Work Text:
1.30 am
Munyoung tosses in her sleep, turning on her right, snuggling closer towards her husband’s side. But she was met with an empty bed and cold sheets indicating that the bed has been empty for quite some time. Struggling to open her eyes wider, the dark room slowly becomes clear with the help from the incoming faint streetlight from outside the window. Sounds of feet shuffling with the slipper fills the quiet room. She looks at the wall clock and makes her way to the door. 1.30 am.. where is Gangtae?
As her feet land on the top of the stair, a concoction smell of chocolate, vanilla and roasted pecans fill up her senses. Following the scents trail and the hush movements coming from the kitchen, she silently makes her way. Smiling to herself, she leans her body lazily at the kitchen doorway enjoying her view of Gangtae with his apron and ladle in one hand. It has been a while since she last saw him clads in an apron like this. A scatter of assortments lay in front of him; piles of sheet pans, bowls, packet of half open wheat flours, butters, and other necessities. “Hey babe, what are you doing?” Her low pitch voice echoes through the quiet room. Flustered by the voice, he looks up from the mixture bowl and search for the source of sound. “Hey, sleepy head. What are doing, still up in this hour?” His eyes boring into the wall clock. 1.33 am.
“Tsk.. Pot calling the kettle black..” She retorts back. Adjusting her posture, she moves to stand at the opposite side of the kitchen island. Taken interest on the spread presented in front of her, she quickly slides her finger to the empty mixture bowl. Hmm.. She hums deliciously as she licks her finger clean. “Are you making cakes in this late hour? I haven’t seen you bake lately, so what are you up to?” He senses a teasing tone in her questions. Chuckling softly, he replies. “It’s Jaeyi baked good sale tomorrow, remember? To raise money for her class trip next month?”
They tie their knot about 10 years ago in a wedding ceremony held on a beautiful Spring evening. Their union is blessed with a baby girl a year into the marriage. Moon Jaeyi, now 8 years old is a witty, bubbly girl who looks the exact carbon copy of her but with Gangtae’s eyes. She takes over her resilient attitude but also display a great sense of responsibility for kids her age. In her free times, she genuinely loves to help Gangtae with baking and cooking for the family. Last year, they even have to go to the extent of clarifying her choice of costume when she insisted on wearing the chef uniform for Halloween Party at her school. On the other hand, Moon Taeyoung, 4, a mini version of Gangtae in appearance; is a whole different story. He’s cheeky, talkative and mischievous border lining to misbehave sometimes. He is what you would call a handful kid but surprisingly he loves to read and write. A lot. Just like her. Albeit most of the time, it’s either one of them— and sometimes Jaeyi, has to assist him in holding the colour pencil and read aloud the book of his request. There never have been a quiet moment in the Moon household except when it’s sleep time ever since they’ve been blessed with these two.
“Shoot! It’s tomorrow, really? I forget about it!” Voice rising in octave, as she realizes her mistake. Shuffling her way around the kitchen island, she snakes her arms around Gangtae’s waist. Her voice mumbles on his back when she speaks next, “Jaeyi is going to be mad at me! I cannot believe I forget it when it is all she ever talked about! I will not be able to forgive myself if that happens.” Munyoung adds a grunt, biting her index finger’s nail. She feels frustrated at herself for almost missing Jaeyi first baked good sale experience. Her schedule has been all over the place for the past few weeks as she prepares for her next book launch. It must have slipped her mind with all the deadlines and preparation she is handling.
“Hey, hey. Calm down. Don’t say that.” Gangtae turns his body fully and face her. He removes her finger from her mouth and proceed to rub her silk robe cladded arm, up and down. “Jaeyi knows that you’ve been busy lately. Our little girl understands that you have works to do and so do I. Give yourself some credits, please. And her too, hmm?” Munyoung features softening as she heard his reply. “What would I do without you, baby? Hmm…” She inhales a deep breath and lean closer to his warmth, hands tightening around his mid-section. “Thank you for always being by my side, for always helping out the kids. I won’t be able to do this without you,” She chimes in.
She will always be grateful for the man she met 15 years ago. Their journey is not always smooth sailing, but never once she ever regrets her decision in marrying him. His presence brings the comfort to her existing parched life just like how the warmth from a sip of hot chocolate brings during those chilly winter evening. His selfless existence completes her, just like that one piece of puzzle – different in orientation but effortlessly fitting. She gazes at him adoringly, glints of admiration brimming the specks of her eyes. Mesmerized with the universe he sees, Gangtae gives her a peck on the lips. “Thank you to you too, sweetheart. You do your part too,” He utters back to her.
