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If you asked Chenle, he’d tell you that his dad was the best dad in the whole world. Well, he’d yell it at you. He can’t help how excited he gets when he talks about his dad.
His dad who wakes him up with a song every morning, his voice like the honey that his favorite bear character likes so much.
His dad who cooks him his favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Never forgetting to give him a little sweet for dessert. Each meal made with love that he can taste in every bite.
His dad who supports his dreams of becoming a singer one day. Taking him to lessons everyday after school and reminding him that his dreams will come true. That his voice is even better than his own, when Chenle would argue that he couldn’t compare to his dad.
His dad who tucks him into bed every night, sometimes even sneaking in to cuddle with him. Those nights are the best. Wrapped in his dad’s arms and hearing him whisper stories of fairies and witches. Of friendship and love. The soft kiss on his head and whisper of “I love you so much” is the last thing Chenle remembers before falling to sleep.
So yes, Chenle really really loves his dad. His selfless, loving, and special dad.
He’d do anything for his dad.
Which is why for the first time in Chenle’s seven years of life he’s finally found a way to give back to his dad.
It all started the night Uncle Jaemin, Uncle Jeno, and Jisung came over for dinner. Jisung and Chenle were watching a movie with Uncle Jeno while Uncle Jaemin and dad did their “friend chat” (that’s what dad called it) in the kitchen. Chenle had ran to use the bathroom when the light from the kitchen shined through the crack in the slightly opened door. It felt like fate was telling him to go and see his dad, maybe give him a big hug.
As Chenle inched closer to the door he suddenly froze. He heard something, something he’d never heard before. Something he didn’t think was possible. Something horrible.
His dad was crying.
Chenle peaked through the window and watched his dad cry into his glass of “adult juice” (also what dad called it). Uncle Jaemin rubbing his back.
“What’s wrong, Hyuck?” Uncle Jaemin said in a worried tone.
“I just… I really… I really miss milk…” Chenle’s dad sobbed. “I just really want milk.”
Chenle felt his heart sink as he watched his dad cry. His dad who wiped away Chenle’s tears and smiled so big that he shined like the sun.
He wanted his dad to smile again.
Chenle ran back to the living room and pulled at a sleepy Jisung.
“Huh, what’s wrong?” Jisung whined.
“Let’s go!” Chenle urged as he dragged Jisung away to his room.
“Hey! You’re going to miss the best part! Moana’s about to restore the heart!” Uncle Jeno’s voice called out to them.
Chenle closed the door and began pacing around his bedroom. Jisung watched from the bed, slightly concerned but also really tired.
“What’s wrong, Lele?” Jisung finally asked.
Chenle finally stopped in front of his dresser, looking at the photo of him and his dad from Chenle’s first day of school. He was happy that day. His dad was happy too. He wanted that again.
“My dad is sad and I need to make him happy again.” Chenle spoke with determination.
“How are we going to do that?” Jisung tilted his head in wonder.
Chenle smiled big, the same smile that mirrored his dad’s whenever he had a plan.
“I need to find milk.”
🥛
“Lele, is there something else that you want to eat for breakfast?” His dad questioned as he watched Chenle.
Chenle squinted as he observed every inch of the refrigerator for the fifth time.
“Lele?” His dad stood up now to check on him.
“I was just wondering if we…um… had any milk?” Chenle finally turned to his dad and asked.
His dad laughed, “Why didn’t you tell me you want some milk? I’ll make you a glass.”
“So we do have milk?”
“Right here.” His dad replied as he reached for the carton at the top shelf of the fridge. “Did you want some?”
“Um… no. Do you want some milk, dad?” Chenle waited.
“Me?” Chenle’s dad laughed softly, his eyes never leaving the carton of milk. “Hmm this isn’t the milk that I want.” His dad whispered.
It’s not the right milk , Chenle noted in his head.
🥛
“Chenle, what are you reading about?”
Chenle closed another book, the words too difficult for him to understand and with little pictures.
“Mr. Kun, I’m trying to find out where I can get milk.” Chenle pouted.
