Work Text:
🐱
Johnny checked his reflection on the rearview mirror making sure he still somewhat looks presentable despite staying up all night at The Lab. His team is busy with the finishing touches of the album they are helping produce for another rookie group that is no doubt going to make it big. Taeyong is away for a couple of weeks to look after his wife and their newborn while Mark is back home in Canada meeting up with some music executives from there looking into working with them. That leaves Johnny the task of keeping The Lab on steady feet. It isn’t really that hard to do. They are working with very professional people that they do not only consider employees but friends. Everything’s under control. He was just getting ready to go home when he got the call.
“ Mr. Seo? This is Principal Shim from your son, Chanhee’s school. I would like to request your presence today.”
“What? Why? Is my son okay?” he asked in a panic. The last time he saw his family was last night when Taeil and the kids brought him dinner at work where they all ate together.
“Uh, I think it’s better if we talk about this in person. I’ll be waiting for you at my office Mr. Seo.”
Johnny drags his feet through the hallways, looking for the door with the Principal’s office. He found it after asking a couple of students whose eyes were shining the whole time they spoke to him giving him directions.
He knocks twice on the hardwood door and only opens it when he heard a faint “come in” from behind it.
“Mr. Seo, I am so sorry for asking you to come like this,” the principal- a balding man he can’t be too sure about the age- stood up from his sitting position extending his hand for a handshake. Johnny gave the hand a firm squeeze in greeting.
“Not at all,” Johnny took his seat when the Principal gestured him to. “Is my son okay?”
“Appa,” Johnny turns his head to the side at the faint sound of the voice. There he found Chanhee sitting in the corner of the room, not able to meet his eyes.
“Chanhee? Are you okay? What’s going on?” Johnny could feel his heart beating so loud in his chest. There’s so much going on in his head but it’s empty at the same time. Nobody can blame him for feeling that way though since he and his husband have never been called into the principal’s office before.
“Chanhee is okay Mr. Seo. It’s just that, he punched another student during recess and he wouldn’t tell anybody why he did it. Not even his homeroom teacher, or me.”
Hearing that, Johnny paled. Chanhee has never been one to lose his temper, not even after all his younger sister’s teasing, which is why he couldn’t really comprehend what’s going on. But he’s a father and another child got hurt because of him, he has to get to the bottom of this.
“Chanhee, what happened?” he asked in a calm but firm voice. When his son did not answer, he turned to the principal.
“I am so sorry for the trouble Principal Shim. I swear my son is not a bad boy. I and my husband will talk to him.”
“Oh Mr. Seo, I know your son is not a bad boy,” the principal said, shaking his head, a gentle smile slowly forming on his lips. “Your son has never been anything but a good student and a good friend to his classmates and I can assure you, we all do not think Chanhee’s capable of doing anything like that unless provoked. In fact, another student saw what happened and said that the other student deserved what Chanhee did to him, but even that kid won’t tell us what started it.”
Johnny lets out a sigh of relief after hearing that.
“But, I wanted you to hear about what happened from me first before this could blow up. Of course, we are hoping it won’t come to that, but, we know of you and your husband’s status and, we cannot just sit around. I was going to call your husband first but, Chanhee,”
Johnny didn’t mean to, but he chuckled. He fucking chuckled.
“I am so sorry Principal Shim! I didn’t mean to, it’s just that.. Taeil is the scary dad and I totally understand why our son asked you to call me instead,” he explained, doing his best not to let out another chuckle. The principal only smiled in understanding.
“It’s fine Mr. Seo, My partner is the scary one too,” the principal answered, looking fondly at Chanhee at the side.
All of a sudden he’s reminded why they sent their son to this school.
“Anyway, I am so sorry but because of the incident, we are putting both your son and the other student involved in a two-day suspension.”
