Work Text:
Jaehyun’s daily routine on weekdays goes like this: Wake your kid up by 6am, let her wash her up as you cook and prepare her breakfast and baon, tie her hair while she eats, bring her to school by 7:30 am, and then go to work by 8 am.
Then, work the best you can till 5pm, pick your child up by 5:30, make both of your dinners and attentively listen to your child ramble about her day (make sure you tell her your adventures as well), then study with your kid on her assignment.
After that, let her play as you clean up the house, and give her a wash up before you tuck her in her bed. That’s when you can finally go to sleep before you tell your child how much you love her.
On weekends, it’s a bit similar except the fact that Jaehyun’s not working and Daisy, his child, is not at school. Instead, they go out on their weekly dates wherever his child wishes to go. Movies? Water park? Mall? Jaehyun can manage, he’s lucky to have a job that can pay him well for it.
Jaehyun is content with his life, despite how tiring it may look. Yes, it does seem like it’s exhausting being a single dad and all however, Jaehyun loves his child so much, and that’s what just really matters. He would do anything for his little princess.
It’s funny how Jaehyun said that, and yet here he is nagmamadaling i-shutdown ang company desktop niya bago siya tumayo para makaregister ng log out niya. He’s late.
Jaehyun worriedly sighs, this has been the third time he’s late again.
Finally free. Jaehyun thought as he annoyingly placed his thumb on their company’s biometrics registration. Agad siyang lumabas papunta sa parking lot and he glances on his watch and mentally cursed, fuck, it’s 7pm already.
His child is probably anxiously waiting for him at her preschool again. God, baka umiiyak na nga uli eto.
Tarantang kinuha ni Jaehyun ang phone niya at tinawagan yung number ng pre-school teacher ng anak niya.
"Hi, Teacher Yongie. Pasensya na po uli, paalis naman na po ako" sabi nito pagsagot sa tawag niya.
One of Jaehyun’s co-workers suddenly resigned which means that dagdag trabaho nanaman sila. Nainis si Jaehyun dito, hindi naman niya kasi kasalanan kung umalis na yung katrabaho niya, bakit niya pa kailangan sumalo ng workload nito? wala naman yan sa job description niya.
Jusko, pamilyadong tao po ako, maawa naman kayo, may batang nagaantay sakin.
He hears Taeyong made a sound of assurance, "Nako okay lang! hindi ka nga niya actually hinahanap eh. Ayun, busy makipagtawanan sa kapatid ko." Napataas kilay ni Jaehyun dito, surprised.
His child is one like him who doesn’t easily get close to other people, but in Daisy's case, it only started after her mom died. Daisy is so close with her mother that she became detached to the people around her after she left.
She still smiles, all bubbly, but only to the people she’s comfortable with. This is also probably why she doesn’t have many friends.. No kid would want someone who always scowls as a playmate. Jaehyun feels his heart start to cry with hope and wonder after hearing this.
He sighs and answers, "I’m still sorry. nakapagabala pa ako. Hindi ko rin kasi napansin yung oras, this won't happen again." He promises, more to himself than to the Teacher.
Hindi na siya sinagot ng kausap, narinig niyang tinawag niya anak nito, "Daisy! do you want to talk to your dad?"
Nagulat si Jaehyun, but he readies himself when he hears big stomps of feet and the cries of his baby, "Daddyyyy! Hiiii!"
"Hi, baby. I’m sorry if daddy's late, how are you?"
“I'm fine! I'm playing with teacher yongie's kapatid!" Jaehyun laughs, biglang nawala yung pagod niya at napalitan ng excitement, kung eto’y hawa ng anak niya or at the thought of his baby laughing to someone else beside him and his Teacher Yongie, he’s not sure, but he feels giddy and warm.
"That's good" he answers.
"Mmm,” he imagines his child nodding, “Daddy, I found my Princess Peach!" kwento sa kanya.
Nagstart na maglakad si Jaehyun papunta na kotse niya, "oh?"
"You got yourself a best friend?" he continues as he pats his pockets to look for his keys.
"Yes! My Princess Peach is really funny, daddy. He tells me stories about the mushroom kingdom. You'll love him, Daddy!"
"Mmm, that's nice" Jaehyun answers absentmindedly, he shuffles through his keys before he inserts the right one and goes inside his car to start the engine.
"Introduce her to me later, okay?" he continues.