“Milk? Like where it comes from?” Mr. Kun asked in a surprised tone.
“Yes! My dad really wants milk and it’ll make him very happy!”
“Well, milk comes from cows.”
“How do I get a cow!?” Chenle inched closer to Mr. Kun, happy to have an answer.
“Woah! It’ll be quite difficult for you to get your hands on a cow. I think if what your dad wants is some milk, then you’ll find some at the grocery store. Next time you go with your dad, ask him which one he likes.” Mr. Kun suggested as he patted Chenle’s head.
“Okay.”
🥛
“Lele, where are we going?” His dad asked as Chenle dragged him to the back of the grocery store. “Is there a specific thing that you want for dinner?”
Chenle stopped in front of the dairy section and pointed at the doors.
“You want milk?” His dad was surprised.
Chenle shook his head. “Which one is the most yummiest?”
“Hmm… Let me see... This one is the best tasting.” His dad said as pulled one off the shelf.
“Is it your favorite?” Chenle hoped that this would make his dad happy.
“It’s one of my favorites, but not really comparable to a different kind of milk.” His dad said with a laugh, which Chenle didn’t understand. “A little more milk in the fridge wouldn’t hurt. Maybe we can use it to bake later.” His dad said as he placed the milk in the cart and moved on to the next shelf of products.
Then what is his favorite milk? Chenle grew frustrated.
🥛
“Did you get it?”
“I did! All I had to do was give Papa a kiss on the cheek and he gave me two cartons of milk!” Jisung exclaimed as he handed Chenle the cooler with milk in it.
“Uncle Jaemin is funny.” Chenle commented. “Thank you! Hopefully one of these will be dad’s favorite!” Chenle’s eyes shined with excitement, ready to go home.
🥛
“Lele, where did you get those milks from?” His dad asked as he opened the cooler that Chenle had been holding onto tightly in the car.
“Uncle Jaemin gave it to Jisung and Jisung gave it to me! So I’m giving them to you!”
“Oh! Thank you, Lele.” His dad gave him a hug and Chenle melted in his embrace, sighing, happy that he finally did it.
“Are these your favorite milk?” Chenle smiled.
“Oat milk is my favorite in a latte, so yes it’s one of them.”
Chenle’s smile dropped. “One of them?”
It’s not the favorite.
🥛
“Chenle, you need to relax more.” His vocal coach, Mr. Renjun, told him for the third time. “Is something bothering you today?”
Chenle groaned. “My dad really wants milk, but I can’t find out which is his favorite! I need to know his favorite, so that he’ll be happy!”
“Hmm maybe what your dad wants isn’t actual milk, but the idea of milk.” Mr. Renjun’s husband, Mr. Yangyang added from the corner of the room.
Mr. Renjun glared at his husband while Chenle blinked in confusion.
“I don’t understand.” Chenle spoke.
“Don’t listen to that crazy Uncle over there. What he means is maybe your dad would like a picture of milk! I could help you draw it!” Renjun clapped his hands in excitement.
“Okay!” Chenle cheered.
This has got to be it.
🥛
“Dad, are you ready for your surprise?” Chenle jumped up and down after they placed the last dish in the dishwasher.
“Okay okay, I can’t wait any longer. What is it?” His dad closed his eyes as Chenle placed the paper in his hand.
“Open your eyes!”
Chenle watched his dad’s eyes light up with amusement as he smiled as his drawing of a glass of milk, with some cookies that Mr. Renjun added.
“It’s such a beautiful drawing of … um… milk!” His dad smiled.
“Do you like it?!”
“I do! It’s the best drawing ever! The milk and cookies look so delicious!” His dad praised as he gave Chenle a big hug. “Thank you so much.”
I did it!
“Let’s put this amazing art on display!” His dad used a magnet to hold the paper on the fridge. “Perfect! What a masterpiece!”
Chenle smiled proudly.
“I’m so happy you like it, dad.”
His dad smiled at him before looking at the drawing again.
“I do. It reminds me of the milk I miss.”
Chenle’s smile dropped as he glared at the image.
It’s not it.