Johnny couldn’t say anything after that. He turns to look at his son only to find him deflating more and more by the second. A clear indication of guilt and perhaps, regret. For all the eleven years they have spent raising their son, Chanhee has only shown to his parents and everybody else that he is growing up to be a man of honor. He’s fast to admit his fault as much as he is fast in asking for forgiveness and giving them. The father’s heart clenches a little only because he knows those feelings his son is feeling now are more because he felt shame for losing his cool, for probably thinking he’s brought embarrassment and shame to his good fathers’ names.
“I also requested for your presence because I was hoping you could convince your son to write a letter detailing the incident. The other kid already did his part and wrote his side of the story and his letter of apology. I hope you understand Mr. Seo that even if we believe your son didn’t hurt the other student for no reason, it is the school’s policy to have the students involved in such an incident write their side of the story and a letter of apology for proper documentation. The school believes it’s the best way not only for the school but also for the students to avoid unwanted scenarios in the future.”
Johnny nods his head in understanding. There is no excuse not to do what the principal has requested, considering everything else.
“My husband and I will talk to him, Principal Shim. Thank you so much for your understanding.”
The father and son duo left the office with Johnny’s strong arm on his son’s narrow shoulder. The whole walk to the car was quiet. After Chanhee puts on his seatbelt, Johnny spoke.
“How does milkshake sound to you?”
Johnny watched as Chanhee plays with his food. Normally, he wouldn’t tolerate the action but he knows his son is going through something he’s not willingly opening himself up to. He knows he can only give him time, but honestly, time is running out. He called Taeil just a few minutes ago and offered to pick up the children after school on his way back, not wanting his husband to find out about what their son did without talking to Chanhee first.
“Son, you know you can’t stay silent forever, right?” Johnny asked in a soft tone. Chanhee stops playing with is food before a deep sigh escaped his mouth.
“I’m sorry appa..” the father felt his chest hurt a bit when his son’s voice quivered. “I’m sorry I disappointed you,”
Johnny quickly stood up to sit next to his son, putting his strong arm around Chanhee’s little shoulder.
“Hey.. son.. don’t cry. I know you. And yes, what you did today really surprised me that’s why I need you to explain to me what happened. I want to understand.”
Chanhee’s arms wrapped around his waist as he buried his face in his father’s chest, Johnny could only hug his son back, rubbing his big warm hand on the small of his back.
“I- I’m s-sorr-y appa,” his son’s voice came out muffled as he hiccups through the words. Johnny knew he cannot force his son to talk at this point. He doesn’t want his son to feel worse than he already does by forcing him to talk about it. He also knows he cannot keep this from Taeil especially if Chanhee is to stay home due to his 2-day suspension. He has to think of a way to break the news to his husband and he needs to think of a way fast.
He was occupied with his thoughts while consoling his son when his phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, he thinks he found a temporary solution to his dilemma.
🌕
Taeil was preparing dinner when Johnny and the kids got home. Chanhee and Ellie went into the kitchen to kiss him before the duo ran up to their room in a hurry.
“Hey beautiful, how are you?” Johnny asked when he came up to him, enveloping him in his arms, kissing him on his forehead.
“I’m okay. Why are they running to their room as soon as they get home?” Taeil asked looking at the door that closed behind their kids.
“Donghyuck called, he finally got a couple of days off and he said he missed the kids. He asked if he could keep them for two nights.” Johnny explained while showering his face with kisses, still not letting him go.
“Two nights? Johnny, they have school!”
“And Hyuckie knows that, honey. He’ll be taking and picking them up from school.” his husband answers unbothered. “He also said he knows how long it’s been since we were just by ourselves so he wanted to think he’s doing us a favor. You’re not gonna take that away from him, are you?” Johnny smiles fondly at him and Taeil instantly melts. He can’t deny the fact that he does miss having alone time with his husband. Chanhee’s now thirteen while Ellie’s ten and having two growing kids around, it’s hard to find time just for him and Johnny. But Taeil also couldn’t help but worry. The kids have never been just by themselves, without both parents for more than one night. One time, Taeil’s parents offered to look after the kids for two nights so the husbands could just relax, they ended up coming home the day after- too anxious to be away from their kids for more than a day.
