Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Time has passed, it has been five years since they got married. One year after their camping adventure, the two tie a knot. It was just a simple and intimate wedding.

All of them got back to their normal lives.Juri is now a developmental psychologist and one of the head doctors of Ok Psychiatric Hospital. The hospital got bigger and cater different therapy nowadays and also became an orphanage for the kids.

Juri's mother still cooks for everyone in the hospital's cafeteria. Every lunch break, the cafeteria is almost full and she's always happy to serve the little kids and watching them playing outside makes her heart full.

With the retirement of Dr. Oh few years ago, they have a new hospital director- Dr. Song.

Some of the patients like Kwon Ki Do, Lee Ae reum, Joo Jeong Tae and others already start their new lives. Ki Do is now studying law at Korea University then Ae Reum and Jeong Tae just got married last year. Everything unfolds in an eloquent way.

Her bestie, Sang Tae got numerous recognition for his extra ordinary illustration skills and still with Sang In and Sung Jae in Seoul.

Her husband, Gang Tae just graduated and starting to build his own business.

While her, she just recently released a book entitled "The Dinosaur Love." Aside from that, she's still reading stories at the hospital.

The blue sky was dotted with fluffy clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze.

".... Many people don't understand, they might think it's a disability but little did they know, they have a different ability.." Moon Young reads the last paragraph and closed the book

"So, can anyone tell me the moral of the story?"

"It's okay to be different!" A teenage girl who is always sitting at the back and not wanting to talk answered

Moon Young smiled "That's right. Thank you for listening everyone. Have a nice day." she said and stand up then left the room then walks toward the door with a "Therapy Session: On Process" sign.

She was about to knock when the door slightly open, she looks down and saw a familiar shoes and a tiny hands on the door handle.

She smiled and bend her knees to meet his eyes. "Hi there, my beautiful boy" she said while fixing his hair but he refuse.

"Oh, you don't like that. Arasso, I'm sorry." she said softly. The little boy looks at her and gave her a tight hug as if saying it's okay.

"Ha Neul-ah!" Juri's voice echoed across the room then she opened the door widely. "Oh, there you are." she said as she saw Moon Young

"How was his therapy?" Moon Young asked

"We are still working on his eye contact. So far so good. No tip toeing anymore. Ha Neul learned the ABCs today, he even sing it for me. He's also extra talkative today and hey look at this.." Juri speaks and gave her a bond paper with a paint of a green dinosaur

"God, Moon Young your son is so talented. His drawing is good more than mine." she said

Moon Young smile while looking at the drawing "Maybe I should get him as my illustrator for my next book. Aish, you're so good Ha Neul -ah just like your uncle Sang Tae."

"Omma." he whispered while hugging Moon Young, then looking up to her as he spread his arms wantig to be carried.

"I think we need to go now. Thank you, Juri yah. I owe you alot!"

"Bye, See you next week Ha Neul!"

Moon Ha Neul, Gang Tae and Moon Young's son is now three years old. Few months ago, his initial diagnosis is level 1 autism spectrum disorder but he still needs to undergo some test when he's old enough to have a final diagnosis. For early intervention, Juri suggested to send him into therapy for his speech delay, also some play therapy and socialization.

Moon Young was the one who noticed something different about him. He wasn't able to talk yet when he was 16 months old. They thought it was normal since he is a boy yet he turned two and they haven't heard even a simple words from him.

At play room with some other kids, he won't socialize and just play by himself in the corner.
She also observed that he is fascinated with circle objects. He also tend to ignore whenever they calls his name or even pointing out some toys as if he couldn't see it. And when he walks, we was going around circles while tip toeing and hand flapping.

Gang tae told Moon Young to have their son undergo checkup for his eyesight and even for his hearing but Moon Young knows something's not right. And Gang Tae is still in denial.

Not so long ago, he throws a tantrum out of nowhere while Jae Su and Gang Tae are baby sitting him. Turned out Jae Su played a loud music, Gang Tae saw a de ja vu moment of his son and his brother. Sang Tae doesn't like loud sounds as well and Ha Neul also did whatever Sang Tae is doing when hearing a loud sound - putting his hands on his ears and cry.

That moment, he knew Moon Young was right. He was just pushing it aside, denying everything. He cried in her arms that night, saying sorry that their child will not live like some typical kids. He blamed himself - his genes specifically.

Moon Young just hold him whispering that it's no one's fault. "It's not your fault, Gang Tae ah. Look at oppa, he lives like a typical adult now. I'm sure Ha Neul will grow up just fine. He just need a little help that's why we are here. And Of course Juri will help him. Don't blame yourself for the things we don't have control. Hmm? Acceptance can be hard but that's the only way we can cope." Moon Young explains while rubbing his back

He hugged her tightly and cry some more, he doesn't know if he's crying because of Ha Neul or Moon Young for being this understanding. He expect her to be mad about him, blaming him for everything and worst - leaving him. But as she say those words, he couldn't be more proud at her. He knows it's also hard for her but she stay stronger for the both of them.

"Do you really think I'll blame you for that?"

He nodded and look at her.