Sheepish smile escapes her face. Removing herself from his body to stand beside him, she questions, “Do you need my help? What are you making though? If its for sales, I think it should be something that easy to pack individually.” The content of the bowl swirls as she inspects the chocolaty mixture. Hums in agreement he replies, “Well, I’m making brownies. The first batch is cooling on the rack now,” Her eyes follow his hand pointing at the cooling rack placed on the kitchen counter. There are two sheet pans cooling off in the middle section of the rack. “And right now, I’m finishing the second batch. Umm, chocolate chip cookies are done, too, as well. All wrapped up and ready to go. I ask my staffs to help in the shop earlier,” She nods. “So, no. I don’t I think need your help. Thank you for offering though.” He beams at her, eyes making the shape of a half-moon. Gangtae then proceed to transfer the brownie mixture into the sheet pans and giving it a gentle tap to remove the air bubbles before making his way to the oven.
After successfully set the timer to 30 minutes, he looks back at her who is now sitting on a stool and continue talking, “Do you remember our own baked goods sale years ago? When you just moved in to the neighborhood,” Munyoung eyebrows hitch up at his question. Crossing her hands on her chest, she curtly reply “Hmm.. Why?” Gangtae sneakily laugh looking at her defensive acts. “Nothing. Preparing all these baked goods for Jaeyi’s reminded me of ours. All the commotions that happened on that day. Tch.. I cannot believe you had a catfight with Jieun,” he said with a full smile plastered on his face.
“Catfight? What catfight? We were just civilised-ly talking. That’s all,” She retorts. “Civilized-ly talking?” He snorted at her answer. “I don’t recall a civilized conversation includes the act of pulling of hair and grabbing t-shirt. Don’t they?” He moves to stand beside her, propping his hip against the counter as he speaks. Turning her body to face him sideways, she exclaims, “Yah, it’s that brat fault, okay! If she didn’t act all almighty and possessive over you, things wouldn’t happened. And that girl, her friend. What is her name, Gyuyoung? Gyuri?” She tries to recall. “Ha, Gyuri! If that Gyuri just pay for the cakes and cookies as she should, Seungjae wouldn’t be that upset, won’t she? How can that dumb brat thought that she can escape taking the food for free just because her friend; that ant, Jieun implied that she is your ‘girlfriend’?” Her hands making the quotation marks in the air at the word girlfriend.
Gangtae guffaws at her remarks. “Brat? You call them brat? Are they kids?” He utters. Munyoung scoffs at him. “Tsk! Of course, they are. Such an immature brat. I hope they are all grown up now, wherever they are.” She huffs. “Wait, why are you still remember her name? Do you happen to still keep in touch with her?” She accuses him. “Oh, come on! Cut me some slack. It just the spur of the moment. This whole baked good sale suddenly reminded me of you, years ago. And of course, it makes me remember her. How can I forget your heroic action of pulling Seungjae from continuing smoldering her,” He can’t believe she thought of him in that way. Hold on. Unless, she is jealous! A sudden realization hits him. Hah, this woman! Clearing his throat, he speaks, “Are you by any chance, jealous of another woman I’ve haven’t meet in years?” He questions teasingly.
Jieun and Gyuri are college student, in their early 20s who resided in the same neighbourhood as they were years ago. They were what you would call a troublemaker; always partying, creating trouble and fuss. Unfortunately, Jieun harboured some feelings for Gangtae; the neighbourhood friendly-go-to-baker. Jieun would shamelessly flirt out with him at every chance she gets, even after they are in a steady relationship, ignoring all threats Juri thrown at her. “Pfft. Jealous? Me? No way. I’m not as childish as they were, to be jealous of something like this,” She babbles unconvincingly. “Whatever you say, sweetheart,” Gangtae chuckles at her. Munyoung hits his side, eyes glaring at him.
Biting on a finger, she carefully speaks, “Do you still remember the first time we met?” Gangtae looks down at her direction. “First time? Which one? The first time we met when we fought over milk or.. the first, first time we met after you ran away from me?” He supplies back. “I knew it that you would remind me of that memory! Huh, you and your photographic memory, frustrates me sometimes!” She protests sullenly.