“Relax baby. You know Hyuck. He loves the kids more than he loves us. I miss you.. I miss you and me,” his giant husband’s voice came out muffled as he has his face pressed on the elder’s freshly washed hair.
Taeil smiles at that. It’s amazing how Johnny, after all these years, still knows what to say to keep him calm.
I will be your anchor, this is what the younger told him when he recited his vow on their wedding day and Johnny has never not kept his words.
“I can just imagine it. We can go out on a date, just the two of us. Or we can stay in, cook some fancy Master Moon recipe, we’ll get drunk on wine..” Taeil smiles just imagining it too as his husband sways them into the beat of music only two hearts beating as one could hear.
“Okay.. okay..” he finally says.
Donghyuck came just in time for dinner. They talked over dinner, catching up on the younger’s activities, asked him about his relationship with the nice PD he met from one of his shows. Taeil found it a little odd that their old maknae didn’t ask about the kids’ school but figured they have more than enough time to catch up on that.
When it was time to say goodbye to Hyuck and the kids, he had to remind the adult what time to wake the kids up, their allergies (crustaceans for Ellie), their supplements (shoving a couple of boxes of Taeil’s and Johnny’s own supplement in Donghyuck’s hands for himself). Ellie hugged him first, whispering I love you in his ear, hugging his appa next. When it was Chanhee’s turn to say goodbye, the boy hugged him so tight knocking the air out of his lungs.
“I love you so much papa..” he says in a shaky voice.
Taeil rubs his back, hugging him even tighter.
“I love you more. It’s only for a couple of nights baby.. don’t start crying now. Don’t think for a moment I forgot how fast you ran to your room to pack your stuff when you heard Uncle Hyuckie was gonna pick you up..” he tried to comfort his son. He understands. He’s never been apart from their kids for more than a day, the only constant. It was a different case for Johnny as he often travels for business, or spend nights in The Lab for work.
Chanhee chokes on a sob and Taeil couldn’t help but worry.
“Will you be okay baby?” he asked, pulling away from his son to look at his face.
“Hey, hey buddy..” Johnny interrupts and Taeil is thankful.
“You know you can change your mind right? Uncle Hyuckie won’t mind if you don’t want to go..”
“Johnny hyung’s right, buddy. It’s okay if you changed your mind..” Donghyuck assured.
Chanhee smiles at his Uncle Hyuck before turning to his fathers. “I’m okay.. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to worry you appapa..”
Taeil smiles at his son, ruffling his thick hair “You call me or appa anytime okay?”
Chanhee nods his head, smiling wide this time, the dimple at the sides of his lips showing.
🐱
Johnny just stepped out of the shower, drying his hair when he found Taeil sitting on his side of the bed, staring at his phone. He hangs his towel to dry before crawling on to the bed, pulling his husband closer to him. He noticed how light his husband is and made a mental note to take him to the doctor for his annual check-up, and feed him more.
“Did they text yet?” he asked, kissing his husband on his temple.
“Mhmm..” he answers, showing a selfie Donghyuck sent of the three of them showing off the fort they built in Donghyuck’s living room.
“They’re growing up so fast..”
Johnny glances at his husband, feeling sentimental.
Chanhee was already two years old when they finally got to take him home. It shouldn’t have taken them that long, especially given their capacity to bring up a child but for some reason, the processing of the adoption papers didn’t go as smoothly as they were promised. Johnny remembers so well how Taeil cried every time they got a phone call from the social service worker telling them there has been another delay. He remembers so well how he would sometimes come home from a long day at work to find food at the table but no sign of his husband, only to find him in the fully-furnished nursery they started working on when they decided to finally go through with the adoption, sitting on the rocking chair, hugging the little dark blue blankie with stars embroidered on it. Because he’s going to be the star that will light up this house when he comes is what Taeil told him when he chose the pattern. Johnny smiled fondly at the thought. He already has his moon, now a star would come. Three years later, his sun would show up in a form of a tiny baby girl.