"Silly, I actually thought of it ever since we date. But who cares? He's beautiful and talented. We can provide the help he needs so we don't need to worry.He's gonna be okay."

"He's gonna be okay." He said and sigh as a sign of relief.

"Appa!" Ha Neul said while Moon Young pit him down, they are now at his office.

"Hey there, buddy!" he carried him and give him a kiss on his cheeks

Ha Neul walks toward the couch while getting some toy dinosaur at his backpack.

"He's doing good." Moon Young said while walking towards him

"Good." he said as he gives her a forehead kiss

"Oh look." she handed him his drawing, he was surprised and look at his son. "Wah, Hyung will be amazed to see this."

At home, the three settled on the bed Ha Neul hugging Moon Young as she reads her new story. "Do you know, you and your uncle Sang Tae are my inspiration for this?"

At three, Ha Neul find it hard to express his words but he definitely understand what his mother was saying. He nodded and hug her tightly.

"I.. I lo- love you omma, appa." he said

Chapter Text

It's been almost a decade now.

Seasons have changed. 

Moon Young and Gang Tae stand in the corner of the room, taking time to watch their son who's now an extra ordinary 8 year old artist who just started his first ever art exhibit. He grew up as a fine young boy, literally just like his father. 

Being on a spectrum, their family faced many challenges. One of the most difficult was when they announced it to the public. Being a well - known author, they tried their best to protect their only son with the judgement of the people. 

Privacy. That's the only thing she wished from her fans however, numerous articles were released and a bunch of low life people on the internet throw hate comments on their innocent child. 

When Ha Neul was four, he wanted to attend his mother's book signing event as he and his uncle Sang Tae collaborated as the book's illustrators. However, due to the crowded and clamorous place, Ha Neul wasn't well prepared and got severely overwhelmed making him to throw a major meltdown in the hall making everyone glance at him, exchanging judgemental gaze and whispering comments about him. 

Even though his therapy is continuous and he can now manage his emotions very well, there are unexpected times that it can't be avoided. 

Gang Tae carried him outside to let him calm down. Moon Young decided to go down attempting to follow her husband and son when she heard a woman who's also holding her son whispered, "Children like that should be banned, he's crazy." 

Moon Young stopped in her stance. It was a just a soft murmur yet it blasted in her ear, staring at the woman with her icy gaze. 

She walks towards the family and speak "Don't you dare call my son crazy." she snapped and walked out. 

She already did it for Sang Tae before and she's more than willing to protect her own son this time. Making her more empathetic towards Gang Tae, thinking how he survived this judgement when he was taking care of his brother. 

After that incident, Moon Young never had a book signing event. They also released a statement about it. 

"Due to the recent events, We announced that the upcoming book signing event of Author Ko Moon Young will be cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.

For almost five years, Author Ko Moon Young has been known to be an advocate of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to give to support to her husband's brother and her son. 

We demand the public to take down all the photos and videos circulating online about the incident during the booksigning event for Ms. Ko's son's privacy. Also, we remind everyone to be more compassionate, kind, and understanding. Thank you." 

From afar, they are watching the little boy wearing headphones while letting the few selected people take a photo of him with his artworks.  He's a bit awkward however, he smiles at them and even waves his hand. 

"Moon Young ah!" Juri excitedly walks to them 

"Oh, you're here." Gang Tae said smiling at her. Juri handed the bouquet to Moon Young. "What's this?"

"Congratulations." she said

"You should give it to Ha Neul. I'm sure he will be happy to see you." Moon Young stated while looking at her son

"It's really for the both of you. Congrats, I know how hard it is and I'm very proud not just to Ha Neul but also to you. For being supportive and easy to work with. He wouldn't be able to achieve his milestones if not for your efforts and patience." Juri explained remembering how this couple would put so much effort in handling Ha Neul's behavior 

Flashbacks of their journey comes in Moon Young's mind, from worrying about Ha Neul's future, taking time to learn and attend seminars just to know more about his condition and how they can help him. It was a tough one, not linear yet they were able to establish a good behavioral plan for him. 

"You're making me cry but you know Juri ah, we won't be able to do it without your help. So, thank you." Moon Young whispered while Gang Tae rubs her back 

"It's my job anyway. Alright, I'll stop before both of us cry here. This is a good day, I'll just look around. See you later." 

They just laugh it off and when the photographers are done, they quickly go to Ha Neul. 

"Good job, Ha Neul ah." Gang Tae said, raising his hand for a high five 

"Yey!" Ha Neul happily gave a high five to his dad

"I'm so proud of you." Moon Young knelt down to meet his eyes, Ha Neul smile shyly and give her a kiss  

"Uncle?" he whispered while looking around

"Later. He just needs to finish work then he will go to Ha Neul." his father explained 

One of the photographer approached them to take a family picture.

"1,2,3 .... say cheese!" the photographer said

"Cheese is for snack time only! Ha Neul loves cheese." Ha Neul said innocently

Moon Young and Gang Tae look at each other, surprised by their son's statement. He doesn't talk so much so now, being able to hear him speak in a complete sentence made them so so happy and proud of him. 

Indeed, Small steps count too. 

end