Chapter Text
"I will eat you, papa!"
Mingi took Hongjoong's head and pretended to bite it, making exaggerated chewing noises.
"Hey, don't take bites off my head! People will find me weird!" He grabbed Mingi's arm and bit slightly "now I ate your arm"
"Oh, no! Papa big monster!"
They continued to play like that until they passed the pet shop, you could see little puppies running around from outside.
Mingi's nose was touching the glass and he giggled sometimes when a puppy would try to run and fall on its face.
He looked so damn happy, maybe Hongjoong should just let him have a puppy.
Hongjoong saw how often puppies pooped and would just shake his head. Nope, no cute little monsters for Mingi.
He could have them when he really could take the responsibility.
"Come on, we have twenty minutes to get to school"
Mingi whined but took his hand, eyes glued to the puppies until he just couldn't see them anymore.
It wasn't long until they were outside Mingi's school.
It was early, so not many parents were there with their kids.
Judging by the way that man across from him was glaring at him, that was Park Wooyoung's dad.
Hongjoong glared back. He didn't fucking care if that man was the most handsome man he had ever seen, he had been trash talking his Minigi so he was basically dead to Hongjoong.
"Papa, I think I have to pee" said Mingi, tugging slightly on Hongjoong's jacket "papa!"
Hongjoong took Mingi's hand and walked right past that man, not sparing him a glance.
"Papa, are you mad? Did I do something?" asked Mingi as they walked through the school's hallway.
Hongjoong smiled down at his son and shook his head "of course you didn't, Minigi. I'm not mad, I promise"
Mingi just hummed and told Hongjoong to wait for him outside. He could do his business alone and without making a mess.
Hongjoong would like to believe it, but he knew his son.
He still waited outside.
Hongjoong saw Yeosang get out of a room. The teacher walked towards him, seemingly in a rush.
"Oh, Kim Hongjoong, it's so good to see you. Park Seonghwa called me last night and told me what happened- you are aware of what Mingi did, right?"
"Yes, I am. And I'm aware of what his kid did"
Yeosang let out a tired sigh "we tried to make Wooyoung stop calling your son names, we thought we could handle it rather than calling both of you here. I apologize, I should have told you about this sooner"
"Don't worry, I'm sure we can solve this. I've got the feeling that Park Wooyoung's dad doesn't know about his son's doings, maybe he will talk with Wooyoung and we will be able to forget about this"
"Hopefully, yes."
Mingi got out of the bathroom and immediately beamed at Yeosang.
"Good morning, teacher Kang!"
"Good morning, Mingi"
Kids were starting to come and Yeosang guided them into the classroom. Hongjoong helped Mingi take off his jacket, gloves, his scarf and the beanie.
"Remember to be a good boy today, alright?" He whispered, kneeling in front of his son "I love you. See you later, okay?"
Mingi nodded repeatedly and gave him a short hug "I love you too, papa. I will make you a pretty drawing today"
"I can't wait to see it" he kissed Mingi's cheek and let him go "okay, go to your desk"
"Bye, papa!"
He waved Mingi goodbye and got out of the classroom. It was full of moms warning their kids to be good or they'd kick their tiny asses.
Moms were scary.
Many moms were looking at Park Wooyoung's dad, too. He was in a corner, kneeling in front of his son and talking to him.
The boy was scrawny and had a weird undercut. That must have been because of the bubblegum Mingi put in his head. He kissed Wooyoung's cheek and went out.
Hongjoong pretended that he wasn't staring.
The man leaned on the wall and both of them waited for Yeosang outside.
Hongjoong distracted himself reading the papers that were on the wall. Apparently, the kids had to wear costumes of something they liked and do their best to explain why they had choose that costume.
It was due next week.
Great. So fucking great.
"Okay, uh- please follow me to the next room. It's empty and I'm sure we'll be comfortable there"
Hongjoong did and the dude did, too. He looked like that hardass boss everyone hated. Or maybe he was trying to look intimidating.
Hongjoong could play that game, too.
"Excuse me, will this take too long?" The man asked, quietly.
"Hopefully, no" smiled Yeosang.
Hongjoong liked him, he was really patient and the only teacher that could tolerate Mingi being the loud little monster that he was.
They got into the room and the three of them sat in front of a desk. Hongjoong and the other parent on one side and Yeosang on the other.
"Hongjoong, Mingi got bubblegum stuck in Wooyoung's hair. Please make sure he doesn't come to school with something like bubblegum ever again"
Hongjoong nodded once. He did bought bubblegum and gave one extra to his son, because he could never say no to Mingi.
"Seonghwa, I am really sorry to tell you this but Wooyoung has been bullying Mingi. He calls him names and laughs at him sometimes-"
"And he tells other kids to not to play with him"
Yeosang frowned as his eyes focused on Hongjoong again "I wasn't aware of that? Did Mingi tell you?"
"Yes. Actually, I think it's what is affecting him the most. He told me he called him dumb but started crying when he told me about his friends, that don't play with him anymore because of Wooyoung"
"I'm sure Seonghwa didn't know about this?"