Johnny knew the moment he woke up that he’s gonna have to tell his husband what happened yesterday, today. The kids will be back tomorrow and he needs to properly talk to Taeil before that happens but he’s a little worried about how his beautiful husband is going to take it. They made love last night too- which is an adult way of saying they fucked like rabbits (Taeil moaning and screaming his name still ringing in his ears)- something they haven’t done in weeks (they would normally just go for a quickie, always careful especially with the kids around). It was beautiful which is why he’s a little upset that he’ll have to burst their little bubble before the end of the day.
It’s not that he doesn’t trust Taeil to understand. His husband is the kindest, most understanding, and loving person he knows. It's just that, other than being the stricter parent, he worries a lot about how he is raising their kids. He would always question himself, thinking if he’s being a good parent- which Johnny thinks is absolutely unnecessary, he is a perfect father and husband, a perfect family man, all in all-and would sometimes fall into a deep hole of self-doubt and uncertainty. Johnny would always pull him out of the hole but he couldn’t help too, but feel like he’s not reassuring his husband enough whenever that happens.
“Aren’t you going to work today?” Johnny was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard his husband’s sleepy voice.
He slots his arm under Taeil’s shoulder and pulls him to his chest, the smaller male getting himself comfortable in his husband’s embrace.
“Nah.. I can have a day off too,” he answers, kissing the top of his head. He’s so happy they finished the album before everything that happened yesterday went down.
“I’m thinking maybe we could go out. Go to a spa or something. I could use a massage.”
He feels his husband push himself off his chest, he was pouting when he looks at his face.
“Are you saying I’m not good enough to give you a massage?”
Johnny couldn’t help but chuckle. It’s been a couple of decades but he still looks so damn adorable whenever he pouts.
“I’m saying we should both get a massage. I’m sure your body needs it too. You’re too busy doing well raising our kids and running the house and you finally get the break you deserve.”
He watches as the pout turns into the prettiest of smiles making his husband look even more breathtaking as the sunlight hits his face just right.
“You’re so beautiful Taeil. I’m so in love with you.”
Taeil leans down to kiss him tenderly on his lips.
“I love you so much, Johnny.”
Once they’re feeling refreshed after their massage and Taeil got his stunning glow that obviously took his breath away, Johnny took Taeil shopping. Taeil insisted he didn’t need anything for himself but sweet talked Johnny into buying him the air fryer that doubles as a grill that he’s had his eyes on for months now (Johnny told him he was gonna buy it for him when he first talked about it but Taeil, being Taeil, held him off from doing so). Taeil wanted to shop for the kids too but Johnny told him today is about him, they’ll take the kids shopping on the weekend when they’re back from Hyuck’s. They had late lunch Al Fresco style where they had pasta and pizza and he happily watched his husband eat his weight (Taeil wanted their kids to eat proper, healthy meals so pizza is a rarity in the household despite it being his all-time favorite). They saw a movie his husband laughed at half the time- not because it’s funny but because it’s that bad and decided to call it a day when the clock strikes five.
Excited with his new air fryer, Taeil insisted on cooking dinner instead of ordering in. Johnny drops him off at their house and left again shortly after with a promise of a good wine when he comes back.
The kitchen smells of baked salmon when he came back, a red and white in a fancy paper bag in his hand. He placed them with the rest of his collection before snaking his arms around his husband’s tiny waist.
“Smells good..” he says kissing his husband just under his ear.
“Me or the food?” Taeil cranes his neck to give into Johnny’s ministrations on his neck.
“You more than the food..”
Taeil only chuckles before turning around to face him, standing on his tippy toes to kiss his lips.
“Will you set up the table please?”
Johnny chased his lips for another chaste kiss before pulling away.
Once the dinner has been served, he got the white wine and poured them a glass to share. Johnny didn’t get it at first- why Taeil would rather pour out wine so often in a single glass when they can have their own glasses. Then he realized it’s more intimate this way and he didn’t question any of his husband’s quirks later knowing there are reasons more intimate behind them.
