soonyoung’s arm before smirking. "You just want an excuse to fuck me repeatedly, you pervert."

Soonyoung wiggled his eyebrows playfully. "Hmm, am I the only one who wants that? That’s far from what I remember."

Jihoon groaned. "Whatever. You’re gonna lose your sex life completely for the next few months."

Soonyoung blinked, realization hitting him like a truck. "Oh… shit."

"What?" Jihoon asked, already annoyed.

Soonyoung looked at him like a kicked puppy. "No sex???"

Jihoon smirked, tilting his head slightly. "No… but maybe I can still suck you off" he said, voice sultry, a teasing smile curling on his lips.

Soonyoung burst out laughing. "And you call me a pervert?"

Jihoon scoffed. "Who always asks for it?!"

"Why does it sound like it’s my fault, love?" Soonyoung placed a hand over his chest, feigning a dramatic ache.

"It is your fault! I’m the one carrying a child inside me while you get to have the time of your life!" Jihoon huffed.

Soonyoung chuckled, pulling Jihoon’s hand into his. "You’re complaining, but you already love the kid. And you love me."

"Of course, it’s our child," Jihoon murmured.

Soonyoung softened, squeezing his hand. "I love you."

Jihoon’s face flushed slightly, but he moved closer, puckering his lips. "Can I have a kiss?"

Soonyoung leaned in, pressing a few pecks on Jihoon’s lips before deepening the kiss—long and slow, as if savoring the moment.

Jihoon smiled against his lips before pulling away. "Seems like you missed me a lot."

"Yeah, so much... When I heard what happened, I wanted to go to you as soon as possible. I wanted to jump out of the plane," Soonyoung whispered against Jihoon's lips.

Jihoon gasped, playfully hitting his chest. "You're crazy!"

Soonyoung laughed. "I was going nuts back then."

"W-Well… did you know I was pregnant?"

A groggy voice interrupted them. "Well, he was going nuts. He almost choked Wonwoo to death, you know."

Seungcheol, who had been sleeping on the couch with Jeonghan, since Jeonghan had refused to leave Jihoon's side last night, stretched and sat up, rubbing his eyes.

Jihoon turned to Soonyoung with a sharp look. "What did you do to Wonwoo?"

Soonyoung shot a glare at Seungcheol before quickly shaking his head. "Nothing!"

Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Soonyoung cleared his throat, changing the subject. "And I figured out you were pregnant when I made chicken soup for you, but you didn’t want it."

Jihoon tilted his head. "Is that so?"

"I wasn’t sure at first. You could have just been sick, you know? But then you started craving certain foods… It reminded me of how you were when you were pregnant with Wonho."

Jihoon sighed, his fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on his tummy. "I thought I was just sick too… but then I saw the blood trickling down my legs after Wonwoo pushed me into the wall. Good thing Jeonghan-hyung was there."

His voice wavered slightly as the memory came back to him. He had been so scared—terrified of losing his baby. His heart wouldn’t have been able to take it.

Soonyoung reached out, cupping Jihoon’s cheek gently. "I’m sorry I wasn’t by your side."

Jihoon leaned into his touch, his gaze soft. "It’s okay. You’re here now."

Seungcheol picked up a still-sleeping Jeonghan, adjusting him carefully in his arms. "Since you're finally here, I'm taking my husband home. Just call if you need us, okay?"

"Thanks, hyung. Take care. By the way, what about Jeonghan-hyung's car—"

"We're leaving it here. He’ll come back later for sure. You know how he is—he acts like your mother or something."

Soonyoung chuckled. "That’s true. Thanks, hyung."

Jihoon laughed as well. "You guys should have your own kid soon!"

"I want to," Seungcheol admitted, glancing at Jeonghan fondly, "but it seems like Soonyoung’s the only one who's an expert when it comes to that field."

"You’re making me sound bad," Soonyoung argued with a pout.

Jihoon smirked. "You guys are cute."

Seungcheol rolled his eyes. "Just say you’re whipped for Soonyoung already. Anyway, we have to go."

"Bye, Grandpa!" Jihoon teased as Seungcheol turned to leave.

Seungcheol groaned but left without further protest.

---

Soonyoung stayed by Jihoon’s side, only stepping out when Jihoon had cravings. That night, he was able to bring Jihoon home, making sure he was comfortable and well-rested.

Now, Soonyoung was on his way to the courthouse, ready to start the divorce process with Wonwoo. If it were up to him, he’d rather never see him again, but he had to.

Meanwhile, Wonwoo sat inside the courthouse with his lawyer, waiting patiently for Soonyoung’s arrival. Mingyu sat beside him, squeezing his hand in silent support. Though he was still hurt by Wonwoo’s actions over the past few weeks, that didn’t mean he’d let him face this alone.

Mingyu leaned closer, whispering softly, "Everything will be fine."

Wonwoo sighed, tightening his grip on Mingyu’s hand. He wasn’t so sure about that.
Soonyoung remained unmoved, his expression cold and unreadable. He crossed his arms, staring down at Wonwoo, who was still kneeling before him.

"You say you love him, but love isn't supposed to hurt," Soonyoung said, voice sharp. "And yet, you pushed Jihoon into a wall. You scared your own son to the point that he calls you a monster instead of your name. Do you really think one apology is enough to fix that?"

Wonwoo clenched his fists, tears streaming down his face. "I know I messed up—I ruined everything. But please, Soonyoung, don’t take him away from me completely. I’ll do anything—therapy, supervised visits, anything. Just… just don’t cut me off from his life."

Soonyoung exhaled through his nose, his grip on his own arm tightening. He knew Wonwoo was desperate. Maybe even regretful. But that didn’t erase what had already been done.

Mingyu, still holding onto Wonwoo’s arm, turned to Soonyoung. "Please… Wonwoo’s willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. Even if it takes time, Wonho should at least have the option to decide for himself when he's older."

Soonyoung hesitated for a split second before shaking his head. "I’ll think about it. But right now? No. Wonho is traumatized. I won’t force him to face you just because you suddenly feel remorseful."

Wonwoo let out a broken sob, his body trembling. "I just… I just want to be a father to him…"

Soonyoung looked away, jaw clenched. "Then maybe you should’ve thought about that before you hurt him."

With that, he turned to his lawyer. "Let’s get this over with."
Wonwoo sobbed, looking down at their intertwined hands. "Sorry, Gyu... sorry..."

Mingyu squeezed his hand tighter. "You don't have to say that."

Just then, Soonyoung entered the room with his lawyer. He had chosen not to bring Jihoon or Wonho, not wanting to put Jihoon under more stress, especially now that he was pregnant. And Wonho? The child was still too shaken from their last encounter. Soonyoung’s expression was cold as he looked at the two men in front of him.

"Let's make this fast," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

The lawyer nodded. "Don't worry. We'll wrap this up as quickly as you'd like."

Wonwoo stood up from his seat, revealing his tear-streaked face. "Where's Wonho?"

Mingyu glanced at him with concern. "Hyung..."

"Soonyoung, please," Wonwoo pleaded. "I'm begging you—I just want to see my child."

Soonyoung scoffed, his eyes hard. "Like I told you before, I'm filing a TRO against you. We gave you a chance, and you ruined it. Wonho is terrified of you—do you even realize that?"

"I-I'm sorry," Wonwoo stuttered, his voice breaking between sobs. "Please, give me another chance. Even if I have to kneel down in front of you—I love my son so much. When I saw him again after all these years, I realized how important he is to me."

His knees hit the floor as he knelt before Soonyoung, hands trembling. "I'll sign the divorce papers, I swear. You and Jihoon can get married. I just... I just want to stay in my child's life."

Mingyu's eyes widened at Wonwoo’s desperate actions, his heart aching for the man he loved. Alarmed, he quickly moved to help him up, grasping his arms in an attempt to make him stand. "Hyung, please, get up."

But Wonwoo wouldn't move.

Soonyoung stared at Wonwoo, still kneeling on the ground. He couldn't help but wonder how did they end up here? If his high school self could see him now, he wouldn’t believe it. Back then, he never imagined things would turn out like this.

"The TRO will be effective until we leave for China," Soonyoung finally said, his tone firm but not cruel. "Let Wonho heal first. The kid still hasn't gotten over what happened... to all of us. Maybe one day, he'll be able to accept you." He paused, then added with a piercing look, "And just to be clear—Jihoon never said anything bad about you to Wonho. You did this to yourself."

"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry," Wonwoo choked out, his voice raw with desperation. There was no sarcasm, no arrogance just pure regret. "I’ll do anything if it means you'll give me a chance."

Soonyoung felt his heart clench. After all, Wonwoo had once been his husband. He had loved him once so much.

"I'll try to talk to him one last time," Soonyoung murmured. "But if he says no... then I’m pushing through with the TRO." He took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Now, stand up so we can get this over with."

Wonwoo bit his lip, trying to suppress the fresh wave of tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Mingyu immediately stepped in, helping him to his feet before pulling him into a tight embrace, kissing his temple and whispering soft words of comfort.

Just as Soonyoung wanted, the process was quick. They were questioned about their marriage how it began, how it fell apart, and the reasons for the divorce. Soonyoung answered every question truthfully, straightforwardly, wanting nothing more than to get it over with.

Once the last signature was in place, it was done.

As soon as they stepped out of the courtroom, Wonwoo collapsed into Mingyu's arms, burying himself in his chest, trembling.

Soonyoung gave them one last look before walking away. It was over.

The divorce was final.

Now, he could finally go home to China with Jihoon. He could finally give him a ring.

----

Jihoon played his violin gracefully in the living room, his fingers gliding effortlessly across the strings as he lost himself in the melody. Beside him, Wonho sat at his mini keyboard, his small hands pressing the keys in perfect accompaniment. It was their usual bonding time—a quiet, intimate moment filled with music and warmth.

Even before stepping inside, Soonyoung could hear the familiar melody drifting through the air. The sound alone was enough to ease his tired heart. But when he finally walked in and saw them, Jihoon immersed in his playing, Wonho focused and happy. He felt utterly mesmerized. These two, soon to be three, were his entire world.

He stayed silent, simply listening, wanting to savor the moment.

Jihoon, sensing his presence, slowly looked up. His music came to a stop as he turned toward the doorway. Wonho, catching sight of Soonyoung, gasped before jumping up in excitement.

“Daddy!” Wonho shrieked, running straight to him.

Soonyoung opened his arms wide, catching the boy effortlessly before lifting him up. He held Wonho close as he walked toward Jihoon, his soon-to-be husband.

“Oh, Nyong, you’re home,” Jihoon greeted softly, setting his violin down. “How was it?”

Soonyoung cupped Jihoon’s face with one hand, his thumb stroking his cheek gently. “It’s done, love,” he whispered. “We can go home now.”

Jihoon leaned into his touch, closing his eyes briefly. “That’s good to hear, then.” He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Did Wonwoo say anything… erm, hurtful?”

Soonyoung shook his head. He glanced at Wonho, still in his arms, smiling brightly as if unaware of the weight of their conversation.

“He wants to see Wonho,” Soonyoung admitted.

Wonho blinked up at them, not fully understanding.

Jihoon sighed, his hand drifting to his stomach as he gently caressed it. “I know how it feels… Maybe one day, once we’ve all healed. I don’t want to take away his rights as Wonho’s father.”

Soonyoung nodded, brushing a strand of Jihoon’s hair behind his ear. “Maybe one day. But not now.” His voice softened as he turned back to Wonho. “For now, I just want us to go home. What do you think, little one? Are you ready to finally go home?”

“Yes, Daddy!” Wonho cheered. “I’m tired of speaking in Korean!”

Jihoon chuckled, shaking his head fondly. “Well, he did grow up in China, after all.”

Soonyoung laughed at his son’s antics, showering him with kisses all over his face. “Difficult? You only speak Korean in front of Uncle Hannie and Uncle Cheol. Here at home, you still speak Mandarin,” he teased, playfully booping Wonho’s nose.

Wonho giggled, squirming in his father’s hold.

Then, Soonyoung turned back to Jihoon. “By the way, Ji, since we’re going home… Are we selling this unit?”

Jihoon hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “I-I don’t want to… I mean, I still want to come home to Korea from time to time. I want this baby to see Korea too someday.” His gaze softened as he rested a hand on his stomach, where a small bump would soon appear. Even though he was only a few weeks along, he was already excited to welcome their baby into the world. “Even if I know the baby will be a Chinese citizen, I still want them to know their roots.”

Soonyoung nodded in understanding. “Okay then, love. We’ll keep the house. Maybe we can take vacations once in a while? Fly to Jeju, visit Nami, or go to all the places we never got to visit because of everything that happened these past few months.”

Jihoon frowned slightly. “Are you sure? Won’t that just be another thing we’ll have to squeeze into our budget?”

Soonyoung scoffed, shaking his head. “Nope, love. The reason I worked so hard to earn money was to give my children a good life. And who knew… even my husband.”

It was true. When Soonyoung had first started working tirelessly, it was all for Wonho. He wanted his son to grow up without worries, with everything he could possibly need. But he never expected to fall in love again, never expected that his family would grow. And yet, he wasn’t complaining—far from it. Jihoon had walked into their lives and, just like that, everything was brighter.

He had become the sun in Soonyoung’s once dark world.

"I know how it feels… Maybe next time, once we’re all healed. I don’t want to take away his rights as Wonho’s father," Jihoon said, gently caressing his tummy.

Soonyoung nodded. "Maybe one day. But not now. For now, I just want us to go home. Wonho, do you want that? We’re finally going home."

"Yes! Daddy! I’m tired of speaking in Korean," Wonho whined.

Jihoon chuckled. "Well, he did grow up in China after all."

Soonyoung laughed at his son’s antics, pressing playful kisses all over his face. "Difficult? You only speak Korean in front of Uncle Hannie and Uncle Cheol. Here at home, you still speak Mandarin," he teased, booping Wonho’s nose. Then, turning to Jihoon, he asked, "By the way, Ji, since we’re going home, are we going to sell this unit?"

"I-I don’t want to… I mean, I still want to come back to Korea from time to time. I want this baby to see Korea too someday," Jihoon said, looking down at his stomach, where a small bump would soon appear. Even though he was only a few weeks along, he was already excited to meet their child. "Even though I know the baby will be a Chinese citizen."

Soonyoung nodded in understanding. "Okay then, love. We’ll keep the house. Maybe we can take vacations once in a while? We could fly to Jeju, visit Nami, and go to all the places we never got to see because of everything that’s happened these past few months."

"Are you sure? Won’t that just be another expense we’ll have to fit into our budget?" Jihoon asked, brows furrowing slightly.

Soonyoung scoffed, shaking his head. "Nope, love. The reason I worked so hard to earn money was to provide a good life for my children. And who knew… even my husband."

It was true. Soonyoung had once thought all his efforts were just for Wonho, to give him a comfortable life without worries. He never expected to fall in love again, never expected that his family would grow. But he wasn’t complaining. In fact, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Because when Jihoon entered their lives, everything became brighter.

Jihoon had become the sun in Soonyoung’s once dark world.

"But let me remind you, Soonyoung—I’m still going to work, okay? I don’t want to always ask for money from you. So please, don’t impregnate me every year," Jihoon said with a teasing smirk.

Soonyoung burst into laughter. "Of course, love. I know how much you love teaching and your students. You can still do what you love, even after we get married."

"Good," Jihoon said with a satisfied smile. "I still want to build my own school someday."

"I would offer to help, but I know you want to achieve that on your own," Soonyoung said, gazing at him fondly. "But whenever you need support, baby, I’ll always be here to catch you."

Jihoon cringed. "I don’t want that. You’re not my sugar daddy."

"Definitely not," Soonyoung grinned. "I’m your husband."

Jihoon rolled his eyes before playfully smacking Soonyoung’s chest. "I don’t want people thinking I’m only with you for your money. What they don’t know is that I was already in love with you back when the only thing you could afford was odeng from the street stalls in Myeongdong."

Soonyoung gasped in a fake offense. "Hey! I bought you food! And don’t forget that huge bottle of Coke I got you when we had our dance practice together back then!"

Jihoon sighed at Soonyoung’s childish argument, shaking his head. "Yeah, and to be honest, I could afford it myself. I just didn’t want to offend you." He paused, a nostalgic glint in his eyes. "And I still remember how you always used to talk about Wonwoo back then. Every conversation we had somehow led back to him and how much you loved him."

Jihoon remembered how he used to want to scream at Soonyoung to shut up, how he’d wished he could slap duct tape over his mouth because it hurt so much to hear. But Soonyoung had been completely oblivious to his feelings. Not that it mattered—he had no right to be jealous. Back then, Soonyoung and Wonwoo were together, deeply in love, and Jihoon was just a friend.

But there was no need to dwell on the past. Because now, Jihoon was the one who held Soonyoung’s heart.

And even now, it still felt surreal.

If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.

He wanted to stay by Soonyoung’s side forever.

"But look, now you're the one who finally owns my heart," Soonyoung said softly, gazing at Jihoon with warmth. "This is forever. No more escapes, right, Wonho?"

Wonho nodded eagerly, giggling at his parents. He loved seeing them like this. All he wished for was for them to stay this way forever.

Jihoon smiled. "And I have no plans of escaping. I'm ready to be a Kwon too. Kwon Jihoon."

"Yeah," Soonyoung grinned, savoring the sound of it. "Kwon Jihoon."

Silence fell over them, but it was the kind of silence that felt warm and comforting, the kind that wrapped around them like a soft embrace.

It was true what they said, there would always be a rainbow after the rain.

Soonyoung just hoped that from now on, things would truly be okay. There were still wounds that needed to heal, scars left from everything that had happened during their time in Korea. But at least now, he had closure with Wonwoo. He believed things would get better with time. Maybe one day, when they returned to Korea for a vacation, he would be able to look Wonwoo in the eyes without feeling the anger bubbling inside him.

Maybe one day, Wonho would be able to accept him fully too.

Just a happy life, one without grudges, one without pain.

If only the world were perfect, maybe things could have been that way from the start.

