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The 3 children were presented with a problem: something changed.
It was almost unnoticeable but it was certainly obvious to them. Cale, their forever parent and the one who gave them a safe haven where they can be themselves and be comfortable, changed.
Its not something like he had become cold and distant with them, rather, Cale was making sure to spend every minute of his time whenever he's home with the three of them. Which is honestly nice, but completely out of the blue.
Normally, Cale would mostly be holed up inside his room when he's not outside. He was always on-guard, and chose to be alone. Cale was someone who refuse to let anyone in his life. Even the three children found it difficult and worrisome. How will Cale live if he continued being like that?
These days though, Cale seemed...more happier. They rarely see him tense nowadays whenever he's about to go outside like he's preparing layers upon layers of shield to protect himself from something.
It was a nice change, but they came to a horrifying question: What happened to Cale?
Don't get them wrong, they are very happy that Cale was much more relax when going outside than he used to. But what triggered the change?
They could only pick up on the small hints Cale was unconsciously dropping. Like how Cale seemed to smile when he's cooking for their meals or when he's serving their food like he was thinking of something (which shocked On, Hong and Raon that they simultaneously dropped their jaw, because Cale doesn't randomly smile like that as far as they could remember)
Or when Cale always made sure his phone was always on his sight and was trying hard not to make it obvious that he was waiting for something.
That time too when they heard Cale laugh while he was inside his room that made all the alarms in their head blaring loudly. As if warning them of something.
Cale was happy, and that was nice. But why was he like this?
On, Hong and Raon found out a few days later the reason why Cale was being the way he was right now.
And it was because they overheard Rosalyn talking on the phone with Cale. She mentioned a foreign name that they swore they have never heard before that put the same kind of smile Cale has when he's cooking to his lips.
They could only come to one conclusion at that moment.
Cale was dating someone.
"Are you dating someone?" Hong asked, hesitantly.
Cale stared at them. On chimed in at that, "He's dating someone."
"Why didn't you tell us?!" Raon clutched on Cale's pants. He was puffing his cheeks out to show that he didn't like the fact that Cale kept it a secret from them.
"We want to meet them, nya!" Hong subconsciously let out the 'nya' sound that he hadn't gotten rid out of his vocabulary yet.
"You're going to bring them here, right?" On was smiling while she said that. Raon stared at her smile that looked similar to the one Cale has when he's about to scam someone. Raon stared at his hyung and noona before he turned to look at Cale.
"Human! You need to bring them here! We will make sure to threa—I mean, get to know them better!" Raon was smiling brightly.
Cale felt iffy looking at the smiles on the children's face but decided not to think about it. "You're not going to ask whether I'm dating a man or a woman?" Cale asked that instead.
"We don't care!"
They shouted in sync.
Cale could only laugh at them.
On, Hong and Raon was taught a few things. First, it was never to assume someone's gender. Cale told them when they are meeting someone for the first time its better to refer to that person as "them" just to be safe. Second, it was to respect people's preference in everything. That includes their preference with their partner's gender.
They really liked learning about those kind of stuff, everything they learned from Cale was carved on their minds and hearts. It is because they know that Cale is teaching them those for a reason. Although they haven't figured it out and hasn't learned everything they needed to know yet, it was fine as long as they weren't hurting anyone, was what Cale always told them.
That was why, when the next day, when Cale brought a man with him, they didn't really reacted much.
The person's gender didn't matter, it was that person's intention. That was what's important to them. Whether he meant no harm and to stay by Cale's side for good was something they needed to know in order to accept them as Cale's lover and their other parent figure.
"Hey, what do we call you?" On and Raon wasn't surprised when that was the first thing that Hong asked that person as soon as they reached the living room and had the visitor sit on the couch as the three of them stood in front like it was an interrogation and not just a simple introduction.
"Choi Han" the person, Choi Han said with a soft voice. Like how they were actually thinking how cute the three of them were.
On shook her head, "He meant what your preferred pronoun is"
Choi Han blinked at her word. Choi Han turned towards Cale who was also sitting on the couch next to them and once they made eye contact, Choi Han's face softened.
"I'm fine with him/his"
On nodded her head to show that she understands.
Raon raised his hand at that moment, "Then! How long have you known our human?"
CHoi Han, once again looked towards Cale before letting out a soft chuckle. He found the peculiar nickname they have given Cale quite adorable.
"A year, I met Cale through a common friend. We've been dating for a month now"
On, Hong and Raon's jaw dropped.
"A month?!" they shrilled.
Cale flinched when the three children looked towards his direction with almost teary eyes and betrayed looks. Cale suddenly felt the need to explain.
Choi Han tilted his head to the side, "Cale didn't tell you?"
When he was met with silence, Choi Han already figured the answer. He let out another chuckle.
Choi Han glanced towards Cale before smiling at the three children who were close to sulking, "Cale had always found it difficult to speak up, I hope you'll forgive Cale"
The children's expressions immediately changed.
Okay, maybe Choi Han is a good person after all. But they still need to take extra precautions.
"Tell us about what you like" On asked.
"About Cale? or things I generally like?" Choi Han asked back.
Once again, the children was silent. It was Hong who answered after a few more minutes of stillness.
"...Both. We want to hear both answers"
Choi Han let out a hum and looked like he was thinking about something, "I don't know if my likes is okay to share with kids though..." the children felt a bit offended at his word but Choi Han missed that since he looked towards Cale as if asking for permission.
