Work Text:
(Taken place after the finale, before the epilogue- January)
-
"hongjoongie, my love, it's all okay. you're safe with me."
seonghwa holds a frazzled kitten close in his arms, wrapping him securely in his blanket. the kitten holds his tail close to his chest, stroking the spiked fur to calm himself down.
last night was definitely a rough night yet again for the younger. when his birth mother decided to make an- unwelcome- visit, he honestly had no idea how it would affect hongjoong.
seeing first hand how terrified he was to even be near her made seonghwa's heart break, he didn't want his baby to suffer like this.
that night coming home was kind of tricky, seonghwa did his best to bathe and dress him for bed without wanting to cause stress. it was like walking on eggshells, he was afraid to say or do the wrong thing that could possibly make the younger panic even more.
now it's the next morning, hongjoong definitely still has the memories fresh in his head- which now results in an emotional kitten in his arms.
he's afraid that his mother will somehow find them once again and take hongjoong away from his home. he doesn't want that.
he wants to stay with hwa. forever.
seonghwa has been carrying the younger wherever he goes, arms beginning to feel sore with the slightest lift. he was even thinking about buying one of those baby carriers you strap around your body, but that thought quickly disappeared before it even began.
even if seonghwa shows him where he is going, hongjoong refuses immediately wanting to follow or be carried with him.
as tiring as it might be, seonghwa genuinely can't be annoyed or mad (except at his birth mother- that's an exception). he knows hongjoong had a lack of nurture and emotional support while with his mother, resulting him in having separation anxiety.
hongjoong has been on the right track to becoming more social and outgoing, but the events of last night put him on hault- almost as if the brakes were slammed with full force.
seonghwa sits on the bay window, pillow supporting his back. hongjoong clings onto him with such force seonghwa is surprised he doesn't have any claw marks on him.
the window is open just a slight crack, the january breeze chilling the two occupants in the room. it's dead quiet outside- minus the fact that it's 12 in the afternoon and everyone in the neighborhood is working. from the looks of the clouds, it will start snowing very soon.
as he's sitting leaning against the window, he gets lost in thought. he's been debating on when is a good time, but with the events that just occurred the day before, seonghwa knows that there's no better time to start than now. he feels it deep in his heart and soul.
hongjoong nuzzles closer to seonghwa, faintly weak grip fading on his hooded sweatshirt. it's the younger favorite on seonghwa- the outside fabric so soft it reminds him of his fuzzy blanket; the color, a soft green. it contrasts with the beige walls of the living room.
"are you hungry for lunch, joong?" seonghwa asks with a faint whisper in his voice, he's thankful being in the quiet room.
hongjoong looks up at him and nods, definitely not hiding the yawn that escaped his lips. he held his hand over his stomach as he felt it rumble.
"I know what we can make, and it's your absolute favorite. do you want to help hwa or wait here?"
even though seonghwa knows that hongjoong will follow him regardless, he always give him the choice; always letting him go at his own pace.
and true to his words, hongjoong clinging tighter to the older, indicating that he wants to go wherever hwa is.
seonghwa carries him from the living room to the kitchen, but the minute he places him down in one of the chairs, hongjoong's face crumbles almost in slow motion.
"baby, you see me right here, hwa is not leaving the room." seonghwa soothed, back turned as he's taking out ingredients from the fridge.
but the kitten doesn't want to process what hwa said, he just wants to be held by the older. the younger desperately holds out his hands. tears begin to stream down his face almost as if his eyes are a leaky faucet.
"honey, I'm right here, hwa is right here." seonghwa keeps a close distance as he finishes prepping the food.
"m-m...-wa..." hongjoong's voice sounded tired, almost defeated. seonghwa really hated seeing him in this state, it makes him feel anxious himself as he doesn't really know how to help soothe the younger.
"hongjoong, my love, seonghwa is not leaving the room. he is staying right here with you"
the younger curls himself into the blanket, wiping his tears with the fabric. sometimes it helped hongjoong understand more if he were to speak in third person.
his small hiccups fill the room, sniffling his tears away. it's almost quiet enough for seonghwa to finish prepping the last steps for the food.
"come here, baby, do you want to help hwa make your lunch?"