But time would heal.

And Soonyoung knew that someday, they would find a way to mend the broken pieces.

Chapter Text

It took them at least a week to prepare everything for their return to China. Soonyoung had to take care of a lot, including mending his relationship with his parents. Jeonghan refused to leave Jihoon's side for days, but Soonyoung promised to bring them to China once Jihoon gave birth to their baby.

Soonyoung also tried to talk to Wonho about speaking with Wonwoo before leaving for China for good. However, the conversation ended with him crying for hours. Jihoon being the only one who could soothe him.

Jun and Hao were there to pick them up. Though Minghao couldn't carry Wonho like he used to because of his large baby bump, Wonho still kept kissing his tummy, just as he always did to Jihoon's small bump.

---

"Wow, I missed you, my bed!" Soonyoung groaned as he flopped onto the mattress, kissing the sheets. Meanwhile, Wonho was already fast asleep in his room.

Jihoon sat on the bed, watching his boyfriend roll around before shaking his head at his childishness. He had just finished changing into more comfortable clothes. "It used to be just your bed before we flew to Korea," he remarked.

"Yeah, because you always slept in Wonho's room whenever you stayed over," Soonyoung pouted.

"So... is this going to be my bed now too?" Jihoon asked, moving closer. "Technically, I'm still just your boyfriend."

Soonyoung carefully wrapped his arms around Jihoon's waist, making sure not to put any pressure on their unborn child. "I'm not letting you go anywhere, Ji. We practically lived together in Korea. And you're pregnant. I want you to move in—officially—with us, love."

Jihoon looked directly into Soonyoung's eyes. "That means I'll be bringing a ton of my musical instruments, too. They'll take up a lot of space."

Soonyoung blinked. He hadn’t thought about that. "We can buy a bigger house once we get married?"

Jihoon's expression shifted immediately. "Don't. That’ll cost a lot of money."

Soonyoung gently pulled Jihoon closer by the waist, making him straddle his lap. 

"Ji, this house was only meant for two or three people. When I bought it, I thought it would always just be me and Wonho, you know? But now you're here, and soon, our baby will be too. I also want to build my own office and dance room so I don’t have to go out as much. And I want a music library and studio for you and Wonho."

Jihoon looked down at his lap. "Well, if you say so. I’m just not used to it... You know I love saving money."

Soonyoung lifted Jihoon's chin so their eyes met again. "It’s something we need, love. After that, I'll listen to you about our finances."

"Okay," Jihoon pouted before mumbling, "I want to play the piano today, though... I miss my piano."

Soonyoung rubbed Jihoon's back. "Aren't you tired from the flight?"

Jihoon whined, pointing at his slowly growing baby bump with his lips. "Nope. Your child doesn’t want me to sleep yet."

Soonyoung hummed, gently rubbing Jihoon's tummy as if trying to convince the baby to behave and let their papa rest. "Come on, let’s go to the living room. You can play Wonho’s piano there. Tomorrow, we can visit your house. I’m sure Wonho misses your instruments too."

Jihoon wrapped his arms tightly around Soonyoung's neck. "Okay~ By the way, when are we going to the doctor for the baby?"

"I already scheduled it for a week from now," Soonyoung replied, taking out his phone with his free hand to check the time. "Since we just got back, the doctor said it would be better for you to rest first."

"Wonho’s super excited, you know? He’s been asking me nonstop when the baby will come out," Jihoon said, remembering how Wonho constantly pestered him about the due date. He talked about it endlessly, thrilled at the thought of finally having a playmate.

"Did you know he has a little notebook filled with name suggestions for the baby?"

Jihoon blinked. "What?"

Soonyoung hummed in amusement as he carried Jihoon to the living room, setting him down gently in front of the piano before taking the seat beside him. "He even has names for both boys and girls. He said it’s for his baby sibling."

Jihoon felt a warm, giddy feeling bubbling inside him, and a giggle escaped his lips. He placed his hands on the piano keys but hadn’t started playing yet. "How about you? Do you have any names in mind?"

"Jiyoung for a boy?" Soonyoung suggested hesitantly. To be honest, he wasn’t sure yet what to name the baby. "And if it's a girl... let’s leave the decision to Wonho. He’s been preparing for this, so we should consider his suggestions."

Jihoon laughed. "Wonho’s going to be a great older brother."

"I don’t doubt that, love."

Jihoon carefully pressed a few piano keys before starting to play. "Thank you for accepting me into your family again, Soonyoung. I thought I would be alone my whole life. After Mom and Dad died... I longed to have a family of my own, too."

Soonyoung rubbed Jihoon's back, resting his chin on his shoulder. "I should be the one thanking you. You love me, and you accepted Wonho, loved him as your own. And now, you're even giving me the blessing of another child. I'm so lucky to have you, Jihoonie."

Jihoon blushed hard, still not used to Soonyoung’s sweet words. "Stop it—"

"Why? It’s true. And even when it was difficult, you stayed with us."

"It’s because I love you."

"And we love you too." Soonyoung sighed. "Actually, Ji... can you stay here for a moment?"

Jihoon blinked in confusion but nodded, continuing to play the piano. It was a familiar piece, one he had played countless times before.

Soonyoung disappeared into their room for a bit, rummaging through one of their bags before returning. But instead of sitting beside Jihoon, he went down on one knee.

In his hands was a small velvet box. Inside, a simple yet elegant ring rested, a classic rose gold band with small diamonds on top, understated but beautiful.

Jihoon placed a hand over his mouth, eyes widening in shock. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes, and even before Soonyoung could say anything, he blurted out, "S-Soonyoung! O-Of course, YES! Yes, I will marry you!"

Soonyoung laughed softly. "Love, I haven’t even asked the question yet!"

Jihoon laughed through his tears. "I already know what you're going to ask me! C’mon, put it on!" He eagerly held out his left hand.

Soonyoung pouted. "Love, I kept it simple because I knew you wouldn’t like anything grand. And now, you won’t even let me ask the question properly?"

Jihoon laughed harder this time. "Okay, take two."

Soonyoung grinned widely at Jihoon, holding one of his hands while the other held the ring. "Lee Jihoon. My son fell in love with you first before I did. He was the one who led you back into my life, the reason my heart is whole again. You made me whole again. And now, I’m asking you to be part of our family. Be the father my children deserve, and the husband I will cherish. Marry me, Lee Jihoon."

Jihoon smiled through his tears, wiping them away with his left hand. No matter how much he tried, they wouldn’t stop falling. He had dreamed of this moment with Soonyoung ever since he realized his heart belonged to him. "I would love to be with you forever."

Soonyoung stood up then, sitting beside Jihoon. He kissed his fingers first before gently sliding the ring where it belonged. "I love you, Kwon Jihoon."

"I can’t wait to marry you, love," Soonyoung added, his voice full of warmth.

"Same," Jihoon replied, still crying happy tears. "I have a feeling I’ll cry a lot on our wedding day, though... It still feels like I’m dreaming."

"That’s okay. I’ll be the one wiping your tears anyway," Soonyoung assured him, using the back of his hand to gently brush away Jihoon's tears. "But I promise, love, I’ll never make you cry out of sadness. Maybe from happiness, though?"

Jihoon smiled, cupping Soonyoung’s cheeks. "I know, Soonyoung. I know. Can I have a kiss?"

Soonyoung didn’t say anything. Instead, he leaned in, pressing a soft, warm kiss onto Jihoon’s waiting lips.

Between their kisses, Soonyoung suddenly pulled back slightly. "Actually… there’s one more thing," he murmured before standing up. He walked over to the center table and picked up an old, tattered rectangular box. Its color had faded, turning a dusty brown, likely from years of being left untouched.

Jihoon looked at him, bewildered. The item seemed so familiar… but why?

Soonyoung opened the box and revealed a puzzle with a missing piece to complete it, and on the side of it is the bracelet that Jihoon gave up to Wonwoo years ago, and his eyes widened in shock.

"S-soonyoung? How?"

"I think you deserve to have it back Woozi," spoke Soonyoung with a huge smile tugged on his lips he placed the box down on the floor and helped Jihoon in wearing his long lost bracelet, "I'm sorry it took years before I finally came back to your life, but I'm here, let's complete the puzzle again."

Soonyoung then removed the puzzle piece pendant from Jihoon's bracelet and placed it on the younger's palm. The younger one is ugly crying right now already though. He threw himself once again to Soonyoung, hugging him tight, "y-you're Hoshi?"

Soonyoung nodded, chuckling as he pulled Jihoon nearer to him, "where do you think the 'Ho' from 'Wonho' came from?"

Jihoon broke away from the hug and looked at Soonyoung, "it's funny how fate works... it brought us three times together. I hope we won't be separated this time."

Soonyoung caught Jihoon's hand and placed kisses on it. He grabbed the puzzle board carefully with one hand and smiled at Jihoon, the younger understood and placed the missing puzzle piece on the middle finally completing the board.

"We won't be separated from each other now Jihoon, I love you."

"I love you too."

---

Months had passed since Soonyoung proposed to Jihoon and finally revealed the past they had shared. It had also been months since their wedding, a day filled with love and joy. All their friends had traveled to China to celebrate their union. With Soonyoung’s growing popularity as a celebrity choreographer and entrepreneur, the wedding made headlines across Chinese media. But instead of making it a grand spectacle, Soonyoung chose to keep the ceremony and reception intimate, exclusive to close friends and family. It was a day to remember, one of the happiest moments of their lives as a married couple.

Soonyoung woke up to an empty bed. Immediately groaning, he groggily stood up, searching for a shirt before heading downstairs to the kitchen of their newly bought house. They had moved in just two months ago, and it was spacious, so much so that Wonho had taken to calling it a palace.

As soon as he stepped onto the first floor, the rich aroma of fresh coffee filled his senses. In the kitchen, Jihoon was cooking breakfast while simultaneously reading something on his tablet. Without hesitation, Soonyoung wrapped his arms around his pregnant husband from behind.

He pressed a soft kiss to Jihoon's cheek as a greeting. "Love, you're cooking and planning Wonho's birthday at the same time? One thing at a time, please."

Jihoon smiled as he turned to face him. "Oh, you're finally awake. I’m also baking a cake for Wonho so we can greet him as soon as he wakes up."

Soonyoung kissed Jihoon’s cheek again, his hand moving to gently rub over Jihoon's now swollen tummy, a habit he had developed ever since Jihoon started showing. It was his way of greeting their baby, too. They had decided not to find out the gender, wanting it to be a surprise. The only thing they had asked from the doctor was an ultrasound to confirm that their child was healthy and thankfully, they were.

"I want to help, but I have a feeling I’ll just make things harder," Soonyoung chuckled, a small laugh escaping his lips. "Thank you, love."

"Yeah, just stay still and watch," Jihoon replied, rolling his eyes.

Soonyoung laughed at that but didn’t let go of Jihoon, just like he always did whenever the younger was in the kitchen. He clung to him like a sloth hugging a tree, resting against Jihoon’s back as he worked.

"I love you, Kwon Jihoon. Wait—have you and our baby eaten breakfast already?" Soonyoung asked, gently patting Jihoon’s baby bump. He felt small movements inside and grinned, knowing it was their child.

Jihoon groaned. "I did. This time, he only wanted bread. I can't understand your child, Soonyoung."

Soonyoung sighed in relief. "At least we’re done with the weird cravings phase." He still vividly remembered those nights when Jihoon craved the strangest food combinations, always at the most inconvenient hours when most stores were already closed.

"Two more months, Nyong, and our baby’s coming out."

"Shit. Two months? Fuck, I'm excited!" Soonyoung's eyes widened as he started pacing in place. "Do you think we’ve bought enough stuff for him? What else do we need? Hmmm… Also, does this mean... can we do that again?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Jihoon shot him a sharp glare before pinching his arm. "Why are you so excited about that?"

Soonyoung smirked and leaned in, pressing teasing kisses along Jihoon's neck. "Am I the only one?"

"Yes! You're the only one!" Jihoon argued, his face heating up, while Soonyoung just laughed at his reaction.

Jihoon slid his hands over Soonyoung’s, which were still resting on his belly. "The doctor said my bump is too big for a first baby."

Soonyoung frowned slightly, lowering his gaze to Jihoon’s belly. "Yeah… That’s why I’m a little worried, too. It’s like twice the usual size? I dunno—Wonho wasn’t this big."

"Yeah, but the doctor said the baby’s healthy, so there’s nothing to worry about."

Jihoon shifted slightly to open the oven, carefully pulling out a freshly baked Japanese cheesecake. He planned to decorate it later with icing and strawberries, Wonho’s favorite fruit, something he had definitely inherited from Soonyoung.

"Well, as long as our baby's healthy and you’re healthy, I don’t care much," Soonyoung muttered before his eyes landed on the cake with pure amusement. "Wow, love, Wonho is going to love this! For the past few years, I’ve just been buying him customized cakes."

Jihoon grinned, handing Soonyoung a plate of pancakes and bacon. "And you take your breakfast. You’ll starve if you keep flirting and clinging to me."

Soonyoung smirked. "How can you say I’ll starve when I already feel full just by looking at you?"

Jihoon scowled at him instantly.

"Just kidding, love! I swear, I’ll eat now. Sorry!" Soonyoung laughed before quickly digging into his food.

As he ate, he watched Jihoon carefully decorate Wonho’s cake, an overwhelming sense of happiness washing over him. It wasn’t even his birthday, yet he felt like today was something special.

Jihoon soon returned to the dining area, carrying the finished cake, beautifully adorned with fresh fruits and icing, with several unlit sparkling candles on top. "There we go. Our eldest is still fast asleep, right?"

Soonyoung's jaw nearly dropped at the masterpiece in front of him. "Babe! You’re spoiling our child too much," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "He’s going to love this!"

"Of course, Wonho deserves the best!" Jihoon declared proudly as he carefully placed the cake on the table.

But before he could fully step back, a sharp pain shot through his belly. He winced, placing a hand over his stomach as their baby delivered a strong kick.

"Ouch! Soonyoung, your child is kicking me again!" Jihoon whined, rubbing his tummy with a deep sigh.

Soonyoung immediately rushed to Jihoon’s side, pressing a gentle kiss to his belly. He giggled at the sight of small footprints pressing against Jihoon's skin. "Looks like someone wants to join the party. How about I carry the cake? Wonho might jump on you the moment he sees it."

Jihoon sighed, rubbing his belly before looking at Soonyoung. "Soonie, please rub my back. It feels like there are two pairs of feet kicking me." He chuckled, feeling the baby move inside him. "Well, his father is a Taekwondo black belter, after all."

Of course, Soonyoung didn’t hesitate. He immediately started rubbing Jihoon’s back, knowing full well how exhausting pregnancy was. He had made it his mission to do anything Jihoon asked, no complaints—he was whipped for his husband, and he was proud of it.

"Let’s go wake up the prince."

Jihoon nodded but paused, eyeing Soonyoung’s plate. "Wait, did you finish your food?" He checked, frowning slightly. "I really don’t want leftovers, you know."

Soonyoung grinned and proudly held up his clean plate. "I know, baby. See? Finished everything. Now let’s go, I’m so excited for our boy!"

Jihoon let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Alright, but be careful with the cake!"

Soonyoung saluted playfully before carefully holding the cake, following Jihoon to their child’s room. He made sure to guide Jihoon from time to time, knowing how difficult it had become for him to walk on his own with his big tummy. In moments like this, Soonyoung kind of regretted buying such a huge house—carrying heavy things upstairs was a hassle, and moving from one spot to another took way more effort than he anticipated.

Jihoon stopped in front of the door and carefully pushed it open. They peeked inside, just in time to see Wonho sitting up in bed, stretching his little arms and letting out an adorable yawn.

Jihoon leaned in closer to his husband, whispering, “Sing Happy Birthday—quick. I’ll light the candles.”

Soonyoung immediately started singing, his voice soft yet full of excitement. Meanwhile, Jihoon flicked the lighter on, carefully lighting the candles. The little boy, still groggy from sleep, rubbed his eyes, but the moment he saw his parents standing there with a big cake, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Papa? Daddy?”

“Happy birthday, baby! Are you surprised?” Jihoon asked with enthusiasm, grinning at the wide smile now spreading across Wonho’s face.

Instead of answering, Wonho started bouncing excitedly on his bed before carefully climbing down and running straight into Jihoon’s arms. Hugging his papa tightly, he babbled excitedly, “Did you bake it, Papa?”

Jihoon chuckled, pinching the little boy’s cheek before pressing a kiss to his head. “Yes, baby. Papa baked it just for you. Now, come on, make a wish, then blow out the candles.”

Wonho kissed both his papa and daddy before closing his eyes, clasping his little hands together. "I want a brother and a sister! And I want them to be healthy! And I also want Daddy and Papa to love each other fooooooreveeeer. And then we’ll be a big happy family! Thank you!"

After making his wish, he opened his eyes and blew out the candles. Soonyoung immediately set the cake down on a nearby table before scooping his son up into his arms, showering his face with playful kisses.

"Happy birthday again, baby! Your baby sibling wants to greet you too," Jihoon said with a fond smile, rubbing his swollen tummy.

Wonho’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He immediately wiggled out of Soonyoung’s grasp and wrapped his small arms around Jihoon’s belly, pressing tiny kisses all over it, just like how his parents did to him.

"Thank you, baby! You’re coming out soon! I’m gonna share my toys with you!"

Jihoon chuckled, gently combing his fingers through Wonho’s hair. "Two more months, baby, and your little sibling will finally be here. What do you think? Is it a baby brother or a baby sister?"

Wonho pouted, deep in thought. "I want both! That way, my little brother and I can protect our baby sister! She’ll be the princess!"

Jihoon blinked at that, laughing nervously. "W-well, your daddy and I will just… uh, make you another sibling after this, then—"

Soonyoung burst into laughter and immediately high-fived Wonho. "Ohh, who knew you'd be my free pass, buddy!"

Jihoon’s eyes widened before he not-so-secretly pinched Soonyoung’s side, leaning in to whisper through gritted teeth, "Don’t teach our child stuff like that!"