🥛
“Mr. Lee and Mr. Na, what are you doing?”
“Ahhh! Principal Kim!” Jisung screamed.
“Jisung! You were supposed to keep watch!” Chenle whined as he smiled at the Principal innocently.
“Mr. Lee that smile didn’t work for your dad, it’s not going to work for you.” Principal Kim shook his head.
Chenle nugged at Jisung, “Do the smile.” He whispered.
“Oh right!” Jisung remembered before smiling at Principal Kim, the smile that mirrored his dad’s.
Principal Kim stared at him awkwardly, his fierce eyes softening.
“Alright enough! Now tell me what you two boys are doing back here? This area is not for students.” Principal Kim gestured to the room, they were in the cooler of the cafeteria. Completing what Chenle named, operation milk.
“I… I needed to get some milk.” Chenle gave in and answered.
“Lunch is in an hour, Mr. Lee.”
Chenle shook his head. “No. Not for me! It’s for my dad! He’s been really sad and he really wants some milk!”
“It’s very nice of you to want to do that for your dad, Chenle, but it’s not good to steal. Also to skip class.”
“I’m sorry.” Chenle looked down at the crate of milk at his feet.
“What is going on in here?”
Jisung smiled. “Ah! Mr. Lee!”
“Doyoung, why do these kids look like they are going to cry in my room?” Mr. Lee glared at the Principal.
“Tae-” Mr. Lee’s eyes narrowed more. “Mr. Lee, I was just scolding these two for skipping class and stealing some milk.” Principal Kim told him.
“Well, they aren’t skipping or stealing. They were helping me prepare for lunch today and as a reward I told them that they’d each receive an extra two cartons of milk.” Mr. Lee said with a smile that Chenle would describe as dangerous.
“Are they?” Principal Kim raised an eyebrow.
“Yes! So don’t you have other things that need your attention? This matter has nothing to do with you.”
“Fine. But you get these boys back to class.”
“I will.”
Principal Kim looked down at the smiling boys, “You boys got lucky.” Principal Kim turned to leave the room and Chenle and Jisung let out the breath they’d been holding.
“Thank you Mr. Lee!” Chenle cheered as Jisung hugged his leg.
“Of course. Anything for you cuties.” Mr. Lee bent down to hug them both.
“Ahem.”
The three of them froze to look back at the door where Principal Kim watched them, shaking his head but with a soft smile.
“What is it, Doyoung?” Mr. Lee blushed at being caught.
“Just wanted to remind you, Tae… I mean Mr. Lee, about this evening.”
“I remember! Don’t worry!” Mr. Lee gestured for Principal Kim to leave.
“Oh and also, Chenle.” Chenle peaked his head over Mr. Lee’s shoulder to look at Principal Kim. “Your dad used to be a big fan of chocolate milk, maybe that’ll make him happy.”
Chenle’s face lit up with joy.
“Mr. Lee, what is happening this evening?” Jisung asked after Principal Kim left.
“Principal Kim and I are going on a date.”
“Ohh! My papa and dad go on dates all the time!” Jisung commented.
Chenle didn’t listen as he eyed the crate of brown milk.
Chocolate milk.
🥛
“Ta-duh!”
“Oh! Is that for me?” His dad smiled at the tiny carton of chocolate milk that Chenle pulled from his backpack.
“Yes! Mr. Lee gave me lots of chocolate milk!” Chenle announced as he continued to pull more and more cartons out of his backpack. Mr. Lee had told Principal Kim, two each, but he said because they were for his dad, they’d get more.
“Oh…um… it’s a lot of milk!” His dad didn’t know what to say as he watched his son smile so greatly as he took out the last carton of milk, totaling 10 cartons.
“Do you like it? Principal Kim said that you liked chocolate milk.”
“I do! It’s been so long since I had some chocolate milk!” His dad smiled. “Why don’t we get some cookies and open a carton?”
“Okay!” Chenle couldn’t wait to tell Jisung tomorrow.
“Wow, chocolate milk tastes just as good as I remember,” his dad commented as he took a sip of the milk.
Chenle continued to shove cookies in his mouth in celebration.