"wha' ma'e?"
"I made these for you before and you really liked them, so I want to make them for you again." seonghwa smiled, holding his hand out as a gesture for him to stand next to him. "now, would you like to help me or would you like to just stay by my side?"
hongjoong rubbed at one of his eyes, sleep overcoming him; seonfhwa figured all the crying has caught up to him. "wan' he'yp..." he mumbled quietly, lazily clinging onto his arm.
"baby, if you're tired, you can go sit on the bay window and take your nap, I know you like sleeping by the window" seonghwa presses a soft kiss onto his temple.
the younger whines softly, nuzzles into his neck. "alright, baby, you can stay and help hwa. then after, we can take a nap. we'll go at your pace, sugarplum."
-
after a most enjoyed lunch, hongjoong is a sucker for homemade food, the younger lays wrapped in his fuzzy blanket. two lamps are lit on opposite sides of the room, creating a warm ambient glow.
seonghwa loves winter the most due to the fact that he can light the fireplace. he's used it a few times, but now that he has hongjoong in his life, he has a good excuse to frequently use it.
sometimes he'd see the younger sprawled on the rug in front of the fireplace as he munches away on his pacifier.
frost begins to cling onto the glass of the window, snow has accumulated, big snowflakes fall silently to the ground as the wind slightly picks up.
hongjoong tries to fight the drowsiness, but the warmth from a combination of the fireplace and hwa's arms wrapped protectively around him, and he is out within seconds. the sound of the fire crackling and the suckling noises from the younger's pacifier was enough to make the older feel drowsy.
he places a kiss onto his forehead. "you're my baby, no matter what happens. mama is going to be right here for you"
the pair soundly sleep wrapped up in each other's arms.
--------
[1 week later]
"are you sure this is something you want to do?"
"with all my heart. I'm ready for the next step...and I know he is, too"
seonghwa sits in the kitchen, laptop in use with what feels like a million tabs open. he woke up with a new feeling blooming in his chest;
determination.
he's determined that this is the start of a new chapter in their lives, a permanent feeling that will reside with them forever.
"I'm going to start the adoption process with hongjoong" seonghwa announced with sheer determination.
wooyoung squealed as he clapped his hands excitedly "oh, I'm so happy for you guys! have you told hongjoong yet?"
seonghwa deflates slightly "the past few days have been an adjustment for him to go back into his routine, but once it's all finalized, I will tell him."
"is it because of his birth mother showing up out of nowhere?" wooyoung bit his lower lip, eyebrows drawn in.
"yeah," seonghwa sighs "it definitely sent him in a spiral. it pained me to see him like that...but he has been doing better" he sat up straighter with pride. "he's not crying as much as he used to."
"the poor baby...I know you've been talking about this for a while, and I feel like this is the perfect time to start." wooyoung smiled encouragingly.
"say, where is joong anyway?"
seonghwa pointed with his thumb behind his back "he's with san in the living room. let me tell you, it definitely releases a huge weight off my chest hearing him laugh again."
-
"an' th'yis...thy'is my sannie!" hongjoong dropped his purple crayon onto the table, proudly pointing towards a scribbled stick figure onto his paper.
hongjoong has his fuzzy blanket wrapped around his shoulders, accompanied by his white fuzzy pajamas. it's a rather chilly day, even with the sun shining. and what better way to start this chilly day than waking up with his sannie hyung in their matching pajama set- fuzzy, of course.
seonghwa placed some wood logs into the fireplace before making his way into the kitchen. he feels grateful that wooyoung and san spent the night. hongjoong, on the other hand, was ecstatic over the last minute sleepover.
from baking cookies, to even (attempting) to roast marshmallows in the fireplace (with seonghwa's extreme supervision), the older just felt happy that hongjoong had a smile on his face for the first time in a few days.
"look how cool I look!" san exclaims "and you drew me in the color purple, that's my favorite color!"
hongjoong smiled warmly. he goes to grab a red crayon, tongue sticking out as he scribbles once more onto his paper.
san watches, smiling to himself as he hears faint purrs escape from the back of his throat. his cat ears will twitch at any noise coming from the people occupying the kitchen. he has his legs sprawled out under the coffee table, the youngers legs swinging back and forth absent-mindedly. san leans over on his hind legs as he presses a kiss to the younger's temple.