Soonyoung yelped in pain, rubbing his side dramatically, but he was still laughing. "Hey! I wasn’t teaching him anything!"

Jihoon sighed, giving up on scolding him. Instead, he turned back to their son with a smile. "Baby, Uncle Cheollie and Uncle Hannie will be coming over for your birthday party. Isn’t that exciting?"

Wonho practically vibrated with excitement, his whole body bouncing as he jumped up and down. "YAY!"

"Thank you, love, for making all of this happen," Soonyoung murmured, pulling Jihoon close and pressing a soft kiss to his temple.

"Don't mention it. At least I made you all happy before I die in childbirth—"

Soonyoung immediately clamped a hand over Jihoon's mouth, shooting him a sharp glare. "Don’t ever say things like that. We haven’t even celebrated our first year of marriage yet."

Jihoon smirked against Soonyoung’s palm before pulling it away. "Aww, you’re scared of losing me, huh~?" He wiggled his fingers and tickled Soonyoung’s waist.

Soonyoung barely stifled a laugh, quickly catching Jihoon's hands and intertwining them with his own. "Of course, I am. I can’t imagine life without you, so please stay by my side, love. We still have to watch Wonho grow up, get married, and of course, our youngest too."

Jihoon huffed out a small laugh, squeezing Soonyoung’s hands. "The real question is, when are we gonna stop? At this rate, we’ll have a new baby every year."

Soonyoung burst into laughter, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "We can’t have a baby every year. I still want to enjoy our, you know… exercise life."

Jihoon leaned in, whispering right into Soonyoung’s ear, "Horny bastard." Then, without missing a beat, he turned back to their son with a bright smile. "Let’s go downstairs and eat your birthday breakfast, baby."

Still laughing, Soonyoung hoisted Wonho onto his back for a piggyback ride, following Jihoon down the stairs as their home filled with warmth, laughter, and the promise of forever.

---

Months had passed, and in the middle of the night, Jihoon jolted awake to an unbearable pain radiating from his stomach. He knew his due date was close, but not today, not this suddenly. Panic surged through him as he sat up, reaching for Soonyoung, who was sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the chaos about to unfold.

"L-Love! O-Our baby’s coming out!" Jihoon gasped, shaking Soonyoung desperately.

Soonyoung bolted upright, his head snapping from side to side in confusion. "H-Huh? What? Who’s coming out?!?"

Jihoon clenched his fists into the fabric of his baggy clothes, his voice rising in both frustration and pain. "OUR BABY, SOONYOUNG!"

"Oh—OH SHIT! HOSPITAL! RIGHT, HOSPITAL!!"

Still half-asleep and running purely on panic, Soonyoung scrambled to throw on a shirt now regretting sleeping half-naked before fumbling for his phone to call their doctor.

Jihoon let out another pained groan, his breathing ragged. "S-Soonyoung! I can’t take it anymore!"

"Just hold on, love, just a little more patience!" Soonyoung pleaded, grabbing their pre-packed hospital bag and then, without hesitation, lifting Jihoon into his arms.

"Hold on tight, love!"

Jihoon clung to Soonyoung’s neck, his tears soaking into his husband's shirt as he sobbed in pain. "It hurts, Soonyoung!"

Soonyoung's heart clenched. "I'm sorry, love, I'm so sorry!"

As he carefully placed Jihoon into the car, a realization hit him like a truck. "Wait—Wonho!"

They couldn't just leave their son home alone.

"Soonyoung!!" Jihoon groaned again, gripping the seatbelt.

"This will be quick, love! I promise!" Soonyoung yelped, sprinting back into the house to wake up their little prince before their new baby arrived.

Soonyoung sprinted back into the house, grabbing a random jacket on the way. He didn't even bother waking Wonho up properly, just scooped him into his arms and ran straight back to the car.

"Okay! We can go now!" he shouted, barely catching his breath as he secured Wonho in the backseat and hopped into the driver’s seat.

He floored the gas pedal, speeding as fast as he could without endangering his precious cargo. Jihoon groaned beside him, gripping the door handle so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Are we there yet?! I—I can't take it anymore!" Jihoon sobbed, his entire body trembling from the pain.

Wonho, now fully awake and confused, clutched his papa’s hand. "Papa, be strong!" he said, his small voice full of concern.

Soonyoung kept glancing at Jihoon, his heart shattering at the sight of his husband crying in agony. "I'm sorry, love! Just hang on!" He honked impatiently at the cars ahead, weaving through traffic like a man on a mission which, well, he was.

Jihoon squeezed his eyes shut, biting his lower lip to keep from screaming. Tears streamed down his face, and his grip on Soonyoung’s arm weakened. He felt like he was going to pass out.

Finally, they reached the hospital. Soonyoung barely threw the car into park before jumping out, yanking open the passenger door, and lifting Jihoon into his arms again.

"WONHO, GRAB THE BAG! EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! MY HUSBAND IS IN LABOR!" Soonyoung practically shouted through the hallways, rushing toward the emergency entrance.

A team of nurses and Jihoon's OB hurried over, swiftly taking Jihoon from his arms and onto a gurney.

Soonyoung tried to follow, but a nurse stopped him. "Sir, you have to wait outside."

His heart sank. "But—but I need to be with him—"

"I'm sorry, but for now, please wait."

And just like that, Soonyoung was left in the hallway with a drowsy Wonho, who clutched their hospital bag in his little arms.

Soonyoung paced anxiously, running a hand through his messy hair. "Why can’t I be in there? I should be by his side..." he muttered, biting his lower lip as his nerves took over.

A small tug on his shirt broke him out of his thoughts. "Daddy? Is Papa okay?" Wonho asked, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Soonyoung forced a smile, kneeling in front of his son. "Yes, baby. Papa is okay. Your baby sibling is coming out today."

Wonho’s eyes lit up instantly. "My baby sibling is coming out?!"

Soonyoung nodded, ruffling his son’s hair. "Yes, baby. You're going to be a big brother." He let out a deep breath, glancing at the closed delivery room doors.

"We just need to... wait."

The delivery room doors finally swung open, and Soonyoung nearly jumped out of his skin when the doctor stepped out.

"Um, are you Mr. Jihoon Kwon’s husband?"

"Yes! Can I go inside? He needs me!" Soonyoung's voice wavered with urgency.

The doctor shook his head gently. "That would be possible for a normal delivery, but your husband needs a C-section."

Soonyoung blinked. "What? Why?!"

"You're having twins, a boy and a girl, Mr. Kwon. Unfortunately, one of the babies had its umbilical cord wrapped around its neck. To ensure both their safety, we have to proceed with surgery."

Soonyoung felt his breath hitch. "Twins?!" His hands trembled slightly, the news sinking in. "I—my child—both of them—"

The doctor gave him a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, we’ll do everything to keep your family safe. You can watch through the observation window while we operate." He gestured toward the glass panel overlooking the operating room before heading back inside.

Soonyoung was still frozen in place when Wonho tugged at his hand.

"Daddy? Did you hear that? TWO babies?!"

Soonyoung snapped out of his daze and scooped Wonho up in his arms, spinning him around before rushing toward the observation window. "Yes, baby! That’s why Papa’s tummy was so big! You wished for a baby brother AND a baby sister, and now your wish is coming true!"

Wonho squealed in excitement. "I'm the best big brother ever!"

The next few minutes felt like an eternity. Soonyoung could barely breathe as he watched the surgeons work.

Then, finally—

A wail pierced through the air.

The doctors carefully pulled out the first baby, a boy.

Soonyoung pressed his hands against the glass, eyes welling up with tears. "Oh my God... Wonho-yah, look! There’s baby Jiyoung!"

Wonho gasped, standing on his tiptoes to see. "He’s so small!"

Soonyoung let out a watery chuckle, heart swelling with pride. His son. His son.

Then—

Another cry.

Soonyoung's breath hitched as the doctors gently lifted the second baby, a girl. They held her upside down briefly before a nurse took her to clean her up.

Tears streamed freely down Soonyoung’s face. "And there’s our baby girl..."

Wonho grinned brightly. "My baby sister!"

The medical team worked swiftly to stitch Jihoon up, and a nurse soon stepped out, scanning the hallway. "Mr. Kwon?"

Soonyoung wiped his tears and turned toward her immediately. "Yes?"

She smiled warmly. "Would you like to meet your children?"

Soonyoung only nodded.

The medical team worked tirelessly to stitch Jihoon up, while outside the operating room, Soonyoung was openly sobbing, his face wet with tears. Wonho, still pressed against the glass, had his eyes glued to the tiny babies being carefully tended to by the nurses.

An hour later, Jihoon was transferred to a private room, still deep in sleep. The newborns were kept in the nursery for monitoring, and the doctor stood beside Soonyoung, congratulating him as Wonho sat on the chair next to Jihoon’s bed, holding his papa’s hand.

A nurse approached with a reassuring smile. "We’ll bring the babies to you once Mr. Kwon wakes up."

Soonyoung nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed, his fingers gently brushing over Jihoon’s hand. He waited patiently, or as patiently as he could, his eyes never leaving Jihoon’s peaceful face.

Then, finally, Jihoon stirred. A small wince crossed his face as he shifted, the pain from his fresh stitches making itself known.

"Where’s my baby?" he mumbled groggily before his voice grew more urgent. "Is he doing okay?"

Wonho nearly bounced in his seat, his little hands gripping Jihoon's fingers. "Papa! They’re beautiful!"

"Be careful, love," Soonyoung said softly, running a hand through Jihoon's hair. "Don’t worry, they’re fine."

Jihoon blinked up at Soonyoung, his tired eyes narrowing in confusion. "They?"

Soonyoung chuckled, his heart swelling all over again. "Twins, love."

Jihoon gasped, eyes widening. "Twins?!" He was stunned. He had just carried two lives inside him?

"Yes," Soonyoung said with an affectionate smile. "That’s why you had such a hard time. You were carrying two little Kwons in there."

Jihoon turned toward the nurse in the room, his voice trembling slightly. "I want to see them," he pleaded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. He needed to hold them, to see their tiny faces, to hear their cries.

Soonyoung gestured to the nurse, and she immediately stepped out to retrieve the babies. The moment she left, Soonyoung leaned in, pressing a long, loving kiss to Jihoon’s forehead.

"Kwon Wonho. Kwon Jiyoung. Kwon Jiyo," he whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Our babies, Jihoonie."

Jihoon let out a shaky laugh. "We have a lot of babies now."

Soonyoung nodded before his expression turned serious, his eyes soft yet firm. "I realized something, love… I think we should stop here. I don’t want to see you in pain like that ever again."

Jihoon glanced down at his stitched stomach, exhaling softly. "Yeah… It really did hurt. It’ll probably take weeks before I even feel like myself again."

Soonyoung squeezed his hand. "I understand, love. Don’t worry, I’ll be your personal servant from now on. I’ll take care of everything. I love you." He kissed Jihoon’s knuckles tenderly, eyes filled with adoration.

Jihoon smiled, his fingers caressing Soonyoung’s cheek. "I love you too."

"What’s taking the nurse so long?" Jihoon mumbled impatiently, his fingers twitching. He couldn’t wait any longer.

Soonyoung just shrugged, but Wonho was practically vibrating with excitement in his seat. "I’m gonna see them?!"

Soonyoung chuckled. "Yes, baby. You’re about to meet your baby siblings."

Wonho giggled loudly, his little legs kicking the air, making both of his parents laugh.

And then—

The door finally opened.

Three nurses entered, carefully wheeling in two baby cradles. Jihoon’s breath caught in his throat. His grip on Soonyoung’s hand tightened as he took in the tiny name tags:

Kwon Jiyoung.
Kwon Jiyo.

Both babies lay inside, fast asleep, bundled up in soft blankets.

Jihoon’s vision blurred with tears. "Is that them?" he whispered, voice cracking.

Soonyoung nodded, kissing Jihoon again. Wonho's eyes were wide, looking at his siblings in wonder. One of the nurses gently picked up the boy and handed him to Soonyoung, while the other took the girl out of the crib and placed her in Jihoon's arms.

Jihoon looked between Soonyoung and their babies, back and forth. "Soonyoung, their eyes!"

"Look at her, Ji. The only thing she got from me are my eyes," Soonyoung pointed to Jiyo.

Jihoon stared at Jiyo, blinking. Yes, she looked like an exact replica of himself, except for the eyes, a girl version of him. "She has my eye mole."

Wonho jumped happily, noticing something on his baby brother. "Daddy! Even Jiyoung got Papa's mole! Look!"

"But you look like Jiyoung, just like your daddy," Jihoon patted Wonho's head with his free hand.

Wonho looked at Jihoon, who was holding the girl, and at Soonyoung, who was holding the boy. "Daddy, Papa?"

Jihoon looked at Wonho. "Yes, baby?"

"You still love me, right? Even though I didn’t come out of your tummy? Even though my real papa is bad?"

Jihoon blinked and looked at Soonyoung, who was apparently looking at him too. Jihoon coughed and patted the space beside him. "Baby, come here. Sit beside Papa."

Wonho stood up from his chair and climbed onto the empty space next to Jihoon, immediately poking his baby sister. He was surprised when, even asleep, Jiyo gripped his index finger.

"Baby, it doesn’t matter whether I gave birth to you or not. I love you that's all that matters. You will always be my first baby," Jihoon caressed Wonho's cheek lovingly. 

"Can I have a kiss from my eldest child?"

Wonho smiled before kissing his papa on the cheek. Soonyoung stepped closer, ruffling Wonho’s hair. "Your papa’s right, Wonho. We love you just as much as we love your baby siblings."

Jihoon smiled as he gently combed through Wonho’s hair. But before he could say anything, Jiyo suddenly started wailing.

Wonho jumped in surprise and tried to pull his finger away, but the baby girl refused to let go. "Papa, look! She loves me!"

"Y-yes, baby, but wait, let me rock your baby sister to sleep," Jihoon said, shifting Jiyo in his arms.

Wonho nodded and turned his attention to the sleeping baby boy in his daddy’s arms instead.

Soonyoung grinned. "Look at him, Wonho-hyung. He’s as good-looking as you!"

Wonho gasped. "Hyung? I’m a hyung now!" he repeated in awe, his little voice filled with excitement.

Jihoon sighed, adjusting Jiyo. "I think she wants to drink her milk…" he said, a grim expression on his face.

Soonyoung chuckled, glancing at their babies’ rosy, chubby cheeks. "I have a feeling these two are going to eat a lot!"

Jihoon huffed. "Just wait, you’ll see." Then, shifting slightly, he hesitated. "I need to breastfeed Jiyo… It’s embarrassing."

Soonyoung immediately picked up on his discomfort. "Do you want us to step out for a while?" he asked gently.

"No need," Jihoon replied, though his cheeks were already turning pink. "Can you just get me something to cover up?"

Without hesitation, Soonyoung asked the nurse for an extra blanket, which was promptly handed over. He also politely requested the nurse to leave and return only when it was time to take the babies back to the infant section.

He turned back to Jihoon, draping the blanket over his shoulders. "Are you comfortable, honey?"

Jihoon adjusted the blanket before lifting his hospital gown. "Yes, I’m comfortable. Thanks, Nyong."

Soonyoung nodded and turned his attention to Wonho, who had climbed down from the bed to give Jihoon some space. The little boy stood on a chair, carefully reaching for his baby brother in Soonyoung’s arms.

"Why isn’t Jiyoung awake yet?" Wonho asked, tilting his head curiously.

"He’s sleeping so he can grow up fast. That way, you two can finally play together," Jihoon explained, even as he focused on feeding Jiyo.

Wonho’s eyes widened in understanding. "OHHHHHH! Hi, baby! I’m your hyung! Just sleep tight, okay? I’ll protect you from bad guys!" he whispered sweetly to his baby brother, who remained completely unbothered by the world, still sleeping peacefully.

Soonyoung watched the scene unfold with a fond smile, his heart swelling with love for his little family.

The sudden sound of the hospital door slamming open made everyone turn their heads. Jeonghan and Minghao stumbled in, shoving at each other, while Seungcheol and Jun followed closely behind, looking exasperated.

Jeonghan and Seungcheol had just returned from China, where they attended Minghao and Jun’s wedding anniversary celebration. They had been planning to fly back today, but the moment Soonyoung told them the news, they dropped everything and rushed over.

"Hon, please calm down!" Seungcheol pleaded, trying and failing to rein in his overly enthusiastic husband. But Jeonghan always had the upper hand, and this was no exception.

"I'll hold the baby first!" Jeonghan declared, glaring at Minghao like they were about to enter a battlefield.

"In your dreams, hyung! I'm going to hold the baby first!" Minghao shot back, eyes just as fierce.

Behind them, Jun simply rolled his eyes at the unnecessary competition. Normally, Minghao was the calmer one between the two of them, but today seemed to be an exception. He was just thankful that they had left their own child with his parents before coming here.

Their bickering, however, had unintended consequences. The room filled with the sound of a distressed wail as Jiyoung woke up from his peaceful slumber, now crying loudly.

"Uncles!!! Shhhhhh!!!" Wonho scolded them immediately, glaring at the group of grown men like a strict older brother. His little arms crossed, standing protectively in front of his baby brother. Soonyoung was already rocking Jiyoung gently, trying to soothe him back to sleep.

"Can you all keep quiet? My children are sleeping!" Jihoon snapped, clearly irritated.

"Children?"

The entire group froze. Seungcheol and Jun exchanged looks of confusion.

Soonyoung, looking sheepish, adjusted the baby boy in his arms and gestured toward Jihoon, who held the baby girl. "Twins! I have a boy and a girl," he announced proudly.

Minghao turned to Soonyoung with an offended expression. "It took us a long time to have a baby, and then you—" He huffed, as if personally betrayed by how easily Soonyoung had managed to father two at once.

Jihoon, still slightly annoyed but unable to resist stirring the pot, smirked. "Looks like Soonyoung’s really great at baby-making," he commented, watching as the realization hit them all at once.

