Work Text:
"Lee Uju!! Bab meokja!!"
Ikjun shouted while waiting for his son. It's a Saturday and Ikjun was not on call nor on duty hence spending his day off with Uju is the natural thing to do. He loves spending time with his son, and he can only hope he does too. His son is growing too fast, how he wished time will slow down a little.
"Appa, what time will Songhwa Imo come?" his son asked after arriving at their dining. He looks excited so he hesitated a little bit to tell his dear Uju that his Songhwa Imo was called in for an emergency patient. Songhwa did promised to be with them on his day off to play with Uju. She did her best to fix her schedule, but she was called in early in the morning for an emergency surgery for a VIP patient.
"Uju-ya, Songhwa Imo was called in for an emergency patient this morning so she can't come. Mianhe." He told him gently with a soft smile in his face. He saw disappointment flashed in his eyes, but it didn't last long, and he was all smiles and cheery when he replied to him.
"Gwaenchana! Songhwa Imo told me she will always make time for me and play with me whenever she is free so it's okay Appa. I know Imo will never break her promise if it's not really important." He answered with his joyful voice and started eating. He ruffled his hair and laugh at him.
How did he get lucky to have a son like him? If Songhwa was here he knows she'll be sappy and all with her watery eyes while staring at their Uju.
They were having a joyous breakfast with Uju narrating stories about school and spending time with the Jang family. Uju is so adorable whenever he talks about Mone. He was telling him about their sandwich date in Egg Drop with his mother-in-law. He was just laughing and shaking his head whenever his son mentions something that amazes him. It's a wonder for him on where he is learning all the words he says.
Uju also told him about the frequent camping the Jang family does which he tags along sometimes. He said it was fun and there are a lot of things they do which he hopes he will be able to do with him too and his Songhwa Imo.
Uju then asked him when they will go camping again with his Songhwa Imo because he wants to go camping again with them. He can only promise soon and silently take note to work on their schedules.
As they were enjoying their chattering, his phone rang indicating an upcoming call. He instantly smiled when he recognized the ring tone separately assigned just for one person.
"Good morning Songhwa-ya!" he answered in a sing-song voice that earned a laugh from the person on the other end.
When Uju heard him say Songhwa's name, he instantly shouted to give his greetings.
"Songhwa Imo!! Good morning!!" his face instantly brightened, and he looks so happy. He motioned his hand to his father asking for his phone so he put the phone on speaker.
"Ikjun-ah, give your phone to Uju I want to talk to him." he heard Songhwa and he can only shake his head in amusement. She did not even greet him back.
"Imo!! Uju misses you.." Uju said in his baby voice, he is also pouting as if his Songhwa Imo can see him.
Uju is like a grown-up man with him, but he always acts like a child with Songhwa—not that he is not—but Uju is a very sensitive and matured child than his age permits. Sometimes he wishes he will act vulnerable around him and be just himself not acting so much tough—he does though, but with Songhwa. Uju always do his best not to burden him anymore and never cried in front of him nor saying he was having a hard time.
He always worry about him and wants him to be more open with his emotions and vocal about his feelings. His heart is breaking just thinking about how his little universe carry a huge burden with him at such a young age and tries his best to act tough and cool about everything.
"Uri Uj-ya, did you sleep well? Imo misses you too. I'm sorry I couldn't come.." Songhwa sounded tired but tried her best to speak in a cheerful manner but eventually sounded melancholic. He is sure Songhwa is beating herself for not keeping her word and disappointed for not being with Uju.
The bright Uju might have caught it even before he can tell him, and he is so proud to call this young boy his son.
"Gwaenchana Imo, Appa said you were called in for an emergency patient. Uju is sure you will never break your promise if it was not important. Fixing and saving other people's lives is your job and I admire and respect you and Appa more because of your jobs." Ikjun wanted to cry right then and there. His son is really the best he could ever ask. He is very understanding and sweet.
It was quiet on the other line and Ikjun knows Songhwa is trying so hard not to cry. How he wished he was there with her to hug her. The two of them finds it harder to stop their tears from falling whenever Uju voices out his thoughts openly like this. The way he assures them that he is fine, and he understands their situation.
His son never holds grudges against them. He for sure feels sadness and disappointments whenever they had to leave him, to cut their moments short, to them cancelling their plans—them rarely spending time with him—it breaks their hearts. But their little Uju is nothing but underdtanding and never demands anything. Just having to spend time with them for a short while is already enough for him.
"Aigoo~ Uri Uju is so sweet. How Imo wish she is with Uju right now." Songhwa tried her best to sound jovial and Uju smiled. His son looks so adorable right now.
"Uju wants it too Imo!" his son is so energetic.
"Did you have your breakfast already?" Songhwa asked him probably remembering why she called.
"I am eating with Appa right now. He cooked kimchi fried rice, ggaeran jim, and mandu!" He can't help but laugh while Uju was telling Songhwa their menu. He asked him to cook these dishes last night and he is happy to see Uju enjoying his cooking and eating merrily.
"Mashisoyo?" Songhwa is really good at talking to Uju, they matched so well together.