"hey, there's my sweet boy" hongjoong's ears perk up at the oh so familiar voice he's come to know and love.
"hwa!" he gasps, covering his drawing with his small hands "hwa no y'ook! no' done ye'!"
seonghwa closes his eyes almost immediately, going the extra mile and placing his hand over them. "I'm not even going to peak"
he hears crayons dropping onto the table and floor in a haste, followed by some giggles and gentle shushes towards san. he grabs the rest of his crayons as he adds any final touches, triumphantly holding the paper up on display.
"hwa! hwa I dy'one!" the kitten stands up, albeit legs a little wobbly, and gently taps on the older's shoulder.
seonghwa opens his eyes, a small gasp leaving his lips. he looks over at san, mentally asking if he's secretly spoken to hongjoong about the adoption. and san, like everyone else in their friend group, has gained a sixth sense to reading seonghwa's mind; especially since hongjoong came into his care. he raised his hands up, shaking his head vigorously.
it was a family picture, which hongjoong has drawn a handful of times, but this time it just felt different. almost as if hongjoong knew what was going to be happening. he placed the drawing down on the table and scooped the kitten in his arms, receiving a small 'oof'.
"hwa~" hongjoong whined, but nonetheless nuzzled into the embrace.
"you made this drawing all by yourself?" seonghwa asked
hongjoong nodded excitedly "uh huh! no sannie he'yp!"
"oh, my baby, this looks absolutely beautiful. you're so artistic." he places a kiss onto his pudgy little cheek. "oh, wait! i know where this can go...you stay right here"
seonghwa jogs out of the room, running up the stairs. "hwa no y'un! no' goo'!" hongjoong shouts out to him. seonghwa slows his pace, for hongjoong's sake. san smiles, thinking it's the most amusing thing in the world when the younger reprimands his hwa.
"it's going to be placed right in here, joongie" seonghwa's voice enters the living room with a picture frame in hand, trying to lift the little flaps to remove the glass. seonghwa crouches down in front of the coffee table, the younger following his actions. he leans practically over the older's arms, watching what he's doing intently. as he places the drawing onto the glass, he gives a quick peck to the corner of hongjoong's eye.
"now your drawing will be safely displayed in the picture frame...forever" seonghwa proudly displays the pictured drawing on top of the fireplace mantel. hongjoong squeals as he runs up to his hwa, nuzzling his cheek onto seonghwa's cheek.
" 'eber?"
"yes, it will be there forever, my forever baby"
hongjoong keens at the new nickname, a faint blush decorating his face with a light pink. he turns in hwa's arms, shyly holding his arms up. seonghwa could never deny his baby the affection, and effortlessly picks him up and sits him on his hip. hongjoong smiled as he wrapped his arms around hwa's neck, kissing his cheek over and over again.
the trio were interrupted by a faint shout coming from the doorway, "lunch is ready!" wooyoung calls out.
seonghwa places him down on the floor, watching as the younger giggles grabbing san's hand. "no running you two!" he calls out, himself walking into the kitchen. he didn't even realize he was hungry until wooyoung called out the food was ready.
--------
hongjoong holds hands with his sangie hyung as they sit in the backseat, jongho occupies his seat in the passenger side but doesn't comment on it. he can sense everyone's nerves are a little heightened right now.
he doesn't know where they're going but hwa helped him pick out his best dress clothes and double, even triple checked all of his paperwork to make sure everything was filled out and in order.
just last night, he was stressing out about the paperwork. seonghwa left the comfort of the kitten and his bed to sneak back into the kitchen and sat at the island counter to finish.
it definitely had to be around 2 in the morning. before starting, he splashed his face with cold water to wake him up a bit more. the last thing he wanted was to fill out a section incorrectly and have to start over again.
but he doesn't realize that a certain kitten is searching for him due to the bed feeling a little colder and empty.
hongjoong woke up immediately not feeling hwa's presence, so he stood up on wobbly legs and followed the only source of light.
he held on the railing with two hands, going two steps at a time, before he stopped by the kitchen archway. he saw his hwa hunched over rubbing his face before picking up his pen and continue to write something.
he lets out a small whine as he rubs both of his eyes. seonghwa perks up at the familiar sound and turns in his chair to see his baby standing there, whining softly as he fights to keep his eyes open.