Jeonghan groaned dramatically, turning to glare at Seungcheol. "How I wish my husband was like that too," he whined, crossing his arms. "We've been trying so many times, but still nothing."

"Hyung!" Seungcheol spluttered, ears turning red at his husband's very public complaint.

Minghao, still determined to win his ongoing battle with Jeonghan, turned to Jihoon eagerly. "Can I carry one?" he asked, ready to take advantage of the moment.

Jihoon glanced down at Jiyo, who was still feeding, and then nodded toward Soonyoung. "Which one? Our princess is still eating."

Minghao cooed at the baby girl but wasted no time reaching for Jiyoung before Jeonghan could react. "Kwon Jiyoung, meet your Uncle Hao—" He grinned smugly as he held the baby securely. "—the most amazing Uncle Hao."

Soonyoung laughed. "That’s not even up for debate, Hao."

Jeonghan, realizing too late that Minghao had already secured Jiyoung, let out a dramatic wail. "Hey! Soonyoung, I want to carry them too!"

Jun sighed, rubbing his temples. "I can’t believe we traveled all this way just to witness a custody battle over someone else’s kids."*

"Hey, Soonyoung! I want to carry them too!" Jeonghan complained, only now realizing that Minghao was already holding the baby boy.

"One at a time! We don’t want to disturb the children, do we?" Soonyoung replied, trying to keep the situation under control.

Meanwhile, Jun called out to Wonho, "Wonho, come here. How’s being a hyung?"

Wonho eagerly jumped out of the bed and ran to Jun, who smiled and pulled him close.

"Super happy, Uncle! I'll protect both of them!" Wonho declared proudly, placing both hands on his waist and puffing out his small chest.

Junhui chuckled, patting Wonho's head. "That’s great to hear."

Soonyoung watched as Jeonghan cooed at baby Jiyo after Jihoon handed her over, while Minghao did the same with Jiyoung. Seeing that their friends were occupied with the twins, Soonyoung took the opportunity to sit beside Jihoon and wrap his arms around him in a warm hug.

Then, in a soft whisper, he murmured, "I love you."

Jihoon chuckled, his eye smile appearing. "That’s so random. Are you happy?"

"Yeah, extremely happy," Soonyoung admitted, his voice full of warmth.

Jihoon cupped Soonyoung’s cheek gently. "You have someone to take care of the babies now."

"But I want to take care of you too, love," Soonyoung whispered again, leaning into Jihoon's touch. His eyes twinkled with so much adoration and fondness that Jihoon almost felt overwhelmed.

Jihoon gazed back at him, his heart swelling. "And I want to take care of you, too. After everything you’ve been through, I just want you to be happy. Always."

"I am happy. I became even happier when you came into my life. And now, you’ve given me two more gifts." Soonyoung placed his hand over Jihoon's, rubbing it gently. "You're my happy ending, Kwon Jihoon."

Jihoon huffed a small laugh. "You had a hand in creating them too, you know."

"But you were the one who worked hard for them. I'm so proud of you, baby," Soonyoung said sincerely. Jihoon felt like he was melting right then and there.

"Thank you," Jihoon murmured, then added, "By the way, the doctor said I might need to use a wheelchair for about a week."

Soonyoung nodded without hesitation. "That’s okay. I’ll take care of our babies. I just want you to get well soon. I want you to be healthy."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "Can you manage? There are two of them."

Soonyoung smirked. "I raised Wonho alone for five years, didn’t I?"

Jihoon sighed, feeling reassured. He really was lucky that the father of his children was a true family man.

"I will handle it," Soonyoung promised. "You did your part. Now it’s my turn."

"You're being too cheesy, huh?" Jihoon pulled his hands away from Soonyoung’s face and gave him a playful push.

"Only for you, love."

Seungcheol glared at them. "Wow, hello? We're still here?"

"Sorry, hyung!" Soonyoung quickly apologized. Both he and Jihoon turned to their friends, who were staring at them with exaggerated looks of disgust. But instead of being embarrassed, they just laughed, their faces tinged with a hint of red.

"Cheol, when will we ever have our own?" Jeonghan complained, turning back to Seungcheol. He badly wanted a child as well, and seeing his friends with their babies only made him more envious.

"You should go and see a doctor, hyung," Jihoon advised.

"We’re planning to. And even if one of us turns out to be sterile, that's okay. We can always adopt," Jeonghan said, smiling down at the baby girl in his arms. Jiyo let out a tiny yawn, her small mouth opening adorably.

"That's good then."

"Just don’t be impatient. It will happen," Soonyoung added, a wide grin plastered on his face as he raised a thumbs-up.

"Easy for you to say!" Minghao said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Soonyoung just stuck his tongue out childishly in response.

"Do you two still have plans to, umm, make more babies?" Jun asked, glancing at the twins cradled in Minghao and Jeonghan’s arms.

"I don’t think so," Jihoon replied, sighing a little.

"Jihoon went through a lot. I don’t think I can bear seeing him in pain again," Soonyoung added, his expression darkening slightly. The memories of earlier that day flashed in his mind. Jihoon writhing in pain inside the car, his desperate gasps for air. He never wanted to see him like that again.

"So… are you gonna go back on pills… or, you know, rubber?" Jeonghan inquired, even though he already had an idea of what Jihoon’s answer would be. Jihoon shared almost everything with him, after all.

"Pills, hyung. I can’t with rubber… I want to feel him," Jihoon admitted, laughing, though his face was still pink with embarrassment. He had improved a lot, he wasn’t as shy talking about sex and their sex life anymore.

"But you were on pills before, and you still got pregnant? Doesn’t that mean they weren’t effective?" Jun asked, genuinely curious. As far as he knew, Soonyoung had mentioned to him that Jihoon had been taking contraceptives back then, yet here they were now with twins.

"Uh… I forgot to take them during that time…" Jihoon admitted. He had been so busy with paperwork and stressed about Wonwoo’s presence back then. He barely even remembered to eat breakfast.

"Soonyoung-hyung got you pregnant the first time you forgot to take your pills!?" Minghao exclaimed, his mouth forming an ‘O’ shape.

Soonyoung shrugged. "Don’t look at me. Even I was amazed."

"Y-yeah… Can you guys, um, cover Wonho’s ears?" Jihoon requested. Jun quickly obliged, though the child didn’t seem interested in their conversation anyway. He was too focused on playing Among Us on his tablet.

Then, without hesitation, Jihoon dropped a bomb. "He lasts for so many rounds a night.”

Soonyoung gasped in shock. "Hey, Jihoonie!" He immediately clamped his palm over Jihoon’s mouth, silencing him before he could spill any more embarrassing details.

"Now we know Soonyoung’s secret!" Seungcheol teased, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He was already plotting how to use this as blackmail material in the future.

Jihoon pried Soonyoung’s hand off his mouth and smirked. "Who knows? That might be the secret to having a baby easier!" He joked, making everyone burst into laughter while Soonyoung groaned in defeat.

"How many rounds can you guys take?" Jeonghan asked curiously, taking mental notes. Maybe he and Seungcheol could give it a try. It wouldn’t hurt to experiment, right?

"I don’t know, to be honest… He keeps on, you know… doing it until I pass out. His stamina is incredible," Jihoon replied, the familiar shade of red creeping back onto his face.

"Babe!" Soonyoung whined, burying his face in Jihoon’s neck in embarrassment.

Junhui whistled at the revelation. "You're a beast, Kwon!"

"Why? What are you so shy about? When it’s just the two of us, you’re so bold," Jihoon teased. It was funny how their roles had reversed today. He was the one openly talking about their relationship while Soonyoung was the one getting flustered.

"I really can't believe that Soonyoung is a, you know… top. And now I hear this? So I guess he’s not cute when it comes to bed?" Jeonghan threw in another question, making Soonyoung let out a loud, embarrassed shout.

"Stop! My children are listening!"

Jihoon laughed. "No, they’re not! Wonho’s ears are covered and safe!"

Soonyoung leaned in and whispered into Jihoon’s ear, barely moving his lips so no one could see him speaking. "Just you wait. Once you recover, I’ll punish you."

Jihoon shuddered slightly at the words, quickly shutting his mouth. He liked that idea. He liked the thought of making love with Soonyoung again after such a long time.

"Papa, Daddy, I’m sleepy," Wonho yawned, rubbing his eyes. Jun had already removed his hands from the child’s ears. Wonho placed his tablet on the table beside Jihoon’s bed, his energy finally fading after all the excitement.

"Let’s sleep, baby!" Jihoon patted the empty space beside him.

Junhui didn’t let go of Wonho but instead carried him to Jihoon. The little boy immediately climbed into bed next to his papa, being careful not to hurt him.

"Sleep well, my babies. The nurses will be coming to pick up the twins later," Soonyoung said warmly, watching the peaceful scene unfold.

"Thank you, love!" Jihoon chirped, puckering his lips expectantly.

Soonyoung, of course, couldn’t resist. He never could when it came to Jihoon. He kissed him once, then twice, then a third time until Wonho whined, demanding, "I want kisses too!"

Soonyoung chuckled before turning to press gentle kisses all over Wonho’s face, making the little boy giggle before finally settling down to sleep.

Jihoon winked, running his hands from Soonyoung’s chest down to his abs, tracing the contours over the soft cotton of his shirt. "You already know that."

—

Almost three years had passed since Jihoon gave birth to the twins. They had decided to take a vacation in Korea to celebrate the twins' birth month in their mother country and to free themselves from the stress of their jobs. It was finally time to bring the babies to South Korea.

One evening, exactly at 8 p.m., they had just finished dinner. Jihoon was busy feeding the twins their Gerber food when he noticed that Soonyoung was focused on typing something on his laptop. He seemed pretty serious, probably dealing with their problematic client again. Jihoon watched as his husband heaved a heavy sigh.

"Love?" Jihoon called, looking at Jiyoung, who was playing with his yellow silicone bib.

"Yes, why love?" Soonyoung looked up from his laptop, pausing whatever he was doing.

"I think it's about time to fix Wonho and Wonwoo's rift, don't you think so?" Jihoon spoke in a gentle tone, giving another spoonful of Gerber to Jiyo, who was giggling nonstop at her papa, babbling words Jihoon couldn’t quite understand.

Soonyoung looked at Jihoon, surprised. "I... yeah... maybe."

"Don't you want them to get along?" Jihoon asked. He remembered that he hadn't told Soonyoung yet that he and Wonwoo had once been best friends. Even though Wonwoo had been hostile toward him after the rift that happened between their families, Jihoon knew that the Wonwoo he remembered was still there, hiding behind his anger. In short, Jihoon still cared about Wonwoo’s well-being.

Soonyoung bit his lip. "He's still... Wonho's father," he said, then looked away.

Jihoon smiled a little. "And you loved him at some point in your life... I think he's not that bad. Give it a shot. Years have passed now, so yeah."

Soonyoung sighed, standing up from his desk and pulling Jihoon into a back hug. "Can't we just stay like this? We're already perfect here. You, me, and our kids..."

"Soonyoung, I’m serious..."

"I sound like an asshole just now, didn’t I? Sorry. I just... can't help it. But yeah, I think you're right. I'll talk to Wonho. He has the decision. I'm just here to protect you and our children," Soonyoung murmured, placing kisses on Jihoon's neck.

"Good," Jihoon turned around to face Soonyoung. "Because of that, you'll have your reward later!"

Soonyoung grinned widely. "What reward?"

Jihoon winked, running his hands from Soonyoung's chest to his abs, tracing them over the cotton material of his shirt. "You know that already."

"Papa! Papa! Eat! Eat!" Jiyoung demanded, opening his mouth like a baby bird.

"Your son’s complaining now—I better feed him!"

Soonyoung sighed, pressing a kiss to Jihoon’s lips before leaning down to kiss both Jiyoung and Jiyo. The twins were just a few weeks away from their second birthday.

"I’ll go check on Wonho and talk to him."

"Okay, love!"

Soonyoung shut his laptop and headed toward his eldest son’s room. Wonho, now nine years old, was busy strumming his electric guitar, his newest obsession. At this point, Soonyoung had lost track of how many instruments his son could play or wanted to learn.

"Baby?"

"Yes, Dad?" Wonho groaned before adding, "And can you stop calling me that? I’m a hyung now."

Soonyoung laughed out loud. Wonho had been complaining about this for days. It felt like just yesterday he was fine with being called that. "But you’ll always be my baby!"

Flopping onto Wonho’s bed, Soonyoung pulled the boy into a hug.

Wonho groaned in annoyance. "What is it, Dad?" He set his guitar aside, finally giving Soonyoung his attention.

Soonyoung suddenly switched to serious dad mode, sitting up on the bed and patting the space beside him. "Come here, my son."

Wonho moved closer. "Yes?"

"Your Papa Hoonie and I... we're thinking of going back to Korea for vacation. We'll celebrate your baby siblings' first birthday there," Soonyoung blurted out, watching his son's expression for any signs of discomfort.

"Y-yeah, I don’t think it’s a bad idea, since they haven’t been to Korea yet," Wonho stammered. He liked the idea of going back, and going back meant he would probably talk to and see the man who gave birth to him again. He told himself he was ready, but he couldn’t help the nervous feeling creeping up on him.

Soonyoung gently ran his fingers through Wonho’s hair. "And well, baby, your Papa Hoonie and I think... maybe it’s time you talk to your Papa Wonwoo again."

Wonho stiffened at the sudden mention of his biological father’s name. That was it—he knew it. "I- I... well... Papa already talked to me about this before... I guess I’ll have to talk to him eventually. He’s still a part of me, right? I mean, he gave birth to me..."

"I know you have bad memories with him… but like I always tell you, people can change. And before we left Korea, he wanted to see you and apologize. He wants to know you. You’re right, he’s still your father too. But it’s all up to you, baby," Soonyoung reminded him gently. He didn’t want to force his son into anything he wasn’t ready for.

"I think I’m ready… I think he owes Papa Hoonie an apology too," Wonho said boldly, and Soonyoung couldn’t help but smile proudly. He was growing into such a brave young man.

Soonyoung nodded, pressing a kiss to Wonho’s forehead. "Yes, baby, he owes you an apology too. But you also have to let him in, okay? I’m here to protect you."

"I can protect myself already! I’m a big boy now not a baby," Wonho said proudly, grinning as he emphasized certain words.

Soonyoung shook his head with a small laugh, but before he could respond, a tiny voice suddenly peeped from the doorway.

"Dada?"

Soonyoung immediately turned and saw Jiyo standing there cutely. He still wasn’t used to seeing his baby girl walking or more like waddling. His heart jumped at the thought of her tripping on her tiny feet, so he quickly rushed to pick her up, carrying her back to the bed and sitting beside Wonho with the little princess on his lap.

"And why is my princess looking for me?" Soonyoung cooed, using his baby voice.

Jiyo let out a soft giggle. "Dada! Hug!"

Wonho smiled at his little sister. He loved her so dearly.

"Aigoo~" Soonyoung cooed before showering her face with kisses and hugging her tightly like a teddy bear.

"Jiyo looks like Papa Hoonie, don’t you think so, Daddy?" Wonho asked, glancing at his baby sister.

Soonyoung nodded, lifting the baby slightly into the air. Jiyo just kept giggling and making happy baby noises. "Look at her dimples, Wonho-yah! They look just like Papa Hoonie’s, right? I’m certain your little sister will have tons of suitors someday!"

Wonho laughed. "Well, good luck to whoever that person is! Jiyo has two brothers… and of course, you, Dad!"

"Of course! No one’s going to get our princess’ hand that easily, right, angel? You love Daddy the most," Soonyoung declared before covering Jiyo’s face in kisses again, tickling her lightly at her sides.

Jiyo blinked, completely confused about what her father was talking about, but she smiled anyway.

"When Pap— I mean, when Wonwoo gave birth to me… were you just as happy as when Papa Hoonie gave birth to the twins?" Wonho suddenly asked out of nowhere.

"Yes, absolutely! If only you knew…" Soonyoung smiled at the memories. He still remembered the first time he held Wonho, it was one of the happiest moments of his life. "We were young, but the moment I saw you, I told myself, ‘I’ll do anything for you!’"

"It’s good that Papa came," Wonho said softly. "I knew it from the first time I saw him… He’s like a guardian angel heaven sent to us."

Soonyoung laughed. "I thought your Papa was a fairy? But see? That’s how special you are. You helped me find the missing puzzle piece to my life, to this family and that’s your Papa."

Wonho nodded, his cheeks turning slightly pink. He still remembered the day Jihoon and Soonyoung told him their whole love story. It happened one afternoon when he asked about the bracelet Jihoon had been wearing ever since he got engaged. From that day on, Wonho started to believe in soulmates. He couldn’t help but wonder what his own soulmate would be like. "I mean… someday, if I were to have someone, I’d want them to be like Papa."

"Ohhhhh~" Soonyoung teased. "So does this mean you already have a crush? Is that why you don’t want to be called a baby anymore?" He started laughing, then suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs, making sure Jihoon could hear him. "HOONIE! HOONIE! OUR SON!"

Wonho blushed furiously. "What?! Dad, no!"

Jihoon peeked into the room, carrying Jiyoung, who was surprisingly calm in his arms. "Yes, love?"

Soonyoung laughed at how red their son had turned. "Love, your child already has a crush!"

"Really?" Jihoon’s interest was immediately piqued. "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Jiyoung suddenly squirmed out of Jihoon’s arms, and Jihoon sighed but let him go.

"I don’t have a crush!" Wonho denied vehemently.

"That's cute! Maybe you can bring him cookies that you and your Papa bake! Or you can play instruments for him!" Soonyoung suggested enthusiastically, fully supporting his son.

"I don’t have a crush, Daddy," Wonho argued, but his face and reaction told his parents otherwise, especially when he averted his gaze. Wonho was a terrible liar. "I just think h-he’s cute!"

"Oh… so it’s a boy," Jihoon remarked as he quickly grabbed Jiyoung by his shirt, stopping the baby from tripping over his own clumsy feet again.