"Princess Peach! Daddy calls for you!" Natawa si Jaehyun, kulit sabing mamaya na eh. He places his phone on the phone-holder and puts it on speaker as he waits before he places his hands on the steering wheel and steps on the pedal.
"Hello?" he heard and Jaehyun gulped, suddenly nervous with the thought of talking to a stranger. He didn't expect that Princess Peach is actually a grown up man, akala niya bata lang din and a girl.
"Umm. Hi? I'm so sorry for bothering your time, also thank you na din" he answers.
The line went silent and Jaehyun glanced at his phone to see that it's still connected. Mags-salita uli sana siya kaso sumagot na pabalik yung kausap niya, "Your little Daisy is a sweet kid, Sir Jaehyun, I don't think it's a bother at all" the guy assures.
Jaehyun feels his heart warm up with the compliment yet he presses his lips together to stop himself from getting emotional, "Pero you might have other things to do instead of taking care of a child," he insisted kasi he still can't help it.
Natawa yung kausap niya, high pitched and sudden, but genuine. Jaehyun swallowed, he likes the sound.
"Makulit ka din pala like your child" biro nito sa kanya, Jaehyun smiles.
He twists the car’s turn signal on before he turns right on the road, “Yeah, yun nga sabi nila.”
"Are you driving?" tanong sa kanya, he must’ve heard the blinker.
Jaehyun answered yes and Peach, he doesn't know his name yet, clicked his tongue, "You shouldn't be on your phone while driving," he scolded.
Jaehyun sheepishly smiles with this, “Sorry.”
Pahabol na nagbiro si Jaehyun, “I'm on the way na pala.” He heard a scoff, "well, duh" sagot nito sarcastically, and Jaehyun laughs out loud. He could see why his child easily opened up to him, the guy is charming in a simple way.
Peach joins him with his laughter before he tells him that they should continue their conversation later without the worries of getting distracted on a drive. Jaehyun agrees and mumbles a bye before Peach goes to call his Daisy.
“Daddy! Ingat ka ha! Byeeeee, Love you!” Jaehyun hears and he didn’t get to talk back as the line went into beep. Umiling nalang si Jaehyun dito, ngiting napakatamis, bago siya bumalik sa pagf-focus sa kanyang pagmaneho.
“Daddyyyy!!” Jaehyun automatically squats down with his arms open wide to welcome his little princess in his embrace as she runs to him. He carries her and twirls her around while his lips never leave her cheeks, continuously pecking it, emitting a giggle from his baby.
Hinawakan ni Daisy ang mukha niya to look at his eyes directly and say, “I missed you!” Lips stretched out wide with happiness. Nginitian niya pabalik ang anak niya bago niya nilapit ang mukha niya to rub his nose to hers and Daisy laughed at umiwas, pagbibiro sa tatay niya.
“Aba?” That’s the warning Daisy could only get before Jaehyun went to attack her face with another set of kisses. Daisy squeals with laughter at tinutulak ang naabot niyang balikat ng tatay niya palayo, “Noooo. That tickles!” she begged. Jaehyun finally lets go, at tumatawa rin.
“San mo gusto kumain ngayon?” Tanong nito sa anak niya. His child’s eyes sparkled with excitement and Jaehyun could only wait as he looked at her adorably, “We’re eating out?!” Daisy screams happily.
Jaehyun nodded and laughed when his child celebrated. He placed her down to let her grab her things and he watched her run back inside before he noticed the man standing by the side of the school’s entrance, watching his child enter inside the building.
Jaehyun blinks, the guy looks like he’s been there the whole time watching his moment with his kid based on the small smile he’s wearing. Nakatayo lang eto with his hands in his pockets and he looks up to see Jaehyun’s attention on him.
The guy stiffened for a bit before he raised his hand and said his greetings. “Hi,” the guy started, shyly.
Jaehyun nodded and smiled back, hoping it didn't look very awkward. He’s really not good with strangers, but he can’t deny that he’s curious about the person standing far from him. “Hi,” he said back.
The guy looks like he’s contemplating on something as he shuffles for a while before he finally stands straight with determination and walks towards him.
Now that Jaehyun finally got a clear look on the guy’s face, Jaehyun felt like his breath was taken away. He’s really beautiful, walking confidently and face glowing. Kinabahan si Jaehyun sa liwanag na dala nung lalaki habang papalapit eto sa kanya. Pinagmamasdan siya nito with a soft smile, very welcoming and so warm, Jaehyun felt tingles running on his spine with anticipation. His hands went clammy, and he got conscious, the urge to fix his hair wins kaya sinuklay niya sarili niya.