"c'mere, baby" hongjoong waddles his way over in seonghwa's open arms. before picking him up, he neatly stacked his papers into a pile pushing them to the side.
he picked up his baby and placed him on top of the counter. hongjoong curled in on himself as he let out a big yawn. "hwa...m's'eepy..."
the older kisses his forehead, pushing his bangs back with his fingers. "sorry, bubba, hwa has to finish something really important. you can go back to bed if you want, I'll be there soon."
hongjoong shook his head "wha' hwa do?"
seonghwa sighed softly. maybe now is a good time to explain to hongjoong what's going to be happening. he sat up a little straighter as he held one of hongjoong's hands.
"okay, what hwa is going to tell you is really important, joong, so you have to listen very carefully." even though the kitten is sleepy, he tries his best to listen to hwa.
"hwa is starting to fill out these papers because...I'm going to officially adopt you, hongjoong" seonghwa looks at hongjoong for a moment, studying his expressions as his eyebrows remained furrowed.
he furrowed his eyebrows, he had no idea how to say that word, but nonetheless gave it a try. "adop'?"
seonghwa smiled softly "a-dop-t, baby." he ran his fingers through his bangs. "adopt is just a fancy word. it means that you're going to have your forever home, officially. you're going to be with hwa, forever."
hongjoong yawned once more, leaning against seonghwa's chest. "wan' my hwa" he mumbled before closing his eyes.
seonghwa moved him onto his lap, holding him close. "hwa will always be here, baby." he held him securely in his lap as he began to finish more of the pile-high paperwork.
hwa feels a little reassured after the conversation him and joong had early in the morning, even though the younger was barely awake.
today, they are going to drop off the completed documents and paperwork at court. seonghwa woke him up earlier than usual because he wanted both of them to get ready and get it over with.
he took his time getting himself and hongjoong ready, cooing at the little bowtie the younger chose to wear himself.
it was still rather a little too early in the morning, but yeosang and jongho tagged along for the moral support.
which leads us to where they are now, hongjoong holding yeosang's hand rather a little too tightly as the eldest drives them to court.
he can sense some tension in the car, only due to everyone's heightened nerves; and quite frankly, he's not a fan of it.
he doesn't know where they're going so early in the morning or why they had to dress nicely but it's making him feel a little anxious.
the younger tugged on his sangie's hand, the older looking at him quizzically. "what's wrong, joongs?"
"h-h..hwa, p'ea...nee' my 'wa..." seonghwa must've heard what he said for not a moment later he turns around in the driver seat, placing a reassuring hand on his knee.
"hwa is right here, my baby. we're not going to be long, I promise." he squeezed his knee for comfort before turning around, finding a parking spot.
that didn't really do much for hongjoong's heightened nerves. he let go of yeosang's hand to clutch at his fluffy tail, stroking the fur to try and soothe himself.
the minute all 4 of them exit the car, hongjoong stood on shaky legs, eyes growing watery. he made his way over to the oldest, clinging onto his arm.
"we're not going to be long, you stay right by your hwa, okay?" seonghwa placed a reassuring kiss on his temple. he didn't comment on hongjoong's shaky grip but wordlessly helped him walk into the building.
the way that his jongie and sangie hyung were walking around them felt almost safe, like they were keeping him safe from danger.
hongjoong followed everyone into the building, immediately his heart sank. why was there so many people in here? too many people and too many scents made hongjoong begin to feel uneasy.
he gripped on seonghwa's arm possible even tighter, lowly whining in the back of his throat. "you're safe with us, honey, don't you worry" seonghwa whispered in his ear, almost as if he knew- which he probably did- that hongjoong was feeling uncomfortable.
they had to walk up a long flight of stairs to reach where they had to go. hongjoong definitely did not like the fact that the steps had spaces inbetween them so you can see the floor if you look through it.
jongho insisted on carrying him, to which seonghwa was relieved- he wasn't good with staircases like those either. the kitten was shaking slightly, eyes pooling with tears as he keeps an eye out for seonghwa.
when they reached the top, yeosang handed him the folder of the documents. "I'll be right back, I shouldn't be long...just try to keep him calm until I get back." before leaving, he presses a kiss onto the kitten's forehead. "hwa will be back soon, baby. you stay here with jongie and sangie, okay?"
hongjoong watched with teary eyes as seonghwa walked down the hall, confused as to where he was going in the first place. he looked around the area, once again seeing too many people, and hid into jongho's neck.