"Oh! Gotcha there!" Soonyoung exclaimed, his excitement growing. "So, um, is he your classmate? A club member? Our neighbor? Omg, how cute is he? Is he as cute as your Papa Hoonie?"

Soonyoung's heart swelled. Wonho really was growing up. He could still remember when the boy took his first steps, and now here he was, experiencing his first crush.

Wonho’s face turned an even darker shade of red. "...Teacher Seok’s child…" he mumbled.

Soonyoung blinked. "The one with the heart-shaped smile? Your piano duet partner last time? The one with the beautiful singing voice?"

"Y-yeah," Wonho admitted shyly.

"I think it’s time we invite them for dinner. Aren’t you good friends with Teacher Seok, love?" Soonyoung asked, already planning what to cook and how to set up the perfect dinner.

Jihoon chuckled. "You’re really setting up your own child, huh?" He pulled Jiyoung closer again.

"I’m just helping! This is his first crush!" Soonyoung grinned, clearly enjoying himself.

"I’ll talk to him after our vacation to Korea, don’t worry. His son looks more like Joshua, though," Jihoon mused, recalling how he first met Seokmin. The man had finished a degree in education but initially went to China to pursue a singing career. Unfortunately, things hadn’t worked out. Jihoon had met him at a music festival while Seokmin was pregnant, and he'd helped him secure a job at his workplace. The rest was history.

"Joshua? Is he a foreigner?" Soonyoung tilted his head before gasping. "Hmmm, son! We can buy tons of treats from Korea, and you can give some to your crush and to his fathers!" he chirped excitedly, throwing out suggestions nonstop.

"Shut up, Dad!" Wonho groaned, his face still burning red. He instantly regretted admitting to his father who had caught his attention. He knew he would never hear the end of it now.

"Yeah, he grew up in LA, so his son doesn’t know much Mandarin or Korean, even though they’re Korean too. The kid is more comfortable speaking in English," Wonho answered shyly. It was the truth, after all.

"Oh! Wonho-yah! Does that mean you speak English with him? It's good that you know how to speak in English," Soonyoung mused. Wonho was something of a polyglot. He was already fluent in Korean and Mandarin, and now he was learning Japanese because of his love for anime and Japanese RPGs.

"Y-yeah… I want him to be comfortable here in China. I want to protect him. H-he's just so cute."

"Aww, what a sweet boyfriend!" Soonyoung squealed, still teasing his son.

"S-shut up, Dad!" Wonho complained, stomping his foot on the floor.

"Stop teasing our son already," Jihoon said, though he was still laughing.

"Okay, okay, I’ll stop," Soonyoung relented before changing the subject. "Anyway, don’t you think our unit in Korea is a bit too small?" His eyes shifted toward the twins, who were both hyper as ever. Well, it wasn’t hard to guess where they got it from. "Why do I have a feeling they won’t like it? I should ask Cheol-hyung to find a bigger unit, don’t you think?"

"No, it’s fine, love. I can talk to the twins. We have a spare room there anyway, so let’s not spend a huge amount of money again," Jihoon reasoned. He had always been thrifty, wanting to secure their children's future. He was also close to making his dream school a reality, just a little more saving, and it would come true.

Soonyoung pouted. "O...kay, boss!"

"Let’s just put the money into our children's savings."

"Of course, love. Oh, by the way, we’re going to expand the dance studio," Soonyoung said, remembering how he hadn't updated Jihoon on some recent life changes due to their busy schedules. Today was the perfect day to catch up since they were all free until tomorrow.

"That’s great to hear. Who do you think will inherit it, though? Wonho seems more interested in music than dancing," Jihoon observed as he watched Wonho carefully place his electric guitar back in its case.

Soonyoung shrugged. "They can do whatever they want, and I’ll support them. If Wonho wants music, why not? Arts? Science? As long as he’s happy."

"But it looks like someone loves dancing too," Jihoon said, his eyes shifting toward their youngest son. Jiyoung had recently slipped out of his hold and was now dancing alone to his own rhythm while his parents and Wonho discussed.

Soonyoung laughed. "Wonho's your prodigy, and Jiyoung's mine... Hmmm, I’m excited to see what our princess will choose."

Jihoon gently combed through their daughter’s hair. "She said she wants to be a princess," he said with a shake of his head. "It’s because you keep playing the prince, the tiger, or whatever it is—that’s why they all turned out like this."

"What? Where’s the lie, though? She is a princess!" Soonyoung declared dramatically. He looked down at Jiyo and grinned. "Right, Jiyo? I’ll give you everything you want, my little princess. You heard that, angel?" He smothered the giggling girl with kisses again, making her squeal happily.

"Spoiled."

"Our babies deserve it, so why not?"

Jihoon rolled his eyes. "They need discipline too." He suddenly remembered the time he had scolded Jiyoung for stealing cookies from the cookie jar before eating his lunch.

"That’s what you’re here for, love," Soonyoung grinned, pointing at himself. "Good cop." Then he pointed at Jihoon. "Bad cop. Well balanced!"

"Whatever. Though, it looks like Jiyoung is the only real headache I have. He’s so hyper,he’s like version 2 of you."

Soonyoung laughed. "Jiyoung’s my mini-me!"

"I just hope he’s not as aggressive as you."

"Hey, I’m not that aggressive!"

"Really?" Jihoon flashed him a teasing smile.

Soonyoung’s eyes widened, and he coughed. "Son, you can go back to… whatever you were doing. Ji, let’s tuck the kids into bed."

"Okay, good night, Dad. Good night, Papa," Wonho said, placing a kiss on both of his parents' cheeks.

"Someone’s excited to get their prize~" Jihoon teased Soonyoung again.

"Of course!"

Jihoon giggled before picking up the twins to bring them to their room. Soonyoung took Jiyoung, the more hyper one from Jihoon, deciding to tire the baby out so he would fall asleep more easily.

Wonho, on the other hand, lay down on his bed and closed his eyes, ready to sleep as soon as his parents left the room. Jihoon gently placed the yawning Jiyo on her bed as soon as they entered the twins’ bedroom.

"Sleep well, my child," Jihoon whispered, kissing Jiyo’s forehead.

The little girl giggled before finally closing her eyes. "Night night, Papa! Night night, Dada!"

Just then, Soonyoung entered the room with Jiyoung, who was already yawning repeatedly.

"Night night, Papa! Dada!" Jiyoung mumbled sleepily.

Jihoon smiled, adjusting the blankets over them and turning on the bedside lamps to keep a soft glow in the room once the main lights were off. "Looks like the kids are asleep now."

Soonyoung pulled Jihoon close and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "But we’re not sleeping yet, love."

Jihoon laughed playfully as he switched off the lights and carefully closed the door. "What do you wanna do?" He smirked, dragging Soonyoung toward their room.

Soonyoung gripped Jihoon’s waist, pulling him closer. "You know what I want, love."

Jihoon wrapped his arms around Soonyoung, giving him a coy smile.

"I want you to do whatever you want to me tonight~ That’s your reward~ I’ll be your slut."

"Fuck."

Soonyoung immediately gripped Jihoon’s thighs, making him jump slightly before hoisting his legs around his waist. Jihoon instinctively tightened his hold, locking his ankles behind Soonyoung. His eyes stayed fixed on his husband, his tongue swiping over his bottom lip in anticipation. He leaned in close, nibbling and biting at Soonyoung’s ear before whispering seductively.

"What are you going to do to me, Daddy?"

Soonyoung smirked. "Didn’t you always say you want to feel me all the time? I’m gonna fuck you full of my cum, baby."

He leaned in, claiming Jihoon’s lips in a hard, lingering kiss. Jihoon moaned at the filthy promise, kissing Soonyoung back with the same intensity. His body moved on instinct, grinding against Soonyoung while holding on tightly for support.

Soonyoung carried him effortlessly to the bed, never breaking the kiss. He laid Jihoon down gently, covering his smaller frame with his own.

Jihoon giggled, pulling back slightly to catch his breath. His hand cupped Soonyoung’s cheek, thumb brushing over his skin.

"You’re so handsome."

Soonyoung smirked. "And you? I still find you incredibly hot and sexy."

"You really think so? I already have stitches, Soonie."

"Yeah? And? I find them beautiful."

Soonyoung leaned down, pressing a kiss to Jihoon’s jaw. Jihoon let out a soft moan.

"Don’t you think it’s… unsexy? I mean… I lost my abs."

"Kwon Jihoon," Soonyoung said firmly, tracing his hands over Jihoon’s body with care, "I love all of you. Every scar, every imperfection. I still can’t get enough of you."

Jihoon swallowed hard, his heart fluttering. "That makes me feel better then. Please continue… I need you."

Soonyoung kissed him again, deep and unrelenting, until Jihoon's lips were red and swollen. He nipped and bit at them, savoring every reaction, until Jihoon finally parted his lips, letting Soonyoung explore his mouth with his tongue.

Jihoon closed his eyes, savoring every sensation poured into the kiss. He let Soonyoung take control, parting his lips to welcome his husband’s tongue, sucking on it greedily as it slid into his mouth.

Soonyoung kissed him until their lips ached, his mouth trailing down from Jihoon's jaw to his neck. He growled in frustration when their clothes got in the way.

"Take this off. Take everything off. Now."

"I—What? All of it?" Jihoon asked, slightly startled.

"Yes. Now. Before I rip them off."

"Soonyoungie," Jihoon whined, playing the brat just enough to provoke him. He knew exactly how to rile the older up, and he wanted him to be rough tonight. "I'm too lazy to take them off."

Soonyoung kissed him hard in response, gripping Jihoon's shirt with both hands and tearing it apart without warning.

"Shame. That was branded. Oh well, we can always buy another one."

Jihoon shuddered as the cold air met his bare skin. He kissed Soonyoung back sloppily, hunger evident in the way their mouths moved together. It had been weeks since they last had a moment like this, both too busy with work and the kids. They managed to find time to do some quickies but never a full blown sex.

"Fuck, I missed you."

Soonyoung broke the kiss, trailing his mouth down to Jihoon's neck and lower, biting, sucking, and licking. He replaced the faded marks with fresh ones, making sure to claim every inch of his husband’s skin.

"P-please... I want it rough," Jihoon pleaded breathlessly.

Soonyoung licked his thumb and index finger, wetting them before bringing them to Jihoon’s nipple, pinching and teasing it. His mouth latched onto the other, sucking and flicking his tongue over the sensitive bud. At the same time, he pulled Jihoon’s hips up, grinding down against him. Smiling when a bit of milk still comes out of it, Jihoon is still breastfeeding the twins at times after all and he loved it. 

Jihoon trembled, a shaky sigh escaping his lips as his eyes locked onto Soonyoung’s. That gaze, piercing and predatory made him feel like prey caught in a trap.

"S-Soonyoung-ah! Take your clothes off too," he gasped.

Soonyoung smirked and obeyed, making a show of it. He pulled his shirt off slowly, tossing it aside before popping open the button on his pants. His fingers dragged the zipper down at an agonizing pace, teasing Jihoon even further.

Jihoon's gaze never left Soonyoung's. His eyes followed every movement of his husband's hand, tracing the path down his body. He bit his lower lip, feeling his cock twitch at the sight.

Soonyoung, still leaving his pants on with the fly open, focused on stripping Jihoon instead, sliding his shorts and underwear off in one swift motion. Now completely bare, Jihoon lay exposed on the bed, vulnerable yet undeniably enticing. Soonyoung licked his lips as he drank in the sight of him from head to toe. No matter how many times they'd done this, he still found himself completely captivated.

Jihoon blushed under his husband's heated stare, suddenly feeling self-conscious. He immediately moved to cover his body with his arms.

"S-Soonyoung, can you not?" he mumbled. "Like I told you, my body isn’t as great as before."

Soonyoung grabbed Jihoon's wrist and guided it down, pressing his hand against the hardness straining inside his pants.

"Can you feel that, baby?" Soonyoung murmured, his voice deep and heavy with desire. "If I didn’t find you beautiful, would I be this hard? Only you can make my cock like this."

Jihoon’s face burned with embarrassment, but he couldn't deny how much Soonyoung’s words affected him. Even after nearly a year of marriage, after countless nights tangled together, he still got shy under Soonyoung’s gaze. He had seen and felt every part of his husband, and yet, the intensity between them never faded. His fingers instinctively grabbed Soonyoung’s clothed cock, feeling the solid heat beneath his palm.

"S-Soonyoungie," Jihoon breathed.

"Yes, love?"

Jihoon spread his legs wider, one hand leaving Soonyoung’s arousal to grip his own ass, pulling himself apart to expose his pink, needy rim. His voice was soft, almost desperate.

"Fuck me now, please."

Soonyoung groaned at the sight, his fingers twitching with the urge to claim Jihoon immediately. But he held himself back, reminding himself that it had been weeks since their last time.

"Need to prep you first, baby," he said, standing up to grab the bottle of lube. As he did, he finally stripped off the rest of his clothes, letting Jihoon take in the full view of his toned, aroused body.

Jihoon whined impatiently, his legs shifting restlessly against the sheets.

"I can take it raw."

"Baby, I'm quite... big. You'll get mad at me again for having a sore asshole for weeks."

"I don't care! I want to take it raw... please! I can take it! I need your big dick inside me."

Soonyoung knew his dick agreed with Jihoon's request. And he was a weak man especially when his greatest weakness was lying naked on their bed, willing and waiting for him. So he did the only reasonable thing.

He grabbed Jihoon's legs, lifting them until they were bent at the knees, his body positioned between them. Spreading Jihoon open, he poured a generous amount of lube over his cock, even though Jihoon had insisted he didn't need it.

"I need you, please!"

Soonyoung pushed in, groaning as Jihoon's body squeezed around him. Jihoon let out a sharp cry, gripping the sheets as he felt Soonyoung stretch him open. It was always like this, no matter how many times they did this, Soonyoung's size never failed to make him feel full. The pain mixed deliciously with pleasure, just as he wanted.

Soonyoung forced himself to stay still, even though his body was screaming at him to move. But Jihoon, impatient as always, bucked his hips up without warning, making them both gasp.

"Fuck, Jihoon. Stop that," Soonyoung gritted out, gripping Jihoon's waist firmly, trying to hold him in place.

"N-no, please, I need you to move," Jihoon pleaded, breathless.

"Are you sure, love?"

"Y-yes! Please, fuck me!"

Soonyoung didn't need to be told twice. Without warning, he pulled out completely before slamming back in, knocking the air from Jihoon's lungs. He let go of any restraint, letting his pleasure take control. Jihoon wanted it rough? He would give him rough.

Jihoon's fingers, which had been gripping the sheets, now latched onto Soonyoung's biceps. He screamed his husband's name as Soonyoung pounded into him, taking everything he had to give.

"F-FUCK! A-AH! MORE! MORE, PLEASE!"

"You're so tight, baby! Ah yes, you make me feel so good!"
Soonyoung mouthed along Jihoon's neck as he thrust into him with steady, powerful strokes, his cock pressing against that spot inside him that made Jihoon see stars. His fingers teased and pinched at Jihoon's sensitive nipples, adding to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through his body. It had only been a few weeks, but it felt like an eternity since they’d last been together like this.
"Oh my god! Soonyoung! It feels so good!" Jihoon cried out, his voice trembling with pleasure.
The sensation was dizzying, sending shivers down his spine. Every drag of Soonyoung inside him made his body arch into the mattress, his nails clawing at the sheets. His mind was blank, nothing existing beyond the heat between them and the way Soonyoung claimed him so completely.
"Fuck, come for me, baby," Soonyoung groaned, voice husky with need.
Before Jihoon could even process it, his climax hit him like a tsunami, his body tensing, then unraveling as pleasure surged through him. His release painted their stomachs, his breath coming out in sharp, broken gasps. But Soonyoung didn’t stop. He kept moving, chasing his own high, hips snapping against Jihoon’s as he pushed himself over the edge, emptying himself deep inside him.
Jihoon whimpered, the overstimulation making him tremble. "S-Soonyoung... w-wait, please—"
Soonyoung groaned but stilled, panting heavily as he fought to regain control. He was still hard, pressed against Jihoon's slick, flushed skin. Jihoon swallowed thickly, his body exhausted but still craving the intimacy between them.
"Soonyoung… you're still hard," he murmured breathlessly. His voice was hoarse, but there was a teasing lilt to it. "How do you want me?"
Soonyoung smirked, brushing damp strands of hair from Jihoon's face. "I'll fuck your mouth," he said, voice low and commanding.
Jihoon’s cheeks flushed, but he nodded, crawling forward until he was level with Soonyoung’s cock. He met his husband's gaze, licking his lips before parting them slightly, an unspoken invitation.
Soonyoung groaned at the sight, his thumb tracing over Jihoon's swollen lips before guiding himself forward, rubbing the tip against them, using it like a lipstick. A bead of arousal smeared across Jihoon's mouth like a sinful mark, and Soonyoung felt a surge of possessive desire at the sight.
Jihoon exhaled softly, the warmth of his breath sending a shudder through Soonyoung’s body. His lips wrapped around the head, his tongue swirling, teasing, before taking him in fully.
"You ready, baby?" Soonyoung rasped, his hands threading into Jihoon’s hair.
Jihoon moaned in response, the vibrations traveling through Soonyoung’s length and making him curse under his breath.
"Fuck," Soonyoung growled, gripping Jihoon's hair as he began to move, thrusting in slow, measured strokes at first before his control started slipping. Jihoon took it all eagerly, letting Soonyoung guide him, his hands gripping Soonyoung's thighs for support as the heat between them burned even hotter.
Soonyoung pulled back before thrusting forward again, setting a relentless pace. Jihoon had a gag reflex, but they had done this enough times for him to know exactly how hard Soonyoung could fuck his mouth without hurting him.

Jihoon stayed still, letting his husband use him just the way he wanted. He loved it, loved the way Soonyoung took control, loved when he used him like this. Of course, he cherished the moments they made love, but sometimes, all he wanted was to be fucked.