“It’s really the best. Now I remember why it used to be my favorite.”
The cookie in Chenle’s hand dropped.
No.
🥛
“Lele. Chenle!” His dad rubbed his back. “What’s wrong?”
“Everything is wrong!” Chenle cried from underneath his blanket.
He couldn’t do it. He had tried so hard to find the milk that his dad wanted and he couldn’t do it.
All he wanted was to make his dad happy and he couldn’t do it.
“I’m a bad son!” Chenle cried.
“Oh no. Lele, come here.”
Chenle pulled off the blanket and looked at his dad, who wiped the tears away.
“You are not a bad son! You are the best son I could ever have. You make me so happy.”
Chenle shook his head in denial.
His dad smiled at him softly. “You know what’s good for when you're upset?”
Chenle shook his head again.
“Ice cream.”
Chenle stopped crying and looked at his dad who tried not to laugh at him.
“Come on.” His dad reached out to grab Chenle’s hand, which he took, and led them to the kitchen.
“Alright, what will it be?” His dad asked as he held a vanilla and a chocolate ice cream.
Chenle pointed at the chocolate and his dad laughed.
“Chocolate it is.”
Chenle sniffed his nose as he started to eat his ice cream, already feeling his spirits being lifted.
His dad rubbed his head before going to the freezer to put the vanilla ice cream back and get his own chocolate ice cream.
“You’re so cute! You’re just like your dad, he always used to say that his favorite milk product was ice cream, specifically chocolate ice cream.”
Chenle’s eyes widened.
Ice cream!
Chenle heard the front door open and quickly ran to snatch the ice cream out of his dad’s hand.
“Hey!”
Chenle ran to the front door and smiled.
“Dad!”
“Hi Lele. Why do you look like you’ve been crying?” His dad was concerned as he dropped his grocery bags. “Where is Uncle Jaemin?” His dad bent down to check on him.
Chenle shook his head. “Here!” Chenle handed his dad the chocolate ice cream. “For you!”
“For me?”
“Yes! Are you happy?”
His dad laughed. “I am very very happy.”
Chenle hugged his dad tight, “It’s your favorite milk right!?”
His dad hugged him back just as tight. “It is. It’s my favorite… ” His dad’s eyes wandered behind Chenle and stopped, widening. “Milk.”
I did it! I finally found it!
Chenle let go of his dad and danced around in celebration.
“Mark, you’re back early?” His dad stood up, his eyes still wide with shock.
“Oh yeah, dad came after Uncle Jaemin and I ate lunch!” Chenle told his dad.
“I wanted to surprise you two.” Mark told Hyuck.
Hyuck rushed over and embraced Mark, his face resting on his shoulder. Chenle quickly ran over and joined them in a family hug.
“I missed you two so much! I’m sorry I was away so long.” Mark apologized as he held his two favorite people.
“It’s okay, dad. Dad and I had a great time!” Chenle giggled into the hug, looking up at his two dads.
“We did.” Hyuck smiled at Chenle before making eye contact with Mark. “We had a great time, but now we are both so happy to have you back home again.”
“I’m happy to be home.”
“I missed you so much, my milk.” Hyuck whispered as his lips met his husbands.
“Ew. I didn’t miss that.” Chenle groaned as his dads laughed.
His dad stuck his tongue out at him.
“Oh right, speaking of milk. Why do we have so much milk in the fridge?” Mark wondered.
“Lele brought them home.” Hyuck told him.
“Did you?” Mark’s attention returned to Chenle who continued to smile.
“Yes! Dad said he wanted and missed milk so I got him lots of milk!” Chenle beamed.
Hyuck’s cheeks turned red as he looked at his son in shock, unaware of what his son was doing.
“Oh really?” Mark teased as he stared at his husband.
“Yup! Now dad said he’s happy that he has his favorite milk!”
Hyuck finally looked at Mark, “He is. Your dad is very very happy.”
They smiled at each other.
Chenle smiled.
He did it. He found his dad’s favorite and most missed milk.
He should’ve known!
It was chocolate ice cream!