"...They'll understand, just don't say something they shouldn't hear"
Now they felt betrayed by Cale.
What things are they even talking about? They also want to know!
Choi Han nodded his head before starting to speak. "First, I like teaching other people. I originally wanted to become a teacher but I thought it might be better to choose something else to do instead"
The children nodded their head in acknowledgement. As a matter of fact, they absolutely liked what Choi Han said. If he somehow managed to get their approval then it would be nice to have him teach them the things that Cale hadn't taught yet.
They paid close attention to Choi Han's next words.
"...I also like martial arts. Actually," Choi Han paused, then he looked towards Cale, "Are you sure its okay for me to say this?"
"Go ahead"
With that, Choi Han continued his sentence that he abruptly paused which made On, Hong and Raon curious about what he was going to say.
"I came from a family who studies ancient sword art so I like holding a sword and training my body."
The children's eyes sparkled at that moment.
"...S, so cool..." Raon subconsciously said his thought out loud but neither Hong nor On said anything about it. They were also amazed at that newfound knowledge about this man.
Choi Han felt his chest warm seeing their reaction. They were just too cute, like their adoptive parent. He felt the urge to protect these three with everything he has to offer.
"Can you show us next time?" Hong asked excitedly, not minding his words. Choi Han, on the other hand, perked up at the promise of a next time.
Choi Han was about to agree on reflex when he realized something and turned towards the person sitting beside him. "...If Cale wants me to, then sure"
At that, the three children looked towards Cale with their eyes full of expectation.
Cale only let out a loud sigh, though it was a good enough answer for them. They went back to their earlier topic.
"I grew up next to nature so I'm quite fond of it."
This time, the kids stopped themselves from voicing out their thoughts. They were also someone who liked nature a lot, Cale brought them out to places that were surrounded by nature whenever they asked him to take them out. That was the reason why they could agree with Choi Han's sentiment but they chose to be silent about it.
"...I also like the color red"
Choi Han was gazing at Cale with a soft look on his face. The kids also looked at Cale.
Once again, they could agree to what Choi Han had said.
Cale frowned, "Stop looking at me"
Choi Han just laughed. It was a very Cale response coming from Cale that they all didn't think much of it.
"I have a soft spot for small animals too"
On, Hong and Raon gasped at what he said before turning towards Cale with the same sparkly eyes. They've been asking (note: bugging) Cale to buy them a pet to play with but he had always flat-out refuse. Maybe if they get Choi Han to ask Cale for them, he would agree.
The children found themselves brewing plans for the future.
"And last is Cale"
They stopped at what Choi Han said.
Choi Han was looking at Cale with eyes fond-filled and a soft small smile, "I really love Cale"
They all fell silent.
It was until Cale took the throw pillow and threw it on Choi Han's face and his laughter was heard when the words finally registered in the 3 children's mind and stay rooted on their heart.
They could not erase the way Choi Han looked at their Cale with the kind of expression that really showed how much he mean what he said.
Though Raon was concern about something else,
"...You like our human last?"
He was pouting.
Choi Han paused, stared at him, then smiled. "I love him the most"
"ah," Choi Han quickly corrected himself, "I meant ze. I love ze the most"
Cale was staring at Choi Han with a surprised look on hir face while the children gasped.
They might have been slowly accepting Choi Han but they were still wary of him. Until Choi Han called Cale by hirs preferred pronoun that they honestly didn't know about before Choi Han said it himself.
Knowing that Choi Han was someone who respects Cale's preference was enough to appease them. People like him were rare to find and they were extremely thankful that Cale was able to meet someone like Choi Han.
Choi Han was someone who didn't care much about pronouns before because he didn't put much importance to it, until he met Cale. It was due to Cale's bold declaration that ze wanted to be referred to by ze/hir. Choi Han admired hir about it and deeply respected hir preference that Choi Han was now being mindful of other people's pronouns too.
Meeting Cale truly was a blessing for him. Choi Han felt happy every time he got to call Cale by hir pronouns loudly. He still wasn't exactly used to it but he's making sure that he imprints it on his mind so he would never forget and never hurt Cale's feelings.
Cale tug on Choi Han's wrist, "That's enough introduction, you can go home"
Choi Han laughed at him, "Why? We're not even done yet, I haven't told them my answer on the second question"
Cale frowned, "You don't have to say it. Go home"
"But I don't want to" Choi Han was smiling.
Cale clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Why are suddenly being stubborn? You aren't like this"
Choi Han just gave hir a cheeky smile and lightheartedly said, "You can use your earphones while I tell them the things I like about you, but you have to stay by my side" as he finished his sentence, Choi Han intertwined his and Cale's hand together. The three children watched this silently, realizing once more how Choi Han deserves their Cale more than anyone else.
And just like that, Cale ended up with his earphones and loud music blasting to his ears as Choi Han listed the things he liked about Cale while their hands are still strongly clasped and didn't let go.
While listening to Choi Han talk, On, Hong and Raon realized that they liked the same things about Cale.
Extra:
"...So, what do you like about Cale?" On hesitated before finally asking it out loud.
Cale now had hirs earphones on hir ears, cellphone on hand. Ze seemed adamant on avoiding hearing their conversation at all cost. Choi Han just silently watch hir with the same adoration he had always directed towards Cale.
A soft smile on his lips as he answer without hesitation, "Everything"
Choi Han didn't even felt the need to think when he answered. "I love everything about hir"