"Fuck, Jihoon—I'm gonna cum!" Soonyoung groaned, his hips stuttering as he neared his release.

Jihoon tightened his grip on Soonyoung’s thighs, feeling the tremors of his husband’s pleasure radiate through his body.

"Close your eyes and keep your mouth open," Soonyoung ordered.

Jihoon obeyed without hesitation.

Soonyoung pulled out, stroking himself a few more times before releasing, painting Jihoon’s flushed face with his cum. Jihoon felt the warmth dripping down his skin, his breath uneven as he waited for Soonyoung to finish. When the last drop fell, he lazily dipped his index finger into the mess on his face, bringing it to his lips before sucking it clean.

"Fuck, Jihoonie… you're so hot," Soonyoung growled.

Still catching his breath, Soonyoung leaned forward, gathering the remnants of his release with his fingers before pressing them past Jihoon’s lips. Jihoon sucked obediently, his gaze locked onto Soonyoung’s with unfiltered desire.

A smirk played on Soonyoung’s lips. "I don't think I’m satisfied yet."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow, taunting, "Psh, just do it already."

Soonyoung narrowed his eyes. "You really think we're stopping here?"

Before Jihoon could react, Soonyoung grabbed him and flipped him onto his stomach, manhandling him into position. Jihoon barely had time to catch his breath before his hips were raised, back arched, forced onto all fours.

Then, without warning, Soonyoung pushed his still half-hard cock back inside him.

Jihoon let out a sharp cry, his body jerking in surprise. "Fuck! S-Soonyoung! What the fuck—!"

A firm hand landed on his ass, the sharp smack echoing through the room.

"Try again," Soonyoung growled. "It's Daddy, not Soonyoung. Where are your manners, baby boy?"

Jihoon trembled, the dominant edge in Soonyoung’s voice sending a shiver down his spine. He could already feel the heat pooling in his stomach again. His husband was in full-on Daddy mode and Jihoon undeniably loved it.

Soonyoung’s hand came down again, a second spank landing with just as much force. Jihoon yelped, the sting spreading across his skin.

"D-Daddy… sorry," he gasped, his voice shaky with anticipation.

"That's more like it," Soonyoung purred. "Now, why don’t you show me just how much you love having my cock inside your slutty little hole? Work your hips, baby boy."

Jihoon whined, burying his face into the mattress. "W-Why?! I'm too lazy to do that!"

"Oh? Then maybe we should stop?"

"W-What?! No! Please don’t!" Jihoon panicked, pushing back against Soonyoung’s hips instinctively.

"Then move," Soonyoung ordered, his voice dropping into a commanding tone. "Show me how much of a good slut you are, Jihoonie. My cockslut."

Jihoon bit his lip, whining in protest, but he knew there was no way out of this. So, with a pout, he slowly started rocking his hips. His movements were sluggish, teasing even, as if testing Soonyoung’s patience.

That patience snapped quickly.

A sharp slap landed on both of Jihoon’s cheeks, making him jolt forward. His skin tingled, the sting spreading deliciously through his body.

"I know you can do better than that, baby boy," Soonyoung scolded.

Jihoon whimpered at the sensation, but the pain only spurred him on. He picked up the pace, grinding himself onto Soonyoung’s cock, rolling his hips in search of deeper friction.

"There you are, my little slut," Soonyoung chuckled darkly. "Come on, fuck yourself on my cock. Isn’t this what you wanted?"

Jihoon kept quiet, his only response being the soft, breathless moans that escaped his lips as he moved.

Soonyoung, ever the tormentor, only helped by gripping Jihoon’s waist and pulling him back onto his cock, but other than that, he remained still, drinking in the sight before him. The arch of Jihoon’s back, the way his ass jiggled with every movement, the faint red imprints of his palm still visible on his skin.

Jihoon groaned in frustration. "C-Can you move too?!"

Soonyoung let out a low, amused chuckle. "I am moving, baby. Also, is that the right way to ask your daddy?" Another sharp slap to Jihoon’s ass.

Jihoon yelped, his fingers gripping the sheets tightly as his pride crumbled. Swallowing his embarrassment, he whimpered, "D-Daddy, can you please move? Please f-fuck me… make your baby feel good."

Soonyoung smirked in satisfaction. "Good boy."

Without another word, he rolled his hips forward, sliding deep inside Jihoon at a torturously slow pace. He didn’t pound into him like before, no, this time, he took his time, thrusting deep and slow, savoring the way Jihoon’s walls clenched around him.

Jihoon trembled, his body wrecked with pleasure. His moans spilled freely, desperate and needy. He was a mess. His face tear-streaked, lips swollen, remnants of Soonyoung’s cum still on his skin.

"T-Thank you," Jihoon sobbed out, his body shaking from overstimulation. "Thank you, Daddy… your cock feels s-so good!"

Soonyoung groaned at the sight, his grip on Jihoon tightening. "Fuck, baby… You’re gonna make me ruin you all over again."

Soonyoung groaned, thrusting into Jihoon over and over, his cock throbbing as another orgasm built deep inside him. He leaned down, pressing his chest against Jihoon’s sweat-slicked back, his breath hot against Jihoon’s ear. Reaching between them, he wrapped a hand around Jihoon’s neglected cock, stroking it in time with his thrusts.

Jihoon gasped before weakly slapping Soonyoung’s hand away. "I wanna cum untouched, Daddy."

Soonyoung smirked, kissing the side of Jihoon’s neck. "As you wish."

Instead, he occupied his mouth with leaving more marks on Jihoon’s back, sucking and biting while his thrusts became relentless. His thighs smacked against Jihoon’s ass, the wet sounds of their bodies colliding echoing in the room.

Jihoon clenched around him, his walls tightening like a vice, his clear tell that he was close.

"P-Please, Daddy cum inside me! Fill your baby up with your seed!"

"Fuck—fuck, fuck, fuck!"

With a final, deep thrust, Soonyoung groaned as he came inside Jihoon, painting his walls white. Jihoon screamed as the heat of Soonyoung’s release triggered his own, his untouched cock twitching as he spilled onto the sheets.

"P-Please give me all of it, Daddy! Jihoonie wants it all!"

Soonyoung panted, burying his face against Jihoon’s back, pressing soft kisses to his shoulder as he came down from his high. But they weren’t done. Jihoon wasn’t satisfied just yet, and neither was Soonyoung.

They went two more rounds until Jihoon’s hole was drenched, leaking Soonyoung’s cum with every tiny movement. Jihoon collapsed onto the bed, his limbs trembling, exhaustion pulling at his body. Yet, even in his fucked-out state, he clenched down, trying to keep every drop inside.

Soonyoung chuckled, pressing a hand to Jihoon’s lower back. "You okay, baby?"

Jihoon nodded weakly. "Y-Yeah…"

Soonyoung hummed, then easily manhandled Jihoon, flipping them over so that Jihoon was sprawled across his chest, still impaled on his cock.

"We need to take a bath, change the sheets, and air out the room," Soonyoung murmured, stroking Jihoon’s back. "The kids will run in first thing in the morning."

Jihoon pouted, nuzzling against Soonyoung’s neck. "B-But I wanna keep your cum in me all night."

Soonyoung smirked, kissing Jihoon’s temple. "How about I put a plug in? Hmm?"

Jihoon immediately nodded, his face heating. "Y-Yes, please."

With a satisfied chuckle, Soonyoung pulled out slowly, making sure none of his release spilled. Jihoon whined at the emptiness, but Soonyoung quickly replaced his cock with his fingers, keeping his cum inside while he reached for the drawer beside their bed. Retrieving a plug, he swapped his fingers for it, pushing it in gently. Jihoon let out a pleased sigh, stretching his arms toward Soonyoung in silent invitation.

Soonyoung leaned down, capturing his lips in a slow, tender kiss. "I love you," he murmured. "But we really need that bath."

Jihoon giggled. "Then carry me, Daddy~" He snuggled closer, resting his head against Soonyoung’s shoulder. "You’re such a caring father. Always thinking about our kids. I’m so glad I married you."

Soonyoung grinned, lifting Jihoon effortlessly despite their late-night activities. "I just don’t want to explain to Wonho what kind of exercise we’re doing at night."

Jihoon burst into laughter. "I love you~"

"I love you too, love."

True to his word, Soonyoung was quick in bathing them, letting Jihoon keep the plug in as requested. Afterward, he cleaned their room, changed the sheets, and aired out the space because, really, the last thing he wanted was to explain to their kids why the room smelled like sex.

Now, dressed in boxers and loose shirts, Jihoon snuggled against Soonyoung’s side, warm and content.

"I already talked to Cheol hyung earlier about our vacation," Soonyoung murmured, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on Jihoon's back.

Jihoon snuggled closer, rubbing his cheek against Soonyoung’s chest. "What did Grandpa say?"

"He’ll take care of everything. He said he’ll be the one picking us up, and he’s also going to talk to… Wonwoo." Soonyoung sighed, his hold on Jihoon tightening slightly. "I’m still not comfortable with him being near you or the kids. With Wonho, fine—he is his child. But you? No."

Jihoon hummed softly. "I don’t think he’d hurt me, though."

"Still…" Soonyoung exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Love, I don’t want him near you and the twins. If it weren’t for Wonho… I wouldn’t want to see him at all."

Jihoon smiled gently, cupping Soonyoung’s cheek. "I know you’re just worried about me and our children," he murmured, his thumb stroking along Soonyoung’s skin. "But I don’t think he’s that bad."

Soonyoung bit his lip, his expression darkening. "I almost lost the kids, Jihoon. We almost did. How can you still say that? He bullied you, hurt you, and verbally abused you. And yet…" Soonyoung let out a quiet, almost disbelieving chuckle. "And yet, you’re still so good to him."

Jihoon shook his head. "Holding onto anger won’t do me any good. I’ve already forgiven him—not for his sake, but for mine. For Wonho’s. I want them to have a good relationship, you know? Wonho deserves that."

Soonyoung stared at him, his gaze softening. "I’m really so lucky to have you, Jihoon. Do you even know that?" He leaned down, brushing a kiss against Jihoon’s plump lips. "I’m so lucky that you’re the father of my kids."

Jihoon grinned. "I’m lucky to have you too. Should I start listing all the reasons why?"

"Are you challenging me?" Soonyoung smirked. "Because I can guarantee I can write a lot more about you than you can about me."

Jihoon laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, you win." He tilted his head slightly, his expression turning curious. "Love, I have a question."

"What is it?" Soonyoung asked, amused.

"When we met again in high school, what was your first impression of me?" Jihoon turned his gaze to the ceiling, his voice laced with curiosity.

Soonyoung chuckled. "You were cute. That’s probably why Wonwoo was so angry at you."

Jihoon pouted, turning back to Soonyoung with a frown. "I’m asking for your first impression of me."

"Honestly? I thought you were cute," Soonyoung admitted with a small chuckle. "Like, I never understood why everyone was so scared of you. You literally looked like a marshmallow. I guess that’s why Wonwoo was so jealous of you." He hesitated for a second before confessing, "I, uh… used to talk about you a lot whenever we practiced together."

Jihoon laughed, shaking his head. "I’m glad our friendship didn’t work out back then, though. Because I can’t imagine a life without Wonho." He sighed, smiling softly. "It’s funny, isn’t it? We didn’t even realize we were childhood friends, and yet we still ended up together."

Soonyoung nodded, his fingers brushing through Jihoon’s hair. "I really thought you were just a good friend, someone I wanted to keep hanging out with. But yeah…" He trailed off, a hint of sadness in his voice.

Back then, they had to cut ties. But everything happened for a reason. Fate had its way of bringing them back together, like the universe conspired to make their paths cross again. They were meant to be.

"Wonwoo was probably afraid you’d fall in love with me," Jihoon mused. "He was so irritated back then. But honestly? I think I was partly at fault too, I kept giving you lunch boxes even though I knew you had a boyfriend."

Now that he thought about it, he could see why Wonwoo thought he was trying to steal Soonyoung away. It wasn’t intentional, but their already tense family history only made things worse.

Soonyoung let out a groan, covering his face with his hands. "I really thought they were from him, you know?"

Jihoon smirked. "That’s why you fell even harder for him."

"Ugh, don’t remind me," Soonyoung whined. "That’s such a cringe memory."

Jihoon giggled. "But I love you the most now."

Soonyoung exhaled, smiling as he pulled Jihoon closer. "I know. So… shall we sleep?"

"Yeah, we better regain our energy. I want a wild breakfast tomorrow," Soonyoung teased, giving Jihoon's ass a playful squeeze.

Jihoon gasped before smacking Soonyoung’s chest lightly. "You’re such a pervert."

Soonyoung only grinned, completely unashamed. He had been spoiled these past few weeks, waking up to Jihoon’s warm mouth on his dick, and he wouldn’t mind keeping the streak going.

"Nighty-night, you perverted Kwon," Jihoon muttered, turning to his side.

"Good night to you too, Kwon," Soonyoung replied, voice softer this time.

Jihoon’s hand found Soonyoung’s on his chest, their fingers intertwining naturally. His gaze lingered on their wedding rings, matching bands that symbolized everything they had built together.

With a contented sigh, Jihoon closed his eyes, finally letting sleep take over.

Chapter Text

The Kwon family had just landed in Korea after their long flight, and the familiar spring air made Jihoon smile with a quiet sense of contentment. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, adding a beautiful layer to the countryside that had been home to Soonyoung before they moved to China. Both of them had missed Korea—the bustling streets, the familiar sights, and, of course, the friends they have who stays here.

When they arrived at the vacation house, which was the place they purchased when they first came here with Wonho, the kids were already exhausted and quickly fell asleep. Jihoon and Soonyoung took the opportunity to rest too, knowing that they’d have a busy few days ahead. Despite the jetlag, it was easy to drift off into sleep, knowing they were finally home.

The next morning, Jihoon woke up to the sound of the birds outside and the soft stirrings of the twins in the other room. The sun had already begun to rise, and the smell of spring was drifting through the open window. He stretched, still feeling the comfort of their cozy vacation home and the excitement of being in Korea again.

Soonyoung had already gotten out of bed, and Jihoon smiled at the sight of him humming in the kitchen as he prepared breakfast. After a quick breakfast and getting the kids ready—Wonho, their nine-year-old, was already bouncing with energy, ready to run outside—the family headed to Seungcheol and Jeonghan’s house.

The drive was filled with the usual playful chaos. Wonho, who was now old enough to be the self-proclaimed leader, kept the younger twins entertained with his jokes, while Jiyo and Jiyoung argued childishly over who could sit next to Jihoon.

"Papa Hoonie! Sit with you!" Jiyo whined from the backseat, her voice loud and demanding as she tugged on Jihoon’s sleeve.

"No! Papa Hoonie mine!" Jiyoung countered, his tiny hands pushing at his twin sister as if he was in an all-out battle for the coveted spot.

Jihoon chuckled softly, glancing back at the twins. "Alright, you two, calm down," he said, trying his best to stay calm while laughing at the same time. "You can both sit next to me in a little bit. Just give me some space."

"Nooooooooo fair!" Jiyo pouted, crossing her arms with an exaggerated frown.

"Jiyoung first!" Jiyoung argued, kicking the back of Soonyoung’s seat in frustration.

"That’s it," Soonyoung said with a grin, glancing over his shoulder. "You two are going to drive me crazy if you keep this up."

Jihoon just shook his head, feeling his heart soften at their antics. They were only two years old, but they already had so much energy and spunk, it was impossible not to smile at their innocent mischief.

When they arrived at Seungcheol and Jeonghan’s house, the twins were the first to jump out of the car.

"Uncle Cheollie! Uncle Cheollie!" Jiyo and Jiyoung both yelled, giggling as Jihoon scoops the both of them, worried they might trip if he lets them run on their own. He only put them down when they are finally at the doorsteps. The twins only know Cheol since he's the only one who was able to attend the babies 2nd birthday. Jeonghan's pregnancy was a bit sensitive so he decided to stay at home.

Seungcheol opened the door just as the twins arrived, laughing as they nearly knocked him over. "Whoa, whoa! Slow down, you two!" he said, holding his hands out as the twins giggled and wrapped their arms around his legs.

Jihoon watched with a smile as Seungcheol bent down to pick them both up. "Hey there, little rascals," Seungcheol greeted. "I see you two haven’t lost any energy."

"Play!" Jiyoung exclaimed, his hands flailing around in excitement.

"Please play!" Jiyo added, her big eyes wide as she looked up at Seungcheol. “wanna play with Uncle Cheolllieee, play pretend!"

Seungcheol chuckled, giving both of them a squeeze before glancing at Jihoon. "You sure you want them to play with me? They’re a handful."

Jihoon laughed softly, nodding. "It’s good for them. Plus, you two are the best at keeping up with them."

As Seungcheol made his way to the living room with the twins in tow, Jihoon felt a gentle nudge at his side. He turned to see Jeonghan standing by the door, his hand resting on his now six-month pregnant belly. Jeonghan gave him a soft, knowing smile.

"Jihoon, Soonyoung, it’s so good to see you both," Jeonghan said warmly, his eyes twinkling despite the fatigue that had settled in his features.

"Hyung," Soonyoung greeted with a bright smile, stepping forward to give Jeonghan a gentle hug. "You look great, six months already! How’s the baby doing?"

Jeonghan smiled, one hand over his stomach. "Feeling good, still a lot of kicking, but I’m happy. Thanks for asking."

Jihoon stepped forward, his eyes softening at the sight of Jeonghan. "Hyung, it’s been so long. You really do look amazing."

Jeonghan grinned. "I’m not sure about that, but it’s good to see you both. The kids look happy, too."

Soonyoung gave a small laugh. "They’re as energetic as ever. Wonho’s been running around, trying to be the leader of the pack. Jiyo and Jiyoung are already at it, arguing over everything."

Jihoon smiled fondly as he watched his children play with Seungcheol in the living room, their tiny voices filling the house with life. The sight of his kids with their uncles made him feel even more at home. The weight of the years they had spent apart faded, replaced by the comfort of these familiar faces and the warmth of family.