The guy stopped in front of him at napatingala ito sa kanya since he’s shorter. Jaehyun slowly places his hand back on his side and gulps.
Jaehyun tries to hide away at the thought of how it’s definitely the perfect height to give forehead kisses, he doesn’t need to know that. Nor does he need to recognize how this guy looks adorable and sighs really really pretty.
He unconsciously licks his lips, “hi” he said.
Tumaas ang kilay ng lalaki dito, his lips pressed as an attempt to hold in a grin and Jaehyun mentally facepalms himself when he remembered that they just exchanged greetings not too long ago. He clears his throat, very impressive, Jaehyun.
“It’s nice to see you’ve arrived safe and sound,” The guy started. Jaehyun blinks as he raises his eyebrows, “sorry?” he dumbly asks.
The guy’s lips stretched into a grin, charming and playful, yet sweet and comforting and ugh, so beautiful. Jaehyun’s mind goes haywire, he felt his knees go weak, and his heart suddenly palpitates. He thought na okay rin naman pala mag mukhang ewan kung ganitong katamis na ngiti ang maibibigay sa kanya. Tinignan siya nito with his eyes sparkling, inviting and holding a slight hint of mischief and adoration. Jaehyun takes a deep breath to calm himself and collect his thoughts.
“Are you-“
“Daddy! Let’s go!” He got interrupted as both of them turned to look at the kid running giddily towards them.
“Hey, careful!” Sabi ng kasama niya. Jaehyun closes his mouth and he steals a glance to see him attentively watching every step of his kid. He catches himself to stop staring before he could get caught.
Napaisip siya bigla, four .
That’s the amount of moles Jaehyun saw at the guy’s face at his observation, and bagay ito sa kanya, he thinks. He looks like a person born blessed from the universe, he wonders if he can discover more. He shakes his head, get it together, Jaehyun.
Daisy looked up and raised her hand na hinawakan naman agad ni Jaehyun before she peeks at the other man and raises her hand as well. Nagulat yung dalawa dito, napaturo yung lalaki sa sarili in question and Daisy happily nods as she shakes her hand in the air to confirms what she wants.
The guy looks like he’s struggling whether to accept the invite or not, and Jaehyun steps in, “Baby, saan tayo?” That caught her kid’s attention.
“Jollibee!” her kid answers, ngumiti si Jaehyun dito. Looks like his kid is really in a good mood.
“Okay, say bye bye to your Teacher Yongie an-“
“Teacher Yongieee, byeeee!” Daisy waves enthusiastically.
Napailing nalang si Jaehyun and he nods to his kid’s teacher. Magpapaalam na din sana eto sa katabi ngunit di pa siya nakakapagsalita, hinihila na siya ng anak niya para tawagin ang atensyon nito, he looks at her to see her looking up pleading, “Daddy, can we please invite Princess Peach?”
He hears a breath of shock and he raises his head to see the other guy looking at his kid with wide eyes, Jaehyun watches as the guy calms his face and slowly sits in front of his kid.
That’s when Jaehyun finally gets it. Napatawa siya sa sarili niya, of course, this is the guy who apparently got his kid’s heart. He definitely understands.
“Princess Daisy,” The guy started, his child giggled at the tone. Jaehyun tilted his head to watch them with a mixture of fondness and curiosity.
“Maybe next time nalang?” He finishes. Daisy frowned, “But, you have to tell me more about the mushroom kingdom!” She whines as she shakes her body.
Napatingin sa kanya yung lalaki, sheepishly smiling, “Sorry. Masyado siyang natuwa sa mga kwento ko,” sabi sa kanya.
Umiling si Jaehyun and he smiles reassuringly, “No, it’s fine. I was actually about to invite you to join us for dinner if you don’t have any plans tonight?” He asks with anticipation.
Sa kanya naman tumingin na gulat yung lalaki at kinabahan uli bigla si Jaehyun dito. “You can say no!” He added. “Maybe next time,” hopefully, “ if it bothers your time.” Jaehyun finishes
“Please, Princess Peach!” his child begs.
Parehas nagaabang yung mag-ama sa sagot ng kausap nila, napalingon yung lalaki sa kuya niya, Daisy’s Teacher Yongie, na ngumiti sa kanya knowingly bago siya tumango at sabihing, “It’s fine. Johnny’s actually waiting na din.”
“But it’s late na,” he hears him say.