"Eung! Jinja mashisoyo! How about Imo, did you eat your breakfast already?" the exchange conversation with Songhwa and Uju makes him feel happy and contented. He loves how perfect his life right now.
"Aniyo, I just finished my surgery. I was about to grab my breakfast, but I want to talk to my kiyowo Uju first and greet him 'good morning'!" he bet Songhwa is telling the truth. She never missed greeting Uju every time she has time. She may forget about him but not something about Uju.
"Then Imo should eat! It's not good to skip breakfast." the concern in Uju's voice was unnoticed.
"Eung, arasseo." he bet Songhwa is smiling right now with a fond look on her face.
"You're done with your surgery? Then Imo is not busy anymore?" Uju suddenly asked which confused him a little.
"Uhhm.. Imo just need to monitor the patient and read some stuff. I'm not that busy, waeyo?"
"Uju wants to talk to Songhwa Imo more" said the pouting Uju which earned a laugh from Songhwa. Her laugh sounds music to his ears and he can't help but smile.
"You can talk to her later Uju. Let your Songhwa Imo eat her breakfast first. You too, you're not done yet." Ikjun was able to finally say something.
These two always forget that he exists the moment they started talking with each other. He is not complaining though. He loves it whenever he sees the two of them get along so well and it warms his heart whenever they showered each other affection and shows their concerns and worries for each other. He just loves everything about spending time and treasuring the special moments the three of them shared together.
"Yah Ikjun-ah, gwaenchana. I can eat while talking to uri Uju." Songhwa replied sternly and he is sure that she is cursing him in her head with her furrowed eyebrows but probably pouting.
"Ani Imo, I will call you again after eating, promise! Eat a lot, arachi?"
"Arasseo arasseo, manhi mogo, yaksok?" she answered back in her sweet and gentle voice just for Uju.
"Arasseo Imo, ba-byeee~!" Uju bid his goodbye in a sing-song voice.
"Byee~ Ikjun-ah make sure Uju eats a lot, okay?" she is back to her usual voice and left him amused.
"Eo, neodo, saranghae~!" he said before bidding goodbye with his baby voice.
"nado, ganda!" she said in a rush and ended the call immediately. He just laughed and shake his head knowing she was shy and embarrassed.
The call ended and he looked at Uju who is just looking at his food.
"Is there a problem, Uju-ya? Do you want to do something, or do you want to go somewhere? Appa is free for the whole day!" he tried his best to sound as joyful as he can because Uju seems to be feeling down after talking to Songhwa. He was just silently eating his food while he patiently waited for him to answer his questions.
After a while, Uju finally looked at him and said his wish.
"Appa, can we just go to the hospital and visit Songhwa Imo?" he asked with his eyes full of hope, he's almost pleading.
He realized Uju really missed having Songhwa around. It's been two weeks since the last time he saw his Songhwa Imo, though they talk with each other every day. He really got closer to her since they told him about their relationship. It was not an easy adjustment—both for Songhwa and Uju. The two of them were considerate enough with each other when they are together. They did not know how to act around each other at first but eventually got closer—like really close.
He even feels as the third wheel most of the time whenever they spend time together. Uju also asked more questions about Songhwa whenever he is with him. The same situation too whenever he is with Songhwa like they were not talking every day. Sometimes he wonders how they never get tired of talking about each other. It's like Uju only sees Songhwa and Songhwa only sees Uju. He finds it mirthful whenever the two of them acted like he is not existing.
He was not able to answer Uju right away thinking whether it was a good idea or not. He knows Songhwa is tired and probably busy at the hospital right now. But looking at Uju, he did not have the heart to disappoint him further.
Knowing that Songhwa was not really on duty, she might have time to spare. He is also aware that Songhwa will get mad at him once she knew about this. There's no other choice here so he can only sigh.
"Arasseo, eat a lot so that Songhwa Imo will not get mad." he saw how his face brightened and he really looks so happy and excited. He is happy to see Uju happy. He is sure he did the right thing.
"Jeongmal?! Waahh!! Let's surprise Songhwa Imo, Appa!" Uju sounded so excited, and his idea is not bad. He can already imagine Songhwa's face. He's getting excited too.
"Okay, let's eat first then prepare to go out." Uju obeyed and eat his food merrily. He ate a lot which made him smile.
After eating, Uju helped him to clean and washed the dishes saying it will be faster that way. They both finish in no time and they both prepared to go out. Uju is very obedient and did not throw tantrums or anything. He listened well and did a good job preparing himself. He is so proud of Uju—a very responsible and reliable child.
Uju is so excited and his excitement and happiness that radiates within him is contagious. He can't believe just this alone can make his son this happy. Uju was singing along the radio and even doing a little dance. His heart beaming with happiness hearing his son's soft giggles and excited humming.
They arrived at the hospital in no time. He is holding a whole strawberry cake as their dessert, vanilla latte for him, americano for Songhwa and chocolate shake for Uju.
People who recognized him greeted him and humored his adorable son. Everyone they met was charmed by the little boy. Uju is usually quiet and shy, but he radiates a sunny aura right now. He greets everyone all smiles. He is just happy and excited to see his Songhwa Imo again.