"joongie, you're shaking, it's okay, sweetie." yeosang sympathetically rubbed slow circles on his back.
"did hwa tell you about what he's doing now?" jongho chimed in, ultimately to distract the younger.
hongjoong whined, not wanting to lift his head. it definitely wasn't seonghwa's scent, but being near jongho and yeosang made him feel a little better.
"it's all good, hwa is coming back. hwa always comes back" jongho soothed, stroking the back of his head.
the pair sat on a nearby bench, doing their best to soothe but ultimately distraxt him. the color of his socks, the color of his bowtie, even to the color of jongho's shoes.
the poor kitten continues to shake but not as much as he was mere minutes ago. "nee' m-my 'wa...jongie..." his words were muffled by his fingers slowly making their way into his mouth.
they aren't allowed to bring any other items into the building (for security reasons) so they were left to leave hongjoong's comfort items in the car; which now results in the kitten trying to gnaw on his fingers.
"your hwa is coming soon, baby, I know this is a little bit new, but it's only for today." yeosang kisses the top of his head to accompany jongho's soothing words.
and true to his words, the pair spot that familiar mop of hair even if they were in a crowded room walking towards them.
"hey...so they asked if I brought him here with me, and when I told them yes, they asked if I can bring him in to see him." hongjoong's head lifted at the familiar voice, almost jumping out of jongho's arms.
"I'm not sure... he was really shaken up the minute you left..." jongho passes the frazzled kitten into seonghwa's awaiting arms.
hongjoong clung onto the older with a death grip, he doesn't like when hwa leaves especially in an unfamiliar setting. "I know, but it probably won't be long." he focuses his attention on the younger "hey, my baby, hwa is here now. no tears, my precious."
"wan'... go 'ome..." hongjoong blubbers out, tear stains adorned on his soft cheek.
"soon, baby, we'll go home very soon." seonghwa reassures " but first, you have to come with me in the room that hwa was just in."
the younger shakes his head, burring his face in hwa's neck. it breaks his heart to see him shaking due to his nerves getting the best of him. "honey, you're shaking. don't you worry, mama is going to be holding you the whole time. you're not leaving my side."
hongjoong leans his head on hwa's shoulder, sniffling quietly to himself. jongho and yeosang get a glimpse of how exhausted he looks, making their hearts hurt a little. they can't imagine what the younger must be thinking.
seonghwa carries the kitten into the room down the hall he was just previously in. he hears a small whine as he closes the door behind them.
"ah, mr. park, this must be hongjoong." the woman, mrs. lee, held a small smile on her face.
seonghwa returns the smile "yes, this is hongjoong...baby, do you want to look up and say hi to the nice lady?"
immediately, hongjoong mewled almost as if he was in pain, clinging with his claws a little too harshly.
"here, why don't you sit and then we'll begin from there. I don't want to cause any discomfort or stress."
seonghwa seemed thankful for the gesture, previously sitting where he just was a while ago. he adjusts the younger on his lap placing both legs on either side of his hips, rubbing his back with the palm of his hand.
"so before we start with anything, I'd like to get a better understanding of your relationship towards hongjoong." she leaned back in her chair, trying her best to keep the mood up; mainly for the younger's sake.
"well, I've had him in my care for a year now" seonghwa explains. "I found him while I was on my way home from work in a dark alleyway. I brought him to the hospital right away and they explained that with their examinations that hongjoong, here, has been abused to a great length.
they asked me if I would like to keep him in my care or place him in a shelter, so I went with my gut instinct and brought him home. It was a big adjustment for both him and myself, but we made it work; especially with him having a younger mindset. he's honestly my baby and I would do anything to keep him happy and safe."
he holds the younger tighter in his arms when he hears a low whimper. "it's okay, baby, mama is right here" he whispers in his ear as he places a soft kiss on his temple.