“Are we really doing this right now, Munyoung? It’s almost 2 in the morning,” Gangtae shoves his hands in his grey pajamas pant, sighing slowly. “No. It just that, you suddenly walk on the memory lane, it makes me recall our first meeting. The first real one, that’s all” She assures him softly, hand reaching for his in the pant pocket. Munyoung grins as she continues, “I still cannot believe till this day, that we fought over milk,” Their first encounter happened about a decade and half ago, but she still remembers vividly that one early Summer when it all happened. His blue t-shirt, his middle-parted hair with its bangs taking the shape of a heart, that whisker-like shape that forms on his cheeks when he laughs that conveniently tugging a little something in her and his persistent pleas to get to know her. Tsk.
Nodding at her statement, Gangtae smiles and traces her hand with his thumb. “It was a memorable one you know, our first meet up. I was so smitten by you and your feisty-ness. I’d never forget the day you made an entrance in my life, Munyoung-ah.” Eyes locking with his, she feels a surge of emotion filling up her chest at his confession. “You should go back to sleep, sweetheart. I’m going to clean this all up and then go to sleep as well,” He adds. At his ministration she shook her head, showing her refusal. “Shiro, I want my bed warmer with me. You are not there, so how can I sleep?”
“Tch.. Aigoo.. Are you a baby, now huh?” He chides back teasingly, hand patting her head. “Of course! I’m your baby, your number one!” She declares. Body relaxingly gives in to his touch. “My big, old baby, you are,” his throaty chuckles increase the mood in the kitchen. “Yah! Big and old? How dare you! Do you want to die, huh ahjusshi? Tch.” She pinches his stomach at his retort. How dare this 42-year-old man calls her old when he is as ancient as she is.
Caging her body with his arms on both of her sides, he towers over her small frame. She gasps. “Ahjusshi? You call me, ahjusshi? Are you sure about that, hmm?” His slow whisper on her ear making her inside tumbling and churning. Like there is a hundred of butterfly fluttering in her stomach. He gives a few chaste kisses along her smooth jaw. 10 years into marriage, his low-throaty voice is still her biggest weakness. He can make the honest woman out of herself; younger or older. Not giving up to his opening, she utters sultrily, “You have all the power to sway me as you please, baby.” Hands intertwining around his neck bringing him closer to her. Their lips entangle in a slow dance, falling deeper into the emotional whirlpool that their recent exchange ignites.
Savoring the quiet moment enveloping their surroundings, she says in hush voice as the kiss ends, “Hmm.. you smell like chocolate, addictive as always.” She peppers the side of his lips with kisses. Brushing her soft cheeks, he smiles contently. “Have I said I miss you today?” Munyoung continues. “Yup, you have. In fact, this is the third time you said it,” Gangtae laughs. “I’ve been so busy lately; I don’t have enough time to play with the kids and spend time with you. I’ve been missing out a lot.” Her sullen reply catches his attention. Straightening up, he replies, “Munyoung-ah, don’t worry about it, we can spend time with each other when your book launching is done, okay. How about we go to that toy’s car museum that Taeyoung loves? He will be excited to see that.” Her eyes squinting at his suggestion as she takes note on his sneaky smile. “Taeyoung will be excited to see the toy’s car? I don’t think its Taeyoung only. I’m positive you will be excited as well, right?” She questions.
“Well, you are not wrong, I could use some, you know, new toys for my collection,” He sheepishly smiles. Shaking her head side by side, she sighs. “I thought your hobby is long forgotten as you grow older, but I thought wrong,” Gangtae has been an avid toy’s car collector since his teenage years. His collection varies from Hot Wheels, Tamiya and few other brands that she can't even pronounce. His long-time hobby now has been slowly passed over to their kids. When Jaeyi was still in kindergarten, she also shows huge interest when she sees Gangtae’s collectible display in the glass cabinet. She still remembers Jaeyi went ‘ooh-ah’ and ‘wow-ing’ when Gangtae let her hold the Hot Pink Metro ’52 Chevy hot wheels. Her eyes grew in size as she calls ‘Mommy, mommy, look! It’s pink hot wheels‘ to attract her attention.
“Yah.. I put up with your countless book exhibitions visit, aren’t I? Let me go to this toy’s museum for once,” Gangtae sulks at her remarks. “Aigoo, this ahjusshi! You just age 2 years older when you do this pouty mouth,” She teases as her fingers playfully hold his lips. “Ahrasso, ahrasso we can go to the museum later, but you have to bake me a sinfully delicious chocolate cake, okay.” She compromises. Gangtae expression changes from sullen to excited in mere seconds. With hand pumping in the air, he hollers, “Yes! Piece of cake! Don’t back out of your promise now!” Munyoung chuckles at his antics. “Yah, shush!” Munyoung panically puts her index finger on her lips. “You will wake the kids up,” She adds. This man, aigoo..