Songhwa texted him that she was done eating and she was at her office. She is probably waiting for their call right now.
When they arrived at her office, he peeps at her door and saw her at her desk reading something and she looks serious. He gestured to Uju to keep quiet, and the little boy simply nod his head with a huge smile on his face.
He knocked and Songhwa said to come in, but they just stayed outside her door. After a while, he did not hear something that indicates Songhwa moved from her chair, so he knocked again. This time he heard a rustling sound, so he told Uju to go in first. When he opened the door, Uju rushed to Songhwa who looked so shocked, but a beautiful smile blossomed in her weary face.
"Songhwa Imo!!" Uju shouted and excitedly rushed to the shocked Songhwa. She instantly scoops the little Uju and carried the little boy in her arms. Songhwa pepper's Uju's face with kisses which earned a loud giggle from his son. He was just looking at them affectionately—his heart full with the sight in front of him.
"Aigoo~ Uri Uju, what are you doing here?" she asked and kissed his cheeks and forehead lightly once more.
"Uju wants to surprise Imo." the beaming Uju answered Songhwa which earned a lot of kisses from his favorite Imo.
"Uju wanted to see you and spend time with you, so I brought him here. I hope you don't mind." I said and Songhwa only looked at him as if she did not notice he was there. She smiled at him and went near him while still carrying the little Uju and kissed his cheek. He also kissed her forehead and hugged his two favorite persons—the three of them laughed. The family of three looks so happy.
"Of course not! Imo is happy because of Uju, gomawo Uju-ya" Songhwa then kissed Uju's cheeks once more.
"Just Uju? How about me?" I asked sulkily while pouting. He can't believe these two.
"Yaah what are you? Ten?" Songhwa asked in a joking manner which made him pout even more.
"I hope I am not disturbing Imo and her work. I just want to see you because I miss you so much." Uju looks guilty and talked with a little concern on his voice.
"Aniya, gwaenchana. Imo is not busy and always have time for Uju. I'm really sorry, I will make it up to you, okay? Imo misses Uju too." Songhwa assured the concerned Uju and gave him a huge smile.
"You can put Uju down, let's sit on your couch. I know you are tired and haven't had enough rest yet." she must have noticed the concern from Ikjun's face, so she gave him a smile and assured him that she is fine.
"Gwaenchana, holding Uju like this is enough for me. I feel getting recharge with his hug." Uju hugged Songhwa tighter after hearing her response and Songhwa was delighted. He still insisted and thankfully Songhwa listened.
The three of them enjoyed the cake and drinking their drinks. They were just talking and joking with each other. The two are having a blast bullying him. The two unites on making fun of him which he can only pout and put him out of sorts. He is not and will never complain though, the two's happiness is his happiness. Seeing the two of them having fun and enjoying each other's company makes him feel wonders.
He is just so thankful that he was given a second chance to be this happy and completes his life. Eventually, the two stopped making fun of him and acted like he was not with them—which usually happens whenever Uju tells his stories to his Songhwa Imo. Uju brought a lot of untold and unshared stories with him to tell his Songhwa Imo. Songhwa was patiently listening to him, laughing and teasing him at some point. She reacts and urges Uju to talk more.
There is no doubt Uju enjoys talking to Songhwa. The two of them can talk for hours nonstop and most of their topics are all sorts—they never ran out of topic to talk about. His heart warms with the sight in front of him. He then feigned hurt for being ignored. Whined about Uju choosing to be with her instead of him in his day off but Songhwa did not paid attention to him and only focused on Uju.
The two just laughed at him and did not mind him at all. Some of his stories was even a first time for Ikjun to hear. He can't believe it. His son loves Songhwa more than him. He just shakes his head amusedly and listened to him while watching the two being so clingy with each other. Not even once did they separate with each other's embrace since they arrived. Songhwa is hugging the little Uju while he was sitting on her lap—his head resting between her neck and shoulder. He can't do anything about it. The two are fortuitously ignoring him.
They spent the whole morning in Songhwa's office doing nothing much—just the two talking nonstop and him listening sometimes talking trying to get their attention but he was ignored. The two are lost in their own world and Ikjun can only watches them in awe.
He loves how the two always talk and asked about each other. How much they love spending their time together Sometimes Uju will choose to be with Songhwa rather than him—sometimes than with Mone too. He feels warm and contented. He is genuinely happy and thankful with the life he has now.
Since Songhwa was not on duty and the patient seems to be in much more stable condition, she was free to go out of the hospital. They decided to eat lunch outside—Uju still in her embrace not wanting to let go. Songwha loves it whenever Uju gets clingy to her. It warms her heart whenever Lee Uju shows his deep affection for her and showers her with his kisses.
After eating lunch, they went to Han river and stayed there. The three of them playing and watching the sunset. There is only one thing in Ikjun's mind. That is to spend more of their coming days like this. He will never get tired of watching Uju and Songhwa entangled with each other having a hard time letting go whenever their time is up. He is just waiting for Songhwa because he knows, he is ready to enter that new chapter as long as she is. He is not afraid of anything as long as he has Songhwa and Uju in his life.
...