Work Text:
“Jajangmyeon.”
“Ok, we can have that for dinner,” Junwan said distractedly, the click-clacking sounds of the keyboard emitted from his corner reverberating in the room. He was working on a paper presentation for a medical conference. He was expecting to finish it in time for next week’s meeting, but he had been swamped with back-to-back emergency surgeries and only had this weekend to finalize everything.
“Not for dinner, oppa. I want it now,” Iksun said, her voice firm.
The incessant typing sounds stopped. “You want to have Jajangmyeon now?” He repeated, asking just to make sure that he heard her right.
Iksun nodded. He looked at her incredulously. “But we just had lunch; you even had two bowls of chocolate fudge ice cream,” he said, remembering how Iksun finished an entire pint of ice cream and was about to open another box when Junwan wrestled it away from her, saying that it was the last of their stash. They wouldn’t be able to restock until they do their grocery next week.
She patted her belly. “Jajangmyeon. Your baby wants to eat Jajangmyeon,” she said, her face turning into a pout.
Junwan looked at her with obvious pride and smiled. Four months. Iksun was four months pregnant. While he had dreams of having his family, he never thought it would actually come true for him, especially since Iksun had said that she didn’t want to get married at the start of their relationship. But here they were now, not only married but with a baby on the way. Sometimes he thought that it was a dream, that he was not married to the love of his life but seeing the swell of Iksun’s pregnant belly get bigger every day, he couldn’t help but smile. They had made a baby together. Sixteen weeks and growing.
He closed his laptop, straightened up, and was about to get his wallet from their room when Iksun also stood from her comfortable position in the recliner and started to put on her cardigan. The recliner, a gift from Uju and Ikjun, was the newest addition to their apartment. Junwan had been eyeing to get a recliner. So, when Ikjun asked if he could get Uju’s favorite Terminator gomo something to make her feel more comfortable while pregnant, Junwan did not waste the opportunity to bring the Lee boys to a furniture shop. As soon as Uju started playing with its built-in footstool and adjustable backrest, Junwan knew Ikjun would easily cave in. Iksun was initially adamant about getting a recliner into their tiny house, but the recliner had become her nest since getting pregnant. She could not remember the number of hours she spent in it — reading a book, knitting mittens for their baby, listening to music, or simply just lounging.
“Where are you going?” he asked. “Just stay here. I can get Jajangmyeon from the street stall in the corner.”
Iksun looked at him as if he had just said something revolting. “No, oppa, I want the one from Inje, where we used to eat.”
It was Junwan’s turn to be stupefied. “You want to eat Jajangmyeon from Inje, where your old base is?”
She paused, studying him for a moment. “Yes, it’s just a 2-hour drive, anyway,” she answered as if the distance from their house in Seoul to Inje was not more than 100 km. “We haven’t been to Inje in years. Don’t you miss it?” She asked, putting on her best puppy eyes face.
He stared at her while unconsciously placing his hand on her growing belly, caressing It gently. “They really do have the best Jajangmyeon,” he said, his hypothalamus already turning the cogs to work up his appetite. His eyes darted between his laptop and Iksun, who already had a dreamy look on her face.
“Are you fantasizing about Jajangmyeon now?” He asked, amused at Iksun’s craving. He knew all about cravings from his pregnancy orientation with Seokhyung and how weird they could get sometimes, but he never imagined he would get to experience it.
She laughed.” C’mon, we really want Jajangmyeon,” she said, reaching for his arm and dragging him out of their apartment.
“You’re light of my life; you are the one in my life….”
Iksun grinned and slowly opened her eyes just in time to see Junwan not only singing but bobbing his head like a K-pop idol as he drove.
“Have you thought about changing careers?”
Junwan was startled, a blush appearing on his cheeks. “I thought you were sleeping,” he said sheepishly.
“I tried to, but after hearing your soul-wrenching rendition of Beautiful My Love, I Like You, and It’s My Life, how could my little Junwan and I miss your concert?” she said flatly, but her eyes held a teasing spark.
Junwan laughed. “Too bad you missed the first act then. Do you want an encore?” Then realizing what Iksun had said, he cast a bemused look at his wife. “Wait, how do you know it’s a boy? Did Seokhyung tell you? I told him we wanted it to be a surprise!” he said, pretending to sulk.
Iksun smiled at him fondly, her eyes crinkling. “Do you want our baby to be a boy?”
“Do I want our baby to be a boy?” He repeated. He looked straight ahead and continued to drive, not saying anything but Iksun could see the corners of his lips turning into a smile.
“Oppa,” she drawled lazily.
“Iksun, whether we have a boy or a girl, I’m ok with it. I just want you and our baby to be healthy,” he said, his eyes still on the road.
Iksun furrowed her brow and studied him. She never really told him this, but when she found out that she was pregnant, her first thought was to imagine what it would be like to have a mini Junwan: a little boy who eats heartily, shows his affection, not through words but actions, does not judge people, responsible, can make her laugh with his weird sense of humor, and will love her unconditionally. Her eyes started to grow misty.
“Oppa,” she started. Sensing her serious tone, Junwan stopped the car at the nearest emergency parking spot and turned to look at her.
Iksun smiled. “I never thought I’d ever get to this place, to be in this position. But when I look at you, I see us together, and I know that it’s everything that I’ve ever wanted. I wish I could tell my past self not to worry too much, that everything will work out. I can’t picture my life without you and our baby. I know that this baby will be so lucky to have you. We’re so lucky to have you.”
Junwan grinned, taking her hand in his, rubbing his thumb against it softly.
“I have never loved anyone as much as I love you, and I hope you know that. Sometimes I wish that we didn’t lose that one year, but at the same time, I know that everything worked out for us,” Junwan said. We can’t change the past, but I know what I want for the future, and it’s with you and our baby. “
He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose, causing Iksun to scrunch up her face in disappointment.
“What? Were you expecting a kiss on the lips? Someone may see us and accuse us of doing something inappropriate in a public place.” he said, justifying his action.
Iksun shrugged, clearly not impressed. “Whatever, oppa.”
Junwan chuckled. He was about to start the car when Iksun interrupted him.
“Let’s go home,” Iksun said.
“What about your Jajangmyeon?”
“I just said that to get you out of the house, oppa. You’ve been stressed the whole week with your back-to-back operations and working on your paper. You also need to de-stress now and then. I don’t want you to get sick, “she said softly.
Junwan smiled then pulled her in for a kiss.
“I thought you don’t want anyone to see us doing something inappropriate?” Iksun said, in between kisses.
“How is kissing my wife inappropriate?” He said breathlessly, planting another kiss on her lips.