His husband has the prettiest blush from the little wine he had by the end of the meal and he hates that he has to break the news to him now.
“Honey, I have something to tell you..” he tells him, carefully holding his hand and bringing it to his lips.
Taeil must have noticed his hesitation so he asked,
“What is it? Is something wrong?” Johnny saw the worry in his eyes and he hates the situation even more.
“It’s about Chanhee,”
“What about Chanhee?” the slight tilt on his husband’s voice was enough to tell him how the relaxing day they had before this conversation has been long forgotten. He took Taeil’s other hand, holding them both, squeezing them as he spoke.
“Honey, I need you to listen to me carefully okay? I need you to let me finish what I have to say before asking me any questions, can you do that for me?”
He saw Taeil’s eyes shake, going side to side, the way they do when his brain is on overdrive when he’s worried about something.
“Can you promise me that baby? Let me finish what I have to say?” He asked again, doing his best to make his eyes focus on him and on him alone. When Taeil’s eyes stopped shaking- finally focused on him- and he started nodding, he started talking.
“I got called in by the Chanhee’s school principal yesterday,” he paused for a pulse check, when Taeil didn’t say anything as he promised, he continues:
“Apparently, Chanhee punched another student yesterday,” he saw his husband’s eyes grow wide in shock, but still kept his promise. “the principal assured me that another student saw what happened and vouched for our son, that Chanhee only did what he did because of something the other student said. Our child has been provoked. Principal Shim assured me that he knows, all the teachers who knew Chanhee know, all his friends know Chanhee is not a bad kid. They all know what a good and wonderful kid our son is. The problem is, he wouldn’t tell anyone what really happened and he wouldn’t write his side of the story, when the other kid already did. It is the school’s policy to have the students write the incident report themselves whenever stuff like this happens. I tried to talk to Chanhee yesterday after I picked him up from school but he wouldn’t really say anything about it. I stopped asking him when he started to cry. He’s on a two-day suspension because of what happened but the principal assured me that the suspension is not going to go on his student file, but that would mean the other student gets a free pass too.”
It was hard for Johnny to finish everything he has to say, especially after the first tear rolled down from his husband’s beautiful eyes. Those tears don’t belong there. Not if they’re not happy tears. He hates it so much he feels gutted.
He gently runs his thumb under Taeil’s eyes, drying his tears, before he stood up to pull him in a hug. He feels his husband’s arms tighten around his waist, sobbing this time.
“Hey… honey.. please don’t cry..” Johnny begs. Seeing his husband cry is getting too much to bear.
“I’m… I.. I..” Taeil chokes in a stutter.
“Shhhh… baby, breathe.. wait..” he untangles himself from his husband’s grip so he could get him water to drink. When he returns with a glass of water, Taeil took it gratefully.
“Honey.. honey please, listen to me okay? I don’t want you questioning yourself again-“
Johnny stops talking when Taeil shook his head violently.
“I.. I just.. I know we’re doing our best in raising them.. I’m just.. I don’t know what to do now.. I..I..”
Johnny gently pulls Taeil’s head to his chest, running his fingers through the elder’s hair.
“Baby, there’s only one thing we can do.. we have to make Chanhee open up to us, tell us what happened without him feeling like we’re judging him-“
“We will never.. we will always believe what they have to say.. we raised them properly, they know better than to lie to us..”
Johnny nods his head. Of course, Taeil is a great parent, and everybody will know how great a parent Taeil is through their kids.
Johnny dragged Taeil with him to work the next day. He will not let Taeil stay in the house alone so he could overthink some more. It was so hard to make him stop crying last night. It was so hard to convince him that them, two married men raising children, has nothing to do with anything. Taeil was so hurt thinking it could be this reason why his son was being treated as such at school, saying he shouldn’t be going through that, not at 13, not ever. Johnny couldn’t help but feel hurt at what his husband said but he didn’t think too much of it. He knew what Taeil meant and he is hellbent on proving to Taeil that there is nothing wrong with their family. So what if they are two men raising kids? He knows they are raising their kids a lot better than what people with a “normal” family set up could ever.
