Chapter Text
As soon as they were on the boat Nico and Levi separated from everyone else. There was an upper and lower deck and Rie watched Nico and Levi descend to the lower level hand in hand.
“I thought we were going to do this as a family,” she pouted.
“They’re on a date leave them be,” Junsu positioned himself on their favorite bench and pulled out a fresh Sudoku book.
“Are you even going to pay attention,” Rie pulled out her notepad to take score waiting for her husband to drop his puzzle.
“I’m gonna be juuuust fine. I’ve already got 10 points,” he said smugly.
“HOW? We just started and I haven’t seen anything yet!” Rie was stunned and quickly looked around to see if anything was moving in the water.
“There were two humpback whales over there. They barely broke the water but there were two of them,” he pointed a ways from the ship.
“And you couldn’t have told me? I’m your wife,” Rie looked displeased.
“Rie you already know how this works,” Junsu looked solemnly out onto the horizon. “On the ocean, my love…there are no husbands or wives…just enemies.”
Rie hit his arm eliciting an OW from her husband, “This is where Nico gets his ridiculous competitive streak from. You.”
“Maybe so,” Junsu rubbed his arm and returned to his Sudoku.
“Ok, I have to ask, Levi’s….blouse, is it a…?” Rie said in confusion trying to squint at Levi and get a better look.
“A woman’s sweater? Yes, I think it is.” Junsu kept his focus on his game.
“Do you think he knows?” She inquired seriously.
“Not sure but it looks nice on him either way. Even Sumin couldn’t pull off that color. Peach washes her out,” Junsu smiled as he spoke to his puzzle.
“DAD!” Sumin huffed.
“More importantly are you keeping your eyes peeled for whatever it is you’re looking for in regards to the two of them?” Junsu gave Rie a light push with his elbow.
“I am,” Rie cleared her throat, “There’s really just one thing I’m looking for.”
“It wouldn’t happen to be a sign of affection would it, because even Levi’s sweater couldn’t hide the hickey our son must have planted on him last night.” Junsu looked over the edge of the boat, “5 points.”
“What hickey?!? And 5 points where?” Rie’s head was spinning trying to find Nico on the deck below and see whatever her husband had seen beside the ship. Eventually she gave up on the whales, “A hickey? Is our son 16?”
“They’re young Rie leave them,” Junsu pointed to a dolphin in the distance trying to curb her attention. “10 Points.”
“Besides,” Sumin chimed in, “the bed in that room squeaks pretty badly and I didn’t hear anything so I’m sure they didn’t go all the wa-”
“Stop! Sumin!” Rie interrupted her daughter who was laughing through her binoculars.
“She’s right though my love. And I’ve never seen Nico so affectionate with anyone before so get to stamping,” Junsu chided before having Sumin steal his attention. “Sumin why did you bring yogurt when you don’t even like it?”
“Because, when Nico gets a high score then I can fling some on him and it’ll look like a bird pooped on him and he’ll loose points,” she smiled brightly.
“My god Sumin,” Junsu spoke with a repulsed tone, “it’s fucking genius.”
“I know,” she beamed. She looked across the boat locking eyes with a man she’d been staring at for some time. “I’m gonna go see if I can help HIM with anything.”
“There are no extra points for picking up strangers!” Junsu called after her, being ignored. He rolled his eyes, “I’m going to find the restroom. I shouldn’t have had all that juice. I hope you’ll be ok.”
“What are you talking about I’ll be fine without you,” Rie scoffed.
“I’m talking to my activity book. Don’t touch it because I’ll loose my place,” Junsu placed the book down gently and rushed off.
“Mom,” Nico stood over his mother blocking the sun with his height. “Can we get a kimbap roll?”
She nodded and looked through her bag taking out a roll, “Are you boys having fun? You must be setting a new record because even your father can barely keep up with his own points.”
Nico gave a bewildered look which was overtaken by a smile, “Actually I haven’t been keeping score.” The revelation surprised even him.
Rie face distorted into disbelief, “What do you mean you’re not keeping score?”
“We’re just having fun. Levi’s never done anything like this before so we’re looking around and taking pictures. I can’t remember the last time I just relaxed on one of these things. It’s nice. Thanks mom. I’m gonna get back before Levi freezes,” Nico hurried off with his snack leaving Rie sitting there in shock.
Nico…not keeping score. NiCo?!? In what world would Nico not keep score. Hell he started all this when he was six. And he’s the reason they had to implement all their rules because the boy would inflate dolphin pool toys and toss them in the ocean saying ’10 points bitch’ if it meant winning.
She got up and leaned against the railing watching as Nico made his way back to Levi. She’d watched for a few minutes when Junsu broke her concentration, “I hate having to use the bathroom on these things. The lines are so long next time I’ll just let my bladder explode thank you. It’ll be easier.” He looked over at Rie who was staring, deep in thought. “What are you looking at?”
“That,” she said dreamily.
Junsu realized she was talking about Nico and Levi. Nico had opened his puffed vest and zipped Levi into it with him to help him stay warm. They talked and laughed and occasionally Levi would feed Nico a piece of kimbap from their shared vest. Nico would press his forehead against Levi's and rub the tip of Levi's nose and breathe on his hands to keep the cold at bay. Throughout all of Nico's life, as Junsu watched him grow, he had never seen his son smile so much or radiate so much happiness. And he never expected his son was capable of such a warm expression.
“Stamped,” Rie said lightly.
“Really? You just wanted to see them flirting?” Junsu was perplexed as to what could have made her give in.
“No. Look at Nico’s face. Do you remember the first time you told me you loved me? You had that same look. You had it when you asked me to move in with you, marry you, when I told you I was pregnant with Nico then Sumin. That is the face of a man so happy and consumed with love that he even forgot to take score today.” Rie kept her eyes on them.
“OUR son forgot to take score??” Junsu exclaimed making Rie chuckle.
“All the ones before. They ended up treating him so terribly. Our son's heart endured so many scars and bruises I told myself I wouldn’t accept anyone who couldn’t make him happy. I wanted that face. I needed to see that face.” Rie continued to gaze at them while Junsu gazed at her. “That, is the look of someone who has found the love of their life.”