"Soonyoung," Jihoon said softly, nudging his husband gently. "It’s good to be back here, right?"

Soonyoung nodded, his gaze warm as he looked at Jihoon. "Yeah, it really feels like home. I’m glad we came back."

Jihoon smiled, his heart swelling with a quiet contentment as he leaned into Soonyoung’s side. Watching their kids run around, laughing and playing, made Jihoon feel like everything was exactly where it was meant to be.

As the kids continued to play in the living room, Soonyoung, Jihoon, Jeonghan, and Seungcheol found a moment to catch up, away from the commotion. They moved to the kitchen, the warm sunlight filtering through the windows and casting a soft glow over the table where they sat.

"So, how’s everything been in China?" Seungcheol asked, his voice relaxed but full of curiosity. He leaned back in his chair, watching Soonyoung and Jihoon carefully.

"Busy, as always," Soonyoung said with a small chuckle. "Between Jihoon’s new school project and the kids, it’s been non-stop. But we’ve made it work."

Jeonghan nodded thoughtfully, his hand resting on his stomach as he smiled at Soonyoung. "The school, huh? You’ve been talking about that for a while now. How’s it coming along?"

Jihoon’s face lit up with excitement. "It’s actually starting to come together. We’ve finalized the designs, and construction is beginning soon. It feels surreal to see it all finally happening."

"So cool," Seungcheol commented. "I can’t wait to see it when it’s done."

"Yeah, Jihoon’s dream school. He’s been working on it for so long," Soonyoung said, his tone warm with admiration for his husband.

Jeonghan smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at Jihoon. "That’s amazing, Jihoon. You’ve always had such a strong vision. I’m proud of you."

Jihoon’s heart swelled at the words. He couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the people in his life—his friends, his family. "Thanks, hyung. It means a lot. I’ve had to push through a lot to get to this point, but I’m determined to see it through."

"Soonyoung, how are you holding up with everything?" Seungcheol asked, his voice laced with genuine concern as he turned to Soonyoung. "I know things haven’t always been easy."

Soonyoung looked at Jihoon for a moment before answering, a tender smile crossing his lips. "It’s been challenging at times but he studio and the bar business both are doing great and having Jihoon by my side makes everything better. The kids keep us busy, but it’s a good kind of busy."

Jeonghan gave a knowing nod. "I get it. It’s hard to juggle everything, but it’s worth it."

Jihoon chuckled softly, reaching over to take Soonyoung’s hand. "We make it work. We’ve got our little routine now.

"So, have you two decided on anything for the baby yet?" Jihoon asked, turning his attention to Jeonghan, who was gently rubbing his stomach.

Jeonghan looked down, a soft laugh escaping him. "We’ve talked about names, but we’re still deciding. Seungcheol’s been pushing for something traditional, and I’ve been more... adventurous with my ideas."

Seungcheol grinned. "What can I say? I like the classics. Jeonghan’s suggestions are all over the place."

Jeonghan rolled his eyes playfully. "Hey, a little creativity never hurt anyone."

And that made all four of them laugh.

“You know hyung, on our flight Wonho can't stop talking about you. He's telling stories about you to his younger twin siblings. Wonho’s excited to see you.” Soonyoung said with a huge smile.

Jeonghan grinned, pleased. “Of course he is. I’m his favorite uncle.”

Jihoon scoffed. “You bought that favoritism with gifts.”

“Smart investments,” Jeonghan corrected. “Speaking of, I brought presents for all of them. Wonho has a new set of books, and the twins have matching plushies.”

Jihoon narrowed his eyes. “Nothing loud or annoying?”

Jeonghan gasped. “Do you think so little of me?”

“Yes,” Jihoon deadpanned.

Jeonghan smirked. “Well, you’re right. I also got them a toy piano and a talking robot.”

Jihoon groaned. “Hyung—”

“Too late, they’re wrapped and waiting,” Jeonghan said smugly. “I can’t wait to see their faces.”

Soonyoung chuckled. “You love chaos too much hyung."

"You don't have any idea," Seungcheol commented, shaking his head.

---

Late in the evening, after tucking the kids into bed, Jihoon and Soonyoung finally had a moment to themselves. They were curled up together on the couch, Jihoon leaning into Soonyoung’s arms as they scrolled through their phones in comfortable silence. The peaceful atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the familiar ding of an incoming video call.

Soonyoung glanced at the screen and grinned. “It’s the Wen husbands and Channie.”

Jihoon smirked, already expecting the usual chaos. “Answer it before they start spamming.”

With a tap, the screen filled with Jun, Minghao, and Chan’s faces. Jun was leaning in way too close to the camera, while Minghao sat behind him with an amused expression and their son A-Xing on his lap, busy playing with a toy drum. Chan, on the other hand, was grinning widely, waving at them.

“Hyung! Hyung!” Chan greeted enthusiastically. “How was your flight? You guys landed safely, right?”

Soonyoung let out a laugh. “No, we crashed, but we miraculously survived.”

Jihoon elbowed him. “Ignore him. Yes, we landed safely. We were exhausted, though, so we went straight to bed after arriving.”

Minghao nodded. “Makes sense. I bet the kids were all over the place, too.”

“You have no idea,” Soonyoung groaned, rubbing his temple. “Wonho wanted snacks in the middle of the flight, Jiyoung almost spilled juice on some businessman’s laptop, and Jiyo—”

“Jiyo somehow convinced a flight attendant to give her extra cookies,” Jihoon finished with a tired sigh. “I swear, that kid is gonna grow up to be a con artist.”

Jun burst out laughing. “A true Kwon. I’m so proud.”

Soonyoung feigned offense. “Excuse me! What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” Jun said with a knowing smirk. “Anyway, we wanted to let you know that we’ll be joining you guys in Korea in a couple of days.”

Soonyoung’s face lit up. “Really? That’s great! The kids will be so excited to see you all.”

“We’ll bring gifts, of course,” Minghao added, smirking. “So make sure they remember who their favorite uncles are.”

Jihoon rolled his eyes. “You guys do realize that Jeonghan-hyung already bribed them with toys, right?”

Minghao clicked his tongue. “That cheater. He always moves first.”

Chan pouted. “Do we need to step up our game?”

Soonyoung snickered. “You might have to.”

"Helloooo A-Xing," Jihoon suddenly greeted the child but the boy was completely unfazed making them all laugh.

"Hi A-Xing." Soonyoung greeted this time and the kid, looked up to the screen, waving his little hand with a big smile.

"Not fair!" Jihoon pouted.

As they all chuckled, Jun suddenly clapped his hands together, his tone shifting slightly. “Oh! Before I forget, Soonyoung, I sent you a message about the set date for your meet up with Wonwoo and Mingyu.”

At the mention of Wonwoo’s name, both Jihoon and Soonyoung quieted down slightly. Jihoon glanced at Soonyoung, who exhaled slowly before nodding. “Yeah, I saw your message. Thanks for setting it up.”

Jun’s expression softened. “I know it won’t be easy, but I really think it’s time.”

Jihoon sighed. “We know. We’ve talked about it, and we’re ready.”

Minghao hummed thoughtfully. “Just remember, you don’t have to force anything. Take it at your own pace.”

Chan, usually the loudest, seemed more subdued as he nodded. “Yeah. We just want you guys to be okay.”

Soonyoung smiled at their concern. “We will be. And… again thanks for setting this up.”

“Of course,” Jun said. Then he clapped his hands dramatically. “Now! Enough of the heavy stuff! Show us the kids before we hang up!”

Jihoon scoffed. “They’re asleep. And even if they weren’t, it’s almost midnight here.”

“Ugh, fine,” Jun huffed. “I’ll just steal them from you when we arrive.”

“You can try.”

With that, they exchanged a few more playful comments before ending the call, leaving Jihoon and Soonyoung sitting quietly in the dimly lit room.

Jihoon turned to Soonyoung. “Are you really ready for this?”

Soonyoung exhaled, then looked at Jihoon with a small, determined smile. “As long as I have you with me, yeah.”

Jihoon’s lips curled into a soft smile as he reached for Soonyoung’s

hand, intertwining their fingers. “Then we’ll face it together.”

---

The Han River stretched before them, the gentle breeze carrying the distant hum of the city. Jihoon and Soonyoung stood side by side, their shoulders barely touching, while Wonho shifted restlessly in front of them.

This meeting had been years in the making. Though the wounds from Wonwoo’s past actions were still there, time had softened their edges. Jihoon and Soonyoung had been aware that Wonwoo was in therapy—Jun had told them. That was how they even got his number. Jun had spoken cautiously, telling them that Wonwoo had changed, that he had been working through his issues, but Jihoon had remained skeptical.

People didn’t just change overnight.

Still, they were here. Because at the end of the day, Wonho deserved the chance to make his own decision.

Their attention snapped toward the approaching figures. Wonwoo and Mingyu.

Jihoon felt his heart tighten at the sight. Wonwoo looked different—not just in appearance, but in the way he carried himself. There was hesitation in his movements, a nervousness that hadn’t been there before. Mingyu walked beside him, their hands brushing occasionally in a silent show of support. Jihoon knew they were married now. That was another thing Jun had mentioned.

An awkward silence settled between them when they finally stood face-to-face.

Then, Wonwoo took a breath and offered a small, uncertain smile. "How have you all been?" he asked, his voice tentative, as if unsure whether he even had the right to ask.

Soonyoung hummed, tilting his head slightly. "We’re doing fine." His tone was neutral, guarded.

Jihoon didn’t speak, and Wonho only fidgeted, his small hands balling into fists.

Wonwoo nodded slowly, as if bracing himself. "That’s good." His voice wavered slightly before he swallowed and glanced at Mingyu, who gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I know you already heard from Jun," Wonwoo started, his voice quieter now. "That I’ve been in therapy. That I’ve been trying to... fix myself." He let out a shaky breath, rubbing a hand over his face. "I know I’ve done a lot of unforgivable things. I’ve spent years carrying that guilt, but I know guilt isn’t enough. I needed to change. And I’ve been trying."

He looked up, and Jihoon was struck by how much raw emotion was in his eyes.

"I used to think the world owed me something," Wonwoo admitted, his voice growing thick. "I was so angry, so bitter. I let my own pain and my own selfishness destroy everything I had. I blamed other people for my own mistakes because it was easier than admitting I was the problem."

He turned to Wonho, his eyes glistening. "And because of that, I left you."

Wonho stiffened, his small hands gripping the fabric of his pants.

"I wasn’t there for you," Wonwoo continued, his voice breaking. "I should have been. I should have fought for you. I should have been a father, but instead, I walked away. And that’s something I will regret for the rest of my life." He took in a shaky breath. "I know I don’t deserve to be in your life after what I did, but if—" his voice cracked, "—if there’s even the smallest chance that you’d let me... I’d like to try. Even if it’s just as someone you know, someone who cares about you."

Wonho stayed silent, his eyes flickering toward Soonyoung.

Wonwoo turned to Soonyoung then, his body trembling slightly. "Soonyoung... I don’t even know where to start with you." His voice was filled with so much remorse that even Jihoon felt the weight of it. "I broke your heart. I betrayed you. I left you alone to raise a child that was supposed to be ours. And despite everything, you still did it. You raised him. You gave him a family, a home, all by yourself. I can never, ever thank you enough for that."

Soonyoung’s throat bobbed, but he remained quiet, his expression unreadable.

"And Jihoon..." Wonwoo turned to him, and Jihoon tensed.

"You were my best friend. My brother. And I treated you like the enemy." Wonwoo's voice cracked, and the regret in his expression was almost suffocating. "I blamed you for things that weren’t your fault. I resented you for what happened between our parents, as if you had any control over that. I took out my pain on you, lashed out at you, because I was too much of a coward to face what really hurt." He let out a ragged breath. "I was selfish. I was cruel. I hurt you in ways I can never take back."

Jihoon clenched his fists. The years of pain, of betrayal, of wondering if the person he once called his best friend ever felt even an ounce of regret—it was all hitting him at once.

"And yet..." Wonwoo swallowed thickly, glancing at Wonho. "Despite everything, you still accepted my son. You still loved him, raised him as if he were your own. You gave him everything I couldn’t. And Jihoon, I don’t deserve your kindness. But still... thank you. Thank you for being the father I never was."

Jihoon’s chest ached.

This wasn’t just an apology. This was Wonwoo finally taking responsibility for all the damage he had caused. And while words couldn’t erase years of pain, Jihoon could see it—the genuine remorse in his eyes, the way he trembled with every breath, as if he was terrified of losing the last shred of hope he had.

Mingyu, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke. "I know none of this is easy," he said quietly. "And I don’t expect you to forgive him or even me.. us.. right away. But I’ve been with him through all of it—through the therapy, the nights he spent breaking down because he realized how much he lost. He’s changed. He’s trying. We are both trying..."

Wonwoo nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know I can’t ask for much. But... if there’s even the smallest chance that we can start over, even just a little..." His voice trailed off, uncertainty hanging in the air.

Wonho looked up at Soonyoung, then Jihoon, searching their faces. He was still young, still trying to understand everything. But the man in front of him—the one who had left—wasn’t the same man from the stories he had heard. He was different.

Jihoon exhaled quietly, the years of pain pressing down on him.

This wasn’t something that could be fixed in one night. But maybe—just maybe—it was the start of something new.

Soonyoung exhaled deeply, glancing around before gesturing toward a quieter spot by the riverbank, away from the prying eyes of passersby. “Let’s sit somewhere more private,” he suggested. No one objected, and the five of them walked toward a secluded bench near the water. The sound of the river was calming, but the tension between them was still thick.

Once they settled, Soonyoung looked down at his hands for a moment before turning to Wonwoo with a small, sad smile. “You know, for a long time, I held onto all the pain, all the anger. It was easier to stay mad than to try and understand why things happened the way they did.” His voice was steady but carried a weight of emotions. “But now, looking back… I realize why it all happened.”

Jihoon felt a soft squeeze on his hand and turned to see Soonyoung intertwining their fingers. He wasn’t expecting the sudden gesture, but the warmth of Soonyoung’s grip was grounding. When he looked up, Soonyoung was smiling at him—not just any smile, but one filled with love.

Wonwoo’s eyes drifted to their joined hands, and for the first time, he noticed the rings on their fingers. His lips parted slightly in realization, and after a moment, he cleared his throat. “Oh,” he said awkwardly. “Congratulations.” His voice wavered slightly, but it was sincere.

Soonyoung chuckled softly and nodded. “Thank you. And congratulations to you too.” He glanced at Mingyu, who gave him a small, appreciative smile.

Silence lingered for a few moments before Soonyoung spoke again, his voice quieter this time. “You know… when I first found out about you and Mingyu back then, I was devastated.” He let out a shaky breath. “It wasn’t just the betrayal—I mean, of course, that hurt like hell. But what scared me the most was raising Wonho alone. I was barely holding myself together, and suddenly, I had this tiny life depending on me.” He glanced down at Wonho, who was still sitting quietly, just watching everything unfold. “I was terrified.”

Wonwoo swallowed, his expression pained. “I know,” he admitted. “And I hate that I made you go through that. I hate that I was so caught up in my own selfishness that I didn’t stop to think about the consequences.” He clenched his fists. “I was an asshole. I abandoned you. I abandoned Wonho. And I’ll never forgive myself for that.”

The raw emotion in his voice made Mingyu reach for his hand, gripping it tightly. Mingyu took a deep breath before speaking. “I was part of that, too. I should’ve known better. I should’ve stopped it before it got to that point. But I didn’t, and for that… I’m sorry, Soonyoung.” He turned to Jihoon as well. “I’m sorry to you too, Jihoon. I know you suffered because of everything that happened.”

Jihoon studied Mingyu for a moment before sighing. “You both hurt a lot of people,” he said bluntly, but not unkindly. “But… if you’re really trying to change, then that means something. I hope you continue to be better this time.”

Wonwoo bit his lip and nodded. “I am. I promise, I am.” His eyes flickered toward Wonho again, but the child remained silent, his gaze unreadable.

There was still a long way to go, but at least now, they were finally talking.

Wonho shifted in his seat, his small hands clasped together in his lap. He had been silent for most of the conversation, just watching, just listening. But now, as he looked at the man who had left before he could even remember, he felt something settle in his heart—something Jihoon and Soonyoung had always taught him.

“You know,” Wonho started, his voice soft but steady, “Daddy and Papa Jihoon always tell me that loving people also means learning to forgive them.” He glanced at Soonyoung and Jihoon, as if for reassurance, before turning back to Wonwoo. “And… I think I can forgive you, Papa Won.”

The words hit like a tidal wave. Wonwoo’s breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening in shock before filling with tears. He looked at his son—his son who had every right to hate him, to reject him, but instead was offering him something he never thought he’d deserve.

Tears spilled down Wonwoo’s face, and before he could stop himself, he reached out, pulling Wonho into his arms, holding him tighter than he ever had before. A choked sob left his lips as he pressed his face into his son’s small shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered between cries. “I’m so, so sorry. I love you, Wonho. I never stopped loving you.”

Wonho hesitated for just a moment before wrapping his little arms around Wonwoo’s neck, returning the embrace. His grip was firm, his warmth genuine, and for the first time in years, Wonwoo felt whole again.

Jihoon watched the reunion with quiet emotion, his fingers curling slightly into Soonyoung’s. He felt a lump in his throat but didn’t fight it. This was a moment for Wonho—a moment the child deserved.

Soonyoung let out a shaky exhale, his own eyes misty. He had never expected this to happen, not so soon, not so openly. And yet, here they were.

After a while, Wonwoo pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on Wonho’s shoulders. He wiped at his tear-streaked face with a watery chuckle before turning to Jihoon and Soonyoung. “Thank you,” he said, voice still thick with emotion. “For raising him into such an amazing kid. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

Jihoon crossed his arms, raising a brow. “You can start by not screwing up again,” he said, though there was no real bite to his words.