He silently thanks God when he found Mark already in his office studio when they arrived. The younger is always chatty when he gets back from business trips and vacations. He could use him as a distraction for Taeil while he takes care of some stuff of his own. Two birds with one stone.
It was close to four PM when he hears a knock on his door before it opens. His assistant escorts his children inside his office, followed by Donghyuck, carrying Ellie’s bag for her.
“Oh!” Johnny’s chair rolled back a little when Ellie practically jumps to his lap, hugging him tightly.
“Appa! I missed you!” Johnny chuckles as his little girl showers him with kisses. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Chanhee walking into his papa’s arms who was sitting on the couch. He saw his husband squeeze him in his arms showering him with kisses making their thirteen-year-old giggle.
“Papa! Stop I’m a big boy now!”
“Never! You’re always my baby!”
Johnny's heart stills at the sight. He was worried about the reunion but as it turned out, he has nothing to worry about. When Taeil meets his eyes, the elder smiles at him a reassuring one.
The fathers let their children decide what they were gonna have for dinner and as expected, the kids were okay with anywhere as long as they have fried chicken. Johnny decided to drive somewhere near their old dorm- from when they were still NCT- and breathes a sigh of relief to see the chicken place is still open for business.
The moment they stepped inside the family restaurant, the owner greeted them happily.
“Omo!”
Johnny smiled at the owner, happy that he still recognized them after so long.
“Omo!” the owner repeated, shaking in pure excitement.
“Sajangnim, annyeonghaseyo. It’s been a while..” Johnny greeted, bowing out of respect, extending his hand for a shake which the owner excitedly took.
“I’m so happy you remembered this old man and this old chicken place,” the old man smiles fondly at the family of four while he walks them to a quieter corner in the restaurant. It’s only when the owner asked them to take a seat did he notice a partition from the rest of the dining area.
“I put this here thinking some of you kids will be back someday and I don’t want other people bothering you while you eat..” the owner explained, pride evident on the way he said it.
“Do you want your usual?” the old man surprised him even more with the question.
“You remember our order?” Johnny asked, simply amazed at the warmth this old man is showing him and his family.
“Of course! You! You always order the sweet and spicy chicken wings! And this man right here,” he says, pointing at Taeil “he likes the sweet soy boneless with extra sesame seeds.”
Johnny watches as his husband’s eyes grow so wide at that. The old man could only laugh at the reaction.
“I knew you two were gonna end up being together. This man,” the owner of the restaurant says, putting his hand on Johnny’s shoulder, “he always took good care of you whenever you would come here even before you made it big. When you were just trainees, doing your best to someday make a name for yourselves.”
Johnny felt heat spread throughout his face at what the elderly man had said, making the elderly laugh.
“Are these beautiful kids your children?” he asked, shortly after.
“Uh.. yes, sajangnim. Kids say hi,” Johnny prompted their children.
“Annyeonghashimnika, haraboji,” it was Chanhee who greeted him first, standing up from his seat, placing his hands on his belly and bowing a perfect 90 degrees. Ellie doing the same after.
“You have very good kids here. I’m not surprised,” the elderly smiled fondly at them.
Johnny couldn’t describe how proud he was at that time.
After three orders of chicken (one sweet and spicy, two sweet soy with extra sesame seeds- since Taeil and Ellie can’t tolerate spice that well), one family sized sweet and sour pork (sauce on the side) and jajangmyeon, the family of four left the restaurant with a promise to come back some time, making the owner very happy (also earning their little family free ice creams for dessert), Johnny drove them home.
He looked at the rearview mirror to check on their children. Ellie was already dozing off from her seat at the back while Chanhee stares out the window. He glanced to his side and saw Taeil already looking at him. He reaches out for his hand and squeezed it, sharing his warmth. Hoping it’s somehow reassuring to the elder.
Johnny carried Ellie to her room, tucking her before kissing her goodnight. Taeil kissed her goodnight too before he turns off the light, and leaving the door slightly open. Ellie still has to outgrow her fear of the dark.
