Chapter Text
It was already six in the morning when James opened his eyes and lay there for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling. Not because he was too tired to get up, but because those few moments were the only time he could still pretend the day hadn't begun.
The omega quickly got out of bed, a smile already on his face as he glanced at the nightstand and spotted a photo of the twins smiling back from when they were tiny, just four months old. They had looked more alike back then.
In the corner of the nightstand, the small paper box sat exactly where it always had. Inside rested two tiny white crocheted booties, embroidered with small musical notes. James’s gaze lingered on the box for a moment. His fingers twitched as if to open the lid... but stopped halfway; he turned away and headed straight for the kitchen.
“Another day,” James said to himself as he placed two saucepans on the stove, one with milk, the other with water. He set out the containers of chocolate powder and coffee side-by-side on the counter before heading to the bathroom for an incredibly quick shower, changing into comfortable clothes and tidying his short blonde hair.
He returned to the stove just in time to turn off the heat under the saucepans. He prepared a full mug of coffee for himself and two cups of hot chocolate for the twins, using lidded cups this time, since the boys had lately been unable to drink from regular cups without making a huge mess.
“Now, time to wake up the little monsters,” James said, straightening up and setting the table. He always left toast out for the kids, though they usually only drank their hot chocolate in the morning; he preferred to put his real effort into their packed lunches and afternoon snacks instead.
James slowly entered the boys' room; it was decked out with various superhero figures and toy cars, as well as sharks and dinosaurs—a complete visual jumble, but James had made sure to honor every one of their requests. Keonho was asleep, hugging a stuffed shark; he looked so serene, nothing like the mischievous little alpha he usually was. James woke him first, gently stroking his dark hair. "Time to wake up, my little shark," James said softly, planting a kiss on his forehead and beaming at his son’s grumbling response.
"Just five more minutes..." Keonho mumbled sleepily.
"Oh, what a shame; I guess you'll miss class today, then," James said, pretending to get up.
"I'm up!" Keonho shot up instantly, leaving the stuffed shark on the bed and tucking it under the covers. "We have music class today, I can't miss it!"
"If I’d known class had such an immediate effect, I would’ve found a way to get you studying sooner." James had to bite his lip to hold back a laugh. "Now, wait for Omma on the couch; I’m going to wake Sean up."
Keonho nodded and headed to the living room, yawning and walking with sleepy steps.
James chuckled softly as he watched him go, then walked over to Seonghyeon’s bed, which was on the same side of the room as Keonho’s, just a short distance away. He affectionately stroked Seonghyeon’s hair and kissed the little alpha’s forehead; the boy smiled in response, revealing that he was already waking up. "Time to get up, my dinosaur," James said quietly, picking the boy up in his arms as soon as he opened his eyes and reached up for him.
"Carry me, Omma," Seonghyeon said, wrapping his arms around James’s neck and resting his head on the redhead’s shoulder.
"I sure will, my baby." James smiles as he walks into the living room, where Keonho is on the verge of dozing off while sitting up; however, the boy quickly stands up when he sees James and Seonghyeon, pouting.
“I want to be carried too!” Keonho stomps his foot and crosses his arms.
“Don’t you think you’re a bit too big for Omma to carry both of you at once?” James said with a soft smile, though he already crouched down; he kept holding Seonghyeon with one arm while offering the other to Keonho, who came running over to cling to him. “I’ve got two little koalas.”
The children stayed glued to James until he led them to the bathroom and carefully set them down by the sink. He laughed at the complaints coming from the little ones as he handed them their toothbrushes with toothpaste already on them. After washing their faces, fixing their hair, and getting them dressed for school, James took them to the kitchen table and handed them their cups.
“Let me know when you’re finished; you can take your time drinking,” James said, smiling at his sons. They smiled back and started drinking their hot chocolate while James sipped his coffee, watching them.
When they were done, James stepped over to put on their shoes and slipped their backpacks onto their shoulders, leaving only their lunchboxes for them to carry. They skipped off toward school, though they held their lunchboxes carefully after James had warned them more than three times not to swing their snacks around.
“Have a good day at school, my little ones; Omma will be back soon to pick you up.” James planted a kiss on each of their foreheads, handed them their backpacks, and watched as the boys headed into the classroom. “They grow up so fast.”
In the teachers' lounge, Martin was taking advantage of the fact that his classes weren't until later; he sat in a corner, put on his headphones, and pulled out the notebook he used for lesson notes. Although he liked to improvise rather than stick to a strict script, he did like to jot down the materials he’d use or the songs he’d present to the children.
Martin scanned his notes from previous classes, rhythms, instruments, performance pieces, drums, shakers, and then scribbled down another line.
Baby Shark?
He let the tip of his pencil rest against the paper for a few seconds.
Kids that age usually liked songs that were easy to follow along with... and, remembering how excited Keonho had been when talking about sharks, he was pretty sure the whole class would join in the fun.
"I wonder if they'd like it if I played 'Baby Shark'?" Martin murmured, as if talking to himself, but he was startled when he heard his best friend laughing behind him.