“Hatid ka na namin pauwi” Jaehyun answers, the guy glances at him for a second before he looks at his brother again, “Sure?” Tanong nito.
“Donghyuck, go, ” Patawang sabi nalang sa kanya.
Donghyuck, Jaehyun noted, happy na he finally knows the person’s name.
Donghyuck jokingly sighs in defeat and he smiles when Daisy shouted with glee. He later laughs when her celebration is joined by her father.
“Daisy is really adorable,” Donghyuck tells him.
Kasalukuyang nakaupo ang anak niya pati si Donghyuck sa likod ng kotse niya, ihahatid na sana niya pauwi kaso masarap ang tulog ng anak niya habang karga karga eto ni Donghyuck. They decided na umuwi nalang sa kanila kasi alam nilang nagt-tantrum ang bata if she got disturbed on her sleep, it happened a while ago nga daw eh, kwento ni Donghyuck.
Besides, it’s already late, with the trio enjoying too much at their dinner they didn’t recognize how time passes by not until Daisy started to yawn.
And Jaehyun doesn’t mind if the guy would sleep at their house for one night, may guest room din naman sila.
Jaehyun glanced at them with the rearview mirror and he gave Donghyuck a smile when their eyes met.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking,” Donghyuck started and Jaehyun readies himself.
“A while ago, she mentioned if it’s possible to save Queen Maia from the tunnels when we were playing Princesses.” Jaehyun clenched his hands on the steering wheel and he felt a pang in his heart. His throat tightens and he blinks when he feels water starting to pool.
“I’m guessing she’s?”
“Her mother, yeah” Jaehyun answers with a sigh.
Tumango si Donghyuck dito at hinaplos haplos ang buhok ng bata na yakap yakap niya, “May I ask what happened?”
There was a slight pause as Jaehyun gathered his thoughts, but the atmosphere isn’t really heavy, it’s been years na din naman. “It happened 3 years ago..” Jaehyun started.
“Naatake siya one midnight. Got a tumor, and was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage.”
“We were told she's under observation for 3 days, but she didn’t make it on the 3rd night.” Jaehyun finishes. He’s been telling the same story to the people around him.
“I’m sorry for that,” Donghyuck said. Umiling si Jaehyun at tinignan uli siya sa salamin to see him looking back with a sympathetic smile.
“Ineexpect naman na din namin siya.” Jaehyun said, voice comforting, to Donghyuck and maybe to him.
“She had a history of aneurysm back then before we had Daisy, and the doctor told us that it might come back,” He added.
Donghyuck slowly opens his mouth with shock before he regains his composure and shushes the child in his arms back to sleep after she whines.
Jaehyun looked at them fondly, “I actually wanted to thank you,” Jaehyun said.
“Hmm?” Donghyuck questioned as he mindlessly patted Daisy on her back.
“You know.. that whole three days on the ICU, Daisy never left her mom’s side, and she was just 4 years old back then.” Jaehyun emptily chuckles. “After Maia died, I felt like I lost my child as well.”
He stops by the red light of an intersection and turns to look at him. Donghyuck looked like he’s holding himself from crying, tears welling up in his eyes, wide and shining yet with compassion and empathy. Jaehyun resisted the urge to go hold and comfort him. He instead smiled at him, promising a new start.
“But then, I heard from her Teacher Yong that my baby? Laughing with a stranger?” Jaehyun exclaims with a friendly tone and Donghyuck’s lips start to form a smile, even if his eyes still hold a few sadness. “This is actually the first time she got easily attached and open up with someone.” Jaehyun explains.
Donghyuck suddenly frowns at this, but then Jaehyun lifts his hand to assure that it’s fine.
“But now, I see how happy she is and it’s been a while since I saw her this happy,” he finishes. He watches Donghyuck blink before he softly smiles at him, shy and thankful. Jaehyun smiles back, tender and reassuring.
Jaehyun recalls how much laughter the three of them shared at their dinner. With Donghyuck’s endless stories and jokes, Daisy clapping her hands with glee as she listens attentively and both of them teaming up to tease Jaehyun, who gladly plays with them, everything seems natural to the three of them, parang hindi lang bagong kilala yung isa sa kanilang mag-ama.
For sure, a stranger would think na isa silang buong pamilya na masayang kumakain at nagb-bonding sa labas.
Huh. Jaehyun pauses, that thought actually looks promising.
He glances back to see a wonderful sight, Donghyuck with his soft smile as leans down to press a kiss on his child’s head, and Daisy humming in his embrace because of that. He hopes that he could get to see more of this.