He finds his husband tucking their eldest to bed. He stood by the door, just watching them.
“I love you Chanhee. Sleep well,” his husband leans in to kiss their son only to be pulled in a tight hug.
“I love you papa. I love you so much. Thank you for being a very very good papa to me and Ellie,”
Johnny feels his eyes sting. He’s always been weak whenever his kids would show so much love for Taeil because that’s what his beautiful husband deserves, if not more. But this one is different- since they all know about the unspoken words too.
I’m sorry.
Johnny was just getting comfortable in bed again after he woke up to pee when their bedroom door opens. He squints for his eyes to focus and relaxes when Chanhee walks in.
“Appa? Are you awake?” he hears his son whisper.
Johnny raised his arm and gestured for his son to come over to the bed.
“What are you doing up so early?” Johnny whispers, checking the time on the digital clock on the bedside table, it’s only 4:47 AM.
Chanhee only stood there on his side, looking at his feet.
Johnny sat up and tugs his son’s hand, making him climb up the bed. Once the boy is settled between him and his husband, Johnny turns to his side to look at his son.
“Baby? You can’t sleep?” It’s not really a question, it was obvious, seeing the dark circle under his son’s eyes, despite it being dark in the room, only the soft glow from the moon outside being his source of light. His heart aches. He shouldn’t be this troubled at thirteen, making him lose sleep.
Chanhee turns on his side so he could face him.
“Appa,” he continues to whisper, “I want to tell you and papa what happened. But, I’m worried.. I don’t want to hurt you and papa..”
Johnny takes a deep breath when he heard his son choke.
“Son, you don’t have to worry about me and papa. We’re big boys, we can handle whatever you want to tell us-“
“Your appa’s right, Chanhee,”
They both jump a little at the sound of Taeil’s thick sleep laced voice. Taeil puts an arm over Chanhee’s waist, pulling him closer to him. Johnny followed suit, moving closer to them both, putting a strong arm over his son and husband’s waists.
“Why don’t you start from the beginning baby?”
And so, their son began his story.
The sun was high up when Johnny felt his side of the bed dip. He opens his eyes to see a pouting Ellie kneeling behind him.
“Why are you having a sleep party without me?” She whines. Johnny couldn’t help but feel sorry for leaving their daughter out but explained that Chanhee couldn’t sleep last night. The pout only disappeared when Johnny puts his big arm around her waist and carefully pulls her over his body, settling her beside her brother.
“Oppa are you okay?” Ellie asked in a tiny voice, cupping her brother’s cheek. Chanhee slowly opens his eyes, smiles a little, closing his eyes back but not before hugging his sister. The family of four in a tangled arms and legs when they all woke up three hours after.
“Kids it’s almost time to go! Come down here for breakfast!” Johnny hears Taeil call from the kitchen while he’s putting his shirt on.
The weekend after Chanhee’s incident at school has been a really nice family weekend for them. They spent Saturday afternoon shopping for the kids, Johnny telling them to just get anything they want (Taeil shooting him the look which he ignores, the kids didn’t end up wanting much anyway). On Sunday they went to the park after they got their chicken from the same restaurant they visited on Friday night. The owner was so happy to see them so soon, giving them a free order of jjokbal with lots of lettuce for wrapping and extra side dishes. The husbands insisted on paying for that too but the owner refused to take any payment for it (he did ask for a nice family picture he could hang on the wall though, which really wasn’t a big deal).
“Pancakes!” Ellie squeals when she saw what was waiting for them.
Chanhee came into the kitchen with his backpack dangling on one shoulder, holding two pieces of folded paper.
“Is that the letter the principal asked you to write?” Johnny asked, careful not to sound too eager to know.
“Yes. I think I wrote everything I wanted to write down.”
Johnny remembers how easy it was to convince their son to write the letter describing what happened, why he did what he did. It was a different story convincing him to write the letter that says he’s sorry though.