"'Baby Shark'? Isn't that a bit played out?" Juhoon remarked, leaning against the table and facing Martin.
"It's a great song for kids," Martin replied, taking off his headphones to look at Juhoon.
"Funny... until last week, you were picking songs based on rhythm. Now you're picking them based on a student's sharks," Juhoon said, his grin widening at the admission.
"Where did you get that idea?" Martin blinked in confusion, closing his notebook. "Aren't you supposed to be in class right now?"
"I've got a different class today," Juhoon replied simply, picking up a mug of coffee and taking a slow sip. "Anyway, good luck with 'Baby Shark' today," he concluded, leaving the room with a smile on his face.
"Idiot," Martin snorted. He picked up his guitar and tested out the chords to the children's song he’d mentioned; he looked it up online and found it quickly. He couldn't help but smile when he nailed the chords so quickly, soon singing along softly to the song's catchy melody. “Perfect.”
That morning’s class was filled with laughter and music. As soon as Martin struck the first chords of "Baby Shark," the entire room recognized the melody almost instantly. Within seconds, the children were singing along while mimicking fins with their hands. Unsurprisingly, Keonho was the most enthusiastic of them all; he sang loudly, exaggerated his gestures, and made sure to show that he knew every move of the choreography. His energy was so infectious that the whole class soon joined in, turning the music room into a scene of organized chaos, exactly the way Martin liked it.
As he walked among the students, handing out praise and helping those who were still struggling with the rhythm, Martin’s gaze lingered on Seonghyeon for a moment. Unlike on the first day, the little boy no longer clutched his shaker against his chest or watched everything in silence. He sang softly, followed his classmates' movements, and even raised his hand to answer when Martin asked which animal should be included in the next song. The subtle smile that appeared on the boy’s face made Martin smile, too. It was too early to measure any real progress, but seeing that shyness give way to confidence, however gradually, was one of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher; helping through music was truly magnificent.
The rest of the class continued in the same spirit, with songs, unexpected questions, and children trying to show off their own versions of the dance moves. Before he knew it, time had flown by faster than Martin expected, and the bell signaling the end of class echoed through the hallways.
"Alright, little musicians, time to put the instruments away!" Martin said, clapping twice to get the class's attention. "Mr. Drum needs a rest after all that fame today; 'Baby Shark' really wore him out."
The children laughed as they returned the instruments to their proper places. Gradually, the room settled down, though it remained filled with excited voices chatting about the music. After getting everything organized, Martin walked the students to the school gate, just as he did every day. Some children would run toward their guardians as soon as they recognized their faces, while others stayed close to the teachers, waiting to be called.
Among them were the Chao twins.
Martin crouched down to their level, watching the brothers, who seemed to have enough energy left for a few more hours of class.
“What did you think of today’s class?” he asked, smiling.
“I liked the shark!” Keonho answered immediately.
“I liked it when everyone sang along,” Seonghyeon added, clutching the strap of his backpack.
“Really? That makes me happy,” Martin said, adjusting the guitar case on his back. “So, tomorrow you can tell me something: which instrument would you choose if you could have a band?”
“I’m going to play the drums!” Keonho’s eyes sparkled as he answered excitedly.
“I’m going to play…” Seonghyeon thought hard. “The shaker.”
“A very important instrument.” Martin stifled a laugh. “You really liked Mr. Shaker.”
“Do you promise to listen to our band when we have one?” Keonho held out his pinky finger, and Seonghyeon followed suit, extending his own pinky.
“I promise.” Martin interlaced his fingers with theirs, chuckling softly at their excitement.
They were so engrossed that they didn’t notice a man watching them, holding back a smile as he took in the scene, until the little ones glanced over their shoulders at the same moment. It was almost funny how they both wore the exact same look of surprise before reacting. Then, their little faces lit up.
“OMMA!” Their voices rang out in unison, as always happened when they were excited.
Martin didn’t even have time to stand up fully before the two of them ran off in that direction.
“Slow down!” he heard a voice call out, accompanied by a laugh.
And then he saw him.
The man walking toward the two of them.
Mr. Chao looked even more striking than the last time Martin had seen him in the courtyard.
This was the first time Martin was seeing their father up close; before, he had only ever seen him from a distance. His short blond hair was slightly tousled by the wind, thin-framed glasses rested on his face, and there was such a natural smile on his lips as he watched his children running toward him that Martin immediately understood something he had already suspected.
That smile was the very same one found in the boys' drawings.
“My little ones…”
James crouched down the moment they arrived, opening his arms to welcome them both. Keonho practically threw himself at him, while Seonghyeon hugged his waist tightly.
“How was class today?” James asked, kissing each of them on the forehead.
As always, the two of them started talking at the same time.
“The teacher did the shark song!”
“Everyone sang along!”
“Keo danced so much!”
“Sean sang too!”
Martin stood a few paces back, watching the scene in silence.
It was strange.
He already knew the man was a good father, he had seen it, heard about it, but witnessing the scene up close was different; it was a whole family, all in the span of a few seconds.
