Chapter Text
"Stop."
"Bright. Stop."
"Stop I am trying to cook"
Win shook his shoulders to lose the grip of his koala-like clingy boyfriend but Bright has developed a thick skin over the few months he had dated the charming botanist.
"It's still six in the morning Win, we literally have three hours before she has to go"
"Exactly, It's six in the morning Bright so why are you crowding me so early in the morning?"
Bright pouted, burying his face deeper into his boyfriend's neck while his back hug tightened.
"What? I like morning cuddles"
Win smiled, half annoyed and half-amused, the pork soup was in the process of cooking and all that's left was the spaghetti. It was finally the day of the annual day at Jing's pre-school and he had to get her ready into her costume because Jing was performing for the first time today and Win had decided the occasion needed a good breakfast and a very special lunchbox prepared for her and her friends.
The last ten months with Bright and Jing were spent with the most happiness he had ever felt, he never knew he needed this kind of love in his life until it came crashing down on him, or in his case tapping on his neighbor's fence. He had felt all the emotions there were to feel while he fell in love with them irrevocably.
They had moved into Win's home two months back and it would have happened sooner if Bright wasn't reluctant, warning Win that he would be far busier if they lived together.
Win knew Bright was trying to not lean Jing's responsibility on him a lot but as much as he appreciated his concerns Win was pretty sure he was ready for any curve life throws at him, even taking care of the five-year-old. He was actually excited. The idea of living together with them filled him with such a strong sense of domesticity that he just had to have the taste of it. He was sure he was ready to be an equal parent to Jing if he wasn't already.
He wasn't wrong, He and Bright had divided the chores very ideally and also their responsibilities regarding Jing. Bright dropped off Jing school and Win picked her up and dropped her at Aom's and when he returned from his work Jing would run out to greet him every day with so much love in her eyes. Win would smile at her and scoop her up into his arms so that they could go inside the house to eat and watch whatever Jing fancied that day.
Win loved the way it was almost like this was what was missing in his life, he was so tuned in with Jing's habits that his staff at the flower shop would often catch him humming theme songs from the cartoons Jing watched, his former half-finished or forgotten meals were now replaced by healthier dishes he made for Jing and Bright, They ate together all the time. Win had introduced Bright to his family two months into the relationship and vice-versa, given, he couldn't meet Bright's mother but they face-timed each other often, His relationship with Bright had escalated fast but he had always felt good about that fact. He was sure how permanent his feelings for him were and Bright often showed him that he felt the same way.
Bright was so stingy when it came to Win's attention that he would headbutt with his own daughter for it, The date nights were strictly his, and Jing was absolutely not allowed to interfere with it. Jing would (reluctantly; because she had made a deal with her father) spend those evenings at Win's parents or at Aom's.
Win had gone from a bachelor to living the life of a married man in just a matter of months and he couldn't ask for more.
"Bright, did you alter her dress properly?"
"Babe she is a dancing potato, what's there to alter?"
"Shut up! She is going to be performing on stage in front of all those people, on stage Bright! I am already pissed that we won't make it till later but everything else should be perfect for my sweetheart" win packed the cooked spaghetti in a lunch box "you will make it till her performance, right?"
Bright had a very important meeting scheduled today and Win also had a very formal final meeting with his professor in charge before the final submission and both of them were very unhappy with the circumstances, they had timed it to not to collide with Jing's performance time but they were still worried.
"Yes I will make sure that I make it till her performance, it's around 7, and don't worry you will too" Bright helped him pack
"Win! Let's make out for a while?" Bright tried to sneak his hand on his boyfriend's waist.
"What?" He elbowed Bright lightly. Bright retaliated by trying to make him sit on the top of the counter, the young lovers laughed and giggled while Bright tried to sneak kisses from him.
"I am ready!!!"
They were startled, turning to find the source of the early morning noise. What they saw shocked them, Jing stood there, her costume haphazardly put on, hair in disarray. A cute smile was painted on her face while she displayed herself to them. Win laughed when he finally got over the shock.
"Sweetheart, what are you doing?"
"I got ready!! Today is dance day" she pulled her hands up and did a spin.
"Well, you did a good job, but you still need some grooming" bright joined in
"Win, do you think I need grooming?" she had finally settled to calling him Win or Winnie according to her mood.
"Haha, maybe a little!"
Jing pouted. "Umm, okay if you think so"
Bright picked her up, "My opinion doesn't count?"
Jing smiled guiltily, circling her arms around him "I love you, dad" "you are the nicest"
"Just go and say that you love Win more... Nice! is that even a compliment?"
All three of them laughed, while Bright kissed her cheeks repeatedly Jing giggled childishly. Then He took her off to get her ready, leaving Win to finally make the Lunchbox at peace.
~~~
Win was late, too late if you look closely, it was almost 7:45 and he was just getting out of his meeting room, the meeting took longer than he thought I am now he was almost panicking about whether he would make it on time, it took almost half an hour from his campus to Jing's School. he was afraid that she would be disappointed if she didn't see him. He ran to the nearest taxi stand to grab a cab and reach as soon as possible. He wasn't sure if Bright made it on time but he sure hoped he did. Win Tried calling him but in vain, at least Aom and his parents were going to be there. He asked the cab driver to drive a bit faster, but when he reached it it was already 8:10.
"WIN"
He turned around to find Bright running towards him and by the looks of it, he was late too.
" Meeting ran late?" They both asked at the same time, Running blindly towards The small auditorium. They had seats on the First row, But by the time they reached Jing's team had already performed, just after the last turn, the kids were bowing down to the ecstatic audience who were clapping happily.
But Jing stood there almost teary and Unresponsive,
"Shit, we messed up" Bright whispered while they made their way to the front.
" Where were you guys? she barely even danced and kept glancing our way" " do you see how upset she looks" Aom scolded them but their eyes were glued to the stage, feeling immensely apologetic and when Jing finally noticed them her tear-filled eyes lit up, She smiled Widely, eyes shining with happiness and even when she was alone on the stage, she started singing the song and dancing, doing a cute spin, tapping her foot, she looked like a cute potato. Everyone laughed, but Bright and Win started crying, feeling like the time could stop right here and it wouldn't even matter.
This family. This family was all they needed. All they would ever want.
Both of them moved towards the stage taking the dancing potato in their arms, weeping while she tried to wipe their eyes.
"It's alright, I am not mad" Jing smiled cheekily at them, and It made Win sniffle more.
The crowd cheered and the perfect little family cocooned themselves in a hug.
and it felt complete. It felt right.
Fin.