“Jae, green light. Eyes on the road” he heard Donghyuck say and Jaehyun laughed before he turned back to start driving again.
“Daddy?” Daisy stirs from her sleep as Jaehyun gently places her on her bed.
“Yes, baby?” Jaehyun asks gently
It was silent for a while as Daisy blankly stared ahead, fighting her sleepiness. Jaehyun laughs to himself and at how adorable his baby is.
“Where’s Duckie?” Tanong sa kanya, after a moment.
Duckie is what Donghyuck insisted on Daisy to call him at their dinner, “I’m not your Teacher Yong eh, kaya you can’t call me teacher. Tapos we can’t be playing princesses all the time kaya you can’t call Princess Peach all the time then.”
“But you’re my best friend!” His daughter claims, pouting.
“I know, baby kaya you can call me Duckie instead. Nobody uses that, only you can,” He promises.
“Donghyuck is already resting at the guest room, my princess,” Jaehyun answers.
Napasimangot si Daisy dito and Jaehyun went to brush her hair at the back of her ear, “Why the long face?” He asks.
“I haven’t told him I love him, Daddy. Diba, you told me we should express our love every time before we go to sleep?”
Nagulat si Jaehyun dito and he pauses. He slowly nods his head to his child before he answers, “hmm.. I see you love your Duckie very much, ah?”
Daisy quickly nods her head, “Yes, daddy! Don’t you love Duckie, daddy?” Jaehyun barks out a laugh, off guard.
Natahimik si Jaehyun when he notices that his daughter is patiently waiting for his answer, “Do you want me to love Donghyuck?” he asks back.
Ngumiti nang napakalawak ang anak niya, “Don’t you, daddy?” at natawa nanaman si Jaehyun dito, “What are you saying, baby?”
His child giggles, “Duckie’s smile is really beautiful, daddy!” She starts, Jaehyun nods because he agrees.
“Teacher Yong said anyone who sees his smile will love him, and it’s true! Because I love him, daddy. He just smiled at me when he calls me Princess Daisy!” Daldal sa kanya, at pinapanood lang siya ng ama niya with a soft smile. My baby, please don’t grow up too fast, you’re too pure for this world.
“I saw him smiling at you a lot of times then that means you should love him a lot of times back!!” She finishes.
Napahalaghak sa tuwa nang napakalakas ang anak niya gawa nang kinikiliti na siya ngayon ng ama niya. She struggles to escape and she jumps the moment Jaehyun gives her an opening to run outside, “Duckiieeee!!” She calls for help as she runs outside her room.
Jaehyun playfully chases her and stops when he sees her hiding behind Donghyuck’s leg, still giggling helplessly happily.
Donghyuck looks up beaming and amused at the scene and Jaehyun could only smile bashfully, heart beating loudly with happiness.
Jaehyun’s daily routine on weekdays goes like this: Get woken up or wake your husband up with a kiss, argue on who’s turn it is to wake your daughter up, get interrupted by said daughter as she jumps at your bed, greet your family a good morning and proceed on doing your morning business (It’s Jaehyun who’s in charge with the breakfast and baon). By 7 am, you kiss your husband goodbye and you bring your daughter to her school by 7:30 am, then you go to work by 8 am.
You work the best you can till 5pm, drive safely back home and then be prepared to get greeted with a lot of kisses, from your child and from your husband.
Eat dinner with your family and attentively listen to them ramble about their day (make sure you tell her your adventures as well and please, tell your husband how delicious his cooking is or else, he’ll sulk), then study with your kid on her assignment, sometimes you don’t have to as she’s already studying with her Dada.
Let her play as you clean up the house and spend some alone time with your husband, wait for your daughter to wash up before you and your husband tuck her in her bed. And exchange good night kisses and “I love you”s with them. Then, you go to sleep after you spend more intimate alone time with your husband, with him in your embrace.
On weekends, it’s different. Sometimes, they’d rather laze around all day, and sometimes, they’d go out to any places Daisy wishes to be. It depends on Donghyuck, after all, he’s the decision maker in the family.
Jaehyun is content with his life, despite how tiring it may look because no , it is not tiring at all, Jaehyun assures.
Jaehyun has an adorable daughter and a charming husband who loves him as much as he loves them. There is nothing more than he can ever think of that could replace the happiness he’s feeling right now, for his little family.
Jaehyun loves his Daisy. Jaehyun loves his Duckie. And that’s just what really matters.