Perhaps sensing he was being watched, James looked up.
His eyes met Martin’s for the first time.
And for a few seconds, neither of them said a word.
James was finally looking at the teacher; until then, he had only known the stories and the imitations his children did. Now... he saw an absurdly tall man with slightly messy blond hair, a guitar on his back, and an easy smile. And... those eyes. Their eyes met.
Neither of them looked away for a few seconds... It was strange. Very strange.
James feels as though he knows that man, yet he is certain he has never seen him before. He keeps looking into the man's eyes, sensing something, it feels as if something inside him is holding him back from crossing a certain barrier, pulling him away.
Martin already knows exactly why he feels this way; his wolf has recognized the other man instantly. However, the wolf belonging to the man before him seems to show no reaction at all; somehow, this makes Martin’s heart sink, a instinctive, slight disappointment.
Yet, he can hear his wolf’s voice in his mind: His wolf is hurt; be patient.
Martin’s shoulders drop in instant relief; the man isn't rejecting the bond, nor is he acknowledging it just yet, he is simply afraid.
The moment might have lasted longer, were it not for the twins tugging at James.
“Omma!” Seonghyeon calls out to get his attention.
“This is Professor Martin!” Keonho introduces him as if they were old friends.
Martin almost forgets how to speak when James smiles at him.
“Nice to meet you, Martin. I’m James, James Chao.” James extends his hand toward the tall blond man standing before him.
“Martin Edwards,” Martin says, snapping out of his reverie and shaking the other man's hand.
“So, you’re the one...” James says softly, slowly letting go of his hand. “I’ve spent two days hearing stories about you.”
“I hope they were good ones.” Martin gives an awkward, self-conscious laugh.
“They were!” Keonho interjects.
“He does a frog voice!” Seonghyeon adds, finishing his brother's sentence.
All four of them laugh, and the tension breaks naturally.
“Were you the one who mistook me for their brother?” James asks.
“I really wanted to pretend that never happened.” Martin closes his eyes in embarrassment.
James laughs, a genuine laugh. Martin feels shivers run down his spine; it is the most beautiful sound he has ever heard.
“Relax,” James says with a smile. “I, too, would forget that someone my age could have four-year-old children.”
Martin smiles, it’s the first time he’s seen James laugh like that, and thinks... “His smile is even more beautiful up close.”
But he doesn’t say it.
“I apologize for the confusion, Mr. Chao,” Martin said, giving a brief bow.
“James, you can call me James,” James said with a reassuring smile. “It’s all good, relax; it was a compliment.”
Martin let out a soft laugh, still feeling a bit awkward, but this time he managed to look the other man in the eye without wanting to run away from his own embarrassment.
“I’ll try to remember that in case they decide to tell the whole school the story,” he joked, glancing at the twins.
“I’m going to tell!” Keonho replied immediately, raising his hand as if making a solemn vow.
“Keo…” Seonghyeon chided his brother, though he was already laughing.
“Everyone needs to know that the teacher does a frog voice.”
“That is very important information,” James agreed with complete seriousness, making Martin laugh.
For a few minutes, the conversation remained casual. The children retold details of the lesson—stories they had likely shared many times before—yet James listened to every word as if hearing them for the first time.
Martin watched the scene in silence; it was exactly as he had imagined—not because the twins had told him, or because he had seen a drawing, but because it was happening right before his eyes.
James Chao was someone who made two children feel completely loved.
“Well…” James looked at his sons as he noticed the playground beginning to empty out. “Let’s go home, my little ones.”
The two boys wore expressions of defeat, as if they had just discovered that school didn't last forever.
“See you tomorrow, Mr. Martin!” Keonho waved excitedly.
“See you tomorrow, Teacher,” Seonghyeon repeated, a bit more quietly, but with a smile.
“See you tomorrow, little musicians.” Martin raised his hand in response.
James stared at Martin for a few seconds; not knowing how to say goodbye, he simply raised his hand in a wave, and Martin did the same, looking a bit awkward.
The twins each took one of James's hands and began walking toward the gate.
Martin stood still for a few moments, watching the three of them walk away.
His wolf was quiet.
For the first time since meeting James, it wasn't demanding answers; it was simply watching.
And Martin realized that perhaps the scariest thing wasn't the fact that this man was his omega—it was the fact that, even without the bond, even without the instinct... he wanted to get to know him. He wanted to know who James Chao was before he was the twins' father, before he was the man his wolf recognized; before everything, and beyond everything, he wanted to understand why his wolf was so quiet.
On the other side of the gate, James walked with his children, smiling as he listened to a new explanation about how sharks could play the drums. Then, for some reason, he looked back.
Martin was still there; their eyes met again.
This time, it was James who was slow to look away. There was something about that man, something he couldn't explain. He had never seen that face before, never heard that voice before. Yet... the feeling was strangely familiar.
As if some part of him already knew that smile.
"Why does that smile feel so familiar?"
James found no answer.
So, he simply held his children's hands and kept walking.
Unaware that the man who seemed so familiar would be the first person in a long time capable of making his heart falter.