"you are a very caring and nurturing person, mr. park, there aren't many people like you in the world nowadays." mrs. lee smiles at him, seonghwa can tell it's genuine, which makes his heart burst. "what you are doing for hongjoong, he is very blessed to have you in his life, considering his past."
"that really means a lot to me, but I'm definitely no expert. I just do what I think is right and me taking hongjoong in, raising him as my own, that was my heart telling me I'm doing the right thing. and I would never trade it for the world."
she looked down at the kitten in his arms with a warm smile. just the way seonghwa is holding him now, she can tell that this adoption really means the world to seonghwa.
"I will send your paperwork through, given his circumstances, I will have them push it so it's finalized sooner. Just a heads up, there will be a few more case workers coming to visit to see if the environment if suitable and appropriate" she leans a little closer over her desk "between you and I, I personally don't think anyone needs to come and look, considering your hybrid here looks healthy and safe, but that's how it always is with new adoption cases."
"thank you for the heads up, I genuinely want to thank you for making this happen, for ultimately making hongjoong's dream come true. this really means a lot to the both of us." seonghwa smiled so wide it was almost blinding.
and making their way home, hongjoong was given double the love and affection from his soon to be legal guardian.
-
true to mrs. lee's words. a few people have been in and out of the house visiting to make sure seonghwa's house is safe and a nurturing environment for hongjoong.
and it was practically everyday.
hongjoong, on the other hand, was definitely not a fan of having new people entering his safe space and practically rip seonghwa's attention away from him.
just like now;
"honeybear, hwa will be back in a little bit. you're so lucky that you have your minnie and yunnie to play with you!" seonghwa did his best to distract the younger.
and it relatively worked for the most part, he managed to sneak past the taller couple as he began talking to one of the agency employees showing, yet again, another tour of the house.
mingi and yunho did their best to distract the younger, but they knew that something was off. they always kept in mind that whenever hongjoong is like this, they need to go at his pace.
"I heard hwa bought you some new toys, do you wanna show them to us?" yunho asked, keeping his voice low and gentle.
hongjoong shrugged his shoulders, curling in on himself. he kind of figured what yunnie and minnie were doing, and he wasn't really up for it.
he didn't like the fact that for the past week, seonghwa kept disappearing with the random people that came into their home.
and he most certainly didn't like that he couldn't bother hwa while he was busy. so he knew that when once yunho and mingi entered the house, hwa would have to leave for an hour or less.
but little did they know that it began to stress the kitten out- new people coming in, new scents, not having hwa with him; it was all too much for him.
"oh baby, what's wrong?" mingi asked, holding his hand out.
hongjoong desperately looked around the room, trying to seek the one person he needs. he let out a small whimper when he placed his shaky hand on top of minnie's.
"mama...nee' my mama..." he wiped at his flowing tears, curling in on himself.
when the couple saw the poor kitten curl in on himself and try to hide his tears, they knew that this must've been stressful for him.
the younger let go of mingi's hand, grabbing onto his blanket rather tightly. yunho did his best to comfort him, but he over-all didn't want to further stress hongjoong.
they rubbed his back, gave him his paci, and sung soft lullabies as they waited for the one person they were looking for to enter the room.
"joongie, I know this is a little scary now, but we promise this is all going to be worth it." mingi explains, holding hongjoong's hand giving it an occasional comforting squeeze. "hwa has been busy lately and I know it's not fun, but he's doing this all because he loves you very very much."
the baby crawled his way into minnie's lap, clutching his blanket. the taller holds him in his arm as he hums a soft tune.
"wan' my mama..." he hides his face in the corner of his neck.
"mama is coming soon, bubba" yunhp joins in, feeling a little helpless as they hold a crying kitten close to them.
mingi stood up, rocking him in his arms as he walks around the room. he passes him to yunho when his arms grow a little weary. they both take turns to soothe him.