Seonghwa's mouth was open as he stared at Yeosang.
"This must be a huge misunderstanding. I'm sure Wooyoung would never do something like that"
Yeosang sighed "Hongjoong, you did know about what Mingi did?"
Hongjoong nodded "he told me when we were doing his homework. I scolded him right that second. He could've told you or me or whatever and this reunion would have taken place sooner"
"I apologize, once again, I thought we could handle this. I'm sorry. I think it may be better if we talk this out with the kids. Can you two come this evening to pick them up?"
"Of course" was Hongjoong's answer. He just wanted to get over that mess as soon as possible.
Park Seonghwa, however, doubted for longs seconds before he shook his head "I can't, I'll be busy with work- actually, I have only thirty minutes to solve this so I'll tell you two what I do know; my son is no bully. He's only six years old, I refuse to believe anything that is said against him"
He stood up and before Yeosang could stop him, he was already gone.
"He's an asshole"
Yeosang let out a sigh "don't be mean to him, Hongjoong"
"Shut it. Don't tell me you don't think the same"
"He's a really busy person, Hongjoong. I don't know what he does for a living but he doesn't ever come to this school. It's always a lady bringing Wooyoung and coming to pick him up, she comes to the parents' meetings and talks to me about Wooyoung's grades"
"Maybe that's his mom?"
"No, Wooyoung calls her nanny"
Hongjoong only hummed and both decided that there wasn't a reason for them to stay there any longer.
Yeosang went back to the classroom and Hongjoong just stood outside of it, watching his son through one of the little windows. Hongjoong could barely reach it, but seeing Mingi there; smiling and playing, showing his drawings to one of the teachers, made it all worth it.
He saw Park Wooyoung, too. The kid was drawing something in one of the tables, he was alone and looking like he would die if he didn't get to finish his drawing.
Hongjoong was sure he was a good kid, maybe he was just having some kind of trouble?
Hongjoong sighed and got out of the building. He had a song to finish and many web sites to check if he wanted to find a cheap Spider-Man costume.
-
Hongjoong saw Park Seonghwa again on Friday.
Hongjoong had just explained to Yunho that Mingi had been really excited to go to San's sleepover and had asked him of he would be okay with having his play date in San's apartment.
His giant friend agreed, obviously. He wouldn't miss his play date with Mingi, no matter what.
Then he called San and explained the whole situation to him. How a friend of his had been organizing play dates with Mingi since his son was just three years old and how they were really important for both Mingi and his friend. San agreed to let Yunho stay in his apartment.
Everything was peachy. Calm.
Until he saw Park Seonghwa in the verge of tears, sitting on one of the benches of the little park that was in front of the school.
Before Hongjoong could finish whispering to himself that it was none of his business, he was already making his way towards the man.
"Yo, are you okay?"
Park Seonghwa looked up at him and took a deep breath.
"It's none of your business"
"You're right but I worry about everyone, you know? That's how big my heart is"
Seonghwa snorted at how disinterested Hongjoong managed to sound, even if he was saying something like that.
"Kang called me and told me to come early. It was very important and stuff and I ditched work to be here" he sighed "guess what? My son is, in fact, bullying other kids and I just realized I only go home when he's about to go to bed and i barely have the time to kiss his precious little head before he-"
"You're rambling and uh- you're crying, man"
Hongjoong looked away as Seonghwa dried his face with his sleeves.
"I'm sorry. He told me that what Mingi told you was true and now I'm about to know if he has been really bullying more kids"
Hongjoong nodded in understanding "it's fine. You should probably ditch work more often to spend time with him. You know what they say, maybe he is trying to tell you something with the way he acts"
Seonghwa looked at him defensively, his eyes narrowed "what could he be trying to tell me? He has a mouth for a reason. He could talk to me about-"
"When? You just said you're never home"
Seonghwa snapped his pretty mouth shut and looked down to the ground.
"Maybe he misses you, you know? Kids aren't that complicated" he went and sat next to Seonghwa.
"They're like flowers- and this may sound really corny and bad but it's what my mom used to tell me. They're like flowers because they need someone to take care of them as they grow up, they need a little bit of love and- obviously, food and water and a cookie here and there, they need guidance and someone to talk to them but also be there to listen and watch them"
Seonghwa sniffled, trying to dry the new tears in his cheeks and snorted "that was awful"
"So awful that it made you cry, right?"
The bell of the school rang loudly, indicating that the kids were about to get out and Hongjoong jumped to his feet. He was excited to tell Mingi that he would be able to play with his two favorite hyungs.
"Anyway, you don't have to listen to me. Just do whatever you think is better. Bye."
Hongjoong started to walk away but a hand on his wrist made him stop and look back with a frown.
"Thank you, uh- for the uh- talk?"
"You're very welcome, man"
He smiled at the other and crossed the street, going into the school's building, impatient to see his son.
He stood outside of the classroom along with all the other parents, waiting for the moment he saw his Minigi run out like a rabid bunny.