Wonwoo let out a wet laugh, nodding. “Fair.” He sniffled, rubbing his eyes before looking at Wonho again. A teasing smile tugged at his lips. “You know, I always thought my kid would be a mini version of me… but I think I see more of Jihoon in you.”

Wonho tilted his head, confused. “Why?”

Wonwoo grinned. “The judging stares. The unimpressed face. The little pout when you’re annoyed.” He pointed at Jihoon. “You got that from him.”

Jihoon scoffed, but Soonyoung burst into laughter, nodding in agreement. “He’s not wrong.”

Wonho pouted—unintentionally proving Wonwoo’s point. 

Then Wonwoo swallowed hard, his nerves suddenly creeping back in. He rubbed his palms against his jeans, trying to find the right words before he finally spoke.

“H-How… how are the twins? I heard you had twins.” he asked hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper. His throat felt dry, and his heart pounded against his ribs.

Jihoon stiffened slightly. The memory was still there—etched into his mind. The way he had hit the ground, the sharp pain, the sight of blood that had sent fear shooting through his entire body. For a moment, he had thought he was going to lose them.

Soonyoung noticed Jihoon’s hesitation and instinctively squeezed his hand, offering silent support.

Jihoon took a breath before answering, his voice steadier than he expected. “They’re fine. Healthy.”

Wonwoo let out a shaky exhale, his shoulders sagging in relief. “I—I really thought…” He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

“They’re as pretty as their Papa Hoonie,” Soonyoung chimed in, his usual warmth returning as he nudged Jihoon gently. “You should see them. Jiyo’s the youngest, but she’s got the biggest smiles.”

Jihoon shot Soonyoung a side glance but didn’t refute it. “Jiyoung’s a bit louder,.. he's so much like Soonyoung,” he added.

Wonwoo nodded, absorbing the information, though the guilt still lingered in his eyes.

Then, Jihoon turned the conversation around. “Jun mentioned a baby… the one you and Mingyu are taking care of,” he said, tilting his head slightly.

Mingyu, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke up. “Oh—yeah.” A small, fond smile appeared on his face. “We opted for surrogacy.”

Soonyoung’s brows lifted. “Really?”

Mingyu nodded. “Yeah. The baby’s with my parents right now. They’re absolutely obsessed.” He let out a small chuckle. “First grandchild in the family, so they’re spoiling them rotten.”

Jihoon hummed. “Sounds about right.”

Wonwoo glanced at Mingyu, his expression softening. “They’re good with the baby. They love them so much.”

Soonyoung grinned. “Well, that’s one lucky kid.”

The conversation shifted, the air gradually becoming lighter. There was still a lot to unpack, but for now, they were talking. They were healing. And that was enough.

The air around them was no longer thick with tension, memories of the past still lingered. It was like walking through the ruins of a place they once called home—painful, yet familiar. Still, they were here. They were talking. And that was more than Jihoon and Soonyoung had expected when they first decided to reach out.

Wonwoo let out a deep breath, rubbing at his eyes before looking at Wonho again. His gaze was filled with emotion, a mix of relief, sorrow, and an aching kind of love that had taken years to fully understand. “You’re so grown up now,” he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief.

Wonho blinked up at him, his expression unreadable for a moment before he offered a small, shy smile. “I’m nine,” he said simply, as if that explained everything.

A wet chuckle escaped Wonwoo. “Yeah. Nine.” He let out a shaky breath. “I missed so much.”

Soonyoung shifted beside Jihoon, his hand unconsciously moving to rub slow circles against Jihoon’s palm. “Yeah, you did,” he said honestly, but there was no anger in his voice, only a quiet acceptance of the truth.

Wonwoo flinched slightly but nodded. “I know,” he admitted. “And I know I don’t deserve to ask, but…” He hesitated before looking at Soonyoung and Jihoon. “How—how is he really? How’s Wonho doing? Not just right now but… growing up? Was he happy?”

Jihoon glanced at Soonyoung, allowing him to speak first.

Soonyoung exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a small smile as he glanced at their son. “He’s amazing,” he said, pride lacing every syllable. “Wonho is one of the smartest kids I’ve ever met. He’s curious, he asks questions about everything, and when he wants to learn something, he won’t stop until he gets it. He's also very good at playing a lot of instruments now.”

Jihoon chuckled. “Sounds familiar.”

Wonho beamed, shifting closer to Jihoon.

“He’s doing great in school,” Jihoon continued. “Top of his class in a few subjects. His teachers say he’s hardworking and kind.” He ruffled Wonho’s hair affectionately. “Though sometimes he can be stubborn.”

Wonho pouted at that. “I’m not stubborn.”

Soonyoung let out a soft laugh. “Sure, kid.”

Wonwoo’s eyes glistened as he listened, his lips pressing together to keep them from trembling. “That’s… that’s amazing,” he whispered. “I’m so proud of you, Wonho.” His voice cracked slightly at the end.

Wonho’s smile faltered for a moment before he hesitated, then quietly said, “Thank you, Papa Won.”

His breath caught, and within seconds, he was crying again, covering his face with both hands as his shoulders shook. Still can’t believe that his child is finally calling him ‘papa’.

Mingyu, who had been holding it together up until now, rubbed slow circles on Wonwoo’s back, his own eyes misty.

“Damn,” Soonyoung mumbled, his own throat tight at the sight. Jihoon squeezed his hand in silent support.

Wonho’s expression softened, and after a moment, he shifted closer, wrapping his arms around Wonwoo in a hesitant yet warm embrace.

Wonwoo immediately pulled him in, hugging him so tightly it was as if he was trying to make up for all the years he had lost. Pressing a kiss on the child's temple, “Thank you,” he choked out. “Thank you for giving me a chance. I promise, I won’t waste it.”

Wonho didn’t reply, but he tightened his hold, and that was enough.

After a few minutes, Wonwoo finally pulled back, wiping his tears away with a shaky chuckle. “God, I’m a mess.”

The conversation shifted again, this time to newer things—lighter things. They spoke about the twins, about Soonyoung and Jihoon’s life in China, about Jihoon’s dream school finally being built. Jihoon spoke about it with a quiet kind of passion, his fingers twitching slightly as he described the plans, the layout, and how he wanted to create a space where kids could learn music freely.

Wonwoo listened, a small, genuine smile forming. “That’s… that’s incredible, Jihoon,” he said softly. “I always knew you’d do something like this.”

Jihoon blinked, slightly surprised at the sincerity in Wonwoo’s voice. He cleared his throat. “It’s still a work in progress.”

"But it's starting... You deserve it Jihoon, you deserve it." Wonwoo says, with no hints of envy only sincerity.

They talked for a long time, the past slowly giving way to the present. It wasn’t perfect, and maybe it never would be, but there was something new in the air now—hope.

And for the first time in a long time, it felt like they were finally moving forward. It felt liberating to finally forgive someone.

---

The night air was cool and gentle as Jihoon and Soonyoung stepped back into their vacation house, the warmth of their home wrapping around them like a quiet embrace. The meeting with Wonwoo and Mingyu had drained them emotionally, but as they moved through the house, checking on their children, making sure each of them was tucked in comfortably, they felt lighter.

Jihoon lingered by the twins’ room, peeking inside to see Jiyo curled up against Jiyoung, both of them breathing softly in sleep. His heart clenched at the sight—his babies, safe and sound. He adjusted Jiyo’s blanket slightly before stepping back, letting the door close with a soft click.

Soonyoung was doing the same in Wonho’s room, standing by the bed as he brushed his fingers through their eldest son’s hair. Wonho stirred slightly but didn’t wake, his tiny hands clutching the edge of his blanket. Soonyoung watched him for a long moment before exhaling, pressing a light kiss to the top of Wonho’s head.

When they finally made their way back to their own room, exhaustion settled in. Jihoon ran a hand through his damp hair, fresh from a shower, before sitting on the edge of the bed. He let out a deep sigh, rubbing at his face.

“That was… a lot,” Soonyoung murmured as he sat beside him.

Jihoon hummed in agreement. “Yeah.” He let his hands fall to his lap, his fingers curling slightly. “But I think… it went better than I expected.”

Soonyoung nodded, leaning back against the headboard. His gaze flickered to Jihoon, soft and warm despite the long day they had. “It did. Wonwoo… he’s changed.”

Jihoon exhaled slowly. “Yeah. I could see it in his eyes. He really regrets everything.”

“He does.” Soonyoung tilted his head slightly, as if processing it all. “And you know what? It felt good.”

Jihoon turned to him, eyebrows slightly furrowed. “Hmm?”

Soonyoung smiled, small but real. “Forgiving him.” He glanced down at his hands. “I never thought I’d be able to say that and mean it, but I do. I really do.”

Jihoon watched him for a long moment before nodding. “Me too,” he admitted. “It doesn’t erase everything, but it makes it… easier. I feel free...”

Soonyoung reached out, taking Jihoon’s hand in his own. Observing their matching wedding bands and how Jihoon's hand perfectly fits his, “And now we can come back to Korea without anything holding us down,” he murmured. “No more avoiding places or worrying about bumping into someone.”

Jihoon squeezed his hand. “Yeah,” he whispered.

For a moment, they simply sat there, the reality of everything settling between them. It felt like a chapter had finally closed—one that had been left open and unfinished for years. And now, with everything out in the open, with Wonwoo’s heartfelt apology and Wonho’s quiet but meaningful forgiveness, they could finally move forward without hesitation.

Jihoon looked at Soonyoung then, really looked at him. At the way his eyes still held traces of unshed emotion, at the way his lips curled slightly, exhausted but content. Soonyoung had carried so much pain over the years, and now, it was like some of it had finally been lifted.

Before he could second-guess himself, Jihoon reached out, cupping Soonyoung’s cheek. Soonyoung blinked, surprised by the tenderness, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned into Jihoon’s touch, eyes fluttering shut for a brief moment before opening again.

And then Jihoon kissed him.

It wasn’t hurried or desperate, but deep and full of emotion, carrying everything they had been through—the struggles, the pain, the healing. Soonyoung responded instantly, his hands coming up to hold Jihoon close, his lips moving against his with quiet urgency.

Jihoon shifted, turning fully toward Soonyoung as their kisses grew more fervent, more unrestrained. Soonyoung pulled him in, tilting his head to deepen the kiss, his fingers pressing into Jihoon’s waist. It was warm and overwhelming in the best way, as if they were pouring every unsaid word, every emotion, into each other.

By the time they pulled away, they were both breathless, foreheads resting against one another. Soonyoung let out a quiet laugh, his thumb brushing over Jihoon’s cheek.

“I love you,” he murmured, the words slipping out naturally.

He let out a small, breathy chuckle before leaning in again, pressing another lingering kiss to Soonyoung’s lips.

“I love you too,” he whispered back.

As they lay there, both enjoying the peacefulness filling the room, Jihoon rested his head against Soonyoung's chest, their bodies still intertwined beneath the soft sheets. The comforting silence between them spoke volumes, but it was the weight of the years they had spent together that seemed to hang in the air, weaving around them like an unspoken bond. 

Soonyoung gently ran his fingers through Jihoon’s hair, his touch soft and tender. Jihoon let out a contented sigh, his eyes fluttering closed as he melted into the warmth of Soonyoung’s embrace. They didn’t need words to understand each other anymore—just the quiet moments where they could reflect on how far they had come. 

They should really take their time to rest tonight, the next few days will be filled with activities they planned for the kids to enjoy their Korea trip.

Soonyoung, his voice low and full of warmth, broke the silence. "You know... sometimes, I think about when we first saw each other again in China," he said, his voice soft but filled with emotion. "It feels like so much has happened since then, but in a way, it also feels like it was just yesterday. I never imagined we would get here, you know? That we’d be here—together—building this life."

Jihoon smiled, his heart swelling with affection as he gazed up at Soonyoung. "I never did, either," Jihoon replied, his voice a little strained with emotion. "But I’m so glad we did. I think about all the years we spent apart, all the pain... and how we still found our way back to each other. I’m lucky."

"Yeah," Soonyoung chuckled softly, but there was a quiet sincerity to his words. "Lucky. At the same time I think it’s fated."

Jihoon snuggled closer, his fingers lightly tracing the outline of Soonyoung’s jaw. "I think about the kids, too. About how much love we have for them. You’ve been such an amazing father to Wonho, Jiyo, and Jiyoung... I couldn’t have asked for a better partner."

Soonyoung’s eyes softened, his heart swelling at the words. "And you’ve been the best partner anyone could ask for. I couldn’t imagine doing this without you." He kissed the top of Jihoon’s head, his voice turning quieter, more sincere. "We’re in this together, Jihoon. Always."

Soonyoung shifted onto his side, propping himself up on an elbow as he gazed at Jihoon, his expression tender. "You know," he started, voice quiet but full of certainty, "I feel like no matter what universe, no matter what timeline, I’d always find my way back to you. You are my soulmate."

Jihoon turned his head slightly, his lips curling into a small smile as he listened.

Soonyoung continued, his fingers tracing idle patterns on Jihoon's arm. "Even if we were born as completely different people, in completely different circumstances, I feel like I’d still love you. And if there’s a next life... I’d search for you again. I’d choose you, again and again, every single time."

Jihoon swallowed, his chest tightening at Soonyoung’s words. He had always known that Soonyoung loved him, but moments like this—where love was spoken with such raw sincerity—always left him breathless.

Just then, Jihoon’s eyes flickered toward the clock on the nightstand. The red digital numbers blinked 12:00 AM.

Without a word, Jihoon sat up, causing Soonyoung to furrow his brows in confusion. Jihoon slipped out from under the blanket and walked across the room to where his guitar rested in the corner. He picked it up, strummed a few notes to make sure it was in tune, and then settled back onto the bed.

Soonyoung watched in curiosity, his heart already racing. "Jihoon...?"

Jihoon didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he positioned the guitar properly, fingers pressing against the strings, and then—he began to sing.

If a second life that’s
different from now is to come to me
Will I be by your side? Will you be by my side?

Soonyoung’s breath hitched the moment he heard the first few lyrics. The song was about a second life, about love transcending time and space, about always finding one another no matter what. His chest swelled with emotions as he realized that just minutes ago, they had been talking about the very same thing.

I imagine things like this
Even if they’re words I mentioned as a joke
Will you believe me?
Even if it’s a funny imagination
 
On a sudden day when I’m left alone
I’ll take my steps towards you again
 When I see my face in your two eyes
As if the world has stopped, I will hug you

If I am given a second life
I may live and breathe differently compared to now
Among the streets we’ll walk past each other without knowing

Jihoon's voice, always beautiful, always full of emotion, wrapped around Soonyoung like the warmest embrace. His expression was peaceful, eyes closed as he poured his heart into every lyric. And Soonyoung, sitting there completely mesmerized, thought to himself: He is so perfect. He is so handsome and adorable at the same time. I couldn’t ask for more.

We’re already beautiful
I like it because it’s us
No words are necessary
The gaze, the touch
 
Even if a second life that’s
Different from now comes to me
The one thing I can say is
That I’m going to be by your side
 
On a sudden day when I’m left alone
I’ll take my steps towards you again
 
When I see my face in your two eyes
As if the world has stopped, I will hug you
 
If I am given a second life
I may live and breathe differently compared to now
Among the streets we’ll walk past each other without knowing
I hope we remember each other
Even in our next life Even at that time, I’ll go to you
 
Being forgotten is common
Why are those common occurrences
Rather not easy for me?
 
Second life, second life
I know it can’t go my way
 
If I am given a second life
I may live and breathe differently compared to now
Among the streets we’ll walk past each other without knowing
I hope we remember each other Even in our next life Even at that time, I’ll go to you..

As the final notes faded into the quiet room, Jihoon set the guitar aside and looked at Soonyoung with a soft smile.

"Happy wedding anniversary, Soonie. It's a song I composed for you, for our anniversary dinner later but since you mentioned something about second life so..... I'll let you hear the recorded version later."

Soonyoung’s breath caught in his throat, and before he could stop himself, tears spilled from his eyes. He quickly wiped at them, letting out a shaky laugh, but the emotions overwhelmed him. "H-Hoonie, my love," he choked out, trying to compose himself. "Happy anniversary."

Jihoon reached forward, cupping his husband’s face and gently wiping away his tears with his thumbs.

Soonyoung let out a wet chuckle, shaking his head. "How am I supposed to top this? You just gave me the most beautiful song, the most perfect gift."

Jihoon leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against Soonyoung’s damp cheeks. "You, Wonho, and the twins… you’re the best gifts I could ever ask for."

Soonyoung let out a choked laugh, gripping Jihoon’s hands tightly. "You—" he exhaled, shaking his head as he sniffled. "You always say things that make me cry."

Jihoon chuckled, his eyes shimmering with love. "Such a cry baby..My cry baby."

Soonyoung sniffled once more before suddenly straightening up. "Wait—now it’s my turn!"
Jihoon raised an amused eyebrow. "Oh?"

Soonyoung cleared his throat dramatically before starting to sing. Unlike Jihoon’s song, his wasn’t an original composition—but the moment Jihoon recognized the melody, he couldn’t help but break into the widest smile.

"I wanna make you smile, whenever you’re sad... Carry you around when your arthritis is bad...All I wanna do is to grow old with you~"

Jihoon let out a laugh, shaking his head fondly. Of course, Soonyoung had chosen Grow Old With You. It was so like him—silly, heartfelt, and full of love. While singing, he is peppering kisses on Jihoon’s hands especially around the wedding band.

Soonyoung continued, his voice steady despite the earlier tears. His eyes never left Jihoon’s, every word a promise, every lyric carrying the weight of his devotion.

As the song ended, Soonyoung reached for Jihoon’s hands once more, his gaze sincere. "I want that, Ji. To grow old with you. To stay together till our hairs turn gray, till our time in this world is up."

Jihoon’s heart swelled, his fingers tightening around Soonyoung’s.
"Me too," he whispered. "Now and Forever, Always."

And as they lay back down, tangled in each other’s warmth, they both knew—this love, in this lifetime and the next, was forever.

Fin.