"I know at the end of all of this, you're going to be the happiest person in the whole entire world." yunho whispers to him, a soft kiss placed on the top of his head.
not a moment later, and almost perfect timing, seonghwa enters the room as he escorts the person visiting to the front door, a sigh of relief breathed out.
he walks into the living room, a soft smile plastered on his face "where's my little boy? I want to see my little boy!"
the second yunho turns around, hongjoong lets out a small whimper, reaching his arms out. "here he is...look, joongie, it's mama!'
seonghwa holds his arms out, stumbling a bit when hongjoong practically jumps in his arms. he clings tightly with a death grip.
"baby, you're alright, mama's here now. no more people are going to be coming over, it's just you and me now." hongjoong sniffles, rubbing his cheek on the older's shoulder.
"soo, what's going to happen now?" yunho's the first out of the two to ask.
"well, now that the paper went through and the house visits are done with, now we just...wait." seonghwa explained. he held hongjoong in his arms, wrapping his blanket around securely.
"and what will you do then?"
"I'm gonna work harder for the both of us and do what I need for hongjoong's sake." the older answers. "I'm gonna do whatever it takes to keep you safe and happy, baby. I promise with all my heart."
an overall feeling of hope came to mind. they all trusted seonghwa with their whole hearts that he would do whatever he needed for the both of them.
--------
seonghwa:
sending an important text! everyone get their butts over here IMMEDIATELY!
seonghwa press sent on the group message. just now as he got the mail, he saw a very fancy looking envelope with a wax stamp on it.
immediately he knew it was from court. his fingers were practically itching to open it, but he wanted hongjoong and his hyungs here, this is a family event after all.
joong sat criss cross on the bay window, looking out the glass in curiosity. it's a bright sunny winter day. and although the temperature is freezing outside, the sun shining brightly almost foreshadows what will come.
hongjoong stares out the window, the smallest movement makes him whip his head as fast as lightning.
whether it's a leaf or even a bird resting on the power line, hongjoong can't help but zone out and stare at it. seonghwa doesn't say anything, but tries to hide his smile, when he sees hongjoong's mouth 'chitter' when he's dead seat on staring at a bird.
"do you see your hyungies yet, baby?" seonghwa calls out from the hallway.
hongjoong gasps tapping on the glass "hwa! my 'yungie! 'yungie here!"
he drops his blankie, running up to the front door as soon as it opens. seonghwa drops the laundry basket onto the couch as he (somewhat) patiently waits for the younger to finish greeting each one of his hyungs.
"so what's the big exciting news that you rushed us all over here for?" yeosang asked first out of the group.
"yeah, what's going on?!" mingi added.
seongjwa giddly motioned his hand for them to follow him into the kitchen. the younger giggled as he did what they were told what to do. he loves seeing his hwa so bubbly and excited.
he grabs the envelope slowly turning around for dramatic effect. "this envelope right here...will let me know if I have officially adopted hongjoong as my own child, and I wanted everyone to be here for it."
said kitten looked at each of his hyungs- how they all look excited and happy and then back at his hwa who carries the same expression.
"hongjoongie, baby, hwa wants you to open it." carefully hwa hands him the envelope, leaving a quick peck on his temple. "I love you very very much."
with his most gentle touch, hongjoong- with the assistance of seonghwa- opened the envelope and slid the papers out.
there was so many words on the paper that the younger just passed it over to his hwa, who gladly accepted it and began to read the attached letter.
"dear mr. park,
on behalf of myself and Seoul Law & Government, I hereby officially announce the newest member of your family; park hongjoong. our staff here would like to congratulate you on this new journey and wish you a lifetime of happiness and nurture with your new legally adopted child in your care.
and so once again congratulations. we wish you many blessings of happiness. attached to this letter is your legal adoption certificate.
many blessings.
signed; mrs. lee"
hongjoong slightly flinched at the loud cheering and hollering his hyungs bellowed out. he covered his ears, finding hwa for comfort. he didn't really understand what was going on and why everyone was being so loud.
"this is so exciting!"
"congratulations!"
"we're so happy for you guys!'
hongjoong slightly whined at the volume, seonghwa placed a hand over his ear and held him close. he instructed with his hand to lower the volume, for hongjoong's sake.
"hongjoongie, do you know what this means?" san was the first to ask, to which he recieved a shake to the head.