Mingi finally got out, holding sheets of paper in one hand and a little...something made of clay.
It kind of looked like a dog but also like a monster.
"Papa! Look, I made you so many drawings and a statue of a puppy!"
Oh, so it was a puppy.
Hongjoong knelt in front of his son and took the drawings from his hands. Some of them had Yunho, some had San and some even had Yeosang.
The only constant was a smudged, brown, four legged thingy and Hongjoong.
Hongjoong's heart wanted to melt at how adorable Mingi's drawings were. He thought that he could definitely keep them around to give him a little push when he was at the studio thinking he was the worst producer of all time.
"They're all so good, Minigi! I'm so proud of you" he said, smooching Mingi's face "thank you, I will keep them safe"
"And this is the puppy I want" said Mingi raising the little monster up to Hongjoong's face, smiling proudly "I want it to be exactly like this"
Hongjoong told himself to smile through the pain, that Mingi would sooner or later realize that dogs couldn't possibly be like that.
"Okay, baby- it'll be the prettiest dog alive!"
"Right, papa? It's going to be so pretty!" Mingi leaned forward to whisper "I need to poop, papa. Violently."
Hongjoong hissed and took Mingi's hand. They ran to the bathroom and Hongjoong helped Mingi take off a great lot of clothes so he would be more comfortable while doing his business.
He waited outside, only getting in when Mingi told him he was done, like thirty minutes later.
The bathroom smelt like someone had been murdered, their body left there to rot.
"Minigi, what did they feed you today?"
Mingi hummed as he played with the soap in his hands "today we had little salty worms, they had ketchup and carrots and meat. They were delicious! We also ate an apple and orange juice!"
"Oh, that's great- wait, salty worms-!? Oh, you mean noodles!"
"Noodles! Yes! I forgot the name!"
They got out when Mingi was done washing his hands and found Seonghwa talking with Yeosang outside the classroom.
Wooyoung looked like he had been crying a lot, he was hugging Seonghwa's leg.
Poor kid. He looked so sad. Hongjoong hoped Seonghwa would talk to him about whatever issue they had going on.
"Oh, I'm glad you're still here" said Seonghwa and gently pushed Wooyoung towards them "what do we say now, Wooyoung?"
The little boy played with his fingers for a few seconds and finally looked up at Mingi.
"I'm sorry for calling you dumb, you're not dumb...I was just jealous because you always know all the answers! You're really smart! Oh, uh- I'm sorry about telling the boys to not play with you, that was really bad"
Mingi nodded once and pouted "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have gotten bubblegum stuck in your hair...it was really pretty. Papa scolded me for it, so I'll never do it again" he looked at Seonghwa and reached up to take his hand and shake it "I'm sorry, Wooyoung's papa. I swear I'll never do it again"
"His name is Park Seonghwa, he's like...thirty years old? And he's my dad!" Excitedly chimed in Wooyoung, looking up at Seonghwa like he was the most fantastic man alive.
The kid was cute.
"Oh, Park Seonghwa. That's a pretty name! My papa's name is Kim Hongjoong, he's like- what is that number that has a four and a zero?"
Hongjoong gasped, offended "Minigi, no- god, no!"
Even Yeosang was laughing at his Minigi's antics.
God, what would he do without his son, always lighting up the mood.
Hongjoong was a little startled to feel a little hand slipping into his.
"I'm sorry, Kim Hongjoong. I promise I'll try to be Mingi's friend because Mingi's really smart"
Hongjoong smiled and gave Wooyoung's hand a little squeeze "thank you for apologizing, Wooyoung"
"You're welcome, Kim Hongjoong!"
They said goodbye to Yeosang and the four of them walked out of the school in silence.
Well, Seonghwa and Hongjoong were in silence. Their sons were really excitedly explaining to each other what the statues they had done were.
Wooyoung had done a cat, because he wanted one some day.
Mingi had done a dog, because he wanted one someday, too.
Hongjoong chuckled as he stole glances at the two boys.
Hongjoong realized that Seonghwa had to go to the parking lot of the school, while Hongjoong would just walk.
"I'm not thirty, by the way" rushed to say Seonghwa, as Wooyoung was tugging at his sleeve and yelling about wanting to go home "I'm actually twenty five years old. Just thought you should know"
Hongjoong frowned, nodding slowly but ultimately smiled at the other "I'm not fourty, either. I'm twenty five, too!"
Seonghwa smiled, rather shyly and bowed slightly at him, finally following his son.
God.
He was such an adorable and handsome man.
As he watched his son sleep on his chest that night, Yunho and San shamelessly flirting in the living room, Hongjoong's phone vibrated in San's nightstand.
They were texts from an unknown number.
Hey
It's Park Seonghwa
I hope I'm not bothering you
No more texts came. Hongjoong still couldn't believe the man was texting him in the middle of the night.
His phone vibrated one more time and Hongjoong's breath got stuck on his throat, his face heating up as he read Seonghwa's text.
Would you like to have dinner with us sometime?