“Why should I say sorry? Shouldn’t we only say sorry when we mean it? Why should I say sorry if I punched him because of something that deserved it?
“Honey, think of it this way. Your classmate has a father too. And your classmate is very special to his father, like how you are very special to me and your appa. If someone hurt you, they will hurt me and your appa too even if they did not hurt us directly. Remember your reason when you punched him?”
Johnny watched in awe as his husband talks to their son.
“Because he said something about our family and that hurt me,” Chanhee answers in a small voice, nodding his head slowly.
“It’s just like that baby. When someone hurts someone we love, we get hurt too. You hurt someone’s son, you hurt his parents too.”
✶
Ms. Kim, Chanhee’s homeroom teacher came into the principal's office, holding off her laugh.
Principal Shim eyes the folded papers she was holding.
“Is that Chanhee’s letters?” he asked.
“Yes, Principal Shim. This is the letter he wrote telling what happened. The incident report, basically.” Ms. Kim handed him the paper. He reads it and saw that everything matched with what the other boy said in his letter. When he’s done reading it, he folded it back to its original form, Ms. Kim taking that as a sign to hand him the other paper. The letter of apology.
The principal’s eyes grow wide in amusement. He looks at Ms. Kim, completely taken by surprise at what he read. When Ms. Kim couldn’t hold back anymore, she burst out laughing, the principal following suit.
“Ohhh that kid!” he snickers, wiping tears away.
⭐️
Dear Ms. Kim and Principal Shim,
Hi! It’s me, Seo Chanhee.
I really don’t know what to write in this Sorry Letter that’s why I didn’t want to write it on Wednesday. I don’t know why I should say sorry when I only punched him because he said my family is not normal because I have two dads and me and my sister are not really their kids. I got angry because of that. My appa (Johnny) and papa (Taeil) are very good people and my little sister Ellie is a brat sometimes but I love her! Our appapa (Johnny Taeil) said that it is not good to lie so I don’t know why he’s lying, saying we are not normal. Our appapa (especially papa) told us that as long as there is love, anybody can be part of a family. I know my sister and me did not come from papa’s tummy because he’s a man and Ms. Park my science teacher said babies can only come from a mommy’s tummy. Well, I don’t know where me and Ellie’s mommies are and we are not really looking for them. Our appa works very hard for us and papa takes very good care of us. He always makes sure we eat healthy foods and makes sure that whenever we eat outside, there are no crustasians crustaes c r u s t a c e a n s (shellfishies) in our food because of Ellie’s allergies. He always cleans the house because Ellie has ashma a s t h m a and a dirty house will make it hard for her to breathe properly (Ellie is not very healthy I think). They always kiss us before we sleep and they always tell us “I love you”. And I love them too. I don’t care if I have two fathers. Me and my sister are lucky we have two fathers. They are the bestest!
But papa said I should say sorry because I hurt Seokmin’s father when I punched him. Like how he hurt me when he said those bad things about my family. So I am sorry to Seokmin’s father. I am sorry that I hurt him because I hurt his son. I am still not sorry I punched Seokmin but I am sorry to his dad.
Appapa told me fighting is not good. They said I should not hurt anybody especially my friends. So even if I am not sorry for punching Seokmin, if we become friends again, I will not hurt him again. Even if he say more bad things. Papa said I have to be the better man all the time so I am going to try and do that. Please don’t tell appapa this but papa is more scary even if he’s the smaller one. But he’s not scary like monster scary. He’s scary because he cries fast and I don’t like seeing papa cry. He cries even if he’s happy so it’s hard to tell why he’s crying sometimes. But maybe he cries more because he’s happy because whenever he cries, appa is always smiling at him. Appa loves papa so much so he’s not going to smile at him if papa’s crying because he’s not happy, right?
My family is confusing to some but I love my family and I will not want any other family than my family. I always pray to God to thank him for giving me the family I have.
I’m sorry too that this letter is so long. You said only short and not many sentences but I can’t stop writing.
Okay. I will stop writing now.