Chapter Text
Jaehyun’s leg shook up and down as he sat in the waiting room. Juyeon sat next to him, scrolling through his phone, before placing a hand on the other’s knee. The shaking halted, only for Jaehyun to begin worrying at his bottom lip.
“Stop panicking so much. Relax. The fact that you’re here means everything is going fine.”
Juyeon was right. This was Jaehyun’s second meeting with the placement doctor. It meant that he had been approved after the first meeting and was one step closer to having his own seedling. His own baby. Jaehyun felt warm just at the thought of it. He loved children, loved their innocence and that they were pure and lovely and could do no wrong. He loved their wonder and curiosity and their overall cuteness. In his line of work Jaehyun dealt with kids almost everyday, helping them find families, sometimes even helping them leave them.
Social work was not easy. In his seven years of working he had seen families get torn apart and others being pieced back together. Sometimes it hurt him so bad to see everything happen, and other times it made him so extremely happy. Overall it showed Jaehyun how important love and a family were. He wanted a family so bad.
Things became hard after his mother had died. Jaehyun was too young to even remember it but he did remember the times when he heard his father cry, or the times when they went to visit her. Jaehyun’s father had raised him all alone, never remarrying, never even going on a date. He had the occasional help from his parents to take care of a young Jaehyun, when he had to work late to earn more money to give Jaehyun a comfortable life. Jaehyun’s father was his rock, his everything, so it hurt particularly bad when he had passed away the year before. The doctor had said he had passed peacefully in his sleep, so that gave Jaehyun a little closure. But now, he was all alone. No biological family, no aunts or uncles or cousins that he was close to. He was extremely glad to have his friends, they cared for him as if he was their blood, but it wasn’t the same. His father’s death had left a hole in his heart he so badly wanted to mend.
So when it came time to visit Jacob and Kevin and meet their son, Jaehyun knew exactly what he wanted. Seeing the couple so happy with a baby in their arms almost brought Jaehyun to tears. I want a child. I want a family again. He craved the happiness only a family could share. He missed the way it felt.
And so that was how Jaehyun ended up in the facility awaiting his seedling. His child.
The doctor called his name and Jaehyun began to sweat. Fuck , he was nervous. He began tapping his toes against the linoleum floors and Juyeon, being the extremely good and perceptive best friend he was, grabbed Jaehyun's hand and softly asked, “Do you want me to come in with you?” The blond nodded slightly and Juyeon led him into the private consultation room.
Dr. Jo smiled at Jaehyun and Juyeon. She was a slight woman with long black hair and large eyes behind her thin-rimmed glasses. Jaehyun found her to be extremely calming when she smiled, which was helpful during these times when he felt as though his heart was going to beat out of his chest. The two men sat down in front of her and she greeted them promptly.
“Hello Mr. Lee,” she turned to Juyeon and he introduced himself to her, shaking her hand. Dr. Jo looked between the two men before starting. “Sorry I have no intention to intrude, however if you two are together it does change a few things about your application Mr. Lee.”
Jaehyun tried his best to hold in his laugh. “Oh no Dr. Jo. Juyeon is only a friend. Here for moral support.” The woman nodded before returning to her computer and pulling up his file. Jaehyun smiled to himself. If things had gone a little different years ago, would Juyeon be sitting next to him as more than just his best friend? The two had tried it a few years back, Jaehyun was so helplessly in love with the younger. However, it was clear to him that the other did not completely return his feelings. Juyeon loved Jaehyun of course, loved him so much, but only as his best friend. Though Juyeon being the wonderful and considerate boyfriend he was, stayed with Jaehyun. Jaehyun had called their relationship off when it became evident that the younger was far more in love with his dance partner than he was with his best friend. Jaehyun thinks he’ll always be ever so slightly in love with Juyeon, but what was the use of being with someone that couldn’t reciprocate your feelings for them?
“So Mr. Lee, we’ve selected a seedling for you.” The doctor’s smile was warm and gentle and that only made Jaehyun want to sob even more. He could feel the tears building up in his eyes as they turned glassy and he gripped at Juyeon’s hand tightly. Dr. Jo continued. “He is a blue hyacinth and his name is Hyunjun.”
“He— He has a name,” Jaehyun breathed out. A tear escaped his eye and ran down his cheek. Jaehyun was having a son, and he had a name. Hyunjun.
Dr. Jo printed out a few documents before placing them on the desk. “Here are some care instructions. Things like where to keep the plant, when to water it, how often to give it food. Please study this, as the care you put into the child while they are still a plant will reflect when they are human.” Jaehyun nodded and swallowed thickly. He knew how much responsibility there had to be put into taking care of a child but hearing it come of Dr. Jo’s mouth put it all into perspective. She must have seen Jaehyun’s mind running 100 miles per minute because she grabbed Jaehyun’s hand from across the desk and smiled that smile that could calm a raging storm. “I wouldn’t worry too much, Mr. Lee. I can tell that you’re going to be an amazing father.”
The reassurance helped in calming Jaehyun and he took the documents off the desk and began reading them over. “I also see here that you’ve requested a care assistant.”
Jaehyun had almost forgotten about that. Since it would only be him taking care of the child, the extra help would be greatly appreciated. He nodded and Dr. Jo continued. “We’ve also selected one for you. Unfortunately he’s not in today but you will be able to meet him next week for pickup. His name is Choi Chanhee and he is very trusted. If you’d like I can pull up his work file.”
“No, no. There’s no need. I trust the judgement around here.” Jaehyun chucked slightly.
“Well, his work number is included in your care documents so if you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to call him.” The doctor clapped her hands together and beamed at the future father. “In around a week you’ll receive a call for when you can come and get Hyunjun. I am very happy for you Mr. Lee. Congratulations.”
✿✿✿
Once Jaehyun and Juyeon left the facility, Jaehyun let out all the emotion he was holding in the consultation rooms and sobbed into Juyeon’s shoulder. “I’m gonna be a dad,” the older wailed, soiled Juyeon’s shirt with his tears. “And I’m gonna be an uncle.” Juyeon’s smile was so bright, you would have thought that Hyunjun was his child.
“Speaking of,” Jaehyun started, trying to find the right words to say. “You’re not going to be his uncle.” Juyeon’s face dropped. What the hell did Jaehyun mean? Almost all of their friends were going to care for Jaehyun’s son, they were a family after all.
“You’re going to be a Godfather.”
“Oh my God.” Juyeon held his breath. “Dude please tell me you’re not lying.”
“Yah! Why would I lie to you about something like this?”
Juyeon hugged Jaehyun so hard the older was afraid his bones would break. “I’m gonna be a Godfather!” he shouted out into the street.