"what is the one thing you want in the whole wide world?" yunho joined in.
hongjoong snuggled into the older's arms, "wan' my hwa"
"look, baby" seonghwa's voice was low and gentle on his ears. in his hands, he held the official certificate of adoption. what made him break down the most was seeing his legal name written in fancy black lettering;
park hongjoong
he was speechless. seonghwa can't believe that this is actually happening. he feels an overwhelming burst of relief flood through his body.
since day 1, hongjoong has wormed his way into his heart and he's so grateful that he found him and nurtured him back to health.
seonghwa didn't realize he was crying until he felt fingers on his cheek wiping away his tears. with how small the hand was, he automatically knew it was hongjoong.
"why hwa sa'?" hongjoong asked, eyebrows drawn in concrn. he never liked to see his hwa cry, because he's the one who'll end up crying after.
"baby, hwa isn't sad" which kind of contradicts what he just said, more tears are rolling down his cheek.
he placed the paper down, and went to place hongjoong on top of the counter. "hwa is crying happy tears, something really exciting just happened and hwa is so happy and relieved. hongjoong, the moment you stepped foot in this house, I knew that in my heart, that we were destined to be in each other's lives. I tell you this everyday, but I really love you, hongjoong. you wormed your way into my heart so fast and forever you will always be there. I promise, park hongjoong, that hwa will always be here to help you and comfort you when you need it. I am never going to leave or abandon you, I care for you so much and I will always love you."
hongjoong's eyes began to tear up, lower lip wobbling. seonghwa wasted no time in pulling him into his arms as he lets out the loudest wail. seonghwa's wordsbreally made hongjoong feel so comforted and safe that he just felt so overwhelmingly happy.
happy that this means he'll be with his hwa forever.
happy that he knows how much seonghwa loves him.
"it's all good now, baby. you're going to be with hwa and your hyungs forever as a family...we love you so much, hongjoong."
one by one each hyung came over and joined in on the group hug. it's pretty crowded, all 8 of them trying to fit into the hug, but leaving a little breathing space for the younger.
"I so hy'appy, hwa...my hwa..." seonghwa presses his lips onto hongjoong's forehead, hongjoong reciprocating the affection by nuzzling into the warmth of his mama and his hyungs; or as he should call them his family.
"this calls for a celebration!" yeosang shouts.
"but it's too cold to go anywhere~" san whines back.
"who said we had to go anywhere?" seonghwa asks, one by one everyone looks at him in curiosity. "wooyoung, go in the kitchen and grab what we'll need to make s'mores...jongho can you grab a few blankets and pillows...and mingi, my oh so sweet and precious mingi, can you be a dear and help wooyoung with the snacks?"
seonghwa placed hongjoong down "I'll be right back, baby"
hongjoong watches as his hwa disappears up the stairs, and his hyungs scramble around trying to get what is needed.
"hongjoongie, how do you feel?" san approached him first.
hongjoong smiled "sannie, I hy'appy...I hwa 'aby... 'eber."
"you're so precious, don't ever lose that spark, hongjoong." his sannke hyung squished his cheeks, going to pepper his face with kisses.
"joongie bear~" seonghwa called out in his sing song voice, making the kitten giggle as he waddled over to where his hwa's voice was coming from.
he gasped at what he saw in the living room. pillows and blankets galore, the fireplace crackling with freshly cut wood, and all the ingredients to make the chocolatey and gooey treat of s'mores.
but what makes his eyes water again is seeing all of his hyungs sitting in one room with his hwa. he holds out a picture frame to let him take a look at the certificate.
"this means forever, baby. you have your forever home, now, and you always will, my star"
hongjoong watches as seonghwa places the framed adoption certificate on the fireplace mantel, right next to the family picture he drew not too long ago.
for a second it's quiet, the crackling sounds of the fireplace fill the room.
"m-m....mama...y'ove my mama" hongjoong's voice is barely above a whisper, eyes glossy with unshed tears.
seonghwa picks him up and places him in the familiar spot of his hip. he presses a kiss to his temple. "mama will always be here for you, my star, I will love you forever and always."
and hongjoong finally knew what it felt like to have his own family, for whenever he was with seonghwa, he knew what a real family felt like.
and for seonghwa, he will always be grateful for making his dreams come true.
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