“Mommy, daddy. What are you guys doing?” A small voice interrupts their conversation. Gangtae and Munyoung looks at the kitchen doorway. “Jaeyi-ya. Why are you still up? You cannot sleep, honey?” Munyoung coos at her eldest. “Taeyoung is the one who cannot sleep. I’m sleeping alright when he forces me to play with him.” Jaeyi points behind her. Gangtae cranes his neck to the side and spots Taeyoung, grinning mischievously with one hand holding a Tamiya car behind Jaeyi. “Then as I’m about to go to your room, I hear voices downstairs. So, we decide to go down,” Jaeyi continues, making her way towards them. “Taeyoung-ah, it’s late hour now, why are you bothering your sister?” Gangtae asks resolutely. “I’m bored, and I’ve slept a lot in the evening,” Taeyoung replies as he shuffles to Munyoung side. Climbing on her lap, he asks Munyoung, “Mommy, can we, umm go eat ice cream tomorrow, please?” His big doe eyes shine at her. Munyoung looks up at Gangtae at Taeyoung question.
“What is that delicious smell? Daddy, are you cooking the brownies now? Waa, it’s going to be so delicious.” Jaeyi sniffs as she makes her way to the oven. “Careful, darling. It’s hot. Yes, I’m cooking the brownies now. You gonna help Daddy to pack it later, okay?” Gangtae replies. Jaeyi nods her head at his request. Munyoung looks at Taeyoung as he eagerly waiting for her reply. “Please Mommy. I want to eat that Dinasour ice cream. Please, please,” He pleads cutely with his hands tuck under his chin. Laughing at his antics, Munyoung pinches his chubby cheeks. “Okay, baby. We will go and eat ice cream tomorrow. But we must help your sister first at her school, okay?” Taeyoung beams in delight, legs swinging up and down, excitedly. Resting his head on Munyoung chest, he says, “I love you, Mommy,” Munyoung heart burst at his remarks. Kissing his hair crown, she expresses her ‘I love you, too’ at him. Jaeyi who is now standing on Gangtae side, rolls her eyes. “Can we go to sleep now, Taeyoung?” she asks, a hint of tiredness lacing her voice. “Okay, come on children, it’s time to sleep.” Gangtae announces.
Tiptoeing on her feet, Jaeyi tugs on Gangtae’s hand to lower his body and gives him a good night sleep, again, on his cheek. “Good night, Daddy. Thank you for cooking the brownies for me,” she says. “You are welcome, darling. Good night,” Gangtae kisses her forehead, body bending to her height. “Come on, Taeyoung, it sleeps time now, boy.” Munyoung slid Taeyoung down, so he can stand on his feet. “Straight to bed, Taeyoung-ah,” Gangtae adds in. With a pout forming on his lips, Taeyoung surrender immediately. “Okay, daddy,” he replies before he moves to Gangtae to give him a good night kiss. Gangtae ruffles his hair and watch him makes his way out from the kitchen with Jaeyi, hands in tow. “Are you coming, Mommy?” Jaeyi asks Munyoung. “Yes honey, I’m coming,” Munyoung reply.
“I better go with them. Or else that cheeky boy will execute another clever plan of his. I don’t know where he gets his naughty side?” Munyoung shakes her head. “I think he inherits it from me,” Gangtae proudly declares. “Tch, I think so too.” Standing up to her feet, she hugs Gangtae and kiss his cheek. “Come back to bed fast, okay. I need my bed warmer to sleep peacefully.” She coos. Gangtae slid his hands on her waist and nods. “I’ll see you in a bit,” He pecks her lips and watches as she makes her exit from the kitchen with the kids.
Ting! The oven makes a sound.
2.45 am
Gangtae halts at the threshold of their room. He breathes slowly as he takes in the view presented in front him. His precious. Taeyoung laying in the middle of their king size bed, between Munyoung and Jaeyi with his hands and legs spread out like a star fish, devoid of blanket. While Jaeyi, sleeping soundly with her head on his pillow, hands hugging her feet. His eyes shift to Munyoung sleeping form. Her hand is loosely holding Taeyoung body, while the other snugly fit under her head. Silently making his way to Munyoung, he kisses her temple. “Hey,” she says, stirring in her sleep at his actions. “Go back to sleep,” He whispers, hand smoothening the blanket around her. “Okay,” She sleepily huffs. Taking another look at their sleeping forms, he silently prays for another century with them, his precious.
END